cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robust Traffic Density Estimation Using Discontinuous Galerkin Formulation of a Macroscopic Model

In this paper, we develop a data-assimilation algorithm for a macroscopic model of traffic flow. The algorithm is based on the Discontinuous Galerkin Method and Minimax Estimation, and is applied to a macroscopic model based on a scalar conservation law. We present numerical results which demonstrate the shock-capturing capability of the algorithm under high uncertainty in the initial traffic condition, using only sparse measurements, and under time-dependent boundary conditions. The latter makes it possible for estimation to be performed on merge/diverge sections, allowing the possibility of the deployment of the algorithm to road networks.
Incorporating Autoregulatory Mechanisms of the Cardiovascular System in Three-Dimensional Finite Element Models of Arterial Blood Flow

The cardiovascular system is a closed-loop system in which billions of vessels interact with each other, and it enables the control of the systemic arterial pressure and varying organ flow through autoregulatory mechanisms. In this study, we describe the development of mathematical models of autoregulatory mechanisms for systemic arterial pressure and coronary flow and discuss the connection of these models to a hybrid numerical/analytic closed-loop model of the cardiovascular system. The closed-loop model consists of two lumped parameter heart models representing the left and right sides of the heart, a three-dimensional finite element model of the aorta with coronary arteries, three-element Windkessel models and lumped parameter coronary vascular models that represent the systemic circulation, and a three-element Windkessel model to approximate the pulmonary circulation. Using the connection between the systemic arterial pressure and coronary flow regulation systems, and the hybrid closed-loop model, we studied how the heart, coronary vascular beds, and arterial system respond to physiologic changes during light exercise and showed that these models can realistically simulate temporal behaviors of the heart, coronary vascular beds, and arterial system during exercise of healthy subjects. These models can be used to study temporal changes occurring in the heart, coronary vascular beds, and arterial system during cardiovascular intervention or changes in physiological states.
Are Social Work Advocacy Groups Using Web 2.0 Effectively

This article describes social work advocacy efforts, states what Web 2.0 technology has to offer social work advocacy, and presents original research on the current levels of Web 2.0 use on social work advocacy organization Web sites. This study employed a content analysis of a purposive sample of social work advocacy organization Web sites (N = 63). The researchers created a data collection instrument containing items related to communicating with policy makers, resource gathering, information, and use of specific Web 2.0 technologies. Findings reveal that social work organizations make good use of their Web sites for some advocacy activities, and grossly underutilize the Web forum for others. Furthermore, social work organizations do not use Web 2.0 often for advocacy. Barriers impeding Web 2.0 use and methods to overcome such barriers are also discussed. Implications for future social work education, practice, and research follow.
Semiempirical estimate of vibration-rotational intensities of SiS

Abstract From the measured permanent dipole moment of SiS, and in accordance with the systematic trends for the dipole-moment functions of the isovalent molecules CO, CS, and SiO, we have constructed a semiempirical dipole-moment function for SiS. Using this function along with accurate numerical wavefunctions, we have estimated a number of pure rotational and vibration-rotational dipole-moment matrix elements and Einstein A coefficients which are of importance in astrophysical applications.
Synaptic Dynamics: How Network Activity Affects Neuron Communication

Synaptic responses are generally studied in the absence of spontaneous spiking, contrasting with the situation in the intact brain. A new study shows that even small increases in spontaneous network firing can significantly affect the properties and dynamics of excitatory evoked response in sensory neocortex.
On reservation systems and queueing systems

Systems in which resources are shared can be operated either with reservation schedulers or as queueing systems. While reservation systems are the only option to support future start-time requests, both types of systems can be used when users want resources at the earliest available opportunity. The objective of this work is to determine the conditions under which a reservation scheduler is required versus when a queueing system is sufficient. The problem was motivated by a communication network service. A new scheduled dynamic circuit service that uses a reservation scheduler is being offered. It differs from plain old telephony service (POTS), which is operated as a queueing system. Three models of reservation systems are analyzed: (i) finite-window reservation system model, (ii) infinite-window reservation system model, and (iii) synchronized-server model. Our main finding is that if the number of servers is small, a reservation scheduler is required in both blocking-mode and waiting-mode systems. In blocking-mode systems, users should specify multiple start-time options in reservation requests to lower blocking rate while simultaneously operating the system at high utilization. In waiting-mode systems with small numbers of servers, since high-utilization system operation will cause large waiting times, a reservation system is preferred as it will allow customers to carry out other activities between their times of request and allocated start times rather than wait in a queue.
Use of Student Management Teams (SMTs) as a Course Evaluation Tool

