cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ANTI–DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COALITION PRACTICE: THEORIZING COLLABORATION AND PARTICIPATION

The persistence of domestic violence continues to be a significant social problem throughout the world. In the United States, approximately one in four women will experience at least one form of violence during the course of her lifetime. In response to this epidemic, community-based coalitions have emerged to provide emergency shelter and advocacy services to victims and their families. This article focuses on one anti–domestic violence coalition to examine two areas of coalition practice. First, coalition collaboration occurs as a means for responding to the scarcity of resources within a community, thereby linking coalition practice to larger political-economic structures. Secondly, coalition members are motivated to participate in coalitions as a way of expressing their commitment to and identification with a larger feminist social movement. With a deeper appreciation of the political-economic constraints that necessitate collaboration and a greater understanding of coalition members’ motivations for participation in an underfunded coalition, this article considers the theoretical expansion of coalition research and offers considerations for coalition practice.
Wake-Induced Unsteady Stagnation-Region Heat Transfer Measurements

Results of an experimental investigation of wake-induced unsteady heat transfer in the stagnation region of a cylinder are presented. A quasi-steady representation of the stator/rotor interaction in a gas turbine using two stationary cylinders in crossflow is created. Time-averaged and time-resolved heat-transfer results are obtained over a wide range of Reynolds numbers at two Mach numbers: one incompressible and one transonic. The augmentation of the heat transfer in the stagnation region due to wake unsteadiness is documented by comparison with isolated cylinder tests. The time-averaged heat-transfer rate at the stagnation line, expressed in terms of the Frossling number, is found to reach a maximum independent of the Reynolds number. The power spectra and cross correlation of the heat-transfer signals in the stagnation region reveal the importance of large vortical structures shed from the upstream wake generator.
Teacher change and ''high-stakes'' assessment: what happens to professional development? $

Abstract This study explored the impact of learning a new instructional practice in a US school district that places great value in a statewide student assessment. Grounded Theory methodology (Strauss & Corbin, 1998, Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory, 2nd Edition, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA) was used to analyze interview and observation data from 20 teachers undergoing professional development in a new reading strategy. We found that teaching in a “high-stakes” assessment environment impacts the implementation, fidelity, and sustainability of new teaching methods. Most importantly, our results suggest that some teachers may use “high-stakes” assessments as their primary reference point in which to gauge the merit of innovative teaching practices. Furthermore, decisions regarding which components to implement, how often to use these components, and what materials to utilize in their implementation may be influenced by the preparation for and expected results of these tests.
Growth, interfacial alloying, and oxidation of ultra-thin Al films on Ru(0001)

The growth and oxidation of ultra-thin aluminum films on Ru(0001) have been studied by low energy ion scattering (LEIS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) using both Mg K α and synchrotron soft X-ray radiation. For Al films of average thickness ∼ 15 A deposited at 300 K, LEIS demonstrates that the Ru substrate is completely covered. Upon annealing to ∼ 1000 K LEIS shows the reappearance of Ru at the surface. At the same time, the metallic Al 2p peak shifts to lower binding energy and a low binding energy shoulder appears on the Ru 3d peak, suggesting AlRu interfacial alloying. Annealing Al films to ∼ 1000 K in 1 × 10−4 Torr oxygen produces an oxidized surface layer that completely covers the Ru substrate; the resultant aluminum oxide films are stoichiometric.
Cooperative spectrum sensing via sequential detection for cognitive radio networks

Efficient and reliable spectrum sensing plays a critical role in cognitive radio networks. This paper presents a cooperative sequential detection scheme tominimize the average sensing time that is required to reach a detection decision. In the scheme, each cognitive radio computes the Log-Likelihood ratio for its every measurement, and the base station sequentially accumulates these Log-Likelihood statistics and determines whether to stop making measurement. The average number of required samples depends on the Kullback-Leibler distance between the distributions of the two hypotheses under test. This suggests a criterion for selecting the most efficient radios to facilitate spectrum sensing. The paper also studies how to implement the scheme in a robust manner when the assumed statistical models have uncertainties. These ideas are illustrated through an example that assumes both the signal and noise are Gaussian distributed.
Child sexual abuse: what the urologist needs to know

AbstractPurpose: We define what the urologist needs to know regarding child sexual abuse.Materials and Methods: Based on our experience in treating numerous child victims of sexual assault and a review of the contemporary literature, the data concerning child sexual abuse incidence, risk factors, clinical presentation, child interview, physical examination and management were analyzed.Results: It is estimated that at least 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 10 boys will suffer victimization by age 18 years. There are no predicting socioeconomic factors. In legally proved cases of child sexual abuse the majority of victims have no diagnostic physical findings. Examination findings change depending on the position of the child, degree of relaxation, amount of labial traction and time to perform the evaluation. Findings that are consistent but not independently diagnostic of abuse include chafing, abrasions or bruising of inner thighs or genitalia, scarring, tears or distortion of the hymen, a decreased amount of or abse...
Transient and persistent renal dysfunction are predictors of survival after percutaneous coronary intervention: insights from the Dartmouth Dynamic Registry.

