cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design and Analysis of a 1.8-GHz Open-Loop Modulator for Phase Modulation and Frequency Synthesis Using TDC-Based Calibration

A nonlinearity calibration technique is proposed for an open-loop phase modulator (PM), for wideband phase modulation, and for multiple-output, low-jitter clock generation. The design considerations and key performance aspects of the calibration technique are discussed. The PM integrates a digital phase-locked loop, local oscillator distribution network, and digital calibration. A prototype was implemented in 0.13- $\mu \text{m}$ CMOS 1.8-GHz Gaussian frequency shift keying (GFSK) transmitter integrated circuit. Measurements on the prototype show that out-of-band quantization noise is 56 dB lower than that of the signal when transmitting 20-Mb/s GFSK signal and the rms error is only 3.2%. The power consumption of the PM is 18 mW. The measured spurious tones of the clock generation unit are below −46 dBc.
Update: Influenza Activity in the United States During the 2017–18 Season and Composition of the 2018–19 Influenza Vaccine

The United States 2017-18 influenza season (October 1, 2017-May 19, 2018) was a high severity season with high levels of outpatient clinic and emergency department visits for influenza-like illness (ILI), high influenza-related hospitalization rates, and elevated and geographically widespread influenza activity across the country for an extended period. Nationally, ILI activity began increasing in November, reaching an extended period of high activity during January-February, and remaining elevated through March. Influenza A(H3N2) viruses predominated through February and were predominant overall for the season; influenza B viruses predominated from March onward. This report summarizes U.S. influenza activity* during October 1, 2017-May 19, 2018.†.
Reply to Galen, "Screening Cerebrospinal Fluid Prior to Herpes Simplex Virus PCR Testing Might Miss Cases of Herpes Simplex Encephalitis".

We appreciate the correspondence from Dr. Galen ([1][1]) about our study and value his interest in expanding the discussion of the cost-effectiveness of screening herpes simplex virus (HSV) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ([2][2]). He raises a number of important assertions upon which we feel compelled
Measuring Severity of Internet Abuse in the Workplace: Creation of a Thurstone Scale

Access to the Internet at work allows employees to be more effective in their jobs. However, it also gives employees the opportunity to engage in non-productive behavior. Several studies have examined the problem of Internet abuse in the workplace. However, a measure of severity of Internet abuse is still lacking. This research employs a Thurstone scale to create an appropriate measure of severity of Internet abuse in the workplace.
Compact-2D: A Physical Design Methodology to Build Commercial-Quality Face-to-Face-Bonded 3D ICs

The recent advancement of wafer bonding technology offers fine-grained and silicon-space overhead-free 3D interconnections in face-to-face (F2F) bonded 3D ICs. In this paper, we propose a full-chip RTL-to-GDSII physical design solution to build high-density and commercial-quality two-tier F2F-bonded 3D ICs. The state-of-the-art flow named Shrunk-2D (S2D) requires shrinking of standard cells and interconnects by a factor of 50% to fit into the target 3D footprint of a two-tier design. This, unfortunately, necessitates commercial place/route engines that handle one node smaller geometries, which can be challenging and costly. Our flow named Compact-2D (C2D) does not require any geometry shrinking. Instead, C2D implements a 2D IC with scaled interconnect RC parasitics, and contracts the layout to the F2F design footprint. In addition, C2D offers post-tier-partitioning optimization that is shown to be effective in fixing timing violations caused by inter-tier 3D routing, which is completely missing in S2D. Lastly, we present a methodology to recycle the routing result of post-tier-partitioning optimization for final GDSII generation. Our experimental results show that at iso-performance, C2D offers up to 26.8% power reduction and 15.6% silicon area savings over commercial 2D ICs without any routing resource overhead.
A risk-based intervention approach to eliminate diabetes health disparities.

Type 2 diabetes plays a major role in racial/ethnic health disparities. We conducted the first study to examine whether multifaceted interventions targeting patients with poorly controlled diabetes (HgbA1c >9%) can reduce racial/ethnic disparities in diabetes control. Among 4595 patients with diabetes at a Federally Qualified Health Center in New York, a higher percentage of blacks (32%) and Hispanics/Latinos (32%) had poorly controlled diabetes than whites (25%) at baseline (prevalence ratio, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.14–1.43; P<0.001). After four years, this percentage was reduced in all groups (blacks, 21%; Hispanics/Latinos, 20%; whites, 20%; P<0.001 for each relative to baseline). Disparities in diabetes control also were significantly reduced (change in disparity relative to whites: blacks, P=0.03; Hispanics/Latinos, P=0.008). In this diverse population, interventions targeting patients with poorly controlled diabetes not only improved diabetes control in all racial/ethnic groups, but significantly reduced disparities. This approach warrants further testing and may help reduce disparities in other populations.
Broadband terahertz linear polarization rotation and linear-to-circular polarization conversion using metasurfaces