The purpose of a management team is to provide continuous feedback to the instructor on two major issues: instructor performance and course structure and content. Successful student management team projects at the University of Wisconsin, University of Colorado and University of Minnesota have demonstrated that team members working together for the good of the class can accomplish a great deal. In the Michigan State University pilot project, the student management teams operated during a 15-week course on construction materials. This is a 4-credit required junior level course for all Civil Engineering majors and has both a classroom and a laboratory component. The average class size is thirty-five students. The team met every week for about thirty to forty-five minutes over the course of the semester. Their principal assignment was to improve the quality of the course by collecting data through classroom assessment techniques and regular group discussions with the instructor. It was clear from the formative surveys that 85% and 88% of the students were comfortable (level of understanding between 4–5) with the material “uncovered” in the Portland cement concrete (PCC) and hot mix asphalt concrete (HMAC) modules respectively. This paper discusses the concept of management teams along with other details in developing the management teams and results from the pilot study.
Low-angle radar tracking

The problems of low-angle tracking over the earth's surface are explored in the light of rough-surface scattering theory. A detailed model of diffuse scattering is constructed which agrees with available test data and which permits the power distributions in radar coordinates to be estimated. Using this model, the potential performance of various techniques proposed for avoidance of multi-path is evaluated, Several are found effective in maintaining tracks of reasonable accuracy down to one-fourth beamwidth above the horizon, but no generally practical solution to height measurement below that angle appears available.
Intraseasonal Variability in an Aquaplanet General Circulation Model

[1] An aquaplanet atmospheric general circulation model simulation with a robust intraseasonal oscillation is analyzed. The SST boundary condition resembles the observed December-April average with continents omitted, although with the meridional SST gradient reduced to be one-quarter of that observed poleward of 10° latitude. Slow, regular eastward propagation at 5 m s−1 in winds and precipitation with amplitude greater than that in the observed MJO is clearly identified in unfiltered fields. Local precipitation rate is a strongly non-linear and increasing function of column precipitable water, as in observations. The model intraseasonal oscillation resembles a moisture mode that is destabilized by wind-evaporation feedback, and that propagates eastward through advection of anomalous humidity by the sum of perturbation winds and mean westerly flow. A series of sensitivity experiments are conducted to test hypothesized mechanisms. A mechanism denial experiment in which intraseasonal latent heat flux variability is removed largely eliminates intraseasonal wind and precipitation variability. Reducing the lower-troposphere westerly flow in the warm pool by reducing the zonal SST gradient slows eastward propagation, supporting the importance of horizontal advection by the low-level wind to eastward propagation. A zonally symmetric SST basic state produces weak and unrealistic intraseasonal variability between 30 and 90 day timescales, indicating the importance of mean low-level westerly winds and hence a realistic phase relationship between precipitation and surface flux anomalies for producing realistic tropical intraseasonal variability.
Scientific literacy: New minds for a changing world

From the beginning of modern science in the 1600s, there has been an interest in how to link academic science with the lifeworld of the student. To facilitate this purpose requires a lived curriculum and a range of thinking skills related to the proper utilization of science/technology information. The extent to which students acquire these cognitive competencies determines whether or not they are scientifically literate. The supporting science curriculum must be culturally based and in harmony with the contemporary ethos and practice of science. Never before have schools faced such a rapidly changing landscape calling for a reinvention of school science curricula. This article identifies elements of a curriculum framework and cognitive strategies that seek to prepare students as productive citizens in today's world. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Sci Ed82:407–416, 1998.
Multispectral pattern recognition using cascaded surface plasmon tunable filter and grayscale optical correlator

An innovative multispectral pattern recognition system, consisting of a surface plasmon tunable filter (SPTF) and a compact Grayscale Optical Correlator (GOC) is under development at JPL. The surface plasmon tunable filter is capable of rapidly acquiring narrowband input imagery sequence through the visible spectral band (400nm-1000nm) and feed into the cascading GOC for parallel target recognition. The combined system will be useful for one-pass hyperspectral imaging and pattern recognition.
Flecainide acetate for treatment of bypass tract mediated reentrant tachycardia

Abstract Flecainide acetate was administered to 19 patients who had inducible sustained orthodromic atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia. Eleven of 18 patients had no inducible tachycardia and 7 patients continued to have inducible tachycardia while receiving flecainide. The effects of flecainide could not be evaluated because of hypotension during intravenous infusion in 1 patient. The main effect of the drug was a selective depression of retrograde conduction over the bypass tract, resulting in abolition of reentry or prolongation of tachycardia cycle length. The electrophysiologic effects of intravenous flecainide were concordant with those of oral flecainide in 5 patients who were studied during both regimens. Fifteen patients were discharged from the hospital on a regimen of flecainide. One patient received concomitant β-blocking therapy. During an average follow-up of 18.5 months (range 2 to 48), 9 patients remained symptom free. Recurrences were observed in 5 patients, 3 of whom still had inducible tachycardia during electrophysiologic testing. Treatment had to be discontinued in 1 patient because of drug intolerance. Thus, flecainide is likely to be effective and well tolerated in the long-term treatment of at least 50% of patients who present with bypass tract mediated orthodromic reentrant tachycardia.
Volume Holographic Storage and Retrieval of Digital Data

