cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficient Locking and Caching of Data in the Multisystem Shard Disks Transaction Environment

This paper describes a technique for use when multiple instances of a data base management system (DBMS), each with its own cache (buffer pool), can directly read and modify any data stored on a set of shared disks. Global locking and coherency control protocols are necessary in this context for assuring transaction consistency and for maintaining coherency of the data cached in the multiple caches. The coordination amongst the systems is performed by a set of local lock managers (LLMs) and a global lock manager (GLM). This typically involves sending messages. We describe a technique, called LP locking, which saves locking calls when the granularity of locking by transactions is the same as the granularity of caching by the cache manager. The savings are gained by making the LLMs hide from the GLM the distinction between a transaction lock, called the L lock, and a cache-ownership lock, called the P lock, for the same object. The L and P locks for an object, though distinct at an LLM, are known as a single lock at the GLM. An LLM can grant an L or P lock request on an object locally if the combined lock mode of the L and P locks already held on that object by that LLM is equal to or higher than the requested mode. Such optimizations save messages between the LLMs and the GLM. Our ideas apply also to the client-server environment which has become very popular in the OODBMS area and to the distributed shared memory environment.
Time Standards and Disability: A Work Measurement Perspective

Traditionally, work measurement has been concerned with establishing consistent data on activity and job completion times for comparative, control, and/or remuneration purposes. The application of accurate work standards is not only crucial from the employees’ point of view but is also very important for the employers as it gives a measure of the productivity, and also standardizes the time it takes for businesses to produce its products or services. With changing demographics and growing need to include special population into the work force, it is necessary to analyze, modify, and implement the tried and tested approaches to productivity and performance measurement and improvement. This paper investigates the need to revise work standards in order to accurately determine levels of productivity and job completion times for the disabled. Specifically, the objectives of this paper are: a) to help practitioners understand the concept of a fair day’s work when it comes to the special disabled population; and b) to scrutinize the relation between published research on disability, work standards, and the need to customize them for the disabled population.
Results of MSAT mobile data service trials in the marine environment

The results of a Telesat Mobile Incorporated (TMI) MSAT Mobile Data Service (MDS) evaluation performed during 1992 in the Canadian Arctic are described. Several mobile earth terminals (METs) were installed on the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) icebreaker Sir John Franklin and remained on board during the ship's Arctic patrol. During the voyage, messages and regular global positioning system (GPS) position reports were returned from the ship, via the MET and the associated satellite link, to the Canadian Center for Marine Communications (CCMC) in St. John's, Newfoundland. The successful receipt of the reports was documented to indicate the general reliability of the MDS when used in the Eastern Canadian Arctic.
Finite difference approximation errors in acoustic intensity measurements

Abstract The errors due to developmental finite difference approximations in the two-microphone acoustic intensity measurement technique are considered in this paper. Equations are developed which describe the errors in intensity measurements for point monopoles, dipoles, and lateral quadrupoles. High accuracy is shown possible with careful selection of measurement parameters for each of these sources. For a microphone separation of 8 mm approximation errors are shown to be less than 2 dB from 0 to 10 000 Hz. For the quadrupole source low frequency errors not present with other sources are demonstrated. A lower limiting frequency for intensity measurements is determined to prevent these low frequency errors.
Is There a Chromospheric Footprint of the Solar Wind

We correlate the inferred structure of the solar chromospheric plasma topography with in situ solar wind velocity and composition data measured at 1 AU. Diagnostics of atmospheric "depth" in the chromosphere are made for several observing periods in active, coronal hole, and quiet-Sun regions. We demonstrate that the inferred chromospheric diagnostics correlate very strongly with solar wind velocity and inversely with the ratio of ionic oxygen (O+7/O+6) densities. These correlations suggest that the structure of the solar wind is rooted deeper in the outer solar atmosphere than has been previously considered.
Low-level windshear alert systems and Doppler radar in aircraft terminal operations

As air travel increases, difficulties develop in avoiding severe weather, especially near terminals, while sharing crowded airspace and adhering to tight airline schedules/Several takeoff and landing accidents attributable to severe convective weather are discussed and related to new aids recently introduced and planned for terminal safety. Telemetered anemometric data, representing in situ observation of wind near the Earth's surface, and Doppler radar for remote detection of distributions of wind and precipitation are discussed critically. Surface anemometers have not been optimally placed for monitoring conditions along paths of final approach. Plans to provide precipitation and windshear data with a terminal Doppler radar operating at C-band are questioned.
Comparison of Gas-Sampled and SPME-Sampled Static Headspace for the Determination of Volatile Flavor Components

