cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Do leaf domatia mediate a plant–mite mutualism? An experimental test of the effects on predators and herbivores

1. Leaf domatia are tiny structures in leaf vein axils that are widespread among plant taxa and have been described to be typically inhabited by predatory and fungivorous mites. The mutualism hypothesis for the function of leaf domatia predicts that predatory and/or fungivorous mites benefit from having a favourable place to take refuge and reproduce and that plants benefit indirectly from reduced herbivory and/or pathogen attack. 2. The effect of leaf domatia on populations of predatory and herbivorous mites was examined for avocado, Persea americana. In separate experiments, domatia were added to leaves of a variety of avocado plants lacking domatia (Hass) and domatia were blocked on a domatia-bearing variety (Toro Canyon). 3. In two out of the five experiments conducted, domatia-bearing plants had significantly higher numbers of predatory mites compared with controls. Although herbivore numbers were consistently lower on plants with domatia than on plants without domatia, in no case did the presence of leaf domatia result in a statistically significant decrease in herbivorous mite populations. 4. These results suggest that domatia may frequently benefit predatory mites, however, indirect effects on herbivorous mites may not commonly exist or may be too difficult to detect.
On the field-effect transistor characteristics

A theoretical analysis demonstrates that the relationship between I D and V DS for one value of V GS is sufficient to completely describe the device behavior for any channel impurity profile. A simple graphical procedure is given to generate a complete set of characteristics from the results at one value of V GS . Measurements on an n -channel FET are given to support the theoretical conclusion and to demonstrate the graphical technique.
Determination of the state of hybridization of unsaturated hydrocarbons chemisorbed on nickel

The uv photoemission valence orbital spectra of adsorbed acetylene, ethylene, propylene, and benzene on Ni(lll) are compared with gas-phase spectra as well as Hartree-Fock ground-state orbital energies calculated using a self-consistent-field linear-combination-of-atomic-orbitals method for a range of possible hybridizations of the carbon atoms. We conclude that the chemisorption bonding of these unsturated hydrocarbons involves predominantly $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{-}d$ bonding without any significant rehybridization relative to their gas-phase counterparts.
Radar-Observed Characteristics of Precipitating Systems during NAME 2004

Abstract A multiradar network, operated in the southern Gulf of California (GoC) region during the 2004 North American Monsoon Experiment, is used to analyze the spatial and temporal variabilities of local precipitation. Based on the initial findings of this analysis, it is found that terrain played a key role in this variability, as the diurnal cycle was dominated by convective triggering during the afternoon over the peaks and foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental (SMO). Precipitating systems grew upscale and moved WNW toward the gulf. Distinct precipitation regimes within the monsoon are identified. The first, regime A, corresponded to enhanced precipitation over the southern portions of the coast and GoC, typically during the overnight and early morning hours. This was due to precipitating systems surviving the westward trip (∼7 m s−1; 3–4 m s−1 in excess of steering winds) from the SMO after sunset, likely because of enhanced environmental wind shear as diagnosed from local soundings. The second, ...
Persistence of supertransients of spatiotemporal chaotic dynamical systems in noisy environment

Abstract Superlong chaotic transients have been discovered in numerical simulations of model spatiotemporal chaotic dynamical systems. The presence of such transients poses a fundamental difficulty for observing the asymptotic state of the system. In this paper, we investigate the effect of small random noise on the lifetime of the chaotic transient. It is found that the averaged transient lifetime scales algebraically with the amplitude of the noise, with a near-zero exponent. This indicates that the transient lifetime is almost independent of the noise amplitude and, consequently, the presence of noise is not advantageous in attempts to reduce the transient lifetime. Therefore, we expect supertransients to be common in spatially-extended chaotic systems.
Soil Microbial, Chemical and Physical Properties in Continuous Cotton and Integrated Crop–Livestock Systems

Continuous monoculture systems can reduce soil organic matter because of low organic inputs and disturbance from tillage practices. Integrated cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) cropping and livestock production systems in West Texas may provide more sustainable alternatives to the traditional continuous cotton system and improve soil quality. Our study was conducted on a Pullman soil (Fine, mixed, thermic Torrertic Paleustolls) after 5 yr as a complete randomized block design (three replications) that compared continuous cotton and an integrated livestock-crop system with a perennial warm-season grass pasture (Bothriochloa bladhii) paddock and two paddocks (two stages) of a rotation (wheat [Triticum aestivum]-fallow-rye [Secale cereale]-cotton). Total N (average: 1.0 g kg -1 soil) remained similar among systems and soil pH was >8.1. Organic C was higher (13.5 g kg -1 soil) in perennial pasture compared with continuous cotton (9.0 g kg -1 soil) at 0 to 5 cm.[...]
Observation of Superlattice Effects on the Electronic Bands of Multilayer Heterostructures

