cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Review of laundry energy efficiency studies conducted by the US Department of Energy

The US Department of Energy has conducted research into clothes laundering for nearly 60 years. An examination of reports stored in a digital repository at the Department of Energy traces the growth of interest in energy efficiency. Prior to the mid-1970s, this research was confined mainly to studies of decontamination of protective clothing used by agency employees. Starting in 1976, however, work at various national laboratories began to examine laundering from an energy efficiency perspective. Studies in the 1970s include exploration of methods to use solar and geothermal energy to boost washing and drying efficiency and guidance for improving energy use in the fabricare industry and hospitals. Towards the end of this decade, federally funded research began looking at standards for energy efficiency in household appliance. Progress towards implementing mandates related to appliances and communicating with consumers through labelling about these standards are outlined in reports periodically to the present date. Reports of particular interest include a large, community-based study of laundry habits, a detailed plan for improving household energy efficiency on military bases and recommendations for home builders based on climate zones. The reports are not confined to US-based consumers or appliances but include studies based in China and Sweden, among others. While not widely disseminated, the results outlined in these studies provide valuable information for building best practices in both developed and developing countries.
The stochastic machine replenishment problem

We study the stochastic machine replenishment problem, which is a canonical special case of closed multiclass queuing systems in Markov decision theory. The problem models the scheduling of processor repairs in a multiprocessor system in which one repair can be made at a time and the goal is to maximize system utilization. We analyze the performance of a natural greedy index policy for this problem. We first show that this policy is a 2 approximation by exploring linear queuing structure in the index policy. We then try to exploit more complex queuing structures, but this necessitates solving an infinite-size, non-linear, non-convex, and non-separable function-maximization program. We develop a general technique to solve such programs to arbitrary degree of accuracy, which involves solving a discretized program on the computer and rigorously bounding the error. This proves that the index policy is in fact a 1.51 approximation. The main non-trivial ingredients of the proof are two folds: finding a way to analyze the complex queuing structure of the index policy, and bounding the error in discretization when numerically solving the non-linear function-maximization. We believe that this framework is general enough to be useful in the analysis of index policies in related problems. As far as we are aware, this is one of the first non-trivial approximation analysis of an index policy a multi-class queuing problem, as well as one of the first non-trivial example of an approximation ratio that is rigorously proven by numerical optimization via a computer.
The epidemiology of accidental poisoning in an urban population. iii. the repeater problem in accidental poisoning

A group of 100 children who had experienced one episode of accidental poisoning were studied. A group of matched controls were selected from a previous randomized population derived from the City of Syracuse. The composition of study and control groups was similar in all gross characteristics tested. The poisoned group was found to have many more subsequent episodes of poisoning than the control group. These children were more active and mischievous, were more likely to experience falls, had more frequent separation experiences from the parents, and the maternal-child relationships appeared to differ significantly in several characteristics. It would appear that the repeater concept in accidental poisoning is established and presents a challenge to those presently concerned with prevention of accidental poisoning in children.
Ambiguity Function Processors Using Linear Birefringent Dispersive Materials

We propose a new type of linear optical processor generating the convolutional ambiguity function of a spatial signal and a temporal signal. The core of the device is an anisotropically-dispersive (or alternatively a dispersively-anisotropic) homogeneous medium, and its principle of operation is based on the interaction between spatial diffraction and temporal dispersion.
732-5 Coarctation of the Aorta: Risk for Developing Late Left Sided Obstructive Lesions

Patients (pts) presenting with aortic coarctation (COA) can subsequently develop left sided obstruction at other sites. We sought, retrospectively, to identify morphologic predictors for the development of late obstruction. Pts diagnosed with COA before age 3 months (from 1988—1992) were included (N = 101). Pts with aortic stenosis, mitral stenosis, subaortic stenosis or complex heart disease on initial presentation were excluded. A VSD was present in 53%, an LSVC in 18% and a bicuspid aortic valve in 59% (53%—intercoronary cusp fusion and 6%—right/non-coronary cusp fusion). At the initial study, left ventricular volume tended to be larger than normal while other left sided structures were smaller. The probability of freedom from new left sided lesions was 81% at 1 yr, 74% at 3 yrs and 70% at 5yrs. Mitral stenosis developed in 11 pts. Multivariate analysis revealed that these pts had smaller mitral valve annulus diameter (MV) (p = 0.027), higher mean transmitral gradients (p = 0.043) and longer intervalvular fibrosa (p = 0.017). Ten pts developed aortic stenosis. They had smaller MV (p = 0.006), higher initial aortic valve velocities (p = 0.007), and were more likely to have fusion of the right/non-coronary cusp (p = 0.001). Eight pts developed subaortic stenosis. They had smaller MV (p = 0.027) and longer intervalvular fibrosa (p = 0.025). Risk factors for the development of any stenosis were: small MV (p l 0.001). presence of a VSD (p = 0.004), initial aortic valve gradient g 14 mmHg (p = 0.01), right/non-coronary cusp fusion (p = 0.022) and longer intervalvular fibrosa (p = 0.008). Measurements-1 st study Mean Z-score Mitral valve diameter –0.70 Aortic valve diameter –092 Distal transverse arch –2.6 Isthmus diameter –3.9 End systolic volume +0.76 End diastolic volume +0.73 Conclusions Late left sided stenoses are common in isolated neonatal COA and often develop by 1 yr of age. Echocardiography can identify patients at increased risk for these progressive lesions.
Modeling structural plasticity in dendrites with multiple spine types

