cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Functions and Dysfunctions of College Rankings: An Analysis of Institutional Expenditure

College rankings have become a powerful influence in higher education. While the determinants of educational quality are not clearly defined, college rankings designate an institution’s standing in a numerical order based on quantifiable measurements that focus primarily on institutional resources. Previous research has identified the “functions” of rankings: higher ranking positions benefit institutions via admissions outcomes, resource attainment, and future reputation. On the other hand, this positive association between rankings and resource attainment has increased concerns among higher education community about “dysfunctions” of rankings. Rankings may encourage colleges and universities to spend more, moving resources from educational activities to research, amenities and facilities, and administrative expenditures. Filling the gap in the literature in empirically evaluating this hypothesis, this study examined the effect of ranking systems on resource allocation using U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges rankings. The numerical ranking resulted in an expansion in both educational and noneducational activities expenditures, including the escalation of student and academic services expenditures. Instruction expenditure was the major area in which institutions altered resource allocation in response to the distinctive nature of ranking systems, the numerical rankings and arbitrary groupings. These patterns were manifested differently among schools categorized as National Universities and those categorized as National Liberal Arts Colleges. The findings from this study provide important implications for understanding the role of college rankings that reinforce the resource-based view of institutional quality and institutional responses, as well as its ramifications to the missions of higher education.
Modeling of Bioinspired Apical Extension in a Soft Robot

Artificial apical extension in a soft robot, inspired by biological systems from plant cells to neurons, offers an interesting alternative to movement forms found traditionally in robots. Apically extending systems can move effectively in some environments that impede traditional locomotion. Artificial apical extension has been realized using a continuous stream of surface material, thin-walled, flexible plastic, which is everted at the tip by internal pressure. Understanding artificial apical extension as a form of movement requires a model to describe and predict the capabilities of the system. Unlike many other forms of movement, the model includes components that are dependent on the previous path in addition to path-independent terms associated with actuation. The model draws inspiration from biological models of apical extension and mechanical models of compliant Bowden cable actuation, and is verified though a series of tests on physical systems that isolate each term of the model.
Closing the Loop for Value Capture

When we look across the two spectrums of IoT—consumer and industrial, we see different things evolving. On the consumer front we see more focus on distribution of new capabilities to mass markets; on the industrial IoT front, we see more focus on deeper analytics. In both cases, if we do not have enough focus on closing the loop between sensing, data, analytics, and customer outcomes, the promise of IoT will be underachieved. There are many examples of businesses that have failed to take off despite having cool devices, technology, and analytics because they failed to close the loop with the customer. For large existing businesses making a foray into IoT, closing the loop with internal business operations is a huge challenge.
Euler’s E228: Primality Testing and Factoring via Sums of Squares

How can you decide if a number is the sum of two squares? Euler began with the dumbest possible algorithm imaginable: Take the number, subtract a square, and check if the remainder is a square. If not, repeat, repeat, repeat. But Euler, being Euler, found a way of converting all those subtractions into additions. Then he did several things to speed up the computation even more. He applied this to 1,000,009, and—in less than a page—found that there are two ways to express this as a sum of squares. Hence, by earlier work in E228, it is not a prime. Amusingly, when he later described how to prepare a table of primes “ad millionem et ultra” (E467), he included this number as prime. So he then felt obliged to write another paper, E699 (1797), using another refinement of his method, to show that 1,000,009 is not prime.
The Relationship Between Modern Mollusk Assemblages and Their Expression in Subsurface Sediment in a Carbonate Lagoon, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands

Much work has been done on the fidelity of a death assemblage to its present-day living community. Few studies, however, have extended this into the deeper subsurface in modern environments. This study examines the molluskan faunas accumulating at the surface in a reef/lagoon system on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands and compares those to the prefossilized assemblages in the subsurface to examine how faithfully surface assemblages are reflected in the sediment below. Data from 12 vibrocores through the Holocene section indicate that there is a very strong taphonomic filter in effect in the lagoon. The faunal constituents, their taphonomic signature, and the size classes represented in the surface assemblage are quite different from molluskan accumulations in deeper subsurface sediments. In fact, intense bioturbation by callianassid shrimp as deep as 3 m into the sediment has affected the entire sedimentary package resulting in a largely homogeneous section devoid of subsurface shell beds. The one exception to that pattern is a single shelly lag found at the bottom of the sediment package resting on the hard pre-Holocene surface. Most importantly, we find that the lag fauna does not resemble the modern life/death assemblage accumulating at the sediment surface. Dominant taxa in the modern life or death assemblage include small epifaunal gastropods and large bivalves. In contrast, small, thin-shelled infaunal bivalves dominate the lag along with agglutinated polychaete tubes, decapod remnants, and shell fragments. Our data suggest that the shell-rich accumulation deep within the sediment package is a time-averaged concentration of predominantly small infaunal mollusks deposited over time by deep burrowing callianassid crustaceans. Moreover, the extent of bioturbation within the lagoon suggests that some of the widely accepted live–dead paradigms may not be as robust as generally assumed.
Restoration of the Tram Chim National Wildlife Preserve, Vietnam

