cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Subpulmonary Stenosis Assessed in Midtrimester Fetuses With Tetralogy of Fallot: A Novel Method for Predicting Postnatal Clinical Outcome

This study aimed to determine whether quantification of subpulmonary stenosis (SPS) in tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) in the second-trimester fetus can predict postnatal clinical outcome measured by pulmonary valve size and/or timing or type of intervention. The study retrospectively identified fetuses with TOF from 1998 to 2010 diagnosed at 26 weeks gestation or earlier. The data evaluated included pre- and postnatal pulmonary valve z-scores (PVZ). To quantify fetal SPS, the authors created a novel index, the SPS/DAO ratio, a ratio of the minimum infundibular diameter to the descending aorta diameter (DAO). Multiple linear regression was used to predict postnatal PVZ from prenatally determined parameters, including SPS/DAO. Fetal parameters were analyzed by logistic regression for association with postnatal outcomes, namely, timing of surgery (<1 month), used as a surrogate for severity, and type of surgery [transannular patch (TAP) vs valve sparing surgery]. A total of 23 fetuses met the inclusion criteria. The mean gestational age was 21.8 ± 1.9 weeks (range, 16.6-25.4 weeks). There was excellent correlation between predicted and measured PVZ (r = 0.82; p < 0.0001) using the following derived equation: -3.68 + (0.91 × prenatal PVZ) - (4.44 × SPS/DAO) - 3.19 (prenatal PVZ × SPS/DAO). An SPS/DAO value lower than 0.5 had 100 % sensitivity and 56 % specificity for repair before the age of 1 month, and a value lower than 0.47 had 100 % sensitivity and 75 % specificity for TAP repair. Prenatal PVZ and the SPS/DAO ratio at 26 weeks gestation or earlier can reliably predict postnatal PVZ in fetuses with TOF. Quantification of SPS with the SPS/DAO ratio identifies patients who may require early intervention secondary to disease severity and may predict the type of repair, thereby influencing prenatal counseling.
Diapause dynamics of two diaptomid copepod species in a large lake

Skistodiaptomus oregonensis and Leptodiaptomus minutus produce diapausing eggs in a large lake, Oneida Lake, in New York State. The timing of the switch from production of subitaneous (immediately hatching) eggs to diapausing eggs for both species is in October. This timing is consistent with a pattern, reviewed here, for other populations of diaptomid copepods: populations living in large lakes tend to begin production of diapausing eggs later in the season than those living in small lakes. Populations living in temporary ponds tend to switch still earlier in the season. All populations reviewed here live in the north temperate zone. The sediments of Oneida Lake contain densities of diaptomid diapausing eggs on the order of 105 m−2 per cm below the sediment surface down to 5 cm. Below this sediment depth, egg densities decline. The highest egg densities were found in sediments under the deepest water. Diapausing eggs of L. minutus survive in the sediments at least two years, as shown by the recovery of the population after a year in which no new diapausing eggs were produced, and probably for two or more decades. Long-term dormancy can have the effect of ensuring the continuation of a population through periods of poor recruitment, and can help create conditions for the coexistence of competing species. Other investigators have suggested that S. oregonensis and L. minutus are competitors in other lakes when they co-occur.
Numerical analysis of laminar flow in micro-tubes with a slip boundary

Investigated numerically are the effects of slip and viscous heat dissipation on the friction number of thermally developing laminar water flow in micro-tubes. Also investigated are the effects of the micro-tube diameter, D, aspect ratio, L/D, and Reynolds number on the friction number. The decrease in the dynamic viscosity slightly decreases the friction number below that of the Hagen–Poiseuille, determined from the solution of the Navier–Stokes equations assuming thermally and hydro-dynamically fully developed flow and constant fluid properties. A slip at the wall decreases the friction number with increased L/D and decreased D. Results confirmed that the flow in micro-tubes is never thermally developed, significantly increasing the friction number with increased Reynolds number beyond critical values. Below the critical Reynolds numbers, the effect of the thermally developing flow is negligible and the friction numbers in micro-tubes is almost identical to those of the Hagen–Poiseuille, with and without slip at the wall. The comparison with reported experimental data confirmed the results of the present analysis.
Eddy correlation measurements of size-dependent cloud droplet turbulent fluxes to complex terrain

