cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rameau and the Sciences: The Impact of Scientific Discoveries of the Lumières on Rameau’s Theory of Harmony

The current Anglophone theorists criticize Jean-Philippe Rameau for the imperfection of mathematical apparatus, the problem of natural interpretation of a minor triad, and unartistic treatment of the bass line. However, if to look at this with an unbiased eye, one can notice that Rameau lived in the center of the emerging scientific culture of unprecedented magnitude and depth. Rameau’s contemporary mathematics, physics, geometry, language theory and general scientific categories should have influenced him. The method used in this presentation takes into consideration the possibility for Rameau of absorbing these ideas without directly referencing them. It is difficult to explain, otherwise, the discovery of tonal-harmonic functions by Rameau without the analogy with the introduction of the term function by Gottfried Leibniz and Johann Bernoulli. It is hard to imagine that Rameau himself put all chords and their modifications into classification in a form of magnificent double hierarchy without the innovations of Carolus Linnaeus. The order of chords in the fundamental bass progression could not have seen the light without the universal syntax of Antoine Arnauld and Pierre Nicole. The concept of physical or quasi-physical motion in music, established by Rameau, depends on discoveries of differential calculus by Leibniz and Newton. The infinite approximation of the leading tone to tonic is the manifestation of the idea of infinitesimal (inverted infinity) of Leibniz. It is time to revisit Rameau, to place him in the real context of his time and, perhaps, reevaluate the significance of his contribution to the theory and art of music.
Improving parenting practices among fathers who misuse opioids: fathering through change intervention.

Fathers have been largely neglected in the parenting literature though there is a critical need to improve parenting practices among fathers who misuse opioids in the midst of the opioid epidemic. Urgency is critical to rapidly intervene in the lives of fathers and children to reduce misuse and interrupt intergenerational cycles of substance misuse. Thus, we provide an overview of solutions to adapt existing parenting interventions for fathers who misuse opioids to accelerate the pace of science for this population.
Gaussian Process Monitoring of Layerwise-Dependent Imaging Data

Additive Manufacturing (AM) enables the direct production of complex geometries from computer-aided designs (CAD). The AM fabrication process is often executed in a layer-by-layer manner, whereby minute printing errors in one layer can manifest significant defects in the final part. In-situ quality monitoring and control are currently limited for AM processes and cause low repeatability. Recently. advanced imaging is increasingly invested in AM and leads to the proliferation of layerwise imaging data, which provides an opportunity to transform quality control of AM from post-build inspection to in-situ quality monitoring. However, existing methodologies for in-situ inspection primarily focus on key characteristics of image profiles that tend to be limited in the ability to analyze the variance components, as well as root causes and failure patterns that are critical to process improvement. This letter presents an Additive Gaussian Process with dependent layerwise correlation (AGP-D) to model the spatio-temporal correlation of layerwise imaging data for AM quality monitoring. The AGP-D consists of three independent GP modules. The first GP approximates the base profile, whereas the second and third GP capture the correlation within the same layer and among layers, respectively. Based on posterior predictions of new layers, Hotelling ${{\boldsymbol{T}}^2}$ and generalized likelihood ratio (GLR) control tests are formulated to detect process shifts in the newly fabricated layer and analyze root causes. The proposed methodology is evaluated and validated using both simulation data and real-world case study of a cylinder build fabricated by a laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) machine. Experimental results show the proposed AGP-D is effective for real-time modeling and monitoring of layerwise-correlated imaging data.
Interrogating Alexa: Holding Voice Assistants Accountable for Their Answers

This paper reports on a preliminary comparative study of Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant voice assistants (VA) that explores the origins of answers provided on each platform in an attempt to determine the extent that these origins influence responses. Questions were selected from Text Recognition (TREC) 2017 Live Question Answering (QA) Track Data, a collection of pre-assessed questions that are part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) TREC QA track. Responses were collected as voice memos and screen captures, then analyzed to determine the origins of each answer or set of answers provided. Results indicate that the origins of answers are different search engines, and that algorithm-centered processes in each voice assistant result in vast differences in answers to questions. Because the online search results provided as answers by voice assistants are influenced by content and structured data, technical communicators and UX practitioners can help ensure that voice assistants are able to provide accurate, complete, and ethical responses to users’ questions.
Mechanisms of Action of Cytotoxicity of Transition Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in Human Lung Cells

The cytotoxicity of nano-sized oxides of fourth period metals (Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, and Zn), which are widely used in industry, was assessed in two human lung cell lines (A549 & BEAS-2B). The pa...
Evaluating the Environmental Effects of Agricultural Policy

