cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surveillance of key parasitic diseases in Baise City from 2006 to 2015

OBJECTIVE To understand and master the infection status of key parasitic diseases in Baise City from 2006 to 2015, so as to provide evidence for the development and adjustment of the control strategy for parasitic diseases. METHODS The relevant information of the final evaluation of the key parasitic diseases in 12 counties (cities and districts) of Baise City from 2006 to 2015 was collected, and analyzed. RESULTS During the period of 2006-2015, a total of 20 654 person-times were investigated for parasitic diseases in Baise City and 1 147 persons were infected, with an average infection rate of 5.55%. In 2006, the infection rate was the highest (28.67%, 362/1 254), while the lowest was in 2013 (2.08%, 44/2 113). The infection rate of Clonorchis sinensis was the highest, and the infection rate of Ascaris lumbricoides was the second. The infection rates of the males and females were 5.35% (631/11 795) and 5.82% (516/8 859) respectively, with no significant difference between them (χ2 = 2.175, P > 0.05). The highest infection rate existed in the 40-49 years group, the rural residents, the farmers and the crowd with the educational level of senior high middle school or above. CONCLUSIONS The infection rate of parasitic diseases presents a decline trend overall in Baise City from 2006 to 2013, however it rebounded in 2014 and 2015. The next step is to strengthen the prevention and control of parasitic diseases by promoting health education, regular insect repellent, and fecundity management.
Neuroradiologists and the Novel Coronavirus.

We wish to extend our gratitude to Drs Mahajan and Hirsch for their succinct and informative editorial on the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.[1][1] The editorial staff at the American Journal of Neuroradiology , at large, should also be recognized for broadening the focus of the journal and publishing
Contrastive Entity Linkage: Mining Variational Attributes From Large Catalogs for Entity Linkage

Presence of near identical, but distinct, entities called entity variations makes the task of data integration challenging. For example, in the domain of grocery products, variations share the same value for attributes such as brand, manufacturer and product line, but differ in other attributes, called variational attributes, such as package size and color. Identifying variations across data sources is an important task in itself and is crucial for identifying duplicates. However, this task is challenging as the variational attributes are often present as a part of unstructured text and are domain dependent. In this work, we propose our approach, Contrastive entity linkage, to identify both entity pairs that are the same and pairs that are variations of each other. We propose a novel unsupervised approach, VarSpot, to mine domain-dependent variational attributes present in unstructured text. The proposed approach reasons about both similarities and differences between entities and can easily scale to large sources containing millions of entities. We show the generality of our approach by performing experimental evaluation on three different domains. Our approach significantly outperforms state-of-the-art learning-based and rule-based entity linkage systems by up to 4% F1 score when identifying duplicates, and up to 41% when identifying entity variations.
Do R&D Tax Credits Work? Evidence from a Panel of Countries 1979-1997

This paper examines the impact of fiscal incentives on the level of R&D investment. An econometric model of R&D investment is estimated using a new panel of data on tax changes and R&D spending in nine OECD countries over a 19-year period (1979-1997). We find evidence that tax incentives are effective in increasing R&D intensity. This is true even after allowing for permanent country-specific characteristics, world macro shocks and other policy influences.We estimate that a 10% fall in the cost of R&D stimulates just over a 1% rise in the level of R&D in the short-run, and just under a 10% rise in R&D in the long-run.
Service Function Chain Deployment with Guaranteed Resilience

Network Function Virtualization (NFV) transforms the implementation of network functions from expensive hardwares to software middleboxes. These software middleboxes, also called Virtual Network Functions (VNFs), are executed on virtualization platforms, which makes them more prone to error compared to dedicated hardwares. One effective way of ensuring VNF robustness is to provision redundancy in the form of deploying backup instances. Flows usually request to be processed by a service chain, consisting of multiple chained VNFs in some order. This paper considers both the resilient VNF deployment and the routing of flows. We deploy both active and backup VNF instances while guaranteeing the required VNF service resilience. Our objective is to minimize the total expected transmission delay of all flows when the probabilistic prior failure information is given. We first formulate our problem mathematically. We discuss the solution for the general network setting. Then, we simplify some setups and propose performance-guaranteed solutions in various scenarios with detailed approximation ratio analysis: for the case of a single flow without backup instances, we propose four optimal solutions corresponding to the settings of link transmission delay and server capacity; for the case of a single flow with backup instances, we extend the algorithms; for the case of two flows without backup instances, we propose efficient algorithms with approximation ratios inspired by the solutions for a single flow.
Multi-Agent Based Distributed Dynamic State Estimation Algorithm for Smart Grid Integrating Intermittent Electric Vehicles

