cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Flood hazard assessment for land-use planning near desert mountains

Metropolitan areas located in arid and semiarid environments are rapidly expanding onto the piedmonts of nearby desert mountains. Hazards to urban development are posed by the complex fluvial systems that characterize these environments, yet no generally accepted methodology exists for evaluating flood hazards on desert piedmonts. An approach to flood hazard assessment is presented that involves the hydrogeomorphic analysis of land surfaces. Five flood hazard zones are identified for an area in central Arizona by analyzing the spatial variation of landforms and their associated fluvial processes. The methodology is applicable to similar environments elsewhere because it is based on the identification of forms and processes common to arid regions. The information provided by the analysis can form the basis for a comprehensive flood hazard management plan.
Upper face morphology of second-trimester fetuses

The characteristics of the ear auricle and the palpebral fissures are prominent aspects of upper face morphology in second-trimester human fetuses. We report on the ear auricle morphology of 106 normal second-trimester abortuses and on the palpebral fissure characteristics of 88 similar abortuses. All the aborted fetuses had detailed autopsy to define normality of external and internal morphology. Our data will permit selection of criteria for defining upper face dysmorphism in second-trimester formalin-preserved human fetuses. Recognition of such dysmorphism at autopsies could provide useful insight into abnormal human development in response to various genetic and environmental factors.
Fracastoro: Poetry vs. prose

In the years after 1500 an epidemic of a hitherto unknown disease raced through Europe. In 1530 Gerolamo Fracastoro, a prominent Veronese physician, published a Latin epic poem about this new disease, and from this poem the disease has since been named syphilis. The poem is marked by the rhetoric and epic machinery typical of humanist conventions. Then in 1546 Fracastoro returned to the subject, but this time in a prose work shaped by the canons of science, not humanism, and dealing with the disease in a very different way. Humanism and Science were already taking different paths.
Rheological boundaries of mud: Where are the limits?

“Mud” includes a rheological criterion that implies it exhibits a particular consistency state, the lower boundary of which can be specified through the use of the Atterberg plastic limit, but the upper boundary remains undefined. A relationship between the water content of a hindered settling suspension when its structure changes from fluid-supported to body-supported and its Atterberg liquid limit appears capable of predicting the physical conditions at the moment when the suspension acquires a rheological character sufficient to define the upper surface of mud. This relationship appears consistent and predictable within various marine and estuarine environments.
Glucoamylase structural, functional, and evolutionary relationships

To correlate structural features with glucoamylase properties, a structure-based multisequence alignment was constructed using information from catalytic and starch-binding domain models. The catalytic domain is composed of three hydrophobic folding units, the most labile and least hydrophobic of them being missing in the most stable glucoamylase. The role of O-glycosylation in stabilizing the most hydrophobic folding unit, the only one where thermostabilizing mutations with unchanged activity have been made, is described. Differences in both length and composition of interhelical loops are correlated with stability and selectivity characteristics. Two new glucoamylase subfamilies are defined by using homology criteria. Protein parsimony analysis suggests an ancient bacterial origin for the glucoamylase gene. Increases in length of the belt surrounding the active site, degree of O-glycosylation, and length of the linker probably correspond to evolutionary steps that increase stability and secretion levels of Aspergillus-related glucoamylases.
Sex Differences in the Mental Rotation of Chemistry Representations

Mental-rotation ability modestly predicts chemistry achievement. As such, sex differences in mental-rotation ability have been implicated as a causal factor that can explain sex differences in chemistry achievement and degree attainment. Although there is a correlation between mental-rotation ability and chemistry achievement, laboratory and field studies indicate that students do not always use the same strategies on both measures of visuospatial ability and chemistry achievement assessments. Rather, students apply visuospatial strategies in isolation and in combination with analytical heuristics trained in the chemistry classroom. In this paper, sex differences in strategy use on canonical mental-rotation tasks and isomorphic organic chemistry assessment tasks are examined. Study 1 demonstrates that men and women employ both mental rotation and learned heuristics to compare both simple block shapes and molecular representations after classroom instruction. Study 2, however, demonstrates that practice using an analytical algorithm results in higher achievement than practice using mental rotation for both men and women. Given these findings, the reliability of mental-rotation ability as a predictor of sex differences in chemistry achievement is discussed.
Rigorous model for registration error due to EUV reticle non-flatness and a proposed disposition and compensation technique