We show metasurfaces consisting of few-layer anisotropic structures allow for highly efficient and broadband terahertz linear polarization rotation and linear-to-circular polarization conversion, operating either in reflection or in transmission.
Acoustic Characterization of Prosthetic Heart Valves

Prosthetic heart valves are a blessing for people with defective heart valves. One type of mechanical heart valve that was manufactured between 1979 and 1985 has been implanted in approximately 86,000 people. Between 500 and 600 of these valves are known to have failed. The failure occurs when a thin wire strut breaks free, see Figure 1. The strut has two legs that are attached to the main body of the heart valve. Typically one of the legs breaks first, leaving the other leg intact and the heart valve still functioning. This condition is called a single leg separation. A technique that analyzes the sound generated by the heart valve was developed to detect this single leg separation. Acoustic data was acquired from implanted heart valves prior to their being explanted. These signals were processed and distinguishing characteristics have been identified that correlated the condition of the heart valve strut with its acoustic signature. An automated classification algorithm was developed and trained to predict the heart valve’s condition.
Directing Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells Into Distinct Neuronal Subtypes

There is great interest in testing the efficacy of treating neurodegenerative diseases using embryonic stem cell derivatives. A first step towards this goal is demonstrating that embryonic stem cells can produce, in culture, the specific cell types lost in the various diseases. We describe here currently used approaches for generating neural stem cells, as well as specific neuronal subtypes, from mouse and human embryonic stem cells. Based upon their demonstrated role in neurodegenerative disease and the reports documenting their derivation from embryonic stem cells, we focus on dopaminergic neurons, GABAergic interneurons, spinal cord motor neurons, serotonergic neurons, and basal forebrain cholinergic neurons. Protocols are all based upon what has been learned about the conditions that promote emergence of these lineages in the embryo.
The Effect of Aromatic Hydrocarbon Receptor on the Phenotype of the Hepa 1c1c7 Murine Hepatoma Cells in the Absence of Dioxin

The aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) mediates biological responses to certain exogenous ligands, such as the environmental contaminant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), and has also been demonstrated to modulate the cell cycle and differentiated state of several cell lines independently of exogenous ligands. In this study, we used DNA micorarray analysis to elucidate the profile of genes responsive to the expression of unliganded AhR by re-introducing AhR into an AhR-deficient mouse derivative (c19) of the mouse hepatoma cell line Hepa1c1c7. 22 gene products were up-regulated and 8 were down-regulated two-fold or more in c19 cells infected with a retroviral vector expressing mouse AhR. Surprisingly, expression of genes involved in cell proliferation or differentiation were not affected by introduction of AhR. AhR also did not restore expression of the albumin gene in c19 cells. Introduction of AhR into c12, a similar AhR-defective mouse hepatoma cell line, also did not restore albumin expression, and furthermore, did not lead to changes in cellular morphology or cell cycle parameters. These observations fail to support the notion that unliganded AhR regulates proliferation and differentiation of liver-derived cells.
Events and Probabilities

This chapter focuses on events and probabilities. The notion of the probability of an event is approached by three different methods. One method is to repeat an experiment or game many times under identical conditions and compute the relative frequency with which an event occurs. In the second way of approaching the notion of probability, a minimal list of axioms is set down, which assumes certain properties of probabilities. From this minimal set of assumptions, the further properties of probability are deduced and applied. The third method for arriving at the notion of probability is limited in application; however, it is extremely useful. The probability of the event is defined to be the number of “equally likely” ways, in which the event can occur divided by the total number of possible “equally likely” outcomes. The number of equally likely ways in which the event can occur must be from among the total number of equally likely outcomes. An event is simply a collection of certain elementary events. Different events are different collections of elementary events.
Regulation of the Cellular Pharmacology and Cytotoxicity of Cisplatin by Copper Transporters

There is now a large body of evidence to indicate that the copper (Cu) transporters copper transporter receptor (CTR) 1, ATP7 A, and ATP7B regulate the cellular pharmacology and cytotoxicity of cisplatin (DDP), and that these proteins can mediate acquired DDP resistance. Cells that have acquired resistance to cisplatin demonstrate crossresistance to Cu and vice versa. The crossresistance between DDP and Cu is characterized by parallel changes in Cu and DDP accumulation and altered expression of the Cu efflux transporters ATP7A and ATP7B. Yeast, mouse, and human cells engineered to alter the expression of CTR1, ATP7A or ATP7B exhibit altered sensitivity to both Cu and DDP. Detailed studies of uptake and efflux indicate that each protein can alter the cellular pharmacology of DDP and in some cases, DDP analogs. Immunohistochemical studies of human tumors have identified associations between increased expression of either ATP7A or ATP7B and poor response to treatment with one or another of the platinum drugs. Whereas other transporters may also participate in the influx and efflux of the platinum drugs, available evidence supports the concept that DDP enters the cell, is distributed within the cell, and is exported by mechanisms that have evolved to manage Cu homeostasis.
Elected Women: Skewers of the Political System

