cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fast and accurate randomized algorithms for low-rank tensor decompositions

Low-rank Tucker and CP tensor decompositions are powerful tools in data analytics. The widely used alternating least squares (ALS) method, which solves a sequence of over-determined least squares subproblems, is costly for large and sparse tensors. We propose a fast and accurate sketched ALS algorithm for Tucker decomposition, which solves a sequence of sketched rank-constrained linear least squares subproblems. Theoretical sketch size upper bounds are provided to achieve $O(\epsilon)$ relative error for each subproblem with two sketching techniques, TensorSketch and leverage score sampling. Experimental results show that this new ALS algorithm, combined with a new initialization scheme based on randomized range finder, yields up to $22.0\%$ relative decomposition residual improvement compared to the state-of-the-art sketched randomized algorithm for Tucker decomposition of various synthetic and real datasets. This Tucker-ALS algorithm is further used to accelerate CP decomposition, by using randomized Tucker compression followed by CP decomposition of the Tucker core tensor. Experimental results show that this algorithm not only converges faster, but also yields more accurate CP decompositions.
A General Derivative Identity for the Conditional Expectation with Focus on the Exponential Family.

Consider a pair of random vectors $(\mathbf{X},\mathbf{Y}) $ and the conditional expectation operator $\mathbb{E}[\mathbf{X}|\mathbf{Y}=\mathbf{y}]$. This work studies analytic properties of the conditional expectation by characterizing various derivative identities. The paper consists of two parts. In the first part of the paper, a general derivative identity for the conditional expectation is derived. Specifically, for the Markov chain $\mathbf{U} \leftrightarrow \mathbf{X} \leftrightarrow \mathbf{Y}$, a compact expression for the Jacobian matrix of $\mathbb{E}[\mathbf{U}|\mathbf{Y}=\mathbf{y}]$ is derived. In the second part of the paper, the main identity is specialized to the exponential family. Moreover, via various choices of the random vector $\mathbf{U}$, the new identity is used to recover and generalize several known identities and derive some new ones. As a first example, a connection between the Jacobian of $ \mathbb{E}[\mathbf{X}|\mathbf{Y}=\mathbf{y}]$ and the conditional variance is established. As a second example, a recursive expression between higher order conditional expectations is found, which is shown to lead to a generalization of the Tweedy's identity. Finally, as a third example, it is shown that the $k$-th order derivative of the conditional expectation is proportional to the $(k+1)$-th order conditional cumulant.
Sailing up Olympus: casting a critical eye on Educational Technology

The goal of helping our students learn to use technology in education well tasks us to develop ways of seeing beyond the quantifiable elements of the technology we are presenting to the qualities and assumptions that lie within. This broadened perspective will allow us to accompany instruction on how to use technology with a challenge to our students as to why the use of a given technology is appropriate. This dissertation relates in narrative form how various selected technologies have been introduced into education over time, deconstructs the motives and goals of those responsible for introducing those technologies, and discusses the social effects technology has had on education.
Teaching Naked: How Moving Technology Out of Your College Classroom Will Improve Student Learning

Technology is changing higher education, but the greatest value of a physical university will remain its face-to-face (naked) interaction between faculty and students. The most important benefits to using technology occur outside of the classroom. New technology can increase student preparation and engagement between classes and create more time for the in-class dialogue that makes the campus experience worth the extra money it will always cost to deliver. Students already use online content but need better ways to interact with material before every class. By using online quizzes and games, rethinking our assignments and course design, we can create more class time for the activities and interactions that most spark the critical thinking and change of mental models we seek.
Cytophysiology of Thyroid Parafollicular Cells

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the cytophysiology of thyroid parafollicular cells. The thyroid gland of the mammal is a bilobed structure located at the base of the neck on either side of the trachea. The most important function of the thyroid gland is the synthesis, storage, and secretion into the blood of two iodinated amino-acid hormones, L-thyroxine and 3,5,3 ' -triiodo-L-thyronine. Thyroid hormones are required for normal growth and development and for normal metabolic activity. Thyroid hormones act by accelerating general and specific metabolic processes of the body, leading to an increase in oxygen consumption and heat production. The mammalian thyroid gland is also responsible for the elaboration, storage, and secretion of a second type of hormone, calcitonin, which lowers the calcium concentration of blood.
N-β-alanylnorepinephrine: Biosynthesis in insect cuticle and possible role in sclerotization

