cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An electrochemical method to detect flow profiles during convection in liquid metals

A solid-state electrochemical method for flow visualization was developed to investigate the orientation of flow due to natural convection in semiconductor melts. The experiment was conducted in a right cylindrical ampoule made from recrystallized alumina and heated in a Bridgman furnace. Multiple solid-state electrochemical cells/sensors that were electrically insulated from one another were incorporated along the periphery of the ampoule. Liquid tin that was subject to temperature gradients was used as the model fluid to represent a high-temperature, opaque melt. Atomic oxygen was used as a tracer species, which could be potentiostatically injected or extracted locally at one of the sensors and monitored at the other cell locations on the melt/electrolyte boundaries in the galvanic mode as a function of time. Various convective flow patterns were inferred from these results for different aspect ratios of the melt and for different imposed temperature gradients. The experimental results were shown to agree qualitatively with numerical predictions.
Application of morphology to feature extraction for face recognition

This paper explores the use of morphological operators for feature extraction in range images and curvature maps of the human face. Two general procedures are described. The first is the identification of connected part boundaries for convex structures, which is used to extract the nose outline and the eye socket outlines of the face. The part boundaries are defined locally based on minima of minimum principal curvature on the surface. The locus of these points suggests boundary lines which surround most convex regions on the surface. However, most of these boundaries are not completely connected. To remedy this problem, a general two-step connection procedure is developed: the partial boundaries are first dilated in such a way that the gaps between them are filled. Second, the resulting dilated outlines are skeletonized with the constraint that the pixels belonging to the original boundary parts cannot be removed. A marker which identifies the convex region being described is then used to select the region enclosed by the new connected outline. Examples are given of this procedure in the extraction of the nose boundary and eye socket boundary. The second general procedure discussed is the identification of connected ridge lines, which is demonstrated in the extraction of the browline and the chin/jaw line. Ridge lines are defined as local maxima of maximum curvature in the direction of maximum curvature. The same skeleton-based procedure as above is first used to connect the ridge lines. Skeletonization is then used again to reduce these lines to simply connected ones. The last step primarily consists in extracting the longest path within the obtained components: this is achieved by using the propagation function to find the extremities of these paths and then connecting them within the components by means of geodesic distance functions. The entire process provides a robust and accurate extraction of brow and chin/jaw lines.
Descending projections to specific regions of cat cochlear nucleus: a light microscopic study.

Abstract Large, unilateral lesions were made in the superior olivary complex of nine adult cats. After one to seven postoperative days, animals were killed by perfusion-fixation and brain frozen and sectioned. Lesions were mapped in cresyl violet material. Degeneration was studied in modified Nauta preparations. Distributions of degeneration were studied in recent subdivisions of the cat cochlear nucleus. Because more abundant preterminal degeneration occurred after 4 days, these animals were predominantly used for general descriptions of fiber distribution. In general, most preterminal degeneration occurred in the contralateral anterior ventral cochlear nucleus, the overlying granule cells, and in deep dorsal cochlear nuclei of both sides. Sparse to moderate, mostly peridendritic degeneration occurred in posterior ventral cochlear nuclei; less preterminal degeneration occurred caudally than rostrally. Because fibers of passage were not differently distributed from those in two control cats (subjected to electrode insertion only), these fibers were not considered in overall patterns of superior olivary complex input to cochlear nuclei. Such patterns are discussed with respect to (i) classes of cells innervated, (ii) possible reciprocal connections, and (iii) other known inputs to cochlear nucleus. In particular, primary afferent inputs versus efferents described here are discussed. Possible functions of descending fibers are briefly considered.
Privacy preserving perceptron learning in malicious model

Privacy preserving data mining algorithms are proposed to protect the participating parties’ data privacy in data mining processes. So far, most of these algorithms only work in the semi-honest model that assumes all parties follow the algorithms honestly. In this paper, we propose two privacy preserving perceptron learning algorithms in the malicious model, for horizontally and vertically partitioned data sets, respectively. So far as we know, our algorithms are the first perceptron learning algorithms that can protect data privacy in the malicious model.
Acute inflammation in the pathogenesis of hemolytic-uremic syndrome

Keywords: Shiga toxin, enterohemorrhagic E. coli, von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease, hemorrhagic enterocolitis, thrombotic microangiopathy
Gated minds and gated lives as worlds of exclusion and fear

Three interrelated concepts about the “gatedness of life” are addressed in this essay: gated communities, gated lives, and gated minds. All are important components in understanding the places where gated communities are located within a city as well as those who live in them. Mapping these concepts is a further theme discussed.
Performance aspects of a quantum-well detector