The term “skewer” derives from two sources: the culinary arts and Rosabeth Kanter. As most women know, a skewer is a long, sharp pin stuck into a piece of meat to hold it together. As many social scientists know, Kanter has argued in Men and Women of the Corporation that proportionality has a great deal to do with the interaction of members within a group.1 Specifically, she says that a group with up to 20% minority members (whether that minority be women, men, black, or white) is a “skewed” group; and only if the minority is over 40% can the group be called “balanced.” The elected women of this study are called skewers, because they seem to hold the political system together by keeping it in touch with citizen concerns despite their small numbers. They also are labeled skewers because many of them skew the governing body to which they are elected. Previously those bodies were neither balanced nor tilted; they were homogeneous. The skewing affects the system in that it affects the women officials who may not have had a minority experience prior to taking office.
With whom should you have dinner? A multidimensional framework for understanding political ties in China

Abstract Political ties are often considered a critical resource for firms to succeed in China. The way companies build political ties receives noticeably less attention. Academic research traditionally uses the prior government work experience of firms’ top management, in addition to executive membership in the National People’s Congress (NPC) and/or the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), as surrogates to quantify political ties. However, such measurements only expose the tip of the iceberg and do not sufficiently answer questions about how these connections are organized and controlled. Drawing insights from institutional theory, in this article we introduce a multidimensional framework to shed light on the study of political ties in China. Specifically, by using the framework of regulative, normative, and cognitive institutional pillars, we identify government work experience, political membership, family connections, shared social identity, and instrumental exchange as effective ways of building political ties in China. We also discuss theoretical and managerial implications, as well as limitations to our research.
How we done it good: Research through design as a legitimate methodology for librarianship

Abstract “How we done it good” publications—a genre concerning project-based approaches that describe how (and sometimes why) something was done—are often rebuked in the library research community for lacking traditional scientific validity, reliability, and generalizability. While scientific methodologies may be a common approach to research and inquiry, they are not the only methodological paradigms. This research posits that the how we done it good paradigm in librarianship reflects a valid and legitimate approach to research. By drawing on the concept of research through design, this study shows how these how we done it good projects reflect design methodologies which draw rigor from process, invention, relevance, and extensibility rather than replicability, generalizability, and predictability. Although these projects implicitly reflect research through design, the methodology is not yet explicitly harnessed in librarianship. More support for these types of projects can be achieved by making the legitimate design framework more explicit and increasing support from publication venues.
Stability of Thermocapillary Convection in Float-Zone Crystal Growth

Energy stability theory is applied to a basic state of thermocapillary convection occurring in a cylindrical half-zone of finite length to determine conditions under which the flow will be stable under arbitrary perturbations. In earlier work axisymmetric distur­bances have been considered while the onset of buoyancy-driven convection in a cylinder heated from below has served as a test case for the three-dimensional problem. Here, initial results will be reported for thermocapillary convection under zero gravity. A description of the numerical method used to compute the stability bounds will also be given.
Operationalization of a Machine Learning and Fuzzy Inference-Based Defect Prediction Case Study in a Holonic Manufacturing System

Industry 4.0 capabilities have enabled manufacturers to collect and analyze smart manufacturing data across a broad array of diverse domains including but not limited to scheduling, production, maintenance, process, and quality. This development necessarily proceeds in a logical sequence by which first the organization develops the capability to capture and store this data and, at best concurrently but frequently lagging, develops and refines the competencies to analyze and effectively utilize it. This research presents an applied case study in surface mount technology (SMT) manufacture of printed circuit board (PCB) assemblies. Parametric data captured at the solder paste inspection (SPI) station is analyzed with machine learning models to identify patterns and relationships that can be harnessed to preempt electrical defects at downline inspection stations. This project is enabled by the recent conclusion of an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) capability enhancement at the manufacturing facility from which the data is drawn and is the logical next step in achieving value from the newly-available smart manufacturing data. The operationalization of this analysis is contextualized within the product-resource-order-staff architecture (PROSA) of a Holonic Manufacturing Systems (HMS). A Trigger Holon is nested between the Resource Holarchy and Product Holarchy that, at scheduling, distributes implementation instructions for the defect-prediction model. The Defect Prediction Holon is containerized within the Product Holarchy and provides instructions for corrective action when the model flags a record as exhibiting increased probability of a downline electrical defect.
The Value of Integrating Power and Process for the Petrochemical Industry: Copyright Material IEEE, Paper No. PCIC-2018-19

Coordination of large distributed measurement and control systems, like SCADA and other process control demands on infrastructure to handle more network services and implementations, require robust networks that connect thousands of remote devices. There are increased deliver a full spectrum of control and monitoring within global operations. The conventional infrastructure and process automation domains typically don't communicate. The advancement of industrial communications provide value to the industry when logically integrated to combat rising costs. Unifying power and process systems within an operation gives value by creating one visualization and reporting environment. This paper will outline a convergent use of the IEC 61850 standard, within process control networks, to provide enhanced process control, monitoring and energy management. It will discuss benefits of unified power and process architecture with enhancements provided by visualization, archiving, and reporting.
Inlay hemiarthroplasty of the humeral head for nontraumatic osteonecrosis

