cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A fast, parallel spanning tree algorithm for symmetric multiprocessors (SMPs)

The ability to provide uniform shared-memory access to a significant number of processors in a single SMP node brings us much closer to the ideal PRAM parallel computer. Many PRAM algorithms can be adapted to SMPs with few modifications. Yet there are few studies that deal with the implementation and performance issues of running PRAM-style algorithms on SMPs. Our study in this paper focuses on implementing parallel spanning tree algorithms on SMPs. Spanning tree is an important problem in the sense that it is the building block for many other parallel graph algorithms and also because it is representative of a large class of irregular combinatorial problems that have simple and efficient sequential implementations and fast PRAM algorithms, but these irregular problems often have no known efficient parallel implementations. Experimental studies have been conducted on related problems (minimum spanning tree and connected components) using parallel computers, but only achieved reasonable speedup on regular graph topologies that can be implicitly partitioned with good locality features or on very dense graphs with limited numbers of vertices. In this paper we present a new randomized algorithm and implementation with superior performance that for the first time achieves parallel speedup on arbitrary graphs (both regular and irregular topologies) when compared with the best sequential implementation for finding a spanning tree. This new algorithm uses several techniques to give an expected running time that scales linearly with the number p of processors for suitably large inputs (n>p^2). As the spanning tree problem is notoriously hard for any parallel implementation to achieve reasonable speedup, our study may shed new light on implementing PRAM algorithms for shared-memory parallel computers. The main results of this paper are1.A new and practical spanning tree algorithm for symmetric multiprocessors that exhibits parallel speedups on graphs with regular and irregular topologies; and 2.an experimental study of parallel spanning tree algorithms that reveals the superior performance of our new approach compared with the previous algorithms. The source code for these algorithms is freely-available from our web site. pc.ece.unm.edu.
Abstract 4006: Soluble ALK4 extracellular domain antagonizes oncogenic Cripto signaling and inhibits tumor growth

Cripto is a small GPI-anchored glycoprotein that plays key roles during normal development and in tumorigenesis. Cripto is expressed at aberrantly high levels in human tumors and blocking its oncogenic effects on activin/Nodal/TGF-beta, Erk/MAPK and PI3K/Akt pathways represents a promising therapeutic strategy. Cripto functions as a Nodal co-receptor and binds directly to the extracellular domain (ECD) of the activin/Nodal type I receptor ALK4. We have shown that a kinase-deleted ALK4 mutant deficient in activin binding (ALK4-L75A) retains Cripto binding and can block Cripto effects on activin and Nodal signaling. We hypothesized that soluble ALK4-L75A ECD proteins would similarly bind Cripto and disrupt oncogenic Cripto function. To test this, we generated two soluble constructs incorporating the ALK4-L75A ECD, one with a C-terminal His tag (sALK4-L75A-His) and the other consisting of an ALK4-L75A ECD-Fc fusion with an N-terminal FLAG tag (sALK4-L75A-Fc). We expressed the sALK4-L75A-His and sALK4-L75A-Fc proteins in 293T cells and then purified them from conditioned media using Ni-NTA agarose and Protein-A agarose, respectively. The sALK4-L75A-Fc protein dose-dependently inhibited 125I-Cripto binding to 293T cells transfected with full length ALK4. In addition, sALK4-L75A-Fc blocked 125I-Cripto binding to untransfected human mammary epithelial MCF10A cells. In accordance with these binding data, sALK4-L75A-His inhibited Cripto-dependent Nodal signaling in 293T cells and sALK4-L75A-Fc inhibited Nodal-induced Smad2 phosphorylation in human NCCIT cells. sALK4-L75A-His also blocked Cripto-induced PI3K signaling while sALK4-L75A-Fc inhibited Cripto-induced MCF10A cell proliferation. Importantly, we have shown that sALK4-L75A-Fc can also inhibit the growth of tumor xenografts derived from NCCIT cells at doses where no toxicity was observed. Thus, we provide the first evidence that soluble forms of ALK4 inhibit oncogenic Cripto signaling. The efficacy of a soluble ALK4 receptor as an antitumor agent points to the utility of Cripto antagonists in the treatment of human cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4006.
Achieving cholesterol target in a managed care organization (ACTION) trial

