cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The presence of transverse and axial tubules in the ventricular myocardium of embryonic and neonatal guinea pigs.

Developing transverse (T) tubules are found in embryonic guinea pig ventricular myocardium after approximately eight weeks of gestation. By the time of birth (nine weeks total gestation), longitudinally-oriented axial tubules connected to the T tubules also have formed, and the majority of cells closely resemble those of the adult. The form taken by the developing T and axial tubules suggests that they are generated in a manner similar to that for T tubules in chick and rat skeletal muscle, namely by repeated formation of caveolae.
Algorithms for extracting motion information from navigator echoes

Algorithms to reliably detect motion in navigator echoes are crucial to many MRI motion suppression techniques. The accuracy of these algorithms is affected by noise and deformation of navigator echo profile caused by physiologic motion. This study compared the performance of algorithms based on correlation and least squares for extracting displacement information from motion-monitoring navigator echoes, using computer simulation and in vivo imaging. The least squares algorithm was determined to be of higher accuracy than the correlation algorithm against errors caused by noise and profile deformation.
The Nantucket Shoals Flux Experiment (NSFE79). Part II: The Structure and Variability of Across-Shelf Pressure Gradients

Abstract The Nantucket Shoals Flux Experiment (NSFE) was a collaborative effort to measure the alongshelf transport of mass, heat, salt and nutrients from March 1979 through April 1980 with a dense army consisting of moored current, temperature and bottom pressure instruments in an across-shelf and upper-slope transect south of Nantucket Island. The pressure component of that experiment is described here. Bottom pressure recorders were deployed at stations N1 (46 m), N2 (66 m), N4 (105 m), and N5 (196 m) during two half-year periods. spring–summer 1979 (SUMMER) and fall–winter 1979/80 (WINTER). A synthetic subsurface pressure (SSP) record was formed from atmospheric pressure and sea level observations at Nantucket Island. The low-pass filtered (periods > 36 h) or subtidal pressures were used for the subsequent analysis. It was found that Nantucket SSP and BP are very nearly equivalent for fluctuation periods less than about 50 days if steric changes in sea level, due to density changes above the seasonal ...
An Innovative Approach to International Hospitality and Tourism Management Education: The Traveling Summer Abroad Program

In an effort to encourage our peer institutions to consider adding this to their repertoire of international opportunities for students, the authors describe an innovative approach to summer abroad - the traveling program. The program design, planning, budgeting and other activities are reviewed and compared to the stationary program format. The rewards of the international experience are multifaceted. This review of the traveling summer abroad experience will help other program directors weigh the benefits and personal preferences for including this option for their own students.
Bayesian analysis of competing risks with partially masked cause of failure

Summary. Bayesian analysis of system failure data from engineering applications under a competing risks framework is considered when the cause of failure may not have been exactly identified but has only been narrowed down to a subset of all potential risks. In statistical literature, such data are termed masked failure data. In addition to masking, failure times could be right censored owing to the removal of prototypes at a prespecified time or could be interval censored in the case of periodically acquired readings. In this setting, a general Bayesian formulation is investigated that includes most commonly used parametric lifetime distributions and that is sufficiently flexible to handle complex forms of censoring. The methodology is illustrated in two engineering applications with a special focus on model comparison issues.
Measuring Inequality: Using the Geometric Mean/Arithmetic Mean Ratio

Since unambiguous ranking of income distributions according to their degree of inequality is not always possible, choice of inequality measure must rest on the appropriateness of particular measure...
Water-vapor continuum CO 2 laser absorption spectra between 27°C and −10°C

Water continuum CO2 laser absorption spectra are reported for temperatures between 27 and −10°C. The continuum is found to possess a negative temperature coefficient. The results obtained suggest that the magnitude of this temperature coefficient increases with increasing water pressure and decreasing temperature. The temperature coefficients between 27 and 10°C for air mixtures containing 3.0- and 7.5-Torr water vapor are −2.0 ± 0.4 and −2.9 ± 0.5%/°C, respectively. For mixtures with 3.0-Torr water the 10–0°C temperature coefficient is −7.7 ± 0.2%/°C. The temperature and water pressure dependencies observed for the continuum suggest that while both collisional broadening and water dimer mechanisms contribute to the continuum, the dimer mechanism is more important over this temperature range.
Differentiation-dependent Suppression of Platelet-derived Growth Factor Signaling in Cultured Adipocytes

