cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Data entry errors in an on-line operation.

Abstract In an epidemiological investigation of the population of Laredo, Texas, baptism records from the Catholic church have been entered into a dedicted computer through an interactive, on-line system. The errors that occurred in the transcription process have been analyzed by a procedure of triple entry of sampled records. Special attention is paid to the rate and types of error in the entry of personal names. ANOVA and variance component analysis reveals the importance of field and data entry technician for error rates. Some practical suggestions, based on our experience with a large data entry operation, are offered.
Justification of the Okubo-Zweig-Iizuka rule in quantum chromodynamics

We present an analysis of the theoretical issues involved in justifying the Okubo-Zweig-Iizuka rule in quantum chromodynamics. We consider, as a model, an $S$-wave bound state of a quark-antiquark pair so heavy that the binding can be taken to be approximately Coulombic. We know from general arguments based on the Kinoshita-Lee-Nauenberg theorems that there is no sensitivity to an infrared cutoff in physical decay rates. Therefore, it is sufficient to analyze the sources of soft gluons with energies ranging down to the binding energy or inverse size of the system. We show that the amplitudes for such soft gluons are suppressed, appearing only as relativistic or binding-energy corrections. Thus, these processes are smaller than their naive level obtained by counting orders of perturbation theory. The leading infrared-sensitive corrections, which are of order ${{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}}^{2}\mathrm{ln}{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}$, arise from relativistic corrections to gluon exchange between the quark-antiquark pair, similar to those in positronium. In our analysis we find a breakdown of perturbation theory from multiple Coulomb-gluon exchange following the emission of a soft gluon from a binding gluon. This can be resolved by summing a class of graphs as in the corresponding analysis of the static potential and the non-Abelian multipole expansion.
A dimensional analysis of role enactment of acute care nurses.

Purpose: To identify dimensions of the role enactment process of acute care nurses. Design: Dimensional analysis, rooted in grounded theory methodology, was used to analyze the role enactment process. Methods: Twenty-eight articles related to acute care staff nurse roles were selected for analysis. Articles were from eight countries and were published between 1995 and 2002. Significant phrases or themes from each document were categorized to identify themes. Findings: Initial analysis of the articles indicated 37 separate dimensions in the role enactment process of acute care nurses. The final, integrative analysis reduced the initial 37 to 7 core dimensions: care delivery, autonomy, culture management, information management, leadership, psychologic management, and relationship management. The analysis showed a role that is rooted in management processes. Conclusions: The multidimensional nature of the role of acute care nurses was indicated in the dimensional analysis. The findings have implications for the administration and education of nurses, as well as for human resource development of nurses in many parts of the world.
Situational similarity and behavioral consistency: Subjective, objective, variable-centered, and person-centered approaches ☆

Personality psychology has long recognized the importance of situations for determining behavior, but little research has directly examined the degree to which the cross-situational consistency of behavior is associated with the similarity of situations. In two studies, participants (n=138 & 116) engaged in several dyadic interactions, and their behavior was coded from a videotaped record. Behavioral consistency was examined in terms of single behaviors and person-centered behavioral profiles. Addressing subjective situational similarity, Study 1 showed that participants who rated the two situations as relatively similar were relatively consistent in their behavior across the situations. Addressing objective situational similarity, defined as the degree to which situations shared common elements, Study 2 showed that participants were more behaviorally consistent across similar pairs of situations than across dissimilar pairs. In addition, Study 2 found that behaviors that are relatively automatic and impulsive were more consistent than behaviors that are more controlled and cognitively mediated. Regardless of how situational similarity or behavioral consistency were operationalized, greater similarity was related to greater consistency.
The Creation and Maintenance of Sense of Place in a Tourism-Dependent Community

This paper examines the theoretical intersection of place attachment and community through a study of the place attachment of residents who live, work, and play in a tourism-dependent community. Using a qualitative photo-elicitation technique best described as “resident employed photography,” we asked 25 residents of Seward, Alaska, to share images and stories of important places in and around their local community. The findings suggest that place and community are intertwined, as evidenced by the use of community as a frame of reference for describing nearly every example of attachment to place. This suggests that place attachment can serve as a factor in the development “of” community, defined as a heightened engagement in collective actions that help people meet their day-to-day needs. It could also influence one's development “in” community, directing the behaviors that affect how people both participate in communities and seek to change their position within them.
Wavelength variation of laser emission along the entire rim of slightly deformed microdroplets

The frequencies of the normal azimuthal modes of a slightly deformed droplet that is axisymmetric about its flow direction are no longer degenerate but vary with position along the droplet rim. We measured the wavelength variation along the entire rim of a dye-lasing droplet with a spectrograph and a CCD array. We determined the amplitude and the shape of the droplet deformation from the observed and predicted parabolic dependence of wavelength variation with distance along the spectrograph slit.
Generalized Weibull family: a structural analysis

