cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Site response estimates in Salt Lake Valley, Utah, from borehole seismic velocities

Abstract The general correlation of Salt Lake Valley sites located on soft, saturated unconsolidated silty and clayey deposits (that is, deposits with low S -wave velocity) with high seismic amplification at the ground surface motivated our investigation of the relationship between the P - and S -wave seismic velocity ( V p and V s ) of these units and their corresponding observed site response. We found that low, near surface V s −1.5 is proportional to seismic amplification measured on the surface, and suspected that we might be able to predict the site response if the near surface seismic velocity structure were known. With this idea in mind we constructed plane-layered seismic impedance models from borehole data in order to correlate impedance structure with variations in site response. Seismic travel times, measured in a borehole at 2-m intervals, were converted into compressional and shear wave seismic velocity profiles for 22 boreholes (average depth = 59 m) in Salt Lake Valley, Utah. Using this impedance model, we estimated site response on the ground surface of the borehole site to within 12% of the measured value in the 0.7 to 1.0 Hz frequency range for six of the twenty sites, and within 20% for 55% of the sites. All except two of our site response estimates are within a factor of two of the measured value. Thus, high values of seismic amplification appear to be partially explained by a near surface high-impedance contrast produced by the low S -wave velocities. Comparing the downhole data with published Salt Lake Valley ground motion data derived from Nevada nuclear tests shows that increased site response (sites of relative ground motion amplification) is associated with: (1) a lower value of V s (110 to 400 m/sec), and (2) high Poisson ratios (0.45 to 0.49) derived from borehole V p and V s values. The lowest S -wave velocities found in the Salt Lake Valley are comparable to other regions, such as the muds around San Francisco Bay and the lake sediments of Mexico City, with low S -wave velocities and a record of severe seismic wave amplification in previous earthquakes. The very-low-velocity surface layer in Salt Lake Valley is, however, about half as thick (10 to 14 m) as the low-velocity layers around San Francisco Bay and Mexico City. We also considered the influence of sedimentary basin fill on site response, because coincidentally, the sites of high seismic wave amplification correspond to the locations of thickest basin fill. The valley fill impedance structure, revealed in seismic reflection profiles we acquired, indicate that a more dynamic impedance structure characterizes sites near the center of the valley where the basin fill is thickest. The reflection data from mid-valley sites typically have more high-amplitude reflectors relative to basin edge sites. The sites with a more dynamic impedance structure suggest that the site response would also be correspondingly different. Thus, the broadband, deep basin effect on site response might account for some of the discrepancy between observed and predicted site response in this study.
What Is the Predictive Value of Animal Models for Vaccine Efficacy in Humans? Rigorous Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Vaccine Trials Can Be Instructive

Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) challenge of rhesus macaques provides an invaluable tool to evaluate the clinical prospects of HIV-1 vaccine concepts. However, as with any animal model of human disease, it is crucial to understand the advantages and limitations of this system to maximize the translational value of SIV vaccine studies. Here, we discuss the importance of assessing the efficacy of vaccine prototypes using stringent SIV challenge regimens that mimic HIV-1 transmission and pathogenesis. We also review some of the cautionary tales of HIV-1 vaccine research because they provide general lessons for the preclinical assessment of vaccine candidates.
In-Kind Infrastructure Investments by Public Pensions: The Queensland Motorways Case Study

OECD countries require billions in infrastructure investment for new projects and the rehabilitation of old assets. Public pensions are likewise underfunded and in need of stable, inflation-linked investment opportunities uncorrelated with the rest of their portfolio, making infrastructure a seemingly strong fit. This has led to calls to facilitate more direct investment by public pension funds in infrastructure. In truth there are many impediments to such programs. Under the right policy and institutional conditions, however, direct public pension investments can yield considerable value for taxpayers and retirement beneficiaries alike, in part by overcoming the market inefficiencies and valuation problems inherent to infrastructure investment. This paper uses the case of a toll road network in Queensland, Australia to examine the potential for direct public pension investments in infrastructure. In 2011, the Queensland Government transferred a 40-year concession to operate Queensland Motorways to the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) – a government-owned company that manages that state’s defined benefit public pension.
Stress-based topology optimization with discrete geometric components

Abstract In this paper, we introduce a framework for the stress-based topology optimization of structures made by the assembly of discrete geometric components, such as bars and plates, that are described by explicit geometry representations. To circumvent re-meshing upon design changes, we employ the geometry projection method to smoothly map the geometric components onto a continuous density field defined over a uniform finite element grid for analysis. The geometry projection is defined in a manner that prevents the singular optima phenomenon widely reported in the literature, and that effectively considers stresses only on the geometric components and not on the void region. As in previous work, a size variable is ascribed to each geometry component and penalized in the spirit of solid isotropic material with penalization (SIMP), allowing the optimizer to entirely remove geometric components from the design. We demonstrate our method on the L-bracket benchmark for stress-based optimization problems in 2-d and 3-d.
Making the best of a worst case scenario: Creating job opportunities for workers in underserved communities through health and safety training in the Deep South

