cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TRENDS IN THE PREDICTIVE VALIDITY OF THE SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE TEST

ABSTRACT Changes in the predictive validity of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) that haNe been observed in the University System of Georgia (USGA) over the past two decades were studied. Several analyses were performed using student data from 27 USGA schools to determine the effectiveness of the SAT in predicting freshman grades. National trends indicated that the validity coefficients for high school record (HSR) and HSR+SAT declined from 196' to 1982. Findings from Georgia also demonstrate an appreciable decrease in validity coefficients for the past 6 or 7 years. The decrease in SAT validity coefficients is accompanied by similar variations for high school average (HSA) coefficients and for multiple correlation coefficients involving combinations of HSA and SAT. The same general trends were observed when annual variations were smoothed by computing 5and 10-year averages. These general trends were affected by the variability of student abilities, as measured by the SAT, and academic performance, as reflected in high school and college grades. It is cautioned that decreases in the magnitude of validity coefficients do not mean a decline in the meaning and significance of the SAT as a measure of verbal and mathematical abilities. Appendix A contains 5-year averages in validity coefficients, and Appendix B contains profiles of cooperating institutions. (Contains 9 figures, 15 tables, 27 figures in Appendix A, 23 figures in Appendix B, and 7 references.) (SLD)
Modification of the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor by arachidonate, diethylpyrocarbonate and thiol reagents.

Abstract Peripheral type benzodiazepine receptors are differentially modified by arachidonate, diethylpyrocarbonate and thiol reagents, as evidenced by the finding that binding of a proposed agonist ([3H]R05-4864) and a proposed antagonist ([3H]PK 11195) to rat kidney mitochondrial membranes can be modified separately. (1) Arachidonate significantly lowered the affinity of the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor for R05-4864 and diazepam but did not alter the affinity for PK 11195 and only slightly altered the affinity for dipyridamole. In contrast, diethylpyrocarbonate inhibited [3H]PK 11195 binding by 43% while reducing [3H]R05-4864 binding only 16%. (2) Diethylpyrocarbonate treatment causes a reduction in affinity for both dipyridamole and PK 11195, did not change the affinities for R05-4864 and diazepam but increased the affinities for diuretics. PK 11195, R05-4864 and dipyridamole totally protected peripheral benzodiazepine receptors against inactivation by diethylpyrocarbonate. In contrast, diethylpyrocarbonate inactivation of [3H]PK 11195 binding was increased after preincubation of peripheral benzodiazepine receptors with metolazone. Arachidonate both lowers the affinity for [3H]R05-4864 and eliminated the ability of R05-4864 to protect peripheral benzodiazepine receptors against inactivation by diethylpyrocarbonate. (3) Among different thiol reagents, only dithiothreitol treatment resulted in 26 and 43% inhibition of [3H]PK 11195 and [3H]R05-4864 binding, respectively. These results indicate that the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor molecule possesses at least two different conformations or separate mutually exclusive sites for agonists and antagonists. Additionally, the interaction of the thiazide class of diuretics with peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors seems to require binding sites on the receptor molecule in addition to those for specific agonist and antagonist, whereas dipyridamole appears to bind to the antagonist site or conformation.
Magnetosheath‐ionospheric plasma interactions in the cusp/cleft: 2, Mesoscale particle simulations

Ionospheric plasma flowing out from the cusp can be an important source of plasma to the magnetosphere. One source of free energy that can drive this outflow is the injection of magnetosheath plasma into the cusp. Two-dimensional (three velocity) mesoscale particle simulations are used to investigate the particle dynamics in the cusp during southward interplanetary magnetic field. This mesoscale model self-consistently incorporates (1) global influences such as the convection of plasma across the cusp, the action of the mirror force, and the injection of the magnetosheath plasma, and (2) wave-particle interactions which produce the actual coupling between the magnetosheath and ionospheric plasmas. It is shown that, because the thermal speed of the electrons is higher than the bulk motion of the magnetosheath plasma, an upward current is formed on the equatorward edge of the injection region with return currents on either side. However, the poleward return currents are the stronger due to the convection and mirroring of many of the magnetosheath electrons. The electron distribution in this latter region evolves from upward directed streams to single-sided loss cones or possibly electron conics. The ion distribution also shows a variety of distinct features that are produced by spatial and/or temporal effects associated with varying convection patterns and wave-particle interactions. On the equatorward edge the distribution has a downflowing magnetosheath component and an upflowing cold ionospheric component due to continuous convection of ionospheric plasma into the region. In the center of the magnetosheath region, heating from the development of an ion-ion streaming instability causes the suppression of the cold ionospheric component and the formation of downward ionospheric streams. Further poleward there is velocity filtering of ions with low pitch angles, so that the magnetosheath ions develop a ring-beam distribution and the ensuing wave instabilities generate downward ionospheric conics. These downward ionospheric components are eventually turned by the mirror force, leading to the production of upward conics at elevated energies throughout the region.
Calibrating the Z-magnification of atomic force microscope below 10 nm by single-atom steps

