cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photoassisted decomposition of salicylic acid on TiO2 and Pd/TiO2 films

Abstract A marked increase in the activity of a Pd/TiO 2 catalyst toward the decomposition of salicylic acid was observed compared to that measured for a pure TiO 2 film. The observed difference in activity of Pd/TiO 2 vs pure TiO 2 films was in accordance with predictions made from the Langmuir—Hinshelwood model. This study further confirmed Bard's model that the metal cocatalysts provide additional sites for electron transfer to oxygen.
Battery storage: Comparing shared to individually owned storage given rural demand profiles of a cluster of customers

In many low-income settings and geographies it’s not immediately feasible to deploy central power generation with electric grids. In this context, off-grid approaches like solar home systems (SHS) are gaining wide acceptance. Since battery storage costs are the dominant costs, the value proposition of using a novel mini-grid with shared generation/ storage as opposed to SHS is examined. The relative merits are evaluated using time-resolved demand data from a cluster of small rural consumers. During the two-year operation of 9 SharedSolar systems in Uganda, nearly all the electrical demands were met as the systems were oversized for initial demand. This allowed us understand the actual demand (under commercial tariff payments) and estimate supply reliability for smaller optimal storage sizes post facto. Using real time data, storage characteristics and HOMER simulations, optimal sizing for both approaches were established. The analysis reveals that customer diversity leads to considerable savings in storage requirements for same reliability when a shared approach is utilized. The study informs helps informs the economics of providing off-grid access to electricity.
A note on the geometric interpretation of the em algorithm in estimating item characteristics and student abilities

This note uses the EM-algorithm in an item response model as an illustration of a general method of parameter estimation, which geometrically can be described as an alternating projection method.
Roles of C3H6 in NH3 generation and NOx reduction over a Cu-chabazite SCR catalyst under lean/rich cycling conditions

Abstract We studied the spatiotemporal profiles of NO x reduction with NH 3 , C 3 H 6 , or NH 3 + C 3 H 6 over a commercial Cu-chabazite SCR catalyst (washcoated honeycomb monolith) to better understand the effects of C 3 H 6 on NO x reduction under fast lean/rich cycling conditions relevant to coupled LNT–SCR catalysts. NO x reduction by NH 3 was very effective with total NH 3 consumption within the first quarter of the catalyst at all temperatures. By contrast, NO x reduction by C 3 H 6 was more gradual along the catalyst length and sensitive to temperature with maximum performance obtained at 300–400 °C. Temperature-programmed desorption performed after cycling experiments with C 3 H 6 evidenced the presence of NH 3 and/or NH 3 -precursor intermediates on the surface. These surface species were formed as a result of reactions between NO x and C 3 H 6 during the rich as well as lean phases, but started to be used for NO x reduction only when all the stored hydrocarbons were depleted. When fed together, the contributions of C 3 H 6 and NH 3 to the cycle-averaged NO x conversion were essentially additive. However, temporally resolving N 2 formation using isotopically-labeled NO and a mass spectrometer revealed that C 3 H 6 actually inhibited reactions between NO x and feed NH 3 until well into the subsequent lean phase, i.e., until the stored hydrocarbons were depleted. This study highlights the importance of controlling lean/rich cycling time partitioning to alleviate the impact of the inhibiting effect of C 3 H 6 on NH 3 chemistry and achieve the maximum NO x reduction possible over the SCR catalyst in coupled LNT–SCR systems.
Antidirected Hamiltonian paths in tournaments

Abstract It is well known that every tournament has a directed Hamiltonian path. A similar result is established concerning the existence of antidirected Hamiltonian paths in tournaments.
Changing with the Times: The Spillover Effects of Same-Sex Marriage Ballot Measures on Presidential Elections

Studies have shown that same-sex marriage (SSM) ballot measures affected voter turnout and primed voters in a manner that aided the Republican Party in 2004. However, if attitude strength plays a role in these spillover effects, then recent increases in the intensity of support for SSM on the left may have eroded—or even reversed—the pro-Republican electoral boost of these measures. Using individual- and county-level data, I demonstrate that more recent votes on SSM have mobilized more pro-Obama SSM supporters than pro-Republican social conservatives. These findings are important for understanding how ballot measures may potentially affect candidate elections.
Ketiah Bar Shalom

As far as we know, the rabbis were not well acquainted with Latin, but there are occasional examples in rabbinic literature of their ability to formulate or understand bilingual (Hebrew-Latin) puns. In Midrash Tanḥuma, for instance, there is a play on Latin corona/Hebrew qeren, and, according to an observation attributed to Yehoshua Guttman, at B.T. Ta‘anit 29a on Latin nasi (nasus)/Hebrew nasi. The talmudic anecdote quoted below can be best understood when we perceive the Latin wordplay on which it is built.
Centralspindlin assembly and 2 phosphorylations on MgcRacGAP by Polo-like kinase 1 initiate Ect2 binding in early cytokinesis