Calculations of the quantum efficiency and detectivity of an infrared detector based on photoemission from a quantum well are presented. The detector is most efficient when a resonant‐extended state exists near the top of the well. The quantum efficiency also increases with increasing electron density. However, due to screening, the absorption peaks at a higher energy than the difference of the energies of the resonant‐extended and the bound states by an amount which is proportional to the carrier density in the well. This causes the detectivity (D*) to have a maximum with respect to electron density. We have estimated the dark current and found that, for a GaAs quantum‐well detector designed for 10‐μm operation, the optimal electron density was 2×1011 cm−2 at 77 K. We have also performed calculations for a quantum‐well detector for which the light coupling has been enhanced by incorporating a diffraction grating into the detector. For the stated electron density, we find a D* of 2.8×1011 cm Hz1/2/W and a...
Simulation of optically injection-locked microwave oscillators using a novel SPICE model

Optical injection-locking of GaAs field-effect transistor microwave oscillators has been examined experimentally as well as by using two different optical interaction models. An additional simulation program with IC emphasis (SPICE) circuit for observing small locking ranges is also described. This first-order interaction model which utilizes a standard version of SPICE produces predictions of injection-locking range in excellent agreement with measured results. These tools allow the oscillator designer to optimize the injection-locking performance by analyzing various circuit topologies and DC bias levels. >
A multi-unit spike train analysis for quantifying phase relationships of near-synchrony firings

Abstract A multiple single-unit spike train analysis technique is introduced to quantify the phase relationships of spike firings in a subset of three neurons within a neural network. Synchronized firings in neurons had been implicated in neural processing, yet the phase relationships between firing of neurons may also be important for processing. A phase-plane plot is used to determine the phase-locking and phase-shifting characteristics of neural firings among this set of three simultaneously recorded neurons. The trajectories of points in the three-neuron phase-plane provide a signature of the phase-shift characteristics in these neurons participating in synchronized firing.
A Structural Approach to Explaining Incomplete Exchange-Rate Pass-Through and Pricing-to-Market

The continuing depreciation of the dollar against other major currencies, coupled with concerns about the impact of China’s exchangerate policy on domestic prices, has spurred new interest in the exchange-rate pass-through literature. A recent study by economists at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors (see Mario Marazzi et al. 2005) attracted wide attention by documenting a steady decline over the past decade in the pass-through of exchange rates into US import prices. This finding was later challenged by a study published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (Hellerstein, Deirdre Daly, and Christina Marsh 2006), which demonstrated that the finding of such a decline depends crucially on the specification of the pass-through regression, and in particular the inclusion of commodity prices. This exchange highlights the need to understand the structural determinants of exchange-rate pass-through, not only because such understanding is important when trying to forecast future pass-through patterns, but also because it provides guidance regarding the specification of the appropriate reduced-form regression and, more generally, measurement of pass-through. The increased availability of micro data on prices and quantities means that research uncovering these determinants is more promising than SourceS of InternatIonal PrIce StIckIneSS †
The effects of staff self‐management on positive social interactions in a group home setting

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a participative management (self-management) procedure directed toward increasing the frequency of positive interactions between direct-care staff and group home residents. A component of the self-management procedure, goal setting, was also evaluated. This study took place in two group homes housing a total of 16 male and female adults with moderate to mild mental retardation. Ten direct-care staff served as subjects. It was found that self-management produced an increase in the frequency of positive interactions of staff and residents, but did not produce changes in other behaviors being measured (e.g., negative interactions, self-stimulation, etc.). Goal setting did not result in changes in positive interactions or other target behaviors. Reasons for the different results of self-management versus goal-setting are discussed and further research is suggested.
Influence of Li ions on the oxygen reduction reaction of platinum electrocatalyst

A Li-air battery can provide a much higher theoretical energy density than a Li-ion battery. The use of aqueous acidic electrolytes may prevent lithium oxide deposition from aprotic electrolytes and lithium carbonate precipitation from alkaline electrolytes. The present communication reports a study on the effect of Li ions on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in sulfuric acid electrolytes. It was found that the Li ions have negligible interactions with the active surface of Pt catalysts. However, significantly lower ORR activities were found when Li ions are present in the sulfuric acid. The intrinsic kinetic activities were found to decrease with the increase of Li ion concentrations, but level off when the Li ion concentrations are larger than 1.0 M. The low activities of Pt catalysts in Li ion containing electrolytes were attributed to a constraining effect of Li ions on the diffusion of oxygen in the electrolyte solution.
$L(j, \, k)$ -Labelings of Kronecker Products of Complete Graphs

