cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The development of temporal coordination in children

The ability to learn temporal patterns in sequenced actions was investigated in elementary-school age children. Temporal learning depends upon a process of integrating timing patterns with action sequences. Children ages 6-13 and young adults performed a serial response time task in which a response and a timing sequence were presented repeatedly in a phase-matched manner, allowing for integrative learning. The degree of integrative learning was measured as the slowing in performance that resulted when phase-shifting the sequences. Learning was similar for the children and adults on average but increased with age for the children. Executive function measured by Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) performance as well as a measure of response speed also improved with age. Finally, WCST performance and response speed predicted temporal learning. Taken together, the results indicate that temporal learning continues to develop in pre-adolescents and that maturing executive function or processing speed may play an important role in acquiring temporal patterns in sequenced actions and the development of this ability.
Persistence and the state of bovine and porcine adenoviral vector genomes in human and nonhuman cell lines

The state of vector genome in transduced cells influences the duration of transgene expression and can be a safety concern if it gets integrated randomly into the host genome. Although human adenovirus (Ad) serotype 5 (HAd5) mainly persists in a linear episomal form, information regarding the state of bovine Ad serotype 3 (BAd3) and porcine Ad serotype 3 (PAd3) vector genomes in human and nonhuman cells is currently unknown. To address this issue, MDA-MB-231 (human), MDBK (bovine), PK-15 (porcine), MT1A2 (mouse) and NIH-3T3 (mouse) cell lines were infected with replication-defective BAd3, PAd3 or HAd5 vectors carrying the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene. The persistence and the state of vector genome were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR and Southern blot hybridization, respectively. Levels of transgene and Ad gene expressions were quantified using real-time RT-PCR. Persistence of BAd3 or PAd3 vectors was comparable to that of HAd5 vector. Only the linear episomal form of the vector genome was observed with each vector. In addition, expression levels of transgene as well as viral genes by all three vectors were comparable and correlated with their transduction levels in each cell type. These results indicate comparable biologic behavior of BAd3, PAd3 and HAd5 vectors in cell culture.
Management's perception of leveraged buyouts

Abstract In this paper we study management's perception of and motivation for a Leveraged Buyout. In contrast to other studies that use market and accounting data to infer about motives, this work is an analysis of survey generated data, directly addressing perception/motivation. We posit and formally test three hypotheses. Our finding are in contrast in general to conclusions drawn from market data based studies.
Mobile robot obstacle avoidance via depth from focus

A critical challenge in the creation of autonomous mobile robots is the reliable detection of moving and static obstacles. In this paper, we present a passive vision system that recovers coarse depth information reliably and efficiently. This system is based on the concept of depth from focus, and robustly locates static and moving obstacles as well as stairs and dropoffs with adequate accuracy for obstacle avoidance. We describe an implementation of this vision system on a mobile robot as well as real-world experiments both indoors and outdoors. These experiments have involved several hours of continuous and fully autonomous operation in crowded, natural settings.
A Human Being Is Free: The Phenomenological Experience of Liberation in Namibia

Many oppressed groups throughout Africa have successfully engaged in struggles for liberation to oust colonial rule. To study the psychological experiences of liberation in a specific context, the ...
Workshop held to discuss population connectivity in marine systems

A central goal of marine ecology is to achieve a mechanistic understanding of the factors regulating the abundance and distribution of marine populations. One critical component of the above goal is to quantify rates of exchange, or connectivity among sub-populations of marine organisms via larval dispersal. Theoretical studies suggest that these linkages play a fundamental role in local and meta-population dynamics, community structure, genetic diversity, and the resiliency of populations to human exploitation [Fogarty, 1998]. Understanding population connectivity is also key in efforts to develop spatial management methods for marine-capture fisheries, including the design of networks of marine reserves [Sala et al., 2002]. We have made considerable advances in our understanding of the biology of juvenile and adult life history stages through experimental marine ecology However, there has been no concomitant increase in our knowledge of the biological and physical processes that determine the extent to which marine populations are connected via larval dispersal.
Toughening in cement based composites. Part I: Cement, mortar, and concrete

Abstract This paper reviews the mechanisms of toughening in unreinforced cementitious materials, including cement paste, mortar, and concrete. The paper emphasizes the microstructural aspects of the different fracture processes that can potentially take place in these materials, and point out any possible interactions between these processes. Reference is made to three types of fracture process — frontal, crack tip and wake processes, and estimates of contributions to composite toughness of the individual mechanisms are included. It is shown that the fracture mode of a cementitious material closely relates to the types of fracture process that occur in that material. Based on the understanding of the conditions under which certain toughening mechanisms can take place in a given material, it may be possible to control the material fracture mode by tailoring the material microstructure.
The Convergence of Mirroring and Empathy: Communications Training in Business-to-Business Personal Selling Persuasion Efforts

