cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Creative potential, attention, and speed of information processing

Despite the conceptual overlap between intelligence and creativity, little systematic work exists on the link between creativity and speed of information processing. We hypothesized that differential focusing of attention determines the relationship between creative potential and speed of information processing. Supporting our predictions, we found negative correlations between creative potential and reaction time on tasks not involving interference (Hick Task, Concept Verification Task), but positive correlations between creative potential and reaction time on tasks requiring the inhibition of interfering information (Negative Priming, Global Precedence). This pattern of results suggests that the relation between creative potential and reaction time is a function of the differential focusing of attention.
Mitochondrial DNA damage as a potential mechanism for age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive eye condition that is the leading cause of legal blindness in individuals older than 65 in the developed world.1 By affecting the central (macular) region of the human retina, AMD degrades the central visual function that subserves reading, driving, writing, and face recognition. The loss of these abilities significantly affects daily function and quality of life.2 Currently approved treatment options for AMD are available to a limited number of patients with advanced wet-type AMD, in which the treatments limit vision loss by inhibition of vascular leakage3,4 but do not address disease pathogenesis. In addition, the inconvenience, cost, and quality of life that result from monthly injections increase the burden on patients as well as the health care system. Despite recent improvements, many patients still progress to the advanced stages of AMD. The next major steps in sight preservation include strategies centered on early detection, treatment of the early stages, and prevention. Importantly, studying the early disease process is the first step toward the development of new treatments. Many investigators believe that the pathogenesis of AMD begins in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a monolayer of cells between the neural retina and the retinal basement membrane (Bruch's membrane). The RPE maintains retinal health and homeostasis by photoreceptor phagocytosis, nutrient transport, and secretion of growth factors.5 Drusen, the earliest clinical sign of AMD, appear beneath the RPE as yellow, lipoproteinaceous deposits. Drusen features (e.g., size, character, quantity, and shape) provide the basis for the grading system used in this study (Minnesota Grading System, MGS6). This system replicates a widely used clinical research classification system7 by linking common definitions from clinics to eye bank tissue (ex vivo). Thus, the use of MGS provides a methodology to directly link biochemical changes in human donor eyes at distinct stages of AMD to clinical phenotypes in patients.6 Converging evidence from several recent studies implicate mitochondrial (mt) damage in the AMD disease process.8 Severe disruptions to mt cristae structure and a decreased number of mitochondria were reported in a morphologic analysis of AMD donor RPE.9 Our first proteomic analysis of the RPE identified altered mt proteins with AMD progression,10 thus prompting an in-depth investigation of the mt proteome. The second proteomic analysis suggested potential damage to mtDNA with AMD.11 Since aging is a strong risk factor for AMD, the present study evaluated the extent of mtDNA damage in human RPE with both aging and AMD progression. To our knowledge, this is the first study to distinguish damage associated with normal from pathologic aging (i.e., AMD). Our data revealed low mtDNA damage with normal aging compared with AMD and elevated damage preceding significant macular degeneration and vision loss. Collectively, these results suggest a role for mtDNA damage in AMD.
Visible-range spectroscopy and a lifetime measurement on Kr22+ in an electron beam ion trap

Abstract The 3s23p2 3 P1– 3 P2 transition in the Si-like ion Kr22+ has been studied using an electron beam ion trap (EBIT). A new wavelength value, (384.14±0.02) nm, results from employing a novel spectrometer system that combines high speed and higher spectral resolution than applied before. The spectral resolution is high enough to observe source broadening. A new lifetime measurement [(6.82±0.1) ms] differs from previous results (including our own) and now corroborates semiempirically scaled calculations.
MR proton spectroscopy for myocardial lipid deposition quantification: a quantitative comparison between 1.5T and 3T.

Purpose: To evaluate 3T magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)-derived myocardial fat-signal fractions in comparison with those from 1.5T MRS. Materials and Methods: We conducted phantom, ex vivo and in vivo myocardial specimen evaluations at both 1.5T and 3T using 1H-MRS. A phantom with nine fat-water emulsions was constructed to assess the accuracy of the spectroscopy measurements. Ex vivo spectroscopy data were acquired in 70 segments from 21 autopsy heart slices. In vivo spectroscopy data were acquired in the interventricular septum from 22 human volunteers. Results: Phantom experiments demonstrated that 1.5T and 3T measurements were highly correlated with the reference values (r = 0.78, P < 0.05). The ex vivo and in vivo experiments demonstrated an increase in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 45 ± 73% and 76 ± 72% at 3T compared to 1.5T (P < 0.05). The mean fat-signal fraction was similar at 3T and 1.5T (1.11 ± 1.18 vs. 1.00 ± 1.09, respectively, P = NS) in ex vivo studies but were significantly different in the in vivo studies (2.47 ± 1.46 vs. 1.56 ± 1.34, P < 0.05). The fat-signal fractions from 3T and 1.5T correlated fairly well in all experiments. Conclusion: 3T MRS has significantly greater SNR and could potentially be more accurate as compared to 1.5T for quantification of myocardial fat fraction in in vivo studies. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;36:1222–1230. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Crystal structure of Rb4Cu5Cl9