An eddy correlation technique was used to measure the turbulent flux of cloud droplets to complex, forested terrain near the coast of Washington State during the spring of 1993. Excellent agreement was achieved for cloud liquid water content measured by two instruments. Substantial downward liquid water fluxes of ∼ 1 mm per 24 h were measured at night during “steady and continuous” cloud events, about twice the magnitude of those measured by Beswick et al. in Scotland. Cloud water chemical fluxes were estimated to represent up to 50% of the chemical deposition associated with precipitation at the site. An observed size-dependence in the turbulent liquid water fluxes suggested that both droplet impaction, which leads to downward fluxes, and phase change processes, which can lead to upward fluxes, consistently are important contributors to the eddy correlation results. The diameter below which phase change processes were important to observed fluxes was shown to depend upon σ L / L , the relative standard deviation of the liquid water content (LWC) within a 30-min averaging period. The crossover from upward to downward LW flux occurs at 8 µ m for steady and continuous cloud events but at ∼ 13 µ m for events with a larger degree of LWC variability. This comparison of the two types of cloud events suggested that evaporation was the most likely cause of upward droplet fluxes for the smaller droplets (dia 0.3).DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0889.47.issue3.5.x
Absorption-based sensors☆

Many chemical sensors based on fiber optics and absorption spectroscopy have been reported in applications ranging from biomedical and environmental monitoring to industrial process control. In these diverse applications, the analyte can be probed directly, by measuring its intrinsic absorption, or by incorporating some transduction mechanism such as a reagent chemistry to enhance sensitivity and selectivity. Physical and performance requirements are placed on a device depending on its intended use. In applications such as chemical process monitoring, survivability and the assurance of the long-term quality of the analytical data are paramount. The above needs have resulted in devices that now employ multivariate data analysis, complex sampling interfaces, and reagent renewal mechanisms. The response from such systems can provide information not only about target analyte(s), but can also signal the presence of interferences, and may potentially be used to follow sensor degradation. Examples are given of devices currently being investigated along with a discussion of some of the remaining material, chemical, and optical challenges.
The Role of Church Amnesty Assistance Programs in the Implementation of the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act

On November 6, 1986, President Reagan signed into law the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA). The legislation provides comprehensive changes in the country's immigration policies, primarily addressing the problems of illegal immigration. The act sets forth various employer sanctions associated with the hiring of undocumented immigrants, an amnesty program for the legalization of aliens and provisions for an active role for voluntary agencies in the implementation of the law. Under the law these agencies are defined as Qualified Designated Entities (QDEs). The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) entered into cooperative agreements with several hundred voluntary agencies representing, for example, local and community organizations, farm and labor associations, and churches. The responsibility of the QDEs included providing accurate information and assistance to undocumented immigrants seeking adjustment of their immigration status during Phase I of the implementation of IRCA. Phase I of IRCA allowed for certain undocumented immigrants to apply for temporary resident status and later for permanent resident status. This phase ended in May, 1988. Phase II allows for adjustment of status to lawful permanent residence when an applicant demonstrates an understanding of English and a knowledge of the history and government of the United States. An applicant who has resided in the United States for a period of eighteen months after the granting of temporary resident status may apply for permanent resident status. This essay examines the role of the church-sponsored QDEs in deep east Texas involved in Phase I of the IRCA amnesty program. Specifically, the reasons for the inclusion of voluntary agencies in the amnesty program and their roles are described. In addition, problems encountered by the QDEs are explored and suggestions for their future role in the development and implementation of immigration programs are made. Church-sponsored agencies were selected because of their central importance in providing counseling to immigrants in the deep east Texas area. Apart from immigration attorneys, few other resources exist that can provide detailed information about IRCA.
Three‐dimensional numerical simulation of g‐jitter induced convection and solute transport in magnetic fields

Purpose – The quality of crystals grown in space can be diversely affected by the melt flows induced by g‐jitter associated with a space vehicle. This paper presents a full three‐dimensional (3D) transient finite element analysis of the complex fluid flow and heat and mass transfer phenomena in a simplified Bridgman crystal growth configuration under the influence of g‐jitter perturbations and magnetic fields.Design/methodology/approach – The model development is based on the Galerkin finite element solution of the magnetohydrodynamic governing equations describing the thermal convection and heat and mass transfer in the melt. A physics‐based re‐numbering algorithm is used to make the formidable 3D simulations computationally feasible. Simulations are made using steady microgravity, synthetic and real g‐jitter data taken during a space flight.Findings – Numerical results show that g‐jitter drives a complex, 3D, time dependent thermal convection and that velocity spikes in response to real g‐jitter disturb...
Acousto-optic matrix–matrix multiplier

A new architecture for an optical matrix-matrix multiplier is presented. It is based on the beam-modulation and Its parallel structure makes it very fast. Some physical limitations are discussed.
Rational design and generation of recombinant control reagents for bispecific antibodies through CDR mutagenesis