Purpose: This study assessed the value of training in mirroring combined with training in empathy in a personal-selling setting when these two supplement training in more conventional areas. To a large extent, this investigation is exploratory. Previous attempts to probe into this topic do not appear in the literature. Methodology: Students in personal-selling classes acted as sales representatives in an attempt to sell a service (attendance at a seminar) to small retailers. One group was trained in mirroring and another in empathy. Yet another received instruction in both mirroring and empathy. Finally, control-group members received neither mirroring nor empathy training. Chi-square tests, t tests, Tukey k tests, and an analysis of variance were used. The hypotheses were that mirroring and empathy training, and especially mirroring combined with empathy, would perform better than no training in these areas. Findings: The analysis revealed that those who were trained in mirroring were more successful in ...
Electrochemical behavior of the polypyrrole/polyimide composite by potential step amperometry

A polypyrrole (PPy)/polyimide (PI) composite was prepared electrochemically in order to improve the mechanical and electrochemical properties of PPy. The electrochemical behavior of the composite was studied by potential step amperometry. The composites were found to possess increased charge storage ability in comparison to pure PPy. It was found that the doping of PPy by PI is responsible for the increased charge storage ability of the composite.
The role of brain-immune interactions in immunotoxicology.

AbstractCertain xenobiotics (or the metabolites) can damage immunocompetence by directly interacting with one or more of the cells of the immune system and adversely affecting its function. It has also been proposed that xenobiotics may indirectly affect immune function by affecting other organ systems that will in turn affect immunocompetence. This review surveys evidence that supports the existence of a functional link between the brain and the immune system. In addition, we review data that support the concept that a xenobiotic-induced dysfunction in the neuroendocrine system may be associated with an immune dysfunction as well. Such chemicals do not necessarily interact directly with immunocompetent cells but would instead act to disrupt regulatory brain-immune interactions. This class of indirectly acting immunotoxic xenobiotics would not be detected in the typicalin vitro screening assays.
Fluoride glass preforms prepared by a rotational casting process

A new approach has been developed to fabricate fluoride-glass-cladded fibres from preforms having controlled core/clad ratios and uniform cladding thicknesses. In contrast to earlier casting methods, preform core/clad ratios remained unchanged over the entire length of all preforms. The new method also permits fabrication of much larger preforms.
Synthesis, crystal data and thermal stability of magnesium zirconium phosphate [MgZr4(PO4)6]

The synthesis of MgZr4(PO4)6 [MZP] by a sol-gel method is described and the thermal stability of this low thermal expansion material is presented. Crystal data were calculated from the powder x-ray diffraction data which show this phase to be monoclinic primitave with cell parameters a=12.426A, b=8.836A, c=8.903A, and β=89.62°.
Semiactive control strategies for buildings subject to near-field earthquakes

The near-field earthquake ground motion is characterized by high peak accelerations and velocity pulses with long period components as well as large ground displacements. Such characteristics are responsible for severe damages to flexible structures. The peak ground acceleration occurs in the form of a shock, rather than a gradual build-up. As a result, passive dampers may not dissipate energies quick enough to prevent a serious damage to structures. Recently, a resetting or switching semi-active stiffness damper (RSASD or SSASD) and a semi-active electromagnetic friction damper (SAEMFD) have been shown to be effective in reducing the structural response due to dynamic loads. In this paper, the performance and effectiveness of these two semi-active hybrid isolation systems are studied extensively for base-isolated buildings subject to near-field earthquakes. Numerical results clearly demonstrate that these two semi-active dampers are effective in protecting the integrity of base-isolated structures during near-field earthquakes.
Flux Distribution in Saturated High-Speed Homopolar Inductor Alternators with Purely Reactive Loads

The two-reaction theory of synchronous generators yields only qualitative results when applied to homopolar machines under load. Saturation has to be considered for more exact results. The method developed in two companion papers is used to find the airgap radial induction when the armature carries purely reactive balanced currents. The additional boundary conditions are explained and a computer program established. Numerical results were obtained for a 95 kvs. 115/200 volts, 3,300 cps, 40,800 rpm alternator. The results are shown in curves.
Early Dietary Protein Restriction and Intermittent Lighting.1. Effects on Lameness and Performance of Male Turkeys

Abstract A trial was conducted to determine the effects of dietary protein restriction at an early age and intermittent lighting, designed for curtain-sided houses, on lameness and performance of Nicholas commercial male turkeys sired by male Line 88. Four isocaloric diets containing different levels of protein (100, 90, 80, or 70% of control value) were consumed ad libitum from 8 to 56 days. All birds were provided control diets from 1 to 7 days of age and from 57 to 124 days of age. Two lighting regimens, control [15 h light (L):9 h dark (D)] and intermittent (15L:2D:1.5L:2D:1.5L:2D), were each assigned randomly to two rooms from Day 8 until the end of the study. Light intensity was maintained at 20 lx throughout the study for both lighting regimens. When compared with the control (15L:9D) photoperiod, intermittent lighting improved market body weight and feed efficiency and increased the incidence of leg abnormalities but did not affect overall mortality. The incidence of leg abnormalities among toms decreased linearly with decreasing levels of dietary protein at 85 days of age. However, the dietary effect on lameness was transient in that no differences were apparent at market age of 123 days. Mortality was not affected by dietary treatment. Testes weight increased and shank length decreased linearly with increasing levels of dietary protein. Toms fed the 90% protein diet in both lighting regimens had market body weights and feed efficiency values similar to those of controls. It is concluded that Nicholas commercial male turkeys have improved performance in intermittent lighting and can be fed dietary protein at 90% of control levels from 8 to 56 days of age to reduce feed cost.
TEMPORAL AND SPECTRAL STRUCTURE OF AN FEL OSCILLATOR DURING START-UP

