cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rethinking Business Education as a Profession: Implications for Catholic Universities.

Professional education importantly shapes the way future professionals understand their work and their identity as members of their professional field. Undergraduate business education does this by giving students an understanding of the nature and functions of business as well as what they may hope for from a business career, along with the intellectual tools to pursue such careers. This article argues that the liberal arts are valuable for making sure that business students understand business in a wide, socially responsible perspective, as well as seeing their own career possibilities, fi nding fulfi llment through contributing to the common good. Business and liberal arts education share a set of four modes of thinking: analytical thinking; the ability to understand situations within multiple frames of reference; the refl ective exploration of meaning and value; and, uniting these four, the capacity to apply knowledge in situations through practical reasoning. The author includes a description of three exemplary undergraduate business programs that integrate business and liberal learning through these modes of thinking. He then makes the case that understanding the “social ecology” or social impact of business is an essential concept for expanding the practical imagination of business students.
Glutamate-Dependent Inhibition of Dopamine Release in Striatum Is Mediated by a New Diffusible Messenger, H2O2

How glutamate regulates dopamine (DA) release in striatum has been a controversial issue. Here, we resolve this by showing that glutamate, acting at AMPA receptors, inhibits DA release by a nonclassic mechanism mediated by hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ). Moreover, we show that GABA A -receptor activation opposes this process, thereby enhancing DA release. The influence of glutamate and GABA on DA release was assessed in striatal slices using carbon-fiber microelectrodes and fast-scan cyclic voltammetry. Modulation by both transmitters was prevented by H 2 O 2 -metabolizing enzymes. In addition, the influence of GABA A -receptor activation was lost when AMPA receptors were blocked with GYKI-52466. Together, these data show that modulation of DA release by glutamate and GABA depends on H 2 O 2 generated downstream from AMPA receptors. This is the first evidence that endogenous glutamate can lead to the generation of reactive oxygen species under physiological conditions. We also show that inhibition of DA release by H 2 O 2 is mediated by sulfonylurea-sensitive K + channels: tolbutamide blocked DA modulation by glutamate and by GABA. The absence of ionotropic glutamate or GABA receptors on DA terminals indicates that modulatory H 2 O 2 is generated in non-DA cells. Thus, in addition to its known excitatory actions in striatum, glutamate mediates inhibition by generating H 2 O 2 that must diffuse from postsynaptic sites to inhibit presynaptic DA release via K + -channel opening. These findings have significant implications not only for normal striatal function but also for understanding disease states that involve DA and oxidative stress, including disorders as diverse as Parkinson9s disease and schizophrenia.
5-Hydroxytryptamine1A and 5-hydroxytryptamine1B receptors stimulate [35S]guanosine-5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate binding to rodent brain sections as visualized by in vitro autoradiography.

SUMMARY [ 35 S]Guanosine-59-O-(3-thio)triphosphate ([ 35 S]GTPgS) binding to G proteins was measured by in vitro autoradiography in guinea pig and rat brain sections after activation by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor agonists. 5-Carboxamidotryptamine stimulated binding strongly in hippocampus and lateral septum and weakly in substantia nigra. This effect was blocked in the substantia nigra by the 5-HT1B/1D receptor antagonist GR127,935 and in the former two regions by the 5-HT1A antagonist NAN-190. 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonists stimulated binding in substantia nigra and in areas containing 5-HT1A receptors. In guinea pig substantia nigra, 5-(nonyloxy)-tryptamine maximally stimulated [ 35 S]GTPgS binding by 54%, with an EC50 value of 62 nM ;a t 100 m M, this agonist increased binding by ;200% in hippocampus (with a 2-fold weaker EC50 value). The distribution of [ 3 H]8-OH-DPAT binding sites was identical to that of the [ 35 S]GTPgS labeling stimulated by the 5-HT1A agonist (R)-8hydroxy-2-dipropylaminotetralin [(R)-8-OH-DPAT)]. (R)-8-OHDPAT, (S)-8-OH-DPAT, and buspirone stimulated [ 35 S]GTPgS binding in hippocampus by 340%, 140%, and 78%, with EC50 values of 71, 51, and 132 nM. Enhanced [ 35 S]GTPgS binding was not detected in the presence of 5-HT1F, 5-HT2, 5-HT4, and 5-HT7 receptor agonists. Because activation of m-opioid, muscarinic M2, histamine H3, and cannabinoid receptors was also visualized successfully, these data suggest that only receptors coupled to pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins can be seen by [ 35 S]GTPgS binding autoradiography. This study also shows that different 5-HT receptors coupled to these proteins can show a wide range of [ 35 S]GTPgS binding stimulation. Although the functional significance of these variations is unclear, this technique offers advantages over receptor autoradiography because it does not require high affinity radioligands and provides a measure of agonist efficacies in various brain regions.
Mimesis and Compassion in Care for People with Disabilities

