cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parametric studies of physical conditions in the Earth's upper mantle

Abstract Seismic body-wave and surface-wave data indicate the existence of a substantial lowvelocity, low- Q zone in the upper mantle beneath western North America. Conditions in this zone are distinctively different from those that are typical of the upper mantle in shield regions. The present study, using Walsh's model for partially melted rock, suggests a common mechanism for low-velocity and low- Q zones. This parametric study also indicates that the pronounced low-velocity, low- Q zone and anomalous travel-time delays of both P and S waves in the Basin and Range Province are consistent with the combined effects of high temperature, chemical composition, phase changes, and partial melting. The observed low P n velocity in this region is consistent with high temperature, chemical composition, and the presence of a partially molten layer within the upper mantle, but the observed teleseismic delay times result principally from the thickness of the lowvelocity zone. The teleseismic delay-time variations are therefore related to the seismic Q distribution in the asthenosphere. Conditions a few kilometers beneath the Moho boundary influence the P n velocity; however, the observed correlation among the teleseismic signal amplitudes, travel-time delays, and the upper mantle Q indicates that the P n velocity is a better indicator of upper mantle Q than suggested by the P n path alone. This knowledge of the upper mantle seems to account for the anomalous effects of the Basin and Range Province and other regions of similar tectonic nature on observations of teleseismic events. This will provide a practical technique for comparing seismic observations made in unstable tectonic regions with observations made in shield areas.
Implementing and evaluating school-based primary prevention programs and the importance of differential effects on outcomes

In 2004, Second Step (Committee for Children, 2002), a violence prevention program, was implemented in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights school district for 1,416 K through second grade students. Both process and outcome measures were used to evaluate program impact and examine issues related to the implementation and evaluation of evidence-based practices. Process measures indicated a high level of implementation fidelity, while pre/post outcome testing on a 20% random sample of students demonstrated significant reductions in reactive aggression scores, t= 2.221, df= 238, p
Why We Can't All Just Get Along: Human Variety and Game Theory in Hobbes's State of Nature

Etude de l'argument de la guerre de tous contre tous chez Hobbes, a la lumiere de sa conception de la psychologie, de la rationalite et de la motivation. Examinant la diversite des types humains a l'oeuvre dans l'etat de nature, l'A. propose un modele de representation de l'anarchie hobbesienne qui s'inspire du paradoxe du prisonnier et du paradoxe de l'assurance dans le domaine de la theorie des jeux.
Design of crystal oscillators with fundamental frequencies in the uhf and microwave regions

A negative resistance approach is used to design a crystal oscillator whose fundamental resonance is at f0 = 842911MHz. The SSB phase noise measurements of the crystal oscillator show great potential for the development of stable frequency sources in the UHF and microwave regions.
Incorporating Data Collection and Written Reports in Microeconomics.

The advantages of incorporating short data collection exercises and writing assignments into microeconomics courses are presented.
Partial read from peer-to-peer databases

In this paper, we propose Scoop, a mechanism to implement the ''partial read operation'' for peer-to-peer databases. A peer-to-peer database is a database that its relations are horizontally fragmented and distributed among the nodes of a peer-to-peer network. The partial read operation is a data retrieval operation required for approximate query processing in peer-to-peer databases. A partial read operation answers to @b-queries: given @b@?[0,1] and a relation R, a fraction @b of the tuples in R must be retrieved from the database to answer a @b-query. Despite the simplicity of the @b-query, due to the distributed, evolving and autonomous nature of the peer-to-peer databases correct and efficient implementation of the partial read operation is challenging. Scoop is designed based on an epidemic dissemination algorithm. We model the epidemic dissemination as a percolation problem and by rigorous percolation analysis tune Scoop per-query and on-the-fly to answer @b-queries correctly and efficiently. We prove the correctness of Scoop by theoretical analysis, and verify the efficiency of Scoop in terms of query cost and query time via extensive simulation.
Parallel evolutionary events in the haptoglobin gene clusters of rhesus monkey and human

Parallel occurrences of evolutionary events in the haptoglobin gene clusters of rhesus monkeys and humans were studied. We found six different haplotypes among 11 individuals from two rhesus monkey families. The six haplotypes include two types of haptoglobin gene clusters: one type with a single gene and the other with two genes. DNA sequence analysis indicates that the one-gene and the two-gene clusters were both formed by unequal homologous crossovers between two genes of an ancestral three-gene cluster, near exon 5, the longest exon of the gene. This exon is also the location where a separate unequal homologous crossover occurred in the human lineage, forming the human two-gene haptoglobin gene cluster from an ancestral three-gene cluster. The occurrence of independent homologous unequal crossovers in rhesus monkey and in human within the same region of DNA suggests that the evolutionary history of the haptoglobin gene cluster in primates is the consequence of frequent homologous pairings facilitated by the longest and most conserved exon of the gene.
Power optimization and management in embedded systems

