cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modelling of ship penetration into a mush ice field

Abstract In this paper, an analytic means has been developed to estimate the motion of mush ice produced by a ship intrusion. A solid body of simple geometry is considered to penetrate into a mush ice field at constant velocity. The mush ice is assumed to be homogeneous and isotropic and behaves under pressure as a visco-plastic substance. A mathematical model for the ice motion has been constructed to satisfy the boundary conditions. Pathlines and velocity of the ice flow over solid surface are illustrated.
Experimental studies on combustion of cattle manure in a fluidized bed combustor

Manure from cattle feedlots is a renewable energy source which has the potential of supplementing the existing fossil fuels. But the heat content of manure is rather low. Since the fluidized bed combustion technology has been used for the energy conversion of marginal fuels, such a technology is being explored for the combustion of feedlot manure. A fluidized bed combustor of 0.15 m (6 in.) diameter was used for the combustion tests on manure. Experiments were conducted with -20 to +20 percent excess air and at bed temperatures ranging from 600/sup 0/C (1112/sup 0/F) to 800/sup 0/C (1472/sup 0/F). Experimental data revealed that the gasification efficiencies ranged from 90 to 98 percent, while the combustion efficiencies varied from 45 to 85 percent.
Induction of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase isoform-2 in ovine cotyledonary tissues during late gestation

The present study was designed to characterize the developmental pattern of specific prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase (PGS) isoform immunoreactivity and activity in tissues of fetal origin during the last half of gestation in sheep. Fetal amnion, allantochorion, and cotyledons were collected under halothane general anesthesia on days 79-80, 105-108, 120-122, 128-131, and 140-145 (term) of pregnancy. Solubilized extracts were prepared and analyzed by immunoblots using anti-PGS antibodies previously shown to recognize PGS isoform-1 and -2 (PGS-1 and PGS-2). PGS activity from cotyledon microsomes was assayed by the measurement of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production under initial velocity conditions. All fetal tissues contained PGS-1 at each of the stages of gestation examined, with minimal regulation of this isoform from 79-144 days gestation. In contrast, PGS-2 increased gradually in the cotyledons from 120-139 days gestation, with the most marked expression observed at term. PGS-2 was not detected in amnion or allantochorion. PGS activity in cotyledons increased (P < 0.01) in parallel with immunoreactive PGS-2 levels; indicating that PGS-2, rather than PGS-1, is associated with increased PG synthesis in this tissue. Both the activity (n = 5/group) and the amount of PGS-2 increased significantly from 105-108 days gestation to term (P < 0.01). We conclude that the increase in PGS that occurs at term in sheep is predominantly active PGS-2 localized to fetal cotyledons.
A thermodynamic Liapunov function for the near equilibrium CSTR

A thermodynamic framework within which Liapunov functions may be generated is described and a Liapunov function for the continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) with a steady state near equilibrium is constructed. The Liapunov function resembles the thermodynamic entropy production function and the asymptotic stability principle presented is reminiscent of the theorem of minimum entropy production. However, it is demonstrated that the theorem of minimum entropy production does not apply to the near equilibrium CSTR steady state due to the presence of convective material exchange between the CSTR system and its surroundings.
Preschoolers' Imaginative Play as Precursor of Narrative Consciousness

Can the early childhood play of preschoolers foreshadow the form and complexity of adult ongoing consciousness? The beginnings of make-believe play in children from about two years of age are reviewed starting with transitional objects, play with soft toys, or imaginary playmates. The roles of pretending and story-telling play are next examined and their contribution not only to sheer enjoyment but to an array of cognitive, social, and emotional skills are considered. We discuss the contribution of adults as nurturers and enhancers of such play. We turn finally to the aspects of adult consciousness: wakeful perception; identification, labeling, and encoding; guided imagery, mental trial actions, and playfulness. The features of childhood play may be seen to foreshadow an array of functions of ongoing conscious thought, especially its narrative components and, following Baars' theory, its role as a “theater” for prioritizing, decision-making, contextualizing, and creativity.
Percutaneous interventional gallbladder procedures: personal experience and literature review.

Our experience with 58 percutaneous gallbladder procedures in 48 patients are discussed. Diagnostic procedures consisted of needle aspiration of bile (n=5) to evaluate the gallbladder as a source of infections and transcholecystic cholangiography (TCC) (n=32) for bile duct visualization. Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) (n=21) was performed for gallbladder or bile duct decompression or stone dissolution. Ultrasound and/or fluoroscopic guidance were used, and the procedures were successful in all but one patient. The overall complication rate was 13.8% (8/58 procedures) but only 5.2% were considered serious (three instances of bile peritonitis). No vasovagal reactions or hemorrhage occurred. We also reviewed the complications in 231 cases of PC that have been reported in the English literature. The overall complication rate was 7.8%, and the most significant problems were death (n=1), peritonitis (n=3), and severe vasovagal reactions (n=4).
Carbohydrate intolerance in infants with diarrhea

