cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Taxonomy, phylogeny, and ecology of the heliobacteria

Heliobacteria are a recently discovered group of anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria, first described in 1983. Heliobacteria contain bacteriochlorophyll g, a pigment unique to species of this group, and synthesize the simplest photosynthetic complexes of all known phototrophs. Also, unlike all other phototrophs, heliobacteria lack a mechanism for autotrophy and produce endospores. Four genera of heliobacteria containing a total of 10 species are known. Species of the genera Heliobacterium, Heliobacillus, and Heliophilum grow best at neutral pH, whereas species of Heliorestis are alkaliphilic. Heliobacterium, Heliobacillus, and Heliophilum species form one phylogenetic clade of heliobacteria, while Heliorestis species form a second within the phylum Firmicutes of the domain Bacteria. Heliobacteria have a unique ecology, being primarily terrestrial rather than aquatic phototrophs, and may have evolved a mutualistic relationship with plants, in particular, rice plants. The genome sequence of the thermophile Heliobacterium modesticaldum supports the hypothesis that heliobacteria are “minimalist phototrophs” and that they may have played a key role in the evolution of phototrophic bacteria.
Refractive index sensing using slow light in photonic crystal waveguides

We present a compact integrated refractive index sensor using slow light in photonic crystal waveguides (PCWs). The PCWs are used in a Mach-Zahnder interferometer configuration and operated close to the edge of the mode-gap to achieve a compact design and high sensitivity.
Auxiliary iron–sulfur cofactors in radical SAM enzymes

A vast number of enzymes are now known to belong to a superfamily known as radical SAM, which all contain a [4Fe-4S] cluster ligated by three cysteine residues. The remaining, unligated, iron ion of the cluster binds in contact with the α-amino and α-carboxylate groups of S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM). This binding mode facilitates inner-sphere electron transfer from the reduced form of the cluster into the sulfur atom of SAM, resulting in a reductive cleavage of SAM to methionine and a 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical. The 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical then abstracts a target substrate hydrogen atom, initiating a wide variety of radical-based transformations. A subset of radical SAM enzymes contains one or more additional iron-sulfur clusters that are required for the reactions they catalyze. However, outside of a subset of sulfur insertion reactions, very little is known about the roles of these additional clusters. This review will highlight the most recent advances in the identification and characterization of radical SAM enzymes that harbor auxiliary iron-sulfur clusters. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Fe/S proteins: Analysis, structure, function, biogenesis and diseases.
TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR-β PREVENTS THE ACUTE PLATELET ACTIVATING FACTOR-INDUCED INCREASE IN INTESTINAL MUCOSAL PERMEABILITY IN JUVENILE RATS. • 721

TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR-β PREVENTS THE ACUTE PLATELET ACTIVATING FACTOR-INDUCED INCREASE IN INTESTINAL MUCOSAL PERMEABILITY IN JUVENILE RATS. • 721
Performance of optimized software implementation of the iSCSI protocol

The advent of IP-based storage networking has brought specialized network adapters that directly support TCP/IP and storage protocols on the market to get comparable performance that specialized high-performance storage networking architectures provide.This paper describes an efficient software implementation of the iSCSI protocol with a commodity networking infrastructure. Though several studies have compared the performances of specialized network adapters and commodity network adapters, our iSCSI implementation eliminates data copying overhead unlike straightforward iSCSI implementations used in previous studies. To achieve it, we modified a general-purpose operating system by using techniques studied for improving TCP performance in the literature and features that commodity Gigabit Ethernet adapters support. We also quantified their effects.Our microbenchmarks show, compared with a straightforward iSCSI driver that does not use these techniques, the iSCSI driver with these optimizations reduces CPU utilization from 39.4% to 30.8% when writing with an I/O size of 64 KB. However, when reading, any performance gain is negated due to the high cost of operations on the virtual memory system.
The regulatory domain of the myosin head behaves as a rigid lever.

The regulatory domain of the myosin head is believed to serve as a lever arm that amplifies force generated in the catalytic domain and transmits this strain to the thick filament. The lever arm it...
Gastric vagal motoneuron function is maintained following experimental spinal cord injury.

