cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What do teenagers think about driving? Insights from a bicycling-oriented community in the auto-dependent United States

Abstract The decline in driver’s licensure among teenagers in the U.S. in recent decades has led some observers to speculate that the newest generation of adults will be less car dependent than those that preceded them. Previous studies have identified a variety factors that may explain the decline, including graduated licensing policies and economic conditions. This paper delves beneath these trends with the goal of generating a deeper understanding of what is going on with teenagers and their travel. We explore what teenagers think about driving and its alternatives through in-depth interviews with 20 high school students and their parents in Davis, California, an unusually bicycling-oriented community by U.S. standards. Although bicycling was an important mode of travel for the teenagers when they were younger, all had acquired or planned to acquire a driver’s license at the time of the interview. The reasons teenagers cite for needing a driver’s license are more practical than social, though the ability to socialize with friends is an important benefit of driving. Both teenagers and their parents liked the independence that having a license brings, though both expressed some fears about their driving – both the danger driving poses to themselves as well as the danger their driving poses to others. Teenagers and their parents saw driving as inevitable, as a natural step towards adulthood.
Characterizing cellular heterogeneity in chromatin state with scCUT&Tag-pro

New technologies that profile chromatin modifications at single-cell resolution offer enormous promise for functional genomic characterization. However, the sparsity of these measurements and the challenge of integrating multiple binding maps represent significant challenges. Here we introduce scCUT&Tag-pro, a multimodal assay for profiling protein-DNA interactions coupled with the abundance of surface proteins in single cells. In addition, we introduce scChromHMM, which integrates data from multiple experiments to infer and annotate chromatin states based on combinatorial histone modification patterns. We apply these tools to perform an integrated analysis across nine different molecular modalities in circulating human immune cells. We demonstrate how these two approaches can characterize dynamic changes in the function of individual genomic elements across both discrete cell states and continuous developmental trajectories, nominate associated motifs and regulators that establish chromatin states, and identify extensive and cell type-specific regulatory priming. Finally, we demonstrate how our integrated reference can serve as a scaffold to map and improve the interpretation of additional scCUT&Tag datasets.
Community Engagement in African Universities: Perspectives, Prospects and Challenges

In 1960, a group of twenty European and North American nations formed the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). By 2015, OECD membership had increased to thirty-four countries, primarily in Europe and North America but with a few members in other regions of the world (Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Israel and Turkey). In 2002, OECD created the PASCAL International Observatory to expand its work on ‘‘learning regions and cities’’ of OECD members. (PASCAL is an acronym for Place And Social Capital And Learning.) However, PASCAL’s efforts have not been limited to OECD member-nations, but have extended to other countries as well, as illustrated in this book, Community Engagement in African Universities. The intent of the book was to demonstrate ways in which universities in African nations have engaged directly in the social, economic and cultural development of the cities and regions in which the universities were located. The contents of Community Engagement in African Universities are the work of four editors and seventeen authors (ten men, seven women). Fifteen of the authors have been faculty members of African higher-education institutions. The other two authors are at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, the location of the PASCAL Observatory’s European headquarters. Following an introductory chapter, the book is divided into two major parts titled ‘‘Learning cities and regions’’ (six chapters) and ‘‘Community engagement and service learning’’ (four chapters). The volume’s final chapter summarises common themes throughout the book and identifies challenges and prospects for the years ahead.
Immunology of Leishmaniasis and American Trypanosomiasis (Chagas’ Disease)

These two important protozoan diseases, leishmaniasis and Chagas’ disease, will be considered together not only because both are caused by species of hemoflagellates that develop intracellularly, but also because the manifestations of both depend to a great extent on the immunological reactions of the host. This is particularly true of the leishmaniases, a group of diseases caused by various species and subspecies of the genus Leishmania all transmitted by sand flies of the genera Phlebotomus, Lutzomyia, and others. All are zoonoses in the sense that a variety of mammals, wild or domesticated, such as rodents, opossums, or dogs, serve as reservoir hosts. As already discussed (Chapter 3), the most remarkable characteristic of the Leishmania is that their habitat in the vertebrate host is within the macrophage, the very cell that normally constitutes the first line of defense against invading organisms. Furthermore, they actually multiply within the phagolysosomes. Somehow they are impervious to the low pH (around 5) and the powerful hydrolases of the phagolysosomal vacuole. Indeed, they have on their surface at least one powerful hydrolase of their own, an acid phosphatase. This enzyme has been found to inhibit superoxide anion production by human neutrophils activated with the chemoattractant peptide f-Met-Leu-Phe. The phosphatase apparently acts on the receptor for the formylated peptide activator. One leishmania contains enough acid phosphatase to reduce by 50% the superoxide anion production of three neutrophils. Since the enzyme has the same effect on macrophages, this may help to explain the reduced respiratory bursts elicited by amastigotes of Leishmania. No doubt other enzymes will be found that help Leishmania to live and grow in the adverse conditions of a phagolysosome.
Quantum in Gravity

