cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Energy and Environmental Assessment of High-Speed Roundabouts

Recently, an increased number of roundabouts have been implemented across the United States to improve intersection efficiency and safety. However, few studies have evaluated their energy and environmental impacts. Consequently, this study quantifies the energy and environmental impact of an isolated roundabout on a high-speed road by using second-by-second speed profiles derived from traffic simulation models in conjunction with microscopic energy and emission models. The study demonstrates that, at the intersection of a high-speed road with a low-speed road, an isolated roundabout does not necessarily reduce vehicle fuel consumption and emissions compared with other forms of intersection control (stop sign and traffic signal control). This case study found that the roundabout reduces the delay and queue lengths on the intersection approaches. However, the roundabout results in a significant increase in vehicle fuel consumption and emission levels compared with a two-way stop. The study demonstrates, for this case study, that the roundabout provides efficient movement of vehicles when the approach traffic volumes are relatively low. However, as demand increases, traffic at the roundabout experiences substantial increases in unnecessary delay in comparison with a strategy that uses signalized intersection control.
Scaling of grammaticalness of self-embedded English sentences

Native speakers of English estimated the relative grammaticalness of simple declarative sentences, self-embedded sentences, right-branching sentences, and anagram strings. Simple declarative and right-branching sentences were, for the most part, judged to be completely grammatical; anagram strings were judged to be most ungrammatical. The estimated “ungrammaticalness” of self-embedded sentences seems to grow as a power function of the number of embeddings above a “threshold” of 1.5 embeddings. The exponent of the power function appears to lie between 0.25 and 0.30.
Oxidation Mechanism of Steels in Liquid–Lead Alloys

The oxidation mechanism of steels in liquid–lead alloys (lead or lead–bismuth) was studied. Parametric dependencies of oxidation, including oxygen-concentration effects, oxidation-rate constant and corrosion-rate effects, are analyzed. An oxidation model is developed based on the assumptions that the chemical reactions are at equilibrium locally, and scale removal is due to mass-transfer corrosion. The model shows that outward-iron diffusion in the solid phase (oxide layer) controls the oxide growth and mass-transfer rate in the flowing-boundary layer determines the corrosion-product transport in the liquid phase (liquid–lead alloy). The oxide thickness depends on both the parabolic oxide-growth-rate constant and the mass-transfer-corrosion rate. For long-term operation, the outer layer of a duplex-oxide layer can be completely removed by flowing lead alloys and it is expected that a pure-chromium-oxide layer forms underneath the Fe–Cr spinel if iron is heavily depleted. The oxide thickness and steel weight change are very different from those of the pure parabolic law and they are classified into distinct and universal categories. The model is validated partially by application to interpreting the measured oxide behavior of several steels in a lead-bismuth eutectic-test loop.
In vitro effects of pemphigus antibodies on skin.

SUMMARY Acantholysis occurring in rhesus monkey skin explants cultured on sera of 9 pemphigus patients was found to be largely dependent on the titre of intercellular antibody, and not on the participation of complement. Skin explants cultured on normal human sera and pemphigoid sera failed to give rise to intercellular staining or to develop lesions. Six of eight ‘negative’ pemphigus sera with intercellular antibody titres of less than 20 on skin (and titres ranging from 20 to 160 on monkey oesophagus) reacted with the skin explants as revealed by direct immunofluorescence with an anti-IgG conjugate. The binding of antibodies from 3 of these 6 reactive sera resulted in some pathological changes in the explants. At least two of these 3 ‘negative’ sera came from pemphigus patients with skin lesions.
Recognition of Highway Workzones for Reliable Autonomous Driving

In order to be deployed in real-world driving environments, self-driving cars must be able to recognize and respond to exceptional road conditions, such as highway workzones, because such unusual events can alter previously known traffic rules and road geometry. In this paper, we present a set of computer vision methods that recognize, through identification of workzone signs, the bounds of a highway workzone and temporary changes in highway driving environments. Through testing using video data about highway workzones recorded under various weather conditions, our approach was able to perfectly identify the boundaries of workzones and robustly detect a majority of driving condition changes. In addition to these tests, we evaluated, using a mock workzone setup, the usefulness of our workzone recognition systems' outputs for safe-guarding a self-driving car.
EPR Parameters of quantum mixed-spin ferric complexes with rhombic and tetragonal symmetry

Abstract Calculations are presented for the EPR g values of ferric iron in a crystal field with axial and rhombic symmetry components for a spin state which is a quantum mechanical mixture of intermediate-spin ( S = 3/2) and high-spin ( S = 5/2) components. The crystal field parameter μ/δ 1 is discussed as a more fundamental measure of rhombic distortion than the spin Hamiltonian ratio E/D .
Introgression of Brown Norway CYP4A genes on to the Dahl salt-sensitive background restores vascular function in SS-5BN consomic rats

