cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Student perceptions of support for civic identity development and identity exploration in a discussion-based U.S. government course

Abstract Undergirded by theories of civic identity development, transformative pedagogies, and the promotion of identity exploration in the academic curriculum, this qualitative study examines five high school students’ perceptions of support for their civic identity development and identity exploration within a twelfth-grade Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. Government course. Classroom observations, teacher and student interviews, and artifact collection over the course of a three-month research period informed individual and cross-case analysis. The findings of this study indicate that the frequent use of discussion-based practices is supportive of identity exploration for students in different statuses of civic identity. All participants perceived support from their AP U.S. Government teacher and all perceived unique value in various class activities. The role of the instructor as an intentional agent for civic identity development and adolescent identity exploration is considered.
Making a French Connection: Darwin, Brown-Séquard and the Epilepsy Studies.

While French biologists were turning a cold shoulder to On the Origin of Species in the 1860s, Charles Darwin was earnestly pursuing a professional connection with one French physiologist in particular: Charles Brown-Sequard. Darwin had been closely following Brown-Sequard’s startling experiments on guinea pigs, which demonstrated that experimentally induced epilepsy could pass from parent to offspring. In Darwin’s mind, Brown-Sequard had produced the most convincing evidence to date that acquired traits could be inherited. Darwin saw opportunities in Brown-Sequard and his work. If Brown-Sequard realized the evolutionary implications of his experiments, and then endorsed the Origin in Paris, Darwin could be well on his way to securing a French audience for his theories. Darwin quickly mobilized his powers of correspondence to make this French connection, but Brown-Sequard received Darwin’s advances with caution. A connection with Darwin could be useful in London and America, where he was increasingly spending time, but to publicly support Darwin would be professionally damaging back home in Paris. This paper examines the dance of letters between Darwin and Brown-Sequard, the politics of citation, and the delicacy of sustaining a transnational biological career between France and Britain in the 1860s. This paper casts a new perspective on an old debate in the history of biology. I show that from within the “heavy cloud” of anti-evolutionary thought in France (Stebbins 1988), there existed a live wire between Brown-Sequard and Darwin. I argue that British evolutionary theory in the age of Darwin was built, in part, with French participation.
Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Copyright Challenge Case

On February 19, 2002, the United States Supreme Court (www.supremecourtus.gov) gave an unexpected Valentine’s surprise to the copyright and publishing communities by agreeing to hear a challenge to the 1998 Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act (CTEA). The Act (available online at thomas.loc.gov) extended the terms of existing copyrights by 20 years and added the same 20 year extension to the term of all future copyrights. As a result of the Act, copyrighted material will not go into the public domain for at least 70 years and often well over 100 years. The outcome of this case is likely to have a significant impact on access to and control of content on the Internet. There are many advocates both for and against the CTEA, with availability being the central focus of concern. However, there is greater reason to be concerned about the loss of pieces of our cultural history. Thousands of out-of-print books, journals, musical compositions, scripts and other “useful Arts” from the 1920's and 1930's risk being lost to time.
Abstract P040: HEALS Lifestyle intervention through African American churches to control hypertension

Objective: African Americans (AAs) living in the “Stroke Belt” (Southeastern US including Northeast Florida) are at elevated risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). An approach of proven efficacy is to target hypertension (HTN) as the major modifiable risk factor for CVDs, and to do so by evidence-based lifestyle changes. Here we present the findings of faith-based socio-culturally tailored HEALS HTN control program (modified from PREMIER and DASH diets), offered to AA church parishioners living in the food dessert areas of Duval County, Florida. Methods: Large urban church (membership > 400) volunteered for 9-month HEALS program. Four church members were trained as program leaders called CHAs-Church health Advisors, who after 10 hours of receiving training on HEALS session from PREMIER experts delivered weekly HEALS sessions to high-risk church members. 35 church members who were 25-75 year old, self-described AAs and HTN - as defined by JNC-7 were recruited. Farmer Market trucks from Clara White Mission supplied fresh fruits and vegetables (FFVs) at the church. Outcome measures included change in blood pressure (BP), weight and change in consumption of FFVs (measured by increases in purchases). Results: The study is ongoing. At baseline, 22% members were pre-HTN, 50% had Stage 1 HTN, and 22% with Stage 2 HTN. After receiving 12 wks HEALS program, mean reduction in systolic and diastolic BP were -14.6 mmHg (±14.3, p= 0.0002) and -6 mmHg (± 9.6, p=0.019) respectively. Mean weight reduction was -3.38 Kg (± 2.23, p Conclusion: The translation and sustainability of evidence-based lifestyle modification in community-based settings is possible, particularly within churches, which represent the most influential institution in the community lives of AA
Processing of single- and multi-domain YBa2Cu3Ox bulk materials for levitation applications by Nd1 + xBa2 − xCu3Oy seeding

