cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE TOKEN ECONOMY: A DECADE LATER

In the last decade, the token economy has been extended widely across populations and behaviors in treatment, rehabilitation, educational, and community settings. Outcome research has expanded as well to include large-scale program evaluations and comparative and combined treatment studies of the token economy. In a previous review (Kazdin & Bootzin, 1972), several obstacles were identified for the effective application of the token economy. These included identifying procedures to enhance program efficacy, to train staff, to overcome client resistance, and to promote long-term maintenance and transfer of training. The present paper discusses recent advances in research and reviews progress on the major issues identified previously. New issues have become salient in the last decade that pertain to the extension of the token economy to institutional settings. The demands for maintaining the integrity of treatment, the ability to integrate token economies within existing institutional constraints, and the disseminability of the procedures on a large scale are major issues that may dictate the future of the token economy.
Buckling of delaminated, long, cylindrical panels under pressure

Abstract Delamination is one of the basic defects inherent to laminar materials. The investigation of the buckling characteristics of delaminated cylindrical shells or panels, when subjected to external pressure, is presented herein. The geometry is such that it covers a wide range of length to radius ratios as well as panels of different widths. Results are presented only for very long cylinders and panels. The boundaries are either simply supported or clamped. Furthermore, the material is such that it leads to (quasi) isotropic laminates for all sections involved, the overall as well as the ones separated by the delamination. Finally, the geometry is free of initial geometric imperfections. Because of the last two assumptions, a primary membrane state exists and bifurcational buckling is possible. Buckling loads are calculated for a wide range of parameters. The width and the through-the-thickness position of delamination greatly affect the bifurcation load.
Synthesis and characterization of iodopropyl derivatives of adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic-monophosphate: Potential affinity labels of cAMP binding sites in enzymes

The syntheses of two potential cAMP affinity lables, 1,N 6-(3-iodopropyleno)adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic-monophosphate and 2′-O-(2-iodo-3-hydroxypropyl) adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic-monophosphate, by a two-step chemical procedure are described. TheN 6- and 2′-O-allyl intermediates were prepared selectively by alkylation of cAMP in organic and alkaline aqueous solutions, respectively. Treatment of theN 6-allyl derivative withN-iodosuccinimide resulted in iodine addition to the double bond and cyclization to theN 1 position of the purine ring. The iodohydrin analog was synthesized by reaction of 2′-O-allyl-cAMP with potassium iodide and thallium trichloride in acetate buffered solution. The products were isolated by column chromatography and characterized by thin-layer chromatography, elemental analysis, and ultraviolet,13C, and1H NMR spectroscopy. The cAMP analogs were found to react with lysine and cysteine. Both cAMP derivatives were tested for their reaction with the low-K m cAMP phosphodiesterase of human platelets. The ribose-substituted analog functioned as a competitive inhibitor (K I =0.72 μM) and caused a time-dependent irreversible inactivation of the phosphodiesterase. In contrast, the purine-substituted derivative acted neither as a reversible competitive inhibitor nor as an irreversible inactivator of the enzyme. These results indicate the specificity of these potential cAMP analogs in their interaction with the phosphodiesterase.
Poor outcome in chronic schizophrenia is associated with progressive loss of volume of the putamen.

Background We have previously demonstrated that putaminal but not caudate volumes are associated with poor outcome in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Present longitudinal study was designed to investigate progressive differences in striatal volumes among chronic schizophrenia patients with different outcomes and healthy subjects.
Evaluation of hamstring strength following use of semitendinosus and gracilis tendons to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament

Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament using the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons combined with the appropriate extraarticular procedures has been performed by the authors in 482 cases. In 321 cases both the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons were used and in 161 the semitendinosus alone. This retrospective study was done to determine if the use of these two tendons resulted in any significant loss of hamstring strength. Evaluation of quadriceps strength was also done as a measure of postoperative rehabilitation. Fifty-one patients with an average follow-up time of 26.2 months were tested on the Cybex machine (Cybex Co., Ronkonkoma, New York) by two examiners using the same technique. The examiners had not participated in the surgery or rehabilitation of these patients. In the reconstructed knee in which both semitendinosus and gracilis were used, hamstring strength was found to average 99% compared to the normal knee. When the semitendinosus alone was used there was no difference (102%) from the normal knee. Quadriceps strength in both groups averaged 96% in comparison to the normal quadriceps. These results confirm that no significant loss of hamstring strength occurred when the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons were used to construct the anterior cruciate ligament. Further, quadriceps strength of 96% as compared to the normal knee indicated a very acceptable degree of postoperative rehabilitation in this series.
The dangers of the web

