cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ski areas, weather and climate: time series models for New England case studies

Wintertime warming trends experienced in recent decades, and predicted to increase in the future, present serious challenges for ski areas and whole regions that depend on winter tourism. Most research on this topic examines past or future climate-change impacts at yearly to decadal resolution, to obtain a perspective on climate-change impacts. We focus instead on local-scale impacts of climate variability, using detailed daily data from two individual ski areas. Our analysis fits ARMAX (autoregressive moving average with exogenous variables) time series models that predict day-to-day variations in skier attendance from a combination of mountain and urban weather, snow cover and cyclical factors. They explain half to two-thirds of the variation in these highly erratic series, with no residual autocorrelation. Substantively, model results confirm the “backyard hypothesis” that urban snow conditions significantly affect skier activity; quantify these effects alongside those of mountain snow and weather; show that previous-day conditions provide a practical time window; find no monthly effects net of weather; and underline the importance of a handful of high-attendance days in making or breaking the season. Viewed in the larger context of climate change, our findings suggest caution regarding the efficacy of artificial snowmaking as an adaptive strategy, and of smoothed yearly summaries to characterize the timing-sensitive impacts of weather (and hence, high-variance climate change) on skier activity. These results elaborate conclusions from our previous annual-level analysis. More broadly, they illustrate the potential for using ARMAX models to conduct integrated, dynamic analysis across environmental and social domains. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Retrospective industrial hygiene surveys

The true test of the long-term response of workers exposed to a hazardous agent is usually the epidemiological studies performed on same. This necessitates the long-term knowledge of exposure levels. Usually, the extent to which the exposures measured during recent experiences are representative of past exposures is difficult to assess as only limited historic measurements are available, and oftentimes the limited data are difficult to relate to today's measurement techniques. It is fallacious to assume that the conditions were worse in the past as it is fallacious to assume that they were better. The methodology of estimating past exposures to an agent based on industry-wide survey techniques is discussed.
Fog Drip in the Bull Run Municipal Watershed, Oregon

: Net precipitation under old growth Douglas fir forest in the Bull Run Municipal Watershed (Portland, Oregon) totaled 1739 mm during a 4Cbweek period, 387 mm more than in adjacent clearcut areas. Expressing data on a full water year basis and adjusting gross precipitation for losses due to rainfall interception suggest fog drip could have added 882 mm (35 in) of water to total precipitation during a year when precipitation measured 2160 mm in a rain gage in a nearby clearing. Standard rain gages installed in open areas where fog is common may be collecting up to 30 percent less precipitation than would be collected in the forest. Long term forest management (Le., timber harvest) in the watershed could reduce annual water yield and, more importantly, summer stream flow by reducing fog drip.
Reciprocal altruism in birds: A critical review

Abstract Many proposed examples of reciprocal altruism are either misidentified or involve questionable assumptions concerning the costs and benefits accruing to the interactors. Waltz's ( Am. Nat. 118: 588–592, 1981) definition of reciprocal altruism as an interaction in which "one individual aids another in anticipation that the recipient will return the favor benefiting the actor in the future" is not sufficiently restrictive: there must also be a direct fitness cost to the individual performing the original beneficent act that is less than the fitness benefit received when the act is reciprocated (again at a cost) by the second individual. Several recurring problems in identifying potential examples of reciprocal altruism are discussed, including the assumption that restraint is an act of altruism and the misclassification of "generational mutualisms," in which individuals helping to raise young are "repaid" one generation later by the offspring they assisted in raising. No definite case of reciprocal altruism is currently known in birds, but examples in which this phenomenon may be involved include helping behavior in a few cooperative breeders and communal feeding in several taxa including gulls, jays, and juncos.
Localization-Induced Band and Cohesive Model

A localization-induced cohesive model has been proposed for shear band evolution, crack growth, and fracture. Strain gradient theory has been applied to establish the criterion of the onset of localization and the governing equation in the post-bifurcation stage. Analytical solutions in one-dimensional case are used to establish the traction-separation law, in which strain gradient and material intrinsic length scale present strong effects. In addition, the solution predicts a finite width for the localization-induced band. It is observed that a larger length scale contributes to the growth of a larger width of localization region and separation for softening materials. The proposed model provides a procedure to establish the fracture toughness analytically since the material length scale is taken into account. From the traction-separation analysis, it is found that damage decreases separation, whereas an increase in material length scale increases the opening displacement; however, the traction-normalized opening displacement curves (with respect to the material length scale) are identical. Based on the methodology of multiple scale analysis in meshfree method, a computational approach has been proposed to enrich the one-dimensional traction-separation law to define fracture.
Adducin in platelets: activation-induced phosphorylation by PKC and proteolysis by calpain.