Large number of physical systems such as electric vehicles and energy storage elements are connected to the main grid. Monitoring and regulating of this interconnected cyberphysical power system state within a short period of time is a challenging task, and it can perform by the process of grid state estimation. This paper proposes a multi-agent based optimal distributed dynamic state estimation algorithm for smart grid incorporating intermittent electric vehicles and turbines. After mathematically representation of large-scale grid systems into a compact state-space framework, the smart sensors are installed to get real-time measurements which are manipulated by environmental noise. A distributed smart grid state estimation process is developed and verified. Each agent learns and runs an innovation and consensus type distributed scheme based on local measurements, previous and neighbouring estimated grid states. In this way, each local agent estimated grid state converges to the global consensus estimation over time. The proposed algorithm can effectively reconstruct the original grid states.
Constructing Authenticity on TikTok: Social Norms and Social Support on the "Fun" Platform

Authenticity, generally regarded as coherence between one's inner self and outward behavior, is associated with myriad social values (e.g., integrity) and beneficial outcomes, such as psychological well-being. Scholarship suggests, however, that behaving authentically online is complicated by self-presentation norms that make it difficult to present a complex self as well as encourage sharing positive emotions and facets of self and discourage sharing difficult emotions. In this paper, we position authenticity as a self-presentation norm and identify the sociomaterial factors that contribute to the learning, enactment, and enforcement of authenticity on the short-video sharing platform TikTok. We draw on interviews with 15 U.S. TikTok users to argue that normative authenticity and understanding of TikTok as a "fun" platform are mutually constitutive in supporting a "just be you" attitude on TikTok that in turn normalizes expressions of both positive and difficult emotions and experiences. We consider the social context of TikTok and use an affordance lens to identify anonymity, of oneself and one's audience; association between content and the "For You" landing page; and video modality of TikTok as factors informing authenticity as a self-presentation norm. We argue that these factors similarly contribute to TikTok's viability as a space for social support exchange and address the utility of the comments section as a site for both supportive communication and norm judgment and enforcement. We conclude by considering the limitations of authenticity as social norm and present implications for designing online spaces for social support and connection.
Maintaining the level of operational effectiveness of a CSOC under adverse conditions

The level of operational effectiveness (LOE) is a color-coded performance metric that is monitored by the cybersecurity operations center (CSOC). It is determined using the average time to analyze alerts (AvgTTA) in every hour of shift operation, where the time to analyze an alert (TTA) is the sum of waiting time in the queue and investigation time by the analysts. Ideally, the CSOC managers would set a predetermined baseline target for AvgTTA to be maintained for every hour of shift operation. However, due to adverse events, an imbalance may exist if the alert arrival rate far exceeds the service rate, resulting in high AvgTTA or low LOE. Upon exhausting all the analyst resources, the only option available to a CSOC manager is to discard alerts for restoring the LOE of the CSOC. The paper proposes two strategies: the value-based strategy is developed using a static optimization model while the reinforcement learning-based strategy is developed using a dynamic optimization model. The paper compares various strategies for discarding alerts and measures the following desiderata for comparing them: (1) minimize the number of alerts discarded, (2) ensure highest utilization of analysts, (3) determine the optimal time at which the alerts must be discarded in a shift, and (4) maintain the best possible LOE closest to the baseline target LOE. Results indicate that, overall, the RL strategy is the best performer among all strategies that guarantees the AvgTTA below the threshold value in every hour of shift operation while discarding the fewest number of alerts under adverse events.
Language Acquisition by Animals

Language acquisition by animals is concerned with how the acquisition of linguistic skills by nonhuman animals compares to language acquisition in humans. Although language acquisition by nonhuman animals is not claimed to be identical, or even approximate, to language acquisition by humans, researchers in this area are concerned with the specific cognitive skills of nonhuman animals that are necessary in the productive use and understanding of symbols. Keywords: language; animals; apes; dolphins; parrots
A new strategy for spectroscopic imaging (magnetic resonance imaging)

A novel approach for reducing the imaging artifact in spectroscopic imaging or chemical shift imaging (CSI) is described. In order to reduce the ringing and maintain adequate SNR for the metabolites, the data points in high k-space are measured with one excitation or a few excitations, while those in the low k-space are sampled with many excitations. By virtue of this sampling scheme, the data contain more noise in the high spatial frequency region, and the direct Fourier transform reconstruction will generate a very noisy image. Therefore, a technique based on adaptive smoothing is developed for the reconstruction. From simulated and in vivo proton CSI experiments, it is concluded that the technique is robust and can be used for in vivo applications. >
Submesoscale Processes and Dynamics