A multiple page fully digital holographic data storage system is demonstrated. This system is used to store and retrieve digital image and compressed video data with a photorefractive crystal. Architecture issues related to spatio-rotational multiplexing and novel error-correcting encoding techniques used to achieve low bit-error rates are discussed.
Liquid Azide Salts

Ionic liquid azides from azidoethyl, alkyl, and alkenyl substituted derivatives of 1,2,4- and 1,2,3-amino-triazoles were prepared and examined for the first time to investigate their structural and physical properties. All reported salts possess melting points below 100 °C. The unique character of these newly discovered ionic liquid azides is based upon the fact that these molecules are not simple protonated salts like previously reported substituted hydrazinium azides. The presence of quaternary nitrogen confers both thermal stability and negligible volatility.
Adenosine A2 receptor-mediated modulation of contralateral rotation induced by metabotropic glutamate receptor activation

Systemic pretreatment with the adenosine receptor antagonist theophylline significantly decreases contralateral rotation induced by unilateral intrastriatal 1-aminocyclopentane-1S,3R-dicarboxylic acid (1S,3R-ACPD). Intrastriatal or intrasubthalamic nucleus coadministration of theophylline and 1S,3R-ACPD significantly decreases contralateral rotation suggesting that metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors and adenosine receptors interact locally. These appear to be adenosine A2 receptor effects as the adenosine A2 receptor antagonist 8-(3-chlorostyryl)caffeine (CSC) also decreases contralateral rotation induced by unilateral intrastriatal and intrasubthalamic nucleus administration of 1S,3R-ACPD, while the adenosine A1 receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX) has no effect. Pretreatment with the adenosine A2 receptor agonist 2-p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino-5'-N-ethylcarboxamido adenosine hydrochloride (CGS 21680) potentiates contralateral rotation induced by unilateral striatal 1S,3R-ACPD, whereas pretreatment with the adenosine A1 receptor agonist N6-cyclopentyl-adenosine (CPA) has no effect. These results suggest that mGlu receptor effects may be due, in part, to modulation of adenosine action.
Semiautonomous Stationkeeping of Geosynchronous Satellites

A feasibility study on semiautonomous Stationkeeping of geosynchronous satellites has been performed. The concept is to make the Stationkeeping maneuvers autonomously for a period of six months based on predetermined longitude variation and maneuver sequences. Because this strategy does not require a sophisticated, fully autonomous navigation package, the impact on the cost and reliability of the mission is minimized. Results of this analysis indicate that the feasibility of this concept depends on longitude control tolerance and Stationkeeping maneuver uncertainty. This report also discusses the potential of using the solar array current variations during Earth eclipses for removing the longitude prediction error.
Biosynthesis of phosphatides of N-ethyl analogs of choline in vivo and in vitro

Abstract Rats grown on a choline-deficient basal diet supplemented with either choline, ethyldimethylethanolamine (EDMEA), or diethylmethylethanolamine (DEMEA) survived many weeks of experimentation. After 4 weeks on the diets, rats fed choline gained 1.3 and 2.3 times more weight than rats fed EDMEA or DEMEA, respectively. In animals fed EDMEA, 61.5% of the quaternary nitrogen compounds of the phospholipids of liver was composed of EDMEA, and in rats fed DEMEA, 53.1% was DEMEA. EDMEA and DEMEA prevent fatty livers as effectively as choline. Studies of phospholipid synthesis in vitro indicated that the ethylated quaternary compounds were incorporated from the cytidine diphosphate derivatives into phospholipids at a rate comparable with the incorporation of choline.
81: Impaired interauterine gonadotropin secretion as an etiological component of cryptorchidism

In the electronmicroscope, atrophy of the Leydig cells was a predominant feature of 14 biopsies of cryptorchial testes from infants operated before the age of 12 months. In order to elucidate the pathogenesis leading to this atrophy mice were injected on the 14th day of pregnancy with 5 mg oestradiol. This resulted in cryptorchidism of the fetus and an atrophy of the Leydig cells similar to that observed in children with undescended testes in the first year of life. Weight and testosterone content of the testes was compared between treated and untreated mice on the 1st day after delivery and 7 and 14 months later. The mean testosterone content in newborn controls was 0.20 ng/testis, as compared to 0.13 ng/testis in treated animals. Similarily in animals treated, 7 and 14 months after birth the mean testosterone concentration was diminished 19 ng/testis (control 72,5 ng/testis). Thus a permanent impairment of Leydig cell function suggests disturbance in the gonadotropin system. Simultaneous administration of HCG and oestrogen at the 14th day of pregnancy prevented atrophy of Leydig cells in newborn animals. If impaired intrauterine gonadotropin secretion proves to be the main, cause of cryptorchidism, a prologued treatment could favourably affect the testicular function.
Analysis of Resident and Transformant Plasmids in Bacillus Megaterium