Abstract N-β- alanylnorepinephrine (NBANE), a metabolite of N-β- alanyldopamine (NBAD) in pupal cuticle of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, was identified by analysis of hydrolytic products, by comparison of HPLC retention times with a synthetic standard and by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. NBANE and NBAD were abundant in the brown cuticle of M. sexta pupae, Periplaneta americana adults, Tribolium castaneum adults and Musca domestica puparia. Side chain modification of NBAD was rapid during the first few hours of sclerotization as evidenced by a dramatic increase in NBANE extracted from M. sexta pupal cuticle with cold 1.2 M HCl. In later stages of sclerotization less NBANE was recovered indicating further metabolism and possible involvement in the formation of crosslinks to cuticular components. Although similar amounts of the two catecholamines were extracted by 80% methanol from pupal cuticle which was just starting to tan, over 15-fold more NBANE than NBAD was recovered with cold dilute HCl. Low pH may be necessary to remove physically entrapped NBANE from the insoluble polymeric matrix of the cuticle, or NBANE released by the acid treatment may be a hydrolytic product from NBAD covalently linked by its β-carbon to cuticular components. NBANE was synthesized from NBAD by an insoluble enzyme in tanning pupal cuticle that also catalyzed to a lesser extent the β-hydroxylation of N- acetyldopamine (NADA). However, NADA was a better precursor than NBAD for compounds that yield 3,4-dihydroxphenylketoethanol after heating in 1 M HCl. Therefore, two pathways were observed in tanning cuticle for side chain metabolism of the N- acylated dopamines, and the type of acyl group influenced the relative amounts of different sclerotizing agents produced.
African-American Youth: Drug Trafficking and the Justice System

OBJECTIVE. To examine the role of the legal system in adolescent drug trafficking. METHODS. Descriptive and analytic review of the literature and relevant legislation. FINDINGS. Utilization of young adolescents by drug "kingpins" in drug trafficking is a new practice that is highly advantageous to the employer for several legal and economic reasons. From the perspective of the drug kingpins, juveniles are particularly useful in drug trafficking because they work for lower wages. Further, even if the youth are arrested, the juvenile justice system enables their rapid return for continued service in the drug trade. From the perspective of the youth, drug trafficking offers one of the few economic opportunities available to them. Further, the numbers suggest a tremendous racial disparity in the juvenile justice system. CONCLUSIONS. The mutual advantages to both employer and employee of using youths in drug trafficking increases the likelihood that this new practice will continue to flourish and with increasingly young children. Effective prevention and treatment interventions will need to be multifaceted, addressing the economic, educational, and social issues that have permitted the rapid emergence of adolescent drug trafficking. Finally, further investigation of the apparent racial disparities is necessary. Language: en
Bird-phrase segmentation and verification: A noise-robust template-based approach

In this paper, we present a birdsong-phrase segmentation and verification algorithm that is robust to limited training data, class variability, and noise. The algorithm comprises a noise-robust, Dynamic-Time-Warping (DTW)-based segmentation and a discriminative classifier for outlier rejection. The algorithm utilizes DTW and prominent (high energy) time-frequency regions of training spectrograms to derive a reliable noise-robust template for each phrase class. The resulting template is then used for segmenting continuous recordings to obtain segment candidates whose spectrogram amplitudes in the prominent regions are used as features to a Support Vector Machine (SVM). The algorithm is evaluated on the Cassin's Vireo recordings; our proposed system yields low Equal Error Rates (EER) and segment boundaries that are close to those obtained from manual annotations and, is better than energy or entropy-based birdsong segmentation algorithms. In the presence of additive noise (−10 to 10 dB SNR), the proposed phrase detection system does not degrade as significantly as the other algorithms do.
APPLICATION OF SINTER-BRAZING

It is well-known that brazing of sintered parts is very difficult because of absorption of molten brazing alloy into the porous body. Our special brazing alloy has overcome this difficulty and made it possible to sinter and to joint two green compacts simultaneously in a sintering furnace. This sinter-brazing process enables us to make such complicated parts as conventional P/M technics can not achieve. In this paper, two examples of automobile application of these sinter-brazed parts are discussed. One is the rotor of compressor for car-airconditioner, and the other is the side-plate of oil-pump for power-steering. The rotor has a hollow groove inside to reduce its weight. The side-plate has a complicated oil-tunnel in it. The sinter-brazing is the most suitable manufacturing method to make such complicated configurations as cavities and passages. Due to the fixed dimensions of green compacts, the accuracy of the assembled parts is better than that of parts assembled after sintering.
How to Praise and Criticize Students Successfully

(1976). How to Praise and Criticize Students Successfully. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas: Vol. 49, No. 5, pp. 214-216.
Capacity, Conflict, and Change: Elder Law and Estate Planning Themes in an Aging World

The 2012-13 Symposium Issue of the Penn State Law Review arose out of collaboration between two sections of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) for the Annual Meeting in January 2013. The leadership of the Section on Trusts and Estates and the Section on Aging and the Law called for dialogue among scholars who teach, research and write in these and related fields, with a special eye to the demographics of population aging. This article introduces the themes heard in the conference and highlights key themes of the formal papers.
A Nonlocal Transcendental Realization of the Sugawara Operators at Arbitrary Level

A recently found new free field realization of the affine Sugawara operators at arbitrary level is reviewed, which involves exponentials of the well-known DDF operators in string theory.
Strong and weak knowledge granules in context

The article examines the joint effects of the strength of a knowledge granule implemented as a fuzzy if-then rule under a parameterized R-implication, and the parameter of the implication. A novel implication operator, the quadratic R-implication, is found to confer some special advantages.
Memory in health and in schizophrenia.