A two shape parameter generalization of the well known family of the Weibull distributions is presented and its properties are studied. The properties examined include the skewness and kurtosis, density shapes and tail character, and relation of the members of the family to those of the Pear-sonian system. The members of the family are grouped in four classes in terms of these properties. Also studied are the extreme value distributions and the limiting distributions of the extreme spacings for the members of the family. It is seen that the generalized Weibull family contains distributions with a variety of density and tail shapes, and distributions which in terms of skewness and kurtosis approximate the main types of curves of the Pearson system. Furthermore, as shown by the extreme value and extreme spacings distributions the family contains short, medium and long tailed distributions. The quantile and density quantile functions are the principle tools used for the structural analysis of the family.
Seepage-induced erosion of submarine carbonate escarpments: a numerical simulation

Abstract A three-dimensional, numerical model has been constructed to examine the seepage-induced erosional process of the Florida carbonate escarpment. The erosion takes place either by the mechanical failure associated with the seepage force or the corrosion due to the fluid chemistry. The numerical model assumes homogeneous Darcian fluid flow and uses the strongly implicit finite different scheme. The erosion is reflected in the model as removal of the finite difference cells whose pore pressure gradient exceeds a prescribed critical value for failure. Seafloor is the surface boundary of zero-excess pore pressure. The fluid is assumed to enter from the landward side of the formation. The model results show that the topographic variation of the surface boundary causes refraction of the fluid flow field and that the flow focuses at the base of the escarpment. The seepage-induced erosion takes place bottom-up, steepens the lower escarpment slope, and hence, further intensifies the flow at the base. Because of this positive feed-back mechanism between the hydrogeological regime and the geomorphogy, the escarpment wall keeps retreating landward. This mechanism can also be responsible for the formation and growth of the theater-headed submarine canyons on the Florida Escarpment. Spacing and shape of these canyons are strongly influenced by the geometrical and hydrological parameters of the carbonate escarpment.
Expression of Drosophila heat-shock cognate genes during heat shock and development.

Abstract The Drosophila genome contains a number of genes related to the major heat-shock-inducible (Hsp70) genes of Drosophila. The structure and expression of three of these heat-shock cognate (Hsc) genes have been studied; Hsc1 (previously described), Hsc2, and Hsc4 are dispersed on chromosome 3 at cytological loci 70C, 87D, and 88E, respectively. RNA homologous to Hsc4 was shown by hybridization selection translation experiments to encode a protein of approximately 70kd, with similar, but distinguishable, mobility to that of the heat-shock-inducible 70K protein. Because of variance in size of the 5′ nonprotein coding region, it was possible to identify in adult flies distinct transcripts from each gene. Unlike transcripts from Hsp genes, the abundance of the Hsc transcripts was not increased after heat shock. Transcription of these Hsc genes is regulated during development. While transcripts from Hsc4 were equally abundant in RNA isolated from embryos, larvae and adults, Hsc1 and Hsc2 transcripts were not detected in embryo and larval RNA, and are therefore at least 20 times less abundant in these stages than in adults. The primary DNA sequences of the regions homologous to that encoding the amino terminus of hsp70 were compared. Approximately 76% homology of the base sequence and 78% homology of the deduced amino acid sequence were found among the four genes. The Hsp70 genes contain no intervening sequences; Hsc4 contains no insertions relative to Hsp70 in the region encoding the first 101 aa. However, in the codon specifying aa66 Hsc1 is interrupted by 1.7 kb of DNA; in the codon for aa55 Hsc2 contains an insertion of about 650 b. The sequences at the 5′ and 3′ junctions of the insertions in both Hsc1 and Hsc2 are similar to those found in intervening sequences of Drosophila and of many other organisms.
Structure and Properties of a New Family of Nearly Equiatomic Rare-Earth Metal-Tin-Germanides RESn1+xGe1−x (RE = Y, Gd−Tm): an Unusual Example of Site Preferences Between Elements from the Same Group

Seven nearly stoichiometric compounds with general formulas RESn1+xGe1−x (RE = Y, Gd−Tm; x ≈ ±0.15) have been synthesized from the corresponding elements using high-temperature reactions and molten...
Vertebrate Paleontology of Lower Tertiary Baca Formation of Western New Mexico: ABSTRACT

A paleontologic survey of the western outcrops of the terrestrial Baca Formation has yielded the first Oligocene fossils from New Mexico. Three sites of Chadronian (early Oligocene) age are known, and their fauna included the small oreodont Leptomeryx, the cameloid ?Eotylopus, the carnivore Hyaenodon, the entelodont Brachyhyops, and a large-horned titanothere Menodus. All these genera are also found in the Porvenir local fauna, Chadronian of Trans-Pecos Texas. Vertebrate finds indicate far less contemporaneity of the formation's isolated outcrops than previous workers had accepted. The formation had been considered Eocene, partly on the strength of the discovery of a specimen of Protoreodon pumilis, a late Eocene-early Oligocene oreodont, in alluvial-fan deposits north of Datil. The Chadronian sites lie in fluvial deposits north of Quemado, approximately 60 km west. Most Baca vertebrates have been recovered from channel deposits or from float. No site with a concentration of small fossils suitable for screening has yet been discovered. Future goals for Baca Formation paleontologic work include location of fossils in the still unfossiliferous outcrop areas and location of screening sites. End_of_Article - Last_Page 568------------
Impact of “Free” Monomer Concentration on the Phase Behavior of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide−Polymer Mixtures

