cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Breakage modeling of needle-shaped particles using the discrete element method

Abstract This paper models the breakage of large aspect ratio particles in an attrition cell using discrete element method (DEM) and population balance (PB) models. The particles are modeled in DEM as sphero-cylinders. The stresses within each particle are calculated along the particle length using beam theory and the particle breaks into two parts if the stress exceeds a critical value. Thus, the size distribution changes with time within the DEM model. The DEM model is validated against previously published experimental data. The simulations demonstrate that particle breakage occurs primarily in front of the attrition cell blades, with the breakage rate decreasing as the particle sizes decrease. Increasing the particle elastic modulus, decreasing the particle yield strength, and increasing the attrition cell lid stress also increase the rate of breakage. Particles break most frequently at their center and the daughter size distribution normalized by the initial particle size is fit well with a Gaussian distribution. Parametric studies in which the initial particle size distribution varies demonstrate that the particle sizes approach a distribution that is independent of the initial state after a sufficient amount of work is done on the particle bed. A correlation for the specific breakage rate is developed from the DEM simulations and used within a PB model along with the daughter size distribution fit. The PB model also clearly shows that the particle size distribution becomes independent of the initial size distribution and after a sufficiently long time, is fit well with a log-normal distribution.
Understanding Demographic Bias and Representation in Social Media Health Data

Text, images, geotags and other data from social media sites lend researchers a unique window into population health trends and disease spread. While these data provide the opportunity to track and measure health outcomes across geographic regions, over extended periods of time, and through complex social networks, they also present challenges. Most notably, these data carry significant biases due to demographic differences in who chooses to use each platform, and what they choose to share. While several publications have discussed the limitations of leveraging social media data for public health research, the amount of literature systematically investigating their demographic bias and exploring mitigation strategies is limited and ripe for interdisciplinary contributions. In this discussion paper, we highlight that understanding the strengths and limitations of these data sources would enable a rigorous assessment of their usefulness for public health research and provide a means for quantifying uncertainty in research findings.
Compassionate Use of Cefiderocol in the Treatment of an Intraabdominal Infection Due to Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa: A Case Report.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections often represent a therapeutic challenge requiring utilization of older, more toxic antibiotics, or new agents with limited data. Once susceptibility to β-lactam and fluoroquinolone antibiotics has been lost, other therapeutic options such as aminoglycoside or polymyxin antibiotics carry significant adverse effects such as nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and ototoxicity. A novel cephalosporin, cefiderocol, lacks gram-positive and anaerobic activity but offers broad coverage of gram-negative bacteria, including P. aeruginosa. A unique catechol side chain gives it activity as a siderophore, thereby increasing bacterial uptake and decreasing efflux. Additionally, cefiderocol is stable against a wide array of β-lactamases. Despite these promising characteristics, there are minimal data currently available in the literature detailing the use of cefiderocol in the treatment of MDR P. aeruginosa infections. We present a case of a 46-year-old man who developed an MDR P. aeruginosa intraabdominal infection where serious and life-threatening toxicities to aminoglycosides and polymyxin antibiotics led to the utilization of cefiderocol on compassionate use approval. The isolate was susceptible to cefiderocol, and the patient was treated for 28 days of therapy. He demonstrated clinical and radiographic resolution of his infection and was discharged to home.
Trend assessment for daily snow depths with changepoint considerations

This paper develops methods to estimate a long‐term trend in a daily snow depth record. The methods use a storage equation model for the daily snow depths that allows for seasonality, support set features (snow depths cannot be negative), correlation, and mean level shift changepoint features. Changepoints can occur in snow processes whenever observing stations move or station instrumentation is changed; they are critical features to consider when estimating a long‐term trend. A likelihood objective function is developed for the storage model and is used to estimate model parameters. Genetic algorithms are used to optimize a minimum descriptive length model selection criterion that estimates the changepoint numbers and locations. The methods are applied in the analysis of a daily series recorded near Warm Lake, Idaho, from 1948 to 2009.
Problem-based assessment of the computer science major

We have added a new assessment activity to the suite of tools we use to assess the computer science major at Drury University. Called problem-based assessment, this activity is an easy and effective method of assessing individual problem-solving skills, technical programming skills, and presentation skills. In this paper, we present the context for the development of this assessment activity, a description of the activity, the process we used, and our evaluation of the results.
Diverging Decisions: A Comparison of Jury Verdict Procedures

Courts with greater mistrust of jurors often structure juries’ decision making more so than courts with more inherent trust in jurors and their determinations. For instance, criminal courts in the United States most often utilize general verdicts, where jurors freely deliberate about the evidence and come to an independent verdict. However, several court systems abroad have begun to require reasons accompany jury verdicts in the hopes that a reasoning requirement will reduce bias and arbitrary decision making. Importantly, no known empirical research has explored the impact of a reasoning requirement on juror decision making in comparison to other verdict procedures (e.g., general or special verdicts). The current study explores the impact of verdict procedures on mock juror decision making in a civil case. Results indicate that mock jurors were significantly more likely to find for the defendant when utilizing special verdict procedures, while mock juror verdicts were similar across all other verdict procedures. Further, mock jurors’ overall perceptions of the plaintiff and defendants’ cases predicted verdict, over and above general perceptions of the plaintiff and defendant. The legal implications of these results for verdict procedures are discussed.
The effect of start/end temporal landmarks on consumers' visual attention and judgments