Adducins are a family of cytoskeletal proteins encoded by 3 genes (alpha, beta, and gamma). Platelets express alpha and gamma adducins, in contrast to red blood cells that express alpha and beta adducins. During platelet activation with thrombin, calcium ionophore A23187, or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, alpha and gamma adducins were phosphorylated by protein kinase C (PKC) as detected by an antibody specific for a phosphopeptide sequence in the highly conserved carboxy terminus. Platelet activation also led to adducin proteolysis; inhibition by calpeptin suggests that the protease was calpain. The kinase inhibitor staurosporine inhibited PKC phosphorylation of adducin and also inhibited proteolysis of adducin. Experiments with recombinant alpha adducin demonstrated that the PKC-phosphorylated form was proteolyzed at a significantly faster rate than the unphosphorylated form. The concentration of adducin in platelets was estimated at 6 μM, similar to the concentration of capping protein. Fractionation of platelets into high-speed supernatant (cytosol) and pellet (membrane and cytoskeleton) revealed a shift of PKC-phosphorylated adducin to the cytosol during platelet activation. Platelet aggregation detected turbidometrically was decreased in the presence of staurosporine and was completely inhibited by calpeptin. Thrombin-induced changes in morphology were assessed by confocal microscopy with fluorescein phalloidin and were not prevented by staurosporine or calpeptin. Our results suggest that regulation of adducin function by PKC and calpain may play a role in platelet aggregation.
Recent-onset ecstasy use: association with deviant behaviors and psychiatric comorbidity.

BACKGROUND Despite increases in ecstasy (MDMA) use in the United States, little is known about characteristics linked with recent-onset ecstasy use, especially psychiatric symptoms and deviant behaviors. AIMS To test whether individuals with high levels of other drug use are more likely to be recent-onset ecstasy users; to test whether psychiatric symptoms in adults are associated with recent-onset ecstasy use; to explore the association between recent-onset ecstasy use and concomitant deviant behaviors in adolescents and adults. METHODS Data from the 2001 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. FINDINGS Recent-onset ecstasy use was significantly more likely to occur among adolescents and adults (18-34 years old) who engaged in deviant behaviors during the past year as compared with those who did not engage in deviant behaviors during the past year. Higher levels of deviancy indicated a higher likelihood of being a recent-onset ecstasy user, and associations were strongest with nonviolent deviant behaviors such as selling illegal drugs and stealing. Associations between deviant behaviors and recent-onset ecstasy use were similar in strength to associations between deviant behaviors and recent-onset cocaine and marijuana use, respectively. Adults who had past-year psychiatric symptoms (both depressive and panic symptoms) were twice as likely to be recent-onset ecstasy users as compared with those without past-year psychiatric symptoms. Greater levels of drug involvement increased the odds of being a recent-onset ecstasy user. CONCLUSION Recent-onset ecstasy use seems to be associated with a range of other behavioral problems and may reflect one aspect of a larger problem behavior syndrome.
Selective copper recovery with two types of liquid membranes

Copper can be selectively separated and concentrated by diffusion across liquid membranes. These membranes are effective either as thin films supported by porous polymer sheets or as liquid microcapsules or liquid surfactant membranes.
Comparison of speech production in upright and supine position

Speech is usually produced in an upright sitting or standing posture. Measurements and judgments of speech may be made in conditions requiring a supine position, however. These conditions include MRI recordings, and oral procedures, such as, adjustments to dental appliances, medical and surgical procedures. It is of interest, therefore, to see whether gravity has strong or systematic effects on tongue behavior. In the present study, 13 subjects repeated several words, which contained extreme consonant and vowel tongue positions, during upright and supine condition. Ultrasound imaging provided midsagittal tongue contours, in each condition, for comparison. A neck brace was used to stabilize transducer placement and the palate was used as a physiological reference to register the data sets. Results showed a significant subject effect. In supine position the tongue was more posterior than upright for seven subjects, more anterior for two subjects and varied by phoneme for four subjects. However, there was no significant phoneme effect. The direction of change and the amount of change were not directly related. Most subjects had small upright-supine differences. The largest differences, less than 3 mm on average, were in the posterior tongue.
Reply to Leiter's criticism of a new theory of elementary matter

In a recent note, Leiter (1973) claimed to have found an error in my formulation of a new theory of elementary matter (Sachs, 1971, 1972a, b). This was in regard to its application to etectrodynamics in the quantum domain. He asserts that my formal structure cannot incorporate the Pauli exclusion principle and from this he concludes that the theory must be false. In this note, I will rebut Leiter's comments, indicating the set of technical errors that he makes in the criticism. The exact form of the mathematical structure of my theory is in terms of a set of coupled, relativistically covariant, nonlinear spinor field equations. Each of the coupled equations corresponds to a particle component of an assumed closed system. These are referred to as 'particle components' only because they have the asymptotic feature (according to the axiomatic basis of the theory) of approaching the particle solutions of the linear formalism of ordinary quantum mechanics, in the limit as the energy and momentum transfer between the components becomes arbitrarily weak. But it is an important feature of this theory that the exact limit is not contained in the structure of the theory (even though it can be approached arbitrarily closely). Another important feature is that all of the nonlinear field solutions are mapped in a single space-time-they are a set of field solutions that represent a closed system that is, in fact, without parts. Leiter's main error was to claim that an exact solution of my nonlinear formalism, for the Kth particle component of my assumed closed system, is the stationary state eigenfunction ~(K)(x, t) = x(K)(x) exp(--/E(K)t)
Interferon-α inducible protein 6 impairs EGFR activation by CD81 and inhibits hepatitis C virus infection

