cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seismic evidence for a narrow zone of partial melting underlying the East Pacific Rise at 21°N

Analysis of a seismic-refraction profile on the crest of the East Pacific Rise at 21 °N reveals considerable lateral inhomogeneity in the velocity structure. A split profile, of a total length of 120 km, was shot to a tripartite array of ocean-bottom seismometer capsules on or close to the spreading axis. The recorded travel times and amplitudes indicate the presence of a low-velocity zone in the immediate vicinity of the spreading axis, at a depth of about 2.5 km below the sea floor. This low-velocity zone is not evident a few (∼10) kilometres from the axis. Additional structural evidence was obtained from a deployment of the capsules at the intersection of the East Pacific Rise crest with the Rivera Fracture Zone, at 20 °N. A group of small earthquakes was recorded by the seismometers, and, for ray paths traversing or close to the rise crest axis, the shear waves appear to be anomalously attenuated, particularly at shorter periods. While the evidence is not conclusive, it suggests the presence of a shear-attenuative region beneath the rise crest, presumably identical with the low-velocity zone and consistent with the interpretation of this zone as a region of partial melting.
Characteristics of Planar Counter Current Shear Flow in Dump Geometry

Countercurrent shear can be used in engineering applications to control flow structure and mixing. In the present paper a planar countercurrent shear flow is studied numerically using Large Eddy Simulation. Mean flow characteristics at a primary-jet Reynolds number of 14700 are studied for three values of a key parameter, the secondary to primary jet mass flow ratio (ms /mp ), chosen to match reported measurements. The predicted flow results of time averaged flow field, Strouhal number and turbulence characteristics are compared with the experimentally available data. A change in instability modes is observed at mass flow ratios above ms /mp = 0.27 with more than 100% increase in the turbulence levels and distinct changes in spectral characteristics. Detailed spectral records along with landau modeling are used as evidence of existence of self excited global mode beyond a critical velocity ratio in the flow.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Factor structure and predictive validity of somatic and nonsomatic symptoms from the patient health questionnaire-9: a longitudinal study after spinal cord injury

Abstract Krause JS, Reed KS, McArdle JJ. Factor structure and predictive validity of somatic and nonsomatic symptoms from the Patient Health Questionnaire-9: a longitudinal study after spinal cord injury. Objective To investigate the factor structure and predictive validity of somatic and nonsomatic depressive symptoms over the first 2.5 years after spinal cord injury (SCI) using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Design Somatic and nonsomatic symptoms were assessed at baseline during inpatient hospitalization (average of 50 days after onset) and during 2 follow-ups (average of 498 and 874 days after onset). Setting Data were collected at a specialty hospital in the Southeastern United States and analyzed at a medical university. We performed time-lag regression between inpatient baseline and follow-up somatic and nonsomatic latent factors of the PHQ-9. Participants Adults with traumatic SCI (N=584) entered the study during inpatient rehabilitation. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure PHQ-9, a 9-item measure of depressive symptoms. Results The inpatient baseline nonsomatic latent factor was significantly predictive of the nonsomatic ( r =.40; P =.000) and somatic latent factors at the second follow-up ( r =.29; P =.006), whereas the somatic factor at inpatient baseline did not significantly predict either factor. In contrast, when regressing latent factors between the 2 follow-ups, the nonsomatic factor predicted only the nonsomatic factor ( r =.66; P =.002), and the somatic factor predicted only future somatic symptoms ( r =.66; P =.000). In addition, the factor structure was not stable over time. Item analysis verified the instability of somatic items between inpatient baseline and follow-up and also indicated that self-harm at inpatient baseline was highly predictive of future self-harm. Conclusions Nonsomatic symptoms are better predictors of future depressive symptoms when first assessed during inpatient rehabilitation, whereas somatic symptoms become stable predictors only after inpatient rehabilitation. Self-harm (suicidal ideation) is the most stable symptom over time. Clinicians should routinely assess for suicidal ideation and use nonsomatic symptoms when performing assessments during inpatient rehabilitation.
Predicting duration of stay in a pediatric intensive care unit: A Markovian approach

Abstract Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) scores representing the intensity of illness are utilized to study the dynamics of the movement of patients in pediatric intensive care. The flow of patients is modeled as a discrete time Markov process. The course of treatment and length of stay in the intensive care is described as a sequence of ‘Low’, ‘Medium’ and ‘High’ severity of illness states rather than by a string of services and scores. The Markovian model well reproduces the shape of data and the strength of the methodology lies in its generalizability to settings where patient’s length of stay and utilization of resources is highly correlated.
Got predictability?: experiences with fault-tolerant middleware