Power-efficient design requires reducing power dissipation in all parts of the design and during all stages of the design process subject to constraints on the system performance and quality of service (QoS). Power-aware high-level language compilers, dynamic power management policies, memory management schemes, bus encoding techniques, and hardware design tools are needed to meet these often-conflicting design requirements. This paper reviews techniques and tools for power-efficient embedded system design, considering the hardware platform, the application software, and the system software. Design examples from an Intel StrongARM based system are provided to illustrate the concepts and the techniques. This paper is not intended as a comprehensive review, rather as a starting point for understanding power-aware design methodologies and techniques targeted toward embedded systems.
Gender differences in affective suffering among racial/ethnically diverse, community-dwelling elders

Objective. Copious research shows a female excess of unipolar depression. The generalizability of this finding is examined in a racial/ethnically diverse, community-residing, elder sample. Design. Depressive suffering was assessed both categorically and linearly with the Index of Affective Suffering (IAS), a hierarchal measure designed to examine intensity and extensity of suffering. In-home interviews by specially trained raters also collected demographic, functional, and social health data. Prevalence rates of affective suffering were examined separately for Latinos (N=996, Females=46.8%), Blacks (N=717, Females=36.5%), and Whites (N=415, Females=18.6%). Results. Analyzed by gender alone these data support the typical wisdom that females report significantly more depressed affect than males. However, by racial/ethnic group categorical analysis indicates that among Whites and Latinos, women reported more symptoms of clinically significant affective suffering than males; whereas, among Blacks, women and m...
Impacts of Argo salinity in NCEP Global Ocean Data Assimilation System: The tropical Indian Ocean

[1] Salinity profiles collected by the International Argo Project (International Argo Project data are available at http://argo.jcommops.org) since 2000 provide us an unprecedented opportunity to study impacts of salinity data on the quality of ocean analysis, which has been hampered by a lack of salinity observations historically. The operational Global Ocean Data Assimilation System (GODAS) developed at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) assimilates temperature and synthetic salinity profiles that were constructed from temperature and a local T-S climatology. In this study, we assess impacts of replacing synthetic salinity by Argo salinity on the quality of the GODAS ocean analysis with a focus on the tropical Indian Ocean. The study was based on two global ocean analyses for 2001–2006 with (NCEP_Argo) and without (NCEP_Std) inclusion of Argo salinity. The quality of the ocean analyses was estimated by comparing them with various independent observations such as the surface current data from drifters, the salinity data from the Triangle Trans-Ocean Buoy Network moorings, and the sea surface height (SSH) data from satellite altimeters. We found that by assimilating Argo salinity, the biases in the salinity analysis were reduced by 0.6 practical salinity units (psu) in the eastern tropical Indian Ocean and by 1 psu in the Bay of Bengal. Associated with these salinity changes, the zonal current increased by 30–40 cm s−1 toward the east in the central equatorial Indian Ocean during the winter seasons. When verified against drifter currents, the biases of the annually averaged zonal current in the tropical Indian Ocean were reduced by 5–10 cm s−1, and the root-mean-square error of surface zonal current was reduced by 2–5 cm s−1. The SSH biases were reduced by 3 cm in the tropical Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal, and the Arabian Sea. These results suggest that the Argo salinity plays a critical role in improving salinity analysis, which in turn contributed to improved surface current and sea surface height analyses.
Contesting environmental transformation: political ecologies and environmentalisms in Latin America and the Caribbean

Beyond Sun and Sand: Caribbean Environmentalisms. Edited by Sherrie Baver and Barbara Deutsch Lynch. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2006. Pp. vii + 210. $26.95 paper. Environmental Justice in Latin America: Problems, Promise, and Practice. Edited by David Carruthers. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2008. Pp. vii + 329. $25.00 paper. Greening Brazil: Environmental Activism in State and Society. Katherine Hochstetler and Margaret E. Keck. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2007. Pp. xviii + 283. $23.95 paper. Natural Resources: Neither Curse nor Destiny. Edited by Daniel Lederman and William F. Maloney. Washington, D.C.: World Bank Publications; Palo Alto: Stanford University Press, 2007. Pp. xx + 369. $29.95 paper. Changing Places: Environment, Development and Social Change in Rural Honduras. By William Loker. Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press, 2004. Pp. xiii + 227. $28.00 paper. The Ecology of Oil: Environment, Labor, and the Mexican Revolution, 1900-1938. By Myrna L. Santiago. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2006. Pp. xiv + 411. $85.00 cloth.
Large-Scale Overlays and Trends: Visually Mining, Panning and Zoomingthe Observable Universe

