cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coupling of S* and epsilon to. pi pi. and KK-bar

We obtain the relative couplings of S* and epsilon to ..pi pi.. and KK-bar using the ratio of the widths of the S* and delta. The parameters in the SU(3) couplings of scalar mesons to two pseudoscalars are determined. We find vertical-bar g/sub S/*..pi pi../g/sub S/*KK-barvertical-bar approx. = 0.2-- 0.7 and vertical-bar g/sub epsilonpipi//g/sub epsilonK/K-barvertical-bar > or approx. = 3 which disagrees with the recent determination of these ratios by Cason et al.
Elastic–Plastic Behaviors of Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotube Arrays by Large-Displacement Indentation Test

This chapter describes the large-displacement indentation test method for examining elastic–plastic behaviors of vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays (VA-CNTs). The principle of this test is explained by using a cavity expansion model. The experiments have been performed on VA-CNTs synthesized by the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. Under a cylindrical, flat indenter, the VA-CNTs exhibit two distinct deformation stages: a short, elastic deformation at small displacement and a plateau-like, plastic deformation at large displacement. The critical indentation stress, a measure of yield stress or collapsing stress of the VA-CNT arrays, has been obtained. The deformation mechanism of the VA-CNTs at large displacement is revealed with scanning electronic microscope (SEM) images of the deformed VA-CNTs and finite element simulations.
Dissenting Statement of Commissioner Gail Heriot in the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights’ Report, Peer-to-Peer Violence and Bullying: Examining the Federal Response

In September of 2011, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights issued a report entitled Peer-to-Peer Violence and Bullying: Examining the Federal Response. This statement was part of that report. The Statement asks, “Remembering when children used to say, ‘Don’t make a federal case out of it?’ In those days, even fourth grader understood that not every problem is best dealt with at the federal level. These days, however, everything seems to be a federal issue — even schoolyard bullies.” The point is not that bullying is an unimportant issue. It is very important. That’s why it must be entrusted to local teachers and principals, as supervised by local school boards and school district officials. It goes on to criticize some of the empirical studies cited by the report and/or the use the report put to those studies. The statement also criticizes the Commission on Civil Rights for aborting a study into the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division’s use of the doctrine of “cy pres” in settling civil rights lawsuits brought on behalf of a class.
Immunotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Experience at Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center (LSCVAMC).

e21148Background: Utilization of immunotherapy in the veteran population with lung cancer is not well described. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of nivolumab (nivo) versus chemoth...
Is there a genetic basis to the different morphological subtypes of bicuspid aortic valve

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is one of the most common congenital heart defects leading to a significant global financial health burden as a result of its complications (1). BAV can lead to premature aortic valve disease in the form of aortic valve stenosis or regurgitation requiring multitude of interventions on aortic valve, including transcatheter interventions or surgical valve replacement. BAV disease is a continuum of disease process that not only affects the aortic valve but also extends to the thoracic aorta leading to dilatation with risk of aortic aneurysm and dissection. Even though the impacts of BAV are far and wide spread and despite decades of research and investigation, we still lack a clear understanding of the genetic and molecular pathophysiology of BAV (2).
The Adjustment of Immigrants in the Labor Market

Abstract This chapter explores immigrant labor market adjustment by first describing methodological and theoretical considerations central to the analysis of earnings growth and occupational mobility. When no restrictions are placed on entry earnings or earnings growth, an inverse relationship between immigrant entry earnings and earnings growth emerges. An implication of this relationship is that the popular method for controlling for cohort effects developed by Borjas, and used in almost all recent studies of immigrant adjustment, is flawed. Recent US immigrants have low initial earnings, relative to natives and earlier immigrant cohorts, but high earnings growth, a pattern consistent with high levels of human capital investment. Why immigrants invest more in human capital than natives, and why investment patterns vary across immigrant groups, is explored. Important individual attributes include how easily immigrants’ source-country human capital transfers to the host country and how permanently attached immigrants are to the host country. Economic and social contexts, beyond the individual, are highlighted. Labor market adjustment from a family perspective is examined, with light shed on the controversy surrounding the Family Investment Hypothesis. The chapter concludes with a framework for examining immigrant adjustment across the labor markets of major immigrant-host countries and with directions for future research.
Identification of AT1 receptors on cultured astrocytes.