Unpredictability in COTS-based systems often manifests as occasional instances of uncontrollably-high response times. A particular category of COTS systems, fault-tolerant (FT) middleware, is used in critical enterprise and embedded applications where predictability is of paramount importance. Our prior empirical study, which used a client-server microbenchmark, suggested that hard bounds for the maximum latency are hard to establish a priori, but that the unpredictability may be confined to less than 1% of the requests. In this paper, we present empirical data, from 7 different three-tier, FT-middleware applications, that shows strong evidence supporting this "magical 1%" hypothesis. We conducted a controlled experiment with 7 teams of students from a graduate-level course at Carnegie Mellon University. Each team, starting from a common three-tier architecture, independently implemented and evaluated an original application using middleware (either CORBA or EJB) and a custom-implemented fault-tolerance mechanism (relying on either state-machine or primary-backup replication) for the middle-tier server. This experiment shows that unpredictability may not be avoidable, even in the absence of faults, and that, in some cases, the random latency outliers are larger than the time needed to recover from a fault. The data also reveals a statistically-significant result that, across all 7 applications, unpredictability is confined to the highest 1% of the recorded end-to-end latencies and is not correlated with the request rate, the size of messages exchanged or the number of clients. This suggests that strict predictability is hard to achieve in FT-middleware systems and that developers of critical FT applications should focus on guaranteeing bounds for statistical measures, such as the 99th percentile of the latency.
The efficacy of Web-based cognitive behavioral interventions for chronic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Our objective was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the efficacy of web-based cognitive behavioral interventions for the treatment of patients with chronic pain. MEDLINE and other databases were searched as data sources. Reference lists were examined for other relevant articles. We included 11 studies that evaluated the effects of web-based interventions on chronic pain using specific scales of pain. The pooled effect size (standardized mean difference between intervention versus waiting-list group means) from a random effects model was .285 (95% confidence interval: .145–.424), favoring the web-based intervention compared with the waiting-list group, although the effect was small. In addition, these results were not driven by any particular study, as shown by sensitivity analysis. Results from funnel plot argue against publication bias. Finally, the average dropout rate was 26.6%. In our meta-analysis, we demonstrate a small effect of web-based interventions, when using pain scale as the main outcome. Despite the minor effects and high dropout rates, the decreased costs and minor risk of adverse effects compared with pharmacological treatments support additional studies in chronic pain patients using web-based interventions. Further studies will be important to confirm the effects and determine the best responders to this intervention. Perspective Our findings suggest that web-based interventions for chronic pain result in small pain reductions in the intervention group compared with waiting-list control groups. These results advance the field of web-based cognitive behavioral interventions as a potential therapeutic tool for chronic pain and can potentially help clinicians and patients with chronic pain by decreasing treatment costs and side effects.
Hydrology, geomorphology and vegetation of Coastal Plain rivers in the south-eastern USA.

Rivers of the coastal plain of the south-eastern USA are characteristically low-gradient meandering systems that develop broad floodplains subjected to frequent and prolonged flooding. These floodplains support a relatively unique forested wetland (bottomland hardwoods), which have received considerable ecological study, but distinctly less hydrogeomorphological study. The hydroperiod, or annual period of inundation, largely controls the development of characteristic fluvial landforms, sediment deposition and vegetation distribution patterns. Order-of-magnitude differences in wetted perimeter, width/depth, suspended sediment load and hydraulic roughness may exist between ‘dry’ in-channel seasons and the hydroperiod. Substantial sediment (and adsorbed contaminants) retention and storage through lateral and vertical accretion is common (where not heavily impacted by flow regulation) along these Coastal Plain rivers. The present chapter summarizes our current understanding of the hydrology, fluvial geomorphology, general and local sedimentation patterns, and related plant ecological patterns of these Coastal Pplain bottomlands.
Social contracts in wasp societies

THE stability of social groups requires that conflicts among group members somehow be resolved. Recent models predict that sub-ordinates may be allowed limited reproduction by dominant colony-mates as an inducement to stay and aid dominants1– For such 'social contracts' to be evolutionarily stable, attempted reproductive cheating by dominants must be punishable3. In the eusocial paper wasp, Polistes fuscatus, subordinate queens that co-found nests with dominant queens usually disappear after the first workers emerge, so subordinates lay most of their reproductive-destined eggs just before worker emergence. Thus subordinates should be very sensitive to reproductive cheating during the latter period but relatively insensitive when worker-destined eggs are laid. Here we find in a series of egg-removal experiments designed to mimic egg-eating that subordinates do not change their aggressiveness when worker-destined eggs are removed, but that they greatly increase their aggression when reproductive-destined eggs are removed, especially when the queens are of similar size.
The Isolation and Preliminary Study of Some Physiological Characteristics of the Predominating Flora from the Rumen of Cattle and Sheep