Introduction Dendritic spines can change in number and shape in response to various physiological, behavioral or pathological states. This activity-dependent structural plasticity exists over a vast range of time scales, from minutes to days or weeks [1,2]. Although spines may have a continuum of shapes, evidence suggests that spines may cluster in defined groups by their shapes [3-6]. Further evidence suggests that spine morphology correlates with distance from the cell body [3,4]; proximal to the soma, where the dendrite has the largest diameter, spines have short necks and appear stubby, whereas distally, where the dendrite is thinner, spines have thinner and longer stems. At intermediate distances, a variety of spine types are seen including the intermediate mushroom-shaped spines.
Schools versus departments of accounting: Is there really a difference?

Abstract There has been a debate in the extant accounting literature concerning the efficacy of schools of accounting vis-a-vis departments of accounting. This debate has largely been confined to the “armchair philosophizing” of well-respected academicians and practitioners. The purpose of this manuscript was to examine empirically whether there are significant differences between departments and schools of accounting. Questionnaires were mailed to 646 faculty representing nineteen schools and nineteen departments of accounting. The results of the study suggest that there are differences between schools and departments of accounting with respect to autonomy over curriculum and personnel matters and the ability to recruit both students and faculty.
Magnetic hysteresis in young mid-ocean ridge basalts: Dominant cubic anisotropy?

Magnetic hysteresis data from young mid-ocean ridge basalts include samples with saturation remanence to saturation magnetization (Mrs/Ms) ratios greater than 0.5, the theoretical limit for an assemblage of single domain grains with uniaxial anisotropy. Under the usual assumption of dominant uniaxial anisotropy, the narrow single domain grain size distribution implied by these high Mrs/Ms values is difficult to reconcile with petrographic and remanence data that suggest the presence of larger multidomain grains. Dominant cubic anisotropy provides a plausible explanation for the high Mrs/Ms ratios, and if generally valid, requires reinterpretation of granulometric and domain state inferences made from hysteresis data.
Chemoselective deprotection and functional group interconversion of ring-fused 2N,3O-oxazolidinones of N-acetyl-d-glucosamine

Abstract These studies describe the chemoselective deprotection of trans -fused 2 N ,3 O -oxazolidinone derivatives of N -acetyl-β- d -glucosamine. Selective opening of the oxazolidinone ring or N -deacetylation without ring opening is demonstrated. Certain amines are shown to efficiently afford C-2 ureido sugars under mild conditions. This work demonstrates the high degree of chemoselective manipulation possible with ring-fused 2 N ,3 O -oxazolidinone derivatives of N -acetyl- d -glucosamine.
Correlation of activated clotting times and standard laboratory coagulation tests in paediatric non-cardiac surgery

The activated clotting time (ACT) was invented as a whole blood test to detect coagulopathy, but nowadays is almost exclusively used to guide heparin anticoagulation. Although the ACT provides a fairly reliable and fast bedside test of the coagulation status, only a few studies have focused on its use to monitor pre- or intraoperative coagulation status as an early marker of impaired haemostasis or increased bleeding tendency. The aim of this study was to compare intraoperative i-STAT(®) ACT values with commonly used thresholds of standard coagulation tests for the diagnosis of coagulopathy during paediatric non-cardiac surgery. We performed a prospective, observational study in a University Children's hospital and included 50 paediatric patients who underwent major elective, non-cardiac, surgery. The i-STAT(®) kaolin ACT test was obtained intraoperatively and compared to the commonly used threshold of standard coagulation tests (PT/INR, aPTT, and plasma fibrinogen level). A total of 181 blood samples were taken from 50 pediatric patients. Moderate correlation was found between ACT and aPTT (r = 0.694; p < 0.001), and all other coagulation tests. The median ACT values remained within the normal range throughout the entire surgical phase, while standard coagulation tests were mostly abnormal during surgery. Intraoperative measurement of ACT did not provide comparable thresholds of normal haemostasis as compared to standard coagulation testing.
Rapid electrochemical detection on a mobile phone