Traditional static headspace and headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) techniques were compared for their effectiveness in the extraction of volatile flavor compounds from the headspace of various juice samples. Each method was used to evaluate the responses of certain analytes from real samples and calibration standards in order to provide sensitivity comparisons between the two techniques. Experimental results showed traditional static headspace lacked the sensitivity needed to evaluate certain flavor volatiles, such as α-terpinene and linalool, and that further concentration of the headspace was necessary. Dramatic improvements in the extraction abilities of the SPME fibers over the traditional static headspace method were noted. Different SPME fibers were investigated to determine the selectivities of the various fibers to the different flavor compounds present in the juice samples. Of the various fibers investigated, the PDMS/DVB fiber proved to be the most useful for these analyses. Aging stu...
The effects of spaceflight on open-loop and closed-loop postural control mechanisms: human neurovestibular studies on SLS-2

Stabilogram-diffusion analysis was used to examine how prolonged periods in microgravity affect the open-loop and closed-loop postural control mechanisms. It was hypothesized that following spaceflight: (1) the effective stochastic activity of the open-loop postural control schemes in astronauts is increased; (2) the effective stochastic activity and uncorrelated behavior, respectively, of the closed-loop postural control mechanisms in astronauts are increased; and (3) astronauts utilized open-loop postural controls schemes for shorter time intervals and smaller displacements. Four crew members and two alternates from the 14-day Spacelab Life Sciences 2 Mission were included in the study. Each subject was tested under eyes-open, quiet-standing conditions on multiple preflight and postflight days. The subjects' center-of-pressure trajectories were measured with a force platform and analyzed according to stabilogram-diffusion analysis. It was found that the effective stochastic activity of the open-loop postural control schemes in three of the four crew members was increased following spaceflight. This result is interpreted as an indication that there may be in-flight adaptations to higher-level descending postural control pathways, e.g., a postflight increase in the tonic activation of postural muscles. This change may also be the consequence of a compensatory (e.g., "stiffening") postural control strategy that is adopted by astronauts to account for general feeling of postflight unsteadiness. The crew members, as a group, did not exhibit any consistent preflight/postflight differences in the steady-state behavior of their closed-loop postural control mechanisms or in the functional interaction of their open-loop and closed-loop postural control mechanisms. These results are interpreted as indications that although there may be in-flight adaptations to the vestibular system and/or proprioceptive system, input from the visual system can compensate for such changes during undisturbed stance.
Project Management Performance Measures in a Regulatory Environment: An Initial Examination

This paper’s first section provides background on basic measurement concepts under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA, Results Act). GPRA revolutionized government officials’ thinking about effectiveness and efficiency with its emphasis on measurable goals. Here a broad background for the law and the implications of its enactment are provided. Next, the paper presents several types of measures for government work and their relationships to each other. The second half of the paper touches on some of the unique reasons that measuring project management by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is particularly difficult. With this in mind, the paper concludes with possible measures for FDA project managers and suggests possible areas for research and thought.
Phase characterization of dysprosium barium copper oxide thin films grown on strontium titanate by molecular beam epitaxy

X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and /ital in/ /ital situ/ reflection high energy electron diffraction studies of thin epitaxial dysprosium barium copper oxide films grown by oxygen plasma molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on strontium titanate substrates are presented. A remarkable variety of structure is revealed, making clear both the possibilities and challenges for this growth technique as applied to the cuprate superconductors. The films studied are highly epitaxial, obtained through the use of shuttered molecular beams to encourage the layered structure characteristic of superconducting DyBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7/minus//ital x// (''123''). While some of these films are superconducting as deposited, more often they are semiconducting or insulating. The 123-like material in these films has a lengthened c-axis, perhaps due to nonstoichiometry. Phases related to DyBa/sub 3/Cu/sub 2/O/sub /ital x// (the other perovskite) are also very important for epitaxial growth, and display a distinctive signature in the RHEED patterns. Other epitaxial impurity phases including BaCuO/sub 2/ and a new orthorhombic phase are also characterized.
Adjusting power for a baseline covariate in linear models.

The analysis of covariance provides a common approach to adjusting for a baseline covariate in medical research. With Gaussian errors, adding random covariates does not change either the theory or the computations of general linear model data analysis. However, adding random covariates does change the theory and computation of power analysis. Many data analysts fail to fully account for this complication in planning a study. We present our results in five parts. (i) A review of published results helps document the importance of the problem and the limitations of available methods. (ii) A taxonomy for general linear multivariate models and hypotheses allows identifying a particular problem. (iii) We describe how random covariates introduce the need to consider quantiles and conditional values of power. (iv) We provide new exact and approximate methods for power analysis of a range of multivariate models with a Gaussian baseline covariate, for both small and large samples. The new results apply to the Hotelling-Lawley test and the four tests in the "univariate" approach to repeated measures (unadjusted, Huynh-Feldt, Geisser-Greenhouse, Box). The techniques allow rapid calculation and an interactive, graphical approach to sample size choice. (v) Calculating power for a clinical trial of a treatment for increasing bone density illustrates the new methods. We particularly recommend using quantile power with a new Satterthwaite-style approximation.
The Testimonio of Eva: A Mexican Refugee in El Paso

