cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low‐temperature thermochronologic record of Eocene migmatite dome emplacement and late Cenozoic landscape development, Shuswap core complex, British Columbia

Exhumed mid-to-lower crustal rocks offer an opportunity to determine the mechanisms, conditions, timing, and consequences of the ascent of hot rocks from deep to shallow crustal levels. We used results of low-T thermochronology (zircon and apatite (U-Th)/He, apatite fission track) to document the very shallow emplacement ( 1800 m) have preserved Eocene fission-track ages and evidence of rapid cooling (≥60°C/Myr). This Eocene cooling event corresponds to rapid exhumation by upward flow of partially molten crust and final exhumation by detachment faulting. Samples collected below 1800 m in elevation display a wide range of apatite fission track ages (43–15 Ma) and track length distributions that reflect prolonged residence in the apatite partial annealing zone. These age-elevation relations imply that the dome rocks reached the near surface (<2 km) during initial upward flow and tectonic exhumation in the Eocene and that little erosion of the Eocene surface has occurred since that time. Thermal modeling of the lowest elevation samples (≤ ~600 m) and intrasample apatite (U-Th)/He age variations reveal enhanced erosion and relief production at the onset of continental glaciations at ~3 Ma. Our work illustrates the dynamic links between deep and shallow crustal processes and the evolution of topography in a deeply incised hot orogen.
The Iron-Hydrogenase of Thermotoga maritima Utilizes Ferredoxin and NADH Synergistically: a New Perspective on Anaerobic Hydrogen Production

The hyperthermophilic and anaerobic bacterium Thermotoga maritima ferments a wide variety of carbohydrates, producing acetate, CO2, and H2. Glucose is degraded through a classical Embden-Meyerhof pathway, and both NADH and reduced ferredoxin are generated. The oxidation of these electron carriers must be coupled to H2 production, but the mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. The trimeric [FeFe]-type hydrogenase that was previously purified from T. maritima does not use either reduced ferredoxin or NADH as a sole electron donor. This problem has now been resolved by the demonstration that this hydrogenase requires the presence of both electron carriers for catalysis of H2 production. The enzyme oxidizes NADH and ferredoxin simultaneously in an approximately 1:1 ratio and in a synergistic fashion to produce H2. It is proposed that the enzyme represents a new class of bifurcating [FeFe] hydrogenase in which the exergonic oxidation of ferredoxin (midpoint potential, −453 mV) is used to drive the unfavorable oxidation of NADH (E0′ = −320 mV) to produce H2 (E0′ = −420 mV). From genome sequence analysis, it is now clear that there are two major types of [FeFe] hydrogenases: the trimeric bifurcating enzyme and the more well-studied monomeric ferredoxin-dependent [FeFe] hydrogenase. Almost one-third of the known H2-producing anaerobes appear to contain homologs of the trimeric bifurcating enzyme, although many of them also harbor one or more homologs of the simpler ferredoxin-dependent hydrogenase. The discovery of the bifurcating hydrogenase gives a new perspective on our understanding of the bioenergetics and mechanism of H2 production and of anaerobic metabolism in general.
MALDI-TOF and Antimicrobial Stewardship

The emergence of rapid diagnostic tests for use in clinical microbiology laboratories is revolutionizing the ability to efficiently identify pathogens and resistance mechanisms. Optimizing time to appropriate therapy is crucial and linked to significant improvements in mortality. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) utilizes mass spectrometry to provide rapid and reliable identification of organisms 1–1.5 days sooner than traditional methods. Further, the literature suggests that involvement of antimicrobial stewardship program initiatives in combination with MALDI-TOF facilitates timely antibiotic adjustments and optimizes clinical outcomes. MALDI-TOF combined with antimicrobial stewardship review and intervention has been associated with improvements in patient care, including improving time to appropriate antibiotic therapy, reduced mortality rates, decreased length of hospitalization, and decreased hospital costs. Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) can use rapid pathogen identification data to tailor antibiotic therapy to the individual patient through knowledge of local antibiogram data, applying known risk factors for antibiotic resistance and evaluating the patient’s past medical history. Furthermore, a significant economic advantage is possible as studies reveal impressive decreases in total hospital costs when MALDI-TOF was coupled with ASP intervention. Finally, studies evaluating novel uses of MALDI-TOF such as for the detection of antimicrobial resistance and strain typing for epidemiological investigations are underway. These applications will only further expand the range of possible ASP interventions.
Feedback-Seeking in Individual Adaptation: A Resource Perspective

