cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular and physiological effects of overexpressing striated muscle beta-tropomyosin in the adult murine heart.

Tropomyosins comprise a family of actin-binding proteins that are central to the control of calcium-regulated striated muscle contraction. To understand the functional role of tropomyosin isoform differences in cardiac muscle, we generated transgenic mice that overexpress striated muscle-specific β-tropomyosin in the adult heart. Nine transgenic lines show a 150-fold increase in β-tropomyosin mRNA expression in the heart, along with a 34-fold increase in the associated protein. This increase in β-tropomyosin message and protein causes a concomitant decrease in the level of α-tropomyosin transcripts and their associated protein. There is a preferential formation of the αβ-heterodimer in the transgenic mouse myofibrils, and there are no detectable alterations in the expression of other contractile protein genes, including the endogenous β-tropomyosin isoform. When expression from the β-tropomyosin transgene is terminated, α-tropomyosin expression returns to normal levels. No structural changes were observed in these transgenic hearts nor in the associated sarcomeres. Interestingly, physiological analyses of these hearts using a work-performing model reveal a significant effect on diastolic function. As such, this study demonstrates that a coordinate regulatory mechanism exists between α- and β-tropomyosin gene expression in the murine heart, which results in a functional correlation between α- and β-tropomyosin isoform content and cardiac performance.
Necrotizing surgical site infection after tension-free vaginal tape.

Background Infectious morbidity after tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) treatment of urinary stress incontinence may be a potential concern. Case A 53-year-old obese woman with a 7-year history of urinary incontinence consented to TVT placement. Two days after discharge the patient presented with suspected cellulitis. Dicloxacillin, ciprofloxacin, ampicillin/sulbactam, and metronidazole were ineffective. Removal of the tape, surgical debridement, dressing changes, ceftriaxone, and clindamycin followed by levofloxacin and metronidazole, repeat wound debridement, and vacuum assisted closure were required. Frozen section revealed gangrenous soft tissue with areas of skin necrosis, but no fasciitis. Conclusion This is the first case of necrotizing surgical site infection after TVT placement. Infectious morbidity risks need to be considered in these procedures.
689 ATTITUDES OF HOUSESTAFF, FACULTY AND GRADUATES OF UCLA PEDIATRIC RESIDENCY PROGRAM TOWARD CONTINUITY CLINIC

689 ATTITUDES OF HOUSESTAFF, FACULTY AND GRADUATES OF UCLA PEDIATRIC RESIDENCY PROGRAM TOWARD CONTINUITY CLINIC
Optical Yagi-Uda and Reflector Nanoantennas and Their Potential Applications as Nano-Scale Spectrum Analyzers in Molecular Spectroscopy

Optical Yagi-Uda and reflector nanoantennas using resonant core-shell plasmonic particles are studied analytically and numerically and their potential applications as spectrum analyzers in molecular spectroscopy are theoretically explored.
Expansion of substrate specificity of cytochrome P450 2A6 by random and site-directed mutagenesis

The natural product indole is a substrate for cytochrome P450 2A6. Mutagenesis of P450 2A6 was done to expand its capability in the oxidization of bulky substituted indole compounds, which are not substrates for the wild-type enzyme or the double mutant L240C/N297Q, as determined in our previous work (Wu, Z.-L., Aryal, P., Lozach, O., Meijer, L., and Guengerich, F. P. (2005) Chem. Biodivers. 2, 51-65). Error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis led to the identification of two critical amino acid residue changes (N297Q and I300V) that achieve the purpose. The new mutant (N297Q/I300V) was able to oxidize both 4- and 5-benzyloxy(OBzl)indoles to form colored products. Both changes were required for oxidation of these bulky substrates. The colored product derived from 5-OBzl-indole was mainly 5,5'-di-OBzl-indirubin, whereas the dominant blue dye isolated upon incubations with 4-OBzl-indole was neither an indigo nor an indirubin. Two-dimensional NMR experiments led to assignment of the structure as 4-OBzl-2-(4'-OBzl-1',7'-dihydro-7'-oxo-6'H-indol-6'-ylidene)indolin-3-one, in which a pyrrole ring and a benzene ring are connected with a double bond instead of the pyrrole-pyrrole connection of other indigoids. Monomeric oxidation products were also isolated and characterized; three phenols (4-OBzl-1H-indol-5-ol, 4-OBzl-1H-indol-6-ol, and 4-OBzl-1H-indol-7-ol) and one quinone (4-OBzl-1H-indole-6,7-dione, the postulated immediate precursor of the final blue dye) were identified. The results are interpreted in the context of a crystal structure of a P450 2A6-coumarin complex. The I300V change opens an additional pocket to accommodate the OBzl bulk. The N2297Q change is postulated to generate a hydrogen bond between Gln and the substrate oxygen. Thus, the substrate specificity of P450 2A6 was expanded, and new products were obtained in this study.
Oxidation of Pt(1 0 0)-hex-R0.7° by gas-phase oxygen atoms

