cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
From Sublimity to Ecopornography: Assessing The Bureau of Reclamation Art Collection

Beginning in 1968, during a period of growing environmental activism and concern in the United States, the Bureau of Reclamation commissioned paintings from artists willing to depict the “imaginative aspects of the Reclamation Program.” The result was a collection of paintings, drawings and etchings that often worked within the well known traditions of American exceptionalism and which was used to promote the Bureau’s activities. As such it is possible to view the collection not only as an example of the Bureau of Reclamation’s self-promotion and “issues management” public relations style, but also as an example of ecopornography, a concept which is further theorized in the paper.
Flammability of Cotton-Polyester Blend Fabrics

Cotton-polyester blends pose a special flammability problem because the thermal and mechanical properties of the fibers are so different. Cotton tends to char on heating but generally maintains some structural integrity; polyester normally melts and flows at temperatures of ca. 260°C. If a mixture of the two fibers is burned, the molten polyester frequently tends to wick on the cotton char, resulting in the phenomenon of scaffolding detailed by Kruse.(1) Because of these effects, it is impossible to predict a priori the flammability of the blend on the basis of the behavior of the individual component fibers; thus, Tesoro and Meiser(2) have shown that needle-punched webs prepared from 50:50 blends of cotton and polyester exhibited oxygen indices lower than those of either fiber alone in a similar structure. The hazard in the case of apparel may be further increased by the tendency of the molten polyester to cling to the body of the person wearing the garment, thus causing severe burns on its own.
Writing Professor as Adult Learner: An Autoethnography of Online Professional Development

This paper is an autoethnography of the author’s experiences taking a six-week, asynchronous, online, faculty development class for educators at the secondary and postsecondary levels. Using narrative inquiry, the author details her learning and the ways her experiences support adult learning theory. Implications of this research suggests that adult learning theory should also be applied to faculty development experiences because teachers are more likely to benefit from online faculty development if they are given the opportunity to direct the course of their development to suit their own needs.
Inhibition of Binding of Clostridium difficile Toxin by Steroids

No detectable inhibition of binding of Clostridium difficile toxin to human erythrocyte lysate was found with alpha-D-(+)-fucose, 1-(-)-fucose, ribose, arabinose, mannose, galactose, xylose, galactosamine, glucosamine, mannosamine, N-acetyl glucosamine, N-acetyl galactosamine, N-acetyl mannosamine, N-acetyl neuraminic acid, lactose, sucrose, lactulose, neuraminidase, saponin, or amantadine. Inhibition was found, however, with a number of sterols and bile acids. In general, bile acids were more active than cholesterol and related compounds. When the bile salts were added greater than or equal to 10 min after exposure to toxin, inhibition was no longer observed. These results suggest that the membrane receptor for C. difficile toxin is not likely to be a carbohydrate component. On the other hand, the inhibitory activity by steroids suggests that a lipid component may play an important role in toxin binding.
Testing Resource Description and Access (RDA) with Non-MARC Metadata Standards

Columbia University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign participated in the 2010 U.S. National Libraries Test of Resource Description & Access (RDA). As devised, the new cataloging code is format and schema independent. Because creating descriptive metadata records in non–MARC (Machine Readable Cataloging) metadata standards is now a part of regular cataloging practice, the three institutions chose to test RDA with the standards, Metadata Object Description Standard (MODS), Encoded Archival Description (EAD), and Dublin Core. This article describes the set-ups and workflows of each institution, the issues encountered with record creation, and the conclusions drawn from the test.
yFACT Induces Global Accessibility of Nucleosomal DNA without H2A-H2B Displacement

FACT has been proposed to function by displacing H2A-H2B dimers from nucleosomes to form hexasomes. Results described here with yeast FACT (yFACT) suggest instead that nucleosomes are reorganized to a form with the original composition but a looser, more dynamic structure. First, yFACT enhances hydroxyl radical accessibility and endonuclease digestion in vitro at sites throughout the nucleosome, not just in regions contacted by H2A-H2B. Accessibility increases dramatically, but the DNA remains partially protected. Second, increased nuclease sensitivity can occur without displacement of dimers from the nucleosome. Third, yFACT is required for eviction of nucleosomes from the GAL1-10 promoter during transcriptional activation in vivo, but the preferential reduction in dimer occupancy expected for hexasome formation is not observed. We propose that yFACT promotes a reversible transition between two nucleosomal forms, and that this activity contributes to the establishment and maintenance of the chromatin barrier as well as to overcoming it.
Listening Previewing in Reading to Read: Relative Effects on Oral Reading Fluency.

