cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reevaluating the Broadband Bonus: Evidence from Neighborhood Access to Fiber and United States Housing Prices

We use the National Broadband Map and a nationwide sample of real estate transactions from 2011 to 2013 to empirically investigate the relationship between high-speed Internet service and housing prices. Estimates from a hedonic housing price model suggest that fiber-delivered Internet service may be beneficial to households in terms of increased speed and reliability of service. Single-family homes in census block groups (CBGs) with the ability to upgrade to a one gigabit per second Internet connection have a transaction price that is about 1.8 percent more than similar homes in neighborhoods where a 100 megabit per second connection is available. Controlling for speed, homes in CBGs where fiber is available have a price that is about 1.3 percent more than similar homes without fiber. When evaluated at the sample median house price, the combined effect of 3.1 percent suggests that access to fiber may be associated with about a $5,437 increase in the typical home’s value. This is roughly equivalent to a fireplace or just under half the value of a bathroom.
On function-on-scalar quantile regression

Existing work on functional response regression has focused predominantly on mean regression. However, in many applications, predictors may not strongly influence the conditional mean of functional responses, but other characteristics of their conditional distribution. In this paper, we study function-on-scalar quantile regression, or functional quantile regression (FQR), which can provide a comprehensive understanding of how scalar predictors influence the conditional distribution of functional responses. We introduce a scalable, distributed strategy to perform FQR that can account for intrafunctional dependence structures in the functional responses. This general distributed strategy first performs separate quantile regression to compute $M$-estimators at each sampling location, and then carries out estimation and inference for the entire coefficient functions by properly exploiting the uncertainty quantifications and dependence structures of $M$-estimators. We derive a uniform Bahadur representation and a strong Gaussian approximation result for the $M$-estimators on the discrete sampling grid, which are of independent interest and provide theoretical justification for this distributed strategy. Some large sample properties of the proposed coefficient function estimators are described. Interestingly, our rate calculations show a phase transition phenomenon that has been previously observed in functional mean regression. We conduct simulations to assess the finite sample performance of the proposed methods, and present an application to a mass spectrometry proteomics dataset, in which the use of FQR to delineate the relationship between functional responses and predictors is strongly warranted.
Treating Pain and Prognosticating in Metastatic Cancer

A cancer patient in the midst of treatment presents with intractable pain. Months later she comes in with functional decline and a family not ready to say goodbye.
Highly Reliable Frequency-Resolved Optical Gating Pulse-Retrieval Algorithmic Approach

Frequency-resolved optical gating (FROG) is widely used to measure ultrashort laser pulses, also providing an excellent indication of pulse-shape instabilities by disagreement between measured and retrieved FROG traces. However, FROG requires—but currently lacks—an extremely reliable pulse-retrieval algorithm; therefore, this work provides one. It uses a simple procedure for directly retrieving the precise pulse spectrum from the measured trace. In addition, it implements a multi-grid scheme, also quickly yielding a vastly improved guess for the spectral phase before implementing the entire measured trace. As a result, it achieves 100% convergence for the three most common variants of FROG for pulses with time-bandwidth products as large as 100, even with traces contaminated with noise. Here, in this paper, we consider the polarization-gate (PG) and transient-grating (TG) variants of FROG, which measure amplified, UV, and broadly tunable pulses. Convergence occurs for all of the >20 000 simulated noisy PG/TG FROG traces considered and is also faster.
Subsurface basement, structure, stratigraphy, and timing of regional tectonic events affecting the Guajira margin of northern Colombia

AbstractWe have combined previous data from Mesozoic-Cenozoic outcrops in the Guajira Peninsula of northern Colombia with regional gravity, bathymetric, and seismic interpretations to demonstrate t...
Hot Electrons as the Dominant Source of Degradation for Sub-5nm HZO FeFETs

In this work, we demonstrate FDSOI ferroelectric FETs (FeFETs) incorporating 4.5 nm hafnium zirconium oxide, which show a ~0.5V memory window at +/-3.3V and a program/erase speed of 1 $\mu \mathrm{s}$ . In typical FeFETs where $\geq 9$ nm thick ferroelectric (FE) gate oxides have been used, bulk charge trapping has been identified as the main mechanism for endurance degradation and shrinkage of the memory window (MW). By contrast, we find that the role of bulk trapping in our devices with a much thinner FE layer is minimal. Through a combination of cryogenic temperature-dependent electrical measurements and simulations using the Ginestra ™ modeling platform, we identify and prove that hot electron-induced hole damage during the application of negative gate biases is the primary source of endurance degradation and MW closure in FeFETs with scaled oxide layers.
Secreted Peptides for Diagnostic Trajectory Assessments in Brain Injury Rehabilitation.