Objectives: We sought to determine if transient and persistent elevations in creatinine following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) resulted in poor survival. Background: Limited survival data exist that defines the natural survival history of transient and persistent renal dysfunction following interventional PCI cases. Methods: Data were collected prospectively on 7,856 consecutive patients undergoing PCI from January 1, 2000 to July 31, 2006. Ninety-three patients were excluded due to pre-PCI dialysis. Patients were stratified into three categories of renal dysfunction: no renal dysfunction from baseline (<0.5 mg/dL increase in creatinine within 48 hr of the procedure), transient renal dysfunction (≥0.5 mg/dL increase in creatinine within 48 hr with return to normal within 2 weeks), and persistent renal dysfunction (≥0.5 mg/dL increase in creatinine without returning to normal within 2 weeks of the procedure). Mortality was determined by comparing with the Social Security Death Master File. Results: Median survival was 3.2 years (mean 3.4). Renal dysfunction occurred in 250 patients (0.5 mg/dL increase in creatinine). Survival was significantly different between patients at 1, 3.2, and 7.5 years (P-value < 0.001): no renal dysfunction (95%, 88%, 75%), with transient (61%, 42%, 0%), and with persistent (58%, 44%, 36%) renal dysfunction. Patients with transient or persistent renal dysfunction had a twofold–threefold increased risk of 7.5-year mortality compared with patients with no renal dysfunction. Conclusions: Both transient and persistent postprocedural renal dysfunction are prognostically significant for mortality during extended follow-up. Renal dysfunction should be closely monitored before and after PCI. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Tracing interesting features in trade spaces to conceptual model design rules

The ARL Trade Space Visualizer (ATSV) is a multi-dimensional data visualization interface used early in conceptual design to visualize engineering trade spaces. Conceptual models, which are based on design rules found in open literature, are used to rapidly populate trade spaces. Recently, efforts in the ATSV development have focused on the feature finder process, which allows a decision-maker to trace interesting features in trade spaces to conceptual model design rules. Examples of interesting features include isosurfaces, knees in the curve, and discrete trends. The motivation behind the feature finder process is to provide decision-makers with the capability to validate which design rules in the conceptual model cause interesting features in trade spaces. The steps in the feature finder process include finding interesting features in the trade space, identifying design rules that cause interesting features, and locating these design rules in the conceptual model. The feature finder process will be demonstrated using a trade space based on satellite design
Configuration interaction calculations on o3 and o‐3

In a theoretical study to choose between the several experimental values for the vertical electron affinity of O3, configuration interaction calculations were performed for O3 and O-3. Large Gaussian basis sets and symmetry adapted complex functions were used. To a good approximation, the electron affinity for O3 should be equivalent to the difference in the calculated single excitation ci results for O3 and O-3. The difference between natural orbital single excitation ci results for O3 and O-3 gave a vertical electron affinity of 2.12 eV. This calculated value is in excellent agreement with the recent experimental photodetachment measurements of Beaty, 2.1-2.2 eV. This agreement implied that the equilibrium geometry of O-3 was similar to that of O3. ci calculations of the potential curves of O3 and O-3 from 114.8d to 118.8d indicate that the equilibrium geometry of the ion is close to that of the parent molecule. Higher excitation CI calculations were carried out using iterative natural orbitals resulting from lower excitation CI calculations.
Optical performance of holographic kinoforms

The optical properties of holographic kinoforms are described. It is shown that paraxial designs are not adequate for f /Nos. less than ~F/10. A nonparaxial design is introduced that retains the high diffraction efficiency of the paraxial designs, yet also produces an unaberrated diffracted wavefront for the design wavelength. Aberration calculations and computer calculations, based on the Huygens-Fresnel principle, of the point spread functions for these elements show the necessity of using the nonparaxial design. Specifications for a surface profile that takes account of the finite thickness of the diffracting surface are given. A model for kinoforms which can be used in optical design programs is proposed.
Impact of Activated Vitamin D and Race on Survival among Hemodialysis Patients

Contrary to most examples of disparities in health outcomes, black patients have improved survival compared with white patients after initiating hemodialysis. Understanding potential explanations for this observation may have important clinical implications for minorities in general. This study tested the hypothesis that greater use of activated vitamin D therapy accounts for the survival advantage observed in black and Hispanic patients on hemodialysis. In a prospective cohort of non-Hispanic white (n = 5110), Hispanic white (n = 979), and black (n = 3214) incident hemodialysis patients, higher parathyroid hormone levels at baseline were the primary determinant of prescribing activated vitamin D therapy. Median parathyroid hormone was highest among black patients, who were most likely to receive activated vitamin D and at the highest dosage. One-year mortality was lower in black and Hispanic patients compared with white patients (16 and 16 versus 23%; P < 0.01), but there was significant interaction between race and ethnicity, activated vitamin D therapy, and survival. In multivariable analyses of patients treated with activated vitamin D, black patients had 16% lower mortality compared with white patients, but the difference was lost when adjusted for vitamin D dosage. In contrast, untreated black patients had 35% higher mortality compared with untreated white patients, an association that persisted in several sensitivity analyses. In conclusion, therapy with activated vitamin D may be one potential explanation for the racial differences in survival among hemodialysis patients. Further studies should determine whether treatment differences based on biologic differences contribute to disparities in other conditions.
Dental enamel hypoplasias in prehistoric populations.