Viral entry requires co-operative interactions of several host cell factors. Interferon (IFN) and the IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) play a central role in antiviral responses against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We examined the effect of interferon-α inducible protein 6 (IFI6) against HCV infection in human hepatoma cells. HCV RNA level or infectious foci were inhibited significantly by ectopic expression of IFI6. IFI6 impaired CD81 co-localization with claudin-1 (CLDN1) upon HCV infection or CD81 cross-linking by specific antibody. Activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a co-factor involved in CD81/CLDN1 interactions, was reduced in IFI6 expressing cells in response to HCV infection or CD81 cross linking by antibody, but not by treatment with EGF. Taken together, the results from our study support a model where IFI6 inhibits HCV entry by impairing EGFR mediated CD81/CLDN1 interactions. This may be relevant to other virus entry processes employing EGFR.
Distinctive features of heavy ton dissipative collisions

Abstract Examples of experimental angular, charge (mass) and energy distributions of reaction products from damped heavy-ion reactions are presented. Correlations between these observables, as well as with the associated light particles emitted in the deexcitation stage, are illustrated and shown to give important insights into the reaction mechanism of dissipative collisions. Comparisons of experimental results with dynamical transport calculations based on one-body nucleon exchange give strong evidence that stochastic exchange of independent nucleons account for the dominant part of the dissipative and fluctuative phenomena observed in damped reactions.
Cross-Linked Normal Hexagonal and Bicontinuous Cubic Assemblies via Polymerizable Gemini Amphiphiles

The synthesis and lyotropic liquid-crystalline (LLC) phase behavior of a homologous series of intrinsically cross-linkable gemini surfactants are described. These novel bis(alkyl-1,3-diene)-based phosphonium gemini amphiphiles exhibit “normal” hexagonal (HI), Type I bicontinuous cubic (QI), and lamellar (Lα) phases in water, and can be photocross-linked with retention of phase architecture in each case. On the basis of their locations on the phase diagram, their powder X-ray diffraction profiles, and the physical properties of the cross-linked materials, the QI phases formed by these gemini monomers are consistent with four possible bicontinuous cubic architectures with P or I space group symmetry that have been identified previously for small molecule amphiphiles. The extent of polymerization (i.e., the degree of diene conversion) achieved in the LLC phases was determined to be in the 23% to 71% range using UV−vis spectrometry, which is more than sufficient to extensively stabilize the systems. The resul...
Influence of condensation temperature on microstructure and tensile properties of titanium sheet produced by high-rate physical vapor deposition process

The influence of condensation temperature from 1000° to 275°C on the microstructure and tensile properties of titanium sheet produced by the high-rate physical vapor deposition process was studied. Deposition rates of 1 mil (250.000°A) per min were obtained. The microstructure varied with decreasing condensation temperature in the following sequence: above 883°C, transformed β; from 883° to 850°C, coarse columnar α; around 840°C, predominantly whisker growth; below 740°C, fine columnar α; below 450°C, very fine grained columnar α of less than theoretical density. The yield strength of the distilled sheet from 27,000 psi to 62,000 psi as the grain diameter decreased from 32 to 1 μ. The yield strength vs (grain diameter)-1/2 plot is linear.
An in vivo method to prepare normal schwann cells free of axons and myelin

Abstract A viable population of undifferentiated Schwann cells may be prepared from chronically denervated peripheral nerves. Nerve transection stimulates a sequence of cellular events in distal stumps leading to removal of axons and myelin, and proliferation of Schwann cells. Sealing the ends of nerve stumps prevents reinnervation and leaves daughter Schwann cells residing in longitudinal columns. Schwann cells may be harvested from the endoneurial tissue of the nerve stumps 5–12 weeks after nerve transection. Unlike myelinating cells prepared from intact tissue, where function has been specified by associated axons, Schwann cells obtained from denervated stumps are functionally naive. Their usefulness in analyzing axonal regulation of myelinogenesis and mitosis is therefore suggested.
Horn antennas with uniform power patterns around their axes

It is shown that a linearly polarized horn that has the same power pattern in all planes through the axis can be made from a synthetic material for which the boundary conditions on E and H are the same. An arbitrarily close approximation to this requirement can be realized by means of a grooved circular horn.
Predation and Abundance in Populations of Flour Beetles

