cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sliding-window compression for PC software distribution

Summary form only given, as follows. We study the use of the LZ77 sliding window algorithm to compress PC files for distribution. Since the files need to be compressed only once and expanded many times, one can afford to use a complex compression scheme but must maintain a simple and fast expansion phase. In the experiment we allow the copy-length to be as large as 210 K which is the window buffer size used; this allows the expansion program to run even in the old PC/XT and compatibles. A suffix tree is employed to search for the longest matched length so that the search time is independent of the window size. We employ two methods to encode the displacements and copy-lengths. The first uses a modified unary code to encode the quantities (LZU) while the second method uses Huffman codes to encode them (LZH). Results and comparisons with UNIX's COMPRESS and the PC archive program LHA are tabulated.
Change Analysis in Spatial Data by Combining Contouring Algorithms with Supervised Density Functions

Detecting changes in spatial datasets is important for many fields. In this paper, we introduce a methodology for change analysis in spatial datasets that combines contouring algorithms with supervised density estimation techniques. The methodology allows users to define their own criteria for features of interest and to identify changes in those features between two datasets. Change analysis is performed by comparing interesting regions that have been derived using contour clustering. A novel clustering algorithm called DCONTOUR is introduced for this purpose that computes contour polygons that describe the boundary of a supervised density function at a given density threshold. Relationships between old and new data are analyzed relying on polygon operations. We evaluate our methodology in a case study that analyzes changes in earthquake patterns.
Competitiveness and macroeconomic impacts of reduced wait times at U.S. land freight border crossings

We analyze the macroeconomic and trade impacts of reducing wait times by adding one customs officer at each of the twelve major land freight crossings of the U.S. The change in wait time stemming from staffing changes is first estimated on the basis of primary data and then translated into changes in freight costs through a logistical model. The transportation cost changes are then fed into a multi-country computable general equilibrium model. We find that adding one customs officer at each land border crossing would, on average per crossing, generate an increase in U.S. GDP of $350 thousand and 3.58 additional jobs.
Orientation of valley networks on Mars: The role of impact cratering

[1] We compare, on a global scale, the degree of correlation between orientation of stream networks and topographic aspect on Mars and Earth. The orientation of streams on Earth is a reflection of local, underlying geology but, in general, it correlates with regional topographic aspect. However, the orientation of valley networks, prominent features on Mars, thought to be fossils of ancient streams, are shown not to be correlated with topographic aspect. Instead, we show that orientations of valley networks are highly dispersed with only a very weak preference to the regional topographic aspect. We attribute this dispersion to significant altering of topography by impact cratering which is not matched by sufficiently efficient runoff erosion. Such explanation is supported by the fact that local regions on Mars with relatively low crater density display a level of correlation between valley orientation and aspect comparable to that calculated for terrestrial surfaces. In addition, the cratering explanation is further supported by means of landscape evolution simulations. Our finding provide an additional support to the idea that climate on early Mars, although wetter than its present climate and capable of producing rainfall, was nevertheless too arid to enforce (through erosion) correlation between stream orientations and topographic aspect.
The Response-to-Retention Hypothesis of Early Atherogenesis

Many processes have been implicated in early atherogenesis. These include endothelial denudation, injury, or activation, including shear stress–related events; local adherence of platelets; lipoprotein oxidation; lipoprotein aggregation; macrophage chemotaxis and foam cell formation; and smooth muscle cell alterations. Which process, if any, could be regarded as the key event in early atherogenesis, ie, absolutely required, yet also sufficient as the sole pathological stimulus in an otherwise normal artery to provoke a cascade of events leading to lesion formation? The work of many investigators, which we summarize here, strongly supports subendothelial retention of atherogenic lipoproteins as the central pathogenic process in atherogenesis (for prior reviews, see References 1 through 61 2 3 4 5 6 ). Our thesis is that other contributory processes are either not individually necessary or are not sufficient. Most often, they are merely normal, expected responses of otherwise-healthy tissue to the presence of retained lipoproteins. It is instructive to catalog other processes that have been argued to be central to the initiation of atherogenesis. The first is endothelial denudation,7 8 9 injury,10 or activation,11 12 as outlined in the “response-to-injury” hypothesis of Ross, Glomset, and coworkers. Although this important hypothesis has stimulated much of the work that we cite here, there is no definitive evidence in vivo that endothelial injury is either necessary or sufficient for lesion formation. The response-to-injury hypothesis originally presupposed endothelial desquamation as the key event in atherogenesis.7 8 9 It is now clear, however, that developing atheromata are covered by an intact endothelial layer throughout most stages of lesion progression: lipoprotein retention, fatty streak formation, and formation of advanced lesions.5 6 12 13 14 15 In humans, only the most complicated, ulcerated lesions lose their endothelial layer. Furthermore, in some experimental models, an intact endothelium is required …
Alcohol and local anesthetic effects on Na+-dependent Ca2+ fluxes in brain synaptic membrane vesicles

