cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Far-infrared investigation of the generalized Lyddane-Sachs-Teller relation using ZnS-diamond composites

The optical properties of hot-pressed ZnS-diamond composites have been investigated in the far ir, where the wavelength is much larger than the particle size. A Kramers-Kronig analysis of the measured reflectivity in this vibrational spectral region was used to determine the dielectric function of samples with diamond volume fill fractions f as large as 55%. From these results the f dependences of two experimental quantities are determined: the ratio of the second moments of the longitudinal and transverse energy-loss functions and the ratio of the dc and high-frequency dielectric constants. Agreement with the predictions of the generalized Lyddane-Sachs-Teller relation is obtained over the entire fill-fraction range. We also find that the experimental results are compatible with those obtained within the Bruggeman effective-medium approximation.
Violent Victimization, Aggression, and Parent-Adolescent Relations: Quality Parenting as a Buffer for Violently Victimized Youth

Prospective associations between violent victimization, the quality of the parent-adolescent relationship, and the subsequent onset of violent aggression were examined. Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), participants were divided into violent and non-violent cohorts based on whether they had committed an act of violence prior to Wave 1. Results showed that violent victimization at Wave 1 predicted the onset of violent aggression at Wave 2 for adolescents who were non-violent at baseline. Earlier violent victimization, however, had no effect on aggression trajectories for baseline violent adolescents. Parent-adolescent relations functioned as a protective buffer, such that violently victimized adolescents who reported high quality relationships with parents were less likely to be involved in violent aggression at Wave 2. Subsequent gender interaction analyses revealed that while the buffering effect was evident for males, parent-adolescent relations did not protect females from the onset of aggressive behaviors. Findings are evaluated in light of social learning and cycle of violence theories that highlight the role of violent victimization among adolescents.
Some Recent Advances in Experimental Endocrinology

THE CURRENT emergency has severely restricted research in the endocrine field, partly by new and unexpected demands on the time of investigators, partly by reduction in personnel and partly by the lack of availability of materials. Furthermore, the last five years have closed an era characterized by the description of a multitude of endocrine products and their effects and have opened a new era during which the analytical method seems destined to become more and more fruitful. Perhaps, therefore, it is opportune to review some of the results obtained during this transition period for reorientation against the day when the present restrictions are lifted. PITUITARY The concept of the anterior pituitary as the master gland of the endocrine system has been maintained as an important, directing influence in the analysis of pituitary function. There now seems no room for reasonable doubt that the pituitary gland elaborates a number of endocrine products.
Photochemical Transformations and Polymerization in Solid C60

In this paper we review theory and experiment on the photopolymerization of solid C60 and related C60 polymers. In addition, we summarize experimental results on a second interesting phototransformation in solid C60, viz., the photo-enhanced doping, or diffusion, of molecular oxygen into the interstitial voids in the host lattice. Both of these phototransformations render the transformed solids insoluble in organic solvents, and this property has been patented for applications as photoresists[l]. Using vibrational spectroscopy as a tool, we discuss recent infrared and Raman studies of the photopolymer and other C60 polymers produced at high pressure and high temperature (HPHT). Finally, recent results on the identification of charge transfer excitons in solid C60 will be given. These optical excitations have been proposed as the “trigger mechanism” for the photopolymerization process[2].
The Sun as a detector of gravitational waves

One possible explanation of the solar 160-min oscillations discovered by Severny et al.1 and Brookes et al.2 is that they may be due to excitation by gravitational waves emitted from a nearby binary system. Here we demonstrate that even in the most favourable conditions, the absorption rate of gravitational radiation by the Sun is many orders of magnitude less than is required to overcome the effect of damping in the core.
DYNAMIC PLASTIC BUCKLING OF RINGS AND CYLINDRICAL SHELLS

An experimental investigation was undertaken into the dynamic plastic buckling of circular rings subjected to uniformly distributed external impulsive velocities. The experimental values of the average final radial deflections, critical mode numbers and dimensions of the permanent wrinkles in the mild steel and aluminum specimens are compared with various theoretical predictions and other experimental results.
Heat capacities and a snapshot of the energy landscape in protein GB1 from the pre-denaturation temperature dependence of backbone NH nanosecond fluctuations.