We live in a world of competition, where importance is given to success, a good salary, efficiency, distractions, and stimulations. Our world, however, needs to rediscover what is essential: Commit...
The X̃ 1A1, ã 3B1 and Ã 1B1 Electronic States of the Aluminum Dihydride Anion

The three lowest-lying electronic states of the aluminum dihydride anion (AlH2-) were systematically investigated using ab initio electronic structure theory. Self-consistent-field (SCF), two-configuration self-consistent-field (TCSCF), complete active space self-consistent-field (CASSCF), configuration interaction including single and double excitations (CISD), and CASSCF-based second-order configuration interaction (SOCI) levels of theory were employed with five basis sets of triple-ζ quality. All three electronic states were predicted to possess bent equilibrium geometries. Total electronic energies as well as physical properties including dipole moments, harmonic vibrational frequencies, and associated infrared (IR) intensities were determined for each state. At the CISD level with the largest basis set employed, triple-ζ plus triple polarization augmented with two sets of higher angular momentum functions and two sets of diffuse functions [TZ3P(2f,2d)+2diff)], the equilibrium geometries of the three ...
Architectural design tool for low area band matrix LU factorization

An area efficient band matrix design tool is presented for computation of LU factorization. Band matrices are used in many applications such as digital signal processing, power system analysis, finite element systems, and many more. In many of these applications, LU factorizations are needed to solve linear equations and calculation of a matrix determinant. Due to the large amount of data that needs to be computed and stored for this factorization, the goal of the proposed design tool is area minimization without compromising speed. Based on the number of zero elements and bandwidth, the design tool uses a High Level Synthesis to create the RTL code and testbench for these factorizations for the desired matrix. The proposed design tool reduces area, required memory location and chip to market time by generating a testbench and doing error analysis during RTL code generation. The generated RTL code is universal and can be used directly for any FPGA and VLSI platforms.
Individual differences in television comprehension

Two experiments explored individual differences in memory and comprehension for adults presented information on television. Experiment 1 tested the correlation between comprehension of television and reading with young adults. The ability to comprehend these two forms of media was significantly correlated (r = .69). This finding is contrary to results from our previous study with third and sixth graders (Pezdek, Lehrer, & Simon, 1984). Experiment 2 probed two specific individual differences factors as predictors of television comprehension. The results were that good television comprehenders (1) had higher visual/spatial ability, as assessed by psychometric test performance, and (2) were more likely to utilize an imagery-based strategy in the sentence-picture verification task of Clark and Chase (1972) (e.g., “STAR IS ABOVE PLUS”). These results suggest differences in the comprehension processes that operate on information presented in different forms of media.
Carbon dioxide extraction of residual chloroform from biodegradable polymers.

Biodegradable polymeric devices for drug delivery and tissue engineering are often fabricated with the use of organic solvents and may still contain significant amounts of solvent (> 1 wt%) even after aggressive vacuum drying. This excess solvent can interfere with tissue response and the mechanical properties of the devices. The aim of this article is to demonstrate that liquid CO(2) extraction can be used to reduce residual solvent in dense poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) devices to 50 ppm relatively quickly and with minimal changes in architecture under some conditions. Two liquid CO(2) extraction systems were developed to examine the removal of residual solvents from bar-shaped PLGA devices: (1) a low-pressure (1400 psi) batch system, and (2) a high-pressure (5000 psi) continuous-flow system. Eight hours of extraction in the high-pressure system reduced residual chloroform in 3 mm thick bars below the 50-ppm target. A simple Fickian diffusion model was fit to the extraction results. Diffusion coefficients ranged from 1.10 x 10(-6) cm(2)/s to 2.64 x 10(-6) cm(2)/s. The model predicts that approximately 1 h is needed to dry 1-mm bars to chloroform levels below 50 ppm, and 7 h are needed for 3 mm thick bars. The micro- and macroarchitectures of porous PLGA scaffolds created by particulate leaching were not significantly altered by CO(2) drying if the salt used to make the pores was not removed before drying.
Inhibition of protein exudation from the trachea by corticotropin-releasing factor.

Abstract Increased vascular permeability in the trachea, as measured by Evans blue dye leakage, was produced in the anesthetized rat by antidromic stimulation of the right vagus or by exposure to dilute formalin vapors. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) inhibited tracheal protein extravasation at dosages of 6–24 nmol (29–114 μg)/kg i.v. injected 10 min before nerve stimulation or formaldehyde exposure. The decrease in respiration rate and blood pressure produced by formaldehyde was also attenuated by CRF.
Thermal etch pits and surface morphology of vacuum sublimated (111) and (001) CdTe crystals

Sublimation of (111) and (001) CdTe was carried out at 350°C in a vacuum of 10-8 Torr. Distinctive thermal etch pits were observed on (111)Te and (111)Cd faces allowing us to unequivocally determine the crystallographic polarity of (111) CdTe. Microcrystals in the form of truncated prisms grew on the sublimated (001) CdTe. The bases of these microcrystals were aligned in the [110] and [110] directions. Their concentration and alignement were similar to those observed for chemical etch pits which were developed on (001) CdTe with the EAg-1 solution. The Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) studies showed that the (111)Te face became slightly richer in Cd whereas those of (111)Cd and (001) remained unchanged. These results are consistent with the measured vacuum sublimation rates, and they verify the differences in the effective growth rate of CdTe and possibly of other AII−BVI materials on the (111) and (001) CdTe substrates.
Anger experiences among hepatitis C patients: relationship to depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life.

