cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Digital image centering. I

A series of parallax plates have been measured on a PDS microdensitometer to assess the possibility of using the PDS for precision relative astrometry and to investigate centering algorithms that might be used to analyze digital images obtained with the Large Space Telescope. The basic repeatability of the PDS is found to be ±0.6/μm with the potential for reaching ±0.6/μm. A very efficient centering algorithm has been developed which fits the marginal density distributions of the image with a gaussian profile and a sloping background. The accuracy is comparable with the best results of the Yerkes Observatory photoelectric image bisector.
Bosonized string ghosts

Abstract A precise treatment of ghost bosonization is given in the operator framework without employing conformal field theory techniques. This is then applied to reformulate Virasoro BRS cohomology using bosonic coordinates but without a ghost number degree of freedom. Subsequent analysis reveals a rather elegant structure.
Is there room for a third dimension in vocational interest differentiation

Abstract Discriminant function analyses involving two vocational interest inventories to differentiate majors of college graduates supported the definition of three dimensions: Business Contact vs. Science, Business Detail vs. Arts, and Service vs. Technical. This common structure between groups emerges only under rotation and is consistent with factor analytic results for differences among people. The implementation of such a three-dimensional scheme for counseling high school students is illustrated. At the theoretical level these results support the position that the structure of vocational interests is more complicated than postulated by the circular orderings of Roe and Holland or by the appealing bipolar dimensions of Data/Ideas and People/Things.
γ-Tubulin, microtubule arrays, and quadripolarity during sporogenesis in the hepatic Aneura pinguis (Metzgeriales)

This is the first report on the organization of a quadripolar microtubule system (QMS) in polyplastidic meiosis of a hepatic with polar organizers (POs). Unlike the monoplastidic sporocytes of mosses and hornworts, in which meiotic quadripolarity can be traced to plastid division and migration, sporocytes of Aneura pinguis are polyplastidic and tetrahedrally lobed before the QMS is organized. Whereas the QMS in mosses and hornworts is plastid-based, the QMS of A. pinguis is focused at four POs where gamma tubulin (γ-tubulin) is concentrated. An aster of microtubules emanates from each PO centered in the four cytoplasmic lobes and the opposing radial microtubules interact to form the QMS that envelops the nucleus. A functionally bipolar spindle is gradually formed as the four poles converge in pairs on either side of opposite cleavage furrows. The resulting spindle remains quadripolar. Although γ-tubulin is most concentrated in the deeply concave poles straddling cleavage furrows, it also extends into the spindle itself. Telophase groups of chromosomes curve around the polar cleavage furrows and a phragmoplast that originates in the interzonal region guides a cell plate that extends to the equatorial cleavage furrows. Discrete POs are reformed at opposite tips of the elongated dyad nuclei in prophase II and microtubules radiating from them give rise to the spindles of second meiosis. Spindles remain sharply focused and γ-tubulin extends into distal portions of the spindle. Interzonal phragmoplasts that expand to join with pre-established cleavage furrows mediate cytokinesis resulting in a tetrad of spores. Each young tetrad member has a radial microtubule system emanating from the nucleus.
Nerve growth factor regulates neuroectodermal tumor cell responses to mitogenic growth factors

Previous studies showed that nerve growth factor (NGF) decreases the proliferation of neuroectodermal tumor (NET) cells (C-1300 and Neuro2A murine neuroblastoma, PC12 rat pheochromocytoma) within 5–7 days in a dose-dependent manner. This effect is regulated by the concentration of serum in the culture medium. Therefore, we hypothesized that NGF exerts its antimitogenic activities by interfering with the proliferative action of other growth factors. We studied the effects of short-term vs. long-term as well as endogenous vs. exogenous NGF on NET cell proliferation in response to various mitogenic growth factors. Retrovirus-mediated transfer of the β-NGF gene into NET cells activated TrkA and consistently decreased their proliferative responses to insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-II, fibroblast growth factor-2, and epidermal growth factor (EGF), down-regulating EGF and IGF-I binding sites. It also decreased tyrosine phosphorylation of ERK-1, STAT3, and EGF or IGF receptors after treatment with IGF-I or EGF. Long-term incubation of NET cells with NGF mimicked the responses induced by β-NGF gene transfer, albeit in a reversible manner. Short-term NGF treatment augmented the proliferative responses to IGF-I or EGF by enhancing cell survival. It also increased tyrosine phosphorylation of signal transducing proteins after exposure to IGF or EGF, an effect opposite to that of long-term NGF treatments. Hence, long-term NGF exposure in vitro might better reproduce the effects of NGF in vivo than short-term treatments. Only long-term exposure to NGF decreased the responses of NET cells to mitogenic growth factors by down-regulating their receptors and attenuating signal transduction events required for cell proliferation. These results suggest that NGF could exert similar actions on cellular responses to growth factors in vivo. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Reference interaction site model theory of polymeric liquids: Self‐consistent formulation and nonideality effects in dense solutions and melts

