cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimizing driver menus under stochastic selection behavior for ridesharing and crowdsourced delivery

Abstract Peer-to-peer logistics platforms coordinate independent drivers to fulfill requests for last mile delivery and ridesharing. To balance demand-side performance with driver autonomy, a new stochastic methodology provides drivers with a small but personalized menu of requests to choose from. This creates a Stackelberg game, in which the platform leads by deciding what menu of requests to send to drivers, and the drivers follow by selecting which request(s) they are willing to fulfill from their received menus. Determining optimal menus, menu size, and request overlaps in menus is complex as the platform has limited knowledge of drivers’ request preferences. Exploiting the problem structure when drivers signal willingness to participate, we reformulate our problem as an equivalent single-level Mixed Integer Linear Program (MILP) and apply the Sample Average Approximation (SAA) method. Computational tests recommend a training sample size for inputted SAA scenarios and a test sample size for completing performance analysis. Our stochastic optimization approach performs better than current approaches, as well as deterministic optimization alternatives. A simplified formulation ignoring ‘unhappy drivers’ who accept requests but are not matched is shown to produce similar objective values with a fraction of the runtime. A ridesharing case study of the Chicago Regional transportation network provides insights for a platform wanting to provide driver autonomy via menu creation. The proposed methods achieved high demand performance as long as the drivers are well compensated (e.g., even when drivers are allowed to reject requests, on average over 90% of requests are fulfilled when 80% of the fare goes to drivers; this drops to below 60% when only 40% of the fare goes to drivers). Thus, neither the platform nor the drivers benefit from low driver compensation due to its resulting low driver participation and thus low request fulfillment. Finally, for the cases tested, a maximum menu size of 5 is recommended as it produces good quality platform solutions without requiring much driver selection time.
Models of the Sociology Minor at Institutions of Higher Education in the United States

Although the structure and content of the sociology major has been addressed by a variety of scholars and several American Sociological Association (ASA) task forces over the past three decades, th...
Die Vertretungsmacht des Ladenangestellten gemäß § 56 HGB

„Wer in einem Laden oder offenen Warenlager angestellt ist, gilt als ermachtigt zu Verkaufen und Empfangnahmen, die in einem derartigen Laden oder Warenlager gewohnlich geschehen“. Der Wortlaut der im folgenden zu erorternden Vorschrift ist einfach und erscheint auch fur den juristischen Laien leicht verstandlich. In der Praxis bereitet die Vorschrift offenbar auch keine besonderen Anwendungsprobleme; ein Blick auf die veroffentlichte Entscheidungspraxis macht deutlich, das sich die Gerichte bisher kaum mit der Vorschrift beschaftigen musten. Hochstrichterliche Entscheidungen1 sind ebenso selten wie Entscheidungen der unteren Instanzen2. Dabei musten sich die Gerichte — und auch das bisweilen nur am Rande3 — meist nur mit Einzelfragen der Auslegung der Bestimmung beschaftigen. Wer die zu § 56 HGB ergangenen Entscheidungen analysiert, erfahrt, das Stande auf Ausstellungen und Messen als „Laden oder Warenlager“ i. S. dieser Bestimmung angesehen werden konnen4, Kontore und Buroraume dagegen nicht5; er lernt, das eine Anstellung i. S. des § 56 HGB eine mit Wissen und Willen des Prinzipals erfolgende Tatigkeit des Angestellten gegenuber dem Publikum erfordert6, und kann feststellen, das der Verkauf eines Automobils auf einer Ausstellung zu Zeiten des RG noch nicht als ubliches Geschaft i. S. dieser Vorschrift angesehen wurde7. Zudem wird ihm klar, das § 56 HGB auch dann Anwendung findet, wenn das Geschaft in Laden nur angebahnt, aber auserhalb des Ladens abgeschlossen wurde, oder wenn der Verkauf im Laden, die Erfullung des Vertrags aber auserhalb erfolgt ist8. Unmittelbare Aussagen zu Dogmatik, Zweck und Regelungsgehalt der Vorschrift sind dagegen selten zu finden.
Thermal Shock Impact on C/C and Si Melt Infiltrated C/C Materials (SIMI)

Wear of carbon-carbon materials for use in brake systems is a product of many dimensions. In operation, brakes see very high temperatures and are subject to high thermal shocking loads. This investigation deals with a baseline a commercial pitch fiber/charred resin matrix/CVI carbon/carbon (C/C) composite and the same composite infiltrated with silicon by melt infiltration (SiMI). The objectives of this work were to explain the improved frictional performance and fracture resistance of the SiMI materials, following the thermal shocking experiments, and compare their behavior to that of the commercial C/C composite. Friction properties and wear were determined following sub-scale dynamometer testing of disc on disc, where the testing conditions were dry (5 to 18% relative humidity) or wet (>50% relative humidity). Different energy levels were used as a proportion of normal landing energy (NLE), with three taxi and one landing sequence per cycle. A total of 50 cycles were run on each disc pair. The results showed that the SiMI materials had higher and more stable coefficient of friction (μ) than the C/C composite; however there was more oscillation in μ and more noise related to the SiMI materials compared with the C/C. In addition, the SiMI process eliminated the sensitivity to moisture.
MODELING COGNNITIVE REPERCUSSIONS OF EDUCATION AMONG FILIPINO WOMEN

