cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A passive method for monitoring voice-over-IP call quality with ITU-T objective speech quality measurement methods

Voice signal processing algorithms such as P.861 PSQM (perceptual speech quality measure) and P.862 PESQ (perceptual evaluation of speech quality) have been recommended by the ITU-T for the objective measurement of subjective speech quality. The algorithms have been implemented in commercially available products to measure the end-to-end speech quality of voice-over-IP (VoIP) calls. Such measurements are carried out by transmitting a packetized reference speech signal and then applying PSQM or PESQ to the received signal and the original reference to obtain an objective quality score. The measurements are intrusive since test calls are injected into the network. We develop a novel passive method for measuring and monitoring speech quality in live (i.e. in progress) VoIP calls. In contrast to the intrusive methods, the passive method does not require the transmission of any reference speech signal. Instead, the method operates directly on VoIP packet streams copied from the network and applies the ITU-T objective speech quality processing algorithms to the copied voice signals and specially constructed 'pseudo-packet' stream signals. Thus there is no need for any sending devices. The proposed passive method inherits the accuracy that is already provided by the ITU-T objective methods.
Peptide growth factors protect against ischemia in culture by preventing nitric oxide toxicity

Reduction or elimination of nitric oxide (NO) production in cortical neurons by NO synthase (NOS) inhibitors during glutamate toxicity in vitro or during focal cerebral ischemia in vivo can prevent neuronal cell death. In contrast, growth factors can prevent neuronal degeneration induced by treatment with glutamate or potassium cyanide. We have determined whether NO mediates hippocampal cell death during anoxia in vitro and whether the peptide growth factors basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) can prevent hippocampal neuronal death during anoxia or NO exposure. Both bFGF and EGF increased hippocampal neuronal survival from about 35% in anoxic cultures to about 65% in treated cultures during an 8 hr period of anoxia. Inhibition of NOS by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, a competitive inhibitor of NOS, rescued 65–70% of the neurons that would normally die during an 8 hr anoxic incubation, and this effect was reversed by L- arginine, a precursor for NO. Thus, hippocampal neuronal death following anoxia is, at least in part, mediated by NO. NO, generated by either nitroprusside or 3-morpholino-sydnonimine, was toxic to hippocampal neurons. Pretreatment of cultures with either bFGF (10 ng/ml) or EGF (10 ng/ml) prior to NO exposure increased survival from approximately 40% in untreated cultures to 80% in treated cultures, yet the effect of combining bFGF and EGF was not greater than treatment with either of the growth factors alone. Knowledge that the growth factors bFGF and EGF are neuroprotective against NO toxicity provides insights into the mechanisms of ischemic neuronal death that may direct future therapeutic modalities for cerebrovascular disease and neurodegenerative disorders.
Interference Coordination: Random Clustering and Adaptive Limited Feedback

Interference coordination improves data rates and reduces outages in cellular networks. Accurately evaluating the gains of coordination, however, is contingent upon using a network topology that models realistic cellular deployments. In this paper, we model the base stations locations as a Poisson point process to provide a better analytical assessment of the performance of coordination. Since interference coordination is only feasible within clusters of limited size, we consider a random clustering process where cluster stations are located according to a random point process and groups of base stations associated with the same cluster coordinate. We assume channel knowledge is exchanged among coordinating base stations, and we analyze the performance of interference coordination when channel knowledge at the transmitters is either perfect or acquired through limited feedback. We apply intercell interference nulling (ICIN) to coordinate interference inside the clusters. The feasibility of ICIN depends on the number of antennas at the base stations. Using tools from stochastic geometry, we derive the probability of coverage and the average rate for a typical mobile user. We show that the average cluster size can be optimized as a function of the number of antennas to maximize the gains of ICIN. To minimize the mean loss in rate due to limited feedback, we propose an adaptive feedback allocation strategy at the mobile users. We show that adapting the bit allocation as a function of the signals' strength increases the achievable rate with limited feedback, compared to equal bit partitioning. Finally, we illustrate how this analysis can help solve network design problems such as identifying regions where coordination provides gains based on average cluster size, number of antennas, and number of feedback bits.
Advertising and the Legal Profession

Many state bar associations have sought to make their advertising regulations more stringent, arguably because the image of the legal profession has been suffering in recent years. This article seeks to explain these reform efforts by examining whether bar associations are responding to demands of members as demonstrated by attitudes toward advertising, as well as by their advertising behaviors. It is possible that Bates v. State Bar of Arizona (1977) and subsequent U.S. Supreme Court decisions are not having their intended effects and that advertising by lawyers is misleading and confusing, creating a climate ripe for reform. Alternatively, the decisions might be having their intended effects of driving down prices and allowing young firms/attorneys to compete for clients more effectively-outcomes leaders of the bar might like to thwart. Using survey data of small-firm lawyers gathered in four states before the reform movement received much attention, the evidence suggests that neither of these explanati...
Structure and binding site of acetate on Pd(111) determined using density functional theory and low energy electron diffraction

Abstract Acetate adsorbs on Pd(1 1 1) as a disordered overlayer. We have used a recently developed LEED I–V technique that allows the structure of disordered molecular overlayers to be examined to determine the structure of acetate adsorbed on Pd(1 1 1). Our experimental results are compared with plane-wave density functional theory calculations. The calculated and observed adsorption geometries are in excellent agreement.
A new technique for perfusion of the heart during aortic valvular surgery on a beating heart.