Study Objectives. To objectively compare the results of a collaborative approach using pharmacists with the results of usual care for achieving a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) goal of 100 mg/dl or less in outpatients with documented coronary heart disease (CHD) who are not at goal, and to document the effect on LDL after removal of such a collaborative model from the study population. Design. Prospective, multiclinic, controlled study. Setting. Four clinics of a 19-clinic staff model health maintenance organization in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. Two clinics treated the intervention patients, two the controls; one clinic for each group was suburban, and one for each was urban. Patients. Four hundred eighty-one patients aged 18 years or older with CHD and whose LDL levels were not at goal. Intervention. Clinical pharmacists implemented the physician-approved care plan for each intervention patient; activities included managing lipid-lowering drug therapy and educating patients on cardiovascular risk reduction. Measurements and Main Results. Primary outcomes were changes in LDL level and the proportion of patients achieving goal LDL in the intervention versus the usual care (control) group. Secondary outcomes were the sustainability of the impact observed up to 18 months after discontinuation of the intervention. Mean + SD baseline LDL levels were 131 + 28 and 131 + 26 mg/dl (p=NS) for the intervention and control groups, respectively. After a mean of 6.5 months follow-up, 107 (72%) patients in the intervention group and 61 (18%) patients in the control group had attained their LDL goal (p<0.001). Mean LDL levels were reduced by 35.6 mg/dl (27.5%) and 6.7 mg/dl (4.6%) in the intervention and control groups, respectively (p<0.001). When the active program was discontinued, results of the 18-month follow-up indicated that 85 (65%) intervention patients remained at goal compared with 96 (42%) controls (p<0.001). Conclusion. This trial provides quantitative evidence to support the effectiveness of the collaborative approach as an intervention to optimize management of patients with CHD whose LDL levels are not at goal; this approach is specifically called for in the executive summary of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. Furthermore, this study documents both the magnitude and sustainability of the impact collaborative care models can have in managed care environments.
SU‐E‐T‐54: Initial Investigation Applying Statistical Process Control to Accelerator Beam Quality

Purpose: This study retrospectively applies statistical process control (SPC) methods to determine its utility in detecting changes in linear accelerator beam steering parameters prior to equipment failure (interlocks actuated) thereby increasing patient safety. Methods: Steering coil currents (SCC) for the transverse and radial planes are set such that a reproducibly useful photon or electron beam is available. SCC are sampled and stored in the control console computer each day during the morning warm‐up. The transverse and radial ‐ positioning and angle SCC for photon beam energies were evaluated using average and range (Xbar‐R) process control charts (PCC). The weekly average and range values (subgroup n=5) for each steering coil were used to develop the PCC. SCC from September‐2009 (annual calibration) until two weeks following a beam steering failure on June 28th were evaluated. PCC limits were calculated using the first twenty subgroups. Appropriate action limits were developed using conventional SPC guidelines. Results: PCC high alarm action limit was set at six standard deviations from the mean. Low alarm indicators were: (1) nine points in a row on either side of the mean, and (2) two out of three points in a row greater than two standard deviations from the mean. Alarms received following establishment of limits (week twenty) are indicative of a special cause for deviation (Xbar chart) and/or an uncontrolled process (R chart). Transverse angle SCC for 15X and 6X indicated a high alarm on March 11th and March 29th respectively. A downward trend in this parameter continued, with high alarm, until failure. Transverse position and radial angle SCC for both energies indicated a high or low alarm starting in February or March. Conclusions: Patient safety may be improved by instituting SPC methods to monitor the beam steering process and detect abnormal changes prior to equipment failure.
Critical Thinking is a Life Relevancy: A Hospitality Management Student Case Study

ABSTRACT This article describes a library workshop for freshman hospitality management students enrolled at New York City College of Technology, CUNY, which features a focus on critical thinking. An active learning experience uses an element of surprise. Students evaluate the Website of a bankrupt company where information about the company's situation is not obvious. When the instructor guides the class to find unbiased information from newspapers, many students begin to think critically about sources.
The site of action of plastocyanin in chloroplasts treated with detergent.

Abstract 1. Triton concentrations of about 0.01% uncouple photosynthetic processes and speed the light-induced reduction of cytochrome b 6 and oxidation of cytochrome b -559. Above 0.05% Triton, electron flow rates rise to a maximum and a slow, almost complete, oxidation of cytochrome b -559 can be observed. 2. Chloroplasts treated with 0.1% Triton are thereafter dependent on Triton for photochemical activity. 3. Kinetic evidence supports the following sequence of electron carriers in relation to Photosystem I: cytochrome b -559-?-cytochrome f -plastocyanin-P700-Photosystem I-?-cytochrome b 6 .
The Effect of Microstructure on the Corrosion and Stress Corrosion Cracking of Alloy 600 in Acidic and Neutral Environments

Abstract This paper presents a study of corrosion and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of Alloy 600. The primary purpose of this work is to relate the corrosion susceptibility of the alloy after var...
Primary Gianturco stent placement for inferior vena cava abnormalities following liver transplantation.

PURPOSE To determine the efficacy of primary Gianturco stent placement for patients with inferior vena caval (IVC) abnormalities following liver transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS From August 1996 through March 1999, nine adult patients developed significant IVC abnormalities following liver transplantation. Patients were referred for vena cavography on the basis of abnormal clinical findings, laboratory values, liver biopsy results, Doppler findings, or a combination. Those patients demonstrating a significant caval or hepatic venous gradient were treated with primary Gianturco stent placement. Patients were followed clinically (nine patients), with duplex ultrasound (nine patients), vena cavography (four patients), and biopsy (seven patients). RESULTS Original pressure gradients ranged from 3 to 14 mm Hg, with a mean of 9 mm Hg. Gradients were reduced to 3 mm Hg or less in all nine patients; presenting signs and symptoms either resolved or improved in eight of nine patients. The ninth patient required repeated transplantation 2 days later. A second patient died 433 days after stent placement of recurrent hepatitis C. Another initially improved following caval stent placement, but underwent repeated transplantation 7 days later due to hepatic necrosis from hepatic arterial thrombosis. Follow-up for the remaining six patients has averaged 491 days, with no clinical, venographic, or ultrasound evidence for recurrent caval stenosis. CONCLUSIONS Intermediate term results suggest that primary Gianturco stent placement for IVC stenosis, compression, or torsion resulting after liver transplantation is safe and effective.
Geomorphic evidence for enhanced Pliocene–Quaternary faulting in the northwestern Basin and Range