I ecent years have witnessed an impressive increase in research on enamel hypoplasias in archaeological^populations. By reviewing a series of studies of enamel hypoplasias at Dickson Mounds, Illinois,North America (950-1300 A.D.), a prehistoric site involved in the transition from gathering-hunting to agricul-ture, this paper provides an illustration of this type of research.The location of linear hypoplasias on labial tooth surfaces of 111 adults was studied with a thin-tipped caliper,and this location was converted to an age at development. Most defects developed between two and four yearsof developmental age. Hypoplasias increased in prevalence from 45% in the pre-agriculture group to 80% inthe agricultural group (p < 0.01). The transition to agriculture occurred at a cost to infant and childhood health.Defects are associated with decreased longevity. Individuals with defects have a life expectancy of nearly tenyears fewer than those without defects, suggesting that the development of a defect marks a significant andlasting health event. Enamel hypoplasias occur most frequently on anterior teeth, polar teeth in developmentalfields, and the middle developmental thirds of teeth. Analysis of these data suggests that enamel may bedifferentially susceptible to growth disruption and that susceptibility varies both within and among teeth.The study of enamel defects at Dickson provides insights into the health and nutritional consequences of theeconomic change from hunting and gathering to agriculture. More generally, with the availability of teeth fromgenetically homogeneous populations, studies of enamel hypoplasias in prehistory should provide a usefulcomplement to research on this condition in contemporary peoples.INTRODUCTIONThe convening of an interdisciplinary conferenceon developmental defects of dental enamel is timelyfor one studying these defects in an archaeologicalcontext. Closer connections to the increasing body ofresearch on dental defects in experimental animalsand contemporary human populations will help im-prove prehistorians' understandings of the signifi-cance of these defects in archaeological contexts.Conversely, those studying dental defects in contem-porary humans may not be aware of the impressivegrowth in research on these defects in prehistoricgroups.
Parallel simulation by time segmentation: methodology and applications

In this paper we present a time parallel simulation approach and discuss conditions under which this approach is applicable. Our approach involves distributing the available processors among segments of the time horizon of the simulation. We show that under certain conditions, sample paths of the system generated by a common sequence of potential events will couple (i.e., become identical) with probability one. This property will be exploited to efficiently combine the information collected on different segments of the sample path and generate a complete valid sample path. We show that the expected coupling time of the system (i.e., the amount of time required for all the sample paths of the system to couple) is essential to the efficiency of the approach. We apply our parallel simulation approach to a class of Markovian queueing networks and investigate the efficiency of the method by providing bounds and estimates for the expected coupling times.
Copper interconnect technology for the 32 nm node and beyond

Copper interconnects have gained wide acceptance in the microelectronics industry due to improved resistivity and reliability compared to Al interconnects. However, there are many challenges with implementation of Cu interconnects at the 32 nm node and beyond, including increased resistivity, integration with porous low-k materials, and reliability. In addition, for RF and mixed signal technology, integration of passive devices is required. In this paper, each of these topics is addressed.
Efficient parallel power grid analysis via additive Schwarz method

Due to the rapid advances of integrated circuit technology, the size of power distribution network (power grid) is becoming larger and larger. There are usually multi-million nodes on a power grid. Analyzing these huge power grids has become very expensive in terms of both time and memory. This paper presents an efficient parallel implementation of the Additive Schwarz Method (ASM) for IR-drop analysis of large-scale power grid. Based on distributed memory system, a new data storage method is proposed to overcome memory bottleneck of traditional methods. Techniques including overlapping in multiple layer and irregular power grid, via detection and grouping are utilized to accelerate the simulation. Moreover, a new communication strategy exhibiting minimum communication overhead is proposed. The proposed method is very accurate in the final solution, with the maximum error less than 0.1mv. Experimental results on industrial medium size benchmarks show that the proposed method achieves more than 110X speedup over a state-of-the-art direct LU solver. The proposed approach can easily solve very large-scale benchmarks, while LU solver fails to obtain the solution because of system memory limitation. It is the first time reported in literature that IR-drop analysis of power grid with over 190M nodes is successfully solved within 5 minutes.
Extended Jackiw-Pi Model and Its Supersymmetrization