Background Clinical reports indicate that spinal cord injury (SCI) initiates profound gastric dysfunction. Gastric reflexes involve stimulation of sensory vagal fibers, which engage brainstem circuits that modulate efferent output back to the stomach, thereby completing the vago-vagal reflex. Our recent studies in a rodent model of experimental high thoracic (T3-) SCI suggest that reduced vagal afferent sensitivity to gastrointestinal (GI) stimuli may be responsible for diminished gastric function. Nevertheless, derangements in efferent signals from the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) to the stomach may also account for reduced motility. Methods We assessed the anatomical, neurophysiological, and functional integrity of gastric-projecting DMV neurons in T3-SCI rats using: (i) retrograde labeling of gastric-projecting DMV neurons; (ii) whole cell recordings from gastric-projecting neurons of the DMV; and, (iii) in vivo measurements of gastric contractions following unilateral microinjection of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) into the DMV. Key Results Immunohistochemical analysis of gastric-projecting DMV neurons demonstrated no difference between control and T3-SCI rats. Whole cell in vitro recordings showed no alteration in DMV membrane properties and the neuronal morphology of these same, neurobiotin-labeled, DMV neurons were unchanged after T3-SCI with regard to cell size and dendritic arborization. Central microinjection of TRH induced a significant facilitation of gastric contractions in both control and T3-SCI rats and there were no significant dose-dependent differences between groups. Conclusions & Inferences Our data suggest that the acute, 3 day to 1 week post-SCI, dysfunction of vagally mediated gastric reflexes do not include derangements in the efferent DMV motoneurons.
Percutaneous management of chronic central venous occlusive disease.

Stenosis or occlusion of the central veins and/or vena cava can cause painful and debilitating symptoms for affected patients. Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) can develop acutely or progressively from external compression or intrinsic obstruction. The clinical signs and symptoms result from venous hypertension and reduced blood flow in the superior vena cava (SVC) or central veins emptying into the SVC. Depending on the anatomic location of the narrowing, clinical symptoms, and presentation will vary. Clinical signs include cyanosis, plethora, distention of subcutaneous veins, and edema of the upper extremities, head and neck. Edema may compromise laryngeal or pharyngeal function, causing dyspnea, stridor, cough, hoarseness, and dysphagia.1 Although there may be symptom overlap with congestive heart failure, a physical examination will usually delineate between the two diagnoses. The etiology of SVCS varies and can be broadly grouped into benign and malignant causes, with most strictures of the caval system and venous tributaries being malignant.2 3 Non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common malignant cause of SVCS, followed by small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.4 The most common causes of benign venous stenosis involve the presence of an indwelling intravascular device (i.e., catheters, pacemaker/defibrillators, ports). Arteriovenous fistula related obstruction, mediastinal fibrosis, and prior thoracic external bean radiation therapy are additional benign causes. Treatment of central venous occlusions depends on the etiology and clinical presentation. The ultimate goal of therapy is to correct the obstruction and alleviate the symptoms. Conservative measures depend on the etiology and include limb elevation, steroids, anticoagulation, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, and diuretics.5 Interventional therapies include surgical bypass and/or endovascular stent placement. Guide wire recanalization and endovascular stenting is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed on an outpatient basis with standard equipment available in an angiography suite. The procedure below describes the authors approach to treating chronic central venous occlusive disease.
Adaptive Target Detection and Matching for a Pedestrian Tracking System

We present a 3D tracking system for detecting and tracking multiple targets. An extended Kalman Filter (EKF) is used to maintain each target's 3D state and provide location predictions to the pattern matchers whose task it is to follow the targets in images. An adaptive background modeling algorithm is used together with the tracking process to detect moving objects in complex environments. We propose a warping-based pattern matching approach to deal with object deformation during tracking. We present examples of results of our tracker for outdoor scenes.
High molecular weight protein from human lenses.

Abstract A new rapid method based upon differential centrifugation is described for the isolation of high molecular weight (HMW) protein from human lenses. Similar material is obtained with this method or by gel filtration. It was found that the HMW protein is almost identical in composition to the insoluble protein and is probably an intermediate in the formation of the insoluble fraction. There appears to be a spectrum of increasingly large components ranging from the relatively small HMW species to the largest particles in the insoluble fraction. Analyses of the polypeptides composing these proteins indicate the presence of 11 000, 20 000, 22 000, 27 000 and 45 000 dalton components. It is concluded that the human HMW and insoluble proteins are composed of a mixture of lens proteins as well as a major fraction consisting of smaller degraded polypeptides.
Angiogenesis in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome.

Increased angiogenesis is important in the pathophysiology of solid tumors. Recent studies show that angiogenesis and angiogenic factors play an important role in hematological malignancies. Both acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) are associated with a substantial increase in vascularity in the bone marrow as well as increased levels of various angiogenic factors including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor, angiogenin, angiopoietin-1, platelet-derived growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, epidermal growth factor, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and transforming growth factor-alpha and transforming growth factor-beta. Most of these angiogenic factors appear to be secreted by the neoplastic hematopoietic cells and appear to promote the growth and proliferation of the leukemic cells in an autocrine fashion. More importantly, angiogenic factors play a role in the clinical behavior and outcome of both AML and MDS. Despite significant overlap between MDS and AML in many aspects, higher levels of cellular VEGF and lower levels KDR are seen in MDS than in AML. Antiangiogenic therapy may play a role in AML and MDS and some differences in response may exist between MDS and AML.
A technique for the isolation of mutants of Escherichia coli affected in degradation of cellular RNA.

