cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ICC: a BASIC program for the calculation of intraclass correlations based on fixed effects and random effects models

The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) represents a commonly used measure of reliability among a set of k judges when data are at least interval in nature (Cron­ bach, GIeser, Nanda, & Rajaratnam, 1972; Hays, 1981). The program described here calculates four ICC estimates based on a subject x judge matrix of observations, where each judge observes all subjects. The four estimates cor­ respond to single-judge and k-judge ICCs based on a fixed effects and a random effects model (see Lahey, Downey, & Saal, 1983; Shrout & Fleiss, 1979). The fixed effects model assumes that the k judges are the only ones of in­ terest, whereas the random effects model assumes that the k judges have been randomly sampled from a population to which inferences will be made. The single-judge esti­ mate represents the expected reliability of a single judge and is appropriate when the researcher plans to use only a single judge for measurement purposes (e.g., in order to save resources). The k-judge estimate is the expected reliability of the group of k judges and is used when mul­ tiple judges are to contribute to measurement (e.g., rat­ ings are to be averaged). This latter estimate is analagous to an internal consistency estimate calculated on a multi­ ple item test. Input. The data can be entered directly into the pro­ gram or via disk using a previously created file. A miss­ ing data indicator can also be specified. This indicator is
Critical behavior of random n ≥ 4 vector models studied by the renormalization-group technique in 4 − ε dimensions: Crossover from first-order to smeared transitions

The phase transitions in a large class of physical systems are described by $n\ensuremath{\ge}4$ component order parameters. Here, the critical behavior of quenched random $n\ensuremath{\ge}4$ vector models is studied by means of renormalization-group theory in $4\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ dimensions. Recursion relations for average potentials are constructed following the methods derived by Lubensky. For several Hamiltonians describing homogeneous $n\ensuremath{\ge}4$ systems there exist no stable fixed points in $4\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ dimensions which explains the first-order transitions actually observed in these systems. It is shown that the recursion relations for the corresponding quenched random systems are also unstable. However, the runaway in this case is of a fundamentally different nature. The fluctuations of the local mean-field transition temperature diverge, and this behavior is interpreted as a "smeared" transition. This interpretation is consistent with existing experiments. On the other hand, in the cases where the homogeneous Hamiltonian possesses a stable fixed point in $4\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ dimensions, this fixed point remains stable against random perturbations, so no change in the critical behavior is expected. For most of the models studied there is at least one fixed point of order ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{\frac{1}{2}}$. These fixed points are all unstable. It is suggested that experiments should be performed to determine the critical behavior of random $n\ensuremath{\ge}4$ systems. Of particular interest are the systems with no stable fixed points, such as Cr, Eu, MnO, and ${\mathrm{UO}}_{2}$, where crossover from first-order to a smeared transition is predicted.
Spherical detonations in gas-oxygen mixtures

Studies of the spherical detonation of a variety of gases with oxygen are reported. Detonability limits for 15 gas-oxygen mixtures in a 20-cm-i.d. sphere have been determined, using small high explosive detonators to initiate detonation. The minimum energy for initiation of detonation in 14 stoichiometric gas-oxygen mixtures has been determined, using exploding wires to initiate detonation.
A computationally efficient method for solving the redundant problem in biomechanics.

Abstract Determining the optimal set of musculotendon forces with which to produce a forward dynamic simulation of movement typically involves a huge investment of time and computational resources. A new, computationally efficient method is proposed that simultaneously achieves the desired trajectory and the dynamically optimized set of muscle stresses, and hence forces, according to the maximal endurance criterion function of Crowninshield and Brand (1981). Muscle-induced accelerations of the system resulting from unit stress contractions of individual muscles are superposed via the new pseudoinverse method to yield the desired motion trajectory. The method is tested on a control problem involving a five degree-of-freedom (DOF), 30 muscle, uppercextremity model, which incorporates a dual rigid-body forearm to represent pronation and supination more adequately. The pseudoinverse method delivered the desired motion to within 0.25° for each DOF-during a three-sceond simulation. It is anticipated that the methodology can be easily and accurately appied to other highly redundant optimal control problems in biomechanics.
Early mathematics and phonological awareness in two child care settings

Curriculum development during early childhood is informed through an understanding of the cognitive skills that develop concurrently in the earliest years. Extending previous work, this study examined the relationship between early mathematics and phonological awareness (PA) skills for 37 children (14 girls; overall mean age = 47.6 months, SD = 11.17) attending centre or home-based child care. Assessments included the Peabody picture vocabulary test – third edition (PPVT-III), test of early mathematics ability-3 (TEMA-3), and phonological awareness literacy screening. Letter sounds (LS) and name writing (NW) significantly mediated the relationship between PPVT and TEMA, while letter awareness (LA) approached significance as a mediator (p = 0.06). These findings support LeFevre et al.’s [(2010). Pathways to mathematics: Longitudinal predictors of performance. Child Development, 81, 1753–1767] claim that the linguistic pathway is in use for certain components of mathematical performance. Our results suggest...
Contracts for Contentious Politics: Day Labor Hall Practices and the City of Cincinnati