Abstract Protein stability is usually characterized calorimetrically by a melting temperature and related thermodynamic parameters. Despite its importance, the microscopic origin of the melting transition and the relationship between thermodynamic stability and dynamics remains a mystery. Here, NMR relaxation parameters were acquired for backbone 15NH groups of the 56 residue immunoglobulin-binding domain of streptococcal protein G over a pre-denaturation temperature range of 5–50 °C. Relaxation data were analyzed using three methods: the standard three-Lorentzian model free approach; the F(ω)=2ωJ(ω) spectral density approach that yields motional correlation time distributions, and a new approach that determines frequency-dependent order parameters. Regardless of the method of analysis, the temperature dependence of internal motional correlation times and order parameters is essentially the same. Nanosecond time-scale internal motions are found for all NHs in the protein, and their temperature dependence yields activation energies ranging up to about 33 kJ/mol residue. NH motional barrier heights are structurally correlated, with the largest energy barriers being found for residues in the most “rigid” segments of the fold: β-strands 1 and 4 and the α-helix. Trends in this landscape also parallel the free energy of folding–unfolding derived from hydrogen–deuterium (H–D) exchange measurements, indicating that the energetics for internal motions occurring on the nanosecond time-scale mirror those occurring on the much slower time-scale of H–D exchange. Residual heat capacities, derived from the temperature dependence of order parameters, range from near zero to near 100 J/mol K residue and correlate with this energy landscape. These results provide a unique picture of this protein's energy landscape and a relationship between thermodynamic stability and dynamics that suggests thermosensitive regions in the fold that could initiate the melting process.
Properties of Ni/Si02 catalysts: Relationship to ether formation from alcohols

Abstract The objective of this study was better understanding of the relationships among structural, chemical, and physical properties of Ni/SiO2 and ether formation in the reaction of alcohols. The primary reactions investigated were those of the conversion of 1-butanol at 1 atm, 160°C and conversion
Food Preferences of Users of the Emergency Food System

This study examined food and beverage preferences of emergency food program (EFP) clients of the Food Bank of Central New York (Food Bank). Findings suggest that food pantry clients prefer to receive meat/poultry/fish, vegetables, and fruit over soda, candy, and snack foods. This new information supports the effort being made by the Food Bank to limit foods of minimal nutritional value while focusing on increasing distribution of donated and purchased fruits and vegetables. Limitations on the distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables in the emergency food program should be made on the basis of cost, availability, and infrastructure, rather than on the basis of perceived client or staff preferences to the contrary.
Project contexts to situate personal information

The Personal Project Planner prototype works as an extension to the file manager to provide people with rich-text overlays to their information (folders, files and also email, web pages, notes). Rich-text, document-like project plans can be created which then provide a context in which to create or reference the email messages, electronic documents, web pages, etc. that are needed to complete the plan. The user can later locate an information item such as an email message with reference to the plan (e.g., as an alternative to a mostly context-free search through the inbox or sent mail). The Planner explores a possibility that an effective organization of project-related information can emerge as a natural by-product of efforts to plan and structure the project.
Ventricular Assist Devices for Durable Support

What can we offer a 70-year-old retired schoolteacher hospitalized with congestion for the third time in 6 months? The LVEF is 21%. Shortness of breath interrupts sleeping and dressing, and peak oxygen consumption of 9 mL/kg per minute confirms NYHA Class IV status. He has noninsulin-dependent diabetes and chronic coronary artery disease, with patent grafts to thin-caliber vessels. His systolic blood pressure is 88 mm Hg and jugular venous pressure of 15 cm. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and spironolactone were stopped during his last hospitalization because of progressive increase in serum creatinine to 3.8 mg/dL, currently 2.7, estimated clearance of 25 cc/min, and proteinuria. His regimen includes low doses of hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate and digoxin, and he cannot tolerate beta-blockers. Although he is followed in an advanced heart failure management program, fluid retention has recurred despite torsemide 200 mg twice daily, intermittent metolazone, and compliance with 2-L fluid restriction, 2-g sodium diet, and daily weights. Serum sodium is 135 mEq/L, and B-type natriuretic protein (BNP) level is 1822 pg/mL. He expresses a willingness to try anything to feel better. This patient has recurrent heart failure despite having received the standard therapies known to improve outcome and clinical status.1 Renal dysfunction would preclude cardiac transplantation, which, in the setting of limited donor availability, would not often be offered to patients in this age group with major comorbidities. In patients with comprehensive home support, chronic inotropic infusion might be considered for palliation of end-stage symptoms, understanding that death is imminent and may be accelerated by inotropic therapy. For most patients with refractory “stage D” heart failure,2 the focus should shift toward comfort and planning with patient and family (Figure 1). Figure 1. Stream diagram demonstrating evaluation sequence for small number of patients not eligible for transplant but eligible for …
Infrared laser multiphoton dissociation of proton-bound dimers of biomolecules: a new method to probe the acid-base properties of local sites in complex molecules