In infants hospitalized with severe diarrhea, lactose intolerance was considered to be present when the stools had a carbohydrate content greater than 0.25 per cent, and/or a pH of less than 6.0. By these criteria, 255 or 77 per cent of 332 infants had lactose intolerance. All but 2 of the 77 lactose-tolerant patients recovered within 3 weeks while receiving a milk formula, whereas 111 of 195 with mild intolerance ( 30 per cent positive stools) recovered while receiving a milk formula. Diarrhea lasted more than 3 weeks in 27 per cent of those with mild and in 62 per cent of those with untreated severe intolerance; with dietary treatment a prompt favorable response was elicited. Lactose intolerance was positively correlated with increasing severity of malnutrition but not with previous episodes of gastroenteritis, the presence of enteropathogens, or associated infections. Antibiotic therapy increased the stool pH toward alkaline but did not modify the excretion of carbohydrates.
Total and intrasynovial work of flexion of human cadaver flexor digitorum profundus tendons after modified Kessler and MGH repair techniques

Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare directly the total work of flexion (TWOF) and the intrasynovial work of flexion (IWOF) of human flexor digitorum profundus tendons and to analyze the ratio of the IWOF to the TWOF of human flexor digitorum profundus tendons. These factors may be important clinically in understanding the role of different methods of postoperative tendon rehabilitation for different types of tendon repairs, especially at the early stage after tendon repair. Methods Two different tendon repairs, the modified Kessler and the Massachusetts General Hospital, were used in 18 digits from 6 freshly frozen human cadaver hands. The TWOF and the IWOF were tested by using a digit-resistance testing device. Results After tendon repair the TWOF increased 11.2% and 26.9% for the modified Kessler and MGH groups, respectively. The differences in increase between the 2 groups were significant. The IWOF increased 126.8% and 308.8% for the modified Kessler and Massachusetts General Hospital groups, respectively. The IWOF accounted for 16.4% of the TWOF for the intact tendon; this percentage was 28.6% and 45.0% for the modified Kessler and Massachusetts General Hospital groups, respectively. Conclusions The IWOF accounts for 16% of the TWOF of normal human cadaver digits but it accounts for a much higher fraction after tendon repair. The ratio of the work of flexion within the synovial sheath to the TWOF varies depending on the type of repair chosen.
Neurotensin depolarizes cholinergic and a subset of non-cholinergic septal/diagonal band neurons by stimulating neurotensin-1 receptors.

Abstract Identified cholinergic and a subtype of non-cholinergic, fast-firing neurons were recorded intracellularly in vitro from slices of guinea-pig brain. Recorded neurons were within the boundaries of the medial septum and vertical limb of the diagonal band of the forebrain. The effects of superfused neurotensin and neurotensin receptor antagonists were measured under single-electrode current clamp. Neurotensin consistently caused a dose-dependent, slow depolarization of cholinergic neurons that was accompanied by an increase in membrane resistance and a block of the long-duration (1–10 s) post-spike afterhyperpolarization when present. Neurotensin also blocked a shorter duration, slow afterhyperpolarization, but only in a minority of cholinergic neurons. When present, inhibition of the slow afterhyperpolarization changed the spike pattern from single spikes to short bursts. Inhibition of post-spike afterhyperpolarizations by neurotensin reversed more slowly than did other effects of neurotensin. Tetrodotoxin did not prevent the depolarizing effect of neurotensin. The non-selective neurotensin receptor antagonist, SR142948A, blocked the depolarizing effect of neurotensin but the low-affinity receptor antagonist, levocabastine, did not. A subgroup of non-cholinergic, fast-firing neurons (23%) was also depolarized by neurotensin, an effect antagonized by SR142948A but not levocabastine. Neurotensin did not effect post-spike voltage transients or change the firing pattern of non-cholinergic neurons. These data suggest that neurotensin causes a slow depolarization and increased excitability of cholinergic and some non-cholinergic neurons in an area of the brain that projects to the hippocampus. Neurotensin type 1 receptors appear to mediate these effects. Neurotensin may modulate hippocampal-dependent learning and memory processes through its effects on septohippocampal neurons.
Accelerator dating of a mixed assemblage of late Pleistocene insect fossils from the Lamb Spring site, Colorado

Fossil insects from the late-glacial deposits at the Lamb Spring archaeological site, near Denver, Colorado, are relatively abundant and diverse, providing considerable paleoecological data for the site. The late Pleistocene insect fauna from the site comprises 72 identified taxa, principally beetles. However, the fauna presented an interpretive problem because it contained a mixture of prairie and alpine tundra species. This was initially considered to be the result of a mixing of faunal elements during the climatic transition of late-glacial times, a “no-modern-analog” fauna. Accelerator dating of insect fossil specimens from the two ecological groups helped resolve the paleoecological problem. Fossil specimens of the prairie-associated species were dated at 17,850 ± 550 yr B.P., while specimens of the tundra-associated species yielded an age of 14,500 ± 500 yr B.P. These dates reveal that what appeared to be an ecological mixing was probably a taphonomic problem, wherein full-glacial-age fossils were probably reworked into latest Wisconsin sediments. While both faunal assemblages reflect climatic conditions substantially colder than present, initial results suggest that the full-glacial fauna represents a cold, dry grassland or steppe environment, while the younger fauna suggests moister and more tundra-like conditions.
The lipopolysaccharide Parkinson’s disease animal model: mechanistic studies and drug discovery