Bacillus megaterium has been used industrially to produce vitamins, amino acids and proteins. Recently, our laboratory isolated a generalized transducing bacteriophage for this species, and several loci have been mapped. To further study strain QM B1551, we have now analyzed its resident plasmids and have transformed protoplasts using several Bacillus cloning plasmids. These plasmids have been found to be stable and present in high copy number. It should now be possible to introduce foreign genes into this species on suitable vector plasmids.
Temperature and Trinexapac-Ethyl Effects on Bermudagrass Growth, Dormancy, and Freezing Tolerance

Applications of the plant growth regulator (PGR) trinexapac-ethyl [4-(cyclopropyl-α-hydroxymethylene)-3,5-dioxocyclohexane carboxylic acid ethylester] (TE) can delay winter dormancy in Tifway' bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon var. dactylon), which suggests a response to TE when temperatures are suboptimum for bermudagrass growth. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interactive role of temperature and TE in bermudagrass growth responses, dormancy, and freezing tolerance. Trinexapac-ethyl (0.11 kg a.i. ha -1 ) was applied in two growth chamber experiments, and across a 2-yr period in the field. Results indicated that TE reduced vertical shoot growth and increased stolon production, turf density, and quality when applied at high temperatures (35-36°C). While TE effectively reduced vertical shoot growth at low (20-22°C) temperatures, little impact on stolon development was observed under these conditions. Autumn applications of TE when temperatures were cool (25°C) at the time of application led to decreased turfgrass density and quality. These responses may explain the effectiveness of using TE to aid in bermudagrass transition to overseeded cool-season grasses and were probably due to the limited ability of bermudagrass to recover from initial post-application growth reduction and observed leaf chlorosis. Observed delayed autumn dormancy due to summer applications of TE and accelerated dormancy due to late-season applications did not conclusively relate to the freezing tolerance of bermudagrass.
Spouses as Co‐Therapists: “Style” Variables and Implications for Patient‐Therapist Matching*

The self-report responses of 24 spouse (M) and 24 non-spouse (NM) professional co-therapist pairs were compared on a variety of in-therapy behaviors. The therapist groups were also divided into experienced (E) and inexperienced (IE) co-therapist pairs. Results indicated that, in general, M co-therapists, and particularly E-M co-therapists, were significantly more alike in self-described in-therapy behaviors than NM co-therapists. M therapists reported significantly more congruence in activity levels and quality of “feeling responsiveness” than NM therapists. These results are discussed in terms of the advantages and disadvantages of the co-therapist “united front” likely to be perceived by patients of spouse co-therapists. General implications for matching patients and co-therapists are considered
Photoelectron angular distributions for ns (n=8-12) subshells of cesium: Relativistic effects.

Premieres mesures de distributions angulaires de photoelectrons pour des etats excites s de Cs. Mise en evidence de l'importance des effets spin-orbite dans le continuum de photoionisation
The morbidity and mortality of clinical depression

Clinical depression is associated with social, occupational and physical impairment and mortality. Furthermore, data are reviewed which have related the severity of depressive symptoms, such as anhedonia, psychic anxiety, panic attacks, alcohol abuse, insomnia and diminished concentration in depressed patients, to suicide within 1 year. By contrast, hopelessness, suicidal ideation, and prior suicide attempts were related to suicide within 2-10 years after examination, but did not correlate with suicide within the first year of follow-up. It is concluded that clinical depression continues to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality, despite progress which has been made in its treatment.
A new optical model for wire grid polarizers

Abstract A new and simple optical model for wire grid polarizers is presented. We have shown that a wire grid polarizer is optically equivalent to a thin birefringent film with complex refractive indices.
The Semiconductor Industry in South-East Asia: Organization, Location and the International Division of Labour 1

SCOTT A. J. (1987) The semiconductor industry in South-East Asia: organization, location and the international division of labour, Reg. Studies 21, 143–160. The paper deals with the functional and geographical organization of the semiconductor industry in South-East Asia. The discussion opens with a broad description of the growth of US-owned assembly plants in the region. This is followed by an account of the current geographical distribution in South-East Asia of: (1) US-owned assembly plants; (2) locally-owned diffusion facilities; and (3) locally-owned subcontract assembly houses. The internal functional characteristics of assembly plants are examined. It is then shown that there is an emerging international division of labour in the semiconductor industry within South-East Asia. The growth of localized semiconductor production complexes is analysed. The theory of the new international division of labour is briefly reconsidered in the light of all this. SCOTT A. J. (1987) L'industrie des semi-conducte...
Editorial Comment on "Implications of Piagetian Research for High School Science Teaching: A Review of the Literature

The authors have done a careful analysis of some relevant literature dealing with performance of students on Piagetian tasks at or near the high school level. They wisely point out the limitation of studies on training effects on Piagetian performance when retention tests are not administered, and that pretesting alone can produce a significant effect on posttest results. However, the authors appear committed to the assumption that Piaget’s developmental psychology is a valid basis for analyzing secondary school student’s performance and that the crucial factor for teaching important areas of science is the extent to which students demonstrate Piagetian formal operations. For some years now this editor has been trying to suggest that the Piagetian paradigm for
Marx, Russia, and Soviet History

