cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of Physical Manipulations on Short-Term Salt Marsh Morphodynamics: Examples from the North and Mid-Atlantic Coast, USA

Along the mid- and north Atlantic coasts of the USA, over 90 % of salt marshes have been ditched. Ditching was largely abandoned by the mid-twentieth century; however, techniques that create permanent shallow water pools for mosquito control and bird habitat are increasingly being applied to marshes of the USA and elsewhere. Salt marshes in Plum Island Sound, Massachusetts, and Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, were used to examine differences between areas that have been ditched and those altered to increase the density of shallow pools in water table dynamics, salinity, soil and porewater chemistry, as well as short-term sedimentation, accretion, and elevation change rates. We found that the area with plugged ditches, berms, and pools in Plum Island had less drainage, higher salinity and porewater sulfide and ammonium concentrations, and higher soil organic matter than the adjacent ditched area. Despite averaging 8 cm lower in elevation, the Plum Island ditched area had less sediment deposition and was composed of higher elevation plant species than the area with plugged ditches, berms, and shallow pools. Elevation increased in the ditched area at a rate of 3.2 ± 0.5 mm/year, but elevation change was variable in the area with pools. In Barnegat Bay, the marsh area with pools and ditches had less sediment deposition and surface accretion than the ditch-only area, associated, in part, with the higher elevation. An average elevation difference of 4.5 cm was associated with a sixfold difference in mineral sediment deposition. Temporal sediment deposition and surface accretion was important in the ditch-only area but was absent or muted in the area with numerous pools. Elevation increased in both marsh areas at an average rate of 1.8 ± 0.8 mm/year, less than half the long-term average local rate of sea-level rise. Our results illustrate how physical manipulations including changes to tidal hydrology and surface topography interact with elevation to influence short-term biophysical feedbacks.
Methods in plant immunolight microscopy.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the methods for preparing plant cells and tissues for immunolight microscopy. Immunocytochemistry takes advantage of the immune reaction between antibody and antigen to identify and localize molecules in cells and tissues. Because antibodies can be made to virtually every biological molecule, this method is at the core of modern cell biology and is rapidly advancing with innovations in microscopy and biochemistry. To detect a target molecule with immunolight microscopy, it is necessary to use an antibody conjugated to an easily recognized tag. The most widely used method is to label an antibody either directly or indirectly with a fluorochrome, a chemical that upon excitation at a specific wavelength will fluoresce in another wavelength. The chapter discusses the indirect immunofluorescence localization of cytoskeletal proteins in isolated plant cells and in intact tissues. However, the fundamental technique can be used to localize other target molecules for which antibodies are available—phytochromes, seed storage proteins, extracellular matrix or cell wall constituents, integrin, calmodulin, and centrin.
Bringing the Vice President into the Fold: Executive Immunity and the Vice Presidency

The vice presidency of Dick Cheney from 2000 to 2008 raised complicated questions about the constitutional and legal position of the Vice President, including the Vice President's amenability to civil suits for damages. The U.S. Supreme Court's executive immunity jurisprudence has established that the President can claim absolute immunity for official acts, while cabinet members and presidential aides can assert only qualified immunity. No court has ever determined if the Vice President should be granted absolute or qualified immunity in civil suits for damages. Acknowledging that the vice presidency is an increasingly important political office, this Note argues that neither the Vice President's constitutional status nor his specific functions justify a grant of absolute immunity, This Note asserts that although the Vice President could claim some limited form of legislative immunity, qualified immunity is the appropriate standard in most suits for damages. This Note contends that qualified immunity for the Vice President would both preserve the effective functioning of the executive branch and ensure that the Vice President is legally accountable for an abuse of power.
The critically ill patient and the gynecologist

Abstract This paper investigates the role of the gynecologist in his interaction with the critically ill patient. The thesis of the work is that such a patient may constitute a major stress to the gynecologist—one which has the potential for substantially interfering with the physician's medical care of and interpersonal relationship with the woman in danger of losing her life. By analyzing presented clinical data taken from resident teaching conferences and other sources, the factors involved in these management problems are delineated and suggestions are made which may lead to greater ease for the gynecologist in dealing with this difficult aspect of the doctor-patient relationship.
Geological, biological, chemical, and physical interactions in Back-arc Spreading Systems- : An introduction

Each chapter of this volume is based on a presentation at the international Theoretical Institute, "Interactions among Physical, Chemical, Biological, and Geological Processes in Back-arc Spreading Systems", which was jointly sponsored by Ridge 2000 and InterRidge, on Jeju Island, South Korea, in May 2004. The volume is divided into two sections. Papers in the first section synthesize the state of knowledge of back-arc basins in general, from the perspectives of a broad range of disciplines. The papers are arranged according to their subject matter, roughly following the flow of energy and material from their origins in the mantle, through the magmatic systems that create and modify the oceanic crust, to the hydrothermal and biological systems that derive their existence from magmatic heat and chemicals. Papers in the second section are case studies, focused on the geology and geophysics of individual back-arc basins. These include two back-arc systems that are more than usually complex, as a result of their more complex tectonic settings.
Implementing MPI-IO shared file pointers without file system support