Abstract A particular point in time can be framed as either the start or end of a given time period. However, limited research is available on how such temporal landmarks influence consumers' judgments. This research addresses this issue by investigating how start vs. end temporal landmarks influence consumers' attentional focus and subsequent judgments. Six studies demonstrate that framing a temporal landmark as the start of a time period shifts visual attention to the left, while framing a temporal landmark as the end of a time period shifts visual attention to the right. By changing attentional focus within the visual-spatial environment, a temporal-spatial congruity between a temporal landmark (start vs. end) and the location of a target object (left vs. right) increases people's preference for that target object. Overall, these findings provide valuable implications for marketing theory and practice.
Systematic Review of Behavioral Interventions Using Digital Technology to Reduce Problem Behavior in the Classroom

Problem behavior in the classroom leads to challenges for teachers who often feel ill equipped to address such behavior. Behavior analytic interventions have been shown to be effective for reducing problem behavior in the classroom. Less is known about the impact of these interventions when implemented using digital technology. The purpose of the current systematic review was to synthesize and evaluate the quality of the literature. We identified 19 studies which demonstrated the effectiveness of these interventions in both general education and special education classrooms. Across these studies, touch-screen devices and computers were the most frequently used form of digital technology. Implications for practice and future research will be discussed.
The efficient synthesis of d-xylulose and formal synthesis of Syringolide 1

Abstract Wittig reaction and asymmetric dihydroxylation were used as the key steps in the synthesis of d -xylulose, a commercially available but costly carbohydrate. The effects of protecting groups and reactions conditions on asymmetric dihydroxylation are demonstrated. Optically pure d -xylulose was obtained after 4–6 steps from readily available hydroxyacetone and ethylene glycol. The method also involves some other valuable intermediates along the synthesis. Those intermediates were applied in the formal synthesis of Syringolides. A key precursor butenolide to Syringolide 1, the first non-proteinaceous specific elicitors of plant hypersensitive response, was obtained after 3 steps from the intermediate (8–10 steps from hydroxyacetone and ethylene glycol).
New Species Assemblages Disrupt Obligatory Mutualisms Between Figs and Their Pollinators

The reliance of each fig species on its specific pollinator wasp, and vice versa, is the archetype of both obligatory mutualism and coevolution. Pollinator sharing between host fig species is only known to occur among closely related sympatric species. On the Hawaiian island of Kauai, we gathered syconia from 23 non-native fig species, three of which contained the wasp Pleistodontes imperialis. Of the three fig species, one is the wasp’s natural host, Ficus rubiginosa, and another is its sister species, F. watkinsiana, which overlaps in native ranges, although researchers have not previously documented pollinator sharing. The third fig species, F. rubra, is distant to the others both in terms of phylogenetic relationship and native range. We found viable seeds for all three fig species, whereas species without wasps did not produce seeds. To investigate similarity between these pollinator-sharing fig species, we collected morphometric data for syconia of our study fig species. We found that fig species with and without P. imperialis significantly differ based on the orientation of their inner ostiolar bracts. These findings suggest that pollinator sharing among these three fig species may normally be impeded by pollinator competition in the case of F. watkinsiana, and by geographic distance in the case of F. rubra. This work therefore demonstrates that coevolution depends on interactions within native species assemblages, and that mutualisms can be disrupted in new non-native communities.
What Moves Stock Prices Around Credit Rating Changes

Credit rating agencies typically give 24 to 48 hours’ notice to issuers before they officially announce a credit rating change. On the day of the announcement, the rating change is announced through the rating agencies’ own website prior to its dissemination through newswires. Using intraday return data, we examine the dissemination of information about credit rating changes made by Standard and Poor’s. We show that over 60% of the three-day stock return around rating change announcements occurs in the preannouncement period. We find no evidence that this price movement is driven by the disclosure of corporate news during this period, suggesting that it is due to information leakage. We separately measure the price reaction to the credit rating change when it appears on S&P’s website and later when it is reported by newswires. We find a significant stock price reaction to the newswire reports, but not to the disclosure on S&P’s website, suggesting that some investors are not aware that S&P reports the change before it is picked up by wire services. Our findings lend support to the concerns raised by the SEC regarding the manner in which credit rating changes are announced.
Are We #StayingHome to Flatten the Curve?

