cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Compost mineralization in soil as a function of composting process conditions

Compost has been shown to have a range of positive impacts on soil quality and can provide an important source of nutrients for plants. While these benefits have been documented for many finished composts, there is presently little understanding of the impact of composting process conditions and the extent of compost decomposition on soil C and N mineralization after compost incorporation. This study evaluated the impact of composting process conditions and the extent of compost decomposition on soil C and N mineralization after compost incorporation. Dried, ground composts were blended with equal parts of quartz sand and soil and incubated aerobically for 28 d at 30 °C. Cumulative respired CO 2‐C and net mineralized N were quantified. Results indicate that (1) organic substrates that did not degrade due to sub-optimal conditions during the composting process can readily mineralize after incorporation in soil; (2) C and N cycling dynamics in soil after compost incorporation can be affected by compost feedstock, processing conditions, and time; and (3) denitrification after compost incorporation in soil can limit N availability from compost.
Spinal Disorders Associated with Skeletal Dysplasias and Syndromes

Skeletal dysplasias are a heterogeneous group of disorders in which there is abnormal cartilage and bone formation, growth, and remodeling. There are more than 200 described skeletal dysplasias. Skeletal dysplasias can affect the spine in various ways, with attendant neurosurgical implications for diagnosis and treatment. Craniocervical junction abnormalities, atlantoaxial subluxation, and kyphoscoliotic deformity are among the common spinal problems that are found in certain skeletal dysplasias.
Generalizations of the Jacobian Integral

The restricted problem of three bodies is generalized to the restricted problem of 2+n bodies. Instead of one body of small mass and two primaries, the system is modified so that there are several gravitationally interacting bodies with small masses. Their motions are influenced by the primaries but they do not influence the motions of the primaries. Several variations of the classical problem are discussed. The separate Jacobian integrals of the minor bodies are lost but a conservative (time-independent) Hamiltonian of the system is obtained. For the case of two minor bodies, the five Lagrangian points of the classical problem are generalized and fourteen equilibrium solutions are established. The four linearly stable equilibrium solutions which are the generalizations of the triangular Lagrangian points are once again stable but only for considerably smaller values of the mass parameter of the primaries than in the classical problem.
A contiguous Not I restriction map of band q22.3 of human chromosome 21.

Abstract A contiguous high-resolution NotI restriction map of the distal region of the long arm of human chromosome 21 was constructed by three strategies: linking clones to identify adjacent pieces of DNA, partial digestion to identify neighboring fragments, and cell line polymorphisms to prove identity or adjacency of DNA fragments. Twenty-nine single-copy DNA probes and five linking clone probes were used to determine the order of 30 Not I fragments, covering 10 megabases of DNA in band q22.3. Smaller Not I fragments occur preferentially in this region, suggesting that band q22.3 is unusually rich in genes, since Not I sites occur almost exclusively in CpG islands. Comparison of the physical map and genetic maps in this region reveals a 10-fold higher than average recombination frequency.
Ambient clumsiness in virtual environments

A fundamental pursuit of Virtual Reality is the experience of a seamless connection between the user's body and actions within the simulation. Virtual worlds often mediate the relationship between the physical and virtual body through creating an idealized representation of the self in an idealized space. This paper argues that the very ubiquity of the medium of virtual environments, such as the massively popular Second Life, has now made them mundane, and that idealized representations are no longer appropriate. In our artwork we introduce the attribute of clumsiness to Second Life by creating and distributing scripts that cause users' avatars to exhibit unpredictable stumbling, tripping, and momentary poor coordination, thus subtly and unexpectedly intervening with, rather than amplifying, a user's intent. These behaviors are publicly distributed, and manifest only occasionally - rather than intentional, conscious actions, they are involuntary and ambient. We suggest that the physical human body is itself an imperfect interface, and that the continued blurring of distinctions between the physical body and virtual representations calls for the introduction of these mundane, clumsy elements.
Multiple jejunal cancers resulting from combination of germline APC and MLH1 mutations

Double heterozygotes for mutations in APC and a DNA mismatch repair gene are extremely rare. We report on an individual who had truncating mutations in APC and MLH1 whose clinical presentation initially resembled Familial Adenomatous Polyposis but then emerged as a novel phenotype with multiple jejunal carcinomas. We have reviewed the relevant literature on double heterozygotes and based on what has been reported to date, this phenotype was not anticipated. It may be useful for clinicians to be aware of this observation as clinical screening guidelines are proposed for such individuals.
Manipulation of the properties of enzymes by covalent attachment of carbohydrate

Covalent attachment of low molecular weight sugars and polysaccharides to enzymes alters greatly the properties of the enzymes in vitro and their behavior in vivo. Some carbohydrate—enzyme conjugates may have potential as therapeutic agents.
Mapping the FEN1 interaction domain with hTERT.