The authors examined anger among hepatitis C (HCV) patients and its relationship to health-related quality of life (HRQL) and depression. Eighty-seven HCV patients who received pegylated interferon-alpha 2b and ribavirin were included. Patients' mean age was 48 years; 42% were women, and 60% were white. Patients experienced moderate anger while undergoing HCV treatment. Angry feelings increased during treatment in some domains, specifically, Control Over Anger and Angry Reaction. Greater anger was associated with more depression and poorer HRQL. Findings point to the importance for physicians to screen for a wide range of neuropsychiatric side effects of interferon, including anger.
3,5-Disubstituted-1,2,4-oxadiazoles and 4,5-dihydro-3,5-disubstituted-1,2,4-oxadiazoles

A series of 3,5-disubstituted-1,2,4-oxadiazoles (2) were prepared from a mono- or dichlorophenyl-substituted amidoxime and (i) an acid chloride, (ii) an isatoic anhydride, or (iii) a β-keto ester. Although cyclizations of the same amidoximes with acetaldehyde gave 4,5-dihydro-5-methyl-substituted derivatives (5), that annulation procedure either failed or gave low yields with other aldehydes. A novel alternative method, the diborane reduction of 2, has been found to be a generally applicable procedure for preparing 5. The reduction is regioselective, i.e., only the 4,5-(C=N) linkage is reduced even when a large excess of diborane is present.
Manipulation of differential electron yields via autoionizing wave-packet control

Ultrashort laser pulses have been used to produce nonstationary Ca $4pnl$ autoionizing states via sudden isolated-core excitation of $4snl$ angular Rydberg wave packets. The angular distributions of the electrons ejected into the $4s\ensuremath{\epsilon}l$ and $3d\ensuremath{\epsilon}l$ continua are altered by varying the initial orientation of the $4snl$ angular wave packet. While the observed level of control is less than might be expected from an intuitive picture, it is in excellent agreement with R-matrix quantum-defect theory calculations.
Quality Rating and Improvement Systems and Children's Cognitive Development.

Providing enriched learning environments is important to stimulating children’s development in early childhood. Early child-care policymakers in many states in the US have adopted Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) as a way to verify quality of child care and to support children’s school readiness. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between QRIS, a statewide government-funded early childhood care and education policy which integrates structural quality of child-care, and children’s cognitive skills. A sample of randomly selected 313 children (mean age = 54.9 months, SD = 6.7) from 36 QRIS-participating early child-care programs was included in this study. Multilevel analysis with a latent variable (i.e., observed cognitive skills consisting of vocabulary, phonological awareness, and mathematical skills) revealed that children in the highest level of QRIS programs demonstrated better cognitive skills after controlling for child demographics, and home and neighborhood environments. In addition, QRIS moderated a negative association between family socioeconomic risk and children’s cognitive skills. The results suggest that policymakers may expect positive returns on QRIS investments in terms of children’s early cognitive achievements that support their school readiness in later life.
Studies of molybdenum sulfide catalysts: Effects of pretreatment on sintering, stoichiometry, and oxygen chemisorption

Abstract The effects of various pretreatments on total area, oxygen chemisorption, and S Mo ratio have been studied on unsupported molybdenum sulfide, prepared by in situ decomposition of ammonium tetrathiomolybdate (ATTM) in helium. The initial catalyst contains excess sulfur ( S Mo = 2.3−2.4 ), has high surface area, and shows little O 2 chemisorption. Temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) in H 2 shows two H 2 S peaks, centered at about 180 and 380 °C. Negligible sintering occurs during removal of sulfur corresponding to the first TPR peak; sintering does occur during the second TPR peak and increases when the sample is maintained in H 2 at 450 °C. Specific O 2 chemisorption increases with increasing reduction temperature. The properties of the resulting sulfide depend both on the heating schedule during the original decomposition of ATTM and on the sample size. Pretreatment in H 2 S H 2 rather than in H 2 results in much less sintering and much lower specific O 2 chemisorption.
A microscope stage temperature controller for the study of whole-cell or single-channel currents.