Summary 1.New techniques for studying the microbiology of the rumen are described. These include a direct slide count technique, a cultural procedure for isolating the predominating flora, a method for obtaining a sample under anaerobic conditions, and methods for the determination of urea utilization and cellulose digestion by the predominating bacteria. 2.The direct slide count technique made use of nigrosine, a negative stain, which reduced to a minimum inaccuracies caused by artifacts. 3.When good cultural conditions prevailed and a fistulated animal was used, slide and cultural counts agreed closely. Material obtained by stomach tube gave consistently lower bacterial counts than samples taken directly from a rumen fistula. To isolate the predominating flora, the most important feature of the cultural technique was the maintenance of anaerobic conditions from the time of sampling until growth was obtained. A rich organic medium with a pH of 6.0 was used and cultures were incubated at 38° C. 4.It was shown by these methods that bacteria are present in the rumen contents of both sheep and cattle in numbers of about 100 billion per gram of fresh material. 5.Bacteria isolated from the highest dilutions of rumen contents from both sheep and cattle were tested for their ability to utilize urea and break down cellulose, and many of these cultures proved capable of performing these functions in vitro. 6.A few of the bacteria isolated from the highest dilutions of rumen contents were studied and were found to be mostly Gram-positive, non-motile anaerobic rods. A small number of cocci were cultured.
A Numerical Study of the Heat Transfer Rate in a Helical Static Mixer

In chemical processing industries, heating, cooling and other thermal processing of viscous fluids are an integral part of the unit operations. Static mixers are often used in continuous mixing, heat transfer, and chemical reactions applications. In spite of wide spread usage, the flow physics of static mixers is not fully understood. For a given application, besides experimentation, the modern approach to resolve this is to use powerful computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools to study static mixer performance. This paper extends a previous study by the authors on an industrial helical static mixer and investigates heat transfer and mixing mechanisms within a helical static mixer. A three-dimensional finite volume simulation is used to study the performance of the mixer. The effects of different flow conditions on the performance of the mixer are studied. Heat transfer rates for a flow in a pipe containing no mixer is compared to that with a helical static mixer.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Sputtered ammonium dinitramide: Tandem mass spectrometry of a new ionic nitramine

The recently synthesized ammonium dinitramide (ADN) is an ionic compound containing the ammonium ion and a new oxide of nitrogen, the dinitramide anion (O2NNNO2−). ADN has been investigated using high-energy xenon atoms to sputter ions directly from the surface of the neat crystalline solid. Tandem mass spectrometric techniques were used to study dissociation pathways and products of the sputtered ions. Among the sputtered ionic products were NH4+, NO+, NO2−, N2O2−, N2O, N3O4− and an unexpected high abundance of NO3−. Tandem mass spectra of the dinitramide anion reveal the uncommon situation where a product ion (NO3−) is formed in high relative abundance from metastable parent ions but is formed in very low relative abundance from collisionally activated parent ions. It is proposed that the nitrate anion is formed in the gas phase by a rate-determining isomerization of the dinitramide anion that proceeds through a four-centered transition state. The formation of the strong gas-phase acid, dinitraminic acid (HN3O4), the conjugate acid of the dinitramide anion, was observed to occur by dissociation of protonated ADN and by dissociation of ADN aggregate ions with the general formula [NH4(N(NO2)2)n] NH4+, where n = 1–30.
Introduction: Applied Anthropologists in Aging

The idea for this special section came out of discussions with the editor of this journal and Madelyn Iris who convened a special interest group at the 1997 SfAA meetings in Seattle. Dr. Iris is well-known to practicing anthropologists through her long association with SfAA and with NAPA and in the anthropology of disabilities. With the regular participation of the Association for Aging and Gerontology (AAGE) at SfAA meetings, it seemed timely to survey the field for the readers of Practicing Anthropology. For me (Rodin), my connection to the field has been a bit tenuous the last few years, but it seemed a good way to meet and reacquaint with colleagues of similar interests.
Soft matter interfaces beamline at NSLS-II: geometrical ray-tracing vs. wavefront propagation simulations

We report on the implications of the design of a Soft Matter Interfaces beamline, a long energy range canted in-vacuum undulator (IVU) beamline at National Synchrotron Light Source II, based on comparison of geometrical ray-tracing and partially coherent x-ray wavefront propagation simulation software packages, namely, SHADOW and Synchrotron Radiation Workshop (SRW). For SHADOW, we employed an SRW-generated source file which simulated spectralangular distribution and apparent source characteristics of radiation produced by a 2.8 m long IVU with a 23 mm period and allowed us to realistically estimate the beam intensity at the sample positions. We highlight the necessity to use realistic mirror surface profiles with expected slope errors as opposed to “standard” built-in SHADOW surface error options. The beamline performances at three different x-ray photon energies: 20358 eV, 10778 eV, and 2101 eV, under different focusing conditions, have been studied. We compare beamline simulations performed with both software packages. In particular, we stress that the neglect of wavefront diffraction effects in geometrical ray-tracing approach results in significant discrepancies in beam spot size and beam shape, the correct assessments of which are crucial in determining the future performance of an instrument.
Maintenance standard overview - for non-utilities

A collection of slides from the author's conference presentation is given. The areas/topics discussed include: Electrical Protective Equipment Rule; Maintenance Standard Applicability; Relationship to Electrical Safety Related Work; Practices (Subpart S); and Highlights of Each Section.
Fisher's “Scale-Book”: An Early Attempt at Educational Measurement