Abstract Crystals of Rb4Cu5Cl9 belong to the monoclinic space group Pa(C2s) with a = 15.694(5), b = 8.544(3), c = 14.660(4) A, β = 106.59(2)° with Z = 4. The asymmetric unit contains 8 Rb+, 10 Cu+, and 18 Cl− ions. Two of the Rb+ ions have seven-coordination to Cl− ions; one may be said to have (7+1)-coordination; and the remaining five have eight-coordination. One of the Cu+ ions definitely has three-coordination to Cl− ions; for all but one of the other nine, at least one of the Cu+Cl− distances is quite long, i.e., 2.52–2.70 A. The structure contains double chains of tetrahedral clusters of CuCl4 tetrahedra along the b-axis. The chloride tetrahedra in each tetrahedral cluster are joined by corner sharing, forming chloride octahedra similar to those in Rb18Cu31Cl49 and Rb4Cu9Cl13. The clusters are joined along the b-axis by edge sharing with an interposed CuCl4 tetrahedron. The chains are joined horizontally by corner sharing. It is shown also that Rb2CuCl3 is most probably isostructural with K2CuCl3.
Evidence for subgrain formation in an al-mg alloy at low stresses

Creep characteristics of solid-solution alloys indicate that substructures developed in alloys of the metal class (stress exponent approx. = 5) and those of the alloy class (stress exponent = 3) are different. In alloys of the metal class, a regular array of subgrains is formed, and the substructure observed is, similar to that of pure metals. Substructures observed in alloys of the alloy class exhibit two features: (a) subgrains are not generally developed, or, if formed, are found in the vicinity of grain boundaries, and (b) dislocations are wavy and homogeneously distributed. Creep data of Al--2% Mg show a transition in behavior from viscous glide control to climb control when the shear stress is reduced, and there is a tendency to form sub-boundaries in the low-stress-regime.
An Average-Stretch Full-Network Model for Rubber Elasticity

Two constitutive models that are based on the classical non-Gaussian, Kuhn-Grun probability distribution function are reviewed. It is shown that all chains of a network cell structure comprised of a finite number of identical chains in an affine deformation referred to principal axes may have the same invariant stretch, if and only if the chains are oriented initially along any of eight directions forming the diagonals of a unit cube. The 4-chain tetrahedral and the 8-chain cubic cell structures are familiar admissible models having this property. An easy derivation of the constitutive equation for the Wu and van der Giessen full-network model of initially identical chains arbitrarily oriented in the undeformed state is presented. The constitutive equations for the neo-Hookean model, the 3-chain model, and the equivalent 4- and 8-chain models are then derived from the Wu and van der Giessen equation. The squared chain stretch of an arbitrarily directed chain averaged over a unit sphere surrounding all chains radiating from a cross-link junction as its center is determined. An average-stretch, full-network constitutive equation is then derived by approximation of the Wu and van der Giessen equation. This result, though more general in that no special chain cell morphology is introduced, is the same as the constitutive equation for the 4- and 8-chain models. Some concluding remarks on extensions to amended models are presented.
Evidence for two new crystalline forms of sodium peroxide

Abstract A diffractometer equipped with a special furnace was used to record the powder diffraction pattern of Na2O2 over the range 25–550°C. A new phase, Na2O2-II, is stable at high temperatures. The transition temperature was found from diffractometer and separate thermal analysis measurements to be 512 ± 1°C. The thermal expansion coefficient of Na2O2-I, from diffractometer data, was found to be essentially isotropic and linear within the limit of error, and equal to (2·84 ± 0·4) × 10−5 °C−1 (15–460°C). Samples prepared by pouring molten sodium peroxide into liquid air gave a powder diffraction pattern at room temperature which is tentatively identified as that of a third polymorph, Na2O2-Q.
SICKLE CELL DISEASE

The identification of genetic mutation that causes sickle cell disease 35 years ago has not yet led to a widely applicable, specific therapy that corrects the underlying abnormality of hemoglobin. Nevertheless, recent progress in understanding the pathophysiology and natural history of sickling disorders has led directly to important prophylactic and supportive therapies that have markedly reduced morbidity and prolonged life expectancy. This is particularly true for manifestations of sickle cell disease that result from damage to the spleen, lungs, and brain. New strategies for specific therapy, including expanded use of chronic transfusions, bone marrow transplantation, and hydroxyurea, now offer hope for prevention of many or all of the hemolytic and vaso-occlusive manifestations of sickle cell disease.
Ultrasonographic abnormalities in eyes with traumatic hyphema obscuring intraocular structures: 33 cases (1991–2002)