An intervention designed to increase oral reading fluency (Reading to Read; RTR) as well as the additional component of listening previewing (PRV) was evaluated in an alternating treatments design with 3 African-American male elementary students (9, 10, and 12 years of age; 2 fourth grade and 1 third grade) who were reading 2 to 3 years below their current grade placement. Considering the relatively brief amount of time spent during intervention (4 to 9 weeks; 2 to 3 30-minute sessions per week), results evidenced substantial increases for all 3 students on correct words per minute and percent comprehension accuracy, and substantial decreases in mean number of errors. The PRV condition yielded higher correct words per minute rates and lower error rates for 2 of the students, whereas the third student's performance was superior with the regular RTR intervention without PRV. The efficacy of PRV within RTR is discussed with regard to factors related to students' attentional problems.
Thermodynamical model of mixed aggregation of intercalators with caffeine in aqueous solution

Recently we presented evidence that some intercalating antitumor agents can form complexes with caffeine and that this process may be responsible for the modifying effect of caffeine on the pharmacological activity of these drugs (F. Traganos et al., Cancer Res. 51 (1991) 3682). Here we describe a statistical-thermodynamical model of mixed associations in which one component's self-association is limited to dimer formation while the second component has the ability of unlimited stacking. The system is controlled by three parameters which represent self-aggregation "neighborhood" association constants KCC and KAA and a mixed "neighborhood" association constant KAC. The model was tested using acridine orange and light absorption spectroscopy as an analytical method for detection of complex formation. The experiments performed at two NaCl concentrations (0.01 and 0.15 M) indicate interesting properties of the three-parameter system in which the first parameter (KCC) is practically independent of ionic strength, the second (KAA) is positively and the third parameter (KAC) is adversely affected by ionic strength.
Synthesis of conjugated octadecadiynoic acids

Conjugated 6,8-, 7,9-, 8,10-, and 9,11-octadecadiynoic acids were prepared. In the oxidative coupling of 6-heptynoic acid and 1-undecyne to yield the above 6,8-acid, an excess of undecyne is required. Equal molecular amounts yield chiefly the summetrical tetradecadiyndioic acid. A method is described for the preparation of a clear cuprous chloride solution having increased catalytic activity.
Affect control: Process Constraints versus Catharsis

Recent social psychological research has indicated that merely thinking about some object will, under certain conditions, result in more intensified feelings (attitude polarization) toward that object. Implications of a selfgenerated attitude change model were tested for therapeutic interventions concerning phobias, particularly fear of public speaking. Subjects, who had previously indicated that they had a strong fear of public speaking, were exposed to one of three treatment conditions: Process Constraints condition, in which subjects were asked to make their beliefs and the derivations of those beliefs about public speaking explicit; Catharsis condition, in which subjects thought in an unconstrained manner about public speaking; and a Control condition. Relative to control subjects, subjects in the Process Constraints condition were expected to show reduced affect, whereas those in the Catharsis condition were expected to show increased affect. Results supported these hypotheses on self-report and physiological measures, but not on behavioral ratings. Implications of these results for therapeutic intervention, particularly Ellis's RET, were discussed.
Increased Protein Kinase C Activity in Human Memory T Cells

A number of T cell surface antigens including CD45R0, CD58, CD11 alpha, CD29, CD44, and CD26 are present on differentiated T cells and identify T cell populations that respond to recall antigens. To further study the biochemical basis for this immune memory, we used an anti-CD26 mAb to identify the memory T cell population. We have previously shown that CD26+ T cells display an increased proliferative response to anti-CD3 and anti-CD2 mAbs and furthermore have significantly greater PMA-induced phosphorylation of the invariant gamma and delta chains of the T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex when compared to CD26-T cells. This suggested that differential distribution of protein kinase C (pkC) in the CD26 subsets may be related to the reduced activation requirements observed in memory T cells upon recall antigen challenge. We now directly demonstrate that when peripheral blood T cells are sorted into CD26+ and CD26- T cells the majority of pkC activity can be recovered from the cytosol fraction of the memory (CD26+) T cell population. When activated through the TCR/CD3 pathway, the CD2 pathway, or directly by the phorbol ester, PMA, the memory (CD26+) T cells showed an increased proliferative response that was inhibited by the pkC inhibitor, staurosporine. When CD26+ T cells were cultured in the presence of PMA, which depletes pkC activity, CD26 antigen expression was down-regulated. PMA was also able to inhibit phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced expression of the CD26 antigen in CD26- T cells. These data demonstrate a relation between CD26 expression and pkC activity and suggest that enhanced pkC activity is associated with memory T cell function.
Minimum Wages for Women

The question to be considered in the light of economic theory, 411. — The broad facts, 413. — Is women's labor parasitic ? 414. — Questionable figures, 416. — Dominant position of the home-dwellers, 418. — Numbers offering to work the important factor, 419. — Influence of conjunction with other labor, 422. — Will management become more efficient? 424. — Will the women become more efficient? 426. — How far lack of bargaining power explains the low wages, 428. — The fundamental cause is large numbers; connection with immigration, 432. — Results to be expected if a high minimum were prescribed for all, 433. — The drifting class, and prolongation of education, 435. — The self-dependent minority, 438. — Conclusion: an opportunist policy, 440.
Theory in History

