cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Taylor Rules: What Happened to (Private) Banks?

Positive research into Taylor rules indicates that in the recent past the central bank in the United States may have informally behaved in accordance with variants of Taylor's original rule. We note, however, that efforts to empirically fit these variants to past policy must account for a hitherto unacknowledged factor in the conduct of monetary policy: the soundness of the banking sector. Our results suggest that proxies for banking sector solvency are, amongst other variables, a reliable predictor of the path of monetary policy over the 1981 - 1994 period. Hence, if the conduct of monetary policy is formally bound to a rule which fails to take into account this factor then that adoption will represent a significant departure from recent management of monetary policy.
Pseudo-time domain filter characterization using EVM parameter

In this paper, we propose a new method of filters characterization using the Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) response of a digital modulation in the filter band. This relationship predicts the abnormality in the filter response and provides information on its characteristics (insertion loss, centre frequency, bandwidth). This approach could replace the S-parameters measurements that cost time and money in a production line. We first define EVM with normalization to be available for all modulation types. Then simulations are performed using ADS software from Agilent to calculate the EVM parameter for a QPSK modulation. Finally, measurements are carried out using Vector Signal Analyzer (VSA) for prototype micro-strip band pass filters. The EVM measurements give us first information on the filter response and present good agreement with simulations.
The impact of bit correlation on cross-phase modulation effects for signal transmission in optical networks

This paper investigates the impact of the bit correlation between pseudo-random binary sequences (PRBS) on the cross-phase modulation (XPM) effect that is one of the major nonlinear distortion sources in DWDM systems. A correlation function is derived and its results agree with simulated and measured results. This work reveals that at least 2 bit period de-correlation is needed to de-correlate the PRBS between adjacent channels in DWDM systems. Otherwise, the XPM-induced distortions measured from the PRBS sequences modulated signals deviate greatly from the data modulated signals.
Live Cell Imaging Reveals Continuous STAT6 Nuclear Trafficking

The STAT6 transcription factor is essential for the development of protective immunity; however, the consequences of its activity can also contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease. Tyrosine phosphorylation is known to activate STAT6 in response to cytokine stimulation, but there is a gap in our understanding of the mechanisms by which it enters the nucleus. In this study, live cell imaging was used in conjunction with photobleaching techniques to demonstrate the continual nuclear import of STAT6, independent of tyrosine phosphorylation. The protein domain required for nuclear entry includes the coiled coil region of STAT6 and functions similarly before or after cytokine stimulation. The dynamic nuclear shuttling of STAT6 seems to be mediated by the classical importin-α–importin-β1 system. Although STAT6 is imported to the nucleus continually, it accumulates in the nucleus following tyrosine phosphorylation as a result of its ability to bind DNA. These findings will impact diagnostic approaches and strategies to block the deleterious effects of STAT6 in autoimmunity.
Effect of Time of Feeding Concentrates and Ground, Pelleted Alfalfa Hay on Milk Fat Percentage and Fatty Acid Composition

Summary In a trial of three-period switchback design, six Holsteins and six Jerseys were fed ground, pelleted alfalfa hay at 6 am and pm, plus concentrates at either 2 am and pm (Treatment 1) or 6 am and pm (Treatment 2). Both feeding schedules decreased milk fat percentage significantly below that of the preliminary period (long hay fed). The decrease, however, was significantly less when the concentrates were fed separately from the hay than when they were fed at the same time. Similarly, the proportions of the short-chain fatty acids of the milk fat were also decreased less. It is postulated that feeding hay pellets and grain at separate times provides a more even supply of rumen fermentation products for milk fat synthesis.
Too Many Rodent Carcinogens: Mitogenesis Increases Mutagenesis

In the Perspective "Too many rodent carcinogens: Mitogenesis increases mutagenesis" by Bruce N. Ames and Lois Swirsky Gold (31 Aug., p. 970), the last paragraph on page 970 (continuing on page 971) was incorrectly printed. It should have read, "One major group of natural chemicals in the human diet are the chemicals that plants produce to defend themselves, the natural pesticides ( 4 ). We calculate that 99.9% (by weight) of the pesticides in our diet are natural. Few natural pesticides have been tested in at least one rodent species, and again about half (27/52 ) are rodent carcinogens. These 27 occur commonly in plant foods ( 10 ). The human diet contains thousands of natural pesticides, and we estimate that the average intake is about 1500 mg per person per day ( 4 ). This compares to a total of 0.09 mg per person per day of residues of about 100 synthetic pesticides ( 4 ). In addition, of the mold toxins tested at the MTD (induding aflatoxin), 11 out of 16 are rodent carcinogens." Also, in paragraph 3 on page 970, "47,000 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosines per cell" should have been "90,000" per cell.
How should a company respond to a product harm crisis? The role of corporate reputation and consumer-based cues

Abstract Product harm crises such as Vioxx and Firestone can be devastating events for companies. Although lawsuits by victims tend to draw most of the attention, observers, who typically learn of product harm crises through media outlets, can also cause extensive damage to the companies involved, as they represent current and potential customers of the product. This article provides guidance to practitioners in choosing the appropriate strategy to effectively deal with a product harm crisis. The authors recommend that corporate reputation and consumer-based cues, such as gender and nationality, be incorporated in the decision-making process regarding the choice of a corporate response.
Dynamics of secretory membrane trafficking.