BackgroundRehabilitation following traumatic brain injury (TBI) significantly improves outcomes; yet TBI heterogeneity raises the need for molecular evidence of brain recovery processes to better t...
On the Peculiar Distribution of the U.S. Stock Indices' Digits

Recent research has focused on studying the patterns in the digits of closely followed stock market indices (see e.g. Ley and Varian (1994) and Koedijk and Stork (1994)). In this paper we find that the series of one-day returns on the Dow-Jones Industrial Average Index (DJIA) and the Standard and Poor's Index reasonably agrees with Benford's law and therefore belong to the family of anomalous or outlaw numbers.
Prophylactic administration of hyperimmune serum when processing feedlot cattle

128 steer calves were given a commercially available hyperimmune serum (5 or 10 ml/100 lb body weight, s/c) immediately after processing at a feedlot, and 64 were processed but not treated. Processing included immunization with IBR IPV virus, bovine diarrhoea virus, parainfluenza-3 virus, Haemophilus somnus and clostridial toxoid vaccines. The hyperimmune serum had little or no effect on prevalence of respiratory disease, body weight gain or serological response to the vaccines.
The Austro-Hungarian Army and the First World War

This is a definitive account of the Austro-Hungarian Royal and Imperial Army during the First World War. Graydon A. Tunstall shows how Austria-Hungary entered the war woefully unprepared for the ordeal it would endure. When the war commenced, the Habsburg Army proved grossly under strengthen relative to trained officers and manpower, possessing obsolete weapons and equipment, and with the vast majority of its troops proved inadequately trained for modern warfare. Well over one million Habsburg troops mobilized creating an enormous logistical challenge of forging an army from the diverse cultures, languages, economic and educational backgrounds of the Empire's peoples. Graydon A. Tunstall shows how the army suffered from poor strategic direction and outdated tactics and facing a two-front offensive against both Russia and Serbia. He charts the army's performance on the battlefields of Galicia, Serbia, Romania, the Middle East and Italy through to its ultimate collapse in 1918.
SnapShot: The microbiota-gut-brain axis

Animals have co-evolved with a vast diversity of microorganisms, collectively named the microbiome, which are important modulators of host gastrointestinal, immune, metabolic, and behavioral functions. In this SnapShot, we provide an overview of the neurodevelopmental and functional influence of host-microbial interactions in the "microbiota-gut-brain axis," which refers to the bidirectional communication between the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal microbiome. To view this SnapShot, open or download the PDF.
Uterine PEComas: correlation between melanocytic marker expression and TSC alterations/TFE3 fusions.

Uterine PEComas often present a diagnostic challenge as they share morphological and immunohistochemical features with smooth muscle tumors. Herein we evaluated a series of 19 uterine PEComas to compare the degree of melanocytic marker expression with their molecular profile. Patients ranged from 32–77 (median 48) years, with six tumors classified as malignant based on the modified gynecologic-specific prognostic algorithm. All patients with malignant PEComas were alive with disease or dead of disease at last follow-up, while all those of uncertain malignant potential were alive and well (median follow-up, 47 months). Seventeen of 19 (89%) PEComas harbored either a TSC1 or TSC2 alteration. One of the two remaining tumors showed a TFE3 rearrangement, but the other lacked alterations in all genes evaluated. All showed at least focal (usually strong) positivity for HMB-45, with 15/19 (79%) having >50% expression, while the tumor lacking TSC or TFE3 alterations was strongly positive in 10% of cells. Melan-A and MiTF were each positive in 15/19 (79%) tumors, but staining extent and intensity were much more variable than HMB-45. Five of six (83%) malignant PEComas also harbored alterations in TP53, ATRX, or RB1, findings not identified in any tumors of uncertain malignant potential. One malignant PEComa was microsatellite-unstable/mismatch repair protein-deficient. In summary, TSC alterations/TFE3 fusions and diffuse (>50%) HMB-45 expression are characteristic of uterine PEComas. In morphologically ambiguous mesenchymal neoplasms with myomelanocytic differentiation, especially those with metastatic or recurrent disease, next-generation sequencing is recommended to evaluate for TSC alterations; as such, patients can be eligible for targeted therapy.
THE ORAL COMMUNICATION AND PRESENTATION COMPETENCIES ARE VITAL ASPECTS OF MARKETING EDUCATION

In the current era, oral communication and presentation competencies are vital aspects of marketing education. Learners can advance their abilities as they understand needed requirements for efficient presentations, offer several team and personal presentations, and come across constant mentor response. The writers incorporate a case scenario approach to explain a methodical strategy to encourage group and personal presentations in scholar and alumnus studies that comprise presentation competency descriptors, convey an oral presentation assessment Guideline outcome with chosen expectations, and complete deliberation of the perceived strengths and weaknesses of the case scenario. Article visualizations:
Comparing the Influence of Two User Interfaces for Mobile Radios on Driving Performance

Mobile radios have a manufacturer-provided manual user interface that allows changing radio channels using buttons. There is also a display on the faceplate of the radio that is used to visually verify channel selection. The objective of this study was to compare the influence of the manual user interface and the Project54 speech user interface (SUI) on drivers’ performance while interacting with a mobile radio. In experiments conducted with a driving simulator the authors found that operating the manual user interface degraded driving performance significantly, while using the SUI did not.
A collective relaxation model for resistance drift in phase change memory cells