The construction of a microscope stage temperature controller is described that works equally well with upright or inverted microscopes. The control circuit directly regulates the bath temperature near the physiological preparation from 0.0°C to 40.0°C with a stability of ±0.1°C; it allows biophysical studies of whole-cell or single channel currents to be carried out at different temperatures without introducing additional electrical noise into the measurements. The device may also be of interest to neurobiologists who work with tissue-culture preparations.
Approximation algorithms for indefinite quadratic programming

We considerź-approximation schemes for indefinite quadratic programming. We argue that such an approximation can be found in polynomial time for fixedź andt, wheret denotes the number of negative eigenvalues of the quadratic term. Our algorithm is polynomial in 1/ź for fixedt, and exponential int for fixedź. We next look at the special case of knapsack problems, showing that a more efficient (polynomial int) approximation algorithm exists.
Manifestation Determination as a Golden Fleece

Manifestation determination is a mandated provision for deciding whether a student's misbehavior is related to his disability and, consequently, whether cessation of services will be allowed. However, it is conceptually and methodologically flawed and appears to serve more of a political than educational purpose. In this article, we critique the manifestation determination provision by reviewing relevant case law and legislation, examining the social context surrounding this mandate, and questioning the validity of current approaches for making a manifestation determination. We believe this analysis will corroborate our thesis. Therefore, we conclude this article by proposing an alternative approach for conceptualizing and conducting a manifestation determination that has more functional implications than those currently in use and still addresses the spirit and letter of the law.
Preferential expression of the drosophila rutabaga gene in mushroom bodies, neural centers for learning in insects

Seven lines were isolated with P element insertions in the cytogenetic vicinity of the learning and memory gene, rutabaga, from an enhancer detector screen designed to mark genes preferentially expressed in mushroom bodies. Six of these lines performed poorly in learning and memory tests, and several failed to complement an existing rutabaga allele. Molecular cloning revealed that the P elements were inserted in the putative promoter of the rutabaga gene. RNA in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry demonstrated that the expression of the rutabaga gene, which encodes a Ca2+/calmodulin-responsive adenylyl cyclase, is markedly elevated in the mushroom bodies of normal flies and that the insertion elements compromised its expression in the new rutabaga mutants. The reisolation of a known learning and memory gene, but with a heretofore unknown expression pattern, strongly supports the postulate that mushroom bodies are principal sites mediating olfactory learning and memory.
Predicting foundation bunchgrass species abundances: model-assisted decision-making in protected-area sagebrush steppe

Foundation species are structurally dominant members of ecological communities that can stabilize ecological processes and influence resilience to disturbance and resistance to invasion. Being common, they are often overlooked for conservation but are increasingly threatened from land use change, biological invasions, and over-exploitation. The pattern of foundation species abundances over space and time may be used to guide decision-making, particularly in protected areas for which they are iconic. We used ordinal logistic regression to identify the important environmental influences on the abundance patterns of bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), Thurber's needlegrass (Achnatherum thurberianum), and Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda) in protected-area sagebrush steppe. We then predicted bunchgrass abundances along gradients of topography, disturbance, and invasive annual grass abundance. We used model predictions to prioritize the landscape for implementation of a management and restoration decision-support tool. Models were fit to categorical estimates of grass cover obtained from an extensive ground-based monitoring dataset. We found that remnant stands of abundant wheatgrass and bluegrass were associated with steep north-facing slopes in higher and more remote portions of the landscape outside of recently burned areas where invasive annual grasses were less abundant. These areas represented only 25% of the landscape and were prioritized for protection efforts. Needlegrass was associated with south-facing slopes, but in low abundance and in association with invasive cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). Abundances of all three species were strongly negatively correlated with occurrence of another invasive annual grass, medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae). The rarity of priority bunchgrass stands underscored the extent of degradation and the need for prioritization. We found no evidence that insularity reduced invasibility; annual grass invasion represents a serious threat to protected-area bunchgrass communities. Our study area was entirely within the Wyoming big sagebrush ecological zone, understood to have inherently low resilience to disturbance and resistance to weed invasion. However, our study revealed important variation in abundance of the foundation species associated with resilience and resistance along the topographic-soil moisture gradient within this zone, providing an important foothold for conservation decision-making in these steppe ecosystems. We found the foundation species focus a parsimonious strategy linking monitoring to decision-making via biogeographic modeling.
Classification comparisons between dual-pol, compact polarimetric and quad-pol SAR imagery

Abstract We present a study of the polarimetric information content of dual-pol imaging modes and dual-pol imaging extended by polarimetric scattering models. We compare Wishart classifications both among the partial polarimetric datasets and against the full quad-pol dataset. Our emphasis is the inter-comparisons between the classification results based on dual-pol modes, compact polarimetric modes and scattering model extensions of the compact polarimetric modes. We primarily consider novel dual-pol modes, e.g. transmitting a circular polarization and receiving horizontal and vertical polarizations, and the pseudo-quad-pol data derived from polarimetric scattering models based on dual-pol data. We show that the overall classification accuracy of the pseudo-quad-pol data is essential the same as the classification accuracy obtained directly employing the underlying dual-pol imagery.
Stabilization of Resistive Kink Modes in the Tokamak

Optimized current profiles are shown to be capable of providing simultaneous stability against all resistive kink modes in the tokamak.
A simulation and design of experiments modeling approach to minimize building maintenance costs