The reference interaction site model (RISM) integral‐equation approach to polymeric liquids is generalized to allow a self‐consistent determination of single‐chain and intermolecular pair correlations. Nonlinear medium‐induced effects on intrachain statistics are described at the level of self‐consistent pair interactions. Tractable schemes to implement the self‐consistency aspect are formulated for semiflexible and rotational isomeric state chain models, and applied numerically to concentrated solutions and melts of semiflexible polymers. Theoretical results are in good agreement with off‐lattice molecular dynamics simulations, and a rich dependence of the renormalized persistence length on temperature, aspect ratio, density, and degree of polymerization is found. The general formalism for polymer alloys is sketched and the potentially important role of local density and concentration fluctuations as nonuniversal mechanisms for inducing conformational perturbations is emphasized. A detailed analysis is made of the connections between the polymer RISM integral‐equation theory and the field theoretic psuedopotential formalism, and remarkable similarities in the predictions of the two distinct approaches for solutions of long thread‐like polymers are demonstrated.
Oscillations in the thermal conductivity of a GaAs/AlxGa1-xAs heterostructure in the fractional quantum Hall regime.

We report thermal conductivity (TC) experiments on a high-quality GaAs/Al x Ga 1-x As multiple-quantum-well structure in the tractional quantum Hall regime. We observe magneto-oscillations in TC exhibiting maxima at integral as well as at fractional fillings v=1/3, 2/3, and 4/3. The results reflect the quasiparticle density of states and demonstrate the absence of gapless excitations in the energy spectrum of the fractional liquid states
Theophylline Derivatives. III. 8-(9-Fluorenyl)-Theophylline and Related Compounds

A further investigation of 8-aralkyltheophyllines was undertaken following the observation that maximum depressor activity was found in those compounds in which the 8-atalkyl group was a benzyl group, the related benzhydryl group, or the vinylogous cinnamyl group. A comparison of the vasodepressor effects of 8-benzyl-, 8-benzhydryl-, 8-(2-thenyl)-, 8-(3-thenyl)- and 8-(9-fluorenyl)-theophyllines indicated a pharmacodynamic homogeneity as regards the first four. The 8-(9-fluorenyl)-theophylline produced qualitatively different responses in blood pressure experiments. The 9-fluorenyl- and 9-fluorenylidenemethyl- analogs of 2-benzyl-2-imidazoline (Priscoline) were also prepared for comparison of pharmacodynamic properties.
Beyond memory: a focus on the other neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia.

The number of people living with dementia worldwide is estimated at 44 million, with projections indicating this number will double by 2030 and more than triple by 2050 (1). Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) accompany cognitive decline almost universally, with 98% of patients experiencing NPS at some point in their illness (2). NPS are especially concerning as they are associated with more rapid disease progression, worse patient outcomes, excess morbidity and mortality, greater healthcare utilization, earlier nursing home placement, and increased caregiver burden (3, 4). Treatment of NPS may alter disease course, improve patient outcomes, decrease healthcare costs, and improve patient and caregiver quality of life.
Investigations on the galvanic corrosion of multialloy total hip prostheses

Total hip prostheses combining cobalt and titanium alloys in direct physical contact are currently being used. The purpose of this paper was to investigate the possibility of an accelerated corrosion occurring due to the coupling of these alloys. Electrochemical corrosion studies based on mixed potential and protection potential theories were used to study the in vitro effects of coupling the titanium and cobalt alloys. Verification of these studies was made by direct coupling experiments. Macroscopic examination of' surface features of four retrieved total hip prostheses ranging from 0-6 years implantation were conducted. The electrochemical studies predicted coupled corrosion potentials of -0.22 V and low coupled corrosion rates of 0.02 microA/cm2. Direct coupling experiments verified these results. Cobalt-titanium interfaces on the implants were macroscopically examined, and no instances of extensive corrosion were found. Overall, the in vitro corrosion studies and the examination of retrieved prostheses predicted no exaggerated in vivo corrosion due to the coupling of these cobalt and titanium alloys.
Resolving split resonant modes in microrings

A computational method for spectrally resolving closely spaced resonant modes of a high Q microring resonator is developed based on the modal expansion method. It can be used to obtain split degenerate mode complex eigenfrequencies.
What Can We Say about the Impact of Public Reporting? Inconsistent Execution Yields Variable Results

In this issue, Fung and colleagues research the impact of public reports on quality improvement, assessing the impact on consumer selection, quality improvement efforts, and improved effectiveness....
Bioluminescent Escherichia coli Strains for the Quantitative Detection of Phosphate and Ammonia in Coastal and Suburban Watersheds

