cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Children’s task-oriented patterns in early childhood: A latent transition analysis

Abstract We examined individual differences and predictions of children’s patterns in behavioral, emotional and attentional efforts toward challenging puzzle tasks at 24 and 35 months using data from a large longitudinal rural representative sample. Using latent transition analysis, we found four distinct task-oriented patterns in problem-solving tasks within parent-toddler/preschooler dyads representing different levels of regulatory strengths and weaknesses. We also found the relatively more positive and adaptive task-oriented patterns (i.e., the positive-motivated pattern and the content-compliant pattern) were more stable, but the relatively negative patterns (i.e., the negative-disengaged pattern and the emotional-mixed pattern) had much more variability and change from 24 to 35 months. Finally, infant attention, positive parenting, and family economic strains also significantly predicted children’s task-oriented patterns at 24 months after controlling for child gender, race and maternal education. These findings contribute to prevention/intervention strategies for young children’s optimal performance during challenging problem solving and their later school success.
AReBIC: Autonomous reservation-based intersection control for emergency evacuation

Connected vehicle (CV) and autonomous vehicle (AV) technologies are rapidly advancing. Traffic control for future hurricane evacuation can be radically different compared to the current approaches in use. Extensive modeling research and limited field deployments have demonstrated the benefits of CV, AV technologies in achieving higher mobility, safety, and environmentally friendly solutions. One area that has not been explored in prior research is the benefits these technologies may offer to the emergency evacuation performance. Specifically, evacuation traffic control is one area where CV and AV technologies can have a transformative effect. At-grade intersections and grade-separated interchanges on evacuation routes are susceptible to congestion due to the increased demand competing for road usage. Traffic control methods that efficiently route traffic at intersections and interchanges also enhance the overall evacuation performance. This paper proposes an autonomous reservation-based intersection control (AReBIC) system for evacuation traffic control. The AReBIC system receives and processes reservation requests from approaching vehicles in real-time and routes them free of conflict. The results of a case study of Hampton Roads, Virginia, showed that the AReBIC system outperformed the existing traffic control practice in terms of mobility and safety. The average speeds increased by 29% and total delays reduced by 88% when intersection control was changed to the AReBIC system. The number of crossing conflicts decreased by 88% and lane change conflicts decreased by 47%.
Direct observation of a coincident dislocation- and grain boundary-mediated deformation in nanocrystalline iron

Abstract The vast majority of our understanding about the deformation mechanisms in nanocrystalline materials is limited to information gained from experimental and theoretical characterization of FCC materials. Related behavior in nanocrystalline BCC materials is not as frequently studied, and thus outstanding questions remain regarding deformation regimes and Hall-Petch trends. Using in situ TEM, we investigate the deformation mechanisms of nanocrystalline BCC iron films with an average grain size of 35 nm produced by physical vapor deposition. The tensile experiments showed that fracture resulted after strains of about 5%. Crack propagation occurred primarily by separation of grain boundaries at the crack tip, which was accompanied by localized intragranular ductile (often superplastic) fracture. Deformation at the crack tip was accommodated by dislocation motion, grain rotation, and grain growth. No evidence was observed of twinning in nanocrystalline BCC iron. The concurrent nature of the grain rotation and dislocation motion indicates that grain rotation occurs at fairly large grain sizes and there is no sharp transition from dislocation-mediated to grain boundary sliding mechanisms as grain size is decreased in BCC iron.
TSLP acts on neutrophils to drive complement-mediated killing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, often presenting as serious skin infections in otherwise healthy individuals, have become a world-wide epidemic problem and warrant attention for therapeutic intervention. Accordingly, defining the mechanisms that govern the activation and regulation of the immune response to MRSA is clinically important and could lead to the discovery of much needed rational targets for therapeutic manipulation. The cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoeitin (TSLP) is most well characterized as a major contributor to Th2-type responses in which it plays a deleterious role in the promotion of allergic responses. However, while TSLP is highly expressed at barrier surfaces, including the skin, its role in host-defense against bacterial infections has not been well elucidated. Unexpectedly, we found that TSLP can play a protective role in the skin by acting directly on mouse neutrophils to increase their killing of MRSA in both an in vitro killing assay and an in vivo skin infection model. Additionally, TSLP also directly acts on purified human blood neutrophils to reduce MRSA burden. Therefore, neutrophils represent previously unrecognized potent responders to TSLP. Surprisingly, we found that TSLP mediates these effects by directly engaging the complement C5 system to modulate reactive oxygen species production by neutrophils. Thus, TSLP increases MRSA killing in a neutrophil- and complement-dependent manner, revealing an unanticipated key connection between TSLP and the innate complement system. These data demonstrate an unrecognized beneficial role for TSLP in the skin, with potentially important clinical implications.
Outpatient continuing care after residential substance use disorder treatment in the US Veterans Health Administration: Facilitators and challenges.