As a result of the drug wars in Mexico and the associated widespread violence and lawlessness, hundreds of undocumented refugees have crossed the border into the United States to escape physical violence, death threats, extortion, kidnapping and other dangers in Mexico. The authors have been conducting in-depth interviews of Mexican refugees. Of those, Eva stands out as the most eloquent and poignant expression of injustice, suffering, fear, and invisibility. Her witness to the struggle of refugees from violence is told as a testimonio—a style of oral history that has deep roots in Latin America and which is characterized by a plea for justice.
Tourette Syndrome: Prediction of Phenotypic Variation in Monozygotic Twins by Caudate Nucleus D2 Receptor Binding

Tourette syndrome, a chronic tic disorder with autosomal dominant inheritance, exhibits considerable phenotypic variability even within monozygotic twin pairs. The origins of this variability remain unclear. Recent findings have implicated the caudate nucleus as a locus of pathology, and pharmacological evidence supports dopaminergic involvement. Within monozygotic twins discordant for Tourette syndrome severity, differences in D2 dopamine receptor binding in the head of the caudate nucleus predicted differences in phenotypic severity (r = 0.99); this relation was not observed in putamen. These data may link Tourette syndrome with a spectrum of neuropsychiatric disorders that involve associative striatal circuitry.
On glass formability of Al–Gd–Ni (Fe)

Abstract As an extension to previous work on Al-rare earth metal binary alloys [Scripta Mater. 50 (2004) 987], the glass forming ranges (GFR) of Al–Gd–Ni (Fe) are analyzed and compared with those experimentally determined for the quenched alloys. The multicomponent effects on the GFRs are illustrated from a thermodynamic perspective.
On the ductile-to-brittle transition in ice under compression

Abstract Evidence is presented which supports a recent model [Schulson, Acta metall. mater. 38 , 1963 (1990)] of the ductile-brittle transition in ice under uniaxial compression. Observations on columnar, fresh-water ice show that wing cracks from within both the brittle and the ductile regimes, but that individual wing cracks propagate only within the brittle regime. The ductile-brittle transition strain rate agrees reasonably well with that predicted by the model, including the predicted (grain size) −1.5 dependence. Experiments using artificial cracks again show that when individual wing cracks propagate, brittle behavior is generally observed; when individual cracks do not propagate, ductile behavior is generally observed. When cracked samples are crept under a small load, wing crack propagation is suppressed. These observations are all in accord with the idea (1) that the transition occurs when the size of the crack-tip creep zone becomes too small to prevent wing crack growth under an increasing compressive stress.
Correlated-emission laser: Phase noise quenching via coherent pumping and the effect of atomic motion.

We show that in a three-level system, if the atoms are initially prepared in a coherent superposition of the two upper states, as in Hanle experiments, the spontaneous-emission events from these two states to the lowest one can, under certain conditions, be strongly correlated, with a vanishing diffusion constant for the relative phase. The conditions under which correlated spontaneous emission occurs in a Hanle laser remain essentially unchanged if atomic motion is included.
Relationship characteristics and contraceptive use among young adults.

CONTEXT: Young adults have high rates of unintended childbearing and STDs yet little research has examined the role of relationship characteristics in their contraceptive use. METHODS: Data collected from the 2002-2005 rounds of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth yielded a sample of 4014 dating relationships among sexually active 18-26-year-olds. Bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic and multinomial logistic regressions assessed associations between relationship characteristics and contraceptive use at last sex. RESULTS: In three-quarters of the relationships respondents had used some method at last intercourse; respondents in 26% of the relationships had used a condom only in 26% a hormonal method only and in 23% dual methods. Compared with respondents in relationships in which first sex occurred within two months of starting to date those who first had sex before dating were more likely to have used any method at last sex (odds ratio 1.4) particularly condoms or dual methods (relative risk ratio 1.5 for each). The relative risk of using a hormonal method only rather than no method or condoms only increased with relationship duration (1.01) and level of intimacy (1.1-1.2). Discussing marriage or cohabitation was associated with reduced odds of having used any method (0.7) and a reduced relative risk of having used condoms alone or dual methods (0.6 for each). Increasing levels of partner conflict and asymmetry were also linked to reduced odds of any method use (0.97 and 0.90 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Prevention programs should address relationship context in contraceptive decision making perhaps by combining relationship and sex education curricula to foster communication and negotiation skills. Copyright (c) 2011 by the Guttmacher Institute.
Mode mixity in anisotropically degrading continuum

Experimental observations have shown that a near tip region of microcracks may reduce the driving force on a dominant crack and lead to an R-curve type behavior for quasistatically propagating macrocracks [1-3]. The shielding effect of such microcrack regions is associated with the softening of the near tip material and the strains associated with creation of new micro surfaces which lead to compressive stresses on the crack [4-6].
Correlation-based optical numeric processors

