cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Time resolved contrast enhanced intracranial MRA using a single dose delivered as sequential injections and highly constrained projection reconstruction (HYPR CE).

Time-resolved contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography of the brain is challenging due to the need for rapid imaging and high spatial resolution. Moreover, the significant dispersion of the intravenous contrast bolus as it passes through the heart and lungs increases the overlap between arterial and venous structures, regardless of the acquisition speed and reconstruction window. An innovative technique is presented that divides a single dose contrast into two injections. Initially a small volume of contrast material (2–3 mL) is used to acquiring time-resolved weighting images with a high frame rate (2 frames/s) during the first pass of the contrast agent. The remaining contrast material is used to obtain a high resolution whole brain contrast-enhanced (CE) magnetic resonance angiography (0.57 × 0.57 × 1 mm3) that is used as the spatial constraint for Local Highly Constrained Projection Reconstruction (HYPR LR) reconstruction. After HYPR reconstruction, the final dynamic images (HYPR CE) have both high temporal and spatial resolution. Furthermore, studies of contrast kinetics demonstrate that the shorter bolus length from the reduced contrast volume used for the first injection significantly improves the arterial and venous separation. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The relation of long bone diaphyseal length to chronological age in immature saddle-back tamarins,Saguinus fuscicollis

Long bone diaphyseal lengths were measured on a cross-sectional sample of 46 immature saddle-back tamarins,Saguinus fuscicollis. All individuals were colony born and ranged in age from 1 to 245 days. Data were collected on each of the three long bone elements of the fore- and hindlimbs. To evaluate the relation of long bone length to chronological age, the data were arranged into age classes corresponding to birth and the median ages of 1, 3, 5 and 7 months. Descriptive statistics were generated for each long bone element for each age-class. Class means and standard errors were plotted. The inferred growth pattern was initially rapid from birth to approximately 3 months followed by a period of deceleration. The pattern was consistent for all long bone elements. By 7 months, diaphyseal lengths approached or exceeded 80% of the adult mean diaphyseal size determined for this species. Further results indicated the absence of any significant sex difference in long bone lengths for any age-class sampled.
Development of radiation hard scintillators

Substantial improvements have been made in the radiation hardness of plastic scintillators. Cylinders of scintillating materials 2.2 cm in diameter and 1 cm thick have been exposed to 10 Mrads of gamma rays at a dose rate of 1 Mrad/h in a nitrogen atmosphere. One of the formulations tested showed an immediate decrease in pulse height of only 4% and has remained stable for 12 days while annealing in air. By comparison a commercial PVT scintillator showed an immediate decrease of 58% and after 43 days of annealing in air it improved to a 14% loss. The formulated sample consisted of 70 parts by weight of Dow polystyrene, 30 pbw of pentaphenyltrimethyltrisiloxane (Dow Corning DC 705 oil), 2 pbw of p-terphenyl, 0.2 pbw of tetraphenylbutadiene, and 0.5 pbw of UVASIL299LM from Ferro.
The combined effect of aspiration and transmission on aerosol sampling accuracy for horizontal isoaxial sampling

Abstract Quantitative analyses of the effects of aspiration and transmission on overall sampling error for a wide range of conditions show that in the case of a small particle or small Stokes number high accuracy can be assured for a wide range of inlet to wind velocity ratios. The range of conditions for which accurate sampling can be achieved decreases with increase in Stokes number. Particle losses in the inlet determine a critical Stokes number beyond which aerosols cannot be sampled at a given accuracy level.
Studies on the depression of γ-aminobutyric acid potentials by phloridzin in cat dorsal root ganglion cells in vitro

Abstract Phloridzin has been used as a tool to investigate membrane transport mechanisms. We have demonstrated that phloridzin acts to depress chloride flux resulting from activation of a γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABA A ) receptor on cat dorsal root ganglion cells. This action appears not to involve an inwardly directed chloride pump postulated for these neurons but rather affects a site associated with the GABA receptor-chloride complex.
Alchemies and Governing: Or, questions about the questions we ask

This article turns one of most cited philosopher's John Dewey's title, How We Think (1933/1998) back upon itself to consider how ‘thought’ or ‘reason’ are cultural practices that historically order and generate principles for reflection and action. The discussion proceeds thusly: (1) Schooling is about changing people; (2) Changing people embodies cultural theses about modes of living, such as that of being a lifelong learner or a Learning Society. The modes of living in modern pedagogy embody changing cultural norms and values about systems of reason that are to express universal cosmopolitan qualities; (3) Pedagogy fabricates the systems of reason to principles for reflection and participation that shreds provincial values in the name of greater universal cosmopolitan values; (4) This ‘making’ of cosmopolitan ‘reason’ forms through cultural practices that have overlapping sets of distinctions and differentiations about agency, the rational planning of one's biography in time, and science as a procedure...
Liquid Oxygen Cooling of Hydrocarbon Fueled Rocket Thrust Chambers

