cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of urinary iodine monitoring results of school children aged from 8 to 10 in Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province

Objective To survey the urinary iodine (UI) status of school children aged from 8 to 10 in Nanchang City, and to provide a scientific basis for preventing and controlling the iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). Methods From 2009 to 2012, Donghu, Xihu, Qingshanhu, Qingyunpu, Wanli, Nanchang, Xinjian, Jinxian and Anyi 9 counties (areas) were chosen in Nanchang City as monitoring areas, and five townships were selected according to the five directions as east, west, south, north and centre in each county (area), one school was selected in each township, 20 school children aged from 8 to 10 (10 males and 10 females) were chosen as respondents. Ammonium persulfate digestion-arsenic cerium catalytic spectrophotometry (WS/T 107-2006) was used to detect UI. The monitoring data on UI of 8 to 10 years old school-age children were collected and analyzed. Results From 2009 to 2012, a total of 3 600 urine samples were collected, the median of urinary iodine (MUI) was 257.35 μg/L. In the 4 years, the MUI of school children aged from 8 to 10 was 315.30, 314.80, 262.92 and 112.73 μg/L, respectively, the MUI decreased year by year, the difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 631.129, P < 0.05). Compared with 2009 and 2010, the proportion [15.22% (137/900), 14.67% (132/900), 25.11% (226/900), 30.22% (272/900)] of MUI of 100-199 μg/L (moderate intake) in 2011 and 2012 increased year by year; the difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 93.977, P < 0.05). The MUIs between different counties(areas) were statistically significant (χ2 = 36.520, P < 0.05). The MUI of children aged 8 (280.10 μg/L), 9 (255.11 μg/L) and 10 (249.20 μg/L) decreased with increasing age (χ2 = 7.813, P < 0.05). The MUI of male students (269.70 μg/L) was higher than that of female students (247.60 μg/L), the difference was statistically significant (Z =-3.704, P < 0.01). Conclusions Iodine nutrition status of 8 to 10 years old school-age children in Nanchang City is good, iodine intake meets the body's need. It is suggested that the monitoring for UI of school-age children should be strengthened in order to prevent the potential harmful effects of inappropriate iodine intake. Key words: Child; Urine; Iodine; Monitoring
The impact of market orientation on the growth of accounting-related master’s options to fulfill the 150-hour requirement

This study examines which factors influence the number of master’s programs being offered to complete the 150-hour accounting curriculum requirement and whether there is a link among the number of ...
Creep Mechanisms and Their Role in the Sintering of Metal Powders

Material transport in sintering of loose metal powder aggregates and of powder compacts with or without an external load can be considered as creep. Creep takes place under the influence of stresses due to surface tension forces, to externally applied forces including gravity, or to internal stresses. Creep mechanisms important in sintering include slip controlled by dislocation climb and creep due to movement of vacancies from boundaries under tensile to those under compressive stress (Herring-Nabarro microcreep). The type of creep mechanism involved in any particular sintering experiment depends primarily on the temperature and the level of stress. Stresses due to surface tension forces may be calculated by applying the virtual work concept to the change in geometry of particle aggregates during sintering. By determining the rates involved in sintering, such as increase in contact area between particles or shrinkage rate, as a function of temperature and of stress, the type of creep mechanism can be identified.
New Trends in Rock Mechanics

Some new results in rock mechanics and some applications are presented. First, it is shown how an elastic/viscoplastic nonassociated constitutive equation can be derived for rock-like and particulate materials. This constitutive equation is based on the fundamental concept of compressibility/dilatancy. Damage and microcracking energy are discussed. Examples are given to demonstrate that it is possible to predict where the rock near underground openings is dilatable and where is compressible, where and when short-term or long-term failure is to be expected, the amount of rock involved in evolutive damage, etc.
Utilization, patency, and complications associated with vascular access for hemodialysis in the United States.

Abstract Background This study examines the utilization and outcomes of vascular access for long-term hemodialysis in the United States and describes the impact of temporizing catheter use on outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence, patency, and associated patient survival for pre-emptively placed autogenous fistulas and prosthetic grafts; for autogenous fistulas and prosthetic grafts placed after a temporizing catheter; and for hemodialysis catheters that remained in use. Methods We performed a retrospective study of all patients who initiated hemodialysis in the United States during a 5-year period (2007-2011). The United States Renal Data System-Medicare matched national database was used to compare outcomes after pre-emptive autogenous fistulas, preemptive prosthetic grafts, autogenous fistula after temporizing catheter, prosthetic graft after temporizing catheter, and persistent catheter use. Outcomes were primary patency, primary assisted patency, secondary patency, maturation, catheter-free dialysis, severe access infection, and mortality. Results There were 73,884 (16%) patients who initiated hemodialysis with autogenous fistula, 16,533 (3%) who initiated hemodialysis with prosthetic grafts, 106,797 (22%) who temporized with hemodialysis catheter prior to autogenous fistula use, 32,890 (7%) who temporized with catheter prior to prosthetic graft use, and 246,822 (52%) patients who remained on the catheter. Maturation rate and median time to maturation were 79% vs 84% and 47 days vs 29 days for pre-emptively placed autogenous fistulas vs prosthetic grafts. Primary patency (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-1.28; P Conclusions Temporizing catheter use was associated with higher mortality, higher infection, and lower patency, thus undermining the highly prevalent approach of electively using catheters as a bridge to permanent access. Autogenous fistulas are associated with longer time to catheter-free dialysis but better patency, lower infection risk, and lower mortality compared with prosthetic grafts in the general population.
DNA methylation of OXTR is associated with parasympathetic nervous system activity and amygdala morphology

