cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A simplified well control model for horizontal slimholes and coiled tubing drilling

This paper presents the development of a simplified two-phase well control computer model to simulate gas kicks. The paper identifies key factors in the prediction of kick behavior based on a comparison between a fully implicit dynamic two-phase model and a single-phase model. The model also analyzes kick responses for directional and horizontal slimholes and wells drilled with coiled tubing. Directional and horizontal wells consider multiple build-up rates. This paper highlights the effect of homogeneous or locally high pressured horizontal wells and the effect of reeled coiled tubing. This paper also examines theoretical kill sheets for several well trajectories from vertical to horizontal and for coiled tubing drilling. Theoretical kill sheets are compared with conventional kill sheets. The simplified two-phase well control model developed in this study is reliable and stable. It can handle vertical, directional, and horizontal wells with multiple build-up rates and hold sections and does not have any numerical problems such as may occur with a dynamic two-phase well control model. For directional and horizontal wells with high build-up rates, choke pressure changes rapidly without much kick expansion because of vertical height change of the kick mixture as the kick moves through the curve. A conventional kill sheet is good enough for a conventional large diameter vertical well with uniform well geometry. However, a theoretical kill sheet should be used with some amount of over-pressure for directional, and horizontal wells, especially when those are slimhole wells or are drilled with coiled tubing.
Three-Stage Nested Designs With Cornposited Samples

A procedure for estimating the mean and variance components and their variances in a-stage nested designs with composited samples are discussed. The estimation procedure allows for the class or sub-class means or observations to be weighted in different ways. Four different estimation procedures are numerically compared to determine the conditions under which any one of them is best.
Testosterone Metabolism in Male Rat Epiphysis

Using radioactive substrate, thin-layer chromatography and recrystallization methods as well as differential centrifugation, gel filtration and electrophoresis, testosterone metabolism was investigated in male rat epiphyseal growth plate. 5α-androstane 3α-17β-diol was found to be a major metabolitein vitro; lesser amounts of androstenedione and androstanedione, and a very small amount of 5α-dihydrotestosterone were also identified. Radioactivity was recovered in epiphyseal subcellular fractions 30 minutes followingin vivo administration of tritiated 5α-dihydrotestosterone; within 2 hours radioactivity had fallen to essentially background level in all fractions but the cytosol. A testosterone binding protein could not be identified within epiphyseal cytosol.
Laboratory studies on seismic and electrical properties of the moon

Laboratory measurements of seismic wave velocities and electrical properties of Apollo lunar samples and similar material of terrestrial origin are discussed in this paper. Measurements of the electrical properties show that in the frequency range above a few hundred Hz the outer region of the Moon may be considered as a low loss dielectric. This observation supports a longstanding speculation that dry, powdered rocks in which the dielectric loss tangent is frequency-independent over a wide range of frequency are present in the uppermost lunar surface layers. The surface layers of the Moon are likely to have an extremely low electrical conductivity. Thus future electromagnetic probing of the Moon to a few hundred kilometer depth is possible in the few kHz frequency range. Based on ultrasonic experiments with pressure as a variable, we next present the elastic constants and equations of state of lunar materials and characteristic dispersion of seismic wave velocities of the Moon. We find thatP andS wave velocities increase sharply within the first 30 km depth and then level off gradually. Combining this observation with lunar seismic and geophone data, we believe that the first 30 km of the Moon may be interpreted as a scattering region. If H2O exists on the Moon, H2O may occur at some shallow depth beneath the outermost surface layer in solid ice interlocking cracks and pores and mineral grains. The rocks in this permafrost state have relatively low seismic velocity and highQ. If permafrost does exist, we would expect a wide range of electrical conductivity and dielectric constant. Future electromagnetic probing of the Moon should yield very usefull information on the physical state of the lunar interior; when this electrical information is combined with the seismic information, we should learn much more about the internal constitution and the state of the Moon than is known today.
IRTAs: a new family of immunoglobulinlike receptors differentially expressed in B cells

The IRTA1 and IRTA2 genes encode immunoglobulinlike cell surface receptors expressed in B cells and involved in chromosome 1q21 translocations in B-cell malignancy. We have now characterized and comparatively analyzed the structure and expression pattern of the entire family of IRTA genes, which includes 5 members contiguously located on chromosome 1q21. The IRTA messenger RNAs are expressed predominantly in the B-cell lineage within discrete B-cell compartments: IRTA1 is specific to the marginal zone, IRTA2 and IRTA3 are found in the germinal center light zone and in intraepithelial and interfollicular regions, and IRTA4 and IRTA5 are expressed predominantly in the mantle zone. All IRTA genes code for transmembrane receptors that are closely related to Fc receptors in their most amino-terminal extracellular domains and that possess cytoplasmic domains containing ITIM (immunotyrosine inhibition motifs)- and, possibly, ITAM (immunotyrosine activation motifs)-like motifs. These structural features suggest that the IRTA receptors may play a role in regulating activation of normal B cells and possibly in the development of neoplasia.
The role of haptic information in shaping coordination dynamics: inertial frame of reference hypothesis.

