cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Screening for autism spectrum disorder in a naturalistic home setting using the systematic observation of red flags (SORF) at 18-24 months.

The purpose of this study was to examine the utility of the Systematic Observation of Red Flags (SORF; Dow et al., 2016) as a level 2 screener for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in toddlers during a naturalistic video-recorded home observation. Psychometric properties of the SORF were examined in a sample of 228 toddlers-84 with ASD, 82 with developmental delay (DD), and 62 with typical development (TD). Trained undergraduate research assistants blind to diagnosis rated 22 red flags (RF) of ASD associated with DSM-5 diagnostic criteria using a 4-point scale. The following scores were computed: a total score summing all items, domain scores summing social communication and restricted, repetitive behavior items, and number of RF counting items with scores of 2 or 3 indicating clear symptom presence. The performance of the total, domain, and RF scores and individual items were examined. A composite score was formed with six items with the best psychometric performance: poor eye gaze directed to faces, limited showing and pointing, limited coordination of nonverbal communication, less interest in people than objects, repetitive use of objects, and excessive interest in particular objects, actions, or activities. The 6-item composite provides a brief measure with optimal performance, while the RF may be instrumental for clinicians who are interested in characterizing the range of observed symptoms. The SORF shows promise as a practical alternative to currently available screening methods for implementation by nonexperts with the potential to increase feasibility and reduce common obstacles to access to care. Autism Res 2020, 13: 122-133. © The Authors. Autism Research published by International Society for Autism Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: Research suggests that current autism spectrum disorder (ASD) screening tools are not accurate enough to use in routine screening. The Systematic Observation of Red Flags was developed as a practical option for children at high risk for ASD. It can be used with video-recorded samples of parent-child interactions in the home and by raters who are not experts in ASD. It shows promise in predicting ASD risk in toddlers to determine if a full diagnostic evaluation is necessary.
The role of teacher educators and university supervisors to help student teachers reflect: from monological reflection toward dialogical conversation

Within the study reported here, our broad aim was to think deeply about how to support student teachers as they assessed their students’ mathematical understanding. Our experiences, as teacher educ...
Aerodynamic measurement techniques

Laser characteristics of intensity, monochromatic, spatial coherence, and temporal coherence were developed to advance laser based diagnostic techniques for aerodynamic related research. Two broad categories of visualization and optical measurements were considered, and three techniques received significant attention. These are holography, laser velocimetry, and Raman scattering. Examples of the quantitative laser velocimeter and Raman scattering measurements of velocity, temperature, and density indicated the potential of these nonintrusive techniques.
Fast transformation of 2D nanofiber membranes into pre-molded 3D scaffolds with biomimetic and oriented porous structure for biomedical applications.

The ability to transform two-dimensional (2D) structures into three-dimensional (3D) structures leads to a variety of applications in fields such as soft electronics, soft robotics, and other biomedical-related fields. Previous reports have focused on using electrospun nanofibers due to their ability to mimic the extracellular matrix. These studies often lead to poor results due to the dense structures and small poor sizes of 2D nanofiber membranes. Using a unique method of combining innovative gas-foaming and molding technologies, we report the rapid transformation of 2D nanofiber membranes into predesigned 3D scaffolds with biomimetic and oriented porous structure. By adding a surfactant (pluronic F-127) to poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibers, the rate of expansion is dramatically enhanced due to the increase in hydrophilicity and subsequent gas bubble stability. Using this novel method together with molding, 3D objects with cylindrical, hollow cylindrical, cuboid, spherical, and irregular shapes are created. Interestingly, these 3D shapes exhibit anisotropy and consistent pore sizes throughout entire object. Through further treatment with gelatin, the scaffolds become superelastic and shape-recoverable. Additionally, gelatin-coated, cube-shaped scaffolds were further functionalized with polypyrrole coatings and exhibited dynamic electrical conductivity during cyclic compression. Cuboid-shaped scaffolds have been demonstrated to be effective for compressible hemorrhage in a porcine liver injury model. In addition, human neural progenitor cells can be uniformly distributed and differentiated into neurons throughout the cylinder-shaped nanofiber scaffolds, forming ordered 3D neural tissue constructs. Taken together, the approach presented in this study is very promising in the production of pre-molded 3D nanofiber scaffolds for many biomedical applications.
Digital Divide: Marked Disparities in Computer and Broadband Internet Use and Associated Health Inequalities in the United States