Oxytocin has anxiolytic properties whose mechanisms of action are still being identified. DNA methylation in the promoter region of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR), an epigenetic modification that putatively reflects a downtuning of the oxytocin system, has previously been implicated in the regulation of fear-related responses through the amygdala. In this study, we attempted to characterize the relationship between methylation of OXTR and anxiogenesis using two distinct endophenotypes: autonomic nervous system activity and subcortical brain structure. In 79 participants, we found that increased OXTR methylation is associated with attenuated resting parasympathetic tone, measured using high-frequency heart rate variability. Further, we found that this relationship is mediated by brain morphology, such that OXTR methylation is associated with increased gray matter of the central amygdala which is, in turn, associated with decreased parasympathetic tone. These results further our understanding of epigenetic regulation of the human oxytocin system and its role in anxiogenesis.
Behavioral Health and Burnout Among Physician Mothers Who Care for a Person With a Serious Health Problem, Long-term Illness, or Disability.

This survey study evaluates behavioral health risks and burnout among physician mothers who have caregiving responsibilities for persons in addition to their patients and children.
Porosity Measurement of 3-D Printed Gypsum Rock by Means of X-Ray Computed Tomography

In recent two years, petroleum engineering is introducing 3-D printing technology as a new tool to facilitate the replicability in physical modeling experiments. Though remains in early age, the developing of 3-D printed rocks attracted significant attentions and broad interests. Regarding the geomechanical and petrophysics properties, the parameter we mostly pay attention to is porosity. With a 3-D printer with the resolution of 0.2 mm, this study manufactured a standard cylinder sample of 3-D printed gypsum rock and firstly measured the porosity of 3-D printed gypsum rock sample by the laboratory methods—Helium Porosimeter (HP) and Mercury Injection Porosimetry (MIP), whose result is 28.86% and 27.90%, respectively. Then the sample was scanned by SkyScan 2211 Multiscale CT. With the help of the professional CT analysis software, the 3-D digital images can be viewed and filtered to remove the noise and smooth the shapes. Following the threshold determination and segmentation by different algorithms, the data processing requires a complicated procedure. The result shows that the porosity of micro-CT data of 3-D printed gypsum rock is 32.66% using the watershed algorithm in segmentation, which is comparable to the laboratory measurement result.
Quantum Calculation of Proton and Other Charge Transfer Steps in Voltage Sensing in the Kv1.2 Channel.

Ion channels in cell membranes control entry and exit of ions; their gating (opening and closing) is key to their functioning. It is known that protons can pass through the voltage-sensing domain (...
The fallacy of using solvent extraction for the study of metal/ligand complexation in mixed solvent systems

Metal complexes can be identified by ion mobility mass spectrometry, often using mixed aqueous solvents, which improve the electrospray ionization process but induce significant changes in thermodynamic values associated with metals and ligands. This work demonstrates that the addition of 10% acetonitrile and 1.0% dimethyl sulfoxide leads to an increased autoprotolysis constant, does not influence the nitrilotriacetic acid pKa values, but decreases europium extraction in a solvent extraction system. This work shows the inability to quantify the stability constant of Eu/NTA complex in mixed solvent using a solvent extraction technique, as polar solvents are dissolved in the dodecane organic phase.
Black Appalachian Families

The black family in Aerica has been subjected to social change more than the family of any other racial or ethnic group. An overview of its adjustment through successive crises of African transplantation, slavery, sudden emancipation, migration to cities and the vicissitudes of second-class citizenship help in understanding the black family's contemporary forms. The black family of Appalachia faces yet another problem (INVISIBILITY) Introduction The black family in America has been subjected to social change more than the family of any other racial or ethnic group. An overview of its adjustments through successive crises of African transplantation, slavery, sudden emancipation, migration to cities and the vicissitudes of second-class citizenship help in understanding the Black Family's contemporary forms. The Black family of Appalachia faces yet another problem invisibility. Appalachian Blacks are a neglected minority within a neglected minority. There are few studies on the existence and plight of Blacks in the hills, mmtains and valleys of Appalachia. The most basic kinds of socio-eonnamic and demographic data on this segment of Appalachia's population is difficult to obtain or is non-existant. Statistics and other published materials are scarce and the media frequently ignores the experiences of blacks in the Appalachian region. A major purpose of this paper is to bring into the literature vital information and data about Appalachia and its Black family. A general historical perspective provides for understanding the evolution of and the maintenance of the Black family in Appalachia.
Application of Convolutional and Recurrent Neural Networks for Buried Threat Detection Using Ground Penetrating Radar Data