The activity of telomerase in cancer cells is tightly regulated by numerous proteins including DNA replication factors. However, it is unclear how replication proteins regulate telomerase action in higher eukaryotic cells. Previously we have demonstrated that the multifunctional DNA replication and repair protein flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1) is in complex with telomerase and may regulate telomerase activity in mammalian cells. In this study, we further analyzed the nature of this association. Our results show that FEN1 and telomerase association occurs throughout the S phase, with the maximum association in the mid S phase. We further mapped the physical domains in FEN1 required for this association and found that the C-terminus and the nuclease domain of FEN1 are involved in this interaction, whereas the PCNA binding ability of FEN1 is dispensable for the interaction. These results provide insights into the nature of possible protein–protein associations that telomerase participates in for maintaining functional telomeres.
3457 Peroral creation of durable gastroenteric anastomoses with magnetic compression and stenting.

Magnetic compression may achieve tissue remodeling via pressure induced ischemic necrosis. We describe the technique and patency of side-to-side GEA created by magnetic compression tissue remodeling and maintained with covered stents in a canine model. Methods: Enteral (EM) and Gastric (GM) rare-earth disc magnets modified with cutting edges are used in 30Kg anesthetized hounds. The EM is advanced into the proximal small bowel attached to a forceps extending from the tip of an Olympus CF1T- 100 colonoscope. The forceps is exchanged for a.035 stainless steel guidewire and the endoscope withdrawn, leaving the EM on the wire behind. A pushing catheter is advanced over the wire and the combination of withdrawing the guidewire or advancing the pushing catheter allow the EM to be advanced or withdrawn to achieve planar proximity to the gastric bubble seen fluoroscopically. The GM is endoscopically advanced to the stomach and direct opposition of the EM and GM is achieved via coordinated endoscopic and fluoroscopic manipulation. A palpable "click" is observed when the EM/GM coupling occurs. Endoscopic mucosal clips placed around the GM to mark the site. Ischemic pressure necrosis occurs in 5-7 days and EM/GM are excreted. The GEA is confirmed endoscopically and fluoroscopically. A partially or completely covered with adherent polyurethane, 12mm(d)-flared "Z" -stent (Wilson-Cook Med.) is placed to maintain patency. Re-inspection was done at 1 mo., then Q2 mos. Animal weight and food intake was monitored. Necropsy was performed upon evidence of stent malfunction. Results: After adjustments for EM/GM size, strength, and cutting edge, the procedure has been performed on 9 subjects. GEA was confirmed and stented in all but one case in which premature anastomosis closure occurred. There were no instances of bleeding, peritonitis, or dehiscence. Partially covered stents (Group 1, n=6) patency: m 90d (r 57-147). Completely covered stents (Group 2, n=3) patency: 5 mo. (n=1), 6 mo. (n=2). Partial or complete occlusions of Group 1 stents occured due to tissue ingrowth in areas of membrane detachment. In Group 2, one dog was sacrificed at 5 mo. due to breakage of the stent but retention of patency. Conclusions: Magnetic compression can successfully create GEA. Using this technique, GEA can be created non-operatively under combined endoscopic and fluoroscopic assistance. Covered stent placement maintains durable GEA patency.
Toxicity, distribution, and elimination of thiol complexes of methylmercury after intracerebral injection

Intracerebral injection of CH 3 Hg and CH 3 Hg complexed with glutathione (CSH), cys‐teine (cys), cysteinylglycine (cys‐gly), and homocysteine (homocys) resulted in differences in toxicity. Criteria based on neurological indices, mortality, and weight loss indicated that the cys‐gly complex of CH 3 Hg was significantly less toxic than CH 3 Hg or the other complexes. The other complexes of CH 3 Hg (CSH, homocys, and cys) were also found to be less toxic than CH 3 Hg. The selenium status of the animal did not seem to significantly influence the toxicity of CH 3 Hg and the complexes. While CH 3 Hg complexed to cys‐gly was significantly less toxic than CH 3 Hg alone, there were no differences observed in the CH 3 Hg half‐life values or in the distribution of these compounds in the kidneys, brain, liver, and blood. It was observed, however, that the CH 3 Hg‐cys‐gly complex had higher fecal excretion on d 3 and 4 following intracerebral injection.
Fick's Law and Transient Diffusion of Boron in Silicon

The phenomenon of transient diffusion of boron in crystalline silicon is considered. The local equilibrium assumption from the law of mass action is not used in order to estimate the length of the transient regime. For an interstitial diffuser such as boron, the pair of diffusion equations, one each for the mobile and the immobile species, can be interpreted as a generalized Fick's Law in the total concentration with a position- and time-dependent diffusion coefficient whose concentration-weighted average, called the global diffusion coefficient, has an analytic solution for an appropriately defined time-lag. At 850°C for boron, the transient in the global diffusion coefficient is negligible, showing that the local equilibrium assumption is justified. An estimate is given for conditions under which local equilibrium may not be valid.
Support programs that work

Research shows that Latino students are grossly underrepresented in higher education. In this chapter, however, we show how family, community, and institutional partnerships can be an evidence-based practice for faculty and student affairs professionals who wish to increase Latino participation and graduation rates.
Unusual venous thrombosis associated with protein C deficiency.