Background: Despite the considerable increase in computer and internet use over the past two decades, few studies have examined socioeconomic, demographic, and health characteristics associated with computer and internet use in the United States. Community-level differences in computer and internet use and associated disparities in health and mor tality indicators have not been analyzed. This study examines these associations at the individual and community level using national census, health, and mortality data. Methods: We analyzed data from the 2017 American Community Survey (ACS) Micro-data Sample, the 2013-2017 ACS Summary File, 2013-2017 National Vital Statistics System, and 2019 County Health Rankings and Roadmaps. Health and socioeconomic characteristics associated with broadband internet and computer use among adults aged ≥18 were modeled by logistic regression (N=2,385,595). Results: In 2017, 89.7% of Asian/Pacific Islanders (APIs) had broadband internet service, compared with 66.0% of American Indians/Alaska Natives (AIANs), 77.2% of Blacks/African-Americans, 78.8% of Hispanics, and 83.5% of non-Hispanic Whites. APIs (97.4%) were more likely than other racial/ethnic groups to own or use a computer (including smartphones), while AIANs (80.3%) were less likely. Socioeconomic gradients in internet and computer use were marked. Those below the poverty level and with less than a high school education reported 18 and 15 percentage points lower rates of internet and computer use respectively. Compared to metropolitan areas, nonmetropolitan areas had lower internet access (80.3% vs. 69.7%) and computer use (88.4% vs. 80.5%). Rural areas and small urban towns had the lowest level of internet and computer use. Risks of disabilities and lack of health insurance were greater among persons with lower broadband internet and computer access. Communities with low internet and computer use had seven years shorter life expectancy than communities with high use and were at increased risks of mortality from various chronic conditions, poor health, mental distress, hospitalization, smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity. Conclusions and Implications for Translation: Significant socioeconomic and racial/ethnic disparities in internet and computer use and associated health inequalities exist in the US. Closing the social divide in internet and computer use can positively impact individual empowerment, educational attainment, economic growth, community development, access to health care and health-related information, and health promotions efforts. Copyright © 2020 Singh et al. Published by Global Health and Education Projects, Inc. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0.
Perceptions of Parenting Challenges and Career Progression Among Physician Faculty at an Academic Hospital.

This survey study compares the perceptions of male and female physician faculty members who have children regarding parenting challenges and career progression at an academic hospital.
The Loss of Expertise in Campaign Coverage? Political Aficionados and Experts in Policy News

Expert voices in media coverage facilitate a well-functioning democracy by informing public debates about policy issues. Experts can fill knowledge gaps in reporting, fact-check statements, refute ...
Where in the World Have All the Strokes Gone

Globally, to date, there have been nearly 125 million confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during this pandemic, including >2.7 million deaths, as reported to World Health Organization. Although the common symptoms of COVID-19 are cough, dyspnea, fever, chills, myalgia, anosmia, and ageusia, an increase in several neurologic manifestations, specifically ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke syndromes, has been recognized. Ischemic stroke related to COVID-19 may be secondary to thrombotic microangiopathy, vascular endotheliopathy, arterial dissection, or leukoencephalopathy of the posterior reversible encephalopathy type.1 Hemorrhagic stroke associated with COVID-19 may also be due to intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or microbleeds.1 The incidence of stroke during the pandemic was predicted to increase due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus link to both thrombotic and hemorrhagic risk potential.2 Paradoxically, stroke admissions to hospital appeared to decline during the pandemic, speculated to be due to a fear of infection, leading to patients with stroke refusing to call for emergency medical services.2 Scientists called for epidemiologic data to characterize and more clearly understand the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on stroke care.2,3
Cooperative Transportation of Cable Suspended Payloads With MAVs Using Monocular Vision and Inertial Sensing

Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs) have the great potential to be deployed in commercial or health care services such as e-commerce package delivery, transportation of medicines, same-day food delivery, and other time-sensitive transportation tasks. A team of MAVs can cooperatively transport objects to overcome the physical limitations of a single vehicle, while concurrently increasing the system's resilience to vehicles’ failures. In this letter, we address the state estimation, control and trajectory tracking problems of cooperative transportation of cable suspended rigid body payloads with MAVs using monocular vision and inertial sensing. The key contributions are (a) a distributed vision-based coordinated control of the cable-suspended rigid body payload on SE(3), (b) a distributed estimation approach that allows each agent to estimate its cable direction and velocity independently, and (c) a new cooperative estimation scheme that can infer the payload's full 6-DoF states. This is obtained by sharing the robots’ local position estimates and their relative position with respect to their corresponding attachment points on the payload. It allows to infer the payload's 6-DoF state when it is not directly measurable by each vehicle. The proposed solution runs in real-time on board and is validated through experimental results with multiple quadrotors transporting a rigid body payload via cables.
Finite-element based optimization of left ventricular passive stiffness in normal volunteers and patients after myocardial infarction: Utility of an inverse deformation gradient calculation of regional diastolic strain.