Abstract We utilized temperature programmed desorption (TPD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron energy loss spectroscopy (ELS), and low energy electron diffraction (LEED) to investigate the oxidation of Pt(1 0 0)-hex-R0.7° at 450 K. Using an oxygen atom beam, we generated atomic oxygen coverages as high as 3.6 ML (monolayers) on Pt(1 0 0) in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV), almost 6 times the maximum coverage obtainable by dissociatively adsorbing O 2 . The results show that oxidation occurs through the development of several chemisorbed phases prior to oxide growth above about 1 ML. A weakly bound oxygen state that populates as the coverage increases from approximately 0.50 ML to 1 ML appears to serve as a necessary precursor to Pt oxide growth. We find that increasing the coverage above about 1 ML causes Pt oxide particle growth and significant surface disordering. Decomposition of the Pt oxide particles produces explosive O 2 desorption characterized by a shift of the primary TPD feature to higher temperatures and a dramatic increase in the maximum desorption rate with increasing coverage. Based on thermodynamic considerations, we show that the thermal stability of the surface Pt oxide on Pt single crystal surfaces significantly exceeds that of bulk PtO 2 . Furthermore, we attribute the high stability and the acceleratory decomposition rates of the surface oxide to large kinetic barriers that must be overcome during oxide formation and decomposition. Lastly, we present evidence that structurally similar oxides develop on both Pt(1 1 1) and Pt(1 0 0), therefore concluding that the properties of the surface Pt oxide are largely insensitive to the initial structure of the Pt single crystal surface.
729: Altered DNA methylation of MMP 9, MMP 14, TIMP 3 and TIMP 4 associated with pregnancy

TIMP 3 and TIMP 4 associated with pregnancy Wendy White, Brian Brost, Jonathan O’Brien, Elizabeth Baldwin, William Watson, Carl Rose, Norman Davies, Todd Stanhope, Zhifu Sun, Stephen Turner, Vesna Garovic Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Maternal Fetal Medicine, Rochester, MN, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rochester, MN, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Rochester, MN, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Nephrology and Hypertension, Rochester, MN OBJECTIVE: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) degrade extracellular matrix; tissue inhibitors for MMPs (TIMPs) regulate this protease activity. Maternal leukocytes at the maternal-fetal interface express MMPs/TIMPs, controlling trophoblast invasion and angiogenesis. Altered expression of MMP 2, 9, 14, and TIMPs 1-4 have been associated with establishment of normal pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes. We sought to characterize differential methylation patterns in pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Methylation profiles of MMP 2, 9 and 14 (6 CpG sites in 3 genes) as well as 10 CpG sites in 4 TIMP genes 1-4 were characterized longitudinally in maternal DNA from blood in 14 women at 16 weeks, at delivery and postpartum and compared with 14 nulligravid women. All patients were non-smokers, matched for age and BMI. Genomic DNA was derived from buffy coat, purified, bisulfite modified and run on the Illumina Methylation Assay platform. Mean methylation levels at each CpG site were compared using a Students or paired t-test. RESULTS: Nulligravid and postpartum samples had similar methylation profiles for all genes. MMP 2, TIMP 1 and TIMP 2 were not differentially methylated. MMP 9 and 14 were less methylated in early pregnancy versus postpartum (p 0.0009/p 0.001) and matched nulligravid samples (p 0.02/p 0.009). MMP 9 methylation levels remained lower at delivery compared with postpartum levels (p 0.000006). TIMP 3 was less methylated in early pregnancy versus postpartum (p 0.0014) and nulligravid (p 0.0005). TIMP 4 was less methylated in the pregnant versus postpartum comparison only (p 0.0257). CONCLUSION: Nulligravid and postpartum women have similar methylation profiles for the MMP and TIMP genes tested; any changes associated with normal pregnancy revert back to baseline after delivery. MMP 9, MMP 14, TIMP 3 and TIMP 4 are less methylated in pregnancy compared with non-pregnant controls. Since MMP 9 serum levels are known to increase 15x in pregnancy and elevated MMP 14 primes for angiogenesis, altered methylation may be a mechanism by which expression is controlled.
Extraordinary Thermal Conductivity of Graphene: Prospects of Thermal Management Applications

We have recently discovered experimentally that suspended graphene, which is an individual sheet of sp2 -hybridized carbon bound in two dimensions (2D), reveal an extremely high thermal conductivity. The measurements were performed using a non-contact optical technique developed by us on the basis of Raman spectroscopy. A large number of graphene flakes were suspended across trenches in Si wafers and attached to heat sinks. The flakes were heated by the focused laser light in the middle of the suspended portion of graphene. The amount of laser power dissipated in graphene and corresponding local temperature rise were determined from the integrated intensity and spectral position of graphene’s Raman G mode. The position of the G peak as a function of the sample temperature was measured independently allowing the use of micro-Raman spectrometer as a “thermometer”. The experimental thermal conductivity values were in the range of ∼ 3000–5300 W/mK near room temperature (RT) and depended on the graphene flake sizes. The thermal conductivity of graphene is the highest among all materials known to date. In this review work we will describe the details of our measurement procedure and explain theoretically why the 2D thermal conductivity of graphene is higher than that of bulk graphite provided that the size of graphene flakes is sufficiently large. Our theory, which includes the phonon-mode dependent Gruneisen parameter and phonon scattering on edges and defects, gives results, which are in excellent agreement with the experiment. Superior thermal properties of graphene are beneficial for the proposed graphene electronic devices, and may pave the way for graphene’s thermal management applications.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Iridium(III)–vinylidene chemistry: Conversion of an iridacyclopentadiene-chlorido complex and terminal alkynes to iridacyclopentadiene–vinyl complexes