We assessed rates of traditional and cyber victimization among a college-aged sample.We examined associations among victimization, social support, and depression.Traditional and cyber victimization were positively associated with depression.Cybervictimization better predicted depression than did traditional victimization.Social support was negatively associated with symptoms of depression. Data on students' perceptions of social support, traditional and cyber victimization behavior, and social-emotional well-being were collected from a sample of 267 university students in the Midwestern United States. One purpose of the current study was to examine possible sex differences in perceptions of the prevalence of cybervictimization experiences. The current study also examined whether cybervictimization accounted for additional variance in depression beyond traditional victimization and if social support would buffer the associations among traditional and cyber victimization and depression. Young men and women did not report significantly different rates of cybervictimization. Cybervictimization was significantly related to depression above and beyond that of traditional victimization. Social support was negatively related to depression. However, there was no moderating role of social support. The results of this study highlight the significant impact that traditional and cyber victimization may have on college students' well-being. Social support was also an important factor in the relation to depression, however, it did not provide a buffer in the association between victimization and depression.
Natural or fertilizer-derived uranium in irrigation drainage: a case study in southeastern Colorado, U.S.A.

Abstract Drainage from heavily cultivated soils may be contaminated with U that is leached from the soil or added as a trace constituent of PO 4 -based commercial fertilizer. The effect of decades-long application of U-rich fertilizer on the U concentration of irrigation drainage was investigated in a small (14.2 km 2 ) drainage basin in southeastern Colorado. The basin was chosen because previous reports indicated locally anomalous concentrations of dissolved NO 3 (6–36 mg 1 −1 ) and dissolved U (61 pg 1 −1 ) at the mouth of the only stream. Results of this study indicated minimal impact of fertilizer-U compared to natural U leached from the local soils. Detailed sampling of the stream along a 6 mile (9.7 km) reach through heavily cultivated lands indicated marked decoupling of the buildup of dissolved NO 3 and U. Dissolved U increased markedly in the upstream half of the reach and correlated positively with increases in Na, Mg, SO 4 , B and Li derived from leaching of surrounding shaley soils. In contrast, major increases in dissolved NO 3 occurred farther downstream where stream water was heavily impacted by ground water return from extensively fertilized fields. Nitrogen isotopic measurements confirmed that dissolved NO 3 originated from fertilizer and soil organic N (crop waste). Uranium isotopic measurements of variably uraniferous waters showed little evidence of contamination with fertilizer-derived U of isotopically distinct 234 U/ 238 U alpha activity ratio (A.R. = 1.0). Leaching experiments using local alkaline soil, irrigation water and U-rich fertilizer confirmed the ready leachability of soil-bound U and the comparative immobility of U added with liquid fertilizer. Relatively insoluble precipitates containing Ca P U were formed by mixing liquid fertilizer with water containing abundant dissolved Ca. In the local soils soluble Ca is provided by dissolution of abundant gypsum. Similar studies are needed elsewhere because the mobility of fertilizer-derived U is dependent on fertilizer type, porewater chemistry and soil properties (pH, moisture, mineralogy, texture).
Adaptive Hotelling discriminant functions

Any observer performing a detection task on an image produces a single number that represents the observer's confidence that a signal (e.g., a tumor) is present. A linear observer produces this test statistic using a linear template or a linear discriminant. The optimal linear discriminant is well-known to be the Hotelling observer and uses both first- and second-order statistics of the image data. There are many situations where it is advantageous to consider discriminant functions that adapt themselves to some characteristics of the data. In these situations, the linear template is itself a function of the data and, thus, the observer is nonlinear. In this paper, we present an example adaptive Hotelling discriminant and compare the performance of this observer to that of the Hotelling observer and the Bayesian ideal observer. The task is to detect a signal that is imbedded in one of a finite number of possible random backgrounds. Each random background is Gaussian but has different covariance properties. The observer uses the image data to determine which background type is present and then uses the template appropriate for that background. We show that the performance of this particular observer falls between that of Hotelling and ideal observers.
Role of intracoronary ultrasound after high-pressure stent implantation.