Cloud-point data demonstrate that ethyl and butyl methacrylate (EMA and BMA) cosolvents reduce the conditions needed to solubilize poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA) and poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) in CO 2 . Although PEMA does not dissolve in CO 2 to temperatures of 250 °C and pressures of 2500 bar, PEMA dissolves in CO 2 at temperatures below 150 °C and pressures below 1000 bar if ∼10 wt % EMA cosolvent is used. The PEMA-CO 2 -EMA and PBMA-CO 2 -BMA cloud-point curves are shifted below 40 °C and 600 bar with ∼30 wt % methacrylate (MA) cosolvent; however, the impact of the cosolvent diminishes as its concentration increases. BMA and EMA provide favorable polar interactions with the MA groups in the polymer, they increase the solvent density which magnifies the strength of polymer-cosolvent interactions, and they reduce the free-volume difference between the polymer and the solvent. The phase behavior of the binary CO 2 -EMA and CO 2 -BMA systems is also reported.
Green and Gotzmann theorems for polynomial rings with restricted powers of the variables

Abstract We study the Hilbert functions of strongly stable ideals in polynomial rings with restricted powers of the variables.
Sex differences in and effects of estrogen on oxytocin receptor messenger ribonucleic acid expression in the ventromedial hypothalamus

In situ hybridization techniques were used in the present study to detect hypothalamic expression of the oxytocin receptor (OR) gene. Binding studies have localized OR to various brain regions and have detected a high density of receptors in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), a documented target of estrogen action. This study was designed to compare levels of OR messenger RNA (mRNA) in the VMH of male and female rats and to study the effects of estrogen treatment on mRNA levels in the VMH of female rats. After cloning a rat OR gene from a genomic testes library, a probe was generated for use in in situ hybridization assays to evaluate sex differences in OR mRNA expression in the VMH. In addition, ovariectomized females were treated with estrogen, and VMH OR mRNA expression was compared with that in ovariectomized or intact females. The results of these studies showed that male rats expressed higher levels of OR mRNA in the VMH than females. Estrogen-treated ovariectomized females exhibited significantly...
Technology strategy and managementStrategies for difficult (and Darwinian) economic times

How the axiom of survival of the fittest applies in the context of a global economic downturn.
I-TASSER server: new development for protein structure and function predictions

The I-TASSER server (http://zhanglab.ccmb.med.umich.edu/I-TASSER) is an online resource for automated protein structure prediction and structure-based function annotation. In I-TASSER, structural templates are first recognized from the PDB using multiple threading alignment approaches. Full-length structure models are then constructed by iterative fragment assembly simulations. The functional insights are finally derived by matching the predicted structure models with known proteins in the function databases. Although the server has been widely used for various biological and biomedical investigations, numerous comments and suggestions have been reported from the user community. In this article, we summarize recent developments on the I-TASSER server, which were designed to address the requirements from the user community and to increase the accuracy of modeling predictions. Focuses have been made on the introduction of new methods for atomic-level structure refinement, local structure quality estimation and biological function annotations. We expect that these new developments will improve the quality of the I-TASSER server and further facilitate its use by the community for high-resolution structure and function prediction.
Allocation of effort in Monte Carlo simulation for power of permutation tests

Abstract Consider a randomization test in which an observed statistic is compared to a null distribution constructed by first drawing a random sample from the set of all possible permutations of the data and then calculating the statistic anew for each member of the random sample. If the power of such a test is investigated by simulation, the computer code must have two main loops. In the outer loop, which has O iterations, data are generated under a specific alternative hypothesis. For each outer iteration, there are I inner iterations in each of which the data are permuted and the statistic calculated. Assume that the costs of inner and outer iterations are known, and the total cost of the study is fixed, so that I and O are constrained by αO + IO = β for fixed (α, β). This article considers what the optimal choice for I is in a mean squared sense. A general expression is derived for the mean squared error of the distribution of p values. If the alternative hypothesis is close to the null, the optimal c...
Hierarchical, job content, and double plateaus: A mixed-method study of stress, depression and coping responses

Hierarchically, job content, and double plateaued employees from a variety of industries were surveyed regarding their experiences. Plateau-specific stress was higher than the stress experienced by the general population. Plateaued employees also reported more depression than the general population. Double plateaued employees reported higher depression than hierarchically plateaued employees. Content analysis revealed 27 distinct coping strategies reported by employees, representing 7 coping meta-themes. The most frequently occurring meta-themes were Discuss Problem, Job Withdrawal, and Mental Coping. Hierarchically plateaued employees reported slightly greater use of Mental Coping strategies than job content and double plateaued employees.
Mitochondrial fusion but not fission regulates larval growth and synaptic development through steroid hormone production

