cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Integrating school-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports with tier 2 coaching to student support teams: The PBISplus model

Schools continue to display an interest in, and efficiency with, the implementation of the universal level of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), but often struggle to integrate tier 2 supports to address the needs of students at risk for behavioural or academic difficulties. School practitioners and researchers are increasingly interested in optimizing programme implementation through coaching and integrating supports at the more advanced tiers of PBIS. The current paper describes one such model, called PBISplus, which builds on the multi-tiered PBIS model by providing tailored training in the implementation of functional behavioural assessments, the student support teaming process, cultural proficiency, and evidence-based practices (e.g. Check-In/Check-Out) by a tier 2 coach. After describing the process for integrating these core elements with the universal PBIS model and the coaching model developed to facilitate that process, we summarize preliminary findings from a three-year grou...
Sleep physiology at high altitude

Abstract All night sleep EEG, EKG, and respiration were recorded from six young men during 2 nights at sea level and 4 nonconsecutive nights at high altitude (14.110 ft., 4301 m). Sleep at high altitude was characterized initially by a significant decrease in Stages 3 and 4, a significant increase in the number of arousals, and a trend towards more time spent awake. In terms of actual time spent asleep, however, a relatively good night's sleep was obtained, which suggests that the objective sleep disturbance was not commensurate with the marked subjective complaints of sleepness. Periodic respiration during sleep was frequent at high altitude, was quickly terminated by oxygen administration, was not clearly related to the increased number of arousals, and usually was not seen during REM periods. Heart rate was increased during sleep at high altitude. All measures tended to return towards sea level means during 12 days at altitude. We suggest that the marked increase in the number of arousals may account for the disparity between the subjective reports and objective measures of sleep disturbance at high altitude. Although the objective sleep disruption is probably related in some fashion to hypoxemia, it is unclear whether hypoxemia itself or the alkalosis commonly present shortly after arrival at altitude is the major factor.
Cooperation in the prisoner's dilemma game I: The effects of asymmetric payoff information and explicit communication

The explicit communication structure between pair members was manipulated for six groups of Ss in a two-person, iterated Prisoner's Dilemma game. In addition, Ss in each of the 29 pairs were given differential amounts of information upon which to base their choice strategies. One S was informed only about her own payoffs for each possible combination of choices, while the other pair member was given both sets of payoffs and was aware of having more information. Although cooperation declined over repetitions of the game, group communication structure and amount of payoff information appeared to influence both overall cooperation and the rate at which cooperation declined. Increases in the availability of explicit communication tended to increase both individual and joint cooperation.
Predicting the point at which to change interventions: Borrowing a metric from econometrics

The field of applied behavior analysis is a conservative one, a field that has developed many of its own methods. Despite our success, we have much to learn from other fields. One such field may be economics in general and econometrics in particular. Behavior analysis, education, and psychology are, of course, far less sophisticated in statistics than is economics — a fact of which we might be proud (see Baer, 1977). While the procedure presented here is not sophisticated in the mathematical sense, it might be valuable to us in determining when to change interventions, a decision for which we currently have no metric. The procedure seems easy to translate to ABA, has been well-tested and is a standard procedure in econometrics, is easy to use, and may present a reasonable alternative to our present way of deciding when to change interventions.
Ab initio calculations on large molecules using molecular fragments. Initial P-matrices for scf calculations

Abstract A new procedure is described and characterized for constructing initial P -matrices for Hartree-Fock SCF calculations that is applicable when basis sets composed of localized orbitals that can be classified as inner shell, lone pair, or bonding, are used.
Correlation between calcium ion binding to chloroplast membranes and divalent cation-induced structural changes and changes in chlorophyll a fluorescence.

Abstract 1. 1. Two distinct sites were obseved for Ca2+ binding to chloroplast membranes. Site I has a number of sites equal to 0.65 μmole/mg chlorophyll and has a dissociation constant of 8 ± 3 μ M . This site is the same as that previously observed for Mn2+ (Gross, E. L. (1972) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 150, 324–329) and is responsible for reversal of quaternary ammonium salt uncoupling (Gross, E. L. (1971) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 147, 77–84). 2. 2. Site II has a number of sites equal to 0.5 ± 0.2 μ mole/mg chlorophyll and a dissociation constant of 51 ± 8 μ M . Other divalent cations such as Mn2+ and Mg2+ also bind to this site. 3. 3. Divalent cation binding to Site II was correlated with divalent cation-induced structural changes. 4. 4. Monovalent cations such as K+ and tetraethylammonium also bind to this site but do not cause structural changes. Another explanation for monovalent cation-induced structural changes must be found. 5. 5. Divalent cation binding was also correlated with divalent cation-induced changes in chlorophyll a fluorescence. 6. 6. The divalent cations were found to bind to previously unoccupied sites on the chloroplast membrane rather than to exchange for other cations already present.
Longitudinal Optical Imaging of Tumor Metabolism and Hemodynamics