It is obvious enough to those who read what philosophers writing in English have to say about problems of history that the main focus of interest and point of contention is the nature of historical explanation. And even within that general theme, interest is confined more narrowly to the question of whether or not explanations in history rest upon general laws or theories, “covering laws” in the increasingly used term of William Dray. On the one hand, we have the view, often associated with the names of Hempel and Popper, yet including among its supporters such writers as Brodbeck and Gardiner, and actually rooted in writings earlier than those of any of these, according to which explanation must always presuppose general laws for only these can warrant an inference from one particular state of affairs to another particular state of affairs. And on the other, we have writers such as Donagan, Dray, Gallie, and Scriven offering a variety of arguments to the opposite effect, and in particular, making much of the claim that historians do indeed explain or offer explanations which are complete and reasonable, yet make no use of general laws. Some may think that the debate has grown stale and tedious, and that essentially the same arguments—though occasionally with greater subtlety—are repeated time after time. And some may deem it a matter of regret that neither side seems able to reach the other, or if you like, that neither side seems amenable to persuasion.
Predicting protein sumoylation sites from sequence features

Protein sumoylation is a post-translational modification that plays an important role in a wide range of cellular processes. Small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) can be covalently and reversibly conjugated to the sumoylation sites of target proteins, many of which are implicated in various human genetic disorders. The accurate prediction of protein sumoylation sites may help biomedical researchers to design their experiments and understand the molecular mechanism of protein sumoylation. In this study, a new machine learning approach has been developed for predicting sumoylation sites from protein sequence information. Random forests (RFs) and support vector machines (SVMs) were trained with the data collected from the literature. Domain-specific knowledge in terms of relevant biological features was used for input vector encoding. It was shown that RF classifier performance was affected by the sequence context of sumoylation sites, and 20 residues with the core motif ΨKXE in the middle appeared to provide enough context information for sumoylation site prediction. The RF classifiers were also found to outperform SVM models for predicting protein sumoylation sites from sequence features. The results suggest that the machine learning approach gives rise to more accurate prediction of protein sumoylation sites than the other existing methods. The accurate classifiers have been used to develop a new web server, called seeSUMO (http://bioinfo.ggc.org/seesumo/), for sequence-based prediction of protein sumoylation sites.
The growth of hexamethylenetetramine from solution and the vapor phase

To examine the electro-optic properties of 43m type of hexamethylenetetramine crystals, over one-hundred large single crystals were grown from both water solution and the vapor phase. The solution crystals were grown by solvent evaporation at constant temperature (most at 25 °C, some at 50 °C). The temperature was controlled to ±0.005 °C, and the evaporation rate was varied by flowing dry nitrogen over the solution. Crystals were grown from the vapor at 95 °C in a sealed ampule immersed in an oil bath. The crystals nucleated and grew at the upper end of the ampule near the surface of the oil. Although crystals of high quality were obtained by both methods, careful examination under a polarizing microscope indicated that even the best crystals were “strained” to some extent. The relationship between “strain” and growth parameters is discussed.
Indoor air quality in green buildings: A case-study in a residential high-rise building in the northeastern United States

Improved indoor air quality (IAQ) is one of the critical components of green building design. Green building tax credit (e.g., New York State Green Building Tax Credit (GBTC)) and certification programs (e.g., Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED)) require indoor air quality measures and compliance with allowable maximum concentrations of common indoor air pollutants. It is not yet entirely clear whether compliance with these programs results in improved IAQ and ultimately human health. As a case in point, annual indoor air quality measurements were conducted in a residential green high-rise building for five consecutive years by an industrial hygiene contractor to comply with the building's GBTC requirements. The implementation of green design measures resulted in better IAQ compared to data in references of conventional homes for some parameters, but could not be confirmed for others. Relative humidity and carbon dioxide were satisfactory according to existing standards. Formaldehyde levels...
Stoichiometry of the T‐cell receptor–CD3 complex and key intermediates assembled in the endoplasmic reticulum

The T-cell receptor (TCR)–CD3 complex is critical for T-cell development and function, and represents one of the most complex transmembrane receptors. Models of different stoichiometry and valency have been proposed based on cellular experiments and these have important implications for the mechanisms of receptor triggering. Since determination of receptor stoichiometry in T-cells is not possible due to the presence of previously synthesized, unlabeled receptor components with different half-lives, we examined the stoichiometry of the receptor assembled in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) microsomes of B-cell origin. The stoichiometric relationship among all subunits was directly determined using intact radiolabeled TCR–CD3 complexes that were isolated with a sequential, non-denaturing immunoprecipitation method, and identical results were obtained with two detergents belonging to different structural classes. The results firmly establish that the αβ TCR–CD3 complex assembled in the ER is monovalent and composed of one copy of the TCRαβ, CD3δɛ, CD3γɛ and ζ−ζ dimers.
Abstract 3494: Liver X receptor activation represents a novel strategy to block Hedgehog signaling in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and enhance the antitumor effect of gemcitabine

