cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Same major, same economic returns? College selectivity and earnings inequality in young adulthood

Abstract Fields of study are a persistent source of inequality among college graduates in the U.S., but surprisingly few studies have investigated factors that predict earnings within these fields. In this article, we focus on one dimension that has been central to studies of inequality in higher education—college selectivity—to examine how young adult earnings are stratified among college graduates who majored in the same fields, using data from the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS; N = 2,952). We also assess gender differences in the relationships between fields of study, college selectivity, and earnings, given that gender is a consistent predictor of both majors and earnings. After accounting for selection bias using propensity score matching techniques, we find that recent college graduates in only two majors—business and the social sciences—experience a selectivity premium. Additionally, we find key gender differences in the majors that give rise to these premiums. Both men and women experience a selectivity premium in business and the social sciences, but within STEM fields, men benefit from a prestigious degree, but women do not. This finding underscores recent research showing that high-performing men in STEM fields receive outsized rewards relative to their women counterparts, thus deepening gender inequality in fields where women are underrepresented and assigned low expectations for performance.
Intestinal phase of gastric acid secretion: augmentation of maximal response of Heidenhain pouch to gastrin and histamine.

In 4 antrectomized dogs with gastric fistula and Heidenhain pouch (HP), liver extract solution or NaHCO 3 as control was infused into the gastric fistula for 4 hr as a means of perfusing the small intestine. During the last 2 hr, a maximal dose of either pentagastrin or histamine, or saline as control, was given intravenously. The studies were repeated after truncal vagotomy. Liver extract alone caused a small HP response but produced no rise in serum immunoreactive gastrin. Intestinal perfusion with liver extract augmented the maximal HP response to pentagastrin 3-fold before and 2-fold after vagotomy. Similarly, the maximal HP response to histamine was augmented 1 1/2-fold both before and after vagotomy. In another group of dogs provided with antral pouch, gastric fistula, and HP, infusion of liver extract into the gastric fistula produced a similar augmentation of the HP's maximal response to endogenous gastrin released by antral distention with liver extract. We conclude that (1) liver extract releases a hormone from the intestine capable of augmenting the maximal HP responses to both gastrin and histamine; (2) this hormone is distinct from gastrin; (3) vagotomy does not abolish its release; and (4) release of this hormone by food in the intestine accounts for why the maximal HP response to a meal is greater than to exogenous gastrin. The name "entero-oxyntin" has been recently suggested for this hormone to distinguish it from gastrin and to indicate its origin from the intestine and its action on the oxyntic cell.
Enhancing Access to E-books

Abstract Objective – The objective of the study was to determine if summary notes or table of contents notes in catalogue records are associated with the usage of e-books in a large university library. Methods – A retrospective cohort study, analyzing titles from three major collections of e-books was employed. Titles were categorized based on the inclusion of the MARC 505 note (table of contents) or MARC 520 note (summary) in the catalogue record. The usage was based on standardized reports from 2012-2013. The measures of usage were the number of titles used and the number of sections downloaded. Statistical methods used in the analysis included correlations and odd ratios (ORs). The usage measures were stratified by publication year and subject to adjust for the effects of these factors on usage. Results – The analysis indicates that these enhancements to the catalogue record increase usage significantly and notably. The probability of an e-book with one of the catalogue record enhancements being used (as indicated by the OR) was over 80% greater than for titles lacking the enhancements, and nearly twice as high for titles with both features. The differences were greatest among the oldest and the most recently published e-books, and those in science and technology. The differences were least among the e-books published between 1998 and 2007 and those in the humanities and social sciences. Conclusion – Libraries can make their collections more accessible to users by enhancing bibliographic records with summary and table of contents notes, and by advocating for their inclusion in vendor-supplied records.
InAs quantum dot lasers on InP substrate

Single-stack InAs self-assembled quantum dot (QD) lasers based on InP substrates have been grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. The narrow ridge waveguide lasers based up to 260 K in continuous wave operation, and near room temperature in pulsed mode, with emission wavelengths between 1.59 to 1.74 /spl mu/m. Above 200 K, a very low wavelength temperature sensitivity of 0.09 nm/K was obtained, which is as low as that caused by the refractive index change.
Convergent transfer subgraph characterization and computation

In this paper, we present a precise characterization of the existence of a convergent transfer subgraph in an edge colored directed acyclic graph. Based on the characterization, linear time algorithms are proposed to decide the existence of a convergent transfer subgraph and, if one exists, to construct such a subgraph, respectively. The convergent transfer subgraph (CTS) problem arises from the conformance testing of network communication protocols. An abstraction of the basic question to be answered can be stated in graph theoretical terms as follows: Given an edge colored directed acyclic graph G and two vertices s and t, does G have a CTS(s, t)? G has a CTS(s, t) iff G has a subgraph, H, satisfying the following conditions: 1) s, t belong to H, 2) every vertex of H is reachable from s and reaches t, and 3) in H, the set of edges incident from any vertex v must have the same color and consists of all the edges of G, having the same color, that are incident from v. Previously the best known algorithm to solve the CTS problem was the polynomial time algorithm of Li, Ghriga, and Kabore (2000), having time complexity of O(n(n + e)).
The prostatic urethral lift procedure: enough bang for the buck?