: The study of intracellular membrane trafficking and organelle dynamics has been revolutionized with the advent of GFP technology, which allows individual proteins to be tagged with GFP and monitored in living cells. Using GFP-based techniques such as selective photobleaching and time-lapse imaging of different GFP color variants, it is now possible to address a host of questions related to protein retention within the organelles, the origin and fate of transport intermediates, and the extent of trafficking through different transport pathways. This has provided unexpected new insights into the organization and function of secretory and endocytic pathways within cells.
SIMULATION OF LIGNIN PYROLYSIS

Model compound pyrolysis reaction pathways and kinetics were used in simulation of both native (e.g.. milled wood) and Kraft lignin thermolyses where either only primary or also secondary reactions are important. Predicted products fell into one of permanent gases, tight liquids, phenolics and carbonaceous residue fractions. Product yields were more dependent on lignin type than on reaction environment. Comparison of simulation predictions with experimental pyrolyses of actual lignins, accomplished in terms of both product identities and yields, is encouraging. It is noteworthy that the simulations are strictly a priori and incorporate no actual lignin pyrolysis information.
Treatment of low-grade and intermediate-grade lymphoma with intensive combination chemotherapy results in long-term, disease-free survival

To define the role of intensive combination chemotherapy in the treatment of low-grade or intermediate-grade lymphomas, the authors report results in 49 patients treated with intermediate-dose or high-dose methotrexate, bleomycin, Adriamycin (doxorubicin; Adria Laboratories, Columbus, OH), cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), vincristine, and dexamethasone (m/M-BACOD) with long-term follow-up. The complete response rate was 59% (29 of 49), including 67% (eight of 12) with low-grade and 57% (21 of 37) with intermediate-grade disease. The median survival for the entire group was 81 months. The 29 complete responders had a long median survival of 131 months. Forty-five percent (13 of 29) of the complete responders, 27% of the entire group, continue in remission with a median disease-free survival of 76 months. This includes five of 19 patients with diffuse poorly differentiated lymphoma, a disease generally characterized by early relapse. Twelve patients achieved a partial response and had a shorter median survival of 53 months, whereas nonresponders survived a median of less than 5 months. Late relapse was noted in patients with low-grade and intermediate-grade disease. Age (younger than or older than 60 years) was the only predictor of long-term survival. These data indicate very long disease-free survival can be achieved in low-grade and intermediate-grade lymphomas after attaining a complete remission. Intensive doxorubicin containing chemotherapy can be considered as an option for patients with advanced low-grade lymphoma but can only be proven to be superior to single-agent chemotherapy or no initial therapy by controlled randomized trails.
Some spectral formulas for systems and transmission lines

The mathematical machinery for treating certain systems of equations arising from transmission line and geophysical problems is put into a transmutational framework involving canonical systems (∗) [JD- W]U = λU, and suitable spectral pairings of the solutions of (∗) with vectors involving Sinλt and Cosλt. One works with sideways and upward Cauchy problems, constructing solutions via such spectral pairings, and there by gives a spectral representation for the fundamental objects in the basic integral equations of scattering theory.
Towards a Cultural Neuroscience of Empathy and Prosociality

Recent evidence from the social neuroscience of empathy suggests that there is core neural circuitry underlying empathy in humans, and important roles for top—down and bottom—up processes in the production and regulation of empathic experience. Less well understood is how cultural and genetic forces give rise to empathy and prosocial behavior within and across groups. Here I argue that culture-gene coevolutionary theory may play an important role in understanding how and when empathy is experienced, and that future research in cultural neuroscience is needed to understand how cultural and genetic factors shape empathic neural response.
Heterogeneity in life-duration preferences: Are risky recreationists really more risk loving?