Abstract A previously developed Green's function technique for analyzing the time evolution of low-gain FEL oscillators is applied to the study of the start-up of oscillators from random beam noise. These calculations describe the evolution of the total radiation power and the spectral power as a function of pass number. The theory suggests that an estimate of the linear gain of an oscillator during start-up, as well as the noise level on the electron beam, can be inferred from a measurement of the position of the spectral peak of the FEL output. Analytical results are obtained for electron beams much longer than the slippage distance. A computationally efficient method for the spectral analysis of finite pulse FEL oscillators is described.
Central Bank Autonomy, and Inflation and Output Performance in the Baltic States, Russia, and Other Countries of the Former Soviet Union, 1995-97

A higher degree of de jure autonomy and accountability of the central banks of the Baltic states, Russia, and other countries of the former Soviet Union appears to be positively correlated with lower average inflation. There also seems to be some positive correlation between greater central bank autonomy and higher average real growth, after the initial period of reforms. Central banks with a higher degree of autonomy and accountability have apparently also reformed their operations more aggressively.
Nanoindentation Characterization of Microphases i n Sn-3.5Ag Eutectic Solder Joints

Nanoindentation testing was used to obtain mechanical properties on realistic Sn-Ag solder joints made with (i) eutectic Sn-3.5Ag solder and (ii) in-situ Cu6Sn5 particle reinforced, eutectic Sn-Ag matrix composite solder. The composite solder joint contained ˜20 volume percent of intentionally-added Cu6Sn5 intermnetallic particles which were ∼5 microns in size. The Cu6Sn5 particles were dispersed in-situ in eutectic Sn-3.5Ag matrix alloy as a reinforcement phase to stabilize the microstructure by acting as a non-coarsening microconstituent phase. Mechanical properties characterization and deformation behavior were assessed on the bulk microstructure and on microconstituents in the actual solder joints. Mechanical property data obtained on constituents included hardness, elastic modulus, strain rate, and creep behavior. The pushing and rotation of the reinforcement particles that often occurred when contacted by the indenter provided a means for evaluating the interfacial shear strength of reinforcement particles in the solder matrix.
Simulation of mechanical rotation by optical rotation: Application to the design of a new Fourier photopolarimeter

The mechanical rotation of an optical element around the axis of a beam of polarized light can be easily simulated by using the phenomenon of optical rotation. Because optical rotation can be magnetically or electrically induced, virtually any kind of mechanical rotation can be mimicked. This interesting principle is applied to the design of a new Fourier photopolarimeter that uses an oscillating-azimuth retarder (OAR). The OAR consists of a quarter-wave plate surrounded by two ac-excited Faraday cells that produce equal and opposite sinusoidal optical rotations. Analysis of the operation of this polarimeter of no moving parts proves its ability to measure all four Stokes parameters of incident partially polarized radiation.
Optical characterization of three-dimensional surface and bulk anisotropy in high refractive index polymers

Interest in the development of polymeric materials for high temperature, electronic and microelectronic applications has led to an increasing number of new polymers. Many of these polymers have complex organic ring structures and semirigid backbones, characteristics that have posed some difficulties for structural analysis. The purpose of this paper is to test and compare two practical nondestructive optical techniques, polarized optical microscopy and polarized refractometry, for the determination of three-dimensional surface and bulk anisotropy in these advanced materials. The optical techniques are first tested on a series of optically homogeneous uniaxially oriented isotactic polypropylene films and then applied to the analysis of high refractive index Kapton (PMDA-ODA) polyimide films. The study includes a test of the validity of the compensator method, including the effect of fringe jumping, the use of polymer retarders, and the tilting technique of Stein.
Risk of Mortality in Individuals With Low QRS Voltage and Free of Cardiovascular Disease

The prognostic significance of low QRS voltage (LQRSV) in the electrocardiogram (ECG) of individuals free of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is unclear. We evaluated the association between LQRSV and all-cause mortality in 6,440 participants (53% women, mean age 60 years) from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a representative sample of the US population. Participants with history of CVD or major ECG abnormalities were excluded. LQRSV was automatically defined from standard 12-lead ECG as QRS complex amplitudes of
Dynamic Scheduling of a Multiclass Queue in the Halfin-Whitt Heavy Traffic Regime