The non-telecentricity of EUV lithography exposure systems translates into a very severe specification for EUV mask flatness that is typically 10 times tighter than the typical current specification for masks used in 193 nm wavelength exposure systems. The mask contribution to the error budget for pattern placement dictates these specifications. EUV mask blank suppliers must meet this specification while simultaneously meeting the even more challenging specification for defects density. This paper suggests a process flow and correction methodology that could conceivably relax the flatness specification. The proposal does require that the proposed method of clamping the mask using an electrostatic chuck be accurate and reproducible. However, this is also a requirement of the current approach. In addition, this proposal requires the incorporation of an electrostatic chuck into a mask-shop metrology tool that precisely replicates the behavior of the chuck found in the EUV exposure tool.
Electrical Resistivity of the Heavy Rare-Earth Metals

The electrical resistivities of polycrystalline Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Lu have been measured between 1.3\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K and room temperature. The slope of the resistivity curve for Gd changes near the Curie point. The curve for Tb is very much like that for Gd but there is some evidence that two ordering temperatures exist for this metal. Dy, Ho, and Tm all show peaks in resistivity near their N\'eel points, while Er shows only a change in slope at its N\'eel point. The change from ferromagnetism to antiferromagnetism in Dy is seen as a sharp rise in the resistivity.
Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion: an Update

AbstractIdentification of any mechanism for microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) requires an understanding of the specificity of metal/microbe/electrolyte interactions. Recent advancements in our understanding of MIC are related to recognition of the implications of this specificity. For example, under some circumstances, nutrients can accelerate rates of corrosion. In other cases the oxyanions in nutrients can inhibit localised corrosion. In some environments the absence of oxidisable carbon can force a shift in electron donor and may result in more aggressive corrosion than in the presence of oxidisable carbon. Non-corrosive biofilms can become corrosive with subtle changes in the environment, e.g., addition of electron shuttle compounds. The list of electron donors and acceptors related to MIC has been expanded in recognition of the metabolic flexibility that has been demonstrated for microorganisms. Recent research on microbial fuel cells and microbial batteries has added to our understanding ...
Perturbative analysis of simultaneous Stark and Zeeman effects on n=1 n=2 radiative transitions in positronium.

Perturbative corrections to the wave functions of the 16 {ital n}=2 positronium states are used to derive the {ital n}=1{leftrightarrow}{ital n}=2 radiative transition rates of a positronium atom moving in arbitrarily oriented electric and magnetic fields. Excess annihilation radiation resulting from laser excitation and magnetic mixing in {ital n}=2 positronium is calculated and found to be in accord with a recent experiment.
Role of transcription factor Egr-1 in phorbol ester-induced phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase gene expression

Transfection of PC12-variant RS1 cells with an Egr-1 expression construct has previously been shown to stimulate phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) promoter activity, thus suggesting a putative role of Egr-1 as a factor regulating PNMT gene expression. To elucidate the physiological implication of this finding, the effects of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) on PNMT promoter activity and Egr-1 expression were examined. PMA stimulated luciferase expression in RS1 cells transfected with a rat PNMT promoter-luciferase reporter gene construct, and also elevated both Egr-1 mRNA and Egr-1 protein levels in the untransfected cells. Further study on the concentration dependence of PMA action showed that the stimulation of luciferase expression correlated with the elevation of Egr-1 mRNA level. Finally, the stimulatory action of PMA on luciferase expression was dramatically diminished in the cells transfected with a mutant construct in which the Egr-1 binding site in PNMT promoter was mutated. These findings suggest that PMA-stimulated PNMT gene expression requires the enhancement of Egr-1 expression, thus providing further evidence for the physiological role of Egr-1 in the regulation of PNMT gene expression in the adrenergic cell.
On the determination of nominal wage dispersion

Abstract This paper studies sectoral wage dispersion. It is shown that, in Spain, expected inflation reduces wage variability. In a more complete specification, however, neither actual nor expected inflation affects variability, which is significantly increased by fluctuations in unemployment and productivity.
On a segmentation algorithm for seismic signal analysis

Abstract Seismic signals contain events of interest that occur at unknown time instants for unknown durations. Extraction of such events can be considerably simplified with a segmentation algorithm that detects the onset of an event. An effective sequential algorithm is presented that employs an autoregressive modeling of the data and a generalized likelihood ratio test to detect the significant statistical changes in the waveform. The algorithm does not require prior knowledge of the data. The low order modeling required greatly reduces the computational requirements. By examples of natural earthquake and nuclear explosion waveforms, the algorithm is shown to locate the onset time of P-waves with good accuracy.
Determination of zircon/melt trace element partition coefficients from SIMS analysis of melt inclusions in zircon