Abstract A patient in whom massive puerperal thrombophlebitis developed had protein C deficiency. In patients who initially have thrombosis that is unusual either in its nature or extent, investigation may, as in this case, reveal the presence of a hypercoagulable state. (J VASC SURG 1988;7:443-5.)
EUV mask process development using DUV inspection system

As the design rule continues to shrink towards 3x nm and below, lithographers are searching for new and advanced methods of mask lithography such as immersion, double patterning and extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL). EUV lithography is one of the leading candidates for the next generation lithography technologies after 193 nm immersion and many mask makers and equipment makers have focused on stabilizing the process. With EUV lithography just around the corner, it is crucial for advanced mask makers to develop and stabilize EUV mask processes. As a result, an inspection tool is required to monitor and provide quick feedback to each process step.
Alumina barrier layers on LCD glass

Abstract Effective diffusion coefficients, D e , for the movement of sodium from an LCD glass into a sputtered alumina barrier layer have been determined. Secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis was used to measure sodium concentrations in 100 nm thick alumina films on soda lime glass at 520°C and for similar films on alkaline earth boroaluminosilicate glass at 650°C. Calculated values of D e are compared with extrapolated values of the diffusion coefficient, D , for sodium in polycrystalline alumina. The agreement is inconsistent. This is explained in terms of the countercurrent of hydrogen ions needed to maintain charge neutrality when a sodium ion moves out of the glass into the alumina film.
The usefulness of a theoretical form factor for transport calculations in potassium: A reply to criticism

Abstract Recent suggestions that the form factor employed by Taylor, Leavens and Shukla gives rise to large errors in the electrical resistivity are shown to be groundless. It is also pointed out that a form factor based on sound theory can give far more insight into physical processes than one fitted entirely to experimental data.
Improving Ethical Knowledge and Sensemaking from Cases through Elaborative Interrogation and Outcome Valence

The case-based approach to learning is popular among many applied fields. However, results of case-based education vary widely on case content and case presentation. This study examined two aspects of case-based education—outcome valence and case elaboration methods—in a two-day case-based Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) ethics education program. Results suggest that outcome information is an integral part of a quality case. Furthermore, valence consistent outcomes may have certain advantages over mixed valence outcome information. Finally, students enjoy and excel working with case material, and the use of elaborative interrogation techniques can significantly improve internally-focused ethical sensemaking strategies associated with personal biases, constraints, and emotions.
Dose-dependent actions of thyroxine on hepatic drug metabolism in male and female rats.

Abstract Studies were carried out to compare the effects of various doses of thyroxine (T 4 ) on hepatic drug metabolism in male and female rats and to evaluate the role of the pituitary gland in the modulation of T 4 action. Administration of small amounts of T 4 (2.5 to 5 μg/100g body wt/day) to hypophysectomized rats of either sex increased hepatic ethylmorphine demethylase, benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase and aniline hydroxylase activities. Larger amounts of T 4 (12.5 to 50 μg) reversed the stimulatory effects of the smaller doses. T 4 treatment produced dose-dependent decreases in hepatic cytochrome P-450 content and increases in NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity in hypophysectomized rats of both sexes. Qualitatively similar effects were produced by T 4 administration to thyroidectomized male and female rats. However, larger doses of T 4 were required for maximum stimulation of drug metabolism in thyroidectomized than in hypophysectomized animals. The results indicate that physiological amounts of T 4 Uniformly stimulate hepatic drug metabolism in both male and female rats. Supraphysiological amounts, however, inhibit metabolism of some substrates and produce sex differences in T 4 actions. The effects of T 4 are demonstrable in the absence of the pituitary gland but pituitary-dependent factors appear to modulate the magnitude of the response to T 4 .
Airborne UV DIAL measurements of ozone and aerosols

The NASA Langley Research Center's airborne UV Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) system measures vertical profiles of ozone and aerosols above and below the aircraft along its flight track. This system has been used in over 20 airborne field missions designed to study the troposphere and stratosphere since 1980. Four of these missions involved tropospheric measurement programs in the Pacific Ocean with two in the western North Pacific and two in the South Pacific. The UV DIAL system has been used in these missions to study such things as pollution outflow, long-range transport, and stratospheric intrusions; categorize the air masses encountered; and to guide the aircraft to altitudes where interesting features can be studied using the in situ instruments. This paper will highlight the findings with the UV DIAL system in the Pacific Ocean field programs and introduce the mission planned for the western North Pacific for February-April 2001. This will be an excellent opportunity for collaboration between the NASA airborne mission and those with ground-based War systems in Asia Pacific Rim countries to make a more complete determination of the transport of air from Asia to the western Pacific.
Assessing computer anxiety: Development and validation of the Computer Anxiety Rating Scale

