cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Timur the (Terrible/Tartar) Trope: a Case of Repositioning in Popular Literature and History'

This study details how the medieval Central Asian leader, Timur, looked upon by many in the Latin West as a potential savior, came to be vilified as British imperial interests moved from the Ottoman Porte to India and Central Asia. To the vast majority of those to whom his name means anything at all, it commemorates a militarist who perpetuated as many horrors in the span of twenty-four years as the last five Assyrian kings perpetrated in a hundred and twenty ... The crack-brained megalomania of [a] homicidal madman whose one idea is to impress the imagination of mankind with a sense of his military power by a hideous abuse of it ...2
Compressive sensing of frequency-hopping spread spectrum signals

In this paper, compressive sensing strategies for interception of Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) signals are introduced. Rapid switching of the carrier among many frequency channels using a pseudorandom sequence (unknown to the eavesdropper) makes FHSS signals dicult to intercept. The conventional approach to intercept FHSS signals necessitates capturing of all frequency channels and, thus, requires the Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs) to sample at very high rates. Using the fact that the FHSS signals have sparse instanta- neous spectra, we propose compressive sensing strategies for their interception. The proposed techniques are validated using Gaussian Frequency-Shift Keying (GFSK) modulated FHSS signals as dened by the Bluetooth specication.
Chronic Kidney Disease: Highlights for the General Pediatrician

Chronic kidney disease in the pediatric population has been increasing. Early detection and treatment can slow down the progression of kidney disease and help prevent the development of end stage renal disease. In addition, as the kidney function declines, there are many pathophysiologic interactions with other organ systems that need to be monitored and treated. In particular, because of impaired vitamin D metabolism, calcium and phosphorus homeostasis is dysregulated and results in secondary bone disease. Anemia is common due to a number of factors including impaired erythropoietin production. Growth is often impacted by chronic kidney disease but can be improved by proper treatment. Complications of chronic kidney disease can be minimized by proper monitoring and treatment of these parameters. The general pediatrician plays a critical role in this process.
Efficacy of anti–intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 immunotherapy on immune responses to allogeneic hepatocytes in mice

Adhesion molecules appear to play important roles in vascularized organ allograft rejection, because antibodies directed against them are effective in prolonging survival of vascularized organ allografts in rodents. However, the efficacy of these agents for cellular allografts is unknown. The current studies were undertaken to determine the role of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) on host immune responses to purified hepatocytes. Host mice (C3H, H-2(k)) grafted with hepatocytes in sponge matrix allografts (HC-SMA) received IgG isotype control, anti-ICAM-1, or anti-VCAM-1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) on days 0 through 9 after grafting. Twelve to 14 days later, host cells infiltrating the HC-SMA were assessed for the development of allospecific cytolytic T cells (allo-CTLs). Treatment with anti-ICAM-1 or anti-VCAM-1 mAb resulted in significantly decreased recruitment of host cells into HC-SMA (P < .035). However, only anti-ICAM-1 mAb resulted in abrogation of development of allo-CTLs in HC-SMA (P = .001). C3H (H-2(k)) hosts grafted with allogeneic hepatocytes from control C57BL/6 (H-2(b)) or ICAM-1 knockout [H-2(b)] mice elicited the development of allo-CTLs in HC-SMA (P = not significant). Furthermore, there was no difference in the development of allo-CTLs in HC-SMA of control hosts [C57BL/6, H-2(b)] compared with ICAM-1 knockout hosts (H-2(b)) (P = not significant). Treatment with anti-ICAM-1 mAb had no effect on the development of allo-CTLs in ICAM-1 knockout (H-2(b)) hosts bearing HC-SMA. The immunosuppressive effect of host treatment with anti-ICAM-1 mAb does not appear to be a consequence of simple blockage of donor hepatocyte or host immune cell expression of ICAM-1, but suggests a potential inhibitory effect on host immune cell activation or function, as well as an effect on recruitment of host cells to the allograft.
Yeast checkpoint genes in DNA damage processing: implications for repair and arrest.

Yeast checkpoint control genes were found to affect processing of DNA damage as well as cell cycle arrest. An assay that measures DNA damage processing in vivo showed that the checkpoint genes RAD17, RAD24 , and MEC3 activated an exonuclease that degrades DNA. The degradation is probably a direct consequence of checkpoint protein function, because RAD17 encodes a putative 3′-5′ DNA exonuclease. Another checkpoint gene, RAD9 , had a different role: It inhibited the degradation by RAD17 , RAD24 , and MEC3 . A model of how processing of DNA damage may be linked to both DNA repair and cell cycle arrest is proposed.
Intraregional Spillovers in South America: Is Brazil Systemic After All?

