cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
“They Deserve a Stinging Defeat”: How Mississippi Newspapers' Coverage of the 1955 Junior Rose Bowl Protected the Closed Society

Abstract In 1955, college sports teams in Mississippi refrained from playing integrated squads as a part of the social standard of segregation that dominated the Magnolia State. When the Jones County Junior College football team, with a record of 9–1, accepted a bid to play in the 1955 Junior Rose Bowl for the junior college national championship against the integrated Tartars of Compton (California) Junior College, Mississippi's journalists used their power and public forum to denounce the decision andprotect what James Silver has called the Closed Society. As demonstrated by this article, sports reporters neglected the social implications of participating in integrated athletics while some of Mississippi's more famed editors, including the Jackson Daily News' Frederick Sullens, attacked the Jones County contingent for its violation of the state's segregated way of life. This research argues that as a result, the silence and outrage in the press served as a deterrent for any and all efforts toward athlet...
Worksite Stressors and University Faculty

Universities today are faced with mounting pressures. Accountability, declining applicant pools of traditional college age cohorts, and resource allocation conflicts exacerbate competition between and among departments and between traditional disciplines and newer programs. Interinstitutional conflict about goals has the schools and colleges of universities clashing for pieces of a diminishing resource pie when they need to work together.
Open Source Code Development

The purpose of this chapter is to describe two open source code projects in which the author has been involved.
Molecular Determinants of Ion Permeation and Selectivity in Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptor Ca2+ Channels

We tested the hypothesis that key residues in a putative intraluminal loop contribute to determination of ion permeation through the intracellular Ca2+ release channel (inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs)) that is gated by the second messenger inositol 1,4,5-trisphophate (IP3). To accomplish this, we mutated residues within the putative pore forming region of the channel and analyzed the functional properties of mutant channels using a45Ca2+ flux assay and single channel electrophysiological analyses. Two IP3R mutations, V2548I and D2550E, retained the ability to release45Ca2+ in response to IP3. When analyzed at the single channel level; both recombinant channels had IP3-dependent open probabilities similar to those observed in wild-type channels. The mutation V2548I resulted in channels that exhibited a larger K+ conductance (489 ± 13 picosiemens (pS) for V2548I versus 364 ± 5 pS for wild-type), but retained a Ca2+ selectivity similar to wild-type channels (PCa2+:PK+∼ 4:1). Conversely, D2550E channels were nonselective for Ca2+ over K+(PCa2+:PK+∼ 0.6:1), while the K+ conductance was effectively unchanged (391 ± 4 pS). These results suggest that amino acid residues Val2548 and Asp2550 contribute to the ion conduction pathway. We propose that the pore of IP3R channels has two distinct sites that control monovalent cation permeation (Val2548) and Ca2+ selectivity (Asp2550).
Editorial: Evaluating exploratory search systems

Online search has become an increasingly important part of the everyday lives of most computer users. Generally, popular search tools support users well, however, in situations where the search problem is poorly defined, or the information seeker is unfamiliar with the problem domain, or the search task requires some exploration or the consideration of multiple perspectives, such tools may not operate as effectively. To address situations where technology may not meet their needs, users have developed coping strategies involving the submission of multiple queries and the interactive exploration of the retrieved document space, selectively following links and passively obtaining cues about where their next steps lie. This is an example of exploratory search behavior, and comprises a mixture of serendipity, learning, and investigation [7].
TRANSIENT HEAT CONDUCTION AND THERMAL COEFFICIENT OF CERAMIC COATED FABRICS

Ceramic coated fabrics have been employed for heat resistant clothing such as fire-fighters gears, fire-proof insulators, and heating and cooling insulators. Thus, transient heat conduction and thermal properties of such fabrics are needed for the design of the clothing. The goal of this study is to measure the transient heat conduction and the coefficient of thermal expansion of ceramic coated fabrics with different woven morphologies. This has been accomplished through an experimental setup consists of a hotplate assembly, applying a uniform temperature, with the accuracy of +/− 1 °C in less than 500 msec, a ceramic coated fabric and an infra-red thermometer assembly. This set up has been validated by using a known material such as aluminum and copper for the coefficient of thermal expansion measurement. The hot plate temperature was varied between 30 to 400°C within 300 seconds.The transient heat conduction and the thermal coefficient of the woven ceramic coated fabrics were compared with ceramic nonwoven fabrics materials. Finally, upon comparing different samples and measuring the coefficients of thermal expansion, K’s, the level of delay in heat transfer with respect to time has been determined.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Self-regulated Learning and Development in Teacher Preparation Training

