cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Increasing CO2: Comparative Responses of the C4 Grass Schizachyrium and Grassland Invader Prosopis

The woody C3 Prosopis glandulosa (honey mesquite) and C4 perennial grass Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem) were grown along a gradient of daytime carbon dioxide concentrations from near 340 to 200 Mmol/mol air in a 38 m long controlled environment chamber. We sought to determine effects of historical and prehistorical in- creases in atmospheric CO2 concentration on growth, resource use, and competitive in- teractions of a species representative ofC4-dominated grasslands in the southwestern United States and the invasive legume P. glandulosa. Increasing CO2 concentration stimulated N2 fixation by individually grown P. glandulosa and elicited in C3 seedlings a similar relative increase in leaf intercellular CO2 concentration, net assimilation rate, and intrinsic water use efficiency (leaf net assimilation rate/stomatal conductance). Aboveground biomass of P. glandulosa was not altered by CO2 concentration, but belowground biomass and whole- plant water and nitrogen use efficiencies increased linearly with CO2 concentration in seedlings that were grown alone. Biomass produced by P. glandulosa that was grown with S. scoparium was not affected by CO2 concentration. Stomatal conductance declined and leaf assimilation rates of S. scoparium at near maximum incident light increased at higher CO2 concentration, but there was no effect of CO2 concentration on biomass production or whole-plant water use efficiency of the C4 grass. Rising CO2 concentration, especially the 27% increase since the beginning of the 19th century, may have contributed to more abundant P. glandulosa on C4 grasslands by stimulating the shrub's growth or reducing the amount of resources that the C3 required. Much of the potential response of P. glandulosa to CO2 concentration, however, appears to be contingent on the shrub's escaping compe- tition with neighboring grasses.
Representation Type of Nodal Algebras of Type D

The present paper is a continuation of paper [1] in which nodal algebras are introduced and the representation types (finite, tame, or wild) of nodal algebras of type A, i.e., algebras obtained by blowing up and gluing of quivers of type A (or of type A) are established. In the present paper, we determine the representation types of nodal algebras of type D, i.e., algebras obtained by blowing up and gluing of quivers of type D (or D) that are not nodal algebras of type A.
Broad-Bandwidth, Electrically Small Antenna Augmented With an Internal Non-Foster Element

A broad-bandwidth, electrically small, near-field resonant parasitic (NFRP) dipole antenna has been designed, analyzed, and measured. Unlike conventional active external matching network approaches, a non-Foster component with a negative reactance slope was incorporated into the NFRP element of an Egyptian-axe dipole antenna to significantly increase its bandwidth. The measurement results showed approximately a 25.3 MHz 10 dB bandwidth around 300 MHz for the active system (ka=0.49), which is 6.02 and 3.89 times greater than, respectively, the simulated and measured values of the original passive design.
Dissociative electron attachment of O2: A solid-state effect on potential curve crossing

Abstract Previously published data on electron stimulated desorption (ESD) from condensed O 2 or O 2 in solid matrices are reanalyzed. In the gas phase, the O 2 − ( 2 Σ g + ) resonant state at 8.5 eV is known to dissociate predominantly into the second lowest limit. In this paper we point out that this dissociation requires a non-adiabatic curve crossing. In the condensed phase or in solid matrices, this resonant state is found to dissociate adiabatically into the lowest limit as well as non-adiabatically into the second limit. Furthermore, we find that the branching ratio strongly depends on the kinetic energy of the dissociating atoms. The singlet excited oxygen atom, O ∗ ( 1 D), formed upon dissociation into the second limit, is found to participate in an anion complex formation via in-cage recombination.
PREDICTORS OF THE SEVERITY OF NEONATAL METHADONE WITHDRAWAL

The relationships between prenatal methadone dosage and the soverity of subsequent neonatal methadone withdrawal were studied in 72 clinically well, methadone-maintained women and 19 drug-free controls. Total methadone ingestion during the last trimester, the last methadone dose prior to delivery and the absence of other drugs of abuse were known. The quantities of methadone in intrapartum maternal blood and urine, amniotic fluid, cord blood and neonatal urine were determined and the soverity of neonatal withdrawal was quantitated. Severity of withdrawal was related to last maternal dose of methadone (p < 0.01), total amount ingested durina the last trimester (p < 0.02), and intrapartum maternal serum methadone (p < 0.01). Severity was not related to levels of mothadone in maternal urine, cord blood, amniotic fluid or neonatal urine. These findings indicate that careful monitoring of maternal methadone levels during the last trimester coupled with a knowledge or intrapartum serum methadone levels can predict the degree of neonatal narcotic withdrawal.
3D Pose-by-Detection of Vehicles via Discriminatively Reduced Ensembles of Correlation Filters.