Background: The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway plays a pathogenic role in many human cancers, including pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and several pathway antagonists have begun clinical testing. All of these novel agents target Smoothened (Smo), a key regulator of Hh signaling, but reported emergence of resistance mutations questions the durability of this approach. Oxysterols, oxidized derivatives of cholesterol, can modulate Hh signaling either through direct interaction with Smo or via cross-talk with liver X receptors (LXR) that serve as their natural receptors. Thus, oxysterols may represent mechanistically novel Hh inhibitors, especially if they involve LXRs. Methods: We examined the effects of LXR activation on the in vivo growth of pancreatic cancer. Nude mice bearing pancreatic cancer xenografts derived from primary clinical specimens were treated with a vehicle control, gemcitabine, the non-steroidal LXR agonist TO901317, or the combination of gemcitabine and TO901317 for 4-6 weeks. The LXR agonist TO901317 was used since it lacks the ability to directly bind to Smo. Tumor volumes were measured to assess response, and LXR and Hh pathway activities were quantified by real-time RT-PCR for Hh (GLI1, PTCH1) and LXR (ABCA1) target gene expression. Human specific primers were used to detect changes in tumor cells, whereas mouse-specific primers were used to study stroma. Intratumoral levels of gemcitabine triphosphate were quantified by LC-MS-MS. Results: Administration of TO901317 alone did not impact tumor growth compared to control treated animals similar to previous findings with Smo antagonists. Treatment with gemcitabine alone decreased tumor growth, However the addition of TO901317 to gemcitabine significantly enhanced this effect to promote tumor regression. In vivo treatment with TO901317 successfully activated LXR in both human tumor cells and murine stromal cells as evidenced by increased expression of ABCA1. Moreover, TO901317 inhibited expression of the Hh targets GLI1 and PTCH1 5- and 2-fold, respectively, in stromal cells and 5-fold in tumor cells. Previous studies (Olive et al, Science, 2009) demonstrated that Hh pathway inhibition improves drug delivery in vivo. Therefore, we quantified intratumoral levels of gemcitabine triphosphate, the active metabolite of gemcitabine, and found that it was significantly elevated in tumors exposed to TO901317 (P Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3494. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3494
Variations of chlorpromazine-related isosteres on the glycemic response in mice.

Abstract 1. 1. Experiments were conducted to determine the ability of chlorpromazine and several isosteres (promazine, imipramine, chlorimipramine, carbamazepine and cyproheptadine) to alter blood glucose levels in free-fed mice. 2. 2. The order of potency for inducing hyperglycemia was: cyproheptadine > chlorpromazine ⋍ promazine > chlorimipramine > imipramine; carbamazepine did not alter blood glucose levels. 3. 3. Maximal induced hyperglycemia was observed at 60 min post treatment for all drugs except cyproheptadine which was highest at 90 min. 4. 4. Adrenalectomy attenuated the hyperglycemic responses observed. 5. 5. The hyperglycemic responses induced by these drugs are partially mediated by the adrenal glands.
A stack structured environment for GC/MS data analysis

Abstract A new data reduction software environment is proposed for processing GC/MS data. The environment consists of a four level “last-in first-out” (LIFO) register stack, a group of functions for manipulation and display of the mass spectral and/or chromatographic data in the stack, and all of the intrinsic commands available to the user from the command processor of the operating system of the host computer. The result is a GC/MS system which is extremely flexible, easily expandable, and relatively easy to use.
The Role of Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in the Evaluation of Adolescent Hypertension

We performed 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in a group of adolescents with hypertension induced by dynamic exercise and a group of normotensive controls. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed using a Del-Mar Avionics PIII recorder with readings taken every 7 1/2 minutes. There was little inter-individual variation in mean hourly blood pressure and the difference between mean hourly readings was not significant in hypertensives. Mean 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure was 130.2/80.7 mmHg for hypertensives and 115.2/70.8 in normotensives. Mean 24-hour variability was 18.3/12.9 mmHg in hypertensives and 14.6/11.5 in normotensives. There was no significant change in blood pressure or variability between daytime and evening for hypertensives. Normotensives showed a significant reduction in both BP and variability compared to hypertensives. In adolescents with systolic hypertension, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring confirmed a failure to reduce blood pressure following routine acti...
Test/Retest Reproducibility of Color Doppler Imaging Assessment of Blood Flow Velocity in Orbital Vessels

