cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Progressive collapse design of reinforced concrete frames using structural optimization and machine learning

Abstract This paper uses an innovative algorithm combining machine learning as a decision-maker (DM) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), called DMPSO, as a structural optimization technique, to design reinforced concrete frames for progressive collapse employing the alternate path method. In the alternate path method, multiple scenarios of removing critical elements should be considered, which makes the design process extremely repetitive and costly. Therefore, the development of an optimization technique is beneficial for producing efficient and cost-effective design solutions. The effectiveness of the proposed optimization algorithm is illustrated in optimization of a reinforced concrete structure that is subjected to lateral seismic forces, while the design concurrently satisfies both the American Concrete Institute provisions and the Unified Facilitates Criteria progressive collapse requirements. The results confirm the ability of the proposed DMPSO algorithm to efficiently find optimal design solutions in reinforced concrete structures that are subjected to progressive collapse.
An Integrated Full-Duplex/FDD Duplexer and Receiver Achieving 100MHz Bandwidth 58dB/48dB Self-Interference Suppression Using Hybrid-Analog-Digital Autonomous Adaptation Loops

This paper presents a 1.5-to-2 GHz CMOS electrical-balance duplexer and receiver supporting both frequency-division duplexing (FDD) and in-band full-duplex (IBFD) operations. The proposed multi-tap and multi-stage RF and analog self-interference cancellation adapts itself autonomously to a time-varying channel in real time using a new on-chip hybrid-analog-digital adaptation loop. A $G_{m}-C$ -based reconfigurable frequency shift is utilized to support FDD operation. In measurement, 58dB and 48dB RF/analog self-interference suppression are achieved across a 100MHz bandwidth in the IBFD and the FDD mode, respectively. Using the proposed embedded adaptation loops, <50µs adaptation is achieved without any high-speed ADC or DSP.
Needs a little TLC: examining college students’ emergency remote teaching and learning experiences during COVID-19

The recent novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has affected humanity and education worldwide as continued learning amidst massive school closures required the unprecedented decision to make a rapid...
Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status and Mechanical Thrombectomy Outcomes.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Our study aimed to assess the impacts of neighborhood socioeconomic status on mechanical thrombectomy (MT) outcomes for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). METHODS We conducted a prospective observational study of consecutive adult AIS patients treated with MT at one US comprehensive stroke center from 2012 to 2018. A composite neighborhood socioeconomic score (nSES) was created using patient home address, median household income, percentage of households with interest, dividend, or rental income, median value of housing units, percentage of persons 25 or older with high school degrees, college degrees or holding executive, managerial or professional specialty occupations. Using this score, patients were divided into low, middle and high nSES tertiles. Outcomes included 90-day functional independence, in-hospital mortality, length of hospital stay, discharge location, time to recanalization, successful recanalization, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). RESULTS 328 patients were included. Between the three nSES groups, proportion of White patients, time-to-recanalization and admission NIH stroke scale differed significantly (p<0.05). Patients in the high nSES tertile were more likely to be functionally dependent at 90 days (unadjusted OR, 95% CI, 1.91 [1.10, 3.36]) and were less likely to die in the hospital (unadjusted OR, 95% CI, 0.46, [0.20, 0.98]). Further, patients in the high nSES tertile had decreased times to recanalization (median time in minutes, low=335, mid=368, high=297, p=0.04). However, after adjusting for variance in race and severity of stroke, the differences in clinical outcomes were not significant. CONCLUSION This study highlights how unadjusted neighborhood socioeconomic status is significantly associated with functional outcome, mortality, and time-to-recanalization following MT for AIS. Since adjustment modifies the significant association, the socioeconomic differences may be influenced by differences in pre-hospital factors that drive severity of stroke and time to recanalization. Better understanding of the interplay of these factors may lead to timelier evaluation and improvement in patient outcomes.
O18 Hispanic Caregivers’ Communication Preferences for Content, Delivery and Sources of Nutrition Education: Qualitative Findings

Background Nutrition education interventions to improve child healthy eating behaviors often rely on caregivers to support these behaviors at home, yet it is difficult to engage caregivers in interventions. Objective To explore communication preferences of low-income Hispanic female caregivers of preschoolers on preferred content and delivery of nutrition education to augment a child-focused classroom-based nutrition literacy program. Study Design, Setting, Participants Qualitative interviews (n = 25) in Spanish with Hispanic female caregivers of 3- to 5-year-old children in Washington, D.C., area. Audio-recorded phone/Zoom interviews transcribed verbatim in Spanish and translated into English. Transcripts coded using NVivo v12. Two coders independently developed codebook (ICR = 89%), reconciled discrepancies with PI, and identified themes and subthemes within them between codes. Measurable Outcome/Analysis Caregivers’ mean age was 35.5 ± 6.3, 72% had high school education or less, 64% were receiving the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits. Caregivers resided in the US 13.6±4.4 years, and 88% spoke Spanish only or Spanish better than English. Results Four themes were identified: Preferred Content of Nutrition Information (subthemes: Wanting to Know What Foods are Healthy for the Child, Desire to Learn Feeding Strategies for Vegetables), Delivery Methods (subthemes: Digital Messages: Videos, Texts, and Social Media; Printed Information; In-Person Nutrition Classes; Recipes), Educators as Sources of Nutrition Information, and Cultural Customs and Family Feeding. Caregivers indicated a desire to receive nutrition education via printed methods, in-person classes, and text messages. This group also asked for detail about how foods nourish preschoolers, as well as strategies and recipes to make healthy foods - especially vegetables - appeal to children. Conclusion Themes that emerged show nutrition content preferences are focused on vegetable feeding strategies as well as providing clarity about what foods are healthy for preschoolers. Delivery methods themes reveal that a multi-pronged approach is key to meeting this population where they are - electronically, in person, and in print.
Effect of Race and Nativity on Functional Outcomes Following Traumatic Brain Injury Among Asian, Hispanic, and Non-Hispanic White Survivors in the United States: A NIDILRR TBI Model Systems Study.