Fluorescence redox ratio imaging of metabolic demand, absorption microscopy of hemoglobin oxygen saturation and Doppler optical coherence tomography of blood flow were combined to monitor oxygen supply and demand in a tumor model in vivo.
Experimental Modeling of Rainfall and Seismic Activities as Landslide Triggers

A series of experiments were conducted on loose sand, in order to determine the relationship between void ratio, intensity and duration of rainfall, and slope stability. A soil sample was placed into a Plexiglas container at the void ratio of 0.7 to make a 56 cm. thick model and then cut into a slope at different angles to introduce targeted rainfall with a rain simulation system in order to measure the seepage rate, moisture content, degree of saturation, soil settlement, and surface erosion with time. The degree of saturation in the soil mass decreased with depth from the top surface after the termination of rainfall. However, this reduction in degree of saturation from top to bottom of the slope is less in steeper slopes. Following the rainfall experiments another series of experiments were conducted to determine the relationship between void ratio, seismic acceleration, and slope stability. The soil sample was placed into the same container and compacted to the desired void ratio to form the same 56 cm thick model. Two accelerometers were then placed, each at 12 cm. and 36 cm. heights from the base of the model to measure the amplification of seismic acceleration at different depths. The soil sample was cut into different slopes and shaken with different accelerations for multiple cycles until the slope failed. Similar experiments were conducted for soil samples compacted at four different void ratios. The experimental result shows that the seismic acceleration amplified with the increase in vertical distance from the base of the model and also with the reduction in void ratio. BACKGROUND Landslides are ground movements that occur when the stability of a slope becomes unstable due to various reasons. Slope stability represents an important widespread hazard, occurring all over the world including the United States. Landslides cause $1-2 billion dollars in damages and more than 25 fatalities on average each year (USGS webpage). The desire to obtain the perfect view and the increase in population of the coastal area and hillsides contribute to an increase in man-made landslides. Coupled with natural hazards, such as earthquakes, rainfall, erosion, and the transitional changes between the levels of the water table landslide hazards are making our slopes unsafe. The ideal course of action is to reduce damages and fatalities by better understanding slope stability. Although many
Quality of life and antihypertensive drug therapy.

Quality of life on antihypertensive therapy is an important consideration because clinicians are asked to initiate drug therapy and follow mostly asymptomatic patients for long periods of time on agents that are fairly equivalent in both blood-pressure-lowering capacity and the reduction of adverse clinical events. There is, however, evidence to show that hypertension is not always an asymptomatic condition; therefore, the reduction of blood pressure makes people not previously knowledgeable of their hypertensive state feel better. Labeling a patient hypertensive May have negative quality-of-life consequences. Clinicians need to be well informed regarding side-effect profiles as well as anxiety conditions that May lead to subjective complaints that are blamed on medication. Additionally, medication information given to patients May have an important effect on adverse effect reporting. Specific intolerance profiles to the thiazides, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, β blockers, calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin receptor blockers are discussed in this review. Medication compliance requires a multi-tiered strategy. Low-dose thiazide is well tolerated.
Kernel-based LSI system model for synthesizing self-similar network traffic traces

The authors have previously studied simulation of network traffic traces using a fractional pole-zero system derived from a discrete-time dilation or scaling operation based on warping transforms that convert discrete-time frequency to a continuous-time frequency. However, such a model can be used to analyze and simulate only stationary discrete-time self- similar signals. This paper propounds a more general model for discrete-time linear scale-invariant (DLSI) systems built on linear kernel approaches. It is shown that this model can synthesize self-similar processes for simulating non-stationary network traffic.
Current conservation and the transverse electric multipole field

Different prescriptions for imposing the constraints of current conservation on the Fourier transform of the electromagnetic current operator generate alternative forms for the electric multipole fields. These forms lead to quite different predictions for electromagnetic form factors in nuclear calculations that violate current conservation either by adopting an approximate current operator or by diagonalizing the nuclear Hamiltonian in a truncated Hilbert space. For typical shell model calculations of electron scattering form factors, it appears that no existing prescription for imposing the constraints of current conservation on electric multipole operators is entirely satisfactory. Numerical results are given for electric transitions in $^{12}\mathrm{C}$.
Sonographic Appearance of Synovial Crystal Deposits in 2 Patients with Gout

The identification of monosodium urate (MSU) deposits within the synovium in gout is well known by arthroscopic and pathologic descriptions1,2. However, this has not been systematically studied by ultrasound (US). Most studies about US and crystal-related arthritis have focused on the appearance and location of the crystal aggregates either within or on the surface of the cartilage. In gout, deposits appear as a hyperechoic enhancement on the …
Reducing the variability of programmers' performance through explained examples

A software tool called EXPLAINER has been developed for helping programmers perform new tasks by exploring previously worked-out examples. EXPLAINER is based on cognitive principles of learning from examples and problem solving by analogy. The interface is based on the principle of making examples accessible through multiple presentation views and multiple representation perspectives. Empirical evaluation has shown that programmers using EXPLAINER exhibit less variability in their performance compared to programmers using a commercially available, searchable on-line manual. These results are related to other studies of programmers and to current methodologies in software engineering.
Predicting community reintegration after spinal cord injury from demographic and injury characteristics.