The ROMIO implementation of the MPI-IO standard provides a portable infrastructure for use on top of any number of different underlying storage targets. These targets vary widely in their capabilities, and in some cases additional effort is needed within ROMIO to support all MPI-IO semantics. The MPI-2 standard defines a class of file access routines that use a shared file pointer. These routines require communication internal to the MPI-IO implementation in order to allow processes to atomically update this shared value. We discuss a technique that leverages MPI-2 one-sided operations and can be used to implement this concept without requiring any features from the underlying file system. We then demonstrate through a simulation that our algorithm adds reasonable overhead for independent accesses and very small overhead for collective accesses.
Munitions classification using an acoustic resonance spectroscopic technique

A nondestructive evaluation technique for classifying artillery munitions is presented. This technique, based on acoustic resonance measurements, has been successfully demonstrated on a wide variety of high explosive and chemical munitions. The technique consists of building templates of spectral features from sets of known munitions. Spectral features of unknown munitions are compared with a library of templates, and the degree of match between the features and the templates is used to classify the munition. The paper describes the technique, including the feature extraction, clustering and classification algorithms. >
A numerical study of mass transfer in free falling wavy films

Numerical simulations of mass transfer into falling liquid films, both through the wavy interface and from the wall, have been performed for experimentally measured large waves within which the flow fields have been computed. Experiments have shown that the occurrence of waves on free falling films causes dramatic increases in mass transfer into the film, even under laminar flow conditions. Wave effects have been modeled in several ways, none of which predicts the observed rate of enhancement. The present numerical procedure includes solving the convective-diffusion equation for wavy films by extending a technique developed for hydrodynamic simulation. The presence of waves is shown to cause significant velocities normal to each interface. In conjunction with recirculation within the large waves, these flow patterns produce transfer rates for large waves that are several times larger than predicted for quasiparallel velocity fields. Experimental wave structure data were used to define the dimensions and frequency of an average large wave and surrounding substrate. Computed transfer rates at both the gas-liquid interface and the wall for a film composed of a periodic sequence of average waves agree well with published data. These simulations confirm the inadequacy of parabolic, or Kapitza-type velocity profiles in formulating transport models.
Emulsion and miniemulsion polymerization of isobornyl acrylate

Isobornyl acrylate, a highly hydrophobic monomer, was batch-polymerized in both emulsion and miniemulsion recipes. Surfactant levels above and below the critical micelle concentration were used, as were two different initiator types: ionic (potassium persulfate) and nonionic (t-butyl hydroperoxide) Samples were analyzed for degree of conversion, molecular weight, and particle size. The effects of reaction type (emulsion versus miniemulsion), surfactant level, type of initiator (ionic versus nonionic) of the polymer properties are discussed. Issues of monomer transport across the aqueous phase, and mechanisms of nucleation, especially at very low surfactant concentrations are discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 819–833, 2007
How to implement a winning strategy

Abstract In this article, the author describes how the process of strategy formulation can often falter and fall when implementation fails to deliver corporate expectations. There is no point in expending scarce resources on developing a corporate strategy if it fails through lack of proper implementation. Corporate managers spend most of their time implementing strategy with little support from academic or business interests. To have a successful strategy, top management must have the faith to back it and drive it through. This article provides a bridge between formulation and implementation, i.e., theory and practice.
The Role of Osteobiologics in Spinal Deformity

Spinal deformity surgery represents one of the most challenging environments in which to achieve bone fusion. High rates of pseudarthroses, limited quantities of available autograft bone, and the potential morbidity of iliac crest harvest have driven a search for bone graft extenders and substitutes. With expanding knowledge of bone biology, the authors review options in spinal fusion with a particular focus on deformity surgery, including the use of autograft, allograft, demineralized bone matrix, ceramics, and bone morphogenetic proteins.
The theory of planned behavior in entrepreneurship research: what we know and future directions

The entrepreneurship literature utilizing the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) has grown considerably over the last 20 years. Therefore, it is time to take stock of the TPB’s contributions to our understanding of entrepreneurship thus far. In this paper, we review the relevant literature and present research suggestions that will guide scholars in the future. First, we organize the literature according to the part of the TPB utilized along four main themes found in the literature. We also outline the many additions and alterations that entrepreneurship scholars have implemented to the TPB. We then suggest future research based on the review. Taken together, our contributions highlight important contexts that have been understudied, and highlight important theoretical relationships that have received only a small amount of attention but have the potential for large future findings. Our contributions also speak to entrepreneurial behaviors and entrepreneurial intentions, the two main dependent variables of research that uses the TPB.
Is genetic rescue of cystinosis an achievable treatment goal