Objective To compare the racial/ethnic differences in traumatic brain injury (TBI) recovery among Asians, Hispanics, and Whites, and explore the effect of nativity in the recovery process. Setting Six Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems (TBIMS) centers. Participants In total, 7953 patients who had at least 1 severe TBI between 2000 and 2016 were admitted to one of the TBIMS centers. Design Secondary data analysis. Main measures Functional Independent Measure (FIM instrument) ratings. Results Asians had the lowest injury severity at admission, but they failed to make the improvements made by the Hispanics and the Whites between the rehabilitation discharge and the 1-year follow-up. The magnitude of improvement made by the foreign-born Asians was less than that made by their native-born counterparts. Both Asian and the Hispanic groups had lower functional outcomes at the 1-year follow-up, and the differences in functional outcomes between the Asian and Hispanic groups were not statistically significant. The above racial/ethnic disparities in functional outcomes were not fully explained by differences in sociodemographic status, injury characteristics, and immigration-related factors. The effect of nativity was mediated by covariates. Conclusions This study reveals racial/ethnic disparities post-TBI functional recovery. Despite lower injury severity and apparent financial resource advantages, Asians did not experience better functional outcomes. Although the effect of nativity was not established in this study, contextual factors related to ethnicity and immigration experiences should be further investigated.
Evidence of a conservative gait strategy in athletes with a history of concussions.

Abstract Background A history of 3 or more concussions is frequently associated with numerous short- and long-term neuropathologies. Impairments in postural control are a known acute consequence of concussion; however, limited evidence exists on the effects of multiple concussions on gait. The purpose of this study was to assess gait stepping characteristics in collegiate aged student-athletes based on concussion history. Methods There were 63 participants divided into 3 even groups based on concussion history: ≥3 concussions, 1–2 concussions, and 0 concussion. All participants completed 10 trials of gait on a 4.9 m instrumented walkway. The dependent variables of interest included both gait stepping characteristics (step velocity, length, and width, double support time, and the percentage of the gait cycle in stance) and coefficient of variability (CoV) measures (step length, time, and width). The gait stepping characteristics were compared first with a MANOVA with follow-up 1-way ANOVAs and Tukey post hoc tests as appropriate. The CoV measures were compared with 1-way ANOVAs and Tukey post hoc tests. Results There were main effects for group for step velocity, length, width, and double support time. Overall, the 0 concussion group displayed typical healthy young gait parameters and performed significantly better than either concussion group. The 0 concussion group had a significantly greater step length CoV, but there were no differences in the step time or width CoV. Conclusion This finding provides evidence of subtle impairments in postural control during gait among individuals with prior history of concussion which could be an early indicator of future neurological deficiencies. The limited difference in the variability measures is consistent with prior static stance studies and could suggest the individuals constrain their motor systems to reduce variability. Taken together, these findings suggest a conservative gait strategy which is adopted by individuals with a history of concussions.
Modes of Expertise in Creative Thinking: Evidence from Case Studies.

Introduction The study of expertise has in the last several decades become an area of interest to scholars from a broad range of disciplines. In much of the research literature, expertise is taken to mean consistent superior performance, resulting from deliberate practice (Ericsson, 1996, 1998, Chapter 38). Deliberate practice is the intentional repeated execution, usually under the instruction of a coach, of skills directly relevant to improving the performance in question. The study of expertise can be traced in psychology to de Groot's (1965) study of chess playing, although expertise has been of interest to psychologists since the beginning of scientific psychology (see Shiffrin, 1996, Feltovich, Prietula, & Ericsson, Chapter 4). Examination of the development and functioning of expertise now encompasses a wide range of domains, including medical diagnosis; problem solving in physics; radiologists' skill in reading X-rays; swimming, tennis, soccer, and other athletic domains; performance of classical music; and the perhaps unlikely domain of memory span for digits (see chapters in Ericsson, 1996, and in this volume, especially those in Section V, for representative studies and reviews). The present chapter examines the question of whether expertise plays a role in creativity, where creativity is defined as the goal-directed production of novelty (Weisberg, 1993). A creative product (an innovation ) emerges when an individual intentionally produces something new in attempting to meet some goal (Weisberg, 1993, 1999, 2003). The creative process – or creative thinking – consists of the cognitive processes that play a role in production of innovations.
Particle Scattering in Classical Mechanics

