cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Textural and stratigraphic controls on fractured dolomite in a carbonate aquifer system, Ocala limestone, west-central Florida

Abstract The Late Eocene Ocala Limestone is part of the Upper Floridan Aquifer, and in west-central Florida the Ocala forms a subregional semi-confining unit that separates underlying and overlying highly transmissive zones. In portions of the same area, the lower half of the Ocala is dolomitized and fractures are observed in cores. Where present, the fractures should locally enhance the hydraulic conductivity of the dolomite and could enhance vertical leakage through the semi-confining Ocala interval. Triaxial strength tests and Brazilian Disc tensile tests were conducted on a suite of 2.5-cm diameter dolomite core plugs from five boreholes. Samples were texturally subdivided on the basis of degree of induration into three general categories: friable sucrosic dolomite with high porosity, moderately indurated dolomite with intermediate porosity, and tightly indurated dolomite with low porosity. Results indicate elevated cohesion magnitude and tensile strength as the degree of induration increases and secondarily as abundance of moldic porosity decreases. Sucrosic and moderately indurated dolomites are most likely to fracture due to their low cohesion strength, followed by tightly indurated dolomites with high moldic porosity. Tightly indurated dolomite with little or no moldic porosity is the least likely to fracture. Degree of dolomite induration is a function of the lime precursor's depositional fabric. Thus, combining strength data with known stratigraphic patterns in depositional textures allows for prediction of mechanical units and fractured horizons in the Ocala dolomites, and provides insight into regions of potentially increased hydraulic conductivity.
Co-Culture Changes the Mechanical Properties of Cells

Using an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) with a 5.3 um diameter spherical probe we are measuring the elastic modulus of human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) as they are co-cultured with immortal, tumorigenic, and finally metastatic. We are performing measurement over both normal cells and cancer cells. In order study the change induced by the co-culturing, our measurements will include the cell-pairs (normal cells and neighboring cancer cells).So far, we found that normal cells show a significant difference in modulus after co-culturing with cancer cells. Measurements to date indicate that the moduli of HMEC increased more than 20% after co-culture with metastatic cells for 6 hours. We expect to report moduli under similar conditions for immortalized and tumorigenic HMEC cells and metastatic cells known as MDA-MB-231. In addition, we observe modulus differences due to transfection treatments. We also plan to report on these differences for immortalized, tumorigenic and metastatic versions of HMEC cells.This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number 1106105.
Interindustry part-time and full-time wage differentials: regional and national analysis

This paper provides more evidence that the wage differential is far smaller than is suggested by simple comparison of gross wages of full-time and part-time workers. It is noted that to obtain a more reasonable measure of the full-time and part-time wage differential, it is necessary to adjust for differences in workers' characteristics, labour market conditions and sample selection. It is found that, in general, full-time and part-time workers exhibit different personal characteristics. In particular, full-time workers possess more human capital and experience than part-timers. Also, labour market conditions such as unions and pension plans favour full-timers. These differences may partly account for the wage disparity between full-time and part-time workers. It was noted that the nonrandomness of the workers into full-time and part-time jobs influences the wage determination of both full-time and part-time workers. The results indicate that the adjustment of the wage equations to reflect the above menti...
Tumors in tadpoles: The Xenopus embryo as a model system for the study of tumorigenesis

I would like to thank K. Kao for providing information prior to publication. I also thank P. Vize for comments and advice and T. Grammer, D. Hsu and M. Dionne for critical reading of the manuscript. J.B.W. is supported by NIH NRSA #1F32GM19823-01.
NONAQUEOUS TITRIMETRIC ANALYSIS OF AMINOPHYLLINE.

A nonaqueous potentiometric titration is described by which ethylenediamine and theophylline, the components of aminophylline, are titrated differentially as a mixture of bases. Acetic acid is used as the solvent for the ethylenediamine neutralization after which acetic anhydride is added to the system to allow titration of the theophylline, a very weak base. This method was applied to the analysis of amino -phylline powder, tablets, ampuls, and suppositories. When compared with the U.S.P. XVI analyses, the nonaqueous approach is simpler since no elaborate sample treatment is needed. The precision of the one titration, nonaqueous procedure is about the same as the U.S.P. XVI analyses which require two titrations to obtain the same data. An alternative approach is suggested for cases, for example, some tablets, where the nonaqueous method is not successful.
Chaos and incoherence in a model of multiple-photon excitation of molecular vibrations

We consider in detail our earlier classical model of multiple-photon excitation of molecular vibrations in an infrared laser field, wherein the observed fluence dependence of the process is associated with chaotic variations of a pumped mode. We focus our attention first on a quasicontinuum model of background vibrational modes, which provides us with a dynamical system in which the role of chaos is neatly interpretable. Then we consider a model with only a finite number of background modes in order to corroborate the conclusions drawn from the quasicontinuum model.
Detection and quantification of the straight chain fatty acids from propionic to decanoic using post-column reaction detection high performance liquid chromatography

Abstract A procedure has been developed for the detection and quantification of the straight chain fatty acids from propionic (C3) to decanoic (C10) acid using post‐column reaction detection. This method utilizes the change in color produced when the acids are mixed with the pH indicator, neutral red, following separation on a phenyl‐bonded phase column. As each of the acids elutes from the column, they mix with an aqueous solution of the indicator and 0.01 M boric acid at pH 6.80. The change in the concentration of the protonated form of the dye allows for quantification of the acids at 533 nm.
Comparative mutagenicity of nine brands of coffee to Salmonella typhimurium TA100, TA102, and TA104.

