cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The impact of inflation upon U.S. highway maintenance and construction costs

Abstract Over the past ten years, per mile costs for highway maintenance and construction have risen much faster than general wholesale and retail prices in the U.S. economy. This paper examines historical data on highway maintenance costs, highway construction costs, and general wholesale prices in order to help explain the disproportionate impact of inflation upon highway costs and to project future highway costs increases through 1985. Time-series regressions are used to model highway costs increases as functions of cost increases in the general wholesale sector. Results indicate that construction costs respond quickly to economic changes, with average cost increases 1 1 2 times the general inflation rate. In contrast, maintenance costs tend to be more stable over time and respond slowly to inflationary pressures. These differences can be attributed to differences in the contractual procedures which state and local governments use to supply maintenance and construction. Finally, an examination of highway expenditure increases legislated by the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1978 indicates that they are insufficient to compensate for expected cost increases.
Dynamics of a chemostat in which two organisms compete for a common substrate

When two organisms compete for a given substrate without preying on one another, the possible steady states depend on the relative disposition of the two growth curves and the position of the point (Z,θ), whose coordinates are the nutrient feed concentration and dilution rate. It is shown how the stability of each steady state can be understood and qualitative phase portraits can be drawn for each of the 31 distinct types of situations.
A multiscale crater function model for ion-induced pattern formation in silicon

The ion-induced formation of nanometer-scale ripples on semiconductors, long known as the sputter erosion surface instability, is explained using a coupled atomistic-continuum framework. Molecular dynamics simulations of individual medium energy ion impacts on an amorphous silicon target show that the average effect of an incident ion is to leave an angstrom-scale crater-like impression on the surface, complete with a crater rim. The summation of many such impacts on a micron-scale surface, combined with the smoothing effect of surface diffusion, leads to the formation of surface ripples aligned perpendicular to the projected ion beam direction. The same numerical approach can be used to evaluate the standard analytical model for this process, known as the Bradley–Harper model. Both Bradley–Harper surface evolution and the atomistically determined crater function surface evolution are computed over time under conditions similar to those for known experimental data. The results show that the surface mass rearrangement associated with the finite atomistic crater rims explains a key experimental observation, ripple amplitude saturation, which cannot be accurately explained using the Bradley–Harper model or any other known numerical or analytical model for the sputter erosion surface instability.
The spatial distribution of termites in shortgrass steppe: a geostatistical approach.

The broad-scale distribution of subterranean termites (Reticulitermestibialis) was studied in a shortgrass-steppe ecosystem in northern Colorado, United States. Termite occurrence and abundance was measured over 4 months at 10-m intervals along a 900-m transect that spanned a topographic gradient. Geostatistics were used to model the probability of termite occurrence along the transect, and to identify the distributional extent and potential roles of termites in shortgrass steppe. Semivariance was calculated between sample pairs of differing distances and kriging was used to interpolate the probability of termite occurrence along the transect. The semivariogram showed spatial dependence in termite distribution between samples 10–330 m apart and converged on the population variance at distances >330 m, which suggested that spatial dependence explained much of the broad-scale variation in termite distribution. A relatively large nugget variance, however, indicated there was spatial dependence below the 10-m sampling resolution. Termites were most frequently found on a south-facing slope and in a lowland swale. Four-wing saltbush (Atriplexcanescens) was also common in these areas and is important in the production of woody litter. The distribution of termites was significantly associated with proximity to saltbush, which showed a strong spatial dependence at scales <500 m. Kriged probabilities of occurrence and cross-correlation between termites and shrubs showed that peak termite occurrence was shifted upslope 100 m from areas of closest shrub proximity. Other factors, such as soil temperature, texture, or organic matter, are therefore likely to influence termite distributions in shortgrass steppe. The geostatistical approach used here provides a basis for further study on termites in shortgrass steppe, where their roles in decomposition and nutrient cycling are unknown. Geostatistics could also be used to describe distribution patterns on other soil arthropods sampled from traps or soil cores along transects that span topographic or land-use changes.
Cohorts and Relatedness: Self-Determination Theory as an Explanation of How Learning Communities Affect Educational Outcomes

This study examines whether feelings of relatedness constitute a substantial means by which learning communities (cohorts) improve learning outcomes in higher education. It applies Ryan and Deci’s Self-Determination Theory to an analysis of the National Survey of Student Engagement. The SDT hypothesizes that environments that support perceptions of social relatedness improve motivation, thereby positively influencing learning behavior. The authors propose that participation in cohort programs constitutes such an environment. Measuring student perceptions of the contributions of their institutions, the study found increased relatedness to peers and faculty and increased higher order thinking assignments (a control variable included in the research model) to be substantial predictors of educational outcomes relevant to literacy, critical thinking, and, especially, job preparation. The researchers suggest that institutions will want to ensure that their learning community designs enhance student feelings of relatedness.
Filled with evil: Molecular signatures of tumor-associated immune cells