The scattering of classical particles by a central field of force or by one another is described in terms of the particle’s orbit of motion. The latter is most simply obtained from the hamiltonian via the Hamilton-Jacobi equation.
Mediating the Neoliberal Nation: Television in Post-Apartheid South Africa

Television, with its depictions of the dramas of everyday life, provides a compelling medium for building a normative national consciousness. Since television first arrived in South Africa in the mid-1970s, it has influenced the countrywide belief system, first as an apparatus of apartheid and later as an intended voice of the New South Africa. Today, South African television provides an image of South Africa that serves the government’s attempts to construct a nation out of a divided past. In addition to entertaining, television programming aims to foster national unity through the redressing of historical wrongs and to encourage economic growth and foreign investment. Through an examination of the political economy of television in South Africa, I discuss how television produces, performs, and contests the post-apartheid South African nation. Using the theoretical framework of feminist, poststructural, and cultural geography, as well as work in cultural studies and anthropology, I will address Wendy Larner’s (2003) call for geographers to examine the multiplicity of neoliberalism’s production and performance across space.
Two classic papers in acid-base physiology: contributions of R. F. Pitts, R. S. Alexander, and W. D. Lotspeich.

This essay looks at the historical significance of two APS classic papers that are freely available online: Pitts RF and Alexander RS. The nature of the renal tubular mechanism for acidifying the u...
The Effect of a Turbulent Wake on the Stagnation Point: Part I — Skin Friction Results

The response of a boundary layer in the stagnation region of a two-dimensional body to fluctuations in the freestream is examined. The analysis is restricted to laminar incompressible flow. The assumed form of the velocity distribution at the edge of the boundary layer represents both a pulsation of the incoming flow, and an oscillation of the stagnation point streamline. Both features are essential in accurately representing the effect which freestream spatial and temporal nonuniformities have upon the unsteady boundary layer. Finally, a simple model is proposed which relates the characteristic parameters in a turbulent wake to the unsteady boundary-layer edge velocity. Numerical results are presented for both an arbitrary two-dimensional geometry and a circular cylinder.
Augmentation of Covering Arrays of Strength Two

Augmentation is an operation to increase the number of symbols in a covering array, without unnecessarily increasing the number of rows. For covering arrays of strength two, one type of augmentation forms a covering array on $$v$$v symbols from one on $$v-1$$v-1 symbols together with $$v-1$$v-1 covering arrays each on two symbols. A careful analysis of the structure of the optimal binary covering arrays underlies an augmentation operation that reduces the number of rows required. Consequently a number of covering array numbers are improved.
Real-time computer simulation/emulation for verification of multi-fault-tolerant control of Centaur-in-Shuttle

NASA has contracted with General Dynamics to design and develop an advanced Centaur liquid upper stage for support of the Galileo and Solar Polar interplanetary missions in 1985-86. The control of the Centaur while it resides in the Shuttle cargo bay must meet the STS safety requirements to be dual failure tolerant in all mission critical functions. The demonstration of the integrity of this control system in the event of multiple component failures and worst-case time-phase asynchroniety among the system's computers is performed by a real-time computer simulation. The simulation emulates the control hardware, subsystem interfaces, and imbedded software processes, wire-by-wire, to provide accessibility for fault insertion. Observability is provided via graphics and diagnostic software. Verification is the product of Monte Carlo simulation analysis.
On learning unions of pattern languages and tree patterns in the mistake bound model

We present efficient on-line algorithms for learning unions of a constant number of tree patterns, unions of a constant number of one-variable pattern languages, and unions of a constant number of pattern languages with fixed length substitutions. By fixed length substitutions we mean that each occurrence of variable xi must be substituted by terminal strings of fixed length l(xi). We prove that if arbitrary unions of pattern languages with fixed length substitutions can be learned efficiently then DNFs are efficiently learnable in the mistake bound model. Since we use a reduction to Winnow, our algorithms are robust against attribute noise. Furthermore, they can be modified to handle concept drift. Also, our approach is quite general and we give results to learn a class that generalizes pattern languages.
Mass and momentum transfer in blood oxygenators

Abstract Mass transfer and friction factor correlations for commercially available hollow fibre and flat sheet blood oxygenators have been determined experimentally. Water was used as a substitute for blood. The diffusion of oxygen into and out of water has been studied. Three different flow configurations have been investigated: flow inside hollow fibres, flow outside and across woven hollow fibre bundles and flow in thin channels. For flow inside the fibres, the results obtained are in close agreement with analogous theoretical correlations. The results for flow across bundles of woven hollow fibres may be compared to analogous results for flow in cross flow heat exchangers. For flow in thin channels, the results obtained here are in agreement with the analogous theoretical heat transfer correlation developed by Leveque. However, at Graetz numbers less than 10, the results deviate from the predictions of Leveque. This deviation cannot be predicted by extensions to the Leveque solution or from the more rigorous analysis by Graetz. However it is possible to predict the observed deviation by considering slight polydispersity in the thickness of the thin liquid flow channels.
Flow Boiling Instabilities in Microchannels and Means for Mitigation by Reentrant Cavities

