cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Putting Incentives in Context: A Reply to Penny

Richard Penny argues that Rawls’s commitment to self-respect puts him at odds with his endorsement of unequalizing incentives. Penny draws on G.A. Cohen’s distinction between ‘lax’ and ‘strict’ readings of the difference principle to make this point. Given this, Penny concludes that Rawls faces a dilemma: either Rawls weakens his endorsement of unequalizing incentives or weakens his commitment to self-respect. By taking the difference principle in isolation, Penny creates a false dilemma. I will argue that once we place the difference principle in the context of Rawls’s theory as a whole, we find that unequalizing incentives pose no danger to the self-respect of the least advantaged. Moreover, I will argue that a strict reading of the difference principle is incompatible with the self-respect of all citizens in a well-ordered society given the fact of reasonable pluralism. My arguments reveal the importance of seeing self-respect as a threshold good, rather than a relative one.
Skeletal effects of nutrients and nutraceuticals, beyond calcium and vitamin D

There is a need to understand the role of nutrition, beyond calcium and vitamin D, in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in adults. Results regarding soy compounds on bone density and bone turnover are inconclusive perhaps due to differences in dose and composition or in study population characteristics. The skeletal benefit of black cohosh and red clover are unknown. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) use may benefit elderly individuals with low serum dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate levels, but even in this group, there are inconsistent benefits to bone density (BMD). Higher fruit and vegetable intakes may relate to higher BMD. The skeletal benefit of flavonoids, carotenoids, omega-3-fatty acids, and vitamins A, C, E and K are limited to observational data or a few clinical trials, in some cases investigating pharmacologic doses. Given limited data, it would be better to get these nutrients from fruits and vegetables. Potassium bicarbonate may improve calcium homeostasis but with little impact on bone loss. High homocysteine may relate to fracture risk, but the skeletal benefit of each B vitamin is unclear. Magnesium supplementation is likely only required in persons with low magnesium levels. Data are very limited for the role of nutritional levels of boron, strontium, silicon and phosphorus in bone health. A nutrient rich diet with adequate fruits and vegetables will generally meet skeletal needs in healthy individuals. For most healthy adults, supplementation with nutrients other than calcium and vitamin D may not be required, except in those with chronic disease and the frail elderly.
High-Speed Design and Broadband Modeling of Through-Strata-Vias (TSVs) in 3D Integration

Through-strata-via (TSV) technology emerges as the key technology to enable 3D integration. In this paper, 3D electromagnetic field solvers and analytic circuit simulators are employed to study and model TSV electrical performance. Performance of simple TSV structure is analyzed in the time domain and frequency domain. Performance impacts of various TSV configurations are evaluated. A broadband TSV equivalent circuit model is developed for 3D circuit design. Key results include: 1) excellent TDR/TDT behavior and wide open eye diagram with ultra low bit error rate can be achieved with a given TSV configuration; 2) TSV performance depends on TSV configurations (e.g., circular, rectangular, square, tapered, and annular shapes as well as their scaling), but a wide range of different TSV configurations can be optimized with acceptable TSV performance; and 3) broadband TSV equivalent circuit models can be established and used for 3D circuit design with electronic design automation tools.
A single-institution experience: the integrated vascular surgery residency's effect on fellowship and general surgery resident case volume and diversity.

Background To determine whether the formation of an integrated vascular surgery residency (0 + 5) has negatively impacted the case volume and diversity of the vascular surgery fellows (5 + 2) and chief general surgeons at the same institution. Methods Operative data from the vascular integrated (0 + 5), independent (5 + 2), and general surgery residencies at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed to determine vascular surgery case volumes from 2006–2012. National operative data (Residency Review Committee) were used for comparison of diversity and volume. Standard statistical methods were applied. Results During this period, the 5 + 2 fellows at our institution performed on average 741 (range, 554–1002) primary cases and 1091 (range, 844–1479) combined primary and secondary cases for the 2-year fellowship. Our integrated residency began in July 2007. Our fellows’ primary case volumes remained relatively stable between 2006 and 2011, with a 4% increase in the number of cases, although their total (primary and secondary) case volumes fell 15%; by comparison, the equivalent national 50th percentile rates rose 16% during this time frame. Our institution’s general surgery residents performed an average of 116 (range, 56–221) vascular cases individually during their 5-year residency from 2005–2011. From 2006–2011, the total case volume fell only 5%, while the national 50th percentile rate fell 24%. Across all years, however, resident and fellow volumes both continue to be above Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education minimum requirements, and the major vascular case volume at our institution in all groups studied remained statistically greater than or equal to the national 50th percentile of cases. Our first integrated resident to graduate finished in June 2012 with 931 total vascular cases and 249 general surgery cases for a total operative experience of 1180 cases during the 5-year residency. Finally, after an 8-year period (2003–2010) in which none of our general surgery residents pursued vascular training, 1 resident in each of the 2011, 2012, and 2013 graduating years has now done so. Conclusions At our institution, the introduction of a 0 + 5 vascular residency has correlated with a modest drop (15%) in overall case volume for the 5 + 2 fellows, but the number of primary cases have actually increased slightly and they continue to meet or exceed Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requirements and national 50th percentile rates. General surgery residents’ vascular volumes, by contrast, have remained stable, and interest in vascular surgery by residents has increased. Our integrated vascular residents are projected to exceed the fellows’ 50th percentile case volume and diversity targets during their residency experience.
Mutagenesis modulates the uptake efficiency, cell-selectivity, and functional enzyme delivery of a protein transduction domain