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are one of the main inflammatory cell types present in many solid tumors in mice, where they can either promote or restrict tumor growth. The characteristics of TAMs in humans and whether they contribute to human cancer progression is not so clear. Now,
Design Research on a Kind of Derivative Welding Device of Car Door

The paper designs a kind of derivative welding device aimed at the side door’s repair welding platform of a model which contains the type of U-groove glass rose window, studies out the design strategies and processes of the device, according to the side door’s distributed characteristics of the repair welding points, schemes out the structure scheme to meets stiffness, strength, welding quality, welding efficiency, manufacturing cost and maintenance cost, etc, by using the method of AutoCAD designing, UG modeling and static simulation at the same time, and introduces its electric layout and working principle at last.
EFFECT OF FREEZE DAMAGE ON SOYBEAN QUALITY AND STORAGE STABILITY

In order to study the whole bean quality and storage stability of free-zedamaged soybeans, immature soybeans were frozen in their pods at -5.5°C for 6 hr. When compared to undamaged soybeans, freeze-damaged soybeans were found to have similar oil and protein contents and trypsin inhibitor activities, but lower lipoxygenase activity and greener oil color. The oil from freeze-damaged soybeans averaged 0.26% free fatty acid and increased to 1.63% during 14 months of whole bean storage; oil from undamaged soybeans averaged only 0.14% and increased to 0.48% during storage. Sensory evaluation of cooked soybeans showed that freeze damage increased off-flavors and resulted in poorer color.
Trend in mortality from respiratory distress syndrome in the United States, 1970-1995

Abstract Objective: We examined the trend in mortality caused by respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and its impact on changes in infant and neonatal mortality rates (IMR, NMR) in the United States. Study design: Data on infant deaths in the United States for the period 1970 through 1995 were used to compare RDS-specific IMR to other cause-specific IMR. Data from the U.S. birth cohorts of 1985 through 1991 were used to examine birth weight- and RDS-specific NMRs. Results: IMR from RDS declined from 2.6 per 1000 live births in 1970 to 0.4 per 1000 in 1995. More than three quarters of this decline occurred between 1970 and 1985. RDS-specific NMR declined by 13% between 1985 and 1988 and by more than twofold greater, that is, 28%, between 1988 and 1991. There was also a significant reduction in postneonatal mortality from chronic lung diseases between 1988 and 1991. Conclusions: Most of the reduction in mortality from RDS occurred before the introduction of surfactant therapy. The recent accelerated reduction in mortality from RDS between 1988 and 1991 was temporally associated with widespread use of surfactant therapy and was the single most important factor for reduction in overall NMR in the United States.(J Pediatr 1999;134:434-40)
Learning curve for placement of thoracic pedicle screws in the deformed spine.

OBJECTIVE: The placement of thoracic pedicle screws, particularly in the deformed spine, poses unique challenges, and a learning curve. We measured the in vivo accuracy of placement of thoracic pedicle screws by computed tomography in the deformed spine by a single surgeon over time. METHODS: After obtaining institutional review board approval, we retrospectively selected the first 30 consecutive patients who had undergone a posterior spinal fusion using a pedicle screw construct for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis by a single surgeon. The average patient age was 14 years, and their preoperative thoracic Cobb angle was, on average, 62.6 degrees. Patients were divided into 3 groups: group A, patients 1 to 10; group B, patients 11 to 20; and group C, patients 21 to 30. Intraoperative evaluation of all pedicle screws included probing of the pedicle screw tract, neurophysiologic monitoring, and fluoroscopic confirmation. Postoperative computed tomographic scans were evaluated by 2 spine surgeons, and a consensus read was established, as previously described (Kim YJ, Lenke LG, Bridwell KH, Cho YS, Riew KD. Free hand pedicle screw placement in the thoracic spine: is it safe? Spine. 2004;29(3):333-342), as (1) "in," axis of pedicle screw within the confines of the pedicle; or (2) "out," axis of pedicle screw outside the confines of the pedicle. RESULTS: A total of 553 thoracic pedicle screws were studied (group A, n = 181; group B, n = 189; group C, n = 183) with 64 graded as out (medial, 35; lateral, 29), for an overall breach rate of 11.6%. When the breach rates were stratified by the surgeon's evolving experience, there was a temporal decrease in the breach rate (group A, 15.5%; group B, 10.6%; group C, 8.7%; P < .05). This decreased breach rate was reflected in fewer medial breaches over time (group A, 9.4%; group B, 5.8%; group C, 3.8%; P < .05). Similar trends were observed for the concave periapical screws, although statistical significance was not attained (group A, 21.2%; group B, 16.2%; group C, 10.5%). CONCLUSION:The overall accuracy of placement of thoracic pedicle screws in the deformed spine was 88.4%, with no neurologic or visceral complications. One patient from group A returned to the operating room on postoperative day 2 for removal of an asymptomatic left T7 thoracic pedicle screw abutting the aorta. As surgeon experience increased, there was an overall decreased breach rate, which was mainly reflected in fewer medial breaches.
Raman spectroscopy applications of an imaging photomultiplier tube.