Resealed synaptic plasma membrane vesicles exhibit Na+-dependent Ca2+ transport activity which may participate in regulation of free Ca2+ concentrations in nerve endings. Sodium chloride-loaded vesicles took up Ca2+ from the external medium (150 mM KCl-25 mM Tris/HCl) in the presence of an outward-directed Na+ gradient, a Ca2+ concentration of 38.6 microM producing half-maximal uptake at 23 degrees. Methanol (5-200 mM) and low concentrations of ethanol (5-25 mM) enhanced the Na+-dependent Ca2+ influx measured at 23 degrees. Higher ethanol concentrations (100-600 mM), as well as 1-propanol and 1-butanol (10-200 mM), produced only inhibition of Ca2+ fluxes. Dixon plot analysis of the inhibitory phase revealed that ethanol inhibited Ca2+ uptake in an apparently competitive manner with respect to Ca2+ concentration, and the Ki obtained from these experiments was 1.01 M ethanol. The inhibition of Ca2+ fluxes by butanol was non-competitive, and the Ki was 68.6 mM. The local anesthetics dibucaine and tetracaine also inhibited Ca2+ fluxes with IC50 values of 1.8 mM for tetracaine and 0.46 mM for dibucaine. The possible physiologic consequences of this inhibition of Na+-Ca2+ countertransport is synaptic membranes by the alcohols and local anesthetics are discussed with regard to neuronal transmission and membrane conductance.
Dating geomorphologic surfaces using cosmogenic 3He

Cosmogenically produced 3He in rocks can be used to date geomorphologic surfaces. Using the Late Pleistocene Bonneville flood event, the subsequent development of the Provo shoreline, and associated volcanic rocks, a production rate of 432 atoms/g/yr in olivine is determined for 38°56′ N latitude (present geomagnetic latitude 46.5°) at 1445 m altitude integrated over the last 14,400 years. Measurements of cosmogenic helium in flood deposits, on river-scoured surfaces, and lava flows show that it is possible to date directly large-scale events such as volcanic eruptions and catastrophic floods. Olivine and pyroxene are both satisfactory minerals for cosmogenic dating by the 3He method. However, in most cases, plagioclase and quartz are unsuitable because they do not quantitatively retain helium isotopes in their lattices.
Structural conservation of neurotropism-associated VspA within the variable Borrelia Vsp-OspC lipoprotein family.

Vsp surface lipoproteins are serotype-defining antigens of relapsing fever spirochetes that undergo multiphasic antigenic variation to avoid the immune response. One of these proteins, VspA of Borrelia turicatae, is also associated with neurotropism in infected mice. Vsp proteins are highly polymorphic in sequence, which may relate to their specific antibody reactivities and host cell interactions. To determine whether sequence variations affect protein structure, we compared B. turicatae VspA with three related proteins: VspB of B. turicatae, Vsp26 of the relapsing fever agent Borrelia hermsii, and OspC of the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. Recombinant non-lipidated proteins were purified by affinity or ion exchange chromatography. Circular dichroism spectra revealed similar, highly α-helical secondary structures for all four proteins. In vitro assays demonstrated protease-resistant, thermostable Vsp cores starting at a conserved serine at position 34 (Ser34). All proteins aggregate as dimers in solution.In situ trypsin treatment and surface protein cross-linking showed that the native lipoproteins also form protease-resistant dimers. These findings indicate that Vsp proteins have a common compact fold and that their established functions are based on localized polymorphisms. Two forms of VspA crystals suitable for structure determination by x-ray diffraction methods have been obtained.
New icosahedral phases in Ti-transition-metal alloys.

We report, for the first time, the formation of the icosahedral phase (i phase) in rapidly quenched ${\mathrm{Ti}}_{2}$Mn and ${\mathrm{Ti}}_{2}$Co alloys, and verify i-phase formation in ${\mathrm{Ti}}_{2}$Fe. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray diffraction measurements are presented. The i phase in ${\mathrm{Ti}}_{2}$Mn occurs at a stoichiometry for which there is no similar, crystalline, intermetallic phase. The ${\mathrm{Ti}}_{2}$Mn alloys show the strongest arcs of diffuse scattering in the TEM diffraction of any material to date and will enable quantitative checks of existing models for the first time. Distinct anisotropic peak shapes are observed in all diffraction orientations for this alloy.
A class of simple field theories and von Neumann’s infinite direct product spaces

The fixed scalar Boson field is reanalyzed in an attempt to clarify certain issues raised by Van Hove and Miyatake regarding the orthogonality of certain Hilbert spaces. The discussion is generalized to include a more general class of models of which the scalar boson field is a special case.
Modifications of an FN tandem for quantitative 10Be measurement