After a review of the elementary relativistic wave function that makes quantum fringes move, contract and adjust their probability correctly in all inertial frames, I transform the wave function to a non-inertial frame. The non-inertial wave function is approximate.
Factors influencing organizational change efforts: An integrative investigation of change content, context, process and individual differences

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the integrative influence of content, context, process, and individual differences on organizational change efforts., – Data were collected from employees involved in a recent de‐merger. Using structural equation modeling, a hypothesized model that integrated individual differences with change content, context, and process factors was tested., – Results led to the acceptance of a model indicating that change context mediated the relationship between individual differences and change process and content. Similarly, change content and process mediated the relationship between change context and organizational change commitment., – Owing to the nature of the study, inferences of causality cannot be made. Additionally, common method bias may be a concern because criterion and response variables were collected at the same time., – An organization's prior change history (i.e. context) has the potential to negatively influence change success. In order to counteract these effects, change agents should concentrate on clearly communicating the change details (i.e. process) to employees., – This study is one of the first to integrate factors common to all change efforts, i.e. content, context, process and individual differences. Further, it elaborates on how these factors interact to influence change success.
RNA Synthesis in cells infected with herpes simplex virus

Abstract Experiments designed to test whether herpes simplex virus specifies its own arginine- or serine-specific transfer RNA in productively infected HEp-2 ‡ cells revealed the following. 1. (i) Co-chromatography on reverse-phase Freon columns failed to show differences between the tRNA extracted from cytoplasm or polyribosomes of infected cells and charged with labeled arginine or serine by means of enzymes prepared from infected cells, and the corresponding aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase prepared from tRNA and enzymes extracted from uninfected cells. 2. (ii) Purified 4 s RNA prepared from extracts of infected cells hybridized with herpes simplex virus DNA. However, the RNA extracted from nuclei of infected cells and excluded from Sephadex G100 (i.e. ⪖50,000 daltons in molecular weight) precluded the hybridization of 4 s RNA with viral DNA in hybridization competition tests. 3. (iii) Arginine-specific tRNA and serine-specific tRNA extracted from infected cells and purified by the method of Gillam, Blew, Warrington, von Tigerstrom & Tener (1968) failed to hybridize with viral DNA. The experiments indicate that herpes simplex virus does not specify, in HEp-2 cells, amounts of these RNA species detectable by the procedures used in these studies. We have not excluded the possibility that the virus specifies tRNA specific for derivatives of arginine or serine.
Robust Compensation via Pole Assignment

For a single input single output linear time invariant system of order n a compensator of order n-1 suffices to place the closed loop system eigenvalues arbitrary. In this paper we give an iterative algorithm to choose the closed loop system eigenvalue set so that the closed loop system remains stable under a given class of structured parameter perturbations of the plant. Numerical examples of the design procedure are included.
Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of pharmaceuticals

Abstract A simple, accurate and specific n.m.r. procedure is described for the determination of acetazolamide in the pesence of its hydrolysis products in tablets and injection dosage forms. A standard deviation of 0.73% was obtained on 7 synthetic mixtures. The n.m.r. spectrum also provides a very selective means of identification for acetazolamide.
Factors affecting consumers' trust in online product reviews

In this study, we apply the uncertainty reduction theory from communication to delineate the antecedents of consumers' trust in online product reviews. We test the competing effects of information content (argument quality) and social component (perceived background similarity) on consumers' trust in reviews. We also hypothesize that the strength of the effect is moderated by consumers' involvement. To test the hypotheses, we adopted a 2 × 2 × 2 repeated measures experimental design. The results show that both argument quality and perceived similarity contribute to increased trust but in varying degrees. The results provide mixed support to the moderating role of involvement. While argument quality played an important role in the high involvement mode, perceived similarity explained more variance in the low involvement mode. We discuss the implications of these results for both research and practice. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ensuring the capability of COTS products

The question of how a systems integrator can acquire a reasonable level of confidence in the robustness and applicability of any COTS product is one of the key concerns of researchers dealing with COTS based software systems. This assurance must be gained before the COTS product is selected for inclusion in the final system. The author proposes that we examine three main areas of interest dealing with COTS selection (legal, management and technical issues). He argues that direct, detailed examination provides the most practical timely data that will allow integrators to verify that particular COTS products can perform the tasks that are required, within the overall system context.
Cultures at War: Moral Conflicts in Western Democracies

Review of Cultures at War: Moral Conflicts in Western Democracies. By T. Alexander Smith and Raymond Tatalovich. (Orchard Park, NY: Broadview Press, 2003. Pp. 302. $19.95)
A remark on a theorem of Serret