Phase change memory (PCM) cells rely on the orders of magnitude difference in resistivity between the crystalline and amorphous phases to store information. However, the temporal evolution of the resistance of the amorphous phase, commonly referred to as resistance drift, is a key challenge for the realization of multi-level PCM. In this article, we present a comprehensive description of the time-temperature dependence of the resistance variation in a PCM cell. Our model consists of a structural relaxation model and an electrical transport model. The structural relaxation model is based on the idea that the atomic configuration of the melt-quenched amorphous phase as a whole collectively relaxes towards a more favorable equilibrium state. Experimental results obtained over a wide range of temperatures and times show remarkable agreement with the proposed model.
Seizures Lower the Pathologic Threshold for the Development of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Dementia in Alzheimer’s Disease (S43.007)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathologic features in a matched case-control series of subjects with and without seizures spanning the cognitive continuum. BACKGROUND: Seizures negatively impact neuronal viability in hippocampal regions affected early in the course of AD, and patients with AD have an increased risk for the development of seizures. Despite these associations, little is known regarding how seizures might impact the early development of pathology in patients with normal cognition (preclinical AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and early AD. DESIGN/METHODS: Age, cognition, and gender-matched case-control study of 36 autopsied subjects with and without history of seizures spanning the cognitive continuum in an Alzheimer’s Disease Center cohort. Dementia pathology assessed included Braak staging, CERAD staging, hippocampal CA1 neurofibrillary tangles, diffuse amyloid plaques, and neuritic plaques. Standard comparative statistics were used for analyses of demographic, clinical, and pathological variables between cases and controls. RESULTS: No clinical or demographic differences were seen between groups. No pathological differences were found between cases and controls for subjects with moderate or severe dementia. Comparison of pathological variables between matched cases vs. controls that were cognitively intact, with mild cognitive impairment, or with mild dementia (n=10) demonstrated a lower cortical plaque (CERAD < Probable AD: 100% vs. 40%, p <0.05) and tangle burden (Braak < V: 100% vs. 40%, p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Cases with pAD, MCI, or early AD and a history of seizure had significantly less AD pathology than seen in the matched seizure-free cases. This data suggests that seizures and AD pathology may act as additive factors contributing to cognitive decline in the earliest stages of AD progression. This study emphasizes the importance of treating seizures in the aged population in order to limit the development of cognitive impairment in the earliest stages of Alzheimer disease. Study Supported by: NIH P30AG028383 Disclosure: Dr. Patrick has nothing to disclose. Dr. Abner has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nelson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jicha has received personal compensation for activities with Quintiles. Dr. Jicha has received research support from Alltech, Baxter, Eli Lilly & Co., Janssen, and Pfizer Inc.
A Reply to Kinsey

Tammy A. Kinsey \'Let us Never Speak of It?: Edward S. Small\'s _Direct Theory_\' _Film-Philosophy_, vol. 7 no. 51, December 2003
RGD-human serum albumin conjugates as efficient tumor targeting probes

4 Objectives Cyclic arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD) peptides and their derivatives have been intensively studied as tumor targeting probes. One major drawback, however, is their short blood circulation half-lives, which greatly compromises their targeting efficacy. Methods Cyclic peptide, c(RGDyK), together with an organic dye (IRDye800 or Cy5.5) were covalently conjugated onto HSA. The conjugates were subjected to in vitro cell staining, in vivo NIRF imaging, ex vivo NIRF imaging and histological studies to evaluate their feasibility as tumor imaging probes. As a control, RAD peptide was also coupled with HSA and labeled with IRDye800 for in vivo imaging. Results The HSA-RGD-IRDye800 exhibited integrin αvβ3-specific binding in cell staining experiment. In vivo NIR fluorescence imaging showed higher tumor accumulation and tumor/background contrast of HSA-RGD-IRDye800 over RGD-IRDye800. The integrin specificity of HSA-RGD-IRDye800 is confirmed by both successful inhibition of tumor uptake in the presence of c(RGDyK) and the inability to accumulate in integrin positive tumors by RAD-HAS-IRDye800. Histological examination revealed initial tumor vascular binding and eventually both tumor vasculature and tumor cell integrin binding in vivo. Conclusions In summary, we successfully developed a RGD-based protein conjugate with prolonged circulation half-life for NIRF imaging of tumor integrin αvβ3 expression. The success of this study may be generalizable for other peptide-based probes to be conjugated with HSA for prolonged tumor contrast and improved pharmacokinetics.
A Synthetic Lethal Screen Identifies DNA Repair Pathways that Sensitize Cancer Cells to Combined ATR Inhibition and Cisplatin Treatments