Electroreflectance measurements have been performed on the GaAs-${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Al}}_{x}\mathrm{As}$ superlattice, and the observed structure has been related to interband transitions at different points of the Brillouin zone. For increasing $x$ the energies of these transitions shift progressively to higher values with respect to those of bulk GaAs, indicating the effect of the superlattice potential on the band structure beyond the zone center. In contrast, similar shifts observed in ${\mathrm{In}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Ga}}_{x}\mathrm{As}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Ga}{\mathrm{Sb}}_{1\ensuremath{-}y}{\mathrm{As}}_{y}$ only occur for $x$,$yg0.2$, an anomaly arising from its unusual periodic potential.
The Afterlife of “Teachers’ Beliefs” Qualitative Methodology and the Textline

How do articles get written in ways that lead them to keep getting cited decades later—even when they are bad or mediocre articles that do not merit re-reading? The question may seem trivial, but answering it requires us to rethink research practice and methods: Instead of particular projects and studies, or the work of individual researchers (how one conducts interviews, writes, etc.), methodology becomes a problem of assembling textlines, hooking up with viable ones, connecting some, cutting others, enfolding or highlighting particular threads, redirecting others across disciplines, and eventually putting texts in the stream, sending them downline into an afterlife in other researchers’ textwork. The present article, based on archival research, uses a detailed case study of the production and subsequent transformation and citation of an article on “teachers’ beliefs” to develop these ideas and consider the methodological implications of attending to textlines and textual afterlives.
Controlling Corruption and Misconduct: A Comparative Examination of Police Practices in Hong Kong and New York

Police corruption and misconduct are of perpetual concern to both the police and the public. Various measures have been used and programs created to reduce these problems. But existing research indicates that the effects of such measures are either transient or uncertain. Few studies have been conducted to understand the mechanisms for controlling police corruption and misconduct from an international, comparative perspective. This study intends to fill this gap by exploring the experiences of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) as well as those of the New York Police Department (NYPD). Although Hong Kong is today a part of China, it remains in the Common Law system and its police practices have been highly influenced by Western policing principles, making such a comparison relevant and perhaps useful. The findings of this study suggest that Hong Kong and New York have both adopted various measures for controlling police corruption and misconduct, but have diverged significantly from each other in the structure and content of their control efforts.
GABAA-R α1 subunit knockin mutation leads to abnormal EEG and anesthetic-induced seizure-like activity in mice

Abstract Gamma-aminobutyric acid-type A receptors (GABAA-Rs) have been proposed as a target for many general anesthetics. We recently created knockin (KI) mice harboring a point mutation (serine 270 to histidine) in the GABAA-R α1 subunit. This mutation abolishes sensitivity of recombinant GABAA–Rs to isoflurane while maintaining normal sensitivity to halothane and increasing the potency of GABA. KI mice showed abnormalities in the EEG baseline, including occasional spike-wave activity and spindle-like bursts. When anesthetized with isoflurane, the KI mice but not the control mice revealed repetitive 4–5Hz slow wave discharges in the cortical EEG. KI mice did not differ from controls in response to isoflurane or halothane in the standard tail clamp/withdrawal and loss of righting reflex assays. We recorded miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) from hippocampal interneurons and pyramidal cells in brain slices. mIPSCs in neurons from KI mice were of normal amplitude, but decayed more slowly than controls. Hippocampal mIPSCs in control mice were significantly prolonged by 0.4 and 0.9 MAC isoflurane, and by 0.5 MAC halothane. In KI mice, the effect of isoflurane on mIPSC decay was dramatically reduced, while halothane prolonged mIPSCs as for controls. We conclude that the kinetic and pharmacological properties of hippocampal GABAA-Rs in the KI mouse recapitulate many features of mutant α1β2γ2 GABAA-Rs observed in vitro. GABAA-Rs containing α1 subunits do not appear to contribute to the actions of isoflurane in the spinal cord, but both EEG and synaptic recordings provide evidence for effects of isoflurane on these GABAA-R isoforms in cortical structures.
UV patternable thin film chemistry for shape and functionally versatile self-oscillating gels

We describe a new planar processing chemistry that allows the synthesis and patterning of dynamically self-actuating gels of diverse form. The chemical reaction covalently incorporates a methacrylate-modified ruthenium trisbipyridine monomer within a poly acrylamide (PAAm) gel, modified to provide a flexible chemistry for UV-curable, self-oscillating Belousov–Zhabotinsky (BZ) gels. The photoinitiated polymerization offers significant advantages over previously reported BZ gel chemistries – fast polymerization rates, broad flexibility in the structural and functional attributes that impact the BZ reaction driven mechanics, and a facility for net shape fabrication via projection mode photo lithographic exposure. The facility of the synthetic method enabled an opportunity to broadly explore the structure/property and structure/rate correlations characterizing the dynamics of these gels and develop means to both control and predict the detailed features of the self-oscillating chemical waves they embed. The PAAm systems initiate under the control of transport-dominated influences weighted heavily by the diffusion/depletion of reagents present in the ambient contacting fluid medium. These initiating modes of oscillation are generally unstable temporally, showing shape- and property-sensitive conversions to oscillating modes controlled by the attributes of the gel-phase environment. The present work establishes the nature of these sensitivities, developing insights related to such features in patterned gel objects or films as composition, size, thickness, shape, degree of crosslinking, and gradient forms of structure within the gel. We observed in this work that, across a broad design-rule and compositional space, the PAAm based BZ gel systems exhibit contractions in dimension for regions in which the Ru catalyst is present in the +3 oxidation state (PNIPAAm BZ gels expand in this state). The chemomechanics of the PAAm system are further differentiated from those of PNIPAAm in the generally (and relatively) fast oscillatory rates it can sustain. This work suggests the dynamics in the PAAm gels do not reflect a simple osmotic force driven by differences in the solvation of Ru(II/III) centers. Computational modeling supports a mechanism in which the charge state of Ru centers mediate a differential degree of intra/inter-chain segmental interactions – dynamics that mediate a temporally varying degree of reversibly formed association crosslinks within the gel.
Estrogen Receptor-Dependent Genomic Responses in the Uterus Mirror the Biphasic Physiological Response to Estrogen