Abstract Melt processing of YBa 2 Cu 3 O x (Y123) is a well established technique to produce materials for levitation applications. We report our new results on the melt-processing of Y123. To achieve materials with high levitation forces we utilize a seeding technique using Nd 1 + x Ba 2 − x Cu 3 O y -seeds (Nd123). Two different kinds of Nd123-seeds, one plate-shaped and the other cube-shaped, were developed and used for this study. The microstructures of the levitators depended strongly on the type of the seeding material used and on the seeding geometry. We were able to produce large single domains as well as materials containing five domains with three different c -axis orientations. Levitation forces up to 8.2 N for samples with a diameter of about 18 mm were found for the multi-domain samples, which is well within the area of the levitation forces measured for the single domain materials.
IFN-α treatment suppresses the development of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an Ab-mediated autoimmune neuromuscular disease and is linked to MHC class II beta-chain polymorphism. Corticosteroids and azathioprine are the primary immunosuppressive drugs used in the treatment of MG. These drugs have significant side effects and have limited efficacy. Therefore, drugs with fewer side effects and greater efficacy are being sought. IFN-alpha is a potent immunomodulator and has been shown to down-regulate MHC class II expression on lymphoid cells. MHC class II expression is critical for the development of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG). Because of the immunomodulating effects of IFN-alpha and its effect on the MHC class II expression, we tested the therapeutic efficacy of IFN-alpha on EAMG induced by immunization with acetylcholine receptor (AChR) in CFA. IFN-alpha (10(5) IU three times weekly for 5 wk) treatment started 1 wk after the second immunization with AChR in CFA, when autoimmunity to AChR is well established, reduced the incidence of clinical EAMG by more than 50% in two separate experiments (p = 0.04 and 0.008). Therefore, IFN-alpha could be a potential agent for the control of MG, and other Ab-mediated autoimmune diseases.
SU‐E‐T‐484: In Vivo Dosimetry Tolerances in External Beam Fast Neutron Therapy

Purpose: Optical stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimetry with Landauer Al2O3:C nanodots was developed at our institution as a passive in vivo dosimetry (IVD) system for patients treated with fast neutron therapy. The purpose of this study was to establish clinically relevant tolerance limits for detecting treatment errors requiring further investigation. Methods: Tolerance levels were estimated by conducting a series of IVD expected dose calculations for square field sizes ranging between 2.8 and 28.8 cm. For each field size evaluated, doses were calculated for open and internal wedged fields with angles of 30°, 45°, or 60°. Theoretical errors were computed for variations of incorrect beam configurations. Dose errors, defined as the percent difference from the expected dose calculation, were measured with groups of three nanodots placed in a 30 x 30 cm solid water phantom, at beam isocenter (150 cm SAD, 1.7 cm Dmax). The tolerances were applied to IVD patient measurements. Results: The overall accuracy of the nanodot measurements is 2–3% for open fields. Measurement errors agreed with calculated errors to within 3%. Theoretical estimates of dosimetric errors showed that IVD measurements with OSL nanodots will detect the absence of an internal wedge or a wrong wedge angle. Incorrect nanodot placement on a wedged field is more likely to be caught if the offset is in the direction of the “toe” of the wedge where the dose difference in percentage is about 12%. Errors caused by an incorrect flattening filter size produced a 2% measurement error that is not detectable by IVD measurement alone. Conclusion: IVD with nanodots will detect treatment errors associated with the incorrect implementation of the internal wedge. The results of this study will streamline the physicists’ investigations in determining the root cause of an IVD reading that is out of normally accepted tolerances.
Liver X receptors contribute to periodontal pathogen‐elicited inflammation and oral bone loss

Periodontal diseases are chronic oral inflammatory diseases that are polymicrobial in nature. The presence of specific bacteria in subgingival plaque such as Porphyromonas gingivalis is associated with microbial dysbiosis and the modulation of host immune response. Bacterially elicited innate immune activation and inflammation are key elements implicated in the destruction of soft and hard tissues supporting the teeth. Liver X receptors (LXRs) are nuclear hormone receptors with important function in lipid homeostasis, inflammation, and host response to infection; however, their contribution to chronic inflammatory diseases such as periodontal disease is not understood. The aim of this study was to define the contribution of LXRs in the development of immune response to P. gingivalis and to assess the roles that LXRs play in infection-elicited oral bone loss. Employing macrophages, we observed that P. gingivalis challenge led to reduced LXRα and LXRβ gene expression compared with that observed with unchallenged wild-type cells. Myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88)-independent, Toll/interleukin-1 receptor-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF)-dependent signaling affected P. gingivalis-mediated reduction in LXRα expression, whereas neither pathway influenced the P. gingivalis effect on LXRβ expression. Employing LXR agonist and mice deficient in LXRs, we observed functional effects of LXRs in the development of a P. gingivalis-elicited cytokine response at the level of the macrophage, and participation of LXRs in P. gingivalis-elicited oral bone loss. These findings identify novel importance for LXRs in the pathogenesis of P. gingivalis infection-elicited inflammation and oral bone loss.
Benign lymphoepithelial sialoadenopathies. The Mikulicz/Sjögren controversy.

