cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Centralized Advising on First-Year Academic Performance and Second-Year Enrollment Behavior

To enhance student success, many colleges and universities have expanded academic support services and programmatic interventions. One popular measure that has been recognized as critical to student success is academic advising. Many institutions have expanded advising by creating centralized units staffed with professional advisors who serve specific student groups. In this study, I used propensity score matching to estimate the impact of using centralized academic advising at a large metropolitan public research university on undergraduate students’ first-year GPA and second-year enrollment behavior. Using a cohort of 2,745 first-time full-time freshmen who matriculated in fall 2010, I matched students who used centralized advising with those who used no advising, over the course of two semesters. I then fit an OLS regression model to examine the impact of centralized advising on first-year GPA and a Zero Inflated Negative Binomial model to examine its impact on students’ enrollment behavior in the second year. I used these parametric results to simulate average treatment effects. Results indicated that students who used centralized academic instead of no advising experienced an increase in their first-term GPA, second-term GPA, and first-year cumulative GPA. Also, students who used centralized advising during the second term experienced a decrease in their probability of first-year attrition.
Comparison of the Gyro C1E3 and BioMedicus Centrifugal Pump Performances During Cardiopulmonary Bypass

: The compact eccentric inlet port (ClE3) centrifugal blood pump was developed as a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) pump. The C1E3 pump incorporated a seal-less design with a blood stagnation free structure. The pump impeller was magnetically coupled to the driver magnet in a sealless manner. To develop an atraumatic and antithrombogenic centrifugal pump without a shaft seal junction, a double pivot bearing system was introduced. Recently, a mass production model of the C1E3 was fabricated and evaluated. The ratio of the normalized index of hemolysis (NIH) of the C1E3 was 0.007 g/ 100 L, in comparison to the NIH of the BP-80, 0.018 g/ 100 L, each in a CPB condition of 5 Limin against 325 mm Hg. Both pumps were compared in identical in vitro circuits. To further evaluate the pumps during cardio pulmonary bypass for reliability and function, 6 h of CPB was performed on each of 8 bovines using either the C1E3 or BP-80 centrifugal pump. The BP-80 and C1E3 provided pump flows of 5MO ml/kg/min without incident. The hemodynamics were stable, and the hematology and biochemistry data were within normal ranges. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups. Concerning the plasma free hemoglobin values. a mass production model of the C1E3 pump had the same hemolysis levels as the BP-80. Our preliminary studies reveal that the C1E3 pump is reliable. Also, the C1E3 will satisfy clinical requirements as a cardiopulmonary bypass pump.
The synthesis and biological evaluation of hypericin analogs

Abstract Although the peri-hydroxyl groups in hypericin are essential for retroviral inhibitory activity, the remaining hydroxyl groups can be alkylated without loss of activity.
Application of block pulse functions for digital protection of power transformers

The author describes an application of block pulse functions for digital protection of power transformers. Digital relay algorithms are developed to extract fundamental and second-harmonic components. These components are then used for harmonic restraint differential protection of transformers. In comparison with the algorithms based on the Walsh and Haar functions, the proposed method is computationally simple and can be used with any sampling frequency. It is concluded that offline testing of the method with simulated inrush and internal fault current data clearly indicate that the method can provide fast and reliable trip decision. The method is suitable for microprocessor-based protective relays. >
Risks of estrogen plus progestin therapy: a sensitivity analysis of findings in the Women's Health Initiative randomized controlled trial.

Context: The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) randomized controlled trial that compared estrogen plus progestin versus placebo was stopped because of a significantly increased risk of breast cancer in the active treatment group (reason 1), and because a global index supported a finding of overall harm (reason 2). The possibility that the findings could have been accounted for by bias was not considered. Objective: The present analysis was undertaken to determine whether detection bias is a plausible alternative to causality as an explanation for those findings that contributed to the reasons for discontinuing the study. Design, setting and participants: This work took the form of a sensitivity analysis of the published WHI data to determine the magnitude of the detection bias required to account for those findings that contributed to the two reasons for stopping the study. Main outcome measures: These were differences in incidence rates of breast cancer (reason 1), and breast cancer, coronary heart disease...
The Choice of a Welfare Measure under Uncertainty

Use of option price as a welfare measure when conducting a benefit-cost analysis under uncertainty is appropriate only if the project under consideration will have no impact on the allocation of risk among individuals. Use of the willingness-to-pay locus as a benefit measure is appropriate only if the project will result in an efficient allocation of risk. A more general welfare measure is proposed, maximum agreeable payment, that correctly measures the benefits and costs of any project.
TOWARDS A LOGICAL RECONSTRUCTION OF INFORMATION RETRIEVAL THEORY