A Raman spectroscopy system having an unprecedented combination of high sensitivity and low noise has been built incorporating an imaging (2-D) photomultiplier tube. The number of photons detected for a vibrational band approaches the theoretical limit set by the Raman cross section and experimental configuration. A detector dark count of 10−4 counts/s/pixel is the major electronic source of noise. The spectrum of air reveals low concentration gas components, specifically 16O18O and CO2. Vibrational Raman spectra are obtained from solid samples as thin as 20 nm with low laser powers, e.g., 6.5 mW. The imaging photomultiplier yields 1-D (along the focused laser beam) Raman images of interfaces or concentration gradients.
Mechanics of pressure solution seam growth and evolution

[1] Pressure solution seams (PSSs) can be idealized as localized volume reduction structures (LVRSs) in terms of their mechanics. Previous mechanical analyses of LVRSs, including compaction bands, showed that the normal stresses at the tips of LVRSs are compressive and significantly amplified with respect to the remote stresses, whereas on the flanks they are slightly reduced. These results can be used to rationalize the in-plane growth of PSSs for a certain distance, however, based on these stress conditions alone, it is not possible to explain the widening and transverse coalescence of PSSs. In this study, based on laboratory and field observations that the PSS surfaces are extremely rough, we introduced asperities with triangular, semicircular, and rectangular geometries on the flanks of the LVRSs into our mechanical model to see if these asperities can raise stresses in these locations, which may rationalize the transverse growth of PSSs. It is found that these asperities can produce strong stress perturbations on the LVRS flanks thereby inducing a significant increase in the compressive normal stresses. In addition, to account for the rate factor of the pressure solution process, a creep law was adopted to simulate growth and coalescence of the LVRSs. Using the calculated normal compressive stresses and volumetric plastic strains as proxy for the growth, we show that (1) a single LVRS is able to grow both laterally and transversely for a short distance and (2) two in-plane aligned neighboring LVRSs with a short distance between the adjacent tips and two parallel echelon and overlapped LVRSs with a small spacing may be able to link and coalesce to form a longer and wider LVRS, respectively. The influences of the LVRS geometric configurations, the material properties within the LVRSs, and the distance and spacing of the aligned in-plane, echelon, and overlapping neighboring parallel LVRSs on the growth and coalescence of the LVRSs are investigated and their implications specifically for the PSSs are also discussed.
Comparison of outcomes of video/EEG monitoring between patients with epileptic seizures and those with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures

Abstract We followed 103 patients for 6–16 months after discharge from elective long-term video/EEG monitoring to compare clinical outcomes and quality of life between patients diagnosed with epileptic (ES) and those diagnosed with psychogenic nonepileptic (PNES) seizures. Outcome measures determined at telephone or mail follow-up included seizure frequency, antiepileptic drug use, and self-reported quality of life using the Quality of Life in Epilepsy inventory. Of the 62 responders, 41 were diagnosed with ES and 11 with PNES, using strictly applied criteria. Those with ES reported significant improvement in Seizure Worry (P = 0.003), Medication Side Effects (P
How the Rorschach Came to America

(1972). How the Rorschach Came to America. Journal of Personality Assessment: Vol. 36, No. 2, pp. 105-108.
Analytical time-resolved laser enhanced ionization spectroscopy. I. Collisional ionization and photoionization of the Hg Rydberg states in a low pressure gas

The temporal behavior of the laser enhanced ionization signal of mercury was studied in a quartz cell under low buffer gas pressure. Using fast electronics and a short (34 ns) laser pulse, it was possible to distinguish, in one single time-resolved ionization waveform, the non-selective photoionization component of the signal from that which was due to collisional ionization from selected levels. Experimental results were shown to agree with those obtained by computer simulation, and optimal conditions for deconvolution of the two components were studied.
Cochlear Processes Reflected in Responses of the Cochlear Nerve

The effects of sound frequency, intensity, and duration on responses of cochlear-nerve fibers and inner hair cells (IHCs) are reviewed and compared. The frequency selectivity observed in the nerve is already present in the IHC receptor potential but synaptic transmission appears to influence some other properties of the nerve response. First, the average rate-intensity function of a nerve fiber spans a smaller operating range than the IHC input-output characteristic. However, nerve fibers with different sensitivities can innervate the same IHC and respond over different regions of its characteristic. Second, adaptation is present in the nerve-fiber response but not observed in the IHC. It appears to result from a decrease in synaptic transmission and produces temporal contrast and a decrease in operating range. Interactions among the various effects have important influences on the spatiotemporal pattern of cochlear-nerve responses to complex stimuli.
Using single-camera geometry to perform gyro-free navigation and attitude determination

This paper focuses on using an image-based optical sensor (e.g. a digital camera) to estimate relative position and attitude without the explicit dependence on Inertial measurement Unit (IMU) gyro measurements, thus, avoiding sensitivities to gyro drift errors. The method uses a priori known point features and is an alternative to existing resection methods used in photogrammetry that can be easily integrated with previously developed tight optical integration (TOI) method. The key principle involved in this approach is the application of geometric constraints derived from multiple point features and multiple views. The envisioned application of this method is cooperative urban navigation, for ground and airborne vehicles.
Regulation of expression of human SP-A1 and SP-A2 genes in fetal lung explant culture.

