cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The simulation of land-cover change using a distributed computing environment

Abstract Computer models are used in landscape ecology to simulate the effects of human land-use decisions on the environment. Many socioeconomic as well as ecological factors must be considered, requiring the integration of spatially explicit multidisciplinary data. The Land-Use Change Analysis System or LUCAS has been developed to study the effects of land-use on landscape structure in such areas as the Little Tennessee river basin in western North Carolina and the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state. These effects include land-cover change and species habitat suitability. The map layers used by LUCAS are derived from remotely sensed images, census and ownership maps, topological maps and output from econometric models. A public-domain geographic information system (GIS) is used to store, display and analyze these map layers. A parallel version of LUCAS (pLUCAS) was developed using the parallel virtual machine (PVM) on a network of workstations giving a speedup factor of 10.77 with 20 nodes. A parallel model is necessary for simulations on larger domains or for maps with a much higher resolution.
Effect of Uniaxial Compression on Impurity Conduction in n -Type Germanium

Shear strains, which change the donor wave functions, greatly affect impurity conduction, which depends sensitively on the wave-function overlap of neighboring impurity states. Using uniaxial compression along [111], we investigated as a function of stress the critical impurity separation ${d}_{c}$ for the transition from non-metallic to metallic conduction and impurity conduction in the intermediate concentration range, $7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{16}lNl3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{17}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$. The largest stress applied was 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{9}$ dyne ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. The main effect of stress is a change of the activation energy ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{2}$ of impurity conduction. In arsenic- and phosphorus-doped germanium, [111] compression decreases ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{2}$ and increases ${d}_{c}$. In antimony-doped germanium the opposite is observed; compression increases ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{2}$ and decreases ${d}_{c}$. At 1.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, [111] compression can increase the resistivity of antimony-doped germanium by a factor of ${10}^{7}$. Using the same orientation and temperature, a decrease of the resistivity of arsenic-doped germanium by a factor of 5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ is observed. These results suggest that (i) the activation energy ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{2}$ depends strongly on the wave function overlap, and (ii) shear strains change the donor wave functions originating from the individual valleys by an amount which is proportional to the valley-orbit splitting of the donor element.
A phase I study of capecitabine and a modulatory dose of irinotecan in metastatic breast cancer

Purpose There is a need for chemotherapy regimens active against anthracycline- and taxane-refractory breast cancer. Data from preclinical and pilot studies performed at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) suggested that when irinotecan (IRN) is given with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) efficacy is affected by the sequence of drug administration. Pretreatment with IRN 24 h before 5-FU increased the number of tumor cells in S-phase and the antitumor activity in a preclinical system. These data provided the rationale for the evaluation of IRN and capecitabine, a 5-FU prodrug, sequentially administered in patients with metastatic breast cancer. The main objective of the study was to determine the MTD and identify dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of capecitabine and IRN. Additionally, the degree of accumulation of cells in S-phase in tumor biopsies obtained at 24 h after the first dose of IRN was measured in consenting patients.
Integration or Fragmentation? Racial Diversity and the American Future

Over the next generation or two, America’s older, largely white population will increasingly be replaced by today’s disproportionately poor minority children. All future growth will come from populations other than non-Hispanic whites as America moves toward a majority-minority society by 2043. This so-called Third Demographic Transition raises important implications about changing racial boundaries in the United States, that is, about the physical, economic, and sociocultural barriers that separate different racial and ethnic groups. America’s racial transformation may place upward demographic pressure on future poverty and inequality as today’s disproportionately poor and minority children grow into adult roles. Racial boundaries will be reshaped by the changing meaning of race and ethnicity, shifting patterns of racial segregation in neighborhoods and the workplace, newly integrating (or not) friendship networks, and changing rates of interracial marriage and childbearing. The empirical literature provides complicated lessons and offers few guarantees that growing racial diversity will lead to a corresponding breakdown in racial boundaries—that whites and minorities will increasingly share the same physical and social spaces or interact as coequals. How America’s older population of elected officials and taxpayers responds today to America’s increasingly diverse population will provide a window to the future, when today’s children successfully transition (or not) into productive adult roles. Racial and ethnic inclusion will be reshaped by changing ethnoracial inequality, which highlights the need to invest in children—now.
THE CORRELATION BETWEEN THE SCORES OF A TEST AND AN ANCHOR TEST

It is a widely held belief that an anchor test used in equating should be a miniature version (or minitest) of the tests to be equated; that is, the anchor test should be proportionally representative of the two tests in content and statistical characteristics. This paper examines the scientific foundation of this belief, especially regarding statistical characteristics. In particular, we study, through several simulation studies and a real data example, the correlation of the raw score of the total test with several anchor tests, including those having statistical characteristics that differ from those of the total test. Anchor tests with spread of item difficulties less than that of a total test are shown to consistently have higher correlations than a minitest. Because of the general view that higher correlations of the scores of an anchor test and the total test lead to better equating, our results suggest that requiring an anchor test to mimic the statistical characteristics of the total test may be too restrictive and may not be optimal.
Regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase gene transcription by Sry.