Here we expand on a previous paper concerning the role of logic in information retrieval IR modelling. In that paper, among other things, we had pointed out how different ways of understanding the contribution of logic to IR have sprung from the always unstated adherence to either the total or the partial knowledge assumption. Here we make our analysis more precise by relating this dichotomy to the notion of vividness, as used in knowledge representation, and to another dichotomy that has had a profound influence in database theory, namely, the distinction between the proof-theoretic and the model-theoretic views of a database, spelled out by Reiter in his "logical reconstruction of database theory." We show that precisely the same distinction can be applied to logical models of IR developed so far. The strengths and weaknesses of the adoption of either approach in logical models of IR are discussed.
Numerical Study of Pressure Fluctuations due to High-Speed Turbulent Boundary Layers

Direct numerical simulations (DNS) are used to examine the pressure fluctuations generated by fully developed turbulence in supersonic turbulent boundary layers with an emphasis on both pressure fluctuations at the wall and the acoustic fluctuations radiated into the freestream. The wall and freestream pressure fields are first analyzed for a zero pressure gradient boundary layer with Mach 2.5 and Reynolds number based on momentum thickness of approximately 2835. The single and multi-point statistics reported include the wall pressure fluctuation intensities, frequency spectra, space-time correlations, and convection velocities. Single and multi-point statistics of surface pressure fluctuations show good agreement with measured data and previously published simulations of turbulent boundary layers under similar flow conditions. Spectral analysis shows that the acoustic fluctuations outside the boundary layer region have much lower energy content within the high-frequency region. The space-time correlations reflect the convective nature of the pressure field both at the wall and in the freestream, which is characterized by the downstream propagation of pressure-carrying eddies. Relative to those at the wall, the pressure-carrying eddies associated with the freestream signal are larger and convect at a significantly lower speed. The preliminary DNS results of a Mach 6 boundary layer show that the pressure rms in the freestream region is significantly higher than that of the lower Mach number case.
Blood longitudinal (T1) and transverse (T2) relaxation time constants at 11.7 Tesla

Object The goal of the study was to determine blood T1 and T2 values as functions of oxygen saturation (Y), temperature (Temp) and hematocrit (Hct) at an ultrahigh MR field (11.7 T) and explore their impacts on physiological measurements, including cerebral blood flow (CBF), blood volume (CBV) and oxygenation determination.
Analysis of Multistatic Pixel Correlation in SAR

The field of wireless communications has benefited from multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) techniques. As researchers seek to apply MIMO (multistatic) techniques to radar and specifically to synthetic aperture radar (SAR), a key factor in determining MIMO application and performance is the level of correlation of signals from different receiver/transmitter pairs. The level of correlation determines whether a MIMO array falls into the category of a collocated array or a distributed array. The type of array dramatically affects which MIMO techniques may be performed and what advantages MIMO offers from conventional techniques. This paper presents models for calculating geometric correlation of multistatic SAR pixels using a ground-plane image formation. The models' results are compared to previous correlation models found in literature. A key result is that correlation depends on pixel resolution and not the number of individual scatterers. This paper concludes that most MIMO arrays operating on a single platform operate in the collocated regime.
Denial and acceptance coping styles and medication adherence in schizophrenia.

Abstract:Antipsychotics are often the first line of treatment for individuals with schizophrenia (Fialko et al., 2008). One challenge to effective treatment is lack of adherence to prescribed medication. Lower rates of adherence are associated with considerably higher rates of relapse and poorer cou
Infants' responses to mothers' imitative behaviors

Several investigators have suggested that young infants' smiles and vocalizations following their mothers' imitative behaviors might reflect infant recognition that the mother's behavior is imitative or at least contingent. This study investigated whether infants smile and vocalize more frequently subsequent to maternal imitative than non-imitative behavior during both spontaneous and imitative face-to-face interactions. Fourteen 3 1/2-month-old infants and their mothers were videotaped in these two face-to-face interaction situations. The infants vocalized more frequently during the imitative situation and infant vocalizations plus simultaneous smiling, and vocalizations occurred more often following maternal imitative than non-imitative behavior. Although these data suggest that infant vocalizations and simultaneous smiles and vocalizations may reflect the infants' recognition of maternal imitative behavior, they do not establish definitively that it is the imitation per se vs. the contingency aspect that is recognized by the infant.
PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION WITH HALF DOSE FIBRINOLYSIS VERSUS PRIMARY PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION IN ST ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION: EVIDENCE FROM A META-ANALYSIS

A strategy of pre-hospital administration of Half Dose Fibrinolysis followed by urgent percutaneous coronary intervention (HDF-PCI) on arrival to hospital has been evaluated in a growing number of studies as a possible solution for delays to primary PCI (PPCI). We searched online databases up to
Low-Attomole Electrospray Ionization MS and MS/MS Analysis of Protein Tryptic Digests Using 20-μm-i.d. Polystyrene−Divinylbenzene Monolithic Capillary Columns