Nine coffee preparations, four caffeinated instant brands, three caffeinated drip coffees, and two decaffeinated coffees, one of which was an instant brand, were evaluated for mutagenicity by the Ames assay using Salmonella typhimurium TA100, TA102, and TA104. All the coffees contained direct-acting mutagens, which reverted the three strains. The inclusion of a rat microsomal enzyme preparation reduced the mutagenic response of the three strains in the presence of some of the coffee samples. Both glyoxal and methylglyoxal, 1,2-dicarbonyls found in the coffees were mutagenic. The concentration of glyoxal, methylglyoxal, diacetyl, and guiacol were measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Caffeine, furfural, and 5-methylfurfural concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Although lower concentrations of methyglyoxal were found in the drip caffeinated coffees, the mutagenic potency of these preparations was higher than the instant coffees on a weight basis especially when TA104 was the indicator organism. Our findings agree with those of other workers who have shown that carbonyl compounds, which were present in all the brands tested, are partially responsible for the mutagenic response of coffee but that additional mutagens are also present.
STM investigation of gallium single-crystal surfaces close to bulk melting

Abstract We have used STM to investigate single-crystal Ga surfaces oriented along all major symmetry directions up to the bulk melting temperature Tm = 29.78°C. The single-indexed surface orientations (001), (010) and (100) were remarkably stable up to Tm. Neither surface diffusion nor step mobility were observed in STM images measured up to the onset of bulk melting. Thermally assisted disordering below Tm was not detected on any of these single-indexed surfaces. As bulk melting set in, irregularly shaped hillocks up to a micrometer in size appeared on the otherwise undistorted atomically flat surface. The rather densely packed (111) surface was much less stable upon imaging with the STM and became increasingly susceptible to tip-induced surface modifications as the temperature approached Tm. On the loosely packed (110) surface, a reversible structural transition to a higher packing density and partial disordering was detected 0.5 K below Tm. In addition, both the formation of a dislocation and defect dynamics were observed on the (110) surface.
Purification and properties of the hemolysin from El Tor vibrio

Abstract The hemolysin from El Tor vibrio has been purified 300-fold with a recovery of 7%. The material is homogeneous when examined by ultracentrifugation, paper chromatography, electrophoresis, and by the immunological gel diffusion precipitation technique. Lipids account for 95% of the weight of the material; the remainder is protein, with a trace of carbohydrate.
A comparison of verbal, sign, and simultaneous systems for the acquisition of receptive language by an autistic boy.

Abstract The effectiveness of verbal, sign, and simultaneous systems for the acquisition of receptive language by an autistic boy was investigated. The subject received training in all three methods by three teachers on each of 18 days. The order of methods and teachers was counterbalanced daily. The study incorporated a 27-word vocabulary composed of nouns, adjectives (colors), and verbs. The dependent variable was the number of correct responses during three daily sets of 20 assessment trials. Results suggest nonsignificant differences among the three methods. A secondary purpose was to investigate systematically the concomitant increases in subject-initiated interactions and eye contact accompanying the language training. The subject was observed during 10-min rest periods following each of the three daily language sessions; the occurence of behaviors during timed intervals served as the dependent variables. Significant increases for subject-initiated interactions involving physical contact were observed.
An examination of the relationships between coping styles, task-related affect, and the desire for decision assistance

Abstract Individuals cope in varying ways with the conflict and corresponding emotion resulting from the decision process. Their propensity to cope in a particular manner may subsequently influence their choice behaviors. The purpose of this research is twofold. We expand the study of decision task-related emotion by first examining how an individual’s decision coping style interacts with characteristics of the choice environment to influence decision task-related affect. Then, the effects of decision task-related affect and decision coping style on the desire for decision assistance, a choice avoidant behavior, are examined. Two types of maladaptive decision coping behavior, hypervigilance, and defensive avoidance are considered. Two characteristics of the choice context are also evaluated, the alignability of the differences that describe the options comprising a choice set and the attractiveness of the commonalities. Results indicate that an individual’s propensity to use a particular coping style and characteristics of the choice environment interact to influence choice avoidant behavior. Discussion of these results and implications for decision research and organizational decision-making are provided.
Ferrocene-based olefin polymerization catalysts: Activation, structure, and intermediates