Partition coefficients ( zircon/melt DM) for rare earth elements (REE) (La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Dy, Er and Yb) and other trace elements (Ba, Rb, B, Sr, Ti, Y and Nb) between zircon and melt have been calculated from secondary ion mass spectrometric (SIMS) analyses of zircon/melt inclusion pairs. The melt inclusion-mineral (MIM) technique shows that DREE increase in compatibility with increasing atomic number, similar to results of previous studies. However, DREE determined using the MIM technique are, in general, lower than previously reported values. Calculated DREE indicate that light REE with atomic numbers less than Sm are incompatible in zircon and become more incompatible with decreasing atomic number. This behavior is in contrast to most previously published results which indicate D 1 and define a flat partitioning pattern for elements from La through Sm. The partition coefficients for the heavy REE determined using the MIM technique are lower than previously published results by factors of 15 to 20 but follow a similar trend. These differences are thought to reflect the effects of mineral and/or glass contaminants in samples from earlier studies which employed bulk analysis techniques. DREE determined using the MIM technique agree well with values predicted using the equations of Brice (1975), which are based on the size and elasticity of crystallographic sites. The presence of Ce 4 in the melt results in elevated DCe compared to neighboring REE due to the similar valence and size of Ce 4 and Zr 4 . Predicted zircon/melt D values for Ce 4 and Ce 3 indicate that the Ce 4 /Ce 3 ratios of the melt ranged from about 10 3 to 10 2 . Partition coefficients for other trace elements determined in this study increase in compatibility in the order Ba Rb B Sr Ti Y Nb, with Ba, Rb, B and Sr showing incompatible behavior (DM 1.0), and Ti, Y and Nb showing compatible behavior (DM 1.0). The effect of partition coefficients on melt evolution during petrogenetic modeling was examined using partition coefficients determined in this study and compared to trends obtained using published partition coefficients. The lower D REE determined in this study result in smaller REE bulk distribution coefficients, for a given mineral assemblage, compared to those calculated using previously reported values. As an example, fractional crystallization of an assemblage composed of 35% hornblende, 64.5% plagioclase and 0.5% zircon produces a melt that becomes increasingly more enriched in Yb using the DYb from this study. Using DYb from Fujimaki (1986) results in a melt that becomes progressively depleted in Yb during crystallization. Copyright © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd
Recent results from the PHENIX experiment at RHIC

Abstract The PHENIX experiment has been designed to measure a wide variety of observables in both heavy ion and polarized proton collisions at RHIC. The use of penetrating probes of the earliest stages of the collision, combined with a program of hadron measurements, gives the experiment the capability to address observables sensitive to all stages of a heavy ion collision. This contribution will review recent results from the PHENIX collaboration for heavy-ion collisions, including hadronic spectra, collective motion of the interacting matter, the suppression of high transverse momentum hadrons, and charm production.
Experimental determination of the laminar separation bubble characteristics on an airfoil at low Reynolds numbers

An experimental investigation was conducted in order to document the structure and behavior of laminar separation bubbles at low Reynolds numbers. Data of this type is necessary if the currently insufficient analytical and numerical models are to be improved. The laminar separation bubble which forms on a NACA 66(3)-018 airfoil model was surveyed at chord Reynolds numbers ranging from 50,000 to 200,000 at angles of attack from 8 to 12 degrees. The effects of the various testing conditions on the separation bubble were isolated, and the data was analyzed in relation to existing separation bubble correlations in order to test their low Reynolds number applicability. This analysis indicated that the chord Reynolds number and the disturbance environment strongly influence the experimental pressure distributions. These effects must be included in any analytic prediction technique applied to the low Reynolds number flight regime.
Preparation and characterization of wood-(nylon 12) composites

The melting temperature of nylon 12 is lower than the degradation temperature of wood, which makes the preparation of wood-(nylon 12) composites through a regular compounding/compression molding process possible. Results indicated that wood-(nylon 12) composites had higher modulus of rupture, higher modulus of elasticity, and higher tensile strength than nylon 12, wood-polypropylene (PP) composites, and wood-high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites, respectively. Wood-(nylon 12) composites also had higher thermal stability than wood-PP composites and wood-HDPE composites. Acting as a nucleating agent, wood increased the crystallization temperature and the degree of crystallinity of nylon 12 in wood-(nylon 12) composites. The superior mechanical properties of wood-(nylon 12) composites were ascribed to the good interfacial adhesion between wood and nylon 12 and the increased transcrystallinity of nylon 12 by wood. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103:270–276, 2007
Multiobjective grid packing model: An application in forest management

Abstract In this paper, we formulate and solve a 0/1 multiobjective integer programming model that addresses the management of two conflicting forest resources: wildlife habitat and timber harvesting activities, subject to certain spatial restrictions. The tradeoff between these two conflicting resource uses is addressed in the context of a regular grid of parcels for a single time period problem. Timber harvest adjacency constraints were developed and incorporated into the model which prevented harvests from occurring next to one another, as well as next to habitat areas. The model performed exceptionally well computationally with hypothetical data. The majority of runs were solved exactly in their relaxed form in less than 60 s using the multiobjective weighting method, with the remaining cases requiring only a few branch and bound nodes to solve to completion.
Computing protection level policies for dynamic capacity allocation problems by using stochastic approximation methods