Developments in the field of bispecific antibodies have progressed rapidly in recent years, particularly in their potential role for the treatment of malignant disease. However, manufacturing stable molecules has proven to be costly and time-consuming, which in turn has hampered certain aspects of preclinical evaluation including the unavailability of appropriate “negative” controls. Bispecific molecules (e.g., bispecific tandem scFv) exhibit two specificities, often against a tumor antigen as well as an immune-activation ligand such as CD3. While for IgG antibodies, isotype-matched controls are well accepted, when considering smaller antibody fragments it is not possible to adequately control for their biological activity through the use of archetypal isotypes, which differ dramatically in affinity, size, structure, and design. Here, we demonstrate a method for the rapid production of negative control tandem scFvs through complementarity determining region (CDR) mutagenesis, using a recently described bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) targeting a tumor-specific mutation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFRvIII) as an example. Four independent control constructs were developed by this method through alteration of residues spanning individual CDR domains. Importantly, while target antigen affinity was completely impaired, CD3 binding affinity was conserved in each molecule. These results have a potential to enhance the sophistication by which bispecific antibodies can be evaluated in the preclinical setting and may have broader applications for an array of alternative antibody-derived therapeutic platforms.
Grammar Groups in the Student-Centered Classroom.

Experience has shown many second-language teachers that, although students learn some grammar at the elementary level, they need an intensive review at the intermediate level and still seem to make numerous grammatical errors in advanced courses. This paper briefly reviews the way grammar has been taught in the last 30 years and explores a successful student-centered method of grammar instruction in second-language classes that can aid retention. By applying research about pair and group work, teachers can increase the quality of grammar instruction. Instructors briefly teach grammar in context. Pairs of students are then asked to compose several examples of the target grammatical structure, making any changes recommended by group partners. A final slate of examples is then presented to the entire class for review. By being responsible for practicing and integrating the grammar, students internalize, even at the elementary level, challenging grammatical points.
Free vibrations of ring-stiffened conical shells

Linear shell theory was used to develop an analysis for predicting the natural frequencies of ring-stiffened simply supported conical shells. An experimental investigation was performed in conjunction with this analysis. In the analysis, the longitudinal, circumferential, and rotatory inertia forces were assumed to be small in comparison with the radial inertia force. The previous assumption simplified the uncoupling of the equilibrium equations. A linear Donnell-type vibration equation was obtained for orthotropic conical shells. By finding an equivalent orthotropic shell, the free vibration characteristics of a ring-stiffened conical shell were determined. Application of the Galerkin method reduced the shell equations to the form of frequency determinant. Digital computer techniques were used to solve the resulting frequency determinant.
Evaluation of Cerebral Energy Demand during Graded Hypercapnia and Validation of Optical Blood Flow Measurements against ASL fMRI

We validate optical cerebral blood flow measurements against functional MRI in a rat model during graded hypercapnia. We test the iso-metabolic assumption and demonstrate an apaprent increase in brain metabolism at higher inhaled CO2levels.
The Filming of Modern Life: European Avant-Garde Film of the 1920s

In this concise, intelligent and provocative volume, an October imprint of MIT Press, Malcolm Turvey raises a bold challenge to commonly accepted wisdom about key European avant-garde films and fil...
Design of a steganographic virtual operating system

A steganographic file system is a secure file system whose very existence on a disk is concealed. Customarily, these systems hide an encrypted volume within unused disk blocks, slack space, or atop conventional encrypted volumes. These file systems are far from undetectable, however: aside from their ciphertext footprint, they require a software or driver installation whose presence can attract attention and then targeted surveillance. We describe a new steganographic operating environment that requires no visible software installation, launching instead from a concealed bootstrap program that can be extracted and invoked with a chain of common Unix commands. Our system conceals its payload within innocuous files that typically contain high-entropy data, producing a footprint that is far less conspicuous than existing methods. The system uses a local web server to provide a file system, user interface and applications through a web architecture.
Ground-based studies of tropisms in hardware developed for the European Modular Cultivation System (EMCS)

Abstract Phototropism and gravitropism play key roles in the oriented growth of roots in flowering plants. In blue or white light, roots exhibit negative phototropism, but red light induces positive phototropism in Arabidopsis roots. The blue-light response is controlled by the phototropins while the red-light response is mediated by the phytochrome family of photoreceptors. In order to better characterize root phototropism, we plan to perform experiments in microgravity so that this tropism can be more effectively studied without the interactions with the gravity response. Our experiments are to be performed on the European Modular Cultivation System (EMCS), which provides an incubator, lighting system, and high resolution video that are on a centrifuge palette. These experiments will be performed at μ g , 1 g (control) and fractional g -levels. In order to ensure success of this mission on the International Space Station, we have been conducting ground-based studies on growth, phototropism, and gravitropism in experimental unique equipment (EUE) that was designed for our experiments with Arabidopsis seedlings. Currently, the EMCS and our EUE are scheduled for launch on space shuttle mission STS-121. This project should provide insight into how the blue- and red-light signaling systems interact with each other and with the gravisensing system.
Propagation of states in dilation analytic potentials and asymptotic completeness

We estimate the space-time behavior of scattering states for two-body Schrodinger operators with smooth, dilation analytic potentials. We use our estimates to give a simple proof of asymptotic completeness for a class of long-range potentials, including the Coulomb potential plus a fairly general short-range perturbation.
Iron-catalyzed photochemical transformation of benzoic acid in atmospheric liquids: Product identification and reaction mechanisms