This paper describes abstraction of a benzyl group from the Zr dibenzyl complex 1,1‘-Fc(NSiMe3)2]ZrBn2 (1) using B(C6F5)3 and [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] (TB). In both cases, clean formation of the correspond...
Some observations of dislocation channelling in irradiated iron

Abstract Dislocation channelling in iron irradiated to a fast fluence of 8 × 1019 n/cm2 (E > 1 Mev) is shown to be visible by virtue of dislocation arrays densely packed on slip planes. Such highly localized deformation in irradiated iron is shown to be in marked contrast to the dense tangles and cell walls which develop in unirradiated iron deformed to a comparable strain. Analysis of the slip band geometry shows the active systems in the irradiated iron to be consistent with slip on {110} and {112} planes in a 〈111〉 direction.
Assignment of 1H and 13C hyperfine-shifted resonances for tuna ferricytochrome c

Tuna ferricytochrome c has been used to demonstrate the potential for completely assigning 1H and 13C strongly hyperfine-shifted resonances in metalloprotein paramagnetic centers. This was done by implementation of standard two-dimensional NMR experiments adapted to take advantage of the enhanced relaxation rates of strongly hyperfine-shifted nuclei. The results show that complete proton assignments of the heme and axial ligands can be achieved, and that assignments of several strongly shifted protons from amino acids located close to the heme can also be made. Virtually all proton-bearing heme 13C resonances have been located, and additional 13C resonances from heme vicinity amino acids are also identified. These results represent an improvement over previous proton resonance assignment efforts that were predicated on the knowledge of specific assignments in the diamagnetic protein and relied on magnetization transfer experiments in heterogeneous solutions composed of mixtures of diamagnetic ferrocytochrome c and paramagnetic ferricytochrome c. Even with that more complicated procedure, complete heme proton assignments for ferricytochrome c have never been demonstrated by a single laboratory. The results presented here were achieved using a more generally applicable strategy with a solution of the uniformly oxidized protein, thereby eliminating the requirement of fast electron self-exchange, which is a condition that is frequently not met.
Conflict-free coloring for intervals: from offline to online

This paper studies deterministic algorithms for a frequency assignment problem in cellular networks. A cellular network consists of fixed-position base stations and moving agents. Each base station operates at a fixed frequency, and this allows an agent tuned at this frequency to communicate with the base station. Each agent has a specific range of communication (described as a geometric shape, e.g., a disc) that may contain one or several base stations. To avoid interference, the goal is to assign frequencies to base stations such that for any range, there exists a base station in the range with a frequency that is not reused by some other base station in the range. The base station with this unique (in the range) frequency serves the aforementioned range. Since using many frequencies is expensive, the optimization goal is to use as few frequencies as possible. The problem can be modeled as a special coloring problem for hypergraphs. Base stations are the vertices, ranges are the hyperedges, and colors (frequencies) must be assigned to vertices following the conflict-free property: In every hyperedge there is a color that occurs exactly once.We concentrate on the special case where the n base stations lie on the real line and ranges are the n(n+1)/2 nonempty subsets of consecutive points. This problem is called conflict-free coloring for intervals. We introduce a hierarchy of four models for the above problem: (i) the static model, where the complete hypergraph is given and all vertices are colored simultaneously, (ii) the dynamic offline model, where the vertices appear in some order and the conflict-free property has to be maintained at all times, (iii) the online absolute positions model where the order is revealed in an online fashion and the final hypergraph and positions are known, and (iv) the online relative positions model where there is no knowledge about the final hypergraph and the final positions of vertices.In the case of intervals, the hierarchy is strict. In the dynamic offline model, we give a deterministic algorithm that uses at most log3/2n+1 colors and exhibit inputs that force any algorithm to use at least 2 log3n + 1 colors. For the online absolute positions model, we give two deterministic algorithms that use at most 2⌊log2(n + 1)⌋ and 3⌈log3n⌉ colors, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first O(log n) deterministic online algorithms, in a non-trivial model. In the online relative positions model, we resolve an open problem by showing a tight analysis on the number of colors used by the natural greedy online algorithm, that at each step uses the smallest color possible. In the case of conflict-free coloring only with respect to intervals that contain either of the two extreme points, we show a strong separation between static and dynamic models and we provide tight bounds for all four models up to an additive term of two.
Burrows of a gopher-like rodent, possibly Gregorymys (Geomyoidea: Geomyidae: Entoptychtinae), from the early Miocene Harrison Formation, Nebraska