Abstract The reactions of [κ 2 ( C 1 , C 4 )-CR CRCR CR](PPh 3 ) 2 Ir(Cl) ( 9 , R = CO 2 Me) with propargyl alcohol derivatives (2-propyn-1-ol, 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol, 1-ethynylcyclopentanol, and 1-ethynylcyclooctanol), in the presence of water leads to the formation of iridium(III)–vinyl complexes bearing the general structure [κ 2 ( C 1 , C 4 )-CR CRCR CR](PPh 3 ) 2 Ir(CO)(κ 1 -vinyl) where vinyl = –CH CH 2 , -( E )-CH CHMe, –CH C(CH 2 ) 4 , or –CH C(CH 2 ) 7 . In these, the CO ligand was derived from the terminal carbon of the starting alkyne and the oxygen atom from water. Under anhydrous conditions, 9 undergoes reaction with 2-propyn-1-ol to give trimethyl 1,3-dihydro-3-oxo-4,5,6-isobenzofurantricarboxylate, the result of a cycloaromatization/transesterification involving the buta-1,3-dien-1,4-diyl ligand in 9 and 2-propyn-1-ol.
Lipopolysaccharide stimulation of human aortic valve interstitial cells activates inflammation and osteogenesis.

Background. Calcific aortic stenosis may be an inflammatory disease with active bone formation in the valve leaflets rather than a disease of passive calcium deposition. Epidemiologic data demonstrating correlation of poor dental hygiene to atherosclerotic pathologies suggests that circulating bacterial products could be involved in the pathogenesis of aortic valve stenosis. We hypothesized that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation of human aortic valve interstitial cells (HAVICs) would induce inflammatory and osteogenic gene expression. Methods. The HAVICs were isolated from normal aortic valves obtained from explanted hearts during transplantation (n 5) and grown in culture. Cells underwent 4 and 24 hours of LPS stimulation (LPS, 200 ng/mL) or -glycerol phosphate treatment (BGP) (osteogenic media as positive control). Media was removed for interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 immunoassay. Ribonucleic acid was extracted for microarray analysis. Statistics were by analysis of variance with post-hoc analysis (p < 0.05). Results. The LPS stimulation induced the gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules. Protein level confirmation by immunoassay demonstrated 3.4-fold ( 0.35, p < 0.01) and 9.5-fold ( 1.5 p < 0.01) increase over control of IL-6 and IL-8, respectively. The LPS and BGP both induced critical mediators of osteogenesis including bone morphogenetic protein 2 and platelet-derived growth factor alpha. Conclusions. The LPS stimulation of HAVICs not only induces inflammatory mediators but also induces gene expression of osteogenic factors, similar to that induced by osteogenic media. Bacterial products stimulation, likely by toll-like receptor 4 and the innate immune system, may contribute to the pathogenesis of aortic valve stenosis.
Environmental assessment of laser assisted manufacturing: case studies on laser shock peening and laser assisted turning

Abstract Laser assisted manufacturing processes, when compared with traditional manufacturing processes, have the potential to reduce cost, increase surface resistance to wear and fatigue, extend part/tool life, and expand the range of manufacturable materials. These processes have found niche applications in automotive, aerospace, and defense industries. However, very limited research has been conducted to evaluate and compare the environmental performance of laser assisted processes with traditional methods. This paper conducts case studies on two representative laser based processes, i.e. laser shock peening of 7075-T7351 Aluminum and laser assisted turning of compacted graphite iron. Life cycle assessment is used to benchmark the environmental performance of these two processes to conventional processes, i.e. shot peening and turning, respectively. The life cycle inventory of both the laser based processes and conventional processes are developed using SimaPro 7.1 and the Ecoinvent 2.0 database and life cycle impact assessment is performed using US EPA TRACI. The results of this study show that the environmental performance of the two laser based processes is significantly better than conventional processes. For laser shock peening of aluminum, contribution analysis indicates that this is mainly due to the significant extension of fatigue life of the workpiece being treated. For laser assisted turning of compacted graphite iron, the improved performance is mainly due to the extended tool life since cutting tool manufacturing is an energy intensive process. Development of high-power laser with a lower wavelength (e.g. direct diode system) could eliminate the use of paint in laser assisted turning. This, along with improved wall plug efficiency, makes laser assisted turning even more environmentally benign compared to conventional process. A brief cost analysis suggests that both laser shock peening and laser assisted turning can be economically viable with payback period less than three years for niche applications.
A sequential radiochemical procedure for isotopic analysis of uranium and thorium in soil