Objective: To examine ultrasonographic abnormalities in eyes with traumatic hyphema obscuring intraocular structures. Design: Retrospective clinical study. Setting: The ophthalmology services of a private practice and university veterinary teaching hospital. Animals: Twenty-two dogs, 6 cats, 3 horses, and 2 birds. Measurements and main results: Medical records were reviewed for signalment, history, ophthalmic examination, ultrasonographic findings, treatment, and outcome in all patients that presented to the ophthalmology service with trauma-induced hyphema obscuring intraocular structures. Thirty-three patients were included and there were 35 affected eyes (17 left and 18 right). Abnormalities noted on ophthalmic examination included hyphema obscuring intraocular details beyond the iris (100%), corneal laceration (23%), iris prolapse (23%), fibrin clotting within the anterior chamber (17%), and subconjunctival and periocular bruising (17%). Ocular ultrasonography revealed the presence of either vitreous hemorrhage or a retinal detachment in 32 of 35 eyes (91%) with traumatic hyphema. Of the remaining 3 eyes, ocular ultrasonography revealed a lens luxation with posterior eye wall rupture in 1 eye and collapsed globes in the other 2 eyes. Twelve eyes were enucleated and 23 were treated medically. Ten of the medically treated eyes were lost to follow-up. Blindness was noted in all the affected eyes upon their final discharge and recheck examination. Conclusions: Ocular ultrasonography revealed vitreous hemorrhage or a retinal detachment in 32 eyes (91%) with traumatic hyphema. Blindness was noted on the last available examination of every eye. The prognosis for vision in an eye with traumatic hyphema obscuring intraocular detail is poor.
On the nature and accuracy of attributions that change over time

“Actor” subjects engaged in a brief getting-acquainted conversation while “observer” subjects watched. Ratings of and causal attributions for behavior during the conversation were obtained immediately upon its conclusion and three weeks later from the same subjects and from an independent group of subjects not asked for immediate attributions. Comparison between immediate and the independent, “postponed” assessments showed that attributions by actors and observers tended to emphasize situational factors more over time, and personal factors less. Attributions by the “repeated assessment” subjects did not show a significant change over time, but their delayed attributions were significantly less likely to emphasize situational factors than were the delayed attributions of the “postponed assessment” group. The relative accuracy of these attributions could not, of course, be directly assessed. However, valid attributions presumably must be based upon valid perceptions or memories of the behaviors they seek to explain, and reliable criterion ratings of behaviors in the present study could be obtained from the experimenters. Actors' and observers' delayed behavior ratings agreed less with these criteria than did their immediate ratings, an indirect indication that attributions do not increase, and may decrease, in accuracy over time.
The influence of arrestin (48K protein) and rhodopsin kinase on visual transduction

The shutoff of the phototransduction cascade in retinal rods requires the inactivation of light-activated rhodopsin. The underlying mechanisms were studied in functionally intact detached rod outer segments by testing the effect of either sangivamycin, an inhibitor of rhodopsin kinase, or phytic acid, an inhibitor of 48K protein binding to phosphorylated rhodopsin, on light responses recorded in whole-cell voltage clamp. The results suggest that isomerized rhodopsin is inactivated fully by multiple phosphorylation and that the binding of 48K protein accelerates recovery by quenching partially phosphorylated rhodopsin. Higher concentrations of sangivamycin cause changes in the light response that cannot be explained by selective inhibition of rhodopsin kinase and suggest that other protein kinases are needed for normal rod function.
Automatic recognition of intonational features

The authors report the initial development of an algorithm to automatically detect boundary tones and prominences in continuous speech. Utilizing phoneme durations given by a speech recognizer, the authors use a tree quantizer and hidden Markov model to label these intonational features. In speaker-independent tests on a corpus of professionally read speech, 77% of the boundary tones were correctly detected while 3% of the detections were false alarms. For prominences, the corresponding numbers were 86% and 14%. >
Modeling and optimal compensation of quantization in multidimensional M-band filter bank

This paper provides a rigorous theory for modeling, and optimal compensation of quantization effects in multidimensional M-band FIR filter banks. Each pdf-optimized quantizer is modeled by a nonlinear gain-plus-additive uncorrelated noise and embedded into the subband structure. Using polyphase decomposition of the analysis/synthesis filter banks, we derive the exact expression for the output mean square quantization error and develop the technique for optimal compensation of quantization. Numerical design examples for the optimum nonseparable paraunitary and biorthogonal filter banks are developed with a quincunx subsampling lattice. >
Phosphonate Utilization by the Glyphosate-Degrading Pseudomonas sp. Strain PG2982

The glyphosate-degrading Pseudomonas sp. strain PG2982 was found to utilize each of 10 organophosphonate compounds as a sole phosphorus source. Representative compounds tested included alkylphosphonates, 1-amino-substituted alkylphosphonates, amino-terminal phosphonates, and an arylphosphonate. This report demonstrates that PG2982 is capable of utilizing a wider range of structurally different organophosphonate compounds than any organism described to date.
Peripheral venous contrast echocardiography.

