cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Premarital cohabitation and marital disruption among white, black, and Mexican American women

We use data from the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth (N = 4,547) to investigate racial and ethnic differences in risk factors for marital disruption, with a particular emphasis on premarital cohabitation. We find that the nature and strength of the estimated effects of several risk factors for disruption differ across groups. In particular, premarital cohabitation is positively associated with subsequent marital disruption among non-Hispanic White women but not among non-Hispanic Black or Mexican American women. Little of the observed gaps between groups in levels of disruption, however, appears to be attributable to differences in premarital cohabitation. In addition to improving our understanding of marital disruption, this research contributes to a growing literature emphasizing heterogeneity across groups in the meaning and function of cohabitation.
Density Functional Theory Study of Mixed Aldol Condensation Catalyzed by Acidic Zeolites HZSM-5 and HY

We applied density functional theory to investigate the mixed aldol condensation of acetone and formaldehyde in acid zeolites HZSM-5 and HY, as a prototypical bond-forming reaction in biofuel production. We modeled the acid-catalyzed reaction in HZSM-5 and HY in two steps: keto–enol tautomerization of acetone and bimolecular condensation between formaldehyde and the acetone enol. For both acid zeolites, the keto–enol tautomerization of acetone was found to be the rate-determining step, consistent with the accepted mechanism in homogeneous acid-catalysis. Convergence studies of the activation energy for keto–enol tautomerization, with respect to cluster sizes of HZSM-5 and HY, exhibit rather different convergence properties for the two zeolites. The keto–enol activation energy was found to converge in HY to ∼20 kcal/mol for a cluster with 11 tetrahedral atoms (11T cluster), which does not complete the HY supercage. In contrast, the activation energy for HZSM-5 reaches an initial plateau at a value of ∼28 k...
Aggregation operators and fuzzy systems modeling

Abstract A general class of aggregation operators called MICA having the properties of monotonicity, symmetry and an identity element are introduced. We stress the significance of the choice of identity in characterizing the operator. We show that the t -norm and t -conorm are special cases of these operators. Other classees of these operators are introduced, notably an additive class which is very much in the spirit of the kind of aggregation used in neural networks. It is shown how a general description of the fuzzy system modeling technique can be obtained using these operators.
Selenoperoxidase-mediated cytoprotection against the damaging effects of tert-butyl hydroperoxide on leukemia cells

Murine leukemia L1210 cells grown for 5-7 d in the presence of 1% serum without added selenium [Se(-) cells] expressed < 5% of the glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity of selenium-supplemented controls [Se(+) cells]. Clonogenic survival assays indicated that t-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH) is much more toxic to Se(-) cells (LC50 approximately 10 microM) than to Se(+) or selenium-repleted [Se(-/+)] cells (LC50 approximately 250 microM). Hypersensitivity of Se(-) cells to t-BuOOH was partially reversed by treating them with Ebselen, a selenoperoxidase mimetic; thus, selenoperoxidase insufficiency was probably the most serious defect of Se deprivation. Cytotoxicity of t-BuOOH was inhibited by desferrioxamine and by alpha-tocopherol, indicating that redox iron and free radical intermediates are involved. Elevated sensitivity of Se(-) cells to t-BuOOH was accompanied by an increased susceptibility to free radical lipid peroxidation, which became even more pronounced in cells that had been grown in arachidonate (20:4, n-6) supplemented media. That glutathione (GSH) is required for cytoprotection was established by showing that Se(+) cells are less resistant to t-BuOOH after exposure to buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor of GSH synthesis, or 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), an inhibitor of glutathione reductase. Coupled enzymatic assays indicated that Se(+) or Se(-/+) cells metabolize t-BuOOH 20-25 times more rapidly than Se(-), consistent with the measured difference in GPX activities of these cells. Correspondingly, when challenged with t-BuOOH, Se(+) cells showed an initial loss of GSH and elevation of GSSG that exceeded that of Se(-) cells. It was further shown that like Se(-) cells, BSO- or BCNU-treated Se(+) cells metabolize t-BuOOH more slowly than nontreated controls. These results clearly indicate that selenoperoxidase action in the glutathione cycle is a vital element in cellular defense against toxic hydroperoxides.
Fredholm operators, semigroups and the asymptotic and boundary behavior of solutions of PDEs

Abstract Every semigroup T on a Banach space X can be used to define elements u∈X of exponential type relative to T by requiring that u=T(s)v for some s>0 and v∈X. Let then X and Y be Banach spaces in which the exponential type is characterized by the semigroups T and S, respectively, and let L∈ L (X,Y) be Fredholm. It is shown that if L satisfies some compatibility conditions with respect to T and S and if f∈Y has exponential type, then every solution u∈X of Lu=f has exponential type as well. When L is a differential operator, it is often compatible in this sense (and in suitable spaces) with semigroups that embody an asymptotic or boundary behavior. This yields a way to study such a behavior in solutions of PDEs, which is technically simple, very general and delivers rather sharp results. Furthermore, this approach is easily generalized to the nonlinear setting.
Making the most of the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit

Among many changes made to the current healthcare system, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act now provides coverage for “wellness visits” for Medicare part B beneficiaries. There are just over 45 million Medicare enrollees across the country which represents about 16% of the total United States population. This volume of Medicare beneficiaries makes it important for family physicians and other primary care providers to be aware of the services that are available through Medicare insurance plans so they can provide high-quality preventative care to all of their patients.
A hydromagnetic gradient wave

Abstract This paper outlines a simple hydromagnetic mode of propagation which exists in the presence of a transverse gradient in a transverse magnetic field. Orders of magnitude are given for solid-state plasmas.
Potential for use of liquid crystals as dynamically tunable electrophoretic media

When two solutes have dissimilar structures, they move through an electrophoretic medium with different mobilities and, therefore, different speeds. This phenomenon is used to separate the charged components of a mixture. In a conventional electrophoretic separation, the velocities and diffusion coefficients of all solutes are constant because the transport properties of the medium are static, remaining unchanged over the length of the column and over the duration of separation. Here, we examine the question of how an electrophoretic separation might benefit from the use of a dynamic separation medium-one with the transport properties that can be tuned to values specified by the user. Liquid crystal (LC) polymers appear to be good candidates for tunable media, as their microstructure can be externally controlled. In particular, on application of a transverse external field, they undergo a transition from a configuration with randomly oriented side chains (‘‘random,” r) to a configuration in which all side chains are aligned perpendicular to the axis of the column (‘‘aligned,” I ). There are then two principal values for the diffusion coefficient and migration velocity of a solute, viz., D,, ur, and D,, u,. D, is the diffusion coefficient in the random mode (m2/s), and D ~ is the diffusion coefficient in the aligned mode (m2/s). If the external field itself is made position-dependent, the diffusion coefficient of the solute can be modulated in space. Moreover, azobenzene-based LC polymers with response times as low as 200 ps have recently been synthesized (Ikeda and Tsutsumi, 19951, which suggests that it should also be feasible to modulate the solute velocities and diffusivities in time as well. This note summarizes a general theoretical study of electrophoretic separations in dynamic media. The emphasis is not a demonstration of the separation of specific solutes such as amino acid systems or DNA fragments, but rather a presentation of broad guidelines for solute separations in tunable media.
Rapid pair-wise synteny analysis of large bacterial genomes using web-based GeneOrder4.0

The growing whole genome sequence databases necessitate the development of user-friendly software tools to mine these data. Web-based tools are particularly useful to wet-bench biologists as they enable platform-independent analysis of sequence data, without having to perform complex programming tasks and software compiling. GeneOrder4.0 is a web-based "on-the-fly" synteny and gene order analysis tool for comparative bacterial genomics (ca. 8 Mb). It enables the visualization of synteny by plotting protein similarity scores between two genomes and it also provides visual annotation of "hypothetical" proteins from older archived genomes based on more recent annotations. The web-based software tool GeneOrder4.0 is a user-friendly application that has been updated to allow the rapid analysis of synteny and gene order in large bacterial genomes. It is developed with the wet-bench researcher in mind.
Modifying the self-injurious behavior of an infant with spina bifida and diminished pain sensitivity

This clinical case study extends the literature on behavioral treatment of self-injury to an intellectually normal infant with spina bifida and diminished sensitivity to pain. After treatment by attention-play periods plus an aversive tasting substance applied to the injured finger, severe biting of the index finger was eliminated and the finger healed. Follow-up inquiries 2 months, 2 and 3 yr later revealed no biting and no substantial tissue damage.
First-order theory and analysis of MF/HF/VHF scatter from the sea

Scatter from the sea near grazing from MF through VHF is analyzed in this paper. Results based on the compensation theorem show that the dependence upon the grazing angles, as well as upon frequency, range, and the effective surface impedance, can be removed for vertical polarization as the familiar "Norton attenuation factors." Time variation of the surface is included, and results are derived for both the average received power and its spectral density. The first-order dispersion relationship for gravity waves is used to show that the received spectrum from a patch of sea consists of two discrete Doppler shifts above and below the carrier, predictable from simple Bragg diffraction considerations. Using the Phillips wind-wave model as an upper limit for wave heights, estimates for \sigma^{0} (radar cross section per unit area) of - 17 dB are obtained near grazing. Both the magnitude of \sigma_{\upsilon\nu}^{0} predicted from theory and the nature of the received spectrum are compared with measurements, and the agreement supports the theory on both counts. Finally, the use of MF/HF radars for measuring sea state is suggested and discussed.
A prospective randomized trial of dressings versus no dressings for hypospadias repair.