In this issue of European Urology, Sonksen et al [1] report on the first randomized trial comparing the prostate urethral lift (PUL) procedure [2–6] to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). In a study encompassing 80 patients among ten European centers, the authors assessed the efficacy and morbidity of the two procedures using a six-component composite metric, dubbed BPH6. The metric includes measures for lowerurinary tract symptoms (LUTS) reduction, erectile function, ejaculatory function, continence, complications, and recovery after the procedure. While statistically significant improvements in LUTSwere noted in both groups compared to baseline, TURP was superior in terms of its impact on International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS; –15.4 vs –11.4), quality of life (–3.1 vs –2.8), peak flow rate (+13.7 vs +4.0), and postvoid residual volume (–70 vs +7.4), whereas PUL was superior in minimizing side effects related to ejaculatory dysfunction. The overall rate of adverse events was similar between the two procedures, with the exception of a higher rate of retrograde ejaculatory dysfunction after TURP (40%, p < 0.0001). PUL patients had shorter hospitalization (1.0 vs 1.9 d, p < 0.0001) and catheterization durations, resulting in a faster return to preoperative activity (11 vs 17 d, p = 0.04). Overall, 52.3% of PUL patients achieved theBPH6endpoint at 12moafter surgery, compared to20.0% of TURP patients (p = 0.005). The authors propose use of the BPH6 metric as a more comprehensive proxy that not only addresses improvement in LUTS but also adjusts for morbidity associated with treatment, such as incontinence, sexual side effects, pace of recovery from surgery, and complications. Although the BPH6 metric remains unvalidated as a new measure, it is interesting to note that the superior performance of PUL over TURP according to the metric was not driven by the degree of improvement in LUTS, but rather by better
Are species cohesive?—A view from bacteriology

This chapter briefly summarizes the most important differences in genetic exchange. In bacteria, genetic exchange is unidirectional, where a usually small chromosomal segment transfers from a donor to a recipient. Bacterial recombination can occur across vastly more divergent organisms than is possible in animals and plants. The chapter also talks about the challenge of identifying ecotypes, or bacterial species subjected to intrapopulation cohesion provided by periodic selection and/or drift. The Recurrent Niche Invasion model takes into account the role of mobile genetic elements, such as plasmids or phage, in determining bacterial niches. Recombination does not seem likely to be a cohesive force that quashes speciation in either the macroorganisms or bacteria. Most clearly in bacteria, recombination is not sufficient to prevent adaptive divergence in niche-specifying genes, and sexual isolation is not required for bacterial speciation. Studies of speciation in bacteria have focused on the origins of niche-specifying adaptations that distinguish newly divergent species, by investigating the ecological dimensions of speciation and the roles of horizontal genetic transfer and homologous recombination in bacterial speciation. This emphasis on the origins of ecological divergence was forced on bacteriology because bacteria can acquire niche-transcending genes potentially from any organism; so it would be futile to study the end of sharing niche-transcending adaptations in bacteria. It appears that, fortuitously, bacteriology has produced a paradigm of value for species studies in macroorganisms as well as bacteria—that our focus should be on the origins of ecological diversity and not on barriers to recombination.
Redundant actuation for improving kinematic manipulability

Parallel mechanisms frequently contain an unstable type of singularity that has no counterpart in serial mechanisms. When the mechanism is at or near this type of singularity, it loses the ability to counteract external forces in certain directions. By altering the mechanism through, for example, additional kinematic linkages, the singularity can be modified or even removed. Another approach is to actuate certain unactuated degrees of freedom. The manipulability is guaranteed to improve over the original mechanism, but the mechanism is now over-actuated. By studying a recently proposed parallel machining center, we examine the effectiveness of singularity modification through redundant actuation. As a metric, we use the condition number of the recently developed manipulability ellipsoid for general parallel mechanisms.
Honor and Character

In this paper, I argue for the enduring relevance and coherence of the idea of honor by referring to its dialectical historical development and signs of survival in contemporary culture. I then discuss how codes of honor at military academies can be utilized as a part of leader development, and not merely as sets of rules to prevent cadets and midshipmen from lying, cheating, and stealing. A consideration of honor encourages pride in the profession of arms, since it is a form of ethical practice whose roots are martial. Honor, I contend, should be taught across the academy in all of its historical and ethical richness, as a means of developing the habits of trust, trustworthiness, and accountability that are vital in officers and leaders.
A posteriori error estimators for linear reduced‐order models using Krylov‐based integrators

Summary Reduced-order models for linear time-invariant dynamical systems are considered, and the error between the full-order model and the reduced-order model solutions is characterized. Based on the analytical representation of the error, an a posteriori error indicator is proposed that combines a Krylov-based exponential integrator and an a posteriori residual-based estimate. Numerical experiments illustrate the quality of the error estimator. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electronic band structure and optical properties of the cubic, Sc, Y and La hydride systems

