cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Women and Work in India: Descriptive Evidence and a Review of Potential Policies

Sustained high economic growth since the early 1990s has brought significant change to the lives of Indian women, and yet female labor force participation has stagnated at under 30%, and recent labor surveys even suggest some decline since 2005. Using a nationally representative household survey, we lay out five descriptive facts about female labor force participation in India that help identify constraints to higher participation. First, there is significant demand for jobs by women currently not in the labor force. Second, willing female non-workers have difficulty matching to jobs. Third, obtaining vocational training is correlated with a higher likelihood of working among women. Fourth, women are more likely to be working in sectors where the gender wage gap and unexplained wage gap, commonly attributed to discrimination, is higher. Finally, female-friendly policies, including quotas, are correlated with higher female participation in some key sectors. Combining these facts with a review of the literature, we map out important areas for future investigation and highlight how policies such as employment quotas and government initiatives focused on skilling and manufacturing should be better investigated and leveraged to increase womenâs economic activity.
Comparison of population genetic structures of the plant Silene stellata and its obligate pollinating seed predator moth Hadena ectypa.

Background and Aims: Population genetic structures and patterns of gene flow of interacting species provide important insights into the spatial scale of their interactions and the potential for local co-adaptation. We analysed the genetic structures of the plant Silene stellata and the nocturnal moth Hadena ectypa. Hadena ectypa acts as one of the important pollinators of S. stellata as well as being an obligate seed parasite on the plant. Although H. ectypa provides a substantial pollination service to S. stellata, this system is largely considered parasitic due to the severe seed predation by the Hadena larvae. Previous research on this system has found variable interaction outcomes across space, indicating the potential for a geographical selection mosaic. Methods: Using 11 microsatellite markers for S. stellata and nine markers for H. ectypa, we analysed the population genetic structure and the patterns and intensity of gene flow within and among three local populations in the Appalachians. Key Results: We found no spatial genetic structure in the moth populations, while significant differentiation was detected among the local plant populations. Additionally, we observed that gene flow rates among H. ectypa populations were more uniform and that the mean gene flow rate in H. ectypa was twice as large as that in S. stellata. Conclusions: Our results suggest that although the moths move frequently among populations, long-distance pollen carryover only happens occasionally. The difference in gene flow rates between S. stellata and H. ectypa could prevent strict local co-adaptation. Furthermore, higher gene flow rates in H. ectypa could also increase resistance of the local S. stellata populations to the parasitic effect of H. ectypa and therefore help to stabilize the Silene-Hadena interaction dynamics.
Yttrium-90 glass microsphere activity measurements

2237 Objectives: Measuring Yttrium-90 glass microsphere activity accurately is important for determining the delivered radiation dose for radioembolization. This study analyzes two of the current techniques for measuring microsphere activity in dose calibrators. Methods: Insoluble glass microspheres, containing Yttrium-90 as an integral constituent of the glass matrix were measured in an Atomlab 100 dose calibrator operated within manufacturer’s recommendations. Unit doses of Yttrium-90 glass microspheres were supplied in 0.6 mL of sterile, pyrogen-free water contained in a v-bottom vial secured within a 12 mm clear acrylic vial shield. Dose calibrator setting for Yttrium-90 glass microspheres was established using a calibrated unit dose provided by the manufacturer. Activity was measured with the Yttrium-90 glass microspheres in a point source configuration (concentrated into the 0.3 ml v-bottom) and in a distributed source configuration (distributed in a 0.6 ml fluid volume). Assayed values were compared to the nominal activity decayed from calibration using linear regression. Results: Seventeen distributed Yttrium-90 glass microsphere vials were measured and 58 point source vials were measured. Measured activity in the point source configuration was on average 94.5% of the decayed calibrated activity (R2=0.996). However, measured activity in the distributed source configuration was on average 84.5% of the decayed calibrated activity (R2=0.998). Conclusions: Dose calibrator measurement of Yttrium-90 glass microspheres is dependent on the source distribution. This study has shown that using a point source configuration, Yttrium-90 glass microsphere activity measurements accurately reproduce the manufacturer’s activity with a less than 10% deviation.
Body-specific representations of action word meanings in right and left handers

If understanding action words involves mentally simulating our own actions, then the neurocognitive representation of word meanings must differ for people with different kinds of bodies, who perform actions in systematically different ways. In a test of the _Body-Specificity Hypothesis_, right- and left-handers were compared on two motor-meaning congruity tasks. Double dissociations in both action execution and recognition memory results showed that right and left handers form body-specific representations of words for manual actions.
High-field nonlinear optical response and phase control in a dielectric laser accelerator