Abstract Using a semiautomatic technique for handling large numbers of Escherichia coli colonies, mutants that fail to digest their cellular RNA were isolated. This was achieved by using multiwell plates where each colony is cloned in an individual well. Cells labeled with a radioactive RNA precursor were starved for a carbon source at a high temperature. In order to assess whether or not degradation of cellular RNA took place, aliquots of each culture were subjected to autoradiography. A number of mutants defective in decay of RNA were isolated. One of them was characterized, and was found to be deficient specifically in the enzyme polynucleotide phosphorylase. Experiments carried out with this strain indicate that this enzyme participates in the degradation of “stable” RNA during carbon starvation.
Correlation of fine needle aspiration biopsy and ct scanning of parotid masses

Preoperative evaluation of parotid tumors still poses difficult problems for the head and neck surgeon. The complex anatomy of the parotid space leads to difficulty in localizing these tumors. In addition, physical examination will rarely determine whether a parotid lesion is benign or malignant. High resolution CT scanning with contrast and fine needle aspiration can provide enough preoperative information to enable the surgeon to counsel his patient concerning possible risks and the extent of surgery that may be indicated. We are able to determine tumor location, multiple or bilateral masses, associated adenopathy, and often specific tumor histology. Forty-two parotid aspirates and 26 CT scans were reviewed and correlated with their postoperative pathology specimen. Parotid aspiration cytology was found to be a highly accurate and safe procedure for preoperative determination of parotid pathology. However, the CT scan was specific only in defining the anatomic localization and extent of a parotid mass.
The graying of cedar shingles in a maritime climate—a fungal basis?

Cedar shingling is used extensively on the exterior of buildings of Nantucket Island because it is resistant to damage and decay by the elements. Although often structurally sound for up to 30 years, cedar shingles weather to a characteristic gray in this maritime clime within weeks of their installation. In contrast, cedar shingles when weathered in more inland locations yield a brownish hue. A survey was conducted of fungal populations inhabiting cedar shingles from maritime and inland locales to assess whether fungi contributed to these differences in coloring. Aureobasidium pullulans, a black yeast, was recovered consistently in all weathered samples, both maritime and inland. No major differences were seen between the fungal populations from these distinct geographic sites. It was concluded that A. pullulans and other blue stain fungi from the shingles could be responsible in part for the coloration of weathered shingles, but did not apparently account for the differences in coloring of gray (maritime) and brownish (inland) shingles. This exercise demonstrates identifiable common deteriogens, and is readily adapted to general microbiology laboratory classes. The isolates are from common microbial niches, wooden posts, window pane putty, tile grout and paint surfaces, and give the student a feel for the ubiquitous influence of microbes. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 24, 319–322.
Underwater Tests on Corroded Steel Piles With the Thickness Measurement by Beam Alignment System

Description du systeme de mesure d'epaisseur par ultrasons utilisant un alignement du faisceau. Resultats d'essais sur des pieux d'acier corrodes par piqures montrant que ce systeme est utilisable a des profondeurs allant de 0,3 a 2,2 m au-dessous du niveau de l'eau
Type of object motion facilitates word mapping by preverbal infants

This study assessed whether specific types of object motion, which predominate in maternal naming to preverbal infants, facilitate word mapping by infants. A total of 60 full-term 8-month-old infants were habituated to two spoken words, /baef/ and /wem/, synchronous with the handheld motions of a toy dragonfly and a fish or a lamb chop and a squiggly. They were presented in one of four experimental motion conditions—shaking, looming, upward, and sideways—and one all-motion control condition. Infants were then given a test that consisted of two mismatch (change) and two control (no-change) trials, counterbalanced for order. Results revealed that infants learned the word–object relations (i.e., looked longer on the mismatch trials relative to the control trials) in the shaking and looming motion conditions but not in the upward, sideways, and all-motion conditions. Infants learned the word–object relations in the looming and shaking conditions likely because these motions foreground the object for the infants. Thus, the type of gesture an adult uses matters during naming when preverbal infants are beginning to map words onto objects. The results suggest that preverbal infants learn word–object relations within an embodied system involving matches between infants’ perception of motion and specific motion properties of caregivers’ naming.
Examining the Relationship between Student Learning and Persistence

Using data from the 2006 cohort of the Wabash National Study of Liberal Arts Education, we examined the relationships between three approaches to measuring student learning outcomes (direct-assessment learning gains, self-reported gains, and college grades) and student persistence from the first to second year. Results from a series of logistic regressions indicated that students’ grade-point averages had the largest explanatory power in student persistence, followed by self-reported gains. Direct-assessment learning gains had the least power in explaining persistence. The findings have implications for the national conversation on student success in college.
Secondary Kelvin–Helmholtz instability in weakly stratified shear flow