We conduct multiple price list experiments that elicit life duration risk preferences from amateur auto racers, technical rock climbers, SCUBA divers, and a student control group. We posit a preference function that allows for risk aversion and probability weighting. We are particularly interested in whether the behavior of risk takers, such as risky recreationists or smokers, is best explained by a risk-tolerant utility function or if immunity to possibility bias arising from overweighting of low probabilities is a more important motivator of the choice to engage in risky activities. We find that amateur auto racers are more rational than either students or other risky recreationists because they are less likely to overemphasize low-probability events. Women, older subjects, and rock climbers are more susceptible to possibility bias than others, making them likely to overinvest in disease treatments that have a low probability of success.
Deriving phenotypes for molecular genetic studies of substance use disorders: A family study approach

Although, family, twin, and adoption studies indicate that genes play a significant etiologic role in the development of substance use disorders (SUDs), the specific genes involved have been difficult to detect due, in part, to uncertainties about how best to define SUDs, the possibility of genetic heterogeneity and the variable phenotypic expression of SUD genotypes. The goal of the present work was to determine if phenotypes external to the diagnosis of SUD such as psychopathology and cognitive functioning would show evidence of utility as phenotypes for genetic studies of SUD. We did this by applying factor analysis to multiple measures collected from our family-study program and then determining if these factors were heritable and were co-familial with SUDs. We used data from families recruited into six contemporaneous studies of four psychiatric conditions in children and adults. We found evidence for two SUD related phenotypes. One was an index of Psychopathology and Psychosocial Impairment; the other was an index of school failure and cognitive dysfunction. Both factors showed evidence of heritability, longitudinal stability and familial association with Parental SUD but these findings were stronger for the index of school failure and cognitive dysfunction. Results provide some support for the idea that candidate SUD phenotypes such as psychopathology and cognitive functioning, which are external to the diagnostic criteria for SUDs, may be useful for genetic studies of SUD.
You shouldn't take it with you: postmortem device reuse.

s r a p t Antiarrhythmia devices—pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs)—are expensive scarce world resources that are available to the majority of the population in the economic “haves” countries but rarely to those without means in the economic “have-nots” countries. Impoverished or developing nations implant what devices they can primarily for life-threatening atrioventricular block, often only in younger patients. ICDs, for any indications, are beyond their scope of practice for all but the richest minority. Generators, leads, and the technical knowledge to implant devices are often obtained through humanitarian assistance, for example, the Pacemaker Banks established under the direction of the philanthropic organization Heartbeat International. Physicians trained and working in rst-world countries with ties to the developing nations ssist in pacemaker implantation and follow-up. Generators are often donated by manufacturers to the humanitarian organizations, typically outright or at a markedly reduced cost. New devices approaching end of shelf life are commonly used. Despite these programs, available data show that pacemaker implant rates in developing countries are a fraction of that in first-world countries. Although difficult to quantify, there is certainly significant morbidity and mortality associated with limited access to pacemakers. One clear bottleneck is the limited supply of new pacemaker generators. In the current issue of HeartRhythm, Baman et al provide one solution to the scarcity of pacemaker generators— that being the reuse of appropriate devices from deceased patients. The group from the University of Michigan has published extensively on this topic in the last 2 years, including a case report, a case series, 2 position/review papers, a meta-analysis, and an original manuscript evaluating societal views—perhaps another example of “reuse.” In the current work, the authors evaluate the effect of a mailed informational flyer and a Web site (My HeartYour Heart) targeted at funeral directors on the collection of explanted devices. The program led to the donation of over 3000 explanted devices primarily from Florida and Michigan. In 550 (21%) of the collected devices there was
Persistent co-purification of enzymes catalyzing the sequential glucosylation and sulfation steps in glucosinolate biosynthesis.

Summary The last two steps in glucosinolate biosynthesis involve successively a glucosylation and a sulfation reaction, catalyzed by UDPglucose: thiohydroximate glucosyltransferase and PAPS: desulfoglucosinolate sulfotransferase. In an effort to obtain structural information on the individual enzymes, separation was attempted on numerous chromatographic and electrophoretic media. Successive ammonium sulfate fractionation, Mono Q ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration of Brassica juncea L. cell extracts resulted in co-purification of the two enzymes. Subsequent resolution of the activities was unsuccessful by hydrophobic interaction chromatography, metal chelation chromatography and affinity chromatography on the following ligand bound gels: reactive dyes, uridine-5′-diphosphate, 3′-phosphoadenosine- 5′-phosphate, uridine-5′-diphosphate glucuronic acid and desulfobenzylglucosinolate. Both enzymes had similar electrophoretic mobility in native polyacrylamide gels and also co-eluted from a chromatofocussing column. The latter system pointed to a difference in stability as the loss of sulfotransferase activity was greater than of glucosyltransferase activity. Stability tests indicated that the glucosyltransferase was more stable below pH 7.5, while the sulfotransferase was more stable above pH 8.0. Furthermore, the sulfotransferase exhibited stability up to 40°C, while the glucosyltransferase was only stable up to 30°C. The above results suggest that the close similarities in chromatographic and electrophoretic properties may preclude separation of the two enzymes in their native form, but that thermodenaturation of the glucosyltransferase activity may advance the isolation of the sulfotransferase.
Hirschsprung's disease: Clinical and experimental observations

Hirschsprung's disease (HD) is a relatively common cause of intestinal obstruction in the newborn. It is characterized by an absence of ganglion cells in the distal bowel beginning at the internal sphincter and extending proximally for varying distances. The etiology of HD-associated enterocolitis remains a complex issue. This study has provided further support for a possible infectious etiology of enterocolitis complicating HD.
Yang-Lee Zeros of the Q -State Potts Model in the Complex Magnetic Field Plane