Research in the last two decades has unveiled an important role for neuroinflammation in the degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic (DA) pathway that constitutes the pathological basis of the prevailing movement disorder, Parkinson's disease (PD). Neuroinflammation is characterized by the activation of brain glial cells, primarily microglia and astrocytes that release various soluble factors that include free radicals (reactive oxygen and nitrogen species), cytokines, and lipid metabolites. The majority of these glia-derived factors are proinflammatory and neurotoxic and are particularly deleterious to oxidative damage-vulnerable nigral DA neurons. As a proof of concept, various immunologic stimuli have been employed to directly induce glial activation to model DA neurodegeneration in PD. The bacterial endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), has been the most extensively utilized glial activator for the induction of inflammatory DA neurodegeneration. In this review, we will summarize the various in vitro and in vivo LPS PD models. Furthermore, we will highlight the contribution of the LPS PD models to the mechanistic studies of PD pathogenesis and the search for neuroprotective agents for the treatment of PD.
Identification of three homology classes of small, cryptic plasmids in intestinal Bacteroides species.

Abstract A systematic analysis of the plasmid content of intestinal Bacteroides spp. was made. Eight of fifteen clinical isolates and seven of nineteen normal rectal flora isolates examined contained small plasmids (
Department of defense R & d in the university.

The DOD carefully evaluates its technical needs and executes programs of sponsored research and development to fulfill them. Thus, while individual projects proceed in accordance with established scientific principles of objectivity, the overall system of DOD funding allows the military to influence the development of science technology. Many have argued that this system of contracts and grants has well served science and the universities. One cannot deny that the influx of money led to rapid progress in selected scientific fields and increased scientific institutions9 affluence. With this fact we have no quarrel. However, these same people often continue to argue that the systems of federal funding for science, specifically DOD funding of science, follows merely on the work9s scientific merit, not on how it fits any larger scheme. They continue, that, since DOD supports good science for its own sake, the combination of military money and universities strongly encouraging faculty to seek that money encourages healthy competition for faster scientific progress. The DOD9s approval process is seen to follow from the scientist up, with the military deciding which proposals for research have the most intrinsic (scientific) merit, then after the fact, thinking up a military justification for congressional budget requests. It is this latter belief with which we take issue. The DOD considers the scientific worth of the proposals for research it receives, but only after it has determined that the proposal fulfills a specific military need. This fact and its implications for the university as an institution charged with protecting the process by which man discovers new knowledge have been ignored in the debates over DOD sponsored research and development in universities. In addition, the Nixon Administration9s efforts to tighten management controls over civilian research, especially in the biomedical and energy areas, promises to further undermine the university9s role as an institution charged with fostering a search for truth free from bias in both methodology and subject selection.
Cytoplasmic Dynein: Tension Generation on Microtubules and the Nucleus

Cytoplasmic dynein is a microtubule dependent motor protein that is central to vesicle transport, cell division and organelle positioning. Recent studies suggest that dynein can generate significant pulling forces on intracellular structures as it motors along microtubules. In this review, we discuss how dynein-generated pulling forces position the nucleus and the centrosome.
Climate controls on soil respired CO2 in the United States: Implications for 21st century chemical weathering rates in temperate and arid ecosystems

Abstract The most recent IPCC (2007) report predicts that regional-scale precipitation patterns will change significantly in the 21st century as a result of increasing atmospheric CO2. The amount of respired CO2 stored in the soil atmosphere is heavily influenced by climate, and the concentration of CO2 in soils controls the concentration of dissolved CO2 ([CO2aq]) in pore water involved in chemical weathering. Therefore, we can expect changes to chemical weathering rates as a result of climate change, which can influence the global carbon cycle through the consumption of CO2 during continental silicate weathering. These changes may even be important on human timescales. To predict changes to the [CO2aq] of soil water, we have produced an extensive literature review of soil respired CO2 measurements to study the spatial variability of soil respired CO2. We show that respired CO2 concentrations and [CO2aq] vary with precipitation. This study focuses on the western United States, where we find a strong relationship between summer average soil-respired CO2 and mean annual precipitation for soils forming in or below 900 mm yr− 1 precipitation (R2 = 0.91). The correlation breaks down when higher mean annual precipitation rates are considered, restricting the use of this relationship to arid to subhumid precipitation regimes. We estimate the response of [CO2aq] in soil pore water in the western United States to projected anthropogenic CO2 emissions using this new relationship and projected changes in precipitation simulated by the North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program for the decade 2051–2060. According to our model, [CO2aq] in soil pore water is expected to decrease by up to 50% in the southwestern United States and to increase by up to 50% in areas of the Northern and Central Great Plains. These results have important implications for CO2 consumption and changes to terrestrial carbon cycling in the next century.
GEF-H1 controls microtubule-dependent sensing of nucleic acids for antiviral host defenses