Background Poststent high-pressure balloon inflation has been shown to improve clinical outcomes. However, it is unknown whether intracoronary ultrasound (ICUS) provides additional clinical guidance after initial high-pressure balloon inflation is used during stent placement. Thus the purpose of this study was to determine if stent deployment techniques are improved with ICUS imaging despite an optimal angiographic result achieved with high-pressure balloon inflation. Methods and Results Prospective data were collected on 96 consecutive patients in whom 151 stents were deployed. Stents and high-pressure balloons were angiographically sized 1:1 by visual estimation. High-pressure (≥12 atm in all cases) balloon inflations were continued until angiographic completion (<10% residual stenosis), after which index ICUS imaging was performed. Stent apposition, symmetry, and lumen dimensions were evaluated. An optimal ICUS result was defined as full apposition of the stent, symmetry ratio ≥0.80, and acute gain ≥0.80 of the reference lumen area. If inadequate ICUS results were found, further dilations with higher pressures or larger balloons and subsequent stent reevaluation with ICUS were performed. Sixty-nine (46%) stents required additional balloon inflations. Of these stents, 35 (23%) had initial acute gains that were <80% of the reference lumen area. Forty-six (30%) stents were found to have unapposed struts and 24 (16%) had a symmetry ratio <0.80. In patients requiring additional inflations, minimum stent area increased from 7.6 ± 2.2 mm 2 to 9.2 ± 2.4 mm 2 (P <.0001). Similarly, complete stent apposition improved from 33% to 68% of total stents (P <.0001). After initial ICUS, higher-pressure dilations were performed in 40 patients, whereas larger balloons greater than or equal to ICUS reference vessel diameter were used in 33 patients. Follow-up was obtained in 95 (99%) patients. The overall major adverse cardiac event rate at 6 months was 9.3%, which consisted of 8 target vessel revascularizations and 1 abrupt closure requiring repeat intervention. Conclusions Even when poststent high-pressure balloon inflation achieves an optimal angiographic result, ICUS assists in optimizing acute gain, symmetry, and apposition of intracoronary stents in approximately 50% of patients. Moreover, ICUS guidance is associated with low rates for target vessel revascularization and major adverse cardiac events at 6-month follow-up.
Combined clotting factor deficiencies: experience at a single hemophilia treatment center.

Summary. We describe a series of patients with combined factor deficiencies and von Willebrand's disease (VWD) at one haemophilia treatment centre. Although the incidence of VWD is at least 1% in the general population, combined coagulation defects have been infrequently described in the medical literature and are likely under diagnosed. This entity should be considered in patients with a known factor deficiency and either an unexpectedly severe bleeding phenotype, or bleeding that is unresponsive to factor replacement.
An evaluation of wedge pressures in dogs under conditions of normal and elevated pulmonary vascular pressures.

Fifty-six combined right and left heart catheterizations in normal dogs and dogs with experimental mitral stenosis failed to show a significant positive correlation between pulmonary artery wedge pressure and pulmonary vein pressure when the latter was below approximately 17 mm. Hg. Evidence is presented which suggests that the wedged catheter outlets are totally occluded in many instances in the dog. Pulmonary vein wedge pressure reflected a pressure nearer the pulmonary artery pressure than the expected capillary pressure. One instance of mitral regurgitation revealed large pulmonary vein and pulmonary artery wedge pulse pressures.
Development of Microfluidic Flow Sensor in a Polymeric Microchip

A microfluidic flow sensor has been developed to precisely measure the flow rate in a micro/nanofluidic channel for lab-on-a-chip applications. Mixed electroosmotic and pressure driven microflows are investigated using this sensor. Our microflow sensor consists of two components: fluidic circuit and electronic circuit. The fluidic circuit is embedded into the microfluidic chip, which is formed during the microfabrication sequences. On the other hand, the electronic circuit is a microelectronic chip that works as a logical switch. We have tested the microflow sensor in a hybrid poly di-methyl-siloxane (PDMS)-glass microchip using de-ionized (DI) water. Softlithography techniques are used to form the basic microflow structure on a PDMS layer, and all sensing electrodes are deposited on a glass plate using sputtering technique. In this investigation, the microchannel thickness is varied between 3.5 and 10 microns, and the externally applied electric field is ranged between 100V/mm and 200V/mm. The thickness of the gold electrodes is kept below 100nm, and hence the flow disturbance due to the electrodes is very minimal. Fairly repeatable flow results are obtained for all the channel dimensions and electric fields. Moreover, for a particular electric field strength, there is an appreciable change in the flow velocity with the change of the channel thickness.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Computational analysis of fouling by low energy surfaces

Abstract Fouling is a cost increasing problem for a variety of industries including aerospace, chemical, petroleum, and food. There have been studies on mitigation of fouling some of which recommend use of lower surface free energy materials, manufactured by different techniques, as an alternative to conventional materials. Although modeling of fouling for a given surface has been an area of interest; there is a lack in the models about correlating the surface free energy with deposit amount computationally. In this study, computational model, including the effect of surface energy and operational parameters, was proposed and validated to estimate amount of foulants deposits and rate of deposition. Towards this purpose, four coated surfaces (Microlube/PTFE, TM117P, AMC148, and CNT) were compared with stainless steel (SS316 as control) for flow rates of 3 and 10 g/s and inlet milk temperatures of 40 and 60 °C. The percent error for the decrease in outlet milk temperatures between the experimental data and computed results was between 2% and 18% except for CNT (29.2%). The calculations of deposit amount for each test case and the surfaces tested were in good agreement with the experiments, i.e., average percent difference values between measured and calculated values were from 11.1% to 38.1% (except CNT) with overall average of 21.5%.
SUPERCONDUCTING MAGNETIC ENERGY STORAGE: CONVENTIONAL AND TRAPPED FIELD

Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) is a most efficient system for energy storage because it stores energy directly in electrical form. The SMES concept is described and analyzed with an examination of its economic viability. The impact of high-temperature supeconductivity on SMES is explored, and a trapped energy storage (TES) innovation that may have beneficial technical and economic ramifications is introduced. In addition to presenting a broad overview, this paper may be of help to those making an evaluation of the potential impact of SMES/TES on the development of new energy sources, and to determine for which energy sources it is most appropriate.
Selective differentiation: Redefining selections

The concept of selective differentiation was introduced and developed in [4]. Here we present selective differentiation from a different viewpoint or, rather, in a new framework. This framework takes some effort to erect but is profitable in terms of the results obtained. It originates from several very simple observations. First, any closed nondegenerate interval [a, b] can be considered as a point (a, b) in the upper half-plane H= {(x, y); x<y}. Second, most notions of a sequence of intervals I, =[an, bn] converging to a point x0 can be translated into an equivalent notion of the sequence (an, bn) in H converging to the point (xo, xo) of the boundary D. For example, [an, bn] w-converges to :co, using the definition in [5], ff and only if (an; bn) converges to (Xo, xo) inside some Stolz angle. Third; for any function f: R~R let G(x,y)= f(y)-f(x) , G: H-+R. Then the study of various differentiability properties off y--x
A necessary and sufficient condition for the Lorentz invariance of the six-fold anisotropic Villain gauge theory in four dimensions

Abstract We study the four-dimensional Villain gauge theory in the deconfining phase where different orientations of the elementary plaquette carry different weights E μν . The plaquette-plaquette correlation function is calculated for arbitrary E μν . From these we show that the necessary and sufficient condition for Lorentz invariance is E μν = E μ E ν .
Effects of Synthetic Cecropin Analogs on in Vitro Growth of Acholeplasma laidlawii

Four synthetic peptides (Peptidyl MIMs; Demeter Biotechnologies, Inc.) were evaluated for their in vitro activity against Acholeplasma laidlawii. Fifty percent effective concentration values ranged from 1 to 15 μM. Three of these compounds are more lethal than cecropin B against A. laidlawii.
Radiation dose estimation for epidemiologic studies of flight attendants.

Background NIOSH is conducting health studies of female flight attendants. Exposures of interest include cosmic radiation and circadian rhythm disruption, however, the data needed to estimate cumulative radiation dose are not found in work histories. Methods We developed an algorithm to generate from work histories the required input data for Federal Aviation Administration radiation estimation software and evaluated whether effects of cumulative radiation dose could be distinguished analytically from effects of circadian rhythm disruption. Results The algorithm has relatively low bias (< 6%) for longer flights, which contribute most to cumulative radiation dose. In one NIOSH study, 44 crew incurred an estimated average annual occupational dose of 1.5–1.7 mSv. Selection of a study population flying predominantly North–South flights can provide the necessary distinction between radiation and time zone crossing exposures. Conclusions Methods developed will be useful for exposure assessment in cabin crew studies with relatively short study periods, (e.g., reproductive health studies) for which limited flight history details are generally available. Am. J. Ind. Med. 41:27–37, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
ROUTES TO THE INFORMAL ECONOMY IN NEW YORK'S EAST VILLAGE: CRISIS, ECONOMICS, AND IDENTITY

This article looks at how individuals become involved in the informal economy. Among a group of self-employed workers in New York City's East Village neighborhood, I find three routes to the informal sector: constricted opportunities in the formal sector, individual economic motivations, or individual identity motivations. Most current literature focuses on the external pressures (e.g., unemployment) that force workers into the informal economy. However, I find that most workers are drawn to this economic niche as a way to explore a new work identity. Even among those workers who entered the informal economy because of reduced oppor- tunities in the formal sector, most developed a commitment to the informal sector as a long-term career plan. I also discuss the opportunity structure of the East Village's informal sector. I consider barriers to informal sector employment and obstacles to using the informal sector as a conduit of iden- tity change and transformation. Why do workers enter the informal economy? More specifically, why do workers who have experience and opportunities in the formal sector enter the informal economy? I look at why fifty self-employed men and women work in the informal economy in the East Village neighborhood of New York City. My respondents are eligible to work in the formal economy and have formal sector work experience, but all work either partially or fully in the informal sector. Most researchers have focused on the external forces (e.g., discrimination, economic restructuring, and unemployment) that push workers into the informal sector and not on the active choices workers make to become informally employed. My intent is not to deny that many informal workers lack other options but rather to begin to understand how informal workers make choices. I find that some of the respondents in fact entered the informal sector because of constricted opportunities in the formal sector, but most were drawn to the informal sector as a way to meet a personal goal. A few entered the informal sector to meet a specific economic goal (e.g., "pocket
Cross-linked comb-shaped anion exchange membranes with high base stability

