cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spillover Effects in Experimental Data

We present current methods for estimating treatment effects and spillover effects under "interference", a term which covers a broad class of situations in which a unit's outcome depends not only on treatments received by that unit, but also on treatments received by other units. To the extent that units react to each other, interact, or otherwise transmit effects of treatments, valid inference requires that we account for such interference, which is a departure from the traditional assumption that units' outcomes are affected only by their own treatment assignment. Interference and associated spillovers may be a nuisance or they may be of substantive interest to the researcher. In this chapter, we focus on interference in the context of randomized experiments. We review methods for when interference happens in a general network setting. We then consider the special case where interference is contained within a hierarchical structure. Finally, we discuss the relationship between interference and contagion. We use the interference R package and simulated data to illustrate key points. We consider efficient designs that allow for estimation of the treatment and spillover effects and discuss recent empirical studies that try to capture such effects.
Selecting an optimal antiplatelet agent for secondary stroke prevention

Four seminal randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have investigated aspirin, aspirin plus extended-release dipyridamole, and clopidogrel for the prevention of recurrent vascular events. Despite studying over 32,000 patients with stroke in these trials, the decision on which antiplatelet agent to select for secondary stroke prevention remains controversial. Attempts to translate the results of these RCTs into clinical practice are complicated by each trial's selection of participants and choice of primary outcome. Herein, we argue that by examining RCT results with participant selection limited to patients with ischemic stroke or TIA and by focusing on recurrent stroke as our outcome, we can use the standard epidemiology 2 × 2 table to assist in selecting an antiplatelet agent for secondary stroke prevention.
Withdrawal from Extended, Intermittent Access to A Highly Palatable Diet Impairs Hippocampal Memory Function and Neurogenesis: Effects of Memantine

Background: Compulsive eating can be promoted by intermittent access to palatable food and is often accompanied by cognitive deficits and reduction in hippocampal plasticity. Here, we investigated the effects of intermittent access to palatable food on hippocampal function and neurogenesis. Methods: Male Wistar rats were either fed chow for 7 days/week (Chow/Chow group), or fed chow intermittently for 5 days/week followed by a palatable diet for 2 days/week (Chow/Palatable group). Hippocampal function and neurogenesis were assessed either during withdrawal or following renewed access to palatable food. Furthermore, the ability of the uncompetitive N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist memantine to prevent the diet-induced memory deficits and block the maladaptive feeding was tested. Results: Palatable food withdrawn Chow/Palatable rats showed both a weakened ability for contextual spatial processing and a bias in their preference for a “novel cue” over a “novel place,” compared to controls. They also showed reduced expression of immature neurons in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus as well as a withdrawal-dependent decrease of proliferating cells. Memantine treatment was able both to reverse the memory deficits and to reduce the excessive intake of palatable diet and the withdrawal-induced hypophagia in food cycling rats. Conclusions: In summary, our results provide evidence that withdrawal from highly palatable food produces NMDAR-dependent deficits in hippocampal function and a reduction in hippocampal neurogenesis.
Decision-Aware Conditional GANs for Time Series Data.

We introduce the decision-aware time-series conditional generative adversarial network (DAT-CGAN) as a method for time-series generation. The framework adopts a multi-Wasserstein loss on structured decision-related quantities, capturing the heterogeneity of decision-related data and providing new effectiveness in supporting the decision processes of end users. We improve sample efficiency through an overlapped block-sampling method, and provide a theoretical characterization of the generalization properties of DAT-CGAN. The framework is demonstrated on financial time series for a multi-time-step portfolio choice problem. We demonstrate better generative quality in regard to underlying data and different decision-related quantities than strong, GAN-based baselines.
Benign and borderline phyllodes tumors of the breast: Clinicopathologic analysis of 205 cases with emphasis on the surgical margin status and local recurrence rate.

Background The management of benign and borderline phyllodes tumors of the breast with a positive surgical margin is still controversial. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the impact of surgical margin status on the local recurrence rate of benign and borderline phyllodes tumors. Methods We reviewed 205 phyllodes tumors (191 benign, 14 borderline) that were surgically excised at our hospital between 2005 and 2019. Follow-up information extending to at least 6 months after surgery was retrieved from the clinical, radiology, and pathology records. Results The initial surgical margin was negative in 54 (26%) cases, close (≤ 1 mm) in 29 (14%) cases, and positive in 122 (60%) cases. Approximately half of the cases with a close margin and two-third of the cases with a positive margin underwent re-excision to obtain negative margins. Three (2.3%) local recurrences were observed among 131 cases with follow-up information, all three with benign phyllodes tumor. Of these three patients, one had a positive final margin, and two had negative final margins. There was no significant difference in the rate of local recurrence between PT with a positive surgical margin versus a close and negative margin. Conclusion The study results suggest that close clinical and radiologic follow-up may provide a better course of management rather than re-excision when managing positive margins in benign and borderline phyllodes tumors.
Age-specific prevalence and factors associated with normal blood pressure among US adults.