The recent spread of COVID-19 across the U.S. led to concerted efforts by states to "flatten the curve" through the adoption of stay-at-home mandates that encourage individuals to reduce travel and maintain social distance. Combining data on changes in travel activity with COVID-19 health outcomes and state policy adoption timing, we characterize nationwide changes in mobility patterns and isolate the portion attributable to statewide mandates. We find evidence of dramatic nationwide declines in mobility prior to adoption of any statewide mandates. Once states adopt a mandate, we estimate further mandate-induced declines between 2.1 and 7.0 percentage points across methods that account for states' differences in travel behavior prior to policy adoption. In addition, we investigate the effects of stay-at-home mandates on changes in COVID-19 health outcomes while controlling for pre-trends and observed pre-treatment mobility patterns. We estimate mandate-induced declines between 0.13 and 0.17 in deaths (5.6 to 6.0 in hospitalizations) per 100 thousand across methods. Across 43 adopting states, this represents 23,366-30,144 fewer deaths (and roughly one million averted hospitalizations) for the months of March and April - which indicates that death rates could have been 42-54% higher had states not adopted statewide policies. We further find evidence that changes in mobility patterns prior to adoption of statewide policies also played a role in reducing COVID-19 mortality and morbidity. Adding in averted deaths due to pre-mandate social distancing behavior, we estimate a total of 48-71,000 averted deaths from COVID-19 for the two-month period. Given that the actual COVID-19 death toll for March and April was 55,922, our estimates suggest that deaths would have been 1.86-2.27 times what they were absent any stay-at-home mandates during this period. These estimates represent a lower bound on the health impacts of stay-at-home policies, as they do not account for spillovers or undercounting of COVID-19 mortality. Our findings indicate that early behavior changes and later statewide policies reduced death rates and helped attenuate the negative consequences of COVID-19. Further, our findings of substantial reductions in mobility prior to state-level policies convey important policy implications for re-opening.
Repeated stimulation of the HPA axis alters white blood cell counts without increasing oxidative stress or inflammatory cytokines in fasting elephant seal pups

Abstract The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis controls the release of glucocorticoids, which regulate immune and inflammatory function by modulating cytokines, white blood cells (WBCs), and oxidative stress via glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling. Although the response to HPA activation is well characterized in many species, little is known about the impacts of HPA activation during extreme physiological conditions in marine mammals. Hence, we challenged 18 simultaneously fasting and developing elephant seal pups with daily intramuscular injections of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), a GR antagonist (RU486), or a combination (ACTH+RU486) for four days (4d). We collected blood at baseline, two hours (2h), and 4d after the beginning of treatment. ACTH and ACTH+RU486 elevated serum aldosterone and cortisol at 2h, with effects diminishing at 4d. RU486 alone induced a compensatory increase in aldosterone, but not cortisol, at 4d. ACTH decreased neutrophils at 2h while decreasing lymphocytes and increasing neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio at 4d. These effects were abolished by RU486. Despite alterations in WBCs, there was no effect of ACTH or RU486 on transforming growth factor-β or interleukin-6 levels; however, both cytokines decreased with the 4-d fasting progression. Similarly, ACTH did not impact protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation, or antioxidant enzymes, but plasma isoprostanes and catalase activity decreased while glutathione peroxidase increased with fasting progression. These data demonstrate differential acute (2h) and chronic (4d) modulatory effects of HPA activation on WBCs and that the chronic effect is mediated, at least in part, by GR. These results also underscore elephant seals’ resistance to potential oxidative stress derived from repeated HPA activation. Summary statement Many species experience oxidative stress and inflammation after repeated activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. We show that simultaneously fasting and developing elephant seals are resistant to repeated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation.
A Contemporary Analysis of Urethral Recurrence following Radical Cystectomy.

Purpose:Oncologic outcomes following urethral recurrence (UR) remain incompletely described, with reports limited by small cohort sizes. We evaluated risk factors for UR as well as cancer-specific ...
A secure and distributed architecture for vehicular cloud

Abstract Given the enormous interest in Internet of Things (IoT), Vehicular Ad hoc NETworks (VANETs) are likely to be widely deployed in the near future. Cloud computing is also gaining widespread deployment. Marriage between cloud computing and VANETs, would help solve many of the needs of the drivers, law-enforcement agencies, traffic management, etc. In this paper, we propose a secure and distributed architecture for vehicular cloud which uses the capabilities of vehicles to provide various services such as parking management, accident alert, traffic updates, cooperative driving, etc. Our architecture ensures privacy of vehicles, and supports scalable and secure message dissemination using vehicular infrastructure.
Initial Assessment of a 7-Item Well-being Scale (SWPS-SF) among a Sample of College Students

Background: Shorter validated health assessment tools are needed. The validated 25-item Salutogenic Wellness Promotion Scale (SWPS) measures health status through assessment of engagement in multid...
Preoperative meningioma embolization reduces perioperative blood loss: a multi-center retrospective matched case-control study