Abstract Testes determining factor Sry is encoded by the Sry locus on the Y chromosome and may be involved in the regulation of blood pressure. Here we tested the hypothesis that Sry regulates transcription of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of catecholamines. Sry was found to be expressed in catecholaminergic regions, in male but not female rats. Co-transfection of PC12 cells with expression vector for Sry and the reporter construct [p5′TH(−773/+27)/Luc], containing 773 of the proximal nucleotides of the TH promoter directing luciferase reporter activity, led to elevation of reporter activity. The reporter activity of a shorter construct [p5′TH(−272/+27)/Luc] lacking putative Sry sites also responded to Sry. However, mutation of the AP1 site in the TH promoter greatly reduced induction by Sry, indicating that the regulation is primarily at this motif. The remaining, significantly increased expression with the mutated TH promoter construct may reflect Sry function at other sites in addition to the AP1 motif. These results reveal that Sry can regulate TH transcription and suggest that this may be one of the mechanisms of Sry mediated regulation of catecholamine biosynthesis in catecholaminergic neurons in males.
MIXED BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEMS FOR THE STOKES SYSTEM

We prove the well-posedness of the mixed problem for the Stokes system in a class of Lipschitz domains in ℝ n , n ≥ 3. The strategy is to reduce the original problem to a boundary integral equation, and we establish certain new Rellich-type estimates which imply that the intervening boundary integral operator is semi-Fredholm. We then prove that its index is zero by performing a homotopic deformation of it onto an operator related to the Lame system, which has recently been shown to be invertible.
A crack at the interface between an elastic-perfectly plastic solid and a rigid substrate

Abstract A crack at the interface between an incompressible, elastic-perfectly plastic solid and a rigid substrate is studied for the stationary and quasi-statically growing cases under the condition of plane strain. A one-parameter family of asymptotic near-tip stress fields is obtained for the case of a stationary crack and compared with the finite element results given by Shih and Asaro for a crack at the interface of a power-law hardening material and a rigid substrate. Shih and Asaro's finite element results for a deformable material of low hardening strongly suggest this one-parameter family of stress distributions as appropriate for an interface crack between an elastic-perfectly plastic solid and a rigid substrate. The one-parameter family of solutions presented here for an interface crack is analogous to Shih's family of solutions at a mixed mode homogeneous crack tip with mixities that are arbitrary as far as the asymptotic analysis is concerned, but determinate from a full-field analysis. A complete asymptotic near-tip stress and deformation field based on the Prandtl-Reuss flow rule and the Huber-Mises yield criterion is obtained for a crack growing quasi-statically along the interface of an incompressible, elastic-perfectly plastic solid and a rigid substrate. Similar to a mode II growing plane stress or strain crack in a homogeneous medium, the near-tip field consists of three different types of angular sectors: a “centered fan” plastically deforming sector near the interface, a “constant stress” plastically deforming sector near the crack free surface and an elastically deforming sector in between. The velocity components are fully continuous, and the strains are found to be singular like (ln r ) 2 as r → 0, where r is distance from the crack tip.
Rotor blade harmonic air loading

The determination of the air loads acting on rotor blades in forward flight presents an interesting and challenging problem in applied aerodynamics. Of particular importance for design purposes are the oscillatory components of this loading occurring at harmonics of the rotor speed. Unlike a wing, the trailing and shed vortex system of the blade generates a spiral wake that returns close to the blade. Because of its close proximity to the blade, the wake cannot be considered as rigid. Also, since the resulting loads are highly time-dependent, unsteady aerodynamic effects become important. An analytical treatment for the limiting case of hovering flight results in a simple closed-form solution that demonstrates that the oscillatory lift under normal operating conditions can be less than 50% of its quasi-static value. It is shown that the air loads in forward flight depend primarily on the equivalent lift deficiency and the down wash generated by the steady-state blade vortex system. It is also shown that, at low speeds, the rotor wake can be drawn up into the rotor leading edge and that this is probably the primary cause of transition roughness and noise encountered under certain flight conditions.
Attrition in graduate surgical education: an analysis of the 1993 entering cohort of surgical residents

