cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Struggle vs. Harmony: Symbols of Competing Values in Modern China *

T Raditional China was characterized by a remarkable homogeneity of mores, institutions, and values. In this it resembled the simpler societies in which, as Maclver has pointed out, the institutions are in broad accord with the mores, and one system of values prevails, being reaffirmed in every aspect of life. During the past hundred years, China's perdurable synthesis of doctrines and institutions has been slowly but certainly undermined. While the impact of the Western powers and Western technology forced the modification of Chinese institutions, the subtle penetration of Western ideas altered or destroyed every long-accepted value. The past century of China's history can be seen as a continuous struggle to regain its ancient homogeneity. That century is marked by repeated attempts to create groups of modified institutions to meet the challenge of Western power, together with groups of modified values which, it was hoped, would support the new institutions and check the spread of divisive Western ideas. These efforts failed, and with each failure more and more traditional institutions and values were abandoned as incapable of existing in amalgam with Western elements. In this process, different social groups reacted differently to the persisting appeal of the old and the attraction of the new and, in so reacting, further undermined the old synthesis of values and institutions.
African American children's depressive symptoms: the prospective effects of neighborhood disorder, stressful life events, and parenting.

The prospective effects of observed neighborhood disorder, stressful life events, and parents’ engagement in inductive reasoning on adolescents’ depressive symptoms were examined using data collected from 777 African American families. Multilevel analyses revealed that stressful life events experienced at age 11 predicted depressive symptoms at age 13. Furthermore, a significant interaction between neighborhood disorder and parents’ engagement in inductive reasoning was found, indicating that parental use of inductive reasoning was a protective factor for depressive symptoms particularly for youths living in highly disordered neighborhoods. The importance of examining correlates of depressive symptoms from a contextual framework, focusing on individuals, families, and neighborhood contexts, is emphasized.
Congenital nephrotic syndrome: Evolution of medical management and results of renal transplantation

We analyzed the clinical course, pathologic findings, and results of aggressive medical management and renal transplantation in 41 infants with onset of nephrotic syndrome in the first 3 months of life. All but one infant with congenital onset failed to thrive and had progressive renal insufficiency; 17 were given steroids or cytotoxic drugs or both, without benefit. Severe bacterial infections occurred in 85% of the infants, pyloric stenosis in 12%, gastroesophageal reflux in 8%, and thrombotic events in 10%. All children prior to the era of renal transplantation died before 4 years of age. The last 24 infants received aggressive medical management, which allowed renal transplantation in 17. Two-year patient and graft survival rates were 82% and 71%, respectively. There was no recurrence of the nephrotic syndrome in the children who underwent transplantation. All but one surviving infants has had normal or accelerated growth, although mean height for the group is 3.1 SD below the mean. School and social performance has been normal in 80%. Thus intensive medical therapy combined with renal transplantation offers a very good opportunity for survival with an acceptable quality of life for infants with congenital nephrotic syndrome.
The influence of acute rejection on long-term renal allograft survival: a comparison of living and cadaveric donor transplantation.

Background. We investigated whether recipients of living donor grafts who suffer an acute rejection progress to graft loss because of chronic rejection at a slower rate than recipients of cadaveric grafts. Methods. A retrospective review was made of 296 renal transplantations performed at Mount Sinai Hospital. Only grafts functioning for at least 3 months were included in this analysis. Demographic variables of donor and recipient age, race, sex, and serum creatinine at 3 months after transplantation were compared between groups. Results. Among the acute rejection-free cohort, the estimated 5-year graft survival was 90% for those receiving transplants from living relatives and 88% for those receiving cadaveric transplants (P=0.76). However, in grafts with early acute rejection, the 5-year survival was 40% for cadaveric recipients compared with 73% for living related graft recipients (P<0.014). Using the proportional hazards model, cadaveric donor source, older donor age, African American recipient race, and elevated 3-month serum creatinine were independent predictors of long-term graft loss caused by chronic rejection. The severity of acute rejection and recipient age had no impact on the risk of graft loss because of chronic rejection. Conclusion. These data indicate that the benefit of living related transplantation results from the fact that a living related graft progresses from acute to chronic rejection at a slower rate than a cadaveric graft. Furthermore, a cadaveric graft that is free of acute rejection 3 months after transplantation has an equal likelihood of functioning at 5 years as that of a graft from a living related donor.
Mass transport in layered polycrystalline thin films