BACKGROUND The mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) for US adults increases with age. Determining characteristics of US adults ≥65 years with normal blood pressure (BP) may inform approaches to prevent this increase. METHODS We analyzed US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2018 data (n=21,581). BP was measured up to three times and averaged. Normal BP was defined as SBP <120 mmHg and diastolic BP <80 mmHg among participants not taking antihypertensive medication. Those with SBP ≥120 mmHg, diastolic BP ≥80 mmHg, or taking antihypertensive medication were categorized as having elevated BP or hypertension. RESULTS The prevalence of normal BP was 57.8%, 25.3%, 11.2% and 5.0% among US adults who were 18-44, 45-64, 65-74 and ≥75 years, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, in US adults ≥65 years of age, normal BP versus elevated BP/hypertension was more common among those with moderate and no versus heavy alcohol consumption (prevalence ratio [PR] 3.03; 95%CI 1.25-7.36 and 2.53; 95%CI 0.96-6.65, respectively), ≥150 versus <150 minutes of physical activity per week (PR=1.44; 95%CI 1.01-2.05), overweight and normal weight versus obesity (PR=1.88; 95%CI 1.22-2.90 and 2.94; 95%CI 1.89-4.59, respectively) and a high Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension score (PR=1.43; 95%CI 1.00-2.05). US adults ≥65 years with normal BP versus elevated BP/hypertension were less likely to have good or fair/poor versus excellent/very good self-rated health, diabetes, albuminuria, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and heart failure. CONCLUSION Among US adults ≥65 years, normal BP was associated with healthy lifestyle factors and a lower prevalence of adverse health conditions.
Methodological ideas in past experimental inquiry: rigor checks around 1800

This paper discusses two methodological notions, the concepts Gegenprobe (countercheck) and Gegenversuch (counter-trial), which were widely applied, discussed, relied upon, and defended in German-l...
Hispanic and Latinx Police Officers’ Perceptions of the Working Environment:

The percentage of police officers identifying as Hispanic or Latinx is steadily rising nationwide, yet relatively little research has examined this group’s occupational attitudes. Police culture re...
Automatic 3-Dimensional Segmentation of MR Brain Tissue Using Filters by Reconstruction

This paper presents an algorithm for automatic segmentation of brain tissue from three dimensional (3-D) Magnetic Resonance (MR) images. The technique fuses morphological filtering by reconstruction (which analyzes the geometrical information), and histogram based thresholding (for gray level tissue classification). Segmentation is performed by watershed analysis of the 3-D data set. The algorithm effectively discriminates the brain tissue from the rest of the anatomical structures within the MR signal. The robustness of this technique has been successfully tested on numerous patient data sets.
The financial crisis and mark‐to‐market accounting: An analysis of cascading media rhetoric and storytelling

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze media storytelling and rhetoric surrounding the credibility of the longstanding accounting practice of mark‐to‐market valuation.Design/methodology/approach – The cascading storytelling model of progressive framing by the media of mark‐to‐market valuation was applied to story subsets of the three types of classic Aristotelian rhetorical appeals.Findings – The authors found that the media blamed the accounting profession's mark‐to‐market valuation practices as substantive cause of recent corporate problems and declines in market values. In addition, the rhetorical framing of mark‐to‐market accounting practices in the media prompted the Financial Accounting Standards Board to a rush to judgment.Research limitations/implications – The paper is limited to the analysis of the storytelling included. Different results from other sources may provide another result.Practical implications – The failure in the media to address the duality between the logos of accounti...
Incorporating current prices into long-term energy forecasts: A maximum likelihood, adaptive expectations approach

Abstract A maximum likelihood estimation procedure is applied to a simple adaptive expectations model of historically based long-term energy price forecasting to evaluate the appropriate weighting of current prices. Maximum likelihood estimates for five- and ten-year forecasts are produced, along with corresponding one-standard-deviation dispersions, and compared with both the ordinary least squares estimates prepared by Manne and Schrattenholzer (1986b) and the 1985 IEW Poll responses. Disagreement across poll respondents seems to understate the uncertainty reflected in efficient forecasts derived from historical price data. The averages of the poll responses are, in addition, higher than the corresponding likelihood estimates.
Film Research: The Need for a New Breed