Single—species populations of flour beetles, Tribolium confusum and T. castaneum, were experimentally manipulated to demonstrate that both predation by adults on pupae and predation by larvae on eggs are effective mechanisms for regulating the abundance of adult beetles. It was shown that predation by adults on pupae is the more effective of the two mechanisms, since experimental interference with the first kind of predation produces a larger increase in adult populations than does interference with the second kind. The same generalization holds for both species. See full-text article at JSTOR
A New Framework for Textual Information Mining over Parse Trees

This paper introduces a new text mining framework using a tree-based Linguistic Query Language, called LQL. The framework generates more than one parse tree for each sentence using a probabilistic parser, and annotates each node of these parse trees with \textit{main-parts} information which is set of key terms from the node's branch based on the branch's linguistic structure. Using main-parts-annotated parse trees, the system can efficiently answer individual queries as well as mine the text for a given set of queries. The framework can also support grammatical ambiguity through probabilistic rules and linguistic exceptions.
Network.assisted analysis to prioritize GWAS results: principles, methods and perspectives.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have rapidly become a powerful tool in genetic studies of complex diseases and traits. Traditionally, single marker-based tests have been used prevalently in GWAS and have uncovered tens of thousands of disease-associated SNPs. Network-assisted analysis (NAA) of GWAS data is an emerging area in which network-related approaches are developed and utilized to perform advanced analyses of GWAS data in order to study various human diseases or traits. Progress has been made in both methodology development and applications of NAA in GWAS data, and it has already been demonstrated that NAA results may enhance our interpretation and prioritization of candidate genes and markers. Inspired by the strong interest in and high demand for advanced GWAS data analysis, in this review article, we discuss the methodologies and strategies that have been reported for the NAA of GWAS data. Many NAA approaches search for subnetworks and assess the combined effects of multiple genes participating in the resultant subnetworks through a gene set analysis. With no restriction to pre-defined canonical pathways, NAA has the advantage of defining subnetworks with the guidance of the GWAS data under investigation. In addition, some NAA methods prioritize genes from GWAS data based on their interconnections in the reference network. Here, we summarize NAA applications to various diseases and discuss the available options and potential caveats related to their practical usage. Additionally, we provide perspectives regarding this rapidly growing research area.
Effects of ruminally protected betaine and choline on net flux of nutrients across the portal-drained viscera and liver of meat goat wethers consuming diets differing in protein concentration

Abstract Six Boer × Spanish goat wethers (43 ± 5.1 kg BW) were used in an experiment with a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments to investigate effects of dietary CP level (9% and 15% DM) and supplementation with ruminally protected betaine or choline (0.9% DM) on plasma concentrations and net fluxes of oxygen, ammonia N, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), triacylglycerols (TG) and cholesterol across the portal-drained viscera (PDV) and liver. Neither betaine nor choline affected blood flow, packed cell volume, hemoglobin concentration or oxygen consumption. Blood flow and oxygen consumption were greater ( P P P P P P P P
Outcome of antenatally diagnosed cystic adenomatoid malformations

Abstract OBJECTIVE : Twenty-two cases of antenatally diagnosed congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations arereported. STUDY DESIGN : Case management is reviewed. RESULTS : Eighteen women continued pregnancy after diagnosis. In nine cases nonimmune hydropsfetalis did not develop and all infants survived. Nonimmune hydrops fetalis developed in the other nine; fetal intervention was performed in eight cases. In the single case of nonimmune hydrops fetalis without intervention, the neonate died. In four cases aspiration of macrocystic lesions was performed. In two cases cystoamniotic shunts were placed. Neither aspiration or shunting provided long-term benefit. In six cases fetal lobectomy was ultimately performed and four survived. Two fetuses did not undergo in utero surgery; one was delivered prematurely after cyst aspiration and lived, and the other previable fetus was delivered soon after shunting. CONCLUSIONS : Fetal survival is best related to development of nonimmune hydrops fetalis. Aspiration ofcystic lesions and cystoamniotic shunts generally provide short-term benefit. Early experience with fetal surgery for congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations has been encouraging. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1992;167:1038–41.)
Adipose tissue insulin resistance due to loss of PI3K p110α leads to decreased energy expenditure and obesity