We introduce a web-based computing infrastructure to assist the visual integration, mining and interactive navigation of large-scale astronomy observations. Following an analysis of the application domain, we design a client-server architecture to fetch distributed image data and to partition local data into a spatial index structure that allows prefix-matching of spatial objects. In conjunction with hardware-accelerated pixel-based overlays and an online cross-registration pipeline, this approach allows the fetching, displaying, panning and zooming of gigabit panoramas of the sky in real time. To further facilitate the integration and mining of spatial and non-spatial data, we introduce interactive trend images—compact visual representations for identifying outlier objects and for studying trends within large collections of spatial objects of a given class. In a demonstration, images from three sky surveys (SDSS, FIRST and simulated LSST results) are cross-registered and integrated as overlays, allowing cross-spectrum analysis of astronomy observations. Trend images are interactively generated from catalog data and used to visually mine astronomy observations of similar type. The front-end of the infrastructure uses the web technologies WebGL and HTML5 to enable cross-platform, web-based functionality. Our approach attains interactive rendering framerates; its power and flexibility enables it to serve the needs of the astronomy community. Evaluation on three case studies, as well as feedback from domain experts emphasize the benefits of this visual approach to the observational astronomy field; and its potential benefits to large scale geospatial visualization in general.
The Angelchik® anti-reflux prosthesis (AARP) for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): a 10 to 23 years follow up

The Angelchik® anti-reflux prosthesis (AARP) for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): a 10 to 23 years follow up
Spectroscopic and Geometric Variations in Perturbed Blue Copper Centers: Electronic Structures of Stellacyanin and Cucumber Basic Protein

The electronic structures of the perturbed blue copper proteins stellacyanin (STC) and cucumber basic protein (CBP, also called plantacyanin, PNC) are defined relative to that of the well-understood “classic” site found in plastocyanin (PLC) by combining the results of low-temperature optical absorption, circular dichroism, and magnetic circular dichroism spectra with density functional calculations. Additionally, absorption and magnetic circular dichroism spectra of Alcaligenes denitrificans wild-type and M121Q azurin are presented and compared to PLC and STC, respectively. These studies show that the principal electronic structure changes in CBP/PNC, with respect to PLC, are a small shift of the ligand field transitions to higher energy and a rotation of the Cu dx2-y2 half-filled HOMO which increases the pseudo-σ and decreases the π interactions of the cysteine (Cys) sulfur with Cu dx2-y2 and, in addition, mixes some methionine (Met) sulfur character into the HOMO. The geometrical distortion responsible...
The Rules of Engagement: Examining the Limits of Standards and Accountability Policy

Abstract Standards and accountability policies are central elements of school reform agendas aimed at equalizing students' access to quality education and closing the achievement gap. Yet, such policies have failed to yield the expected, large scale results. One explanation may be found in the embedded zones of wishful thinking. Two particular zones of wishful thinking are the policies' efficacy to foster deep learning and the standards' ability to create cohesive P–12 systems of educational excellence.
Mycobacterium chelonae Causing Otitis Media in an Ear-Nose-and-Throat Practice

Seventeen cases of otitis media caused by Mycobacterium chelonae were detected among patients seen at a single ear-nose-and-throat (ENT) office (Office A) in Louisiana between May 5 and September 15, 1987. All the patients had a tympanotomy tube or tubes in place or had one or more tympanic-membrane perforations, with chronic otorrhea that was unresponsive to standard therapy with antimicrobial agents. Middle-ear exploration in six patients revealed abundant granulation tissue; multiple granulomas and acid-fast bacilli were demonstrated on a section of tissue from one patient with a nonhealing mastoidectomy incision. Thirteen of the 14 ear isolates obtained from patients seen in Office A had the same unusual pattern of high-level resistance to aminoglycosides. M. chelonae and other nontuberculous mycobacteria were recovered from several sources of water in Office A, as well as in another ENT office (Office B) in a neighboring city that was visited by the index patient. Only one additional case was detected in Office B during the same period. Otologic instruments in Office A were cleaned in an ultrasonic bath with tap water and a liquid detergent; the contents of the bath were changed only once weekly. Instruments in Office B were placed in boiling water between patient examinations. This outbreak establishes M. chelonae as an agent of otitis media and underscores the need for high-level disinfection or sterilization of ENT instruments between examinations to prevent the transmission of this organism to patients in the office setting.
The migrating omohyoid muscle—Its significance?

Abstract This study embodies a comparative study of the omohyoid muscles in six species of primates and in fetal and adult Homo. There are considerable differences among the species in the origin of the muscle from the scapula-clavicular complex, but little difference at its insertion to the hyoid bone. The origin in the gorilla is the most medial of all the species, on the superior border of the scapula very close to the superior angle. In the marmoset the muscle originates partly from the lateral one-third of the alavicle. The other species, including the adult Homo, have the origin of the muscle in between these two extreme positions. In the human fetus the origin is totally clavicular. An interesting concept is proposed in the light of recent advances in our knowledge of the immunological time scale for hominid evolution: Is the omohyoid muscle an indicator of the relative status of each species on such a time scale? Evidence to support such a theory is presented in this study. A cladogram shows the relationship of the above species.
Linear transformations and the preservation of completeness

This paper considers the problem of transformation of functions in L 2 by linear time-invariant causal systems and the conditions under which this transformation preserves the completeness of sets in L 2 . The problem is of practical importance in system identification. Two easily applied sufficient conditions are presented.
A Terror Management Perspective on the Persuasiveness of Fear Appeals