Increased spatial resolution in recent observations and modeling has revealed a richness of structure and processes on lateral scales of a kilometer in the upper ocean. Processes at this scale, termed submesoscale, are distinguished by order one Rossby and Richardson numbers; their dynamics are distinct from those of the largely quasi-geostrophic mesoscale, as well as fully three-dimensional, small-scale, processes. Submesoscale pro- cesses make an important contribution to the vertical flux of mass, buoyancy, and trac- ers in the upper ocean. They flux potential vorticity through the mixed layer, enhance communication between the pycnocline and surface, and play a crucial role in changing the upper-ocean stratification and mixed-layer structure on a time scale of days. In this review, we present a synthesis of upper-ocean submesoscale processes, arising in the presence of lateral buoyancy gradients. We describe their generation through fron- togenesis, unforced instabilities, and forced motions due to buoyancy loss or down-front winds. Using the semi-geostrophic (SG) framework, we present physical arguments to help interpret several key aspects of submesoscale flows. These include the development of narrow elongated regions with O(1) Rossby and Richardson numbers through fron- togenesis, intense vertical velocities with a downward bias at these sites, and secondary circulations that redistribute buoyancy to stratify the mixed layer. We review some of the first parameterizations for submesoscale processes that attempt to capture their con- tribution to, firstly, vertical buoyancy fluxes and restratification by mixed layer insta- bilities and, secondly, the exchange of potential vorticity between the wind- and buoyancy- forced surface, mixed layer, and pycnocline. Submesoscale processes are emerging as vi- tal for the transport of biogeochemical properties, for generating spatial heterogeneity that is critical for biogeochemical processes and mixing, and for the transfer of energy from the meso to small scales. Several studies are in progress to model, measure, ana- lyze, understand, and parameterize these motions.
Kinematic and kinetic comparisons of arm and hand reaching movements with mild and moderate gravity-supported, computer-enhanced armeo?spring: A case study

N and novel robotic device has been used to facilitate Stroke rehabilitation of the paretic arm. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of Armeo®Spring (Hocoma, Inc.), a gravity-supported, computer-enhanced robotic devise, on reaching movements while using two different gravity-support levels (mild and moderate weight support) on individuals with stroke.One stroke subject and one gender-matched healthy control performeda computer-based reaching task under two gravity weight-support conditions (mild and moderate) provided by the Armeo®Spring device. Reaching cycle was divided into five phases (initiation, reaching, grasping, transporting, and releasing).We assessed joint angles for the glenohumeral and elbow joints throughout the reaching cycle,three kinematic parameters (completion time, moving velocity, acceleration), one kinetic parameter (vertical force acting on the forearm) for various instances and phases of the reaching motion. In addition, we examined sevenmuscle activation patterns and the mean magnitude of the electromyography (EMG) signal was presented as a percentage of the subject’s maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Within the healthy control subject, results demonstrated no significant differences in many parameters between mild to moderate gravity-support levels. However, with higher weight-support of the paretic arm, the stroke subject results revealed a significant decrease in the cycle mean completion time (p= 0.042), specificallyin mean completion time of the grasping phase, and significant decrease in the average EMG magnitude. The significant differences in movement performance between mild and moderate physical weight support suggesteda preliminary result that the gravitysupported mechanism provides a mean to facilitate functional upper limb motor performance in individuals with stroke.
Rain problem for a moving object

When you are walking under the rain, to have minimum wetness what should you do? Walk slowly? The answer to this question is both yes and no. It will be yes if you would be under the rain for a fixed period, say one hour. It will be no if you have to walk under the rain for a fixed distance, say 1 kilometre. When this question was first asked to us, we immediately tried to formulate the problem using mathematics which gives a precise understanding of what is actually happening. In the first section we derive the total wetness function for a one dimensional motion of an inclined plane. We show that for a fixed distance, increasing velocity is better whereas for a fixed time, decreasing the velocity is better. In section 2 we generalize the motion to two dimensions. In both sections calculus is the single tool used. In section 3 variational calculus is used to find the optimum path for minimum wetness. In section 4 inclined rain is investigated whereas in sections 5 and 6 we generalize the analysis to arbit...
Undescribed muscle bundle of the human uterus: Fasciculus cervicoangularis

Abstract Two unique and heretofore undescribed muscle bundles are present at the lateral aspect of the uterine body. These structures, which extend from the cornua to the cervix, have been designated fasciculus cervicoangularis (FCA). Light microscopic studies of these bundles demonstrate distinct large cells with faint PAS positivity, most numerous in the region of the cervix, although similar cells were located in all three muscle layers of the uterine wall. Ultrastructural study of these large cells revealed numerous mitochondria and a unique arrangement of the tonofilaments. A conduction role is postulated for these anatomic structures.
Preoperative 4D CT Localization of Nonlocalizing Parathyroid Adenomas by Ultrasound and SPECT-CT.