The authors report on the discovery of a 19th century document that illustrates an early example of educational measurement. The text, copied from the original in the British Museum, is presented in its entirety in the article.
Polyester Dendritic Systems for Drug Delivery Applications: Design, Synthesis, and Characterization

Attachment of drugs to high molecular weight polymers can significantly improve both tumor targeting and therapeutic efficacy due to the enhanced permeability and retention effect observed in tumor tissue. However, the commercial availability of well-defined water-soluble polymeric systems with narrow polydispersities that are biocompatible, nontoxic, and nonimmunogenic is rather limited. To address this need, we have investigated dendritic polymers as promising scaffolds for the preparation of new soluble polymeric drug carriers due to their well-defined molecular architecture and their multiplicity of surface sites. Herein we show the design and synthesis of dendritic polyester systems based on the monomer unit 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propanoic acid as a possible versatile drug carrier. The potent anticancer drug doxorubicin was attached via a pH-sensitive linkage to one of the carriers presented, demonstrating the feasibility of using these polyester dendritic structures to prepare a viable polymer-drug conjugate.
Thermal decomposition of energetic materials 35 A mechanism study of decomposition and the ignition-like transition in trinitromethyl alkyl compounds

Chemical features of the mechanism of the apparent transition from decomposition to deflagration frequently observed in compounds containing the trinitromethyl group have been elucidated by using rapid-scan FTIR spectroscopy with temperature profiling as a function of pressure. The compounds studied were [(NO2)3CCH2O]xCH44−x, x = 2–4 (TEFO, TNEOF, TNEOC, respectively). TEFO, TNEOF, and TNEOC were studied in the most detail. They melt 40°C or more below the decomposition point when rapidly heated (70°–200°C/s). The first detected thermolysis step is homolysis of a few CCO2 bonds per molecule liberating NO2(g). The temperature at which this occurs at 15 psi Ar is TEFO (145°C) < TNEOF (180°C) < TNEOC (200°C), which is consistent with CC bond scission also occuring in the condensed phase. The resultant residue exotherms in a narrow temperature range (230°–250°C) irrespective of the static pressure (15–1000 psi Ar) or the orginal sample. This indicates that the ignition-like step involves the residue alone in the condensed phase without participation of the initially released NO2(g).
Experience with atypical mycobacterial infection in the deep structures of the hand

Two new cases of atypical mycobacterium infections of the deep structures are reported. With two reported previously by the authors and a review of 24 others recorded by others, the symptoms and signs are reviewed. Typically it occurs in the middle-aged person, some of whom give a history of a puncture wound within 6 weeks of onset of symptoms. Synovium in the finger is involved commonly and carpal tunnel syndrome may be the result of involvement of the bursae. Fever does not occur and no systemic signs are present. Biopsy and cultures are essential for diagnosis, but a presumptive diagnosis indicates that, after synovectomy, treatment should be started with antituberculous drugs, isoniazid with ethambutol, Rifampin, or both and continued for 18 to 24 months, unless in vitro sensitivity tests indicate a change of medication. The usual organisms are M. kansasii, M. marinum, M. intracellulare , and M. avium .
Sensitivity of air quality simulation to smoke plume rise

Plume rise is the height smoke plumes can reach. This information is needed by air quality models such as the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model to simulate physical and chemical processes of point-source fire emissions. This study seeks to understand the importance of plume rise to CMAQ air quality simulation of prescribed burning to plume rise. CMAQ simulations are compared between fire emissions as area and point sources. For point source, Daysmoke is used to calculate plume rise. A burn day in Florida is examined. The results indicate significant sensitivity of simulated PM2.5 (particulate matter with a size smaller than 2.5 µm) concentrations to plume rise. The air quality effects, measured by PM2.5 concentrations at the burning area, are more significant by specifying fire emissions as an area source. The implication of the results for the uncertainty in evaluating the contribution of prescribed burning to regional air pollution is discussed.
A community college blended learning classroom experience through Artificial Intelligence in Games

We report on the experience of teaching an industry-validated course on Artificial Intelligence in Computer Games within the Simulation and Game Design department at a two-year community college during a 16-week semester. The course format used a blended learning just-in-time teaching approach, which included active learning programming exercises and one-on-one student interactions. Moskal's Attitudes Toward Computer Science survey showed a positive and significant increase in students in both interest (W(10) = 25, p = 0.011) and professional (W(10) = 49.5, p = 0.037) constructs. The Felder-Soloman Index of Learning Styles (n = 14) failed to identify any statistically significant differences in learning styles when compared to a four-year CS1 class. In the final class evaluation, 8 out of 13 students (62%) strongly or very strongly preferred the blended learning approach. We validated this course through four semi-structured interviews with game companies. The interview results suggest that companies are strongly favorable to the course content and structure. The results of this work serve as a template that community colleges can adopt for their curriculum.
The effect of correlation of inhomogeneous environmental shifts on Raman depolarization ratio dispersion