Advances in ultrafast laser technology and nanofabrication have enabled a new class of particle accelerator based upon miniaturized laser-driven photonic structures. However, developing a useful accelerator based on this approach requires control of the particle dynamics at field intensities approaching the damage limit. We measure acceleration in a fused silica dielectric laser accelerator driven by fields of up to 9 GV m−1 and observe a record 1.8 GV m−1 in the accelerating mode. At these intensities the dielectric is driven beyond its linear response and self-phase modulation changes the phase velocity of the accelerating mode, reducing the average gradient to 850 MeV m−1. We show that free-space optics can be used to compensate this dephasing and demonstrate that tailoring the laser phase and amplitude can facilitate optimization of the beam dynamics. This could enable MeV scale energy gain in a single stage and pave the way towards applications in scientific, industrial, and medical fields. In recent years, photonic structures that mediate the transfer of energy from a laser to a particle beam have gained interest as a way to access more compact accelerations techniques for use in a wide variety of applications. The authors investigate by numerical calculations and experimentally the effect of nonlinear pulse distortions on the operation of dielectric laser accelerators.
Impact of Prosthesis Size and Prosthesis-Patient Mismatch on Outcomes in Younger Female Patients Undergoing Aortic Valve Replacement.

The effects of patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) suggest worse outcomes with smaller valves. We assessed clinical outcomes of younger females undergoing SAVR, using small and large prostheses, and the incremental risk of PPM. Between January 2002 and June 2015, 451 younger (age ≤65 years) female patients underwent SAVR. Patients were stratified into small prostheses (SP) ≤21 mm (n = 256) and large prostheses (LP) ≥23 mm (n = 195) groups. PPM was classified as moderate if indexed effective orifice area (iEOA) 0.65–0.85 cm2/m2, or severe if iEOA
Pressure-and Temperature-Dependent Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy of Hydroquinone and its Clathrates

We study the low-energy dynamics of hydroquinone and its clathrates under pressure using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. Transitions between different phases are observed. The absorption peaks are assigned to lattice vibrational modes using quantum-mechanical simulations. © 2019 The Author(s)
Outpatient Cervical Ripening: A Cost-Minimization and Threshold Analysis.

Objective To evaluate cost of outpatient (OP) versus inpatient (IP) ripening with transcervical balloons, and determine circumstances in which each strategy would be cost saving. Study Design We created a decision model comparing OP and IP balloon ripening in term (≥37 weeks) singleton pregnancies with unfavorable cervix. We performed a cost-minimization analysis and threshold analyses comparing two OP ripening strategies (broad and limited use) to IP ripening from a health system perspective. Base case estimates of probability, utilization, and cost were derived from the literature. The primary outcome was incremental cost of OP versus IP ripening from a hospital perspective. One- and two-way sensitivity analyses explored uncertainty in the model. Results Both OP ripening strategies were cost saving compared with IP ripening: incremental cost −$228.40/patient with broad use and −$73.48/patient with limited use. OP ripening was no longer cost saving if hours saved on labor and delivery (L&D) were $714, or facility cost/hour on L&D Conclusion In patients with unfavorable cervix, OP transcervical balloon ripening was cost saving under a wide range of circumstances, particularly if OP ripening can shorten time spent on L&D by 3.5 hours.
Scalar Markov Diffusions and Ito Calculus

In this process, we examine scalar Markov diffusions. These processes have “Brownian-motion-like” properties since their sample paths are continuous almost surely, but their dynamics are richer in the sense that unlike the Wiener process, which is homogeneous in both time and space, the process dynamics depend on both the current time t and position X(t) = x of the process. The diffusion processes can be used to describe a great variety of physical phenomena, such as oscillators in noise, the dynamics of airplanes subjected to turbulence, or the evolution of the price of financial securities, like stock options.
Incidence of venous thromboembolism following initiation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in U.S. women.

Objective To evaluate the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE, i.e. deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, or both) following new use of NSAIDs in a long-term cohort of U.S. women. Methods We investigated initiation of coxibs and traditional NSAIDs (excluding aspirin) and incident VTE in 39 876 women enrolled in the Women's Health Study from 1993-95 and followed with yearly questionnaires until 2012. We defined initiation as the first reported use of NSAIDs for ≥4 days per month. Incident VTE was confirmed by an end point committee. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and risk differences (RDs, expressed as percentages) comparing NSAID initiation with non-initiation and acetaminophen initiation (active comparator) via standardization using a propensity score that incorporated age, BMI, calendar time, and relevant medical, behavioural, and socioeconomic variables updated over time. Results The HR (95% CI) for risk of VTE in the as treated analyses comparing initiation with non-initiation, was 1.5 (1.2, 1.8) for any NSAID, 1.3 (1.1, 1.7) for traditional NSAIDs, and 2.0 (1.3, 3.1) for coxibs, with 2-year RDs 0.11, 0.08 and 0.32, respectively. When comparing the risk of VTE after initiation of any NSAID with that after acetaminophen initiation, the HRs were 0.9 (0.6, 1.5), 0.9 (0.5, 1.5) and 1.4 (0.6, 3.4), with 2-year RDs 0.03, -0.01, and 0.13, respectively. Conclusion New use of NSAIDs was associated with increased VTE risk compared with non-use, but the association was null or diminished when compared with acetaminophen initiation. Elevated VTE risks associated with NSAID use in observational studies may in part reflect different baseline risks among individuals who need analgesics and may overstate the risk patients incur compared with pharmacologic alternatives.
Anxiety and depression in patients who undergo a cerebrovascular procedure.