Abstract Suppose f(x, y) is an indefinite quadratic form with integer coefficients and irrational roots. Let μ(f) denote the minimum value of |f(x, y)| on Z × Z⧹{(0,0)}. The author shows that for any solution (x, y) ∈ Z × Z of f(x, y) = ±μ(f) the ratio x y is a convergent of the continued fraction of one of the roots of f, except in the case where f(x, y) is equivalent but not equal to the form x2 − xy − y2. In this latter case there is only one exceptional solution, which the author completely describes. This improves a special case of a theorem of Serret [8].
On the Shear Number Effect in Stratified Shear Flow

The influence of the shear number on the turbulence evolution in a stably stratified fluid is investigated using direct numerical simulations on grids with up to 512 × 256 × 256 points. The shear number SK/e is the ratio of a turbulence time scale K/e to the shear time scale 1/S. Simulations are performed at two initial values of the Reynolds number Re Λ= 44.72 and Re Λ= 89.44. When the shear number is increased from small to moderate values, the nondimensional growth rate γ= (1/SK)dK/dt of the turbulent kinetic energy K increases since the shear forcing and its associated turbulence production is larger. However, a further increase of the shear number from moderate to large values results in a reduction of the growth rate γ and the turbulent kinetic energy K shows long-time decay for sufficiently large values of the shear number. The inhibition of turbulence growth at large shear numbers occurs for both initial values of the Reynolds number and can be explained with the predominance of linear effects over nonlinear effects when the shear number is sufficiently high. It is found that, at the higher initial value of the Reynolds number, the reduction of the growth rate occurs at a higher value of the shear number. The shear number is found to affect spectral space dynamics. Turbulent transport coefficients decrease with increasing shear number.
#21-S the role of MDR-1 gene polymorphisms in the genetic susceptibility to childhood leukemia

Abstract PURPOSE: Childhood leukemia is likely a multifaceted disease resulting from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. P-glycoprotein (PGP), encoded by the MDR-1 gene, is a transmembrane protein that serves as an efflux pump for a wide variety of lipophilic compounds and has a physiologic role of protecting cells against the DNA damaging potential of certain xenobiotics. The polymorphism, C3435T, of this gene has been correlated with altered PGP function in the cells of the intestine, placenta, and hematological compartments. Therefore, we question the putative role of MDR-1 polymorphisms as a susceptibility factor of childhood leukemia. METHODS: Buccal cell DNA of 151 pediatric leukemia cases and 193 control children ascertained through the Northern California Childhood Leukemia Study were genotyped for two common MDR-1 gene polymorphisms, C1236T and C3435T. Genotype data was obtained using multiplex polymerase chain reaction and single nucleotide polymorphism analysis that utilizes the single base extension procedure. RESULTS: Overall allele frequencies of C1236T (45%) and C3435T (49%) were comparable to allele frequencies reported in other studies. Children with the C3435T variant allele were not at a significantly increased risk of developing leukemia. The association between C1236T and leukemia was not statistically significant but was suggestive of a dose response effect. A stratified analysis showed no evidence that C1236T and C3435T affect risk of childhood leukemia differently between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White populations. Limiting the population to acute lymphoblastic leukemia yielded similar results. CONCLUSION: Results of this study provide little evidence that MDR-1 gene polymorphisms alone significantly affect risk of childhood leukemia. Further evaluation, in the context of gene-gene and gene-environment interactions, is required before definitive conclusions are made regarding the role of the MDR-1 gene in the susceptibility to childhood leukemia.
Thematic features in the manifest dreams of expectant fathers

Ten first-time expectant fathers recorded their dreams during three two-week periods in their wives' pregnancies. A content analysis of the dreams identified specific references related to pregnancy, childbirth, and fatherhood. The results showed that when compared to dreams of nonexpectant men, the dreams of expectant fathers in the early stage of pregnancies referred to the fetal environment, enclosures, and feelings of loneliness and exclusion. In the middle and late stages, references to providing nurturance, water imagery, birth, wives, neonates, and infants increased. References to the dreamers at work, threats to self, feelings of loneliness and exclusion, and cars decreased. These references were then reviewed using a psychoanalytic framework to detect thematic features of the manifest dreams based on the interaction between frequent references and other dream imagery. The thematic content shows that unconscious preoccupations of expectant fatherhood are depicted symbolically in dreams and elaborated during pregnancy.
Positron annihilation characteristics of positronium oxides, sulfides, etc. [X=e+]: Implications for oxide and sulfide crystals

Abstract Theoretical Hartree-Fock calculation are summarized for the [ X = e + ] systems with X = O, S, Se, and Te which establish the stability of bound states for the system. The two-photon annihilation lifetime, τ, and angular correlation, N (θ), are calculated and positron annihilation from alkaline earth oxides is discussed.
Alternatives to Diesel Fuel in California: Fuel-Cycle Energy and Emission Effects of Possible Replacements due to the Toxic Air Contaminant Diesel Particulate Decision