The ability of reentrant cavities to suppress flow boiling oscillations and instabilities in microchannels was experimentally studied. Suppression mechanisms were proposed and discussed with respect to various instability modes previously identified in microchannels. It was found that structured surfaces formed inside channel walls can assist mitigating the rapid bubble growth instability, which dominates many systems utilizing flow boiling in microchannels. This, in turn, delayed the parallel channel instability and the critical heat flux (CHF) condition. Experiments were conducted using three types of 200 X253 μm 2 parallel microchannel devices: with reentrant cavity surface, with interconnected reentrant cavity surface, and with plain surface. The onset of nucleate boiling, CHF condition, and local temperature measurements were obtained and compared in order to study and identify flow boiling instability.
The two stages hierarchical unsupervised learning system for complex dynamic scene recognition

The two stage hierarchical unsupervised learning system has been proposed for modeling complex dynamic surveillance and cyberspace systems. Using a modification of the expectation maximization learning approach, we introduced a three layer approach to learning concepts from input data: features, objects, and situations. Using the Bernoulli model, this approach models each situation as a collection of objects, and each object as a collection of features. Further complexity is added with the addition of clutter features and clutter objects. During the learning process, at the lowest level, only binary feature information (presence or absence) is provided. The system attempts to simultaneously determine the probabilities of the situation and presence of corresponding objects from the detected features. The proposed approach demonstrated robust performance after a short training period. This paper discusses this hierarchical learning system in a broader context of different feedback mechanisms between layers and highlights challenges on the road to practical applications.
Anesthetic myocardial protection with sevoflurane.

Abstract Objective : To examine the role of sevoflurane in myocardial protection in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Design : Prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blinded study. Setting : Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC), Buffalo, New York. Subjects : Twenty-one patients undergoing CABG were included in the study. Eleven patients were randomized to receive sevoflurane, and 10 patients served as controls. Intervention : Total intravenous anesthesia was provided for both study and control groups by infusion of propofol, fentanyl, and midazolam. Sevoflurane 2% was added to the cardioplegia solution in the experimental group. Measurements and Main Results : Neutrophil beta-integrins (CD11b/CD18), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interleukin (IL)-6 were measured as indicators of the inflammatory response to myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Blood samples were obtained from the aorta and coronary sinus before (T1) and immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (T2) and, in addition, from a peripheral artery 6 hours (T3) after CPB. Myocardial function was determined in all patients at each time point. Left ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI) was calculated as an estimation of left ventricular function. Left ventricular regional wall motion abnormality (RWMA) was assessed by transesophageal echocardiography at T1 and T2 time points. TNF-α was detectable only in the control group in arterial samples at T3. IL-6 levels (pg/mL) were found to be lower in the sevoflurane group compared with controls at T2 arterial circulation (38.2 ± 21.1 v 60.6 ± 19.1, p Conclusions : Sevoflurane decreases the inflammatory response after CPB, as measured by the release of IL-6, CD11b/CD18, and TNF-α. Myocardial function after CPB, as assessed by RWMA and LVSWI, was also improved with sevoflurane. The role of sevoflurane in myocardial protection and the inflammatory response to myocardial reperfusion should be considered.
Sexual Sterilization of Screwworm Flies by N, N'-Tetra-Methylenebis(1-Aziridinecarboxamide): Further Studies on Influence of Route of Administration

Screwworm flies, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel), were treated with N,N′ -tetramethylenebis(1-aziridinecarboxamide) by allowing emergent flies to migrate through chemosterilant-coated polystyrene foam strands or by immersing adults in aqueous solutions of this chemosterilant. Nearly complete sterility was induced in ♂♂ treated by either method, and ♂♂ that were immersed were at least as competitive for mates as untreated ♂♂. Males that migrated through treated strands were less competitive.
Georgescu-Roegen's defense of classical thermodynamics revisited

Abstract Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen's criticisms, added to those of physicists and philosophers, result in a definitive refutation of Boltzmann's claim that his H -theorem derives the Second Law of Thermodynamics solely from Newtonian Mechanics. Some authors using Boltzmann's Statistical Mechanics go so far as to claim that perpetual motion machines are feasible in principle; this is also incorrect. Modern approaches by Ilya Prigogine and by the “Astrophysical School” to build thermodynamics on a basis that avoids Georgescu-Roegen's objections are surveyed. These conclusions have both epistemological and technological importance for economics; this paper emphasizes the former. The epistemological argument is: (1) The entropy law is an evolutionary law. (2) Modern neoclassical economics is arithmomorphic. (3) Arithmomorphic laws cannot capture evolutionary changes. (4) Hence neoclassical economics cannot incorporate the entropy law's implications for the economic process. (5) If one can show that modern physicists use evolutionary laws despite their non-arithmomorphic nature, then maybe (6) economists will become accepting of evolutionary laws. (7) This would be good because the entropy law, which is evolutionary (point 1), has important implications for economics. This paper primarily treats the most unfamiliar point for non-physicists, point 5.
Euler characteristics in relative K-groups

