cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
De)marketing to Manage Consumer Quality Inferences

Abstract Savvy consumers attribute a product's market performance to its intrinsic quality as well as the seller's marketing push. The authors study how sellers should optimize their marketing decisions in response. They find that a seller can benefit from “demarketing” its product, meaning visibly toning down its marketing efforts. Demarketing lowers expected sales ex ante but improves product quality image ex post, as consumers attribute good sales to superior quality and lackluster sales to insufficient marketing. The authors derive conditions under which demarketing can be a recommendable business strategy. A series of experiments confirm these predictions.
Laser radar cross section of objects immersed in the earth's atmosphere - Theory and numerical results for a disk

We present a summary of a theory for the ensemble average of the laser radar cross section of a target immersed in an atmosphere characterized by a random index of refraction. The theory is applied to the calculation of the effective cross section of a specular disk oriented normally to the incident field. Numerical results are presented for the effects of range and outer scale size on the effective laser radar cross section of the disk.
Grain boundary sliding in Ni3Al(Ta,B) bicrystals

Grain boundary sliding refers to displacements produced when individual crystals slide over each other at or in a region directly adjacent to their common interface. Grain boundary sliding has been found to have both beneficial and detrimental roles in deformation and fracture processes that occur in polycrystalline materials. For example, extensive grain boundary sliding makes superplastic forming possible where strains in excess of 1000% may be achieved. In contrast, the occurrence of grain boundary sliding may be detrimental in high temperature components by contributing strongly to the overall creep strain. It has also been shown that stress redistribution resulting from grain boundary sliding can significantly enhance the damage mechanisms that facilitate high temperature fracture. Thus it is important to develop an understanding of grain boundary sliding in materials considered for service at elevated temperatures. Polycrystalline nickel aluminide (Ni[sub 3]Al) is a promising matrix material for use at elevated temperatures as a result of its anomalous positive temperature dependence of strength, good oxidation resistance, low density compared to superalloys, and good ductility with the addition of a small amount of boron. However, Ni[sub 3]Al alloys exhibit a transition from ductile to brittle behavior at elevated temperatures. This decrease in ductility ismore » shown in this paper.« less
Structure and Function of Insulin Receptors

The actions of insulin are mediated by an integral plasma membrane protein, the insulin receptor. The processed receptor is a tetramer composed of two α-subunits that bind insulin and two β-subunits that traverse the plasma membrane and are, in their cytosolic domains, protein tyrosine kinases. The insulin proreceptor cDNA has been cloned and its complete amino acid sequence deduced. The availability of cDNA permitted an analysis of both the role of protein tyrosine kinase activity in insulin action and the autophosphorylation sites that regulate kinase activity. The human cDNA probe has also been used to identify a putative Drosophila insulin receptor. This work is reviewed, and approaches that may be used to identify physiological substrates for the receptor kinase are suggested.
Ring Catchers in FM-1

Described is the system for positioning, and arresting the poloidal field coil in the FM-l machine. The ring is held in the proper position, on centerline of the machine by four positioner assemblies. Rotation of the ring to proper azimuth for filling, venting and charging is provided. The positioner assemblies are lowered to the vacuum vessel floor during ring levitation or for ring maintenance. In the event of a system failure, resulting in loss of ring stabilization the ring must be quickly arrested to prevent damage to the Dewar or machine. Four scissors type, mechanisms are positioned in the vacuum vessel for this purpose. A cylinder mounted solenoid poppet valve is fired by a capacitor bank resulting in a signal to closure time of 60 msec. A slow mode catch may also be actuated, through externally mounted valves, resulting in a cycle time of 150 to 200 msec. Upon closure and contact with the ring, the ring energy is absorbed by uncoupled slide and tilt spring systems. After a catcher closure cycle the positioners are again inserted and the ring returned to the proper position.
Scientific data visualization: a formal introduction to the rendering and geometric modeling aspects

Rendering and geometric modeling are two basic research areas for scientific data visualization and are also well-known in the established CAD/CAM-world. Several fundamental differences can be pointed out between CAD/CAM and scientific data visualization applications. As a result, a new class of rendering and geometric modeling algorithms especially for scientific data visualization is evolving. Depending on the characteristics of the data available, several complexity levels can be distinguished, resulting in a hierarchy of visualization problems. This hierarchical relationship is emphasized to obtain a theoretical and application independent framework for classification of visualization algorithms. An overview of the rendering and geometric modeling algorithms for scientific data visualization is given according to this framework.
Intraseasonal Variability of Hail in the Contiguous United States: Relationship to the Madden–Julian Oscillation