Accumulation of phosphate and ammonia in estuarine systems and subsequent dinoflagellate and algal blooms has been implicated in fish kills and in health risks for fishermen. Analytic chemistry kits are used to measure phosphate and ammonia levels in water samples, but their sensitivity is limited due to specificity for inorganic forms of these moieties. An Escherichia coli bioluminescent reporter system measured the bioavailability of inorganic nutrients through fusion of E. coli promoters (phoA or glnAp2) to the luxCDABE operon of Vibrio fischeri carried either on the chromosome or on a multicopy plasmid vector, resulting in emission of light in response to phosphate or ammonia starvation. Responses were shown to be under the control of expected physiological regulators, phoB and glnFG, respectively. Standard curves were used to determine the phosphate and ammonia levels in water samples from diverse watersheds located in the northeastern United States. Bioluminescence produced in response to nutrient s...
Axial force—Displacement behavior of steel double angles

Abstract In recent years, the moment-rotation response of double angle shear connections has been examined in depth. However, the response of these connections to applied axial force has not been studied so extensively. This paper presents two models of the behavior of double angle shear connections subjected to axial load, which are based on the physical behavior of test specimens that were subjected to axial force until failure. The proposed models, which map design characteristics of double angle connections into actual behavior, yielded good correlation with the experimental results.
Impact of bridge rail geometry on floodplain analysis

This paper describes a method for incorporating the hydraulics of various bridge rail geometries on a bridge structure to determine the impacts on the surrounding floodplain during extreme flood events. Typical floodplain analysis either does not include the geometry of the bridge rails or simply increases the thickness of the bridge roadway deck to account for the bridge rails. These methods either underpredict or overpredict, respectively, the impact of the bridge rails and do not account for open space in the rails. The use of a previously developed rail rating curve and submergence model can be incorporated in floodplain mapping software such as HEC-RAS. The rail rating curve model can be used to determine the upstream specific energy as a function of the flow rate passing over the rail. Floodplain analysis software typically models flow over bridge structures using the weir equation. Therefore, the weir coefficient is altered such that the weir equation and rail rating curve model result in the same upstream specific energy. This method results in an iterative approach for incorporating the hydraulics of various bridge railing systems into floodplain analysis software. The method is outlined and a simple single bridge example is provided.
Waxing Like the Moon: Women Folk Healers in Rural Western Ukraine

Once a woman came to see me...she says to me, “I can’t sleep, and I’m so weak.” I asked her, “Did something frighten you?” “No,” she said—she didn’t want to tell me. I began to pour the wax, I said, “Something has frightened you—either a man, or a dead person.” She remained silent. I began to pour the wax a second time, and it splattered all over the house! She says, “I’m feeling better.” I said, “Why didn’t you tell me? You really were frightened by the dead. Now you’ll feel better.” Splattered all over the house. Stepania, 68, village Horykhliady, Ternopil region
Ten species specific microsatellite loci for Lahontan cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi

Ten polymorphic microsatellite loci (containing tri and tetra-nucleotide repeats) were developed for the Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi), a subspecies of cutthroat trout listed as threatened under the United States Endangered Species Act. Polymorphism was assessed for 445 individuals from 12 populations representing eight watersheds spread throughout the three Distinct Population Segments defined for this subspecies. All loci were polymorphic (X = 19, range 7–26 alleles). All loci were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) except for one locus (OCH 9) in a single population (P < 0.00014 after Bonferroni correction for multiple tests).
Dimensional versus categorical personality disorder diagnosis: implications from and for psychological assessment.

This Special Series addresses categorical and dimensional models of assessment and diagnosis in evaluating patients with personality disorders (PDs). Although the categorical-dimensional debate has...
Describing the mechanism of antimicrobial peptide action with the interfacial activity model.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been studied for three decades, and yet a molecular understanding of their mechanism of action is still lacking. Here we summarize current knowledge for both synthetic vesicle experiments and microbe experiments, with a focus on comparisons between the two. Microbial experiments are done at peptide to lipid ratios that are at least 4 orders of magnitude higher than vesicle-based experiments. To close the gap between the two concentration regimes, we propose an “interfacial activity model”, which is based on an experimentally testable molecular image of AMP–membrane interactions. The interfacial activity model may be useful in driving engineering and design of novel AMPs.
Preparation and characterization of colloidal dispersions of polypyrrole using poly(2-vinyl pyridine)-based steric stabilizers