We propose discrimination algorithms for buried threat detection (BTD) that exploit deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and recurrent neural networks (RNN) to analyze 2-D GPR B-scans in the down-track (DT) and cross-track (CT) directions as well as 3-D GPR volumes. Instead of imposing a specific model or handcrafted features, as in most existing detectors, we use large real GPR data collections and data-driven approaches that learn: 1) features characterizing buried explosive objects (BEOs) in 2-D B-scans, both in the DT and CT directions; 2) the variation of the CNN features learned in a fixed 2-D view across the third dimension; and 3) features characterizing BEOs in the original 3-D space. The proposed algorithms were trained and evaluated using large experimental GPR data covering a surface area of 120 000 m2 from 13 different lanes across two U.S. test sites. These data include a diverse set of BEOs consisting of varying shapes, metal content, and underground burial depths. We provide some qualitative analysis of the proposed algorithms by visually comparing their performance and consistency along different dimensions and visualizing typical features learned by some nodes of the network. We also provide quantitative analysis that compares the receiver operating characteristics (ROCs) obtained using the proposed algorithms with those obtained using existing approaches based on CNN as well as traditional learning.
Deterministic Design and Dynamic Characteristics of Two Rotational Guide Mechanism for High Precision Applications

In this paper, we present the mechanical design and dynamic characteristics of a compliant mechanism based two in-plane rotational guide mechanism (2RGM). The devised mechanism is compact and achieves fast steering of a 25 mm aperture mirror. A general routine for configuration design of 2RGM is presented based on the graphical approach. Deterministic design of the guide mechanism comprises in-plane flexure plate with beam flexures accompanied in parallel with an axial flexure. To enhance the dynamic characteristics, optimum flexure plate parameters are acquired via the minimax algorithm. Further, based on finite element analysis natural frequencies and mode shapes are determined. A prototype of the guide mechanism is manufactured using wire electrical discharge machining (EDM). Experiments on the assembled prototype are conducted using hammer tests about both in-plane rotational axes. Comparison of simulation and experimental results give a satisfactory performance and authenticates the design methodology. The key feature of the mechanism is its bandwidth higher than 1000 Hz. Proposed design methodology enables the devised mechanism with excellent in-plane rotational compliance while constraining the remaining degrees of freedom.
Geospatial and Temporal Associations between Increases in Opioid Deaths, Socioeconomics, and Rates of Sexually Transmitted Infections in the Northeast United States 2012-2017.

With the introduction of fentanyl to illegal markets in 2013 and an overall rise in rates of synthetic opioid use, opioid-related deaths have increased significantly. A similar trend has been observed for sexually transmitted infections, homicides, and poor mental health outcomes. In this paper, we explore the spatiotemporal relationship between opioid death rates and sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates in counties from the Northeast region of the United States between the years 2012–2017. We hypothesized that rates for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) would all be positively associated with opioid death rates and that there would be a similar association between the STI rates and later time periods relative to earlier time periods. A negative binomial mixed-effects regression model was employed to assess these associations. Contrary to the study hypothesis, opioid death rates were not found to be significantly associated with the STI rates after accounting for other demographic and socioeconomic variables, with the exception of opioid deaths and gonorrhea in urban counties. Additionally, the regression demonstrated a significant association between infection rate and time period beyond the included socioeconomic variables and opioid deaths. Overall, this study indicates that declining sexual health outcomes may parallel rising opioid death, though both trends may be explained by similar underlying factors related to time period.
Changes in High Weight-for-Length among Infants Enrolled in Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children during 2010–2018

Background: Infants and young children with high weight-for-length are at increased risk for obesity in later life. This study describes prevalence of high weight-for-length and examines changes du...
The depletion mechanism can actuate bacterial aggregation by self-produced exopolysaccharides and determine species distribution and composition in bacterial aggregates