Cytokinesis is the final step of cell division which partitions genetic and cytosolic content into daughter cells. Failed cytokinesis causes polyploidy, genetic instability, and cancer. Kinases use phosphorylation to regulate the timing and location of the cytokinetic furrow. Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is an essential mitotic kinase that triggers cytokinesis by phosphorylating MgcRacGAP to create a docking site for Ect2 at the central spindle. Ect2 binds to MgcRacGAP via its N-terminal BRCT domain (BRCA1 C-terminal), which docks at specific phosphorylated residues. Here we investigate the minimal Plk1-dependent phosphorylation sites required for cytokinesis onset. We demonstrate that phosphorylation of the major MgcRacGAP site, S157, is necessary but not sufficient to bind the Ect2 BRCT domain. Phosphorylation of an additional residue on MgcRacGAP at S164 is also required to elicit efficient binding. Surprisingly, BRCT binding additionally requires MKLP1 and its cognate interacting N-terminal domain of Mgc...
Ethical issues in the use of animals in biomedical and psychopharmocological research

Rationale The ethical debate concerning the use of animals in biomedical and pharmacological research continues to be replete with misunderstandings about whether animals have moral standing.
Fenfluramine suppresses snack intake among carbohydrate cravers but not among noncarbohydrate cravers

Two groups of obese individuals who consume excessive calories primarily as snack foods have been distinguished: carbohydrate cravers and noncarbohydrate cravers. Both groups consume about 800 calories from snacks (860 kcal vs 879 kcal) and about 2000 calories from meals (1906 kcal vs 2080 kcal) daily. The carbohydrate-cravers consume almost all of their snacks as carbohydrate-rich foods (7 ± 0.4 CHO snacks/day vs 0.9 ± 0.12 protein snacks/day) whereas the noncarbohydrate cravers consume approximately equal numbers of protein and carbohydrate snacks (4.5 ± 0.6 carbohydrate snacks/day vs 3.5 ± 0.5 protein snacks/day). D-fenfluramine significantly reduced the intakes of calories (range 24–44%) and carbohydrates (range 28–41%) from snacks among the carbohydrate cravers over a three month treatment period. The drug did not affect snack intake by the noncarbohydrate cravers until the third month of treatment when the consumption of both types of snacks decreased significantly. D-fenfluramine decreased mealtime carbohydrate intake among the carbohydrate cravers throughout the treatment period (range 16–23%); mealtime protein intake declined comparably (range 14–18%) during the first and third treatment months. The drug had no effect on mealtime carbohydrate nor protein intake by noncarbohydrate cravers.
Expression of GABAA receptor α1 subunit mRNA and protein in rat neocortex following photothrombotic infarction

Photothrombotic infarcts of the neocortex result in structural and functional alterations of cortical networks, including decreased GABAergic inhibition, and can generate epileptic seizures within 1 month of lesioning. In our study, we assessed the involvement and potential changes of cortical GABA A receptor (GABA AR) alpha1 subunits at 1, 3, 7, and 30 days after photothrombosis. Quantitative competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (cRT-PCR) and semi-quantitative Western blot analysis were used to investigate GABA AR alpha1 subunit mRNA and protein levels in proximal and distal regions of perilesional cortex and in homotopic areas of young adult Sprague-Dawley rats. GABA AR alpha1 subunit mRNA levels were decreased ipsilateral and contralateral to the infarct at 7 days, but were increased bilaterally at 30 days. GABA AR alpha1 subunit protein levels revealed no significant change in neocortical areas of both hemispheres of lesioned animals compared with protein levels of sham-operated controls at 1, 3, 7, and 30 days. At 30 days, GABA AR alpha1 subunit protein expression was significantly increased in lesioned animals within proximal and distal regions of perilesional cortex compared with distal neocortical areas contralaterally (Student's t-test, p<0.05). Short- and long-term alterations of mRNA and protein levels of the GABA AR alpha1 subunit ipsilateral and contralateral to the lesion may influence alterations in cell surface receptor subtype expression and GABA AR function following ischemic infarction and may be associated with formative mechanisms of poststroke epileptogenesis.
The Geometry of the Arms Race

This article develops a new methodology for analyzing the arms race between the two superpowers based on an extension of the classic Prisoner's Dilemma game to allow for sequences of moves. The sequence that is formally analyzed depends on a scenario in which each side: (1) possesses an ability to detect what the other side is doing with a specified probability, and (2) pursues a tit-for-tat policy of conditional cooperation—i.e., cooperates if it detects the other side is cooperating, otherwise does not. Given the detection probabilities and the reciprocity norm, the article demonstrates geometrically, when conditional cooperation between the superpowers is rational and, therefore, likely to occur. It discusses policy implications of this analysis for SALT and advances a qualified suggestion for the sharing of intelligence data. It concludes with suggestions for applying the methodology to other games and multistage game scenarios that mirror the dynamics of plausible sequences of moves.
Osteoprotegerin and RANKL differentially regulate angiogenesis and endothelial cell function