A new technique of perfusion of the heart during aortic valvular and combined aortic valvular and coronary artery surgery on the beating heart is presented. The inflow for perfusion is via a dual system: the coronary sinus is perfused with blood from a calibrated centrifugal pump connected to the oxygenator; the coronary ostia are perfused with blood from the ascending aortic cannula. The advantages of this new technique of perfusion of the heart are discussed. Ultramini Abstract A new technique of perfusion of the heart during aortic valve surgery is presented, utilizing a dual system: one utilizing a pump, the other derived from the aortic cannula.
Damage evolution and energy absorption of E-glass/polypropylene laminates subjected to ballistic impact

High-velocity transverse impact of laminated fiber reinforced composites is of interest in military, marine and structural applications. The overall objective of this work was to investigate the behavior of laminated thermoplastic composites of varying thicknesses under high-velocity impact from an experimental and modeling viewpoint. In order to analyze this problem, a series of ballistic impact tests have been performed on plain weave E-glass/polypropylene (E-glass/PP) composites of different thicknesses using 0.30 and 0.50 caliber right-cylinder shaped projectiles. A gas gun with a sabot stripper mechanism was employed to impact the panels. In order to analyze the perforation mechanisms, ballistic limit and damage evaluation, an explicit three-dimensional finite element code LS-DYNA was used. Material model 162, a progressive failure model based on modified Hashin’s criteria, has been assigned to analyze failure of the laminate. The projectile was modeled using Material model 3 (MAT_PLASTIC_KINEMATIC). The laminates and the projectile were meshed using brick elements with single integration points. The impact velocity ranged from 187 to 332 m s−1. Good agreement between the numerical and experimental results was attained in terms of predicting ballistic limit, delamination and energy absorption of E-glass/PP laminate.
A Mistaken Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes Due to Hemoglobin N-Baltimore

Glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) estimation is the gold standard for assessing long-term glycemic control in diabetic patients. Some hemoglobin variants interfere with HbA1c assay, thus, limiting its utility. Over 150,000 diabetic patients are estimated to have hemoglobin variants in the United States; but this number may be up to 30% in some parts of the world. Although, most of the hemoglobinopathies are clinically silent, some of them cause biochemical aberrations, which could interfere with HbA1c assay. However, hemoglobin N-Baltimore has not been reported to give false HbA1c estimation. We present a woman with mistaken diagnosis of diabetes due to hemoglobin N-Baltimore that produced a spuriously elevated HbA1c level.
Transient Thermal Investigation for a SmartMOS Based Airbag Circuit Driver

A numerical study was conducted to model the transient thermal behavior of an airbag squib driver using commercially available software. The squib driver is part of an airbag deployment IC. The simulations were primarily used to predict the thermal gradient across the die for determining the optimal sensor location for thermal shutdown that would protect the device from destruction. The temperature sensor should be placed such that it gets hot enough for any electrical pulses that heat up the device close to the destruction point. The overall purpose is to provide a thermal detection circuit for disabling current prior to reaching a thermally destructive level. A preliminary wafer level study correlates the simulated and measured values and indicates that the junction temperature is lower for the case with thicker die and adiabatic boundary conditions; an opposite trend is observed for the cases with fixed temperature boundary condition attached to the domain bottom side. The study of the high IC side dissipating 80W for 5 ms indicates that the bottom and top center monitor points reach temperatures of 188.2°C and 130.5°C at the end of the 5 ms timeframe, corresponding to a peak source temperature of 294.6°C. A similar study with 30W uniform dissipation for 20 ms indicates that the peak junction temperature is lower than before (220°C vs. 294°C). The study of the low IC side reveals higher peak temperatures compared to the high side, due to the larger power density for these cases. The peak temperatures are 368.7°C for 50W/5 ms, and 301.8°C for 25W/20 ms. The left monitor point temperature ranges between 210°C–260°C while the right monitor point temperature ranges between 140°C–160°C. The thermal investigation of the package after the thermal shutdown predicted the time needed for the FETs to reach predetermined temperatures for different scenarios. The temperatures of the low side FETs drop by almost 50% within the 30 ms following the 20 ms of constant powering at 50W. When the high-side FETs are powered at 80W for 5 ms then cooled, the temperature rises then decays within 0.1 s.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Phrenic nerve paralysis in the newborn, associated with duchenne-erb's paralysis

