cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
"Si no vas al Senado, no te eligen magistrado". Instituciones informales y criterios de selección de los magistrados de la Corte Constitucional colombiana en el Senado (1992-2009)

Los nombramientos judiciales son procesos politicos que no solo se definen por las reglas formales, sino tambien por los desarrollos y practicas informales. Este articulo se pregunta por que se eligen ciertos candidatos, y no otros, como magistrados de la Corte Constitucional en el Senado, desde 1992 hasta 2009. Con base en la triangulacion de diferentes fuentes de informacion, se pudo identificar que, tal como sucede en Estados Unidos, los nombramientos de los jueces estan dominados por consideraciones ideologicas y politicas, y en algunos casos, por otros criterios, tales como caracteristicas sociodemograficas y cualificaciones profesionales. El hallazgo central es que el cabildeo directo realizado por los candidatos, e indirecto, mediante el padrinazgo politico, son los factores con mayor incidencia. A partir del analisis cuantitativo y cualitativo, se argumenta que el cabildeo es una institucion informal determinante en la eleccion de los magistrados de la Corte Constitucional porque es una condicion necesaria, la regla de entrada, para que los demas criterios interactuen en la decision final de los senadores
Reactive pore expansion during ammonia vapor post-treatment of ordered mesoporous silica prepared with mixed glucopyranoside and cationic surfactants

Abstract n -Octyl-β- d -glucopyranoside (C 8 G 1 ) has the potential to serve as a functional, nonionic template for mesoporous oxides, but its use has been limited due to its propensity to form lamellar mesostructures. Here, 2D hexagonal-structured mesoporous silicas with variable pore sizes are synthesized with C 8 G 1 by the “nanocasting” technique (polycondensation of tetramethoxysilane in concentrated acidic solutions with evaporation) by mixing it with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) to promote ordering. In an effort to stabilize the silica network structure, a mild treatment with ammonia vapor at 50 °C is introduced. Without ammonia treatment, the pore diameter remains constant as the C 8 G 1 :CTAB weight ratio increases even up to 0.3:1. When the as-made materials are treated with ammonia vapor, the degree of long-range order of the samples increases, and pore expansion is observed which increases in magnitude as the C 8 G 1 content increases. Large degrees of expansion increase pore size fluctuations but do not eliminate long-range order. Materials with well-ordered, uniform pores can be made with C 8 G 1 /CTAB mixtures by limiting the amount of ammonia or increasing the amount of silica precursor. A mechanistic study suggests that micelle swelling occurs with CTAB, but is limited by increased polycondensation of silica and favorable headgroup–silica interactions. With the glucopyranoside surfactant, the extent of expansion is greater not only because of a change in the physical interaction with silica, but also because the Maillard reaction occurs under surprisingly mild conditions.
Portfolio investment of the OIC countries and their implications on trade

Summarizes the net capital flows from industrial to developing/transitional countries 1970‐1996 and recent changes in their equity and bond markets; and identifies the factors affecting these portfolio flows and risk/return behaviour in OIC stock markets. Uses monthly stock return data from ten OIC countries to demonstrate that despite their volatility they might offer opportunities for portfolio diversification; and uses cointegration methods to investigate the dynamic relationships between them. Discusses the causes of the Asian currency crisis and its impact on these stock marekts; and considers what trade and development policies OIC countries should adopt to improve their economies.
Preliminary evidence for internal wave motion at boundaries of convecting and nonconvecting zones in layered thermohaline columns

Confirmation par des experiences de visualisation de l'existence d'instabilites Rayleigh-Taylor entre une zone inferieure convective turbulente intermittente et une zone superieure non convective dans des colonnes de convection thermohaline
Analyzing employment technologies for economically distressed individuals

Economically distressed individuals-those living at or below the poverty line-and individuals with limited education were hit hardest by the recent economic recession in the U.S. Past research finds that these populations often lack the social capital, or connections, needed to achieve economic mobility and face specific barriers such as community distrust and links to strong ties. In addition, the tools and technologies afforded to and used by more affluent individuals fail to meet the needs of this population. Leveraging techniques from Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), we investigate employment technologies (e.g., LinkedIn, TaskRabbit, ODesk) designed to foster social capital and to help individuals find jobs. We contribute the results of a competitive analysis that highlights explicit barriers of employment technologies, or technologies that promote job growth (e.g., the need for credit, upfront money). We also contribute results of a brainstorming session that include concepts to improve future employment technologies.
THE EXTRACTION OF CESIUM AND STRONTIUM FROM ACIDIC HIGH ACTIVITY NUCLEAR WASTE USING A PUREX PROCESS COMPATIBLE ORGANIC EXTRACTANT