We use terror management theory (TMT) to show that the nature of the threatening consequences included in fear-appeal communications influences the responses to the messages promoted in such communications. On the basis of differences between death-related consequences and non-death-related consequences, they provide an explanation for maladaptive responses to fear appeals. Results from 2 experiments indicate that participants who were highly committed to a worldview of drinking alcohol rejected socially acceptable attitudes toward drinking and driving when the message containing such attitudes was accompanied by a fear appeal that contained death as a consequence, but not when fear appeals contained the fear of arrest or serious injury. Participants perceived their level of experienced fear to be the same across the experimental conditions. The results have implications for considering the qualitative nature of the threatening consequence in fear-appeal research and for using TMT to understand maladaptive responses to fear-appeal communications.
Automatic vector instruction selection for dynamic compilation

Accelerating program performance via short SIMD vector units is very common in modern processors, as evidenced by the use of SSE, MMX, and AltiVec SIMD instructions in multimedia, scientific, and embedded applications. To take full advantage of the vector capabilities, a compiler needs to generate efficient vector code automatically. However, most commercial and open-source compilers still fall short of using the full potential of vector units, and only generate vector code for simple loop nests. In this poster, we present the design and implementation of an auto-vectorization framework in the back-end of a dynamic compiler that not only generates optimized vector code but is also well integrated with the instruction scheduler and register allocator. Additionally, we describe a vector instruction selection algorithm based on dynamic programming. Our results obtained in JikesRVM dynamic compilation environment show performance improvement of up to 57.71% on an Intel Xeon processor, compared to non-vectorized execution.
Crystallization and Preliminary X-ray Analysis of an Anti-Staphylococcal Nuclease-Staphylococcal Nuclease Complex and of a Second Anti-Staphylococcal Nuclease Antibody

Abstract The Fab fragments of several monoclonal antibodies that bind Staphylococcal nuclease have been screened for crystallization conditions. Two of these, N10 and N25, have been crystallized in forms suitable for X-ray structural analysis. The anti-Staphylococcal nuclease antibody complex N10 Fab-nuclease crystallizes with symmetry consistent with space group C2 and cell parameters of a = 234·7 A; b = 43·5 A; c = 74·4 A; β = 106·4°. A second anti-Staphylococcal nuclease antibody, N25, although crystallized starting with the Fab-nuclease complex, apparently crystallizes as uncomplexed N25 Fab with symmetry consistent with space group P3121 (or its enantiomorph P3221) and cell parameters of a = b = 80·9 A; c = 138·4 A.
Physiological parameters of the gastric mucosal barrier

An important function of the gastric mucosa is to contain within the lumen of the stomach the acid which the mucosa itself secretes. This function is expressed as the very low permeability of the mucosa to hydrogen ions. The interstitial fluid of the gastric mucosa contains sodium ions at a concentration very nearly equal to the sodium concentration of plasma, and the same property of impermeability which prevents hydrogen ions from diffusing into the lumen prevents sodium ions from diffusing from the mucosa into the lumen (1). Capillaries of the gastric mucosa, like most other capillaries, are highly permeable to electrolytes and to small molecules of the plasma. Their permeability to plasma proteins has not been measured, and this becomes an important question when one learns how much plasma protein is shed into the gastric lumen when the mucosa is damaged. The classical means of estimating the protein concentration of interstitial fluid of an organ is to measure the protein concentration of the lymph collected from that organ. Until recently lymph has not been collected from the stomach for the reason that the arborization of lymphatic vessels draining the stomach makes cannulation difficult or impossible. Dr. Teresa Bruggeman working in my laboratory has, with great pertinacity, applied the methods of renal micropuncture to collection of gastric lymph (2). She has found that the albumin concentration of gastric lymph is about 80% of that of simultaneously collected plasma samples. Gastric lymph also contains the other plasma proteins, including fibrinogen. If in fact gastric lymph concentration of albumin does equal interstitial concentration, the high concentra
What do we know about physician well-being?

This study of physicians' own wellness practices adds important information about how physicians maintain balance and meaning in their lives while they cope with burnout and the stresses of practice. As the authors point out, most of the previous studies on physician behavior concentrated on the dysfunctional physician. For example, the authors summarize the findings of an important study by Vaillant and colleagues on Harvard physicians.1 These findings stressed the importance of physicians' family backgrounds on their subsequent risk of maladjustment to professional life. Those physicians with the least stable childhood and adolescence were at higher risk for unstable marriages, alcohol and drug use, and the need for psychotherapy. At the Center for Professional Health, we have also found that physicians who misuse controlled substances and those who have problems with sexual boundaries have often had unstable childhood and adolescent years. In few studies have investigators examined the coping skills that physicians use to manage major problems in their lives or practices or to maintain their well-being. In the qualitative study by Weiner and colleagues, 5 categories of “wellness promotion practices” emerged. All physicians, medical educators, and policymakers will be interested in the nature of these practices. The antecedent factors that contribute to physician well-being are relevant for teachers in medical schools and resident programs who teach coping skills to their students. Weiner and colleagues highlight some of the skills that are needed, such as self-care and negotiating healthy relationships. Their article is timely because the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Hospitals recently adopted a new regulation requiring hospitals to have a physician wellness program separate from the disciplinary process. What about the future of research on physician well-being? One thing that has hampered such research is the lack of standardized ways to measure well-being in physicians. A valuable tool in the future would therefore be a validated instrument for measuring physician well-being, perhaps akin to rating scales for anxiety or depression. Weiner and colleagues' work is important because we all need to understand the important factors that promote behaviors that lead to physician well-being. Once we understand them, education and training can be used to enhance these behaviors in all medical students and physicians.
Asymmetries in the acoustic reflexes of the cat stapedius muscle.

