cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Interactive Effect of COVID-19 Worry and Loneliness on Mental Health Among Young Adults.

Young adults are overrepresented in terms of adverse mental health problems related to COVID-19. Emerging work has identified worry about the consequences and trajectory of COVID-19 and loneliness as important factors in mental health during the pandemic. However, the main and interactive effects of worry about COVID-19 and loneliness have not been explored in one overarching model in relation to mental health problems among young adults. The present study therefore evaluated loneliness and COVID-19 related worry in terms of anxiety, stress, and depression among young adults (209 college students, 76.1% female, Mage = 22.99 years, SD = 5.25) recruited to participate in an online survey study. Results indicated a significant interaction between COVID-19 worry and loneliness for each criterion variable (depression: b = .01, SE = .003, t = 2.86, p = .01; anxiety: b = .01, SE = .002, t = 2.36, p = .02; stress: b = .01, SE = .003, t = 2.54, p = .01), such that worry was more strongly related to each mental health outcome among those that endorsed higher levels of loneliness. The current findings suggest loneliness is related to negative mental health symptoms among young adults experiencing COVID-19 related worry. The current findings provide initial empirical evidence for the impact of COVID-19 worry on mental health among young adults experiencing loneliness. Future research may benefit from exploring how COVID-19 worry and loneliness interplay over time.
The effects of a proprietary Manuka honey and essential oil hydrogel on the healing of acute full-thickness wounds in dogs

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of a proprietary Manuka honey essential oil hydrogel on the healing of acute, full-thickness wounds in dogs. STUDY DESIGN Prospective, controlled, randomized, experimental study. ANIMALS Purpose-bred, adult, female beagles (n = 10). METHODS Two 2 × 2 cm surgical wounds were created bilaterally on the trunk of each dog; each side was randomized to receive HoneyCure® (HOC) or standard-of-care (CON) dressings. Cranial wounds were for histopathological analysis and the caudal wounds for culture and planimetry. Total and open wound areas were measured with digital image planimetry at 15 time points. From these data, percent contraction and percent epithelialization were calculated. Tissue biopsies were obtained at 7 time points and histologic features scored. Cultures were obtained at 2 time points. RESULTS Epithelialization was 11.7, 10.4, and 10.1 percentage points higher in HOC wounds compared to CON wounds at days 16, 18, and 21 respectively. Wound contraction and histological scores did not differ between groups. Cultures were positive in 7/40 (17.5%) wounds, with Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated evenly. There was no difference of infection rate between the two groups; all infections were superficial and did not require treatment. CONCLUSION This study did not provide evidence to support the application of HoneyCure® in small, acute wounds in healthy dogs. However, application may be beneficial in the early proliferative stage of wound healing and in wounds that would benefit from early, robust epithelialization.
Deletion-directed search in resolution-based proof procedures

The operation of a deletion-directed search strategy for resolution-based proof procedures is discussed. The strategy attempts to determine the satisfiability of a set of input clauses while at the same time minimizing the cardinality of the set of retained clauses. E-representation, a new clause deletion rule which is fundamental to the operation of the search strategy, is also described.
Effects of Alanine on Gluconeogenesis in Isolated Rat Hepatocytes

The effect of alanine on pyruvate kinase was investigated in isolated rat hepatocytes. Alanine at concentrations of 2, 5 or 10 mM increased glucose production by 73% during the first 30 minutes of incubation of hepatocytes with 9 mM lactate and 1 mM pyruvate. After 3 minutes, the rate was not affected by the addition of alanine. A dose-response study showed that maximal stimulation of gluconeogenesis was achieved with 0.5 mM alanine. Using a method that measured recycling of phosphoenolpyruvate to pyruvate, it was found that in either fed or starved rats, alanine significantly decreased the percentage of phosphoenolpyruvate recycling when lactate was the substrate. However, no significant change in recycling was noted when either pyruvate or lactate-pyruvate was the glucose precursor. This study suggests that in intact liver cells, alanine has an inhibitory effect on pyruvate kinase. However, the inhibition is not of sufficient magnitude to completely account for the increase in glucose production when lactate is the substrate. It is hypothesized that alanine may have other effects on gluconeogenesis in addition to that of inhibiting pyruvate kinase.
Colorectal Cancer Incidence Among Young Adults in California

Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence has decreased over the past three decades, due largely to screening efforts. Relatively little is known about CRC incidence among the young adult (YA) population ages 20-39, as screening typically commences at age 50 for average-risk individuals. We examined CRC incidence with a focus on YAs in order to identify high-risk subgroups. Methods: We analyzed 231,544 incident CRC cases from 1988-2009 (including 5617 YAs 20-39 years of age) from the California Cancer Registry. We assessed age-specific incidence rates by race/ethnicity, gender, and colorectal tumor location, and calculated the biannual percent change (BAPC) to monitor change in incidence over the 22-year study period. Results: The absolute incidence of CRC per 100,000 was low among YAs 20-29 and 30-39 years old (ranging from 0.7 per 100,000 among Hispanic and African American females aged 20-29 up to 5.0 per 100,000 among Asian/Pacific Islander males aged 30-39). However, we observed increasing CRC incidence rates over time among both males and females in the YA population, particularly for distal colon cancer in Hispanic females aged 20-29 (BAPC=+15.9%; p<0.042). Conclusion: The absolute incidence of CRC remains far lower for YAs than among adults aged 50 and over. However, CRC incidence is increasing among young adults, in contrast to the decreasing rates observed for adults in the screened population (aged 50 and above). More research is needed to better characterize YAs at increased risk for CRC.
Pulse Astronomy: Short Time Scale Phenomena in Electromagnetic and Gravitational Wave Astronomy

Patience is generally reckoned to be a virtue in astronomers. The reason is very simple: astronomical processes generally occur on extremely long time scales. The motions of planets in our solar system take place on a time scale of the order of years or decades; in double star systems, the orbital periods range from days to millennia. Likewise, changes in the properties of individual astronomical bodies generally take place on extremely long time scales. For instance, it is now well established that our Sun, like all other stars, is an evolving object. In the process of generating the energy which warms the Earth, its interior properties are slowly changing; but it is quite apparent that changes in the Sun have been negligibly small over historical time. Indeed we are fairly confident that the Sun has been essentially as it is now for the past five billion years, and will remain in essentially the same state for the next five billion years.
Applications of new materials for fiber optic amplifiers and lasers

Since the practical demonstration of the EDFA in the late 1980s there has been an enormous amount of research into new or improved materials for fiber optical amplifiers and lasers. The motivating factor for materials scientists working in the field is the limited application space for silica based erbium doped amplifiers. While silica based fibers manufactured by some form of chemical vapor deposition technique remain as the favored choice for optical fiber device engineers, there are often performance and design issues which makes it necessary to seek solutions based on compound glass. Applications described in this paper are; extended C and L band EDFAs, Tm doped fibers for S-band amplifiers and power scaling three-level fiber lasers. These devices are enabled by a combination of intrinsic spectroscopy, rare-earth phonon-coupling and attainable numerical aperture. The glass system based on antimony silicate has proved to be very versatile enabling a 48 nm C-band EDFA, an L-band EDFA operating beyond 1620 nm, a 60 nm broad S-band Tm amplifier and a 980 nm Yb fiber laser with > 1 W output power.
Transiciones políticas y libertades ciudadanas: Algunas consideraciones sobre América Latina a partir de los años 70

Con el cierre de la “tercera ola democratizadora”, ubicada por Samuel Huntington entre 1974 y 1990, no llego a su fin el proceso global de las aperturas democraticas. A pesar de algunos retrocesos o regresiones, las democracias electorales, que en 1990 constituian el 46% de los paises alrededor del mundo, habian ascendido a 60% en 2009. Aunque ese avance democratico puede mover al optimismo, se debe ser realista en torno a las amenazas y oportunidades que se presentan para las libertades ciudadanas en America Latina. En este trabajo se exploran las mas importantes de ellas.
The Social Value Requirement Reconsidered

It is widely assumed that it is ethical to conduct research with human subjects only if the research has social value. There are two standard arguments for this view. The allocation argument claims that public funds should not be devoted to research that lacks social value. The exploitation avoidance argument claims that subjects are exploited if research has no social value. The primary purpose of this article is to argue that these arguments do not succeed. The allocation argument has little relevance to commercial research. Social value is not necessary to avoid exploitation if subjects benefit from participation. Although the standard arguments for a social value requirement do not succeed, that view might be justified in a different way. It might be justified by appeal to the importance of social trust or the integrity of physician investigators. It is possible but doubtful that these arguments succeed.
Stability and solution concentration enhancement of resveratrol by solid dispersion in cellulose derivative matrices

Resveratrol is a highly biologically active phytoalexin, found in many plant materials that are common elements of the human diet, such as grapes, nuts, and red wine. The therapeutic or disease preventative potential of this natural polyphenolic antioxidant has been limited in part due to its poor aqueous solubility and low oral bioavailability. We hypothesized that solid dispersion of resveratrol (Res) in cellulose derivative matrices might afford amorphous dispersions, from which supersaturated Res solutions would be produced in the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract, resulting in higher Res bioavailability. We carried out structure–property studies employing cellulose esters with a range of physical characteristics but possessing features suitable for use in amorphous solid dispersions: carboxymethylcellulose acetate butyrate (CMCAB), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) and cellulose acetate adipate propionate (CAAdP). The cellulose derivative results were compared with those of a negative control, pure crystalline Res, and a positive control, Res/poly(vinylpyrrolidinone) (PVP). Solid dispersions were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRPD), modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) of solid dispersions. HPMCAS and PVP solid dispersions afforded faster and more complete Res release at pH 6.8; however Res is also released from PVP matrices at pH 1.2. The carboxyl-containing cellulose derivatives release Res to only a small extent at pH 1.2. This combination of solution and solid phase stabilization against crystallization, and pH-triggered drug release makes these cellulose esters attractive candidates for Res bioavailability enhancement.
Modeling stem taper of three central Oregon species using nonlinear mixed effects models and autoregressive error structures