A critical component of vertebrate cellular differentiation is the acquisition of sensitivity to a restricted subset of peptide hormones and growth factors. This accounts for the unique capability of insulin (and possibly insulin-like growth factor-1), but not other growth factors, to stimulate glucose uptake and anabolic metabolism in heart, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue. This selectivity is faithfully recapitulated in the cultured adipocyte line, 3T3-L1, which responds to insulin, but not platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), with increased hexose uptake. The serine/threonine protein kinases Akt1 and Akt2, which have been implicated as mediators of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, as well as glycogen, lipid, and protein synthesis, were shown to mirror this selectivity in this tissue culture system. This was particularly apparent in 3T3-L1 adipocytes overexpressing an epitope-tagged form of Akt2 in which insulin activated Akt2 10-fold better than PDGF. Similarly, in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, only insulin stimulated phosphorylation of Akt's endogenous substrate, GSK-3β. Other signaling molecules, including phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, pp70 S6-kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and PHAS-1/4EBP-1, did not demonstrate this selective responsiveness to insulin but were instead activated comparably by both insulin and PDGF. Moreover, concurrent treatment with PDGF and insulin did not diminish activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, Akt, or glucose transport, indicating that PDGF did not simultaneously activate an inhibitory mechanism. Interestingly, PDGF and insulin comparably stimulated both Akt isoforms, as well as numerous other signaling molecules, in undifferentiated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Collectively, these data suggest that differential activation of Akt in adipocytes may contribute to insulin's exclusive mediation of the metabolic events involved in glucose metabolism. Moreover, they suggest a novel mechanism by which differentiation-dependent hormone selectivity is conferred through the suppression of specific signaling pathways operational in undifferentiated cell types.
A monod-based model of attached-growth anaerobic fermenters

Abstract A simple mathematical model of steady-state attached-growth anaerobic fermenter kinetics is described. The model considers a single methanogenic culture following Monod growth kinetics. The model accounts for effects of influent biodegradability and volatile solids concentration, temperature and hydraulic retention time, and predicts volumetric methane productivity and volatile solids reduction. It is distinguished from conventional suspended-growth reactor models by its explicit consideration of bacterial concentration in the reactor system, based on hydraulic flow and influent volatile solids concentration. The model was validated using data from both porous- and solid-media attached-growth fermenters.
Decreasing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms Utilizing an Automated Classroom Reinforcement Device.

Psychologists and physicians are frequently approached by parents and, indirectly, by classroom teachers to diagnose and treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Requests are also frequently made for psychostimulant medication to control ADHD behavioral symptoms. One reason for such requests is that alternative classroom approaches to treating ADHD have focused on positive reinforcement, response cost, and token reinforcement programs, all of which can require extensive teacher involvement. One of the major problems with such behavioral approaches is the fact that teachers have limited time to reinforce positive, attentive behaviors, and/or alternative behaviors to ADHD symptoms. This study examined the efficacy of an automated reinforcement device, the Attention Training System (ATS), in decreasing off-task behavior in an 11-year-old, fifth-grade student who had been diagnosed as being affected with ADHD and had been placed in Special Education Resource Room programming. The Attention Training System provides automated token reinforcement in the form of points on a fixed interval schedule when the youngster is on-task. When distractible, impulsive, or hyperactive behavior occurs, the Attention Training device can be activated by a teacher to provide a response-cost consequence of loss of points. The device in this study was coupled with a token reinforcement program whereby points could be exchanged for selected reinforcers at the end of each day. Results indicated that the ATS plus token reinforcement was successful in reducing off-task behavior across classes of three subject areas: Science, Reading, and Social Studies. Results have implications for psychologists and physicians in their attempts to assist families and schools in their management of youngsters with ADHD.
Early-stopping distributed bidding and applications

We define the problem of Distributed Bidding and derive efficient solutions for several models of process failures. Our algorithms are early-stopping: their performance gracefully degrades as the number of processes that actually fail increases. We use our Distributed Bidding algorithms to derive the first known early-delivery Atomic Broadcast algorithms that deliver messages in time proportional to the number of processes that actually fail during the broadcast, rather than to the maximum number of faulty processes that the algorithm tolerates.
Predicting the Flow of Real Polymers

One of the earliest mass-produced polymers, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), is still widely used in products ranging from plastic wrapping to plastic bags because of its low cost as well as the flow properties of its melted state when it is pressed, stretched, or pulled. LDPE contains molecules with both a wide range of sizes and long side branches, and even branches that have branches, yielding irregular treelike structures ( 1 ). Each branch can have a wide range of molecular weights and can be positioned arbitrarily along other branches, so the number of distinct species within an LDPE melt is unimaginably large. If the molecular species in such a melt cannot even be fully inventoried, how can one hope to model the flow properties—the rheology—of the melt, which depends on how these branches tangle? On page 1871 of this issue, Read et al. ( 2 ) developed a model that accounts for the flow properties by making simplifying assumptions about the distribution of branches and how they transfer force through the molecule.
Computational Modeling to Predict Mechanical Function of Joints: Application to the Lower Leg With Simulation of Two Cadaver Studies