Ironically, as historians and social thinkers inspired or influenced by Marxism question one another about the relevance or validity of even the most basic of Marxist categories and postulates, those most hostile to Marxism remain much more certain as to what it is and must be. The old orthodoxies are crumbling faster than the non-Marxists can keep up with, and repeatedly their barbs are directed toward notions that have been significantly modified or abandoned by the formerly faithful. In place of the old fundamentalism, an open-ended dialogue on the basic sociological and theoretical questions?the relationship of state to society, the nature of class and consciousness, and the processes of underdevelopment?has become the dominant mode of discussion among Marxist intellectuals, among them most actively, historians. The contributions of Marxist historians to the history of the European working class or of theorists to an understanding of the state or the concept of class are well known. Strange as it may seem to those outside the field, this dethroning of orthodoxy has as yet had little effect on Russian and Soviet studies. Western scholars of the USSR have been at pains to separate themselves from the Soviet Marxist cate gories that dominate native writing and, given the liberal or conservative pref
Theoretical results in compiler design and implementation (Tutorial Session)

The aim of this session is to survey some advances in theoretical computer science and their impact on the design of programming language compilers. There has been considerable research activity in three major areas: the analysis of program syntax (parsing), the detection of errors at compile time, and the optimization of compiled code. The tutorials presented here do not purport to summarize all the work that has been done; instead, they attempt to capture the flavor of current research in these areas and demonstrate its practical importance.
Sodium nitroprusside infusion after bidirectional superior cavopulmonary connection: preserved cerebral blood flow velocity and systemic oxygenation.

Abstract Objective Systemic hypertension is common in patients after bidirectional superior cavopulmonary connection. It can be treated with a vasodilator, such as sodium nitroprusside. However, it is possible that systemic hypertension is necessary to maintain cerebral blood flow in the face of cerebral venous hypertension. Furthermore, bidirectional superior cavopulmonary connection places the cerebral and pulmonary vascular beds in series. Thus treatment of systemic hypertension by lowering blood pressure might decrease cerebral blood flow, pulmonary blood flow, and systemic oxygen levels. The aim of the current study was to determine the effects of sodium nitroprusside on cerebral blood flow velocity and systemic oxygenation in patients after bidirectional superior cavopulmonary connection. Methods This is a prospective patient-controlled study of 9 patients (median age, 7 months; age range, 4 to 12 months) undergoing bidirectional superior cavopulmonary connection. Patients were studied in the intensive care unit within 6 hours of surgical intervention while sedated, paralyzed, and mechanically ventilated. Sodium nitroprusside was infused to achieve a decrease in mean systemic blood pressure of approximately 20%. Cerebral blood flow velocity was measured by means of transcranial Doppler ultrasonography of the middle cerebral artery. Results During sodium nitroprusside infusion, mean systemic blood pressure decreased (from 69 ± 6 mm Hg at baseline to 58 ± 6 mm Hg, P 2 and systemic oxygen saturation were also preserved during sodium nitroprusside infusion. Conclusions Sodium nitroprusside decreases systemic blood pressure in patients after bidirectional superior cavopulmonary connection. This decrease occurs without accompanying changes in cerebral blood flow velocity or systemic oxygen levels. These findings suggest that cerebral and pulmonary blood flows are preserved during sodium nitroprusside infusion. Sodium nitroprusside appears to be an appropriate agent for the treatment of systemic hypertension after bidirectional superior cavopulmonary connection.
Ray Tracing with Shared-Plane Bounding Volume Hierarchies

Abstract We present a representation of an axis-aligned bounding volume hierarchy (BVH) for ray tracing that removes redundant bounding information from the data structure. The observation that two children of a binary BVH node share at least six planes with their parent node leads to two possible optimizations: (a) the size of the data structure can be optimized by storing six floats instead of 12 for the bounds of the two children, and (b) the box-intersection code can be optimized by avoiding the reintersection with shared planes. These optimizations reduce memory consumption of the hierarchy by 37.5 percent with only a marginal impact on ray-shooting performance.
Kinetic Studies on Photodeposition of Polydiacetylene Thin Film from Solution: Preliminary Determination of the Rate Law

Preliminary kinetic studies were undertaken on the photodeposition of thin films of a polydiacetylene derivative of 2-methyl-4-nitroaniline from monomer solutions onto quartz substrates. Solutions of the monomer, DAMNA, in 1,2-dichloroethane at various concentrations were irradiated at 364 nm using an argon-ion laser at several intensities. It was found that the rate of polydiacetylene (PDAMNA) film photodeposition varies linearly with UV light intensity and as the square root of monomer concentration.
Influence of artificial stimulation on unprocessed and Percoll-washed cryopreserved sperm.