Adipose tissue is a highly insulin-responsive organ that contributes to metabolic regulation. Insulin resistance in the adipose tissue affects systemic lipid and glucose homeostasis. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) mediates downstream insulin signaling in adipose tissue, but its physiological role in vivo remains unclear. Using Cre recombinase driven by the aP2 promoter, we created mice that lack the class 1A PI3K catalytic subunit p110α or p110β specifically in the white and brown adipose tissue. The loss of p110α, not p110β, resulted in increased adiposity, glucose intolerance and liver steatosis. Mice lacking p110α in adipose tissue exhibited a decrease in energy expenditure but no change in food intake or activity compared with control animals. This low energy expenditure is a consequence of low cellular respiration in the brown adipocytes caused by a decrease in expression of key mitochondrial genes including uncoupling protein-1. These results illustrate a critical role of p110α in the regulation of energy expenditure through modulation of cellular respiration in the brown adipose tissue and suggest that compromised insulin signaling in adipose tissue might be involved in the onset of obesity.
Intraoperative ultrasound assessment in management of complex pancreatic pseudocysts

Preoperative imaging studies and operative inspection may provide insufficient information to appropriately manage certain complex pancreatic pseudocysts. Intraoperative ultrasound accurately identifies and localizes peripancreatic fluid collections, cyst wall thickness, parenchymal and ductal anatomy, and relationships to adjacent visceral and vascular structures. Adjunctive use of intraoperative ultrasonography altered the surgical management in the clinical case described herein and is advocated for assessment of problematic pancreatic pseudocysts.
Soil and water conservation policy approaches in North America, Europe, and Australia

Abstract Soil and water conservation policies and programs in developed countries in North America, Europe, and Australia are examined in the context of their effectiveness for addressing environmental degradation associated with technology-intensive agricultural systems. Conservation policies and programs in each geographical region of the world selected for examination are outlined and similarities highlighted. Research findings in each geographic region are used to formulate recommendations for the development of future soil and water conservation policies and programs. It is concluded that reliance on voluntary approaches to motivate land owner-operators to adopt and to use conservation production systems at the farm level will be inadequate to address environmental issues associated with nonpoint pollution.
Reason in Religion

RELIGIOUS behavior may be analysed into three essential elements: function, interpretation, and technique. The first refers to the purposes, goals, aims or ends of human welfare which produced it and which justify its continued existence. The second, or interpretation, refers to the meanings or secondary interpretations placed upon the Reality or realities which constitute the objective pole of such behavior. The third, or technique, consists in the overt behaviors of individuals and groups whereby the values involved are presumably obtained. Religion, in other words, is a complex form of individual and group behavior whereby certain values are realized in terms of techniques oriented toward that in one's existential medium which is interpreted to be divine. If one were to discuss the significance of reason in religion, it is obvious that he must consider its relevance to each of these three phases. We shall have to content ourselves, for the present, with an analysis of a few limited problems in these several areas. The word "reason" has a long and rather involved history. We shall not attempt to trace this history, nor shall we attempt a positive definition of the term. Instead, we shall define its extension by noting what is excluded. To do this, I wish to present a new term, metanoesis, which may be defined positively, and which will serve as the antithesis of reason. The word is formed from two Greek derivatives. The first is meta, which means, among other things, "after" or "other than." The second is noesis, which means rational thought. Metanoesis may be defined as the attempt to arrive at reliable knowledge by other than normal, natural or rational means. It is employed to denote the whole complex of methods whereby individuals and groups have sought to find answers to questions by extra-rational or supernatural
Macroeconomic stability in a free banking system

This paper uses a simple general equilibrium banking model to examine how permitting banks to issue notes might affect macroeconomic stability. Adding banknotes to the menu of available liabilities alters the interest sensitivities of bank security and deposit choices. This changes the slope of the economy's LM schedule and the magnitude of its displacement in the face of financial market disturbances. However, the theoretical directions of these changes that free banking would induce are ambiguous. While empirical evidence permits some speculation that free banking actually could reduce stability in the face of expenditure (IS) shocks, the key point of this paper is that any theoretical case favoring free banking cannot rest on an argument that free banking unambiguously would stabilize equilibrium nominal income.
Problems With Indexing and Citation of Articles With Group Authorship

Results Of the 285 published reports identified, 126 (44%) had group authorship, 109 (38%) had modified group authorship (listing individual names plus the name of the research group), and 50 (18%) had named authors only. In PubMed, no group authors were listed in the author field (per MEDLINE rules); in SCI, group-authored reports generally were incorrectly attributed (first name on investigator list [35.3%], first name on writing committee [25.5%], contact name [16.7%], anonymous [16.7%], and other [5.9%]). Using the SCI general search, we identified citations to 16.7% of groupauthored reports, compared with citations to 96.9% of reports with modified group authorship and 93.9% of citations to reports with named authors only. Other systematic search methods found that more than 98% of group-authored reports actually had been cited and that group-authored reports were cited more than other reports. Conclusions Indexing systems are not optimally adapted to group authorship. We recommend that indexing services change their practices to include group authors in the author field to help correct the problem.
Student perspectives of ePortfolios in computing education