Correlation-based optical numeric processorsDavid CasasentPaul WoodfordCenter for Excellence in Optical Data ProcessingDepartment of Electrical and Computer EngineeringCarnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213ABSTRACTWe discuss our cascaded correlator-based optical numeric processor and its projected performance (our goal is anumeric processor and not a general-purpose optical processor). We use symbolic substitution (for parallelism onlong words and arrays of words), the modified signed-digit number representation (for speed, i.e. reduced carries),and a new encoding and substitution architecture to improve performance.1. INTRODUCTIONOur objective is a numeric processor that performs additions (and subtractions) and multiplications (notnecessarily divisions) for general numeric use (as in matrix-vector (M-V) operations). We consider long (64-256bit) words (since this is necessary) and operations on arrays of words (to utilize the parallelism of optics). Weconsider only fixed point data and addition at present.We use symbolic substitution (SS) (for its parallelism that allows operation on arrays of words with reducedhardware). Many other approaches are possible. Digital multiplication by analog convolution (DMAC) [1,2]requires A/D conversions and can have high power consumption [3]. Truth table (TI') processors [4,5] produce anoutput in one step but require much hardware per bit pair and much more hardware to operate on multiple words inparallel. Digit-serial algorithms [6] require more hardware than SS ones. We employ a cascaded correlatorarchitecture for SS [7], since it is preferable to others. IT architectures [8] for each SS step require extensivehardware; shadow casting systems [9] have limited space-bandwidth product (SBWP) and the disadvantages of Ti'systems, and produce inputs and outputs in different format; the shift/add method [10] is comparable to a correlator(but does not easily allow multiplexed filter banks or recognition and substitution in one step and requires shifts of amniicr vs. only using a different filter for different operations).We use the modified signed-digit (MSD) number representation [1 1] (0, 1 ,
Simultaneous preparation of nuclear DNA, RNA, and protein from carcinogen treated-hamster embryo fibroblasts.

Nuclei from hamster embryo fibroblasts treated with radioactive benzo(a)pyrene were lysed in 6 M guanidine, and nuclear macromolecules were separated by isopycnic centrifugation in Cs/sub 2/SO/sub 4/. Control experiments showed that cross-contamination of the RNA, DNA, and protein fractions was less than 2% of the total recovery of each macromolecular class. When compared to previous techniques utilizing phenol extraction, similar specific activities of bound hydrocarbon (pmol benzo(a)pyrene/mg protein or nucleic acid) were obtained. However, overall recoveries of macromolecular components were higher with the present method. In addition, recovery of undegraded histones in the density gradient preparation of nuclear protein was demonstrated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and recovery of native DNA was demonstrated by thermal denaturation studies. Although developed specifically for work with carcinogenic hydrocarbons, the Cs/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ technique should be generally useful in cases where it is necessary to prepare all three classes of macromolecules from one batch of nuclei.
The contribution of male-sterility mutations to inbreeding depression in Mimulus guttatus.

The magnitude of inbreeding depression can influence many aspects of a population’s ecology and evolution, including the nature of selection acting on the mating system and the chances that the population will go extinct during periods of small population size. If inbreeding depression is caused primarily by recessive mutations of large effect on fitness, such as lethals or steriles, then it is expected to be purged rapidly by selection with moderate amounts of inbreeding. In contrast, inbreeding depression primarily caused by many genes with mild effects on fitness will not be rapidly purged with inbreeding, so it should be a more resilient barrier to the evolution of self-fertilization and a more significant threat to the survival of endangered species. Here I show that recessive male-sterility alleles at individual loci are common in a primarily outcrossing population of the plant Mimulus guttatus. Despite the high frequency of these major mutations, most of the inbreeding depression for male fertility and cumulative measures of lifetime fitness results from more mildly deleterious alleles. Male-sterility alleles contribute to 31% of the inbreeding depression for the fraction of viable pollen grains, and to 26% of the inbreeding depression for total fitness. These results suggest that most of the inbreeding depression for male fertility in this population would not be purged, in the short term, with moderate inbreeding.
Reply to B Wansink and CS Wansink.

As a professor of Art History, I was fascinated by the recent article by Wansink and Wansink entitled ‘The Largest Last Supper: depictions of food portions and plate size increased over the millennium.’1 I am concerned that the authors may have made a slight mistake, however, and given that their article has received such wide publicity (and apparent acceptance), I feel compelled to voice an objection to their methods and, possibly, their conclusions.
Measurements of intersystem crossing kinetics using 3545 Å picosecond pulses: nitronaphthalenes and benzophenone

Abstract The build-up of triplet-triplet absorption following singlet excitation was measured for 1- and 2-nitronaphthalene and benzophenone on a picosecond time scale in the condensed phase. A single, picosecond pulse from a mode-locked Nd3+/glass laser was used to produce excitation at the laser third harmonic, 3545 A, while the second harmonic at 5300 A was used to probe the known triplet-triplet absorption in the nitronaphthalenes and benzophenone. Solvent effects on the build-up rates in these molecules are exposed. In the case of benzophenone, we discuss solvent assisted vibrational relaxation and intersystem crossing contributions to these rates. The anomaly of intersystem crossing at a rate of ca. 1011 s-1 with a triplet yield of less than 1 for the nitronaphthalenes is discussed.
PMH13 Developing a Task‐Based Instrument to Measure Migraine‐Related Productivity