For positive integers j ges k, an L(j, k)-labeling of a graph G is an integer labeling of its vertices such that adjacent vertices receive labels that differ by at least j and vertices that are distance two apart receive labels that differ by at least k. We determine lambdaj k(G) for the case when G is a Kronecker product of finitely many complete graphs, where there are certain conditions on j and k. Areas of application include frequency allocation to radio transmitters.
Uptake of Polymyxin B into Renal Cells

ABSTRACT Polymyxin B is increasingly used as a treatment of last resort against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections. Using a mammalian kidney cell line, we demonstrated that polymyxin B uptake into proximal tubular epithelial cells was saturable and occurred primarily through the apical membrane, suggesting the involvement of transporters in the renal uptake of polymyxin B. Megalin might play a role in the uptake and accumulation of polymyxin B into renal cells.
Genetic Recombination in the Dinoflagellate Crypthecodinium cohnii

Genetic recombination in dinoflagellates has been detected with the use of chemically induced carotene-deficient mutants of Crypthecodinium cohnii.
Abnormal cervical cytology in adolescents.

17. Zelnik M, and Kantner JF: Sexual and contraceptive experiences of young unmarried women in the United States, 1976 and 1971, Fam Plann Perspect 9:55, 1977. 18. Ripa KT, and Mardh P-A: Cultivation of Chlamydia trachomatis in cyclohexamide-treated McCoy cells, .1 Clin Microbiol 6:328, 1977. 19. Nayyar KC, O'Neill JJ, Hambling MH, et al: Isolation of Chlamydia trachomatis from women attending a clinic for 20.
ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE IN FROG SYMPATHETIC AND DORSAL ROOT GANGLIA : A Study by Electron Microscope Cytochemistry and Microgasometric Analysis with the Magnetic Diver.

The localization and chemical determination of acetylcholin esterase in the frog sympathetic and dorsal root ganglia were studied by a combination of the methods of electron microscopy, histochemistry, and microgasometric analysis with the magnetic diver. The Koelle-Friedenwald copper thiocholine histochemical method was modified by eliminating the sulfide conversion and by treatment of the tissue with potassium permanganate. In fixed tissue, enzymatic activity was demonstrated on the inner surface of the endoplasmic reticulum, nuclear envelope, subsurface cisternae, and agranular reticulum of the perikaryon and axon. In briefly fixed tissue, end product appeared also at the axon-sheath and the sheath-sheath interface. Activity at the synaptic junction was most readily obtained in unfixed tissue. Isolated neurons recovered from the diver following chemical analysis were studied with the electron microscope. Cells having a high enzyme activity showed a badly ruptured or absent neural plasmalemma and sheath. In this case the measured activity was apparently due to the enzyme present in the endoplasmic reticulum. Neurons having low activity exhibited an intact plasmalemma and sheath. This may reflect the effectiveness of the neural plasmalemma and sheath as a penetration barrier. The effects of fixation on enzyme activity are discussed. Electron microscopic examination of cells following microgasometric analysis is shown to be essential for the interpretation of the biochemical data.
Producer attitudes toward a Federal marketing order for eggs.

The objectives of this research were to determine the level of producer support for an egg marketing order and obtain information on the preferred structure of a marketing order. A national mail survey was used to gather information on producer attitudes. A majority of respondents felt national action would lead to higher egg prices and should include both control on the number of shell eggs entering the fresh market and a promotion, research, and consumer education program. Responses were analyzed on the basis of flock size, regional location, and flock size change over the last three years.
Immunogens for the preparation of retinoic acid antibodies

Abstract The generation of antibodies to retinoic acid necessitates the prior synthesis of appropriate immunogens. This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of various retinoic acid immunogens. Immunogens were synthesized by reacting the carboxylic group of retinoic acid with bovine serum albumin, chicken IgG and human IgG; these immunogens are expected to produce antibodies against the ring portion of the retinoid molecule. For the generation of antibodies with specificity towards the retinoid polyene side chain and its carboxyl group, immunogens were prepared with an exposed retinoid polyene side chain and carboxyl group. Retinoic acid was derivatized to methyl-4-oxoretinoate, and carboxymethoxylamine attached via 4-oxo position to the B-ionone ring to yield methyl-4-oxoretinoic acid oxime, miz 402 for [M + H] + ; E 1 cm 1% 1965 at 365 nm in 45% dioxane; the structure of the oxime was verified by NMR. The hapten was conjugated with bovine serum albumin, chicken IgG, human IgG, or with aminohexyl Sepharose 4B to produce various antigens. The p-hydrazinobenzoic acid derivative of 4-oxoretinoic acid was also used as a hapten. Immunogens were also prepared by conjugating retinoic acid to liposome-protein complexes. The prepared immunogens generated antiretinoic acid antibodies in mice and rabbits. The best immunogenic response was obtained with 4-oxoretinoic acid oxime-chicken IgG conjugate. Our work provides a systematic approach to synthesis of retinoic acid antigens and describes reproducible techniques for the preparation of retinoic acid haptens and retinoic acid-specific immunogens. The methods can be applied to the generation of immunogens to other retinoids and vitamins.
Temperature dependence of absorption in CVD diamond