This paper presents the preliminary findings of the Electronic Portfolio Student Perspective Instrument (EPSPI) developed to ascertain student attitudes and intended uses of ePortfolios integrated in computing education. A student-centered stakeholder interaction model is presented to discuss the benefits of ePortfolio integration. We identified four constructs related to ePortfolios from a student perspective: employment, visibility, assessment, and learning. The instrument development process is discussed and the preliminary results of 22 students in a computing science program. Reliability and descriptive statistical information is provided. The authors advocate the integration of ePortfolios in computing education.
Calorimetric study of the surface energy of forsterite

Surface energies are an important factor in determining surface reactivity, sintering, and transformation, yet, until recently, there have been few direct measurements for rock-forming mineral phases. Using calorimetric methodology we developed and first applied to aluminum and iron oxides, we present here the first direct measurement of the surface enthalpy of forsterite, Mg 2 SiO 4 , based on high-temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry and water adsorption calorimetry. The measured surface enthalpies of hydrated and anhydrous Mg 2 SiO 4 particles are 3.37 ± 0.21 and 4.41 ± 0.21 J/m 2 , respectively. The measured water adsorption enthalpies for approximately first and second monolayer coverage are −102 and −79 kJ per mole of H 2 O (liquid water reference state). Both the surface enthalpy and water adsorption enthalpy values agree well with values from atomistic simulations. The relatively high surface enthalpy of forsterite is greater than that of γ-alumina, maghemite (γ-Fe 2 O 3 ), and MgAl 2 O 4 spinel. This suggests that the surface energy of ringwoodite may be lower than that of forsterite, and that surface energy effects may thermodynamically favor the olivine-spinel transition, bringing it to lower pressures for small grains.
Dynamics of induced fission

Induced fission of 236U is calculated in the time-dependent mean-field approximation assuming axial and reflection symmetry and omitting the spin-orbit interaction. Constrained static solutions are used to generate the appropriate initial condition and are compared in detail with results of macroscopic-microscopic calculations. Although dynamic mean-field results are strongly dependent upon an effective pairing gap, predicted observables are consistent with experiment for plausible values of the gap. Detailed comparisons with macroscopic models indicate that both a modified one-body dissipation and two-body viscosity yield observables similar to those of the mean-field theory, even though these physical dissipation mechanisms are fundamentally different.
Vertical electron transistor (VET) in GaAs with a heterojunction (AlGaAs-GaAs) cathode

We wish to report on the successful fabrication of submicrometre channel length (0.75 μm) and gate length (0.15 μm) vertical electron transistors with AlGaAs cathodes. Lack of electron velocity enhancement has been proposed to be due to high operating channel temperatures, and low temperature measurements were hindered by carrier freeze-out.
Minocycline in Huntington's disease: A pilot study

Minocycline is a caspase inhibitor, decreases inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and has been shown to delay disease progression in the mouse model R6/2 of Huntington's disease (HD). This safety and tolerability study included 30 patients with HD who were given minocycline over a 6-month period and underwent assessments every 2 months with laboratory studies, the Abnormal Involuntary Movements Scale, the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale, and the Mini-Mental State Examination. Minocycline was well tolerated during this study period and no serious adverse events were noted.
Adding to Our Understanding of Uterine Fibroid Embolization

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of uterine artery embolization using only gelatin sponge particles for symptomatic fibroids. MATERIALS AND METHODS. As part of an ongoing study of the procedure for fibroids, prospective data of the initial 96 consecutive women treated between December 1997 and December 2001, were collected in January 2005. It had been more than 3 years since embolization in all cases. The follow-up period ranged from 4 to 60 months (mean, 37.4 months). On the basis of serial questionnaires, we investigated the cumulative rates of symptom control, gynecologic interventions, and overall failure, using the Kaplan-Meier product limit estimator. Symptom control was defined as meaning patients whose symptoms had improved as indicated on the last questionnaire and who had not undergone any further gynecologic intervention because of symptoms. Overall failure was defined as meaning the patients who indicated that there had been no symptom improvement or recurrence or that they had undergone further gynecologic interventions. RESULTS. Of all 96 women, 16 (17%) were lost to follow-up during the period. Cumulative rates of symptom control were 96.9% at 1 year, 89.5% at 3 years, and 89.5% at 5 years. Cumulative rates of complications related to the gynecologic intervention and overall gynecologic interventions were 2.1% and 4.2%, respectively, at 1 year, 2.1% and 5.4% at 3 years, and 2.1% and 10.5% at 5 years. Cumulative rates of overall failure were 4.2% at 1 year, 12.7% at 3 years, and 12.7% at 5 years. Major complications were noted in 3.1% (3/96). Of these three women, two required hospitalization for transvaginal resection of sloughing fibroids and one developed sexual dysfunction. Two women became pregnant, but both pregnancies resulted in miscarriage. CONCLUSION. Uterine artery embolization using gelatin sponge particles alone can achieve long-term symptom control for fibroids in most cases.
Deploying whole genome sequencing in clinical practice and public health: Meeting the challenge one bin at a time