Observe the relationship of anxiety and depression on quality of life outcomes after open and endovascular cerebrovascular procedures. We retrospectively analyzed 349 patients who underwent a procedure for aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation, intraparenchymal hemorrhage, carotid stenosis, acute stroke, and conventional catheter angiogram over three years at a community hospital. We correlated pre-procedural anxiety and depression with Global Physical Health, Global Mental Health, and Modified Rankin Scale scores. We performed univariate and multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses adjusting for past medical history and sociodemographic factors. Anxiety or depression occurred in 18 % of patients. Patients with anxiety or depression were more likely to be female (81% vs 60.8%; p = 0.002) and younger (54 vs. 59 years old; p = 0.025). The groups did not differ in type or urgency of procedure, smoking or history of diabetes. Patients with anxiety or depression reported lower mental health scores at 30 days (45.1 vs 48.2; p = 0.002) post-procedure. In multivariate analyses, anxious or depressed patients had worse mental health scores at 30 days (t = − 2.893; p = 0.008) than those who did not have a history of anxiety or depression. There was no difference between groups in length of stay, mortality, physical health t-scores, functionality scores, or six month quality of life outcomes. Patients undergoing cerebrovascular procedures who self-reported anxiety or depression showed a significant difference in mental health outcomes at 30 days, but six month mental health and other medical and functional outcomes measures were similar to patients without these diagnoses.
Influence of different damping components on dynamic response of concrete rocking walls

Abstract Precast concrete rocking walls with unbonded post-tensioning, as a seismic resilient system, dissipate energy imparted to them during an earthquake through inherent viscous damping, impact damping due to the wall rocking on top of the foundation, and any available hysteretic damping. A shake table study on eight rocking walls designed with different quantities of hysteretic damping ratio varying between 4% for a Single Rocking Wall (SRW) to 15% for a rocking wall system, known as PreWEC, with supplemental hysteretic dampers, i.e., O-connectors, generally demonstrated their satisfactory seismic performance during design-level and higher intensity earthquake motions. The test results confirmed lower participation of energy dissipation due to impacts as the hysteretic component increased. Larger hysteretic damping also led to a reduction in the maximum drift of rocking walls as well as the number of large drift excursions after the first peak of response. Using the area enclosed by the force-displacement hysteresis response of O-connectors, recommended design values for hysteretic damping of PreWEC systems are presented in this paper. While larger displacement amplitudes were achieved for the walls with lower hysteretic damping (i.e., SRWs), it is shown that the duration of their dynamic responses was reduced due to a negative rate of input energy in these rocking walls, which favorably removed a part of the seismic energy imparted to the system. Contrary to a common belief that rocking walls without additional damping devices are not dependable lateral load resisting systems, this paper concludes that these walls attract less seismic input energy and perform satisfactorily with a small amount of inherent damping, suggesting their potential application in seismic resistant structures.
Neutral Professionalism: Donald E. Klingner

Good government requires cooperation between the politicians who make policy and the bureaucrats who implement it. However, long-term attacks on science, government, and public employees led to a f...
What Is Wisdom? A Unified 6P Framework:

In this article, we propose a “6P” unified framework for understanding wisdom and accounts of wisdom: purpose, press, problems, persons, processes, products. We discuss wisdom in terms of these 6Ps...
Mortars, maize, and Central Plains tradition farmers

Plains archaeologists have referred to a class of features they have labelled mortar holes at least since the 1940s. These features are typically postholes identified in locations in the floors of ...
Diagnostic analysis of US fashion brand’s Bangladeshi outsourcing

The purpose of this paper is to examine Bangladesh’s performance as an outsourcing destination from the perspectives of buyers and suppliers involved in a representative US apparel company which ha...
Economic Analyses of Pathogen-Reduction Technologies in Blood Transfusion: A Systematic Literature Review.