Electromyographic activity (EMG) was used to monitor contractions of the stapedius muscle evoked by both ipsilateral and contralateral sound in ketamine-anesthetized or decerebrate cats. After the onset of a continuing tone, stapedius EMG often had bursts of activity at regular intervals; similar bursts were also observed in the EMG from the tensor tympani muscle. Plots of the r.m.s. amplitude of stapedius-EMG versus sound level usually had a steep rising phase (small dynamic range) and a plateau at high sound levels. For sound stimulation at 1 kHz, the crossed stapedius reflex had a lower maximum amplitude (ave. amplitude ratio: 0.37) and a higher threshold (ave. 8 dB) than the uncrossed reflex. Since the uncrossed reflex evokes considerably more stapedius EMG than does the crossed reflex, it probably produces correspondingly greater changes in middle-ear sound transmission.
Post-marketing surveillance using pharmacy-based cohorts: results of a pilot study.

Purpose To assess the feasibility of recruiting subjects for follow-up studies of drug exposures using pharmacy records but without involving dispensing pharmacists. Methods Working with Eckerd Corporation, a large chain pharmacy, we attempted to enroll subjects taking either hyoscyamine (Levsin and others) or dicyclomine (Bentyl and others). Adults who filled prescriptions during the recruitment period were randomly assigned to one of four enrollment approaches that used a script and materials we provided: (1) an introductory phone call from an Eckerd pharmacy technician with an offer of a $5 payment; (2) an introductory phone call with no payment; (3) a questionnaire mailed from Eckerd with introductory letters enclosed and an offer of a $5 payment and (4) the same mailed packet but with no payment offered. Willing subjects responded directly to us; they received a follow-up questionnaire approximately 6 weeks following enrollment. This method also provided limited information about subjects who chose not to enroll, permitting us to assess the representativeness of the study population. Results The enrollment rates for the four groups were 35, 22, 21 and 17% respectively. Rates of completion of the follow-up questionnaire were 86, 83, 83 and 79% respectively. Participants appeared to be representative of the target population. The differential cost per enrolled subject in each group was $39.25, $50.45, $41.95 and $48.26 respectively. Conclusions This method provides an efficient way to create cohorts of users of specific prescription medications, with enrollment and retention rates that compare favorably with other approaches, allows a limited evaluation of representativeness, and is logistically feasible. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stability Monitoring and Analysis of Learning in Adaptive Systems

The ability to assure reliability of adaptation is important in safety-critical applications. Traditional software V&V techniques cannot account for the time-evolving nature of a generic dynamic system, making them inapplicable for computing systems assurance. In this paper, we propose considering stability of adaptation as a heuristic measure of reliability, and present a stability monitoring system for detecting divergent learning behavior during online operation of adaptive systems. The monitoring system comprises of several Lyapunov-like functions that detect distinct states in learning that bifurcate away from stable behavior. Murphy?s rule based on Dempster-Shafer theory is applied for combining stability information provided by individual monitors into an easily interpretable belief representation. The proposed analysis technique is evaluated using online learning experiments based on data generated by an actual adaptive flight control system. Results indicate that the stability monitoring system detects divercency conditions, and provides an insight into understanding whether the on-line learning converges to a stable state.
The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in United States adults: data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994.

Original Article Shulman JD, Beach MM, Rivera-Hidalgo F. The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in US adults: data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994. J Am Dent Assoc 2004;135(9):1279-86. Level of Evidence Not applicable Purpose The purpose of this study was to report the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in a nationally representative sample of US adults aged 17 years and older. Source of Funding Information not available. Type of Study/Design Cross-sectional/survey
Up front: the acquisition of a concept and a word.

Thirty-six 2- to 3-year-old children were given linguistic and non-linguistic tasks in order to determine whether the words front and back introduce the concept of ‘front–back’ orientation or whether the concept precedes the words. Contrary to prediction, a complex disjunctive concept of ‘front–back’ orientation was found to precede any knowledge of the words front and back. Results of the linguistic task show that the word back is comprehended before front, and further that children at an intermediate state of lexical knowledge interpret front as if it means back.
AFFINE HIGGS EFFECT

In this paper, the Higgs mechanism is investigated for the affine version of the N = 4 Yang-Mills theory.
Treatment of third ventriculostomy failure: re-fenestration or shunt?

