cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Equivalent vehicle rotational inertia used for electric vehicle test bench dynamic studies

This paper provides an easy yet accurate approach for estimating vehicle inertia for the purpose of simulating the effect of vehicle inertia using a large flywheel. The method used to properly map the linear inertia of a vehicle to an equivalent rotational inertia is described in detail and an expression for equivalent rotational inertia of a vehicle is derived analytically using two different approaches considering kinetic energy of a moving mass in the linear and rotational context and vehicle dynamic equations. A MATLAB/Simulink model of a test bench consisting of a torque actuator connected to a large flywheel is used to emulate the effect of vehicle inertia. Using this model, the dynamic inertia effect of an electric vehicle on its traction motor is illustrated for two standard drive cycles. The results obtained from simulation are validated by ADVISOR to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method in estimating vehicle inertia and it is shown that the use of a flywheel with a calculated rotational inertia using the proposed method can be sufficient in emulating vehicle inertia effect on a test bench.
The Optimal Currency Composition of External Debt: Theory and Applications to Mexico and Brazil

The changes in exchange rates, interest rates, and commodity prices during the past decades have had large impacts on developing countries. Many developing countries have limited access to already incomplete international long-term hedging markets. Thus the question arises whether the currency composition of external debt can be used to minimize exposures to external price risk. Using a utility-maximizing framework, this article shows that, by choosing the optimal currency composition, a country can indeed manage its external exposure. The optimal, risk-minimizing currency composition depends on the relation between export receipts and the costs of borrowings in each currency and on the relations among the costs of borrowings in different currencies. A simple methodology can be used to derive the optimal shares of individual currencies and is applied to Mexico and Brazil. The results show that Mexico and Brazil could have lowered their external exposure to a limited degree by continuously alternating the currency composition of their debts. The low correlations between the costs of borrowings and export and import prices make the currency composition of debt a very imperfect hedging tool, and it is likely that hedging instruments directly linked to prices are preferable.
Progesterone enhances in vitro development of bovine embryos

Increased pregnancy rates in cattle given progesterone (P4) prior to 5 d after breeding have recently been reported. The objective was to determine if this increase in pregnancy rate could be attributed to a direct positive effect of P4 on the developing embryo. In Experiment 1, 280 bovine oocytes were inseminated in vitro and at Day 3 (insemination=Day 0), good quality 8 cell embryos (n=206) were randomly allocated to be cultured in either CR1aa+serum with 0 or ∼15 ng/mL (n=102 and n=104, respectively). In Experiment 2, 881 bovine oocytes were used; on Day 3, good quality 8 cell embryos (n=511) were randomly allocated to either the control (CR1aa+FCS, n=168), vehicle (CR1aa+FCS+ethanol, n=170), or P4 treatment (CR1aa+FCS+∼15 ng/mL P4 in ethanol, n=173). On Day 7, in both experiments, there were increased numbers of blastocysts developing in the P4 group (Experiment 1, 59% and Experiment 2, 71%) compared to the vehicle (Experiment 2, 53%) or control (40 and 62% in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively). The addition of P4 (8%) stimulated the rate of embryo development (early blastocysts or more advanced stages on Day 6) compared to vehicle (3%) and control (0%) and the P4 group had more hatched or hatching blastocysts (33%) on Day 9 compared to the control or vehicle group (21 or 22%). Additionally, the P4 group had greater embryo diameter and significantly more Grade 1 blastocysts on Day 7. In conclusion, P4 had a direct, positive effect on developing bovine embryos cultured in vitro.
Some results on sensitivity and robust stability of of input-output systems governed by integral and differential equations

We consider input-output systems (not necessarily of feedback type) on the time domain [0, ∞) which are governed by nonlinear vector integral or differential equations that relate the input and the output. Assuming that these equations depend on a parameterA, describing perturbations, which is allowed to vary in a vicinity of a nominal valueA0 in a linear space, we study how strongly the output is affected by changes of (a)A0 when the input is fixed (insensitivity), and (b) the input whenA is fixed withAA0 being not too large (robust stability).
Integrating Data Grid and Web Services for E-Science Applications: A Case Study of Exploring Species Distributions

Data Grid and Web Services are among the advanced computing technologies that are available to support scientists and scientific applications. We use Kepler scientific workflow system to integrate the two popular technologies for e-science applications. A prototype system for exploring species distribution patterns has been developed for demonstration purposes by using data grid resources and a similarity-based clustering Web service in conjunction with Geographical Information System (GIS) based spatial visualization resources in Kepler.
Unfolded Protein Response Regulation in Keloid Cells