Technologies used in the processing of whole blood and blood component products, including pathogen reduction, are continuously being adopted into blood transfusion workflows to improve process efficiencies. However, the economic implications of these technologies are not well understood. With the advent of these new technologies and regulatory guidance on bacterial risk-control strategies, an updated systematic literature review on this topic was warranted. The objective of this systematic literature review was to summarize the current literature on the economic analyses of pathogen-reduction technologies (PRTs). A systematic literature review was conducted using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines to identify newly published articles in PubMed, MEDLINE Complete, and EconLit from 1 January 2000 to 17 July 2019 related to economic evaluations of PRTs. Only full-text studies in humans published in English were included in the review. Both budget-impact and cost-effectiveness studies were included; common outcomes included cost, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). The initial searches identified 433 original abstracts, of which 16 articles were included in the final data extraction and reporting. Seven articles presented cost-effectiveness analyses and nine assessed budget impact. The introduction of PRT increased overall costs, and ICER values ranged widely across cost-effectiveness studies, from below $US150,000/QALY to upwards of $US20,000,000/QALY. This wide range of results was due to a multitude of factors, including comparator selection, target patient population, and scenario analyses included. Overall, the results of economic evaluations of bacterial risk-control strategies, regardless of mechanism, were highly dependent on the current screening protocols in place. The optimization of blood transfusion safety may not result in decisions made at the willingness-to-pay thresholds commonly seen in pharmaceutical evaluations. Given the critical public health role of blood products, and the potential safety benefits introduced by advancements, it is important to continue building this body of evidence with more transparency and data source heterogeneity. This updated literature review provides global context when making local decisions for the coverage of new and emerging bacterial risk-control strategies.
Constructing arguments for the interpretation and use of patient-reported outcome measures in research: an application of modern validity theory

The past 100 years have witnessed an evolution of the meaning of validity and validation within the fields of education and psychology. Validity was once viewed as a property of tests and scales, but is now viewed as the extent to which theory and evidence support proposed interpretations and uses of test scores. Uncertainty about what types of validity evidence were needed motivated the current “argument-based” approach, as reflected in the 2014 Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing. According to this approach, investigators should delineate the assumptions required in order for a proposed interpretation or use to be plausible and then seek evidence that supports or refutes those assumptions. Though validation practices within the field of patient-reported outcome measurement have implicitly included many elements of the argument-based approach, the approach has yet to be explicitly adopted. To facilitate adoption, this article proposes an initial set of assumptions that might be included in most arguments for research-related interpretations and uses of scores from patient-reported outcome measures. The article also includes brief descriptions of the types of evidence that would be best suited for evaluating each assumption. It is hoped that these generic assumptions will stimulate further discussion and debate among quality of life researchers regarding how best to adopt modern validity theory to patient-reported outcome measures.
Sensitivity and specificity of CEST and NOE MRI in injured spinal cord in monkeys.

Abstract Purpose The sensitivity and accuracy of chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) and nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE) effects for assessing injury-associated changes in cervical spinal cords were evaluated in squirrel monkeys. Multiple interacting pools of protons, including one identified by an NOE at −1.6 ppm relative to water (NOE(-1.6)), were derived and quantified from fitting proton Z-spectra. The effects of down-sampled data acquisitions and corrections for non-specific factors including T1, semi-solid magnetization transfer, and direct saturation of free water (DS), were investigated. The overall goal is to develop a protocol for rapid data acquisition for assessing the molecular signatures of the injured spinal cord and its surrounding regions. Methods MRI scans were recorded of anesthetized squirrel monkeys at 9.4 T, before and after a unilateral dorsal column sectioning of the cervical spinal cord. Z-spectral images at 51 different RF offsets were acquired. The amplitudes of CEST and NOE effects from multiple proton pools were quantified using a six-pool Lorenzian fitting of each Z-spectrum (MTRmfit). In addition, down-sampled data using reduced selections of RF offsets were analyzed and compared. An apparent exchange-dependent relaxation (AREXmfit) method was also used to correct for non-specific factors in quantifying regional spectra around lesion sites. Results The parametric maps from multi-pool fitting using the complete sampling data (P51e) detected unilateral changes at and around the injury. The maps derived from selected twofold down-sampled data with appropriate interpolation (P26sI51) revealed quite similar spatial distributions of different pools as those obtained using P51e at each resonance shift. Across 10 subjects, both data acquisition schemes detected significant decreases in NOE(-3.5) and NOE(-1.6) and increases in DS(0.0) and CEST(3.5) at the lesion site relative to measures of the normal tissues before injury. AREXmfit of cysts and other abnormal tissues at and around the lesion site also exhibited significant changes, especially at 3.5, −1.6 and −3.5 ppm RF offsets. Conclusion These results confirm that a reduced set of RF offsets and down sampling are adequate for CEST imaging of injured spinal cord and allow shorter imaging times and/or permit additional signal averaging. AREXmfit correction improved the accuracy of CEST and NOE measures. The results provide a rapid (~13 mins), sensitive, and accurate protocol for deriving multiple NOE and CEST effects simultaneously in spinal cord imaging at high field.
The Treatment Effect of Business Education on the Supply of High School Entrepreneurs in Atlanta and New Orleans