Abstract Thin film specimens having the layered structure Pb/Ag/Au and Pb/Ag/Pd were prepared for a study of the reactions between Pb and Au, and Pb and Pd, respectively. These reactions require mass transport through the intermediate layer of Ag. In the case of the reaction between Pb and Au, it is found that after annealing at 200°C for more than 24 h the compound Pb2Au can be detected in those specimens where the 3000 A thick Ag layer is polycrystalline but not in specimens where the Ag layer is a single crystal. This result indicates that grain boundaries in the polycrystalline Ag layer act as paths for rapid transport of Au and Pb atoms. In the case of the reaction between Pb and Pd, we prepared only polycrystalline Ag as the intermediate layer and detected the compound Pb2Pd after a few hours of annealing in the temperature range 160°–200°C. The lattice parameter of the polycrystalline Ag layer before and after annealing has been measured by X-ray diffraction and found to be unchanged, indicating that leakage into the Ag grains by lattice diffusion is negligible and that boundary transport is dominant. Separate study of grain boundary diffusion kinetics is now possible using this technique.
Psychosocial Determinants of Cancer-Related Information Seeking Among Cancer Patients

This study explores the utility of using the Integrative Model of Behavioral Prediction as a framework for predicting cancer patients' intentions to seek information about their cancer from sources other than a physician, and to examine the relation between patients' baseline intentions to seek information and their actual seeking behavior at follow-up. Within 1 year of their diagnosis with colon, breast, or prostate cancer, 1,641 patients responded to a mailed questionnaire assessing intentions to seek cancer-related information from a source other than their doctor, as well as their attitudes, perceived normative pressure, and perceived behavioral control with respect to this behavior. In addition, the survey assessed their cancer-related information seeking. One year later, 1,049 of these patients responded to a follow-up survey assessing cancer-related information seeking during the previous year. Attitudes, perceived normative pressure, and perceived behavioral control were predictive of information-seeking intentions, although attitudes emerged as the primary predictor. Intentions to seek information, perceived normative pressure regarding information seeking, baseline information-seeking behavior, and being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer were predictive of actual information-seeking behavior at follow-up. Practical implications are discussed.
Frequency of intracoronary filling defects by angiography in angina pectoris at rest.

Abstract Recent studies have shown that pain at rest in patients with unstable angina pectoris is often caused by transient reduction in regional myocardial perfusion. Coronary spasm has been implicated as a mechanism of this phenomenon. Recent reports have documented the occurrence of intracoronary thrombus in patients with unstable angina. Previous surveys have estimated a 6 to 12% frequency of intracoronary thrombus in this syndrome, but have not examined whether this incidence is related to how recent the angina at rest was. Angiograms of 119 patients with unstable angina who had rest pain within 14 days of angiography and 35 patients with stable angina were surveyed. Patients with unstable angina were subgrouped according to how recent angina at rest was at the time of angiography. Group I consisted of 44 patients in whom rest pain occurred within 24 hours before angiography. The 75 patients in group II had angina at rest between 1 and 14 days before angiography. Patients in group II had stable angina. The angiographic criterion for intracoronary thrombus was an intraluminal filling defect, surrounded by contrast medium on 3 sides, located just distal to or within a coronary stenosis, as assessed by each of 2 independent observers blinded to the nature of the anginal syndrome and its temporal proximity. Intracoronary thrombi were found in 44 of 119 patients with unstable angina (37%) and 0 of 35 patients with stable angina (p
Growth Randomness, Porosity, and Surface Coverage of Carbon Films

Mathematical models that describe the static growth processes of sputtered and ion-beam deposited amorphous carbon films are established. Two important factors are considered in deriving the models: the film porosity and the growth randomness. The growth randomness for both hydrogenated sputter carbon and hydrogenated ion-beam carbon films are deduced from the film roughness vs. film thickness data obtained from X-ray reflectometry. The porosities of the two types of films are estimated from the experimentally determined values of film densities and sp3 /sp2 C–C bonding ratios. The derived film growth models, which find support from a surface coverage experiment, have allowed us to predict the surface coverage of the two types of carbon films in the thickness range of interest. We find that, neglecting intermixing at the substrate/carbon interface, the denser ion-beam carbon films are nearly as effective at achieving a similar level of surface coverage as the less dense sputter carbon films at twice the thicknesses. Our surface coverage model points to further increasing the carbon film density as the most effective approach for the continued reduction in the carbon overcoat thickness while maintaining adequate surface coverage.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Influence of chemical impurities on the performance of a flashlamp-pumped dye laser