Memory is an important capacity needed for survival in a changing environment, and its principles are shared across species. These principles have been studied since the inception of behavioral science, and more recently neuroscience has helped understand brain systems and mechanisms responsible for enabling aspects of memory. Here we outline the history of work on memory and its neural underpinning, and describe the major dimensions of memory processing that have been evaluated by cognitive neuroscience, focusing on episodic memory. We present evidence in healthy populations for sex differences—females outperforming in verbal and face memory, and age effects—slowed memory processes with age. We then describe deficits associated with schizophrenia. Impairment in schizophrenia is more severe in patients with negative symptoms—especially flat affect—who also show deficits in measures of social cognition. This evidence implicates medial temporal and frontal regions in schizophrenia.
Genetic control of maltase formation in yeast. III. Isolation and characterization of temperature-sensitive mutants affecting maltase induction and maltose utilization.

Temperature-sensitive mutants affecting maltose utilization in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been isolated. Two such mutants although failing to ferment maltose at the restrictive temperature, have normal induced level of maltase. The third mutant (UNT-37) not only failed to ferment maltose but has 5–6 fold less induced level of maltase at the restrictive temperature than the parental strain The genetic control mechanisms of maltase induction and maltose utilization have been discussed.
Isolated costal cartilage fracture: an unusual cause of an anterior chest mass in a toddler

A 17-month-old boy presented with a palpable anterior chest wall mass and was evaluated by chest radiography, sonography, and MRI. No history of trauma was provided initially. Sonography and MRI showed a costal cartilage fracture with overlying hematoma. Identification of a fracture isolated to the costal cartilage is rare and this is a unique case among children. In the appropriate clinical setting, costal cartilage fractures can be confirmed by sonography alone, and follow-up assessment can be based on clinical evaluation without the need for additional cross-sectional imaging.
Rheumatoid arthritis: Pathogenesis and early recognition

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, destructive disease characterized by joint pain and swelling, which progresses in a substantial percentage of patients to invasion of bone and cartilage. If not successfully treated, progressive joint destruction results in loss of function, disability, and increased mortality. The time from onset of symptoms to joint destruction is frequently measured in months rather than years. Unfortunately, the time from disease onset to diagnosis and initiation of effective therapy is often prolonged, allowing development of irreversible joint destruction. In order to apply current knowledge to reduce the disability and death associated with progressive RA, the clinician must understand the pathophysiologic stages of the disease as reflected in symptoms, radiography, and biochemical markers. Prognostic factors relevant to RA severity, including serum markers and genetic traits, must also be known so that appropriate therapeutic strategies can be planned. Although current therapy cannot reliably alter the long-term outcome of RA, new approaches are promising. Patients at high risk or who fail to respond to conservative therapy are candidates for earlier, more aggressive strategies using single or possibly combination antirheumatic therapy.
Interaction between biotypes of the spotted alfalfa aphid and resistance in alfalfa.

The interaction between virulence in Therioaphis maculata (Buckton) and resistance in ‘Hayden’ and ‘Lahontan’ alfalfas was investigated. Evidence of a gene for gene relationship was found between biotypes (C, A, E, F, H) of the spotted alfalfa aphid expressing genes for virulence and in plants selected from Hayden expressing corresponding genes for resistance. This relationship was not evident between these same biotypes and plants selected from Lahontan alfalfa. The relationship in Hayden appears to be oligogenic (specific) since resistance to avirulent biotypes was not conferred in plants to virulent biotypes. The genic system in Lahontan was unusual and may be polygenic or oligogenic (general) since all plants selected for resistance to avirulent biotypes were equally resistant to virulent biotypes and vice versa. Lahontan alfalfa should be fully exploited so that these traits can be incorporated into alfalfa cultivars where polygenic resistance to the spotted alfalfa aphid is desired.
Stem Sensitivity and Ethylene Involvement in Phototropism of Mung Bean

A system is described for the examination of phototropism in the epicotyl of a dicot seedling, mung bean (Phaseolus aureus Roxb.), under conditions approximating nature, including the use of intact, nonetiolated plants exposed to elevated, continuous, white, unilateral light. It is found that in this system perception of the phototropic stimulus by the leaves alone cannot account for the curvature, and that exposure of the stem is also necessary. The phototropic response was found to be strongly altered in nonintact plants. Hypobaric treatment indicates that ethylene may participate in phototropism, possibly by acting as an inhibitor of auxin transport.
Effective field theory of fractional quantized Hall nematics