Film, or "cinema," like love, is a many-splendored thing. Its proliferating histories and theories, its ubiquity, its synergistic influence involving nearly every academic, creative, scientific, and commercial field, its symbiotic relationship to other media , inc lud ing television, the compute r , and the satellite--all these have resulted in a boom in film study and media production. At least 1,000 colleges and universities offer courses in film and television. In 1976, more than 41,000 different film and television programs were completed in the United States, for the first time in history exceeding in number the publication of print materials between covers (Note 1). In its slow dissolve with electronic imagery, film continues to be a fascinating and incredibly complex phenomenon, intriguing amateur and professional alike the world over. The stimulus of film has produced research in an increasing number and variety of academic fields, the results of which, after more than a half-century, are fragmented, inconclusive, typically optimistic, often contradictory, sometimes undisciplined, seldom applied, and generally unknown to most contemporary students, teachers, and producers of this curiously wrought medium. It is far from certain whether we are even
Angiogenesis is inhibitory for mammalian digit regeneration

The regenerating mouse digit tip is a unique model for investigating blastema formation and epimorphic regeneration in mammals. The blastema is characteristically avascular and we previously reported that blastema expression of a known anti-angiogenic factor gene, Pedf, correlated with a successful regenerative response (Yu, L., Han, M., Yan, M., Lee, E. C., Lee, J. & Muneoka, K. (2010). BMP signaling induces digit regeneration in neonatal mice. Development, 137, 551-559). Here we show that during regeneration Vegfa transcripts are not detected in the blastema but are expressed at the onset of differentiation. Treating the amputation wound with vascular endothelial growth factor enhances angiogenesis but inhibits regeneration. We next tested bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9), another known mediator of angiogenesis, and found that BMP9 is also a potent inhibitor of digit tip regeneration. BMP9 induces Vegfa expression in the digit stump suggesting that regenerative failure is mediated by enhanced angiogenesis. Finally, we show that BMP9 inhibition of regeneration is completely rescued by treatment with pigment epithelium-derived factor. These studies show that precocious angiogenesis is inhibitory for regeneration, and provide compelling evidence that the regulation of angiogenesis is a critical factor in designing therapies aimed at stimulating mammalian regeneration.
Impact of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal/gonadal axes on trajectory of age-related cognitive decline.

Abstract Life expectancies have increased substantially in the last century, dramatically amplifying the proportion of individuals who will reach old age. As individuals age, cognitive ability declines, although the rate of decline differs amongst the forms of memory domains and for different individuals. Memory domains especially impacted by aging are declarative and spatial memories. The hippocampus facilitates the formation of declarative and spatial memories. Notably, the hippocampus is particularly vulnerable to aging. Genetic predisposition and lifetime experiences and exposures contribute to the aging process, brain changes and subsequent cognitive outcomes. In this review, two factors to which an individual is exposed, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis, will be considered regarding the impact of age on hippocampal-dependent function. Spatial memory can be affected by cumulative exposure to chronic stress via glucocorticoids, released from the HPA axis, and from gonadal steroids (estrogens, progesterone and androgens) and gonadotrophins, released from the HPG axis. Additionally, this review will discuss how these hormones impact age-related hippocampal function. We hypothesize that lifetime experiences and exposure to these hormones contribute to the cognitive makeup of the aged individual, and contribute to the heterogeneous aged population that includes individuals with cognitive abilities as astute as their younger counterparts, as well as individuals with severe cognitive decline or neurodegenerative disease.
An Analog Study of First Language Dominance and Interference over Second Language

The purpose of this study was to design a model for “first language” dominance over “second language” performance and the interference of one language over the other. Two sets of equivalence relations showing a common element (i.e., the reference) were established under different contextual conditions. One set (“first language”) was over trained relative to the other (“second language”). Dominance of the “first language,” as demonstrated in relations involving the common element, was determined by examining performances in the absence of contextual stimuli. Interference by one language over the other was modeled by examining the degree to which resurgence of “first language” and “second language” relations would occur in extinction, following a period of exposure to inconsistent test trials. In addition, both selection-based (i.e., copy text) and topography-based (i.e., intraverbal) equivalence were examined in these areas. The results demonstrated that the development of an analog for a bilingual repertoire, the domination of the “first language” over the “second language” and the interference of one language over the other, were established.
Solar power transmission: from space to earth

With the introduction of restructuring in the electric power industry, the price and availability of electricity has become a primary issue for participating entities. This paper emphasizes the possibility of generating electricity in space by using solar cells in geosynchronous satellites and utilizing wireless power transmission. The paper further discusses various techniques for utilizing the space power and emphasizes the possibility of transferring space power to earth in the form of microwaves using antennas called rectenna.
Phosphate Vibrations Probe Local Electric Fields and Hydration in Biomolecules

The role of electric fields in important biological processes such as binding and catalysis has been studied almost exclusively by computational methods. Experimental measurements of the local electric field in macromolecules are possible using suitably calibrated vibrational probes. Here we demonstrate that the vibrational transitions of phosphate groups are highly sensitive to an electric field and show how that sensitivity can be quantified, allowing electric field measurements to be made in phosphate-containing biological systems without chemical modification.
Iron Deficiency and Renal Development in the Newborn Rat