The physiological responses of the rodent uterus to acute estrogen (E) dosing can be divided into early and late events. Examples of early responses include increased RNA transcription, hyperemia, and water imbibition 2 and 6 h following E administration respectively, whereas later responses include cycles of DNA synthesis and mitosis of epithelial cells beginning 10 and 16 h after E. The development of estrogen receptor (ER) knockout (ERKO) mice, combined with microarray technology, has allowed us to design a genomic approach to study the acute response of the rodent reproductive tract to E. To determine whether early and late biological responses are correlated with altered regulation of a single set of genes or distinct sets of genes characteristic of early and late responses, uterine RNA was obtained from ovariectomized mice that were treated with vehicle or with estradiol for 2 h (early) or 24 h (late). Samples were also prepared from identically treated mice that lacked either ERalpha (alphaERKO) or ERbeta (betaERKO) to address the relative contributions of the ERs in the uterine responses. Microarray analysis of the relative expression of 8700 mouse cDNAs indicated distinct clusters of genes that were regulated both positively and negatively by E in the early or late phases as well as clusters of genes regulated at both times. Both early and late responses by the betaERKO samples were indistinguishable from those of WT samples, whereas the alphaERKO showed little change in gene expression in response to E, indicating the predominant role for ERalpha in the genomic response. Further studies indicated that the genomic responses in samples from intermediate time points (6 h, 12 h) fall within the early or late clusters, rather than showing unique clusters regulated in the intermediary period. The use of this genomic approach has illustrated how physiological responses are reflected in genomic patterns. Furthermore, the identification of functional gene families that are regulated by E in the uterus combined with the utilization of genetically altered experimental animal models can help to uncover and define novel mechanisms of E action.
The determinants of breeding regulation in the horse industry: An empirical analysis

Abstract The U.S. horse industry presents a curious case of self-regulation behavior. Most breed registries strictly govern the use of artificial insemination technology in the production of new foals. While administrative and genetic arguments for regulation are cited by registries, the authors show that breeding rules depend on the economic consequences of the new technology. A decision model of self-regulation is presented and empirically tested. The results suggest that breeds with a price inelastic demand for foals are more likely to regulate the use of artificial insemination techniques.
Model of Birkeland currents associated with an auroral arc

The ionospheric configuration of the vertical Birkeland currents associated with an auroral arc is calculated from a model based on the assumption that the auroral electrons constitute a net current into the ionosphere. It is further assumed that the return vertical current out of the ionosphere is impeded along the field lines which connect the arc to the magnetosphere. The magnitude, location, and structure of the return Birkeland current calculated from the model agree well with measurements of these parameters by a rocket-borne experiment.
The functional significance of synaptotagmin diversity in neuroendocrine secretion.

Synaptotagmins (syts) are abundant, evolutionarily-conserved integral membrane proteins that play essential roles in regulated exocytosis in nervous and endocrine systems. There are at least 17 syt isoforms in mammals, all with tandem C-terminal C2 domains with highly variable capacities for Ca2+ binding. Many syts play roles in neurotransmitter release or hormone secretion or both, and a growing body of work supports a role for some syts as Ca2+ sensors of exocytosis. Work in many types of endocrine cells has documented the presence of a number of syt isoforms on dense-core vesicles containing various hormones. Syts can influence the kinetics of exocytotic fusion pores and the choice of release mode between kiss-and-run and full-fusion. Vesicles harboring different syt isoforms can preferentially undergo distinct modes of exocytosis with different forms of stimulation. The diverse properties of syt isoforms enable these proteins to shape Ca2+ sensing in endocrine cells, thus contributing to the regulation of hormone release and the organization of complex endocrine functions.
Patterns and mechanisms of beta-lactam resistance among isolates of Escherichia coli from hospitals in the United States.