Purex process compatible organic systems which selectively and reversibly extract cesium and strontium from synthetic mixed fission product solutions containing3M HNO3, have been developed. This advance makes the development of continuous solvent extraction processes for their recovery more likely. The matrix solution from the Purex process consists of tributyl phosphate (TBP) and kerosene. For cesium and strontium recovery a macrocyclic polyether (crown compound) has been developed for each element. When used in conjunction with a liquid cation exchanger in the matrix solution, the crown compounds will extract either alkali metals or alkaline earths from the synthetic mixed fission product solution. The organic cation exchangers used in this research were didodecylnaphthalene sulfonic acid (DNS) and dinonylnaphthalene sulfonic acid (NNS). As was expected both zirconium and ruthenium also tend to be extracted due to the TBP in the matrix solution and to their complex chemistry. The most favorable cesium a...
Characteristic polynomials of distance matrices of one dimensional sets

Abstract Properties of the eigenvalues of the distance matrix of a one dimensional point set are derived from identities involving the characteristic polynomial and some related polynomials called the Ant, Sym, Din and Sof polynomials of the point set. Let A ⊕ B denote the concatenation of the lists A and B and M S [ i , j ] = M [ m + 1 - i , n + 1 - j ] the spin of the m by n matrix M. The Ant and Sym polynomials come from a factorization of the characteristic polynomial of the distance matrix of the set - A S ⊕ A obtained by reflecting A about the origin. The roots of Ant are the eigenvalues with antisymmetric eigenvectors and the roots of Sym are the eigenvalues with symmetric eigenvectors. Given a square matrix M and a vector A, we say that v ≠ 0 is an eigenvector of M relative to A iff Mv = λ v + kA and A · v = 0 . Some basic properties of relative eigenvectors are developed. The roots of Din are the eigenvalues of the distance matrix of A relative to the vector of 1’s and the roots of Sof are the eigenvalues relative to A itself. Some simple recursions for these polynomials obtained using expansion by minors are elaborated into an extensive series of identities relating polynomials of lists to polynomials of concatenations of the lists. These identities are then used to derive a linear time algorithm for computing the polynomials and proving some results about location, distinctness and interlacing of eigenvalues.
Sex difference in coronary disease: Two opposing views

Abstract Sex differences in cardiovascular disease death rates, as revealed in vital statistics, were reviewed. Analysis was performed by relating male: female ratios to age and by plotting the logarithm of age-specific death rates against age. Although the male: female ratios reach a peak in midlife in most sets of data, the correspondence of this peak with menopause is rather crude. In various nations of the world, the peak sex ratio in deaths from “Arteriosclerotic and degenerative heart disease” was found to range from age 30–35 (Netherlands) to age 55–60 (Japan). The semi-logarithmic plots were very nearly rectilinear under most circumstances, and revealed an absence of an effect by menopause in all cases.
Molecular network of obesity: what does it promise for pharmacotherapy?

Summary There is growing evidence that receptors that respond to orexigenic and anorexigenic signals of respective neuropeptides are also implicated in cognitive, emotional, sensory and motor functions. How do these signals trigger a particular appetitive function while also acting in so different contexts in controlling non-appetitive behaviours? This perspective seeks an answer in their peculiar modular organization when each module planted in complex networks controlling appetite is also engaged in different domains. Network analysis may be essential in considering pharmacotherapeutic interventions and, in particular, when anticipating untoward central effects of agents explored from a therapeutic point of view.
Least-squares multiple updating algorithms on a hypercube

Abstract Parallel algorithms for multiple updating algorithms in recursive least-squares computations are investigated. Comparisons of updating algorithms by carefully implemented orthogonal Householder and Givens schemes are made on the iPSC hypercube distributed memory multiprocessor system. Overall, the performance of updating by orthogonal Householder reflections using a row-oriented storage scheme seems superior to those of Givens rotations using a row-oriented storage scheme and the greedy Givens sequence on the hypercube, for our application. In particular, the communication complexity is independent of the number of vectors being updated. The methods we describe can also be adapted to the parallel computation of general orthogonal factorizations involved in least-squares problems. We have in mind applications to windowed recursive least-squares filtering schemes for near real-time computations on distributed memory architectures.
Lung Transplantation in Patients 60 Years and Older: Results, Complications, and Outcomes

Background Advanced recipient age is reported to negatively affect survival after lung transplantation (LTX). We hypothesized that LTX in patients aged ≥60 years could be performed with acceptable outcomes. Methods We identified 182 consecutive LTX recipients from 1995 to 2005. Outcomes were analyzed and survival compared with results in recipients aged Results During the study period, 29% (52/182) of LTX recipients were ≥60 years old (range, 60 to 69 years). Median follow-up was 2.9 years (range, 0 to 10 years). All patients but one received a single lung. Indications included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 63% (33/52), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 27% (14/52), and other in 10% (5/52). In-hospital mortality was 12% (6/52) for those aged ≥60 compared with 7% (9/130) for those aged p = NS). Complications included reoperation in 10% (5/52), requirement for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in 6% (3/52), renal failure in 12% (6/52), and stroke in 4% (2/52). Actuarial survivals at 30 days, and 1, 3, and 5 years were 90% (82, 98), 86% (76, 96), 71% (56, 85), and 55% (37, 73), respectively. No significant difference in survival was observed between age cohorts for our institutional data by Kaplan-Meier analysis ( p = 0.34) or by Cox proportional hazard model ( p = 0.15). A significant survival advantage was noted for our institution compared with UNOS for this cohort ( p = 0.018). Conclusions In carefully selected recipients ≥60 years of age, LTX offers acceptable outcomes and survival.
Retrograde Endovascular Hypogastric Artery Preservation (REHAP) and Aortouniiliac (AUI) Endografting in the Management of Complex Aortoiliac Aneurysms