Through structural equation modeling, this study demonstrated that high educational attainment resulted in perceptions of self-efficacy, high self-esteem, high success expectations, strong motivation for self-improvement, and favorable attitudes toward achievement among 620 Filipino women. Findings underscore the importance of continued support for educational programs in developing countries.
Synthesis and characterization of 1-aza-4-oxa-7-thiacyclononane: A novel azacrown heterocycle

The heterocycle 1-aza-4-oxa-7-thiacyclononane ((9)aneNOS, 5) was prepared from the intermediate N-p-toluenesulfonyl-1-aza-4-oxa-7-thiacyclononane (3) upon its deprotection via Na/Hg amalgam. The byproduct, N,N � -bis-(p- tolylsulfonyl)-1,13-diaza-7,16-dioxa-4,10-dithiacylododecane (4), was also isolated from the pot mixture of 3. Compound 5 was characterized by 1 H and 13 C NMR, and IR spectroscopy. Compounds 3 and 4 were characterized by 1 H and 13 C NMR, and IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X-ray crystallography. The reaction of 5 with Ni(BF4)2·6 H2O in methanol produced the sandwich complex ((9)aneNOS)2Ni(BF4)2, 6, which was characterized by UV-visible and IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X-ray crystallography.
An Integer Linear Programming for Container Stowage Problem

So far most stowage planning only consider the stowage of single type containers or do not consider the stability of the containership. Here a 0-1 linear programming model for this problem is proposed. The objective is to maximize space utilization while minimize the operation cost from upload and download of different types containers at each port of a multi-port journey, with vessel stability, industry regulations and customized rules as the constraints. Based on experiments by adopting branch & cut algorithm from COIN-OR(Common Optimization Interface for Operations Research) to such model. Successively, a simulation system is developed to verify the feasibility and practicability of the model. By using the branch and cut algorithm of COIN-OR, the simulation system has shown that our model is efficient and robust.
Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein/alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor mediates cellular uptake of pro-urokinase.

The low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein/alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor (LRP) is a large cell surface receptor consisting of a 515-kDa heavy chain and an 85-kDa light chain proteolytically derived from a 600-kDa precursor. Previous work has shown that LRP is responsible for mediating the internalization of urinary-type plasminogen activator (uPA) complexed to plasminogen activator inhibitor type I (PAI-1) (Nykjaer et al., 1992; Herz et al., 1992). The current study indicates that pro-urokinase (pro-uPA) and two chain urokinase (tc-uPA) bind directly to purified LRP, and that LRP mediates their internalization and degradation in Hep G2 cells. In vitro binding assays demonstrated that pro-uPA and tc-uPA bind to purified LRP with affinities (Kd = 45 and 60 nM, respectively) that are approximately 15 to 20-fold weaker than the affinity of uPA.PAI-1 complex for LRP (Kd = 3 nM). Competitive binding experiments revealed that pro-uPA and tc-uPA completely inhibit binding of uPA.PAI-1 complexes to purified LRP. The binding of 125I-pro-uPA to LRP is blocked by the 39-kDa receptor-associated protein, but not by an amino-terminal fragment of uPA, which is known to block binding of uPA to the urokinase receptor. 125I-Pro-uPA can be internalized and degraded by Hep G2 cells independent of PAI-1. Both the internalization and degradation are completely blocked by receptor-associated protein or affinity-purified LRP antibodies, indicating that LRP is mediating this process. These processes are also blocked by the amino-terminal fragment, which suggests that the favored pathway for uPA metabolism is initial binding to the urokinase receptor, followed by ligand transfer to LRP, then internalization leading to degradation.
Transcriptional control of glutathione S-transferase gene expression by the chemoprotective agent 5-(2-pyrazinyl)-4-methyl-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (oltipraz) in rat liver.

Abstract The substituted 1,2-dithiole-3-thione oltipraz [5-(2-pyrazinyl)-4-methyl-1,2-dithiole-3-thione] protects against the acute and chronic toxicities of many xenobiotics, including aflatoxin B1, in rodents. These protective effects are mediated, in part, through elevation of glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities. Because studies by Coles et al. [Carcinogenesis (Lond.), 6: 693–697, 1985] suggested that the detoxication of aflatoxin through conjugation with glutathione is principally catalyzed by GST homodimer YaYa, we have investigated the regulation of the gene coding for the Ya subunit in the liver of F344 rats following dietary administration of oltipraz. Overall GST activity, as measured by conjugation with 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene or 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, as well as the levels of GST Ya protein, was elevated 1.5-fold by 24 h and maximally (2.7- to 3.5-fold) and persistently after 5 days on a purified diet supplemented with 0.075% oltipraz. Steady state mRNA levels for GST subunit Ya, as quantified by slot blot analysis using rat liver GST complementary DNA clone pGTB38, were also elevated by 24 h, with a maximal elevation of 3-fold observed at 3 days. However, mRNA levels decreased therafter, despite continued feeding of oltipraz. Northern blot analyses demonstrated that oltipraz did not alter the size of GST mRNA. Transcriptional activity of the GST Ya gene, as determined by nuclear run-off analysis, was increased 2-fold after 24-h feeding of oltipraz, was maximally induced 2.4-fold at 3 days, and returned to near control levels at 7 days, despite sustained feeding of oltipraz. Modulation of GST activity by oltipraz was not accompanied by changes in the methylation pattern at internal sites of the GST Ya gene. These results show that the initial induction of hepatic GST activity during oltipraz exposure correlates with changes in steady state levels of GST mRNA and rates of GST gene transcription; however, the continued elevation of GST enzymatic activities and GST Ya protein levels in the face of declining GST Ya mRNA levels and transcription rates suggests that additional mechanisms may be involved in regulating GST Ya expression by oltipraz.
Coexpression of CD58 or CD48 with Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 on Target Cells Enhances Adhesion of Resting NK Cells