Deploying whole genome sequencing in clinical practice and public health: Meeting the challenge one bin at a time
Cloning and developmental expression of nonmuscle myosin IIA (Myh9) in the mammalian inner ear

MYH9 encoding a nonmuscle myosin heavy chain has been linked to nonsyndromic and syndromic forms of autosomal dominant hereditary hearing loss, suggesting a critical biological role of this motor protein in the auditory organ. While Myh9 expression has been described in the adult mouse, critical parameters pertaining to its developmental expression remain to be characterized. The current study describes cloning of the mouse Myh9 cDNA and the temporal onset and spatial distribution of Myh9 expression in the inner ear of the developing fetus, the neonate, and the adult. The cloned Myh9 cDNA contained two single-base-pair differences from the published genomic sequence: T990C (G330G) and T5198A (L1733Q). Immunoblotting of embryonic (E15.5) and adult tissues from several organs, including the cochlea, identified a single 250-kDa anti-Myh9-immunoreactive band, supporting an absence of Myh9 splice variants in the fetus and the adult. In situ expression analysis identified Myh9 distributed within the epithelial layer of the otic vesicle at E10.5. Myh9 expression was found to persist within the epithelia surrounding the cochlear duct at E13.5 and E16.5. The sensory cells of the developing cochlea were positive for Myh9 expression at E16.5. Within the neonate and the adult cochlea, Myh9 expression was observed within the sensory hair cells and the supporting hair cells of the organ of Corti, the spiral ligament, and the spiral limbus, but not in the stria vascularis. Identification of Myh9 in the developing and mature inner ear suggests a role for this protein in the development and maintenance of auditory function.
Evaluation of fully-coupled strata deformation and groundwater flow in response to longwall mining

A finite element poroelastic model is presented to evaluate fully-coupled strata deformation and groundwater flow resulting from underground longwall mining in variably saturated fractured geologic media through an equivalent porous elastic continuum representation. The explicit coupling between the groundwater flow field and the solid skeleton deformation field is achieved by simultaneously solving the governing equations for groundwater flow and solid skeleton deformation. The implicit coupling between these two fields is also accomplished by considering the effects of both unsaturated water flow and solid skeleton deformation on the hydraulic properties such as water content and hydraulic conductivity. In addition to the implicit coupling caused by unsaturated water flow, the other implicit coupling caused by solid skeleton deformation is also important because it may produce hydraulic heterogeneity and anisotropy in a geologic medium affecting the groundwater flow field even when the system is in a fully saturated condition. A physically based constitutive model is proposed to account for the deformation (strain)-dependencies of porosity and saturated hydraulic conductivity of the fractured media. To evaluate the impacts of longwall mining and to understand their hydrogeomechanical nature, the numerical model is applied to a well documented case study with satisfactory results. Although the numerical simulation results presented in this paper will not apply to all underground longwall mines because of differences in site-specific hydrogeological and geomechanical settings, the methodology described herein may find some useful applications in many longwall mining projects.
Gas exchange during separate diaphragm and intercostal muscle breathing

In patients with diaphragm paralysis, ventilation to the basal lung zones is reduced, whereas in patients with paralysis of the rib cage muscles, ventilation to the upper lung zones in reduced. Ins...
Deterioration of Fire-Killed Timber in Southern Oregon and Northern California

Deterioration offire-killed timber in the coastal mountains of southern Oregon and northern California was monitored over a 3 yr period (1988-1990). Defect was identified and measured on felled and bucked sample trees by using Scribner and cubic scaling rules. Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), grandfir (Abies grandis), whitefir (A, concolor),ponderosapine (Pinus ponderosa), and sugarpine (Pinus lambertiana), covering a wide range of geographic areas, site conditions, and tree size and age, were studied. One year afer death, Douglas-fir, sugarpine, andponderosapine had lost about 1 % and the truefirs 5% of their cubic volume. The sapwood of the pines was heavily stained. The occurrence of sap rot and weather checks increased the second year. Percent loss in all species was correlated with small-end scaling diameter. A logistic regression model predicting the incidence of cull was developedfor use on logs that have been deadfor 3 yr. West. J. Appl. For. 11 (4):125-131.
Mental Health Policy Development in the States: The Piecemeal Nature of Transformational Change