Estimating the precise pose of a 3D model in an image is challenging; explicitly identifying correspondences is difficult, particularly at smaller scales and in the presence of occlusion. Exemplar classifiers have demonstrated the potential of detection-based approaches to problems where precision is required. In particular, correlation filters explicitly suppress classifier response caused by slight shifts in the bounding box. This property makes them ideal exemplar classifiers for viewpoint discrimination, as small translational shifts can often be confounded with small rotational shifts. However, exemplar based pose-by-detection is not scalable because, as the desired precision of viewpoint estimation increases, the number of exemplars needed increases as well. We present a training framework to reduce an ensemble of exemplar correlation filters for viewpoint estimation by directly optimizing a discriminative objective. We show that the discriminatively reduced ensemble outperforms the state-of-the-art on three publicly available datasets and we introduce a new dataset for continuous car pose estimation in street scene images.
Neutral consensus functions

Abstract Neutral consensus methods have been studied in detail by a number of authors in specific contexts. This paper introduces a general mathematical model that allows for a unified approach to their study via the notion of stability families. Special attention is paid to conditions that produce abstract versions of Arrow's Theorem.
Fluorescence Imaging Analysis of Upstream Regulators and Downstream Targets of STAT3 in Melanoma Precursor Lesions Obtained from Patients Before and After Systemic Low-Dose Interferon-α Treatment

Atypical nevi are the precursors and risk markers of melanoma. Apart from persistently monitoring these nevocytic lesions and resecting them at the earliest signs of clinical changes, there is as yet no systemic clinical treatment available to interfere with their progression to melanoma. To explore clinical treatments that might interfere with and possibly prevent atypical nevus progression, a previous study documented that 3 months systemic low-dose interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) treatment of patients with a clinical history of melanoma and numerous atypical nevi, led to inactivation of the STAT1 and STAT3 transcription factors in atypical nevi. Based upon this finding, we initiated a second study to determine whether systemic low-dose IFN-alpha treatment also impairs the expression of upstream regulators and downstream targets of STAT1 and STAT3 in atypical nevi. Using cyanine dye-conjugated antibodies, fluorescence imaging analysis revealed expression of JAK2, JNK1, AKT1, NF-kappa B, and IFN-alpha/beta receptor in benign and atypical nevi, and early- and advanced-stage melanomas. To determine possible changes in the level of expression of these molecules in atypical nevi, excised before and after 3 months of systemic low-dose IFN-alpha treatment, newly designed optical imaging software was used to quantitate the captured fluorescent hybridization signals on a cell-by-cell basis and across an entire nevus section. The results of this analysis did not provide evidence that systemic low-dose IFN-alpha treatment alters the level of expression of upstream regulators or downstream targets of STAT1 and STAT3.
Learning to tie well with others: bimanual versus intermanual performance of a highly practised skill.

Studies indicate that novices are faster in manual tasks when performing with a partner (‘intermanual’) than with their own two hands (‘bimanual’). The generality of this ‘mode effect’ was examined using a highly practised bimanual task, shoe tying, at which participants were experts. Speed–variability correlations confirmed participants were bimanually skilled but not intermanually skilled. Contrary to results using novices, intermanual was slower, such that prior skill reverses the effect. Analyses incorporating the similarity of shoe-tying strategies across dyads implicated a perceptual rather than shared knowledge/representation basis for intermanual performance. Practice effects indicated that intermanual performance built upon prior bimanual skill, such that novel relative timings between dyads' hands must be acquired. Motor transfer effects provided support for this conclusion. During shoe tying, hands were tightly coupled in the intermanual mode due to the perceptual coupling constraints of interm...
Crowding and function reunite

The insides of cells are crowded. Fig. 1A is a dramatic representation of the fact that macromolecules occupy 30% of the cellular volume, with their concentrations reaching 300 g/L (1). For comparison, the concentration of protein in an egg white is only one third of that value. However, almost everything we know about biological macromolecules in solution comes from data acquired under conditions in which the concentration of macromolecules rarely exceeds 10 g/L. In PNAS, Dhar et al. (2) report the broadest study to date about the effects of macromolecular crowding on the properties of a globular protein.
COMPARISON OF TWO PET RADIOLIGANDS FOR IMAGING EXTRASTRIATAL DOPAMINE TRANSPORTERS IN HUMAN BRAIN

We compared the sensitivity of two dopamine transporter (DAT) ligands ([C-11]cocaine and [C-11]d-threo-methylphenidate) for measurement of extrastriatal DAT availability using positron emission tomography (PET) on separated groups of 10 age matched male volunteers (age range, 21–49 years). DAT availability was obtained using the ratio of the distribution volume in the region of interest to that in the cerebellum (Bmax′Kd′ + 1). DAT availability measured with [C-11] d-threo-methylphenidate was highest in basal ganglia, followed by thalamus > temporal insula, cingulate > orbitofrontal, frontal and occipital cortices. A similar ranking order for DAT availability was obtained with [C-11]cocaine. Specific binding (Bmax′Kd′) of [C-11]cocaine in thalamus was 25–33% that of basal ganglia and [C-11]d-threo-methylphenidate in thalamus was 11–13% that of basal ganglia. The regional measures with [C-11]cocaine were significantly correlated with those of [C-11]d-threo-methylphenidate (p < 0.0001). These results document extrastriatal binding in human brain with two different DAT ligands.
Relation Between Melt Treatment and Glass Fiber Strength