This study describes the architectural and surface morphology of small, 5.6−6.7 cm diameter burrows that occur in close proximity to the Daemonelix burrows of palaeocastorin beavers in the early Miocene upper Harrison Formation, Nebraska. The small-diameter burrows are sinuous and rambling or weakly helical in morphology. Distinctive paired grooves from rodent incisors, measuring 4.1−4.3 mm wide, occur on the ceiling and sides of the burrows, whereas ridge-like claw marks of 4.1 mm width occur low on walls and floors. Scratched-out, chamber-like areas on the sides of tunnel shafts are covered on all sides with claw marks, whereas tooth marks are mostly confined to main tunnel shafts. Both types of marks are abundant, indicating a mixed tooth-and-claw digging strategy that appears to have evolved in palaeocastorin beavers as well. Similar digging methods in two unrelated Harrison rodents indicates the relative hardness of the volcanic ash-rich soils, which necessitated digging with teeth in addition to less resistant keratin claws. The new ichnotaxon Alezichnos trogodont is erected to describe these ichnofossils. A possible excavator is Gregorymys sp., an extinct, gopher-like entoptychine rodent that occurs in these and correlative Miocene units in the Great Plains. The width of Gregorymys incisors matches the width of incisor marks on A. trogodont. These burrows may represent the first recorded evidence of subterranean habitat and digging behavior in an otherwise common fossil rodent. The excavator of A. trogodont had a different burrow system, and possibly different foraging behavior, than the contemporaneous beavers, providing new evidence for diversity in a subterranean Miocene ecosystem.
Multiples: On the contemporary politics of subjectivity

Subjectivity is a central concept in post-seventeenth century Western thought. Stories about subjectivity concern a crucial figure in the modern West the subject. This subject is required to do an enormous amount of work. It plays essential roles in philosophy and politics. Philosophically, the subject grounds, represents or generates knowledge and our accounts of it. Politically, the subject grounds the possibility of freedom freedom from determination and domination, freedom to be self-determining and sovereign. As old ways of understanding subjectivity are thrown into doubt, crises of representation, interpretation, knowledge, power and legitimacy intensify. Contemporary psychoanalytic, feminist and postmodernist theorists both reflect and contribute to these crises.
Relationship of the magnetoencephalogram to the electroencephalogram. Normal wake and sleep activity

Abstract 1. 1. The electroencephalogram (EEG) and also the magnetoencephalogram (MEG) were recorded simultaneously from normal subjects (and some patients); the characteristics of the MEG and its relationship to the EEG were investigated with the use of a digital computer. 2. 2. The noise in the MEG is primarily around the frequency component of 1/sec. 3. 3. The EEG and MEG show the same peak frequency only for alpha rhythms and are “locked-in” especially at 10/sec. 4. 4. At alpha frequencies phase reversals are seen in the relationship of the EEG with the MEGs from opposite sides of the head. 5. 5. MEG-EEG comparisons more often show a lead or lag than EEG-EEG comparisons and the MEG usually lags when not synchronous with the EEG. 6. 6. During hyperventilation, slow waves may be seen only in the EEG (and not in the MEG) or only in the MEG (and not in the EEG) or in both the MEG and EEG. These findings emphasize the dissociation between the MEG and EEG when slow waves are recorded. 7. 7. During sleep stages (I and II) there is a high correlation between EEG linkages, as there is in the waking state. The correlation between the MEG and EEG is primarily for alpha activity present during wakefulness, but not during sleep. 8. 8. During sleep the MEG and EEG often show different kinds of rhythms, but the most common in the MEG is theta activity, especially at 4–5/sec, frequently seen in the MEG under different conditions. 9. 9. In comparison with alpha activity during wakefulness, sleep spindles are relatively poorly represented in the MEG as are vertex sharp waves, both showing great variability in amplitude, as compared with their representation in the EEG. 10. 10. The relationship of the MEG and EEG during wakefulness and sleep, their similarities and differences, are discussed, especially with reference to the dipole orientation of various types of activity.
Application of appropriate use criteria for stress myocardial perfusion imaging at two academic medical centers: Compliance and association with image findings

Purpose: Explore the extent to which stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) studies for coronary heart disease detection met published appropriate use criteria (AUC), and the association between AUC classification and image findings. Data sources: Retrospective, descriptive review of stress studies performed at the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC n= 1377) and the Veterans Health Administration of Puget Sound (VA n= 1445) in the 31 months following AUC publication. Conclusions: At UWMC and VA, 69% and 89% of MPI studies, respectively, were classified as appropriate, 16% and 3% as inappropriate, and 15% and 8% as uncertain. All differences were significant, p < .001. At UWMC, 11% of appropriate studies and 10% of inappropriate or uncertain studies were abnormal (demonstrating myocardial ischemia or myocardial infarction), p= .93; these analyses were not performed on VA studies. Implications for practice: Most studies at both sites were classified as appropriate. At UWMC, the likelihood of a study classified as appropriate demonstrating an abnormality was not significantly different from a study classified as uncertain or inappropriate. AUC are imperfect tools but are increasingly created and referenced; as such, it is vital that practicing nurse practitioners are knowledgeable about their creation, application, and evaluation.
The resolution of overlapping echos

We present a new method for estimating the number and arrival times for overlapping signals with a priori known shape from noisy observations received by a sensor. The method is based on a recently developed eigenstructure technique for multitarget direction finding with passive antenna arrays and exploits the structure of the received signal covariance matrix. This problem is important in various applications such as radar and sonar data processing, geophysical/seismic exploration, and biomedical engineering. In many of these applications, a known signal is launched into a scattering medium and the returning response-in the form of delayed overlapping echos in noise-has to be processed to yield information on the nature and location of scatterers. The method presented also solves more general problems of signal detection and resolution.
Working With and for: Student Advocates’ Experience of Relationship-Centered Advocacy With Low-Income Women