We consider a Markovian model of a multiclass queueing system in which a single large pool of servers attends to the various customer classes. Customers waiting to be served may abandon the queue, and there is a cost penalty associated with such abandonments. Service rates, abandonment rates, and abandonment penalties are generally different for the different classes. The problem studied is that of dynamically scheduling the various classes. We consider the Halfin-Whitt heavy traffic regime, where the total arrival rate and the number of servers both become large in such a way that the system's traffic intensity parameter approaches one. An approximating diffusion control problem is described and justified as a purely formal (that is, nonrigorous) heavy traffic limit. The Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation associated with the limiting diffusion control problem is shown to have a smooth (classical) solution, and optimal controls are shown to have an extremal or "bang-bang" character. Several useful qualitative insights are derived from the mathematical analysis, including a "square-root rule" for sizing large systems and a sharp contrast between system behavior in the Halfin-Whitt regime versus that observed in the "conventional" heavy traffic regime. The latter phenomenon is illustrated by means of a numerical example having two customer classes.
Hemoglobin-Induced Binding of Candida albicans to the Cell-Binding Domain of Fibronectin Is Independent of the Arg-Gly-Asp Sequence

Candida albicans is one of the most common human opportunistic pathogens and causes a variety of diseases, from superficial candidiasis to systemic infections in immunocompromised hosts (7). The adhesion of C. albicans to host tissues, mediated through binding to various extracellular matrix proteins such as fibronectin (FN) and laminin, is correlated with pathogenicity (4, 6, 12, 14, 19). FN is a major component of the host extracellular matrix that may play an important role in the initiation and dissemination of C. albicans infections (6, 14, 18). As has been found for mammalian cells (23) and some pathogenic bacteria (5, 20), several domains of FN are recognized by C. albicans. Klotz and Smith (13) suggested that the cell-binding domain of FN mediated its binding to C. albicans. Further evidence indicated that peptides containing the RGD sequence from this domain inhibit the binding of C. albicans to FN both in solution and in adhesion assays (19). Additional domains of FN, however, have been found to interact with C. albicans (18). Four domains of FN can interact with C. albicans grown in Sabouraud dextrose medium (18). Among them, a proteolytic fragment from the gelatin- and collagen-binding domain of FN exhibited the highest affinity, i.e., it was as potent as intact FN. However, all of these interactions of C. albicans with FN were studied by using cultures grown in complex media. We have previously reported that hemoglobin induces a specific enhancement of FN-binding activity in C. albicans grown in defined medium (24). This induction is reversible and is not due to a bridge effect of hemoglobin between a receptor on the organism and FN. In addition, adhesion to immobilized FN was significantly increased for C. albicans grown in hemoglobin-containing medium. Because cells must be growing in the presence of hemoglobin for several hours to induce binding, expression of a specific FN receptor may be induced by hemoglobin. We have now used these defined growth conditions to determine which domain of FN is recognized by the receptors induced by hemoglobin. We report here that binding and adhesion to the cell-binding domain are specifically induced by hemoglobin. This binding was localized to the 9th through 13th type III repeats of the cell-binding domain of FN but does not require the RGD sequence in the 10th type III repeat. Therefore, hemoglobin in defined medium specifically induces a class of receptors in C. albicans with a specificity different from those previously reported for this organism.
Keeping it simple: what mouse models of Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome can tell us about large chromosomal deletions.

Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS), caused by deletions on chromosome 4p16.3, is a contiguous gene syndrome, since it is caused by abnormalities in two or more genes that are adjacent to each other on a chromosome. Also, it is the first recognized subtelomeric deletion syndrome, because it results from
Arterial Reconstruction of Infected Femoral Artery Pseudoaneurysms Using Superficial Femoral-Popliteal Vein

Background Infected femoral artery pseudoaneurysms (IFAPs) secondary to percutaneous arterial access, injection of illegal substances, and from infected synthetic grafts, appear to be increasing in incidence. Ligation of IFAPs without revascularization offers control of infection but may risk limb ischemia. Revascularization with extraanatomic synthetic grafts may risk reinfection and abrupt thrombosis. Excision of IFAPs with revascularization using superficial femoral popliteal vein (SFPV) provides both control of infection and excellent limb perfusion. Study design A retrospective review was conducted of patients diagnosed with IFAP who underwent resection and revascularization with SFPV at a single medical center. Outcomes measured included reinfection and amputation rate. These were compared with other series using various methods to treat IFAPs. Results Eleven patients with IFAP were encountered from 1992 to 2004. Mean age was 64 years (±10 SD). Five patients developed IFAP secondary to percutaneous arterial access procedures. Four patients developed infected femoral artery pseudoaneurysms secondary to synthetic graft infection. Two patients developed IFAP secondary to injection of illegal substances in the femoral region. All patients had positive wound cultures initially. Staphylococcus was the most common organism found in wound cultures. All patients underwent resection of IFAP with lower extremity revascularization using SFPV. There was no incidence of limb ischemia and no perioperative deaths in this series. Conclusions Excision of IFAP with revascularization can be successfully achieved using SFPV. This method may prove to be superior to other methods with apparent higher patency rates and resistance to reinfection.
Low-Molecular-Weight Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Is a Positive Component of the Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Signaling Pathway