A sequential radiochemical procedure for isotopic analysis of uranium and thorium in soil has been developed. Analysis involves total dissolution of the samples to allow equilibration of the natural isotopes with added tracers, followed by radiochemical separation using anion exchange chromatography (BioRad AG 1−X8). Further separation and purification is performed employing solvent extraction techniques. Finally, the U and Th fractions are co-precipitated with lanthanum and cerium fluoride, respectively, and quantified by alpha-particle spectrometry. Overall chemical yields range from 60 to 90%. Under normal operating conditions and present counting set up, the minimum detectable concentration (MDC) is approximately 2 Bq/kg for soil samples. This is based on one gram aliquot of sample, 80% chemical yield, and 1000 minute counting with a detector having about 15% counting efficiency. The procedure has been successfully tested with Standard Reference Materials. Various soil samples were analyzed with high chemical yields and fine quality of alpha-spectra. Decontamination factor studies were performed to determine the extent of the carry over of210Po,225Ac,226Ra, and229Th into U fraction and210Po,225Ac,226Ra, and232U into Th fraction.
Angular momentum conservation in photochemical fragmentation: A simple model

Abstract The role of conservation of angular momentum in a photofragmentation reaction involving a large change in molecular geometry between reactants and products is discussed in terms of a simple model.
Empirical mode decomposition as a tool to remove the function Electrical stimulation artifact from surface electromyograms: Preliminary investigation

Rectification of surface EMGs during electrical stimulations (ES) is still a problem to be solved. The broad band frequency components of ES artifact overlap with the EMG spectrum, make this task challenging. In this study, we investigate the potential use of empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method to remove the stimulus artifact from surface EMGs collected during such applications. We hypothesize that the EMD algorithm provides a suitable platform for decomposing the EMG signal into physically meaningful intrinsic modes which can be used to isolate ES artifact. Basic EMD is tested on two signals - ES induced EMG and EMG of voluntary contractions added with simulated ES signal. The algorithm isolates the EMG from ES artifact with considerable success. Further, the EMD method along with the energy operator -TKEO gives even better representation of the EMG signal. However, some high frequency data was lost during reconstruction process. Hence, there is further need to investigate the relationship between the EMD parameters and stimulus artifact properties so that the algorithm can be optimized to reconstruct pure artifact free EMG signal with minimum lost of data.
Differentiating squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix and epithelioid trophoblastic tumor.

Background: Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT) is a recently described subtype of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). Its diagnosis requires a high level of suspicion because it is often mistaken for more common cervical or uterine corpus epithelial neoplasms. Case: This is a 39-year-old woman who presented with a cervical mass and positive human chorionic gonadotropin and was diagnosed with both locally advanced squamous cell cervical carcinoma and nonmetastatic GTN. She was treated unsuccessfully with concurrent intravenous cisplatin plus pelvic radiation and single-agent intravenous methotrexate. A retrospective review of the cervical biopsy using immunohistochemistry as well as genotyping of the tumor changed the original diagnosis to ETT. It is known that ETT is relatively unresponsive to chemotherapy compared with most other types of GTN; therefore, surgery would have been the optimal treatment. She died despite multiple salvage chemotherapies. Conclusions: Malignant GTN is one of the most curable gynecologic malignancies; however, its correct diagnosis is critical for the appropriate treatment. It can be easily misdiagnosed as a carcinoma because of their morphologic similarity. Genetic fingerprinting and immunohistochemistry are potentially valuable tools to confirm the diagnosis of ETT.
Defining predevelopment hydrology to mimic predevelopment water quality in stormwater control measures (SCMs)

Abstract As part of Low Impact Development, stormwater control measures (SCMs) are expected to mimic pre-development hydrology. This generally results in a comparison between outflow volumes discharged from SCMs and a target condition annual runoff. Such a simplistic evaluation overlooks multiple pathways of water present in target watersheds and SCMs, namely shallow interflow and groundwater surge. This discussion suggests a more refined means of evaluating cognate conditions for SCMs in terms of hydrology and effluent water quality by discretizing SCM discharge into three pathways: runoff, shallow interflow, and groundwater surge. Preliminary evidence using deuterium isotopes from bioretention outflow supports this concept, and future research routes are suggested.
Generation of biotin/avidin/enzyme nanostructures with maskless photolithography.

Micrometer-sized domains of a carbon surface are modified to allow derivatization to attach redox enzymes with biotin/avidin technology. These sites are spatially segregated from and directly adjacent to electron transfer sites on the same electrode surface. The distance between these electron transfer sites and enzyme-loaded domains must be kept to a minimum (e.g., less than 5 μm) to maintain the fast response time and high sensitivity required for the measurement of neurotransmitter dynamics. This is accomplished through the use of photolithographic attachment of photobiotin using an interference pattern from a UV laser generated at the electrode surface. This will allow the construction of microscopic arrays of active enzyme sites on a carbon fiber substrate while leaving other sites underivatized to facilitate electron transfer reactions of redox mediators, thus maximizing enzyme activity and detection of the enzyme mediator. The ultimate sensitivity of these sensors will be realized only through care...
Translating clinical trial data into new patterns of practice.