Abstract We present an extended version of the so-called Jackiw–Pi (JP) model in three dimensions, and perform its supersymmetrization. Our field content has three multiplets: (i) Yang–Mills vector multiplet ( A μ I , λ I ) , (ii) Parity-odd extra vector multiplet ( B μ I , χ I ) , and (iii) Scalar multiplet ( C I , ρ I ; f I ) . The bosonic fields in these multiplets are the same as the original JP-model, except for the auxiliary field f I which is new, while the fermions λ I , χ I and ρ I are their super-partners. The basic difference from the original JP-model is the presence of the kinetic term for C I with its modified field-strength H μ I ≡ D μ C I + m B μ I . The inclusion of the C I -kinetic term is to comply with the recently-developed tensor hierarchy formulation for supersymmetrization.
An Immunoreceptor Tyrosine Activation Motif in the Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus Envelope Protein Plays a Role in Virus-Induced Mammary Tumors

Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) induces breast cancer with almost 100% efficiency in susceptible strains through insertional activation of protooncogenes, such as members of the wnt and fibroblast growth factor (fgf) families. We previously showed that expression of the MMTV envelope protein (Env) in normal immortalized mammary epithelial cells grown in three-dimensional cultures caused their morphological transformation, and that this phenotype depended on an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) present in Env and signaling through the Syk tyrosine kinase (E. Katz, M. H. Lareef, J. C. Rassa, S. M. Grande, L. B. King, J. Russo, S. R. Ross, and J. G. Monroe, J. Exp. Med. 201:431-439, 2005). Here, we examined the role of the Env protein in virus-induced mammary tumorigenesis in vivo. Similar to the effect seen in vitro, Env expression in the mammary glands of transgenic mice bearing either full-length wild-type provirus or only Env transgenes showed increased lobuloalveolar budding. Introduction of the ITAM mutation into the env of an infectious, replication-competent MMTV or into MMTV/murine leukemia virus pseudotypes had no effect on incorporation of Env into virus particles or on in vitro infectivity. Moreover, replication-competent MMTV bearing the ITAM mutation in Env infected lymphoid and mammary tissue at the same level as wild-type MMTV and was transmitted through milk. However, mammary tumor induction was greatly attenuated, and the pattern of oncogene activation was altered. Taken together, these studies indicate that the MMTV Env protein participates in mammary epithelial cell transformation in vivo and that this requires a functional ITAM in the envelope protein.
Master-slave synchronization with switching communication through passive model-based control design

In this paper we consider a master-slave robot system communicating across a bilateral communication network subject to information loss. The dynamics of the network are modelled as two binary variables. The resulting overall system is a switched system composed of master and slave with continuous dynamics, and the network which serves as switching law. The master and slave on each side of the network are provided with a model of their counterpart. We design a controller to achieve stable synchronization of the master and slave systems independent of the switching introduced by the information loss in the network. Our approach enforces passivity of the interconnected switched system using a common storage function. The passivity property guarantees stable interaction of the system with a passive environment. Such property is highly desirable in teleoperators, as well as any cooperating robotic systems.
Do high-altitude natives have enhanced exercise performance at altitude?

Natives of high altitude (HA) may have enhanced physical work capacity in hypoxia due to growth and development at altitude or, in the case of indigenous Andean and Himalayan residents, due to popu...
Normalization and Statistical Analysis of Multiplexed Bead-Based Immunoassay Data Using Mixed-Effects Modeling

Multiplexed bead-based flow cytometric immunoassays are a powerful experimental tool for investigating cellular communication networks, yet their widespread adoption is limited in part by challenges in robust quantitative analysis of the measurements. Here we report our application of mixed-effects modeling for the normalization and statistical analysis of bead-based immunoassay data. Our data set consisted of bead-based immunoassay measurements of 16 phospho-proteins in lysates of HepG2 cells treated with ligands that regulate acute-phase protein secretion. Mixed-effects modeling provided estimates for the effects of both the technical and biological sources of variance, and normalization was achieved by subtracting the technical effects from the measured values. This approach allowed us to detect ligand effects on signaling with greater precision and sensitivity and to more accurately characterize the HepG2 cell signaling network using constrained fuzzy logic. Mixed-effects modeling analysis of our data was vital for ascertaining that IL-1α and TGF-α treatment increased the activities of more pathways than IL-6 and TNF-α and that TGF-α and TNF-α increased p38 MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phospho-protein levels in a synergistic manner. Moreover, we used mixed-effects modeling-based technical effect estimates to reveal the substantial variance contributed by batch effects along with the absence of loading order and assay plate position effects. We conclude that mixed-effects modeling enabled additional insights to be gained from our data than would otherwise be possible and we discuss how this methodology can play an important role in enhancing the value of experiments employing multiplexed bead-based immunoassays.
Local eigenfrequency and its uncertainty inferred from fundamental spheroidal mode frequency shifts

