bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geology and the public at the Natural History Museum
Authors: CLARKE GILES
Published: January 2008

The number of visitors to the geological galleries at the Natural History Museum is disappointingly low. A detailed survey of the museum‐going public suggests that this is because geology is seen as an academic topic which has little to do with everyday life. We are therefore planning a series of new exhibitions designed to catch the public's attention and to persuade them to spend time learning about the Earth sciences. The range of exhibits will give a broad coverage of the topic and will concentrate on the principles and processes of geology rather than on detailed descriptions. Exhibitions will be backed up by a range of educational material related to schools' requirements in the National Curriculum. The series of field trips in Britain and abroad and the evening lecture courses will continue to be expanded.
The Teton Dam: rhyolite foundation + loess core = disaster
Authors: SMALLEY IAN
Published: January 2008

The Teton Dam was a large embankment dam built in Idaho, USA, in 1975. It failed catastrophically in 1976. Two major causes of failure were the fissured rhyolite terrain on which the dam was built and the brittle permeable loess used for the core. Thus two geological factors combined to produce an engineering disaster. The complex of factors involved in the failure is still being discussed by engineers and geologists.
The geology and micropalaeontology of the Channel Tunnel
Authors: HART MALCOLM B.
Published: January 2008

Micropalaeontology and biostratigraphy have been, and still are, a vital part of the Channel Tunnel Project. The use of foraminiferal assemblages and the determination of an accurate biozonation have given the tunnel builders a comprehensive view of the geological succession below the English Channel between Dover and Calais. This work, which was begun in 1958, has continued intermittently to the present day.
The coal geology of China
Authors: SCOTT ANDREW C. , BANGZHUO MAO
Published: January 2008

Known coal reserves in China are about 1031 billion tonnes, while the predicted resources are 3800 billion tonnes. China is currently the world's largest coal producer, with over 1 billion tonnes’production in 1990. It is not surprising to discover, therefore, that coal is not only geographically widespread in the country but also occurs in every stratigraphic interval upwards from the Devonian (and even earlier) and is found in almost every conceivable depositional setting. With seams over 200 m thick in some basins, Chinese coals offer many geological as well as mining challenges.
Blue John fluorspar
Authors: FORD TREVOR D.
Published: January 2008

Of the many varieties of fluorspar found in the Peak District of Derbyshire, by far the best known is Blue John, long used for the manufacture of a variety of ornaments and jewellery.
Drilling deep holes in the continents
Authors: BUTLER ROB
Published: January 2008

A broad group of Earth scientists met recently in Potsdam, Germany, to develop an International Continental Drilling Program. What did they put on their wish list in an ambitious bid for our discipline to join the big spenders?
Lambay, an ancient volcanic island in Ireland
Authors: STILLMAN CHRIS
Published: January 2008

Lambay is an island with a singular claim to distinction – a particular rock type. It has long been known as the source of the‘Lambay Porphyry’, a distinctive and decorative stone, grey–green in colour and full of small crystals of paler greenish feldspar. Commercial exploitation of this hard and attractive stone can be dated back to Palaeolithic times, when it was shaped into stone axes.
Grand Canyon caves, breccia pipes and mineral deposits
Authors: WENRICH KAREN J. , SUTPHIN HOYT B.
Published: January 2008

The Redwall Limestone of the Grand Canyon forms a major mineral district, its breccia pipes being host to rich uranium and base‐metal deposits. Yet karst processes as a mechanism for preparing host rocks for ore deposition have been little studied.
Geology and the liberation of Normandy, France, 1944
Authors: ROSE EDWARD P. F. , PAREYN CLAUDE
Published: January 2008

The Allied victory in Europe in May 1945 marked the end of an 11‐month campaign which began with the invasion of Normandy on 6 June 1944 ‐ D‐Day. Geologists participated in both the planning and operational phases of the campaign. Geological factors influenced the trafficability of the Normandy beaches, site selection for temporary airfields, quarrying for road metal and development of potable water supplies, and were also involved in ground response to aerial bombardment, vehicular movement cross‐country and characteristics of both sea floor and river beds. Little‐known applications of geology thus contributed to the final victory.
THE FUNCTION OF CAROTENOIDS IN A PHOTOCHROMOGENIC BACTERIUM*
Authors: Wright L. J. , Rilling H. C.
Published: January 2008

Abstract— The role of carotenoids in protecting a photochromogenic Mycobacterium has been investigated. Bacteria previously induced to synthesize carotenoids by low intensity white light are not killed by high intensity white light while uninduced (carotenoid‐free bacteria) are. If high intensity irradiation with white light is carried out at O°, carotenoids still protect these organisms although at a reduced level. This finding is taken to mean that carotenoids can protect these organisnis from photodynamic death by shading photosensitizing pigments.
LIGHT STIMULATED STARCH DEGRADATION IN PLASTIDS AND LEAF MORPHOGENESIS*†
Authors: Klein W. H. , Price L. , Mitrakos K.
Published: January 2008

The problem of chlorophyll synthesis cannot be completely isolated from the many other physiological processes occurring in the plant cell. Exogenous and endogenous factors which have a profound effect on the developing chlorophyll synthesizing mechanism primarily manifest themselves in the development of plastids. As the proplastid matures, at various stages of its development it becomes subject to new environmental influences. This is evident through the variable response observed with ageing. The germinating seedling and its proplastids do not exhibit the photosensitive response that is found in slightly older plants. Tt would appear, therefore, that during the ontogeny of these light responsive organelles, the various endo‐ and exoplastid biochemical systems which enable them to function in their eventual role as synthesizing centers within the cell are not organized simultaneously, but rather follow a sequence of developmental steps. Finally, when these systems are all complete, the plastid is poised for dynamic changes to occur under the influence of radiant energy.