When the 2010 Gulf oil spill reached the shores of Louisiana, The Dillard University Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, part of a New Orleans based HBCU, jumped into the oil spill respons...
How Does a Loving God Punish? On the Unification of God's Love and Punitive Wrath

There are two influential and opposing theological paradigms concerning the relationship between God's love and punitive wrath. According to the first paradigm, which is here labelled the ‘divergent account’, God may sometimes punish an individual in a manner that is opposed to his love. Alternatively, there is the ‘unitary account’, according to which God's punitive wrath is an expression of love that seeks the creature's good. In the present article, an argument for the unitary account is provided, and a fresh way of understanding God's punishment therein is considered. The article proceeds as follows. In the first section, a dominant motivation for the divergent account is distilled through an examination of the writings of Emil Brunner. This motivation is then rejected and the unitary account is defended in the next section, in light of the New Testament ethic of love. In the third section, the work of Gregory of Nyssa and the contemporary philosopher R.A. Duff is utilized to develop a communicative theory of God's punishment, which illuminates and fortifies the unitary account. In the final section, the unitary account, together with the communicative theory of divine punishment, is applied to the doctrine of hell.
“Our Greatest Songs Are Still Unsung”†: Educating Citizens About Schooling in a Multicultural Society:

This study examines how a practice-based unit informs undergraduates’ understandings of the dynamics of teaching and learning in a multicultural society, and how these intersect with equity in U.S....
Patching of Lattice Defects in Two-Dimensional Diffusion Barriers

Two-dimensional crystals offer promise as diffusion barriers that can also facilitate electronic conduction through the barrier plane via tunneling. We present barriers in which crystal imperfections are patched, leaving the pristine regions of the crystal exposed and able to both prevent diffusion and allow electronic conduction. This is accomplished by atomic layer deposition, where nucleation of patch material is inhibited on the pristine crystal and promoted elsewhere. Demonstrations of the effectiveness of this technique are performed in the contexts of sulfur diffusion control in photovoltaic kesterite devices and oxygen diffusion control in oxide-based resistive switching devices.
Comparison of ZnO surface modification with gas-phase propiolic acid at high and medium vacuum conditions.

Recent advances in preservation of the morphology of ZnO nanostructures during dye sensitization required the use of a two-step preparation procedure. The first step was the key for preserving ZnO materials morphology. It required exposing clean ZnO nanostructures to a gas-phase prop-2-ynoic acid (propiolic acid) in vacuum. This step resulted in the formation of a robust and stable surface-bound carboxylate with ethynyl groups available for further modification, for example, with click chemistry. This paper utilizes spectroscopic and microscopic investigations to answer several questions about this modification and to determine if the process can be performed under medium vacuum conditions instead of high vacuum procedures reported earlier. Comparing the results of the preparation process at medium vacuum of 0.5 Torr base pressure with the previously reported investigations of the same process in high vacuum of 10−5 Torr suggests that both processes lead to the formation of the same surface species, confirming that the proposed modification scheme can be widely applicable for ZnO sensitization procedures and does not require the use of high vacuum. Additional analysis comparing the computationally predicted surface structures with the results of spectroscopic investigations yields the more complete description of the surface species resulting from this approach.Recent advances in preservation of the morphology of ZnO nanostructures during dye sensitization required the use of a two-step preparation procedure. The first step was the key for preserving ZnO materials morphology. It required exposing clean ZnO nanostructures to a gas-phase prop-2-ynoic acid (propiolic acid) in vacuum. This step resulted in the formation of a robust and stable surface-bound carboxylate with ethynyl groups available for further modification, for example, with click chemistry. This paper utilizes spectroscopic and microscopic investigations to answer several questions about this modification and to determine if the process can be performed under medium vacuum conditions instead of high vacuum procedures reported earlier. Comparing the results of the preparation process at medium vacuum of 0.5 Torr base pressure with the previously reported investigations of the same process in high vacuum of 10−5 Torr suggests that both processes lead to the formation of the same surface species, confi...
Method for improved Illumina sequencing library preparation using NuGEN Ovation RNA-Seq System

In this study, we tested the NuGEN Ovation RNA-Seq System for library preparation followed by next-generation sequencing on an Illumina GAIIx. The cDNA product of the NuGEN kit may have significant...
Mapping "diversity of participation" in networked media environments