The growth of secondary vortices on the braids separating Kelvin–Helmholtz billows is investigated via numerical simulations. The similarity theory of Corcos & Sherman (1976) is extended to include mixing processes with Prandtl number greater than unity, and is shown to provide a useful description of the physics of the braid regions just prior to the onset of secondary instability. The numerical study of Staquet (1995) is extended to include a wider range of Prandtl numbers and bulk Richardson numbers. Length and time scales of the secondary instability are compared with predictions based on normal-mode stability analysis of the braids. The onset of instability is shown to be accompanied by a dramatic increase in mixing efficiency in the braid region, emphasizing the potential importance of preturbulent Kelvin–Helmholtz billows for mixing stratified fluids.
A comparison of three methods for automatic tree crown detection and delineation from high spatial resolution imagery

This article compares the performance of three algorithms representative of published methods for tree crown detection and delineation from high spatial resolution imagery, and demonstrates a standardized accuracy assessment framework. The algorithms-watershed segmentation, region growing and valley-following-were tested on softwood and hardwood sites using Emerge natural colour vertical aerial imagery with 60 cm ground sampled distance and QuickBird panchromatic imagery with an 11˚ look angle. The evaluation considered both plot-level and individual tree crown detection and delineation results. The study shows that while all three methods reasonably delineate crowns in the softwood stand on the Emerge image, region growing provided the highest accuracies, with producer's and user's accuracy for tree detection reaching 70% and root mean square error for crown diameter estimation of 15%. Crown detection accuracies were lower on the QuickBird image. No algorithm proved accurate for the hardwood stand on either image set (both producer's and user's accuracies < 30%).
Numerical Simulation of Sabot Discard Aerodynamics

Abstract : Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solutions of the three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations have been applied to sabot discard aerodynamics for gun- launched, saboted, armor-piercing projectiles. The portion of the launch cycle that involves strong aerodynamic interference between the projectile and discarding sabot (carrier) components has been investigated. Three sabot components were location symmetrically at various positions near the projectile and at angle of attack. The complex system of shock/boundary-layer interactions between multiple bodies (projectile and sabots), during the discard sequence, has been numerically simulated. Computed and measured surface pressures compare favorably for Mach number 4.5 and Reynolds number six million per meter. Comparison of symmetric sabot discard trajectories predicted using CFD and the AVCO sabot design code are shown.
Exact and Approximate Solutions to Two-Stage Transfer Lines with General Uptime and Downtime Distributions

Abstract We consider a transfer line with two unreliable stages and an intermediate buffer storage of a finite capacity. It is assumed that the distribution of uptimes and downtimes of each stage are of phase type. It is also assumed that a part may be scrapped with a certain probability when the stage processing it breaks down. Using the phase structure of the underlying distributions, the system is modelled as a Markov chain. This model is used to study the behavior of the system. It is also used to find out whether a two moment approximation to the uptime and downtime distributions is adequate. A simple approximation to the production rate that involves only the first two moments of the uptime and downtime distributions is also developed. It is shown that this approximation is quite reasonable.
What information belongs in a warning

A general approach is described for determining the information content of warnings. It begins with a formal analysis of the magnitudes of the risks arising from misuse (or even from proper use) of a product. It proceeds with structured, open-ended interviews intended to elicit consumers' naive conceptualizations of the processes creating and controlling those risks. Communications are then focused on information filling the most consequential gaps in their knowledge. The implementation of those warnings will depend on the extent of the knowledge gaps, and the opportunities for closing them. This approach allows for an estimate of the residual problems to be expected, if a warning program is implemented. It can also help to focus the policy debate over whether a product warning will achieve an acceptable level of misunderstanding. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Supersonic shock/turbulent boundary-layer interaction on a roughened surface

This article presents results from an exploratory study of roughness effects on shock-generated turbulent shock/boundary-layer interaction that specifically focuses on a small sand gram-type of roughness that falls within the framework of the law of the wall. With regard to the interaction zone itself, a tripledeck model is used to develop a theory of how such roughness alters the interactive flow physics. Some confirming experimental results are then given from a Mach 2.5 supersonic wind-tunnel study of both nonseparating and incipiently separating wedge shock-generated turbulent interactions on several roughened surfaces. These results show that even a small roughness significantly increases the upstream influence and enhances the onset of separation.
Source of Stress-Induced Increase in Plasma Met-Enkephalin in Rats: Contribution of Adrenal Medulla and/or Sympathetic Nerves*.