Strengthening the pathway to entrepreneurship for high school students could be important in regions of the United States where economic mobility is low. We examine the impact of high school busine...
Domestic Violence in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the role of public safety and deterring immediate personal violence from the perspective of HBCU students. There is not much research done on domestic violence for HBCUs. Unlike the aforementioned studies, this research is an attempt to explain the factors which contribute to domestic violence on HBCUs. In order to examine immediate personal violence, the research question that must be analyzed is how significant is the role of public safety in deterring immediate personal violence from the perspective of students that attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)? This study will explore the factors of how domestic violence can be understood to enhance academic skills and the learning environment. The study has the potential to provide guidance for educators and administrators who work with male and female programming, enrollment, counseling, mentoring, retention, and graduation.
How to Get Away with Armed Bank Robbery

The Federal Bank Robbery Act’s armed robbery provision has been heavily litigated since its inception. Confusion among circuits regarding how to interpret the Act has resulted in three separate circuit splits. Most recently, the Ninth Circuit analyzed the Act in United States v. Bain to determine whether inadvertent placement of a knife in front of a bank teller before the commission of a bank robbery qualifies as armed bank robbery. The Ninth Circuit’s holding in Bain established that revealing a weapon during a bank robbery does not qualify for a conviction of armed bank robbery, even though announcing possession of a weapon absent actual possession does. This holding results in a fourth circuit split interpreting the Act. Although there are short-term judicial remedies to solve Bain’s detrimental outcomes, considering the consistent circuit disagreement in interpreting the Act’s armed robbery provision, Congress should amend the Act.
Second time around: A look at bottle reuse

Until recently, glass bottles were generally used more than one time. This study investigates customs of bottle reuse in the United States during the 18th and 19th centuries, with particular attention to the secondhand bottle business and returnable bottle systems. Effects of bottle-manufacturing machinery and reasons for the decline of bottle reuse are discussed. The implications of reuse for the analysis of bottles from archaeological sites are considered.
Black Rhythms of Peru: Reviving African Musical Heritage in the Black Pacific

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Heidi Carolyn Feldman Year: 2006 Pages: 328 Publisher: Wesleyan University Press ISBN: 0-8195-6814-7 (hard cover). Prices: $45.00 USD(hard cover).
Classifier Adaptation with Non-representative Training Data

We propose an adaptive methodology to tune the decision boundaries of a classifier trained on non-representative data to the statistics of the test data to improve accuracy. Specifically, for machine printed and handprinted digit recognition we demonstrate that adapting the class means alone can provide considerable gains in recognition. On machine-printed digits we adapt to the typeface, on hand-print to the writer. We recognize the digits with a Gaussian quadratic classifier when the style of the test set is represented by a subset of the training set, and also when it is not represented in the training set. We compare unsupervised adaptation and style-constrained classification on isogenous test sets of five machine-printed and two hand-printed NIST data sets. Both estimating mean and imposing style constraints reduce the error-rate in almost every case, and neither ever results in significant loss. They are comparable under the first scenario (specialization), but adaptation is better under the second (new style). Adaptation is beneficial when the test is large enough (even if only ten samples of each class by one writer in a 100- dimensional feature space), but style conscious classification is the only option with fields of only two or three digits.
Analysis of strain and regional variation in gene expression in mouse brain

We performed a statistical analysis of a previously published set of gene expression microarray data from six different brain regions in two mouse strains. In the previous analysis, 24 genes showing expression differences between the strains and about 240 genes with regional differences in expression were identified. Like many gene expression studies, that analysis relied primarily on ad hoc 'fold change' and 'absent/present' criteria to select genes. To determine whether statistically motivated methods would give a more sensitive and selective analysis of gene expression patterns in the brain, we decided to use analysis of variance (ANOVA) and feature selection methods designed to select genes showing strain- or region-dependent patterns of expression. Our analysis revealed many additional genes that might be involved in behavioral differences between the two mouse strains and functional differences between the six brain regions. Using conservative statistical criteria, we identified at least 63 genes showing strain variation and approximately 600 genes showing regional variation. Unlike ad hoc methods, ours have the additional benefit of ranking the genes by statistical score, permitting further analysis to focus on the most significant. Comparison of our results to the previous studies and to published reports on individual genes show that we achieved high sensitivity while preserving selectivity. Our results indicate that molecular differences between the strains and regions studied are larger than indicated previously. We conclude that for large complex datasets, ANOVA and feature selection, alone or in combination, are more powerful than methods based on fold-change thresholds and other ad hoc selection criteria.
Medullary regions mediating atonia