Detailed understanding of the signaling intermediates that confer the sensing of intracellular viral nucleic acids for induction of type I interferons is critical for strategies to curtail viral mechanisms that impede innate immune defenses. Here we show that the activation of the microtubule-associated guanine nucleotide exchange factor GEF-H1, encoded by Arhgef2, is essential for sensing of foreign RNA by RIG-I-like receptors. Activation of GEF-H1 controls RIG-I-dependent and Mda5-dependent phosphorylation of IRF3 and induction of IFN-β expression in macrophages. Generation of Arhgef2(-/-) mice revealed a pronounced signaling defect that prevented antiviral host responses to encephalomyocarditis virus and influenza A virus. Microtubule networks sequester GEF-H1 that upon activation is released to enable antiviral signaling by intracellular nucleic acid detection pathways.
The Laguerre method for finding the zeros of polynomials

In both the analysis and the design of linear networks, a commonly occurring task is that of locating the zeros of a polynomial. Among the many methods available for doing this, the one due to Laguerre has some remarkable properties that include a guarantee of convergence for polynomials with only real zeros. Moreover, for simple zeros, real or complex, this convergence is cubic. In practice, the method has proved very successful. Since this method is not widely known, the author explains its properties in an elementary fashion. >
A connected, locally connected, countable Urysohn space

Abstract In this paper a geometrically simple example of a connected, locally connected, countable Urysohn space is constructed.
Alcohol from grain: Global price implications

Abstract A price endogenous mathematical programming model is used to analyze the effects of producing ethanol from grain on agricultural production and commodity prices. Three alternative ethanol production levels are examined: 2.0, 4.6 and 9.2 Ggal. The model solutions indicate that significant impacts are likely to occur only if ethanol production levels exceed 2 Ggal per year. The primary effect is to increase the price of corn. Prices of other grains and soybeans will also increase due to heightened competition for cropland. Data from the model solutions also indicate large scale ethanol programs will cause a significant income transfer from consumers to producers, although total social benefits may increase.
Critique of Current Theories of Akhieser Damping in Solids

There are two widely used theories of ultrasonic attenuation in the Akhieser ($\ensuremath{\Omega}\ensuremath{\tau}\ensuremath{\ll}1$) regime. Woodruff and Ehrenreich used the Boltzmann equation and found that the attenuation was a function of the specific heat of the thermal phonons. Mason and Bateman obtained the fundamentally different result that the attenuation also involved the thermal energy. It is shown here that the Mason-Bateman theory contains both mathematical and conceptual errors and that its apparent agreement with experimental data on Si and Ge is fortuitous.
Interdisciplinary Pediatric Aerodigestive Care and Reduction in Health Care Costs and Burden

Importance Children with complex respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders frequently require care from multiple pediatric subspecialists. Interdisciplinary pediatric aerodigestive clinic centers have been established at several pediatric tertiary care centers in the United States. Their effectiveness is unknown. Objective To determine whether an interdisciplinary approach to pediatric aerodigestive disorders reduces health care costs and burden. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective medical record review for the first 125 unique pediatric patients (median age, 1.51 years) seen at the Pediatric Aerodigestive Center (PAC) for aerodigestive disorders between June 2010 and August 2013 for a total of 163 outpatient clinical encounters. The PAC is an academic pediatric tertiary care center where specialists in gastroenterology, otolaryngology, pulmonology, and speech-language pathology provide interdisciplinary evaluation during a single clinic encounter and combined operative management when indicated. Interventions Interdisciplinary evaluation and treatment of pediatric aerodigestive disorders. Main Outcomes and Measures Number of operative procedures and estimated hospital charges related to combining clinic encounters and operative procedures. Results During the initial visit, each of the 125 patients received a mean (SD) of 2.9 (0.8) of a potential 4 services. Estimating per-encounter visit costs for gas, parking, and facility fees, we found that the average cost savings per family per PAC visit was $182. Evaluation under anesthesia was recommended for 85 patients (68%), resulting in 267 operative procedures performed by participating services during 158 encounters with general anesthesia. Thus, 109 episodes of anesthesia were avoided (41% reduction), reducing the risks of anesthesia and related care costs ($1985 per avoided episode). Conclusions and Relevance Coordination of interdisciplinary care in the PAC resulted in a reduction of hospital charges realized through reduction in clinic- and anesthesia-related visits. Reductions in episodes of anesthesia may also reduce neurocognitive risks associated with multiple anesthetic exposures. Other nontangible benefits associated with the coordination of care, such as caregiver satisfaction, warrant further study.
Generating fuzzy membership function with self-organizing feature map