In the United States the transition to an increasingly digital communication environment under pro-market policies has challenged traditional formulations of media diversity and localism regulation centered on content origination requirements and media ownership. Building on an overview of the participatory development and media policy literatures, this paper argues for a participatory community development approach to the redefinition of these public interest policies in networked scenarios. Asking who is participating in what, and for whose benefit, I propose a diversity matrix of various modalities of community participation in key public service functions of digital information organizations. The paper discusses the advantages of this approach in response to policy concerns about cultural diversity, digital inclusion and democratic governance of local information ecosystems.
Intravenous Hypnotic Anesthetics

This chapter discusses the pharmacology of frequently used intravenous hypnotic agents in the geriatric patient. The focus of this chapter is the changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in the geriatric patient specific to propofol, thiopental, midazolam, and etomidate, the four most popular intravenous agents for sedation, induction, and maintenance of general anesthesia.
P056 Extending the sequences of 569 incomplete uncommon alleles

Aim The aim of this study was to complete full gene sequences for previously reported HLA class I sequences for the IPD-IMGT/HLA database. Methods We identified 569 class I alleles in ∼ 99,000 individuals typed for a U.S. donor registry that had incomplete sequences in the IPD-IMGTHLA database. The alleles had been typed by a combined Sanger SBT-SSOP workflow focused on exons 2 + 3. Single locus alleles were amplified with primers annealing in the 5’ and 3’ UTR and the sequences of exons and introns determined with an Illumina Miseq using an in-house protocol. Results Most (423, 74%) of the 569 alleles were found in a single cell. The majority of the class I full length sequences were identical to the most similar HLA allele (e.g., C*01:70 differed by only a single exon 2 nucleotide when compared to C*01:02:01:01). Two novel HLA-A alleles with exon 2/3 variation were not detected by SBT/SSO due to inability to phase key polymorphic nucleotides [A*03:150, *26:01:01G vs. A*03:01:01:01 + A*26:149 (new); A*02:01:55 + *33:03:01G vs. A*02:01:01:01 + *33:03:33 (new)]. Overall, new alleles were found in 18 (3.2%) samples; most in the targeted incomplete allele. Most (14, 78%) showed variation in intron and UTR regions. Some of the incomplete alleles (49/569) could not be characterized because the allele combination did not allow phasing of the sequences (e.g., C*07:01:01:01 + *07:27:01 had no polymorphic nucleotides within a span of 2298 bp (introns 2–7)). Conclusions Class I gene sequences outside exons 2 + 3 are conserved. Genotypes with novel alleles can be missed by typing assays that do not provide comprehensive phasing. Increasing the knowledge of full sequences for all alleles will improve the accuracy of HLA typing. Download : Download high-res image (153KB) Download : Download full-size image J.S. Ng: 4. Scientific/Medical Advisor; Company/Organization; Georgetown University. C.K. Hurley: 4. Scientific/Medical Advisor; Company/Organization; Georgetown University.
Beyond Psychoanalytic Literary Criticism: Between Literature and Mind

Through a series of radical and innovative chapters, Beyond Psychoanalytic Literary Criticism: Between Literature and Mind challenges the tradition of applied psychoanalysis that has long dominated psychoanalytic literary criticism. Benjamin H. Ogden, a literary scholar, proposes that a new form of analytic literary criticism take its place, one that begins from a place of respect for the mystery of literature and the complexity of its inner workings. In this book, through readings of authors such as J.M. Coetzee, Flannery O’Connor, and Vladimir Nabokov, the mysteries upon which literary works rely for their enduring power are enumerated and studied. Such mysteries are thereafter interwoven into a series of pioneering studies of how the conceptions of thinking, dreaming, and losing become meaningful within the unique aesthetic conditions of individual novels and poems. Each chapter is a provisional solution to the difficult "bridging problems" that arise when literary figures work in the psychoanalytic space, and when psychoanalysts attempt to make use of literature for analytic purposes. At every turn, Beyond Psychoanalytic Literary Criticism: Between Literature and Mind acts as a living example of the territory it explores: the space between two disciplines, wherein the writer brings into being a form of psychoanalytic literary criticism of his own making. Forgoing traditional applied psychoanalysis and technical jargon, this highly accessible, interdisciplinary work will appeal to psychoanalysts and psychoanalytic psychotherapists, as well as literary critics and scholars.
Respondent-driven sampling to recruit Latinos in a midwest micropolitan area: Lessons learned and recommendations for translational work

Introduction Latinos constitute a hard-to-reach minority population in Iowa. Methods We used respondent-driven sampling (RDS) to supplement random digit dialing (RDD) to recruit Latinos for a community physical activity intervention. Results RDS yielded a 59% increase in Latino participation in just two months, with few demographic differences between RDS and RDD groups. Conclusions RDS may increase recruitment of underrepresented populations and strengthen community engagement; however, it is not a quick fix for underperforming recruitment methods.
Periprosthetic Fractures Around Total Hip Arthroplasty with a Stable Component