Abstract Background: Pyramidal surgical residency programs, in which more residents are enrolled than can complete the program, have gradually declined in number in recent years. In 1996, the Residency Review Committee for Surgery established a policy that the number of residents appointed to a program must be consistent with the number who will complete the program. Even so, there is still attrition in the ranks of surgical residents, some of whom hold undesignated preliminary positions and have no guarantee of a position that will lead to completion of the program. This study examined the 1993 entering cohort of surgical residents to determine the rate of attrition as of 1998. Study Design: Data were collected from the AMA's Medical Education Research Information Database, the American College of Surgeons Resident Masterfile, and the Association of American Medical Colleges GME Tracking Census database. The data were examined by specialty, gender, ethnic background, and type of medical school attended. Results: The overall attrition rate from surgical GME was 12%; the rate for international medical graduates was 33%; and the rate for osteopathic residents was 28%. African-American United States and Canadian graduates had attrition rates of 16% for men and 8% for women, and Hispanic United States and Canadian graduates had attrition rates of 14% for men and 15% for women. General surgery residents had an attrition rate of 26%, which included residents in undesignated preliminary positions. Gender was not a risk factor except for the significantly higher attrition rate of African-American men. Most (81%) of the residents who dropped out of surgical GME enrolled in GME in other specialties. Conclusions: The attrition rate from surgical GME is low, and most residents who drop out reenter GME in another specialty. Of concern is the high rate of attrition of African-American men who are United States or Canadian graduates. The highest rate of attrition, by far, is in the group of international medical graduates, many of whom are likely to have held undesignated preliminary positions.
Effects of Parent Drug Use and Personality on Toddler Adjustment

The interrelation between parental drug use and parental personality and the effects on 18-month-old children's adjustment were examined. Data on the parents were available at four points in time: Time 1 at mean age 6.1 years, Time 2 at mean age 13.7 years, Time 3 at mean age 16.4 years, and at Time 4 at mean age 22.2 years. Data on their toddlers at 18 months of age were also available. Structured interviews were used to assess personality and drug use and the toddlers' adjustment. Time 3 parental personality traits were related to Time 4 personality traits, which in turn were related to toddler adjustment. The influence of parental alcohol involvement (Time 3) on toddler adjustment was mediated by parental personality (Times 3 and 4) and parental alcohol problems (Time 4). Interactive effects demonstrated that protective parental personality traits (nondrug conducive) enhanced the effects of low parental drug use, resulting in the highest amounts of toddler adjustment. There are significant pathways between parental personality and drug use and toddler adjustment. Parental protective factors enhance the effect of parental low drug use on toddler adjustment.
Determining Arguments of Invariant Functional Descriptions

In this paper we examine the problem of determining arguments of invariant functional descriptions from incomplete observational data. Physical laws are one example of invariant functional descriptions. For such functions, we show that one can test the relevance of the function's arguments even though their values remain constant throughout the observational data. We present a method, called COPER, for discovering invariant functional descriptions. COPER eliminates irrelevant arguments, generates additional relevant arguments, and generates a functional formula. We focus on the first two of these features, giving two examples of how the methodology can be applied to determining arguments of physical laws.
A Randomized Double-Blind Crossover Study of the Antiobesity Effects of Etiocholanedione

Etiocholanedione (ED), a natural metabolite of dehydroepiandrosterone, has antiobesity effects in animals when given orally and is nontoxic. We carried out a trial of oral ED in obese humans. In a 20-week randomized double-blind crossover study, 14 subjects lost significantly more weight and body fat during treatment with oral ED, 4 gm daily, than during placebo administration. Mean weight loss during ED administration was 2.8 +/- 5.5 kilograms, which was equivalent to 0.53 +/- 0.91 kilograms per week per 100 kilograms of body fat; mean weight change during placebo administration was essentially zero: +0.21 +/- 4.2 kg, or +0.04 +/- 0.74 kg/wk/100 kg body fat. The difference between the weight changes in the two periods was significant: for delta kg, P < 0.05; for delta kg/wk/100 kg body fat, P < 0.03. Densitometric measurement of body fat content showed that the mean weight loss coincided almost exactly with the mean decrease in fat content; thus, over the 10-week period of ED administration, the mean fat loss was about 5% of the initial body fat content. Three of the obese subjects had strikingly greater fat loss, about 18%, 19%, and 25% of the initial body fat content. There were no significant subjective or objective side effects of ED administration.
Improving ozone modeling in complex terrain at a fine grid resolution: Part I – examination of analysis nudging and all PBL schemes associated with LSMs in meteorological model

Abstract Meteorological variables such as temperature, wind speed, wind directions, and Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) heights have critical implications for air quality simulations. Sensitivity simulations with five different PBL schemes associated with three different Land Surface Models (LSMs) were conducted to examine the impact of meteorological variables on the predicted ozone concentrations using the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) version 4.5 with local perspective. Additionally, the nudging analysis for winds was adopted with three different coefficients to improve the wind fields in the complex terrain at 4-km grid resolution. The simulations focus on complex terrain having valley and mountain areas at 4-km grid resolution. The ETA M–Y (Mellor–Yamada) and G–S (Gayno–Seaman) PBL schemes are identified as favorite options and promote O 3 formation causing the higher temperature, slower winds, and lower mixing height among sensitivity simulations in the area of study. It is found that PX (Pleim–Xiu) simulation does not always give optimal meteorological model performance. We also note that the PBL scheme plays a more important role in predicting daily maximum 8-h O 3 than land surface models. The results of nudging analysis for winds with three different increased coefficients' values (2.5, 4.5, and 6.0 × 10 −4 s −1 ) over seven sensitivity simulations show that the meteorological model performance was enhanced due to improved wind fields, indicating the FDDA nudging analysis can improve model performance considerably at 4-km grid resolution. Specifically, the sensitivity simulations with the coefficient value (6.0 × 10 −4 ) yielded more substantial improvements than with the other values (2.5 and 4.5 × 10 −4 ). Hence, choosing the nudging coefficient of 6.0 × 10 −4 s −1 for winds in MM5 may be the best choice to improve wind fields as an input, as well as, better model performance of CMAQ in the complex terrain area. As a result, a finer grid resolution is necessary to evaluate and access of CMAQ results for giving a detailed representation of meteorological and chemical processes in the regulatory modeling. A recommendation of optimal scheme options for simulating meteorological variables in the complex terrain area is made.
Further Studies on the Role of Calcium in Glucocorticoid-Induced Lymphocytolysis*