Abstract We describe the preparation of novel colloidal dispersions of polypyrrole in aqueous media via a dispersion polymerization route. Particle aggregation is prevented by a steric stabilization mechanism due to the adsorption of a tailor-made poly(2-vinyl pyridine-co-butyl methacrylate) (P2VP-BM) random copolymer onto the sub-micrometre polypyrrole nuclei. The particle morphology is spherical, as evidenced by transmission electron microscopy, and the average particle diameter could be controlled over the range 130–200 nm by varying the initial P2VP-BM concentration. The adsorbed mass of P2VP-BM per unit mass of polypyrrole was estimated indirectly using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Compressed pellet conductivities of the freeze-dried dispersions were in the range 1–2S cm−1, despite the presence of the outer layer of adsorbed, insulating stabilizer surrounding each polypyrrole particle. Spin-coating experiments yielded films of similar conductivity and indicate that these polypyrrole dispersions represent a significant improvement in processability over bulk polypyrrole powders. Finally, the base-induced aggregation behaviour of these polypyrrole dispersions was studied with respect to particle concentration and solution pH. Differences between the present system and the poly(4-vinyl pyridine-co-butyl methacrylate)-stabilized polypyrrole dispersion previously investigated are qualitatively explained.
The scope and limits of energy policy

The need to develop and follow a consistent long-term energy policy using economic incentives for its implementation is established. The scope of such a formulation is considered. It is maintained that it must encompass not only energy sources of all kinds but also energy uses from the most mundane household functions to the most sophisticated space probes, and the various sources and uses are described. Some of the issues to be addressed are examined. No attempt is made to prescribe a specific policy. >
Effect of nuclear binding and Fermi motion on the ratio RA=σLσT in deep-inelastic electron scattering

Abstract The effect of nuclear binding and Fermi motion on the ratio R A = σ L σ T is estimated using a convolution model appropriate at finite Q2 values and x≳0.2. The difference in RA compared to the free nucleon ratio RN is predicted to be negligible within experimental error bars. The Q2 dependence of the EMC effect is also investigated.
A Bacterial Protein Has Homology with Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)

Abstract Studies from our laboratory have demonstrated the presence of a 48.5 kD cell wall protein in the bacterium, Xanthomonas maltophilia , which immunologically resembles the beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin. Primers were designed from the amino acid sequences of enzymatically cleaved peptide fragments of this protein. These primers were used to obtain PCR amplified products, which were subsequently cloned in a PCR11TA cloning vector, and a 492 base pair nucleotide sequence was obtained with a 164 amino acid open reading frame. When this nucleotide sequence was aligned with exon 2 of genes 5 and 6 of the βhCG gene, a 53% homology was observed. The translated protein sequence had a 35% homology with hCG and a 25% homology with human luteinizing hormone.
Hardening mechanisms in underaged ordered and disordered Cu3Au-Co alloy single crystals

Abstract Precipitation hardening of ordered and disordered Cu 3 Au by coherent f.c.c. Co precipitates was investigated by compression testing of oriented single crystal specimens of stoichiometric Cu 3 Au alloys containing 0.64 and 1.50 at.% Co. Pairs of specimens were aged at 450°C for various aging times, after which one sample of each pair was heat-treated for the purpose of ordering the Cu 3 Au matrix. The samples were then mechanically tested at 77, 183, 300 and 373K. Transmission electron microscope examination of sections cut parallel to the primary slip plane showed that the dislocations in the underaged samples, with which this paper is concerned, are predominantly screw in character. Using this observation, and measurements of the Co particle sizes by a superparamagnetic method, the data were analyzed in terms of several theories of precipitation hardening. The best quantitative agreement is obtained with a modified version of the Gerold and Haberkorn theory of coherency hardening, assuming that the contributions of the matrix, both ordered and disordered, and the precipitates are additive. Several other ways of analyzing the data are presented, and the merits of each are discussed; for example, it is shown that the contribution of modulus hardening could be significant. It is concluded, nevertheless, that coherency hardening is the major strengthening mechanism in the underaged samples, although this conclusion is qualified by the fact that the theories used to analyze the data have recognized shortcomings, which are discussed.
Scalable Detailed Placement Legalization for Complex Sub-14nm Constraints

Technology scaling to 10nm and below introduces complex intra-row and inter-row constraints in standard-cell detailed placement. Examples of such constraints are found in rules for drain-drain abutment, minimum implant region area and width, oxide diffusion (OD) notching and jogging, etc. Typically, these rules are too complex for the normal global-detailed placement flow to fully consider. On the other hand, guardbanding the library cell design so that arbitrary cell placement adjacencies are all "correct by construction" has increasingly high area cost. This motivates the introduction of a final legalization phase for standard-cell placement tools in advanced (particularly 10nm and 7nm) foundry nodes. In this work, we develop a mixed integer-linear programming (MILP)-based placer, called DFPlacer, for final-phase design rule violation (DRV) fixing. DFPlacer finds (near-)DRV-free solutions considering various complex layout constraints including minimum implant width, drain-drain abutment, and oxide diffusion jogs. To overcome the runtime limitation of MILP-based approaches, we implement a distributable optimization strategy based on partitioning of the block layout into windows of cells that can be independently legalized. Using layouts in an abstracted 7nm library, we find that DFPlacer fixes 99% of DRVs on average with minimal impacts on area and timing. We also study an area-DRV tradeoff between two types of standard-cell library strategies, namely, with and without dummy poly gates.
Using Surprise in Human-Computer Interfaces to Enhance Knowledge Communication Effectiveness