The microcanonical transfer matrix is used to study the distribution of Yang-Lee zeros of the $Q$-state Potts model in the complex magnetic field ( ${x\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}e}^{\ensuremath{\beta}h}$) plane for the first time. Finite size scaling suggests that at (and below) the critical temperature the zeros lie close to, but not on, the unit circle with the two exceptions of the critical point $x\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}1$ ( $h\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}0$) itself and the zeros in the limit $T\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}0$.
DETERMINANTS OF KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTION AND THEIR EFFECTS ON REGIONAL ECONOMIC GROWTH

We provide a Bayesian spatial Markov Chain Monte Carlo model composition (MC3) analysis of growth rates in European regional patenting activity. Based on theoretical models on innovation and growth, we identify a large set of candidate explanatory variables that characterize regional stocks of knowledge, including: human resources devoted to innovative activity, scientific and technical capabilities, public and private investments, government policies, as well as regional industry structure, and indicators of regional technology gaps that reflect distance from the technological frontier. Our analysis shows that accommodating spatial dependence and heterogeneity leads to different conclusions regarding factors important for technological transfer and knowledge spillovers.
A transistorized photomultiplier dynode voltage regulator

The design of a transistorized dynode voltage regulator for the d-c stabilization of photomultiplier tubes is presented. The basic regulator elements are 12 cascade emitter followwers driven by a 2 mamp resistor chain followwing the variable high voltage via three cascaded emitter followers and a divider chain. (C.E.S.)
THE IMPACT OF ENERGY DEVELOPMENT ON EDUCATION

(1995). THE IMPACT OF ENERGY DEVELOPMENT ON EDUCATION. Impact Assessment: Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 31-46.
A comparison of visibility and speechreading performance on English and Slurvian

Abstract English and Slurvian sentences of varying degrees of visibility were presented as speechreading stimuli to 60 normal hearing college students. Performance was better on the English stimuli. However, visibility did not appear to be a sensitive predictor of performance for the English language. The significance of semantic and syntactic constraints is discussed as the main difference affecting speechreading performance for the two languages. A visibility index based on single phoneme values is questioned.
An Isolated Resonant AC-Link Three-Phase AC–AC Converter Using a Single HF Transformer

An isolated three-phase ac-ac converter with a high frequency (HF) ac link, soft switching operation, high input power factor, and bidirectional power flow is introduced. The galvanic isolation is attained by a single HF transformer, which is substantially smaller than the line-frequency transformers. Moreover, the magnetizing inductance of this transformer and two small ac capacitors form the convertor's HF ac link; no bulky short-life electrolytic capacitor is used. The magnetizing inductance is the main component for transferring power, and the link capacitors provide partial resonance to achieve zero voltage switching for the power switches in all operating modes. The basic operation of the topology is composed of 16 modes and is described. The detailed analysis of the proposed topology is carried out to reveal further the converter's behavior in different operating conditions. The simulation and experimental results are also provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed power converter.
First records of troglobitic beetles from arkansas: Two new species of speleochus park (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae: Bythinini), and synonymy of subterrochus park with speleochus

The two species of pselaphine staphylinid beetles described herein represent the first unambiguous records of true troglobitic beetles from caves in the Ozark Plateau region of Arkansas. Speleochus macosar Carlton, new species, is based on a series of six specimens collected from Whippoorwill Cave, Madison County, northwestern Arkansas. Speleochus blanchardensis Carlton, new species, is based on a series of four specimens collected in Blanchard Springs Caverns, Stone County, north-central Arkansas. All specimens were collected from the zone of total darkness, deep within the caves. Comparison with other troglobitic species from the southeastern United States included within the genera Speleochus Park, 1951 and Subterrochus Park, 1960 suggest that all are congeneric. An updated description of Speleochus is provided and the following nomenclatural changes are proposed: Speleochus (= Subterrochus, new synonymy);Speleochus eurous (Park, 1960), new combination; Speleochus ferns Park, 1951, combination reinstated, and Speleochus steevesi (Park, 1960), new combination. The species described from Arkansas are the only members of the genus known from west of the Mississippi River Embayment. All others are described from caves in northern Alabama.
Children's perceptions of parental multiple sclerosis.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 7-to-14-year-old children of parents with multiple sclerosis (MS; N = 21) to examine children's perceptions of MS, and a content analysis was conducted. Children observed visible and 'invisible' symptoms and affective distress. Few children had information about the physiological process of MS. The most frequent categories of causal beliefs were fate or chance, contagion and congenital/hereditary factors. Many children mentioned their own or other people's behaviour as influences on the course of MS. No children believed that parents' MS would get worse. Children need developmentally appropriate information, reassurance about their effect on parents and their own risk of contracting MS, and discussion of the stress on the family. The study suggests the value of psycho-educational intervention for many families with MS.
A general model of forest ecosystem processes for regional applications I. Hydrologic balance, canopy gas exchange and primary production processes