In a previous study comparing the effects of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) and a divalent cation ionophore (A23187) on rat thymocytes, we proposed an important contributory role for Ca2+ in glucocorticoidinduced cytolysis. The plausibility of this hypothesis was tested further in thymic lymphocytes (thymocytes) and lymph node lymphocytes (LN-lymphocytes). Thymocytes incubated in a Ca2+-containing medium responded to TA or A23187 with a concentration-dependent decrease in the number of viable cells. TA-induced cytolysis was reduced in Ca-free medium and was equally supported by Ca2+ and Sr2+, but not by Ba2+. A23187-induced cytolysis was supported by Ca2+ > Sr2+, but not by Ba2+. Thymocytes were also lysed by increasing concentrations of Ca2+ even in the absence of TA and A23187. LN-Lymphocytes, however, were less sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of Ca*+ under the same conditions. In the presence of Ca2+, thymocytes were lysed to a greater extent than LN-lymphocytes by TA, whereas the sensitivities to A23...
Shaped, Stratified, Scaffold-free Grafts for Articular Cartilage Defects

One goal of treatment for large articular cartilage defects is to restore the anatomic contour of the joint with tissue having a structure similar to native cartilage. Shaped and stratified cartilaginous tissue may be fabricated into a suitable graft to achieve such restoration. We asked if scaffold-free cartilaginous constructs, anatomically shaped and targeting spherically-shaped hips, can be created using a molding technique and if biomimetic stratification of the shaped constructs can be achieved with appropriate superficial and middle/deep zone chondrocyte subpopulations. The shaped, scaffold-free constructs were formed from the alginate-released bovine calf chondrocytes with shaping on one (saucer), two (cup), or neither (disk) surfaces. The saucer and cup constructs had shapes distinguishable quantitatively (radius of curvature of 5.5 ± 0.1 mm for saucer and 2.8 ± 0.1 mm for cup) and had no adverse effects on the glycosaminoglycan and collagen contents and their distribution in the constructs as assessed by biochemical assays and histology, respectively. Biomimetic stratification of chondrocyte subpopulations in saucer- and cup-shaped constructs was confirmed and quantified using fluorescence microscopy and image analysis. This shaping method, combined with biomimetic stratification, has the potential to create anatomically contoured large cartilaginous constructs.
Peaceful awakenings: taking the "alarm" out of the alarm clock.

The quality of my daily awakening ritual changed dramatically a few months ago when I was exposed to the Timex Nature Sounds alarm clock. Prior to this, it had never occurred to me to use something other than the traditional buzzer-type alarm clock that I had had since 1986 because “it still worked.” While this was true, it worked by emitting a loud obnoxious sound that stimulated a fight or flight response. Now, I start the day with nature sounds (“ocean surf”), which is much more peaceful than my old alarm clock.
Optical limiting performance of C60 and C70 solutions

OPTICAL sensors used in connection with bright sources such as lasers and arc welders must commonly be protected from damaging light levels by the use of optical limiters1. One approach to optical limiting makes use of materials whose optical transmittance decreases at high light levels2–5. For most protective applications, the response must be rapid and the saturation threshold low; a lower threshold provides a greater safety margin. Studies of the optical properties of C60have shown that the absorption cross-section of the photoexcited triplet state is greater than that of the ground state6, suggesting that it may have a nonlinear optical response of the sort useful for optical limiting. Here we report measurements of the optical response of solutions of C60 and C70 in methylene chloride and toluene, using 8-ns pulses of 532-nm-wavelength laser light. We observed optical limiting behaviour in all cases, with saturation thresholds equal to or lower than those reported for other optical-limiting materials currently in use.
Synthesis, crystallization and properties of acetyl phenylalanyl lysine chloromethyl ketone: a potential inhibitor of serine proteases.

A procedure for the synthesis of acetyl phenylalanyl lysine chloromethyl ketone is described. The chloromethyl ketone derivative is a noncompetitive inhibitor of trypsin (K1=5.9×10−3 M).
Some metabolic relationships between biopterin and folate: implications for the "methyl trap hypothesis".