ObjectiveTo evaluate 4-dimensional (4D) computed tomography (CT) for the localization of parathyroid adenomas previously considered nonlocalizing on ultrasound and single-photon emission CT with CT scanning (SPECT-CT). To measure radiation exposure associated with 4D-CT and compared it with SPECT-CT.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingUniversity tertiary hospital.Subjects and MethodsNineteen adults with primary hyperparathyroidism who underwent preoperative 4D CT from November 2013 through July 2014 after nonlocalizing preoperative ultrasound and technetium-99m SPECT-CT scans. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and accuracy of 4D CT were evaluated.ResultsNineteen patients (16 women and 3 men) were included with a mean age of 66 years (range, 39-80 years). Mean preoperative parathyroid hormone level was 108.5 pg/mL (range, 59.3-220.9 pg/mL), and mean weight of the excised gland was 350 mg (range, 83-797 mg). 4D CT sensitivity and specificity for localization to the patient’s correct ...
Parvalbumin+ Neurons and Npas1+ Neurons Are Distinct Neuron Classes in the Mouse External Globus Pallidus

Compelling evidence suggests that pathological activity of the external globus pallidus (GPe), a nucleus in the basal ganglia, contributes to the motor symptoms of a variety of movement disorders such as Parkinson9s disease. Recent studies have challenged the idea that the GPe comprises a single, homogenous population of neurons that serves as a simple relay in the indirect pathway. However, we still lack a full understanding of the diversity of the neurons that make up the GPe. Specifically, a more precise classification scheme is needed to better describe the fundamental biology and function of different GPe neuron classes. To this end, we generated a novel multicistronic BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) transgenic mouse line under the regulatory elements of the Npas1 gene. Using a combinatorial transgenic and immunohistochemical approach, we discovered that parvalbumin-expressing neurons and Npas1-expressing neurons in the GPe represent two nonoverlapping cell classes, amounting to 55% and 27% of the total GPe neuron population, respectively. These two genetically identified cell classes projected primarily to the subthalamic nucleus and to the striatum, respectively. Additionally, parvalbumin-expressing neurons and Npas1-expressing neurons were distinct in their autonomous and driven firing characteristics, their expression of intrinsic ion conductances, and their responsiveness to chronic 6-hydroxydopamine lesion. In summary, our data argue that parvalbumin-expressing neurons and Npas1-expressing neurons are two distinct functional classes of GPe neurons. This work revises our understanding of the GPe, and provides the foundation for future studies of its function and dysfunction. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Until recently, the heterogeneity of the constituent neurons within the external globus pallidus (GPe) was not fully appreciated. We addressed this knowledge gap by discovering two principal GPe neuron classes, which were identified by their nonoverlapping expression of the markers parvalbumin and Npas1. Our study provides evidence that parvalbumin and Npas1 neurons have different topologies within the basal ganglia.
Dependence of rubidium trap loss collisions on trap laser intensity and detuning

Summary form only given. Inelastic collisions between cold atoms can lead to their ejection from the laser trap that confines them. Understanding these trap loss collisions is important to efforts aimed at high densities of cold atoms. Previously we have observed pronounced differences in the collisional behavior of the two isotopes, /sup 85/Rb and /sup 87/Rb, for the trap laser tuned one natural linewidth below resonance. We have extended our measurements for both isotopes to smaller and larger detunings in an effort to separate the various contributions to the trap loss rate.
Icy Galilean satellite reflectance spectra: Less ice on Ganymede and Callisto?

An evaluation of reflectance spectra of the icy Galilean satellites, taking account of the depth of the 3-micron fundamental water ice absorption feature and the shorter wavelength bands, suggests lower ice abundances for Ganymede and Callistro than previously supposed, provided that the ice is segregated from the nonicy material. Data are consistent with a 50 percent areal coverage of ice on Ganymede and 10 percent on Callistro, the rest of the surface being covered by carbonaceous chondrite-like material with strong 3-micron absorption due to bound water. The analysis indicates a homogeneous icy surface for Europa, and the possible presence on all three objects of small quantities of surface sulfuric acid.
The association between impulsiveness and sexual risk behaviors in adolescent and young adult women.

Overview: Cross-sectional survey data from 462 female adolescents were analyzed to determine associations between impulsiveness and sexual risk behaviors and related outcomes. Higher impulsiveness was significantly associated with early age of first sexual intercourse, higher number of sexual partners, non-use of contraception and condoms, and prior Chlamydia infection.
Further follow-up and adjustment for smoking in a study of lung cancer and acid mists

Follow-up of a cohort of 1,165 steelworkers exposed to acid mists has been extended from 1981 to early 1986 for most cohort members, and information on smoking has also been collected. We obtained an SMR for lung cancer (unadjusted for smoking) of 1.56 (95% CI 1.12-2.11, 41 observed). For those with 20 years or more since first exposure, the SMR was 1.72 (1.21-2.39). However, no trend was found with duration of exposure. To adjust for smoking, we used an indirect adjustment as suggested by Axelson to account for the fact that the exposed cohort smoked slightly more than the U.S. referent population. The SMR for the whole cohort dropped to 1.36 (0.97-1.84), while for those with more than 20 years since first exposure, the SMR was 1.50 (1.05-2.07). These results indicate that an excess risk for lung cancer persists after control for confounding by smoking.
Hemispheric interference: A dual-task investigation of youngsters who stutter

