cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Openness in Adoption: Research with the Adoption Kinship Network

ABSTRACT This paper addresses two sets of issues concerning openness in adoption. First, the current research literature on outcome studies concerning openness in adoption is summarized. Second, issues involved in conducting research on openness are discussed, and methodological recommendations are offered. Examples are then provided from the author's ongoing program of research with adoptive kinship networks, which are defined as including the adopted child, siblings, his or her adoptive parents and their extended families, and his or her birthparents and their extended families. Psychological outcomes for adopted children appear to be less related to family structure (level of openness) than to the dynamics of the adoptive kinship network.
A Vector Space Model for Subjectivity Classification in Urdu aided by Co-Training

The goal of this work is to produce a classifier that can distinguish subjective sentences from objective sentences for the Urdu language. The amount of labeled data required for training automatic classifiers can be highly imbalanced especially in the multilingual paradigm as generating annotations is an expensive task. In this work, we propose a cotraining approach for subjectivity analysis in the Urdu language that augments the positive set (subjective set) and generates a negative set (objective set) devoid of all samples close to the positive ones. Using the data set thus generated for training, we conduct experiments based on SVM and VSM algorithms, and show that our modified VSM based approach works remarkably well as a sentence level subjectivity classifier.
Usefulness of an animal behavioral model in studying the duration of action of LSD and the onset and duration of tolerance to LSD in the cat.

Abstract LSD elicits a number of emergent behaviors in the cat, including limb flicking, abortive grooming, investigatory and hallucinatory-like behaviors, which we have proposed as an animal behavior model for studying the actions of LSD and related hallucinogens. These emergent behaviors were used in the present study to investigate the duration of action of LSD, as well as the onset and duration of tolerance. A dose of 10 μg/kg of LSD produced significant behavioral changes for up to 4 h, while a dose of 50 μg/kg produced changes lasting for at least 8 h. Tolerance to a test dose of 50 μg/kg of LSD is virtually complete one day after a single 50 μg/kg dose, and lasts for approximately 5 days. Tolerance to a test dose of 50 μg/kg of LSD one day after a single dose of 10 μg/kg is quite marked, and lasts for approximately 3 days. A significant tolerance to a test dose of 50 μg/kg of LSD occurs within 2 h after a single injection of 10 μg/kg. The limb flick was found to be the most sensitive index in all tests: it showed the longest time-course, as well as the most rapid and longest-lasting tolerance. These studies demonstrate that the LSD-induced behavioral syndrome in the cat parallels important parameters of the action of LSD in humans, and thus enhances the usefulness of the model.
The effect of prenatal and postnatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and child neurodevelopment at age twenty four months.

a b s t r a c t We examined the association between prenatal and postnatal exposure to PCBs and development at age 24 months as measured by the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II. 44 (85%) of 52 children had infor- mation available. When prenatal and postnatal exposure were modeled together, we found no association between total PCB exposure and the mental development index (MDI) or the physical development index (PDI). In examining PCB 153, we found no association between PCB 153 and MDI, while higher levels of postnatal exposure was associated with a decrease in PDI after adjustment (ˇ for highest tertile = −24.9; 95% CI (−44.3, −5.5)). Higher levels of prenatal PCB 153 exposure were associated with a statistically significant increased odds of screening positive for a motor delay. In sum, when prenatal and postnatal exposures were considered together, breast milk exposure to PCB 153 appears to be associated with decrements in motor development; however, we cannot rule out that the finding was due to chance.
Theory of magnetohydrodynamic waves - The WKB approximation revisited

The present paper revisits the derivation of the WKB approximation for small-amplitude magnetohydrodynamic waves, allowing for possible spatial variation of the background entropy. The equation of variation of wave amplitude is rederived; it is a bilinear equation which, it turns out, can be recast in the action conservation form. It is shown that this action conservation equation is in fact equivalent to the action conservation law obtained from Lagrangian treatments.
1701 PROGRESSIVE ONSET OF SPONTANEOUS AND INDUCED FETAL BREATHING

Intratracheal pressure (Pmax) and respiratory drive (dP/dt) from the occluded, liquid filled trachea of term fetal lambs in utero were measured for each breath during the onset of fetal breathing. Progressive breathing responses at the onset of fetal breathing were observed (1) during spontaneous breathing, (2) during sciatic nerve stimulation, (3) during induced hypercapnia by Fetal CO2 Tests (Moss and Scarpelli, J. Appl. Physiol. 47:527, 1979) and (4) following naloxone administration. These responses were characterized by linear increase of both Pmax and dP/dt for 6.8 ± 0.3 breaths (x ± SEM) over 13.9 ± 1.7 seconds, following which these parameters became stable. The rate of rise of Pmax and dP/dt versus both breath number and absolute time was lowest and similar during spontaneous breathing and sciatic stimulation, but increased incrementally with hypercapnia and naloxone. Mechanical factors could not account for these responses in the liquid filled lung, nor did appreciable chemical changes occur during this period. These results suggest that progressive breathing responses at the onset of fetal breathing may stem from gradual recruitment of central respiratory neurons, and that the rate of rise of such recruitment depends on facilitation by natural or somatosensory induced “arousal” and by chemical stimulation, as well as on release from natural (endorphin) inhibition. (Supported by NIH HL 00688 (RCDA) and HL 23995).
Reversible axial segregation of rotating granular media