The ability of pentoxifylline and 2-deoxyadenosine to stimulate sperm motility and motion characteristics was assessed in unprocessed and processsed (Percoll-separated) cryopreserved specimens. Specimens from 12 healthy volunteers were obtained, and the motion characteristics were analyzed; half the sample was immediately cryopreserved and the other was washed using the Percoll gradient technique. To study stimulation, samples were thawed and divided into four aliquots: One was used as a control, and the others were incubated with 2.5 mM 2-deoxyadenosine, 2.5 raM pentoxifylline, or 5.0 mM pentoxifylline for 60 min. Sperm characteristics were analyzed on a sperm motion analyzer at 0 and 60 min incubation. In both unprocessed and processed samples, percentage motility improved significantly after stimulation with 2-deoxyadenosine or pentoxifylline (p =. 003 or p =. 0002, respectively); other characteristics improved to varying extent after 2-deoxyadenosine or pentoxifylline stimulation. Comparison after sti...
Migration in Third World Settings, Uneven Development, and Conventional Modeling: A Case Study of Costa Rica

Abstract This paper examines how an area's development milieu affects the various components of the migration process. After reviewing the literature on migration-development interrelationships, we employ conventional statistical modeling to understand movement among Costa Rican cantons during a five-year period (1968–73). This is done for the country as a whole, enabling cross-national comparisons with earlier studies, and for urban-to-urban, urban-to-rural, rural-to-urban, and rural-to-rural streams, which are compared with one another. The results indicate that the models describe urban-based migrations better than rural-based ones; variables closely associated with the market economy have a weaker role in rural settings; and push factors of migration are as important as pull factors. Finally, the spatial pattern of variation in migration processes is consistent with core-periphery development models and with earlier observations of an urban bias in Third World research.
The ratio of L cones to M cones in the human parafoveal retina

We present psychophysically-based estimates of the relative numbers of long-wavelength-sensitive (L) and middle-wavelength-sensitive (M) cones in the parafovea of three color-normal trichromats. Using methods previously applied to the fovea centralis, we obtained estimates of the relative numbers of L and M cones at retinal eccentricities of 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 deg along the horizontal meridian of the temporal retina. Results for three observers indicate that the L to M cone ratio remains approximately invariant from the fovea to 4.0 deg eccentricity, with a mean ratio near 2:1.
Triple correlations in the 58Ni(p, γγ)59Cu and 62Ni(p, γγ)63Cu reactions

Abstract Approximately 50 resonances having a yield of greater than 100 gamma rays per μC were discernible from the 62Ni(p, γ)63Cu reaction in the range of proton energy from 1100 keV to 1850 keV. Gamma-ray energy measurements obtained by utilizing scintillation and lithium-drifted silicon spectrometers yield 3.42±0.02 MeV and 6.14±0.02 MeV for the Q-value of the 58Ni(p, γ)59Cu and 62Ni(p, γ)63Cu reactions, respectively. The existence of intermediate states was observed in 59Cu at 0.49±0.01, 0.91±0.01, 1.38±0.02, 2.00±0.02 and 2.32±0.02 MeV; and in 63Cu at 0.67±0.01 and 1.55±0.02 MeV. Triple-correlation measurements were performed with a double sum-coincidence spectrometer at resonance energies of 1424, 1663 and 1715 keV for the 58Ni(p, γγ)59Cu reaction and at resonance energies of 1374, 1414, 1507 and 1634 keV for the 62Ni(p, γγ)63Cu reaction. These measurements permitted Jπ assignments of ( 1 2 ), 5 2 − , 5 2 − , 5 2 − and ( 3 2 − ) or ( 5 2 − ) to the intermediate states in 59Cu at 0.49, 0.91, 1.38, 2.00 and 2.32 MeV, respectively; and ( 1 2 ) and either ( 3 2 − ) 5 2 − ), or ( 3 2 + ) to the intermediate states in 63Cu at 0.67 and 1.55 MeV, respectively. The E2/M1 amplitude ratios were obtained whenever possible from the correlation data.
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENT VISCOELASTIC BEHAVIOR OF FRP/ZNO NANO-RODS HYBRID NANOCOMPOSITES

The inclusion of nanomaterials within fiber reinforced plastics (FRPs) could improve their resistance against time dependent deformation. Conceivable high temperature applications of such hybrid composites make it crucial to investigate their temperature-dependent properties as well as their durability. In this study, zinc oxide (ZnO) nano rods were grown on the surface of carbon fibers and the hybridized reinforcement was formed in a laminate composites. The viscoelastic behavior was probed utilizing dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The time/temperature superposition principle (TTSP) was invoked to obtain the viscoelastic properties of FRPs based on fibers with different surface treatments. Results indicated that the presence of ZnO nano rods at the interface between the carbon fibers and the epoxy matrix enhances the composite’s creep resistance at elevated temperatures and prolonged duration.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Experimental histoplasmosis; susceptibility of male dba line 1 mice by various routes of injection.