Abstract This paper discusses the salivary gland disease entities first described by von Mikulicz. The historical controversy of diagnosis and treatment is presented through a review of the literature. Finally, three case reports are offered in support of a more generalized nomenclature and because of their interest to the clinician.
Lipids of Sphaerophorus ridiculosis: Plasmalogen Composition

Lipid analyses of the anaerobic bacterium Sphaerophorus ridiculosis revealed that 24.2% of the polar lipids are the alk-1′-enyl glyceryl ether (plasmalogen) form. The major polar lipids, phosphatidylethanolamine (67.5%), phosphatidylglycerol (11.2%), cardiolipin (12.0%), and lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine (9.3%), contained 26.3, 7.8, 5.2, and 13.4% plasmalogen, respectively.
Why are dividends disappearing? An empirical analysis

We investigate the causes of time-series fluctuations in the propensity to pay dividends,including the post-1978 decline documented by Fama and French (2001). We consider explanations based on fluctuations in dividend clienteles, agency problems, information asymmetries, executive stock options, catering incentives, tax code awareness, and short-lived idiosyncratic factors. To evaluate these explanations, we conduct three styles of analysis. First, we count and classify influences on the propensity to pay that were noted in the financial press. Second, we examine time-series relationships between the propensity to pay and proxies for the driving influences in the candidate explanations. Third, we assess whether the candidate explanations are theoreticallycompatible with related time-series patterns involving dividend policy. Overall, theresults are most consistent with the catering explanation. Notably, catering incentives,as measured by the stock market "dividend premium," roughly line up with the four trends in the propensity to pay between 1963 and 2000 and are able to account for the observed magnitude of the post-1978 decline. There is also evidence that idiosyncratic factors, including the Nixon-era dividend controls and the recent growth in options, affected the propensity to pay in specific periods.
The Politics of Duplicity: Controlling Reproduction in Ceausescu's Romania

The Politics of Duplicity: Controlling Reproduction in Ceausescu's Romania. Gail Kligman. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1998. 373 pp.
Sedimentary Characteristics and Status of Water Quality in Polwatta River and Weligama Bay in Sri Lanka

The Weligama Bay is a one of the rocky shorelines in the coastline of Sri Lanka and Polwatta River is the major river which enters to south part of the Bay. The study objectives were to find out the sedimentary characteristic, and water quality status in Polwatta River and Weligama bay. Results indicated that, mean water temperature, pH, NO 3 - -N, PO 4 -3 , and NH 4 - -N, in Polwatta River and Weligama Bay are 28.2 0 C ± 1.8, 6.7 ± 0.3, 0.11 ± 0.04 mg/l, 0.73 ± 0.1 mg/l, 0.46 ± 0.1 mg/l and 28.5 ± 1.0 0 C, 7.57 ± 0.1, 0.51 ± 0.04 mg/l, 0.40 ± 0.1mg/l and 0.20 ± 0.1 mg/l in respectively. The, mean suspended sediment concentrations were recorded in Polwatta River was 241.1 ± 150 mg/l. However, mean gravel, sand and silt percentages in the Weligama Bay are 1.42 ± 1.4, 96.33 ± 0.5 and 2.25 ± 0.3 in respectively. The study of current patterns shows the direction is west to east of the Bay and surface current is 12 cm/s. Results reveal that, nutrients in the Polwatta River and Weligama Bay are within the acceptable limits published by Sri Lanka Standard Institute and draft CEA ambient water quality standard. Also, high concentration of suspended sediment load coming through the Polwatta River during south-west monsoon period and part of that remain in the estuary and other discharge to the Bay. Also, due to currents sediment traverse to southern part of the coast in Weligama. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/jepsl.v2i1.5745 Journal of Environmental Professionals Sri Lanka Vol.2(1) 2013 38-51
Impact of Resident Workload and Handoff Training on Patient Outcomes

Impact of Resident Workload and Handoff Training on Patient Outcomes Stephanie K. Mueller, MD, Stephanie A. Call, MD, MSPH, Furman S. McDonald, MD, MPH, Andrew J. Halvorsen, MS, Jeffrey L. Schnipper, MD, MPH, LeRoi S. Hicks, MD, MPH Brigham and Women’s-Faulkner Hospital Academic Hospitalist Service, Boston, Mass; Division of General Internal edicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Mass; Division of General Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond; Divisions of General and Hospital Internal Medicine and Office of Educational Innovations, Internal Medicine Residency, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn; Division of Hospital Medicine, UMass Memorial Healthcare, Worcester; Department of Quantitative Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester.
Community Participation in Health: The Politics of Primary Care in Costa Rica