A unique one-step cross-linking strategy that connects quaternary ammonium centers using Grubbs II-catalyzed olefin metathesis was developed. The cross-linked anion exchange membranes showed swelling ratios of less than 10% and hydroxide conductivities of 18 to 40 mS cm−1. Cross-linking improved the membranes' stability to hydroxide degradation compared to their non-cross-linked analogues.
On the energy release rate and the J -integral for 3-D crack configurations

In this paper an analytical expression for the energy release rate has been derived and put in a form suitable for a numerical analysis of an arbitrary 3-D crack configuration. The virtual crack extension method can most conveniently be used for such a derivation. This method was originally developed from finite element considerations and the resulting expressions were, therefore, based on the finite element matrix formulation [1–5]. In this paper the derivation of the energy release rate leads to an expression which is independent of any specific numerical procedure. The formulation is valid for general fracture behavior including nonplanar fracture and shear lips and applies to elastic materials as well as materials following the deformation theory of plasticity. The body force effect is also included. For 3-D fracture problems it is of advantage to use both an average and a local form of the energy release rate and definitions for both forms are suggested. For certain restrictions on the crack geometry it is shown that the energy release rate reduces to the 3-D form of the J-integral.
Evaluating the risk of life insurer insolvency: implications from the US for the European Union

Abstract Insolvencies of life insurers in Europe have been virtually nonexistent. The deregulation of European markets, however, is likely to dramatically alter that situation. The goal of this study is two-fold: first, to identify significant variables in the early detection of financially distressed life insurers; and second, to consider the importance of these variables to the evaluation of life insurer insolvency risk in the European Union (EU). The availability of a data sample approaching the universe of insurers in the US allows us to stratify a large sample in order to make reasonable inferences regarding the factors likely to influence insolvency experience in the EU. The most significant findings for EU consumers, regulators, and insurers relate to the importance of capital and surplus, geographic focus, asset mix, and leverage in determining the likelihood of insurer bankruptcy.
Determinants and outcomes of electronic data interchange diffusion

Protagonists of electronic data interchange (EDI), a specific form of inter organizational systems (IOS), claim that it has the potential to dramatically alter the exchange of business documents and business operations (particularly material procurement and sales functions) in a number of industries. Drawing upon past research on innovation diffusion and information systems (IS) implementation, this study examines the role of key innovation and organizational factors in influencing the extent to which EDI is diffused within organizations, and whether more extensive diffusion leads to improved organizational outcomes. Two senior executives (one from the IS and the other from selling/buying function) from over 200 large American companies participated in the field study. The path analyses results indicate that compatibility and relative advantage (two of the three classical innovation attributes), championing, scope for use of EDI within the firm's task environments, and being an early adopter determine the extent to which EDI gets internally diffused through greater integration with other IS applications within the organization. Technical compatibility, top management support and being an early adopter emerge as the key variables influencing the extent to which EDI gets externally diffused through greater external diffusion of business transactions with trading partners. The results also indicate that greater internal as well as external diffusion of EDI facilitates improved organizational outcomes that was measured on six dimensions such as implementation success, organizational performance, influence on market structure, standardization of transactions, etc.
Atmospheric Lapse Rate Regimes and Their Parameterization

Abstract Lapse rates, moist adiabatic lapse rates and the critical lapse rate for baroclinic adjustment are calculated and compared for the mean annual, January and July states in the Northern Hemisphere. In the troposphere above the planetary boundary layer zonal mean lapse rates are within 20% of the moist adiabatic lapse rate from the equator up to about 30°N in January and 50°N in July, but are appreciably more stable in higher latitudes. The latitudinal distribution of tropospheric mean lapse rates clearly delineates two regimes in the atmosphere—a low-latitude regime where the lapse rates are essentially moist adiabatic, and a high-latitude regime where the lapse rates are essentially the critical lapse rate for baroclinic adjustment. The dividing point between the two regimes shifts from 28°N in January to 47°N in July, and the transition is less sharp in July than in January. The absence of appreciable seasonal changes in lapse rates in midlatitudes can be attributed to counterbalancing seasonal c...
A rapid sampling method for measuring uptake of small molecules by cultured cell monolayers