The infrared transmittance of a high-optical-quality chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond sample was independently measured by The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Rockwell International, and Texas Instruments, Inc., from room temperature to 780 K.At0.75 mm thick, the sample is one of the thickest high-optical-quality CVD diamond samples produced so far. Measurements were taken with both dual-beam grating spectrometers and a Fourier transform spectrometer so that experimental artifacts of a particular instrument could be identified and reduced. The data sets were in good agreement from room temperature to 780 K. This work definitively establishes the high-temperature optical properties of CVD diamond.
Preference for Paintings and Personality Traits

College students (49 males and 40 females) completed the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire and performed 5-point preference ratings on 25 slides of paintings. Factor analysis of preference r...
C-Terminal M4 Peptide Fragment of Albino 3 Interaction with cpSRP-43

The protein complexes responsible for insertion of light harvesting chlorophyll binding protein into the thylakoid membrane of the chloroplast are the concern of this investigation. Critical for this insertion, the membrane bound protein Albino 3 has been shown to bind a cpSRP-FTSY-LHCP complex. The following study implicates the stromal, c-terminus of Albino 3 as an imperative binding interaction in this process. Isothermal titration calorimetry and 1H-15N HSQC were used to understand the binding of a 16 residue segment from this region of Albino 3 known as M4. The data show that this segment binds with 14uM affinity and that electrostatic interactions with E327 and E356 on the 43kDa subunit of cpSRP are essential for this event. Importantly, significant binding is not observed when two domains of cpSRP-43, CD2 and CD3, are separated. Far UV and intrinsic fluorescence experiments also show that, upon M4 binding, moderate conformational changes in CD2-CD3 occur.
Tetramethyl 2,6-dioxoadamantane-1,3,5,7- tetracarboxylate

The title compound, C18H20O10, has crystallographically imposed \overline{4} mol­ecular symmetry. It is a dioxoadamantane with its two C=O bonds lying along the twofold axis. It is symmetrically substituted with four methoxy­carbonyl groups, and the ester groups form CH2—C—C=O torsion angles of 26.21 (7)° with the adamantane core.
IMPASSE AND CHANGE: A SYSTEMIC/STRATEGIC VIEW OF THE THERAPEUTIC SYSTEM*

This paper examines how clients and therapists, together, create impasses or change. First, the general concept of a “therapeutic system” (therapist-plus-client) is briefly reviewed. Second, a model is described that synthesizes systemic and strategic ideas about therapeutic systems. Third, a series of questions based on this model is proposed for analyzing and resolving impasses. Finally, application of this framework is illustrated with a case.
Double Resonance NMR and Molecular Simulations of Hydrofluorocarbon Binding on Faujasite Zeolites NaX and NaY: the Importance of Hydrogen Bonding in Controlling Adsorption Geometries

Double resonance NMR experiments have been used to study the binding of the asymmetric hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) CF3CFH2 (HFC-134a), CF3CF2H (HFC-125) and CF2HCFH2 (HFC-143) on zeolites NaX and NaY. By exploiting the very large differences in 19F chemical shifts for the −CF3-xHx end groups of each molecule, individual 19F → 23Na cross-polarization (CP) build-up curves involving polarization transfer from different parts of the molecule have been obtained. CP efficiencies in the order CF3≪CF2H<CFH2 were found, indicating that the hydrogen-containing groups are bound more strongly to the zeolite framework. This effect is most pronounced for the lowest-sodium content zeolite studied (NaY: Si/Al = 7.6), and increases with HFC loading. Both the 1H NMR resonances and 1H → 27Al and 1H → 17O CP MAS NMR experiments are consistent with H-bonding interactions with the zeolite framework. Molecular dynamics and docking calculations for HFC-134 and 134a on model NaY and NaX zeolites revealed the importance of both H-b...
SU‐FF‐J‐33: Error Propagation in Tracking Geometry and Dose Through the Course of Treatment for Dose Accumulation in Adaptive Therapy of Head‐And‐Neck Cancers