Cystinosis is an autosomal recessive metabolic disease that belongs to the family of lysosomal storage disorders. The defective gene is CTNS, which encodes the lysosomal cystine transporter, cystinosin. Cystine accumulates in all tissues and leads to organ damage including end-stage renal disease. In this review, we outline the studies that support that genetic rescue of cystinosis could be an achievable goal, even though cystinosis is a multi-compartmental disease and cystinosin an intracellular transmembrane protein. Using the mouse model of cystinosis, the Ctns(-/-) mice, we showed that transplanted hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) were able to act as vehicles for the delivery of a functional Ctns gene to the different organs and led to the significant decrease of the tissue cystine content and tissue preservation. Ex vivo gene-modified Ctns(-/-) HSC transplantation using a lentiviral vector containing CTNS complementary DNA (cDNA) was also successful in the Ctns(-/-) mice and built the foundations for a clinical trial for autologous HSC transplantation for cystinosis. The capacity of HSCs for rescuing non-hematopoietic disease is controversial, and new insights into regenerative medicine could be gained from unraveling the underlying mechanism of action.
Enhancing Collaboration among NASA Engineers through a Knowledge Sharing System

Because solar system exploration often involves highly complex missions, a strong infrastructure to support knowledge sharing among engineers is critical to facilitate problem solving and preserve solutions for future work. Any system developed to meet these needs must include the ability to rapidly disseminate content, connect users to the right information regardless of where it is stored, and connect people with the experts and they need. This paper describes the knowledge sharing solution called the NASA Engineering Network, which includes a faceted search, communities of practice, an expertise locator, and a centralized engineering portal. The paper includes details on how the components were developed and provides best practices that other aerospace organizations might use when implementing similar systems.
T2Well-An integrated wellbore-reservoir simulator

At its most basic level, management of subsurface fluid resources involves a system comprising the wellbore and the target reservoir. As discrete pathways through geologic formations, boreholes and wells are critical to the success of many water, energy, and environmental management operations. Although many stand-alone simulators for two-phase flow in wellbores with various levels of sophistication have been developed, simulating non-isothermal, multiphase, and multi-component flows in both the wellbore and in the porous or fractured media reservoir as an integrated system remains a challenging yet important task. The difficulties include (1) different governing equations apply to the wellbore and the reservoir that need to be solved efficiently in a uniform framework, (2) the significant contrast in temporal and spatial scales between the wellbore and the reservoir that results in a very challenging set of stiff partial differential equations, and (3) other complexities (e.g., dry-out) that can be caused by flow processes between the wellbore and the reservoir. To address the need to simulate coupled wellbore-reservoir flow, we have developed T2Well, a numerical simulator for non-isothermal, multiphase, and multi-component flows in the integrated wellbore-reservoir system. The new model extends the existing numerical reservoir simulator TOUGH2 to calculate the flow in both the wellbore and the reservoir simultaneously and efficiently by introducing a special wellbore sub-domain into the numerical grid. For grid blocks in the wellbore sub-domain, we solve the 1D momentum equation of the mixture (which may be two-phase) as described by the drift-flux model (DFM). A novel mixed implicit-explicit scheme for friction in the wellbore is applied to facilitate the solution of the momentum equation, while other variables are calculated fully implicitly. Applications of the new simulator to problems in various fields are presented to demonstrate its capabilities.
Determining multiple component glass transition temperatures in miscible polymer blends: Comparison of fluorescence spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry

Abstract Fluorescence spectroscopy is used to measure component glass transition temperatures ( T g s) in miscible blends of pyrene-labeled poly(methyl methacrylate) (MPy-labeled PMMA) with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) or poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) over a broad composition range. Component T g s determined for PMMA blended with PEO can be described by the same value of self-concentration (0.60) determined previously (Lodge et al. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 2006; 44:756–763) using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), indicating that fluorescence and DSC report a similar strength of component T g perturbations. Blends of PMMA with PVC are also characterized via MPy-labeled PMMA fluorescence, demonstrating for the first time that both binary blend component T g s can be determined from the temperature dependence of the fluorescence of a pyrenyl dye attached to a single blend component. This special sensitivity of the pyrenyl dye label to both component T g s is hypothesized to derive from the solvatochromic nature of the dye, which in turn implies that the dye fluorescence may be sensitive to local stiffness or modulus in the blend. Because of the close proximity of the T g s of neat PMMA and neat PVC, DSC is unable to clearly resolve the two component T g s in these blends. Thus, fluorescence provides information unattainable by DSC and is a powerful new tool for investigating component T g s in miscible blends.
Charge loss in metal-nitride-oxide-semiconductor (MNOS) devices at high temperatures

Abstract The charge loss from the nitride layer of MNOS transistors has been studied with emphasis on the temperature effects in the range from 25 to 175°C. The trend of major interest is the increase in the logarithmic decay rate of the dominant negative threshold voltage with increasing temperature. This result is believed due to a combination of three temperature related mechanisms: (1) thermal excitation (TE) discharge, (2) Poole-Frenkel emission-drift-capture events and (3) increasing nitride conductivity with increasing temperature.
Expression analysis of zebrafish membrane type-2 matrix metalloproteinases during embryonic development.