Mitochondrial fusion and fission affect the distribution and quality control of mitochondria. We show that Marf (Mitochondrial associated regulatory factor), is required for mitochondrial fusion and transport in long axons. Moreover, loss of Marf leads to a severe depletion of mitochondria in neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Marf mutants also fail to maintain proper synaptic transmission at NMJs upon repetitive stimulation, similar to Drp1 fission mutants. However, unlike Drp1, loss of Marf leads to NMJ morphology defects and extended larval lifespan. Marf is required to form contacts between the endoplasmic reticulum and/or lipid droplets (LDs) and for proper storage of cholesterol and ecdysone synthesis in ring glands. Interestingly, human Mitofusin-2 rescues the loss of LD but both Mitofusin-1 and Mitofusin-2 are required for steroid-hormone synthesis. Our data show that Marf and Mitofusins share an evolutionarily conserved role in mitochondrial transport, cholesterol ester storage and steroid-hormone synthesis.
Fabrication of Grain-Oriented Bi2WO6 Ceramics

Grain-oriented Bi2WO6 ceramics were fabricated by normal sintering techniques. Platelike crystallites were initially synthesized by a fused salt process using an NaCl-KCI melt. When calcined at 850°C, =100 μm. After dissolving away the salt matrix, the Bi2WO6 particles were mixed with an organic binder and tapecast to align the platelike crystallites. Large particles were easily oriented by tapecasting but the sinterability of the tape was poor. Preferred orientation of small particles was increased by tapecasting and grain growth during sintering further improves the degree of orientation. Sintering above the 950°C phase transition, however, results in discontinuous grain growth and low densities. Optimum conditions for obtaining highly oriented ceramics with high density occur at sintering temperatures of 900°C using fine-grained powders which yield orientation factors of =0.88 and densities of 94% theoretical.
Cannizzaro disproportionation reaction

Redox reaction between aromatic aldehydes, formaldehyde or other aliphatic aldehydes without a-hydrogen using base to afford the corresponding alcohols and carboxylic acids.
Interaction of upstream flow distortions with high number cascades

This analytical study models features of the interaction of flow distortions, such as gusts and wakes, with blade rows of advance type fans and compressors having high tip Mach numbers. A typical disturbance is described, at afar upstream location, in three orthogonal spatial coordinates by a double Fourier series. It is convected at supersonic velocity relative to a linear cascade described as an unrolled annulus. Details of interaction of the disturbance with an in-passage shock are discussed. Influences of amplitude, wave length, and phase of the disturbance on lifts and moments of cascade configurations are presented.Copyright © 1982 by ASME
The sounds of social life: observing humans in their natural habitat

This talk presents a novel methodology called the Electronically Activated Recorder or EAR. The EAR is a portable audio recorder that periodically records snippets of ambient sounds from participants' momentary environments. In tracking moment-to-moment ambient sounds, it yields acoustic logs of people's days as they naturally unfold. In sampling only a fraction of the time, it protects participants' privacy. As a naturalistic observation method, it provides an observer's account of daily life and is optimized for the assessment of audible aspects of social environments, behaviors, and interactions. The talk discusses the EAR method conceptually and methodologically and identifies three ways in which it can enrich research in the social and behavioral sciences. Specifically, it can (1) provide ecological, behavioral criteria that are independent of self-report, (2) calibrate psychological effects against frequencies of real-world behavior, and (3) help with the assessment of subtle and habitual behaviors that evade self-report.
A New Q-Band EPR Probe for Quantitative Studies of Even Electron Metalloproteins

Abstract Existing Q-band (35 GHz) EPR spectrometers employ cylindrical cavities for more intense microwave magnetic fields B 1 , but are so constructed that only one orientation between the external field B and B 1 is allowed, namely the B ⊥ B 1 orientation, thus limiting the use of the spectrometer to measurements on Kramers spin systems (odd electron systems). We have designed and built a Q-band microwave probe to detect EPR signals in even electron systems, which operates in the range 2 K ≤ T ≤ 300 K for studies of metalloprotein samples. The cylindrical microwave cavity operates in the TE 011 mode with cylindrical wall coupling to the waveguide, thus allowing all orientations of the external magnetic field B relative to the microwave field B 1 . Such orientations allow observation of EPR transitions in non-Kramers ions (even electron) which are either forbidden or significantly weaker for B ⊥ B 1 . Rotation of the external magnetic field also permits easy differentiation between spin systems from even and odd electron oxidation states. The cavity consists of a metallic helix and thin metallic end walls mounted on epoxy supports, which allows efficient penetration of the modulation field. The first quantitative EPR measurements from a metalloprotein (Hemerythrin) at 35 GHz with B 1 ‖ B are presented.
Using destination-set prediction to improve the latency/bandwidth tradeoff in shared-memory multiprocessors