Electronic band structure calculations are used to interpret the optical spectra of the cubic Sc, Y and La hydride systems. Self-consistent band calculations of ScH/sub 2/ and YH/sub 2/ were carried out. The respective joint densities of states are computed and compared to the dielectric functions determined from the optical measurements. Additional calculations were performed in which the Fermi level or band gap energies are rigidly shifted by a small energy increment. These calculations are then used to simulate the derivative structure in thermomodulation spectra and relate the origin of experimental interband features to the calculated energy bands. While good systematic agreement is obtained for several spectral features, the origin of low-energy interband transitions in YH/sub 2/ cannot be explained by these calculated bands. A lattice-size-dependent premature occupation of octahedral sites by hydrogen atoms in the fcc metal lattice is suggested to account for this discrepancy. Various non-self-consistent calculations are used to examine the effect of such a premature occupation. Measurements of the optical absorptivity of LaH/sub x/ with 1.6 < x < 2.9 are presented which, as expected, indicate a more premature occupation of the octahedral sites in the larger LaH/sub 2/ lattice. These experimental results also suggest that,more » in contrast to recent calculations, LaH/sub 3/ is a small-band-gap semiconductor.« less
An inhibitor of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, KN-62, inhibits cholinergic-stimulated parietal cell secretion

Cholinergic stimulation of parietal cell secretion is mediated by an increase in intracellular calcium. KN-62, a selective inhibitor of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II), has recently been synthesized (Tokomitsu et al. J. Biol. Chem. 265: 4315-4320, 1990). To define the role of CaMK II in parietal cell secretion, we determined the effects of KN-62 on secretagogue-stimulated acid secretion in isolated rabbit parietal cells. Pretreatment of parietal cells with KN-62 resulted in the inhibition of carbachol-stimulated [14C]aminopyrine uptake over a concentration range of 3 to 60 microM (IC50 of 20 microM). KN-62 (60 microM) reduced carbachol-stimulated aminopyrine uptake to unstimulated levels. KN-62 did not alter carbachol-stimulated increases in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration. High concentrations of KN-62 (60 microM) elicited a small decrease in aminopyrine uptake stimulated by forskolin, but did not significantly inhibit histamine stimulation. A potent CaMK II activity was identified in total membrane from parietal cells. These results suggest that CaMK II may mediate cholinergic-stimulated parietal cell secretion.
Globalizing ConflictSpace: The View from East Asia

Developments in East Asia strengthen the claims of “ConflictSpace.” The contrast between general war in 1914 and the limited Sino-Japanese War of 1894–1895 may be explained, in large part, by the higher degree of connectivity in 1914. The difference between Japan's swift declaration of war in 1914 and hesitation by China and the United States may, likewise, be attributed to Japan's higher connectivity. A host of independent variables, such as political will and relative military strength, can wreak havoc with the basic assumptions of ConflictSpace. But used cautiously as part of an ongoing discussion between social scientists and historians, ConflictSpace may effectively gauge the relative likelihood of the spread of war.
Significance analysis of ROC indices for comparing diagnostic markers: applications to gene microarray data.

A common objective in microarray experiments is to select genes that are differentially expressed between two classes (two treatment groups). Selection of differentially expressed genes involves tw...
The evaluation of some red marine algae as a source of carrageenan and of its κ‐ and λ‐components

The red seaweeds, Chondrus crispus, Gigartina stellata, G. radula, G. acicularis, G. pistillata, Eucheuma spinosum, and Polyides rotundus, have been evaluated as a source of carrageenan and of its k- and λ-components. The fractionation of carrageenan from C. crispus with potassium ions does not always give a sharp separation into ‘pure’ k- and λ-components and is dependent on habitat. Seasonal variations in total yield, k/λ ratio, optical rotation and chemical composition were observed. G. stellata and G. radula give poor separations but G. acicularis and G. pistillata give sharp fractionations and the proportion of λ-polysaccharide in these two species is much higher than that in C. crispus. Approximately 30% of the dry weight of these seaweeds is λ-carrageenan. Carrageenan from E. spinosum cannot be fractionated with potassium ions. This polysaccharide, which accounts for ˜55% of the dry weight of the seaweed, is structurally related to k-carrageenan but has a higher sulphate ester content. The extract of P. rotundus is also insensitive to potassium ions but differs from that of E. spinosum in having a negligible content of 3,6-anhydrogalactose. Different carrageenans have been depolymerised to give products of low viscosity and high sulphate content. This was achieved in the case of k-carrageenan and carrageenan from E. spinosum by mild treatment with acid. Two methods are described for λ-carrageenan; the first involves oxidation with periodate, reduction with borohydride, and mild acid hydrolysis. The second method, which is cheaper and more effective, employs hypochlorite as oxidant. A series of degraded products is listed.
Spectral variations in narrow band imaging depth-selectivity: mucosal scattering vs. hemoglobin absorption

