cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influences on children's competence in early childhood classrooms

Abstract The purpose of the study was to examine the contributions of classroom context (activity settings, teacher behavior, contact with peers and teachers) to children's cognitive and social competence in early childhood classrooms. One-hundred fourteen children (61 girls ; M age = 51.7 months ) were observed in their early childhood classrooms during free play time. Children's cognitive and social competence were measured by observing their interactions with peers and objects. A preliminary analysis revealed that teacher behavior was negatively related to one child characteristic, cognitive competence, but was unrelated to children's age, sex, or social competence. A multiple regression analysis showed that, when child age and cognitive competence were controlled, children's social competence was positively related to peer contact and teacher involvement and negatively related to teacher contact. Children's cognitive competence was positively related to participation in “high yield” activities and negatively related to teacher contact, with age controlled. These results are discussed in light of current research and theory on classroom practices designed to enhance children's development.
Elliptic formulation of the Simplified Spherical Harmonics Method in radiative heat transfer

Abstract The Simplified P N -Approximation was introduced some 50 years ago, as an intuitive three-dimensional extension to the one-dimensional slab P N -formulation. The set of simplified- P N or SP N equations was formulated, such that they reduced to the standard P N -approximation for a one-dimensional slab, resulting in 2 ( N + 1 ) simultaneous first order differential equations, subject to a modified set of Marshak boundary conditions. In this article the method is developed further for radiative heat transfer applications by reducing the governing equations to a small set of simultaneous second-order, elliptic PDEs, similar to the simple P 1 equation. Each of the equations is subject to P 1 -type boundary conditions. Several two-dimensional examples are presented, including scattering, strongly inhomogeneous temperatures and absorption coefficients.
A comparison of Förster resonance energy transfer analysis approaches for Nanodrop fluorometry.

Ensemble Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) results can be analyzed in a variety of ways. Due to experimental artifacts, the results obtained from different analysis approaches are not always the same. To determine the optimal analysis approach to use for Nanodrop fluorometry, we have performed both ensemble and single-molecule FRET studies on oligomers of double-stranded DNA. We compared the single-molecule FRET results with those obtained using various ensemble FRET analysis approaches. This comparison shows that for Nanodrop fluorometry, analyzing the increase of the acceptor fluorescence is less likely to introduce errors in estimates of FRET efficiencies compared with analyzing the fluorescence intensity of the donor in the absence and presence of the acceptor.
Network latency and operator performance in teleradiology applications

Teleradiology applications often use an interactive conferencing mode with remote control mouse pointers. When a telephone is used for voice communication, latencies of the data network can create a temporal discrepancy between the position of the mouse pointer and the verbal communication. To assess the effects of this dissociation, we examined the performance of 5 test persons carrying out simple teleradiology tasks under varying simulated network conditions. When the network latency exceeded 400 milliseconds, the performance of the test persons dropped, and an increasing number of errors were made. This effect was the same for constant latencies, which can occur on the network path, and for variable delays caused by the Nagle algorithm, an internal buffering scheme used by the TCP/IP protocol. Because the Nagle algorithm used in typical TCP/IP implementations causes a latency of about 300 milliseconds even before a data packet is sent, any additional latency in the network of 100 milliseconds or more will result in a decreased operator performance in teleradiology applications. These conditions frequently occur on the public Internet or on overseas connections. For optimal performance, the authors recommend bypassing the Nagle algorithm in teleradiology applications.
Effects of Double-Layer Relaxation on the Interaction of Colloidal Particles Approaching at Constant Speed

The double-layer relaxation that can occur during the interaction of colloidal particles is described analytically. A dimensionless ratio α, which relates the characteristic approach time to the characteristic relaxation time, is identified. A solution for the electrical interaction force is presented for the case of two parallel flat plates approaching at a constant speed. An approximation based on Derjaguin's approach is also provided for the case of two spheres approaching along the line of centers at constant speed. The results are compared with the traditional constant charge and constant potential limits of the electrical interaction energy. Critical values of α for divergent electrical forces are identified for both examples.
Some consequences of “minimal” analyticity and unitarity in field theory

A simple proof of the incompatibility of a field theory with a finite number of processes with the principles of unitarity, minimal analyticity and positive definiteness is presented. It is further argued that such a theory also violates local commutation relations.
Schottky MSM photodetectors on GaN films grown on sapphire by lateral epitaxial overgrowth

We report the growth and characterization of Schottky based metal-semiconductor-metal ultraviolet photodetectors fabricated on lateral epitaxially overgrown GaN films. The lateral epitaxial overgrowth of GaN was carried out on basal plane sapphire substrates by low pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition and exhibited lateral growth rates more than 5 times as high as vertical growth rates. The spectral responsivity, the dependence on bias voltage, on incident optical power, and the time response of these photodetectors have been characterized. Two detector orientations were investigated: one with the interdigitated finger pattern parallel and the other perpendicular to the underlying SiO x mask stripes.
Development of a wide bandwidth Wilkinson power divider on multilayer organic substrates