The beta2 integrin LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18) mediates adhesion of lymphocytes to cells expressing ICAM. The strength of this adhesion is regulated by different signals delivered by cytokines and chemokines, and by the TCR in the case of T cells. To determine the receptor-ligand interactions required for adhesion of resting NK cells, Drosophila cells expressing different combinations of ligands of human NK cell receptors were generated. Expression of ICAM-1 alone was sufficient for an adhesion of resting NK cells that was sensitive to inhibitors of src family kinase and of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Binding of resting NK cells to solid-phase ICAM-1 showed similar signaling requirements. A pulse of either IL-2 or IL-15 to resting NK cells resulted in strongly enhanced, actin-dependent adhesion to insect cells expressing ICAM-1 alone. Coexpression of either LFA-3 (CD58) or CD48 with ICAM-1 resulted in strong adhesion by resting NK cells, even in the absence of cytokines. Therefore, receptors for LFA-3 and CD48 on resting NK cells strengthen the adhesion mediated by LFA-1.
Progesterone to Prevent Preterm Birth in Twin Gestations: What is the Next Step Forward?

Progesterone is a key hormone for pregnancy maintenance, and a decline in progesterone action is considered to be central to the initiation of parturition in most mammalian species, including primates.1, 2 This hormone acts in all components of the common pathway of parturition1-3 and promotes myometrial quiescence, inhibits cervical ripening, and down-regulates the production of chemokines [such as interleukin (IL)-8] by the chorioamniotic membranes.4 Importantly, the administration of progesterone receptor antagonists [i.e. mifepristone (RU486) or onapristone (ZK98299)] to pregnant women, non-human primates and guinea pigs can induce the onset of labor and cervical ripening.5 Thus, it is not surprising that many investigators have explored the use of progesterone for the prevention of preterm birth.
Low-Intensity Warfare, High-Intensity Death: The Demographic Impact of The Wars in El Salvador and Nicaragua

Estimates of deaths resulting from the civil wars in El Salvador (1980-91) and Nicaragua (1975-90) are of questionable reliability because of the highly politicized contexts in which they were made their incompleteness and methodological inconsistencies. This work evaluates existing mortality estimates that were published during the conflicts and presents a preliminary comparison of the intensity of war-related mortality in each country. The commonly cited figure of 75000 war-related deaths in El Salvador would mean that 1 of every 66 Salvadorans perished while the estimate of 80000 deaths in Nicaragua would mean that 1 of every 38 Nicaraguans died. By comparison the US which classified the wars in Central America as "low intensity" lost 1 in 387 during World War II. Following examination of the sources and data omissions a revised estimate of deaths of soldiers and civilians attributable to the civil war in El Salvador of between 80000 and 94000 is proposed. Existing calculations for Nicaragua appear less reliable than those for El Salvador. A combined calculation for the civil war and the war against the contras of 80000 deaths of which perhaps 40000 were civilians appears reasonable. The numerical estimates suggest the magnitude of the destruction of human life caused by the wars but provide little information concerning the victims. 1995 surveys of nationally representative samples of 1200 persons in Nicaragua and 1609 in El Salvador contained questions on relatives lost in the wars. 34% of respondents in El Salvador and 35% in Nicaragua reported they had lost family members in the wars. The responses clearly showed that although the violence affected all social and economic sectors in both countries in El Salvador those with leftist political inclinations were disproportionately affected.
Inferring Meal Eating Activities in Real World Settings from Ambient Sounds: A Feasibility Study

Dietary self-monitoring has been shown to be an effective method for weight-loss, but it remains an onerous task despite recent advances in food journaling systems. Semi-automated food journaling can reduce the effort of logging, but often requires that eating activities be detected automatically. In this work we describe results from a feasibility study conducted in-the-wild where eating activities were inferred from ambient sounds captured with a wrist-mounted device; twenty participants wore the device during one day for an average of 5 hours while performing normal everyday activities. Our system was able to identify meal eating with an F-score of 79.8% in a person-dependent evaluation, and with 86.6% accuracy in a person-independent evaluation. Our approach is intended to be practical, leveraging off-the-shelf devices with audio sensing capabilities in contrast to systems for automated dietary assessment based on specialized sensors.
Low energy ionization of argon atoms by argon atoms