The magnitude and sense of correlation between the inhomogeneous broadening distributions of two neighboring electronic states is shown to have a significant effect on the dispersion of the depolarization ratio, ρ, for Raman scattered radiation. To examine this effect quantitatively we treat numerically a model in which two electronic excitations with mutually perpendicular transition dipole orientations are represented by shifted one-dimensional harmonic potentials. The inhomogeneous broadening is treated in the static limit as a Gaussian fluctuation in each of the two electronic origins. The correlation of these shifts is treated as a variable with the fully correlated and fully anti-correlated limits spanning the uncorrelated case. It is shown that the degree of correlation (and its sign) strongly influences the value of the depolarization ratio in some cases which should be amenable to experimental study. Three cases are treated which differ in the separation of the electronic origins of the two state...
The relationship between the CuO bond length and Tc in the superconducting series La1.85 − xSr0.15NdxCuO4

Abstract We have examined the relationship between variations in the CuO bond length and the superconducting critical temperature in the series (La1.85 − xNdx)Sr0.15CuO4. Comparing lattice constants determined from X-ray diffraction, and resistivity determined by four-probe resistance, we see that the maximum in Tc does not correspond to the minimum CuO bond length. We conclude that the CuO bond distance is not the only variable which affects Tc in this system.
Maturation of bacteriophage P2 DNA

Abstract Sedimentation analysis of phage DNA synthesized in cells infected with P2 head mutant phage under nonpermissive conditions was used to determine which P2 head genes are required for phage DNA maturation in vivo . Five of the six known P2 head genes are required for P2 DNA maturation: genes Q, P, O, N, and M. When head assembly is blocked by a mutation in any one of those genes, P2 DNA accumulates in the form of covalently closed circular molecules. Mutations in the remaining known P2 head gene, L, do not affect phage DNA maturation. In vitro complementation studies indicate that DNA-containing heads which can be completed in vitro to produce infectious phage are synthesized in P2 L − infection. This synthesis of filled heads and normal pattern of DNA maturation in the absence of functional L gene product suggest that the product of P2 gene L functions after DNA encapsulation has already occurred.
Organic barn dust extract exposure impairs porcine macrophage function in vitro: Implications for respiratory health

Respiratory diseases are responsible for a significant amount of animal morbidity and mortality in the swine industry, including the majority of nursery and grower/finisher deaths. Innate immunity, including the maintenance of lung macrophage health and function, is an important defense mechanism against respiratory pathogens and their associated losses. Chronic exposure of swine industry workers to airborne barn dust results in significant predisposition to airway diseases and impairment of alveolar macrophage (AMφ) function. Because of their importance in maintaining normal respiratory function, this study was designed to evaluate the impact of barn dust on swine macrophages. As measures of macrophage function, we evaluated the activation of NF-κB, cytokine production, cell surface marker expression and the phagocytic and antibacterial capabilities of porcine macrophages after in vitro exposure to an organic swine barn dust extract (ODE). ODE treatment induced AMφ secretion of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting a complex activation profile. Additionally, ODE induced expression of genes (TLR2, NOD2) involved in sensing Gram-positive bacteria, a major component of barn dust. ODE exposure also enhanced the expression of several cell surface markers of activation, including a receptor for the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. Moreover, two key functions of AMϕ, phagocytosis and bacterial killing, were impaired after exposure to ODE. Treatment with ODE for the first 72 h of differentiation also inhibited the ability of monocyte-derived macrophages to translocate NF-κB to the nucleus following endotoxin stimulation. Taken together, these results demonstrate, for the first time, that organic dust extract exposure negatively affects pig macrophage activation and function, potentially enhancing host susceptibility to a variety of respiratory infections.
A NEW GENUS AND SPECIES OF SPHENODONTIAN FROM THE GHOST RANCH COELOPHYSIS QUARRY (UPPER TRIASSIC: APACHEAN), ROCK POINT FORMATION, NEW MEXICO, USA

Abstract: We document here a new taxon of sphenodontian, Whitakersaurus bermani gen. et sp. nov., that is also the most complete sphenodontian fossil from the Upper Triassic Chinle Group in the south-western USA and the first Chinle sphenodontian represented by more than a single fragmentary dentulous element. The holotype was recovered during preparation of block C-8-82 from the famous Coelophysis (Whitaker) quarry at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, and is the most complete small vertebrate recovered from the quarry. Detailed lithostratigraphy and geologic mapping demonstrate that the Whitaker quarry is in the Rock Point Formation of the Chinle Group, so Whitakersaurus is the first sphenodontian reported from this unit. Records of the phytosaur Redondasaurus at the quarry and elsewhere in the Chinle Group demonstrate that the quarry, and thus Whitakersaurus, is of Apachean (late Norian–Rhaetian) age. The sphenodontian specimen consists of incomplete left and right dentaries, a partial left? maxilla?, and impressions of a probable palatal element, all of which preserve multiple teeth. Whitakersaurus is distinct from other sphenodontians in possessing a unique combination of the following features: marginal dentition pleurodont anteriorly and posteriorly acrodont; pronounced heterodonty in dentary, with as many as 15 smaller, peg-like teeth anteriorly and several larger, posterior teeth that are conical and striated; faint radial ornamentation of posterior tooth crowns; presence of c. 19 dentary teeth; and absence of a distinct flange on posterior teeth. Numerous other details distinguish it from both more primitive and more derived taxa. Whitakersaurus, therefore, helps to document further mosaic evolution and an extensive diversification event of sphenodontians during Triassic time. Although sphenodontian taxa are relatively easily recognized, widely distributed, and common small- or microvertebrate fossils, the long stratigraphic ranges of taxa known from multiple specimens hinders their utility as index fossils with which to correlate strata across Pangaea.
Mass car ownership in the emerging market giants