Variable exponent taper models were developed for three species in the central Oregon Cascades using nonlinear mixed effects models. Introduction of two random effects partially reduced autocorrelation, but were not sufficient to completely eliminate it. A first-order continuous autoregressive (CAR(1)) error process was incorporated into the modeling to provide valid tests of significance on model parameter estimates. The variable exponent model captured variation in the stem form across a wide range of spacings and several species mixes. Functions of diameter: height ratio were important variables for distinguishing among tree forms in these plots of varying structure. Volumes estimated from the equations developed for Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws. in this study were similar to volumes estimated from previously published equations developed for the east slopes of the Washington and Oregon Cascades. However, estimates differed for both Abies grandis (Dougl. ex D. Don) Lindl. and Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. underscoring the importance of developing site specific volume and taper equations when assessing tree responses to silvicultural treatments.
Comparing two vertical plankton distributions

Traditional statistical methods for testing for differences in vertical plankton distributions are invalid when the distributions are patchy. This note describes a modification of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test that is insensitive to patchiness. The modified test is applied to some data on day-night differences in the vertical distribution of two zooplankton taxa.
Studies of the electrochemical reduction of the monohalopyridines

Abstract The electrochemical reduction of the monosubstituted halopyridines has been studied. The d.c. polarographic reduction half-wave potential is a linear function of pH over a range of pH that is determined by the isomer being reduced. The reduction mechanism involves two one-electron steps at low pH. The polarographically measured p K a -values of the several pyridinium species are related to their excited-state p K a -values. A different mechanism is operative in alkaline solution. At high pH the three isomeric iodopyridines are elctroactive at the same reduction half-wave potential.
Beer self-administration provokes lateralized nucleus accumbens dopamine release in male heavy drinkers

Rationale Although striatal dopamine (DA) is important in alcohol abuse, the nature of DA release during actual alcohol drinking is unclear, since drinking includes self-administration of both conditioned flavor stimuli (CS) of the alcoholic beverage and subsequent intoxication, the unconditioned stimulus (US).
On Classic Maya political economies

Abstract Lowland Maya political economies are cosmopolitical economies, with “authoritative resources”—knowledge (“symbolic capital”), especially astro-calendrical knowledge, and ostensible control of time—evolving as the basis for Classic wealth, power, and dynastic legitimacy. Within a system of rotating geopolitical capitals, elite economic activities of production, consumption, and distribution were directed toward control of luxury goods and ritual performances emphasizing privileged interactions with the cosmos and ancestors. Examples include a “ritual mode of production” focused in a palace economy, consumption manifest in lavish public rituals and feasting, and goods circulating through tribute and periodic markets. In the dispersed lowland Maya settlement system, this decentralized economy retained some features more characteristic of stateless societies.
On Pseudonyms in Research

erly understood outside their social context and that many monographs about various ethno-cultural groups in Canada must be, at first, of an ethnographic character. That should be no source of wonder for any trained scholar, for these publications constitute the necessary foundation of all research on specific subjects. CCFCS has been one of the very few Canadian institutions to provide such information to the academic community. Such publications might not give appropriate answers to all questions, nor will they please all readers. Nevertheless, less emotional reviews than McGee's lead us to
Essential fatty acids in cystic fibrosis

THE nature of the metabolic defect in cystic fibrosis (CF) has, to date, not been elucidated. Elliott1 reported that intravenous administration of soybean oil and lecithin to children suffering from CF caused their sweat sodium concentration to decrease towards normal values. This prompted us to investigate the fatty acid spectra of the various serum lipid classes of children with CF. We have found that affected children are deficient in certain essential fatty acids.
A review of national monitoring networks in North America

Abstract Over 4300 monitoring sites operate in North America as part of three nation air quality monitoring networks (the Canadian – National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) network; the United States – State and Local Air Monitoring Stations (SLAMS) and National Air Monitoring Stations (NAMS), and the Mexican – Metropolitan Networks of Mexico). These three networks as well as the recently implemented US Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS) are reviewed in terms of their design objectives, siting criteria, quality assurance, and data analysis requirements. The principal objective of this paper is to review the current state of national air quality monitoring networks in North America and to assess the effectiveness and adequacy of these networks in addressing the critical needs of the various user communities they were designed to serve. The review specifically focuses on the network contributions to the measurement of ozone, particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5 ) and their associate precursor compounds. Network data and analysis needs for the air quality management/regulatory and science communities are compared and contrasted with several illustrative examples of data analysis applications supportive of the needs of the user communities provided. Specific performance issues regarding PAMS instrumentation and/or measurements methods, quality assurance and data analysis and distribution are reviewed and recommendations made with regard to improvements for consideration in future upgrades of national networks.
COMPARATIVE TRIAL OF CEFTRIAXONE (CTX) VS. AMPICILLIN/CHLORAMPHENICOL (A/C) THERAPY (Rx) FOR BACTERIAL MENINGITIS IN CHILDREN