Abstract Despite the growing role of computers in society, some individuals may actually avoid and resist learning about computers due to their anxiety. The present study was conducted in order to develop and validate the Computer Anxiety Rating Scale (CARS), by examining the behavioral, cognitive, and affective components of computer anxiety. The CARS was shown to be a reliable and valid measure. Higher levels of computer anxiety were related to greater math and test anxiety, and to less computer experience and mechanical interest. During an actual computer interaction, greater computer anxiety was associated with lower expectations and poorer task performance, as well as with greater state anxiety, reported physiological arousal, and debilitative thoughts. These results are consistent with a cognitive-attentional theory of computer anxiety and suggest directions for future research. Consistent differences between women and men on indices of computer anxiety were not found.
The Budget‐Minimizing Bureaucrat? Empirical Evidence from the Senior Executive Service

In a representative democracy, we assume the populace exerts some control over the actions and outputs of government officials, ensuring they comport with public preferences. However, the growth of the fourth branch of government has created a paradox: Unelected bureaucrats now have the power to affect government decisions (Meier 1993; Rourke 1984; Aberbach, Putnam, and Rockman 1981). In this article, I rely on two competing theories of bureaucratic behavior-representative-bureaucracy theory and Niskanen's budget-maximization theory-to assess how well the top ranks of the federal government represent the demands of the citizenry. Focusing on federal-spending priorities, I assess whether Senior Executive Service (SES) members mirror the attitudes of the populace or are likely to inflate budgets for their own personal gain. Contrary to the popular portrayal of the budget-maximizing bureaucrat (Niskanen 1971), I find these federal administrators prefer less spending than the public on most broad spending categories, even on issues that fall within their own departments' jurisdictions. As such, it may be time to revise our theories about bureaucratic self-interest and spending priorities.
Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) Nanomechanical Resonator Integrated With Phase Locked Loop

Nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) are interesting for both probing nanoscale physical fundamentals and exploring new technological applications [1]. In particular, nanomechanical resonators possess superb attributes including surprisingly-high operating frequency, ultra-small mass, high quality factor (Q), and thus are promising candidates for components in novel signal processing systems and ultra-sensitive sensors [1,2]. NEMS resonators with fundamental resonant frequencies exceeding 1GHz have been realized [3] and unprecedented mass sensitivity has also been demonstrated with VHF high-Q NEMS resonant mass sensors [2,4]. Among many engineering challenges to boost NEMS to more practical applications, it is of great importance to develop the generic protocol of integrating NEMS resonators with feedback and control systems. This work presents the first implementation of the integration of a UHF NEMS resonator with a low-noise phase locked loop (PLL).Copyright © 2004 by ASME
A peptide's perspective of water dynamics

This Perspective is focused on amide groups of peptides interacting with water. The 2D IR spectroscopy has already enabled structural aspects of the peptide backbone to be determined through its ability to measure the coupling between different amide-I modes. Here we describe why nonlinear IR is emerging as the method of choice to examine the fast components of the water dynamics near peptides and how isotopically edited peptide links can be used to probe the local water at a residue level in proteins. This type of research necessarily involves an intimate mix of theory and experiment. The description of the results is underpinned by relatively well established quantum-statistical theories that describe the important manifestations of peptide vibrational frequency fluctuations.
Decomposition of a disturbance in parallel shear flows

While conclusions that may be drawn on the basis of these solutions are strictly valid only for incompressible laminar flow, they can be plausibly assumed to apply to a much larger class of flows. We note that the differences between the various approximations and the full equations decrease with increasing Reynolds number as expected. Since most aerodynamically significant flows are at high Reynolds numbers, the error introduced by the approximation to the governing equations will tend to be small and will certainly be insignificant relative to the errors introduced by the turbulence model. Compressibility effects should not alter the present conclusions insofar as viscous .effects are concerned, and the direct effects of shock waves and normal pressure gradients within the boundary layer as sources of error should be relatively small for moderate Mach numbers. In this regard, the recent comparisons of Navier-Stokes and thinlayer solutions for supersonic corner flow are informative. For any flow, or region of flow, for which viscous-inviscid interaction effects are small, classical boundary-layer equations will provide a satisfactory description of the viscous flow at a fraction of the computational cost of any higher approximation. For flows with significant viscous-inviscid interaction, as long as they are boundary-layer-like, i.e., v/u <1, coupled boundary-layer/inviscid equations will provide an adequate flow description.
Maintenance of Pollinator Function in Restored Vernal Pools: Gnats Filling the Role of Solitary Bees