The DNA damage response kinase ATR may be a useful cancer therapeutic target. ATR inhibition synergizes with loss of ERCC1, ATM, XRCC1 and DNA damaging chemotherapy agents. Clinical trials have begun using ATR inhibitors in combination with cisplatin. Here we report the first synthetic lethality screen with a combination treatment of an ATR inhibitor (ATRi) and cisplatin. Combination treatment with ATRi/cisplatin is synthetically lethal with loss of the TLS polymerase ζ and 53BP1. Other DNA repair pathways including homologous recombination and mismatch repair do not exhibit synthetic lethal interactions with ATRi/cisplatin, even though loss of some of these repair pathways sensitizes cells to cisplatin as a single-agent. We also report that ATRi strongly synergizes with PARP inhibition, even in homologous recombination-proficient backgrounds. Lastly, ATR inhibitors were able to resensitize cisplatin-resistant cell lines to cisplatin. These data provide a comprehensive analysis of DNA repair pathways that exhibit synthetic lethality with ATR inhibitors when combined with cisplatin chemotherapy, and will help guide patient selection strategies as ATR inhibitors progress into the cancer clinic.
Ideas of Exotic Forms of Life

Science and speculation have converged at the boundaries of human imagination to conceive of some very exotic states of matter and/or energy that have been claimed by their authors to represent alternative forms of life or to exhibit life-like characteristics. Those ideas have been advanced by serious thinkers and thus deserve to be evaluated in the context of our assumptions about the fundamental nature of life. We will briefly mention some of the most important ideas proposed and critically examine them in light of our proposed definition advanced in Chap. 2 that a living entity (1) is a self-sustaining bounded local environment in disequilibrium with its surroundings, (2) consumes energy to maintain its high level of internal organization, carry out intrinsic activity, and adjust to its environment, and (3) is autonomously generated from or fabricated by antecedent (parental) entities that transmit information to the descendant (offspring) entities sufficient for the autonomous generation or fabrication of an indefinite succession of offspring. Only if all three criteria are met, does the proposed idea constitute a viable alternative form of life in our view.
Radiation characteristics of a 2D periodic leaky-wave antenna using metal patches or slots

The far-field radiation patterns of a 2D periodic leaky-wave antenna are investigated. The antenna consists of a horizontal infinitesimal (source) dipole at (x/sub 0/, y/sub 0/, z/sub 0/) inside a grounded substrate with a planar periodic metal patch array on top of the substrate. An alternative configuration would use a top ground plane with a periodic array of slots. The radiation characteristics of both configurations are discussed, although the discussion and results are limited to only the periodic patch structure.
The oxidative degradation of ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers☆

Abstract The oxidative behavior of ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers has been examined after initiation by γ-irradiation. Oxidation products were identified and quantified by infrared spectroscopy after the use of selective derivatization reactions which allowed the resolution of the various alcohol, hydroperoxide and carbonyl species produced. Extensive preferential attack at the sites was observed to give backbone ketone and probably hydrogen peroxide. The latter was not unambiguously identified or quantified because of its volatility. The derivatization techniques failed at vinyl alcohol levels above 20 wt%, probably because of the low gas permeability of these films. Implications of the observed products to the oxidation of polyethylene are discussed.
Promising cyclization reactions to construct the ring systems of brevianamides A,B

Abstract An effective intramolecular Michael cyclization and intramolecular SN2′ cyclization is described for constructing the tricyclic framework of the natural mycotoxins brevianamides A,B.
High speed data-driven processing

Abstract The properties and principles of the data acquisition and track processing of Fermilab E690 and BNL766 are outlined. A simple example is presented, and followed by speculations about the future at LHC and SSC experiments.
First-Principles Calculation of the Air–Water Second Virial Coefficient

Recent theoretical work has produced quantitatively accurate potential-energy surfaces for water with common gases. These pair potentials have been used to calculate second interaction virial coefficients with an accuracy superior to that obtained by most experiments. In this work, results for water–nitrogen, water–oxygen, and water–argon are combined to calculate an effective second virial coefficient for water with air. The results are in agreement with the existing experimental data, but they cover a wide range of temperatures while the experimental data extend only from 253 to 348 K. These results will be useful for humidity standards and other applications requiring thermodynamic properties of moist air.
The self-deprivation phenomenon: Competition between appetitive rewards and electrical stimulation of the brain

Rats with electrodes implanted in several limbic midbrain structures were given a choice between electrical stimulation of the brain and food while food deprived, or electrical stimulation of the brain and water while water deprived. Rats that preferred brainshock over food also preferred brainshock to water. Noncontingent brain stimulation did not substantially reduce intake of either food or water. It is suggested that brainshock competes with biological reinforcers by virtue of its reinforcement potency rather than by its ability to activate a drive reduction mechanism.
Chromatin organization by repetitive elements (CORE): A genomic principle for the higher-order structure of chromosomes

Eukaryotic genomes contain a large amount of DNA repeats (also known as repetitive DNA, repetitive elements, and repetitive sequences). Here, I propose a role of repetitive DNA in the formation of higher-order structures of chromosomes. The central idea of this theory is that chromatin regions with repetitive sequences pair with regions harboring homologous repeats and that such somatic repeat pairing (RP) assembles repetitive DNA chromatin into compact chromosomal domains that specify chromatin folding in a site-directed manner. According to this theory, DNA repeats are not randomly distributed in the genome. Instead, they form a core framework that coordinates the architecture of chromosomes. In contrast to the viewpoint that DNA repeats are genomic ‘junk’, this theory advocates that repetitive sequences are chromatin organizer modules that determine chromatin-chromatin contact points within chromosomes. This novel concept, if correct, would suggest that DNA repeats in the linear genome encode a blueprint for higher-order chromosomal organization.
Streetlights and quality measures for stroke.