Abstract Objective: To determine the influence of demographic and injury characteristics on the community reintegration of people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Design: Prospective cross-sectional and longitudinal examination of individuals with SCI. Setting: Follow-up of individuals at 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, and 20 years after SCI who received their initial rehabilitation in a Regional Model Spinal Cord Injury System. Participants: A total of 3,835 individuals who met the inclusion criteria for the National SCI Database were studied cross-sectionally, and a subset of 347 individuals who were also enrolled in a longitudinal study of aging with SCI. Main Outcome Measures: Subscales of the Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique (CHART). Results: Neurologic classification, age, years postinjury, gender, ethnicity, and education explain 29% of the variance in physical independence, 29% of the variance in mobility, 28% of the variance in occupation, 9% of the variance in social integration, and 18% of the variance in economic self-sufficiency. Conclusions: Although these factors are inadequate to explain most of the variation in community reintegration (handicap) after SCI, they might appropriately be used to adjust for case-mix differences when comparing rehabilitation facilities and techniques.
An elementary scaling law for rod impact specimens

Abstract An elementary one-dimensional analysis is presented for the impact of a rigid-plastic rod against an immovable anvil. One consequence of this analysis is a relationship among the quantities final rod length, final underformed rod length and final diameter of the impact face. This theoretical relation is compared with actual experimental data and shown to be approximately correct.
Frames of translates and examples of generalized frame multiresolution analyses

We introduce the concept of frames of translates and we characterize the countable families of vectors generating such frames. In this context we generalize the concept of the Grammian introduced by Ron and Shen. We apply this characterization to study Generalized frame MRAs of L 2 (R). We also provide the characterization of frame multiwavelet sets associated with GFMRAs of L 2 (R) and we present examples of GFMRAs.
An unusual mechanism for EF-Tu activation during tmRNA-mediated ribosome rescue.

In bacteria, ribosomes stalled on truncated mRNAs are rescued by transfer-messenger RNA (tmRNA) and its protein partner SmpB. Acting like tRNA, the aminoacyl-tmRNA/SmpB complex is delivered to the ribosomal A site by EF-Tu and accepts the transfer of the nascent polypeptide. Although SmpB binding within the decoding center is clearly critical for licensing tmRNA entry into the ribosome, it is not known how activation of EF-Tu occurs in the absence of a codon–anticodon interaction. A recent crystal structure revealed that SmpB residue His136 stacks on 16S rRNA nucleotide G530, a critical player in the canonical decoding mechanism. Here we use pre-steady-state kinetic methods to probe the role of this interaction in ribosome rescue. We find that although mutation of His136 does not reduce SmpB's affinity for the ribosomal A-site, it dramatically reduces the rate of GTP hydrolysis by EF-Tu. Surprisingly, the same mutation has little effect on the apparent rate of peptide-bond formation, suggesting that release of EF-Tu from the tmRNA/SmpB complex on the ribosome may occur prior to GTP hydrolysis. Consistent with this idea, we find that peptidyl transfer to tmRNA is relatively insensitive to the antibiotic kirromycin. Taken together, our studies provide a model for the initial stages of ribosomal rescue by tmRNA.
Dependence of heme accessibility in horseradish peroxidase on Ca2

Abstract The rate constant for quenching, k q , of the pulsed laser-induced phosphorescence of 6-bromo-2-naphthyl sulfate (B) was measured at room temperature to be 4.6 × 10 8 and 7.6 × 10 8 M −1 s −1 for quenching by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) with and without bound Ca 2+ (CaD-HRP), respectively. Quenching of B phosphorescence by apo-HRP was found to be biexponential and gave evidence that quenching by HRP and CaD-HRP occurs predominantly without the formation of a bound complex of 3 B and protein. It was also concluded that quenching occurs predominantly after B migrates through the single substrate channel into the vicinity of the heme. Since the activation energy for quenching was found to be insensitive to the presence of Ca 2+ , the conformation and dynamical motion within the substrate channel were concluded to change little between CaD-HRP and HRP. It was concluded that if enzyme enhancement induced by Ca 2+ is due to structural stabilization of HRP, the stabilizing influence is not transmitted strongly into the substrate channel.
The extent of fruit bud radiant cooling in relation to freeze protection with fans