The preliminary data presented have indicated a partially light dependent carbohydrate degradatioii in etiolated seedlings. These changes may be of considerable significance i n explaining various photomorphogenic responses. Most particularly, the light induced disappearance of starch from the developing plastid is readily observed and may be bio‐chemically determined in less than 12 hr. Further details on the kinetics and time course of this light induced degradation of starch may establish the fundamental nature of this reaction in its role in the many cellular morphological responses.
APPLICATION OF THE EXCITON MODEL TO MONO‐MOLECULAR LAMELLAR SYSTEMS*
Authors: Hochstrasser Robin M. , Kasha Michael
Published: January 2008

Summary The molecular exciton model is applied to specific mono‐molecular lamellar structures. For a variety of in‐plane and out‐of‐plane arrangements of transition dipoles exciton‐band energy level diagrams and specific formulas are given. These results permit a quantitative comparison of the absorption spectrum of a monomolecular lamellar aggregate with that of the single molecule. The experimental parameters are the dipole length of the absorption band studied in the single molecule, the intermolecular distance of molecular centers in the lamella, and geometrical parameters. The dipole‐dipole interaction sums are given in several cases with an accuracy of two percent. The Appendix summarizes the functional expressions in terms of lattice parameters in each case.

It is suggested that these results can be used as a starting point in the elucidation of molecular ultrastructure in lamellar systems, and the interpretations of the mechanisms of excitation energy transfer.
THE SYNERGISTIC INFLUENCE OF A PRE‐IRRADIATION ON THE PHOTOINHIBITTON OF GHERKIN SEEDLINGS
Authors: Meijer G. , Engelsma G.
Published: January 2008

Abstract— A pre‐irradiation of etiolated gherkin seedlings increases the effect of a subsequent irradiation with red light, whereas it does not influence the inhibitive effect of blue light. Blue and far red radiation are more active as a pre‐irradiation than red light. It is concluded that at least two photoreactions are involved in the control of the elongation of the gherkin hypocotyl and that the blue, far red sensitive reaction has a synergistic effect on the red sensitive (Phytochrome mediated) reaction.
PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECTS IN POLYETHYLENE‐III PHYSICAL MODELS
Authors: Wintle H. J.
Published: January 2008

Abstract— The current‐voltage characteristics of polyethylene subjected to ultraviolet illumination are analysed. Although quantitative agreement can be obtained with both field emission and with hopping models, it is shown that these require the bulk structure to be asymmetric. A current‐generator model is satisfactory because it involves small barrier heights and a random structure in the bulk.
CHEMILUMINESCENT EMISSION FROM THE REACTIONS OF VOLATILE SILICON COMPOUNDS AND ACTIVE NITROGEN*
Authors: Schofield K. , Broida H. P.
Published: January 2008

Abstract— A spectroscopic investigation has been made of the chemiluminescent emission from atomic flames produced by the addition of volatile silicon compounds to active nitrogen. Of seven such additives, SiCI6 proved to be the most intense source for SiN emission. The two electronic systems of SiN, the B2Σ‐X2Σ and C‐A2II, were detected both in the reaction vessel glow and also in an intense glow from a liquid nitrogen trap.

An analysis of the relative vibration populations in the B2Σ electronic state of SiN showed large population inversions with a maximum population in the v= 5 level. A strong rotational perturbation of the B2Σ‐X2Σ SiN system at v'= 4 in the K' = 13, 14, 19 and 21 levels indicated a leakage occurring from these perturbed levels into those of the perturbing state.

The finding that bands of the C‐A2II system of SiN in the trap glow were enhanced in intensity relative to the B2Σ‐X2Σ system has made a reinvestigation of the system possible. New bands of this system are reported and an analysis shows the need to increase the original numbering of v“ by one.

Two new and unidentified spectra have been recorded which result from the addition of silicon compounds to active nitrogen—a green system in the 5180 to 6020 Å region. produced by SiCI4, and an orange chemiluminescence, 5540 to 7250 Å. through the addition of SiBr4.
STRUCTURAL CRITERIA FOR CHEMILUMINESCENCE IN ACYL PEROXIDE DECOMPOSITION REACTIONS
Authors: Rauhut M. M. , Sheehan D. , Clarke R. A. , Semsel A. M.
Published: January 2008

Abstract— A group of new moderately bright chemiluminescent reactions is reported involving decomposition of certain acyl peroxide derivatives. The new chemilurninescent reactions are compared to other acyl peroxide decompositions which are not strongly chemiluminescent (Chart I). The results are interpreted in terms of a concerted multiple bond cleavage peroxide decomposition mechanism, where the simultaneous formation of at least two stable molecules is suggested to be the source of the substantial energy required for the formation of an excited reaction product in chernilurninescence.
EVIDENCE FOR HIGH ENERGY STORAGE INTERMEDIATES IN BIOLUMINESCENCE
Authors: Hastings J. Woodland , Gibson Q. H. , Greenwood C.
Published: January 2008

Abstract— The bioluminescent enzyme from Photobacterium fischeri is normally activated in vifro by reaction with FMNH2 and O2. in the presence of a long‐chain aldehyde. Emission from enzyme intermediates in this reaction continues for several seconds, and if the mixture is frozen just after initiation of the reaction, this presumptive emission may be delayed until the system is warmed again. Light is then emitted in a fashion analogous to thermo‐luminescent emission, with a maximum intensity at — 10°C. The experiments described here show that the total amount of light which is emitted under these conditions no longer depends so much upon aldehyde, a relatively high quantum yield being obtained both with and without aldehyde.