Periprosthetic femur fractures about a total hip arthroplasty (THA) are increasing. A subset of these fractures involve fractures of the femur around a stable femoral prosthesis. These fractures include fractures of the greater trochanter (Vancouver AG), fractures at the level of the stem with a stable femoral prosthesis (Vancouver B1), and fractures below the level of the femoral stem (Vancouver C). Most Vancouver Ag fractures can be treated nonoperatively unless the displaced fracture is greater than 2.5 cm or patient has painful nonunion or limp. Vancouver B1 and Vancouver C fractures are treated with open reduction internal fixation techniques. With these fractures, accurate assessment of radiographs must be performed preoperatively to assess for stem stability. Revision implants should be available if component loosening or failure is observed intraoperatively. This chapter summarizes different surgical techniques and tips for management of these fractures.
3298 Diabetes Prevalence in Rural and Urban Patients Seeking Care from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA): 2007-2012

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: To examine rural-urban disparities in prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in veterans receiving care at the VA and to determine the extent to which demographic factors and obesity levels contribute to identified disparities. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: A retrospective serial cross-sectional analysis was employed. A stratified weighted random sample of veterans who received care at a VA facility was selected each year for 2007 through 2012. Rural Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) codes were based on resident zip code. Diabetes was defined by two or more primary or secondary ICD-9 codes for diabetes (250.xx) within a 12 month period. Data were analyzed using complex survey-specific procedures. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Diabetes prevalence 2007-2012 was lowest in urban (20.5%-21.0%), followed by highly rural (21.1%-22.1%) and rural (22.3%-23.0%) areas with the prevalence being significantly higher on the insular islands (31.0%-32.4%). In 2012, 41% of urban, 43% of rural and highly rural and 30% of insular island veterans were obese. Relative to urban areas, the odds ratio for prevalent diabetes was 1.10 (95% CI: 1.08, 1.12) for rural veterans, 1.19 (95% CI: 1.16, 1.23) for insular island veterans, and 1.00 (95% CI: 0.98, 1.02) for highly rural veterans. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: Prevalence of diagnosed diabetes is high in veterans residing in rural, highly rural and urban areas, but markedly higher on the insular islands. Understanding the burden of disease and factors driving disparities provides information required to develop targeted interventions.
Nonlinear acoustics at Moscow State University

The rapid development of nonlinear acoustics, which began in the second half of the 20th century, had several distinct centers in different countries, and one of them was M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU) in Russia. From MSU came one of the basic equations in nonlinear acoustics—the Khokhlov-Zabolotskaya (KZ) equation, the 50th anniversary of which is celebrated this year [Sov. Phys. Acoust. 15(1), 35–40 (1969)]. By the 1960–1970s, the work conducted by Academician Rem Khokhlov and his colleagues made MSU a leading international center for nonlinear acoustics and, even more influentially, for nonlinear optics. Nonlinear optics at that time underwent rapid growth related to the invention of lasers, and many phenomena in optics had analogs in acoustics. One of them was a parabolic approximation for wave beams, which led to formulation of the KZ equation after translation to acoustics with consideration of the details of nonlinear effects in weakly dispersive media. Along with the development of theoretical foundations, initial experiments on nonlinear acoustic phenomena were carried out at MSU. The current paper highlights these studies, as well as contemporary work and achievements on nonlinear acoustics at Moscow State University.
Numerical assessment of packed-bed heat transfer correlations for molten salt

Abstract The Fluoride salt-cooled High-temperature Reactor (FHR) is a subset of next-generation Nuclear Reactors that are under active development. The proposed pebble-bed FHR designs use a high Prandtl number molten salt coolant, 2LiF–BeF2, with spherical fuel elements. In order to determine convective heat transfer coefficients, packed-bed correlations available in the literature are used. However, past correlations were developed for either gas or water as the coolant, which have a low Prandtl number ( N Pr ≈ 1 ). This study assesses the applicability of such correlations using numerical simulations. A range of Reynolds numbers ( 10 2 ⩽ N Re ≤ 2.25 · 10 3 ) is evaluated that encompass the proposed FHR designs ( N Pr ≈ 16 ). The study finds that most conventional correlations miss the qualitative and quantitative trend predicted by both k e and LES turbulence models. The Meng correlation (Meng et al., 2012) was found to provide a good agreement with numerical results. Both turbulence models have good agreement up to N Re 10 3 for surface-averaged parameters. At higher flowrates, the secondary flows are more prominent for the LES solutions – however, the impact on the convective heat transfer coefficient is minimal.
Poiseuille and extensional flow small-angle scattering for developing structure–rheology relationships in soft matter systems