We present a Landau-Ginzburg theory for a fractional quantized Hall nematic state and the transition to it from an isotropic fractional quantum Hall state. This justifies Lifshitz-Chern-Simons theory - which is shown to be its dual - on a more microscopic basis and enables us to compute a ground state wave function in the symmetry-broken phase. In such a state of matter, the Hall resistance remains quantized while the longitudinal DC resistivity due to thermally-excited quasiparticles is anisotropic. We interpret recent experiments at Landau level filling factor {nu} = 7/3 in terms of our theory.
Writing Recommendation Letters: A Measure of Your Character, Too

The author considers how to approach a request for a personal recommendation from someone whom the author does not wish to advocate. Ultimately, the author proposes that those asked to write recommendations have a right to say “no,” should they feel hesitant to recommend the candidate, and a responsibility to suggest that someone else might be a better choice to write a strong recommendation.
Separation and molecular mass distribution of rice proteins by siz-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography in a dissociating buffer

Abstract Rice bran proteins were isolated using a strongly dissociating buffer containing 0.1 M acetic acid, 3 M urea, and 0.01 M cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (AUC). Proteins were eluted by AUC from a diol-caoted silica gel (30 cm×20 mm I.D.) with exclusion limit of 1.5·10 5 . The size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography procedure was optimized for the preparative separation and quantitative determination of the relative proportions of the major size classes of the polypeptides of rice proteins from several varieties. Resolved peaks contained 8, 17, 11, 13, 14, 7, 13, 8, 5 and 6% of the injected protein and had relative molecular masses of 1.05, 0.84, 0.54, 0.39, 0.29, 0.23, 0.14, 0.07 and 5 , respectively. This reproducible separation procedure, based on size exclusion in the presence of a detergent and a chaotropic agent, allows the determination of the molecular mass distribution of rice proteins and further fractionation and characterization of the well-defined, individual polypeptides.
Learning to do concept-based pragmatics instruction: Teacher development and L2 pedagogical content knowledge:

This article explores the development of pedagogical content knowledge in relation to one teacher’s experience in learning to engage in a Vygotskian approach to teaching second language (L2) pragmatics known as ‘concept-based pragmatics instruction’ (CBPI). The teacher, Mrs. Hanks, was a PhD candidate in second language acquisition at the time of the study, and she was a co-investigator for a larger project that investigated the integration of CBPI into an intact L2 French class that she was teaching. We focus on three aspects of Mrs. Hanks’ development: (1) mediation she received during ‘mentoring meetings’ with a more expert collaborator (her co-investigator), (2) changes in her classroom practices during the study, and (3) metacognitive reflections on her progress at the end of the study. Drawing on Vygotskian theory, we examine Mrs. Hanks’ development in terms of her internalization and transformation of relevant pedagogical content knowledge. In this way, we are contributing to the very small amount of empirical work examining teacher education/development in the context of ‘learning to do’ concept-based instruction (e.g. Williams, Abraham, & Negueruela, 2013), with specific focus on CBPI.
The Challenge of Unity

SummaryIn this article, soteriology is understood as the theological reflection on the movement towards unity and reunion. In this specific sense, the theologies of J.S. Drey und J.A. Mohler, two important representatives of the early Catholic Tubinger School, have a clearly distinctive sote- riological impact. This drive for unity, however, which is common to both Drey and Mohler, does not have the same origin. Whereas Mohler, not withstanding his support for Church reforms in his early days, increasingly chose to favour Romanticism and Restoration, Drey received his inspiration mainly from the specific form Enlightenment took on in Austria and South Germany: the Catholic Aufklarung. The article, taking advantage of recent publications, tries to reveal how the Catholic Aufklarung influenced Drey's theology of salvation. It is shown that the leading reformer of Catholic theological studies, Rautenstrauch, opposed the fruitless speculation in Barockscholasticism and favoured historical and biblical studies...
Pricing, Frills, and Customer Ratings

This paper explores whether and how a firm should adapt its strategy in view of consumer use of prior customer ratings. Specifically, we consider optimal pricing and whether the firm should offer an unexpected frill to early customers to enhance their product experiences. We show that if price history is unobserved by consumers, a forward-looking firm should always modify its strategy from single-period optimal one, but it may be optimal to do so by lowering price, by lowering price and offering frills, or by raising price and offering frills, depending on the market growth rate. Specifically, the last strategy becomes optimal when market growth rate is high enough. The results are similar when the price history is observed by consumers, except that no deviation from single-period profit maximization choices is optimal when market growth is low enough. We also analyze whether the firm should prefer that the price information be stated in or left out of consumer reviews. In addition, in considering the effects of consumer heterogeneity, we conclude that the optimal firm's effort to affect ratings is higher when the idiosyncratic part of consumer uncertainty is larger.
Quiver matrix mechanics for IIB string theory II: generic dual tori, fractional matrix membrane and SL(2,Z) duality