There is an apocryphal story of a police officer who finds a drunkard late at night under a streetlight, looking for his wallet. When the officer asks if this is where the wallet was lost, the man says no. “Why are you looking here?” the officer asks. Because, explains the drunkard, this is where the light is best. In this issue of Annals, Sauser et al offer a systematic review and appraisal of performance measures for acute ischemic stroke, with the explicit intent of informing the selection for high-stakes public reporting and pay-for-performance incentive programs. The authors identify 7 measures, of which 3 satisfy standards set by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) evaluation criteria. In the United States, stroke is a leading cause of death and long-term disability, with a $36.5 billion annual health care price tag. As a national priority, Healthy People 2020 includes 3 objectives to improve outcomes from stroke (Figure). Because three quarters of acute stroke patients admitted to the hospital are first treated in the emergency department (ED), improving stroke care in the ED—where the light is best—seems a worthy goal. The question answered by Sauser et al is whether existing measures satisfy the ACC/AHA criteria, an important and contributory goal. We need rigorous study by a diverse group of stakeholders to choose optimal measures that assess quality, whether that assessment is conducted internally in EDs or imposed externally by payers and public agencies. The effort by Sauser et al, however, is hampered by the study reference criteria. The ACC/AHA stroke quality criteria arose in 2005 without rigorous development methods or validation and were published simultaneously with the start of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting program. The criteria have not been updated to reflect lessons learned from nearly a decade of implementation. We believe that the National Quality Forum Measure Evaluation Criteria, emanating from a structured process informed by multiple stakeholders and regularly updated, are more useful. The National Quality Forum assesses “Importance to Measure and Report,” including the strength of supporting evidence, the performance gap being addressed, and the potential effect of a proposed measure. They require a systematic
DNA Damage: Placing BRCA1 in the Proper Context

How does BRCA1's evolutionarily conserved E3 ligase activity contribute to DNA damage responses? Genetically engineered cells containing a BRCA1 RING domain mutation have been used to identify Claspin as a new target of BRCA1 E3 ligase activity in response to specific forms of DNA damage.
A High Resolution Interactive Image Scanner

An inexpensive, high resolution optical scanner is described. This scanner has been designed to allow the operator to observe the scanning process and to interact with it via a graphics tablet. Its precision and dynamic range are both considerably better than those which are available with television camera scanners.
Superactive and stereospecific catalysts. III. Definitive identification of active sites by electron paramagnetic resonance

Superactive Ziegler–Natta catalysts have been prepared from a soluble MgCl2·2-ethyl hexanol adduct in the presence of organic esters through reactions with TiCl4 and activated with AlEt3/phenyltriethoxy-silane. Electron paramagnetic spectra (EPR) were used to elucidate the nature and amount of those Ti+3 ions not bridged to another Ti+3 ion; the chlorine bridged Ti+3 ions are EPR silent. The EPR spectra were attributed to two rhombic Ti+3 sites with principal values for the g-tensors (1.967, 1.949, 1.915; and 1.979, 1.935, 1.887). The total amount of the EPR species, obtained by double integration of the EPR spectra, is in close agreement with the concentration of isospecific catalytic sites determined by radiotagging. This suggests that the nonspecific sites are EPR silent. When o-phthalic ester was present during the catalyst synthesis, there appears an EPR signal at the free electron g-value. This signal was attributed to a Ti+3 phthalate species with resonance stabilization and spin delocalization; it is absent in the catalysts made in the presence of monoesters such as ethyl benzoate. The effects of monomer, O2, H2O, and I2 on the EPR spectra were investigated. The changes in the EPR spectral intensity and the total Ti+3 ions, the latter determined by redox titrations during a polymerization or catalyst aging, are described. The results were extensively compared with those observed for supported Ziegler–Natta catalyst prepared with crystalline MgCl2.
Manifestly Dual, "Quarklike" Operator Formulation of a Dual Multiparticle Theory with Nonlinear Trajectories

The $N$-point function of a dual resonance model with nonlinear trajectories is given in terms of a new operator formalism. The formalism gives factorized forms for different tree graphs related by duality. The structure of the operators resembles the quark diagrams of Harari and Rosner.
In the search for new anticancer drugs. X. N,N; N', N'-bis(1,2-ethynediyl)-N″-(1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4- piperidinylaminocarbonyl) phosphoric triamide — A new potential anticancer drug of high activity and low toxicity