It is well established that the brain contains an endogenous renin-angiotensin system (RAS) that participates in the regulation of blood pressure through the control of water intake and sodium appetite, the secretion of ACTH and Vasopressin and the regulation of sympathetic tone (1). While high affinity binding sites for Ang II were initially characterized in brain homogenates (2, 3), the technique of in vitro receptor autoradiography allowed visualization of Ang II binding sites to specific brain regions including the circumventricular organs, hypothalamus, dorsal and ventral medulla, spinal cord and pituitary gland (1, 4, 5). These brain regions correspond to areas at which the peptide exerts its physiological effects (5) or where the responses are inhibited by Ang II receptor antagonists (6).
Customer concentration and stock price crash risk

Abstract We investigate the impact of customer concentration on stock price crash risk. Customer concentration may represent a source of significant cash flow and business risk for supplier firms or benefit supplier firms in terms of efficient product, inventory and supply chain management. Using a large sample of firms for the period 1977–2016, we find that corporate customer concentration is positively associated with stock price crash risk. We find, however, that government customer concentration is negatively associated with stock price crash risk. Further analyses demonstrate that our results are robust to potential endogeneity and reverse causality concerns. In the cross-sectional analyses, we find that the likelihood that a supplier firm with a concentrated customer base experiences higher crash risk is attenuated by lower switching cost and is accentuated when the degree of information asymmetry is high.
A theoretical basis for the equivalence between physical and economic climate metrics and implications for the choice of Global Warming Potential time horizon

The global warming potential (GWP) is widely used in policy analysis, national greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting, and technology life cycle assessment (LCA) to compare the impact of non-CO2 GHG emissions to the impact of CO2 emissions. While the GWP is simple and versatile, different views about the appropriate choice of time horizon—and the factors that affect that choice—can impede decision-making. If the GWP is viewed as an approximation to a climate metric that more directly measures economic impact—the global damage potential (GDP)—then the time horizon may be viewed as a proxy for the discount rate. However, the validity of this equivalence rests on the theoretical basis used to equate the two metrics. In this paper, we develop a new theoretical basis for relating the GWP time horizon and the economic discount rate that avoids the most restrictive assumptions of prior studies, such as an assumed linear relationship between economic damages and temperature. We validate this approach with an extensive set of numerical experiments using an up-to-date climate emulator that represents state-dependent climate-carbon cycle feedbacks. The numerical results largely confirm the theoretical finding that, under certain reasonable assumptions, time horizons in the GWP of 100 years and 20 years are most consistent with discount rates of approximately 3% and 7% (or greater), respectively.
Cost Analysis of Vaginal Anti-incontinence Procedures at a Tertiary Care Center.

Abstract Objective To compare the cost of 3 vaginal procedures used in the surgical management of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) at 1 tertiary institution. Methods The costs of autologous fascial sling (AFS), synthetic mid-urethral sling (MUS), and anterior vaginal wall suspension (AVWS) were analyzed from a prospective long-term database, with follow-up to 5 years after these procedures. Original costing data were obtained for operating room, medical and surgical supplies, pharmacy, anesthesia supplies, and room and bed over 2 consecutive years. Included were complete cost data provided by our institution from Medicare (2012) and private payer insurance. Results For the year 2013, the AVWS, AFS, and MUS had total median costs of $4513, $5721, and $3311, respectively. Total cost and all subcosts except for pharmacy costs were significantly different for each procedure. AVWS and MUS placement differed from each other regarding the cost of anesthesia and hospital stay, which was higher for AVWS. Compared to AFS, AVWS had significantly lower total costs due to decreased costs associated with operating time, hospital stay, and surgical supplies (P Conclusion Initial costs of vaginal SUI procedures at our institution fared favorably compared to SUI procedures reported in the contemporary US literature. Long-term costs can vary based on physician preference in follow-up routine and etiology of SUI.
Tamped Richtmyer–Meshkov Instability Experiments to Probe High-Pressure Material Strength

Dynamic interface instabilities such as Rayleigh–Taylor, Kelvin–Helmholtz, and Richtmyer–Meshkov are important in a number of physical phenomena. Besides meriting study because of their role in natural events and man-made applications, they can also be used to study constitutive properties of materials in extreme conditions. Both RTI and RMI configurations have been used to study the strength of solids at high strain rates, though RMI has largely been limited to zero or ambient pressure. Recently, advances in imaging have allowed tamped RMI experiments to be performed in which the pressure is maintained above ambient. In this study, we examine the tamped RMI for determining material strength. Through simulation, we explore the behavior of the jetting material and examine the sensitivity of jetting to material properties. We identify simple scaling laws that relate the key physical parameters controlling jetting, which are compared to previous results from the literature. We use these scaling law and other considerations to examine issues associated with tamped RMI experiments.
Coagulation and immunity: Caught in the fibrin web.