Background: In the U.S. Veterans Health Administration (VHA), residential treatment programs are an important part of the continuum of care for patients with substance use disorders (SUDs). Outpati...
The Window Opens

We may hear in the rooms of mutual support groups that God does not close a door without opening a window. In this era of diminishing library budgets and increased financial pressures on publishers...
Kumaraswamy Marshall-Olkin Exponential distribution

In this paper, a new generalization of the Kumaraswamy distribution namely, the Kumaraswamy Marshall-Olkin Exponential distribution (KwMOE) is introduced and studied. Various properties are explore...
Quantifying the Risks Of Nuclear Electric Energy

The cost of electricity generation can be divided into private costs and external costs. The former are the costs borne by the generators and the latter are costs directly borne by the public at large, but not part of the generators’ direct costs. The sum of private and external costs is defined as the social cost (Markandya, 1995). An example of a private cost is the cost of capital equipment, cost of operation etc. An example of an external cost is the damage caused by non-routine radiation, for which the generator does not bear liability.
Mimickers of Lung Carcinoma in Cytology and Small Biopsy Specimens

Various nonneoplastic processes and benign tumors can simulate lung cancer at different levels of diagnostic work-up: during physical examination, interpretation of radiologic images, or examination of pathologic material. Despite the advances in imaging studies, radiologic findings at times can be misleading due to an overlap in the appearance between neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions. Cytologic evaluation and small tissue biopsy have become established initial methods for the evaluation of radiographically detected lung lesions. These methods are less invasive compared to video-assisted thoracic surgery, thoracotomy, and mediastinoscopy. However, specimens obtained from these methods are smaller than those obtained from the invasive procedures and can occasionally pose diagnostic challenges potentially resulting in misdiagnosis. Therefore, familiarity with the potential mimickers of lung carcinoma is of utmost importance.
“Where Are You?” Defensive Dissociation and Fragments of Annihilated Faith

This article addresses the relation between defensive dissociation and faith. Defensive dissociation is understood as a response to severe trauma. In this response there is no interpreting subject to process the event linguistically and the result is fragments of unformulated memory that continue to be painfully present long after the original trauma. The victim of severe trauma alternates between the need to be here in the presence of other human beings and the dissociative isolation of not being here. There are two related claims in this article. First, defensive dissociation stands for an event where faith is annihilated. As a defense it protects a person's remnant sense of faith, subjectivity, agency, and personhood by creating a space of non-experience. Fragments of annihilated faith continue to be present in the person's present formulations of faith and concomitant behaviors, relationships, and use of objects. The second claim is that the core of severe trauma remains outside the victim and community's capacities to represent it symbolically. This incommunicable core of annihilated faith can be contained by a community of faithful persons who are willing to face the horror of non-being and being nowhere without succumbing to despair.
Comment on Tarmo Lemola’s Article

Max Jakobson, in the beginning of his little book Finland: Myth and Reality, notes that Finland pays a price for her policy of neutrality: the rest of the world has little incentive to follow Finnish affairs; their knowledge of the country tends to be superficial and fragmentary. “As a result, Finland is forever at the mercy of the itinerant columnist who after lunch and cocktails in Helsinki is ready to pronounce himself upon the fate of the Finnish people” (p. 8).
"Whole Again": Why Are Penile Transplants Less Controversial Than Uterine?

In 2016, a team at Massachusetts General Hospital announced the first successful penile transplant from a deceased donor to a man who had previously had a cancer-related amputation. This “landmark ...
UV Absorption Spectra of Intermediates Generated via Photolysis of B(N3)3, BCl(N3)2, and BCl2(N3) in Low-Temperature Argon Matrices†

The UV absorption spectra of B(N3)3, BCl(N3)2 and BCl2N3 isolated in low temperature argon matrices were measured as the matrices were photolyzed with the loosely focused output of a D2 lamp. IR spectra were taken simultaneously with the UV spectra, and changes in the UV spectra were correlated with changes in the IR spectra. A series of bands at 348.0, 353.5, 360.0, 366.0, 372.5, and 379.5 nm appeared during the photolysis of B(N3)3 and were assigned as a vibrational progression in a bending mode of NNBN. Photolysis of BCl(N3)2 generated a feature at 408 nm that displayed evidence of vibrational structure and a sharp band at 275 nm. The 408 nm absorption was tentatively assigned to ClBN2, a three-membered ring compound, and the 275 nm band as the A1Π ← X1Σ transition in BCl. No new UV features were observed during the photolysis of BCl2N3, although the IR spectrum clearly indicated the formation of ClBNCl. These data indicate that ClBNCl has no UV absorption spectrum at wavelengths longer than 240 nm.
DISCRIMINATION, EMOTION, AND HEALTH INEQUITIES

In this paper I argue that certain ways in which the relationship among discrimination, emotions and health is presented can undermine equity. I identify a model of this relationship the discrimination-emotion-health model - and claim that while the model is important for understanding the detrimental impact that discrimination and oppression can have on emotions and health, certain implications of the model are troubling. I identify six critiques of the model, and show that equity could be undermined, for example, when stereotypes of the oppressed are reinforced and the experiences of the privileged are normalized. I then assess the implications of my analysis of the model and its critique for a framework of health equity, demonstrating what such a framework would need to look like in order for it to best represent discrimination as a psychosocial determinant of health.
Emerging Subspecialties in Neurology: Medical education.