Spectral variations in contrast enhancement of mucosal vasculature are a key feature of narrow band imaging (NBI) devices. In prior NBI studies, the enhanced visualization of larger, deeper vessels with green light (e.g., 540 nm) relative to violet light (e.g., 415 nm) has often been attributed to the well-known monotonic decrease in scattering coefficient with wavelength in biological tissues. We have developed and implemented numerical and experimental approaches to elucidate and quantify this and other light-tissue interaction effects relevant to NBI. A Monte Carlo model incorporating vessel-like inclusions with a range of diameters (20 to 400 microns) and depths (20 to 400 microns) was used to predict reflectance and fluence distributions in the tissue and calculate vessel contrast values. These results were compared to experimental measurements based on a liquid phantom with a hemoglobin-filled capillary. By comparing results for cases representing mucosa regions with and without blood, we were able to evaluate the relative significance of absorption and scattering on spectral variations in depth-selectivity. Results indicate that at 415 nm, detection of superficial vasculature with NBI was almost entirely dependent on the absorption coefficient of the blood in the vessel of interest. The enhanced visualization of deep vessels at 540 nm bands relative to 415 nm was due primarily to absorption by the superficial vasculature rather than a decrease in scattering coefficient. While computationally intensive, our numerical modeling approach provides unique insights into the light propagation mechanisms underlying this emerging clinical imaging technology.
Assessing the relative influence of journals in a citation network

Some journals are perceived as sources of knowledge; others serve as storers of knowledge. Learning the strengths and persuasions of journals is of value to academia, scholars, and publishers.
Shifted rectangular quadrature rule approximations to Dawson's integral F(x)

This paper investigates the relationship between some rapidly convergent series of exponential functions for computing Dawson's integral. These series are the result of approximating a certain improper integral by a shifted rectangular quadrature rule. Dawson's original method and a more recent expansion due to Rybicki are shown to be special cases of our quadrature approach. An error bound is derived to compare the accuracy of the resulting approximations.
Decreased reward during acute alcohol withdrawal in rats selectively bred for low alcohol drinking

Abstract We have previously hypothesized that increased sensitivity to the dysphoric-like or aversive effects of alcohol withdrawal following an initial exposure to alcohol might be associated with a genetic propensity to avoid alcohol. A decrease in brain reward function, as measured by an elevation in intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) reward threshold, is one of the few methods available to model dysphoric-like or aversive effects of drug withdrawal in rats. We compared brain reward function during withdrawal following an initial exposure to alcohol in alcohol-naive rats selectively bred for high (HAD1 line) versus low (LAD1 line) voluntary alcohol consumption. Male HAD1 (n = 5) and LAD1 (n = 6) rats were implanted with unilateral electrodes in the medial forebrain bundle and trained to bar press for delivery of a 100 μA current that varied in frequency from 45 to 200 Hz. Responding for ICSS was generally stable within subjects across multiple experimental sessions on a given day and across several consecutive days prior to alcohol or water administration. ICSS responding was assessed in both rat lines prior to and at 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 24 h following a single intragastric infusion of alcohol (4.0 g/kg body weight) or water. Rats of the LAD1 line, but not those of the HAD1 line, exhibited a decrease in brain reward function as evidenced by a decrease in bar-press responding for ICSS and an increase in ICSS stimulation threshold during alcohol withdrawal. The results suggest that rats selectively bred for low alcohol drinking may experience dysphoric-like effects during withdrawal from an initial exposure to alcohol, while rats selectively bred for high alcohol drinking may not.
The effects of starving versus fasting on blood composition in larval house crickets

Abstract Larval crickets ( Acheta domesticus ) starved for 2 days during the growth phase of the instar consumed twice as much water as larvae that ceased feeding of their own accord during the last 2 days of the last instar. The behaviour of drinking more water during starvation may compensate for dry weight loss and prevent the larvae from missing the critical weight required to initiate the next moult. During starvation the plasma volume increased while the tissue volume remained constant, which produced a shift in both organic and inorganic solutes from the tissues into the plasma. During fasting there was no change in tissue or plasma volume, therefore large osmotic adjustments were unnecessary, and the only change in plasma solutes noted was a decline in plasma proteins. The titres of proteins, lipids and amino acids remained constant during 2 days of starvation, though the amount of each increased because of the increased plasma volume. Although both the titre and the amount of plasma sugar sharply declined during starvation, there was no change in the sugar titre when the insects fasted. There was some evidence that prior to fasting the programmed gradual decline in food intake matched the decline in metabolic rate, which permitted a plasma sugar stability not evident in starved larvae. The decline in plasma proteins during the fasting phase appeared due to the removal of a larval specific protein and not a direct result of fasting.
Proper function and recent selection

"Modern History" versions of the etiological theory claim that in order for a trait X to have the proper function F, individuals with X must have been recently favored by natural selection for doing F (Godfrey-Smith 1994; Griffiths 1992, 1993). For many traits with prototypical proper functions, however, such recent selection may not have occurred: traits may have been maintained due to lack of variation or due to selection for other effects. I examine this flaw in Modern History accounts and offer an alternative etiological theory, the Continuing Usefulness account, which appears to avoid such problems.
Ultrafiltrate of saliva collected in situ for the measurement of testosterone