Destination-set prediction can improve the latency/bandwidth tradeoff in shared-memory multiprocessors. The destination set is the collection of processors that receive a particular coherence request. Snooping protocols send requests to the maximal destination set (i.e., all processors), reducing latency for cache-to-cache misses at the expense of increased traffic. Directory protocols send requests to the minimal destination set, reducing bandwidth at the expense of an indirection through the directory for cache-to-cache misses. Recently proposed hybrid protocols trade-off latency and bandwidth by directly sending requests to a predicted destination set.This paper explores the destination-set predictor design space, focusing on a collection of important commercial workloads. First, we analyze the sharing behavior of these workloads. Second, we propose predictors that exploit the observed sharing behavior to target different points in the latency/bandwidth tradeoff. Third, we illustrate the effectiveness of destination-set predictors in the context of a multicast snooping protocol. For example, one of our predictors obtains almost 90% of the performance of snooping while using only 15% more bandwidth than a directory protocol (and less than half the bandwidth of snooping).
Deletion of the Lymantria dispar multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus ecdysteroid UDP-glucosyl transferase gene enhances viral killing speed in the last instar of the gypsy moth

Abstract The Lymantria dispar multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (Ld M NPV) is used on a limited basis as a gypsy moth ( L. dispar ) control agent. In an effort to improve the efficacy (i.e., killing speed) of the Ld M NPV, we generated a recombinant viral strain (vEGT-) that does not produce the enzyme ecdysteroid UDP-glucosyltransferase (EGT). We compared the potency and efficacy of vEGT- to wild-type virus (A21-MPV) and the impact of vEGT- and A21-MPV on larval weight gain. Bioassay of L. dispar 1st, 4th, and 5th instars showed no significant difference in the LC 50 values in larvae infected with vEGT- or A21-MPV. The LT 50 values of 1st and 4th instar larvae infected with either virus were similar, but the LT 50 value of 5th instar larvae infected with vEGT- was significantly lower by ca. 33% compared with larvae infected with A21-MPV. Female 4th and 5th instar larvae infected with vEGT- gained significantly less weight than those infected with A21-MPV, whereas male 4th and 5th instar larvae infected with either virus showed no significant difference in weight gain. Larval weight gain was also used as an indicator of feeding activity through generation of FT 50 values (time when 50% of larvae ceased feeding). Fifth instar larvae infected with vEGT- exhibited a decrease in the FT 50 of ca. 32% compared with A21-MPV-infected larvae. Comparison of the total number of polyhedra produced in vEGT- or A21-MPV infected larvae showed that significantly more polyhedra were produced in 5th instars infected with A21-MPV. Deletion of the Ld M NPV egt gene generated an improved virus strain since the killing speed of vEGT- is significantly faster than wild-type virus in 5th instar L. dispar larvae, and larvae infected with vEGT- stopped gaining weight earlier than larvae infected with wild-type virus. Because the majority of foliage consumption by L. dispar larvae occurs in the 5th instar, the use of vEGT- may offer better foliage protection than wild-type virus in the field.
Film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) based power converters: A new trend featuring EMI reduction and high power density

In this paper, a series resonant converter and a LED driver have been implemented by using a film bulk acoustic resonators (FBAR) in place of the inductor. This MEMS device can offer very high inductance density with excellent Q factor and can be conveniently fabricated in a CMOS compatible process. FBARs are smaller in size and weight compared to an inductor offering the same inductance per volume and quality factor, and therefore,, FBAR based power converters can offer higher power density. Simulation and experimental results with zero voltage switching (ZVS) and zero current switching (ZCS) have been provided to validate the use of FBARs in power converter circuits. The EMI of a discrete inductor based converter has been compared to that of an FBAR based converter, and the FBAR based converter showed better EMI performance. To the knowledge of the authors, the use of FBAR in power converter circuits has not been reported in the literature yet.
Use of Hyperspectral Imagery to Assess Cryptic Color Matching in Sargassum Associated Crabs.

Mats of the pelagic macroalgae Sargassum represent a complex environment for the study of marine camouflage at the air-sea interface. Endemic organisms have convergently evolved similar colors and patterns, but quantitative assessments of camouflage strategies are lacking. Here, spectral camouflage of two crab species (Portunus sayi and Planes minutus) was assessed using hyperspectral imagery (HSI). Crabs matched Sargassum reflectance across blue and green wavelengths (400–550 nm) and diverged at longer wavelengths. Maximum discrepancy was observed in the far-red (i.e., 675 nm) where Chlorophyll a absorption occurred in Sargassum and not the crabs. In a quantum catch color model, both crabs showed effective color matching against blue/green sensitive dichromat fish, but were still discernible to tetrachromat bird predators that have visual sensitivity to far red wavelengths. The two species showed opposing trends in background matching with relation to body size. Variation in model parameters revealed that discrimination of crab and background was impacted by distance from the predator, and the ratio of cone cell types for bird predators. This is one of the first studies to detail background color matching in this unique, challenging ecosystem at the air-sea interface.
Should Dispersants be Used to Alleviate the Impact of a Marine Oil Spill