The fact that agricultural policy decisions can have important environmental consequences has become common knowledge among policy scholars and policy practitioners. This relationship is reflected in the increasingly prominent soil conservation and environmental protection components of the 1985 and 1990 Farm Bills. In debating the value of continuing these provisions in the upcoming reauthorization of this legislation, scholars and politicians alike focus almost exclusively on their water quality benefits. However, the soil conservation components of agricultural policy also may affect air quality significantly. Using multivariate transfer function analysis, we find that implementation of the 1985 Farm Bill's Conservation Reserve Program has improved air quality significantly in that area of the country most plagued by agricultural air pollution.
Association between sugar-sweetened beverage intake and proxies of acculturation among Hispanic and non-Hispanic white adults (LB373)

Because there is limited information on the association between acculturation of Hispanics and their sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake, we examine this question in the 2010 National Health Interview Survey, a nationally representative sample of US adults. Analyses were restricted to Hispanic and US-born non-Hispanic (NH) white (n=17,142) respondents. The outcome was daily SSB intake (regular soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, and sweetened coffee/tea drinks). Exposure variables were race/ethnicity and proxies of acculturation (language of interview, birthplace, and years living in the US). We used multivariable logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (OR) for exposure variables associated with SSB intake 蠅1 time/day, adjusting for sociodemographics, region, and weight status. The odds of drinking SSB 蠅1 time/day was significantly higher among Hispanics who completed the interview in Spanish (OR=1.65 vs. US-born NH whites) and foreign-born Hispanic adults who lived in the US for 5–<1...
Bringing Advertising Closer to Mind: Using Neurophysiological Tools to Understand Student Responses to Super Bowl Commercials

Similar to techniques used by systems designers, marketers have long used focus groups and survey-based tools to gain insight into the thoughts and intentions of their targeted consumers. Now, neurophysiological tools are helping provide an increased understanding of consumers by helping illuminate unconscious thoughts. Here we look to help undergraduate business students gain an appreciation for the nuances of using such neurophysiological tools and what they might offer. A preliminary study is presented where eighteen students in an advertising class participated in electroencephalographic recordings while watching the three nationally top-rated commercials and three nationally bottom-rated commercials of the 2014 Super Bowl. Class rankings of the commercials using the ADPLAN Framework were compared with topological maps of neural activations. Exemplar data is provided here to illustrate findings. Follow-on work is described and considerations for interpreting data in light of the age group sampled and individual differences.
Cinematographic User Models for Automated Realtime Camera Control in Dynamic 3D Environments

Advances in 3D graphics technology have accelerated the construction of dynamic 3D environments. Despite their promise for scientific and educational applications, much of this potential has gone unrealized because runtime camera control software lacks user-sensitivity. Current environments rely on sequences of viewpoints that directly require the user’s control or are based primarily on actions and geometry of the scene. Because of the complexity of rapidly changing environments, users typically cannot manipulate objects in environments while simultaneously issuing camera control commands. To address these issues, we have developed UCam, a realtime camera planner that employs cinematographic user models to render customized visualizations of dynamic 3D environments. After interviewing users to determine their preferred directorial style and pacing, UCam examines the resulting cinematographic user model to plan camera sequences whose shot vantage points and cutting rates are tailored to the user in realtime. Evaluations of UCam in a dynamic 3D testbed are encouraging.
A Deference Theory of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act

Although Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) is one of the most documented topics in legal scholarship, the academy has missed a crucial reading: a statute with an administrative agency, the Department of Justice (DOJ), entitled to Chevron-style deference. Because the topic is virtually unexplored, this Note is the first to outline how we might understand a deference theory of the VRA. In addition to articulating the theoretical case and exploring the historical evidence of deference in the Supreme Court, this Note offers a descriptive/normative explanation for the Court’s current hostile relationship towards the DOJ on Section 5 voting rights issues, what I term 'anti-deference.' Such insights represent the tip of the iceberg for what a deference theory of the VRA might unearth.
New 7.5- and 8.5- Inch Ford Axles for 1979

New fuel efficient 7.5" (190.5 mm) and 8.5" (215.9 mm) cast center axles have been introduced in the 1979 Ford and Mercury full-size cars. The design, development and manufacturing of these axles contain several new and interesting features which offer maximum manufacturing flexibility and improved reliability.
Political Competition, Path Dependence, and the Strategy of Sustainable Energy Transitions

Previous research emphasizes the importance of path dependence for sustainable energy transitions, but their strategic nature is frequently overlooked. We examine formally how exogenous shocks, such as changes in international energy prices, interact with positive reinforcement factors, such as the growing strength of the renewables advocacy coalition. We find that political competition modifies the effect of path dependence on policy and outcomes. Specifically, while “green” governments can use positive reinforcement mechanisms to lock in policy commitments (by creating green constituencies), “brown” governments strategically underprovide public support for renewable energy (to avoid creating green constituencies). The effect of positive reinforcement also decreases with international energy prices. Our empirical analysis shows that (1) political competition conditions the policy response to exogenous shocks and market failures, while (2) governments strategically exploit path dependence for political gain.
Sharing networked resources with brokered leases