Forty-five patients, 3 mo-5 yr in age, were randomly assigned Rx with CTX (23 pts) - loading dose of 75 mg/kg followed by 50 mg/kg q 12 hr or A/C (22 pts) - 50/25 mg/kg q 6 hr. The groups were comparable in age, sex, race, days and severity of illness before admission, etiology and admission CSF bacterial colony counts. The pathogens were H. flu type b (31 β-lactamase neg, 7 β-lactamase pos), S. pneumoniae (4), and N. meningitidis (3). Initial CSF colony counts ranged from 2.5×102 - 1×1010 CFU/ml. In 39 pts, an LP was repeated 10.5-18 hrs after starting Rx: 13/20 CTX and 11/19 A/C pts had sterile cultures. Mean falls in the CSF bacterial colony counts were 6.4 and 6.2 log10 CFU/ml, respectively. CTX MICs for the H. flu isolates ranged from 0.0004-0.006 μg/ml. CTX CSF levels ranged from 1.0-8.0 μg/ml, representing a mean CSF penetration of 9.4% (range 1.2-24.5%) of the simultaneous serum concentration. Median CSF bactericidal titers were ≥1:1024 for CTX and 1:8 for A/C. There was no difference in the clinical course as to the time of defervescence, seizures or hearing loss. However, one relapse occurred in the CTX group. Adverse reactions in the CTX/A/C groups included neutropenia-2/5, eosinophilia-6/8, thrombocytosis-15/17, elevated SGOT/SGPT-2/2, hyperbilirubinemia-3/0, prolonged prothrombin time-1/1, rash-0/1 and diarrhea-11/4. CXT appears to be safe and as effective as A/C therapy for bacterial meningitis in children.
Effects of Co2+ and Mn3+ ion substitutions on the anisotropy and magnetostriction constants of Y3Fe5O12

Abstract The results of room-temperature measurements of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy constants K 1 and K 2 are reported together with values of the magnetostriction constants λ 100 and λ 111 for single crystals of Y 3 Fe 5−2x Co x Si x O 12 , with x = 0, 0.007, and 0.028. As in the case of Co 2+ - Ge 4+ and Ru 4+ - Ca 2+ substitutions, K 1 becomes positive and K 2 more negative with increasing x. Significantly, λ 100 and λ 111 remain relatively unaffected by the presence of Co 2+ ions, in accord with the findings for Li 0.5 Fe 2.5 O 4 . Comparison is made with the Y 3 Fe 5−y Mn y O 12 system, and the ability to vary magnetostriction and anisotropy constants relatively independently by Mn 3+ or Co 2+ ion substitutions is explained.
STUDIES ON INFLAMMATION : IX. A FACTOR IN THE MECHANISM OF INVASIVENESS BY PYOGENIC BACTERIA.

Trypan blue injected into an area of cutaneous inflammation induced by Staphylococcus aureus failed to drain readily to the tributary lymphatics when the dye was injected as early as 1 hour after the inoculation of the microorganisms. Trypan blue introduced into an area of cutaneous inflammation induced by Pneumococcus Type I was retained in situ when the dye was injected about 6 or more hours after the inoculation of the bacteria. When an area of cutaneous inflammation was induced by the inoculation of a culture of Streptococcus hemolyticus, trypan blue injected into it drained readily to the tributary lymphatics for the first 30 hours following the onset of the inflammatory reaction. When the inflammation had lasted for 45 hours or longer, the dye was fixed in situ and failed in most instances to reach readily the tributary lymphatics. The rapidity of fixation of the dye in the instances given would appear to depend on mechanical obstruction in the form of both a fibrinous network and thrombosed lymphatics or thrombosed lymphatics alone at the site of inflammation. Inasmuch as staphylococci, pneumococci, and streptococci spread from the site of cutaneous inoculation primarily through lymphatic channels, the difference in the rapidity with which mechanical obstruction is set up in the areas inflamed by them will help to explain the differing invasive abilities of these pyogenic organisms.
Topographic Spread of Inferior Colliculus Activation in Response to Acoustic and Intracochlear Electric Stimulation