AbstractClimatologies have been developed to highlight variability of the frequency and intensity of hail in the United States. However, the intraseasonal variability of hail, including why one week might be active while the following inactive despite both having similar climatological probabilities, has not yet been explored. This paper presents relationships between spring-season (April–June) hail days and the leading mode of atmospheric intraseasonal variability, the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). It extends recent work on intraseasonal tornado variability to smaller spatial scales. In April, May, and June, statistically significant variability in hail days was found for different Real-time Multivariate MJO (RMM) phases of the MJO. For April, the strongest correlations between hail-day anomalies and anomalies of the product of convective available potential energy (CAPE) and 0–6-km vertical wind shear were found in RMM phase 5, with above-normal likelihood of a hail day found in the south-central Uni...
On a Computational Approach to Some Value Functions in an M/E Z/1 Queue

Abstract An M/E z/1 queue (i.e. a single-server queue having a Poisson arrival process and weighted-sum Erlangian service) can approximate a wide range of queueing systems quite closely. For this system a practical computational scheme is developed for determining (1) the expected amount of time the server is idle in the interval (0, t] and (2) the expected waiting time of a customer arriving at time t. The initial service load can be specified arbitrarily. Sample results and computer time requirements are also discussed.
Interpretation of the 6818.9-Å methane feature observed on Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus☆

High-resolution (0.1-A) spectra of the 6818.9-A methane feature obtained for Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus by Baines, Schempp, and Smith (1969) are modeled using a doubling and adding code after Hansen (1983). The feature's rotational quantum number is estimated using the relatively homogeneous atmosphere of Saturn, with only J = 0 and J = 1 fitting the observational constraints. The aerosol content within Saturn's northern temperate region is shown to be substantially less than at the equator, indicating a haze only half as optically thick. Models of Jupiter's atmosphere are consistent with the rotational quantum-number assignment. Synthetic line profiles of the 6818.9-A feature observed on Uranus reveal that a substantial haze exists at or above the methane condensation region with an optical depth eight times greater than previously reported. Seasonal effects are indicated. The methane column abundance is 5 + or - 1 km-am. The mixing ratio of methane to hydrogen within the deep unsaturated region of the planet is 0.045 + or - 0.025, based on an H2 column abundance of 240 + or - 60 km-am (Smith, Macy, and Pilcher /1980/), thus indicating that methane comprises between one-sixth and one-half of the planet's mass. However, proper reevaluation of H2 quadrupole features accounting for the haze reported here may significantly reduce the relative methane abundance.
MODEL-BASED STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF SHORT FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH IN Ti 6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo

— The framework of a new probabilistic model of short fatigue crack growth was laid down in the preceding paper. In this paper, the model is used to analyze growth rate statistics for surface fatigue cracks in Ti 6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo. Specific models are proposed for the evolution of the stochastic growth control variable, which appears subsequently as an independent variable in a parametric law for the growth rate. Comparison with data shows that for cracks of length 10–250 μm in Ti 6–2-4–6, fluctuations in the instantaneous rate of propagation of each surface crack tip depend only on the visible surface microstructure in the tip's immediate neighborhood. They are not influenced by the microstructural environment of the subsurface crack front. Furthermore, they probably depend only on the sizes of at most the three grains nearest the crack tip, i.e. those within about 30 μm of it.
Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy Study of Interfacial Defects Formed by Dissolution of Aluminum in Aqueous Sodium Hydroxide

High-purity aluminum foils were examined using positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) after dissolution for various times in 1 M NaOH at room temperature. Measurements of the S and W shape parameters of the annihilation photopeak at 511 keV show the presence of voids of at least nanometer dimension located at the metal-oxide film interface. The large S parameter suggests that the metallic surface of the void is free of oxide. Voids are found in as-received foils and are also produced by dissolution in NaOH, evidently by a solid-state interfacial process. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of NaOH-dissolved foils, after stripping the surface oxide film in chromic-phosphoric acid bath, reveal cavities on the order of 100 nm size The average cavity depth is in quantitative agreement with the PAS-derived thickness of the interfacial void-containing layer, and the dissolution time dependence of the defect layer S parameter closely parallels that of the fractional coverage of the foil surface by cavities; thus, the cavities are believed to he interfacial voids created along with those detected by PAS. The cavity distribution on the surface closely resembles that of corrosion pits formed by anodic etching in 1 M HCl, thereby suggesting that the interfacial voids revealed by AFM serve as sites for pit initiation.
Lasers in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Abstract Laser treatment of men with BPH remains in its infancy. To date, a large number of techniques and devices have been developed and investigated to varying degrees. Each laser system that is utilized in a unique fashion must be evaluated individually, since tissue effects may vary significantly with minor changes in technique or technology. Over all, it appears that the majority of men treated by laser prostatectomy experience objective and subjective improvement with short-term follow-up. In most cases, further direct comparisons with TURP with longer follow-up are needed to assess adequately the relative efficacy and morbidity of laser therapy. Although early results are promising and technologic advances are likely to improve further the results seen with laser treatment of men with BPH, it may be premature to relegate TURP to the history books.
Lipoprotein lipase suppression in 3T3-L1 cells by a haematoprotozoan-induced mediator from peritoneal exudate cells.

