cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling the Cumulative Watershed Effects of Forest Management Strategies

There is increasing concern over the possibility of adverse cumulative watershed effects from intensive forest management. It is impractical to address many aspects of the problem experimentally because to do so would require studying large watersheds for 100 yr or more. One such aspect is the long-term effect of forest management strategies on erosion and sedimentation and the resultant damage to fish habitat. Is dispersing activities in time and space an effective way to minimize cumulative sedimentation effects? To address this problem, Monte Carlo simulations were conducted on four hypothetical 10 000-ha fifth-order forested watersheds: one watershed was left undisturbed, one was completely clearcut and roaded in 10 yr, with cutting starting at the head of the watershed and progressing toward the mouth, another was cut at the rate of 1% each year beginning at the watershed’s mouth and progressing upstream, and another was cut at a rate of 1% each year, with individual cut areas being widely dispersed throughout the watershed. These cutting patterns were repeated in succeeding centuries, rebuilding one-third of the road network every 100 yr. The parameters governing the simulations were based on recent data from coastal Oregon and northwestern California, Mass wasting, the most important source of sediment in that environment, was the only hillslope process modeled. The simulation results suggest that (i) the greatest differences between management strategies appeared in the first 100 yr and were related primarily to the rate of treatment. By the second 100 yr, when all watersheds had been treated, the principal difference between logging strategies was the timing of impacts. (ii) Dispersing harvest units did not significantly reduce cumulative effects. (iii) The frequency of bed elevation changes between 1 and 4 cm is dramatically increased by logging. uncertainty in a model. These properties are essential for the characterization of meteorological inputs and can be used to account for uncertainty in hydrologic and geomorphic parameters. Paired-watershed experiments are frequently used to investigate the effects of land use on hydrologic processes. Normally the results of paired-watershed experiments are assumed to be more real than those obtained from computer simulations. That assumption should be scrutinized a little more carefully. Paired-watershed experiments record the natural interplay of all the relevant processes. They do so, however, at one location during a relatively short period of time. Therefore, statistical inferences of such studies apply only to the study watersheds and only to the conditions operating during the study periods. All else is extrapolation based on professional judgement, not statistical inference.
Transamination of 2-oxo-4-[methylthio]butanoic acid in chicken tissues

Abstract The keto acid 2-oxo-4[methylthio]butanoic acid (OMTB) is an intermediate in the conversion of synthetic feed grade methionine sources to L-methionine in vivo in poultry and other animals. Because methionine sources are utilized by the chick with considerably less than 100% efficiency as sources of L-methionine, it is important to determine what metabolic process may limit the utilization of these sources. Because OMTB is converted to L-methionine by transamination, a study was conducted to determine which amino acids might serve as nitrogen donors in the conversion of OMTB to L-methionine in the chicken. Dialyzed tissue homogenates, mitochondria, and cytosol from liver, kidney, intestine, and skeletal muscle were incubated with OMTB and individual L-amino acids (isoleucine, leucine, valine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, alanine, glutamine, asparagine, and phenylalanine) and the methionine that accumulated was determined by ion exchange chromatography. Tissues differed in the conversion of OMTB to methionine: kidney was most active, liver and intestinal mucosa were intermediate, and skeletal muscle had lowest activity. All amino acids supported methionine synthesis. Branched-chain amino acids and glutamic acid were the most effective substrates in tissue cytosols except in intestinal mucosa, in which asparagine was also effective. The preferred substrates in mitochondria were glutamate in liver mitochondria, isoleucine and alanine in kidney mitochondria, and branched-chain amino acids and glutamic acid in skeletal muscle mitochondria. All amino acids except alanine supported methionine synthesis from OMTB in mitochondria of intestinal mucosa. We conclude that a wide variety of amino acids can serve as substrates for transamination of OMTB in the chicken, and that the availability of nitrogen donors is unlikely to be a limiting factor in the conversion of OMTB to methionine.
Factors Influencing Patient Interest in Plastic Surgery and the Process of Selecting a Surgeon

Background: Understanding patient interest in cosmetic surgery is an important tool in delineating the current market for aesthetic surgeons. Similarly, defining those factors that most influence surgeon selection is vital for optimizing marketing strategies. Objective: The authors evaluate a general population sample's interest in cosmetic surgery and investigate which factors patients value when selecting their surgeon. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 96 individuals in waiting rooms in nonsurgical clinics. Respondents were questioned on their ability to differentiate between a “plastic” surgeon and a “cosmetic” surgeon, their interest in having plastic surgery, and factors affecting surgeon and practice selection. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to define any significant correlative relationships. Results: Respondents consisted of 15 men and 81 women. Median age was 34.5 (range, 18–67) years. Overall, 20% were currently considering plastic surgery and 78% stated they would consider it in the future. The most common area of interest was a procedure for the face. The most important factors in selecting a surgeon were surgeon reputation and board certification. The least important were quality of advertising and surgeon age. The most cited factor preventing individuals from pursuing plastic surgery was fear of a poor result. Most (60%) patients would choose a private surgicenter-based practice. Conclusions: The level of importance for each studied attribute can help plastic surgeons understand the market for cosmetic surgery as well as what patients look for when selecting their surgeon. This study helps to define those attributes in a sample population.
A RANDOMIZED ALGORITHM FOR COMPARING SETS OF PHYLOGENETIC TREES