Abstract A new technique is described which allows determination of solute uptake into cultured cell monolayers at times approaching 0.5 s. The apparatus consists of a section of a plastic tissue culture multidish which is held in a rotatable clamp and a manifold for simultaneous washing of the multidishes with ice-cold buffer. This technique and apparatus was used to measure the initial rates of nucleoside and base transport by Chinese hamster fibroblasts.
Effects of temperature and inorganic ions on calcium accumulation in microsomes from intestinal smooth muscle

Energy dependent calcium binding in microsomal vesicles from the longitudinal smooth muscle of the guinea pig intestine was investigated at two different temperatures (30 °C and 10 °C) and in the absence and presence of CdCl2, BaCl2 and MnCl2. The investigation was carried out to determine whether the effects of temperature and the effects of the divalent ions on microsomal calcium binding could be correlated with the effects of these interventions on the mechanical activity of the intact longitudinal fibers. A reduction in temperature from 30 °C to 10 °C inhibited both the uptake of calcium into the microsomes and the rate of release of calcium ions from the microsomes to the external medium. This change in temperature also slowed the rate of relaxation of the intact longitudinal muscle after it had been induced to contract with acetylcholine and subsequently allowed to relax by removing calcium ions from the bathing medium and adding 1 O 10−3 m EGTA. The presence of CdCl2, like the reduction in temperature, decreased the uptake of calcium into the microsomal vesicles. However, the release of calcium from the microsomes was accelerated. BaCl2 produced the same effects as did CdCl2 on the uptake of calcium into microsomes but to a lesser extent. It had very little effect on the release of calcium ions from the microsomes. MnCl2 had no significant effects on either the uptake or release of calcium ions in the microsomal preparation. Both CdC12 and MnCl2 exerted an inhibitory action on acetylcholine-induced contractile responses of the intact longitudinal fibers; whereas BaCl2 served to initiate a contractile response in the smooth muscle fibers. Thus, it would appear that the effects of a temperature change on microsomal calcium binding and on mechanical activity in intact fibers can be correlated; but the effects of CdCl2, BaCl2 and MnCl2 on these two cellular processes do not follow any consistent pattern.
Observed vs. Recalled Exercise Behavior: A Validation of a Seven Day Exercise Recall for Boys 11 to 13 Years Old

Abstract Eleven boys (age = 12.5 ± 0.7 years) attending a summer camp were ashed to recall their physical activity specific to mode (M), duration (D), and intensity (I) for the previous seven days (D 1 − D 7 ). The child's report (RCH) was compared to the counselor's record (RCO) of that child's activities for D 1 through D 7 . Comparisons were made between (M), (D), and (I) as well as the daily caloric expenditure (K). There were no significant differences for K for D 1 through D 7 for the RCH when compared to the RCO. Over the 7-day period, the accuracy of the boys to match the counselor was 1) 46% for M, 2) 75% for I, and 3) 97.5% for days when compared to RCO. Even though the children could not accurately remember the details of the activities they did, the 7-day recall does appear to be applicable to children as a summary tool of their total energy expenditure.
Application of compliance techniques to direct-mail requests for charitable donations

The possibility that psychological compliance techniques might be applied to increase the effectiveness of direct-mail requests for charitable contributions is raised. Although there are few studies with direct bearing on this possibility, there is an extensive literature on compliance techniques in general and many studies on the effectiveness of such techniques when applied to verbal requests for contributions, most often in door-to-door campaigns. Research on the application of the foot-in-the-door, door-in-the-face, low-ball, and legitimization-of-small-donation techniques to verbal requests for charitable contributions is reviewed, and the relevance of these studies to potential direct-mail applications is explored. The few attempts to apply the legitimization of small contributions to the direct-mail mode, which have produced mixed results, are also reviewed and analyzed. It is suggested that successful application of compliance techniques to the direct-mail mode may depend on careful modifications of the techniques to calibrate them optimally to direct mail, and to the particular situations in which campaigns are to be undertaken. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Fabrication of in situ TiC reinforced aluminum matrix composites

In the present work, the room and elevated temperature mechanical behavior of Al/TiC, high-strength Al-Si/TiC and the elevated temperature-resistant Al-Fe(-V-Si)/TiC composites has been evaluated. The microstructural characteristics of ingot metallurgy (IM) or rapid solidification (RS) Al-Si/TiC and Al-Fe(-V-Si)/TiC composites could be thought of as a combination of the related alloy matrix microstructures and the IM or RS Al/TiC composites. The IM Al/TiC and the Al-Si/TiC composites show superior strength and ductility to the relevant aluminum based composites.The RS Al/TiC and the Al-Fe-V-Si/TiC exhibit high Young's moduli and substantial improvements in room and elevated temperature tensile properties compared to those of rapidly solidified alloys and conventional composites.The Young's modulus values of RS Al/TiC and Al-Fe-V-Si/TiC composites are well within Hashin-Shtrikman limits in keeping with the strong interfacial bonding. In the micromechanics approach, the principal strengthening mechanisms for the present dispersed particle-hardened RS in situ Al-TiC composites would include Orowan strengthening, grain-size and substructure strengthening, and solid-solution strengthening. The RS technique was used in the present work to maximize strength and ductility for a particular volume fraction, and influence the degree of flexibility available to meet these requirements: a fine, uniform particle size distribution; a high interfacial strength; control of particle shape; and a ductile matrix.
Error and Change in College Student Writing