Purpose: In making re‐planning decisions in response to observed geometric changes in head‐and‐neck patients, the daily dose distribution is often compared to the initially planned dose distribution. A more accurate approach would evaluate the total delivered dose up the point when new patient model becomes available, making decisions based on deviations of the accumulated dose from the planned dose. The aim of this study is to compare the accuracy of two different dose accumulation methodologies that utilize deformable image registration for tracking dose. Methods: In the first method, the dose is tracked directly from each fraction to the new patient model, which requires N‐1 deformable registrations for dose accumulation at fraction N. In the second method, the total delivered dose is accumulated starting with fraction 2, such that at fraction N, the dose is already mapped to fraction N‐1 and a single deformation map would be sufficient to track dose to the new geometry. This study evaluates the accuracy of each technique by comparing deformed contours generated using each method for a single head‐and‐neck patient. Contours at fractions 5, 15, and 25 are compared visually and quantitatively using distance to agreement at specific points of interest. Results: Visual assessment indicates that method 1 is more accurate than method 2. The largest difference between the two simulated surfaces of CTV was observed near the edge of pharynx and was measured to be 0.49, 0.39 and 0.53 cm, for fractions 5, 15, and 25 respectively. Discussion: Propagation of deformable alignment errors has the potential to negatively impact cumulative dose evaluation. Caution is recommended in evaluating adaptive therapy implementations that relay on the accumulation of deformations for summation of dose evaluation in later treatment fractions. Supported by NIHP01CA59827
Aggregate stock market behavior and investors’ low risk aversion

Abstract This paper studies whether investors’ high risk aversion can be avoided in a representative-agent model that is able to explain aggregate stock market behavior in the US financial market. We present a consumption-based asset pricing model with a representative agent who has a ‘catching up with the Joneses’ preference to show that high risk aversion can be avoided in a representative-agent model that can help explain many of the empirically observed properties of the aggregate stock market return, including the equity premium and risk-free rate puzzles, the predictability of long-horizon stock returns, and the ‘leverage effect’ in return volatility.
Signal acquisition for cooperative transmissions in multi-hop ad-hoc networks

Cooperative transmission schemes in multi-hop networks have the advantage of energy efficiency and increased network coverage. Realizing these advantages, however, requires a compatible physical layer. We consider the detection of a signal transmitted by multiple cooperative nodes. Exploiting the structure of the network, we formulate the problem, and propose a generalized likelihood ratio detector. We compare the performance of the proposed detector with two others: estimator-correlator and a genie-aided detector (provides a performance benchmark). The genie-aided detector assumes the knowledge of certain network parameters which may be unknown during reception. Simulations show that the proposed detector performs reasonably close to the genie-aided one, while being considerably better than the estimator-correlator.
Estimation of maximum interference-free power level for opportunistic spectrum access

We consider a scenario in which frequency agile radios opportunistically share a fixed spectrum resource with a set of primary nodes. We develop a collaborative scheme for a group of frequency agile radios to estimate the maximum power at which they can transmit on a given frequency channel, without causing harmful interference to the primary receivers. The proposed scheme relies on signal strength measurements taken by a group of frequency agile radios, which are then used by a target node to characterize the spatial size of its perceived spectrum hole in terms of the maximum permissible transmit power. We derive an approximation to the maximum interference-free transmit power using the Cramer-Rao bound on localization accuracy. We present numerical results to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme under a variety of scenarios.
Performance analysis of MMSE receivers for DS-CDMA in frequency-selective fading channels

The performance of the minimum mean-squared error (MMSE) receiver for the detection of direct sequence code division multiple access is considered in various fading channel models. Several modifications to the basic MMSE receiver structure which have been previously proposed for use on nonselective fading channels are reviewed and shown to represent different approximations to a single common form. The performance of this general structure is analyzed as well as various extensions suitable for frequency-selective fading channels. Particular attention is given to the performance advantage gained through knowledge of the fading parameters of the various transmission paths of each user's signal. It is shown that having this knowledge is not particularly useful on a flat fading channel unless the loading is very heavy and even then the difference in performance is only minimal. On the other hand, having this knowledge is crucial in a multipath fading channel and the inability to learn the fading channel parameters will lead to substantial degradation in capacity. A heuristic explanation to support this result based on a dimensionality argument is also presented.
Constrictive Pericarditis Caused by Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a recently recognized systemic fibroinflammatory disease associated with elevated serum level of IgG4. It was initially described as autoimmune pancreatitis; however, in recent years, there have been reports describing a broadening spectrum of organ involvements. We report a case of IgG4-RD manifesting as constrictive pericarditis. ### Case Presentation A 76-year-old former smoker was admitted to an outside hospital with a 2-year history of progressive exertional dyspnea and lower extremity edema. Initial evaluation revealed the presence of bilateral pleural effusions and ascites. He was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. He was treated with diuretics and an afterload-reducing agent. Subsequent hemodynamic cardiac catheterization revealed findings suggestive of constrictive physiology (Figure 1). Despite aggressive management that included multiple paracenteses and thoracenteses, his overall clinical status did not improve. He was referred to our clinic for further evaluation. Figure 1. Hemodynamic cardiac catheterization. During …
XML-based representation of haptic information

