cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Large-capacity real-time spatial–spectral scanning optical correlator

A large-capacity real-time spatial–spectral scanning optical correlator utilizing the concept of a rotating multicolor grating is described. It was experimentally observed that implementation of a closed-circuit TV system gives the correlator a real-world application. The color sensitivity of the correlator is also demonstrated. The experimental results using single and double lasers with two primary colors are presented.
A technique of clipping giant intracranial aneurysms with the preservation of the parent artery

Several methods are currently available for the treatment of giant intracranial aneurysms. In this report, we emphasize the technique of temporary trapping of the aneurysm followed by aspiration and collapse, and subsequent clipping. This method permits the preservation of the parent vessel and avoids the need for creating a microvascular bypass. Two cases are presented to illustrate this technique; in one case the patient had a giant middle cerebral artery aneurysm, and in the other a giant carotid-ophthalmic artery aneurysm. Both aneurysms were successfully clipped with preservation of the major vessels and a good result. On the basis of the configurations of their necks, giant aneurysms can be classified into three groups. The different methods of treating these aneurysms are reviewed with respect to this classification.
New fluoropolymer materials

We report the synthesis of two classes of fluoropolymers that could impact several key lithographic techniques; one has potential applications in next generation photolithography (193 nm, 157 nm, and immersion lithography) and the other in lithographic techniques which are emerging as viable alternatives to photolithography for future applications (i.e., soft lithography).
We all Want to be Accepted, Maybe/

(1971). We all Want to be Accepted, Maybe/ Improving College and University Teaching: Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 101-103.
Managing Older Patients Who Have Neurologic Disease: Alzheimer Disease and Cerebrovascular Accident

Neurologic diseases represent some of the most common disabling and costly conditions in older age. Alzheimer disease and cerebrovascular accidents (strokes) are two of the most common neurologic conditions, and represent the leading causes of nursing home placement. Dental professionals will be caring for older patients who have age-associated neurologic diseases, including Alzheimer disease and stroke because of the increased longevity of the United States population coupled with improved survivorship of these conditions as a result of advanced medical diagnosis and treatment. Understanding the clinical manifestations of these two common, but distinctly different, neurologic conditions will enable dental professionals to provide safe and rational dental care.
Developing an index of wetland condition from ecological data: An example using HGM functional variables from the Nanticoke watershed, USA

Demand for data on the ecological condition of wetlands is increasing as state and federal management programs recognize its value in reporting on the ambient condition of the resource, targeting restoration and protection efforts, evaluating the effects of mitigation and restoration practices, supporting regulatory decisions, and tracking the impact of land use decisions. We developed an approach for generating a single measure of wetland condition from ecological variables used in hydrogeomorphic (HGM) assessment. An Index of Wetland Condition (IWC) was developed from HGM field data collected to assess freshwater, non-tidal flat, riverine, and depression wetlands in the Nanticoke River watershed. The HGM variables were screened and scored based on a range check, responsiveness, and metric redundancy, employing a method used to develop indices of biotic integrity. Weights of the individual variables were adjusted to reflect our understanding of wetland ecology and to include variables that represented the vegetation, hydrology, and buffer of a wetland. The final IWC score discriminated high, medium, and low site disturbance classes in flat and riverine wetlands and high and low disturbance classes in depressions, one-way ANOVA F-values ranged from 44.5 to 79.1 (all p <0.0001). The combination of the IWC and HGM assessments provides a comprehensive evaluation of the wetland resource. HGM produces information on specific wetland functions. The IWC concisely conveys the ecological condition of the resource and maximizes the utility of the data collected in an HGM assessment.
Comparison of a Live Drinking Water Vaccine for Fowl Cholera in Turkeys to a Killed Drinking Water Vaccine and to Five Injected Commercial Bacterins

Abstract BIERER and Eleazer (1968) and Bierer Scott (1968) reported that either continuous use or use once every 2 weeks of an attenuated live Pasteurella multocida vaccine in the drinking water conferred a significant degree of immunity against fowl cholera disease in turkeys. Heddleston and Rebers (1968) reported that active immunity was induced in chicks and turkeys by oral administration of a killed P. multocida vaccine. This experiment was undertaken to determine whether an attenuated killed drinking water vaccine would confer a similar degree of immunity as the same attenuated drinking water vaccine, but unkilled. Also, a comparison was made between the live drinking water vaccine and five commerical injected bacterins that are in common use. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four hundred 8-week-old Broad Breasted White tom turkeys were placed in groups of 50 in each of eight experimental pens. The turkeys in pens 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 were injected…
Velocity measurements in the plume of an arcjet engine

A nonintrusive technique has been used to conduct a radial survey in the flow field of an arcjet engine plume. The technique measures the Doppler shift of an optically thin line resulting from recombination and relaxation processes in the high Mach number stream, in order to determine flow velocities. Atom temperature can also be calculated from the same Doppler-broadened line widths, when these shifts are measured with a scanning Fabry-Perot spectrometer whose design is presented in detail.
Is scepticism about self-knowledge incoherent?