The design of contemporary multichannel cochlear implants is predicated on the presumption that they activate multiple independent sectors of the auditory nerve array. The independence of these channels, however, is limited by the spread of activation from each intracochlear electrode across the auditory nerve array. In this study, we evaluated factors that influence intracochlear spread of activation using two types of intracochlear electrodes: (1) a clinical-type device consisting of a linear series of ring contacts positioned along a silicon elastomer carrier, and (2) a pair of visually placed (VP) ball electrodes that could be positioned independently relative to particular intracochlear structures, e.g., the spiral ganglion. Activation spread was estimated by recording multineuronal evoked activity along the cochleotopic axis of the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (ICC). This activity was recorded using silicon-based single-shank, 16-site recording probes, which were fixed within the ICC at a depth defined by responses to acoustic tones. After deafening, electric stimuli consisting of single biphasic electric pulses were presented with each electrode type in various stimulation configurations (monopolar, bipolar, tripolar) and/or various electrode orientations (radial, off-radial, longitudinal). The results indicate that monopolar (MP) stimulation with either electrode type produced widepread excitation across the ICC. Bipolar (BP) stimulation with banded pairs of electrodes oriented longitudinally produced activation that was somewhat less broad than MP stimulation, and tripolar (TP) stimulation produced activation that was more restricted than MP or BP stimulation. Bipolar stimulation with radially oriented pairs of VP ball electrodes produced the most restricted activation. The activity patterns evoked by radial VP balls were comparable to those produced by pure tones in normal-hearing animals. Variations in distance between radially oriented VP balls had little effect on activation spread, although increases in interelectrode spacing tended to reduce thresholds. Bipolar stimulation with longitudinally oriented VP electrodes produced broad activation that tended to broaden as the separation between electrodes increased.
Rethinking computer science education from a test-first perspective

Despite our best efforts and intentions as educators, student programmers continue to struggle in acquiring comprehension and analysis skills. Students believe that once a program runs on sample data, it is correct; most programming errors are reported by the compiler; when a program misbehaves, shuffling statements and tweaking expressions to see what happens is the best debugging approach. This paper presents a new vision for computer science education centered around the use of test-driven development in all programming assignments, from the beginning of CS1. A key element to the strategy is comprehensive, automated evaluation of student work, in terms of correctness, the thoroughness and validity of the student's tests, and an automatic coding style assessment performed using industrial-strength tools. By systematically applying the strategy across the curriculum as part of a student's regular programming activities, and by providing rapid, concrete, useful feedback that students find valuable, it is possible to induce a cultural shift in how students behave.
Intracrine role of progesterone in follicle-stimulating hormone- and cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-induced fibronectin production and deposition by chicken granulosa cells: influence of follicular development.

The role of progesterone in FSH- and 8-bromo-cAMP (8-Br-cAMP)-induced fibronectin production by chicken ovarian granulosa cells was examined. Granulosa cells isolated from the third largest (F3; developing; 15-20 mm in diameter) preovulatory follicle and a pool of immature small yellow follicles (SYF; 6-8 mm in diameter) were incubated in serum-free medium 199, and the total amount of fibronectin produced (deposited, secreted into the medium, and associated with cells) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Unstimulated F3 cells deposited greater amounts of fibronectin than unstimulated SYF cells. FSH or 8-Br-cAMP significantly increased fibronectin deposition. Similarly, both agents increased the quantity of fibronectin secreted into the medium and that associated with cells. The magnitude of FSH- and 8-Br-cAMP-enhanced fibronectin deposition or secretion into medium by SYF cells was greater than that by F3 cells. Cyanoketone (an inhibitor of progesterone synthesis) significantly suppressed b...
Some aspects of the distribution, chemistry, and mineralogy of suspended matter in the Gulf of Maine

Abstract Suspended matter in the Gulf of Maine decreases from the surface to about 50 m and then increases exponentially as the bottom is approached. Mineralogical and chemical data show that, from 50 m down, the suspended matter is dominantly layer silicates which are interpreted as resuspended bottom material. The chemical data show that in the upper 50 m particulate phosphorus, copper, and zinc occur principally in organisms. There is, however, little evidence that significant amounts of these elements are reaching the bottom in an organic particulate form, and most appear to be regenerated in the water column. The distributions of particulate Al and Fe are controlled largely by the suspended silicates, and there is no evidence that a free ferric hydroxide phase is important.
Studies of Excretion of Androst-16-en-3α-ol

The excretion of androst-16-en-3α-ol was found to average 0.95 mg/24 hr for adult males and 0.42 for adult females. Excretion was negligible in prepubertal children and variable in adolescent subjects. No increase in urinary content was found after administration of testosterone to adult males; there appeared to be a slight decrease after 3 days' administration of testosterone. There was a definite increase in excretion following both gonadotropin and corticotropin administration. It was concluded that androstenol excretion may reflect steroid production but not exclusively gonadal activity.
Paper: Real time distributed parameter state estimation applied to a two dimensional heated ingot

A distributed parameter state estimator, implemented via a minicomputer, was used to estimate the radial and axial temperature distribution of a stainless steel cylindrical ingot being heated in a three zone furnace. The filter estimates as well as the estimate covariances were calculated by reduction of the distributed equations to ordinary differential equations via modal decomposition. The filter was shown to be robust and rapidly convergent even in cases of high measurement noise, few sensors, and poor initial conditions. The on line computations were accomplished in less than half of real-time. Since typical industrial applications involve time constants which are two orders of magnitude larger than for this laboratory system, the feasibility of such estimation algorithms in a multiprocess industrial environment seems assured.
Discussion of “Performance of Coated Reinforcing Bars in Cracked Bridge Decks” by F. Fanous and H. Wu