Abstract Introduction Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (DD) is common after myocardial infarction (MI). Whereas current clinical assessment of DD relies on indirect markers including LV filling, finite element (FE) -based computational modeling directly measures regional diastolic stiffness. We hypothesized that an inverse deformation gradient (DG) method calculation of diastolic strain (IDGDS) allows the FE model-based calculation of regional diastolic stiffness (material parameters; MP) in post-MI patients with DD. Methods Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) with tags (CSPAMM) and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was performed in 10 patients with post-MI DD and 10 healthy volunteers. The 3-dimensional (3D) LV DG from end-diastole (ED) to early diastolic filling (EDF; D G E D → E D F ) was calculated from CSPAMM. Diastolic strain was calculated from D G E D F → E D by inverting the D G E D → E D F . FE models were created with MI and non-MI (remote; RM) regions determined by LGE. Guccione MPs C, and exponential fiber, b f , and transverse, b t , terms were optimized with IDGDS strain. Results 3D circumferential and longitudinal diastolic strain ( E c c ; E l l ) calculated using IDGDS in CSPAMM obtained in volunteers and MI patients were E c c H = 0.27 ± 0.01, E l l H = 0.24 ± 0.03 and E c c M I = 0.21 ± 0.02, and E l l M I = 0.15 ± 0.02, respectively. MPs in the volunteer group were C H = 0.013 [0.001, 0.235] kPa, b f H = 20.280 ± 4.994, and b t H = 7.460 ± 2.171 and C R M = 0.0105 [0.010, 0.011] kPa, b f R M = 50.786 ± 13.511 (p = 0.0846), and b t R M = 17.355 ± 2.743 (p = 0.0208) in the remote myocardium of post-MI patients. Conclusion Diastolic strain, calculated from CSPAMM with IDGDS, enables calculation of FE model-based regional diastolic material parameters. Transverse stiffness of the remote myocardium, b t R M , may be a valuable new metric for determination of DD in patients after MI.
NEURAL ACTIVITY AND LANDING BIOMECHANICS: EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE BRAIN, BODY, AND ACL INJURY-RISK:

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries predominantly occur via non-contact mechanisms, secondary to motor coordination errors resulting in aberrant frontal plane knee loads that exceed the thresholds of ligament integrity. However, central nervous system processing underlying high injury-risk motor coordination errors remain unknown, limiting the optimization of current injury reduction strategies.
DEMOCRATIC LEGITIMACY AND COERCIVELY ENFORCED BORDERS: ASSESSING THE ARGUMENT OF ARASH ABIZADEH

Arash Abizadeh argues that all coercive enforcement of borders is democratically illegitimate, since foreigners do not participate in the creation of border laws. It is irrelevant whether the border laws are substantively just or unjust, whether the state enforcing them is affluent or poor, and whether the individual being coerced autonomously chooses to cross the border or is forced by desperate circumstances to do so. His argument involves (1) a foundational commitment to individual autonomy; (2) a normative premise that coercion requires democratic legitimation; (3) and an empirical premise that border enforcement laws subject all foreigners to state coercion. In this essay, I contest each of these components. I challenge the empirical premise through examples illustrating the empirical limits to state coercion over foreigners. I contest the normative premise by showing that state coercion requires democratic legitimation only for those involuntarily and indefinitely subject to it. Finally, I challenge the commitment to individual autonomy as foundational to political legitimacy by distinguishing political legitimacy from political authority. I conclude by demonstrating how my critique renders a more plausible account of the normative limits of border coercion, one that coheres more readily with stances advanced by Javier Hidalgo and Abizadeh himself.
Trajectories of opioid consumption from day of surgery to 28 days postoperatively: a prospective cohort study in patients undergoing abdominal, joint, or spine surgery.

Introduction Descriptions of opioid use trajectories and their association with postsurgical pain and opioid consumption are limited. We hypothesized that trajectories of opioid consumption in the first 28 days following surgery would be associated with unique patterns of pain and duration of opioid use. Methods A prospective longitudinal cohort of patients undergoing elective inpatient abdominal, joint, or spine surgery between June 2016 and June 2019 was studied. At hospital discharge and every 7 days for 28 days, patients were assessed for pain, analgesic use, pain interference, satisfaction, and side effects. Duration of opioid use was determined for 6 months. The primary analysis used latent class group modeling to identify trajectories of opioid use. Results Decreasing, high, and persistent opioid trajectories were identified following joint and spine surgery and a decreasing and persistent trajectory following abdominal surgery. Reported pain was greater in the high and persistent trajectories compared with the decreasing use trajectories. Compared with the decreasing opioid trajectory, the median duration of opioid use was increased by 4.5 (95% CI 1 to 22, p Conclusions We observed distinct opioid use trajectories following abdominal and joint or spine surgery that were associated with different patterns of pain and duration of opioid use postoperatively. Prediction of postoperative opioid use trajectory groups may be clinically important for identifying risk of prolonged opioid use.
The association between time-of-day of habitual exercise training and changes in relevant cancer health outcomes among cancer survivors.