Alanine scanning mutagenesis of a recently reported prostate cancer cell-selective Protein Transduction Domain (PTD) was used to assess the specific contribution each residue plays in cell uptake efficiency and cell-selectivity. These studies resulted in the identification of two key residues. Extensive mutagenesis at these key residues generated multiple mutants with significantly improved uptake efficiency and cell-selectivity profiles for targeted cells. The best mutant exhibits ∼19-fold better uptake efficiency and ∼4-fold improved cell-selectivity for a human prostate cancer cell line. In addition, while the native PTD sequence was capable of delivering functional fluorescent protein to the interior of a prostate cancer cells, only modest functional enzyme delivery was achieved. In contrast, the most potent mutant was able to deliver large quantities of a functional enzyme to the interior of human prostate cancer cells. Taken together, the research described herein has significantly improved the efficiency, cell-selectivity, and functional utility of a prostate cancer PTD.
An examination of the sensitivity of successive discrimination reversal (SDR) measures to differences in motivational level with squirrel monkeys

To determine the sensitivity of successive discrimination reversal (SDR) measures to differences in motivational level, performances of two groups of Squirrel monkeys on a spatial reversal were compared at 10% and 30% body weight reduction values. Greater error scores were made by the 30% group. As in previous work with pigeons, the locus of the motivational effect appeared to be increased resistance to extinction of the previously correct response.
Factors Precipitating Suicidality among Homeless Youth: A Quantitative Follow-Up

Homeless youth are a population at a high risk for suicidal behavior. A previous exploratory study emphasized the importance of feeling trapped or helpless, which appeared to mediate the impact of other risk variables. Confirmatory work was needed to test this inductively derived model. Two hundred eight homeless youths completed surveys on the streets and in agencies in New York City and Toronto. Structural equation modeling was used to test a theoretical model developed from exploratory work, and regression analyses were used to examine the influence of home and street contextual variables. The centrality of the trapped experience in a model incorporating drug use and dependence, abusive family history, loneliness, low self-esteem, and suicidality was confirmed. Other findings included a marked reduction in reported suicidal behavior following participants' leaving home, with family violence, being thrown out of the home, neglect, poor physical health, and having suicidal friends showing strong relationships with suicidality.
Intravascular Ultrasonic Characteristics and Vasoreactivity of the Pulmonary Vasculature in Children With Pulmonary Hypertension

We sought to describe the morphologic characteristics of pulmonary arteries by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in children with and without pulmonary hypertension to compare these anatomic findings with those of pulmonary wedge angiography, and to determine the relation between these structural findings and functional reactivity to pulmonary vasodilators. Direct evaluation of pulmonary vascular structure in children with pulmonary hypertension with current imaging techniques has been limited and little is known about the relation between structural and functional characteristics of the pulmonary vasculature. In 23 children undergoing cardiac catheterization (15 with pulmonary hypertension and 8 controls) we performed IVUS and pulmonary wedge angiography of the distal pulmonary arteries in the same lobe. IVUS was performed in 44 pulmonary arteries measuring 2.5 to 5.0 mm internal diameter with a 3.5Fr 30-MHz IVUS catheter. We assessed vasoreactivity to inhaled nitric oxide (NO) and oxygen in 13 of 15 children with pulmonary hypertension. Baseline pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) was greater in the 15 children with pulmonary hypertension than in the 8 controls (9.5+/-1.9 vs 1.5+/-0.3 U x m2, p <0.05). NO lowered PVR in patients with pulmonary hypertension (p <0.05). IVUS studies in patients with pulmonary hypertension showed a thicker middle layer, wall thickness ratio, and diminished pulsatility than did those in controls (p <0.05). The inner layer was not visualized by IVUS in any control patient, but was seen in 9 of 15 patients with pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary artery wedge angiography correlated with baseline mean pulmonary artery pressure and PVR as well as with IVUS findings of wall thickness ratio and inner layer thickness. The inner layer was not visualized by IVUS in any patient with grade 1 wedge angiograms or in 86% of patients with grade 2 wedge angiograms. All patients with grade 4 and 80% of patients with grade 3 wedge angiograms had a visible inner layer. Vasoreactivity to NO and oxygen did not correlate with structural assessment of the pulmonary vasculature by IVUS. Structural changes in the pulmonary arteries in children with pulmonary hypertension can be directly visualized by IVUS, but are not predictive of NO-induced pulmonary vasodilation. IVUS examination of pulmonary arteries may complement current techniques utilized in the evaluation of children with pulmonary hypertension.
The Household Registration System and Migrant Labor in China: Notes on a Debate