Using an empirical study of a political protest, this paper examines a set of interdependent contracts symbolizing both the nodes of scalar interaction and the hegemonic nodes of resistance. The study focuses on a contentious political campaign aimed at the City of Cincinnati, a recycling facility, and a day labor temp agency initiated by contracted day laborers who hand-sorted garbage from recycling materials and suffered from adverse working conditions and alleged wage violations. A discussion of the rise of contingent labor through implementation of neoliberal deregulation policies is integrated with Jurgen Habermas' concepts of the lifeworld and the system providing an explanatory framework for understanding lifeworld colonization through flexible labor practices and the subsequent impetus behind the contentious political campaign. Using survey data, the shared lifeworld of day laborers is described. The study also examines how the position of protest participants affected the tactics and outcomes of ...
Electron exchange in collisions with O2 and NO.

Rate constants for electron exchange in collisions between thermal-energy, spin-polarized electrons and ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ and NO have been measured using a flowing-helium afterglow apparatus. The measured rate constants, \ensuremath{\sim}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}10}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$ ${\mathrm{sec}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$, are substantially smaller than those for electron exchange in collisions with hydrogen or alkali-metal atoms.
Osteopenia in juvenile diabetes.

The bone mineral status of fifty-one children with diabetes mellitus was studied by single photon absorptiometry. The mean bone mineral content was 13% below values predicted by age, sex, height, and weight. Those children whose diabetes was one year or less in duration were as osteopenic as those whose diabetes was of longer duration. The demineralized children received a higher daily insulin dose than the others. No association was noted between the degree of skeletal demineralization and sex, statural growth, renal function, and serum calcium and phosphorus. No significant changes in bone mineral content were noted longitudinally.
High ionic conductivity in PEO. PPO block polymer + salt solutions

Abstract The conductivity of LiI dissolved in a block copolymer of polypropylene and polyethylene oxide sections of comparable length has been measured and found greater than for either of the pure polymer solutions. The composition of maximum conductivity occurs at low concentration as predicted from entropy theories in which the salt mainly serves to raise the glass transition temperature. A VTF equation gives a good description of the temperature dependence at high salt concentrations. At low concentrations, however, complications due to redistribution of salt between the distinct microregions of the microscopically segregated block units, causes a complex temperature dependence. At intermediate compositions two distinct glass transitions are observed. These blend into a single transition as the microregions blend at high salt concentrations.
Dissipative materials as models of thixotropy and plasticity

Abstract We consider a class of simple materials characterized by a history-dependent viscosity tensor which we call purely dissipative. These materials encompass several existing models of thixotropy and viscoplasticity, including a generalized Oldroyd-Bingham material. We lay down a theoretical framework for classifying these and other simple materials which extends and modifies the well-known scheme of Noll. Finally, we show how a dissipative model of the fluid-like state associated with plastic yielding in solids can be employed to formulate the usual plastic yield condition and flow rule in a single equation.
BeFrienders: Impact of a Social Ministry Program on Relationships for Individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD)

Representatives of a nationally widespread social ministry were surveyed to determine if such an effort had an impact on the social inclusion of individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). All the 730 contacts for the BeFriender Ministry program in 25 U.S. states were sent surveys. The intention was to gather information about congregation members' perspectives on social inclusion of individuals with disabilities and to identify barriers. The personal, relational nature of the BeFriender Ministry resulted in some significant emotional ties between the BeFrienders and the individuals with I/DD, with many benefits reported that reflected loving attitudes.
Factors affecting transfer pricing and income shifting (?) between Canadian and U.S. transnational corporations

Abstract An analysis of organizational, environmental, and financial factors indicates that income shifting may occur among TNCs in the United States and Canada. Some differences in rates of return are partially explained by the larger U.S. TNCs, which experience higher rates of return and prefer non-market methods. Smaller Canadian TNCs, with lower rates of return, prefer market methods.
When my grandfather stole persimmons... Reflections on confucian filial love

TAO Ying asked, “When Shun was emperor and GAO Yao was the judge, if the Blind Man killed a man, what was to be done?” “The only thing to do was to apprehend him.” “In that case, would Shun stop it?” “How could Shun stop it? GAO Yao had authority for what he did.” “Then what should Shun have done?” “Shun would have looked upon casting aside the Empire as no more than discarding a worn shoe. He would have secretly carried the old man on his back and fled to the edge of the Sea and lived there happily, never giving a thought to the Empire.”
Management of survivors of cardiac arrest: Is electrophysiologic testing obsolete in the era of implantable defibrillators?