Abstract Bacteria causing chronic infections are often found in cell aggregates suspended in polymer secretions, and aggregation may be a factor in infection persistence. One aggregation mechanism, called depletion aggregation, is driven by physical forces between bacteria and polymers. Here we investigated whether the depletion mechanism can actuate the aggregating effects of P. aeruginosa exopolysaccharides for suspended (i.e. not surface attached) bacteria, and how depletion affects bacterial inter-species interactions. We found cells overexpressing the exopolysaccharides Pel and Psl, but not alginate remained aggregated after depletion-mediating conditions were reversed. In co-culture, depletion aggregation had contrasting effects on P. aeruginosa’s interactions with coccus- and rod-shaped bacteria. Depletion caused S. aureus (cocci) and P. aeruginosa (rods) to segregate from each other, S. aureus to resist secreted P. aeruginosa antimicrobial factors, and the species to co-exist. In contrast, depletion aggregation caused P. aeruginosa and Burkholderia sp. to intermix, enhancing type VI secretion inhibition of Burkholderia by P. aeruginosa, leading to P. aeruginosa dominance. These results show that in addition to being a primary cause of aggregation in polymer-rich suspensions, physical forces inherent to the depletion mechanism can actuate the aggregating effects of self-produced exopolysaccharides and determine species distribution and composition of bacterial communities.
Bi-s∗-concave distributions

Abstract We introduce new shape-constrained classes of distribution functions on R , the bi- s ∗ -concave classes. In parallel to results of Dumbgen et al. (2017) for what they called the class of bi-log-concave distribution functions, we show that every s -concave density f has a bi- s ∗ -concave distribution function F for s ∗ ≤ s ∕ ( s + 1 ) . Confidence bands building on existing nonparametric confidence bands, but accounting for the shape constraint of bi- s ∗ -concavity, are also considered. The new bands extend those developed by Dumbgen et al. (2017) for the constraint of bi-log-concavity. We also make connections between bi- s ∗ -concavity and finiteness of the Csorgő–Revesz constant of F which plays an important role in the theory of quantile processes.
Low light quantum phase transition in 1T-TaS 2 at room temperature

Light-matter interaction in quantum materials presents opportunities for discovery. We observe a low-intensity light-induced phase transition in 1T-TaS 2 , a quasi-2D material supporting charge-density-waves (CDW). We find that the CDW domains stack differently upon illumination.
High incarceration rates among women on probation with victimization histories suggests need for gender-responsive treatment

Justice-involved women frequently experience victimization histories, mental illness, and substance use disorders, which create challenges with completing probation sentences. Although most justice...
Dissipative particle dynamics simulations in colloid and Interface science: a review.

Abstract Dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) is one of the most efficient mesoscale coarse-grained methodologies for modeling soft matter systems. Here, we comprehensively review the progress in theoretical formulations, parametrization strategies, and applications of DPD over the last two decades. DPD bridges the gap between the microscopic atomistic and macroscopic continuum length and time scales. Numerous efforts have been performed to improve the computational efficiency and to develop advanced versions and modifications of the original DPD framework. The progress in the parametrization techniques that can reproduce the engineering properties of experimental systems attracted a lot of interest from the industrial community longing to use DPD to characterize, help design and optimize the practical products. While there are still areas for improvements, DPD has been efficiently applied to numerous colloidal and interfacial phenomena involving phase separations, self-assembly, and transport in polymeric, surfactant, nanoparticle, and biomolecules systems.
Marital Property Law: A Prerequisite for Progressive Divorce Reforms in India

Various efforts have been taken in India to further the cause of women empowerment in different domains. One such area is that of family law wherein since several decades, progressive divorce reforms are sought. However, as indicated by various socio-economic indicators, the desired level of women empowerment has not yet been achieved. One of the plausible causes for this plight faced by married women is higher economic inequality and uncertainty that they face in comparison to their male counterpart. This is because of the reason that a substantial proportion of married women in India are homemakers, and thus, dependent on their husband for financial sustenance and support. As a result, such women are not able to make informed decisions about the fate of their marriage even when they are stuck in a non-workable or abusive marriage. The present alimony and maintenance laws try to ensure economic stability for women post-divorce, but, such laws are rendered ineffective due to the uncertainty of realized outcome that they pose before the decision to terminate the marriage is actually made. Additionally, there is no marital property law to ensure that women accumulate their due share in property during the tenure of their marriage. The information about one’s own property rights earned during the marriage serves as a crucial decision parameter to make an informed choice about ending a non-fulfilling relationship. In this paper, I argue that the need of the hour is to introduce a marital property regime in India which can work as one of the possible mechanisms to empower women in the true sense.
On Invariance of Localized Hamiltonians Under Feasible Elements of the Nuclear Permutation‐Inversion Group

Mise au point. Equivalence de particules identiques et symetrie dynamique qu'elle provoque. Molecule polyatomique consideree comme un agregat dans l'espace des configurations nucleaires. Systemes moleculaires avec un petit nombre de degres de liberte. Hamiltonien localise sous forme de serie de Taylor tronquee suivant les coordonnees vibrationnelles
Assessing the Effects of Momentary Priming on Memory Retention During an Interference Task