Objective To assess the relationship between time-of-day of exercise training and changes in relevant cancer health outcomes among cancer survivors. Methods Retrospective analysis of data collected from 2016-2019 from a hospital-based exercise oncology program. Descriptive statistics were calculated for demographic, clinical, and exercise timing characteristics (e.g. AM, PM, or mix) among survivors with available data for exercise training time (n = 233). For the total sample and a breast cancer sub-analysis, univariate analysis of covariance, adjusted for age, was carried out by exercise training time, for change in the following outcomes collected during the program's assessment sessions: cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular endurance (human performance variables), physical function, anthropometrics, self-reported fatigue, and quality of life (QoL). Change in body mass index (BMI) and body weight was included in the breast cancer analysis. Results Overall, 37.3% of survivors habitually engaged in AM exercise (e.g. ≥ 75% AM training), 34.3% in PM exercise, and 28.3% in a mix of AM and PM exercise training throughout the program. Median time in the program was 17 weeks. Significant improvements in most human performance and physical function variables were observed in the total sample regardless of exercise training time-of-day. Among breast cancer survivors, PM but not AM or mixed was associated with improvements in fitness, and lower-body muscular endurance and function. Mixed exercise timing was linked with greater increase in waist circumference (total sample: 3.02cm, 95%CI 1.55, 4.49; breast cancer: 3.57cm 95%CI 0.96, 6.18), body weight (breast cancer: 1.6kg, 95%CI 0.3, 2.8) and BMI (breast cancer: 0.6kg/m2, 95%CI 0.1, 1.0). AM and PM exercise, but not mixed, was associated with improvements in fatigue and QoL. Conclusion Time-of-day of exercise training may differentially impact changes in human performance and physical function variables. Mixed exercise training time may result in less favorable outcomes related of weight management variables among cancer survivors.
Analyses of Prairie Restorations at Rock Springs Environmental Center, Decatur, Illinois

Rock Springs Environmental Center was acquired in 1969 by the Macon County Conservation District. Several tracts totaling 1.6 hectares were developed as prairie restorations of varying ages on former farmland starting in 1977. During the summers of 1999 to 2001, 123 species were collected at Rock Springs. Of these, 56 species were collected within the sampling transects. The largest number of species (36 out of 56) was collected in the 1983 tract. The highest importance value of all tracts for any species was 42.6 for Andropogon gerardii. Sorensen's Index of Similarity between tracts ranged from 53.9772.97. The coefficient of conservatism for individual tracts ranged from 3.42-4.56 and the Floristic Quality Index from 18.6-25.8. Analyses of invasive species demonstrated that Coronilla varia L. had a significant negative impact on species richness and diversity. The purpose of this study was to assess the quality and success of prairie restorations at Rock Springs. According to Sorensen's Index of Similarity and cluster diagrams, the tracts are blending together. In addition, based on the Floristic Quality Index, the quality of the flora in prairie restoration8 increases with tract age. Floristic quality ranges from poor to intermediate quality, but over time these tracts have the potential to become high quality areas.
TU‐E‐213‐04: Return On Investment

Purpose: To develop the first 4D robust optimization (RO) method accounting for respiratory motion and evaluate its potential to improve plan robustness and optimality compared to 3D RO and PTV-based optimization. Methods: A set of 4D CT images are used to track respiratory motion and deformation of tumors and organs. For each of 10 respiration phases, dose distributions for nine different uncertainty scenarios including the nominal one, those incorporating ±5mm setup uncertainties long x, y and z directions and ±3.5% range uncertainties are calculated. All 90 dose distributions are simultaneously optimized to achieve full dose coverage of 10 CTVs and sparing of normal structures. ITV-based 3D RO and PTV-based optimization based on the average CT are also carried for the same patient using same dose volume constrains. After optimization, 4D robustness evaluation was performed for all resulting plans. The CTV coverage and the sparing of normal tissue in 10 phases are evaluated and compared among the three methods. The widths of DVH bands represent the robustness of dose distributions in the structures. Results: For one patient studied so far, the worst case CTV coverage by the prescription dose among all 90 scenarios is: 99% for 4D RO; 88.9% for 3D RO, and 85.2% for PTV based optimization. 4D RO also results in best robustness with the narrowest DVH’ bandwidths for the CTV. 4D and 3D RO have similar organ sparing while PTV based optimization results in worst organ sparing. Conclusion: 4D robust optimization which accounts for anatomy motion and deformation in the optimization process, significantly improves plan robustness and achieves higher quality treatment plans for lung cancer patients. The method is being evaluated for multiple patients with different tumor and motion characteristics.
VENTRICULAR BLOOD PRESSURES AND COMPETENCY OF VALVES IN THE EARLY EMBRYONIC CHICK HEART.