In a study in this issue of the Journal, Poole et al. (29) analyzed data of 241 patients who survived out of hospital ventricular fibrillation. Their study, the largest one ever published on the subject, reveals several important observations and may provide some new insights
Observation of metal-insulator and metal-metal transitions in hydrogen iodide under pressure.

Hydrogen iodide has been studied up to pressures of 70 GPa at low temperatures in a diamondanvil cell. Electrical-conductivity and optical measurements have been used to observe pressure-induced phase transitions which are interpreted as follows: First a metal-insulator transition takes place in the molecular solid; with increased pressure a metal-metal molecular-to-atomic transition occurs. An additional transition due to intrinsic impurities has been observed. Implications for metallic hydrogen are discussed.
It's what's inside that counts: The role of counterfactual content in intention formation

Abstract Functional counterfactual thinking is a self-regulatory process that converts information about past mistakes into plans for future action. However, there is limited research on how counterfactual content (the relevant information included in the counterfactual) impacts this process. The current research examines whether changes in the counterfactual content influences the cognitive accessibility of behavioral intentions. Accordingly, counterfactuals facilitated intentions when the information was either detailed or involved a specific behavior (Experiments 1 and 2). Additionally, counterfactuals containing a category of behavior facilitated intentions describing specific behaviors, relative to counterfactuals containing a trait (Experiment 3). Similarly, counterfactuals describing one relevant specific behavior facilitated intentions involving another relevant specific behavior (Experiment 4). Finally, preliminary evidence connects the current sequential priming paradigm to downstream behavioral consequences (Experiment 5). Together, the current research provides a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between counterfactuals and behavioral intentions, and functional counterfactual thinking more generally.
Differential regulation of expression of rat hippocampal muscarinic receptor subtypes following fimbria-fornix lesion.

Abstract Quantitative RNase protection assays were performed to determine the levels of muscarinic receptor subtype (ml-m5) mRNAs in rat hippocampi. Results showed that the ml, m3, and m4 subtype mRNAs were expressed at relatively high levels, but the levels of the m2 and m5 subtype were very low. Three weeks following aspiration lesions of the fimbria-fornix to produce cholinergic denervation of the hippocampus, non-M 1 receptors (non-pirenzepine displaceable [ 3 H]quinuclindinyl benzilate binding sites) in the hippocampus were increased significantly, which correlated with increases in the levels of hippocampal m3 and m4 receptor mRNAs (m3: +24% and m4: +41%). These findings indicate that multiple muscarinic receptor subtypes are expressed in the hippocampus with the m3 and m4 subtypes predominantly postsynaptic to the septohippocampal cholinergic terminals.
Towards the development of educational core competencies for couple and family therapy technology practices.

Rises in technology have created change in the family therapy field. The ethics code and regulatory boards now include areas on technology in family therapy practices. These additions require competency in the area of couple and family therapy technology practices. Previous researchers suggest there is a gap between these competencies needed and the training provided, as well as the research available. Thus, the purpose of this mixed-data survey study was to gain information regarding family therapists’ experiences and perceptions of education regarding online family therapy practices. To do this, we administered a survey to family therapists across the United States. Reported, are both quantitative, as well as qualitative findings. The majority of the sample reported that they did not learn about online technologies in clinical practice; however the majority of the participants would like to learn more about couple and family therapy technology practices. The most direct implication of the findings from our study is the need to offer specific education around couple and family therapy technology practices. Suggested core competency areas to cover include theory, research, and practice around technology.
Intramyocellular lipid and insulin resistance: differential relationships in European and African Americans.

Insulin resistance has been associated with the accumulation of fat within skeletal muscle fibers as intramyocellular lipid (IMCL). Here, we have examined in a cross-sectional study the interrelationships among IMCL, insulin sensitivity, and adiposity in European Americans (EAs) and African Americans (AAs). In 43 EA and 43 AA subjects, we measured soleus IMCL content with proton-magnetic resonance spectroscopy, insulin sensitivity with hyperinsulinemic–euglycemic clamp, and body composition with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The AA and EA subgroups had similar IMCL content, insulin sensitivity, and percent fat, but only in EA was IMCL correlated with insulin sensitivity (r = −0.47, P < 0.01), BMI (r = 0.56, P < 0.01), percent fat (r = 0.35, P < 0.05), trunk fat (r = 0.47, P < 0.01), leg fat (r = 0.40, P < 0.05), and waist and hip circumferences (r = 0.54 and 0.55, respectively, P < 0.01). In a multiple regression model including IMCL, race, and a race by IMCL interaction, the interaction was found to be a significant predictor (t = 1.69, DF = 1, P = 0.0422). IMCL is related to insulin sensitivity and adiposity in EA but not in AA, suggesting that IMCL may not function as a pathophysiological factor in individuals of African descent. These results highlight ethnic differences in the determinants of insulin sensitivity and in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome trait cluster.
Relevance conventions and problem boundaries in work redesign teams