The present study tested the hypothesis that the Dahl SS (salt-sensitive) rat has vascular dysfunction due, in part, to the up-regulation of the CYP4A/20-HETE (cytochrome P450 ω-hydroxylase 4A)/20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid) system. To assess the role of vascular 20-HETE, SS rats were compared with SS-5(BN) consomic rats, carrying CYP4A alleles on chromosome 5 from the normotensive BN (Brown Norway) introgressed on to the SS genetic background. Cerebral arteries from SS-5(BN) rats had less CYP4A protein than arteries from SS rats fed either NS (normal-salt, 0.4% NaCl) or HS (high-salt, 4.0% NaCl) diet. ACh (acetylcholine)-induced dilation of MCAs (middle cerebral arteries) from SS and SS-5(BN) rats was present in SS-5(BN) rats fed on either an NS or HS diet, but absent in SS rats. In SS rats fed on either diet, ACh-induced dilation was restored by acute treatment with the CYP4A inhibitor DDMS (N-methyl-sulfonyl-12,12-dibromododec-11-enamide) or the 20-HETE antagonist 20-HEDE [20-hydroxyeicosa-6(Z),15(Z)-dienoic acid]. The restored response to ACh in DDMS-treated SS rats was inhibited by L-NAME (N(G)nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) and unaffected by indomethacin or MS-PPOH [N-methylsulfonyl-6-(2-propargyloxyphenyl)hexanamide]. Vascular relaxation responses to the NO donor C(5)FeN(6)Na(2)O were intact in both SS and SS-5(BN) rats and unaffected by the acute addition of DDMS, indicating that the vascular dysfunction of the SS rat is due to a reduced bioavailability of NO instead of failure of the VSMCs (vascular smooth muscle cells) to respond to the vasodilator. Superoxide levels in cerebral arteries of SS-5(BN) rats [evaluated semi-quantitatively by DHE (dihydroethidium) fluorescence] were lower than those in the arteries of SS rats. These findings indicate that SS rats have an up-regulation of the CYP4A/20-HETE pathway resulting in elevated ROS (reactive oxygen species) and reduced NO bioavailability causing vascular dysfunction.
Nonstatistical propulation of magnetic substates of the (1s/sup -1/2p/sup -1/) /sup 1/P/sub 1/ state in Al

We have measured the polarization of the K..cap alpha..' ((1s/sup -1/2p/sup -1/) /sup 1/P/sub 1/) to ((2p/sup -2/) /sup 1/S/sub 0/) x ray from an Al target following bombardment by various ion beams at several different incident energies. The polarization of the K..cap alpha..' x ray is a measure of the ratio of the 2p substate populations sigma/sub 1/ (M/sub L/ = +- 1) and sigma/sub 0/ (M/sub L/ = 0) of the /sup 1/P/sub 1/ state. We compare our results with recent collision-theory calculations which predict nonstatistical substate populations for simultaneous K- and L-shell ionization.
The Cognitive Culture System

L'A. mene une reflexion sur la transmission et le maintien d'une culture a partir d'un cadre preexistant. Il conduit sa reflexion cognitiviste en rencontrant le probleme de l'inneisme, la question d'une universalite a travers la diversite culturelle. Son exposition des principales theses qui animent les debats contemporains lui permet de prendre position pour un cognitivisme culturel fonde sur l'individu
Comparison between a spectral and probability density function model for turbulent reacting flows

This study compares the performance of a newly developed spectral model based on the eddy damped quasi-normal Markovian (EDQNM) theory with a standard probability density function (PDF) model for the case of two initially unmixed reactants undergoing a finite-rate bimolecular reaction. The two models were chosen because they involve complementary treatments of the nonlinearities and mixing terms. That is, nonlinearities are exactly treated in the PDF and mixing is modeled, whereas the opposite is true for EDQNM. The predictions of the two models are compared to direct numerical simulations. The results show that the PDF model is capable of describing the mixing of the major species reasonably well, but fails to describe the correlations between the reactants and the products even qualitatively. This suggests that the mixing model in the PDF is adequate for describing mixing between major species, but is incapable of describing mixing of the more spatially segregated product species. The EDQNM model does a slightly better job of describing the mixing of reactant species and a much better job of describing mixing of the product species. Presumably the improvement is associated with the more accurate description of the interscale dynamics that are especially important for the segregated products. The implication is that a model that combines the strengths of the EDQNM for describing mixing and the PDF for describing the nonlinearities would yield the best of both worlds.
Biochemical studies on an unusual case of fucosidosis.

Biochemical studies have been performed on the spleen and liver of a patient suspected of having fucosidosis. The specific, complete deficiency of 4-methylumbelliferyl (4-MU)-α-L-fucosidase activity coupled with the massive liver accumulation of polar glycolipids (comparable to those found in a known case of fucosidosis), confirms the diagnosis of fucosidosis. The patient is unusual in that his liver retains 25–50 % of normal α-L-fucosidase activity for the p-nitrophenyl (PNP) substrate. The patient's spleen showed complete deficiency of α-L-fucosidase activity for both 4-MU- and PNP-α-L-fucopyranoside. The patient's crude liver α-L-fucosidase was not significantly different in thermostability when compared to the crude enzyme from a normal liver. After partial purification on agarose-ɛ-aminocaproyl-fucosamine and sepharose-concanavalin A, the patient's liver α-L-fucosidase was found to possess both PNP and 4-MU activities. This suggests that components in the patient's crude liver supernatant may inhibit 4-MU-α-L-fucosidase activity. This was demonstrated further when the patient's liver supernatant was found to inhibit significantly normal liver 4-MU-α-L-fucosidase activity. Kinetic and immunochemical characterization indicated that the patient's α-fucosidase was similar, if not identical, to the normal liver enzyme. Apparent Km's for 4-MU-α-L-fucopyranoside were determined to be 0.1 mM and 0.12 mM for the patient and normal liver enzyme, respectively. The IgG fraction of antiserum prepared against purified normal liver α-L-fucosidase immunoprecipitated 81 % of the patient's α-L-fucosidase, suggesting similarity of antigenic determinants.
Contributions to the history of psychology: LXXXII. Authors, perceived color, and light intensity.