Suppose that M is a finite module under the Galois group of a local or global field. Ever since Tate's papers [17, 18], we have had a simple and explicit formula for the Euler–Poincare characteristic of the cohomology of M. In this note we are interested in a refinement of this formula when M also carries an action of some algebra [script A], commuting with the Galois action (see Proposition 5.2 and Theorem 5.1 below). This refinement naturally takes the shape of an identity in a relative K-group attached to [script A] (see Section 2). We shall deduce such an identity whenever we have a formula for the ordinary Euler characteristic, the key step in the proof being the representability of certain functors by perfect complexes (see Section 3). This representability may be of independent interest in other contexts. Our formula for the equivariant Euler characteristic over [script A] implies the ‘isogeny invariance’ of the equivariant conjectures on special values of the L-function put forward in [3], and this was our motivation to write this note. Incidentally, isogeny invariance (of the conjectures of Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer) was also a motivation for Tate's original paper [18]. I am very grateful to J-P. Serre for illuminating discussions on the subject of this note, in particular for suggesting that I consider representability. I should also like to thank D. Burns for insisting on a most general version of the results in this paper.
Intermediary metabolism of estriol in pregnancy

Estriol (E3), the most abundant estrogen in pregnancy is produced predominantly in the placenta from androgen precursors of fetal origin. The estriol so formed is secreted efficiently into the maternal circulation where it is converted to 4 conjugates--estriol-3-sulfate (E3-3S), estriol-16-glucosiduronate (E3- 16G ), estriol-3-glucosiduronate (E3- 3G ) and estriol-3-sulfate-16-glucosiduronate (E3-SG). The order of renal clearances is E3- 16G greater than E3- 3G greater than E3-3S approximately E3-SG. Unconjugated E3 and E3- 3G differ from the other forms of estriol in that their removal from the blood compartment is essentially irreversible. E3-3S, E3- 16G and E3-SG undergo interconversions during enterohepatic circulation and eventual partial conversion to E3- 3G . Following delivery of the fetus and placenta, unconjugated E3 is no longer detectable in the maternal serum within 1-2 h, whereas the concentrations of the conjugates decline more slowly, the rates being determined by the rates of renal clearance and enterohepatic interconversions. E3- 3G levels were dramatically elevated in a case of Group C polycystic kidney disease, providing evidence that this conjugate is indeed an end-product of estriol metabolism.
A NEW GENUS OF ARCHIPOLYPODAN MILLIPEDE FROM THE COSELEY LAGERSTÄTTE, UPPER CARBONIFEROUS, UK

: A new archipolypodan millipede, Anaxeodesmus diambonotus gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Upper Carboniferous (Westphalian B) Coseley Lagerstatte, West Midlands, UK. This taxon is unique amongst Archipolypoda in having tergites unornamented by spines or tubercles. It appears to have archidesmidan affinities as it shares similarities in sternal morphology with the Early Devonian archipolypodan Palaeodesmus tuberculata (Brade-Birks) from the Midland Valley of Scotland. Anaxeodesmus diambonotus significantly increases the ordinal diversity of Archipolypoda in the Late Carboniferous as all other Archipolypoda from this time period belong to the spiny Euphoberiida.
Determination of fluoxetine hydrochloride enantiomeric excess using high-performance liquid chromatography with chiral stationary phases.

Chromatographic methods using chiral stationary phases have been developed for the separation of fluoxetine hydrochloride enantiomers. Ovomucoid and tris(3,5-dimethylphenyl carbamate) cellulose stationary phases were used in the reversed- and normal-phase modes, respectively. Acceptable isomer separation was achieved at pH 3.5 with the ovomucoid phase, but peak shapes were broad and the separation was quite sensitive to the acetonitrile concentration in the mobile phase. Isopropyl alcohol and methyl-tert-butyl ether mobile phase modifiers each provided complete resolution using the derivatized cellulose column. Better separation robustness was obtained with a column temperature of 1°C using the isopropyl alcohol modifier. The methyl-tert-butyl ether system was robust at room temperature. Differences in relative enantiomer amounts of as little as 2% could be determined. The chromatographic conditions provided a much more discriminating test compared to an optical rotation method proposed for pharmacopeial use which had difficulty distinguishing individual enantiomers. The chiral chromatographic conditions were also applied to capsule formulations to demonstrate the presence of racemic fluoxetine hydrochloride.
Health Behaviors and Standardized Test Scores: The Impact of School Health Climate on Performance