By direct ventricular puncture involving use of a micro-pipette and water manometer the ventricular blood pressures of 81 chick embryos ranging in age from 2 to 7 days of age were obtained. The mean ventricular diastolic, systolic and mean blood pressures in millimeter of water (given in the order) were as follows: 5 ± 1.4; 21 ± 2.4 and 10 ± 1.4 in two day hearts, 10 ± 1.58; 27± 6.68 and 14 ± 14.32 in three day hearts; 14± 1.41; 39 ± 6.22 and 19± 2.39 in four day hearts; 17 ± 5.89; 63 ± 15.49 and 32 ± 12.08 in five day hearts; 5.45 ± 8.59; 74 ± 17.94 ± and 34 16.76 in six day hearts. At seven days the mean ventricular diastolic pressure was 1.33 ± 2.36 mm of water. Ventricular diastolic pressure increased from the second through the fifth days, underwent a marked drop at six days and fell to near zero at seven days of development. Since in fully developed hearts ventricular diastolic pressure approaches zero if the valves of the outflow tract are competent, the following conclusion concerning valvular action was drawn; the valvular mechanism of the outflow tract in the developing embryonic chick heart is incompetent at two, three, four and five days of development. It begins to become competent between the fifth and sixth days and attains competency at seven days.
On Wyner-Ziv networks

Wyner and Ziv [A. D. Wyner and J. Ziv, January 1976] determined the rate-distortion function of source coding with side information. In this paper, we consider a network extension of their scenario: many sources have to be compressed in a rate-distortion sense for a decoder that has access to uncompressed side information about the sources. This may model a sensor or multi-camera network situation where the data collection point itself also has a sensor/camera attached to it. Basic results for the case of two sources and side information have been presented recently in M. Gastpar, (June 2002) (July 2003). The present paper extends these results to the case of more than two sources. In particular, we derive an achievable rate-distortion region, and an outer bound to the best rate-distortion region. These two do not coincide in general, but they do in the special case where the sources are conditionally independent given the side information. We illustrate this result with applications. For example, we discuss two different kinds of rate losses of distributed compression as compared to joint (i.e., centralized) compression. Thereafter, we show that in some cases, our result permits to derive bounds to the rate-distortion region for the distributed compression problem without side information, and we also show how a certain source-channel separation theorem can be established.
Syntactic Hierarchy for Robotic Systems

This article reports new results of research on techniques for the search for the optimal suboptimal operation of complex control systems, especially robotic systems. To discover the inner, domain-independent properties of human expert heuristics, which were successful in a certain class of complex control systems, we develop a formal theory, so-called linguistic geometry. This research includes the development of syntactic tools for knowledge representation and reasoning about large-scale hierarchical complex systems. It relies on the formalization of search heuristics of high-skilled human experts, which allow to decompose a complex system into a hierarchy of subsystems and thus solve intractable problems reducing the search. The hierarchy of subsystems is represented as a hierarchy of formal attribute languages. This article includes an informal survey of linguistic geometry, major formal issues, and detailed consideration of linguistic geometry of robotic autonomous vehicles.
Reflections of a lucid dreamer: optical trap design considerations.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the optical trap design considerations. The optical trap technique can be used to constrain and move small particles in solution using a light microscope and laser beam. Trapping size scales and sensitivity are well suited for studying the mechanical properties of single cells, organelles, and even molecules. The chapter describes considerations involved in the planning and implementation of an optical trapping microscope for high-resolution force and displacement measurements of trapped particles. These molecules will bind to and move the actin filament, allowing measurement of their mechanical properties at the single molecule level. The chapter illustrates the observations that these beads with nanometer resolution use active feedback loops to suppress bead diffusion by rapid trap deflection, and observethe specimen by using brightfield and fluorescent imaging simultaneously.
Law and accounting : cases and materials

This book is both revolutionary and traditional, using primary materials rather than author narrative. By adopting this traditional approach for law and accounting, Cunningham's new book puts the subject on par with other law school courses. This traditional "cases and materials" approach underscores how accounting standards bear earmarks of functional law. To facilitate analogical and critical engagement on par with other law school teaching books, pedagogical design follows the classic casebook method of arranging cases and materials in pairs of opposites and complements. This arrangement enables conceptualizing accounting as functional law as theoretical and analytical matters as well. This original content also illuminates transaction economics, factors associated with accounting irregularities and the lawyer's role in financial reporting.
Cosmic Ray Isotopic Composition Studies with the Ulysses High Energy Telescope: Implications for Origin and Distribution in the Galaxy

The isotopic abundances of the Galactic cosmic radiation measured in the Heliosphere provide unique information on acceleration, propagation modes and containment times in the Galactic magnetic fields. Nuclear interactions with interstellar matter lead to observable γ-radiation production and, thus, to direct information on cosmic ray distribution throughout the Galaxy and its magnetic halo. The COSPIN High Energy Telescope (HET) has excellent isotopic resolution from hydrogen to nickel over the ten year period of Ulysses in space. Based on our recent work, we discuss the implications for modeling the acceleration and propagation of the cosmic radiation.
Picosecond holographic grating generation of ultrasonic waves