Several modifications have been made to our FN tandem for the quantitative measurement of 10Be. These include the addition of a velocity selector before the high energy analyzing magnet, and a high resolution negative ion injector equipped with an auxiliary Faraday cup which integrates the 9BeO− current during injection of 10BeO−. A significant development was the incorporation of an ion chamber in the 10B absorber which facilitates the accurate tuning of the accelerator for 10Be. Factors limiting sensitivity and precision are discussed, and some measured 10Be/9Be ratios are compared with values accurately known from β-counting. Typical results are presented including those from a sample of oak.
Analysis of traffic hazard intensity: A spatial epidemiology case study of urban pedestrians

Traffic safety studies have underscored the hazardous conditions of pedestrians in the United States. This situation calls for increased public awareness of the pedestrian safety issue and better knowledge of the main factors contributing to traffic hazard for urban pedestrians. The purpose of this spatial epidemiology research is to gain greater insights into the geographic dimension exhibited by the intensity of traffic collisions involving urban pedestrians. Pedestrian crashes are studied in Buffalo, NY for years 2003 and 2004. Factors of hazard intensity are determined and compared for three age cohorts as well as for collisions occurring at intersections versus mid-block locations. Physical road characteristics and density of development, as well as socio-economic and demographic variables and potential trip attractors are examined. Spatial regression models are used to account for spatial dependencies. Econometric analysis underscores that all classes of environmental factors tested are significant drivers of pedestrian traffic hazard intensity. Results of the geographic analysis indicate that young and adult pedestrian traffic hazard intensities follow rather distinct logics. In addition, intersection and mid-block crashes differ by their socio-economic correlates, as well as their spatial distribution in the urban fabric.
Science and technology of thin films and interfacial layers in ferroelectric and high-dielectric constant heterostructures and application to devices

The fabrication of the next generation of complex oxide thin film-based micro and nanoscale devices, such as, for example, low and high density nonvolatile ferroelectric random access memories (FeRAMS), high-dielectric constant (K) high-frequency devices, and the next generation of complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) nanoscale devices based on high-K dielectrics, require understanding and control of film growth and interface processes as well as development of materials integration strategies with atomic scale control. In recent years, we developed and applied a unique combination of integrated film synthesis / in situ characterization and ex situ analytical techniques capable of providing information about thin film surface and interface processes at the atomic scale as required for the development of the devices mentioned above. These techniques are also useful for establishing composition-microstructure-property relationships critical for the integration of oxide thin films with semiconducto...
Elecromagnetic Relay Reliability Predictions by Designed Life Experiments and Weibull Analysis

The complexity of their failure mechanisms, the significant interaction effects of numerous operating parameters, and high test costs have led to many elaborate, expensive, time consuming, and often ineffective, test programs to characterize the life expectancy of specific relay designs under a variety of application conditions. This paper describes a program wherein a series of life tests of a newly developed relay, conducted in accordance with a factorial experimental design, graphical Weibull analysis, and appropriate computational techniques were combined to derive the functional relationship between its life expectancy and the operating parameters of load current, ambient temperature, and operating frequency over a broad range of stress levels. The results of the program are presented in the form of application data for use by the design engineer in assessing the expected life expectancy, or reliability of the design over a wide range of the parameters explored and the effect of "trading-off" operating parameters on the reliability of the device.
Low power integrated potentiostat design for &#x03BC;electrodes with improved accuracy

μelectrodes measuring smaller than 10 µm in size are seen as necessary for improving spatial resolution for detecting bio-activities at the cellular level. Improving measurement accuracy for μelectrodes is important due to their reduced signal magnitudes. Low power design of biosensor circuits with low bias current levels causes large random device mismatches in the potentiostat op amps, which must be calibrated out using offset correction. In addition, μelectrodes are prone to fowling due to their size. Conventional offset cancellation techniques using switched capacitor circuits can reduce the life time of μelectrodes. This paper presents an on-chip potentiostat design with a built-in offset correction circuit that is not detrimental to the life time of μelectrodes. The offset correction technique presented in this paper uses feedback amplifiers that are connected to the body terminals of the relevant PMOS devices in the potentiostat op amp to reduce the offset voltage. The full potentiostat design was implemented in the TSMC 0.18µm process. Simulation results showed an improvement of offset voltage from ±26mV to ±1mV.
Membrane alterations during chick neural retina development: A freeze-fracture study

As part of a study of cell surface differentiation during chick retina development, a freeze-fracture study of neural retinas from 5 to 10 day embryonic chicks was undertaken. Three classes of changes have been detected. (1) As cells differentiate and become recognizable by their position within the tissue, they acquire characteristic numbers of intramembrane particles in the surfaces in each layer. (2) Small gap junctions appear between cells at the outer limiting membrane of the 5 day retina. At 6 days, they are larger, more numerous and are also found in deeper layers of the tissue. By the seventh day, the size and number of the junctions is greatly reduced; they are not visible after the tenth day. (3) The characteristic lack of particles in the outer limiting membrane of the mature retina appears at the ninth day of incubation, at the time that presumptive photoreceptors extend through the outer limiting membrane. Tight junctions between cells were not observed during this study.
Creative Process Groups