Abstract Membrane tethered matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) cleave a variety of extracellular matrix (ECM) and non-ECM targets and play important roles during embryonic development and tumor progression. Membrane tethered MMPs in particular are important regulators of both tissue invasion and morphogenesis. Much attention has been given to understanding the function of human and mouse MMP14 (also called membrane type-1 MMP, MT1-MMP) and our own data have linked zebrafish Mmp14 to the regulation of gastrulation cell movements. However, less is known regarding the expression and function of other membrane tethered MMPs. We report the cloning and gene expression analysis of zebrafish mmp15a and mmp15b (MT2-MMP) during early embryonic and larval development. Our data show that mmp15a exhibits limited expression prior to segmentation stages and is first detected in the tectum and posterior tailbud. At 24 hours post-fertilization (hpf) mmp15a localizes to the caudal hematopoietic tissue, pectoral fin buds, and mandibular arch. By contrast, mmp15b is strongly expressed during gastrula stages before becoming restricted to the polster and anterior neural plate. From 24 to 48 hpf, mmp15b expression is detected in the pharyngeal arches, fin buds, otic vesicle, pronephric ducts, proctodeum, tail epidermis, posterior lateral line primordia, and caudal notochord. During the larval period beginning at 72 hpf, mmp15b expression becomes restricted to the brain ventricular zone, pharyngeal arches, pectoral fins, and the proctodeum. Many of the mmp15 -expressing tissues have been shown to express genes encoding components of the ECM including collagens, fibronectin, and laminins. Our data thus provide a foundation for uncovering the role of Mmp15-dependent pericellular proteolysis during zebrafish embryonic development.
Tube-worm-sediment relationships in populations of Pectinaria gouldii (Polychaeta: Pectinariidae) from Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, USA

Pectinaria gouldii (Verrill), which lives for 1 year in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, constructs over its lifetime a conical tube of increasingly large sand grains, regardless of surrounding sediment characteristics. However, the rate of increase of mean grain size of the tube and the population density of the worm vary with sediment type. The distribution of this species is limited by sediment composition. Worms of equal length will always have equal anterior tube apertures, although the thickness of the tube walls may be unequal. Tube surface-area, worm dry weight, and tube weight all increase as a power function of tube length. The conical shape and increasing mass of the tube impose an upper limit to worm growth, but do not interfere with worm mobility.
Further Reflections on Human‐nature Assumptions in Economics — Part I: The “Men” of Aristotle, Adam Smith et al. Revisited

In previous efforts the author has examined the various “men” of economics or human‐nature assumptions of “economic thinkers” as a way of treating the history and philosophy of the discipline. Here, under the thematic penumbra of “Man as the Centre of the Social Economy”, and hoping to incorporate the fruits of further inquiry into the matter, those “creatures” and their fashioners are critically reconsidered with a view towards arriving at a more adequate conception of a truly human “economiser” and – accordingly – science of human economy. In Part II, having presented homo oeconomicus in both his/her “impudent” and “honourable” versions, we shall attempt to transcend homo socioeconomicus and even our own (former) homo oeconomicus humanus as well.
Late outcomes after intervention of vein grafts in diabetics with abciximab use

Abstract Objectives We sought to evaluate late clinical outcomes following elective percutaneous coronary interventions for saphenous vein graft with planned abciximab use in diabetics. Background Diabetes adversely affects long-term outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention including percutaneous coronary intervention of saphenous vein grafts. Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors reduce adverse outcomes of native vessel percutaneous coronary intervention in diabetics; however, their effects in diabetic patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions of saphenous vein grafts is not known. Methods We evaluated 509 elective percutaneous coronary interventions of saphenous vein grafts. Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors were used in 99% of the percutaneous coronary interventions. Distal protection devices were not used. Clinical follow-up (mean 30±20 months) was available in 369/397 (93%). Results Overall, procedural success rate was 97% and was similar for diabetics and non-diabetics. Procedural major adverse cardiac events occurred in 4.8% diabetics, and 4.1% non-diabetics ( p =NS). Late outcomes were similar for diabetics and non-diabetics with major adverse cardiac event rates of 57.6%, and 54.9%, respectively, p =NS. Multivariate logistic regression identified graft age and the presence of thrombus as predictors of increased late major adverse cardiac events. Conclusions Following routine use of abciximab, late outcomes after percutaneous coronary interventions of saphenous vein grafts were similar for diabetics and non-diabetics suggesting that the historically observed adverse effect of diabetes on late outcomes after percutaneous coronary interventions of saphenous vein grafts may be attenuated by glycoprotein IIb/IIIa use. Selective use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor should be considered for diabetics undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions of saphenous vein grafts.
Azimuthal anisotropy of charged hadrons at very high p T in PbPb collisions at 2.76 TeV with CMS