The household registration (hukou) system in China, classifying each person as a rural or an urban resident, is a major means of controlling population mobility and determining eligibility for state-provided services and welfare. Established in the late 1950s, it was initially used to bar rural-to-urban migration. After the late 1970s reforms, an inflow of rural migrant workers was allowed into the cities to meet labor demands in the burgeoning export industries and urban services without, however, changing the migrants' registered status, thus precluding their access to subsidized housing and other benefits available to those with urban registration. While there have been many calls for reforming this system, progress has been limited. Proposed reforms have attracted increasing academic and media attention.
Rediscovering missing web pages using link neighborhood lexical signatures

For discovering the new URI of a missing web page, lexical signatures, which consist of a small number of words chosen to represent the "aboutness" of a page, have been previously proposed. However, prior methods relied on computing the lexical signature before the page was lost, or using cached or archived versions of the page to calculate a lexical signature. We demonstrate a system of constructing a lexical signature for a page from its link neighborhood, that is the "backlinks", or pages that link to the missing page. After testing various methods, we show that one can construct a lexical signature for a missing web page using only ten backlink pages. Further, we show that only the first level of backlinks are useful in this effort. The text that the backlinks use to point to the missing page is used as input for the creation of a four-word lexical signature. That lexical signature is shown to successfully find the target URI in more than half of the test cases.
LINEBACkER: Bio-inspired data reduction toward real time network traffic analysis

One essential component of resilient cyber applications is the ability to detect adversaries and protect systems with the same flexibility adversaries will use to achieve their goals. Current detection techniques do not enable this degree of flexibility because most existing applications are built using exact or regular-expression matching to libraries of rule sets. Further, network traffic defies traditional cyber security approaches that focus on limiting access based on the use of passwords and examination of lists of installed or downloaded programs. These approaches do not readily apply to network traffic occurring beyond the access control point, and when the data in question are combined control and payload data of ever increasing speed and volume. Manual analysis of network traffic is not normally possible because of the magnitude of the data that is being exchanged and the length of time that this analysis takes. At the same time, using an exact matching scheme to identify malicious traffic in real time often fails because the lists against which such searches must operate grow too large. In this work, we propose an adaptation of biosequence alignment as an alternative method for cyber network detection based on similarity-measuring algorithms for gene sequence analysis. These methods are ideal because they were designed to identify similar but non-identical sequences. We demonstrate that our method is generally applicable to the problem of network traffic analysis by illustrating its use in two different areas based on different attributes of network traffic. Our approach provides a logical framework for organizing large collections of network data, prioritizing traffic of interest to human analysts, and makes it possible to discover traffic signatures without the bias introduced by expert-directed signature generation. Pattern recognition on reduced representations of network traffic offers a fast, efficient, and more robust way to detect anomalies.
Distributed transducers and colocation

Abstract Colocated sensors and actuators offer significant robustness and design benefits in distributed parameter vibration control. The concept of colocation is extended here to distributed transducers, and combinations of distributed and discrete transducers, affixed to self-adjoint distributed plants. It is shown that sensors and actuators are colocated only when they have both physically coincident spatial apertures and their "spatial derivative orders" are equal: these constraints are expressed mathematically as an integral equation, valid for multidimensional distributed plants. It is also shown that in satisfying these constraints the resulting transducer-augmented plant, if open-loop stable, is minimum phase. These results are demonstrated by a transducer placement study combining distributed piezoelectric actuators with both discrete and distributed sensors. Conditions under which various combinations of discrete and distributed devices are colocated are developed, with examples.
Comparing the ecophysiology of four tree species growing in the coastal temperate rainforests of Prince William Sound, Alaska

This comparative study examines the ecophysiology of four endemic plant species abundant in the coastal temperate rainforests of Prince William Sound, Alaska. Photosynthesis in Alnus crispa ssp. sinuate (Betulaceae), Rubus spectabilis (Rosaceae), Vaccinium alaskaense and V. ovalifolium (Ericaceae) was measured with a MINI-Pulse Amplitude Modulated (PAM) fluorometer. A. sinuate (sun) and R. spectabilis (partial shade) had higher photosynthetic capacities (maximum apparent photosynthetic electron transport rates, ETRmax) and higher light saturation intensities (I k) than V. alaskaense (partial shade) and V. ovalifolium (shade). A. sinuate was less sensitive to photoprotective down regulation through the xanthophyll cycle (qE) than R. spectabilis. Vaccinium species showed similar photosynthetic characteristics except V. ovalifolium was sensitive qE while V. alaskaense was not. A comparison of A. sinuate trees growing in the ‘sun’ versus ‘shade’ revealed sun trees had higher ETRmax and I k than shade trees. High photochemical quenching (qP; 0.893–0.978), associated with photochemical productivity, measured along with low non-photochemical quenching (qN; 0.252–0.678) at I k revealed shade plants are acclimated to low ambient light, and have limited use for qN. Nonetheless, at higher light intensities, all species are ready to safely dissipate excess light in non-photochemical quenching to heat based on qN (~0.6–0.8) and NPQ (~0.7–2.6). These findings illustrate the adaptive responses of plants growing at high latitudes with respect to photoacclimation. Differences between plants were correlated to their position along the natural light gradient created by the forest canopy.
Ex vivo catheter-based imaging of coronary atherosclerosis using multimodality OCT and NIRAF excited at 633 nm.

While optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been shown to be capable of imaging coronary plaque microstructure, additional chemical/molecular information may be needed in order to determine which lesions are at risk of causing an acute coronary event. In this study, we used a recently developed imaging system and double-clad fiber (DCF) catheter capable of simultaneously acquiring both OCT and red excited near-infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF) images (excitation: 633 nm, emission: 680nm to 900nm). We found that NIRAF is elevated in lesions that contain necrotic core – a feature that is critical for vulnerable plaque diagnosis and that is not readily discriminated by OCT alone. We first utilized a DCF ball lens probe and a bench top setup to acquire en face NIRAF images of aortic plaques ex vivo (n = 20). In addition, we used the OCT-NIRAF system and fully assembled catheters to acquire multimodality images from human coronary arteries (n = 15) prosected from human cadaver hearts (n = 5). Comparison of these images with corresponding histology demonstrated that necrotic core plaques exhibited significantly higher NIRAF intensity than other plaque types. These results suggest that multimodality intracoronary OCT-NIRAF imaging technology may be used in the future to provide improved characterization of coronary artery disease in human patients.
Ventricular Arrhythmias after Intravenous Sodium Lactate in Heart Block

Molar sodium lactate has been described as a safe and effective agent in the treatment of bradycardia accompanying complete heart block. However, in 12 patients with heart block, hypertonic lactate infusions produced ventricular tachycardia in 6 and an increased idioventricular rate in only 4. Isopropylnorepinephrine was more effective and without such hazard. The effects of alkalosis from molar lactate, 5 per cent sodium bicarbonate, and hyperventilation are compared. Of these 3, lactate was productive of the greatest ventricular acceleration.
Comprehensive Review of Planar Pulsed Inductive Plasma Thruster Research and Technology

Nomenclature B, B = magnetic induction, T C = capacitance, F E = electric field, V=m E0 = initial energy, J e0 = specific energy, J=kg I = current, A Ibit = impulse bit, N s Isp = specific impulse, s j = current density, A=m _ L = dynamic impedance, H=s LC = coil inductance, H L0 = initial inductance, H L0 = inductance per unit length, H=m L = inductance ratio M = mutual inductance, H; molecular mass, kg mbit = mass bit, kg=pulse mc = critical mass, kg Q1 = first ionization potential, J r = radial coordinate, m Re = external resistance, Rp = plasma resistance, t = time, s ue = exhaust velocity, m=s v = velocity, m=s Vp = plasma voltage, V V0 = initial charge voltage, V z = axial coordinate, m z0 = electromagnetic stroke length, m = dynamic impedance parameter L = inductance change, H = resistivity, m; efficiency, % = nonpropulsive energy fraction A = linear mass density, kg=m = magnetic flux, W 1, 2 = critical resistance ratios
Vibrational energy transfer in near resonance due to dipole–dipole interactions

The contribution of long-range forces to the observed rates of V V energy transfer processes has been studied. The theoretical model uses the first order perturbation approximation to generate a probability function, with the dipole–dipole perturbing potential as given by Margenau: Vif = [(1/6)1/2μ1 · μ2]R−3. The probability function derived is shown to be a strong function of the energy mismatch between the IR bands of the colliding molecules. The calculation emphasizes the importance of rotational state population effects, the most important J states being those which minimize the energy mismatch. A complete analysis of energy transfer between CO(v) and COS(000) where v = 1,2, 13 is presented. The calculation reveals the importance of combination bands in the energy transfer mechanism of polyatomics. The temperature dependence for near-resonant processes is also studied and the importance of the V R energy transfer leads to the classification of ω0 (band-center energy mismatch) into three categories small, medium, and large, according to the temperature dependence that the corresponding processes exhibit. The predictions of the theoretical model are compared to experimental data for the same system.
The New Task of R&D Management: Creating Goal-Directed Communities for Innovation

How do firms manage research and development units to optimize their innovation capabilities? First, the most innovative RD relying much more heavily on intrinsic rewards than extrinsic rewards; building cohesive teams that preserve individuality; and assuring a continuous supply of slack resources.
Purification of Phosphatidylinositol Synthetase from Rat Brain by CDP‐Diacylglycerol Affinity Chromatography and Properties of the Purified Enzyme