Social cognitive theory emphasizes the importance of human agency and provides a framework to study how learners acquire competencies, skills, dispositions, beliefs, and self-regulation. This chapter argues that self-regulated learning and development is one way in which social cognitive theory has been applied to preparing future teachers. In addition, self-efficacy, individuals’ belief about their capability to perform a specific task, has been associated with academic achievement among teacher candidates. Specifically, the cyclical phases of self-regulation described here provide a framework to train teacher candidates to become proactive and goal directed learners and practitioners. Learning to teach is not enough for today’s teacher candidates, therefore, integration of crucial self-regulatory learning strategies into their curricula is recommended by researchers to put future teachers in charge of their learning processes. In general, this chapter reviews the existing literature on self-regulation of learning and motivation, and among teacher candidates who struggle with personal and academic challenges specifically.
Finding Domatic Partitions in Infinite Graphs

We investigate the apparent difficulty of finding domatic partitions in graphs using tools from computability theory. We consider nicely presented (i.e., computable) infinite graphs and show that even if the domatic number is known, there might not be any algorithm for producing a domatic partition of optimal size. However, we prove that smaller domatic partitions can be constructed if we restrict to regular graphs. Additionally, we establish similar results for total domatic partitions.
A New Method for Sensor Degradation Detection, Isolation and Compensation in Linear Systems

The performance of machines and equipment degrades as a result of aging and wear. This decreases performance reliability and increases the potential for faults and failures. To ensure proper functionality of complex systems, advanced technologies for performance diagnosis and control are being incorporated into engineering designs, which requires an ever-increasing number of sensors and measurement devices. Nevertheless, a sensor, just as any other dynamic system, degrades and fails. A faulty sensor may cause process performance degradation, process shut down, or even a fatal accident because it is no longer able to deliver accurate information about the monitored system. Therefore, it is essential to assess sensor performance to ensure system reliability. In this paper, a method is proposed to detect, isolate, and compensate sensor degradation. The numerical algorithm for subspace state space system identification is used to track the changes of the time constants and gains of the sensor and the monitored system. Without imposing requirements for redundant sensors and measurement devices, this method utilizes the fact that sensor readings depict dynamic characteristics of the sensors as well as those of the monitored system. The newly proposed method is verified in angular sensor degradation detection using high-fidelity simulations of an automotive electronic throttle system.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Dispersion cancellation in a measurement of the single-photon propagation velocity in glass.

We have demonstrated for the first time that single photons in glass travel at the group velocity, and have observed a novel, nonlocal dispersion-cancellation effect. We used a two-photon interferometer in which a conjugate pair of photons produced in parametric fluorescence travel separate paths and are detected in coincidence after being recombined at a beam splitter. A piece of glass was placed in the path of one of the photons, and a variable delay was adjusted to precisely compensate for it. The single-photon propagation time was thus measured to within approximately 4 fsec.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy with a Family at High Risk for Physical Abuse:

The use of empirically validated treatments with physically abusive and at-risk families continues to be an issue requiring further clinical and research attention. This single-case study discusses the effectiveness of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) with a mother-child dyad considered to be at high risk for physical abuse. Although PCIT is effective with different populations and in different settings, no study to date has demonstrated the effectiveness of PCIT with physically abusive families or families at risk for physical abuse. Data are presented from behavioral observations and standardized measures. Results suggest that PCIT was effective in reducing the child's behavior problems and the mother's stress, and increasing the number of positive parent-child interactions. Finally, implications for future clinical and research work on physically abusive and at-risk families are discussed.
Manipulation of the polyamine content and senescence of apical buds of G2 peas

The effect of various treatments on the apical senescence and polyamine content of apical buds of G2 peas was analysed. Defruiting prevented senescence and increased bud size and polyamine content. Exogenous applications of GA20 enhanced bud size and spermidine concentration. Applied spermidine had a slight effect on spermidine level but did not delay senescence. ACC strongly induced adecrease in bud size and, at 10mM, apical senescence. This was accompanied by a steady decline in the level of all polyamines though their concentration remained constant until 10 mM ACC, where a drop was noted. Spermidine in the presence of ACC modulated the effect of ACC on the bud size white returning the internal polyamine content to control levels. AVG, an inhibitor of ACC synthesis produced pronounced increases in putrescine though no apparent effect on apical bud growth. Polyamine synthesis inhibitors were without effect on growth or internal polyamine content. The internal polyamine content appeared to correlate with apical bud size and vigor but did not show any consistent relationship to apical bud senescence.
Smart substrates : Improving pattern fidelity with the gain enhancing underlayers, APPAG

We have developed a materials technology to enhance spatial information at the photoresist‐substrate interface by tuning the properties of the interface as a function of exposure. A photosensitive spin‐on‐glass that compensates for signal loss through thickness by injecting catalyst into the resist layer in response to radiation dose is described. The preliminary results showed significant improvement to the depth of focus and indicated the approach potential to improve resolution and other key parameters. In Commemoration of the Contributions of Professor Valery P. Privalko to Polymer Science.
USE OF ANTIBIOTICS BY CHILDREN WITH UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS(URI) BY TYPE OF AMBULATORY CARE PROVIDER: A COMMUNITY-BASED STUDY.† 1026