Should Dispersants be Used to Alleviate the Impact of a Marine Oil Spill? Should dispersants be sprayed on an oil spill to relieve the impact of the spill on an aquatic environment? The major release of crude oil to the Gulf of Mexico during the summer of 2010 caused the reemergence of this controversy. Between April 20 and July 15, 2010, approximately 686,000 metric tons of crude oil was accidently released from the British Petroleum (BP) Deep Horizon well located in the Gulf of Mexico. The damaged well head released between 1,670 to 2,670 metric tons of crude oil per day. BP sprayed over 4,670 metric tons of chemical dispersants on the sea surface and injected 2,600 metric tons at the well head to alleviate the spread of crude oil slicks in the Gulf of Mexico.
Familial Alzheimer Disease Presenilin-1 Mutations Alter the Active Site Conformation of γ-secretase

Presenilin-1 (PS1) is the catalytic subunit of γ-secretase, and mutations in this protein cause familial Alzheimer Disease (FAD). However, little is known about how these mutations affect the active site of γ-secretase. Here, we show that PS1 mutations alter the S2 subsite within the active site of γ-secretase using a multiple photoaffinity probe approach called “photophore walking.“ Moreover, we developed a unique in vitro assay with a biotinylated recombinant Notch1 substrate and demonstrated that PS1 FAD mutations directly and significantly reduced γ-secretase activity for Notch1 cleavage. Substitution of the Notch Cys-1752 residue, which interacts with the S2 subsite, with Val, Met, or Ile has little effect on wild-type PS1 but leads to more efficient substrates for mutant PS1s. This study indicates that alteration of this S2 subsite plays an important role in determining the activity and specificity of γ-secretase for APP and Notch1 processing, which provides structural basis and insights on how certain PS1 FAD mutations lead to AD pathogenesis.
The pediatric disposable end-tidal carbon dioxide detector role in endotracheal intubation in newborns.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the practical value of the new pediatric disposable ETCO2 detector Pedi-CAP in verifying endotracheal tube placement in neonatal resuscitation. METHODS: Infants who required endotracheal intubation in the delivery room or the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were included in a prospective study in which the endotracheal tube placement was determined clinically and simultaneously by the Pedi-CAP and confirmed by chest radiograph. The Pedi-CAP and clinical evaluation determination times of the endotracheal tube placement were measured and compared. The accuracy and ease of the Pedi-CAP use were tested. RESULTS: Forty-five newborns (450 to 4620 gm) who needed endotracheal intubation were included in the study. Twenty-four (53.3%) were intubated in the delivery room and 21 (46.7%) in the NICU. The Pedi-CAP color indicator correlated with the clinical evaluation and radiograph findings of proper intubation in 30 of 33 patients (sensitivity 91%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, and negative predictive value 80%). There were three false-negative results in patients with severe cardiorespiratory depression. The Pedi-CAP color indicator correlated with the clinical evaluation for the et-tube being in the esophagus in 12 of 12 patients (sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value were all 100%). The time required to determine the tube position by clinical evaluation was 0 to 90 seconds (mean = 39.7 seconds; SD ± 15.3 seconds).The time required with the disposable ETCO2 detector was 4 to 12 seconds (mean = 8.1 seconds; SD ± 2.9 seconds; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The use of a disposable pediatric endotracheal CO2 detector significantly reduces the time spent in verifying the endotracheal tube position (trachea versus esophagus) in newborns, including premature babies with body weight < 1000 gm. This is of particular benefit to babies who are erroneously intubated in the esophagus, because using the device allows much faster detection of this problem and much earlier reintubation.
Under the Radar: Cancer and the Cold War

ions such as dose reconstruction—an estimate of an individual’s exposure to radiation—to avoid drawing a direct causal link. “Atomic energy enthusiasts” filled the rosters of regulation bodies like the National Committee on Radiation Protection (NCRP), which served as “facilitators rather than watchdogs” (151). Empowered by the Cold War and their Journal of the History of Medicine : Vol. 66, April 2011 278
Battered Black Women's Use of Religious Services and Spirituality for Assistance in Leaving Abusive Relationships:

Though there is substantial rationale to consider any association between spirituality and religion and intimate partner violence, research in this area is particularly lacking. African Americans are known to utilize religion and spirituality at significant rates to deal with adversity. Accordingly, any investigation of Black women's methods of contending with abusive relationships would be deficient if it did not include an examination of the women's use of ecclesiastical resources. Using 40 semistructured in-depth interviews with battered Black women, this article explores the participants' successes and discontent with religion and spirituality to escape abuse.
Managed care implications of hereditary angioedema.