Abstract A device for the in situ collection of an ultrafiltrate of saliva was investigated. The collector consists of an osmotic pump that, when placed in the mouth, accumulates a prepurified salivary filtrate within a few minutes. The concentration of testosterone in saliva and in the ultrafiltrate from five male subjects was determined by a solid-phase immunoassay. The ultrafiltrate can be used without extraction as a medium for the diagnostic evaluation of free, protein-unbound testosterone. Concentrations in whole saliva and the ultrafiltrate correlate closely ( r = 0.89; n = 42). The collector can potentially be used for the measurement of a wide variety of analytes other than testosterone. An ultrafiltrate of saliva as diagnostic medium provides the following advantages: simplicity of collection; moderate stimulation of salivary flow; exclusion of potential blood contamination; prevention of binding of analytes to protein; prevention of potential metabolic degradation of analytes; reduction of viscosity by exclusion of mucopolysaccharides and other large molecules; and potential sterile sampling of ultrafiltrate.
Modeling the speech community: Configuration and variable types in the Mexican Spanish setting

This article proposes a comprehensive model of the speech community in sociolinguistics that reworks Labov’s model, which has been criticized as being restrictive. Fieldwork in non-metropolitan Mexico demonstrates the utility of our model, which can be applied across both urban and non-urban domains. It is compatible with the Milroys’ central mechanism for the description of individual speech usage and group cohesion or susceptibility to change in terms of the social network. Based on linguistic variable types, this model has a hierarchy of four nested fields (speech community configurations) into which each individual is placed, according to his/her demonstrated recognition of the social evaluation associated with the variables. At the most local configuration, speakers demonstrate no knowledge of generally stigmatized variables; in the second, speakers register an awareness of stigmatized variables; in the third, an awareness of stigmatized and regional variables; and in the fourth, speakers model standard variants over regional ones. This model classifies the kinds of sociolinguistic variables that are pertinent in this social setting and also provides a structured manner for dealing with dialect contact dynamics. (Speech community, social network, Spanish, Mexico, dialect, diffusion, variables.)* We present here a model of dialect contact in order to capture Spanish dialect distribution in contemporary Mexico, as this ranges from provincial and regional Mexican Spanish to standard Mexican Spanish. To account for the principal finding of our fieldwork ‐ that a subset of members of the same community do not share crucial aspects of the evaluation of language variation with the majority ‐
Microelectrode and optical measurements of oxygen in biological systems in vitro and in vivo

The oxygenation status of tissue is important in several medical applications. It has long been appreciated that hypoxic tumors are resistant to radiation therapy, while in photodynamic therapy (PDT), the dependence on oxygen is even more pronounced. Our laboratory studies several problems in PDT that originate with this 3O2-dependence. Use of 3O2-sensitive electrodes with small (<EQ 10 micrometers ) tip diameters enables accurate measurement of metabolic and photochemical 3O2 consumption in photosensitized tumor spheroids in vitro. The temporal response of these devices (< 1 s) is sufficient to capture rapid depletion of 3O2 during laser irradiation of individual spheroids. An important aspect of this research has been the development of appropriate mathematical models with which to interpret the microelectrode data and determine photophysical parameters. Recently, we have been establishing optical methods of measuring hemoglobin 3O2-saturation in order to monitor oxygenation in rodent tumors during PDT. We have adopted a steady-state diffuse reflectance technique, in which white light is injected into the tumor via an optical fiber, and the spatially-resolved diffuse reflectance is monitored using appropriately spaced detection fibers. The signals are spectrally dispersed onto a CCD camera by a grating spectrograph, providing simultaneous acquisition of spatially-resolved diffuse reflectance data for a 160 nm range of wavelengths. Absorption spectra reconstructed using a diffusion theory approximation are then fit to linear combinations of oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin spectra to obtain the 3O2-saturation.
Design, Fabrication, and Implementation of a Wireless, Passive Implantable Pressure Sensor Based on Magnetic Higher-Order Harmonic Fields

A passive and wireless sensor was developed for monitoring pressure in vivo. Structurally, the pressure sensor, referred to as the magneto-harmonic pressure sensor, is an airtight chamber sealed with an elastic pressure membrane. A strip of magnetically-soft material is attached to the bottom of the chamber and a permanent magnet strip is embedded inside the membrane. Under the excitation of an externally applied AC magnetic field, the magnetically-soft strip produces a higher-order magnetic signature that can be remotely detected with an external receiving coil. As ambient pressure varies, the pressure membrane deflects, altering the separation distance between the magnetically-soft strip and the permanent magnet. This shifts the higher-order harmonic signal, allowing for detection of pressure change as a function of harmonic shifting. The wireless, passive nature of this sensor technology allows for continuous long-term pressure monitoring, particularly useful for biomedical applications such as monitoring pressure in aneurysm sac and sphincter of Oddi. In addition to demonstrating its pressure sensing capability, an animal model was used to investigate the efficacy and feasibility of the pressure sensor in a biological environment.
6.3 µm water-vapor-band derivatives.