Experimental measurements of axial segregation of binary mixtures of granular media combined in a horizontal cylinder and rotated like a drum mixer are reported. While in the traditional axial segregation effect the mixture of two different sizes of granular media will separate into bands of relatively pure single concentrations along the axis of rotation, in special cases the homogeneous mixed state can be restored simply by decreasing the speed of rotation. Systematic variation of the relative diameters of the components reveal three classes of behavior: no segregation at any rotation speed, a nonreversible axial segregation, and an axial segregation at high speeds that reverses back into the mixed state at low speeds. Measurements of the dynamic angle of repose of the mixed and segregated phases as a function of rotation speed support a model for the axial segregation effect that involves a diffusion equation with an effective axial diffusion coefficient that can be negative under the conditions for which segregation occurs.
Two Studies of Low Income Parents' Involvement in Schooling.

An interview and an intervention study are reported. Interview findings extend research on the positive relationship of parent involvement to school success. That is, although most of the low income families reported low-moderate participation, a postive relationship was found between parent involvement and school adjustment as early as kindergarten. With respect to negative valuing and barrier interpretations of low participation, the data support the latter; all but a few parents reported positive attitudes toward school involvement, while the majority indicated significant barriers. In comparing Latino and non-Latino groups, the former reported more barriers. Within the Latino group, parents whose children had made a good school adjustment indicated the most participation. Non-English proficient parents reported more barriers than those proficient in English but comparable degrees of involvement. In the intervention study, a simple strategy resulted in more treatment than control parents attending a school event. Differences in attendance were related to ethnicity and language.
Oil pollution violations on vessels and adequacy of maritime training

The paper projects the outcomes of an introspective study into the training imparted to the seafarer with respect to oil pollution matters. Typical training syllabi were compared with the prescribed lesson plans from Model Courses to verify quantitative and qualitative training. A sample has been drawn from the Malaysian and Indian seafaring officers for the study. Curriculum exposure to marine pollution regulations, and intensity and level of ship operational issues such as bypassing the separators and falsification of record books are analysed in the study. From the questionnaire survey amongst the officers, difficulties experienced in pollution prevention practices are highlighted. Statistical data analyses have been carried out to see if there is any relationship between pollution violations, training and human factors such as experience and attitude. While training appears to be sufficient, fatigue and attitude appear to be the causal factors for oil pollution violations. The paper concludes with suggestions for improving training such as simulator exercises and case study discussions, etc.
On a variational problem from one-dimensional nonlinear elasticity

We study the regular calculus of the variations problem Minimize Iμ(u) = ∝−11 F(μu′(x), u(x)) dx on Aμγ = {u ϵ W1,1(−1, 1):u > 0 a.e., Iμ(u) < ∞, u(±1) = 1, and ∝−11 u(x) dx = 2γ}, for small values of μ. The function F(p, u) is convex in p but nonconvex in u. Using a phase-plane analysis we show that for small values of μ there is a unique minimizer of Iμ, which takes approximately constant values apart from in two internal transition layers and in boundary layers at x= ±1. This result is suggested by a heuristic argument based on the structure of minimizers for the singular problem obtained by setting, formally, μ = 0 in the integrand of Iμ. This problem arises from a one-dimensional elasticity theory for a cylindrical rod in uniaxial tension and with clamped ends.
Equatorial Tropospheric Waves Induced by Diabatic Heat Sources

Abstract The problem of finding the equatorial tropospheric response to a prescribed heat source is treated by using a linearized primitive system on a Mercator map projection. The diabatic heat source is assumed to be westward propagating in a sinusoidal form with zonal wavelength 7000 km and phase speed 4 m sec−1, the corresponding period being approximately 20 days. The structural features of the induced waves are quite sensitive to the vertical shear of the basic zonal current. The case with westerly vertical shear reveals that the axis of geopotential perturbation tilts eastward with increasing height in the lower troposphere, and the wave activity in the upper troposphere is far more pronounced than that in the lower troposphere. The amplitudes of perturbation geopotential and horizontal wind attain their maxima near 13 km and about 1–2° north of the maximum heating prescribed at 8.3° latitude. In the case with easterly vertical shear, a westward tilt of the axis of geopotential perturbation occurs ...
Learning Organizational Culture and Firm Performance: The Mediating Effects of Knowledge Creation in Korean Firms

The aim of the current research is to examine the relationships between learning culture and performance along with the mediating interaction of knowledge creation. Data for this study were collected from five Korean firms through use of in-house intranet self-response surveys. Responses from 633 manager-level employees were used to identify the relationships among four variables: cultural aspects of the learning organization, four modes of knowledge creation practices, perceived level of knowledge gaining, and perceived level of financial performance. All constructs previously have been identified as related concepts in certain ways; however, no specific and empirically verified structural complex model exists. In this research, first, the influential and causal relations among the variables were examined, and second, a model comparison was conducted between the initially proposed and alternatively proposed structural models. Structural equation modeling and canonical correlation analysis were used for t...
Modeling ocean wave propagation under sea ice covers