A memory aid, that used brief (33ms) presentations of previously learned information (target words), was assessed on its ability to reinforce memory for target words while the subject was performing an interference task. The interference task required subjects to learn new words and thus interfered with their memory of the target words. The brief presentation (momentary memory priming) was hypothesized to refresh the subjects memory of the target words. 143 subjects, in a within subject design, were given a 33ms presentation of the target memory words during the interference task in a treatment condition and a blank 33ms presentation in the control condition. The primary dependent measure, memory loss over the interference trial, was not significantly different between the two conditions. The memory prime did not appear to hinder the subjects performance on the interference task. This paper describes the experiment and the results along with suggestions for future research.
Characterizing and understanding radiation budget biases in CMIP3/CMIP5 GCMs, contemporary GCM, and reanalysis

[1] We evaluate the annual mean radiative shortwave flux downward at the surface (RSDS) and reflected shortwave (RSUT) and radiative longwave flux upward at top of atmosphere (RLUT) from the twentieth century Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) and Phase 3 (CMIP3) simulations as well as from the NASA GEOS5 model and Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications analysis. The results show that a majority of the models have significant regional biases in the annual means of RSDS, RLUT, and RSUT, with biases from −30 to 30 W m−2. While the global average CMIP5 ensemble mean biases of RSDS, RLUT, and RSUT are reduced compared to CMIP3 by about 32% (e.g., −6.9 to 2.5 W m−2), 43%, and 56%, respectively. This reduction arises from a more complete cancellation of the pervasive negative biases over ocean and newly larger positive biases over land. In fact, based on these biases in the annual mean, Taylor diagram metrics, and RMSE, there is virtually no progress in the simulation fidelity of RSDS, RLUT, and RSUT fluxes from CMIP3 to CMIP5. A persistent systematic bias in CMIP3 and CMIP5 is the underestimation of RSUT and overestimation of RSDS and RLUT in the convectively active regions of the tropics. The amount of total ice and liquid atmospheric water content in these areas is also underestimated. We hypothesize that at least a part of these persistent biases stem from the common global climate model practice of ignoring the effects of precipitating and/or convective core ice and liquid in their radiation calculations.
Public Safety Administration

ABSTRACT Criminal justice education faces numerous challenges concerning public safety education, terrorism and crisis intervention strategies. Global social change has countless implications for public safety, homeland security and disaster planning. The new frontier requires revisions in the current curriculum, mandating additional research, experimentation and technological applications. This paper explores advantages of applying critical thinking strategies and active learning scenarios. Curriculum instructional progressions include: (1) first responder requirements; (2) accident reconstruction simulation; (3) disaster planning strategies, and (4) hostage negotiations case study. The information may prove helpful to those involved in teaching at the university level or public safety-training specialists. Effective educational and training programs remain the foundation for proactive crisis intervention strategies.
Closed-Loop Identification via the Fractional Representation: Experiment Design

An important aspect of system identification is the problem of experiment design. This paper uses a fractional representation approach to state and solve the closed-loop experiment design problem in terms of variables which are at the designer's disposal: the closed-loop inputs and the initial controller. Results of computer simulations are presented which compare optimal versus several non-optimal identification experiments.
AGENCY AND AWARENESS

I focus on the idea that if, as a result of lacking any conscious goal related to X-ing and any conscious anticipation or awareness of X-ing, one could sincerely reply to the question ‘Why are you X-ing?’ with ‘I didn't realize I was doing that,’ then one's X-ing is not intentional. My interest is in the idea interpreted as philosophically substantial (rather than merely stipulative) and as linked to the familiar view that there is a major difference, relative to the exercise of agential control, between acting on a conscious goal (even one the agent is not actively thinking about) and acting on a non-conscious goal (about which the sincerely ‘clueless’ response ‘I didn't realize I was doing that’ could be provided). After raising some doubts about the target idea, I consider the two most promising lines of defence. I argue that neither is convincing, and that we should reject the suggestion that the idea is properly accepted as a matter of common sense. Even absent any conscious goal related to X-ing and any conscious anticipation or awareness of X-ing, there is room for counting X-ing as intentional if X-ing is, or is appropriately related to, a non-conscious goal.
Leptin and the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System

To the Editor: Shek et al1 recently reported in a very detailed study that chronic leptin infusion in rats increased mean arterial blood pressure. However, the mechanism of leptin-induced hypertension is unclear and may involve both central and peripheral actions. While the sympathoexcitatory action of leptin is well established and may be a major factor mediating its hypertensive effect,1 2 the role of leptin in another major regulator of blood pressure, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, has yet to be defined. Shek et al provide the first data on renin and aldosterone levels after leptin treatment in vivo.1 Whereas renin levels were unchanged, aldosterone tended to decrease at higher doses. In accordance with these findings, previous studies have shown that infusion of leptin caused natriuresis and diuresis.3 The authors suggest that reduced plasma aldosterone levels may be due to reduced potassium intake associated with leptin-induced anorexia. We suggest that a more likely explanation is a direct effect of leptin on the adrenal cortex. We have previously …
Contributions of Social Learning Theory to the Promotion of Healthy Relationships: Asset or Liability?