The preservation of internal iliac artery (IIA) flow during endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (er-AAA) remains a controversial area. Ectasia and aneurysmal disease of the iliac arteries represent a formidable challenge to the endovascular surgeon, particularly when aortic neck length and diameter are suitable for er-AAA. We describe a procedure to maintain arterial perfusion to the pelvis during er-AAA called retrograde endovascular hypogastric artery preservation (REHAP). This technique is particularly useful in the presence of common iliac artery (CIA) and internal iliac artery (IIA) aneurysms when pelvic perfusion to one IIA needs to be maintained. A Wallgraft is first placed from the IIA to the ipsilateral EIA followed by er-AAA using an aortouniiliac graft (AUI) and a femorofemoral bypass graft (BPG). This procedure represents one alternative to maintaining pelvic perfusion using standard endovascular and surgical techniques.
Dominance relationships in a group of domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)

We investigated the extent to which dominance relationships, as described for feral dogs and wolves, applied to a group of 24 neutered companion dogs at a dog daycare facility. Similar to other studies of dogs and wolves, we found significant linear dominance hierarchies based on highly unidirectional displays of submission and aggression. Submission was the most frequent, unidirectional and linear type of agonistic behaviour and, therefore, a better indicator of status than aggression or dominance displays. Aggression was low intensity, consisting mainly of ritualized threats with no physical contact, and conflicts involving physical contact were never injurious. Older dogs out-ranked younger dogs, but size was unrelated to dominance rank. Dominance relationships were more often expressed in same-sex dyads than between males and females. The coverage of dominance relationships in the daycare group was low compared to that reported for sexually intact dogs and wolves, which was probably a result of reduced competition due to neutering and other human influences. In many dyads dogs never exchanged agonistic behaviours, but bi-directional relationships were rare, and most dogs formed some dominance relationships with other dogs. Except for their low coverage, muzzle licks met the criteria for a formal display of submission. Our results suggest that dominance remains a robust component of domestic dog behaviour even when humans significantly reduce the potential for resource competition. The possible proximate benefits of dominance relationships for dogs are discussed.
Hot exciton dissociation in conjugated polymers

We consider on-chain dissociation of an exciton created on a conjugated polymer chain by optical excitation above the absorption edge. Assuming that the excess excitation energy is stored in several phonons, we estimate the rate of dissociation by phonon absorption when one of the carriers (electron or hole) is ejected into a delocalized state of the conduction or valence band. We obtain the characteristic time for this process to be less than 100 fs.
Physics of magnetic flux ropes

Magnetic flux ropes are tubes of magnetic flux that contain field lines twisted about the axis of the rope. Such tubes may occur in isolation, as in the ionosphere of Venus, or surrounded by equally strong magnetic fields, as in the terrestrial magentosphere. Magnetic flux ropes appear to play a critical role in solar physics, magnetospheric physics, in the Venusian ionosphere, and in interplanetary space. More than 100 scientists gathered the week of March 27 at an AGU Chapman Conference held at the Princess Hotel, Hamilton, Bermuda, to discuss the physics of magnetic flux ropes. Conference convenors were E. R. Priest, L. C. Lee and C. T. Russell.
Application of phasor plot and autofluorescence correction for study of heterogeneous cell population

Protein-protein interactions in cells are often studied using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) phenomenon by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM). Here, we demonstrate approaches to the quantitative analysis of FRET in cell population in a case complicated by a highly heterogeneous donor expression, multiexponential donor lifetime, large contribution of cell autofluorescence, and significant presence of unquenched donor molecules that do not interact with the acceptor due to low affinity of donor-acceptor binding. We applied a multifrequency phasor plot to visualize FRET FLIM data, developed a method for lifetime background correction, and performed a detailed time-resolved analysis using a biexponential model. These approaches were applied to study the interaction between the Toll Interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and the decoy peptide 4BB. TLR4 was fused to Cerulean fluorescent protein (Cer) and 4BB peptide was labeled with Bodipy TMRX (BTX). Phasor displays for multifrequency FLIM data are presented. The analytical procedure for lifetime background correction is described and the effect of correction on FLIM data is demonstrated. The absolute FRET efficiency was determined based on the phasor plot display and multifrequency FLIM data analysis. The binding affinity between TLR4-Cer (donor) and decoy peptide 4BB-BTX (acceptor) was estimated in a heterogeneous HeLa cell population.
Momentum Flux from Wind to Aqueous Flows at Various Wind Velocities and Fetches

Abstract The fraction of wind stress consumed in driving aqueous flows has been estimated for various nondimensional fetches, derived from the wind velocity, fetch, and gravitational acceleration. The fraction is shown to vary with both fetch and wind velocity; at all fetches it is smaller at lower wind velocities, and for most wind it is smaller at shorter fetches.
Animistic Thought in Young Children; Effects of Probing.