Mountains in the U.S. Basin and Range Province are similar in form, yet they have different histories of deformation and uplift. Unfortunately, chronicling fault slip with techniques like thermochronology and geodetics can still leave sizable, yet potentially important gaps at Pliocene–Quaternary (∼105–106 yr) time scales. Here, we combine existing geochronology with new geomorphic observations and approaches to investigate the Miocene to Quaternary slip history of active normal faults that are exhuming three footwall ranges in northwestern Nevada: the Pine Forest Range, the Jackson Mountains, and the Santa Rosa Range. We use the National Elevation Dataset (10 m) digital elevation model (DEM) to measure bedrock river profiles and hillslope gradients from these ranges. We observe a prominent suite of channel convexities (knickpoints) that segment the channels into upper reaches with low steepness (mean k sn = ∼182; θref = 0.51) and lower, fault-proximal reaches with high steepness (mean k sn = ∼361), with a concomitant increase in hillslope angles of ∼6°–9°. Geologic maps and field-based proxies for rock strength allow us to rule out static causes for the knickpoints and interpret them as transient features triggered by a drop in base level that created ∼20% of the existing relief (∼220 m of ∼1050 m total). We then constrain the timing of base-level change using paleochannel profile reconstructions, catchment-scale volumetric erosion fluxes, and a stream-power–based knickpoint celerity (migration) model. Low-temperature thermochronology data show that faulting began at ca. 11–12 Ma, yet our results estimate knickpoint initiation began in the last 5 Ma and possibly as recently as 0.1 Ma with reasonable migration rates of 0.5–2 mm/yr. We interpret the collective results to be evidence for enhanced Pliocene–Quaternary fault slip that may be related to tectonic reorganization in the American West, although we cannot rule out climate as a contributing mechanism. We propose that similar studies, which remain remarkably rare across the region, be used to further test how robust this Plio–Quaternary landscape signal may be throughout the Great Basin.
Proteolytic cleavage of pertussis toxin S1 subunit is not essential for its activity in mammalian cells

Pertussis toxin (PT) is an exotoxin virulence factor produced by Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough. PT consists of an active subunit (S1) that ADP-ribosylates the alpha subunit of several mammalian G proteins, and a B oligomer (S2–S5) that binds glycoconjugate receptors on cells. PT appears to enter cells by endocytosis, and retrograde transport through the Golgi apparatus may be important for its cytotoxicity. A previous study demonstrated that proteolytic processing of S1 occurs after PT enters mammalian cells. We sought to determine whether this proteolytic processing of S1 is necessary for PT cytotoxicity. Protease inhibitor studies suggested that S1 processing may involve a metalloprotease, and processing does not involve furin, a mammalian cell protease that cleaves several other bacterial toxins. However, inhibitor studies showed a general lack of correlation of S1 processing with PT cellular activity. A combination of replacement, insertion and deletion mutations in the C-terminal region of S1, as well as mass spectrometry data, suggested that the cleavage site is located around residue 203–204, but that cleavage is not strongly sequence-dependent. Processing of S1 was abolished by each of 3 overlapping 8 residue deletions just downstream of the putative cleavage site, but not by smaller deletions in the same region. Processing of the various mutant forms of PT did not correlate with cellular activity of the toxin, nor with the ability of the bacteria producing them to infect the mouse respiratory tract. In addition, S1 processing was not detected in transfected cells expressing S1, even though S1 was fully active in these cells. S1 processing is not essential for the cellular activity of PT. This distinguishes it from the processing of various other bacterial toxins, which has been shown to be important for their cytotoxicity. S1 processing may be mediated primarily by a metalloprotease, but the cleavage site on S1 is not sequence-dependent and processing appears to depend on the general topology of the protein in that region, indicating that multiple proteases may contribute to this cleavage.
Depression and the risk of stroke in women: an identification and treatment paradox.