Neutral atomic beam used to measure total ionization cross section of argon atoms incident on low density argon gas
Anomalous specific heat and nuclear spin relaxation in Al-transition metal alloys

Abstract A mechanism involving dislocation pinning by impurities is proposed to explain the anomalous lattice specific heat and the nuclear spin—lattice relaxation in Al—transition metal alloys.
Regional Scale Ground‐Water Vulnerability Estimates: Impact of Reducing Data Uncertainties for Assessments in Hawaii

Nonpoint source ground-water contamination, resulting from regional scale applications of agrichemicals, is a major environmental issue. Several federal and state government funded modeling efforts were undertaken in the 1980s to assess ground-water vulnerability from past and current chemical use and to potentially aid in the regulation of new chemicals. This paper is concerned with the impact of data uncertainties in regional scale pesticide leaching assessments for the chemical diuron in the Pearl Harbor Basin on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. In the first part of the paper uncertainties in soil, recharge, and chemical data are artificially reduced to study the impact of reduced data uncertainties on ground-water vulnerability assessments made with simple mobility indices; the greatest improvements were realized for improvements in the chemical data. In the second part of the paper the impact of improvements to the Hawaii soil data, in the form of new soil organic carbon information, is characterized relative to changes in ground-water vulnerability assessments made with a simple index. The additional soil organic carbon data does not yield improvements to the original vulnerability assessment that would be considered justifiable. The best use of regional scale chemical leaching assessments based upon modeling approaches as simple as index methods is for guiding data collection strategies.
Global Redshift Periodicities and Variability

Redshifts of local galaxies are examined for quantization and variability after transformation to the cosmic background rest frame. Ordinary spiral galaxies with 21 cm profile widths near 200 km s-1 show periodic redshifts, and what appears to be variability between levels, at a predicted period near 18.3 km s-1 and its higher harmonics. Evidence for variability is based on several independent sets of data. The asymmetry of 21 cm profiles seems to be related to the ordering of galaxies within transition sequences between quantized redshift levels. Galaxies near 200 km s-1 in profile width appear to populate a transition region in quantization properties. As wider profile spirals are examined, the 18.3 km s-1 periodicity is replaced by a 5.76 km s-1 periodicity belonging to a different family of predicted periods. A similar transition in properties occurs at the boundary between common spirals and dwarf galaxies with intermediate width 21 cm profiles. The ordinary dwarf galaxies show a 46.1 km s-1 period belonging to the same family of predicted periods found for wide profile spirals. The periods involved in the study are predicted by the three-dimensional time model described by Tifft in 1996. Certain families and ranges of periods are preferred. It appears that galaxies can be divided into several distinct classes within which we find both similar morphological and quantization properties. A discussion of binomial statistical testing of period fits is given in an appendix.
The Diabetogenic Effects of Acute Verapamil Poisoning

Verapamil poisoning is known to produce hyperglycemia and metabolic acidosis in humans. The purpose of this study was to elucidate mechanisms of verapamil-induced hyperglycemia in awake dogs. Mongrel canines were chronically instrumented to permit studies in the conscious state. In six healthy dogs, steady-state glucose infusion requirement after 1 hr of insulin infusion at 1000 mU/min was 19 +/- 1 mg/kg/min. In six separate dogs, verapamil toxicity was induced via verapamil infusion in the portal vein; during verapamil toxicity, the glucose infusion requirement with an insulin infusion rate of 1000 mU/min was significantly decreased (3 +/- 1 mg/kg/min; p < 0.05, unpaired t test). Eleven other verapamil-toxic dogs were also treated with either saline (n = 6, 3.0 ml/kg/hr) or glucagon (n = 5, 10 microg/kg/min). Insulin concentrations were not changed vs basal concentrations in either group. Catecholamine concentrations increased at least 15-fold in all groups (from 458 +/- 169 to 6973 +/- 480 pg/L in the saline-treated group). Glucose concentrations increased in saline-treated animals from 3.7 +/- 0.3 to 11.2 +/- 1.0 micromol/L, and with glucagon treatment, increased from 3.3 +/- 0.3 to 16.1 +/- 1.6 micromol/L (p < 0.05 vs saline, ANOVA). Verapamil poisoning appears to produce hyperglycemia by inducing systemic insulin resistance, blocking insulin release, together with an intact stress hormone response and glucogenic capacity.
Coaxial fiber-optic chemical-sensing excitation–emission matrix fluorometer

Great reductions in the overall size and complexity of high throughput multichannel UV–visible fluorometers were achieved by coupling a compact optical fiber array to compact dispersive transmission optics. The coaxial configuration centers on the insertion of a silica/silica optical fiber into the hollow region of a UV-fused silica capillary waveguide. The outer core delivers the maximum power of the narrow wavelength region of the excitation spectrum created by coupling a xenon arc discharge lamp to a compact spectrometer. The molecular fluorescence resulting from the interaction of light emitted at the distal end of the hollow waveguide and the sample matrix is received and transmitted to a CCD via a compact dispersive grating-prism (grism) optical assembly. A linear array of the coaxial optical fibers permits a full excitation–emission matrix spectrum of the analyte matrix to be projected onto the face of the CCD. The in situ identification and monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was carried out for the initial application testing for this prototype.
THE FINANCIAL AND TAX EFFECTS OF MONETARY POLICY ON INTEREST RATES