Although social learning theory provides the conceptual basis for behavioral interventions designed to treat and prevent relationship distress, the results of large, recently published experiments cast doubt on the long-term viability of this approach. For example, couple therapies can produce lasting improvements in relationships, yet these improvements do not appear to be mediated by changes in communication in the manner suggested by social learning theory. Preventive interventions that teach couples communication skills produce inconsistent effects on communication and unexpectedly small effects on relationship outcomes. Because social learning theory may not provide the strongest foundation for relationship-sustaining interventions, new approaches are needed, especially those that articulate how diverse contexts and life circumstances constrain couples' opportunities for closeness and stability.
Electrical engineering education and research in the ussr

First part of a two-part article on education and research in the USSR. Based on Lenin's conviction that “you cannot build a Communist State with illiterate people,” the Soviet Union has, since Tsarist days, made a tremendous effort to build up a pool of professional and technical manpower to “catch up” with and then surpass the capitalistic countries.
Ionic and trace element composition of cloud water collected on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State

Abstract Field measurements of the chemical composition of boundary-layer clouds that formed in clean, marine air are presented as a background reference point for comparison to cloud water composition in more polluted regions. An impaction-based sampler was used to simultaneously collect cloud water on two stages, where the ratio of droplet diameter was ∼1.1 for the two droplet size fractions. Analysis revealed that large droplets were more concentrated than smaller cloud droplets by a factor of 1.5 for sea-salt-derived species. Cloud water concentrations of ionic species were generally five times greater the concentrations of the same ions in rain water. Aqueous-phase solute concentrations in cloud varied over two orders of magnitude but generally were quite low, correlated to each other and to aerosol (CN) concentration, but negatively correlated to LWC. Air-equivalent solute concentrations were calculated, allowing the detection of the influence of air-mass trajectory on cloud-water composition. A multivariate statistical analysis of the cloud water data suggested sea salt, biogenic, crustal, and anthropogenic emission source contributions; the last two sources existed only for continental air-mass trajectories. Coastal and oceanic trajectories were selected for the purpose of estimating a northern hemisphere, mid-latitude, marine, background cloud water composition of 8 neq m −3 non-sea salt SO 4 2− and 4 neq m −3 NO 3 − .
ANNOUNCEMENT EFFECTS OF WITHDRAWN SECURITY OFFERINGS: EVIDENCE ON THE WEALTH REDISTRIBUTION HYPOTHESIS

This paper employs the comparison period returns approach to examine issuance and withdrawal announcement effects for stock portfolios of firms announcing equity or debt issues that are subsequently withdrawn. In contrast to previous literature, which generally attributes financing announcement effects to capital structure changes, the conclusion of this paper is that security price changes at the time an issue is announced or withdrawn prevent wealth redistributions between insiders and outsiders. Empirical findings are inconsistent with the interpretation of announcement effects as capital structure effects.
Analyses of rear-end crashes based on classification tree models.

Objective. Signalized intersections are accident-prone areas especially for rear-end crashes due to the fact that the diversity of the braking behaviors of drivers increases during the signal change. The objective of this article is to improve knowledge of the relationship between rear-end crashes occurring at signalized intersections and a series of potential traffic risk factors classified by driver characteristics, environments, and vehicle types. Methods. Based on the 2001 Florida crash database, the classification tree method and Quasi-induced exposure concept were used to perform the statistical analysis. Two binary classification tree models were developed in this study. One was used for the crash comparison between rear-end and non-rear-end to identify those specific trends of the rear-end crashes. The other was constructed for the comparison between striking vehicles/drivers (at-fault) and struck vehicles/drivers (not-at-fault) to find more complex crash pattern associated with the traffic attrib...
Emotional intelligence as a moderator of the relationship between conscientiousness and performance.

This study investigates whether the relationship between conscientiousness and performance , is stronger for individuals who are high on emotional intelligence. The results of hierarchical moderate...
Darcs: distributed version management in haskell

A common reaction from people who hear about darcs, the source control system I created, is that it sounds like a great tool, but it is a shame that it is written in Haskell. People think that because darcs is written in Haskell it will be a slow memory hog with very few contributors to the project. I will give a somewhat historical overview of my experiences with the Haskell language, libraries and tools.I will begin with a brief overview of the darcs advanced revision control system, how it works and how it differs from other version control systems. Then I will go through various problems and successes I have had in using the Haskell language and libraries in darcs, roughly in the order I encountered them. In the process I will give a bit of a tour through the darcs source code. In each case, I will tell about the problem I wanted to solve, what I tried, how it worked, and how it might have worked better (if that is possible).
Temperature and velocity corrections for vertical motion of a mooring at 35°N, 152°E in the Kuroshio Extension