Rocket engines using liquid oxygen (LOX) and hydrocarbon fuel as the propellants are being given serious consideration for future launch vehicle propulsion. Normally, the fuel is used to regeneratively cool the combustion chamber. However, hydrocarbons such as RP-1 are limited in their cooling capability. Another possibility for the coolant is the liquid oxygen. Combustion chambers previously tested with LOX and RP-1 as propellants and LOX as the collant demonstrated the feasibility of using liquid oxygen as a coolant up to a chamber pressure of 13.8 MPa (2000 psia). However, there was concern as to the effect on the integrity of the chamber liner if oxygen leaks into the combustion zone through fatigue cracks that may develop between the cooling passages and the hot gas side wall. In order to study this effect, chambers were fabricated with slots machined upstream of the throat between the cooling passage wall and the hot gas side wall to simulate cracks. The chambers were tested at a nominal chamber pressure of 8.6 MPa (1247 psia) over a range of mixture ratios from 1.9 to 3.1 using liquid oxygen as the coolant. The results of the testing showed that the leaking LOX did not have a deleterious effect on the chambers in the region of the slots. However, there was unexplained melting in the throat region of both chambers, but not in line with the slots.
Heterosexual Transmission of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome: International Perspectives and National Projections

The heterosexual transmission of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has been documented in the United States by national surveillance data and heterosexual partner studies since the beginning of the epidemic. However, the efficiency of heterosexual transmission and related risk factors remain unclear. Viral transmission from males to their female sexual partners is well documented, although in the United States instances of female-to-male transmission have been observed less frequently. On the other hand, in parts of Africa and Haiti, AIDS appears to be a bidirectional, heterosexually transmitted disease that often occurs concurrently with other sexually transmitted diseases. Although a widespread heterosexual epidemic of AIDS could evolve in the United States, it seems more plausible that, like other sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS will settle in limited segments of the community characterized by certain high-risk behaviors.
p53- and Bax-mediated apoptosis in injured rat spinal cord

Spinal cord injury (SCI) induces a series of endogenous biochemical changes that lead to secondary degeneration, including apoptosis. p53-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis is likely to be an important mechanism of cell death in spinal cord injury. However, the signaling cascades that are activated before DNA fragmentation have not yet been determined. DNA damage-induced, p53-activated neuronal cell death has already been identified in several neurodegenerative diseases. To determine DNA damage-induced, p53-mediated apoptosis in spinal cord injury, we performed RT-PCR microarray and analyzed 84 DNA damaging and apoptotic genes. Genes involved in DNA damage and apoptosis were upregulated whereas anti-apoptotic genes were downregulated in injured spinal cords. Western blot analysis showed the upregulation of DNA damage-inducing protein such as ATM, cell cycle checkpoint kinases, 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), BRCA2 and H2AX in injured spinal cord tissues. Detection of phospho-H2AX in the nucleus and release of 8-OHdG in cytosol were demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. Expression of p53 was observed in the neurons, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes after spinal cord injury. Upregulation of phospho-p53, Bax and downregulation of Bcl2 were detected after spinal cord injury. Sub-cellular distribution of Bax and cytochrome c indicated mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis taking place after spinal cord injury. In addition, we carried out immunohistochemical analysis to confirm Bax translocation into the mitochondria and activated p53 at Ser392. Expression of APAF1, caspase 9 and caspase 3 activities confirmed the intrinsic apoptotic pathway after SCI. Activated p53 and Bax mitochondrial translocation were detected in injured spinal neurons. Taken together, the in vitro data strengthened the in vivo observations of DNA damage-induced p53-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis in the injured spinal cord.
Formation of 9,10-phenanthrenequinone by atmospheric gas-phase reactions of phenanthrene

Abstract Phenanthrene is a 3-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon which exists mainly in the gas-phase in the atmosphere. Recent concern over the presence of 9,10-phenanthrenequinone in ambient particles led us to study the products of the gas-phase reactions of phenanthrene with hydroxyl radicals, nitrate radicals and ozone. The formation yields of 9,10-phenanthrenequinone were measured to be ∼3%, 33±9%, and ∼2% from the OH radical, NO3 radical and O3 reactions, respectively. Calculations suggest that daytime OH radical-initiated and nighttime NO3 radical-initiated reactions of gas-phase phenanthrene may be significant sources of 9,10-phenanthrenequinone in ambient atmospheres. In contrast, the ozone reaction with phenanthrene is unlikely to contribute significantly to ambient 9,10-phenanthrenequinone.
Halo enol lactone inhibitors of chymotrypsin: Burst kinetics and enantioselectivity of inactivation

Burst kinetics in the inactivation of alpha-chymotrypsin by halo enol lactones 1 and 2 was observed. These results are consistent with a kinetic scheme that includes partitioning of the first acyl enzyme between transient inhibition and permanent inactivation. Partition ratios were estimated from the measured rates of the irreversible inactivation and the rates of deacylation of the second acyl enzyme. Halo enol lactones with a large burst resulted in small partition ratios, indicating a high potency of inactivation. We also observed enantioselectivity in the burst of inactivation such that the R enantiomer of lactone 1 showed a large burst, while the S enantiomer showed a little burst. This suggests that it is the R enantiomer whose binding is better suited for the covalent derivatization of the enzyme, or whose reactive halomethyl group is in an unfavorable position for the hydrolysis by water.
Further behavioral analysis of GABA-mediated inhibition in the early chick embryo.