Anti-individualism appears to preclude the possibility of direct, unproblematic knowledge of the contents of one's own intentional mental states. Gary Ebbs argues that such scepticism about the compatibility of anti-individualism and self-knowledge is incoherent. (See Ebbs 1996, section 6, entitled 'Why skepticism about self-knowledge is incoherent') I think that his argument is unsuccessful. Here is Ebbs's presentation of the self-knowledge sceptic's reasoning:
Software for the EVLA, an update

The Expanded Very Large Array (EVLA) project is the next generation instrument for high resolution and high sensitivity long-millimeter to short-meter wavelength radio astronomy. It is currently funded by NSF, with completion scheduled for 2012. The EVLA will upgrade the VLA with new feeds, receivers, data transmission hardware, correlator, and a new software system to enable the instrument to achieve its full potential. This software includes both that required for controlling and monitoring the instrument and that with emphasis on the scientific functions related to the telescope. The primary goals of the software are: to maximize the scientific return of the EVLA; provide ease of use, for both novices and experts; exploit commonality amongst all NRAO telescopes where possible. The software design methodology includes detailed initial use-cases and requirements from the scientists, intimate interaction between the scientists and the programmers during design and implementation, and rapid prototyping and development cycles (as short as a week). This manuscript is an update of a similar description published for the SPIE meeting two years ago; a more full description and background can be found there, while this document concentrates on the changes since then, specifically in the area of the high level design and pre-observing software (user authentication; proposal preparation, submission, and handling; observation preparation; and observation scheduling).
The use of pharmacotherapy for male patients with urgency and stress incontinence.

Purpose of review To summarize recent data on the medical treatment of men with incontinence due to overactive bladder or to stress urinary incontinence published in peer-reviewed journals. Recent findings Previous randomized controlled trials have shown that both antimuscarinic drugs and α1-adrenoceptor blockers can be useful for treatment of male lower urinary tract symptoms, including the overactive bladder syndrome, and that combination of the two principles may offer additional benefits over monotherapy with either agent. This has been further confirmed in several recent studies. There seems to be an associated increase in postvoid residual urine volume by the combinations, but not a significantly increased risk of retention. The efficacy of other combinations, for example, α1-adrenoceptor blocker and 5α-reductase inhibitor, has also been further documented. Recent evidence supports the use of mirabegron, alone or in combination with solifenacin, as a treatment alternative of male overactive bladder syndrome. Monotherapy with phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors seems to be as effective as α1-adrenoceptor blockers in male lower urinary tract symptoms. Only a few recent studies have been performed on the pharmacological treatment of male stress urinary incontinence, confirming that duloxetine had a modest positive effect in men with postprostatectomy incontinence. Summary For treatment of storage symptoms in men with lower urinary tract symptoms, combinations of antimuscarinics and α1-adrenoceptor blockers have produced the most promising results. Duloxetine exerts only modest relief of male stress urinary incontinence, but may be recommended in some patients.
Quantitative in vivo monitoring of methemoglobinemia using noninvasive Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy

We present noninvasive in vivo measurements of methemoglobin (MetHb) formation and reduction in rabbits using diffuse optical spectroscopy. The absolute concentrations of MetHb, Hb-R, and Hb-O2 were quantified during nitrite infusions and methylene blue treatment.
Absence of Mutation at the 5′-Upstream Promoter Region of the TPM4 Gene From Cardiac Mutant Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)

Tropomyosins are a family of actin-binding proteins that show cell-specific diversity by a combination of multiple genes and alternative RNA splicing. Of the 4 different tropomyosin genes, TPM4 plays a pivotal role in myofibrillogenesis as well as cardiac contractility in amphibians. In this study, we amplified and sequenced the upstream regulatory region of the TPM4 gene from both normal and mutant axolotl hearts. To identify the cis-elements that are essential for the expression of the TPM4, we created various deletion mutants of the TPM4 promoter DNA, inserted the deleted segments into PGL3 vector, and performed promoter–reporter assay using luciferase as the reporter gene. Comparison of sequences of the promoter region of the TPM4 gene from normal and mutant axolotl revealed no mutations in the promoter sequence of the mutant TPM4 gene. CArG box elements that are generally involved in controlling the expression of several other muscle-specific gene promoters were not found in the upstream regulatory region of the TPM4 gene. In deletion experiments, loss of activity of the reporter gene was noted upon deletion which was then restored upon further deletion suggesting the presence of both positive and negative cis-elements in the upstream regulatory region of the TPM4 gene. We believe that this is the first axolotl promoter that has ever been cloned and studied with clear evidence that it functions in mammalian cell lines. Although striated muscle-specific cis-acting elements are absent from the promoter region of TPM4 gene, our results suggest the presence of positive and negative cis-elements in the promoter region, which in conjunction with positive and negative trans-elements may be involved in regulating the expression of TPM4 gene in a tissue-specific manner.
TRICUSPID REGURGITATION DURATION CORRELATES CARDIAC MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING-DERIVED RIGHT VENTRICULAR EJECTION FRACTION IN PATIENTS WITH PULMONARY ARTERY HYPERTENSION