We present the development of a miniaturized broadband Wilkinson power divider on a multilayer organic substrate with integrated thin film resistors. The VSWR for all port for both dividers is better than 1.6:1, the excess insertion loss is less than 1.6 dB up to 18 GHz, and 12 dB of isolation is realized. A size reduction of 43% is achieved. The proposed divider has the widest bandwidth ratio, 9:1, and the most compact size, 9.3 mm by 6 mm. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 1606–1609, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25252
Percutaneous management of bile duct strictures and injuries associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a decade of experience.

BACKGROUND: The 1990s were associated with a dramatic increase in bile duct injuries with the widespread use of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Interventional radiology has an integral role in diagnosing and managing these injuries. Definitive percutaneous management with balloon dilatation might be possible in select patients with intact biliary-enteric continuity, but longterm data are limited. STUDY DESIGN: Data were collected prospectively on 51 consecutive patients with major bile duct stricture or injury associated with LC, treated with percutaneous management, January 1, 1990, to December 31, 1999. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and biliary catheter placement were followed by balloon dilatation and stenting. Outcomes were assessed with direct patient contact or hospital records. RESULTS: All patients completed treatment, and 50 (98%) were stent free at mean followup of 76 months. The success rate of percutaneous management was 58.8%, without need for subsequent intervention. Presenting symptoms, level of injury, and number of stents or dilatations did not predict outcomes. Percutaneous treatment was more likely to fail in patients stented for less than 4 months (p < 0.001). Operative repair at Hopkins before percutaneous management was predictive of a successful outcome (p < 0.05). Including subsequent operations or percutaneous management, successful outcomes were achieved in 98% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Major bile duct injuries after LC remain a clinical challenge. Although surgical reconstruction is the treatment cornerstone, selected patients with biliary-enteric continuity can achieve successful long-term results with definitive percutaneous management. The combination of percutaneous management and surgical reconstruction results in successful outcomes in virtually all patients.
Optimum Design of Welded Steel Plate Girder Bridges Using a Genetic Algorithm with Elitism

The genetic algorithm (GA) is a general optimization technique that has some unique features that are especially suitable for structural engineering problems. This work uses a simple GA with elitism to find the optimum design of welded steel plate girder bridges. The objectives are to minimize the weight and the cost of the girders. Two types of plate-girder bridges are studied: a single-span bridge and a two-equal-span continuous bridge. Bridges with various span lengths, in increments of 20 ft , are investigated; results are tabulated, parametric studies are made, and meaningful conclusions are drawn.
Keynes's Theory of Probability and Its Relevance to His Economics: Three Theses

One calls a lot of things propositions. If one sees this, then one can discard the idea Russell and Frege had that logic is a science of certain objects – propositions, functions, the logical constants – and that logic is like a natural science such as zoology and talks about these objects as zoology talks of animals. Like a natural science, it could supposedly discover certain relations. For example, Keynes claimed to discover a probability relation which was like implication, yet not quite implication. But logic is a calculus, not a natural science, and in it one can make inventions but not discoveries.Giving grounds, however, justifying the evidence, comes to an end; – but the end is not certain propositions' striking us immediately as true, i.e. it is not a kind of seeing on our part; it is our acting, which lies at the bottom of the language-game. (Wittgenstein, 1969, §204)
Normalization and Fermi–Coulomb and Coulomb hole sum rules for approximate wave functions

For approximate wave functions, we prove the theorem that there is a one-to-one correspondence between the constraints of normalization and of the Fermi–Coulomb and Coulomb hole charge sum rules at each electron position. This correspondence is surprising in light of the fact that normalization depends on the probability of finding an electron at some position. In contrast, the Fermi–Coulomb hole sum rule depends on the probability of two electrons staying apart because of correlations due to the Pauli exclusion principle and Coulomb repulsion, while the Coulomb hole sum rule depends on Coulomb repulsion. We demonstrate the theorem for the ground state of the He atom by the use of two different approximate wave functions that are functionals rather than functions. The first of these wave function functionals is constructed to satisfy the constraint of normalization, and the second that of the Coulomb hole sum rule for each electron position. Each is then shown to satisfy the other corresponding sum rule. The significance of the theorem for the construction of approximate “exchange-correlation” and “correlation” energy functionals of density functional theory is also discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007
Differentiated BGP Update Processing for Improved Routing Convergence