Purpose The ongoing research into the intricacies of glucoregulation and the upsurge in the number of pharmacologic therapies has broadened the treatment options for type 2 diabetes. Successful translation of pharmacologic clinical trial data into new patterns of practice begins by creating the space for a new therapy through a thorough understanding of its mechanism of action. Conclusion This article will discuss important considerations for identifying patients who could benefit from incretin mimetic therapy, the role of the diabetes educator in building a cohesive team, and teaching strategies that support patients' self-management efforts.
A kinetic model of coordinated myosin V.

We present a kinetic model for the walking of myosin V on actin under conditions of zero external force. The model includes three pathways and the termination of the processivity. Experimentally measured kinetic parameters are used in the model to obtain quantitative results. Using the model and associated parameters, we compute the proportion of the pathway containing an intermediate state, as well as the walking velocities and run lengths at various concentrations of ATP and ADP. The resulting trends agree with experimental data. The model explains the surprising experimental finding that myosin walks at a faster speed but for a shorter distance as the ATP concentration increases in the absence of ADP. It also suggests that under physiological condition ([ADP] ∼ 12−50 μM), myosin walks with a higher speed and for longer distances when ATP is more abundant.
Management impacts on the trophic diversity of nematode communities in an indigenous agroforestry system of Chiapas, Mexico

Summary The Lacandon Maya of Chiapas, Mexico practice a system of agroforestry that mimics the surrounding ecosystem and its successional stages. Their fields rotate through grass (milpa), and shrub (acahual) and forest fallow stages that regenerate soil, nutrients, and seed banks. Each successional stage, including the fallow stages, produces over 25 types of crops, raw materials, and medicines. Lacandon traditionally do not use fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. Nematodes were chosen to analyze soil ecology in the Lacandon system because they have been shown to be dynamic indicators of environmental conditions. Nematodes were classified by trophic level as plant parasite, fungivore, bacterivore, and omnivore-predator, and were found to be a function of management practice. In milpas where weeds were removed and applied to the field, plant parasites were reduced by 44% and fungivorous nematode concentrations were reduced by 50%. In these same fields, percentage of bacterivorous nematodes was positively related to soil organic matter concentration ( R 2 = 0.61 , P 0.001 ). These results indicate that management practices reduced concentrations of plant parasites and delayed the nematode successional pathway from bacterivorous to fungivorous. This study demonstrates the potential for Lacandon Maya techniques to sustainably manage pests and maintain soil fertility in other tropical agroecosystems.
Automated pixel-by-pixel mapping of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR images for evaluation of osteosarcoma response to chemotherapy: Preliminary results

An automated technique for pixel-by-pixel computer mapping of tumor necrosis was developed to improve the accuracy and applicability of dynamic contrast agent-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in assessing the response of osteosarcoma to preoperative chemotherapy. The technique was evaluated in nine osteosarcoma patients who underwent MR imaging at diagnosis (n = 7) and after preoperative chemotherapy (n = 9). Sequential FLASH (fast low-angle shot) images of the tumor were obtained in one plane every 15 seconds before and for 3 minutes after gadopentetate dimeglumine injection. A region of interest was selected that included the entire tumor area. Slopes representing percent increase in signal intensity over baseline values per minute were calculated automatically for each pixel and displayed as gray-scale maps of the tumor. Matching histologic maps of each tumor were obtained. Visual region-by-region comparison of the pixel and histologic maps showed a high degree of correlation and the ability of the MR imaging technique to help identify small foci of residual viable tumor.
A Method and Case Study of Designing Presentation Module in an SOA-based Solution Using Configurable Architectural Building Blocks (ABBs)

Service-oriented architecture (SOA) projects typically pose challenging requirements on software developers such as flexibility, speed to market, and adaptability to ever changing business requirements. In this paper, we propose a novel method of rapidly designing presentation module for an SOA-based solution using fine-grained configurable architectural building blocks (ABBs). An ABB-based presentation pattern derived from industry best practices is presented, associated with a tailored ABB configuration framework. We also introduce a formal way of modeling ABBs and their interactions. Real-life experiences of applying our ABB-based model are condensed into sixteen architectural decision points, which are further applied into a variety of SOA solution projects. Experiences accumulated over these decision points are summarized into a set of guidelines to help engineers select and configure ABBs specific to services scenarios and requirements.
The observed life cycle of a baroclinic instability