A dynamic capacity allocation problem is considered in this paper. A fixed amount of daily processing capacity is allowed. Jobs of different priorities arrive randomly over time and a decision is required on which jobs should be scheduled on which days. The jobs that are waiting to be processed incur a holding cost depending on their priority levels. The objective is to minimize the total expected cost over a planning horizon. In this paper the focus is on a class of policies that are characterized by a set of protection levels. The role of the protection levels is to “protect” a portion of the capacity from the lower priority jobs so as to make it available for the future higher priority jobs. A stochastic approximation method to find a good set of protection levels is developed and its convergence is proved. Computational experiments indicate that protection level policies perform especially well when the coefficient of variation for the job arrivals is high. [Supplementary materials are available for t...
Covariation of distributions of callosal cell bodies and callosal axon terminals in layer III of cat primary auditory cortex.

Abstract Primary auditory cortex in the cat is both the source and target of callosal fibers. Injection of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in the high frequency representation of AI in one hemisphere retrogradely labels callosal cell bodies and anterogradely labels callosal axon terminals in AI of the opposite hemisphere. In tissue sections cut through layer III parallel to the cortical surface, elongated patches composed of dense aggregates of callosal cell bodies and callosal axon terminals alternate with regions containing lower concentrations of these elements. Labeling in AI is most dense in regions corresponding to the frequency representation of the injected site. In layer III of the densely labeled region, patches of high concentrations of labeled callosal axon terminals correspond with high concentrations of labeled callosal cell bodies. On the other hand, little correspondence is apparent between the distributions of the two elements in layer III in the sorrounding area of lighter labeling. Layers V and VI contain relatively few labeled callosal axon terminals and cell bodies, and our data do not suggest whether the two distributions covary in these layers.
A look behind the future internet architectures efforts

The Future Internet Architectures (FIA) constitutes a 10-year effort by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) that was launched in 2006, with the announcement of the Future INternet Design (FIND) research area within a Network Technologies and Systems (NeTS) program solicitation. This solicitation outlined a three-phase program to ``rethink'' the Internet, beginning with FIND and culminating in the recently announced two-year awards for Future Internet Architecture--Next Phase (FIA-NP). Because many readers may not be familiar with the thinking behind this effort, this article aims to provide a historical context and background for the technical papers included in this issue.
Obesity: Cure obesity: sleep more, eat out less and turn down the heat?

Optimal strategies to treat patients with obesity have remained elusive. Now, Bo et al. demonstrate the contribution of a set of easily changeable lifestyle factors—sleep restriction, high consumption of restaurant meals and increased room temperature—to the incidence of obesity and hyperglycemia in an Italian population-based cohort.
The Internet AIDS community participation in the planning process

This paper looks at community participation in the planning process. In some ways citizens are the forgotten part of collaborative planning, but changes in the political system since the 1960s demand significant input from the community. Experience and the literature show citizen participation is much more effective if it is channeled through a community organization. The community organization has significant communication problems in needing both to interact with various officials at the planning table and to interact with its constituency to inform and represent them. The Internet is proving to be a useful tool for this purpose. This paper examines how the Internet is beginning to affect that process in one urban area, the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Effect of Prolonged Immunization of Mice with Bovine Serum Albumin on the Incidence of Chemically Induced Tumors

The effect of prolonged immunization of mice with bovine serum albumin (BSA) on tumors elicited by injection of 3-methylcholanthrene was studied. The incidence of tumors and rate of tumor growth were higher in mice immunized with BSA than in control mice injected with syngeneic serum. The possibility of an immunosuppressive effect of the prolonged immunization with BSA is discussed.
Abnormal Cutaneous Topobiology: The Molecular Basis for Dermatopathologic Mononuclear Cell Patterns in Inflammatory Skin Disease

Because of the identification and characterization of various adhesion molecules (lymphocyte function associated antigen-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1), chemotactic factors (interleukin-8, monocyte chemotactic/activating factor), and their modulatory cytokines (gamma interferon, tumor necrosis factor), it is possible to begin to ascribe specific molecules to cutaneous cellular reaction patterns. The abnormal topobiology, or altered spatial distribution, of mononuclear cells, which gives rise to disease-specific pat- terns, was described in molecular terms. A large number of diverse skin diseases were classified into six different groups, with each group highlighting distinctive cell types, adhesion molecules, chemotactic factors, and cytokines. The diseases within each group, which share functional anatomical reaction zones, were postulated to share common pathophysiologic pathways. Thus, it is now possible, as one scans the microscopic field, to look past the static images of red- and blue-stained cells and appreciate a dynamic and detailed medley of molecularly defined events emanating from the eyepiece.
Molecular analysis of mutations in mutator colorectal carcinoma cell lines