The high business cycle correlation between Brazil (the large neighbour in South America) and other countries in the region has been a frequent source of concern for policymakers, as it has been viewed as evidence of the large influence of the former country on its neighbours. This paper studies the importance of such influence, documenting trade linkages over the last two decades and quantifying spillover effects in a vector autoregression setting. We find that, after controlling for common external factors, spillovers from Brazil are only relevant for Southern Cone economies (especially Mercosur's members) and Peru, but not for the rest of South America, and these findings are consistent with the extent of trade linkages between these countries. We find also that spillovers can take two different forms: the transmission of Brazil-specific shocks and the amplification of global shocks – through their impact on Brazil's output. Finally, we also find suggestive evidence that depreciations of Brazil's currency may not have significant impact on output of its key trading partners.
The processing of consonants and vowels in reading: Evidence from the fast priming paradigm

We assessed the early encoding of consonant and vowel information in the reading of English, using the fast priming paradigm. With 30-msec prime durations, gaze durations on target words were shorter when preceded by high-frequency consonant-same primes (which shared consonant information with the target word; e.g., lake-like) than when preceded by vowel-same primes (which shared vowel information with the target word; e.g., line-like), but there were no priming effects for low-frequency primes. With 45-msec prime durations, however, there was no effect of prime frequency and gaze durations on target words were shortened equally when they were preceded by consonant-same primes and vowelsame primes, as compared with control primes (e.g., late-like). The results suggest that the processing of consonants is more rapid than that of vowels, providing further evidence for the distinction between consonant and vowel processing in the reading of English.
“They Took It Down”: Exploring Determinants of Visual Reporting in the Toppling of the Saddam Statue in National and International Newspapers

This cross-national research examines the visual framing of the toppling of the Saddam Hussein statue. It explores the influences of competing contextual variables and newspaper attributes on frequency and overall tone of photographs. The results of examinations of the coverage in 43 newspapers of 30 countries suggest one important difference across newspapers involved the number of photographs each newspaper published. Further, findings indicate U.S. newspapers overall ran more visuals depicting a victory/liberation frame than newspapers from coalition and non-coalition countries.
A Constructive Approach to Counseling and Psychotherapy Supervision

Clinical supervision is central to the successful training and ongoing professional development of counselors and psychotherapists. Although clinical supervision shares much in common with psychotherapy, it is a distinct activity from psychotherapy that requires its own distinct theories and techniques (Bernard & Goodyear, 2014). In this article, an approach to clinical supervision (which I refer to as constructive clinical supervision) that is grounded in constructivist principles of learning, growth, and development is presented. In addition to outlining the key constructivist principles that have influenced this approach, I also provide supervision strategies that can be used to facilitate critical self-reflection in supervisees, which includes establishing a solid relationship, asking reflective questions, and implementing reflective-based activities. Additionally, guidelines for conducting supervisee assessment and evaluation in ways consistent with constructivist thinking are described.
Synthesis and Activation of PtRu Alloyed Nanoparticles with Controlled Size and Composition

FCC PtRu nanoparticles with narrow size distribution were prepared by polyalcohol reduction of platinum acetylacetonate and ruthenium acetylacetonate in diphenyl ether, using oleylamine as the capping agent. The particle size ranged from 3.5 to 6.5 nm and was controlled by varying the amount of capping agent added in the synthesis. Adjusting the stoichiometric ratio of introduced Pt and Ru precursors yielded particles with different compositions. A simple fractionation was employed to narrow the size distribution of particles and nearly monodispersed particles were obtained. To activate the catalytic activity of the particles, oleylamine bound to the particle surface was removed through repeated washing of the as-prepared particles with ethanol and tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH) aqueous solution. The washed particles could be well redispersed and electrostatically stabilized in TMAOH aqueous solution and uniformly loaded on a Vulcan XC-72 carbon support. A cyclic voltammetry (CV) study revealed tha...
Smart Grid Control Design Methods for Distributed Energy Storage in Frequency Regulation Markets

Abstract Electricity grids around the globe are evolving towards structures that seek to provide dynamic control contributions from non-traditional, non-generation technologies. In the United States, this trend is driven in part by elements of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)'s Order No. 890, regarding provision of regulation and frequency services by non-generating resources, and reflected in such implementations as the ISO New England's Alternative Technology Regulation Pilot Program. In light of this trend, work here develops control algorithms tailored to distributed energy storage units, seeking to use such units to contribute to frequency regulation and to enhance stability of electromechanical modes in the grid. It provides designs that respect saturation limits on power and energy delivery that will be inherent in storage technologies such as batteries, while taking advantage of their capability of varying power output at higher bandwidth than achieved by traditional generators’ governor feedback. Key to the method is a distributed, “modal-focused” approach to feedback controller construction. In particular, regulation and stability enhancement responsibility is spread among the distributed controllers, with a given controller being designed to damp a small subset of the system's oscillatory electromechanical modes.
Pancreatic transplantation reverses endothelial dysfunction in experimental diabetes mellitus.