Automatic fuzzy membership generation is important in pattern recognition. A new scheme is proposed to generate fuzzy membership functions with unsupervised learning using self-organizing feature map. Simulation results on different datasets support this new scheme.
Industrialization of Agriculture: Discussion

Agricultural economists as story tellers focus on key players, their motivations, and activities (McCloskey). Thus we try to understand current events in terms of the past and to peer into the future. The better stories provide insights by pointing out, and perhaps measuring, relationships among events and "causes." Coffey's story focuses on the impacts of industrialization on farm supply firms and particularly cooperatives. Coffey's story has the ring of authenticity-of a person who knows his industry. Barkema and O'Brien attempt larger stories about the whole system. Today's growing fragmentation of consumer demand is Barkema's driving force of change. O'Brien's driving force is the effort to minimize or transfer risk.
Magnetic Field Properties of 1 at.% Transition Metal Substituted Nb3Ge

Measurements of the critical magnetic field slope near the superconducting transition temperature T/sub c/ are reported for samples of Nb/sub 1-x/Ge/sub x/, (Nb/sub 0.99/Ti/sub 0.01/)/sub 1-x/Ge/sub x/, and (Nb/sub 0.99/Zr/sub 0.01/)/sub 1-x/Ge/sub x/ for 0.15< or =x< or =0.25. The samples investigated were produced by trisputtering onto heated polycrystalline alumina substrates. The critical magnetic field slope near T/sub c/ for substituted samples is comparable to that of Nb/sub 3/Ge alone. The highest T/sub c/ values, the highest resistance ratios, and the narrowest transitions, however, occur for samples with excess transition metal component.
Influence of hydrogen oxidation kinetics on hydrogen environment embrittlement

Results are presented from experiments performed to determine the roles of hydrogen absorption and hydrogen electron transfer on the susceptibility of Fe- and Ni-base alloys to ambient-temperature hydroen embrittlement. An apparent independence is noted between hydrogen environment embrittlement and internal hydrogen embrittlement. The experiments were performed on Inconel 718, Incoloy 903, and A286. The electrochemical results obtained indicate that Inconel 718 either adsorbs hydrogen more rapidly and/or the electrochemical oxidation of the adsorbed hydrogen occurred more rapidly than in the other two materials.
Prospects for regional tourism cooperation in Africa

Abstract This article examines the potential for regional cooperation in the field of tourism in sub-Sahara Africa. It looks at the nature and objectives of existing regional organizations and discusses obstacles which impede progress. The article shows that an array of internal (African) and external organizations provide broad institutional frameworks for regional tourism cooperation. However, tourism-specific cooperative programmes and activities are limited. The paper concludes that the Caribbean experience provides a good model for regional tourism cooperation in Africa.
Shear band spacing in gradient-dependent thermoviscoplastic materials

We study thermomechanical deformations of a viscoplastic body deformed in simple shear. The strain gradients are taken as independent kinematic variables and the corresponding higher order stresses are included in the balance laws, and the equation for the yield surface. Three different functional relationships, the power law, and those proposed by Wright and Batra, and Johnson and Cook are used to relate the effective strain rate to the effective stress and temperature. Effects of strain hardening of the material and elastic deformations are neglected. The homogeneous solution of the problem is perturbed and the stability of the problem linear in the perturbation variables is studied. Following Wright and Ockendon's postulate that the wavelength whose initial growth rate is maximum determines the minimum spacing between adjacent shear bands, the shear band spacing is computed. It is found that the minimum shear band spacing is very sensitive to the thermal softening coefficient/exponent, the material characteristic length and the nominal strain-rate. Approximate analytical expressions for the critical wave length for heat conducting nonpolar materials and locally adiabatic deformations of gradient dependent materials are also derived.
Crystallization of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) by Exfoliated Graphite Nanoplatelets

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) has been shown to be efficiently nucleated by exfoliated graphite nanopla- telets (xGnP). The nucleating effect of xGnP was investi- gated using differential scanning calorimetry, optical mi- croscopy and atomic force microscopy. Nonisothermal crystallization of PHB from the melt required lower activa- tion energies for PHB containing 1 wt % and 3 wt % xGnP (� 214 and � 102 kJ/mol respectively) than for pure PHB (� 60 kJ/mol). A kinetic study of the PHB/xGnP crystalli- zation employing a modified form of the Avrami equation revealed that the presence of xGnP increased the PHB crys- tallization temperature, as well as the crystallization rates, and generated smaller and more numerous spherulites. Op- tical microscopy and atomic force microscopy confirmed the incorporation of xGnP into the lamellar structure of the PHB spherulites and provided insight into the influence of xGnP on spherulite size and lamellae thickness. 2007 Wiley
Effect of amphotericin B and micafungin combination on survival, histopathology, and fungal burden in experimental aspergillosis in the p47 phox-/- mouse model of chronic granulomatous disease