We present a compact mobile phone platform for rapid, quantitative biomolecular detection. This system consists of an embedded circuit for signal processing and data analysis, and disposable microfluidic chips for fluidic handling and biosensing. Capillary flow is employed for sample loading, processing, and pumping to enhance operational portability and simplicity. Graphical step-by-step instructions displayed on the phone assists the operator through the detection process. After the completion of each measurement, the results are displayed on the screen for immediate assessment and the data is automatically saved to the phone's memory for future analysis and transmission. Validation of this device was carried out by detecting Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2), an important biomarker for malaria, with a lower limit of detection of 16 ng mL(-1) in human serum. The simple detection process can be carried out with two loading steps and takes 15 min to complete each measurement. Due to its compact size and high performance, this device offers immense potential as a widely accessible, point-of-care diagnostic platform, especially in remote and rural areas. In addition to its impact on global healthcare, this technology is relevant to other important applications including food safety, environmental monitoring and biosecurity.
Intraabdominal Infections in the Elderly

Biliary sepsis, appendicitis, diverticulitis, and intraabdominal abscess are intraabdominal infections that are especially relevant to the elderly population. Diagnostic delays, reluctance to perform surgery, presence of underlying disease, and postoperative complications contribute to the higher morbidity and mortality rates seen for elderly patients with these infections.
Reading rival union responses to the localization of technical work in the US telecommunications industry

Between the early 1970s and the late 1990s, state-sponsored deregulation and its market repercussions, combined with technological change, sparked profound changes for employees in the heretofore highly unionized US telecommunications sector. In this paper I examine the responses that this industry-wide restructuring of technical labor has prompted within two unions—the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the Communications Workers of America (CWA). With some success, the CWA has ‘scaled up’, employing innovative national bargaining and organizing tactics in the centralized workplaces of the companies once affiliated with the AT&T Bell System and developing transnational relationships with other countries' telecommunications unions. However, these strategies have not prevented the CWA from losing ground. In contrast, the IBEW's inherent capacity to represent workers on a labor-market or ‘geographic’ scale, and thus to take advantage of the localization of technical work in the indus...
Patient-Specific 3D Finite-Element Analysis of Miniscrew Implants During Orthodontic Treatment

Miniscrew implants have seen increasing clinical use as orthodontic anchorage devices with demonstrated stability. The focus of this study is to develop and simulate operative factors, such as load magnitudes and anchor locations to achieve desired motions in a patient-specific 3D model undergoing orthodontic treatment with miniscrew implant anchorage. A CT scan of a patient skull was imported into Mimics software (Materialise, 12.1). Segmentation operations were performed on the images to isolate the mandible, filter out noise, then reconstruct a smooth 3D model. A model of the left canine was reconstructed with the PDL modeled as a thin solid layer. A miniscrew was modeled with dimensions based on a clinical implant (BMK OAS-T1207) then inserted into the posterior mandible. All components were volumetrically meshed and optimized in Mimics software. Elements comprising the mandible bone and teeth were assigned a material based on their gray value ranges in HU from the original scan, and meshes were exported into ANSYS software. All materials were defined as linear and isotropic. A nonlinear PDL was also defined for comparison. For transverse forces applied on the miniscrew, maximum stresses increased linearly with loading and appeared at the neck or first thread and in the cortical bone. A distal tipping force was applied on the canine, and maximum stresses appeared in the tooth at the crown and apex and in the bone at the compression surface. Under maximum loading, stresses in bone were sufficient for resorption. The nonlinear PDL exhibited lower stresses and deflections than the linear model due to increasing stiffness. Numerous stress concentrations were seen in all models. Results of this study demonstrate the potential of patient-specific 3D reconstruction from CT scans and finite-element simulation as a versatile and effective pre-operative planning tool for orthodontists.© 2009 ASME
Electrical Stability of Acutely Ischemic Myocardium Influences of Heart Rate and Vagal Stimulation

Previous investigations have shown that a slower heart rate (HR) and myocardial ischemia independently diminish the electrical stability of the heart. It therefore was suggested that increasing heart rate during myocardial infarction might diminish the incidence of serious ventricular arrhythmias. However, since increased HR during experimental acute myocardial ischemia augments the degree of ischemia, an evaluation of the presumed "protective" effects of increased HR on the electrical stability of acutely ischemic myocardium was undertaken. The differences in refractory periods (RP) of eight contiguous areas of the left ventricle were determined as a function of HR. In nonischemic myocardium, the disparity of RP was less at an HR of 180 than 60. However, in ischemic myocardium the disparity increased in three of six animals as the HR was increased from 60 to 90, in seven of 10 animals as HR was increased from 60 to 120, and in all animals when the HR was increased from 60 to 180. The increased disparity ...
Optimal Design of the Coring Bit Cutting Edge in Percussive/Vibratory Drilling

The objective of this study is to develop an analytical method for the optimization of the design of coring bits of vibratory drills with cutting teeth that percussively penetrate brittle material.
Practical aspects of sedation and analgesia: the anesthesiologist’s perspective

Abstract There exists a significant morbidity and mortality rate associated with sedation for endoscopic procedures. However, only limited numbers of patients will tolerate these procedures without sedation/analgesia. The article elaborates on important concepts that the sedation-practitioner needs to appreciate, and delineates the updated practice guidelines. Together with careful attention to optimal patient selection, and an understanding of limitations, clinicians should be able to maximize patient comfort with the utmost in safety and efficacy.
Effective 3D constitutive relations of composites with evolving damage