Abstract Measurements of the azimuthal anisotropy of charged hadrons are presented for PbPb collisions at 2.76 TeV over an extended transverse momentum range up to approximately 60 GeV/c. The data were collected with the CMS detector at the LHC. Utilizing a novel and unique high- p T single-track high-level trigger, the analysis explores the full 2011 PbPb data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 150 μ b − 1 . Anisotropy parameters ( v 2 , v 3 and v 4 ) are extracted by correlating charged tracks with the event plane reconstructed using the energy deposited in the forward calorimeters. The results presented in this talk significantly improve on the statistical precision of previous v 2 measurements for p T > 12 GeV/c , and explore for the first time the harmonic components of the azimuthal dependence in the very high p T region beyond 20 GeV/c. These new data can impose quantitative constraints on the details of in-medium parton energy loss models, particularly the influence of the path length and the shape of the interaction region.
The effect of air pollution on asthma and allergy

Air pollution exposure is associated with increased asthma and allergy morbidity and is a suspected contributor to the increasing prevalence of allergic conditions. Observational studies continue to strengthen the association between air pollution and allergic respiratory disease, whereas recent mechanistic studies have defined the prominent role of oxidative stress in the proallergic immunologic effects of particulate and gaseous pollutants. The identification of common genetic polymorphisms in key cytoprotective responses to oxidative stress has highlighted the importance of individual host susceptibility to pollutant-induced inflammation. Future therapy to reduce the adverse effects of air pollution on allergic respiratory disease will likely depend on targeting susceptible populations for treatment that reduces oxidative stress, potentially through enhancement of phase 2 enzymes or other antioxidant defenses.
Yield strength of fine-grained vanadium produced by high-rate physical vapor deposition

Abstract High-rate physical vapor-deposition (HRPVD) techniques were used to produce vanadium bulk deposits with a 0.7 μm grain size and an average yield strength of 36.1 kg/mm 2 . This strength is well above previous values. Vanadium of this grain size is expected to resist void formation and growth under fast-neutron irradiation compared to the recrystallized material.
Complications of Surgery in the Treatment of Carcinoma of the Lung

Nine hundred sixty-one patients underwent operations for the treatment of carcinoma of the long; 18 percent of these were 70 years of age or older. The effect of various factors, singly or in combination, on the incidence of postoperative complications was assessed. Variables included age, sex, cardiopulmonary status, cell type, stage of the disease, and type of procedure performed. The postoperative course was uneventful in 81 percent of the patients; 8 percent had minor complications, 9 percent major complications and 2 percent died. The majority of the complications were cardiorespiratory. High risk factors were identified to be old age, restricted cardiopulmonary reserve, and the need for pneumonectomy. The low incidence of mortality and major morbidity observed was attributed to careful preoperative evaluation, selection of the appropriate surgical procedure, and inclusion of routine preoperative physiotherapy in all patients.
Quantitative headspace analysis of solid samples; a classification of various sample types

Volatile compounds in various solid samples have been analyzed quantitatively by equilibrium headspace gas chromatography with the technique of multiple headspace extraction (MHE). Solid samples can represent either a partition system, such as certain polymers, or an adsorption system, particularly when present as porous material. It has been found that the humidity of the sample has a strong influence on the equilibration in an adsorption system with a hydrophilic matrix and that the addition of water increases the volatility and speeds up the equilibration time. The influence of various important parameters, such as temperature, time, size and structure of the solid samples on the equilibration is demonstrated on the examples of the quantitative determination of vinyl chloride monomer in PVC, styrene in polystyrene, ethylene in polyethylene, ethylene oxide in a contact lens, halogenated hydrocarbons in coffee and residual solvents in drugs.
Behavior problems in preschool children: a pilot study.

Behavior problems in 20 preschool children (13 boys, 7 girls) referred to a diagnostic nursery were assessed using parents' ratings. The patterns of behavior problems reported in 4- and 5-yr.-olds parallel those noted for older clinic-referred children (i.e., internalizing difficulties in girls, externalizing difficulties in boys). The most salient behavior problems for 3-yr.-olds involved aggression. Correlations between children's behavior problems and an index of parents' experienced stress were moderate (.44 to .64).
High-performance anion-exchange chromatographic separations of carbohydrates on a macrocycle-based stationary phase with eluents of relatively low pH and concentration

Abstract A high-pH anion-exchange chromatography stationary phase was prepared by adsorbing cryptand n -decyl-[2.2.2] (D222) onto polymeric resins. Anion-exchange sites were composed of complexes of D222 with K + or Na + from the mobile phase. Alditols, and mono- and disaccharides were separated isocratically with 13 m M KOH. Gradient separations of oligogalacturonic acids and maltooligosaccharides were achieved by allowing K + or Na + to bleed from the column, resulting in a decrease in the number of anion-exchange sites. Advantages of these capacity gradients include short column regeneration times, low baseline drift, and the use of eluents that are simple in composition and of low ionic strength and pH.
Fatal cardiac air embolism.