Abstract Current research suggests that non-visual perception of the spatial orientation of body segments is tied to vectors representative of their mass moment distribution (vmm). Our question was whether the relative orientation of vmm of right and left hands (Δvmm = vmm left − vmm right) constitutes haptic information supporting bimanual coordination and, if so, how it contributes to coordination dynamics. Blindfolded participants coordinated the motions of a pair of cross-shaped, hand-held pendulums that were either symmetrically loaded (Δvmm = 0) or asymmetrically loaded (Δvmm ≠ 0). The sign and magnitude of Δvmm, in particular of the first moment vector, systematically affected the pattern of coordination (indexed by mean relative phase ϕ), but not its stability. These results suggest that (1) Δvmm specifies a frame of reference about which coordination is organized; and (2) that the changes in pattern were a function of the experimentally induced biases in this perceptual frame of reference and not a function of a functional asymmetry akin to detuning. The implications of the findings to the understanding of perceptual regulation of interlimb coordination were discussed.
The impact of diabetes in patients with necrotizing soft tissue infections.

Background: Given the association of diabetes with necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) and hyperglycemia with mortality in critically ill patients, this study investigates the impact of diab...
Biochemical and immunologic studies on the native and deglycosylated forms of γ-glutamyltranspeptidase of rat kidney

Abstract We have deglycosylated the enzyme gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase by treatment of the protein with anhydrous hydrofluoric acid at 0°C. After deglycosylation, the heavy and light subunits showed a molecular weight of 43 and 23 Kd respectively. Whereas the antiserum against the native enzyme recognized both proteins, the antiserum against the deglycosylated enzyme failed to recognize the native enzyme, indicating that some of the determinants of the native enzyme are masked by the carbohydrate moiety.
The children’s streets: An ethnographic study of street children in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico

The purpose of this study was to observe behaviors of street children in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico in an effort to gain a better understanding of their conditions. The study’s aims were to discover street children’s perceptions of trust, hostility, and aggression between and among peers, gangs, police, and children “of” and “in” the street. The study also tried to discover the characteristics of street children with regard to conventional and unconventional families, and drug use.
Modulation by PKA of the hyperpolarization-activated current (Ih) in cultured rat olfactory receptor neurons

The hyperpolarization-activated Ih channel is modulated by neurotransmitters acting through the cAMP messenger system. In rat olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs), dopamine, by inhibition of adenylyl cyclase, shifts the voltage of half-maximal activation (V1/2) of Ih to more negative potentials and decreases Ih maximal relative conductance. Whether these effects result from a phosphorylation-dependent mechanism is unclear. Therefore, we used whole-cell patch-clamp recording techniques to study cAMP-dependent phosphorylation via PKA on Ih in rat ORNs. General protein kinase inhibition (50 nM K252a) produced a hyperpolarizing shift in Ih V1/2 and decreased Ih maximal conductance. Specific inhibition of PKA with H-89 (500 nM) also shifted the V1/2 of Ih to more negative potentials, and, in some cells, decreased Ih maximal conductance. PKA-mediated phosphorylation (cBIMPS, 50 mM) shifted Ih V1/2 more positive, modulated the kinetics of Ih channel activation and increased Ih peak current amplitude. Internal perfusion of the catalytic subunit of PKA (84 nM) also shifted Ih V1/2 positive and this shift was blocked by co-perfusion with PKI (50 nM). These results show that in rat ORNs, the voltage dependence of Ih activation can be modulated by PKA-dependent phosphorylation. We also show that PKA and other protein kinases may be involved in the regulation of Ih maximal conductance. Our findings suggest that changes in the phosphorylation state of ORNs may affect resting properties as well as modulate odor sensitivity.
On the Laplace Formula and the Meniscus Height for a Capillary Surface

Upper and lower bounds are given for the center and meniscus heights of a symmetric equilibrium capillary surface. The bounds are sensibly identical at small Bond numbers B, and they provide significant information also for intermediate values of B. Die Hohe im Mittelpunkt und die „Meniskushohe” einer symmetrischen Kapillarflache werden von oben und von unten abgeschatzt. Die Resultate sind Fur enge Rohren asymptotisch genau und behalten auch Fur breitere Rohren eine Bedeutung.
Age and Aesthetic Significance in Classical Music: A Multi-Level Reanalysis of Halsey's (1976) Ratings

Halsey (1976) provided quantitative ratings of the aesthetic significance of classical music masterworks, which have often been used in empirical studies of lifespan creativity. Previous research using the ratings suggests that composers overall show two career peaks, consistent with a recent “finder-seeker” creator typology. Here, ratings for 2533 works by 91 composers were reanalyzed using hierarchical linear modeling, which accounts for the nested structure of the data better than earlier multiple regression methods. In contrast to previous findings, results showed a single-peaked age function for aesthetic significance ratings. Composer-level variance in the slope of the trajectory was accounted for by total amount of masterpiece music composed and by career age at best work, even when those works were themselves removed from the dataset. This implies that composers show strong and consistent individual differences in career trajectories, which are interpreted via the “finder-seeker” typology.
One-Step Screening and Process Optimization Experiments

