cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identifying restrictions in limited information analysis of the schooling coefficient in a wage equation

Abstract Identifying restrictions underlying limited information estimates of the coefficients of a wage equation are considered from a Bayesian point of view. Within this framework ‘exclusion’ restrictions need not be imposed exactly, and it becomes possible to consider the marginal densities of interesting coefficients as functions of the tightness of these restrictions. In the application considered here the posterior mean for the schooling and test-score coefficients in a wage equation are examined as identifying restrictions are relaxed. The paper also serves as an example of the feasibility of Bayesian limited information analysis of a current economic issue.
Integration of response to intervention and norm‐referenced tests in learning disability identification: Learning from the Tower of Babel

Significant limitations in research on learning disability (LD) have included failure to incorporate well-validated guiding theories, use of vague or nonspecific operational definitions, and lack of a systematic framework and common terminology for LD identification. Difficulties in communication among researchers continue to limit theoretical development and empirical advancement, and have lead to disagreement regarding best practices in identification. To this end, we propose an operational definition of LD that is grounded in contemporary psychometric theory and research on the relations between cognitive abilities/processes and academic outcomes. We demonstrate that response-to-intervention (RTI) and norm-referenced ability testing should not be viewed as mutually exclusive, but instead should be integrated within an operational definition of LD. Only when there exists a common set of definitions and terms, as is evident in operational definitions, can researchers and practitioners move toward the goal of better diagnosis and treatment of LD. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 43: 807–825, 2006.
HYPOTHESIS TESTING IN SECOND-LANGUAGE ACQUISITION THEORY

Learner hypotheses may be classified logically into two kinds depending on the relationship of the hypothesis to the data needed to test it. Type-N hypotheses require “negative evidence” (of which explicit correction is a special type) for testing. Type-P hypotheses can be tested on the basis of “positive data” (comprehensible input, for example) alone. The difference between hypotheses is related to the intuitive concepts of “strictness” and “looseness”. Answers to theoretical questions about the place of input in a formal L2 acquisition model as well as to empirical questions about the necessity of correction are dependent on this hypothesis type distinction.
The development of emergent differential sample behavior in pigeons

Three experiments attempted to replicate Manabe, Kawashima, and Staddon's (1995) finding of emergent differential sample behavior in budgerigars that has been interpreted as evidence of functional equivalence class formation. In Experiments 1 and 2, pigeons initially learned two-sample/ two-alternative matching to sample in which comparison presentation was contingent on pecking one sample on a differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate (DRL) schedule and the other on a fixed-ratio (FR) schedule. Later, two new samples were added to the task. Comparison presentation on these trials occurred after the first sample peck following a predetermined interval (Experiment 1) or after completion of either the DRL or FR requirement, whichever occurred first (Experiment 2). Experiment 1 found no evidence for emergent spaced versus rapid responding to the new samples as they established conditional control over the familiar choices. By contrast, differential responding did emerge for some pigeons in Experiment 2, with responding to each new sample coinciding with the pattern explicitly conditioned to the original sample occasioning the same comparison choice. This emergent effect, however, disappeared for most pigeons with continued training. Experiment 3 systematically replicated Experiment 2 using differential peck location as the sample behavior. Differential location pecking emerged to the new samples for most pigeons and remained intact throughout training. Our findings demonstrate a viable pigeon analogue to the budgerigar emergent calling paradigm and are discussed in terms of equivalence- and non-equivalence-based processes.
Views and approaches toward risks and benefits among doctors who become patients

Abstract Objective To understand how views and approaches concerning risks and benefits may be affected by dynamic contexts and processes related to clinical roles and relationships. Methods We conducted two in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 50 doctors who became patients due to serious illnesses, concerning their experiences before and after diagnosis. Results As patients, these doctors gained critical new insights into the processes and contexts of communication about risks and benefits. Doctors and patients often varied in how they viewed and weighed risks and benefits (e.g., as “good’ or “bad”). These data suggest a model in which patients undergo several dynamic processes: seeking statistics, accepting doctors’ framing of statistics, being influenced by media hype, seeing statistics as relevant or not, over-valuing risks, weighing the importance of risks and benefits, interpreting statistics as good or bad, accepting or denying statistics and odds, and making treatment decisions. These processes are affected by external factors (e.g., doctors ordering tests, framing statistics, and often over- versus under-valuing risks), and internal factors (e.g., depression, denial of illness, optimism versus pessimism, magical thinking – that doctors are immune to disease – and rationalizations). Conclusions Doctors and patients are engaged in complex, dynamic processes that shape patients’ approaches toward risks and benefits. Practice Implications These data highlight the need for increased attention toward these issues in medical educational and care.
Retrospective Analysis to Identify Trends in Forensic Research