USE OF ANTIBIOTICS BY CHILDREN WITH UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS(URI) BY TYPE OF AMBULATORY CARE PROVIDER: A COMMUNITY-BASED STUDY.† 1026
On-Call Radiology: Community Standards and Current Trends

The issues regarding on-call radiology are complex and contentious. Both academic and private practice radiology centers have encountered increasing workloads in recent years. Some academic centers are utilizing night float systems or other models of call to address the increasing complexity and volume of after-hours cases. Many private practice groups are outsourcing after-hours work to commercial nighthawk radiology services. Emergency medicine department and ACR guidelines place additional expectations on the on-call radiologist.
Beyond Streptococcus mutans: Dental Caries Onset Linked to Multiple Species by 16S rRNA Community Analysis

Dental caries in very young children may be severe, result in serious infection, and require general anesthesia for treatment. Dental caries results from a shift within the biofilm community specific to the tooth surface, and acidogenic species are responsible for caries. Streptococcus mutans, the most common acid producer in caries, is not always present and occurs as part of a complex microbial community. Understanding the degree to which multiple acidogenic species provide functional redundancy and resilience to caries-associated communities will be important for developing biologic interventions. In addition, microbial community interactions in health and caries pathogenesis are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate bacterial community profiles associated with the onset of caries in the primary dentition. In a combination cross-sectional and longitudinal design, bacterial community profiles at progressive stages of caries and over time were examined and compared to those of health. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used for bacterial community analysis. Streptococcus mutans was the dominant species in many, but not all, subjects with caries. Elevated levels of S. salivarius, S. sobrinus, and S. parasanguinis were also associated with caries, especially in subjects with no or low levels of S. mutans, suggesting these species are alternative pathogens, and that multiple species may need to be targeted for interventions. Veillonella, which metabolizes lactate, was associated with caries and was highly correlated with total acid producing species. Among children without previous history of caries, Veillonella, but not S. mutans or other acid-producing species, predicted future caries. Bacterial community diversity was reduced in caries as compared to health, as many species appeared to occur at lower levels or be lost as caries advanced, including the Streptococcus mitis group, Neisseria, and Streptococcus sanguinis. This may have implications for bacterial community resilience and the restoration of oral health.
Solving Staircase Linear Programs BY THE Simplex Method. 2. Pricing.

This and a companion paper consider how current implementations of the simplex method may be adapted to better solve linear programs that have a staged, or ‘staircase’, structure. The preceding paper considered ‘inversion’ routines that factorize the basis and solve linear systems. The present paper examines ‘pricing’ routines that compute reduced costs for nonbasic variables and that select a variable to enter the basis at each iteration. Both papers describe extensive (although preliminary) computer experiments, and can point to some quite promising results. For pricing in particular, staircase computation strategies appear to offer modest but consistent savings; staircase selection strategies, properly chosen, may offer substantial savings in number of iterations, time per iteration, or both.
Re-print of "Theoretical Investigation and Reinterpretation of the Decomposition of Lithiated Proline and N-Methyl Proline"

Abstract Lithium cation complexes of proline (Pro) and N -methyl proline (NMP) have been collisionally activated with xenon in a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer (GIBMS). In addition to the loss of the intact ligand, Pro and NMP, we observed two prominent fragmentation pathways involving the loss of (CO + LiOH) and (CO + H 2 O). Quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d, p) level are used to explore the reaction mechanisms of these Li + (Pro) and Li + (NMP) fragmentations. Complete potential energy surfaces including all intermediates and transition states are elucidated for the two fragmentation processes in both systems. Theoretical molecular parameters for the rate-limiting transition states are then used to analyze the experimental data. The experimental threshold energies are compared with single point energies calculated at six different levels of theory. Reasonable agreement between experiment and some levels of theory indicate that loss of the intact amino acid competes with the loss of CO over a tight transition state in both Li + (Pro) and Li + (NMP) systems. Once CO is lost, efficient loss of H 2 O can occur at lower or comparable energy and is followed at somewhat higher energies by loss of LiOH, both proceeding by loose transition states. Overall, we find that MP2(full)/6-311+G(2d, 2p) gives the best agreement with the experimental threshold energies and the qualitative characteristics of the competing reactions. This study refines the bond energy of Li + to Pro by considering competition with CO loss and lowers the value previously published by 24 ± 12 kJ/mol, with methylation of proline increasing the bond energy to Li + by 9 ± 15 kJ/mol.
Studies on Nucleotide Chemistry 15. Synthesis of Oligodeoxynucleotides Using Amidine Protected Nucleosides

Abstract An in situ method is described for synthesizing DNA which incorporates a new series of amidine protected deoxy-nucleosides and bis-dialkylaminophosphines as phosphitylating agents. These procedures were used to synthesize d(GGGAATTCCC) which was digested by EcoRI.
The need for change in the way we teach accounting information systems