It is often recommended that process optimization experiments be performed sequentially, starting with a screening design and followed by additional experiments to deconfound interactions, to proceed along the path of steepest ascent, or to fit a response surface. In many situations, however, experimenters do not have the luxury of follow-up experiments, and they must base their improvement recommendations on the result of one experiment. Better than choosing between an optimization or screening design, recent literature has shown that certain orthogonal array experiments can be used simultaneously for screening and optimization. This article describes these experiments and gives examples of one-step screening and optimization.
Efficacy of a Single Oral Dose of Isosorbide 5‐Mononitrate in Normal Dogs and in Dogs with Congestive Heart Failure

Isosorbide 5-mononitrate (5-ISMN) was evaluated in normal dogs and dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF) in a randomized, blinded, and placebo-controlled study. Equilibrium blood pool imaging was used to detect changes in regional blood volume distribution. Six normal dogs were administered placebo, 2, 3, and 4 mg/kg 5-ISMN PO on separate days with a 1-week washout period between randomized dosings. Six dogs with CHF were administered placebo or 4 mg/kg 5-ISMN on separate days with a 1-week washout period between randomized dosings. Data were collected at baseline and at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, and 240 minutes after dosing. Measured variables included indirect arterial blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), packed cell volume (PCV), scintigraphic count rates for normal dogs, and scintigraphic count rates for CHF dogs. Blood for plasma 5-ISMN concentration determination was collected at 60 minutes. Scintigraphic counts were corrected for decay and expressed as a percentage of the whole. No differences were detected in BP, HR, PCV, thoracic blood volume percentage (TBVP), or abdominal blood volume percentage (ABVP) between placebo and 5-ISMN in normal dogs at any dose. No differences were detected in TBVP or ABVP between placebo and 5-ISMN in dogs with CHF Plasma 5-ISMN concentration exceeded the minimum therapeutic concentration in all dogs and at all doses 60 minutes after drug administration. Equilibrium blood pool imaging failed to detect a shift in blood volume with oral 5-ISMN administration at any dose tested in normal dogs and dogs with CHF, despite adequate drug absorption. On the basis of the results of this study, 5-ISMN may not be beneficial in the treatment of dogs with CHF.
Lack of pineal-induced gonadal regression in dark-exposed or blind hamsters after surgical isolation of the medial-basal hypothalamus☆

Abstract Blinding or exposing hamsters to increased dark periods (L:D::1:23) caused involution of the reproductive organs. Involution of reproductive organs was absent in hamsters that were pinealectomized or subjected to complete surgical isolation of the medial-basal hypothalamus. This observation suggests that isolation of the medial-basal hypothalamus may have destroyed pathways which serve to transmit photic information to the pineal (e.g., medial forebrain bundle) or the site of action of the substance secreted by the pineal in blind or dark-exposed hamsters is outside of the cut, located in a neural structure responsible for inhibition of gonadotropin release.
Cobalamin deficiency and subacute combined degeneration after nitrous oxide anesthesia: a case report.

Abstract Ahn SC, Brown AW. Cobalamin deficiency and subacute combined degeneration after nitrous oxide anesthesia: a case report. We report on a diabetic man in his early forties with a history of disabling left-hemisphere stroke and hyperhomocystinemia who developed new sensorimotor symptoms and urinary incontinence 4 weeks after prolonged exposure to nitrous oxide (N 2 O) related to arterial occlusive disease and amputation. Physical examination at rehabilitation hospital admission showed preexisting severe nonfluent multimodality language impairment, new ataxic quadriparesis superimposed on static spastic right hemiparesis, diffusely blunted muscle stretch reflexes, impaired cutaneous sensation and proprioception, diminished alternating motion rates, and impaired truncal balance. Laboratory tests revealed low serum cobalamin and hyperhomocystinemia. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spinal cord showed dorsal T2-signal hyperintensity. Treatment included vitamin replacement and comprehensive rehabilitation. His response to hospital-based and outpatient treatment led to successful prosthetic fitting. This case shows the importance of screening for and treating cobalamin deficiency before exposing patients with known risk to N 2 O and highlights the potential diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of subacute combined degeneration when it occurs with a setting of preexisting disabling neurologic impairment.
Experimental cervical spine injury model: Evaluation of airway management and splinting techniques

We evaluated airway management maneuvers and the effects of cervical splinting on a model of an injured spinal column. X-ray films of a fresh cadaver verified a normal cervical spine. C5-C6 instability was created surgically and documented radiologically with flexion and extension maneuvers. Basic and advanced airway techniques were performed and were documented radiologically. The procedures were then repeated using different types of splinting. Chin lift, jaw thrust, esophageal obturator airwy (EOA ® ), and endotracheal intubation can cause extension, widening, and/or anterior subluxation. A two-piece, semirigid soft cervical collar may minimize flexion but not extension of the spine. With the Velcro in back, soft collars minimize flexion; with Velcro in front, they minimize extension. Standard nonsurgical airway management techniques appear to aggravate preexisting injuries. The soft collar and semirigid collar do little to prevent movement, and their presence may serve only as a warning to physicians that a neck injury may be present.
Effect of Icing on Ship Maneuvering Characteristics