Five μmol of γ-amino-N-butyric acid (GABA) completely inhibited the spontaneous motility of 5-day-old chicken embryos. A molar equivalent dose of baclofen, a specific GABAB receptor agonist, produced a much smaller (but still significant) inhibition of motility. The (−)-isomer of baclofen was significantly more potent than the (+)-isomer. GABAB receptors controlling overt behavior appear in the chick embryo at least as early as day 5. Neither 5 μmol of histamine nor 5 μmol of bradykinin, both potent cerebral vasodilators, inhibited spontaneous motility in 5-day-old chicken embryos. One μmol of serotonin, a potent cerebral vasoconstrictor, did not antagonize the significant (but submaximal) inhibition of motility caused by 1 μmol of GABA. GABA-mediated inhibition of overt behavior in the early chick embryo cannot be the result of GABA-mediated cerebral vasodilation.
β-Amyloid-induced reactive astrocytes display altered ability to support dendrite and axon growth from mouse cerebral cortical neurons in vitro

Abstract Objectives: The presence of β-amyloid (βA) deposition, induction of reactive gliosis and dystrophic neurites, is a characteristic feature of neuritic plaques in Alzheimer's disease. In vitro, βA-exposed astrocytes become reactive, similar to astrocytes in contact with βA plaques in vivo. How βA-exposed reactive astrocytes support neuron process growth, however, is not well defined. Therefore, we used neuron/astrocyte co-cultures in which astrocytes had been grown on βA, to assess whether process growth was altered. Methods: Purified rat cortical astrocytes were plated on the βA peptide's neurotoxic fragment (25–35), the scrambled (35–25) peptide, or poly-D-lysine alone and grown to confluency before mouse cortical neurons were seeded at low density onto the astrocyte monolayer. Cell survival was assessed using trypan blue, lactate dehydrogenase release and propidium iodide. Process growth was analyzed using specific antibodies against MAP2 and the 200 kDa neurofilament subunit (NF-H) to identify ...
The changing face of academic neurology Implications for neurologic education at the millennium

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness. It was the epoch of belief; it was the epoch of incredulity; it was the season of light; it was the season of darkness. It was the spring of hope; it was the winter of despair. We had everything before us; we had nothing before us. The introduction of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities describes the state of medical affairs today as much as the tumultuous world of the French Revolution 200 years ago. On the one hand, advances in basic and clinical neuroscience are transforming our field. The following list includes topics unknown or in their infancy 30 years ago, when I was graduated from medical school, which are now central to the neurology research effort. The last 10 years have also seen a great expansion in the following number of areas and topics considered appropriate for research support.1 As a specialty, we are riding a tidal wave of understanding fundamental mechanisms and advances in therapeutics that is simply unparalleled. The pace at which new information appears is rapid and far-reaching. The wonderful …
Image reconstruction exploiting object sparsity in boundary-enhanced X-ray phase-contrast tomography

Propagation-based X-ray phase-contrast tomography (PCT) seeks to reconstruct information regarding the complex-valued refractive index distribution of an object. In many applications, a boundary-enhanced image is sought that reveals the locations of discontinuities in the real-valued component of the refractive index distribution. We investigate two iterative algorithms for few-view image reconstruction in boundary-enhanced PCT that exploit the fact that a boundary-enhanced PCT image, or its gradient, is often sparse. In order to exploit object sparseness, the reconstruction algorithms seek to minimize the l1-norm or TV-norm of the image, subject to data consistency constraints. We demonstrate that the algorithms can reconstruct accurate boundary-enhanced images from highly incomplete few-view projection data.
Novel mixed domain VLSI signal processing circuits for high performance, low power and area penalty SOC signal processing

A novel VLSI SOC signal processing circuit technique based on algorithmic computing architecture, ratio based circuit structures and replica (symmetrical) layout implementation employing basic mixed domain VLSI signal processing circuit elements, across the analog, digital, passive, voltage and current circuit domains, is presented. This approach demonstrated high performance, low power, low layout area penalty and low PVT sensitivity for VLSI SOC signal processing circuit implementations. Design examples are also provided in this paper.
Inductive generalization in 9‐ and 11‐month‐olds