In this paper, a methodology is presented to integrate maintenance policy selection into the design and construction process. A simulation model identifies the quality attributes for the maintenance process to determine the funds to be allocated to maintenance in the building's design and construction phases in order to minimize maintenance costs. The output of the simulation model is a value of excess labor hours above a specified level. The simulation output is used in a 24 factorial experimental design to identify the quality attributes that have the greatest impact on costs. A Taguchi loss function based on the minimized quantity of excess labor hours and historical expenditures provides the tool to relate maintenance priorities to design and construction. Quality characteristics for maintenance are modified in the feedback process and result in a more maintainable building.
Impact of Surgeon and Hospital Volume on Mortality, Length of Stay, and Cost of Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Improved mortality rates following pancreaticoduodenectomy by high-volume surgeons and hospitals have been well documented, but less is known about the impact of such volumes on length of stay and cost. This study uses data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) National Inpatient Sample (NIS) to examine the effect of surgeon and hospital volume on mortality, length of stay, and cost following pancreaticoduodenectomy while controlling for patient-specific factors. Data included 3,137 pancreaticoduodenectomies from the NIS performed between 2004 and 2008. Using logistic regression, the relationship between surgeon volume, hospital volume, and postoperative mortality, length of stay, and cost was estimated while accounting for patient factors. After controlling for patient characteristics, patients of high-volume surgeons at high-volume hospitals had a significantly lower risk of mortality compared to low-volume surgeons at low-volume hospitals (OR 0.32, p < 0.001). Patients of high-volume surgeons at high-volume hospitals also had a five day shorter length of stay (p < 0.001), as well as significantly lower costs (US$12,275, p < 0.001). The results of this study, which simultaneously accounted for surgeon volume, hospital volume, and potential confounding patient characteristics, suggest that both surgeon and hospital volume have a significant effect on outcomes following pancreaticoduodenectomy, affecting not only mortality rates but also lengths of stay and costs.
A fully nonlinear, mixed spectral and finite difference model for thermally driven, rotating flows

Finite difference in time and the meridional plane, in conjunction with a spectral technique in the azimuthal direction, are used to approximate the Navier-Stokes equations in a model that can simulate a variety of thermally driven rotating flows in cylindrical and spherical geometries. Axisymmetric flow, linearized waves relative to a fixed or changing axisymmetric flow, nonlinear waves without wave-wave interaction, and fully nonlinear 3D flow, can in this way be calculated. A reexamination is conducted of the steady baroclinic wave case previously treated by Williams (1971) and Quon (1976).
Exposure of prehospital providers to violence and abuse

Abstract Introduction Before 1994, violence toward EMS personnel was informally recognized but was the subject of only limited scientific investigation. Confrontations with EMS personnel in the out-of-hospital workplace appear to involve verbal and physical assaults, injuries, disabilities, and mental stresses and often seem to go unreported. Without formal recognition of violent encounters, EMS agencies are unlikely to implement appropriate policies, procedures, or training to deal with this issue. This article focuses on quantifying the current existence of violence toward EMS personnel, as well as violence-related policies and appropriate training at EMS agencies. Methods A survey was administered to a convenience sample from the Albuquerque Fire Department. Surveys were completed by 331 respondents. Validity was measured per question response. Descriptive statistics analyzed question responses. Results Ninety percent of the 331 EMS personnel who responded stated that an assault or violent action had been directed toward them during their EMS work career. In a forced choice ranking of the 13 most stressful parts of their EMS job, abusive and violent situations were listed as the number 1 stressor. According to 71% of respondents, no clear protocols existed to handle abusive situations. Seventy-one percent of respondents reported that abusive situations were considered a "part of their job" and that they lacked the training to learn how to protect themselves. After experiencing an assault, 80% of respondents felt angry and 69% felt irritable. Discussion Prehospital providers will encounter violent and abusive situations while on the job. Violence-related policies, associated training, and reporting systems were not in place for the Albuquerque Fire Department in 1995. With a 90% exposure to violence, combined with the lack of training or policies about violence, the potential for work-related injuries and liabilities is evident. Management personnel need violence education to understand the scope of the problem. Violence reporting should be consistent and be encouraged, according to "Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Health Care and Social Workers" from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA 3148).
Uncertainty propagation in probabilistic seismic loss estimation

Probabilistic estimation of losses in a building due to earthquake damage is a topic of interest to decision makers and an area of active research. One promising approach to the problem, proposed by the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research (PEER) Center, involves breaking the analysis into separate components associated with ground motion hazard, structural response, damage to components and repair costs. Each stage of this method has both inherent (aleatory) randomness and (epistemic) model uncertainty, and these two sources of uncertainty must be propagated through the analysis in order to determine the total uncertainty in the resulting loss estimates. In this paper, the PEER framework for seismic loss estimation is reviewed and options for both characterizing and propagating the various sources of uncertainty are proposed. Models for correlations (among, e.g., element repair costs) are proposed that may be useful when empirical data is lacking. Several options are discussed for propagating uncertainty, ranging from flexible but expensive Monte Carlo simulation to closed form solutions requiring specific functional forms for relationships between variables to be assumed. A procedure that falls between these two extremes is proposed, which integrates over the discrete element damage states, and uses the first-order second-oment method to collapse several conditional random variables into a single conditional random variable representing total repair cost given the ground motion intensity. Numerical integration is then used to incorporate the ground motion hazard. Studies attempting to characterize epistemic uncertainty or develop specific elements of the framework are referenced as an aid for users wishing to implement this loss-estimation procedure.
Finding structures in large-scale graphs