AbstractThis paper provides a comprehensive summary of forensic research trends presented in the ASCE’s Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities (JPCF). The paper reports the results of a 24-year analysis of JPCF published literature between 1987 and 2010. The Journal continues to serve as a primary resource for published literature in the field of engineering forensics and provides a recorded history of our recognition and understanding of important lessons learned. Interesting facts were revealed that provide insights for practitioners and academia alike. The investigation indicates a wide participation of engineering disciplines, an increasing number of new topics, innovations, and proactive forensic methodologies, extensive interdisciplinary collaboration, and a significant increase in international contributions. This study may serve as a basis for defining the history and breadth of forensic engineering and for understanding the international relevancy and regional interest in the diverse su...
Luminance Requirements for Hue Perception and Identification, for a Range of Exposure Durations

This study investigated the effect of exposure duration on the luminances required to reach absolute, detection, chromatic, and correct-hue thresholds. Dominant wavelengths 642, 584, 521, and 468 nm were investigated by the method of constant stimuli, with 64.5- and 2.5-min-diam stimulus sizes, for a series of nine exposure durations ranging from 5 to 1413 msec. The results show that, for the small stimulus at brief durations, the luminance–exposure-time relationship approaches Bloch’s law for the absolute-, detection-, and chromatic-threshold functions. For the corresponding correct-hue function, and for all thresholds, brief durations, large stimulus, the slope of the function relating luminance to exposure duration is less than that predicted by Bloch’s law. The slopes relating luminance to exposure duration for the long exposures are greater for the small than for the large stimuli. There is a tendency for the two longer wavelengths to be seen at lower luminances than the two shorter wavelengths, for all thresholds and exposures. The extent of the differences among wavelengths changes as a function of the kind of threshold; the greatest difference occurs for the correct-hue threshold. Photochromatic intervals α and β are smallest for the 642-nm stimulus, over the range of durations. At this wavelength, the four thresholds can be described by a single function relating luminance and exposure duration. The largest photochromatic intervals α and β are found for the 521-nm stimulus. The results are discussed in terms of the relative action time among hues and the threshold-tritanopia hypothesis.
An Ecological Assessment of Transgenic Crops

Abstract Since the first commercial release of a transgenic crop in 1994, the land area planted to these crops has expanded to over 90 million ha worldwide, with approximately 8.5 million farmers in 21 countries cultivating transgenic crops. Public apprehension has mounted apace. Concerns include: (i) the potential for gene flow into wild plant populations or soil organisms; (ii) adverse effects on non-target organisms; (iii) gene products or crop residues persisting in the environment with deleterious effects and, for insecticidal crops; (iv) resistance developing in target pest populations. Numerous studies on the environmental risks of transgenic crops are published. Gene flow to a crop's wild relatives has been demonstrated in the field; hence, the use of these crops is restricted to regions where wild relatives are not endemic. Gene flow to soil organisms is yet to be demonstrated under field conditions and is unlikely given the safeguards employed, but not impossible. The weight of the evidence sugg...
A model for the Kolbe reaction of acetate in a parallel-plate reactor

A mathematical model is developed for the study of the Kolbe oxidative dimerization of acetate to ethane and carbon dioxide in a parallel-plate reactor operating at a fixed cell potential, with hydrogen evolution being the cathode reaction. The volume of gas evolved into the interelectrode gap is tracked by constructing a hypothetical gas layer which increases in thickness with the streamwise direction in a manner determined by solution to the model equations; concurrently, the liquid flows in a hypothetical layer which decreases in thickness. The three-component gas phase is assumed to be ideal, and the liquid phase is an aqueous mixture of five species: acetate, proton, sodium and hydroxyl ions and acetic acid. The model predicts the concentration profiles and the streamwise variation of the gas-void fraction, reaction current density and liquid and gas velocities. Gas evolution causes a decreasing current density in the streamwise direction and an increasing gas and liquid velocity. The concentrations of acetic acid and proton decrease in the streamwise direction, while hydroxyl concentration increases; the decrease in acetate concentration, however, is not significant until the local base-to-acid ratio is near unity because of the buffering effect from undissociated acetic acid. The average current density increases with inlet solution velocity and cell potential and asymptotically approaches the secondary current limit. There exists an optimal interelectrode separation where the cell resistance is minimum. The average current density exhibits a shallow maximum with the baseto-acid ratio of the feed, but decreases precipitously when the ratio is near unity due to the rapid decrease in the proton concentration.
Empathy, Exposure to Community Violence, and Use of Violence Among Urban, At-Risk Adolescents.