Migraine headache is a severe and debilitating disease that is estimated to affect 4 out of 100 Americans. The nature of migraine attacks and the variability in their occurrence have substantial economic implications. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this project is to develop a multi-item, task-based instrument to measure the impact of migraine on several domains. The domains include workplace productivity, housekeeping, and impact on leisure activities. METHODS: An extensive review of the literature was performed to determine methods of assessing migraine-related productivity. Current instruments used in the measurement of disease-related productivity were reviewed for content. Focus groups were held to determine important productivity-related issues to migraineurs. The groups consisted of migraineurs (n = 12) recruited by a research organization and screened with an instrument based on criteria from the Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society. The focus group meetings consisted of scripted questions that were both directed and open-ended. The questions addressed issues relevant to the domains of interest and how they are impacted by migraines. RESULTS: The information acquired in the focus groups was used to develop an 81-item questionnaire with four open-ended questions and 77 directed questions. The directed questions are scored on a Likert-type scale ranging from “never when I have a migraine” to “every time I have a migraine.” The content of the instrument ranges from missing work to taking longer breaks or missing deadlines. CONCLUSION: A first-line instrument was developed to assess migraine-related productivity. The instrument will next be tested for validity and analyzed for item reduction.
Comparative Value of Kentucky Bluegrass, Kentucky 31 Fescue, Orcard Grass, and Bromegrass as Pastures for Milk Cows. I. How Kind of Grass Affected Persistence of Milk Production, TDN Yield, and Body Weight

persistency of milk production (98.3%), followed in order by Kentucky 31 fescue-ladino (89.2%), Kentucky bluegrass-ladino (87.2%), and a straight stand of Kentucky 31 fescue (81.4%). The straight fescue was fertilized twice yearly with 100 lb. of ammonium nitrate. Under these conditions the fescue alone produced yearly the most TDN per acre (2,327 lb.), whereas the three other pastures yielded about the same, varying from ],726 to 1,789 lh. per acre. The loss in stands of ladino clover with the fescue aml bluegrass, plus the volunteer introduction of a light stand of white clover in the "straight" rescue, probably altered the results secured from the experiment. Pratt and IIayncs (8) of the Ohio Station were the first to report experiments with Kentucky 31 rescue as pasture for milk cows and dairy heifers. In 1948 they seeded rescue with alfalfa and ladino clover and secured a stand of mostly rescue and ladino with a scattering of alfalfa. Jersey heifers grazing this pasture in 1949 made gains of 0.2 to 0.4 lb. per head daily as compared with gains of 1.7 lb. daily when grazing' bluegrass-ladino pasture or meadow crop mixtures. In a reversal experiment they found that milk cows ate nlore hay, produced less milk, and lost more weight while grazing Kentucky 31 fescueladiuo than when on the bluegrass-ladino pasture. In another experiment their cows produced more milk while fed in dry lot than while on fescue-ladino pasture. In a 1953 trial conducted at ]Iamilton, Ohio, Pratt and Davis (7) reported that cows secured 49% more TDN from the bluegrass-ladino than from rescue
Pseudo-similar points in ordered sets

Two points l and h in an ordered set P are called pseudo-similar iff [email protected]?{l} is isomorphic to [email protected]?{h} and there is no automorphism of P that maps l to h. This paper provides a characterization of ordered sets with at least two pseudo-similar points. Special attention is given to ordered sets with pseudo-similar points l and h so that one of the points is minimal and the other is maximal. These sets will play a key role in the reconstruction of the rank of the removed element in a non-extremal card.
Review of Propulsion Applications of Detonation Waves

Applications of detonations to propulsion are reviewed. First, the advantages of the detonation cycle over the constant pressure combustion cycle, typical of conventional propulsion engines, are discussed. Then the early studies of standing normal detonations, intermittent (or pulsed) detonations, rotating detonations, and oblique shock-induced detonations are reviewed. This is followed by a brief discussion of detonation thrusters, lasersupported detonations and oblique detonation wave engines. Finally, a more detailed review of research during the past decade on ram accelerators and pulsed detonation engines is presented. The impact of the early work on these recent developments and some of the outstanding issues are also discussed.
Black Perceptions of the Mayor: An Empirical Test.