Abstract The presence of ⩽ 5% chemical impurities in Rhodamine 6G [Cl-] is shown to decrease the fluorescence quantum efficiency, increase the self-absorption cross-section, reduce lasing efficiency and shorten the usable lifetime of the lasing solution.
Cost effective and time efficient measurement of CD4, CD8, major histocompatibility complex Class II, and macrophage antigen expression in the lungs of chickens

Abstract Cells expressing CD4, CD8, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class II, and macrophage biomarkers in lungs of chickens were quantified by measuring total area of antigen expressed using imageJ, a software program developed at the National Institutes of Health and available at no cost. The procedures reported here were rapid, and reproducible. Total area of antigen expressed had positive correlation with manual counts of cells expressing CD4 and CD8 biomarkers after inoculation with serotype 1 Marek's disease virus (MDV) vaccines. Visual inspection and overlays prepared from outlines of cells counted by imageJ confirmed agreement between antigen expression and area measured. Total area measured was not dependent on time of image acquisition from randomly selected fields from the same slides. Total area values were not computer specific, but acquisition of the original images required standardization of microscope used and camera setup. All steps in the process from sample collection through sectioning, staining, and image acquisition must be standardized as much as possible. Chickens infected with a very virulent+ (vv + ) isolate of MDV (648A) had increased CD4, CD8, MHC Class II, and macrophage biomarker expression compared to noninfected control chickens at 10 days post infection, but variable responses depending on the specific biomarker measured at 3 and 5 days post infection. The procedure described here is faster and more reproducible than manual counting in cases (CD4 and CD8) where the number of positive cells is low enough for manual counts. Manual counting is not possible with MHC Class II and macrophage antigens nor when CD4 + cells are present in large numbers following proliferation to tumors, thus subjective systems are used for scoring in these conditions. Using imageJ as described eliminates the need for subjective and less reproducible methods for measuring expression of these antigens.
Interaction of frog virus 3 with the cytomatrix: II. Structure and composition of the virus assembly site

Abstract We have described the structure of virus assembly sites in frog virus 3-infected tissue culture cells based on an examination of sectioned and whole cells by conventional and high voltage (1 000 kV) electron microscopy (HVEM), respectively. We have also attempted to identify the cellular and viral components within the assembly sites using immunofluorescence and a combination of DNase digestion and EM autoradiography. Immunofluorescence studies showed that the sites do not contain tubulin, vimentin, actin, or myosin, confirming EM and HVEM studies which showed the absence of these cytoskeletal filaments from these sites. Enzymatic digestion and autoradiographic studies identified viral DNA in clumps of electron-dense material which are suspended within the matrix of the assembly site. Examination of whole, virus-infected cells by HVEM revealed that the matrix of the assembly site appears as a compaction of the cytoplasmic matrix and appears to be continuous with it. The fine strands of cytomatrix, equated with the microtrabeculae of other cells, are covered with or contain granules measuring 6–8 nm; similar granules also populate the virus assembly sites. Disruption of purified FV3 with chloroform yielded capsomeres measuring 6–8 nm. Based on all these observations, we postulate that the virus assembly sites are regions of the cytomatrix specialized for virus assembly and that the viral components are transported along the cytomatrix to the assembly sites.
Price bundling presentation and consumer's bundle choice: the role of quality certainty.

Abstract As bundling has become a prevalent marketing strategy, the existing literature has focused on how to present price discount information for bundled products. To further understand bundling in restaurant operations, this study examined the moderating role of consumer quality certainty on the relationship between the effects of price bundling and consumers’ bundle choices. This study analyzed different bundling phenomena from an acquisition–transaction utility theory perspective in order to investigate the effects of price presentation and quality certainty manipulation on consumers’ bundle choices. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that quality certainty had a significant moderating effect. The less confident a consumer is about the quality of the bundled food products, the more likely it is that price presentation strategies will affect his or her willingness to order a bundle menu. The results also showed that transaction utility becomes significant as price discount information is segregated and as consumers are more certain of the quality of the bundled products. Managerial implications for restaurant operations are also discussed.
Extremal problems involving neighborhood unions

We examine several extremal problems for graphs satisfying the property |N(x) ∪ N(y)| ⩾ s for every pair of nonadjacent vertices x, y ϵ V(G). In particular, values for s are found that ensure that the graph contains an s-matching, a 1-factor, a path of a specific length, or a cycle of a specific length.
Ambientronic: a Brazilian program to support the development of innovative projects in e-waste reverse logistics