The one area in accounting that shows the sign of volatility, unsettlement, and continuous change is accounting information systems. While textbooks have been revised and updated in line with the change in technology, the auxiliary teaching materials do not seem to have kept pace. Professors teaching the course may be handicapped by their own shortcomings as well as the inadequacy of the supplementary material. The emphasis on database and database management should be supplemented with relevant software and teaching material to make the course more meaningful and the efforts more fruitful. One easily available tool is Access. Incorporation of Access into the course provides an excellent demonstration into application and utility of database management systems.
Variations in soil N cycling and trace gas emissions in wet tropical forests

We used a previously described precipitation gradient in a tropical montane ecosystem of Hawai’i to evaluate how changes in mean annual precipitation (MAP) affect the processes resulting in the loss of N via trace gases. We evaluated three Hawaiian forests ranging from 2200 to 4050 mm year−1 MAP with constant temperature, parent material, ecosystem age, and vegetation. In situ fluxes of N2O and NO, soil inorganic nitrogen pools (NH4+ and NO3−), net nitrification, and net mineralization were quantified four times over 2 years. In addition, we performed 15N-labeling experiments to partition sources of N2O between nitrification and denitrification, along with assays of nitrification potential and denitrification enzyme activity (DEA). Mean NO and N2O emissions were highest at the mesic end of the gradient (8.7±4.6 and 1.1±0.3 ng N cm−2 h−1, respectively) and total oxidized N emitted decreased with increased MAP. At the wettest site, mean trace gas fluxes were at or below detection limit (≤0.2 ng N cm−2 h−1). Isotopic labeling showed that with increasing MAP, the source of N2O changed from predominately nitrification to predominately denitrification. There was an increase in extractible NH4+ and decline in NO3−, while mean net mineralization and nitrification did not change from the mesic to intermediate sites but decreased dramatically at the wettest site. Nitrification potential and DEA were highest at the mesic site and lowest at the wet site. MAP exerts strong control N cycling processes and the magnitude and source of N trace gas flux from soil through soil redox conditions and the supply of electron donors and acceptors.
A Kalman Filter estimator for a Diesel Oxidation Catalyst during active regeneration of a CPF

Estimating un-measurable states is an important component for onboard diagnostics (OBD) and control strategy development in diesel exhaust aftertreatment systems. This paper focuses on the development of an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) based state estimator for a Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) during active regeneration of a catalyzed particulate filter (CPF). The DOC estimator is critical to predict the exhaust gas states entering the downstream aftertreatment components such as a CPF and NO x reduction catalysts such as urea-selective catalytic reduction (SCR) in heavy duty diesel vehicles. The internal states of the DOC that are important for the performance of the CPF and SCR systems include NO and NO 2 concentration states, that participate in the passive oxidation of particulate matter (PM) in the CPF and that are important for urea injection control system design in the SCR catalyst. During CPF active regeneration, the DOC is used to achieve a temperature exotherm by oxidizing the injected diesel fuel resulting in hydrocarbon slip into the CPF and an increased CPF inlet temperature (550-600°C) which promotes the PM oxidation. The results show that HC and temperature states in the DOC can be estimated using an EKF estimator with NOx and temperature measurements upstream of the DOC and temperature measurements downstream of the DOC.
Clinical outcomes following cocaine infusion in nontreatment-seeking individuals with cocaine dependence.

Abstract Background: In this study we explored if laboratory-based cocaine administration to human subjects was associated with long-term adverse outcomes. Methods: Twenty-one non–treatment seeking individuals with cocaine dependence were evaluated at baseline and again 5 and 10 months following cocaine infusion in a brain imaging study. Outcomes included computer-driven multidimensional clinical assessments and radioimmunoassay of hair. For comparison, identical data were collected from 19 cocaine-dependent subjects who did not receive the infusion. Results: The infused and noninfused groups did not differ on frequency of cocaine use (corroborated by radioimmunoassay of hair), Addiction Severity Index drug composite score, or Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score at both follow-up time points. In a time-related trend analysis, both groups showed significant reductions in frequency of cocaine use. Conclusions: Laboratory-based cocaine administration can be a safe paradigm even in individuals who are not engaged in treatment.
Effects of video-game play on information processing: a meta-analytic investigation.

Do video games enhance cognitive functioning? We conducted two meta-analyses based on different research designs to investigate how video games impact information-processing skills (auditory processing, executive functions, motor skills, spatial imagery, and visual processing). Quasi-experimental studies (72 studies, 318 comparisons) compare habitual gamers with controls; true experiments (46 studies, 251 comparisons) use commercial video games in training. Using random-effects models, video games led to improved information processing in both the quasi-experimental studies, d = 0.61, 95 % CI [0.50, 0.73], and the true experiments, d = 0.48, 95 % CI [0.35, 0.60]. Whereas the quasi-experimental studies yielded small to large effect sizes across domains, the true experiments yielded negligible effects for executive functions, which contrasted with the small to medium effect sizes in other domains. The quasi-experimental studies appeared more susceptible to bias than were the true experiments, with larger effects being reported in higher-tier than in lower-tier journals, and larger effects reported by the most active research groups in comparison with other labs. The results are further discussed with respect to other moderators and limitations in the extant literature.
Human Rad52 binds and wraps single-stranded DNA and mediates annealing via two hRad52-ssDNA complexes