Background and purpose The utility of preoperative embolization remains controversial within the literature. Here, we evaluate whether preoperative meningioma embolization is effective in reducing intraoperative blood loss, safe to perform, and cost-effective when compared with surgical resection without preoperative embolization. Methods Twenty-nine patients with meningiomas were matched by tumor size and location to 29 control patients with meningiomas at another institution where preoperative embolization was not practiced. The variables evaluated were pre- and post-operative hemoglobin and hematocrit levels as a measure of operative blood loss and postoperative morbidity. The additional cost of undergoing angiography and embolization was calculated from hospital charges obtained from the billing department. Results The mean decrease in perioperative hemoglobin and hematocrit was 0.9 and 2.7, respectively, in the embolization group and 2.8 and 10.0, respectively, in the control group for a significant decrease in operative blood loss as measured by change in hematocrit and hemoglobin levels after surgery. There was no significant difference in operative blood loss when subdividing patients based on tumor location. There were no angiogram-related complications. Twenty-two of 29 patients (76%) underwent embolization of a feeding artery, whereas 7 patients underwent only a diagnostic angiogram. The mean additional charge per patient in the embolization group was $88,767. Conclusions Preoperative embolization was safe and effective in reducing the overall perioperative blood loss in patients undergoing meningioma resection, as measured by the change in postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. However, the cost of embolization was significant.
Effect of different adjuvants on PCV2-associated lesions

Ninety, 12-14 day old pigs were randomly assigned to five groups. Group 1 (n=19) pigs were vaccinated with a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyopneumoniae) vaccine with an oil-in-water adjuvant (RespiSure®; Pfizer Animal Health, Inc.). Group 2 (n=17) pigs were vaccinated with a commercial M. hyopneumoniae vaccine with an aqueous adjuvant (Carbopol) (Suvaxyn® Respifend® MH; Fort Dodge Animal Health, Inc.). Group 3 (n=18) pigs were vaccinated using an oil-in-water adjuvanted vaccine containing the same amount and type of M. hyopneumoniae antigen as in group 2. Group 4 (n=18) pigs were vaccinated using an aluminum hydroxide adjuvanted vaccine containing the same amount and type of M. hyopneumoniae antigen as in group 2. Group 5 (n=18) pigs served as the controls and were sham-vaccinated with saline. Pigs were injected with 2 mL of one of the four M. hyopneumoniae vaccines at four and again at six weeks of age. PCV2 was inoculated intranasally on the day of the second vaccination at 6 weeks of age. Half of the pigs were necropsied at 21 days post inoculation (DPI). The remaining pigs were necropsied at 35 DPI. There were no differences among groups in clinical disease scores. At 21 DPI all vaccinated groups had significantly (p<0.05) more severe lymphoid depletion than the saline injected group. At 35 DPI group 1 pigs had significantly (p<0.05) higher amounts of PCV2 DNA in serum than pigs in groups 2, 4, and 5 as determined by quantitative real-time PCR. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in the severity of lymphoid depletion in the lymph nodes, tonsil, and spleen in groups 1 and 3 compared to groups 2, 4, and 5. Group 3 had significantly (p<0.05) higher amounts of PCV2 antigen within lymph nodes, tonsil, and spleen compared to groups 2, 4 and 5. The results confirm that all adjuvants tested enhanced PCV2-induced lesions and oil-in-water products used in this study had a more severe effect.
A Recount of the Recount: Obenshain v. Herring

On November 25, 2013, following one of the closest races in Virginia history, the Virginia State Board of Elections (the ―SBE‖) certified Democratic State Senator Mark Herring as the winner of the 2013 race for the office of Attorney General of Virginia by a record few 165 votes, less than one-hundredth of a percent of the votes cast. 1 Two days later, Herring‘s opponent, Republican State Senator Mark Obenshain, filed a petition in the Richmond City Circuit Court of Richmond seeking a recount of the election pursuant to Virginia Code section 24.2-801. 2 Within a few short days, each party filed hundreds of pages of pleadings and memoranda. Hearings had to be held and orders had to be endorsed.
Efficient Privacy-Preserving Link Discovery

Link discovery is a process of identifying association(s) among different entities included in a complex network structure. These association(s) may represent any interaction among entities, for example between people or even bank accounts. The need for link discovery arises in many applications including law enforcement, counter-terrorism, social network analysis, intrusion detection, and fraud detection. Given the sensitive nature of information that can be revealed from link discovery, privacy is a major concern from the perspective of both individuals and organizations. For example, in the context of financial fraud detection, linking transactions may reveal sensitive information about other individuals not involved in any fraud. It is known that link discovery can be done in a privacy-preserving manner by securely finding the transitive closure of a graph. We propose two very efficient techniques to find the transitive closure securely. The two protocols have varying levels of security and performance. We analyze the performance and usability of the proposed approach in terms of both analytical and experimental results.
Everything Old is New Again: Reselling Vintage Fur Items Made from Endangered Species