The nature of mutations occurring in two colorectal carcinoma cell lines deficient in mismatch repair and displaying mutator phenotypes was determined. One of the lines (HCT116) exhibited a higher level of microsatellite instability than the second (DLD-1), although the rate of mutation at the selectable locus encoding the purine salvage enzyme hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT) was equally elevated (about 350-450-fold relative to mismatch repair proficient cell lines). Transitions were the major class of mutations in the two mutator lines. In DLD-1 these mutations recurred at several sites that appeared to be hotspots. Frameshifts at a run of six guanine residues in the coding sequence for HPRT constituted 35% of mutations in HCT116. These frameshifts were highly unstable and reverted to wild type at high frequency. Larger deletions were also detected in HCT116. Although these deletions constituted a small proportion of mutations compared with the other types, our data suggest that the rate of deletion is elevated relative to mismatch repair proficient (hMLH1+) cell lines. These observations suggest that the gene(s) altered in DLD-1 may preferentially affect the repair of base mismatches while the alteration(s) in HCT116 may affect the repair of both mismatches and frameshifts.
Alternative fumigants for methyl bromide in tobacco and pepper transplant production

Abstract Tobacco and pepper are high-value cash crops in the southeastern USA that require vigorous transplants free of pathogens and insects. Typically soil seedbeds are treated with methyl bromide prior to seeding. Soil fumigants metam-sodium, dichloropropene, chloropicrin and dazomet covered with polyethylene film were evaluated at several rates alone and in combination as alternatives for methyl bromide soil fumigation of tobacco and pepper seedbeds. The studies were conducted over a three-year period, with materials applied in the fall prior to seeding at the beginning of the following year. Nematode and insect pressures were low in each of three sites, but the tests extensively evaluated weeds and soilborne fungi management. Metam-sodium at 935 L ha−1 performed well in all three tests. The combination of metam-sodium (468 L ha−1) plus dichloropropene + 17% chloropicrin (126 L ha−1) provided good control of most of the pests and had high plant yield and vigor when covered with a polyethylene film immediately after treatment. A similar treatment not covered with polyethylene film but sealed with a mechanical soil cultipacker provided poor control of weeds. Stunting of tobacco and pepper was noted, especially in plots treated at the highest rates of metamsodium plus dichloropropene and chloropicrin. These treatments had a pungent odor associated with the treatment, which persisted for several weeks after polyethylene film removal. Many of the treatments, especially metam-sodium and metam-sodium in combination with dichloropropene and chloropicrin, compared well with methyl bromide fumigation for seedbed pest control.
Patterns of failure after combined-modality approaches incorporating radiotherapy for sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma of the head and neck.

Purpose To report the clinical outcome of patients treated with combined-modality approaches for sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) of the head and neck. Methods and Materials The records of 21 patients with SNUC treated with curative intent at the University of California, San Francisco between 1990 and 2004 were analyzed. Patient age ranged from 33 to 71 years (median, 47 years). Primary tumor sites included the nasal cavity (11 patients), maxillary sinus (5 patients), and ethmoid sinus (5 patients). All patients had T3 (4 patients) or T4 (17 patients) tumors. Local–regional treatment included surgery followed by postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) with or without adjuvant chemotherapy for 17 patients; neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery for 2 patients; and definitive chemoradiotherapy for 2 patients. Median follow-up among surviving patients was 58 months (range, 12–70 months). Results The 2- and 5-year estimates of local control were 60% and 56%, respectively. There was no difference in local control according to initial treatment approach, but among the 19 patients who underwent surgery the 5-year local control rate was 74% for those with gross tumor resection, compared with 24% for those with subtotal tumor resection ( p = 0.001). The 5-year rates of overall and distant metastasis-free survival were 43% and 64%, respectively. Late complications included cataracts (2 patients), lacrimal stenosis (1 patient), and sino-cutaneous fistula (1 patient). Conclusion The suboptimal outcomes suggest a need for more effective therapies. Gross total resection should be the goal of all treatments whenever possible.
The Isomerization of (−)-Menthone to (+)-Isomenthone Catalyzed by an Ion-Exchange Resin