Contrast echocardiography is the technique of injecting various echoproducing agents into the bloodstream and, with standard echocardiographic techniques, observing the blood flow patterns as revealed by the resulting cloud of echoes. These techniques have only recently been utilized to evaluate various cardiac defects. Two physical properties of these agents characterize their usefulness: (1) clouds of echoes can be observed downstream as well as at the injection site, and (2) the echoproducing quality of these agents is completely lost with a single transit through either the pulmonary or the systemic capillary bed. Thus, detection of resultant echoes in both the venous and the arterial blood pool is indicative of abnormal shunting. In 60 patients with a spectrum of cardiac defects and a wide range in age of presentation, studies were made of (1) the feasibility of performing contrast echocardiography with superficial peripheral venous injections, and (2) the clinical usefulness of this relatively noninvasive technique in detecting and localizing intracardiac right to left shunting. Most superficial peripheral veins could be utilized, and the resultant contrast echograms were reproducible and similar in quality to those obtained with more central (caval) injections. Right to left shunts could be localized to the atrial, ventricular or intrapulmonary level. Characteristic flow patterns were also recognized for tricuspid atresia and common ventricle.
The elasticity of customer value to retention: The duration of a customer relationship

Abstract A cornerstone of the customer relationship management (CRM) and interactive marketing literature is the Reichheld and Sasser statement that “reducing defections by 5% boosts profits 25% to 85%.” The basic premise is that a relatively small increase in customer retention (loyalty) will drive relatively large increases in profits. As the practice of CRM matures, we believe that managers and researchers will be interested in a more exact quantification of the economic benefits of increased customer retention. This article develops methods for determining percentage increases in expected customer (and prospect) lifetime values due to increased retention. In particular, we derive an equation for the elasticity of expected customer future value, the component of customer lifetime value contingent on retention. This equation for “retention elasticity” is based on a general model of a customer-retention relationship in which margins, retention spending, and retention probabilities vary with tenure. Using a numerical example, we investigate the factors that affect retention elasticity. We also show that this retention elasticity is equal to the financial duration of the customer asset. This connection between retention elasticity and financial duration offers a new perspective from which to understand and interpret retention elasticity. For example, just as duration is an important measure of a bond's risk, so too is retention elasticity a measure of one source of volatility in the value of a customer relationship.
CYRF: a theory of window-based unicast congestion control

This work presents a comprehensive theoretical framework for memoryless window-based congestion control protocols that are designed to converge to fairness and efficiency. We first derive a necessary and sufficient condition for stepwise convergence to fairness. Using this, we show how fair window increase/decrease policies can be constructed from suitable pairs of monotonically nondecreasing functions. We generalize this to smooth protocols that converge over each congestion epoch. The framework also includes a simple method for incorporating TCP-friendliness. Well-studied congestion control protocols such as TCP, GAIMD, and Binomial congestion control can be constructed using this method. Thus, we provide a common framework for the analysis of such window-based protocols. We also present two new congestion control protocols for streaming media-like applications as examples of protocol design in this framework: The first protocol, LOG, has the objective of reconciling the smoothness requirement of an application with the need for a fast dynamic response to congestion. The second protocol, SIGMOID, guarantees a minimum bandwidth for an application but behaves exactly like TCP for large windows.
Health-related quality of life in sickle cell disease.

Advances in drug therapy, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and technology have improved the morbidity and survival for those with sickle cell disease. The effect of this modern therapy on the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of those with sickle cell disease is not known. HRQL provides an assessment of how an illness, its complications, and its treatment are experienced by a patient. This review will examine prior work in HRQL in sickle cell disease and the rationale for utilizing HRQL as an outcome to measure impact of treatment. In addition, issues to consider when reporting HRQL will be presented. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:5–9. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Analysis of total arsenic, total selenium and total chromium in urine by inductively coupled plasma-dynamic reaction cell-mass spectrometry

An accurate and simple method for the determination of total arsenic, total selenium and total chromium in urine has been developed using inductively coupled argon plasma-dynamic reaction cell-mass spectrometry (ICP-DRC-MS). Determination was by external calibration, using matrix-matched standards and high purity calibration materials from a commercial vendor. Aliquots of each urine specimen were diluted (1 + 9) with 2% (v/v) nitric acid containing rhodium and iridium as an internal standard. Argon cell gas was used to remove the isobaric interferences that normally adversely affect 75As, 78Se and 52Cr analysis by ICP-MS and require the use of a dynamic reaction cell (DRC). The principle isobars that interfere with these measurements are [40Ar35Cl]+, [40Ar38Ar]+ and [40Ar12C]+ for 75As, 78Se and 52Cr, respectively. The counts at m/z 75 (arsenic); 78 (selenium); 52 (chromium), 103 (rhodium), and 193 (iridium) were measured. The ratios of the counts at m/z 75 or 78 to those at m/z 193, and m/z 52 to those at m/z 103 were calculated. These ratios were compared with those from urine-based calibration standards to calculate the arsenic, selenium, and chromium concentrations in unknown specimens. The concentrations of arsenic, selenium, and chromium were calculated as μg L−1 in the sample. No creatinine corrections were made, although these could easily be made with data for urine creatinine for each specimen. The proposed method uses the same diluted urine solutions prepared for conventional ICP-MS toxic metal biomonitoring and chemical terrorism screening analysis with the same internal standards; and uses argon as the DRC cell gas. The proposed method provides the basis for an accurate method for determining total arsenic, total selenium, and total chromium in unexposed subjects, and in persons considered to be exposed to those elements through chemical terrorism, environmental, nutritional or other pathways. Approximately 100 specimens, including blanks, calibration standards and quality-control materials, can be processed in an 8 h day.
Simple High Performance Multi-modal Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) Microscopy Based on a Two-Photon Microscope