Cardiac air embolisation is a rare clinical entity. Although air entry into the venous systemmay occur after chest or cardiac trauma, it is largely an iatrogenic event. The entry of air during central venous catheter placement or removal may occur if proper precautions are not undertaken. Venous air embolism during endoscopic retrograde cholangiography in a trauma patient with lacerated hepatic veins has been reported. Systemic air embolisation has also been associated with cardiopulmonary bypass and autotransfusions during major blood loss. Herein, we present a case of a trauma patient with a fatal cardiac air embolisation after the use of a rapid volume infuser.
Alternative nested logit models: a response to comments by Andrew Daly on an earlier paper of Frank Koppelman and Chieh-hua Wen

Abstract This paper reviews and refutes three criticisms by Daly of earlier papers by Koppelman and Wen (1998a and b). The original papers identified important differences between two forms of the nested logit model. These differences between the Utility Maximizing Nested Logit (UMNL) and the Non-Normalized Nested Logit (NNNL) lead to important differences in model estimation, interpretation and prediction. We re-affirm the position that the NNNL model is not consistent with utility maximization unless normalized as recommended by Koppelman and Wen and challenge Daly's criticism of the earlier papers. First, Daly's hypothesis of the existence of an alternative behavioral theory, while correct in principle, is irrelevant to the question at hand, selection of a preferred model form, in the absence of an explicit theory. Second, the equivalence of the two models under special circumstances is consistent with Koppelman and Wen's recommendation for normalization of the NNNL model. Third, the argument that the NNNL has the advantage that it can estimate models which combine data from different sources is not correct as both model structures can estimate such models. Thus, we maintain the conclusion that the NNNL and UMNL models are distinct and the UMNL is preferred because of its consistency with established theories of behavior and social welfare.
Unsupervised image segmentation for passive THz broadband images for concealed weapon detection

This work presents the application of a basic unsupervised classification algorithm for the segmentation of indoor passive Terahertz images. The 30,000 pixel broadband images of a person with concealed weapons under clothing are taken at a range of 0.8-2m over a frequency range of 0.1-1.2THz using single-pixel row-based raster scanning. The spiral-antenna coupled 36x1x0.02mm Nb bridge cryogenic micro-bolometers are developed at NIST-Optoelectronics Division. The antenna is evaporated on a 250mm thick Si substrate with a 4mm diameter hyper-hemispherical Si lens. The NETD of the microbolometer is 125mK at an integration time of 30 ms. The background temperature calibration is performed with a known 25 pixel source above 330 K, and a measured background fluctuation of 200-500mK. Several weapons were concealed under different fabrics: cotton, polyester, windblocker jacket and thermal sweater. Measured temperature contrasts ranged from 0.5-1K for wrinkles in clothing to 5K for a zipper and 8K for the concealed weapon. In order to automate feature detection in the images, some image processing and pattern recognition techniques have been applied and the results are presented here. We show that even simple algorithms, that can potentially be performed in real time, are capable of differentiating between a metal and a dielectric object concealed under clothing. Additionally, we show that pre-processing can reveal low temperature contrast features, such as folds in clothing.
The development of biaxial alignment in yttria-stabilized zirconia films fabricated by ion beam assisted deposition

Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) films were deposited using ion assisted, electron beam deposition (IBAD) on Pyrex, quartz, Hastelloy, and polycrystalline zirconia substrates. Film orientation was studied as a function of IBAD fabrication conditions. Film texture from several populations of biaxially aligned grains has been observed. The ion beam is shown to induce biaxial alignment of all grain orientations. Specifically, grains with (200), (311), and (111) normal to the substrate surface are biaxially aligned. The ion beam induces biaxial alignment at all angles of incidence, not just those corresponding to YSZ channeling directions. The development of (200) biaxial alignment on Pyrex is examined as a function of thickness. Biaxially aligned IBAD YSZ films were deposited on amorphous and polycrystalline substrates without active heating. Biaxial alignment development with IBAD is shown to be consistent with a previously proposed growth and extinction model.
Lentiviral Gene Transfer of SDF-1α to Wounds Improves Diabetic Wound Healing