Abstract Background Osteonecrosis of the humeral head often occurs in younger individuals and presents a difficult clinical situation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the patient reported outcomes in patients undergoing inlay hemiarthroplasty for nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the humeral head. We hypothesized that patients would achieve a meaningful clinical improvement. Methods A retrospective review of prospectively collected data on 9 patients undergoing inlay hemiarthroplasty for humeral head osteonecrosis was conducted. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder score (ASES), Simple Shoulder Test (SST), visual analog scale for pain (VAS), and range of motion measurements were collected preoperatively and at final follow-up. Radiographs were evaluated for any evidence of component loosening or glenoid wear. The primary outcome was achievement of substantial clinical benefit (SCB) for ASES. Results Postoperatively at a mean of 7.2 years the ASES improved from 35 to 73 (p = 0.011), the SST improved from 2 to 6 (p = 0.038), and the VAS for pain decreased from 7 to 3 (p = 0.009). Forward elevation increased from 96° to 138° (p = 0.012) and external rotation increased from 13° to 63° (p = 0.007). SCB for ASES was seen in 7 out of the 9 patients (78%). Asymptomatic mild or moderate glenoid wear was seen in 4/9 (44%) of patients. One patient (11%) developed symptomatic glenoid wear necessitating conversion to total shoulder arthroplasty. Conclusion Inlay hemiarthroplasty offers a viable solution to osteonecrosis of the humeral head. Level of Evidence: Level IV; Treatment Study
Is There a Notable Comprehension Difference Between Abbreviations and Spelled-Out Words?

Nuclear power plant control rooms are information-rich environments. One source of information is the labels used to differentiate controls and alarms. Due to the multitude of alarms and controls, space is limited on the control boards. Consequently, labels are often abbreviated. Operators report abbreviations are faster to comprehend. However, these communications are anecdotal and in conflict with nuclear regulatory guidance. NUREG-0544 Revision 5 acknowledges that abbreviations are not ideal and are used for convenience. Moreover, operator anecdotes are also in conflict with decades of research, which have demonstrated that a word context allows for faster recognition of letters over a non-word context in adults. This paper outlines a coming study comparing abbreviations to spelled-out labels. Here, we discuss the potential in investigating this line of research.
GRASPING FOR GOD IN THE MATERIAL: A MEDITATION ON LUTHER’S THEOLOGY OF CREATION AND ACCOUNT OF SIN AS CRITICAL RESPONSE TO THE ECOLOGICAL CRISIS

This essay explores the potential contribution of Martin Luther to the current thinking around the ecological crisis. In particular, I argue that Luther's understanding of sin should be brought into consideration in order to understand why humanity struggles to change its various courses of action vis-a-vis the ecological crisis. The essay examines numerous ecologically conscious critics of the Western theological tradition and identifies merits and shortcomings in their thinking, and I bring Luther forward to address such shortcomings. I finally turn to elements of Luther’s creation theology in order to open up potential paths forward for thinking through the ecological crisis.
Histopathologic and Machine Deep Learning Criteria to Predict Lymphoma Transformation in Bone Marrow Biopsies.

Context.— Large-cell transformation (LCT) of indolent B-cell lymphomas, such as follicular lymphoma (FL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), signals a worse prognosis, at which point aggressive chemotherapy is initiated. Although LCT is relatively straightforward to diagnose in lymph nodes, a marrow biopsy is often obtained first given its ease of procedure, low cost, and low morbidity. However, consensus criteria for LCT in bone marrow have not been established. Objective.— To study the accuracy and reproducibility of a trained convolutional neural network in identifying LCT, in light of promising machine learning tools that may introduce greater objectivity to morphologic analysis. Design.— We retrospectively identified patients who had a diagnosis of FL or CLL who had undergone bone marrow biopsy for the clinical question of LCT. We scored morphologic criteria and correlated results with clinical disease progression. In addition, whole slide scans were annotated into patches to train convolutional neural networks to discriminate between small and large tumor cells and to predict the patient's probability of transformation. Results.— Using morphologic examination, the proportion of large lymphoma cells (≥10% in FL and ≥30% in CLL), chromatin pattern, distinct nucleoli, and proliferation index were significantly correlated with LCT in FL and CLL. Compared to pathologist-derived estimates, machine generated quantification demonstrated better reproducibility and stronger correlation with final outcome data. Conclusions.— These histologic findings may serve as indications of LCT in bone marrow biopsies. The pathologist-augmented with machine system appeared to be the most predictive, arguing for greater efforts to validate and implement these tools to further enhance physician practice.
Infant eating behaviors and Milk feeding independently predict infant size.