It is further shown that bioluminescence may be activated by light, populating it is believed, the same state which is responsible for the emission in the case of the FMNH2‐induced emission. The light‐induced reaction does not depend on flavin in the enzyme preparations, nor does the activation spectrum resemble that of a flavoprotein. Activation may be carried out in the solid state at temperatures down to at least — 100°C, and so does not involve the diffusion of large molecules. It is proposed that energy storage takes place by charge separation, and that the excited state from which emission takes place is associated with charge recombination.
ACTION DE LA LUMIÈRE SUR LE DÉVELOPPEMENT DES TISSUS DE FEUILLES D'ENDIVE CULTIVÉS IN VITRO
Authors: Bouriquet Robert
Published: January 2008

Abstract— Light is not necessary for the formation of buds by tissues of chicory roots. However, in darkness, their number is reduced and the development of leaves is slowed down considerably. Absence of light also reduces the proliferative capacity of leaf explants as well as the number of buds formed on them. The number of buds is greater and their growth more rapid for longer periods of illumination. Also, the photoperiod conditions the formation of flowers in vitro.
ELECTRONIC FACTORS IN THE PHOTODIMERIZATION OF THYMINE
Authors: PULLMAN B.
Published: January 2008

Abstract— The role that quantum chemistry has played in the understanding of the photochemistry of pyrimidines is outlined. A variety of increasingly sophisticated calculations have shown that electronic excitation is localized largely at the double bond between carbons 5 and 6, which is the position of photodimerization in thymine. So far, the theoretical procedures have not been sufficient to permit a distinction between different multiplicities for the excited levels, but refer only to a “first excited state”. A discussion is given of why more extended calculations are necessary before any statement can be made as to whether it is the singlet or the triplet that is involved in thymine photodimerization.

El rol que la química cuántica ha jugado en la comprensíon de la fotoquímica de las pirimidinas ha sido delineado. Una gran variedad de cálculos cada vez más sofisticados ha mostrado que la excitatíon electrónica está localizada en la doble unión C‐5‐C‐6, la cual es la posición de dimerización en la timina. Hasta el presente, los procedimientos teóricos no han sido suficientes para permitir una distinción entre diferentes multiplicidades para los niveles excitados, pero se refieren solo al primer estado excitado o por lo menos al nivel triplete. Se presenta una discusión para justificar la necesidad de cálculos más extensivos antes de que se pueda sacar la conclusión de si es el estado triplete o el singuiete el que está envuelto en la fotodimerización de la timina.
EXCITED STATE PRECURSORS OF THYMINE PHOTODIMERS
Authors: LAMOLA A. A.
Published: January 2008

Abstract—The literature pertaining to mechanisms of thymine photodimerization is reviewed along with relevant spectroscopic data on thymine and DNA. New experiments on thymine photodimerization which employed sensitizers and quenchers as well as luminescence spectroscopy are described. The systems studied include thymine in ice and in fluid water and acetoni‐trile; isolated pairs of thymine molecules in frozen glasses at 77°K; TpT; and DNA. It is concluded that, depending on the particular reaction conditions, thymine and thymine derivatives undergo photodimerization by pathways which involve the triplet state or by pathways which involve only the excited singlet state.

Se revee la literature publicada sobre los mecanismos de fotodimerización de la timina juntamente con los interesantes datos espectroscópicos de timina y ADN. Se describen nuevos experimentos de fotodimerización de la timina empleando sensitizadores y represores. Los sistemas estudiados incluyen: timina en hielo, y en agua fluida y acetonitrilo; pares aislados de moléculas de timina en vidrios rígidos a 77°K; poli dT; y ADN. Se ha demostrado que dependiente de las condiciones particulares de la reaccion la timina y sus derivados sufren dimerización por caminos que involucran el estado triplete o el estado singulete.
PHOTOLYSIS OF CYSTINE IN THE PRESENCE OF AROMATIC AMINO ACIDS
Authors: DOSE KLAUS
Published: January 2008

Se dan evidencias para explicar los distintos rendimientos cuánticos de fotólisis con lux u.v. para distintos residuos de cisteina en lisozima e insulina. En sistemas modelos de mezclas de aminoácidos, el aminoácido triptofano muestra un marcado aumento en el rendimiento cuántico en la fotólisis de la cisteina. La fotosensibilidad de los residuos de cisteina en la lisozima se interpretan usando la conformación terciaria de la enzima la cual provee una relación espacial entre los residuos de triptofano y cisteina.
THE PHOTOCHEMISTRY OF THE AZOALKANES†
Authors: COLLIER SUSAN S. , SLATER DAVID H. , CALVERT JACK G.
Published: January 2008

Abstract— New evidence is presented to help define the nature of the excited states and the primary processes involved in the gas phase photolysis of the azoalkanes. Kinetic data derived from direct and sensitized photolysis of azoisobutane are presented. The present data and other published data are considered in the formulation of the suggested mechanism.