Purpose: Dressings following hypospadias repair have the benefits of gentle compression for hemostasis, immobilization of the wound and formation of a “hermetic seal.” Potential disadvantages include producing ischemia, infection and pain during dressing removal. We compare the success and complications of hypospadias repair with and without dressings in a prospective randomized manner.Materials and Methods: Children with hypospadias were randomized either to receive or not receive a transparent film dressing for 2 days. A written informed consent was obtained. Hypospadias repair was performed in 100 consecutive patients. Study exclusion criteria were known coagulopathy and oozing at the end of the case. Criteria for success were a glanular meatus, single forward directed stream, unimpeded voiding, absence of penile chordee, good cosmesis and no need for any secondary procedure. All but 1 hypospadias repair preserved the integrity of the urethral plate. Statistical significance was considered at p <0.05.R...
Fluctuations and Local Symmetry in Single-Molecule Rhodamine 6G Raman Scattering on Silver Nanocrystal Aggregates †

Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) from Rhodamine 6G adsorbed on small, optically resolvable aggregates of silver nanoparticles is detectable at the single-molecule level. The signal fluctuates on a second time scale, presumably due to movement of the molecule in to and out of the SERS active “hot spots”. The depolarization of the signal is found to be independent of the fluctuations, to vary from one spot to the next, and to be highly dependent on the direction of the incident electric field. The “SERS continuum” dominates the signal and is assumed to arise from electronic Raman processes in the metal that are triggered by chemisorption of the molecule in the hot spot. The source of the Raman signal is therefore highly localized around the hot spot. The local structure determines the depolarization properties and is often extremely anisotropic. Conversely, the Rayleigh scattering does not depend on the molecule or the hot spot and is delocalized over the whole aggregate, which is always found to be...
Hypothyroidism alters striatal dopamine release mediated by 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy)

Microdialysis cannulas were surgically implanted into the striatum of thyroparathyroidectomized (TX) and sham rats in order to determine differences in dopamine release and core body temperature following MDMA administration. Rats were subsequently treated with MDMA (10 mg/kg, s.c.), and striatal DA levels were monitored at 20 min intervals, as well as core temperature every 30 min. Sham rats responded to MDMA with a characteristic hyperthermic response and significant increases in extracellular dopamine. Conversely, TX rats responded to MDMA with a hypothermic response and failed to demonstrate a similar increase from basal dopamine levels. On the basis of these data, thyroid hormones are not only important in the thermogenic effects of MDMA but also appear to have an auxiliary role in MDMA-induced striatal dopamine release.
The cost-effectiveness of rotavirus vaccination in Malawi.

Background. Rotarix (GlaxoSmithKline), a newly licensed rotavirus vaccine requiring 2 doses, may have the potential to save hundreds of thousands of lives in Africa. Nations such as Malawi, where Rotarix is currently under phase III investigation, may nevertheless face difficult economic choices in considering vaccine adoption. Methods. The cost-effectiveness of implementing a Rotarix vaccine program in Malawi was estimated using published estimates of rotavirus burden, vaccine efficacy, and health care utilization and costs. Results. With 49.5% vaccine efficacy, a Rotarix program could avert 2582 deaths annually. With GAVI Alliance cofinancing, adoption of Rotarix would be associated with a cost of $5.07 per disability-adjusted life-year averted. With market pricing, Rotarix would be associated with a base case cost of $74.73 per disability-adjusted life-year averted. Key variables influencing results were vaccine efficacy, under-2 rotavirus mortality, and program cost of administering each dose. Conclusions. Adopting Rotarix would likely be highly cost-effective for Malawi, particularly with GAVI support. This finding holds true across uncertainty ranges for key variables, including efficacy, for which data are becoming available.
Progress in Sodium Vapor Charge Exchange Cell Development

Results are given of measurements made on a sodium vapor charge exchange cell in the recirculation mode for almost 100 h of cumulative full temperature operation. The design utilizes a down jet of sodium from a planar de Laval nozzle impinging upon a liquid sodium pool contained in a condensing reservoir. The apparatus includes provision for return of the sodium to the vaporizing region for replenishing the supply to the jet. The minimum design requirements for vapor thickness of 1 to 2 x 10/sup 15/ atoms/cm/sup 2/ were met.
Fusion of a family 9 cellulose-binding module improves catalytic potential of Clostridium thermocellum cellodextrin phosphorylase on insoluble cellulose