This study investigated the relationships between use of violence, empathy and exposure to community violence among urban at-risk adolescent males. Participants completed a battery of self-report measures to assess their levels of empathy, exposure to community violence and use of violent behavior. Literature suggests that a negative relationship exists between empathy and violent behavior. Adolescents who report high levels of exposure to violence will also report low levels of empathy and frequent use of violence. Furthermore, low empathy and high exposure to community violence are believed to predict increased use of violence among participants. Data were examined using a multiple regression analysis; results indicate that while low empathy alone does not predict use of violence, low empathy coupled with high levels of exposure to community violence is a significant predictor of use of violence. Implications for violence prevention and treatment, along with directions for future research are discussed.
Klippel-Feil anomaly with Sprengel anomaly, omovertebral bone, thumb abnormalities, and flexion-crease changes: Novel association or syndrome?

We report on a family with Klippel-Feil anomaly (KF), Sprengel anomaly, omovertebral bone, thumb abnormalities, and flexion-crease abnormalities. This combination of abnormalities does not fit into Holt-Oram syndrome, Wildervanck syndrome, oculo-auriculo-vertebral (Goldenhar) anomaly, or the VATER complex. Clinical aspects of a KF classification are discussed. The state of molecular research on KF is briefly reported. We conclude that this set of anomalies is a novel combination, probably representing pleiotropy of a single Mendelian gene.
Validation of the surface sink model for sorptive interactions between VOCs and indoor materials

Adsorption and desorption by indoor surface materials can have significant impacts on the level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) indoors. The surface sink model (SSM) was developed to account for these interactions in an indoor air quality model. Two types of scale-up experiments were conducted to validate the SSM that was developed based on small-scale chamber experiments. Conflicting results were obtained from a large-scale laboratory experiment and a field test. From the large-scale laboratory experiment involving three materials and three chemicals, relatively good agreement was observed between measurements and predictions by the SSM. In contrast, the level of sorption in the field test was observed to be at least 9 times greater than was predicted by the SSM.
Principles Governing Conformations in Stereoisomeric Adducts of Bay Region Benzo[a]pyrene Diol Epoxides to Adenine in DNA: Steric and Hydrophobic Effects Are Dominant

The stereochemical properties of ligands that form covalent adducts with DNA have profound effects on their biochemical functions. Differing absolute configurations of substituents about chiral carbon atoms can lead to strikingly different conformations when such stereoisomeric compounds bind to DNA. The environmental chemical carcinogen, benzo[a]pyrene (BP), provides a remarkable example of such stereochemical effects. Metabolic activation of benzo[a]pyrene leads to a pair of enantiomers, (+)-(7R,8S,9S,10R)-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene and its (−)-(7S,8R,9R,10S) mirror-image, known as (+)- and (−)-anti-BPDE. Both (+)- and (−)-anti-BPDE react with the amino group of adenine in DNA via trans epoxide opening, yielding a pair of stereochemically distinct trans-anti-benzo[a]pyrenyl adducts, whose possible role in chemical carcinogenesis is of great interest. High-resolution NMR solution studies (Schurter et al. Biochemistry 1995, 34, 1364−75; Yeh et al. Biochemistry 1995, 34, 135...
Cross-correlation function of acoustic fields generated by random high-frequency sources.

Long-range correlations of noise fields in arbitrary inhomogeneous, moving or motionless fluids are studied in the ray approximation. Using the stationary phase method, two-point cross-correlation function of noise is shown to approximate the sum of the deterministic Green’s functions describing sound propagation in opposite directions between the two points. Explicit relations between amplitudes of respective ray arrivals in the noise cross-correlation function and the Green’s functions are obtained and verified against specific problems allowing an exact solution. Earlier results are extended by simultaneously accounting for sound absorption, arbitrary distribution of noise sources in a volume and on surfaces, and fluid inhomogeneity and motion. The information content of the noise cross-correlation function is discussed from the viewpoint of passive acoustic characterization of inhomogeneous flows.
Eugene Kinckle Jones: The National Urban League and Black Social Work, 1910–1940. By Felix L. Armfield. (Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, 2012. Pp. ix, 116. $55.00.)

When students think of a “civil rights leader,” they most often follow the cue of their political culture and summon a sometimes flat, smooth, and uncomplicated image of Martin Luther King Jr. He a...
Remote consultation with a multiple-screen FilmPlane radiology workstation

As hospitals geographically spread and radiologic services are required in remote locations, the radiologist increasingly must conduct a remote practice. Rapid image transmission from the remote site to the radiologist is important but only half the problem. First, the radiologist may need to view and discuss the images with the technologist to verify image quality or to specify the location of follow-up images. Second, the radiologist may need to discuss the case with another radiologist for a second opinion or for the advice of a sub-specialist. Third, and most importantly, the radiologist may need to discuss the case with the referring physician to better understand the text data, clinical history, and referring physician's clinical questions and concerns, and to better convey the location and extent of the clinical findings. In this paper we detail the requirements for a remote consultation workstation, present previous work on remote computer interaction, and describe the FilmPlane remote consultation workstation in detail. We then discuss the MICA medical communications project in which FilmPlane will be used for a remote consultation study between the UNC family medicine clinic and the main hospital 1/2 mile away.
Comparison of circulation times of thermal waters discharging from the Idaho batholith based on geothermometer temperatures, helium concentrations, and 14C measurements