Two eponyms, the Purkinje phenomenon and the Bezold-Brucke phenomenon, are sometimes confused in discussions of the effect of light intensity upon perceived color. The former refers to a change in apparent brightness; the latter refers to a change in perceived hue.
A case study of a southern food festival: using a cluster analysis approach

As one of the most frequently held types of event across the world, festivals take place at many destinations in the world. Consequently, research on festivals becomes critical for their successful management. This study examines the segmentation of one of the famous food festival attendees using cluster analysis approach. Results indicated that there were three homogenous clusters: Apathetic Attendees, Satisfied Spenders, and Tentative Tag-a-longs and there were significant differences in their satisfactions and perceived values. It is important for marketers of local festivals each resultant segment. Implications and recommendations for planners and organizers of future events are suggested to consider these psychographic differences and to craft unique marketing agendas to target.
Layman's probability theory: a calculus for reasoning with linguistic likelihood

Abstract This paper distinguishes between the task of modeling chance occurrences in the physical world and that of modeling natural human reasoning about such occurrences. It is proposed that everyday common sense often prescribes that the probabilistic and , which corresponds to the joint probability of physical events, should be expressed in terms of the arithmetic min operation, and that it is dual, the or , should be couched in terms of the arithmetic max . Thus, in effect, it is proposed that the logic normally associated with the theory of fuzzy sets can be adapted as a kind of “layman's probability theory”. The rationale for such an “erroneous” model of probability is that such seems to underly natural human decision making in the face of uncertainty. In the interests of modeling and, to whatever extent possible, replicating such decision processes, it is of interest to properly encode the underlying logics. The crux of the article it to present such an encoding as a new kind of formal logical system for reasoning with linguistic likelihood, i.e., with fuzzy terms such as likely , very likely , somewhat unlikely , etc. It is verified that the system allows for semantically coherent expression of the desired probablistic arguments.
Operant schedule transformations and human behavioral momentum.

Behavioral momentum, which can be defined as the persistence of behavior under altered environmental contingencies, is derived from Newtonian physics and operant psychology, and has relevance to behavior therapy in terms of shaping strong behaviors and ensuring effective relapse prevention strategies. The present study investigated whether changing operant schedule contingencies affects how humans respond to different stimuli when reinforcement density is systematically manipulated. Fifteen subjects participated in a computer study, in which each of two keys in a baseline condition was associated with the same schedule of reinforcement, multiple variable interval schedules, the only difference being that one reinforcer was ten times larger than the other. After six sessions, the contingency schedule changed to either an extinction condition, a variable time schedule, or a changed variable interval schedule to assess how subjects' responses persisted when reinforcement contingencies were systematically changed. Results of this study were found to be consistent with the general predictions of behavioral momentum. Subjects not only biased responding in favor of the more densely reinforcing key, but when contingencies changed, subjects showed continued biased responding. Implications for behavioral momentum for behavior modification and behavior therapy are discussed, and it is concluded that behavioral momentum has significant implications for designing new and comprehensive behavior change programs.
A comparison of ethanol and water as the liquid phase in the direct formation of H2O2 from H2 and O2 over a palladium catalyst

Ethanol and water have been compared as the media in which hydrogen peroxide is produced from the reaction of H2 and O2 over a palladium catalyst. There are significant differences between the reaction in the two media with respect to the net rate of H2O2 formation, the state of the active Pd and the mechanism of the reaction. The reactions were carried out at atmospheric pressure and at 10 °C, with O2 and H2 being introduced in a 4/1 ratio through a glass frit. In ethanol, using 50 mg of 5 wt % Pd/SiO2, 1.8 wt% H2O2 was attained in 7 h; whereas, about half this amount was attained in water. In addition, the net formation rate did not remain constant in water. Both systems were 0.17 N in HCl, which facilitated the formation of colloidal Pd in water but not in ethanol. The loss of activity in water is attributed to the instability of the colloid, which has been shown previously to be the active state of Pd. By contrast, these results show that supported Pd is the active state of the metal in the ethanol system. The mechanism for the formation of the nonselective product, water, also is affected by the media in which the reaction is carried out. In ethanol, water is formed by the direct reaction of H2 and O2, while in the aqueous phase, water appears to be formed both by the direct pathway and by the reduction of H2O2.
Single agent palliative chemotherapy for end-stage Hodgkin's disease