An ecosystem process model is described that calculates the carbon, water and nitrogen cycles through a forest ecosystem. The model, FOREST-BGC, treats canopy interception and evaporation, transpiration, photosynthesis, growth and maintenance respiration, carbon allocation above and below-ground, litterfall, decomposition and nitrogen mineralization. The model uses leaf area index (lai) to quantify the forest structure important for energy and mass exchange, and this represents a key simplification for regional scale applications. FOREST-BGC requires daily incoming short-wave radiation, air temperature, dew point, and precipitation as driving variables. The model was used to simulate the annual hydrologic balance and net primary production of a hypothetical forest stand in seven contrasting environments across North America for the year 1984. Hydrologic partitioning ranged from 14/86/0% for evaporation, transpiration and outflow, respectively, in Fairbanks, AK (annual precipitation of 313 mm) to 10/27/66% in Jacksonville, FL (annual ppt of 1244 mm), and these balances changed as lai was increased from 3 to 9 in successive simulations. Net primary production (npp) ranged from 0.0 t C ha−1 year−1 at Tucson, AZ, to 14.1 t C ha−1 year−1 at Knoxville, TN and corresponded reasonably with observed values at each site. The sensitivity of ecosystem processes to varying lai in different climates was substantial, and underscores the utility of parameterizing this model at regional scales in the future with forest lai measurements derived from satellite imagery.
Minimal Pliocene-Pleistocene uplift of the dry valleys sector of the Transantarctic Mountains: A key parameter in ice-sheet reconstructions

We propose that there has been little or no Pliocene-Pleistocene uplift of the dry valleys sector of the Transantarctic Mountains, on the basis of isotopic dating and mapping of in situ cinder-cone deposits on the walls of Taylor Valley. Twenty-seven 40Ar/39Ar incremental heating analyses on whole-rock samples from subaerially erupted olivine basanite volcanic outcrops of known elevations define 14 eruptions ranging in age from 3.89 to 1.50 Ma. Because Taylor Valley opens directly onto the Ross Sea, these results show that any surface uplift during the past 2.57 m.y. was <300 m. Our conclusion of minimal uplift contradicts previous models of dramatic uplift (up to 3000 m since 3 Ma) and associated hypotheses that uplift caused climatic cooling and growth of a polar East Antarctic ice sheet.
The Dartmouth Sleep Knowledge and Attitude Survey: Development and Validation

Abstract Objectives To construct and validate an instrument for the purpose of assessing effectiveness of curriculum development and educational interventions in sleep medicine. Background Medical school and graduate medical curricula have historically contained quite limited instruction in sleep physiology and sleep medicine. Recent initiatives, particularly the Sleep Academic Award program, have attempted to address this issue through support of programs designed to develop educational resources and implement curriculum change. Effective measures for assessment of educational outcome are an essential component of these interventions. Methods A panel of sleep experts, other medical professionals, and education consultants developed a knowledge and attitude survey, designed to address a broad range of topics in sleep physiology and medicine. The instrument was modified in response to pilot testing, and a final 24-item survey has been administered to two cohorts of college undergraduates before and immediately following a ten-week course of instruction and to a single cohort of first-year medical students. A group of sleep medicine experts served as the comparison population. Results were analyzed for item difficulty, item discrimination, and instructional sensitivity. Results Analyses of item difficulty, item discrimination, and instructional sensitivity were in line with acceptable norms for criterion-referenced tests. There was evidence of discriminative validity, as shown by scores on the measure and acknowledged expertise. Conclusion This instrument demonstrates both logical and empirical evidence of validity and may serve as a useful tool in assessing outcome of educational interventions in sleep medicine.
NON‐RANDOM RELATIONSHIPS AMONG AMINO ACIDS IN PROTEIN SEQUENCES

We have computed the observed distribution of amino acid pairs n, n+1 up to n, n+10 within 100 unrelated protein sequences containing a total of 14,034 amino acids. The expected distribution of the same amino acid pairs was calculated assuming that the amino acids within each sequence are arranged in random order. Statistical analysis of the data shows that amino acids in the n, n+1 and n, n+3 relationship deviate from random expectation at the 1% level of significance. These relationships are consistent with known secondary structures; however, there are no amino acid pairs which obviously contribute to the non-random result.
Visual impairment, uncorrected refractive error, and objectively measured balance in the United States