Operational ocean wave models need to work globally, yet current ocean wave models can only treat ice-covered regions crudely. The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief overview of ice effects on wave propagation and different research methodology used in studying these effects. Based on its proximity to land or sea, sea ice can be classified as: landfast ice zone, shear zone, and the marginal ice zone. All ice covers attenuate wave energy. Only long swells can penetrate deep into an ice cover. Being closest to open water, wave propagation in the marginal ice zone is the most complex to model. The physical appearance of sea ice in the marginal ice zone varies. Grease ice, pancake ice, brash ice, floe aggregates, and continuous ice sheet may be found in this zone at different times and locations. These types of ice are formed under different thermal-mechanical forcing. There are three classic models that describe wave propagation through an idealized ice cover: mass loading, thin elastic plate, and viscous layer models. From physical arguments we may conjecture that mass loading model is suitable for disjoint aggregates of ice floes much smaller than the wavelength, thin elastic plate model is suitable for a continuous ice sheet, and the viscous layer model is suitable for grease ice. For different sea ice types we may need different wave ice interaction models. A recently proposed viscoelastic model is able to synthesize all three classic models into one. Under suitable limiting conditions it converges to the three previous models. The complete theoretical framework for evaluating wave propagation through various ice covers need to be implemented in the operational ocean wave models. In this review, we introduce the sea ice types, previous wave ice interaction models, wave attenuation mechanisms, the methods to calculate wave reflection and transmission between different ice covers, and the effect of ice floe breaking on shaping the sea ice morphology. Laboratory experiments, field measurements and numerical simulations supporting the fundamental research in wave-ice interaction models are discussed. We conclude with some outlook of future research needs in this field.
Chlamydial infection of the gastrointestinal tract: a reservoir for persistent infection.

The mechanism by which chlamydiae persist in vivo remains undefined; however, chlamydiae in most animals persist in the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and are transmitted via the fecal–oral route. Oral infection of mice with Chlamydia muridarum was previously shown to establish a long-term persistent infection in the GI tract. In this study, BALB/c, DBA/2, and C57Bl/6 mice, infected orally with C. muridarum , were infected in the cecum for as long as 100 days in the absence of pathology. The primary target tissue was the cecum although the large intestine was also infected in most animals. A strong serum IgG and cecal IgA antibody response developed. Lymphocyte proliferation assays to chlamydial antigen on mesenteric lymph node cells were positive by day 10 and peaked on days 15–21, but the response returned to baseline levels by 50 days, despite the ongoing presence of the organism in the cecum. Because studies have shown that women and men become infected orally with chlamydiae, we propose that the GI tract is a site of persistent infection and that immune down-regulation in the gut allows chlamydiae to persist indefinitely. As a result, women may become reinfected via contamination of the genital tract from the lower GI tract.
Acidity and Hydrophobicity of TS-1

This report investigates the causes of the unique properties and reactivity of the titanium silicalite TS-1, a commercial zeolite containing 1% Ti by weight. The combined analysis of calorimetric and adsorption data, cal−ad, for the reaction of TS-1 with pyridine shows the absence of the strong acid site found in HZSM-5 and the presence of only 0.07 mmol g-1 of a −15.1 kcal mol-1 hydrogen-bonding site. Titrations with 2,6-lutidine indicate the same number of hydrogen-bonding sites with a lower enthalpy (−9.8 kcal mol-1). The magnitude of these enthalpies indicate that the acceptor sites are hydrogen-bonding sites that are comparable in acidity to the strongest sites on silica gel. The small amounts of these sites, 0.07 mmol g-1 compared to 0.8 mmol g-1 in silica gel and 0.5 mmol g-1 for the hydrogen-bonding sites of HZSM-5, account for the lower affinity of TS-1 for water. The absence of strong acidity prevents epoxide ring opening and explains the utility of TS-1 in epoxidation. Comparison of the results...
Effect of Boundary Stiffness on Contractility Profile of Valvular Interstitial Cells

Heart valve disease leads to approximately 300,000 heart valve replacement surgeries each year worldwide. Valvular interstitial cells (VICs) are believed to play a vital role in the repair of heart valves and also most disease processes. VICs synthesize, remodel, and repair the ECM; however, when VICs excessively differentiate to the highly contractile and synthetic myofibroblast phenotype, valvular fibrosis may ensue. Elevated mechanical stress triggers the differentiation of VICs into myofibroblasts. Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) is also critical for the formation of thicker stress fibers positive for α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), the defining characteristic of myofibroblasts.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
pH dependence of the NMR spectrum of mercaptosuccinic acid