Medium-scale waves (zonal wavenumbers 4-7) frequently dominate Southern Hemisphere summer circulation patterns. Randel and Stanford have studied the dynamics of these features, demonstrating that the medium-scale waves result from baroclinic excitation and exhibit well-defined life cycles. This study details the evolution of the medium-scale waves during a particular life cycle. The specific case chosen exhibits a high degree of zonal symmetry, prompting study based upon zonally averaged diagnostics. An analysis of the medium-scale wave energetics reveals a well-defined life cycle of baroclinic growth, maturity, and barotropic decay. Eliassen-Palm flux diagrams detail the daily wave structure and its interaction with the zonally-averaged flow.
The effect of lifetime buys on warranty repair operations

Lifetime buys are a common practice in the electronics and telecommunication industries. Under this practice, manufacturers procure their repair parts inventory in one order to support the spare part needs of a product for the duration of its warranty repair period. In this paper, we consider a repair operation in which defective items under warranty are returned to a manufacturer who either repairs these items using its spare parts inventory or replaces each defective unit with a new product. We show how fixed repair capability costs, variable repair costs, inventory holding costs, and replacement costs affect a firm's optimal repair and replacement decisions. The model is used to gain insights for products from a major mobile device manufacturer in the United States.
The Empire Savers

Following a calamitous British performance in Stockholm, the British Olympic Association (BOA) embraced the 1916 Olympic Games in Berlin as a viable platform through which to restore British prestige. Cognizant of the inadequate organization that had hindered previous British Olympic teams, the BOA established a Special Committee to help raise and prepare a team for the Berlin games, an event that generated extra importance given the escalation of Anglo-German antagonisms during the early twentieth century. The Special Committee's attempt to raise vast sums of money through a public appeal in order to revolutionize British amateur sport evoked charges of professionalism from across the British Isles. The fear that athletic specialization would erode the traditions of Britain's amateur sporting culture, combined with the nation's general apathy towards the Olympic movement significantly hindered the BOA's reform efforts, before the outbreak of World War I overran the Berlin games.
Surface Scanning Analysis of Planar Arrays of Analytes with Desorption Electrospray Ionization - Mass Spectrometry

The analysis of analytes deposited on, separated on, or otherwise distributed about a planar surface using desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in a surface scanning sampling mode was investigated. The physical regions of the surface-impacting solvent/gas jet desorption/ionization plume were described. Under the conditions typical for desorption electrospray ionization used here, the impact plume formed an elliptical desorption/ionization region on the surface. Most effective desorption/ionization was obtained from a smaller elliptical area within the larger impact region that was centered on a point on-axis from the sprayer tip to the surface. Maximum signal from a given amount of material on a surface was observed with proper plume and sample alignment when the diameter of the sample spot was less than the diameter of the central high-efficiency desorption/ionization region of the impact plume. Solvent and gas flow out of this high-efficiency desorption/ionization region was found to limit analyte accessibility to this region via a "washing effect" when analytes were on smooth surfaces or on surfaces for which the analyte had little affinity. As such, the direction of surface scanning and scan speed during an analysis was found to be important for maximizing signal levels and signal reproducibility on particular surface types. Overall, the results presented illustrate means to improve analysis of sample spots on various types of surfaces using desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in a surface scanning mode.
On the white light luminescence induced by irradiation of sodium nitrate single crystals by 1064 nm laser light

Abstract A number of wide bandgap inorganic materials can be prepared so that stimulation with nanosecond pulses of near infra-red (1064 nm—Nd:YAG fundamental) generates intense, transient white light. This light can span from 300 to 900 nm. Here, we characterize this emission from single crystal NaNO 3 and show that it is due to optical breakdown in the bulk. We contrast the behavior and character of time resolved spectra of this bulk breakdown with surface breakdown and provide evidence of defect mediated processes being responsible for the observed avalanche. We also conclude that confinement of the avalanche is essential for the production of this broad banded luminescence.
What Is the Current Role of Computers in Petroleum Engineering Education, and What Should It Be?

Computer applications in petroleum engineering education have expanded slowly during the last 2 decades. Among the many factors hindering progress have been budgetary constraints of universities, lack of faculty support, interest, and knowhow, and inadequate professionally designed software. With the advent of personal computers and the ready accessibility of minicomputers, educational use of computers is now bound to increase rapidly. Microprocessors present the practical possibility of improving significantly the training and productivity of current and future petroleum engineers. Coordinated effort by academic institutions, along with active cooperation by SPE, could substantially increase the extent to which this potential is realized.
Shaping the future: Mergers, acquisitions, and the U.S. publishing, communications, and mass media industries, 1990–1995

Between 1990 and 1995, a substantive reconfiguration took place within the publishing, communications, and mass media industries in the United States. These changes were triggered primarily by five pivotal developments: (1) the direct impact of strategic planning theories and practices on a relatively small number of U.S. and foreign media executives; (2) a dramatic technological convergence within the entire communications industry; (3) a quest to gain hegemony over the creation, production, and distribution of electronic and print information and entertainment products and services in the United States and the global marketplace; (4) a sharp increase in media usage and expenditures in the United States; and (5) the impending passage of a massive, revolutionary telecommunications bill. This legislation (the Telecommunications Act of 1996) changed drastically the ground rules created by the Communications Act of 1934, lifted restrictions on the ownership of media properties, allowed media companies to enter formerly forbidden markets, and reduced or eliminated governmental controls over the burgeoning communications business. The deeply etched lines separating “newspapers” from “books” and “magazines”, or “television” from “telephone”, “radio”, “film”, and “video” became hazy, and, in some instances, disappeared. Media scholars and industry experts realized that the communications landscape had to be viewed as a totally interconnected industry, albeit a rather diverse one.
Navier-Stokes computations of transonic flows with a two-equation turbulence model