One of the most vexing challenges of working with graphical structures is that most algorithms scale poorly as the graph becomes very large. The computation is extremely expensive even for polynomial algorithms, thus making it desirable to devise fast approximation algorithms. We herein propose a framework using advanced tools 1-6 from random graph theory and spectral graph theory to address the quantitative analysis of the structure and dynamics of large-scale networks. This framework enables one to carry out analytic computations of observable network structures and capture the most relevant and refined quantities of realworld networks.© (2012) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A circulatory collagenase inhibitor

There is an increased production of collagenase from explants of rabbit colon postoperatively. The enhanced reaction is not confined to the site of injury but occurs throughout the gastro-intestinal tract, suggesting that the healing process is not purely under local control. This is not the result of increased endogenous steroid production, for injection of 10 mg. cortisone acetate into rabbits for 2 or 3 days produces no alteration in bursting pressure of the colon, no decreased collagen content of the colon or skin, or increased production of collagenase. Addition of serum significantly inhibits the collagen-collagenase reaction of tissue explants. This inhibitory effect has been demonstrated by protein fractionation methods to be due to an alpha-globulin of high molecular weight. Adult and foetal serum from several mammals all contain an alpha-globulin inhibitor to collagenase. Following injury, collagen lysis occurs as a result of increased collagenase activity. This is associated with a decrease in circulating inhibitor.
Evidence for the Existence of a New Meson in the 955-MeV Mass Region

We report evidence for the existence of a new meson, which we call the $M(953)$, with mass 953 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 2 MeV and width 10 MeV, produced in the final state ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}p{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}{M}^{0}$ at incident momenta 3.9 and $4.6\frac{\mathrm{GeV}}{c}$. These results are based primarily on a signal of 68 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 12 events in the decay mode $M\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ where the $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}$ system does not show a ${\ensuremath{\rho}}^{0}$ signal, in sharp distinction to the ${\ensuremath{\rho}}^{0}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ decay mode of the ${\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}(958)$.
Salutation with a Complimentary Close: Using Teacher-Student Correspondence to Get Acquainted.

(1978). Salutation with a Complimentary Close: Using Teacher-Student Correspondence to Get Acquainted. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas: Vol. 51, No. 7, pp. 336-338.
Role of Pressure Gradients in obtaining Minimum Time in Gas Chromatography

ALTHOUGH a great deal of attention1–5 has been focused on obtaining separations in the least possible time, the theory of minimum-time operation has not been developed for inlet/outlet pressure ratios greatly exceeding unity. Such a theory does not immediately seem widely applicable since most rapid separations made with an outlet pressure of one atmosphere do not require an inlet pressure greatly exceeding one atmosphere. This conclusion is incorrect, however, since a search for the optimum values of all parameters reveals that the optimum outlet pressure is very close to zero in all circumstances. Furthermore, the difference in minimum retention times found with an outlet pressure of one atmosphere and zero is large enough in many cases to be significant in obtaining more rapid analyses.
Helgason spheres of compact symmetric spaces and immersions of finite type

A unit speed curve γ = γ(s) in a Riemannian manifold N is called a circle if there exists a unit vector field Y(s) along γ and a positive constant k such that ∇sγ′(s) = kY(s), ∇sY(s) = −kγ′(s). A maximal totally geodesic sphere with maximal sectional curvature in a compact irreducible symmetric space M is called a Helgason sphere. A circle which lies in a Helgason sphere of a compact symmetric space is called a Helgason circle. In this article we establish some fundamental relationships between Helgason circles, Helgason spheres of irreducible symmetric spaces of compact type and the theory of immersions of finite type.
Tidal conversion and turbulence at a model ridge: direct and large eddy simulations

Direct and large eddy simulations are performed to study the internal waves generated by the oscillation of a barotropic tide over a model ridge of triangular shape. The objective is to go beyond linear theory and assess the role of nonlinear interactions including turbulence in situations with low tidal excursion number. The criticality parameter, defined as the ratio of the topographic slope to the characteristic slope of the tidal rays, is varied from subcritical to supercritical values. The barotropic tidal forcing is also systematically increased. Numerical results of the energy conversion are compared with linear theory and, in laminar flow at low forcing, they agree well in subcritical and supercritical cases but not at critical slope angle. In critical and supercritical cases with higher forcing, there are convective overturns, turbulence and significant reduction (as much as 25 %) of the radiated wave flux with respect to laminar flow results. Analysis of the baroclinic energy budget and spatial modal analysis are performed to understand the reduction. The near-bottom velocity is intensified at critical angle slope leading to a radiated internal wave beam as well as an upslope bore of cold water with a thermal front. In the critical case, the entire slope has turbulence while, in the supercritical case, turbulence originates near the top of the topography where the slope angle transitions through the critical value. The phase dependence of turbulence within a tidal cycle is examined and found to differ substantially between the ridge slope and the ridge top where the beams from the two sides cross.
Optical spectra of doubly charged quantum dot molecules in electric and magnetic fields