Presents findings from a study undertaken to identify some of the conversational issues in the production of knowledge in cross‐functional work redesign groups. Illustrates what may be key sources of miscommunication based in differing conversational relevance. Postulates that the recognition of relevance and, by extension, the recognition of a valid contribution, is influenced by the manner of discourse or speech style. Feels that the language behaviours as disclosed in the analysis can be inhibiting to the work of cross‐functional teams responsible for a variety of organizational change processes, including IS development and workflow redesign.
On the polarization of low mass dimuons produced in hadronic interactions

Abstract We have examined the angular distribution of massive μ+μ− pairs produced in 22 GeV/c π−Cu interactions. We find that the virtual photons which give rise to the process γv→μ+μ− are mainly longitudinally polarized. This contradicts the simple quark-antiquark annihilation model indicating that this is not the dominant production mechanism for the bulk of the data. However, for large fractional momentum of the incident q better agreement with the g q annihilation hypothesis is obtained.
Fibroblast growth factor 2 positively regulates expression of activating transcription factor 4 in osteoblasts

Our previous studies showed that basic fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) null mice display markedly reduced bone mass and bone formation. However, the mechanism by which FGF2 regulates bone mass or bone formation is not fully defined. Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), one member of activating transcription factor/cAMP response element binding family, is a transcription factor required for osteoblast terminal differentiation. Here we investigate the ability of FGF2 to increase expression of ATF4 in bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and examine ATF4 expression in Fgf2−/− BMSCs. We found that FGF2 stimulated ATF4 mRNA expression as early as 20 min and increased ATF4 protein expression after three hours of treatment. BMSCs from Fgf2+/+ and Fgf2−/− mice were cultured in osteogenesis medium. We observed reduced alkaline phosphatase staining, decreased mineralized nodules and reduced osteocalcin expression, and reduced expression of ATF4 in Fgf2−/− BMSC cultures compared to Fgf2+/+ BMSCs. This study is the first demonstration that ATF4 expression can be stimulated by FGF2 in osteoblasts and that ATF4 expression is significantly reduced in differentiated Fgf2−/− BMSCs. These results suggest that impaired bone mass and bone formation in Fgf2 null mice may be due in part to reduced ATF4 expression.
Young Children's Awareness and Understanding of Social Class Differences

Abstract Preschoolers' awareness and understanding of social class differences were examined in this study. Ninety-three preschoolers, half from low-socioeconomic-status (SES) and half from middle-SES families, sorted and described photographs of people depicted as either wealthy or poor. Spontaneous references to social class occurred rarely, but when specifically asked to identify rich and poor people, the subjects were quite accurate. Their concepts about the nature and causes of social class differences were limited and depended on concrete cues. Most children said that rich and poor people were more different than similar but were divided in their responses about whether members of the two groups could be friends. There were virtually no age or SES effects, but some sex differences were found. Girls appeared to be more aware of social class cues than boys.
The Electrical Properties of Flames Containing Salt Vapors for High Frequency Alternating Currents

Dielectric properties of salted flames for high frequencies.---The capacity ${C}_{1}$ and equivalent series resistance ${R}_{1}$ of a condenser consisting of two concentric platinum cylinders, 0.5 cm apart, in a flame containing ${\mathrm{K}}_{2}$C${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ vapor, are measured using a modification of the method of resistance variation. Values of ${C}_{1}$ and ${R}_{1}$ are obtained for voltages between 11.4 and 82.2 volts, for frequencies between 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{5}$ and ${10}^{6}$ cycles per second and for salt concentrations up to 10 grams per liter of ${\mathrm{K}}_{2}$C${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ solution. The resistance is approximately independent of the field but decreases somewhat as frequency increases, and also as concentration increases. The capacity is half as great for 82 as for 11 volts, and for 10\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{5}$ as for 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{5}$ cycles, but increases five fold as the concentration increases from.1 to 10 gm per liter. The apparent dielectric constant varies from 1.2 for the unsalted flame to 9.1 for 10 gm per liter. For theoretical discussion see Wilson and Bryan, next article.
Loss of Epigenetic Kruppel-like Factor 4 Histone Deacetylase (KLF-4-HDAC)-mediated Transcriptional Suppression is Crucial in Increasing Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Expression in Breast Cancer