Limitations on the use of petroleum-based diesel fuel in California could occur pursuant to declaration by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) that the particulate matter component of diesel exhaust is a toxic air contaminant subject to the state's Proposition 65. It is the declared intention of CARB not to ban diesel fuel, per se, at this time. Assuming no total ban, Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) explored two feasible "midcourse" strategies that result in some degree of (conventional) diesel displacement. In the first case, substantial displacement of compression-ignition (CI) by spark-ignition engines occurs and diesel fuel remains admissible for ignition assistance as a pilot fuel in natural gas-powered heavy-duty vehicles. Daily gasoline demand in California increases by 32.2 million L (8.5 million gal) overall, about 21 percent above the 2010 baseline demand projected by California's energy and environmental agencies. Daily natural gas demand increases by 13.6 million diesel L (3.6 million ...
Improved branch-and-bound algorithm for U-curve optimization

The U-curve branch-and-bound algorithm for optimization was introduced recently by Ris and collaborators. In this paper we introduce an improved algorithm for finding the optimal set of features based on the U-curve assumption. Synthetic experiments are used to asses the performance of the proposed algorithm, and compare it to exhaustive search and the original algorithm. The results show that the modified U-curve BB algorithm makes fewer evaluations and is more robust than the original algorithm.
Race Affects the Decline in Blood Pressure With Hospitalization

Abstract Hospitalization routinely lowers blood pressure (BP). This study examined the effects of race and psychologic characteristics on this phenomenon. Data are reported from two separate cohorts of hypertensive and normotensive black and white men and women who were studied following a stay at a clinical research center where sodium intake was held constant. Blacks (N = 88), as compared to whites (N = 77), showed consistently smaller declines in systolic BP (P
Wound healing after harvesting of the internal thoracic and the superior and inferior epigastric arteries

Abstract Wound healing of sternal incisions and midline or paramedian abdominal incisions was studied at 2 weeks postoperatively in three groups of dogs. Group 1, 10 dogs, had harvesting of bilateral internal thoracic arteries, superior epigastric arteries, and inferior epigastric arteries. Group 2, 5 dogs, had removal of the same arteries, but the superior and inferior epigastric arteries were harvested through paramedian rather than midline incisions. Group 3, 5 dogs, served as control and had median sternotomies and midline abdominal incisions only. All wounds healed without complication. Wound breaking strength of the skin of the chest incisions was significantly greater ( p p
Parasites of Aquatic Exotic Invertebrates: Identification of Potential Risks Posed to the Great Lakes

ABSTRACT Exotic species typically lose most of their associated parasites during long-distance spread. However, the few parasites that are co-introduced may have considerable adverse impacts on their novel hosts, including mass mortalities. We present a comprehensive inventory of parasites known to infect 38 species of exotic invertebrates established in the Great Lakes, as well as 16 invertebrate species predicted to arrive in the near future, all of them crustaceans. Based on a literature analysis, we identified a total of 277 parasite taxa associated with the examined invertebrates in their native ranges and/or invaded areas. Of these parasites, 56 species have been documented to cause various pathologies in their intermediate or final hosts, with humans and fishes being the most frequently affected host categories. Potentially harmful parasites were identified in 61% of the invaders for which published information was retrieved (in their ranges outside of the Great Lakes), with molluscs and crustacean...
Identifying mechanisms in the control of quantum dynamics through Hamiltonian encoding

A variety of means are now available to design control fields for manipulating the evolution of quantum systems. However, the underlying physical mechanisms often remain obscure, especially in the cases of strong fields and high quantum state congestion. This paper proposes a method to quantitatively determine the various pathways taken by a quantum system in going from the initial state to the final target. The mechanism is revealed by encoding a signal in the system Hamiltonian and decoding the resultant nonlinear distortion of the signal in the system time-evolution operator. The relevant interfering pathways determined by this analysis give insight into the physical mechanisms operative during the evolution of the quantum system. A hierarchy of mechanism identification algorithms with increasing ability to extract more detailed pathway information is presented. The mechanism identification concept is presented in the context of analyzing computer simulations of controlled dynamics. As illustrations of the concept, mechanisms are identified in the control of several simple, discrete-state quantum systems. The mechanism analysis tools reveal the roles of multiple interacting quantum pathways to maximally take advantage of constructive and destructive interference. Similar procedures may be applied directly in the laboratory to identify control mechanisms without resort to computer modeling, although this extension is not addressed in this paper.
Synthesis of Styrene-Acrylonitrile Copolymers and Related Block Copolymers by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was successfully applied to the synthesis of styrene−acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymers of predetermined molecular weights and low polydispersities. The monomers were copolymerized under azeotropic conditions (ca. 63 mol % styrene and 37 mol % acrylonitrile) in bulk using mono- and difunctional alkyl halide initiators such as 2-bromopropionitrile, 1-phenylethyl bromide, methyl 2-bromopropionate, poly(ethylene oxide) monomethyl ether 2-bromopropionate, and the bis(2-bromopropionate) esters derived from poly(ethylene oxide), poly(propylene oxide), or poly(e-caprolactone) diols of various molecular weights in combination with two catalytic systems: CuBr/2,2‘-bipyridine (bpy) and CuBr/N,N,N‘,N‘ ‘,N‘ ‘-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA). The synthesized copolymers had high chain end-functionalities, as proven by further chain extension with styrene, n-butyl, tert-butyl, or glycidyl acrylate, and methyl methacrylate. In the last case, the reaction in the presence of ...
The maturation of porcine oocytes in minimal, defined culture media with varied macromolecular supplements and varied osmolarity.