A traditional organic chemistry laboratory experiment involves the acid-catalyzed isomerization of (−)-menthone to (+)-isomenthone. This experiment generates large quantities of organic and aqueous waste, and only allows the final ratio of isomers to be determined. A “green” modification has been developed that replaces the mineral acid catalyst with an acid-form ion-exchange resin, AMBERLYST 15DRY. This “green” modification dramatically reduces the quantity of waste, eliminates the hazards of concentrated acid, and allows for the isomer ratio to be monitored as a function of time. The pedagogical impact of the experiment has been significantly improved through examination of the effect of catalysis on the position of the equilibrium and on the kinetics of the reaction. As part of the experimental procedure, students generate their own hypothesis regarding the position of the equilibrium using molecular modeling of (−)-menthone and (+)-isomenthone. Students then test their hypothesis by performing the rea...
Competition processes and proactive interference in short-term memory

Abstract A competition model of proactive interference in short-term memory would predict that if subjects are forced to emit low-confidence responses, there will be an increase in both the probability of a correct response and in the number of intrusions. Dillon and Thomas (Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 1975 ,14, 603–615) recently performed such an experiment by forcing subjects to guess and found a very modest increase in the probability of a correct response at the cost of a large increase in intrusions. They suggest that these data contradict a competition model. We first argue that their results are not discrepant with the predictions of any realistic competition model and then perform an experiment which tests this same prediction in a slightly different situation. In an experiment using single-word items with conditions arranged so that the probability of a correct response is near one, subjects are run under three different speed-accuracy trade-off conditions: high accuracy, intermediate, and high speed. A competition model would predict that when subjects are forced to respond quickly, there will be an increase in errors, and these errors will tend to be from recent past items. This prediction was confirmed.
Magnetic source imaging of the human brain

The importance of neuromagnetic studies in basic research on sensory and cognitive functions is well recognized. Researchers are now exploiting more sophisticated paradigms as well as more sophisticated data analysis techniques to achieve new knowledge about the human brain. Our recent identification of characteristic time constants in human auditory cortex that well predict the behavioral lifetime of human auditory sensory memory, and developments and application of various procedures for the magnetic inverse problem have opened new areas of investigation and advanced the technical capability of MSI. With multi-disciplinary efforts from physicists, neural scientists, psychologists and physiologists, MSI is being established as an important modality for functional images.
VDD pacing in dogs: When, why and how to perform single-lead atrial synchronous, ventricular inhibited (VDD) pacing☆

Symptomatic, high-grade atrioventricular (AV) block remains one of the most common indications for artificial pacemaker implantation in dogs. The ideal artificial pacemaker would use the His-Purkinje system, maintain rate-responsiveness (RR), and preserve AV synchrony. Although we do not have commercially available pacing systems that accomplish all of these goals, recent advances in the development of single-lead physiologic pacemaker systems now enable maintenance of RR and AV synchrony in dogs with high grade atrioventricular block. This report outlines the indications for implantation of a single-lead atrial synchronous, ventricular inhibited (VDD) pacemaker system. The technique used for lead placement and the initial pacemaker programming required are detailed.
A classification method to distinguish cell-specific responses elicited by current pulses in hippocampal ca1 pyramidal cells

The suprathreshold electrophysiological responses of pyramidal cells have been grouped into large classes such as bursting and spiking. However, it is not known whether, within a class, response variability ranges uniformly across all cells or whether each cell has a unique and consistent profile that can be differentiated. A major difficulty when comparing suprathreshold responses is that slight variations in spike timing in otherwise very similar traces render traditional metrics ineffective. To address these issues, we developed a novel distance measure based on fiducial points to quantify the similarity among traces with trains of action potentials and applied it together with classification techniques to a set of in vitro patch clamp recordings from CA1 pyramidal cells. We tested if responses to repeated current stimulation of a given cell would cluster together yet remain distinct from those of other cells. We found that depolarizing and hyperpolarizing current pulses elicited responses in each cell that clustered and were systematically distinguishable from responses in other cells. The fiducial-point distance measure was more effective than other methods based on spike times and voltage-gradient phase planes. Depolarizing traces were more reliably differentiated than hyperpolarizing traces, and combining both scores was even more effective. These results suggest that each CA1 pyramidal cell has unique properties that can be detected and quantified with methods discussed here. This uniqueness may be due to slight variations in morphology or membrane channel densities and kinetics, or to large, coordinated variations in these elements. Ascertaining the actual sources and their degree of variability is important when constructing network models of neural function to ensure that key mechanisms are robust in the face of variations within these ranges. The analytical tools presented here can assist in constructing detailed cell models to match experimental records to elucidate the sources of electrophysiological variability in neurons.
Using Clinical Information To Project Federal Health Care Spending