We have measured the absorptance in the 6.3 μm band of a 1m column of water vapor as a function of concentration c, pressure p, and temperature T. From the measured absorptance, the first derivatives with respect to c, p, and T as well as the second derivatives with respect to cc, pp, cp, and pT have been obtained. We have compared these experimental results with values calculated from the line parameters of the 720 strongest rotational lines in the band.
A review of trace element emissions from the combustion of refuse-derived fuel with coal

The effects of cocombusting refuse-derived fuel (RDF) with coal on stack emissions of trace elements in the ash stream were reviewed. The large number of variables and uncertainties involved precluded drawing definitive conclusions regarding many of the trace elements. However, it is evident that cocombustion resulted in increased emissions of Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn. Emissions of As and Ni tended to decrease when RDF was fired with coal. Modeling studies indicated that ambient levels of trace elements during cocombustion should be within acceptable limits. However, periodic monitoring of Cd, Hg, and Pb may be warranted in some instances.
Vocal Integrity of Elementary Vocal Music Teachers: Personal and Environmental Factors

Voice and music education literature describe vocal stresses associated with vocal music teaching that may jeopardize vocal integrity. The purpose of this investigation was to systematically examine the predictive ability of three factors associated with professional voice use in elementary vocal music teaching to predict scores on a self-rated index of vocal integrity (Voice Conservation Index). Factors were: (a) percentage of life span spent in teaching, (b) a teaching schedule factor, and (c) specific dosimetric measures of classroom noise. Regression analysis results showed a significant relationship between maximum classroom noise level and VCI pathology scores. Recorded maximum noise levels as high as 117 dBA with an average maximum level of 106.1 dBA across all teachers suggest the need for systematic assessment of noise in teaching environments. Given the demonstrated relation of noise level to teachers' perceptions of their vocal health, results also suggest the need for in-service training regar...
Testbed Experiments on the Location to Service Translation (LoST) Protocol for Mobile Users

The Location to Service Translation (LoST) protocol is a service discovery protocol, which uses location information to map service Uniform Resource Identifiers (URI). The LoST protocol was developed to support the routing process of IP-based emergency calls, known as Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG-911). In this paper, we describe testbed experiments and a new algorithm to improve the performance of the LoST protocol for mobile users. The proposed algorithm is based on the minimum distance approach to detect service boundary crossings. After comparing the minimum distance algorithm with the Ray-Tracing method, our results showed that the new algorithm considerably reduces the processing time at the mobile LoST client.
Electrical coupling, receptive fields, and relative rod/cone inputs of horizontal cells in the tiger salamander retina.

Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030ABSTRACTLight responses, dendritic/axonal morphology, receptive ﬁeld diameters, patterns of dyecoupling, and relative rod/cone inputs of various types of horizontal cells (HCs) were studiedusing intracellular recording and Lucifer yellow/neurobiotin dye injection methods in theﬂatmount tiger salamander retina. Three physiologically and morphologically distinct typesof HC entities were identiﬁed. 1) The A-type HCs are somas that do not bear axons, withaverage ( SE) soma diameters of 20.01 0.59 m, relatively sparse and thick dendrites, andthey resemble the A-type HC in mammals. The average receptive ﬁeld diameter of these cellsis 529.6 10.87 m and they receive inputs predominantly from cones. 2) The B-type HCsare broad-ﬁeld somas that bear thin and long axons, with average soma diameters of 17.67 0.38 m, thinner dendrites of higher density, and they resemble the B-type HC in mammals.The average receptive ﬁeld diameter of these cells is 1,633.55 37.34 m and they receivemixed inputs from rods and cones. 3) The B-type HC axon terminals are broad-ﬁeld, coarseaxon terminal processes and they resemble the B-type HC axon terminal in rabbits. Theaverage receptive ﬁeld diameter of these axon terminals is 1,291.67 24.02 m and theyreceivemixedinputsfromrodsandcones.AllthesetypesofHCaredye-coupledwithadjacentHCs of the same type. Additionally, B-type HCs and axon terminals are dye-coupled withsubpopulations of bipolar cells whose axon terminals ramify in the proximal half of the innerplexiform layer, raising the possibility that these HCs may send feedforward antagonisticsurround responses to depolarizing bipolar cells through electrical synapses. J. Comp. Neu-rol. 499:422–431, 2006.
Early childhood teachers as learners: Combining traditional M.ED. students and initial certification post‐baccalaureate students in early childhood graduate courses

Abstract This research explored the needs, expectations, and experiences of early childhood teachers as they worked together in graduate study. The study looked at data collected from graduate students in three courses that were part of a pilot program. In this program, traditional (M.Ed. students) and non‐traditional (uncertified teachers working in low SES urban child care centers) graduate students were enrolled in the same early childhood graduate courses. Following New Jersey Supreme Court mandated universal preschool in 30 low SES districts, non‐traditional students were required to obtain the new (P‐3) teaching certification. Results showed that most students valued their learning experiences. Additionally, combining the two groups of learners created significantly more ethnic diversity in the graduate classes. Challenges included decreasing class size, creating a sense of community for learners from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and maintaining the rigor of course material while meeting the...
From Levinthal to pathways to funnels

A new view of protein folding kinetics replaces the idea of ‘folding pathways’ with the broader notions of energy landscapes and folding funnels. New experiments are needed to explore them.
Treating infidelity: clinical and ethical directions.