Piaget's norms for animistic thought have been criticized as too high. These critics have in turn been questioned for failing to obtain justifications for judgments. This study attempted to reconcile the differences between the two camps through a standardized questioning format which went a step beyond justification. Subjects, aged 3 to 6 yr., were given a task in which they judged the life qualities of a stimulus, justified their judgment, and judged again after being given an anomalous probe. Analysis indicated that younger children were unable to adhere to an original judgment when probed while older children were.
Inhibition of Onoclea sensibilis Spore Germination by Far-red Light and Cis-4-Cyclohexene-1,2-dicarboximide

Summary Red light-induction of Onoclea sensibilis spore germination has been reversed by far-red light, revealing the photoreceptive role of phytochrome. Cis-4-cyclohexene-1,2-dicarboximide, which inhibits processes involved with phytochrome-mediated seed germination, appears mainly to inhibit non-phytochrome-related processes in Onoclea spore germination.
Tendo Achillis procedures for chronic ulcerations in diabetic patients with transmetatarsal amputations

Recurrent ulceration following transmetatarsal amputation commonly results from hypertrophic bone formation or equinus deformity. In the current study, 31 diabetic patients underwent 33 Achilles tendon procedures for recurrent ulcerations at the distal stump of their transmetatarsal amputation. Primary healing was achieved in 21 procedures (64%) and secondary healing in 9 procedures (27%) for an overall healing rate of 91%. Two procedures failed to resolve the original ulceration (6%). The average follow-up examination was 27 months. The authors conclude that Achilles tendon procedures are an effective means of managing ulcerations in transmetatarsal amputation feet exhibiting an equinus deformity.
Elevating Saint Germanus of Auxerre: Architecture, Politics, and Liturgy in the Reclaiming of Monastic Identity

In the mid-thirteenth century, the Benedictine monks at the Abbey of Saint-Germain faced the unwelcome reality that they were the vassals of Auxerre's bishop. Despite the abbey's prestigious history of hosting the highest echelons of royalty and possessing the most coveted relics of Saint Germanus of Auxerre, patron saint of both monastery and city, each abbot, on the day of his installation, made his way to the Cathedral of Auxerre, knelt at the feet of the bishop, and swore an oath of fealty to him. Moreover, the abbot and his monks, along with the rest of Auxerre's citizens, looked on while the magnificent new edifice of the Cathedral of Auxerre arose over them, supplying yet more tangible evidence of the bishop's dominion over his city.
Naturalistic, Decision—Oriented Evaluation of a District Reading Program

The selection of basal reading series for a school district is a serious curriculum decision; in effect, the selected series becomes the district's reading curriculum. This study addresses methodological problems confronting decision-oriented evaluation of reading materials within a naturalistic setting. Effects of selected process and attitude variables on reading achievement are reported to illustrate the feasibility of responding to the methodological problems.With the intent of selecting a basal reading series and exploring factors that may increase reading achievement, five series were pilot tested in four grades (1,2,3, and 6) in a total of 60 classes. In addition to pre and post achievement, process and attitude data were included as well as characteristics of teacher, classroom learning environment, and instruction.Regression analysis showed that achievement was unaffected by series or by teacher's years of teaching, amount of inservice preparation, number of formal reading courses, or awareness o...
Differences in diet patterns of mothers of preschool children from low and middle income groups

Abstract Differences in diets of 36 mothers of preschool children representing low income (LI) and middle income (MI) groups were determined. Microcomputer nutrient analysis of mothers' diets, indicated no differences in nutrient adequacy of diets between groups. However, differences (P
Image fusion experiment for information content

Recent developments in image fusion have produced a variety of approaches like image overlay, image sharpening, and image cueing through pixel, feature, or region/shape combinations. The applicability of these approaches and techniques differ on the image content, contextual information, and generalized metrics of image fusion gain. An image fusion gain can be assessed relative to information gain or entropy reduction. In this paper, we are interested in exploring the techniques and data available with the image fusion toolbox (from www.imagefusion.org) to assess the use of relative entropy analysis for metric evaluation, image fusion gain calculations, and assessment of fused images as templates for automatic target recognition. Examples are demonstrated for medical (PET/MRI), (CT/MRI) and environment (visible/infrared) examples. A mutual information measure of the image fusion quality can be an effective tool to characterize image terrain, content, and contextual information to cue higher-level fusion algorithms.
Development of Memory-Monitoring and Self-Efficacy in Children:

To test the hypothesis that strategic learning and self-efficacy in children develop according to their memory-monitoring skills 30 children each in Grades 2 and 4 were trained to monitor their performance. Second graders receiving such generalized training were more likely to approach a paired-associate learning task using a successful strategy of elaboration than control subjects not so instructed. In contrast, virtually all fourth graders elaborated paired-associates on the “choice” trial with or without memory-monitoring training. Task-specific tests of self-efficacy given before and after paired-associate learning showed pretest to posttest gains for both grades. However, only increases in self-efficacy for fourth graders generalized in a systematic fashion to cognitive tasks similar in nature to paired-associate learning (e.g., vocabulary learning). These results were discussed within a developmental model of learning incorporating memory-monitoring as a mediating variable for both strategic learnin...
Sensitivity Enhancement of Cantilever-Based Sensors Using Feedback Delays

This paper entails a novel sensitivity-enhancement mechanism for cantilever-based sensors. The enhancement scheme is based on exciting the sensor at the clamped end using a delayed-feedback signal obtained by measuring the tip deflection of the sensor. The gain and delay of the feedback signal are chosen such that the base excitations set the beam into stable limit-cycle oscillations as a result of a supercritical Hopf bifurcation of the trivial fixed points. The amplitude of these limit-cycles is shown to be ultrasensitive to parameter variations and, hence, can be utilized for the detection of minute changes in the resonant frequency of the sensor. The first part of the manuscript delves into the theoretical understanding of the proposed mechanism and the operation concept. Using the method of multiple scales, an approximate analytical solution for the steady-state limit-cycle amplitude near the stability boundaries is obtained. This solution is then utilized to provide a comprehensive understanding of the effect of small frequency variations on the limit-cycle amplitude and the sensitivity of these limit-cycles to different design parameters. Once a deep theoretical understanding is established, the manuscript provides an experimental study to investigate the proposed concept. Experimental results demonstrate orders of magnitude sensitivity enhancement over the traditional frequency-shift method.
The use of nitrogen adsorption to assess the microstructure of cement paste

Surface area and porosity as measured by nitrogen are controversial and may not represent the real or entire surface of cement paste. However, when experimental variation is minimized, changes in nitrogen surface area and porosity due to chemistry and processing are observed that provide valuable insight into the elusive calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) microstructure. Understanding the causes of variation, both experimental and microstructural, is vital if nitrogen adsorption is to be a legitimate tool for studying cement pastes. Historical data on nitrogen BET surface area of cement pastes were examined and sources of variation identified. The following variables were determined to be among the most influential in altering surface area: drying method, age, water-to-cement ratio, curing temperature, and calcium chloride addition. These were addressed experimentally in order to clarify or confirm the effects seen in the literature.
Carbamylation of cysteine: a potential artifact in peptide mapping of hemoglobins in the presence of urea.

Peptide mapping is a useful technique for identifying posttranslational modifications. However, sometimes artifacts can be introduced during the mapping procedure which can be misleading in identifying the origin and nature of the modifications. During peptide mapping of unalkylated hemoglobins with Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase, we found a significant level of carbamylated cysteines. Carbamylation was not detected if recombinant human hemoglobin (rHb1.1) was alkylated prior to digestion. Our experiments indicated that this modification was an artifact of the digestion procedure in which the slightly acidic conditions promoted the reaction of cysteine sulfhydryls with residual cyanate derived from urea. Carbamylmercaptans were found to be stable under acidic conditions but were unstable in base. The extent of cysteine carbamylation can be moderated by the use of scavengers.
Strategic elites, the press, and race relations

In public discourse about race relations, social and political actors interact with the press with the goal of shaping the picture of social reality accepted by policymakers and citizens. In a departure from research focusing on how elites shape news coverage, this research examines what policymakers do - in a strategic sense - with discourse about race in news media. Evidence linking press content or journalists' comments about race with advocacy by elites of certain legislative policies would be suggestive of how mass communication has been ‘used’ in public discussion about race relations. With this in mind, this research examines 2 important congressional debates about race relations during a critical era in U.S. history.
An analysis of the research productivity of authors appearing in financial education journals

Purpose – This paper seeks to evaluate the research records of scholars contributing articles to the two premier financial education journals – Journal of Financial Education (JFED) and Financial Practice and Education (FPE) – as a means by which to obtain indirect evidence about the quality of the articles appearing in these education journals. The implicit assumption is that authors who publish in the best finance research journals will apply the same standards of excellence and rigor when preparing manuscripts for financial education journals.Design/methodology/approach – The names of all authors appearing in the JFED and FPE during the 1972‐2010 period – and the number of such appearances – were summarized directly from the journals' table of contents. The number of appearances by each author in a set of 23 high‐impact finance journals was identified by reference to the table of contents of these journals.Findings – The majority of the authors appearing in the two education journals have also penned o...
So You Want to Fly Remotely Operated Vehicles in Civil Approach Air Space