Summary 1. The rarity of the cases reported arouses the question whether paralysis of the phrenic nerve is not more common in cases of Erb's palsy than has been supposed. The complete absence of symptoms in one of the cases reported confirms such a suspicion. Attempts to cheek up this phase of the subject have been unsuccessful, a number of new-born infants having been studied fluoroscopically for possible phrenic nerve injury, but no cases being observed. 2. A study of nine cases of phrenic nerve paralysis associated with Erb's paralysis discloses that the great majority of cases are on the right side. 3. The prognosis is favorable as regards restoration of function in the very early days of life, but appears to be less so if treatment is delayed two to three months. Even then the prognosis as to life is not unfavorable, as shown by the cases of Reme and Epstein. 4. Paralysis of the phrenic nerve should be looked for in all cases of Erb's paralysis. 5. The suggestion is made that, in view of Kofferath having been the first to describe the syndrome of Erb's paralysis with phrenic nerve paralysis, the name “Kofferath syndrome” be given to the condition.
Rebuilding New Orleans: A Community Field Learning Experience

This article examines how to set up educational seminars for social work students that expose students, first-hand, to a natural or man-made disaster's physical and human impact on a community. These short, intensive experiential seminars help students appreciate the social work role in addressing extreme cases of trauma and loss that have immediate application to their professional work and studies at home. The study also presents evidence via personal reflections of students and faculty about the value-added benefits of the seminar learning experience in terms of the students' integration of course material, readings, and field placement experiences, and their personal and professional growth and maturation as beginning social workers.
Engineering modular ester fermentative pathways in Escherichia coli.

Abstract Sensation profiles are observed all around us and are made up of many different molecules, such as esters. These profiles can be mimicked in everyday items for their uses in foods, beverages, cosmetics, perfumes, solvents, and biofuels. Here, we developed a systematic ‘natural’ way to derive these products via fermentative biosynthesis. Each ester fermentative pathway was designed as an exchangeable ester production module for generating two precursors− alcohols and acyl-CoAs that were condensed by an alcohol acyltransferase to produce a combinatorial library of unique esters. As a proof-of-principle, we coupled these ester modules with an engineered, modular, Escherichia coli chassis in a plug-and-play fashion to create microbial cell factories for enhanced anaerobic production of a butyrate ester library. We demonstrated tight coupling between the modular chassis and ester modules for enhanced product biosynthesis, an engineered phenotype useful for directed metabolic pathway evolution. Compared to the wildtype, the engineered cell factories yielded up to 48 fold increase in butyrate ester production from glucose.
Managing deviance: Hustling, homophobia, and the bodybuilding subculture

The subculture of bodybuilding is the backdrop of an analysis of some contradictions inherent in American masculinity. One of the most unusual, but telling of these has to do with “hustling”: the widespread selling of sexual favors by bodybuilders to gay men. In this, one also finds the incongruent presence of homophobia. Hence, homosexual behavior is juxtaposed by anti‐homosexual behavior. This study shows that this irony is necessary if the hustler is to maintain his alleged heterosexual identity. Hypermasculinity and strategies of economic survival in the highly competitive southern California bodybuilding scene are also examined in relation to hustling and more generally to American masculinity. Contradictions in bodybuilding are shown to be more problematic than studies of other street hustlers and prison populations where homosexual behavior is juggled with heterosexual identity.
A REVIEW OF GIFTED AND TALENTED EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Abstract Gifted and talented education programs provide children who have been identified as having high ability in some intellectual or creative characteristic with a supplemental curriculum to their traditional coursework. Despite the popularity of these programs, the literature lacks a comprehensive review of gifted education in the United States. This policy brief aims to fill this void by providing national and state-level statistics on participation rates, funding appropriations, and policies on gifted education. Since many of the operational details of these programs are determined by local education agencies, data on a nationally representative sample of schools are then used to provide information on gifted curricula, instructor training and experience, and the selection process for admission. Finally, a review of the research on gifted education is provided. This research highlights that gifted programs vary widely and that further research on this topic can provide valuable information to polic...
Drug binding to gastric mucus glycoproteins