We present an experimental and theoretical study of the photoluminescence spectra of individual doubly charged quantum dot molecules. The quantum dot molecules consist of two vertically stacked InAs self-assembled quantum dots in a GaAs Schottky diode structure. We study two cases: (1) the two dots are charged with two electrons coherently coupled through electron tunneling and (2) the two dots are charged with two holes and coherently coupled through hole tunneling. The optically excited states consist of the two charges along with one or two additional electron-hole pairs, i.e., a doubly charged exciton and biexciton. We determine the spin states and the corresponding spectral fine structure and show how this fine structure depends on vertical electric and magnetic fields. We find that the results are in large part qualitatively similar for the two cases. However, when magnetic fields are applied, we find a strong $g$ factor resonance and evidence of a bonding/antibonding reversal for the hole-tunneling case only. We discuss the implications for quantum information processing using spins confined in proximate dots.
Theoretical Interpretation of the Photoelectron Spectra of Al3O2- and Al3O3-

Hartree−Fock (HF) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been used to determine the equilibrium geometries of the ground electronic state of Al3O2, Al3O3, and their corresponding negative ions. The calculated global minimum for Al3O2 has a “vee” shape of C2v symmetry with a (a1)1 2A1 configuration. A kite-shaped structure of C2v symmetry has been obtained as a local minimum with a (b2)1 2B2 configuration. The corresponding negative ions have also been found to be global and local minima, respectively, with (a1)2 1A1 and (b2)2 1A1 electron configurations. A higher energy trigonal bipyramidal D3h structure has been found with a 1A1‘ (e‘)4 electron configuration. For Al3O3-, the calculated global minimum has a bicyclic rectangular shape of C2v symmetry with a (b2)2 1A1 configuration, whereas the corresponding neutral Al3O3 with a (b2)1 2B2 configuration has been found to be a local minimum. On the other hand, a kite shape of C2v symmetry with a (a1)1 2A1 configuration has been found to be the ...
Photoinduced DNA-Protein Cross-Links and Bacterial Killing: A Correlation at Low Temperatures

The increased sensitivity of Escherichia coli to killing by ultraviolet irradiation when frozen and the variation in this sensitivity as a function of the temperature during irradiation have been correlated with changes in the amount of DNA that was cross-linked to protein by ultraviolet light. These variations in sensitivity to killing do not correlate with the production of thymine dimers.
Five-year outcomes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and conformal radiotherapy in patients with high-risk localized prostate cancer.

Abstract Objectives To describe the 5-year outcomes of patients with high-risk localized prostate cancer treated with neoadjuvant estramustine and vinblastine followed by concurrent chemotherapy and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT). Methods A total of 23 patients completed therapy consisting of two 8-week cycles of vinblastine, weekly as 4 mg/m2, followed by 8 weeks of concomitant chemotherapy and 3D-CRT. Estramustine was given daily at 10 mg/kg in three divided doses. 3D-CRT consisted of a total dose of 7560 cGy. Results Assessable patients include 9 with Stage T3 or greater tumors and 5 with lymph node metastasis at diagnosis. All patients had a Gleason score 7 or greater. The median follow-up was 60 months. Of the 23 assessable patients, 15 (65%) experienced biochemical relapse by American Society for Therapeutic Radiology Oncology criteria. The median time to prostate-specific antigen relapse was 12 months (range 7 to 16). Five patients (22%) developed metastases. The median time to metastasis had not been reached by last follow-up. Of the 23 assessable patients, 11 (48%) received no additional therapy and had noncastrate testosterone levels. Six patients had no evidence of disease and 9 patients were receiving androgen blockade. Three patients died (one of prostate cancer and two of other diseases). Conclusions A substantial proportion of patients with unfavorable-risk localized prostate cancer achieved long-term disease control with estramustine and vinblastine and concurrent 3D-CRT, no significant long-term toxicities were seen and 48% underwent no further therapy after RT. These long-term findings support the continued study of chemotherapy combined with RT as a potential alternative to prolonged androgen deprivation.
Do female red-winged blackbirds benefit genetically from seeking extra-pair copulations ?