Right ventricular dysfunction is closely related to prognosis in patients with pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). The decreased tricuspid regurgitation duration (TRDc) in transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) recently is known to be associated with increased right atrium pressure and right
Visual modelling and evaluation of surgical skill

For many surgical procedures, computer-based training has become an increasingly attractive alternative to traditional training methods. One of the key problems in computer-based surgical training is automatic skill evaluation, which in turn requires skill modelling. To model and evaluate human skills it is necessary to provide the means by which the skills can be measured and interpreted by computers. This paper proposes a new approach for observing continuous, long sequence of hand movements in surgical operation, and then modelling and evaluating the skill demonstrated in the observation. This involves a video-based technique for tracking the hand during a surgical exercise. Because of the non-contact nature of the tracking technique, there is minimal interference with the skill execution, unlike other methods that employ instrumented gloves. To increase the robustness of hand tracking, a Kalman filter (see Appendix A for the system and measurement model) is employed together with a set of coloured markers on the surgical glove. For modelling the surgical skill, a stochastic approach is proposed that uses Hidden Markov Models (HMMs). Using this technique, person-independent models can be developed through human demonstration of particular surgical skills. To automatically evaluate a person’s skill, an objective evaluation criterion is proposed that is based on the log probability of an observation sequence for the given HMM. The probability measures the stochastic similarity between the performance of the observation sequence and the performance represented by the model. This paper also describes an implemented prototype system and experiments that establish the feasibility of the proposed approach for surgical skill modelling and evaluation.
A Conformational Change in the Junctional Foot Protein Is Involved in the Regulation of Ca2+ Release from Sarcoplasmic Reticulum STUDIES ON POLYLYSINE-INDUCED Ca2+ RELEASE

We investigated both conformational changes in the junctional foot protein (JFP) and Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in parallel after stimulation of triadic vesicles by the JFP-specific ligand, polylysine. To monitor protein conformational change, the JFP was labeled in a site-directed fashion with the fluorescent conformational probe methylcoumarin acetate (MCA) (Kang, J. J., Tarcsafalvi, A., Carlos, A. D., Fujimoto, E., Shahrokh, Z., Thevenin, B. J.-M., Shohet, S. B., and Ikemoto, N.(1992) Biochemistry 31, 3288-3293). The induction of SR Ca2+ release by polylysine produced a rapid increase in the fluorescence intensity of the JFP-bound MCA. The polylysine concentration dependence of the fluorescence change was essentially the same as that of Ca2+ release, suggesting that the two events are tightly coupled. However, the rate constant of MCA fluorescence change was much larger than that of Ca2+ release; i.e. the conformational change preceded Ca2+ release. Prevention of protein conformational change by lysine (0.2 M) inhibited Ca2+ release from SR. Inhibition of Ca2+ release by Mg2+ (5 mM), however, had little effect on the conformational change. These results suggest that binding of polylysine to the JFP produces conformational changes in the protein, which in turn activates the Ca2+ channel, leading to Ca2+ release from the SR.
Durable Goods, Commitment Power and Public Monopolies

Since many publicly owned firms manufacture a durable product we examine a simple two-period, constant returns technology, durability choice monopoly model under public ownership. Various types of firm commitment ability are analyzed. The model suggests that many of the standard results of public ownership are not obtained when output is durable. Product durability is shown to be an important factor for public firm subsidization that is independent of the traditional economies of scale rationale. We show that this durable goods subsidization problem is due solely to the public firm's potential commitment problems with buyers.
Device study, chemical doping, and logic circuits based on transferred aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes

In this paper, high-performance back-gated carbon nanotube field-effect transistors based on transferred aligned carbon nanotubes were fabricated and studies found that the on/off ratio can reach 107 and the current density can reach 1.6μA∕μm after electrical breakdown. In addition, chemical doping with hydrazine was used to convert the p-type aligned nanotube devices into n-type. These devices were further utilized to demonstrate various logic circuits, including p-type metal-oxide-semiconductor inverters, diode-loaded inverters, complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor inverters, NAND, and NOR gates. This approach could work as the platform for future nanotube-based nanoelectronics.
Promising Programs to Serve Low-Income Families in Poverty Neighborhoods

This review of promising programs to address the challenges facing low-income families living in distressed neighborhoods reveals three key themes: (1) Earnings and asset development programs are used to increase the economic self-sufficiency of low-income families and include: place-based employment programs, a focus on good jobs, the use of work incentives, programs that promote banking, car and home ownership, and the use of the Earned Income Tax Credit; (2) Family strengthening programs are used to improve health and educational outcomes, as well as link families to needed support and benefit services and include: nurse home visitation, parenting education, early childhood educational programs, and facilitating the receipt of support services; and (3) Neighborhood strengthening programs are used to improve features of the neighborhood, collaboration among service providers, and resident involvement in neighborhood affairs and include: the use of community development corporations, comprehensive community initiatives and community organizing strategies.
Electron scattering from diatomic polar molecules. II. Treatment by frame transformations