Background Keloids are a common form of pathologic wound healing characterized by excessive production of extracellular matrix. The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a cellular response to hypoxia, a component of the wound microenvironment, capable of protecting cells from the effects of over-accumulation of misfolded proteins. Since keloids have hypersecretion of extracellular matrix, we hypothesized that keloid fibroblasts (KFs) may have enhanced activation of the UPR compared with normal fibroblasts (NFs). Methods KFs and NFs were placed in a hypoxia chamber for 0, 24, and 48 h. We also used tunicamycin to specifically up-regulate the UPR. UPR activation was assayed by PCR for xbp-1 splicing and by immunoblotting with specific antibodies for the three UPR transducers. Nuclear localization of XBP-1 protein in KFs was confirmed by immunofluorescence. Results There is increased activation of XBP-1 protein in KFs compared with NFs following exposure to hypoxia. Pancreatic ER kinase (PERK) and ATF-6, two other pathways activated by the UPR, show comparable activation between KFs and NFs. We confirmed that there is enhanced activation of XBP-1 by demonstrating increased nuclear localization of XBP-1 using immunofluorescence. Conclusion In contrast to our initial hypothesis that keloids would have broad activation of the UPR, we demonstrate here that there is a specific up-regulation of one facet of the UPR response. This may represent a specific molecular defect in KFs compared with NFs, and also suggests modulation of the UPR can be used in wound healing therapy.
Double Standard/Double Bind: The Sexual Double Standard and Women's Communication about Sex

We tested the hypothesis that the sexual double standard, which gives more sexual freedom to men than women, might in some situations make women reluctant to acknowledge their desire for sexual intercourse. We asked 403 college women whether they had been in situations in which (a) they were with a man who wanted to have sexual intercourse, and they wanted to have sexual intercourse with him, but they indicated that they did not want to do so (scripted refusal); and (b) they were in the same situation, but they openly acknowledged their willingness to have sexual intercourse (open acknowledgment). If they had been in either or both of these situations, they were asked to complete a scale measuring acceptance of the sexual double standard, first the way they believed their partner would have completed it, and next the way they would have completed it. As expected, women in scripted refusal situations believed that their partners accepted the double standard more than did women in open acknowledgment situat...
Feature mapping of Y-shaped cracks using a ray-tracing interpretation.

Abstract It was demonstrated experimentally that a ray-tracing interpretation can be used to quantitatively characterize Y-shaped cracks in stainless steel. A shear wave beam of frequency 2.25 MHz was launched at an angle of 45° in the isotropic stainless steel samples. A series of smooth-sided cracks, in three shapes, progressing from a vertical crack to a Y-shaped one, were machined in the samples. The application of a simplified ray-tracing description led to the identification of the principal ray paths for reflection from key features of these cracks. From the echo arrival time and amplitude data the dimension and position of these crack features could be determined and an outline of the cracks was obtained. In general, the results derived from these echo data compared very well with actual crack measurements.
Hazardous waste sites and property values in the state of New Jersey

The polluter pays principal is justified as a deterrent to future pollution. However, the US experience suggests that it has considerably reduced the clean up rate of existing hazardous waste sites. Coaseapos;s theorem is used as basis to propose that a partnership between the polluters and property owners near these sites will not only ease financial burden but will also speed up the pace of cleanup. A hedonic price model is used to empirically estimate the impact of siting of hazardous waste sites on property values and determine the economic feasibility of the proposed partnership. The empirical estimates are based on municipality level data from the state of New Jersey. The benefis from speedy clean up of hazardous waste sites to New Jersey property owners are observed to exceed the cleanup cost of these sites.
Solvent–solute interactions of isomeric phthalaldehydes in aqueous solutions

Abstract In contrast to aliphatic and π -deficient N -heterocyclic aldehydes, which readily in aqueous solutions covalently add water, the majority of benzenoid aldehydes is present in aqueous solutions at less than 3% in the hydrated geminal diol form. The only reported exception present some nitrobenzaldehydes. No information has been available on the effect of other electron-withdrawing groups on increased reactivity of the CH O group towards nucleophilic addition of water. Considerable difference between such reactivity of the three isomeric benzenedicarboxaldehydes is reported. Combination of electrochemical and spectrophotometric evidence proved that 1,3-benzenedicarboxaldehyde is less than 3% hydrated and 1,4-benzenedicarboxaldehyde is 24% present as geminal diol. Strong hydration indicates a strong resonance interaction between the two CHO groups in para position. Polarographic investigation demonstrated that in aqueous solution the 1,2-benzenedicarboxaldehyde (orthophthalaldehyde) is present in about 10% in unhydrated, about 20% in an acyclic monohydrated and in 70% in a cyclic hemiacetal form. The latter is generally assumed to be the only form present.
Vibrating wire electrodes—I. Literature review, design and evaluation

Abstract A brief review is given of the literature of vibrating electrodes. These electrodes are characterized by high sensitivity; however, the boundary-value problem describing mass transport has not been solved in closed form. The design and construction of a wire microelectrode is described which vibrates in a reciprocating fashion perpendicular to the axis of the wire. The relationship of the transport-limited electrode current to the vibrational Reynolds number was investigated for frequencies up to 510 Hz and amplitudes up to 3 mm. The exponential dependence of I 1 on Re v was determined to be approx. 0.62 for one electrode with significant deviations noted for various electrodes.
Follow-up studies of renal function in patients with spinal cord injuries of traumatic origin.