To study the national distribution of beta-lactam resistance patterns and mechanisms among Escherichia coli organisms isolated in U.S. hospitals, 652 ampicillin-resistant (Am(r)) or ampicillin-intermediate (Ami) isolates were submitted to the Centers for Disease Control from March 1983 through July 1984 by nine hospitals participating in the National Nosocomial Infections Study. Among the isolates (most of which caused urinary tract infections), 78% were Am(r) and 22% were Ami by the interpretative criteria established by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. Resistance to carboxypenicillins ranged from 73 to 74%, and that to acylureidopenicillins ranged from 43 to 66%. A total of 26% of the isolates were resistant to cephalothin, and 4% were resistant to cefazolin. Resistance to cefoxitin was 1%, while resistances to cefuroxime and cefamandole were 2 and 7%, respectively. With the exception of cefsulodin (98% resistant) and cefoperazone (1% resistant), there was no resistance to newer cephalosporins or aztreonam. In general, only minor differences in the incidence of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics were noted in hospital-acquired versus non-hospital-acquired isolates as well as among isolates from various regions of the United States. TEM beta-lactamases were produced by 87% of the 237 Am(r) isolates examined. By our methods, OXA and chromosomal (type I) beta-lactamases were detected in 2 and 28 isolates, respectively, and plasmid-mediated extended-spectrum cephalosporinases were detected in none of the isolates. Disk substrate and clavulanic acid inhibition assays revealed that TEM beta-lactamase conferred Am(r) and resistance to carboxypenicillins, acylureidopenicillins, cephalothin, cefamandole, cefsulodin, and cefoperazone. A total of 391 isolates were screened for plasmids, and 259 isolates were examined by DNA hybridization with a TEM probe. Among 462 plasmids probed, 129 plasmids, ranging from 4 to 140 megadaltons, harbored TEM sequences. Although beta-lactam resistance in clinical isolates of E. coli is predominantly mediated by TEM beta-lactamase, the diverse spectrum of resistance appears to be related to additional strain=dependent factors.
Carbon Flow in Four Lake Ecosystems: A Structural Approach

Direct and indirect carbon fluxes in lakes Marion (British Columbia), Findley (Washington), Wingra (Wisconsin), and Mirror (New Hampshire) are compared, using budgets and input-output analysis. Overall differences in carbon flow between the lakes are shown with cycling indices of .031, .108, .572, and .661, respectively. The results suggest that lake ecosystems may be considered unique aggregatins of similar components.
Energy loss and p⊥-broadening of high energy partons in hot and cold QCD matter☆

Recent work on jet p⊥-broadening and induced gluon radiation from jets passing through hot and cold QCD matter is reviewed. The basic assumption used is that multiple scattering of a high energy parton in a QCD medium can be viewed as a series of independent scatterings, exactly as in the standard Glauber theory. We show that p⊥w2 grows as L, the length of the nuclear matter, as does −dEdz the energy loss of the parton per unit length. We find −dEdz = −αNc8p⊥w2, a generalization of an earlier result of Brodsky and Hoyer. Numerical estimates suggest that p⊥-broadening and induced energy loss may be significantly enhanced in hot matter as compared to cold matter.
High-speed size characterization of chromatographic silica by flow/hyperlayer field-flow fractionation

Abstract Flow/hyperlayer field-flow fractionation (FFF) has been successfully applied to the rapid size-based fractionation and characterization of various 3-μm and 5-μm commercial high-performance liquid chromatography silica supports. Because highj-resolution information on both average particle diameter and size distribution was obtained in less than 3 min by using a relatively simple apparatus, the method is attractive for the routine characterization of chromatographic packing material. Flow/hyperlayer FFF is not only faster than most sedimentation methods, it is ideally suited for the characterization of porous particles since separation is based solely on diameter and is independent of density.
Applicability of a risk score for prediction of the long-term (8-year) benefit of the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

Objectives The present study was designed to explore the 8-year survival benefit of a nonresynchronization implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) according to a simple risk stratification score. Background There is limited information regarding factors that predict the benefit of primary prevention with an ICD during long-term follow-up. Methods This study used a previously developed risk score including 5 clinical factors (New York Heart Association functional class >II, age >70 years, blood urea nitrogen >26 mg/dl, QRS duration >0.12 s, and atrial fibrillation) to evaluate 8-year ICD survival benefit within risk score categories among 1,191 MADIT-II (Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial II) patients. Results Patients with low (0 risk factors, n = 345) and intermediate risk (1 to 2 risk factors, n = 646) demonstrated a significantly higher probability of survival at 8-year follow-up when treated by ICD as compared with non-ICD therapy (75% vs. 58%, p = 0.004; and 47% vs. 31%, p Conclusions These findings suggest that a simple risk score can identify patients who derive significant long-term benefit from primary ICD therapy. High-risk patients with multiple comorbidities composed 17% of the MADIT-II population and did not derive long-term benefit from nonresynchronization device therapy.
Quantitative neuroimaging in mucolipidosis type IV.