A discussion of an article with the aforementioned article, published in this journal (Volume 10, No. 3, May/June 2005), is presented. The discusser feels that the original authors made some critical errors in their attempt to estimate service life of epoxy coated reinforcing steel for bridge decks. Inappropriate field survey techniques, laboratory evaluation and methods of analyses are faulted for causing erroneous service life estimations.
Quantitative characterization of brain β-amyloid using a joint PiB/FDG PET image histogram

A complex analysis performed by spatial registration of PiB and MRI patient images in order to localize the PiB signal to specific cortical brain regions has been proven effective in identifying imaging characteristics associated with underlying Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Lewy Body Disease (LBD) pathology. This paper presents an original method of image analysis and stratification of amyloid-related brain disease based on the global spatial correlation of PiB PET images with 18F-FDG PET images (without MR images) to categorize the PiB signal arising from the cortex. Rigid registration of PiB and 18F-FDG images is relatively straightforward, and in registration the 18F-FDG signal serves to identify the cortical region in which the PiB signal is relevant. Cortical grey matter demonstrates the highest levels of amyloid accumulation and therefore the greatest PiB signal related to amyloid pathology. The highest intensity voxels in the 18F-FDG image are attributed to the cortical grey matter. The correlation of the highest intensity PiB voxels with the highest 18F-FDG values indicates the presence of β-amyloid protein in the cortex in disease states, while correlation of the highest intensity PiB voxels with mid-range 18F-FDG values indicates only nonspecific binding in the white matter.
Probing the Electronic Structure of the Di-Iron Subsite of (Fe)-Hydrogenase: A Photoelectron Spectroscopic Study of Fe(I)-Fe(I) Model Complexes

The electronic structures of a series of Fe(I) -Fe(I) model complexes of the di-iron subsite of [Fe]-hydrogenase, [(I-PDT)Fe2(CO)4(CN)2] 2- (I), [Fe2(CO)4{MeSCH2C(Me)(CH2S)2}(CN)2] 2- (II), [Fe2(CO)4{PhCH2SCH2C(Me)(CH2S)2}(CN)2] 2- (III), [Fe2(CO)4{PhCH2SCH2C(Me) (CH2S)2}(CN)] - (IV), and [Fe2(CO)4{MeSCH2C(Me)(CH2S)2}(CN)] - (V), were investigated in the gas phase using photodetachment photoelectron spectroscopy. The adiabatic electron detachment energy (ADE) of each species and the intramolecular Coulomb repulsion for the doubly charged species were obtained. The ADEs correspond to the intrinsic redox potentials (in vacuo) of reactions involving the Fe(I)-Fe(I)/Fe(I)-Fe(II) couples in these compounds. The photoelectron spectra were understood and qualitatively assigned by comparing with that of Fe2(CO)6S2, which has been well studied previously and exhibits similar valence spectral features as I-V. A “normal level scheme” is suggested for the electronic structure of these low spin di-iron compounds, in which all occupied 3d levels lie above all occupied ligand levels. We also observed subtle differences in the electronic structures of the five di-iron complexes due to the slightly different ligand environments.
Testing Madness: Shifting From a Punitive Approach to a Therapeutic One

We live in a paradoxical world. Marijuana use is increasingly becoming more normalized whereas tobacco use is increasingly stigmatized. In the first half of the 20th century, physicians reflected g...
Inhibitor of heme synthesis in polycythemic rabbit serum

Abstract Sera from hypertransfused polycythemic rabbits were found to significantly inhibit 59Fe incorporation into heme in erythroid cells in normal rabbit bone marrow cultures when compared with that of normal serum controls suggesting a higher concentration of this inhibitor in polycythemic serum. This serum inhibitor delayed the time of peak cumulative heme synthesis in vitro and the delay in peak cumulative heme synthesis was increase with increasing concentrations of polycythemic serum. It is suggested from these studies that this serum inhibitor may be involved in a negative feedback system in the control of erythropoiesis and may act specifically on differentiated nucleated erythroid cells to delay their entry into the cell cycle, consequently inhibiting heme synthesis.
Cross sections for the production of N + 2 , N + +N 2+ 2 and N 2+ by electron impact on N 2

Cross sections for the production of N+2, N++N2+2 and N2+ by electron impact on N2 have been measured for an energy range from threshold to 1000 eV. These cross sections have been fitted to an empirical formula for future use in modelling various plasmas. Considerable differences from some previous data have been found.
Responses of tracheobronchial receptors to halothane, enflurance, and isoflurane in anesthetized dogs