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is recognized as an important angiogenic factor that promotes angiogenesis in a series of pathological conditions, including cancer, inflammation, and ischemic disorders. We have recently shown that the inflammatory transcription factor SAF-1 is, at least in part, responsible for the marked increase of VEGF levels in breast cancer. Here, we show that SAF-1-mediated induction of VEGF is repressed by KLF-4 transcription factor. KLF-4 is abundantly present in normal breast epithelial cells, but its level is considerably reduced in breast cancer cells and clinical cancer tissues. In the human VEGF promoter, SAF-1- and KLF-4-binding elements are overlapping, whereas SAF-1 induces and KLF-4 suppresses VEGF expression. Ectopic overexpression of KLF-4 and RNAi-mediated inhibition of endogenous KLF-4 supported the role of KLF-4 as a transcriptional repressor of VEGF and an inhibitor of angiogenesis in breast cancer cells. We show that KLF-4 recruits histone deacetylases (HDACs) -2 and -3 at the VEGF promoter. Chronological ChIP assays demonstrated the occupancy of KLF-4, HDAC2, and HDAC3 in the VEGF promoter in normal MCF-10A cells but not in MDA-MB-231 cancer cells. Co-transfection of KLF-4 and HDAC expression plasmids in breast cancer cells results in synergistic repression of VEGF expression and inhibition of angiogenic potential of these carcinoma cells. Together these results identify a new mechanism of VEGF up-regulation in cancer that involves concomitant loss of KLF-4-HDAC-mediated transcriptional repression and active recruitment of SAF-1-mediated transcriptional activation. Background: VEGF plays an important role in tumor growth and metastasis. Results: KLF-4 suppresses VEGF expression in normal breast cells by recruiting HDACs. Cancer cells do not recruit HDACs due to low KLF-4 levels. Conclusion: Loss of KLF-4-HDAC-mediated suppression and active recruitment of SAF-1 causes cancer cell-specific VEGF expression. Significance: Findings identified a previously unknown mechanism of VEGF regulation and revealed new therapeutic targets.
A modern analysis of a historical pediatric disaster: the 1927 Bath school bombing.

Background Children have unique anatomy and physiology that may necessitate a unique approach to a pediatric surge. An analysis of the Bath school bombings of 1927, the largest pediatric terrorist disaster in U.S. history, provides an opportunity to gain perspective on pediatric patterns of injury and future disaster preparedness. Materials and Methods Eighty-nine contemporary newspaper accounts, the official coroner's inquest, interviews, online resources, and the Michigan state archives of the disaster were reviewed with respect to the demographics, pattern of injury, gender, age, duration of hospitalization, relative distance of each classroom from the blast, and severity of injuries sustained using the Injury Severity Scale (ISS). Results Eighty-seven children and three teachers were unable to safely evacuate the building; 36 children (41%) were dead on-site, 40 sustained mild injuries (76.9%), nine sustained moderate injuries (17.3%), and one sustained serious injuries (1.9%). Mean ISS scores decreased with increasing relative distance of each classroom from the primary blast, while the classrooms involved in structural collapse had the highest initial mortality and ISS score. Patterns of injury sustained imply a predominance of crush and penetrating trauma. Conclusions Mean ISS scores and initial mortality by classroom were a function of proximity to the blast and structural collapse. The pattern of injury closely approximates those of other pediatric disasters such as Columbine, Oklahoma City, and 911. The absence of severe abdominal trauma and one reported hospital mortality may reflect an initial under-triage of patients, possibly due to the medical technology of the times.
Infrared photoluminescence in polyacetylene

Abstract More extensive photoluminescence measurements of polyacetylene reveal a broad new emission band between 1.2 and 1.6 eV in samples with various isomeric contents. The peak energy and the intensity of this low energy luminescence decrease as the cis fraction decreases, but the band is still present in fully converted trans samples. These characteristics suggest that the infrared emission either is due to perturbed fragments of cis polyacetylene or is unquenched 1 Ag luminescence from segments of trans (CH) x.
Age-Related Changes in the Ultrastructure of Bruch's Membrane

An ultrastructural study of Bruch's membrane in 68 human eyes including at least five individuals from each of ten decades of life showed that changes began in the second decade in macular specimens but were delayed in nonmacular specimens. All specimens from 20-year-old donors had altered macular Bruch's membranes. The severity of changes increased with age. The most common change for all ages was debris on both sides of the elastic layer. Drusen sites often showed no debris in the underlying outer collagenous zone, suggesting that drusen may result from failure of dispersal of the accumulated material at these sites. Secretion by pigment epithelium of a "linear basal deposit" is a late (after the age of 50 years) change.
Interpreting scale score differences on the revised behavior problem checklist

Provided critical values to determine significant differences between scale scores on the Revised Behavior Problem Checklist (RBPC). Although one method of interpreting the RBPC consists of pairwise comparisons among an individual's scale scores, several psychometric issues concerning such a procedure are apparent. An ipsative strategy provides a psychometrically tenable approach for interpreting within-child differences. This strategy compares differences between each scale score and the mean of all scale scores with critical difference values to ascertain statistical significance. An example of the procedure is provided.
Economics, politics and the federal funds markets: does the Fed play politics?