Iron is essential for fetal organ development, but the effect of isolated iron deficiency on nephrogenesis is unknown. Human premature infants are at risk for disrupted nephrogenesis because glomerular development is incomplete until 36-wk gestation. We modeled the effects of iron on postnatal glomerulogenesis in four groups of immature rats from P4 to P12: dam fed controls (DF), dam fed with sham gastrostomy surgery (DF + SS), iron-deficiency anemia (IDA), fed iron-deficient formula through gastrostomy apart from the dam, and IDA plus simultaneous enteral iron rescue (IDA+Fe). Hematocrit, plasma ferritin, and body and kidney tissue iron contents were measured. Tissue was examined. Rats grew similarly, but IDA rats exhibited lower hematocrit, plasma ferritin, and body and kidney iron contents than DF, DF + SS, or IDA + Fe. IDA exhibited 1.7 fewer radial glomerular counts (RGCs), 26% reduced glomerular density, and 29% less planar glomerular surface area than DF, with partial improvement in IDA + Fe. Compared with DF or DF + SS, we observed elevated plasma CRP levels and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in the IDA and IDA + Fe groups. IDA reduced glomerular density, glomerular surface area, and promoted fibrosis. Iron substantially rescued renal growth and development, supporting the critical role of iron in late nephrogenesis.
Coast effect distortion of marine magnetotelluric data: Insights from a pilot study offshore northeastern Japan

Abstract We report on strong coast effect distortions observed for broadband marine magnetotelluric (MT) data collected on the forearc offshore northeastern Japan. Eight days of horizontal electric and magnetic fields recorded at eight seafloor stations and the horizontal magnetic fields from a land remote station were processed with a robust multiple-station algorithm, yielding good MT responses and inter-station transfer functions at periods of 7–10,000 s. Transverse electric (TE) mode responses have cusps in apparent resistivity and negative phases at periods around 1000 s, while the transverse magnetic (TM) mode responses are galvanically depressed below the TE responses. An analysis of inter-station transfer functions confirms that the apparent resistivity cusps are a magnetic field, rather than electric field, phenomenon, consisting of an amplitude minimum and rapid phase change around a characteristic frequency. Poynting vectors for a TE coast effect model study illustrate that the anomalous phases are associated with energy diffusing back up to the seafloor from below, after being turned around from its usual downward propagating trajectory by inductive coupling between the conductive ocean and the resistive seafloor along the continental margin. We show that the characteristic frequency and position of the TE mode apparent resistivity cusps are determined by a relatively simple combination of the electrical resistivity of the seafloor, the depth of the ocean, and the distance from the coastline. By including coastlines and bathymetry in 2D inversion, we recover the seafloor conductivity structure along the forearc, demonstrating that broadband data can constrain the thickness of conductive forearc sediments and the underlying high resistivity associated with the mantle wedge and subducting oceanic lithosphere.
Immunospecific isolation of antibodies by dissociation from virus or particulate antigen adsorbed on charcoal.

Abstract Semliki Forest virus may be adsorbed irreversibly to activated charcoal and subsequently used for the quantitative adsorption and dissociation of virus-specific antibody. The dissociation of antibody is pH dependent and four or more distinct immunoglobulin fractions were separated by controlled dissociation and elution in the range of pH from 7·4 to 11. The method has been extended in preliminary experiments to other specific anti-globulins, particularly those for arboviruses.
Increasing efficiency from censored survival data by using random effects to model longitudinal covariates

When estimating a survival time distribution, the loss of information due to right censoring results in a loss of efficiency in the estimator. In many circumstances, however, repeated measurements ...
Bioterrorism preparedness survey of Hawaii mental health professionals

The purpose of this study is to assess the objective knowledge of mental health professionals in Hawaii related to evidence-based early psychological interventions for victims of mass trauma as well as their perceived response readiness to a bioterrorism associated event. During June and July 2004 an anonymous survey was mailed as many as three times to a random sample of licensed psychologists and social workers residing in Hawaii (n = 273). The response rate for deliverable surveys was 68 percent (176 of 257). Only 10 percent of respondents reported prior bioterrorism preparedness training. Less than 50 percent felt able to identify and manage populations exhibiting the normal range of stress reactions to a bioterrorist event, and only 19 percent felt able
Will the experience of playing a violent role in a video game influence people's judgments of violent crimes?

The present study investigates the impact of the experience of role playing a violent character in a video game on attitudes towards violent crimes and criminals. People who played the violent game were found to be more acceptable of crimes and criminals compared to people who did not play the violent game. More importantly, interaction effects were found such that people were more acceptable of crimes and criminals outside the game if the criminals were matched with the role they played in the game and the criminal actions were similar to the activities they perpetrated during the game. The results indicate that people's virtual experience through role-playing games can influence their attitudes and judgments of similar real-life crimes, especially if the crimes are similar to what they conducted while playing games. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Influence of surgeon's tying technique on knot security.