In the past ten years blacks have played a much greater role in the urban political process than they had previously. In a few urban areas-Gary, Detroit, Newark, and East St. Louis-blacks constitute an electoral majority, and there are also black mayors in these communities. In this paper two explanations, i.e., social deprivation and political reality, were tested to determine their applicability in a community with a black mayor. It was found that in a community with a black mayor, black youth were more supportive of him than were black youth in a community with a white mayor or white youth in a community with a white mayor.
Laser-written high-contrast waveguides in glass

Laser writing of waveguides in bulk glasses opens the opportunity for creating three-dimensional photonic devices. In order to become practical, the numerical aperture (NA) of these waveguides should be significantly higher than currently achievable of 0.1 – 0.15. One reason is that with higher NAs one can decrease the bending radii of the embedded photonic devices without significant loss penalty and make them compact. Thus, femtosecond-laser-written waveguides in glasses do not allow bending radii smaller than 15 - 20 mm. In order to overcome this limitation, we propose to fabricate waveguides in phase-separable and leachable glass where the index contrast is determined by the difference between the refractive indices of the unprocessed glass and of the leached porous glass. We show that we can achieve the NA = 0.25 prior to optimization. Surface and sub-surface treatment with a nanosecond ultraviolet (UV) laser produces a similar effect with even higher NA = 0.35. Applications may include a range of tightly packed embedded and three-dimensional photonic devices in bulk glass like directional couplers, splitters, interferometers, etc.
The families of children who fail to thrive: preliminary investigations of parental deprivation among organic and non-organic cases

Abstract A majority of cases of failure to thrive (FTT) do not have a known organic etiology. Social and psychological determinants are sought for these “non-organic failure to thrive” (N-O FTT) cases. Social and psychological differences between non-organic and organic cases are also explored here. With the introduction of the term, “maternal deprivation.” medical practitioners have implicated mothers' deficiencies as instrumental in the etiology of N-O FTT. However, these mothers are themselves usually deprived. Lack of cooperation in childcare by both parents is noted when classic clinical cases are reviewed. We suggest that the concept, “parental deprivation.” provides a more accurate model. Preliminary research findings support our hypothesis that mothers of FTT infants do not have good social support networks. Teen motherhood and socioeconomic status also appear to be important, but not necessary as determinants. An unexpected finding is that there are few differences in the social deficiencies of families of N-O FTT infants as compared to those failing for organic reasons. Two unanticipated findings appear noteworthy. First, infants failing for organic reasons are significantly smaller and thinner at birth, independent of pregnancy complications or prematurity. Second, infants failing for non-organic reasons are more likely to present during the period of infant-caretaker role development and less likely in the later toddler stage. Additional research into the feasibility of strengthening family supports as a basis of intervention is recommended.
Improvement of nutritional value of Artemia for hybrid striped bass/white bass (Morone saxatilis × M. chrysops) larvae by n-3 HUFA enrichment of nauplii with menhaden oil

Abstract Three groups of Artemia , of brine shrimp, nauplii were tested for their effect on growth and survival of hybrid striped bass larvae during a 23-day feeding period (day 5 through day 28 post-hatch). The groups of brine shrimp were a Chinese strain (CH) that had been shown to be sufficient in n -3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) and produced good growth in striped bass larvae, a strain from the Great Salt Lake, UT (GSL) that had been shown to be insufficient in n -3 HUFAs and produced poor growth in striped bass larvae, and the GSL strain enriched with menhaden oil (GSLE) to increase the content of n -3 HUFAs (20:5 and 22:6). The enrichment process involved holding the nauplii for 3 to 9 h in a suspension of menhaden oil in water using gum xanthum as an emulsifier. The growth and survival of larvae fed the GSLE nauplii were equal to those of larvae fed the CH nauplii and significantly greater than those of larvae fed the GSL nauplii. The polar lipids in the larvae fed GSL brine shrimp contained only trace amounts of n -3 HUFAs while the larvae fed the GSLE and the CH brine shrimp contained significant amounts of n -3 HUFAs. The larvae fed GSLE nauplii had higher amounts of n -3 HUFAs in the polar lipids than the larvae fed CH nauplii. These results indicate that brine shrimp which may have desirable hatchability, size or economic traits but are deficient in essential fatty acids can be improved nutritionally by a simple enrichment process using menhaden oil.
Osteoblast cell membrane hybrid bilayers for studying cell-cell interactions

Osteoblast-like cells were grown on a surface that presents cell membrane components to the cells in culture. The culture surface was a bimolecular layer formed by the interaction of osteoblast plasma membrane vesicles with an alkanethiol monolayer. The potential of these osteoblast-membrane hybrid bilayers for promoting osteoblast adhesion, growth and differentiation was examined. UMR-106 osteoblast-like cells cultured on these surfaces are normal in appearance, and in the presence of serum, proliferate as well or better than on control surfaces. The level of alkaline phosphatase production in the presence and absence of serum suggests that the osteoblast-like cells retain their differentiated phenotype, and appear to respond to the cell surface ligands presented by the osteoblast-membrane biomimetic surface. These observations suggest that biomimetic membrane films prepared from osteoblast cell membranes support osteoblast cell growth, allow the cells to maintain their differentiation state and may be suitable as a model system to probe cell-cell interactions.
Evidence of synchronous climate change across the Northern Hemisphere between the North Atlantic and the northwestern Great Basin, United States