Tetrahydrobiopterin and the folate coenzymes can reciprocally interact in ways that would be useful to the metabolic pathways subserved by both of these coenzymes. Thus, through one of the reactions catalyzed by methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase, 5-CH3-H4-folate can regenerate BH4 from q-BH2 and q-BH2 can provide an escape from the "methyl trap."
Cryptosporidium parvum: Determination of ID50 and the dose–response relationship in experimentally challenged dairy calves

The objectives were to determine the median infective dose (ID₅₀) of Cryptosporidium parvum and to describe the dose-response relationship including associated clinical illness in experimentally challenged dairy calves. Within the first 24h of life, 27 test calves were experimentally challenged with C. parvum oocysts and 3 control calves were sham dosed. Test calves received 1 of 8 possible doses (25, 50, 100, 500, 1 × 10(3), 1 × 10(4), 1 × 10(5), and 1 × 10(6) oocysts). All 27 test calves developed diarrhea. Fecal oocyst shedding occurred in 25 (92.6%) test calves and in 0 control calves. The 2 non-shedding test calves both received 25 oocysts. There was an inverse relationship between dose and time to onset of fecal oocyst shedding (P=0.005). There was no relationship found between dose and duration (P=0.2) or cessation (P=0.3) of fecal oocyst shedding. In addition, there was not a significant relationship between log-dose and the log-peak oocysts (P=0.2) or log-total oocysts (P=0.5) counted/g of feces across the dose groups. There was a positive dose-response relationship between log-dose and diarrhea (P=0.01). However, when controlling for other factors, such as onset and cessation of fecal oocyst shedding, dose was not a significant predictor of diarrhea (P=0.5). Onset and cessation of fecal oocyst shedding were found to be the best predictors of diarrhea (P=0.0006 and P=0.04, respectively). The ID₅₀ for fecal oocyst shedding was 5.8 oocysts, for diarrhea was 9.7 oocysts, and for fecal oocyst shedding with diarrhea was 16.6 oocysts. Given that the ID₅₀ of C. parvum is far less than would be excreted into the environment by a naturally infected calf, prevention and control of cryptosporidiosis is a formidable challenge.
Mammalian Taphonomy and Palaeoecology of the Bembridge limestone formation (late Eocene, S. England)

The palaeoecology of a sequence of five closely spaced mammalian assemblages in the English Late Eocene Bembridge Limestone Formation is studied using cladistic, seriation and ecological diversity methods, after assessing the collecting and taphonomic biases. Analysis of this sequence is important as it is temporally close to the terminal Eocene global cooling event. It is concluded that the assemblages probably reflect quite closely the species composition of the original living communities and that they indicate habitats ranging from an open wooded environment to dense forest. The oldest assemblage (limestone facies) indicates open wooded habitat and contains earliest occurrences of certain taxa in the English Eocene; these represent northward dispersal from southwestern Europe in response to changing climate. The more forested habitats occur higher in the sequence and are characterised by ‘Lazarus’ taxa, suggesting reversion to earlier existing environments. Small scale changes appear to relate to loca...
Chemokines and the molecular basis of cancer metastasis.

Metastasis is the chief cause of morbidity and mortality in most cancers. Appropriately, the words “cancer” (from the Latin for “crab”) and “metastasis” (from the Greek for “change in position”) bo...
Sensing and Discrimination of Vapors by an Array of Conducting Carbon Black‐Polymer Composites

We describe herein the construction of a simple, low-power, broadly responsive vapor sensor. Carbon black-organic polymer composites have been shown to swell reversibly upon exposure to vapors. Thin films of carbon black-organic polymer composites have been deposited across two metallic leads, with swelling-induced resistance changes of the films signaling the presence of vapors. To identify and classify vapors, arrays of such vapor-sensing elements have been constructed, with each element containing a different organic polymer as the insulating phase. The differing gas-solid partition coefficients for the various polymers of the sensor array produce a pattern of resistance changes that can be used to classify vapors and vapor mixtures. This type of sensor array has been shown to resolve all organic vapors that have been analyzed, and can even resolve H2O from D2O.
Diastereoselective formation of tetrahydrofurans via Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation: synthesis of the C13-C29 subunit of amphidinolide N.