A study with 186 subjects is described in which a simulated threat was incorporated into a human-computer interface with the goal of increasing the interface's knowledge communication effectiveness. The subjects were asked to review Web-based learning modules about international commercial terms (Incoterms), and subsequently take a test on what they had learned. Data from 6 learning modules in 2 experimental conditions were contrasted. In the treatment condition a Web-based screen with a snake in attack position was used to surprise the subjects; the snake screen was absent in the control condition. As predicted, the subjects in the treatment condition did significantly better in the test for the modules immediately before and after the snake screen than the subjects in the control condition; approximately 18 and 38 percent better, respectively.
Biology of Draeculacephala mollipes (Homoptera : Cicadellidae).

In the greenhouse, Draeculacephala mollipes (Say) oviposited under the epidermis in the midvein of corn in masses of 2–9 eggs. Eggs in the eyespot stage were 1.24 mm long and 0.31 mm wide. Eggs deposited during June through October required an average of 6.5 days to hatch. Those deposited November through January required 15.7 days to hatch. Nymphal development was completed in an average of 43.4 days. Increases in size of several parts of the body were determined and the average factors were: head width 1.35, head length 1.35, apex of head to the eye 1.43, diameter of the eye 1.32, and body length 1.38. Three distinct generations of D. mollipes occurred about 6–7 weeks apart in Kentucky. The adult population peaks were during June, August, and late September and early October. Orchard grass was the preferred host plant. However, D. mollipes adults were found to overwinter only in bluegrass fields.
Generalized Functional ANOVA Diagnostics for High-Dimensional Functions of Dependent Variables

This article studies the problem of providing diagnostics for high-dimensional functions when the input variables are known to be dependent. In such situations, commonly used diagnostics can place an unduly large emphasis on functional behavior that occurs in regions of very low probability. Instead, a generalized functional ANOVA decomposition provides a natural representation of the function in terms of low-order components.This article details a weighted functional ANOVA that controls for the effect of dependence between input variables. The construction involves high-dimensional functions as nuisance parameters and suggests a novel estimation scheme for it. The methodology is demonstrated in the context of machine learning in which the possibility of poor extrapolation makes it important to restrict attention to regions of high data density.
Cognitive remediation of working memory deficits: durability of training effects in severely impaired and less severely impaired schizophrenia

Objective: To determine whether augmenting work therapy (WT) with neurocognitive enhancement therapy (NET) yields greater improvement in working memory performance than WT alone and whether there is an interaction with severity of impairment. Method: A total of 102 participants with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were categorized as severely or less severely cognitively impaired and randomly assigned to receive NET + WT or WT alone. NET consisted of cognitive training exercises in attention, memory, executive function, and social information processing, and WT was a 6-month work program. Results: Comparison on Digits Backwards from intake to follow-up revealed significantly greater improvement for participants receiving NET + WT, but there was no interaction with severity group. Follow-up 6 months after training showed that training effects endured. Conclusion: NET + WT improved working memory for most participants regardless of impairment severity. Intensity and duration of training may have contributed to duration of effects. Findings support continued exploration of cognitive remediation.
Crystal growth on self-assembled monolayers

This paper illustrates recent work in the field of crystal growth on self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). The ability to functionalize a surface with the desired properties and their highly ordered structure makes self-assembled monolayers attractive templates for nucleation and crystal growth. These properties could be surface chemistry that leads to specific intermolecular interactions with the nucleating plane of crystals thereby controlling their morphology and crystal form, hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity to create patterned bifunctional surfaces or chirality to create chiral surfaces. Our research group has used SAMs to control crystal morphology and for resolution of racemates. We have also used a SAMs based method to study the effect of the supersaturation generation rate on polymorph obtained, the effect of pH on polymorphic outcome, concomitant nucleation and for the creation of nano sized organic crystals.
Mouse Retinal Development: a Dark Horse Model for Systems Biology Research