The scatter usually seen in strength data for virgin E-glass fibers can be reduced to a very low level by controlling the thermal history of the glass melt from which the fibers are formed. Provided the glass melt is heated substantially above the drawing temperature, strengths of subsequently produced groups of 10 specimens will have a coefficient of variation of ∽1%. Unless glass is prevented from stagnating in the nozzle of the fiber-forming apparatus during a pause in the drawing operation, a secondary effect, associated with the spontaneous creation of defects in the glass in the nozzle, causes fibers produced immediately after such a pause to exhibit low strengths and high scatter.
Features, as well as space and time, guide object persistence

What role do surface features (e.g., color) play in the establishment and maintenance of episodic representations of objects (object files)? Mitroff and Alvarez (2007) showed that stimuli that were linked by a continuous spatiotemporal history yielded object-specific preview benefits—a standard index of object files—whereas stimuli linked only by shared surface features did not. Here, it is shown that abruptly changing the features of an object that has been established on the basis of spatiotemporal history can disrupt object-specific preview benefits (Experiments 1 and 2). Moreover, under some conditions, feature match alone can give rise to the preview benefits (Experiment 3). These results indicate that surface features, as well as spatiotemporal factors, play an important role in establishing and maintaining episodic object representations.
Single-shot interpixel shifting for optical coherence tomography by oblique incidence spectroscopy

We describe a novel spectrometer design for spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) that enables singleshot inter-pixel shifting (IPS) for extended ranging depth. Compared to other methods of IPS, oblique incidence spectroscopy exploits the high pixel density of 2D cameras to permit sub-pixel-sized sampling of the OCT interferogram during acquisition of a single camera frame. Limited ultimately by fall-off and the pixel size, we demonstrate recovery of signal from samples positioned as deep as four times the base ranging depth of an equivalent traditional spectrometer. We also show for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, the ability to generate arbitrary ranging depths with SDOCT, including non-integer multiples of the base ranging depth.
THE BIOGEOGRAPHY OF SEA ISLANDS: CLUES FROM THE POPULATION GENETICS OF THE FRESHWATER SNAIL, PHYSA HETEROSTROPHA

Although entirely surrounded by estuarine waters, the sea islands of South Carolina are of dubious biogeographic integrity. Pleistocene sea level fluctuations have periodically inun? dated these regions and left them de-watered inland. Samples from 10 populations of the fresh? water pulmonate snail, Physa heterostropha, inhabiting six land masses isolated by putative estua? rine barriers in the Charleston area were used for allozyme electrophoresis to estimate gene frequencies at 10 polymorphic loci. Although intrapopulation and interpopulation gene diversity- was extensive, none of the variance could be attributed to island or land mass by hierarchical analysis of F statistics. The matrix of genetic distances among all sites was significantly correlated with the matrix of linear geographic distances, even though estuaries dissect the study area. Nearest neighbors separated by estuaries tended to be more similar genetically than nearest neigh? bors sharing a land mass. These data on the population genetics of freshwater snails seem to hold no evidence of biogeographic boundaries among sea islands. Dispersal by birds is a plausible explanation for the observed overall correlation between genetic and geographic distance, but vicariance or natural selection hypotheses cannot be excluded. (Islands; biogeography; isozymes; allozymes; Pulmonata.)
THE MICRO-OPTICS OF LEAVES. I. PATTERNS OF REFLECTION FROM THE EPIDERMIS

Low-magnification photographs of glabrous upper surfaces using white light show that no matter whether the visual appearance is shiny or matte, the outer cuticles are specularly reflective. In all cases, the individual epidermal cells are seen as bright spots of reflected light, due to their convex outer surfaces. This shows that at least some of the apparently diffuse reflection from leaves is specularly reflected from the outer surface. Quantitative data were obtained for both upper and lower surfaces of a variety of leaves, using light of 632.8 nm incident at 60° from the normal. Light departing the leafwas detected in two directions: normal to the leaf("diffiuse"), and at 60° ("specular"), and compared with the reflection from a standard white block. By this criterion, some leaves were quite shiny, confirming the visual impression, but others were not. In only two cases did the "diffuse" reflection exceed the "specular" (as would be expected from a true difluse reflector); these were leaves with thick coatings of hairs. Less than 10% of the incident light is reflected by the cuticle of a glabrous leaf. PLANT ANATOMISTS AND PHYSIOLOGISTS have long speculated on the relationship between the anatomy of green leaves and their physiological and ecological functions. Some roles have been recognized a long time, others only more recently. The role of a particular feature is not always obvious. Among the physiological roles of leaf anatomy may be: promotion of photosynthetic biochemistry (C-4 photosynthesis), solute and water transport, prevention of water loss, and adaptations to facilitate light absorption or rejection (by reflection or transmission) in an efficient manner. It is the latter feature toward which this research is aimed. It is important not only with respect to the basic photosynthetic function ofthe leaf, but presumably also with respect to the heat load and water relations of the leaf. In addition, the interpretation of remote sensing data depends upon leaf reflectance properties. In this report the reflective properties of the outer epidermal surface of the leaf will be examined, since this is the first surface encountered. The epidermis can interact with the incoming light in several ways: reflection, refraction, diffraction, and scattering. The external epidermal surface is obviously shiny in some species, and Haberlandt ( 19 14) considered this a significant function of the epidermis, reduc
Preliminary investigation of web-camera delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy for youth with obsessive-compulsive disorder