This paper presents the design and implementation of Shirako, a system for on-demand leasing of shared networked resources. Shirako is a prototype of a service-oriented architecture for resource providers and consumers to negotiate access to resources over time, arbitrated by brokers. It is based on a general lease abstraction: a lease represents a contract for some quantity of a typed resource over an interval of time. Resource types have attributes that define their performance behavior and degree of isolation. Shirako decouples fundamental leasing mechanisms from resource allocation policies and the details of managing a specific resource or service. It offers an extensible interface for custom resource management policies and new resource types. We show how Shirako enables applications to lease groups of resources across multiple autonomous sites, adapt to the dynamics of resource competition and changing load, and guide configuration and deployment. Experiments with the prototype quantify the costs and scalability of the leasing mechanisms, and the impact of lease terms on fidelity and adaptation.
Radiative Transfer in Circumstellar Dust Clouds

Radiative transfer methods are used to show how and to what extent the usual techniques relating color excess to optical depth through circumstellar material are not applicable.
Comparison of Southern Appalachian high‐elevation outcrop plant communities with their Northern Appalachian counterparts

. Southern Appalachian high-elevation outcrops harbour six regionally rare Northern Appalachian taxa usually considered relicts of a Pleistocene alpine flora. For five of the six taxa, minimum elevation in the south was 367–1113 m higher than in the north. While habitats compared between the two regions share only 9% of their total flora, individual plots had up to 70% of their species occurring in the opposite region. The northern affinity of southern outcrops increased with elevation, slope steepness, soil Cu, B and SO4 and decreased with potential solar radiation and soil Na. As a result, communities above 1600 m on felsic bedrock, and above 1350 m on mafic bedrock, were most northern in composition. Northern affinity of southern outcrops also increased with latitude, which may partly result from closer geographic proximity to past communities that provided progenitors for the current northern flora. Northern treeless habitats increased in southern affinity with increased slope steepness, perennial seepage, vegetation height, shade, soil pH, Al, Mn, Na and decreased elevation and organic matter. As a result, northern outcrop communities below treeline were most similar to those on southern outcrops. This suggests that southern outcrop vegetation may be more similar to Pleistocene outcrop vegetation than to Pleistocene alpine vegetation. Partial constrained ordination showed that while compositional differences between the Northern and Southern Appalachian habitats were largely explained by environmental differences, there was a significant component of residual variation explained by north or south position that was unrelated to environment. These residual compositional differences may result from historical influences on community structure involving stochastic extinction and colonization processes.
Rexinoids and breast cancer prevention.

In this issue of Clinical Cancer Research , Li et al. investigate the chemopreventive potential of the retinoid, LG100268 ([1][1]). The application of retinoids to cancer chemoprevention has a long history which predates the identification of retinoid receptors ([2][2], [3][3]). Early clinical
Comparative disposition of sulindac and metabolites in five species

Abstract The disposition of the new anti-inflammatory agent,cis-5-fluoro-2-methyl-1-[ p -(methylenesulfinyl)-benzylidene]-indene-3-acetic acid [sulindac] and its sulfide and sulfone metabolites was studied in five laboratory species. In each, oxidative biotransformation of the parent sulfoxide (sulindac) to sulfone is irreversible, while reduction to sulfide is reversible. The areas under the plasma concentration curves [AUC] of each redox form vary within each species as a function of the form which is administered and, because of differences in the reversible biotransformations and in enterohepatic circulation, vary widely among species for any given redox form administered. Corresponding variations in anti-inflammatory responses, within species, is a monotonic function of the AUC of sulfide, but not of that for sulfoxide or sulfone. A similar correlation is apparent between intestinal toxicity, to the extent that it occurs, and cumulative biliary secretion of the sulfide. Thus, additional evidence is provided for the putative role of the sulfide metabolite as the biologically active form of sulindac.
Fabrication of metal nanoparticles on highly dispersed pristine carbon nanotubes

A convenient approach to fabricate metal (i.e. gold, platinum, and palladium) nanoparticles on highly dispersed pristine carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was developed using a conjugated block copolymer of poly(3-hexylthiophene)-b-poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (P3HT-b-PVP). P3HT-b-PVP not only provides a stable dispersion of pristine CNTs through the π–π interactions between P3HT block and CNTs, but also introduces PVP groups on CNT surfaces to induce the heterogeneous nucleation of metal nanoparticles and protect them from aggregating. The density of metal nanoparticles on CNT surfaces was controlled by the metal salt/CNT feed ratio. The simple processing procedure, versatility in synthesizing various metal nanoparticles, high metal nanoparticle loading capacity, and excellent dispersibility and processability of the product make this approach a promising method to fabricate metal nanoparticles on CNTs.
Institutional Constraints and External Pressures Influencing Referral Decisions.