Abstract Whether or not fruit buds in orchards can be protected from freezing by the use of fans, when no temperature inversion exists, depends upon the degree of bud radiant cooling at such times. Nighttime bud cooling in apple and peach orchards was estimated by comparing the temperature of buds and the adjacent air. The extent of radiant cooling was usually less than 0.6°C below ambient. Even this modest degree of radiant bud cooling appeared to require conditions with less than 60% cloud cover and wind speed less than 1 to 1.5 m s −1 at a height of 2 m. However, such conditions were also accompanied by inversions. The protective potential of fans in the absence of an inversion (postulated on the basis of bud radiant cooling) is therefore disclaimed on two accounts: (1) that the bud/air temperature difference is quite small and would only rarely span the bud critical temperature, and (2) that bud cooling would probably not occur during conditions which prevent the presence of an inversion.
Precursor-size components are the basic collagenous subunits of murine tumor basement membrane.

Abstract The acid-insoluble fraction of murine tumor basement membrane produced by the EHS sarcoma was extracted following reduction of disulfide bonds under nondenaturing conditions. Extracts prepared from tumors grown in either lathyritic or normal animals contain two procollagen-like chains as well as cross-linked oligomers of these chains. Extracted monomeric chains behave almost exactly like reduced, radiolabeled EHS collagen precursor chains on SDS-PAGE and SDSagarose suggesting that they are very similar collagens. Since the collagen extracted after reduction represented a significant proportion of the total tumor collagen, it is likely that tumor basement membrane is assembled from precursor-size Type IV collagen molecules.
Lymphocyte reactivity in cancer patients: correlation with tumor histology and clinical stage.

The in vitro reactivity of peripheral blood lymphocytes and the effect of serum on normal lymphocyte reactivity was determined in 89 patients with non-lymphoid tumors by quantitation of phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced tritiated thymidine incorporation. The reactivity of lymphocytes from patients with sarcomas and squamous carcinomas was impaired, and their sera suppressed normal lymphocyte reactivity. The cellular and serum abnormalities coexisted in patients with sarcomas but occurred independently in patients with squamous carcinomas. Patients with melanomas and adenocarcinomas did not differ from controls by these parameters. With the exception of patients with melanomas, a similar incidence of abnormalities occurred in patients with localized tumors and those with metastases. These data indicate that this test system assays certain early and tumor histology-related aspects of the hosttumor relationship and is potentially useful for the study of factors associated with development of cancer and monitoring effect of tumor treatment.
Test of a multidimensional discrimination model of stimulus identification

Lockhead’s hypothesis that distribution in psychological space determines the identifiability of multidimensional stimuli was tested using both redundant and nonredundant stimulus sets. Three four-item bidimensional stimulus sets were used. In order of increasing distribution in psychological space, they were: redundant linear correlated, redundant sawtooth, and nonredundant. Fifteen Ss were run, five per condition, for 96 test trials in each of four sessions. As predicted, both amount and rate of information transmission were greatest for the nonredundant stimuli; however, there were no significant differences between the redundant sets.
Regional Brain Atrophy Is Associated With Physical Disability in Multiple Sclerosis: Semiquantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Relationship to Clinical Findings

OBJECTIVE Brain atrophy may occur early in the course of multiple sclerosis (MS) and may be associated with disability. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of 114 MS patients (group A) were analyzed for regional atrophy (vs age-/gender-matched controls) and T1 and T2 lesions using 4-point rating systems. Thirty-five separate patients (group B) were analyzed for cortical atrophy (ordinal scale), third ventricular width, and total T2 hyperintense lesion volume (computer assisted). In group A, regression modeling indicated that inferior frontal atrophy (P = .0003) and T2 lesions in the pons (P = .02) predicted physical disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] score). Secondary progressive (SP) versus relapsing patients were predicted by inferior parietal (P = .002), superior parietal (P = .006), temporal (P = .008), inferior frontal (P = .01), superior frontal (P = .01), cerebellum (P = .01), occipital (P = .01), and midbrain (P = .02) atrophy. SP patients were also predicted by total atrophy (P = .01) and third ventricular enlargement (P = .03) but not T1 or T2 lesions. In group B, the regression model predicting EDSS score included only superior frontal atrophy (r = 0.515, P = .002). Mean kappa coefficients of ordinal ratings were 0.9 (intraobserver) and 0.8 (interobserver). Ordinal ratings correlated well with quantitative assessments. The authors conclude that brain atrophy is closely associated with physical disability and clinical course in MS patients and can be appreciated using a semiquantitative MRI regional rating system.
Airline and airport applications: simulation optimization of airline delay with constraints