: A purification procedure for rat brain phosphatidylinositol synthetase (PI synthetase; CDP-1,2-diacylsn-glycerol:myo-inositol 3-phosphatidyltransferase; EC 2.7.8.11) is described. The enzyme was purified 200–250-fold from the homogenate by solubilization with Triton X-100 from microsomal membranes and affinity chromatography on CDP-diacylglycerol-Sepharose. Elution of enzyme activity required the presence of Triton X-100, CDP-diacylglycerol, and either phosphatidylcholine or asolectin. The product that was obtained in 5–10% yield from whole brain and in 70% yield from the microsomal fraction contained three protein bands as determined by sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The final preparation contained levels of CDP-diacylglycerol hydrolase and CDP-diacylglycerol: sn-glycero-3-phosphate 3-phosphatidyltransferase activities that were less than 1% of PI synthetase activity. The purified enzyme displayed a pH optimum of 8.5–9.0, required either Mg2+ or Mn2+ and exhibited a Km of 4.6 mM for myo-inositol.
A Comparison of the Hemodynamic Effects of Inotropic Agents

Abstract This experimental study was conducted to compare and contrast the cardiovascular effects of the drugs most commonly used to alleviate low-cardiac-output syndrome. Twenty-five adult mongrel dogs were infused with sodium pentobarbital (60 mg/min) until their cardiac output fell to 50 ± 5% of the average control values determined by thermodilution technique prior to pentobarbital infusion. The dogs were then divided into six groups, and one of the following agents or combinations of agents was administered to each group: isoproterenol, glucagon, dopamine, dobutamine, levarterenol and phentolamine, or levarterenol and nitroprusside. All drugs, except for glucagon and the combination of levarterenol and nitroprusside, produced an increase in cardiac output above the nonfailure baseline values. However, this increase was accompanied by an undesirable, pronounced tachycardia except when levarterenol was used simultaneously with phentolamine. Both dopamine and the combined infusion of levarterenol and phentolamine proved the most effective in restoring systemic arterial pressure to near baseline values, and both were able to increase renal blood flow above the failure baseline values. While renal blood flow remained elevated with all dosages of levarterenol and phentolamine, it tended to decrease with larger doses of dopamine. These experiments demonstrate that there are major advantages in the use of simultaneously infused levarterenol and phentolamine for control of low-cardiac-output syndrome: increased cardiac output without elevated peripheral vascular resistance, restoration of systemic arterial pressure and consequent improved coronary flow, absence of tachycardia, and augmented renal blood flow.
An η2-vinyl pathway may explain net trans hydrosilylation via transition metal catalysis even in cyclic cases

Recently published results seem to rule out the accepted η2-vinyl pathway for net trans addition in alkyne hydrosilation in cyclic cases. We now suggest how these results can be rationalized on the basis of the accepted mechanism using two concepts: the electrophilic carbene character of η2-vinyl groups and the tendency of silyl groups to migrate to electron-deficient centers.
Estrogens and the kidney

This paper presents a review of the major anatomical, biochemical and physiological effects of estrogens upon the kidney. The field awaits a careful, systematic and comprehensive study.
Immunophysiology; increase in radiosodium space of adrenal glands in rabbits sensitized with human plasma.

SummaryRabbits sensitized with human plasma (10 ml/kg) developed humoral antibody following a mean interval of 6.5 days. No changes were noted in the blood volume or in the thiocyanate or radiosodium space at that time. Tissue analyses revealed the radiosodium space to be significantly increased in the adrenal gland of those animals given injections of untreated plasma, as compared with animals given denatured plasma or no antigen at all. No such increase was noted in any of the 14 other tissues or organs studied. No significant differences in the water content of any of the tissues or organs were found.
Molecular and functional imaging of breast cancer

Despite several major advances in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, the American Cancer Society has estimated that in the US alone 43300 women and 400 men will die from breast cancer in 2007. Breast cancer typically is a multi-focal, multi-faceted disease, with the major cause of mortality being complications due to metastasis. Whereas a decade ago genetic alterations were the primary focus in cancer research, it is now apparent that the physiological tumor microenvironment, interactions between cancer cells and stromal cells such as endothelial cells, fibroblasts and macrophages, the extracellular matrix, and a multitude of secreted factors and cytokines influence progression, aggressiveness, and response of the disease to treatment. Prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment are the three broad challenges for MR molecular and functional imaging in reducing mortality from this disease. Multi-parametric molecular and functional MRI provides unprecedented opportunities for identifying novel targets for imaging and therapy at the bench, as well as for accurate diagnosis and monitoring response to therapy at the bedside. Here we provide an overview of the current status of molecular and functional MRI of breast cancer, outlining some key developments, as well as identifying some of the important challenges facing this field in the future.
The Müller-Lyer illusion in ant foraging.