Se presenta una nuevo evidencia que ayuda a deflnir la naturaleza de los estados excitados y de los procesos primarios que involucran la fotólisis en fase gaseosa de log azoalquenos. Se exponen datos cinéticos obtenidos a partir de la fotólisis directa ya sensitivizada del azoisobutano. Los datos presentes y otros publicados están considerados en laformulación del sugerido mecanismo.
Visual sensations during megavoltage radiotherapy to the orbit attributable to Cherenkov radiation
Authors: Newman Francis , Asadi‐Zeydabadi Masoud , Durairaj Vikram D. , Ding Meisong , Stuhr Kelly , Kavanagh Brian
Published: January 2008

During megavoltage photon and electron beam radiotherapy treatment involving the eye, patients commonly report visual sensations; “nerve stimulation” is the conventional explanation. We propose that the phenomenon can be attributed to Cherenkov radiation inside the eye. The threshold electron energy for Cherenkov radiation in water is . The human retina is able to perceive approximately 5–14 visible photons in . A single electron traversing of water will induce nearly 15 Cherenkov visible range photons. We propose that a portal image involving the eye will produce sufficient Cherenkov radiation to be detected by the retina.
The use of directional interstitial sources to improve dosimetry in breast brachytherapy
Authors: Lin Liyong , Patel Rakesh R. , Thomadsen Bruce R. , Henderson Douglass L.
Published: January 2008

The purposes of this study were to investigate the feasibility of improving dosimetry with temporary low‐dose‐rate (LDR) multicatheter breast implants using directional (iodine) interstitial sources and to provide a comparison of a patient treatment plan to that achieved by conventional high‐dose‐rate (HDR) interstitial breast brachytherapy. A novel source emitting radiation in a specified direction has been developed. The directional sources contain an internal radiation shield that greatly reduces the intensity of radiation in the shielded direction. The sources have a similar dose distribution to conventional nondirectional sources on the unshielded side. The treatment plan for a patient treated with HDR interstitial brachytherapy with (iridium) was compared with a directional treatment plan using the same data set. Several dosimetric parameters are compared including target volume coverage, volume receiving , , and of the prescription dose (V50, V100, and V150, respectively), dose homogeneity index (DHI), and the skin surface areas receiving , , and of the prescription dose (S30, S50, and S80, respectively). The HDR and LDR prescription doses were 34 Gy in ten fractions delivered over five days and 45 Gy in 108 h, respectively. Similar and excellent target volume coverage was achieved by both directional LDR and HDR plans ( and , respectively). For a target volume, the dosimetric parameters were similar for LDR and HDR: DHI was 0.82 in both cases, V100 was and , and V150 was and , respectively. However, with directional LDR, significant reductions in skin dose were achieved: S30 was reduced from 100.6 to , S50 from 50.6 to , and S80 from to zero. The reduction in V50 for the whole breast was more than ( for LDR versus for HDR). In this case study, compared with HDR, directional interstitial LDR sources allow similar dose coverage to the subcutaneous target volume while lowering the skin dose due to a more conformal dose distribution and quicker falloff beyond the target. The improved dose distribution provided by directional interstitial brachytherapy might enable partial breast treatment to tumors closer to the skin or chest wall or in relatively small breasts.
Hidden Degrees of Freedom in Aperiodic Materials
Authors: Toudic Bertrand , Garcia Pilar , Odin Christophe , Rabiller Philippe , Ecolivet Claude , Collet Eric , Bourges Philippe , McIntyre Garry J. , Hollingsworth Mark D. , Breczewski Tomasz
Published: January 2008

Numerous crystalline materials, including those of bioorganic origin, comprise incommensurate sublattices whose mutual arrangement is described in a superspace framework exceeding three dimensions. We report direct observation by neutron diffraction of superspace symmetry breaking in a solid-solid phase transition of an incommensurate host-guest system: the channel inclusion compound of nonadecane/urea. Strikingly, this phase transition generates a unit cell doubling that concerns only the modulation of one substructure by the other—an internal variable available only in superspace. This unanticipated pathway for degrees of freedom to rearrange leads to a second phase transition, which again is controlled by the higher dimensionality of superspace. These results reveal nature's capacity to explore the increased number of phases allowed in aperiodic crystals.
Comment on "Protein Sequences from Mastodon and
Tyrannosaurus rex
Revealed by Mass Spectrometry"
Authors: Buckley Mike , Walker Angela , Ho Simon Y. W. , Yang Yue , Smith Colin , Ashton Peter , Oates Jane Thomas , Cappellini Enrico , Koon Hannah , Penkman Kirsty , Elsworth Ben , Ashford Dave , Solazzo Caroline , Andrews Phillip , Strahler John , Shapiro Beth , Ostrom Peggy , Gandhi Hasand , Miller Webb , Raney Brian , Zylber Maria Ines , Gilbert M. Thomas P. , Prigodich Richard V. , Ryan Michael , Rijsdijk Kenneth F. , Janoo Anwar , Collins Matthew J.
Published: January 2008