Stretching about 200 km between the border of Kampuchea and the South China Sea, nine branches of the mighty Mekong River (meaning nine dragons) spread across a wide and fertile delta where three crops of rice can be harvested each year (see Figs. 6.1 and 6.2). The Mekong originates in the mountains of western China where spring melts and rains, together with summer monsoons of the tropics, combine to flood the banks from June through October. The annual cycle, interacting with the daily ebb and flow of the tides, created ideal habitats for both fresh and saltwater wildlife. But today the Mekong Delta is one of the heavily populated regions of the earth. Most of the forests and wetlands have been transferred into cities and farms. The delta is Vietnam's food basket (Torrell and Salamanca 2005).
Grade Dropping, Grade Inflation and Student Satisficing

An extensive database of exam scores is studied to determine the effects of a grading policy that drops the lowest exam score. We find evidence that students "satisfice" and show how a large percentage of students passed up an expected improvement in their course grade. We find the probability a student will choose to complete an optional final exam is inversely related to their grade going into the final. Further, the likelihood of a student completing the final exam rises with the spread between prior exam scores and falls with the points needed to raise their course grade. Final grades are slightly higher compared to a no-drop policy, with most of the rise accruing to students in the low end of the grade distribution.
Fusing Binocular and Monocular Depth Cues

In this chapter we develop a technique for strong coupling of modules. As explained in chapter 4, strong coupling occurs when one module interacts during the computation of another. For example if the modules are stereo and eye-movements, then the eye-movements directly affect the matching of the stereo process. We will primarily concentrate on methods for strongly coupling stereo with monocular cues. The formalism, however, is more general and can be directly adapted to other matching problems such as long range motion correspondence. It will be shown that the theory for stereo integration of different features that described in the previous chapter can be naturally extended to incorporate these additional cues. Again methods from statistical mechanics, or statistics, can be applied to impose the matching constraints in a “strong” manner.
Effective Properties in Power-Law Creep

Recently developed variational principles are used to predict the effective properties of power-law creeping composites with two distinct phases in prescribed volume fractions. The new variational principles serve to estimate the effective properties of nonlinear composites in terms of the corresponding properties of linear composites with the same microstructural distributions of phases. The nonlinear composite is further assumed to possess overall isotropic symmetry. General results are given for composites with arbitrary creep exponents and reference stresses in a form that is almost explicit involving the solution of a nonlinear algebraic equation. Explicit results are given for the specific cases where the second phase is either rigid or void, corresponding to rigidly reinforced and porous materials, respectively. For the case of rigid particles the effect of particle shape is briefly explored by means of the well known self-consistent estimates for linear materials with isotropic distributions of spheres, disks and rods.
Behavioral and Control Theory of the Firm

The theory of the firm has been developed mainly under conditions of certainty and assumptions of complete knowledge. Everyone familiar with that theory must acknowledge the great contributions it has made to our understanding of the functioning of the price system in the resource allocation process. At the same time it must be recognized that firms operate under conditions of uncertainty, and that the theory of decision making under uncertainty has been well developed in the literature of statistics and economics (Zellner 1980; Fienberg and Zellner 1975; Boyer and Kihlstrom 1984).
Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase as a hematopoietic cell marker

Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) is an intracellular protein characteristic of certain primitive lymphocytes in normal thymus and bone marrow. It can be detected by enzyme assay or immunocytochemical staining. High levels of enzyme and increased numbers of TdT+ cells are found in some lymphoblastic leukemias and lymphomas. Analysis for TdT thus provides a useful adjunct in the differential diagnosis of leukemia.
Outcomes of immune-checkpoint inhibitor induced organ toxicities.

10063Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPIs) are gaining more popularity as treatment for advanced cancers. However, immune-related adverse events (irAE) might limit their use. Immunosuppr...
Apixaban for the treatment of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: A Report of Two Cases (P1.281)