Abstract Circulation times of waters in geothermal systems are poorly known. In this study, we examine the thermal waters of the Idaho batholith to verify whether maximum system temperatures, helium concentrations, and 14 C values are related to water age in these low-to-moderate temperature geothermal systems. He/N 2 values of gas collected from thermal waters that circulate solely through distinct units of the Idaho batholith correlate linearly with Na–K–(4/3)Ca geothermometer temperatures, showing that both variables are excellent indicators of relative water age. Thermal waters that circulate in early Tertiary (45–50 Ma) granite of the Sawtooth batholith have 3.5 times more helium than thermal waters of the same aquifer temperature that circulate through the main Cretaceous granite (average 91 Ma). Hot spring waters circulating in hydrothermally altered parts of the batholith have very little dissolved helium and no correlation between He/N 2 values and geothermometer temperatures. Thermal waters discharging from the Idaho batholith are more depleted in deuterium than modern precipitation in the area. Recharge to these geothermal systems occurred from at least 10,000 BP for the cooler systems up to about 33,000 BP for the hotter systems.
Acute hepatic allograft rejection: A comparison of patients with and without centrilobular alterations during first rejection episode

The histologic diagnosis of acute hepatic allograft rejection is usually based upon the identification of characteristic portal tract features. In addition to these, centrilobular alterations such as central vein endothelialitis, zone 3 inflammation, and hepatocyte necrosis may also be seen during episodes of acute rejection. The purpose of this study was to identify any differences in the subsequent clinical course of patients with and without centrilobular alterations during their first biopsy-proven episode of acute rejection. Acute rejection was diagnosed at least once in 35 liver recipients who had undergone allograft biopsy. Of these, 15 (43%) had centrilobular alterations in their first posttransplant biopsy. These 15 patients developed ductopenia (60% vs. 30%) and subsequent episodes of acute rejection (53% vs. 25%) more often than did the 20 patients who lacked centrilobular alterations in their first posttransplant biopsy. Time to first episode of acute rejection and rates of subsequent recurrent hepatitis and death were similar between the 2 groups. Patients with centrilobular alterations during a first episode of acute rejection are more likely to have subsequent episodes of acute rejection and to develop features of chronic rejection than are patients without these changes. These patients may benefit from more vigilant clinical follow-up and/or higher levels of immunosuppression.
Perspectives on the past, view of the present: relationship between nurse-midwifery and nursing in the United States.

Relationships between U.S. nurses and nurse-midwives developed during the Progressive Era around two major points: the knowledge that lower maternal and infant mortality in England and Europe was associated with well-educated midwives, and the desire of some nursing leaders to substitute nurse-midwives for traditional midwives. In the process, traditional midwives were labeled dirty and dangerous and the practice of nurse-midwifery was marginalized. At the same time, research on nurse-midwifery showed excellent maternal and infant outcomes at the only two demonstration sites where nurse-midwifery was practiced between 1925 and 1941. This data helped the Children's Bureau and MCA push the expansion of nurse-midwifery in the South and Southwest. As their numbers expanded, nurse-midwives organized nationally within the national public-health nursing association. When the association merged with other nursing organizations, however, nurse-midwives were denied their request to maintain an autonomous section on the grounds that they practiced medicine. This rejection caused a split between nursing and nurse-midwifery that continues to affect interactions between the two groups of professionals. In the 1970s, the ANA, which by now supported the nurse practitioner role, embraced nurse-midwifery as an extension of nursing practice. This permitted regulation of nurse-midwifery under nurse-practice acts in all but a handful of states. Unfortunately, in the majority of these states nurse-midwives were not named in statute and their practice became legally invisible. Today, many state boards require a master's of nursing for licensure even though research has shown no difference in certification exam scores between master's- and nonmaster's-prepared nurse-midwives. During the 1970s, middle-class women began to seek the services of a new group of apprentice-trained midwives, and, eventually, these midwives created their own national organization. In the early 1990s, the two national midwifery organizations met formally to craft recommendations for the education and certification of non-nurse midwives and a single standard of midwifery care. Although both organizations had developed processes for accrediting educational programs and certifying non-nurse midwives, the job of drafting a single standard of care remains incomplete. As a result, one of the major tasks facing U.S. nurse-midwives is the need to redefine their relationships with both nursing and apprentice-trained direct-entry midwives. Completion of this task holds the promise of boosting the public image of midwifery, elevating the place of midwives in the care of women and infants, and improving maternal and child health outcomes in America.
Three-dimensional temperature response to impulsive input outside a spherical reservoir