Abstract Two-year time series of temperature and velocity from a mooring at 35°N, 152°E in the Kuroshio Extension have been corrected for vertical mooring motions at the top two instruments (nominal depths of 250 and 500 m). Temperature data from two CTD surveys along 152°E were used for the temperature corrections, and recorded values of velocity and pressure at the two levels were used for velocity corrections. Corrected temperatures are estimated to be accurate to within 0.18°C at both levels, while corrected velocities are estimated to be accurate to within 10% (5%) at the upper (lower) level. The time series of corrected temperature at the upper standard pressure 350 dbar is a good indicator of cross-stream distance from the center of the Kuroshio front. Magnitudes of record-length means, variances and covariances are generally larger for the corrected than for the measured series, except for T′ 2 . A simple example is used to show that much of the apparent time variability is associated with lateral excursions of the Kuroshio Extension.
The dying patient, the physician, and the fear of death.

Whenever I have been with someone in the final stages of a fatal illness, I have found myself unable to communicate with the dying person as I did before. I have sensed a growing separation that le...
Direct Mask Overlay Inspection

Direct mask overlay inspectionLiang -Choo Hsia and Lo -Soun SuMask Engineering, General Technology DivisionIBM Corporation, East Fishkill, New York 12533AbstractIn this paper, we present a mask inspection methodology and procedure that involvesdirect X -Y measurements. A group of dice is selected for overlay measurement; four measure-ment targets were laid out in the kerf of each die. The measured coordinates are then fit-ted to either a "historical" grid, which reflects the individual tool bias, or to an idealgrid squares fashion. Measurements are done using a Nikon X -Y laser interferometric mea-surement system, which provides a reference grid. The stability of the measurement systemis essential. We then apply appropriate statistics to the residual after the fit to deter-mine the overlay performance.Statistical methods play an important role in the product disposition. The acceptancecriterion is, however, a compromise between the cost for mask making and the final deviceyield. In order to satisfy the demand on mask houses for quality of masks and high volume,mixing lithographic tools in mask making has become more popular, in particular, mixingoptical and E -beam tools. In this paper, we also discuss the inspection procedure formixing different lithographic tools.IntroductionThe trend towards denser circuits, smaller device geometries, and larger wafer size hasmade mask overlay inspection most critical in VLSI manufacture. Misregistration problemscan give rise to large yield losses. Therefore, a reliable mask overlay inspection pro-cedure is essential. The measurements must be accurate and repeatable. On the other hand,the advent of projection aligner has dramatically increased the working life of a mask andhas made the number of masks needed per level decrease continuously. The near future maysee a situation where one to two masks suffice for each masking level, even for high volumeVLSI device manufacture. Therefore, it will be more economical to inspect each mask verycarefully. In particular, for bipolar device fabrication, which requires more than 16lithographic steps, the quality of each photomask has great impact on yield losses.As improvements have been made over the years, E -beam lithographic tools have beengradually accepted by mask makers for 1X mask making. Compared with optical mask making,E -beam mask making has the advantages of design flexibility, quick turnaround time, betterresolution, and perhaps better placement accuracy. However, E -beam mask making is expen-sive and the equipment is difficult to maintain. A cost -effective approach lies in mixingE -beam with optical mask making. The overlay matchability between the two, therefore,must first be guaranteed. In this paper, we present an inspection methodology and proced-ure for solving this problem.
Expression of a unique globo-series glycolipid in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion neurons: Relationship with neuronal development

Previous studied from the laboratory demonstrated the presence of a UDP-galactose:Gb3Cer alpha 1-3galactosyltansferase activity responsible for the synthesis of a unique glycosphingolipid (GSL), Gal alpha 1-3Gb3Cer, in cultured PC12 pheochromocytoma cells (21). In this investigation, we examined the presence of this enzyme activity in isolated rat embryonic dorsal root ganglion neurons (DRGN), which, like pheochromocytoma cells, originate from the neural crest cells. DRGN exhibited the alpha-galactosyltransferase activity and the activity was comparable to that of the PC12 cells while several other rat tissues, with the exception of kidney, showed minimal activity. In order to define the spatial and temporal expression of Gal alpha 1-3Gb3Cer in DRGN, we examined the expression of Gal alpha 1-3Gb3Cer in cultured DRGN derived from embryonic day 16 rat embryos. Using a polyclonal antibody raised against Gal alpha 1-3Gb3Cer, we examined the localization of this glycolipid in DRGN cells after 5, 8, 12, and 15 days in culture. Immunostaining was restricted to the neurons while Schwann cells were negative. At day 5, the immunostaining was weak and confined to the cell body of the DRGN, though neurites were present at this stage. The period between days 5 and 15 represented a period of rapid neuritic growth and continued enlargement of the cell bodies. Immunoreactivity in the cell bodies increased dramatically by day 8. By day 12, immunoreactivity was present in neurites, and by day 15, was strong in both cells bodies and neurites. The expression of Gal alpha 1-3Gb3Cer in vivo was confirmed by immunostaining of frozen sections of dorsal root ganglia. Our present studies which demonstrate neuron-specific expression of Gal alpha 1-3Gb3Cer during neurotigenesis combined with previous observations for its expression in PC12 cells, strongly implicates this GSL in neuronal development.
Global Village Versus Culture Shock The Recruitment and Preparation of Foreign Teachers for U.S. Urban Schools