Summary 6297 observations of fundamental spheroidal mode apparent peak frequencies assembled from 968 records of the IDA network have been inverted for δωlocal, a measure of local dispersion, using a scheme which takes into account coupling between the singlets of an isolated normal mode multiplet and which does not rely upon the ‘pure path’ approximation. Rotational coupling with fundamental toroidal modes contaminates the data set below 0S23, but inversions of peak shifts between 2.2 and 4.7 mHz show the consistency expected from long wavelength velocity structure. In addition to the strong degree-two signal reported in earlier work, a degree-six signal is consistently evident. Structure at degrees eight and four has less power, and the results for these portions of the fit are more ambiguous. Maps of the great circular average of δωlocal derived from fits up to degree eight agree well with the even degree parts of model M84A, and the degree-six part compares very well with M84A. Formal error analysis suggests the uncertainty is almost uniform globally but that the magnitude of the error estimate is not sufficient to explain fluctuations remaining in the observations after the modelled signal has been removed.
A sampling-based approach to nonparametric dynamic system identification and estimation

We propose a probabilistic framework for nonparametric identification and estimation of dynamic systems. Under the parametric paradigm, a model of the system and a set of observations are given and the parameter space of the model is searched to optimize an objective function. However, if we are uncertain about the model, the parametric approach can easily overfit data and lead to risky decisions. In nonparametric estimation, the model uncertainty is introduced in a systematic manner to find both the model and associated parameters of the system. In this paper, we consider a dynamic system consisting of a varying number of subsystems with noisy observations. The objective is to identify the subsystems at each time step and estimate the associated parameters such that the observations are explained the best. We develop an efficient algorithm based on Markov chain Monte Carlo methods and apply our approach to multiple target tracking problems. We address the issues with the subsystem initiation and termination and initial state estimation. In simulation our algorithm shows excellent performance for tracking a varying number of maneuvering targets with nonlinear dynamics. In some cases our algorithm outperforms any linear filtering algorithm with perfect associations.
Cross-Cultural Preference of Visual Information in Primary School ESL Children.

This paper presents a pilot study that investigates cross-cultural preferences of visual information in primary school children for whom English is a second language. Recently immigrated children from three different countries were shown twentyfour sets of three pictorial representations of the same concept, each published in a different country, one of these being the country of origin of some of the children. Children were asked to identify the concept represented in each set, select the best representation of the concept, and give a reason for their preference. Results are presented and discussed in terms of developmental considerations, background of participants, origin of publication, and graphic qualities of representations.
A sensitive fluorescent method for the detection of glycoproteins in polyacrylamide gels

A sensitive method is described for the detection of glycoproteins after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Dansyl hydrazine is condensed with aldehydic functions generated by periodate oxidation of protein bound carbohydrate. The resulting hydrazones are reduced to the stable hydrazine derivatives with sodium borohydride. After destaining, the fluorescent-labeled glycoproteins are visualized with a long-range uv light source. The dansyl hydrazine staining technique was shown to detect less than 40 ng of carbohydrate bound to Bandeiraea simplicifolia lectin. The principle methods for the detection of glycoproteins in polyacrylamide gels are the periodic acid-Schiff stain (PAS) (1,2,4) and the Alcian blue stain (3). Both of these procedures involve the fixation of the glycoproteins in the gel followed by oxidation of sugar residues with periodic acid generating aldehydic functions, reduction of the excess periodate with sodium metabisulfite and staining with either basic fuchsin or Alcian blue. The minimum amount of protein-bound carbohydrate which can be detected with these methods is in the range of 2-3 pg (4). The fluorescent reagent I-dimethylaminonaphthalene-S-sulfonylhydrazine (dansyl hydrazine) has been used for the detection and quantitation of carbonyl containing compounds such as keto steroids (5). We report here the use of this reagent as a sensitive fluorescent stain for the visualization of glycoproteins following polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The glycoproteins are subjected to periodate oxidation and the resulting adehydes condensed with dansyl hydrazine to form hydrazones. The latter are reduced to stable hydrazine derivatives with NaBH,.
Sulfur and oxygen isotopes of coeval sulfate–sulfide in pore fluids of cold seep sediments with sharp redox gradients