Summary Lysates of the haematoprotozoa Trypanosoma brucei or Plasmodium berghei stimulated murine peritoneal exudate cells to release a mediator, which suppressed lipoprotein lipase activity in differentiating 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The parasite-induced mediator suppressed the activity of cell surface lipoprotein lipase up to 39% in a dose dependent manner. By impairing the activity of cell surface lipoprotein lipase, this mediator acts to inhibit the uptake of fatty acid, and ultimately the accumulation of lipid by the adipocyte. In vivo this defect in triglyceride removal may explain the hypertriglyceridemia commonly observed in haematoprotozoan infections. We suggest that the lipoprotein lipase suppression mediator is produced as a consequence of the immune response to these parasitic protozoa.
Proof tests of the terminal parachute-recovery system for the Biosatellite.

Biosatellite terminal parachute recovery system test proved noting drag, deceleration, descent velocity and deployment
Uranium-series age constraints on lavas from the axial valley of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, MARK area

Abstract Mass spectrometric measurements of 230 Th– 226 Ra, 235 U– 231 Pa and 238 U– 230 Th disequilibria are used to determine eruption ages for four mid-ocean ridge basalts from the median valley of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge south of the Kane Fracture Zone (MARK area). Three samples were collected across-axis on the Axial Volcanic Ridge (i.e. the Neovolcanic Ridge) near the Snake Pit hydrothermal mound, and one sample was collected near the crest of Serocki Volcano ∼50 km south of Snake Pit. ( 226 Ra)/( 230 Th) and ( 230 Th)/( 238 U) activity ratios are low and uniform for all four samples, while ( 231 Pa)/( 235 U) activity ratios are elevated and somewhat more variable. Age constraints suggest that these lavas, from the most robust volcanic edifices in the MARK area, are 10 000–20 000 yr old. The age data are used to evaluate the efficacy of commonly used age estimate scales based on qualitative indicators (e.g. sediment cover, glass quality) and to begin to quantify the temporal and spatial dependence of volcanic, tectonic and hydrothermal processes at slow-spreading oceanic ridges.
The impact of ambiguity and redundancy on tag recommendation in folksonomies

Collaborative tagging applications have become a popular tool allowing Internet users to manage online resources with tags. Most collaborative tagging applications permit unsupervised tagging resulting in tag ambiguity in which a single tag has many different meanings and tag redundancy in which several tags have the same meaning. Common metrics for evaluating tag recommenders may overestimate the utility of ambiguous tags or ignore the appropriateness of redundant tags. Ambiguity and redundancy may even burden the user with additional effort by requiring them to clarify an annotation or forcing them to distinguish between highly related items. In this paper we demonstrate that ambiguity and redundancy impede the evaluation and performance of tag recommenders. Five tag recommendation strategies based on popularity, collaborative filtering and link analysis are explored. We use a cluster-based approach to define ambiguity and redundancy and provide extensive evaluation on three real world datasets.
Ultrasonic Characterization of Biological Tissues

Ultrasonic imaging has become increasingly important as a diagnostic tool in medicine because it is noninvasive and it can provide valuable information otherwise unattainable. However, at present, clinical interpretation of an ultrasonic image still mostly relies on recognition of boundaries and positional relationship of anatomical structures and a subjective analysis of the distribution or texture of echo amplitudes. Other potentially useful information carried back by the echoes is completely discarded. The aim of ultrasonic tissue characterization research is to develop methods to extract additional information from the returned echoes so that tissue pathology or abnormality can be reliably identifed and severity of the pathology objectively assessed with quantitative criteria. A number of ultrasonic parameters including acoustic velocity, impedance, attentuation and scattering, have been utilized in attempting to achieve this goal. In this paper, recent progress in this research will be discussed and relevant results presented.
In Vitro System for Studying the Efficacy of Antiviral Agents in Preventing the Reactivation of Latent Herpes Simplex Virus

Antiviral antibody and interferon did not prevent in vitro reactivation of herpes simplex virus in latently infected sensory ganglia. Phosphonoacetic acid and 9-β-d-arabinofuranosyladenine blocked reactivation, but this treatment did not eradicate the latent infection.
Altered expression and function of canalicular transporters during early development of cholestatic liver injury in Abcb4-deficient mice

Deficiency of ABCB4 is associated with several forms of cholestasis in humans. Abcb4−/− mice also develop cholestasis, but it remains uncertain what role other canalicular transporters play in the ...
A regression model for the beam transmittance of the atmosphere based on data for Shenandoah, Georgia, U.S.A.