Objective: Transformation—systemic, sweeping changes to promote recovery and consumerism—is a pervasive theme in discussions of U.S. mental health policy. State systems are a fundamental component of national transformation plans. However, it is not clear how the vision of transformation will be balanced against the idiosyncratic political forces that traditionally characterize state policy making. This article examines the development of state mental health policy to assess whether and how it reflects the broader context of transformation versus political forces. Methods: Analysis used qualitative evidence collected from semistructured interviews in four states (California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New Mexico), which were chosen to capture variation in geography and population, health systems, and political environment. Interviewees included 35 key mental health officials, directors of principal mental health consumer and family advocacy groups, and executives of major mental health provider groups. Interviews were conducted between May 2007 and March 2008. Results: Many recent state policy priorities in mental health are consistent with the overall goals of transformation, but some are particular to a state’s circumstance. The case studies showed that these priorities are largely shaped by executive control, stakeholder interests, and crises. There is mixed evidence on whether these drivers of state priorities reflect an underlying transformative process. Conclusions: States’ mental health policies are largely guided by the problems and resources of the states: sometimes these forces dovetail with nationwide transformation goals and processes, and sometimes they are idiosyncratic to a particular state. Thus, although states can play an integral role in forwarding transformation, their own mental health policy agendas are not eclipsed by this nationwide movement. (Psychiatric Services 60:1329–1335, 2009)
A millimeter-wave quasi-optical amplifier array using inclined-plane horn antennas

A novel millimeter-wave quasi-optical amplifier array architecture is presented. The amplifier array consists of a horn antenna that tapers down to a parallel-plate waveguide. Stacked between the parallel-plates is a microstrip power divider circuit which feeds the active elements. At the output there is a similar power-combining circuit and transition to free space. Measurements on the active array show a maximum gain of 7.25 dB at 43.25 GHz and a bandwidth of 5.75 GHz.
Modular polymer-caged nanobins as a theranostic platform with enhanced magnetic resonance relaxivity and pH-responsive drug release.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide detailedhigh-resolution, tomographic information of disease tissue inreal time and in vivo. Hence, it has become a powerfuldiagnostic tool for detecting the stages of primary andrecurrent solid tumors and for the assessment of suitabletreatment regimens. Therefore, MRI is a suitable techniquefor use in conjunction with theranostic platforms for the post-treatment evaluation of solid tumors.MRI studies are often conducted by using paramagneticGd
Under What Conditions Does Caseworker-Caregiver Racial/Ethnic Similarity Matter for Housing Service Provision? An Application of Representative Bureaucracy Theory.

AbstractIn this article, we examine child welfare caseworkers’ housing-related service strategies when they serve culturally similar versus culturally dissimilar clients. Testing hypotheses drawn from representative bureaucracy theory and using data from the second cohort of the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being, we find that when non-Caucasian caseworkers share the same racial/ethnic background as caregivers, caseworkers use more active strategies to connect caregivers to needed housing services. The relationship between racial/ethnic matching and frontline workers’ repertoire of service strategies is most pronounced when the need for housing has been registered formally via referrals and case plans and thus legitimated institutionally. These results reinforce basic tenets of representative bureaucracy theory and provide evidence of the benefits of racial and ethnic diversity in the human service workforce. Our findings also highlight the need for research identifying institutional and f...
Heart failure in hypertension: prevention and treatment.

The heart failure epidemic calls for urgent prevention efforts. Hypertension is present in the majority of individuals who develop heart failure and carries the highest population-attributable risk for heart failure together with coronary heart disease. Therefore, hypertension is a natural prime target for prevention interventions. However, a substantial proportion of heart failure develops among individuals with a systolic BP (SBP) level below current therapeutic target recommendations (140 mmHg or 130 mmHg for high-risk groups), which are accepted as ‘normal’ levels, underlining the importance of prehypertension for heart failure development. Prevalence and incidence of both hypertension and prehypertension are high. Efforts to prevent or attenuate BP rise could lead to a substantial reduction of complications, including heart failure development. Lifestyle modifications play a crucial role in preventing elevation of BP levels and better control of high BP. Weight loss, control of sodium intake and diet, and physical activity are essential steps towards this direction. However, when medications are needed to reduce BP levels, the selection of the appropriate agent is important not only for effective control of BP but also to reduce hypertension-related complications. Diuretics and renin-angiotensin system modulators seem to be the most effective agents for heart failure prevention according to the existing evidence. Patients with heart failure and hypertension should be treated for hypertension based on the same principles, although medication selection should take into account concomitant medications, other risk factors and type of heart failure (reduced vs preserved left ventricular ejection fraction).
Probabilistic tree-adjoining grammar as a framework for statistical natural language processing

In this paper, I argue for the use of a probabilistic form of tree-adjoining grammar (TAG) in statistical natural language processing. I first discuss two previous statistical approaches --- one that concentrates on the probabilities of structural operations, and another that emphasizes co-occurrence relationships between words. I argue that a purely structural apprach, exemplified by probabilistic context-free grammar, lacks sufficient sensitivity to lexical context, and, conversely, that lexical co-occurence analyses require a richer notion of locality that is best provided by importing some notion of structure.I then propose probabilistic TAG as a framework for statistical language modelling, arguing that it provides an advantageous combination of structure, locality, and lexical sensitivity. Issues in the acquisition of probabilistic TAG and parameter estimation are briefly considered.