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) a soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor family molecule protects endothelial cells from apoptosis in vitro and promotes neovascularization in vivo. In this study, we assessed the role of OPG and its ligands, receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL), in microvessel formation using the rat aortic ring model of angiogenesis. OPG was found to promote a twofold increase in angiogenic sprouting in the aortic ring model, and this effect was inhibited by pre-incubation with a fivefold molar excess of either RANKL or TRAIL. While TRAIL had no effect upon angiogenesis on its own, RANKL was found to potently inhibit basal and vascular endothelial growth factor-induced angiogenesis. OPG increased the rate of endothelial cell proliferation in sprouting microvessels; in contrast, RANKL inhibited proliferation. RANKL was found to induce endothelial apoptosis at days 6, 7, and 10 in the aortic ring model and after incubation with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Signaling studies showed that OPG induced ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation in HUVECs while RANKL had no effect. Our results indicate that OPG is a positive regulator of microvessel formation, while RANKL is an angiogenic inhibitor due to effects on regulation of endothelial cell proliferation, apoptosis, and signaling.
Quantum tunneling in the presence of an arbitrary linear dissipation mechanism

This paper considers the tunneling out of a metastable state at $T=0$ of a system whose classical equation of motion is, in Fourier-transformed form, $K(\ensuremath{\omega})q(\ensuremath{\omega})=\ensuremath{-}[\frac{\ensuremath{\partial}V(q)}{\ensuremath{\partial}q}](\ensuremath{\omega})$ where $V(q)$ is a conservative potential and $K(\ensuremath{\omega})$ represents the effects of arbitrary linear dissipative and/or reactive elements. It is shown that, provided a few commonly satisfied conditions obtain, there is a simple prescription for writing down the imaginary-time effective action functional which determines the tunneling rate in the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin limit; namely, it contains the usual term in $V(q)$, plus a term of the form $(\frac{1}{2\ensuremath{\pi}}) \ensuremath{\int}{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\infty}}^{\ensuremath{\infty}}\frac{1}{2} K(\ensuremath{-}i|\ensuremath{\omega}|){|\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{q}(\ensuremath{\omega})|}^{2}d\ensuremath{\omega}$, where $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{q}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ is the Fourier transform of the imaginary-time trajectory. Previously obtained results are special cases of this prescription. Applications are made to the case of "anomalous" dissipation (rate of dissipation proportional to the squared velocity of the momentum conjugate to the tunneling variable), to the "mixed" case (relaxation by collisions subject to a conservation law), and to more realistic models of a rf superconducting quantum-interference device.
Internal resonance of a detuned spherical pendulum

The free oscillations of a slightly detuned spherical pendulum, for which the difference between the natural frequencies in two transverse planes of symmetry is small, are determined by retaining fourth-order (in the angular displacement), but neglecting sixth-order, terms in the Lagrangian, positing slowly modulated sinusoids for the displacements, and integrating the resulting Hamiltonian system.
CDC's strategic plan for bioterrorism preparedness and response

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has played a critical lead role over the past two years in fostering activities associated with the medical and public health response to bioterrorism. Based on a charge from Secretary Donna Shalala in 1998, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is leading public health efforts to strengthen the nation's capacity to detect and respond to a bioterrorist event. As a result of our efforts, federal, state, and local communities are improving their public health capacities to respond to these types of emergencies. For many of us in public health, developing plans and capacities to respond to acts of bioterrorism is an extension of our long-standing roles and responsibilities. These are stated in the CDC Mission Statement: to promote health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability, and the Bioterrorism Mission: to lead the public health effort in enhancing readiness to detect and respond to bioterrorism. CDC's infectious diseases control efforts are summarized below: --Initially formed to address malaria control in 1946; --Established the epidemic Intelligence Service in 1951; --Participated in global smallpox eradication and other immunization programs; --Estimated 800-1,000 + field investigations/year since late 1990s; --New diseases: Legionnaire's Disease, toxic shock syndrome, Lyme disease, HIV, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, West Nile, etc. -- Today: focus on emerging infections and bioterrorism. Over the past 50 years, CDC has seen a decline in the incidence of some infectious diseases and an increase in some, whereas others continue to present on a more unpredictable basis (i.e., hantavirus). Outbreak identification, investigation, and control have been an integral part of what we do for more than 50 years. We estimate that 800 to 1,000 field investigations have occurred every year since the late 1990s. Today, however, we have a new focus on emerging infectious diseases and bioterrorism.
Minimally invasive input function for 2-18F-fluoro-A-85380 brain PET studies