An efficient synthesis of the C13–C29 fragment of amphidinolide N is described. The synthesis relies on a new strategy involving Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation to generate diastereoselectively the cis- or trans-THF unit simply by varying the enantiomer of the ligand. The C19 hydroxyl-bearing stereocenter was introduced using a chelation-controlled allylation which led exclusively to a single diastereoisomer.
Surface behavior of gypsum during dissolution

Abstract The behaviour of gypsum {010} cleavage faces, both (010) and (01¯0), in undersaturated conditions is studied at real time to probe the mineral dissolution process. The observations in surface topographic change and step motion made by in situ fluid cell atomic force microscopy show that: (i) the only type of etch pits on the cleavage faces is that embraced by the [100] and [001] steps, disagreeing with previous reports that suggested the involvement of the [101] direction; (ii) compared to calcite, the anisotropy in step velocity is much more pronounced, presumably due to the more significant difference in atomic structure between the [100] and [001] steps on gypsum relative to that between the + and − on calcite; (iii) the step kinetic behavior follows the prediction of the transition state theory; (iv) the dissolution process on gypsum {010} faces is not characterized by the formation of deep etch pits, even at conditions far from equilibrium. The lack of deep pits most likely results from the observed faster dissolution of unstable steps in which the increase in pit depth is out-paced by that in the lateral dimension.
The Myth of the Classic Slum: Contradictory Perceptions of Boyle Heights Flats, 1900–1991

Boyle Heights Flats, an area just east of downtown Los Angeles, traditionally served as a port-of-entry for newly arrived, working-poor immigrants. The original settlement of The Flats was to all intents and purposes “removed” to make way for a large public housing complex during the 1940s and 1950s. The displacement of the people of Boyle Heights Flats represented the victory of a particular perception—The Flats as a hopeless and dangerous slum. However, during the same era, a contrasting view—The Flats as a poor yet functional community—was also put forward by a Chicago School sociologist who spent several years studying the area. While residents of The Flats surely recognized the many social problems from which their neighborhood suffered, I use both oral history and the written history of one group of Flats dwellers to suggest that the Chicago School study better represents the complex texture of the community in its first half century. “Documentary” photography helped make the case for slum clearance...
Size Scaling in the Self-Immortalization of Superdislocations in the L12 Compounds Displaying the Yield Strength Anomaly

A simple statistical analysis of the distribution of superkinks along a single superdislocation is presented. This analysis is then used to estimate the rate of self-immobilization of superdislocations. The self-immobilization rate decreases exponentially with increasing superdislocation length. The implications for experiment are discussed.
Introduction to the symposium, Beyond Cholesterol: Prevention and Treatment of Coronary Heart Disease with n-3 Fatty Acids.

related to specific long-chain n3 fatty acids into strategies for improved cardiovascular health in clinical practice and public health settings. After the conference, the speakers convened to summarize the gaps in evidence, especially in the area of risk reduction by n3in primary versus secondary coronary heart disease. The summary of these discussions, suggestions for future research, and recommendations based on current evidence can be found in the Conclusions and Recommendations article, which appears in this supplement.
Qualitative Descriptions of Error Recovery Patterns Across Reading Level and Sentence Type: An Eye Movement Analysis

Purposes of the present study included describing a variety of error recovery patterns based on eye movement (EM) measures of sentence parsing across reading level and error type. A qualitative pattern analysis of EM mappings was completed for students with reading disabilities (n = 10) and nondisabled students (n = 10) who were parsing control and erred sentences. Independent variables included error type (syntactically ambiguous, semantically anomalous, and control sentences) and reading proficiency level. Dependent variables consisted of seven eye movement measures. Chi-square analyses were performed to examine group differences across frequencies per pattern. Results suggest that the error recovery strategies deployed by both groups were similar in pattern and frequency; patterns were largely organized, strategic, and efficient, as predicted. Evidence for seven newly defined strategies was found, with indications of multiple strategies within sentences by both groups. Strategies tended to be error "re...
Sensitization of the 1.54μm Er emission in amorphous silicon nitride films

We report on the fabrication, structural and optical properties of Er doped amorphous silicon nitride. The effect of excess Si on the sensitization of the 1.54 μm Er emission will be discussed.
Clinical and Pathologic Changes in a Guinea Pig Aerosol Challenge Model of Acute Q Fever

Acute Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii and can manifest as a flu-like illness, pneumonia, or hepatitis. A need exists in Q fever research for animal models mimicking both the typical route of infection (inhalation) and the clinical illness seen in human cases of Q fever. A guinea pig aerosol challenge model was developed using C. burnetii Nine Mile phase I (RSA 493), administered using a specialized chamber designed to deliver droplet nuclei directly to the alveolar spaces. Guinea pigs were given 101 to 106 organisms and evaluated for 28 days postinfection. Clinical signs included fever, weight loss, respiratory difficulty, and death, with the degree and duration of response corresponding to the dose of organism delivered. Histopathologic evaluation of the lungs of animals infected with a high dose showed coalescing panleukocytic bronchointerstitial pneumonia at 7 days postinfection that resolved to multifocal lymphohistiocytic interstitial pneumonia by 28 days. Guinea pigs receiving a killed whole-cell vaccine prior to challenge with the highest dose of C. burnetii were protected against lethal infection and did not develop fever. Clinical signs and pathological changes noted for these guinea pigs were comparable to those seen in human acute Q fever, making this an accurate and valuable animal model of human disease.
Quantifying levels of p53 mutation in mouse skin tumors.