See related article, pages 2770–2775. Major depressive disorder is defined in the DSM-IV-TR as depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities, along with a constellation of other depressive symptoms that persist for >2 weeks, are atypical for usual behavior, cause significant distress or impairment, and are not attributable to bereavement or a medical condition.1 The lifetime prevalence of depression is ≈13% to 16% and is 5% to 7% in 1 year, more commonly affecting women than men.1 The presence of depressive symptoms has been established as an important outcome after stroke.2 The Northern Manhattan Study reported that early depressive symptoms are a risk for future disability.3 Multiple studies, though not all,4 now contribute to the evidence that depression is also a risk factor for first-ever stroke.5,6 Adding to these studies and published in this issue of Stroke , Pan et al7 have analyzed >80 000 women in the Nurses' Health Study cohort who were stroke-free at the time of the initial screen for depressive symptoms. Using the Mental Health Index (MHI-5) scores, a subscale of the Short-Form 36 Health Status Survey, collected in 1992, 1996, and 2000, the investigators assessed the relation between clinically significant depressive symptoms (MHI-5 score ≤52) and incident stroke from 2000 to 2006. For the purposes of analyzing depression, this was defined as an MHI-5 score ≤52, physician-diagnosed depression, or antidepressant medication use. For the 1033 incident strokes documented in the follow-up period, depression was associated with an ≈30% increased risk of total stroke (hazard ratio [HR]=1.29; 95% CI, 1.13–1.48).7 A past history of depression alone …
Step fluctuation studies of surface diffusion and step stiffness for the Ni(111) surface

Step edge fluctuations on clean Ni(111) are investigated using low-energy electron microscopy. When interpreted as capillary waves the fluctuations yield values of the surface mass diffusion coefficient ${D}_{s}$ and the step edge stiffness $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\beta}}$ in the temperature range 1050\char21{}1340 K. $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\beta}}(\ensuremath{\theta},T)$ is of magnitude $\ensuremath{\sim}300\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{meV}∕\mathrm{nm}$ at 1200 K, almost independent of step orientation $\ensuremath{\theta}$, and decreases with increasing temperature $T$. At the lower temperatures, the decay of capillary modes depends on wave vector $q$ as ${q}^{3}$, as expected for surface diffusion over terraces next to the step. Also, the deduced surface diffusion coefficient ${D}_{s}={10}^{\ensuremath{-}4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\mathrm{exp}(\ensuremath{-}0.65\ensuremath{\mp}0.1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}∕{k}_{B}T)\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}∕\mathrm{s}$ is consistent with that on similar surfaces when scaled to homologous temperatures by the melting temperature ${T}_{m}$, in keeping with a recently suggested universality. A component of step relaxation driven by bulk diffusion above $0.65{T}_{m}$ is reasonably consistent with bulk diffusion results obtained much earlier using radio tracer methods. This result is contrasted with earlier discussions that postulate a regime of high-temperature surface diffusion with a large activation energy and very large prefactor. Sublimation detected here by step edge flow near $0.75{T}_{m}$ is consistent with the known cohesive energy.
Do neuropeptides in the dorsal horn change if the dorsal root ganglion cell death that normally accompanies peripheral nerve transection is prevented

Peripheral nerve section causes the death of dorsal root ganglion cells and changes in neuroactive peptides in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. The relationship between these 2 events has not been previously studied, however. One approach would be to prevent sensory cell death and then determine changes in peptide immunoreactivity. To do this, transected rat sciatic nerve stumps were placed in an impermeable silicone tube for one month. The tube was then removed and after 30 additional days the cells were counted. The data indicate that no cell death occurred. We conclude that the sensory cells are first saved due to some factor present in the tube, and then after 30 days, the cells become independent of the tube and its contents. In these same animals, all of the peptides we examined were significantly changed. Four of the peptides, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK) and galanin (GAL) were significantly depleted in the medial L4-L5 superficial dorsal horn, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) was significantly increased. We conclude that there are major changes in spinal peptide systems following peripheral nerve transection even if there is no accompanying death of sensory neurons. Thus we suggest that dramatic central changes in peptide immunoreactivity following peripheral nerve transection are independent of the sensory cell death that usually occurs in response to this injury.
Liquor advertising and consumption in the United States: 1971-2008

Much of the confrontational efforts in the last four decades regarding the reduction of alcohol consumption have focused on the advertising of alcohol beverages. Critics of alcohol beverage advertising argue that the amount and substance of the alcohol advertising results in increased consumption of those beverages. A good deal of the research that supports this viewpoint utilises either cross-sectional data or controlled experiments, and identifies advertising as one of the possible factors influencing alcohol consumption. Using time-series analyses, this manuscript examines the relationship between distilled spirits advertising expenditures and consumption in the US from 1971 to 2008 on an aggregate and brand level. This four-decade period is especially interesting because it includes a decade in which the spirits industry ended a voluntary ban of advertising on electronic media.
Dynamic control of reversible cell adhesion and actin cytoskeleton in the mouth of Beroë.

Cell-cell adhesion in the various types of intercellular junctions of differentiated tissues is relatively stable and permanent. In migrating cells of embryos, or in wound closure, inflammatory responses and tumors of adult tissues, however, bonds between cells are made and broken and made again, i.e., cell-cell adhesions are transient and reversible. These nonjunctional contacts lack the organized structure of intercellular junctions, but may initiate their tissue-specific formation during development. Investigation of dynamic, nonjunctional cell-cell adhesions has been hampered by the asynchronous and heterogeneous distribution of these transient contacts among groups of moving cells. We recently discovered a novel system of reversible cell adhesion in a differentiated tissue that overcomes this difficulty. Here I review our current knowledge of this system, particularly its unique experimental advantages for investigating the mechanisms and control of dynamic cell adhesion.
Neuromotor outcomes at school age after extremely low birth weight: early detection of subtle signs.