Abstract The contribution of the adrenal medulla and/or the sympathetic nerves to the plasma levels of Met-enkephalin was investigated. Rats were divided into four groups: sham-operated/saline, sham-operated/guanethidine, adrenal-demedullated/saline, demedulla-ted/guanethidine. After 4 weeks of injection with either saline or guanethidine (25 mg/kg/day), animals were cannulated in the left carotid artery for blood sampling. Three days later, blood samples were taken before and at 2 and 30 min of restraint stress. Adrenal demedullation lowered basal plasma epinephrine levels markedly and prevented entirely the increase induced by restraint stress. Chronic guanethidine treatment lowered basal plasma norepinephrine levels and decreased the response to stress. Guanethidine treatment increased the basal plasma epinephrine level without affecting the response to stress. The combination of guanethidine plus adrenal demedullation lowered basal plasma concentrations of all three catecholamines and further attenuated the norepinephrine response. Restraint stress increased plasma native and peptidase-derivable Met-enkephalin. Adrenal demedullation, resulting in greater than 95% depletion of adrenal catecholamines and significant depletion of adrenal Met-enkephalin, did not inhibit the stress-induced increase in plasma Met-enkephalin, and in fact, was associated with a potentiated response to stress. Guanethidine treatment with or without demedullation increased baseline plasma native Met-enkephalin and abolished the stress-induced increase in plasma native and peptidase-derivable Met-enkephalin. Thus, the stress-induced increase in plasma Metenkephalin results from release from sympathetic nerves, rather than adrenal medulla. However, the sympathetic nerves and adrenal medulla together do not appear to account entirely for basal concentrations of circulating Met-enkephalin. Hepatic portal vein plasma concentration of native Met-enkephalin was greater than that in the carotid artery, suggesting contribution from the gastrointestinal tract; however, evisceration did not decrease plasma native Met-enkephalin. Some compensatory mechanism results in elevation of basal plasma native Met-enkephalin in sympathectomized rats. Also, in the absence of the adrenal medulla there is a compensatory increase in the amount of Met-enkephalin released into the circulation in response to stress.
The role of purine analogues in low-intensity regimens with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Host conditioning prior to allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) has traditionally involved the use of high-dose, myeloablative chemotherapy and irradiation, focusing on maximal tumor cytoreduction as well as adequate immunosuppression to allow engraftment of allogeneic stem cells. High-dose chemoradiation conditioning regimens have been associated with a significant incidence of organ toxicity and acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Recent efforts to diminish the acute transplant-associated toxicities have focused on the development of relatively nontoxic, nonmyeloablative, or less myeloablative conditioning regimens, with the emphasis being predominantly on induction of immunosuppression to enable engraftment. Without ablative chemotherapy, disease control in these regimens is largely relegated to the graft-versus-leukemia/lymphoma (GVL) effect. While the evolution these regimens has resulted in successful engraftment of allogeneic stem cells with minimal toxicity, acute and chronic GVHD occurs in 20% to 50% of patients and remains a major cause of transplant-associated morbidity. Strategies to lower the incidence of acute GVHD have primarily focused on more precise molecular donor/recipient matching, alternative stem cell sources, and T-cell depletion of the graft. While successful in lowering the frequency and severity of GVHD, T-cell–depleted grafts have been associated with compromised the graft-versus-disease effect. Recent studies have suggested that, in addition to T-effector cells within the graft, donor and host dendritic cells may play a role in GVHD. Purine analogues have been evaluated as part of these regimens. While fludarabine and cladribine have been shown to be effective, these agents have been associated with an increased incidence of serious infection and severe acute GVHD. Pentostatin has a different mechanism of action and was also investigated as part of these preparative regimens. Regimens using pentostatin/extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP)/total body irradiation (TBI) have been shown to be well tolerated and associated with early full donor engraftment with a predominance of donor dendritic cell (DC)2 cells and a low incidence of acute GVHD. Further investigation evaluating this preparative regimen is warranted.
Packaging the Cell Broadband Engine microprocessor for supercomputer applications

The Cell Broadband Enginetrade (Cell BE) processor initially designed for high-end consumer electronics, has been enhanced by IBM for supercomputer applications. The enhancements to the chip also necessitated the design and development of a new package. The modifications to the chip included replacement of the 3.2 Gb/s XDR interface with a 800 Mb/s DDR2 interface of equal bandwidth. This required the addition of several hundred chip-level connections (C4's) and package BGA balls. Incorporating this and other enhancements to the chip resulted in a ~20% larger chip and a larger and more complex package. Additional noise from this large memory interface also drove decoupling requirements that necessitated mounting capacitors on both the top and bottom sides of the package. This paper describes the design of this new package as well as the analysis and characterization techniques used to address the packaging concerns outlined above. It includes a comprehensive noise analysis as well as a thorough characterization of the DDR2 interface in the final prototypes. The paper also outlines the design and analysis of the power distribution to the various voltage domains on the chip. Along with electrical design and performance, the paper also includes finite element modeling of the mechanical stresses resident in this FCPBGA package. Finally, the concluding portions of the paper will discuss the trade-offs between electrical performance and mechanical stability, reliability and relative cost.
Structural, morphological, and magnetic study of nanocrystalline cobalt-copper powders synthesized by the polyol process