The theory of Chang and Fano is applied to electron scattering by polar molecules. For collision energy $Eg{E}_{min}$ the problem can be treated accurately without numerical radial integration; the solution is presented in a form suited to an $R$-matrix treatment of the molecular core. The value of ${E}_{min}$ (in a.u.) is determined through $D\frac{\mathrm{Bj}}{{E}_{min}}l\ensuremath{\delta}\ensuremath{\ll}1$; when $\frac{E}{{E}_{min}}\ensuremath{\approx}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{few}$ eV, more extensive calculation is required beyond the bodyframe Born-Oppenheimer region. For this purpose a generalization of the Chang-Fano theory is developed. It consists of an adiabatic continuous transformation of frame, the frame used at each electron-molecule distance $r$ being determined directly by the dynamics of the problem. This procedure generates a coordination diagram for the known solutions to limiting cases, a diagram analogous to that used in quantum chemistry for connecting the united-atom and separated-atom limits of molecular-orbital theory. A new type of symmetry in the problem is made apparent. Preliminary discussion is made of the applicability of this method to more general problems of close coupling in the asymptotic region.
Predictive Validity of the Graduate Record Examination with and without Range Restraints

Most studies show that scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) have low predictive validity for graduate grade point average. One suggested explanation is that the input and output variables have restricted ranges. Restriction of the input variables results when students with low GRE scores are omitted from the analysis. The output variable is constricted since most students receive an A or B in courses. However, the present study shows that the GRE has low predictive validity even when both the input and output variables are more widely distributed for a sample of graduate students. The need for better screening mechanisms to select from among applicants to graduate school is discussed.
Media Use and Political Predispositions: Revisiting the Concept of Selective Exposure

Today, people have ample opportunity to engage in selective exposure, the selection of information matching their beliefs. Whether this is occurring, however, is a matter of debate. While some worry that people increasingly are seeking out likeminded views, others propose that newer media provide an increased opportunity for exposure to diverse views. In returning to the concept of selective exposure, this article argues that certain topics, such as politics, are more likely to inspire selective exposure and that research should investigate habitual media exposure patterns, as opposed to single exposure decisions. This study investigates whether different media types (newspapers, political talk radio, cable news, and Internet) are more likely to inspire selective exposure. Using data from the 2004 National Annenberg Election Survey, evidence supports the idea that people’s political beliefs are related to their media exposure—a pattern that persists across media types. Over-time analyses suggest that people’s political beliefs motivate their media use patterns and that cable news audiences became increasingly politically divided over the course of the 2004 election.
DIY Infrastructure and the Scope of Design Practice

Infrastructure both supports and constrains design action. In the first case, it is a system of imbricated technologies and artifacts that provides a substrate for new products and services. Designers creating new electrically powered projects—for example, a lamp— do not need to design a system of generating, distributing, or regulating electricity. They need only ensure that the products they design are compatible with the system that already exists. In the second case—the converse of the first—designs are limited by existing infrastructure. Newly designed products and services have to interface with existing infrastructure and are therefore beholden to the legacy of design decisions that resulted in that infrastructure. Designers have to contend with the complex social, political, and economic results of past design decisions that are embodied in infrastructure. As an example of the significance of infrastructure to the designer, consider again the design of a lamp. A designer shapes a lamp’s formal properties in terms of overlapping criteria, such as function, aesthetics, and a consideration of the cost of its components, assembly, packaging, and shipping; a consideration of its interconnection with the electrical infrastructure may require very little thought, outside of specifying the appropriate components for the country in which the lamp will be used. The designer operates under the assumption that once the lamp is designed to interface correctly with the electrical system of a particular place, the electricity will be supplied. The degree to which the designer does not have to consider the electrical system speaks to the ubiquity and invisibility of infrastructure. Nonetheless, the electrical infrastructure, itself an agglomeration of years of design decisions, is absolutely necessary for the lamp to function. Infrastructure limits the scope of design action. It separates what might be considered reasonable—designing a lamp—from something that might not be considered at all—redesigning the electrical grid. By definition, infrastructure is an example of what Ivan Illich called a radical monopoly: a situation in which the ubiquity of a tool or service is so great that its use becomes compulsory,
Stabilizing contact resistance of isotropically conductive adhesives on various metal surfaces by incorporating sacrificial anode materials