Medical education is the understanding of how medical knowledge is taught and practiced and encompasses not just medical students, but resident trainees, colleagues, and the community. While there is a growing emphasis in medicine on “clinician-educators,” neurology training has only slowly developed formal opportunities in medical education. Here we highlight the current opportunities in residency and beyond, and explore options for further medical education infrastructure within neurology.
Affective Video Recommender System

Video recommendation is the task of providing users with customized media content conventionally done by considering historical user ratings. We develop classifiers that learn from human faces toward a video recommender system that utilizes displayed emotional reactions to previously seen videos for predicting preferences. We use a dataset collected from subjects who watched videos selected to elicit different emotions, to model two related problems: (1) prediction of user rating and (2) whether a user would recommend a particular video. The classifiers are trained on two forms of face-based features: facial expressions and skin-estimated pulse. In addition, the impact of data augmentation and instance size are studied.
Dialysis in Pregnancy: Role of the Underlying Cause of Renal Failure on Peripartum Outcomes.

Objective Pregnancy on dialysis is rare and few studies in this population exist. Currently, pregnancy outcomes are thought to be related to dialysis intensity. We hypothesize women requiring dialysis due to diabetes or lupus will have worse pregnancy outcomes compared with other indications for dialysis. Study Design All women receiving dialysis during pregnancy from 2012 to 2016 in a single health system were identified. Differences in perinatal outcomes among those with renal failure caused by diabetes or lupus and with other causes were evaluated. Results Sixteen women were identified, seven with diabetes or lupus causing renal failure; the remaining nine women had hypertension, focal segmental glomerular sclerosis, polycystic kidney disease, congenital hypoplastic kidneys, or neurogenic bladder. The rates of composite maternal morbidity were similar among the two groups. Composite neonatal morbidity was higher in those with renal failure caused by diabetes or lupus compared with other causes (100% vs. 29%, p = 0.028). Conclusion Despite similar dialysis intensity, the composite neonatal morbidity was higher in women with renal failure caused by diabetes or lupus compared with other etiologies. Our findings suggest that pregnancy outcome in women receiving dialysis is dependent on both the intensity of dialysis as well as the etiology of renal failure.
Daily Affective Dynamics Predict Depression Symptom Trajectories Among Adults with Major and Minor Depression

Affective dynamics have been increasingly recognized as important indicators of emotional health and well-being. Depression has been associated with altered affective dynamics, but little is known about how daily life affective dynamics predict depression’s naturalistic course. We investigated positive and negative affective dynamics (e.g., inertia, variability, and instability) among adults with depressive disorders (N = 60) and healthy controls (N = 38) in both cross-sectional and prospective analyses predicting weekly depression symptoms over 6 months. Relative to controls, depressed individuals showed elevated daily negative affect (NA) and NA variability along with decreased positive affect (PA). However, groups did not significantly differ on other affective dynamic indices. Based on multivariate prospective analyses of depressed individuals (follow-up N = 36), higher daily NA and lower daily PA were independently associated with higher and average weekly depressive symptom severity over the subsequent 6 months. Exploratory analyses of depression symptom trajectory shape revealed that higher NA and PA variability, NA inertia, and NA instability all predicted an initial increase and eventual return to higher depression symptom levels over the 6-month follow-up period. Daily life affective dynamics may have utility for predicting the naturalistic course of depression, which may help guide interventions targeting affective dynamics in vulnerable individuals.
DIPG-31. MOLECULAR MECHANISMS AND FUNCTIONAL IMPACT OF ABERRANT SPLICING IN DIFFUSE MIDLINE GLIOMAS

Fewer than 1% of children diagnosed with diffuse-midline glioma (DMG) survive for more than 5 years, because no effective therapies exist for these patients. Here, we sought to identify and characterize mechanisms of aberrant splicing (AS) in primary DMG tumors. We observed transcriptome-wide AS (9,805 differential splicing variations in 4,734 genes), and identified a DMG-specific splicing signature, that included known cancer genes. We hypothesize that AS of cancer genes play a role in DMG tumor formation. Assessing whether splicing factor dysregulation impacted known cancer transcripts, we discovered several splicing factors, including SRRM4, SRRM3 and RBFOX3 to be down-regulated in DMG. Additionally, we found an enrichment of binding motifs for these proteins within flanking regions of these mis-spliced exons. We also observed recurrent significant exon inclusion in tumor suppressor SMARCA4, an integral member of the SWI/SNF family of proteins involved in chromatin remodeling. Further, we identified AS in 16 of the 27 members of the SWI/SNF complex, including increased skipping of exon 7 in DPF2, representing a complete mRNA transcript switch in DMG. Since SRRM4, SRRM3 and RBFOX3 are known regulators for neural-specific microexons, we focused on microexon splicing changes, hypothesizing that these regulators may be driving microexon mis-splicing in these tumors. We identified 245 known microexons lost or gained in DMG. Moreover, a quarter of which were observed in known cancer genes, with the most frequent splice event causing gain of a clathrin-binding site in the tumor suppressor BIN1 with a concurrent loss of an out-of-frame microexon in the oncogene BAK1, presumably activating it. Altogether, our results suggest that aberrant splicing may be an alternative mechanism driving DMG tumorigenesis and we are currently molecularly validating a subset of these events with the overall goal of identifying novel therapeutic targets for DMG tumors.
How much terror? Dissidents, governments, institutions, and the cross-national study of terror attacks:

Our knowledge of the set of concepts that influence the number of terror attacks experienced by different countries is rudimentary. Existing work on the incidence of terror focuses upon the structural characteristics of polities, economies, and societies, and fails to place competition between dissidents and states center stage. It also tends to treat terror as isolated from other tactics that dissident groups might use to pressure the state. This study addresses these shortcomings by placing government and dissident group behavior at the center of the analysis. Drawing on arguments from the larger literature on dissent and repression, we argue that government behavior and dissident behavior are likely to be more important determinants of terror attacks than structural factors. We scour the literature for existing arguments to round out our model specification, and evaluate hypotheses using Bayesian statistical techniques and a broad scope of relevant data. For many of our independent variables we constru...
Penguins, Falcons, and Mountain Lions: The Extraordinary Host Diversity of Vampire Bats

Common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus), white-winged vampire bats (Diaemus youngi), and hairy-legged vampire bats (Diphylla ecaudata) are the only obligate blood-feeding mammals. Despite being parasites, vampire bats can also be viewed as opportunistic hunters, because they can feed on a surprising diversity of animals. Here, we review the evidence for this host diversity in vampire bats as determined through several methods: precipitin tests, stable isotope analyses, DNA sequencing, camera traps, captive experiments, and field observations. Diphylla shows the strongest preference for birds, whereas Diaemus prefers birds but will also feed on mammals; Desmodus, in contrast, shows a preference for mammals, although is capable of feeding on a surprising variety of vertebrates, including mammals, birds, crocodiles, snakes, and lizards. Future topics of inquiry include understanding how the host preferences of each species vary across geographic regions and how host selection by individual bats might depend on social information.
A Tale of Two Simulations for Project Managers

Project managers need to understand the impact of uncertainties on project plans. Two techniques that can meet this need are Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) and discrete event simulation (DES). MCS uses random samples of input parameters to determine the system outputs. DES also uses random samples but models the sequence of events in a system with time modeled explicitly. Both use the results of repeated executions to determine the distribution of outputs. There has been an increasing use of MCS for evaluating the impact of uncertainties in activity durations and costs on the project’s duration and total cost. There are few reports of use of DES for such purpose. This paper presents analyses of a hypothetical project using both the simulation approaches. The results show that discrete event simulation has an advantage for the scope of this study and based on the features and limitations of the software used.
α-Klotho gene and protein measurements in humans and their role as a clinical biomarker of disease

Abstract Alpha-Klotho (α-Klotho) was serendipitously discovered as a suppressor of premature organ failure, which resembles premature aging. Animal experiments and human observational studies indicate that α-Klotho deficiency is associated with a wide spectrum of diseases, and α-Klotho is a promising biomarker for both early detection and prediction of outcome in human kidney disease. Moreover, preclinical data support that α-Klotho deficiency is not only a biomarker but also a pathogenic factor for kidney and nonkidney diseases. Therefore, strategies to increase circulating α-Klotho could prevent or treat certain diseases. In this chapter, we discuss different α-Klotho measurements in humans and rodents and summarize evolving preclinical data supporting the potential therapeutic application of α-Klotho although no human clinical trials have been yet conducted. Finally, we briefly discuss the potential challenges and opportunities to target α-Klotho for the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases, with emphasis in kidney disease.
Improved Static Hand Gesture Classification on Deep Convolutional Neural Networks Using Novel Sterile Training Technique

In this paper, we investigate novel data collection and training techniques towards improving classification accuracy of non-moving (static) hand gestures using a convolutional neural network (CNN) and frequency-modulated-continuous-wave (FMCW) millimeter-wave (mmWave) radars. Recently, non-contact hand pose and static gesture recognition have received considerable attention in many applications ranging from human-computer interaction (HCI), augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR), and even therapeutic range of motion for medical applications. While most current solutions rely on optical or depth cameras, these methods require ideal lighting and temperature conditions. mmWave radar devices have recently emerged as a promising alternative offering low-cost system-on-chip sensors whose output signals contain precise spatial information even in non-ideal imaging conditions. Additionally, deep convolutional neural networks have been employed extensively in image recognition by learning both feature extraction and classification simultaneously. However, little work has been done towards static gesture recognition using mmWave radars and CNNs due to the difficulty involved in extracting meaningful features from the radar return signal, and the results are inferior compared with dynamic gesture classification. This article presents an efficient data collection approach and a novel technique for deep CNN training by introducing “sterile” images which aid in distinguishing distinct features among the static gestures and subsequently improve the classification accuracy. Applying the proposed data collection and training methods yields an increase in classification rate of static hand gestures from 85% to 93% and 90% to 95% for range and range-angle profiles, respectively.
Exercise-induced irregular right heart flow dynamics in adolescents and young adults born preterm