The picosecond holographic grating generation and detection of ultrasonic waves are described. Two mechanisms, a heating mechanism and a stimulated Brillouin scattering mechanism, are described. These permit the generation of tunable ultrasonic waves in the MHz to GHz range. It is demonstrated that the two mechanisms can be distinguished by the distinct time dependences of the diffraction of a variably delayed probe pulse from the acoustic gratings. In addition, the acoustic waves can be optically manipulated, i.e., amplified, cancelled, and phase shifted. The use of the technique for the detection of weak ground state absorptions and excited state-excited state absorptions is illustrated. Mixed excited state and acoustic gratings are discussed. The phase grating contribution to diffraction from an excited state grating is displayed, and the interference between the acoustic phase grating and the excited state phase grating is described and experimentally illustrated. Contributions to the acoustic grating diffraction from spectral shifts when the probe is near a strong, narrow transition are considered. Grating experiments on various phases of liquid crystal thin films are presented. It is shown that in addition to an acoustic grating, a Kerr effect grating is produced. The Kerr grating can be separated from the acoustic grating using polarization grating excitation. The Kerr grating reveals nonexponential relaxation of orientation order in liquid crystals on a short time scale (<1 ns).
Professional Responsibility in Nonadversarial Lawyering: A Review of the Model Rules

Any code of rules that addresses, in a useful and coherent way, the conduct of a discrete group of persons must portray something of what the group is about, particularly when the rules are drafted by members of the very group they govern. A lawyers' code of professional behavior does, therefore, more than resolve pragmatic ethical problems and set the perimeters of professional action. Through its specific clauses it suggests a much broader understanding that the profession must have about its own social and institutional place. The recent publication by the American Bar Association of its proposed Model Rules of Professional Conduct thus provides an excellent opportunity to see what the American legal profession's view of itself has, as of late, become. We propose in this essay to comment on only one aspect of that selfportrait. It would therefore be useful to begin with a disclosure of the particular predisposition we bring to the subject.' Our first contention is empirical. Briefly, it is that many lawyers quite properly spend most of
A comparison of the quality and sequence of television and classroom science questions with a proposed strategy of science instruction

This study was part of a research project designed to measure the utilization and effectiveness of a locally televised science series in 54 classrooms in the Seattle metropolitan area. A design was selected that provided a treatment variable representing four degrees of utilization of TV science and non-TV science, and four grade levels. One measure of effectiveness of TV and non-TV science instruction involved the use of a multiple question category system in analyzing questions asked by studio and classroom teachers. All questions asked by these teachers were categorized into a modified Gallagher-Aschner system. All questions asked by classroom teachers were also categorized into the Science Lesson Category System designed by the project investigators. In addition, all questions asked by studio teachers and classroom teachers utilizing TV science instruction, grades three and four, were categorized into the Instructional Strategy Category System, designed by the writer and patterned after the instructional strategy found in the Science Curriculum Improvement Study. With a curriculum containing preplanned scripts and Teachers' Manuals with suggested activities, teachers utilizing TV science instruction asked a higher proportion of convergent questions than teachers not using TV instruction. These questions were found, for the most part, in the post-TV period and in the discovery phase of the model instructional strategy. Comparisons of these findings with those proportions of questions asked during the non-TV period indicated differences in questioning behavior between treatment groups using TV and non-TV science instruction. It was concluded that these differences resulted from the influence of the TV science series.
The equality problem for vector addition systems is undecidable

Abstract We demonstrate the usefulness of Petri nets for treating problems about vector addition systems by giving a simple exposition of Rabin's proof of the undecidability of the inclusion problem for vector addition system reachability sets, and then proceed to show that the inclusion problem can be reduced to the equality problem for reachability sets.
Ligament Stability Two to Six Years After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with Autogenous Patellar Tendon Graft and Participation in Accelerated Rehabilitation Program

We studied patients who participated in our accelerated rehabilitation program after anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery to determine if they showed signs of patellar tendon graft stretching. This program initiated in 1987 emphasizes early full hyperextension, early weightbearing as tolerated, and closed-chain functional activities with rapid return to sports when the patient has attained full range of motion, approximately 65% of strength, and has accomplished the running and agility drills prescribed. A total of 209 patients met the criteria of KT-1000 arthrometer followup at the time full range of motion (5 degrees/0 degrees/135 degrees) was attained and at 2 years or more after surgery. The KT-1000 arthrometer manual maximum difference between the reconstructed and normal knees was used as the indicator of change in the graft length. All patients completed postoperative subjective questionnaires. The mean KT-1000 arthrometer value was 2.06 mm (SD, +/- 2.2) at full range of motion and 2.10 mm (SD, +/- 1.9) at more than 2 years of followup (P = 0.7961). The patients' subjective stability scores averaged 19.6 with 97% reporting no instability episodes. Based on our findings, we conclude that an accelerated rehabilitation program after this type of reconstruction does not affect long-term stability as measured by the KT-1000 arthrometer.
INFLUENCE OF GENERATION TIME ON THE RATE OF RESPONSE TO SELECTION

We examined the influence of generation time on the rate of evolution of a trait under intense natural selection: pesticide resistance in arthropod pests. Previous empirical and theoretical analyses supported a positive linear relationship between the number of generations per year and the rate of evolution of pesticide resistance. To test this relationship, we assembled a data base that integrated information on resistance evolution, generation time, and other biological parameters for 682 North American arthropod pests. The data did not support a linear relationship between generations per year and the evolution of resistance, revealing instead a nonlinear and highly variable relationship, with peak rates of resistance evolution for species with intermediate generation times. This result was independent of the difference between introduced and native species and of differences among the major arthropod taxonomic orders in ability to evolve resistance. A reevaluation of evidence from analytical and compu...
A longitudinal examination of the consequences of sexual victimization for rural young adult women