Absorption of drugs across any mucosal tissue may involve interactions with the mucus gel overlying the tissue. Drug binding to the mucus glycoproteins, in particular, can reduce the amount of free drug available for absorption. In order to evaluate the extent of drug binding to mucin, a purified model mucus system containing primarily the large glycoprotein fraction (400 kDa) of gastric mucus was developed for use in drug binding studies. The extent of binding of six selected compounds (albuterol, rifampicin, p-amino-salicylic acid, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and pentamidine) to mucus glycoproteins was studied. The binding of each drug to a model plasma protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), was also investigated. Binding studies were performed by diafiltration, which combines characteristics of equilibrium dialysis and ultrafiltration in a continuous system. All the compounds selected showed affinities of the same order of magnitude to mucin despite being chemically dissimilar and exhibiting differing ionization states. This suggests that binding to gastric mucus glycoproteins is non-specific in nature with similar types of binding forces involved in the binding of all the compounds tested. Results also showed that the drug-protein association constants for BSA and mucin were of the same order of magnitude only for drugs with low binding affinities. When the binding constants to BSA were moderate to high, the corresponding drug binding constants to mucin were lower by at least one order of magnitude. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the binding behavior of drugs to gastric mucin is non-specific in nature with binding constants of a low magnitude. BSA cannot be used to estimate binding to mucin, especially when the drug exhibits moderate to high affinity for BSA.
A Very Brief Summary of Hume's Morality: Feeling and Fabrication

Rachel Cohon is Associate Professor of Philosophy at The University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, U.S.A. Email: rcohon@albany.edu. SYMPOSIUM Earlier versions of the four articles which follow were presented at a book panel session, on Rachel Cohon’s Hume’s Morality: Feeling and Fabrication, at the Hume Society meetings in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in August 2009.
Quantitative computed tomography assessment of spinal trabecular bone. I. Age-related regression in normal men and women

Computed tomography, utilized in conjunction with a calibrated phantom containing a set of reference densities (K2HPO4 and water), is capable of determining the mineral content of the trabecular bone of the spine with an accuracy of about 6% of the ash weight of the vertebrae scanned (specimen studies). Other modalities measure a composite of cortical and trabecular bone. Computed tomography is capable of exclusively measuring the mineral content of the trabecular bone of the spine, where the earliest and most pronounced changes of spinal osteoporosis occur. Quantitative computed tomography measurements are useful for a precise and objective assessment of the spinal mineral content and its changes with age, disease, and drugs.
Enhanced CD4+ T Cell Proliferation and Th2 Cytokine Production in DR6-Deficient Mice

Abstract We have found that DR6, a member of the TNF receptor family, is highly expressed in resting T cells and downregulated in activated T cells. DR6 -targeted mutant mice were generated and showed normal development. However, DR6 −/− CD4 + T cells hyperproliferated in response to TCR-mediated stimulation and protein antigen challenge. Activated DR6 −/− CD4 + T cells exhibited upregulated CD25 expression and enhanced proliferation in response to exogenous IL-2 stimulation. In addition, increased CD28 and reduced CTLA-4 expression were observed in these cells. Enhanced Th2 cytokine production by activated DR6 −/− CD4 + T cells was associated with the increased transcription factor NF-ATc in nuclei. DR6, therefore, functions as a regulatory receptor for mediating CD4 + T cell activation and maintaining proper immune responses.
Nano-assembly of manganese peroxidase and lignin peroxidase from P. chrysosporium for biocatalysis in aqueous and non-aqueous media

Abstract Development, characterization, and activity studies of nano-assemblies of lignin peroxidase (LiP), and manganese peroxidase (MnP) from Phanerochaete c hrysosporium on flat surfaces as well as colloidal particles have been investigated. These assemblies of LiP and MnP were fabricated with polyelectrolytes—poly(ethylenimine) (PEI), poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride) (PDDA), and poly(allylamine) (PAH)—using a layer-by-layer self-assembly technique (LbL). Characterization of these assemblies on flat surfaces was monitored using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), while assemblies on microparticles such as melamine formaldehyde (MF) were carried out with zeta potential analyzer (ZPA). A unique dynamic adsorption–desorption of the enzyme layers is observed during the assembly. All the nano-assemblies of LiP and MnP can effectively oxidize veratryl alcohol (VA) to its aldehyde for an extended period of time. The effect of different polyions and the number of polyion layers on the activities of LiP and MnP nano-assembly was also examined. It is observed that drying of enzyme layer during the assembly and the use of non-aqueous media, such as acetone can significantly reduce the activity of the enzymes. Enzyme activity reaches a minimum when the concentration of acetone is increased to 30%; however, the activity can be restored to its original value by increasing the concentration of aqueous media. Preliminary studies using assemblies of LiP and MnP on MF microparticles further demonstrate the feasibility of developing potential systems for degradation of environmental pollutants.
Prototype studies for the CLEO III RICH

Abstract We describe a prototype RICH detector that has been built as part of design work for the CLEO III RICH. Cherenkov photons are produced in a LiF radiator, and are detected in an MWPC containing a gas mixture of methane and TEA. Signals are read out from 2016 cathode pads using low noise Viking chips. First results from this prototype show a yield of about 13 photoelectrons per image in agreement with our design studies.
Metamorphic code generation from LLVM bytecode