Background Preterm birth has been linked to an elevated risk of heart failure and cardiopulmonary disease later in life. With improved neonatal care and survival, most infants born preterm are now reaching adulthood. In this study, we used 4D flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) coupled with an exercise challenge to assess the impact of preterm birth on right heart flow dynamics in otherwise healthy adolescents and young adults who were born preterm. Methods Eleven young adults and 17 adolescents born preterm ( Results With exercise, stroke volume increased 10 ± 21% in term controls and decreased 4 ± 18% in preterm born subjects (p = 0.007). This resulted in significantly reduced capacity to increase cardiac output in response to exercise stress for the preterm group (58 ± 26% increase in controls, 36 ± 27% increase in preterm, p = 0.004). Elevated kinetic energy (KEterm = 71 ± 22 nJ, KEpreterm = 87 ± 38 nJ, p = 0.03) and vorticity (ωterm = 79 ± 16 s-1, ωpreterm = 94 ± 32 s-1, p = 0.01) during diastole in the right ventricle (RV) suggested altered RV flow dynamics in the preterm subjects. Streamline visualizations showed altered structure to the diastolic filling vortices in those born preterm. Conclusions For the participants examined here, preterm birth appeared to result in altered right-heart flow dynamics as early as adolescence, especially during diastole. Future studies should evaluate whether the altered dynamics identified here evolves into cardiopulmonary disease later in life. Trial registration None.
The ESG Investor Sentiment Index: A Cross Sectional and Time Series Analyses

We constructed an ESG investors’ sentiment Index (ESG-ISX) that reflects four key components: (1) governance: gap between women and men in labor participation and pay; (2) sustainability: renewable energy production; (3) environment: global warming index; and (4) ESG google search sentiment. Applying the ESG-ISX monthly index data between 1/2004 and 7/2021, we find it is increasing with a convex fashion, and comoves with key financial indicators, such as, companies’ cost of capital. The raise of ESG investors’ sentiment has implication at the household and stock market levels. At the household level, it increases the stock market participation; causes households to allocate more in risky assets, and mitigate this additional risk by increasing the number of stocks in their portfolio, hence, more diversification. At the stock market level, we show that the overall impact in equity prices is diminishing in recent years, and the raise of ESG-ISX increases the consensus and agreement among investors, as such, we suggest it has implication on the stock market volatility.
Firearms and psychiatry.

The experience and repercussions of mental illness cannot be fully understood as simple disease processes. A mind, healthy or afflicted, exists within various simultaneous contexts. The consequence...
Urethroplasty in radiation-induced strictures.

Purpose of review In patients presenting with urethral stricture disease, the mainstay of definitive treatment is urethroplasty. Until recently, it was unclear if urethroplasty was a feasible option in patients with urethral stricture secondary to pelvic radiation exposure. We review the feasibility and outcomes for urethroplasty in patients with radiation-induced urethral stricture. Recent findings Urethroplasty in patients exposed to radiation can be technically challenging secondary to stricture location and tissue damage; however, it still has an acceptable success rate with durable outcomes. Most radiation-induced strictures are limited in length, located in the bulbomembranous region, and are amenable to excision and primary anastomosis. There are higher rates of postoperative urinary incontinence in this cohort when compared with outcomes for urethroplasty without radiation exposure; however, erectile function appears to be preserved. Summary Recent studies highlight that urethroplasty has acceptable success rates in men with radiation-induced urethral stricture. Patients in this cohort need to be counseled on the potential for urinary incontinence following urethroplasty.
Comparison of the multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) a-wave amplitude and cone density

mfERGs (0.1-300Hz) were recorded from 4 subjects (20-29 years) with a system from Veris Science (EDI, Inc.) using 2.4 degree unstretched hexagons from 206 retinal locations presented at 30 frames per m-step on a 75Hz monitor with m-sequence exponent of 9 and flash strength 9.9 cd-s/m2. mfERG a-wave amplitude was measured from baseline at 10 ms on the leading edge of the a-wave. In vivo cone images were obtained at 24 retinal locations using a custom-built Adaptive Optics Confocal Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope. Cone spatial density was measured from a 100x100 mm centered on the mfERG hexagons at 24 retinal l i Alexa 790 10 mm Hg Alexa 790 71 mm Hg Alexa 790 12 mm Hg
Pluripotent Cells: New Tools for Disease Research and Therapies