This longitudinal study examined the consequences of sexual victimization in a sample of 237 young adult women from a rural community. Of the total sample, 71 (30%) reported experiencing some type of unwanted sex. Multiple regression was used to examine the effects on psychosocial adjustment of unwanted sex that occurred through nonviolent coercion and violent coercion, respectively, controlling for prior psychological adjustment. Results indicated that women who reported physically violent sexual coercion exhibited poorer psychological and social/relational adjustment than either nonvictimized women or women who had experienced nonviolent forms of sexual coercion. Additionally, nonviolent sexual coercion was associated with higher sexual depression, compared with nonvictimized status. A second set of regressions compared adjustment outcomes for women reporting four types of sexual coercion: (a) internal psychological pressure, (b) substance‐related coercion, (c) external psychological manipulation, and (...
Assessing the service provided by an institutional radiation safety survey program.

Routine radiation safety surveys are a required part of every institutional radiation protection program. Although mandated by regulation, surveys are really performed to help clinicians and researchers establish and maintain radiologically-safe working and learning environments. In some cases, however, the priorities established by a radiation protection program may not coincide with the needs perceived by the institution`s workers, leading to possible alienation, dissatisfaction, and non-compliance with policies, procedures, and regulations. To determine if a typical survey program was perceived as providing a good or valued service to workers, a simple questionnaire was created and utilized for a 6-mo period. The results obtained from this targeted assessment tool indicate that the radiation safety survey services were perceived as useful by most of the workers. In addition, the actual process of comment solicitation provided a positive feedback mechanism from the service recipients to the radiation safety staff, managers, committee members, and institution administrators. 5 refs., 2 tabs.
Radiosynthesis of 3-[18F]fluoropropyl and 4-[ 18F]fluorobenzyl triarylphosphonium ions

3-[18F]Fluoropropyl-, 4-[18F]fluorobenzyl-triphenylphosphonium and 4-[18F]fluorobenzyltris-4-dimethylaminophenylphosphonium cations were synthesized in multi-step reactions from no carrier added (nca) [18F]fluoride. The time for synthesis, purification, and formulation was 56, 82, and 79 min with an average radiochemical yield of 12, 6 and 15%, respectively (not corrected for decay). The average specific radioactivity for the three radiolabeled compounds was 14.9 GB q/µmole (403 mCi/µmole) at end of synthesis (EOS). Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perturbation Methods in the Calculation of Zeeman Interactions and Magnetic Dipole Line Strengths for d 3 Trigonal-Crystal Spectra

Using a perturbation expansion based on a strong cubic-field zeroth-order approximation, we have obtained analytical expressions for the $g$ values of the ${{t}_{2}}^{3}$, $^{4}A_{2}$, and $^{2}F$ terms for ${d}^{3}$ impurity ions in trigonal crystal fields. We have compared these expressions whth the results of a numerical calculation in which the magnetic dipole operator was transformed to the basis of eigenvectors of the zero-field Hamiltonian computed within the complete ${d}^{3}$ configuration, and we find them to be a very good approximation. This is not true of the published $g$-value expressions which are currently available. Absolute magnetic dipole absorption cross sections and nonlinear $g$ values are also calculated. This the first time such a detailed calculation of these quantities has been made for transition-ion impurity systems. For levels derived from cubic terms other than ${{t}_{2}}^{3}$, $^{4}A_{2}$, and $^{2}E$, the analytical-perturbation techniques are not satisfactory and numerical methods must be used. We present an analysis of the $g$ values of the nominally ${{t}_{2}}^{3}$ terms, $^{4}A_{2}$, $^{2}E$, $^{2}T_{1}$, and $^{2}T_{2}$, for emerald, ruby, Zn${\mathrm{Al}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$: ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$, MgO: ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$, and ZnO: ${\mathrm{Co}}^{2+}$, and of magnetic dipole absorption cross sections for centrosymmetric Zn${\mathrm{Al}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$: ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ and MgO: ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$. These systems were chosen because there are quite extensive experimental data available on them. The model parameters were determined from the zero-field energy levels, and very good agreement with experiment was obtained in our calculation of the $g$ values and absorption strengths. This provides confidence in the validity of the crystal-field model to predict the magnetic properties of at least the ${{t}_{2}}^{3}$ levels, which couple weakly to phonons.
EXTERNALLY SHUNTED JOSEPHSON JUNCTIONS: GENERALIZED WEAK LINKS.