Abstract Immature porcine oocytes at the germinal vesicle stage were cultured in minimal culture media containing either bovine serum albumin, polyvinylpyrrolidone or dextran T70 as macromolecular supplements. Denuded (granulosa cells removed) oocytes matured equally well in media containing either bovine serum albumin or dextran T70, but at a reduced incidence in media containing polyvinylpyrrolidone. Denuded oocytes matured at an optimal incidence in a medium with a total calculated osmolarity of 285 mOsM. Oocytes underwent either degenerative maturation (i.e., maturing oocytes exhibited granular chromatin) or reduced incidences of maturation in media containing decreased or increased concentrations of NaCl or of all inorganic salts, relative to control medium.
Influence of jet milling process parameters on particle size, phase formation and magnetic properties of MnBi alloy

Abstract The effect of jet milling conditions on phase decomposition, particle size and magnetic properties of MnBi alloy were studied. It is observed that jet milling pressure plays a critical role in controlling the decomposition of MnBi phase, particle size and associated magnetic properties. As the jet pressure increases, more amount of MnBi phase decomposes into Bi and Mn phases. The weight fraction of MnBi phase decreases from 81%, for the starting powder, to 43% by increasing the milling pressure to a high value of 80 psi. Particle size decreases rapidly to about 1 μm on jet milling and even though the average particle size does not change noticeably with further increase of milling pressure, the particle size distribution appears to be different. Moderate milling pressure has resulted in powders with narrow particle size distribution, low decomposition of MnBi phase and smooth demagnetization curves. All the jet milled powders displayed high coercivity ( H c ) values of about 18 kOe with saturation magnetization in the range of 41–51 emu/g.
Subchronic effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and their reversibility in male Sprague-Dawley rats

Abstract The hypothesis tested in this experiment is that effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) show identical dose-responses after subchronic as after acute exposure when the dose is corrected for toxicokinetics. Groups of male Sprague-Dawley (S-D) rats were administered orally a total dose of 0, 0.2, 2.3, 11.5, 35, 70 or 115 μg/kg of TCDD over a period of 10 weeks at 4 ml/kg of vehicle. Body weight was recorded weekly. One week after the last dose of TCDD one half of the rats was killed and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TdO), 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) activities were measured in livers, whereas tryptophan and total T4 (TT4) were determined in serum. The results show that the dose-responses for decreased TdO and PEPCK activity and elevated serum tryptophan levels are similar if not the same as the dose-response for subchronic retardation of body weight increase. They also demonstrate that the dose-responses for the induction of EROD activity and the reduction of serum TT4 occurred at much lower doses than those for decreased TdO and PEPCK activities or elevated tryptophan levels and mortality. After a 6-week recovery period, PEPCK and TdO activities in liver as well as tryptophan in serum returned to near control values, whereas EROD activity and serum TT4 still displayed a dose-dependent induction and reduction, respectively, albeit both shifted to the right in accordance with toxicokinetics. These data support the notion that subchronic dose-responses of TCDD are similar to acute dose-responses when corrected for toxicokinetics and that at least some TCDD-induced effects are reversible also in accordance with toxicokinetics.
Pharmacokinetics of propranolol in the dog

The pharmacokinetics of propranolol were investigated in dogs following intravenous, single oral, and multiple oral doses. Mean half-life of the compound following single intravenous administration was 1.09 h, following single oral dose 1.58 h, and 2.14 h after chronic oral dosing. Half-life values previously reported in dogs for the levo and dextro isomers were 0.77 and 1.08h, respectively. The bioavailability of oral propranolol was low (2–17% available) following a single oral dose, but increased substantially after chronic oral dosing, suggesting saturation of the disposition processes for propranolol with multiple dosing regimens.
Overwinter Survival of the Red Imported Fire Ant in Central Georgia