Abstract This study identifies a procedure for the calibration of the Z-magnification of an atomic force microscope below 10 nm by single-atom steps and gives an uncertainty evaluation. A Si(111) surface with periodically arranged single-atom steps was used as a standard reference. The lattice constant of the Si(111) is 0.312 nm, which is traced to SI units through X-ray diffraction. The 33 layers of continuous stacked single-atom steps were scanned and step heights ranging from 0.3 nm to 10 nm were measured and analyzed. The influential factors of calibration for the Z-magnification of an atomic force microscope were identified to estimate the uncertainty according to ISO/IEC Guide 98-3:2008. The relative expanded uncertainties ranged from 4.7% to 5.9%.
Atomic Layer Deposition of W:Al2O3 Nanocomposite Films with Tunable Resistivity†

Nanocomposite tungsten-aluminum oxide (W:Al2O3) thin films were prepared by atomic layer deposition (ALD) using tungsten hexafluoride (WF6) and disilane (Si2H6) for the W ALD and trimethyl aluminum (TMA) and H2O for the Al2O3 ALD. Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) measurements performed using various W cycle percentages revealed that the W ALD inhibits the Al2O3 ALD and vice versa. Despite this inhibition, the relationship between W content and W cycle percentage was close to that predicted by theoretical calculations based on the growth per cycle values of binary compounds. Depth profiling XPS showed that the (W:Al2O3) films were uniform in composition and contained Al, O, and metallic W as expected, but also included significant F and C. Cross-sectional TEM revealed the composite film structure to be metallic nanoparticles (∼1 nm) embedded in an amorphous matrix. The resistivity of these composite films could be tuned in the range of 1012–108 Ω cm by adjusting the W cycle percentage between 10% and 30%W. These films have applications in electron multipliers as well as electron and ion optics.
Availability of Healthy Food: Does Block Group Race and Income Matter?

Grounded in community-based participatory research, this study assesses the food environment in a health-disparate city and determines whether differences exist in healthy food availability by block group race and income. Sixty stores and 124 restaurants were systematically audited using the Nutrition Environment Measures Survey (NEMS). The findings show low availability of healthy food options in low-income and predominately black block groups. Middle- to high-income white block groups had the highest availabilities of healthy items. Results will be disseminated through a community–academic partnership to prioritize future action.
Benefits of centerline analysis for CT colonography computer-aided polyp detection

The purpose of this paper is to assess colonic distension and length and to evaluate a polyp matching algorithm on prone and supine studies in CT colonography (CTC) computer aided diagnosis (CAD). Our CTC CAD software was used to reconstruct the colonic surface, to compute the colon centerline and to detect spatial positions of polyps. Normalized distance along the centerline (NDAC) and colon distension at each polyp were compared in prone and supine positions. 8 patients presented 12 polyps detected in both supine and prone positions and confirmed by colonoscopy. NDAC for all polyps were very similar in supine/prone positions. The average NDAC differences were 0.01 ± 0.01 which indicates excellent agreement. Colon profiles (distension vs. DAC) were not similar in supine/prone positions due to high variability of colonic distension and mobility of the colon when the patient was repositioned. However the final colon lengths and average distension were very similar (average difference was 4.5%). Also, as could be expected from normal anatomy, the cecum and rectum tended to have the greatest distension and the rectum tended to be better distended on the prone exam. The colon centerline provides a natural coordinate reference and is a useful tool for CTC CAD.
Arsenic enrichment in lakes near the smelters at Sudbury, Ontario

Roughly 200 tonnes of arsenic are produced annually with the base metal ores at Sudbury about 125 tonnes of which are released to the ambient environment via the atmosphere. The dispersion of this highly toxic element in lakes around the smelters is described. The total As concentrations in unfiltered lake waters vary from 0.2 to 0.6 ug 1−1. The suspended particulates in the water column (with As contents of 2–6 ug g−1) play a major role in the flux of arsenic to the lake sediments. The present-day rates of As accumulation in the sediments are found to be 1.5–6.4 mg m−2 yr−1; these rates exceed those of precolonial times by factors of 5–47. The changes in the rates of As flux to the sediments are shown to parallel the history of Cu and Ni production in the district.
Design of a fast variable-frequency Josephson shift register

The design of a very-high-speed Josephson junction shift register is presented. Computer simulations show that the circuit can be operated with a two-phase sinusoidal clock at frequencies over 60 GHz. The shift register is based on using nonlatching superconducting interferometric switches to shift a bias current between arms of superconducting loops. The operating margins of the circuit are discussed. >
An Analysis of the Impact of Global Warming on Hurricane Activity in the United States