Importance Further research is crucial to better understand the reason for falls in individuals with visual impairment (VI) and to develop appropriate fall prevention strategies. Objective To compare balance measures in individuals with normal vision, VI, and uncorrected refractive error (URE). Design and Setting Cross-sectional study based on a national survey sample. Participants A total of 4590 adults, 40 years or older, participating in the 2001 through 2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Main Outcome Measures Participants completed tests of standing balance with eyes open or eyes closed on a firm or compliant (foam) surface. Eyes-closed testing on a foam surface primarily assessed vestibular balance by minimizing visual and proprioceptive inputs. The main outcome measure was time to balance failure on firm and foam surface testing. Participants also self-reported difficulty with falling during the last year. Results Failure during eyes-open balance testing conditions or eyes-closed balance testing on a firm surface was not more common among participants with VI-associated or URE-associated vision loss ( P > .22). In eyes-closed foam surface balance testing, multivariable models demonstrated higher rates of balance loss with VI-associated vision loss ( P = .02) and with URE-associated vision loss ( P = .04) (hazard ratio, 1.7 per logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR] unit change [10 lines] for both). Self-reported falling difficulty was associated with worse VI (odds ratio, 3.7 per logMAR unit change; P = .03) but not with worse URE (odds ratio, 3.4 per logMAR unit change; P = .14). Conclusions and Relevance The vestibular contribution to balance (measured with eyes closed on a foam surface) was worse for individuals with VI or URE. Reduced visual inputs may weaken the vestibulo-ocular reflex, an important system that maintains the effectiveness of vestibular balance. Alternately, common degenerative pathways or lower physical activity levels may affect balance, particularly among those with VI.
A finite difference analysis of the extrudate swell problem

The extrudate swell phenomenon of a purely viscous fluid is analysed by solving simultaneously the Cauchy momentum equations along with the continuity equation by means of a finite difference method. The circular and planar jet flows of Newtonian and power-law fluids are simulated using a control volume finite difference method suggested by Patankar called SIMPLER (semi-implicit method for pressure-linked equations). This method uses the velocity components and pressure as the primitive variables and employs a staggered grid and control volume for each separate variable. The numerical results show good agreement with the analytical solution of the axisymmetric stick-slip problem and exhibit a Newtonian swelling ratio of 13.2% or 19.2% for a capillary or slit die respectively in accordance with previously reported experimental and numerical results. Shear thinning results in a decrease in swelling ratio, as does the introduction of gravity and surface tension.
Minute-Accumulating Analysis and life testing

For analyzing life-test data and estimating the length-of-life distribution function, Taguchi recommends the method of Minute-Accumulating Analysis (or ‘minimum-unit’ analysis), through the categorization of the available data into a binary form ‘1–0’ (‘alive-dead’). In this paper we investigate the advantages and drawbacks of Minute Analysis using an actual case study.
Intraoperative facial nerve monitoring : a description of a unique system

Intraoperative facial nerve monitoring has become an integral adjunct in facial nerve identification and preservation for patients undergoing cerebellopontine angle surgery. Since the first description of EMG monitoring of facial nerve activity intraoperatively, many systems have been developed. These systems often rely on unilateral monitoring of the facial nerve with auditory feedback to the surgeon, and it is difficult to distinguish between artifact and significant stimulation of the facial nerve. In this paper, we present the use of a bilateral, multialarm, facial nerve monitoring system that has multiple advantages over previous systems. Furthermore, we review our experience with this bilateral system, comparing a group of 50 monitored patients to a group of 50 unmonitored patients.
The Role of Shariah Law in Deterring Criminality in Saudi-Arabia

The author, who is Christian, had the unique opportunity of spending part of his sabbatical leave in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (December 20, 1983–March 11, 1984), where he pursued social and criminal justice research. For several weeks he travelled to many cities in the Kingdom. He had the privilege of meeting with numerous leaders in Islamic jurisprudence. More importantly he met with lower-level police officials, clergymen, and laymen at large. Information collected from these sources constitute the main body of this paper and form the grounds upon which conclusions are made. [Editor's Note]: Dr. Souryal's paper was chosen as the first place winner in the International Paper Competition, which was endorsed by the Executive Board of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. The award luncheon ceremony was held during the annual meeting of the ACJS in San Francisco's Hilton Hotel on April 7, 1988. At that time, the Editor of this journal personally presented Dr. Souryal with a certificate and a check fo...
Heterogeneous concurrent execution of Monte Carlo photon transport on CPU, GPU and MIC

In this paper, a new level of heterogeneous concurrent execution of Monte Carlo photon transport is presented. ARCHER, an application for computing radiation dosimetry for CT imaging involving whole-body patient phantoms has been extended to execute on any combination of CPUs, GPUs and MICs concurrently. The goal is for ARCHER to detect and simultaneously utilize all CPU, GPU and MIC processing devices available. Due to the irregular nature of the Monte Carlo photon transport algorithm, a new "self service" approach to organizing the heterogeneous device computing has been implemented. This approach efficiently and effectively allows each device to repeatedly grab portions of the domain and compute concurrently until the entire domain has been simulated. New timing benchmarks using various combinations of various Intel and NVIDIA devices are made and presented. A speedup of 13x has been observed when utilizing Intel's Xeon X5650 CPU, Intel's Xeon Phi 5110P MIC and NVIDIA's K40 GPU concurrently versus just the Intel Xeon X5650.
Effects of naltrexone and nalmefene on subjective response to alcohol among non-treatment-seeking alcoholics and social drinkers.