This study reports a waitlist controlled randomized trial of family-based cognitive-behavioral therapy delivered via web-camera (W-CBT) in children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Thirty-one primarily Caucasian youth with OCD (range=7-16years; 19 male) were randomly assigned to W-CBT or a Waitlist control. Assessments were conducted immediately before and after treatment, and at 3-month follow-up (for W-CBT arm only). Primary outcomes included the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS), clinical global improvement rates, and remission status. When controlling for baseline group differences, W-CBT was superior to the Waitlist control on all primary outcome measures with large effect sizes (Cohen's d≥1.36). Thirteen of 16 youth (81%) in the W-CBT arm were treatment responders, versus only 2/15 (13%) youth in the Waitlist arm. Similarly, 9/16 (56%) individuals in the W-CBT group met remission criteria, versus 2/15 (13%) individuals in the Waitlist control. Gains were generally maintained in a naturalistic 3-month follow-up for those randomized to W-CBT. This preliminary study suggests that W-CBT may be helpful in reducing obsessive-compulsive symptoms in youth with OCD. Given considerable access issues, such findings hold considerable promise for treatment dissemination.
Reward context sensitivity impairment following severe TBI: An event-related potential investigation

Many rehabilitation protocols following traumatic brain injury (TBI) utilize reinforcement and reward to influence behavior and facilitate recovery; however, previous studies suggest survivors of severe TBI demonstrate impairments in contingency utilization and sensitivity. The precise neurobiological mechanisms underlying these deficits have not been thoroughly explored, but can be examined using the “feedback-related negativity” (FRN)— an event-related potential (ERP) component evoked following performance or response feedback (e.g., whether a monetary reward is obtained) with a larger FRN following unfavorable than favorable outcomes—particularly when unfavorable feedback occurs in the context of high reward probability. We examined ERPs elicited by favorable (monetary gain: “reward”) and unfavorable (no monetary gain: “non-reward”) feedback during a guessing task where probability of reward outcome was manipulated in survivors of severe TBI and demographically matched healthy participants. Consistent with previous findings, controls showed larger amplitude FRN to non-reward feedback and the largest amplitude FRN following a non-reward when reward probability context was greatest. In contrast, FRN in TBI participants did not significantly differentiate non-reward from reward trials and their FRN was largest to reward trials in the low reward probability context. Findings implicate an electrophysiological marker of impaired reward context sensitivity following severe TBI. (JINS, 2007, 13, 615–625.)
Supervisors' Use of Reinforcement, Reframing, and Advice to Re-Author the Supervisory Narrative through E-mail Supervision

Discourse analysis was used to investigate the semester-long weekly e-mail communication between 38 counseling supervisees in their internship placements across school, clinical mental health, and student affairs placement settings and their three respective supervisors. Evidence of supervisor re-authorship of the supervisory narrative—the stories that constitute supervisory communication and shape the interpretation of experiences—was found throughout the e-mail communication in the forms of reinforcement and reframing. Researchers also identified a derivative of re-authorship that was termed as pre-authorship, taking place through advice giving. Findings are contextualized within the supervision, narrative, and discourse literatures, with implications for training, practice, and future research discussed.
Refinement of the transpalatine exposure of the nasopharynx

The intrasulcular incision provides excellent transpalatine exposure of the nasopharynx with a viable palatal flap. There is less chance for naso-oral fistula formation since the resulting suture line is always over underlying bone. This safely allows extensive removal of the hard palate. Additionally, the continuous sling suture allows excellent flap reapproximation using the teeth as anchors for the replaced palatal flap. Patients tolerate oral feedings within 24 hours of their operations and require minimal postoperative analgesics. The extended intrasulcular incision offers many advantages over other methods for transpalatine exposures to the nasopharynx.
Electron degradation and yields of initial products. VII. Subexcitation electrons in gaseous and solid H 2 O

A comparative study of electron degradation spectra and yields for various species in gaseous and solid H{sub 2}O is carred out by using the rigorous Spencer-Fano theory and the continuous-slowing-down approximation (CSDA). As input we use cross-section data given by Hayashi (in {ital Atomic} {ital and} {ital Molecular} {ital Data} {ital for} {ital Radiotherapy}, Proceedings of an IAEA Advisory Group Meeting, Vienna, June 1988, Report No. IAEA-TECDOC-506 (International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 1989), p. 193) for the gas and by Michaud and Sanche (Phys. Rev. 36, 4672 (1987)) for the solid. Vibrational excitation is the dominant mechanism of the slowing down of the electron in both gas and solid phases at intermediate energies of 8--2 eV. Rotational excitation for the gas and phonon excitation for the solid, which share the same origin of dynamics, are the second important mechanism. The general trends of the electron degradation spectra are similar in the two phases. However, details of the spectra differ notably from one another. Because the energy dependence of some of the cross sections is complex, the CSDA fails to reproduce even a local average of the Spencer-Fano degradation spectrum, and gives yields of various products appreciably different from those evaluatedmore » from the Spencer-Fano degradation spectrum.« less
Optical nonlinearities in carbon black particles