Quantitative neuroreceptor positron emission tomography (PET) studies often require arterial cannulation to measure input function. While population-based input function (PBIF) would be a less invasive alternative, it has only rarely been used in conjunction with neuroreceptor PET tracers. The aims of this study were (1) to validate the use of PBIF for 2-18F-fluoro-A-85380, a tracer for nicotinic receptors; (2) to compare the accuracy of measures obtained via PBIF to those obtained via blood-scaled image-derived input function (IDIF) from carotid arteries; and (3) to explore the possibility of using venous instead of arterial samples for both PBIF and IDIF. Ten healthy volunteers underwent a dynamic 2-18F-fluoro-A-85380 brain PET scan with arterial and, in seven subjects, concurrent venous serial blood sampling. PBIF was obtained by averaging the normalized metabolite-corrected arterial input function and subsequently scaling each curve with individual blood samples. IDIF was obtained from the carotid arteries using a blood-scaling method. Estimated Logan distribution volume (V T) values were compared to the reference values obtained from arterial cannulation. For all subjects, PBIF curves scaled with arterial samples were similar in shape and magnitude to the reference arterial input function. The Logan V T ratio was 1.00 ± 0.05; all subjects had an estimation error <10%. IDIF gave slightly less accurate results (V T ratio 1.03 ± 0.07; eight of ten subjects had an error <10%). PBIF scaled with venous samples yielded inaccurate results (V T ratio 1.13 ± 0.13; only three of seven subjects had an error <10%). Due to arteriovenous differences at early time points, IDIF could not be calculated using venous samples. PBIF scaled with arterial samples accurately estimates Logan V T for 2-18F-fluoro-A-85380. Results obtained with PBIF were slightly better than those obtained with IDIF. Due to arteriovenous concentration differences, venous samples cannot be substituted for arterial samples.
Ovarian steroid cell tumors: sonographic characteristics

The goal of the gynecologist is to detect ovarian tumors in their earliest stages. Small virilizing tumors, which barely affect the size of the ovaries, are such lesions. Since the introduction of transvaginal sonography it is technically possible to detect small intraovarian neoplasms. Three cases of virilizing steroid cell tumors in postmenopausal women with ovarian volumes just exceeding the normal sizes for age are presented. High-frequency transvaginal ultrasound and color Doppler studies to measure flow parameters were used. These small tumors had different echogenicity from the surrounding ovarian tissue and two had low impedance-to-flow values. Gray-scale transvaginal sonography combined with color Doppler studies can make the diagnosis of small steroid cell tumors easier and, at times, better than other, more costly imaging modalities.
Does the lack of hands-on experience in a remotely delivered laboratory course affect student learning?

Educators question whether performing a laboratory experiment as an observer (non-hands-on), such as conducted in a distance education context, can be as effective a learning tool as personally performing the experiment in a laboratory environment. The present paper investigates this issue by comparing the performance of distance education students with their on-campus counterparts in a junior-level fluid mechanics laboratory course over a three semester period. Using digital recording methods, the on-campus versions of the laboratory experiments were formatted to accommodate distance-education students who did not have access to campus facilities. This paper compares the assessment of student performance in demonstrating both learning of technical concepts and the ability to describe these in an effective written laboratory report.
Contrasting effects of the differentiating agent sodium butyrate on recovery processes after x-irradiation in heterogeneous human colon tumor cells.

The X ray survival responses of two clonal subpopulations of cells (clones A and D) from a heterogeneous human colon adenocarcinoma (DLD-1) were studied in unfed plateau phase cultures either as control cultures or in cultures grown for three passages in medium containing the differentiating agent sodium butyrate (NaB, 2 mM). Specifically, the cultures were studied with regard to their ability to express both potentially lethal and sublethal damage recovery (PLDR and SLDR). Growth in NaB-containing medium enhanced the radiation sensitivity of both cell lines in the low dose (“shoulder”) region of the survival curve. For clone A, the Dq value was reduced by 59%, and for clone D, the Dq value was reduced by 96%. NaB treatment increased both the rate and the extent of PLDR in both cell lines as assessed by single dose kinetic studies. However, when split dose experiments are performed to assess the expression of SLDR, NaB pretreatment was shown to totally inhibit the expression of SLDR, and also to alter the expression of PLDR under these conditions. These data suggest that PLDR and SLDR are separate, yet related, cellular recovery processes. In addition, NaB may be useful as an adjunct to radiotherapy by virtue of its ability to sensitize tumor cells in the dose range conventionally used for therapy, as well as by inhibition of sublethal damage recovery.
Implications of a concentration-dependent growth rate on the boundary layer crystal-melt model

The influence of a melt boundary layer on crystal growth is analyzed. The treatment extends the results of Burton, Prim and Slichter (1953) and incorporates composition-dependent growth rates. It is shown that in these general cases the growth rate cannot be arbitrarily fixed but must satisfy a self-consistent equation. Self-consistency problems arise because the growth rate determines the composition profile in the melt and, in turn, the composition profile determines the growth rate. The self-consistent growth rate is shown to vary markedly with the ratio δ/D, where δ is the thickness of the boundary layer and D is the appropriate diffusion coefficient in the melt. This self-consistency can be very important in the analysis of both field and laboratory growth rates as well as in trace element partition kinetic models.
Timing, defoliation management, and nitrogen effects on seed yield of 'argentine' bahiagrass