The role of plant-pollinator interactions in influencing the success of ecological restoration projects is important and often overlooked. In our study, we examined floral visitation in an endangered vernal pool plant species, Contra Costa Goldfields ( Lasthenia conjugens ; Asteraceae). We observed Goldfields abundance and floral visitation in the early and late stages of an ecological vernal pool restoration project located in the Central Valley of California. After an initially high abundance at our study site in the early stages of restoration, we noted a sharp decline of this endangered species ten years later. Our floral visitor observations demonstrated that the abundance of gnats (Sciaridae) was high in the restored pools across the ten years, but was very low to nonexistent in the nearby naturally occurring pools. Solitary bee abundance was the inverse of that observed for gnats, with a very low instance of solitary bee pollinators in the restored pools, yet a higher abundance in the naturally occurring pools. With this difference in floral visitors between pool types, we found significantly more mature potentially viable seeds in the restored pools, but a general overall decline over the three observation years. The higher number of mature, potentially viable seeds in the restored pools leads us to believe that the gnats are filling the role of the solitary bees and have maintained this function over the duration of the ten-year observation period. We conclude that gnats may be acting as surrogate pollinators for Goldfields in restored pools.
Interaction of General Reasoning Ability and Processing Strategies in Geometry Instruction.

Researchers have conducted many aptitude x treatment interaction (ATI) studies since Cronbach (1957) first articulated the general ATI hypothesis. Cronbach and Snow (1977) reviewed more than 400 such studies in their treatise on aptitudes and instructional methods. One salient point is evident from their review: Interactions between aptitudes and instructional treatments do exist (McLeod, 1978). ATI research promises a better understanding of the relationships among aptitudes, curriculum content, and treatment variables in their effect on achievement. This experiment was designed to clarify the nature of the relationship between certain aptitudes (general reasoning ability and gestalt and analytic strategies of processing spatial tasks) and treatment variables in their effect on the transfer of learning in mathematics.
Pharmacologic attenuation of the hyperdynamic response to supraceliac aortic clamping.

Background Aortic occlusion is accompanied by a hyperdynamic cardiovascular response secondary to increased systemic vascular resistance and increased cardiac output. This study was designed primarily to determine the safety and cardiovascular response to hydrogen sulfide (H2S; HS) administration with supraceliac aortic cross-clamp and, secondarily, on short-duration resuscitation. Methods A validated porcine model (five sham swine compared with five controls) demonstrated a significant hyperdynamic cardiovascular response to 35% blood volume hemorrhage, 50-minute suprarenal aortic cross-clamping, and 6-hour resuscitation. Eight additional experimental swine were administered HS at 4 mg/min during aortic cross-clamping. Results During the cross-clamp period, hemodynamic curves of mean arterial pressure and heart rate demonstrated a blunting effect with HS administration, with a significant decrease being seen with mean arterial pressure at the end of the cross-clamp period (120 vs 149 mm Hg; P = .04). Resuscitation requirements were significantly reduced at 6 hours because the HS cohort received 8 L less crystalloid (P = .001) and 10.4 mg less epinephrine (P Conclusions The administration of HS during the 50 minutes of supraceliac aortic cross-clamp significantly reduced stress of the left heart. On clamp release, HS significantly reduced the need for volume and pressors. HS has positive benefits during cross-clamp and subsequent resuscitation, demonstrating that targeted pharmacologic therapy is possible to minimize adverse physiologic changes with aortic occlusion.
Understanding substrate selectivity of human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases through QSAR modeling and analysis of homologous enzymes

The UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzyme catalyzes the glucuronidation reaction which is a major metabolic and detoxification pathway in humans. Understanding the mechanisms for substrate recognition by UGT assumes great importance in an attempt to predict its contribution to xenobiotic/drug disposition in vivo.Spurred on by this interest, 2D/3D-quantitative structure activity relationships and pharmacophore models have been established in the absence of a complete mammalian UGT crystal structure.This review discusses the recent progress in modeling human UGT substrates including those with multiple sites of glucuronidation. A better understanding of UGT active site contributing to substrate selectivity (and regioselectivity) from the homologous enzymes (i.e. plant and bacterial UGTs, all belong to family 1 of glycosyltransferase (GT1)) is also highlighted, as these enzymes share a common catalytic mechanism and/or overlapping substrate selectivity.
Imipramine and weight gain during the treatment of recurrent depression.