OBJECTIVES This study investigates the association of infant eating behaviors with infant size, and if those associations are mediated by infant feeding. METHODS Mothers with infants less than 12 months of age and living in Central North Carolina were enrolled (N = 61). Data were collected at baseline and at 3- and 6-month follow up visits. Modified constructs from the Baby Eating Behavior Questionnaire (BEBQ) and Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) measured parents' perceptions of infant eating behaviors related to food approach (enjoyment of food, and food responsiveness) and food avoidance (food fussiness, satiety responsiveness, and slowness in eating). Linear mixed effects models tested longitudinal associations among infant eating behavior ratings, infant feeding (breastfeeding intensity, timing of introduction of complementary foods), and anthropometry (weight, length, and weight-for-length z-scores). Path analyses were stratified by age and tested for direct and indirect effects of mothers' ratings of infant eating behaviors and infant feeding on infant anthropometry. RESULTS Linear mixed models showed that general appetite was associated with higher weight-for-age, and satiety responsiveness was associated with lower length-for-age. Path analyses showed that infant milk feeding did not mediate associations. Breastfeeding intensity was independently associated with lower weight- and length-for-age z-scores. Age at complementary feeding initiation was associated with lower length-for-age z-scores. CONCLUSIONS Associations between parental perceptions of general appetite, satiety responsiveness, and infant weight and length are observed early in life. These findings suggest that parental perceptions of infant eating behaviors may contribute to the early developmental programming of later health outcomes.
Property Rights Freedom and Innovation: Eponymous Skills in Women's Gymnastics:

Prior research uses the collapse of Soviet-style communism in 1991 as a de facto experimental framework within which to examine the impact of prospective benefits on the motivation of athletes to s...
Stringency: Conditions that Influence Nucleic Acid Structure

Publisher Summary One of the principal tools of the molecular biologist is hybridization technology, that is, the ability to promote the formation of double-stranded molecules from two complementary single-stranded nucleic acid molecules. Stringency is a defined set of conditions that are used to control the “strandedness” of nucleic acid molecules. It is a measure of the likelihood that a double-stranded nucleic acid molecule will dissociate into its constituent single strands. As the stringency in a system is lowered, a proportional increase in non-specific hybridization is favored. The variables that are commonly manipulated to either promote or prevent nucleic acid hybridization include pH, ionic strength, temperature, and the inclusion of formamide and urea. The nitrogenous base composition, the length of the molecule, and the degree to which two single-stranded molecules are complementary, all influence the stability of the duplex at any given level of stringency. At low concentrations or in the absence of salt, electrostatic repulsion will easily exceed the strength of the hydrogen bonds resulting in the dissociation of double-stranded molecules whereas the effect of temperature is opposite to that of salt concentration. pH influences the degree of ionization of nucleic acid molecules. Formamide ensures high fidelity hybridization without the concerns associated with temperature extremes. Urea has the desirable qualities of being a duplex destabilizing compound and is considerably less toxic than formamide. Thus, stringency is all about the behavior of complementary nucleic acid molecules under fairly hostile conditions.
ISLAM IN INTERREGNUM AND RESTORATION ENGLAND

(1991). ISLAM IN INTERREGNUM AND RESTORATION ENGLAND. The Seventeenth Century: Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 57-71.
A distributed event-triggered knowledge sharing system

Government agencies globally are facing problems such as illegal immigration, terrorism, and disease diagnosis and control. Solutions to these problems rely heavily on collaborating organizations' ability to effectively and efficiently share not only data but also knowledge embedded in organizational and inter-organizational policies, regulations and constraints. Responding to an emergency often requires organizational and inter-organizational processes and complex operating procedures to be followed. We focus on the sharing of data associated with events of interest to collaborating organizations. Condition-action-alternative-action rules, logic/derivation rules, and constraint rules are used to define organizational and inter-organizational policies, regulations, and data and security constraints. Structures of these heterogeneous rules are used to capture organizational and inter-organizational processes and operating procedures. In this demonstration, operational procedures developed by collaborating organizations in USDA's National Plant Diagnostics Network (NPDN) will be used to show the knowledge definition facilities and the distributed event-triggered knowledge sharing strategy.
Detection of alternative nitrogenases in aerobic gram-negative nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Strains of aerobic, microaerobic, nonsymbiotic, and symbiotic dinitrogen-fixing bacteria were screened for the presence of alternative nitrogenase (N2ase) genes by DNA hybridization between genomic DNA and DNA encoding structural genes for components 1 of three different enzymes. A nifDK gene probe was used as a control to test for the presence of the commonly occurring Mo-Fe N2ase, a vnfDGK gene probe was used to show the presence of V-Fe N2ase, and an anfDGK probe was used to detect Fe N2ase. Hitherto, all three enzymes have been identified in Azotobacter vinelandii OP, and all but the Fe N2ase are present in Azotobacter chroococcum ATCC 4412 (MCD1). Mo-Fe N2ase and V-Fe N2ase structural genes only were confirmed in this strain and in two other strains of A. chroococcum (ATCC 480 and ATCC 9043). A similar pattern was observed with Azotobacter beijerinckii ATCC 19360 and Azotobacter nigricans ATCC 35009. Genes for all three systems are apparently present in two strains of Azotobacter paspali (ATCC 23367 and ATCC 23833) and also in Azomonas agilis ATCC 7494. There was no good evidence for the existence of any genes other than Mo-Fe N2ase structural genes in several Rhizobium meliloti strains, cowpea Rhizobium strain 32H1, or Bradyrhizobium japonicum. Nitrogenase and nitrogenase genes in Azorhizobium caulinodans behaved in an intermediate fashion, showing (i) the formation of ethane from acetylene under Mo starvation, a characteristic of alternative nitrogenases, and (ii) a surprising degree of cross-hybridization to the vnfDGK, but not the anfDGK, probe. vnfDGK- and anfDGK-like sequences were not detected in two saccharolytic Pseudomonas species or Azospirillum brasilense Sp7. The occurrence of alternative N2ases seems restricted to members of the family Azotobacteraceae among the aerobic and microaerobic diazotrophs tested, suggesting that an ability to cope with O2 when fixing N2 may be an important factor influencing the distribution of alternative nitrogenases. Images
Models with Unexpected Components: The Case for Efficient Estimation