A guiding principle of international primary health care since the 1970s is contained in the slogan, 'community participation in health'. In practice, however, national and local political considerations are often decisive in the implementation of health policies. Dr Morgan shows how 'community participation' was sacrificed to competing political priorities even in Costa Rica, a country known for its dedication to health care. Focusing on a banana-growing community, she documents and analyses the process by which local health policy is politicized. Her sophisticated case study sets a detailed rural ethnography in both a national and international context. This book will be of great interest to medical anthropologists, planners, and anyone concerned with international health and development policy.
An approximate wave function involving geminals of mixed spin

It has been shown by Kapuy that any alternant molecular orbital wave function is an antisymmetrized product of strongly orthogonal geminals, in which the geminals are of mixed spin. Employing the localized alternant orbitals previously introduced by the author, this fact is used to generate a wave function which is capable of interpolating between the single-parameter AMO wave function and a wave function of the Hurley, Lennard-Jones, and Pople type. The validity of the unprojected form of the least flexible wave function of this type is tested in a model calculation on the hexagonal ring of hydrogen atoms. In the test case, this unprojected wave function is found to do significantly better than the unprojected AMO wave function and almost as well as the projected AMO wave function. It is shown that in the case of an infinite system, this wave function must do better than the projected AMO wave function. Features of the more general wave functions of this type are discussed, and it is mentioned that any of these wave functions may be written as an antisymmetrized geminal powers (AGP) wave function in which the geminal is of mixed spin.
Personal Identity, Concerns, And Indeterminacy

My discussion here will be focused partly on what I will call the moral question of personal identity: what is the nature of the entities we should focus our prudential concerns and ascriptions of responsibility around? (?If indeed we should structure these concerns and ascriptions around any entities at all.)1 This formulation of the question slides over certain distinctions. It is not obvious that the entities we should structure our prudential concerns around are the same entities that we should structure our ascriptions of responsibility around. But I will here be concerned with the relation between moral and metaphysical questions rather than with moral questions per se, and then sliding over this distinc tion is permissible. I will investigate the relationship between the moral question and the question of what persons are?or, to put this question in the formal mode, what is the nature of the entities that 'person' is true of. This latter question I will call the semantic question. A na?ve (in the sense of simple and intuitive) view would have it that the two questions are intimately connected?so intimately connected that the entities we should focus our concerns and ascriptions around are, pretty trivially, the persons. What I will do here is in part to evaluate this na?ve view. However, I will not actually attempt to give a definite verdict on it. Rather, I will identify the assumptions under which the na?ve view is true, and discuss how to go about evaluating those assumptions. A related theme will be that of indeterminacy. A number of authors have in different ways suggested that it is indeterminate of what types of entities 'person' is true.2 However, the idea that this is an indeterminate matter comes to seem less plausible under some not unreasonable as
Enhancement of pavlovian conditioned suppression by mild ethanol intoxication.

Rats were trained to bar-press for food and then received aversive Pavlovian conditioning following low doses of ethanol (0–1600 mg/kg in different groups). They were tested for Pavlovian conditioned suppression of barpressing 48 h, 7 days, and 14 days later following no additional differential treatments. The results showed that very low doses of ethanol (approximately 200 mg/kg) during training enhanced later conditioned suppression, whereas more moderate doses (800–1600 mg/kg) disrupted Pavlovian conditioning. These results parallel earlier observations that very low ethanol doses enhance Pavlovian conditioned eyeblink and heart rate responses in rabbits, and suggest that facilitation of Pavlovian conditioning may be a general effect of mild ethanol intoxication.
Scattering from three-dimensional objects embedded in multilayered media

This paper presents a model for computing the scattered field of a three dimensional scatterer embedded in multilayered media. The embedded object is modeled using a volume integral equation approach which allows the handling of general inhomogeneous objects. THe multilayered media is modeled using a transmission line analogy. The scattered field is obtained by obtaining the equivalent current sources in the discretization elements of the object. The convolution-form of the volume integral formulation allows the use of the conjugate gradient FFT computation method which is essential for reducing the memory storage requirements. Formulations are presented for scattering from an object in free space, a scatterer on top of a perfectly conducting surface and a scatterer embedded in multilayered media. The Green's function of the integral equation has two parts: a free space primary part and a secondary part due to the layered media. The secondary Green's function is in the form of Sommerfeld's integration which commonly has a fast oscillating integrand. Different techniques are presented to overcome this difficulty. This includes using an asymptotic solution using the stationary phase method and real axis integration. Results are presented for scattering from a sphere as an example of the object.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Rapid purification of porcine colostral whey lactoferrin by affinity chromatography on single-stranded DNA-agarose. Characterization, amino acid composition and N-terminal amino acid sequence