We have characterized the nonlinear optical properties of carbon black particles in liquids and layers deposited on glass. We find that the limiting is dependent on the energy density (fluence) and that the material changes from a linear absorber to a nonlinear scatterer for fluence levels 0.2 J/cm2 and 0.38 J/cm2 for 0.532 jim, 14 ns and 1.064 pm, 20 ns laser pulses respectively. In this paper, we will discuss the possible mechanisms that have been proposed to explain the nonlinear scattering. These mechanisms are plasma formation, micro-bubble formation and change in index of refraction of the liquid surrounding the particles. We will show through a series of experiments that plasma formation is consistent with all of the experimental results while bubble formation may influence the limiting behavior at fluence levels substantially above the limiting threshold. In this model, the microscopic carbon particles are heated by linear absorption to a temperature at which a plasma can be created by the optical field. These microplasmas rapidly expand, thus scattering the incident light and limiting the transmittance.
The spectral distribution of the blue hydrogen flame continuum and its origin in hydrogennitric oxide flames

The blue hydrogen flame continuum has been investigated in three types of flames: hydrogen-diffusion flames burning in mixtures of argon and oxygen; low-pressure, premixed, hydrogenoxygen flames; and atmospheric-pressure, premixed, flat, hydrogennitric oxide flames. The spectral distribution of the continuum was determined for the wavelength range 350–600 nm and was found to depend slightly on temperature, the hottest flames showing a strengthening of the continuum intensity toward the shorter wave-lengths. From quantitative measurements in the H2NO flames it is shown that the intensity of the blue continuum is proportional to the square of the hydroxyl concentration, suggesting an origin that involves the reaction: OH + OH → H2O2 + hv Granted the validity of this reaction, its absolute rate constant was determined and found to be: k = 1.53 × 10−21-cm3-molecule−1-sec−1-nm−1 at 3000°K and λ = 375 nm.
Cultured Human Melanocytes Express the Intermediate Filament Vimentin

Human melanocytes are neural crest-derived cells that synthesize the pigment melanin. These cells migrate from a central location to the dermal-epidermal junction early in gestation and situate themselves between keratinocytes of the basal layer of the epidermis, extending thin dendritic processes upwards into the epidermis. In vitro, neonatal melanocytes can assume a variety of morphologies, depending on the culture conditions. Using standard immunofluorescent, immunoblotting, and Northern blotting techniques, we investigated the expression of intermediate filament proteins and demonstrate here that cultured human melanocytes express vimentin gene and protein under a variety of culture conditions. Vimentin is a 57-kD intermediate filament protein synthesized primarily by cells of mesenchymal origin. It is transcribed as a single-messenger RNA species of 2.0 kb and the human gene is located on chromosome 10. As a member of the intermediate filament family of proteins, we suggest that vimentin is an important component of the cytoskeleton of neonatal, human melanocytes.
Mice produced from eggs fertilized in vitro at a very low sperm:egg ratio.

Zone-free mouse eggs were fertilized in vitro very small numbers of randomly selected sperm that had been capacitated in vitro (5–10 sperm per egg). The resulting embryos developed to the blastocyst stage in vitro, and gave rise to progeny after transfer to recipient foster mothers. Under similar conditions zone-intact eggs were not fertilized. These data support the view that most sperm are genetically and physiologically competent to fertilize an egg, provided that they can gain access to its surface.
Perls With Gloria Re‐reviewed: Gestalt Techniques and Perl's Practices

In his filmed interview with Gloria, Perls demonstrated some standard Gestalt therapy techniques; examples from the film are identified. Also identified are discrepancies between Perls's description of Gestalt therapeutic processes and his interview behavior. Reflections are made on the inherent difficulties with the concept of the emerging Gestalt. Similarities are pointed out between the processes in Perls's interview and “driving the other crazy.” Gloria's reactions to the interview are quoted from her earlier published comments.
A self-paced oral feeding system that enhances preterm infants' oral feeding skills.

Aim: Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants have difficulty transitioning to independent oral feeding, be they breast- or bottle-feeding. We developed a 'self-paced' feeding system that eliminates the natural presence of the positive hy- drostatic pressure and internal vacuum build-up within a bottle during feeding. Such system enhanced these infants' oral feeding performance as monitored by overall transfer (OT; % ml taken/ml prescribed), rate of transfer (RT; ml/min over an entire feeding). This study hypothesizes that the improvements observed in these infants resulted from their ability to use more mature oral feeding skills (OFS). Methods: 'Feeders and growers' born between 26 and 29 weeks gestation were as- signed to a control or experimental group fed with a standard or self-paced bottle, respectively. They were monitored when taking 1e 2a nd 6e8 oral feedings/day. OFS was monitored using our recently published non-invasive assessment scale that identifies 4 maturity levels based on infants' RT and proficiency (PRO; % ml taken during the first 5 min of a feeding/total ml prescribed) during bottle feeding.
Improved surface properties of polymer materials by multiple ion beam treatment