This study describes a qualitative study of student advocates' experiences of their work with low-income women struggling with symptoms of depression. Using an advocacy model called Relationship-Centered Advocacy, these 1st-year counseling psychology graduate students worked intensively with their "partners" for 9 months. Advocate-partner teams met together each week, developing collaborative relationships and addressing the women's emotional and material needs in integrated ways. Using qualitative content analysis of participant interviews and journal entries, this study describes emergent themes involving negotiating the advocacy relationship, insider-outsider dynamics, responding to perceptions of privilege and disparity, and gaining professional and personal insights. It concludes with a discussion of the practice and research implications, highlighting the possibilities of Relationship-Centered Advocacy as a new training tool. Language: en
Die oxidierenden Eigenschaften der Hexafluoride von Elementen der dritten Übergangsreihe sowie verwandter Verbindungen

Einige Ubergangsmetall-hexafluoride sind uberraschend starke Oxidationsmittel; besonders PtF6, das molekularen Sauerstoff oder auch Xenon zu oxidieren vermag, wozu eine Elektronenaffinitat E > −156 kcal·mol−1 notwendig ist. Bei einem Vergleich der Hexafluoride in der dritten Ubergangsreihe (MF6) nimmt die Elektronenaffinitat in der Folge WF6 < ReF6 < OsF6 < IrF6 < PtF6 regelmasig zu, wobei die Zunahme ≈ −20 kcal·mol−1 pro Ordnungszahleinheit betragt. Hingegen nimmt die Wirksamkeit als Fluorid-Acceptor in der genannten Reihe ab. Dieser Effekt ist die Ursache dafur, das z.B. bei der oxidierenden Fluorierung von Nitrosylfluorid zu Stickstoff-oxidtrifluorid IrF6 wirksamer ist als PtF6; beide reagieren spontan mit ONF oder O2NF bei oder unterhalb Raumtemperatur unter Freisetzung von Fluor. Die abnehmende Wirksamkeit als Fluorid-Acceptor, die in scharfem Gegensatz zur zunehmenden Elektronenaffinitat steht, deutet darauf hin, das die gegenseitige Behinderung der Liganden von WF6 zu PtF6 stark ansteigt. Dies stimmt auch mit der beobachteten Abnahme der Molekulvolumina — sowohl bei MF6 wie auch bei MF — innerhalb dieser Reihe uberein. Die Oxidpentafluoride ReOF5 und OsOF5 haben ein den entsprechenden Hexafluoriden vergleichbares Oxidationsvermogen, sind aber schwachere Fluorid-Acceptoren; die gegenseitige Behinderung der Liganden ist in MOF5 offenbar groser als in MF6.
NMR characterization of an engineered domain fusion between maltose binding protein and TEM1 beta-lactamase provides insight into its structure and allosteric mechanism.

RG13 is a 72 kDa engineered allosteric enzyme comprised of a fusion between maltose binding protein (MBP) and TEM1 β-lactamase (BLA) for which maltose is a positive effector of BLA activity. We have used NMR spectroscopy to acquire [15N, 1H]-TROSY-HSQC spectra of RG13 in the presence and absence of maltose. The RG13 chemical shift data was compared to the published chemical shift data of MBP and BLA. The spectra are consistent with the expectation that the individual domain structures of RG13 are substantially conserved from MBP and BLA. Differences in the spectra are consistent with the fusion geometry of MBP and BLA and the maltose-dependent differences in the kinetics of RG13 enzyme activity. In particular, the spectra provide evidence for a maltose-dependent conformational change of a key active site glutamate involved in deacylation of the enzyme-substrate intermediate. Proteins 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Farsite: federated, available, and reliable storage for an incompletely trusted environment

Farsite is a secure, scalable file system that logically functions as a centralized file server but is physically distributed among a set of untrusted computers. Farsite provides file availability and reliability through randomized replicated storage; it ensures the secrecy of file contents with cryptographic techniques; it maintains the integrity of file and directory data with a Byzantine-fault-tolerant protocol; it is designed to be scalable by using a distributed hint mechanism and delegation certificates for pathname translations; and it achieves good performance by locally caching file data, lazily propagating file updates, and varying the duration and granularity of content leases. We report on the design of Farsite and the lessons we have learned by implementing much of that design.
All example of using pseudofields to eliminate version shuffling in horizontal code compaction

This paper first reviews the version shuffling problem for microcode compaction. Next, a somewhat representative compaction problem involving asymmetric ALUs and a port-limited register file is presented. Finally, the paper shows how to model the architecture in a microcode compiler using the concept of pseudofields. While the modeling process is nontrivial, it is seen that this approach solves the version shuffling problem without introducing early-binding inefficiencies in the compiled code.
Accounting for benefits and costs of urban greenspace