Abstract Hemispheric interference was studied in this investigation by requiring 24 right-handed grade-school children who stutter to tap a button, as rapidly as possible, in five randomized conditions. Hand order was counterbalanced in the single-task silent control condition and in the four increasingly demanding dual-task conditions. In three of the experimental conditions tapping and speech occured concurrently. In the fourth dual-task condition the subjects were to vocalize the sound of a siren (in an irregularly patterned way) as they tapped the button. Analysis of the tapping rates in this two-by-five factorial study revealed statistically significant differences among hands and conditions. The tapping rate was faster with the right than with the left hand and the rate decreased as the demands of the dual-task conditions increased. Interaction was not evidenced; the interference pattern was similar in both hands across the conditions. Since interference was significantly present in both the speech and vocalic conditions, the data are not consistent with a laterality model. This finding and the increase in interference with increased attentional demand, however, are consistent with a capacity framework.
Going Green and Renewing Life: Environmental Education in Faith Communities.

This chapter describes opportunities for environmental education in faith communities by reviewing important developments that have shaped religious interests in environmental topics and by highlighting examples that suggest a key role for adult educators.
Carbon-based nanodevices for sensors, actuators, and electronics

We are pursuing several projects aimed at developing carbon-based nanodevices for sensing, actuation, and nanoelectronics applications. In one project, we are seeking to fabricate and characterize carbon nanotube quantum dots (CNT-QDs) with potential application as future electronic memories with high-performance, bandwidth, and throughput. In a second effort, we have used pulsed laser deposition (PLD) to create thermal bimorph nanoactuators based on multi-wall nano tubes (MWNTs) coated on one side with a thin metal film. Lastly, graphene materials are being studied to investigate its field emission properties for vacuum electronics and to exploit its differential conductivity. These devices have potential in a wide range of applications including sensors, detectors, system-on-a-chip, system-in-a-package, programmable logic controls, energy storage systems and all-electronic systems.
Social Institutions, Imperfect Information, and the Distribution of Income

I. Introduction, 261. — II. Conceptual framework, 262. — III. Market signaling, 264. — IV. Credentials models, 267. — V. Internal labor markets, 273. — VI. Social classes and the poverty cycle, 275. — VII. Job switching and the "lemons" principle, 279. — VIII. Conclusions, 282.
Characterization of actin-gene family members and their expression during development in witchweed (Striga asiatica L).

Partial cDNAs and genomic fragments representing three different actin genes of witchweed (Striga asiatica L. Kuntze) have been isolated using the polymerase chain reaction. The three genes differ in nucleotide sequence within their coding and 3′ non-coding regions but encode proteins identical over the regions where sequence is available. Southern blot hybridization analysis of total genomic DNA showed that the three actin genes belong to a multigene family. Expression studies using gene-specific probes showed that transcripts of each of the three Striga actin genes were present at comparable levels in roots, shoots, and 24-h-induced haustoria. The relative abundance of the three transcripts within roots or shoots, however, differed appreciably. Such differences in transcript accumulation within organs indicate that differences might exist in their cell-or tissue-specific mode of regulation.
Learning and Teaching Centers: Hubs of Educational Reform.

Learning and teaching centers serve as repositories of institutional memory and catalysts of campus conversations about critical educational issues.
Catoptric electrodes: transparent metal electrodes using shaped surfaces

An optical electrode design is presented that theoretically allows 100% optical transmission through an interdigitated metallic electrode at 50% metal areal coverage. This is achieved by redirection of light incident on embedded metal electrode lines to an angle beyond that required for total internal reflection. Full-field electromagnetic simulations using realistic material parameters demonstrate 84% frequency-averaged transmission for unpolarized illumination across the entire visible spectral range using a silver interdigitated electrode at 50% areal coverage. The redirection is achieved through specular reflection, making it nonresonant and arbitrarily broadband, provided the electrode width exceeds the optical wavelength. These findings could significantly improve the performance of photovoltaic devices and optical detectors that require high-conductivity top contacts.
Hands-On Network Programming Projects in the Cloud

Hands-on activities are important for computer science students to achieve their learning objectives. Compared to developing and maintaining on-campus physical or virtual laboratories, using the public cloud to host hands-on activities is a very promising approach because of the scalability, flexibility, security, cost-efficiency, and accessibility of the services offered in the public cloud. This paper presents the design of four cloud-based network programming projects and our experience of using the services and infrastructure in the public cloud for these hands-on projects in our Computer Networks course. Each student was able to use multiple virtual machines in the public cloud together with a local computer to develop and test networking programs. Both the instructor's observation and student surveys demonstrated that our approach has a strong positive impact on the student learning experience. A vast majority of the students favor using the public cloud not only in this course but also in other computer science courses if applicable.
A Monte-Carlo study of genetic algorithm initial population generation methods