Objective: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVT) is usually treated with heparin and warfarin. Newer anticoagulants are now available but the safety and efficacy of newer drugs is not established. Background: CVT is an uncommon, often under diagnosed and under treated neurological condition. Traditionally patients are treated with intravenous heparin followed by an oral vitamin K antagonist like warfarin. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are currently available and may offer advantages over warfarin. There is some evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of both dabigatran and rivaroxaban. No studies have previously described the use of apixaban in CVT. Design/Methods: Report two cases of CVT treated with apixaban, review of literature on available treatment options; efficacy and safety of novel oral anticoagulants in patients with systemic thrombosis. Results: Two patients, a 21 year old woman and a 37 year old African American man, presented with features of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. While the first patient presented with severe unremitting headache with papilledema due to raised intracranial pressure, the second patient presented with seizures and focal weakness due to parenchymal hemorrhage. After confirming the diagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis, they were acutely treated with heparin, and subsequently discharged on apixaban. During follow up visits, both patients tolerated apixaban well and did not have any bleeding complications. Follow up scans at 6 weeks for both patients showed resolution of thrombosis and complete recanalization. Conclusions: CVT is a neurological emergency and is often complicated by associated intraparenchymal hemorrhage which increases the risk of anticoagulation. When compared to both older agents like warfarin and newer oral anticoagulants, including dabigatran and rivaroxaban, apixaban has a lower risk of major bleeding and complications. Therefore, apixaban may be a safe and effective option for the treatment of CVT. Disclosure: Dr. Rao has nothing to disclose. Dr. Suchdev has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hanni has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ibrahim has nothing to disclose. Dr. Parker Jr. has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rajamani has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mohamed has nothing to disclose.
Multiple PR Current Regulator based Dead-time Effects Compensation for Grid-forming Single-Phase Inverter

A multiple proportional resonant (PR) current regulator based dead-time effects compensation method for grid-forming single-phase inverter is proposed. Most of dead-time effect studies are based on the polarity of the average inductor current. However, dead-time effect is eliminated at zero-crossing zone of the inductor current. Conventional dead-time compensation methods based on the polarity of the average inductor are not suitable for grid-forming single-phase inverter because of the large inductor current ripple and wide load range. In this paper, the dead-time effect considering ripple current is investigated and the relation between the load current and the range of the zero-crossing zone is discussed. Furthermore, the zero current clamping (ZCC) phenomenon and oscillation induced by dead-time are also discussed. In order to compensate the dead-time effects, a multiple PR current regulator based dad-time compensation method is proposed to reduce the voltage disturbance caused by dead-time effect in single-phase grid-forming inverter. The simulation and experiment results show the validity of the analysis and the distortion of the inverter output voltage is eliminated.
Modeling Corticosteroid Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, Part I: Determination and Prediction of Dexamethasone and Methylprednisolone Tissue Binding in the Rat

The plasma and tissue binding properties of two corticosteroids, dexamethasone (DEX) and methylprednisolone (MPL), were assessed in the rat in anticipation of developing physiologically based pharmacokinetic and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models. The tissue-to-plasma partition coefficients (KP) of DEX and MPL were measured in liver, muscle, and lung in vivo after steady-state infusion and bolus injection in rats. Since KP is often governed by reversible binding to macromolecules in blood and tissue, an attempt was made to assess KP values of DEX and MPL by in vitro binding studies using rat tissue homogenates and to compare these estimates to those obtained from in vivo kinetics after dosing. The KP values of both steroids were also calculated in rat tissues using mechanistic tissue composition–based equations. The plasma binding of DEX and MPL was linear with moderate binding (60.5% and 82.5%) in male and female rats. In vivo estimates of steroid uptake appeared linear across the tested concentrations and KP was highest in liver and lowest in muscle for both steroids. Assessment of hepatic binding of MPL in vitro was severely affected by drug loss at 37°C in male liver homogenates, whereas DEX was stable in both male and female liver homogenates. With the exception of MPL in liver, in vitro–derived KP estimates reasonably agreed with in vivo values. The mechanistic equations modestly underpredicted KP for both drugs. Tissue metabolism, saturable tissue binding, and active uptake are possible factors that can complicate assessments of in vivo tissue binding of steroids when using tissue homogenates. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Assuming the free hormone hypothesis, the ratio of the unbound drug fraction in plasma and in tissues defines the tissue-to-plasma partition coefficient (KP), an important parameter in physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling that determines total drug concentrations within tissues and the steady-state volume of distribution. This study assessed the plasma and tissue binding properties of the synthetic corticosteroids, dexamethasone and methylprednisolone, in rats using ultrafiltration and tissue homogenate techniques. In vitro–in vivo and in silico–in vivo extrapolation of KP was assessed for both drugs in liver, muscle, and lung. Although the extrapolation was fairly successful across the tissues, in vitro homogenate studies severely underpredicted the KP of methylprednisolone in liver, partly attributable to the extensive hepatic metabolism.
An Evaluation of the Literacy Demands of Online Natural Disaster Preparedness Materials for Families

Objective: Natural disasters are becoming increasingly common, but it is unclear whether families can comprehend and use available resources to prepare for such emergencies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the literacy demands of risk communication materials on natural disasters for US families with children. Methods: In January 2018, we assessed 386 online self-directed learning resources related to emergency preparedness for natural disasters using 5 literacy assessment tools. Assessment scores were compared by information source, audience type, and disaster type. Results: One-in-three websites represented government institutions, and 3/4 were written for a general audience. Nearly 1-in-5 websites did not specify a disaster type. Assessment scores suggest a mismatch between the general population’s literacy levels and literacy demands of materials in the areas of readability, complexity, suitability, web usability, and overall audience appropriateness. Materials required more years of education beyond the grade level recommended by prominent health organizations. Resources for caregivers of children generally and children with special health care needs possessed lower literacy demands than materials overall, for most assessment tools. Conclusions: Risk communication and public health agencies could better align the literacy demands of emergency preparedness materials with the literacy capabilities of the general public.
How do colleges communicate about E-cigarettes? The presentation of risk, policy, and cessation resources on college websites.