This article addresses clinical and ethical directions in treating clients coping with infidelity. Developing competence in this domain requires familiarity with empirical research regarding infidelity, individual and cultural differences involving nonmonogamy, and assessment and intervention skills related to treating infidelity. Practical directions will entail distinguishing among responsibilities to individual partners versus their relationship and managing related potential conflicts of interest with other involved parties. Confidentiality assumes increased complexity when confronting undisclosed infidelity in couple therapy and when a client engaging in high-risk behaviors for contracting STDs or testing seropositive for HIV has not informed his or her partner(s). Finally, we discuss therapists' need to concretely articulate their values that influence treatment of infidelity. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol/In Session 61: 1453–1465, 2005.
Hubble Space Telescope Fine Guidance Sensor Astrometric Parallaxesfor Three Dwarf Novae: SS Aurigae, SS Cygni, and U Geminorum

We report astrometric parallaxes for three well-known dwarf novae obtained using the Fine Guidance Sensors on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). We found a parallax for SS Aurigae of π=5.00±0.64 mas, for SS Cygni we found π=6.02±0.46 mas, and for U Geminorum we obtained π=10.37±0.50 mas. These represent the first true trigonometric parallaxes of any dwarf novae. We briefly compare these results with previous distance estimates. This program demonstrates that with a very modest amount of HST observing time, the Fine Guidance Sensors can deliver parallaxes with sub-milliarcsecond precision.
Bacteriophage P1-mediated generalized transduction in Escherichia coli: Structure of abortively transduced DNA

Abstract DNA was extracted from [ 3 H]thymidine-labeled Escherichia coli infected with 32 P-5-bromouracil-labeled transducing particles, and analyzed in equilibrium CsCl gradients. About 75% of the 32 P-labeled transducing DNA equilibrated in the heavy region of the gradient. This nonchromosomally associated DNA, which represented abortively transduced DNA, remained fully heavy up to 5 hr after infection. Sedimentation of abortively transduced DNA in neutral and in alkaline sucrose gradients showed that both strands remained intact up to 3 hr after infection. When infected recipient bacteria were lysed by a nonionic detergent procedure, about 60% of the abortively transduced DNA could be recovered in a form which sedimented 1.7 to 1.8 times faster than linear P1 phage DNA in neutral sucrose gradients. Sedimentation of abortively transduced DNA and P1 prophage DNA in neutral sucrose gradients showed faster and slower sedimenting forms of abortively transduced DNA which corresponded to supercoiled and relaxed circular prophage DNA, respectively. Agarose gel electrophoresis of abortively transduced DNA showed bands which comigrated with circular prophage DNA. Treatment of abortively transduced DNA with sodium lauryl sulfate, with heat (70°), or with Pronase converted the DNA to a form which sedimented with linear P1 phage DNA in neutral sucrose gradients, and which migrated with linear P1 transducing particle DNA in agarose gels. The data suggest that abortively transduced DNA exists as a circular DNA-protein complex.
Seasonal Phosphate Demand for Lake Erie Plankton

From April to mid-October 1979, in the eastern and central basins of Lake Erie, the pattern for phosphate demand was assessed by four independent methods: conventional monitoring, measurements of polyphosphate, phosphate turnover time, and a newly developed phosphate deficiency index. Thermal stratification and P limitation occurred faster in the central than in the eastern basin and the plankton remained P limited throughout most of the stratified season. This condition relaxed as the thermocline deepened in the central basin, exposing the epilimnion to a greater area of sediments. In September, when mixing of the entire water column occurred, the plankton were no longer P limited. In contrast, as the thermocline deepened in the eastern basin, metalimnetic water was entrained but the plankton remained P limited until mid-October. These observations support the view that a reduction of phosphorus in Lake Erie would probably affect the phytoplankton biomass during the periods of P limitation.
Near-IR Reflectance Spectroscopy for the Determination of Motor Oil Contamination in Sandy Loam

We have investigated the application of near-IR reflectance spectroscopy to the determination of motor oil contamination in sandy loam. Although the present work is concerned with a specific case of contamination, we discuss the possibility of applying the method to other organic contaminants and other types of soil. The spectral region considered was 1600-1900 nm, which contains the first overtone of the CH stretch. Using a commercial Fourier transform spectrometer together with cross-validated partial least-squares data analysis, the one-sigma precision for the determination of motor oil in sandy loam was 0.17 wt % (0.13 to 0.26 wt % at the 95% confidence level). The largest contribution to the precision of the determination was sampling error, or inhomogeneity in each sample. Given the precision limit imposed by the sampling error, we found that the performance of the spectrometer could be lowered without affecting the overall precision. In a modeling exercise, adequate performance was obtained with a spectrometer having only seven spectral channels with a spectral resolution of 10 nm and a spectral noise level of 10-3 absorbance units. A design for an inexpensive miniature instrument is presented.
Lyapunov-based Model Predictive Control of Nonlinear Systems Subject to Data Losses