Abstract This study investigated iron-catalyzed photochemical oxidation of benzoic acid (BA), one of the major photodegradation products of petroleum hydrocarbons, under sunlight or monochromatic light irradiation in a wavelength range of 254–419 nm. The photochemical degradation of BA in the absence of iron (III) occurred at irradiation wavelengths below 300 nm. The photochemical transformation of BA in the presence Fe(III) was observed at both 254, 350, 419 nm and under solar irradiation. The half-life for the photodegradation of BA (100 μM) was 160±20 min in the presence of 20 μM Fe(III) at pH 3.20 on sunny August days at noon time. The degradation rate increased with increasing concentration of Fe(III). The reaction products were separated and identified using capillary electrophoresis (CE), gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and UV-Visible spectrophotometry. The major reaction products were 2-hydroxybenzoic, 3-hydroxybenzoic and 4-hydroxybenzoic acids. Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and Fe(II) species were also formed during the photochemical reactions. The proposed reaction mechanisms include the photoexcitation of Fe(III) hydroxide complexes to form Fe(II) ions and hydroxyl radicals (OH ) that attack ortho, meta and para positions of BA to form corresponding monohydroxybenzoic acids and H 2 O 2 . The monohydroxybenzoic acids formed further react with hydroxyl and surperoxide radicals (HO 2 − /O 2 − ) to yield dihydroxybenzoic acids in atmospheric water droplets.
Highest Entry Hierarchical Clustering

This paper develops and illustrates the most rapid method yet reported for hierarchically clustering the n objects of a matrix which portrays the interrelation of every object to every other object, where n equals any number up to 1000 and even larger. Results compare favorably with those from other excellent methods.
Endoscopic sphincterotomy with or without cholecystectomy for choledocholithiasis in high risk surgical patients: A decision analysis

Abstract Background Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is recommended for patients with choledocholithiasis after ERCP with sphincterotomy (ES) and stone extraction. Aim We designed decision model to address whether ES alone versus ES followed by LC (ES + LC) is the optimal treatment in high-risk patients with choledocholithiasis. Methods Our cohort were patients with obstructive jaundice who have undergone an ES with biliary clearance. Recurrent biliary complications over 2-year period stratified by gallbladder status (in/out) and age-stratified surgical complication rates were obtained from the literature. Failure of therapy was defined as either recurrent symptoms or death attributed to biliary complications. Results For age 70–79 years, ES failed in 15% whereas ES LC failed in 17% of cases. Mortality in the EC LC group was 3.4 times that of the ES alone cohort. For age 80+ years, ES was dominant with an incremental success rate of 8%. Mortality in the ES LC was 7.6 times that of ES. For age <70, ES LC was the dominant strategy with an incremental success rate 5%. Sensitivity analysis in the groups confirmed our conclusions.
Rovibrational spectral fine structure of icosahedral molecules

Abstract Predictions are made for possible spectral patterns in rovibronic fine structure in high-resolution spectra of icosahedrally symmetric molecules. Qualitative and semi-quantitative features are discussed which might help in identifying and assigning a complex spectrum. Interpretation of some features are made in terms of quantum and semi-classical dynamics.
Target Person Distinctiveness and Attractiveness as Moderator Variables in the Confidence-Accuracy Relationship in Eyewitness Identifications

Previous research on the relationship between an eyewitnesses' degree of confidence in an attempted identification and the probable accuracy of that identification has generally analyzed the relationship across subjects who attempted to identify a single target person. In contrast, this study analyzed identifications across 33 live targets to ascertain whether the magnitude of the confidence-accuracy (CA) relationship associated with each target face would be related to two target characteristics: distinctiveness and attractiveness of appearance. The distinctiveness of a target face was found to be significantly related, r(31) = .38, to the magnitude of the CA correlation associated with that face: less distinctive-looking targets yielded lower CA correlations (mean CA r = .25) than did targets average or above-average in distinctiveness, mean r = .42. Target attractiveness was also related to the magnitude of the CA relationship, r = -.30, but to a lesser degree. Additional factors likely affect the CA r...
Molecular Structure of Starch-Type Polysaccharides from Hericium ramosum and Hericium coralloides

Starch isolated from the fungi Hericium ramosum and Hericium coralloides differs from that of higher plants in that it consists only of short-chain amylose molecules (32 to 45 glucose units long).
Visual debugging of visualization software: a case study for particle systems