Abstract Mucolipidosis type IV (MLIV) is an autosomal recessive disorder resulting from mutations in the MCOLN1 gene. This gene encodes the endosomal/lysosomal transient receptor potential channel protein mucolipin-1 (TRPML1). Affected patients suffer from neurodevelopmental abnormalities and progressive retinal dystrophy. In a prospective natural history study we hypothesized the presence of an additional slow cerebral neurodegenerative process. We have recruited 5 patients, tested their neurodevelopmental status, and measured cerebral regional volumes and white matter integrity using MRI yearly. Over a period of up to 3years, MLIV patients remained neurologically stable. There was a trend for increased cortical and subcortical gray matter volumes and increased ventricular size, while white matter and cerebellar volumes decreased. Mean diffusivity (MD) was increased and fractional anisotropy (FA) values were below normal in all analyzed brain regions. There was a positive correlation between motor scores of the Vineland Scale and the FA values in the corticospinal tract (corr coef 0.39), and a negative correlation with the MD values (corr coef −0.50) in the same brain region. We conclude from these initial findings that deficiency in mucolipin-1 affects the entire brain but that there might be a selective regional cerebral neurodegenerative process in MLIV. In addition, these data suggest that diffusion-weighted imaging might be a good biomarker for following patients with MLIV. Therefore, our findings may be helpful for designing future clinical trials.
Interpolation theory for structure-preserving model reduction

We develop a general framework for interpolation-based model reduction that includes rational Krylov-based methods as a special case. This new broader framework allows retention of special structure in the reduced order models such as symmetry, second order structure, internal delays, and infinite dimensional subsystems.
Sensitivity of transformer's hottest-spot and equivalent aging to selected parameters

In 1995, IEEE released a revised Transformer Loading Guide which includes an Annex G that contains an additional set of transformer temperature equations that incorporate oil-flow phenomena, changing ambient air temperature, and account for the change in resistivity of the winding due to heating. These new equations involve empirical exponent variables that account for properties of the transformer. This paper investigates sensitivity of hottest-spot temperature and equivalent aging of transformers with respect to these variables. By varying these variables under various load conditions and by Monte Carlo simulation with different probability distributions of these variables, their importance in the transformer model and their influence in modeling accuracy pertaining to the Annex G equations have been obtained.
Short-term zinc supplementation in women with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: effects on plasma 5'-nucleotidase activities, insulin-like growth factor I concentrations, and lipoprotein oxidation rates in vitro.

Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) may cause vulnerability to moderate zinc deficiency. In this study, short-term zinc supplementation (30 mg/d as amino acid chelate for 3 wk) elevated plasma zinc and activities of 5'-nucleotidase, a zinc-dependant enzyme, in 20 postmenopausal women with NIDDM. Placebo, given to 20 other women with NIDDM, had no effects on these indexes nor on any others taken in this study. Although zinc supplementation doubled the mean value for 5'-nucleotidase activity, values were still significantly lower than those of age-matched control subjects. Plasma insulin-like growth factor I concentrations increased with zinc treatment if starting concentrations were 165 microg/L. Lipoprotein oxidation in vitro, which has abnormal lag times and propagation rates for subjects with NIDDM and for moderately zinc-deficient rats, were unchanged by zinc supplementation. Possibly, this lack of effect occurred because the zinc treatment did not normalize zinc status. In conclusion, this study supports the contention that moderate zinc deficiency occurs frequently in subjects with NIDDM.
EASILY CONSTRUCTED, ECONOMICAL SEAWATER INTAKE AND SUPPLY SYSTEM

A water intake system was designed and installed in Admiralty Inlet, Puget Sound, Washington. The dual system consisted of polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipes, a concrete pit and pumps located on shore at zero tide; and cables attached laterally to the pipelines and terminally between a shoreward anchor and to a seaward intake sled held in place with an 1800 kg Dansforth anchor. The overall construction costs were much lower than those for concrete-lined ductile iron pipe. Nearly three years after its construction, this system has withstood tides and storms without apparent adverse effect. Its application to lakes or rivers is equally possible.
Tissue-specific Gene Targeting by the Multiprotein Mammalian DREAM Complex

The mammalian DP, RB-like, E2F, and MuvB-like proteins (DREAM) complex, whose key components include p130 and E2F4, plays a fundamental role in repression of cell cycle-specific genes during growth arrest. Mammalian DREAM is well conserved with Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans complexes that repress pivotal developmental genes, but the mammalian complex has been thought to exist only in quiescent cells and not to be linked with development. However, new findings here identify tissue-specific promoters repressed by DREAM in proliferating precursors, revealing a new connection between control of growth arrest and terminal differentiation. Mechanistically, tissue-specific promoter occupation by DREAM is dependent on the integrity of a repressor form of the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complex.
Unlocking the Value of RFID

RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) technology has shown itself to be a promising technology to track movements of goods in a supply chain. As such, it can give unprecedented visibility to the supply chain. Such visibility can save labor cost, improve supply chain coordination, reduce inventory and increase product availability. Industry reports and white papers are now filled with estimates and proclamations of the benefits and quantified values of RFID. Early adopters are now rallying more and more followers. However, most such claims are educated guesses at best and are not substantiated, that is, they are not based on detailed, model-based analysis. This paper argues that there is a huge credibility gap of the value of RFID, and that a void exists in showing how the proclaimed values are arrived at, and how those values can be realized. The paper shows that this credibility gap must be filled with solid model analysis, and therefore presents a great opportunity for the Production and Operations Management (POM) research community. The paper reviews some of the ongoing research efforts that attempt to close the credibility gap, and suggests additional directions for further strengthening the POM's contribution to help industry realize the full potentials of RFID.
Network Effects in Public Transit Use: Evidence from a Spatially Autoregressive Mode Choice Model for New York

This article empirically tests for positive network effects in transit use by applying a spatial autoregressive logit mode choice model with 1997/98 work trip data from New York City. Positive network effects exist when people prefer to use transit together with other people as a result of social spill-over. Although these network preferences should differ for each person, because of statistical restrictions in the model, individual network preferences cannot be obtained. However, it is possible to derive econometrically a measure of aggregate network preference. This paper can be seen in the wider context of other recent work focusing on the analysis of spatial dependencies and network effects in travel.
An adaptive strategy for inline substitution

Inline substitution is an optimization that replaces a procedure call with the body of the procedure that it calls. Inlining has the immediate benefit of reducing the overhead associated with the call, including register saves and restores, parameter evaluation, and activation record setup and teardown. It has secondary benefits that arise from providing greater context for global optimizations. These benefits can be offset by the effects of increased code size, and by deleterious interactions with other optimizations, such as register allocation. The difficult aspect of inline substitution is choosing which calls to inline. Previous work has focused on static, one-size-fits-all heuristics. This paper presents a feedback-driven adaptive scheme that derives a programspecific inlining heuristic. The key contributions of this work are: (1) a novel parameterization scheme for the inliner that makes it susceptible to fine-grained external control, (2) a scheme for discretizing large integer parameter spaces, and (3) effective search techniques for the resulting search space. This work provides a proof of concept that can provide insight into the design of adaptive controllers for other optimizations with complex decision heuristics. Our goal in this work is not to exhibit the world's best inliner. Instead, we present evidence to suggest that a program-specific, adaptive scheme is needed to achieve the best results.
Building Support Tools to Connect Novice Designers with Professional Coaches

Creativity support tools help learners undertake creative work, such as facilitating coaching by creative professionals. How might we design creativity support tools that in-crease learners' access to coaching by creative professionals? This study took place in an extracurricular project-based learning program where students were co-located, and met professional coaches face-to-face once a week but otherwise communicated online. To test an online creativity support tool called the Loft and investigate coach-student communication we collected data from 47 interviews, online log data and field observations. We found that (a) explicit help-seeking was rare outside of meetings, (b) help from professionals was highly-valued but not sought out, and (c) online systems could surface learner struggles and trigger help-giving. Our findings suggested that online creativity platforms can support professional coaching through: (1) structured virtual updates (2) coach thanking, (3) Computer-Supported Group Critique, (4) disclosure of expertise, and (5) help-seeking training.
Self-similar strong shocks in an exponential medium

The self-similar one-dimensional propagation of a strong shock wave in a medium with exponentially varying density and ray-tube area is studied, using the Eulerian approach of Sedov. Conservation integrals analogous to Sedov's are obtained, with the expression for the Lagrangian variable. Calculated results are compared with the predictions of the CCW (Chisnell, Chester and Whitham) approximation. It was found that, in contrast to the implosion case, the propagation parameter from the CCW approximation is in error by 15% or more.
Effects of View and Room Size on Window Size Preferences Made in Models

Window size preferences were studied in two experiments using a 1/12 scale model. In the first experiment, subjects viewed small-to medium-sized offices. The experiment showed that window preferenc...
Asplanchna-induced polymorphism in the rotifer Keratella slacki1

Asplanchna releases into its environment a filterable factor which induces eggs of Keratella slacki to develop into individuals with slightly larger (x 15%) bodies, considerably longer (a 30%) anterior spines, much longer (= 130%) right posterior spines, and sometimes short, left posterior spines not otherwise present. The Asplanchna-induced morph is much less susceptible to Asplanchna predation than the noninduced morph, its long spines making it about two times less likely to be captured after being attacked and about five times less likely to be ingested after being captured. The pronounced asymmetry of the posterior spines may minimize the cost of spine production without sacrificing protection. The rotifer Keratella slacki (Berzins 1963; Koste and Shiel 1980), an Australian endemic, is very common in billabongs (Shiel and Koste 1983) and displays considerable variation in body and spine lengths (Shiel 198 1). Shiel reported that individuals always had two posterior spines, the right one much longer than the left one. He also found that the combined lengths of these spines increased linearly with body length and that the most exuberant forms co-occurred with the predatory rotifer Asplanchna. We were interested in testing the hypothesis that Asplanchna induces spine development in K. slacki, just as it does in Brachionus calyciJlorus (Gilbert 1966, 1967). We describe here laboratory experiments showing that a single clone of K. slacki can exhibit an even greater variation in body and spine lengths than that exhibited by the 25 different populations examined by Shiel and that this variation is due to a developmental polymorphism induced by a filterable factor produced by Asplanchna. We also show that two predatory copepods do not produce such a factor and that K. slacki with large, Asplanchna-induced bodies and spines are greatly protected against Asplanchna predation. The Asplanchna-induced polymorphism we report in K. slacki is very similar to that described in B. calyciforus (Gilbert 1966, 1967) but differs from it in several respects. In K. slacki, the posterior spines do not articulate with the body. Also, in K. slacki,
The daunting quest for a small diameter vascular graft