Abstract Leakage of crude oil and gas through fault conduits intersecting the seafloor gives rise to scores of point-source anoxic enclaves on the oxic northern Gulf of Mexico slope. A study of 13 short cores recovered with a manned submersible from these seepage-affected sediments reveals that microbial processes fueled by hydrocarbons cause extensive sulfur diagenesis. Sulfate reduction and sulfide release occurring in the pore fluids reach completion 10–25 cm below the sediment–water interface. Bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR) rates are highly variable between sites but maximum values (97 and 917 μmol SO4 cm−3 year−1) in a bacterial mat and mussel bed, respectively, are unusually high for cold, deepwater habitats. δ34S and δ18O values of the residual sulfate range from 20.7‰ to 70.8‰ (CDT) (n=45) and from 11.1‰ to 23.6‰ (SMOW) (n=33) compared to the overlying Gulf of Mexico bottom water values of 20.3‰ and 9.7‰, respectively. δ34S values of H2S yield a mean of 12.4±5.4‰ (CDT) (n=15). δ34S (SO4) data yield an integrated fractionation factor of αS=1.015 under a closed system assumption but a substantial higher fractionation of αS=1.023 under an open system assumption. Paired SO4–H2S inventory indicates that up to 28% of sulfide is removed from the system and supports the contention that seep sediments constitute an open system. The sulfur isotope fractionations reported here compare well with experimental data for cold-adapted sulfate-reducing bacteria but are substantially smaller than the “geological” fractionation of αS=1.055 derived from coeval sulfate-sulfide in Phanerozoic sediments. Isotope enrichments in the SO4 are 2.4 times greater in δ34S than in δ18O and the relations documented with f(SO4) are indicative of mixing between two end-member sulfate sources; seawater sulfate cycled through microbial dissimilatory sulfate reduction at depth and secondary sulfate produced by oxidation of H2S at near-surface through bacterial disproportionation (BDS) processes. The evidence for superimposed metabolic reactions in the reducing and oxidative parts of the anaerobic sulfur cycle in seep sediments has important implications regarding the proposed use of pore-water sulfate profiles as proxies of upward methane fluxes resulting from dissociation of marine-based gas hydrates.
Serum ferritin levels associated with increased risk for developing CHD in a low-income urban population

Objective: The present study examined the association of serum ferritin with CHD risk using the Framingham Heart Study’s 10-year risk algorithm. Design: Ordinal logistic regression modelling was used to interpret risk. Proportional odds modelling assessed four divisions of ranked CHD risk (4, high; 3, increased; 2, slight; 1, minimal), separately by sex. Setting: Baltimore, MD, USA. Subjects: African-American and white participants (n 1823) from baseline of the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study, aged 30–64 years. Results: For men, there was a 0?5 % increase in risk for every 10-unit rise in serum ferritin (pmol/l). Other significant predictors included increased BMI, white race, unemployment and C-reactive protein $9?5 mg/l. For women, there was a 5? 1% increase in risk per 10-unit rise in serum ferritin (pmol/l). Other significant predictors included increased BMI, lower education, unemployment and C-reactive protein $9?5 mg/l. Conclusions: Serum ferritin is a significant predictor of 10-year hard CHD risk for HANDLS study participants, a low-income, urban population. Serum ferritin, independent of elevated C-reactive protein, was associated with increased 10-year CHD risk for HANDLS participants. To our knowledge, these data provide the first evidence of the role of serum ferritin as a risk factor for hard CHD in African-American and white postmenopausal women in the USA. Future research on cardiovascular events from this prospective study may confirm the association.
Fast data parallel polygon rendering

The authors describe a data parallel method for polygon rendering on a massively parallel machine. This method, based on a simple shading model, is targeted for applications which require very fast rendering for extremely large sets of polygons. Such sets are found in many scientific visualization applications. The renderer can handle arbitrarily complex polygons which need not be meshed. Issues involving load balancing are addressed and a data parallel load balancing algorithm is presented. The rendering and load balancing algorithms are implemented on both the CM-200 and the CM-5. Experimental results are presented. This rendering toolkit enables a scientist to display 3D shaded polygons directly from a parallel machine avoiding the transmission of huge amounts of data to a post-processing rendering system.
Activator-inhibitor dynamics of vertebrate limb pattern formation.

The development of the vertebrate limb depends on an interplay of cellular differentiation, pattern formation, and tissue morphogenesis on multiple spatial and temporal scales. While numerous gene products have been described that participate in, and influence, the generation of the limb skeletal pattern, an understanding of the most salient feature of the developing limb—its quasiperiodic arrangement of bones, requires additional organizational principles. We review several such principles, drawing on concepts of physics and chemical dynamics along with molecular genetics and cell biology. First, a ‘‘core mechanism’’ for precartilage mesenchymal condensation is described, based on positive autoregulation of the morphogen transforming growth factor (TGF)-b, induction of the extracellular matrix (ECM) protein fibronectin, and focal accumulation of cells via haptotaxis. This core mechanism is shown to be part of a local autoactivation-lateral inhibition (LALI) system that ensures that the condensations will be regularly spaced. Next, a ‘‘barebones’’ model for limb development is described in which the LALI-core mechanism is placed in a growing geometric framework with predifferentiated ‘‘apical,’’ differentiating ‘‘active,’’ and irreversibly differentiated ‘‘frozen’’ zones defined by distance from an apical source of a fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-type morphogen. This model is shown to account for classic features of the developing limb, including the proximodistal (PD) emergence over time of increasing numbers of bones. We review earlier and recent work suggesting that the inhibitory component of the LALI system for condensation may not be a diffusible morphogen, and propose an alternative mechanism for lateral inhibition, based on synchronization of oscillations of a Hes mediator of the Notch signaling pathway. Finally, we discuss how viewing development as an interplay between molecular-genetic and dynamic physical processes can provide new insight into the origin of congenital anomalies. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 81:305–319, 2007. V C 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Factors controlling sulfur concentrations in volcanic apatite