SummaryIn a series of experiments it has been shown that male dba line 1 mice are relatively resistant to intravenous injection of the yeast phase of Histoplasma capsulatum. Intraperitoneal injection of enormous numbers of the organisms suspended in saline produced occasional deaths. Intraperitoneal injection of approximately the same numbers of viable organisms suspended in 5% mucin increased the death rate. Intracerebral injection, however, was far superior to any of the other routes employed, both with respect to the numbers of organisms necessary to produce death 30 days after injection and the percentage of fatalities obtained within this period of time.
Controlled Polymerization of dl-Lactide and ε-Caprolactone by Structurally Well-Defined Alkoxo-Bridged Di- and Triyttrium(III) Complexes

We have prepared the yttrium(III) alkoxides [(LMe2)(HLMe2)Y3(OCH2C6H5)4] (3) and [(S-LMe)Y]2·2(HOCH2C6H5) (1·2BnOH) through treatment of two previously developed complexes with benzyl alcohol. Complex 3 possesses a novel cluster structure that appears to be retained in solution and is capable of polymerizing both dl-lactide (LA) and e-caprolactone (CL). The polymerizations are controlled as evidenced by the linear nature of molecular weight versus conversion plots and [M]/[3] ratios. The kinetics of LA polymerization using 3 are first-order with respect to the monomer at low [LA]/[Y] ratios. The polymerization of CL is zero-order in monomer. Complex 1·2BnOH possesses a dimeric structure previously seen in both the solid and solution state. However, the added presence of benzyl alcohol moieties in 1·2BnOH increases the rate of LA polymerization and allows for control over the molecular weights of isolated polylactide, a feature unseen in earlier reported dimers. The complex 1·2BnOH is not active for the po...
Inducements: On the phrasing and logic of conditional promises, threats, and warnings

This study examines the purposive-causal use of IF in inducements (conditional threats and promises). It is shown that subjects are sensitive to the relations obtaining among conditional threats and promises phrased in IF, AND, and OR, and to the inferences that may be drawn from conditional threats and promises. It is demonstrated that the relation between conditionals and disjunctives and between IF NOT and UNLESS statements is affected by the sign of the consequences, i.e., whether a threat or promise is involved, and that subjects are very prone in the context of inducements to accept the obverse of a proposition as following from it, thus committing the “fallacy” of the negated antecedent. An analysis is provided seeking to account for these effects in terms of pragmatic factors involved in the conversational use of the conditional in inducements.
Favorable changes in serum estrogens and other biologic factors after weight loss in breast cancer survivors who are overweight or obese.

Abstract Background Obesity is associated with an increased risk for recurrence and all-cause mortality in breast cancer survivors. Excess adiposity is associated with increased estrogen, insulin, and leptin, and with decreased sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations, which may promote breast cancer progression and recurrence. This study aimed to assess the effects of weight loss on these factors. Patients and Methods Breast cancer survivors who were overweight or obese (n = 220) and who were enrolled in a weight loss intervention study provided baseline and follow-up blood samples and weight data. Serum estrogens, SHBG, insulin, and leptin were measured at baseline, 6 months, and 18 months. Results Weight loss of ≥5% of initial weight decreased leptin and insulin compared with those who did not achieve that amount of weight loss ( P P P = .02), estradiol ( P = .002), and bioavailable estradiol ( P = .001) concentrations than women who did not lose at least 5% of body weight, and weight loss at 18 months was significantly related to a change in serum bioavailable estradiol concentration ( P = .02). Conclusions Favorable changes in estrogens, SHBG, insulin, and leptin were observed in association with weight loss in these women who were overweight or obese and who had been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. Weight loss appears to have favorable effects on hormonal and biologic factors associated with increased risk for recurrence and poorer prognosis.
Early Childhood Education for Disadvantaged Two-Year-Olds

Early childhood intervention is at the very heart of the effort to reconstruct the environment which otherwise incapacitates disadvantaged children educationally, even before they enter school. Comprehensive preschool programs are essential to overcome the early language deprivation and conceptual disabilities of such children (National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, 1968). That improvement of environmental conditions can have a positive impact upon inrellecmal development of such children is supported by several studies (Gray & Miller, 1967). However, by far the majority of such programs have met with only marginal long-term success due chiefly to a failure to concentrare adequately on language development and to starting too late. The present study was an attempt to overcome these weaknesses by providing a more fundamental and perceptual orientation and by beginning with children 2 yr. of age. Ss were 10 disadvantaged Negro children, ranging in age from 19 to 28 mo. (M = 24 mo.). Ss were exposed to an academic preschool enrichment program, conducted each weekday morning for 2% hr. The mean duration of the program was 32 days. The environment of the children was structured and each was provided with a type of programmed sequence of environmental interactions, proceeding from a foundation of sensory training. With respect to cognitive ability, as measured by the Slosson Intelligence Test, over an average period of 1.56 mo., the group exhibited a mean gain in MA of 6.94 mo. (SD = 2.62). This represents a net gain of 5.38 mo. or 3.45 times the normal growth rate. On the Vineland Social Maturity Scale, the group exhibited a mean gain of 2.88 mo. (SD = 1.70) over the experimental period, for a mean growth rate of 1.85 times the normal. Pre- and posttest mental age scores on the Slosson correlated significantly (r = 91) as well as like scores on the Vineland (r = .91). Age of Ss was not a significant related factor in gains on eicher test. It is suggested that early childhood and preschool programs might well profit from an emphasis on fundamental abilities and working with children under 3 yr. of age.
Genetic Risk Score Predicting Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis Phenotypes and Age of Symptom Onset