Abstract A model for the beam transmittance of the atmosphere based on the hourly clearness index useful for decomposing hourly global irradiation into beam and diffuse components is presented. The development of the five-year data base for this model which was assembled from observations at the site of the Solar Total Energy Project at Shenandoah, Georgia, is outlined. The five-year model is shown to be preferable to any annual model from a constituent year. The resulting model is shown to be similar to the well-known Randall-Whitson model except in the highest range of clearness indices. Available evidence tends to support a preference for the new model in the region of disagreement.
On reflected interactions in elastic solids containing inhomogeneities

Abstract Interactions in linear elastic solids containing inhomogeneities are examined using integral equations. Direct and reflected interactions are identified. Direct interactions occur simply because elastic fields emitted by inhomogeneities affect each other. Reflected interactions occur because elastic fields emitted by inhomogeneities are reflected by the specimen boundary back to the individual inhomogeneities. It is shown that the reflected interactions are of critical importance to analysis of representative volume elements. Further, the reflected interactions are expressed in simple terms, so that one can obtain explicit approximate expressions for the effective stiffness tensor for linear elastic solids containing ellipsoidal and non-ellipsoidal inhomogeneities. For ellipsoidal inhomogeneities, the new approximation is closely related to that of Mori and Tanaka. In general, the new approximation can be used to recover Ponte Castaneda–Willis׳ and Kanaun–Levin׳s approximations. Connections with Maxwell׳s approximation are established.
Mothers and Models of Disability

Based on a qualitative anthropological study of American mothers of infants and young children newly diagnosed with disability, this essay examines how mothers understand their children and define disability in relation to publicly available discourses of disability and identity. In seeking to improve their children’s opportunities in mainstream society, mothers appear to comply with the medical model. But over time and in the process of providing meaning to their experience, mothers retool models, drawing both on the social and minority group models’ rejection of a problem-based definition of disability as inherently caused by impairment and on their own intimate engagement with impairment as an embodied experience.
Chloroquine accumulation by erythrocytes: a latent capability.

Abstract Treatment of normal mouse erythrocytes with a nonspecific protease from streptomyces griseus activates a saturable process for chloroquine accumulation. The apparent dissociation constant for the interaction of chloroquine with the saturable component of this latent process is 50 nM. This value is similar to that of a high-affinity process of chloroquine accumulation which hitherto has been observed only in erythrocytes infected with malaria parasites. In addition, the capacity of the latent process, approximately 30 μmoles per Kg of erythrocytes, is sufficient to account for the accumulation of chloroquine by erythrocytes infected with malaria parasites. These findings demonstrate the plausibility of attributing the ability to accumulate chloroquine with high affinity to the erythrocyte host rather than to the parasite.
Rapid prototyping of patterned functional nanostructures

Living systems exhibit form and function on multiple length scales and at multiple locations. In order to mimic such natural structures, it is necessary to develop efficient strategies for assembling hierarchical materials. Conventional photolithography, although ubiquitous in the fabrication of microelectronics and microelectromechanical systems, is impractical for defining feature sizes below 0.1 micrometres and poorly suited to pattern chemical functionality. Recently, so-called ‘soft’ lithographic approaches1 have been combined with surfactant2,3 and particulate4 templating procedures to create materials with multiple levels of structural order. But the materials thus formed have been limited primarily to oxides with no specific functionality, and the associated processing times have ranged from hours to days. Here, using a self-assembling ‘ink’, we combine silica–surfactant self-assembly with three rapid printing procedures—pen lithography, ink-jet printing, and dip-coating of patterned self-assembled monolayers—to form functional, hierarchically organized structures in seconds. The rapid-prototyping procedures we describe are simple, employ readily available equipment, and provide a link between computer-aided design and self-assembled nanostructures. We expect that the ability to form arbitrary functional designs on arbitrary surfaces will be of practical importance for directly writing sensor arrays and fluidic or photonic systems.
Alternative Matching Scores to Control Type I Error of the Mantel–Haenszel Procedure for DIF in Dichotomously Scored Items Conforming to 3PL IRT and Nonparametric 4PBCB Models

When the matching score is either less than perfectly reliable or not a sufficient statistic for determining latent proficiency in data conforming to item response theory (IRT) models, Type I error (TIE) inflation may occur for the Mantel—Haenszel (MH) procedure or any differential item functioning (DIF) procedure that matches on summed-item score, but primarily on short tests. Alternative matching scores were developed based on sufficient statistics, reliability, and explicit corrections for measurement error. Manipulated factors were tests (20, 24, 26 items), reference/focal sample sizes (1,000/1,000, 800/200), proficiency distributions (identical, means differed, variances differed, means and variances differed), and simulation technique (three-parameter logistic IRT model and four-parameter beta compound-binomial model with nonparametric nonmonotonic item-true score step functions). Outcomes were as follows: TIE of MH chi-square test at the .05 nominal level; and the bias, standard error, and root mea...
Efficacy of bronchial brushings and trans-bronchial needle aspiration in diagnosing carcinoma lung