The classical expression for the Green’s function associated with heat conduction external to a spherical reservoir involves an infinite series in which the radial/time contributions are given by Laplace-type integrals containing cross products of spherical Bessel functions. This expression is most useful, numerically, for large distances and/or long times. In this paper, using a combination of transform and integral equations techniques, alternative expressions are derived for the radial/time components predominantly in terms of polynomials in the time variable. These new representations are thus valuable for short-time heat conduction calculations. Moreover, when re-expressed in a quantum-mechanical setting, they provide particularly useful closed-form expressions in terms of familiar functions for all the higher-order partial waves of the two-particle density matrix under the assumption of hard-core interaction.
Air pollution and early deaths in the United States. Part II: Attribution of PM2.5 exposure to emissions species, time, location and sector

Abstract Combustion emissions constitute the largest source of anthropogenic emissions in the US, and lead to the degradation of air quality and human health. In Part I we computed the population fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure and number of early deaths caused by emissions from six major sectors: electric power generation, industry, commercial and residential activities, road transportation, marine transportation and rail transportation. In Part II we attribute exposure and early deaths to sectors, emissions species, time of emission, and location of emission. We apply a long-term adjoint sensitivity analysis and calculate the four dimensional sensitivities (time and space) of PM2.5 exposure with respect to each emissions species. Epidemiological evidence is used to relate increased population exposure to premature mortalities. This is the first regional application of the adjoint sensitivity analysis method to characterize long-term air pollution exposure. (A global scale application has been undertaken related to intercontinental pollution.) We find that for the electric power generation sector 75% of the attributable PM2.5 exposure is due to SO2 emissions, and 80% of the annual impacts are attributed to emissions from April to September. In the road transportation sector, 29% of PM2.5 exposure is due to NOx emissions and 33% is from ammonia (NH3), which is a result of emissions after-treatment technologies. We estimate that the benefit of reducing NH3 emissions from road transportation is ∼20 times that of NOx per unit mass. 75% of the road transportation ammonia impacts occur during the months October to March. We publicly release the sensitivity matrices computed, noting their potential use as a rapid air quality policy assessment tool.
Accounting for Correlations: Price Adjustments in Unit-Cost Construction Contracts

Macroeconomic conditions, such as commodity prices, affect the cost of construction projects. In a volatile market environment, contractors respond by adding premiums in bid prices when highway agencies pass such risk on to contractors by using fixed-price contracts. How much of the commodity cost risk should highway agencies pass on to contractors? More specifically, this study aims to investigate the impact of correlation among commodity prices on optimal risk-hedging decisions. A weighted least-squares regression model is used to estimate the risk premium; both univariate time series and vector time series models are estimated and applied to simulate changes in commodity prices over time, including the effect of correlation. A genetic algorithm is used as a solution approach to a multiobjective optimization problem (cost versus future risk exposure). In a case study, project cost risks are shown to be significantly underestimated if correlations are not accounted for.
Subpopulations of lymphocytes in maternal peripheral blood during pregnancy

The fetus can be considered an allograft with up to one-half of its MHC antigens being potentially recognized by the mother as foreign. This study compares expression of OKT3, OKT4, OKT8, Kappa, Lambda and Ia antigens on lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of normal non-pregnant women, normal pregnant women, patients who are chronic spontaneous aborters and pregnant insulin-dependent diabetic women. Monoclonal antibodies and cytofluorometric analyses were used for these determinations. There were no significant differences (P = 0.01) between these groups for T-cell markers. A statistically significant (P = 0.001) increased ratio of cells bearing surface immunoglobulin to those expressing Ia antigen (KL however, women with chronic spontaneous abortion may have abnormal B-cell differentiation or T-cell activation that mediates chronic spontaneous abortion.
Bitter melon juice targets molecular mechanisms underlying gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer cells

Pancreatic cancer (PanC) is one of the most lethal malignancies, and resistance towards gemcitabine, the front-line chemotherapy, is the main cause for dismal rate of survival in PanC patients; overcoming this resistance remains a major challenge to treat this deadly malignancy. Whereas several molecular mechanisms are known for gemcitabine resistance in PanC cells, altered metabolism and bioenergetics are not yet studied. Here, we compared metabolic and bioenergetic functions between gemcitabine-resistant (GR) and gemcitabine-sensitive (GS) PanC cells and underlying molecular mechanisms, together with efficacy of a natural agent bitter melon juice (BMJ). GR PanC cells showed distinct morphological features including spindle-shaped morphology and a decrease in E-cadherin expression. GR cells also showed higher ATP production with an increase in oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR). Molecular studies showed higher expression of glucose transporters (GLUT1 and 4) suggesting an increase in glucose uptake by GR cells. Importantly, GR cells showed a significant increase in Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation and their inhibition decreased cell viability, suggesting their role in survival and drug resistance of these cells. Recently, we reported strong efficacy of BMJ against a panel of GS cells in culture and nude mice, which we expanded here and found that BMJ was also effective in decreasing both Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation and viability of GR PanC cells. Overall, we have identified novel mechanisms of gemcitabine resistance in PanC cells which are targeted by BMJ. Considering the short survival in PanC patients, our findings could have high translational potential in controlling this deadly malignancy.
The JAK2 V617F mutation is absent in patients with erythrocytosis due to high oxygen affinity hemoglobin variants.