Theoretically, the persistence of surface error in student writing may be understood, at least in part, as a normal side effect of development in writing skill. Language tactics newly attempted by a writer increase the likelihood that new mistakes will be made, or old mistakes made anew. This theory, that the context of writing improvement helps explain writing error, is tested by comparing the impromptu essay performance of college freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, and of postcollege employees. Eight surface errors were measured: misinformation of possessives, faulty predication, faulty pronoun reference, faulty syntactic parallelism, mispunctuation of final free modifiers, sentence fragments, comma splices, and misspellings. For each, four error rates were constructed in order to compare different ways of visualizing the relation of error to other aspects of writing. Generally, the findings support the theory: The college students here do measurably improve their writing and do continue making mistakes...
Chemical ionization mass spectrometry for rapid assay of drugs in serum

Abstract A rapid procedure has been devised for analyzing anti-epileptic drugs in serum by chemical ionization mass spectrometry. An internal standard, 5-(p-methylphenyl)-5-phenylhydantoin (MPPH), is added to serum diluted in buffer at pH 12. The mixture is washed with diethyl ether to remove neutral lipids, acidified, extracted with chloroform and the chloroform extract evaporated to dryness. The residue is then dissolved in methanol and an aliquot, corresponding to approximately 2% of the original mixture, is deposited in the glass capillary sample cup of the solid probe inlet of the mass spectrometer. The sample is then volatilized by heat into the ion source of the mass spectrometer, where it reacts with ionized methane reagent gas. As the temperature of the probe is increased, quasimolecular ion peaks of the protonated anticonvulsants appear, rise and fall on the oscilloscope tracing, indicating similar but not identical rates of volatilization. We recorded these peaks photographically by opening the shutter of the oscilloscope camera for the entire heating cycle. The concentrations of the anticonvulsants were estimated from the ratio of the height of the peaks of the drug to that of the internal standard on the photograph. The peak-height ratios were proportional to concentration within, above and below the therapeutic range. Other drugs, including barbiturates, carbamazepine, nicotine and caffeine, were readily identified when present. With one solid probe inlet, an assay could be performed every 2 min.
Environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzo(a) pyrene (BaP) and BaP-quinones, enhance IgE-mediated histamine release and IL-4 production in human basophils.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are major components of diesel exhaust particles found in pollutant respirable particles. There is growing evidence that these fossil fuel combustion products exacerbate allergic inflammation. Basophils contribute to allergic inflammation through the release of preformed and granule-derived mediators. To determine whether allergens and PAHs interact, we incubated human basophils with PAHs and measured the release of histamine and IL-4 with and without added antigen. None of the PAHs induced mediator release by itself and none affected total cellular histamine levels. However, several PAHs enhanced histamine release and IL-4 production in response to crosslinking the high-affinity IgE receptor, FceRI. The enhancement seen with 1,6-BaP-quinone involved an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation in several different substrates, including the FceRI-associated tyrosine kinase, Lyn, and elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels detected by dichlorofluorescein fluorescence and flow cytometry. The PAH-induced enhancement of mediator release and ROS production could be inhibited with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine. These data provide further evidence that environmental pollutants can influence allergic inflammation through enhanced FceRI-coupled mediator release from human basophils.
Menopausal attitudes, objectified body consciousness, aging anxiety, and body esteem: European American women's body experiences in midlife

Seventy-four European American women aged 50-68 years completed surveys of menopausal attitudes, appearance aging anxiety, body esteem, body surveillance, and body shame. Hypotheses based on the connections between cultural constructions of femininity and menopause were partially supported. Menopausal attitudes and appearance-related aging anxiety were related to body surveillance. Appearance-related menopausal attitudes were related to both body surveillance and body esteem. Body shame moderated the relationship between appearance-related menopausal attitudes and body esteem.
Learning Binary Perceptrons Perfectly Efficiently