This research examines a theory of feedback-seeking in organizations. Individuals are hypothesized to seek feedback on important issues and in new and uncertain situations. Results support these hy...
Lessons learned from the novell and groupWise upgrade of the summer 2003 or "what we did on our summer vacation!"

This presentation will focus on the effects a recent major hardware and software upgrade had on the Indiana State University end user community and how collaboration between Technical and User Services resulted in a positive experience for the end user community. There were many hours of overtime put into this project and lots of concerns from User Services personnel about having to go out and "touch" each computer to facilitate necessary changes. The effects of the unsolicited visits produced some surprising results.
Social and Cultural Factors Influence African American Men’s Medical Help Seeking:

Objective: To examine the factors that influenced African American men’s medical help seeking. Method: Thematic analysis of 14 focus groups with 105 older, urban African American men. Results: African American men described normative expectations that they did not go to the doctor and that they were afraid to go, with little explanation. When they did go, men reported that they were particularly uncomfortable with the tone physicians used when talking to them. Providers often made recommendations but offered the men little useful information on how to make lifestyle and behavior changes. Following receipt of care, spouses, medical test results, and men’s desire to fulfill social roles were key motivating and instrumental factors in following medical advice. Conclusions: African American men’s medical help seeking seemed to be negatively influenced by social norms and patient-provider interactions but positively influenced by spouses and the desire to fulfill social roles.
Effects of caloric restriction and exercise on insulin receptors in obesity: association with changes in membrane lipids.

We have studied the effects of supervised caloric restriction and exercise on mononuclear leukocyte lipid composition, membrane fluidity, and insulin receptors in ten nondiabetic obese adults, (175 ± 9.3% of ideal body weight) and ten normal adult subjects. In a second study, we examined the effects of caloric restriction alone using a very low calorie liquid diet in the treatment of another ten obese adults. In both groups of obese adults, fasting insulin levels were elevated and fell to normal levels following treatment. Insulin binding to monocytes, which was reduced in obese subjects, increased toward normal after short-term treatment; this was due to the restoration of total insulin binding capacity to levels one half of that seen in the normal adult group. Obese subjects undergoing either treatment had elevated membrane cholesterol/phospholipid ratios prior to treatment (0.499 ± 0.050 and 0.446 ± 0.011 v 0.400 ± 0.025 mol/mol in normal adults P < 0.005 by ANOVA). Prior to treatment, for all subjects there was a significant inverse correlation between insulin tracer binding and membrane cholesterol/phospholipid ratios (r = .484, n = 34, P < 0.005). This relationship did not change significantly in obese subjects in either treatment group. Cell membrane microviscosity was determined by fluorescence polarization (FP) using DPH (2 × 10−6 mol/L). Prior to weight loss, obese subjects had significantly higher FP values than controls (0.304 ± 0.006 and 0.319 v 0.259 ± 0.009, P < 0.005, by ANOVA) indicating greater microviscosity. After caloric restriction and exercise (study 1), membrane microviscosity fell to normal (0.269 ± 0.006, P < 0.005) whereas, in the group treated with caloric restriction alone (study 2), FP measurements increased (0.322 ± 0.005 v 0.331 ± 0.005, P < 0.02, paired t-test). Obese subjects in both treatment groups showed significant reductions in membrane phospholipid/protein ratios (0.132 ± 0.008 v 0.105 ± 0.009 μg/μg, P < 0.01 and 0.156 ± 0.019 v 0.130 ± 0.005, P < 0.02). The improvement in membrane fluidity following exercise could not be explained on the basis of any lipid changes determined in the present study. A significant inverse relationship was observed between insulin tracer binding and cell microviscosity measurement for these subjects (r = .546, P < 0.02). We have shown previously that reduction of membrane phospholipid/protein ratios and increased microviscosity in states of caloric restriction or immaturity are associated with increased detection of the insulin receptor on plasma membranes. In this study, the increase in insulin receptor number and affinity seen with short-term weight loss in obese subjects may be mediated by the fall in membrane phospholipid/protein ratios. However, the role that changes in membrane microviscosity plays in these effects, especially in exercising subjects, remains to be determined.
The anthropology of unemployment