A thin-layer Navier-Stokes code has been used to compute the turbulent flow over two axisymmetric bodies at transonic speeds. A critical element of calculating such flows is the turbulence model. Numerical computations have been made with an algebraic eddy viscosity model and the k — e two-equation model. The k — e equations are developed in a general spatial coordinate system and incorporated into the thin-layer, compressible, time-dependent Navier-Stokes code. The same implicit algorithm that simultaneously solves the Reynolds-averaged mean flow equations is extended to solve the turbulence field equations using block tridiagonal matrix inversions. Calculations with the k — e model are extended up to the wall. Numerical solutions have been obtained for two transonic flow situations to determine the accuracy of the k — e model. First, the attached flow over an axisymmetric projectile has been investigated. The second flow situation considered is the transonic separated flow over an axisymmetric bump model. Furthermore, the accuracy and applicability of the k — e model are determined by comparing the computed results with experimental data.
An Analytical Approach for Mobility Load Balancing in Wireless Networks

Management of mobility especially balancing the load of handoff for wireless networks is an essential parameter for wireless network design and traffic study. In this paper, we present analytical mobility management in high speed wireless mobile networks focusing on factors such as the number of channel slots and offered load. We demonstrate the performance of handoffs with mobility consideration using several metrics including the alteration of states prior to reaching a cell boundary, the speed of mobile terminal, and the distance between a mobile terminal and a cell boundary. We mainly focus on the performance evaluation for the factor of mobility with taking into account the high speed status of a user.
Are occupations ‘processes too complicated to explain'? What we can learn by trying

The life history of a pot is used as a device to demonstrate how pottery making incorporates not only those who make the pots and their actions, but also materials, social systems, history, aesthetics, and much more. I suggest that the life history rubric provides a structure to compare across systems of production and cultures, or to expand analysis at any stage. Finally, Dewey's transactional perspective is proposed as a theoretical perspective that supports study of occupations in their complexity.
The CO Fundamental Vibration-Rotation Lines in the Solar Spectrum. I. Imaging Spectroscopy and Multidimensional LTE Modeling

Spectroscopic imaging observations of the CO fundamental vibration-rotation transitions at 4.6 μm, obtained at the Kitt Peak McMath-Pierce facility, show that the dynamics of both the solar granulation and, to a lesser extent, the 5 minute oscillations play an important role in CO line formation. Spectroheliograms made in the cores of strong CO lines display an inverted granular contrast with dark areas corresponding to granule centers and a bright network corresponding to the intergranular lanes. This observation is confirmed by multidimensional radiative transfer modeling of CO line formation in a solar convection-simulation snapshot. Unfortunately, current granulation simulations do not extend to high enough layers in the atmosphere to model formation of CO lines into the chromosphere and close to the solar limb where they exhibit their anomalous temperature behavior. The presented transfer calculations facilitate the interpretation of the observed pattern, predicting that the darkest CO line cores at disk center are associated with the strong adiabatic expansion and cooling that occurs over granule centers when warm upflowing material runs into the steep density gradient of the stable layer above the photosphere. The calculated granulation intensity contrast in the CO line cores is considerably higher than observed, and the calculated spatially averaged line profiles at disk center are deeper than the observed ones. It is speculated that both discrepancies result from the assumption of instantaneous chemical equilibrium which may not be valid in the convective flows. If the CO concentration in the hot convective upflow cannot increase fast enough to adjust to the lower temperatures in the radiatively cooled layer above the photosphere, CO lines would form deeper in the atmosphere, have higher core intensities, and show less contrast, more in agreement with observations.
New result on the inverse scattering problem in three dimensions

Under the assumption that there are no bound states, a singular linear integral equation for the scattering wave function is derived whose kernel contains the scattering amplitude only. The equation is used to obtain a representation of the potential in terms of the scattering amplitude and the wave function. The final result is a three-dimensional analog of the Marchenko equation.
Persistence of pressure patterns over North America and the North Pacific since AD 1500

Synoptic-scale atmospheric pressure patterns control moisture delivery and thus drought occurrence across western North America, yet long-term records are lacking. Here, the authors use a novel combination of tree-ring data and self-organizing maps to reconstruct and analyse pressure patterns since AD 1500.
Text Separation from Mixed Documents Using a Tree-Structured Classifier