A new nitroxyl labeled TEPA derivative 5 containing the urea bridge between the phosphorus and the nitroxyl moiety, and the congeners containing the NOH and NH groups instead of the nitroxyl function were synthesized, and tested in vivo on CD2F1 mice for anticancer activity against P388 and L1210. The nitroxyl compound is more active than the reduced forms. The nitroxyl compound 5 elicits 170% ILS at 90 mg/kg after 30 days and 439% ILSmax after 60 days against P388, and has a higher therapeutic ratio (26.4) than the clinically used Thio-TEPA (2.75). The LD50 of 5 is 270 mg/kg, while that of Thio-TEPA is 18 mg/kg. Consequently, the nitroxyl compound 5 is a promising new anticancer drug.
Photoacoustic guidance of diffusive optical tomography with a hybrid reflection geometry probe

We report experimental investigations of photoacoustic guidance of diffusive optical tomography for detection and characterization of optical contrast targets. The hybrid system combined an 8-source, 10-detector frequency domain DOT with a clinical reflection geometry probe. For the photoacoustic tomography (PAT) functionality, a high-energy 1×7 optical fiber delivery system illuminated a 2 cm central region for localization of absorptive targets. Two-dimensional PAT images along one central axis of the probe defined of regions of interest for a dual-zone mesh DOT imaging algorithm. PVC Plastisol phantom absorbers, 1 cm on a side, with absorption coefficients ranging from 0.075 to 0.23 cm-1 were imaged at depths up to 2.5 cm. Pairs of absorbers simulating a multi-lobed heterogeneous tumor were also investigated. Without PAT guidance, the absorber location was not clear and lower contrast targets in the twoabsorber configurations were not distinguishable. With PAT guidance, the two targets were well resolved and the reconstructed absorption coefficients improved to within 15% of the true values.
Seasonal Trends in Effectiveness of Hydramethylnon (AMDRO) and Fenoxycarb (LOGIC) for Control of Red Imported Fire Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Hydramethylnon (AMDRO) and fenoxycarb (LOGIC) baits applied monthly (June 1989–May 1990) for control of red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren, resulted in seasonal trends in rates of activity and levels of control that were attributable to the time of bait application. Summer (June–August) applications with both hydramethylnon and fenoxycarb resulted in rapid declines in population indices. Control peaked 2–4 mo after application and was maintained for ≈11 mo after treatment. Fall applications with fenoxycarb were characterized by a slow, gradual decrease in the population index, attaining a maximum level of control 10mo after treatment. Hydramethylnon applied in winter provided highly erratic results. Maximum decrease occurred 4 mo after application, with reinfestation beginning 7 mo after application. Spring treatments with both products were similar to summer, except that reinfestation occurred ≈6 mo after treatment. Therefore, if rapid population suppression is the main objective of a control effort, applications would be best applied in spring. However, summer and fall treatments generally result in gradual population suppression over a more extended period of time.
Developmental changes in ob gene expression and circulating leptin peptide concentrations.

Abstract We examined the developmental changes in murine white and brown adipose tissue leptin and circulating immunoreactive total leptin concentrations. The ∼4.4 kb leptin mRNA levels were higher at 2 and 7d postnatal ages, but declined to adult levels by the 14d stage and remained so until 160d. Paralleling the mRNA concentrations, leptin peptide levels also were higher at 2d, 7d, and 14d, declining to adult values by the 21d weaning stage. No difference in mRNA levels was observed between brown-enriched and white adipose tissue. No sexual dimorphism was observed in the leptin mRNA or peptide levels between 14 and 160d; however, at 2 and 7d, while no sex related differences were observed in the peptide levels, adipose mRNA concentrations were mildly higher in males than in the females. We conclude that leptin mRNA and peptide levels are higher during consumption of a high fat milk diet. High levels of leptin with increasing food intake and body weight gain signify hypothalamic leptin receptor resistance during the immediate postnatal period.
Postactivation potentiation and muscular endurance training.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate muscle twitch force potentiation after voluntary conditioning contractions (CC) of various intensities and the CC duration necessary to achieve maximal potentiation before and after muscular endurance training. Methods: Fourteen healthy men and women (23.6 ± 0.96 years of age) performed repeated CCs of 25%, 50%, and 100% maximal voluntary contraction of the adductor pollicis muscle until maximal potentiation. CCs were followed by electrically evoked twitches. The training group performed a fatigue task and endurance trained for 8 weeks. Results: Endurance time increased by 79.8 ± 22.5% posttraining. Potentiation occurred after all CC intensities and was greater after training. The CC duration needed to achieve maximal potentiation decreased as CC intensity increased. Potentiation was greater during the fatigue task after compared to before training and was correlated with endurance time. Conclusion: An increase in muscle force potentiation may function as a mechanism to prolong muscular endurance. Muscle Nerve, 2012
Colloidal Inorganic Nanocrystal Based Nanocomposites: Functional Materials for Micro and Nanofabrication