Seed yield of bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) can be increased by burning the sward and applying N fertilizer at the proper time during the growing season. Our objective was to determine the optimum calendar month (photoperiod) for managing Argentine' bahiagrass pasture for seed production. Triplicate paddocks of a 10-yr-old Argentine bahiagrass pasture established on a Pomona fine sand (sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic, Ultic Alaquods) were grazed or not grazed (main plots) from October-February, 1988-89 and 1989-90, in a randomized complete-block design. Cattle were removed from the area on 25 February. Then, on the 25th of February, March, April, and May (subplots) each year, portions of residue (sub-subplots) were burned or mowed in both grazed and ungrazed fields. The residue removal dates corresponded with day lengths of 11.5, 12.3, 13.1, and 13.7 h, respectively. Immediately after residue removal, sub-sub-subplots (2.4 by 6.1 m) were fertilized with 0, 100, or 200 kg N ha -1 . Mature raceme density, seed yield, and seed germination (1989 only) were determined in 1989 and 1990. Grazing did not affect any measured trait. Burning increased seed yield only for the 25 May 1990 treatment. Date of residue removal and N rate influenced (P 13.0 h.
Helix Formation in Unsolvated Alanine-Based Peptides: Helical Monomers and Helical Dimers

High-resolution ion mobility measurements and molecular dynamics simulations have been used to examine helix formation in protonated alanine-based peptides in a solvent-free environment. Protonated...
A systematic evaluation of collagen cross-links in the human cervix

Objective The mechanical strength of the cervix relies on the cross-linking of the tissue's collagen network. Clinically, the internal os is functionally distinct from the external os. We sought to detect specific collagen cross-links in human cervical tissue and determine whether cross-link profiles were similar at the internal and external os. Study Design Transverse slices of cervical tissue were obtained at the internal and external os from 13 nonpregnant, premenopausal women undergoing a benign hysterectomy. To understand how cross-links were distributed throughout the entire cervix and at the internal and external os, biopsies were obtained from 3 circumferential zones in 4 quadrants from each slice. Biopsies were pulverized, lyophilized, reduced with sodium borohydride, hydrolyzed with hydrochloric acid, and reconstituted in heptafluorobutyric acid buffer. Hydroxyproline was measured by ultraperformance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS), converted to total collagen, and normalized by dry weight. Collagen cross-links pyridinoline (PYD), deoxypyridinoline (DPD), dihydroxylysinonorleucine (DHLNL), and the nonenzymatic advanced glycation end product pentosidine (PEN) were measured by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS and reported as cross-link density ratio (cross-link/total collagen). Generalized estimated equation analysis was used to compare results between the internal and external os and to compare quadrants and zones within slices from the internal and external os to determine if cross-link profiles were similar. Results A total of 592 samples from 13 patients were analyzed. Collagen cross-links are detectable in the human cervix by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. When comparing all samples from the internal and external os, similar levels of collagen content, PYD, DHLNL, and DPD were found, but PEN density was higher at the external os (0.005 vs 0.004, P = .001). When comparing all internal os samples, significant heterogeneity was found in collagen content and cross-link densities across zones and quadrants. The external os exhibited heterogeneity only across zones. Conclusion Collagen cross-links (PYD, DPD, DHLNL, and PEN) are detectable by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS in the human cervix. The internal os exhibits significant collagen cross-link heterogeneity compared with the external os. Further studies are needed to evaluate how collagen cross-link heterogeneity correlates to the mechanical strength and function of the human cervix.
Superacidic Activation of Maleimide and Phthalimide and Their Reactions with Cyclohexane and Arenes

When activated in the CF3SO3H/SbF5 acid system maleimide (1) and phthalimide (2) undergo selective ionic hydrogenation with cyclohexane to give 1,5-dihydropyrrol-2-one (3) and phthalimidine (11), respectively. When treated with aluminum halides, N-phenylmaleimide (4) reacts with cyclohexane to give N-phenylsuccinimide (5), whereas 2 still gives 11. Imide 1 also condenses with benzene in trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (CF3SO3H) to give 1,5-dihydro-5,5-diphenylpyrrol-2-one (7) as the major product. However, in the presence of aluminum halides 1 reacts with benzene, toluene, and o-dichlorobenzene to give 3-arylsuccinimides 8–10, respectively. Imide 2 reacts with benzene under the influence of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid as well as aluminum halides to yield 3,3-diphenylphthalimidine (12). The mechanism of these reactions, with potential involvement of superelectrophilic dicationic intermediates, is discussed. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Optimal control system design: The control and sampling problem

An extended formulation of the optimal control problem is proposed that assesses system performance using a performance index that measures both control performance and the costs for implementing the control law. This extended problem formulation is illustrated by the control and sampling problem, where the sampling times at which measurements are taken and control commands dispatched are control variables. The control law is thus determined by selecting the number of sampling times, the length of sampling intervals, and the levels of each control element during each sampling interval. The optimal control system design is proved to approach the optimal continuous-time control for the special case where the cost of implementation is negligible and the number of sampling times can be arbitrarily large. The optimal control system design is shown to approach the optimal periodic sampled-data control when the costs of implementation are very large and have a particular form.
Use of Reading Pen Assistive Technology to Accommodate Post-Secondary Students with Reading Disabilities