The exponential growth of the electronic market, aggravated by the early obsolescence of electronic product, has generated an environmental problem of resource depletion and accumulation of electronic waste (e-waste). When improperly discarded, the e-waste presents risks for health and environment.From this perspective, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and even consumers need to be more responsible about what they are producing, selling or consuming, in order to reduce waste and minimize the environmental impact of product life cycle.In this direction, the Center for Information Technology Renato Archer (CTI), a research unit of the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation creates and coordinates, since 2008, the Ambientronic Program to support the Brazilian electronic industry to adapt to environmental requirements.In 2010, Brazil established the National Policy on Solid Waste (PNRS) [1], which establishes actions for the integrated management and the environmentally sound management of solid waste, including e-waste.The aim of this paper is to discuss how the Ambientronic Program has been working to develop technical solutions to e-waste reverse logistics system, in the first part the paper presents a project involved with funding system cost and in the second part a project whose goals was develop requirements for e-waste recyclers certification.
Contextual partitioning for speech recognition

Many multicore computers are single-user devices, creating the potential to partition by situational usage contexts, similar to how the human brain is organized. Contextual partitioning (CP) permits multiple simplified versions of the same task to exist in parallel, with selection tied to the context in use. We introduce CP for speech recognition, specifically targeted at user interfaces in handheld embedded devices. Contexts are drawn from webpage interactions. CP results in 61p fewer decoding errors, 97p less training for vocabulary changes, near-linear scaling potential with increasing core counts, and up to a potential 90p reduction in power usage.
Surgery for stage IIIa-N2 non-small cell lung cancer

Background. The presence of ipsilateral mediastinal lymph node metastasis (N2 disease) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer presents a formidable challenge to the physician responsible for selecting therapy. The benefit of a surgical approach is controversial; however, it generally is agreed that only complete resection of all known tumor can provide a favorable outcome. This requires selecting patients for whom complete resection is a reasonable surgical objective
The ‘caries correction factor’: A new method of calibrating dental caries rates to compensate for antemortem loss of teeth

Dental caries rates are frequently based exclusively upon the number of carious teeth observed in a human skeletal series. However, a portion of the teeth lost antemortem will be lost because of severe carious decay, a factor not considered by many investigators. This paper reviews and critiques earlier attempts to adjust dental caries rates to account for antemortem loss of teeth, and proposes a new ‘caries correction factor’ that is population specific, requires no assumptions, and is sensitive to the temporal and ecogeographical context of a skeletal series. An example of how to apply this caries correction factor is provided using new data from the Bronze Age site of Harappa in northern Pakistan. Its value in dental palaeopathology is reviewed with two recent studies of dental caries in the Arabian Gulf, and concludes with a consideration of its possible application to non-human primates.
Trauma system evaluation using the fatality analysis reporting system.

BACKGROUND: The Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) has recorded detailed data on fatal traffic crashes since 1975. At least three prior studies have used declining mortality rates derived from FARS as evidence of regional trauma system effectiveness. METHODS: FARS and census data were obtained at no cost through the Internet. Previously published studies were replicated graphically including data from additional years before and after the previously reported time periods, and with rates also calculated for control populations. RESULTS: The association of trauma system organization with observed decreases in mortality rates was less convincing when all available data were displayed and other potential factors were considered. Death after traffic crashes, and especially death in hospitals, is becoming less frequent throughout the country. CONCLUSION: FARS is an excellent resource available to all injury researchers, but provides little evidence that some regions have decreased traffic mortality more than others because of trauma systems.
Consistency of the anomalous-magnetic-moment coupling of a vector-meson field

It is shown that when both the electromagnetic field and the vector-meson field are quantized in the presence of an anomalous-magnetic-moment interaction the energy density of the combined system is positive-definite and satisfies the Dirac-Schwinger covariance condition. This result shows that the validity of a recent suggestion of noncausal behavior in such a theory does not extend to the fully quantized case.
The Use of the Minolta Reflectance Chroma Meter II™ for Pigmentation Evaluation of Broiler Shanks

Abstract Broilers were fed different levels and types of xanthophylls to produce a wide range of skin and shank pigmentation. Color values [dominant wavelength (DWL), excitation purity (EP), and luminosity (LUM)] were obtained from the resulting shanks (live, dead, chilled) and removed shank skins using a Minolta Chroma Meter II™ and compared to values obtained on the removed shank skins with a MacBeth MC-1010™ reflectance colorimeter. Color values obtained with the two instruments on the color chips of the Hoffmann-LaRoche Yolk Colour Fan® were also compared. Intact shank values (live or dead) obtained with the Chroma Meter II™ were significantly lower and not significantly correlated to values obtained with the MC-1010™ instrument on skins from the same shanks. Removing the shanks and chilling them tended to increase correlation coefficients and decrease differences between means. A direct comparison of data collected with the two instruments on shank skins reduced mean differences and increased correlation coefficients. However, DWL values of shanks from broilers fed high pigment levels that were heterogeneous in type were not correlated. The uniformity of color within a particular sample, compounded by differences in sampling area, appeared to be the cause of the low correlation, because correlations between values obtained with the two instruments on the color chips of the color tan were high.
Postural change of the hyoid bone following osteotomy of the mandible