Using little models, we showed 9- and 11-month-old infants events in which animal or vehicle properties were demonstrated, such as a dog drinking from a cup or a car giving a ride. The infants were tested on imitation of these properties on the same exemplars as used for the modeling, on generalization to other exemplars from the same domain, and on generalization to exemplars from an inappropriate domain. Infants generalized the properties broadly to both typical and novel exemplars within the appropriate domain, and rarely to exemplars from the inappropriate domain. It is concluded that at least by 9 months infants have formed global concepts of animals and vehicles that control the way infants learn the characteristic properties of these classes.
Haloaldehyde polymers: 11. Polybromal

Abstract Bromal has been purified by stirring it with SbF 3 at elevated temperatures. This treatment removed small amounts of impurities which had prevented the polymerization of bromal previously. Monomer grade bromal polymerized readily with selected anionic and cationic initiators at low temperatures. While the chemical structure of the polymer as a polyacetal was similar to that of other perhaloaldehyde polymers, the interplanar spacings of polybromal as determined by wide-angle X-ray studies indicated a significant deviation of the crystal structure from that of other perhaloacetaldehyde polymers, for example, polychloral or even polydibromochloroacetaldehyde. Polybromal degraded thermally to give a quantitative yield of monomer and had a 1 M ceiling temperature of −75°C. Copolymerization attempts of bromal with chloral under anionic conditions gave polymers incorporating only trace amounts of bromal, but bromal copolymers with phenyl isocyanate of various compositions, even of a 1:1 composition, could be readily prepared.
Consuming news translation: The New York Times online and the “Kremlin Rules” experiment

In 2008, the New York Times published a series of articles by Clifford Levy, collectively titled “Kremlin Rules,” about contemporary Russian society. Journalists at the Times translated the articles into Russian and published them electronically. Levy and his collaborators then solicited comments from readers in both languages, translating Russian comments into English for readers of the Times . In this article, we examine the structure and content of these comments and reach the following conclusions. The more comment sections allowed for interaction between readers, the less comments tended to relate to the content of the article itself. When comments did relate to the article’s content, they frequently provided details (and opinions) glossed over by the journalist. However, readers appeared to read only a limited number of comments, which limited the potential of comment sections to fill in gaps inherent in the processes of news translation. Ultimately, then, reader comment sections hold some potential...
Landscape position, substrate quality, and nitrate deposition effects on forest soil nitrogen dynamics in the hoosier national forest

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine possible interactions between landscape position, soil parent material, and the level of acidic deposition on soil chemical properties and organic N turnover. We sampled A horizon soils from upper/south and lower/north slopes in two forest sites in the Hoosier National Forest, Indiana which differed in bedrock (Deam Wilderness (DW), acid sandstone; Harden Ridge (HR), sandstone interbedded with limestone). The soils from the upper/south position at DW had the lowest pH, Ca2+, and molar Ca:Al ratio and the highest organic matter and soluble A13+. The soils from the two lower/north slopes tended to have the highest pH, Ca2+, and Ca:Al ratio, with the upper/south soils from HR intermediate. NH4+-N pool sizes did not differ between bedrock types or slope positions. NO3−-N pools were significantly larger in soils from lower north positions than in those from upper south positions. There was no significant effect of either slope position or bedrock geology on N-mineralization in 30 day aerobic incubations done in the laboratory. The proportion of NH4+-N subsequently nitrified did differ both between sites (DW > HR) and positions (upper/south>lower/north). To quantify the effect of heavy NO3− deposition in precipitation on N turnover, we also incubated paired samples with the equivalent of either 5.6 or 30.0 kg ha−1 year−1 of NO3− in the ‘precipitation’ used to keep them near field capacity. Heavy NO3− addition had no significant effect on N mineralization; however it did result in mean reductions of 49–96% in proportional nitrification and NO3− accumulation. In these sites, slope position and NO3 addition exert greater effects on soil chemical properties and organic N turnover than does bedrock type.
Dream Sharing as Social Interaction

A survey was administered to 241 individuals whose questionnaire responses were analyzed to determine if they told their dreams to others, to whom they told their dreams, for what purpose, and in what social contexts dreams were shared. Respondents were also asked whether there were types of dreams they would not tell and individuals with whom they would not share dreams. This exploratory study suggests that dream sharing is a part of everyday social interaction, with the primary purpose of entertainment. There are gender differences with regard to dream sharing, and this sharing involves the utilization of social practices whereby individuals may protect themselves and others through deciding whether or not to share a dream. The study describes dream sharing as a social act that is negotiated based on the social rules regarding what topics friends and other intimates share in public or private.
X(3872): Hadronic molecules in effective field theory

Abstract We consider the implications from the possibility that the recently observed state X ( 3872 ) is a meson–antimeson molecule. We write an effective Lagrangian consistent with the heavy-quark and chiral symmetries needed to describe X ( 3872 ) . We explore the consequences of the assumption that X ( 3872 ) is a molecular bound state of D ∗ 0 and D ¯ 0 mesons for the existence of bound states in the D 0 D ¯ 0 and D ∗ 0 D ¯ ∗ 0 channels.
Influence of Alternate Host Densities on Brown-Headed Cowbird Parasitism Rates in Black-Capped Vireos

Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) parasitism is thought to be partly influenced by density of the host species, although tests of host density are relatively rare. We examined parasitism rates relative to the density of individual host species and densities of coexisting host species. We monitored 392 nests among coexisting host species and measured their densities among six habitats on Fort Hood Military Reservation, Texas during 1991-1992 to test the hypothesis that coexisting species affect parasitism rates in the endangered Black-capped Vireo (Vireo atricapillus). Black-capped Vireos and White-eyed Vireos (V. griseus) suffered three to four times higher cowbird parasitism than Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) or Painted Buntings (Passerina ciris). After controlling for removal of female cowbirds, which has been conducted on the study site since 1988, parasitism rates in Black-capped Vireos were positively correlated with cumulative host density in general, and Northern Cardinal density in particular. Only density of Northern Cardinals explained a significant amount of variation in parasitism rates in Black-capped Vireos among sites. We suggest that cowbirds may be attracted to conspicuous species, such as cardinals, and that high densities of such species may negatively affect coexisting species by increasing probabilities of being parasitized. Vireo nests were characterized by less nest concealment, greater canopy cover, and more stems than other species. However, nest site and vegetation characteristics did not differ between parasitized and unparasitized nests for any species, suggesting habitat was unimportant to parasitism.
Stability and Change in Type A Components and Cardiovascular Reactivity in Medical Students During Periods of Academic Stress

This study examined the effects of academic stress upon components of Type A behavior and cardiovascular reactivity. In a longitudinal design, heart rate and blood pressure responses to the Type A Structured Interview (SI) and additional laboratory challenges were measured in medical students at three points during an academic semester. Sessions 1 and 3 were scheduled during vacation periods; Session 2 took place during an intensive examination week. Results indicated that three “stylistic” components of Pattern A derived from the SI—loud and explosive speech, short response latency, and potential for hostility—increased significantly during the exam period. Similar increases achieved marginal significance for another stylistic component, rapid and accelerated speech. By contrast, global Type A assessments did not increase with academic demands. Cardiovascular reactivity was significantly but only moderately stable across the three sessions, showing less consistency than has been reported in previous research. In addition, there was little evidence in this study that cardiovascular reactivity was potentiated by academic stress or by Type A behavior. These results demonstrate the influence of naturalistic environmental factors on overt behavioral components that have recently been suggested as coronary risk factors. Therefore, it is advisable for future experimental and epidemiological research to examine the social and environmental context in which these behaviors occur.
Optimum Chloride Concentration for Malt Diastase Activity as a Function of Temperature.

The chloride ion has long been known to accelerate and stabilize the dextrinizing activity of a-amylase derived from plant (5) and animal tissues (9). Warburg and L?ttgens (11) observed recently that the photochemical production of oxygen by washed chloroplast fragments is similarly stimulated by the chloride ion. Arnon and Whatley (1) confirmed this discovery and presented evidence in support of their conclusion that the chloride ion activates the chloroplast fragments indirectly by protecting them against injury by light. Gorham and Clendenning (4) reinvestigated the mechanism of chloride activation, rejected the light injury hypothesis, and concluded that the stimulating action of chloride on both chloroplasts and a-amylase has a common physical basis. Striking similarities between these two in vitro systems were indicated with respect to the concentration of chloride required to achieve maximum stimulation, relative effectiveness of other anions, and dependence of chloride activation upon pH (4). The quantity of chloride which is required to effect maximum stimulation and protection of either a-amylase or chloroplasts over a wide temperature range has not been investigated previously. The thermolability of chloroplasts makes them quite unsuitable for such a study. On the other hand, a-amylase is less susceptible to thermal inactivation, a property which was utilized by Ohlsson (8) and Kneen et al. (6) in separating aand ?-amylase. This paper reports experiments on the quantity of chloride which is required for maximum stimulation of malt diastase over a wide temperature range (20 to 60? C). The standard reaction mixture was 50 ml. of 1% soluble starch, 40 ml. of buffer solution at pH 7, ? ml. 0.5% commercial malt diastase solution, and 10-x ml. water. The total reaction volume was 100 ml. The starch solution was freshly prepared (Coleman and Bell, soluble starch, cp.). Macllvaine buffer (7) was used in maintaining a pH of 7.0. The diastase solution was freshly prepared (0.5% Merck's malt diastase, medicinal grade). After allowing it to stand one hour at room temperature, the enzyme solution was filtered through a heavy asbestos mat to provide a clear solution. Chloride introduced as a contaminant in the substrate and enzyme solutions was determined by the Volhard titration method (10). The observed chloride content was found to be too small to necessitate the introduction of a correction (< 0.5 mg. per 100 ml. of reaction mixture).
Integration of the National Environmental Policy Act into a Comprehensive Environmental Management System: The Tennessee Valley Authority Experience