Access to insights and methods that control the regulation of cell fate has provided unparalleled opportunities for biomedical research. Naturally occurring and engineered pluripotent cells each contain intrinsic advantages and disadvantages for use in medical application. The use of pluripotent cells to generate preclinical models of disease and screen for therapies has proven to be a successful approach. Currently, clinical trials have been initiated and hold great promise for regenerative and rejuvenative medicine.
Bistatic scattering at shallow grazing angles

The bistatic scatter from the seabed in shallow water environments were measured by using wide band sonar (WBS). The computer simulation was used to select experimental geometries and to interpret the results in terms of bistatic arrivals. It was found that the delay in the onset of the peak as azimuth increased resulted from the increased bistatic path length.
Paul Ortwin Rave (with the collaboration of Barbara Stein), Kunstgeschichte in Festschriften: Allgemeine Bibliographic kunstwissenschaftlicher Abhandlungen in den bis 1960 erschienen Festschriften

(1964). Paul Ortwin Rave (with the collaboration of Barbara Stein), Kunstgeschichte in Festschriften: Allgemeine Bibliographic kunstwissenschaftlicher Abhandlungen in den bis 1960 erschienen Festschriften. Art Journal: Vol. 23, No. 3, pp. 258-258.
Cold atom source for experiments in cavity quantum electrodynamics

Summary form only given. We have developed a magneto-optical trap that accumulates and captures rubidium atoms from the residual gas in a glass cell. The rubidium metal can come from a getter dispenser or from the vapor pressure of an ampoule. We are implementing a cold atom source for experiments in cavity quantum electrodynamics. This source of atoms can be operated in a cycle of capture, cooling, and ejection with a high repetition rate. This source will permit investigations of cavity quantum electrodynamics in the optical regime.
Encouraging Participation in 401(k) Plans: Reconsidering the Employer Match

This study offers new evidence on the effects of plan provisions on 401(k) participation rates, exploiting microdata from the National Compensation Survey, a large, nationally representative, establishment dataset. In particular, it closely considers the observed effects of the matching contributions made by employers to plan accounts, and makes direct comparisons between these effects and those of other plan provisions thought to affect participation: the availability of participant control over plan investment allocations; the option of drawing loans from plan accounts; and, especially, the institution of automatic enrollment in plans. The study first places these effects within a broadly sketched theoretical model in which plan participation and the match rate are jointly determined. This model puts results from the previous literature into context and helps define the “treatment effects” that different parties may find of interest. It then addresses the potential endogeneity affecting measurement of these treatment effects by employing several different techniques: adding previously unused controls; distinguishing between different dimensions of the match; and employing instrumental variables. The results of this analysis indicate that the effects of plan provisions vary dramatically between different income groups. The results among workers in the lowest income group comport with a growing consensus in the literature: employer matches have little or no effect on participation, while automatic enrollment has dramatic effects. But among workers in the middle income group, employer matches have substantial effects that may be larger than the effects of automatic enrollment.
Angiotensin converting enzyme in cultured endothelial cells and growth medium. Relationships to enzyme from kidney and plasma.

Abstract We have previously reported that cultured endothelial cells from swine aorta possess angiotensin converting enzyme, (peptidyldipeptide hydrolase, EC 3.4.15.1) and releas it into serum-free culture medium. The present work compares enzyme from these two sources, and from swine kidney and serum, with respect to antibody and lectin binding. Purified enzyme from swine kidney, and the activity in swine serum, cultured endothelial cells and culture medium bind similarly to rabbit antibodies prepared against the kidney converting enzyme. Enzyme from each of these sources was allowed to bind to an immobilized lectin ( Ricinus communis ), which binds to terminal galactose residues of glycoproteins. Increasing concentrations of galactose were used to remove enzyme from the lectin column and the distribution of enzyme activity in the galactose eluates was determined. The elution pattern was similar for kidney and endothelial cell enzyme, and different from the pattern found for both serum and medium enzyme. Neuraminidase treatment of either serum or medium enzyme altered the distribution of activity eluted to that found for endothelial cell or kidney enzymes. The effects of neuraminidase suggest that the difference in lectin binding between cell and medium enzyme reflects differences in the number of terminal sialic acid residues that cover galactose residues.
Perales, Smeltertown: Making and Remembering a Southwest Border Community

Halfway through her study of Smeltertown—the ethnic Mexican community linked to the American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO) plant in El Paso, Texas—Monica Perales displays the moving prose ...
Establishing Best Papers for IEEE MultiMedia

To celebrate the achievements of the magazine and to recognize the profound contributions from authors, IEEE MultiMedia has establish two annual awards starting this year--best article and best department. Learn about the first winners of these two new awards.
Handbook of Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology

Overview of semiconductor devices introduction to semiconductor equipment silicon materials surface preparation ion implantation dopant diffusion oxidation silicidation rapid thermal processing overview of interconnect chemical vapourdeposition alternate interlevel dielectrics polymide dielectrics physical vapour deposition chemical-mechanical polish optical lithography photoresist materials and processing x-ray lithography electron-beam lithography photomask fabrication plasma etching equipment reliability overview of process control in-line metrology in-situ metrology yield modelling yield management electrical, physical and chemical characterization failure analysis. Appendices: glossary of manufacturing terms acronyms used in semiconductor manufacturing standards and specifications units of measure and conversion tables useful constants.
Moderate in utero alcohol exposure results in sex-dependent inflammation in the developing rat brain

Activation of the developing immune system can lead to changes in neural development and long-term neural function. Recent studies show alcohol can activate the immune system; however, fetal neuroimmune response and long-term effects of in utero alcohol exposure are unknown. This project aimed to determine how prenatal alcohol exposure affects the fetal brain and long-term immune and cognitive function. Pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats were left undisturbed or gavaged with either water or 50% ethanol, twice daily on embryonic (E) days 10–16. This low dose of alcohol resulted in a 0.08% blood alcohol concentration for 8 h. We found increased expression of TNF-alpha, TNF-SF13, TNF-SF13B, CCL2, and CCL20 in the hippocampus-cortex of E17 alcohol-exposed females, while alcohol-exposed males exhibited decreased expression of CCL2 and CCL20 chemokines. In a second experiment, using the same paradigm, pups were raised to adulthood to examine long-term learning and immune function. Learning was assessed using a novel object recognition task (NOR) and context pre-exposure facilitation effect (CPFE). We found alcohol-exposed males exhibited learning deficits in NOR following a second-immune challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) immediately after pre-exposure to the objects. Additionally, alcohol-exposed males exhibited a stronger neuroimmune response to LPS in adulthood, which may precipitate cognitive deficits seen in the NOR. These studies contribute to our understanding of the impact of in utero alcohol exposure on the developing brain and immune system.
Ink Retrieval from Handwritten Documents

This paper compares several information retrieval (IR) methods applied to the problem of retrieving specific words from a handwritten document. The methods compared include variants of the Okapi formula and Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI); recognition-based retrieval; and keyword search. One novel aspect of the work presented is that it uses the output stack of a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) handwriting recognizer with a 30,000-word lexicon to convert each handwritten word into a document which is then used for document retrieval. Preliminary experiments on a database of 1158 words from 75 writers indicate that the keyword search has superior precision and recall for text queries, and that ink queries result in minor performance reductions.
Purified mu EBP-E binds to immunoglobulin enhancers and promoters.

Abstract We describe the purification to apparent homogeneity of the murine immunoglobulin heavy-chain (IgH) enhancer-binding protein mu EBP-E from murine plasmacytoma cells by ion exchange and affinity chromatography. Glycerol gradient sedimentation, UV cross-linking, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis confirm that mu EBP-E is a 45-kilodalton molecular mass protein. Orthophenanthroline-copper chemical nuclease footprinting with purified protein has identified high-affinity binding sites for mu EBP-E within the IgH enhancer at the previously identified site E and at sites within IgH promoters and in the kappa light-chain enhancer. Equilibrium binding studies indicate that the dissociation constants for mu EBP-E binding to site E within the enhancer and to a binding site within the V1 heavy-chain promoter are quite low, about 2 x 10(-11) M. Comparison of four mu EBP-E recognition sequences detects only limited sequence similarity among binding sites.
Free trade, GATT, and ocean governance

Abstract The interplay between the principles of free trade and protection of the environment has emerged in the 1990s as one of the most significant and contentious issues facing the international community. This article examines the debate and its impact on ocean governance issues in the United States. Special attention is paid to the implications of the controversial Tuna/Dolphin Decision handed down by a GATT dispute resolution panel. It suggests that the decision has the potential to undermine US fisheries and marine conservation laws, coastal pollution programs, and existing trade provisions found in several international environmental agreements. Finding a solution that is acceptable to opposing sides of the free trade versus environment dispute will be a difficult and time-consuming task. Members of the ocean and coastal policymaking community should be prepared to serve on the front lines of the upcoming battle .
Information and communication technology and business organization

Abstract Developments in information and communication technology are part of a trend toward cooperation among companies. This paper argues that these same trends will lead toward increasing growth of small businesses that cooperate via electronic links. The National Information Infrastructure should be designed to help this trend by placing control of information structures in the hands of end users, by facilitating the entry of entrepreneurial information providers, and by emphasizing the linking of small businesses with each other.
Opening plugged tympanostomy tubes: Effect of inner diameter and shaft length:

Objective To determine whether tympanostomy tube (TT) inner diameter or shaft length impacts the rate of mucoid plug clearance. Study design and setting Ex vivo model. Silicone TTs with different inner-diameters (ID) and shaft-length (SL) pairings (1.14 mm ID × 12 mm SL versus 1.14 mm ID × 1 mm SL; 1.14 mm ID × 4.8 mm SL versus 1.32 mm ID × 4.8 mm SL) were plugged with middle-ear mucus (n = 15 per group) and placed in a model ear chamber. Ofloxacin otic solution was instilled into the chamber to cover the plugged TT, and the time to clearance of each plug was recorded. Results TTs with larger IDs (P = 0.019) and greater SLs (P = 0.033) cleared plugs more rapidly. However, the difference in the percentage of tubes that unplugged was not significant (P = 0.151). Conclusions Rate of ex vivo TT plug clearance may be altered by changing TT ID and SL.
Integrating a problem-based approach for systems analysis and design curriculum : a 'bug hunt'