In this work, we focus on control of nonlinear systems subject to data losses. In order to regulate the state of the system towards an equilibrium point while minimizing a given performance index, we propose a Lyapunov-based model predictive controller which is designed taking data losses explicitly into account, both in the optimization problem formulation and in the controller implementation.
Design of Hologram for Brightness Enhancement in Color LCDs

Transmission holographic film for brightness enhancement in full color reflective LCDs is proposed. The hologram is attached to the front of the LCD. The goal is paper-like brightness within the viewing zone under typical ambient lighting conditions. Optimum viewing and illumination angles have been identified. Modeling and measurements on holograms show that a viewing zone of 20° × 40° will provide a 12× film gain which is adequate to maintain a wide color gamut and brightness.
Microzone formation: Its role in the enhancement of aquatic N2 fixation'

Cyanobacterial-bacterial aggregates form internal microenvironments (microzones) having metabolic and redox conditions distinct from those of ambient planktonic and benthic marine and freshwater habitats. Low turbulence accompanied by adequate supplies of dissolved organic matter (DOM) favored the formation of microzones. Increases in cyanobacterial and possibly bacterial N2 fixation potentials paralleled the development of microzones, while increased turbulence and DOM deprivation greatly reduced both microzone formation and N2 fixation potentials. Among North Carolina nearshore marine and freshwater systems examined, the formation and maintenance of microzones were shown to override both trace metal and phosphorus availability as factors regulating magnitudes of N2 fixation. The degree to which development of microzone-scale symbiotic cyanobacterial-bacterial interactions occur in aquatic habitats in part determines the extent to which N2 fixation can meet nitrogen demands in nitrogen-depleted waters.
A comparative study of the effects of mercury compounds on cell viability and nucleic acid synthesis in HeLa cells.

The effects of various mercury compounds on HeLa cell viability and DNA and RNA syntheses in intact cells and in isolated nuclei have been studied. The compounds examined were: methylmercuric chloride, ethylmercuric chloride, dimethylmercury, phenylmercuric acetate, p-hydroxymercuribenzoate, p-hydroxymercuribenzenesulfonate, HgCl2, HgSO4 , Hg(ClO4)2 and Hg2(ClO4)2. All of the compounds except dimethylmercury inhibited colony formation as well as DNA synthesis in intact cells and in isolated nuclei. RNA synthesis in intact cells was inhibited by all the compounds except dimethylmercury, p-hydroxymercuribenzoate and Hg(ClO4)2. In isolated nuclei, alpha-amanitin-resistant RNA synthesis was inhibited by all the compounds except dimethylmercury, alpha-Amanitin-sensitive RNA synthesis was stimulated by some compounds, inhibited by some, and unaffected by others. The effects of two non-mercurial sulfhydryl reagents, N-ethylmaleimide and iodoacetic acid, were also examined. These compounds showed a pattern of effects on nucleic acid synthesis which differed considerably from that of the mercury compounds. Neither compound significantly inhibited alpha-amanitin-resistant RNA synthesis in isolated nuclei, although both inhibited RNA synthesis in intact cells. Iodoacetic acid had no inhibitory effect on DNA synthesis in isolated nuclei but strongly inhibited DNA synthesis in intact cells.
Early and late remodeling of the left ventricle after acute myocardial infarction.

This report describes early and later structural changes that occur in infarcted and noninfarcted ventricular myocardium after coronary arterial ligation in the rat. Histologic analysis was conducted of hearts subjected to 2 days (n = 22) and 21 days (n = 22) of coronary arterial occlusion, or to a sham operation (n = 22). Lengths, circumferences and areas of the left ventricle, of infarcted myocardium and of noninfarcted myocardium were obtained by videoplanimetry. Although the left ventricular (LV) endocardial circumference was similarly increased at 2 days (19 ± 3 mm, mean ± standard deviation) and 21 days (20 ± 3 mm) compared with shams (13 ± 3 mm, p <0.01), LV epicardial circumference was similar in all 3 groups (30 ± 2, 31 ± 2 and 31 ± 2 mm, respectively). The area enclosed by the endocardial circumference was significantly (p <0.01) increased at 2 days (20 ± 6 mm2) and 21 days (22 ± 6 mm2) compared with shams (7 ± 4 mm2); however, the area enclosed by the epicardial circumference was similar at 2 days, 21 days and in shams (70 ± 9, 72 ± 9 and 73 ± 10 mm2, respectively). The total LV tissue area was similar at 2 and 21 days, but was less than that in shams (p <0.01). Between 2 and 21 days, 3 measures of infarcted myocardium significantly decreased: its segments of endocardial and epicardial circumference, its circumference and its area. Between 2 and 21 days, 4 measures of noninfarcted myocardium significantly increased: septal length, LV free wall length, right ventricular length and area. Therefore, early (within 2 days) structural changes after acute myocardial infarction consist of LV tissue loss, presumably along the infarcted subendocardium, concomitant with LV cavity dilation; later (between 2 and 21 days) changes consist of contraction of infarcted tissue with compensatory expansion (hypertrophy) of noninfarcted tissue.