New techniques such as matrix assisted laser desorption, electrospray ionization, and fast atom or ion bombardment make it possible to obtain quasimolecular (e.g. protonated) ions of thermally fragile biomolecules without significant decomposition or fragmentation. These ions can be studied using a variety of mass spectrometric techniques, most powerful among which is Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance spectroscopy (FT-ICR). One of the important advantages of FT-ICR is the ability to store ions for long periods of time, facilitaung studies of processes such as bimolecular reactions and laser photodissociation. One significant application of FT-ICR has been to study the acid-base properties of molecules in the gas phase. In this article we demonstrate a new method to probe the acid-base properties of local sites in biomolecules using a novel application of infrared multiphoton dissociation. The usual method of studying proton transfer reactions with appropriate reference bases does not work well with large molecules due to their propensity for radiative bimolecular cluster formation. The difficulty which this introduces can be circumvented by dissociating the proton bound dimer by infrared multiphoton excitation with a cw CO 2 laser. Infrared heating assists dissociation alongthe lowest energy pathway and fragments the dimer to leave the proton preferentially on the more basic site. We illustrate this technique by demonstrating that the proton affinity of N-acetyl glycine is intermediate between glycine and alanine.
Coordinated stasis: biofacies revisited and the conceptual modeling of whole-fauna dynamics

Abstract The observation of stratigraphic intervals characterized by faunas displaying “coordinated stasis” in the Appalachian Basin of New York State (Brett and Baird, 1995) is based on the existence of biofacies. Thus, any claims as to the significance or unusual nature of patterns of coordinated stasis are really statements about these underlying biofacies — common features of the fossil record that have long been recognized. Evaluation of the bimodal distribution of evolutionary and ecological change through time apparent in biofacies and Ecological Evolutionary subunits must be done in relation to the clearly stated expectations of null models. The evolutionary and ecological bases for such models are explored here using a conceptual approach founded on two ecological and two evolutionary neutral “rules”: (1) communities are capable of considerable compositional flux, (2) multiple stable states are available to communities, (3) allopatry is the main mode of speciation, and (4) stabilizing selection is effective. The aspects of biofacies that appear counter-intuitive when compared to the predictions of this conceptual framework are discussed. Documentation of environmental dynamics, alongside faunal dynamics, seems to be the key to understanding whether biofacies and coordinated stasis fall outside our expectations.
Approximate solution to the equation of radiative transfer in cylindrical participating media

Abstract An approximate method is presented for solving radiative heat transfer in one-dimensional absorbing, emitting and anisotropically scattering cylindrical media. The radiative properties of the medium are assumed to be spatially as well as wavelength dependent. The bounding wall emits and reflects the incoming radiant energy, and the temperature distribution within the medium is assumed to be known. The method of solution is based on the isolation of the discontinuity in the intensity of radiation. Since the equation of radiative transfer is discretized over the directional intervals for which the intensity is a continuous function with continuous derivatives, the approach differs from the classical discrete-ordinates methods. The results for incident radiation, net radiative heat flux and total hemispherical emissivity compare favorably with similar results presented in the literature.
Quadruple systems with independent neighborhoods

A 4-graph is odd if its vertex set can be partitioned into two sets so that every edge intersects both parts in an odd number of points. Letb(n)[email protected]{@a([email protected])+([email protected])(@a3)}=(12+o(1))(n4) denote the maximum number of edges in an n-vertex odd 4-graph. Let n be sufficiently large, and let G be an n-vertex 4-graph such that for every triple xyz of vertices, the neighborhood N(xyz)={w:[email protected]?G} is independent. We prove that the number of edges of G is at most b(n). Equality holds only if G is odd with the maximum number of edges. We also prove that there is @e>0 such that if the 4-graph G has minimum degree at least (1/[email protected])(n3), then G is 2-colorable. Our results can be considered as a generalization of Mantel's theorem about triangle-free graphs, and we pose a conjecture about k-graphs for larger k as well.
Auctions of Heterogeneous Objects

Abstract Simultaneous sealed bid auctions of heterogeneous objects are analyzed. Each bidder's reservation value for an object depends upon the other objects he obtains. Bidders' reservation values are common knowledge. In simultaneous first-price auctions, the set of Walrasian equilibrium allocations contains the set of pure strategy Nash equilibrium allocations which in turn contains the set of strict Walrasian equilibrium allocations. Hence, pure strategy Nash equilibria (when they exist) are efficient. Mixed strategy Nash equilibria may be inefficient. In simultaneous second-price auctions, any efficient allocation can be implemented as a pure strategy Nash equilibrium outcome if a Walrasian equilibrium exists. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: D44, D51.
Numerical methods for a singular eigenvalue problem with eigenparameter in the boundary conditions