Fur has made a comeback in recent years, with fur pieces reappearing in high fashion. Some designers who had previously shunned fur due to pressure from animal advocacy groups have changed their views and have embraced the material again, demonstrating a significant shift in popular attitude from the “Fur is Murder” days when fur wearers feared having red paint thrown on their mink coats by animal activists. Despite the apparent change in opinion, many potential consumers remain wary about buying new fur apparel because animals had to be killed to make it. At the same time, they do not want to buy faux fur, seeing it as a cheap petroleum-based substitute lacking the luxuriousness and warmth of the real thing. Vintage fur has consequently become an appealing alternative. A desire to emulate mid-century aesthetics, a reluctance to contribute to the killing of animals, and the appeal of wearing something “recycled” or “green” (i.e. repurposing an existing item instead of making a new one) moves many modern buyers to satiate an appetite for glamour with vintage fur.It is well-established public policy that killing endangered animals and selling their parts is undesirable, because people recognize that there are a multitude of interests served by saving these species from extinction. Whether or not individuals believe that killing and trafficking the parts of endangered animals is morally wrong, the general public recognizes that these activities are illegal. What is less clear, however (and what poses a major problem) is the issue of reselling items made of animals which are now protected under one or more endangered species laws but which were not at the time they were killed. The average American will never go out poaching leopards, but may have Grandma’s Kennedy-Administration-era leopard coat in the back of a closet and might want to sell it for extra money. That person has to contend with a web of poorly-understood state, federal, and international regulations. Consequently, many online sellers either have no idea they are trafficking in illegal furs, believe the sale of “pre-ban” items is permitted, or think good intentions keep them safe. Some may be emboldened because they see others selling similar pieces. A quick search on e-merchant sites will yield hundreds of items made from endangered species. Because of this confusion and the frequent violations, this article attempts to clarify the laws so that the average person might navigate the system. It also explores the legal responsibility of the owners of e-commerce sites enabling these kinds of online transactions, who often turn a blind eye to illegal activity or shift the burden of policing their sites onto the users. The article discusses why it matters whether these older items are resold, as upon first impression it can seem that there are no negative effects, since the animals have already been dead for decades. Finally, it also advocates for stronger enforcement of laws prohibiting these transactions and explains why online selling makes finding violations easier to find than ever before.
Remanence stability and magnetic fabric development in synthetic shear zones deformed at 500°C

Shear experiments were performed on magnetite-bearing calcite aggregates to examine magnetic fabric development and remanence stability in a deforming system using elevated temperature and pressure to encourage deformation by crystal-plastic processes. Samples composed of 1 wt % pseudo-single-domain magnetite (1–2 μm) in a calcite matrix were created with either strong or weak initial fabrics and deformed in coaxial simple shear to strains up to γ = 1.5 at constant strain rates between 6 × 10−5 and 1 × 10−4 s−1 at 500°C and confining pressure of 300 MPa. Samples were given weak field thermal remanent magnetizations prior to deformation. Demagnetization of postdeformation remanence reveals that a primary remanent magnetization can withstand deformation at pressures and temperatures approximately equivalent to greenschist facies metamorphic conditions on laboratory time scales, but this stability is found to depend on the character of the predeformation fabric. The origin of secondary remanence components acquired during deformation is uncertain but is likely to partially result from thermal viscous remagnetization. Complete postdeformation remagnetization in initially anisotropic samples appears to involve a stress-softening or piezoremanent magnetization mechanism. Postdeformation anisotropy measurements show progressive changes in magnetic fabric strength with strain. In the absence of a strong initial magnetic anisotropy, magnetic fabric intensity increases linearly as a function of strain; however, deformation that overprinted an existing fabric results in an apparent decrease of the initial anisotropy at low strains followed by rapid increases in magnetic fabric strength with increasing strain. Our results underscore the important role that initial fabric can play in determining the character of deformation fabrics.
An internal fibrous tumor in a Pacific oyster. Crassostrea gigas.

Abstract The description of a unique internal tumor in an oyster ( Crassostrea gigas ) is given, along with a discussion of its possible origin. The tumor was not visible upon gross examination, lying entirely beneath the mantle of the animal. The neoplasm measured 42 × 23 × 19 mm and was diagnosed as a benign fibrous tumor of possible myogenic or gonadal origin.
Twenty-first century software production paradigms

With the close of the twentieth century, the software production paradigm is changing. Software production trends are discussed that will help educational institutions meet the needs of industry.
Can Counseling and Support Reduce Burden and Depressive Symptoms in Caregivers of People with Alzheimer's Disease During the Transition to Institutionalization? Results from the New York University Caregiver Intervention Study

OBJECTIVES To determine whether counseling and support reduces the burden and depressive symptoms of spouse caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients during the institutionalization transition.
Deductive Verification of Hybrid Systems Using STeP

We investigate the feasibility of computer-aided deductive verification of hybrid systems. Hybrid systems are modeled by phase transition systems, in which activities specify the bounds on the derivatives of the continuous variables. We present a method for invariant generation based on static analysis of the phase transition system. The invariants produced can be used as auxiliary properties in the verification of temporal properties. We show that in some cases the invariants thus produced suffice to prove the main safety property.
Does Inflation Targeting Reduce Inflation? An Analysis for the OECD Industrial Countries