Abstract Human pulmonary surfactant protein A (SP-A) is genetically complex and its regulation may also be complex, reflecting genotypic variability. Fetal lung explants were used to study the regulation of the SP-A genes, SP-A1 and SP-A2 , by dexamethasone, interferon γ (IFN γ ), cyclic 3′,-5′ adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF α ). For comparison, the mRNA levels of surfactant protein B (SP-B) and its response to test substances were also examined. Results showed: (a) In control culture total SP-A mRNA varied widely among explants (C.V.=0.70) compared with SP-B (C.V.=0.26) (b) IFN γ significantly increased total SP-A mRNA but there were marked differences among fetal lungs in response to all treatments. (c) SP-A1 mRNA concentration is higher than SP-A2 in both control and treated explants. (d) SP-A1 alleles are inhibited to a greater degree by dexamethasone than SP-A2 alleles. The relative effect of cAMP and IFN γ on SP-A1 and SP-A2 mRNA varied widely among explants. We conclude that SP-A genotype may account in part for the marked differences in SP-A mRNA concentration among fetal lungs and that the SP-A genes and/or alleles may be differentially regulated.
Water and Wastewater Pipe Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring: A Review

Civil infrastructures such as bridges, buildings, and pipelines ensure society's economic and industrial prosperity. Specifically, pipe networks assure the transportation of primary commodities such as water, oil, and natural gas. The quantitative and early detection of defects in pipes is critical in order to avoid severe consequences. As a result of high-profile accidents and economic downturn, research and development in the area of pipeline inspection has focused mainly on gas and oil pipelines. Due to the low cost of water, the development of nondestructive inspection (NDI) and structural health monitoring (SHM) technologies for fresh water mains and sewers has received the least attention. Moreover, the technical challenges associated with the practical deployment of monitoring system demand synergistic interaction across several disciplines, which may limit the transition from laboratory to real structures. This paper presents an overview of the most used NDI/SHM technologies for freshwater pipes and sewers. The challenges that said infrastructures pose with respect to oil and natural gas pipeline networks will be discussed. Finally, the methodologies that can be translated into SHM approaches are highlighted.
Large-Scale Screens of Metagenomic Libraries

Metagenomic libraries archive large fragments of contiguous genomic sequences from microorganisms without requiring prior cultivation. Generating a streamlined procedure for creating and screening metagenomic libraries is therefore useful for efficient high-throughput investigations into the genetic and metabolic properties of uncultured microbial assemblages. Here, key protocols are presented on video, which we propose is the most useful format for accurately describing a long process that alternately depends on robotic instrumentation and (human) manual interventions. First, we employed robotics to spot library clones onto high-density macroarray membranes, each of which can contain duplicate colonies from twenty-four 384-well library plates. Automation is essential for this procedure not only for accuracy and speed, but also due to the miniaturization of scale required to fit the large number of library clones into highly dense spatial arrangements. Once generated, we next demonstrated how the macroarray membranes can be screened for genes of interest using modified versions of standard protocols for probe labeling, membrane hybridization, and signal detection. We complemented the visual demonstration of these procedures with detailed written descriptions of the steps involved and the materials required, all of which are available online alongside the video.
Thoughts on solution concepts

This paper explores connections between Ficici's notion of solution concept and order theory. Ficici postulates that algorithms should ascend an order called weak preference; thus, understanding this order is important to questions of designing algorithms. We observe that the weak preference order is closely related to the pullback of the so-called lower ordering on subsets of an ordered set. The latter can, in turn, be represented as the pullback of the subset ordering of a certain powerset. Taken together, these two observations represent the weak preference ordering in a more simple and concrete form as a subset ordering. We utilize this representation to show that algorithms which ascend the weak preference ordering are vulnerable to a kind of bloating problem. Since this kind of bloat has been observed several times in practice, we hypothesize that ascending weak preference may be the cause. Finally, we show that monotonic solution concepts are convex in the order-theoretic sense. We conclude by speculating that monotonic solution concepts might be derivable from non-monotonic ones by taking convex hull. Since several intuitive solution concepts like average fitness are not monotonic, there is practical value in creating monotonic solution concepts from non-monotonic ones.
Effects of Externally Mediated Rewards on Intrinsic Motivation.