A distributed simulation was conducted between the Flight Deck Display Research Laboratory (FDDRL) of NASA Ames Research Center and the Center for the Study of Advanced Aeronautic Technologies (CSAAT) at California State University, Long Beach to assess the feasibility of flying ROVs in busy terminal environments with commercial traffic. Pilots with glass cockpit experience were recruited to fly one or two ROVs in simulated airspace over water reservoirs near DFW airport, with the major goal of avoiding the approach traffic. Results showed that pilots had a difficult time patrolling the lake without losing separation from the approach traffic. However, their performance did improve with practice. The commercial pilots' performance in our study suggested that ROV operations in busy terminal airspace were feasible and that they would be comfortable operating in the airspace jointly with ROVs. Strategies for control of a single or multiple ROVs are discussed.
Methods of purification of bovine vasculokinase.

Methods have been presented for the purification of vasculokinase from the bovine aorta. The factor is extracted from the aorta in 0.1 M acetate buffer (pH 4.6). It is precipitated with ammonium sulfate. The resulting product may be purified further on Sephadex G-75 columns, or may be separated by differential chromatography on Cellex-P columns. The resulting material is protein in nature and is of a high degree of purity. This is confirmed by electrophoretic and ultracentrifugal analysis.
Evaluation of an advance surgical scheduling system

Utilization of the surgical suite is of significant concern to administrators because of the high costs associated with this facility. Scheduling systems, which control the flow of patients into the surgical arena, are frequently cited as a primary means of improving resource utilization. The objective of the research reported herein was to test the hypothesis that the implementation of a centralized advance surgical scheduling system is associated with a significant improvement in operating room (OR) team utilization rate. Data were collected at a test hospital and at a control hospital for three months prior to implementation of a scheduling system at the test hospital, and for an additional three months starting nine months after implementation. The mean OR team utilization rate at the test hospital rose 12% from 0.68 prior to implementation to 0.77 postimplementation. The mean OR team utilization rate at the control hospital fell 8%, from 0.78 preimplementation to 0.73 postimplementation. The research hypothesis was supported using multiple regression, which controlled for various intervening variables that could affect utilization rate independently of the scheduling system. A literature review showed that experimental designs such as the one used in this study have not previously been used to evaluate scheduling systems in hospital settings, despite the increasing need to justify the purchase and implementation of such systems.
Determining Economically Optimum Weaning Age: A Case Study in Erzurum, Turkey

Abstract Isik, H.B., Kulekci, M. and Birinci, A. 2006. Determining economically optimum weaning age: A case study in Erzurum, Turkey. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 30: 125–128. This study aims to find out optimum weaning age for calves in order to minimize the feeding cost of a farm. Two breeds of calves, i.e. Brown Swiss and Holstein Friesian, were weaned on three different weaning ages, i.e. 30, 45 and 60 days. The calves have been observed from birth to six months. The significant variables on weight gain have been estimated using logarithmic production model. It has been found out that the feeding cost of one kg weight gain for earliest weaning age is about 16% less than for the latest weaning age. It is concluded that shortening weaning age period will reduce the feeding cost and increase the farm income.
Media effects on information sharing: A field experiment

The purpose of this field experiment was to test hypotheses concerned with media effects on the ability to share and discuss information in administrative appeals hearings in the area of unemployment insurance. Three communication modes were compared: (a) face‐to‐face, the traditional mode; (b) split telephone, in which participants speak from locations convenient to each; and (c) office telephone, in which the agency representative is at one location and all other participants are located together at another agency office. Of the numerous tests conducted, few revealed significant differences among the three modes. These results corroborated findings from previous laboratory and field research: in‐person hearings compared favorably with the two telephone modes, and the split conference hearing tended to receive higher ratings than the office telephone configuration.
On the asymptotic normality of kernel density estimators for causal linear random fields

We establish sufficient conditions for the asymptotic normality of kernel density estimators applied to causal linear random fields, by m-dependent approximation. Our conditions on the coefficients of linear random fields are weaker than the known results, although our assumption on the bandwidth is not minimal. We also establish a convergence rate of Berry-Esseen's type.
Efficient Aerobic Oxidation of Secondary Alcohols at Ambient Temperature with an ABNO/NOx Catalyst System

New highly practical methods are presented for aerobic oxidation of secondary alcohols with a nitroxyl radical in combination with HNO3, NaNO2, or both as cocatalysts. Diverse nitroxyls are compared, including several novel bicyclic derivatives. Catalyst systems with the readily available nitroxyls, 9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-N-oxyl (ABNO) and 9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one-N-oxyl (keto-ABNO), are optimized in acetic acid or acetonitrile as the solvent. The reactions are compatible with substrates bearing diverse functional groups and proceed efficiently under mild conditions at ambient pressure and temperature.
Comparison of total fat, fatty acids, cholesterol, and other sterols in mayonnaise and imitation mayonnaise.