Materials and Methods 189 primary ETVs were evaluated between 1994 and 2002. The failures (n = 50), underwent a CINE PhaseContrast (PC) MRI protocol for evaluation of fenestration patency. Patients with open fenestrations were shunted, while those with closed were explored for possible re-fenestration. The results of re-operation were compared with the results of the primary ETV. The probability of success in each group was determined statistically with using Kaplan-Meier plot.
Dispersivity and distribution coefficients in marine sediments using 3H and 226Ra

Continental aquifers flow along topographic gradients toward coastlines in many geologic environments. Wherever aquifers intersect coastlines, ground water mixes with seawater infiltrated in marine sediments. In this mixing zone, sediment-pore fluid interactions create geochemical gradients that migrate back and forth on short (e.g., tides, waves) and long time scales (e.g. seasonal and eustatic sea level fluctuations). We focus on sorption and ion exchange characteristics of radium in these mixing zone sediments using laboratory column experiments. Previous studies have shown salinity affects radium sorption, but this process has not been investigated in porous sediments where solution ionic strength may fluctuate over a range of time scales. Additionally, different sediment types present within this subsurface zone may act as temporally and spatially variable source/sink sites for Ra. These sediments may have been underestimated in Ra mass balances for estimating coastal ground water fluxes. We performed microcosm sediment column experiments to examine Ra behavior and quantify the source/sink capacity of sediments. Longitudinal dispersivity results indicate local flow field variability was minimal during experiments. Radium desorption from sediments occurs rapidly (within 60 to 120 minutes) with exposure to solution and is generally high in the shallow portion of the subterranean mixing zone.
When taxonomy meets genomics: lessons from a common songbird.

Taxonomy is being increasingly informed by genomics. Traditionally, taxonomy has relied extensively on phenotypic traits for the identification and delimitation of species, though with a growing influence from molecular phylogenetics in recent decades. Now, genomics opens up new and more powerful tools for analysing the evolutionary history and relatedness among species, as well as understanding the genetic basis for phenotypic traits and their role in reproductive isolation. New insights gained from genomics will therefore have major effects on taxonomic classifications and species delimitation. How a genomics approach can inform a flawed taxonomy is nicely exemplified by Mason & Taylor (2015) in this issue of Molecular Ecology. They studied redpolls, which comprise a genus (Acanthis) of fringillid finches with a wide distribution in the Holarctic region, and whose species taxonomy has been a matter of much controversy for decades (Fig. 1). Current authoritative checklists classify them into one, two or three species, and five or six subspecies, based largely on geographical differences in phenotypic traits. Previous studies, including a recent one of the subspecies on Iceland (Amouret et al. 2015), have found no evidence of differentiation between these taxa in conventional molecular markers. The lack of genetic structure has been interpreted as incomplete lineage sorting among rapidly evolving lineages. Now Mason & Taylor (2015), using a large data set of genomewide SNPs, verify that they all belong to a single gene pool with a common evolutionary history, and with little or no geographical structuring. They also show that phenotypic traits used in taxonomic classifications (plumage and bill morphology) are closely associated with polygenic patterns of gene expression, presumably driven by ecological selection on a few regulatory genes. Several lessons can be learned from this study. Perhaps the most important one for taxonomy is the risk of taxonomic inflation resulting from overemphasizing phenotypic traits under local adaptation and ignoring a lack of phylogenetic signal in molecular markers.
Load sharing in hybrid distributed-centralized database systems

In a hybrid distributed-centralized database system architecture, some transactions run at (geographically) distributed systems, and other transactions at a central computing complex. Static and dynamic load-sharing strategies are studied for such systems. The strategies take into account not only the difference in load at different sites, but also the effect of routing on data-contention and transaction-abort probabilities. Five dynamic strategies are examined and are compared with an optimal static strategy. A dynamic strategy that is based on analytical estimates of the effect of routing on all transactions in the system, rather than that on the incoming transaction alone, is found to be the best. >
A frame and rule based system to support software development using an integrated software engineering paradigm

A software system that uses the concepts of frames and production rules to support software development using an integrated software engineering paradigm is presented. This system includes a frame-and-rule oriented requirements language (FRORL), a predominance/particular methodology, and a knowledge base. FRORL uses frame representation for object-oriented modeling, applies production rules for specifying actions and constraints of real domains, and provides a set of abstract mechanisms for the practical description of abstract relations. The predominance/particular methodology is used to support the software development using FRORL. In modeling an application system by means of this methodology, the main features are represented first using simple and general description, while detailed and specific description is added incrementally. The knowledge base provides rules for specification checking, prototype validation, and transformation of specifications into programs. A real problem is given to illustrate the system. >
Clinical and molecular implications of mosaicism in FMR1 full mutations