Phylogenetic analysis often produce a large number of candidate evolutionary trees, each a hypothesis of the ”true” tree. Post-processing techniques such as stri ct consensus trees are widely used to summarize the evolutionary relationships into a single tree. H owever, valuable information is lost during the summarization process. A more elementary step is to produce estimates of the topological differences that exist among all pairs of trees. We design a new randomized algorithm, called Hash-RF, that computes the all-to-all Robinson-Foulds (RF) distance—the most common distance metric for comparing two phylogenetic trees. Our approach uses a hash table to organize the bipartitions of a tree, and a universal hashing function makes our algorithm randomized. We compare the performance of our Hash-RF algorithm to PAUP*’s implementation of computing the all-to-all RF distance matrix. Our experiments focus on the algorithmic performance of comparing sets of biological trees, where the size of each tree ranged from 500 to 2,000 taxa and the collection of trees varied from 200 to 1,000 trees. Our experimental results clearly show that our Hash-RF algorithm is up to 500 times faster than PAUP*’s approach. Thus, Hash-RF provides an efficient alter native to a single tree summary of a collection of trees and potentially gives researchers the abil ity to explore their data in new and interesting ways.
Polyribosomal RNA-Seq Reveals the Decreased Complexity and Diversity of the Arabidopsis Translatome

Recent RNA-seq studies reveal that the transcriptomes in animals and plants are more complex than previously thought, leading to the inclusion of many more splice isoforms in annotated genomes. However, it is possible that a significant proportion of the transcripts are spurious isoforms that do not contribute to functional proteins. One of the current hypotheses is that commonly used mRNA extraction methods isolate both pre-mature (nuclear) mRNA and mature (cytoplasmic) mRNA, and these incompletely spliced pre-mature mRNAs may contribute to a large proportion of these spurious transcripts. To investigate this, we compared a traditional RNA-seq dataset (total RNA-seq) and a ribosome-bound RNA-seq dataset (polyribosomal RNA-seq) from Arabidopsis thaliana. An integrative framework that combined de novo assembly and genome-guided assembly was applied to reconstruct transcriptomes for the two datasets. Up to 44.8% of the de novo assembled transcripts in total RNA-seq sample were of low abundance, whereas only 0.09% in polyribosomal RNA-seq de novo assembly were of low abundance. The final round of assembly using PASA (Program to Assemble Spliced Alignments) resulted in more transcript assemblies in the total RNA-seq than those in polyribosomal sample. Comparison of alternative splicing (AS) patterns between total and polyribosomal RNA-seq showed a significant difference (G-test, p-value<0.01) in intron retention events: 46.4% of AS events in the total sample were intron retention, whereas only 23.5% showed evidence of intron retention in the polyribosomal sample. It is likely that a large proportion of retained introns in total RNA-seq result from incompletely spliced pre-mature mRNA. Overall, this study demonstrated that polyribosomal RNA-seq technology decreased the complexity and diversity of the coding transcriptome by eliminating pre-mature mRNAs, especially those of low abundance.
Corona-discharge treatment of polyethylene films. I. Experimental work and physical effects

Corona treatment of films, mainly polyethylene, was studied at commercial levels in a small continuous treater. Degree of treatment was characterized by measuring polar and dispersion components of surface energy, ASTM Wipe and ASTM Adhesion Ratio (“peel adhesion”). The chief factors studied were corona current, applied frequency, web speed, dielectric thickness and air-gap thickness between electrode and film. Other factors less intensively investigated were type of film, film additives, aging time after treatment, humidity and corona atmosphere. The polar component of surface energy, γ, is the key to understanding the changes in adhesive behavior of the films during treatment. We found that, for the equipment used, γ is accurately given by the equation where D = dielectric thick ness and G = air gap, both in mils; S = web speed, ft/min; I = corona current, ma, and γ is in dyne-cm/cm2. A similarly structured equation describes ASTM Wipe. Using measured surface-energy components for the pressure-sensitive tape used in the peel adhesion test, it was possible to calculate an adhesion interaction for each film on which peel adhesion was measured and to show that it closely correlates with peel strength. Humidity changes in the moderate-humidity range, number of electrodes used and corona frequency had little effect on properties. Slip additives inhibited development of adhesion until treatment levels became high; adhesion properties gradually diminished upon aging of films stored at ambient conditions.
Phase evolution in the YO1.5–TiO2–ZrO2 system around the pyrochlore region