High oxygen affinity hemoglobin (Hb) variants are an important and well characterized cause of secondary erythrocytosis. We tested 22 patients with high oxygen affinity β chain variants for the presence of the JAK2 V617F mutation that has been reported in chronic myeloproliferative disorders, particularly polycythemia vera. All specimens showed the absence of this mutation. This observation contributes to the overall clinical specificity of the JAK2 V617F mutation.
An Approach for Estimating Market Potential in East Europe

Although there are numerous techniques which are used in determining market potentials, when the data are scarce one of these becomes more readily useful than others. This technique is called the multiple factor analysis. In this paper an attempt is made to determine the market potential of East Europe by using this particular technique. This approach converts the unknown East European market conditions into the known U.S. market conditions by using a series of criteria as common denominators.
Probabilistic prediction of green roof energy performance under parameter uncertainty

Abstract Studies on the quantification of energy benefits of a green roof have so far treated its parameter values only deterministically. In reality, however, these values may scatter over different ranges due to the inherent variation of vegetation and soil properties and also because of the unavoidable deviation from designated values during construction and/or actual operation of a green roof. Under such parameter uncertainty, green roof performance can no longer be predicted deterministically but rather probabilistically. The present study attempts to integrate the whole building energy simulation with a parametric uncertainty analysis. An example office building is used to systematically examine how the cooling and heating energy demands can be reduced by a green roof that replaces a conventional roof, when values of the most significant green roof parameters determined by sensitivity analysis are treated as random variables with prescribed probability distributions. An ensemble of green roof configurations is generated using Monte Carlo simulation with a Latin hypercube sampling technique. The coefficient of variation of the calculated energy savings is found almost linearly related to (with a slope of about 0.4) that of green roof parameters. Finally, implications of probabilistic energy analysis for more reliable green roof design are emphasized.
The minds of the board of directors: the effects of formal position and informal networks among board members on influence and decision making

Examining board of directors’ decision making in case studies of CEOs and board members in four US companies, we found that an “inner board” of directors and CEOs linked by network ties outside of board meetings contained the most influential board members who also shared cognitions about problems. This informal network of ties was affected by the formal governance structure of the board. Strong ties in the informal network led to shared cognitions on the board, demonstrating a link between the formal and network positions of board members and their decision making.
Formation of vortex loops (strings) in continuous phase transitions

The formation of vortex loops (global cosmic strings) in an O(2) linear sigma model in three spatial dimensions is analyzed numerically. For over-damped Langevin dynamics we find that defect production is suppressed by an interaction between correlated domains that reduces the effective spatial variation of the phase of the order field. The degree of suppression is sensitive to the quench rate. A detailed description of the numerical methods used to analyze the model is also reported.
Heteroepitaxial growth in aqueous solutions: Rubidium iodide on mica

We have performed a series of experiments in which the heteroepitaxial growth of rubidium iodide on mica was carried out by precipitation from aqueous solution. The process was studied using time-lapse optical microscopy, ex situ atomic-force microscopy, and x-ray diffraction. We find that this is an extremely robust epitaxial growth system, in that highly oriented islands are formed over a wide range of temperatures and evaporation rates. From the x-ray measurements we find that the distribution of azimuthal island orientations is in most cases less than $0.3\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$ wide, despite the fact that growth rates are generally well over $1\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}/\mathrm{s}.$ Using ex situ atomic-force microscopy, we show that during early stages of growth the external morphology of the epitaxial islands crosses over from a circular island shape to a triangular one, at an island size of approximately $1 \ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}.$ Overall, the growth of salts on mica provides a rich environment in which to probe nucleation and growth phenomena as functions of temperature, evaporation rate, and epitaxial misfit.
Impact of the Foundations of Clinical Medicine Course on USMLE Scores

BACKGROUND The synthesis of basic and clinical science knowledge during the clerkship years has failed to meet educational expectations.
Figures of merit and constraints from testing General Relativity using the latest cosmological data sets including refined COSMOS 3D weak lensing