This paper discusses the influence of global warming on ocean temperatures, and explains how vertical wind shear affects hurricane formation. It explores the scientific arguments against linking global warming to increased hurricanes, that ocean warming increases vertical wind shear in the main development region for Atlantic hurricanes, and that current/recent American hurricane trends fall within the realm of natural, multidecadal oscillations. Arguments supporting the link between global warming and hurricanes are addressed with climate modeling that links sea surface temperature (SST) increase to anthropogenic causes. It discusses SST’s influencing hurricane activity globally, if not locally to the U.S., and points to the need for consensus and action.
Domain Characterization of a 4-α-Glucanotransferase Essential for Maltose Metabolism in Photosynthetic Leaves

Maltose metabolism during the conversion of transitory (leaf) starch to sucrose requires a 4-α-glucanotransferase (EC 2.4.1.25) in the cytosol of leaf cells. This enzyme is called DPE2 because of its similarity to the disproportionating enzyme in plastids (DPE1). DPE1 does not use maltose; it primarily transfers a maltosyl unit from one maltotriose to a second maltotriose to make glucose and maltopentaose. DPE2 is a modular protein consisting of a family 77 glycosyl hydrolase domain, similar to DPE1, but unlike DPE1 the domain is interrupted by an insertion of ∼150 amino acids as well as an N-terminal extension that consists of two carbohydrate binding modules. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the DPE2-type enzyme is present in a limited but highly diverse group of organisms. Here we show that DPE2 transfers the non-reducing glucosyl unit from maltose to glycogen by a ping-pong mechanism. The forward reaction (consumption of maltose) is specific for the β-anomer of maltose, while the reverse reaction (production of maltose) is not stereospecific for the acceptor glucose. Additionally, through deletion mutants we show that the glycosyl hydrolase domain alone provides disproportionating activity with a much higher affinity for short maltodextrins than the complete wild-type enzyme, while absence of the carbohydrate binding modules completely abolishes activity with large complex carbohydrates, reflecting the presumed function of DPE2 in vivo.
Eclogites, Pyroxene Geotherm, and Layered Mantle Convection

Temperatures of equilibration for the majority (81 percent) of the eclogite xenoliths of the Roberts Victor kimberlite pipe in South Africa range between 1000° and 1250°C, falling essentially on the gap of the lower limb of the subcontinental inflected geotherm derived from garnet peridotite xenoliths. In view of the Archean age (>2.6 x 109 years) of these eclogites and their stratigraphic position on the geotherm, it is proposed that the inflected part of the geotherm represents the convective boundary layer beneath the conductive lid of the lithospheric plate. The gradient of 8 Celsius degrees per kilometer for the inflection is characteristic of a double thermal boundary layer and suggests layered convection rather than whole mantle convection for the earth.
Transport time of volatile and nonvolatile fission products in a gas jet

Abstract Transport times for volatile and nonvolatile fission products in a gas jet were determined using the facility at the Ford Nuclear Reactor of the University of Michigan. A mixture of ethylene and nitrogen was used to sweep the fission products from the target chamber in the gas jet. Activated charcoal traps [C] and quartz wool traps [QW] were used to collect the volatile and nonvolatile fission products respectively. The trap was positioned in front of a HPGe detector. A “stopped-flow” technique was used for the transport time measurement. The gas flow was controlled with electrically operated valves; the application of power to the valves also triggered the counting in multiscaler mode. Measurements were carried out for two target pressures. For each pressure a number of measurements were done with the charcoal and the quartz wool traps. For a target pressure of 4 psi above atmosphere transport times of 432 ± 41 and 432 ± 23 ms were obtained for the volatile [C] and nonvolatile [QW] fission products respectively; at about atmospheric pressure the corresponding values were 458 ± 33 and 443 ± 38 ms. The values indicated that there is no significant difference in the transport time for the volatile and nonvolatile fission products in a gas jet.
Sparse matrix techniques applied to deconvolution

Abstract Sparse matrix techniques are applied to the problem of image deconvolution. This method allows the solution of practical deconvolution problems with spatially varying PSFs in a computationally efficient manner. This paper contains a description of this algorithm, its performance in terms of computational requirements, and presents results for sample calculations.
Differential Mucosal Susceptibility in HIV-1 Transmission and Infection:

HIV infection occurs primarily through mucosal surfaces, indicating that protection at mucosal sites may be crucial in prevention and treatment. The host innate and adaptive immune elements provide a level of protection, which differs between mucosal compartments, and appears to be most successful in the oral environment, where transmission is rare. In addition to the distinct oral mucosal architecture and cellular constituents, oral fluids, unlike other mucosal secretions, are rarely a vehicle for HIV infection. Multiple soluble factors may contribute to this antiviral activity, including neutralizing antibodies, secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), antiviral peptides such as defensins and cystatins, glycoproteins including thrombospondin and lactoferrin, and complement components. Understanding the antiviral activities of these and other potential resistance factors is becoming increasingly important in attempts to design treatments in the era of HAART resistance. In this regard, the mechanism of anti-HIV action of SLPI has recently been further elucidated by the discovery of its binding protein/receptor, which plays a key role in the infection of macrophages and may consequently be a novel therapeutic target. Continued elucidation of the unique features of mucosal HIV immunology is essential for understanding HIV pathogenesis and for developing effective vaccines and therapeutics.
A note on closed maps and compact sets