The contact resistance stability of isotropically conductive adhesives (ICAs) on non-noble metal surfaces under the 85°C/85% relative humidity (RH) aging test was investigated. Previously, we demonstrated that galvanic corrosion has been shown as the main mechanism of the unstable contact resistance of ICAs on non-noble metal surfaces. A sacrificial anode was introduced into the ICA joint for cathodic protection. Zinc, chromium, and magnesium were employed in the ICA formulations as sacrificial anode materials that have much lower electrode-potential values than the metal pad surface, such as tin or tin-based alloys. The effect of particle sizes and loading levels of sacrificial anode materials were studied. Chromium was not as effective in suppressing corrosion as magnesium or zinc because of its strong tendency to self-passivate. The corrosion potential of ICAs was reduced by half with the addition of zinc and magnesium into the ICA formulation. The addition of zinc and magnesium was very effective in controlling galvanic corrosion that takes place in the ICA joints, resulting in stabilized contact resistance of ICAs on Sn, SnPb, and SnAgCu surfaces during the 85°C/85% RH aging test.
Thermal Spike Model of Ion-Induced Grain Growth

A thermal spike model has been developed to describe the phenomenon of ion irradiation-induced grain growth in metal alloy thin films. In single phase films where the driving force for grain growth is the reduction of grain boundary curvature, the model shows that ion-induced grain boundary mobility, M{sub ion}, is proportional to the quantity F{sub D}{sup 2}/{Delta}H{sub coh}{sup 3}, where F{sub D} is the deposited ion damage energy and {Delta}H{sub coh} is the cohesive energy of the element or alloy. Experimental strain growth results from ion irradiated coevaporated binary alloy films compare favorably with model predictions. 11 refs., 1 fig., 1 tab.
High Tech and High Heels in the Global Economy: Women, Work, and Pink‐Collar Identities in the Caribbean

High Tech and High Heels in the Global Economy: Women, Work, and Pink-Collar Identities in the Caribbean. Carla Freeman. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2000. ix + 334 pp., tables, maps, figures, notes, bibliography, index.
EMERALDS: a small-memory real-time microkernel

EMERALDS (Extensible Microkernel for Embedded, ReAL-time, Distributed Systems) is a real-time microkernel designed for small-memory embedded applications. These applications must run on slow (15-25MHz) processors with just 32-128 kbytes of memory, either to keep production costs down in mass-produced systems or to keep weight and power consumption low. To be feasible for such applications, the OS must not only be small in size (less than 20 kbytes), but also have low-overhead kernel services. Unlike commercial embedded OSs which rely on carefully-crafted code to achieve efficiency, EMERALDS takes the approach of re-designing the basic OS services of task scheduling, synchronization, communication, and system call mechanism by using characteristics found in small-memory embedded systems, such as small code size and a priori knowledge of task execution and communication patterns. With these new schemes, the overheads of various OS services are reduced 20-40% without compromising any OS functionality.
Structural Analysis of Phosphatidylinositol from Carrot Cell Membranes by Fast Atom Bombardment and Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Inositol phospholipids from carrot cell membranes grown in suspension culture were partially purified by silicic acid column chromatography and then determined by negative ion fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB). Deprotonated molecules, [M - H]−, were detected of the phosphatidylinositol (PI) and other phospholipids in the column effluent. Following FAB desorption, the structure of carrot PI was determined by using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) with collisional activation. First, inositol phospholipids were differentiated from other phospholipids in the column effluent by using constant neutral loss MS/MS to identify which [M - H]− ions fragmented to eliminate neutral inositol (i.e., [M - H - 162]− ions). Next, collisional activation of the [M - H]− ion of PI at m/z 833 was combined with B/E linked scanning to obtain additional structural information such as the presence of the glycerol and fatty acid moieties, and additional confirmation of the inositol phosphate. Charge-remote fragmetation was used to determine the structure of each fatty acid group bound to PI. Finally, B/E linked scanning of [M - H - inositol]− ion at m/z 671 was used to determine the location of each fatty acid group on the glycerol chain of PI.
Test–retest reliability of the parent behavior importance questionnaire‐revised and the parent behavior frequency questionnaire‐revised

This study evaluated the test–retest reliability of two parenting measures: the Parent Behavior Importance Questionnaire-Revised (PBIQ-R) and Parent Behavior Frequency Questionnaire-Revised (PBFQ-R). These self-report parenting behavior assessment measures may be utilized as pre- and post-parent education program measures, with parents as well as nonparent respondents. The questionnaires are based on the parent development theory, with the parenting behaviors corresponding to theory and current parenting literature. Thus, respondents' relative weighting of importance (PBIQ-R) or frequency (PBFQ-R) of positive, supportive parenting as well as negative behaviors may be determined through questionnaire responses. Test–retest reliability estimates suggest psychometric strength. Results are discussed relative to parenting theory and research, as well as school psychology policy and practice. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Template-Based Algorithms for Connectionist Rule Extraction