Abstract Background: There is insufficient evidence whether transplantation of the whole pancreas can reverse vascular complications associated with diabetes. In this study we investigated whether pancreatic transplantation in experimental diabetes reverses established defects in endothelium-dependent relaxation. Methods: Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats underwent whole-pancreas transplantation after 12 weeks of disease. Endothelial function was evaluated 4 weeks after transplantation and compared with that of control- and age-matched diabetic animals. Blood was taken for analysis of glucose, insulin, total glycosylated hemoglobin, and plasma amino acid levels. Descending thoracic aortas were isolated, sectioned into rings, and mounted in isolated tissue baths. In precontracted rings, endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine was performed and compared with endothelium-independent relaxation to nitroglycerin as a control. Results: Pancreatic transplantation normalized the increases in glucose and total glycosylated hemoglobin levels and the decrease in serum insulin levels. Diabetes resulted in impaired relaxation to acetylcholine without altering relaxation to nitroglycerin. Pancreatic transplantation completely restored the defective relaxation to acetylcholine without altering the relaxation to nitroglycerin. Conclusions: These results suggest that pancreatic transplantation selectively improved endothelium-dependent relaxation as opposed to a generalized improvement in vascular smooth muscle reactivity. Furthermore, these studies suggest for the first time that one aspect of vascular complications (i.e., endothelial dysfunction) is amenable to this surgical intervention. (Surgery 1998;123:89-95.)
Nonwage benefits as a limited-dependent variable: Implications for the impact of unions

To better delineate the role of unionism in influencing the provision of nonwage benefits, this article argues that benefits should be viewed as a limited-dependent variable. Employing such an approach, the study finds that previous OLS estimates of the union effect embody substantial biases, which vary by industrial and employee-group classification. Moreover, the role of unionism — plan initiation versus ability to augment benefit levels at established plans — varies according to employee group, industrial classification, and the type of benefits.
Serum aminotransferase levels and angiographic coronary artery disease in octogenarians.

Elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels have been associated with metabolic syndrome (MS), insulin resistance (IR), diabetes, endothelial dysfunction, coronary atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular (CVS) events, in addition to diseases of the liver [ 1– 4]. Studies have also shown that elevated AST/ ALT ratio in women could predict severity of coronary atherosclerosis [ 3]. Hence, in recent years, there has been a renewed interest in using ALT and AST as biomarkers for assessment of CVS risk. Serum AST levels were first described as a biomarker for myocardial necrosis in the 1950s [ 5] but were replaced by other more sensitive and specific biomarkers like creatinine kinase myocardial b fraction (CKMB) and troponins.
Feasibility of determining haze properties during high-speed Titan entry

An international cooperative project between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) is planning to send a probe into the atmosphere of Titan (a moon of Saturn) as part of the Cassini Mission to Saturn. This paper analyzes the feasibility of measuring the intensity of atomic carbon and hydrogen line emission in the shock layer during the high velocity portion of the entry to determine the number density and composition of the organic haze particles in the Titan atmosphere. Analysis indicates that the line radiation signal-to-noise ratios are high enough so that determination of the haze particle number density and composition appears to be feasible. The analysis may be applicable to other future planetary missions.
Eigenvector construction for band-mapping transformations

Abstract The explicit construction of all the eigenvectors of tight-binding Hamiltonians of the Weaire-Thorpe type on random networks is described. Non-degenerate eigenvectors are obtained using operators which commute simultaneously with each part of the Hamiltonian. For degenerate eigenvectors, a procedure is given for constructing a complete set of linearly independent eigenvectors. These methods also provide the vibrational eigenvectors for the central-force dynamics models studied by Thorpe and co-workers.
HyperIntelligence: the next frontier

The authors discuss how mental models may be used to organize an individual's thoughts while forming a plan. A hypermedia system, SPRINT, is described which supports an explicit representation of a mental model as a network of associations among the elements of a strategic plan.
What use was the election to us? Clientelism and political trust amongst ethnic Uzbeks in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

This paper posits that a great deal of cross-national variation in clientelistic investment strategies can be explained through an examination of the different forms of risk faced by the political elite of different types of regimes. It also maintains that demand from clients/potential clients is, by itself, insufficient to explain the level or scope of clientelistic investments. The argument is advanced through an examination of the linkages (and non-linkages) between patrons/potential patrons and clients/potential clients amongst the ethnic Uzbek populations of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. In Kyrgyzstan, a semi-authoritarian state, electoral risk predominates; however, the character of electoral risk in Kyrgyzstan provides Uzbek members of the political elite with an incentive to diversify their clientelistic investments. Consequently, many engage in direct exchanges with their constituents while simultaneously investing in private, cultural organizations that serve party-like functions. Alternatively, in contemporary Tajikistan, best described as an authoritarian state, electoral risk has been replaced with the risk of expulsion from the presidential clientelistic network. As a result, members of the Tajikistani political elite have a disincentive to publicly invest in constituent clients as this investment may increase the risk of expulsion.
Radiation therapy after breast augmentation or reconstruction in early or recurrent breast cancer