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy [1] requires two input laser colours, called ‘Pump’ and ‘Stokes’ pulses; the frequency difference between them being tuned to the Raman resonance of interest. For live cell and tissue imaging, much of the focus has been on using picosecond lasers, either from two independent synchronized lasers or from an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) [2]. The use of femtosecond lasers has been explored, but more often in terms of multiplex CARS microscopy of cells [3, 4] and not tissue imaging. We have successfully employed a single femtosecond oscillator to perform tissue and live cell imaging with good spectral resolution, based upon conversion of a two-photon microscope.
Effect of Neck Muscle Strength and Anticipatory Cervical Muscle Activation on the Kinematic Response of the Head to Impulsive Loads

Background:Greater neck strength and activating the neck muscles to brace for impact are both thought to reduce an athlete’s risk of concussion during a collision by attenuating the head’s kinematic response after impact. However, the literature reporting the neck’s role in controlling postimpact head kinematics is mixed. Furthermore, these relationships have not been examined in the coronal or transverse planes or in pediatric athletes.Hypotheses:In each anatomic plane, peak linear velocity (ΔV) and peak angular velocity (Δω) of the head are inversely related to maximal isometric cervical muscle strength in the opposing direction (H1). Under impulsive loading, ΔV and Δω will be decreased during anticipatory cervical muscle activation compared with the baseline state (H2).Study Design:Descriptive laboratory study.Methods:Maximum isometric neck strength was measured in each anatomic plane in 46 male and female contact sport athletes aged 8 to 30 years. A loading apparatus applied impulsive test forces to a...
Acquired Coagulation Inhibitor in Association With Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever With a Review of Other Acquired Coagulation Inhibitors

An acutely ill 4-year-old girl with Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) was found to have a coagulation inhibitor. This child had no serious bleeding manifestations and minimal hemorrhagic skin manifestations despite severe RMSF, concurrent thrombocytopenia, as well as the coagulation inhibitor. Hemostatic abnormalities that occur with RMSF as well as other infectious illnesses associated with coagulation inhibitors are reviewed.
Long-term outcome in occipital nerve stimulation patients with medically intractable primary headache disorders.

Introduction  Occipital nerve stimulation (ONS) may provide relief for refractory headache disorders. However, scant data exist regarding long-term ONS outcomes. Methods  The methods used were retrospective review of the medical records of all (nonindustry study) patients who were trialed and implanted with occipital nerve stimulator systems at our institution, followed by a phone interview. Up to three attempts were made to contact each patient, and those who were contacted were given the opportunity to participate in a brief phone interview regarding their ONS experience. Data for analysis were gleaned from both the phone interview and the patient's medical records. Results  Twenty-nine patients underwent a trial of ONS during the 8.5-year study period. Three patients did not go on to permanent implant, 12 could not be contacted, and 14 participated in the phone interview. Based upon the phone interview (if the patient was contacted) or chart review, ONS was deemed successful in five of the 12 migraine, four of the five cluster headache, and five of the eight miscellaneous headache patients, and therapy was documented as long as 102 months. In one of the 26 patients, success of ONS could not be determined. Among patients deemed to have successful outcomes, headache frequency decreased by 18%, severity by 27%, and migraine disability score by 50%. Fifty-eight percent of patients required at least one lead revision. Discussion  These results, although limited by their retrospective nature, suggest that ONS can be effective long term despite technical challenges. The number of patients within each headache subtype was insufficient to draw conclusions regarding the differential effect of ONS. Conclusions  Randomized controlled long-term studies in specific, intractable, primary headache disorders are indicated.
The cell biology of transforming growth factor β

The TGF beta family of polypeptide growth factors regulates a remarkable diversity of cellular functions, many of which are not directly associated with cell growth. The present review has summarized many of the recent studies that have just begun to conceptually integrate this expanding array of TGF beta functions into the context of a three-dimensional, multicellular organ or tissue, be it normal or diseased. This fascinating research strongly implicates TGF beta as a key modulator of a wide variety of important physiologic and pathophysiologic processes.
Engineering Cost-Benefit Analysis of Thin, Durable Asphalt Overlays