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the test-retest reproducibility of measures of blood flow velocities using color Doppler imaging (CDI) in orbital arteries. Patients and methods Measures of peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, and resistive index were performed in a group of 15 normal tension glaucoma patients and in 15 healthy subjects using the Siemens Quantum 2000 CDI system with a 7.5 MHz linear probe. After each velocity measure in each vessel, the probe was removed and then replaced to repeat the measurement -2 min later. Results For all subjects, the coefficients of reliability for measures of peak systolic velocity were 12% in the ophthalmic artery, 25% in the central retinal artery, and 19% in a short posterior ciliary artery. For end diastolic velocity, the coefficients were 6%, 11%, and 25%, respectively. The coefficients for resistive index were 4%, 11%, and 38%. Conclusion CDI produces highly reproducible measures in the ophthalmic artery. Measures in the central retinal artery are somewhat more variable but seem reasonably reproducible. Short posterior ciliary measurements were the most variable, suggesting that current methods for assessing these vessels may not be sufficiently reliable.
Analysis of the significance of scattered radiation in reduced dose mammography, including magnification effects, scatter suppression, and focal spot and detector blurring.

A systems analysis of reduced dose mammography with scatter removal has quantitatively specified the relationships between the several parameters in mammography systems. While the results are only preliminary in the sense that they need to be proven experimentally, they do seem to provide a good feel for the nature of the important trade‐offs. The major uncertainties in the analysis probably have to do with the formal equivalence, that is implicit in the aperture theory, between large area and detail contrast, as well as the output versus focal spot relationship that was adopted. Also, there are important questions about specifying motion unsharpness as a function of exposure time in mammography examinations.
Evaluation of the imaginary part of the optical potential with a Monte-Carlo method

Abstract A study of the use of a Monte-Carlo method, in evaluating multi-dimensional integrals, where the domain of integration is restricted by the Pauli exclusion principle, is made. This method is applied to the evaluation of the imaginary part of the optical potential using the Fermi-gas model and experimental nucleon-nucleon cross sections. The results show that the discrepancy reported by Greenlees et al. , between the calculated and phenomenological imaginary potentials is not due to the assumption of an isotropic angular distribution in the nucleon-nucleon differential cross sections.
Digital storytelling and computer game design

This workshop uses a combination of short lecture and hands on practice to introduce digital storytelling and computer game design and the multitude of skills needed to successfully design digital stories and computer games. Working examples are taken from two current projects at Indiana University: Lost Highways and Rock-Paper-Scissors in Lizard Land.
Social and reproductive correlates of parasite ova emissions by baboons

IN several species of rodents, the social and reproductive condition of a host individual has been shown to affect its susceptibility to intestinal parasites and the maturation rate of the parasites once established1,2. The relationship between social and reproductive condition of host individuals and most aspects of parasite development and transmission, including ova emissions, has not previously been examined for any non-human primate species. Information on parasite ova emissions by non-human primates is important for understanding the life-cycle of the parasites and for understanding the spread of parasites both within and between social groups and to individuals of other species, including humans and domestic stock3.
Advances and Challenges: Student Reflections From an Online Death and Dying Course

This study describes nursing students' reflections on taking an online course on death and dying. In a semistructured paper, students described fears of caring for clients at end of life (EOL), important content learned, and remaining discomforts. Data were analyzed using directed content analysis. Consistent themes were noted among the papers. Student reflections on the knowledge they gained closely followed initial fears. Several students appreciated the ability to reflect on their experiences in a nonjudgmental setting. Overall, the data showed that nursing students can become more confident in EOL care through online education. Knowledge gains and continued fears about the same topics suggest EOL confidence lies along a continuum and may require ongoing education. Future research should focus on offering online continuing education on EOL to practicing nurses.
A CD36-dependent signaling cascade is necessary for macrophage foam cell formation

Accumulation of macrophage foam cells in atherosclerotic blood vessel intima is a critical component of atherogenesis mediated by scavenger receptor-dependent internalization of oxidized LDL. We demonstrated by coimmunoprecipitation and pull-down assays that the macrophage scavenger receptor CD36 associates with a signaling complex containing Lyn and MEKK2. The MAP kinases JNK1 and JNK2 were specifically phosphorylated in macrophages exposed to oxLDL. Using cells isolated from SRA, TLR2, or CD36 null mice, and phospholipid ligands specific for either SRA or CD36, we showed that JNK activation was mediated by CD36. Both foam cell formation and activation of JNK2 in hyperlipidemic mice were diminished in the absence of CD36. Furthermore, inhibition of Src or JNK blocked oxLDL uptake and inhibited foam cell formation in vitro and in vivo. These findings show that a specific CD36-dependent signaling pathway initiated by oxLDL is necessary for foam cell formation and identify potential targets for antiatherosclerosis therapy.
Reduced complexity dynamic programming solution for Kalman filtering of linear discrete time descriptor systems