Institutional constraints and external pressures perceived by public school teachers as influential in making referrals were identified in this research. Organizational factors, such as LEA procedures or the teacher's perception of the professional competence of referral recipients, and availability of services were cited as institutional constraints on referrals. Outside agency influences, federal or state requirements, and concerns of parents were cited as external pressures that influence referrals. The implications of these findings are discussed with regard to teacher concerns and professional practice.
Effects of Fiber from Tropical Corn and Forage Sorghum Silages on Intake, Digestion, and Performance of Lactating Dairy Cows

Tropical corn silage was compared with sorghum silage as a basal forage in the diets of high producing dairy cows. Sorghum and tropical corn silages were each included in place of ground corn at incremental concentrations in the experimental diets. Eight separate diets were fed, four diets containing each silage ranging in forage neutral detergent fiber (NDF) from approximately 25 to 31% and ranging in total NDF from approximately 41 to 45%. Diets were arranged in a 2 x 4 factorial design and were fed to lactating cows (n = 24; pretrial mean milk production = 39 kg/d; body weight = 656 kg; and days in milk = 81). As concentrations of dietary NDF increased, intake and milk production decreased linearly. The impact of dietary NDF on intake was greater for diets based on tropical corn silage than for diets based on sorghum silage. Energy intake and milk production were reduced, but cows consumed more fiber when challenged with higher dietary concentrations of fiber. The in vitro rate and extent of digestion of dietary samples were correlated with intake response. The rate of in vitro fiber digestion was slower for samples that contained tropical corn silage than for samples that contained sorghum silage. In vivo digestibility measurements were influenced by intake and dietary composition. Results of this trial indicated that sorghum silage can have equal or slightly greater nutritional value than tropical corn silage when these forages are fed at equal concentrations of dietary fiber.
Tiebout? Or Not Tiebout? The Market Metaphor and America's Devolution Debate

The market metaphor of intergovernmental choice as a spur to efficiency (formalized by Charles M. Tiebout) is often invoked to support the shift away from Washington and toward the states. But the model translates badly to governments; governmental entry and exit is costly. Public-sector co11usion often serves citizens' interests. Heterogeneous mobility distorts the signals sent by interstate migration. And while Tiebout (and followers) condition efficiency predictions on optimal distribution, the U.S. devolution movement coincides with rising inequality and has gone furthest where distribution matters most. The metaphor is misapplied. Devolution will likely do more to enfeeble government than to improve it.
Profile Retrieval Algorithms Used In Thermal Sounding Of The Atmosphere

Satellite thermal sounding of temperature and moisture plays an important role in current atmospheric observational systems. Next generation systems may utilize surface-based passive observations and their com-bination with both active sensors and satellites. This technology continues to require development of mathematical retrieval algorithms to derive profiles from radiance observations. In this paper, commonly used algorithms and their application to contemporary sounding problems are discussed.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Low temperature stopped-flow spectrometry.

Abstract A stopped-flow instrument operating over the temperature range from +55 to as low as −55°C features a Teflon stopped-flow module with a quartz flow-through cell, which is placed in a heavy, double-walled, air-insulated, Plexiglas environmental chamber. Nitrogen gas is the temperature control fluid. The combination of the Teflon components, quad x-rings, and fluorinated lubricant results in a flow system which is inert, metal free, and has proven to be leak free at temperatures as low as −55°C. Quartz fiber optics connect the observation cell with the external light supply and detection systems which can monitor fluorescence or absorbance of the sample solution. The performance of the instrument at subzero temperatures has been evaluated by measuring the rate of the sodium hydroxide catalyzed hydrolysis of the ester, o -nitrophenylchloroacetate, at 430 nm. At −20°C, in 70% methanol-water the first-order rate constant increases linearly from 2.7 to 81 s −1 over the hydroxide concentration range 5–150 m m . Even at −55°C the flow process is artifact free and complete in a few milliseconds. A linear Arrenhius plot is obtained for ester hydrolysis by 5 m m hydroxide over the temperature range from +20 to −55°C.
Absorbance measurements in optically inhomogeneous samples using phase-conjugate thermal lens spectroscopy