Abstract Weight change was examined in 128 depressed outpatients treated successfully with an average dose of 215 mg imipramine and then continued on that treatment regimen for 5 additional months, an average duration of over 33 weeks. More than half the patients experienced a change in weight of 5% or less and only 13.3% experienced a gain of greater than 10%. While males and females did not differ in their pattern of change during acute treatment, females experienced a greater percent change ( P P = 0.05) during continuation treatment. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed, especially with respect to the extreme group.
Tracing the source of mercury contamination in the Dorena Lake watershed, Western Oregon

Although fish in Dorena Lake are contaminated with mercury, the source of pollution in the watershed was unconfirmed until the present study. To trace the mercury to its source, fine-grained sediment samples were collected from the major streams of the watershed. A few samples of mine waste/tailings were also obtained from the Bohemia Mining District where mercury was historically used in processing gold and silver ore. Mercury concentrations in sediment from streams that do not drain the central mining district average 0.066 ppm, whereas samples taken downstream of the district contain 0.140–1.339 ppm. Mine waste/tailings contain 13.441 to >50 ppm mercury. The source of mercury contamination in the Dorena Lake watershed is thus the Bohemia Mining District. Historical and geological evidence strongly suggests that the mercury problem in the district resulted from gold–mercury amalgamation practices, but naturally high mercury content in mineralized areas cannot be ruled out with the data presented here.
Ab Initio Molecular Orbital Studies of the Structure and Stability of the BeAl2F8 Complex

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations have been carried out on the 1:2 metal halide complex BeAl2F8 using a minimal basis set. Seven possible structures with different fluorine bridging combinations were considered. The most stable structure has D2d symmetry with a tetracoordinated beryllium in a tetrahedral configuration. Generally, structures with high coordination numbers for beryllium were more stable than those with low coordination numbers. A ring structure with beryllium in a trigonal configuration was also among the more favorable structures.
Skeletal osteopenia and residual ridge resorption

Increased residual ridge resorption resulting from postmenopausal skeletal osteopenia has been a long-standing clinical assumption. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the degree of residual ridge resorption, sex, and the age of the patient. The technique of measuring mandibular resorption uses panoramic radiographs as described by Wical and Swoope. Six readers received technique instructions and were then tested for uniformity. An analysis of variance demonstrated no significant difference between readers (p greater than 0.10). A random selection of 459 radiographs of edentulous patients were then measured by using a blind technique to determine the amount of residual ridge resorption. Analysis of this data demonstrated a significantly larger percentage of women with class 3 (severe) residual ridge resorption (p less than 0.01) but this difference could not be related to the occurrence of menopause.
Poisson Regression Models of Infrastructure Transition Probabilities

Markovian transition probabilities have been used extensively in the field of infrastructure management, to provide forecasts of facility conditions. However, existing approaches used to estimate these transition probabilities from inspection data are mostly ad hoc and suffer from several statistical limitations. In this paper, econometric methods for the estimation of infrastructure deterioration models and associated transition probabilities from inspection data are presented. The first method is based on the Poisson regression model and follows directly from the Markovian behavior of infrastructure deterioration. The negative binomial regression, a generalization of the Poisson model that relaxes the assumption of equality of mean and variance, is also presented. An empirical case study, using a bridge inspection data set from Indiana, demonstrates the capabilities of the two methods.
Quantification and calibration of images in fluorescence microscopy

Abstract Fluorescence microscopy is a method widely used in life sciences to image biological processes in living and fixed cells or in fixed tissues. Quantification and calibration of images in fluorescence microscopy is notoriously difficult. We have developed a new methodology to prepare tissue “phantoms” that contain known amounts of (i) fluorophore, (ii) DNA, (iii) proteins, and (iv) DNA oligonucleotide standards. The basis of the phantoms is the ability of gelatin to act as a matrix for the conjugation of fluorophores as either a free-flowing liquid or a gelatinous solid depending on temperature (⩾40 and ⩽4 °C).
Infant temperament and feeding history predict infants' responses to novel foods

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether infant temperament and previous feeding history were associated with infants' acceptance and rejection of a novel food at 12 months of age. Mother–infant dyads (n = 89) were video-recorded during a novel food (hummus, cottage cheese) feeding task. Infants' reactions (acceptance and rejection behaviors) and maternal responsiveness and affect during the interaction were coded from the recordings by teams of coders. Mothers reported on their infants' temperamental approach via the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised (IBQ-R) and their infants' feeding history (previous exposure to solid foods and exclusive breastfeeding). Regression analyses revealed that infants rated lower on approach showed less acceptance of the first offer of novel food than infants rated higher on approach. Additionally, low approach infants who were previously exposed to a greater number of solid foods showed fewer rejection behaviors in response to the later offers of food. Exclusive breastfeeding for 4 months did not appear to have an effect on acceptance or rejection. Finally, greater maternal responsiveness was related to the infants' acceptance of the new food whereas lower maternal responsiveness was associated with rejection of the novel food. These results suggest that the acceptance and rejection of new foods by infants is dependent upon their temperament and previous exposure to solid foods, as well as the manner in which mothers present the novel food.
Update on Antifungal Drug Dosing and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