We consider linear discrete time descriptor systems that are described by state and measurement equations that have both stochastic and purely deterministic components. We suggest an estimation algorithm that operates by decomposing the system into stochastic and deterministic parts, and processing each part separately. It solves the deterministic subsystem using the pseudo-inverse according to the Moore-Penrose definition [1], and then minimizes the Kalman filter objective function by exploiting the orthogonal subspace defined by the deterministic subsystem. A simulation example is given for estimating tray composition for a distillation column by linearization over a trajectory of a non-linear differential algebraic model. Compared to the method of R. Nikoukhah et.al [2], the reduction in time produced by our method for this example is 87%. The reason is that our algorithm requires only 1-block matrix inversion that does not involve any singular blocks, whereas the algorithm in [2] requires 3-block matrix inversions containing possibly singular matrix blocks arising from singular covariance matrices.
Case-Control Studies and Bayesian Inference

We outline the methods of Bayesian inference for applications to case-control studies. These methods appear as the natural way of making inferences, since much of the controversy that surrounds a specific case-control study is subjective. We derive conjugate prior distributions of exposure, posterior distributions of the ratio of the odds of being incident with a disease both with and without exposure to a potential causal agent, and convenient approximations. In particular, we show how one may carry out ‘case-control studies’ without necessarily having a control group. We illustrate these ideas with the data that first showed the relationship between in utero exposure to diethylstilbestrol and cancer of the vagina in young girls
Carnivore-specific stable isotope variables and variation in the foraging ecology of modern and ancient wolf populations: case studies from Isle Royale, Minnesota, and La Brea

We use carbon and nitrogen isotope data collected from two North American gray wolf (Canis lupus L., 1758) populations (Isle Royale and northern Minnesota) to both calculate carnivore-specific isot...
Defining dynamic route structure for airspace configuration

This article describes a method for defining route structure from flight tracks. Individual merge and diverge intersections between pairs of flights are identified, clustered, and grouped into nodes of a route structure network. Links are placed between nodes to represent major traffic flows. A parametric analysis determined the algorithm input parameters producing route structures of current day flight plans that are closest to today's airway structure. These parameters are then used to define and analyse the dynamic route structure over the course of a day for current day flight paths. Route structures are also compared between current day flight paths and more user-preferred paths such as great circle and weather avoidance routing.
Induction of hepatic microsomal monooxygenase activity in fish by exposure to river water

The effect on hepatic monooxygenase activity of exposing carp (Cyprinus carpio) and bullheads (Ictalurus melas) to river water was examined. Hepatic microsomal ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activities in fish maintained continuously in dechlorinated city water were compared with those in fish exposed to river water pumped into laboratory tanks. Monooxygenase activity increased rapidly upon exposure to river water and was significantly elevated after 3 d of exposure. When river water-exposed fish were returned to dechlorinated city water, monooxygenase activity steadily returned to pre-exposure levels. This report includes two studies using carp performed in different years, and a more limited study using bullheads. Carp captured in an adjacent river that flowed into Milwaukee Harbor had high hepatic microsomal ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity when compared with carp in the laboratory tanks. Under these carefully controlled conditions, the occurrence and reversibility of environmental induction of monooxygenase activity were clearly demonstrated.
Ab initio study of the composition dependence of the pressure‐induced spin transition in the (Mg1−x,Fex)O system

[1] We present ab initio calculations of the zero-temperature composition dependent spin transition pressures in rocksalt (B1) (Mg1−x,Fex)O. We predict that the spin transition pressure decreases with increasing Mg content, consistent with experimental results. At high-pressure, we find that the effective size of Mg is smaller than high-spin Fe but quite close to low-spin Fe, consistent with a simple compression argument for how Mg reduces the spin transition pressure. We also show that the spin transition is primarily driven by the volume difference between the high-spin and low-spin phases, rather than changes in the electronic structure with pressure. The volume contraction at the transition is found to depend non-monotonically on Fe content. For FeO we predict a B1 → iB8 transition at 63 GPa, consistent with previous results. However, we also predict an unexpected reverse transition of high-spin iB8 → low-spin B1 at approximately 400 GPa.
Note on Losses in Cable Sheaths

In a recent communication to the Society, the author referred to cable-sheath losses, and gave formulae for computing them in certain cases. These appertained to power cables in which were comprised a group of conductors, arranged symmetrically and encased in a single conducting sheath. In some distribution systems, however, the conductors for the several phases are encased in separate lead sheaths, which are either laid in proximity as separate cables, or grouped and comprehended in an outer sheath. The analysis previously given does not include such cases directly. Moreover, it is common practice either to lay the elementary cables with sheaths in contact, or to bond the sheaths together at the ends of suitable sections, in order to prevent differences of potential between them; and, when this is done, a circulating current flows in the circuit of the sheaths and bonds, sufficient to maintain equality of potential between the several sheaths. This current, to which reference was made in the former paper, is additional to the eddy current discussed therein, the integral of which over the cross section of the sheath is zero. It is for convenience here referred to as the “circulating current,” to distinguish it from the “eddy current,” although there is no such distinction between them as the names imply.
Molecular dynamics simulation of realistic systems