In this paper the effect of icing forward on the maneuvering characteristics of a small offshore supply vessel hull form, which was used for acoustic surveys in the North Atlantic by the US Navy during the Cold War, is studied. Icing is well known to compromise the roll motion stability of vessels but its effect on maneuvering and specifically path stability is not as well known. Using available empirical formulas for maneuvering coefficients and steady turning ability the effect of icing on the path stability and steady turning ability of this vessel are approximately evaluated. The results show that icing does affect the maneuverability but more study is required to more precisely quantify this effect.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Using Qualitative and Quantitative Information in Academic Decision Making

The authors use specific examples to illustrate the complementary role that qualitative (contextual) and quantitative decision support can play in support of the management of academic affairs.
Ligands to the integrin receptor αvβ3

The vitronectin receptor αvβ3 is a member of a family of membrane bound adhesion receptors that mediate cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions. This integrin recognises extracellular matrix proteins that express the tripeptide Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD). A number of patents and patent applications have recently appeared describing peptidic and non-peptidic αvβ3 antagonists as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of osteoporosis, cancer, diabetic retinopathy and rheumatoid arthritis. This review covers those issued patents and published patent applications that disclose novel ligands to αvβ3 that have appeared since 1999.
Internal hemipelvectomy for solitary pelvic thyroid cancer metastases.

Background and Objectives Radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy remains a primary treatment modality for metastatic thyroid carcinoma, but poor tumor uptake of the agent can limit its usefulness. While offering effective palliation, radiation therapy is not curative, and chemotherapy is even less useful. Surgical resection occasionally remains the only hope of offering a long-term cure in the case of isolated metastases. Methods We describe 3 cases of thyroid cancer metastatic to the pelvic girdle that were unresponsive to RAI and other nonoperative therapies, which presented over a 15-year time period. The pelvic disease was the only site of active disease in all cases, and all 3 patients were suffering considerable pain. All 3 patients underwent internal hemipelvectomy with reconstruction in 2 cases using a pelvic bone allograft. Results All 3 experienced symptomatic relief and early mobilization. While the infection rate was 100%, these all responded completely to operative debridement, irrigation, and antibiotics. One patient, found postoperatively to have a positive surgical margin, developed a local recurrence at 4 months and died. A second patient developed a local recurrence at 11 months and died. The third patient underwent a revision of her hip arthroplasty because of acetabular loosening after a fall 21 months postoperatively. She is alive, disease-free, and ambulatory with the aid of a cane 32 months after the original procedure. Conclusions We propose this surgical procedure in selected patients with metastatic pelvic thyroid cancer. It provides symptomatic relief with a chance for prolonged disease-free survival some patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2000;75:3–10. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Dynamic Load-Balance Strategy Based on Software Aging in Web Server Cluster System

Many studies reported that servers become aging after running a long time and the efficiency of server cluster system will degrade. This paper mainly focuses on modeling and analysis of dynamic load balance strategy adding software aging parameter into dynamic load balance strategy. Adding software aging into load balance strategy is proposed for the first time in this paper. A software aging algorithm based on robust locally weighted regression (Loess) is deployed to estimate aging trend and the threshold point used to compute software aging parameter. Experiments verify the effectiveness of the algorithm presented in this paper. The conclusions drawn from this paper will greatly benefit the application of software rejuvenation technique into load balance strategy, that is, it makes it easy to determine when to perform software rejuvenation in a server before it reaches the downtime. The results for the cluster system show that performance of the cluster can be effectively improved.
Steric Effects on Gas-Phase Negative Ion Resonances of Phthalates

The interaction of low-energy electrons with eight phthalates was studied using an electron monochromator−mass spectromer (EM−MS). Each phthalate captures electrons of discrete energy to yield negative ions by resonance or dissociative electron capture. Two negative ion resonances are generally observed for each ion. Electrons with energies of ∼0.6 and ∼1.1 eV result in maximum molecular ion intensity for o-phthalates, while higher energy electrons produce (M−R1)-, (M−R1−R2 + H)-, and phthalic anhydride ions. m-Dimethyl phthalate yields a molecular ion with electrons of energies 0.19 and 0.87 eV, but no fragment ions. Electron attachment energies calculated with the HF/D95//HF/6-31G basis set and a scaling constant are in reasonable agreement with the experimental values for the first molecular ion state of each phthalate. Semiemperical calculations show that the optimum geometry for m-dimethyl phthalate results when both ester groups are coplanar with the benzene ring, while steric interactions force the...
Temperature-Dependent Electron Transport through Silver Nanocrystal Superlattices