Complications from chronic illnesses often do not emerge for many years. Current federal cost projection methods are constrained by ten-year cost estimates, which capture increases in near-term intervention costs but not changes in long-term costs. Current methods also cannot easily capture the cost implications of changes in disease progression. Type 2 diabetes is a prime example of a chronic illness with long-term health and cost consequences. We present results from an epidemiologically based model that projects federal costs for diabetes under alternative policies, and we discuss the potential changes in the federal budget process needed to capture the full impact of these interventions.
Changes in the Seasonal Cycle of Temperature and Atmospheric Circulation

AbstractThe vast majority of variability in the instrumental surface temperature record is at annual frequencies. Systematic changes in the yearly Fourier component of surface temperature have been observed since the midtwentieth century, including a shift toward earlier seasonal transitions over land. Here it is shown that the variability in the amplitude and phase of the annual cycle of surface temperature in the northern extratropics is related to Northern Hemisphere atmospheric circulation as represented by the northern annular mode (NAM) and the Pacific–North America mode (PNA). The phase of the seasonal cycle is most strongly influenced by changes in spring atmospheric circulation, whereas amplitude is most strongly influenced by winter circulation. A statistical model is developed based on the NAM and PNA values in these seasons and it successfully predicts the interdecadal trends in the seasonal cycle using parameters diagnosed only at interannual time scales. In particular, 70% of the observed am...
Mitigating an elephantine epidemic: Gendered space for HIV / AIDS outreach through Namibian conservancies.

As the reach of HIV/AIDS continues to devastate communities and create potential pressures on natural resources, conservation organizations have increasingly become involved in education and outreach to address the disease. This paper’s purpose is to investigate how increasing HIV infection rates and AIDS deaths relate to community-based conservation and livelihood strategies in the Caprivi Region of northeastern Namibia, and demonstrate that conservation organizations can play a unique role in combating the disease. As the epidemic is more widespread in the Caprivi than in any other region of the country, local organizations such as Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC) are responding to the disease by integrating it into conservation work. IRDNC’s efforts reflect a particular focus on gender, including changes in the way that HIV/AIDS is discussed in local communities, strategies to promote access to testing and care, and bringing to light the experiences of individuals and families struggling with HIV/AIDS. This approach shows that there are benefits to be gained from approaching HIV/AIDS mitigation through familiar, existing structures such as those of community conservancies in Namibia—especially the ability to circumvent heavy local stigma. Using data collected through participant observation and participatory discussions, this paper demonstrates that conservation programs can positively affect people with HIV/AIDS, highlighting the importance of mainstreaming outreach efforts that address the particular localized manifestations of the disease in the context of natural resource management.
On the Propagation of Magnetic Disturbances in the Solar Wind

Under the geometrical optics approximation we discuss the propagation of a polarized magnetic profile, made up of Alfven waves, in the solar wind. We show that (i) the profile propagates at an angle to the radial direction (the direction of the solar wind flow), (ii) the radial half-width of the profile stays essentially constant, or even diminishes a little, with distance from the Sun, (iii) the half-width in a direction transverse to the radial direction increases without limit as the magnetic profile moves outward from the Sun. Thus the profile stretches out into a ‘ribbon’ which could, of course, be experimentally identified as a discontinuity. We also give equations for the variation of polarization of the profile, and illustrate the behavior of polarization in a simple case.
Investigating an Outbreak of Bordetella pertussis Disease in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Pertussis, an acute infectious disease involving the respiratory tract, is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Infants are at highest risk for pertussis-associated complications. The protective effect of pertussis vaccine wanes with time and the reservoir for pertussis is thought to be unrecognized infections in older children or adults. METHODS: Four staff members developed pertussis after exposure to a symptomatic employee in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), between August 30 and September 9, 2004 at Childrens Hospital, a 250-bed tertiary care hospital in Seattle, Washington. Approximately 100 symptomatic staff were screened for pertussis, and a total of 355 staff were prophylaxed by Occupational Health Services. A total of 120 patients and their families were potentially exposed and required follow-up by Infection Control. Patient notification included information about pertussis and recommendation to contact their primary physician (PMD) for antibiotics, as well as testing, if symptomatic. Hospital administration agreed to pay for diagnostic testing, antibiotic therapy or prophylaxis, and one physician visit to accomplish evaluation and treatment. RESULTS: No secondary cases were reported to infection control (IC) by families, PMDs, or health departments, and none of the patients who remained hospitalized developed pertussis. There were no additional cases among staff members. Although hospital administration offerred reimbursement, many of the discharged families had no PMD, and/or lacked funds to comply with treatment recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: This outbreak demonstrated the need to reinforce to staff the importance of hand hygiene, staying home when ill, and covering coughs. Limited resources impact many families' ability to comply with follow-up recommendations. A comprehensive Outbreak Management Plan was neededed to assist with managing an outbreak situation.
Fine-needle aspiration cytology of mammary adenomyoepithelioma: report of a case with intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions.