This work explores the use of 20-μm-i.d. polymeric polystyrene−divinylbenzene monolithic nanocapillary columns for the LC−ESI-MS analysis of tryptic digest peptide mixtures. In contrast to the packing of microparticles, capillary columns were prepared, without the need of high pressure, in fused-silica capillaries, by thermally induced in situ copolymerization of styrene and divinylbenzene. The polymerization conditions and mobile-phase composition were optimized for chromatographic performance leading to efficiencies over 100 000 plates/m for peptide separations. High mass sensitivity (∼10 amol of peptides) in the MS and MS/MS modes using an ion trap MS was found, a factor of up to 20-fold improvement over 75-μm-i.d. nanocolumns. A wide linear dynamic range (∼4 orders of magnitude) was achieved, and good run-to-run and column-to-column reproducibility of isocratic and gradient elution separations were found. As samples, both model proteins and tissue extracts were employed. Gradient nano-LC−MS analysis o...
A note on the flow in a trailing vortex

We show that if the equations governing the fluid motion in a trailing vortex is linearized as by Batchelor, more than one solution can be constructed. Within the framework of the linear theory, there is no criterion to determine which solution is to be used. To clarify the situation, we formulate the Navier-Stokes equations in parabolic coordinates and seek asymptotic solutions valid far downstream. By insisting that the interaction of the swirl with the uniform stream be a first order effect, we obtain the first two terms in the asymptotic expansions for the Stokes stream function and the angular momentum. The result thus obtained differs from that given by Batchelor in that the axial velocity defect decays algebraically.
Vertical Motions Estimated Using Data from a Single Station and a Form of the Adiabatic Method

Abstract The so-called adiabatic method for estimating vertical air motions under isentropic flow conditions can be used with wind and temperature data from a single station. With the advent of radio acoustic sounding systems, wind and temperature measurements will be available with the necessary frequency to employ this form of the adiabatic method on a routine basis. In an effort to test this method, data from series of Cross-chain Loran Atmospheric Sounding System balloons launched at high frequency from Champaign, Illinois, have been used to compute vertical motions. The results are compared with the synoptic setting of each campaign and with estimates made using the kinematic method. It appears that smoothing over layers about 100 hPa deep is necessary to remove features not associated with the large-scale flow. The vertical-motion results show that the adiabatic method usually compares as favorably as the kinematic method with proxy indicators of vertical motion such as clouds and moisture. The adia...
Periodicity and boundedness of solutions of generalized differential equations of growth.

Sufficient conditions are given for the existence of periodic solutions of differential equations, having as special cases the equations used to describe the competition between two species. The Poincare bifurcation theory is used to secure one set of conditions, and another set of conditions is secured through a generalization of a method of V. Volterra. The question of boundedness is considered and conditions implying boundedness and conditions implying that populations are bounded away from zero are given. Several integrable classes of systems are discovered and a particular example having periodic solutions is examined in detail.
Fourier plane and optical processing for sub-pixel image registration

Accurate registration of image pairs is critical to a number of image processing tasks, including image splicing, change detection, image co-addition, and super-resolution processing. We have applied digital Fourier plane correlation and optical joint-transform correlation to image registration. We demonstrated RMS registration accuracy of 0.09 pixels for a digital system and 0.1 pixels for an optical system. The experimental system uses an electrically addressed spatial light modulator (SLM) at the input plane of a joint transform correlator and an optically addressed SLM at the Fourier plane. We operate our optical system in burst mode at the rate of 50 correlations per second. The paper describes digital and experimental implementations of the image registration system. We discuss preprocessing algorithms used to prepare inputs for correlation, post-processing algorithms to interpolate the output, and the effect of these processing variations on system performance.
Time-lapse infrared videography for animal behavior observations

Although videography has been used for many years to record episodes of animal behavior, the availability of increasingly complex equipment can make selection difficult. Most equipment developed for round-the-clock observations was designed for security surveillance, so informed purchasing, installation, and usage decisions need to be made to monitor animal behavior effectively. During 7 years of using video and infrared equipment for animal behavior research and monitoring in a zoo setting, we tested many models, evaluated options, and modified components. We now have well-integrated systems that are compatible with our video/computer review and analysis program. New equipment will continue to become available, but familiarity with basic features and applications can help to narrow the selection. Zoo Biol 17:535–543, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Diffusion and reaction in flow systems of Turner's structures

Abstract It is shown here how T urner's analysis of flow structure may be extended to a generalized model in which the dead-water pocket length is continuously distributed. A solution of the integral equation is given in the form of a definite integral of which the integrand may be constructed graphically. The Peclet number for the two models is then calculated. In Model 1 its reciprocal is the sum of one term due to the diffusion in the pockets and another to diffusion in the lowing channels. In Model 2 the two terms are due to diffusion in the lowing channels and to the mixing of streams of different flow rate. Finally simultaneous diffusion and first-order reaction are considered in the two models and it is shown how the yield can be calculated.
Pressure Pulse Propagation in Two-Component Slug Flow