The optical phase conjugation properties of a BaTiO3 crystal are employed in a thermal lens experiment to measure small absorbance values of optically inhomogeneous samples. The sensitivity of the thermal lens, together with the beam reconstruction capabilities of phase conjugation, allows measurement of absorbances as low as 1.2 × 10−5 in the presence of large-amplitude spatial noise. A model which describes the behavior of an ordinary thermal lens could be used to evaluate the behavior of the phase-conjugate thermal lens response. Controlled phase-front perturbations generated by the thermal lens are used to characterize the influence of optical path distortions on phase-conjugate reflectivity.
Peptides derived from type I thrombospondin repeat-containing proteins of the CCN family inhibit proliferation and migration of endothelial cells

Angiogenesis, or neovascularization, is tightly orchestrated by endogenous regulators that promote or inhibit the process. The fine-tuning of these pro- and anti-angiogenic elements (the angiogenic balance) helps establish the homeostasis in tissues, and any aberration leads to pathologic conditions. The type I thrombospondin repeats are a family of protein structural elements involved in the control of angiogenesis, and some proteins containing these repeats have been identified as negative regulators of angiogenesis. Here we identify a set of 11 novel, anti-angiogenic 18-20-amino acid peptides that are derived from proteins that belong to the CCN protein family and contain type I thrombospondin motifs. We have named these peptides spondinstatin-1, cyrostatin, connectostatin, nephroblastostatin, wispostatin-2, wispostatin-3, netrinstatin-5C, netrinstatin-5D, adamtsostatin-like-4, fibulostatin-6.1, and complestatin-C6 to reflect their origin. We have shown that these peptides inhibit proliferation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro. By conducting a clustering analysis of the amino acid sequences using sequence similarity criteria and of the experimental results using a hierarchical clustering algorithm, we have demonstrated that there is an underlying correlation between the sequence and activity of the identified peptides. This combination of experimental and computational approaches introduces a novel systematic framework for studying peptide activity, identifying novel peptides with anti-angiogenic activity, and designing mimetic peptides with tailored properties.
The coming sustainable energy transition: History, strategies, and outlook

Abstract Facing global climate change and scarce petroleum supplies, the world must switch to sustainable energy systems. While historical transitions between major energy sources have occurred, most of these shifts lasted over a century or longer and were stimulated by resource scarcity, high labor costs, and technological innovations. The energy transition of the 21st century will need to be more rapid. Unfortunately, little is known about how to accelerate energy transitions. This article reviews past transitions and factors behind them, along with their time frames. Three modern case studies are discussed: Brazil, which shifted from an oil-based transportation system to one based on sugarcane-ethanol (success); France, which shifted from oil-fired electric power to nuclear power (success); and the United States, which attempted to shift from foreign oil to a mix of domestic energy resources (failure). Lessons from these attempts to govern energy transitions are discussed. Several policy instruments to accelerate a transition are identified, though even under ideal circumstances a global energy supply transition will be very slow. Given the need to simultaneously implement programs in countries with different political economies, a greater focus on energy efficiency, promotion of Smart Grids, and possibly a new treaty should yield more timely results.
Testing coronary flow reserve without a provocative stress. A "BOLD" approach.

The importance of identifying clinically important coronary stenoses noninvasively continues to stimulate interest in improved and/or less complex techniques for evaluating regional limitations in coronary flow reserve. The electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and radionuclide approaches used in
Effects of meal composition on gallbladder and gastric emptying in man

Cholecystogastric scintigraphy, utilizing [99mTc]HlDA to label the gallbladder contents and [111In]DTPA to label different meals, was utilized to determine the relationships between gallbladder and gastric emptying after meals of differing composition. Gallbladder emptying was determined in response to a multicomponent meal and to monocomponent fat, carbohydrate, and protein meals and in response to isotonic and hypertonic dextrose and isotonic and hypertonic saline. Also, the gallbladder emptying responses to equivalent multicomponent solid and liquid meals were compared. Significant gallbladder emptying was observed in response to the multicomponent meal and the monocomponent fat, carbohydrate, and protein meals. The most rapid and complete gallbladder emptying was seen with the multicomponent meal and the monocomponent fat meal. Significant gallbladder emptying was stimulated, not only by isotonic and hypertonic dextrose, but also by hypertonic saline. The gallbladder emptied more rapidly after a liquid than after a solid meal.
A domain decomposition method for the Oseen-viscoelastic flow equations ☆

We study a non-overlapping domain decomposition method for the Oseen-viscoelastic flow problem. The data on the interface are transported through Newmann and Dirichlet boundary conditions for the momentum and constitutive equations, respectively. The discrete variational formulations of subproblems are presented and investigated for the existence of solutions. We show convergence of the domain decomposition solution to a solution of the one-domain problem. Convergence of an iterative algorithm and some numerical results are also presented.
Qualitative interpretation and sampling validity of peer recognition study