Ion beam treatment studies have been carried out to investigate the potential for improvements in surface-sensitive properties of polymers. Kapton, Teflon, Tefzel, and Mylar have been implanted with boron, nitrogen, carbon, silicon, and iron ions, singly or simultaneously with dual or triple beams. The implanted materials were characterized by optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, nano-hardness indentation, wear testing, scanning tunneling microscopy, x-ray analysis, nuclear reaction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Although the polymers showed a color change and varying degrees of measurable surface depression in the bombarded area, the implanted surface revealed substantial improvements in surface smoothness, hardness, and wear resistance. In particular, B, N, C triple-beam implanted Kapton showed over 30 times larger hardness than unimplanted material, making it more than three times harder than stainless steel. Sliding wear properties were characterized using an oscillating nylon or high carbon steel wear ball. Severe wear tracks were observed in virgin Kapton, but no appreciable wear was observed in ion implanted Kapton. Mechanisms underlying the improved surface properties are addressed.
Low-power technology mapping for mixed-swing logic

Mixed-swing logic employs multiple power supply rails and device threshold voltages and allows us to create richer cell libraries with a wider range of power/speed tradeoffs. However, mapping onto such a library with a conventional technology mapper will not exploit the full potential of a mixed-swing methodology. To remedy this, we have developed a new technology mapping tool that specifically targets mixed-swing logic. Our approach combines (1) efficient clustering and cluster-level delay budgeting for the uncommitted logic, with (2) an exhaustive search for the optimal cover that is rendered practical by the clustering process. Power savings up to 3X have been demonstrated with our mixed-swing solutions versus single power supply implementations.
Asthma, allergy, and IgE levels in NYC head start children.

Summary Background Among preschool-age children in New York City neighborhoods with high asthma hospitalization rates, we analyzed the associations of total immunoglobulin E (IgE), specific IgE to common indoor allergens, and allergy symptoms with asthma. Methods Parents of children in New York City Head Start programs were asked to complete a questionnaire covering demographic factors, health history (including respiratory conditions), lifestyle, and home environment. Children's serum samples were analyzed for total IgE and specific IgE antibodies to cockroach, dust mite, mouse, and cat allergens by immunoassay. Logistic regression was used to model the association between asthma and IgE, controlling for age, gender, ethnicity/national origin, BMI, parental asthma, smokers in the household, and allergy symptoms (e.g., runny nose, rash). Results Among 453 participating children (mean age 4.0 ± 0.5 years), 150 (33%) met our criteria for asthma. In our multivariable logistic regression models, children with asthma were more likely than other children to be sensitized to each allergen, to be sensitized to any of the four allergens (OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.0–2.6), or to be in the highest quartile of total IgE (OR = 3.1, 95% CI 1.5–6.4). Allergy symptoms based on questionnaire responses were independently associated with asthma (OR = 3.7, 95% CI 2.3–5.9). Conclusions Among preschool-aged urban children, asthma was associated with total IgE and sensitization to cat, mouse, cockroach, and dust mite allergens. However, allergy symptoms were more prevalent and more strongly associated with asthma than was any allergen-specific IgE; such symptoms may precede elevated specific IgE or represent a different pathway to asthma.
Tropical Ocean Decadal Variability and Resonance of Planetary Wave Basin Modes. Part I: Theory*

Abstract Oceanic response to decadal wind forcing is studied in a tropical–extratropical basin using two classical theoretical shallow water wave models: the equatorial wave model and the planetary wave model. Extratropical winds are found to generate significant thermocline variability in the tropical ocean with a spectral peak at decadal timescale; the preferred decadal time of the response is due to the resonance of the gravest planetary wave basin modes. The resonant response, however, is unimportant in the interior extratropical ocean, where it is distorted by the forced response to local Ekman pumping. It is proposed that the resonance of planetary wave basin modes may provide a mechanism for the generation of decadal variability in the tropical ocean and, potentially, in the coupled ocean–atmosphere system.
A Novel Mechanism of G Protein-dependent Phosphorylation of Vasodilator-stimulated Phosphoprotein

Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) is a major substrate of protein kinase A (PKA). Here we described the novel mechanism of VASP phosphorylation via cAMP-independent PKA activation. We showed that in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) α-thrombin induced phosphorylation of VASP. Specific inhibition of Gα13 protein by the RGS domain of a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, p115RhoGEF, inhibited thrombin-dependent phosphorylation of VASP. More importantly, Gα13-induced VASP phosphorylation was dependent on activation of RhoA and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase, MEKK1, leading to the stimulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. α-Thrombin-dependent VASP phosphorylation was inhibited by small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of RhoA, whereas Gα13-dependent VASP phosphorylation was inhibited by a specific RhoA inhibitor botulinum toxin C3 and by a dominant negative mutant of MEKK1. We determined that Gα13-dependent VASP phosphorylation was also inhibited by specific PKA inhibitors, PKI and H-89. In addition, the expression of phosphorylation-deficient IκB and pretreatment with the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 abolished Gα13- and α-thrombin-induced VASP phosphorylation. In summary, we have described a novel pathway of Gα13-induced VASP phosphorylation that involves activation of RhoA and MEKK1, phosphorylation and degradation of IκB, release of PKA catalytic subunit from the complex with IκB and NF-κB, and subsequent phosphorylation of VASP.
Needle Heating during High-Speed Sewing12