Bronchial brushing (BB) and the more recent trans-bronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) are well established techniques performed using flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope, for sampling trachobronchial lesions suspected of malignancy. Our aim was to assess the efficacy of these two techniques in diagnosing carcinoma lung, when used individually as well as in combination, taking bronchial biopsy as the Gold Standard diagnostic test. Of all the cases of suspected lung cancer received between 1st January 2003 to 30 th September 2004, 181 cases were selected where flexible bronchoscopic samples of BB, TBNA as well as bronchial biopsy were taken. Samples were processed as per standard procedures of cytology and histology. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common lung cancer followed by small cell type. Sensitivity of BB was 81.5%; while that of TBNA was 62.5%. Specificity of BB and TBNA was 77.8% and 66.7%, respectively. Efficacy of BB was better than TBNA in diagnosing lung cancers. Combined use of BB and TBNA showed better sensitivity and accuracy than either techniques used individually. Bronchial brushing is a superior technique in the diagnosis of lung cancers than TBNA. Their combined use can further improve the chances of early detection of lung cancers.
Explicating the behavior of Mn-bearing phases during shock melting and crystallization of the Abee EH-chondrite impact-melt breccia

Literature data show that, among EH chondrites, the Abee impact-melt breccia exhibits unusual mineralogical characteristics. These include very low MnO in enstatite (<0.04 wt%), higher Mn in troilite (0.24 wt%) and oldhamite (0.36 wt%) than in EH4 Indarch and EH3 Kota-Kota (which are not impact-melt breccias), low Mn in keilite (3.6-4.3 wt%), high modal abundances of keilite (11.2 wt%) and silica (~7 wt%, but ranging up to 16 wt% in some regions), low modal abundances of total silicates (58.8 wt%) and troilite (5.8 wt%), and the presence of acicular grains of the amphibole, fluor-richterite. These features result from Abees complex history of shock melting and crystallization. Impact heating was responsible for the loss of MnO from enstatite and the concomitant sulfidation of Mn. Troilite and oldhamite grains that crystallized from the impact melt acquired relatively high Mn contents. Abundant keilite and silica also crystallized from the melt; these phases (along with metallic Fe) were produced at the expense of enstatite, niningerite and troilite. Melting of the latter two phases produced a S-rich liquid with higher Fe/Mg and Fe/Mn ratios than in the original niningerite, allowing the crystallization of keilite. Prior to impact melting, F was distributed throughout Abee, perhaps in part adsorbed onto grain surfaces; after impact melting, most of the F that was not volatilized was incorporated into crystallizing grains of fluor-richterite. Other EH-chondrite impact-melt breccias and impact-melt rocks exhibit some of these mineralogical features and must have experienced broadly similar thermal histories.
Navigating Family Roles Within An Institutional Framework: An Exploratory Study In One Private Chinese Orphanage

Current research in child development has espoused the benefit of family-like routines in institutional orphanage care. However, the institutional framework evident in large-group orphanage care often hampers the creation of nurturing, family-like environments. This qualitative study is part of a larger case study exploring how one private Chinese orphanage infuses a family-like structure into an institutional setting. Data is examined from an ecocultural viewpoint, looking at how caregivers and directors’ attitudes and behaviors reflect universal caregiving practices and how they reflect the distinct cultural forces within this private Chinese orphanage. Data came from conversation-like interviews with the director, co-director, and two direct caregivers. This information was combined with observations that resulted from me living within the orphanage for a period of ten days. Results indicate the family-like environment was created primarily through the staff’s articulation of and identification with family roles (father, mothers, brothers, sisters rather than director, co-director, caregivers, and children). Family-like roles often involved levels of intimacy not typically found in institutional settings such as the culturally accepted practice of co-sleeping with younger children. Results are presented in textual format followed by implications for institutional frameworks.
Gender differences in adolescent sexual attitudes : The influence of individual and family factors

The present study, continuing a recent trend, examined multiple influences on adolescent sexuality, focusing on sexual attitudes because of their influence on sexual behavior. Empirical analyses were based on a nonrandom availability sample of 1,587 public high school students and 1,372 parents. Multiple regression analyses were conducted in three phases to elaborate models for adolescent attitudes about premarital sexual intercourse; separate models were developed for females and males. First, a regression model was developed that featured individual adolescent characteristics (e.g., age, gender, locus of control, self-esteem, and religious participation) as predictor variables. A second regression model was developed that included family characteristics (e.g., number of siblings, number of parents in home, communication with mother and father, family strengths, parent contribution to sexuality education, parental discussion of sexual values, and the sexual attitudes of mother and father). In the final step, multiple regression was conducted on both individual and family factors. Results indicated that (1) the integrated model had more explanatory power than either separate model, and (2) females were influenced by more family factors and males were influenced by more individual factors.
Secure cooperative MIMO communications under active compromised nodes