Many nonverbal and artistic modes of expression have been used to communicate in counseling and education. This article investigates one mode of expression-the slide/tape show-as implemented in a group format in a college setting. The Creative Process Group, using the task of creating a slide/tape show, has group members (1) explore a relevant issue using an alternate means of expression, (2) experience a group creative process, and (3) learn about group dynamics and how individuals, including themselves, function in groups.
Modeling of GMA Weld Pools With Consideration of Droplet Impact

A three-dimensional weld pool model has been developed to study the fluid flow and heat transfer process during gas metal arc (GMA ) welding. Both droplet heat content and impact force were considered in analyzing the effect of droplets on the formation of weld pool. The fluid flow in the weld pool was induced by the presence of surface tension, electromagnetic and buoyancy force. The surface deformation of weld pool was calculated by considering arc pressure and droplet impact force. Computational results under partial and full penetration welding conditions were obtained. The effect of heat flow and fluid flow characteristics on weld pool geometry was discussed, particularly with respect to the presence of droplet heat input and impact force.
Structural Effects on the Oxidation of HCOOH by Bismuth-Modified Pt(111) Electrodes with (100) Monatomic Steps

Significant enhancements in the electrocatalytic oxidation of HCOOH are obtained on deliberately stepped platinum surfaces with (111) terraces and (100) monatomic steps when bismuth is deposited on terrace and/or step sites. The bismuth-modified surfaces with higher step densities/narrower terrace widths exhibit higher catalytic activity in the oxidation of HCOOH than surfaces with lower step densities/wider terrace widths, behavior which is opposite to that exhibited by the analogous bare (unmodified) surfaces. For Bi/Pt(544) and Bi/Pt(755), with nine- and six-atom wide (111) terraces, respectively, maximum catalytic behavior occurs when bismuth is deposited only on the steps, suggesting that a critical ensemble (critical size), two atoms wide, enhances the reactive intermediate pathway for the complete oxidation of HCOOH over the poisoning reaction pathway. Moreover, the potential for the onset of oxidation of HCOOH shifts to less positive potentials as the terrace width of the bismuth-modified surfaces becomes narrower, suggesting a diminution in the activation energy barrier as the ensemble size becomes smaller. Contrary to the behavior on the stepped surfaces, bismuth-modified, polyoriented spherical platinum electrodes, which contain a random distribution of (111), (100), and (110) faces, exhibit a continuous rise in catalytic activity for HCOOH oxidation with bismuth coverage, even at bismuth coveragesmore » approaching 100%.« less
Efficient in vivo microRNA targeting of liver metastasis

Targeting oncogenic microRNAs (miRNAs) is emerging as a promising strategy for cancer therapy. In this study, we provide proof of principle for the safety and efficacy of miRNA targeting against metastatic tumors. We tested the impact of targeting miR-182, a pro-metastatic miRNA frequently overexpressed in melanoma, the in vitro silencing of which represses invasion and induces apoptosis. Specifically, we assessed the effect of anti-miR-182 oligonucleotides synthesized with 2' sugar modifications and a phosphorothioate backbone in a mouse model of melanoma liver metastasis. Luciferase imaging showed that mice treated with anti-miR-182 had a lower burden of liver metastases compared with control. We confirmed that miR-182 levels were effectively downregulated in the tumors of anti-miR-treated mice compared with tumors of control-treated mice, both in the liver and in the spleen. This effect was accompanied by an upregulation of multiple miR-182 direct targets. Transcriptional profiling of tumors treated with anti-miR-182 or with control oligonucleotides revealed an enrichment of genes controlling survival, adhesion and migration modulated in response to anti-miR-182 treatment. These data indicate that in vivo administration of anti-miRs allows for efficient miRNA targeting and concomitant upregulation of miRNA-controlled genes. Our results demonstrate that the use of anti-miR-182 is a promising therapeutic strategy for metastatic melanoma and provide a solid basis for testing similar strategies in human metastatic tumors.
Electronic data interchange: characteristics of users and nonusers

Abstract Information exchange between a firm and its customers and suppliers is vital for the business. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is the new frontier of communication technology that facilitates information exchange. This study is aimed at defining key issues of EDI from both users' and nonusers' perspectives. We examine the positive and negative impact of various factors on the EDI selection decision, and the impact of EDI on the firm's employees. To this end, we surveyed both users and nonusers to get the proper perspective of underlying issues in adopting EDI. Our study finds that the acceptance of this technology is growing steadily. Customer and peer pressure and the desire for speedier and better communications are major motivators for using EDI. We find that its users are generally satisfied with performance. Also, EDI calls for a better educated work force. We also discuss the significance of our findings.
Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer

The introduction of foreign genetic material into somatic cells in intact organisms is an important investigational technique that holds considerable promise as a therapeutic tool. Although successful gene transfer has been achieved by the use of both cell-mediated and direct techniques, most strategies have been limited either by constraints on the type, accessibility, and growth state of the target cell population, or by the low efficiency of genetic modification. Among the available vectors for somatic cell gene transfer, recombinant adenoviruses have several properties that make them particularly attractive for direct, in vivo introduction of foreign genes into adult animals and people. Simple techniques for the efficient generation and propagation of recombinant adenoviruses have been developed, and early studies employing recombinant adenoviral vectors demonstrate their potential for broad experimental and eventual clinical application. To exploit this potential properly, a number of important issues, including the efficiency of genetic modification of a targeted cell population, stability of foreign gene expression, effects of host immune response, and cell-type specific targeting of gene transfer, remain to be addressed.
Biotic response to late Quaternary rapid climate switches in Santa Barbara Basin: Ecological and evolutionary implications

Benthic foraminiferal assemblages from Santa Barbara Basin exhibit major faunal and ecological switches associated with late Quaternary millennial- to decadal-scale global climate oscillations. Repeated turnovers of entire faunas occurred rapidly (<40--400 yr) without extinction or speciation in conjunction with Dansgaard-Oeschger shifts in thermohaline circulation, ventilation, and climate, confirming evolutionary model predictions of Roy et al. Consistent faunal successions of dysoxic taxa during successive interstadials reflect the extreme sensitivity and adaptation of the benthic ecosystem to the rapid environmental changes that marked the late Quaternary and possibly other transitional intervals in the history of the Earth`s ocean-atmosphere-cryosphere system. These data support the hypothesis that broad segments of the biosphere are well adapted to rapid climate change.
Aeromancer: A Workflow Manager for Large-Scale MapReduce-Based Scientific Workflows

The Hadoop framework has gained significant attention from the scientific community due to its applicability to large-scale data analysis in many areas. This analysis often involves multiple stages of processing, which in turn, constitutes a workflow. While some stages of a workflow are mandatory, others are subject to the type of analysis to be done. In addition, a workflow may possess data dependencies between stages that must be enforced, and it may exhibit varying levels of sensitivity. The resources needed for such data analysis can range from a laptop to in-house clusters (or private cloud) to a public cloud. Managing such workflows, while using such a gamut of computing resources, is an unnecessarily arduous task for domain scientists. To address the above challenges, we present Aeromancer, a feature-rich workflow manager for running Map Reduce-based workflows that utilizes both client and cloud resources. Aeromancer offers an ensemble of features, including the simultaneous use of client resources (e.g., On-premises clusters) and public cloud resources, automatic data-dependency and data-transfer handling, intra-flow, on-demand cluster provisioning, and support for directed-acyclic graphs (DAGs). To demonstrate its functionality, we apply Aeromancer to several bioinformatics pipelines, as part of a "big data" case study in the life sciences, which seeks to increase the adoption of hybrid computing environments, including the emerging "client cloud" computing model, for running data-intensive workflows.
NEUROCOGNITIVE EVALUATION OF ADULTS WITH CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE: THE NICHE STUDY

Patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) are prone to injury of the developing central nervous system, leading to a higher incidence of neurocognitive and behavioral deficits. This multifactorial brain injury may be antenatal in origin, adversely affected by cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary
Drug Related Lupus Misdiagnosed as Fibromyalgia

Background: Drug-related lupus [DRL] especially with hydralazine has been known for 40 years. Signs and symptoms of DRL may be readily mistaken for other disorders such as fibromyalgia. The purpose of the case presentation is to review the pathophysiology and similarities between DRL and fibromyalgia in addition to emphasize the importance of accurate diagnosis in physiatric practice. Findings: This is a case of 57-year-old hypertensive woman on hydralazine for nine years who developed multiple complaints including bilateral chest pain, cough, shortness of breath, joint pain at knees and ankles, muscle pain in thighs and calf, swelling of hands and feet, intermittent skin lesions, depression and anxiety. She was referred to a physiatrist with the mistaken diagnosis of fibromyalgia. The patient's sings and symptoms were not diagnostic of DRL but were suspicious of something other than fibromyalgia. An immunological work-up showed suggestion of DRL and hydralazine was discontinued. Conclusion: Drug-related ...
Ectopic expression of the nude gene induces hyperproliferation and defects in differentiation : Implications for the self-renewal of cutaneous epithelia