This special issue of Ethnos deals with unemployment, a topic that has often appeared as a sub-theme in anthropological studies of industrial change, worker displacement, and urban poverty, but rar...
Differential effects of cyanohydroxybutene and selenium on normal and neoplastic canine mammary cells in vitro

The in vitro responses of canine mammary tumor (CMT-13) cells and normal canine mammary (NCM) cells to 1-cyano-2-hydroxy-3-butene (CHB), a naturally occurring nitrile in cruciferous plants, and selenium (Se) were investigated. CHB at 10 and 20 mM inhibited growth and viability of CMT-13 and NCM cells, respectively. This differential sensitivity was associated with a decreased ability of CMT-13 cells to increase intracellular glutathione (GSH) in comparison to NCM cells. Exposure of both cell types to 3.2 microM Se as sodium selenite alone had no effects, but addition of 3.2 microM Se 24 h after exposure to non-toxic doses of CHB resulted in a substantial decrease in growth of CMT cells, while NCM cells remained unaffected. The synergy noted between CHB and Se in inhibiting growth and viability of neoplastic mammary cells at levels not toxic to normal mammary cells is promising initial evidence that CHB could have a role in chemoprotection or chemotherapy.
Streptococcal Pharyngitis: Diagnosis by Gram Stain

Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci were isolated from 49 (10.4%) of 472 patients with pharyngitis. Throat culture results, interpreted by five observers of varying experience, showed the mean sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of a positive Gram-stained smear of pharyngeal secretions as 73%, 96%, and 71%. Assignment to a high-risk group by clinical algorithm gave sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of only 45%, 83%, and 23%. The Gram-stained smear is the most accurate method of early diagnosis of streptococcal pharyngitis.
New ways of looking at management information systems in human service delivery.

The functional aspects of management information systems (MIS's) in human-service delivery agencies are critically examined from the viewpoint of a behavioral systems analysis model. This model distinguishes between MIS as an information-gatherer and as a system to control agency behavior and administrative decision-making. The choice of a particular MIS involves the consideration of the agency 's informational objectives, the extent to which the MIS exerts control over the decision-making process, and its cost-effectiveness. The behavior-analytic approach to MIS requires an evaluation of the way in which the system affects the behavior of agency personnel and, ultimately the clients.
DRIVE AND TALENT

We analyze ways in which heterogeneity in responsiveness to incentives (“drive”) affects employees' incentives and firms' incentive systems in a career concerns model. On the one hand, because more driven agents work harder in response to existing incentives than less driven ones—and therefore pay is increasing in perceived drive—there is a motive to increase effort to signal high drive. These “drive-signaling incentives” are strongest with intermediate levels of existing incentives. On the other hand, because past output of a more driven agent will seem to the principal to reflect lower ability, there is an incentive to decrease effort to signal low drive. The former effect dominates early in the career, and the latter effect dominates towards the end. To maximize incentives, the principal wants to observe a noisy measure of the agent's effort—such as the number of hours he works—early but not late in his career. (JEL: C70, D82, D23)
Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of Zeolite-Entrapped Bisterpyridine Ruthenium(II). Dramatic Consequences of Ligand-Field-State Destabilization