Objectives: We examine colleges’ current practices for communicating about e-cigarettes in terms of risk, campus policy, and cessation resources based on the American College Health Association (AC...
Flypub To Study Ethanol Induced Behavioral Disinhibition and Sensitization.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) remains a serious problem in our society. To develop effective interventions for addiction, it is important to understand the underlying neurobiological mechanisms, for which diverse experimental approaches and model systems are needed. The main ingredient of alcoholic beverages is ethanol, which causes adaptive changes in the central nervous system and behavior upon chronic intake. Behavioral sensitization (i.e., escalated responses) in particular represents a key adaptive change underlying addiction. Most ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization studies in animal models have been conducted on the locomotor activating effect of ethanol. A prominent effect of ethanol is behavioral disinhibition. Behavioral sensitization to the disinhibition effect of ethanol, however, is underrepresented. To address this issue, we developed the Flypub assay that allows measuring the escalated increase in disinhibited courtship activities upon recurring ethanol exposure in Drosophila melanogaster. Here, we report the step-by-step Flypub assay including assembly of ethanol exposure chambers, setup of the assay station, criteria for fly care and collection, ethanol delivery, quantification of disinhibited courtship activities, data processing and statistical analysis. Also provided are how to troubleshoot critical steps, overcome limitations and expand its utility to assess additional ethanol-induced behaviors. The Flypub assay in combination with powerful genetic tools in Drosophila melanogaster will facilitate the task of discovering the mechanism underlying ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization.
Chapter 7 – Shallow-Water Acoustics

This chapter discusses ocean acoustics in “shallow water,” which may be taken to be the continental shelf region between the beach/shore and the continental shelf break (including the latter). Bathymetrically, this is generally from 0 to 200 m water depth. Both low- and high-frequency acoustics are considered. The continental shelf has very complex geology, abundant biological life, intricate physical oceanography, and a large amount of anthropogenic influences, so it is not a simple region to characterize or model acoustically. However, that very complication also makes continental shelf acoustics one of the richest areas of ocean acoustics in terms of propagation and scattering phenomena. Our treatment here generally follows the terms in the sonar equation, as they apply to this specific region of the ocean.
Experimental Demonstration of an Entangled Radiofrequency-Photonic Sensor Network

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a reconflgurable radiofrequency (RF)-photonic sensor network comprised of three entangled sensor nodes to increase the precision of parameter estimation in networked RF sensing tasks.
Corticolimbic Circuitry and Genomic Risk for Stress-Related Psychopathology

Abstract Susceptibility to stress-related psychopathology may be partially attributable to genetically conferred differences in corticolimbic circuitry that govern stress response and recovery. In this chapter, we survey emerging research suggesting that genetic variation associated with neuroimaging-derived corticolimbic phenotypes may confer risk to stress-related psychopathology. We briefly review evidence linking stress-related psychopathology to epigenetic alterations in corticolimbic circuitry and the transcriptomic response to stress. The mechanistic insights emerging from imaging genetics research promise to shed light on how genomic differences and the environment transmit vulnerability to stress-related psychopathology. Going forward, it will be important to develop larger genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of corticolimbic circuitry and related phenotypes while also probing molecular mechanisms through which the environment (e.g., epigenetic and stress-related transcription) may interact with polygenic architecture to confer vulnerability to stress-related psychopathology.
Latina Educators in Sociology: Combating Trumpism with Critical Pedagogy:

In this article, three Latina sociologists discuss how they engage in teaching in a predominantly white discipline during a sociopolitical context of overt xenophobia and racism. Under the Trump ad...
Time-series analysis of daily ambient temperature and emergency department visits in five US cities with a comparison of exposure metrics derived from 1-km meteorology products