Fourteen patients whose augmented or reconstructed breasts were treated with radiation therapy were analyzed. Silicone gel implants were used in 13 patients and free-injected silicone in one patient. The total radiation dose ranged from 4400 to 6200 cGy using tangential photon fields or an en face electron field by megavoltage equipment. In several cases, electron boost radiation was added to the tumor bed. The majority of the patients tolerated therapy well with minimal transient skin reactions; only three patients required a treatment break secondary to moist desquamation. Three patients developed documented implant encapsulation, although the majority retained good to excellent cosmesis. In summary, when breast carcinoma arises in the augmented or reconstructed breast, conservative management (i.e., limited surgery and definitive irradiation) is feasible without compromising the therapy or the cosmetic result. Thus, conservative management should be offered as an option to patients who are interested in breast prosthesis conservation.
Mercury's magnetic field: a thermoelectric dynamo?

Permanent magnetism and conventional dynamo theory are possible but problematic explanations for the magnitude of the Mercurian magnetic field. A new model is proposed in which thermoelectric currents driven by temperature differences at a bumpy core-mantle boundary are responsible for the (unobserved) toroidal field, and the helicity of convective motions in a thin outer core (thickness ∼10^2 km) induces the observed poloidal field from the toroidal field. The observed field of ∼3 × 10^(−7) T can be reproduced provided the electrical conductivity of Mercury's semiconducting mantle approaches 10^3 Ω^(−1) m^(−1). This model may be testable by future missions to Mercury because it predicts a more complicated field geometry than conventional dynamo theories. However, it is argued that polar wander may cause the core-mantle topography to migrate so that some aspects of the rotational symmetry may be reflected in the observed field.
Genetics: The inner life of proteins

A quantitative analysis shows that epistasis — the fact that genetic background determines whether a mutation is beneficial, deleterious or inconsequential — is the main factor regulating evolution at the level of proteins. See Letter p.535
A fast hyperfragment produced by a heavy primary cosmic ray

A stack of 6" x 12" G-5 600 microns Ilford emulsions, which was flown over Texas for 8 hours above 104,000 ft, was scanned for entering heavy primaries. These were followed until they either interacted or left the stack. One event was found which was interpreted as a decay in flight of a LAMBDA H/sup 4/. A description of this event is given. (W.D.M.)
Novel therapy for non-cirrhotic hyperammonemia due to a spontaneous splenorenal shunt

Spontaneous splenorenal shunts in the absence of cirrhosis have rarely been reported as a cause hyperammonemia with encephalopathy. Several closure techniques of such lesions have been described. Here we report a case of a patient with no history of liver disease who developed significant confusion. After an extensive workup, he was found to have hyperammonemia and encephalopathy due to formation of a spontaneous splenorenal shunt. There was no evidence of cirrhosis on biopsy or imaging and no portal hypertension when directly measured. The shunt was 18 mm and too large for embolization so the segment of the splenic vein between the portal vein and the shunt was occluded using an Amplatzer plug. Thus, the superior mesenteric flow was directed entirely to the liver. After interventional radiology closure of the shunt using this technique there was complete resolution of symptoms. The case represents the first report of a successful closure of splenorenal shunt via percutaneous embolization of the splenic vein with an amplatzer plug using a common femoral vein approach.
Effect of CLA isomers and their mixture on aging C57Bl/6J mice

Dietary supplements containing conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) are widely promoted for weight loss management over the counter. Recently, FDA approved the CLA as Generally Recognized as Safe category so that it can be used in various food and beverages. The combined effect of CLA isomers have been studied extensively in animals and humans, however, the role of individual isomers remains unraveled. The present investigation addresses the effects of CLA isomers on body composition and body weight as well as safety using female C57Bl/6J aging mice. Two main CLA isomers and their mixture were fed to 12-months-old female C57Bl/6J mice. Ten percent corn oil (CO) based fat diet supplemented with 0.5% purified cis 9 trans 11 (c9,t11) CLA or trans 10 cis 12 (t10,c12) CLA or their mixture (CLA mix, 50:50) for 6 months. The lean mass, fat mass, glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, and insulin were examined at the end of study. As a result of 6 months dietary intervention, both t10,c12 CLA and CLA mix groups showed increased lean mass and reduced fat mass compared to that of c9,t11 CLA and CO group. However, insulin resistance and liver hypertrophy were observed in t10,c12 CLA and CLA mix groups based on the results of homeostasis model assessment, revised quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index (R-QUICKI), intravenous glucose tolerance test, and liver histology. Liver histology revealed that increased liver weight was due to hypertrophy. In conclusion, the major CLA isomers have a distinct effect on fat mass, glucose, and insulin metabolism. The t10,c12 isomer was found to reduce the fat mass and to increase the lean mass but significantly contributed to increase insulin resistance and liver hypertrophy, whereas c9,t11 isomer prevented the insulin resistance. Between the two major CLA isomers, the t10,c12 was attributed to reduce fat mass whereas, c9,t11 improves the insulin sensitivity.
Tarski's physicalism