Abstract Molecular dynamics simulation is a powerful tool for understanding and predicting thermophysical properties in systems both at equilibrium and away from equilibrium and composed of molecules ranging in complexity from spherically symmetric monatomic molecules to polymers. The widespread utilization of low-cost high performance engineering workstations has permitted the application of molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulation techniques to proliferate at an astounding rate. High-performance massively-parallel supercomputers (such as the Intel Paragon and IBM SP/2) permit the simulation of systems with an unprecedented degree of complexity. As computing costs continue to decline, molecular simulation of systems modeled to a high degree of accuracy promises to become an equal partner with experiment for the prediction of thermophysical properties for industrial purposes. Several examples of the use of molecular dynamics simulation to predict the properties of highly realistic systems are described.
Evaluation of dual-front active contour segmentation and metal shadow filling methods on metal artifact reduction in multi-slice helical CT

A novel metal artifact reduction strategy including projection reformation, metal region segmentation, and metal shadow filling was proposed. Both metal region segmentation and shadow filling are critical steps to assure good artifact suppression results. This preliminary study evaluated the performance of two segmentation methods and three region filling methods on metal artifact reduction of clinical cases. Gradient-based threshold method (GBT) and dual-front active contour model-based method (DFAC) were utilized to segment metal implants from reformatted projections, Delaunay triangulation-based (DTB), anisotropic diffusion-based, and exemplar-based, interpolation methods were utilized to fill the metal shadows, respectively. The image quality was evaluated by a radiologist in terms of visual conspicuity of the bladder base, prostate, and rectum. Overall, the image quality and the conspicuity in some critical organs were significantly improved for all corrections. Compared to the GBT method, the DFAC method had more accurate segmentation, which resulted in better artifact suppression. The interpolation process does not guarantee the data consistency among projection views, which can introduce additional artifacts, especially for large metal objects. Although the DTB method produced the smoothest metal shadow interpolation results, which is considered the worst scenario according to the criterion of image restoration, it induced the least additional artifacts to the reconstructed images compared to the other two structure-saving methods. As such, region interpolation methods should follow the criterion to generate metal shadow data consistent with the CT acquisition geometry, which might be quite different from the general standard of image restoration in computer vision and image processing.
Limitations of MTT and MTS-based assays for measurement of antiproliferative activity of green tea polyphenols.

Background The chemopreventive effect of green tea polyphenols, such as (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), has been well demonstrated in cell culture studies. However, a wide range of IC50 concentrations has been observed in published studies of the anti-proliferative activity of EGCG from different laboratories. Although the susceptibility to EGCG treatment is largely dependent on cancer cell type, the particular cell viability and proliferation assays utilized may significantly influence quantitative results reported in the literature.
The Energy Balance of Non-Uniform Soil Surfaces.

Abstract A “fluxometer” has been developed for estimating the fluxes of latent and sensible heat from bare soil and short grass in any type of terrain. The fluxometer consists of two polyethylene-covered tunnels 50 cm long, 30 cm wide, and 6 to 12 cm high. The floor of one is exposed to the soil surface; the floor of the other is covered with plastic, as a control. The latent and sensible heat fluxes can be determined from the wet-and dry-bulb temperatures of the air entering and leaving the exposed tunnel at a known rate. A comparison of hourly evaporation rates measured simultaneously with the fluxometer and with three precision weighing-type lysimeters at Tempe, Ariz., showed that the fluxometer usually gave lower evaporation rates than the lysimeters. A second experiment was conducted in a dry river channel in southeastern Arizona. Evaporation rates were measured during 18 days and agree well with estimates by other investigators. For 33 hourly periods, during which all energy balance components were ...
Engagement with Health Agencies on Twitter

Objective To investigate factors associated with engagement of U.S. Federal Health Agencies via Twitter. Our specific goals are to study factors related to a) numbers of retweets, b) time between the agency tweet and first retweet and c) time between the agency tweet and last retweet. Methods We collect 164,104 tweets from 25 Federal Health Agencies and their 130 accounts. We use negative binomial hurdle regression models and Cox proportional hazards models to explore the influence of 26 factors on agency engagement. Account features include network centrality, tweet count, numbers of friends, followers, and favorites. Tweet features include age, the use of hashtags, user-mentions, URLs, sentiment measured using Sentistrength, and tweet content represented by fifteen semantic groups. Results A third of the tweets (53,556) had zero retweets. Less than 1% (613) had more than 100 retweets (mean = 284). The hurdle analysis shows that hashtags, URLs and user-mentions are positively associated with retweets; sentiment has no association with retweets; and tweet count has a negative association with retweets. Almost all semantic groups, except for geographic areas, occupations and organizations, are positively associated with retweeting. The survival analyses indicate that engagement is positively associated with tweet age and the follower count. Conclusions Some of the factors associated with higher levels of Twitter engagement cannot be changed by the agencies, but others can be modified (e.g., use of hashtags, URLs). Our findings provide the background for future controlled experiments to increase public health engagement via Twitter.
The effect of pH, ionic strength, and temperature on the rheology and stability of aqueous clay suspensions