Abstract In an examination of limitations to a previous study, it was found that there was no significant difference between respondents and non-respondents with regard to country or eminence of institution. Observations from non-respondents illustrate possible constraints on the interpretation of responses.
Analysis of the Pretest–Posttest Designs

(2002). Analysis of the Pretest–Posttest Designs. Journal of the American Statistical Association: Vol. 97, No. 458, pp. 654-655.
Performance of ground clay brick in ASR-affected concrete: Effects on expansion, mechanical properties and ASR gel chemistry

Abstract The effects of ground clay brick (GCB) on alkali-silica reaction (ASR) expansion as well as on mechanical properties of ASR-affected concrete are investigated. Crushed red clay brick originated from demolished masonry was ground in a laboratory ball mill and replaced for portland cement at levels of 15% and 25% by weight in concrete mixes produced with alkali reactive sand. ASR expansion, compressive strength, flexural strength, and modulus of elasticity of the concrete mixes were evaluated. Effect of GCB on ASR gel chemistry was also studied on Pyrex glass-paste specimens using SEM/EDS (scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy). The results indicate that GCB effectively reduces ASR expansion in concrete: associated cracking and loss on mechanical properties are also significantly reduced. SEM study suggests that GCB alters alkali silica gel chemistry thus resulting in a less expansive product.
War-Related PTSD, Blast Injury, and Anosognosia

With the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom (known by most as the“WaronTerror”),deployedsoldiersandother personnel of the United States armed services and National Guard are returning home. Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan continues. More than 4,000 individuals have died in these war-related operations, and a far greater number endure lingering harm. In addition to physical devastation of lost limbs, vision, hearing, and mobility, injury often manifests in the form of neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric impairment. Perhaps the most commonly acknowledged of these maladies is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a potentially life-altering hazard of war-relatedevents. In tribute to all armed forces and other wartime personnel for their untoldbraveryandselflessness,thisissueofNeuropsychology
A note on dual input monopoly and tying

Abstract A tying arrangement is a conditional sale: the seller of good A will sell only on the condition that the buyer also purchases B. One monopolistic input supplier may employ a tying arrangement when the other inputs are not supplied competitively. Theresult will be an expansion of final output and an unambiguous improvement in consumer welfare.
Training Transfer in a Tank Gunnery Training System

Three tank gunnery trainers were studied to determine learning transfer over repeated trails. Devices included the TOPGUN trainer, a part-task, reduced-fidelity tank gunnery trainer; the Videodisk ...
Lack of effect of low levels of carboxyhemoglobin on cardiovascular function in patients with ischemic heart disease.

We studied 30 patients 38-75 yr of age who had ischemic heart disease to assess the effect of acute elevation of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) concentration. Patients were nonsmokers with ischemia defined by exercise-induced ST depression (ST decreases)--25/30, angina--23/30, or abnormal ejection fraction (EF) response--18/30. After an initial familiarization and exercise session patients were exposed to air (carboxyhemoglobin [COHb] = 1.5 +/- 0.05%) and to carbon monoxide (CO) (100 ppm-COHb-average = 3.8 +/- 0.1%) on successive days in a double blind, randomized fashion. There was no significant difference in time to onset of angina (air = 312 sec, CO = 306 sec), maximal exercise time (air = 711 sec, CO = 702 sec), maximal ST decreases (1.5 mm for both), or time to significant ST decreases (air = 474 sec, CO = 475 sec). Double product at ST decreases and maximal double products were similar for both conditions. Resting ejection fraction was slightly but nonsignificantly higher after CO exposure (air = 53.9%, CO = 55.2%). Maximal ejection fraction was similar for both conditions (air = 57.4%, CO = 57.1%). Change in ejection fraction was slightly lower for CO exposure (air = 3.5%, CO = 2%), p = .049. In conclusion, there is no clinically significant effect of 3.8% COHb (representing a 2.2% increase from resting values) on the cardiovascular system in this study.
Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in undifferentiated and differentiated SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells

The presence of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) in SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells was investigated by immunocytochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays of whole cell extracts and culture medium. In addition, ribonuclease protection assays were utilized to quantitate LHRH messenger RNA. The expression of LHRH mRNA and LHRH protein level was correlated with neuronal differentiation induced by retinoic acid (RA). In differentiated SK-N-SH cells the LHRH mRNA level as well as the amount of LHRH in cell extracts and cell medium were significantly lower than in differentiated cells. These results suggest that RA affects the expression of LHRH mRNA and the level of LHRH protein in SK-N-SH cells. These data show that altering the growth state of the human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells toward more neuronal phenotype results in a significant decrease in expression of LHRH mRNA and the protein. The ability of RA to induce changes in LHRH at the mRNA and at the peptide levels will allow further study of RA regulation of LHRH at the neuronal level.
Ultrasonic wave propagation loss factor in composite in terms of constituent properties