Abstract The evolution of metastable phases in the YO 1.5 –TiO 2 –ZrO 2 system was investigated, with emphasis on compositions of general formulae Y 2 Ti 2 − y Zr y O 7 and Y 2 − z Ti 2 Zr z O 7 + z /2 , centered around the pyrochlore phase. The study focused on powders synthesized from precursors. The competing phases in this system can all be envisaged as derivatives of the fluorite structure. The results provide insight into the thermodynamics and kinetics governing phase selection. Pyrolysis of most compositions led to an amorphous oxide that was subsequently heat-treated in a stepwise manner at progressively higher temperatures to explore the phase evolution sequence. When substituting Zr 4+ for Ti 4+ , the first crystallization product was a defect fluorite structure. Pyrochlore formed at temperatures increasing from 900 to 1400 °C with increasing ZrO 2 content (0 ⩽ y ⩽ 1.4). When substituting Zr 4+ for Y 3+ , a two-phase microstructure of pyrochlore and orthorhombic ZrTiO 4 developed at 1300 °C. This is believed to be the equilibrium structure, in disagreement with the existing phase diagram.
Integrated polymer waveguide mode size transformer with a vertical taper for improved fiber coupling

We describe a novel vertical taper structure fabricated at the ends of polymer optical waveguide devices to improve the coupling between channel waveguides and single-m,ode fibers. The taper smoothly converts a highly elliptical waveguide mode into a bigger and more circular mode for low loss coupling and relaxed fiber alignment tolerances. A vertical taper 0.5-2 mm in length is made in the low index upper cladding to reduce its thickness from several micrometers to zero, followed by the coating of a second upper cladding with index higher than that of the previous upper cladding but slightly lower than that of waveguide core. In the taper, the channel waveguide mode gradually loses confinement by the upper cladding so that the mode size grows bigger a light propagates, whereas the confinement by the lower cladding and lateral confinement are hardly affected. The waveguide mode grows in the vertical direction away from the lossy ground electrode and substrate; therefore no compromise between mode size and propagation loss is involved. Two special but simple reactive ion etching techniques, shadow masked etching and tapered photoresist etching mask, are develop for making this vertical taper. Mode expansion and a 1.8 dB reduction in coupling los, which is not sensitive to waveguide width and polarization, is obtained in our preliminary experiment.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Light-induced electron transport in Chromatium strain D. II. Light-induced absorbance changes in Chromatium chromatophores.

Abstract The light-particle preparations, described previously as derived from chromatophore fractions of Chromatium, exhibit absorbance changes on steady-state illumination with actinic light. Conditions for optimal absorbance changes were established and used to study the effects of variation in redox potential effective at the light-activated electron transport system. The results indicate that at least six components participate in photo-induced changes in oxidation states; two of these can be correlated with the known cytochrome components—cytochrome c−552 and cytochrome c−555. The natures of the remaining components remain to be established. A model is proposed for the electron transport mechanisms activated by light, the salient feature of which is the existence of two functionally different pathways of photo-activated electron movement. One of these involves a pigment-heme protein complex consisting of the 890 mμ active center bacteriochlorophyll coupled to cytochrome c−555, cytochrome cc′ and a third cytochrome (component No. 3); the other consists of a 905 mμ active center bacteriochlorophyll coupled to cytochrome c−552 and a low potential component (P−135). A rationalization of all observations on photometabolism of Chromatium on the basis of this model is presented.
Physician-patient communication in chronic illness.

The traditional model of doctor-patient communication allows little room for the incorporation of the expertise in self-care acquired by a patient with a chronic illness. When this knowledge is ignored or challenged, potentially damaging situations may arise. Two illustrative case reports are presented. It is suggested that the relationship between referring physician and consultant may provide a more relevant model for communication in chronic illness,
Interaction matrix element fluctuations in ballistic quantum dots: Random wave model

We study matrix element fluctuations of the two-body screened Coulomb interaction and of the one-body surface-charge potential in ballistic quantum dots. For chaotic dots, we use a normalized random wave model to obtain analytic expansions for matrix element variances and covariances in the limit of large $kL$ (where $k$ is the Fermi wave number and $L$ is the linear size of the dot). These leading-order analytical results are compared with exact numerical results. Both two-body and one-body matrix elements are shown to follow non-Gaussian distributions, in spite of the Gaussian random nature of the single-electron wave functions.
Dynamical adjustment of the trade wind inversion layer

Abstract In schematic north–south cross sections the trade inversion layer is often depicted as sloping upward as air flows toward the intertropical convergence zone. This conceptual view is consistent with purely thermodynamic boundary-layer models, which predict a deeper boundary layer with increasing sea surface temperature and decreasing large-scale subsidence. The slopes implied by such thermodynamic models and incorporated into schematic diagrams are approximately 2000 m/1000 km. In contrast, observational studies of the inversion structure over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans reveal a less dramatic slope, on the order of 300 m/1000 km. To address this inconsistency, the authors adopt a somewhat different view of the trade inversion layer. In particular, rather than regarding it as a purely thermodynamic structure, it is regarded as a dynamical structure. By formulating a generalization of the Rossby adjustment problem, the authors investigate the dynamical adjustments of a trade wind inversion laye...
The same site on the integrase-binding domain of lens epithelium–derived growth factor is a therapeutic target for MLL leukemia and HIV

Lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF) is a chromatin-associated protein implicated in leukemia and HIV type 1 infection. LEDGF associates with mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) fusion proteins and menin and is required for leukemic transformation. To better understand the molecular mechanism underlying the LEDGF integrase-binding domain (IBD) interaction with MLL fusion proteins in leukemia, we determined the solution structure of the MLL-IBD complex. We found a novel MLL motif, integrase domain binding motif 2 (IBM2), which binds to a well-defined site on IBD. Point mutations within IBM2 abolished leukemogenic transformation by MLL-AF9, validating that this newly identified motif is essential for the oncogenic activity of MLL fusion proteins. Interestingly, the IBM2 binding site on IBD overlaps with the binding site for the HIV integrase (IN), and IN was capable of efficiently sequestering IBD from the menin-MLL complex. A short IBM2 peptide binds to IBD directly and inhibits both the IBD-MLL/menin and IBD-IN interactions. Our findings show that the same site on IBD is involved in binding to MLL and HIV-IN, revealing an attractive approach to simultaneously target LEDGF in leukemia and HIV.
Thermodynamic parameters associated with guanidine HCl- and temperature-induced unfolding of bFGF

Abstract Purpose: The thermodynamics and kinetics associated with either thermal- or chaotrope-induced unfolding of recombinant, human basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was characterized using several analytical techniques. Method: Changes in the three-dimensional conformation of bFGF were detected using fluorescence spectroscopy and heparin affinity chromatography, and the observed data analyzed using a simple two-state [N↔D] model to estimate the value of several thermodynamic parameters. Results: Treatment of thermal denaturation data yielded mean values for the Tm (temperature when ΔG=0) of 322±21 K (49.3±3.2°C), ΔHm (change in enthalpy when ΔG=0) of 214±23.8 kJ/mol, and ΔS (change in entropy) of 664±40.2 J mol−1 K−1. Treatment of the GnHCl-induced denaturation data yielded mean values of the ΔG(H2O) (change in free energy in the absence of the denaturant) of 13.0±0.67 kJ/mol and the GnHCl1/2 (concentration of GnHCl when ΔG=0) of 1.3±0.09 M. Sucrose (0.26 M) was found to be an effective stabilizer against thermal-induced denaturation of bFGF. Renaturation of bFGF which had previously been denatured with 3 M GnHCl was demonstrated following dialysis. However, renaturation of bFGF following heat-induced denaturation was significantly inhibited. Conclusions: Using fluorescence spectroscopy, we have estimated the value of several thermodynamic parameters associated with bFGF unfolding induced by either chemical or thermal means.
Case studies of students' learning as action research on conceptual change teaching

An instructional unit on current electricity, based on conceptual change principles, was developed for two classes of students, aged 10 to 11. The unit emphasized the students’ construction of mental models and the evaluation of those models against experimental data and models proposed by other students. In monitoring the unit, the teacher and a collaborating researcher conducted case studies of the learning of three students. Summaries of the three case studies are presented and discussed. Differences between the three students’ achievement of content and process goals became clear. Other significant differences were revealed, for example in their curricular orientations. Viewed as action research into students’ learning, the detail afforded by case studies can highlight broader curricular and instructional issues, providing a powerful base for programme evaluation. It is also argued that such case studies can document the expertise of teachers, especially as components of practicing teachers’ portfolios.
Retinoic Acid and Histone Deacetylases Regulate Epigenetic Changes in Embryonic Stem Cells

All-trans-retinoic acid (RA) is a vitamin A metabolite that plays major roles in regulating stem cell differentiation and development. RA is the ligand of the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) family of transcription factors, which interact with retinoic acid response elements (RAREs) within target gene proximal promoters and enhancers. Although RA-mediated gene activation is well understood, less is known about the mechanisms for repression at RA-regulated genes. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments, we show that in embryonic stem cells in the absence of RA, histone deacetylases (HDACs) differentially bind to various RAREs in proximal promoters or enhancer regions of RA-regulated genes; HDAC1, HDAC2, and HDAC3 bind at RAREs in the Hoxa1 and Cyp26a1 gene regulatory regions, whereas only HDAC1 binds at the RARβ2 RARE. shRNA knockdown of HDAC1, HDAC2, or HDAC3 differentially increases the deposition of the histone 3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) epigenetic mark associated with increases in these three transcripts. Importantly, RA treatment differentially mediates the removal of HDACs from the Hoxa1, Cyp26a1, and RARβ2 genes and promotes the deposition of the H3K27ac mark at these genes. Overall, we show that HDACs differentially bind to RA-regulated genes to control key epigenetic marks involved in stem cell differentiation.
Integrating mechatronics into a mechanical engineering curriculum