Follow-up studies of renal function in patients with spinal cord injuries of traumatic origin
Numerical evaluation of Kratzer oscillator matrix elements

Abstract A subroutine that calculates Kratzer oscillator matrix elements of products of exponentials and integer powers of position is presented. The closed form expression for any such matrix element includes a terminating F 2 hypergeometric function. Stable recursion relations used to evaluate a quantity related to F 2 are used while calculating matrix elements.
The Persuasive Impact of Message Spacing

Although the persuasive impact of repeated message exposures has been investigated extensively, the effect of varying the spacing of those repetitions on message judgments has not been examined empirically. We use recent theorizing, which suggests that in relation to massed presentations, spaced presentations of a target ad are likely to prompt the allocation of more resources to stimulus processing because spaced exposures are perceived as less familiar. Brand judgments are expected to depend on the resources that are allocated to message processing in relation to those required for this task, and these judgments are expected to be most favorable when the resources allocated to message processing match those required for the task. Our data are consistent with these expectations.
Ownership changes and lending at minority banks: A note

Abstract This paper examines the lending patterns of 34 commercial banks during alternate periods of minority and non-minority ownership in the 1980s and early 1990s. The principal finding, obtained using a partial adjustment analysis of bank lending and bank capital, is that loan growth is slower when banks are owned by minorities compared to when they are owned by non-minorities.
The cell cycle and its relationship to aggregation in the cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum

Abstract Vegetative amoebae of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum were synchronized by the use of a temperature-sensitive mutant. The synchronized population was then used to analyze the cell cycle in Dictyostelium discoideum . This in turn enabled us to study the relationship between specific stages of the cell cycle and the initiation of aggregation. It was shown that all cells are at the same position (midway in G 2 ) at the time of aggregation. Synchronous cells starved at all points in the cell cycle, however, took the same length of time to aggregate. This suggests that the limiting step in the aggregation process is starvation, which is independent of the position of the cells in the cell cycle.
Halide: a language and compiler for optimizing parallelism, locality, and recomputation in image processing pipelines

Image processing pipelines combine the challenges of stencil computations and stream programs. They are composed of large graphs of different stencil stages, as well as complex reductions, and stages with global or data-dependent access patterns. Because of their complex structure, the performance difference between a naive implementation of a pipeline and an optimized one is often an order of magnitude. Efficient implementations require optimization of both parallelism and locality, but due to the nature of stencils, there is a fundamental tension between parallelism, locality, and introducing redundant recomputation of shared values.We present a systematic model of the tradeoff space fundamental to stencil pipelines, a schedule representation which describes concrete points in this space for each stage in an image processing pipeline, and an optimizing compiler for the Halide image processing language that synthesizes high performance implementations from a Halide algorithm and a schedule. Combining this compiler with stochastic search over the space of schedules enables terse, composable programs to achieve state-of-the-art performance on a wide range of real image processing pipelines, and across different hardware architectures, including multicores with SIMD, and heterogeneous CPU+GPU execution. From simple Halide programs written in a few hours, we demonstrate performance up to 5x faster than hand-tuned C, intrinsics, and CUDA implementations optimized by experts over weeks or months, for image processing applications beyond the reach of past automatic compilers.
Uridine transport by mouse blastocysts

Abstract Transport of uridine by mouse early blastocysts is a saturable process. Kinetic studies of uptake by the blastocysts reveal an apparent Km of 1.6 μM and Vmax of 0.0063 pmole/min/embryo at 37°C. Uridine uptake is reduced when thymidine, adenosine, deoxyuridine, cytidine, or deoxyadenosine is added to the medium. These findings suggest that transport of these compounds may occur at the same or overlapping sites in the cell membrane. Inhibition of transport by dinitrophenol and KCN suggests a coupling of transport to phosphorylation and energy metabolism, probably through the phosphorylation of uridine to form UTP, the principal intracellular metabolite of uridine. However, since phosphorylation of uridine is not measurable separately from the transport process in the intact embryo, it has not been determined whether uridine uptake by the embryos occurs by facilitated diffusion or by active transport.
Counseling parents on feeding their children.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The high-nutrient needs of children for normal growth and development are matched by ready access to low-nutrient high-energy foods. Parents are often confused by new and at times conflicting information. This review discusses three recently published papers that offer specific and important dietary information for school-aged children. RECENT FINDINGS Lactose intolerance is common in some populations and there are misconceptions about dairy intake. Most lactose-intolerant children can consume some dairy products without symptoms. Fruit-juice intake can predict increased weight gain in children, especially those who are already overweight or at risk for being overweight. Hypertension is a serious disease with onset likely in childhood. This paper discusses the importance of dietary sodium as a contributor to the development of hypertension, and the sodium content of children's diets. SUMMARY Advice to parents on feeding children should be based on the food pyramid and include information on exercise. Recent publications suggest that children consume dairy products, even if lactose intolerant, restrict juice intake, remove sweetened beverages from their diets and reduce sodium consumption.
The quiet desperation of Robert Dahl's (quiet) radicalism