The majority rule algorithm for learning binary weights for a perceptron is analysed under the uniform distribution on inputs. It is shown that even though the algorithm is demonstrably inconsistent on random samples for very small sample sizes, it nevertheless exhibits a curious and abrupt asymptotic transition to consistency at moderate sample sizes. Particular consequences are that the algorithm PAC-learns majority functions in linear time from small samples and that, while the general variant of binary integer programming embodied here is NP-complete, almost all instances of the problem are tractable given a sufficient number of inequalities to be satisfies
Size Dependence of Transfer Free Energies. 2. Hard Sphere Models

The primary goal of this and a previous paper1 is to determine whether molar volume makes significant contributions to the partitioning of solute molecules between different phases. The previous paper considered the entropies of mixing of chainlike solvent molecules where volume effects arising from chain connectivity were found to raise the chemical potential of dissolved solutes. In this paper we consider the case of spherical solvent molecules. An expression is derived for the entropy of mixing of hard spheres under additive volume conditions. In addition to suggesting how volume effects may be related to molecular shape, our results allow us to consider the relationship between various theories which have related mixing entropies to molar volume. It is shown that volume-dependent contributions to solvation entropies can be interpreted in terms of pressure−volume effects involving hard sphere or ideal pressure rather than ambient pressures. Entropic effects result directly from changes in free volume r...
Complete Genome Sequence of Algoriphagus sp. PR1, Bacterial Prey of a Colony-Forming Choanoflagellate

Bacteria are the primary food source of choanoflagellates, the closest known relatives of animals. Studying signaling interactions between the Gram-negative Bacteroidetes bacterium Algoriphagus sp. PR1 and its predator, the choanoflagellate Salpingoeca rosetta, provides a promising avenue for testing hypotheses regarding the involvement of bacteria in animal evolution. Here we announce the complete genome sequence of Algoriphagus sp. PR1 and initial findings from its annotation.
Aggregation of multiple induction motors using MATLAB-based software package

This paper presents an aggregate model of multiple induction motors using a single equivalent circuit model, which simplifies the computation while simulating dynamic behavior of large power systems. The simulations and analysis are carried out using MATLAB-based software package. The performance of the aggregation model of multiple motors is verified by comparing the results obtained from the sum of individual induction motors and the aggregation model. The results obtained are satisfactory and reasonable.
Computational models for experiences in the arts, and multimedia

In this paper, we develop formal computational models for three aspects of experiential systems for browsing media -- (a) context (b) interactivity through hyper-mediation and (c) context evolution using a memory model. Experiential systems deal with the problem of developing context adaptive mechanisms for knowledge acquisition and insight. Context is modeled as a union of graphs whose nodes represent concepts and where the edges represent the semantic relationships. The system context is the union of the contexts of the user, the environment and the media being accessed. We also develop a novel concept dissimilarity. We then develop algorithms to determine the optimal hyperlink for each media element by determining the relationship between the user context and the media. As the user navigates through the hyper-linked sources, the memory model captures the interaction of the user with the hyper-linked sources and updates the user context. Finally, this results in new hyper-links for the media. Our pilot user studies show excellent results, validating our framework.
Migration of doctors for undergraduate medical education.

Background: Global shortages of healthcare workers in both developed and developing countries are of great concern. Research on physician migration typically focuses on medical school graduates, mo...
The Impact of Content and Mechanics on Judgments of Writing Quality

This study concerns two related issues pertaining to the evaluation of students' written compositions: the relative effects of content versus mechanics on judgments of quality, and the extent to wh...
The ATPase Activity of Hsp104, Effects of Environmental Conditions and Mutations

Abstract Hsp104 is crucial for stress tolerance inSaccharomyces cerevisiae, and both of its nucleotide-binding domains (NBD1 and NBD2) are required. Here, we characterize the ATPase activity and oligomerization properties of wild-type (WT) Hsp104 and of NBD mutants. In physiological ionic strength buffers (pH 7.5, 37 °C) WT Hsp104 exhibits Michaelis-Menten kinetics between 0.5 and 25 mm ATP (K m∼5 mm, V max ∼2 nmol min−1 μg−1). ATPase activity is strongly influenced by factors that vary with cell stress (e.g.temperature, pH, and ADP). Mutations in the P-loop of NBD1 (G217V or K218T) severely reduce ATP hydrolysis but have little effect on oligomerization. Analogous mutations in NBD2 (G619V or K620T) have smaller effects on ATPase activity but impair oligomerization. The opposite relationship was reported for another member of the HSP100 protein family, the Escherichia coli ClpA protein, in studies employing lower ionic strength buffers. In such buffers, theK m of WT Hsp104 for ATP hydrolysis decreased 10-fold and its stability under stress conditions increased, but the effects of the NBD mutations on ATPase activity and oligomerization remained opposite to those of ClpA. Either the functions of the two NBDs in ClpA and Hsp104 have been reversed or both contribute to ATP hydrolysis and oligomerization in a complex manner that can be idiosyncratically affected by such mutations.