The ongoing research on haptics has produced excellent results that have paved the way to a whole new field of multimedia. Creating the sense of "touch", along with all its derivatives is very appealing indeed. Whether it is in gaming, tele-surgery simulations, rehabilitation, entertainment, or in the realm of military applications, concerned users seem to have obtained an acquired taste of this haptic world. However, the lack of haptic information representation formats is an impediment to the development of haptic applications. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to represent haptic information. Six basic categories are defined to describe the haptic application model with an explanation on why these categories and their parameters need to be defined.
AN algorithm for robust non-linear analysis of radioimmunoassays and other bioassays

The four-parameter logistic function is an appropriate model for many types of bioassays that have continuous response variables, such as radioimmunoassays. By modelling the variance of replicates in an assay, one can modify the usual parameter estimation techniques )for example, Gauss–Newton or Marquardt–Levenberg( to produce parameter estimates for the standard curve that are robust against outlying observations. This article describes the computation of robust )M-( estimates for the parameters of the four-parameter logistic function. It describes techniques for modelling the variance structure of the replicates, modifications to the usual iterative algorithms for parameter estimation in non-linear models, and a formula for inverse confidence intervals. To demonstrate the algorithm, the article presents examples where the robustly estimated four-parameter logistic model is compared with the logit-log and four-parameter logistic models with least-squares estimates.
The Presence of Something or the Absence of Nothing: Increasing Theoretical Precision in Management Research:

In management research, theory testing confronts a paradox described by Meehl in which designing studies with greater methodological rigor puts theories at less risk of falsification. This paradox exists because most management theories make predictions that are merely directional, such as stating that two variables will be positively or negatively related. As methodological rigor increases, the probability that an estimated effect will differ from zero likewise increases, and the likelihood of finding support for a directional prediction boils down to a coin toss. This paradox can be resolved by developing theories with greater precision, such that their propositions predict something more meaningful than deviations from zero. This article evaluates the precision of theories in management research, offers guidelines for making theories more precise, and discusses ways to overcome barriers to the pursuit of theoretical precision.
Outpatient appointment scheduling with variable interappointment times

Healthcare currently consumes 17% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product and is expected to reach 20% within the coming decade. Confronted with such high costs, sharp demand, and limited capacity, many hospitals now are vying for shorter lengths of stay and are transferring services from inpatient to outpatient facilities. This paper seeks to develop a methodology for constructing effective outpatient appointment scheduling systems. The objective of these appointment systems is to minimize the average total cost function describing total costs incurred by patient waiting and by staff idle time and overtime. In the paper, we will establish that the average total cost function exhibits a unimodal curve. The lowest point of the curve essentially means the lowest average total cost. We will next develop a simulation-based heuristic algorithm for finding an outpatient schedule near the lowest point. In the paper, we present numerical examples using the heuristic based upon a set of predetermined unit costs. Specifically, we find the near optimal interappointment times for schedules, where there are two and three patients in each block, respectively. The current work does not consider possible no shows and walk-ins. Future work will undertake these issues.
Self-Medication Practices among a Sample of Latino Migrant Workers in South Florida

Introduction: Although the literature on self-medication among Latino migrant workers (LMWs) is sparse, a few existing studies indicate that this practice is common in this community. The purpose of this paper is to estimate health status, access to health care, and patterns of self-medication practices of a cohort of LMWs in South Florida. Methods: A stratified network-based sample was utilized to recruit 278 LMWs in the Homestead area. After screening for eligibility, participants were administered a structured questionnaire that collected data on their health status, access to health care services, and self-medication practices. A convenience sample of 24 Latino migrant workers who participated in the parent study were invited back to participate in 3 focus groups to look more in depth into self-medication practices in the Latino migrant worker community. Results: Study findings indicate that Latino migrant workers are affected by a vast array of health problems yet lack access to health care services. Participants already engaged in self-medication practices in the countries of origin and, upon their arrival in the US, these practices continue and, in many cases, increase. Conclusion: Long-held traditions and lack of access to the formal health care system in the US contribute to the high prevalence of self-medication among Latino migrant workers. Self-medication practices such as the use of prescription medications without a prescription and lay injection are high risk practices that can have harmful consequences. Prevention interventions that address self-medication in the Latino migrant worker community are likely to be most effective if they are culturally adapted to the community and facilitate access to health care services.
Weighted least mean square design of 2-D FIR digital filters