A bisterpyridine complex of ruthenium(II) (Ru(tpy)22+) has been prepared in zeolite Y supercages and investigated by electronic absorption, electronic emission, and resonance Raman spectroscopy. In free solution this complex is practically nonluminescent, having a very short excited-state lifetime (250 ps) at room temperature. However, entrapment within the zeolite supercage results in dramatic increases in emission intensity and excited-state lifetime (140 ns) at room temperature. The observed temperature dependence of the excited-state lifetime has been modeled by a kinetic equation with two thermal terms corresponding to the so-called fourth 3MLCT state and ligand-field state (LF), respectively. It is shown that the increased lifetime of the entrapped complex results from zeolite-induced destabilization of the LF state, a conclusion which is in agreement with results obtained for a number of other zeolite-entrapped ruthenium(II) polypyridine complexes.
A Model for Change to Evidence-Based Practice

Purpose: To describe a model that guides nurses and other healthcare professionals through a systematic process for the change to evidence-based practice. The tremendous increases in clinical research and accessibility to research findings have prepared the way for the paradigm shift from traditional and intuition-driven practice to evidence-based practice. Although several models have emerged to guide practitioners in research utilization, practitioners continue to have difficulty synthesizing empirical and contextual evidence and integrating evidence-based changes into practice. Organizing Framework: The model is based on theoretical and research literature related to evidence-based practice, research utilization, standardized language, and change theory. In this model, practitioners are guided through the entire process of developing and integrating an evidence-based practice change. The model supports evidence-based practice changes derived from a combination of quantitative and qualitative data, clinical expertise, and contextual evidence. Methods: The model was developed using sources identified on searches of Medline, CINAHL, and systematic reviews available on the Internet. Review topics were focused on evidence-based medicine and nursing, research utilization, and change process. Other sources included clinical expertise and quality-improvement information. Conclusions: Practitioners need skills and resources to appraise, synthesize, and diffuse the best evidence into practice. Patient outcomes must reflect discipline-specific and interdisciplinary accountabilities. Collaboration between researchers and practitioners within and among disciplines will enhance the diffusion of evidence-based practice innovations.
The use of power transformations in small area estimation

Sample surveys are usually designed and analysed to produce estimates for larger areas. Nevertheless, sample sizes are often not large enough to give adequate precision for small area estimates of interest. To overcome such difficulties, borrowing strength from related small areas via modelling becomes essential. In line with this, we propose components of variance models with power transformations for small area estimation. This paper reports the results of a study aimed at incorporating the power transformation in small area estimation for improving the quality of small area predictions. The proposed methods are demonstrated on satellite data in conjunction with survey data to estimate mean acreage under a specified crop for counties in Iowa.
Effect of interferon on murine leukemia virus infection. III. Effect of interferon on MSV-induced transformation.

Abstract The effect of interferon on viral transformation has been examined in a system where helper leukemia virus is not required for focus formation. This allows direct investigation of the effect of interferon on sarcoma virus function. No alteration in the morphology of foci was observed. A small (approximately 50%) reduction in the number of foci was observed with concentrations of interferon that did not affect cell growth. This reduction was observed only when interferon was present early in infection.
Teaching Design Patterns Through Computer Game Development

We present an approach for teaching design patterns that emphasizes object-orientation and patterns integration. The context of computer game development is used to engage and motivate students, and it is additionally rich with design patterns. A case study is presented based on EEClone, an arcade-style computer game implemented in Java. Our students analyzed various design patterns within EEClone, and from this experience, learned how to apply design patterns in their own game software. The six principal patterns of EEClone are described in detail, followed by a description of our teaching methodology, assessment techniques, and results.
Papanicolaou screening in an urgent care setting.