Ambient temperature observations from single monitoring stations (usually located at the major international airport serving a city) are routinely used to estimate heat exposures in epidemiologic studies. This method of exposure assessment does not account for potential spatial variability in ambient temperature. In environmental health research, there is increasing interest in utilizing spatially-resolved exposure estimates to minimize exposure measurement error. We conducted time-series analyses to investigate short-term associations between daily temperature metrics and emergency department (ED) visits for well-established heat-related morbidities in five US cities that represent different climatic regions: Atlanta, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and San Francisco. In addition to airport monitoring stations, we derived several exposure estimates for each city using a national meteorology data product (Daymet) available at 1 km spatial resolution. Across cities, we found positive associations between same-day temperature (maximum or minimum) and ED visits for heat-sensitive outcomes, including acute renal injury and fluid and electrolyte imbalance. We also found that exposure assessment methods accounting for spatial variability in temperature and at-risk population size often resulted in stronger relative risk estimates compared to the use of observations at airports. This pattern was most apparent when examining daily minimum temperature and in cities where the major airport is located further away from the urban center. Epidemiologic studies based on single monitoring stations may underestimate the effect of temperature on morbidity when the station is less representative of the exposure of the at-risk population.
Characterizing the physical function decline and disabilities present among older adults with fecal incontinence: a secondary analysis of the health, aging, and body composition study.

Unhealthy aging is associated with fecal incontinence (FI) and poor physical performance. The link between FI and physical performance in older adults is unknown. We aim to examine the longitudinal relationship between FI symptoms and physical performance among older US adults. We analyzed a cohort of well-functioning, adults aged 70–79 years enrolled in the prospective cohort of the Health, Aging, and Body Composition study. Fecal incontinence symptoms were assessed at baseline using a validated question. Physical performance was determined by the expanded version of the Short Physical Performance Battery (HABC PBB), which includes an assessment of usual and fast walking speed and balance measures. Objective measures of physical performance were determined at baseline and year 4. Univariate and multivariate analyses compared physical performance based on presence of FI symptoms adjusting for important demographic and clinical covariates. Of the 2914 participants in the Health ABC cohort, 222 (8%) had FI symptoms and 2692 (92%) did not. Mean age and BMI were 73 years and 27 kg/m2, respectively. Older adults with FI symptoms demonstrated a clinically significant decline in total HABC PBB scores from baseline to year 4 of −0.33 (95% CI: −0.41, −0.25), a statistically significant difference compared to adults without FI symptoms (−0.26 [95% CI: −0.32, −0.20]), p = 0.04. Sub-scale components demonstrated greater deficits in narrow walk speed, p = 0.03, and non-significant trend in greater deficits in repeated chair rise pace and gait speed, p ≥ 0.05. Fecal incontinence symptoms are associated with clinically important declines in physical performance in older adults.
Curriculum Development in the Postmodern Era : Teaching and Learning in an Age of Accountability

This landmark text was one of the first to introduce and analyze contemporary concepts of curriculum that emerged from the Reconceptualization of curriculum studies in the 1970s and 1980s. This new edition brings readers up to date on the major research themes (postmodernism,ecological, hermeneutics, aesthetics and arts-based research, race, class, gender, sexuality, and classroom practices) within the historical development of the field from the 1950s to the present. Like the previous editions, it is unique in providing a comprehensive overview in a relatively short and highly accessible text. Provocative and powerful narratives (both biography and autoethnography) throughout invite readers to engage the complex theories in a personal conversation. School-based examples allow readers to make connections to schools and society, teacher education, and professional development of teachers. Changes in the Third Edition New Glossary - brief summaries in the text direct readers to the Companion Website to read the entire entries New analysis of the current accountability movement in schools including the charter school movement. More international references clearly connected to international contexts More narratives invite readers to engage the complex theories in a personal conversation Companion Website–new for this edition
Dynamic Crack Tip Fields

The general crack problems are first formulated by the usage of unbounded linearly elastic medium containing a crack. Adescription of the stress field in the vicinity of the crack tip and the idea of the dynamic stress intensity factor is discussed in the chapter. By the application of Huygens' principle, the wavefronts emanating from the crack under this loading can be drawn. The analytical solutions to dynamic problems are described in two parts—the first part deals with stationary cracks under dynamic loads and the second part deals with dynamically growing cracks. In many experiments, it has been observed that the crack moves at a constant speed even though the crack tip motion may not be considered as a steady-state motion. Ravi-Chandar (2001) demonstrated that intersonic crack growth is also possible in homogenous materials, without weak interfaces, if cracks are trapped along the maximum shear plane through other constraints such as a groove.
The pathways and functions of GABA in the oculomotor system.