Metamorphic software changes its internal structure across generations with its functionality remaining unchanged. Metamorphism has been employed by malware writers as a means of evading signature detection and other advanced detection strategies. However, code morphing also has potential security benefits, since it can serve to increase the “genetic diversity” of software. We have created a metamorphic code generator within the LLVM compiler framework. LLVM is a three-phase compiler that supports multiple source languages and target architectures. It uses a common intermediate representation (IR) bytecode in its optimizer. Consequently, any supported high-level programming language is transformed to this IR bytecode as part of the LLVM compilation process. Our metamorphic generator functions at the IR bytecode level, which provides many advantages over morphing at the assembly or source code level. The morphing techniques that we employ include dead code insertion and transposition, where the dead code is actually executed within the morphed code, making its detection and removal more challenging. We have verified the effectiveness of our code morphing using hidden Markov model analysis.
SU(6) Algebra of Gell-Mann: Mass Splittings and Nonleptonic Decays of Hadrons

We apply the $\mathrm{SU}(6)$ algebra of Gell-Mann to nonleptonic decays of hadrons. We assume that the weak-interaction Hamiltonian for $s$-wave decays transforms like $S_{7}^{}{}_{}{}^{5}$ (the seventh component of the space integral of the pseudoscalar quark density). Using the Fubini-Furlan-Adler-Weisberger technique and the partially conserved axial-vector current, we express the $s$-wave decay amplitudes in terms of the reduced matrix elements, which are the same as the ones that appear in the expression for mass splittings if one assumes that the symmetry-breaking part of the mass operator transforms like ${S}_{8}$ (the eighth component of the space integral of the scalar quark density). Making use of the fact that the mass-splitting parameter is universal, and assuming that the $s$-wave coupling constant ${G}_{s}$ is also universal, we predict a ratio $\frac{(K_{1}^{}{}_{}{}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2\ensuremath{\pi})}{A(\ensuremath{\Sigma}_{\ensuremath{-}}^{}{}_{}{}^{\ensuremath{-}})}$ which is in excellent agreement with experiment. Knowing any one of the hyperon $s$-way decay amplitudes we can predict the others. Also we get $A(\ensuremath{\Sigma}_{+}^{}{}_{}{}^{+})=0$. The implications of these results are discussed.
Band Gap Photobleaching in Isolated Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Using pump−probe characterization, band gap photobleaching has been observed from semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) isolated in aqueous suspensions in an effort to evaluate SWNTs as a near-infrared optical material. The measured photobleaching was optimized for co-polarization of pump and probe lasers in resonance with the second and first van Hove transitions, respectively. A saturation of photobleaching intensity was observed for large pump intensities greater than ∼1 kW cm-2 and for probe intensities approaching ∼500 W cm-2. The observed photobleaching is attributed to the relaxation of excited electron−hole pairs to the band edges, resulting in decreased absorption and increased stimulated emission.
Surgical treatment of aneurysms of the abdominal and thoracic aorta.

Abstract The danger of an arteriosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm is clearly related to the size of the aneurysm. From available clinical data it seems logical to recommend elective surgical excision and graft replacement of abdominal aneurysms 6 cm or greater in diameter because of the considerable danger of rupture of untreated aneurysms of this size. Although small aortic aneurysms do rupture, most patients with small abdominal aneurysms may be safely followed with examination at regular intervals. Surgery is reserved for those who demonstrate evidence of aneurysm expansion. The operative mortality rate for elective surgical excision of abdominal aortic aneurysms is by no means negligible but has probably diminished recently to levels of approximately 5% in the hands of experienced surgeons. Achievement of an operative mortality rate in this range requires sensible case selection, expeditious operative management and skillful postoperative care with particular attention to problems of hypoxemia in the early postoperative period. Patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms require immediate aneurysm resection for survival. Of those patients with ruptured abdominal aneurysms who reach the hospital alive, approximately 60% should be salvaged at present by emergency surgery. The prognosis of the patient with a thoracic aortic aneurysm depends upon the etiology of the aneurysm. Syphilitic aneurysms of the thoracic aorta are now fortunately rare but appear to have a high incidence of rupture. The prognosis of patients with arteriosclerotic aneurysms, which characteristically involve the descending thoracic aorta, appears to be considerably better than that of patients with aneurysms of the abdominal aorta for unknown reasons. Since the removal of thoracic aneurysms ordinarily requires extracorporeal bypass and is associated with an operative mortality rate in the range of 20%, considerable judgment must be exercised in case selection for elective resection of such aneurysms. The surgery of dissecting aneurysms of the thoracic aorta has recently been modified by the widespread acceptance of antihypertensive drug therapy for acute dissection. Surgery may be reserved, hopefully on an elective basis, for those patients with significant aortic valvular insufficiency, significant aneurysmal dilatation of the dissected aorta, or symptomatic involvement of a major aortic branch in the dissection.
An empirical study of UHF RFID performance

This paper examines the performance of EPC Class-1 Generation-2 UHF RFID reader systems in a realistic setting. Specifically, we identify factors that degrade overall performance and reliability with a focus on the physical layer, and we explore the degree to which reader configuration options can mitigate these factors. We use a custom software-radio based RFID monitoring system and configurable RFID readers to gather fine-grained data and assess the effects of the different factors. We find that physical layer considerations have a significant impact on reader performance, and that this is exacerbated by a lack of integration between the physical and MAC layers. We show that tuning physical layer operating parameters can increase the read rate for a set of tags by more than a third. Additionally, we show that tighter integration of the physical and MAC layers has the potential for even greater improvements.
Direct measurement of the low-temperature spin-state transition in LaCoO3.