Expansions of more than 200 CGG repeats (full mutation) in the FMR1 gene give rise to fragile X syndrome (FXS) through a process that generally involves hypermethylation of the FMR1 promoter region and gene silencing, resulting in absence of expression of the encoded protein, FMRP. However, mosaicism with alleles differing in size and extent of methylation often exist within or between tissues of individuals with FXS. In the current work, CGG-repeat lengths and methylation status were assessed for eighteen individuals with FXS, including 13 mosaics, for which peripheral blood cells (PBMCs) and primary fibroblast cells were available. Our results show that for both PBMCs and fibroblasts, FMR1 mRNA and FMRP expression are directly correlated with the percent of methylation of the FMR1 allele. In addition, Full Scale IQ scores were inversely correlated with the percent methylation and positively correlated with higher FMRP expression. These latter results point toward a positive impact on cognition for full mutation mosaics with lower methylation compared to individuals with fully methylated, full mutation alleles. However, we did not observe a significant reduction in the number of seizures, nor in the severity of hyperactivity or autism spectrum disorder, among individuals with mosaic genotypes in the presentation of FXS. These observations suggest that low, but non-zero expression of FMRP may be sufficient to positively impact cognitive function in individuals with FXS, with methylation mosaicism (lowered methylation fraction) contributing to a more positive clinical outcome.
Carboranyl derivatives of amineboranes and boron analogs of esters: a synthetic investigation

New functionalized carboranyl derivatives of amineboranes and boron analogs of esters are reported. The reaction of 1,12-(aminopropyl)-1,12-dicarbadodecaborane (2), 2-(aminopropyl)-1,2-dicarbadodecaborane (4), 1-methyl-2-(aminopropyl)-1,2-dicarbadodecaborane (6), 1-phenyl-2-(aminopropyl)-1,2-dicarbadodecaborane (8) with Me 3 NBH 2 X produced novel carboranylamineboranes of the general formula 1,12-[(CH 2 ) 3 NH 2 BH 2 X] 2 -1,12-C 2 B 10 H 10 [X = CN (2a), COOCH 3 (2b), CONHEt (2c), CONHCH(CH 2 C 6 H 5 )COOCH 3 (2d), CONHCH(CH 3 )COOCH 3 (2e), CONHCH[CH(CH 3 ) 2 ]COOCH 3 (2f), CONHCH(CH 2 C 6 H 4 OH)COOCH 3 (2g), 1-CH 2 NH 2 BH 2 CN (2h)] or 1-R-2-[(CH 2 ) 3 NH 2 BH 2 X]-1,2-C 2 B 10 H 10 {R = H, X = CN (4a), COOCH 3 (4b), CONHEt (4c), COOH (4d); R = CH 3 , X = CN (6a), COOCH 3 (6b), CONHCH(CH 2 C 6 H 5 )COOCH 3 (6c), CONHCH(CH 3 )COOCH 3 , (6d), CONHCH[CH(CH 3 ) 2 ]COOCH 3 (6e), CONHCH(CH 2 C 6 H 4 OH) COOCH 3 (6f); R = C 6 H 5 , X = CN (8a), COOCH 3 (8b), CONHCH(CH 2 C 6 H 5 )COOCH 3 (8c), CONHCH(CH 3 )COOCH 3 (8d), CONHCH[CH(CH 3 ) 2 ]COOCH 3 (8e), CONHCH(CH 2 C 6 H 4 OH) COOCH 3 (8f)) by the amine exchange reaction. The reaction of 1-(aminomethyl)-1,2-dicarbadodecaborane with Me 3 NBH 2 X (X = CN) produced 1-[CH 2 NH 2 BH 2 CN]-1,2-C 2 B 10 H 10 (2h). Compounds 2a, 4a, 6a, and 8a were also synthesized by the reaction of 1,12-(aminopropyl)-1,12-dicarbadodecaborane hydrochloride (1), 2-(aminopropyl)-1,2-dicarbadodecaborane hydrochloride (3), 1-methyl-2-(aminopropyl)-1,2-dicarbadodecaborane hydrochloride (5), 1-phenyl-2-(aminopropyl)-1,2-dicarbadodecaborane hydrochloride (7) with sodium cyanoborohydride. The reaction of Li 2 [1,2-CO 2 -1,2-C 2 B 10 H 10 ] (9) or Li[1-R-2-CO 2 -1,2-C 2 B 10 H 10 ], R = CH 3 (10), R = C 6 H 5 (11), with Me 3 NBH 2 I gave 1,2-CO 2 BH 2 NMe 3 -1,2-C 2 B 10 H 10 (9a) or 1-R-2-CO 2 BH 2 NMe 3 -1,2-C 2 B 10 H 10 , R = CH 3 (10a), R = C 6 H 5 (lla), as new boron analogs of esters. All of these compounds were characterized by IR spectroscopy, 1 H, 13 C and 11 B NMR spectroscopy and chemical analyses.
GENERALIZED INTERSECTION SEARCHING PROBLEMS

A new class of geometric intersection searching problems is introduced, which generalizes previously-considered intersection searching problems and is rich in applications. In a standard intersection searching problem, a set S of n geometric objects is to be preprocessed so that the objects that are intersected by a query object q can be reported efficiently. In a generalized problem, the objects in S come aggregated in disjoint groups and what is of interest are the groups, not the objects, that are intersected by q. Although this problem can be solved easily by using an algorithm for the standard problem, the query time can be Ω(n) even though the output size is just O(1). In this paper, algorithms with efficient, output-size-sensitive query times are presented for the generalized versions of a number of intersection searching problems, including: interval intersection searching, orthogonal segment intersection searching, orthogonal range searching, point enclosure searching, rectangle intersection searching, and segment intersection searching. In addition, the algorithms are also space-efficient.
Multiple spatial scaling and the weak-coupling approximation. Part 1. General formulation and equilibrium theory