Objective: Motor impairments are prevalent in children born at extremely low birth weight (ELBW; < 1,000 g). Rarely studied are subtle motor deficits that indicate dysfunction or delay in neural systems critical for optimal cognitive, academic, and behavioral function. We aimed to examine quantifiable signs of subtle neuromotor dysfunction in an early school-aged ELBW cohort that coincidentally had age-appropriate cognition and design copying. Method: We studied 97 participants born between 1998 and 2001; 74 ELBW (6.7 years ± 0.75) compared with 23 term-born (6.6 years ± 0.29). Neuromotor outcomes were assessed using the Physical and Neurological Examination of Subtle Signs-Revised, and measures of dexterity/coordination and visual-motor integration. Results: ELBW participants performed worse than term-born on design-copying and dexterity, were age-appropriate compared to normative data, and had slower timed movements and more subtle overflow movements. Those ELBW born <26 weeks performed most poorly compared with those born 26-34 weeks and term-born. Conclusion: Subtle motor dysfunctions are detectable and quantifiable in ELBW children by school age, even in the presence of average cognition. Early age assessment of incoordination, motor speed, and overflow movements should aid initiation of timely therapies to prepare at-risk ELBW children for subsequent school entry and facilitate design of optimal early treatment strategies.
Acute Cholecystitis Caused by Nontoxigenic Vibrio cholerae O1 Inaba

A rare case of acute cholecystitis caused by serogroup O1 Vibrio cholerae in an 83-year-old man is presented. His risk factors for cholecystitis included advanced age and previous abdominal surgeries. The patient had consumed raw oysters several days before presentation. The patient had a poor outcome after admission for this infection, likely due to his underlying illnesses that complicated his hospital course.
Onset of ovulation after menarche in girls: a longitudinal study.

Introduction: Hypothalamic-pituitary axis maturity has been believed to be the rate-limiting step in the development of ovulatory menstrual cycles. We hypothesized that, given current nutritional conditions, hypothalamic-pituitary axis maturation would be relatively rapid in menarcheal girls. Methods: Daily urine and menstrual records were collected for 2 yr each from 10 girls aged 11–13 yr at study entry. Urinary excretion of LH, FSH, estradiol (E1c), and progesterone (Pdg) metabolites was measured using established ELISAs. An objective algorithm detected rises of LH, FSH, E1c, and Pdg consistent with follicular maturation and/or ovulation. Results: Nine of 10 girls enrolled into the study experienced the onset of menarche prior to or during the 2-yr collection period. LH and FSH surges, as well as small amplitude Pdg increments, were observed prior to menarche. Regular, ovulatory-appearing cycles with LH surges and gradually increasing and more sustained Pdg rises were observed over time after menarche,...
Buckwheat: graph reduction on a shared-memory multiprocessor

Buckwheat is a working implementation of a functional language on the Encore Multimax multiprocessor. It is based on a heterogeneous abstract machine model consisting of both graph reduction and stack oriented execution. Buckwheat consists of two major components: a compiler and a run-time system. The task of the compiler is to detect the exploitable parallelism in programs written in ALFL, a conventional functional language. The run-time system supports processor scheduling, dynamic typing and storage management. In this paper we describe the organization, execution model, and scheduling policies of the Buckwheat run-time system. A large number of experiments have been performed and we present the results.
Sequencing Zerovalent Iron Treatment with Carbon Amendments to Remediate Agrichemical-Contaminated Soil

Agrichemical spills and discharges to soil can cause point-source contamination of surface and ground waters. When high contaminant concentrations inhibit natural attenuation in soils, chemical treatments can be used to promote degradation and allow application of treated soils to agricultural lands. This approach was used to remediate soil containing >650 mg atrazine, >170 mg metolachlor and >18,000 mg nitrate kg−1. Results indicated a decrease in metolachlor concentration to 150 mg atrazine and >7000 mg nitrate kg−1 remained. Laboratory experiments confirmed that subsequent additions of sucrose (table sugar) to the chemically pretreated soil promoted further reductions in atrazine and nitrate concentrations. Field-scale results showed that adding 5% (w/w) sucrose to windrowed and pretreated soil significantly reduced atrazine (<38 mg kg−1) and nitrate (<2,100 mg kg−1) concentrations and allowed for land application of the treated soil. These results provide evidence that zerovalent iron in combination with Al2(SO4)3 and sucrose can be used for on-site, field-scale treatment of pesticide- and nitrate-contaminated soil.
And keep on looking: A film to reduce pedestrian crashes among 9 to 12 year olds

A pedestrian safety education film titled And Keep on Looking and aimed at children ages 9 to 12 was evaluated in several cities. The results showed an increase in safe street crossing knowledge among 9- to 12-year-old Connecticut children who viewed the film, and some improvement in safe street crossing behavior among 9- to 12-year-old Seattle, Washington, children. Crash reduction was assessed in a 2-year, citywide field test conducted in Milwaukee. The field test indicated a crash reduction of more than 20% for 9- to 12-year-old children in Milwaukee compared with children in areas surrounding Milwaukee and children in comparison cities.
Forensic Analysis of Accumulation of Rainfall Error in Hydrologic Models