Air traffic delay is a growing and expensive problem. We investigated ways to reduce the cost and magnitude of such delays by trading gate delays against more expensive air delays. Air management and planning at this level can be facilitated by simulation, especially for strategies that alter controls on the system. We used the SIMMOD air traffic simulation to model the system. The objective was to determine a set of control measures that achieve the best system performance subject to restrictions on the decision parameters and selected system output measurements. Because observed system performance is "noisy," the problem is a constrained stochastic optimization problem with nonlinear objective function and nonlinear, stochastic constraints, which requires efficient stochastic optimization methods for its solution. Our approach used the simultaneous perturbation stochastic approximation (SPSA) algorithm with a penalty function to handle the difficult constraints.
The Fourier-Kelvin Stellar Interferometer (FKSI) Nulling Testbed II: Closed-loop Path Length Metrology And Control Subsystem

The Fourier-Kelvin Stellar Interferometer (FKSI) is a mission concept for an imaging and nulling interferometer in the near to mid-infrared spectral region (3-8 microns), and will be a scientific and technological pathfinder for upcoming missions including TPF-I/DARWIN, SPECS, and SPIRIT. At NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, we have constructed a symmetric Mach-Zehnder nulling testbed to demonstrate techniques and algorithms that can be used to establish and maintain the 10(exp 4) null depth that will be required for such a mission. Among the challenges inherent in such a system is the ability to acquire and track the null fringe to the desired depth for timescales on the order of hours in a laboratory environment. In addition, it is desirable to achieve this stability without using conventional dithering techniques. We describe recent testbed metrology and control system developments necessary to achieve these goals and present our preliminary results.
Tax evasion under random audits with uncertain detection

Abstract We show that an increase in taxpayer uncertainty about the amount of tax evasion that will be detected if an audit is undertaken increases compliance for prudent taxpayers if they believe that they will be assessed at least the amount of tax evaded. Thus, a policy that fosters detection uncertainty is more likely to encourage compliance the higher is the penalty for tax evasion.
New determination of the Ba-Mo yield matrix for 252 Cf

Using triple-coincidence events of prompt fission gamma rays from 1995 Gammasphere data on spontaneous fission of ${}^{252}\mathrm{Cf},$ we made a careful analysis of the yield matrix of coincident pairs of barium $(Z=56)$ and molybdenum $(Z=42)$ fission fragments. Branching from gamma bands $(K=2)$ and octupole bands $(K=0)$ are presented for even-even partners, where observable. From this reanalysis the previously proposed ``extra-hot-fission mode'' (up to ten neutrons evaporated) as determined by twofold coincidences of 1993 Gammasphere data is much weaker, but not excluded. This finding is in agreement with a recently published similar study from the Legnaro gamma-detector array.
KinCareTech: Interactive, Internet-Based Software to Support Kinship Caregivers

Kinship care has advantages over traditional foster care, but kinship caregivers have fewer resources and receive less support or training. Technology may be one way to evaluate needs and provide support. KinCareTech is a collaboratively developed, single-session Internet-based program designed to promote early reading and/or parenting skills through an interactive, caregiver-focused brief intervention. KinCareTech was used by a group of 10 kinship caregivers who then provided quantitative and qualitative feedback regarding the acceptability and helpfulness of the software. Feedback from these kinship caregivers suggested that they saw the software as easy to use, helpful, and relevant to their concerns.
Developmental expression of Smoc1 and Smoc2 suggests potential roles in fetal gonad and reproductive tract differentiation

SMOC1 and SMOC2 are matricellular proteins thought to influence growth factor signaling, migration, proliferation, and angiogenesis. We examined the expression and regulation of Smoc1 and Smoc2 in fetal gonad/mesonephros complexes to discover possible roles for these genes in gonad and mesonephros development. Smoc1 was upregulated at approximately E10.75 in a center-to-poles wave in pre-Sertoli and pre-granulosa cells and its expression was greatly reduced in Wt1, Sf1, and Fog2 mutants. After E13.5, Smoc1 was downregulated in an anterior-to-posterior wave in granulosa cells but persisted in Sertoli cells, suggesting a sexually dimorphic requirement in supporting cell lineage differentiation. Smoc2 was expressed in Leydig cells, mesonephroi, and Wnt4 mutant ovaries, but not wildtype ovaries. Using organ culture, we determined that Smoc2 expression was dependent on Hedgehog signaling in testes, mesonephroi, and kidneys. Overall, these results demonstrate that SMOC1 and SMOC2 may mediate intercellular signaling and cell type-specific differentiation during gonad and reproductive tract development.
Interoperability between EFCI and ER switch mechanisms for ABR traffic in an ATM network