Abstract Nude mice are characterized by the absence of visible hair, epidermal defects, and the failure to develop a thymus. This phenotype results from loss-of-function mutations in Whn (Hfh11), a winged-helix transcription factor. In murine epidermis and hair follicles, endogenous whn expression is induced as epithelial cells initiate terminal differentiation. Using the promoter for the differentiation marker involucrin, transgenic mice that ectopically express whn in stratified squamous epithelia, hair follicles, and the transitional epithelium of the urinary tract were generated. Transgenic epidermis and hair follicles displayed impaired terminal differentiation and a subset of hair defects, such as delayed growth, a waved coat, and curly whiskers, correlated with decreased transforming growth factor (TGF)-α expression. The exogenous Whn protein also stimulated epithelial cell multiplication. In the epidermis, basal keratinocytes exhibited hyperproliferation, though transgene expression was restricted to suprabasal, postmitotic cells. Hair follicles failed to enter telogen (a resting period) and remained continuously in an abnormal anagen (the growth phase of the hair cycle). Ureter epithelium developed severe hyperplasia, leading to the obstruction of urine outflow and death from hydronephrosis. Though an immune infiltrate was present occasionally in transgenic skin, the infiltrate was not the primary cause of the epithelial hyperproliferation, as the immune reaction was not observed in all affected transgenics, and the transgene induced identical skin and urinary tract abnormalities in immunodeficient Rag1-null mice. Given the effects of the transgene on cell proliferation and TGFα expression, the results suggest that Whn modulates growth factor production by differentiating epithelial cells, thereby regulating the balance between proliferative and postmitotic populations in self-renewing epithelia.
Promoting Evidence-Based Education Practice and Better Student Outcomes through Improved Consumer Reporting.

The past two decades have seen an increased need for better consumer reporting in education. This has resulted in part from a variety of education initiatives sponsored by the US Department of Education (ED) and others. The initiatives have increased the number of school improvement options available to educators and encouraged—or sometimes required—that choices be guided by “scientifically-based research.”
Developing experience-based (tacit) knowledge through reflection

Abstract This investigation examined the effectiveness of reflection methods derived from Sternberg's theory of practical intelligence [Sternberg, R.J., and Hedlund, J. (2002). Practical intelligence, g , and work psychology. Human Performance 15(1/2), 143–160.; Sternberg, R.J., Forsythe, G.B., Hedlund, J., Horvath, H.A., Wagner, R.K., Williams, W.M., et al. (2000). Practical intelligence in everyday life. New York: Cambridge University Press. 2000] on the acquisition of experience-based, tacit knowledge. Two related experimental studies were conducted to test the effect of brief tacit-knowledge reflection training on practical problem solving. Reflection methods were developed based on Sternberg's conceptualized condition–action structure of tacit knowledge. In the first study, 101 U.S. Army officers participated in a reflection intervention or practice control. Results showed an effect of reflection condition on post-test tacit-knowledge scores ( F [3, 91] = 3.74, p = .01, 2 = .03). In the second study, 235 college students participated in a reflection intervention or an academic-type reflection control. Results showed that the reflection condition approached significance on post-test scores ( F [1, 233] = 3.47, p = .06, p = .06, 2 = .01). The investigation suggests this line of inquiry warrants continued study.
Structural phase transitions and out-of-plane dust lattice instabilities in vertically confined plasma crystals.

The formation of plasma crystals confined in an external one-dimensional parabolic potential well is simulated for a normal experimental environment employing a computer code called BOXTREE. Under appropriate conditions, crystals were found to form layered systems. The system's structural phase transitions, including transitions between crystals with differing numbers of layers and the same number of layers but different intralayer structures, were investigated and found to agree with previous theoretical and experimental research results. One- to two-layer transitions were examined in detail and shown to start at the point where the out-of-plane lattice instability appears. The resulting three layer system caused by this instability was observed at the center of the system. Finally, growth rates for this out-of-plane lattice instability were obtained using the BOXTREE simulation with these results shown to agree with those obtained from analytical theory.
Frequency and characterization of antigen-specific IL-4– and IL-13– producing basophils and T cells in peripheral blood of healthy and asthmatic subjects

Abstract Background: Both basophils and T cells are known to secrete IL-4 and IL-13 after activation with either nonspecific stimuli or specific antigen, but the relative contribution of these 2 cell types to overall cytokine production is unclear. Objectives: To further characterize basophil cytokine production and compare it with that of T cells, we examined the frequency of IL-4– and IL-13–producing basophils and T cells in human PBMCs by means of flow cytometry after activation in allergic asthmatic and normal subjects. Methods: PBMCs obtained from whole blood after Percoll gradient were activated with specific antigen or ionomycin and fixed. PBMCs were made permeable; stained with antibodies to IgE, CD3, and either IL-4 or IL-13; and analyzed by means of flow cytometry. Results: Preformed cytokines were not detected in unactivated basophils. After ionomycin activation, 60% to 90% of basophils from both control and allergic asthmatic subjects expressed IL-4 and IL-13. Specific antigen induced cytokine expression by 10% to 20% of basophils from the asthmatic group only. After specific antigen activation, basophils accounted for 4 times more IL-4–producing cells than did T cells. IL-4 and IL-13 production at 2 hours was exclusively from basophils. After allergen activation, CD40 ligand was upregulated on a subset of peripheral blood basophils. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that basophils are the predominant peripheral blood cells that express IL-4 and IL-13 in the first 6 hours after antigen activation and strengthen the putative role of basophils both in IgE production and in the generation of allergic inflammation. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 1999;104:811-9.)
Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on the nutritional ecology of C3 and C4 grass-feeding caterpillars