Low-molecular-weight protein tyrosine phosphatase (LMW-PTP) has been implicated in the regulation of cell growth and actin rearrangement mediated by several receptor tyrosine kinases, including platelet-derived growth factor and epidermal growth factor. Here we identify the Xenopus laevis homolog of LMW-PTP1 (XLPTP1) as an additional positive regulator in the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling pathway during Xenopus development. XLPTP1 has an expression pattern that displays substantial overlap with FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) during Xenopus development. Using morpholino antisense technology, we show that inhibition of endogenous XLPTP1 expression dramatically restricts anterior and posterior structure development and inhibits mesoderm formation. In ectodermal explants, loss of XLPTP1 expression dramatically blocks the induction of the early mesoderm gene, Xbrachyury (Xbra), by FGF and partially blocks Xbra induction by Activin. Moreover, FGF-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase is also inhibited by XLPTP1 morpholino antisense oligonucleotides; however, introduction of RNA encoding XLPTP1 is able to rescue morphological and biochemical effects of antisense inhibition. Inhibition of FGF-induced MAP kinase activity due to loss of XLPTP1 is also rescued by an active Ras, implying that XLPTP1 may act upstream of or parallel to Ras. Finally, XLPTP1 physically associates only with an activated FGFR1, and this interaction requires the presence of SNT1/FRS-2 (FGFR substrate 2). Although LMW-PTP1 has been shown to participate in other receptor systems, the data presented here also reveal XLPTP1 as a new and important component of the FGF signaling pathway.
Pentapetalum trifasciculandricus gen. et sp. nov., a thealean fossil flower from the Raritan Formation, New Jersey, USA (Turonian, Late Cretaceous).

The study of fossil flowers in the last 25 years has greatly increased our understanding of angiosperm diversification. Following that tradition, we here describe a new fossil taxon from the Late Cretaceous of New Jersey, Pentapetalum trifasciculandricus Martinez-Millan, Crepet et Nixon gen. et sp. nov. It includes actinomorphic pentamerous flowers with quincuncial calyx, imbricate corolla, numerous stamens of markedly different heights, and a superior tricarpellate ovary, which are morphologically consistent with the flowers of the Theaceae s.l. and of members of the order Theales sensu Cronquist. Cladistic analyses including 45 extant taxa plus the fossil, 61 morphological characters, and different combinations of the molecular markers rbcL, matK, trnL-trnF, matR, and ITS support its inclusion in the order Ericales sensu APG. Comparison with extant taxa using traditional methods of identification suggests a relation with the Theaceae s.s. (Stewartia), but the phylogenetic analyses do not support this view. Instead, the phylogenetic analysis suggests some relation to the Ternstroemiaceae/Pentaphylacaceae (Theaceae s.l.), exemplifying the importance of evaluating identifications in a phylogenetic context. The description of Pentapetalum further adds to the ample diversity of Ericales in the Late Cretaceous.
Systems Biology of Personalized Medicine

To achieve the promise of individualized molecular-based medicine, the application of informatic tools to the entire hierarchy of biological system interactions and dynamics will be required in order to promote the effective discovery, validation and application of new diagnostic and treatment strategies in a real-time environment. As the field of biomarker discovery continues to unravel the underlying molecular mechanisms of diseases, the utility of the acquired and expanding knowledge lags far behind. Systems Biology represents a pivotal component of the personalized medicine workflow through its ability to consolidate complex data and knowledge into definable networks, and reproducibly identify key convergence/divergence points representing the biomarkers of interest. In this chapter, we will provide a brief update in the field of personalized medicine, and how Systems Biology tools can be used to support biomarker discovery. This chapter emphasizes the potential utility of Systems Biology for the prediction of network-based treatments in oncology, using empirical biomarker data sets in conjunction with knowledge and pre-existing drug resources.
Cancer Clinical Research: Return on Investment in the Era of Value-Based Purchasing

What is the return on investment (ROI) for participation in cancer clinical trials for an individual institution, or practice?
Enhanced oxidation rate of Ni(111) by atomic oxygen