In this paper, we propose a tree-structured multi-class classifier to identify annotations and overlapping text from machine printed documents. Each node of the tree-structured classifier is a binary weak learner. Unlike normal decision tree(DT) which only considers a subset of training data at each node and is susceptible to over-fitting, we boost the tree using all training data at each node with different weights. The evaluation of the proposed method is presented on a set of machine printed documents which have been annotated by multiple writers in an office/collaborative environment.
Cardiac output, coronary blood flow, and blood gases during open-chest standard and compression-active-decompression cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Abstract Objective: To determine whether open-chest compression-active-decompression (CAD) could improve cardiac output, coronary blood flow, blood gases, and resuscitation compared to open-chest manual compression in a porcine model of cardiac arrest. Design: Prospective, randomized laboratory investigation for measurement of cardiac output, coronary blood flow, arterial and mixed venous blood gases and potassium levels, and return of spontaneous circulation. Subjects: Ten pigs each weighing approximately 36.4 kg. Interventions: Following preparation of the model and opening of the chest, ultrasonic flow probes were placed on the ascending aorta and left anterior descending artery. Cardiac arrest was induced by epicardial pacing. Subjects received either open-chest CAD or open-chest manual compression. After 10 min of arrest, defibrillation was attempted. Measurements and main results: Cardiac output fell to 46±53% (95% CI: −20 to 112) and 41±14% (95% CI: 23–59) ( P >0.05) of baseline with CAD and manual methods at 5 min after arrest, respectively. Similarly, coronary blood flow fell to 33±14% (95% CI: 16–50) and 42±16% (95% CI: 22–62) ( P >0.05) of baseline at 5 min. Both groups developed similar levels of metabolic acidosis, mixed venous hypoxemia, and hyperkalemia, with potassium levels: 6.5±4.0 meq/l (95% CI: 1.6–11.4) at 5 min and 7.5±4.6 meq/l (95% CI: 1.8–13.2) at 10 min in the CAD group and 5.8±2.0 meq/l (95% CI: 3.4–8.3) at 5 min and 6.1±1.4 meq/l (95% CI: 4.4–7.9) at 10 min in the manual group. Levels of hyperkalemia were inversely proportional to the square of PvO 2 . One pig in each group was resuscitated after defibrillation. Conclusion: We found no benefit using CAD. Both low coronary blood flow and hyperkalemia may have limited resuscitation.
Chaos and designing social systems

Growing appreciation of work done in the past several decades in complexity science is changing how we see the world. Efforts to apply what has been learned there to human systems such as organizations, perhaps through metaphor, challenges our views of social structures and how we may influence their organization and functioning. This article considers the implications of some key propositions from chaos theory for the design of social systems.
DOCTORAL STUDY ATTRITION IN PSYCHOLOGY

Academic careers of the 123 students admitted to a doctoral program in psychology between 1963–1967 were reviewed. The attrition rate was 35%, while 29% completed a Ph.D. within four years. While there was no evidence that women were discriminated against in acceptance, attrition was significantly higher among them than among men. Fifteen traditional predictors including GRE scores, undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, and prior graduate work were correlated with 13 criteria such as first and later years' graduate GPA, first-year faculty evaluation, withdrawal from program, and completion of Ph.D. Correlations of predictors with the four most important criteria of graduate success revealed that undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, major, and quality of undergraduate department were correlated positively with first-year performance but not with eventual success. The best predictors of the ultimate criterion, the Ph.D., were having a master's degree at entrance, age and marital status (the latter two highly correlated with the first), and first-year faculty evaluation. Inasmuch as the last was the best single predictor of the long-term criteria of years of successful study and obtaining the Ph.D., it is suggested that more attention be given by departments to the systematic development and use of early faculty evaluations of the performance of selected students rather than continuing to be concerned with perfecting selection.
Experimental quantification of lesion detectability in contrast enhanced dual energy digital breast tomosynthesis

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is a three-dimensional (3D) x-ray imaging modality that has recently been employed to increase lesion conspicuity through the removal of overlying tissue. Recently, a great deal of work has been devoted to the development of contrast enhanced (CE) DBT. Radio-opaque contrast agents (e.g. iodine) are injected into patients with suspicious breast lesions, with the goal of differentiating malignant tumors from benign by imaging the contrast uptake signature associated with angiogenesis. Either temporal subtraction (TS) or dual energy (DE) subtraction may be performed to further remove structural noise from the images. The current work quantifies the change in power-law noise after either DE subtraction or TS using structured breast tissue equivalent phantoms. Additionally, iodine contrast filled phantoms were used to determine the effect of x-ray energy and image subtraction technique on the signaldifference- to-noise ratio (SDNR). Finally, we investigate the improvement in imaging performance of an amorphous selenium (a-Se) direct conversion flat panel detector with increased a-Se thickness.
Misattribution in a fearful situation following different modes of arousal.

52 female college students were exposed to procedures expected to produce some physical or emotional arousal (viewing a sexually-explicit film or riding an exercise bicycle) and were subsequently asked to approach a snake, of which they had previously reported being afraid. Their performance was compared to that of control subjects who had been exposed to non-arousing tasks (viewing a film about sunspots or reading an article about exercise). The prediction that prior arousal would produce misattribution and reduce snake avoidance was not supported. Language: en