The simple model of pressure pulse propagation in slug flow proposed by Henry, Grolmes, and Fauske has been extended by considering wave reflection and wave transmission at gas-liquid interfaces. A frequency-response model applied to a series of idealized gas and liquid slugs yields a pulse propagation speed that approaches the homogeneous model value as the number of slugs is increased for a given void fraction. All characteristic roots from the solution to a three-equation drift-flux model are related to the velocity of the center of mass of the mixture. The pulse propagation speed relative to this velocity is exactly equal to the homogeneous model value, however. Measured pulse propagation speeds in vertically downward slug flow are, as anticipated, much less than those predicted by the simple model of Henry, Grolmes, and Fauske, but slightly greater than the homogeneous model value. Measured pressure surges produced by the rapid closure of a downstream valve in a pipeline are reasonably well predicted by the drift-flux model. For the range of void fractions, pressures, and velocities encountered in this study, it is concluded that pressure pulse speeds and the magnitude of pressure surges in slug flow can be adequately predicted by a homogeneous model.
Bactericidal effects of the neodymium: YAG laser: In vitro study†

The effects of laser energy on three bacterial strains, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were studied utilizing the neodymium:YAG laser. Cell suspensions of each strain were divided into four groups. In group I, suspensions from each strain were exposed to laser energy densities of 555-3333 J/cm2. In groups II and III, two artificial dyes, congo red or methylene blue, were added to the suspensions prior to lasing. In group IVa, no laser energy was used, and group IVb was used to measure the bactericidal thermal effects of the laser. It was concluded that: Low dosages of laser energy exceeding 1667 J/cm2 resulted in a 2 to 8 log decline in the number of viable bacterial colonies in vitro. Compared to the other two bacterial strains, P aeruginosa was the most sensitive to YAG laser irradiation. Addition of methylene blue, a dark-colored dye, enhanced the bactericidal effects of the YAG laser as indicated by the significantly reduced viability of P aeruginosa after irradiation with 2222 J/cm2.
Hypertension: a policy perspective, 1976–2008

Hypertension has important public health, clinical, and economic consequences for the health care system and for society. This report summarizes key issues pertaining to the global economics of hypertension; describes findings from recent cost-effectiveness analyses; and raises key policy issues with respect to insurance coverage and opportunities to increase the value of efforts to treat hypertension.
Subdivision thresholds for two classes of graphs

Abstract The subdivision threshold for a graph F is the maximum number of edges, ex(n; FS), a graph of order n can have without containing a subdivision of F as a subgraph. We consider two instances: 1. (i) F is the graph formed by a cycle C one vertex of which is adjacent to k vertices not on C, and 2. (ii) F is the graph formed by a cycle C one vertex of which is adjacent to k vertices on C. In the first problem we determine the threshold and characterize the extremal graphs for all k ⩾ 1. In the second problem we do this for k = 2 only.
Dobutamine Effects on Systole and Diastole in Rats With Myocardial Infarction

In this article, the authors attempt to determine the effect of catecholamine stimulation on the systolic and diastolic properties of the left ventricle (LV) in rats with chronic infarction. Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent coronary artery ligation at 8–10 weeks of age. Baseline hemodynamics were measured 1–2 months after infarction. Dobutamine was administered in bolus injections of increasing concentrations, and peak hemodynamic response after each dose was recorded. Rats were divided into three groups: controls (n = 14), rats with infarct size less than 30% of LV (n = 13), and rats with infarct size at least 30% of LV (n = 9). Baseline hemodynamics were similar among the three groups. There was no significant difference in the maximal response of LV systolic pressure and heart rate between the three groups. Left ventricle +dP/dt increased with dobutamine in all three groups, but rats with infarct size of at least 30% had a significantly smaller increase above baseline as compared with control rats. In contrast, LV –dP/dt increased to a similar degree in all three experimental groups with dobutamine. Although hemodynamics can be affected by loading conditions in the intact animal, the magnitude of the change in +dP/dt with unaltered –dP/dt suggests that there is an impaired inotropic but not lusitropic response to catecholamine stimulation in rats with large chronic myocardial infarcts. The findings imply a differential effect of β-agonist stimulation on systolic and diastolic properties of the heart.
Applications of Miniature Remotely Guided Aircraft to Monitoring and Sampling Atmospheric Pollutants and Toxic/Hazardous Materials