Electrical stimulation studies have implicated the medial medulla in the inhibition of muscle tone. In the present report we present evidence for suppression of muscle tone by chemical activation of the medial medulla. We find 2 distinct zones within the classically defined medial medullary inhibitory area. A rostral region corresponding to the nucleus magnocellularis (NMC) is sensitive to glutamate. Atonia produced by activation of this region is mediated by non-NMDA receptors. A caudal region, corresponding to the nucleus paramedianus (NPM) is sensitive to ACh. Atonia produced by activation of this region is mediated by muscarinic receptors. Activation of these regions both in acute decerebrate and intact cats suppresses muscle tone. We find that the cholinoceptive dorsolateral pontine region, previously implicated in atonia control, can be activated by glutamate-sensitive non-NMDA receptors. Microinjection of atropine into the NPM or of glutamylglycine into the NMC blocks atonia elicited by pontine carbachol injection. The medullary regions identified here are hypothesized to mediate the suppression of muscle tone that occurs in rapid eye movement sleep and in cataplexy and may have a role in postural control in waking.
On the performance evaluation of threshold-based GSC(/spl mu/,L) in equally correlated Nakagami fading

This paper presents an analytical framework for evaluating the performance of a threshold-based generalized selection combining (GSC) scheme in equally correlated Nakagami-m fading channels. The framework extends previously published results by allowing arbitrary fading index values (mges0.5) in the analytical solution. Also, we exploit a second method which is computationally more efficient than the first approach, when fading index m is a positive integer
Reversible and persistent consequences of copper deficiency in developing mice

The effect of maternal copper (Cu) deficiency on various proteins was studied to determine if the changes were reversible or persistent with Cu repletion. The functional consequences of these alterations were assessed by exposing the animals to an oxidative stress (endotoxin), and by measuring the formation of benzo[a]pyrene-DNA adducts in vitro. Throughout gestation and lactation, mice were fed a Control diet (10 micrograms Cu/g diet) or a Low Cu diet (1 microgram Cu/g diet). On day 18, the offspring were killed or switched to the Control diet and killed on day 42 following a single injection of saline or endotoxin on day 41. In day-18 offspring, Cu deficiency resulted in decreased hematocrit values, ceruloplasmin activity, liver and tissue Cu levels, and metallothionein concentrations. Cu repletion restored all but metallothionein levels. Early Cu deficiency led to higher brain CuZn superoxide dismutase activity on day 42, and higher levels of brain thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in endotoxin-treated mice. Liver TBARS were lower in day-18 Low Cu offspring and in day-42 Low Cu offspring treated with endotoxin than age-matched Controls. Cytochrome P-450 concentrations were lower in Low Cu, endotoxin-treated males than in Controls. These results show that Cu deficiency-mediated alterations during early development are not immediately reversed with Cu repletion.
Thiol Reactive Probes and Chemosensors

Thiols are important molecules in the environment and in biological processes. Cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy), glutathione (GSH) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) play critical roles in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. The selective detection of thiols using reaction-based probes and sensors is very important in basic research and in disease diagnosis. This review focuses on the design of fluorescent and colorimetric probes and sensors for thiol detection. Thiol detection methods include probes and labeling agents based on nucleophilic addition and substitution, Michael addition, disulfide bond or Se-N bond cleavage, metal-sulfur interactions and more. Probes for H2S are based on nucleophilic cyclization, reduction and metal sulfide formation. Thiol probe and chemosensor design strategies and mechanism of action are discussed in this review.
Improving the energy behavior of block buffering using compiler optimizations

On-chip caches consume a significant fraction of the energy in current microprocessors. As a result, architectural/circuit-level techniques such as block buffering and sub-banking have been proposed and shown to be very effective in reducing the energy consumption of on-chip caches. While there has been some work on evaluating the energy and performance impact of different block buffering schemes, we are not aware of software solutions to take advantage of on-chip cache block buffers.This article presents a compiler-based approach that modifies code and variable layout to take better advantage of block buffering. The proposed technique is aimed at a class of embedded codes that make heavy use of scalar variables. Unlike previous work that uses only storage pattern optimization or only access pattern optimization, we propose an integrated approach that uses both code restructuring (which affects the access sequence) and storage pattern optimization (which determines the storage layout of variables). We use a graph-based formulation of the problem and present a solution for determining suitable variable placements and accompanying access pattern transformations. The proposed technique has been implemented using an experimental compiler and evaluated using a set of complete programs. The experimental results demonstrate that our approach leads to significant energy savings. Based on these results, we conclude that compiler support is complementary to architecture and circuit-based techniques to extract the best energy behavior from a cache subsystem that employs block buffering.
Low-energy kaon nucleon scattering and the magnitude of the sigma commutator

Abstract A direct expression between low-energy parameters and scattering lengths is presented for kaon nucleon scattering. As an application, the σ-term is calculated and agreement with various dispersive approaches is obtained.
A study of criminal justice policymakers' perspectives: The forgotten component in boot camp programs and goals