Abstract Robert Dahl's democratic theory has been remarkably consistent over the course of his long career. While Dahl has maintained a markedly un‐romantic view of modern democracy, and can best be read as an immanent critic of its liberal variant, he has steadily clung to certain radical aspirations, even as their prospects have waned. Dahl's often‐unnoticed radicalism lies in his desire to see democracy break out of the institutional bonds of the liberal state. Reviewing his career forces one to consider the ultimately Utopian character of his quiet radicalism and the significance of its apparent failure. Paradoxically, Dahl's call for the extension of democracy into the economic sphere would be less Utopian if it were more radical at its foundation—that is, if his basic premises would lead him to seriously question citizens’ existing preferences.
“Almost direct” photons

Abstract Quantum chromodynamics has intensified the interest and enhanced the importance of measuring the production of direct photons in hadron collisions. We point out that lepton pairs of low invariant mass ( m 2 m 2 ψ ) provide an equally good probe for testing Q.C.D. Their experimental observation is not only easier, the relevant data may already exist.
Targeting the insulin-like growth factor axis as a cancer therapy

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis has been implicated in malignant transformation and in tumor cell biology. Human population studies have demonstrated that high levels of circulating IGF-I are associated with an increased risk of certain malignancies. Many model systems show that IGFs stimulate tumor cell proliferation, survival and metastasis. In a new era of anticancer treatments aimed at tumor-specific targets, efforts are in progress for the development of novel anti-IGF therapies. Disrupting type I IGF-receptor (IGF-IR) function in vitro and in vivo results in tumor growth inhibition in several model systems. Antireceptor therapies in particular have provided encouraging results leading to the approval of the first Phase I human clinical trial targeting IGF-IR. Additional methods to decrease levels of circulating IGF-I and II have also been developed. In principle, a benefit of targeted therapies could be their relative lack of toxicity compared with conventional chemotherapy. Anti-IGF-IR therapies, however, raise theoretical concerns for the development of serious side effects, including diabetes. As targeted therapies against the IGF axis continue to be developed, efforts will need to be made to minimize the side effects that result from blocking normal ligand and receptor-induced functions.
Scutellaria baicalensis and a constituent flavonoid, baicalein, attenuate ritonavir-induced gastrointestinal side-effects.

Ritonavir, a protease inhibitor drug, is commonly used in AIDS therapy. As with other chemotherapeutic drugs that cause gastrointestinal adverse effects, ritonavir treatment is associated with significant nausea and vomiting. This study investigated whether Scutellaria baicalensis, and its active flavonoid constituent, baicalein, attenuate the gastrointestinal effects of ritonavir. The effects of herb administration were evaluated in ritonavir-treated rats using a rat pica model, which simulates nausea and vomiting in humans. The effects of herb administration on gastric emptying in rats were also measured. Ritonavir treatment resulted in increased kaolin intake or severe pica, the intensity of which was reduced significantly with S. baicalensis administration (1 mg kg−1; P < 0.05). High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of S. baicalensis showed the presence of an extremely potent flavonoid constituent, baicalein. The study aimed to determine if baicalein contributed to the anti-pica effect of the extract. It was observed that baicalein dose-dependently decreased pica in ritonavir-treated rats (P < 0.001). In addition to inducing pica, ritonavir also significantly delayed gastric emptying, which could contribute to ritonavir-induced gastrointestinal dysfunction. When S. baicalensis extract was administered to ritonavir-treated rats the delayed gastric emptying was significantly attenuated (P < 0.05). The results suggest that S. baicalensis and the constituent baicalein reduce the gastrointestinal dysfunction caused by ritonavir. It is concluded that S. baicalensis may potentially have a role to play in reducing drug-induced adverse effects.
Processes that constrain and facilitate the evolution of sexual dimorphism.