Temperature-dependent electron transport was measured through three-dimensional close-packed alkanethiol-stabilized silver nanocrystal arrays using interdigitated array electrodes. Nanocrystals ranging from 35 to 77 A in diameter with Coulomb blockade energies well above kT were studied. The nanocrystal superlattices exhibit linear current−voltage behavior for temperatures as low as 70 K. Ordered face-centered cubic (fcc) superlattices exhibit a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (TCR), characteristic of a metal, at temperatures above approximately 225 to 245 K, depending on the particle size. The values of the conductivity, on the order of 10-6 to 10-7 Ω-1 cm-1, however, are characteristic of semiconductors. Below the transition temperature, the TCR for the size-monodisperse nanocrystal arrays becomes negative, characteristic of an insulator and the conductance G, of the ordered arrays scales exponentially with temperature as G ∝ exp[−(To/T)ν]. The exponent ν, ranges from 0.67 to 1.34 for na...
Transactional Acceleration of Concurrent Data Structures

Concurrent data structures are a fundamental building block for scalable multi-threaded programs. While Transactional Memory (TM) was originally conceived as a mechanism for simplifying the creation of concurrent data structures, modern hardware TM systems lack the progress properties needed to completely obviate traditional techniques for designing concurrent data structures, especially those requiring nonblocking progress guarantees. In this paper, we introduce the Prefix Transaction Optimization (PTO) technique for employing hardware TM to accelerate existing concurrent data structures. Our technique consists of three stages: the creation of a prefix transaction, the mechanical optimization of the prefix transaction, and then algorithm-specific optimizations to further improve performance. We apply PTO to five nonblocking data structures, and observe speedups of up to 2x at one thread, and up to 3x at 8 threads.
Interleukin-1α in blood has direct access to cortical brain cells

Interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), an immunoregulatory protein secreted by the peripheral immune system, affects the central nervous system (CNS). IL-1 alpha could directly enter the parenchyma of the brain in intact form to alter brain function, or it could be blocked or sequestered by the capillary bed comprising the blood-brain barrier (BBB) that normally retards entry of circulating proteins to the brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We show here by use of the selective interleukin receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), capillary depletion method, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and saturation with unlabeled IL-1 alpha that radioactively labeled IL-1 alpha injected iv directly enters the CNS in intact form. This also occurs in the brain cortex, an area devoid of circumventricular organs (CVOs), and in the CSF, an area devoid of capillaries. Capillaries can also sequester IL-1 alpha in a saturable manner, suggesting that they may be the site for the carrier-mediated entry of IL-1 alpha into the CNS. Thus, the results show that circulating IL-1 alpha has direct access to cortical brain cells behind the BBB through a saturable transport system that provides a major pathway by which the brain and immune system interact.
COMPUTER CODE FOR REDUCTION OF COINCIDENCE COUNTING DATA

Abstract A computer code COINC (ANL-RP-258) is described which may be used to reduce most types of coincidence counting data, including 4π β-γ and γ-γ. Input variables include particulars of identification, run time, clock times, total counts in the single and coincidence channels, and normalizing sample volume; the fixed system parameters are dead times and coincidence gate times for each channel, background rates, decay constants, and associated standard errors. The code computes corrected single channel and coincidence rates, specific disintegration rates at “zero” reference time, efficiencies, error limits, and a weighted mean when more than one case is run at one time. The program is used with either manual or automatic data transcription. This Fortran-II Code has been adapted to the IBM-704, DDP-24 and CDC-3600.
Whispering-gallery mirrors: fabrication tolerances and the effects of surface imperfections

Like all short-wavelength optics, whispering-gallery mirrors that are intended for use with soft x rays require a high-quality surface finish. A coupled-mode description of scatter in whispering-gallery mirrors provides a convenient way of understanding the effects of surface imperfections and of establishing fabrication tolerances. Different kinds of imperfection have different effects on mirror performance and can be tolerated to different degrees. Figure errors, for example, are not critical, but periodic toolmarks are potentially disastrous. The acceptable amounts of random waviness and microscopic roughness depend on the correlation lengths involved. Overall, the tolerances are strict but less severe than those for normal-incidence optics.
Man-made structures on marine sediments: Effects on adjacent benthic communities

This study (1975–1977) examines the effect of man-made structures on natural sand bottom communities in shallow water in San Diego County, southern California, USA. While there were shallow scour effects to 15 m around some artificial reefs, the reefs had no measurable effect on sand ripple patterns, grain size, organic carbon or infauna beyond the scoured areas. Foraging by reef-associated fishes produced profound alterations in the epifauna populations of the sea pen Stylatula elongata. The sea pen densities were 4 to 10 m-2 before the reefs were established, but within 5 mo were eliminated from distances greater than 200 m around the reefs. On the other hand, densities of the tube-building polychaetes Diopatra spp. seemed to be enhanced in the immediate vicinity of the artificial reef. Oil platforms and bridge pilings seem to have much more profound effects on the nearby sand communities than do the relatively small artificial reefs. In addition to the elimination of sea pens, Diopatra spp. densities increased from <1.0 m-2 in control areas to as many as 73 m-2 in the vicinity of oil platforms. Grain size and infauna were strongly affected by the oil platform.
Immature euphausiids do not appear to be prey for humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) during spring and summer in Southeast Alaska