A model is developed to relate the energy loss factors of ultrasonic longitudinal waves propagating in the principal directions of a unidirectional graphite fiber composite to the composite constituent properties. All the constituents are assumed to behave as linear viscoelastic materials with energy dissipation properties defined by loss factors. It is found that by introducing a new constituent called the interface material, the composite and constituent properties can be brought into consistency with simple series and parallel models. An expression relating the composite loss factors to the loss factors of the constituents is derived and its coefficients are evaluated.
Collaborative crawling: mining user experiences for topical resource discovery

The rapid growth of the world wide web had made the problem of topic specific resource discovery an important one in recent years. In this problem, it is desired to find web pages which satisfy a predicate specified by the user. Such a predicate could be a keyword query, a topical query, or some arbitrary contraint. Several techniques such as focussed crawling and intelligent crawling have recently been proposed for topic specific resource discovery. All these crawlers are linkage based, since they use the hyperlink behavior in order to perform resource discovery. Recent studies have shown that the topical correlations in hyperlinks are quite noisy and may not always show the consistency necessary for a reliable resource discovery process. In this paper, we will approach the problem of resource discovery from an entirely different perspective; we will mine the significant browsing patterns of world wide web users in order to model the likelihood of web pages belonging to a specified predicate. This user behavior can be mined from the freely available traces of large public domain proxies on the world wide web. We refer to this technique as collaborative crawling because it mines the collective user experiences in order to find topical resources. Such a strategy is extremely effective because the topical consistency in world wide web browsing patterns turns out to very reliable. In addition, the user-centered crawling system can be combined with linkage based systems to create an overall system which works more effectively than a system based purely on either user behavior or hyperlinks.
New Aspects of Echocardiographic Assessment of Pulmonary Hypertension

In recent years, the assessment of pulmonary hypertension (PH) has gained more and more consideration in the clinical and scientific community, since many different conditions, including primary and secondary etiologies, may lead to PH. The possibility to noninvasively estimate pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) by echocardiography is of recognized utility for the screening and follow-up of PH. Along with PH estimation, a thorough evaluation of the right heart morphology, function, and hemodynamics is of paramount importance in patients with PH. In the last few years, many different echocardiographic techniques were proposed to improve the classic 2D assessment of the right heart, which suffers from significant limitations. Together with the more established tissue Doppler imaging, myocardial strain and speckle tracking and 3D echocardiography have emerged as very promising ultrasound methods to improve the overall assessment of patients with PH.
Treatment Outcome of Maple Syrup Urine Disease

Treatment results in maple Syrup urine disease can be good if therapy is started before 10 days of age, if there is meticulous control of the plasma branched chain amino acid levels and if relapses are treated immediately.
Semen analysis. An office technique.

Semen analysis can be performed in the physician's office. An outline is provided of the technique used in our urologic office-laboratory for semen analysis.
Racial disparities in care: the concealed legacy of a divided system.

Background and Objectives: New national initiatives to end racial disparities in health could benefit from the experience with Title VI enforcement in the Medicare Program. Goals: The goals of this study were to describe events in a test case to extend Medicare Title VI conditions for hospitals to the practice patterns of its medical staff and how the outcome shaped disparities. Method: This article distills interviews, archives, and secondary data sources. Study Design: This study is an historical narrative. Results: The test case was a costly failure. Although the Title VI effort eliminated segregation on hospital floors and equalized overall use, physician practice patterns were left unexamined, contributing to the persistence of disparities in treatment. Conclusions: If current efforts are to be successful, they will need to 1) address the structural issues that shape disparities, 2) pay particular attention to reengineering care in ways that overcome historic patterns, and 3) ensure a greater degree of accountability.
Mitochondrial DNA mutations and disease: It's the quantity that counts

The mitochondriopathies represent true multifactorial disorders, and follow different genetic laws to the more familiar monogenic ‘nuclear’ diseases. These differences are very important to understanding the aetiology and clinical course of these disorders. The mitochondrial chromosome is very vulnerable to mutation, because of its exposure to a hostile environment and its relative lack of repair. The different mtDNA mutations can be classified according to their nature, and certain predictions made about the diseases produced. Point mutations in the genes coding for proteins produce hereditary disorders, which are generally restricted to certain tissues: most such mutations are associated with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy. Point mutations in tRNA genes produce severe, multisystemic disorders which are also generally hereditary; they are always associated with heteroplasmy. All point mutations have exclusively maternal transmission. Deletions of mtDNA are generally somatic in origin, and it is not ...
Philosophy of archaeology: Current issues