In this issue of Immunity, Vega-Perez et al. (2021) reveal the formation of a dynamic multicellular aggregate within a fibrin scaffold consisting of large peritoneal macrophages, B1 cells, neutrophils, and monocytes during antibacterial immunity in the peritoneum. Anticoagulants targeting thrombin or peritoneal macrophage depletion by clodronate impaired efficient control of E. coli infection.
Is More Too Many?: Adjustment in Families with Adopted Children with Developmental Disabilities

ABSTRACT We investigated the adjustment of differing sized adoptive families rearing children with developmental disabilities. Families of 5 or more children (large: n = 54) were compared with families of 4 or fewer children (conventional: n = 69) on a variety of demographic and outcome variables measuring family strengths, family disharmony, marital adjustment, and adjustment to the adopted child. Analyses of covariance on the outcome variables demonstrated that parents of large families were functioning as well or better than parents of conventional-sized families. We concluded that adoption placement practice should not exhibit bias against the placement of multiple children with developmental disabilities in the same family.
A simplified accurate method for detecting bacteriuria

Abstract The accuracy of detecting bacteriuria by a combination of the Griess nitrite and diphenylamine tests was compared with standard colony counting methods in 624 asymptomatic pregnant patients. The chemical procedures were performed on first morning voided urine and colony counts were performed on cleanly caught midstream urine samples. In each of the 564 urine samples which were Griess negative and diphenylamine positive, the colony count was negative; whereas, in each of the 7 which were Griess positive and diphenylamine negative the colony count was positive. The chemical combinations in the 53 remaining urine samples did not correlate with the bacteriologic findings. This combination of chemical tests separated the 624 patients into three distinct groups: 564 without bacteriuria, 7 with bacteriuria, and 53 uncertain. There were no false negative or false positive results. A 90 per cent reduction in work load resulted without fear of false negative results.
Tuning of Discrete-Time Observers

The problem of designing reduced-order observers for linear discrete-time systems with unknown parameter variations is considered. A scheme is developed to detect and track such variation thereby tuning the observer matrices. The results are motivated by microprocessor estimation and control of experimental laboratory systems.
Special cutaneous receptor organs of fish. V. Electroreceptor inclusion bodies of Eigenmannia.

In receptor cells of the electroreceptors of the gymnotid fish, Eigenmannia virescens , there are inclusion bodies that contain hexagonally packed arrays of cylinders 270 in diameter. The cylinders have a core of low electron density. The bodies contain RNA, acid phosphatase, and α -hydroxybutyric acid oxidase but do not contain aryl sulfatase, catalase, or lactic acid oxidase. The bodies have not been found in receptor cells of other receptor organs or in other tissues of these fish. They appear to be unique in structure and composition.
Modification of alkyne-functionalized asymmetric phthalocyanines by CuI-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition

Abstract The use of asymmetric phthalocyanines (Pcs) as platforms for the preparation of several asymmetric hexatriazolyl-monohydroxyphthalocyanines via copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction was investigated. Asymmetric Pcs 5a and 5b were prepared through statistical macrocyclization of phthalonitriles (Pns) 1a and 2 to give PMB-protected 4a and 4b, which afforded asymmetric Pcs 5a and 5b after acidic cleavage. The ‘ROMP-Capture-Release’ method as a synthetic approach to prepare asymmetric Pc 5b was also evaluated. TIPS-protection of the terminal alkynes was necessary to prevent cross-coupling during the ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) step. Zinc Pc 5b was successfully used as a scaffold for functional modification under CuAAC conditions using several azides bearing hydrophobic, photo-crosslinkable, or electroactive moieties. Monitoring the CuAAC reaction by both UV/Vis and FTIR spectroscopies provided insight into the role of azide equivalent, reaction time, and catalyst on reaction progress.
Implications of New Evidence on Quasi-Landau Spectra for a Unified Treatment of Collisions and Spectra

Novel evidence, sparked by Bielefeld measurements of two-photon Quasi-Landau excitations, is interpreted in the context of its relevance to more general phenomena. The interpretation implies that resonant states localized in regions of high potential energy decay to lower potential regions at large radial distances, where the period of classical orbits exceeds the half-life of localization. The localized states are now seen to be stabilized mainly by repulsion from states localized at low potentials rather than by short-range mechanisms, an unanticipated conclusion. These findings require an adaptation of earlier theory, which is outlined together with initial steps that are reported elsewhere.
Improved modelling of the coaxial Kelvin balance

We present the results of a model of the Kelvin balance commonly used in four-terminal coaxial bridges. A Kelvin balance is used to combine the low-potential terminals of two impedances into a single potential. The model considers the effect of interconnecting cables, equalisers, and shunt impedances within the measured impedances.
Disruption of Vascular Barriers in Tumors and in the Brain

While most brain tumors do not have an intact blood-brain barrier (BBB), vascular barriers in the tumor and the surrounding intact brain tissue are major challenges for the use of chemotherapy for CNS malignancies. The permeability of brain tumor vessels can be highly heterogeneous, and factors such as high interstitial pressures can prevent agents from reaching an effective concentration in all tumor regions. Furthermore, tumors such as glioma are highly infiltrative, and these infiltrating tumor cells in the brain tissue surrounding the vascular portion of the tumor are protected by the BBB.
Hybrid MR/near infrared imaging of the murine brain: optimization of optical fiber arrangement and use of a-priori knowledge