Abstract In this paper we consider the cooling of a cylindrical rod which is dropped lengthwise into a rectangular container containing a finite amount of liquid. The separation of variables gives Bessel's equation in the radial variable with the separation parameter also appearing in the boundary condition at the regular end-point because of the interface condition requiring conservation of heat. We consider here also the case of a rod with nonuniform mass density and show that the methods of Pruess [SIAM J. Numer. Anal., 10 (1973), 55–68; Numer. Math., 24 (1975), 241–247] can be adapted to yield a numerical algorithm for the eigenvalues of the associated Bessel-like equation. The basic expansion theory for the eigenvalue problem with eigenparameter in the boundary conditions has been given in the regular case by Fulton [Proc. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh Sect. A, 77 (1977), 293–308] and Walter [Math. Z., 133 (1973), 301–312], and for singular cases which include the present problem by Fulton. The present problem, however, is sufficiently special that the self-adjoint operator arising in the separated problem can be realized as the infinitesimal generator of a contraction semigroup in terms of which the Cauchy initial value problem associated with the heat conduction problem can be solved.
Proenzyme therapy of sarcoma S-180 and melanoma B16-F10

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of individual (inactive) proenzymes and mixtures thereof in cancer treatment and to compare this treatment with more frequently used therapy based on active proteases. Experiments focused on explanation of possible mechanisms of proenzyme action against tumours are included. Proenzyme therapy of sarcoma S-180 significantly reduced tumour growth and prolonged survival of mice. The effect of trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen was synergistic. Proenzyme therapy of melanoma B16-F10 bearing mice reduced both tumour growth and prevalence of metastases. Active enzyme based therapy of melanoma B16-F10 was less effective. Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice bearing sarcoma S-180 did not respond to the proenzyme therapy, indicating that the effect of this therapy is dependent on fully developed acquired immunity. Measured decreased levels of TGF-β and an increased amount of alpha-2 macroglobulin in serum contributed to the elucidation of the cancer treatment mechanism. Proenzyme therapy based on administration of a mixture of trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen is effective in cancer treatment.
Linear operator and conservation laws for a class of nonlinear integro-differential evolution equations

Abstract A class of matrix nonlinear evolution equations that are differential with respect to the time variable, and integral with respect to a space coordinate is generated via a linear eigenvalue problem. The linear problem, as well as the associated class of evolution equations, depends on a parameter η in such a way as to go, as η vanishes, into the evolution equations of the AKNS class. The recursion operator for the class of evolution equations is derived, and a recursion formula for an infinite family of constants of the motion is provided.
Exploring aromatic character of three-dimensional hydrogen cluster with the B3LYP hybrid density functional theory method

Abstract Density functional theory studies were performed on linear and three-dimensional (3D) highly symmetric hydrogen clusters with the target being to determine the existence of 3D aromaticity and the rules that are applied in conjunction with the number of σ-electrons to their stability. The relative energies of these 3D clusters were compared with the relative energies of linear clusters. It was demonstrated that the relative stability of 3D clusters alters with the changing number of σ-electrons, similar to planar cyclic polyenes. Therefore, it was concluded that the 3D aromaticity is present in these chemical systems. Aromatic rules that are applied for singlet planar molecular systems are applicable for triplet 3D systems and vice versa.
Agitated behavior in persons with dementia: the relationship between type of behavior, its frequency, and its disruptiveness.

Objective To examine the relationship between type, frequency, and level of disruptiveness of physically aggressive agitated behaviors, physically non-aggressive agitated behaviors, verbally aggressive agitated behaviors, and verbally non-aggressive agitated behaviors in persons with dementia.
Flow near a model spur dike with a fixed scoured bed

Three-dimensional flow velocities were measured using an acoustic Doppler velocimeter at a closely spaced grid over a fixed scoured bed with a submerged spur dike. Three-dimensional flow velocities were measured at 3,484 positions around the trapezoidal shaped submerged model spur dike. General velocity distributions and detailed near field flow structures were revealed by the measurement. Clear differences were revealed between flow over fixed flat and scoured beds. Strong lateral flows were the dominant cause of the observed local scour. Shear stresses were higher for the scoured bed than in the flat bed case. Decreasing rates of scour as the scour hole developed were attributed to increases in critical shear stress in the scour holes caused by the increase in the length and magnitude of adverse slopes associated with the two main scour holes.
Intergenerational Transmission of Violence: the Influence of Self-Appraisals, Mental Disorders and Substance Abuse

Although research has demonstrated connections between experiencing abuse as a child and being in a violent relationship as an adult, the specific mechanisms through which this transmission occurs are unclear. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between certain personal factors (self-appraisals and mental/substance use disorders) and experiencing violence as an adult. Data from the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS) 1990–1992 were utilized. Respondents who reported experiencing childhood abuse or victimization and were in a current intimate partnership (N = 590) were selected for analysis. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that low self-esteem, past year PTSD, and past year alcohol dependence were significantly associated with intimate partner violence after controlling for other self-appraisals and mental disorders.
Enhanced proliferation of monolayer cultures of embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived cardiomyocytes following acute loss of retinoblastoma.