Humpbacks whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) have shown a remarkable recovery in the North Pacific, raising concerns regarding their impact on marine communities. In Southeast Alaska, humpbacks feed heavily on euphausiids; however, it remains unclear whether they target immature individuals despite evidence that they do so elsewhere. I evaluate the hypothesis that humpbacks target immature euphausiids in late spring-summer in Southeast Alaska. Plankton samples were collected at random sites (n = 44) and near whales (n = 53) between 8 June and 9 September 2008 in Frederick Sound and Stephens Passage. The proportion of samples containing immature euphausiids, and immature euphausiid abundance within those samples, were compared between the two sample types. Similar analyses were conducted for adult euphausiids (prey) and calanoid copepods (nonprey) for comparison. I found no statistical difference between the whale and random samples with respect to the occurrence or numerical density of immature euphausiids, which is consistent with the hypothesis that whales did not target them in 2008. Smaller size, insufficient numerical densities and lower energy density of immature euphausiids are suggested as possible reasons. These findings can assist in resolving regional humpback abundance and distribution patterns, and can contribute to an understanding of the trophic interactions characterizing the local ecosystem.
Structural basis for spectrin recognition by ankyrin

Maintenance of membrane integrity and organization in the metazoan cell is accomplished through intracellular tethering of membrane proteins to an extensive, flexible protein network. Spectrin, the principal component of this network, is anchored to membrane proteins through the adaptor protein ankyrin. To elucidate the atomic basis for this interaction, we determined a crystal structure of human βI-spectrin repeats 13 to 15 in complex with the ZU5-ANK domain of human ankyrin R. The structure reveals the role of repeats 14 to 15 in binding, the electrostatic and hydrophobic contributions along the interface, and the necessity for a particular orientation of the spectrin repeats. Using structural and biochemical data as a guide, we characterized the individual proteins and their interactions by binding and thermal stability analyses. In addition to validating the structural model, these data provide insight into the nature of some mutations associated with cell morphology defects, including those found in human diseases such as hereditary spherocytosis and elliptocytosis. Finally, analysis of the ZU5 domain suggests it is a versatile protein-protein interaction module with distinct interaction surfaces. The structure represents not only the first of a spectrin fragment in complex with its binding partner, but also that of an intermolecular complex involving a ZU5 domain.
Single-stage replacement of the thoracic aorta.

Ann Thorac Surg 2002;74:1292 Nicholas T. Kouchoukos, Paolo Masetti and Chris K. Rokkas Single-stage replacement of the thoracic aorta http://ats.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/content/full/74/4/1292 the World Wide Web at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and services, is located on
A new tool to assess coping and perception of children with haemophilia

METHODS The HCPT is a board game, containing a comprehensive set of 33 questions about haemophilia, including coping strategies, perception of the disease, knowledge, self-management and distress. We are aiming to include at least 30 boys with haemophilia in the age of 8-12 years in this multicentre study (Emma Children’s Hospital, UMC Groningen, Catharina Hospital Eindhoven, Leiden UMC, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre and Sophia Children’s Hospital Rotterdam). To validate the HCPT, children and parents complete the HaemoQoL (Haemophilia Quality of Life questionnaire short version), two coping questionnaires (CODI; Coping with a Disease and the Op Koers questionnaire) as well as the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC). After fi nishing the HCPT, children and parents respond to an evaluation questionnaire about the HCPT.
BMI and rates of suicide in the United States: an ecological analysis

BMI has been inversely associated with risk of completed suicide in several cohort studies, but putative mechanisms for this association and its generalizability throughout the United States are uncertain. We ascertained recent population-based, state-level data on rates of obesity, completed suicide (by method), firearm ownership, smoking, major depression, income, education, white race, and nonmetropolitan residence, compiled from federal agencies and surveys, and determined the adjusted population-weighted correlations of statewide obesity rates with measures of completed and attempted suicide. Statewide prevalence of obesity was strongly inversely correlated with age adjusted suicide rate (multivariable-adjusted r=-0.66; P<0.001). The correlation was somewhat stronger for rates of nonfirearm-related (r=-0.75; P<0.001) than firearm-related suicides (r=-0.53; P<0.001), and was of similar magnitude as the positive correlations of firearm prevalence with suicide rate (r=0.75; P<0.001) or of obesity with prevalence of diabetes (r=0.41; P=0.006). In analyses of fatal and nonfatal suicidal acts, obesity rates were inversely correlated with rates of suicidal acts using firearms (r=-0.53; P=0.02) and suffocation (r=-0.76; P<0.001) but not other methods. Obesity rates were also inversely correlated with the case-fatality ratios of acts using poisoning (r=-0.51; P=0.01). Thus, statewide rates of obesity are strongly inversely correlated with rates of completed suicide in multivariable analyses, a finding that appears to relate to fewer attempts by suffocation and a lower case-fatality ratio for poisonings, although the mechanism for the inverse correlation with firearm-related suicides requires further elucidation.
SEX OF CHILDREN: A COMMUNITY ANALYSIS OF PREFERENCES AND PREDETERMINATION ATTITUDES