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is an inherited disorder of the NADPH oxidase characterized by recurrent life-threatening bacterial and fungal infections. We characterized the effects of single and combination antifungal therapy on survival, histopathology, and laboratory markers of fungal burden in experimental aspergillosis in the p47phox−/− knockout mouse model of CGD. CGD mice were highly susceptible to intratracheal Aspergillus fumigatus challenge, whereas wild-type mice were resistant. CGD mice were challenged intratracheally with a lethal inoculum (1.25 × 104 CFU/mouse) of A. fumigatus and received one of the following regimens daily from day 0 to 4 after challenge (n = 19 to 20 per treatment group): (i) vehicle, (ii) amphotericin B (intraperitoneal; 1 mg/kg of body weight), (iii) micafungin (intravenous; 10 mg/kg), or (iv) amphotericin B plus micafungin. The rank order of therapeutic efficacy based on prolonged survival, from highest to lowest, was as follows: amphotericin B plus micafungin, amphotericin B alone, micafungin alone, and the vehicle. Lung histology showed pyogranulomatous lesions and invasive hyphae, but without hyphal angioinvasion or coagulative necrosis. Treatment with micafungin alone or combined with amphotericin B produced swelling of invasive hyphae that was not present in mice treated with the vehicle or amphotericin B alone. Assessment of lung fungal burden by quantitative PCR showed no significant difference between treatment groups. Serum galactomannan levels were at background despite documentation of invasive aspergillosis by histology. Our findings showed the superior efficacy of the amphotericin B and micafungin combination compared to either agent alone after A. fumigatus challenge and also demonstrated unique features of CGD mice as a model for experimental aspergillosis.
LATITUDE VARIATION OF 27-DAY COSMIC RAY INTENSITY DECREASES

The latitude variation of cosmic ray intensity decreases due to the modulation effects of a geocentric nebula of disordered magnetic fields has been calculated. Experimental data provided by neutron monitor observations during a period of intense solar activity, when compared with the results of these calculations, show that equatorial variations exceed those given by the modulation mechanism by a factor of two or more.
Contingency-Managed College Instruction: Effects of Weekly Quizzes on Performance on Examination

Students from a 10-wk. undergraduate course in educational psychology were randomly divided into two groups containing 25 and 24 students respectively. The two groups attended class together, experienced the same lecture-discussion sessions, and were required to take mid-term and final examinations over assigned content. However, one group was required to take weekly quizzes immediately prior to class sessions. Differences in performance of the two groups on the mid-term and final examinations were statistically significant and educationally important, the weekly quiz group scoring an average of approximately one letter grade better on both examinations.
Protection against cellular stress by 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 in breast epithelial cells

25-Hydroxyvitamin D(3) (25(OH)D(3)) is a prohormone and a major vitamin D metabolite. The discovery of (25(OH)D(3)) 1 alpha-hydroxylase in many vitamin D target organs has yielded an increased interest in defining the role(s) of 25(OH)D(3) in these tissues. The etiology of cancer appears to be complex and multi-factorial. Cellular stress (e.g., DNA damage, hypoxia, oncogene activation) has been identified as one of the key factors responsible for initiating the carcinogenesis process. In this study, we investigated whether 25(OH)D(3) protects breast epithelial cells from cellular stress using an established breast epithelial cell line MCF12F. To better elucidate the role of 25(OH)D(3) in the stress response, we used multiple in vitro stress models including serum starvation, hypoxia, oxidative stress, and apoptosis induction. Under all these stress conditions, 25(OH)D(3) (250 nmol/L) treatment significantly protected cells against cell death. Low-serum stress induced p53 expression accompanied with downregulation of PCNA, the presence of 25(OH)D(3) consistently inhibited the alteration of p53 and PCNA, suggesting that these molecules were involved in the stress process and may be potential target genes of 25(OH)D(3). miRNA microarray analysis demonstrated that stress induced by serum starvation caused significant alteration in the expression of multiple miRNAs including miR182, but the presence of 25(OH)D(3) effectively reversed this alteration. These data suggest that there is a significant protective role for 25(OH)D(3) against cellular stress in the breast epithelial cells and these effects may be mediated by altered miRNA expression.
Analysis of Non-Saturation and Saturation Performance of IEEE 802.11 DCF in the Presence of Hidden Stations

In this paper, we propose an analytical model to evaluate the hidden station effect on both non-saturation and saturation performance of the IEEE 802.11 Distributed Coordination Function (DCF). DCF is a random channel-access scheme based on Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMACA) method and the binary slotted exponential backoff procedure to reduce the packet collision. Hidden stations cause most collisions because stations cannot sense each other's transmission and often send packets concurrently, resulting in significant degradation of the network performance. The proposed model generalizes the existing work on 802.11 DCF performance modeling for both non-saturation and saturation conditions, under the hidden-station effect. The performance of our model is evaluated by comparison with NS-2 simulations and found to agree with the analytic model.
Compact Modeling of the Temperature Dependence of Parasitic Resistances in SiGe HBTs Down to 30 K