Abstract We investigated the effects of halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane on the activity of 43 tracheo-bronchial slowly adapting stretch receptors (SARs) and 16 rapidly adapting irritant receptors (RARs) in 5 anesthetized, vagotomized, paralyzed, and artificially ventilated dogs. The 43 SARs were classified into 2 subtypes: (i) 17 low-threshold SARs with an expiratory discharge at FRC that were active throughout the respiratory cycle and (ii) high-threshold SARs active only in respiration. Ventilating the lungs with 5% of each anesthetic caused a significant increase in the inspiratory discharge of low-threshold SARs, whereas the expiratory discharge was inhibited or altogether silenced. While the activity of the majority of high-threshold SARs increased during the administration of the three volatile anesthetics, it decreased in those with a particulary high recruitment threshold. There was however, a consistent increase in the pressure threshold at which all SARs were recruited. Ventilating the lungs with 5% of each anesthetic cuased a significant decrease in activity of RARs. Our results indicate that all three halogenated anesthetics inhibit RAR at concentrations rangig from 1% to 5%.
Nonconvulsive status epilepticus following metrizamide myelography.

Epileptic seizures are a known complication of metrizamide myelography. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a case of nonconvulsive status epilepticus of the absence type following metrizamide myelography. There was symptomatic and electroencephalographic improvement after intravenous administratration of antiepileptic drugs, and there was no neurological residual. Nonconvulsive status epilepticus should be considered when impairment of consciousness supervenes after radiographic procedures using metrizamide.
Selectivity in near-diffusion-limited reactions. Isotope effects in phosphorylnitrene insertion into CH bonds.

Abstract In near-diffusion-limited reactions the apparent selectivity of reactive intermediates measured in intermolecular competition experiments is a function of the intrinsic selectivity and the ratio of the reaction rate to the diffusion controlled rate. This dependence can be used to test for diffusion limited reactions as demonstrated by measurements of isotope effects for CH insertion of phosphorylnitrenes.
Invented Computational Procedures of Students in a Standards-Based Curriculum

Abstract Fourth graders who had been in a standards-based elementary curriculum since kindergarten were individually interviewed and administered a whole-class test that probed their knowledge of facts and multidigit computation. Standard algorithms are not taught as part of the curriculum, which instead emphasizes student-invented procedures and discussions of solution methods. Of interest were the types of student-invented procedures that were used as well as their computational accuracy. Students used several procedures that involved sophisticated mental calculation strategies, such as decomposing numbers or adding from left to right. Many students also used the standard written algorithms. Both invented and standard algorithms used by the students were highly accurate, although invented procedures often indicated better mental flexibility and awareness of place value. On the written test, students' computational abilities were above national normative levels.
Two-state model based on the block-localized wave function method

The block-localized wave function (BLW) method is a variant of ab initio valence bond method but retains the efficiency of molecular orbital methods. It can derive the wave function for a diabatic (resonance) state self-consistently and is available at the Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional theory (DFT) levels. In this work we present a two-state model based on the BLW method. Although numerous empirical and semiempirical two-state models, such as the Marcus-Hush two-state model, have been proposed to describe a chemical reaction process, the advantage of this BLW-based two-state model is that no empirical parameter is required. Important quantities such as the electronic coupling energy, structural weights of two diabatic states, and excitation energy can be uniquely derived from the energies of two diabatic states and the adiabatic state at the same HF or DFT level. Two simple examples of formamide and thioformamide in the gas phase and aqueous solution were presented and discussed. The solvation of formamide and thioformamide was studied with the combined ab initio quantum mechanical and molecular mechanical Monte Carlo simulations, together with the BLW-DFT calculations and analyses. Due to the favorable solute-solvent electrostatic interaction, the contribution of the ionic resonance structure to the ground state of formamide and thioformamide significantly increases, and for thioformamide the ionic form is even more stable than the covalent form. Thus, thioformamide in aqueous solution is essentially ionic rather than covalent. Although our two-state model in general underestimates the electronic excitation energies, it can predict relative solvatochromic shifts well. For instance, the intense pi-->pi* transition for formamide upon solvation undergoes a redshift of 0.3 eV, compared with the experimental data (0.40-0.5 eV).
Rushing to Overpay: Modeling and Measuring the REIT Premium

We explore the questions of why Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) pay more for real estate than non-REIT buyers and by how much. First, we develop a search model where REITs optimally pay more for property because (1) they are willing, due to cost of capital advantages and, (2) they are occasionally rushed, due to external regulatory time constraints and internal incentives to deploy capital quickly. Second, using commercial real estate transactions, we find that the extant hedonic pricing models contain an unobserved explanatory variables bias leading to inflated estimates of the REIT premium. Third, using a repeat-sales methodology that controls for unobserved property characteristics, we derive more plausible estimates of the REIT premium. Consistent with our model, we also find the REIT-buyer premium depends on the size of the REIT advantage, the rush to deploy, and the relative presence of REITs in the market.
The semantic code today