The Muller-Lyer illusion is a classical geometric illusion in which the apparent (perceived) length of a line depends on whether the line terminates in an arrow tail or arrowhead. This effect may be caused by economic compensation for the gap between the physical stimulus and visual fields. Here, we show that the Muller-Lyer illusion can also be produced by the foraging patterns of garden ants (Lasius niger) and that the pattern obtained can be explained by a simple, asynchronously updated foraging ant model. Our results suggest that the geometric illusion may be a byproduct of the foraging process, in which local interactions underlying efficient exploitation can also give rise to global exploration, and that visual information processing in human could implement similar modulation between local efficient processing and widespread computation.
New Evidence for the effectiveness of the early screening inventory

This article presents data concerning the psychometric properties of the Early Screening Inventory (ESI; Meisels & Wiske, 1983 ), a developmental screening instrument designed to identify 4- to 6-year-old children at high risk for school failure. Presented in this article are normative data based on a national sample of 2,746 children, item analyses, interrater and test-retest reliability data, predictive validity data based on a subsample of 179 children, and preliminary data concerning an innovative method for enhancing ESI predictions by combining the ESI with its accompanying Parent Questionnaire. Results indicate that the ESI is a developmental screening instrument that distinguishes clearly between children who are referred and not referred. It is highly reliable and valid, and it may be possible to increase its accuracy by combining it with the Parent Questionnaire. The article concludes with a discussion of the importance of incorporating multiple sources of information into the screening process.
Neural network computational algorithms for least squares estimation problems

Summary form only given, as follows. New computational algorithms employing the Hopfield neural network model are presented for the design of minimum variance estimators. By developing appropriate energy functions and a number representation scheme, systematic procedures for programming the neural network are specified for the two major problems in estimation, namely parameter estimation and state estimation. The programming complexity of the algorithms is discussed and the results of some simulation experiments are presented to demonstrate the performance features. >
Medullary μ and δ opioid receptors modulate mesencephalic morphine analgesia in rats

Supraspinal opioid analgesia is mediated in part by connections between the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) and rostral ventral medulla (RVM) which includes the nuclei raphe magnus and reticularis gigantocellularis. Serotonergic 5HT2 and 5HT3 receptor subtypes appear to participate in this pathway since general and selective serotonergic antagonists microinjected into the RVM significantly reduced morphine analgesia elicited from the PAG. Since both an enkephalinergic pathway between the PAG and RVM and intrinsic enkephalinergic cells in the RVM exist, the present study evaluated the abilities of general (naltrexone), μ-selective (β-funaltrexamine: B-FNA) andδ2-selective (naltrindole) opioid receptor subtype antagonists microinjected into the RVM to alter morphine (2.5 μg) analgesia elicited from the PAG as measured by the tail-flick and jump tests. Mesencephalic morphine analgesia was significantly reduced after pretreatment in the RVM with naltrexone (1–10 μg), B-FNA (0.5–5 μg) or naltrindole (0.5–5 μg). Naltrexone in the RVM failed to alter basal nociceptive thresholds and none of the opioid antagonists were effective in reducing mesencephalic morphine analgesia when they were microinjected into placements lateral or dorsal to the RVM. These data indicate that μ andδ2 opioid receptors in the RVM modulate the transmission of opioid pain-inhibitory signals from the PAG.
Chiral and achiral (imino)phenoxy-based cationic group 4 non-metallocene complexes as catalysts for polymerization of renewable α-methylene-γ-butyrolactones

Protonolysis of M(Bn)4 (M = Zr, Ti; Bn = benzyl) with equimolar 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-[(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)methyl]phenol [(2,6-iPr2C6H3)NC(3,5-tBu2C6H2)OH] in toluene at −30 °C to 25 °C cleanly affords the corresponding achiral (imino)phenoxy-tribenzyl complexes, [(2,6-iPr2C6H3)NC(3,5-tBu2C6H2)O]Zr(Bn)3 (1) and [(2,6-iPr2C6H3)NC(3,5-tBu2C6H2)O]Ti(Bn)3 (2). A chiral dibenzyl complex 3 incorporating the unsymmetric, tetradentate amino(imino)bis(phenoxy) ligand, [2,4-Br2C6H2(O)(6-CH2(NC5H9))CH2NCH(2-adamantyl-4-MeC6H2O)]Zr(Bn)2 (3), has also been prepared using the same protonolysis protocol. Abstractive activation of 1 with B(C6F5)3·THF in CD2Cl2 at room temperature (RT) affords clean, quantitative formation of the corresponding zirconium cation [((2,6-iPr2C6H3)NC(3,5-tBu2C6H2)O)Zr(Bn)2(THF)]+[BnB(C6F5)3]− (4). Likewise, benzyl abstraction of 2 with B(C6F5)3·THF in CD2Cl2 at RT generates the cationic titanium complex [((2,6-iPr2C6H3)NC(3,5-tBu2C6H2)O)Ti(Bn)2(THF)]+[BnB(C6F5)3]− (5), accompanied by a small amount of decomposed species as a result of C6F5 transfer. The dibenzyl cations 4 and 5 have been characterized spectroscopically, and their structures have been confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Characteristics of the coordination polymerization of renewable α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone monomers by the cationic catalysts derived from achiral complexes 1 and 2 as well as chiral complex 3 have been investigated, representing the first study of such polymerization by non-metallocene catalysts.
“The effect of carrier lifetime profile on turn-off time and turn-off losses”