A two-year research project has been completed involving the development, and assessment of an atmospheric sampling system based on miniature remotely guided aircraft. The system is designed for short duration sampling of the atmosphere below 1,000 meters for pollutant, toxic, and hazardous materials. The development focused on two sampling methodologies to demonstrate the viability of the system; (a) gamma radiation sampling via digital dosimeters; and (b) gaseous whole-air grab sampling with a miniature pump and tedlar bags for later analysis by gas chromatography. The aircraft design parameters included low aircraft cost; ease of transport in an average automobile; the ability to be operated/flown from relatively restricted areas, to be very inexpensive to operate, have a payload capacity to accommodate a variety of sampling devices capable of producing high quality data, to be resistant to electronic interference, and to be able to linger in an effluent plume, or over some suspect location for periods up to 30 minutes. Application of the system is presently best suited to rapid initial survey work rather than compliance air monitoring.
Rapid and Accurate Estimation of Densities of Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids and Salts

Volume parameters for room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) and salts were developed. For 59 of the most common imidazolium, pyridinium, pyrrolidinium, tetralkylammonium, and phosphonium-based RTILs, the mean absolute deviation (MAD) of the densities is 0.007 g cm-3; for 35 imidazolium-based room-temperature salts, the MAD is 0.020 g cm-3; and for 150 energetic salts, the MAD is 0.035 g cm-3. The experimental density (Y) for an alkylated imidazolium or pyridinium-based room-temperature ionic liquid is approximately proportional to its calculated density (X) in the solid state: Y = 0.948X − 0.110 (correlation coefficient: R2 = 0.998, for BF4-, PF6-, NTf2--containing ionic liquids); Y = 0.934X − 0.070 (correlation coefficient: R2 = 0.999, for OTf -, CF3CO2-, N(CN)2--containing ionic liquids).
Environment and the behavior genetics of personality: Let me count the ways

There are at least 18 ways in which personality-oriented behavior geneticists are concerned with environments. They include three forms of gene-environment correlation, eight varieties of shared environment, three of unshared environment, three forms of gene-environment interaction, and the environment of evolution.
Alveolar Air, Respiratory Dead Space, and the “Ventilation Index.”

SummaryThe ventilatory response of 9 normal persons to muscular exercise can be described in part by a linear relationship between tidal volume and carbon dioxide output per breath. The intercept (Fig. 1) is the effective respiratory dead space and the slope is the reciprocal of the effective alveolar carbon dioxide partial pressure. Thus, during exercise and recovery, involving large changes in oxygen consumption and tidal volume, both effective respiratory dead space and effective alveolar carbon dioxide remain remarkably constant. This circumstance makes possible the calculation of dead space and alveolar partial pressures without recourse to direct sampling methods.
The induction of specific metabolic alterations in mouse calvarial organ cultures by glycosaminoglycans.

Abstract Glycosaminoglycans specifically regulate the amount of calcium released from bone cultures; the mechanisms responsible for this regulation are not known. Media from glycosaminoglycan-stimulated bone organ cultures were analysed to determine (1) if specific calcium-releasing substances were selectively produced, and (2) if protein synthesis was differentially affected by glycosaminoglycans. Chondroitin sulphate B, hyaluronic acid and keratan sulphate at 100 μg/ml significantly increased prostaglandin release when compared with control cultures. In combination with suboptimal concentrations of PTH, chondroitin sulphate B, heparin and keratan sulphate significantly stimulated prostaglandin release. When indomethacin was included in the test assays, the stimulated prostaglandin release was abolished. Heparin-treated cultures released the greatest percentage of latent collagenase activity followed by hyaluronic acid-treated cultures. Organ cultures treated with heparin and PTH released the greatest amount of active collagenase. Stimulation increased interleukin-1 above control levels but with no significant difference among the glycosaminoglycans except for keratan sulphate cultures with which had the greatest amount of interleukin-1. Collagen protein decreased between 48 and 72 h under both control and experimental conditions. Examination of the predominant [35S]-methionine labelled proteins revealed that prostaglandin E2 treatment resulted in a relative shift in labelling to higher molecular-weight proteins as time in culture increased (up to 144 h). After 48 h, when equal amounts of labelled protein were analysed, there was a predominance in labelling of a 200,000 Da protein in the prostaglandin-treated cultures. These findings demonstrate that modulation of calcium release by glycosaminoglycans results in the selective release of molecules capable of stimulating calcium release. In several cases this release is not specific, suggesting that additional factors play a role in regulating bone resorption.
Near mass shell singularities in quantum electrodynamics

Abstract We discuss the near mass shell infrared behavior of QED by performing an explicit sum over all Feynman diagrams in the eikonal approximation. We review the infrared singularities of exclusive amplitudes in particular limits ((a) small photon mass or dimension ≠ 4, (b) equal off shell p i 2 , (c) large momentum transfers) as special cases of a general parametric formula. In the parametric representation the infrared singularities always exponentiate. This allows us to derive simple differential equations for Laplace transforms of the scattering amplitudes. Similar differential equations have been conjectured to hold in QCD and we summarize the present evidence regarding this assumption.
Erythrocyte-bound low-density lipoprotein immune complexes lead to cholesteryl ester accumulation in human monocyte-derived macrophages.