Background Cumulative genetic profiles can help identify individuals at high-risk for developing RA. We examined the impact of 39 validated genetic risk alleles on the risk of RA phenotypes characterized by serologic and erosive status. Methods/Principal Findings We evaluated single nucleotide polymorphisms at 31 validated RA risk loci and 8 Human Leukocyte Antigen alleles among 542 Caucasian RA cases and 551 Caucasian controls from Nurses' Health Study and Nurses' Health Study II. We created a weighted genetic risk score (GRS) and evaluated it as 7 ordinal groups using logistic regression (adjusting for age and smoking) to assess the relationship between GRS group and odds of developing seronegative (RF− and CCP−), seropositive (RF+ or CCP+), erosive, and seropositive, erosive RA phenotypes. In separate case only analyses, we assessed the relationships between GRS and age of symptom onset. In 542 RA cases, 317 (58%) were seropositive, 163 (30%) had erosions and 105 (19%) were seropositive with erosions. Comparing the highest GRS risk group to the median group, we found an OR of 1.2 (95% CI = 0.8–2.1) for seronegative RA, 3.0 (95% CI = 1.9–4.7) for seropositive RA, 3.2 (95% CI = 1.8–5.6) for erosive RA, and 7.6 (95% CI = 3.6–16.3) for seropositive, erosive RA. No significant relationship was seen between GRS and age of onset. Conclusions/Significance Results suggest that seronegative and seropositive/erosive RA have different genetic architecture and support the importance of considering RA phenotypes in RA genetic studies.
Retinal waves: mechanisms and function in visual system development.

A characteristic feature of developing neural networks is spontaneous periodic activity. In the developing retina, retinal ganglion cells fire bursts of action potentials that drive large increases in intracellular calcium concentration with a periodicity of minutes. These periodic bursts of action potentials propagate across the developing inner retina as waves, driving neighboring retinal ganglion cells to fire in a correlated fashion. Here we will review recent progress in elucidating the mechanisms in mammals underlying retinal wave propagation and those regulating the periodicity with which these retinal waves occur. In addition, we will review recent experiments indicating that retinal waves are critical for refining retinal projections to their primary targets in the central visual system and may be involved in driving developmental processes within the retina itself. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Minimizing mapping-induced OPD errors when testing aspheric mirrors

Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) projection systems are designed with mild aspheres so that the mirrors can be tested at the center of curvature without null optics. The elimination of the null optics improves the fundamental accuracy of the test. However, this test configuration is not stiginatic, and the rays from the test wavefront and reference wavefront will not trace the same optical path through the viewing system. Effectively, the test and reference wavefront are sheared in the exit pupil of the viewing system. This shear leads to an OPD contribution from the viewing system that we label the mapping error. For visible light metrology, this induced OPD error can be a significant fraction of the EUV wavelength. The origin of this OPD error is demonstrated using simple ray optics. Examples are presented illustrating the nature and magnitude of this error for off-axis aspheric sections. Methods for mininiizing this OPD error are suggested.
A change in perspective: results for ischemic mitral valve repair are similar to mitral valve repair for degenerative disease.

Background Although the benefits of mitral valve repair for degenerative disease are well established, many consider surgery for functional ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR) less amenable to operative treatment. We hypothesized that mitral valve repair for ischemic MR results in outcomes similar to those for mitral valve repair for degenerative MR. Methods Retrospective review of nonemergent mitral valve repairs for an 8-year period revealed 105 patients with functional ischemic MR, of whom 39 were treated for severe tethering (ischemic group), and 245 patients with degenerative MR (degenerative group). Results Patients in the ischemic group had more comorbidities ( p p p = 1.00). The 5-year survival rate was 83.9% in the ischemic group and 94.3% in the degenerative group ( p p = 0.14). Postoperative renal failure and stroke rates were similar between both groups (not significant). The incidence of moderate or greater MR after more than 1 year of follow-up was similar between groups (not significant). Conclusions Despite the multiple comorbidities that afflict patients with ischemic MR, mitral valve repair for ischemic and degenerative disease produces comparable and satisfactory outcomes. An aggressive approach to repair of functional ischemic MR, including treatment of tethering, leads to durable results.