Two laboratory experiments and one field experiment were conducted to investigate the effects of external rewards on intrinsic motivation to perform an activity. In each experiment, subjects were performing an activity during three different periods, and observations relevant to their motivation were made. External rewards were given to the experimental subjects during the second period only, while the control subjects received no rewards. Of interest was the difference in the experimental group's motivation between Period 1 and Period 3, relative to the difference in the control's. The results indicate that (a) when money was used as an external reward, intrinsic motivation tended to decrease, whereas (b) when verbal reinforcement and positive feedback were used, intrinsic motivation tended to increase. Discrepant findings in the literature were reconciled using a new theoretical framework which employs a cognitive approach and concentrates on the nature of the external reward. If a boy who enjoys mowing lawns begins to receive payment for the task, what will happen to his intrinsic motivation for performing this activity? Or, if he enjoys gardening and his parents seek to encourage this by providing verbal reinforcement and affection when he gardens, what will happen to his intrinsic motivation for gardening? These are examples of the classical problem concerning the effects of external rewards on intrinsic motivation. One is said to be intrinsically motivated to perform an activity when he receives no apparent rewards except the activity itself. This intrinsic motivation might be either innate or learned (White, 1959). It is not the purpose of this study to deal with the specific nature of, or development of, intrinsic motivation, but rather, it assumes that at a given time a person can be intrinsically motivated to do an activity, and it then asks: What are the effects of external rewards on this motivation ? In the two examples of the boy, he is performing the activity for no apparent rewards 1 These studies were conducted at Carnegie-Mell on University. The author wishes to thank Victor H. Vroom and Daryl J. Bern for helpful suggestions about the research and about earlier drafts of the manuscript.
DIRECT MUON PRODUCTION IN A MULTIPERIPHERAL MODEL

Abstract We suggest that direct muon production in proton-proton collisions may be ascribed to familiar hadronic production mechanisms. To this end, we construct a pion exchange multiperipheral model for massive muon pair production. The numerical results are in rough agreement with the cross sections observed at Brookhaven and more recently at Fermilab.
Ice Boom Simulations and Experiments

A three-dimensional discrete element model (DEM) was developed to simulate ice boom operation in a rectangular channel. The model simulates the motion of each individual ice floe, the interaction between adjacent floes, the interaction of the floes with the walls and boom, and the water drag applied to the floes on the underside of the ice accumulation. The DEM simulations were compared with a parallel set of physical model tests using natural ice. The DEM successfully reproduced the observed magnitude and distribution of the forces on the boom and the channel sides as the boom retained a surge of drifting ice. Variations in channel side roughness produced similar changes in the division of forces between the boom and sidewalls in the simulations and model tests. Finally, the load distribution between the boom and the channel sides and the effect of channel side roughness in the context of granular ice-jam theory were analyzed.
Volunteering and the Dimensions of Religiosity: A Cross-National Analysis

Religion and volunteerism are closely linked, but which aspects of religiosity matter most for volunteering? This article predicts volunteering with a multi-dimensional model of private and public religiosity using a sample of 9,464 respondents from 15 Western European countries. An interaction between private and public religiosity is also theorized and tested. Three dimensions of private religiosity (religious salience, prayer, and belief) are significant in predicting volunteering, and each has a significant interaction effect with public religiosity, measured by religious attendance. The influence of public and private religiosity on volunteering, and their interaction, differ by religious affiliation.
Folding control and unfolding free energy of yeast iso-1-cytochrome c bound to layered zirconium phosphate materials monitored by surface plasmon resonance.

The free energy change (ΔG°) for the unfolding of immobilized yeast iso-1-cytochrome c (Cyt c) at nanoassemblies was measured by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy. Data show that SPR is sensitive to protein conformational changes, and protein solid interface exerts a major influence on bound protein stability. First, Cyt c was self-assembled on the Au film via the single thiol of Cys-102. Then, crystalline sheets of layered α-Zr(O3POH)2·H2O (α-ZrP) or Zr(O3PCH2CH2COOH)2·xH2O (α-ZrCEP) were adsorbed to construct α-ZrP/Cyt c/Au or α-ZrCEP/Cyt c/Au nanoassemblies. The construction of each layer was monitored by SPR, in real time, and the assemblies were further characterized by atomic force microscopy and electrochemical studies. Thermodynamic stability of the protein nanoassembly was assessed by urea-induced unfolding. Surprisingly, unfolding is reversible in all cases studied here. Stability of Cyt c in α-ZrP/Cyt c/Au increased by ∼4.3 kJ/mol when compared to the unfolding free energy of Cyt c/A...
Induction studies on the functional heterogeneity of rat liver UDP-glucuronosyltransferases.