Abstract With the deconstruction technique, the geometric information of a torus can be encoded in a sequence of orbifolds. By studying the matrix theory on these orbifolds as quiver mechanics, we present a formulation that (de)constructs the torus of generic shape on which matrix theory is “compactified”. The continuum limit of the quiver mechanics gives rise to a (1 + 2)-dimensional SYM. A hidden (fourth) dimension, that was introduced before in the matrix theory literature to argue for the electric–magnetic duality, can be easily identified in our formalism. We construct membrane wrapping states rigorously in terms of Dunford calculus in the context of matrix regularization. Unwanted degeneracy in the spectrum of the wrapping states is eliminated by using SL ( 2 , Z ) symmetry and the relations to the FD-string bound states. The dual IIB circle emerges in the continuum limit, constituting a critical evidence for IIB/M duality.
Modeling and analysis of DC-link harmonic instability in LCC HVDC systems

Harmonic instability may occur in high-voltage dc (HVDC) links due to dynamic interactions between HVDC terminals and the impedance of the dc lines or cables. Such instability has been studied for HVDC systems based on line-commutated converters (LCC) by using state-space models. This paper proposes a different approach using the dc terminal impedance of the HVDC converters. The small-signal output impedance model of the LCC rectifier and the input impedance model of the LCC inverter are developed by harmonic linearization while taking into account the converter-level control, ac and dc filtering elements, as well as the impedance of the ac grid at each HVDC terminal. An impedance-based stability criterion is then applied to determine the stability of the dc link under various control designs. The effects of different control functions on the dc link stability are also studied based on the impedance model to provide guidelines for converter-level control design.
Jmjd3 Inhibits Reprogramming by Upregulating Expression of INK4a/Arf and Targeting PHF20 for Ubiquitination

Although somatic cell reprogramming to generate inducible pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is associated with profound epigenetic changes, the roles and mechanisms of epigenetic factors in this process remain poorly understood. Here, we identify Jmjd3 as a potent negative regulator of reprogramming. Jmjd3-deficient MEFs produced significantly more iPSC colonies than did wild-type cells, whereas ectopic expression of Jmjd3 markedly inhibited reprogramming. We show that the inhibitory effects of Jmjd3 are produced through both histone demethylase-dependent and -independent pathways. The latter pathway involves Jmjd3 targeting of PHF20 for ubiquitination and degradation via recruitment of an E3 ligase, Trim26. Importantly, PHF20-deficient MEFs could not be converted to fully reprogrammed iPSCs, even with knockdown of Jmjd3, Ink4a, or p21, indicating that PHF20 is required for reprogramming. Our findings demonstrate, to the best of our knowledge, a previously unrecognized role of Jmjd3 in cellular reprogramming and provide molecular insight into the mechanisms by which the Jmjd3-PHF20 axis controls this process.
The supervisory attachment relationship as a predictor of the professional development of the supervisee

Abstract Attachment theory was used to conceptualize the supervisory relationship. The type of attachment that supervisees reported in their close relationships was used to determine whether or not their feelings toward their supervisor revealed a relationship of attachment. The sample consisted of 90 distinct supervisor–supervisee dyads from diverse professional backgrounds. Supervisees classified as secure, preoccupied, fearful, or dismissive in their close relationships were similarly attached in relationship to their clinical supervisor. Further, supervisees with an insecure attachment to their supervisor demonstrated low levels of professional development when professional development was based on self-report but not when it was based on supervisor report. Results are discussed in light of the role that attachment plays in the training of supervisees.
Sense and sustainability revisited: the limits of total factor productivity measures of sustainable agricultural systems

Many economists have advocated and applied total social factor productivity (TSFP) (i.e., total factor productivity estimated with both market and non-market inputs and externalities, and with all factors valued at social prices) as a single all-embracing measure of agricultural sustainability. This paper reviews the conceptual and practical issues in measuring TSFP and shows that no one measure alone will be theoretically or empirically robust as an indicator of sustainability. TSFP is a conceptually flawed measure since inclusion of non-market inputs and outputs and social price-based valuation, in most cases, violates the theoretical basis underlying those estimates. Trends in TSFP also have limited value in diagnosing the nature of sustainability problems, unless changes in productivity are related to underlying changes in technology, human and physical infrastructure, and indicators of resource quality. More attention needs to be given to defining key indicators of agro-ecosystem health and relating these measures to trends in productivity. This analysis must be sufficiently disaggregated and for a long enough time period to allow for spatial and temporal variability inherent in agricultural production. Secondary data at the district level on both conventional inputs and outputs and resource quality have recently allowed more quantitative estimates of sustainability and its causes. With limited data, yield growth decomposition analysis can often be used to provide valuable insights into sustainability problems. Meanwhile, there is a need to invest in long-term experimental and panel surveys of farmers and their fields for key production systems in order to provide long-term data that will allow full productivity accounting, using more formal statistical procedures. Regardless of the approach selected, the findings of this paper strongly suggest a need for economists, agronomists and soil scientists to collaborate in integrating approaches in order to provide more robust and informative measures of sustainability.
APL programming: A psychological model