We have retrospectively studied responses to single agent chemotherapy in a group of patients with end-stage Hodgkin's disease, most of whom had been treated with and had failed two combination chemotherapy regimens. Despite the terminal nature of their illness, many patients enjoyed excellent symptomatic relief from their disease with minimal treatment-related morbidity. Data is presented on 13 such patients treated for a minimum period of six months with a variety of single agents, and provide guidelines for the most effective use of this treatment modality.
A survey: Hamiltonian cycles in Cayley graphs

Abstract It has been conjectured there is a hamiltonian cycle in every Cayley graph. Interest in this and other closely related questions has grown in the past few years. We survey the results, techniques and open problems in the field.
A range and existence theorem for pseudomonotone perturbations of maximal monotone operators

In this paper, we prove a range and existence theorem for multivalued pseudomonotone perturbations of maximal monotone operators. We assume a general coercivity condition on the sum of a maximal monotone and a pseudomonotone operator instead of a condition on the pseudomonotone operator only. An illustrative example of a variational inequality in a Sobolev space with variable exponent is given.
Differential effects of superoxide on luminal and basolateral Na+/H+ exchange in the thick ascending limb.

Superoxide (O2−) increases Na+ reabsorption in the thick ascending limb (THAL) by enhancing Na/K/2Cl cotransport. However, the effects of O2− on other THAL transporters, such as Na+/H+ exchangers, ...
Automatic channel unmixing for high-throughput quantitative analysis of fluorescence images.

Laser-scanning microscopy allows rapid acquisition of multi-channel data, paving the way for high-throughput, high-content analysis of large numbers of images. An inherent problem of using multiple fluorescent dyes is overlapping emission spectra, which results in channel cross-talk and reduces the ability to extract quantitative measurements. Traditional un-mixing methods rely on measuring channel cross-talk and using fixed acquisition parameters, but these requirements are not suited to high-throughput processing. Here we present a simple automatic method to correct for channel cross-talk in multi-channel images using image data only. The method is independent of the acquisition parameters but requires some spatial separation between different dyes in the image. We evaluate the method by comparing the cross-talk levels it estimates to those measured directly from a standard fluorescent slide. The method is then applied to a high-throughput analysis pipeline that measures nuclear volumes and relative expression of gene products from three-dimensional, multi-channel fluorescence images of whole Drosophila embryos. Analysis of images before unmixing revealed an aberrant spatial correlation between measured nuclear volumes and the gene expression pattern in the shorter wavelength channel. Applying the unmixing algorithm before performing these analyses removed this correlation.
A 2D Metal-Organic Framework with a Flexible Cyclohexane-1,2,5,6-tetracarboxylic Acid Ligand: Synthesis, Characterization and Photoluminescent Property

A novel metal-organic framework, [Zn(2)(OH)(Hcht)(4,4'-bpy)](n).4nH(2)O (1) (H(4)cht = cyclohexane-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylic acid and 4,4'-bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine), was synthesized by the hydrothermal reaction of Zn(NO(3))(2).6H(2)O, 4,4'-bipyridine, and cyclohexane-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylic acid in the presence of sodium carbonate. The complex was obtained by controlling the ratio of the starting materials and a reaction temperature at 120 degrees C and was characterized by IR, X-ray powder diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, fluorescent spectrum, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Single-crystal X-ray investigation reveals that the structure features a two-dimensional framework with novel coordination mode of Hcht ligand and all Hcht ligands exclusively convert to a sole conformation in the complex. IR spectrum reveals the characteristic absorption peaks of asymmetric stretching vibrations that result from the protonated and deprotonated carboxyl groups,. Thermogravimetric analysis shows four clear courses of weight loss, which corresponds to the decomposition of different ligands. Fluorescent spectrum displays that complex 1 is a potential blue-luminescent material.
Effect of chronic pentobarbital treatment on blood-cerebrospinal fluid kinetics.

Abstract Cats were made tolerant and physically dependent by twice daily equieffective anesthetic dosing with sodium pentobarbital intragastrically for 5 weeks. Serial blood and CSF samples were simulaneously collected on day 1 and day 35 and analyzed for pentobarbital by a gas chromatographic method. Pentobarbital penetration into CSF was rapid and unchanged by chronic treatment. The concentration in blood and CSF increased significantly with chronic treatment; however, the relative CSF/blood concentration ratios were unchanged.
Does the Transmissible Liability Index (TLI) assessed in late childhood predict suicidal symptoms at young adulthood

OBJECTIVE: Our previous work demonstrated that the Transmissible Liability Index (TLI), an instrument designed as an index of liability for substance use disorder (SUD), is associated with risk of substance use disorder. This longitudinal study assessed whether TLI measured in 10-12-year-olds (late childhood) predicts suicidal behavior from age 12-14 (preadolescence) to age 25 (young adulthood). We hypothesized that TLI would predict number and severity of suicide attempts. METHODS: Subjects were sons of men who had lifetime history of SUD (n = 250), called the High Average Risk (HAR) group, and sons of men with no lifetime history of a SUD (n = 250), called the Low Average Risk (LAR) group. The TLI was delineated at baseline (age 10-12), and age-specific versions were administered at 12-14, 16, 19, 22, and 25 years of age. RESULTS: TLI was significantly associated with number and severity of lifetime suicide attempts. CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm the hypothesis that TLI assessed at late childhood is a predictor of frequency and severity of suicidal behavior from preadolescence to young adulthood. Language: en
Nitrogen assimilation in facultative methylotrophic bacteria