LaCoO3 exhibits an anomaly in its magnetic susceptibility around 80 K associated with a thermally excited transition of the Co 3� -ion spin. We show that electron energy-loss spectroscopy is sensitive to this Co 3� -ion spin-state transition, and that the O K edge prepeak provides a direct measure of the Co 3� spin state in LaCoO3 as a function of temperature. Our experimental results are confirmed by first-principles calculations, and we conclude that the thermally excited spin-state transition occurs from a low to an intermediate spin state, which can be distinguished from the high-spin state.
An application of mixed effects analysis to modeling thinning effects on stem profile of loblolly pine.

Stem analysis data from trees in permanent sample plots were used to evaluate thinning effects on stem form using the form exponent. Thinning significantly increased the form exponent particularly in the lower bole leading to a more neiloid form. A stem profile model that accounts for changes in stem form due to thinning effects was developed. For testing hypothesis on thinning effects on stem form, direct covariance modeling with the first order autoregressive (AR(1)) specification was used to account for correlation among within-tree observations. The mixed effects analysis technique was used in stem profile modeling to indirectly account for correlation among observations. As judged by the Akaike's information criterion (AIC) and the likelihood ratio test (LRT), substantial improvements were achieved over techniques that ignore correlation thus addressing biases in the standard error of the regression parameter estimates.
Adaptations and Continuities in the Use and Design of Visual Representations in US Middle School Science Textbooks.

Visual representations are ubiquitous in modern‐day science textbooks and have in recent years become an object of criticism and scrutiny. This article examines the extent to which changes in representations in textbooks published in the USA over the past six decades have invited those critiques. Drawing from a correlational analysis of a corpus of 34 US middle school physical science textbooks, continuities are established with respect to the purposes that most textbook images serve and the numbers of schematic representations that are used. Changes are observed in the overall total number of representations in textbooks and in the proportion of representations that are photographic. Interpretive cases of individual representations over time are presented to further illustrate the continuities and changes that have taken place. Specifically, high‐fidelity images, such as photographs, are shown permeating or replacing schematic and explanatory images in the interest of promoting familiarization to student...
Anger response styles and reaction to provocation

Research on anger has benefited greatly from state-trait theory, and the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2; Spielberger, 1999) has been the preferred instrument for assessing the experience and expression of anger. However, anger expression may be more complex than the anger-in vs. anger-out dichotomy employed by the STAXI-2. Linden and colleagues (2003) developed the Behavioral Anger Response Questionnaire (BARQ) to measure a broader spectrum of anger expression. The present study was conducted to evaluate the validity of the BARQ by comparing it with the STAXI-2 and assessing the degree to which it might offer incremental validity beyond the STAXI-2 in predicting emotional and cognitive responses to provocation. Findings supported the incremental validity of the BARQ and confirmed most predicted relationships with the STAXI-2. However, additional research is needed to clarify the meaning of one subscale.
Defect engineering in semiconductors for nanoelectronic devices

Many designs for nanoelectronic devices rely on semiconductor materials, whose properties depend upon point defects. Control of the number and spatial distribution of these defects is becoming increasingly important. Here, principles are outlined for accomplishing such control via manipulation of the chemical state of nearby surfaces and via photostimulation. The key mechanisms have been discovered only recently, and should operate with special effectiveness at the nanoscale.
Prosocial Behaviours of Young Adolescents: A Focus Group Study.

This study investigated young adolescents' perceptions of their peers' prosocial behaviours. In eight focus groups, 53 11- to 13-year olds described specific prosocial acts of their peers. Results suggest that traditional research has not addressed the diversity of prosocial behaviours that youth enact, nor emphasized behaviours that are salient to young adolescents. Such behaviours included standing up for others, encouraging others, helping others develop skills, including others who are left out, and being humorous. Facilitating emotional regulation of others emerged as an important component of prosocial behaviour. These data can help guide future research on prosocial development to include a broader array of authentic behaviours of young adolescents.
A prototype implementation of archival Intermemory

An Archival Intermemory solves the problem of highly survivable digital data storage in the spirit of the Internet. In this paper we describe a prototype implementation of Intermemory, including an overall system architecture and implementations of key system components. The result is a working Intermemory that tolerates up to 17 simultaneous node failures, and includes a Web gateway for browser-based access to data. Our work demonstrates the basic feasibility of Intermemory and represents signi cant progress towards a deployable system.
Inside Moire patterns