The developing retina is an excellent model to study cellular fate determination and differentiation in the context of a complex tissue. Over the last decade, many basic principles and key genes that underlie these processes have been experimentally identified. In this review, we construct network models to summarize known gene interactions that underlie determination and fundamentally affect differentiation of each retinal cell type. These networks can act as a scaffold to assemble subsequent discoveries. In addition, these summary networks provide a rational segue to systems biology approaches necessary to understand the many events leading to appropriate cellular determination and differentiation in the developing retina and other complex tissues.
Gun shows across a multistate American gun market: observational evidence of the effects of regulatory policies

other states (median 5.7%, interquartile range (IQR) 3.9-10.0%) than in California (median 1.1%, IQR 0.5- 2.2%), p = 0.0007. Thirty percent of gun vendors both in California and elsewhere were identifiable as licensed firearm retailers. There were few differences in the types or numbers of guns offered for sale; vendors elsewhere were more likely to sell assault weapons (34.9% and 13.3%, respectively; p = 0.001). Straw purchases were more common in the comparison states (rate ratio 6.6 (95% CI 0.9 to 49.1), p = 0.06). Conclusions: California's regulatory policies were associated with a decreased incidence of anonymous, undocumented gun sales and illegal straw purchases at gun shows. No significant adverse effects of these policies were observed.
Effects of Child Characteristics on the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised: Implications for Use of Scores as a Measure of ASD Severity

The Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) is commonly used to inform diagnoses of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Considering the time dedicated to using the ADI-R, it is of interest to expand the ways in which information obtained from this interview is used. The current study examines how algorithm totals reflecting past (ADI-Diagnostic) and current (ADI-Current) behaviors are influenced by child characteristics, such as demographics, behavioral problems and developmental level. Children with less language at the time of the interview had higher ADI-Diagnostic and ADI-Current. ADI-Diagnostic totals were also associated with age; parents of older children reported more severe past behaviors. Recommendations are provided regarding the use of the ADI-R as a measure of ASD severity, taking language and age into account.
An Examination of Student Learning in Introductory Sociology at a Commuter Campus

emphasis on assessment of student learning (Astin 1993; Hu and Kuh 2002; Pascarella and Terenzini 1991; Rau and Durand 2000) and on the use of instructional technologies (Brown 2003; Burge and Imel 2000; Meyer 2002) in higher education. This emphasis has caused sociologists to pay closer attention to learning theories as we seek to increase learning in sociology courses by more effectively engaging students. One of these theories, Astin's (1985) student involvement theory, suggests that students learn by becoming involved. Thus, to promote greater student learning, instructors should focus on what students are actually doing, that is the amount of time and energy students devote to the learning process. Astin (1985) argues techniques as simple as participating in small discussion groups, as opposed to listening passively to lectures, will increase student involvement and, hopefully, their learning. But just how involved is the typical college student in his or her own learning? A report from the National Survey of Student Engagement (2001) suggests that students are not living up to faculty expectations, spending only about half as much time preparing for class as their instructors believe is appropriate. Likewise, 22 percent of all students reported they frequently come to class unprepared. In their study of students' "academic ethic," Rau and Durand (2000) compared their findings from a less selective public university with the results of a previous study at a highly selective public university. They found that while 73 percent of students at the less selective institu-
Shock tube study of dissociation and relaxation in 1,1-difluoroethane and vinyl fluoride

This paper reports measurements of the thermal dissociation of 1,1-difluoroethane in the shock tube. The experiments employ laser-schlieren measurements of rate for the dominant HF elimination using 10% 1,1-difluoroethane in Kr over 1500–2000 K and 43 < P < 424 torr. The vinyl fluoride product of this process then dissociates affecting the late observations. We thus include a laser schlieren study (1717–2332 K, 75 < P < 482 torr in 10 and 4% vinyl fluoride in Kr) of this dissociation. This latter work also includes a set of experiments using shock-tube time-of-flight mass spectrometry (4% vinyl fluoride in neon, 1500–1980 K, 500 < P < 1300 torr). These time-of-flight experiments confirm the theoretical expectation that the only reaction in vinyl fluoride is HF elimination. The dissociation experiments are augmented by laser schlieren measurements of vibrational relaxation (1–20% C2H3F in Kr, 415–1975 K, 5 < P < 50 torr, and 2 and 5% C2H4F2 in Kr, 700–1350 K, 6 < P < 22 torr). These experiments exhibit very rapid relaxation, and incubation delays should be negligible in dissociation. An RRKM model of dissociation in 1,1-difluoroethane based on a G3B3 calculation of barrier and other properties fits the experiments but requires a very large 〈ΔE〉down of 1600 cm−1, similar to that found in a previous examination of 1,1,1-trifluoroethane. Dissociation of vinyl fluoride is complicated by the presence of two parallel HF eliminations, both three-center and four-center. Structure calculations find nearly equal barriers for these, and TST calculations show almost identical k∞. An RRKM fit to the observed falloff again requires an unusually large 〈ΔE〉down and the experiments actually support a slightly reduced barrier. These large energy-transfer parameters now seem routine in these large fluorinated species. It is perhaps a surprising result for which there is as yet no explanation.
The relationship of intrapartum and antepartum stillbirth rates to measures of obstetric care in developed and developing countries