Abstract We have recently shown that incubation of macrophages with insoluble immune complexes (IC) containing low-density lipoproteins (LDL) leads to intracellular accumulation of esterified cholesterol (CE). This accumulation is associated with morphological transformation of the macrophages into “foam cells.” In order to better characterize the conditions that lead to the uptake of LDL-IC and CE accumulation on macrophages, we studied the effects of soluble, insoluble, and red blood cell (RBC)-bound LDL-IC on macrophage lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. Using both apoB or IgG [anti-LDL] as the labeled moieties, we observed that the uptake of LDL-IC by human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMM) was markedly enhanced when the IC were adsorbed to RBC. Competition studies with unlabeled heat-aggregated IgG, native LDL, and acetylated LDL demonstrated that LDL-IC were ingested via the Fc receptor of HMM. The uptake of RBC-bound LDL-IC led to a marked intracellular accumulation of cholesteryl esters in HMM (78.4 ± 1.7 vs 5.5 ± 0.6 μg/mg cell protein; P
Diagnostic Implications of a Study in Time Perception

(1952). Diagnostic Implications of a Study in Time Perception. The Journal of General Psychology: Vol. 46, No. 2, pp. 169-183.
Explaining the Intractability of Territorial Conflict

The most intractable civil wars in the last half of the twentieth century were not ethnic civil wars or ideological civil wars. The most intractable conflicts were those fought over territory. Between 1940 and 1996, combatants fighting territorial civil wars were 70 percent less likely to initiate peace negotiations than combatants fighting any other type of civil war (Walter 2002). And once begun, these negotiations rarely brought peace. In only 17 percent of the cases in which a government faced rebels who sought independence or greater regional autonomy did the government agree to accommodate the rebels in any way. This pattern also exists in the international arena. Evan Luard (1986), K. J. Holsti (1991), Gary Goertz and Paul Diehl (1992), and John Vasquez (1993) each found that territorial issues are one of the most frequent sources of war between states and competing governments are less likely to resolve disagreements over territory than any other issue. Paul Hensel (1996) found that territorial disputes between states are more likely to escalate, to produce a greater number of fatalities, and to be more conflictual than nonterritorial confrontations. Unlike most other issues, governments show a surprising unwillingness to negotiate over land in order to avoid or end otherwise costly conflicts. Why do governments so often refuse to negotiate over territory? Under what conditions will they agree to negotiate and make some accommodation for greater autonomy or independence? Existing research on territorial conflict tends to focus on the value of a given piece of land to explain why fighting breaks out in some cases and not others (Gilpin 1981; Holsti 1991; Goertz and Diehl 1992; Coakley 1993; Diehl 1999). According to this view, governments are less likely to seek a peaceful settlement if the contested piece of land holds important natural resources, serves vital security functions, or plays a critical role in the identity of a country; they will peacefully relinquish lands that do not. The nature of the stakes under dispute, therefore, predicts how the dispute will end.
Computer Simulations of Ventricular Function: Surgical Implications for Repair and Reconstruction

Computer simulation technique has been developed to model the complex heterogeneous function of the left ventricle. The left ventricle was modeled as a series of twenty-five consecutive cylindrical shells in an elliptical configuration and then these were specifically and regionally modified. These techniques al lowed assessment of many salient features of clinical situations, such as (1) acute myocardial infarction with secondary loss of apical or anterior wall function, then (2) chronic changes with ventricular aneurysmal formation, and (3) sec ondary residual myocardial compensatory hypertrophy. These pathological de formations were then surgically operated by computer simulation to compare the reconstruction techniques of (1) direct apposition or primary closure versus (2) synthetic patch repair of the resected myocardium for these clinical condi tions. Computer simulation allowed a better understanding of the available data in relationship to surgical decision for ventricular reconstruction to achiev...
FTIR spectral components of schwertmannite.