Briefly describes genetic algorithms (GAs) and focuses attention on initial population generation methods for 2D knapsack problems. Based on work describing the probability that a random solution vector is feasible for 0-1 knapsack problems, we propose a simple heuristic for randomly generating good initial populations for GA applications to 2D knapsack problems. We report on an experiment comparing a current population generation technique with our proposed approach and find our proposed approach does a very good job of generating good initial populations.
Computational Study of Fuel Injection in a Large-Bore Gas Engine

Emission controls in stationary gas engines have required significant modifications to the fuel injection and combustion processes. One approach has been the use of high-pressure fuel injection to improve fuel-air mixing. The objective of this study is to simulate numerically the injection of gaseous fuel at high pressure in a large-bore two-stroke engine. Existing combustion chamber geometry is modeled together with proposed valve geometry. The StarCD® fluid dynamics code is used for the simulations, using appropriate turbulence models. High-pressure injection of up to 500 psig methane into cylinder air initially at 25 psig is simulated with the valve opened instantaneously and piston position frozen at the 60 degrees ABDC position. Fuel flow rate across the valve throat varies with the instantaneous pressure but attains a steady state in approximately 22 ms. As expected with the throat shape and pressures, the flow becomes supersonic past the choked valve gap, but returns to a subsonic state upon deflection by a shroud that successfully directs the flow more centrally. This indicates the need for careful shroud design to direct the flow without significant deceleration. Pressures below 300 psig were not effective with the proposed valve geometry. A persistent re-circulation zone is observed immediately below the valve, where it does not help promote mixing.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Magnetic structure of the low temperature antiferromagnetic phase of V2O3

Abstract Using a magnetic space group analysis, V 2 O 3 has been shown to have the ( A B ) a  G b ( A B ) c -type spin structure, which must be explained by both competitive metal-metal and metal-oxygen interactions. The spin orientation is analyzed in terms of the contribution provided by the magnetic anisotropy energy in V 2 O 3 .
Numerical study of the two-dimensional Hubbard model

We report on a numerical study of the two-dimensional Hubbard model and describe two new algorithms for the simulation of many-electron systems. These algorithms allow one to carry out simulations within the grand canonical ensemble at significantly lower temperatures than had previously been obtained and to calculate ground-state properties with fixed numbers of electrons. We present results for the two-dimensional Hubbard model with half- and quarter-filled bands. Our results support the existence of long-range antiferromagnetic order in the ground state at half-filling and its absence at quarter-filling. Results for the magnetic susceptibility and the momentum occupation along with an upper bound to the spin-wave spectrum are given. We find evidence for an attractive effective d-wave pairing interaction near half-filling but have not found evidence for a phase transition to a superconducting state.
Socio‐cultural‐historical constructivism in the preparation and practice of early childhood teachers in New Delhi, India

Abstract The author conducted a study with early childhood educators in New Delhi to understand the teachers’ perceptions of the relationship between their preparation and practice within a theory‐practice framework. The research problem emanated from the observations and experiences of the author, indicating an existing three‐way tension between the design of current Indian teacher education programs, the dominant discourse of early childhood education, and the underlying values of Indian philosophy that defined the construct of the teacher and child in Indian society.
A practical decision-analysis process for forest ecosystem management.

Abstract Many authors have pointed out the need to firm up the ‘fuzzy’ ecosystem management paradigm and develop operationally practical processes to allow forest managers to accommodate more effectively the continuing rapid change in societal perspectives and goals. There are three spatial scales where clear, precise, practical ecosystem management processes are needed: the regional assessment scale, the forest-level scale, and the project-level scale. This paper proposes a practical decision analysis process for ecosystem management at the project-level scale. Goals are the focal point of management. To achieve them requires a formal, structured goal hierarchy, desired future conditions, several interesting alternatives, scenario analysis, and monitoring and evaluation of the results. The proposed process is firmly grounded in the body of theory and practice organized in the scientific literature under the heading of multi-objective decision analysis. An illustrative example of this decision analysis process is presented using the Bent Creek Experimental Forest of the Pisgah National Forest near Asheville, NC as a test case.
COMPARISON OF THE UNIT STUDY AND TRADITIONAL APPROACHES FOR TEACHING MUSIC THROUGH SCHOOL BAND PERFORMANCE

This study compared two approaches for teaching music concepts and skills through school band performance: (1) the Unit Study Composition and (2) the traditional rehearsal procedure. The comparison used two secondary school bands in a parallel-group design. Both bands rehearsed one work from a projected performance repertory. Students in each band were given an author-generated pre-, post, and post-posttest. After a five-week experimental period, the assessment data were collected from each group and subjected to standard statistical procedures. The support of each research hypothesis at a significant level indicated that students taught with the Unit Study Composition approach acquired conceptual knowledge, aural skills, and performance proficiency to a significantly greater degree than students taught with the traditional approach.
Making the Bridge: Testing a Library Workshop for a Summer Bridge Learning Community.