We performed an error budget (i.e., error breakdown) analysis of hydrologic models to understand how error in rainfall accumulated as it propagated from input (rainfall) to various outputs. The analysis was performed with a “forensic” mindset in order to trace the error in each output variable to the error in the input source. Towards that end, we hypothesized that error in rainfall input is a conservable quantity for hydrologic models that honor the principle of conservation of mass. We focused on two types of errors—systematic error and random error—and four hydrologic models of varying levels of complexity. Systematic error and random error in input were found to be insensitive to the relative accumulation of error in the simulation of stream flow and evapotranspiration (ET) for the simplest statistical model. As systematic error increased in rainfall, error accumulated relatively more in stream flow for a linear storage-discharge model, while the proportion of error in ET decreased. This increase was ...
Using MRI for Assessing Velopharyngeal Structures and Function

Objective: Direct visualization of the velopharynx and, in particular, the levator muscle is particularly important in the assessment of velopharyngeal function and normal speech production. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the development of a static and dynamic magnetic resonance imaging protocol for evaluation of velopharyngeal structures and function. Methods: A high-resolution, T2-weighted turbo-spin-echo three-dimensional anatomical scan (sampling perfection with application optimized contrasts using different flip angle evolution) was used to acquire a large field of view covering the velopharyngeal anatomy. Dynamic speech assessment was obtained using a fast-gradient echo, fast low-angle shot, multi-shot spiral technique to acquire 15.8 frames per second (FPS) of the sagittal and oblique coronal image planes. Results: Using a three-dimensional data set, as opposed to two-dimensional data, the full contour of the levator muscle can be appreciated. Dynamic images were obtained at 15.8 FPS...
Tind, Tsu and Tthy form a trimolecular complex encoded within the Tsu locus on chromosome 12 of the mouse.

Greater than 90% of AKR mice spontaneously develop thymic lymphomas by 8–10 months of age (Gross 1977). Thymic leukemia in these mice is caused by mink cell focus-forming (MCF) viruses that arise by recombination between ecotropic and nonecotropic MuLV (Hartley 1977). Although up to 90% of thymocytes in the preleukemic AKR mice may be infected by MCP viruses, as manifested by viral antigen expression, AKR thymomas have been reported to originate from only one clone of thymocytes (Pederson 1980; Chattopadhyay 1982). Therefore, infection and replication of these viruses in an immature thymocyte does not necessarily lead to transformation, and a particular leukemia-susceptible subpopulation of thymocytes may exist which represents the target cells of transformation by these polytropic viruses.
On the Structure, Properties and Utility of Internal Corporate Blogs

Weblogs, or blogs are radically changing the face of communica- tion within enterprises. While at the minimum blogs empower em- ployees to publicly voice opinion and share expertise, coll ectively they improve collaboration and enable internal business intelligence. Though the power of blogs within organizations is well accepted, their properties, structure and utility has not yet been for mally an- alyzed. In this paper, we study the use of blogs within a large cor- poration to reveal some of the interesting characteristics . We pro- pose new techniques to model the reach and impact of posts using the corporate hierarchy. We discuss how such a technique can feed into tools that identify the reach of blog posts, and the emer gence of trends and experts within an organization.
The Analysis of a Game Theoretic MAC Protocol for Wireless Networks

We give a rigorous mathematical analysis of a game-theoretic MAC protocol for wireless networks. We begin with a wireless communication network in which n selfish nodes (agents), which might have different perceived utilities, contend for access on a common wireless communication channel. We first formulate this distributed multiple access problem in terms of a one-shot random access game, and characterize the Nash equilibria of the game. We then look at the asymptotic properties of the system as n rarr infin. When all nodes are identical, the best possible bounds on the rate of convergence of the asymptotic packet arrivals and the channel throughput are given. The analysis of the asymptotic packet arrivals in the heterogeneous case concludes the paper
Interatrial electrical dissociation after catheter-based ablation for atrial fibrillation and flutter.

A 58-year-old man with hypertension and diabetes with recurrent persistent symptomatic atrial fibrillation resistant to sotalol-facilitated cardioversions was referred for ablation. Catheter-based radiofrequency ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation was performed, which consisted of isolation of all 4 pulmonic veins; linear ablations along the left atrial roof; an ablation line from the lateral mitral annulus to the left inferior vein; and ablation of areas with complex fractionated atrial electrograms along the posterior mitral annulus, anterior septum, and base of left atrial appendage. After these ablation lesions, the atrial fibrillation converted to a focal right atrial tachycardia, which was terminated by ablation in the inferior crista terminalis. The patient remained in sinus rhythm after the procedure for 2 weeks but returned with an incessant atrial tachycardia requiring repeat electrophysiological study. Electroanatomic mapping revealed earliest atrial activation in the proximal coronary sinus. Entrainment from the cavotricuspid isthmus returned long postpacing intervals. Postpacing interval identical to tachycardia cycle length was obtained with entrainment from the ostium of the coronary sinus. A linear ablation from the ostium of the coronary sinus to the inferior vena cava terminated tachycardia and rendered the patient noninducible for atrial arrhythmias. Atrial tachycardia recurred after 3 weeks. The patient's antiarrhythmic medication was switched from sotalol to …
Controlling surface plasmons on metallodielectric photonic crystals