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of the surgeon's tying techique on knot security using 0 and 2-0 monofilament and multifilament nylon sutures. Using an Instron® Tensile Tester and a portable tensiometer, knot security was achieved with these sutures using four-throw square knots (1=1=1=1). After didactic and psychomotor skill training, medical students were taught to construct the four-throw square knot using either a two-hand tie or an instrument tie. Using the portable tensionmeter, their knot tying techniques were judged to be superior to those used by surgeons. The surgeon's faulty technique can easily be corrected by didactic information and psychomotor skill training. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Interpretation of "An analysis of energy-drink toxicity in the National Poison Data System".

To the Editor:The safety of energy drinks is currently debated in the US. Seifert et al. stated that they performed “analysis of energy drink toxicity in The National Poison Data Systems (NPDS)”.1 ...
The Relationship of Affective Organizational Commitment with Supervisory Trust

Research and anecdotal evidence suggest employee levels of organizational commitment have declined in public and private sectors. The important role of commitment in government recruitment and retention reinforces the need to maintain employee commitment. The literature is conflicted regarding the extent to which trust in supervisors can facilitate commitment. One public and one private organization were studied. Although trust and commitment were not closely related in a direct statistical sense, trust in supervisors has an important role to play in promoting organizational commitment. Employee attitudes toward layoffs and reorganizations were highly predictive of organizational commitment. Credibility, decision participation, empowerment, and feedback were significant predictors of supervisor trust. A trusted supervisor can provide meaningful interpretations of organizational intent and reassurance that the desirable value structure of the organization will be sustained.
Who reports noticing and using calorie information posted on fast food restaurant menus

Abstract Objective: Identify consumer characteristics that predict seeing and using calorie information on fast food menu boards. Methods: Two separate data collection methods were used in Philadelphia during June 2010, several weeks after calorie labeling legislation went into effect: (1) point-of-purchase survey and receipt collection conducted outside fast food restaurants (N = 669) and (2) a random digit dial telephone survey (N = 702). Logistic regressions were used to predict the odds of reporting seeing, and of reporting seeing and being influenced by posted calorie information. Results: Approximately 35.1% of point-of-purchase and 65.7% of telephone survey respondents reported seeing posted calorie information, 11.8% and 41.7%, respectively, reported that the labels influenced their purchasing decisions, and 8.4% and 17% reported they were influenced in a healthful direction. BMI, education, income, gender, consumer preferences, restaurant chain, and frequency of visiting fast food restaurants were associated with heterogeneity in the likelihood of reporting seeing and reporting seeing and using calorie labels. Conclusion: Demographic characteristics and consumer preferences are important determinants in the use of posted calorie information. Future work should consider the types of consumers this information is intended for, and how to effectively reach them.
A syntax-directed approach to inverse compilation

A general syntax-directed strategy is described for translating computer programs written in a machine-level source language into equivalent programs in a higher-level target language. This translation process is referred to as decompilation or inverse compilation. Work on decompilation is potentially applicable in such areas as software portability, source-level debugging and diagnostic systems, and program analysis and validation.
Top-down fabricated hybrid diamond-plasmon nanoparticles

We theoretically describe a hybrid diamond-plasmon particle device containing individual NV centers for QIP and quantum cryptography applications. Fabrication includes using E-beam lithography, ICP RIE and E-beam evaporation to define diamond nanoparticles embedded in gold.
Nonlinear motion of a beam

The investigation reported herein analyzes the vibration of a uniform beam with hinged ends which are restrained. The beam is subjected to a linearly-varying distributed load which has a maximum intensity w 0 at the center and is released from rest when the load is suddenly removed. The motion is found to be inherently nonlinear, even for small vibrations, and there is dynamic mode-coupling. The mode frequencies are functionally related to initial conditions, particularly the amplitudes of all modes.
Online Debates in Oshkosh: Using the Blog to Promote an Engaged Electorate

ABSTRACT In 2004, three organizations in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, embarked on an experiment in using the Internet to encourage public debate and civic engagement. They hoped that by sponsoring a series of online candidate debates using Web logs, or “blogs,” they could develop a new mechanism for political discussion that could provide benefits for voters, for candidates, and for the campaign process. This article describes the planning and execution of the online debates. It discusses a variety of indicators that were used to gauge the impact of the debates, including data gathered from the Internet using server analytic software, the results of an online survey, and interviews with candidates. Both candidates and voters saw benefits to the blog format, and there were indications that the blog format could enrich and improve local political discourse. Suggestions are made for future implementation of online debates.
An experimental study on the effect of failure trigger mechanisms on the energy absorption capability of CFRP tubes under axial compression