SUMMARY Standard analysis of monetary policy effects on interest rates in terms of liquidity, income, and expectations effects is incomplete. After a change in monetary policy, substitution among securities will increase as time elapses and so reduce or eliminate financial effects caused by short-run financial market segmentation. Also, the standard expectations effect omits the transfer of income tax liability on that part of the interest payment representing a return of real capital. So a 1 percentage point increase in the expected inflation rate should increase the nominal interest rate by 1/(1 —τ) percentage points, τ being the marginal tax rate.
Recent advances and current challenges in the search for high mobility band-edge high-k/metal gate stacks

Continued miniaturization of the different physical elements of a Si MOSFET required in order to attain higher transistor performance and greater economies of scale have spurred the need for significant materials innovations. This is most apparent in the search for the ideal high-k/Metal Gate stack that would replace conventional SiON/Poly-Si gate stacks. In this paper, we will review some of the recent advances and remaining challenges for high-k/Metal Gate stacks. It is shown that significant progress has been made towards improving electron mobility in HfO"2/Metal Gate stacks by a combination of high temperature processes, nitrogen free interfaces and optimized metal deposition processes which result in mobility values competitive with SiON/Poly-Si. In addition by inserting nanoscale layers that comprise strongly electropositive gp. IIA and IIIB elements in between the HfO"2and metal electrode stack have resulted in high mobility, band-edge aggressively scaled High-k/Metal Gate stacks. While much progress has been made with nMOSFET stacks, it will also be shown that a number of roadblocks remain with obtaining a similar solution for pMOSFET stacks, primarily due to the presence of thermally activated oxygen vacancies that induce large negative threshold voltage shifts towards midgap in HfO"2/high workfunction metal stacks.
James R. Mann's Apprenticeship in the House of Representatives, 1897-1908

James R. Mann of Chicago served as chairman of the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce (1909-1911), then as Republican Minority Leader in the House of Representatives (1911-1918). He contributed importantly to Republican revival after the party schism of 1912. In the period 1897 to 1908, Mann served his apprenticeship, demonstrating the knowledge, acuity and strong work habits that led to his elevation in the House and the Republican party. He involved himself with railroad regulation and Panama Canal legislation, but the most important law that Mann helped to shape and steer to adoption was the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906. A conservative, Mann nevertheless accommodated to the progressive policies of President Theodore Roosevelt. At the same time, he was loyal to the more conservative Speaker of the House, Joseph Cannon. Ever-present on the House floor, Mann assisted Cannon in screening minor bills and earned the titles "The Great Objector" and "Watchdog of the Treasury." Cannon, in turn, cont...
Proliferating Human Granulosa-Lutein Cells in Long Term Monolayer Culture: Expression of Aromatase, Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage, and 3β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase*

The development of long term culture conditions with which to study the regulation of expression of aromatase, cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme, and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3βHSD) in human granulosa-lutein cells is described in this report. Conditions have been established for the dispersal, growth, freezing, and storage of functional human granulosa cells isolated from preovulatory follicles of women undergoing laparoscopy for gamete intrafallopian tube transfer and in vitro fertilization procedures. Optimal growth conditions for human granulosa-lutein cells were determined by plating cells at a low density and testing the capacity of a variety of culture conditions to support growth. A combination of fetal bovine serum (FBS), horse serum, and the serum substitute UltroSer G was found to increase cell number to maximal levels, 8- to 10-fold higher than with sera alone. Human granulosa-lutein cells grown under these conditions had a doubling rate of 36–40 h and were morphologically distinct...
Serial intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging of brain shift.

Objective A major shortcoming of image-guided navigational systems is the use of preoperatively acquired image data, which does not account for intraoperative changes in brain morphology. The occurrence of these surgically induced volumetric deformations ("brain shift") has been well established. Maximal measurements for surface and midline shifts have been reported. There has been no detailed analysis, however, of the changes that occur during surgery. The use of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging provides a unique opportunity to obtain serial image data and characterize the time course of brain deformations during surgery. Methods The vertically open intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging system (SignaSP, 0.5 T; GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI) permits access to the surgical field and allows multiple intraoperative image updates without the need to move the patient. We developed volumetric display software (the 3D Slicer) that allows quantitative analysis of the degree and direction of brain shift. For 25 patients, four or more intraoperative volumetric image acquisitions were extensively evaluated. Results Serial acquisitions allow comprehensive sequential descriptions of the direction and magnitude of intraoperative deformations. Brain shift occurs at various surgical stages and in different regions. Surface shift occurs throughout surgery and is mainly attributable to gravity. Subsurface shift occurs during resection and involves collapse of the resection cavity and intraparenchymal changes that are difficult to model. Conclusion Brain shift is a continuous dynamic process that evolves differently in distinct brain regions. Therefore, only serial imaging or continuous data acquisition can provide consistently accurate image guidance. Furthermore, only serial intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging provides an accurate basis for the computational analysis of brain deformations, which might lead to an understanding and eventual simulation of brain shift for intraoperative guidance.
Male-killing Wolbachia in a flour beetle