Emerging cooperative MIMO communication is a promising technology in improving communication quality for wireless sensor networks. However, the security problems inherent to cooperative communications also arise. In this paper we investigate the situation where some of the cooperative nodes are compromised and try to corrupt the communications by sending garbled signals. To combat the compromised nodes, we extended our previous work and proposed compromised nodes detection algorithms for three more general scenarios. These scenarios include having different numbers of nodes in the transmitting and receiving clusters, having multiple compromised nodes in the transmitting cluster, and having multiple compromised nodes in both the transmitting and receiving clusters. These algorithms are then integrated into a cross-layer security scheme for secure cooperative MIMO network. This scheme combines cryptographic technique implemented in higher layers with proposed data assurance analysis at the physical layer to provide better security. Simulations show that the proposed algorithms for compromised nodes detection are effective and efficient. Simulations also show that the accuracy of received information is significantly improved.
College Girls: A Century in Fiction

Since the opening of Vassar College in 1865, objections to higher education for women have ranged from charges that females were mentally and physically incapable of learning to the belief that educating women would destroy society. Underlying all arguments was the folk wisdom which declared that women could not live and work together. To counteract such beliefs, women's colleges tried to create a special kind of space and new role models that would allow women to exist for a short time in idyllic (or, at least, idealized) conditions. The debate over women's education, for the good or ill of society, generated a great deal of "print," including short stories and novels. Shirley Marchalonis guides us through the history of this fiction, its depiction of the complexities of the college experience, and the conflicting attitudes that teetered between fascination and fear, celebration and regret. Using novels, short stories, and some juvenile fiction from 1865 to 1940--all of it specifically about college "girls"--she examines these ideas, the way they developed over time, and their significance in understanding women's education and women's history. The debate over separate colleges for women continues to this day and can be better understood in the context of this informative and entertaining look at the past.
Network Centric Designs in Sensor Networks

This paper describes design issues for network centric operations in sensor networks to support efficient information processing and secure communication. Sensor networks are deployed in environments where they may not be designed into a particular control path, and often very dynamic. Sensor nodes deposited in various places provide activity measurements. Together they form a dynamic, multihop routing network that connects each node to more powerful networks and processing resources. Networks of distributed microsensors are emerging as a solution for a wide range of data gathering applications. Deployment of large networks of sensors requires tools to collect and query data from these networks. Aggregates operations summarize current sensor values in part of or the entire sensor network. Wireless sensor networks use small devices equipped with sensors, microprocessor and wireless communication interfaces. This paper describes architecture and designs for network centric technologies in applications related to security and transportations systems. Communication, networking, energy, database and security solutions are discussed.
The Revulsion Against Internal Improvements

The purpose of this article is to examine a significant change that took place in American public policy during the nineteenth century. For many decades American governments, especially those of states and localities, had engaged in extensive programs for the promotion of economic development by the construction or support of works of internal improvement. It may now be pertinent, at a time when so many of the less industrialized countries are engaged in programs of economic development, to ask why and when and by what processes governments in the United States came to withdraw from direct participation in the promotion of canals and railways.
Local Topology Assisted XOR Coding in Wireless Mesh Networks

Network coding has shown great potential to improve the overall throughput of wireless networks with broadcast nature. Existing network coding schemes (e.g., COPE) require information exchange among neighboring nodes, in order to correctly encode and decode the data packets. Such an approach results in significant overhead. Moreover, the information exchange can be delayed due to channel contention, and thus leads to inefficient coding (i.e., many missed coding opportunities). In this paper, we propose a new encoding strategy, XOR-Top, which relies on local topology information only, and uses bitwise XOR for packet coding. In addition, it proactively tries to decode coded packets stored in its buffer. Compared with COPE, XOR-Top can always accurately identify coding opportunities according to local topology, and consumes less bandwidth for signaling. Our simulation results have shown that Xor-Top improves the network throughput, by up to 240% over traditional unicast and up to 150% over COPE. Moreover, there is a significant reduction in average end-to-end packet latency.
TEACHER REPORT AND DIRECT ASSESSMENT OF PREFERENCES FOR IDENTIFYING REINFORCERS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

Teachers were asked to identify and rank 10 preferred stimuli for 9 toddlers, and a hierarchy of preference for these items was determined via a direct preference assessment. The reinforcing efficacy of the most highly preferred items identified by each method was evaluated concurrently in a reinforcer assessment. The reinforcer assessment showed that all stimuli identified as highly preferred via the direct preference assessment and teacher rankings functioned as reinforcers. The highest ranked stimuli in the direct assessment were more reinforcing than the teachers' top-ranked stimuli for 5 of 9 participants, whereas the teachers' top-ranked stimulus was more reinforcing than the highest ranked stimulus of the direct assessment for only 1 child. A strong positive correlation between rankings generated through the two assessments was identified for only 1 of the 9 participants. Despite poor correspondence between rankings generated through the teacher interview and direct preference assessment, results of the reinforcer assessment suggest that both methods are effective in identifying reinforcers for toddlers.
Apolipoprotein B-containing lipoprotein assembly in microsomal triglyceride transfer protein-deficient McA-RH7777 cells

Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) is required for the assembly and secretion of apolipoprotein (apo) B-containing lipoproteins. Previously, we demonstrated that the N-terminal 1,000 residues of apoB (apoB:1000) are necessary for the initiation of apoB-containing lipoprotein assembly in rat hepatoma McA-RH7777 cells and that these particles are phospholipid (PL) rich. To determine if the PL transfer activity of MTP is sufficient for the assembly and secretion of primordial apoB:1000-containing lipoproteins, we employed microRNA-based short hairpin RNAs (miR-shRNAs) to silence Mttp gene expression in parental and apoB:1000-expressing McA-RH7777 cells. This approach led to 98% reduction in MTP protein levels in both cell types. Metabolic labeling studies demonstrated a drastic 90–95% decrease in the secretion of rat endogenous apoB100-containing lipoproteins in MTP-deficient McA-RH7777 cells compared with cells transfected with negative control miR-shRNA. A similar reduction was observed in the secretion of rat endogenous apoB48 under the experimental conditions employed. In contrast, MTP absence had no significant effect on the synthesis, lipidation, and secretion of human apoB:1000-containing particles. These results provide strong evidence in support of the concept that in McA-RH7777 cells, acquisition of PL by apoB:1000 and initiation of apoB-containing lipoprotein assembly, a process distinct from the conventional first-step assembly of HDL-sized apoB-containing particles, do not require MTP. This study indicates that, in hepatocytes, a factor(s) other than MTP mediates the formation of the PL-rich primordial apoB:1000-containing initiation complex.
Phase and amplitude fluctuations of the laser oscillator

A quantum theory for noise in the steady state of the laser oscillator above threshold is presented. The concept of operator noise source is introduced. A simple laser model operating in a single mode with resonant frequency tuned to the center of the material line is considered. The resonance linewidth of the inverted material is collision-broadened, and assumed to be much broader than the cold-cavity width. We restrict ourselves to one type of collision. The quantum description of this laser model leads to nonlinear operator equations. These are linearized, but this linearization is justified only for operation "sufficiently" above threshold. The first- and second-order Glauber functions and the expectation value of the field commutator are derived for the field inside the laser cavity. These results are compared with the predictions of a "semiclassical" theory in which the classical equations contain noise sources such that properties of the field below threshold are correctly predicted. Our results differ by certain terms from the results of this semiclassical theory. These terms are too small to have been detected experimentally.
Quality of Life After Conservation Surgery for Laryngeal Cancer

Abstract Quality of life preservation has become an essential goal of treatment in the management of laryngeal carcinoma. Although established treatments of reference such as total laryngectomy and chemoradiation protocols have focused on survival and anatomic preservation of the larynx, they still generate considerable functional morbidity with detrimental effects on quality of life. Transoral and transcervical partial laryngectomy techniques can offer significant advantages when used prudently after proper patient selection. The growing relevance of those techniques in the management of advanced and recurrent laryngeal carcinoma deserves particular attention, with potential for improved quality of life without compromising oncologic outcomes.
Cigarette Smoke Increases Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Formation via Oxidative Stress

ABSTRACT The strong epidemiological association between cigarette smoke (CS) exposure and respiratory tract infections is conventionally attributed to immunosuppressive and irritant effects of CS on human cells. Since pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus are members of the normal microbiota and reside in close proximity to human nasopharyngeal cells, we hypothesized that bioactive components of CS might affect these organisms and potentiate their virulence. Using Staphylococcus aureus as a model organism, we observed that the presence of CS increased both biofilm formation and host cell adherence. Analysis of putative molecular pathways revealed that CS exposure decreased expression of the quorum-sensing agr system, which is involved in biofilm dispersal, and increased transcription of biofilm inducers such as sarA and rbf . CS contains bioactive compounds, including free radicals and reactive oxygen species, and we observed transcriptional induction of bacterial oxidoreductases, including superoxide dismutase, following exposure. Moreover, pretreatment of CS with an antioxidant abrogated CS-mediated enhancement of biofilms. Exposure of bacteria to hydrogen peroxide alone increased biofilm formation. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that CS induces staphylococcal biofilm formation in an oxidant-dependent manner. CS treatment induced transcription of fnbA (encoding fibronectin binding protein A), leading to increased binding of CS-treated staphylococci to immobilized fibronectin and increased adherence to human cells. These observations indicate that the bioactive effects of CS may extend to the resident microbiota of the nasopharynx, with implications for the pathogenesis of respiratory infection in CS-exposed humans.
Toxic effects of gold nanoparticles on Salmonella typhimurium bacteria