Background: Cardiomyocyte (CM) cell cycle analysis has been impeded because of a reliance on primary neonatal cultures of poorly proliferating cells or chronic transgenic animal models with innate compensatory mechanisms. Methodology/Principal Findings: We describe an in vitro model consisting of monolayer cultures of highly proliferative embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived CM. Following induction with ascorbate and selection with puromycin, early CM cultures are .98% pure, and at least 85% of the cells actively proliferate. During the proliferative stage, cells express high levels of E2F3a, B-Myb and phosphorylated forms of retinoblastoma (Rb), but with continued cultivation, cells stop dividing and mature functionally. This developmental transition is characterized by a switch from slow skeletal to cardiac TnI, an increase in binucleation, cardiac calsequestrin and hypophosphorylated Rb, a decrease in E2F3, B-Myb and atrial natriuretic factor, and the establishment of a more negative resting membrane potential. Although previous publications suggested that Rb was not necessary for cell cycle control in heart, we find following acute knockdown of Rb that this factor actively regulates progression through the G1 checkpoint and that its loss promotes proliferation at the expense of CM maturation. Conclusions/Significance: We have established a unique model system for studying cardiac cell cycle progression, and show in contrast to previous reports that Rb actively regulates both cell cycle progression through the G1 checkpoint and maturation of heart cells. We conclude that this in vitro model will facilitate the analysis of cell cycle control mechanisms of CMs.
An empirical study of policy convergence in Markov decision process value iteration

The value iteration algorithm is a well-known technique for generating solutions to discounted Markov decision process (MDP) models. Although simple to implement, the approach is nevertheless limited in situations where many Markov decision processes must be solved, such as in real-time state-based control problems or in simulation/optimization problems, because of the potentially large number of iterations required for the value function to converge to an e-optimal solution. Experimental results suggest, however, that the sequence of solution policies associated with each iteration of the algorithm converges much more rapidly than does the value function. This behavior has significant implications for designing solution approaches for MDPs, yet it has not been explicitly characterized in the literature nor generated significant discussion. This paper seeks to generate such discussion by providing comparative empirical convergence results and exploring several predictors that allow estimation of policy convergence speed based on existing MDP parameters.
Trivers–Willard at birth and one year: evidence from US natality data 1983–2001

Trivers & Willard (TW) hypothesized that evolution would favour deviations from the population sex ratio in response to parental condition: parents in good condition would have more sons and parents in poor condition would have more daughters. We analyse the universe of US linked births and infant deaths to white mothers 1983–2001, covering 48 million births and 310 000 deaths. We find that (i) married, better educated and younger mothers bore more sons and (ii) infant deaths were more male if the mother was unmarried and young. Our findings highlight the potential role of offspring sex ratio as an indicator of maternal status, and the role of infant mortality in shaping a TW pattern in the breeding population.
Rapid generation of balanced trial distributions for discrimination learning procedures: A technical note

We describe novel computer algorithms for rapid, sometimes virtually instantaneous generation of trial sequences needed to instrument many behavioral research procedures. Implemented on typical desktop or laptop computers, the algorithms impose constraints to forestall development of undesired stimulus control by position, recent trial outcomes, and other variables that could impede simple and conditional discrimination learning. They yield trial-by-trial lists of sequences that can serve (1) as inputs to procedure control software or (2) in generating templates for constructing sessions for implementation by hand or machine.
Effects of Amounts and Degradability of Dietary Protein on Lactation, Nitrogen Utilization, and Excretion in Early Lactation Holstein Cows

Abstract Five treatment diets varying in crude protein (CP) and rumen undegradable protein (RUP) were calculated to supply a postruminal lysine to methionine ratio of about 3:1. Diets were fed as a total mixed ration to 65 Holstein cows that were either primiparous (n = 28) or multiparous (n = 37) from 21 to 120 d in milk to determine effects on lactation and nitrogen utilization. Crude protein % and calculated RUP (% of CP) of diets [on a dry matter (DM) basis] were: 1) 19.4, 40 (HPMU), 2) 16.5, 34 (LPLU), 3) 16.8, 40 (LPMU), 4) 16.8, 46 (LPHU), 5) 17.2, 43 (LPHU+UREA), which is the result of adding 0.4% of the diet DM as urea to LPHU. The corn silage-based treatment diets contained an average of 24% acid detergent fiber and 1.6 Mcal/kg net energy of lactation. Milk urea nitrogen (MUN) concentrations and body weights (BW) were used to calculate predicted amounts of urinary nitrogen (N) using the relationship: urinary N (g/d) = 0.0259 × BW (kg) × MUN (mg/dl). Cows fed HPMU had greater CP and RUP intakes, which resulted in higher concentrations of plasma urea nitrogen, rumen ammonia, MUN, and predicted urinary N. Milk yield, fat yield, fat percent, protein yield, and protein percent were not significantly different among treatments. Parity primarily affected parameters that were related to body size and not measurements of N utilization. The interaction of treatment and parity was not significant for any measurements taken. In this study, cows fed LPHU had significantly lower MUN and predicted urinary N without limiting production. These results demonstrate the potential to optimize milk production while minimizing N excretion in lactating dairy cattle.
Decreased Fertility Resulting from Treatment of Fowl Spermatozoa with Neuraminidase or Phospholipase c