A study was done of the pathways of nitrogen assimilation in the facultative methylotrophsPseudomonas MA andPseudomonas AM1, with ammonia or methylamine as nitrogen sources and with methylamine or succinate as carbon sources. When methylamine was the sole carbon and/or nitrogen source, both organisms possessed enzymes of the glutamine synthetase/glutamate synthase pathway, but when ammonia was the nitrogen sourcePseudomonas AM1 also synthesized glutamate dehydrogenase with a pH optimum of 9.0, andPseudomonas MA elaborated both glutamate dehydrogenase (pH optimum 7.5) and alanine dehydrogenase (pH optimum 9.0). Glutamate dehydrogenase and glutamate synthase from both organisms were solely NADPH-dependent; alanine dehydrogenase was NADH-dependent. No evidence was obtained for regulation of glutamine synthetase by adenylylation in either organism, nor did glutamine synthetase appear to regulate glutamate dehydrogenase synthesis.
Solvability of quasilinear elliptic equations with nonlinear boundary conditions. II

Abstract It is shown that solvability of the second order quasilinear elliptic equation Qu = 0 in Ω with first order nonlinear boundary condition Nu = 0 on ∂Ω can be inferred from appropriate estimates on solutions of the problem Qu = ƒ in Ω, Nu = 0 on ∂Ω as ƒ varies over a suitable function class. This result improves previous work of the author, where estimates were required on solutions of Qu = ƒ in Ω, Nu = ϑ on ∂Ω as (ƒ, ϑ) varies over some function space. The value of this improvement is demonstrated by some examples.
Effects of Physical Quality and Brand Labeling on Perceptions of Clothing Quality

The effects of brand label and physical quality on perceptions of quality of clothing were investigated using a 3 × 2 complete factorial, between-subjects experimental design. 78 women individually examined and rated the quality of one of two similarly styled skirts. For half of the subjects, the skirt was high in quality, and for half it was low in quality. In addition, the skirt had either a nondesigner brand, a designer brand, or no brand-label attached to it. Analysis of variance indicated that perceptions of quality were higher for the skirt of high quality and for the skirt with either a designer or nondesigner label. Perceptions were marginally related to subjects' awareness of fashion as measured by a Fashion Knowledge Awareness scale.
Contrast-Enhanced Subharmonic and Harmonic Ultrasound of Renal Masses Undergoing Percutaneous Cryoablation.

Rationale and Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare contrast-enhanced subharmonic and harmonic ultrasound as tools for characterizing solid renal masses and monitoring their response to cryoablation therapy. Materials and Methods Sixteen patients undergoing percutaneous ablation of a renal mass provided informed consent to undergo ultrasound examinations the morning before and approximately 4 months after cryoablation. Ultrasound contrast parameters during pretreatment imaging were compared to biopsy results obtained during ablation (n = 13). Posttreatment changes were evaluated by a radiologist and compared to contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/computed tomography (CT) follow-up. Results All masses initially showed heterogeneous enhancement with both subharmonic and harmonic ultrasound. Early contrast washout in the mass relative to the cortex was observed in 6 of 9 malignant and 0 of 4 benign lesions in subharmonic mode and 8 of 9 malignant and 1 of 4 benign lesions in harmonic imaging. In cases where the lesion was adequately visualized at follow-up (n = 12), subharmonic and harmonic ultrasound showed accuracies of 83% and 75%, respectively, in predicting treatment outcome. Although harmonic imaging showed less overall error, no significant differences (P > .29) in ablation cavity volumes were observed between MRI/CT and either contrast-imaging mode. Conclusions Subharmonic and harmonic contrast-enhanced ultrasound may be a safe and accurate imaging alternative for characterizing renal masses and evaluating their response to cryoablation therapy. Although subharmonic imaging was more accurate in detecting effective cryoablation, harmonic imaging was superior in quantifying ablation cavity volumes.
TREE-LIKE DECOMPOSITIONS AND CONFORMAL MAPS

Any simply connected rectifiable domain › can be decomposed into uniformly chord-arc subdomains using only crosscuts of the domain. We show that such a decomposition allows one to construct a map from › to the disk which is close to conformal in a uniformly quasiconformal sense. This answers a question of Vavasis.
Combined effect of forskolin and acetazolamide on intraocular pressure and aqueous flow in rabbit eyes.