Internet routers today can be overwhelmed by a large number of BGP updates triggered by events such as session resets, link failures, and policy changes. Such excessive updates can delay routing convergence, which, in turn, degrades the performance of delay- and jitter-sensitive applications. This paper proposes a simple and novel idea of differentiated processing of BGP updates to reduce routers' load and improve routing convergence without changing the protocol semantics. Based on a set of criteria, BGP updates are grouped into different priority classes. Higher-priority updates are processed and propagated sooner, while lower-priority ones, not affecting routing decisions, can be delayed to both reduce routers' load and improve routing convergence. We first present a general methodology for update classification, update processing, and priority-state inference. By analyzing real BGP data obtained from Route Views, we show that our update classification is feasible and beneficial. We further propose two differentiated update processing (DUP) algorithms and evaluate them using the SSFNet BGP simulator on several realistic network topologies. The algorithms are shown to be very effective for large networks, yielding 30% fewer updates and reducing convergence time by 80%. Our scheme is simple and light-weight with little added processing overhead. It can be deployed incrementally, since BGP messages are not modified and every BGP router makes routing decisions independently.
Cis-acting Elements Stimulating Kinetoplastid Guide RNA-directed Editing

The coding sequence of several mitochondrial mRNAs of the kinetoplastid protozoa is created through the insertion and deletion of specific uridylates. The editing reactions are required to be highly specific in order to ensure that functional open reading frames are created in edited mRNAs and that potentially deleterious modification of normally nonedited sequence does not occur. Selection-amplification and mutagenesis were previously used to identify the optimal sequence requirements for in vitro editing. There is, however, a minority of natural editing sites with suboptimal sequence. Several cis-acting elements, obtained from an in vitro selection, are described here that are able to compensate for a suboptimal editing site. An A + U sequence element within the 5'-untranslated region of cytochrome b mRNA from Leishmania tarentolae is also demonstrated to function as a cis-acting guide RNA and is postulated to compensate for a suboptimal editing site in vivo. Two proteins within an enriched editing extract are UV-cross-linked to two different in vitro selected editing substrates more efficiently than poorly edited RNAs. The results suggest that these proteins contribute to the specificity of the editing reaction.
Has the Emergence of Endovascular Treatment for Aneurysmal and Occlusive Aortic Disease Increased the Complexity and Difficulty of Open Aortic Operations

With the emergence of endovascular surgery, there is a perception that open aortic procedures for aneurysmal and occlusive disease have become more difficult. To test this hypothesis, two consecutive groups of patients undergoing open aortic surgery for aneurysmal (AAA) and occlusive (AIOD) disease before and after the establishment of an endovascular program (EP) were analyzed. The pre-EP patient group (January 1996 through December 1997) consisted of 112 patients (52 with AAA, 60 with AIOD) and the post-EP patient group (January 2000 through December 2001) consisted of 142 patients (72 with AAA, 70 with AIOD). The pre-EP AAA group was compared with the post-EP AAA group and the pre-EP AIOD group was compared with the post-EP AIOD group. Factors analyzed included patient demographics, comorbidities, and operative outcomes. Statistical comparisons were carried out using Fisher’s exact test for proportions and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test for medians. There were no statistical differences in patient demographics between the pre-EP and post-EP groups, regardless of procedure. When considering AAA repair, there was a higher rate of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia in the pre-EP group and a higher number of total comorbidities per patient in the post-EP group. There was also an increased incidence of perioperative blood transfusion in the post-EP group. When considering open procedures for AIOD, there was an increased rate of hypertension and history of previous abdominal operation in the post-EP group. There also was an increased incidence of perioperative blood transfusion. Other than these factors, there were no statistically significant differences between the pre- and post-EP groups with regard to mortality, complication rate, length of procedure, blood loss, length of ICU stay, or length of hospital stay for either the aneurysmal patients or the occlusive disease patients. With only minor exception, endovascular surgery has not appreciably increased the complexity of open aortic operations performed for either AAA or AIOD.
Functional phenotyping of human plasma using a 361‐fluorogenic substrate biosensing microarray