Background. Chronic wounds continue to be a major clinical problem and novel therapeutic approaches are needed. We have previously demonstrated that treatment of diabetic mouse wounds with local application of stromal progenitor cells results in improved healing and increased production of stromal-derived growth factor-1 (SDF-1). We hypothesized that lentiviral-mediated increased production of SDF-1 in the wound environment could also improve diabetic wound healing. Materials and methods. Full-thickness excisional wounds were created in Db/Dbmice and immediately treated with 10 6 ,1 0 8 ,o r 10 9 plaque-forming units of a lentiviral construct containing GFP-SDF-1 or GFP alone. At 7 and 14 days post wounding, wounds were harvested for histological and molecular analysis. Results. At 7 days, Db/Db wounds treated with lenti GFP-SDF-1 exhibited a decrease in wound surface area for all doses tested. Morphologically, SDFtreated wounds were more cellular with increased granulation tissue volume compared to controls (P < 0.05). GFP expression was maintained in treated tissue at 7 days post wounding, but little expression was observed at 14 days. While we did not observe a difference in the gross wound surface area at 14 days, histological analysis revealed that SDF-treated wounds were fully epithelialized (n 6) compared to only one of six controls. Conclusions. Lentiviral-mediated overproduction of SDF-1 is sufficient to correct the pathophysiologic abnormalities in diabetic wound healing resulting in complete epithelialization at 2 weeks. SDF-1-mediated improvement in diabetic wound healing has significant implications for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to facilitate wound closure which target progenitor cell mobilization and recruitment. © 2007 Elsevier
Absolute thresholds of human hearing.

Abstract Data obtained from high school students indicate that distributions of hearing thresholds determined by puretone audiometry are log-normal. A graphically simplified mathematical method for determining the loci of absolute thresholds of human hearing is presented. Sound pressure levels at which the best ear in a population first responds to stimulation are some 25 to 30 db less than median values. An elegantly simple equation is derived for determining the point of origin of a log-normal frequency distribution. The statistical method developed for this application to audiometric data is applicable to other measurements and is especially useful when the physical parameter is relative rather than absolute, as with sound measured in decibels. Implications of these findings in relation to audiometry, communications, and compensation for hearing loss are mentioned and briefly discussed.
Addition of a thin-film inorganic solid electrolyte (Lipon) as a protective film in lithium batteries with a liquid electrolyte

Abstract Three rechargeable lithium cells have been fabricated using thin films of Li and sputter-deposited Li x Mn 2− y O 4 as the electrodes, and a LiPF 6 organic liquid electrolyte. Cells were cycled up to 18 times between 4.5 and 2.5 V at 25°C both with and without the addition of the thin-film lithium phosphorus oxynitride solid electrolyte, known as Lipon. Of the cells tested, the Lipon film was most effective in maximizing the capacity and cycling efficiency when deposited in direct contact with the cathode; however, a significant improvement over the Lipon-free cell was also observed with Lipon sandwiched between layers of the liquid electrolyte. In the latter case, the Lipon was deposited onto a microporous polypropylene separator membrane.
Use and Evaluation of Health Services by Women in a Developing Country: Is Age Important?

Today, the majority of the world's older persons live in less developed countries, where they represent an increasing proportion of the population. Using interviews conducted with 136 female heads of households in rural Sri Lanka, we considered the importance of age relative to other factors (e.g., marital status, education, employment, diet, and health practices) in accounting for use and evaluation of health services. Marital status figured more importantly than age in the use of services. As unmarried heads of households increase in less developed places, their demands for health care at the village level likely will escalate.
Construction and implementation of the NIST triple-to-double coincidence ratio (TDCR) spectrometer

A description of the triple-to-double coincidence ratio (TDCR) spectrometer recently constructed at NIST and results of tests to assess its operating characteristics are presented. Measured activities for previously calibrated solutions of 3H (tritiated water) and 63Ni agreed with certified activity values to within 0.04% and 0.2%, respectively. Agreement between measurements of solutions containing 90Y using the TDCR and the CIEMAT/NIST efficiency tracing method was achieved to within 0.7% and within the respective experimental uncertainties. A difference of 5.3% was observed between TDCR measurements and the certified massic activity value for a calibrated solution containing 54Mn, but because of the large uncertainty on the TDCR result (3.6% relative standard uncertainty), the values agree to within the experimental uncertainties. Agreement to within experimental uncertainties (2%) for 103Pd was achieved with the TDCR and CIEMAT/NIST methods, but not between TDCR and isothermal calorimetric measurements. TDCR results for a 204Tl solution were in excellent agreement (maximum difference of 0.2% with any other method, with combined standard uncertainty of 0.45% on TDCR result) with results obtained using three other methods.
1532 PERIODIC BREATHING IN PRE-TERM INFANTS AS A PREDICTOR FOR SIGNIFICANT APNEA OR LIFETHREATENING APNEA