Abstract Forskolin, a diterpene, a potent and direct stimulator of the catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase, can reduce intraocular pressure when administered topically to rabbit eyes in a 1% suspension. Using an intravitreal plant of fluorescein-dextran, aqueous flow was measured by a modification of the method of Maurice. Forskolin reduces net aqueous flow by 51% compared to the controls. Acetazolamide (25 mg kg−1) administered intravenously reduces net aqueous flow by 45%. Forskolin and acetazolamide together reduce net aqueous flow by 72%, an important additive effect undoubtedly produced by different pathways.
An award winning program for increasing participation in STEM

Lamar University's Students Advancing through Involvement in Research Student Talent Expansion Program (STAIRSTEP) received a 2013 Star Award from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for making exceptional contributions towards closing the gaps in higher education in Texas. The project is funded by a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant. STAIRSTEP'S goals are to recruit students, retain them, and transition them within six months of graduation to careers or advanced study in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). It targets talented "at risk" students who are low income, first generation, and/or underrepresented in STEM, and focuses on five disciplines: Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth and Space Sciences, Mathematics and Physics. STAIRSTEP is innovative in its implementation of best practices. We know of no other program that includes five distinct STEM disciplines, engages students in research, outreach, and transitioning activities, and has targets for recruiting, retaining and transitioning students. This paper provides a five-year perspective on the program's activities and achievements. It discusses the strengths and weaknesses of this multi-disciplinary implementation, what worked and what did not, how it can be improved, and factors that can affect the success of the program. Finally, it discusses sustainability of the program without NSF support.
Cross-document event coreference: annotations, experiments, and observations

We have developed cross document event tracking technology that extends our earlier efforts in cross document person coreference. The software takes class of events, like "resignations" and clusters documents that mention resignations into equivalence classes. Documents belong to the same equivalence class if they mention the same "resignation" event, i.e. resignations involving the same person, time, and organization. Other events evaluated include "elections" and "espionage" events. Results range from 45--90% F-measure scores and we present a brief interannotator study for the "elections" data set.
Influence of pedal cadence on the respiratory compensation point and its relation to critical power.

It is not known if the respiratory compensation point (RCP) is a distinct work rate (Watts (W)) or metabolic rate V(O2) and if the RCP is mechanistically related to critical power (CP). To examine these relationships, 10 collegiate men athletes performed cycling incremental and constant-power tests at 60 and 100 rpm to determine RCP and CP. RCP work rate was significantly (p≤0.05) lower for 100 than 60 rpm (197±24 W vs. 222±24 W), while RCP V(O2) was not significantly different (3.00±0.33 l min(-1) vs. 3.12±0.41 l min(-1)). CP at 60 rpm (214±51 W; V(O2): 3.01±0.69 l min(-1)) and 100 rpm (196±46 W; V(O2): 2.95±0.54 l min(-1)) were not significantly different from RCP. However, RCP and CP were not significantly correlated. These findings demonstrate that RCP represents a distinct metabolic rate, which can be achieved at different power outputs, but that RCP and CP are not equivalent parameters and should not, therefore, be used synonymously.
Physicochemical Characterization of Tris(5-acetyl-3-thienyl)methane Inclusion Compounds with 1,n-Dichloroalkane Guests (n=1 to 10). A Combined TGA, 13C CP/MAS NMR, Powder X-ray Diffraction and DSC Study

Various physicochemical characterization techniques were used to study tris(5-acetyl-3-thienyl)methane (TATM) inclusion compounds with 1,n-dichloroalkane guests (n = 1 -- 10). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) experiments allowed us to determine host–guest stoichiometric ratios. We determined that the smallest size guests (n = 1 -- 4) form 2H:1G TATM inclusion compounds, the intermediate size guests (n=5 and 6) form 3H:1G TATM inclusion compounds, while the largest size guests (n = 8 -- 10) form 4H:1G TATM inclusion compounds. From the multiplicity of the host signals in the 13C CP/MAS NMR spectrum, we were able to determine the number of host molecules in the asymmetric unit of each inclusion compound. For n = 1 -- 4, there is 1 TATM molecule in the asymmetric unit, for n=5 and 6, there are 3 TATM molecules in the asymmetric unit, while for n = 8 -- 10, there are 2 TATM molecules in the asymmetric unit. Powder X-ray diffraction experiments were conducted to determine if any of the nine guests form isostru...
Effect of Unilateral Perinatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Damage on the Gross Development of Opposite Cerebral Hemisphere

The effect of unilateral perinatal cerebral hypoxic-ischemic damage on the gross development of the opposite hemisphere was investigated in immature rats. Eight-day-old rats underwent unilateral commo
Teaching Early Braille Literacy Skills within a Stimulus Equivalence Paradigm to Children with Degenerative Visual Impairments.

Despite the need for braille literacy, there has been little attempt to systematically evaluate braille-instruction programs. The current study evaluated an instructive procedure for teaching early braille-reading skills with 4 school-aged children with degenerative visual impairments. Following a series of pretests, braille instruction involved providing a sample braille letter and teaching the selection of the corresponding printed letter from a comparison array. Concomitant with increases in the accuracy of this skill, we assessed and captured the formation of equivalence classes through tests of symmetry and transitivity among the printed letters, the corresponding braille letters, and their spoken names.
Band-selective interferer rejection for cognitive receiver protection

The concept for a new, frequency-selective limiting filter is presented. This is accomplished by placing a phase change vanadium dioxide (VO2) film at the proper node of the filter. When the high-powered microwave signal reaches a certain threshold, the VO2 undergoes a phase transition from the monoclinic “insulator state” to the tetragonal “metallic state”. This crystallographic change is accompanied by a 3 order of magnitude drop in the film's resistivity, and creates a short circuit at a section of the filter, changing a pole to a zero, and rejecting further undesirable high-powered signals from damaging sensitive receiver components. This paper details the design and simulation of the filter, along with measurement results from VO2 films and the filter element. This filter element begins rejecting at about 2 W input power, with isolation of over 16 dB to over 23 W input power, and is unaffected by an out-of band interferer of over 25 W. The architecture presented allows for filter banks capable of automatically-rejecting interferers, yet allowing signals of interest to pass.
Landscape, vegetation characteristics, and group identity in an urban and suburban watershed: why the 60s matter