A microarray presenting glycerol nanodroplets of fluorogenic peptide substrates was used as a biosensor for the detection of multiple enzyme activities within human plasma. Using 10 different plasma proteases (kallikrein, factor XIIa, factor XIa, factor IXa, factor VIIa, factor Xa, thrombin, activated protein C, uPA and plasmin) and a 361-compound fluorogenic substrate library (Ac-Ala-P3-P2-Arg-coumarin for P = all amino acids except Cys), a database was created for deconvoluting the relative activity of each individual enzyme signal in human plasma treated with various activators (calcium, kaolin, or uPA). Three separate deconvolution protocols were tested: searching for "optimal" sensing substrate sequences for a set of 5 enzymes and using these substrates to detect protease signals in plasma; ranking the "optimal" sensing substrates for 10 proteases using local error minimization, resulting in a set of substrates which were bundled via weighted averaging into a super-pixel that had biosensing properties not obtainable by any individual fluorogenic substrate; and treating each 361-element map measured for each plasma preparation as a weighted sum of the 10 maps obtained for the 10 purified enzymes using a global error minimization. The similarity of the results from these latter two protocols indicated that a small subset of <90 substrates contained the majority of biochemical information. The results were consistent with the state of the coagulation cascade expected when treated with the given activators. This method may allow development of future biosensors using minimal and non-specific markers. These substrates can be applied to real-time diagnostic biosensing of complex protease mixtures.
China 2012 Lecture: Commercial Trusts

This is one of three lectures I am giving in December 2012 at universities in Shanghai and Beijing. In this lecture, I explain the recent evolution of commercial trusts in the United States and then discuss some of the fundamental characteristics of commercial trusts and their more universal application, including to China.
Principles of Total Mesorectal Excision for Rectal Cancer

Total mesorectal excision (TME) has significantly improved outcomes in the treatment of rectal cancer. With widespread utilization of TME, local recurrence rates have decreased, from up to 37% following conventional surgery to less than 10% following TME. The goal of TME is to excise the rectum, with its surrounding soft tissue and lymphatics, as an intact unit covered by the mesorectal envelope. Injury to this envelope is associated with a higher probability of local recurrence. Identification and preservation of the autonomic nerves during dissection is necessary to preserve adequate urogenital function. Bowel continuity can be reestablished with straight coloanal anastomosis, colonic J-pouch, or transverse coloplasty. TME is associated with a slightly higher incidence of anastomotic leakage, which can usually be prevented (and the effects minimized) by a diverting ostomy. Lateral lymph node dissection is not routinely performed. Preoperative radiotherapy, as well as the surgeon’s experience and training, appear to improve outcomes in TME.
Energy and throughput tradeoff in wireless networks with processing energy considerations

Many wireless network studies pertain to the derivation of throughput bounds and cross-layer optimization for energy conservation. From a practical perspective, often a network must meet the competing objective of attaining high throughput while conserving energy for prolonged operation. The tradeoff between these two important network metrics has not been adequately addressed in the literature. A further deficiency in existing research lies in the suppression of non-distance-dependent processing energy in energy models, which can lead erroneously to routing on paths with large number of hops. We model processing energy explicitly, and show that for a particular implementation of wireless network, the average path power is a monotonically increasing, piecewise linear function of throughput. Furthermore, we quantify a network region size threshold such that in a small region relative to the threshold, direct transmission routing is both energy conserving and throughput achieving. For larger regions, path power optimal routing may not achieve the maximum throughput. Higher throughput may be achieved with suboptimal routing schemes that lead to higher marginal power increase as the throughput increases
The Effect of Obstacles on a Liquid Film

It has been observed in simulated nuclear reactor critical heat flux (CHF) experiments that CHF tends to occur upstream of flow obstructions, such as grid type spacers. An experimental program was conducted to quantify the effect of various obstacles on a liquid film. Although this was an adiabatic (air-water) study, a phenomenological mechanism causing dryout was observed. A simplified analysis of the observed phenomena has indicated that, above a critical Weber number, the ratio of the momenta of the liquid and vapor streams is the important parameter in determining when an upstream dry patch will form.
Paleomagnetism of the Silurian-Devonian Andreas redbeds: Evidence for an Early Devonian supercontinent?

Two components of magnetization were isolated in the Silurian-Devonian Andreas redbeds of the central Appalachians of Pennsylvania (lat 40.75°N, long 75.78°W): a thermally distributed, synfolding B component, and a thermally discrete, pre-Alleghenian-age folding C component. The C component mean direction and associated pole position correspond to a Silurian-Devonian paleolatitude for the Andreas location of about 35°S, which, in conjunction with Early Devonian results from Gondwana, is consistent with an Early Devonian supercontinent configuration.
Measurement of microvesicle levels in human blood using flow cytometry

Microvesicles are fragments of cells released when the cells are activated, injured, or apoptotic. Analysis of microvesicle levels in blood has the potential to shed new light on the pathophysiology of many diseases. Flow cytometry is currently the only method that can simultaneously separate true lipid microvesicles from other microparticles in blood, determine the cell of origin and other microvesicle characteristics, and handle large numbers of clinical samples with a reasonable effort, but expanded use of flow cytometric measurement of microvesicle levels as a clinical and research tool requires improved, standardized assays. The goal of this review is to aid investigators in applying current best practices to microvesicle measurements. First pre-analytical factors are evaluated and data summarized for anticoagulant effects, sample transport and centrifugation. Next flow cytometer optimization is reviewed including interference from background in buffers and reagents, accurate microvesicle counting, swarm interference, and other types of coincidence errors, size calibration, and detection limits using light scattering, impedance and fluorescence. Finally current progress on method standardization is discussed and a summary of current best practices provided. © 2016 Clinical Cytometry Society.
Gsα Deficiency in the Ventromedial Hypothalamus Enhances Leptin Sensitivity and Improves Glucose Homeostasis in Mice on a High-Fat Diet