Abstract We have determined that the major iron-binding and DNA-binding protein in porcine colostral whey is lactoferrin. This lactoferrin was purified to homogeneity in one chromatographic step using immobilized single-stranded DNA-agarose. Although different in chromatographic behavior from human lactoferrin, the porcine lactoferrin purified in this manner was shown to be homogeneous by high-performance ion-exchange chromatography (Mono-S), immobilized metal ion (Cu2+) affinity chromatography, size-exclusion chromatography (TSK-4000SW), and reverse-phase (phenyl) chromatography. Electrophoresis on SDS-polyacrylamide gradient (10–20%) gels under reducing conditions showed the purified lactoferrin to be a single protein (silver-stained) of 78 kDa. Apolactoferrin purified in this manner bound iron and displayed a UV/VIS absorption spectrum indistinguishable from that of human lactoferrin. The molar absorption coefficient of hololactoferrin was 3.86·103M−1 at 465 nm and 1.08·105M−1 at 280 nm. Affinity elution analyses of the purified lactoferrin on immobilized DNA revealed that the affinity of this protein for DNA was independent of bound iron. Porcine lactoferrin was recognized by antibodies directed against human lactoferrin and bovine lactoferrin. The amino acid composition and N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis (30 residues) revealed a high degree of sequence homology with human, equine and bovine lactoferrin. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of immobilized DNA as a rapid and simple lactoferrin purification procedure and demonstrate the presence of a lactoferrin in porcine colostral whey with a high degree of sequence homology to human lactoferrin.
Anticipation of Future Interaction and Information Exchange in Initial Interaction

Information exchange in initial interactions was examined across varying expectations for future contact with the conversational partner. Thirteen dimensions of information were employed to track conversational content over time, tap individuals’ desires, and obtain overall impressions of the information exchanged. The anticipation of future interaction had minimal effects on the actuality of and desire for information exchange, with its strongest effects concerning perceptual variables of conuersational coordination. The importance of anticipation of future interaction to uncertainty reduction theory was found to be misplaced and the theory itself was brought into question by the findings. The importance of the construct of anticipation of future interaction was questioned in terms of the relationship of its operationalization to its conceptualization.
Direct Democracy Paradox: State Fiscal Policies in the United States and the Threat of Direct Initiatives

Many studies have argued that the initiative process in U.S. state governments strengthened the proximity between the citizens' preferences and policy output. In contrast, this study hypothesizes that the direct initiative process weakens, rather than strengthens, the link between citizen preferences and state fiscal policy. Governments respond to the threat of initiatives but only those of conservative agendas. The results show that while the level and the progressivity of tax rates in the states without direct initiatives are influenced by citizen preferences, those in states with direct initiatives are more conservative than those without direct initiatives and the former are insulated from the influence of the citizen preferences.
Schematic concept formation: Feature measures and constraint redundancy as predictors

Constraint redundancy (Rc) was varied in order to manipulate the statistical structure of sets of patterns. Measures of pattern features and Rc were related to the categorization by Ss who had experienced different types of preexposure to sets of patterns from the same stimulus domain. Both Rc and pattern measures were related to the categories produced by Ss in a schematic-concept-formation (SCF) task.
Are High-Quality Schools Enough to Increase Achievement Among the Poor? Evidence from the Harlem Children's Zone †

Harlem Children's Zone (HCZ), an ambitious social experiment, combines community programs with charter schools. We provide the first empirical test of the causal impact of HCZ charters on educa- tional outcomes. Both lottery and instrumental variable identifica- tion strategies suggest that the effects of attending an HCZ middle school are enough to close the black-white achievement gap in math- ematics. The effects in elementary school are large enough to close the racial achievement gap in both mathematics and ELA. We con- clude with evidence that suggests high-quality schools are enough to significantly increase academic achievement among the poor. Community programs appear neither necessary nor sufficient. (JEL H75, I21, I28, J13, R23)
Pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate inhibits NF-κB activation and IL-8 production in intestinal epithelial cells

During inflammatory bowel disease and intestinal ischemia, epithelial cells of the gut mucosa produce various inflammatory mediators, including the chemokine interleukin (IL-8). This IL-8 produced by intestinal epithelial cells has recently been implicated as a contributory factor to the deleterious inflammatory process resulting in colitis during inflammatory bowel disease or multiple organ failure following shock and trauma. Recent evidence suggests that the transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) is a central regulator of IL-8 gene expression. In the present paper we investigated the effect of pharmacological inhibition of NF-kappaB with pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC) on IL-1beta-induced IL-8 production by the human intestinal epithelial cell line HT-29. Pretreatment of cells with PDTC (3-1000 microM) dose-dependently attenuated IL-8 production. Furthermore, PDTC (100 microM) suppressed the accumulation of IL-8 mRNA. PDTC inhibited the activation of NF-kappaB, because PDTC suppressed both NF-kappaB DNA binding and NF-kappaB-dependent transcriptional activity. Taken together, our data demonstrate that NF-kappaB inhibition with PDTC decreases IL-8 production by intestinal epithelial cells.
Business cycle transmission between the United States and Japan: A vector error correction approach