As highly managed ecosystems, urban areas should reflect the social characteristics of their managers, who are primarily residents. Since landscape features develop over time, we hypothesize that present-day vegetation should also reflect social characteristics of past residents. Using an urban-to-suburban watershed in the Baltimore Metropolitan Region, this paper examines the relationship between demographics, housing characteristics, and lifestyle clusters from 1960 and 2000 with areas of high woody and herbaceous vegetation cover in 1999. We find that 1960 demographics and age of housing are better predictors of high woody or tree coverage in 1999 than demographics and housing characteristics from 2000. Key variables from 1960 are percent in professional occupations (+), percent of pre-WWI housing (−), percent of post-WWII housing (+), and population density (−). Past and present demographic and housing variables are poor predictors of high herbaceous cover in 1999. Lifestyle clusters for 2000 are very good predictors of high herbaceous coverage in 1999, but lifestyle clusters from 1960 and 2000 are poor predictors of high woody vegetation coverage. These findings suggest that herbaceous or grassy areas, typically lawns, are good reflections of contemporary lifestyle characteristics of residents while neighborhoods with heavy tree canopies have largely inherited the preferred landscapes of past residents and communities. Biological growth time scales of trees and woody vegetation means that such vegetation may outlast the original inhabitants who designed, purchased, and planted them. The landscapes we see today are therefore legacies of past consumption patterns.
Procedures for detection of DNA by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry using a modified nafion film substrate

A Nafion film substrate modified with concentrated ammonia was shown to improve the detection of DNA using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), especially for DNA strands greater than 200 base pairs. Experimental procedures relating to the detection of DNA by MALDI-MS using this modified Nafion substrate are described.
Bereavement Stress and Coping among Older Adults: Expectations versus the Actual Experience

This investigation compared the stress and coping levels o f 108 older adults who recently lost their spouse with expectations of stress and coping reported by eighty-five matched nonbereaved controls. While the bereaved reported moderately high stress levels over two years, their stress scores were lower and their coping scores were higher than what the nonbereaved anticipated their levels would be if their spouse died. The findings are consistent with evidence that is beginning to emerge in bereavement literature that demonstrates resiliency on the part of those who have suffered a loss and that the ability to cope with the loss is often underestimated.
Gaussian-based edge-detection methods-a survey

The Gaussian filter has been used extensively in image processing and computer vision for many years. We discuss the various features of this operator that make it the filter of choice in the area of edge detection. Despite these desirable features of the Gaussian filter, edge detection algorithms which use it suffer from many problems. We review several linear and nonlinear Gaussian-based edge detection methods.
XFCB: a high speed complementary bipolar process on bonded SOI

A fabrication process was developed to obtain full, dielectrically isolated complementary bipolar transistors. Direct-wafer-bonding silicon-on-insulator and deep-trench-isolation technologies were used. Polysilicon was used as the emitter for both NPN and PNP transistors. A single layer of polysilicon was used to fabricate both transistor types. The process is characterized by a 12 V breakdown and yields transistors with a cutoff frequency of 4.5 GHz and 2.5 GHz for the NPN and PNP devices, respectively. >
Inflammatory markers associated with osteoarthritis after destabilization surgery in young mice with and without Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-products (RAGE)

HtrA1, Ddr-2, and Mmp-13 are reliable biomarkers for osteoarthritis (OA), yet the exact mechanism for the upregulation of HtrA-1 is unknown. Some have shown that chondrocyte hypertrophy is associated with early indicators of inflammation including TGF-β and the Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-products (RAGE). To examine the correlation of inflammation with the expression of biomarkers in OA, we performed right knee destabilization surgery on 4-week-old-wild type and RAGE knock-out (KO) mice. We assayed for HtrA-1, TGF-β1, Mmp-13, and Ddr-2 in articular cartilage at 3, 7, 14, and 28 days post-surgery by immunohistochemistry on left and right knee joints. RAGE KO and wild type mice both showed staining for key OA biomarkers. However, RAGE KO mice were significantly protected against OA compared to controls. We observed a difference in the total number of chondrocytes and percentage of chondrocytes staining positive for OA biomarkers between RAGE KO and control mice. The percentage of cells staining for OA biomarkers correlated with severity of cartilage degradation. Our results indicate that the absence of RAGE did protect against the development of advanced OA. We conclude that HtrA-1 plays a role in lowering TGF-β1 expression in the process of making articular cartilage vulnerable to damage associated with OA progression.
ADAPTATION OF SUGAR MAPLE POPULATIONS ALONG ALTITUDINAL GRADIENTS: PHOTOSYNTHESIS, RESPIRATION, AND SPECIFIC LEAF WEIGHT