Hartry Field has argued that Alfred Tarski desired to reduce all semantic concepts to concepts acceptable to physicalism and that Tarski failed to do this. In the two succeeding decades, Field has been charged with being too lenient with Tarski; but it has been almost universally accepted that an objection at least as strong as Field's is telling against Tarski's theory. Close examination of the relevant literature, most of it printed in this journal in the 1930s, reveals that Field's conception of physicalism is anachronistic. Tarski did succeed in furthering the sort of physicalist program he had in mind.
Coincident Indicators of Capital Flows

Capital flows data from Balance of Payments statistics often lag 3-6 months, which renders timely surveillance and policy deliberation difficult. To address the tension, we propose two coincident composite indicators for capital flows that improve upon existing proxies. We find that the most widely used proxy, the capital tracker, often overpredicts net flows by 30 percent. We augment the tracker into a composite indicator by assigning to it a lesser but optimally estimated weight while incorporating other regional and global coincident correlates of capital flows. The proposed composite indicator of net flows outperforms the capital tracker in its original format. To complement the indicator with an even timelier variant, we also utilize the EPFR high frequency coverage of gross bond and equity flows as an indicator on foreign investors' sentiment.
Potential for immersion vaccination against Aeromonas salmonicida

. The efficacy of the immersion method of vaccination was evaluated using Aeromonas salmonicida bacterin. In general a 2 min immersion vaccination was not as effective as vaccination by intraperitoneal injection; however, the level of immunity was improved by giving multiple vaccinations several days apart. A primary immersion vaccination with bacterin diluted 1:4 followed by a secondary vaccination diluted 1:2 gave good results. The most concentrated secondary booster was more effective than boosting with more dilute bacterin.
Family Socioeconomic Status, Parent Expectations, and a Child's Achievement:

This study investigates how a family's socioeconomic status (SES) affects a child's educational achievement and differentiates the direct effects of SES on these experiences from the indirect ones as they are mediated by the school. This distinction is an important one as it is in the latter realm where social policy can have an impact. The data are from a nationally representative sample of children enrolled in kindergarten in the US in the Spring of 2000. The percentage of the parents expecting their child to earn at least a Bachelor's degree rises with family SES. However, the percentage of high-SES parents of low-achieving students expecting their child to earn at least a Bachelor's degree is higher than that for low- and middle-SES parents of high-achieving students. Ordinary least squares regression analyses using a mediation model were used to distinguish direct from indirect effects of the family's SES score on achievement. Unexpectedly, the direct effects are greater than the indirect ones.
NASA indexing benchmarks

The current proliferation of on-line information resources underscores the requirement for the ability to index collections of information and search and retrieve them in a convenient manner. This study develops criteria for analytically comparing the index and search engines and presents results for a number of freely-available search engines.A product of this research is a tool-kit capable of automatically indexing, searching, and extracting performance statistics from each of the focused search engines. This tool-kit is highly configurable and has the ability to run these benchmark tests against other engines as well.Results demonstrate that the tested search engines can be grouped into two levels. Level one engines are efficient on small- to medium-sized data collections, but show weaknesses when used for collections 100MB or larger. Level two search engines are recommended for data collections up to and beyond 100MB.
Coordination of Drosophila metamorphosis by two ecdysone-induced nuclear receptors

The functions of the ecdysone-induced DHR3 and E75B orphan nuclear receptors in the early stages of Drosophila metamorphosis were investigated. DHR3 represses the ecdysone induction of early genes turned on by the pulse of ecdysone that triggers metamorphosis. It also induces βFTZF1, an orphan nuclear receptor that is essential for the appropriate response to the subsequent prepupal pulse of ecdysone. The E75B receptor, which lacks a complete DNA binding domain, inhibits this inductive function by forming a complex with DHR3 on the βFTZF1 promoter, thereby providing a timing mechanism for βFTZF1 induction that is dependent on the disappearance of E75B.
Sociocultural and Ethnohistorical Influences on Genetic Diversity in Liberia

In the Republic of Liberia where falciparum malaria remains highly endemic, four phenotypes reported to provide an innate resistance to malaria are nonuniformly distributed among the country's geographical regions and indigenous ethnic groups. Significant regional variation is observed in the prevalence of sickle cell trait and nonsignificant but ostensible variation is seen in the distributions of beta thalassemia trait, elevated fetal hemoglobin, and intermediate red cell G6PD deficiency. It appears that particular cultural and historical factors may exert important influences on genetic diversity in this area of West Africa. A study of the regional and ethnic variation in these four phenotypes among 961 indigenous children and mothers suggests that the sociocultural variables most likely to increase assortive mating and nonrandom gene flow include (1) membership in the Poro and Sande traditional initiation societies, (2) linguistic affiliation, (3) dietary staple, and (4) religious preference. Ethnohistorical events most likely to explain the origins of this diversity are discussed in light of the population's pre-Liberian origins, time and direction of major migrations, nature of interethnic hostilities, evidence of assimilation, and enslavement patterns.
Instructional Computing: Integrating Network‐Based Information Services into Instructional Settings