A self-administered questionnaire concerning child sex preferences and attitudes toward the exercise of pre- and post-conception sex predetermination was distributed and retrieved from an urbanized...
Applying LSI and data reduction to XML for counter terrorism

Data reduction is a critical problem for counter-terrorism; large collections of documents must be analyzed and processed, raising issues related to performance, lossless reduction, polysemy (the meaning of individual words being influenced by their surrounding words), and synonymy (the possibility of the same term being described in different ways). In this paper, we begin by presenting a survey of latent semantic indexing (LSI) techniques and strategies. Next, we highlight a subset of LSI software packages that are available (commercially and academically). Then, we explore approaches that apply LSI to eXtensible Markup Language (XML) data. Using this as a basis, the paper proposes an approach that applies LSI and data reduction to XML documents by transitioning from support vector machines (SVM) to random projections to LSI, and also postulates on the exploitation of semantics of Web-based documents that are captured via XML tags.
Genetic diversity and striatal gene networks: focus on the heterogeneous stock-collaborative cross (HS-CC) mouse

The current study focused on the extent genetic diversity within a species (Mus musculus) affects gene co-expression network structure. To examine this issue, we have created a new mouse resource, a heterogeneous stock (HS) formed from the same eight inbred strains that have been used to create the collaborative cross (CC). The eight inbred strains capture > 90% of the genetic diversity available within the species. For contrast with the HS-CC, a C57BL/6J (B6) × DBA/2J (D2) F2 intercross and the HS4, derived from crossing the B6, D2, BALB/cJ and LP/J strains, were used. Brain (striatum) gene expression data were obtained using the Illumina Mouse WG 6.1 array, and the data sets were interrogated using a weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Genes reliably detected as expressed were similar in all three data sets as was the variability of expression. As measured by the WGCNA, the modular structure of the transcriptome networks was also preserved both on the basis of module assignment and from the perspective of the topological overlap maps. Details of the HS-CC gene modules are provided; essentially identical results were obtained for the HS4 and F2 modules. Gene ontology annotation of the modules revealed a significant overrepresentation in some modules for neuronal processes, e.g., central nervous system development. Integration with known protein-protein interactions data indicated significant enrichment among co-expressed genes. We also noted significant overlap with markers of central nervous system cell types (neurons, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes). Using the Allen Brain Atlas, we found evidence of spatial co-localization within the striatum for several modules. Finally, for some modules it was possible to detect an enrichment of transcription binding sites. The binding site for Wt1, which is associated with neurodegeneration, was the most significantly overrepresented. Despite the marked differences in genetic diversity, the transcriptome structure was remarkably similar for the F2, HS4 and HS-CC. These data suggest that it should be possible to integrate network data from simple and complex crosses. A careful examination of the HS-CC transcriptome revealed the expected structure for striatal gene expression. Importantly, we demonstrate the integration of anatomical and network expression data.
Hierarchical placement and network design problems

Gives constant approximations for a number of layered network design problems. We begin by modeling hierarchical caching, where the caches are placed in layers and each layer satisfies a fixed percentage of the demand (bounded miss rates). We present a constant approximation to the minimum total cost of placing the caches and to the routing demand through the layers. We extend this model to cover more general layered caching scenarios, giving a constant combinatorial approximation to the well-studied multi-level facility location problem. We consider a facility location variant, the load-balanced facility location problem, in which every demand is served by a unique facility and each open facility must serve at least a certain amount of demand. By combining load-balanced facility location with our results on hierarchical caching, we give a constant approximation for the access network design problem.
Violence Exposure Among Children of Incarcerated Mothers

Social workers are becoming increasingly aware of the unique experiences faced by children of incarcerated parents. Little is known, however, about their experiences prior to their parents being incarcerated. Using data from a broader study of incarcerated women, we examined women’s accounts of their children’s exposure to violence prior to maternal incarceration. Open-ended interviews addressed family and relationship history, physical and psychological victimization, lifetime delinquency and crime, and interactions with service and justice systems. Interviews were analyzed using ATLAS/ti software and a grounded-theory approach. The emergent themes revealed a myriad of consequences experienced by the children, including child witnessing of violence, emotional sequelae, bodily harm from abuse and neglect, sexual abuse, and birth defects from prenatal violence. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
A longitudinal study of maternal attachment and infant developmental outcomes