Some results relating closed maps to compact sets, which are already known for metrizable spaces, are here proved in a more general setting. Examples are given to indicate barriers to further improvements.
3D x-ray angiography: study of factors affecting projection data consistency

The use of a C-arm radiographic system for 3D reconstruction of opacified vasculature presents several computational and engineering challenges. Factors that may lead to inconsistency at the projection data set and subsequent reconstruction errors include image noise, variations in vessel opacification during the acquisition, and inaccurate determination of the imaging geometry. We have utilized simulations to study the effect of these factors on 3D reconstruction with algebraic reconstruction technique (ART) in order to identify possible artifacts and loss of image quality in the 3D image. Corrective measures designed to counter artifacts such as smoothing, averaging, and use of constraints with ART have been developed and validated. These studies have made it possible to identify the causes of artifacts in preliminary in vivo applications, and to estimate the tolerance for imperfections in data acquisition. Moreover, these works have established modifications to the reconstruction procedure for reducing image artifacts and improving image quality.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effects of a Virtual Air Speed Error Indicator on Guidance Accuracy and Eye Movement Control during Simulated Flight

We examined whether flight-control performance might be improved by presenting airspeed information to peripheral areas of the visual field using virtual head-up displays (HUDs), and whether participants process these displays using peripheral, rather than central, vision. We found that, compared to a standard HUD speed indicator, a peripherally located virtual speed indicator produced superior altitude control and equivalent or better speed control. Participants' gaze dwell times were more concentrated on flight-path and altitude control information as compared to speed information for the virtual HUD speed indicator. Gaze patterns showed that participants processed the virtual speed indicator with peripheral vision while they needed to directly fixate the traditional military standard HUD speed indicator in central vision. We believe the virtual display allowed participants to acquire speed information in a manner consistent with naturally-evolved orienting processes and therefore reduced central visual...
Qualitative analysis of excess dielectric properties of binary mixtures, ternary mixtures and mixing dynamics measurement using surface plasmon resonance

The analysis of the excess dielectric properties for various binary mixtures and a ternary mixture is demonstrated using a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor. Strong deviations from ideality are seen using SPR to monitor deviations in the dielectric properties following mixing. Binary mixtures with similar refractive index were measured: hexanes/isopropanol, n-heptanes/propanol, 1-acetoxy-2-methoxyethane/2-methoxyethanol, butanol/dipropylamine, hexanes/ethylacetate, and ethylacetate/isopropanol binary mixtures. The ternary mixture was composed of 60 different proportions of hexanes, isopropanol, and ethylacetate. Using SPR, mixing dynamics is easily accessible. The mixing of hexanes and isopropanol in static solution was monitored.
Ovarian dysplasia in epithelial inclusion cysts. A morphometric approach using neural networks

Background. Ovarian dysplasia has been described in the ovarian surface epithelium by histologic and morphometric studies. This study evaluates ovarian dysplasia in epithelial inclusion cysts adjacent to overt carcinoma and also incidentally found in ovaries removed for nonneoplastic diseases, including oophorectomies for family history of ovarian cancer, using an artificial neural network. Methods. Histologic sections from 37 ovaries of which 26 were diagnosed with dysplasia in epithelial inclusion cysts (10 adjacent to carcinoma and 16 incidental) and 11 with benign epithelial inclusion cysts were evaluated by tracing nuclear profiles and assessing measures of nuclear area, shape, and texture. These sections were analyzed using artificial neural networks and also statistically using the Kruskal-Wallis test with the Dunn procedure to compare the morphologic similarity of dysplasia found incidentally in inclusion cysts unrelated to carcinoma from that in inclusion cysts adjacent to carcinoma. Results. Neither statistical nor artificial neural network analysis was able to distinguish between incidental and adjacent dysplasia. Both types differed significantly from the control cases. Conclusions. Neural networks are powerful classification tools when applied to multiple variables extracted from individual cases. In this study, they helped to substantiate the similarity between dysplasia found incidentally and that adjacent to ovarian carcinoma. Because dysplasia represents a potential precancerous lesion, its incidental finding may help identify patients at risk for developing ovarian carcinoma. Cancer 1995;76:1027-34.
Phacoemulsification and the retina: cystoid macular edema.