Periodic breathing has been associated with “near miss SIDS” events in term infants. At present, studies have not demonstrated the relationship between periodic breathing in pre-term infants to prolonged apnea. The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive value of periodic breathing with regards to significant and/or life-threatening apnea. Periodic breathing was defined as three or more apneic pauses of greater than 3 sec. but less than 10 sec. within periods of normal respiration of 20 sec. or less. Significant apnea was defined as 3 pauses of greater than 10 sec. or any pause greater than 15 sec. with or without associated bradycardia. Life-threatening apnea was defined as any apneic event (inpatient or home monitor infants) which required vigorous stimulation and/or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Pneumograms for 153 pre-term intents were reviewed. All infants were studied prior to starting theophylline. 8/62 infants (12.9%) with subsequent life-threatening apnea had initial pneumograms which showed significant apnea. We therefore conclude that periodic breathing alone is not predictive of apnea or life-threatening apnea. The presence of significant apnea on pneumogram tracings appears to be more predictive of subsequent life-threatening apnea.
ENDOCRINE PATHOLOGY IN SPINAL CORD INJURED PATIENTS ON MAINTENANCE DIALYSIS

We studied the histopathological changes of the thyroid, adrenal and parathyroid glands, testes and pancreata in 15 patients with end-stage renal disease associated with long-standing spinal cord injury. All patients were males aged 42.7 +/- 9.4 years and were treated with maintenance haemodialysis for 20.4 +/- 17.7 months. Thyroid amyloidosis was present in eight of 12 glands and was extensive in four and moderate in four. Thyromegaly was noted in five of the glands with amyloid involvement. Of the 30 available adrenal glands, 26 showed amyloid involvement which was extensive in ten and moderate in 16. Of 18 testes examined all exhibited marked atrophy, decreased or absent spermatogenesis and marked peritubular and interstitial fibrosis. Amyloid involvement was also noted in two subjects. Pancreata were examined in 15 subjects with amyloidosis and pancreatitis noted in eight and four glands, respectively. Of the 22 parathyroid glands examined in nine subjects, hyperplasia was noted in 13 glands (four patients) and moderate amyloidosis was noted in six glands (two patients). Our results demonstrate a high prevalence of endocrine organ pathology in dialysis patients with longstanding spinal cord injury. Functional significance of these pathological findings is unclear and requires further investigation.
Photolysis of aryl-substituted disilanes in the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide

Abstract The photolysis of aryl-substituted disilanes in the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide has been studied. The products are found to be disiloxanes, aryl-substituted silanes, dimethylsilanone [(CH3)2Si=O], and dimethyl sulfide. Possible mechanisms for these reactions are discussed.
Spatially distributed flame transfer functions for predicting combustion dynamics in lean premixed gas turbine combustors

Abstract The present paper describes a methodology to improve the accuracy of prediction of the eigenfrequencies and growth rates of self-induced instabilities and demonstrates its application to a laboratory-scale, swirl-stabilized, lean-premixed, gas turbine combustor. The influence of the spatial heat release distribution is accounted for using local flame transfer function (FTF) measurements. The two-microphone technique and CH∗ chemiluminescence intensity measurements are used to determine the input (inlet velocity perturbation) and the output functions (heat release oscillation), respectively, for the local flame transfer functions. The experimentally determined local flame transfer functions are superposed using the flame transfer function superposition principle, and the result is incorporated into an analytic thermoacoustic model, in order to predict the linear stability characteristics of a given system. Results show that when the flame length is not acoustically compact the model prediction calculated using the local flame transfer functions is better than the prediction made using the global flame transfer function. In the case of a flame in the compact flame regime, accurate predictions of eigenfrequencies and growth rates can be obtained using the global flame transfer function. It was also found that the general response characteristics of the local FTF (gain and phase) are qualitatively the same as those of the global FTF.
Quantitative analysis of phenolic amines using ion-exchange chromatography.

Abstract A method has been developed for the quantitative analysis of mixtures of phenolie amines by separation on a column of a strong-acid ion-exchange resin and measurement of UV absorbance of the column effluent. Satisfactory results were obtained with samples containing 0.01 to 0.2 μmole of octopamine, synephrine, hordenine, tyramine, and N-methyltyramine. Little sample preparation is required for the citrus juices studied and a chromatogram may be completed in 2 hr.
Going mobile with app inventor for android: a one-week computing workshop for K-12 teachers

More and more students are interested in developing their own mobile applications. Incorporating mobile technology into classrooms can greatly capture student attention, better student engagement, and improve student achievement. In this paper, we present our experience, findings, and lessons learned from conducting a one-week App Inventor for Android summer computing workshop for K-12 teachers. Our workshop focuses on using App Inventor, a drag-and-drop Android development environment, introduce computing concepts to K-12 teachers in all subjects. During the workshop the teachers developed curriculum applications for the subjects they will teach in the following semesters with the help of our workshop tutors. Workshop assessment results show a 29.5% increase in confidence level in teaching computer science and a 109% computing knowledge level increase.