A review of the literature and extensive field interviews have been conducted on the subject of needle heating in high-speed sewing. As a result of this investigation, a survey of the current state...
Information space regionalization using adaptive multiplicatively weighted Voronoi diagrams

In an attempt to regionalize and visualize regions of information space, we offer a method for regionalization based on predetermined area relationships. This problem can be conceptualized as an inverse multiplicatively weighted Voronoi diagram. To compute such a diagram, we offer an adaptive algorithm. Initial testing indicates good results and quick convergence.
Beyond the narrative: A case study analysis of housing policy change in a midwestern state

vi Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Chapter 2: Methodology 4 Chapter 2.1: Overview and Background to Research Approach 4 Chapter 2.2: Design, Data Collection, and Analysis 7 Chapter 2.3: Methodological Rigor and Assumptions 12 Credibility 12 Transferability 14 Dependability and Confirmability 16 Assumptions 17 Chapter 2.4: Community Context: A Look at the Case Study Sites 18 Carrington 19 Church City 21 Farmville 22 Mariett 24 Chapter 3: Mobility, Dispersal, and Displacement: Understanding the National Context of a Changing Landscape of Poverty 26 Chapter 3.1: The Deconcentration Doctrine and the Evolution of Mobility 26 Chapter 3.2: New Federalism, Hope VI, and Displacement 32 Chapter 3.3: Receiving Communities and the Perception of Crime 37 Chapter 4: Race, the Plan for Transformation, and the Quest for Affordable Housing 39 Chapter 4.1: Chicago and Housing: A History of Segregation 39 Chapter 4.2: The Plan for Transformation 43 Chapter 4.3: From a ‘big city’ to small town America: The quest for housing 45 Chapter 5: Community Perceptions and “Program Integrity” 53 Chapter 5.1: What’s Race Got to Do with It? The ‘Culture’ of Poverty 53 Chapter 5.2: Chicago, Section 8, and Crime 57 Chapter 5.3: Program Integrity: Accountability to the Public 60
A practical approach to user authentication

A method for user authentication is presented which analyzes keystroking data as the user types his or her name. This study utilizes the ADALINE (ADAptive LINear Element) and backpropagation neural nets to identify the typing pattern characteristic of a particular user. A simple measure of geometric distance is also used for comparison. This paper provides a brief introduction to this type of neural net. It then describes the research procedure and contrasts the initial and new results, followed by a conclusion with notes concerning future research. For an average 15-character name, a complete exclusion of imposters is obtained from a set of over 5000 imposter samples. >
Effect of Dicing Technique on the Fracture Strength of Si Dies With Emphasis on Multimodal Failure Distribution

The ball-on-ring (BOR) and three-point bending (3PB) tests were used in this paper to characterize the effect of the dicing process on the fracture strength of Si dies. Dies prepared by blade- and laser-dicing processes were studied. The edge-initiated fracture was distinguished from the surface-initiated fracture by fractographic analysis. The fracture-strength distributions related to surface flaws in the 3PB test, as well as the BOR test, were consistent regardless of the dicing process. For the edge-defect-induced failure mode, on the other hand, blade-sawn dies showed wider spread distribution than laser-sawn dies. It was due to the scattered nature in size and location of the edge flaws induced by blade dicing. Laser-sawn dies showed a tighter distribution of die strength, although the average die strength was slightly lower than that of blade-sawn dies. This paper has successfully demonstrated that the die failure caused by edge defects can be deconvoluted from the 3PB test data by using fractographic observation.
Quantitative Detection of Escherichia coli O157 in Surface Waters by Using Immunomagnetic Electrochemiluminescence

A protocol for the quantitative detection of Escherichia coli O157 in raw and concentrated surface waters using immunomagnetic electrochemiluminescence (IM-ECL) was developed and optimized. Three antibody sandwich formats were tested: commercial anti-O157:H7 IM beads, IM beads made in-house with a polyclonal anti-O157:H7 immunoglobulin G (IgG), or IM beads made in-house with a monoclonal anti-O157:H7 IgG coupled with a polyclonal anti-O157:H7 IgG to which an electrochemiluminescent label (TAG) was attached. The monoclonal IM bead-polyclonal TAG format was chosen for optimization because it gave lower background levels and linear regression slopes of ca. 1.0, indicative of a constant ECL signal per cell. The dynamic range was ca. 101 to 105 cells ml−1 in phosphate-buffered saline and in raw water samples. The monoclonal IM beads selectively captured E. coli O157 cells in the presence of ca. 108 cells of a non-O157 strain of E. coli ml−1. Background ECL signals from concentrated (100-fold) water samples were substantially higher and more variable than raw water samples. The background signal was partially eliminated by the addition of polyvinylpolypyrrolidone. Successive cell capture incubations, termed sequential bead capture (SBC), were optimized for establishing baseline ECL values for individual water samples. The linear dynamic range with SBC was ca. 102 to 105 E. coli O157 cells ml of concentrated water−1. To validate the protocol, 10-liter surface water samples were spiked with ca. 5,000 E. coli O157 (Odwalla) cells and concentrated by vortex filtration, and 1- or 3-ml aliquots were analyzed by IM-ECL. Differential ECL signals (SBC) from 1- and 3-ml samples were statistically significant and were generally consistent with standard curves for these cell concentrations. Enrichments were conducted with aliquots of spiked raw water and concentrated water using EC broth and minimal lactose broth (MLB). All tubes with concentrated water became turbid and gave a positive ECL response for E. coli O157 (>10,000 ECL units); MLB gave a somewhat higher detection rate with spiked raw water. The potential sensitivity of the IM-ECL assay is ca. 25 E. coli O157 cells ml of raw water−1, 25 cells 100 ml of 100-fold concentrated water−1, or 1 to 2 viable cells liter−1 with concentration and enrichment. The IM-ECL assay appears suitable for routine analysis and screening of water samples.
Cell Surface Marker Analysis of Splenic Lymphocyte Populations of the CD Rat for Use in Immunotoxicological Studies