Quality assurance is a critical factor in software development and therefore needs to be addressed in Information Systems (IS) curricula. However, most IS faculty are constrained by the limited time available to cover an increasing array of topics required to satisfy accreditation organisations while simultaneously preparing students to be productive members of a workforce. This paper presents an in-depth software testing activity as part of a capstone systems analysis and design course. The course and the integrated 'bug hunt' activity are based on principles derived from effective instructional strategies. Analyses indicated a statistically significant difference in quantity of software errors.
Trophoblast and Placental Villous Core Production of Lipid Peroxides, Thromboxane, and Prostacyclin in Preeclampsia*

Placentas obtained from women with preeclampsia produce more lipid peroxides and more thromboxane, but less prostacyclin, than normal. The tissue compartments within the placenta that are responsible for this are not known. The placenta is a heterogeneous tissue compartmentalized into trophoblast cells and villous core tissue that is comprised of stromal and vascular tissue. In this study we determined the placental compartments responsible for increased production of lipid peroxides and thromboxane in preeclampsia. Placentas were obtained from six normally pregnant women and seven women with preeclampsia. Trophoblast cells and villous core tissues were isolated and incubated in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium for 48 h. Samples were collected at 0, 2, 6, 16, 28, and 48 h of incubation and analyzed spectrophotometrically for lipid peroxides by a peroxide equivalent assay and for thromboxane and prostacyclin by RIA of their stable metabolites, thromboxane-B2 and 6-keto-prostaglandin-F1 alpha. Trophoblast cells isolated from preeclamptic placentas produced significantly more lipid peroxides (1972 +/- 502 vs. 1102 +/- 335 pmol/micrograms protein after 48 h of incubation), more thromboxane (328 +/- 57 vs. 153 +/- 53 pg/microgram at 48 h), and more prostacyclin (50 +/- 11 vs. 13 +/- 3 pg/microgram at 48 h, respectively) than trophoblast cells isolated from normal placentas. Villous core tissue isolated from preeclamptic placentas produced significantly more lipid peroxides (455 +/- 107 vs. 241 +/- 34 pmol/microgram) and more thromboxane (148 +/- 51 vs. 76 +/- 14 pg/microgram) than normal villous core tissue, but there was no difference in prostacyclin production (36 +/- 11 vs. 40 +/- 9 pg/microgram). Because of the increase in thromboxane production, the ratio of thromboxane to prostacyclin was higher in preeclamptic than normal villous core tissue (6.29 vs. 2.17). Comparison of production by different compartments within the placenta demonstrated that lipid peroxides and thromboxane were primarily produced by the trophoblast cells and stromal tissue, whereas prostacyclin was primarily produced by the vascular tissue. We conclude that increased placental production of lipid peroxides and thromboxane in preeclampsia originates from both the trophoblast cell and the villous core compartments. As the placenta secretes lipid peroxides, the trophoblast cells could be a source of increased lipid peroxides in the maternal circulation of women with preeclampsia. The increased ratio of thromboxane to prostacyclin in the villous core could be responsible for increased placental vasoconstriction.
Transmission reach study of three optical fibers for 200 Gb/s PM-16QAM systems with 100 km spans

Transmission results are given for 256 Gb/s PM-16QAM systems over three optical fibers, using 100 km span lengths and EDFA amplification. Ultra-low loss, large effective area fiber provides ∼85% reach advantage over standard single-mode fiber.
Durable solutions for developing country refugees.

“Refugee problems demand durable solutions” is the opening statement of the Principles for Action in Developing Countries adopted by the 1984 Executive Committee of the United Nations High Commissi...
Effect of combat eye protection on field of view among active-duty U.S. military personnel.

Abstract Background This study was conducted to determine if ballistic protective eyewear issued to U.S. military service members causes functional blind spots in the visual field. The study also investigated whether the use of corrective lenses with these devices contributes to defects in the visual field. Methods Visual fields were measured using the Esterman Binocular Function test on the Humphrey Field Analyzer. Each subject performed the test with no devices and then repeated the test while wearing several combinations of ballistic eyewear (spectacles or goggles) and prescription correction. Mean differences in Esterman scores between each device and baseline were analyzed. Results The spectacle devices did not show significant differences in mean Esterman scores from baseline. The goggle systems did show significant reductions in the peripheral field (P Conclusion The use of ballistic protective goggles and prescription lens inserts with military combat eye protection causes a significant reduction in the peripheral field. Service members should be educated to replace eye movements with head movements when scanning the periphery.