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral components of three dominant groups of sulfate species in synthetic schwertmannite (Fe8O8(OH)6−x(SO4)x·nH2O) are presented. These components were extracted by multivariate curve resolution analysis of spectra obtained from N2(g)-dry samples initially reacted in aqueous solutions (pH 3−9) at room temperature. Each component contains complex sets of bands that correspond to mixtures of similar species. We tentatively assign these components to sulfate ions that are hydrogen- (components I and III) and iron-bonded (component I) to schwertmannite. Another component (II) is assigned to protonated sulfate species. Heating experiments to 130 °C moreover confirmed this possibility for component II. The spectral components extracted from this study can be used to identify dominant sulfate species in FTIR spectra of naturally occurring schwertmannite samples.
Speech recognition as a function of the number of electrodes used in the SPEAK cochlear implant speech processor

Speech recognition was measured in listeners with the Nucleus-22 SPEAK speech processing strategy as a function of the number of electrodes. Speech stimuli were analyzed into 20 frequency bands and processed according to the usual SPEAK processing strategy. In the normal clinical processor each electrode is assigned to represent the output of one filter. To create reduced-electrode processors the output of several adjacent filters were directed to a single electrode, resulting in processors with 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, and 20 electrodes. The overall spectral bandwidth was preserved, but the number of active electrodes was progressively reduced. After a 2-day period of adjustment to each processor, speech recognition performance was measured on medial consonants, vowels, monosyllabic words, and sentences. Performance with a single electrode processor was poor in all listeners, and average performance increased dramatically on all test materials as the number of electrodes was increased from 1 to 4. No differences in average performance were observed on any test in the 7-, 10-, and 20-electrode conditions. On sentence and consonant tests there was no difference between average performance with the 4-electrode and 20-electrode processors. This pattern of results suggests that cochlear implant listeners are not able to make full use of the spectral information on all 20 electrodes. Further research is necessary to understand the reasons for this limitation and to understand how to increase the amount of spectral information in speech received by implanted listeners.
Limited angle tomographic breast imaging: a comparison of parallel beam and pinhole collimation

Results from clinical trials have suggested no improvement in lesion detection with parallel hole SPECT scintimammography (SM) with Tc-99m over parallel hole planar SM. In this initial investigation, we have elucidated some of the unique requirements of SPECT SM. With these requirements in mind, we have begun to develop practical data acquisition and reconstruction strategies that can reduce image artifacts and improve image quality. In this paper we investigate limited angle orbits for both parallel hole and pinhole SPECT SM. Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) is used to analyze the artifacts associated with the limited angle orbits. Maximum likelihood expectation maximization (ML-EM) reconstructions are then used to examine the effects of attenuation compensation on the quality of the reconstructed image. All simulations are performed using the 3D-MCAT breast phantom. The results of these simulation studies demonstrate that limited angle SPECT SM is feasible, that attenuation correction is needed for accurate reconstructions, and that pinhole SPECT SM may have an advantage over parallel hole SPECT SM in terms of improved image quality and reduced image artifacts.
Novel composites constituted from hafnia and a polymer-derived ceramic as an interface : Phase for severe ultrahigh temperature applications

HfO2–SiCN (polymer-derived silicon carbonitride) composites were prepared by two methods. In one case, equal volume fractions of HfO2 and pyrolyzed powders of SiCN were co-sintered, to create a particulate composite. The second type, called interface composites, were prepared by coating HfO2 particles with a thin film of the polymer precursor, followed by sintering so that densification and pyrolysis of the precursor occurred simultaneously; this process results in a ∼5-nm-thick grain boundary film constituted from Hf, O, and Si. The fracture properties and environmental degradation (in a humid environment at a velocity of 17.6–35.0 cm/s at 1300°C) of these two composites were measured. They were compared with the properties of a reference material made by sintering HfO2 powders without any additives, under similar conditions (1450°C for 2 h in air). The interface composite yielded the highest sintered density (0.90), exhibited negligible grain growth, and possessed the highest fracture strength (110 MPa). The strength remained immune to hydrothermal oxidation for several hundred hours. In contrast, the particulate composite suffered severe degradation in strength after hydrothermal exposure. The interface composites, with their highly refractory grain boundaries, represent a new class of ceramics for structural applications in harsh environments and at ultrahigh temperatures.
CONTINUOUS COAGULATION OF COTTAGE CHEESE WHEY PROTEIN

Processes are described for obtaining a low moisture, free-flowing protein powder of high nutritional value through the high temperature (120°C) heat coagulation of cottage cheese whey protein in a constant stirred reaction vessel using steam injection heating. Dried protein concentrates produced by the suggested alternative processes contain 65%, 85% and 95% protein, respectively. Essentially all the coagulable protein can be removed in 8 min of holding time in a pH range of 5.5–6.5. Increasing coagulation temperature to above that of conventional methods (85–100°C) significantly decreases processing time without adversely affecting product quality. The highly nutritious protein fraction produced has potentially wide application in the protein fortification of foods not requiring the normal functional properties of whey protein.
Victims, Not Vixens: Prostituted Children and the Case for Preemption