Abstract The nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of aqueous solutions of mercaptosuccinic acid have been studied over a wide pH range. The chemical shifts of the non-labile C-H protons follow the usual titration curve. However, the two vicinal coupling constants display a maximum in one case and a simultaneous minimum in the other case. This observation is interpreted as a result of changes in the rotamer populations caused by electrostatic and steric effects. The relative populations of the three classical rotamers were calculated at various values of pH and were found to be in qualitative agreement with malic acid at a pH where the comparison is valid.
Fabry-Perot spectroscopy of a visible magnetic dipole transition in Ba34+

Abstract We are using Fabry-Perot interferometry to study visible lines from highly-charged ions created and trapped within an electron beam ion trap (EBIT). The 3d 4 5 D 2 – 5 D 3 titanium-like barium (Ba 34+ ) line at 3932(2) A was recently measured in Ref. [1] (C.A. Morgan et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 74 (1995) 1716) using a grating monochromator. We present preliminary Fabry-Perot spectra of this line with significantly improved resolution. The Doppler-broadened 1 A line width is consistent with an expected ion temperature of less than 1 keV. We discuss the possibility of resolving Zeeman splittings, and of using these visible lines as a diagnostic in high temperature, low density plasmas, like those that exist in tokamaks and the EBIT itself.
Direct products of inseparable finite groups, II

Necessary and sufficient conditions are established for when a finite group can be written as the direct product of nontrivial inseparable groups and for when all other decompositions give rise to such a direct product decomposition.
A ring-enlarged oxetanocin a analogue as an inhibitor of HIV infectivity

Two ring-expanded analogues (compounds 2 and 3) of the anti-HIV fermentation product oxetanocin A (1) were synthesized from commercially available diacetone D-glucose. Antiviral testing against HIV in ATH8 cells revealed that the ring-expanded analogue 2 possessed a similar activity profile as oxetanocin A. Neither compound, however, was capable of providing full protection to the cells against HIV infection. The isomeric ring-expanded analogue 3 was totally devoid of anti-HIV activity. Molecular modeling suggested that while oxetanocin A and compounds 2 and 3 share a large common substructure with the potent anti-HIV drug, dideoxyadenosine (ddA), the extra hydroxymethyl substituent may contribute negatively to the binding of these molecules to a critical enzyme. The negative contribution may be less important in oxetanocin and isomer 2 than in isomer 3. From these studies it would appear that both oxetane and tetrahydrofuran rings are equivalent templates to support the adenine base in terms of anti-HIV activity.
Genotoxicity of N-nitrosothiazolidine in microbial and hepatocellular test systems

Abstract The genotoxicity of N -nitrosothiazolidine was studied in a microbial system and in a hepatocellular system. The compound showed positive responses in both tests, exhibiting weak mutagenicity at the lowest level tested (1 mg/plate) in the rec assay in Bacillus subtilis , and inducing statistically significant levels of DNA repair in primary hepatocyte cultures at concentrations ranging from 2 × 10 −4 to 2 × 10 −3 m .
The Mode of Action of Hirsutellin A on Eukaryotic Cells

A 16-kDa protein toxin was purified from Hirsutella thompsonii var thompsonii and named hirsutellin A (HtA). At 0.5 and 5.0 microM concentrations, HtA caused detectable cytopathic effects on Spodoptera frugiperda cells (Sf-9) within 2-4 hr and completely inhibited Sf-9 cell growth at 4 days posttreatment. Electron microscope data showed that the HtA treated Sf-9 cells became hypotrophied and internal organelles and cell membranes were disrupted. At the same concentration, HtA effectively inhibited Brome mosaic virus protein synthesis of both rabbit reticulocyte and wheat germ in vitro translation system. The ribosomal RNA extracted from HtA treated Sf-9 cells produced a smaller RNA (approximately 528 bases) than untreated Sf-9 cells. In summary, HtA is the first mycotoxin of a invertebrate mycopathogen determined to possess ribosomal inhibiting activity and appears to possess some specificity to invertebrate cells.
Study on Over-Burnt Temperature and Heat Treatment of a New Al-Mg-Si-Cu Alloy

The over-burnt temperature of a new Al-Mg-Si-Cu Aluminum alloy was studied by means of DSC and microstructure analysis, as a result of the homogenization temperature being obtained. A favorable homogenization time was got by the way of the dependence of area fractions of remnant phases on homogenization time being calculated. According to experimentation results, the over-burnt temperature of the new Al-Mg-Si-Cu Aluminum alloy was 570°C, and the way to homogenize the new alloy at 560°C for 24h was excellemt.
The Golgi Apparatus Plays a Significant Role in the Maintenance of Ca2+ Homeostasis in the vps33ΔVacuolar Biogenesis Mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The vacuole is the major site of intracellular Ca2+ storage in yeast and functions to maintain cytosolic Ca2+ levels within a narrow physiological range. In this study, we examined how cellular Ca2+ homeostasis is maintained in a vps33Δ vacuolar biogenesis mutant. We found that growth of the vps33Δ strain was sensitive to high or low extracellular Ca2+. This strain could not properly regulate cytosolic Ca2+ levels and was able to retain only a small fraction of its total cellular Ca2+ in a nonexchangeable intracellular pool. Surprisingly, thevps33Δ strain contained more total cellular Ca2+ than the wild type strain. Because most cellular Ca2+ is normally found within the vacuole, this suggested that other intracellular compartments compensated for the reduced capacity to store Ca2+ within the vacuole of this strain. To test this hypothesis, we examined the contribution of the Golgi-localized Ca2+ ATPase Pmr1p in the maintenance of cellular Ca2+ homeostasis. We found that avps33Δ/pmr1Δ strain was hypersensitive to high extracellular Ca2+. In addition, certain combinations of mutations effecting both vacuolar and Golgi Ca2+ transport resulted in synthetic lethality. These results indicate that the Golgi apparatus plays a significant role in maintaining Ca2+homeostasis when vacuolar biogenesis is compromised.
The RXR agonist LG100268 causes hepatomegaly, improves glycaemic control and decreases cardiovascular risk and cachexia in diabetic mice suffering from pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction.