Computational models of musculoskeletal joints and limbs can provide useful information about joint mechanics. Validated models can be used as predictive devices for understanding joint function and serve as clinical tools for predicting the outcome of surgical procedures. A new computational modeling approach was developed for simulating joint kinematics that are dictated by bone/joint anatomy, ligamentous constraints, and applied loading. Three-dimensional computational models of the lower leg were created to illustrate the application of this new approach. Model development began with generating three-dimensional surfaces of each bone from CT images and then importing into the three-dimensional solid modeling software SOLIDWORKS and motion simulation package COSMOSMOTION. Through SOLIDWORKS and COSMOSMOTION, each bone surface file was filled to create a solid object and positioned necessary components added, and simulations executed. Three-dimensional contacts were added to inhibit intersection of the bones during motion. Ligaments were represented as linear springs. Model predictions were then validated by comparison to two different cadaver studies, syndesmotic injury and repair and ankle inversion following ligament transection. The syndesmotic injury model was able to predict tibial rotation, fibular rotation, and anterior/posterior displacement. In the inversion simulation, calcaneofibular ligament extension and angles of inversion compared well. Some experimental data proved harder to simulate accurately, due to certain software limitations and lack of complete experimental data. Other parameters that could not be easily obtained experimentally can be predicted and analyzed by the computational simulations. In the syndesmotic injury study, the force generated in the tibionavicular and calcaneofibular ligaments reduced with the insertion of the staple, indicating how this repair technique changes joint function. After transection of the calcaneofibular ligament in the inversion stability study, a major increase in force was seen in several of the ligaments on the lateral aspect of the foot and ankle, indicating the recruitment of other structures to permit function after injury. Overall, the computational models were able to predict joint kinematics of the lower leg with particular focus on the ankle complex. This same approach can be taken to create models of other limb segments such as the elbow and wrist. Additional parameters can be calculated in the models that are not easily obtained experimentally such as ligament forces, force transmission across joints, and three-dimensional movement of all bones. Muscle activation can be incorporated in the model through the action of applied forces within the software for future studies.
Development of a Test to Evaluate Olfactory Function in a Pediatric Population

Objectives/Hypothesis This study evaluated two versions of a test for olfactory function to determine suitability for use in a pediatric population.
Nucleation Phenomena in Electron‐Hole Drop Formation in Ge and Si: I. Nucleation Rates

A general nucleation theory for liquids possessing finite lifetimes, specifically for the condensation of electron-hole drops (EHD) from a gas of free excitons (FE), is presented. The theory is developed for both homogeneous and inhomogeneous nucleation in Ge and Si. In Part I explicit expressions are derived for the steady-state rates of formation J+ and breakup J− of macroscopic EHD, and for the EHD size distribution in dynamic equilibrium. It is found that the FE-EHD system above T ≈ 1.3 K in Ge is characterized by metastable states for which the equilibration time is extremely long. The expressions for J+ and J− yield two sharp excitation thresholds. In Part II these results are applied to quantitatively predict for EHD the metastable time behavior, a procedure for measuring the surface tension, the phase diagram, and the EHD radius as a function of temperature. In Part III experimental luminescence data are presented for Ge which support this theory and accurately determine the surface tension. Es wird eine allgemeine Keimbildungstheorie fur Flussigkeiten endlicher Lebendauer, insbesondere fur die Kondensation von Elektron–Loch-Tropfchen (EHD) aus einem Gas freier Exzitonen (FE) dargelegt. Die Theorie wird sowohl fur homogene als auch fur inhomogene Keimbildung in Ge und Si entwickelt. In Teil I werden explizite Ausdrucke fur die stationaren Bildungs-und Auflosungshiufigkeiten J+ bzw. J− von makroskopischen EHD sowie fur die EHD-Grosenverteilungsfunktion bei dynamischem Gteichgewicht hergeleitet. Es wird gefunden, das das FE-EHD-System in Ge bei Temperaturen oberhalb ≈1,3 K durch metastabile Zustande gekennzeichnet ist; das Erreichen des Gleichgewichts dauert extrem lange. Aus den Ausdrucken fur J+ und J− ergeben sich deutliche EHD-An- regungsschwellen. In Teil II werden diese Ergebnisse angewandt, um quantitative Aussagen uber das metastabile zeitliche Verhalten der EHD, das Vorgehen beim Messen der Oberflachenspannung, das Phasendiagramm und den EHD-Radius als Funktion der Temperatur zu machen. In Teil III wird uber Lumineszenz-Messungen an Ge berichtet, die diese Theorie bestatigen und eine genaue Bestimmung der Oberflachenspannung ermoglichen.
Teaching interpersonal communication with feature films

(1991). Teaching interpersonal communication with feature films. Communication Education: Vol. 40, No. 4, pp. 393-400.
Trait vs. nontrait conceptualizations of intrinsic/extrinsic motivational orientation

The present study questioned whether intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation should be conceptualized as a trait among elementary school students. Previous instruments employing question formats that pit an intrinsic orientation against an extrinsic orientation typically result in normal distributions around the midpoint of the scale. Such a pattern could only result from a majority of children endorsing both intrinsic and extrinsic items. In the present study we investigated the hypothesis that such children may be intrinsically motivated in some school subjects but extrinsically motivated in others. Questions designed to assess motivational orientation in each of four academic subjects (math, social studies, English, and science) revealed three types of students: (a) those that were intrinsic in some subjects but extrinsic in others, (b) those that were intrinsic in all school subjects, and (c) those that were extrinsic in all school subjects. It was concluded that for the first group, motivational orientation does not function as a trait, but rather is specific to the academic content. However, for the second and third groups, motivational orientation does appear to be trait-like since children consistently report the same orientation across academic subjects. A similar analysis was applied to consistency vs. change over time where three groups were also identified. Discussion focused on the larger issues involving trait- vs. situation-specific approaches.
Variation of self-energy and exciton-phonon coupling in KI and RbI with pressure.