In the first installment of this series, the discussion focused mainly on the technologies that support participation in computermediated conferences. This installment looks briefly at the conferences and electronic publications native to BITNET. BITNET, an exclusively academic network, is a rich environment, offering users access to electronic journals and newsletters, file services, and computer‐mediated conferences on almost every topic of interest to educators.
Analytic and simulation studies of dust grain interaction and structuring

For dust grains in stationary plasma, a quantitative assessment is made of the effect of centrifugal potential barriers on ion trajectories near a grain. It is shown that in most situations of interest the barriers are weak and only marginally affect the validity of the orbital-motion-limited (OML) theory. The OML theory is then used to show that the electrostatic interaction between grains is always repulsive. The ion-shadowing force is calculated, and it is shown that this force can lead to a weak net attraction between grains at long range, under certain conditions with large grains, dense plasma, and/or low gas pressure. For grains in streaming plasma at or near the sheath, it is shown that nonlinear effects are weak and the grains can be represented as dressed particles interacting via the dynamically shielded Coulomb interaction, which includes wakefields, Landau damping, and collisional damping. The Dynamically Shielded Dust (DSD) simulation code, which is based on this model, is described and a simulation is shown for strongly coupled grains in flowing plasma. The simulation shows ordering of the grains into rigid strings aligned with the ion flow, and looser glass-like organization of the strings in the transverse plane. The presence of strings with odd and even numbers of grains results in stratification of the grains into planes with an alternating structure.
The localization of Mg-Na-K-activated adenosine triphosphatase on red cell ghost membranes.

The lead salt method introduced by Wachstein and Meisel (12) for the cytochemical demonstration of ATPase activity was modified and used to determine sites of activity on red cell ghost membranes. Preliminary studies showed that aldehyde fixation and standard concentrations of the capture reagent Pb(NO3)2 resulted in marked inhibition of the ATPase activity of these membranes. By lowering the concentration of Pb2+ and incubating unfixed red cell ghosts, over 50% of the total ATPase activity, which included an ouabain-sensitive, Na-K-activated component, could be demonstrated by quantitative biochemical assay. Cytochemical tests, carried out under the same conditions, gave a reaction product localized exclusively along the inner surfaces of the ghost membranes for both Mg-ATPase and Na-K-ATPase. These findings indicate that the ATPase activity of red cell ghosts results in the release of Pi on the inside of the ghost membrane at sites scattered over its inner aspect. There were no deposits of reaction product on the outer surface of the ghost membrane, hence no indication that upon ATP hydrolysis Pi is released outside the ghosts. Nor was there any clear difference in the localization of reaction product of Mg-ATPase as opposed to that of Na-K-ATPase.
District progressivism: Rethinking reform in urban school systems, 1900-1928

This paper reexamines the analytic categories that American educational historians have used to describe progressive era reformers and their innovations. Using archival sources and other school district records, this essay analyzes the nature of school reform in three United States cities: Seattle, Washington, Oakland, California, and Denver, Colorado during the early decades of the twentieth century. The author argues that educational leaders in city school systems blended and combined practices that historians have tended to see as contradictory. These "district progressives" viewed many reforms of the era as compatible and intertwined for a variety of reasons: practitioners at the local level were more likely to see the movement for "progressive" education in a battle with older, nineteenth-century conceptions of education; district leaders, by necessity, developed distinct strategies for district-wide change, using their administrative leverage to foster instructional change; and some leaders, quite s...
Motions with Constant Stretch History

The class of motions considered in the present paper has recently been introduced by Coleman* [1], who noticed that it includes almost all steady flows that have ever been studied in connection with non-classical fluids. Examples are: Simple shearing flow, laminar flow through pipes (circular or not), Couette flow, helical flow, torsional flow, and circular flow between coaxial cones or concentric spheres. All these examples are actually special cases of what is called here steady curvilineal flow (see Section 3). The curvilineal flows belong to a class of motions which have been called viscometric flows (see Section 3 of the present paper or Section 3 of [1]).
A New York or Pennsylvania state of mind: social representations in newspaper coverage of gas development in the Marcellus Shale

What first comes to mind when you think of natural gas development in the Marcellus Shale region? The information and ideas we hold about shale gas development can strongly influence our discussion of this issue, the impacts we associate with it, and the types of regulation we view as appropriate. Our knowledge and beliefs are based in part on social representations—common sense understandings of complex, often scientific, phenomena, generated in the public sphere and reliant on the history, culture, and social structure of the context in which they emerge. In this article, we examine social representations of environmental, economic, and social impacts of natural gas development in the Marcellus Shale, as reported by major regional newspapers. We conducted a content analysis of newspaper coverage in two newspapers in the northern tier of Pennsylvania and two in the southern tier of New York from 2007 to 2011, with a total sample of 1,037 articles. Effects on water quality were by far the most prevalent environmental representation in each newspaper. Economic representations focused on jobs, leases, and royalties, but varied substantially across geographical contexts. Representations of social impacts were relatively rare in each media outlet. We also interviewed the journalists who wrote the most articles on shale gas development at each newspaper. Their perspectives provide some explanations for why certain impacts were mentioned more frequently than others, and for differences between newspapers. We conclude with implications for communicating about impacts associated with shale gas development, and for regulating development.
Reaction of molybdenum(II) xanthates with some Lewis Bases