Abstract As the rheoscattering community has grown, so has the breadth of experiments both in terms of materials systems, and also in terms of flow types and analysis approaches. In this review, we seek to highlight important recent developments in rheoscattering that go beyond simple shear measurements. In particular, this review will focus on Poiseuille flow and extensional flow small-angle scattering and results from recent experiments that lead to the development of structure–function relationships in a wide variety of soft materials.
Effects of exogenous growth regulators on plant elongation and carbohydrate consumption of rice seedlings under submergence.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of exogenous regulators on plant elongation and carbohydrate consumption of rice seedlings under submergence. IR64 and IR64-Sub1 with submergence tolerance gene Sub1 were used. Twenty-day-old seedlings were sprayed with 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), paclobutrazol (PB), gibberellic acid (GA), or distilled water (as control) two days prior to the submergence. Plants were completely submerged and water depth was maintained for 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 days respectively in tanks. The plants were allowed to recover for seven days after submergence. We investigated the effects of ACC, PB, and GA on the survival percentage, shoot elongation, chlorophyll degradation and recovery, as well as non-structure carbohydrate (NSC) consumption. The results showed that complete submergence resulted in significant elongation of plant shoots, rapid decline of SPAD, and quick depletion of soluble sugars in leaves. However, the initial NSC content in shoots of IR64-Sub1 was higher than that of IR64, and the consumption rate during submergence was lower, and the starch content in shoots maintained after submergence was higher. PB could significantly enhance rice seedling survival by reducing plant elongation, chlorophyll degradation and NSC consumption, and the effect of PB pretreatment on IR64-Sub1 was more pronounced. Conversely, GA increased plant elongation, leaf chlorophyll degradation and depletion of NSC, which resulted in the lowest recovery capability and survival percentage. However, the inhibition of GA on submergence tolerance of IR64-Sub1 was much poorer compared with IR64. Plant elongation treated by ACC was much lower than by GA. In conclusion, PB could restrain plant elongation effectively, retarding chlorophyll degradation, decelerating NSC consumption and retaining more NSC after de-submergence. The results suggested that PB could increase rapid recovery of rice after submergence stress which was of significance in alleviating flood and waterlogging injury in flash-flood-prone areas.
Neuroimaging results altered by varying analysis pipelines

Seventy laboratories that analysed the same neuroimaging data each produced different results. This finding highlights the potential consequences of a lack of standardized pipelines for processing complex data. High variability in pipelines for neuroimaging analysis.
Reversed polarity items in tourism scales: best practice or dimensional pitfall?

Disciplines such as marketing and education have begun to question the benefits of incorporating reverse polarity items (e.g. a mixture of negatively and positively worded items) into multi-item sc...
Ocular flutter in acute doxylamine intoxication

Ocular flutter consists of bursts of high-frequency, low-amplitude, conjugate saccadic oscillations without normal intersaccadic interval and confined to the horizontal plane. Ocular flutter can be present during sleep, eyelid closure, attempted fixation, and volitional eye movements. Cerebellar fastigial nuclei disinhibition and/or inhibition of pontine omnipause cells disturb the excitatory/inhibitory balance of brainstem saccadic burst neurons, ultimately leading to saccadic oscillations including ocular flutter.1 The most common causes of ocular flutter in adults are paraneoplastic and parainfectious. Toxic metabolic etiologies are rare and include medications such as phenytoin and venlafaxine. Cerebellar and brainstem lesions have been reported, but the etiology remains unknown in approximately half of these patients.1,2 We present a case of ocular flutter in the setting of acute doxylamine intoxication. Doxylamine is a first-generation antihistamine widely available over the counter (OTC) as a sedative sleep aid, often combined with antitussives and decongestants.
Research on Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Planning Based on Traffic Destination Heat Data and Charger Usage Data

With the rapid promotion and popularization of electric vehicles, more attentions have been paid to the construction of charging stations. Whether the charging station planning is reasonable or not affects the convenience of electric vehicle users to travel, resulting in slowing down the promotion and use of electric vehicles. In this paper, considering the destination heat data of traffic grids and the utilization rate of chargers, a multi-objective planning method for charging stations is proposed. The maximum average utilization rate of chargers and the minimum annual cost of charging station construction are used as the optimization objectives, and the number of total chargers is used as the constraint condition. The experiment results show that the algorithm can realize the placement and planning capacity of charging stations, and determine the detailed location of charging stations and the number of chargers in charging stations according to the grid division and parking station data.
Estimating Expected Returns on Mudaraba Time Deposits of Islamic Banks

On the deposit side, Islamic banks work on a mudaraba (partnership) contract, where depositor and the bank are business partners. While in conventional banks the depositor is provided with a fixed interest rate, in Islamic banks the depositor can only discover his return when the investment period is over. This fundamental distinction brings forth a disadvantage for Islamic banks while competing with their conventional counterparts in the market. On the other hand most of the credits extended by Islamic banks follow a murabaha (cost-plus sale with deferred re-payment) contract, and the banks specify profit rate on the credits from the beginning. Using this information we have developed a forecast model to quote the depositors their expected returns on mudaraba time deposits within 95% confidence interval at the beginning of investment term. Besides increasing competitive advantage, estimating expected returns will assist Islamic banks in their risk management and asset-liability management.
Return to Play Rates in NFL Wide Receivers and Running Backs After ACL Reconstruction: An Updated Analysis.