In this study it is shown that a computational procedure, termed “discrete damage space homogenization method” (DDSHM), can predict the constitutive response of layered composite materials containing growing cracks. The fully 3D effective constitutive law for a specific layered composite architecture, as defined by the DDSHM, was integrated into the ABAQUS commercial finite-element program using the user-defined material feature. Calculations were carried out for flat laminates with penny-shaped microcracks to illustrate the computational efficiency of the method for general analysis of composite materials with growing cracks. Results show that, given basic information about the fracture toughness of the material, the DDSHM is able to predict important material parameters including the load at initiation of cracking, damage growth rate, and resulting effect on the macroscopic stiffness.
On the origin of differentiation.

Following the origin of multicellularity in many groups of primitive organisms there evolved more than one cell type. It has been assumed that this early differentiation is related to size — the larger the organism the more cell types. Here two very different kinds of organisms are considered: the volvocine algae that become multicellular by growth, and the cellular slime moulds that become multicellular by aggregation. In both cases there are species that have only one cell type and others that have two. It has been possible to show that there is a perfect correlation with size: the forms with two cell types are significantly larger than those with one. Also in both groups there are forms of intermediate size that will vary from one to two cell types depending on the size of the individuals, suggesting a form of quorum sensing. These observations reinforce the view that size plays a critical role in influencing the degree of differentiation.
Light and temperature demands for growth and reproduction of laminarian gametophytes in southern and central California

The gametophytes of 9 laminarian species (4 from southern California, and 5 from central California, USA) became fertile in the unicellular stage (female gametophytes) or in a few-celled stage (male gametophytes), when appropriate temperatures and a sufficiently high quantum irradiance in the blue part of the spectrum were supplied. Vegetative growth, leading to the formation of filamentous gametophytes was light-saturated at relatively low irradiances (4 W m-2; equivalent to about 2 nE cm-2 sec-1 or an illuminance of 1000 lux), whereas 2 to 3 times this irradiance in continuous fluorescent cool white light was needed to induce the majority of the gametophytes to become fertile. An illuminance of 8300 lux did not inhibit the development of the gametophytes from southern Californian species. Egregia menziesii exhibited an exceptionally low quantum demand for induction of fertility. Gametophytes of species from central and southern California differed in regard to their temperature optimum for growth (12°C in the former, 17°C in the latter) and their upper temperature limit for reproduction (17°C in the former, 20°C in the latter).
Incorporating learner training in the classroom

Abstract While most would agree that it is important to develop, nurture and refine the learning skills of second language students, to my knowledge, learner training remains a secondary concern in many second language classrooms. Reasons for this are suggested in one of the questions that emerged from David Carver's considerations of the research on learner strategies [System 12(2) 123–130], i.e. is there anything that the teacher can do to control or promote the growth of learner strategies? In other words, if learner training is not a major goal in second language classrooms, this may be due, in part, to the scant empirical validation of its feasibility and effectiveness. It may also be due to the lack of guidelines to direct a more systematic approach in devising materials and activities for its implementation. This paper addresses the second reason. It will outline a set of criteria that can be used to guide such endeavors and illustrate their application in five ESL settings.
Simple heuristics for the vehicle routeing problem with soft time windows

We describe three simple heuristics for the vehicle routeing problem with customer time windows that can be violated by paying appropriate penalties. The customer demands are known, and a homogeneous fleet of vehicles stationed at a single depot is considered. The penalty payable to a customer is assumed to be a linear function of the amount of time window violation. Upper limits are imposed on both the penalty payable and the waiting time allowed at any customer. At each customer in a route, the PC-based heuristics simultaneously determine the actual time to begin service, and the next customer to serve. To achieve this, each heuristic uses different measures to compare the cost of waiting and penalty payable, with the benefit obtained by leaving immediately for the next customer. Computational results on a set of benchmark problems show that the procedure is efficient and enables significant reduction in the number of vehicles required and/or the total route distances while controlling both customer penalties and waiting times.
Unprotected Sex of Homeless Women Living in Los Angeles County: An Investigation of the Multiple Levels of Risk

This research uses multi-level modeling to investigate the context of unprotected sex of homeless women. Based on interviews with 429 randomly selected women living in temporary shelter settings in Los Angeles, this project investigates multiple levels of influence on unprotected sex with particular partners. Previous studies have investigated condom use of homeless women primarily at the individual level. This project investigates unprotected sex at the level of the partnership, the individual woman, and her social network. Homeless women who believe in the efficacy of condoms to prevent HIV infection, believe that they have low susceptibility to HIV and have a greater proportion of their non-sex partner social network ties with whom they speak about HIV are less likely to engage in unprotected sex. Women are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior in relationships in which they have high commitment to their partner and experience physical violence.
MOLECULAR OPTICAL ROTATIONS AND STRUCTURES