Objective: This study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of Papanicolaou (Pap) screening in an urgent care setting, and to compare the rates of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and follow-up in patients with and without established primary care. Study design: All patients presenting with a complaint warranting pelvic examination between December 2000 and September 2001 underwent Pap screening. All patients were scheduled an appointment or follow-up visit when an abnormal Pap test was found. Charts were reviewed for cytologic interpretation, age, chief complaint, ethnicity, history of prior Pap smear in the institution, total visit history (includes urgent care and primary care clinics). SAS 8.1 was used for statistical analysis with the use of the Fisher exact test. Results: A total of 673 Pap smears were performed. Of those, 660 were analyzed and 13 were discarded because of inadequate slides. The mean age was 29.6 years; the ethnic distribution was 0.2% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 17% black, 62.4% Hispanic, 18.2% white, and 1.1% other. In the study population, only 40.6% of the patients had a prior Pap screen and 59.4% had not. There were 318 (48.2%) patients who had accessed care only through the urgent care clinic, and 342 (51.8%) patients who had established some kind of primary care in the past. The overall follow-up rate was 56% for any abnormal Pap smear, regardless of visit history. Conclusion: Patients accessing medical care through an urgent care clinic exclusively had identical rates of CIN and follow-up when compared with patients with established care. Therefore, when a system exists to centrally process and triage cervical cytology, it is efficacious to screen for CIN in an urgent care setting.
Enhancement of text for the visually impaired.

Previous research has established the benefits of image enhancement by spatial filtering for face perception and motion video appreciation among elderly low-vision observers [ Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci.32, 2337 ( 1991); J. Opt. Soc. Am. A11, 1929 ( 1994)]. It has also been reported that similar enhancement could increase reading speeds by a factor of 2–4 in the same population [cf. Ophthalmology96, 115 ( 1989)]. In our experiments we sought to determine what benefit, if any, was derived from spatial filtering of text for low-vision readers. Results from this series of studies indicate that 66% of patients do increase their reading rate with enhancement, but this increase is small. Change in reading rate with spatial filtering ranged from a 100% decrement to a 125% improvement, with an average 13% improvement. Only 10 of 67 subjects increased their reading rates by 50% or more. The clinical information that we gathered does not allow us to predict accurately which patients will benefit from spatial filtering. On the basis of these findings we conclude that enhancement of text by spatial filtering does not substantially increase reading rates for most low-vision patients.
Summary of basic 2D constraint solving

This summary reviews basic techniques that are widely available for solving 2D geometric constraint problems. Special attention is devoted to a graph-based approach; different phases of this approach are described and some analysis of them is done. Specifically, we review the triangle decomposition of the graph analysis phase discussing the Church-Rosser property it satisfies and pointing out how to extend the analysis phase when adding more complex primitives, especially variable-radius circles.
Radioactivity Measurements on Glazed Ceramic Surfaces.

A variety of commonly available household and industrial ceramic items and some specialty glass materials were assayed by alpha pulse counting and ion chamber voltage measurements for radioactivity concentrations. Identification of radionuclides in some of the items was performed by gamma spectroscopy. The samples included tableware, construction tiles and decorative tiles, figurines, and other products with a clay based composition. The concentrations of radioactivity ranged from near background to about four orders of magnitude higher. Almost every nuclide identification test demonstrated some radioactivity content from one or more of the naturally occurring radionuclide series of thorium or uranium. The glazes seemed to contribute most of the activity, although a sample of unglazed pottery greenware showed some activity. Samples of glazing paints and samples of deliberately doped glass from the World War II era were included in the test, as was a section of foam filled poster board. A glass disc with known 232 Th radioactivity concentration was cast for use as a calibration source. The results from the two assay methods are compared, and a projection of sensitivity from larger electret ion chamber devices is presented.
Preshunt liver function remains the prominent determinant of survival after portasystemic shunting