Abstract Differential induction with phenobarbital (PB) and 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) suggests at least two functionally distinct UDP glucuronosyltransferases (UDP-GT) which have different acceptor selectivities. One form is induced by 3-MC and preferentially conjugates group 1 acceptors, such as p -nitrophenol and 1-naphthol. Another UDP-GT is induced by PB and glucuronidates group 2 aglycones, morphine and chloramphenicol. To further study this functional heterogeneity, male Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with the following microsomal enzyme inducers: 7,8-benzoflavone (BF); benzo( a )pyrene (BP); 3-MC; 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin (TCDD); butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA); isosafrole; PB; pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile (PCN); trans -stilbene oxide (TSO). The effect of induction on UDP-GT activity was determined with nine acceptors. Conjugation of group 1 aglycones, naphthol and p -nitrophenol, was increased by 3-MC (185 and 80%, respectively) whereas PB was ineffective. Conjugation of group 2 acceptors, morphine and chloramphenicol, was stimulated by PB (120 and 250%, respectively) while 3-MC had little effect. BP and TCDD enhanced glucuronidation of group 1 aglycones. ISF and TSO induced conjugation of both acceptor groups but were more effective for group 2. BF and BHA had negligible effects on UDP-GT activity. Since glucuronidation of valproic acid was increased only by PB and TSO treatment, this aglycone is probably a group 2 acceptor. Conjugation of digitoxigenin-monodigitoxoside (DIG) was stimulated by PB (200%) and PCN (1200%). PCN did not induce glucuronidation of group 1 acceptors but did have a slight effect on group 2 aglycones (130 and 40% for chloramphenicol and morphine, respectively). The 12-fold increase in DIG conjugation by PCN pretreated rats suggests that PCN may induce another group (form) of UDP-GT which preferentially glucuronidates DIG. Differential induction of UDP-GT activities within each group of acceptors indicates possible additional heterogeneity of the transferase.
Application of the expectation-maximization algorithm to the processingof cascade impactor data: the method of lognormal components

Abstract If the expectation-maximization algorithm (E-M) is applied directly toextract particle size distributions from cascade impactor data, the resulting distributions are likely to reflect the jagged structure of the kernel functions.Therefore, the algorithm must be modified to incorporate a smoothing procedure or a smoothness constraint. One such method is described in this paper, and it replaces the discrete particle sizes used in E-M by a set of lognormal distributions. The method was applied to a Berner impactor data set from the literature with good results.
Role of (1→3)-β-D-glucan in the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis

Measurement of serum (1-->3)-beta-D-Glucan (BG) is an aid in the diagnosis of fungemia and deep-seated mycoses, including invasive aspergillosis (IA). BG is present in the cell wall of most pathogenic fungi (including Pneumocystis jiroveci) in significant amounts with some notable exceptions such as Cryptococcus neoformans and Zygomycetes. Commercially available assays can detect serum BG concentrations as low as 1 pg/mL. Published validation studies have included patients with IA and other invasive fungal diseases (IFD). BG detection appears to be more sensitive than galactomannan detection in patients with IA, but BG's intrinsic lack of mycological specificity requires the integration of clinical, radiological, and microbiological data for proper interpretation. BG assay test characteristics can be used, for example, to exclude IA in some clinical scenarios, to increase the certainty of IA in the presence of an isolated positive galactomannan result or when testing follows initiation of antifungal treatment. BG may be falsely elevated in the serum in the absence of IFD in patients undergoing hemodialysis with cellulose membranes, in patients treated with immunoglobulin, albumin, or other blood products filtered through cellulose filters containing BG, and in patients with serosal exposure to glucan-containing gauze or to certain intravenous antimicrobials. These potential sources of false positivity should be considered when interpreting BG results. BG may be useful as a sensitive screening tool for surveillance of IA and other IFD in populations at risk. Stratified IFD screening and diagnostic strategies using both galactomannan and BG should be explored. Factors affecting the production and clearance of BG during IA and other IFD need additional study to further refine its diagnostic utility.
Detection of Coronary Stenoses at Rest With Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography

Background— We hypothesized that autoregulatory changes in arteriolar blood volume (aBV) that develop distal to a stenosis can be measured with myocardial contrast echocardiography, allowing coronary stenosis detection at rest without recourse to stress. Methods and Results— Patients with varying degrees of coronary artery stenosis on quantitative angiography underwent high-mechanical-index myocardial contrast echocardiography at 15 Hz to allow measurement of phasic changes in aBV in large intramyocardial vessels using either Definity (group 1; n=22) or Imagent (group 2; n=22). Progressive increases in the background-subtracted systolic/diastolic aBV signal ratio were noted between each level (none, mild [ 75%]) of stenosis severity for both group 1 (0.09±0.13, 0.13±0.08, 0.58±0.22, and 0.77±0.40; P 0.34 provided a sensitivity and speci...
Green light affects blue-light-based phototropism in hypocotyls of Arabidopsis thaliana1