Clostridium thermocellum cellodextrin phosphorylase (CtCDP), a single-module protein without an apparent carbohydrate-binding module, has reported activities on soluble cellodextrin with a degree of polymerization (DP) from two to five. In this study, CtCDP was first discovered to have weak activities on weakly water-soluble celloheptaose and insoluble regenerated amorphous cellulose (RAC). To enhance its activity on solid cellulosic materials, four cellulose binding modules, e.g., CBM3 (type A) from C. thermocellum CbhA, CBM4-2 (type B) from Rhodothermus marinus Xyn10A, CBM6 (type B) from Cellvibrio mixtus Cel5B, and CBM9-2 (type C) from Thermotoga maritima Xyn10A, were fused to the C terminus of CtCDP. Fusion of any selected CBM with CtCDP did not influence its kinetic parameters on cellobiose but affected the binding and catalytic properties on celloheptaose and RAC differently. Among them, addition of CBM9 to CtCDP resulted in a 2.7-fold increase of catalytic efficiency for degrading celloheptaose. CtCDP-CBM9 exhibited enhanced specific activities over 20% on the short-chain RAC (DP = 14) and more than 50% on the long-chain RAC (DP = 164). The chimeric protein CtCDP-CBM9 would be the first step to construct a cellulose phosphorylase for in vitro hydrogen production from cellulose by synthetic pathway biotransformation (SyPaB).
COST EFFECTIVENESS OF OPEN ACCESS PUBLICATIONS

University of California, Santa Barbara From the SelectedWorks of Ted C Bergstrom October 2014 COST EFFECTIVENESS OF OPEN ACCESS PUBLICATIONS Contact Author Start Your Own SelectedWorks Notify Me of New Work Available at: http://works.bepress.com/ted_bergstrom/122
IN VITRO ACTIVATION OF CELLULAR IMMUNE RESPONSE TO GROSS VIRUS-INDUCED LYMPHOMA

Spleen cells from W/Fu rats 40 days or more after immunization with a syngeneic Gross virus-induced leukemia were unreactive in direct cytotoxic assays. Incubation of these immune cells at 37°C for 12 hr or longer, in the absence of antigen, resulted in the appearance of specific cytotoxic reactivity. Other lymphoid cells from the immune rats also were activated upon in vitro incubation, but to a lesser extent. Experiments were performed to define the necessary conditions and the mechanism for the in vitro incubation. Activation was temperature dependent, occurring at 37°C but not at 4°C. Immune serum suppressed the activation, but normal rat serum also had some inhibitory activity. Passage of immune cells through a nylon column, before preincubation, prevented activation. In contrast, exposure to nylon after preincubation did not remove cytotoxic reactivity. These findings demonstrate the reversal of a central inhibition of immune cell activity. The explanations offered for this phenomenon included change in surface characteristics of the immune cells during in vitro incubation, and the possible need for an adherent helper cell.
Fitting In or Making Jobs Fit: Factors Affecting Mode of Adjustment for New Hires

This study tested a theoretical framework of work role transitions by examining the impact of individual factors (personal need for control and need for feedback), job factors (job discretion and job novelty), and organizational factors (organizational socialization tactics) on two modes of adjustment for new hires. In this study, need for control and need for feedback had a significant impact on self change as a mode of adjustment but not on job change. Job novelty and job discretion had little impact on either mode of adjustment. Investiture-divestiture organizational socialization tactics had a significant impact on self change as a mode of adjustment and fixed-variable socialization tactics had a significant impact on changing ones' job as a mode of adjustment. In general, the results of this study suggest that variables hypothesized by past theoretical work may only be moderate predictors of changing self or job as modes of adjustment for new hires.
An Analysis of Performance on Reading Subtests from the 1978 Wide Range Achievement Test and Woodcock Reading Mastery Test with the WISC-R for Learning Disabled and Regular Education Students

Comparisons were made between the 1978 Wide Range Achievement Test (Reading subtest -- word identification), Woodcock Reading Mastery Test (Word Identification subtest and Total Reading score) and the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children-Revised for learning disabled and regular education students. The learning disabled students scored significantly lower than the regular education students on all reading measures. WRAT Word Identification scores were significantly higher than both the WRMT Word Identification and Total Reading scores for both groups. Existing differences in the ability level between the two groups (i.e., learning disabled and regular education) did not solely account for the obtained difference in reading achievement between the groups. The article discusses the subsequent utility of each instrument in the diagnostic process.
Adrenomedullin Antagonist Treatment During Early Gestation in Rats Causes Fetoplacental Growth Restriction Through Apoptosis