Abstract Does occupation (sheriff, prosecutor, prison administrator, or parole/probation official) influence selection of boot camp components; especially the traditional positions of “punishers,” usually sheriffs and prosecuting attorneys, and “reformers,” usually prison and probation? As part of a larger study and at the request of the Missouri Department of Corrections, 670 questionnaires were mailed to all Missouri sheriffs, prosecutors, selected prison administrators, probation/parole staff, all public defenders, selected legislatures, and judges in Missouri. Respondents were asked to rank potential boot camp goals and programs using a Likert-type preferences scale of 1 = low preference to 5 = high preference. Three hundred fifty-three were returned, for a return rate of 53 percent. Using the Missouri survey data, the research question for this article was: Did occupation influence selection of boot camp components? To test the association of occupation with selection, a shorter list was compiled from the Missouri survey data of six typical “punishment” items and six typical “reform” items as selected from the literature. Means and a t-test of significance were calculated. Results showed traditional positions of “punishment” and “reform” did not drive program choices. Preference for “reform” items by all occupations was higher than preference for “punishment” items. Results showed a potential shift away from the early military - punishment style of early boot camps. Correctional agencies thinking of reconfiguring or building new boot camps could use the results as a guide.
Bipolar power flow in a dc/ac converter with only one high-frequency switch pair

This paper shows how dc/ac power conditioning interfaces that employ active waveshaping techniques can be accomplished with only one high-frequency transistor/diode switch pair, even if power must flow in both directions.
Adolescent antecedents of high-risk driving behavior into young adulthood: substance use and parental influences.

Abstract Driver history data, in combination with previously collected tenth-grade questionnaire data, for 4403 subjects were analyzed by Poisson regression models to identify the significant substance use and parental characteristics predicting subsequent high-risk driving of new drivers (starting at age 16) through age 23–24 years. Substance use (cigarettes, marijuana, and alcohol) reported at age 15 was shown to be an important predictor of subsequent excess risk of serious offenses and serious crashes for both men and women. In addition, negative parental influences (lenient attitudes toward young people's drinking; low monitoring, nurturance, family connectedness), were also demonstrated to increase the risk of serious offenses and serious crashes for both men and women.
Use of a new spray-dried algal product in penaeid larviculture

Heterophically cultured, spray-dried Tetraselmis suecica was fed to Penaeus vannamei larvae both as a complete and a partial replacement for live algae. The dry algae were found to be a suitable replacement for live algae at up to 75% of the live algal density in dietary regimes consisting of 100 000 cells/ml Chaetoceros gracile plus 30 000 cells/ml T. chuii. In a complete dietary regime, which included the above-mentioned live algae and Artemia, replacing 66% of the live algal density with dry T. suecica did not significantly reduce survival, metamorphic rate or growth (P < 0.01) compared to the control fed 100% live algae and Artemia. Spray-dried T. suecica may not be able to completely replace live algae. However, its use as a partial replacement in penaeid larviculture should be considered.
Rate of Absorption of L-Thyroxine I131 from the Gastrointestinal Tracts of Dairy Cattle,

Summary Radiothyroxine was administered orally to seven dairy cattle and the rate of absorption was measured by following the radioactivity of plasma samples. These samples were taken at intervals up to 96 hr after administration. The half-time (t½) which can be defined as the time required for a substance to double in concentration, or to decline one-half, was calculated from the radioactivity of the plasma. The absorption of thyroxine I 131 from the gastrointestinal tract followed two phases, a rapid absorption phase with a t½ of 2.65 hr and a much slower phase with a t½ of 20.1 hr. After this period, a declining phase with a t½ of 160.1 hr was observed as metabolism and excretion predominated. The recycling of I 131 from metabolized thyroxine I 131 was blocked by daily administration of a potent goitrogen, tapazole.
Scalable optical label generation and switching for packet routing in DWDM networks

We have experimentally demonstrated some key techniques in label switching optical networks. These techniques include optical label generation, optical label swapping and preamble free clock recovery. The label generation using optical carrier suppression and separation (OCSS) technique has these advantages of high bit rate operation, low cross-talk and narrow bandwidth occupancy. The label swapping is realized by combining OCSS and wavelength conversion. The payload can be simultaneously regenerated after wavelength conversion; hence this technique is very useful for cascaded label swapping in label switched optical networks. We have also demonstrated how to realize preamble free clock recovery for burst mode label and payload generated by OCSS technique.
The nature of the biochemical lesion in avian renal riboflavinuria, V. Elucidation of riboflayin transport in the laying hen

Abstract 1. 1. Blood of chickens carrying the recessive riboflavinuria allele (rd) is deficient in the riboflavin-binding protein (RBP), and the riboflavin that is not complexed as FMN or FAD is excreted rapidly by the kidneys. The ratio of riboflavin-binding potential in the blood is 2(RdRd): 1(Rdrd): 0(rdrd) as was reported earlier for eggs. 2. 2. The blood and yolk riboflavin-binding proteins react immunologically with serum specific for the (RdRd) egg-white RBP. Therefore, the single gene (Rd) controls the synthesis of the RBP that appears in egg-yolk and albumen and in the blood. 3. 3. Oestradiol injection into the male initiated RBP synthesis. The riboflavin-binding protein is under hormone control and is a reproductive protein.
Plastic Pitfall Trap

An easily constructed pitfall trap was made by burying a plastic cup at ground level, inserting a smaller plastic cup to capture specimens, and covering the cups with a conical coffee cup liner which had the bottom removed to form a funnel. A solution of water, ethylene glycol, formalin, and detergent was added to the inner container to kill and preserve captured specimens. A variety of animals were captured.
Categorical or Dimensional: How Do Attachment Measures Inform Clinicians in Couple Therapy?