Abstract Optical rotations of nine different conformers of chiral enflurane [(H)(F)(Cl)C(CF2OCF2H)] have been calculated ab initio. The population weighted net specific rotation for the (R)-configuration is −1.3 at the 6–311G∗ level and −1.7 at the DZP level, which is close to the experimental value. As the ab initio predicted optical rotations in the majority of the molecules studied to date are found to compare favorably with the experimental values, it appears that optical rotations provide a convenient alternative approach to determine the absolute configuration and predominant conformations of chiral molecules.
Longitudinal wear study of four work shirts in ferrous metal operations; King County, Washington

The objective of this study was to examine four hypotheses concerned with the relative safety of garments available through regular retail outlets and safety specialty stores. Of interest to the study are the garments' safety, durability, comfort, and cost.
Release mechanisms of [125i]metaiodobenzylguanidine in neuroblastoma cells: Evidence of a carrier-mediated efflux

Abstract [ 131 I]metaiodobenzylguainidine ([ 131 I]MIBG) is selectively taken up and stored by tumours derived from the neural crest, and is used for diagnosis and treatment of neuroblastoma (NB). The antitumoral effect of [ 131 I]MIBG is closely related to the intracellular level of the radiopharmaceutical compound, which is dependent on uptake and storage/release mechanisms. While MIBG uptake is well characterised, storage and release mechanisms are still controversial. In order to better characterise [ 125 I]MIBG release mechanisms, we studied the basal and stimulated efflux of [ 125 I]MIBG in the human NB cell line, SH-SY5Y, preloaded with 0.1 μM [ 125 I]MIBG for 1 h. We found that [ 125 I]MIBG basal efflux is highly temperature-dependent, that [ 125 I]MIBG release, induced by cell depolarisation with high potassium, is mainly calcium-independent, and induced by exchange with cold MIBG or noradrenaline, inversion of the sodium gradient across the cell membrane by veratridine or by substitution of sodium chloride with equimolar concentration of lithium chloride. The exposure of NB cells to imipramine, an Uptake-1 inhibitor, also produces a net stimulatory effect on [ 125 I]MIBG release. However, when used in association with other releasing stimuli, such as higher levels of intracellular sodium or external agonists, imipramine abolishes the consequent increase of [ 125 I]MIBG release. Our findings suggest that stimulated [ 125 I]MIBG release is mediated by a carrier, most probably the uptake carrier working in a reverse mode, while a minimal fraction of [ 125 I]MIBG is released by an exocytotic mechanism.
Coopting the kept: Using inmates for social control in a southern prison

The prevailing imagery in most accounts of prison inmate elites is that they are anti-authority. This study, conducted over an 18-month period in one Texas prison, offers an account of elites who have played a significant formal role in order maintenance. These elites, known as “building tenders,” have for many years served as an extension of the relatively small uniformed security form. This analysis examines the formal stratification, selection, and socialization of building tenders as well as their relationships to officials. Finally, projections are made as to order maintenance in the future in light of a federal court order ruling that the building tender system be dismantled.
The neighborhood inclusion structure of a graph

Motivated by connections with problems in network reliability, we explore the relationship between vertex neighborhoods N"u in a graph, focusing on neighborhood equality and inclusion (suitably modified for adjacent vertices). We survey recent work which shows that solutions to certain reliability extremal problems must be graphs in which the neighborhood inclusion relation is total; such graphs are known in the literature as threshold graphs. We then define a mixed graph M(G) determined by the neighborhood inclusion relation on the vertices of a graph G and also a digraph D(G) obtained from M(G) by identifying points with the ''same'' neighborhood in G. We characterize M(G) and D(G) for threshold graphs and for trees.
Design of Architectural Glazing to Resist Earthquakes

A state of the practice summary is presented with regard to the design of architectural glazing to resist earthquakes. Highlighted are new model building code provisions that have been adopted recently by a number of code bodies including the 2003 International Building Code and the 2002 NFPA 5000 Building Code. These model building codes reference seismic design provisions for architectural glazing in ASCE 7-02 and industry-accepted seismic test methods for architectural glazing developed and published by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association. Designers, specifiers, building owners, and glazing system manufacturers need to be aware of these significant changes in the way architectural glazing components are to be designed and tested for earthquake resistance.
Effect of Hyaluronidase on Toxicity of Procaine and Tetracaine in Mice.

SummaryIt was observed that only at the 19/20 probability limits did hyaluronidase increase the toxicity of procaine injected subcutaneously into mice. Hyaluronidase did not increase the toxicity of tetracaine within these same limits. From determinations of the procaine in blood of mice at various time intervals after its subcutaneous injection, it was observed that the procaine blood level increased rapidly beginning with the second minute and reached its peak at the eighth minute. The procaine blood level remained unifiorm between the eighth and twentieth minutes after injection. When hyaluronidase was mixed with the procaine injected subcutaneously there was a more rapid rate of increase of the procaine blood level than that of the control but the maximal procaine #blood levels in the 2 groups were the same.
Boson linewidth in high-temperature superconductors.