Adrenomedullin (AM), a potent vasorelaxant peptide, has been shown to function as an angiogenic and growth factor. The present study investigated whether antagonism of endogenous AM in rats during early gestation results in diminished placental and fetal growth and whether this occurs through induction of apoptosis. Rats on Gestational Day 8 were implanted s.c. with osmotic minipumps delivering 125 and 250 m gr at 21 day 21 of AM22‐52 and were killed on Gestational Day 15. In AM22‐52-treated rats, both placental and fetal weights were dose-dependently inhibited, with 50% reduction in the group receiving 250 mg rat 21 day 21 . In these animals, fetal resorption sites were also increased. Apoptosis was demonstrated in placenta and uterus by the TUNEL method. Apoptotic changes were more apparent in trophoblast cells in the labyrinth zone of placenta and uterine decidua of AM22‐52-treated rats when compared with vehiclecontrol rats. Immunoreactivity to active caspase-3 protein was abundant in the placenta and uterus of the AM22‐52-treated group. Western blot analysis demonstrated that in homogenates of both the placenta and uterus of AM22‐52-treated rats, levels of active caspase-9 and -3 as well as of Poly ADP ribose polymerase were significantly increased, whereas levels of Bcl-2 protein decreased, compared with controls. However, no significant treatment-associated changes were observed in Bid, Fas, Fas ligand, p53, and caspase-8 and -10 proteins in either placenta or uterus. Bad protein was undetectable in either tissue. In mitochondrial fractions from both placenta and uterus, the levels of Bax increased with decreases in cytochrome c on AM22‐52 treatment. Conversely, in the cytosol, Bax levels decreased with increases in cytochrome c, demonstrating translocation of Bax from cytosol to mitochondria and release of cytochrome c from mitochondria with AM22‐52 treatment. In conclusion, these findings show that antagonism of AM in rats during early pregnancy caused fetoplacental growth restriction through the activation of mitochondrial apoptotic pathways.
The fundamentals of particle phonology

Particle phonology has evolved from a dissatisfaction that I experienced working within the current theoretical and notational framework of generative phonology. I had been looking at historical processes affecting vowels and diphthongs. In trying to describe the kinds of changes undergone by these entities, I was particularly frustrated by the inability of the standard notation to characterise in any enlightening way the internal structure of vowels, as well as relationships evident between particular vowels and diphthongs. The first difficulty – the nature of the internal structure of vowels – was not simply due to an inadequate set of distinctive features. Rather, the problem resided in the very notion of features as autonomous building blocks out of which segments are composed. This view contributed partially to the other difficulty – the expression of relationships between vowels and diphthongs. An additional factor to this problem came from restrictions of the notation in regard what could appear to the left and to the right of an arrow. The notation forced me to formulate rules whose statements often did not accord with my conception of the nature of the processes. It seems to me that a highly-valued notational system should have the property that I have come to call ‘mirroring’. If one believes that a process or change happens in a certain way, then the notation should not just describe that event but should reflect as closely as possible its manner of occurrence.
Spindle cell thymomas with neuroendocrine morphology: a clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study of 18 cases.

Aims To present 18 cases of spindle cell thymoma (WHO type A) with prominent neuroendocrine morphology. Methods and results The patients were nine men and nine women aged 36–76 years (average: 56 years). Clinically, the patients presented with non-specific symptoms such as chest pain, or were entirely asymptomatic. None of the patients had a history of autoimmune syndrome. Surgical resection was performed in all patients. The tumour size ranged from 30 to 110 mm. Macroscopically, the tumours were described as light brown or tan masses with a homogeneous and solid appearance. Microscopically, all tumours showed areas that closely resembled the typical growth pattern of neuroendocrine tumours, i.e. rosette-like structures or a trabecular, insular or ribbon-like arrangement of tumour cells. Areas of more conventional spindle cell thymoma were present in all cases. Seven cases were encapsulated, and 10 cases were invasive tumours. Immunohistochemically, the tumours were positive for pancytokeratin but negative for synaptophysin and chromogranin A. Follow-up information for 10 patients showed that all patients were alive after a period ranging from 1 month to 6 years. Conclusions Familiarity with this particular pattern of thymoma is important in order to separate this tumour from true neuroendocrine carcinoma and prevent unnecessary adjuvant treatment.
Sequelae of Abortion and Relinquishment of Child Custody among Women with Major Psychiatric Disorders

A growing number of women with major psychiatric disorders frequently consider the choice of abortion or relinquishment of the custody of children. Psychological reactions to abortion and relinquishment of custody were assessed and contrasted among 119 hospitalized women of M age 40 yr. and psychiatric patients. An original questionnaire was developed to assess emotional symptoms, psychiatric signs, attitudes, and satisfaction with the decision regarding the loss of a fetus or child. As hypothesized, reported sequelae of relinquishments of custody were rated as significantly more severe than sequelae of abortion. Dissatisfaction with choice, negative attitudes, religious affiliation, and involuntary removal of a child from custody were predictive of distress following abortion or relinquishment. The findings show that increased efforts are needed to help women with psychiatric difficulties cope with reproductive planning and losses.
Defining a role for novel biomarkers in acute coronary syndromes.