Nine brands of mayonnaise and five brands of imitation mayonnaise were purchased from supermarkets in the Washington, DC, area. The samples were analyzed for total fat, fatty acids, sterols, and moisture. Little variation in total fat and saturated fatty acid values was observed among the brands of mayonnaise. The polyunsaturated fatty acid content of mayonnaise ranged from 28.0 to 47.9 g/100 g product. The cholesterol levels were divided between two ranges, 50-55 and 75-79 mg/100 g product. In contrast, there was wide variation in the lipid composition of the different brands of imitation mayonnaise. The total fat values for these products varied from 14.3 to 50.4 g/100 g product. The cholesterol content varied between 0 and 72 mg/100 g product; the latter figure equals the cholesterol content of many of the mayonnaise samples.
Herbicide leaching and distribution in tilled and untilled soil

Leaching and distribution of several pesticides, applied at recommended rates, were evaluated in a Hagerstown silty clay loam (Typic Hapludalf) by analyzing soil fractions and pan lysimeter percolates (PLP) collected at a soil depth of 122 cm under conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT) corn (Zea mays L.) management. In general, maximum herbicide concentrations detected and mean total amounts in PLP were higher in 1985 than 1984 for both CT and NT, and were greater under NT conditions where more leachate was collected each year than in CT (...)
Cu(II)-Catalyzed Aerobic Hydroperoxidation of Meldrum’s Acid Derivatives and Application in Intramolecular Oxidation: A Conceptual Blueprint for O2/H2 Dihydroxylation

Aerobic hydroperoxidation of Meldrum’s acid derivatives via a Cu(II)-catalyzed process is presented. The mild reaction conditions are tolerant to pendant unsaturation allowing the formation of endoperoxides via electrophilic activation. Cleavage of the O–O bond provides 1,n-diols with differentiation of the hydroxy groups.
The Amino Acid Residue at Sequence Position 5 in the Conantokin Peptides Partially Governs Subunit-selective Antagonism of RecombinantN-Methyl-d-aspartate Receptors

Abstract Whole cell voltage clamp recordings were performed to assess the ability of conantokin-G (con-G), conantokin-T (con-T), and a 17-residue truncated form of conantokin-R (con-R[1–17]) to inhibit N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)-evoked currents in human embryonic kidney 293 cells transiently expressing various combinations of NR1a, NR1b, NR2A, and NR2B receptor subunits. Con-T and con-R[1–17] attenuated ion currents in cells expressing NR1a/NR2A or NR1a/NR2B. Con-G did not affect NMDA-evoked ionic currents in cells expressing NR1a/NR2A, but it showed inhibitory activity in cells expressing NR1a/NR2B receptors and the triheteromeric combination of NR1a/NR2A/NR2B. An Ala-rich con-G analog, con-G[Q6G/γ7K/N8A/γ10A/γ14A/K15A/S16A/N17A] (Ala/con-G, where γ is Gla), in which all nonessential amino acids were altered to Ala residues, manifested subunit specificity similar to that of con-G, suggesting that the replaced residues are not responsible for selectivity in the con-G framework. A sarcosine-containing con-T truncation analog, con-T[1–9/G1Src/Q6G], inhibited currents in NR1a/NR2A and NR1a/NR2B receptors, eliminating residues 10–21 as mediators of the broad subunit selectivity of con-T. In contrast to the null effects of con-G and Ala/con-G at a NR1a/NR2A-containing receptor, some inhibition (∼40%) of NMDA-evoked currents was effected by these peptides in cells expressing NR1b/NR2A. This finding suggests that the presence of exon 5 in NR1b plays a role in the activity of the conantokins. Analysis of various conantokin analogs demonstrated that Leu5 of con-G is an important determinant of conantokin selectivity. Taken as a whole, these results suggest that the important molecular determinants on conantokins responsible for NMDA receptor activity and specificity are discretely housed in specific residues of these peptides, thus allowing molecular manipulation of the NMDA receptor inhibitory properties of the conantokins.
Perinatal HIV transmission—A global problem: Controversy and protection of the next generation

By December 1997, perinatal HIV infection is estimated to have killed 1.7 million children under the age of 15 worldwide, and an estimated 8.2 million children have been orphaned by infection with HIV/AIDS. More than 90 percent of the 16,000 infections in all ages occurring daily are in developing countries, and 1,600 of these infections occur in young people between the ages of 15 and 24 years. Mother-to-child transmission of HIV during gestation, labor, and delivery, or by breast-feeding, is responsible for the vast majority of HIV infections in children, with an estimated 40 to 90 percent of transmissions occurring around the time of birth. Despite numerous objections, a placebo-controlled clinical trial of PACTG 076 was conceived in 1988 and opened in 1991. It concluded in February 1994, when the Data Safety Monitoring Board reviewed the results and found an astonishing level of efficacy. In the United States, a decrease in AIDS has occurred with the simultaneous increase in counseling and testing of pregnant women and zidovudine (ZDV) usage during pregnancy. No global recommendations for the use of the 076 regimen were made by the World Health Organization in 1994 because of numerous factors that precluded widespread use of the regimen. Several trials used a placebo-controlled design, which subsequently has been criticized severely. Despite the strong support for these studies in the host countries and the implementation of guidelines approved by the National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control, the allegations have had an impact on ongoing studies and future trials. In June 1998, approximately 50 participants from various nations attended a workshop held by the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and the Emory/Atlanta Center for AIDS Research to discuss clinical trials to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Specific details of the decisions reached are awaiting publication. We must diminish the worldwide disparities in health care by identifying interventions that can reduce perinatal HIV transmission in economically disadvantaged countries.
Comments on "Linear filtering in the presence of time-varying bias"