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the anatomical connections involved in vertical and horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflexes, including vertical and horizontal gaze. It also cites experimental evidence to demonstrate the involvement of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as the major neurotransmitter of inhibitory premotor neurons in the oculomotor system. The chapter compares the monkey and the cat in terms of the distribution and synaptic connections of GABA-labeled neurons and presents a summary of their putative inhibitory role in eye movement. Conjugate eye movement involves coordinating the action of at least one pair of extraocular muscles in each eye. In horizontal eye movement, one muscle (for example, the medial rectus) must be excited and its antagonistic muscle (the lateral rectus) inhibited. In vertical eye movement, this reciprocal relationship includes the superior and inferior recti. GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter utilized by the premotor neurons involved in vertical eye movements. By contrast, glycine is the inhibitory neurotransmitter of most premotor neurons that are related to horizontal eye movements.
A Combined TG-GC-MS System for Materials Characterization

Thermogravimetry is a powerful technique for studying stability and determining composition of a variety of materials. However, it derives information based on monitoring weight losses as a function of temperature and does not identify the volatilized components. Its capability for materials characterization is greatly enhanced if other analytical techniques are combined with it to analyze the off-gases at various weight loss steps. This presentation describes a coupled thermogravimetry-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TG-GC-MS) system based on the Du Pont 951 thermogravimetric analyzer and a Hewlett-Packard computerized GC-MS instrument. Examples will be given to illustrate the features of such a combination.
The Cherokee Syllabary

In order to recognize and correctly evaluate basic letter forms regarding their rarity, or general character, forensic document examiners are expected to have a ready reference file of the various systems of writing used in the United States during the last 100 years [1]. However, one system of writing appears to have been omitted from the reference/study materials. This paper provides information on that system of American writing known as the “Cherokee Alphabet,” which is still in use today.
The Sense of Self Inside and Environments Outside: How the Two Grow Together and Become One in Healthy Psychological Development

In contrast to ecopsychology, which segregates a person and environments and assumes that nature automatically provides stimulation which promotes a sense of well-being, I advocate my elaboration of the position of relational psychoanalysis which holds that a person's self and environments, both human and nonhuman, form a dialectical, holistic organization. Based upon research and clinical cases my model proposes that, from the first years of life, a child's experiences with human and nonhuman environments result in the development of embodied metaphors that represent these experiences, give meaning to current environments, and prescribe actions, emotions, and what the person should search for and expect. If these embodied metaphors were constructed during interactions with persons with whom the child had formed attachments that were relatively free of major developmental interferences, this child has the widest range of environments with which to continue negotiating his or her development in future year...
DEACTIVATION OF THREE-WAY CATALYSTS BY FUEL CONTAMINANTS:--LEAD, PHOSPHORUS AND SULFUR

Poisoning of a typical platinum-rhodium (Pt-Rh) automotive three-way catalyst (TWC) was determined as a function of lead (Pb), sulfur (S) and phosphorus (P)fuel levels, thermal aging and sulfur dioxide content in the evaluation fuel. In an attempt to mimic the effect on TWCs of misfueling with Pb levels typical of commercially available leaded fuels, TWC activities were severely poisoned. Upon reverting to fuel containing trace Pb levels, the CO activity was restored, but the NO and HC activities were only partially recovered. The Pt-Rh TWCs were poisoned by the exhaust from fuel containing 0.03 wt % S, but not by that from fuel containing up to 8 mg P/gal (2.1 g/cu m).
Polynucleotides: VII. Spectrophotometric study of the kinetics of formation of the two-stranded helical complex resulting from the interaction of polyriboadenylate and polyribouridylate

The kinetics of interaction of equimolar mixtures of poly A and poly U in low and moderate [Na+] at several temperatures has been followed at three wavelengths: 259·0 mμ, where the hypochromic change per U residue incorporated into helix is the same for poly (A + U) and poly (A + U + U); 280·0 mμ, where the hypochromic change is due only to the formation of poly (A + U + U); and 283·5 mμ. where the hyperchromic change is due only to the formation of poly (A + U). The results indicate that, under conditions that do not allow formation of poly (A + U + U) (0·01 M -Na+ at 25°C), poly (A + U) is formed directly and at a rate that can be described by a standard second-order kinetic expression. By contrast, under conditions that do allow poly (A + U + U) formation (0·01 M -Na+ at M -Na+ at 25°C), the complete formation of poly (A + U) does not proceed directly. In addition to rapid formation of poly (A + U), substantial amounts of poly (A + U + U) appear with an induction period. This formation of incidental poly (A + U + U) reaches a maximum shortly before all the poly U is consumed. Thereafter, the formation of poly (A + U) is notably slower and proceeds at a rate that is indistinguishable from the rate of disappearance of a half-equivalent of poly (A + U + U). Complete formation in 0·2 M -Na+ at 25°C is not approached until approximately 72 hours. Four rate expressions derived from standard kinetic laws usually applied to reactions between small molecules are proposed as a quantitative description of the entire sequence of events.
Medication Routines and Adherence Among Hypertensive African Americans.