Abstract This study investigates the transmission of business cycle fluctuations between the United States (US) and Japan. Testing for the existence of business cycle transmission between the US and Japan involves the formulation of a vector error correction model which includes industrial production, prices, interest rates and the exchange rate for both countries. The model verifies the short-term links between the US and Japan while controlling for global oil prices. The transmission between the two economies is relatively modest. Thus the US does not ‘drive’ the Japanese economy, rather it transmits shocks which partially synchronize the two economies, perhaps through the ‘mode-lock’ phenomenon.
Highlights of the Computer Elements Workshop Mesa, Arizona

This special issue on the business of applying microelectronic components (commonly lumped under the term "microprocessors") is dedicated to the proposition that the LSI microelectronics generation is now replacing the MSI TTL generation for the vast majority of applications for electronic control and intelligence. With this transition, the skills repertoire formerly attributed to the "systems man" must now be acquired by the "LSI components man." In effect, the systems engineering chore has moved one step closer to the device engineer.
Contingency Management in the Treatment of Adolescent Alcohol Drinking Problems

Three case studies demonstrated that social and monetary reinforcement for abstinence reduced the rate of excessive alcohol drinking in adolescents. The self-monitoring and extrinsic reinforcement procedures (ABA reversal design) resulted in complete abstinence in a 15-year-old boy with a 10-year history of excessive alcohol abuse and hospitalization for an alcohol-induced psychosis. In the cases of the 13-year-old and 15-year-old girls with extensive alcohol abuse histories, the behavioral interventions decreased the rate of alcohol consumption during treatment phases, but alcohol abuse increased markedly with the removal of the intervention procedures.
Blood platelet aggregometer: predicted effects of aggregation, photometer geometry, and multiple scattering.

The in vitro aggregation of blood platelets is usually monitored with a visible light transmittance photometer (aggregometer). These cells in plasma are large (α = 2πa/λ ≅ 16) soft (m = 1.04) particles. The factors which significantly influence transmittance include the inherent scattering properties, multiple scattering, and photometer design. Now scattering theory and numerical methods for radiative transfer are used to survey how aggregation should influence transmittance as measured with various photometers. The results should help expand the analytical power of the transmittance photometer as a tool for monitoring aggregation. Evidence is also presented that scattering by aggregates of aerosol particles, which are of a higher relative refractive index, should also be adequately predicted by these approximate methods.
Prednisone and prednisolone bioavailability in renal transplant patients

Prednisone and prednisolone are drugs with the potential for therapeutic inequivalence due to bioavailability problems. The objective of our study was to compare the systemic bioavailability of prednisolone from oral prednisone and prednisolone. Nine kidney transplant patients receiving prednisone (12.5 to 22.5 mg per day) were administered, in a randomized fashion, the same dose of oral prednisone (Deltasone), oral prednisolone (Delta-cortef) and intravenous prednisolone (Hydeltrasol). Prednisolone and prednisone levels were measured using a specific high-pressure liquid chromatographic assay. Since prednisolone exhibits dose-dependent pharmacokinetics because of nonlinear plasma protein binding, bioavailability from oral prednisone and oral prednisolone, compared to the intravenous dose, was 84.5 +/- 17.8% and 95.5 +/- 17.6% using unbound drug concentrations. These differences were not statistically significant. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed between the two oral formulations in peak prednisolone levels, time of peak levels or half-life using either total or unbound drug concentrations. The results from our study indicate that both of the oral preparations tested provide similar bioavailability of active prednisolone and the conversion of prednisone to prednisolone occurs rapidly.
The effects of changes in dietary protein and water availability on urinary nitrogen compounds in the rooster, Gallus domesticus--II. Diurnal patterns in urine flow rates, and urinary uric acid and ammonia concentrations.

Abstract 1. 1. Excretory parameters of roosters exhibit diurnal patterns of variation that are altered by changes in dietary protein, water availability and time of feeding. Patterns of urine flow rate are influenced most by changes in water availability, while patterns of urinary uric acid and ammonia concentration are altered most by changes in dietary protein content. 2. 2. Urinary flow rates and uric acid concentrations are inversely related for individual time periods. 3. 3. Changes in feeding time altered some excretory parameters but did not result in a predictable pattern of changes.
Immigration and Spending on Public Education: California, 1970–-2000