Abstract The effect of altering the surface topography of fowl spermatozoal plasma membranes on subsequent fertilizing ability was studied by exposing Single Comb White Leghorn spermatozoa to neuraminidase or phospholipase c. Semen was diluted 1:1 with Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender (BPSE) or BPSE containing 40 IU/ml neuraminidase or 100 IU/ml phospholipase c, then incubated 30 min at 25 C before intravaginal insemination. Incubation of spermatozoa with either enzyme did not reduce motility or Iyse spermatozoa as monitored by glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase release. However, fertility was depressed by neuraminidase or phospholipase c, 54 and 4%, respectively, compared to 88% for the incubated control. Intravaginal deposition of enzyme solutions 30 min prior to insemination with BPSE diluted semen did not affect fertility. This study demonstrates that alteration of carbohydrate and phospholipid moieties of the spermatozoal plasma membrane decreases fertility without reducing motility.
Everyday Nursing Practice Values in the NICU and Their Reflection on Breastfeeding Promotion

In this ethnographic study I examined neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses' everyday practice values and explored how breastfeeding promotion fit within this context. The study was conducted over a 14-month period and included participant observation and interviewing of 114 purposively selected nurses in a level-IV NICU in the United States. Uncertainty emerged as a central concern underlying everyday practice values. Three themes described these values: (a) maximizing babies' potentials in the midst of uncertainty; (b) relying on the sisterhood of NICU nurses to deal with uncertainty; and (c) confronting uncertainty through tight control of actions, reliance on technology, and maximal efficiency in use of time. A fourth theme demonstrated how these values were reflected in NICU breastfeeding practices. Although high-control, high-tech, and time-urgent practice values were helpful in confronting uncertainty, these values also posed challenges to ongoing nursing efforts to promote breastfeeding. These values must be addressed for effective breastfeeding promotion.
The Persistence Of Traditional Gender Stereotypes: Evidence From The Distribution Of Academic Honors At A Female-Majority University

A shift from male-majority to female-majority university campuses has opened up new areas for research on gender bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. At one large state university on the west coast, there were more female than male graduates in Spring, 2008 in 7 out of 8 colleges, including the traditionally male-majority areas of business and science. Relative probabilities for men and women of receiving honors in each major field of study at this school, compared to national data of gender breakdowns by field in 1980, showed that men and women were still relatively more likely to receive honors in fields that were traditionally male and female, respectively. Findings also cast doubt upon Kanter’s tokenism hypothesis. Curiously, it was traditionally female, not male, fields that had the highest levels of gender inequity, though gender inequity overall may be on a decline. More research is needed to identify why this difference between gender and honors still exists. Universities should also be aware of the continuing potential for subtle gender discrimination, even in fields where equal numbers of men and women participate.
The Effect of Doping on the Voltage Holdoff Performance of Alumina Insulators in Vacuum

Alumina ceramics doped with various combinations of Cr, Mn, and Ti were fabricated into hollow cylindrical insulators, then assembled into vacuum diodes and tested with 25 ?s voltage pulses. Four doped alumina ceramics with total dopant levels of 2.6 to 4.7% wt and partial Cr plus Ti dopant levels of 1.0 to 2.4% performed very well. They had voltage holdoffs significantly better (25 to 40%) than plain alumina ceramics. Ceramics with total dopant levels of 5.3 to 5.6% performed only slightly better than plain alumina. Ceramics with partial Cr plus Ti dopant levels of 3.8 to 4.0% had significantly improved voltage holdoff capabilities, but undesirably high permanent failure rates (19 to 33%). Ceramics with total dopant levels greater than 7% performed very poorly, nearly all suffered permanent damage from breakdowns. These results suggest that desirable upper limits for doping are 5% for total dopants and 3% for Cr and Ti combined. Thus, doping a 94% Al203 alumina ceramic with appropriate amounts of Cr, Mn, and Ti can significantly improve the voltage holdoff capability, of insulators fabricated from such ceramics. These doped ceramic insulators are suitable for use in ultrahigh vacuum applications.
Diagnostic accuracy of existing methods for identifying diabetic foot ulcers from inpatient and outpatient datasets