The unique size- and shape-dependent electronic properties of nanocrystals (NCs) make them extremely attractive as novel structural building blocks for constructing a new generation of innovative materials and solid-state devices. Recent advances in material chemistry has allowed the synthesis of colloidal NCs with a wide range of compositions, with a precise control on size, shape and uniformity as well as specific surface chemistry. By incorporating such nanostructures in polymers, mesoscopic materials can be achieved and their properties engineered by choosing NCs differing in size and/or composition, properly tuning the interaction between NCs and surrounding environment. In this contribution, different approaches will be presented as effective opportunities for conveying colloidal NC properties to nanocomposite materials for micro and nanofabrication. Patterning of such nanocomposites either by conventional lithographic techniques and emerging patterning tools, such as ink jet printing and nanoimprint lithography, will be illustrated, pointing out their technological impact on developing new optoelectronic and sensing devices.
VISSIM/MOVES integration to investigate the effect of major key parameters on CO2 emissions

This paper looks at CO2 emissions on limited access highways in a microscopic and stochastic environment using an optimal design approach. Estimating vehicle emissions based on second-by-second vehicle operation allows the integration of a microscopic traffic simulation model with the latest US Environmental Protection Agency’s mobile source emissions model to improve accuracy. A factorial experiment on a test bed prototype of the I-4 urban limited access highway corridor located in Orlando, Florida was conducted to identify the optimal settings for CO2 emissions reduction and to develop a microscopic transportation emission prediction model. An exponentially decaying function towards a limiting value expressed in the freeway capacity is found to correlate with CO2 emission rates. Moreover, speeds between 55 and 60 mph show emission rate reduction effect while maintaining up to 90% of the freeway’s capacity. The results show that speed has a significant impact on CO2 emissions when detailed and microscopic analysis of vehicle operations of acceleration and deceleration are considered.
Similarity coefficient algorithms for solving the group technology problem

This paper discusses two formulations of the group technology (GT) problem. The first one involves basic and alternative process plans without bottleneck parts. The second formulation considers basic process plans and bottleneck parts or bottleneck machines. The algorithms developed in the paper are illustrated with numerical examples. Computational results are also provided.
A Freeway Safety Strategy for Advanced Proactive Traffic Management

Reactive traffic management strategies such as incident detection are becoming less relevant with the advancement of mobile phone usage. Freeway management in the 21st century needs to shift focus toward proactive strategies that include anticipating incidents such as crashes. A simple approach to identify freeway locations with high probability of crashes through real-time traffic surveillance data is presented here. The crash and loop detector data for the study was collected from 36-mile corridor of Interstate-4 in Orlando, Florida. The analysis is based on simple (one covariate) logistic regression models developed under a matched study design. Individual traffic parameters obtained one at a time from series of loop detectors have been examined as potential covariates to these models. Hazard ratio for each individual covariate is the output from the models. Based on the hazard ratio and its statistical significance it was found that the log of coefficient of temporal variation in speed, standard devia...
A stable numerical algorithm for the Brinkman equations by weak Galerkin finite element methods

This paper presents a stable numerical algorithm for the Brinkman equations by using weak Galerkin (WG) finite element methods. The Brinkman equations can be viewed mathematically as a combination of the Stokes and Darcy equations which model fluid flow in a multi-physics environment, such as flow in complex porous media with a permeability coefficient highly varying in the simulation domain. In such applications, the flow is dominated by Darcy in some regions and by Stokes in others. It is well known that the usual Stokes stable elements do not work well for Darcy flow and vice versa. The challenge of this study is on the design of numerical schemes which are stable for both the Stokes and the Darcy equations. This paper shows that the WG finite element method is capable of meeting this challenge by providing a numerical scheme that is stable and accurate for both Darcy and the Stokes dominated flows. Error estimates of optimal order are established for the corresponding WG finite element solutions. The paper also presents some numerical experiments that demonstrate the robustness, reliability, flexibility and accuracy of the WG method for the Brinkman equations.
Motor vehicle emissions under reduced ambient temperature idle operating conditions

Abstract During winter months, motor vehicles are typically operated with extended preliminary idle periods. Total hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and formaldehyde emissions are examined under idle operation at 20,40 and 68°F with six gasoline fueled vehicles (including non-catalyst, early catalyst and late model catalyst) and a methanol-fueled prototype vehicle. The emissions were substantially reduced by the late model catalyst control technologies at all temperatures examined. Formaldehyde emissions were elevated with methanol fuel.
Hot corridors, deterrence, and guardianship: An assessment of the Omaha metro safety initiative ☆

Abstract The purpose of this research is to describe the Omaha Metro Safety Initiative (OMSI) and assess its deterrent effects. The OMSI, a multi-agency task force, has been carrying out “hot spot” policing practices focused on traffic corridors in high crime areas. The purpose of OMSI operations is to deter crime through a highly visible “guardianship” presence that emphasizes contacts with citizens. Findings showed that a corridor approach was consistent with a “hot spot” policing strategy, in that operations occurred in hi-density crime areas. Nine crime categories were examined to assess the efficacy of 41 operations carried out in 2008. Generally, OMSI revealed a short term deterrent on crime, with the actual deterrent effect associated with the kind of crime assessed. Business crimes tended to show the most consistent operational deterrent effects. Effects also were more consistent in precincts with greater crime density. The paper concludes with recommendations concerning data gathering and operational effectiveness across a multi-agency task force.
An analytical treatment of the formation of one-dimensional steady shock waves in uniform and diverging ducts

Abstract Singular perturbation techniques are used to study boundary value problems whose solutions model the behavior of one-dimensional steady shock waves in ducts of constant and variable cross-sectional area.
Efficiency of the office properties market

This paper reports the results of an efficient markets test of the Dallas-Fort Worth office properties market. ARIMA models using a comprehensive data set did not produce superior forecasts. The results provide further evidence of the efficiency of real estate markets.
Concanavalin A as a peripherally acting inhibitor of thyroxin-mediated metamorphosis in amphibians.