ABSTRACT Reading pens are a form of assistive technology that may be used to bypass weak word decoding and vocabulary skills of students with reading disabilities. Only two known studies have examined the effects of reading pens on the comprehension of school-aged students, and no known studies have been published regarding post-secondary students. The present study investigated the effects of reading pen assistive technology on the comprehension accuracy and rate of three post-secondary students with university-recognized reading disabilities. An alternating treatments design was implemented to compare the effects of (1) a reading pen decoding accommodation, (2) concurrent reading pen decoding and vocabulary accommodations, and (3) a no-accommodation control condition on the comprehension of the three participants when provided college level difficulty reading passages. Results indicate that use of a reading pen did not uniformly improve the comprehension of the post-secondary students. However, the stud...
The logical nature of an action scheme

A chronic concern of the behavioral scientist is how to build a system of definitions for the terms he uses so that when two or more behavioral scientists talk, they can be sure they understand each other. Consequently, much of theoretical social science has been little more than an effort to come to terms, to agree how the concepts of social science are to be abstracted and to what observables they are to refer. “Action” has been one of the central concepts whose sphere of definition various social scientists have tried to circumscribe. The authors examine some of the attempts and propose their own, which, they hope, will result in the emergence of concepts sufficiently precise to allow the development of behavioral science along the lines of inductive-deductive method which has been so successful in natural science.
Temperature studies of optical birefringence and X-ray diffraction with poly(p-xylylene), poly(chloro-p-xylylene) and poly(tetrafluoro-p-xylylene) CVD thin films

The increased demand for low dielectric constant (k<3.0) chemical vapor deposited polymer thin films to replace SiO2 (k=3.9–4.3) to reduce RC-delay in ultra large scale integration (ULSI) devices has prompted the synthesis of many new polymers. However, the ultimate properties of the polymer thin film are determined by its molecular structure that for polymers is often anisotropic. A basic understanding of the structure–property relations and how they are influenced by the molecular architecture is imperative for the future development of polymer thin films in a large number of applications including those in the electronics industry. The study here utilizes X-ray diffraction and variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry to characterize the optical birefringence and its change as a function of successive post-deposition anneals with poly(p-xylylene), poly(chloro-p-xylylene), and poly(tetrafluoro-p-xylylene). β-PPXN and VT-4 are shown to have a large negative birefringence after a post-deposition anneal. However, PPXC and PPXD show the opposite behavior, exhibiting a small positive birefringence after anneal. Possible reasons for this difference are given.
Rethinking The Ends of Harm

In The Ends of Harm, Victor Tadros claims that the general justifying aim of the criminal law should be general deterrence. He also takes seriously that we cannot use people as a means, and thus he argues that we may only punish people in the name of general deterrence who have a ‘duty’ to suffer. Tadros claims that this duty arises as follows: An offender initially has a duty not to harm the victim. If the offender violates that duty, the offender still has a duty to stop the harm from occurring (so that, for example, an offender would have to jump in front of his own bullet). And if the harm does occur, then the offender has a duty to rectify that harm. This duty to rectify, argues Tadros, requires the defendant not only to compensate the victim but also to protect the victim to the extent that he would have been able to have been harmed to prevent the threat from occurring. Tadros further advances intricate arguments for why the state may therefore punish the offender to protect other potential victims to the extent of the offender’s duty to rectify. This symposium contribution seeks to explore three problems with Tadros’ analysis, ultimately arguing that Tadros’ theory fails on its own terms. First, attempts present a substantial problem for Tadros’ regime because attempts do not give rise to duties to prevent harm because there is no harm to be prevented. Tadros’ attempt to account for attempts, as completed offenses of diversions of security resources, ultimately leads to punishments that bear little resemblance to the crime attempted. Such a wildly counterintuitive result creates problems for a regime premised on general deterrence, which must be understood and respected. Second, Tadros’ regime will often exempt the rich from suffering criminal punishment. Tadros claims that duties to prevent harms from occurring (by jumping in front of bullets) are only enforceable when compensation will be inadequate. However, affluent offenders may be able to fully compensate. Moreover, since the scope of the duty to suffer will be determined by what remains of the duty after the victim is compensated, affluent offenders will be able to compensate more and thereby suffer less. Again, the actual sentences will thereby bear little resemblance to the rationale for criminalization, thus threatening the deterrent message of the law. Moreover, a system that exacerbates distributive inequalities will not achieve public respect. Third, Tadros cannot justify taking the duty that the defendant owes to the victim and forcing the victim to transfer this asset to the state. In his quest to articulate a theory that does not impermissibly use defendants, he ultimately endorses a theory that impermissibly uses their victims. He thus fails to achieve the very goal he sets for himself, which is to achieve general deterrence without impermissibly using anyone.
Self-Report Measurement of "Delinquent Orientation" in Institutionalized Delinquent and High School Boys

This paper describes the development of a self-report instrument designed to measure "delinquent orientation" as revealed by youths' attitudes, values, beliefs, and goals presumed to be of significance in governing their behavior. A questionnaire was administered to a sample of 299 institutionalized delinquents and a sample of 431 high school students in both urban and rural public secondary schools. The samples were matched on age, family's socioeconomic and educational level, and urban or nonurban residence. The expectation that delinquent youths would be more negatively oriented and hence inclined to produce consistently more critical judgments (in regard to their homes, families, school experiences, and the behavior of others) was not confirmed by the findings of this study. Only with respect to unfavorable judgments of the justice system and its personnel were initial expectations upheld.
Singlet state photochemistry of dibenzyl ketone and its o-tolyl derivatives