The typical urban household in China owns a TV, a refrigerator, a washing machine, and a computer, but does not yet own a car. In this paper, we draw on data for a panel of countries and detailed household level surveys for the largest emerging markets to document a remarkably stable relationship between GDP per capita and car ownership, highlighting the importance of within-country income distribution factors: we find that car ownership is low up to per capita incomes of about US$5000 and then takes off very rapidly. Several emerging markets, including India and China, the most populous countries in the world, are currently at the stage of development when such takeoff is expected to take place. We project that the number of cars will increase by 2.3 billion between 2005 and 2050, with an increase by 1.9 billion in emerging market and developing countries. We outline a number of possible policy options to deal with the implications for the countries affected and the world as a whole. — Marcos Chamon, Paolo Mauro and Yohei Okawa
Toward general diagnosis of static errors

We introduce a general way to locate programmer mistakes that are detected by static analyses such as type checking. The program analysis is expressed in a constraint language in which mistakes result in unsatisfiable constraints. Given an unsatisfiable system of constraints, both satisfiable and unsatisfiable constraints are analyzed, to identify the program expressions most likely to be the cause of unsatisfiability. The likelihood of different error explanations is evaluated under the assumption that the programmer's code is mostly correct, so the simplest explanations are chosen, following Bayesian principles. For analyses that rely on programmer-stated assumptions, the diagnosis also identifies assumptions likely to have been omitted. The new error diagnosis approach has been implemented for two very different program analyses: type inference in OCaml and information flow checking in Jif. The effectiveness of the approach is evaluated using previously collected programs containing errors. The results show that when compared to existing compilers and other tools, the general technique identifies the location of programmer errors significantly more accurately.
A continuous sensor to measure acoustic waves in plates

An active fiber composite tape with segmented electrodes was modeled for use as a continuous sensor for structural health monitoring of plate structures. The material has unidirectional piezoceramic fibers with interdigital electrodes on the top and bottom surfaces and is poled in the fiber direction. The elastic response of a plate with the modeled sensor was computed in closed form at small time steps, and the coupled piezoceramic constitutive equations were solved. Wave propagation responses and the corresponding sensor voltages were computed in the simulations. The simulations indicate that the continuous sensor can detect damage to the plate based upon high frequency wave propagation characteristics. A continuous sensor comprised of monolithic piezoceramic patches was built and tested to measure simulated acoustic emissions on panel structures. The monolithic patches were used to simplify fabrication of the sensor. The sensor detected simulated acoustic emissions in a fiberglass panel using only one ...
The effects of residual spatial magnetic field gradients on fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance spectra

Abstract In this paper, theoretical expressions for the shifts in the FTICR eigenfrequencies and for the spectral broadening due to residual spatial magnetic field inhomogeneities are calculated. Modulation effects are analyzed and upper limits for the mass-resolving powers in the presence of different types of field gradients are derived. Numerical estimates of all results are computed for a typical 4.7 Tesla cryo-shimmed supercon magnet. It is found that residual radial gradients give rise to detectable, mass-dependent cyclotron frequency shifts. Further, they introduce unmodulated spectral broadenings which limit the mass-resolving power to about 108, independent of pressure. For better resolution, additional room-temperature shims are mandatory. x andy gradients shift the cyclotron frequency and can reduce the trapping time of accelerated ions to a few seconds unless they are balanced electrostatically. They also reduce the trapping time of thermal ions in electromagnets. Residualz gradients are of negligible importance. For ultra-high resolution experiments both the guiding-center radius and the spread in the cyclotron radii are of crucial importance. Methods for minimizing them are derived. Finally, from the theoretical results of this paper, improved techniques for FTICR shimming and for ultra-high resolution measurements are developed.
Photoluminescence Characterization of Inp-Based Hemt Structures

InP-based lattice matched high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) structures have been characterized by liquid nitrogen temperature photoluminescence. A phenomenological line shape model has been utilized to fit photoluminescence spectra in order to obtain key parameters, such as the subband energies and transition amplitudes. From transition amplitude ratios and sub-band energies, fundamental quantum well characteristics are inferred. Changes in these parameters are linked to variations in the growth conditions of the epitaxial layer structures.
Proximity of the Posterior Interosseous Nerve During Cortical Button Guidewire Placement for Distal Biceps Tendon Reattachment