We present what we believe is a more manageable approach to enhancing a mechatronics-based mechanical engineering program-a stepwise method to restructure a traditional mechanical engineering curriculum with a mechatronics theme. The result can be a curriculum with contemporary emphasis, enhanced content, and improved sequencing and coupling of traditional topics including modeling and analysis, computing, electrical circuits and machines, measurements and instrumentation, control theory, and design. Mechatronics provides a natural focus for this restructuring and creates an opportunity to better connect and utilize interesting exercises and design experiences throughout the curriculum. The proposed restructuring method consists of four evolutionary steps that allow manageable incremental changes that can be reasonably coordinated with faculty and laboratory development.
Beside One's Self: Homelessness Felt and Lived

Catherine Robinson's poignant account of personal and felt dimensions of youth homelessness in Brisbane, Australia is a must read for anybody studying the geographies of homelessness and highly rec...
Direct Interaction of c-Myc with Smad2 and Smad3 to Inhibit TGF-β-Mediated Induction of the CDK Inhibitor p15(Ink4B)

Abstract The c-Myc oncogene has been implicated in the genesis of diverse human tumors. Ectopic expression of the c-Myc gene in cultured epithelial cells causes resistance to the antiproliferative effects of TGF-β. However, little is known about the precise mechanisms of c-Myc-mediated TGF-β resistance. In this study, we reveal that c-Myc physically interacts with Smad2 and Smad3, two specific signal transducers involved in TGF-β signaling. Through its direct interaction with Smads, c-Myc binds to the Sp1-Smad complex on the promoter of the p15 Ink4B gene, thereby inhibiting the TGF-β-induced transcriptional activity of Sp1 and Smad/Sp1-dependent transcription of the p15 Ink4B gene. These results suggest that oncogenic c-Myc promotes cell growth and cancer development partly by inhibiting the growth inhibitory functions of Smads.
Expression of the Smooth Muscle Myosin Heavy Chain Gene Is Regulated by a Negative-acting GC-rich Element Located between Two Positive-acting Serum Response Factor-binding Elements

To identify cis- and trans-acting factors that regulate smooth muscle-specific gene expression, we studied the smooth muscle myosin heavy chain gene, a rigorous marker of differentiated smooth muscle. A comparison of smooth muscle myosin heavy chain promoter sequences from multiple species revealed the presence of a highly conserved 227-base pair domain (nucleotides −1321 to −1095 in rat). Results of a deletion analysis of a 4.3-kilobase pair segment of the rat promoter (nucleotides −4220 to +88) demonstrated that this domain was necessary for maximal transcriptional activity in smooth muscle cells. Gel-shift analysis and site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that one true CArG and another CArG-like element contained within this domain were both recognized by the serum response factor and were both required for the positive activity attributable to this domain. Additional studies demonstrated that mutation of a GC-rich sequence within the 227-base pair conserved domain resulted in a nearly 100% increase in transcriptional activity. Gel-shift analysis showed that this GC-rich repressor element was recognized by both Sp1 and Sp3. These data demonstrate that transcriptional control of the smooth muscle myosin heavy chain gene is highly complex, involving both negative and positive regulatory elements, including CArG sequences found in the promoters of multiple smooth muscle differentiation marker genes.
A potent, simple derivative of an analog of the CC-1065 alkylation subunit

Abstract A simple semicarbazide derivative of CBI, an analog of the authentic CPI alkylation subunit of CC-1065, exhibits enhanced in vitro cytotoxic potency and DNA alkylation properties ( ca. 100x) derived from noncovalent electrostatic DNA binding.
A photoreversible phytochrome affinity column chromatography for putative phytochrome receptor studies

Abstract Using a photoreversible phytochrome affinity column, we have isolated a small RNA molecule that binds to the affinity column. The RNA was identified by a A 260 A 280 ratio of 2.0, hypochromicity, orcinol, ribonuclease A and DNase tests. Agarose gel electrophoresis and circular dichroic spectral characteristics also indicate it to be small RNA molecule. The successful preparation of a photoreversible phytochrome affinity column, the possible usage of the column and the significance of the RNA binding have been discussed.
Vascular Disease in Scleroderma: Angiogenesis and Vascular Repair

Vascular abnormalities are one of the primary pathologic components of scleroderma. An early vascular indicator is aberrant nail fold capillaries that appear to undergo a switch from a pro- to anti-angiogenic process. Later in the disease process, ineffective and aberrant wound healing becomes apparent with frequent and widespread fibrosis. Pulmonary hypertension, largely due to the loss of pulmonary arterial vasculature, is frequently observed in late stages of the disease. The common theme of all these processes is abnormal regeneration of the vasculature and ongoing vascular losses due to defective maintenance of the vasculature. Although most aspects of vascular injury in scleroderma are poorly understood, certain biologic themes are beginning to emerge that are important in understanding scleroderma-related vascular disease.
Feasibility, acceptability, and sustainability of telepsychiatry for children and adolescents