The rate-based flow control mechanism in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) networks controls the transmission rate of Available Bit Rate (ABR) traffic sources, based on feedback information contained in the Resource Management (RM) cells coming from the destination and/or the network switching nodes. While the source and destination end systems behavior is fully described in the ATM Forum Traffic Management Specification, the network switch mechanism is implementation dependent. Since there is a variety of algorithms an ATM switch vendor can choose from, different performance characteristics are expected. This paper investigates the interoperability issues in terms of network performance and fairness of bandwidth allocation when an ATM network consists of switches using different rate control mechanisms, namely, the Explicit Forward Congestion Indication (EFCI) mode and the Explicit Rate (ER) mechanism. Simulation results show that these algorithms will interoperate as long as the switch implementation conforms to the end system behavior for congestion notification and usage of RM cells. Moreover, the location of an ER switch in a given topology might be critical to solving the ''beat-down'' phenomenon, where traffic passing through a larger number of switches might get less bandwidth than single hop traffic.
using P-Stat, BMDP and SPSS for a cross-products factor analysis

Abstract The major disadvantage of the Q factor analysis with Euclidean distance described by Tanner and Koning [Comput. Prog. Biomed. 12 (1980) 201–202] is the considerable editing required. An alternative procedure with commercially distributed software, and with cross-products in place of Euclidean distances is described. This procedure does not require any editing.
The Performance of the Ultrasonic Flowmeter in Complex Velocity Profiles

The principle of operation of the ultrasonic flowmeter, detecting phase shifts or pulse transit times, is examined. It is shown both theoretically and experimentally that the sensitivity of the flowmeter depends on the fluid velocities averaged along the path of the ultrasound between the transducers. The instrument therefore overestimates the net fluid velocity by 33 percent in case of steady laminar flow and by approximately 7 percent in case of steady turbulent flow, provided the ultrasound traverses the entire lumen of the (cylindrical) vessel. The signal obtained in case of oscillatory flow generally is larger in amplitude than and lagging in phase behind the true flow. The errors are between 0 and 33 percent and between 0 and 7°, respectively. The effect of this on natural blood flow signals is discussed in detail. It is concluded that the flowmeter detects the waveform of aortic flows with a fidelity which should be satisfactory in most cases.
Self-esteem and sex as factors affecting influenceability.

A total of 60 fifth-graders (30 males, 30 females) were drawn from high and low scorers on the Coopersmith self-esteem (S-E) scale. In a modified Prisoner's Dilemma Game played for M & M candies, subjects were made the targets of either promises of extra reward for cooperating or threats of punishment for not cooperating which were sent by a simulated other player. High S-E subjects rationally complied more to both threats and promises than did low S-E subjects, giving support to Cohen's (1959) hypothesis that high S-E is associated with avoidance or denial defences, while low S-E is associated with expressive or destructive defences. Subjects receiving promises were more open and truthful in indicating their compliance intentions than were threat-condition subjects; subjects in both message conditions were more cooperative overall than were no-message control subjects. A series of interactions of S-E with sex suggested a confounding effect of adopted sex-role as a possible explanation for the frequent failure to find with female subjects the direct relationship of low S-E to persuasibility or compliance that is typically found with males.
Covenantal Realism: The Self-Referential Incoherency of Conventional Social Contract Theory and the Necessity of Consent

Abstract In this article I contend that conventional social contract theory is self-referentially incoherent. Conventional contractarianism therefore fails to provide an adequate foundation for the authority of the state and for the obligation of citizens to obey. The insistence on consent for legitimate political authority has usually been rendered in contractarian terms. Thus, the fall of conventional social contract theory seemingly entails that we should reject the principle of consent as well. Yet, the necessity of consent for the authority of the state and, concomitantly, for the obligation of citizens to obey seems to be an entailment of human equality. Thus, insofar as human persons are equal, the legitimacy of the state seems to require a foundation logically precluded to it. We are therefore confronted with a theoretical crisis. Even so, I will argue that we need not reject the principle of consent. The self-referential incoherency of conventional contractarianism results from its conventionalis...
Environmental factors affecting settlement of quagga mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) veligers in Lake Mead, Nevada-Arizona, USA

Environmental factors that can affect the settlement rate of quagga mussel veligers include flow velocity, water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), conductivity, total organic carbon (TOC), and the surface roughness of monitoring substrates. In the present study, six artificial substrates, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) plastic, Concrete Underlayment Board (CUB), aluminum, stainless steel and fiberglass, were used to monitor the settlement of quagga mussel veligers at different water depths in Lake Mead, Nevada-Arizona, USA. Considering the hierarchical data structure of observed mussel densities, we investigated the relationship between mussel settlement on monitoring substrates and the surrounding environmental variables by applying the Linear Mixed Effects (LME) model. After normalization, the above six environmental variables were considered as independent factors in fixed-effect calculation, while water depth and substrate roughness acted as the group variable and the random term, respectively. The results indicated that flow velocity, water temperature, and DO were significant factors in determining the mussel settlement on substrates. TOC was barely significant while conductivity and pH had no impact on settlement of quagga mussel veligers. As to the random effect, no preference for substrate type could be found, while water depth caused considerably more variation in modeling since it might correlate with most environmental variables. There is need to emphasize the critical role of flow velocity which is often ignored by biologists - higher flow velocities significantly decreased the settlement of quagga mussel veligers on substrates. Therefore, to more efficiently monitor quagga mussel colonization in water bodies, artificial substrates should be deployed in areas without strong flow.
Monotonicity of drive effects in the instrumental conditioning of attitudes