The singlet state contribution of α-cleavage in the photochemistry of dibenzyl ketone (DBK) and o-tolylmethyl benzyl ketone (TBK) was investigated. The fitting of a master Stern—Volmer equation for the simultaneous quenching of the S1 and T1 states of DBK and TBK leads to the conclusion that in both ketones α-cleavage occurs in the singlet state, but to a lesser (20%–30%) extent than in the triplet. Comparison of the relative fluorescence and α-cleavage quantum yields of DBK and TBK is also consistent with the presence of singlet state α-cleavage in both ketones. The introduction of a methyl group in the ortho position of the phenyl ring in TBK introduces a second singlet state ketone reaction, δ-hydrogen-atom abstraction. This reaction is faster than α-cleavage in the S1 state, but proceeds with a low quantum efficiency. A δ-hydrogen-atom-induced internal conversion is proposed to be a major mechanism for the deactivation of the S1 state of TBK. This deactivation of S1 serves to reduce the efficiency of intersystem crossing and competes effectively with α-cleavage in S1. For TBK, o,o′-dimethyl TBK and mesitylmethyl benzyl ketone, which all show fast singlet state hydrogen-atom abstraction, the quantum yields of fluorescence and α-cleavage decrease. On the basis of the assumption of a certain (20%) participation of singlet state α-cleavage and fast δ-hydrogen-atom abstraction, a general mechanism and rate constants of each process were estimated for DBK and TBK.
COMBUSTION SYNTHESIS OF POROUS Ti-TiBx COMPOSITES

Production of highly porous composite materials by traditional materials processing is limited by difficult processing techniques. However, combustion or selfpropagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) allows many porous ceramic, intermetallic, glass, and metallic systems to be formed with relative ease. Examination of the SHS reaction parameters that control the extent of porosity further increases the feasibility of producing novel composites for such uses as bone implant applications. Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis of the Ti-TiBx systems has been studied with respect to their sensitivity to the SHS reaction parameters of gasifying agents and microgravity in an effort to engineer the required porosity and mechanical properties in these composite materials. The results of biomedical tests have shown that Ti-TiBx composites is positive bioactive and works for initial bone regrowth. Porous materials produced by SHS can be engineered to meet the strength and porosity requirements of a consumer, such as for the application of bone replacement materials.
Delayed Enhanced Nitric Oxide–Mediated Coronary Vasodilation Following Brief Ischemia and Prolonged Reperfusion in Conscious Dogs

Abstract The goal of this study was to determine both the early and delayed effects of a brief (10-minute) coronary artery occlusion (CAO) and prolonged (5-day) reperfusion (CAR) on coronary endothelial function. Fourteen mongrel dogs were chronically instrumented to measure aortic and left ventricular pressures, wall thickness, and left circumflex coronary blood flow (CBF). Before CAO and during CAR, coronary vascular reactivity was investigated by 15-second CAO and subsequent reactive hyperemia (RH) and by the selective intracoronary infusion of acetylcholine (ACh, 10 μg/min) and bradykinin (BK, 2.5 μg/min), endothelium-dependent vasodilators, and sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 40 μg/min), an endothelium-independent vasodilator. CBF responses to ACh and BK began to increase after 6 hours of CAR, reached a peak after 1 to 2 days of CAR, and then subsided over the subsequent 4 days. After 1 day of CAR, compared with before CAO, enhanced CBF responses ( P <.05), associated with increased coronary sinus oxygen content, were observed for ACh (+66±20%), BK (+74±24%), and RH (+24±5%) but not SNP (−2±10%). Production of NO metabolites (nitrate and nitrite), measured as their coronary arteriovenous difference×CBF, was significantly increased after 1 to 2 days of CAR, both at baseline (153±56%) and during BK infusion (220±76%) ( P <.05). Holding CBF at pre-CAO levels during the initial CAR period did not attenuate the delayed enhanced endothelial vasodilation to ACh and BK. However, NO blockade with intracoronary N G-nitro-l-arginine blocked the enhanced coronary vasodilation to ACh and BK. Thus, in contrast to previous studies, these data indicate that brief ischemic episodes induce delayed enhanced coronary endothelial function, which is delayed in onset and prolonged in duration. This can be explained by an upregulation of coronary vascular NO production, potentially involved in the mechanism of the delayed window of preconditioning.
Subsystem Congruence: A Strategic Change Model for Public Organizations

This case study compared the attitudinal behavioral outcomes of participants and nonparticipants involved in strategic cultural change. The research was conducted in a large public organization usi...
Fluid links for informed and incremental hypertext browsing