Apatite crystals from two types of samples were analyzed by electron microprobe for 15 major and trace elements: (1) apatite in H2O- and S-saturated experimental charges of the 1982 El Chichon trachyandesite and (2) apatite in volcanic rocks erupted from 20 volcanoes. The SO3 contents of the experimental apatite increase with increasing oxygen fugacity (ƒ ), from #0.04 wt% in reduced charges buffered by fayalite-magnetite-quartz O2 (FMQ), to 1.0-2.6 wt% in oxidized charges buffered by manganosite-hausmanite (MNH) or magnetite-hematite (MTH). The SO3 contents of MNH- and MTH-buffered apatite also generally increase with increasing pressure from 2 to 4 kbar and decreasing temperature from 950 to 800 8C. The partition coefficient for SO 3 between apatite and oxidized melt increases with decreasing temperature but appears to be independent of pressure. Apatites in volcanic rocks show a wide range of SO3 contents (,0.04 to 0.63 wt%). Our sample set includes one group known to contain primary anhydrite and a second group inferred to have been free of primary anhydrite. No systematic differences in apatite S contents are observed between these two groups. Our study was initiated to define the factors controlling S contents in apatite and to evaluate the hypothesis that high S contents in apatite could be characteristic of S-rich anhydrite-bearing magmas such as those erupted from El Chichon in 1982 and Pinatubo in 1991. This hypothesis is shown to be invalid, probably chiefly a consequence of the slow intra-crystalline diffusion that limits re-equil- ibration between early formed apatite and the evolving silicate melt. Contributing factors include early crystallization of most apatite over a relatively small temperature interval, common late-stage magmatic enrichment of S, progressive oxidation during magmatic evolution, and strong controls on S contents in apatite exerted by ƒ , temperature, and O2 pressure.
Luminescence of Simple Polyatomic Anions

The luminescence of simple anions such as nitrite, nitrate, oxalate, formate, cyanide, azide, etc. is discussed and interpreted. The effects of associated metal cations are elaborated, and a theory of color associated with heavy-metal salts is developed.
When language comprehension goes wrong for the right reasons: Good-enough, underspecified, or shallow language processing

This paper contains an overview of language processing that can be described as “good enough”, “underspecified”, or “shallow”. The central idea is that a nontrivial proportion of misunderstanding, misinterpretation, and miscommunication can be attributed not to random error, but instead to processing preferences of the human language processing system. In other words, the very architecture of the language processor favours certain types of processing errors because in a majority of instances, this “fast and frugal”, less effortful processing is good enough to support communication. By way of historical background, connections are made between this relatively recent facet of psycholinguistic study, other recent language processing models, and related concepts in other areas of cognitive science. Finally, the nine papers included in this special issue are introduced as representative of novel explorations of good-enough, or underspecified, language processing.
Presence of antibiotic resistance genes in different salinity gradients of freshwater to saltwater marshes in southeast Louisiana, USA

Abstract One of the major public health problems facing the world today is the occurrence and spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) in the environment. The main reservoir for ARB is the aquatic ecosystems. Culture based methods and qualitative molecular techniques were used to screen and determine the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) and ARB in three different salinity gradients of wetland marsh in the southeast Louisiana of USA. The bacteria of interest include Enterobacter cloacae/aerogenes, Enterococci spp. and Escherichia coli. The antibiotic resistance genes of interest include ermB, sul1, tetA, tetX, tetW, and mecA that are responsible for resistance to erythromycin, sulfonamide, tetracycline, and methicillin antibiotics. The water salinity ranged from 0 to 12 parts per thousand (ppt). Monthly samples were taken for a six-month period and analyzed for the presence of ARB and ARGs along with carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous levels in the water samples. The results indicated salinity did not have significant difference in the presence of ARB and ARGs in the wetlands. Significant numbers of ARB were found in all three salinity levels (0, 6, and 12 ppt) in the marshes of Southeast Louisiana. ARGs were more prevalent in site 2 with the salinity of 6 ppt followed by site 1 with the salinity of 12 ppt and site 3 with 0 ppt salinity. Bacterial load and the pollution load varied from month to month and among the three salinities. This study indicates the presence of ARB and ARGs in the wetland habitat is a cause for concern as the potential threat of the spread of ARGs into native bacteria and into fish and wildlife exists due to human activities even under high salinity habitat.
Adhesive contact between a rigid spherical indenter and an elastic multi-layer coated substrate.