Despite of its popularity, empirical studies have failed to find evidence of the causal effect of a country's adoption of the Inflation Targeting regime on that country's inflation rate decline. This paper applies the multi-period differences-in-differences estimation to the quarterly CPI inflation rates from the first quarter of 1985 until the third quarter of 2002 to the 22 OECD industrial countries and finds two basic sets of results. The first set of evidences is that countries that have officially adopted Inflation Targeting experience a decrease in their average inflation rates that is not only due to a reversion to mean process. The second set of results is that (1) there seems to be no evidence that Inflation Targeting countries experienced a significant increase in the level of their real interest rates after they adopted the new regime and that (2) even after controlling for the level of real interest rates there is still a causal effect from the adoption of Inflation Targeting to the reduction in inflation rates. In other words, the empirical evidence rejects the idea that the better performance in the inflation rates of the Inflation Targeting countries is only due to a more "aggressive" monetary policy.
Merlin: Knowledge and Power through the Ages

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Stephen Knight Year: 2009 Pages: 296 Publisher: Cornell University Press ISBN: 978-0-8014-4365-7 (hard cover). Prices: $27.95 USD(hard cover).
PRIORITIZING HYPER-MASCULINITY IN THE PACIFIC REGION

This article examines gender manifestations in the Pacific region. It specifically explores the hierarchy of types of masculinity in contemporary Polynesia and examines how and why one particular type of masculinity is prioritized while others are marginalized, or even repressed, in the contemporary Pacific Islands, although many of these others claim roots in “traditional” society. I look into three expressions/images of Pacific manhood: Polynesian warriors, male hula, and “feminine” men in both popular culture and scholarly work. I argue that colonial mentality and post-colonial struggle interestingly work together in reconstructing a discourse that favors a singular articulation of Polynesian masculinity. Discussion draws upon Pacific feminist critique in assessing hegemonic Polynesian masculinity and the question of nationalist authenticity.
Evaluating change of function after revascularization in patients with multi vessel coronary artery disease, severely reduced left ventricular systolic function and no scar on CMR imaging

Evaluating change of function after revascularization in patients with multi vessel coronary artery disease, severely reduced left ventricular systolic function and no scar on CMR imaging Alexander Ivanov, James Yossef, Ambreen Mohamed, Joshua Socolow, Iossif Gulkarov, Berhane Worku, Pairoj Chattranukulchai, Anthony Tortolani, Terrence Sacchi, Mohamad G Ghosn, Dipan J Shah, John D Grizzard, Robert W Biederman, Igor Klem, John Heitner
1. Introduction to the Roundtable: Holmes Rolston III’s A New Environmental Ethics: The Next Millennium for Life on Earth

In the 1970s, when the contemporary environmental movement was still in its infancy, Holmes Rolston, III began publishing philosophical essays in environmental ethics, and it is no exaggeration to say that his early efforts contributed to establishing this subject as a serious academic field, one in which he has played a leading role ever since. Indeed, over the past five decades Rolston has not only developed and defended one of the most comprehensive and recognizable positions in eco-philosophy, but he has also used it to address some of the most difficult and challenging issues that environmentalism in the modern era has had to face. It should come as no surprise, then, that the appearance earlier this year of his A New Environmental Ethics 1 represents both the culmination of a professional lifetime of dedication to the discipline that he helped to create, as well as a guidepost out ahead of those of us who have
Human immunodeficiency virus infection inhibits granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-induced microglial proliferation

It is well known that infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) dysregulates cell physiology, but little information is available on the consequences of HIV infection in primary macrophages and microglia. The authors examined the relationship between cell proliferation and HIV infection in primary cultures of microglia and in human central nervous system (CNS). In cultures infected with HIV (ADA and BaL), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)—mediated cell proliferation was reduced in productively infected (p24+) cells as compared to p24-cells. The reduction was observed with both Ki67 and BrdU labeling, suggesting a G1/S block. The reduction was insignificant when microglia were infected with a Vpr—mutant virus. In human CNS, proliferating (Ki67+) cells were rare but were increased in the HIV+ and HIV encephalitis (HIVE) groups compared to the HIV—group. A positive correlation between GM-CSF immunoreactivity and Ki67 counts, implicating GM-CSF as a growth factor in human CNS was found. The relationship between total macrophage (CD68+) proliferation and infected macrophage (p24+) proliferation was assessed in HIVE by double labeling. Whereas 1.2% of total CD68+ cells were Ki67+, only 0.5% of HIV p24+ cells were Ki67+ (P < .05). Furthermore, staining for CD45RB (as opposed to CD68) facilitated the identification of Ki67+ microglia, indicating that CD68 could underestimate proliferating microglia. The authors conclude that although there is increased expression of GM-CSF and increased cell proliferation in the CNS of HIV-seropositive individuals, cell proliferation in the productively infected population is actually suppressed. These data suggest that there might be a viral gain in the suppressed host cell proliferation.
Structure of low-lying positive-parity states of /sup 18/O