In both mice and patients with Albright hereditary osteodystrophy, heterozygous inactivating mutations of Gsα, a ubiquitously expressed G protein that mediates receptor-stimulated intracellular cAMP production, lead to obesity and insulin resistance but only when the mutation is present on the maternal allele. This parent-of-origin effect in mice was shown to be due to Gsα imprinting in one or more brain regions. The ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) is involved in the regulation of energy and glucose homeostasis, but the role of Gsα in VMH on metabolic regulation is unknown. To examine this, we created VMH-specific Gsα-deficient mice by mating Gsα-floxed mice with SF1-cre mice. Heterozygotes with Gsα mutation on either the maternal or paternal allele had a normal metabolic phenotype, and there was no molecular evidence of Gsα imprinting, indicating that the parent-of-origin metabolic effects associated with Gsα mutations is not due to Gsα deficiency in VMH SF1 neurons. Homozygous VMH Gsα knockout mice (VMHGsKO) showed no changes in body weight on either a regular or high-fat diet. However, glucose metabolism (fasting glucose, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity) was significantly improved in male VMHGsKO mice, with the difference more dramatic on the high-fat diet. In addition, male VMHGsKO mice on the high-fat diet showed a greater anorexigenic effect and increased VMH signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 phosphorylation in response to leptin. These results indicate that VMH Gsα/cyclic AMP signaling regulates glucose homeostasis and alters leptin sensitivity in mice, particularly in the setting of excess caloric intake.
Supporting commission on cancer-mandated psychosocial distress screening with implementation strategies.

Several months before the compliance deadline, fewer than half of applicant institutions had begun distress screening. Adding implementation strategies to mandated quality care standards may reduce uncertainty on how to comply.
The Genetic Re-inscription of Race

Critics have debated for the past decade or more whether race is dead or alive in the new genetics: Is genomics opening up novel terrains for social identities or is it reauthorizing race? I explore the relationship between race and the new genetics by considering whether this race is the same scientific object as that produced by race science and whether these race-making practices are animated by similar social and political logics. I consider the styles of reasoning characteristic of the scientific work together with the economic and political rationalities of neo-liberalism, including identity politics as it meets biological citizenship. I seek to understand why and how group-based diversity emerges as an object of value - something to be studied and specified, something to be fought for and embraced, and something that is profitable - in the networks that sustain the world of (post)genomics today.
Reducing financial risk in agroforestry planning: a case study in Costa Rica*

We used fluctuations in net income from alternative cropping systems to assess the financial risk associated with an agroforestry system. Mean-variance analysis was used to derive a set of minimum-risk farm plans for a 15-hectare farm in Costa Rica. Monocultural coffee production provided the highest expected net income, but also had the greatest economic risk. As risk was reduced, the optimal agroforestry system diversified to include other cropping systems in addition to the coffee monoculture. Risk aversion was, however, accompanied by significant reductions in expected net income for the cropping systems studied. The inclusion of additional cropping systems whose net incomes are negatively correlated with the systems considered here could help reduce the economic risk facing rural agriculturalists in this region.
Age-dependent overflow of endogenous norepinephrine from paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus of hypertensive rats

The relationship between age and central noradrenergic neuronal activity of the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVH) was examined in 7- to 10-, 12- to 14-, and 30- to 36-wk-old Sprague-Dawley (SD), Wistar-Kyoto (WKY), and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). As an index of noradrenergic activity, endogenous norepinephrine (NE) overflow was assessed utilizing a miniaturized push-pull cannula assembly in unanesthetized freely moving rats. NE overlow under basal, 56 mM K+ stimulation, and in response to pressor/depressor drugs, were examined in all three strains at all ages. Significant increases in basal and K(+)-stimulated overflow of endogenous NE from the PVH were observed in all ages of SHR compared with normotensive controls with the greatest percent increase occurring during the development of hypertension in SHR. In addition, a reciprocal relationship exists with respect to blood pressure and overflow of NE from the PVH such that increases/decreases in blood pressure elicit decreases/increases in NE overflow in all strains at all ages examined. However, developing hypertensive SHR exhibited attenuated decreases in overflow of NE from the PVH compared with age-matched controls and established hypertensive SHR. These results suggest that noradrenergic pathways of the PVH contribute to the development and maintenance of arterial pressure hemostasis and that enhanced central noradrenergic neuronal activity is greatest during the development of hypertension in SHR.
Threat, Coping, and Cost Protection Motivation in the Context of Consumer Complaining