Abstract Urban greenspace provides many environmental and social services that contribute to the quality of life in cities. Economic approaches used to estimate value of greenspace services include travel cost, willingness to pay, hedonic pricing and tree valuation. These methods have limited utility for policy-makers, planners, and managers because the underlying values they estimate only indirectly reflect the flow of multiple benefits and costs. A greenspace accounting approach to partially address this deficiency is described using benefit-cost analysis for a proposed tree-planting project in Tucson. AZ. The approach directly connects vegetation structure with the spatial-temporal flow of functional benefits and costs. Prices are assigned to each cost (i.e. planting, pruning, removal, irrigation) and benefit (i.e. cooling energy savings, interception of particulates, stormwater runoff reduction) through direct estimation and implied valuation of benefits as environmental externalities. The approach can be used to evaluate net economic benefits associated with capital investments in urban forests vs. other investments in the urban infrastructure or traditional environmental control technologies.
Morphological Awareness and Reading Difficulties in Adolescent Spanish-Speaking Language Minority Learners and Their Classmates

This study investigated the role of morphological awareness weaknesses in the reading difficulties encountered by Spanish-speaking language minority learners and their native English-speaking peers in sixth grade. One hundred and thirty-eight students (82 language minority learners; 56 native English speakers) were assessed on English measures of reading comprehension, silent word reading fluency, and derivational morphological awareness. Students with specific reading comprehension difficulties, specific word reading difficulties, and combined difficulties were identified using categorical cut-scores. Findings indicated that morphological awareness differentiated skilled readers from students with reading difficulties. Substantial proportions of students with reading difficulties (38%-63%, depending on reading difficulty subtype) demonstrated weaknesses in morphological awareness. Language minority learners with reading difficulties were particularly likely to demonstrate weaknesses in morphological awareness (55%-64%), compared to native English speakers with similar reading difficulties (13%-50%). Findings suggest the diagnostic potential of morphological awareness for adolescent learners with reading difficulties, especially those from language minority backgrounds.
Impaired Natural Killer Cell Activity in Iron-Deficient Rat Pups

Natural killer (NK) cell activity was studied in iron-deficient rat pups. Pregnant dams were fed diets containing 6, 10 or 250 ppm Fe ad libitum from d 1 of gestation through d 21 of lactation. Two days post parturition litters were adjusted to seven pups each, and on d 17 the pups were injected intraperitoneally with 5 X 10(5) plaque-forming units of vaccinia virus. Following a 4-d incubation period, spleens were removed and the cell suspensions combined with YAC-1 target cells to measure cytolysis in a 4- and 16-h chromium release assay. Hematocrit levels of severe (6 ppm) and moderately (10 ppm) iron-deficient rat pups were significantly lower than that of controls. Similarly, body weight and spleen weights were significantly lower in iron-deficient pups than in control pups. Iron deficiency significantly impaired spleen NK cell activity when measured by two different effector:target ratios and assay time periods.
Limited access ethanol drinking in the dark in adolescent and adult mice.

Adult risk of alcohol dependence increases the younger one first engages in intoxicating consumption. Adolescent mice drink more ethanol than do adults on a gram per kilogram basis, an increase sometimes persisting into adulthood, and this is genotype-dependent. Most studies have used 24 h two-bottle preference, with a choice between ethanol and water. We studied the developmental onset of binge drinking using limited access ethanol drinking in the dark (DID) in male and female mice. To establish age dependence in DID magnitude, we tested HS/Npt mice of 6 ages for DID for 2 weeks, and when they were 9 weeks old, we retested them for 2 weeks vs naive adult controls. Age groups drank equivalently in their first week; thus, adolescent HS/Npt mice do not show greater DID than adults. Six week old mice drank more ethanol during their second week relative to their other weeks. Ethanol DID during early adolescence (4 weeks) led to increased drinking in adulthood, as did initial DID exposure at 8 weeks. High drinking in the dark-1 (HDID-1) mice (4, 6, 9 weeks old), selectively bred for high blood ethanol after DID, were tested for 9 weeks. Mice beginning at 4 weeks generally drank more ethanol than those of other age groups. Comparison at the same ages showed that 9 week olds initiated at 4 weeks drank more ethanol than did naive 9 week olds, but all three groups of age-matched mice drank equivalent amounts once they were 10 weeks and older. The DID test is thus sensitive to developmental age. DID intakes by young adolescent HDID-1 mice were greater than intakes by older mice, like those shown by studies with two-bottle preference. Early DID led to increased drinking as adults only in HS/Npt mice. HDID-1 mice provide a useful animal model for exploring whether DID and continuous access preference drinking have parallel consequences when initiated in adolescence.
The scholarship of engagement in nursing