Data on single-nucleon transfer, ($t,p$) cross sections, and static and dynamic electromagnetic properties place severe limitations on the structure of the low-lying positive-parity states of $^{18}\mathrm{O}$. We deduce wave functions that best reproduce these data by use of a model space that includes one collective state each of spin ${0}^{+}$, ${2}^{+}$, and ${4}^{+}$ together with all basis states formed from a closed $^{16}\mathrm{O}$ core plus two ${d}_{\frac{5}{2}}$, ${s}_{\frac{1}{2}}$ neutrons and up to one ${d}_{\frac{3}{2}}$ neutron. There is need for only a small ${d}_{\frac{3}{2}}$ admixture. The ${0}^{+}$ collective configuration is the dominant constituent of the ${0}_{2}^{+}$ state at 3.63 MeV, and the ${2}^{+}$ collective configuration dominates the ${2}_{3}^{+}$ state at 5.25 MeV. Overall, the data favor a small negative value ($\frac{Q}{e}\ensuremath{\simeq}\ensuremath{-}5$ ${\mathrm{fm}}^{2}$) for the quadrupole moment of the first ${2}^{+}$ level. The matrix elements of the Hamiltonian that reproduce both the observed energies and transition rates are constructed. Several experiments are suggested to further probe the structure of this nucleus.NUCLEAR STRUCTURE Deduce wave functions of $^{18}\mathrm{O}$ low-lying states that best fit single-nucleon transfer, ($t,p$) data, and static and dynamic electromagnetic properties. Construct Hamiltonian that leads to these eigenfunctions.
Electron microscopy studies of high T c phase development in melt-quenched Bi-Ca-Sr-Cu oxides

A Bi-Ca-Sr-Cu oxide composition (2:4:2:5) was rapidly solidified from the melt, and the crystallization behavior examined on heat-treatment. Annealing conditions were 865°C for up to 11 days. The high Tc 2223 phase (105 K) evolved from the 2122 phase (80 K), which in turn developed from the 2021 phase (12 K). The high Tc phase developed only in the presence of a liquid phase at 865 °C. Lattice imaging was used to follow the conversion of 2122 phase to 2223. Data are reported for syntactic intergrowths, which became less frequent with time at temperature. EDS results are consistent with the conversion of 2122 to 2223. Crystals of 2223 could not be grown from the melt, nor crystallized from the solid at temperatures below 820 °C. The presence of a Cu- and Ca-rich liquid was essential for the development of 2223 at 865 °C. A tentative model for the formation of 2223 via a liquid mediated reaction is proposed. EDS confirmed the liquid was rich in Ca and Cu near the solid-liquid interface, and precipitates of secondary phases were identified by SEM, TEM, and XRD methods. The presence of CuO and (Ca,Sr)2CuO3 verified the enrichment of Cu and Ca at the solid-liquid interface. The results are consistent with the evolution of structure of a 2223 from a 2425 starting composition.
Two philosophies of science: A study in contrasts

It makes an interesting study in contrasts to compare two texts, one by Richard Bevan Braithwaite and the other by Stephen Toulmin. Super ficially there are similarities. Both texts appeared in the same year (1953); both were first published in London; and both appeared in paperback editions in the same year (1960). More important, both deal with the philosophy of science. These very words appear in the title of Toulmin's text, and the preface of Braithwaite's book notes that it is a general work on the philosophy of science (1960, p. IX). Interestingly enough, the authors acknowledge in their prefaces their special indebtedness to the same philosopher, with Toulmin writing, "I owe a special debt to the late Professor Ludwig Wittgenstein" (1960, p. 7) and Braithwaite writing that had he not had an opportunity to study with Wittgenstein "I should not be philosophizing in the way I do" (p. IX). Wittgenstein's influence apparently did not direct Toulmin and Braithwaite along similar paths in their formulations of a philosophy of science. A hint of divergency is suggested in Toulmin's complaint that most expositions on the philosophy or logic of the physical sciences are organized around such topics as Induction, Causality, Probability, etc., which, "to anyone with practical experience of the physical sciences ... seem to miss the mark ... they are irrelevant; the questions which are so impeccably discussed have no bearing on physics" (p. 10). In contrast, Braithwaite devotes considerable attention to the justification of induction (Chapter VIII), to probability statements (Chapters V, VI) and to causal ity (Chapters IX and X). Let us turn now to some specific topics on which diverse views are offered. It is probably unnecessary to add that one text does not mention the other specifically (which is understandable since both appeared at about the same time) so that the study of their contrasts comes from our juxtaposition of their contents.
New low-energy theorems for nucleon compton scattering