We have considered boson exchange models of high-temperature superconductors which use Eliashberg theory and in which the bare bosons have sharp spectral features. In particular, we have calculated the boson linewidth due to the interaction with the charge carriers. We find for a recent model of Arnold, Mueller, and Swihart that the width of the 10-meV peak in their {alpha}{sup 2}{ital F} is consistent with a broadened boson peak. However, for a weak-coupling model with the boson peak in the eV range, the interaction causes a broadening in the boson peak that is comparable to or larger than the energy of the peak.
Excited-state absorption of Cr 3+ in LiCaAlF 6 : Effects of asymmetric distortions and intensity selection rules

We have measured the \ensuremath{\pi}-polarized excited-state absorption (ESA) spectra of the new laser material, ${\mathrm{LiCaAlF}}_{6}$:${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ (hereafter, ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$:LiCAF). We have found that the peak cross section of the ESA band is 0.17\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}20}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. We are therefore able to explain the high efficiency previously observed for the ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$:LiCAF laser by noting that the peak emission cross section of 1.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}20}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ is much larger than this ESA cross section. As a result, the ESA does not diminish the value of the effective stimulated-emission cross section, in spite of its tendency to overlap the emission band in most ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$-doped crystals. It is then shown that the ESA transition is weak relative to the emission band because the ${t}_{2u}$ distortion present at the ${\mathrm{Al}}^{3+}$ site where the ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ substitutes adds transition strength to the \ensuremath{\pi}-polarized $^{4}\mathrm{A}_{2}$${\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}^{4}$${\mathrm{T}}_{2}$ absorption and emission features, while it does not contribute oscillator strength to the ESA band. The $^{4}\mathrm{T}_{2}$${\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}^{4}$${\mathrm{T}}_{1}$a ESA band is found to peak near 10 030 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$, rather than near 7600 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ as expected on the basis of simple crystal-field theory. This is explained as being due to the influence of non-totally-symmetric distortions in the excited states of ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$.
The developmental responses of papaya leaves to simulated canopy shade

The developmental responses of plants to shade underneath foliage are influenced by reductions in irradiance and shifts in spectral quality (characterized by reductions in the quantum ratio of red to far-red wavelengths, R:FR). Previous research on the influence of shadelight on leaf development has neglected the reductions in R:FR characteristic of foliage shade, and these studies have almost certainly underestimated the extent and array of developmental responses to foliage shade. We have studied the effects of reduced irradiance and R:FR on the leaf development of papaya (Carica papaya L., Caricaceae). Using experimental shadehouses, replicates of plants grown in high light conditions (0.20 of sunlight and R:FR = 0.90) were compared to low light conditions (0.02 of sunlight) with either the spectral quality of sunlight (R:FR = 0.99) or of foliage shade (F:FR = 0.26). Although many characteristics, such as leaf thickness, specific leaf weight, stomatal density, palisade parenchyma cell shape, and the ratio of mesophyll air surface/leaf surface were affected by reductions in irradiance, reduced R:FR contributed to further changes. Some characters, such as reduced chlorophyll a/b ratios, reduced lobing, and greater internode length, were affected primarily by low R:FR. The reduced R:FR of foliage shade, presumably affecting phytochrome equilibrium, strongly influences the morphology and anatomy of papaya leaves.
Phase II trial of arsenic trioxide in relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukemia, secondary leukemia and/or newly diagnosed patients at least 65 years old

The prognosis for patients with relapsed/refractory AML, secondary leukemia and AML in older adults is extremely poor. An appealing alternative approach to intensive cytotoxic chemotherapy is to induce apoptosis with a novel agent. There is in vitro evidence that arsenic trioxide (ATO) has anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects on myeloid leukemia cell lines. To evaluate efficacy and toxicities of ATO, we conducted a phase II trial including subjects with relapsed/refractory or secondary AML or age > or = 65 years with de novo disease. Eleven subjects were entered with a median age of 77 years (56-90) and a median total dose of ATO of 415.55 mg (91.5-793) with a daily dose of 0.25 mg/kg. Median survival following the first dose of ATO was 2.25 months (0.4-19). Myelosuppression was the major adverse effect, most likely due to disease progression rather than drug-related. All subjects had progressive disease. There was no direct treatment-related mortality. Based on this study, we do not recommend single agent ATO as a treatment option for AML.
NDE technique for ceramic composites using embedded sapphire optical waveguides