Despite doing their best to keep customers satisfied, organizations can upset their patrons when expectations go unmet. When these organizational failures occur, consumers sometimes complain directly to companies. This type of behavior may be considered adaptive insofar as it helps individuals rectify their problems and allows organizations to fix issues for others as well. However, not all consumers complain to companies when they experience dissatisfaction; instead, many people choose to engage in less adaptive behaviors such as spreading negative word of mouth or withholding their patronage. This study was conducted to examine how variables related to protection motivation theory (i.e., threat, coping, and cost) relate to consumers’ choices regarding complaint behaviors. Four hundred fifty-four participants were solicited online to respond to hypothetical scenarios regarding organizational failures. The data indicated participants’ perceptions of threat and cost interacted to predict complaining behavi...
Inference of latent network features via co-intersection representations of graphs

We propose a new latent Boolean feature model for complex networks that captures different types of node interactions and network communities. The model is based on a new concept in graph theory, termed the co-intersection representation of a graph, which generalizes the notion of an intersection representation. We describe how to use co-intersection representations to deduce node feature sets and their communities, and proceed to derive several general bounds on the minimum number of features used in co-intersection representations. We also discuss graph families for which exact co-intersection characterizations are possible, and describe algorithms for computing co-intersection numbers and assignments.
Analysis of AFP Route-Outs in Preparation for CTOP Post-Implementation Assessment

The Collaborative Trajectory Options Program (CTOP) is a new type of Traffic Management Initiative (TMI) scheduled for initial implementation in March 2014. As part of a larger effort to enable quantification of the post-implementation impacts of CTOP on Traffic Flow Management (TFM), it is necessary to establish new data collection methods and baseline performance metrics. This paper describes the development and application of one of these new data collection methods: the ability to identify and classify flights routingout of current Airspace Flow Programs (AFPs). A route-out identification algorithm was developed to quickly generate route-out datasets using a combination of Traffic Flow Management System (TFMS) Aggregate Demand List (ADL), AFP Advisory, and Track Messages (TZ). The route-out identification algorithm was applied to all instances of AFP05 and AFP08 during 2012 to determine the routing behavior of controlled flights. Preliminary observations from the route-out dataset are discussed as well as the applicability of the observations to future CTOP assessments. The final results of this analysis are expected to be used as input to a set of fast-time benefit estimation simulations and ultimately a planned CTOP post-implementation performance assessment during 2014.
Power and Communication: Solving Power Problems for Collaboration in Globally Distributed Engineering Design Teams

Because outsourcing and offshoring operations entail multi-site operations and inter-organizational alliances, they require effective boundary-spanning partnerships: inter-divisional, inter-organizational, and often, multi-country partnerships. This paper reports a multi-discipline research study—involving engineering, anthropology and telecommunications elements—on dispersed global engineering design teams. A framework involving power, culture, and collaborative activity is introduced. The focus here is on power and communications issues. Co-oriented, collaborative project activity is achieved when power issues are neutralized. When sub-team members perceive inequity, they frequently respond adversely. They may purposely create miscommunications among sub-teams, covertly subvert project goals, or otherwise act in ways that reduce project performance. Outsourcing of engineering design operations is a major challenge for the engineering profession. Outsourcing activity to India and China has increased; educational systems in these countries both improve in quality and augment the quantity of engineers produced. Traditional engineering skills are swiftly becoming a commodity in the global market.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Environment Hanitation of Farmers and Rural Primary Schools in RWSSH Project County in Sichuan Province

Objective To evaluated the effect of rural water supply,sanitation and hygiene promotion(RWSSH) trinity project by understanding the health behavior and environment sanitation facilities status of project target group before the implementation.Methods Three sample counties were selected from 10 project counties in Sichuan province by using simple random sampling method.Selected 30 project villages and 30 non-project villages which had basically identical conditions of income level,population,geographical position with project villages to determine 600 families.The daily family life was observed by observer,and the questionnaire survey was performed after the observation.Thirty schools in project areas were investigated simultaneously.Results Peasant household had random treatment to children's feces in project areas,it need to be improved;the popularization rate of sanitary latrine was low in countryside,it was in need of urgent improvement;public hygienic infrustruction was poor,harmless treatment rate of domestic sewage and garbage was low,it was in need of standard management.The popularization rate of sanitary latrine was low,collection and disposal of garbage was unscientific in rural primary schools.Conclusion Expenditure on environment improvement in project areas should be increased,with environmental sanitation improved,health education enhanced.Publicity of the trinity project should be further increased to make the project content be known by mass,renew the ideas and change their bad behaviors.
Capecitabine and docetaxel in advanced breast cancer: analyses of a phase III comparative trial.