We used authentication tests developed for ancient DNA to evaluate claims by Asara
et al
. (Reports, 13 April 2007, p. 280) of collagen peptide sequences recovered from mastodon and
Tyrannosaurus rex
fossils. Although the mastodon samples pass these tests, absence of amino acid composition data, lack of evidence for peptide deamidation, and association of Î±1(I) collagen sequences with amphibians rather than birds suggest that
T. rex
does not.
Temperature and Composition of Saturn's Polar Hot Spots and Hexagon
Authors: Fletcher L. N. , Irwin P. G. J. , Orton G. S. , Teanby N. A. , Achterberg R. K. , Bjoraker G. L. , Read P. L. , Simon-Miller A. A. , Howett C. , de Kok R. , Bowles N. , Calcutt S. B. , Hesman B. , Flasar F. M.
Published: January 2008

Saturn's poles exhibit an unexpected symmetry in hot, cyclonic polar vortices, despite huge seasonal differences in solar flux. The cores of both vortices are depleted in phosphine gas, probably resulting from subsidence of air into the troposphere. The warm cores are present throughout the upper troposphere and stratosphere at both poles. The thermal structure associated with the marked hexagonal polar jet at 77°N has been observed for the first time. Both the warm cyclonic belt at 79°N and the cold anticyclonic zone at 75°N exhibit the hexagonal structure.
Nonadiabatic Interactions in the Cl + H
2
Reaction Probed by ClH
2
-
and ClD
2
-
Photoelectron Imaging
Authors: Garand Etienne , Zhou Jia , Manolopoulos David E. , Alexander Millard H. , Neumark Daniel M.
Published: January 2008

The degree of electronic and nuclear coupling in the Cl + H
2
reaction has become a vexing problem in chemical dynamics. We report slow electron velocity-map imaging (SEVI) spectra of ClH
2
–
and ClD
2
–
. These spectra probe the reactant valley of the neutral reaction potential energy surface, where nonadiabatic transitions responsible for reactivity of the Cl excited spin-orbit state with H
2
would occur. The SEVI spectra reveal progressions in low-frequency Cl·H
2
bending and stretching modes, and are compared to simulations with and without nonadiabatic couplings between the Cl spin-orbit states. Although nonadiabatic effects are small, their inclusion improves agreement with experiment. This comparison validates the theoretical treatment, especially of the nonadiabatic effects, in this critical region of the Cl + H
2
reaction, and suggests strongly that these effects are minor.
BLACK HOLES, INFORMATION, AND LOCALITY
Authors: GIDDINGS STEVEN B.
Published: January 2008

Three decades of a deepening information paradox suggest the need to revise our basic physical framework. Multiple indicators point toward reassessment of the principle of locality: lack of a precise definition in quantum gravity, behavior of high-energy scattering, hints from strings and AdS/CFT, conundrums of quantum cosmology, and finally lack of good alternative resolutions of the paradox. A plausible conjecture states that the non-perturbative dynamics of gravity is unitary but nonlocal. String theory may directly address these issues but so far important aspects remain elusive. If this viewpoint is correct, critical questions are to understand the "correspondence" limit where nonlocal physics reduces to local quantum field theory, and beyond, to unveil principles of an underlying nonlocal theory.
Interview with Chris Kyriakakis
Authors: Lee Newton , Kyriakakis Chris
Published: January 2008

Chris Kyriakakis is Associate Professor of Audio Signal Processing at the University of Southern California's Viterbi School of Engineering, and he is Deputy Director of the Integrated Media Systems Center (IMSC), a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center. He is also Chief Technology Officer/Founder of Audyssey Laboratories, Inc. a cutting-edge audio company that delivers algorithms for improving sound in homes, theaters, portable devices, and automobiles. He is the recipient of a 2006 World Technology Award. In the video interview, you will hear his answers to the following questions:

1. You have conducted research on the impact of music on perceived emotion of film. Can you tell us what it is about?

2. You are the co-founder of the Immersive Audio Laboratory at the USC Integrated Media Systems Center. What are some of the cutting-edge research projects at your Lab?

3. You have co-founded Audyssey Laboratories to commercialize your research projects. What is the biggest challenge in transforming research ideas into commercial products?

4. You won the 2006 World Technology Award last year. Congratulations! How do you envision changing the world for the better by means of new technologies?
Interview with David Wertheimer
Authors: Lee Newton , Wertheimer David
Published: January 2008

David Wertheimer is Executive Director of the Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) at the University of Southern California. Prior to his ETC post, he was the executive director of USC's Institute for Creative Technologies. His experience also includes terms as the president of the Digital Entertainment division of Paramount Pictures; founder and CEO of WireBreak Entertainment; and technology and business management positions at Oracle and NeXT. In the video interview, you will hear answers to the following questions:

1. What are the technological and sociological implications of providing content to consumers who desire it at any time and any place?

2. You once said that "The world of interactivity and entertainment is converging." Would you like to elaborate on your statement?