This paper seeks to provide insights into the psychological dynamics of programming in APL. These insights should allow the practitioner to better approach the APL programming environment and may stimulate more in-depth, empirical research into these psychological dynamics. The paper approaches APL both as a language and as a system which maps problems into solutions. The paper is analytical versus empirical in nature. The author draws on the plethora of work related to the topic of the paper in the development of a model of programming in APL.
A study on the optimal fabrication method for micro-scale gyroscopes using a hybrid process consisting of electric discharge machining, chemical etching or micro-mechanical milling

Abstract For productive manufacturing of an accurate small-scale wine-glass gyroscope, a hybrid fabrication process consisting of either electric discharge machining, chemical etching, or micro-mechanical milling have been proposed. A comparison of silicon cavity fabrication processes has been conducted in terms of productivity, quality and geometrical accuracy, aiming at the use of the cavity as a mold for creating a thin wall diamond hemisphere, which is the main component of a wine-glass gyroscope. The results have shown that the EDM process, combined with chemical etching, can yield the highest productivity but with limited shape accuracy. The use of mechanical micro-milling, while less productive than EDM and etching, produces a superior quality and geometric accuracy.
A focused image processing procedure using near zone scattered fields obtained in a compact range

The backscattered data are obtained using an array of defocused feeds which simulate a complex illumination of the target. The target is kept stationary, and its backscattered field is received by each array element. The focusing procedure is applied by appropriately compensating the phase of the backscattered field received by each element. These compensated signals are summed coherently to obtain a cross-range/down-range image of the target which indicates the location of the various scattering centers associated with the target. Numerical examples and experimental results are presented to validate this technique. >
Hadamard transform CE-UV detection for biological samples.

A Hadamard transform-capillary electrophoresis-UV (HT-CE-UV) detection technique is described for the analysis of biological samples. Pseudorandom injections of sample and buffer according to a simplex matrix obtained from the corresponding Hadamard matrix is performed with conventional capillaries. Alternating injections are achieved with a novel capillary “T” connector created by drilling conventional capillary dimensions through a 1-cm diameter polycarbonate disc. This connector design coupled with a switching system allows for rapid, electrokinetic injections of solution into alternating sample and buffer capillary arms for UV detection. The standard mixtures of nitric oxide (NO) metabolites, nitrite and nitrate, dissolved in physiological saline solution are injected into the separation capillary according to an 83-element injection sequence to obtain a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) enhancement of ca. 4.5 over a single injection. Nitrite, being the less concentrated metabolite in NO detection and thereby more difficult to detect, was calibrated with the HT-CE-UV method and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.56 μM was obtained. Rat blood plasma was analyzed with this detection system and demonstrated to be comparable with NO metabolite concentrations of previously published results. This HT-CE-UV method is described where a unique reservoir tube design that contains 8-μL standard nitrite sample volumes is placed over the end of the capillary arm to explore low volume limits for biological samples.
Peer victimization in adolescence has different effects on the sexual behavior of male and female college students

We studied levels of peer victimization from an evolutionary perspective by investigating self-reported victimization during adolescence in relation to sexual behavior in college students. One-hundred and twelve (47 female) undergraduates completed self-report measures of victimization during middle and high school, onset of sexual activity, and number of sexual partners. Nearly 85% of victimization during adolescence was perpetrated by members of the same sex. Furthermore, results show that this intrasexual victimization (particularly indirect forms) was negatively correlated with reproductive opportunities in males, but positively correlated in females. Males who were frequently victimized had fewer total sexual partners and partners per year on average, while females who were often victims of aggression reported having more sexual partners and an earlier onset of sexual activity. Regression analysis revealed that demeaning, diminishing and embarrassing was the most significant predictor of the rate of sexual activity in both sexes (although this relationship was inverted between them), while teasing was the best predictor of total sexual partners in females. This evidence is consistent with evolutionary interpretations regarding human aggression and competition, as well as with recent findings suggesting that indirect victimization during adolescence is a form of intrasexual competition associated with reproductive opportunities.
Assessment of indoor allergen exposure.

Of the four modes of treating human allergic disease, avoidance or separation of the allergic patient from the allergen source is most effective and least expensive. The clinical immunology laboratory has established efficient and inexpensive “reservoir” dust sampling and processing procedures to obtain a surface dust specimen that reflects the allergen burden of the environment. Following extraction, allergens are quantified by reproducible, validated immunoenzymetric assays for the quantification of “indicator” aeroallergen levels in home, school, and work environments. In this paper, the strategies and methods for collecting and processing dust samples are discussed, and assays are reviewed for quantifying indoor aeroallergen exposure from dust mites (Der p 1 and 2, Der f 1 and 2), animals (cat: Fel d 1; dog: Can f 1; mouse: Mus m 1; rat: Rat n 1), and insects (cockroach: Bla g 1 and 2). Accurate quantification of the levels of allergen in indoor environments facilitates avoidance therapy by identifying environmental risk factors for asthma and allergy exacerbation and allowing the allergic patient to monitor the effectiveness of environmental remediation actions.
Determinants of impedance rise during catheter ablation of bovine myocardium with radiofrequency energy