In this work we will present our initial study into the use of hybrid MRI/Near Infrared (NIR) imaging system and the reconstruction algorithm for the murine head. We will show that the arrangement of optical fibers on one side of the head, near the brain, will provide more information about optical changes within the brain. Also, we will show that by the use of a-priori information from MRI and appropriate constraints within our reconstruction algorithm it is possible to improve the quality of image reconstruction.
What sort of cognitive processes are involved in cognitive behaviour therapy? Beyond Mahoney

Mahoney's recent book, Cognition and Behaviour Modification (1974), has produced some fierce interchanges in the pages of this journal. To me, the surprising feature of the controversy is that it has frowned on Mahoney's arguments about the adequacy of radical behaviourism. I had imagined that the philosophical assumptions of radical behaviourism had long ago been shown to be untenable. However, I do not wish to join in this discussion, or to try and improve on the arguments of Mahoney and Marzillier's (1976) defence of them.
Highly efficient algorithm for percolative transport studies in two dimensions.

We present a fast algorithm using the Y-del transformation for calculating the conductance of large two-dimensional random resistor lattices. The procedure can also be used to calculate other quantities for which Y-del transformations can be defined. As an example of the method's usefulness, we present extensive data on square random resistor lattices as large as 1000 bonds on a side. Using this data, we estimate that the conductivity exponent t = 1.303/sub -0.014//sup +0.004/ in two dimensions.
Cryosurgery for carcinoma of prostate

Abstract One hundred fifty-four patients with histologically proved prostatic cancer have been treated by cryosurgery via the open perineal route. This approach provides excellent access to the primary lesion, is well tolerated by the patients, and is not followed by a significant incidence of urinary incontinence. Radiologic evidence of metastatic regression was observed in 1 patient, aged seventy-nine, with Stage D disease. Subjective relief of bone pain occurred in 75 per cent of those at risk in whom a hormonal cause for pain relief can be excluded. Although the frequency of objective metastatic regression has been low, perineal cryosurgery has proved effective in the destruction of the local lesion. Two-year patient survival was significantly less in those having previous hormonal therapy.
The effect of starting time on dexamethasone suppression test results in horses.

Abstract This study was conducted to investigate the effect of starting time on dexamethasone suppression test results in horses. Eight adult horses were used throughout the trial. Baseline cortisol levels were established by collecting cortisol levels twice daily, at 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. for 4 consecutive days. Morning baseline cortisol levels were 46.3 ± 5.94 ng/ml, and evening baseline cortisol levels were 32.8 ± 5.59 ng/ml. Although lower, the evening cortisol levels were not statistically different (P=0.154) from the morning levels. Dexamethasone suppression tests initiated at either 9:00 a.m. or 9:00 p.m. were performed by collected a control blood sample, administering either 0.044 mg/kg dexamethasone or its vehicle intravenously and then collecting additional blood samples at 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hr after treatment. Mean cortisol levels at hr 0, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 after a dexamethasone injection given at 9:00 a.m. were 55.6 ± 3.08, 6.4 ± 2.05, 0.73 ± 0.48, 11.0 ± 5.82, 12.6 ± 4.30, and 40.5 ± 5.38 ng/ml respectively. Mean cortisol levels at hr 0, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hr after a dexamethasone injection given at 9:00 p.m. were 45.0± 6.03, 4.5 ± 1.28, 0.20 ± 0.12, 4.5 ± 2.49, 23.4 ± 5.88, and 29.5 ± 6.61 ng/ml respectively. There was no statistical difference in cortisol values between a.m. and p.m. initiated tests at any hour post dexamethasone administration. There was no decrease in cortisol level after administration of dexamethasone vehicle.
Autonomic correlates of illness imagery.

Psychophysiological responses to imagery of self-relevant illness threats were examined for high and low extreme groups of hypervigilants and health care utilizers. Heart rate, skin conductance, and respiration were the physiological measures recorded; self-reports of perceived illness vulnerability, negative affect, image clarity, and image realness were the psychological measures obtained. Responses to neutral, exercise, and illness threat scenes were compared. Hypervigilants showed an increased heart rate response to imagery of illness scenes, whereas all other groups returned more quickly to baseline levels. The results are similar to those reported by Lang for snake phobics. They also lend some support to Horowitz's theory of intrusive imagery, in which self-relevant, anxiety provoking events tend to continuously intrude upon one's thoughts, and this intrusive imagery was reflected cardiovascularly. There could be several possible underlying mechanisms for these findings.
Simulation-based optimization of the electrodynamic ion funnel for high sensitivity electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Abstract High sensitivity is one of the most important requirements for applications of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS). Recent work with the electrodynamic ion funnel has demonstrated that it can provide significantly improved ion transmission through the ESI interface. Here we summarize the results of the simulations for several ion funnel configurations and their comparison with experimental measurements. We also report an alternative treatment of the ion funnel operation based on the effective potential approximation. The analytical relationships derived are used to generalize the results of computer simulations and develop an optimized ion funnel design. The new configuration reduces the spacing between ring electrodes to 1 mm and provides an optimized profile of the ring electrodes radii. It can also generate a deeper effective potential well, resulting in transmission of higher input ion currents over an extended mass range and increased operating pressure range (up to ∼20 Torr). Furthermore, light m/z ion transmission is improved due to suppression of the effective potential wells near the ion funnel exit. Simulations for an optimized ion funnel configuration indicate unit transmission efficiency in the m/z range of interest for most biomolecular research using ESI (approximately m/z 100–5000), for 1–5 Torr pressure and ion currents >∼1 nA, typical for low flow rate charge-constrained electrosprays (i.e. nanospray). Experimental results obtained with an improved electrodynamic funnel validate the model and demonstrate its general utility for designing rf-damped focusing elements.
The Mechanical Cotton-Picker, Negro Migration, and the Integration Movement