Background: Biomarkers play a pivotal role in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease. Active investigation has brought forward an increasingly large number of novel candidate markers; however, few of these markers have yet to be incorporated into routine clinical use. Content: This review discusses biomarkers currently used in the setting of acute coronary syndromes. In this context, we assess the contemporary unmet needs for novel biomarkers in acute ischemic heart disease and the related challenges faced in developing new biomarkers to the point of integration into clinical practice. In particular, we address the impact of the availability of increasingly sensitive biomarkers of myocardial necrosis on the potential roles for novel biomarkers of inflammation, thrombosis, and ischemia. Summary: Although active investigation has produced a growing list of candidate novel biomarkers for the care of patients with cardiovascular disease, it has become increasingly challenging to find appreciable incremental clinical benefit for their addition to existing markers, in particular newer, more analytically sensitive cardiac troponin assays. A major challenge for researchers and clinicians will be to demonstrate whether candidate novel markers are useful in improving diagnosis and guiding clinical treatment.
The role of grain boundary sliding on creep deformation characteristics of discontinuous reinforced composites

In this study, the grain boundary sliding behavior in discontinuous reinforced composites is investigated numerically. The results indicate that the stress enhancement factor for the composite is much larger than the one observed for the matrix material. In the composite, the increase in the strain rates as a result of grain boundary sliding occurs in a wider stress range in comparison to the matrix. It will be shown that the experimentally observed large scale triple point grain boundary cavitation in the composites could occur as a result of large grain rotations resulting from grain boundary sliding and evolution of triaxial stress state. Also, the observed larger creep exponent values or stress dependent creep exponent values for the composites may not be explained solely by the mechanism of grain boundary sliding.
The Porosity And Pore Structure Of Hydrated Portland Cement Paste

Pore structure and the surface area of the pores are the most important characteristics controlling the properties of porous materials. Many techniques, based largely on nitrogen or water vapour isotherms or mercury porosimetry, have been used to determine the pore structure of solids. Values obtained from these methods have been relatively reliable for materials with pore structures that remain stable on removal or addition of water.
The Slime Mold Dictyostelium as a Model of Self-Organization in Social Systems

The phenomenon of aggregation in the cellular slime mold Dictyosteliumhas been studied intensely, both as a model for the self-organization of single cells into multicellular organisms and as a source of information about the extracellular function of the chemical messenger, cyclic AMP. There are two basic classes of models: models of individual cells in discrete sets and field theoretic (continuum) models of aggregation. These two kinds of model are designed to answer somewhat different questions, but any explanation of the nature and form of aggregation requires the field approach. An examination of the forms occurring during slime mold aggregation provides important clues to the dynamics of the process and indicates the importance of symmetry breaking and entrainment in self-organization. Analogies are proposed between slime mold aggregation and human social processes. —The Editor
Health Promoting Life-Style Behaviors and Systemic Inflamma-tion in African American and Caucasian Women Prior to Chemo-therapy for Breast Cancer.

Background: Racial disparities in breast cancer outcomes persist, with differential adverse outcomes in African American women. Although research has ex­amined possible genetic differences, there has been little research on potentially modifiable characteristics such as health promoting behaviors. The purpose of this article is to describe the characteristics and to compare the differences by race in lifestyle factors and inflammatory biomarkers in African American and Caucasian women with breast cancer. Methods: This is a baseline descriptive analysis from an ongoing randomized controlled trial that includes 124 women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer prior to chemotherapy. Data sources included medical records, self-re­port questionnaires and a blood sample for measures of inflammation. The sta­tistical analysis included descriptive statistics and ANOVA models to determine differences between the two groups. Results: Overall, both groups had low levels of health promoting behaviors. African Americans had a significantly higher body mass index. Caucasian women consumed more alcohol. Levels of C-reactive protein and MIP-1β were significantly higher in African Americans. Conclusion: Potentially modifiable factors such as nutrition, physical activity and levels of inflammation warrant further attention.
Gendering (Non)Religion: Politics, Education, and Gender Gaps in Secularity in the United States

Gender gaps in religiosity among Western populations, such that women are more religious than men, are well documented. Previous explanations for these differences range from biological predispositions of risk aversion to patriarchal gender socialization, but all largely overlook the intersection of social statuses. Drawing on theories of intersectionality, we contribute to the cultural and empirical analysis of gender gaps in religiosity by documenting an interactive effect between gender, education, and political views for predicting religious nonaffiliation and infrequent attendance at religious services among Americans. For highly educated political liberals, gender gaps effectively disappear, such that men and women are almost equally likely to be secular (or religious). The results have implications for the long-standing disputes about the gendered “nature” of religiosity and highlight the importance of multiple intersecting statuses and modalities in shaping aggregate patterns of religiosity and secularity.
The Psychophysiology of Elite Stress in Five International Crises

This paper will report on a segment of a larger study which is designed to explore the usefulness of an electronic instrument in the analysis of international crisis communications. After discussing aspects of the crisis literature as it relates to individual behavior, the paper will suggest a model of stress and how the Psychological Stress Evaluator (PSE) can be employed in crisis communications research. The crisis speeches of U.S. presidents in five post-World War II crises will then be examined with the PSE. Patterns of physiological disturbance will be sought from this examination.
Evaluating thermal resource partitioning : By sympatric lizards Anolis cooki and A. cristatellus: a field test using null hypotheses.