Survival of colonies of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, near its current northern range in the Georgia Piedmont during Oct.–Feb., 1975–76 was 96–100%. Workers moved brood underground when mound temperatures dropped to 10–12°C. Dead workers were removed from colonies following periods of −0°C. Workers, alate females, and males which were immobilized by −0° in the mounds were collected and held at room temperature, where recovery was 92.6%, 88.25% and 4%, respectively. S. invicta should be able to extend its present range based on lethal low temperatures as a limiting factor.
The Average Surface Temperature of the Earth: An Energy Budget Approach

Abstract The average global temperature of the earth's surface can be generated numerically from solar energy input and the fractions that partition the fluxes that maintain the balance of an energy budget. Written in the algebraic terms of discrete analysis, the method requires only a microcomputer yet is quite useful for examining greenhouse-effect phenomena. The article describes several applications of the method: (1) analysis of energy budgets found in textbooks, (2) testing the sensitivity of surface temperature to changes in energy budget parameters, (3) calculation of the temperature rise resulting from the addition of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, and (4) use in a simplified interactive model that examines the enhancement of the greenhouse effect by water vapor emitters added by the increased evaporation that would follow a carbon dioxide warming. Equations that make this model interactive are statistically derived. The calculation of surface temperatures from surface radiant emittance permit...
Acute and chronic estradiol treatments reduce memory deficits induced by transient global ischemia in female rats.

Transient global ischemia induces selective, delayed neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 and delayed cognitive deficits. Estrogen treatment ameliorates hippocampal injury associated with global ischemia. Although much is known about the impact of estrogen on neuronal survival, relatively little is known about its impact on functional outcome assessed behaviorally. We investigated whether long-term estradiol (21-day pellets implanted 14 days prior to ischemia) or acute estradiol (50 μg infused into the lateral ventricles immediately after ischemia) attenuates ischemia-induced cell loss and improves visual and spatial working memory in ovariectomized female rats. Global ischemia significantly impaired visual and spatial memory, assessed by object recognition and object placement tests at 6–9 days. Global ischemia did not affect locomotion, exploration, or anxiety-related behaviors, assessed by an open-field test at 6 days. Long-term estradiol prevented the ischemia-induced deficit in visual working memory, maintaining normal performance in tests with retention intervals of up to 1 h. Long-term estradiol also prevented ischemia-induced deficits in spatial memory tests with short (1 and 7 min), but not longer (15 min), retention intervals. Acute estradiol significantly improved visual memory assessed with short retention intervals, but did not prevent deficits in spatial memory. Acute estradiol significantly increased the number of surviving CA1 neurons, assessed either at 7 days after ischemia or after the completion of behavioral testing 9 days after ischemia. In contrast, chronic estradiol did not reduce CA1 cell death 9 days after ischemia. Thus, long-term estradiol at near physiological levels and acute estradiol administered after ischemic insult improve functional recovery after global ischemia. These findings have important implications for intervention in the neurological sequellae associated with global ischemia.
37.2: A New Refreshable Tactile Graphic Display Technology for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Existing electronic Braille displays for accessibility are limited to text-based information. A new technology enables affordable electronic displays for viewing images by the sense of touch on a reusable surface. Applications include education, engineering/artistic design, web surfing, and viewing of art and photographs.
Radiotherapy for prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors

Review the medical and surgical management of patients with prolactinomas and provide an in-depth appraisal of the role of radiotherapy in the treatment of prolactinomas. A thorough review of the pertinent literature was carried out and relevant topics were identified. Topics covered in this comprehensive review include: indications for the use of radiotherapy, choice between conventional radiotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery, as well as the benefits and potential complications associated with each modality. Due to the excellent response rates with medical management, and rapid symptom relief afforded by resection or debulking surgery in patients who do not respond or tolerate medical therapy, radiotherapy is reserved for patients who do not respond to dopamine agonists and surgery. Both external beam radiotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery retain important roles in the treatment of refractory or recurrent prolactinomas. Choosing the optimal approach is crucial in maximizing tumor control outcomes and minimizing the risks associated with treatment. The primary determinants of optimal radiation approach are proximity of the tumor to the optic apparatus and tumor size, with radiosurgery being our recommended treatment of choice unless the tumor is larger than 3-4 cm or within 3 mm of the optic nerves, chiasm or tracts. Optimal multidisciplinary management requires the identification of appropriate candidates for radiotherapy in order to take full advantage of treatment options available for each patient.
An agent-based algorithm for generalized graph colorings

This paper presents an algorithm for solving a number of generalized graph coloring problems. Specifically, it gives an agent-based algorithm for the Bandwidth Coloring problem. Using a standard method for preprocessing the input, the same algorithm can also be used to solve the Multicoloring and Bandwidth Multicoloring problems. In the algorithm a number of agents, called ants, each of which colors a portion of the graph, collaborate to obtain a coloring of the entire graph. This coloring is then further improved by a local optimization algorithm. Experimental results on a set of benchmark graphs for these generalized coloring problems show that this algorithm performs very well compared to other heuristic approaches.
Quality Improvement Process in a Sickle Cell Infusion Center