Advanced ceramic composites with complex architecture have stimulated interest in innovative embedded fiber optic sensors for in-situ real-time characterization of the structure. Careful selection of a compatible optical fiber material and an inexpensive signal detection technique are most critical factors for successful incorporation of these embedded sensors. The focus of this paper is two-fold. The first reports on the development of a novel optical waveguide consisting of sapphire fiber core and polycrystalline alumina cladding, and how can these fibers be embedded into ceramic composites. The second aspect of this paper is devoted to the application of a novel inexpensive and sensitive signal detection technique, namely, the spatial intensity modulation technique to sapphire optical fibers. This technique is applicable to multimode fibers. It is based on modal power distribution modulation under external perturbations. A theoretical model has been developed to correlate variations in the modal power within multimode optical fibers to the changes induced in the state of the hosting material. Numerical results obtained from the model are shown to be in agreement with experimental observations. This paper provides a novel means to characterize high temperature composites using multimode sapphire optical waveguides.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Cause or effect? The relationship between student perception of the medical school learning environment and academic performance on USMLE Step 1

Background: A school's learning environment is believed to influence academic performance yet few studies have evaluated this association controlling for prior academic ability, an important factor since students who do well in school tend to rate their school's environment more highly than students who are less academically strong.Aim: To evaluate the effect of student perception of the learning environment on their performance on a standardized licensing test while controlling for prior academic ability.Methods: We measured perception of the learning environment after the first year of medical school in 267 students from five consecutive classes and related that measure to performance on United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1, taken approximately six months later. We controlled for prior academic performance by including Medical College Admission Test score and undergraduate grade point average in linear regression models.Results: Three of the five learning environment subscales were...
Name generation in interpersonal political network data: Results from a series of experiments

Abstract We present results from three large scale survey experiments focused on the manipulation of political name generators. Using syntax that is widely employed outside of political science, we generate interpersonal political network data by varying the roles of alters, the time horizons of relationships, and the specific political nature of social exchanges. Across varying samples and electoral environments, we look for differences in these conditions on a wide range of common interpersonal network items, assess latency data on these treatments, and employ more detailed information on named discussants than most existing political ego-centric studies. We evaluate how well the now standard “compound” political name generator captures interpersonal political networks, finding that it does quite well save a few items of significant political importance. We discuss the implications of this research agenda for theories of social influence and the study of disagreement in democratic politics.
All-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells with high efficiency

Dye-sensitized solar cells based on titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) are promising low-cost alternatives to conventional solid-state photovoltaic devices based on materials such as Si, CdTe and CuIn(1-x)Ga(x)Se(2) (refs 1, 2). Despite offering relatively high conversion efficiencies for solar energy, typical dye-sensitized solar cells suffer from durability problems that result from their use of organic liquid electrolytes containing the iodide/tri-iodide redox couple, which causes serious problems such as electrode corrosion and electrolyte leakage. Replacements for iodine-based liquid electrolytes have been extensively studied, but the efficiencies of the resulting devices remain low. Here we show that the solution-processable p-type direct bandgap semiconductor CsSnI(3) can be used for hole conduction in lieu of a liquid electrolyte. The resulting solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells consist of CsSnI(2.95)F(0.05) doped with SnF(2), nanoporous TiO(2) and the dye N719, and show conversion efficiencies of up to 10.2 per cent (8.51 per cent with a mask). With a bandgap of 1.3 electronvolts, CsSnI(3) enhances visible light absorption on the red side of the spectrum to outperform the typical dye-sensitized solar cells in this spectral region.
Understanding the Anatomy of Dystonia: Determinants of Penetrance and Phenotype

The dystonias comprise a group of syndromes characterized by prolonged involuntary muscle contractions resulting in repetitive movements and abnormal postures. Primary dystonia has been associated with over 14 different genotypes, most of which follow an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern with reduced penetrance. Independent of etiology, the disease is characterized by extensive variability in disease phenotype and clinical severity. Recent neuroimaging studies investigating this phenomenon in manifesting and non-manifesting genetic carriers of dystonia have discovered microstructural integrity differences in the cerebello-thalamo-cortical tract in both groups related to disease penetrance. Further study suggests these differences to be specific to subrolandic white matter regions somatotopically related to clinical phenotype. Clinical severity was correlated to the degree of microstructural change. These findings suggest a mechanism for the penetrance and clinical variability observed in dystonia and may represent a novel therapeutic target for patients with refractory limb symptoms.
Performance of lactating dairy cows fed corn as whole plant silage and grain produced from genetically modified corn containing event DAS-59122-7 compared to a nontransgenic, near-isogenic control