No, the Fed does not appear to play politics with respect to setting the federal funds rate. We examine the federal funds spot and futures rates to infer the Fed's response to political pressure from partisan politics during election and nonelection years. We find little evidence that political variables influence either market, suggesting that spot and futures traders act as if the Fed's behaviour is similar across election and nonelection years. Our evidence suggests that federal funds traders believe the Fed generally behaves in a politically neutral fashion.
The everyday political perspective of teachers: vulnerability and conservatism

In this economically motivated modern age, when ‘it doesn't pay’ is sufficient reason for the abandonment of the best of causes, martyrs are almost extinct. Most teachers desire above all else a chance to earn a livelihood in peace. They will yield to almost anything rather than have a fight. Often they grumble among themselves and protest ‐ not too loudly lest it be heard by somebody in authority. Most teachers are cowards. Few really care enough for freedom, or any cause that can be defended only through freedom, to risk a comfortable position, litde official favors, or an increase in salary for it. [Beale, 1938, p. 58]
Cloud control with distributed rate limiting

Today's cloud-based services integrate globally distributed resources into seamless computing platforms. Provisioning and accounting for the resource usage of these Internet-scale applications presents a challenging technical problem. This paper presents the design and implementation of distributed rate limiters, which work together to enforce a global rate limit across traffic aggregates at multiple sites, enabling the coordinated policing of a cloud-based service's network traffic. Our abstraction not only enforces a global limit, but also ensures that congestion-responsive transport-layer flows behave as if they traversed a single, shared limiter. We present two designs - one general purpose, and one optimized for TCP - that allow service operators to explicitly trade off between communication costs and system accuracy, efficiency, and scalability. Both designs are capable of rate limiting thousands of flows with negligible overhead (less than 3% in the tested configuration). We demonstrate that our TCP-centric design is scalable to hundreds of nodes while robust to both loss and communication delay, making it practical for deployment in nationwide service providers.
SLAM and Static Driver Verifier: Technology Transfer of Formal Methods inside Microsoft

The SLAM project originated in Microsoft Research in early 2000. Its goal was to automatically check that a C program correctly uses the interface to an external library. The project used and extended ideas from symbolic model checking, program analysis and theorem proving in novel ways to address this problem. The SLAM analysis engine forms the core of a new tool called Static Driver Verifier (SDV) that systematically analyzes the source code of Windows device drivers against a set of rules that define what it means for a device driver to properly interact with the Windows operating system kernel.
Exception handling in CSCW applications in pervasive computing environments

In this paper we present conceptual foundations of an exception handling model for context-aware CSCW applications. Human participation in the recovery actions is an integral part of this model. Role abstraction is provided with an exception interface through which the role members can perform exception handling actions. Exception handling involving multiple role members is also supported through inter-role exception propagation mechanisms provided in the model.
Viral Replication and Host Gene Expression in Alveolar Macrophages Infected with Ebola Virus (Zaire Strain)

In order to characterize the cellular response to and identify potential diagnostic markers for the early detection of Ebola virus, an in vitro culture system involving nonhuman primate alveolar macrophages was developed. Ebola virus replication in the alveolar macrophages was characterized by plaque assay, immunohistochemical analysis, and in situ hybridization. Fluorogenic 5′ -nuclease assays specific for nonhuman primate proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines were designed and used to evaluate mRNA transcription in macrophages infected with Ebola virus. Transient increases in cytokine and chemokine mRNA levels were observed immediately following exposure to Ebola virus. At 2 h postexposure, levels of cytokine and chemokine mRNAs were markedly reduced. Although Ebola virus infection of alveolar macrophages failed to induce a sustained increase in proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine mRNA transcription (potentially reducing the use of these markers as diagnostic tools), the fluorogenic 5′-nuclease assays developed may have prognostic value for individuals infected with Ebola virus. Recently published data have indicated that persons who remain asymptomatic after exposure to Ebola virus are capable of mounting an early proinflammatory cytokine response and that those who become clinically ill are not. If implemented immediately after exposure, these assays could be used to predict which individuals will be more likely to remain asymptomatic as opposed to those who will be more likely to develop clinical signs and eventually succumb to the virus.
Developing a Neural Network Application

Neural networks are widely used for a variety of research, industry, business, and science applications. However, the details of how most of these useful systems are actually implemented are confidential and not revealed by companies. On the other hand, a majority of the published neural network applications thoroughly present the results of computer simulations only and have never been implemented in practice. As a result, the real value of these applications is not really known. For these reasons it appears that a successful neural network application design methodology, or at least a published one, may be in a rudimentary stage. This paper attempts to present the activities and issues that a neural network practitioner, researcher, or user may consider while developing a neural network application. It combines some ideas that have already been presented in the literature with the author’s own knowledge and experience as a neural network application developer.
Single-nucleotide base excision repair DNA polymerase activity in C. elegans in the absence of DNA polymerase β