This paper is concerned with weighted least mean square design of two-dimensional (2-D) zero-phase FIR filters with quadrantally symmetric and antisymmetric frequency responses. The optimal solutions are first characterized by certain integral equations, and the existence, and uniqueness of the weighted least mean square solution for 2-D FIR filter design are then established using contraction mapping, and fixed point theorem. Explicit solution in closed form for discretized weighted least mean square error is obtained for 2-D zero-phase FIR filters, which can be considered as an extension of the methods of Ahmed and Wang (1989) and Tufts and Francis (1970). Further, two numerical algorithms are proposed to iteratively solve the weighted least mean square solution. Convergence of the iterative algorithms is established, and estimates of the convergence rate are also derived. Examples are used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed design algorithms. >
Subthreshold Depression and Successful Aging in Older Women

Objectives Subthreshold depression (StD) is common in older adults and is associated with poor self-rated health. However, the impact of StD on broader indicators of successful aging, such as positive psychological constructs, cognitive functioning, or quality of well-being, has not been assessed. The authors compared persons with scores above and below a predetermined threshold on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Scale for Depression (CES-D) with nondepressed (ND) persons on measures of multiple domains associated with successful aging. Design Cross-sectional survey-based psychological assessments. Participants A total of 1,979 community-dwelling older women participating in the Women's Health Initiative study. Measurements ND was defined as a CES-D score below 8, StD as a score between 8 and 15, and CES-D Depression (CD) as a score of 16 or above. The study questionnaire consisted of multiple self-reported measures of positive psychological functioning (e.g., optimism and resilience), cognitive functioning and complaints, and quality of well-being. The authors also obtained a history of diagnosis, treatment, and hospitalization related to mental health problems. Results Overall 20.2% of women met CES-D criteria for StD and 7% for CD. Women with StD had worse self-rated successful aging, worse physical and emotional functioning, lower optimism, more negative attitudes toward aging, lower personal mastery and self-efficacy, and greater anxiety and hostility than ND women but scored better on all these measures than women with CD. Subjects with StD also had higher self-reported rates of previous diagnosis, treatment, and hospitalization for mental health problems than the ND group. Subjects with StD with depressed mood and/or anhedonia were largely similar to those without these symptoms. Conclusions Mild-moderate levels of depressive symptoms that likely fall under a general category of StD were common and were associated with worse functioning on virtually every component of successful aging that the authors examined. StD represents a clinical entity that may affect the longitudinal course of successful aging for large numbers of persons and is a potential target for clinical intervention.
Students connecting engineering fundamentals and hardware design: observations and implications for the design of curriculum and assessment methods

The paper explores how engineering students use fundamental concepts studied in analysis classes as they undertake experiences in hardware design and dissection. Examples are drawn from videotape studies and in situ observations of students. We observed that students learn by reflecting on their experiences and by linking and contextualizing theoretical and practical knowledge. Curriculum design and assessment methods that help foster these skills are discussed.
Judging meaning improves function in the aging brain

Important new evidence suggests that under-recruitment of frontal cortex under intentional learning conditions in older adults can be repaired when older subjects are instructed to focus on meaning. However, the tendency for older subjects to activate both hemispheres when young adults recruit only one was not reversible. These findings provide important insights with respect to plasticity and compensation in the aging brain.
Using lunar boulders to distinguish primary from distant secondary impact craters

[1] A high-resolution study of 18 lunar craters, including both primary and distant secondary craters, shows that the secondary craters produce larger ejecta fragments at a given crater size than do the primary craters. The maximum boulder diameter (B) increases with crater size (D) according to the power law B = KD2/3; for primary craters, when B and D are in meters, K is 0.29, whereas for secondary craters, we find that K is 0.46 (60% larger). Next we show that impact fracture theory predicts that secondary craters, because of their lower impact velocity, will produce larger ejecta fragments than primary craters. This result provides an opportunity for distinguishing between primary and secondary craters in high resolution planetary images. The ability to identify distant secondary craters will help constrain primary production rates of small craters and improve surface age determination of small areas based on small crater counts.
Does Tariff Liberalization Kick the Good Apples Out? Theory and Evidence