Rad52 promotes the annealing of complementary strands of DNA bound by replication protein A (RPA) during discrete repair pathways. Here, we used a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between two fluorescent dyes incorporated into DNA substrates to probe the mechanism by which human Rad52 (hRad52) interacts with and mediates annealing of ssDNA-hRPA complexes. Human Rad52 bound ssDNA or ssDNA-hRPA complex in two, concentration-dependent modes. At low hRad52 concentrations, ssDNA was wrapped around the circumference of the protein ring, while at higher protein concentrations, ssDNA was stretched between multiple hRad52 rings. Annealing by hRad52 occurred most efficiently when each complementary DNA strand or each ssDNA-hRPA complex was bound by hRad52 in a wrapped configuration, suggesting homology search and annealing occur via two hRad52-ssDNA complexes. In contrast to the wild type protein, hRad52(RQK/AAA) and hRad52(1-212) mutants with impaired ability to bind hRPA protein competed with hRPA for binding to ssDNA and failed to counteract hRPA-mediated duplex destabilization highlighting the importance of hRad52-hRPA interactions in promoting efficient DNA annealing.
RUST FUNGI AND HOST PLANT COEVOLUTION: DO PRIMITIVE HOSTS HARBOR PRIMITIVE PARASITES?

Abstract— The classical view of rust phylogeny is that rusts found on ferns and conifers are primitive, while rusts that parasitize angiosperms are advanced. This belief was based on the theory that primitive hosts harbor primitive parasites; that is, it assumed coevolution (co-speciation) of hosts and parasites. A cladistic analysis of 30 genera and 28 characters representative of the major patterns of rust fungi diversity is presented. The results of this analysis suggest that tropical short-cycle rusts on angiosperms form the cladistically basal group of rusts, while the rusts on conifers and ferns (Melampsoraceae sensu lato) form a nested terminal clade. These results suggest that rusts and their hosts have not undergone a long period of parallel cladogenesis (co-speciation); host transfer has probably been at least as frequent as co-speciation. The cladograms indicate evolutionary trends of spore stages and life history: urediniospores evidently preceded the evolution of aeciospores and pycniospores within Uredinales, and heteroecism is a derived condition which evolved at least several times. This study stresses the importance of making use of independent cladistic analyses of both host and parasite in order to test assumptions of coevolution and host transfer.
Color image coding using block truncation and vector quantization

In this paper, we describe an adaptive coding method for color images of natural scenes. It is based on the block truncation coding (BTC) and vector quantization (VQ) methods which attempt to retain important visual characteristics of an image without discarding any important details. The proposed algorithm is an iterative procedure developed by extending the within group variance and the information distance measurements to color images. It attempts to minimize one of these two measurements within m by m local windows so that the selected criterion results in the best compression rate for a given color image. This adaptive operation of the algorithm makes it particularly suitable for unsupervised parallel implementation. Once the window size is determined for an input image, then subimages within such windows are divided into two color classes using least- mean square (LMS) algorithm. Each color cluster within a window is represented by its mean color vector. A linear vector quantizer is then used to further compress the coded outputs of local windows to achieve the lowest compression rate for the input image. This results in lower bit rates (as low as 1.0 bit per pixel for the R, G, B color images used in the experiments) and reconstruction errors (as low as 7.0%) with some perceivable errors.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
It ain't over till it's over: fashioning durable settlements

Vivian Berger, of New York, examines hard-earned settlements that nearly evaporated. In order to better serve mediation participants' interests, she presents six problems that hinder or prevent a mediation agreement, and discusses precautions to avoid getting derailed.
A Simple Simulation for Sociocultural Anthropology

The author describes a simulation game in which students learn through experience that a social issue is viewed differently by different segments of any population and, as a result, issues are more complex than simply “right” or “wrong.” The case of development is used with groups of students playing the roles of indigenous peoples, big business, individual entrepreneurs, and government.
Linking protein motion to enzyme catalysis.