The field thermal biology of sympatric Anolis cooki and A. cristatellus were evaluated in January and in August in desert scrub forest at Playa de Tamarindo near Guanica, Puerto Rico. Data on randomly positioned copper models of lizards, each equipped with a built-in thermocouple, established null hypotheses about basking frequency and operative temperatures (T e) against which the behavior and body temperatures (T b) of live lizards were evaluated. Both species exhibited non-random hourly basking rates (more marked in cristatellus than in cooki), and cristatellus was virtually inactive during the warm mid-day hours. The relationship between lizards' T b and randomly sampled T e differed between the species: cristatellus's mean T b was 2° to 3° C lower than randomly sampled mean T e in both months, whereas cooki's mean T b was slightly higher than mean T e in January and slightly lower in August. Although cooki's mean T b was higher than that of cristatellus in both months, the T b's of the two species overlapped substantially over an annual cycle. Given the similarities in their field active T b and the low thermal heterogeneity among microsites at Playa de Tamarindo, these species appear not to partition the thermal environment there in a coarse-grained way. Instead, the relatively small differences in their field active T b probably result from small differences in their use of similar microhabitats within their mutually exclusive territories. Thermal resource partitioning by territorial animals is unlikely unless thermal heterogeneity is coarse-grained in relation to territory size.
Biomechanics of Filter Feeding in the Antarctic Krill Euphausia Superba: Review of Past Work and New Observations

Recent observations of "compression filtration" in live euphausiids and unresolved historic controversies about filter feeding in euphausiids based mostly on inferences from preserved specimens suggest that reconsideration of the biomechanics of filter feeding is in order. Explanations of filter feeding in reviews by Mauchline and Fisher (1969) and Mauchline (1980) are incorrect. Here I review previous work and present new observations on the morphology and mechanics of the thoracic endopodites and exopodites of Euphausia superba. Movements of the endopodites are rapid and stereotyped. As the feeding basket expands laterally a pressure gradient is created which sucks water and particles into the basket from the front. Water and particles never enter the basket from the sides, below, or behind. Once inside the feeding basket, particles are retained on the filter and water is squeezed out laterally between the setae. During expansion of the basket the exopodites act as flapper valves which inhibit lateral entry of water, but during the compression stroke the exopodites lift for approximately 100 ms and permit expulsion of water. Comb setae loosen food particles trapped on the filter setae and the tips of the filter setae brush them to the mandibular palps. When phytoplankton is scarce, krill feed steadily with metronomic sweeps of the basket. When phytoplankton is abundant, they exhibit discontinuous feeding patterns. Filter feeding by compression pumping may occur in all those euphausiids that have thoracic appendages like those of E. superba and which filter feed on
The Acoustic Test Environment for Hearing Testing.

Background Audiology clinics traditionally employ expensive, prefabricated sound rooms to create an environment that is sufficiently quiet for accurate hearing tests. There is seldom any analysis of the need for or benefit from such enclosures. There may be less expensive methods that would decrease the cost of and increase access to hearing testing. Purpose This report provides information concerning the need for and effectiveness of sound rooms and an analysis of the audiometric test ranges for various earphone/room combinations. Research design Acoustic measurements made in four rooms were analyzed with the attenuation provided by various earphone designs to determine the maximum permissible ambient noise levels and the corresponding audiometric test ranges. Study sample The measurements and calculations were performed with four test rooms and five earphone designs. Data collection and analysis Ambient noise levels and earphone attenuation characteristics were used to calculate the noise levels that reach the ear. Those were compared to the maximum permissible ambient noise levels that are provided in ANSI S3.1-1999 or calculated from measured attenuation levels. These measurements were used to calculate testable ranges for each room/earphone combination. Results The various room/earphone combinations resulted in minimum test levels that ranged from -10 to 20 dB HL at various test frequencies. Conclusions When the actual benefits of expensive prefabricated sound rooms are assessed based on the range of hearing levels that can be tested, the effectiveness of that approach becomes highly questionable. Less expensive methods based on planning the clinic space, use of inexpensive sound treatments, and selecting an appropriate earphone can be effective in almost any space that would be used for hearing testing.
Expert systems: A cognitive science perspective

The theory and technology of knowledge-based systems are intrinsically interdisciplinary and are closely related to the formalisms of cognitive psychology. In this paper, strategies of incorporating intelligence into a computer program are described along with a common architecture for expert systems, including choices of representation and inferential methods. The history of the field is traced from its origins in metamathematics and Newell and Simon’s (1961) GENERAL PROBLEM SOLVER to the Stanford Heuristic Programming Project that produced DENDRAL and MYCIN (Buchanan & Shortliffe, 1984). MYCIN gave rise to EMYCIN and a shell technology that has radically reduced the development time and cost of expert systems. Methodology and concepts are illustrated by transactions with a shell developed for graduate education and a demonstration knowledge base for the diagnosis of senile dementia. Knowledge-based systems and conventional programs are compared with respect to formalisms employed, applications, program characteristics, procedures supplied by the development environment, consistency, certainty, flexibility, and programmer’s viewpoint. The technology raises basic questions for cognitive psychology concerning knowledge and expertise.
Combined Simulation and Measurement Study of Temperature Uniformity in Rapid Thermal Processing