Aims/hypothesis. Although retinoid X receptor (RXR) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) agonists have antidiabetic effects in hyperinsulinaemic animals, little information exists on their effects after pancreatic beta-cell failure. Thus, we examined if RXR and PPARγ agonists alter distinct metabolic pathways in animals suffering from impaired insulin secretion. Methods. Adverse side effects and antidiabetic responses were measured in db/db mice treated from 14–16 weeks of age with the RXR agonist, LG100268, and/or the PPARγ agonists, BRL49 653 or GW1929. Results. In animals treated with LG100 268 or BRL49653, serum glucose, glycohaemoglobin and the cardiovascular risk factor, fibrinogen, decreased to the same extent. Both of these agonists were equally effective at increasing insulin accumulation in beta cells, although neither agent had an effect on serum insulin concentrations. In contrast, the RXR agonist was less effective than the PPARγ agonists at lowering serum triglycerides and non-esterified fatty acids and increasing interscapular brown fat and body weight. Further, LG100 268 increased serum alkaline phosphatase and liver mass, hepatic fat accumulation, lauric acid hydroxylase activity, catalase-immunostaining and peroxisomal number more than the PPARγ agonists. Moreover, co-treatment with the RXR and PPARγ agonists reduced glucose, triglycerides, non-esterified fatty acids and cholesterol more than either agent alone. Conclusion/interpretation. These data suggest 1) RXR and PPARγ agonists decrease islet degeneration, cardiovascular risk and cachexia during later stages of diabetes, 2) RXR agonists are less effective than PPARγ agonists at decreasing serum lipids and causing weight gain and 3) RXR agonists have a more pronounced effect on liver metabolism (e. g. peroxisome accumulation and hepatomegaly) than PPARγ agonists. [Diabetologia (1999) 42: 545–554]
The eta-invariant of variation structures I

Abstract The main motivation of the paper is the signature of the Milnor fiber of the germ ƒ 1 + ƒ q 2 , where (ƒ 1 , ƒ 2 ) is an isolated complete intersection singularity. This is computed in terms of a new invariant of the pair (ƒ 1 , ƒ 2 ) , which corresponds to the algebraic version of the eta-invariant, introduced by Atiyah, Patodi and Singer, for a hermitian flat bundle over the circle.
Quenching of [Ru(bpy)3]2+ fluorescence by binding to Au nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles coated with stabilizing thiolate monolayers of N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)glycine (tiopronin) and N, N-trimethyl(undecylmercapto)ammonium quench the fluorescence of [Ru(bpy)3]2+ in aqueous solution. The tiopronin monolayer protected clusters (MPCs) exert energy-transfer quenching by both collisional quenching and by static quenching in electrostatic complexes formed between [Ru(bpy)3]2+ and the tiopronin carboxylate groups. The electrostatic binding is pH-dependent and can be released by addition of electrolyte (e.g., K+, Bu4N+, and Ca2+ salts, which are increasingly effective in the order given). The tiopronin MPC quenching of [Ru(bpy)3]2+ fluorescence follows Stern−Volmer relations for plots of Fo/F against MPC concentration and Fo/F against electrolyte concentration at constant MPC concentration. Quenching and electrolyte binding constants were derived. MPCs with average Au core diameters of 2.2 nm (average) exhibited quenching constants that are 20-fold larger than those for 1.8-nm diam...
Interferometric method for measuring diffused channel waveguide-index profile.

An interferometric method for measuring the distribution of refractive-index change in diffused channel waveguides is described. It is based on Young’s fringes generated by the interference between a point light source and its reflection from the surface of the waveguide substrate and requires the same experimental arrangement as that used for end-fire coupling. The technique allows a nondestructive measurement of the surface-index change and the lateral dependence of the index distribution if the depth diffusion constant and the diffusion time are known. When used in conjunction with successive removal of substrate layers, the method can in theory be used to measure both the depth and lateral dependencies. Experimentally measured surface-index changes and lateral dependencies of index change distributions in 5-, 9-, and 2 1-μm wide channel waveguides fabricated by diffusion of 195- and 390-A thick Ti films into Z-cut LiNbO3 for 6 h at 1000°C are given. Maximum surface ordinary index changes were 4.2 × 10−3 and 8.5 × 10−3 for the two Ti thicknesses. Measured lateral dependencies agree with the theoretical sum of error function profiles calculated using a lateral diffusion coefficient of 1.0 × 10−12 cm2/sec.
Thermal Conductivity and Phonon Transport Properties of Silicon Using Perturbation Theory and the Environment-Dependent Interatomic Potential