Two viewpoints about the integration movement seem to predominate within the larger society. The more dominant one is that the recent integration movement, dating from about 1955, resulted from slow changes in the geist or weltanschaung of Negroes as well as many whites, which reached a threshold in the mid-50's and boiled over. This viewpoint is more often implicit than explicit. It is implied in phrases such as, "Freedom now," and "We have waited long enough." It is implied in the white Southerners' attribution of the Negro problem to "those outside agitators"
Realism and Mind Independence

A traditional conception of realism (T-realism) holds that a thing exists only if it exists mind independently. T-realism rules out such intuitively unreal things as hallucinations and fictions, but faces the objection that many uncontroversially real things - such as paintings, carburetors, and mental states - are mind dependent, in that their existence depends upon the existence of minds. I meet this objection by adopting a more fine-grained notion of mind independence, one entailing that hallucinations and fictions are mind dependent but that paintings and the like are mind independent. I then apply T-realism so understood to several debates in contemporary metaphysics.
Developing microencapsulated flaxseed oil containing shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus) astaxanthin using a pilot scale spray dryer

Shrimp byproducts are an excellent source of astaxanthin. The antioxidant-rich natural astaxanthin, dispersed in alpha-linolenic acid-rich flaxseed oil, may provide healthier functional food options for consumers. The goal was to develop astaxanthin dry powder using microencapsulation technology. Emulsions prepared with flaxseed oil (EF) and flaxseed oil containing shrimp astaxanthin (ESA) were spray-dried to produce microencapsulated powders using a pilot scale spray dryer. Energy required for spray drying EF and ESA and physicochemical properties of the powders were evaluated. The energy required to spray dry EF and ESA was 2.676 × 104 and 2.405 × 104 kJ kg−1 respectively. The measured production rate of microencapsulated flaxseed oil (MF) and flaxseed oil containing shrimp astaxanthin (MSA) was lower than the estimated production rate. The astaxanthin concentration of MSA was 16.08 μg g−1 powder. The lipid oxidation of MSA was lower than that of MF at 5, 25, and 40 °C during 26 days storage. Degradation of astaxanthin in MSA, fitted with first-order reaction kinetics model, showed that the degradation rate constant for MSA increased with increased storage temperature, which indicated that astaxanthin degraded faster at higher temperature than that at lower temperature. This study demonstrated that astaxanthin extracted from shrimp byproducts using flaxseed oil can be microencapsulated using spray drying technology.
Rendering of NURBS curves (Invited Paper)

Integer versions of subdivision and corner cutting algorithms of NURBS curves are presented. The algorithms are used to render NURBS curves of any degree on a raster device by either computing a polygonal approximation or by turning on pixels that are closest to the curve. Because of the integer arithmetic used, the algorithms are easily cast in hardware.
Characterization of Asymptotic Entrainment Rate for Compressible Jets

Experimental results for the spreading and centerline velocity decay rates are presented for round, compressible, submerged jets, with total temperature same as ambient temperature, covering a 'jet Mach number' (M(sub J)) range of 0.3 - 2.0. Data from a convergent and a convergent-divergent nozzle are considered. The spreading rate is determined from the total longitudinal mass fluxes measured by Pilot probe survey. Results for the far asymptotic regions show that both spreading and centerline velocity decay rates, when normalized by conditions at the nozzle exit, decrease with increasing M(sub J). Dimensional analysis and isentropic calculations predict this Mach number dependence well. The analysis also demonstrates that an increase in the 'potential core length' of the jet occurring with increasing M(sub J), a commonly observed trend, is largely accounted for simply by the variations in the density and static pressure at the nozzle exit. The effect of decreasing mixing efficiency with increasing compressibility is inferred to contribute only partially to the latter trend.
The scientific workstation of the future may be a pile of PCs