Research has found that many characteristics are related to performance on standardized tests. Many of these are not necessarily “academic” attributes. One area of this research is on the connection between physical health or lifestyles and test performance. The research that exists in this area is often disconnected with each other and tends to focus on a limited number of factors. Moreover, the impact of the school climate, as related to health behaviors, has not been examined. This study uses data from 32 schools over 4 years to examine the relation between health norms and average test performance while controlling for demographics and other school characteristics in a multivariate regression. Results suggest that some health behaviors have significant impacts on average school test scores.
STATISTICAL THEORY OF NUCLEAR COLLISION CROSS SECTIONS

A formalism is developed for a statistical treatment of the energy variations of nuclear scattering and reaction cross sections. A statistical collision matrix ${\mathrm{U}}^{S}$ is defined which has the form of an energy-independent direct-transition matrix plus a fixed simple resonance-pole expansion, the matrix residues of which are products of complex channel-width amplitudes. By direct comparison with the Wigner-Eisenbud and Kapur-Peierls collision matrices it is found that under widely applicable conditions the statistical collision matrix may be used to calculate averages of observables over energy intervals containing many resonances and many total widths. The problem of determining the statistical properties of the parameters of ${\mathrm{U}}^{S}$ is defined and is solved for several special cases by relating it to the statistics of $R$-matrix parameters. Using these methods averages and mean-square fluctuations of total and reaction cross sections are calculated under general conditions admitting direct and compound processes and arbitrary average values of the total widths $\ensuremath{\Gamma}$ and the resonance spacings $D$. The results are expressed in terms of the direct-reaction matrix elements and the statistical properties of resonance parameters appropriate to the energy region under consideration and are related to the locally applicable optical-model phase shifts and transmission coefficients. Simplifications are obtained under special assumptions such as uncorrelated width amplitudes, small and large $\frac{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}{D}$, pure compound-nucleus reactions, many competing open channels, and many competing direct processes. In the limit of small $\frac{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}{D}$ one obtains the leading terms of an expansion of the average cross section which had previously been derived from $R$-matrix theory directly. In the limit of large $\frac{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}{D}$, many competing channels, but no direct reactions, the nonelastic fluctuation (or average compound nucleus) cross sections approach the Hauser-Feshbach formula. Except in this limit, corrections due to partial-width fluctuations and resonance-resonance interference are applicable. The former are sensitive to the magnitudes of direct reaction matrix elements, the latter to the correlations of resonance energies. Competing direct reactions are shown to require reductions of the transmission coefficients. The mean-square fluctuations of cross sections are found to approach Ericson's results in the limit of large $\frac{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}{D}$ and many competing channels, but are in general much larger for moderate $\frac{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}{D}$ and few channels. They are also sensitive to the details of resonance parameter statistics.
Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band.

Only a fraction of morbidly obese patients have come forward for bariatric surgery. This article confirms that the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) is a safe, effective, primary weight-loss operation for morbidly obese patients. The LAGB offers a simple, genuinely minimally invasive approach, with the potential to be attractive to many more patients. The key questions are whether it is effective in the long term and whether it is safe. The midterm data confirm that, so far, LAGB is living up to its early promise as an effective tool. LAGB surgery is safe, and the change to the parsflaccida approach will lead to even higher patient satisfaction and lower incidence of band removal.
Effect of vitamin D3 on milk yield of thyroparathyroidectomized rats.

Abstract In a previous study it was shown that normal lactation could be maintained in thyroparathyroidectomized rats when 3 μ g L -thyroxine/100g body weight was administered in conjunction with Vitamin D 2 (calciferol) at a level of 0.2 mg/100g b.w./day. In the present study it was shown that Vitamin D 3 at the same level (8,000 IU or 0.2mg) per day was equally effective in maintaining normal milk yields on Days 14, 16, 18, and 20 in conjunction with L -thyroxine.
Ideological Realignment in the Contemporary U.S. Electorate Revisited

Objective. In this study, we revisit the ideological-realignment theory proposed by Abramowitz and Saunders (1998) by assessing the varying impact a person's ideology had on his or her partisan identification for individuals in different regions and between men and women. Method. Through an examination of the NES cumulative data file and the 1992–1994 NES Panel Study, we present a series of tabular findings, an OLS regression model, and partial correlation coefficients to assess these changing subgroup dynamics. Results. Between 1978 and 1994, the impact of a person's ideology on his or her party identification grew in magnitude, while the impact of respondents' parental party identification on their own party identification waned. However, these changes were not felt uniformly throughout the electorate, with Southern white males and Southern white females exhibiting the greatest changes. In the case of Southern white males, racial issues now appear to be related to their party identification. Conclusion. We find support for the ideological-realignment theory, but find evidence that such changes occurred rather unevenly throughout the electorate, suggesting that different dynamics of realignment may be at work simultaneously.
On the dynamic modeling of mammalian cell metabolism and mAb production