In the above note, the authors extend Friedland's result on filtering in the presence of biases. It is pointed out here that their extension was in essence already contained in Friedland's paper.
Tight-binding model for the energy bands in solids☆

Abstract Band structure parameters are calculated from overlap integrals relevant for the 3s-band of bcc sodium.
Applications of efficiency measurements in bioaccumulation studies: Definitions, clarifications, and a critique of methods

Measurements of digestion, absorption, and assimilation efficiencies play central roles in physiological and ecological studies of nutrition and in toxicological studies of bioaccumulation. There is, however, a pervasive problem with inconsistency in the definition and use of efficiency terms and in their measurement and interpretation. Digestion, absorption, and assimilation efficiencies are frequently confused, and the term “assimilation efficiency” is commonly and incorrectly used as a synonym for digestion and absorption efficiencies. To differentiate measurements that are truly assimilation efficiencies from measurements that are digestion efficiencies and absorption efficiencies, explicit definitions of terms and examination of methodologies are necessary. In general, comparisons of ingested food and feces are digestion efficiencies and comparisons of ingested food and tissues are assimilation efficiencies. Absorption efficiencies can be determined from comparisons of ingested food and feces when the food component of interest is directly absorbed without digestion (e.g., some particle-associated toxicants) or is an absorbable tracer (e.g., 14C) that is not altered by digestion. Absorption efficiencies of toxicants are commonly measured using two tracer-based methods, the dual tracer method and the selectivity index (SI) method. The assumptions of the dual tracer method can at least be tested and validated while the assumptions of the SI method are not valid. The SI method requires the assumption of a value for total organic carbon (TOC) absorption efficiency in order to calculate a toxicant absorption efficiency, and analysis of the equations associated with the SI method shows that calculating a toxicant absorption efficiency using an assumed TOC absorption efficiency is not any more justifiable than just assuming a toxicant absorption efficiency.
Growth of adhesive cubic phase boron nitride films without argon ion bombardment

Abstract Previously, in situ bombardment of massive ions (Ar + , Kr + , etc.) was considered to be necessary for the formation of c-BN films. Because of the accumulated stress, bombardment of massive ions has led to the formation of c-BN films with poor adhesion. Here we show that c-BN films can be grown without involving bombardment of massive ions. This is achieved by using plasma-assisted pulsed-laser deposition (PLD) in pure N 2 RF plasma. Furthermore, we show that c-BN films can be grown in a vacuum (∼10 − 5 mbar during growth) by PLD without auxiliary ion source. We show that these are possible at a reduced deposition rate. Energetic growth species initiated by PLD and the pure N 2 plasma is sufficient to form adhesive c-BN films at moderate deposition rate as long as the energy transfer rate per growth species is sufficient.
Formability Improvement in Aluminum Tailor-Welded Blanks via Material Combinations☆

Abstract The use of tailor-welded blanks (TWBs) in automotive applications is increasing due to the potential of weight and cost savings. These blanks are manufactured by seam welding two or more sheets of dissimilar gauge, properties, or both, to form a lighter and stiffer blank. This allows engineers to “tailor” the properties of the blank to meet the design requirements of a particular part. TWBs are used in such places as door inner panels, lift gates, and floor pans. Initial applications of TWBs were for steel alloys, but investigating the potential of using aluminum TWBs is also of interest. One of the problems encountered with stamping TWBs is the difference in load-bearing capacities of the dissimilar sheets that make up the TWB. This can result in a reduction in the formability of the TWB and possibly a movement of the weld from its design-intended location. This paper presents the results of investigating the use of different material combinations to manipulate this type of preferential straining in the TWB in an effort to minimize the movement of the weld line.
Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Carbonylation of Alkane Dinitrite Esters to Polyoxalates

Aliphatic polyoxalates in the molecular weight (Mw) range of 5000−15 000 were produced from alkane α,ω-dinitrites and carbon monoxide, using a homogeneous palladium(II)-based catalytic system. The ...
The motion of a deformable drop in a second-order fluid

The cross-stream migration of a deformable drop in a unidirectional shear flow of a second-order fluid is considered. Expressions for the particle velocity due to the separate effects of deformation and viscoelastic rheology are obtained. The direction and magnitude of migration are calculated for the particular cases of Poiseuille flow and simple shear flow and compared with experimental data.