Self-report measures of adult romantic attachment have been widely used in research but their application in clinical practice has not been adequately examined. One important issue is the selection of a practical and reliable attachment measure that therapists can rely on in couple therapy. In the present study, the three-category Attachment Style Prototype (Hazan & Shaver, 1987) representing the original classic conceptualization of attachment, and the Experiences in Close Relationships (Brennan, Clark, & Shaver, 1998), a more recent scale with two dimensions representing a new conceptualization, were compared. Experiences in Close Relationships data were also used to establish four clusters based on the scores of the two dimensions. The Experiences in Close Relationships and Attachment Style Prototype categories were related in meaningful ways; however, Attachment Style Prototype was less effective in detecting a group of insecurely attached individuals who tended to self-identify as securely attached. ...
Tailored interactive multimedia computer programs to reduce health disparities: opportunities and challenges.

Objective To review the theory and research evidence suggesting that tailored interactive multimedia computer programs (IMCPs) aimed at optimizing patient health behaviors could lessen socio-demographic health disparities.
Transit Map Color Coding and Street Detail Effects on Trip Planning Performance

An experiment was performed in which subjects were asked to plan a three-legged trip within a city using one of four different transit maps. These maps were varied with respect to color coding and level of street detail. Dependent variables of interest were planning time, accuracy, perceived difficulty, frustration, and confidence. Results indicated that when street detail was high, color coding of transit routes led to greater trip planning accuracy, less perceived difficulty, less frustration and higher confidence. When color coding was absent, greater street detail led to lower trip planning accuracy, greater perceived difficulty, greater frustration and lower confidence.
The role of learned inferential encoding rules in the perception of faces: Effects of nonconscious self-perpetuation of a bias

Abstract It is proposed that the process of self-perpetuation of encoding biases can contribute to the acquisition of individually differentiated interpretive categories for the perception of faces. In the learning phase of Experiment 1, subjects were exposed to a short series of stimulus persons that contained a nonsalient covariation between a facial feature x and a personality characteristic y. Consistent with the previous research on processing of information about covariations, in the testing phase of the study, the ratings of new stimulus persons indicated that subjects acquired a procedural knowledge about the manipulated covariation. In the testing phase of Experiment 2 in which subjects rated a very long sequence of new neutral faces (80), the influence of the newly acquired encoding rule (inferring y based on x) on subjects' judgments gradually increased over time. As predicted by the self-perpetuation hypothesis, the growth of strength of the encoding rule over the testing phase occurred even though the testing phase trials did not contain any information supportive of the encoding rule. This result demonstrates a viable explanation of how people may acquire the (individually differentiated) encoding rules that “translate” objective facial features of perceived persons into subjectively meaningful impressions of attractiveness, intelligence, honesty, etc. The development of such rules can be triggered “incidentally” (i.e., by a very limited number of accidentally consistent instances), and, once initiated, they may become stronger and increasingly influential due to the self-perpetuation mechanism, that is, in the absence of any objectively suportive evidence.
Menopause, complement, and hemostatic markers in women at midlife: the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.

Abstract Objective To evaluate whether higher circulating levels of complement proteins C3 and C4 are associated with menopausal status and with hemostatic/thrombus formation markers (circulating factor VII (factor VIIc), fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tissue plasminogen activator antigen (tPA-ag)) in a sample of midlife women. Methods and results A total of 100 women (50 late peri-/postmenopausal and 50 pre-/early peri- menopausal women) from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) Pittsburgh site were included in the present analysis. Factor VIIc and PAI-1 were log transformed. Linear regression was used for analysis. The mean age of the study participants was 50.5 ± 2.6 years with 73% were Caucasian and 27% were African American. C3 but not C4 was significantly higher in postmenopausal women compared to premenopausal women ( P value = 0.03), adjusting for age, race and BMI. In final model (adjusting for age, race, BMI and menopausal status), C3 was associated with higher levels of log PAI-1 ( P value = 0.0009) and tPA-ag ( P value = 0.0003), while C4 was associated with higher levels of log factor VIIc ( P value = 0.04) and fibrinogen ( P value = 0.005). Conclusions These data suggest that C3 and C4 may be related to blood clots via their associations with hemostatic markers and that C3 is related to menopausal status. Complement proteins C3 and C4 could be possible pathways by which postmenopausal women are at higher risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular related events. It is important to replicate these findings in a larger sample size.