Summary One thousand fifty-five consecutive unselected cataract extractions with the phacoemulsifier were studied. Results indicate a definitely decreased incidence of CME if the posterior capsule is left intact permanently (Table 6), which is possible with a careful technique using the phacoemulsifier.
Inversion of experimental data to extract intermolecular and intramolecular potentials

We present a general nonlinear inverse method utilizing discrete experimental data to extract inter- and intramolecular potential energy surfaces. The inverse method is formulated in terms of perturbation expansions of the experimental data upon the functional variations of the underlying potential energy surface--a functional sensitivity analysis approach. A distinction is drawn between the inverse method and the conventional parameter fitting procedure in that the former treats the potential energy surfaces as continuous functions of the internuclear coordinates, whereas the latter is based on restricted forms with a small number of parameters. The possible numerical instability of molecular nonlinear inverse problems is examined in detail using singular function expansion analysis and is overcome using the Tikhonov regularization method, which incorporates the a priori smooth properties of the sought-after potential energy surfaces. Numerical studies show that the iterative inversion procedure based on this inverse method is generic, efficient, and stable and is capable of accurately rendering physically acceptable potential energy surfaces for a variety of problems--either spectroscopic or collisional and one-dimensional or multidimensional. An example employing actual laboratory data has been successfully inverted. Application of the method to small polyatomic systems of current interest and improvement of the method by including higher-ordermore » sensitivity densities are also discussed. 84 refs., 9 figs.« less
Nuclear magnetic resonance characterization of a paramagnetic DNA-drug complex with high spin cobalt; assignment of the 1H and 31P NMR spectra, and determination of electronic, spectroscopic and molecular properties.

The proton NMR spectrum of the ternary complex between the octamer duplex d(TTGGCCAA)2, two molecules of the drug chromomycin-A3, and a divalent cobalt ion has been assigned. Assignment procedures used standard two-dimensional techniques and relied upon the expected NOE contacts observed in the equivalent diamagnetic complex containing zinc. The magnetic susceptibility tensor for the cobalt was determined and used to calculate shifts for all nuclei, aiding in the assignment process and verification. Relaxation, susceptibility, temperature and field dependence studies of the paramagnetic spectrum enabled determination of electronic properties of the octahedral cobalt complex. The electronic relaxation rate τs was determined to be 2.5 ± 1.5 ps; the effective isotropic g value was found to be 2.6 ± 0.2, indicating strong spin-orbit coupling. The magnetic susceptibility tensor was determined to be χxx = 8.9 * 10-3 cm3/mol, χyy = 9.5 * 10-3 cm3/mol, χzz = 12.8 * 10-3 cm3/mol. A tentative rotational correlation time of 8 ns was obtained for the complex. Both macroscopic and microscopic susceptibility measurements revealed deviations from Curie behavior over the temperature range accessible in the study. Non-selective relaxation rates were found to be inaccurate for defining distances from the metal center. However, pseudocontact shifts could be calculated with high accuracy using the dipolar shift equation. Isotropic hyperfine shifts were factored into contact and dipolar terms, revealing that the dipolar shift predominates and that contact shifts are relatively small.
Information Transmission with Cheap and Almost-Cheap Talk ⁄

Communication in practice typically occurs through multiple channels, not all of which permit costless misrepresentation of private information. Accordingly, I study a model of strategic information transmission based on Crawford and Sobel (1982), but allow for communication through both cheap talk and messages on a second dimension where misreporting is costly. Using a forward-induction reflnement, I characterize a class of equilibria with appealing properties. As the costs of misreporting become small, talk is almost-cheap, and the model is arbitrarily close to the pure cheap talk model. However, not all equilibria of the pure cheap talk model are limits of the equilibria with misreporting costs, and a simple condition is derived to determine which cheap talk equilibria are robust in this sense. I show that under a standard assumption, the mostinformative cheap talk equilibrium is indeed robust, whereas the babbling equilibrium is not unless it is the unique cheap talk equilibrium. This provides a novel rationale for focussing on the more informative equilibria of the cheap talk game, without invoking cooperative justiflcations such as the Pareto criterion.
Spatial datbase feasibility for facial characterization using fuzzy logic queries

The human face is an important and unique characteristic that can be tracked and categorized for facial recognition use in security and criminal justice applications. This feasibility study attempts to quantify what portions of the face should be captured and how to harness the enhanced capabilities of spatial database packages to extract spatial information over traditional relational databases. In addition, this study incorporates spatial databases with research in community learned perceptions of a set of faces and their translation into fuzzy queries done by a joint database research group. If successful, users can ask both detailed and flexible questions about the relationships between spatial features of the faces such as nose length to chin position.
DISAPPOINTING INITIAL RESULTS WITH TRANSURETHRAL ALPROSTADIL FOR ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION IN A UROLOGY PRACTICE SETTING

AbstractPurpose: We evaluate the response to intraurethral alprostadil administration using the Medicated Urethral System for Erection (MUSE*) in unselect men with a history of erectile dysfunction. We determine the effects on blood pressure during in office monitoring and assess safety of this form of treatment. We compare the efficacy of MUSE in an office setting with the placebo controlled pivotal study.Materials and Methods: A total of 115 men with erectile dysfunction underwent in office testing with MUSE following the algorithm recommended by the manufacturer and outlined in the original pivotal study. Patients were asked to rate the rigidity of erection from 1 to 5 with scores 4 and 5 for erections sufficient for intercourse, and level of discomfort from 1 (very uncomfortable) to 5 (very comfortable) at 15-minute intervals. Patients who did not achieve a sufficient erection were scheduled to return for in office testing using the next higher dose up to 1,000 micro g. Patient supine and sitting bloo...
A study update of mortality in workers at a phosphate fertilizer production facility