Background. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between intrapartum and antepartum stillbirths and various measures of obstetric care in developing and developed countries. Methods. For 51 countries, we obtained data about intrapartum and antepartum stillbirth rates and obstetric care measures from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other sources. Using piecewise regression techniques, the relationships between the intrapartum and antepartum stillbirth rates and the various measures of obstetric care were determined. Results. Developed countries had lower total stillbirth rates (6.0 versus 21.3/1,000 births, p=0.0002) as well as a lower fraction of stillbirths that were intrapartum (0.16 versus 0.31, p=0.0019). Developed country antepartum stillbirth rates were 5.2 versus 14.0/1,000 in developing countries (p=0.0002). The highest antepartum stillbirth rates, all in southern Africa and Asia, ranged from 25 to 35/1,000 births. Intrapartum stillbirth rates averaged 0.9/1,000 birt...
Waived tests and testing

Eighty-one percent of U.S. laboratories operate under a certificate of waiver or a provider-performed microscopy certificate, which allow them to perform a strictly defined subset of tests essentially without oversight. Waived tests, under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments statute, are required to be “simple” and to have an “insignificant risk of an erroneous result.” The number of analytes and individual test systems available as waived methods is large and increasing. Infectious disease tests available in waived format include Helicobacter pylori antibody, HIV-1 and 2 antibody, Influenza A/B antigen, Lyme antibody screen, Monospot, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antigen, RSV antibody, and Streptococcus group A antigen. Waived tests represent a compromise between access and quality of care. Quality problems in waived testing settings, demonstrated by state and Centers for Medicare and Medical Services (CMS) surveys, suggest that laboratory professionals could improve care by supporting waived testing laboratories, if systems to facilitate such interactions can be developed.
Specificity and extended practice.

Abstract Sixteen male college students practiced pursuit rotor and mirror tracing tasks for 24 days. Each subject had five 20-sec. pursuit rotor trials and three mirror tracing trials per day. Data was recorded as actual time on target for the pursuit rotor and as the product of completion time and errors for the mirror tracing task. Results indicated that intertask correlations computed for each day were generally low and performance improvement was significant for both tasks at the .01 level.
Exact integrals for three-dimensional boundary element potential problems

In the solution of three-dimensional problems by the boundary integral equation method, linear discretization by triangular elements is simple and flexible. Although it is common to use numerical integration for the resolution of the boundary integrals, analytic integration has a considerable advantage. Important is the case of the «nearly singular» integral ― those integrals which do not contain the observation point but for which the observation point is nearby. Since these integrals are not singular, special numerical integration for singular integrals cannot be used, but ordinary (non-singular) quadrature is inaccurate. This paper contains analytical expressions for all the integrals involved in the application of the direct boundary integral equation method for such problems
Propagated repolarization in heart muscle

The effect of current flow on the transmembrane action potential of single fibers of ventricular muscle has been examined. Pulses of repolarizing current applied during the plateau of the action potential displace membrane potential much more than do pulses of depolarizing current. The application of sufficiently strong pulses of repolarizing current initiates sustained repolarization which persists after the end of the pulse. This sustained repolarization appears to propagate throughout the length of the fiber. Demonstration of propagated repolarization is made difficult by appearance of break excitation at the end of the repolarizing pulse. The thresholds for sustained repolarization and break excitation are separated by reducing the concentration of Ca++ in the environment of the fiber. In fibers in such an environment it is easier to demonstrate apparently propagated repolarization and also, by further increase of the strength of the repolarizing current, to demonstrate graded break excitation.
Generalized Network Flow Techniques for Dynamic Voltage Scaling in Hard Real-Time Systems

Energy consumption is an important performance parameter for portable and wireless embedded systems. However, energy consumption must be carefully balanced with real-time responsiveness in hard real-time systems. We present an optimal offline dynamic voltage scaling (DVS) scheme for dynamic power management in such systems. A generalized network flow model for the uniprocessor DVS problem is developed and solved optimally using an efficient network flow algorithm. The proposed method outperforms existing DVS schemes for several popular embedded processors where the number of processor speeds is limited to a few values. The GNF model provides theoretical lower bounds on energy consumption using DVS in hard real-time systems.
The Physiology of Mind–Body Interactions: The Stress Response and the Relaxation Response

There are key differences between mind-body medicine and alternative medicine. A central tenet of mind-body medicine is the recognition that the mind plays a key role in health and that any presumed separation of mind and body is false. Alternative medicine, however, does not focus on the role of thoughts and emotions in health and, therefore, is separate from mind-body medicine. Also, while there has been little scientific research on alternative medicine, the literature on mind-body medicine comprises more than 2000 peer-reviewed studies published in the past 25 years. The groundwork for understanding the physiology of mind-body interactions was established by pioneering studies in the 1930s by Walter Cannon, and in the 1950s by Walter Hess and by Hans Selye that led to an understanding of the fight-or-flight response. Later work by Holmes and Rahe documented measurable relationships between stressful life events and illness. Other research has shown clinical improvement in patients treated with a placebo for a variety of medical problems. The effectiveness of placebo treatment can be interpreted as compelling evidence that expectation and belief can affect physiological response. Recent studies using spectral analysis and topographic electroencephalographic (EEG) mapping of the relaxation response demonstrate that by changing mental activity we can demonstrate measurable changes in central nervous system activity. These, and other, studies demonstrate that mind-body interactions are real and can be measured.
Religion, Race/Ethnicity, and Beliefs about Poverty