Abstract The energy absorption characteristics of graphite/epoxy tubes of circular cross sections, subjected to quasi-static axial compression, were experimentally investigated. Tubes with chamfered-ends, inward-folding or outward-splaying crush-caps, or combined (chamfered-end and crush-cap) failure trigger mechanisms, were investigated to identify the optimal configuration that would result in the lowest initial peak load while providing the highest possible specific energy absorption (SEA). The chamfer failure trigger proved to be the most effective at lowering the initial peak load while yielding a high SEA. The inward-folding crush-caps were more effective than the outward-splaying crush-caps in terms of decreasing the initial peak load and increasing the SEA. These results were significantly affected by the corner radii of the crush-caps: the smaller the radius the higher the initial peak load and the SEA. It was determined that combining a chamfered tube with an inward-folding crush-cap yielded the lowest initial peak load and the highest SEA.
Phase stabilities of ternary rare earth metal disilicides

Chen et al. recently carried out self-assembled growth of epitaxial sub-10 nm erbium disilicide (C32, hP3) nanowires on Si(001). They pointed out that the success of this self-assembly process is due to asymmetric lattice mismatches in the two orthogonal crystallographic directions of the two materials, i.e. [0001]ErSi2/[110]Si,+6.5% and [1120]RESi2/[110]Si,-1.3%. In this paper, we have established experimentally that (Er1-xGdx)Si2 and (Er1-xSmx)Si2 exist with values of x from 0 to 1 and that their lattice parameters follow Vegard’s law. Since the binary GdSi2 and SmSi2 end members in each of these ternary systems have a and c unit cell parameters greater than those of the ErSi2 end member, we have determined that an optimal lattice mismatch can be achieved with the Si substrate at a composition of (Er0.45Gd0.55)Si2 and (Er0.62Sm0.38)Si2. It is reasonable to expect a higher quality of self-assembled nanowire growth on Si by employing these ternary silicides. A review of the atomic sizes of the rare earth metal elements of the lanthanide series indicates that many of the binary disilicides, when exhibiting the C32 structure, should have a tendency to form ternary and higher-order disilicides. These materials would offer many possibilities for the growth of silicide nanowires with interesting electronic, magnetic and optical properties.
Handedness classification: preference versus proficiency.

Relative hand preferences as indicated by questionnaire were compared with asymmetries in manual proficiency at three levels of task difficulty (N equal to 63 adults). Correlations between odd/even trial relative hand proficiency scores were .887 and .879 attesting to their stability. Test-retest (6-wk. interval) reliabilities for relative hand proficiency ranged from .831 to .893. Spearman rbos between the questionnaire responses and relative hand proficiency were .733, .689, and .619. These relatively low relationships, especially at the highest level of task difficulty (r2 = 38%), indicate that hand preference does not reflect relative hand proficiency at moderate to high levels of task difficulty. Language: en
Assessment of rest completion and its relationship to appearance of tetrads in anthers of ‘Nonpareil’ almond

Abstract The temporal association was assessed between pollen meiosis (as indicated by the appearance of tetrads) and rest completion in almond cultivar ‘Nonpareil’ (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb). Rest completion, whether determined by macroscopic bud development or increased potentiality for growth of flower primordia, preceded the appearance of tetrads by 7–14 days under field conditions. In contrast, when detached dormant shoots (collected as early as 16 December) were maintained at 20°C for 7 days, tetrads were evident within 7 days, and the transition of pollen mother cells to tetrads occurred 7–14 days prior to rest completion. We conclude that tetrad formation and rest completion are not necessarily coupled. Tetrad formation may occur before rest completion if mild temperatures occur during winter. The occurrence of mild temperatures over several days during rest would presumably favor the earlier appearance of tetrads, relative to rest completion, than would occur in regions with colder winter temperatures. Relative growth rate of flower primordia may allow earlier and more accurate determination of rest completion than macroscopic bud development assessed conventionally as per cent bud break.
A methodology for accurate performance evaluation in architecture exploration

Presents a system that automatically generates a cycle-accurate and bit-true instruction level simulator (ILS) and a hardware implementation model given a description of a target processor. An ILS can be used to obtain a cycle count for a given program running on the target architecture, while the cycle length, die size, and power consumption can be obtained from the hardware implementation model. These figures allow us to accurately and rapidly evaluate target architectures within an architecture exploration methodology for system-level synthesis. In an architecture exploration scheme, both the ILS and the hardware model must be generated automatically, else a substantial programming and hardware design effort has to be expended in each design iteration. Our system uses the ISDL machine description language to support the automatic generation of the ILS and the hardware synthesis model, as well as other related tools.
Wetting of poly(L-lactic acid) and poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) foams for tissue culture.