The prevention and treatment of invasive fungal infections can be compromised by antifungal agents that display unpredictable pharmacokinetics and significant drug interactions and which demonstrate a strong relationship between drug exposure and efficacy and toxicity. Clinical studies have shown that maintaining antifungal drug levels within a targeted range decreases the risk for treatment failure and drug toxicity and thus have established a role for therapeutic drug monitoring with the use of various agents. Evidence from experimental and clinical studies supporting the role of therapeutic drug monitoring and practical applications for attaining targeted levels are reviewed.
Real-time stereo visual odometry for autonomous ground vehicles

This paper describes a visual odometry algorithm for estimating frame-to-frame camera motion from successive stereo image pairs. The algorithm differs from most visual odometry algorithms in two key respects: (1) it makes no prior assumptions about camera motion, and (2) it operates on dense disparity images computed by a separate stereo algorithm. This algorithm has been tested on many platforms, including wheeled and legged vehicles, and has proven to be fast, accurate and robust. For example, after 4000 frames and 400 m of travel, position errors are typically less than 1 m (0.25% of distance traveled). Processing time is approximately 20 ms on a 512times384 image. This paper includes a detailed description of the algorithm and experimental evaluation on a variety of platforms and terrain types.
Narrow-band jammer suppression using an adaptive lattice filter

It is well known that least-mean-squared (LMS) adaptive filtering can be used to suppress narrow-band jammers in a direct sequence spread spectrum receiver. To date, much of the work in this area has concentrated on the use of transversal adaptive filter structures. This paper demonstrates the performance of an adaptive lattice filter in this application. The reflection coefficients of the filter are adjusted using a gradient descent algorithm in an effort to minimize the mean-squared error and, in the process, suppress narrow-band interference. Experimental bit-error-rate performance curves are presented for 7- and 31- chip spreading sequences with a single tone jammer.
THE IMMUNOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF COLOSTRUM : II. THE INITIAL FEEDING OF SERUM FROM NORMAL COWS AND COWS IMMUNIZED TOWARDS B. COLI IN PLACE OF COLOSTRUM.

Under certain safeguards, such as isolation, calves from a large dairy herd have been raised by feeding normal and immune cow serum in place of colostrum. The losses were about one out of ten in the later experiments. This outcome may probably be improved by the subcutaneous injection of serum during the first day. This loss may be no greater than that under ordinary conditions, since sporadic deaths among calves are not infrequent. However, no satisfactory statistics are available for comparison with results as given above.
Clonal Groups and the Spread of Resistance to Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Background. Antibiotic resistance is increasingly complicating the management of urinary tract infection. We investigated the extent to which a group of Escherichia coli called clonal group A (CGA), which is associated with resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ), accounted for TMP-SMZ resistance among a prospectively collected set of uropathogenic and rectal E. coli isolates from a university population in Michigan. Methods. Resistant and susceptible uropathogenic E. coli isolates (45 each) and 79 randomly selected rectal E. coli isolates were evaluated for CGA status by use of 2 definitions of this group- the enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence 2 (ERIC2)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) pattern A fingerprint and the C288T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the fumC gene. We compared virulence gene profiles and molecular mechanisms of resistance to TMP-SMZ between isolates classified as CGA by both approaches to better characterize the relationship between isolates. Results. Of the 45 isolates that exhibited ERIC2-PCR pattern A, one-half (23 of 45) were resistant to TMP-SMZ, and 16 contained the C288T SNP. The pattern A isolates were diverse, exhibiting multiple mechanisms of resistance to TMP-SMZ and various combinations of virulence factors. C288T SNP isolates showed less variation, with 15 of 16 resistant to TMP-SMZ and a 1.8-kb class I integron bearing the dfrA17 gene present in 14 of 15 resistant isolates. Twelve of 16 exhibited the same combination of virulence genes. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns for these 12 isolates were unique. Conclusion. CGA, as defined by the fumC C288T SNP, appears to be distantly clonal but is not an outbreak-related group. The widespread group has likely evolved through lateral transfer of genes conferring virulence and antibiotic resistance.
Thrombin reduces cerebral arterial contractions caused by cerebrospinal fluid from patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Background and Purpose—We observed that the second application of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients onto cerebral arterial segments in vitro produces a greater contraction than does the initial application. It was hypothesized that the difference between the first and second applications of SAH CSF was due to the activity of thrombin. Methods—Canine vertebrobasilar artery was removed under general anesthesia, cut into rings, and suspended in tissue culture baths so as to measure isometric tension. CSF was taken from patients 1 to 3 days after SAH via ventricular drains. CSF was administered in 10−5 to 10−1 dilutions. The thrombin antagonist hirudin (5 U) was administered before CSF in some experiments. The arterial tension response to pure oxyhemoglobin (10−4 to 3.2 g/dL) and thrombin (10−4 to 3.2 U/mL), administered alone or in combination, was also examined. Results—Hirudin increased arterial tension generated on the initial application of SAH CSF but had no effect on...
Comment on “Late Holocene Rupture of the Northern San Andreas Fault and Possible Stress Linkage to the Cascadia Subduction Zone” by Chris Goldfinger, Kelly Grijalva, Roland Bürgmann, Ann E. Morey, Joel E. Johnson, C. Hans Nelson, Julia Gutiérrez-Pastor, Andrew Ericsson, Eugene Karabanov, Jason D. Chaytor, Jason Patton, and Eulàlia Gràcia