Visualization systems are complex dynamic software systems. Debugging such systems is difficult using conventional debuggers because the programmer must try to imagine the three-dimensional geometry based on a list of positions and attributes. In addition, the programmer must be able to mentally animate changes in those positions and attributes to grasp dynamic behaviors within the algorithm. In this paper we shall show that representing geometry, attributes, and relationships graphically permits visual pattern recognition skills to be applied to the debugging problem. The particular application is a particle system used for isosurface extraction from volumetric data. Coloring particles based on individual attributes is especially helpful when these colorings are viewed as animations over successive iterations in the program. Although we describe a particular application, the types of tools that we discuss can be applied to a variety of problems.
Effects of Dry Eye Therapies on Environmentally Induced Ocular Surface Disease

Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of artificial tears and corticosteroids on mitigating the acute ocular surface response to low-humidity environments. Design Single-group, crossover clinical trial. Methods Twenty subjects with aqueous deficient dry eye were enrolled. Subjects meeting inclusion criteria at visit 1 were exposed to a baseline 90-minute low-humidity environment at visit 2. They then used artificial tears for 2 weeks prior to low-humidity exposure at visit 3, followed by 0.1% dexamethasone for 2 weeks prior to the final low-humidity exposure at visit 4. Outcome measures included corneal and conjunctival staining, blink rate, and irritation symptoms before and after each low-humidity exposure. Digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to measure HLA-DR RNA transcripts in conjunctival cells taken by impression cytology at each visit. Results There was significantly less corneal and conjunctival epitheliopathy after the low-humidity exposure at visit 4 compared to after the low-humidity exposure at visit 3 ( P = .003). Subjects reported significantly less eye irritation during the low-humidity exposure after using the dexamethasone (visit 4) compared to artificial tears (visit 3) ( P = .01). HLA-DR transcripts significantly decreased after the stress at visit 4 (post dexamethasone) compared to visit 2. Conclusion Our study demonstrates that corticosteroid eye drops mitigate the acute adverse effects of an experimental low-humidity challenge, likely owing to suppression of stress-activated inflammatory pathways. While extended use of corticosteroids is not indicated, other anti-inflammatory therapies with activity against stress-activated pathways may prove as effective.
Cell calcium, vitamin E, and the thiol redox system in cytotoxicity.

Abstract The controversial role of extracellular Ca2+ in toxicity to in vitro hepatocyte system is reviewed. Recent reports demonstrate that extracellular Ca2+-related cytotoxicity is dependent on Ca2+-influenced vitamin E (α-tocopherol) content of isolated hepatocytes. Based on a Ca2+-omission model of in vitro oxidative stress. the role of vitamin E in cytotoxicity is further explored. This model demonstrates the interdependence of the GSH redox system and vitamin E as protective agents during oxidative stress. Following chemical oxidant-induced depletion of intracellular GSH, cell morphology and viability are maintained by the continuous presence of cellular α-tocopheroll above a threshold level of 0.6–1.0 nmol/106 cells. α-Tocopherol threshold-dependent cell viability is directly correlated with the prevention of the loss of cellular protein thiols in the absence of intracellular GSH. Potential mechanisms for this phenomenon explored and include a direct reductive action of α-tocopherol on protein thiyl radicals, and the prevention of oxidation of protein thiols by savenging of lipod peroxyl radicals by α-tocopherol. It is suggested that in light of the threshold phenomena of vitamin E prevention of potentially severe oxidative stress-induced cyctotoxicity, its use as a protective agent against an oxidative challenge in vivo should be reassessed.
Satellite views of Pacific chlorophyll variability: Comparisons to physical variability, local versus nonlocal influences and links to climate indices

Abstract Concurrent satellite-measured chlorophyll (CHL), sea surface temperature (SST), sea level anomaly (SLA) and model-derived wind vectors from the 13+ year SeaWiFS period September 1997–December 2010 quantify time and space patterns of phytoplankton variability and its links to physical forcing in the Pacific Ocean. The CHL fields are a metric of biological variability, SST represents vertical mixing and motion, often an indicator of nutrient availability in the upper ocean, SLA is a proxy for pycnocline depths and surface currents while vector winds represent surface forcing by the atmosphere and vertical motions driven by Ekman pumping. Dominant modes of variability are determined using empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) applied to a nested set of domains for comparison: over the whole basin, over the equatorial corridor, over individual hemispheres at extra-tropical latitudes (>20°) and over eastern boundary current (EBC) upwelling regions. Strong symmetry exists between hemispheres and the EBC regions, both in seasonal and non-seasonal variability. Seasonal variability is strongest at mid latitudes but non-seasonal variability, our primary focus, is strongest along the equatorial corridor. Non-seasonal basin-scale variability is highly correlated with equatorial signals and the strongest signal across all regions in the study period is associated with the 1997–1999 ENSO cycle. Results quantify the magnitude and geographic pattern with which dominant basin-scale signals are expressed in extra-tropical regions and the EBC upwelling areas, stronger in the Humboldt Current than in the California Current. In both EBC regions, wind forcing has weaker connections to non-seasonal CHL variability than SST and SLA, especially at mid and lower latitudes. Satellite-derived dominant physical and biological patterns over the basin and each sub-region are compared to indices that track aspects of climate variability in the Pacific (the MEI, PDO and NPGO). We map and compare the local CHL footprint associated with each index and those of local wind stress curl, showing the dominance in most areas of the MEI and its similarity to the PDO. Principal estimator patterns quantify the linkage between dominant modes of forcing variability (wind, SLA and SST) and CHL response, comparing local interactions within EBC regions with those imposed by equatorial signals and mapping equatorial forcing on extra-tropical CHL variability.
Adult Personality Development: Dynamics and Processes