Objective: This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and sustainability of a telepsychiatry service for children and adolescents living in nonmetropolitan communities. Methods: Using high- bandwidth interactive video teleconferencing, psychiatrists at a children’s hospital provided care to patients of primary care physicians at four nonmetropolitan sites. Review of one-year utilization provided feasibility data. Surveys of referring physicians examined acceptability of telepsychiatry. Reimbursement records provided sustainability data. Results: Overall, 387 sessions were provided to 172 youths (mean=2.25 sessions) whose clinical profiles were representative of national samples. Referring providers endorsed high satisfaction with telepsychiatric care, although pediatricians were consistently more satisfied than family physicians. Sustainability of telepsychiatry is challenged by infrastructure costs and low reimbursement by public payers. Conclusions: Telepsychiatry is a feasible and acceptable approach to providing psychiatric services to youths in underserved communities. Sustainability will depend on developing financial alternatives to fee-for-service, especially if caseloads emphasize publicly funded programs. (Psychiatric Services 58:1493–1496, 2007)
The influence of individual communication media on public confidence in democratic institutions

This investigation examines the influence of seven communication modalities on public perceptions of confidence in four democratic institutions. The study reasoned that the media serve as a source of secondary socialization: that depictions of democratic institutions such as the office of the Presidency, Congress, news media, and public schools by individual communication modalities cultivate perceptions of those institutions in people who rely more on these modalities. To test this position, the study employed an extensive content analysis of the quantity and tone of all references by the seven communication modalities to the democratic institutions noted above in conjunction with a survey of the public's use of modalities and their confidence in specific institutions. The pattern of results revealed a persistent pattern of negativity on the part of network television news (toward the President and Congress), other television news (toward Congress and the news media), television entertainment talk shows ...
OUTRIDER: efficient memory latency tolerance with decoupled strands

We present OUTRIDER, an architecture for throughput-oriented processors that provides memory latency tolerance to improve performance on highly threaded workloads. OUTRIDER enables a single thread of execution to be presented to the architecture as multiple decoupled instruction streams that separate memory-accessing and memory-consuming instructions. The key insight is that by decoupling the instruction streams, the processor pipeline can tolerate memory latency in a way similar to out-of-order designs while relying on a low-complexity in-order micro-architecture. Moreover, instead of adding more threads as is done in modern GPUs, OUTRIDER can tolerate memory latency with fewer threads and reduced contention for resources shared amongst threads. We demonstrate that OUTRIDER can outperform single threaded cores by 23-131% and a 4-way simultaneous multithreaded core by up to 87% on data parallel applications in a 1024-core system. Moreover, OUTRIDER achieves these performance gains without incurring the overhead of additional hardware thread contexts, which results in improved area efficiency compared to a multithreaded core.
Construction, analysis, and transcription of model nucleosomal templates

Transcription through the nucleosome by Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA polymerase II (Pol II) is characterized by an almost absolute block to transcription at physiological ionic strength and displacement of one H2A/H2B dimer to form a hexasome [Mol. Cell 9 (2002) 541]. In previous studies of Pol II transcription through chromatin, templates containing nucleosomes in multiple positions were used. These templates do not allow detailed analysis of the mechanism of transcription through chromatin. Here, we describe the development of a new template that is only long enough to accommodate a single nucleosome position along the DNA so that all of the templates are identical and allow for more in-depth analysis. After ligation of the nucleosome to promoter DNA or assembled elongation complexes, the mechanism of transcription through this uniquely positioned nucleosome by various RNA polymerases can be analyzed.
Sorption and diffusion of water, salt water, and concrete pore solution in composite matrices†

In recent years, the use of fiber-reinforced polymer composites in civil infrastructure has been promoted as a solution to the deterioration of bridges, buildings, and other structures composed of traditional materials, such as steel, concrete, and wood. Any application of a polymer composite in an outdoor environment invariably involves exposure to moisture. There is also potential for exposure to saline conditions in waterfront or offshore structures, and alkaline environments, as would be encountered by a reinforcing bar in a cementitious material. This study characterizes the sorption and transport of distilled water, salt solution, and a simulated concrete pore solution in free films of vinyl ester, isophthalic polyester (isopolyester) and epoxy resins, all commercially important materials for use in structural composites. Diffusion of all three liquids in each of the three materials was observed to follow a Fickian process. Mass loss was observed for the isopolyester in salt water and concrete pore solution at 60°C, suggesting hydrolysis that was accelerated by the high temperature exposure. Both the rate of uptake, as well as the equilibrium uptake, were greater at 60°C, compared with ambient conditions. Diffusion coefficients calculated from the mass uptake data revealed that, although the epoxy resin had the highest equilibrium uptake, it had the lowest diffusion coefficient. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 483–492, 1999
Biomass from marine macroscopic plants