Purpose To assess the distance between the posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) and a distally and ulnarly directed guide pin for placement of a cortical button to reattach a distal biceps tendon. Methods We used 10 fresh frozen cadaveric upper limbs without deformities and identified the PIN through a dorsal approach. We performed a single incision anterior surgical approach, detached the biceps tendon, and drilled a 1.6-mm K-wire from the base of the biceps tendon insertion in 3 different trajectories, sequentially, measuring the following drilling angles: 30° distal and 30° ulnar, 30° ulnar, and 30° distal. In each testing scenario, we measured the minimum distance in millimeters between the tip of the K-wire and the PIN using a digital caliper through the dorsal incision. Results The mean and median distances from the guide wire to the PIN in each testing trajectory were each significantly different from each other, with the 30° ulnar direction leading to the greatest distance from the nerve. Conclusions We found that the 30° ulnar drilling direction resulted in a significantly greater distance from the guide wire to the PIN, in comparison with the distal-ulnar and the distal-only trajectories. Clinical relevance This study helps define the safe trajectory for guide wire placement in bicortical fixation of distal biceps tendon injuries.
Idealized steady state interaction between railway vehicle and track

AbstractThere are two types of distinct periodic dynamic waves in the history of the wheel/rail contact force. The first is caused by the variation in overall track stiffness owing to the effect of tie spacing. The second is caused by the travelling motion of the wheel and the oscillations of discrete supports. In the present train speed range these dynamic forces are usually less than 5 per cent of the static load, except that the coupled wheel/track resonant frequencies are excited at some speeds. The resonant forces due to discrete supports may be larger than 5 per cent of the static load in some cases. The magnitude of the resonant force mainly depends on the unsprung mass, tie spacing, vehicle primary and track ballast damping, rail stiffness and the stiffness on each support.
Cyclic AMP induction of early adenovirus promoters involves sequences required for E1A trans-activation

Abstract Early in adenovirus infection, the E1A (early region 1A) oncogene products trans-activate the other early viral transcription units, as well as some cellular promoters. The mechanism by which E1A elicits its activity is still unknown. In this report, I show that the adenovirus E2a and E3 promoters are cAMP inducible in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells and that this activation requires the presence of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase II. Using deletion mutants of the E2a promoter, it was found that the sequence TACGTCAT located between positions -70 and -77 is involved in both the cAMP response and the E1A trans-activation. Also, in the mutant PC12 cell line A126-2B, which lacks the cAMP-dependent protein kinase II, E1A is still able to activate E2a and E3 promoters. This suggests that E1A products may circumvent the lack of the kinase by activating an alternative signal transduction pathway, which could mimic the effect of agonists of adenylate cyclase. I propose that E1A is capable of modifying by phosphorylation, either directly or indirectly, the transcription factor that binds the ACGTCA motif. Such a factor, termed ATF (adenovirus transcription factor), has already been characterized and appears to have strong similarities to the transcriptional factor CREB (cAMP responsive element binding protein), which binds homologous sequences in cAMP responsive genes, such as somatostatin and c-fos.
Propagation of ''heat'' in hadronic matter

We investigate the space-time evolution of a local excitation in hadronic matter (h.m.) in connection with the establishment of local thermodynamical equilibrium as assumed in statistical and hydrodynamical models. After a critical discussion of the concept of instantaneous equilibrium, we point out that peripheral reactions are a particularly useful source of information for the study of the fate of an excitation in h.m. We consider a local excitation ("hot spot") corresponding to a pre-equilibrium phase and which is created in peripheral inelastic reactions with ${m}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}\ensuremath{\ll}q\ensuremath{\ll}{p}_{i}$, where ${p}_{i}$ is the incoming momentum of the projectile and $q$ the momentum transfer. By solving the diffusion equation we obtain the distribution of the temperature field in the excited target (projectile) and compute all the relevant physical quantities such as average momenta of secondaries, multiplicities, and mass and energy distributions in semi-inclusive peripheral reactions. It turns out that these quantities have a pronounced angular dependence leading to an asymmetry in these observables. The measurement of this asymmetry can provide information on the constants of h.m. We also discuss how large-${p}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}$ events observed in the CERN ISR energy range might be due to pre-equilibrium emission in close analogy to pre-equilibrium nuclear decay.
Identity criteria and ground

I propose formulating identity criteria as generic statements of ground, thereby avoiding objections that have been made to the more usual formulations.
The role of sirtuins in Alzheimer's disease.