The focus of this special issue of Research in Human Development is on adult personality and how personality may contribute to and be involved in adult development. Specifically, the contributions in this issue focus on the links between personality structures (e.g., traits) and personality processes (e.g., goal pursuit, self--regulation) and emphasize the contributions that intensive repeated measurement approaches can make to the understanding of personality and development across the adult life span.
Protection Versus Flexibility: The Civil Service Reform Act, Competing Administrative Doctrines, and the Roots of Contemporary Public Management Debate

The year 2003 marks the twentieth-fifth anniversary of the Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA) of 1978, a late chapter in the development of the American administrative state and the most significant reform of the civil service system since its creation through the Pendleton Act of 1883. The Act made a number of enduring contributions to the personnel system of the federal government. Given the recursive nature of public management debate, there is considerable policy importance in trying to understand the original basis of decisions on legislation that have shaped the federal government over the last twenty-five years, and the CSRA has recently been the subject of renewed interest. More important, the CSRA was a rare and relatively important shift in the beliefs and attitudes—the administrative doctrine—that shape the evolution of the administrative state. Significantly, the debate during the CSRA saw the emergence of deep divisions within administrative doctrine, divisions that continue to shape public management policymaking.
Programs for the Prevention of Youth Depression: Evaluation of Efficacy, Effectiveness, and Readiness for Dissemination

The objective of this study was to evaluate the current state of evidence of the effectiveness of depression prevention programs for youth, assess the degree to which current evidence supports broa...
Is There an Economic Basis for Working Class Solidarity in the Current Crises

The economic crises that unfolded in 2008 is leading to a long term world wide stagnation, a permanent recession which will ultimately eat away at profit levels and bring into question the viability of capitalism. The response to this by capital is the developing systematic attack on the organizations and living standards of the working class in the advanced capitalist world, particularly on public sector workers. This opens up the possibility of a revived world wide working class movement provided the deep differences and contradictions discussed in this article undermining international working class solidarity can be overcome.
User-experience planning for corporate success

Good news for the CHI community: Behind the scenes, corporations are re-organizing to achieve user-centered products and services.
How to achieve the best possible outcomes in the management of retroinfundibular craniopharyngiomas

Although considered rare and nearly always benign, craniopharyngiomas have posed several significant obstacles with regard to their surgical and multimodality management. Given that craniopharyngiomas arise from odontogenic rests, they are almost always intimately associated with the pituitary infundibulum, and their anatomic classification is based on relation to this structure. With the modern literature classifying craniopharyngiomas as preinfundibular, infundibular, or retroinfundibular, each has its own set of surgical considerations (3). Many of the surgical outcomes relate to visual, endocrine, and cognitive outcomes. The low incidence of this disease prevents any one single center from accumulating significant surgical experience, and most of the evidence identifying surgical predictors of outcomes is based on small, retrospective cohort studies. From the anatomic standpoint, there are several key factors to consider that ultimately affect clinically relevant outcomes.
Osteopoiesis: The Early Development of Bone Cells

An understanding of the disorders of bone formation clearly requires insights into the complex regulatory events occurring during the evolution of bone precursor cells into osteoblasts. Moreover, a rational approach to therapeutic interventions that might alter the clinical course of bone disorders must take into consideration the exact nature of the developmental control mechanism(s) being affected during the disease process. The process of osteopoiesis involves the proliferation and maturation of primitive precursor cells into functional osteoblasts. The bone cell lineage originates from mesenchymal stem cells that commit to the osteogenic cell lineage becoming osteoprogenitor cells, preosteoblasts, osteoblasts, and osteocytes. In order to understand how different regulatory signals coordinate bone cell development, it is important to study the responses of bone progenitor cells to different microenviromental signals. This requires that lineage markers be identified for the various populations of bone cells and their precursors, that cell separation techniques be established so that cells of the osteogenic lineage can be purified at different stages of differentiation, and that these isolated cells are studied under serum-free, chemically defined conditions. This review focuses on the current understanding of bone progenitor cell development, examining the various types of precursor cells, their responses to cytokines and other extracellular influences, and recent observations on the biochemical and molecular control of lineage-specific gene expression. Although the emphasis is on human cells, the importance of work using rodent cells goes without saying, and is addressed where relevant.
Capillary electrophoresis of S. nuclease mutants