Enzyme motions on a broad range of time scales can play an important role in various intra- and intermolecular events, including substrate binding, catalysis of the chemical conversion, and product release. The relationship between protein motions and catalytic activity is of contemporary interest in enzymology. To understand the factors influencing the rates of enzyme-catalyzed reactions, the dynamics of the protein-solvent-ligand complex must be considered. The current review presents two case studies of enzymes—dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and thymidylate synthase (TSase)—and discusses the role of protein motions in their catalyzed reactions. Specifically, we will discuss the utility of kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) and their temperature dependence as tools in probing such phenomena.
Recent trends in the percutaneous treatment of chronic total coronary occlusions.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusions (CTOs) has a lower success rate than PCI for non-CTO lesions. We sought to determine trends in the treatment of CTOs within the current interventional era. Using 4 sequential recruitment waves of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Dynamic Registry, we assessed the relative prevalence and success rates in treating CTO (n = 371) versus non-CTO (n = 4,802) lesions over a 7-year period (1997 to 2004). Characteristics of attempted lesions and factors associated with PCI outcome were evaluated. CTO lesion attempts decreased by 41% over time, from 9.6% (1997 to 1998) to 5.7% (2004, p
Amorphous Ni-Zr alloys as barriers for self-diffusion

The diffusivity of Ni at 250 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C through an amorphous ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{50}$${\mathrm{Zr}}_{50}$ alloy sandwiched between pure Ni and pure Zr is at least a factor of ${10}^{4}$ below that for Ni in crystalline Zr. This result contradicts a recently proposed diffusion model for amorphous phase formation by solid-state reactions, because the amorphous layer acts as a diffusion barrier to self-diffusion.
Scanning laser polarimetry with enhanced corneal compensation and optical coherence tomography in normal and glaucomatous eyes.

PURPOSE To examine the association between scanning laser polarimetry (SLP), using enhanced (ECC) and variable corneal compensation (VCC) with optical coherence tomography (OCT), and to compare their discriminating ability in the diagnosis of glaucoma. METHODS Normal and glaucomatous eyes enrolled from four clinical sites underwent complete examination, automated perimetry, SLP-ECC, SLP-VCC, and OCT. Eyes were characterized in two groups based on the typical scan score (TSS): Normal birefringence pattern (NBP) was defined as a TSS of 80 to 100 and abnormal birefringence pattern (ABP) as TSS <or= 79. For each of the six SLP parameters and five OCT parameters the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCs) were calculated to compare the discriminating ability of each imaging modality, to differentiate between normal and glaucomatous eyes. RESULTS Ninety-five normal volunteers and 63 patients with glaucoma were enrolled. Average visual field mean deviation was -4.2 +/- 4.3 dB in the glaucoma group. In eyes with NBP, SLP-ECC had significantly (all P <or= 0.001) greater correlation with OCT average, superior, and inferior retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL; r = 0.79, 0.67, 0.74) compared with SLP-VCC (r = 0.71, 0.43, 0.37). In eyes with ABP, SLP-ECC had a significantly greater (all P <or= 0.001) correlation with OCT average, superior, and inferior RNFL (r = 0.75, 0.73, 0.83) compared with SLP-VCC (r = 0.51, 0.22, 0.18). The AUROC for OCT inferior average thickness (0.91) was similar (P = 0.26) to the TSNIT (temporal, superior, nasal, inferior, temporal) average obtained using SLP-ECC (0.87) and significantly (P = 0.02) greater than SLP-VCC (0.81). CONCLUSIONS Compared with SLP-VCC, SLP-ECC has significantly stronger correlations with OCT and may improve the discriminating ability for early glaucoma diagnosis.
A randomized controlled trial comparing 2 instructional approaches to home exercise instruction following arthroscopic full-thickness rotator cuff repair surgery.

Study Design A prospective unblinded randomized clinical trial. Objectives To compare the effectiveness of 2 types of home program instruction, videotape versus personal instruction by a physical therapist, on subjective outcomes and exercise compliance following arthroscopic repair of a full-thickness rotator cuff tear. Background Advances in orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation have placed increased emphasis on home exercise programs. Therefore, assessing the effectiveness of different methods of home program instruction is important. Methods and Measures Patients who consented to undergo surgical repair were randomly assigned to either a videotape or personal instruction group. A self-reported compliance log categorized subjects as fully compliant, partially compliant, or noncompliant. The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index and the University of Pennsylvania Shoulder Scale scores were obtained from subjects preoperatively and at 12, 24, and 52 weeks postoperatively. The null hypotheses that neither gr...
Comparative levels of creative ability among students with and without behavior problems.

-A review of the literature about creativity led to the hypothesis that there might be differences in creative ability of students with behavioral problems and those without. Students without behavioral problems were identified at two comprehensive high schools and a random sample of these students enrolled in normal classrooms were compared to the population of students with behavioral problems at both schools and in normal classrooms. The Unusual Uses subtest of the Torrance tests was administered to both groups, yielding component scores of fluency, flexibility, elaboration and originality. Students with behavioral problems obtained statistically significantly higher scores on flexibility and originality, while there were no significant differences on the other TWO measures.
Using the Solving Circle With an Adlerian and Postmodern Twist: Fostering Relationships With Couples and Families:

The solving circle is a technique based on the principles of choice theory designed to help couples and family members communicate more effectively. The central premise is that the relationship takes precedence over individual needs, and couples or family members communicate how each will personally change to make the relationship better. Arguing, blaming, and finger pointing are avoided. This technique is flexible enough to incorporate methods from other therapeutic schools, most notably Adlerian and postmodern approaches. This article describes the solving circle technique and provides a brief case study demonstrating its use.
New estimate of the nucleon σ-terms