Abstract Light affects all aspects of plant growth and development from seed germination to senescence. While there has been intensive investigation of the effects of blue and red light on development and tropisms, much less is known about the specific effects of green light exposure in plants. Several recent studies demonstrate that monochromatic green light has a number of physiological effects including antagonizing light-mediated growth inhibition in hypocotyls and reversing blue-light-induced stomatal opening. In this paper, we report on the effects of green light pulses on phototropism in both light- and dark-grown seedlings of Arabidopsis thaliana. Green light had no effect on either red-light or blue-light-based phototropism in roots. However, in hypocotyls of dark-grown seedlings, pulses of green light significantly reduced blue-light positive phototropism while the growth rate was increased. In contrast, in hypocotyls of light-grown seedlings, green pulses significantly increased positive photot...
In situ crystallization of high performing WO3-based electrochromic materials and the importance for durability and switching kinetics

A chemical self-assembled synthesis was used to prepare disordered porous semicrystalline WO3-based cathodic electrochromic films. The resulting films were characterized with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), N2 physisorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS). The electrochromic performance was evaluated in a Li-ion electrolyte (i.e., 1 M LiClO4 dissolved in propylene carbonate) with cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic cycling with potential limitation (GCPL) and chronoamperometry (CA) techniques. It is demonstrated that the crystallinity of WO3 thin films can be readily tuned with the variation of annealing temperatures and TiO2 addition. The results demonstrated excellent stability and durability (i.e., 1500 GCPL cycles in 32 days) for WO3 electrode annealed at 350 °C, ultrafast switching kinetics for WO3–TiO2 electrode (i.e., bleaching and coloration times are 5.5 s and 4.2 s, respectively) and excellent charge reversibility (%R ≈ 100%). Electrochemical, TEM and Raman spectroscopy studies suggest that a change in degree of crystallinity in WO3 occurs during the extended durability test, which then influences the durability and switching kinetics.
The role of sex change, growth and mortality in Pandalus population dynamics and management

Sex change, growth, and mortality of Pandalus populations are important to stock management. To investigate the importance of these life history traits in setting management strategies, we performed a variety of simulatoins using a length-based model. We compared three populations: a Kachemak Bay, Alaska type (K_pop); a hypothetical one with the same growth but without sex change (H_pop); and a northern Barents Sea type (B_pop). The main difference between K_pop and B_pop is growth rate; K_pop has faster growth and a shorter live span, whereas B_pop lives farther north, and therefore has slower growth and greater longevity. We found that populations with sex change were more sensitive to fishing pressure. Continuous fishing was detrimental to K_pop when instantaneous fishing mortality was above 0.3, but threshold management, i.e. closing the fishery at a low population level, greatly improved the population performance. B_pop, the slower-growing, longer-lived population required larger mesh sizes than K_pop, but increasing mesh size could not prevent collapse under high fishing mortality, and fishery closure under threshold management was necessary to sustain the population. Abrupt decrease of age one and two males caused populations with sex change to fluctuate in spawning biomass. Seasonality in growth and natural mortality is also pertinent to shrimp management. Given faster growth in summer, higher natural mortality in summer means fishing after spring hatching tends to result in higher cumulative yield than fishing after fall mating, and vice versa. In addition, fishing after hatching is in general more robust to overfishing. From the simulation analyses, we concluded that both sex change and seasonality of growth and mortality of Pandalus populations should be taken into account in shrimp management.
Reclaiming Responsibility for Setting Standards

I am old enough to remember when we set the standards of our field. In the mid-1970s (my formative years), the editors who arranged and adjudicated peer review—and who decided the manuscripts' (and the authors') fate—were almost always the authors' peers. Both the jury (the reviewers) and the
Passive immunotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of malignant gliomas.

Malignant gliomas are the most common primary intracranial tumor, with a proclivity for widespread invasion and rampant destruction of healthy parenchyma. This infiltrative process affords high-grade gliomas protection from traditional therapies and subjects the adjacent normal tissue to potential damage from nonspecific treatment modalities.1,2 Immunotherapies involving antibodies or sensitized effector cells can offer selective targeting of protein-arbohydrate complexes on tumor cell surfaces that distinguish neoplastic from noncancerous cells.1,3 Consequently, the treatment of malignant gliomas may be enhanced not only by increased specificity for tumor tissue but also from decreased toxicity to the host’s healthy cells.1 This review focuses on published findings from the use of passive immunotherapy for the treatment of high-grade gliomas, particularly glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).
Novel design considerations for high efficiency carbon nanotube field emitters