Abstract The oxidation of the Ni(111) surface by a supersonic atomic oxygen beam has been quantitatively studied using in situ high-resolution electron-energy-loss spectroscopy. For a room temperature substrate, a drastically different oxidation rate is observed for atomic oxygen induced oxidation than for molecular oxygen based oxidation. This rate was found to be two orders of magnitude higher than that for molecular oxygen. The reaction on a 110 K substrate indicated oxygen uptake only to the chemisorption saturate, with no further oxidation. This later finding agrees with previous results for low surface temperature oxidation using molecular oxygen, implying that the inhibiting step in low temperature Ni oxidation is not molecular oxygen dissociation, but a more fundamental property of the metallic substrate. The chemisorption region of the atomic oxygen reaction was found to saturate at the same sub-monolayer as results from exposure to molecular oxygen, i.e. a dense (1×1) overlayer as has been seen on other metals does not form on Ni(111).
Disaster Hits Home A Model of Displaced Family Adjustment After Hurricane Katrina

The authors explored individual and family adjustment processes among parents (n = 30) and children (n = 55) who were displaced to Colorado after Hurricane Katrina. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 23 families, this article offers an inductive model of displaced family adjustment. Four stages of family adjustment are presented in the model: (a) family unity stage, (b) prioritizing safety stage (parents) and missing home stage (children), (c) confronting reality stage (parents) and feeling settled stage (children), and (d) reaching resolution. This research illustrates that parental and child adjustment trajectories are dynamic and may vary over time, thus underscoring the importance of considering the perspectives of both adults and children in research and disaster policy interventions.
A single-chip Si-LDMOS power amplifier for GSM

A 0.23 /spl mu/m single-chip Si-LDMOS high-power amplifier with matching circuits and all control blocks for quad-band GSM handset phones is implemented in 2.1/spl times/2.45 mm/sup 2/. The IC achieves a maximum PAE of 54% at 36 dBm output power and input VSWR of less than 1.6 over the GSM850/900 bands.
The Medieval World View: Contemplating the Mappamundi

Looking at a medieval mappamundi (or world map) is a disorienting experience. Oriented to the east, displaying unfamiliar geographical forms and blanketed with images of strange animals and monstrous humans, it does not correspond to our modern concept of a world map. In the late 19th century scholars of the history of cartography dismissed medieval maps as a sign of ignorance. More recent studies have cast new light on these complex symbolic constructions, and scholars are searching for insights into medieval concepts of time and space, as well as clues to the ways in which knowledge of ancient geography was transmitted to the medieval intellectual world.
Self-Compassion and Well-being among Older Adults

Two studies assessed the role of self-compassion as a moderator of the relationship between physical health and subjective well-being in the elderly. In Study 1, 132 participants, ranging in age from 67 to 90 years, completed a questionnaire that assessed their perceptions of their physical health, self-compassion, and subjective well-being. Participants who were in good physical health had high subjective well-being regardless of their level of self-compassion. However, for participants with poorer physical health, self-compassion was associated with greater subjective well-being. In Study 2, 71 participants between the ages of 63 and 97 completed a questionnaire assessing self-compassion, well-being, and their willingness to use assistance for walking, hearing, and memory. Self-compassionate participants reported being less bothered by the use of assistance than those low in self-compassion, although the relationship between self-compassion and willingness to use assistive devices was mixed. These findi...
Engineering Education and the Construction Industry: What the Industry Should Have From the Colleges

This paper attempts to face up squarely to the joint problems confronting civil engineering education and the construction industry. Construction should not be considered as a business but as a definite career corner of the civil engineering profession. A civil engineer must therefore make the most use of his knowledge acquired in college in order to do the work of engineering and management. The civil engineering profession has much to gain by strengthening its ties with construction and it should be done by construction sponsored research in the colleges, as well as bolstering of the college curriculum.
Stability of German Cartels

Industrial economists are traditionally concerned about the outcome of the competitive market process. If high market performance is observed (e.g. in terms of rate of returns on invested capital) industrial economists quarrel whether this is the result of an efficient, welfare enhancing competitive process or the result of collusion among producers to the expense of consumers. There is an extensive literature on the efficiency versus collusion controversy. However, only a few studies had a significant impact on this discussion. Among these is the work by Professor Neumann.1 His contribution is particularly valuable, since he succeeded in showing that “… theory is only useful where it is testable and tested …”, as Leonard W. Weiss (1985, p. 87) convincingly expressed.
Paired vehicle occupant analysis indicates age and crash severity moderate likelihood of higher severity injury in second row seated adults in frontal crashes

The majority of advances in occupant protection systems for motor vehicle occupants have focused on occupants seated in the front row of the vehicle. Recent studies suggest that these systems have resulted in lower injury risk for front row occupants as compared to those in the second row. However, these findings are not universal. In addition, some of these findings result from analyses that compare groups of front and second row occupants exposed to dissimilar crash conditions, raising questions regarding whether they might reflect differences in the crash rather than the front and second row restraint systems. The current study examines factors associated with injury risk for pairs of right front seat and second row occupants in frontal crashes in the United States using paired data analysis techniques. These data indicate that the occupant seated in the front row frequently experiences the more severe injury in the pair, however there were no significant differences in the rate of occurrence of these events and events where the more severe injury occurs in the second row occupant of the pair. A logistic regression indicated that the likelihood of the more severe injury occurring in the second row seated occupant of the pair increased as crash severity increased, consistent with data from anatomic test dummy (ATD) tests. It also indicated that the second row occupant was more likely to have the more severe injury in the pair if that occupant was the older occupant of the pair. These findings suggest that occupant protection systems which focus on providing protection specifically for injuries experienced by older occupants in the second row in higher severity crash conditions might provide the greatest benefit.
An Automated Stokesmetric Imaging Laser Radar