Two new low-energy theorems for Compton scattering from spin-\textonehalf{} targets, giving some terms of order ${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{2}$, are derived using a recently obtained lemma. One of these theorems is a generalization to the spin-\textonehalf{} case of a similar theorem for the spin-0 case. The other theorem involves "magnetic moment radius," i.e., ${[\frac{d{G}_{M}(t)}{\mathrm{dt}}]}_{t=0}$, which does not occur in any of the low-energy theorems obtained earlier.
Nitration of Unsaturated Fatty Acids by Nitric Oxide-Derived Reactive Nitrogen Species Peroxynitrite, Nitrous Acid, Nitrogen Dioxide, and Nitronium Ion

Reactive nitrogen species derived from nitric oxide are potent oxidants formed during inflammation that can oxidize membrane and lipoprotein lipids in vivo. Herein, it is demonstrated that several ...
Locally Finite Simple Groups of 1-Type

Abstract A locally finite, simple group G is said to be of 1-type if every Kegel cover for G has a factor which is an alternating group. In this paper we study the finite subgroups of locally finite simple groups of 1-type. We also introduce the concept of “block-diagonal embeddings” for groups of alternating type. We show that the groups of 1-type are exactly the groups which have an alternating Kegel cover with block diagonal embeddings.
Diagnosis of anticholinesterase poisoning in birds: Effects of environmental temperature and underfeeding on cholinesterase activity

Brain cholinesterase (ChE) activity has been used extensively to monitor exposure to organophosphorus (OP) and carbamate (CB) insecticides in wild birds. A series of factorial experiments was conducted to assess the extent to which noncontaminant-related environmental conditions might affect brain ChE activity and thereby confound the diagnosis of OP and CB intoxication. Underfeeding (restricting intake to 50% of control for 21 d or fasting for 1–3 d) or exposure to elevated temperature (36 ± 1°C for 1 d) caused only slightreductions (10–17%)in brain AChE activity in adult male Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). This degree of “reduction” in brain AChE activity is considerably less than the 50% “inhibition” criterion employed in the diagnosis of insecticide-induced mortality, but nevertheless approaches the 20% “inhibition” level used as a conservative estimate of sublethal exposure to a known insecticide application.
Super-Resolution Near-Field Structure with Nanocomposite Mask Layer Prepared by Co-Sputtering Method

The Readout properties and TEM microstructures of super-resolution near-field structure (Super-RENS) with nanocomposite mask layer (nanoparticles and nanorod) prepared by co-sputtering method were studied and demonstrated. The CNR of 100nm mark length is 40dB, which is measured by 635nm wavelength and 0.6 NA.
Thermal transport in the contact melting of solids

Many industrial processes require that solids be transformed to the molten state, thus accurate correlations of heat transfer and melting rates are important in process design. The heat-balance integral type of analysis is applied here to melter systems where phase change and convection effects are of equal importance, and the appropriate parameters that govern the thermal transport process are presented. Applications of the results to both Newtonian and non-Newtonian, power-law melts are discussed, and extensions to variable property situations are outlined. Although the results herein are directly applicable to contact melting systems, the governing parameters are useful in the correlation of other melting processes as well. Acomparison is made between the theory and some experimental data for a gravity-feed contact melter. The results are directly applicable in practice to the melting of bulk and granular crystalline polymers on melting grids, tube bundles, and plates.
Determination of therapeutic serum concentrations of oral and parenteral meperidine by gas liquid chromatography

A sensitive and specific method for estimation of serum meperidine by gasliquid chromatography and its application in a clinical study are described. Patients were given, under double-blind conditions, either oral (75 or 150 mg) or intramuscular (50 or 100 mg) doses of meperidine for postoperative analgesia. Serum meperidine levels were measured 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours post-dose. Although wide variations of serum meperidine levels were observed among individuals within each group for each time period, the intramuscular route produced and sustained significantly higher serum levels than did the oral route. The mean concentration of meperidine (µg/100 ml ± S.E.) for 100 mg i.m. was 37.7±3.8 at one hour and 23.4±5.7 at three hours; for 150 mg orally it was 11.9±1.6 at one hour and 11.8±3.2 at three hours. A correlation observed between the intramuscular dose (in mg/kg body weight) and serum meperidine concentration attained at one hour indicated that 1 mg/kg meperidine i.m. will achieve a one-hour serum level of approximately 20 µg/100 ml, an apparent minimally effective level for analgesia in most patients.
The Effects of Knowledge Management on Team Members' Ratings of Project Success and Impact*

Many organizations are trying to improve the generation and utilization of knowledge. The activities associated with these efforts are identified as organizational knowledge management (KM). While much has been written about knowledge management from the organizational level, the success of such efforts over the long run will depend upon on how KM activities impact important outcomes as perceived by those at the employee level who actually implement the activities. This study used the input-process-output framework of team effectiveness to investigate the relationship between selected KM-related activities on integrated product and process development team members' satisfaction with their project's success and the impact they expected it to have on the organization. The results indicate that team-level leadership and support (i.e., inputs), along with knowledge generation and dissemination (i.e., processes), are key drivers of member performance-related ratings (i.e., outputs). Finally, and possibly most importantly, a number of interactions were evident suggesting that the KM processes moderate the effects of the KM inputs. These findings and their implications are discussed.