Instrumentally conditioned attitude strength was a monotonically increasing function of drive. A speed (100/latency) measure of conditioned attitude strength was employed. Speeds of the three drive groups were significantly different in the predicted rank order: low, medium, and high (p <.001). Results were predicted from a theory of persuasive communication that is based on systematic analogies with conditioning and selective learning.
Focusing of gravitational radiation into the galactic plane

We consider rays of gravitational radiation emitted near the event horizon of a maximally rotating black hole at the galactic center, aligned with the galactic rotation. If the emitting matter is concentrated in the equatorial plane of the black hole, the focusing effect of the metric will be concentrated in the galactic plane. An average intensification of about an order of magnitude results at the earth.
Effect of acute and long‐term oral tobacco use on oesophageal motility1

Background and Aims: Nicotine administration is known to decrease lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) pressure. Although a few studies have assessed the effect of tobacco on the LOS, the effect of acute and long-term oral tobacco use on oesophageal motility is not known. The study was designed to investigate the effect of acute and long-term oral tobacco use on LOS and distal oesophageal motility. Methods: Thirty-six healthy men (aged 18‐65 years, median 34 years; 18 oral tobacco users, 18 nontobacco users) underwent oesophageal manometry using a water-perfusion system. After baseline manometry, tobacco users were asked to keep 0.5 g tobacco in their mouth for 10 min; non-users of tobacco were kept in quiet surroundings for a similar period. Manometry was then repeated. Results: The LOS basal pressures were similar in tobacco users and non-tobacco users (mean ± SD 15.4 ± 6.3 vs 13.4 ± 5.3 mmHg). In the distal oesophageal body, the velocity (4.4 ± 3.1 vs 4.9 ± 2.6 cm/s), amplitude (92.7 ± 38.3 vs 84.8 ± 33.2 mmHg) and duration of contraction (2.1 ± 0.7 vs 1.7 ± 0.9 s) were similar in tobacco users and non-users. Acute tobacco use did not affect these parameters.The numbers of abnormal waves (triple peaks and non-transmitted contractions) were also similar in the two groups. Conclusion: Oral tobacco use does not appear to affect LOS pressures and distal oesophageal motility acutely or in the long term. © 2000 Blackwell Science Asia Pty Ltd
Why Contracts: Evidence

Contracts are a ubiquitous part of the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. Despite this, they are poorly understood by practitioners and academics. This paper empirically tests a conceptual model of the contract that seeks to improve our understanding of contracts. This model argues that the contract should be viewed as a managerial tool that provides the structure within which we accomplish the project tasks. The choice of the appropriate contract facilitates a process that allows the parties to achieve superior performance. The model views the contract as a multidimensional instrument that addresses three critical questions: (1) what is the structure of the organizational relationship between firms; (2) what is the disposition of risk and reward for involvement in the project; and (3) how will conflicts between firms be resolved? This paper empirically examines the first two dimensions. In order to address these distinct but intertwined questions, theories from Transaction Cost Economics and Agency Theory are brought to bear. The results of the study suggest that the conceptual model explains some of the variation in project performance, and therefore holds promise as a strategic management tool.
Self-Ownership and the Lockean Proviso

Locke's defense of private property rights includes what is called a proviso— “the Lockean proviso”—and some have argued that in terms of it the right to private property can have various exceptions and it may not even be unjust to redistribute wealth that is privately owned. I argue that this cannot be right because it would imply that one's right to life could also have various exceptions, so anyone's life (and labor) could be subject to conscription if some would need it badly enough. Since this could amount to enslavement and involuntary servitude, it would be morally and legally unacceptable.
Abstract 1082: Stochastic control of abnormal morphogenesis induced by the ErbB2 oncoprotein