Objective To evaluate the mortality experience among 3,199 workers employed 1951–1976 at a phosphate fertilizer production plant in central Florida with follow-up through 2011. Methods Cause-specific standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for the full cohort were calculated with the U.S. population as referent. Lung cancer and leukemia risks were further analyzed using conditional logistic regression. Results The mortality due to all-causes (SMR = 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–1.13, observed deaths [n] = 1,473), all-cancers (SMR = 1.16, 95%CI 1.06–1.28, n = 431), and a priori outcomes of interests including lung cancer (SMR = 1.32, 95%CI = 1.13–1.53, n = 168) and leukemia (SMR = 1.74, 95%CI = 1.11–2.62, n = 23) were statistically significantly elevated. Regression modeling on employment duration or estimated radiation scores did not show exposure–response relation with lung cancer or leukemia mortality. Conclusion SMR results showed increased lung cancer and leukemia mortality in a full cohort of the phosphate fertilizer production facility. There was, however, no exposure–response relation observed among cases and matched controls. Am. J. Ind. Med. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Role Of Student Performance Reviews In A Teacher Preparation Program: Can This Teacher Candidate Be Saved?

Teacher preparation programs assess students’ knowledge, skills, and dispositions throughout the program. When concerns about student performance arise, the Student Performance Review is a vehicle for “saving” teacher candidates.
Potential Entrants and Projections in Markov Process Analysis

Markov processes, despite their limitations, are becoming more widely used as a method of making projections of size and income distributions. The number of potential entrants to an industry or a population assumed in an analysis has an important effect on both short-run projections and equilibrium solutions. The number of potential entrants is not a passive variable, as has often been said or implied. Through the use of changes in the number and size of dairy farms in New York State as an example, alternative projections in the short run are presented for different assumptions about the number of potential entrants. The general case is developed algebraically for the effect of the number of potential entrants assumed (N) on the equilibrium solution for the vector t.
Mobility effects on base station selection in wireless CDMA networks

This paper presents an examination of the effects of specific mobility parameters on handoff in wireless CDMA systems. Current standards allow multiple simultaneous base station connections. This set of active base stations indicates quality of the transmission as well as load distribution on the network. The movement of a user within the network has a significant impact on the behavior of the active set. Simulations of a handoff algorithm for next generation systems are performed using realistic variables. The effects of specific mobility parameters are shown by generating a set of trajectories to a common intersection point. Handoff measures are compared among different paths within this trajectory set. Simulations and analysis demonstrate that mobility parameters have a direct influence on connectivity and transmission quality. It is shown that the angle of approach to a specific location significantly affects which base stations the mobile is connected to at that location. More precisely, the distance from base stations along this path affects the selection of base stations for the active set.
Square Root Problem of Kato for the Sum of Operators

This paper is concerned with the square root problem of Kato for the "sum" of linear operators in a Hilbert space ${\mathbb H}$. Under suitable assumptions, we show that if $A$ and $B$ are respectively m-scetroial linear operators satisfying the square root problem of Kato. Then the same conclusion still holds for their "sum". As application, we consider perturbed Schr\"{o}dinger operators.
Screening Helical CT for Evaluation of Blunt Traumatic Injury in the Pregnant Patient

Pregnant patients who sustain severe blunt trauma are infrequently encountered in most practices. However, detection of internal injuries including those to the gravid uterus is essential since maternal disability or fetal loss are physical and psychologic catastrophes that have long-term effects on the mother and her family. Computed tomography (CT) is commonly used to detect blunt traumatic injuries and can play an important role in the screening of the injured pregnant woman. The normal gravid uterus and physiologic changes of pregnancy can confound CT interpretation. Inhomogeneous enhancement of placental cotyledons, hydronephrosis, and enlarged ovarian veins are normal findings. Avascular regions in the placenta indicate infarction or abruption with impending fetal demise. Although CT can demonstrate uterine rupture and retroperitoneal hemorrhage, direct detection of fetal injuries is rare. Fetal demise is more common when maternal injuries include trauma to the uterus. Although screening ultrasonogr...
The effects of different interpolated ITI stimulus-conditioned stimulus intervals on the acquisition of the classically conditioned nictitating membrane response of the rabbit

Acquisition rates of the rabbit’s classically conditioned nictitating membrane response were determined for three experimental groups, subjected to 5 sec white noise bursts at 10, 30, or 50 sec after CS-US offset, and compared with the performance of a non-noise control group. Bursts of white noise in the ITI significantly depressed conditioning rates, with the greatest depression produced by the 30 sec post-US burst.
Spatial and temporal dynamics of habitat selection across canopy gradients generates patterns of species richness and composition in aquatic beetles