Recently, radiofrequency (RF) energy has been used as an alternative energy source to direct-current (DC) electricity for catheter ablation of recurrent tachyarrhythmias. Since delivered energy is inversely related to impedance, factors that cause impedance rise during catheter ablation impede the ability to ablate tissue. To elucidate some of the factors responsible for impedance rise during RF (750 kHz) catheter ablation using a constant voltage RF generator, the effects of the following variables on impedance were studied in an in vitro bovine heart model: power setting (10-70 W), pulse duration (10-60 sec), catheter contact pressure (5-120 gm), repeated applications (2-4), and immersion media (saline vs citrated blood). Baseline impedance in blood was twice that of saline (190 vs 80 ohm) and rises in impedances occurred more rapidly in blood for the same energy settings. Increased power settings (greater than or equal to 30 W) and pulse duration (greater than or equal to 30 sec at 20 W) were associated with impedance rises in blood medium. Typically, impedance rises in blood were associated with blood coagulum on the catheter electrodes. Impedance rises in both saline and blood media were also associated with tissue charring and endocardial surface disruption. Once a rise in impedance occurred at the ablation site, repeated applications to the same site resulted in a more rapid rise in impedance. Catheter contact pressure of 80 gm or more also resulted in rapid impedance rise. These data suggest that factors other than set power and duration may also contribute to impedance rises during RF ablation. These findings may have important clinical implications in performing catheter ablation with RF energy.
Effects of undercharge and internal loss on the rate dependence of battery charge storage efficiency

Abstract Battery charge efficiency across a range of input powers is an important performance parameter in variable charging systems. Here we use equivalent circuit theory to model the inherent trade-off between battery charging power and energy stored and compare our model to the existing Ragone model for discharge power and energy. An additional parameter is included to account for undercharge and underdischarge of the battery due to premature arrival at the battery's voltage limits. At a given power, energy efficiency is predicted to be higher for charging than discharging when only accounting for energy dissipated by internal resistance. We experimentally determine charge and discharge energy–power curves for lithium-ion batteries and find they exhibit a reduction in energy stored or withdrawn as power increases. We isolate the effects of undercharge and underdischarge from energy lost to internal resistance, and find the former outweighs the latter effect. Furthermore, the shallow shape of the voltage curve near the charge voltage cutoff results in a more limited range of charging powers than discharging powers. The model is expected to help inform operational parameters for battery charging for variable power sources.
Fine structure and progesterone concentration in the corpus luteum of the African elephant.

Corpora lutea from one recently post-partum and six pregnant African elephants (Loxodonta africana) were fixed for electron microscopy. Progesterone concentration was determined for five of these corpora lutea utilizing the competitive protein binding technique. Lutein cell size and progesterone concentration increased from one and two months of pregnancy to a maximum at three months (P < 0.01). After eight months of pregnancy, lutein cell size decreased to two-month values and luteal progesterone was similar to the one-month level. Lutein progesterone was very low in a recently post-partum animal and lutein cell size was minimum. Maximum lutein progesterone was 4.1 ng/mg, much lower than that reported for other mammals. Lutein cell fine structure exhibited characteristics typical of lutein cells from other species but with some variation. Unusual features include peripheral distribution of organelles, large stores of lipid and lipofuscin throughout pregnancy, and mitochondria sparsely populated with lamellar cristae. The data indicate that the corpus luteum of the African elephant has significant but limited steroidogenic capabilities.
The temporal and spatial dynamics of city -size distributions in China*

Under the communist regime, the Chinese government has developed policies both to limit the growth of large cities and to promote spatial equity in population distribution. The literature provides only very general and inconclusive results regarding the impact of these policies. This paper aims at evaluating the effectiveness of China's urban policies by investigating the temporal and spatial dynamics of the size distribution of China's cities during the period 1922–82. The research framework — which is based on a function relating population size to rank —is used to test for trends of deconcentration (where smaller cities grow faster than larger cities) and spatial decentralization (with a more even spatial distribution) of population over the study period. More formally, the ‘expansion methodology’ is used to investigate the dynamics of the rank-size function in both temporal and spatial dimensions. The findings show that from 1953 to 1970 there was significant population deconcentration, which appeared to be reversed subsequently. However, policies of spatial decentralization were not found to be successful. Among the reasons suggested for the apparent failure are political upheavals and shifts in policies, the inertia within the urban system, the harsh physical environment in the interior, and current trends in economic policies that focus on the coastal areas. In spite of recent criticisms of studies on city-size distributions (which this paper also discusses), the research framework proposed and utilized here is able to portray the dynamics of a national urban system, and the framework can be used to evaluate national urban policies.
Multilateral transfers, export taxation and asymmetry