Abstract Stimulated by reports that Concanavalin A (Con A), a plant protein and lectin from jack bean, has an inhibitory effect on thyroid activation induced by thyrotropin, we set out to test whether Con A inhibits thyroid action on hormone-sensitive target tissues in amphibians. We noted that premetamorphic tadpoles injected with 0.15 ml of thyroxin (T4 0.24 μM) responded by accelerating metamorphic change as indicated by precocious disappearance of the tail, and appreciable growth of the hind limbs and changes in mouth-part morphology. Tadpoles given an injection of thyroxin immediately followed by an injection of Con A (9.6 μM) showed no such metamorphic changes. In the second series of experiments tail fin discs obtained from premetamorphic tadpoles when placed in cultures supplemented with T4 (0.24 μM) had completely shrunk within 96 hr. Tail fin discs that were raised in vitro in medium containing Con A as well as thyroxin failed to regress. In the third series of experiments tail discs were initially cultured in medium containing thyroxin and transferred within 48 hr to medium containing Con A. When Con A was added after this 48-hr exposure to thyroxin it was no longer effective in preventing tail fin disc resorption. We conclude tentatively (1) that Con A is a peripheral inhibitor of thyroxin and (2) this it somehow binds to the tissue or interacts with thyroxin rendering it ineffective before the hormone has a chance to act. The significance of finding a peripherally active inhibitor of thyroid hormone for studies of mechanism of action of this hormone on development and differentiation of hormone-sensitive target structures is obvious.
Post-translation control of Nramp metal transport in yeast. Role of metal ions and the BSD2 gene.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae SMF1gene encodes a member of the well conserved family of Nramp metal transport proteins. Previously, we determined that heavy metal uptake by Smf1p was down-regulated by the product of the S. cerevisiae BSD2 gene. We now demonstrate that this regulation occurs at the level of protein stability. In wild type strains, the bulk of Smf1p is normally directed to the vacuole and is rapidly degraded by vacuolar proteases in a PEP4-dependent manner. Inbsd2Δ mutants, Smf1p fails to enter the vacuole, and the Nramp protein is stabilized. Metal ions themselves play an important role in the post-translational regulation of Smf1p. The depletion of heavy metals from the growth medium effects stabilization of Smf1p and additionally results in accumulation of this transporter at the cell surface. Supplementation of manganese alone is sufficient to trigger rapid degradation of Smf1p in a Bsd2p-dependent manner. Together the action of Bsd2p and metal ions provide a rapid and effective means for controlling Nramp metal transport in response to environmental changes.
Who's a Cultural Chauvinist?

Continuing the sentence quoted above, Proulx states that I make "inferences about their (low) level of cultural development" (p. 423), where "their" refers to prehistoric peoples. Proulx ends his discussion by declaring that my "hypothesis, on closer examination, seems to be based on little but cultural chauvinism" (p. 424). Proulx apparently concludes that since I document lack of some or all terms for cardinal directions in languages of peoples of small-scale societies, I must necessarily view such peoples as having low levels of cultural development. This simply is not so, and to attribute such a view to me is at best ridiculous, and, at worst, outrageous. I have not used the word "low" or any other word or words having a similar meaning in reference to the level of cultural development of any human group. Indeed, I have not discussed "levels of cultural development" in my work in general, except as implied in the distinction between small-scale and large-scale societies. That languages of small-scale societies often lack terms for some or all of the four cardinal
Quantitative perspectives on behavioral toxicology

Abstract Behavioral endpoints offer special challenges to toxicology. One arises from the sometimes conflicting ways in which adverse effects may be expressed. For example, both increases and decreases in response rates of schecule-controlled performance may be produced by a specific agent, depending on the specific schedule. Interpretations of such an outcome depend upon a close analysis of the experimental circumstances and the behavioral findings. Another arises from the many disparate variables that can influence a particular outcome. Accurate measures of sensory thresholds, for instance, depend upon precise means for delivering stimuli and upon appropriate psychophysical procedures. Such examples emphasize that quantification in behavioral toxicology is more than a matter of attaching numbers to some arbitrarily selected measure. Instead, meaningful quantification first requires that the investigator understand in principle the sources of the measures to which the numbers are being attached. This is especially critical when the measures are being used not for the relatively straightforward purpose of hazard identification, but for the more subtle aim of risk assessment and dose-response (effect) extrapolation. For these aims, behavioral microanalyses, based on the coordination of multiple measures in individual subjects, usually provide the most robust guides.