Casting neural network weights in symbolic terms is crucial for interpreting and explaining the behavior of a network. Additionally, in some domains, a symbolic description may lead to more robust generalization. We present a principled approach to symbolic rule extraction based on the notion of weight templates, parameterized regions of weight space corresponding to specific symbolic expressions. With an appropriate choice of representation, we show how template parameters may be efficiently identified and instantiated to yield the optimal match to a unit's actual weights. Depending on the requirements of the application domain, our method can accommodate arbitrary disjunctions and conjunctions with O(k) complexity, simple n-of-m expressions with O(k2) complexity, or a more general class of recursive n-of-m expressions with O(k3) complexity, where k is the number of inputs to a unit. Our method of rule extraction offers several benefits over alternative approaches in the literature, and simulation results on a variety of problems demonstrate its effectiveness.
Solid State NMR Studies of Ionically Conductive Non-Oxide Chalcogenide Glasses

The utility of 29Si, 31 p, and 6.7 Li MAS-NMR at 7.05 T to provide structural information in non-oxide chalcogenide glasses is discussed in connection with experimental results obtained on the systems Li2 S-SiS2, Li2 S-SiS2 -P2S5, and Li2 S-P2 S5-B2 S3 29Si MAS-NMR data indicate that the principles governing glass formation in these systems are fundamentally different from those applicable to stoichiometry-analog oxide glasses. 31p MAS-NMR can be used to identify microphase-separation in glasses containing two network former constituents. The use of the rare isotope 6 Li instead of 7 Li offers the advantage of significantly improved spectroscopic resolution, enabling the presentation of the first comprehensive lithium NMR chemical shift scale in the solid state.
Training for Aviation Decision Making: The Naturalistic Decision Making Perspective:

This paper describes the implications of a naturalistic decision making (NDM) perspective for training air crews to make flight-related decisions. The implications are based on two types of analyses: (a) identification of distinctive features that serve as a basis for classifying a diverse set of decision events actually encountered by flight crews, and (b) performance strategies that distinguished more from less effective crews flying full-mission simulators, as well as performance analyses from NTSB accident investigations. Six training recommendations are offered: (1) Because of the diversity of decision situations, crews need to be aware that different strategies may be appropriate for different problems; (2) Given that situation assessment is essential to making a good decision, it is important to train specific content knowledge needed to recognize critical conditions, to assess risks and available time, and to develop strategies to verify or diagnose the problem; (3) Tendencies to oversimplify problems may be overcome by training to evaluate options in terms of goals, constraints, consequences, and prevailing conditions; (4) In order to provide the time to gather information and consider options, it is essential to manage the situation, which includes managing crew workload, prioritizing tasks, contingency planning, buying time (e.g., requesting holding or vectors), and using low workload periods to prepare for high workload; (5) Evaluating resource requirements ("What do I need?") and capabilities ("'What do I have?" ) are essential to making good decisions. Using resources to meet requirements may involve the cabin crew, ATC, dispatchers, and maintenance personnel; (6) Given that decisions must often be made under high risk, time pressure, and workload, train under realistic flight conditions to promote the development of robust decision skills.
Hypoxic preconditioning induces stroke tolerance in mice via a cascading HIF, sphingosine kinase, and CCL2 signaling pathway

The induction of ischemic tolerance by preconditioning provides a platform to elucidate endogenous mechanisms of stroke protection. In these studies, we characterize the relationship between hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), sphingosine kinase 2 (SphK2), and chemokine (C–C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) in models of hypoxic or pharmacological preconditioning-induced ischemic tolerance. A genetics-based approach using SphK2- and CCL2-null mice showed both SphK2 and CCL2 to be necessary for the induction of ischemic tolerance following preconditioning with hypoxia, the hypoxia-mimetic cobalt chloride, or the sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) agonist FTY720. A pharmacological approach confirmed the necessity of HIF signaling for all three preconditioning stimuli, and showed that the SphK/S1P pathway transduces tolerance via the S1P1 receptor. In addition, our data suggest significant cross-talk between HIF and SphK2-produced S1P signaling, which together act to up-regulate CCL2 expression. Overall, HIF, SphK, S1P, and CCL2 participate in a signaling cascade to induce the gene expression responsible for the stroke-tolerant phenotype established by hypoxic and FTY720 preconditioning. The identification of these common molecular mediators involved in signaling the genomic response to multiple preconditioning stimuli provides several targets for therapeutic manipulation.
Regulation of the renal Na-HCO3 cotransporter: IX. Modulation by insulin, epidermal growth factor and carbachol.