A rapid convergence of computer technologies from two historically disparate markets may dramatically alter the way scientific single-user systems are implemented in the near future. Once relegated to the menial tasks of games, word processing, and spreadsheets, PCs and their underlying component technologies are rapidly overtaking what had been an exclusive workstation market. The healthy lead in performance and functionality held by workstations for over a decade has since dissipated to the point that the distinction between the two classes of machines may soon be extinct. What has not changed is the cost benefits of mass-market commodity PC subsystems with a scale of manufacturing in the millions of units per year rather than tens of thousands typical for workstation vendors. A second emerging factor in the evolution of desktop systems is incorporation of parallel processing—the integration of multiple microprocessors within a single ensemble, first introduced at a modest scale by the workstation vendors a few years ago. PC-based systems with two processors have been available for the last two years and up to four processors in a single system may be available as early as 1997. But a much higher degree of parallelism is feasible for PCs within the cost constraints of typical high-end scientific work- stations. Significantly, exploitation of this new potential is possible now and need not wait for some future product release. Methods for applying a pile of PCs (PopC, pronounced “pop-see”) to a working environment—once restricted to the finest workstations—has been developed at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. The Beowulf project has shown that in the world of cheaper-better-faster, PC-derived technology combined in parallel structures may yield superior operational characteristics at competitive cost through the PopC approach.
Late Holocene Sea Temperatures along the Central California Coast

Mussel shells from central California coastal archaeological sites record changes in sea surface temperatures in the past 2000 years. Water temperatures, inferred from oxygen isotopes in the shells, were about 1°C cooler than present and stable between 2000 and 700 yr ago. Between about 700 and 500 yr ago, seasonal variation was greater than present, with extremes above and below historic levels. Water temperatures were 2–3°C cooler than today 500–300 yr ago. The interval of variable sea temperatures 700–500 yr ago partially coincided with an interval of drought throughout central California. A coincident disruption in human settlement along the coast suggests movements of people related to declining water sources. Quantities of fish bone in central coast middens dating to this same period are high relative to other periods, and the remains of northern anchovies, a species sensitive to changing oceanographic conditions, are also abundant. The continued use of local fisheries suggests that changes in settlement and diet were influenced more by drought than by a decrease in marine productivity, as fish provided a staple during an interval of low terrestrial productivity.
Language Comprehension in Sensorimotor Stages V and VI.

A cross-sectional study of language comprehension in relation to cognitive functioning in 48 10-to-21 month old children, 4 at each month of age, revealed significant correlations between comprehen...
Paradigms and Perspectives of Simulation

Abstract This article looks at the complex and multi‐faceted nature of paradigms and perspectives of gaming and simulation. It provides insight into the discipline by describing various broad categories into which the range of activity can be divided, and concludes by stressing the relevance of its application to contemporary problems.
Behavioral evaluation of visual function of rats using a visual discrimination apparatus

A visual discrimination apparatus was developed to evaluate the visual sensitivity of normal pigmented rats (n=13) and S334ter-line-3 retinal degenerate (RD) rats (n=15). The apparatus is a modified Y maze consisting of two chambers leading to the rats' home cage. Rats were trained to find a one-way exit door leading into their home cage, based on distinguishing between two different visual alternatives (either a dark background or black and white stripes at varying luminance levels) which were randomly displayed on the back of each chamber. Within 2 weeks of training, all rats were able to distinguish between these two visual patterns. The discrimination threshold of normal pigmented rats was a luminance level of -5.37+/-0.05 log cd/m(2); whereas the threshold level of 100-day-old RD rats was -1.14+/-0.09 log cd/m(2) with considerable variability in performance. When tested at a later age (about 150 days), the threshold level of RD rats was significantly increased (-0.82+/-0.09 log cd/m(2), p<0.03, paired t-test). This apparatus could be useful to train rats at a very early age to distinguish between two different visual stimuli and may be effective for visual functional evaluations following therapeutic interventions.
Predicting Dietary Compliance with Step I and II Dietary Guidelines in Patients With CVD Risk Factors.

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To identify factors predictive of dietary compliance in patients with CVD risk factors. The goal of this study was to identify factors predictive of dietary compliance in individuals with marginally controlled hypertension, dyslipidemia or NIDDM following two therapeutic dietary interventions. In a multicenter trial, 560 participants aged 25-70 were randomized to either: 1) a nutritionist-guided self-selected mixed-food plan (SSD; n=277) or 2) a nutrient-fortified prepared meal plan (PMP; n=283). Both plans provided (as % energy) 17% fat, 21% protein and 62% carbohydrate. Dietary intake and compliance with Step I and II guidelines was estimated with 3-day food records throughout the 10-week trial. Compliance with Step I was achieved by 97% of the PMP group compared to 73% of SSD, whereas Step II compliance was 81% vs. 41% respectively. Logistic regression was used to compute odds of compliance for each variable in the model. Treatment group was the strongest predictor of compliance, with the PMP 15.3 times as likely to achieve STEP I and 7.5 times as likely to achieve Step II compliance compared to the SSD (p
Promising therapeutic agents for sepsis