In early 2002, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) completed a revision of its Environmental Management System (EMS). The new EMS is designed to fully align with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 EMS standards. The EMS incorporated a new Environmental Review Process as an integral component. It established clear roles and responsibilities for the agency NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) staff and organizations across TVA, introduced process improvements and standardization measures, and made structural changes to bring about increased efficiency and effectiveness in NEPA reviews. The NEPA process was further strengthened by its integration into the revised comprehensive EMS. A new Environmental Policy and Principles was adopted that reestablished the TVA commitments to environmental protection and stewardship, to assess and minimize the effects of TVA operations on the environment, and to involve the public. An Achievement Plan was developed to assure that TVA meets its corporate environmental commitment; that plan recognized the EMS as the principal tool for achieving that goal. Corporate environmental objectives and targets were established, and new methods to measure the overall environmental performance of TVA were introduced. Significantly, the NEPA process was directly linked to other EMS processes, including those for environmental training, communication and stakeholder involvement, records management, environmental auditing, corrective and preventive action, performance monitoring and reporting, and management review. These systematic linkages work together to reinforce all aspects of NEPA performance and to provide improved environmental compliance, cost savings in environmental management programs, and measurable improvements in achievement of TVA environmental objectives. The TVA experience, which takes an agency-wide rather than a facility-based approach to EMS development, may offer insights and an alternative strategy to other agencies addressing NEPA/EMS implementation issues.
The Constitutive Metamodel: A 16-Year Review

This article reviews the uses that have been made of the constitutive metamodel (R. T. Craig, 1999) in the first 16 years since its publication. The metamodel has been widely cited as a shorthand reference to the field, and has been used as a device for teaching theory, reflecting on communication problems from multiple perspectives, and assessing particular theories or subdisciplinary areas in relation to the field as a whole. Scholars have also proposed new traditions of communication theory and at least one revised conception of the traditions in general. Critiques of the metamodel have focused on questions of epistemological bias, disconnection of theory from research, the definition of traditions, and the potential for productive dialogue in the field.
Dynamic on-demand lightpath provisioning using spectral defragmentation in flexible bandwidth networks

We propose a spectral defragmentation algorithm and corresponding node architectures with wavelength conversion to support on-demand lightpath provisioning in flexible bandwidth optical networks. Simulation results demonstrate six-fold reductions in blocking rates with defragmentation.
From the Editor---Decisions over Time (Exploding Offers or Purchase Regret), in Game Settings (Embedded Nash Bargaining or Adversarial Games), and in Influence Diagrams

Our first two articles address decisions involving the passage of time. First, Steven A. Lippman and John W. Mamer explore the question of whether making “Exploding Offers” is beneficial to an employer seeking to hire or, in a more general framing of the question, to a purchaser of an asset. Next, in “Dynamic Purchase Decisions Under Regret: Price and Availability,” Enrico Diecidue, Nils Rudi, and Wenjie Tang examine situations in which a person can make a forward purchase in period 1 or a spot purchase in period 2. Our next two articles involve game theoretic models. In our third article, Steven A. Lippman and Kevin F. McCardle model joint decision making (motivated by dividing up a fortune) via “Embedded Nash Bargaining: Risk Aversion and Impatience.” The fourth article is “Robust Adversarial Risk Analysis: A Level-k Approach,” by Laura McLay, Casey Rothschild, and Seth Guikema. The final article is on “A Framework for Solving Hybrid Influence Diagrams Containing Deterministic Conditional Distributions,” by Yijing Li and Prakash P. Shenoy.
The Placebo Effect in Marketing: Sometimes You Just Have to Want It to Work

In their article, Shiv, Carmon, and Ariely (2005, hereinafter SCA) document for the first time that nonconscious expectations about the relationship between price and quality can influence consumers in a placebo-like manner. Even when the price paid for a good has absolutely no relationship to its actual quality, consumers’ nonconscious beliefs about the price‐quality relationship change their actual experience with the good. As Berns (2005) notes, performance is enhanced beyond the baseline by drawing attention to the marketing claims surrounding the product. Broadly speaking, a placebo has been defined in the medical literature as “a substance or procedure that has no inherent power to produce an effect that is sought or expected” (Stewart-Williams and Podd 2004). In more colloquial terms, a placebo is essentially a “sugar pill.” Such placebo effects have been observed in numerous medical settings, from relatively benign maladies, such as warts and the common cold, to more serious diseases, such as diabetes, angina, and cancer (Kirsch 1997). Across multiple medical domains, the placebo effect has been shown to be enduring and even capable of reversing the effects of active medications (Kirsch 1997). In marketing, a placebo of this form might be a brand that claims to have certain properties that it does not actually possess and, through such claims, changes the consumer’s behavior. In their work, SCA demonstrate that expectations play an important role in marketing placebo effects. Indeed, support for the efficacy of expectations goes back more than 1700 years: “He cures most in whom most are confident” (Galen, qtd. in Jensen and Karoly 1991). In the study we report herein, we extend SCA’s results by demonstrating the importance of motivation—a person’s desire to experience the product’s purported benefits—as a driver of marketing placebo effects. Motivation has also been shown to play a strong role in medical placebo studies such that when people want the physical symptoms, a placebo effect more likely will manifest (Jensen and Karoly 1991; Vase et al. 2003). We also extend and support SCA’s findings by documenting for the first time a sugar pill placebo effect for everyday
Genetic multiway partitioning