Background:Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures are potentially career-threatening injuries to National Football League (NFL) skill position players. A 2006 study showed a return-to-play (RTP)...
Enhanced Safety of Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy Using Intraoperative Ultrasound.

Background Pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) can improve sagittal alignment but carries risks, including iatrogenic spinal cord and nerve root injury. Critically, during the reduction phase of the technique, medullary kinking or neural element compression can lead to neurologic deficits. Methods We describe 3 cases of thoracic PSO and evaluate the feasibility, findings, and utility of intraoperative ultrasound in this setting. Results Intraoperative ultrasound can provide a visual assessment of spinal cord morphology before and after PSO reduction and influences surgical decision making with regard to the final amount of sagittal plane correction. This modality is particularly useful for confirming ventral decompression of disc–osteophyte complex before reduction and also after reduction maneuvers when there is kinking of the thecal sac but uncertainty about the underlying status of the spinal cord. Intraoperative ultrasound is a reliable modality that fits well into the technical sequence of PSO, adds a minimal amount of operative time, and has few limitations. Conclusions We propose that intraoperative ultrasound is a useful supplement to standard neuromonitoring modalities for ensuring safe PSO reduction and decompression of neural elements.
Editor’s Message: Two new editors for Hydrogeology Journal

During 2015, HJ editors Jimmy Jiao and Vincent Post ended their terms after several years of dedicated and excellent work to support the journal and authors of journal articles. At the same time, Martin Appold and Jean-Michel Lemieux began as our new editors. Jimmy served as an HJ editor for seven years (since 2008) and Vincent served as HJ editor for five years (since 2010). Jimmy and Vincent began to pass their work to Martin and Jean-Michel in early 2015, and in July 2015, Martin and Jean-Michel took over fully. Jimmy has mentioned that he is planning to write a book and Vincent will use his extra time to expand his research efforts. We wish both well in their future endeavors. Martin Appold is an associate professor in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Missouri (USA). He was initially drawn to geology by an interest in ore deposits, leading to a bachelor’s degree in geology from Washington University (USA) in 1990 and a master’s degree in economic geology from the University of Michigan (USA) in 1992. During his master’s studies, Martin became interested in numerical modeling of flow and transport in porous media, and went to Johns Hopkins University (USA) to pursue a doctorate in hydrogeology, completed in 1998. Martin continued to do research in hydrogeology as a post-doctoral fellow at Louisiana State University and as a faculty member at the Universities of Iowa and Missouri (USA). His main interest concerns the role of groundwater and other subsurface fluids in geologic processes such as formation of hydrothermal ore deposits and hydrocarbon fields, and more recently, he has focused on geotechnical problems including CO2 sequestration. Martin told us that he also has an active interest in the effects of hydrology on his fruit and vegetable garden. Jean-Michel Lemieux has been an associate professor in the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering at Universite Laval (Canada) since 2009 and a member of Canada’s Centre d’Etudes Nordiques (CEN, Centre for Northern Studies). He has a bachelor’s degree in geological engineering (2000) and a master’s degree in earth sciences (2002) from Universite Laval. JeanMichel’s doctoral research in earth sciences at the University of Waterloo (Canada), completed in 2007, focused on hydrologic impacts of glaciations in Canada. He also worked as a hydrogeologist at the engineering firm SNC-Lavalin in Montreal (2006– 2007), completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Liege in Belgium (2007–2008), and was a research fellow at the ETH-Zurich, Switzerland (2008–2009). He is interested in the study of past, present and future hydrogeological processes with a focus on numerical modeling. Jean-Michel is also a strong-applecider-making hobbyist, so he tells us to be certain to stop by Universite Laval for a private tasting if we travel in the Belle Province!
Democracy and the Politics of the Extraordinary: Introduction: The Extraordinary and Political Theory