Moire patterns are produced by the interaction of two overlaid patterns. With a little geometry, it is easy to understand where they come from and how to create and control them. To demonstrate Moire effects the author uses a very simple set of patterns: sheets of parallel lines, called gratings.
Cardioversion of A-V nodal tachycardias

Abstract Cardioversion was attempted in 10 patients with proved A–V nodal tachycardias. Four patients with presumably digitalis-induced tachycardias failed to convert, but responded to intravenous potassium. The absence of adverse reactions in these patients is tentatively ascribed to the protective effects of the potassium ion. In contrast to the glycoside-induced arrhythmias, spontaneous A–V nodal tachycardias responded to therapeutic electrical discharge. Cardioversion should not be used in digitalisinduced arrhythmias, for it is ineffective and even potentially harmful. However, ventricular fibrillation triggered by extrasystoles falling in the vulnerable phase (R on T phenomenon) can be converted by electric discharge. Cardioversion is still the treatment of choice of ventricular fibrillation even when it occurs in a digitalized patient.
Integrin Activation In Vivo and In Silico

Abstract A new computational study by Jin et al. (2004)(this issue of Structure ) tests the hypothesis that mechanical force induces the conformational changes leading to the activation of integrins.
Frequency-modulated microwave photonic links for high dynamic-range antenna remoting systems

To support the need to distribute analog signals from microwave antennas dispersed throughout military aircraft, much research has been devoted to developing microwave photonic links (MPLs) with very high linearity and low noise figures. Frequency-modulated (FM) photonic links are a promising technology to provide high dynamic-range signal transmission for these airborne antenna remoting systems. FM lasers, where a phase modulator in the optical cavity varies the optical frequency with applied RF power, have been demonstrated with very high modulation efficiency [1, 2]. Demodulation performed using an optical filter based frequency discriminator and direct detection (FM-DD) (also called slope or interferometric detection) can be engineered for low nonlinearities by optimizing the transfer function of the filter [3]. The combination of a high efficiency FM laser with a discriminator filter for low-distortion demodulation leads to a MPL with signal gain, low noise figure and large dynamic range.
Pressure inequalities for nuclear and neutron matter

We prove several inequalities using lowest-order effective field theory for nucleons which give an upper bound on the pressure of asymmetric nuclear matter and neutron matter. We prove two types of inequalities, one based on convexity and another derived from shifting an auxiliary field.
Evaluation of two hormonal protocols for synchronization of ovulation and timed artificial insemination in dairy cows managed in grazing-based dairies.

To evaluate the efficacy of two hormonal protocols for synchronization of ovulation and timed artificial insemination (TAI) in dairy cows managed in grazing-based dairies, lactating dairy cows (n = 142) from two grazing-based dairies were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups. Cows in the first group (Ovsynch) received 50 microg of GnRH (d -10); 25 mg of PGF2alpha (d -3), and 50 microg of GnRH (d -1) followed by timed AI on d 0. Cows in the second group (PGF + Ovsynch) received a modified Ovsynch and timed AI similar to Ovsynch but with the addition of 25 mg of PGF2alpha 12 d (d -22) before initiation of Ovsynch. Cows in the third group (control) received standard reproductive management in place on each farm. Luteolysis occurred in 90.5% of cows exhibiting luteal function on d -22 in the PGF + Ovsynch treatment group, whereas none of the cows in the Ovsynch group underwent luteolysis on d -22. Synchronization rate (i.e., ovulatory response at 48 h after the second GnRH injection), conception rates at TAI and pregnancy rates after 35 d of breeding were similar for cows in the Ovsynch and PGF + Ovsynch groups. The proportion of anovular cows at the first GnRH injection of the synchronization protocols (d -10) was similar for cows receiving Ovsynch (28.0%) and PGF + Ovsynch (30.7%), and conception rate at TAI was similar for cycling (45.8%) and anovular (30.0%) cows. The cumulative pregnancy rate was greater for cows receiving TAI compared with control cows after 7 d of breeding (41.2 vs. 20.0%) but did not differ at 35 d of breeding (54.9 vs. 60.0%). Administration of PGF2alpha 12 d before initiation of Ovsynch did not improve synchronization, conception, or pregnancy rate compared with the standard Ovsynch protocol. Synchronization of ovulation to initiate timed AI at the onset of the breeding season resulted in earlier establishment of pregnancy compared with standard reproductive management.
Blast Initiation and Propagation of Cylindrical Detonations in MAPP-Air Mixtures