Any metal surface will support surface plasmons, or surface waves. These are waves that are evanescent in both the metal and the air, and are confined to the interface between the two media. They cannot propagate into the conductive metal, yet they cannot escape into the air due to total internal reflection. Surface modes occur over a broad range of frequencies spanning from DC up to a cutoff frequency, usually in the ultraviolet. They play an unfortunate role at microwave frequencies, where they can cause unwanted losses in antennas, due to radiation along the surface of the metal ground plane. However, it is possible to create bandgaps in the surface modes using the principles of photonic crystals. This has already been demonstrated at optical frequencies using corrugated silver films. With the advent of wide bandgap, metallodielectric photonic crystals, it is possible to engineer the surface, and eliminate the surface modes over a range of microwave frequencies. In effect, the photonic crystal serves as an artificial metal, capable of filling the role of an antenna ground plane, without the unwanted surface modes.
A numerical procedure for renumbering the nodes of a digital network

An algorithm to renumber the nodes of a computable network to enable easier calculation of node signals is presented. The algorithm uses numerical techniques and is suitable for any order network.
LARGE-SCALE MOVEMENT PATTERNS BETWEEN SONG DIALECTS IN BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS (MOLOTHRUS ATER)

Abstract Extensive past research has attempted to determine whether song dialects represent reproductively isolated social systems, with individuals tending to spend their entire lives in a single dialect. We addressed that issue by analyzing banding data for Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada of California. For 14 years, 1,393 juveniles and 2,568 mature individuals were banded along a 40-km span encompassing three dialects. Of those juvenile and mature birds, 7.9% and 12.1%, respectively, were recaptured in a later year. All classes of mature birds (second-year males, older males, and females) had significantly higher recapture rates than birds banded as juveniles, but there were no differences among the mature classes. Overall, 22.7% of 110 juveniles recaptured in a subsequent year were trapped in a dialect region other than the one in which they were banded, as compared with 8.1% of 310 mature birds. Neither juvenile nor mature birds showed sex-related diff...
Intercomparison of PIXE and ICP‐AES Analyses of Aeolian Dust from Owens (Dry) Lake, California

Particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and ICP-AES can be combined to obtain a wider range of detected elements, augment previous data and/or to verify measured concentrations of heavy and trace metals in geological samples. Intercomparison of data sets generated by multiple techniques is challenging due to the differing processes and methods of each technique. Here, we compare elemental data obtained by both techniques for aeolian dust from Owens (Dry) Lake, California. Nineteen elements were detected by PIXE, sixteen by ICP-AES and ten elements were detected by both techniques. Statistical analyses of data set groupings illustrated which parameters differed significantly between PIXE and ICP-AES. Relative variation (%) showed that PIXE gave higher concentrations than ICP-AES for Al, As, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Ni, Sr, Ti and Zn in all samples. For As, Cu, Sr and Zn, relative variation was variable between the techniques. PIXE detection limits exceeded ICP-AES concentrations for Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Pb and Mo. Low ICP-AES percentage recoveries of Al, Fe, K, Mn and Ti for NIST SRM 2710 indicated incomplete dissolution during digestion (EPA Method 3050B), since elements were bound in silicate structures. Variability between the two data sets is explained by differences between analytical techniques, sample preparation methods and/or variability in sample matrices. Les techniques de fluorescence X induite par particules accelerees (PIXE) et d’ICP-AES peuvent etre combines pour obtenir un plus large eventail d’elements detectes, enrichir les donnees anterieures et/ou pour verifier les concentrations mesurees de metaux lourds et en traces dans des echantillons geologiques. L’inter-comparaison des bases de donnees generees par des techniques multiples est difficile en raison des procedes et methodes propres a chaque technique. Dans ce travail nous comparons les donnees elementaires obtenus par les deux techniques pour les poussieres eoliennes du lac Owens (a sec), situe en Californie. Dix-neuf elements ont ete analyses par PIXE, seize par ICP-AES et dix par les deux techniques. Les analyses statistiques des bases de donnees mettent en evidence les parametres qui different significativement entre le PIXE et l’ICP-AES. La variation relative (%) montre que le PIXE a fourni des concentrations superieures par rapport a l’ICP-AES pour Al, As, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Ni, Sr, Ti et Zn dans tous les echantillons. Pour As, Cu, Sr et Zn, la variation relative est variable entre les deux techniques. Les limites de detection du PIXE depassent les concentrations determinees par l’ICP-AES pour Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Pb et Mo. Le faible pourcentage de recouvrement de l’ICP-AES pour Al, Fe, K, Mn et Ti dans le NIST SRM 2710 indique une dissolution incomplete lors du processus de digestion (methode EPA 3050B), car les elements sont pris dans la structure des silicates. La variabilite entre les deux bases de donnees s’expliquent par les differences entre les techniques analytiques, les methodes de preparation des echantillons et/ou par la variabilite de la matrice des echantillons.
Optimizing fixed targets in organizations through simulation