We measured the 1s exciton energies in KI and RbI versus temperature at three different pressures via three-photon-excitation spectroscopy. The observed excitations display a Lorentzian line shape, which can be viewed as evidence that excitons and phonons in KI and RbI are only weakly coupling. Using the weak-coupling model we were able to find values for the real part of the temperature-dependent self-energy of the 1s exciton (peak-shift parameter \ensuremath{\Delta}). We find that the absolute value of \ensuremath{\Delta} and the strength of the exciton-phonon coupling increase with pressure. We also studied the behavior of the linewidth of the 1s exciton-polariton resonance with pressure and temperature and found that it decreases with pressure. However, we do not think that the linewidth parameter \ensuremath{\Gamma} of the polariton can be rigorously interpreted as the imaginary part of the exciton self-energy.
Construction of Projection Operators in the Semiclassical Approximation

The projection operators onto various subsets of states of a quantum-mechanical system are constructed in a semiclassical approximation based on the Wigner transformation of statistical mechanics. As illustrations, explicit operator expressions are derived for the cases of central Coulomb potential, one-dimensional harmonic oscillator, and radial Coulombic states of specified angular momenta. The accuracy of these operators is then examined in some detail in terms of the overlap integrals and dipole transition probabilities. The semiclassical approximation is found to be effective in the energy regions away from the classical turning points. Extensions of the approach to partially projected Green's functions and other related moments are discussed and their applications to scattering problems pointed out.
Determining the Effects of El Niño-Southern Oscillation Events on Coastal Water Quality

The importance of the El Nifno-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on regional-scale climate variability is well recognized, although the associated effects on local weather patterns are poorly understood. Little work has addressed the ancillary impacts of climate variability at the community level, which require analysis at a local scale. In coastal communities water quality and public health effects are of particular interest. Here we describe the historical influence of ENSO events on coastal water quality in Tampa Bay, Florida (USA) as a test case. Using approximate randomized statistics, we show significant ENSO influences on water quality, particularly during winter months, with significantly greater fecal pollution levels during strong El Nino winters and significantly lower levels during strong La Nina winters as compared to neutral conditions. Similar significant patterns were also noted for El Ninfo and La Nina fall periods. The success of the analyses demonstrates the feasibility of assessing local effects associated with large-scale climate variability. It also highlights the possibility of using ENSO forecasts to predict periods of poor coastal water quality in urban regions which local agencies may use to make appropriate preparations.
Biodiversity Hotspots: Rediscovery of the World's Leggiest Animal

This ancient animal, found only in a tiny stretch of California, is close to being a true millipede.
gem5-PVT: A Framework for FinFET System Simulation under PVT Variations

FinFET has begun replacing CMOS at the 22nm technology node and beyond. Compared to planar CMOS, FinFET has a higher on-current and lower leakage due to its double-gate structure. A FinFET-based system simulation framework can be very helpful to system architects for early-stage design-space exploration using this new technology. However, such a simulator does not exist. We fill this gap by presenting the details of one such simulation framework, called gem5-PVT, that we have developed. Our simulation framework combines and extends existing lower-level FinFET simulators to support timing, power, and thermal studies of FinFET-based chip multiprocessor systems under process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) variations. It uses a bottom-up modeling approach based on logic/memory cell libraries that have been very accurately characterized using TCAD device simulation. This allows accuracy to bubble up to the system level. The framework is modular and automated, hence enables system designers the flexibility to evaluate various system implementations. It is currently targeted at the 22nm FinFET technology. We report results for two case studies to demonstrate its usefulness. One study shows that more than 62.1× system-level leakage reduction, at the same performance, is possible when using a particular FinFET logic style. Another study characterizes core-to-core frequency and power variations that result from underlying PVT variations and compares the effectiveness of variation-aware scheduling schemes.
AGGREGATE CERTAINTY ESTIMATORS