Abstract Female pursuit of extra-pair copulations was investigated in a western population of red-winged blackbirds,Agelaius phoeniceusPotential genetic benefits to females were considered in this study; potential material gains were examined in Gray (1997Anim. Behav.53, 625–639). In this population, females initiate courtship and copulation outside their social bond, and between 18 and 43% of all breeding females engaged in extra-pair copulations each breeding season. The peak of extra-pair copulation occurred 2 days before the first egg was laid and 1 day closer to egg laying compared to the peak of within-pair copulation, suggesting that extra-pair copulations conferred a genetic advantage to females. Females that copulated with extra-pair males improved their reproductive success by hatching a significantly greater proportion of eggs and fledging a significantly greater proportion of young than females that did not copulate with extra-pair males. Improved hatching success was probably due to female avoidance of temporary male sperm depletion. Improved fledging success resulted from significantly lower depredation rates of clutches laid by females that copulated with multiple males. In addition, a lower proportion of nestlings tended to starve in broods containing extra-pair fertilized offspring. I found no evidence that participation in extra-pair copulations was costly to females. Male aggression towards females was rare, and males were never observed chasing or force-copulating with a mate immediately following an extra-pair copulation. These results show that the selection pressure on females to engage in extra-pair copulations is strong, and they support new theories maintaining that extra-pair copulations are an important aspect of female reproductive success.
The regulation of body fluid volume in the estuarine annelidNereis succinea

The process of volume readjustment following swelling after transfer to dilute sea water was examined in the estuarine polychaeteNereis succinea by measuring body weight changes. Volume readjustment is an active process that requires O2 and uninhibited cellular metabolism, and the process is retarded at low temperature. O2 uptake increases during the swelling phase and remains high throughout the readjustment phase. The intracellular osmolytes lost during volume readjustment include free amino acids, some of which appear to be deaminated and some extruded intact into the medium. Although it is known that intracellular inorganic ions, including Na+ and Cl−, are lost into the extracellular fluid against a concentration gradient, volume regulation in an intact animal is insensitive to a number of drugs that influence ion movements at the cellular level. Two possible mechanisms of extracellular fluid readjustment implicated by previous findings have been eliminated. The increased urine flow known to accompany volume readjustment is not brought about by increased hydrostatic pressure in the coelom. In fact, coelomic fluid pressure decreases, which is consistent with the hypothesis that extracellular volume readjustment is accomplished by enhanced ciliary activity in the nephridia. Removal of the supraesophageal ganglion, an important neuroendocrine organ in annelids, has no effect on organismal volume readjustment.
Complete basis set investigation of the formation of the magnesium cation through magnesium atom interactions with molecular oxygen cation in gas phase

Abstract The computed energetic profile for molecular complexes between magnesium atoms and the magnesium cation with atomic and molecular oxygen have been presented. The target of the study was to determine bond dissociation energies, and the electron transfer in MgO 2 + and the possibility to generate the magnesium cation through the interactions of the magnesium atom with the molecular oxygen cation. It was also considered that the presence of this complex (MgO 2 + ) in the Earth's upper atmosphere might influence the oxygen–ozone ratio.
Comparative surgical and colonoscopic appearance of colon anastomoses constructed with sutures, staples, and the biofragmentable anastomotic ring.

The following animal study was undertaken to compare and assess the endoscopic gross appearance and histology of colonic anastomoses constructed with sutures, staples, and the biofragmentable anastomotic ring (BAR).Methods: Three anastomoses—1 BAR, 1 stapled, and 1 sutured—were placed in each of 48 dogs and colonoscopy and anastomotic evaluation were done.Results: No leaks were found by air insufflation at surgery. Grossly, the BAR had serosal hematomas in 27/48 anatomoses vs 7/48 for stapled and 1/48 for sutured (BAR vs stapledP<0.0005 and sutured vs stapledP=0.07). Adhesions were significantly greater for BAR (35/36) and sutured (34/36) compared to stapled (26/36) (BAR vs stapledP=0.01 and sutured vs. stapledP=0.04). Colonoscopic exams at days 3, 7, and 28 showed no significant difference among groups with respect to bleeding, ulceration, necrosis, granulation, or contour. Sutured anastomoses were more stenotic (24/31) than stapled (4/31) or BAR (3/31) ones (BAR vs sutured and sutured vs stapledP<0.005). At 28 days, 10/10 sutured vs 2/10 stapled vs 3/10 BAR were stenotic (BAR vs suturedP=0.02, sutured vs stapledP=0.01). Inflammation on histologic exam at 28 days was not significantly different: sutured (12/12), stapled (12/12), or BAR (9/12). Fibrosis was more prominent in sutured (12/12) than in stapled (5/12) or BAR (4/12) anastomoses (BAR vs suturedP=0.001, sutured vs stapledP=0.004, and BAR vs stapledP=1.00). All anastomoses healed primarily without necrosis or obstruction.Conclusions: (1) Colonoscopy to evaluate anastomoses can be done safely even in the early postoperative period. (2) The BAR anastomoses had the most serosal hematomas; BAR and sutured had more adhesions than stapled anastomoses; and sutured anastomoses had the most stenosis and fibrosis. None of these differences was of clinical significance.