Adenomyoepithelioma of the breast is an uncommon lesion which may recur and rarely metastasizes. We report the fine-needle aspiration (FNA) findings in one case of mammary adenomyoepithelioma in which this tumor's unusual cytomorphology led to a cytologic diagnosis of malignancy, possibly metastatic to the breast. Large, atypical, polygonal cells, some with intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions, were most worrisome cytologically, but corresponded in the biopsied specimen to cells immunohistochemically documented to be of myoepithelial origin. Nests of epithelium and myoepithelial cells sometimes embedded in fibrous, stromal fragments were suggestive of an infiltrating pattern. Recognition of such unusual features in breast FNA is most important since definitive therapy may follow an FNA diagnosis of carcinoma in some clinical settings. In cases with unusual morphology, surgical biopsy should be recommended to clarify the nature of the lesion. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Using Motivational Interviewing to Enhance Treatment Outcome in People With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a leading cause of health-related disability. There are two evidence-based treatments for OCD, pharmacotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy consisting of exposure and response prevention (EX/RP). Although effective, outcome from both treatments is often limited by patient lack of adherence to the treatment procedures. In this article, we present the rationale for using motivational interviewing (MI) to increase EX/RP adherence. We then review two published studies that used MI in different ways to foster EX/RP participation. Finally, we describe 6 cases in which we explored whether MI could help ready OCD patients who had refused or failed prior evidence-based treatment of any kind. Together, these data illustrate the promise and obstacles of employing MI to promote treatment adherence in OCD. We conclude by discussing future directions for researchers and for clinicians when using MI in this population.
Therapy with the histone deacetylase inhibitor pracinostat for patients with myelofibrosis

Approximately half of the patients with myelofibrosis (MF) carry mutant JAK2(V617F) proteins. JAK2(V617F) has been recently shown to translocate to the nucleus and modify specific histones, thus regulating transcription. We report on a phase II study testing the activity and tolerability of the histone deacetylase inhibitor pracinostat given at 60 mg every other day for three weeks per month in 22 patients with intermediate or high risk MF. Eight (36%) patients experienced clinical benefit, with 6 (27%) experiencing reductions in splenomegaly (median 3 cm, range 1-4 cm). According to International Working Group criteria, 2 (9%) patients had clinical improvement (anemia response in both cases). The most frequent side effect associated to pracinostat therapy was fatigue, which occurred in 20 (91%) patients (grade 2 in 3 patients). Grade 3-4 neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia occurred in 13%, 0%, and 21%, respectively. Twenty-one patients permanently discontinued pracinostat, mainly due to lack of efficacy. In conclusion, pracinostat at the dose tested is reasonably tolerated and has modest activity in patients with MF.
Simulating Current–Voltage Relationships for a Narrow Ion Channel Using the Weighted Ensemble Method

Ion channels are responsible for a myriad of fundamental biological processes via their role in controlling the flow of ions through water-filled membrane-spanning pores in response to environmental cues. Molecular simulation has played an important role in elucidating the mechanism of ion conduction, but connecting atomistically detailed structural models of the protein to electrophysiological measurements remains a broad challenge due to the computational cost of reaching the necessary time scales. Here, we introduce an enhanced sampling method for simulating the conduction properties of narrow ion channels using the Weighted ensemble (WE) sampling approach. We demonstrate the application of this method to calculate the current–voltage relationship as well as the nonequilibrium ion distribution at steady-state of a simple model ion channel. By direct comparisons with long brute force simulations, we show that the WE simulations rigorously reproduce the correct long-time scale kinetics of the system and ...
Expressed sequence tag profiles from calcifying and non-calcifying cultures of Emiliania huxleyi

Expressed Sequence Tag (EST) analysis is a powerful means for evaluating gene expression and discovering novel genes. The method is relatively simple and particularly important for species where knowledge of the genome is unavailable or limited. In this study, we compare EST profiles of Emiliania huxleyi cultures grown under conditions that promote biomineralization and coccolithogenesis (F/50 media) and conditions that reduce these processes (F/2 media). A total of 3,527 clones from the F/50 and 4,116 clones from F/2 library were randomly selected and sequenced, resulting in a unigene set of 4,057 unique sequences comprised of 540 contigs and 3517 singletons. More than 40% of the expressed genes showed similarity to known genes from other organisms deposited in GenBank (e>10 −2 ) and have been functionally categorized. The comparative data provide cues for further studies pertaining to genes and proteins involved in biomineralization and coccolithogenesis, and taken together serve as a valuable resource for the coccolithophorid research community.