This paper examines the liberalization of a common tariff when imported varieties vary in quality and cost. Varieties of higher quality and/or lower cost (a) are imported at lower absolute demand elasticities and (b) earn higher revenues. By virtue of larger demand elasticities, low revenue varieties benefit the most from tariff liberalization. Further, if varieties are substitutable, low revenue varieties may benefit at the expense of high revenue varieties. These predictions are confirmed using a case study of US Uruguay Round tariff cuts, where within products, low revenue exporters experienced large gains, and high revenue exporters experienced negligible gains.
TNF-α stimulates System A amino acid transport in primary human trophoblast cells mediated by p38 MAPK signaling

Maternal obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increase the risk of delivering infants that are large for gestational age with greater adiposity, who are prone to the development of metabolic disease in childhood and beyond. These maternal conditions are also associated with increased levels of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α in maternal tissues and the placenta. Recent evidence suggests that changes in placental amino acid transport contribute to altered fetal growth. TNF-α was previously shown to stimulate System A amino acid transport in primary human trophoblasts (PHTs), however the molecular mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that TNF-α regulates amino acid uptake in cultured PHTs by a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-dependent mechanism. Treatment of PHTs with TNF-α significantly increased System A amino acid transport, as well as Erk and p38 MAPK signaling. Pharmacological antagonism of p38, but not Erk MAPK activity, inhibited TNF-α stimulated System A activity. Silencing of p38 MAPK using siRNA transfections prevented TNF-α stimulated System A transport in PHTs. TNF-α significantly increased the protein expression of System A transporters SNAT1 and SNAT2, but did not affect their mRNA expression. The effects of TNF-α on SNAT1 and SNAT2 protein expression were reversed by p38 MAPK siRNA silencing. In conclusion, TNF-α regulates System A activity through increased SNAT1 and SNAT2 transporter protein expression in PHTs. These findings suggest that p38 MAPK may represent a critical mechanistic link between elevated proinflammatory cytokines and increased placental amino acid transport in obese and GDM pregnancies associated with fetal overgrowth.
Residential mobility impacts exposure assessment and community socioeconomic characteristics in longitudinal epidemiology studies

Epidemiologic studies commonly use residential locations to estimate environmental exposures or community-level characteristics. The impact of residential mobility on these characteristics, however, is rarely considered. The objective of this analysis was to examine the effect of residential mobility on estimates of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP), greenspace, and community-level characteristics. All residential addresses were reported from birth through age seven for children enrolled in the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study. Exposure to TRAP at each address was estimated using a land use model. Greenspace was estimated using satellite imagery. Indices of neighborhood deprivation and race were created based on socioeconomic-census tract measures. Exposure estimates using the birth record address, the last known address, and the annual address history were used to determine exposure estimation error and bias in the association with asthma at age seven. Overall, 54% of the cohort moved at least once prior to age seven. Each move was separated by a median of 4 miles and associated with a median decrease of 4.4% in TRAP exposure, a 5.3% increase in greenspace, an improved deprivation index, and no change in the race index. Using the birth record address or the last known address instead of the annual address history resulted in exposure misclassification leading to a bias toward the null when associating the exposures with asthma. Using a single address to estimate environmental exposures and community-level characteristics over a time period may result in differential assessment error.
Current Approaches to Treatment of Ventricular Arrhythmias in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

The treatment of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy has evolved over the decades from a primarily medical approach to one dominated by technology and invasive interventions. While the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator has offered extended life to many patients, recurrent ventricular arrhythmias are the cause of significant morbidity still. A complex, multi-modality approach by expert clinicians is necessary for successful management of these patients. Future technological advances will allow for the effective treatment of more patients.
Serotonin and Histamine Effects of a Single Injection on the Mouse Testis and Prostate Gland. ()

SummaryTwo amines, serotonin and histamine, when administered either separately or in combination, caused weight increase in prostate glands and histological changes indicative of edema or vascular defect. Pathological changes in testes of treated mice included degenerating seminiferous tubules that contained spermatogonial cells with pyknotic nuclei and giant multinucleate cells. Absence of all spermatogenic cells from tubules was characteristic of advanced degeneration. It is suggested that histological changes in the testes were not necessarily the result of pharmacologic effects of the two amines on vascular structures.
Large GRIN preforms deposited at high rate using OVD

Low-attenuation high-bandwidth low-OH content graded-index fibers made by the outside vapor deposition (OVD) process have been reported.1 Prior developments have, however, been made using a preform size of 450-500 g deposited at average rates of 1.3-1.5 g/min. The size and deposition rate of OVD preforms have now been increased to 1800 g and 4.3 g/min with no degradation in properties and minimal equipment changes.