Background: Despite the relative success of opiate antagonist medication within controlled clinical trials for alcoholism, laboratory studies have not fully examined potential mechanisms for their efficacy in alcohol-dependent persons. The present study evaluated the impact of naltrexone and nalmefene on craving and subjective effects after a moderate alcohol dose among non-treatment-seeking alcoholics (n = 125) and social drinkers (n = 90). Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to receive placebo, naltrexone (titrated to 50 mg/day), or nalmefene (titrated to 40 mg/day) for seven days before an alcohol challenge clinical laboratory session. During the clinical laboratory session, a drink of alcohol (0.4 mg/kg for men, 0.34 mg/kg for women) was provided in a bar-like setting. The effects of the alcohol dose on subjective craving, stimulation, and sedation were measured before having free access to alcohol. Results: Alcoholics reported higher levels of craving than social drinkers before and after the drink as well as higher levels of alcohol-induced stimulation. Both opiate antagonist medications suppressed initial increases in craving and stimulation. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that both naltrexone and nalmefene are associated with reduced alcohol-induced craving and stimulation among alcoholics who are not actively attempting to reduce drinking. These data provide insights into potential mechanisms that may underlie opiate antagonists’ effects in the context of treatment.
Short-exposure passive imaging through path-varying convective boundary layer turbulence

As is well known, the turbulent coherence diameter is evaluated via an integral over path varying turbulence. However, a recent analysis also suggests a system aperture size effect that interacts with the coherence diameter effect. This effect, due to the phase structure function, produces an altered behavior on the short-exposure atmospheric modulation transfer function (MTF). This behavior can be modeled as multiplicative adjustments to two dimensionless imaging scenario parameters. To illustrate these effects, path dependent turbulence effects are introduced through the context of a daytime convective boundary layer scenario featuring turbulence strength that varies as a function of height to the minus-four-thirds power. Two path geometry cases are studied: slant path propagation above flat terrain, where the object viewed and observer are at varying heights, and propagation between an object viewed and an observer at equal heights above the terrain situated on opposite sides of a valley. Results for both cases show the newly proposed atmospheric MTF is unaltered in form, but that path dependent scaling laws apply to the two governing dimensionless parameters. Scaling relations are plotted for each case studied, and the integral relations developed can be easily computed for further specific cases.
Phase signatures in acoustic-seismic land mine detection

[1] The utility of acoustic-to-seismic coupling systems for land mine detection has been clearly established with potential as either a primary or confirmation sensor system. They can detect very low metal content mines that are difficult for ground-penetrating radar detection. For most applications, only the magnitude of the surface velocity is used to construct recognition algorithms. Recently, we introduced phase-based features in the classification scheme, significantly lowering false alarm rates at given detection probabilities. In this paper we introduce modeling equations that explain the phase features. We also describe the image processing techniques applied to velocity data collected in the time domain.
Reconciliation of learning rates between the cumulative average vs incremental learning rate models

Abstract There are two basic learning curve time and cost models that are somewhat confusing, because the same learning rate (e.g. the 80% learning curve) yields different results. The cumulative average model applies the learning rate to average variable cost, whereas the incremental model applies it to marginal cost. This note stresses that, even though an analyst may prefer to conceptualize learning as an explicit constant in the incremental unit learning model, that same analyst has implicitly assumed a varying learning rate in the cumulative average model. A vice versa situation arises if a constant learning rate is assumed in the cumulative average model. Textbooks that compare both models do not reconcile them in the manner presented in this paper.
Adherence to zidovudine (AZT) among HIV-infected methadone patients: a pilot study of supervised therapy and dispensing compared to usual care

Twenty-seven HIV-infected methadone maintenance patients who demonstrated problems adhering to zidovudine (AZT) were randomly assigned to a group that received eight weeks of weekday supervised therapy and dispensing of AZT or a group that received usual care of the clinic. Adherence was assessed by self-report, erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume (MCV), Medication Event Monitoring Systems (MEMS), and pill counts. Subjects in the intervention group demonstrated significantly higher MCV levels during the intervention period than usual care subjects, with similar but non-significant trends for the three other adherence measures. MEMS percent indicated significant group differences on weekdays, but not weekend days. There were no differences at a one-month follow-up. Results suggest supervised therapy and dispensing may be an effective strategy for improving AZT adherence, but only while provided. Further research is needed to establish the effects of larger and longer lasting interventions.
Increased susceptibility to generalized seizures after immunolesions of the basal forebrain cholinergic neurons in rats