Extant research has demonstrated that compared to adults with insecure attachment styles, more securely attached parents tend to be more responsive, sensitive, and involved parents, resulting in improved outcomes for their children. Less studied is the influence of a mother's attachment style on her attachment to her unborn child during pregnancy and the consequent developmental outcomes of the child during early childhood. Thus, the aim of this prospective longitudinal study was to examine the relationship between maternal–fetal attachment (MFA) during pregnancy and infant and toddler outcomes and the role of mothers' attachment style on early childhood developmental outcomes in an economically disadvantaged sample of women and their children. Gamma regression modeling demonstrated that an avoidant maternal attachment style (b = .98, 95 % CI [.97, .98], p < 0.001) and post-partum depressive symptomatology (b = .97, 95 % CI [.96–.99], p = 0.03) were significant predictors of early childhood development. Women demonstrating higher avoidant attachment styles and greater depressive symptomatology were more likely to have children demonstrating early childhood developmental delays than those women with less avoidant attachment styles and less depressive symptomatology. Furthermore, women reporting higher MFA during pregnancy had more secure attachment styles, and their children had more optimal early childhood development than those women reporting lower MFA and less secure attachment styles. Findings have implications for enhancing early intervention programs aimed at improving maternal and childhood outcomes. An earlier identification of disruptions in attachment may be beneficial in tailoring interventions focused on the mother–child dyad.
Habituation to repeated restraint stress is associated with lack of stress-induced c-fos expression in primary sensory processing areas of the rat brain.

Rats repeatedly exposed to restraint show a reduced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis response upon restraint re-exposure. This hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis response habituation to restraint does not generalize to other novel stressors and is associated with a decrease in stress-induced c-fos expression in a number of stress-reactive brain regions. We examined whether habituation to repeated restraint is also associated with adaptation of immediate early gene expression in brain regions that process and relay primary sensory information. These brain regions may not be expected to show gene expression adaptation to repeated restraint because of their necessary role in experience discrimination. Rats were divided into a repeated restraint group (five 1-hour daily restraint sessions) and an unstressed group (restraint naive). On the sixth day rats from each group were either killed with no additional stress experience or at 15, 30 or 60 min during restraint. Immediate early gene expression (corticotrophin-releasing hormone heteronuclear RNA, c-fos mRNA, zif268 mRNA) was determined by in situ hybridization. A reduction in stress-induced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hormone secretion (plasma corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone) and immediate early gene expression levels in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, the lateral septum and the orbital cortex was observed in repeated restraint as compared with restraint naive animals. This reduction was already evident at 15 min of restraint. Unexpectedly, we also found in repeated restraint rats a reduction in restraint-induced c-fos expression in primary sensory-processing brain areas (primary somatosensory cortex, and ventroposteriomedial and dorsolateral geniculate nuclei of thalamus). The overall levels of hippocampal mineralocorticoid receptor heteronuclear RNA or glucocorticoid receptor mRNA were not decreased by repeated restraint, as may occur in response to severe chronic stress. We propose that repeated restraint leads to a systems-level adaptation whereby re-exposure to restraint elicits a rapid inhibitory modulation of primary sensory processing (i.e. sensory gating), thereby producing a widespread attenuation of the neural response to restraint.
Channel Estimation for Frequency-Domain Equalization of Single-Carrier Broadband Wireless Communications

Frequency-domain equalization (FDE) is an effective technique for high-data-rate wireless communication systems suffering from very long intersymbol interference. Most of the existing FDE algorithms are limited to slow time-varying fading channels due to the lack of an accurate channel estimator. In this paper, we employ an interpolation method to propose new algorithms for frequency-domain channel estimation for both slow and fast time-varying fading. We show that least squares (LS)-based channel estimation and minimum mean square (MMSE)-based channel estimation with interpolations are equivalent under certain conditions. Noise variance estimation and channel equalization in the frequency domain are also discussed with fine-tuned formulas. Numerical examples indicate that the new algorithms perform very well for severe fading channels with long delay spread and high Doppler spread. It is also shown that our new algorithms outperform the recently developed frequency-domain least mean squares (LMS) and recursive LS (RLS) algorithms which are capable of dealing with moderate fading channels.
Exploitation of Nonlinear Effects for Enhancement of the Sensing Performance of Resonant Sensors

Nonlinear effects in resonating structures have been exploited to achieve high sensing performance. The nominal platform consists of a disc type resonant magnetic sensor, comprising a permanent magnet supported by multiple micromachined silicon beams. Nonlinearity effects on sensitivity have been characterized as a function of beam width and the number of beams using analytical models as well as numerical analysis. By increasing the number of beams while reducing beam width (and thereby maintaining constant nominal linear resonant frequency), large nonlinearity has been obtained, resulting in increased change in operating resonant frequency per unit applied magnetic field. To verify the result experimentally, magnetic sensors with differing beam dimensions are microfabricated and tested. As expected, a structure with 6 beams and a beam width of 13.1 mum shows a higher normalized sensitivity of 0.196 [mHz/Hz-degree] than one with 4 beams and a beam width of 14.6 mum of 0.086 [mHz/Hz-degree] in detection of the direction of the magnetic field of the earth.