This paper examines how setting targets in organizations affects decision making. We assume a division acts to maximize the probability of meeting its given target. We use a simulation-based model to quantify the value gap that results from this target-based behavior in relation to utility maximizing behavior. We define an optimal target as one that minimizes the value gap. We investigate the effects of the organization's risk aversion, the number of potential decision alternatives, and the distribution of the alternatives on both the value gap and the optimal target. The distribution of the alternatives is modeled with a copula based method. The results show that the optimal target (i) decreases as the risk aversion increases; (ii) increases as the number of available alternatives increase; and (iii) decreases as the alternatives approach some efficient frontier. We discuss the rationale and implications for the simulation results.
Exploring the Tutte–Martin connection

The Martin polynomial of an oriented Eulerian graph encodes information about families of cycles inthe graph. This paper uses a tran sformationof the Martinpolyn omial that facilitates standard combinatorial manipulations. These manipulations result in several new identities for the Martin polynomial, including a di.erentiation formula. These identities are then applied to get new combinatorial interpretations for valuations of the Martin polynomial, revealing properties of oriented Eulerian graphs. Furthermore, Martin (Thesis, Grenoble, 1977; J. Combin. Theory, Ser. B 24 (1978) 318) and Las Vergnas (Graph Theory and Combinatorics, Research Notes in Mathematics, Vol. 34, Pitman, Boston, 1979; J. Combin. Theory, Ser. B 44 (1988) 367), discovered that if Gm, the medial graph of a connected planar graph G, is givenanappropriate orientation, then m(˜ Gm; x )= t(G; x; x), where m(˜ G; x) is the Martinpolyn omial of anorien ted graph, and t(G; x; y) is the Tutte, or dichromatic, polynomial. This relationship, combined with the new evaluations of the Martin polynomial, reveals some surprising properties of the Tutte polynomial of a planar graph along the diagonal x=y. For small values of x and y that correspond to points where interpretations of the Tutte polynomial are known, this leads to some interesting combinatorial identities, including a new interpretation for the beta invariant of a planar graph. Combinatorial interpretations for some values of the derivatives of t(G; x; x) for a planar graph G are also found.
Online learning of probabilistic appearance manifolds for video-based recognition and tracking

This paper presents an online learning algorithm to construct from video sequences an image-based representation that is useful for recognition and tracking. For a class of objects (e.g., human faces), a generic representation of the appearances of the class is learned off-line. From video of an instance of this class (e.g., a particular person), an appearance model is incrementally learned on-line using the prior generic model and successive frames from the video. More specifically, both the generic and individual appearances are represented as an appearance manifold that is approximated by a collection of sub-manifolds (named pose manifolds) and the connectivity between them. In turn, each sub-manifold is approximated by a low-dimensional linear sub-space while the connectivity is modeled by transition probabilities between pairs of sub-manifolds. We demonstrate that our online learning algorithm constructs an effective representation for face tracking, and its use in video-based face recognition compares favorably to the representation constructed with a batch technique.
Emergency Contraception Knowledge and Prescribing Practices: A Comparison of Primary Care Residents at a Teaching Hospital

Abstract Study Objective: To determine knowledge, opinion, and experience concerning emergency postcoital contraception in primary care physicians who are in training. Design: Cross-sectional survey using a questionnaire survey distributed to primary care specialty housestaff. Setting: Questionnaire surveys were distributed to all active primary care housestaff in training and Obstetrics and Gynecology attendings at the University of Kentucky. Participants: The study surveyed all primary care specialty housestaff. Specialties included family practice (FP), internal medicine (IM), pediatrics (PD), and obstetrics and gynecology (OG). The attending faculty in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OGA) were also surveyed as a comparison group. Main Outcome Measures: Study variables were compared between specialty of training, year of training, and abortion opinion. ANOVA or Student's t tests were used, with statistical significance defined as P Results: The average score on the survey was significantly different based on specialty of training (P value Conclusion: Knowledge and utilization of postcoital contraception is dependent on specialty. Unfortunately, this knowledge does not appear to increase with year of training, suggesting that there is a lack of education during the years of training.
Placing project partakers’ emotions, attitudes and norms in the context of project vision, artifacts, leader values, contextual performance and success

The authors propose a model suggesting that project leader building activities which support instilling a project vision, artifacts and are guided by this individual's values, affect partakers' emotions, attitudes and behavioral norms that are focused on expected project outcomes, termed project spirit. Furthermore, spirit is proposed to affect partakers' contextual performance and, through contextual performance, to affect project success. The proposed mediational model is supported with empirical results from 200 partakers in 63 projects sampled across a variety of organizations. Project leader building activities affected partakers' spirit, and contextual performance mediated this relationship with project success. Our empirical findings suggest that leaders can be trained to execute behaviors that generate a project's spirit, which in turn boosts contextual performance and enhances project outcomes.