Whether all prostitution constitutes human trafficking is a highly debated question that has divided members and created factions within the Republican and Democratic parties alike. While the United States government resoundingly answers “No” to the over-arching issue, federal law has established that a particular sub-set of prostitution is, without a doubt, always human trafficking. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) and subsequent amendments state that “severe forms of trafficking in persons” include “sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which a person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age.” Thus, under federal law, any minor that is prostituted is a victim of human trafficking and entitled to the protections and remedies provided by the TVPA. What many Americans do not realize — and, indeed, would be aghast if aware — is that a large percent of prostituted minors are U.S. citizens. Public policy solutions must be created to aid U.S. citizens that are victims of domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST). DMST “is the commercial sexual exploitation of U.S.citizen children or lawful permanent resident (LPR) children through prostitution, pornography, or sexual performance for compensation, either monetary or other consideration (food, shelter, drugs, etc.). DMST has been viewed as the single most under-reported, under-identified, and most severe form of sexual exploitation that children are facing today.”
Electronic states of the diatomic antimony fluoride ( SbF)

Abstract The potential energy curves of 21 electronic states of SbF and spectroscopic properties of bound states among these have been computed using the complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) followed by first- and second-order configuration interaction (FOCI, SOCI) and multireference singles and doubles configuration interaction (MRSDCI) methods. The computed results are in good agreement with the observed values for six states, while the properties of four other states have been computed which are yet to be observed.
Determination of source and drain series resistances of ultra-short gate-length MODFETs

A practical method to evaluate the parasitic source and drain series resistances of modulation-doped FETs is presented. The method is based on a modified gate-probe technique that uses the gate current crowding phenomenon. It is suitable for complex heterostructure devices since the carrier transport mechanism and physical structure properties around the gate region need not conform to ideal models. >
Current Trends in Pseudogene Detection and Characterization

Pseudogenes are homologous relatives of known genes that have lost their ability to function as a transcrip- tional unit. Three classes of pseudogenes are known to exist: duplicated pseudogenes; processed or retrotransposed pseu- dogenes; and unitary or disabled pseudogenes. Since pseudogenes may display a number of the characteristics of func- tional genes, they pose a unique set of problems for ab initio gene prediction. The ability to detect and differentiate pseu- dogenes from functional genes can be a difficult task. We present a comprehensive review of current approaches for pseu- dogene detection, highlighting difficulties in pseudogene differentiation.
Sequential inversion technique and differential coefficient approach for accurate instantaneous emissions measurement

AbstractThe need for accurate emissions measurements has coerced researchers into trying to reconstruct the true transient emission signal from that measured by the analyser. This paper discusses two such methods and examines the validity of those methods by testing them with real-time emissions data. The first method is the sequential inversion technique, which tries to reconstruct the input second by second, based on the measured response at each second and the dispersion characteristics of the analyser. The reconstruction was found to be accurate, but there were some constraints associated with the dispersion characteristics and the reconstruction failed if there was signal noise. The second method, the differential coefficients method (DCM) of Ajtay and Weilenmann, reconstructs the input signal by approximating the analyser input as a linear combination of the output and the output derivatives. When tested with real-time data, the DCM predicted the emission signal even when there was noise imposed on ...
Excitation-Contraction Coupling Regulation in Aging Skeletal Muscle

Aging is associated with decreasing strength that can lead to impaired performance of daily living activities in the elderly. Functional and structural decline in the neuromuscular system has been recognized as a cause of this impairment and loss of independence, but the age-related loss of strength is greater than the loss of muscle mass in mammals, including humans, and the underlying mechanisms remain only partially understood. This chapter focuses on skeletal muscle excitation-contraction uncoupling (ECU), external calcium-dependent skeletal muscle contraction, the role of JP-45 and other recently discovered molecules of the muscle T-tubule-sarcoplasmic reticulum junction (triad) in excitation-contraction coupling (ECC), the neural influence of skeletal muscle, and the role of trophic factors–particularly insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1)–in structural and functional modifications of the motor unit and the neuromuscular junction with aging. A better understanding of the triad proteins involved in muscle ECC and nerve/muscle interactions and their regulation will lead to more rational interventions to delay or prevent muscle weakness with aging.
Funds of Knowledge: An Approach to Studying Latina(o) Students' Transition to College

A feature of the existing literature on minority students’ transition to college is the preponderance of models that have “imagined” what students (and their families) need to have in order to be successful. In this paper we discuss how the theoretical framework of funds of knowledge can be used by researchers in higher education to challenge these models and to study Latina(o) students’ college preparation, college access, and development of career aspirations.
Accountability: Responsibility and Reasonable Expectations

Some of the central features of current educational accountability systems are discussed using the requirements under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001 as the primary example. It is argued that broadly shared responsibility is needed for accountability systems to contribute to improved education. It is also suggested that systems need to be designed in ways that are consistent with research and past experience. This requires the setting of ambitious performance standards and improvement targets, but ones that can reasonably be achieved given sufficient effort and supporting resources. These design features are contrasted with the NCLB requirements. Illustrations of some of the state responses to the NCLB demands that attempt to avoid the over-identification of schools for improvement and sanctions are provided.