As the number of persons with diabetes is projected to double in the next 25 years in the US, an accurate method of identifying diabetic foot ulcers in population-based data sources are ever more important for disease surveillance and public health purposes. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the accuracy of existing methods and to propose a new method. Four existing methods were used to identify all patients diagnosed with a foot ulcer in a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital from the inpatient and outpatient datasets for 2003. Their electronic medical records were reviewed to verify whether the medical records positively indicate presence of a diabetic foot ulcer in diagnoses, medical assessments, or consults. For each method, five measures of accuracy and agreement were evaluated using data from medical records as the gold standard. Our medical record reviews show that all methods had sensitivity > 92% but their specificity varied substantially between 74% and 91%. A method used in Harrington et al. (2004) was the most accurate with 94% sensitivity and 91% specificity and produced an annual prevalence of 3.3% among VA users with diabetes nationwide. A new and simpler method consisting of two codes (707.1× and 707.9) shows an equally good accuracy with 93% sensitivity and 91% specificity and 3.1% prevalence. Our results indicate that the Harrington and New methods are highly comparable and accurate. We recommend the Harrington method for its accuracy and the New method for its simplicity and comparable accuracy.
Managing high volume advanced VLSI in a manufacturing environment (MOS DRAMs)

The author addresses the following questions: (1) why was improving high-volume US manufacturing performance with advanced VLSI technology during the mid and late 1980s so difficult? and (2) what can managers at all levels do to effectively and rapidly improve manufacturing performance? The conceptual arguments are illustrated with the history and experience of one US fab manager and the fab he turned around during this period. Many of the insights discussed here are drawn from, and put into context by, a four-year research historical study of 11 Japanese and 11 US fabs that manufactured integrated circuits at the 256 K DRAM level of MOS technology in high volume (greater than 10000 wafer starts a month). >
Storing and recalling information for vision localization

In implementing a vision localization system, a crucial issue to consider is how to efficiently store and recall the necessary information so that the robot is not only able to accurately localize itself, but does so in a timely manner. In the presented system, we discuss a strategy to minimize the amount of stored data by analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of several cooperating recognition modules, and by using them through a prioritization scheme, which orders the data entries from the most likely to match to the least. We validate the system is a series of experiments at three large scale outdoor environments: a building complex (126 times 180 ft. area, 3583 testing images), a vegetation-filled park (270 times 360 ft. area, 6006 testing images), and an open-field area (450 times 585 ft. area, 8823 testing images) - each with its own set of challenges. Not only is the system able to localize in these environments (on average 3.46 ft., 6.55 ft. 12.96 ft. of error, respectively), it does so while searching through only 7.35%, 3.50%, and 6.12% of all the stored information, respectively.
The Psychosocial Development of Sex Offenders: Differences between Exhibitionists, Child Molesters, and Incest Offenders

A number of studies have shown that there are differences between how offenders who have committed different crimes perform in therapy. This article aims to shed some light on these differences by exploring differences in the psychosocial development of exhibitionists extra-familial child molesters, and incest offenders. Eighty-one men completed the Measures of Psychosocial Development at intake into an outpatient sex offender treatment program. Profile analysis indicated that exhibitionists tended to have issues of trust, shame, and immediate gratification, which were similar to those experienced by extra-familial child molesters. Incest offenders showed consistently higher levels of development than the other two groups. These findings have implications for the ability of offenders to develop therapeutic alliances, the intervention strategies that would be effective, and the ultimate effects of those interventions.
A novel all-digital phase-locked loop with ultra fast frequency and phase acquisition

An all-digital phase-locked loop (ADPLL) with fast acquisition and low power digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) is presented. The proposed ADPLL is designed with a unique lock-in process by employing a time-to-digital converter. Both the frequency of the reference clock and the delay between DCO output and DCO clock are measured. A carefully designed reset process reduces the phase lock into two cycles. The ADPLL was implemented using a 0.9V 32nm practical transistor model (PTM). The simulation results show that the proposed ADPLL achieves 10 and 2 reference cycles of frequency and phase acquisitions at 700 MHz with peak to peak jitter ≪ 67ps.
The crocodile man: A case of brain chemistry and criminal violence

The crocodile man: A case of brain chemistry and criminal violence, Mayer, A., and Wheeler, M. (Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Massachusetts, 1982), 204 pages, $12.95.
Correlation functions of the transverse Ising chain at the critical field for large temporal and spatial separations

Abstract We study the behavior of 〈σ0x(t)σnx(0)〉 and 〈σ0y(t)σny(0)〉 for the transverse Ising chain at the critical magnetic field at T = 0. Explicit results are obtained for the three distinct regions where t → ∞ and n → ∞with 0 ⩽ n t , 1 n t , or t = n + n 1 3 ( z 2 ) where z is fixed of order one. In this latter region the general Painleve V solution is shown to reduce to a Painleve II function. We use our results to discuss the general problem of long-time behavior of Toda equations with slowly decaying initial values.
Poster abstract: BeamCast: harnessing beamforming capabilities for link layer multicast