Abstract A general optimization-based technique for the estimation of kinetic parameter values in dynamic models of cell metabolism is presented. A discretization strategy is used to transform continuous differential equations given in the model into an approximating set of algebraic equations. The discretized equation set is then used to constrain a non-linear optimization problem, whose solution is an optimal set of model parameter values. As a case study, we examine a simplified dynamic model of mammalian cell culture [Gao, J., Gorenflo, V. M., Scharer, J. M., & Budman, H. M. (2007). Dynamic metabolic modeling for a mab bioprocess. Biotechnology Progress, 23 (1), 168–181]. Our parameter estimation technique is shown to solve the unsimplified variant of this model, and to provide a more accurate simulation of the experimentally observed system behavior than originally reported. We are additionally able to predict physically reasonable system data even in the absence of corresponding experimental measurements, and, finally, to provide a quantitative basis for challenging certain underlying assumptions in the original model solution.
Vitreous Fluorophotometry in Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract Vitreous fluorophotometry has proved to be a useful method to evaluate the integrity of the blood-ocular barrier to fluorescein in clinical and experimental diabetes mellitus. Diabetic patients with or without background retinopathy had increased vitreous accumulation of fluorescein after intravenous injection when compared with age-matched controls. Streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats increased vitreous fluorescein levels. In the rat, this abnormality was reversed with insulin therapy and with pancreatic islet transplantation. The breakdown of the blood-ocular barrier to fluorescein appears to be the earliest detectable ocular abnormality of diabetes.
Functional analysis of conserved histidines in choline acetyltransferase by site-directed mutagenesis.

: The choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) reaction involves the transfer of the acetyl group of acetyl-CoA to choline, in which an active site histidine is believed to act as a general acid/base catalyst. A comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of the enzyme from Drosophila, pig, rat, and Caernohabditis elegans revealed three conserved histidines: Drosophila His268, His393, and His426. Each of these histidines was replaced by a leucine and a glutamine, and the kinetic properties of each of the recombinant mutant enzymes were determined. The mutations yielded active His268Leu-ChAT, HisZ68Gln-ChAT, and His393Gln-ChAT and inactive His393Leu-ChAT, His426Leu- ChAT, and His426Gln-ChAT. The kinetic constants Km(CoA), Km(acetyloholine). and Vmax were essentially the same for all of the active mutants. When the integrity of the CoASAc binding site was investigated in the inactive mutants, the data suggested that the binding site in His393Leu-ChAT is disrupted but conserved in His426Leu-ChAT and His426Gln- ChAT. These results suggest that His426 is an essential catalytic residue and could serve as an acid/base catalyst.
Acid-Catalyzed Breakdown of Alkoxide and Thiolate Ion Adducts of Benzylidene Meldrum's Acid, Methoxybenzylidene Meldrum's Acid and Thiomethoxybenzylidene Meldrum's Acid

A kinetic study of the acid-catalyzed loss of alkoxide and thiolate ions from alkoxide and thiolate ion adducts, respectively, of benzylidene Meldrum's acid (1-H), methoxybenzylidene Meldrum's acid (1-OMe), and thiomethoxybenzylidene Meldrum's acid (1-SMe) is reported. The reactions appear to be subject to general acid catalysis, although the catalytic effect of buffers is weak and the bulk of the reported data refers to H+-catalysis. α-Carbon protonation and, in some cases, protonation of one of the carbonyl oxygens to form an enol compete with alkoxide or thiolate ion expulsion. This rendered the kinetic analysis more complex but allowed the determination of pKa values and of proton-transfer rate constants at the α-carbon. In conjunction with previously reported data on the nucleophilic addition of alkoxide and thiolate ions to the same Meldrum's acid derivatives, rate constants for nucleophilic addition by the respective neutral alcohols and thiols could also be calculated. Various structure−reactivity...
Mechanism of calcification in atherosclerosis.

Calcification is commonly associated with atherosclerosis, and it has important clinical implications, especially in coronary arteries. The mineral has been identified as the same mineral as in bone, hydroxyapatite, and several features of its development suggest a mechanism similar to osteogenesis and not merely passive precipitation. The artery wall has been shown to contain several bone-related proteins, including those for osteopontin, osteonectin, and osteocalcin, as well as proteoglycan core proteins homologous with bone biglycan. Our laboratory recently demonstrated that a potent osteogenic differentiation factor, bone morphogenetic protein 2a, is expressed in calcified human atherosclerotic lesions, suggesting that arterial calcification may be initiated by an osteogenic differentiation. In addition, a cell capable of calcium mineral formation in vitro has been isolated from bovine and human aorta and identified by immunostaining as having a surface marker characteristic of microvascular pericytes. These findings suggest the possibility that plaque calcification develops when a signal from atherosclerotic plaque or a factor associated with atherosclerosis induces expression of bone morphogenetic protein, leading to osteogenic differentiation of pluripotential, pericytelike cells located in the arterial intima, which then produce bonelike matrix and hydroxyapatite mineral. These findings also raise questions as to whether osteogenic-promoting factors used to prevent osteoporosis may also increase risk of arterial calcification.
Clinical trials of modulation of multidrug resistance. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic considerations.