Abstract Background The American Pain Society recommends that individuals experiencing sickle cell crisis receive parenteral pain medication within 30 minutes of assessment. We examined factors affecting achievement of this standard at the Johns Hopkins Sickle Cell Infusion Center. Methods Baseline patient care time intervals and data on variables affecting the ability to achieve the American Pain Society goal were measured. Time to first parenteral opiate administration was modeled using simple and multivariable linear regression. Results Mean time from initial assessment to first dose was initially 41 minutes. Increased nurse to patient ratio decreased time to first dose. Conclusions Of the factors associated with improved times to first dose, only nurse to patient ratio is amenable to process change, suggesting it as a potential target for future interventions.
Interpreting predictions from the SAPRC07 mechanism based on regional and continental simulations

Abstract The SAPRC07T mechanism is implemented and evaluated in the CMAQ air quality model. The implementation is described and tested with simulations over the United States for two periods. The evaluation compares results against observations for ozone and particulate matter as well as against predictions from the SAPRC-99 mechanism for the same simulation periods and model domain. Comparisons against SAPRC-99 results reveal largest differences over urban areas with low VOC to NOx ratios. Integrated rate analysis is used to investigate the chemical reactions responsible for these differences. Comparison against observations shows over predictions of ozone concentrations over the southeastern United States. The errors appear linked to failing to match the observations during early morning hours. We discuss the source of the errors in terms of both simulation inputs and the photochemical mechanism and recommend potential directions for improving applications with regional photochemical models.
Approximating a set of points by a step function

Let S be a set of n points in the plane. We derive algorithms for approximating S by a step function of size k
Risk Factors for Progression of Distal Symmetric Polyneuropathy in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

In a prospective cohort study, the authors examined risk factors for progression of distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSP) in type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. The study population consisted of participants in the Sorbinil Retinopathy Trial, a randomized trial of aldose reductase inhibition among patients aged 18-56 years with type 1 diabetes mellitus of 1-15 years' duration. Diagnosis of DSP was based on standardized clinical neurologic evaluation. A total of 407 participants who did not have definite DSP at randomization and had at least one follow-up visit were included in the analysis. Stepwise Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the independent contribution of baseline variables to progression of DSP. During follow-up (median, 40 months), 68 participants (17%) showed progression to definite DSP. After adjustment for age and treatment assignment, independent predictors of progression to definite DSP were total glycosylated hemoglobin (relative risk (RR) for increase of one percentage point = 1.25; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12, 1.39), height (RR associated with being one inch (2.54 cm) taller = 1.15; 95% CI 1.05, 1.26), cigarette smoking (ever vs. never) (RR = 1.87; 95% CI 1.09, 3.21), and female gender (RR = 2.26; 95% CI 1.09, 4.67). These data indicate that, in addition to the previously established role for total glycosylated hemoglobin, other factors including height, cigarette smoking, and female gender may also be independent risk factors for progression of DSP in type 1 diabetes mellitus.
The Good, the Bad, and the Evaluator: 25 Years of AJE Ethics

This essay explores the contributions of Evaluation Practice and the American Journal of Evaluation to our understanding of evaluation ethics. The review is organized according to the five Guiding Principles for Evaluators (Systematic Inquiry, Competence, Integrity/Honesty, Respect for People, and Responsibilities for General and Public Welfare) and identifies key themes within each domain. The value of case-based ethical analysis is highlighted, as is the need for increased empirical research on ethical dimensions of evaluation, especially as these dimensions are perceived by stakeholders with whom evaluators interact. Over the past 25 years, evaluators have learned a great deal about the ethical challenges they are likely to encounter during any given stage of an evaluation, even as they continue to engage in debate over the roles through which evaluators can best serve the public interest.
Induction of lactoferrin gene expression by innate immune stimuli in mouse mammary epithelial HC-11 cells.

Abstract Lactoferrin (LF) is a multifunctional protein. While its functions and mechanism of actions are actively being investigated, the cellular signals that regulate LF expression have not been as explored. We have previously demonstrated that LF is upregulated by estrogen in the reproductive system. In this study, we show that the expression of LF was stimulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in normal mouse mammalian HC-11 cells. When cells were exposed to either LPS or dsRNA, the mRNA and protein of LF were increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner, yet the kinetics of LF induction by dsRNA or LPS were different. The LPS and dsRNA-induced LF was mainly released into the culture medium where it blocked TNF-α production in exposed cells. We explored the mechanisms of LF induction by LPS and dsRNA using specific inhibitors and found that the induction could be attenuated by inhibitors to PKC, NF-κB, p38 and JNK, but not by an inhibitor to PKA. Interestingly, ERK inhibitor was effective against dsRNA but not against LPS induction of LF. These data suggest that LF was induced by LPS and dsRNA through PKC, NF-κB and MAPK pathways which in turn play an inhibitory role in the continuation of innate inflammation.
Guiding light by incoherent light