Use of sustainable and cost-effective pavement overlays as a rehabilitation technique has been emphasized for several years as oil prices continue their instability in the United States. Since the 1980s, significant advances have been introduced in asphalt pavements regarding material selection, mix design, and construction technology that improve pavement performance. Some of these improvements require the use of a highly modified asphalt binder and expensive high-quality aggregates to achieve the desired performance. This study developed four potentially cost-effective asphalt mixtures and efficient cross sections for asphalt wearing surfaces. The newly developed asphalt mixes incorporated locally available aggregates, special binder additives such as fibers, innovative surfacing technologies, or all of these techniques. The cost-effectiveness of the newly developed asphalt mixtures is presented, and the improved performance is considered. Deterministic and probabilistic life-cycle cost analysis was per...
The Bounded Real Lemma for Internally Positive Systems and H-Infinity Structured Static State Feedback

We consider the bounded real lemma for internally positive linear time-invariant systems. We show that the H∞ norm of such systems can be evaluated by checking the existence of a certain diagonal quadratic storage function. Taking advantage of this fact, the problem of designing a structured static state feedback controller achieving internal stability, contractiveness, and internal positivity in closed loop becomes convex and tractable.
Coordinating agent activities in knowledge discovery processes

Knowledge discovery in databases (KDD) is an increasingly widespread activity. KDD processes may entail the use of a large number of data manipulation and analysis techniques, and new techniques are being developed on an ongoing basis. A challenge for the effective use of KDD is coordinating the use of these techniques, which may be highly specialized, conditional and contingent. Additionally, the understanding and validity of KDD results can depend critically on the processes by which they were derived. We propose to use process programming to address the coordination of agents in the use of KDD techniques. We illustrate this approach using the process language Little-JIL to program a representative bivariate regression process. With Little-JIL programs we can clearly capture the coordination of KDD activities, including control flow, pre- and post-requisites, exception handling, and resource usage.
Seasonal disturbance to mussel beds: Field test of a mechanistic model predicting wave dislodgment

We report the first field confirmation of a mechanistic model predicting fine-scale temporal dynamics of wave dislodgment, an important disturbance process structuring many temperate rocky intertidal communities. A biomechanical approach is used to predict the frequency and severity of mussel dislodgment from wave-swept shores in Rhode Island over a 3-yr period. Using inputs of wave height and mussel attachment, the model correctly predicts strong dislodgment events during hurricane season (August to October, ,10% monthly loss), a period when large waves coincide with relatively weak mussel attachment. Such a mechanistic approach, incorporating temporal variation in both environmental challenges and physiological tolerances, is necessary to predict patterns of environmental stress; such predictions cannot be made from environmental forecasts alone. In addition to wave dislodgment, we report substantial mussel mortality due to temperature stress (up to 50% monthly loss). These two physical agents, which caused equivalent mussel mortality in our 3-yr study, are likely to be influenced by future global climate shifts.
Modeling MOCVD growth of YBCO thin films

We develop a new approach to the modeling of thin film growth. Our model treats the adatom density on the surface of the film as an explict unknown. This approach (1) clarifies the role of the “uphill current” associated with the Schwoebel barrier; (2) facilitates simple, physically natural coupling to the mechanism of deposition; and (3) permits discussion of multispecies effects. Our implementation focuses on spiral mode growth of YBCO thin films, with MOCVD (Metallorganic chemical vapor deposition) as the deposition mechanism.
The Annual Cycle of Heat Content in the Peru Current Region

The relative importance of the processes responsible for the annual cycle in the upper-ocean heat content in the Peru Current, in the southeastern tropical Pacific, was diagnosed from an oceanic analysis dataset. It was found that the annual cycle of heat content is forced mainly by insolation. However, the ocean dynamical processes play an important role in producing different regional budget characteristics. In a band 500 km from the coast of Peru, the annual heat content changes in this region are relatively large and can be approximated as sea surface temperature (SST) changes in a fixed-depth mixed layer. The annual cycle of the albedo associated with low-level clouds enhances the annual cycle in insolation, which explains the relatively strong annual cycle of heat content. These clouds, to a large extent, act as a feedback to SST, but a small additional forcing, which is proposed to be cold air advection in this paper, is needed to explain the fact that the maximum cloudiness leads the lowest SST by around a month. Ocean dynamics is important closer to the coast, where upwelling acts partly as damping of the heat content changes and forces it to peak earlier than farther offshore. In a band farther to the southwest, locally wind-forced thermocline motions, which become shallower (deeper) in the warm (cool) season, partially cancel the effect of net surface heat fluxes, whose annual cycle is comparable to that in the region previously mentioned, producing a relatively small annual cycle of heat content. The local forcing appears to be associated with the annual meridional displacements of the South Pacific anticyclone. The annual cycle in SST is also relatively small, which is probably due to the changes in the temperature of the water entrained into the mixed layer associated with the thermocline motions, but also to a mixed layer deeper than that closer to the coast.
Consumer-Oriented Health Care Reform Strategies: A Review of the Evidence on Managed Competition and Consumer-Directed Health Insurance