Abstract Biodegradable foams of hydrophobic polymers can be efficiently wet by two-step immersion in ethanol and water, which overcomes the hindered entry of water into air-filled pores. Ethanol readily enters into the porous polymer, after which it is diluted and replaced by water. This method was evaluated for porous disks of poly( l -lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly( dl -lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) foams of copolymer ratios 85:15 and 50:50. For PLLA disks of 0.88 porosity and 1730μm thickness, prewetting with ethanol for 1 h increased the percentage of void volume filled with water after 48 h from 23 to 79%. The same enhanced entry of water was also observed for prewet PLGA 85:15 disks of 0.86 porosity and 1300 μm thickness, which exhibited an increase from 59 to 97% void volume occupied by water. Furthermore, the water entry even after 1 h was very close to its plateau value for all prewet polymers tested. In recent studies, this method has been useful in uniformly seeding three-dimensional biodegradable polymer substrates for cell and tissue culture.
Comprehension, positioning, segmentation and purchase probability

Abstract This paper assesses the interactions of comprehension of an ad, positioning and segmentation on purchase probability. The research consisted of a field experiment conducted among 200 women between the ages of 25 and 49; respondents were exposed to print ads that were positioned to portray modern and traditional female roles. The major finding of this research is that the degree to which an ad is comprehended has a real and measurable impact on advertising effectiveness. There is a significant two-way interaction effect between comprehension and positioning and a significant three-way interaction effect among comprehension, positioning and market segment on purchase probability.
Fear of Crime Among Older People: A Reassessment of the Predictive Power of Crime‐Related Factors*

The impact of victimization experiences and crime-related variables on act-specific fear of crime are reinvestigated. Perceived risk and vulnerability to crime were expected to mediate the influence of demographic and crime-related variables on fear. The results of this study suggest that fear of property loss is more explainable by crime-related variables than is fear of violent victimization. Perceptual variables diminish the direct impact of victimization experiences and local crime rate on each type of fear of crime. However, particular demographic and crime-related variables have different effects on fear of property loss and fear of violent crime. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research on the social determinants of fear of crime among the elderly.
Electrical and compositional characterization of gallium grading in Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 solar cells

Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 (CIGS) solar cells were characterized in cross section using electron beam induced current (EBIC) and synchrotron based x-ray fluorescence (XRF) measurements. Samples with varying gallium ratios and growth methods were compared. A correlation was observed between the compositional gallium grading profile from XRF and carrier activity seen in EBIC through the thickness of the CIGS layer. Samples with steep back grading showed carrier activity isolated near the CIGS/CdS interface, whereas a more uniform grading resulted in carrier activity seen throughout the absorber layer. ‘Notch’ grading showed only slight variation in EBIC profile compared to a back graded sample with similar gallium ratios.
Recent El Niño brought downpour of media coverage

Media coverage of the 1997-1998 tropical ocean warming event made the term “El Nino” a household word. So pervasive was coverage of El Nino that it became the fodder of late night talk show monologues and an oft-invoked gremlin responsible for many of society's ailments. As a fisheries biologist studying climate impacts on marine resources, I followed the event very closely and created an El Nino Web site (http://www. iphc.washington.edu/PAGES/IPHC/Staff/ hare/html/1997ENSO/ 1997ENSO.html) in the spring of 1997 when the magnitude of the event was becoming obvious. As part of my daily routine in updating the Web page, I began tracking El Nino media coverage over the Internet. Between June 1997 and July 1998,1 accumulated links to stories about El Nino. I attempted to maintain a constant level of effort so that the number of stories accurately reflected the level of coverage given the event as it progressed. In fisheries lingo, this is known as a Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) index. Because Internet content is often removed after a period of time, a retrospective accumulation of daily stories would not yield as accurate a count as the contemporary CPUE index I maintained.
A quorum-consensus replication method for abstract data types

Replication can enhance the availability of data in distributed systems. This paper introduces a new method for managing replicated data. Unlike many methods that support replication only for uninterpreted files, this method systematically exploits type-specific properties of objects such as sets, queues, or directories to provide more effective replication. Each operation requires the cooperation of a certain number of sites for its successful completion. A quorum for an operation is any such set of sites. Necessary and sufficient constraints on quorum intersections are derived from an analysis of the data type's algebraic structure. A reconfiguration method is proposed that permits quorums to be changed dynamically. By taking advantage of type-specific properties in a general and systematic way, this method can realize a wider range of availability properties and more flexible reconfiguration than comparable replication methods.
What makes a good police officer? Phenomenological reflections from the African‐American community

This paper reports the results of a study using a phenomenological method. The study investigates two questions: (1) what are African‐Americans’ perceptions of the police following contact with a police officer, and (2) what are the qualities that African‐Americans think are important for police officers to possess. Data were gathered through semi‐structured interviews over a three‐month period with 32 African‐American participants. The findings suggest that African‐Americans viewed a positive contact with the police when the officer utilized human relations traits such as cultural sensitivity, empathy, and fairness. The qualities deemed important by African‐Americans for a police officer to possess were congruent with human relations qualities. The implications for police practice and research are discussed.
Strategic behavior in pooled condominium auctions