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a genetic syndrome caused by a functional deficit in complement C1 inhibitor that results in recur- rent episodes of nonpruritic swelling of the hands, feet, arms, legs, trunk, face, genitalia, bowels, and larynx beginning in childhood or adolescence and continuing throughout the patient's lifetime. Delays in the diagnosis of HAE average several years owing to the rarity of the disorder and the mimicking of clinical symptoms of those of a variety of other diseases. The lives of people with HAE have been transformed in recent years by the approval of several effective new therapies for the treatment and prevention of angio- edema attacks. Nonetheless, evidence from surveys shows that many patients still report suboptimal disease control accompanied by significant morbidity, psychological stress, and diminished productivity and quality of life. Further, new HAE agents are costly—the average wholesale price of a single dose of ecallantide (Kalbitor) is $9540—which will further strain an already stressed healthcare system. This article reviews the economic burdens, both direct and indirect, of HAE, and how changes in treatment practices, such as the wider adoption of home-based therapy, may improve patient outcomes and reduce costs.
Robust Stochastic Design of Viscous Dampers for Base Isolation Applications

Over the last decades, there has been a growing interest in the application of base isolation techniques to civil structures. Of the many relevant research topics, the efficient design of additional dampers, to operate in tandem with the isolation system, has emerged as one of the more important. One of the main challenges of such applications has been the explicit consideration of the nonlinear behavior of the isolators or the dampers in the design process. Another challenge has been the efficient control of the dynamic response under near-field ground motions. A framework is discussed in this chapter that addresses both these challenges. A probability logic approach is adopted for addressing the uncertainties about the structural model as well as the variability of future excitations. In this stochastic setting, a realistic model for the description of near-field ground motions is discussed. The design objective is then defined as the maximization of structural reliability. A simulation-based approach is implemented for evaluation of the stochastic performance and an efficient framework is discussed for performing the associated challenging design optimization and for selecting values of the controllable damper parameters that optimize the system reliability.
Self-service interlibrary loan: A primer for reference staff

Abstract Technology is rapidly moving libraries toward a self-service interlibrary loan model. Patrons currently request books and articles through OCLC's unmediated ILL Direct Request service, and interlibrary loan management software enables users to request, track, and renew borrowed materials unassisted online. In addition, products such as SFX and Serials Solutions further expand unmediated requesting. Peer-to-peer resource sharing defined by the ISO ILL Protocol and direct consortial borrowing, which has become possible following the recently approved NCIP standard, encourage and support the widespread development of self-service interlibrary loan. As borrowing from other collections becomes an almost effortless process for library users, reference librarians must find ways to encourage patron use of local collections, as well as familiarize themselves with the mechanics of unmediated interlibrary loan to better assist patrons in their use of evolving interlibrary loan technology.
Connecting the Electronic Dots: Ecological and Social Dimensions of the Global Information Revolution

The information revolution and the global environmental crisis may be transforming our world. Yet it is surprising that there is so little discussion of the links between these two international trends. Technologies often generate far-reaching environmental impacts, including many that are unan ticipated and remain unrecognized. As the historian Edward Tenner ( 1997) once observed, history is loaded with examples of new technologies that "bite back" with unanticipated consequences. When climate scientists refer to the unmistakable influence of human activities on global warming, what we are really talking about is the carbon emissions from driving your car, using a computer to send e-mail, and reading your book at night. Even as we turn to technological innovation and development to save us from the global environmental crisis, we tend to forget that our overdependence on and con sumption of technologies is likely to have brought our planet to this crisis point in the first place. With terms like "pervasive computing" gaining increasing legitimacy, there is an increasing need to explore more fully the environmental and social implications of a modern network society. I argue in this article that the introduction of new technologies has always had a profound impact on environmental and resource issues and advances in information and communication technologies (ICTs) are likely
Ultrafast Photoinduced Electron Transfer between an Incarcerated Donor and a Free Acceptor in Aqueous Solution

Supramolecular photoinduced electron transfer dynamics between coumarin 153 (C153) and 4,4′-dimethyl viologen dichloride (MV2+) across the molecular barrier of a host molecule, octa acid (OA), has been investigated with femtosecond time resolution. The ultrafast electron transfer from C153 to MV2+ followed excitation with 150 fs laser pulses at a wavelength of 390 nm despite the fact that C153 was incarcerated within an OA2 capsule. As a result, the photoexcited coumarin did not show any of the typical relaxation dynamics that is usually observed in free solution. Instead, the excited electron was transferred across the molecular wall of the capsuleplex within 20 ps. Likewise, the lifetime of the charge transfer state was short (724 ps), and electron back-transfer reestablished the ground state of the system within 1 ns, showing strong electronic coupling among the excited electron donor, host, and acceptor. When the donor was encapsulated into the host molecule, the electron transfer process showed signi...
201 TREATMENT FOR DEPRESSION AND BLOOD PRESSURE CONTROL AMONG AN UNDERSERVED LATINO IMMIGRANT POPULATION.