In this paper, we investigate the physics and modeling of temperature dependence of various parasitic resistances in SiGe heterojunction bipolar transistors down to 30 K. Carrier freezeout is shown to be the dominant contributor to increased resistances at cryogenic temperatures for lightly-doped and moderately-doped regions, whereas the temperature dependence of the mobility is the dominant contributor to the temperature dependence of heavily-doped regions. Two incomplete ionization models, the classic model with a doping dependent activation energy and the recent model of Altermatt , are shown to underestimate and overestimate incomplete ionization rate below 100 K for intrinsic base doping, respectively. Analysis of experimental data shows that the bound state fraction factor is temperature dependent and including this temperature dependence enables compact modeling of resistances from 30 to 300 K for moderately-doped regions. For heavily-doped regions, a dual power law mobility approximation with complete ionization is shown to work well down to 30 K. An alternative approach is also presented for heavily-doped resistors which allows one to use the same model equation for all regions.
Restructuring a basic science course for core competencies: An example from anatomy teaching

Medical schools revise their curricula in order to develop physicians best skilled to serve the public’s needs. To ensure a smooth transition to residency programs, undergraduate medical education is often driven by the six core competencies endorsed by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME): patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning, interpersonal skills, professionalism, and systems-based practice. Recent curricular redesign at Mayo Medical School provided an opportunity to restructure anatomy education and integrate radiology with first-year gross and developmental anatomy. The resulting 6-week (120-contact-hour) human structure block provides students with opportunities to learn gross anatomy through dissection, radiologic imaging, and embryologic correlation. We report more than 20 educational interventions from the human structure block that may serve as a model for incorporating the ACGME core competencies into basic science and early medical education. The block emphasizes clinically-oriented anatomy, invites self- and peer-evaluation, provides daily formative feedback through an audience response system, and employs team-based learning. The course includes didactic briefing sessions and roles for students as teachers, leaders, and collaborators. Third-year medical students serve as teaching assistants. With its clinical focus and competency-based design, the human structure block connects basic science with best-practice clinical medicine.
Tests of effective pair potentials for water: Predicted ice structures

As a test of the accuracy of the several proposed effective pair potentials for water, we have examined how well they reproduce the structures and properties of the proton‐ordered ices II, VIII, and IX, and those of a hypothetical proton ordered form of ice I which is closely related to ice Ih. Despite leading to a consistent underestimate of all the ice densities by roughly 21%, the ab initio pair potential calculated by Matsuoka, Clementi, and Yoshimine succeeds better than any other in predicting the hydrogen bonding topology and the O–O–O angles characteristic of the various ice lattices. Some of the proposed water–water potentials predict the existence of ice polymorphs entirely different from known forms of ice, and/or give rise to structures with bifurcated hydrogen bonds. Using our new results, and others in the literature, we give a detailed discussion of the features of the MCY, ST2, and RSL2 potentials, each considered a representative of a class of potentials.
Development and validation of a portable gas phase standard generation and calibration system for volatile organic compounds

Abstract. We report on the development of an accurate, portable, dynamic calibration system for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The Mobile Organic Carbon Calibration System (MOCCS) combines the production of gas-phase VOC standards using permeation or diffusion sources with quantitative total organic carbon (TOC) conversion on a palladium surface to CO2 in the presence of oxygen, and the subsequent CO2 measurement. MOCCS was validated using three different comparisons: (1) TOC of high accuracy methane standards compared well to expected concentrations (3% relative error), (2) a gas-phase benzene standard was generated using a permeation source and measured by TOC and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with excellent agreement (
Cocaine-related stimuli impair inhibitory control in cocaine users following short stimulus onset asynchronies.

Background and Aims Cocaine users display a significant increase in inhibitory failures following cocaine-related images compared with neutral images in a modified cued Go/No-Go task, the Attentional Bias–Behavioral Activation (ABBA) task. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) impacts inhibitory failures on the ABBA task. Design A between-subjects experiment. Setting An out-patient research unit in the United States. Participants Ninety-one cocaine users recruited from the community. Measurements Participants were assigned to groups in which they saw either cocaine (n = 46) or neutral (n = 45) images as the go condition. Cues were presented for one of five SOAs (i.e. 100, 200, 300, 400 or 500 ms) before a go or no-go target was displayed. Findings Participants in the cocaine go condition had a significantly higher proportion of inhibitory failures to no-go targets (F4,356 = 2.50, P = 0.04) with significantly more inhibitory failures following all SOAs (P < 0.05) than those in the neutral go condition. Within the cocaine go condition, significantly more inhibitory failures were observed following the 100 and 200 ms SOAs than after the 300, 400 or 500 ms SOAs (P < 0.05). Conclusions Cocaine-related stimuli appear to decrease inhibitory control in cocaine users at short (100 and 200 ms) stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs: the amount of time between the start of one stimulus and the start of another stimulus), but not at longer (300, 400 and 500 ms) SOAs.
The geochemical evolution of water coproduced with coalbed natural gas in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming

Water produced with coalbed natural gas (CBNG) attains its characteristic sodium-bicarbonate composition through a series of processes, including dissolution of salts, precipitation of salts, pyrite oxidation, ion exchange, sulfate reduction, and methanogenesis. After CBNG-produced water is discharged to the surface, interaction with the atmosphere will initiate the precipitation of calcite, iron hydroxide, and barite among other minerals. The interaction of CBNG-produced waters with semiarid Powder River Basin soils can mobilize accumulated salts, which, through infiltration, can then reach the water table, potentially affecting the quality of the groundwater. The mobilization of the soil-based salts may render the composition of the water recharging the near-surface groundwater very different from the initial chemical composition of the CBNG-produced water. Additionally, prolonged exposure to CBNG-produced water can cause the salinization and sodification of soils surrounding CBNG-produced water ponds and streams carrying CBNG-produced water. This can impact the quantity of biomass and the species composition of the vegetation in proximity to CBNG-produced water discharge locations. The high sodium to calcium and magnesium ratio in CBNG-produced water requires careful management to prevent sodification of irrigated soils when it is used as an irrigation source. In many instances, irrigation with CBNG-produced water requires the addition of soil amendments such as gypsum and sulfur to maintain the fertility and physical qualities of the soil. An understanding of the geochemical evolution of CBNG-produced water is necessary to anticipate and address these potential environmental issues associated with production of CBNG.
A SIMPLIFIED METHOD FOR ACCURATE DETERMINATION OF CELL WALL URONIDE CONTENT

Reproducible determinations of cell wall uronic acid content are obtained by first dissolving wall samples in sulfuric acid and then performing assays on aliquots of the cell wall solution. The colorimetric assay utilizing m-hydroxydiphenyl is recommended because of its low background readings in the presence of large quantities of neutral sugars.
Motivational problems in human-computer operations.

In designing machines and man-machine systems, Human Factors Engineering has generally concentrated upon seeking solutions to physiological problems to enable the human operator to function efficiently. It has, however, neglected the psychological problems, particularly the problems of motivation. This was not too critical as long as machines were “primitive.” With the advent of automation and complex man-machine systems this neglect may have most undesirable effects. An attempt is made to identify the necessary conditions which make a task, per se, motivating. Examples are cited from some new systems where some of these necessary conditions are lacking and the effect of this lack upon the operator is indicated
The impact of emailing and texting on effective written communication: Changes in reading patterns, convergence of subgenres, confusion between social and business communication

Writing reader-based messages remains important in communicating with electronic media. However, additional strategies are needed to ensure that text and email messages are effective because of differences that include a change in readers' reading patterns as well as writers' tendency to conflate letters with memoranda, the telephone with texting and emails and social media with business communication. The resulting four problems in communication occur: (1) writers transfer the conventions and style of social media to technical and scientific correspondence, (2) writers transfer the functions of the telephone to email and texting, (3) writers tend to rely solely on electronic media to discuss complex issues or issues requiring immediate response and (4) writers fail to re-read, reflect and revise. These problems are evident in the emails of engineers during the Columbia Shuttle break up and in the Bp/Horizon oil rig blow out. Writers need to be brief, place important information at the beginning of a message to accommodate readers' “F” reading pattern, recognize the need for actual synchronous two-way communication, eliminate personal and social responses, reflect and revise, and respond in a timely manner.
OPTIMAL MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR POLICIES IN INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT UNDER UNCERTAIN FACILITY DETERIORATION RATES: AN ADAPTIVE CONTROL APPROACH

In this paper we present two adaptive control formulations that explicitly include uncertainty in characterizing a facility's deterioration rate in the process of developing maintenance and repair policies. The formulations use condition information that stems from the operation of a facility to improve the characterization over a finite planning horizon. We discuss issues related to the implementation and computational complexity of the formulations. Through a computational study, we show that the economic benefits can be achieved by implementing the adaptive control formulations. These benefits are most significant in situations where the initial expected deterioration rate of the facility is not a good representation of its actual deterioration rate.
Measuring Anxiety in Youth with Learning Disabilities: Reliability and Validity of the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC)

Youth with learning disabilities (LD) are at an increased risk for anxiety disorders and valid measures of anxiety are necessary for assessing this population. We investigated the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC; March in Multidimensional anxiety scale for children. Multi-Health Systems, North Tonawanda, 1998) in 41 adolescents (ages 11– 17 years) with LD. Youth and parents completed the MASC and were administered the semi-structured Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule: Child and Parent Versions (ADIS: C/P; Silverman and Albano in The Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-IV-Child and Parent Versions. Psychological Corporation, San Antonio, 1996). Results found that child and parent reports of Social Anxiety on the MASC closely corresponded with ADIS-generated social phobia diagnoses, and parent total scores discriminated well among youth with and without any anxiety disorder. A multi-method multi-trait matrix provided evidence of the construct validity of the MASC total score for both parent and child reports. Our findings provide empirical evidence that parent and child versions of the MASC are useful for assessing anxiety in youth with LD.