High-current field emitters with high operational stability are in demand for a number of applications, including electronic and important military use. In the present research, such a field emitter is designed through application of interface engineering and three-dimensional (3-D) design in a carbon nanotube (CNT) based field emitter. Field emission characterization of the emitter shows low turn-on field, low threshold field, very high emission current density, along with good emission stability and excellent resistance to structural damage. Interface engineering plays an important by offering lower CNT-substrate interfacial resistance and strong interfacial bonding between substrate and CNTs. On the other hand, 3-D design increases CNTs emitters and provides protection against structural damage. Both these features promote high emission current density. Novel design, excellent properties and a simple, scalable three-step processing route make this CNT-based emitter a viable option for high current-density field emission devices.
A sephadex column procedure for measuring uptake and loss of low molecular weight solutes from small, lipid-rich vesicles

Abstract A battery of precalibrated Sephadex columns is described which can separate vesicle-trapped solutes from free solutes in as little as 1 hr for 20 samples. The procedure described allows measurement of solute trapping and transport by small, lipid-rich vesicles for which convenient alternate methods are not available. The procedure described has high resolution, reasonable material recoveries, linearity, reproducibility, and a high dynamic range.
Short term financial success in large business organizations: The environment-strategy connection

This study examines the interrelationships of environmental changes and strategic action variables with each other and with short term success, for 358 large business firms over a 45 year period. Success (Fortune ratings and ROA) is found to be related to two strategic decision segments. Several strategy-environment relationships are also found. Some methodological problems are noted in the attempt to move policy research from case analysis to statistical explanation.
Higher glucose concentrations following protein- and fat-rich meals - the Tuebingen Grill Study: a pilot study in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Objective Traditionally insulin dosage is focused on the carbohydrate amount of meals. We investigated the influence of a fat- and protein-rich meal in the evening on glucose concentration over night in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Research design and methods Fifteen patients, mean age 16.8 [standard deviation (SD) 2.9] yr participated in the study. Mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was 6.9 (range: 6.0–8.9) %. On two consecutive days the patients received a standard meal (SM) and a fat–protein-rich evening meal (FPRM). The carbohydrate amount remained identical and insulin was adjusted to this carbohydrate amount with the individual carbohydrate bolus. Glucose was measured continuously over night with the Enlite sensor and the Guardian system (Medtronic) during the following 12 h after the meal. Results Glucose area under the curve (AUC) for SM was 1400 (SD 580) mg/dL/12 h and for FPRM 1968 (SD 394) mg/dL/12 h (p 150 mg/dL, for FPRM it was 3 and 48%. Conclusions Twelve hours after a FPRM glucose concentration is significantly higher. Dietary counseling should include the effect of protein and fat on glucose levels in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. The data indicate clearly a need for additional insulin for fat–protein-rich meals.
Probe compensated near-field measurements on a cylinder

A new method is developed for determining the farfield pattern of an antenna from probe compensated near-field measurements over the surface of a right circular cylinder enclosing the antenna. The method is derived by first expanding both the field radiated by the antenna and the field radiated by the measurement probe, when it is used as a transmitter, into cylindrical wave expansions. The Lorentz reciprocity theorem is then used to solve for the field radiated by the antenna from the probe output voltage. It is shown rigorously that the antenna pattern can be determined independently of the characteristics of the measurement probe provided that certain calibration data are known. A method for determining these data from the measured far field radiated by the probe is described. It is shown that the necessary numerical integration can be performed with the fast Fourier transform algorithm. Experimental results are presented to validate the theory and to demonstrate its practicality from a measurement and computational viewpoint.
Engagement and Assessment in a Credit-Bearing Information Literacy Course

Purpose – The authors teach a three‐credit, upper‐division, information literacy (IL) course to students in various majors. The purpose of this paper is to share the various philosophies and activities the authors use to engage their students and create a cohesive interdisciplinary course and to describe the various assessment tools utilized.Design/methodology/approach – In this case study, the authors give specific examples of engaging assignments and methods for evaluating student work in a credit‐bearing IL course.Findings – It is found that if students are engaged, and effective assessment tools are employed, library credit instruction in a face‐to‐face setting with upper‐classmen from diverse majors is an impactful way to teach IL.Practical implications – This article provides ideas on how to use a topical theme in teaching an interdisciplinary IL credit course; concrete approaches on engaging students in an IL course; and new strategies for assessing an IL credit‐bearing course. Many of the engageme...
Efficiently ordering query plans for data integration

The goal of a data integration system is to provide a uniform interface to a multitude of data sources. Given a user query formulated in this interface, the system translates it into a set of query plans. Each plan is a query formulated over the data sources, and specifies a way to access sources and combine data to answer the user query. In practice, when the number of sources is large, a data-integration system must generate and execute many query plans with significantly varying utilities. Hence, it is crucial that the system finds the best plans efficiently and executes them first, to guarantee acceptable time to and the quality of the first answers. We describe efficient solutions to this problem. First, we formally define the problem of ordering query plans. Second, we identify several interesting structural properties of the problem and describe three ordering algorithms that exploit these properties. Finally, we describe experimental results that suggest guidance on which algorithms perform best under which conditions.