Allele-specific competitive blocker PCR (ACB-PCR) amplification and quantification was developed for mouse p53 codon 270 CGTTGT base substitution and codon 244/245 AAC/CGCAAT/TGC tandem mutation. PCR products corresponding to p53 mutant and wild-type DNA sequences were generated. These DNAs were mixed in known proportions to construct samples with defined mutant fractions and the allele-specific detection of each mutation was systematically optimized. Each assay was used to analyze eight simulated solar light (SSL)-induced tumors. By analyzing mutant fraction (MF) standards in parallel with PCR products generated from tumor samples, p53 mutants could be quantified as subpopulations within the tumors. All eight tumors contained detectable levels of p53 codon 270 CGTTGT mutation. Three tumors had p53 MFs between 10−4 and 10−3. Five tumors had p53 MFs between 10−3 and 10−2. None of the eight mouse skin tumors had measurable levels of p53 codon 244/245 tandem mutation. Frequent detection of p53 codon 270 CGTTGT mutation provides additional evidence that a pyrimidine dinucleotide overlapping a methylated CpG site (PyrmeCG) is a susceptible target for SSL-induced mutagenesis. The absence of p53 codon 244/245 mutation in tumors may be explained by its mutant p53 phenotype and/or indicate that this site is not methylated. These initial results indicate that p53 codon 270 CGTTGT mutation may be a sensitive biomarker for SSL- or UV-induced mutagenesis. This mutational endpoint may be useful for evaluating the co-carcinogenicity of compounds administered in combination with UV or SSL. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2005. Published 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Injury Prevention in Sports

Sports injuries can occur and may cause significant discomfort and disability. They may also be associated with considerable medical expenses. The objective of this article was to evaluate the current evidence-based effectiveness of sports injury prevention strategies. The authors assessed both intrinsic and extrinsic injury prevention strategies. However, determination of the relative contribution of each component was not determined in the multifaceted intervention studies. Among the interventions that used multiple components, including various combinations of warm-up, strengthening, stretching, and plyometric and balance exercises, the authors could not identify which of the components was effective. Among the extrinsic strategies, including mouthguards, face shields, helmets, bracing, insoles and orthotics, breakaway bases, and sport-specific rules, the authors found that ankle bracing, helmets, face shields, and mouthguards were effective. Studies of breakaway bases and sport-specific rules had meth...
Serial therapy-induced changes in tumor shape in cervical cancer and their impact on assessing tumor volume and treatment response.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the patterns and distribution of tumor shape and its temporal change during radiation therapy (RT) in cervical cancer and the effect of tumor configuration changes on the correlation between region of interest (ROI)-based and diameter-based MRI tumor measurement.MATERIALS AND METHODS. Serial MRI examinations (T1-weighted and T2-weighted images) were performed in 60 patients (age range, 29-75 years; mean, 53.3 years) with advanced cervical cancer (stages IB2-IVB/recurrent) who were treated with RT at four time points: start of RT, during RT (at 2-2.5 and at 4-5 weeks of RT), and post-RT. Tumor configuration was classified qualitatively into oval, lobulated, and complex based on MR film review. Two methods of tumor volume measurement were compared: ellipsoid computation of three orthogonal diameters (diameter based) and ROI volumetry by delineating the entire tumor volume on the MR workstation (ROI based). Temporal changes of tumor shape and the respectiv...
Asymmetrical dimethylarginine: the Uber marker?

The traditional risk factors of hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and tobacco exposure identify a subset of patients at greater cardiovascular risk. A variety of clinical phenotypes, biochemical markers, and genetic polymorphisms have been proposed to explain the variance in risk not explained by the traditional factors. Notably, all of the traditional risk factors, as well as the great majority of new risk markers, are associated with endothelial vasodilator dysfunction. Because the end points (endothelial dysfunction leading to plaque formation, progression, and rupture) are the same, it follows that diverse risk factors ultimately share common pathways(s) of pathobiology. We and others have provided evidence for a ubiquitous mechanism of endothelial pathobiology shared by all risk factors and markers examined to date. This mechanism of endothelial derangement is mediated by an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), a molecule known as asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA). Risk factors impair endothelial vasodilator function by causing the accumulation of ADMA. Furthermore, by blocking NO generation, ADMA initiates and promotes processes involved in atherogenesis, plaque progression. and plaque rupture. This review examines the burgeoning body of literature that supports ADMA as an “Uber marker,” a biochemical factor mediating the adverse vascular effects of many other risk factors and markers. Endothelial NOS converts the amino acid l-arginine into l-citrulline and NO. The importance of NO in vascular homeostasis has been discussed elsewhere.1 In addition to its vasodilator activity, NO inhibits key processes involved in vascular disease, including leukocyte adhesion, platelet aggregation, and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. In animal models, alterations in vascular NO synthesis profoundly influence the progression of atherosclerosis and restenosis.2–6 These experimental observations have gained greater significance with recent reports that impairment of the NOS pathway independently predicts cardiovascular events.7–11 Major causes of impairment of the NOS pathway are …
Nonparametric variogram and covariogram estimation with Fourier-Bessel matrices