The base excision DNA repair (BER) pathway known to occur in Caenorhabditis elegans has not been well characterized. Even less is known about the DNA polymerase (pol) requirement for the gap-filling step during BER. We now report on characterization of in vitro uracil-DNA initiated BER in C. elegans. The results revealed single-nucleotide (SN) gap-filling DNA polymerase activity and complete BER. The gap-filling polymerase activity was not due to a DNA polymerase β (pol β) homolog, or to another X-family polymerase, since computer-based sequence analyses of the C. elegans genome failed to show a match for a pol β-like gene or other X-family polymerases. Activity gel analysis confirmed the absence of pol β in the C. elegans extract. BER gap-filling polymerase activity was partially inhibited by both dideoxynucleotide and aphidicolin. The results are consistent with a combination of both replicative polymerase(s) and lesion bypass/BER polymerase pol θ contributing to the BER gap-filling synthesis. Involvement of pol θ was confirmed in experiments with extract from pol θ null animals. The presence of the SN BER in C. elegans is supported by these results, despite the absence of a pol β-like enzyme or other X-family polymerase.
Itraconazole for the treatment of onychomycosis

BACKGROUND The broad spectrum of activity of itraconazole in vitro manifests itself clinically with the drug being effective for the treatment of onychomycosis caused by dermatophytes, Candida and some non-dermatophyte molds. The pharmacokinetics of itraconazole in the nail results in drug remaining at therapeutic levels for 6-9 months after completion of therapy. METHODS An overview of studies where continuous or pulse itraconazole therapy has been used in the treatment of fingernail and toenail onychomycosis. RESULTS Following continuous therapy at 200 mg/day for 3 months for toenail onychomycosis (n = 1741), the rates of clinical cure, clinical response and mycologic cure were: (meta-average +/- 95% standard error (SE)), 52 +/- 9%, 86 +/- 2%, and 74 +/- 3%, respectively, at follow-up 12 months following start of therapy. In fingernail onychomycosis (n = 211), the duration of therapy was 6 weeks and the corresponding efficacy rates at follow-up, 9 months after start of therapy, were meta-average (+/- S.E.) 82 +/- 5%, 90 +/- 2%, and 86 +/- 3%, respectively. In toenail onychomycosis treated with 3 pulses of therapy (n = 1389), the clinical response, clinical cure and mycologic cure were observed in meta-average (+/- S.E.) 58 +/- 10%, 82 +/- 3%, and 77 +/- 5% patients, respectively, at follow-up 12 months after the start of therapy. In fingernail onychomycosis treated with 2 pulses of therapy (n = 210), at follow-up 9 months after the start of therapy, the corresponding efficacy rates were meta-average (+/- S.E.) 78 +/- 10%, 89 +/- 6%, and 87 +/- 8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Both the continuous and pulse therapy regimens are safe with few adverse effects. Compared to continuous therapy, the pulse regimen has an improved adverse-effects profile, is more cost-effective, and is preferred by many patients.
Compositional Contraction Analysis of Resetting Hybrid Systems

This note develops sufficient conditions for exponential convergence of resetting hybrid nonlinear dynamical systems. Using nonlinear contraction theory, the analysis first develops a unified formulation of continuous-time and discrete-time nonlinear dynamics based on a differential transition matrix. This yields enhanced dwell-time based conditions for stability of such systems analogous to those existing for switched systems. It turns out that such dwell-time based conditions, unlike their counterparts for switched systems, include arbitrary stability conditions as a special case, and are less conservative and much simpler to verify
Three-Dimensional Bayesian Inversion With Application to Subsurface Sensing

A Bayesian formalism is considered for inverting for the parameters of a heterogeneity profile based on measured scattering data. It is shown that the typical use of regularization (e.g., Thikonov) corresponds to a maximum a posteriori point approximation to the full-posterior density function on the heterogeneity parameters, given the observed data. In the Bayesian framework considered here, the full posterior is approximated as a multidimensional Gaussian distribution. The mean of this distribution may be used as a point estimate of the heterogeneity profile, with the covariance matrix providing associated "error bars" (a measure of confidence in the inversion). In addition to providing an approximation to the full posterior of the heterogeneity profile, this formalism addresses the proper weighting to apply for inversion regularization. Specifically, an important limitation of previous regularization procedures is the need to place a weight on the importance of the regularization relative to the importance of fitting the data to the underlying model. In the Bayesian analysis outlined here, we also assign such a weight, but now the weight is treated as a random variable, with a statistical prior. The measured data are then used to determine a posterior distribution on the parameter, based on the measured data. We present here the basic Bayesian inversion framework, with several example results presented for subsurface-sensing problems
Coordination of Cecal Motility During Cecal Evacuation