The incidence of sepsis is expected to increase at a rate of 1.5% per year. Advances in our understanding of the sepsis syndrome have enabled researchers to identify new therapeutic targets and design therapies for existing mediators of sepsis. Drotrecogin alfa (activated) was the first biological treatment for serious sepsis approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2001. There have also been promising research results involving ethyl pyruvate, glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibitors and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors. Here, we review these four compounds and compound classes as examples of emerging pharmacological treatments of severe sepsis and describe the current status of sepsis research.
Origins of Traumatology and Prospects for the Future, Part I

Abstract The first part of this article defines the field of traumatology and provides a brief review of the roots of the field. The next section of the paper discusses some of the more important historical and conceptual facets of the field prior to and immediately following the promulgation of the diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Of special note here are the role of social policy, the influence of social justice, and the need for the infrastructure of a new field of study and practice. Subsequent articles will discuss the more recent developments within the field and the prospects for current and future research and treatment on behalf of the traumatized.
Connected Classroom Climate: A Validity Study

Connected classroom climate, which focuses on the role of student–student communication in establishing a positive classroom climate, is a relatively new construct with the potential to enhance the understanding of classroom interaction. Results of this study support both the content and construct validity of Dwyer et al.'s (2004) Connected Classroom Climate Inventory as a measure of connected classroom climate. As expected, connected classroom climate was positively related to instructor nonverbal immediacy and student affective learning. Further, connected classroom climate contributed unique variance to affective learning beyond the contributions of instructor nonverbal immediacy. Recommendations for the future utility of this construct are discussed.
Landscape and Conservation Management Effects on Hydraulic Properties of a Claypan‐Soil Toposequence

Information on the effects of landscape and its interaction with management on soil hydraulic properties is scarce. Our objective was to investigate the effects and interactions of landscape position and conservation management systems (e.g., reduced tillage or permanent grass) on soil bulk density, saturated hydraulic conductivity (K sat ), soil water retention, and pore-size distributions for claypan soils in central Missouri. Landscape positions included summit, backslope, and footslope positions. Management included mulch tillage with a corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation (MTCS); no-till with a corn-soybean-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotation (NTCSW) with a red clover (Trifolium pretense L.) cover crop following wheat; a Conservation Reserve Program system (CRP); and a hay crop system (HAY). Intact soil cores (76 by 76 mm) were collected from 0- to 10-, 10- to 20-, and 20- to 30-cm depths. Soil properties were affected by management only in the surface 0 to 10 cm, and were controlled by the depth of the claypan horizon. Management and depth effects on soil properties varied with landscape position. Saturated hydraulic conductivity was highest for CRP and lowest for MTCS (20.2 vs. 4.3 mm h -1 ), averaged across all landscape positions and depths. The management x landscape position interaction indicated that, at the backslope, K sat values for CRP and HAY were 16 and 10 times higher, respectively, than values for MTCS. The CRP retained the most water at soil water pressures from saturation to -1 kPa at the 0- to 10-cm depth. The fraction of larger pores was the highest for CRP at the 0- to 10-cm depth. Results suggest that the use of perennial grasses in rotation (or permanently) will benefit soil hydraulic properties, particularly at slope positions most vulnerable to degradation where soil conditions cannot be improved by row-crop conservation systems.
Quenby Olmsted Hughes, ‘In the Interest of Democracy’: The Rise and Fall of the Early Cold War Alliance Between the American Federation of Labor and the Central Intelligence Agency

(Oxford: Peter Lang, 2011), Pp. 204. Biblio, index, £32/$55. Pb, ISBN 978-3-0343-0212-8 When historians first gained access to the papers of the international labor expert Jay Lovestone in the mid-...
Albuminuria correlates with hemolysis and NAG and KIM-1 in patients with sickle cell anemia

Background Although hyperfiltration and albuminuria are common pathological conditions, kidney injury (KI) biomarkers have been seldom studied in individuals with sickle cell anemia (SCA).
Mapping and assessing seagrass bed changes in Central Florida's west coast using multitemporal Landsat TM imagery

Abstract Some seagrass meadows in coastal shallow waters have displayed large scale changes in seagrass spatial extent and hurricanes and/or tropical storms have been suggested as factors responsible for reduction in coverage. Taking advantage of the incidence of three tropical storms passing near a study site along the central west Florida coast within a two-month period in 2004, we evaluated whether satellite remote sensing techniques (Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery) are useful for assessing dynamics of seagrass (=submerged aquatic vegetation: SAV) cover/abundance in response to these multiple disturbances. We also examined whether an image preprocessing procedure, which included water column correction, applied to the Landsat TM images could further improve the classification and mapping of detailed SAV coverage. We compared a historical set of Landsat TM images, acquired in Fall 2003 and Fall and late Summer 2005, which were processed to classify %SAV cover into five classes using a maximum likelihood classifier. Importantly, our experimental results demonstrated that the application of the image preprocessing procedures led to an overall accuracy 2–14% improvement in SAV classification due to water column correction compared to that currently reported in the literature when similar Landsat TM data are utilized. Based upon the classification results mapped from the TM images and as well as a similar classification of SAV interpreted from aerial photographs collected before and after the passage of these same storms, SAV coverage over the study areas was found to increase about 6% (integrating SAV losses and gains) by 2005/2006 in comparison to cover levels present prior to the repeated storm activity. We conclude that heavy rains during 2004 along with physical disturbance from gale force winds from the tropical storms/hurricanes did not produce any SAV bed loss at the study site that was sustained for more than one year after multiple storm passage.
Observed thermal structure of a midlatitude mesopause