Context: For many years, leading health care reform proposals have been based on market-oriented strategies. In the 1990s, a number of reform proposals were built around the concept of “managed competition,” but more recently, “consumer-directed health care” models have received attention. Although price-conscious consumer demand plays a critical role in both the managed competition and consumer-directed health care models, the two strategies are based on different visions of the health care marketplace and the best way to use market forces to achieve greater systemwide efficiencies. Methods: This article reviews the research literature that tests the main hypotheses concerning the two policy strategies. Findings: Numerous studies provide consistent evidence that consumers’ health plan choices are sensitive to out-of-pocket premiums. The elasticity of demand appears to vary with consumers’ health risk, with younger, healthier individuals being more price sensitive. This heterogeneity increases the potential for adverse selection. Biased risk selection also is a concern when the menu of health plan options includes consumer-directed health plans. Several studies confirm that such plans tend to attract healthier enrollees. A smaller number of studies test the main hypothesis regarding consumer-directed health plans, which is that they result in lower medical spending than do more generous plans. These studies find little support for this claim. Conclusions: The experiences of employers that have adopted key elements of managed competition are generally consistent with the key hypotheses underlying that strategy. Research in this area, however, has focused on only a narrow range of questions. Because consumer-directed health care is such a recent phenomenon, research on this strategy is even more limited. Additional studies on both topics would be valuable.
Basic Pharmacology of Anesthetic Agents

Anesthesiologists prescribe, prepare, and administer medications during the perioperative period to facilitate patient safety while optimizing surgical conditions. The vast majority of these medications, unfortunately, have significant and potentially life-threatening side effects. Comprehension of these concepts can facilitate and impact operating conditions for the otolaryngologist, improve turnover efficiency in the operating room, and help to prevent surgical complications. Therefore, it is of paramount importance for the otolaryngologist to have a working understanding of the agents administered by anesthesiologists while they operate.
Plasma Membrane and Intracellular Lipid Synthesis in Tumor Cells Rendered Resistant to Humoral Immune Killing After Treatment With Hormones

Line-10 hepatoma cells from Sewall Wright guinea pigs are sensitive to killing by antibody plus human complement. Hormones that decrease the sensitivity of the cells to antibody-complement-mediated killing (insulin and hydrocortisone) were examined for their effects on the ability of the cells to synthesize and incorporate specific lipids into plasma membrane and intracellular membrane fractions. Cells that had been rendered resistant to antibody-complement-mediated killing following incubation for 1 hour with either of the hormones were enhanced in their incorporation of newly synthesized L-alpha-phosphatidyl serine, L-alpha-phosphatidyl choline, and triglycerides into the plasma membrane as well as L-alpha-phosphatidyl choline, L-alpha-phosphatidyl serine, and cholesteryl ester into mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, nuclear membrane, or microsomes; these cells were inhibited in cardiolipin synthesis. Cells cultured for 4 hours with hormone regained their sensitivity to antibody-complement-mediated killing and reverted to control levels in their ability to synthesize and incorporate lipids into plasma and intracellular membranes. These data suggest that agents that increase the resistance of the tumor cells to humoral immune killing stimulate the synthesis and incorporation of specific complex lipids into plasma membrane and intracellular organelles; these effects are generally opposite those observed after treatment with agents that increase the sensitivity of the cells to antibody-complement-mediated killing (metabolic inhibitors).
Lead-free 0.5Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3–0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 nanowires for energy harvesting

Lead-free piezoelectric nanowires (NWs) show strong potential in sensing and energy harvesting applications due to their flexibility and ability to convert mechanical energy to electric energy. Currently, most lead-free piezoelectric NWs are produced through low yield synthesis methods and result in low electromechanical coupling, which limit their efficiency as energy harvesters. In order to alleviate these issues, a scalable method is developed to synthesize perovskite type 0.5Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3–0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 (BZT–BCT) NWs with high piezoelectric coupling coefficient. The piezoelectric coupling coefficient of the BZT–BCT NWs is measured by a refined piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) testing method and shows the highest reported coupling coefficient for lead-free piezoelectric nanowires of 90 ± 5 pm V−1. Flexible nanocomposites utilizing dispersed BZT–BCT NWs are fabricated to demonstrate an energy harvesting application with an open circuit voltage of up to 6.25 V and a power density of up to 2.25 μW cm−3. The high electromechanical coupling coefficient and high power density demonstrated with these lead-free NWs produced via a scalable synthesis method shows the potential for high performance NW-based devices.
The Place of Physiology in Entomological Curricula