Abstract The John F. Kennedy Memorial Library at California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA), collaborated with the CSULA Student Support Program and the Educational Opportunity Program in an innovative attempt to increase visibility and use of library resources and services by at-risk students enrolled in the 2005 Summer Bridge Program. Workshops were held for tutors, study group leaders, and writing instructors associated with the Summer Bridge. Assessment of the program was conducted through a survey of workshop participants. Writing instructors and tutors were overwhelmingly positive in their response to the workshop, but study group leaders were more evenly divided in their assessment of the workshop's utility, which suggests that alumni of the Summer Bridge Program may benefit from additional instructional support services.
Argon laser therapy for hemorrhagic radiation proctitis : long-term results

In chronic radiation proctitis bleeding occurs from mucosal friability and neovascular telangiectasias. Fourteen patients with bleeding from chronic radiation proctitis underwent endoscopic argon laser therapy at 4 to 8 W. The goal of treatment was obliteration of all telangiectasias. The average follow-up was 35 months. Of the 51 procedures, 48 (94%) were performed on outpatients with enema preparation and little or no sedation. A median of three procedures was performed per patient, with two sessions required for initial control of bleeding. Ten patients (71%) required maintenance therapy for recurrent bleeding from telangiectasias that developed after initial therapy. The mean interval between maintenance sessions was 7 months. No immediate or late complications occurred.
Safety and efficacy of retreatment with a bioengineered hyaluronate for painful osteoarthritis of the knee: results of the open-label Extension Study of the FLEXX Trial

Summary Objective To evaluate the safety of repeated intra-articular (IA) injections of Euflexxa ® (1% sodium hyaluronate; IA--BioHA) for painful knee osteoarthritis (OA). Design Participants who completed the randomized, double-blind, 26-week FLEXX Trial comparing IA-BioHA to IA saline (IA-SA) for knee OA 1 received three weekly IA-BioHA injections in a 26-week Extension Study. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded and the effect of treatment on knee pain was measured immediately following a 50-foot walk test using a 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS). Responder rate, Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 scores, Patient's Global Assessment, and intake of rescue medication were also evaluated. Results The Extension Study included 433 subjects, 219 who received IA-BioHA and 214 who received IA-SA during the FLEXX Trial. Safety results from the Extension Study indicated that 43.4% (188/433) of subjects had AEs, of which 4.8% (21/433) were deemed treatment-related AEs. Two AEs in the Extension Study led to discontinuation, and no joint effusion was reported. Patients who continued with IA-BioHA in the Extension Study maintained their improvement from baseline, with an average reduction in pain in the VAS score of −3.5 mm. Patients initially treated with IA-SA in the FLEXX Trial also had a reduction in VAS score of −9.0 mm. Secondary efficacy variables also improved during the Extension Study. Conclusions Repeat injections of IA-BioHA were effective, safe, well tolerated, and not associated with an increase in AEs, such as synovial effusions. Additional symptom improvements were noted for subjects who received either IA-BioHA or IA-SA in the FLEXX Trial. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT00379236
Association analysis of the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 4G/5G polymorphism in Hispanics and African Americans: the IRAS family study.

Objective: Plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) plays a central role in fibrolysis and has recently been hypothesized to influence components of the insulin resistance syn
DNA synthesis in developing sea urchins: role of a DNA-nuclear membrane complex.

A DNA-membrane complex has been isolated from nuclei of developing sea urchin embryos. Synthesis of DNA takes place in this fraction both in vivo and in vitro and the complex is relatively absent when DNA synthesis is not occurring, as in the unfertilized egg or during the G2 phase of the division cycle.
Physiological valvular regurgitation in clinically normal young racehorses: prevalence and two-dimensional colour flow Doppler echocardiographic characteristics.

Summary Colour flow Doppler echocardiographic examinations were performed on 15 horses; 10 Thoroughbreds and 5 Standardbreds; 9 mares, 5 geldings and 1 stallion; mean ± s.d. 3.4 ± 1.1 years. Cardiac murmurs were audible in 12 horses (80%), but these had characteristics consistent with functional murmurs in all horses. A standardised two-dimensional (2-D) and M-mode echocardiographic examination was unremarkable in all horses except that aortic valve prolapse was identified in 3 horses, tricuspid valve prolapse in 2 horses and mitral valve prolapse was present in one horse. Colour flow Doppler echocardiography revealed laminar antegrade flow in most sites but variance was noted in the right ventricular outflow tract in some horses. Small regurgitant jets associated with the aortic valve were seen in 12 horses (80%), with the tricuspid valve in 7 horses (46%), with the pulmonary valve in 4 horses (26%) and the mitral valve in 4 horses (26%). It was concluded that with colour flow Doppler echocardiography, as in other species, small regurgitant jets could be detected in many normal horses.
Observer Attributions of Depressed Students