Abstract From low energy π N and KN data it is found that σ ( πN ) ≈ 70 MeV and ( u 0 / u 8 ) N ≈ 1.
Improvement of the wear resistance of medium-carbon steel by nanodispersion of surface layers

A comparative investigation of the wear resistances of normalized steel 45 with surface nanostructure and ShKh15 steel after hardening and low-temperature tempering in an oil–abrasive medium is performed. It is shown that steel 45 has a higher wear resistance than ShKh15 steel. This enables one to replace an alloyed steel by a carbon steel with surface nanocrystalline structure in a friction unit and simultaneously improve the wear resistance of the carbon steel.
Dental treatment and demand for services in a Veterans Administration Nursing Home Care Unit.

Planning the provision of dental care in nursing homes requires evaluation of both dental needs and demand for services. Dental treatment needs have been documented for residents of long-term care facilities. This paper examines the actual dental care provided to institutionalized persons demanding care. Dental records of 144 patients at a Veterans Administration Nursing Home Care Unit (NHCU) were reviewed to evaluate needs and treatment demands. About 20 percent of the NHCU patients were currently receiving dental treatment; the remainder were on recall (closed cases). Of the total services needed, slightly over half were denture related services, about a quarter were oral surgical services, and 16 percent were operative procedures. Almost a third refused some or all of the proposed dental treatment; seven percent were unable to be examined or treated. No statistically significant difference was found between the age and the level of nursing home care needed for those receiving treatment and those refusing treatment. Once the backlog of need was met, this NHCU dental program consisted primarily of recall exams, and prosthetic and oral surgical treatment. The case mix and refusal rate may change, however, as future cohorts of elders retain more teeth and have experienced preventive dental services during their lifetimes.
Post-synthesis defect abatement of inorganic membranes for gas separation

Abstract Simple, fast, and cost-effective defect abatement of inorganic gas separation membranes can be achieved by application of a continuous polymer layer. This polymer diminishes defect flow and is stable at a wide range of operating conditions. In the studies presented a thin layer of polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) was applied to defective microporous silica and zeolite Y membranes. After application of PDMS, the H 2 /CO 2 and CO 2 /N 2 binary gas separation performance of both silica and zeolite membranes was found to improve significantly due to reduction in defect flow. At 30 °C, CO 2 selectivity of the silica membrane for a 1:1 CO 2 /N 2 mixture improved from 1.5 to 835 after application of PDMS. At higher temperatures, N 2 in the permeate could no longer be detected by gas chromatography, which translated into a selectivity of >1000. There was also an improvement in the selectivity for a 1:1 H 2 /CO 2 mixture at 30 °C from 1.9 without, to 66 with PDMS modification. Similar effects were found for supported zeolite Y membranes. The selectivity at 30 °C of a zeolite Y membrane for a 1:1 CO 2 /N 2 mixture was found to increase from ∼0.93 before, to >1000 at 30 °C after modification with PDMS. Along with the improved separation factors, a reduction in the overall permeance occurred due to reduced defect flow contributions. The H 2 permeance at 130 °C decreased from 8.5 × 10 −8 mol/(m 2 s Pa) for the uncoated silica membrane to 6.6 × 10 −9 mol/(m 2 s Pa) after PDMS application. The CO 2 and N 2 permeance values at 130 °C, however, decreased by almost two orders of magnitude. The decrease in overall permeance due to defect abatement is supported by transport calculations assuming simple expressions for solution-diffusion through the membrane and Knudsen flow through the defects. These calculations show that the application of PDMS leads to a decrease in the overall permeance but an increase in the H 2 selectivity for a wide range of defect area fractions ( −4 ).
Preparation and some properties of americium metal

Abstract This report details the reduction, distillation, and casting of 241Am metal. Some physical property determinations are also reported. Approximately 200 g of AmO2 were reacted with lanthanum in fifteen separate batches. Yield efficiency, reproducibly attainable, was demonstrated to be in excess of 80 per cent. The reproducible purity achieved was better than 99·9 per cent (based on 100 per cent minus all spectrographically determined impurities). Physical properties determined; immersion density = 13·671 g/cm3, transformation temperature = 1079°C, latent heat of transformation = 1·40 kcal/mole, fusion temperature = 1176°C and latent heat of fusion = 3·44 kcal/mole.
Sex Differences in Sexual Fantasy: an Evolutionary Psychological Approach

The nature and frequency of men's and women's sexual fantasies were investigated by surveying 307 students (182 females, 125 males) at a California state university or junior college via a paper‐and‐pencil questionnaire. The questionnnaire was inspired by modern evolutionary theory and was designed to investigate sex differences in sexual fantasies. Substantial sex differences were found in the salience of visual images, touching, context, personalization, emotion, partner variety, partner response, fantasizer response, and inward versus outward focus. These data, the scientific literature on sexual fantasy, the historically‐stable contrasts between male‐oriented pornography and female‐oriented romance novels, the ethnographic record of human sexuality, and the ineluctable implications of an evolutionary perspective on our species, taken together, imply the existence of profound sex differences in sexual psychologies.
Crime That Pays: The Global Spread of the Russian Mafia