We use cosmological constraints from current data sets and a figure of merit approach in order to probe any deviations from general relativity at cosmological scales. The figure of merit approach is used to study and compare the constraining power of various combinations of data sets on the modified gravity (MG) parameters. We use the recently refined HST-COSMOS weak-lensing tomography data, the ISW-galaxy cross correlations from 2MASS and SDSS luminous red galaxy surveys, the matter power spectrum from SDSS-DR7 (MPK), the WMAP7 temperature and polarization spectra, the baryon acoustic oscillations from Two-Degree Field and SDSS-DR7, and the Union2 compilation of type Ia supernovae, in addition to other bounds from Hubble parameter measurements and big bang nucleosynthesis. We use three parametrizations of MG parameters that enter the perturbed field equations. In order to allow for variations of the parameters with the redshift and scale, the first two parametrizations use recently suggested functional forms while the third is based on binning methods. Using the first parametrization, we find that the $\mathrm{CMB}+\mathrm{ISW}+\mathrm{WL}$ combination provides the strongest constraints on the MG parameters followed by $\mathrm{CMB}+\mathrm{WL}$ or $\mathrm{CMB}+\mathrm{MPK}+\mathrm{ISW}$. Using the second parametrization or the binning methods, we find that the combination $\mathrm{CMB}+\mathrm{MPK}+\mathrm{ISW}$ consistently provides some of the strongest constraints. This shows that the constraints are parametrization dependent. We find that adding up current data sets does not improve consistently the uncertainties on MG parameters due to tensions between the best-fit MG parameters preferred by different data sets. Furthermore, some functional forms imposed by the parametrizations can lead to an exacerbation of these tensions. Next, unlike some studies that used the CFHTLS lensing data, we do not find any deviation from general relativity using the refined HST-COSMOS data, confirming previous claims in those studies that their result may have been due to some systematic effect. Finally, for all the parametrizations and binning methods used, we find that the values corresponding to general relativity are within the 95% confidence level contours for all data set combinations.
Growth Dynamics of Juvenile Striped Bass as Functions of Temperature and Ration

Abstract Growth dynamics of juvenile striped bass Morone saxatilis were determined at constant temperatures (12–34.5 C), at fluctuating temperatures (± 4 C around means of 18, 24, and 30 C), and at ration levels of 100, 60, 30, and 0% of satiation at each temperature regime. At constant temperatures, both maximum growth for 100% ration and minimum maintenance ration occurred near 24 C; zero growth occurred at 33.5 C. Reduced ration lowered growth rates and shifted the point of zero growth to lower temperatures, but it did not significantly shift the temperature of optimum growth. The greatest bioenergetic efficiency in fluctuating temperature regimes was in the range 14–22 C (mean, 18 C).
What causes nitric oxide to infiltrate the ozone layer

At the Earth's poles, energetic particles that are injected into the atmosphere can chemically react and form nitric oxide (NO) molecules, which then descend through the atmosphere and can destroy ozone there. Previous studies have found that intense geomagnetic events lead to the largest descents of NO, but more recent research—following a large flux of NO in a period of quiet geomagnetic activity—suggests that such fluxes can have different origins.
Public Information Conferences as Tools for Environmental Communication Training.

Abstract Students in the environmental communications curriculum at The Ohio State University annually produce a conference to inform the public about a current environmental issue. This article describes the process of planning, publicizing, presenting, and evaluating the conference, and how each phase of conference production contributes to development of the students' communication skills. An overview of five conferences highlights their differences and their effects on the knowledge and attitudes of participants.
Hadronic J/ψ production calculated in the NRQCD factorization formalism

The NRQCD factorization formalism of Bodwin, Braaten, and Lepage prescribes how to write quarkonium production rates as a sum of products of short-distance coefficients times nonperturbative long-distance NRQCD matrix elements. We present a calculation of the inclusive cross section for hadronic {psi} production within the framework of the factorization formalism. Our method applies to the case in which the helicity of the {psi} is not measured. In addition to the well-known {ital color}-{ital singlet} production mechanisms, there are equally important mechanisms in which the {ital c{bar c}} pair that forms the {ital J}/{psi} is initially produced in a {ital color}-{ital octet} state, in either a {sup 3}{ital S}{sub 1}, {sup 1}{ital S}{sub 0}, {sup 3}{ital P}{sub 0}, or {sup 3}{ital P}{sub 2} angular-momentum configuration. In our presentation, we faithfully follow the {open_quote}{open_quote}matching{close_quote}{close_quote} procedure, thereby shedding light on the NRQCD factorization formalism. We determine the short-distance coefficients appearing in the factorization formula, and we point out how one may systematically include relativistic corrections in these calculations. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
Parallel Computations of Radiative Heat Transfer Using the Discrete Ordinates Method

ABSTRACT The discrete ordinates method is spatially decomposed to solve the radiative transport equation on parallel computers. Mathematical libraries developed by third parties are used to solve the matrices that result during the solution procedure. The radiation component is verified by comparing computed values against a benchmark. Fixed and scaled problem size efficiencies are examined. Contrary to most previous studies, the parallel efficiencies did not depend strongly on the optical thickness of the medium for our model problem. Timing studies show that GMRES, BiCGSTAB iterative methods with block Jacobi preconditioning perform the best for solving these matrix systems.
Dynamics of three coupled limit cycle oscillators with application to artificial intelligence

Abstract We study a system of three limit cycle oscillators which exhibits two stable steady states. The system is modeled by both phase-only oscillators and by van der Pol oscillators. We obtain and compare the existence, stability and bifurcation of the steady states in these two models. This work is motivated by application to the design of a machine which can make decisions by identifying a given initial condition with its associated steady state.
Some Advantages and Pitfalls of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

Abstract The use of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in corrosion research is briefly reviewed with particular emphasis on the advantages offered by this technique over other electroche...
The depolarization shift in "epileptic" neurons.