This research investigates a new software tool for Genetic Partitioning. The Genetic Algorithm is used to perform the partitioning with a significant improvement in result quality. Furthermore, it can optimize a cost function with multiple objectives and constraints. Separate algorithms have been developed, fine-tuned for bipartitioning and multiway partitioning. The bipartitioning problem is represented as a binary chromosome. Efficient bit-mask operations perform crossover, mutation, and net cut evaluation 32 bits at a time, without unpacking. The multiway partitioning algorithm has a global view of the problem, and generates/optimizes all the necessary partitions simultaneously. The algorithms were tested on the MCNC benchmark circuits, and the cut size obtained was lower than that for the conventional Fiduccia-Mattheyses algorithm.
Management of infection at the site of a total knee arthroplasty.

Infection following total knee arthroplasty remains a major complication in joint reconstruction, resulting in significant morbidity to the patient and increased hospital costs. The diagnosis of infection is often made based on clinical criteria, although adjunctive measures including blood work, plain radiographs, and arthrocentesis are often helpful in confirming the diagnosis and planning subsequent treatment. For patients in whom the diagnosis of infection cannot be immediately confirmed, an acute intraoperative tissue analysis by a skilled pathologist and experienced surgeon is required. Treatment of this complication is directed by the chronicity of the infection, stability of the components, and medical status of the patient. Although debridement with component retention may be successful in the acute postoperative stage of joint replacement, a two-staged revision with removal of all components followed by an adequate course of parenteral antibiotics prior to reimplantation remains the gold standard for eradicating chronic infection. The addition of antibiotic-impregnated cement spacers (static or articulating) has also been implicated as a useful adjunct to treatment. Long-term suppressive antibiotic treatment, arthrodesis, resection arthroplasty, and amputation are reserved for specific clinical situations in which a staged revision or debridement are unlikely to yield favorable results.
CPT site characterization for seismic hazards in the New Madrid seismic zone

A series of cone penetration tests (CPTs) were conducted in the vicinity of the New Madrid seismic zone in central USA for quantifying seismic hazards, obtaining geotechnical soil properties, and conducting studies at liquefaction sites related to the 1811– 1812 and prehistoric New Madrid earthquakes. The seismic piezocone provides four independent measurements for delineating the stratigraphy, liquefaction potential, and site amplification parameters. At the same location, two independent assessments of soil liquefaction susceptibility can be made using both the normalized tip resistance ðqc1NÞ and shear wave velocity ðVs1Þ: In lieu of traditional deterministic approaches, the CPT data can be processed using probability curves to assess the level and likelihood of future liquefaction occurrence. q 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Neural networks, qualitative-fuzzy logic and granular adaptive systems

Though traditional neural networks and fuzzy logic are powerful universal approximators, however without some refinements, they may not, in general, be good approximators for adaptive systems. By extending fuzzy sets to qualitative fuzzy sets, fuzzy logic may become universal approximators for adaptive systems. Similar considerations can be extended to neural networks.
Demand estimation for the Iranian automobile industry

Abstract The main contribution of this paper is a simple theoretical framework and empirical estimations explaining the behavior of the manufacturers. The paper focuses on the frequently used methods of demand estimation for discrete choice models to analyze the Iranian automobile market. It shows how both major companies in Iran choose to produce lower quality products and why they still collusively charge high markups. Empirical estimations are based on Berry, Levinsohn, and Pakes (1995) to predict marginal costs and markups. Estimation results also support the hypothesis that manufacturers are charging high markups. In addition, the counterfactual analysis carried out supports the view that both duopolist firms prefer to operate at lower quality rather than at higher quality production levels. They also collusively price their products. Furthermore, analyses are performed using the Multinomial Logit methodology to better understand the Iranian automobile market. Tastes of people with different genders and ages for some specific cars are explained, and the effects of population changes on auto demand are predicted.
Algebraic curves that work better

An algebraic curve is defined as the zero set of a polynomial in two variables. Algebraic curves are practical for modeling shapes much more complicated than conics or superquadrics. The main drawback in representing shapes by algebraic curves has been the lack of repeatability in fitting algebraic curves to data. A regularized fast linear fitting method based on ridge regression and restricting the representation to well behaved subsets of polynomials is proposed, and its properties are investigated. The fitting algorithm is of sufficient stability for very fast position-invariant shape recognition, position estimation, and shape tracking, based on new invariants and representations, and is appropriate to open as well as closed curves of unorganized data. Among appropriate applications are shape-based indexing into image databases.
Phosphorus stereochemistry : Mechanistic implications of the observed stereochemistry of bond forming and breaking processes at phosphorus in some 5- and 6-membered cyclic phosphorus esters