Using externally shunted thin-film $\mathrm{S}\mathrm{n}\ensuremath{-}I\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{S}\mathrm{n}$ Josephson junctions, we have experimentally verified the Stewart-McCumber predictions for the current-voltage ($I\ensuremath{-}V$) characteristics of a generalized weak link treated as a lumped circuit consisting of an ideal Josephson junction with critical current ${i}_{c}$, conductance $G$, and capacitance $C$. In addition, we have shown experimentally and theoretically that the predictions for the amount of hysteresis in the $I\ensuremath{-}V$ characteristic as a function of the dimensionless circuit parameter ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{C}=(\frac{2e}{\ensuremath{\hbar}}) ({i}_{c}\frac{C}{{G}^{2}})$ can be generalized to include shunt inductance $L$ by replacing the capacitance with an effective capacitance ${C}^{\ensuremath{'}}=C\ensuremath{-}{G}^{2}L$. An externally shunted Josephson junction acts as a generalized weak link in that it can reproduce the behavior of other types of weak links. In fact, if the temperature of a single shunted junction is varied between 1.12 and 3.7 K, or the applied magnetic field is varied between 0 and 1 Oe, ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{C}$ can be varied over two orders of magnitude while the junction is in the cryostat. Since ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{C}$ determines the qualitative nature of the $I\ensuremath{-}V$ characteristic, this variation of ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{C}$ simulates widely different types of weak-link devices. Furthermore, the accessible range of ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{C}$ for the single shunted junction can be changed while it is out of the cryostat by altering its external shunt conductance. Thus, externally shunted Josephson junctions are theoretically well-understood models of, and simulators for, the behavior of many weak-link junctions; they have the desirable property of adjustability both before and after cryostat installation. This versatility should find many significant applications.
Comparison of energetic ions in cusp and outer radiation belt

Recently, large diamagnetic cavities with a size of as large as 6 Re have been observed in the dayside high-altitude cusp regions. Associated with these cavities are charged particles with energies from 20 keV up to 10 MeV. Their seed population is a mixture of ionospheric and solar wind particles. The energetic ion intensity, charge composition, energy spectrum, and phase space density observed in the high-altitude dayside cusp have been compared with that measured in the outer radiation belt over an energy range of 1-200 keV/e for protons and He ++ ions and of 41-200 keV/e for O + ions. It is found that (1) the shape of ion energy spectra in the cusp is different from that in the outer radiation belt, (2) the ion phase space densities in the outer radiation belt are organized by magnetic moment, and (3) the ion phase space density of both He ++ and O + in the cusp are higher than that in the outer radiation belt at a given magnetic moment. These results suggest that (1) the measured cusp energetic ions cannot be explained by simple transport from an outer radiation belt (or ring current) source; rather, (2) a nonadiabatic energization process would be required to relate the cusp energetic ion population to the belt ion population, and (3) cusp energetic particles are potentially an additional independent source of the charged particles in the outer radiation belt.
Effect of Polybrominated Biphenyls on the Accumulation of DNA, RNA, and Protein in Cultured Rat Embryos following Maternal Administration

Using a system of whole-embryo culture, the effect of polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) was investigated on the rates of DNA, RNA, and protein accumulation in rat embryos. Embryos were isolated on the 10th gestational day (sperm day = Day 0) either 4 or 24 hr after maternal administration. The cultivation period was for 24 or 42 hr. DNA, RNA, and protein accumulation rates were not affected by a 4-hr previous maternal administration either at the beginning or following cultivation. At the beginning of cultivation for embryos exposed to PBB 24 hr before dissection, there was a significant reduction in DNA and total embryonic protein but RNA values were not affected. At 24 hr cultivation, protein values were no longer significantly different. DNA values remained significantly lower throughout culture. The significant anatomical differences noted at 24 hr cultivation were: (i) a failure of neuropore closure; (ii) a retention of a dorsiflexed position; (iii) a retardation in somite development; (iv) a reduced number with anterior limb buds present; (v) a reduction in the number establishing a visceral yolk sac circulation; and (vi) a decreased heart rate. After 42 hr in culture, the only significant anatomical differences were a reduction in the number of embryos developing anterior limb buds and a decrease in the number of somites added. It is concluded that the major embryonic effects of PBB for the first 24 hr after administration appear to be transitory if the embryo is removed from the exposure environment.
The hypothalamic-pituitary axis in men and women with chronic kidney disease

Although the precise abnormalities that lead to failure of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in men and women with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) remains undefined, evidence exists for defects in both the hypothalamus and the pituitary. The lack of appropriate cyclic release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) by the hypothalamus leads to loss of normal pulsatile luteinizing hormone (LH) release by the pituitary, which results in impaired ovulation in women and reduced testosterone and sperm production in men. The cause of impaired cyclic release of GnRH is unclear, but hyperprolactinemia, elevated endorphins, and high levels of GnRH and LH caused by reduced clearance may contribute. Perturbations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadaotropin axis in CKD lead to high rates of infertility, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and impaired puberty in children. Only through additional study of the complex effects of CKD on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis will the precise abnormalities in hormonal control of reproduction be explained.