Abstract Nine cases of mandibular prognathism were treated by bilateral sliding osteotomy, and the effect of this surgical procedure upon posture of the hyoid bone was studied roentgenocephalometrically. Postoperatively, there is a minimum change in the anteroposterior relation of the hyoid bone to the cervical vertebrae, indicating that some physiologic mechanisms operate to prevent lingual encroachment upon the pharyngeal airway.
Percutaneous and surgical revascularization procedures in women

There has been an important increase in the availability of sex-specific data on the use and outcomes of revascularization procedures in women over the past year. Our understanding of the impact of female sex on the use and outcomes of revascularization procedures is limited by bias against inclusion of women in randomized trials and by the fact that coronary angiography, a necessary step in the evaluation of any patient for revascularization, is performed less frequently in women. Available information suggests that women and men usually receive equal benefit from revascularization procedures. This article reviews recent literature on the use of invasive coronary procedures in women.
RHIC spin physics — status of the polarized collider and spin-flavor structure of the nucleon

The Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, which is under construction at Brookhaven National Laboratory will become the first polarized proton collider. The status of the accelerator and experiments is briefly overviewed. Among various measurements with polarized pp collisions, a study of spin-flavor structure of the nucleon with W production is discussed.
Benchmarking for sustainability: an application to the sustainable construction industry

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology and framework to assist construction firms and contractors in incorporating sustainability measures into their benchmarking efforts.Design/methodology/approach – A methodology that incorporates both strategic and activity‐based criteria for identifying areas for benchmarking is developed by modifying an existing methodology of enterprise performance management. The benchmarking framework makes use of aspects from well‐established management practices such as activity‐based management, balanced scorecard, and multi‐attribute decision models. It allows for the integration of sustainability measures into more conventional measures of construction practice.Findings – The paper finds that activity and strategic metrics can be integrated into a framework for benchmarking. Additionally, metrics specific to sustainability can be incorporated with more traditional measures to provide a holistic analysis of construction practices.Practical implications...
A scale for the measurement of fear of crime

This paper presents research findings from a victimization survey of 1442 Texas residents. Specific attention is given to the fear of crime indicators in the survey with comparisons made to other findings on this subject.
Lesson From Comparison of CAM Use by Women With Female-Specific Cancers to Others: It's Time to Focus on Interaction Risks With CAM Therapies

There has been no examination as to whether the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use, as well as personal factors associated with CAM use and predictive of CAM use for women with female-specific cancers, is similar to those in other diagnostic groups. The purpose of this review is to compare CAM use and personal factors associated with and predictive of CAM use by women with female-specific cancers to samples of other diagnostic groups. If it is the case that CAM use is similar across various types of samples, then it may be unnecessary to continue to study detailed CAM use by those in separate diagnostic groups and instead focus energies on the examination of CAM therapies that may have risks for interaction with conventional therapies, such as biologically based therapies. The researcher concludes that we are now in an era in which we need to use our restricted time, human resources, and finances to examine biologically based CAM use that may carry high risks for interactions or toxicities for specific groups under examination, rather than examine global CAM use, unless the situation warrants such all-inclusive study.
Aircraft wing skin contouring by shot peening

Shot peening is a viable method for the forming of aircraft wing skins. Presently, geometric methods used to calculate peening intensity patterns are approximate. These methods are based on simplifying assumptions which are not valid for complex contours. The scope of the work presented in this paper is to develop a more accurate method of predicting peening intensity patterns. A general method of determining the optimal peening intensity pattern required to produce an arbitrary aerodynamic contour while controlling in-plane displacements is presented. The finite element method is used to model the effects of shot peening. Inversion of the equations to determine an exact solution for the peening intensity pattern is impossible. An approximate solution is found through numerical methods taking into account contour accuracy and peening intensity magnitudes. The resulting procedure produces accurate and reasonable results for the test cases presented, (computer simulations). Verification of the procedure will be completed when the system is field tested on an actual wing skin.
Cross-sectional and longitudinal predictors of serum albumin in hemodialysis patients