3. Can you tell us about the state-of-the-art Digital Content Center that you are building at the ETC?

4. What is the biggest challenge for the ETC today and what is your grand vision for the future of the ETC?

5. What are some of the current activities at the ETC?
The VoodooIO gaming kit
Authors: VILLAR NICOLAS , GILLEADE KIEL MARK , RAMDUNYELLIS DEVINA , GELLERSEN HANS
Published: January 2008

Existing gaming controllers are limited in their end-user configurability. As a complement to current game control technology, we present the VoodooIO Gaming Kit, a real-time adaptable gaming controller. We introduce the concept of
appropriable
gaming devices, which allow players to define and actively reconfigure their gaming space, making it appropriate to their personal preference and gaming needs. The technology and its conceived usage are illustrated through its application to two commercially available computer games, as well as through the results of a formal user study.
Déjà vu all over again
Authors: Denning Peter J.
Published: January 2008

After a 10-year struggle within ACM to define a Journal for All Members (JAM), a "new"
Communications
was launched in the cold of February 1983. CACM was to leave behind its pure research past and transform into a professionally useful, interesting, monthly magazine for all members. The CACM that evolved in the decade following 1983 is substantially the form you find today. I was the EIC who managed the transition.
The next 50 years
Authors: Brooks Rodney
Published: January 2008

Expect new ways to understand computation, computational abstractions for our computing machinery, and connections between people and their information sources, as well as each other.
Cyber-commons
Authors: Leigh Jason , Brown Maxine D.
Published: January 2008

Cyber-mashups of very large data sets let users explore, analyze, and comprehend the science behind the information being streamed.
Computing in the clouds
Authors: Weiss Aaron
Published: January 2008

Powerful services and applications are being integrated and packaged on the Web in what the industry now calls "cloud computing"
Wired no more
Authors: Rowell Laurie
Published: January 2008

Can mesh networks bring low-cost, wireless broadband to the masses?
Running your own phone company
Authors: Treese Win
Published: January 2008

Once upon a time---and I know this is getting hard to remember---the telephone business was regulated. In the United States, there was AT&T, and not much else. You used the telephone pretty much the way AT&T wanted you to. In 1983, as part of an antitrust settlement, AT&T split into eight companies: seven regional phone companies and AT&T, the long distance company. During the 1980s, companies such as MCI and Sprint grew to challenge AT&T in the long distance market, and competition started to generate more flexibility in the way you used the phone.
Foreword
Authors: Misra Vishal
Published: January 2008

Sigmetrics 2007 was held from June 12--16th in San Diego as part of the Federated Computing Research Conference. This year a Student Workshop was introduced in addition to the main technical program, and it was held on June 12th and 13th. Submissions were solicited in the form of extended abstracts and reviewed by a program committee. This special issue of
Performance Evaluation Review
presents the 16 abstracts finally chosen for the program. All the authors of accepted abstracts were given a travel grant by Sigmetrics to come and attend the whole conference. The program started on the afternoon of June 12th with a highly educative, informative and entertaining talk by Simon-Peyton Jones of Microsoft Research Cambridge on "How to write a great paper". The next day the student authors presented their research in a poster session that was well attended by the regular conference attendees. Special mention must go to the outgoing Sigmetrics Chair, Albert Greenberg, who spent a considerable amount of time with each and every student presenter and gave valuable feedback to them. After the poster session in the afternoon we had a panel on "Performance Evaluation: An Industry Perspective". The participants were Albert Greenberg (Microsoft Research), Arif Merchant (HP Labs), Muthu Muthukrishnan (Google), Shubhabrata Sen (AT&T Research), and Cathy Xia (IBM). The panel was originally scheduled to run for 90 minutes, but it ran almost twice the scheduled time with neither the audience nor the panelists in any mood to cut short the lively discussion.
Interference-aware SINR-based routing
Authors: Kortebi Riadh M. , Gourhant Yvon , Agoulmine Nazim
Published: January 2008

We consider the problem of mitigating interference and improving network capacity in, single-radio, single-channel, wireless multi-hop network. An ongoing aim of our research is to design a routing metric which is cognizant of interference. Modelling routing with a complete set of interference constraints is a NP-hard problem. One major issue to be addressed is to infer the degree of interference among different flows. To address this issue, and based on the measurement of the received signal strengths, we propose a 2-Hop interference Estimation AlgoRithm (2-HEAR). With the use of the received signal level, a node can calculate the signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) of the links to its neighbors. The calculated SINR is used to infer the packet error rate (PER) between a node and each of it I

st

tier interfering nodes set. Then the residual capacity at a given node is estimated using the calculated PERs. A cost function is used at the aim of load-balancing between the different flows within the network.
End-to-end vs. hop-by-hop transport
Authors: Heimlicher Simon , Nuggehalli Pavan , May Martin
Published: January 2008

The transport layer has been considered an end-to-end issue since the early days of the Internet in the 1980s [1], when the TCP/IP protocol suite was designed to connect networks of dedicated routers over wired links. However, over the last quarter of a century, network technology as well as the understanding of the Internet has changed, and today's wireless networks differ from the Internet in many aspects. Since wireless links are unreliable, it is often impossible to sustain an end-to-end connection to transmit data in wireless network scenarios. Even if an end-to-end path exists in the network topology for some fraction of the communication, it is likely to break due to signal propagation impairments, interference, or node mobility. Under these circumstances, the operation of an end-to-end transport protocol such as TCP may be severly affected.
Numerical Simulation of Dense Gas-Solid Fluidized Beds: A Multiscale Modeling Strategy
Authors: van der Hoef M.A. , van Sint Annaland M. , Deen N.G. , Kuipers J.A.M.
Published: January 2008