Colonisation is a critical ecological process influencing both population and community level dynamics by connecting spatially discrete habitat patches. How communities respond to both natural and anthropogenic disturbances, furthermore, requires a basic understanding of how any environmental change modifies colonisation rates. For example, disturbance-induced shifts in the quantity of forest cover surrounding aquatic habitats have been associated with the distribution and abundance of numerous aquatic taxa. However, the mechanisms generating these broad and repeatable field patterns are unclear. 2. Such patterns of diversity could result from differential spatial mortality post colonisation, or from colonisation alone if species select sites non-randomly along canopy coverage gradients. We examined the colonisation/oviposition dynamics of aquatic beetles in experimental ponds placed under both open and closed forest canopies. 3. Canopy coverage imposed a substantial behavioural filter on the colonisation and reproduction of aquatic beetles representing multiple trophic levels, and resulted in significantly higher abundance, richness, and oviposition activity in open canopy ponds. These patterns strengthened overtime; although early in the experiment, the most abundant beetle had similar abundance in open and closed ponds. However, its abundance subsequently declined and then most other species heavily colonised open canopy ponds. 4. The primary response of many aquatic species to disturbances that generate canopy coverage gradients surrounding aquatic ecosystems is behavioural. The magnitude of the colonisation responses reported here rivals, if not exceeds, those produced by predators, suggesting that aquatic landscapes are behaviourally assessed and partitioned across multiple environmental gradients. The community level structure produced solely by selective colonisation, is predicted to strongly modify how patch area and isolation affect colonisation rates and the degree to which communities are linked by the flux of individuals and species.
Albuterol Delivery via Tracheostomy Tube

HYPOTHESIS: Albuterol delivery through a tracheostomy tube is affected by device (nebulizer vs metered-dose inhaler), interface (mask vs T-piece), bias flow, and humidification. METHODS: A lift bar was placed between the chambers of a dual-chambered lung model such that a ventilator triggered simulated spontaneous breathing at a rate of 20 breaths/min, tidal volume of 0.4 L, and inspiratory-expiratory ratio of 1:2. An 8-mm inner diameter cuffed tracheostomy tube was placed through a semi-circular model that simulated a patient’s neck. Four conditions of gas flow and humidification were used for the nebulizer experiments: heated aerosol (approximately 30 L/min, approximately 30°C), heated humidity (approximately 30 L/min, approximately 30°C), high flow without added humidity (approximately 30 L/min), or a nebulizer attached to the tracheostomy tube without additional flow. The nebulizer was filled with 4 mL that contained 2.5 mg of albuterol, and operated at 8 L/min. The nebulizer was tested with a T-piece or tracheostomy mask. For the metered-dose inhaler experiments, a spacer was used and actuation of the inhaler (100 g per actuation) was synchronized with inhalation (4 actuations separated by > 15 s). When the spacer was used without additional flow, a valved T-piece was used with a 1-way valve placed either proximal or distal to the spacer. A filter was attached between the lung model and the distal end of the tracheostomy tube. Albuterol washed from the filter was measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometry. RESULTS: For the nebulizer, the most efficient delivery was with no flow other than that to power the nebulizer and with a T-piece (p < 0.001). The most efficient method for aerosol delivery was metered-dose inhaler with a valved T-piece and placement of the 1-way valve in the proximal position (p < 0.001). The effect of humidity was unclear from the results of this study. CONCLUSIONS: Albuterol delivery via tracheostomy was affected by the delivery device (nebulizer vs inhaler), bias gas flow, and the patient interface. Key words: aerosol, bronchodilator, metereddose inhaler, nebulizer, tracheostomy. [Respir Care 2005;50(8):1071–1076. © 2005 Daedalus Enterprises]
Novel expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors in human B-cell precursors.

Eukaryotic cell division is regulated by cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK), and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CKI). Genes encoding these proteins are mutated or deleted in many types of cancer. For example, 20%-30% of B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALL) have deletions in the CKI known as INK4a. The contribution of INK4a deletions to the progression of B-lineage ALL is uncertain, partially due to a paucity of data on expression in normal B-cell precursors. We therefore conducted a comparative analysis of normal and leukemic human B-cell development for the expression of cyclins, CDK, and CKI. Specific stages of human B-cell development from normal bone marrow were purified by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. The sorted populations and B-lineage ALL cell lines (BLIN-1, 2, 3, 4) were examined for expression of cyclins, CDK, and CKI by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting.RT-PCR analysis showed that cyclin D2, cyclin D3, CDK4, and CDK6 were ubiquitously expressed in normal B-cell development and in the BLIN ALL cell lines. The p19(INK4d) CKI was the most commonly expressed member of the INK4 family, whereas p16(INK4a) was more weakly and variably expressed. Expression of the p57(KIP2) CKI varied as a function of the stage of B-cell development. Analysis of normal B-cell precursors by Western blotting indicated that CDK4, CDK6, p19(INK4d), and p57(KIP2) were expressed, whereas p16(INK4a) was not detected. Cyclin D/CDK expression in normal and leukemic human B-cell precursors is similar to expression of these proteins in human and murine mature B cells. In contrast, the ubiquitous expression of p19(INK4d) has not been previously described in human or murine B-lineage cells. Our results suggest that loss of INK4a may only minimally contribute to tumor cell progression in B-lineage ALL, since expression of INK4d could provide a compensatory function as a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor.
Orographic controls on climate and paleoclimate of Asia: thermal and mechanical roles for the Tibetan Plateau.