Cross-sectional and longitudinal predictors of serum albumin in hemodialysis patients. Background Lower serum albumin concentrations predict increased mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Many demographic, comorbidity, and modifiable treatment-related factors that predict HD patient outcomes may be associated with serum albumin. Methods Cross-sectional predictors of baseline albumin on December 31, 1993 were sought ( N = 3981). Additional effects of the same baseline predictors on subsequent trends in albumin over one year were examined in a nested subsample of patients ( N = 2245). Wave-1 of the United States Renal Data System Dialysis Morbidity and Mortality special study provided the data. Results Significant associations ( P 1 year). Trend analysis showed more positive albumin slopes for patients in their first year on HD and more negative slopes for Native Americans (vs. whites). Baseline albumin was correlated with the type of vascular access being used [arteriovenous (AV) fistulas > AV grafts > permanent catheters > temporary catheters]. Trend analysis predicted more negative albumin slopes for AV grafts and permanent catheters (vs. AV fistula access). Baseline albumin correlated inversely with bicarbonate and directly with hematocrit. Dialysis with unmodified cellulose membranes, without reuse, predicted lower baseline albumin than the other membrane-reuse categories. Conclusions Several exposures, which may be modifiable, were associated with serum albumin.
Telling stories: The structure of adults' narratives

Abstract Adults' narratives were analysed to study life-span changes in their structure. The narratives were collected from a group of adults in their 60s, 70s, and 80s. Four separate analyses were performed on the narratives' (1) hierarchical structure, (2) syntactic structure, (3) propositional content, and (4) cohesion. Age-group differences were obtained for the measures of hierarchical structure, syntactic structure, and cohesion. Further analyses revealed that the structural complexity of the narratives influenced their syntactic structure and cohesion. Interactions between the effects of age group and structural complexity suggest that elderly adults minimise the syntactic complexity of their narratives, reducing their cohesion, when producing structurally complex narratives. Finally, ratings of the quality of the narratives were strongly correlated with their structural complexity, suggesting that telling a “good” story involves constructing complex plots.
Why is interregional inequality in Russia and China not falling

Abstract In large and heterogenous countries, cross-regional inequality often fuels political conflict over redistributive demands. Standard economic theory holds that initial inequality in incomes across subnational regions of a country should eventually give way to convergence. However, economic liberalization in Russia and China has not produced cross-regional convergence. The paper demonstrates that interregional inequality remains high in both countries and grounds explanation for this finding in their communist institutional legacies. Their common institutional history complements country-specific explanations for the observed trends in cross-regional inequality.
Robust Control of Particulate Processes Using Uncertain Population Balances

A general method is proposed for the synthesis of robust, nonlinear controllers for spatially homogeneous particulate processes described by population balances including time-varying uncertain variables. The controllers are synthesized via Lyapunov's direct method on the basis of finite-dimensional approximations of the population balances which are obtained by using the method of weighted residuals. The controllers enforce stability in the closed-loop system and attenuation of the effect of uncertain variables on the output, and achieve particle-size distributions with desired characteristics. The robustness of the controllers with respect to unmodeled dynamics is also addressed within the singular perturbation framework. The controllers enforce the desired stability and performance specifications in the closed-loop system, provided that the unmodeled dynamics are stable and sufficiently fast. The proposed control method is applied to a continuous crystallizer with fines trap in which the nucleation rate and the crystal density change arbitrarily with time, and the actuator and sensor dynamics are explicitly considered in the process model, but not included in the model used for controller synthesis. Simulation runs of the closed-loop system clearly demonstrate that the controller attenuates uncertainty, achieves a crystal-size distribution with desired characteristics, and is superior to nonlinear controllers that do not account for the presence of uncertainty.
A review of the three-dimensional stress problem for a cracked plate

An analytical study has been carried out to examine the influence of plate thickness on the stress distribution around the crack. The qualitative feature of the three-dimensional solution is first determined by an asymptotic expansion of the stresses and displacements in terms of the cylindrical polar coordinates r, θ, z for small values of r which is referenced from the border of a semi-infinite crack. It is found that the stresses σrr, σθθ, σ zz , and σ rθ are singular of the order r $$r{\text{ }}^{{\text{ - }}\tfrac{1}{2}} $$ , but the transverse shear stresses σ rz and σθz , are bounded for plates under stretching and bending. The intensity of crack-border stress field becomes a function of the thickness coordinate z. Knowing that the problem prohibits any exact analytical solutions of a quantitative nature, the three-dimensional equations of elasticity will be approximated by appealing to minimum principles in the calculus of variations. Guided by the results obtained from the asymptotic expansions, each one of the six stress components is assumed to be the product of two functions, one being assigned to describe the stress distribution in the plane of the plate and the other across the thickness. The z-distribution of the stresses may either be pre-assigned arbitrarily or determined from the plane strain condition ahead of the crack. On the basis of the principle of minimum complementary energy, a system of three simultaneous differential equation in two variables is obtained and solved for the problem of an infinite plate containing a through crack by means of integral representations. Determined in closed elementary form are the detailed structure of the three-dimensional crack-edge stress field. The stress-intensity factor, which varies in the thickness direction, is shown to be a function of the ratio of plate thickness to crack length and is found to increase rapidly in magnitude as the plate thickness is perturbed slightly from zero. The present analysis suggests a method by which the effect of a finite plate thickness can be incorporated into an examination of the fracture toughness of cracked sheet specimens.
Skewness in commingled distributions