The nutritional equivalency of grain plus whole plant silage from genetically modified corn plants containing the DAS-59122-7 (59122) event expressing the Cry34Ab1 and Cry35Ab1 proteins to grain and silage from a near-isogenic corn hybrid without this trait (control) was assessed using lactating dairy cows. Corn plants with event 59122 are resistant to western corn rootworm and tolerant to the herbicide active ingredient glufosinate-ammonium. Effects on feed intake, milk production, and milk composition were determined. The 59122 grain and the control grain were produced in 2005 from isolated plots in Richland, Iowa. Whole plant corn silage for the 59122 and control treatments were grown in isolated plots at the Kansas State University Dairy Center and ensiled in Ag-Bags. Thirty lactating Holstein cows blocked by lactation number, day of lactation, and previous energy-corrected milk production were used in a switchback design. All cows were fed diets that contained 22.7% grain plus 21.3% whole plant silage from either the 59122 or the control hybrid, in addition to 21% wet corn gluten feed, 12.3% protein mix, 8.0% whole cottonseed, and 14.7% alfalfa hay. Each period of the switchback trial included 2 wk for diet adjustment followed by 4 wk for data and sample collection. Milk samples (a.m. and p.m.) collected from 2 consecutive milkings of each collection wk were analyzed for fat, protein, lactose, solids-not-fat, milk urea nitrogen, and somatic cell count. Percentages of milk fat, protein, lactose, and solids-not-fat were not affected by dietary treatment. Yields of milk, 4% fat-corrected milk, energy-corrected milk, solids-corrected milk, and the concentrations and yields of milk fat, milk protein, milk solids, and milk lactose were not significantly different between treatments. Efficiencies of milk, fat-corrected milk, energy-corrected milk, and solids-corrected milk production also were not different when cows were fed crops from 59122 than when they were fed the control hybrid. Milk production efficiency averaged 1.48 and 1.50 kg/kg of dry matter intake for cows fed diets containing the control and 59122 corn, respectively. These data indicate that the nutritional value for milk production was not different between a diet containing grain plus whole plant corn silage produced from a 59122 corn hybrid versus a diet containing grain and corn silage from its near-isogenic control corn hybrid.
Effects of supplementation on the ingestive behaviour of grazing steers

Herbage intake is usually depressed when beef cattle grazing abundant pastures are supplemented with energy-rich feedstuffs but relatively little is known about the effects of supplementation on the components of ingestive behaviour. An experiment was conducted to establish the effect of ground corn (Zea mays L.) on the ingestive behaviour of yearling Angus and Angus × Hereford steers (Bos taurus) (mean live weight (LW) of 323 kg) grazing autumn stockpiled Boone cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) using a tethered grazing system in which the experimental unit was the tethered steer and its grazing area (45 m2) for one grazing session. Herbage dry matter (DM) mass was 1662 kg ha−1 and herbage DM allowance was 7–5 kg steer−1 for each grazing session. Herbage DM intake was measured as the difference between herbage DM mass offered and refused. Grazing took place during two daily sessions each of about 2 h duration commencing at 08.00 and 14.00 h for 9 days. Ground corn (0, 1·5, 3·0 and 4·5 kg steer−1) was fed each day at 12.00 h and had no significant (P < 0·05) effect on rate of DM intake, rate of biting or DM intake per bite. Mean DM intake was 6 2 kg steer−1 d−1 (87 mg (kg LW)−1 min−1). Steers averaged 4832 bites per grazing session, with a mean DM intake per bite of 644 mg (2·0 mg (kg LW)−1) and a mean rate of 44 bites min−1. Data obtained at the beginning and end of each grazing period on ingestive behaviour of one group of four steers (mean LW of 306 kg) fitted with oesophageal fistulae supported data for the two groups of normal steers and showed no response to supplementation. Mean values for rate of DM intake, DM intake per bite and rate of biting established for the fistulated cattle were 73 mg (kg LW)−1 min−1, 521 mg bite−1 (1·7 mg (kg LW)−1) and 39 bites min−1, respectively.
Prediction and Power Transformations When the Choice of Power is Restricted to a Finite Set

Abstract We study the family of power transformations proposed by Box and Cox (1964) when the choice of the power parameter λ is restricted to a finite set Ω R . The behavior of the Box-Cox procedure is as anticipated in two extreme cases: when the true parameter λ is an element of Ω R and when λ is “far” from Ω R. We study the case in which λ0 is “close” to Ω R , finding that the resulting methods can be very different from unrestricted maximum likelihood and that inferences may depend on the design, the values of the regression parameters, and the distance of λ to Ω R .
The Quiescent Corona of VB 10

We present results from a Chandra ACIS observation of the M8 dwarf star VB 10, a star near the hydrogen-burning mass limit. Until now, VB 10 has only been detected to flare at X-ray wavelengths. We can now report that nonflare, "quiescent," X-ray emission has been detected with a luminosity, LX = (2.4 ± 0.05) × 1025 ergs s-1 and log(LX/Lbol) = -4.9. This is consistent with the previous ROSAT nondetections of quiescent emission from VB 10. We discuss the implications of this discovery for the nature of coronae in ultracool dwarfs.
Selective Homogeneous Catalytic Epoxidation of Alkenes by Hydrogen Peroxide Catalysed by Oxidatively- and Solvolytically-resistant Polyoxometalate Complexes

The d-election transition metal-substituted heteropolytungstate sandwich complex [(Fe II ) 4 (B–PW 9 O 34 ) 2 ] 10− , unlike PW 12 O 40 3− and most polytungstophosphates, is quite stable with respect to solvolysis by H 2 O 2 and catalyses the selective homogeneous epoxidation of alkenes in aqueous acetonitrile at 20°C by this oxidant.