It is plausible that the nutritional quality of C3 plants will decline more under elevated atmospheric CO2 than will the nutritional quality of C4 plants, causing herbivorous insects to increase their feeding on C3 plants relative to C4 plants. We tested this hypothesis with a C3 and C4 grass and two caterpillar species with different diet breadths. Lolium multiflorum (C3) and Bouteloua curtipendula (C4) were grown in outdoor open top chambers at ambient (370 ppm) or elevated (740 ppm) CO2. Bioassays compared the performance and digestive efficiencies of Pseudaletia unipuncta (a grass-specialist noctuid) and Spodoptera frugiperda (a generalist noctuid). As expected, the nutritional quality of L. multiflorum changed to a greater extent than did that of B. curtipendula when grown in elevated CO2; levels of protein (considered growth limiting) declined in the C3 grass, while levels of carbohydrates (sugar, starch and fructan) increased. However, neither insect species increased its feeding rate on the C3 grass to compensate for its lower nutritional quality when grown in an elevated CO2 atmosphere. Consumption rates of P. unipuncta and S. frugiperda were higher on the C3 grass than the C4 grass, the opposite of the result expected for a compensatory response to the lower nutritional quality of the C4 grass. Although our results do not support the hypothesis that grass-specialist insects compensate for lower nutritional quality by increasing their consumption rates more than do generalist insects, the performance of the specialist was greater than that of the generalist on each grass species and at both CO2 levels. Mechanisms other than compensatory feeding, such as increased nutrient assimilation efficiency, appear to determine the relative performance of these herbivores. Our results also provide further evidence against the hypothesis that C4 grasses would be avoided by insect herbivores because a large fraction of their nutrients is unavailable to herbivores. Instead, our results are consistent with the hypothesis that C4 grasses are poorer host plants primarily because of their lower nutrient levels, higher fiber levels, and greater toughness.
Overweight and obesity are associated with psychiatric disorders: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions.

Objective:This study evaluated associations between body mass index (BMI) and psychiatric disorders.Methods:Data from 41,654 respondents in the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions were analyzed.Results:After controlling for demographics, the continuous variable of BMI was
Solution-flow in the Phloem: I. Theoretical considerations.

A mathematical model for the reversible exchange of THO between the sieve tube lumen and its surrounding phloem tissue is used to explain the difference between the apparent velocities of THO and 14C-sucrose transport observed when both are supplied simultaneously. Theoretically predicted results show a close correlation with those obtained experimentally. This model may be used in evaluating previous work in which THO was used as a tracer. The calculations support the existence of a mass flow of sugars in aqueous solution along the path.
Cigarette smoking is associated with energy balance in premenopausal African-American adult women differently than in similarly aged white women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the differential association of cigarette smoking with energy balance in African-American and white premenopausal women. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of energy balance, weight, and smoking in women. SUBJECT: A total of 374 women: 191 African-American (mean age=29.8±6.5 y) and 183 white women (mean age=28.9±7.1 y). MEASUREMENTS: Weight, cigarette smoking habits, resting energy expenditure, dietary intake, and physical activity. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in dietary intake by race or smoking status. The model for physical activity was significant (P=0.0004), with body mass index (BMI) having the largest effect on activity (P<0.001). Smoking status was related to activity, with the heaviest smokers reporting more activity than nonsmokers (P=0.008) or light smokers (P=0.028). The model for resting energy expenditure (REE) was significant (P<0.0001), with the largest again being BMI (P<0.001). There was also an interaction between ethnicity and smoking status (P<0.0001) such that African-American nonsmokers and light smokers tended to have lower REE than several other groups, most often the African-American moderate heavy smokers. The model for BMI was significant (P<0.0001) with an interaction for ethnicity and smoking status (P=0.0009). African-American nonsmokers and light smokers had significantly higher BMIs than most of the other groups. CONCLUSION: African-American women who were the heaviest smokers had a lower adjusted BMI than the heaviest smoking white women. This effect, at least partially, may be related to an increased REE in the African-American smoking women. While energy intake did not appear to be important in this relationship, energy expended in physical activity appeared to be increased with smoking, as was REE.
Absorbed doses from temporomandibular joint radiography

Thermoluminescent dosimeters were used in a tissue-equivalent phantom to measure doses of radiation absorbed by various structures in the head when the temporomandibular joint was examined by four different radiographic techniques--the transcranial, transorbital, and sigmoid notch (Parma) projections and the lateral tomograph. The highest doses of radiation occurred at the point of entry for the x-ray beam, ranging from 112 mrad for the transorbital view to 990 mrad for the sigmoid notch view. Only the transorbital projection a radiation dose to the lens of the eye. Of the four techniques evaluated, the lateral tomograph produced the highest doses to the pituitary gland and the bone marrow, while the sigmoid notch radiograph produced the highest doses to the parotid gland.
Synthesis and characterization of a renewable cyanate ester/polycarbonate network derived from eugenol