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase ErbB2 causes multiacinar structures in 3D culture that are reminiscent of early-stage breast tumors. The penetrance of the multiacinar phenotype is incomplete and random, and dimerization with other ErbB family members gives rise to quantitative differences in penetrance. Our goal is to understand the mechanism by which a multiacinus initiates and why only a random fraction of the cultured acini exhibit the morphogenetic defect when ErbB2 is activated. Our working hypothesis is that acute differences (dichotomies) in gene expression develop among acini and give rise to the distinct 3D phenotypes induced by ErbB2. The transcriptional dichotomies that exist before the appearance of the multiacinar phenoptype will be the ones most likely to control it. We are using a new technique, called “stochastic profiling,” that our lab developed for discovering transcriptional dichotomies in a seemingly uniform cell population. We have established single ErbB2 dimer clones with similar expression levels of ErbB2 and its dimerization partner. Expression of the ErbB2 constructs was also validated at the single-cell level in frozen acinar sections by RNA FISH. Laser capture microdissection was used to select a small number of cells (10-100 cells) from the fresh frozen 3D sections followed by RNA extraction and small-sample cDNA amplification. The amplification parameters were optimized for the ErbB2 clones in different culture formats. We observed good quantitative linearity and amplification efficiencies for a wide range of high- and low-abundance targets in a 2D-culture format. We are working to improve the amplification efficiency of samples microdissected in the 3D-culture format. The long-term goal is to link upstream acinus-specific expression programs to downstream morphogenetic heterogeneities. The results from this project could explain mechanistically why only a fraction of ErbB2-overexpression breast cancers respond positively to ErbB2-targeted therapeutics. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1082. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1082
Work in progress: Describing the responsibilities of Teaching Assistants in first-year engineering programs

Many engineering programs have a common first-year curriculum required for all students. The courses tend to be large in size requiring the use of Teaching Assistants (TAs) for implementation. The responsibilities of TAs vary including lecturer, lab instructor, and grader. Despite their significant presence and varied functions, little is known about the roles of TAs as a whole across institutions. This study fills a gap in the literature by describing the roles and responsibilities of TAs in multiple first-year engineering programs across the nation, providing a foundation for future work investigating TA experiences, motivation, and identity development.
Working against the Grain: White Privilege in Human Resource Development.

This chapter looks at the role of the human resource development functions within organizations, with an emphasis on how white professionals can counteract racism and white privilege.
Laws for the land

Planning and Pollution: An examination of the Role of Land Use Planning in the Protection of Environmental Quality. By Christopher Miller and Christopher Wood. Oxford University Press: 1983. Pp.232. £15.00, $32.50.
Progressive damage modeling of plain weave E-glass/phenolic composites

Abstract An optimized set of material properties and parameters for E-glass/phenolic composites is determined for use in the rate dependent composite damage model MAT162 in LS-DYNA. The model requires 39 material properties and parameters, and is able to capture the seven different damage modes and post damage softening behavior of composites. The unknown MAT162 parameters were determined by conducting parametric simulations of low velocity impact (LVI), depth of penetration (DOP), and ballistic impacts. The modulus reduction parameter OMGMX is found by simulating LVI tests and varying the values of OMGMX to find the best agreement with LVI experimental data. The limit of compressive volume strain for element eroding was found by simulating DOP experiments and comparing the results to the experimental data. Then the element eroding axial strain E_LIMT and EEXPN were determined by simulating ballistic impact experiments. When the optimized values were determined, analysis of ballistic experiments were conducted and compared to the experimental impact versus residual velocity curve. The results of the simulations were in excellent agreement with the experimental data.
Performing Shakespeare in Japan. Edited by Minami Ryuta, Ian Carruthers, and John Gillies. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001; pp. 259 + illus. $74.95 hardcover; Shakespeare and the Japanese Stage. Edited by Takashi Sasayama, J. R. Mulryne, and Margaret Shewring. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998; pp. 357 + illus. $74.95 hardcover.

The first significant wave of Western scholarship about Japanese theatre came after World War II in the combined efforts of Brandon, Ernst, Keene, Scott, Bowers, Maim and others, who provided an encyclopedic introduction to the histories, practices and aesthetics of traditional Japanese theatre. The scope of this collective undertaking (no less than the [re]construction of a cultural legacy pre-dating Shakespeare) was, and remains, a stunning achievement in terms of its sheer exuberance as well as in its revelatory contribution to Western knowledge. Yet, in spite of such an auspicious beginning (as well as the excellent contributions of subsequent scholars), extant studies of Japanese theatre in English remain scarce and new ones, scarcer still. Even now, more than a half-century after the war, the emphases of these examinations often privilege the study of traditional practices over contemporary ones. A near-absence of translated studies by Japanese scholars further compounds this imbalanced perspective.
Lobar Lung Transplantation: Emerging Evidence for a Viable Option

The field of lung transplantation has seen an exciting evolution recently, with novel approaches to increasing the number of organs available for patients with end-stage lung disease. We review 2 recent reports describing the approach of lobar lung transplant as a successful and viable option for those recipients who are challenged by size mismatch and clinical course decline while on the transplant waiting list.