Selecting an effective method for combining the votes of base inducers in a multiclassifier system can have a significant impact on the system’s overall classification accuracy. Some methods cannot even achieve as high a classification accuracy as the most accurate base classifier. To address this issue, we present the strategy of aggregate certainty estimators, which uses multiple measures to estimate a classifier’s certainty in its predictions on an instance-by-instance basis. Use of these certainty estimators for vote-weighting allows the system to achieve a higher overall average in classification accuracy than the most accurate base classifier. Weighting with these aggregate measures also results in higher average classification accuracy than weighting with single certainty estimates. Aggregate certainty estimators outperform three baseline strategies, as well as the methods of modified stacking and arbitration, in terms of average accuracy over 36 data sets. Received 16 March 2011; Revised 20 August 2011; Accepted 22 Januar y 2010
Proteolytic activation of the canine cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium pump

Mild trypsin treatment of canine cardiac microsomes consisting largely of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles produced a severalfold activation of oxalate-facilitated calcium uptake. The increase in calcium uptake was associated with an increase in ATP hydrolysis. Proteases other than trypsin were also effective although to a lesser degree. Trypsin produced a shift of the Ca2+ concentration dependency curve for calcium uptake toward lower Ca2+ concentrations, which was almost identical with that produced by phosphorylation of microsomes by cyclic AMP dependent protein kinase when the trypsin and the protein kinase were present at maximally activating concentrations. The Hill numbers (+/- SD) of the Ca2+ dependency after treatment of microsomes with trypsin (1.5 +/- 0.1) or protein kinase (1.7 +/- 0.1) were similar and were not significantly different from those for untreated control microsomes (1.6 +/- 0.1 and 1.8 +/- 0.1, respectively). Autoradiograms of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoretic gels indicate that 32P incorporation into phospholamban (Mr 27.3K) or its presumed monomeric subunit (Mr 5.5K) was markedly reduced when trypsin-treated microsomes were incubated in the presence of cyclic AMP dependent protein kinase and [gamma-32P]ATP compared to control microsomes incubated similarly but pretreated with trypsin inhibitor inactivated trypsin. The activation of calcium uptake by increasing concentrations of trypsin was paralleled by the reduction of phosphorylation of phospholamban. Trypsin treatment of microsomes previously thiophosphorylated in the presence of cyclic AMP dependent protein kinase and [gamma-35S]thio-ATP did not result in a loss of 35S label from phospholamban, which suggests that phosphorylation of phospholamban protects against trypsin attack.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Block RLS using row householder reflections

Abstract Householder reflections applied from the left are generally used to zero a contiguous sequence of entries in a column of a matrix A. Our purpose in this paper is to introduce new row Householder and row hyperbolic Householder reflections which are also applied from the left, but now zero a contiguous sequence of entries in a row of A. We then show how these row Householder reflections can be used to design efficient sliding-data-window recursive least-squares (RLS) covariance algorithms, which are based upon rank-k modifications to the inverse Cholesky factor R-1 of the covariance matrix. The algorithms are rich in matrix-matrix BLAS-3 computations, making them efficient on vector and parallel architectures. Preliminary numerical experiments are reported, comparing these row Householder-based rank-k modification schemes with k applications of the classical updating and downdating covariance schemes which use Givens and hyperbolic rotations.
Effects of aggressive blood pressure control in normotensive type 2 diabetic patients on albuminuria, retinopathy and strokes

Effects of aggressive blood pressure control in normotensive type 2 diabetic patients on albuminuria, retinopathy and strokes. Background Although several important studies have been performed in hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients, it is not known whether lowering blood pressure in normotensive (BP Methods The current study was a prospective, randomized controlled trial in normotensive type 2 diabetic subjects. The subjects were randomized to intensive (10mm Hg below the baseline DBP) versus moderate (80 to 89mm Hg) DBP control. Patients in the moderate therapy group were given placebo, while the patients randomized to intensive therapy received either nisoldipine or enalapril in a blinded manner as the initial antihypertensive medication. The primary end point evaluated was the change in creatinine clearance with the secondary endpoints consisting of change in urinary albumin excretion, progression of retinopathy and neuropathy and the incidence of cardiovascular disease. Results The mean follow-up was 5.3 years. Mean BP in the intensive group was 128 ± 0.8/75 ± 0.3mm Hg versus 137 ± 0.7/81 ± 0.3mm Hg in the moderate group, P P = 0.43), a lower percentage of patients in the intensive group progressed from normoalbuminuria to microalbuminuria ( P = 0.012) and microalbuminuria to overt albuminuria ( P = 0.028). The intensive BP control group also demonstrated less progression of diabetic retinopathy ( P = 0.019) and a lower incidence of strokes ( P = 0.03). The results were the same whether enalapril or nisoldipine was used as the initial antihypertensive agent. Conclusion Over a five-year follow-up period, intensive (∼128/75mm Hg) BP control in normotensive type 2 diabetic patients: ( 1 ) slowed the progression to incipient and overt diabetic nephropathy; ( 2 ) decreased the progression of diabetic retinopathy; and ( 3 ) diminished the incidence of stroke.
Damage thresholds and morphology of the front- and back-irradiated SiO 2 thin films containing gold nanoparticles as artificial absorbing defects