Financial models often use unexpected explanatory variables. Conventionally, these are generated as the residuals of auxiliary equations, which are then substituted into the model of interest in a second step. This induces an econometric problem into the estimates, which is typically ignored. We propose a maximum likelihood estimation method as a solution. While there may be a predisposition when using financial data to dismiss our method as difficult to specify correctly, Monte Carlo simulations show that our method is robust. Further, we show that the magnitude of errors due to the generated regressor problem is somewhat larger than that due to ignoring the effects of plausible levels of leptokurtosis. An empirical example using commercial bank stock returns finds that hypothesis test conclusions from the conventional method can often be overturned.
A Petri net based approach for establishing necessary software design and testing requirements

In this paper, a Petri net based approach for establishing the minimal design and testing requirements for software systems is presented. It is based on a technique called the minimal transition cover set (MTCS), developed from minimal transition invariants of the corresponding Petri net model (Ramaswamy and Barber, 1997). The MTCS is based on identifying the important decisions being made within the design model. Depending on the design requirements, a designer may choose to expand lower level procedures during an analysis, and thereby, generate information about other lower-level decisions selectively within the design which are to be made available to other sub-systems. A further modification of the MTCS approach is used to derive the decision nodes that are buried within the design model. Again, a software test engineer may either choose to selectively build test cases for individual modules and incorporate them as stubs in a higher level module, or integrate these modules within higher level modules before deriving appropriate test case scenarios. Building test cases based on the deep decision nodes gives the necessary test cases for system verification. The equivalence and the easier applicability of MTCS based test case generation method with McCabe's cyclomatic complexity measure is also briefly addressed.
New clinical presentations of invasive aspergillosis in non‐conventional hosts

Infections by Aspergillus spp. are most typically associated with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. However, an increasing number of reports deal with unusual manifestations of invasive aspergillosis. In the lung this may take the form of chronic invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, bronchocentric granulomatosis or tracehobronchitis. A number of extrapulmonary infections have been noted, sometimes in immunocompetent individuals. Examples include vertebral osteomyelitis, primary cutaneous aspergillosis (such as in premature neonates), prosthetic vascular graft infection and infective endocarditis. Early recognition of these entities, prompt initiation of new, highly active antifungal therapies and adjunctive surgical management may improve the prognosis of these conditions.
Unplanned Pregnancies Are Associated with Less Likelihood of Prolonged Breast-Feeding among Primiparous Women in Ghana

The objectives of this study were to examine the association between pregnancy intentions and the likelihood of breast-feeding and to determine whether parity modifies this relationship in Ghana. These cross-sectional analyses were based on the last-born children, aged 13-36 mo, of women participating in the 1993 Ghanaian Demographic and Health Survey. A backward stepwise multivariate logistic regression was conducted to examine the relationships after adjusting for child age and key confounders (n = 1101). Primiparous women with planned pregnancies had a significantly greater median duration of breast-feeding than their counterparts whose pregnancies were unintended (21.1 vs. 18.5 mo, respectively). Among multiparous women, median breast-feeding duration was similar in both groups (21.5 vs. 21 mo). Findings are consistent with results previously reported in other cultures and may have implications for breast-feeding promotion programs.
Adaptive inverse dynamics control for a biped locomotion system

We perform a control study on a three-degree-of-freedom dynamical biped locomotion system. Based on the dynamics of the walking gait and desired joint trajectories, a robust adaptive control scheme consisting of a control law and an adaptation law was chosen. The control law has the structure of the inverse dynamics servo but uses estimates of the dynamics parameters in the computation of torques which propel the biped. The adaptation law uses the tracking error to compute the parameter estimates for the control law. Simulations show that the tracking errors are acceptably small and the performance is robust despite /spl plusmn/25% deviations in the initial parameter estimates. >
The frontal method in hydrodynamics simulations