Abstract: Sexual dimorphism, or differences between the sexes, is pervasive in both plants and animals despite genetic and developmental constraints on its evolution. This special issue of the American Naturalist, which is based on the annual Vice Presidential Symposium, documents how the underlying processes responsible for the presence and extent of sexual dimorphism can be qualified and quantified by a variety of approaches. These include estimates of the G matrix and phenotypic selection, artificial selection, phenotypic manipulation of hormones, estimates of sex‐differential sensitivity to maternal effects, among‐population and phenotypic plasticity studies, and the mapping of sexual dimorphism onto a phylogeny. The questions addressed in the articles in this issue vary depending on the motivation for the studies and the taxa being investigated, but taken together, they show how the integration of genetic, developmental, physiological, ecological, and phylogenetic approaches can illuminate the proces...
Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on spontaneous and noxiously evoked dorsal horn cell activity in cats with transected spinal cords.

Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on spontaneous and noxiously evoked dorsal horn neurons were studied in alpha-chloralose anesthetized cats after spinal cords had been transected at the T12 segment. Previous work in cats with intact cords showed that TENS applications to somatic receptive fields could significantly reduce and maintain decreased dorsal horn cell activity. The purpose of this study was to determine if supraspinal mechanisms were involved with the initial reduction of dorsal horn cell activity during TENS applications. Extracellular action potentials of dorsal horn neurons were recorded in the absence of supraspinal influences. The results demonstrated that spontaneously and noxiously evoked cell activities were reduced significantly during TENS and no significant difference was found between pre-TENS control activity and post-TENS application cell activity. This information implies that initial gating (reduction in cell activity), which occurs during TENS applications, is due to a segmental effect.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue in young adults: increasing incidence and factors that predict treatment outcomes.

OBJECTIVEThis study was designed to determine whether the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue (SCCOT) in young adults has changed during the past 25 years and to determine progn...
Potential interactions between estrogen receptor and thyroid receptors relevant for neuroendocrine systems

Environmental signals can profoundly affect reproductive behavior, physiology and responses to steroids. One consequence of nutritional or temperature stress is altered plasma concentrations of thyroid hormone. Recent in vivo and in vitro data indicate that manipulations of estrogen and thyroid hormone levels can alter each other's functions. One possible mechanism for interaction may be that thyroid and estrogen receptors bind to parts of the same hormone response elements of target genes and compete with each other, thus serving to integrate environmental signals with neuroendocrine responses.
One-Point Modelling of Rapidly Deformed Homogeneous Turbulence

One-point turbulence models are important tools for engineering analysis. A good model should have a viscoelastic character, predicting turbulent stresses proportional to the mean strain rate for slow deformations and stresses determined by the amount of strain for rapid distortions. Our goal is to build a one-point turbulence model with this character, and this requires a one-point model for rapid distortions. Here it is shown that the turbulent stresses introduced by Osborne Reynolds do not, by themselves, provide an adequate tensorial base for one-point modelling of rapidly distorted turbulence because they do not carry critical information about the turbulence structure. The deficiency is shown to be most pronounced in flows subjected to strong mean rotation. Additional one-point tensors that do carry the missing information are introduced, and the complexities of a model that would have an adequate tensorial base are assessed. A new type of one-point structure-based turbulence model that overcomes the basic deficiency of Reynolds-stress transport models, but without the excessive complexity of multiple tensor variables, is then described. The ideas behind the rapid distortion version of this new model are presented, along with results for some special cases.
Where Large Scale Educational Assessment Is Heading and Why It Shouldn't

Where are we headed in large scale assessment? Who is determining what the direction should be? Why does instructional enhancement take a back seat to educational accountability?
Oestrogen plays a permissive role in cardioprotection.

Ischaemic preconditioning (IPC) is a powerful cardioprotective intervention. It can salvage upwards of 75% of the myocardium destined to otherwise infarct. This potent cardioprotective strategy has been observed in all animal species examined to date including mammals and birds.1 We have observed IPC's protection in non-human primates (unpublished observation) and strong evidence exists of its efficacy in man.2,3 Since the initial description of IPC in 1986 by Murry et al. ,4 many investigators have toiled to uncover its mechanism in the hopes of being able to apply the strategy clinically. As a result, much is now known concerning its mechanism.5 The protection results from signal transduction pathways emanating from surface receptors. During the preconditioning ischaemia, the receptor agonists bradykinin, opioid, and adenosine are released. The first two bind to Gi-coupled receptors that trigger a complex cascade that involves nitric oxide production and opening of potassium channels in the mitochondria with subsequent redox signalling, which activates an important signalling molecule called protein kinase C (PKC). Adenosine, the third receptor agonist released by ischaemic myocardium, binds to its Gi-coupled receptor, but its signalling bypasses the above … *Corresponding author. Tel: +1 251 460 6812; fax: +1 251 460 6386. E-mail address: mcohen{at}usouthal.edu
Phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of PIP2 releases ERM proteins from lymphocyte membrane.