Abstract It has been established that under free trade, transfers that are proportional to the trade volumes of recipient nations cannot immiserize them. We investigate this result in the context of a three-country model of export taxation (by recipient nations). Proportional transfers can be immiserizing in the presence of fixed export taxes. Under Nash welfare maximizing export taxes, proportional transfers cannot immiserize the recipients. Consequences of asymmetry in size and in Nash equilibrium tax rates are also explored. The findings are relevant for developing nations who use export taxes and also receive foreign aid.
Leveraging Summative Assessment for Formative Purposes

The problem of motivation has received a great deal of attention, and many successful approaches have been developed. However, in areas such as introductory college mathematics, students often question their own potential for success. At the first sign of trouble, their fears are confirmed and many of them drop out, formally or informally. If a method could be found to improve persistence, motivational techniques would have an opportunity to succeed. In this article, the author describes a simple method to improve persistence using assessments that are normally already in place. Data are presented indicating that the method improves persistence and achievement.
Mucosal melanoma of the head and neck: the impact of local control on survival

The management for mucosal melanoma of the head and neck is controversial in view of the poor prognosis. Thirty-five patients seen from 1955 to 1991 were analyzed retrospectively. Almost all (34/35) presented with localized disease. Primary treatments included radical surgery (15), local resection (11), radiation therapy (6), or systemic treatment (2). While the rate of local recurrence was high (27/34), only 5 patients developed distant disease before local relapse. Furthermore, only 5/21 achieved successful local salvage. Patients with their disease controlled locally had significantly longer survival than those with persistent local disease (P = .0001). The 5-year disease-specific survival was 45%. The authors conclude that mucosal melanoma of the head and neck is not necessarily incurable. When local control is achieved, survival rate is significantly improved. Aggressive local treatments should be initiated at presentation of this disease.
The short- and ultrashort-pedicle deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap in breast reconstruction.

Background:Breast reconstruction using the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is becoming more common and can help reduce donor site morbidity. The authors proposed that dissection of the deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA) and vein (DIEV) to their external iliac source may not be re
Protein and energy requirements: effect of clinical state

Abstract Unlike normal subjects, protein-energy malnourished patients can attain positive N balance at zero or negative energy balances. Nitrogen balance is increased, synergistically, by increasing N or energy intake. By varying N and energy intake, body cell mass (BCM) and fat may be restored in ratios ranging from 0.5:1 to 4:1. The former is appropriate for chronic malnutrition, the latter for acute malnutrition. Carbohydrate intake should range from 0.5–0.9 times energy expenditure; fat intake from 0.1–1.0 times energy expenditure. Postoperative complications can be reduced by pre-operative nutrition (1 week or more) in patients with low serum albumin and/or impaired immunocompetence but not in patients adequate in these respects. Severely injured patients need energy intakes 1.5 times expenditure to minimize BCM losses. They do not respond to N intakes above 14g/day. Recommended intakes of energy (intake/expenditure) and N (g/day) are for: normometabolic, 1.0 and 10; severely injured, 1.5 and 14; elective operation, 1.25 and 14; acute malnutrition, 1.25 and 20–30; and chronic malnutrition, 1.25 and 10.
Isolation and developmental expression of two nuclear receptors, MHR4 and βFTZ-F1, in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta

The cDNAs for two members of the nuclear receptor superfamily were isolated from the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. The deduced amino acid sequence of MHR4 shows 93-95% identity in the DNA-binding domain and the first portion of the hinge (D) region with the germ cell nuclear factor (GCNF)-related factors (GRFs) of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, and the mealworm, Tenebrio molitor, and with a genomic sequence from the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Northern blot hybridization showed that a 7.5 kb MHR4 mRNA appeared in Manduca abdominal epidermis just as the ecdysteroid titer began to decline during the larval molt, disappeared about 12 h later, then transiently reappeared shortly before larval ecdysis. During the pupal and adult molts, a similar pattern of expression was seen (the very end of the adult molt was not studied). At peak times of expression in the epidermis, MHR4 mRNA was also present in fat body and the central nervous system (CNS). The deduced amino acid sequence of Manduca FTZ-F1 is 100% and 96% identical to that of B. mori and Drosophila betaFTZ-F1, respectively, in the DNA-binding domain and the adjacent hinge region including the FTZ-F1 box. Northern blot analysis showed that the >9.5 kb betaFTZ-F1 mRNA appeared in Manduca epidermis during the decline of the ecdysteroid titer in the larval, pupal and adult molts as the first peak of MHR4 mRNA declined, then it disappeared in the larval and pupal molts before the second peak of MHR4 appeared. betaFTZ-F1 mRNA was also found in fat body and the CNS at the time of peak expression in the epidermis during the larval and pupal molts. Both MHR4 and betaFTZ-F1 mRNAs were found in the testis during the onset of spermatogenesis in the prepupal period.