Due to inadequate vascular perfusion broughtabout by vascular disease or trauma, there is asignificant worldwide demand for a smalldiameter (<5 mm inner diameter [ID]) vas-cular graft for use as a bypass or replacementconduit. As a surgeon, it is preferable to useautologous vascular material (i.e., veins orarteries) for arterial bypass surgery, since theyshow, by far, the lowest failure rates. How-ever, the use of autologous tissue is hamperedby limited availability and suitability due toextensive peripheral vascular disease and/oruse in a previous bypass surgery. Today’sclinically-used synthetic vascular graft materi-als, when utilized as small diameter substitutes,are associated with high-occlusion/failurerates. Thus, it is imperative to develop innova-tive technologies targeted to the fabrication ofa small diameter vascular graft.Since there is currently no clinically accept-able nonautologous, small diameter vasculargraft, perhaps one of the innovative technolo-gies currently being evaluated may somedayrevolutionize the field of vascular surgery.The innovative technologies utilized in thedevelopment or improvement of small dia-meter vascular grafts can be classified into thefollowing groups, with each presenting a hostof concerns, limitations and/or design issues:• Biostable, synthetic vascular grafts• Synthetic vascular grafts – active coatings ordrug elution• Endothelial cell seeding/sodding• Bioresorbable vascular grafts• Tissue engineered vascular graftsIn general, the ideal vascular graft wouldhave the following characteristics: • Ease of surgical handling• Suture retention• Flexibility with kink resistance• Biocompatibility (nontoxic and non-thrombogenic)• Postimplantation durability after tissueingrowth• Infection resistance• Leak resistance, but with adequate porosityfor healing/regeneration • Appropriate remodeling response• Compliance matching that of the nativeartery• Resistance to aneurysm formationOther concerns with the ideal vascular graftare that it must be easily manufactured,sterilized and stored, available in a variety ofsizes (lengths, diameters and tapers) andeconomical. Basically, surgeons are demand-ing the off-the-shelf availability of currentsynthetic grafts without the short- and long-term complications. Fulfilling these require-ments creates a daunting challenge in thedevelopment of a vascular graft worthy ofclinical acceptance.The use of a biostable, polymeric vasculargraft was first published in 1952 by Voorheesand colleagues who presented the concept ofa synthetic conduit as a replacement fordeficient natural blood vessels
Five-year longitudinal predictive factors for disordered eating in a population-based sample of overweight adolescents: Implications for prevention and treatment

Objective: The objective of this study is to identify predictors of prevalence and incidence of disordered eating (binge eating and extreme weight control behaviors) among overweight adolescents. Five-year longitudinal associations were examined in 412 overweight adolescents who participated in Project EAT-I and II. Results: Among both overweight males and females, risk factors for disordered eating included exposure to weight loss magazine articles, higher weight importance, and unhealthy weight control behaviors, while family connectedness, body satisfaction, and regular meals were protective factors, although there were some differences in predictors of prevalence (total cases) versus incidence (new cases) of disordered eating. Among males, poor eating patterns, including fast food and sweetened beverage intake, increased risk for disordered eating, and the use of healthy weight control behaviors was protective. Discussion: Attention should be directed toward decreasing disordered eating among overweight adolescents. Findings suggest the importance of promoting positive family relationships, psychological health, and regular meals, and steering adolescents away from overemphasizing weight and using unhealthy weight control behaviors. V C 2009 by
Phagocytosed Bordetella pertussis fails to survive in human neutrophils

Previous studies have reported that phagocytosed Bordetella pertussis survives in human neutrophils. This issue has been reexamined. Opsonized or unopsonized bacteria expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) were incubated with adherent human neutrophils. Phagocytosis was quantified by fluorescence microscopy, and the viability of phagocytosed bacteria was determined by colony counts following treatment with polymyxin B to kill extracellular bacteria. Only 1 to 2% of the phagocytosed bacteria remained viable. Opsonization with heat-inactivated immune serum reduced the amount of attachment and phagocytosis of the bacteria but did not alter survival rates. In contrast to previous reports, these data suggest that phagocytosed B. pertussis bacteria are killed by human neutrophils.
Regio- and stereospecific models for the biosynthesis of the indole alkaloids—III : The Aspidosperma-Iboga-secodine relationship