Abstract The frontal solution method has proven to be an effective means of solving the matrix equations resulting from the application of the finite element method to a variety of problems. In this study, several versions of the frontal method were compared in efficiency for several hydrodynamics problems. Three basic modifications were shown to be of value: 1. Elimination of equations with boundary conditions beforehand, 2. Modification of the pivoting procedures to allow dynamic management of the equation size, and 3. Storage of the eliminated equations in a vector. These modifications are sufficiently general to be applied to other classes of problems.
Base-induced delignification of miscanthus x giganteus studied by three-dimensional confocal raman imaging

Confocal raman microscopy has been used to monitor the structural and chemical changes upon NaOH treatment of Miscanthus x giganteus, a potential energy crop and a model lignocellulosic material. Longitudinal and transversal-section images of the parenchyma cells in raw miscanthus samples reveal that lignin and cellulose are collocated in the cell wall and that a globular structure, composed predominantly of hemicellulose and lignin is associated with the interior cell wall. NaOH treatment results in the complete removal of lignin at long processing time but leaves the cellulose largely undisturbed as evidenced by the lack of conversion from type I to type II cellulose. Depth profiling images of partially processed (short exposure time) parenchyma cells reveal that lignin is removed preferentially from the interior surface of the cell wall as indicated by the anisotropic distribution of lignin and cellulose across the cell wall in partially processed samples. These spatially resolved chemical changes are important, because they illustrate how even simple pre-processing protocols can develop complex molecular profiles by differential rates of attack on the major components of the cell wall.
Cultural change, hybridity and male homosexuality in Mexico

This paper analyses how contemporary perceptions of male homosexuality are being shaped in the Mexican cultural landscape. I argue that in order to fully understand the future of homosexuality in Mexico, we need to take into consideration the role of hybridity in the construction of sexual identities; accelerated internal cultural change that results from rapid and uneven modernization; and the unparalleled effects of exposure to external ideas and media, particularly from the USA. Instead of predicting that Mexico will follow a path similar to that of the USA and Europe in terms of the understanding or confrontation of homosexuality, activists interested in homosexual rights need to incorporate in their perspectives the rapid changes in worldview among Mexicans and the multiple contradictions that accompany them.
Evidence for excitonic absorption in metallic MnAs0.88P0.12

The derivative spectra of the reflectivity are measured for the double exchange ferromagnet MnAs0.88P0.12 at 300, 100 K and for quantum energies between 1.6 and 5.0 eV. Excitonic absorption is found beyond interband transitions and is tentatively assigned to a triangular resonant state. Fur den Doppelaustauschferromagneten MnAs0,88P0,12 wird die reduzierte erste Ableitung der Reflektivitat nach der Wellenlange 1/R(dR/dλ) bei Quantenenergien zwischen 1,6 und 5,0 eV und bei den Temperaturen 300 und 100 K gemessen. Neben Interbandubergangen kann exzitonische Absorption identifiziert werden. Es wird untersucht, inwieweit letztere Ubergangen in die fur diese Substanz vorhergesagten triangularen Resonanzzustande zuzuschreiben ist.
Optimization with multivariate stochastic dominance constraints

We consider stochastic optimization problems where risk-aversion is expressed by a stochastic ordering constraint. The constraint requires that a random vector depending on our decisions stochastically dominates a given benchmark random vector. We identify a suitable multivariate stochastic order and describe its generator in terms of von Neumann–Morgenstern utility functions. We develop necessary and sufficient conditions of optimality and duality relations for optimization problems with this constraint. Assuming convexity we show that the Lagrange multipliers corresponding to dominance constraints are elements of the generator of this order, thus refining and generalizing earlier results for optimization under univariate stochastic dominance constraints. Furthermore, we obtain necessary conditions of optimality for non-convex problems under additional smoothness assumptions.
Psychological impacts of racism in a clinical versus normal sample of African American men