Gas-solid fluidized beds are widely applied in many chemical processes involving physical and/or chemical transformations, and for this reason they are the subject of intense research in chemical engineering science. Over the years, researchers have developed a large number of numerical models of gas-fluidized beds that describe gas-solid flow at different levels of detail. In this review, we discriminate these models on the basis of whether a Lagrangian or a Eulerian approach is used for the gas and/or particulate flow and subsequently classify them into five main categories, three of which we discuss in more detail. Specifically, these are resolved discrete particle models (also called direct numerical simulations), unresolved discrete particle models (also called discrete element models), and two-fluid models. For each of the levels of description, we give the general equations of motion and indicate how they can be solved numerically by finite-difference techniques, followed by some illustrative examples of a fluidized bed simulation. Finally, we address some of the challenges ahead in the multiscale modeling of gas-fluidized beds.
Sea Ice Rheology
Authors: Feltham Daniel L.
Published: January 2008

The polar oceans of Earth are covered by sea ice. On timescales much greater than a day, the motion and deformation of the sea ice cover (i.e., its dynamics) are primarily determined by atmospheric and oceanic tractions on its upper and lower surfaces and by internal ice forces that arise within the ice cover owing to its deformation. This review discusses the relationship between the internal ice forces and the deformation of the ice cover, focusing on representations suitable for inclusion within global climate models. I first draw attention to theories that treat the sea ice cover as an isotropic continuum and then to the recent development of anisotropic models that deal with the presence of oriented weaknesses in the ice cover, known as leads.
Modeling Primary Atomization
Authors: Gorokhovski Mikhael , Herrmann Marcus
Published: January 2008

This review concerns recent progress in primary atomization modeling. The numerical approaches based on direct simulation are described first. Although direct numerical simulation (DNS) offers the potential to study the physical processes during primary atomization in detail, thereby supplementing experimental diagnostics, it also introduces severe numerical challenges. We outline these challenges and the numerical methods to address them, highlighting some recent efforts in performing detailed simulation of the primary atomization process. The second part is devoted to phenomenological models of primary atomization. Because earlier conventional models of breakup are well reported in the available literature, we highlight only two recent developments: (a) stochastic simulation of the liquid jet depletion in the framework of fragmentation under scaling symmetry and (b) primary atomization in terms of Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) mixing with a strong variation of density.
PD-1 and Its Ligands in Tolerance and Immunity
Authors: Keir Mary E. , Butte Manish J. , Freeman Gordon J. , Sharpe Arlene H.
Published: January 2008

Programmed death 1 (PD-1) and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, deliver inhibitory signals that regulate the balance between T cell activation, tolerance, and immunopathology. Immune responses to foreign and self-antigens require specific and balanced responses to clear pathogens and tumors and yet maintain tolerance. Induction and maintenance of T cell tolerance requires PD-1, and its ligand PD-L1 on nonhematopoietic cells can limit effector T cell responses and protect tissues from immune-mediated tissue damage. The PD-1:PD-L pathway also has been usurped by microorganisms and tumors to attenuate antimicrobial or tumor immunity and facilitate chronic infection and tumor survival. The identification of B7-1 as an additional binding partner for PD-L1, together with the discovery of an inhibitory bidirectional interaction between PD-L1 and B7-1, reveals new ways the B7:CD28 family regulates T cell activation and tolerance. In this review, we discuss current understanding of the immunoregulatory functions of PD-1 and its ligands and their therapeutic potential.
Public Health Services and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
Authors: Banta H. David , de Wit G. Ardine
Published: January 2008

Cost-effectiveness analysis as an aid to decision making has been increasingly publicized and discussed during the past two to three decades. However, the total body of cost-effectiveness analyses in health care is actually rather small, and high-quality studies are rather rare. Furthermore, the applications of economic analysis to health policy have been hampered by a number of problems, including those that are methodological and contextual. We consider a number of areas of public health policy but pay special attention to a growing area of inquiry and application: the overall coverage of health services. Cost-effectiveness analysis has played a relatively small role in general coverage decisions, but in recent years, it has been applied increasingly to decisions concerning pharmaceutical coverage. We speculate on concerning reasons for this particular focus in cost-effectiveness analysis. Future progress will depend heavily on discussion and consensus building.
The Effectiveness of Mass Communication to Change Public Behavior
Authors: Abroms Lorien C. , Maibach Edward W.
Published: January 2008

This article provides an overview of the ways in which mass communication has been used—or can be used—to promote beneficial changes in behavior among members of populations. We use an ecological perspective to examine the ways in which mass media interventions can be used to influence public behavior both directly and indirectly. Mass media interventions that seek to influence people directly—by directly targeting the people burdened by the public health problem of concern and/or the people who influence them—have a long basis in public health history, and recent reviews have clarified our expectations about what can be expected from such approaches. Mass media interventions that seek to influence people indirectly—by creating beneficial changes in the places (or environments) in which people live and work—have equal if not greater potential to promote beneficial changes in population health behaviors, but these are currently less explored options. To have the greatest possible beneficial influence on public behavior with the public health resources available, we recommend that public health program planners assess their opportunities to use media to target both people and places in a manner that complements and extends other investments being made in population health enhancement.
Nursing Home Safety: Current Issues and Barriers to Improvement
Authors: Gruneir Andrea , Mor Vincent
Published: January 2008