A sampling of the file of encoded abstracts of technical articles produced for the information retrieval system in operation at the Center for Documentation and Communication Research at Western Reserve University has been analyzed for the incidence of terms which had not yet appeared in the semantic code dictionary. Also analyzed was the incidence of generic concepts of different classes appearing in the file and in questions programmed for machine searches of the file. This analysis indicated that while new terms now appear, and will presumably continue to appear from time to time, their incidence is remarkedly low except when an entirely new field is entered. It was further indicated that, as would be expected, the file of encoded metallurgical abstracts concerns itself with a wide range of generic concepts concentrated, however, on specified objects, materials, states, and conditions. Finally, the analysis suggests that these areas of concentration tend to be those most frequent in questions.
The preventive effect of aldose reductase inhibition on diabetic optic neuropathy in the BB/W-rat

A polyol-pathway-related mechanism has been invoked in the pathogenesis of murine and human diabetic peripheral neuropathy in which progressive axonal atrophy and axo-glial dysjunction constitute the cardinal structural abnormalities. We have previously reported similar neuroanatomical changes in the optic nerve of 6-month diabetic BB/W-rats. In the present study we demonstrate progression of axonal atrophy and axo-glial dysjunction in the optic nerve in 12-month diabetic BB/W-rats. These structural lesions showed highly significant correlations with the associated prolongation of the latencies of the visual evoked potentials, suggesting that axo-glial dysjunction and axonal atrophy are major determinants for impaired optic nerve function. As in peripheral nerve, the polyol-pathway is present in the optic nerve and is activated by hyperglycaemia and galactosaemia. In this study we further examined the treatment effect of the aldose reductase inhibitor ponalrestat, given from 3 weeks of diabetes and continued throughout the study protocol. This regimen resulted in complete prevention of axo-glial dysjunction, and had a significant ameliorating effect on visual evoked potential latencies, but had no effect on optic nerve axonal atrophy. This latter finding differs from the effect of aldose reductase inhibition on diabetic peripheral nerve and suggests that axonal atrophy of central nerve tracts in diabetes may be the consequence of other metabolic abnormalities or alternatively the present regimen was insufficient to protect central axons from the effects of an increased activity of the polyol pathway.
Child care, women's employment, and child outcomes

This paper reviews the evidence on the impact of child care and maternal employment in the pre-school years on child outcomes. This topic has long been of interest to economists, developmental psychologists, and scholars from other disciplines, and has been the focus of increased attention in recent years, as research has provided additional evidence about the processes of development in the earliest days, weeks, and years of life.1 In this paper, I review the evidence on two broad sets of questions: what we know about the potential benefits of early intervention child care programs, and what we know about the effects (whether positive or negative) of maternal employment and child care in the first years of life. The evidence reviewed in this paper suggests that we now know a good deal about both sets of questions. But, this review also suggests that there are important gaps in our knowledge that future work by economists could fruitfully address.
THE SWORD OF MOHAMMED AND ALI

“Islam alone of all the great religions of the human race was born sword in hand. Islam has always relied on the sword, and for thirteen hundred years the mullah who reads the Friday prayers in the mosque wears a sword, even if only made of wood, as a symbol of his creed”. —Sir Valentine Chirol in Foreign Affairs, Vol. I, No. 3
Beyond Perspective Dual Photography With Illumination Masks

Scene appearance from the point of view of a light source is called a reciprocal or dual view. Since there exists a large diversity in illumination, these virtual views may be nonperspective and multiviewpoint in nature. In this paper, we demonstrate the use of occluding masks to recover these dual views, which we term shadow cameras. We first show how to render a single reciprocal scene view by swapping the camera and light source positions. We then extend this technique for multiple views by both building a virtual shadow camera array and by exploiting area sources. We also capture nonperspective views such as orthographic, cross-slit and a pushbroom variant, while introducing novel applications such as converting between camera projections and removing refractive and catadioptric distortions. Finally, since a shadow camera is artificial, we can manipulate any of its intrinsic parameters, such as camera skew, to create perspective distortions. We demonstrate a variety of indoor and outdoor results and show a rendering application for capturing the light-field of a light-source.
Highlights of Mexican Minerals at Harvard University

(1999). Highlights of Mexican Minerals at Harvard University. Rocks & Minerals: Vol. 74, No. 1, pp. 56-61.
Isocitrate lyase mediates broad antibiotic tolerance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is a persistent intracellular pathogen intrinsically tolerant to most antibiotics. However, the specific factors that mediate this tolerance remain incompletely defined. Here we apply metabolomic profiling to discover a common set of metabolic changes associated with the activities of three clinically used tuberculosis drugs, isoniazid, rifampicin and streptomycin. Despite targeting diverse cellular processes, all three drugs trigger activation of Mtb's isocitrate lyases (ICLs), metabolic enzymes commonly assumed to be involved in replenishing of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates. We further show that ICL-deficient Mtb strains are significantly more susceptible than wild-type Mtb to all three antibiotics, and that this susceptibility can be chemically rescued when Mtb is co-incubated with an antioxidant. These results identify a previously undescribed role for Mtb's ICLs in antioxidant defense as a mechanism of antibiotic tolerance.