The Colorado State Na temperature lidar has been in regular nighttime operation since 1991. By the end of January 1993, 94 nights of quality data with more than 4 hrs each night have been collected. Analysis of a total of 22,999 photocount files gives rise to high resolution seasonally and nightly averaged temperature and Na density profiles, from which the thermal structure of a midlatitude mesopause emerges. Contrary to the reference atmosphere of CIRA 1986, two prevailing temperature minima are seen at altitudes 86.3 ± 2.5 km and 99.0 ± 2.9 km with the lower minimum having the dominating effect. The trend of the mean nightly temperature of the lower minimum is observed to vary monotonically between a low of 172 K at summer solstice and a high of 212 K at nearly one month following winter solstice. As in the polar regions, this is a clear signature of a wave-driven diabatic circulation observed at a midlatitude. The temperature of the upper minimum fluctuates around 189 ± 8 K year-round. Like the polar mesopause, the mesopause altitude follows a bistable pattern, although the seasonal variation of the mesopause temperature is much more complicated. Based on the seasonal variations of these two temperature minima, the observed patterns of mesopause altitude and temperature can be explained. Although the mechanisms responsible for the formation of double temperature minima are not clear at present, the lower temperature minimum with a robust 40 K annual temperature change plays the role of the mesopause commonly known.
Output performance under central planning: a model of poor incentives

Centrally planned economies tend to be less efficient than economies in which agents are free to choose their output targets, as well as the means to meet them. This paper presents a simple model of planner–manager interactions and shows how planned economies can end up in a low-effort, low-output equilibrium even though they may have started in a high-effort, high-output equilibrium. © 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
The role of interference and trace decay in the retention of a simple psychomotor task

The purpose of the present study was to show whether interference theory and/or trace decay theory account for the forgetting found in motor short-term memory. One variable was the number of prior responses (0 to 6) which the S experienced on a linear slide apparatus; another variable was the length of the retention interval (5, 40, and 75 sec). There were no significant effects due to retention interval, number of prior responses, or the interaction between retention interval and prior responses.
Effects of reduced saliva production on swallowing in patients with Sjogren's syndrome.

This study aimed to further characterize the nature of swallowing dysfunction in patients with Sjogren’s syndrome (SS). Subjects filled out a perception of swallow function form. Measures of stimulated salivary flow rate were also taken, and videofluoroscopic evaluation of swallowing was completed. The amount of saliva produced by patients with SS was significantly less than that produced by normal age-matched controls, and these patients perceived their swallowing to be impaired. Few statistically significant differences were found between the SS group and normal age-matched controls on temporal measures of swallowing, and 96% of swallows in the SS group were judged to be functional. There was no correlation between perception of swallowing and amount of saliva produced. No strong correlations were found between temporal measures of swallowing and salivary flow rate. Results indicated that patients with SS tend to perceive their swallowing to be worse than physiologic swallowing measures indicate. The decreased saliva production in these patients does not appear to be the cause of their perceived swallowing difficulty but may affect their sensory judgment of swallow function. Future studies will focus on how quality of saliva affects swallowing in these patients.
Sample Entropy enhanced wavelet-ICA denoising technique for eye blink artifact removal from scalp EEG dataset

Scalp Electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings are usually contaminated with a variety of artifacts, which can be removed by threshold-based classifiers, Principal Component Analysis, Independent Component Analysis (ICA), wavelet-based multi-resolution analysis, or higher order statistics. In this paper we propose Sample Entropy, a self-sufficient statistical measure to identify the eye blink related independent components and Haar wavelet decomposition to subsequently denoise these components. The proposed method identified the blink artifactual components with an accuracy of 88% in our pilot study (N=4). The results demonstrated the improved performance of eye-blink artifacts removal with the neural activity intact in terms of Mutual Information (1.27 / 0.318 / 1.15), Correlation coefficient (0.574 / 0.369/ 0.569), and Standard deviation ratio (0.559/ 0.375 / 0.551) in comparison to standard Zeroing-ICA and wavelet-ICA based techniques, respectively. Instead of human expertise intervention to identify the eye blink components after Extended Infomax ICA decomposition, the algorithm offers potential for automation. This algorithm also offers advantage of being computationally fast and inexpensive, and does not require additional Electrooculographic signals for referencing.