Goldfinger et al. (2008) conclude that in the northern San Andreas fault and Cascadia margins, Holocene turbidites (i.e., deposits of turbidity currents) were triggered by earthquakes. However, their conclusion falters because of (1) selective data sets that were used for establishing seismicity as the sole triggering mechanism of turbidites, (2) flawed sedimentological concepts and criteria that were applied for interpreting turbidites, and (3) faulty methodologies that were employed for correlating turbidites over long distances. This same turbidite (i.e., sedimentological) theme has also been published previously by Goldfinger et al. (2003a,b, 2006, 2007). As with the recent article in BSSA , their previous publications on the subject matter were published in journals that are concerned primarily with geophysical topics. As a result, critical sedimentological conclusions, which are an integral part of the articles by Goldfinger et al. , have not been subjected to a rigorous scrutiny. Therefore, I would like to comment on the following three issues. Along the Washington–Oregon–California margin, potential triggering mechanisms of sediment failures and related turbidity currents are (1) earthquake (Adams, 1990), (2) tectonic oversteepening (Greene et al. , 2006), (3) tsunami (Adams, 1990; Geist, 2005), (4) cyclone (Adams, 1990; Shanmugam, 2008a, fig. 4), (5) ebb tidal current (Puig et al. , 2003), (6) submarine volcanic activity (Davis et al. , 2002), (7) sediment loading (Adams, 1990), and (8) gas hydrates (Chapman et al. , 2004). The link between gas-hydrate decomposition and mass movements on the Norwegian margin was discussed by Mienert et al. (2005). In the Cascadia margin, a total of 40 cyclones along the Oregon coast were reported for the 1984–2006 period (Moritz and Moritz, 2006). A total of 24 tsunamis were reported along the Oregon coast for the 1868–1994 period (Table 1). Cyclones and tsunamis are powerful agents of sediment failures (Shanmugam, 2008a). On the outer continental shelf of the Gulf of Mexico, for example, the …
Non-contact optical three dimensional liner metrology

Summary form only given, as follows. We optically captured the "as-built" geometry of NTLX cylindrical liners for Shiva Star using an ultra-precision ranging laser. We subsequently verified the resulting digitized geometry against the 3D CAD model of the part. The results confirmed that the liner contours are within designed tolerances but revealed subtle fabrication artifacts that would typically go undetected. These features included centimeters long waviness and saddle and bulge regions of 1 micron or less in magnitude. The laser technology typically provided 10 micron spatial resolution with 112 nanometer ranging precision. Atlas liners in the future may have to be diamond turned and will have the centimeter wavelength and 100 angstrom amplitude requirements. The advantages of using laser technology is 1) it avoids surface damage that may occur with conventional contact probes and 2) dramatically improves spatial resolution over CMM, LVDT, capacitance and inductance type probes. Our work is the result of a future need to develop precision, non-contact, liner inspection techniques to verify geometry, characterize machining artifacts and map wall thickness on delicate diamond turned surfaces. Capturing "as-built" geometry in a non-contact way coupled with part-to-CAD verification software tools creates a new metrology competency for MST-7.
Effects of electronic health record use on the exam room communication skills of resident physicians: a randomized within-subjects study

Background The effects of electronic health records (EHRs) on doctor–patient communication are unclear. Objective To evaluate the effects of EHR use compared with paper chart use, on novice physicians’ communication skills. Design Within-subjects randomized controlled trial using observed structured clinical examination methods to assess the impact of use of an EHR on communication. Setting A large academic internal medicine training program. Population First-year internal medicine residents. Intervention Residents interviewed, diagnosed, and initiated treatment of simulated patients using a paper chart or an EHR on a laptop computer. Video recordings of interviews were rated by three trained observers using the Four Habits scale. Results Thirty-two residents completed the study and had data available for review (61.5% of those enrolled in the residency program). In most skill areas in the Four Habits model, residents performed at least as well using the EHR and were statistically better in six of 23 skills areas (p 3 average score) with paper methods (n = 8) had clinically important improvement when using the EHR. Limitations This study was conducted in first-year residents in a training environment using simulated patients at a single institution. Conclusions Use of an EHR on a laptop computer appears to improve the ability of first-year residents to communicate with patients relative to using a paper chart.