A recent phase III trial demonstrated that the combination of capecitabine (Xeloda) and docetaxel (Taxotere) significantly improved objective tumor response rate, time to disease progression, and overall survival compared
The radioimmunochemical measurement of prostatic acid phosphatase: current state of the art.

SUMMARY A novel radioimmunochemical method for the measurement of human prostatic acid phosphatase in serum and bone marrow has demonstrated distinct biochemical advantages over the standard enzymatic techniques that are currently utilized in the clinical laboratory. The promising nature of the immunochemical assay now in clinical assessment for prostatic cancer may lend itself particularly to more sensitive confirmation of the presence of prostatic neoplasia as well as significantly more precision in the clinical staging of the disease process. In its present form, utilization of the technique as a reliable screening test for early prostatic cancer is patently inappropriate from a biochemical and biostatistical point of view. Continuing research on the antigenic nature of the human prostatic acid phosphatase molecule and the development of antibody with enhanced specificity may somewhat resolve the current screening problem. However, the essentially insoluble problem of the relatively low prevalence rate for prostatic cancer in males in the United States will persist and will probably limit the clinical application of enzymatic and radioimmunochemical screening techniques for early prostatic cancer.
Planning in Chevron

Chevron in 1983 was the ninth largest US industrial corporation and the eleventh largest industrial corporation in the world. 1983 sales were $27.3 bn and net income was $1.6 bn.1 Chevron is one of the seven oil multinationals (five of which are American) occasionally described as the ‘Seven Sisters’. In 1984 Chevron acquired Gulf Oil Corporation; it was also in 1984 that the company changed its name to Chevron from Standard Oil Company of California, or Socal. In this chapter the Socal name will primarily be used.
Wind und Wüsten

Vermutlich wurde jeder schon einmal von einem heftigen Sturm uberrascht, gegen den man sich anstemmen oder an einem festen Gegenstand Halt suchen musste. London, das nur selten von starken Winden betroffen ist, erlebte am 25. Januar 1990 einen solchen Sturm. Bei Windgeschwindigkeiten von mehr als 175 km/h wurden Dacher abgedeckt, sturzten Lastwagen um und das Gehen auf den Strasen war praktisch unmoglich. In den Wusten sind starke Winde fast normal und halten oft tagelang an. Staubsturme sind ebenfalls haufig und viele Winde sind auch stark genug, um Sandkorner transportieren zu konnen und Sandsturme zu erzeugen.
Analysis of Pollution Hazard Intensity: A Spatial Epidemiology Case Study of Soil Pb Contamination

Heavy industrialization has resulted in the contamination of soil by metals from anthropogenic sources in Anniston, Alabama. This situation calls for increased public awareness of the soil contamination issue and better knowledge of the main factors contributing to the potential sources contaminating residential soil. The purpose of this spatial epidemiology research is to describe the effects of physical factors on the concentration of lead (Pb) in soil in Anniston AL, and to determine the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of those residing in areas with higher soil contamination. Spatial regression models are used to account for spatial dependencies using these explanatory variables. After accounting for covariates and multicollinearity, results of the analysis indicate that lead concentration in soils varies markedly in the vicinity of a specific foundry (Foundry A), and that proximity to railroads explained a significant amount of spatial variation in soil lead concentration. Moreover, elevated soil lead levels were identified as a concern in industrial sites, neighborhoods with a high density of old housing, a high percentage of African American population, and a low percent of occupied housing units. The use of spatial modelling allows for better identification of significant factors that are correlated with soil lead concentrations.
7T MR of intracranial pathology: Preliminary observations and comparisons to 3T and 1.5T.