Nanocrystalline CoxCu100−x (4 ⋚ x ⋚ 49 at. %) powders were prepared by the reduction of metal acetates in a polyol. The structure of powders was characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). As-synthesized powders were composites consisting of nanoscale crystallites of face-centered cubic (fcc) Cu and metastable face-centered cubic (fcc) Co. Complementary results of XRD, HRTEM, EXAFS, NMR, and VSM confirmed that there was no metastable alloying between Co and Cu. The NMR data also revealed that there was some hexagonal-closed-packed (hcp) Co in the samples. The powders were agglomerated, and consisted of aggregates of nanoscale crystallites of Co and Cu. Upon annealing, the powders with low Co contents showed an increase in both saturation magnetization and coercivity with increasing temperature. The results suggested that during preparation the nucleation of Cu occurred first, and the Cu crystallites served as nuclei for the formation of Co.
Mechanical stability and adhesion of microstructures under capillary forces. I. Basic theory

Strong capillary forces are developed in the fabrication process of surface micromachined structures during the wet etch of sacrificial layers. The magnitude of these forces is in some cases sufficient to deform and pin these structures to the substrate resulting in device failure. The deflection, mechanical stability, and adhesion of thin micromechanical structure under capillary forces are examined. These phenomena are divided into two separate stages of mechanical collapse and adhesion to the underlying substrate. The basic theory of collapse is described. Approximate conditions are computed to prevent contact to the substrate. >
Maximum-Likelihood Variance Components Analysis of Heritabilities of Cranial Nonmetric Traits

Nonmetric traits of the cranium are often used to support hypotheses of the history and divergence of human populations. These studies rely on the assumption that nonmetric traits are heritable, yet few skeletal series exist with associated pedigree information that allow for the calculation of additive genetic variance, or heritability. In addition, traits for which heritabilities have been published represent dichotomous present/absent forms instead of the range of expression that can be observed for many nonmetric characters. In the present study I use a maximum-likelihood variance components analysis to calculate univariate narrow-sense heritability estimates on the skeletal series from Hallstatt, Austria, for 9 sutural bones, 27 multilevel traits, and dichotomized present/absent forms for 19 of these multilevel characters. Most of the trait heritabilities do not differ significantly from a model of h2 = 0, and they have large standard errors. In a heuristic comparison of multilevel versus dichotomous trait forms, most of the nonmetric characters showed no differences in heritability between the two methods used for parsing the phenotypic variation, although where differences were noted, the presence-absence version had higher heritabilities. These results have implications not only for the use of particular nonmetric traits in population studies but also for the practice of character dichotomization in data collection.
Controlled/Living Polymerization of Methacrylamide In Aqueous Media via the RAFT Process

The polymerization of methacrylamide (MAM) was performed in aqueous media via reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization with the dithiobenzoate chain-transfer agent (CTA) 4-cyanopentanoic acid dithiobenzoate (CTP) and 4,4′-azobis(4-cyanopentanoic acid) (V-501) as initiator. The polymerization in unbuffered water at 70 °C with a CTP/V-501 ratio of 1.5 was controlled for the first 3 h, after which the molecular weight distribution broadened and a substantial deviation of the experimental from the theoretical molecular weight occurred, presumably because of a loss of CTA functionality at longer polymerization times. Conducting the polymerization in an acidic buffer afforded a well-defined homopolymer (Mn = 23,800 g/mol, Mw/Mn = 1.08). To demonstrate the controlled/living nature of the system, a block copolymer of MAM and acrylamide was successfully prepared (Mn = 33,800 g/mol, Mw/Mn = 1.25) from a polymethacrylamide macro-CTA. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 3141–3152, 2005
ON QUOTIENTS OF NONSINGULAR ACTIONS WHOSE SELF-JOININGS ARE GRAPHS

We study the notions of minimal self-joinings (MSJ) and graph self-joinings (GSJ) (analogous to simplicity in the finite measure preserving case) for nonsingular actions of locally compact groups. We show that for a nonsingular action of a group G with MSJ, every quotient comes from a closed subgroup of the center of G whose action is totally non-ergodic. Thus, totally ergodic nonsingular flows with MSJ are prime. We then show an analogous result to Veech's theorem, namely that for a nonsingular action of a group G with GSJ, every quotient comes from a locally compact subgroup of the centralizer whose action is totally non-ergodic.
Sensitivity analysis of lake mass balance in discontinuous permafrost: the example of disappearing Twelvemile Lake, Yukon Flats, Alaska (USA)