Although the modern age is often described as the age of democratic revolutions, the subject of popular foundings has not captured the imagination of modern political thought. Early democratic theory, marked by the historical experience of the ancient Greek polis and enraptured by the Roman republican legacy, at least since the time of Niccolo Machiavelli and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, has elided the theme of collective foundings and democratic higher lawmaking. By confining the question of new beginnings to the instituting acts of mythical lawgivers and heroic founders, usually located outside the demos , democratic theory did not systematically address political and legal foundings on its own terms. Classical liberalism, meanwhile, has been inclined to emphasize juridical continuity, legality, and gradual political changes. Even in its social contract versions, with the prominent exception of John Locke, liberalism's focus has been more on a fictional natural state and the counterfactual notion of an original contract among equal and free persons and less on actual political ruptures, legal innovations, and new institutional beginnings. In fact, the idea of a social contract was predominantly used to explain political obligation, to justify obedience, to describe the consensual basis of authority, and, in a few cases, to legitimate resistance, rather than to account for those historical moments of genuine rupture and transformation. At a later stage, classical Marxism attempted to fill this gap by invoking the imminent possibility of a proletarian revolution, but its historical determinism and economic materialism has led Marxism to pay more attention to long-term social and economic mutations than to political, legal, institutional, and cultural changes, which were perceived as mere epiphenomenal effects of deeper structural developments unfolding in the realm of the material production of society.
Early feeding of dextrose and saline solution to premature infants.

Conflicting opinions concerning the optimum age at which to commence feeding premature infants have resulted in either early or late regimens. In order to test the hypothesis that the early administration of fluids to premature babies was beneficial, a controlled study of 50 newborn premature subjects was undertaken. Fluids consisting of 5% dextrose in 0.45% saline were started before the age of 6 hours by constant drip through a nasogastric plastic catheter in 24 subjects selected by a predesigned method using a table of random permutations. The average intake during the test period was 54.5 ml/kg/24 hours. The other 26 control subjects received no fluids until age 36 hours, when both groups were started on formula. There was no alteration of symptoms of respiratory distress in the group receiving early feedings. One-half of these subjects did not lose weight while being fed the dextrose and saline solution. They promptly lost weight, however, when regular milk feedings were commenced. The seven infants who died had similar pathologic findings. It was noted that three of the five in the fluid treated group also had pulmonary hyaline membranes. There were no hyaline membranes in the lungs of the two subjects deprived of water. From this study neither beneficial nor detrimental effects of early feeding could be demonstrated by use of the criteria of dyspnea or mortality. The question of when to start to feed premature babies is still unanswered. There is need for further feeding trials, in which associations among age of commencement, nature of substances fed and the consequent physiologic responses, can be observed.
Unreasonable Expectations: Why Palazzolo Has No Right to Turn a Silk Purse into a Sow's Ear

Did the State of Rhode Island commit a regulatory taking when it denied Anthony Palazzolo the right to fill the salt marsh on his property? The answer suggested here is no. Under "background principles" of state property and nuisance law, in particular the public trust doctrine, owners of coastal property in Rhode Island have never enjoyed an unqualified right to fill tidal wetlands. In the absence of the express or implied permission of the state, no one has the right to fill, and thereby destroy, these important public trust resources. The remand of the Palazzolo case affords the Rhode Island courts an opportunity to clarify the scope and effect of the public trust doctrine and provide guidance for other state courts facing similar challenges. Coastal property may present such unique concerns for a fragile land system that the State can go further in regulating its development and use than the common law of nuisance might permit.!
SERFing the web: The Re-Web approach for web re-structuring

In our emerging digital paper-less society, massive amount of information is being maintained in on-line repositories and diverse web site representations of this information must be served over the Internet to different user groups. E-commerce and digital libraries are two representative sample applications with such needs. In this paper we present a database-centric approach called Re-Web that addresses this need for flexible web site generation, re-structuring, and maintenance. Re-Web is based on two key ideas. First, we exploit the web site structure by associating web semantics (XML equivalents) with the modeling constructs of the ODMG object model to aid the web site generation process. By capturing the logical structure of web views within the OODB system, we can efficiently maintain the web views using standard database techniques. Secondly, to ease the process of specification and construction of multiple customized web view sites, we also propose the notion of generic web view transformations that are encapsulated into re-usable templates. Thus desired new web view sites can be generated simply by applying the corresponding transformations on the underlying database to produce web view classes and then by applying the web semantics on the newly built view classes. The Re-Web system has been implemented using PSE by Object Design Inc. as object repository, ODMG as object model, OQL as transformation language, SERF as OODB evolution facility and IBM XML parser and LotusXSL processor to aid the web site generation. A case study using Re-Web is also presented to illustrate the working of the system. To the best of our knowledge, Re-Web is the first web site management system focusing on the issue of re-usable view generation templates at the content and not at the presentation style level of abstraction.
Plaque localization enhanced by exogenous chromophore /spl beta/-carotene