Abstract Purpose There have been an increasing number of studies involving ultra-high-field 7T of intracranial pathology, however, comprehensive clinical studies of neuropathology at 7T still remain limited. 7T has the advantage of a higher signal-to-noise ratio and a higher contrast-to-noise ratio, compared to current low field clinical MR scanners. We hypothesized 7T applied clinically, may improve detection and characterization of intracranial pathology. Materials and methods We performed an IRB-approved 7T prospective study of patients with neurological disease who previously had lower field 3T and 1.5T. All patients underwent 7T scans, using comparable clinical imaging protocols, with the aim of qualitatively comparing neurological lesions at 7T with 3T or 1.5T. To qualitatively assess lesion conspicuity at 7T compared with low field, 80-paired images were viewed by 10 experienced neuroradiologists and scored on a 5-point scale. Inter-rater agreement was characterized using a raw percent agreement and mean weighted kappa. Results One-hundred and four patients with known neurological disease have been scanned to date. Fifty-five patients with epilepsy, 18 patients with mild traumatic brain injury, 11 patients with known or suspected multiple sclerosis, 9 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, 4 patients with intracranial neoplasm, 2 patients with orbital melanoma, 2 patients with cortical infarcts, 2 patients with cavernous malformations, and 1 patient with cerebral amyloid angiopathy. From qualitative observations, we found better resolution and improved detection of lesions at 7T compared to 3T. There was a 55% raw inter-rater agreement that lesions were more conspicuous on 7T than 3T/1.5T, compared with a 6% agreement that lesions were more conspicuous on 3T/1.5T than 7T. Conclusion Our findings show that the primary clinical advantages of 7T magnets, which include higher signal-to-noise ratio, higher contrast-to-noise ratio, smaller voxels and stronger susceptibility contrast, may increase lesion conspicuity, detection and characterization compared to low field 1.5T and 3T. However, low field which detects a plethora of intracranial pathology remains the mainstay for diagnostic imaging until limitations at 7T are addressed and further evidence of utility provided.
Gobiesox lanceolatus, a new species of clingfish (Teleostei: Gobiesocidae) from Los Frailes submarine canyon, Gulf of California, Mexico

Gobiesox lanceolatus is described from a single specimen collected from 300 meters depth in the Los Frailes submarine canyon in the southwestern Gulf of California. The "Canyon Clingfish" is unique within Gobiesox in having a lanceolate caudal fin, with the central rays longer than those above and below them. It is also distinguished by 14 dorsal-fin rays (first tiny and unsegmented), 11 anal-fin rays, 28 pectoral-fin rays, anus slightly closer to anal-fin origin than to posterior margin of pelvic disc, and dorsal-fin origin in front of vertical from anus. It is most similar to Gobiesox eugrammus, known from Isla Guadelupe, the coast of outer Baja California and southern California. This is the deepest record for a species of Gobiesox and only four other species of clingfishes are known from greater depths.
Learning-by-doing, organizational capital and optimal markup variations

Abstract We characterize optimal markup variations in an otherwise standard Ramsey model augmented with learning-by-doing mechanism to firms’ technology. In our setup, firms learn from their production experience and accumulate an intangible organizational capital stock which raises their future productivity. Two main results emerge from our study. First, optimal Ramsey allocation features procyclical markup variations. Second, the level of markup is inversely related to the degree of learning. Both of these results stem from a common source - the dynamic link between the current level of production and the future levels of productivity. A change in markup not only changes demand and the level of production in the current period, it also affects the stock of organizational capital and productivity in the future. So, by changing markups procyclically, the Ramsey planner can essentially dampen the cyclical effects of a persistent productivity shock. With a higher learning rate the future productivity gain from a marginal fall in markup is larger and hence our model predicts that optimal markup should be lower for a higher rate of learning.
Coupling Refrigeration System Synthesis and Heat Exchanger Network Design

Abstract Designing an optimal refrigeration system for a chemical plant is a very challenging task not only because of the involved process complexity but also the significant relationship between its performance and the plant’s profitability. This paper introduces a methodology framework for optimal synthesis of a cascade refrigeration system (CRS) coupled with heat-exchanger network (HEN) design by systematically utilizing process simulation, mathematical programming, pinch analysis, and HEN design heuristics. The refrigeration system is firstly optimally synthesized, which provides inputs to design the coupled heat exchanger network and then validated by rigorous simulations. A case study of a propylene refrigeration system in an ethylene plant is demonstrated. The resulted refrigeration schematic proves to be efficient in utilizing the available refrigerant to satisfy all process heating/cooling demands.
16 – Assessment of Chemically-induced Aneuploidy: an Assay System Using a Mouse/Human Hybrid Cell Line

Publisher Summary This chapter describes two assay systems to detect the potential of an environmental agent to induce aneuploidy in mammalian cells. In these assays, the segregation of a single human chromosome present in a mouse/human hybrid cell is used to quantify the induced aneuploidy. The frequency of malsegregation of the human chromosome is measured by genetic and cytogenetic analysis. Cytogenetic analysis is based upon the identification of the human chromosome by differential staining, whereas genetic analysis makes use of the growth of cells in a selection medium. A selection assay is proposed that permits the analysis of a large cell population and chemicals are tested at doses that is comparable to human exposure in nature. An equal distribution of genetic material to progeny cells at meiosis and mitosis depends upon the proper functioning of a number of cellular organelles and metabolic activities involved in the complex mechanism of cell division. An error in any one of the functional steps of cell division results in aberrant chromosome segregation, leading to the production of aneuploid cells.