Many lakes in northern high latitudes have undergone substantial changes in surface area over the last four decades, possibly as a result of climate warming. In the discontinuous permafrost of Yukon Flats, interior Alaska (USA), these changes have been non-uniform across adjacent watersheds, suggesting local controls on lake water budgets. Mechanisms that could explain the decreasing mass of one lake in Yukon Flats since the early 1980s, Twelvemile Lake, are identified via a scoping analysis that considers plausible changes in snowmelt mass and infiltration, permafrost distribution, and climate warming. Because predicted changes in evaporation (2 cmyr−1) are inadequate to explain the observed 17.5 cmyr−1 reduction in mass balance, other mechanisms are required. The most important potential mechanisms are found to involve: (1) changes in shallow, lateral groundwater flow to the lake possibly facilitated by vertical freeze-thaw migration of the permafrost table in gravel; (2) increased loss of lake water as downward groundwater flow through an open talik to a permeable subpermafrost flowpath; and (3) reduced snow meltwater inputs due to decreased snowpack mass and increased infiltration of snowmelt into, and subsequent evaporation from, fine-grained sediment mantling the permafrost-free lake basin.
Percutaneous transcatheter arterial embolization of inferior pancreatico-duodenal artery aneurysms associated with celiac artery stenosis or occlusion.

Objectives: To report our experience with percutaneous TAE of true IPDA aneurysms. Background: Most IPDA aneurysms are ruptured at presentation causing a high mortality risk. Minimally invasive treatment approaches may improve overall outcomes in such patients. Methods: Between 1996 and 2007, seven patients (5 Males; mean age 55y) with symptomatic IPDA aneurysms and severe degree (>75%) celiac artery stenosis were treated with percutaneous TAE. The medical and imaging records were reviewed for demographics, clinical presentation, treatment, complications and follow-up. Patients presented with epigastric pain (7/7), hemodynamic shock (2/7) and rectal bleeding (2/7). Selective catheter angiography was performed in all patients with the intent to embolize the aneurysms. Results: A total of nine aneurysms were seen in seven patients. Two patients had two aneurysms each. The aneurysms ranged in size from 0.5 to 4.0 cm (mean 1.9 cm). Trans-catheter coil embolization was successful in 8/9 (89%) aneurysms in 6 patients. Following unsuccessful TAE of one aneurysm in one of the patient, the aneurysm was treated successfully with direct CT-guided percutaneous transabdominal injection of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate. There were no complications on follow up. Angioplasty and stenting of the celiac artery were performed in one patient for complete occlusion. None of the patients developed clinical or imaging evidence of visceral ischemia following embolization. None had recurrent symptoms during clinical follow-up (median 3 years, range 0.5–13.5 years). Follow-up CT (Median 6.6 months, range 4 days–11.5 years) in all patients showed no recurrence of the aneurysm. Conclusion:IPDA aneurysms associated with celiac axis stenosis can be successfully treated with percutaneous embolization with minimal recurrence. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Role of Health Promotion in Physical Therapy in California, New York, and Tennessee

Background and Purpose. As health care providers, physical therapists are in an ideal position to address health promotion issues with their patients; yet, little is known about actual health promotion practice patterns or the confidence of physical therapists in engaging in such activities. The purposes of this study were: (1) to investigate perceptions of practice patterns in 4 focus areas of Healthy People 2010 (disability and secondary conditions by assessing psychological well-being, nutrition and overweight, physical activity and fitness, and tobacco use) and (2) to identify related self-efficacy and outcome expectations in California, New York, and Tennessee. Subjects. A instrument was pilot tested and distributed in 2 waves to 3,500 randomly selected, licensed physical therapists from 3 states: California, New York, and Tennessee. Methods. Interviews were randomly conducted via telephone with 23 physical therapists in all 3 states until similar responses were identified in order to create the qualitative instrument, which was then pilot tested with 20 physical therapists in California. The total number of qualitative instruments used in the data analyses was 417 (145 from California, 127 from New York, and 145 from Tennessee) or 11.9%. Results. The health promotion behavior most commonly thought to be practiced by physical therapists was assisting patients to increase physical activity (54%), followed by psychological well-being (41%), nutrition and overweight issues (19%), and smoking cessation (17%). Self-efficacy predicted all 4 behaviors beyond the control variables. Minimal state-to-state differences were noted. Discussion and Conclusion. Physical therapists believe they are addressing health promotion topics with patients, although in varying degrees and in lower than desirable percentages based on Healthy People 2010 goals. This study demonstrated that a physical therapist's confidence in being able to perform a behavior (self-efficacy) was the best predictor of perceptions of practice patterns and is an area to target in future interventions.
Imagineering Uneven Geographical Development in Central Florida

In an era when it is proclaimed that, through globalization, the world has become flat, the unevenness of economic and social development is often overlooked or suppressed. This case study explores...
An analytical high-level battery model for use in energy management of portable electronic systems