We report an automated Stokesmetric imaging eye safe laser radar that can detect all four components of the Stokse parameters in the reflected signal, with a variable input polarization state, capable of full Mueller-metric imaging.
Analysis on Laboratory Surveillance of HIV Antibody Suspected Samples

Objective To study the quality management of AIDS primary screening lab and the relation between the primary screening test and the reconfirmation test. Methods The result of 2003、2004 HIV antibody suspected samples, between primary screening test and reconfirmation test were analyzed. Results The positive rate of the 2004 primary screening test was higher than that of 2003; the confirmed positive rate of the samples whose primary screening test results were one positive and one negative by two domestic reagents was zero; the samples that both positive was 80.2%; the confirmed positive rate of the samples whose primary screening test S/CO≥6 with the two domestic reagents was 100%. Conclusion The quality management of AIDS primary screening lab should be strict; for those samples whose primary screening test S/CO≥6 with the two domestic reagents by municipal CDC could be reported and the samples should be sent to provincial CDC for confirmation in time.
The mini-invasive operation of spinal canal tumors

Objective To investigate the effect of spinal canal tumor by mini-invasive operation. Methods A total of 14 patients whose extramedullary tumors were mainly located in one side of the spinal canal with their longest diameters no more than 3 cm were operated by mini-invasive microsurgical techenique.Results The tumors were totally removed in all 14 cases. With less bleeding and no postoperative complications. The patients could get up 1～3 days after operation and recovered faster compared with conventional laminectomy. ConclusionMini-invasive operations combined with microsurgical techniques should be given priority over standard laminectomy in the surgical management of extramedullary lesions arising in the spinal canal.
Managerial Production Function

In the short run the structural proportions and the scale of an organization are given. They may have been frozen by technical conditions (often appearing in the form of) or social conventions. In the long run, however, everything is adaptable and molded by economic forces.
Structural transformation in monolayer materials: a 2D to 1D transformation

Reducing the dimensions of materials to atomic scales results in a large portion of atoms being at or near the surface, with lower bond order and thus higher energy. At such scales, reduction of the surface energy and surface stresses can be the driving force for the formation of new low-dimensional nanostructures, and may be exhibited through surface relaxation and/or surface reconstruction, which can be utilized for tailoring the properties and phase transformation of nanomaterials without applying any external load. Here we used atomistic simulations and revealed an intrinsic structural transformation in monolayer materials that lowers their dimension from 2D nanosheets to 1D nanostructures to reduce their surface and elastic energies. Experimental evidence of such transformation has also been revealed for one of the predicted nanostructures. Such transformation plays an important role in bi-/multi-layer 2D materials.
The Boundary in the Philosophy of Science

In [200] Nancy Cartwright elaborates on the idea that the picture of the world offered us by physicists and mathematicians is governed by a few simple general laws, a vision that would have been familiar to David Hume in the eighteenth century. Observable regularities in nature allow us to infer causal connections. However, the fact that up to now a certain event has always been observed to go in a certain cause-and-effect way does not necessarily mean that it will always do the same thing in the future. For what guarantees that nature will not change tomorrow? Physical laws assert what are supposedly eternal regularities, but there is nothing necessary about them.
Quality of Life for Historic Cavopulmonary Shunt Survivors.

Background:Beginning with Dr William Glenn in 1958, 90 patients with congenital heart lesions underwent cavopulmonary (Glenn) shunts over a 30-year period. In 2015, the follow-up data on this original cohort were reported. The study focuses on the current quality of life of this cohort.Methods:Of the original 91 cavopulmonary shunt survivors, 14 (ages: 26-59; average length of postsurgical follow-up: 38.4 years) completed the Rand 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, volume 2 (SF-36v2) quality-of-life survey at clinical office visits, over the phone or via regular mail. Diagnoses included tricuspid atresia (n = 9), double inlet left ventricle (n = 1), d-transposition of great arteries (n = 1), Ebstein’s anomaly (n = 1), tetralogy of Fallot (n = 1), and pulmonary atresia with hypoplastic right ventricle (n = 1). Norm-based comparison of cavopulmonary shunt survivors to the general population was performed using a one-sample t test.Results:The 36-question health survey, SF-36v2, provided physical and mental he...
Re-examining the end of Mao’s revolution: China’s changing statecraft and Sino-American relations, 1973–1978