Abstract The evolution of education spending in California has received plenty of attention from both academics and practitioners after this state's education finance reform in the 1970's. This paper quantifies the contribution of immigration to the relative decline in elementary and secondary public education spending per student in California in the period 1970–2000. A quantitative model of school choice and voting over public education is used to perform the counterfactual experiments of interest. The model predicts that education spending per student in California would have been 24% higher in the year 2000 if U.S. immigration had been restricted to its 1970 level.
Micromechanical modeling of large plastic deformation and texture evolution in semi-crystalline polymers

Abstract A micromechanically-based composite model is proposed to study large plastic deformation and texture evolution in semi-crystalline polymers. The microstructure of many semi-crystalline polymers consists of co-existing crystalline and amorphous phases locally associated with each other in a fine plate-like morphological structure. An aggregate of two-phase composite inclusions is used to model these materials. Special consideration is given to molecular chain inextensibility within the crystalline phase. The introduction of a back stress tensor in the constitutive model of the amorphous phase accounts for hardening due to deformation-induced molecular alignment. Interface compatibility and traction equilibrium are enforced within each composite inclusion. A Sachs-like model and two newly-developed self-consistent-like hybrid models are proposed to relate volume-average deformation and stress within the two-phase composite inclusion to the remote (macroscopic) fields. Applications of these composite models arc made to predict stress strain behavior and texture evolution in initially isolropic high density polyethylene (HOPE) under different modes of straining.
Agriculture-related sprain and strain injuries, 1985-1987

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has expanded its research program investigating agricultural injuries. Data from the Supplementary Data System (SDS), maintained by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, indicate that injuries to the back and lower extremities of agricultural workers are quite common. Injury data from SDS were examined for agricultural employees for the years 1985 through 1987 from the 21 states that consistently provided records for each year. During this 3-year period, a total of 71,098 injuries were reported to SDS for the agricultural Industry Groups included in this study. Of these, 26,450 (37.2%) were classified as sprains and strains. Analysis of the data indicate that workers in industries within the major groupings of crop production and agricultural services have an increased potential for sustaining a sprain or strain injury.
CATHETER ABLATION FOR PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL TACHYCARDIA

The advent of radiofrequency catheter ablation has revolutionized the treatment of patients with cardiac arrhythmias. In the 1980s, direct current was the only practical available energy source for ablation. 13,39 The unpredictable size of lesions created by direct current ablation, barotrauma, and difficulty in focally applying this energy source limited its applicability. From the late 1980s to the present, refinements in radiofrequency energy sources and catheter technology have resulted in explosive growth in the use of catheter ablation as a treatment for rhythm disturbances. Initially, radiofrequency energy was predominantly applied to create complete atrioventricular node interruption, to eliminate accessory pathways, or to treat ventricular tachycardia. 38 Trends illustrate a change in the demographics and pathologic substrates of the population undergoing radiofrequency ablation. Selective atrioventricular node modification is now performed as often as is ablation of accessory pathways. 37 It appears likely that atrioventricular node modification will supersede accessory pathway ablation in most laboratories in the future as it already has done in the author's laboratory. Coincident with the increase in the numbers of patients undergoing atrioventricular node modifications has been the application of this technique to other arrhythmic substrates, such as atrial tachycardia, atrial flutter, inappropriate sinus tachycardia, and most recently (at least in the experimental phase) atrial fibrillation. One primary advantage of radiofrequency ablation is its widespread applicability regardless of the underlying mechanism of the targeted arrhythmia. Automatic and reentrant arrhythmias are equally well eliminated. Nevertheless, an understanding of the clinical entity, underlying pathophysiology, and mechanisms helps the operator to ablate the arrhythmia successfully.
Nonzero temperature variational principle

A variational principle to obtain the Slater sum for quantum fluids is proposed. It is valid at all temperatures. At T = 0 it is equivalent to the ground-state variational principle which minimizes the expectation value of the Hamiltonian with respect to variations of the wave function.
“Did I Do as Best as the System Would Let Me?” Healthcare Professional Views on Hospital to Home Care Transitions

BACKGROUND Patients are vulnerable to poor quality, fragmented care as they transition from hospital to home. Few studies examine the discharge process from the perspectives of multiple healthcare professionals.
Current concepts in the biochemical assessment of the patient with acromegaly

Biochemical assessment of a patient for acromegaly aims to definitively establish or exclude the presence of growth hormone excess. Whether applied to a newly recognized patient or to detect residual disease after therapy, this assessment is best accomplished by measurement of both the degree of GH suppression after oral glucose administration (OGTT) and levels of the GH dependent peptide, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). When measured properly and compared to a well-characterized, age-adjusted normative database, elevation of the serum IGF-I level is a sensitive and specific indicator for the presence of acromegaly or persistent disease after therapy. The diagnosis of acromegaly can be confirmed by documenting an elevated IGF-I level in combination with failure of GH to suppress after oral glucose to below 0.3 microg/l, when GH is measured with a highly sensitive and specific assay. Persistently, normal IGF-I levels along with a nadir GH 0.3 microg/l in some healthy subjects, so this criterion alone is not diagnostic of acromegaly. Also, because of heterogeneity of clinically available GH assays, this GH criterion, which was developed with a research assay, may not be applicable to use with all other assays. A nadir GH cut off of 1 microg/l has been found to be reliable for use with some standard immunoassays. It is recommended that glucose-suppressed GH levels be interpreted in conjunction with those of IGF-I and with consideration of conditions other than acromegaly that can alter them. With greater assay standardization and the use of IGF-I levels along with new rigorous criteria for interpretation of GH suppression during a OGTT we can improve our identification of patients with acromegaly in earlier stages of the disease as well as better recognize residual disease during therapy.
Building a Community of Young Leaders: Experiential Learning in Jewish Social Justice.