Turkeys were surgically prepared with two strain gauge transducers on each cecum to detect both major and minor contractions at each implant site and to allow appraisal of coordination of contractions within and between ceca at the time of cecal evacuation and at dawn. There were significantly more of both types of contractions and significantly more major than minor contractions immediately before than after evacuation. At dawn the frequency of minor contractions was significantly greater than that of major contractions and there were significantly more contractions immediately after dawn than before dawn. Contractile activity was more often not coordinated than coordinated at anytime both within and between the ceca. When there was coordination within each cecum before evacuation, it was more frequently orad oriented than aborad. Near dawn the occurrence of coordinated contractions within each cecum was not significantly different from the occurrence of no coordination and the latter occurred significantly more frequently than did coordination between the two ceca.
Teaching and Learning in Japan.

Teaching and Learning in Japan. Thomas Rohlen and Gerald Le Tendre, eds. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1996. 399 pp.
Thermal and mechanical properties of EPR and XLPE cable compounds

This paper shows that the mechanical and thermal properties of EPR cable dielectrics are very stable with temperature. Commercially available EPR and TRXLPE cable dielectrics typically have about the same thermal conductivity, although the thermal conductivity of TRXLPE above the melting point of the crystallites drops below that of the EPR dielectrics. The mechanical properties of EPR cable dielectrics are much more stable with temperature than those of the TRXLPE, as EPR polymer is essentially amorphous so that EPR cable dielectrics do not suffer from the very large thermal expansion of TRXLPE as its crystallites melt.
Association of elastin with pseudoexfoliative material: an immunoelectron microscopic study

Using immunoelectron microscopy, the presence of elastin and tropoelastin was demonstrated in pseudoexfoliative (PSX) material in all its classical sites on the lens capsule, ciliary non-pigment epithelium, iris epithelium and stroma, and conjunctiva. Some variability in binding affinity was seen in different sites, and labelling was more often on the periphery than the center of the PSX fibers. The elastin epitope on PSX material was more sensitive to processing than the remarkably stable epitope on mature elastic fibers. Since neither elastin nor a related component of PSX fibers, elastic microfibrillar protein, is a circulating protein, both are likely to be secreted by local ocular cells. Most of these local cells are not involved in elastogenesis normally, suggesting that an abnormal stimulus or defective regulation of matrix synthesis exists in this disease.
Transcription repression and blocks in cell cycle progression in hypoplastic left heart syndrome

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is characterized by abnormally developed atrial septum and a severe underdevelopment of the left side of the heart. Despite significant advances in its surgic...
A Relational Obligations Approach to the Foot‐In‐The‐Mouth Effect

An earlier study by Howard (1990) employed a “foot-in-the-mouth” approach (FITM) to increase the frequency of compliance with charitable requests. This effect was explained through consistency theory: People are more likely to comply with a request for a charitable donation if the person making the request first asks the potential donor how he or she is feeling, and then acknowledges the donor's response. The potential donor was expected to behave in accordance with his or her publicly stated feeling-state. However, some of the compliance in Howard's study may be attributable to an increased perception of relationship between the requester and donor (Roloff, 1987). Not only was the donor required to be consistent with his or her publicly stated feeling-state, but the donor had to behave in a manner consistent with the relationship implied by the requester. Two studies examined this possibility. The first study found a FITM approach that manipulated only relational obligations consistency resulted in higher rates of compliance than both the standard and feeling-state FITM approach. A second study examined the mechanism for this increased compliance. Results show that although both FITM approaches produced more positive relational perceptions between the requester and donor than the standard approach, the relational obligations approach produced more positive relational perceptions than did the other FITM approach.
Asynchronous Distributed Motion Planning with Safety Guarantees under Second-Order Dynamics

As robots become more versatile, they are increasingly found to operate together in the same environment where they must coordinate their motion in a distributed manner. Such operation does not present problems if the motion is quasi-static and collisions can be easily avoided. However, when the robots follow second-order dynamics, the problem becomes challenging even for a known environment. The setup in this work considers that each robot replans its own trajectory for the next replanning cycle. The planning process must guarantee the robot’s safety by ensuring collision-free paths for the considered period and by not bringing the robot to states where collisions cannot be avoided in the future. This problem can be addressed through communication among the robots, but it becomes complicated when the replanning cycles of the different robots are not synchronized and the robots make planning decisions at different time instants. This paper shows how to guarantee the safe operation of multiple communicating second-order vehicles, whose replanning cycles do not coincide, through an asynchronous, distributed motion planning framework. The method is evaluated through simulations, where each robot is simulated on a different processor and communicates with its neighbors through message passing. The simulations confirm that the approach provides safety in scenarios with up to 48 robots with second-order dynamics in environments with obstacles, where collisions occur often without a safety framework.