AbstractSynthesizing heretofore available Chinese sources, this article re-examines the long process of the end of China’s continuous revolution from 1973 to 1978, a transitional period insufficiently addressed by scholars. It explores China’s evolving statecraft in the maelstrom of leadership struggles, as Chinese leaders – Mao Zedong, Hua Guofeng, and Deng Xiaoping – continuously redefined China’s foreign and domestic goals, fluctuating between revolution and development. This article concludes that despite predominant scholarly focus on geopolitics, China’s changing perception of its national interests largely determined Sino-American relations from Richard Nixon’s historic trip in 1972 to normalisation of relations in 1979.
Noise in VCSEL-Based Links: Direct Measurement of VCSEL Transverse Mode Correlations and Implications for MPN and RIN

The correlation properties of vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) transverse modes determine the noise impairments of VCSEL-based high-speed MMF links. Relative intensity noise and mode partition noise originate from the distinct and aggregate fluctuations of the lasing transverse modes of VCSELs. These noise mechanisms are often the limitations in VCSEL-based optical links particularly 25 Gbaud and higher OOK and PAM-4 links and are an integral part of any link budget including those of the IEEE 802.3 and fiber channel T11.2 standards efforts. Here, we report the direct measurement of the correlation properties of high-speed VCSELs. We show that the corresponding computed mode partition noise (MPN) and relative intensity noise (RIN) powers are inconsistent with the conventional models used by standards groups yet are consistent with link measurements.
Alterations in the functional neural circuitry supporting flexible choice behavior in autism spectrum disorders

Restricted and repetitive behaviors, and a pronounced preference for behavioral and environmental consistency, are distinctive characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Alterations in frontostriatal circuitry that supports flexible behavior might underlie this behavioral impairment. In an functional magnetic resonance imaging study of 17 individuals with ASD, and 23 age-, gender- and IQ-matched typically developing control participants, reversal learning tasks were used to assess behavioral flexibility as participants switched from one learned response choice to a different response choice when task contingencies changed. When choice outcome after reversal was uncertain, the ASD group demonstrated reduced activation in both frontal cortex and ventral striatum, in the absence of task performance differences. When the outcomes of novel responses were certain, there was no difference in brain activation between groups. Reduced activation in frontal cortex and ventral striatum suggest problems in decision-making and response planning, and in processing reinforcement cues, respectively. These processes, and their integration, are essential for flexible behavior. Alterations in these systems may therefore contribute to a rigid adherence to preferred behavioral patterns in individuals with an ASD. These findings provide an additional impetus for the use of reversal learning paradigms as a translational model for treatment development targeting the domain of restricted and repetitive behaviors in ASD.
A method for determining the dimension of planar monopole triangular antenna

Parametric study by performing iteration of numerical simulation is commonly used as a method for determining the antenna dimension in wideband antenna design. A theoretical approach for determining the planar triangular antenna has been investigated in this research. The biconical antenna theory which is combined with Least Mean Square Algorithm is investigated as theoretical approach to calculate the dimension of planar triangular antenna. A laboratory experiment and measurement in developing the digital television receiver antenna has been performed as a case study to validate the theoretical approach that is investigated. Epoxy substrate that has thickness of 1.6mm and a relative dielectric constant of 5.4 is used in the experiment. Theoretical, simulation and measurement results show that the proposed method performed well for determining the wideband planar triangular antenna. The theoretical and measurement result have a good agreement.
Long-term Oral Clarithromycin Administration in Chelonians with Subclinical Mycoplasma spp. Infection

Abstract Choanal swabs were collected three times at 2 wk intervals from 17 asymptomatic captive chelonians, eight Forsten's tortoises (Indotestudo forstenii) and nine Sulawesi forest turtles (Leucocephalon yuwonoi), to document individual Mycoplasma spp. shedding patterns. Four of the Forsten's tortoises and six of the Sulawesi forest turtles tested positive repeatedly for Mycoplasma spp. DNA using a PCR assay. Clarithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, was administered orally to all animals at 20 mg/kg every 2 to 3 days for a total of 90 days. While no adverse effects were noted, this extended 3 month long course of clarithromycin failed to suppress Mycoplasma spp. shedding in all but one of the 10 Mycoplasma spp. PCR-positive animals.
The Du Bois nexus: intersectionality, political economy, and environmental injustice in the Peruvian Guano trade in the 1800s

W. E. B. Du Bois’s work serves as a fruitful avenue to synthesize intersectionality, political economy, and environmental analysis. We propose that the Du Bois nexus provides the basis to examine d...
A Survey of Presence and Related Concepts

The presence construct, most commonly defined as the sense of “being there,” has driven research and development of virtual environments (VEs) for decades. Despite that, there is not widespread agreement on how to define or operationalize this construct. The literature contains many different definitions of presence and many proposed measures for it. This article reviews many of the definitions, measures, and models of presence from the literature. We also review several related constructs, including social presence, copresence, immersion, agency, transportation, reality judgment, and embodiment. In addition, we present a meta-analysis of existing presence models and propose a model of presence informed by Slater’s Place Illusion and Plausibility Illusion constructs.