The trade-off between forward voltage drop and device turn-off time can be significantly altered by the proper location of a narrow region of lower lifetime oriented perpendicular to the current flow. The proposed structure is discussed and calculations presented to illustrate this claim. Difference in thyristor turn-off and diode turn-off in an inductive circuit and when driven by a perfect voltage source are investigated. A portion of this investigation was reported at the 1979 PESC.
Mineralized Tissues and Exercise Physiology of Snakes

Previous studies indicate a tight correlation of predatory modes, morphology, and activity physiology in snakes. Active foragers like the coachwhip ( Masticophis flagellum ) exhibit great stamina and high rates of aerobiosis and anaerobiosis during intense exercise. The western rattlesnake ( Crotalus viridis ), a sit-and-wait predator, is capable of bouts of intense activity for limited periods of time before exhaustion. During maximal activity the rattlesnake has moderate powers of anaerobiosis and limited powers of aerobiosis. Superior blood buffering capacity in the coachwhip seems at least partially responsible for its stamina. New evidence presented here indicates that low endurance in the rattlesnake may be associated with exercise-related bone dissolution, resulting in hypercalcemia. Such hypercalcemia may function to further debilitate the already poorly developed blood buffering capacity of the rattlesnake.
Seniority and maturity of debt contracts

Abstract This paper provides a model of how borrowers with private information about their credit prospects choose seniority and maturity of debt. Increased short-term debt leads lenders to liquidate too often. It also increases the sensitivity of financing costs to new information, although better-than-average borrowers desire information sensitivity. The model implies that short-term debt will be senior to long-term debt, and that long-term debt will allow the issue of additional future senior debt. The model also has implications on the structure of leveraged buyouts and on how various types of lenders respond to potential defaults.
Mental illness on television: A study of censorship

This study was part of a larger project directed by C. E. Osgood and J. C. Nunally of the University of Illinois, conducted under a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health. It is especially interesting, not only because of the current controversy over television program control, but for the light it throws on the operation of the network departments charged with the censorship function.
Advances in understanding the renal transport and toxicity of mercury.

As a result of industrialization and changes in the environment during the twentieth century, humans and animals are exposed to numerous chemical forms of mercury, including elemental mercury vapor (Hg[sup 0]), inorganic mercurous (Hg[sup +]) and mercuric (Hg[sup 2+]) compounds, and organic mercuric (R-Hg[sup +] or R-Hg-R; where R represents any organic ligand) compounds. The risk of exposure and subsequent intoxication is of increasing concern because of the steadily increasing deposition of mercury in the environment (Fitzgerald Clarkson, 1991). All forms of mercury have nephrotoxic effects, although disposition and toxicity of mercury in tissues can vary depending on the chemical form of mercury. For example, the initial toxic effects of both elemental mercury and organic forms of mercury are observed in the nervous system. This is due to their lipophilicity, which allows them to cross the blood-brain barrier. At later times, hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity can develop. With inorganic mercurous or mercuric salts, the most prominent effect is nephrotoxicity. Until recently, little was known about the mechanisms involved in the nephropathy induced by mercury. The purpose of this article is to review recent data on the intrarenal accumulation and disposition, nephrotoxicity, and target site specificity of mercury, and factors that modifymore » or alter renal injury induced by mercury. 170 refs., 7 figs.« less
Efficacy of dynamic elastomeric fabric orthoses in the management of scoliosis.

The use of scoliosis correcting dynamic elastomeric fabric orthoses (DEFO) have been used in the UK for a number of years for children with neurological dysfunction or deficit. The subjects would previously have been treated with rigid or semi- rigid constructed spinal jackets, however some have been reported to be less than favourable for some of the conditions. This paper will demonstrate the efficacy of using this type of dynamic orthoses as a treatment over a period of years for a number of single cases.
A geometric model for fatigue crack closure induced by fracture surface roughness

Mechanisms for fatigue crack closure under plane strain conditions have recently been identified at very low (near-threshold) stress intensities in terms of effects of excess corrosion deposits or fracture surface roughness in promoting premature closure of the crack. In the present paper, a geometric model is presented for crack closure induced by fracture surface roughness. This model specifically addresses the contribution from both Mode I and Mode II crack tip displacements in addition to considering the nature of the fracture surface morphology. The implications of this model are briefly discussed in light of the roles of grain size, yield strength, microstructure, and crack size in influencing near-threshold fatigue behavior in engineering alloys.
The impact of an accelerated improvement workshop on ordering and receiving

In collaboration with the Boeing Company, Wichita State University (WSU) Libraries and the Wichita State University Industrial Engineering Department employed Kaizen and Lean Management principles to successfully implement an accelerated improvement workshop (AIW) in the Libraries' Technical Services Department. This case study explains the development of the Kaizen team, planning and training, Kaizen, and Lean Management theory and terminology, and the method used to reduce processing time. Materials processing time was reduced from 25 to 15 days. The team concluded that the AIW event had beneficial results and suggests AIW applications in other library units.
The Advantage of a Focus on Advantage: A Note on Teaching Minority Groups.