The bacteria in the genus Wolbachia are cytoplasmically inherited symbionts of arthropods. Infection often causes profound changes in host reproduction, enhancing bacterial transmission and spread in a population. The reproductive alterations known to result from Wolbachia infection include cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), parthenogenesis, feminization of genetic males, fecundity enhancement, male killing and, perhaps, lethality Here, we report male killing in a third insect, the black flour beetle Tribolium madens, based on highly female-biased sex ratios of progeny from females infected with Wolbachia. The bias is cytoplasmic in nature as shown by repeated backcrossing of infected females with males of a naturally uninfected strain. Infection also lowers the egg hatch rates significantly to approximately half of those observed for uninfected females. Treatment of the host with antibiotics eliminated infection, reverted the sex ratio to unbiased levels and increased the percentage hatch. Typically Wolbachia infection is transmitted from mother to progeny, regardless of the sex of the progeny; however, infected T. madens males are never found. Virgin females are sterile, suggesting that the sex-ratio distortion in T. madens results from embryonic male killing rather than parthenogenesis. Based on DNA sequence data, the male-killing strain of Wolbachia in T. madens was indistinguishable from the CI-inducing Wolbachia in Tribolium confusum, a closely related beetle. Our findings suggest that host symbiont interaction effects may play an important role in the induction of Wolbachia reproductive phenotypes.
Association between antidepressant half-life and the risk of suicidal ideation or behavior among children and adolescents: Confirmatory analysis and research implications

Abstract Background This study sought to determine from a recent meta-analysis of pediatric antidepressant trials if a general property of antidepressant medications – the multiple-dosing medication half-life – is associated with risks for suicidal ideation or behavior. Methods Relative risks for suicidal behavior (ideation, attempt, or preparation) for seven antidepressants were obtained from both the FDA's initial and published versions of their pediatric antidepressant meta-analysis. The correlation between the relative risk for suicidal behavior and antidepressant half-life was examined using a nonparametric test, Spearman's rho. Results A significant correlation ( ρ = 0.929; p = 0.003) was observed for the initial analysis, as previously reported by Weiss and Gorman. The correlation was robust to a change in the suicidality ranking for the longest half-life medication, fluoxetine, that occurred when results from the Treatment of Adolescent Depression Study (TADS) were included in the published meta-analysis ( ρ = 0.786, p = 0.036). Limitations In addition to limitations common to meta-analyses, our analysis has additional uncertainties including the fact that adult, rather than pediatric, antidepressant half-life data were used due to an unavailability of published information. In addition, risks for suicidal ideation/behavior may vary for reasons other than half-life (e.g. study eligibility criteria, illness severity or responsiveness to treatment, diagnoses, etc.). Conclusions The risk of suicidal ideation or behavior in short-term antidepressant trials involving children or adolescents, as defined in the recent FDA meta-analysis, appears to be potentially at least partly associated with antidepressant half-life. Although any relationship is tentative, approaches to investigating several potential candidate mechanisms for any association are discussed.
Estrogen-induced suppression of intake is not mediated by taste aversion in female rats

Estrogen treatment can suppress the intake of a previously presented gustatory conditioned stimulus (CS). This finding has been interpreted as an estrogen-induced conditioned taste aversion. However, a distinction must be made between taste aversion and taste avoidance. In particular, tastes are only considered aversive if they elicit a stereotypic behavioral response, otherwise the reduction in intake is classified as an avoidance. Although aversive orofacial responses have been reported in male rats after taste-estrogen pairings, they have not been examined in ovariectomized female rats. The goal of the present investigation, then, was to use similar procedures to determine whether conditioned aversion also mediates the estrogen-induced reduction of intake in female rats. Animals were introduced to a novel 0.1% saccharin solution and immediately thereafter were given a subcutaneous injection of vehicle or estradiol benzoate (10 microg). Responses were assessed using a two-bottle preference test, a one-bottle acceptance test, and a taste reactivity (TR) test. The results confirmed previous reports of a reduced preference for saccharin after saccharin-estradiol pairing using the two-bottle test. The reduction in intake during the one-bottle test, however, was not accompanied by stereotypic aversive responses, such as gaping. Surprisingly, a similar reduction in intake also occurred when using a backward conditioning procedure in which estrogen was injected before, rather than after, CS access. Thus, the present results show that the suppressive effects of estrogen reflect an avoidance, rather than aversion and, moreover, that the reduced intake may be due to an unconditioned, rather than a conditioned, response.
Changes in enzyme activity of corn seedlings after foliar application of triacontanol