Mechanisms controlling the disassembly of ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) proteins, which link the cytoskeleton to the plasma membrane, are incompletely understood. In lymphocytes, chemokine (e.g., SDF-1) stimulation inactivates ERM proteins, causing their release from the plasma membrane and dephosphorylation. SDF-1–mediated inactivation of ERM proteins is blocked by phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitors. Conversely, reduction of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) levels by activation of PLC, expression of active PLC mutants, or acute targeting of phosphoinositide 5-phosphatase to the plasma membrane promotes release and dephosphorylation of moesin and ezrin. Although expression of phosphomimetic moesin (T558D) or ezrin (T567D) mutants enhances membrane association, activation of PLC still relocalizes them to the cytosol. Similarly, in vitro binding of ERM proteins to the cytoplasmic tail of CD44 is also dependent on PIP2. These results demonstrate a new role of PLCs in rapid cytoskeletal remodeling and an additional key role of PIP2 in ERM protein biology, namely hydrolysis-mediated ERM inactivation.
Infrastructure Impacts of Iowa's Renewable Energy

This paper investigates the physical and fiscal impacts of Iowa's existing biofuel plants and wind power industries. A four-county cluster in northern Iowa and a two-county cluster in southern Iowa were identified through a local agency survey as having a large number of diverse facilities and were selected for analysis of traffic and physical impact. The large-truck traffic patterns on Iowa's secondary and local roads from 2002 to 2008 were analyzed and associated with the pavement condition and county maintenance expenditures. A trend of increased maintenance costs in the year after a biofuel plant became operational as well as during the construction period was observed. Large-truck traffic also increased dramatically during the construction period and then dropped after the plant became operational, but not to the levels before the plant's construction. The major road damage associated with wind farms occurred during construction activities and predominantly on gravel roads. Face-to-face interviews wi...
Variable exhumation rates and variable displacement rates: Documenting recent slowing of Himalayan shortening in western Bhutan

Abstract We link exhumational variability in space and time to the evolving geometry of the Himalayan fold–thrust belt in western Bhutan. By combining new and published geochronologic and thermochronologic data we document the burial age, peak temperatures and complete cooling history from 20 Ma to the present over an across-strike distance of ∼125 km. These integrated cooling curves highlight windows of fast exhumation that vary spatially and temporally. We propose that pulses of fast exhumation are a result of structures that facilitate the vertical motion of material, illustrated in sequentially-restored cross sections. Due to a range of permissible geometries at depth, we explore and evaluate the impact of geometry on kinematics and rates of deformation. The linked cooling history and cross sections provide estimates of both magnitude and timing of thrust sheet displacement and highlight temporal variability in potential shortening rates. Structural and chronologic data illustrate a general north to south progression of Himalayan deformation, with emplacement of the Main Central thrust (MCT), Paro thrust and Shumar thrust by 12 to no later than 9 Ma. Two different geometries and kinematic scenarios for the Lesser Himalayan duplex are proposed. A north to south propagating duplex system requires that the southern portion of that system, south of the MCT, deformed and cooled by 9 Ma, leaving only the southernmost thrust sheets, including the Main Boundary and Main Frontal thrusts, to deform between 9 and 0 Ma. This limited post 9 Ma shortening would necessitate a marked slowdown in convergence accommodated on the Main Himalayan thrust. A two-tiered duplex system, which allows for the Paro window duplex and the southern Baxa duplex to form simultaneously, permits duplex formation and accompanying exhumation until 6 Ma. Limited cooling from ∼200 °C to the surface post 6 Ma suggests either a decrease in shortening rates from 6 to 0 Ma or that duplex formation and exhumation are temporally decoupled. Our combined cooling curves highlight that the youngest cooling ages may not mark the fastest thrusting rates or the window of fastest exhumation. Instead, temporal variations in exhumation are best viewed through identifying transients in exhumation rate. We suggest that the strongest control on exhumation magnitude and variability is fold–thrust belt geometry, particularly the locations and magnitudes of footwall ramps, which can change over 10ʼs of km distance. Balanced cross sections predict the location and magnitude of these ramps and how they vary in space and time, providing an untapped potential for testing permissible cross-section geometries and kinematics against measured cooling histories.
Daughterless is essential for neuronal precursor differentiation but not for initiation of neuronal precursor formation in Drosophila embryo

The first steps of neuronal precursor formation require several genes that encode transcription regulators with the helix-loop-helix (HLH) motif, including the proneural genes of the achaete-scute complex AS-C (achaete (ac), scute (sc) and lethal of scute (l'sc)) and daughterless (da). The da protein dimerizes with AS-C products in vitro to form DNA-binding proteins. Previous studies have shown that the AS-C genes are expressed initially in discrete clusters of ectodermal cells (the proneural clusters) and then more strongly in the neuronal precursors that arise from these clusters and delaminate from the epidermal layer. In this paper, we studied the distribution of da protein with an antibody raised against Da. We found that Da is ubiquitously but non-uniformly distributed. Within the ectodermal layer, its level is neither elevated (as in the case of AS-C genes) nor reduced (as in the case of emc product) in the proneural cluster. It is, however, at higher levels in many neuronal precursors. We further studied the requirement of da in neuronal precursor development by using a variety of markers for neuronal precursors. Our results reveal the existence of at least two stages in neuronal precursor formation. da is not required for the initial appearance of nascent neuronal precursors but is required for these cells to express multiple neuronal precursor genes and to produce the normal number of neurons.
Interview with Dr. Lee-Ann Allen regarding Pivotal Advance: Francisella tularensis LVS evades killing by human neutrophils via inhibition of the respiratory burst and phagosome escape.