Sugar maple seeds were collected from populations spaced along two altitudinal gradients in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When grown in a uniform environment, progeny of stands less than 0.8 km apart differed significantly in photosynthesis, respiration, and leaf characteristics, despite a lack of physical barriers to gene migration. Sugar maple is a long-lived (200-300 yr) species with continuous distribution, but adaptive adjustment along the altitudinal gradient has occurred in only 8,000 yr, the time since colonization of the White Mountains in the wake ofglacial melting. Photosynthesis was highest in progeny from high-altitude populations, representing the species' ecological margin. High-altitude populations also had the lowest specific leaf weight (SWL), the ratio of leaf weight to leaf area, providing a highly cost-effective photosynthetic system, probably the result of natural selection in a short growing season. Respiration rates were also highest in populations native to high altitudes and constitute the cost of maintaining the photosynthetic machinery at high capacity. Photosynthesis tended toward a minimum and SLW to a maximum at mid-elevations. There were parallel patterns on both gradients, suggesting parallel evolution. There were no differences among sugar maple populations in photosynthetic response to temperature, in contrast to observations on balsam fir in the same locality.
Notch Signaling: Cell Fate Control and Signal Integration in Development

Notch signaling defines an evolutionarily ancient cell interaction mechanism, which plays a fundamental role in metazoan development. Signals exchanged between neighboring cells through the Notch receptor can amplify and consolidate molecular differences, which eventually dictate cell fates. Thus, Notch signals control how cells respond to intrinsic or extrinsic developmental cues that are necessary to unfold specific developmental programs. Notch activity affects the implementation of differentiation, proliferation, and apoptotic programs, providing a general developmental tool to influence organ formation and morphogenesis.
Leashing the AlphaWolves: mixing user direction with autonomous emotion in a pack of semi-autonomous virtual characters

We present a system in which computer-graphical virtual characters may be controlled by a user and also remain "in character." The system allows the user to have high-level control over the actions of a character, while the emotional state of the character is autonomously maintained by the computer. We show how this system functioned as part of the AlphaWolf installation, presented in the Emerging Technologies program at SIGGRAPH 2001. Results from a 32-subject human user study support the hypothesis that users could control a character's actions without sacrificing its realistic autonomous personality. This system is appropriate to the control of computer-graphical entities that are meant to have personalities distinct from those of the humans that direct them.
Speech Understanding by Cochlear-Implant Patients with Different Left- and Right-Ear Electrode Arrays

Electrode-pitch rankings and monaural and binaural speech perception scores were obtained from two patients fit with a Med El CIS-Link processor and Ineraid electrode array in one ear and a Clarion processor and Hi-Focus electrode array in the other ear. The results of the electrode-ranking task indicated that current from the Hi-Focus electrodes extended more apically than current from the Ineraid array, i.e., the two most apical Hi-Focus electrodes were ranked lower in pitch than the most apical Ineraid electrode. Because of this and because of the different number of active electrodes in the two arrays, it is likely that the two cochleae presented different representations of the same signal to more central stages of information processing. In spite of this, both patients achieved better scores when both implants were activated than when the implants were activated one at a time.
Semimicro Flame Photometry of Serum Sodium and Potassium

A method for the determination of serum sodium and potassium involving only a single serum dilution is described. Samples of 0.1 ml. of serum suffice for both determinations, but larger samples may also be used. By careful control of the lithium concentration and the dilution factor the mean relative photometric error may be held to no more than 1 per cent under normal circumstances of operation.
Risk and Protective Factors Associated with Health-Related Quality of Life Among Older Gay and Bisexual Men Living With HIV Disease

Purpose: To identify risk and protective factors associated with mental and physical health-related quality of life, after controlling for key background characteristics, in a population of older gay and bisexual men living with HIV disease. Previous research examining quality of life among persons living with HIV rarely includes older adults. Design and Methods: Survey responses from 226 gay and bisexual men aged 50 and older, and living with HIV disease, which were part of the Caring and Aging with Pride study, were analyzed using multivariate linear regression models. Results: Findings reveal that comorbidity, limitations in activities, and victimization are significant risk factors for decreased physical and mental health-related quality of life. Stigma and HIV progression did not contribute to the overall outcome variables in multivariate models. Social support and self-efficacy serve as protective factors although social support was only significant with mental health-related quality of life. Implications: Comorbidity, functional limitations, and lifetime victimization are risks to quality of life among older gay and bisexual men with HIV disease. Self-efficacy and social support represent intrapersonal and interpersonal resources that can be enhanced through interventions to improve health-related quality of life.
Power and Signature Optimization for Forward Link CDMA with Multiple Antennas

Signature sequences and associated powers are optimized jointly with linear receivers for a multi-user forward-link CDMA system with multiple transmit and receive antennas. The performance criterion is sum capacity over all users. For the model considered, the optimal signatures are sinusoids so that multi-carrier signaling, in which each carrier is assigned to a single user, maximizes the achievable rate. An optimal assignment of carriers to users appears to be difficult to determine in general, but can be efficiently approximated numerically. The asymptotic sum capacity for large number of users and antennas is characterized at high SNRs. The accuracy of these results for moderate SNRs is illustrated through comparisons with numerically optimized power allocations.