Abstract In this paper the frictionless, adhesive contact between a rigid spherical indenter and an elastic multi-layer coated half-space was investigated by means of an integral transform formulation. The indented multi-layer coats were considered as made of isotropic layers that are perfectly bonded to each other and to an isotropic substrate. The adhesive interaction between indenter and contacting surface was treated as Maugis-type adhesion to provide general applicability within the entire range of adhesive interactions. By using a transfer matrix method, the stress–strain equations of the system were reduced to two coupled integral equations for the stress distribution under the indenter and the ratio between the adhesion radius and the contact radius, respectively. These resulting integral equations were solved through a numerical collocation technique, with solutions for the load dependencies of the contact radius and indentation depth for various values of the adhesion parameter and layer composition. The method developed here can be used to calculate the force-distance response of adhesive contacts on various inhomogeneous half-spaces that can be modeled as multi-layer coated half-spaces.
Theory of Heliothis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Management Through Reduction of the First Spring Generation: A Critique

Heliothis might be managed effectively by directing control measures at the first generation in spring weed hosts. During the spring, the total population is relatively small and occupies a much smaller acreage than in July, when conventional control practices are initiated. Substantial population reduction in April and May might retard population growth to the extent that economic thresholds in cotton might not be reached until much later in the season, thereby reducing insecticide costs and overall insecticide input. Two potential flaws in this theory relate to questions concerning the origin of spring Heliothis populations and possible large-scale moth immigration in spring and/or summer. In addition, certain control measures initiated in the spring could be more detrimental to predators and parasitoids than to Heliothis and thus diminish the regulatory abilities of natural enemies. Various control tactics are discussed with reference to their likely impact on Heliothis and its natural enemies.
Examining gendered pathways in the causal chain linking neighborhood navigational strategies and unstructured socializing to adolescent violent offending

Abstract Purpose Research has demonstrated that adolescents with higher levels of street efficacy – the perceived ability to avoid violence and to stay safe in the neighborhood – are less likely to engage in violence themselves. But, empirical research has yet to examine sex differences in the relationship between street efficacy and violent offending. This study examines whether the causal chain linking street efficacy to adolescent violent offending is gendered. Methods Using data from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods, a three-level logistic item response model nested 14,483 violent crime item responses within 1817 subjects representing 222 neighborhoods across metropolitan Chicago. Results An attenuated sex gap in violent offending was observed at higher levels of street efficacy. This was accounted for by: (1) reductions in the sex gap in unstructured socializing at higher levels of street efficacy, and (2) a concomitant effect of unstructured socializing on violent offending. Conclusions Street efficacy and unstructured socializing matter in the etiology of youthful offending, but the ways in which these constructs are relevant are nuanced. In particular, gender has a strong impact on the development and manifestation of street efficacy and unstructured socializing, which, in turn, are related to violent offending.
Superoxide dismutase potentiates platelet-activating factor-induced injury in perfused lung

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) causes pulmonary hypertension and lung edema in animals and isolated perfused lungs by poorly understood mechanisms. Because oxidative mechanisms have been implicated in PAF-mediated cellular injury, we tested the hypothesis that superoxide anion (O2-.) contributes to PAF-induced lung injury by determining whether superoxide dismutase (SOD) could prevent the lung injury. Isolated rabbit lungs were perfused with PAF (100 nM) at a dose that caused transient hypertension and mild edema. Lungs pretreated with Cu,Zn SOD (100 U/ml) for 10 min developed persistent pulmonary hypertension and more lung edema formation in response to PAF. Enhanced responses to PAF also were observed in lungs perfused with 200 U/ml Cu,Zn SOD, but not with 10 or 40 U/ml Cu,Zn SOD. The higher doses of SOD also decreased thromboxane B2 levels in the perfusate. Potentiation of the PAF effect by Cu,Zn SOD was eliminated if the enzyme was inactivated or if the lung was treated with an anion channel blocker. The augmented PAF response in the presence of SOD was not altered by catalase (200 U/ml) or by nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. The data suggest that excessive Cu,Zn SOD enzyme activity potentiates PAF-induced injury in perfused rabbit lung presumably by overscavenging extracellular O2.- generated from intercellular sources. The augmented responses to PAF are not directly attributable to increased hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide-related products, or thromboxane A2 production. These results suggest the new hypothesis that a balance between O2-. production and its metabolism determines vascular and endothelial responses to PAF.
Study on Synthesis of Water-absorbent Resin that for Oil Recovery

Super water-absorbent resin is synthesized in terms of homogenous experimental design by water solution copolymerization using acryl amide and acrylic acid as raw materials, montmorillonite as inorganic filler. Using Fuzzy Optimized Design theory, based on multi - purpose relative function for water - absorbent resin, the comprehensive properties of swell a bility, temperature tolerance and salt resistance are studied. Optimum conditions are: mass ratio of AM/AA 5:1, mass amount of cross-linking agent 0.09 % , initiator 0.05 % , MMT 7.5 % ; Comprehensive properties are: swell ability 149 g/g, temperature tolerance efficiency 0.73 at 80 ℃, salt resistance efficiency 0.48 in 10%NaCl solution.