Perturbation theory is used to compute the strength of three-phonon and isotope scattering mechanisms in silicon using the Environment-Dependent Interatomic Potential (EDIP) without resorting to any parameter-fitting. A detailed methodology to accurately find three-phonon processes satisfying energy- and momentum-conservation rules is described. Bulk silicon thermal conductivity values are computed across a range of temperatures and shown to match experimental data well. It is found that about two-thirds of the heat transport in bulk silicon may be attributed to transverse acoustic modes. Effective relaxation times and mean free paths are computed in order to provide a more complete picture of the detailed transport mechanisms and for use with carrier transport models based on the Boltzmann transport equation.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
The vulnerability/stress model of schizophrenic relapse: a longitudinal study

A tentative model for conceptualizing the interplay of vulnerability factors, stressors, and protective factors in the course of schizophrenia is discussed. A study of the initial years after a first schizophrenic episode is testing the predictive role of key factors. During an initial 1-year period of depot antipsychotic medication, independent life events and expressed emotion were found to predict the likelihood of psychotic relapse. Initial analyses indicate that independent life events play less of a role in relapse prediction during a medication-free period. These results suggest that maintenance antipsychotic medication raises the threshold for return of psychotic symptoms, such that relapses are less likely unless major environmental stressors occur. A low expressed emotion environment may be a protective factor.
Existence of a universal comparative statics matrix for differentiable optimization problems

A universal existence theorem is established that yields exhaustive and constraint-free comparative statics information for a general, differentiable optimization problem in the preferred form of a semidefinite matrix. It subsumes all comparative statics formulations of differentiable optimization problems. Its relationship to comparative statics methods extant is established
A Regional Study of Six Archaic Sites in the Mahoning Valley of Northeastern Ohio

This study deals with a group of six Archaic sites located along the East Branch of the Mahoning River, Trumbull County, Ohio, in the southwestern area of the county which is part of the greater Upper Ohio Valley. Artifacts and debitage were gathered by surface collecting. The data were analyzed to determine the nature of chronological divisions within the Archaic, the presumed settlement types, and the distribution of flint varieties. The findings from these six sites seem to be consistent with results reported in a recent regional study of the Ohio Archaic conducted by Prufer and Long (1986).
Feeding mechanism of Chiroptonyssus robustipes on the transilluminated bat wing

Abstract The feeding mechanism of Chiroptonyssus robustipes , (Acarina: Macronyssidae) as observed in the living tissue of the bat wing, is described. Only the protonymphs and the adults feed on the host, Tadarida braziliensis mexicana . The protonymphs feed for 10–12 hours and probably more, on tissue fluids. Shortly before leaving their host, they engorge rapidly on blood which they obtain by rupturing a venule. The females take only blood and feed rapidly by teasing a hole in the wall of a small venule, a method resembling that of the tsetse fly. The areas of the wing where the protonymphs feed show pronounced changes. The stratum corneum is delaminated and there is a marked dermal edema. When injected into the blood stream of the host Evan's blue passes rapidly into the gut of the mites, indicating an increased permeability at the site of feeding. This increase in the production of tissue fluids undoubtedly facilitates the mites' feeding.
On the rate of convergence of the Szász-Mirakyan operator for functions of bounded variation

Soit Sn l'operateur de Szasz-Mirakyan. On etudie Sn(f,x) pour des fonctions a variation bornee sur tout sous intervalle fini de (0, ∞) et on demontre que Sn(f,x) converge vers Y 2 [f(x+0)+f(x-0)] sous la condition de Hermann
Joint time-frequency analysis of over-the-horizon radar data

This paper examines the application of joint time-frequency analysis (JTFA) to the detection of weak targets that are close to the powerful ocean clutter in signals received by over-the-horizon radar (OTHR). Issues of interest are the detection of targets near time-varying clutter and the use of JTFA to model the clutter for the purpose of excision. Comparisons are made between the spectrogram and the particular JTFA algorithm applied here, namely, the Smoothed Pseudo Wigner-Ville Distribution (SPWVD). Results are shown for real and synthetic signals. The SPWVD of the real signal has been successfully modeled by a synthetic signal, which increases our understanding of the behavior of this transform when applied to OTHR clutter data.
Genetic Instability in Cancer: An Optimal Control Problem