A likelihood ratio test is given for distinguishing skewness from commingled distributions, using a power transform to remove skewness appropriately for each of the alternatives tested. The alternative hypotheses postulate that the transformed data are from one normal or a mixture of two or three normal homoscedastic distributions. Since each mixture has unique asymmetry, skewness is estimated simultaneously with the means, proportions and variance of components. Commingling cannot be rigorously proven in this way, as some other transform may provide a better approximation to normality. However, the error of asserting admixture whenever there is skewness has been avoided, and estimates of admixture parameters provide a basis for more conclusive tests in relatives or other populations. Two examples are given, one in which adjustment for skeweness left evidence of commingling.
Three-dimensional outlier detection for GPS networks and their densification via the BLIMPBE approach

This article discusses outlier detection based on Baarda's theory, but applied to three-dimensional GPS baseline vectors, as compared to the traditional approach of investigating the vector components individually (one-dimensional). In addition, Schaffrin's recently proposed estimator of type BLIMPBE is discussed and contrasted with a minimum constrained least-squares adjustment, specifically Partial-MINOLESS. A more detailed discussion of these topics, which includes additional formulas and derivations, can be found in the first author's Master of Science thesis, hereinafter referred to as Report 465.
Regular Versus Online Versus Blended: A Qualitative Description of the Advantages of the Electronic Modes and a Quantitative Evaluation

The first part of this article discusses the advantages of offering courses online or in a blended format from an instructor’s and manager’s perspective. These advantages include: (a) improved distance support of faculty in the delivery of courses; (b) effective delivery of tutoring for students; (c) increased facility in the sharing of digital course materials and learning objects; (d) greater sharing of faculty workload; (e) effective development of virtual learning communities; (f) increased facility in student assessment and feedback; and (g) more effective program management and monitoring. The second part of the article shows that students appear to be more satisfied with the blended mode of delivery over strictly online and regular classroom formats. On the other hand, quantitative analysis shows that student satisfaction with online and regular courses and online and regular instruction appears equal. Similarly, it appears that all students acquire course content equally regardless of delivery mode.
Localization of the ANG II type 2 receptor in the microcirculation of skeletal muscle

Only functional studies have suggested the presence of the ANG II type 2 (AT2) receptor in the microcirculation. To determine the distribution of this receptor in the rat skeletal muscle microcirculation, a polyclonal rabbit anti-rat antiserum was developed and used for immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The antiserum was prepared against a highly specific and antigenic AT2-receptor synthetic peptide and was validated by competition and sensitivity assays. Western blot analysis demonstrated a prominent, single band at approximately 40 kDa in cremaster and soleus muscle. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a wide distribution of AT2 receptors throughout the skeletal muscle microcirculation in large and small microvessels. Microanatomic studies displayed an endothelial localization of the AT2 receptor, whereas dual labeling with smooth muscle alpha-actin also showed colocalization of the AT2 receptor with vascular smooth muscle cells. Other cells associated with the microvessels also stained positive for AT2 receptors. Briefly, this study confirms previous functional data and localizes the AT2 receptor to the microcirculation. These studies demonstrate that the AT2 receptor is present on a variety of vascular cell types and that it is situated in a fashion that would allow it to directly oppose ANG II type 1 receptor actions.
Patterns of ocean current variability on the West Florida Shelf using the self-organizing map