Abstract Background Forty-five years after the development of the Child classification, we sought to determine if hepatic function is still a primary determinant between short-term and long-term survival after portasystemic shunting. Methods One hundred forty-six patients underwent small-diameter prosthetic H-graft portacaval shunting (HGPCS). The patients were stratified into 2 groups: those surviving less than 5 years and those surviving more than 5 years. Preoperative data determined Child class and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. Results Ninety-four (64%) patients were short-term and 52 (36%) patients were long-term survivors. No significant differences in the cause of cirrhosis, presence of ascites, encephalopathy, or emergency operations were noted between short- and long-term survivors. Preshunt MELD scores were significantly greater with short-term survivors, although actual survival was superior to predicted survival by MELD. Child class was inferior for short-term survivors. Child class and MELD score significantly correlated with survival after portasystemic shunting. Conclusions Long-term survival after HGPCS is possible even with severe hepatic dysfunction; however, actual survival is superior to predicted survival. Hepatic dysfunction, as denoted by Child class and MELD, still remains a primary determinant of survival after portasystemic shunting.
Ultrasonic relaxation peaks in electron irradiated Al-700 ppm Si

Mesure de l'attenuation et de la vitesse des ultrasons simultanement a 10 et 30 MHz, entre 1,5 et 240 K sur un monocristal de Al-700 ppm Si irradie au-dessous de 70 K avec des electrons de 2,5 MeV
A class of approximate exterior rotating solutions of Einstein's equations

A class of approximate stationary vacuum solutions are obtained by expanding the metric in powers of a certain parameter, and by solving explicitly the first few orders in terms of two harmonic functions o and ψ. These solutions, to the order considered, reduce to the Weyl solutions when ψ = 0 and yield the Papapetrou solutions when o = 0, and contain a subclass that is asymptotically flat and has non-zero mass. The physical interpretation and the possibility of proceeding further are briefly discussed.
Targeting Low-Density Lipoprotein AND Dysmetabolism in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus affects 28.5 million people in the United States with another 79 million people having prediabetes at high risk for developing diabetes mellitus,1 despite current preventive efforts using lifestyle or antidiabetic agents such as metformin.2 Because cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of death and disability in diabetes mellitus, and its impact on health remains considerable despite intensified diabetes mellitus management, early identification of diabetes mellitus and those at risk for it offers the optimal opportunity for effective prevention of vascular complications. The demonstration that low-density lipoprotein (LDL)–lowering with statin therapy is beneficial in preventing CVD and its progression in these patients has led to their increasingly widespread application. As a consequence, the recently released American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Blood Cholesterol Task Force now recommends >50% LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C)–lowering in those with diabetes mellitus who are 40 to 75 years old with LDL-C levels >70 mg/dL.3 This expands the requirement for high-intensity statin treatment, as well as the need for add-on therapy with second-line LDL-lowering drugs. Another recommendation by the Task Force is for the use of moderate- to high- intensity statin therapy in nondiabetic subjects and in those who have a 10-year CVD risk of >7.5%, many of whom have prediabetes or metabolic syndrome. Although statin therapy has yielded significant benefit in CVD prevention, many subjects are unable to tolerate statins because of myalgia, particularly at higher doses. Furthermore, it is now recognized that statin therapy increases risk for diabetes mellitus especially in those with diabetes mellitus …
Challenges and Opportunities of Using Digital Storytelling as a Trauma Narrative Intervention for Traumatized Children

This article address the challenges and opportunities of implementing a web-based Digital Storytelling (DS) curriculum to supplement the trauma narrative component of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for traumatized youth, ages 9-17, receiving mental health services at a rural domestic violence (DV) agency. Digital storytelling, as the term suggests, combines storytelling with technology that integrates a mixture of digital images, text, audio narration, and music. Ultimately, implementing the DS curriculum empowered youth to process and develop their trauma stories in a multi-sensory, accessible and coherent manner. In doing so, they gained tools (writing, narrating, illustrating, and ultimately assembling their own stories) to form adaptive responses regarding their family violence experiences in its immediate aftermath and possibly over time. Agency implications are discussed regarding training, technical, and confidentiality issues related to the implementation of a web-based DS curriculum.
Integrated control of wheel drive―brake torque for vehicle-handling enhancement