Abstract The stereochemistry of endocyclic and exocyclic bond forming and breaking processes in 5- and 6-membered cyclic phosphorus esters is summarised and comparisons are made with analogous reactions in acyclic phosphorus esters. The factors that determine which bonds are broken and whether reactions occur with inversion or retention of configuration at phosphorus are complex and usually have more obvious effects for reactions in cyclic than in acyclic phosphorus esters ; in particular conformational effects may be important. The stereochemistry of migration of phosphorus ester groups across 1,3-diols is also described. It is suggested that nucleophilic substitutions at phosphorus are inherently stereospecific in the sense that trigonal bipyramidal reaction intermediates break down either directly or following a single Berry Pseudorotation or Turnstile rotation process. Multiple Turnstile rotations which would lead to racemisation, and which apparently do occur in stable phosphoranes, are insignificant for reactions involving trigonal bipyramidal intermediates.
On the Fractional Wideband and Narrowband Ambiguity Function in Radar and Sonar

We construct the wideband ambiguity function for signals represented by their fractional Fourier transforms. Because the reflected signal must be represented as a Doppler scaled version of the transmitted signal, this wideband form of ambiguity does not enjoy many of the same properties as the narrowband form (which is formed from a Doppler shifted version of the signal). We present the general result and also examine an approximation appropriate to wideband signals reflected from slowly moving targets
Fostering approachability and classroom participation during the first day of class Evidence for a reciprocal interview activity

Students and faculty often have different goals for the first day of class. While teaching advice books recommend actively engaging students in the course from the start, students often `shop' for classes and report being primarily concerned with gathering practical information. The aim of this article is to introduce a reciprocal interview activity that attempts to achieve both goals by creating a dynamic conversation in which the instructor inquires about the students' goals and expectations and, in turn, the students collectively interview the instructor about his or her goals and expectations. Preliminary findings indicate that students evaluate the activity favorably and feel more comfortable participating in class and more comfortable approaching the instructor about class-related and non-class-related issues after the activity. Additional benefits and uses for both students and instructors are discussed.
Identity, Strategy, and Feminist Politics: Clemency for Battered Women Who Kill

This paper examines the impact of activism by feminists in the Ohio battered women's movement on the decision by Governor Richard Celeste to grant clemency to 26 women who were incarcerated for killing or assaulting abusive intimate partners or stepfathers. Drawing on post-modern, critical, and feminist critiques oftheories of liberal democracy, I expand the definition of activism and identify the strategy and tactics used by feminists in this movement. I find that feminists used their careers and personal relationships to establish consciousness raising groups in prison. Through these newly created democratic spaces, they established a social movement community within the women's prison and expanded incarcerated battered women's access to authorities and the public. I conclude by discussing how feminists created an opportunity structure that resulted in clemency, and I suggest strategies and tactics social movements will need to consider in political and cultural settings hostile to their goals and constituents.
Submarine Sand Dunes and Sedimentary Environments in Oceanographer Canyon

ABSTRACT Observations from research submersibles in the northern part of Oceanographer Canyon reveal the presence of an extensive field of large sand dunes on the canyon floor. The dunes are medium to coarse sand, are oriented across the axis, and the largest of them are as high as 3 m and have wavelengths up to 15 m. Their asymmetry, grain size, and height suggest that they are formed by axial currents flowing up- and downcanyon and that the largest dunes require flows of at least 70 cm/sec. Shelf sand, low in silt and clay content, is transported by currents down and along the canyon walls onto the canyon floor. As the sand enters the canyon, it is mixed with immobile gravel deposits on the canyon rim; lower on the walls, the sand is mixed with silt and clay burrowed by organisms from the se iconsolidated sandy silt that underlies the canyon walls and floor. Upon reaching the canyon floor, the sand is sculpted into bed forms by currents, and the fines are winnowed out and transported out of the canyon. At present, the shelf and canyon walls are being eroded by bottom currents and burrowing organisms, whereas the canyon floor is covered by mobile sand that moves both up and down the axis in this part of the canyon.
Measurement of distributions of differential Group delay in a recirculating loop with and without loop-synchronous scrambling

Using the Jones matrix eigenanalysis and Poincare/spl acute/ arc methods, we measured the differential group delay (DGD) in a recirculating loop for arbitrary fiber realizations and for different round trips. The measurement uncertainty was less than 2.0 ps in most cases. With this capability, we measured the DGD distribution with and without loop-synchronous polarization scrambling. We found that the DGD distribution can be influenced by the slow drift of fiber realization in the loop.