Books reviewed in this article: Robert I. Friedman, Red Mafia: How the Russian Mob Has Invaded America Paul Klebnikov, Godfather of the Kremlin: Boris Berezovsky and the Looting of Russia James O. Finckenauer and Elin J. Waring, Russian Mafia in America: Immigration, Culture, and Crime Chrystia Freeland, Sale of the Century: Russia's Wild Ride from Communism to Capitalism Jeffrey Robinson, The Merger: The Conglomeration of International Organized Crime
Lasing without inversion in the absence of a coherent coupling field

We analyze the inversionless gain in a three-level ladder system by replacing the usual coherent coupling field with an incoherent field. Surprisingly, it is found that one can obtain inversionless amplification of a weak probe even in the absence of a coherent field in the model. We conclude that gain is determined by the ensemble average of the product of the two-photon coherence and the ``effective Rabi frequency'' of the field. Thus, even though the incoherent pump reduces the two-photon coherence, gain can be restored by choosing sufficiently high strengths of the incoherent field.
Global Debt Market Growth, Security Structure, and Bond Pricing

A global bond is a security simultaneously offered and sold in two or more geographic markets. Since the first issue of US$1.5 billion in 1989 by the World Bank, the market has expanded quickly to absorb more than 500 annual issues, and raise more than US $500 billion in one year. International investors, financiers, and managers should understand the global bond market if they are to effect better financial decisions to enhance economic and financial performance. The yield spread paid by debtors for fixed-rate, U.S. dollar-denominated global bonds is shown to be statistically related to the size of the bond (negative); the term to maturity (positive), the credit rating of the borrower (negative); the gross fees paid by the borrower (positive); and to whether the bond is issued in registered (positive) versus bearer form. These variables account for approximately 60% of the yield spread for global bonds issued between 1989 and 2001.
Multi-level assessment of ecological coastal restoration in South Texas.

Abstract Adaptive management can be a very useful tool for assessing and improving coastal ecological engineering restoration projects. A shoreline restoration project using ecological engineering approaches to mitigate coastal erosion was developed and implemented in 2003 at Loyola Beach, Baffin Bay, TX. The project incorporated riprap, fiber matting, geotextile, and vegetation as an alternative to conventional hard structures for erosion control. As part of the restoration expansion, a detailed evaluation of the previous project was completed at several levels, including the landscape, geotechnical design, environmental and ecological considerations, and social and economic factors. The findings indicated that the vegetation and its underlying geotechnical integrity have played an important role in erosion mitigation. Overall the project was successful in the protection of the shoreline and was shown to be more ecologically beneficial than other hard structures. Based on the preliminary success of the initial project, the restoration techniques were adapted for another beach extension to the west. The assessment did reveal some weaknesses in the original project design including the need for more substantial toe protection and periodic maintenance requirements. Based on these assessments, some additional new methods for the restoration extension were proposed and implemented. The broader applicability of this restoration approach outside the local region has been presented through several outreach activities and delivered to coastal planners and land owners throughout the Texas Coastal Bend and Northern Mexico.
Explicit Water Quality Model Generation and Rapid Multiscenario Simulation

AbstractEmerging applications in water distribution systems place new challenges on water quality modeling tools, including the need for an explicit mathematical representation and simulation of large ensembles of contamination scenarios. We present a computational framework, referred to as Merlion, that creates an explicit mathematical model for water quality in drinking water distribution systems that is appropriate for embedding within other numerical applications (e.g., optimization). This model is efficiently generated for large water distribution systems and represents an all-to-all mapping (inputs include injections at all possible nodes and time steps, and outputs include concentrations at all possible nodes and time steps), which is necessary for many security applications. The Merlion framework is compared to water quality simulations using EPANET on a set of network models ranging in size from 10 to approximately 13,000 nodes. The simulation results show excellent agreement. Furthermore, the ex...
Anisotropy as an ultrafast probe of electronic coherence in degenerate systems exhibiting Raman scattering, fluorescence, transient absorption and chemical reactions

The effects of electronic coherence of doubly or triply degenerate levels are discussed. This coherence will show up in the anisotropy of a pump—probe experiment in which a pump pulse creates the coherence and a probe pulse connects the degenerate levels to a non-degenerate final state. Simple stochastic models for the decay of the anisotropy as a function of pump—probe delay are given, both for molecules with a high symmetry and for symmetric dimers and trimers. The possible role that degenerate level coherence may play in chemical reactions is also discussed. Finally, the stochastic models used to calculate the anisotropy decay are applied towards the calculation of absorption line shapes, Raman scattering and fluorescence.