We demonstrate, for the first time, optical guidance of light beams using incoherent light. Such guidance is made possible by generating self-trapped dark beams (dark spatial solitons) inside a bulk photorefractive material using spatially incoherent light. We show that, in the 1D case, planar or Y-splitting waveguides induced by self-trapped incoherence dark stripes can guide other coherent light of a different wavelength. In the 2D case, incoherent dark solitons generated from optical vortices induce refractive- index changes akin to circular channel waveguides. These experiments introduce the possibility of controlling high- power laser beams with low-power incoherent light sources such as Light Emitting Diodes.
Behavioral and physiological changes in Daphnia magna when exposed to nanoparticle suspensions (titanium dioxide, nano-C60, and C60HxC70Hx).

Little is known about the impact manufactured nanoparticles will have on aquatic organisms. Previously, we demonstrated that toxicity differs with nanoparticle type and preparation and observed behavioral changes upon exposure to the more lethal nanoparticle suspensions. In this experiment, we quantified these behavioral and physiological responses of Daphnia magna at sublethal nanoparticle concentrations. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) and fullerenes (nano-C60) were chosen for their potential use in technology. Other studies suggest that addition of functional groups to particles can affect their toxicity to cell cultures, but it is unknown if the same is true at the whole organism level. Therefore, a fullerene derivative, C60HxC70Hx, was also used to examine how functional groups affect Daphnia response. Using a high-speed camera, we quantified several behavior and physiological parameters including hopping frequency, feeding appendage and postabdominal curling movement, and heart rate. Nano-C60 was the only s...
One-year contraceptive follow-up of adolescent patients.

Abstract This paper reviews the one-year contraceptive follow-up of adolescent postpartum patients. Routine contraceptive methods are safe and effective but are not widely used for sustained periods. Discontinuation of a contraceptive method was more closely related to family attitudes than to the complication rate.
CNDO/2 analyses of the order of protonation of rodlike polybenzobisoxazoles (PBO)

Protonation of the rodlike polybenzobisoxazoles (PBO) and polybenzobisthiazoles and their model compounds in acidic media will have significant effects on their solubility, solution behavior, geometry, and conformational characteristics. Experimental studies on the cis-PBO model compound suggest that the aromatic heterocyclic group can accept up to four acidic protons, first at each of the two nitrogen atoms then at the two oxygen atoms. In this study geometry-optimized CNDO/2 calculations were carried out on the cis-PBO model compound to determine the order of successive protonation, estimate differences in proton binding energies, and provide information on the effects of successive protonation on the geometry and charge distribution. The results indicate that protonation occurs in the order nitrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, oxygen, which is consistent with the greater bascity of nitrogen relative to oxygen. The difference in energy between initial protonation at nitrogen versus oxygen is ca. 60.7 kcal mol−1. Second protonation is preferred at the other nitrogen rather than at the more distant oxygen by nearly the same amount, suggesting that energetically the initial protonation at the nitrogen has a negligible effect on subsequent protonation and that the two oxazole moieties are highly insulated from each other. Repulsive Coulombic interactions between the acidic protons have a negligible influence on whether the second protonation occurs at the nitrogen or the oxygen considered. Coulombic effects will in fact slightly favor at the nitrogen since, despite its closer proximity to the nitrogen first protonated, protonation there yields a more delocalized and hence less repulsive charge distribution than at the oxygen.
Reaction kinetic behavior of sulfated-zirconia catalysts for butane isomerization

Abstract Sulfated-zirconia catalysts show rapid deactivation (deactivation constants near 0.02 min−1) during isomerization of n-butane when olefins are present in the feed. Removal of olefins from the feed decreases the rate of catalyst deactivation over sulfated-zirconia (to values near 0.007 min−1). The rates of deactivation are slower during isobutane isomerization (deactivation constants near 0.003 min−1) than during n-butane isomerization over sulfated-zirconia catalysts in the presence of feed olefins. Deactivation of the catalysts during n-butane isomerization appears to be caused by the production of coke on the catalyst from straight-chain olefinic species either present in the feed or produced on the catalyst under reaction conditions. Butane isomerization over sulfated-zirconia can be viewed as being a surface chain reaction comprising initiation, propagation, and termination steps. The primary initiation step in the absence of feed olefins is the dehydrogenation of butane over sulfated-zirconia, generating butenes which adsorb onto acid sites. Quantum-chemical calculations, employing density functional theory, suggest that the dissociative adsorption of dihydrogen, isobutylene hydrogenation, and dissociative adsorption of isobutane are feasible over the sulfated-zirconia cluster, and these reactions take place over the Zr–O sites.