The electrophoretic migration behavior of 12 S. nuclease variants from Staphylococcus aureus with small but well defined structural differences from site directed mutation was investigated in free solution capillary electrophoresis at pH 2.8 to 9.5. The nucleases are basic proteins; the pI and the M(r) of the wild type are 10.3 and 16.811 kd, respectively. With specially selected oligoamino buffers and with an inert, hydrophilic wall coating in 75 microns I.D. quartz capillary tubes, most of the proteins could be separated by CZE without interference by wall adsorption even at pH 9.5 where the selectivity was the highest. At pH 2.8, 4.1 and 7.0, S. nucleases are known to be in the random coil, "swollen" and the tight native state. Assuming that in a given state, i.e., at a certain pH, the molecular radii of the nucleases are the same, their hydrodynamic radii were calculated from their pertinent electrophoretic mobilities. The respective radii of 50.1, 26.8, and 25.0 Angstrum thus obtained agreed very well with the corresponding radii of gyration obtained from X-ray scattering. In fact, from the electrophoretic mobilities at pH 9.5, the existence of a hitherto unknown swollen basic state of the nuclease having a hydrodynamic radius of 30.5 Angstrum was postulated. In addition, a method was described to evaluate the valence of the protein at different pH from their pertinent electrophoretic mobilities. A general advantage of this method is that only the differences between the valences of the mutants and the wild type are needed; and for none of the proteins is required the knowledge of the actual valence. The results of the methods allowed the construction of a pH profile of the protein's valence. For the wild type, this profile was compared to the H+ titration curve and the agreement was excellent. Both methods employed some novel structure-electrophoretic mobility relationships and the predicted protein properties compared remarkably well to the values obtained by exoelectrophoretic methods such as pH titration and X-ray scattering. Surprisingly, certain S. nucleases having the same valence could also be readily separated by CZE in some cases under the same conditions used for the others. Close examination of appropriate X-ray crystallography and/or NMR data indicated subtle differences in the molecular structure of these proteins that could be responsible for slight alteration in their hydrodynamic radii.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Punishment and democracy The role of public deliberation

Leading contemporary branches of punishment theory stemming from the traditional schools of consequentialism and retributivism support a role for public deliberation to secure core values communica...
Rayleigh‐Schrödinger perturbation theory for many‐electron systems with partitioning of configurations by orders of excitation. II. Analysis of the ground‐state wavefunction and energy

Rayleigh-Schrodinger perturbation theory has been rederived by an extension of Lowdin's partitioning method in which excited configurations are partitioned by their orders. The resulting equations show explicityly how first-, second-, and third-order configurations contribute to the first three orders of perturbative corrections to the ground-state wavefunction, and the first seven orders of corrections to the groundstate energy. The corrections to the energy have also been expressed in terms of the coefficients in the wavefunction by an independent derivation; this yields more compact expressions for the energy corrections. The results are summarized in three convenient tables. The relation of the results for the energy to the requirement of size consistency, and the linked cluster theorem of many-body perturbation theory, is discussed.
Quantitative determination of glutamate mediated cortical neuronal injury in cell culture by lactate dehydrogenase efflux assay

Measurement of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity released to the extracellular bathing media has been found to be a simple yet quantitative method for assessing glutamate mediated central neuronal cell injury in cortical cell culture. Extracellular LDH is both chemically and biologically stable; the magnitude of LDH efflux in the cultures correlates in a linear fashion with the number of neurons damaged by glutamate exposure.
Optical design, performance, and tolerancing of next-generation airborne imaging spectrometers

We describe the optical design and performance of the Next-Generation airborne Imaging Spectrometer (NGIS) currently being constructed at Caltech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The new, high-resolution instrument incorporates a number of design advantages including a two-mirror anastigmatic telescope for simplified alignment and high throughput, as well as a concentric, multi-blazed grating for tailored broadband efficiency. A detailed tolerancing and sensitivity approach reveals tight requirements that must be satisfied for spectral calibration and boresight stability. This improved spectral and pointing stability, combined with high uniformity and high signal-to-noise ratio allows us to generate spectrometry measurements capable of answering challenging science questions.
An Evaluation of Flood Frequency Estimates Based on Rainfall/runoff Modeling

: An evaluation of flood frequency estimates simulated from a rainfall/runoff model is based on (1) computation of the equivalent years of record for regional estimating equations based on 50 small stream sites in Oklahoma and (2) computation of the bias for synthetic flood estimates as compared to observed estimates at 97 small stream sites with at least 20 years of record in eight eastern states. Because of the high intercorrelation of synthetic flood estimates between watersheds, little or no regional (spatial) information may be added to the network as a result of the modeling activity. The equivalent years of record for the regional estimating equations based totally on synthetic flood discharges is shown to be considerably less than the length of rainfall record used to simulate the runoff. Furthermore, the flood estimates from the rainfall/runoff model consistently underestimate the flood discharges based on observed record, particularly for the larger floods. Depending on the way bias is computed, the synthetic estimate of the 100-year flood discharge varies from 11 to 29 percent less than the value based on observed record. In addition, the correlation between observed and synthetic flood frequency estimates at the same site is also investigated. The degree of correlation between these estimates appears to vary with recurrence interval. Unless the correlation between these two estimates is known, it is not possible to compute a weighted estimate with minimum variance.
Non-parallel wave instability of mixed convection flow on inclined flat plates