Sirtuins are highly conserved NAD+-dependent enzymes that were shown to have beneficial effects against age-related diseases. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder associated with aging and the effects of sirtuins on AD have been investigated using different mouse and cell culture models. In most of these studies, it has been found that the overexpression of SIRT1 has protective effects against the AD phenotype. Therefore, designing therapeutics based on SIRT1 activity might be important to investigate treatment methods for this disease. In this review, we summarize the recent research regarding the roles of sirtuins and their potential roles in designing therapeutics for AD.
A hemisphere array for non-invasive ultrasound brain therapy and surgery

Ultrasound phased arrays may offer a method for non-invasive deep brain surgery through the skull. In this study a hemispherical phased array system is developed to test the feasibility of trans-skull surgery. The hemispherical shape is incorporated to maximize the penetration area on the skull surface, thus minimizing unwanted heating. Simulations of a 15 cm radius hemisphere divided into 11, 64, 228 and 512 elements are presented. It is determined that 64 elements are sufficient for correcting scattering and reflection caused by trans-skull propagation. An optimal operating frequency near 0.7 MHz is chosen for the array from numerical and experimental thermal gain measurements comparing the power between the transducer focus and the skull surface. A 0.665 MHz air-backed PZT array is constructed and evaluated. The array is used to focus ultrasound through an ex vivo human skull and the resulting fields are measured before and after phase correction of the transducer elements. Finally, to demonstrate the feasibility of trans-skull therapy, thermally induced lesions are produced through a human skull in fresh tissue placed at the ultrasound focus inside the skull.
Behavior therapy for a 75-year-old woman with chronic motor tic disorder

Chronic tic disorders are neuropsychiatric conditions characterized by the presence of motor or phonic tics that can cause distress and impairment. Although tic symptoms have been historically managed with psychotropic medications, behavior therapy presents an efficacious treatment option that is unaccompanied by concerns of medication management (e.g., side effects, drug–drug interactions and medication adherence). Previous case reports and randomized controlled trials have emphasized behavioral treatments in youth and adults, with minimal attention directed toward geriatric patient populations. We present the successful treatment of a 75-year-old woman with chronic motor tic disorder and describe how a manualized behavior therapy (Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics) was tailored to address the chronic symptom presentation relevant to geriatric patients with tics.
Thermal redistribution of boron implants in bulk silicon and SOS type structures

The redistribution of boron profiles in bulk silicon and SOS (silicon-on-sapphire) type structures is investigated in this paper. Experimental data on thermally redistributed profiles are correlated with predictions based on a computer program whose numerical algorithm was described in an earlier paper. Three cases were considered which involved the thermal redistribution of 1) a high dose (2×1015 and 5×1014 cm−2) 80keV boron implant in (111) bulk silicon, in an oxidizing ambient of steam at 1000°, 1100°, and 1200°C, respectively; 2) a high dose (2.3×1015 cm−2) 25 keV boron implant in (100) silicon-on-sapphire, in a nonoxidizing ambient of nitrogen at 1000 °C; and 3) a low dose (3.2×1012 cm−2) 150 keV boron implant in (100) bulk silicon, in oxidizing and nonoxidizing ambients that make up the fabrication schedule of an-channel enhancement mode device. For all three cases the overall correlation of computer predictions with experimental data was excellent. Correlations with experimental data based on SUPREM predictions are also included.
Immunogenic properties of nondisrupted and disrupted spherules of Coccidioides immitis in mice.

The immunogenicity for mice of the spherule-endospore phase of Coccidioides immitis was investigated in respect of the duration of immune response and the stability, locus, and specificity of the antigens. Formalinized vaccine retained potency during 20 months' storage at 4°C in the presence of formalin or after treatment with chloroform. Induced immunity did not decline during a 97-day interval between vaccination and challenge and was effective against lethal challenge with an heterologous strain of C. immitis. Nonspecific resistance to Cryptococcus neoformans or Pseudomonas (Malleomyces) pseudomallei was not induced by vaccination. Immunogenicity resided primarily, but not exclusively, in the wall structure of disrupted spherules; some activity was demonstrable in the soluble protoplasmic moiety by the use of an adjuvant. A procedure for disrupting the spherules and isolating distinguishable wall fragments is described.
Mechanism of action of fire ant (Solenopsis) venoms. I. Lytic release of histamine from mast cells

Abstract N. K. Lind . Mechanism of action of fire ant ( Solenopsis ) venoms. I. Lytic release of histamine from mast cells. Toxicon 20, 831–840, 1982.—The mechanism of histamine release from rat mast cells by whole venom from Solenopsis geminata and S. invicta or by 2-methyl-6-undecylpiperidine HCl (C11) was investigated. Histamine release stimulated by one or more of these agents (1) occurred in normal and metabolically inactivated cells, (2) had a biphasic time course in normal and inactivated cells, (3) was temperature dependent and did not occur at 0°C, (4) was accompanied by concomitant cytoplasmic enzyme release, (5) was accomplished by substantial cell swelling, and (6) was correlated with a loss of cell refractility in phase contrast microscopy. These results indicate that C11 causes initial permeability changes in the plasma membrane followed by lytic release of histamine and other cell components. The nonspecific nature of this action of the dialkylpiperidine component of the venoms provides the fire ants with a defense of general applicability.