Abstract The reactions between molydenum alkylxanthates and Lewi bases are described. Reactions with pyridine, methylpyridines, or dimethylsulfoxide give adducts Mo2(xanthate)4L2 of the usual axial type. Acetone, nitriles, tetrahydrofuran, and dimethysulfide form adducts in solution; these adducts decompose to starting materials at reduced pressure. Reaction of xanthate complexes with excess xanthate ion give a new complexes complex Mo2(S2COR)−5. This complexes is implicated as the intermediate in the production of neutral Mo2(S2COR)4 from molybdenum acetate. Molybdenum alkyxanthates undergo only slight reaction with triphenylphosphine; with tributylphosphine, a complicated reaction ensues.
A national study of educational reform: implications for social work services in schools

Abstract A national survey of state offices of education identifies reform initiatives and points out pupil/family characteristics and school and community conditions that are barriers to excellence. Directions for social work services in schools are suggested.
Paradoxical Results in Multidimensional Item Response Theory.

In multidimensional item response theory (MIRT), it is possible for the estimate of a subject’s ability in some dimension to decrease after they have answered a question correctly. This paper investigates how and when this type of paradoxical result can occur. We demonstrate that many response models and statistical estimates can produce paradoxical results and that in the popular class of linearly compensatory models, maximum likelihood estimates are guaranteed to do so. In light of these findings, the appropriateness of multidimensional item response methods for assigning scores in high-stakes testing is called into question.
Layout modification for library cell Alt-PSM composability

In sub-wavelength lithography, light field Alt-PSM (Alternating Phase Shifting Mask) is an essential technology for poly layer printability. In a standard cell based design, the problem of obtaining Alt-PSM compliance for an individual cell layout has been solved well [3]. However, placing Alt-PSM compliant cells together can not guarantee Alt-PSM compliance of the entire chip/block layout due to phase interactions among adjacent cells. A simple solution to this Alt-PSM composability problem is to wrap blank area around each cell, which is very inefficient on chip area usage. In this paper, we formulate the composability problem as a graph model and propose a polynomial time optimal algorithm to achieve Alt-PSM composability with the least impact on cell layout.
Transcriptional Networks in Liver and Intestinal Development

The development of the gastrointestinal tract is a complex process that integrates signaling processes with downstream transcriptional responses. Here, we discuss the regionalization of the primitive gut and formation of the intestine and liver. Anterior-posterior position in the primitive gut is important for establishing regions that will become functional organs. Coordination of signaling between the epithelium and mesenchyme and downstream transcriptional responses is required for intestinal development and homeostasis. Liver development uses a complex transcriptional network that controls the establishment of organ domains, cell differentiation, and adult function. Discussion of these transcriptional mechanisms gives us insight into how the primitive gut, composed of simple endodermal cells, develops into multiple diverse cell types that are organized into complex mature organs.
Spectral voice conversion for text-to-speech synthesis

A new voice conversion algorithm that modifies a source speaker's speech to sound as if produced by a target speaker is presented. It is applied to a residual-excited LPC text-to-speech diphone synthesizer. Spectral parameters are mapped using a locally linear transformation based on Gaussian mixture models whose parameters are trained by joint density estimation. The LPC residuals are adjusted to match the target speakers average pitch. To study effects of the amount of training on performance, data sets of varying sizes are created by automatically selecting subsets of all available diphones by a vector quantization method. In an objective evaluation, the proposed method is found to perform more reliably for small training sets than a previous approach. In perceptual tests, it was shown that nearly optimal spectral conversion performance was achieved, even with a small amount of training data. However, speech quality improved with increases in the training set size.
Surface Investigations of Germanium Chemical Vapor Deposition on Silicon

The adsorption and decomposition of several Ge-containing compounds on Si(100) have been investigated with the intent of elucidating the surface processes leading to the deposition of epitaxial Ge films from these gaseous sources. Exposure of digermane, Ge2H6, to Si(100) at 110 K results in molecular adsorption and ab initio calculations are used to help interpret the low temperature ultraviolet photoelectron spectrum. Diethylgermane, GeH2Et2, chemisorbs dissociatively on Si(100) at 110 K. The adsorption products are GeH2 and adsorbed ethyl groups. Large exposures of GeH2Et2 result in the formation of a physisorbed layer of molecular GeH2Et2 on top of the dissociated layer. The surface ethyl groups thermally decompose near 670 K via a β-hydride elimination reaction evolving C2H4 into the gas phase. The interactions of Ge2H6 and GeH2Et2 with Si(100) are discussed and compared to similar experiments with GeH4 as the Ge-containing gas source.
The Impact of Detectives’ Manner of Questioning on Rape Victims’ Disclosure