Nanometer-sized gold, due to its beautiful and bountiful color and unique optical properties, is a versatile material for many industrial and societal applications. We have studied the effect of gold nanoparticles on Salmonella typhimurium strain TA 102. The gold nanoparticles in solution prepared using the citrate reduction method is found not to be toxic or mutagenic but photomutagenic to the bacteria; however, careful control experiments indicate that the photomutagenicity is due to the co-existing citrate and Au3+ ions, not due to the gold nanoparticle itself. Au3+ is also found to be photomutagenic to the bacteria at concentrations lower than 1 µM, but toxic at higher concentrations. The toxicity of Au3+ is enhanced by light irradiation. The photomutagenicity of both citrate and Au3+ is likely due to the formation of free radicals, as a result of light-induced citrate decarboxylation or Au3+ oxidation of co-existing molecules. Both processes can generate free radicals that may cause DNA damage and mutation. Studies of the interaction of gold nanoparticles with the bacteria indicate that gold nanoparticles can be absorbed onto the bacteria surface but not able to penetrate the bacteria wall to enter the bacteria.
A Laboratory Comparison of Real-Time Measurement Methods for 10–100-nm Particle Size Distributions

We present information regarding the relative performance of five TSI particle sizing instruments when presented with several log-normally distributed particle populations that vary in terms of composition, concentration, and modal mean diameter (in the range of 10–100 nm) in a controlled laboratory environment. In experiments conducted with NaCl, NaNO3, and organic aerosols, across a total particle concentration suite ranging from approximately 1 × 104 cm−3 to 1 × 106 cm−3, total number concentrations of sub-100-nm diameter particles from four SMPS systems and an FMPS all fall within ±50% of each other (and generally are within ±30%). However, larger discrepancies are evident in the particle size distribution, particularly for the NaCl particles, with an SMPS operated with a water-based CPC exhibiting large negative bias in modal peak concentrations relative to the isobutanol-based SMPS systems and the FMPS. Much closer agreement is found for NaNO3 particles, although the SMPS systems tended to exhibit h...
Early Eocene Tectonics and Sedimentation in Northern Fossil Basin, Wyoming Overthrust Belt: ABSTRACT

The Tunp Member of the early Eocene Wasatch Formation in southwestern Wyoming was shed from rising thrust sheets as debris flows containing abundant, very poorly sorted to unsorted, coarse clastic material in a mudstone matrix. Deposition occurred on the margins of the northern Fossil basin as coalesced alluvial fans and fan deltas. Small braided streams traversed the surface of these fans and reworked debris flow material, but the resultant fluvial deposits are volumetrically minor. Tunp Member deposits are preserved in three north-south-trending belts around the periphery of the northern Fossil basin. Each belt had a separate source in discrete highlands created by early Eocene motion on the Absaroka, Tunp, and Crawford thrust faults. These thrusts possessed unique characteristics of uplift style, provenance, and duration of in-situ weathering that are reflected by differences in clast lithology, size and rounding, as well as thickness and areal extent of the deposits resulting from each thrust. The results of this study have several important implications about thrust belt development: (1) passive rotation of older thrusts by younger ones can provide an uplifted source for syntectonic sediments, (2) the tenet that major thrusts young in the direction of tectonic transport may be violated by the Tunp and Crawford thrusts in the Fossil basin area, and (3) those heretical faults (i.e., Tunp and Crawford) possess a similar geometry that is distinct from other thrust faults in the area. End_of_Article - Last_Page 939------------
Non-quasi-static effects in advanced high-speed bipolar circuits

A detailed study on the non-quasi-state (NQS) effects in advanced high-speed bipolar circuits is presented. An NQS Gummel-Poon-compatible lumped circuit model, which accounts for carrier propagation delays across various quasi-neutral regions in bipolar devices, is implemented in the ASTAP circuit simulator. The effects are then evaluated and compared with those for the conventional Gummel-Poon model for the emitter-coupled logic (ECL) circuit, the non-threshold-logic (NTL) circuit, and various advanced circuits utilizing active-pull-down schemes. For the ECL circuit, the effect decreases with reduced power level and increased loading. For the NTL circuit, due to its front-end configuration, the effect is more significant than that for the ECL circuit but tends to increase with reduced power level. As the passive resistors (and the associated parasitic RC effect) are decoupled from the delay path and the circuit delay is made more intimately related to the intrinsic speed of the devices in various advanced active-pull-down circuits, the delay degradation due to NQS effect becomes more significant. >
Test path generation and test scheduling for self-testable designs

The high cost of chip testing makes testability an important aspect of any chip design. Early inclusion of test considerations into the design process can reduce test time and area overhead. We have developed an algorithm which defines built-in self-testing (BIST) tests for an RTL datapath. Datapath registers are chosen to be upgraded to testable registers to execute the define tests. Test time of an individual test is reduced by considering pattern randomness and error masking transparency properties of modules involved in the test. Parallelism between different tests is increased by reducing the number of conflicts between tests. Intertwining the creation of tests with the selection of testable registers in the datapath guides the choice of testable registers to a minimal area solution. The use of these metrics provides our system with an accurate estimate of test time, and therefore facilitates the definition of tests which reduce test application time. Experimental results show that our algorithm defines tests which require low test time. >