In two identical experiments, depressed and nondepressed college students made attributions about the causes of another's essay-writing behavior. Half of each depressed group was given information designed to lead to an internal attribution for the essay writing and half was given information designed to lead to an external attribution. The results of both experiments showed that across the attribution conditions, depressed students made more use of the attributional information than did nondepressed students. These data fit with the theoretical reasoning of Pittman and Pittman (1980) that lack of control motivates attributional processing. In addition, the data imply that depressed students, compared to nondepressed students, show more sensitivity in some types of information processing tasks.
Scaling replica maintenance in intermittently synchronized mobile databases

To avoid the high cost of continuous connectivity, a class of mobile applications employs replicas of shared data that are periodically updated. Updates to these replicas are typically performed on a client-by-client basis--that is, the server individually computes and transmits updates to each client--limiting scalability. By basing updates on replica groups (instead of clients), however, update generation complexity is no longer bound by client population size. Clients then download updates of pertinent groups. Proper group design reduces redundancies in server processing, disk usage and bandwidth usage, and dimininishes the tie between the complexity of updating replicas and the size of the client population. In this paper, we expand on previous work done on group design, include a detailed I/O cost model for update generation, and propose a heuristic-based greedy algorithm for group computation. Experimental results with an adapted commercial replication system demonstrate a significant increase in overall scalability over the client-centric approach.
On the theoretical comparison of low-bias steady-state estimators

The time-average estimator is typically biased in the context of steady-state simulation, and its bias is of order 1/t, where t represents simulated time. Several “low-bias” estimators have been developed that have a lower order bias, and, to first-order, the same variance of the time-average. We argue that this kind of first-order comparison is insufficient, and that a second-order asymptotic expansion of the mean square error (MSE) of the estimators is needed. We provide such an expansion for the time-average estimator in both the Markov and regenerative settings. Additionally, we provide a full bias expansion and a second-order MSE expansion for the Meketon--Heidelberger low-bias estimator, and show that its MSE can be asymptotically higher or lower than that of the time-average depending on the problem. The situation is different in the context of parallel steady-state simulation, where a reduction in bias that leaves the first-order variance unaffected is arguably an improvement in performance.
Real-Time Information Displays For Highway Use

The quality of motorist information systems is of considerable importance to the safety and efficiency of our Nation's highways. Accordingly, the Federal Highway Administration continues to be engaged in a number of activities that pertain to improving highway signing. For example, real-time information systems are now the subject of intensive research and development efforts by the Office of Research. Modern technology now permits communication of real-time information to drivers by means of variable message displays. Thus motorists can be given advanced warning of freeway incidents or other prevailing conditions such as fog or icy roads. In other words, real-time variable message signs provide the capability of giving the driver timely and useful information which corresponds to changing traffic conditions. Examples of major types of such signs are rotating drums, matrix lights, matrix discs, rolling screens, blank out incandescent, neon and fluorescent lamps signs, and new fibre optics signs.© (1974) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Fluid Milk Sales as Related to Demand Elasticities

Summary Per capita consumption of fluid milk in the United States declined seven per cent between 1956 and 1962 or at a rate of more than one per cent a year. Therefore, a logical question is: What if anything can be done to reverse the downward trend in sales of milk? Would downward adjustments in retail price bring about an increase in per capita sales? A long-run study of 55 markets was made with price, income, and per cent non-whites as independent variables and per capita consumption of milk as the dependent variable. This study showed that in markets where the retail price was 20 cents per quart or over, the demand for milk was elastic, namely a decrease in price was accompanied by an increase in milk consumption greater than the proportionate decrease in price. Since the lowest retail price in three out of every four markets in the United States is over 20 cents, it is evident that a downward adjustment in price would be helpful to the dairy industry in increasing total milk consumption. Results of this long-run study are opposite those of 16 earlier short-run studies. Results of each of the earlier studies are summarized in this article.
Theoretical Study of the Bicyclic Nitrogen Tetroxide Cation, NO4+

The structure and energy of the bicyclic nitrogen tetroxide cation, D2d NO4+, and its C2v transition state for dissociation into NO2+ and O2 have been studied theoretically by the coupled-cluster (CC) and similarity-transformed equation-of-motion coupled-cluster methods (STEOM-CC). The computed 137 kcal/mol energy of decomposition and 370 kcal/mol gas-phase heat of formation identify NO4+ as a highly energetic species. Nevertheless, its low dissociation barrier (12−17 kcal/mol) and high vertical electron affinity (8.4 eV) indicate that NO4+ will have a low stability, which will complicate its experimental observation.