We propose the time is right for the Scholarship of Engagement to serve as a model of scholarship in schools of nursing given the shift towards community-based research and the emphasis of community-based research in the recently published National Institutes of Health (NIH) roadmap initiative. Thus, this article addresses the need of nursing academe to embrace a broader paradigm of scholarship, the Scholarship of Engagement, in order to expand knowledge development via implementation of the NIH roadmap. The need for implementation of a broader paradigm of nursing science within the context of nursing academics' roles is discussed.
A table-driven (feedback) decoder

The authors present a table-driven technique for decoding of convolutionally encoded data. The approach can be used in either the feedback or the direct mode. A data-independent syndrome vector is generated on the transmitted bits. If it is different from zero it is used to address pre-computed tables of corrections for the encoded bits. The decoding is performed as a separate step. When the feedback mode is used the error propagation is minimized by appropriate choice of the codes, the table construction and the decoding algorithms. The approach allows hardware simplicity comparable to majority-logic decoding, but has error correcting capabilities that can be made as close to the optimal as desired through the adjustment of the syndrome vector length and the correction table size. This makes the method very attractive for high speed satellite and network applications. The performance of the method can be further enhanced through soft detection. >
A word shape analysis approach to lexicon based word recognition

Abstract A method for word recognition is presented that is based on an analysis of the shape of a word as a whole object. It is demonstrated to be a useful alternative for recognizing degraded word images that are prone to errors in character segmentation.
Advances in Hormonal Therapy for Breast Cancer

Objectives To describe recent developments in hormonal therapy for breast cancer, focusing on SERMs and AIs. Data Sources Published journal articles and texts, research reports and monographs, government publications, and professional organization guidelines. Conclusion Research continues to identify the effectiveness of hormonal therapy in breast cancer, including adjuvant treatment in early and advanced stages as well as a chemopreventive measure. The individual drug profile must be evaluated for safety and efficacy, and the impact on QOL must be considered. Implications for Nursing Practice It is imperative that oncology nurses understand the physiology, application, risks, and benefits of hormonal therapies.
Kīlauea magma chamber inflation triggered strong 2007 earthquakes

Hawaii's Kīlauea volcano has been erupting since 1983. Starting in 2003, researchers noticed an inflation of the magma chamber beneath the volcano; this inflation accelerated in 2006. In June 2007, the volcano's eruption peaked with a burst of activity known as the Father's Day event. In the buildup to those eruptions, according to new research by Wauthier et al., a pair of large-magnitude earthquakes hit, with an epicenter beneath the volcano. Earthquakes are common around the volcano, which sits on Hawaii's Big Island, but with magnitudes of 4.7 and 4.1, the two 2007 earthquakes were among the most powerful recorded in the region since records began in 1959.
The Inflammasome Mediates Hyperoxia-Induced Alveolar Cell Permeability

A hallmark of hyperoxic acute lung injury is the influx of inflammatory cells to lung tissue and the production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β; however, the mechanisms connecting hyperoxia and the inflammatory response to lung damage is not clear. The inflammasome protein complex activates caspase-1 to promote the processing and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. We hypothesized that hyperoxia-induced K+ efflux activates the inflammasome via the purinergic P2X7 receptor to cause inflammation and hyperoxic acute lung injury. To test this hypothesis, we characterized the expression and activation of inflammasome components in primary murine alveolar macrophages exposed to hyperoxia (95% oxygen and 5% CO2) in vitro, and in alveolar macrophages isolated from mice exposed to hyperoxia (100% oxygen). Our results showed that hyperoxia increased K+ efflux, inflammasome formation, release of proinflammatory cytokines, and induction of caspase-1 and IL-1β cleavage both in vitro and in vivo. The P2X7 agonist ATP enhanced hyperoxia-induced inflammasome activation, whereas the P2X7 antagonist, oxidized ATP, inhibited hyperoxia induced inflammasome activation. In addition, when ATP was scavenged with apyrase, hyperoxia-induced inflammasome activation was significantly decreased. Furthermore, short hairpin RNA silencing of inflammasome components abrogated hyperoxia-induced secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in vitro. These results suggest that hyperoxia induces K+ efflux through the P2X7 receptor, leading to inflammasome activation and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. These events would affect the permeability of the alveolar epithelium and ultimately lead to epithelial barrier dysfunction and cell death.
An adaptive non-linear motion vector resampling algorithm for down-scaling video transcoding

In this paper, we describe an adaptive non-linear motion vector resampling algorithm for video transcoding where spatial resolution down-scaling is involved. The incoming MPEG-2 video is spatially down-scaled by a factor of two, and transcoded to MPEG-1 video at lower bit rate. Since the heaviest computational load of encoding is the motion estimation process, motion vectors of the original video have to be reused from the bit stream. However, reusing motion vectors with down-scaling is not easy, since the four motion vectors to be down-scaled from original video are usually not well aligned. The motion vector reusing scheme greatly affects the performance of the transcoder since the decoded video quality depends on the performance of motion compensation as well as rate control. The performance of an alternative weighted averaging scheme tends to be degraded by inappropriate motion vectors. Experiments show that a motion vector selection algorithm indeed performs better than a weighted average method. The selection algorithm uses a likelihood score based on the investigation of statistical characteristics of the macroblocks associated with the best matching motion vectors. The motion vector having the highest likelihood score is selected to be reused. The weighted averaging scheme is also applied if there are macroblocks having the same highest scores. The experimental results with various bit rate and sequences show that the proposed algorithm provides improvement of PSNR by 0.2/spl I.utilde/0.7 dB on average and that the computational complexity is not much higher. Therefore, the overall transcoding performance and efficiency can be increased by the proposed algorithm.
High speed routers design using reconfigurable technology