My point of view on this subject is that the place for physiology, like that for anatomy, ecology, taxonomy and so forth is throughout the curriculum and throughout most of the courses in such a curriculum. Let me explain what I mean.
A CASE OF MALIGNANT HEMANGIOPRICYTOMA IN THE PELVIC CAVITY

We experienced a patient with malignant hemangiopricytoma in the pelvic cavity who was able to survive for 7 years and 6 months after initiation of the treatment. A 70-year-old woman was seen at the hospital because of severe pain extending from the left gluteal region to left lower extremity in June 1984. A 9×7cm hard tumor was palpated in the left gluteal region. Computed tomography identified a homogeneous tumor mass protruding into the peritoneal cavity and destruction of the pelvis. Angiography showed a hypervascular tumor with internal illiac artery as dominant artery. With biopsy a diagnosis of malignant hemangiopericytoma was made. Bone scintigraphy revealed a hot spot on the right seventh rib. Since radical excision was apparently impossible from these findings, trans arterial embolization of the left internal illiac artery was performed. Two months later, the size of the mass was reduced by 50%. Then chemotherapy with ADM via the left illiac artery using an implanted reservoir was done. The size of the tumor was reduced by 60% at maximum and intratumoral necrosis was recognized. Radiotherapy using 60Co facilitated the intratumoral calcification. No increase in size of the tumor was noted until she died of symptosis after fracture of the right thigh 7 years and 6 months after the initiation of the treatment. In this case multimodal therapy comprizing of trans-arterial embolization of the dominant artery of malignant hemangiopricytoma, intraarterial chemotherapy, and radiotherapy was very effective.
Double-Focusing Thermal Triple-Axis Spectrometer at the NCNR.

The new thermal triple-axis spectrometer at the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) is located at the BT-7 beam port. The 165 mm diameter reactor beam is equipped with a selection of Soller collimators, beam-limiters, and a pyrolytic graphite (PG) filter to tailor the beam for the dual 20×20 cm(2) double-focusing monochromator system that provides monochromatic fluxes exceeding 10(8) n/cm(2)/s onto the sample. The two monochromators installed are PG(002) and Cu(220), which provide incident energies from 5 meV to above 500 meV. The computer controlled analyzer system offers six standard modes of operation, including a diffraction detector, a position-sensitive detector (PSD) in diffraction mode, horizontal energy focusing analyzer with detector, a Q-E mode employing a flat analyzer and PSD, a constant-E mode with the analyzer crystal system and PSD, and a conventional mode with a selection of Soller collimators and detector. Additional configurations for specific measurement needs are also available. This paper discusses the capabilities and performance for this new state-of-the-art neutron spectrometer.
MATING BEHAVIOR IN DROSOPHILA AFFINIS AND DROSOPHILA ALGONQUIN

As has been reported by numerous authors (e.g. Sturtevant, 1921; Stalker, 1942; Mayr, 1946; Wallace and Dobzhansky, 1946; and Spieth, 1949), when males of one species of Drosophila are mixed with females of another, mating may not take place or may take place only with difficulty. Even where no striking differences are discernible between the normal mating behaviors of the two species, there may be noticeable difficulty in interspecific mating (e.g. the combination of D. pseudoobscura and D. persimilis; Mayr, 1946). In some cases in which mating is reduced, either the males or the females may behave in such a manner as apparently to interfere with successful crossing. For example, Sturtevant ,(1921) attributes the reduction of interspecific nlating between D. melanogaster and D. simulans chiefly to the females, since the males seem to court females of either species indiscriminately. On the other hand, certain observations of interspecific mixtures have shown some disinclination of Drosophila males to mate with females of alien species. Stalker (1942) reports some hesitancy on the part of virilis and americana males when confronted with alien females, and Spieth (1949) reports sudden cessations of courtship by males in certain interspecific combinations of D. zwillistoni group species. It was the object of the present study to extend observations of mating behavior to the North American species D. affinis and D. algonquin and, in par-
A Family of New Multiport Power-Sharing Converter Topologies for Large Grid-Connected Fuel Cells

This paper presents a family of new multiport power-sharing converter (PSC) topologies for utility-scale fuel cell (FC) power generation. The proposed system connects multiple FC sources to a medium-voltage grid via a single multilevel neutral point clamp (NPC) inverter interface with high-frequency isolation. High-voltage series-connected inputs are achieved, despite safely referencing each source to ground. Also, unique power-sharing technology decouples series-connected source currents and enables control of each FCs individual power level. Multidimensional modeling and analysis of the proposed system's PI- and PV-behavior is presented. Then, system topology and design considerations are discussed. Case study simulations show how this topology can operate four 250-kW FCs at separate power levels between 20% and 100%, while connecting to a single three-level NPC utility-interface. Correspondingly, a reduced-scale hardware prototype provides further proof of concept. Altogether, the proposed family of multiport PSC topologies realizes independent power control per source as well as increased output power, operational flexibility, thermal balancing, source availability, and cost effectiveness for utility FC power generation.