From ca. 50 to 20 ka, Summer Lake, Oregon, rose and fell in tune with North Atlantic interstadial and stadial climatic oscillations, respectively. This record exhibits the complete morphology of the North Atlantic millennial-scale climate-change signal including Dansgaard-Oeschger oscillations, Heinrich events, and Bond cycles. The phase relationship of these climate change records (high Summer Lake during warm North Atlantic; low during cold) is demonstrated at millennial-scale resolution by the relative positions of the Mono Lake and Laschamp paleomagnetic excursions in these records. These results, in conjunction with comparisons of historical climate records, also presented here, imply a direct temporal connection at the subcentury scale between the North Atlantic and the northwestern Great Basin via an atmospheric teleconnection.
Color image trend adjustment using a color bidimensional empirical mode decomposition method

Bidimensional empirical mode decomposition (BEMD) technique decomposes an image into several bidimensional intrinsic mode functions (BIMFs) and a bidimensional residue (BR). Classical BEMD methods require some form of surface interpolation to estimate envelope surfaces, which causes various problems. On the other hand, existing surface interpolation-based BEMD methods are proposed and/or are suitable for gray-scale images only. This paper presents a novel BEMD approach for color images known as color BEMD (CBEMD), which employs order-statistics filter (OSF)-based envelope estimation to avoid some of the difficulties, otherwise encountered in classical BEMD approaches. The CBEMD can decompose a color image into several color BIMFs and a color BR based on hierarchical local spatial variation of image intensity and color. Since the color BR represents the trend of a color image in terms of global intensity and color distribution, it is utilized for trend adjustment of color images. Both formulation of the CBEMD and finding and adjusting the color image trend are known to be the first approaches in corresponding issues. Experimental results with several real images demonstrate the potential of the proposed CBEMD method for color image processing, which include trend adjustment of color images.
Compressed Liquid Densities, Saturated Liquid Densities, and Vapor Pressures of 1,1-Difluoroethane

The compressed liquid densities and vapor pressures of 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a) have been measured, correlated, and compared with other data. The liquid densities were measured with a combined standard uncertainty of ±0.05% using a vibrating tube densimeter over a temperature range of 243 K to 371 K and at pressures from near the saturated vapor pressure to 6500 kPa; thus the data extend nearly to the critical point (Tc = 386.41 K and Pc = 4514.7 kPa). The vapor pressures were measured with a combined standard uncertainty of ±0.02% using a stainless steel ebulliometer in the temperature range from 280 K to 335 K. Saturated liquid densities were calculated by extrapolating the compressed liquid isotherms to the saturation pressure.
Ruthenium Alkoxycarbene Complexes from an Acetal Function by C−O Bond Cleavage and Alcohol Elimination

Heating solutions of acetal complexes {CpRu(CH3CN)2[η1-P-2-(Ph2P)[CH(OR)2]C6H4]}OTf (3; R = Me, Et) at 60−95 °C results in loss of one CH3CN ligand and the alcohol ROH, with concomitant formation of carbene complexes CpRu(CH3CN)[η2-C,P-2-(Ph2P)[C(OR)]C6H4]}OTf (4) in high yield. Kinetic and reactivity studies suggest that the rate-determining step of the conversion of 3 to 4 is oxidative addition of an acetal C−O bond to the ruthenium center, which occurs under neutral, mild conditions.
The Relationship Between Social Roles and Self-Management Behavior in Women Living with HIV/AIDS

Abstract Background The social roles that women perform can be complicated and may affect their health. While there is some evidence describing traditional social roles of women, there is little evidence exploring the impact of those roles on how a woman manages a chronic condition. The purpose of this paper is to identify and examine the main social roles of 48 HIV infected women, and to explore how these roles relate to their self-management of HIV/AIDS. Methods Forty-eight HIV infected, adult women were recruited from HIV clinics and AIDS service organizations in Northeast Ohio. All participants participated in one of 12 digitially recorded focus groups. All data were analyzed using qualitative description methodology. Results The participants were predominantly middle-aged (mean = 42 years), African American (69%), and single (58%). Analysis revealed six social roles that these women experience and which affect their self-management. These social roles are: Mother/Grandmother, Believer, Advocate, Stigmatized Patient, Pet Owner, and Employee. These roles had both a positive and negative effect on a woman's self-management of her HIV disease and varied by age and time living with HIV. Conclusion Women living with HIV/AIDS struggle to manage the many daily tasks required to live well with this disease. The social context in which this self-management happens is important, and the various social roles that women perform can facilitate or hinder them from completing these tasks. Healthcare and social service providers should learn about these roles in their individual patients, particularly how these roles can be developed to increase HIV/AIDS self-management.
Multifocal confocal spectral microscope

The concept and design for a multifocal confocal spectral microscope is discussed. The multifocal confocal spectral microscope utilizes an array of focal beams to capture to the spectrum of multiple points simultaneously. Experimental results from a 3x3 multifocal confocal spectral microscope with spectral resolution less than 2 nm are shown.
The Mariner 10 Venus encounter - A review