Changes in the activity of several enzymes in corn seedlings (Zea mays L.) after 1-triacontanol (TRIA) application have been analyzed. The specific activity of isocitrate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase in corn seedlings treated with TRIA increased rapidly. Three days after treatment, the TRIA-treated seedlings showed 89% and 39% more ICDH and 6PGDH activity per mg protein, respectively, than the untreated plants. Malate dehydrogenase activity increased in treated plants at a rate approximately equivalent to the increase in soluble protein. Acid phosphatase, peroxidase, and alkaline phosphatase activity remained relatively constant on a per plant basis and decreased slightly on a per mg protein basis. No qualitative changes were observed in the isozyme patterns of the enzymes analyzed by starch gel electrophoresis, although quantitative changes consistent with the increases using spectrophotometric assays were observed.
Impact of beam energy modulation on rf zero-phasing microbunch measurements

Abstract Temporal profile of a simple bunch distribution may be obtained by measuring the horizontal density profile of an energy-chirped electron beam at a dispersive region using the rf zero-phasing technique. For an energy-modulated beam, the horizontal profile obtained by this technique is also modulated with an enhanced amplitude. We study the microbunching experiment at the NSLS source development laboratory and show that the horizontal modulation observed by the rf zero-phasing technique can be explained by the space–charge-induced energy modulation in the accelerator.
48.1: Behavior of LCD Panel During Bending

When an LCD panel is subjected to pure bending, for example during strength measurement or proof testing, the question arises “does it behave as a monolith of twice the substrate thickness? or does it behave as two independent substrates?”. Both theory and experiment suggest that the panel behavior depends on how its edges are held together, i.e. well bonded? or loosely held together? Indeed, the former renders the panel nearly twice as strong and four fold as stiff as the latter. This paper will provide the analysis of the bending behavior of a two-layer laminate using St Venant flexure theory. Experimental data, using strain gages, will demonstrate that an LCD panel can behave either as a monolith of twice the substrate thickness or two independent substrates depending on how its four edges are held together in the support structure including the bezel. The paper derives appropriate equations for computing panel strength when it is bent to constant curvature or when its specimens are flexed in 4-point bending for both i) well bonded edges and ii) loosely held edges.
Heart rate variability in healthy children and in those with congenital heart disease both before and after operation

There are no reports of standard measures of heart rate variability (HRV) in pediatric patients with heart disease. Time domain (standard deviation of all normal RR intervals [SDNN], standard deviation of all 5-minute mean RR intervals, average standard deviation of all 5-minute RR intervals, and frequency domain (total, low- [LF], and high-frequency [HF] power) measures of HRV were (1) obtained in 45 healthy children, (2) compared between 36 children with congenital heart disease and age-matched controls, (3) compared before and after surgery, and (4) compared between age-matched postoperative patients staying <7 days (group I, n = 16) and those staying longer (group II, n = 16). In healthy children, SDNN increased rapidly during infancy and more gradually thereafter, while the LH/HF ratio decreased until preschool age, with a later increase into adolescence. Compared with controls, preoperative patients had decreased total (53 +/- 55 vs 84 +/- 75 beats/min2/Hz, p = 0.01) and HF (12 +/- 14 vs 29 +/- 46 beats/min2/Hz, p = 0.03) power despite having similar heart rates. In the immediate postoperative period, all measures of HRV were decreased from preoperative values. Groups I and II did not differ in mean RR interval or HRV preoperatively; however, postoperatively, HRV was decreased in group II when compared with group I (SDNN 53 +/- 17 vs 40 +/- 14 ms, p = 0.01), although the mean RR interval remained comparable (499 +/- 81 vs 481 +/- 62 ms, p = 0.3). It is concluded that (1) there are significant age-related changes in HRV in healthy children, (2) preoperatively, children with congenital heart disease have reduced total and HF power when compared with healthy controls, (3) HRV is further reduced postoperatively in all patients, and (4) prolonged postoperative hospitalization is associated with a greater reduction in HRV.
Promoting pellet growth of Trichoderma reesei Rut C30 by surfactants for easy separation and enhanced cellulase production.

Abstract It is desirable to modify the normally filamentous Trichoderma reesei Rut C-30 to a pellet form, for easy biomass separation from the fermentation medium containing soluble products (e.g., cellulase). It was found in this study that this morphological modification could be successfully achieved by addition of the biosurfactant rhamnolipid (at ≥0.3 g/L) and the synthetic Triton X-100 (at ≥0.1 g/L) to the fermentation broth before the cells started to grow actively. Thirteen other surfactants tested were not as effective. Furthermore, the added rhamnolipid and Triton X-100 increased the maximum cellulase activity (Filter Paper Units) produced in the fungal fermentation; the increase was 68 ± 7.8% for rhamnolipid and 73 ± 12% for Triton X-100. At the concentrations required for pellet formation, rhamnolipid had negative effect on the cell growth: with increasing rhamnolipid concentrations, the growth rate decreased and the lag-phase duration increased linearly. Triton X-100 caused no significant differences in growth rate or lag phase.
Stress measurement in polymeric materials by X‐ray diffraction