Objective. Although an expanding literature on “stratification beliefs” has developed over the past three decades, research has neglected relationships between religion and beliefs about poverty and other inequalities. This study examines the relationship between religious affiliation and “individualistic,”“structuralist,” and “fatalistic” beliefs about the causes of poverty, and compares the beliefs of African Americans, Latinos, and whites. Methods. Survey data collected in 1993 from a sample of southern Californians are used to test whether several religious affiliations (Protestant, Catholic, Jew, “other religion,” and nonaffiliation) shape beliefs about poverty after controlling for race/ethnicity, SES, gender, and age. In addition, the question of whether African Americans, Latinos, and whites differ in the effects of key religious affiliations is examined. Results. Significant religious affiliation effects are found, net of sociodemographic controls. Protestants and Catholics are strongest on individualistic beliefs; Jews and followers of “other” religions are strongest on structuralist beliefs; Catholics and Jews are strongest on fatalistic beliefs. Finally, race/ethnic differences are found for the effects of key religious affiliations. Conclusion. The analyses demonstrate “religious factors” shaping beliefs about poverty, and reinforce the growing body of evidence that affiliations such as Protestant and Catholic have distinctive meanings and effects along race/ethnic lines in the United States.
An integrated algorithm for combined placement and libraryless technology mapping

This paper presents a new solution for combining technology mapping with placement, coupling the two into one phase. The original aspects of our work are the use of libraryless mapping and a state space search mechanism that is used to find the best solution. Several heuristics are presented for speeding up the search. Comparisons with a more conventional approach show that these strategies provide improvements of about 20%, with reasonable CPU times, on benchmark circuits.
Viscoelastic wave simulation in basins by a variable-grid finite-difference method

A variable-grid finite-difference (FD) scheme is introduced for efficiently modeling viscoelastic wave propagation in 3D basins. The basin model includes a near-surface unconsolidated layer that is modeled with a fine grid and a deep part that is modeled by a coarse grid. The FD method changes the grid spacing in all three dimensions at a certain depth to provide a significant reduction in computational cost. It is an improvement on other variable-grid FD methods in that it can accommodate both 2× and 3× grid-spacing changes and a possible instability problem is overcome by a 3D interpolation scheme in the wavenumber domain. As an example, the variable-grid method is used to simulate the 3D viscoelastic response of a Salt Lake basin model. Simulation results show that the 3D basin features and the shallow layer significantly affect the amplitude and duration time of the ground motion. A basin model without a shallow low-velocity layer underestimates the ground-motion duration and cumulative kinetic energy by 50% or more. In this case, the variable-grid method requires 5 times less CPU time (and physical memory) compared to a standard FD method.
Reconfigurable reflectarray element characterization

Two potential designs for reconfigurable reflectarray elements are presented. In the first design, the radiating element consists of a microstrip patch loaded with a slot in the ground plane. The length of the slot can be varied by using switches (ON/OFF) and the reflection phase of the element can be controlled. In the second design, the radiating element consists of a microstrip patch loaded with concentric rings. The patch is connected to the rings using switches. By changing the state of the switches, the size of the patch is varied and the desired reflection phase is achieved.
First-hand sensory experience plays a limited role in children's early understanding of seeing and hearing as sources of knowledge: Evidence from typically hearing and deaf children

One early-developing component of theory of mind is an understanding of the link between sensory perception and knowledge formation. We know little about the extent to which children's first-hand sensory experiences drive the development of this understanding, as most tasks capturing this early understanding target vision, with less attention paid to the other senses. In this study, 64 typically hearing children (Mage = 4.0 years) and 21 orally educated deaf children (Mage = 5.44 years) were asked to identify which of two informants knew the identity of a toy animal when each had differing perceptual access to the animal. In the 'seeing' condition, one informant saw the animal and the other did not; in the 'hearing' condition, one informant heard the animal and the other did not. For both hearing and deaf children, there was no difference between performance on hearing and seeing trials, but deaf children were delayed in both conditions. Further, within both the hearing and deaf groups, older children outperformed younger children on these tasks, indicating that there is a developmental progression. Taken together, the pattern of results suggests that experiences other than first-hand sensory experiences drive children's developing understanding that sensory perception is associated with knowledge.