[1] Patterns of ocean current variability are examined on the West Florida Shelf by a neural network analysis based on the self-organizing map (SOM), using time series of moored velocity data that span the interval October 1998–September 2001. Three characteristic spatial patterns are extracted in a 3 × 4 SOM array: spatially coherent southeastward and northwestward flow patterns with strong currents and a transition pattern of weak currents. On the synoptic weather timescale the variations of these patterns are coherent with the local winds. On the seasonal timescale the variations of the patterns are coherent with both the local winds and complementary sea surface temperature patterns. The currents are predominantly southeastward during fall–winter months (from October to March) and northwestward during summer months (from June to September). The spatial patterns extracted by the (nonlinear) SOM method are asymmetric, a feature that is not captured by the (linear) empirical orthogonal function method. Thus we find for the synoptic weather and longer timescales that (1) southeastward currents are generally stronger than northwestward currents, (2) the coastal jet axis is located further offshore for southeastward currents than for northwestward currents, and (3) the velocity vector rotations with depth are larger in shallower water when the currents are southeastward relative to when the currents are northwestward.
Central role for the Escherichia coli minC gene product in two different cell division-inhibition systems.

Abstract In Escherichia coli, selection of the proper division site at midcell requires the specific inhibition of septation at two other potential division sites, located at each of the cell poles. This site-specific inhibition of septation is mediated by the gene products of the minicell locus (the minB operon) that includes three genes, minC, minD, and minE. In this paper we show that one of the components of this division-inhibition system, the minC gene product, is also an essential component of another division-inhibition system, which is induced by derepression of the dicB gene and leads to inhibition of septation at all potential division sites. The two minC-dependent division-inhibition systems could be functionally distinguished by their different responses to the minE gene product. The results suggest a model in which a common mechanism, mediated by MinC, is responsible for the division block in a class of division-inhibition systems that can be independently activated by different proteins that determine the specific properties of these systems.
The Museum in the School

ANTHROPOLOGY is remarkably well suited for inclusion in the liberal arts curriculum because of the breadth of its interests and the vitality of its relationships with other fields of learning. In a general sense the interests of anthropology as a discipline and the objectives of the liberal art institutions are largely congruent, and they are certainly compatible. Both are interested in opening the minds of students, in destroying emotional prejudices, in broadening the world view, and in promoting tolerance and understanding of other peoples. It would appear that anthropologists best serve the ends of liberal arts education by teaching anthropology, but what of the museum? The most distinctive general feature of anthropology is its insistence upon the value of the comparative approach, and there are few places where its use has as great an impact upon values and attitudes as among people of college age. It is a liberalizing influence to the extent that it forces students beyond the confines of their own culture and allows them to see that there are different
Do Biomechanical Properties of Anterior Vaginal Wall Prolapse Tissue Predict Outcome of Surgical Repair

Purpose: We determined the relevance of the biomechanical properties of freshly harvested vaginal tissue during large cystocele repair on clinical outcome at a minimum 1-year followup.Materials and Methods: With institutional review board approval we prospectively studied the biomechanical properties of full thickness vaginal wall tissue from postmenopausal women with symptomatic Baden-Walker prolapse undergoing anterior vaginal wall suspension with cystocele repair from 2002 to 2005. A standardized biomechanical protocol was applied with stress-strain curves for Young's modulus obtained by blinded investigators. Failed repair was defined as recurrence on examination or reoperation for recurrent anterior prolapse.Results: A total of 32 patients (median age 72 years) had a median followup of 34 months (range 12 to 62). Median Young's modulus was statistically different in tissue samples transported in immersed vs moistened media (median 3.8 vs 7.6, p = 0.008). Associations between Young's modulus and clini...
Convergent song preferences between female field crickets and acoustically orienting parasitoid flies

Traits that increase the attractiveness of males to females often make them more conspicuous to predators. In the field cricket (Gryilus lineaticeps), males are attacked by parasitoid tachinid flies (Ormia ochracea) that locate males through their calls. Female flies larviposit on crickets and the larvae burrow into and feed on the cricket, killing the cricket upon emergence. To determine whether traits preferred by females increase a male's risk of attracting a predator, I examined the effect of variation in male singing behavior on mate and predator attraction. Both female crickets and female flies preferred male calling songs with higher chirp rates, longer chirp durations, and higher chirp amplitudes. In addition, both female crickets and female flies preferred male calling songs with higher chirp rates and longer chirp durations, even when these songs were of lower amplitude. These results suggest that sexual selection by female choice will favor the evolution of higher chirp rates and longer chirp durations. However, call types that increase a male's attractiveness to females also appear to increase a male's risk of attracting parasitoids. Sexual and natural selection appear to have opposing effects on the evolution of male singing behavior in this species.
Teaching About Social Networks and Social Support

This paper describes a soical network mapping exercise designed to teach social work students how to assess a client's social support network. Through this experiential exercise, students gain knowledge about the nature and functions of social networks, types of social support, and relevant factors to be considered in conducting social support assessments.