Multiple spatial scaling is incorporated in a modified form of the Bogoliubov plasma cluster expansion; then this proposed reformulation of the plasma weak- coupling approximation is used to derive, from the BBGKY Hierarchy, a decoupled set of equations for the one- and two-particle distribution functions in the limit as the plasma parameter goes to zero. Because the reformulated cluster expansion permits retention of essential two-particle collisional information in the limiting equations, while simultaneously retaining the well-established Debye-scale relative ordering of the correlation functions, decoupling of the Hierarchy is accomplished without introduction of the divergence problems encountered in the Bogoliubov theory, as is indicated by an exact solution of the limiting equations for the equilibrium case. To establish additional links with existing plasma equilibrium theories, the two-particle equilibrium correlation function is used to calculate the interaction energy and the equation of state. The limiting equation for the equilibrium three-particle correlation function is then developed, and a formal solution is obtained.
the significance of the course events take in segmentary systems

Arguments about segmentation in the Middle Eastern context still turn on the presence or absence of solidary groups. Yemeni material is used to show that this is largely irrelevant. Segmentation concerns structural principles that apply to groups and individuals alike, to events that “follow the rules” and to those that contradict them. The principles of segmentation underlie a far wider range of events than those dealt with by segmentary lineage theory. [Middle East, Yemen, segmentation, social structure, forms of action]
Framing environmental advocacy: a study of 30 years of advertising in National Geographic Magazine

To compete with the flood of environmental messaging from corporations and industry groups, environmental advocacy groups must adopt the most effective communication strategies to connect with audiences and motivate their behaviors toward environmental issues. This study examines the framing of environmental messages by advocacy groups in contrast to messages by other organizations in 30 years of environmental advertising in National Geographic Magazine. It measures changes in the degree to which environmental actions were framed in terms of gain for the environment versus avoidance of ecological loss and in terms of impacting current generations versus future generation. In addition, the study examined behavioral frames of taking less (conservation) versus doing more (recycling, volunteering, etc.) in environmental advocacy groups' advertising to better understand the kinds of actions the organizations are promoting. The organizations' strategies to engage audience behavior were also measured through message focus on reader behavior versus organization behavior. Findings suggest that frames engaged by environmental advocacy organizations have remained fairly stable over time but may not represent the best practices for message creation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dependability modeling and analysis of distributed programs

Presents a modeling approach based on stochastic Petri nets to estimate the reliability and availability of programs in a distributed computing system environment. In this environment, successful execution of programs is conditioned on the successful access of related files distributed throughout the system. The use of stochastic Petri nets is demonstrated by extending a basic reliability model to account for repair actions when faults occur. To this end, two possible models are discussed: the global repair model, which assumes a centralized repair team that restores the system to its original status when a failure state is reached, and the local repair model, which assumes that repairs are localized to the node where they occur. The former model is useful in evaluating the availability of programs (or the availability of the hardware support) subject to hardware faults that are repaired globally; therefore, the programs of interest can be interrupted. On the other hand, the latter model can be used to evaluate program reliability in the presence of hardware faults subject to repair, without interrupting the normal operation of the system. >
Weakly nonlinear geometrical optics in plasmas

Abstract A geometrical optics method for solving wave propagation in dispersive weakly nonlinear, weakly inhomogeneous media is applied to plasmas. In the case that the dispersion is comparable to the nonlinearity, the method yields the expected soliton solutions. For strong dispersion, it is found that the amplitude has the same form as in the linear case except that it is multiplied by a slow varying sinusoidal part.
Theoretical Studies of Short Polyproline Systems: Recalibration of a Molecular Ruler†

FRET experiments enable studies of the chemical and physical properties of individual molecules, which has long been a dream of chemists. However, these modern experimental techniques are still lim...
Sorbitol Metabolism in Aerobacter aerogenes

Sorbitol (d-glucitol) metabolism in Aerobacter aerogenes PRL-R3 is shown to proceed via the pathway: sorbitol --> sorbitol 6-phosphate --> d-fructose 6-phosphate. Sorbitol phosphorylation is mediated by a phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP):sorbitol 6-phosphotransferase system, and sorbitol 6-phosphate oxidation by a pyridine-nucleotide-linked dehydrogenase. Mutants deficient in sorbitol 6-phosphate dehydrogenase or a component (enzyme I) of the phosphotransferase system did not grow on sorbitol, whereas revertants which had regained these enzymatic activities grew normally. Extracts of the enzyme I-deficient mutant failed to catalyze the phosphorylation of sorbitol in the presence of PEP, and adenosine 5'-triphosphate could not replace the PEP requirement for sorbitol phosphorylation in extracts of the wild-type strain.