AbstractWheel torque control is an effective means of improving vehicle handling and stability. Brake-based electronic stability programs which intervene in extreme situations to regulate vehicle behaviour are the most common form of wheel torque control. With the advent of advanced driveline technologies, wheel torque control can also be achieved by the differential distribution of available drive torque to all four wheels. Similarly, in combined cornering and braking manoeuvres, the applied brake input can be differentially distributed to regulate vehicle handling. This paper proposes an integrated scheme for wheel torque control that combines differential drive or brake torque distribution with the emergency braking control to regulate the vehicle yaw rate and side-slip angle. A wheel torque controller was developed using a non-linear predictive control theory, an eight-degrees-of-freedom vehicle model, and non-linear tyre models. The simulated vehicle responses show improved vehicle-handling performance.
Indigenous ectosymbiotic bacteria associated with diverse hydrothermal vent invertebrates

Summary Symbioses involving bacteria and invertebrates contribute to the biological diversity and high productivity of both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Well-known examples from chemosynthetic deep-sea hydrothermal vent environments involve ectosymbiotic microbes associated with the external surfaces of marine invertebrates. Some of these ectosymbioses confer protection or defence from predators or the environment itself, some are nutritional in nature, and many still are of unknown function. Several recently discovered hydrothermal vent invertebrates, including two populations of yeti crab (Kiwa spp.), a limpet (Symmetromphalus aff. hageni), and the scaly-foot snail (as yet undescribed), support a consortium of diverse bacteria. Comparisons of these ectosymbioses to those previously described revealed similarities among the associated microorganisms, suggesting that certain microbes are indigenous to the surfaces of marine invertebrates. In particular, members of the Thiovulgaceae (epsilonproteobacteria) and Thiotrichaceae (gammaproteobacteria) appear to preferentially form ectosymbioses with vent crustaceans and gastropods. Interactions between specific Proteobacteria and the surfaces of many marine invertebrates likely have ecological and evolutionary significance at these chemically challenging habitats.
Glucocorticoids stimulate cation absorption by semicircular canal duct epithelium via epithelial sodium channel

The semicircular canal duct (SCCD) epithelium is a vestibular epithelial domain that was recently shown to actively contribute to endolymph homeostasis by Cl− secretion under control of β2-adrenerg...
Effective stiffness and thermal expansion coefficients of unidirectional composites with fibers surrounded by cylindrically orthotropic matrix layers

An approach to predict the effective thermoelastic properties of unidirectional composites consisting of cylindrically orthotropic fibers surrounded by layers of cylindrically orthotropic matrix is developed and applied to carbon/carbon composites. Micromechanical modeling is based on elastic solutions for basic loadcases including prescribed axial tension, transverse hydrostatic loading, axial and in-plane shear, and unconstrained thermal expansion. The composite cylinder assemblage model (Hashin, 1990) is utilized to predict axial elastic properties, transverse bulk modulus and thermal expansion coefficients of the overall composite. The effective transverse shear modulus is evaluated using a self-consistent method. The approach is illustrated by considering a representative carbon/carbon material system containing pyrolytic carbon matrix of two different texture levels.
Developing a BIM-enabled Bilingual Safety Training Module for the Construction Industry

This research documents and assesses the development of a construction safety training module featuring BIM-enabled 3D visualization narrated in both English and Spanish to test if such information can enhance safety training for construction management students and construction workers. A pilot (English version) of the module was administered to construction management students and their responses were generally positive. Spanish and English versions of the modules were then administered to professional mason laborers on-site in Denver, Colorado. This paper highlights the technical challenges and the lessons learned through the development of training module, particularly for use and research on real construction sites. Findings support and highlight future opportunities to develop more advanced, and custom (project specific) bi-lingual safety training modules.
Electrophysiological Properties of Gαs-Coupled 5-HT Receptors (5-HT4, 5-HT6, 5-HT7)