/spl beta/-carotene, an antioxidant which may alter the course of atherosclerosis by preventing the oxidation of LDL, has potential therapeutic benefit in humans. Studies are outlined which illustrate that yellow /spl beta/-carotene is only present in atherosclerotic plaque but not in the normal artery. By absorbing 450-500 nm laser radiation, /spl beta/-carotene confers preferential absorption to the plaque, making both selective ablation therapy and selective fluorescence detection possible. Furthermore, yellow coloration of plaques can also improve plaque visualization by angioscopy. Recently pathological studies suggest that vulnerable plaques may have thin fibrous caps overlying cholesterol-rich lipid cores. Therefore, yellow color variation in plaque visualization by angioscopy may be related to the cap thickness which is potentially important for predicting plaque disruption and thrombus formation.
Repas ambulants Informalité urbaine et modernité industrielle à la frontière nord du Mexique

Cet article analyse la relation entre informalite urbaine et modernite industrielle en examinant un ensemble de microcommerces specialises dans la vente d’aliments prepares pour les travailleurs des entreprises manufacturieres transnationales a la frontiere nord du Mexique (maquiladoras). L’argument principal est que dans le contexte urbain de la frontiere nord du Mexique, le modele d’industrialisation exportatrice est non seulement compatible avec les traits premodernes des activites economiques de subsistance mais a besoin de ces dernieres pour exister. Par consequent, autour de l’industrie maquiladora emerge tout un ensemble de pourvoyeurs informels de services qui contribuent a assurer la disponibilite et la stabilite de la force de travail dont l’industrie a besoin. Une enquete realisee aupres des proprietaires de microcommerces fournit les donnees permettant d’analyser leur organisation, leur fonctionnement et leur relation avec la cellule familiale. — Numero special : Amerique latine.
A cell-free assay for glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchoring in African trypanosomes. Demonstration of a transamidation reaction mechanism.

We established an in vitro assay for the addition of glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors to proteins using procyclic trypanosomes engineered to express GPI-anchored variant surface glycoprotein (VSG). The assay is based on the premise that small nucleophiles, such as hydrazine, can substitute for the GPI moiety and effect displacement of the membrane anchor of a GPI-anchored protein or pro-protein causing release of the protein into the aqueous medium. Cell membranes containing pulse-radiolabeled VSG were incubated with hydrazine, and the VSG released from the membranes was measured by carbonate extraction, immunoprecipitation, and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis/fluorography. Release of VSG was time- and temperature-dependent, was stimulated by hydrazine, and occurred only for VSG molecules situated in early compartments of the secretory pathway. No nucleophile-induced VSG release was seen in membranes prepared from cells expressing a VSG variant with a conventional transmembrane anchor (i.e. a nonfunctional GPI signal sequence). Pro-VSG was shown to be a substrate in the reaction by assaying membranes prepared from cells treated with mannosamine, a GPI biosynthesis inhibitor. When a biotinylated derivative of hydrazine was used instead of hydrazine, the released VSG could be precipitated with streptavidin-agarose, indicating that the biotin moiety was covalently incorporated into the protein. Hydrazine was shown to block the C terminus of the released VSG hydrazide because the released material, unlike a truncated form of VSG lacking a GPI signal sequence, was not susceptible to proteolysis by carboxypeptidases. These results firmly establish that the released material in our assay is VSG hydrazide and strengthen the proof that GPI anchoring proceeds via a transamidation reaction mechanism. The reaction could be inhibited with sulfhydryl alkylating reagents, suggesting that the transamidase enzyme contains a functionally important sulfhydryl residue.
RESOLUTION OF THE DISTANCE AMBIGUITY FOR GALACTIC H II REGIONS

We resolve the kinematic distance ambiguity for 266 inner Galaxy H II regions out of a sample of 291 using existing H I and 13CO sky surveys. Our sample contains all H II regions with measured radio recombination line emission over the extent of the 13CO Boston University-Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory Galactic Ring Survey (18° < l < 55° and |b| < 1) and contains ultra compact (UC), compact, and diffuse H II regions. We use two methods for resolving the distance ambiguity for each H II region: H I emission/absorption (H I E/A) and H I self-absorption (H I SA). We find that the H I E/A and H I SA methods can resolve the distance ambiguity for 72% and 87% of our sample, respectively. When projected onto the Galactic plane, this large sample appears to reveal aspects of Galactic structure, with spiral arm-like features at Galactocentric radii of 4.5 and 6 kpc, and a lack of H II regions within 3.5 kpc of the Galactic center. Our H II regions are approximately in the ratio of 2 to 1 for far versus near distances. The ratio of far-to-near distances for UC H II regions is 2.2 to 1. Compact H II regions are preferentially at the near distance; their ratio of far-to-near distances is 1.6 to 1. Diffuse H II regions are preferentially at the far distance; their ratio of far-to-near distances is 3.8 to 1. This implies that the distinction between UC and compact H II regions is largely due to distance, and that the large angular size of diffuse H II regions is not solely due to proximity to the Sun.