Recent literature reflects continuing concern with problems such as explanation, skepticism, and objective knowledge. Some authors urge archaeologists to abandon “positivism” in favor of new “philosophical” approaches, such as feminism, Marxism, hermeneutics, and critical theory. Ethical issues have received increased attention as archaeologists have become involved in determining public policy with regard to disposition of artifacts and uncovering of human burials.
Magnetic domain observations of nucleation processes in fine particles of intermediate titanomagnetite

The stable carriers of the palaeomagnetic record in rocks are commonly fine grains of magnetite or titanomagnetite (Fe3–xTixO4) between 1 and 15 µm in diameter. The magnetic properties of these particles are therefore of interest to palaeomagnetists who must rely on them to preserve the Earth's magnetic field record over geological time. We report here domain observations of titanomagnetites in samples from Leg 49 of the Deep Sea Drilling Project. The results indicate that a major contributor to ‘pseudosingle-domain’ (PSD) saturation remanence is single domain remanence of particles larger than the classical single-domain threshold size which fail to nucleate domain walls in this magnetization state.
Honoring James Heckman's Contributions to Economics: Identification, Heterogeneity, and Economic Models

Given James Heckman's enormous contributions to the field of economics and the social sciences more generally, the question regarding the Nobel prize was not "if," but "when." The choice of Heckman as the 2000 Nobel laureate (joint with Daniel McFadden, another deserving winner) has been warmly received throughout the profession. Heckman and McFadden were both pioneers whose work helped to create modem empirical economics.
PHYTOREMEDIATION OF HEAVY METALS AND STUDY OF THE METAL COORDINATION BY X-RAY ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY

Abstract Although traditional technologies for cleaning contaminated soils and waters have proven to be efficient, they are usually expensive, labor intensive, and in the case of soil, they produce severe disturbance. More recently, the use of plants in metal extraction (phytoremediation) has appeared as a promising alternative in the removal of heavy metal excess from soil and water. Phytoremediation of polluted waters, is based on the cultivation of aquatic plants such as Eichhornia crassipes and Azolla filiculoides Lam., which have demonstrated a high capability to absorb cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) from aqueous solutions. Studies have demonstrated that terrestrial plants such as Brassica juncea , Salsola kali , and Prosopis spp. cultivated in hydroponics and agar are able to uptake significant amounts of heavy metals, which indicates their possible utilization in phytoremediation processes. On the other hand, a wide variety of plants have demonstrated the ability to grow and uptake heavy metals from severely polluted sites. Several species of Thlaspi , B. juncea , Salix spp., and Populus spp., among others, have been already tested in pilot projects or are currently in commercial application in phytoremediation projects. Recently, researchers have realized that phytoextraction can also be used for the recovery of precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, which indicates the wide possibilities of the phytoremediation technology with regards to mining. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) consists of two complimentary techniques X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) which provide invaluable chemical information. XAS has been used to investigate a number of different elements within inorganic chemical systems. However, more recently, it has been applied to investigate metal interactions within biosystems. XAS has provided important information on the coordination chemistry of metals and toxic element interactions with phytoremediation systems. XAS has provided information in terms of the coordination environment of metals absorbed by plants, their atomic geometry, and the bioreduction of metals within phytoremediation systems. In addition, XAS has provided information about the production of gold and silver nanoparticles by the metal interaction with the plants on phytomining systems.
Electric Field Induced Rotation of Polymer Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Flakes: Mechanisms and Applications

Electric fields can induce motion of polymer cholesteric liquid crystal (pCLC) flakes suspended in a fluid medium. The platelet-shaped pCLC flakes with a Grandjean texture show strong selective reflection when lying flat in the plane of a conventional cell. As their orientation with respect to normally incident light changes, their selective reflection color shifts toward the blue and diminishes until the flakes are no longer easily visible beyond 7-12{sup o} of rotation. Reproducibility and control of motion has been observed in moderately conductive host fluid. Flakes in such hosts do not respond to a DC electric field, but they rotate 90{sup o} in an AC field within a given frequency band. The response times and frequency regions for motion depend partially on the field magnitude, the dielectric properties of the host fluid and the flake geometry. We observe flakes reorienting in less than 500 ms in an electric field of 0.17 Vrms/mm, while subsecond reorientation is seen in fields as low as 5 x 10-2 Vrms/mm. This response time is comparable with typical electronic-paper applications, but with a significantly lower electric field. Displays using pCLC flakes would not require backlighting, sheet polarizers, color filters or alignment layers. Numerous additional applicationsmore » for pCLC flakes are envisioned, including filters, polarizers, and spatial light modulators.« less