Abstract To examine the role of tyrosine kinase (TK) on basolateral membrane (BLM) transport, we looked for the presence of TK activity in these membranes and showed that the synthetic substrate for TK, poly [Glu 80 Na, Tyr 20 ] caused a three-fold increase in tyrosine phosphorylation. This effect was completely blocked by the TK inhibitors, 2-hydroxy-5(2,5-dihydroxybenzyl) aminobenzoic acid (HAC), 1 μM, and methyl 2,5-dihydroxycinnamate (DHC), 5 μM. We then examined the effect of agents that cause TK stimulation on tyrosine kinase immunocontent and on the Na–HCO 3 cotransporter activity in BLM and in primary cultures of the proximal tubule. We utilized the cholinergic agent, carbachol (10 −4 M), epidermal growth factor (EGF 10 −8 M), and insulin (10 −8 M), well known activators of TK. Carbachol, insulin, and EGF caused a significant increase in TK immunoreactive protein content which was blocked by HAC and DHC. In BLM, carbachol significantly stimulated HCO 3 -dependent 22 Na uptake and this effect was totally prevented by the monoclonal antibody against TK. In cultured proximal tubule cells, carbachol, EGF and insulin at physiologic concentration caused a significant stimulation of the cotransporter activity and this effect was completely blocked by the TK inhibitor, HAC. Increasing the dose of insulin 100-fold did not cause further stimulation of the cotransporter indicating that insulin plays a permissive role on the cotransporter. These results demonstrate the presence of TK in renal proximal tubule cells and show that activation of this kinase by dissimilar agents enhance the activity of the Na–HCO 3 cotransporter.
Automatic Contouring of Vital Swallowing Structures using an Atlas-based Segmentation Method: A Time Saving and Toxicity Assessment

Purpose/Objective(s): Long-term dysphagia after radiation therapy has been associated with high doses to the pharyngeal constrictor muscles and larynx and efforts to decrease the dose to these structures have been studied. In addition, radiation-induced dysphagia has been shown to cause increased thickness of these muscles. Properly contouring these structures on CT is difficult and time consuming. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility of atlas-based segmentation (ABS) in time saving in the pretreatment patient and in the assessment of toxicity in the post-treatment patient.
Glow-discharge synthesis of silicon nitride precursor powders

A radio-frequency glow discharge is used for the synthesis of submicron, amorphous, silicon nitride precursor powders from silanc and ammonia. Powders are produced with a range of Si/N ratios, including stoichiometric, Si-rich, and N-rich, and contain substantial amounts of hydrogen. The powders appear to be similar to silicon diimide and are easily converted to oxide by water vapor. The powders lose weight and crystallize to a mixture of α and β–Si3N4 after prolonged heating at 1600 °C. Studies of spectrally and spatially resolved optical emission from the plasma are reported.
Milk composition of Holstein, Jersey, and Brown Swiss cows in response to increasing levels of dietary fat

Milk composition is influenced by many factors that include nutrition, parity, stage of lactation and breed. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of increasing the level of dietary fat on the composition of milk from primiparous Holstein (H), Jersey (J) and Brown Swiss (S) cows. Twelve lactating cows, four from each breed, were utilized in a 4×4 Latin square design with 14-day experimental periods. All cows received a basal total mixed ration consisting of 490 g/kg chopped alfalfa hay and 510 g/kg concentrate. Dietary fat in the form of yellow grease was added at 0, 15, 30 and 45 g/kg of diet as-fed, replacing a portion of rolled barley grain. Milk yield was higher for H versus J and S, and there was a linear increase in 40 g/kg fat corrected milk yield with increasing level of supplemental fat in the diet. Diet did not affect dry matter intake, but intake was highest for H and lowest for J. Total milk N and casein N proportions in milk did not differ by breed, but both decreased linearly with increased supplemental fat. There were no differences in milk content of Ca, K, Mg and P by breed, but the concentration of Mg linearly increased, and P decreased, with increasing supplemental fat. J milk fat had higher proportions of short-chain and medium-chain FA versus H and S milk fat, while S milk had the highest long-chain FA and J the lowest. For short-chain FA, J milk
Scaling Irrational Beliefs in the General Attitude and Belief Scale: An Analysis Using Item Response Theory Methodology

Accurate measurement of key constructs is essential to the continued development of Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). The General Attitude and Belief Scale (GABS), a contemporary inventory of rational and irrational beliefs based on current REBT theory, is one of the most valid and widely used instruments available, and recent research has continued to improve its psychometric standing. In this study of 544 students, item response theory (IRT) methods were used (a) to identify the most informative item in each irrational subscale of the GABS, (b) to determine the level of irrationality represented by each of those items, and (c) to suggest a condensed form of the GABS for further study with clinical populations. Administering only the most psychometrically informative items to clients could result in economies of time and effort. Further research based on the scaling of items could clarify the specific patterns of irrational beliefs associated with particular clinical syndromes.
Plasma Osteopontin Is an Independent Prognostic Marker for Head and Neck Cancers

Purpose To confirm the relationship between plasma osteopontin (OPN) levels and treatment outcomes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients in an expanded study. Patients and Methods One hundred forty patients with newly diagnosed HNSCC were enrolled onto this study, 54 previously reported and 86 new patients. Pretreatment plasma OPN levels were assessed in all patients by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. OPN levels were correlated to treatment outcomes in the new group of patients. Detailed analyses were also performed on the relationship between OPN and tumor control rate, event-free survival (EFS), and postrelapse survival for the entire group. Results Using a previously defined cut off point of 450 ng/mL, there was a significant correlation between OPN and freedom-from-relapse (P = .047), overall survival (P = .019), and EFS (P = .023) in the new, independent patient cohort (n = 86). Sequence of event analyses using the entire group (N = 140) revealed that OPN was an indep...
Methodological Issues Related to Causal Studies of Leadership A Mixed Methods Perspective from the USA