Carcinogenesis (cancer generation) relies on a sequence of mutations that transforms cells, leading to their unchecked growth. An important phenomenon in cancer is genetic instability, or an increased rate of mutations, with a higher associated cell death rate. Given the trade-off between an increase in mutant cells by higher mutation rate and higher loss of mutants through a higher death rate, we ask the question: what mutation rate is most advantageous for cancer? To seek an answer to this question, we investigate an optimal control problem of normal and mutant cell growth where the abnormal mutation rate plays the role of a time-dependent control. The analysis of this problem shows that the best “strategy” for the fastest time to cancer is to start with a high level of genetic instability initially, and then to switch to a low level of genetic instability. The exact shape of the optimal mutation rate as a function of time depends on how genetic instability contributes to the death rate of cells. If the death rate is a linear or an increasing concave function of the mutation rate, the optimal mutation rate is bang-bang, which changes from its highest to its lowest value with a finite jump discontinuity. However, if the death rate is an increasing convex function of the mutation rate, then the optimal control is a continuous decreasing function of time. Two known mechanisms of cancer initiation have been considered, an activation of an oncogene and an inactivation of a tumor-suppressor gene. Mathematical justification of the results of the first, a one-step process, is reported herein.
Wegener’s Disease Presenting with Occipital Condyle Syndrome

Tumors or chronic inflammatory lesions of the occipital condyle may cause occipital pain associated with an ipsilateral hypoglossal nerve injury (occipital condyle syndrome). We describe a young woman with recurrent otitis media and occipital condyle syndrome associated with a limited form of Wegener’s disease.
On Hollywood: The Place, The Industry by Allen J. Scott

Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2005. xiii+200 pp., maps, diagrams, appendices, and index. $39.50 cloth (ISBN 0-69111-683-0). This book was awarded the AAG's 2005 Meridian Book Award for...
An improved gradient-making device for density gradient centrifugation

Abstract An improved gradient-making device for sucrose density gradient centrifugation is described. The device can be easily constructed with a minimum of glassblowing skill. An alternate mode of operation is presented which allows the production of a linear sucrose density gradient even from a poorly constructed device.
Effect of progestogen and progestogen type on hemostasis measures in postmenopausal women: the Postmenopausal Estrogen/Progestin Intervention (PEPI) Study.

Objective: The contribution of progestogen therapy or progestogen type to risks and benefits of estrogen treatment is inadequately characterized. We examined the effect of conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) with and without concomitant progestogen treatments on changes in hemostasis measures among Postmenopausal Estrogen/Progestin Intervention participants. Design: Postmenopausal Estrogen/Progestin Intervention was a clinical trial that randomized 875 postmenopausal women to one of five arms: placebo, CEE alone, CEE with cyclic micronized progesterone (MP), CEE with cyclic medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), and CEE with continuous MPA. Twelve hemostasis assays were measured in a substudy at baseline and 12 and 36 months. Using 12- and 36-month changes in hemostasis measures, we calculated change ratios for two comparisons of active treatments: CEE+MPA versus CEE and CEE+MPA versus CEE+MP. Results: Hemostasis measures were available for 288 women. Compared with women assigned to CEE alone, 12-month increases in factor VIIc and protein C among women assigned to CEE+MPA were relatively smaller (ratios: 0.94 [95% CI: 0.89-0.98] and 0.96 [95% CI: 0.92-1.00]), respectively. Compared with women assigned to CEE+MP, women assigned to CEE+MPA had smaller increases in factor VIIc and larger decreases in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 antigen at 12 months (ratios: 0.94 [95% CI: 0.90-0.98] and 0.70 [95% CI: 0.53-0.93], respectively). Thirty-six month ratios were similar to these. Women assigned to CEE+MPA had smaller increases in protein C than those assigned CEE+MP at 36 months only (ratio: 0.95 [95% CI: 0.91-0.99]). No other associations were significant. Conclusions: We found modest yet significant differences in hemostasis measure changes when comparing progestogen use and progestogen type in postmenopausal women using CEE.
Ethics and Engineering Education

In the US, Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) recommends the study of ethics so that students acquire ‘an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility’. For the most part, teaching of the subject relies upon the use of scenarios – both hypothetical and ‘real’– and open discussion framed by the codes. These scenarios and this framing are seriously deficient – lacking in their attention to the complexities of context, almost solely focused on individual agency, while reflecting too narrow and simplistic a view of the responsibilities of the practicing engineer. A critique of several exemplary scenarios, and consideration of the demands placed upon today's professional, prompt reflection on the need for, not just a more expansive reading of the codes of ethics re what it might mean to be ‘responsible’, but a substantial reform of undergraduate engineering education across the board.
Nosema ceranae in drone honey bees (Apis mellifera)

Nosema ceranae is a microsporidian intracellular parasite of honey bees, Apis mellifera. Previously Nosema apis was thought to be the only cause of nosemosis, but it has recently been proposed that N. ceranae is displacing N. apis. The rapid spread of N. ceranae could be due to additional transmission mechanisms, as well as higher infectivity. We analyzed drones for N. ceranae infections using duplex qPCR with species specific primers and probes. We found that both immature and mature drones are infected with N. ceranae at low levels. This is the first report detecting N. ceranae in immature bees. Our data suggest that because drones are known to drift from their parent hives to other hives, they could provide a means for disease spread within and between apiaries.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Patient Care Guide for Clinicians (Book)

edited by Robert S. Bedlack, Hiroshi Mitsumoto, Demos Medical Publishing, 2013, $65 Disease-modifying therapy for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is limited to riluzole, which has been available for 15 years and prolongs survival by 10% without appreciable benefit in function. Yet effective organization of clinical care, drawing on a wide variety of allied disciplines, can support patients and families through the course of the disease by maximizing function, limiting excess morbidity, and preparing patients for challenging decisions regarding treatment and end-of-life care. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Patient Care Guide for Clinicians is a state-of-the-art review of optimal ALS care.
A 12b, 50 MS/s, Fully Differential Zero-Crossing Based Pipelined ADC