As the line rates standards are changing frequently to provide higher bit rates, the design of wire-speed router's network processor unit has become very challenging. Typically, the design of new network processors is very costly and time consuming process. In this work, we are presenting a new approach that can be use in high-speed routers design. Our approach is to use a data stream distributor (or DSD) to split the high bit rate line to few lower rate lines. These low rate lines will be processed by existing network processors that are already in use with today low line rate routers.A cycle-accurate simulation is been investigated in this research to evaluate the functionality and performance of this new approach. The cycle's accurate simulation has shown that the DSD approach can be used to split a 2.5 Gb/s line rate to four low bit rate lines of 622Mb/s. This approach has been evaluated by the use of reconfigurable chips such as Virtex from Xilinx.
Lack of Association of ST-T Wave Abnormalities to Congenital Heart Disease in Neonates.

Background ST–T wave (STTW) abnormalities have been described in 20–40% of normal newborns. We sought to describe the associations of these Electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities to perinatal course and congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on all neonatal ECGs between January 2008 and March 2013 identified from electronic medical records. Electronic medical records were reviewed for perinatal course and maternal medical conditions. Neonates 3 days age, requiring hemodynamic support in the first 3 days, with oxygen saturation 2 mm in at least one lead and flat or inverted T waves in at least one lead except aVR were considered abnormal. Statistical relationships were explored between STTW abnormalities, perinatal variables and CHD. Results ECGs were performed on 1043 neonates, of which 664 were included. STTW abnormalities were found in 236 (35.5%) neonates. T wave abnormalities were identified in 191 (28.7%), ST segment abnormalities in 77 (11.6%) and both on 32 (4.8%) neonates. No relationship was found between the ECG abnormalities and perinatal variables, except maternal cefazolin administration during labor. Noncritical CHD was diagnosed by echocardiography in 59/84; STTW abnormalities were seen in 17/59 (29%) patients with and 9/25 (34%) without noncritical CHD, P = .6. Conclusion STTW abnormalities on ECG are commonly found in 35.5% of normal neonates and do not predict noncritical CHD.
Update on female sexual function

In this review, we briefly discuss recently published data on female sexual desire, arousal, orgasm and pain, and on medical/iatrogenic factors associated with female sexual function. The studies reviewed highlight a number of important methodological and etiological issues in the study of female sexual function. Researchers are urged to use standardized methods for defining sexual disorders and for selecting patient samples. Placebo-controlled studies are essential for examining the pharmacological aspects of female sexual dysfunction. Evidence suggests that free testosterone levels may be associated with sexual desire in women. Sildenafil citrate increases genital blood flow but may not impact on subjective reports of arousal. Past research implicated the serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine 2 and 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptors in female sexual function, while recent data suggest a role for the 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptor. Increasing attention is being paid to medical/health conditions that impact sexual function (e.g. neurological conditions, cancer, hysterectomy, and cardiovascular disease).
Investigation of the Structure-Activity Relationships of Aza-A-Ring Indenoisoquinoline Topoisomerase I Poisons.

Several indenoisoquinolines have shown promise as anticancer agents in clinical trials. Incorporation of a nitrogen atom into the indenoisoquinoline scaffold offers the possibility of favorably modulating ligand-binding site interactions, physicochemical properties, and biological activities. Four series of aza-A-ring indenoisoquinolines were synthesized in which the nitrogen atom was systematically rotated through positions 1, 2, 3, and 4. The resulting compounds were tested to establish the optimal nitrogen position for topoisomerase IB (Top1) enzyme poisoning activity and cytotoxicity to human cancer cells. The 4-aza compounds were the most likely to yield derivatives with high Top1 inhibitory activity. However, the relationship between structure and cytotoxicity was more complicated since the potency was influenced strongly by the side chains on the lactam nitrogen. The most cytotoxic azaindenoisoquinolines 45 and 46 had nitrogen in the 2- or 3-positions and a 3′-dimethylaminopropyl side chain, and th...
The Development Trend of the Food-Packing in the New Century

In recent years, new materials, new designs and new techniques of food-packing come out one after another both abroad and at home, which has extended the packing function and satisfied the needs of consumers. At the same time it is also noted that the reduction of the environment pollution created by the packing wastes has been the development trend for food packing industry in the new century. In this aspect, we should spare no efforts to narrow the gap between our country and the developed countries and push on green packing.