Abstract In vitro transformation of the Aspidosperma alkaloid (−) tabersonine ( 1 ) to (±)-pseudocatharanthine ( 7 ) via (+) allocatharanthine ( 6 ) and dehydrosecodine A ( 3 ) is described as a model for the biochemical interconversion of Aspidosperma and Iboga alkaloids. Facile conversion of 1 , 2 and 7 in xylene solution to the carbazole ( 9 ) suggests the intermediacy of dehydrosecodines (as 8 ) in these reactions. In methanol solution the racemic salt ( 12 ) is formed in 50% yield from catharanthine at 175°. Further pyrolysis of the salt yields the carbazole ( 9 ). Reduction of the salt ( 12 ) with NaBH 4 affords (±) dihydrosecodine ( 16 ) identical with the natural alkaloid from Rhazya stricta .
Educational lessons from the past – marketing textbooks during the Age of Enlightenment (16th to 18th Centuries)

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to critique four marketing textbooks written during the Age of Enlightenment (sixteenth-eighteenth centuries) to understand the educational lessons they taught students of marketing at the time and the lessons they might hold for the present day. Design/methodology/approach – The method entails critically examining several marketing textbooks within the context of the great social, religious, intellectual, political and economic changes taking place at the time. Findings – Over the period, paralleling developments in the Enlightenment, the two earlier textbooks of the age have a heavier emphasis on religious and ethical concerns along with their discussions of business issues. The two later textbooks de-emphasize spiritual themes in favor of almost completely focusing on business matters. In addition to discussing themes relevant to their times, the books anticipate concepts found in marketing textbooks of today. Generally, there is also more stress placed on immedia...
Ionic Polymer Conductor Nano-Composites as Distributed Nanosensors, Nanoactuators and Artificial Muscles - A Review

Basic recent results, properties and characteristics of ionic polymer conductor nano-composites (IPCNC) as biomimetic distributed nanosensors, nanoactuators and artificial muscles are briefly discussed in this paper. Some fundamental considerations on biomimetic distributed nanosensing and nanoactuation are first presented and then expanded to cover some recent advances in manufacturing techniques, force optimization, 3-D fabrication of IPMC’s, recent modeling and simulations, sensing and transduction and product development. This paper also covers some recent industrial and medical applications including a multi-fingered grippers (macro, micro, nano), biomimetic robotic fish and caudal fin actuators, diaphragm micropump, multi-string musical instruments, linear actuators made with IPMNC’s, IPMNC-based data glove and attire, IPMNC-based heart compression/assist devices and systems, wing flapping flying system made with IPMNC’s and a host of others.
Near‐ and mid‐infrared reflectance spectra of hydrated oxychlorine salts with implications for Mars

The presence and distribution of oxychlorine salts (e.g., chlorates and perchlorates) on Mars have implications for the stability of water, most notably, that they lower the freezing temperature. To date, elemental chlorine has been measured by all lander missions, with the perchlorate ion identified at both the Phoenix and Curiosity landing sites, but detection by near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) remote sensing has been limited to deposits of anhydrous chlorides. Given that oxychlorine salts can form numerous hydrated phases, we have measured their NIR and MIR reflectance spectra from 1 to 25 µm for comparison to data collected from orbiting spectrometers. Anhydrous oxychlorine salts show almost no features in the NIR, except for small bands of residual adsorbed water. However, hydrated oxychlorine salts show numerous features due to water in the NIR, specifically at ~1.4 and ~1.9 µm. Increasing the hydration state increases the depth and width of the water bands. All oxychlorine salts exhibit an additional feature at ~2.2 µm due to a Cl-O combination or overtone feature, although it is less prominent in the hydrated perchlorate salts, likely overwhelmed by the ClO4-H2O feature at 2.14 µm. All oxychlorine salts show features in the MIR due to the fundamental vibrations of Cl-O longward of ~8 µm. The NIR spectral features of hydrated oxychlorine salts are similar to other hydrated salts, especially hydrated sulfates; thus, identification from orbit may be ambiguous. However by utilizing the NIR and MIR laboratory data presented here for comparison, oxychlorine salts may be detectable by orbiting spectrometers.
Single-Parent Families, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage

While the traditional family of husband and wife living in one household — either with or without children — remains the most common family type, it has declined as a proportion of all families from 71 percent in 1970 to 55 percent in 1994. At the same time, the proportion of families with a single parent has grown from 11 percent to 16 percent. Other family types without children comprise the remaining 29 percent of families. The large majority (81 percent) of single-parent families are headed by women. Individuals in these families often live in poverty, and many do not receive adequate health insurance protection from either public or private programs.
A regra do julgamento final na apelação civil norte-americana e o direito brasileiro: breves notas

O presente artigo trata de aspectos relevantes da apelacao no direito processual civil norte-americano. Enfocou-se, mais detidamente, a chamada regra do julgamento final e seu tratamento pela Suprema Corte. Finalmente, foi feita uma breve comparacao com o direito brasileiro.