Prevailing opinion assigns the Tibetan Plateau a crucial role in shaping Asian climate, primarily by heating of the atmosphere over Tibet during spring and summer. Accordingly, the growth of the plateau in geologic time should have written a signature on Asian paleoclimate. Recent work on Asian climate, however, challenges some of these views. The high Tibetan Plateau may affect the South Asian monsoon less by heating the overlying atmosphere than by simply acting as an obstacle to southward flow of cool, dry air. The East Asian “monsoon” seems to share little in common with most monsoons, and its dynamics may be affected most by Tibet's lying in the path of the subtropical jet stream. Although the growing plateau surely altered Asian climate during Cenozoic time, the emerging view of its role in present-day climate opens new challenges for interpreting observations of both paleoclimate and modern climate.
Validation of a McKinney-Vento Act Implementation Scale

Objective: The McKinney-Vento Act (MVA) is the primary federal policy addressing homelessness in America with specific mandates designed to ameliorate the effects homelessness has on educational at...
A case of CNS cryptococcosis presenting with slowly alternating skew deviation

Alternating skew deviation is a rare malfunction of vertical ocular motility, which has previously been described with lesions of the brainstem and cerebellum, although the precise localization is unknown. We describe an HIV seronegative patient with CNS cryptococcosis, whose initial presentation included slowly alternating skew deviation.
Sartre, phenomenology and the subjective approach to race and ethnicity in Black Orpheus

While Appiah and Soyinka criticize racial essentializing in Sartre and the Negritude poets, Sartre in Black Orpheus interprets the Negritudinists as employing a phenomenological, anamnestic retrieval of subjective experience. This retrieval uncovers two ethical attitudes: a less exploitative approach toward nature, and a conversion of slavery’s suffering into a stimulus for universal liberation. These attitudes spring from peasant cultural traditions and ethical responses to others’ race-based cruelty, rather than emanating from mystified ‘blackness’. Alfred Schutz’s because-motive analysis, a process of narrative self-constitution, renders plausible these linkages the Negritudinists draw between themselves and peasant or slave ancestors. Such narratives, customarily constructed in common sense by European- and African-Americans, regularly involve mythic elements, serve laudable ethical purposes and require continual theoretical critique by anthropology, genetics and ethics. Theory, though, plays only a c...
Osmotic avoidance defective mutants of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

A wild-type strain of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has been shown to avoid high concentrations of a number of sugars and salts. Individual and population assays for this response were developed and mutants were selected for their inability to avoid high concentrations of fructose or NaCl. Seven nonavoiding mutants representing six complementation groups were isolated and characterized. Genetic studies indicate that the mutants each carry a single recessive mutation responsible for the defective osmotic avoidance behavior. The map locations of the six complementation groups identified by these mutations have been determined. Mutants isolated for their inability to avoid fructose are also unable to avoid NaCl and vice versa. The mutants move normally, exhibit normal touch sensitivity, and, like wild type, follow isotherms in a radial thermal gradient. All of the mutants are at least partially defective in the attraction to sodium chloride exhibited by wild type. None of the mutants is temperature sensitive, and all exhibit defective osmotic avoidance behavior as young L1 larvae. Preliminary anatomical studies indicate selective sensory neuron changes in at least one mutant.
Mass Accommodation of H2SO4 and CH3SO3H on Water−Sulfuric Acid Solutions from 6% to 97% RH

The uptake of H2SO4 and CH3SO3H onto particles composed of water and sulfuric acid was studied in a laminar flow reactor at atmospheric pressure. Their first-order gas-phase loss rate coefficients were determined using a chemical ionization mass spectrometer. Relative humidity was varied from 6% to 97% at 295−297.5 K. The mass accommodation coefficient, α, was found to be close to unity for both species. These findings show that α does not limit particle growth rates resulting from H2SO4 and CH3SO3H uptake. Diffusion coefficients in N2 for these two species are also reported and a significant dependence upon relative humidity was seen for H2SO4 but not for CH3SO3H. Last, production of small particles was observed due to the presence of SO2 in particle chargers. Formation of these particles can be significantly reduced by adding an OH scavenger such as propane.