The past few decades have seen increasing concern about the quality of nursing home (NH) care. As with other health care sectors, NHs have attempted to embrace a culture of safety, but the additional barriers that they face place the NH industry at a distinct disadvantage. In this review, we provide a summary of current models of NH quality and an overview of two important clinical areas for quality improvement: pressure ulcers and falls. Despite heavy regulation of the NH industry, hoped-for improvements in quality have been limited. We argue that systemic barriers, such as staffing shortages, NH organization, and an adversarial regulatory environment, preclude advances in NH quality.
The Value and Challenges of Participatory Research: Strengthening Its Practice
Authors: Cargo Margaret , Mercer Shawna L.
Published: January 2008

The increasing use of participatory research (PR) approaches to address pressing public health issues reflects PR's potential for bridging gaps between research and practice, addressing social and environmental justice and enabling people to gain control over determinants of their health. Our critical review of the PR literature culminates in the development of an integrative practice framework that features five essential domains and provides a structured process for developing and maintaining PR partnerships, designing and implementing PR efforts, and evaluating the intermediate and long-term outcomes of descriptive, etiological, and intervention PR studies. We review the empirical and nonempirical literature in the context of this practice framework to distill the key challenges and added value of PR. Advances to the practice of PR over the next decade will require establishing the effectiveness of PR in achieving health outcomes and linking PR practices, processes, and core elements to health outcomes.
Direct interaction between Rab3D and the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor and trafficking through regulated secretory vesicles in lacrimal gland acinar cells
Authors: Evans Eunbyul , Zhang Wenzheng , Jerdeva Galina , Chen Chiao-Yu , Chen Xuequn , Hamm-Alvarez Sarah F. , Okamoto Curtis T.
Published: January 2008

The lacrimal gland is responsible for tear production, and a major protein found in tears is secretory component (SC), the proteolytically cleaved fragment of the extracellular domain of the polymeric Ig receptor (pIgR), which is the receptor mediating the basal-to-apical transcytosis of polymeric immunoglobulins across epithelial cells. Immunofluorescent labeling of rabbit lacrimal gland acinar cells (LGACs) revealed that the small GTPase Rab3D, a regulated secretory vesicle marker, and the pIgR are colocalized in subapical membrane vesicles. In addition, the secretion of SC from primary cultures of LGACs was stimulated by the cholinergic agonist carbachol (CCH), and its release rate was very similar to that of other regulated secretory proteins in LGACs. In pull-down assays from resting LGACs, recombinant wild-type Rab3D (Rab3DWT) or the GDP-locked mutant Rab3DT36N both pulled down pIgR, but the GTP-locked mutant Rab3DQ81L did not. When the pull-down assays were performed in the presence of guanosine-5′-(γ-thio)-triphosphate, GTP, or guanosine-5′- O-(2-thiodiphosphate), binding of Rab3DWT to pIgR was inhibited. In blot overlays, recombinant Rab3DWT bound to immunoprecipitated pIgR, suggesting that Rab3D and pIgR may interact directly. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of mutant Rab3DT36N in LGACs inhibited CCH-stimulated SC release, and, in CCH-stimulated LGACs, pull down of pIgR with Rab3DWT and colocalization of pIgR with endogenous Rab3D were decreased relative to resting cells, suggesting that the pIgR-Rab3D interaction may be modulated by secretagogues. These data suggest that the novel localization of pIgR to the regulated secretory pathway of LGACs and its secretion therefrom may be affected by its novel interaction with Rab3D.
D4 dopamine receptor enhances angiotensin II-stimulated aldosterone secretion through PKC-ε and calcium signaling
Authors: Chang Hong-Wei , Wu Vin-Cent , Huang Chao-Yuan , Huang Hong-Yu , Chen Yung-Ming , Chu Tzong-Shinn , Wu Kwan-Dun , Hsieh Bor-Shen
Published: January 2008

Aldosterone secretion is subjected to dopaminergic regulation. Our previous study showed that both human D2 and D4 dopamine receptors (D2R and D4R) modulate aldosterone secretion, but in opposing directions. The inhibitory effect of D2R is mediated by attenuating protein kinase C-μ (PKC-μ) and calcium-dependent signaling. The mechanism of D4R effect on angiotensin II (AII)-stimulated aldosterone secretion is explored in this study. Experiments were done with primary human adrenal cortical cells and human adrenocarcinoma (NCI-H295R) cells. Activation of different PKC isoforms was detected by specific phospho-PKC antibodies and PKC translocation. The role of calcium-dependent signaling was examined by measuring the cytoplasmic inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) and calcium ([Ca2+]i). The D4R agonist PD-168,077 enhanced AII-stimulated aldosterone synthesis and secretion as early as 30 min following exposure independently of the modulation of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) transcription. CYP11B2 mRNA level elevated by AII was augmented by D4R in the later period. These effects were reversed by the D4R antagonist L-745,870. AII activated PKC-α/βII, -ε, and -μ but not PKC-δ, -θ, or -ζ/λ of H295R cells. The D4R agonist selectively enhanced AII-stimulated PKC-ε phosphorylation and its translocation to the cell membrane. Furthermore, the D4R agonist enhanced the AII-stimulated elevation of intracellular IP3and [Ca2+]i. Inhibition of PKC-ε translocation by the PKC-ε-specific inhibitory peptide attenuated AII-stimulated aldosterone secretion, CYP11B2 mRNA expression, and elevation of intracellular IP3and [Ca2+]i. We conclude that D4R augmented aldosterone synthesis/secretion induced by AII. The mechanisms responsible for this augmentation are mediated through enhancing PKC-ε phosphorylation and [Ca2+]ielevation.