Previous ultraviolet-pulsed, laser-damage studies using model thin films with gold nanoparticles as artificial absorbing defects revealed damage morphology in a form of submicrometer-scaled craters. It was also demonstrated that for defects smaller than 20 nm, crater formation is preceded by plasma-ball formation around absorbing defects. In this work an attempt is made to verify symmetry of the plasma ball by conducting film irradiation from the side of the air/film or substrate/film interfaces. In each case, crater-formation thresholds are derived and crater morphology is analyzed by means of atomic force microscopy.
Equipment scheduling problem under disruptions in mail processing and distribution centres

This paper addresses the production and workforce scheduling problem under disruptions in United States Postal Service mail processing facilities. These facilities contain a large variety of equipment and employ a non-homogeneous workforce that work on shifts of various lengths and start times. Disruptions such as demand fluctuation and absenteeism happen and may significantly change demand and the size of workforce. How to adjust production plans and workforce schedules through the use of overtime and flexible employees in the face of these disruptions to meet the service commitment is a challenging problem yet to be solved. This problem is modelled as a large-scale integer program, which contains equipment scheduling, shift scheduling and overtime management, and break assignment modules. Problems of realistic size are solved efficiently through an LP-based decomposition algorithm. Comprehensive experiments have been designed to investigate the effects of the use of overtime, the control of absenteeism, and the importance of integrating equipment and workforce scheduling simultaneously. The model integrates seamlessly with other research studies and provides the necessary and critical tools to manage the resources in a facility on a routine basis.
Paleomagnetism of northern Cocos seamounts: Constraints on absolute plate motion

Paleodeclinations of several small seamounts on the northern Cocos plate demonstrate that it rotated approximately 30° counter-clockwise about a pole close to its northern boundary during the past 1 to 6 m.y. Paleoinclinations agree with models of absolute plate motion in which the northern component of velocity for the Cocos plate is about 50 mm/yr. The paleomagnetic data, dredge samples, and seamount morphology, either independently or in concert, are reasonably reliable for distinguishing fault blocks from central volcanoes and for determining the approximate age of a structure relative to that of the surrounding sea floor.
Evaluation and Treatment of Migraine in the Emergency Department: A Review

Head pain is the fifth most common reason for emergency department (ED) visits. It is second only to focal weakness as the most common reason for neurological consultation in the ED. This manuscript reviews how patients with migraine, the most common primary headache disorder for which patients seek medical treatment, are managed in the ED. We discuss existing guidelines for head imaging in patients with migraine, recommended pharmacologic treatments, and current treatment trends. We also review studies evaluating the discharge care of migraine patients in the ED. With the goal of standardizing, streamlining, and optimizing ED-based migraine care, we offer ideas for future research to improve the evaluation, treatment, and discharge care of patients who present to an ED with acute migraine.
Identification and Quantification of Basic and Acidic Proteins Using Solution-Based Two-Dimensional Protein Fractionation and Label-Free or 18O-Labeling Mass Spectrometry

Reduction in sample complexity enables more thorough proteomic analysis using mass spectrometry (MS). A solution-based two-dimensional (2D) protein fractionation system, ProteomeLab PF 2D, has recently become available for sample fractionation and complexity reduction. PF 2D resolves proteins by isoelectric point (pI) and hydrophobicity in the first and second dimensions, respectively. It offers distinctive advantages over 2D gel electrophoresis with respects to automation of the fractionation processes and characterization of proteins having extreme pIs. Besides fractionation, PF 2D is equipped with built-in UV detectors intended for relative quantification of proteins in contrasting samples using its software tools. In this study, we utilized PF 2D for the identification of basic and acidic proteins in mammalian cells, which are generally under-characterized. In addition, mass spectrometric methods (label-free and 18O-labeling) were employed to complement protein quantification based on UV absorbance. Our studies indicate that the selection of chromatographic fractions could impact protein identification and that the UV-based quantification for contrasting complex proteomes is constrained by coelution or partial coelution of proteins. In contrast, the quantification post PF 2D chromatography based on label-free or 18O-labeling mass spectrometry provides an alternative platform for basic/acidic protein identification and quantification. With the use of HCT116 colon carcinoma cells, a total of 305 basic and 183 acidic proteins was identified. Quantitative proteomics revealed that 17 of these proteins were differentially expressed in HCT116 p53-/- cells.
Anaphylotoxin levels following thermal injury.