The nonparametric estimation of variograms and covariograms for isotropic stationary spatial stochastic processes is considered. It is shown that Fourier-Bessel matrices play an important role in this context because they provide an orthogonal discretization of the spectral representation of positive definite functions. Their properties are investigated and an example from a simulated two-dimensional spatial process is provided. It is shown that this approach provides a smooth and positive definite nonparametric estimator in the continuum, whereas previous methods typically suffer from spurious oscillations. A practical example from Astronomy is used for illustration.
A Multicultural Perspective on Principles of Empirically Supported Interventions

The authors evaluate the Principles of Empirically Supported Interventions (PESI) that have been recommended by Wampold, Lichtenberg, and Waehler for how well the principles promote attention to cultural issues. Their review suggests that the PESI could indicate the need to consider cultural issues when evaluating intervention research, but the authors have reservations about how well incorporation of cultural considerations will actually occur in future research based on the three applications of the PESI included in this special issue.
Disengagement of a Locking Screw from a Modular Stem in Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty. A Report of Three Cases

Use of modular components in either primary or revision total knee arthroplasty allows the surgeon to achieve intraoperative customization, optimum kinematics, and improved fixation1-8,11,13,15. Modularity in total knee arthroplasty includes augmentation of the femoral component with distal or posterior metallic blocks, or both, and augmentation of the tibial component with metallic wedges or blocks. In addition, fixation of the intramedullary stems is possible, and this allows stress relief and load-sharing with the host bone1,6-8,11,12. Although such elaborate configurations are unnecessary for most primary total knee arthroplasties, many surgeons routinely use intraoperative customization in revision procedures and frequently this customization involves the stem1,2,4-8,12,14. Concerns with respect to modularity in total knee arthroplasty have arisen because of the many junctions of modular components. Issues relating to metallic wear, fretting, and corrosion between the body of the prosthesis and the various modular components require the surgeon to understand the potential long-term problems2 and to proceed with caution. In addition, loosening of screws used to secure blocks, wedges, or the intramedullary stems can be a problem. Dissociation of modular components after implantation is quite rare; however, surgeons must be aware of the complication and be prepared to correct it2. We present the cases of three patients who had disengagement of a locking screw from a modular stem that had been implanted in a revision total knee arthroplasty. In each instance, a screw had been used to reinforce the Morse taper junction between an intramedullary stem and the femoral component, as recommended by the manufacturer. Months after implantation, the screw disengaged from the femoral component and became an intra-articular loose …
Burke's dramatism and action theory

(1978). Burke's dramatism and action theory. Rhetoric Society Quarterly: Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 8-15.
Optimal Selection of Conductors for Distribution Feeders

Summary form only given, as follows. Designing a distribution system requires many stages of planning and rigorous calculations. Selection of conductors for design and upgrade of distribution systems is an important part of the planning process. An ideal conductor set should have the most economic cost characteristics, sufficient thermal capacity in the largest conductor to take care of situations with very high load, and it should provide proper voltage at the farthest end under peak load conditions. In this paper, a method for selection of optimal set of conductors is presented. Several financial and engineering factors are considered in the solution. The intent is to arrive at a solution, which will be the most economical when both capital and operating costs are considered. Simulations have been performed to obtain results based on different criteria and the results are compared.
Reproducible cutoff wavelength measurement technique for trench-assisted BIF

Simple and stable cutoff wavelength (λc) measurement technique for bend insensitive fiber (BIF) with trench-assisted profile is proposed. This technique can suppress oscillation superimposed on λc measurement spectra, and λc can be determined properly.
Psychosocial risk factors for eating disorders

Objective: One goal in identifying psychosocial risk factors is to discover opportunities for intervention. The purpose of this review is to examine psychosocial risk factors for disordered eating, placing research findings in the larger context of how etiological models for eating disorders can be transformed into models for intervention. Method: A qualitative literature review was conducted focusing on psychological and social factors that increase the risk for developing eating disorders, with an emphasis on well-replicated findings from prospective longitudinal studies. Results: Epidemiological, cross-cultural, and longitudinal studies underscore the importance of the idealization of thinness and resulting weight concerns as psychosocial risk factors for eating disorders. Personality factors such as negative emotionality and perfectionism contribute to the development of eating disorders but may do so indirectly by increasing susceptibility to internalize the thin ideal or by influencing selection of peer environment. During adolescence, peers represent self-selected environments that influence risk. Discussion: Peer context may represent a key opportunity for intervention, as peer groups represent the nexus in which individual differences in psychological risk factors shape the social environment and social environment shapes psychological risk factors. Thus, peer-based interventions that challenge internalization of the thin ideal can protect against the development of eating pathology. © 2013 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2013; 46:433–439)