An experimental investigation of the initiation, transition and quasi-steady propagation of blast initiated cylindrical detonations in Methyl Acetylene, Propane, Prodadiene (MAPP)-air mixtures is described. A sectored shock tube was employed which was originally designed to allow study of cylindrical shock, and homogeneous and heterogeneous detonation waves. Cylindrical blast waves were generated by firing of controlled amounts of a condensed explosive at the apex of the sector. Experimental data served to suggest the existence of three wave propagation regimes: subcritical energy regime, where decoupling of shock and reaction zone results in a reacting blast wave-type decay; the critical energy regime, where decoupling occurs but is followed by the re-establishment of a sub-Chapman-Jouguet condition, with an asymptotic strengthening to the C J state; and supercritical energy regime, where the initially overdriven detonation decays asymptotically to its CJ state. Threshold energy levels delineating the subcritical to critical energy regimes were established for a wide range of MAPP-air mixtures. Lean and rich limits for steady propagating detonation waves were also established. Comparisons made with the work of others reveal that these limits do not suffer from scale effects. The detonation velocity, when attained, displayed a definite dependence on blast wave energy with the higher energy runs giving reasonable agreement with theory. The measured transition distances from blast to detonation wave, nondimensionalized by the blast wave explosion length, compared satisfactorily with theoretical predictions.
Recovering the “two sorts of sport’ in early modern english prose

Most Englishmen distinguished between two sorts of sport in the Early Modern period: one lawful and functional, the other disorderly and superfluous. Scholarly interest — dominated by the influence of Bakhtin's Rabelais and His World — has focused almost exclusively on the latter sort, insisting on the carnivalesque or subversive aspect of sports and recreations. Moving from an in‐depth discussion of the traditionally functional role of sport in England, this essay considers how the convergence of various social, economic, and technological factors in the sixteenth century has blinded us to the functionality of sport in the period. The essay argues that the recovery of functional sport leads to a more complete understanding of Early Modern conceptions of education, social stability, and health, among other phenomena.
A Night Seining Technique for Sampling Juvenile Atlantic Salmon in Streams

Abstract For many studies of the population dynamics, growth, and movement of juvenile Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, it is necessary to resample tagged individuals multiple times. However, common sampling techniques such as electrofishing can have negative effects on fish survival and growth, especially when individuals are repeatedly sampled. We describe an alternative to electrofishing that involves sampling at night with small, one-person seines. Juvenile Atlantic salmon in a small brook were tagged with passive integrated transponder tags and sampled 15 times by means of night seining, day electrofishing, and day seining techniques. Capturing juvenile Atlantic salmon by day seining was inefficient, resulting in a capture probability estimate of 0.18. The mean capture probability estimate was 0.45 during night seining samples and 0.78 during electrofishing samples. The total number of age-0 Atlantic salmon captured via night seining increased 4.5 times after fish attained a mean fork length of just over...
Incorporating Large-Scale FPAAs in Analog Design Courses

The development of large-scale field-programmable analog arrays (TPAAs) provides a great opportunity for expanding the capabilities of analog design courses and their laboratories. These devices allow the complete design and test cycle of an analog IC to be explored within the span of a single course term. A brief discussion of our experience incorporating the reconfigurable analog signal processor (RASP) into courses and workshops is presented.
Probabilistic Precipitation Forecast Skill as a Function of Ensemble Size and Spatial Scale in a Convection-Allowing Ensemble

Probabilistic quantitative precipitation forecasts (PQPFs) from the storm-scale ensemble forecast system run by the Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms during the spring of 2009 are evaluated using area under the relative operating characteristic curve (ROC area). ROC area, which measures discriminating ability, is examined for ensemble size n from 1 to 17 members and for spatial scales ranging from 4 to 200 km. Expectedly, incremental gains in skill decrease with increasing n. Significance tests comparing ROC areas for each n to those of the full 17-member ensemble revealed that more members are required to reach statistically indistinguishable PQPF skill relative to the full ensemble as forecast lead time increases and spatial scale decreases. These results appear to reflect the broadening of the forecast probability distribution function (PDF) of future atmospheric states associated with decreasing spatial scale and increasing forecast lead time. They also illustrate that efficient allocation of computing resources for convection-allowing ensembles requires careful consideration of spatial scale and forecast length desired.
Determination of antibody content in live versus dead hybridoma cells: analysis of antibody production in osmotically stressed cultures.

Hybridomas are known to exhibit increased specific antibody production rated when subjected to environmental stress. Under these conditions, viability is low so that population-average measurements do not properly reflect the state of viable cells. Even for flow cytometry, which gives a population distribution, special techniques must be used to discriminate between viable and nonviable cells. We describe the use of the vital stain ethidium monoazide (EMA) for independent measurement of intracellular antibody content in live and dead cells via flow cytometry. EMA is shown to be superior to light scattering techniques in identifying dead cells. We apply this technique to show that, in control batch culture, the specific antibody production rate and antibody content in live cells are constant during exponential growth, but decrease as cells enter the stationary phase. Antibody is retained in dead cells, but at a lower level than in live cells. We further show that, under hyperosmotic stress, the specific antibody production rate and antibody content in live both remain high during death phase.