Once the battery becomes fully discharged, a battery-powered portable electronic system goes off-line. Therefore, it is important to take the battery behavior into account. A system designer needs an adequate high-level model in order to make battery-aware decisions that target maximization of the system's lifetime on-line. We propose such a model: it allows a designer to predict the battery time-to-failure for a given load and provides a cost metric for lifetime optimization algorithms. Our model also allows for a tradeoff between the accuracy and the amount of computation performed. The quality of the proposed model is evaluated using a detailed low-level simulation of a lithium-ion electrochemical cell.
Detectability of historical trends in station‐based precipitation characteristics over the continental United States

The goal of this paper is to detect secular trends in observed, station-based precipitation variations and extreme event occurrences over the United States. By definition, detectable trends are those that are unlikely to have arisen from internal variability alone. To represent this internal variability, we use station-specific, seasonally varying, daily time scale stationary stochastic weather models—models in which the simulated interannual-to-multidecadal precipitation variance is purely the result of the random evolution of daily precipitation events within a given time period—to first estimate the trends in various means and extremes that can occur even with fixed, climatological daily precipitation characteristics. Detection of secular trends in the observed climate—whether naturally or anthropogenically induced—can then be defined relative to this stochastic variability, i.e., as trends in the means and/or extremes that are likely to have occurred only through a change in the underlying precipitation characteristics. The derived results have two important ramifications. First, they identify “hot spot” regions in which trends in precipitation characteristics are already emerging from within the envelope of stochastic variability, including (but not limited to) positive trends in annual occurrence across most of the U.S. and positive trends in annual intensity and heavy-event accumulations across the Interior Plains and around the Great Lakes. Further, they identify “sentinel” metrics which show the greatest detectability—e.g., annual precipitation occurrence and intensity—as well as those which show the least detectability and hence are unlikely to produce any statistically meaningful signals—e.g., seasonal total precipitation and extremes.
Recognition of related proteins by iterative template refinement (ITR)

Predicting the structural fold of a protein is an important and challenging problem. Available computer programs for determining whether a protein sequence is compatible with a known 3-dimensional structure fall into 2 categories: (1) structure-based methods, in which structural features such as local conformation and solvent accessibility are encoded in a template, and (2) sequence-based methods, in which aligned sequences of a set of related proteins are encoded in a template. In both cases, the programs use a static template based on a predetermined set of proteins. Here, we describe a computer-based method, called iterative template refinement (ITR), that uses templates combining structure-based and sequence-based information and employs an iterative search procedure to detect related proteins and sequentially add them to the templates. Starting from a single protein of known structure, ITR performs sequential cycles of database search to construct an expanding tree of templates with the aim of identifying subtle relationships among proteins. Evaluating the performance of ITR on 6 proteins, we found that the method automatically identified a variety of subtle structural similarities to other proteins. For example, the method identified structural similarity between arabinose-binding protein and phosphofructokinase, a relationship that has not been widely recognized.
Prevention of Parastomal Hernias

Parastomal hernias are relatively common sequelae of stoma creation. They can lead to life-threatening complications and are difficult to repair. The best treatment is through prevention at the primary operation. Technique used at the initial surgery is important, but the technical details of optimal stoma creation have not been clearly delineated. There is a growing body of literature that supports the safety and efficacy of placing prophylactic mesh at the original operation, including several prospective randomized trials. The literature and the various techniques of creation will be reviewed in this article.
Experimental high performance sub-0.1 /spl mu/m channel nMOSFET's

Very high performance sub-0.1 /spl mu/m channel nMOSFET's are fabricated with 35 /spl Aring/ gate oxide and shallow source-drain extensions. An 8.8-ps/stage delay at V/sub dd/=1.5 V is recorded from a 0.08 /spl mu/m channel nMOS ring oscillator at 85 K. The room temperature delay is 11.3 ps/stage. These are the fastest switching speeds reported to date for any silicon devices at these temperatures. Cutoff frequencies (f/sub T/) of a 0.08 /spl mu/m channel device are 93 GHz at 300 K, and 119 GHz at 85 K, respectively. Record saturation transconductances, 740 mS/mm at 300 K and 1040 mS/mm at 85 K, are obtained from a 0.05 /spl mu/m channel device. Good subthreshold characteristics are achieved for 0.09 /spl mu/m channel devices with a source-drain halo process. >
Minority entrepreneurship in the USA

This paper provides statistics to illustrate the minority entrepreneurship in the USA from various perspectives and data sources. While many successful stories have been told, most of minority entrepreneurs are still wrestling in the business-economic obscurity in the USA. Studies have shown a positive relationship between business ownership and economic well-being of US people. Also, statistics have consistently shown that there is a disadvantaged group along racial, ethnic and social-economic class lines. The poor groups usually have lower business ownership. Therefore, continuously fostering minority entrepreneurship and encouraging minority business ownership should be considered as one of most effective economic policies.
Grading Practices--Watching Out for Land Mines.

Not all schools or teachers have problems with grading proce dures, but sometimes the classic pattern, 90 to 100 = A, just doesn't work.