Hypertension (HTN) affects 29% of the adult population and contributes to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality.1 Despite numerous effective treatments, only 53% of patients with HTN are at goal blood pressure (BP).1 Lowering of high BP reduces the risk of stroke by approximately 38%, congestive heart failure by 42%, and coronary heart disease by 28%.1,2 On average, patients with severe HTN (>200/120 mm Hg) live 2.7 years less than those with normal BP (<140/90 mm Hg).3 African Americans have a disproportionately large burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality in the United States compared with white patients.3,4 Despite several studies demonstrating the impact of antihypertensive medications in achieving optimal BP control,5–8 nonadherence to prescribed antihypertensive medications has been identified as one of the main reasons for poorly controlled BP among African Americans.9–14 Nonadherence and poor BP control has been reported as a possible explanation for the disparity in CVD morbidity and mortality in African American and white patients.15,16 Thus, there is a need for different strategies aimed at improving medication adherence and BP control among African Americans. To enhance medication adherence and BP control, patients are often encouraged to establish a consistent medication routine based on their daily lives (eg, place medication next to their toothbrush) as a means to increase adherence behaviors. However, empirical evidence supporting this notion is lacking. More importantly, no study has examined whether consistency in medication-taking is associated with better BP control. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to: (1) identify patient sociodemographic factors that are associated with having a consistent medication-taking routine; (2) examine the association between medication-taking consistency and medication adherence over a 9-month monitoring period; and (3) examine the association between medication-taking consistency and BP control.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging of the Brain

Diffusion-tensor imaging requires the acquisition of a large number of mostly diffusion-weighted volumes, and echo-planar imaging is the method of choice for the imaging of the brain. Parallel-imaging techniques provide a number of major benefits for this application: (1) decreased distortion in EPI scans, i.e., better match with true anatomy and other images and therefore easier co-registration; (2) shorter echo times and resulting shorter repetition times that make otherwise prohibitively long scans feasible and allow ultra-fast imaging or more coverage or additional measurements at the same scan time; (3) feasibility of high-spatial-resolution imaging, providing anatomical details that would be hard to achieve otherwise. With reduction in signal-to-noise ratio being the major disadvantage, parallel imaging has become a standard tool for diffusion-tensor imaging of the brain given the widespread availability of phased-array head coils.
Comparative genomics of the response to cold shock in Saccharomyces paradoxus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (589.3)

The growth rate of a wild species of yeast, Saccharomyces paradoxus, was compared to the domesticated species, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, when both were subjected to different temperatures and inhibitory drugs. We found that S. paradoxus had a shorter doubling time than S. cerevisiae at both 30 and 13°C, and that S. paradoxus grew significantly faster at the cold temperature than was expected by its warm temperature growth rate. Furthermore, S. paradoxus was more resistant to the growth-inhibitory drugs, rapamycin and caffeine, than S. cerevisiae. To determine the gene expression changes responsible for resistance to cold shock, we performed a DNA microarray experiment on S. paradoxus. Cells were grown to early log phase at 30°C, then shifted to 13°C for 60 minutes, and then shifted back to 30°C for another 60 minutes. Samples were collected before cold shock (t0), after 15, 30, and 60 minutes of cold shock (t15, t30, t60), and after 30 and 60 minutes (t90, t120) of recovery at 30°C. Labeled aRNA from cold...
Action of Interferon: Kinetics and Differential Effects on Viral Functions

A highly purified rabbit interferon was tested for its capacity to inhibit various manifestations of infection of primary rabbit kidney (RK) cells with vesicular stomatitis (VS) virus. A kinetic analysis of the actinomycin-sensitive phase of interferon-induced cellular resistance revealed that RK cells could transcribe virtually all of the hypothetical antiviral messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) within 3 hr. Similar exposure to interferon reduced virus yield by 95 to 99% and markedly inhibited cytopathic effect on RK cells infected at a multiplicity of 10 or less. Interferon was less effective in blocking cytopathic effects when RK cells were infected at a multiplicity of 100. However, RK cells pretreated with the same amount of interferon and infected at a multiplicity of 100 failed to incorporate 3H-amino acids into structural or nonstructural proteins of VS virus identified by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Despite this inhibition of viral protein synthesis, interferon did not prevent the switch off by VS virus of cellular protein synthesis. The rapidity with which a high multiplicity of VS virus switched off cellular protein synthesis, even in cells rendered resistant to viral infection by interferon, is further evidence that this reaction is caused by an infecting virion component rather than by a newly synthesized viral product.
Identification of novel type VII collagen gene mutations resulting in severe recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

Summary In this work, we studied the proband in a small nuclear family of Chinese and Dutch/German descent and identified two novel mutations in the type VII collagen gene leading to recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, Hallopeau–Siemens variant (HS-RDEB). The maternal mutation is a single base pair deletion of a cytosine nucleotide in exon 26, designated 3472delC, resulting in a frameshift and a premature termination codon (PTC) within the same exon, 7 bp downstream of the site of the mutation. The paternal mutation is a GA transition located at the 5′ donor splice site within intron 51, designated IVS51 + 1GA. This mutation leads to the activation of a cryptic splice site, 32 bp downstream of the mutation site and to subsequent aberrant out-of-frame splicing, resulting in two alternative mRNA transcripts and a downstream PTC. To our knowledge, these two mutations have not been previously reported. These findings extend the body of evidence for compound heterozygous mutations leading to HS-RDEB and provide the basis for prenatal diagnosis in this family.
A robust correction model based neural network modeling framework for electromagnetic simulations and RF measurements