Abstract A homogenous polycarbonate/cyanate ester network has been prepared from a renewable, eugenol-derived bisphenol. The pure polycarbonate exhibited a Tg of 71 °C, Mn = 8360, and polydispersity of 1.88. An 80:20 blend of cyanate ester: polycarbonate was prepared and thermally cured. The presence of the polycarbonate had no significant effect on the cure behavior of the cyanate ester. Small Angle Laser Light Scattering (SALLS) and DSC were used to analyze the blend and no phase separation was observed either during or after cure, suggesting that a homogenous network was generated. TMA of the resulting composite material revealed a single Tg of 132 °C (tan δ), roughly 55 °C lower than the Tg of the pure polycyanurate and 60 °C higher than the polycarbonate. A solvent extraction study showed that the polycarbonate could be quantitatively separated from the thermoset matrix after cure. This result proved that no chemical grafting occured under the cure conditions employed. The excellent miscibility of the polycarbonate and cyanate ester coupled with the efficient cure of the blend to a homogenous network suggests that these types of blends may have applications for fabrication of toughened composite structures.
Plasticity in Developing Brain: Active Auditory Exposure Impacts Prelinguistic Acoustic Mapping

A major task across infancy is the creation and tuning of the acoustic maps that allow efficient native language processing. This process crucially depends on ongoing neural plasticity and keen sensitivity to environmental cues. Development of sensory mapping has been widely studied in animal models, demonstrating that cortical representations of the sensory environment are continuously modified by experience. One critical period for optimizing human language mapping is early in the first year; however, the neural processes involved and the influence of passive compared with active experience are as yet incompletely understood. Here we demonstrate that, while both active and passive acoustic experience from 4 to 7 months of age, using temporally modulated nonspeech stimuli, impacts acoustic mapping, active experience confers a significant advantage. Using event-related potentials (ERPs), we show that active experience increases perceptual vigilance/attention to environmental acoustic stimuli (e.g., larger and faster P2 peaks) when compared with passive experience or maturation alone. Faster latencies are also seen for the change discrimination peak (N2*) that has been shown to be a robust infant predictor of later language through age 4 years. Sharpening is evident for both trained and untrained stimuli over and above that seen for maturation alone. Effects were also seen on ERP morphology for the active experience group with development of more complex waveforms more often seen in typically developing 12- to 24-month-old children. The promise of selectively "fine-tuning" acoustic mapping as it emerges has far-reaching implications for the amelioration and/or prevention of developmental language disorders.
Antioxidant Activity of Depolymerized Scrap Rubber

Abstract Depolymerized scrap rubber (DSR) shows stabilizer activity for solution SBR rubber. It appears that the stabilizer activity of conventional rubber reclaim is due, to a significant extent, to the hydrocarbon portion.
Methodological Considerations for Studying Science-in-the-Making in Educational Settings.

In this paper we explore the methodological implications of sociocultural approaches for the study of scientific knowledge and practices. Research in science studies and science education is reviewed with a focus on methodological considerations. Informed by empirically-based studies of scientific practices from multiple disciplinary perspectives, we describe our perspective for investigating science education which combines ethnography and discourse analysis. This theoretical position on the discursive nature of the social construction of school science-in-the-making forms the basis for theoretical and methodological critique and discussion. We provide a review of the history of nature of science (NOS) research to trace the methodological influence of Science and Technology Studies in science education. Four methodological issues associated with studying science as cultural practices are discussed: the local and contingent nature of situated definitions of science; theory dependence and coherence of research methodologies; attention to the study of school science-in-the-making; and reflexivity.
Magnetic Rotation Spectra of Diatomic Molecules

The general theory of the Faraday effect associated with a single molecular absorption line is presented. The effect of the perturbation of the transition probabilities by the field in producing asymmetrical rotation is discussed, and calculated for alkali band systems and for ${\mathrm{I}}_{2}$. The observations on asymmetrical rotation in ${\mathrm{I}}_{2}$ agree with the predictions. The longitudinal Zeeman patterns and the changes in these patterns produced by the field are related to the vector model by use of the criterion that transitions which involve little change in the direction of $J$, the rotational axis, are the most probable ones. It is shown that all known facts about the $^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}\ensuremath{\leftarrow}^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}$ magnetic rotation systems of ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{K}}_{2}$ can be explained by assuming the upper state to be perturbed by an unknown $^{3}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{0}$ state. The constants have been calculated for this predicted perturbing state in ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}$.
Parallel-Stranded Linear Homoduplexes of d(A+-G)/n > 10 and d(A-G)n > 10 Manifesting the Contrasting Ionic Strength Sensitivities of Poly(A+·A+) and DNA

In contrast to shorter homologs which only form a single-stranded nucleic acid alpha-helix in acid solution at [Na+] /=0.2 M) the protonated base-backbone interactions are so weakened that duplex stability becomes increasingly dependent upon H-bonded base pairing and stacking and almost independent of pH. Between pH 6 and 8 this duplex structure is devoid of protonated dA residues and shows positive dependence of T m on ionic strength similar to that of DNA.