Wireless multicast is an important service primitive for emerging applications such as live video, streaming audio and content telecasts. Transmission rate in such a link layer multicast is bottlenecked by the rate of the weakest client, leading to channel under-utilization. Attempts to increase the data rate results in lower reliability (due to higher bit error rate) and higher unfairness. This poster utilizes smart beamforming antennas to improve multicast performance in wireless LANs. The main idea is to satisfy majority of the (strong) clients with a high-rate omnidirectional transmission, followed by high-rate directional transmission(s) to cover the weaker ones. By selecting an optimal transmission strategy, we show that the multicast throughput can be maximized while achieving a desired delivery ratio at all the clients. We use testbed measurements to verify our main assumptions. We simulate our protocol in Qualnet, and observe consistent performance improvements over a wide range of client topologies and time-varying channel conditions.
Do theories of crime or violence explain race differences in delinquency

We examine race differences in delinquency using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. We use a new method that permits an examination of offense specialization. We argue that an examination of offense patterns provides an opportunity for testing theoretical explanations of race effects. If race differences in violent crime reflect race differences in serious crime, then theories of crime can explain race effects. Otherwise, theories of violence are needed to explain the phenomenon. Our results suggest that black adolescents have higher rates of violence, particularly armed violence, but they do not have higher rates of serious (or minor) property or drug crime. Race differences in violence are generally stronger for adolescents who would otherwise be at lower risk: girls and adolescents from educated and intact families. Puerto Rican adolescents also have higher rates of violence than Anglos, but other Hispanic groups do not. We conclude with a discussion of the implication of the empirical literature (including our results) for various theoretical explanations of race differences in violence.
Consumption of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) from CLA-Enriched Cheese Does Not Alter Milk Fat or Immunity in Lactating Women

Isomers of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) decreased milk fat, altered immunity, and reduced the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in some animals. The major form of CLA in the human diet is c9,t11-18:2 (rumenic acid; RA). We studied the effects of high RA consumption on plasma and milk RA concentration, milk composition, immunity, and CVD risk factors in lactating women (n = 36) assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: control, low CLA cheese (LCLA; 160 mg RA/d), or high CLA cheese (HCLA; 346 mg RA/d). The increase in plasma RA concentration between baseline and 8 wk in women consuming HCLA cheese was significantly greater than that of controls. At study completion (8 wk), milk RA concentration among women consuming HCLA cheese was greater (P < 0.05) than that of controls (0.37 vs. 0.26% of fatty acids). Treatment did not affect milk fat, protein, or lactose concentrations, immune indices (e.g., plasma T-helper cells and interleukin-2), or measured risk factors for CVD (e.g., plasma triacylglyceride and cholesterol). In summary, consumption of a RA-enriched cheese modestly increased plasma and milk RA concentrations without affecting total milk fat, plasma and milk indices of immunity, or selected risk factors for CVD.
Coordination of multiple appendages in drag-based swimming

Krill are aquatic crustaceans that engage in long distance migrations, either vertically in the water column or horizontally for 10 km (over 200 000 body lengths) per day. Hence efficient locomotory performance is crucial for their survival. We study the swimming kinematics of krill using a combination of experiment and analysis. We quantify the propulsor kinematics for tethered and freely swimming krill in experiments, and find kinematics that are very nearly metachronal. We then formulate a drag coefficient model which compares metachronal, synchronous and intermediate motions for a freely swimming body with two legs. With fixed leg velocity amplitude, metachronal kinematics give the highest average body speed for both linear and quadratic drag laws. The same result holds for five legs with the quadratic drag law. When metachronal kinematics is perturbed towards synchronous kinematics, an analysis shows that the velocity increase on the power stroke is outweighed by the velocity decrease on the recovery stroke. With fixed time-averaged work done by the legs, metachronal kinematics again gives the highest average body speed, although the advantage over synchronous kinematics is reduced.
Mind the Gap: Why Closing the Doughnut Hole Is Insufficient for Increasing Medicare Beneficiary Access to Oral Chemotherapy

Purpose Orally administered anticancer medications are among the fastest growing components of cancer care. These medications are expensive, and cost-sharing requirements for patients can be a barrier to their use. For Medicare beneficiaries, the Affordable Care Act will close the Part D coverage gap (doughnuthole),whichwillreducecostsharingfrom100%in2010to25%in2020fordrugspending above $2,960 until the beneficiary reaches $4,700 in out-of-pocket spending. How much these changes will reduce out-of-pocket costs is unclear.