The effect of pH level, ionic strength, and temperature on the theology and stability of aqueous suspensions of attapulgite clay was systematically investigated. A Rheometrics Mechanical Spectrometer with cone and plate fixtures was used to measure the steady shear viscosity of the system. The edge charges of the clay particles can be adjusted by changing the pH level of the suspending medium so as to influence the flocculation state and, consequently, the rheological behavior of the suspension. This pH effect may be counteracted by the ionic strength effect at both very high and very low pH levels where the ionic strength is high enough to cause flocculation of the electrostatically stabilized suspension. The temperature effect study indicates that the relative contribution of Brownian motion and shear flow to the viscosity is dependent on the flocculation state of the suspension.
Power Dynamics between Administrators and Faculty on a Unionized Campus: A Case Study

This article offers a case study of labor relations in a higher education setting. The University of Bridgeport's faculty union was certified in May 1973 and decertified in August 1992. Contract negotiation disputes centered on shared governance, managing faculty reductions during a time of inflation and declining enrollments, and determining fair wages. The private university experienced four faculty strikes, culminating in a two-year faculty strike – the longest in U.S. higher education history. The university was also the first institution of higher education in the United States to hire permanent replacement faculty during a strike. In 1990, leaders of the locked-out striking faculty unsuccessfully lobbied for a state government takeover of the nearly bankrupt university. The case study highlights a plethora of complex ethical issues faced by administrators, faculty, and unions during times of economic decline.
Is human capital accumulation a self-propelling process? Comparing educational attainment levels of movers and stayers

The paper aims at understanding changes in the distribution and accumulation of intellectual capital. It compares the educational profiles of in-migrants and non-migrants across a sample of 303 U.S. counties and tests a stock-flow model that poses that a well-educated population stock attracts a well-educated migrant flow. The results suggest that newcomers are better educated than the resident population, and the education gap is most pronounced for newcomers from other states. The results further suggest that the educational status of newcomers (“in-migrants”) is positively related to the educational status of the resident population (“stayers”), thus implying a further agglomeration of human capital across space. However, for interstate migrants the effect is context-dependent, playing a greater role in urban settings and diminishing in more rural settings.
Temporal changes in electrode impedance while recording the electrocardiogram with "dry" electrodes.

The temporal change in the approximate impedance of dry silver, stainless-steel and German-silver electrodes applied to the unprepared skin of human subjects was measured using the electrocardiogram as a test signal. In nearly all cases, it was found that “dry” electrodes are really only dry when first applied. In most cases, with the passage of time, the average electrode-subject impedance decreased; the temporal nature of the decrease was similar for all three metals. Although there were wide variations in individual impedances over a 20-min period, the average 20-min impedance was between one-fourth and one-fifth of the initial impedance for all three metals. Silver exhibited the lowest average initial and 20-min impedance values. Placing ordinary tap water below the electrodes further reduced the 20-min impedance to about one-sixth of the initial impedance.
Similarities in the corrosion behaviour of iron, cobalt and nickel in acid solutions. A review with special reference to the sulphide adsorption

Abstract Corrosion kinetics of the iron group metals are strongly influenced by adsorption phenomena. Literature data and experimental results show sulphide adsorption to be a predominant factor in determining the corrosion rates of these metals and some of their alloys. Stabilizing sulphide inclusions against acid attack and reductions in the free sulphide concentration at the metal/electrolyte interface through appropriate alloying suppresses both general and localized corrosion.
Thiopentone inhibits beta-adrenergic responses in myocardial tissue

The purpose of this study was to determine the importance of inhibition of beta-adrenergic function in thiopentone-induced myocardial depression. Using an isolated, electrically stimulated rat left atria model, contractile dose-response curves to thiopentone (200 microM, 400 microM, 600 microM, 800 microM) were shifted to the right in preparations treated with 10(-3)M dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) compared with atria stimulated with 10(-6) M dibutyryl cyclic isoprenaline, demonstrating that inhibition of beta-adrenergic mechanisms by thiopentone is physiologically important. Depression by thiopentone was similar in atria treated with 10(-5) M forskolin compared with preparations stimulated with 10(-6) M isoprenaline, indicating that thiopentone does not block beta-adrenergic receptors. It is concluded that thiopentone depresses myocardial function by several mechanisms, one of which involves inhibition of the adenyl cyclase cascade. The adenyl cyclase enzyme is a likely site where thiopentone inhibits the system; however, other components of the cascade may also be involved.