This paper and video present a novel user interface technique for hypertext, called fluid links, that has several advantages over current methods. Fluid links provide additional information at a link source, termed a gloss, to support readers in choosing among links and understanding the structure of a hypertext. Fluid links present glosses in a convenient location that does not obscure the content or layout of source material. The technique uses perceptually-based animation to provide a natural and lightweight feeling to readers. Fluid links provide a novel hypertext navigation paradigm that blurs the boundary between source and destination: computed glosses supply a "bring from" approach to hypertext, while multi-way links and nested glosses allow readers to skip through intermediate nodes while still attending to their original source context.
Efficient encoding for a family of quasi-cyclic LDPC codes

In general, encoding for LDPC codes can be difficult to realize efficiently. The paper presents techniques and architectures for LDPC encoding that are efficient and practical for a particular class of codes. These codes are the irregular partitioned permutation LDPC codes recently introduced by the author (Hocevar, D.E., Proc. IEEE Int. Conf. on Commun., p.2708-12, 2003). Since these codes are quasi-cyclic, it is known that a simpler encoding process does exist. The paper goes beyond that basic method by exploiting other structural properties to allow for a simpler and faster encoding process, in both software and hardware. Solutions for some rank deficient codes are also given.
Applications of a Coupled Multizone-CFD Model to Calculate Airflow and Contaminant Dispersion in Built Environments for Emergency Management

Current simulation tools for airflow and contaminant dispersion in built environments cannot provide detailed information with little computing effort, which is critical for emergency management. Multizone airflow network models are fast but cannot provide detailed flow and contaminant transport information in an indoor space. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD), on the other hand, gives very detailed information but requires hours or days of computing time on a PC. A coupled multizone-CFD model can offer detailed information on contaminant dispersion while reducing computing time. The study presented in this paper applied the coupled model to calculate airflow and contaminant dispersion in a three-story, naturally ventilated building with a large atrium, assuming that a contaminant was released in the atrium. This investigation studied the effectiveness using emergency ventilation to protect the building occupants. It was demonstrated that the coupled model can provide important information of contaminant...
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Adult Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

Because patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) may be predisposed to airway infections with unusual microorganisms, we screened the sputum of adult CF patients for mycobacterial organisms. Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smears and mycobacterial culture were performed on 297 sputum specimens from 87 patients. Cultures for mycobacteria were frequently overgrown with other bacteria; 22.6 percent of cultures were contaminated. Despite this limitation of mycobacterial culture, 17 patients had at least one positive culture for a Mycobacterium other than tuberculosis (MOTT). Eleven patients were positive for Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI), two for MAI and M chelonei , three for M chelonei , and one for M fortuitum . None was positive for M tuberculosis . Patients with CF with MOTT were similar to patients with CF without MOTT; only a slightly different (older) age distribution was recognized. The clinical significance of MOTT was difficult to determine in any individual patient, but patients with positive AFB smears appeared more likely to suffer pathogenic effects. We conclude that MOTT is frequently recovered from adult CF patients in the southeastern United States. A specific risk factor for colonization and/or pathogenic infection in Ais patient group was not evident. The general prevalence and clinical pathogenesis in CF patients in the United States remains to be determined. (Cheat 1992; 102:70–75)
Assessment of student learning: challenges and strategies

Abstract Drawn from six years of research, this article describes the Higher Learning Commission’s assessment matrix, provides examples of helpful strategies that institutions have employed to deal with commonly encountered challenges to progress in implementing useful assessment programs, and includes definitions and examples of indirect and direct measures of student learning.
Computational Experience with Nano-material Science Quantum Monte Carlo Modeling on BlueGene/L

Modeling and simulation are necessary for nano-material science, as experiments and appliances are costly. In this work we introduce a typical tool flow used for computational nano-material science and report our computational experience with it. QWalk [3] is a Quantum Monte Carlo simulation tool; one of the main methods in identifying nano-material properties, such as the total energy and the band structure of the material. We explain the tool flow for nano-materials and use QWalk to estimate the total energy of selected molecules. We study the tool’s use for modeling of molecules at the nano level using three selected molecules and give our experience with QWalk’s scalability and the underlying factors affecting it. We discuss the tool’s performance, make our recommendations and try to explain some observations.
Dynamic programming algorithms for comparing multineuronal spike trains via cost-based metrics and alignments

Cost-based metrics formalize notions of distance, or dissimilarity, between two spike trains, and are applicable to single- and multineuronal responses. As such, these metrics have been used to characterize neural variability and neural coding. By examining the structure of an efficient algorithm [Aronov D, 2003. Fast algorithm for the metric-space analysis of simultaneous responses of multiple single neurons. J Neurosci Methods 124(2), 175-79] implementing a metric for multineuronal responses, we determine criteria for its generalization, and identify additional efficiencies that are applicable when related dissimilarity measures are computed in parallel. The generalized algorithm provides the means to test a wide range of coding hypotheses.
Measurement of moisture diffusion as a function of temperature and moisture concentration in transformer pressboard

The moisture diffusion process is measured for oil-free transformer pressboard using a flexible interdigital dielectrometry three-wavelength sensor. Experiments are performed for five different temperatures at various moisture levels. The diffusion coefficient as a function of temperature and moisture concentration is estimated and compared with literature values. The numerical methods of solving the diffusion equation are discussed.