Experiments are described which show that stresses in amorphous polymers can be measured by diffracting X-rays at high Bragg angles from a filler consisting of crystalline particle or powders. The method is applicable, when calibrated, to both applied and residual stresses, to stress relaxation studies, to both tensile and compressive stresses, to both interior and surface positions in an object, and to composites of various types as well as to polymers that are substantially homogeneous. In the lower (Hookian) range, strains and stresses in metallic embedded particles increase linearly with applied stresses and strains in the matrix. When applied stresses exceed an apparent yield point, which correlates with the yield strength of the metallic filler, the elastic strains in the particles increase only slightly or even decrease as the matrix strains are increased, and with constant applied strain, the particles reveal changes due to relaxation. Strains in the particles are found to be smaller, and stresses higher, than in the matrix. Tests of graphite-fiber epoxy composites with embedded filings of silver or aluminum alloy show that compressive residual stresses from curing at 350°C and cooling to room temperature are registered in the particles as well as stresses externally applied to the cured composite. Precision of the order of 1000 psi (0.7 kg/mm2 or 6.9 M Pa) was obtained with measurements made and evaluated rapidly and simply; with more refined techniques, much higher precision would be possible.
Better client OFF time prediction to improve performance in web information systems

Prefetching is a potential technique for reducing latency in Web information Systems. However, it has been shown that the burstiness of standard prefetching can drastically increase network congestion, and can even increase, rather than decrease, average user perceived latency. Accurate OFF time, the idle periods between user requests, prediction potentially allows the document to be downloaded at an even rate over the OFF time, which can ameliorate the burstiness, and significantly improve both network congestion and average user perceived latency. Yet accurate prediction of such OFF times has been difficult to achieve. This paper examines the use of two machine-learning techniques, namely, neural networks and genetic algorithms, for OFF time prediction. Our performance evaluation results show that these techniques provide better accuracy than those previously reported, with an average increase of twice the correlation. Our results also show that document type is the best predictor of OFF time. Further, our functions can be tailored to favor underpredictions, which would have less negative effects on the overall network than overpredictions.
One-Step Synthesis of Mesoporous Metal−SiO2 Particles by an Aerosol-Assisted Self-assembly Process

Spherical mesoporous silica particles with entrapped metal nanoparticles are synthesized from a one-step aerosol-assisted self-assembly process using sols of an alkoxysilane, ethanol, surfactant, water, HCl, and metal precursors (e.g., salts or complexes). Utilizing nitrogen as a carrier gas, the sol is sent through an atomizer, producing aerosol droplets, which are passed through a tubular furnace heated to 400 °C. Solvent evaporation from the droplets enriches the nonvolatile components and results in the coassembly of silicate and surfactant into 3-dimensional mesostructures with incorporated metal precursors. Lamellar, cubic, and hexagonal mesostructures are achieved by using different surfactants. Subsequent calcination of the surfactant and reduction of the metal result in spherical mesostructured porous silica particles with supported metal nanoparticles. Nitrogen sorption techniques, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction are used to characterize the ...
The Colonial Context of Violence: Reflections on Violence in the Lives of Native American Women

This article presents an overview of the ongoing colonial context that perpetuates and supports violence against First Nations women. This context must be recognized and changed as a prerequisite to eliminating or reducing this violence. The article includes a discussion of how gender roles have changed under colonization, the extent of violence, and steps that must be taken to eradicate violence against Native American women.
Levels of perceptual processing as a function of stimulus material and spatial location

Craik and Lockhart (1972) have proposed a framework for human memory research which is based on levels of processing. Most of the studies which support this approach have been concerned with comparing structural vs. semantic tasks. The present paper extends the levels of processing approach to earlier stages of processing and emphasizes levels ofperceptual processing. It is suggested that depth of perceptual processing depends on the nature of the stimulus material. Neisser’s (1967) theory of preattentive mechanisms and focal attention is shown to be a theory of levels of perceptual processing. Differences in the nature in which these two processes operates are discussed.
The psychosis continuum and categorical versus dimensional diagnostic approaches

This overview briefly presents recent thinking on the dimensional approach to understanding psychotic experiences. First, evidence is provided for a continuum of psychosis ranging from self-reported infrequent psychotic symptoms in the general population, to schizotypal traits, to schizotypal personality disorder, and finally to full-blown psychosis resulting in a diagnosable primary psychotic disorder. Variation within each of these types of psychotic experience is discussed. Then, a comparison is presented between categorical and dimensional approaches to the diagnosis of psychosis by highlighting four advantages of each approach. In doing so, it is emphasized that the categorical approach is beneficial primarily in terms of reliability, whereas the dimensional approach would enhance validity.
Acoustic source localization system using A linear arrangement of receivers for small unmanned underwater vehicles

An acoustic localization system using a linear hydrophone array is presented which has been designed to provide three dimensional positioning information relative to a signal source for testing in confined environments such as swimming pools or water tanks. The system is designed to fit within the size, power, and computational limitations of resource constrained small underwater vehicles. The feasibility of the technique was demonstrated in a confined test environment with severe multipath signals. Experimental test results in a 8 m diameter, 4.5 m deep steel tank show localization errors of less than 5% of the slant range which is comparable to commercially available systems designed for large vehicles in the open ocean.