Background Hypertension and depression are the leading cause of death and disability in the United States. Although the causal relationship between depression and hypertension has not been definitively supported, increasing evidence has shown depression to be widely prevalent among hypertensive patients. Different theories have been suggested to explain the relationship between depression and hypertension, which include poor compliance with medications and unhealthy behavioral choices. However, there is a lack of studies done on ethnic minorities. Depression often complicates blood pressure control and uncontrolled hypertension can lead to complications; thus, it is of clinical significance to study the effect of depression on the management of hypertension. Objective This project studies whether treatment for depression will improve blood pressure control in an underserved Latino population receiving medical care at Mid Valley Comprehensive Health Center (MVCHC) from December 2005 to August 2006. Methods This is a retrospective study using chart review. Thirty hypertensive adults who are being treated for depression from December 2005 to August 2006 were randomly selected from the Family Medicine Clinic at MVCHC. Two blood pressure measurements were taken 4 to 16 weeks apart to determine the effect of depression treatment on hypertension. Results There was no statistically significant difference in blood pressure after treatment for depression. However, the results show a marginally significant increase in the percentages of patients who achieved a blood pressure of Conclusion Untreated hypertension could lead to a number of serious complications, including myocardial infarction, peripheral vascular disease, renal failure, and stroke. Our study shows a marginally significant association between hypertension control and depression. Thus, treatment for depression may help with blood pressure control and therefore help prevent negative sequelae of hypertension. However, any significance observed in our study is limited by the small sample size and short duration. However, this is only a pilot study, and we think further investigation is needed to better understand the relationship between depression and hypertension.
[Ca2+]i in rat afferent arteriole during constriction measured with confocal fluorescence microscopy.

Using confocal fluorescence microscopy, we followed the time course of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and endothelial cells (EC) of microperfus...
Persistence of Etheostoma parvipinne (Goldstripe Darter) in a Single Tributary on the Periphery of Its Range

Abstract We report the occurrence of a single population of Etheostoma parvipinne (Goldstripe Darter) in a small, acidic, spring-fed stream within the Colorado River drainage following an extended period of below-average precipitation (January–September 2011), a wildland fire (September 2011), and subsequent debris and sediment flows (November 2011–May 2012). Goldstripe Darters were taken from Alum Creek (Bastrop County, TX) along with a cyprinid, a poeciliid, and several species of centrarchids in June 2012. Occurrence of Goldstripe Darters in Alum Creek provides a regional example of fish-community responses to wildland fires. In additio n, understanding the mechanism of long-term persistence in a single tributary on the periphery of a species range might offer insight into the origin of endemic fishes and persistence of disjunct fish populations within aquatic evolutionary refugia of central Texas.
Implementation and data analysis of Tn-seq, whole genome resequencing, and single-molecule real time sequencing for bacterial genetics

Few discoveries have been more transformative to the biological sciences than the development of DNA sequencing technologies. The rapid advancement of sequencing and bioinformatics tools has revolutionized bacterial genetics, deepening our understanding of model and clinically relevant organisms. Although application of newer sequencing technologies to studies in bacterial genetics is increasing, the implementation of DNA sequencing technologies and development of the bioinformatics tools required for analyzing the large data sets generated remain a challenge for many. In this minireview, we have chosen to summarize three sequencing approaches that are particularly useful for bacterial genetics. We provide resources for scientists new to and interested in their application. Here, we discuss the analysis of data from transposon mutagenesis followed by deep sequencing (Tn-seq) to determine gene disruptions differentially represented in a mutant population and Illumina sequencing for identification of suppressor or other mutations, and we summarize single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing for de novo genome assembly and the use of the output data for detection of DNA base modifications.
Graft Calcification Caused by a Torsion of the Hepatic Vein after a Living-Related Donor Liver Transplantation

The torsion of vessels after liver transplantation rarely occurs. Likewise, calcification of a liver graft has seldom been reported. This report details a case which had torsion of the left hepatic vein on the seventh day after living-related donor liver transplantation. The torsion was reduced soon after re-exploration; however, congestion with partial necrosis of the graft occurred. On the follow-up imaging studies, some resolution of necrosis and graft regeneration were found, yet geographic calcification of the liver graft appeared.The patient died of pneumonia after 13 weeks, post-operation. The avoidance such torsion of vessels is necessary and important.
On synchronized multitape and multihead automata

Motivated by applications to verification problems in string manipulating programs, we look at the problem of whether the heads in a multitape automaton are synchronized. Given an n-tape pushdown automaton M with a one-way read-only head per tape and a right end marker $ on each tape, and an integer k ≥ 0, we say that M is ksynchronized if at any time during any computation of M on any input n-tuple (x1, . . . , xn) (whether or not it is accepted), no pair of input heads that are not on $ are more than k cells apart. This requirement is automatically satisfied if one of the heads has reached $. Note that an n-tuple (x1, . . . , xn) is accepted if M reaches the configuration where all n heads are on $ and M is in an accepting state. The automaton can be deterministic (DPDA) or nondeterministic (NPDA) and, in the special case, may not have a pushdown stack (DFA, NFA). We obtain decidability and undecidability results for these devices for both one-way and two-way versions. We also consider the notion of k-synchronized oneway and two-way multihead automata and investigate similar problems.