This study assesses whether more frequent participation in Jewish activist learning events is associated with higher levels of engagement in social justice-related activities and conceptions of Jew...
ACYANOTIC VENTRICULAR SEPTAL DEFECT WITH BOTH GREAT VESSELS FROM THE RIGHT VENTRICLE.

Abstract Acyanotic ventricular septal defect with both great vessels from the right ventricle mimics a simple ventricular septal defect and is less rare than previously believed. The possibility of right ventricular origin of the aorta should be considered when the patient with a ventricular septal defect has a right ventricular pressure at a systemic level. The diagnosis can be made by contrast visualization in the left anterioroblique projection. Surgical repair has been accomplished, using a hammock-like prosthesis which interrupts the interventricular shunting and permits unobstructed flow from the left ventricle to the aorta.
Enrollment Trends in Deaf Education Teacher Preparation Programs, 1973-2009

The number of deaf education teacher preparation programs and the number of program graduates were tabulated from reference issues of the American Annals of the Deaf beginning in 1973 and progressing every third year through 2009. Programs and graduates reached their highest levels from the mid-1970s through mid-1980s. In 2006 and 2009, only about one fourth as many students were majoring in deaf education in relation to the general U.S. college population as in 1973, 1976, and 1979. Yet because the population of children identified as deaf and hard of hearing has also declined, the ratio of program graduates to deaf children has stayed relatively balanced for the past 20 years. Current challenges faced by teacher preparation programs include increases in interpreter preparation programs and programs for teaching American Sign Language, as well as the changing nature of the role of teacher of the deaf.
Randomized Trial Comparison of Emotion Regulation and Relational Psychotherapies for PTSD with Girls Involved in Delinquency

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent in youth involved in delinquency, but it is often not effectively treated. A randomized clinical trial was conducted comparing the outcomes of an emotion regulation therapy (Trauma Affect Regulation: Guide for Education and Therapy, or TARGET) with a relational supportive therapy (Enhanced Treatment as Usual, or ETAU) with 59 delinquent girls (age 13–17 years) who met criteria for full or partial PTSD. Mixed model regression analyses demonstrated generally large effects for pre–post change in PTSD symptoms for both therapies but not in emotion regulation. Both therapies had small to medium effect size changes in anxiety, anger, depression, and posttraumatic cognitions. Treatment × Time interactions showed small to medium effects favoring TARGET for change in PTSD (intrusive reexperiencing and avoidance) and anxiety symptoms, posttraumatic cognitions, and emotion regulation, and favoring ETAU for change in hope and anger. Results provide preliminary support...
Collusion and rent-seeking*

This paper has explored the possibilities for profitable collusion in rent-seeking games. Anticipated collusion is only profitable for coalitions that approach the size of the grand coalition, while unanticipated collusion is always profitable. By reducing the rent-seeking expenditures of the colluding firms, collusion bestows an external benefit on non-colluding firms. Economies of scale in rent-seeking increase the profitability of collusion, while diseconomies of scale reduce the attractiveness of collusion. When 1 of 3 firms enjoys an incumbency advantage, the total gains from collusion fall as the incumbency advantage rises. Furthermore, 2-firm collusion is more profitable to the colluding coalition when the incumbent colludes with a non-incumbent than when the two non-incumbents collude, whether or not the collusion is anticipated. In all circumstances, unanticipated collusion is more profitable to the colluding coalition than perfectly anticipated collusion. Colluding firms may therefore have an incentive to conceal their collusive activity, even when collusion is legal.
Stochastic penalty function optimization

We investigate a stochastic penalty algorithm, which can be used to find a constrained optimum point for a concave or convex objective function subject to a nonlinear constraint which forms a connected region, even when we do not have the objective function available, but only have a noisy estimate of the objective function. When the constraint consists of one linear equation, we prove convergence to the constrained optimum value and bound the rate of convergence of the algorithm to the constrained optimum value. We then apply this algorithm to the nonlinear problem of automatically making an array of detectors form a beam in a desired direction in space when unknown interfering noise is present so as to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio subject to a constraint on the super-gain ratio.