Abstract A non-parallel flow analysis by an order-of-magnitude approach is performed to investigate the linear wave instability of mixed convection flow along an isothermal inclined flat plate. This analysis removes the previous restriction on the weak dependence of the streamwise variation of disturbance quantities. The resulting non-homogeneous, coupled equations for the momentum and temperature disturbances are solved by a superposition technique along with a modified Thomas transformation method. Critical Reynolds numbers are presented for inclination angles in the range of 0° ⩽ γ ⩽ 90° (with γ being measured from the horizontal) covering the bouyancy parameter range of −0.15 ⩽ Grx/Rex2 ⩽ 1 for Prandtl numbers of 0.7 and 7. It is found that the net effect of buoyancy force on the critical Reynolds number is essentially zero at γ = 1.05° when the plate is almost horizontal. For γ > 1.05°, an increase in the value of Grx/Rex2 stabilizes the flow. This behavior is reversed for γ
Recognizing Network-Like Hand-Drawn Sketches: A Convolutional Neural Network Approach

Hand-drawn sketches are powerful cognitive devices for the efficient exploration, visualization and communication of emerging ideas in engineering design. It is desirable that CAD/CAE tools be able to recognize the back-of-the-envelope sketches and extract the intended engineering models. Yet this is a nontrivial task for freehand sketches. Here we present a novel, neural network-based approach designed for the recognition of network-like sketches. Our approach leverages a trainable, detector/recognizer and an autonomous procedure for the generation of training samples. Prior to deployment, a Convolutional Neural Network is trained on a few labeled prototypical sketches and learns the definitions of the visual objects. When deployed, the trained network scans the input sketch at different resolutions with a fixed-size sliding window, detects instances of defined symbols and outputs an engineering model. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in different engineering domains with different types of sketching inputs.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Reconstructing Surfaces and Functions on Surfaces from Unorganized Three-Dimensional Data

Creating a computer model from an existing part is a common problem in reverse engineering. The part might be scanned with a device like the laser range scanner, or points might be measured on its surface with a mechanical probe. Sometimes, not only the spatial location of points, but also some associated physical property can be measured. The problem of automatically reconstructing from this data a topologically consistent and geometrically accurate model of the object and of the sampled scalar field is the subject of this paper.
Esterase-assisted accumulation of 3-carboxy-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-1-pyrrolidinyloxyl into lymphocytes

The intracellular detection of hydroxyl radical (HO˙) through spin trapping/electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy has been one of the great challenges in studying free radicals in biology. While 5-carboxy-5-methyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide, [3], can specifically spin trap HO˙ in homogeneous solutions, the ionic nature of nitrone [3] at physiologic pH prevents its entry into cells. We hypothesized that conversion of carboxyl-bearing spin probes such as nitrone [3] into an esterase-hydrolyzable labile ester would permit intracellular localization and accumulation of the spin probes. To test the feasibility of such an approach, we prepared the model compound, 3-acetoxymethoxycarbonyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-1-pyrrolidinyloxyl [7]. This ester enabled ready accumulation of spin label to mM levels in lymphocytes. We suggest that its retention within these cells was the result of intracellular hydrolysis to 3-carboxy-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-1-pyrrolidinyloxyl [6]. Moreover, our studies show that aminoxyl [6] was stable in the intracellular environment. These model studies suggest a viable strategy for detecting intracellular HO˙ by using the acetoxymethyl ester of 5-carboxy-5-methyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide [3].
Polymeric carriers: role of geometry in drug delivery.

The unique properties of synthetic nanostructures promise a diverse set of applications as carriers for drug delivery, which are advantageous in terms of biocompatibility, pharmacokinetics, targeting and controlled drug release. Historically, more traditional drug delivery systems have focused on spherical carriers. However, there is a growing interest in pursuing non-spherical carriers, such as elongated or filamentous morphologies, now available due to novel formulation strategies. Unique physiochemical properties of these supramolecular structures offer distinct advantages as drug delivery systems. In particular, results of recent studies in cell cultures and lab animals indicate that rational design of carriers of a given geometry (size and shape) offers an unprecedented control of their longevity in circulation and targeting to selected cellular and subcellular locations. This article reviews drug delivery aspects of non-spherical drug delivery systems, including material selection and formulation, d...