Abstract Following thermal injury, anaphylotoxins (C 3a and C 5a ) are generated by complement activity. We measured C 3a and C 5a levels serially in 18 seriously burned patients (mean burn size= 37.9 per cent body surface area) over the initial 3 weeks following injury. Values for C 3a were significantly increased when compared with normal controls, with maximum levels during the second week, while C 5a levels were slightly elevated initially. These levels did not correlate with the extent of tissue injury, the development of septic complications or the clinical outcome. However, it appears likely that C 3a and C 5a may be responsible for some of the pathophysiological alterations observed following thermal injury.
Reproductive competition in the communal acorn woodpecker: sisters destroy each other's eggs

Among group-living vertebrates, highly cooperative or apparently altruistic behaviours usually occur between close relatives1,2. In contrast, highly competitive or selfish behaviours, such as the killing of conspecific young, are often directed towards unrelated individuals3,4. These findings are consistent with predictions of inclusive fitness theory5, and have led to the suggestion that kin should receive favoured treatment in the form of not only cooperation but also reduced aggression or competition2,6–9. However, selfish, competitive and manipulative behaviours can evolve among close relatives if the gain in direct (individual) fitness10 exceeds the loss in indirect fitness5,11–14. We report here an extreme example of reproductive interference between close relatives in the acorn woodpecker, in which communally nesting sibling females in this species destroy their sister's eggs prior to laying their own.
Mayoral Leadership and Facilitative Governance

This analysis offers a contingency model of mayoral leadership based on a long view of a city's institutional context and substantive interests. This model generates four distinct governance types or styles of mayoral administration?populism, progressivism, constitutionalism, and managerialism. The author uses empirical evidence drawn from familiar mayoral administrations to analyze shifts within and across these governance types. By integrating normative public administration into the dynamics of urban governance, this model yields robust findings concerning mayoral?regime relationships. The author concludes that the renewal of a fiscally stressed big city is in facilitative governance. Facilitative governance blends managerialism and constitutionalism, whereas its normative basis is democratic conservatorship. By activating the ethos of public administration, a mayoral conservator facilitates the regime conditions necessary for economic, political, and social inclusion.
Normal glucose uptake in the brain and heart requires an endothelial cell-specific HIF-1α–dependent function

Although intimately positioned between metabolic substrates in the bloodstream and the tissue parenchymal cells that require these substrates, a major role of the vascular endothelium in the regulation of tissue metabolism has not been widely appreciated. We hypothesized that via control of transendothelial glucose transport and contributing paracrine mechanisms the endothelium plays a major role in regulating organ and tissue glucose metabolism. We further hypothesized that the hypoxia-inducible factor -1α (HIF-1α) plays an important role in coordinating these endothelial functions. To test these hypotheses, we generated mice with endothelial cell-specific deletion of HIF-1α. Loss of HIF in the endothelium resulted in significantly increased fasting blood glucose levels, a blunted insulin response with delayed glucose clearance from the blood after i.v. loading, and significantly decreased glucose uptake into the brain and heart. Endothelial HIF-1α knockout mice also exhibited a reduced cerebrospinal fluid/blood glucose ratio, a finding consistent with reduced transendothelial glucose transport and a diagnostic criterion for the Glut1 deficiency genetic syndrome. Endothelial cells from these mice demonstrated decreased Glut1 levels and reduced glucose uptake that was reversed by forced expression of Glut1. These data strongly support an important role of the vascular endothelium in determining whole-organ glucose metabolism and indicate that HIF-1α is a critical mediator of this function.
Molecular etiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis of the Marfan syndrome

Abstract It is now known that most, if not all cases of classic Marfan syndrome are caused by primary mutations in the gene (FBN1) encoding the extracellular matrix protein fibrillin-1. The challenge ahead is to use this information in a responsible manner to improve the lives of affected patients and families. While the prospect for gene therapy, the most dramatic potential application, is now exciting and real, many theoretical and technological obstacles must be overcome. Among these is an incomplete but expanding comprehension of the pathogenesis of Marfan syndrome. Nevertheless, molecular analysis has led to an increased understanding of the origins of pleiotropy and clinical variability in the Marfan syndrome, a pre-requisite for the development of rationale therapeutic strategies. Of more immediate practical importance, it is now possible to apply molecular methods to the pre-symptomatic and prenatal diagnosis of Marfan syndrome, providing the first opportunity for disease prevention and for presumptive rather than symptomatic intervention. Two genetic methods are routinely applied to determine whether an individual or fetus is at risk for the development of a phenotype concordant with that seen in other affected family members. Linkage analysis is both efficient and accurate, but requires the existence and involvement of many affected and unaffected family members. Direct mutational analysis obviates many of these requirements, but is both time and cost intensive. In selected circumstances, protein analyses, such as immunohistochemistry and metabolic labeling studies, may be useful in the evaluation of individuals at risk for the development of Marfan syndrome or related disorders. It must be stressed that molecular data must always be considered in conjunction with a thorough phenotypic assessment. No test, in isolation, is sufficient for the unequivocal assignment of affected or unaffected status. The Marfan syndrome is now, and shall always remain, a clinical diagnosis. When applied in conjunction with a consideration of each family's beliefs, expectations, resources, and priorities, molecular analysis can be a useful adjunct in patient management and counseling.
Simulating real-world exposures during emergency events: studying effects of indoor and outdoor releases in the Urban Dispersion Program in upper Manhattan, NY