This paper introduces a new artificial neural networks (ANNs)-based correction-modeling approach for simulations and measurements. The proposed approach improves the accuracy of conventional neural models by reversing input-output variables in a systematic manner, while keeping the model structures simple relative to complex knowledge-based ANNs (KBNNs). The approach facilitates accurate/fast neural network modeling of practical electromagnetic (EM) structures, for which, training data is expensive. Two examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy, efficiency, and feasibility of the proposed modeling approach. The first example is a broadband wire monopole antenna loaded by an annular dielectric ring resonator (DRR) at the antenna feed point. The second example is a metallic waveguide (WG) tube coated with inhomogeneous lossy materials for enhanced electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. The proposed approach is significant to RF circuit designers since it helps in building accurate models using reduced numbers of full-wave EM simulations and/or RF measurements.
Fully Threaded Tree Algorithms for Adaptive Refinement Fluid Dynamics Simulations

A fully threaded tree (FTT) for adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) of regular meshes is described. By using a tree threaded at all levels, tree traversals for finding nearest neighbors are avoided. All operations on a tree including tree modifications areO(N), whereNis a number of cells and can be performed in parallel. An implementation of the tree requires 2Nwords of memory. In this paper, FTT is applied to the integration of the Euler equations of fluid dynamics. The integration on a tree can utilize flux evaluation algorithms used for grids, but requires a different time-stepping strategy to be computationally efficient. An adaptive-mesh time-stepping algorithm is described in which different time steps are used at different levels of the tree. Time stepping and mesh refinement are interleaved to avoid extensive buffer layers of fine mesh which were otherwise required ahead of moving shocks. A filtering algorithm for removing high-frequency noise during mesh refinement is described. Test examples are presented, and the FTT performance is evaluated.
Sugar Beet Performance and Interactions with Planting Date, Genotype, and Harvest Date

Producers and processors have lengthened the sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) factory campaign by beginning harvest about 1 mo earlier. Agronomic practices may need to be adjusted to maximize yield and quality of sugar beet harvested earlier. The objective was to describe yield and quality relationships between dates of planting and harvest among 18 sugar beet genotypes. The experiment was conducted at the University of Wyoming Research and Extension Center near Powell, WY, during 1992 and 1993 on a Garland clay loam (fine-loamy over sandy or sandy-skeletal, mixed, mesic Typic Haplargids). Treatments consisted of five planting dates between 30 March and 8 June, and four harvest dates every 2 wk beginning 10 September. When averaged across all years, genotypes, and harvest dates, a delay in emergence of 46 d decreased root yield 38% (from 52.5 to 32.3 Mg ha -1 ), sugar content 4% (183 to 175 g kg -1 ), and recoverable sucrose 42% (9.25 to 5.34 Mg ha -1 ). Delaying planting 46 d increased loss to molasses by 21% (7.75 to 9.41 g kg -1 ). Root yield varied 18% among sugar beet genotypes (40.9-50.1 Mg ha -1 ), sugar content varied 6% (173-185 g kg -1 ), loss to molasses varied 13% (7.90-9.10 g kg -1 ), and recoverable sucrose varied 14% (7.14-8.33 Mg ha -1 ). Over the 43-d harvest period, root yield increased 22% (from 41.1 to 50.2 Mg ha -1 ), sugar content 15% (165 to 190 g kg -1 ), and recoverable sucrose 45% (6.41 to 9.28 Mg ha -1 ). Over the harvest period, loss to molasses decreased 21% (from 9.10 to 7.12 g kg -1 ). The relationships for both yield and quality between planting and harvest dates was linear and nearly parallel. Genotypic differences for yield and quality were greatest on early planting dates as compared with later planting dates. Recoverable sucrose ranking of genotypes at the beginning of harvest was similar at the end of harvest. Producers should consider planting high root yield genotypes in early planted fields that are harvested late, thereby taking advantage of the entire growing season, and genotypes with average root yield and above-average sugar content should be used for late planted or early harvested fields.
Clinical reasoning and the new “non-” nosology

Abstract Although seemingly odd, the designations prefixed with “non-” have become a familiar feature of clinical terminology. A common structure of these designations is the partition of a single clinical category into two contrasting ones. Despite the similar “non-” designations, the partitions can have four different functions: dividing one disease into two, aggregating multiple diseases, distinguishing etiologic uncertainty, and negating “legitimate” disease. The “non-” terminology may seem peculiar, but it is based on clinically pertinent distinctions and similarities in disease, reflecting prudent clinical reasoning.