A growing body of evidence indicates that expression of the mdr1 gene, which encodes the multidrug transporter, P-glycoprotein, contributes to chemotherapeutic resistance of human cancers. Expression of this protein in normal tissues such as the biliary tract, intestines, and renal tubules suggests a role in the excretion of toxins. Modulation of P-glycoprotein function in normal tissues may lead to decreased excretion of drugs and enhanced toxicities. A clinical trial of etoposide with escalating doses of cyclosporine (CsA) as a modulator of multidrug resistance was performed. CsA was delivered as a 2-hour loading dose followed by a 60-hour intravenous infusion, together with etoposide administered as a short infusion daily for 3 days
Interleaved concatenated coding for the turbulent atmospheric direct detection optical communication channel

The performance of two concatenated coding systems using a K=3, R=1/2 convolutional inner code and a Reed-Solomon (RS) (15, 9) or (15, 7) outer code was measured over a 5.76-km-long atmospheric direct detection optical communication channel. Inner code interleaving of 100 mu s combined with outer code interleaving of 240 bits (60 RS symbols) was found to be sufficient to obtain a decoded BER of less than 10/sup -6/ under conditions of moderate channel turbulence and an average of 6-10 detected photons per channel bit. >
Seismological Aspect of Arvin Earthquake: ABSTRACT

Instrumentally observed aspects of the Arvin earthquake are discussed, including the strain-release curve, magnitudes, and geologic distribution of the after-shock sequence; in addition, the observed evidence on the extent of faulting and the characteristics of the generating stress. End_of_Article - Last_Page 183------------
A probabilistic approach to measure the strength of bone cell adhesion to chemically modified surfaces

Patterned surfaces with alternating regions of amino silanes [N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyl-trimethoxysilane (EDS)] and alkyl silanes [dimethyldichlorosilane (DMS)] have been used to alter the kinetics of spatial distribution of cells in vitro. In particular, we have previously observed the preferential spatial distribution of bone cells on the EDS regions of EDS/ DMS patterned surfaces (10). In this study, we examined whether the mechanism of spatial distribution of cells on the EDS regions was adhesion mediated. Homogeneous layers of EDS and DMS were immobilized on quartz substrates and characterized by contact angle. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and spectroscopic ellipsometry. The strength of bone cell attachment to the modified substrates was examined using a radial flow apparatus, within either 20 min or 2 hr of cell incubation in the presence of serum. A Weibull distribution was chosen to characterize the strength of cell-substratum adhesion. Within 20 min of cell exposure, the strength of adhesion was significantly larger on EDS and clean surfaces, compared with DMS surfaces (p < 0.001). Within 2 hr of cell incubation, there was no statistical difference between the strength of cell adhesion to EDS, DMS, and clean surfaces. The results of this study suggest that the surface chemistry mediates adhesion-based spatial cell arrangement through a layer of adsorbed serum proteins.
Occipital projections in the skeletal dysplasias

Occipital projections of the cranium have been reported in a number of skeletal dysplasias and syndromes. We observed two cases of atelosteogenesis type I with a bony occipital projection. This finding has neither been noted nor reported in any form of atelosteogenesis. This led us to search the International Skeletal Dysplasia Registry for occipital projections, and we found them in four other syndromes in which they had not been reported. Thus occipital spurs are a non-diagnostic feature that can be found in at least ten distinct disorders as well as a normal variant.
The implementation of normal and/or tangential boundary conditions in finite element codes for incompressible fluid flow

SUMMARY Various techniques for implementing normal and/or tangential boundary conditions in finite element codes are reviewed. The principle of global conservation of mass is used to define a unique direction for the outward pointing normal vector at any node on an irregular boundary of a domain containing an incompressible fluid. This information permits the consistent and unambiguous application of essential or natural boundary conditions (or any combination thereof) on the domain boundary regardless of boundary shape or orientation with respect to the co-ordinate directions in both two and three dimensions. Several numerical examples are presented which demonstrate the effectiveness of the recommended technique.
Application of Oat Oil in Breadbaking

ABSTRACT Lipids, especially polar lipids, can improve loaf volume, grain and texture, and delay staling in bread. Oats (Avena sativa L.) are rich in total and polar lipids. We have investigated the effect of oat lipids in a bread formulation on loaf volume, appearance, and bread staling. Oat oil was fractionated into polar and nonpolar fractions by water-degumming. Crude oat oil and shortening (at 3%) increased loaf volume by ≈11% over the zero lipid formulation. The polar lipid fraction increased loaf volume by nearly the same amount when added at only a 0.5% level. The addition of 3% crude oat oil or 0.7% oat oil polar fraction significantly delayed bread firming and starch retrogradation; the difference between oat lipids and shortening was more evident at the end of a four-day storage period. Oat lipids had a stronger relative effect on bread from a weak flour (10% protein) than from a strong flour (14% protein). The effects of oat oil in the bread formulation could be related to the amphipathic chara...