Though international teachers have been present in U.S. schools for decades, their recruitment for urban schools as a response to the supposed teacher shortage is a relatively new phenomenon with l...
Kinematic properties of voluntary postural sway in patients with unilateral primary hemispheric lesions

The temporal and spatial characteristics of rapid voluntary body sway following unilateral cerebrovascular accident were assessed in single and combined planes of motion during a visually cued non-choice reaction time movement. Three distinct directions of intentional body sway were assessed: forward, toward the paretic, and toward the non-paretic lower extremity. Fluctuations in the center of foot pressure served as the basis for calculating body displacement and velocity by combining frontal and sagittal movement in an X-Y coordinate system (a bi-planar analysis). A linear regression analysis was used on individual force output channels to reduce the sway motion into separate component parts. The velocity profile in each direction of intended sway was calculated from the slope of the regression line (a single-plane analysis). Bi-planar velocity analysis showed that hemiplegics swayed as fast as normal subjects in any sway direction. In contrast, single plane analysis revealed a decrease in the velocity of hemiplegic sway when weight shifts were directed toward the paretic extremity. Response velocity in the non-paretic direction was similar to a comparison group of normal individuals. The apparent contradiction between single and bi-planar analyses was attributed to hemiplegic sway in extraneous planes of motion surrounding the intended sway path. During the course of body sway, hemiplegics showed a statistically larger range of extraneous movement away from the plane of intended movement. The directional deficits in sway velocity and excursion are compared to previously reported sway pathology associated with lesions of the human central nervous system.
The efficacy of ambulatory cardiac catheterization in the hospital and free-standing setting.

Abstract The optimal site for performing cardiac catheterization depends upon complications of the procedure, access to care in the event of complications, costs, quality of the catheterization studies, access to the procedure, and patient satisfaction. Performing ambulatory cardiac catheterization at or adjacent to a hospital may assume equivalent access to emergent or urgent services, equivalent quality, and improved patient satisfaction at reduced cost for low-risk patients (stable coronary symptoms, no active congestive heart failure, no significant arrhythmias, and no significant comorbid factor—bleeding diathesis, renal insufficlency, uncontrolled systolic hypertension). However, moving an outpatient catheterization from the hospital site to a free-standing unit, physically remote from a hospital, may be associated with a reduction in access to emergency care and less standardized quality assurance.
The role of radical hysterectomy in adenocarcinoma of the endometrium.

Abstract A retrospective assessment of treatment results for patients with adenocarcinoma of the endometrium shows little progress for the past 20 yr in management of this disease. These accomplishments may have been affected adversely by the increased number of elderly patients treated within recent years, for the prognosis worsens with advanced age. Likewise, because women are living longer, more enter the age when adenocarcinoma of the endometrium is prevalent, increasing the frequency of this disease. Thus, gynecologic oncologists have become aware that the treatment problem for adenocarcinoma of the endometrium deserves more research for methods to improve survival. The primary lesion is readily curable by hysterectomy. Therefore, it is the metastases which need better therapy. For this purpose, megavoltage irradiation therapy is being used more often to supplement intracavitary radium. However, the role of radical hysterectomy has been reconsidered. A review of the experiences with radical hysterectomy has been summarized from the literature and the conclusions presented.
Analytical solutions for solute transport in a vertical aquifer section

Abstract Analytical solutions are developed for modeling solute transport in a vertical section of a homogeneous aquifer with steady uniform groundwater flow. The source is assumed to be located at the top (or the bottom) of the aquifer, and the initial concentration is assumed to be zero everywhere in the aquifer. Both constant-flux and constant-concentration sources are treated. For cases of a constant-flux source, we present exact analytical solutions considering the following transport mechanisms: advection in the horizontal direction, dispersions in both horizontal and vertical directions, adsorption, and biodegradation. For cases of a constant-concentration source, we present simplified analytical solutions by neglecting dispersion in the horizontal direction. For both kinds of sources, the solutions for aquifers with a relatively large or small thickness are presented and compared. The solutions for the two different source conditions are also compared for similar cases. The comparisons indicate that simpler solutions, used in appropriate cases, can give the same results as those given by more complex solutions. Example calculations are given to show the movement of the contamination front, the steady-state concentration profiles, and the applications to determine dispersivities. The analytical solutions developed in this study can be useful in site characterization, groundwater monitoring, and remediation.