In this Pivotal Advance manuscript, Lee-Ann Allen and Ramona McCaffrey define a novel mechanism of host-pathogen immune evasion and enhanced virulence. Specifically, they demonstrate that serum-opsonized Francisella tularensis are phagocytosed appropriately by neutrophils, but live bacteria actively inhibit the assembly of the bactericidal NADPH oxidase on the intracellular phagosome. These live bacteria ultimately escape from the phagosome and persist in the neutrophil cytosol.
Fourth cranial nerve palsy in pediatric patients with pseudotumor cerebri

Abstract PURPOSE: To describe three children with acute fourth cranial nerve palsy secondary to pseudotumor cerebri. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of children younger than 18 years who were diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri between 1977 and 1997. Pseudotumor cerebri was defined by normal neuro-imaging, elevated intracranial pressure measured by lumbar puncture, and normal cerebrospinal fluid composition. RESULTS: Three children with pseudotumor cerebri presented with vertical diplopia and clinical signs of fourth cranial nerve palsy including a hypertropia of the affected eye, which increased with adduction and ipsilateral head tilt. The fourth cranial nerve palsy resolved after reduction of the intracranial pressure in all three children. CONCLUSIONS: Fourth cranial nerve palsy may occur in children with pseudotumor cerebri and may be a nonspecific sign of elevated intracranial pressure.
Low Power Laser Induced Microfluidic Mixing Through Localized Surface Plasmon

We present a new optical microfluidic mixing approach via surface tension driven force sustained by the localized surface plasmon (LSP) energy. The phonon energy associated with the non-radiative damping of LSP on an Au nanostructure creates thermal gradients capable of actuating a convective fluid flow. Experimental evidence and modeling results both show that LSP from the Au nanostructure is crucial to establish a temperature gradient with sufficient magnitude to induce the convective flow when using a low- power laser source.
Predicting restenosis: bigger is better but not best.

The ability to accurately predict restenosis after angioplasty continues to be elusive, despite two decades of clinical and angiographic studies. Although these studies have shown that a number of clinical, procedural, and angiographic factors are related to recurrence of the stenosis, the overall predictive value of these factors remains low.1 Angiographic factors have been most extensively studied and variable, such as ostial lesion location, proximal lesion location, left anterior descending artery lesion location, bifurcation lesion, eccentric lesion, and long lesion, and those vessels receiving collaterals have been shown to have a higher rate of restenosis as well. Perhaps one of the most important advances in our understanding of restenosis has been the relationship between the final minimal lumen diameter (MLD), or residual stenosis, and the likelihood of developing restenosis. Often termed “bigger is better,” the inverse relationship between final MLD or percent stenosis and restenosis has been widely studied and well validated.2 The principal of obtaining the largest possible luminal opening during the procedure is now the primary goal of all angioplasty procedures and is the major explanation for why stents reduce restenosis and why their use has become so popular. Even in very large databases, MLD correctly predicted the occurrence of restenosis in only 30% of patients. The price paid for a bigger lumen, however, is more renarrowing, due to unfavorable remodeling and exaggerated intimal hyperplasia. Fortunately, Mother Nature has been kind and, in the clinical setting, only renarrows the artery to roughly half the initial gain in lumen diameter. This allows for less restenosis with larger lumens. A more precise way to look at the restenotic process itself is to evaluate the effect of …
Autogenous and Classical Regulation of Gene Expression: A General Theory and Experimental Evidence

Control of genetic expression by a constitutively synthesized repressor protein is a central feature of the classical operon model proposed in 1961 by Jacob and Monod (see also Chapter 2). Although this model was originally developed for a specific set of genes in a particular bacterium, its influence quickly spread to all of biology. Jacob and Monod knew well the attractions of their model and warned against its indiscriminant use, but their prophetic words were largely ignored as it became the dominant paradigm for biologists concerned with the normal processes of differentiation, growth, and homeostasis, and such pathological manifestations as infectious diseases, metabolic disorders, and cancer. By any number of criteria the Jacob—Monod model has been one of the most seminal ideas in modern biology.
RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF AGED ASEPTIC ICE CREAM MIX AND MELT