Modeling and simulation of rapid thermal processing has been studied extensively in the past. This work presents the results of a combined simulation and measurement study of a commercial multilamp RTP chamber. The simulations were used to estimate the contributions of different geometrical, material, process, and physical effects on temperature uniformity. The physical effects considered in the simulations included radiation, thermal conduction, transient effects during ramp up and cool down and the effects of patterns on the wafer surface. The effects were corroborated by direct temperature measurements using thermocouple embedded wafers, and the results were used to reliably calculate stress effects. The stress distributions were determined analytically in cases without surface films on the wafer. In the case of wafers with surface films, stress distributions were calculated based on thermal strains. This study allows us to concentrate efforts on increasing temperature uniformity to those areas where the greatest benefits in terms of yield and film uniformity can be obtained.
Application of PID Adjustment in the PMAC

This paper discussed a debugging method by adjusting PID servo-control parameters of open NC system based on PMAC.The adjustment and reasonable set of control parameters are the premise and key link that we get the ideal control effect.The step-response signal and parabolic response signal are inputted by adopting PEWIN TUNING software,the PID parameters are adjusted by analyzing system response curve,and then the system will get the good steady-state characteristics and dynamic characteristic.
Analysis of Comprehensive Intervention on Behavior Problem of Elementary School Children and its Influencing Factors

Objective To explore an effective approach for improving behavior problem of pupils.Methods Eighty-five pupils with behavior problem in 3 to 5 grade were divided into 2 groups:intervention group(n=45)and control group(n=40).The intervention group received psychological,family,school and educational therapies for 2 years.Results After 2 years follow-up,there were 75.56% pupils in the intervention group which had significant improvement,especially the sub-scores of CBCL(e.g.,schizoid,interpersonal difficulty,somatic complaints and obsessive-compulsive factors for boys,depressive and social withdraw for girls),which were significantly lowered in the intervention group than those of the control group.Conclusions The comprehensive intervention for pupils with behavior problem is an effective and practical management.
Research on Application of Power Grid Company Production Management System to the Rural Power

The extension of the production management system(PMS) to the rural power is helpful to expand its coverage and meet the needs of the collectivize operation,intensive development,fine management and standardization construction.And it is also helpful to meet the urgent needs of accelerating the rural power development,improving the team work quality and standardizing the management.The undifferentiated extension and the stand-alone deployment mode is a possible method for the extension of PMS.The extension makes the accumulation of production management information assets possible,and provides a basis for the subsequent secure production analysis and management decision analysis.Therefore,it is imperative to implement the extension with the owned mature technologies and all kinds of guarantees.
Nondestructive evaluation of a new hydrolytically degradable and photo-clickable PEG hydrogel for cartilage tissue engineering.

Abstract Photopolymerizable and hydrolytically labile poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels formed from photo-clickable reactions were investigated as cell delivery platforms for cartilage tissue engineering (TE). PEG hydrogels were formed from thiol-norbornene PEG macromers whereby the crosslinks contained caprolactone segments with hydrolytically labile ester linkages. Juvenile bovine chondrocytes encapsulated in the hydrogels were cultured for up to four weeks and assessed biochemically and histologically, using standard destructive assays, and for mechanical and ultrasound properties, as nondestructive assays. Bulk degradation of acellular hydrogels was confirmed by a decrease in compressive modulus and an increase in mass swelling ratio over time. Chondrocytes deposited increasing amounts of sulfated glycosaminoglycans and collagens in the hydrogels with time. Spatially, collagen type II and aggrecan were present in the neotissue with formation of a territorial matrix beginning at day 21. Nondestructive measurements revealed an 8-fold increase in compressive modulus from days 7 to 28, which correlated with total collagen content. Ultrasound measurements revealed changes in the constructs over time, which differed from the mechanical properties, and appeared to correlate with ECM structure and organization shown by immunohistochemical analysis. Overall, non-destructive and destructive measurements show that this new hydrolytically degradable PEG hydrogel is promising for cartilage TE. Statement of Significance Designing synthetic hydrogels whose degradation matches tissue growth is critical to maintaining mechanical integrity as the hydrogel degrades and new tissue forms, but is challenging due to the nature of the hydrogel crosslinks that inhibit diffusion of tissue matrix molecules. This study details a promising, new, photo-clickable and synthetic hydrogel whose degradation supports cartilaginous tissue matrix growth leading to the formation of a territorial matrix, concomitant with an increase in mechanical properties. Nondestructive assays based on mechanical and ultrasonic properties were also investigated using a novel instrument and found to correlate with matrix deposition and evolution. In sum, this study presents a new hydrogel platform combined with nondestructive assessments, which together have potential for in vitro cartilage tissue engineering.