A brief description is given of the Mariner 10 spacecraft, its complement of scientific instruments, and its encounter with Venus. It is noted that the geometry of the Venus encounter was dictated entirely by the necessity to use Venus' gravitational field to deflect the flight path toward Mercury. Results discussed include observations of plasma and magnetic-field perturbations several hundreds of Venus radii downstream of the solar wind which indicated the presence of a well-developed plasma tail and UV observations of H, He, C, and O abundances in the upper atmosphere. The atomic-oxygen abundance was found to be an order of magnitude higher than that observed on Mars. Radio-occultation measurements showed four distinct temperature inversions in the atmosphere and two nightside ionospheric layers. Results of television observations are also discussed which confirmed the hazy model of the visible atmosphere.
Performance of corrugated quantum well infrared photodetectors

Corrugated quantum well infrared photodetectors (C-QWIPs) use total internal reflection to couple normal incident light into the detectors. In this work, we report the performance of C- QWIPs at different wavelengths. Compared with 45 degrees edge coupling, a C-QWIP increases the background photocurrent to dark current ratio rI by a factor between 2.4 and 4.4, thereby increasing the background-limited temperature by 3 to 5 K. The detectivity D* is increased by a factor of 2.4. We applied the C-QWIP to two-color detection and obtained precision thermometric measurements. We have also fabricated and characterized a 256 X 256 C-QWIP array with cutoff wavelength at 11.2 micrometer. The uncorrected nonuniformity ((sigma) /mean) in the central 128 X 128 subarray is 2.3%. The NE(Delta) T at 63 K is estimated to be 23 mK. Furthermore, we have shown that rI can be further increased by fabrication of the C-QWIP into the corrugated hot-electron transistor structure. The enhanced performance of the corrugated structure, combined with its simple processing steps, greatly improves the QWIP technology.
Understanding Barriers to Farmers' Market Patronage in Michigan: Perspectives From Marginalized Populations

Farmers' markets are touted to bring community development and nutritional benefits yet are criticized for being patronized by narrow segments of society. We review literature on farmers' market attributes that motivate patrons, finding little research that explores either the interaction of incentives and disincentives or unique perspectives from marginalized populations. We report on focus groups and a statewide survey in Michigan investigating attitudes and behaviors surrounding farmers' markets with an eye toward underrepresented groups. Though interest in fresh, local products was widespread, attitudes and barriers experienced differed across demographics. We conclude with implications for stakeholders wishing to increase the relevance of direct markets in diverse societies.
Traumatic rupture of the gallbladder without a penetrating wound of the abdominal wall

Abstract 1. 1. A case is presented of traumatic rupture of an otherwise normal gallbladder in a young boy. 2. 2. The etiology, diagnosis and treatment are discussed.
Research Progress of a New Solid Oxide Metal-Air Redox Battery for Advanced Energy Storage

This paper reviews the research progress of a new class of solid oxide metal-air redox batteries for advanced energy storage. This new type of battery is comprised of a reversible solid oxide fuel cell and pair of metal/metal-oxide redox couple. This all solid-state battery has a great potential to surpass the conventional metal-air batteries and redox flow batteries in performance and cost. The paper first discusses the working principle and key features of the new battery, followed by the theoretical analysis of various metal-air chemistries. Finally, two examples of solid oxide metal-air chemistries operated at 550°C are given to demonstrate the promising performance of this innovative battery.
Délocalisations, rotation de la main‐d'œuvre, salaires et gestion des ressources humaines: le cas des maquiladoras au Mexique

Resume. Les theories du salaire d'efficience et de la formation du capital humain peuvent expliquer la forte rotation de la main-d'œuvre dans les activites delocalisees. Cette hypothese est verifiee a partir d'un echantillon aleatoire stratifie de maquilas du nord du Mexique, site de delocalisation leplus ancien du monde. Les tests statis-tiques indiquent une forte association inverse entre la rotation du personnel de production et le niveau de remuneration, ainsi que la formation du capital humain, cette derniere variable dependant de la «generation de la maquiladora». Les auteurs exa-minent ensuite les methodes de gestion des ressources humaines selon les generations de maquiladoras.
Flexural loading of rectangular Si beams and plates

Abstract We review a quantitative criterion for differentiating between anisotropic, elastically bent beams and plates and provide experimental verification of this criterion through X-ray microdiffraction curvature measurements of a (1 0 0)-type Si single crystal loaded in four-point bending. In this analysis, beams and plates are differentiated through their flexural rigidity and stress state, which depend not only on specimen shape, but also on the amount of bending. In addition, we analyze the techniques used to apply flexural loads and show that the rollers that are used for load application impose additional constraints on the specimen, which cause the displacement and stress profiles to deviate from the ideal beam bending case. We quantify the amount of roller constraint using microdiffraction and show that the region over which the anticlastic specimen curvature is affected away from the roller is approximately five times the roller diameter. Due to the anisotropy of single crystal Si, this roller-constraining effect also depends on crystallographic orientation and is more pronounced when the principal bending axis lies along the 〈1 0 0〉 direction as compared with the 〈1 1 0〉 direction.