Abstract Intracellular recordings were obtained from neurons of penicillin epileptogenic foci in locally and lightly anesthetized cats, and the depolarization shifts (DS) which occurred in cells during each surface interictal epileptiform event were analyzed. Cells which generated DS had otherwise normal patterns of synaptic and spike activity. The slow envelope of the DS was not crucially related to all-or-none spike electrogenesis. Alterations in intensity and frequency of orthodromic stimuli had different effects on DS and EPSP. As the stimulus intensity increased, DS tended to occur in an all-or-none manner at a fixed amplitude but with decreasing latency, whereas EPSP increased in amplitude. Following a DS, a period of refractoriness for DS generation of at least 150 msec occurred. Failure of orthodromic stimuli to “trigger” DS occurred at times when normal patterns of PSP and spike generation could be evoked. Direct depolarization through the intracellular electrode never elicited a DS. Depolarization did decrease DS amplitude in some cells. In some cells hyperpolarizing current pulses appeared to have less effect upon evoked DS than upon short-latency EPSP, suggesting that the DS originated on membrane remote from the soma; however, in most neurons concurrent EPSP and IPSP made it difficult to assess the effects of current injection upon the DS. The data are most consistent with the interpretation that the DS is some form of “giant” synaptic potential. The extent to which membrane abnormalities contribute to this potential is not known. In some neurons the characteristics of the presynaptic drive appear to be important factors in DS genesis.
Physicochemical Properties of the Vi Antigen Before and After Mild Alkaline Hydrolysis

Sedimentation and diffusion constants were determined for electrophoretically purified Vi antigen before and after mild alkaline hydrolysis. The molecular weight of the intact antigen was found to be 1.7 × 10 6 . Mild alkaline hydrolysis completely removed O -acetyl, reduced the molecular weight to 1.0 × 10 5 , and lowered the intrinsic viscosity from 8.0 deciliters/g to approximately 0.5 deciliter/g. Infrared spectra of the two antigen preparations were also compared.
The Psychiatric Effects of Massive Trauma on Cambodian Refugees

From 1975 to 1980 the brutal Pol Pot regime in Cambodia brought destruction, death and extreme suffering to the Cambodian people. From that tragedy, we have learned some of the personal and clinical effects of extreme trauma. The Cambodians, surviving such adversity without knowledge of Western psychiatric concepts and without recourse to financial compensation, have given us a unique opportunity to study the outcomes of stress. Our research and clinical goals are to improve clinical treatment of these victims who now make their homes in many American communities.
Neurological Foundation of Image Processing

A popular computation approach is to process visual images by dividing them into crisp (winner-takes-all) parts in analog to properties of neurophysiological receptive fields. Problem with such symbolic representation is that in a real environment object attributes are seldom invariant. We propose to divide images into rough parts using hierarchical, multi-valued processes. The bottom-up computation (BUC) is related to prediction where object attributes are approximated by different granules with properties similar to different brain areas: by dots as in the thalamus, by oriented lines as in the primary visual cortex, and by elementary shapes as in V4. There are a large number of possible combinations of elementary granules; therefore objects in BUC are overrepresented. The top-down computation (TDC) fits prediction to hypothesis posed by more complex properties (higher brain areas). If the hypothesis check is positive, TDC verifies the object and eliminates other possible patterns. Such classifications take place in parallel at many functional units. We show an example of such hierarchical system computation on experimentally recorded data from monkey visual area (V4).
Type A behaviour pattern, the recall of positive personality information and self-evaluations

This paper reports on two studies of how Type A and B subjects perceive themselves. Both studies investigated differences in self-ratings of personality by Type As and Bs, and differences in the recall of positive and negative personality information. As predicted, a modest significant positive correlation was found in both studies between Type A scores and number of positive traits remembered, suggesting that Type A behaviours are associated with a tendency to process information about the self in such a way as to bolster self-esteem. Self-ratings of positive and negative personality traits showed that Type As tended to rate themselves much more negatively than Type Bs. This provides support for a self-evaluative model of Type A behaviour. The results are discussed in terms of the paradoxical nature of the Type A behaviour pattern.