We investigated whether basal forebrain cholinergic neurons influence the expression of generalized seizures. Animals received intracerebroventricular injections of saporin (lesioned) or saline (controls) and were tested for susceptibility to flurothyl- or pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures. Lesioned rats had significantly shorter latencies to onset of generalized tonic-clonic seizures than controls. Our findings suggest that basal forebrain cholinergic neurons may participate in the modulation of generalized seizures.
Effects of Category Sequencing in Short-Term-Memory Tasks

Abstract The present purpose was to determine whether expectancies about patterns of category repetition across trials (Experiment 1) or about category locations within trials (Experiment 2) could lead to buildup and release of proactive inhibition (PI). For the first study, constant category change resulted in virtually uniform recall across the initial 10 trials, in contrast to the buildup of PI over preshift trials when two categories alternated or occurred in successive blocks of 5 trials. A novel category provided an equivalent departure from expectations for those latter groups. All groups in Experiment 2 showed effects of category repetition but no detectable influence from sequence constancy over 5 preshift trials. A performance decrement on the 6th trial for the group exposed to a novel category sequence, however, suggests that an internal sequence can induce an expectancy that can serve as an organizational structure for retrieval.
Abstract 3154: Sequencing of the small RNA transcriptome in cytologically normal bronchial airway epithelium of smokers with and without lung cancer

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Introduction: Based on the concept that cigarette smoke creates a molecular field of injury in epithelial cells throughout the respiratory tract, we have previously shown that mRNA expression differences in cytologically normal airway epithelial cells in patients with and without lung cancer can serve as a clinically-relevant lung cancer biomarker. MicroRNAs are short, non-coding RNAs that can each regulate the expression of hundreds of target genes and can be reliably detected in clinical samples with variable quality. The goal of this study is to generate a microRNA biomarker in the airway epithelium of smokers for the diagnosis of lung cancer. Methods: Cytologically-normal bronchial airway epithelial cells were collected via brushings of the mainstem bronchus of smokers undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy for suspicion of lung cancer (n=128). Subjects were followed after their bronchoscopy until a final diagnosis of lung cancer (n=75) or an alternate benign diagnosis (n=53) was made. The small RNA transcriptome ( 20). 98 of these microRNAs were differentially expressed between current and former smokers and 56 microRNAs differentially expressed in the airway epithelium of smokers with and without lung cancer (p<0.05; 18 expected by chance at this threshold). Conclusions: We have sequenced the small RNA transcriptome in the cytologically-normal proximal airway epithelium of smokers and have identified microRNA expression profiles associated with smoking status and/or a final diagnosis of lung cancer. In the future, a microRNA biomarker will be developed on these samples using procedures outlined in the MicroArray Quality Control (MAQC)-II project and tested on an independent cohort in order to confirm their ability to serve as an early diagnostic tool for lung cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3154. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3154
Observation of three-body collisional transfer between atomic levels.

Collisional $J$-mixing rates between the $J=0, 1, 2$ states of the $\mathrm{Sr}(5^{3}P_{J})$ multiplet have been measured in the presence of rare-gas perturbers. For Kr and Xe pressures above 100 Torr, the rates are dominated by a component which is quadratic in pressure. We believe this very unusual behavior is brought about by the simultaneous interaction of a Sr atom with two perturbers and not by excimer formation.
THE GROWTH OF LARGE CITIES IN THE USSR: POLICIES AND TRENDS, 1959–1979

The effectiveness of the Soviet policy aimed at limiting the growth of large cities in the USSR is tested from various perspectives, based chiefly on the most recent censuses of 1959, 1970, and 1979. Results suggest that the policy has not yet been too successful. The number and relative importance of large cities continue to increase substantially. Constant groups of large cities in general and those where industrial investment was to be specifically restricted as of the late 1950s continue to grow roughly as rapidly as other towns. Maximum population limits, either "optimum" or otherwise, have generally been exceeded. Regional, metropolitan, and international perspectives further suggest a lack of success. Continued substantial concentration of industrial investment and governmental and educational activities in and appreciable migration to the largest cities have been especially influential factors, despite attempts to limit industry and migration. Some elements of effectiveness and comparisons with th...
Chemical equilibria in solutions of bisulfite salts.

Abstract The equilibrium between bisulfite ion and pyrosulfite ion in aqueous solutions of different ionic strengths was investigated spectrophotometrically. Values for the equilibrium constant at ionic strengths of 2.0, 0.9, 0.5, 0.1, and 0.01 M were found to be 0.34, 0.22, 0.175, 0.115, and 0.086 M - 1 respectively. The extrapolated thermodynamic equilibrium constant was calculated to be 0.076 ± 0.010 M − 1 , and the molar absorptivity of pyrosulfite ion at 255 nm was calculated to be 1980. These values differ significantly from the values in the chemical literature. No evidence was found for the formation of complexes between bisulfite and citrate ions in aqueous solution.