Zero-crossing based switch capacitor circuits have been introduced as alternatives to op-amp based circuits for eased design considerations and improved power efficiency. This work further improves the resolution, power efficiency, and robustness of previous zero-crossing based circuits (ZCBCs) and features a 90 nm CMOS, offset compensated, fully differential, zero-crossing based, 12b, 50 MS/s, pipelined ADC requiring no CMFB. The power consumption is 4.5 mW. The FOM is 88 fJ/step. Fully differential signaling is used to improve power supply rejection and power efficiency. A power efficient chopping offset compensation technique is presented. Reference voltage switching is improved to avoid gate boosted switches. Redundancy is used to reduce output range requirements for increased signal range. Two regenerative latch architectures used for bit decision comparison are analyzed and measured for offset, noise, and speed.
Multiple target tracking using the Radon transform

A new approach to multiple target tracking is considered in this paper. We consider a frame of data to consist of target positions and intensities measured on a focal plane at a discrete sample time. By superimposing data points from multiple frames, an image plane is formed in which target tracks appear as digitized lines or curves. Our model for the target trajectories contains accelerations so the tracks appear as quadratic curves. We view these curves in the image plane as planes in a three-dimensional space by introducing a third variable as a function of one of the planar coordinates. The 3-D Radon transform of the intensity function is taken with respect to these specially defined planes. A curve detection algorithm based on the Radon transform domain is then developed. We present simulation results to show the performance of the algorithm and discuss implementation and future work.
Group psychotherapy of substance abuse in the era of managed mental health care.

Abstract The changes in health-care financing that have taken place over the last decade have spurred interest in finding innovative ways of delivering services at manageable cost levels. It comes as no surprise that increased interest and research have focused on group therapies as a major vehicle for reaching large numbers of people in need of psychological care that is brief, effective, and cost-efficient. More specifically, practitioners in the field of substance abuse have long recognized the value of group experiences as an integral part of the recovery and rehabilitative process. The influence of managed care to contain costs has added new incentives to expand the existing knowledge base in group treatment of addictions to comply with reduced funding and time constraints.
Quadratic convergence of crisfield's method

Abstract Crisfield's method is a geometrically appealing variant of Newton's method used to track equilibrium curves in nonlinear structural analysis. A rigorous proof of quadratic convergence in one dimension is given, and numerical results are given for a complicated 21-dimensional lamella dome problem.
The partial-reinforcement extinction effect in 4-5-day-old guinea pigs

The partial-reinforcement extinction effect was demonstrated at 4–5 days of age in the precocial guinea pig and was related to the appearance of this effect at 12–14 days in the altricial rat. We suggest that the maturity of the septohippocampal system at birth in the guinea pig, relative to the immaturity of this system in the rat, is a possible basis for this difference.
Small Magellanic Cloud-Type Interstellar Dust in the Milky Way

It is well known that the sight line toward HD 204827 in the cluster Trumpler 37 shows a UV extinction curve that does not follow the average Galactic extinction relation. However, when a dust component, foreground to the cluster, is removed, the residual extinction curve is identical to that found in the SMC within the uncertainties. The curve is very steep and has little or no 2175 A bump. The position of HD 204827 in the sky is projected onto the edge of the Cepheus IRAS bubble. In addition, HD 204827 has an IRAS bow shock, indicating that it may be embedded in dust swept up by the supernova that created the IRAS bubble. Shocks due to the supernova may have led to substantial processing of this dust. The HD 204827 cloud is dense and rich in carbon molecules. The 3.4 μm feature indicating a C-H grain mantle is present in the dust toward HD 204827. The environment of the HD 204827 cloud dust may be similar to the dust associated with HD 62542, which lies on the edge of a stellar wind bubble and is also dense and rich in molecules. This sight line may be a Rosetta Stone if its environment can be related to those in the SMC having similar dust.
Prophet”or Professor? The Life and Work of Lewis Fry Richardson

This book focuses on a man who, in his lifetime, was scarcely known to the general public. Yet within certain circles, Richardson has had enormous impact within recent years. Although there are many scientists and humanists who exercise influence in their own respective fields, rarely do they bridge disciplines. It is this combination that has made Lewis Fry Richardson a figure worthy of a full-length biography, not just to record his contributions to each field but to provide an analysis and understanding of what motivated his diversity. In another age, Richardson would have been counted as a Renaissance man. He has variously been referred to as a chemist, physicist, mathematician, psychologist, meteorologist, economist, and biologist. In retrospect, he clearly was well ahead of his time, whether the subject in question was his work in numerical weather prediction or in war studies.