The objective of this study was to enumerate splenic lymphocyte populations of CD rats using immunofluorescent cell staining along with flow cytometry. Splenic lymphocytes were examined following both direct and indirect cell staining with or without lysis of red blood cells (RBC). Indirect staining with whole IgG-fluoresceinisothiocyanate (FITC) following lysis of RBC provided results most consistent with splenic differentials. Wright-Giemsa stained differentials yielded 88 ± 0.6% lymphocytes, 8 ± 0.5% macrophages, and 4 ± 0.3% polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells. Analysis of indirectly stained splenocytes revealed 29 ± 1% W3/25 [Thelper(h)], 24 ± 1% OX8 [Tsuppressor/cytotoxic(sup/cyt)], 51 ± 1% W3/13 (pan T), 51 ± 1% 0×19 (pan T), 37 ± 1% 0×12 (pan B), and 32 ± 3% OX33 (pan B) positive cells. Experiments were also conducted with goat antimouse F(ab')2-FITC as the secondary antibody or rat serum to decrease nonspecific binding. To validate the indirect staining procedure following lysis of RBC, markers were ex...
Family Background, Ability and Student Achievement in Rural China –Identifying the Effects of Unobservable Ability Using Famine-Generated Instruments

This paper investigates the effects of family background on academic achievement in basic education (grade 1-9) in rural China, using information on a sample of children aged 9-12 in 2000 from Gansu, China. The instrumental variable method developed by Mason and Griliches (1972), and Blackburn and Neumark (1992) is applied to control for unobserved child ability. Scores of a cognitive ability tests are first used to proxy unobservable child innate ability. This error-ridden measure of child innate ability is then instrumented by an instrumental variable generated by the Great Famine in China, 1958-1961. Empirical results indicate that omission of child innate ability leads to overestimation of income effects. Parental education is found to be key determinants of student achievement, but the roles of father’s education and mother’s education differ across child gender and levels of ability. For example, father’s education has significantly positive effect on academic achievements for both boys and girls, while mother’s education only matters for girls. The effect of father’s education matters for lower ability children, while mother’s education matters for higher ability children.
Chemicals in the workplace : Incorporating human neurobehavioral testing into the regulatory process

In February 1996, the United Kingdom Health and Safety Executive sponsored a workshop on the role of human neurobehavioral tests in the regulation of chemical exposures in the workplace. This paper presents the review of neurobehavioral testing that was initially prepared for the workshop but has been expanded and updated for publication. Information sources for the review were drawn from “preamble to the regulation,” in the 1989 air contaminants project, an attempt by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to update the 1968 regulatory limits of workplace exposures. The scientific citations listed in the preamble provide a chemical database to review for evidence of neurobehavioral testing to support limit setting. Several conclusions emerged: 1) A wide range of nervous system effects were reported in the scientific citations for the 172 chemicals identified with effects on the nervous system; 2) Citations of studies with human neurobehavioral test results are used to support limit setting, but many are old studies primarily of acute effects; 3) There is frequently a delay of several years after publication before studies with neurobehavioral testing are cited in regulatory forums; 4) With the 1989 proposed regulatory limits never legally adopted, there has not been an update for most of the substances affecting the nervous system since 1971; 5) Investigators should be more aware of the regulatory process and submit studies reporting neurobehavioral test results to organizations that regulate and recommend workplace exposure limits; 6) Issuances in the Federal Register by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provide a framework for assessing neurotoxic risks that can be used by investigators to help identify and report nervous system effects using neurobehavioral testing in a more uniform fashion. Am. J. Ind. Med. 33:439–453, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Individual and Contextual Effects on Attributions about Pornography

This article focuses on individuals' willingness to attribute rape effects to pornography. Using General Social Survey data from 1975 and 1986, the paper examines (1) the attitudinal and experiential variables that shape acceptance of this causal attribution; (2) the impact of elite-level efforts to reframe the pornography issue to incorporate this causal attribution; and (3) interaction effects. The analysis shows the following: 1. Both experience with X-rated movies and a number of other attitudinal and social location variables are significant predictors. 2. There is no evidence of media effects, thus suggesting the limitations of re-framing efforts. 3. There are substantial interaction effects involving gender and both religiosity and exposure to X-rated movies.