Age thickening of UHT steam injected ice cream mix and melt was investigated by determining rheological model constants. By utilizing a cone and plate viscometer, rheological models (3 element solid) were developed for creep-relaxation. Empirical relationships were derived relating the elastic and viscous constants to storage time. Soft serve ice cream mix (4.0% fat) was processed at 149°C for 3.4, 6.9, and 20.3 s. The ice cream mix was stored at 20 and 30°C and tested at four week intervals from zero through 24 weeks. Flow properties of the mixes and melts were quite stable throughout the storage period although the lowest heat treatment (3.4 s for 149°C) suggested mild age thickening by 24 weeks. The strongest element constant for all samples was the series elastic. The viscous constant was next with the Kelvin elastic constant being quite weak. Melts had lower constants than the mixes. Model constants varied little between samples stored at 20°C and those at 30°C.
Hardware homework as active and experiential learning for first year students in electrical and comtuter engineering

Outside the class meeting time, first year students in an introductory course in electrical and computer engineering course buy parts, solder together circuits, make measurements on the circuits with sound cards in their PCs, and submit for evaluation both the circuits and the documents that compare their measurements with calculations and simulations. Students use a digital multimeter that they purchase to investigate KVL and KCL in a two-loop resistive circuit, a BJT DC amplifier, and an RS latch. They document their work with a word processor and a spreadsheet. They use, in addition, MATLAB, PSpice, and an a udio editor to investigate digital and analog implementations of an RC low pass filter, and an inverting op-amp integrator. Based on four semesters of experience at Mississippi State University, the paper reports student performance on the projects, student evaluation of the projects, cost to students, and describes the projects in more detail.
Ionization in a dusty gas

Summary form only given, as follows. Dust grains (solid particles of micron to sub-micron sizes) can be charged positively by electron emission processes such as photoemission, thermionic emission, or secondary electron emission. Recently a theoretical scheme for forming a Coulomb lattice of positively charged dust grains in a high-pressure gas has been discussed. In that scheme, the grains are charged positively by the emission of photo-electrons in the presence of a flux of ultraviolet (UV) photons with energy larger than the work function of the grain, but lower than the ionization potential of the gas. We extend that theoretical analysis to explore grain charging processes such as photoemission or thermionic emission as a source of ionization (electrons) in a gas. In the simplest case of an inert gas, the electron density generated may be determined by balancing the electron emission from the grains with the electron loss processes involving recombination onto the grains. Some example regimes of dust, gas, and photon flux parameters are investigated. Aspects of basic physics issues relevant to these dust ionization processes are also explored, including the effect of grain size and background gas parameters on the electron emission process, and the heating and cooling of small grains via radiation or conduction.
Simulation of cholinergic and noradrenergic modulation of behavior in uncertain environments

Attention is a complex neurobiological process that involves rapidly and flexibly balancing sensory input and goal-directed predictions in response to environmental changes. The cholinergic and noradrenergic systems, which have been proposed to respond to expected and unexpected environmental uncertainty, respectively, play an important role in attention by differentially modulating activity in a multitude of cortical targets. Here we develop a model of an attention task that involves expected and unexpected uncertainty. The cholinergic and noradrenergic systems track this uncertainty and, in turn, influence cortical processing in five different, experimentally verified ways: (1) nicotinic enhancement of thalamocortical input, (2) muscarinic regulation of corticocortical feedback, (3) noradrenergic mediation of a network reset, (4) locus coeruleus (LC) activation of the basal forebrain (BF), and (5) cholinergic and noradrenergic balance between sensory input and frontal cortex predictions. Our results shed light on how the noradrenergic and cholinergic systems interact with each other and a distributed set of neural areas, and how this could lead to behavioral adaptation in the face of uncertainty.
Perceptually driven simplification for interactive rendering

We present a framework for accelerating interactive rendering, grounded in psychophysical models of visual perception. This framework is applicable to multiresolution rendering techniques that use a hierarchy of local simplification operations. Our method drives those local operations directly by perceptual metrics; the effect of each simplification on the final image is considered in terms of the contrast the operation will induce in the image and the spatial frequency of the resulting change. A simple and conservative perceptual model determines under what conditions the simplification operation will be perceptible, enabling imperceptible simplification in which operations are performed only when judged imperceptible. Alternatively, simplifications may be ordered according to their perceptibility, providing a principled approach to best-effort rendering. We demonstrate this framework applied to view-dependent polygonal simplification. Our approach addresses many interesting topics in the acceleration of interactive rendering, including imperceptible simplification, silhouette preservation, and gaze-directed rendering.
Scalable and Portable Architecture for Probability Density Function Estimation on FPGAs

This paper describes the design, development, and analysis of a scalable and portable architecture for multi-dimensional, non-parametric PDF estimation using Gaussian kernels on FPGAs.