A prospective personal exposure study, involving indoor and outdoor releases, was conducted in upper Midtown Manhattan in New York City as part of the Urban Dispersion Program (UDP) focusing on atmospheric dispersion of chemicals in complex urban settings. The UDP experiments involved releases of very low levels of perfluorocarbon tracers (PFTs) in Midtown Manhattan at separate locations, during two seasons in 2005. The study presented here includes both outdoor and indoor releases of the tracers, and realistic scripted activities for characterizing near source and neighborhood-scale exposures using 1-min and 10-min duration samples, respectively. Results showed that distributions of individual tracers and exposures to them within the study area were significantly influenced by surface winds, urban terrain, and movements of people typical of urban centers. Although in general, PFT levels returned quickly to zero in general after cessation of the emissions, in some cases, the concentrations stayed at higher levels after the releases stopped. This is likely due to accumulation of the PFTs in some buildings, which then serve as “secondary sources” when outside levels are lower than indoor levels. Measurements of neighborhood-scale PFT concentrations (up to distances of several blocks away from the release points) provided information needed to establish a baseline for determining how different types of releases could affect exposures both to the general public and to emergency responders. These data highlight the factors impacting the toxic threat levels following releases of hazardous chemicals and provide supporting information for evaluating and refining protocols for emergency event response.
Ab Initio Study of the Interaction of Water with Cluster Models of the Aluminum Terminated (0001) α-Aluminum Oxide Surface

Ab initio calculations were performed on three cluster models to investigate the interaction of water with the (0001) surface of α-Al2O3. Surface relaxation effects are found to be similar to those in previous periodic Hartree−Fock and density functional calculations. Two types of dissociative reactions, 1−2 and 1−4 addition of water, were explored. Catalysis of the 1−4 addition reaction by a second water molecule was also examined. Of these three routes to hydroxylation of the aluminum terminated surface, the two water process was found to be the most exothermic. In all cases, little difference is observed between the energies of molecular and dissociative adsorption of one water. Multiple 1−2 dissociation events at a single surface site were also explored and found to be overall exothermic. Transition state theory was used to calculate molecular → dissociative adsorption unimolecular rate constants. Both the 1−2 and 1−4 dissociations are predicted to be rapid processes at 300 K, occurring within 10-2 s.
Irradiation of terephthalophenone in isopropyl alcohol

Irradiation of terephthalophenone in isopropyl alcohol gave a bright yellow-colored intermediate which decayed rather rapidly. The products were complex and depended upon the mode of irradiation. They ranged from a mixed polymer I to a dimer II. I consisted of about 5 terephthalophenone units capped with hydrogen or isopropyl alcohol radicals or terminated by cyclization. II, the dimer, was capped by hydrogen atoms.
Sputter deposited nanocrystalline Ni-25Al alloy thin films and Ni/Ni3Al multilayers

Abstract Thin films of nominal composition Ni-25at%Al have been sputter deposited from a target of the intermetallic compound Ni3Al at different substrate deposition temperatures. The film deposited on an unheated substrate exhibited a strongly textured columnar growth morphology and consisted of a mixture of metastable phases. Nanoindentation studies carried out on this film exhibited a strong strain hardening tendency. In contrast, the film deposited at 200 °C exhibited a recrystallized non-textured microstructure consisting of grains of a partially ordered Ni3Al phase. At higher deposition temperatures (∼400 °C), larger grains of the bulk equilibrium, long-range ordered, Ll2 Ni3Al phase were observed in the film. Unlike the film deposited on an unheated substrate, the films deposited at elevated temperatures did not exhibit any dependence of the hardness on the indentation depth and, consequently no strain hardening. The average hardness of the film deposited at 200 °C was higher than the one deposited at 400 °C. In addition to monolithic Ni-25Al thin films, multilayered Ni/Ni3Al thin films were also deposited. Multilayers deposited non-epitaxially on unheated substrates exhibited a strong {111} fiber texture while those deposited epitaxially on (001) NaCl exhibited a {001} texture. Free-standing multilayers of both types of preferred orientations as well as of different layer thicknesses were deformed in tension untill fracture. Interestingly, the {111} oriented multilayers failed primarily by a brittle fracture while the {001} multilayers exhibited features of ductile fracture.
Design experimentation and mutual appropriation: Two strategies for university/community collaborative after-school interventions

This paper explores a contrast between two strategies of intervention research. The first strategy, referred to as design experimentation, came to prominence through the writing of Ann Brown and Allan Collins. Design experiments were described as attempts to engineer innovative learning environments and simultaneously understand salient aspects of human cognition and learning. The core of the method is to place a version of a learning design into the world and iteratively revise the design in light of results from each implementation. The second strategy is referred to as mutual appropriation, a term used by Newman, Griffin, and Cole to describe teaching/learning processes in classrooms, but subsequently introduced into the intervention literature by Brown and Campione to describe an intervention process in which the nature of the intervention is not pre-specified, but negotiated among participants over time. We endeavor to show that a mutual appropriation approach can help the field create interventions which are themselves developmental in their fundamental methodology.