Abstract Marine biomass production has several attractive features, the chief one being the large areas of ocean available for such activities. Disadvantages include the meager state of existing knowledge and the difficulties of operating under oceanic conditions. Algae have been farmed by Orientals for many years in estuaries and along coasts, but their techniques are frequently highly labor-intensive. Seaweeds tend to be low in cellulose and lignin (chemically refractile compounds common in terrestrial plants) but are typically high in water and salt contents. Because of the water content, bacterial digestive techniques seem favored for purposes of fuel production. Active research fields include primarily biological and engineering studies of biomass production systems, as well as investigations of fuel conversion processes and economics of proposed systems. Investigations of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution have involved screening species to identify the highest producers, factors influencing productivity, and special studies such as efficiency with which nitrogen can be recycled within the culturing system. Investigations at the California Institute of Technology have emphasized culturing of a single, very large species, giant kelp. Efforts were made to identify the principal problems involved in growing plants in oceanic settings. Economic studies by three organizations have dealt primarily with feasibility of oceanic as opposed to coastal farming systems.
Cyclin a is a c-Jun target gene and is necessary for c-Jun-induced anchorage-independent growth in RAT1a cells

Overexpression of c-Jun enables Rat1a cells to grow in an anchorage-independent manner. We used an inducible c-Jun system under the regulation of doxycycline in Rat1a cells to identify potential c-Jun target genes necessary for c-Jun-induced anchorage-independent growth. Induction of c-Jun results in sustained expression of cyclin A in the nonadherent state with only minimal expression in the absence of c-Jun. The promoter activity of cyclin A2 was 4-fold higher in Rat1a cells in which c-Jun expression was induced compared with the control cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated that c-Jun bound directly to the cyclin A2 promoter. Mutation analysis of the cyclin A2 promoter mapped the c-Jun regulatory site to an ATF site at position –80. c-Jun was able to bind to this site both in vitro and in vivo, and mutation of this site completely abolished promoter activity. Cyclin A1 was also elevated in c-Jun-overexpressing Rat1a cells; however, c-Jun did not regulate this gene directly, since it did not bind directly to the cyclin A1 promoter. Suppression of cyclin A expression via the introduction of a cyclin A antisense sequences significantly reduced the ability of c-Jun-overexpressing Rat1a cells to grow in an anchorage-independent fashion. Taken together, these results suggest that cyclin A is a target of c-Jun and is necessary but not sufficient for c-Jun-induced anchorage-independent growth. In addition, we demonstrated that the cytoplasmic oncogenes Ras and Src transcriptionally activated the cyclin A2 promoter via the ATF site at position –80. Using a dominant negative c-Jun mutant, TAM67, we showed that this transcriptional activation of cyclin A2 requires c-Jun. Thus, our results suggest that c-Jun is a mediator of the aberrant cyclin A2 expression associated with Ras/Src-induced transformation.
Josephson plasma resonance in Tl2Ba2CaCu2O8 in a magnetic field measured using THz spectroscopy

Abstract We report the first measurements of the c-axis Josephson plasma resonance (JPR) in Tl2Ba2CaCu2O8 as a function of temperature with and without a c-axis magnetic field using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy in transmission. The JPR is sensitive to the alignment of pancake vortices along the c-axis, and is observed to decrease when applying a magnetic field as expected.
Palaeolimnological evidence of late-Holocene settlement and abandonment in the Mirador Basin, Peten, Guatemala

Pollen, loss on ignition and magnetic susceptibility analyses provide a high-resolution palaeoenvironmental record from Lago Puerto Arturo, Peten, Guatemala. The presence of Zea pollen ~2650 BC provides a latest date for the arrival of maize agriculture to the region. The following 3600 years are marked by significant opening of the forest and episodic pulses of erosion. During the early Preclassic, around 1450 BC, all proxies indicate an abrupt increase in human activity, coincident with archaeological evidence of early settlement. Three discrete periods of decreased human activity are indicated by cessations of landscape disturbance. Such decreased human activity likely reflects periodic local population decline. These events coincide with times of cultural transition in the Maya lowlands and correspond to the terminal phases of the middle Preclassic, late Preclassic and late Classic periods. There is no evidence for human activity in the area following the late Classic abandonment.
Response of coronary microvascular collaterals to activation of ATP-sensitive K+ channels

Objective: Studies have suggested that collateral vessels of the coronary and hind-limb circulations are more sensitive to activation of ATP-sensitive K+ channels than are non-collateral vessels. The objective of the present study was to compare responses of microvascular non-collaterals, native collaterals and stimulated collaterals in the heart to three vasodilators which act through different mechanisms: activation of ATP-sensitive K+ channels with aprikalim, release of nitric oxide with acetylcholine, and endothelium-independent activation of soluble guanylate cyclase with nitroglycerin. Methods: Collateral growth was stimulated by placing an Ameroid occluder on the proximal left circumflex artery in dogs. Non-collaterals, native collaterals and stimulated collaterals (100–220 μm in diameter) were isolated, cannulated on micropipettes and pressurized in vitro. Vessel diameters were measured using videomicroscopy. Results: Dilation to aprikalim (10−8–10−5 M), acetylcholine (10−9–10−6 M) and nitroglycerin (10−8–3×10−4 M) were similar in non-collateral, native collateral and stimulated collaterals. Dilation of native collaterals to aprikalim and acetylcholine was attenuated by glibenclamide (10 μM), an inhibitor of ATP-sensitive K+ channels, but not by tetraethylammonium (1 mM), a non-selective inhibitor of K+ channels. Dilation of native collaterals to acetylcholine but not aprikalim was also inhibited by nitro-l-arginine (10 μM), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. Conclusion: These findings suggest that microvascular native and stimulated collaterals respond to activation of ATP-sensitive K+ channels and acetylcholine similar to non-collaterals of similar size. Thus, changes in reactivity of collaterals to activation of ATP-sensitive K + channels are not related to changes in the ability of the vessels to respond to vasodilators but may primarily be determined by a change in the distribution of collateral vessel size.
Comparison of endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography for the prediction of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.

Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) is a sensitive test for the early ductal changes of chronic pancreatitis. More recently, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has also been proposed as a sensitive structural test for chronic pancreatitis. Few studies have compared EUS and ERP using an external reference standard. Direct pancreatic function tests (PFT) are an acceptable reference standard for chronic pancreatitis since they detect mild exocrine insufficiency. Our aim was to compare structural abnormalities as revealed by ERP and EUS for the prediction of exocrine insufficiency. Eight-three patients who underwent EUS, ERP, and secretin PFT for the evaluation of pancreatitis were identified from our database. Exocrine insufficiency was defined as a secretin PFT peak bicarbonate concentration <80 mEq/l. Based on the number of abnormal sonographic criteria observed, EUS findings were categorized as normal (<2 criteria), mild (3–5 criteria) or severe (6–9 criteria or calcifications). ERP findings were categorized based on the Cambridge classification. ERP and EUS did not differ significantly in either sensitivity (72% vs 68%, P = 0.52) or specificity (76% vs 79%, P = 0.40). ERP and EUS were similarly associated with exocrine insufficiency both in the presence of minimal (OR 3.4 and 4.9, respectively) and severe structural changes (OR 12 and 24, respectively). We consider EUS to have a diagnostic accuracy for the structural diagnosis of early- and late-stage chronic pancreatitis similar to that of ERP.
Multi-color arrays of III-nitride photonic crystal nanowire lasers on a single chip

We have demonstrated a multi-color array of photonic crystal lasers on a single chip. By lithographically defining the geometrical properties of the photonic crystals we have achieved tuning from 376–435 nm using a single epitaxial growth.
Injury Hospitalization as a Marker for Emergency Medical Services Use in Elderly Patients

AbstractBackground. The elderly utilize emergency medical services (EMS) at a higher rate than younger patients, yet little is known about the influence of injury on subsequent EMS utilization and costs. Objective. To assess injury hospitalization as a potential marker for subsequent EMS utilization and costs by Medicare patients. Methods. This observational study analyzed a retrospective cohort of all Medicare patients (≥67 years old) with an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) injury diagnosis admitted to 125 Oregon and Washington hospitals during 2001 and 2002 who survived to hospital discharge. The numbers of EMS transports and the total EMS costs were compared one year before and one year following the index hospitalization. Results. There were 30,655 injured elders in our cohort. Their median ICD-9–based injury severity score was 0.97, with 4.1% meeting a definition of serious injury and 37% having hip fractures. The mean (range) numbers of EMS transports before and afte...
Endoscopic treatment of symptomatic septum pellucidum cysts: With some preliminary observations on the ultrastructure of the cyst wall: Two technical case reports

Objective and importance We describe two patients with symptomatic septum pellucidum cysts managed by endoscopic fenestration. In each case, tissue from the cyst wall was studied to define the origin of the cyst wall and fluid. Clinical presentation The patients, a 6-year-old boy and a 42-year-old man, each presented with headaches and a syncopal episode. Imaging studies demonstrated large septum pellucidum cysts with obstruction of the foramina of Monro. Intervention The patients underwent endoscopic transventricular cyst fenestration with a 4-mm steerable fiberscope. The fenestrations were created to allow communication with the right and left lateral ventricles. In one patient, adhesions between the cyst wall and the foramen of Monro were lysed with endoscopic monopolar cautery. Tissue from the cyst walls was removed for examination by electron microscopy. Postoperatively, the headaches and syncopal episodes resolved in both patients. Conclusion Endoscopic fenestration of symptomatic septum pellucidum cysts produces immediate relief of the mass effect of the cyst and resolution of associated symptoms. Cannulation of the lateral ventricle before cyst fenestration prevents inadvertent injury to the fornices, thalamus, internal capsule, caudate nucleus, and septal and thalamostriate veins. The endoscopic approach allows the surgeon to ensure communication within the ventricular system, thus avoiding placement of a shunt. Preliminary ultrastructural analysis indicates that the cyst walls derive from the septum pellucidum rather than the choroid plexus or arachnoid. The cellular machinery necessary for fluid secretion was identified in some specimens.