Real estate auctions were uncommon until recently, but are gaining popularity. In one estimate, Fortune [81 reported that the U.S. real estate sold at auction rose from perhaps $500 million in 1984 to $2 billion in 1987. More recently, the Chicago Tribune [3] has placed 1988 auction sales at over $2.5 bihion. This growth might not be noteworthy were it not accompanied by the cxpandcd USC of an auction procedure known as a pooled auction. When nearly identical properties are being sold, the pooled auction is of special theoretical interest and an attractive variant of the more familiar English auction method. Pooled auctions have been applied to sales of similar condominium units in a single development and to like-sized adjoining tracts of land. The intent of this paper is to examine the characteristics of the pooled auction, to compare it to the ordinary English auction, and to establish why this form is often chosen by real estate sellers and auctioneers. The results will then be applied to a 1987-1988 auction of similar two-bedroom condominium units. Since most real estate auctions involve dissimilar properties, the most common technique is to auction the properties one-by-one using the English or ascending-bid method. In this oral auction method, the bidding for a unit progresses upward, stopping when only one bidder remains active. Since the winning bidder needs only offer a minimal amount above the top bid of the second highest bidder to claim a unit, the sale price is approximately the valuation of the second highest bidder. Once a bidder determines his personal valuation for an item, strategy in an English
The many faces of Tiebout bias in local education demand parameter estimates

Abstract Tiebout sorting can occasion bias in public service demand parameter estimates in at least three distinct ways. This paper identifies each of these types of Tiebout bias and provides estimates of each of their magnitudes. First, the empirical results suggest that the type of Tiebout bias first identified by Goldstein and Pauly is positive and large, but that their proposed method of correcting for that bias substantially overestimates its magnitude. Second, failing to control for unobservable taste variations that are negatively correlated with the difference between an individual household's income and the income of the decisive voter is found to impart a significant negative bias into the income parameter estimate. We find that conventional demographic descriptors do not adequately control for such taste variations, and consequently fail to protect the income parameter estimates from this type of Tiebout bias. Finally, the significant negative relationship between individual household school expenditure demands and deviations of individual household income from the income of the decisive voter suggest that Tiebout sorting is a significant phenomenon.
The production of Ca− through sequential charge exchange with Li vapor

The efficiencies for producing Ca/sup -/ through sequential charge exchange between Ca/sup +/ projectiles and Li vapor have been measured for the first time. The measurements were made over a projectile energy range of 20 to 100 keV under experimental conditions commensurate with tandem accelerator applications. Production efficiencies in terms of negative ion charge state fractions versus projectile energy, Li vapor cell temperature and Li target density were determined for negative ion formation within a detection window ..cap alpha.. of +-11 mrad. Within this range of angular divergence, the efficiency for production is observed to be an increasing function of the projectile energy even at the highest energies used during the measurements (100 keV). The results of these measurements as well as a description of the experimental apparatus and techniques utilized are presented. 19 refs., 5 figs.
Intramolecular 4+3 cycloadditions. A cyclohexenyl cation, its halogenated congener and a quasi-Favorskii rearrangement

Abstract Treatment of alkoxycyclohexenols bearing a tethered diene substituent with a Lewis acid results in intramolecular 4+3 cycloaddition with complete endo selectivity. A cycloadduct bearing a bromo substituent at a bridgehead position undergoes a quasi-Favorskii rearrangement in near quantitative yield upon reaction with lithium aluminum hydride.
Error bounds and variational methods for nonlinear boundary value problems

Complementary variational principles are used to deriveL 2 andL ? error bounds for approximate solutions of nonlinear boundary value problems for ordinary differential equations.
Feeling the stress: perceptions of burnout among general surgery program directors

Abstract Purpose To document the types and levels of stress experienced by general surgery program directors as they fulfill their education and administrative responsibilities. Methods This study consisted of a 3-part survey that incorporated 2 established instruments to help determine the presence of burnout in program directors. A personal projects analysis was used to help identify the tasks most relevant to the role of program director as well as to evaluate their perceptions of these tasks. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was used to measure the degree of burnout among program directors. Demographic data were gathered to develop a picture of the background of the program directors and how they spent their time. Results A total of 71.8% of program directors responded. Of all tasks, teaching received the highest ratings for importance, enjoyment, and control, as well as the lowest ratings for stress. Emotional exhaustion was the most notable aspect of burnout in program directors on the MBI. Program directors scoring high in burnout were younger, had been in their current position fewer years, and had fewer years overall as a program director. Conclusions Burnout is more related to age and experience of program director than to features of the program itself.