INTRODUCTION Numerous researchers have noted a relationship between chronic exposure to racism and poorer indexes of psychological and somatic health among African Americans (Broman, 1997; Brown et al., 1987; Burke, 1984; Fernando, 1984; Jackson et al., 1992; Krieger & Sidney, 1996; Outlaw, 1993; Thompson & Neville, 1999; Utsey, 1998). Specifically, racism has been implicated in the onset of several stress-related diseases, including hypertension, coronary heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidental injuries, and cirrhosis of the liver (McCord & Freeman, 1990; Outlaw, 1993). Psychologically, chronic exposure to racism has been associated wi th increased levels of depression (Burke, 1984; Fernando, 1984), lowered life satisfaction and self-esteem (Broman, 1997; Jackson et al., 1992), and feelings of trauma, loss, and helplessness (Fernando, 1984). Given the insidious nature of racism and its deleterious effects on the psychological and somatic health of an individual, more research is needed to examine the impact of this chronic stressor on the psychological and emotional well being of African Americans. Historically, African American men have been particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of racism (Elligan & Utsey, 1999;
Higher maternal doses of methadone does not increase neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study is to assess the incidence of clinically significant neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) based on maternal antenatal methadone dosing in women with a history of narcotic dependence. Study design A retrospective review of 174 pregnant women on methadone maintenance was performed. Data were stratified based on maternal methadone dose at delivery: low (0–50 mg/day, n = 59), medium (51–100 mg/day, n = 63), and high (>100 mg/day, n = 52). NAS was defined by Finnegan as score greater than 7 on two occasions. Outcome measures were rate and severity of NAS, birth weight, preterm birth rate, and neonatal morbidities and mortality. Results The rates of NAS (40.7% vs. 52.4% vs. 40.8%, p > .05), birth weight, and neonatal morbidities were similar regardless of the maternal methadone dose. Although there was a trend toward earlier delivery, the rate of preterm birth among the three groups (low dose, 17%; medium dose, 19%; high dose, 27%; p > .05) was not statistically significant. Conclusion Higher maintenance dosing of methadone is not associated with increased rate or severity of NAS or other adverse perinatal outcomes. Concerns about NAS should not restrict the methadone dosing during pregnancy. Methadone dosing should not be restricted to lower dosing during pregnancy.
Predictive and Concurrent Validity of Parent Concern About Young Children at Risk for Autism

Parents’ concerns about their children’s development were examined prospectively at 14, 24, and 36 months for 89 younger siblings of a child with autism. Parent reported concern was high at all ages (40–75%) and was higher at 24 and 36 months in children with ASD than non-ASD outcomes (p < .05). Communication concerns were reported most frequently. Parent concern compared to impairment classification based on concurrent standardized tests provided better specificity than sensitivity, and was better for communication than social functioning. Parent communication concern (but not social concern) at 24 months and 36 months predicted ASD versus non-ASD outcome; however, children’s impairment on standardized tests yielded greater predictive value at all ages (p < .001). Close monitoring of this at risk group is warranted.
THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE: ASSESSING PROCESS AND PROGRESS

The investigation of the interaction between students and community college environments is often missing from outcomes assessment efforts. More attention is paid to comparing presage variables such as age, ethnicity, entering test scores, or high school grade point average to outcome variables such as persistence, achievement test scores, grade point average and other exit criteria. Knowledge about what learners do and how they respond to an institution's efforts to provide a rich educational environment can add an important dimension in determining the impact of the educational experience.
An empirical analysis of customer satisfaction for intranet marketing

Abstract We study the drivers of customer satisfaction for Intranet marketing application systems. Based on the existing literature on business value of information technology, we provide a framework to understand the drivers of overall customer satisfaction with Intranet solutions. Our analysis based on data collected from a survey of over thirty firms that use Intranet marketing applications indicates that customers perceive features that lower total cost of ownership and provide competitive benefits as critical drivers of overall customer satisfaction with the systems. The implications of our findings for providers of Intranet marketing services are discussed.
Note on the PTSD-S scale of the MMPI

Although PTSD-S was developed in 1987, it was evolved using the MMPI-2. The 53-item subset for the MMPI is presented in tabular form.
Toxicity evaluation of ammonium sulphate and urea to three developmental stages of freshwater snails.

Studies were performed to evaluate the toxic effects of ammonium sulphate and urea (chemical fertilizers currently applied in ricelands of Cameroon) against eggs, juveniles, and adults of two species of freshwater snails (Helisoma trivolvis andBiomphalaria havanensis). Results obtained from ammonium sulphate tests indicated 24-h LC50 values of 558 mg/L and 669 mg/L for eggs; 393 mg/L and 526 mg/L for juveniles, and 701 mg/L and 657 mg/L for adults ofH. trivolvis andB. havanensis, respectively. Similar analysis with urea revealed LC50 values of 14,241 mg/L and 13,532 mg/L for eggs; 18,255 mg/L and 24,504 mg/L for juveniles and 30,060 mg/L and 26,024 mg/L for adults ofH. trivolvis andB. havanensis, respectively. Following 48 h exposure, the concentrations of ammonium sulphate killing 100% of snails were 1,250 mg/L and 1,000 mg/L for the adults ofH. trivolvis and ofB. havanensis, respectively. Those of urea were computed to be 25,000 mg/L forH. trivolvis and 35,000 mg/L forB. havanensis. In rice culture in Cameroon, these fertilizers are applied at doses of 100 kg/ha (ammonium sulphate) and of 150 kg/ha (urea); hence, the above found concentrations lethal to snails appeared to be 10 to 13 times (ammonium sulphate) and to be 165 to 235 times (urea) higher assuming an average water depth of 10 cm in these ricefields. Therefore, the use of ammonium sulphate and urea as chemical fertilizers in ricelands of the Republic of Cameroon might adversely affect the survival of freshwater snails only in the case of spills or of stressful environmental conditions. Under normal laboratory conditions, both chemicals show a low molluscicidal activity with urea being about 25 to 35 times less potent than ammonium sulphate.