Research has documented that few reported rapes are prosecuted by the legal system. The purpose of this study is to explain how the interactions between victims and detectives can strengthen or weaken the investigation itself. Twenty rape victims were interviewed to examine how law enforcement detectives' manner of questioning affects rape victims' level of disclosure. Using qualitative methodology, the results show that the detectives' manner of questioning can play a role in victims' disclosure. Detectives using a gentle manner of questioning with victims can help produce stronger victim statements and thus build stronger cases for prosecution.
Examination of testicular tumours in the beagle dog exposed to inhaled plutonium

Gross and light microscopic features of testicular neoplasms were examined in the male beagle dog used in three studies to examine the life-span effects of inhaled plutonium (Pu). One hundred and sixty-six cases of testicular neoplasia (TN) occurred among 105 dogs that ranged in age from 7·5 to 17·7 years at the time of diagnosis. The 166 cases of TN comprised 113 interstitial cell tumours, 27 seminomas in situ, 19 seminomas, and seven Sertoli cell tumours. Serum testosterone and estradiol 17-β concentrations, and the serum testosterone-to-oestradiol ratio were determined in 39 dogs with TN and in five clinically normal, sexually intact, age-matched cohorts. Serum hormone concentrations did not differ significantly among tumour types or between dogs with neoplasms and age-matched cohorts. There was a significant relationship between initial lung deposition (ILD) of Pu and activity in the testis (Bq/g testis). The slope of the relationship was 0·35, 0·89 and 0·91 for 239PuO2, 238PuO2 and 239Pu(NO3)4 respec...
Multiple Alignment of protein structures and sequences for VMD

Multiple Alignment is a new interface for performing and analyzing multiple protein structure alignments. It enables viewing levels of sequence and structure similarity on the aligned structures and performing a variety of evolutionary and bioinformatic tasks, including the construction of structure-based phylogenetic trees and minimal basis sets of structures that best represent the topology of the phylogenetic tree. It is implemented as a plugin for VMD (Visual Molecular Dynamics), which is distributed by the NIH Resource for Macromolecular Modeling and Bioinformatics at the University of Illinois. Availability: Both binary and source code downloads for VMD 1.83, which includes Multiple Alignment, are available from http://www.ks.uiuc.edu/Research/vmd/. The Multidimensional QR factorization algorithm is available at http://www.scs.uiuc.edu/~schulten/software.html Contact: multiseq@scs.uiuc.edu
Artificial Neural Network Modeling of Stress Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomographic Imaging for Detecting Extensive Coronary Artery Disease

Single-photon emission computed tomographic imaging is a useful, noninvasive method to detect coronary artery disease (CAD). We tested the hypothesis that artificial neural network modeling could predict CAD extent better than visual interpretation; 109 patients who underwent stress single-photon emission computed tomography and coronary angiography were selected. Twenty patients who had a 60% and 0 otherwise. Model sensitivities were 92% (55 of 60) for left anterior descending artery versus 62% (37 of 60) for visual interpretation (p = 0.0002), 69% (20 of 29) for left circumflex artery versus 55% for visual interpretation (p = 0.30), and 94% (45 of 48) for right coronary artery versus 78% for visual interpretation (p = 0.024). Model specificities and normalcy rates were 78% and 85% for the left anterior descending artery, 93% and 100% for the left circumflex artery, and 85% and 90% for the right circumflex artery, respectively. Single-vessel CAD was predicted in 27 of 28 patients (96%) by modeling versus 23 of 28 patients (82%) by visual interpretation (p = 0.11). Multivessel CAD was correctly predicted in 30 of 46 patients (65%) by modeling versus 16 of 46 patients (35%) by visual interpretation (p = 0.004). Thus, artificial neural network models can predict CAD from stress single-photon emission computed tomographic images when using separate models for the 3 major epicardial vessels. Because of their high sensitivity and specificity in detecting extensive CAD, these models have great promise as an aid to correctly identify patients at high risk for CAD.
ASSESSING MULTI‐SPECIES RECOVERY PLANS UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is relying increasingly on a multi-species, rather than the more traditional single-species, approach to recovery planning under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). Supporters of the multi-species approach note potential efficiency gains in terms of biodiversity protection and agency resources. By the end of 1998, >55% of all ESA-listed species with recovery plans were covered within multi-species plans. A recent analysis found that species within multi-species plans are significantly more likely to exhibit a declining status trend. Given this finding, we compared single- to multi-species plans and found that multi-species plans reflect a poorer understanding of species-specific biology, are less likely to include adaptive management provisions, and are revised less frequently. USFWS guidelines recommend that species be combined into multi-species plans primarily on the basis of threat similarity. We developed a threat similarity index to evaluate the USFWS's ...