This article explores different understandings of causality and their implications for the study of educational leadership. The article first details differences among three broad methodological traditions in educational research (the quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches), especially with regard to causal explanations. This is followed by a presentation of different methodological approaches for assessing the impact of educational leadership on school outcomes, drawing specifically from school effectiveness research. Five propositions regarding causality issues in studies of educational leadership are presented and then assessed. The article concludes with a brief description of specific educational leadership research studies that were guided by the pragmatic, mixed methods approach advocated throughout this text.
The role of proximal circumstances and child behaviour in toddlers’ risk for minor unintentional injuries

Background Much of the research on child injury risk has focused on trait-like factors (eg, hyperactivity, child gender) that influence injury risk rather than state-like factors (eg, environmental circumstances, child behaviour). Additional research is needed to better identify the proximal risk factors for children9s risk for unintentional injury. Objectives The present study examined the antecedents to minor unintentional injury events and whether unusual circumstances and child behaviour predicted injury risk. Methods The study used archival data that were collected via biweekly in-person interviews with 170 mothers of toddlers (15–36 months) for 6 months. A case crossover design was used to predict children9s risk for injury from proximal risk factors. Results Children were at a higher risk for injury when circumstances were unusual and when they were engaging in an unusual behaviour. When a child was engaging in an unusual behaviour, higher levels of maternal supervision predicted lower injury risk. Children were more likely to be injured in a new environment, in an environment with animals or other people, in an environment with hazards or when engaging in a new activity or in a familiar activity performed in an unfamiliar way. Conclusions The results indicate that toddlers may be at a greater risk for minor unintentional injury when environmental circumstances are outside of the norm or when a child is engaging in unusual behaviours. The findings also indicate that higher levels of caregiver supervision may be especially beneficial when children are engaging in new or unfamiliar activities.
Effects of Adhesive Application Methods on Performance of a Soy-based Adhesive in Oriented Strandboard

A wet method and dry method of applying a soy flour (SF)–curing agent (CA) adhesive onto wood flakes were evaluated for making randomly oriented strandboard (R-OSB) and OSB. The wet method involved the thorough mixing of SF and CA prior to spraying the SF–CA mixture onto wood flakes. SF:CA weight ratio, adhesive add-on rate, hot-press conditions were optimized for enhancing internal bond strength (IB), modulus of rupture (MOR), and modulus of elasticity(MOE) of the resulting R-OSB. The highest IB, MOR and MOE were obtained at the 1:1 SF:CA weight ratio. IB, MOR and MOE of R-OSB exceeded the minimum industrial requirements at a ≥7% adhesive add-on rate, a hot-press temperature in the 170–220 °C range, and a ≥4 min hot-press time. The dry method involved spraying aqueous CA solution onto a mixture of SF and wood flakes. The dry method allowed the strengths of the resulting R-OSB to exceed the minimum industrial requirements at a higher SF:CA ratio (up to 7:1). The dry method was superior to the wet method because a higher SF:CA ratio meant a lower adhesive cost. OSBs made with the SF–CA adhesive had strengths higher than or comparable to commercial OSBs.
Lesson Learned: Security is Inevitable

The history of computing shows simple ideas that caught on: personal computers, the Internet, cloud computing, and smartphones were timely inventions that became successful, sometimes beyond the expectations of their original designers and developers. But ideas that work for one mode of use sometimes show serious limitations in other environments. Creators must anticipate unintended uses, even though predicting change is difficult. Designers must document expectations and limitations of products so that adapters will know when an expanded use threatens security. And developers must accept responsibility for the security of their products. The relatively small group of security professionals can no longer be assumed responsible for anticipating and countering all security threats.
Public Reaction to Electricity Transmission Lines

Opposition is the most significant public response to transmission lines in Western industrial democracies. The study of this opposition reveals how people contest and resist transmission line siting by organizing in groups and networks, and by developing and communicating arguments about why the line is not needed and how it negatively impacts people and environment.
FEMALE EMPLOYEES FIND IOWA NEWSPAPER JOBS SATISFYING

This study examines the job satisfaction of women at Iowa newspapers by assessing women’s attitudes and perceptions in three distinct areas: job quality, work-life balance, and organizational support. The findings indicate that job quality is an important and positive aspect of women’s job satisfaction while organizational support offers room for improvement. The respondents generally were satisfied with their jobs and work-life balance, but low salaries emerged as a significant problem. The respondents also expressed a desire for consistent personnel policies and greater opportunities for advancement. The results are intended to help community newspapers in their efforts to recruit and retain highly skilled women, who continue to be underrepresented in the field.