made us aware that teaching undergraduate sociology courses dealing with minority groups presents a particular set of challenges. The difficulty we confronted in teaching a course dealing with racial and ethnic groups is two-pronged: on one hand, there is the well-documented problematic nature of the concepts themselves; on the other hand the multiplicity, overlap, and inadequacies of theoretical approaches both at the macrosocial and middle-range levels conflicts with the rather simplistic treatment of race and difference in American public discourse. Our examination is neither a critical
GENDER AND VARIETIES OF WHITE-COLLAR CRIME*

The Wheeler et al. (1982) data set of white-collar defendants is used to compare men's and women's socioeconomic profiles and occupations and the nature of their illegalities. The results show that a minority of men but only a handful of women fit the image of a highly placed white-collar offender. Most employed women were clerical workers, and most employed men were managers or administrators. Women were more likely to be nonwhite, less likely to have completed college, and owned less in economic assets. Men were more likely to work in crime groups and to use organizational resources in carrying out crimes, and their attempted economic gains were higher. Occupational marginality, not mobility, better explains the form of women's white-collar crime. The results raise questions about white-collar arrest data and the nature of crime and offenders in white-collar sentencing samples. They compel an investigation of the multiple injuences of gender, class, and race relations in generating varieties of white-collar crime and in being caught and prosecuted for white-collar crime.
A potential shock-reducing contingency in the backshock technique: Implications for learned helplessness

Electric shocks were delivered to rats through a subcutaneously implanted back electrode. Experiment 1 evaluated the relationship between number of paws grounded and total power dissipated in the rat. In Experiment 2, the threshold of shock-induced vocalization, a putative index of aversiveness, was found to be positively correlated with the number of paws grounded. These findings suggest that when the backshock technique is used, the aversiveness of shock potentially can be modified by the posture adopted by the experimental animal. Caution should be exercised, therefore, in attributing deficits in escape behavior following inescapable shock administered with back electrodes to learned helplessness.
"Intramural" residual interventricular defects after repair of conotruncal malformations.

BACKGROUNDWe report an unusual type of residual interventricular communication in patients with conotruncal malformations in which the aorta is completely or partly aligned with the right ventricle (RV). Interventricular communications after surgical repair usually result from additional defects, patch dehiscence, or incomplete closure and lie in the septal plane. However, after a right ventricular aorta is baffled to the left ventricle, the ventricular septal defect (VSD) patch and RV free wall form part of the systemic outflow tract. This "neo-left ventricular" outflow tract may provide a location for residual interventricular communications out of the septal plane.METHODS AND RESULTSWe reviewed echocardiographic, angiographic, and clinical records of patients who had one or more residual interventricular communications out of the plane of the ventricular septum after repair of a conotruncal anomaly. Between June 1990 and October 1992, we observed such defects in eight patients, 5 to 26 years old, after...
Determinants of management’s organizational structure in the public sector

A model is developed to identify factors that are important in determining whether a municipality employs a labor relations specialist as chief negotiator and, if not, whether a municipality has a labor relations specialist on its collective bargaining team. Results indicate that municipal organizational structure for collective bargaining is influenced by the economic and legal environments within which collective bargaining occurs, the complexity of municipal collective bargaining, and various other demographic characteristics of the municipality.
Transfer and developmental processes in adult foreign language speech production

This study tested the hypothesis that factors that shape children’s production of their native language (L1) will also influence adults’ pronunciation of sounds in a foreign language (L2). The final stops in CVC English words produced by 12 adult native speakers each of English, Polish, Spanish, and Chinese were phonetically transcribed. The frequency with which these stops were devoiced, deleted, or fricativized was tabulated. The Spanish subjects (unlike the Chinese or Poles) showed the effect of a transfer process, producing word-final /b, d, g/as fricatives. Subjects in all three non-native groups (but not the native English subjects) resembled English-learning children in devoicing word-final /b, d, g/. Subjects whose L1 does not have word-final stops (i.e., the native speakers of Chinese and Spanish) showed another process commonly observed in English L1 acquisition: final stop deletion. A number of language background variables (e.g., age of arrival in the United States) were found not to be significantly correlated with the accuracy of final stop production. These findings suggest that, in addition to transfer processes arising from L1/L2 phonetic and phonological differences, developmental processes similar to those affecting child L1 speech production also influence adult L2 speech production.
Modeling the transient outlet pressure and mass flow during flashing of HCFC-22 in a small nonadiabatic vessel

A model was derived from basic thermodynamic principles to describe the rate of depressurization within a small vessel. Major assumptions for the model included negligible kinetic and potential energy terms, saturated conditions within the vessel, and equal phase velocities through the exiting orifice. The two-phase homogeneous equilibrium and homogeneous frozen models, along with the single-phase model were used to predict the mass flux. A verification of the model was provided against available experimental data. Model predictions showed that the orifice size, initial refrigerant amount, and wall heat transfer have a more significant impact on the depressurization process than initial pressure and vessel volume for the test conditions.