Serotonin receptors of the 5-HT4 and 5-HT7 subtypes couple to heterotrimeric G proteins of the Gαs type and signal their electrophysiological effects by stimulating adenylate cyclase, increasing intracellular cAMP, and activating protein kinase A (PKA). These receptors, like many other receptors coupling to Gαs, modulate three classic currents in excitable tissues: the hyperpolarization-activated cation current I h , a calcium-activated potassium current generally known as I AHP , and the L-type calcium current. 5-HT4 and 5-HT7 receptors inhibit I SAHP and facilitate L-type calcium currents by increasing cAMP and activating PKA. However, these receptors facilitate I h by a direct effect of cAMP that is independent of PKA. Other currents might also contribute to the postsynaptic effects signaled by these receptors in specific neuronal cell types. Little is known at the present time regarding the electrophysiological responses signaled by the activation of 5-HT6 receptors. A key remaining question is how these receptors and currents are regulated by synaptically released serotonin in a physiological context.
Temperate and lytic cyanophages from the Gulf of Mexico

The unicellular cyanobacterial species Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus are known to be vital components of marine ecosystems, especially in the vast oligotrophic areas. Lytic cyanophages infecting unicellular phytoplankton are prevalent and have been demonstrated to act as important constraints on community composition contributing to the seasonal succession in genotypes. Lysogeny in Synechococcus has been documented experimentally in natural environments by prophage induction. At this time it is completely unknown how prevalent lysogeny is among Synechococcus populations. This study was performed to document important features such as size, morphology and the incidence of the T4-like capsid portal protein gene (g20) in a group of lytic Synechococcus cyanophages (35 isolates) isolated from the Gulf of Mexico. A group of Synechococcus isolates (24 strains) were isolated concurrently to investigate the virulence and crossinfectivity of the lytic cyanophages and to determine the frequency of lysogeny by detection of inducible prophage. The host range of the cyanophages toward these Synechococcus strains ranged from 1 of 25 (host of isolation only) to 17 of 25 (68%). Of the 35 cyanophage isolates the large majority were myoviruses (94%) and only two (6%) were of the podovirus type. The expected polymerase chain reaction product for g20 was detected in 20 of the phages (63%). The presence of a detectable g20 was associated with lowinfectivity cyanophages at the 90% con¢dence interval. The Synechococcus strains varied in their resistance to lytic infection from 11% to resistance to all of the phage isolates utilized in testing. The prevalence of inducible prophage-like particles was determined in the Synechococcus strains using mitomycin C and enumerating viruses by epi£uorescence microscopy. A statistically signi¢cant increase in viruses was detected in 11 of the strains (46%) in response to mitomycin C. There was no observed relationship between the occurrence of prophage induction in the Synechococcus isolates and their resistance to lytic infection. One putative lysogen was induced by continuous high light and contained a prophage-like particle with a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) genome. Such a prophage-like particle is unlike any prophage described to date, implying that the process of lysogeny is unique in certain marine Synechococcus strains.
Piezoelectric unimorph microactuator arrays for single-crystal silicon continuous-membrane deformable mirror

Micromachined deformable mirror technology can boost the imaging performance of an otherwise nonrigid, lower-quality telescope structure. This paper describes the optimization of lead zirconium titanate (PZT) unimorph membrane microactuators for deformable mirrors. PZT unimorph actuators consisting of a variety of electrode designs, silicon-membrane thickness, and membrane sizes were fabricated and characterized. A mathematical model was developed to accurately simulate the membrane microactuator performance and to aid in the optimization of membrane thicknesses and electrode geometries. Excellent agreement was obtained between the model and the experimental results. Using the above approach, we have successfully demonstrated a 2.5-mm-diameter PZT unimorph actuator. A measured deflection of 5 /spl mu/m was obtained for 50 V applied voltage. Complete deformable mirror structures consisting of 10-/spl mu/m-thick single-crystal silicon mirror membranes mounted over the aforementioned 4/spl times/4 4 PZT unimorph membrane microactuator arrays were designed, fabricated, assembled, and optically characterized. The fully assembled deformable mirror showed an individual pixel stroke of 2.5 /spl mu/m at 50 V actuation voltage. The deformable mirror has a resonance frequency of 42 kHz and an influence function of approximately 25%.
Efficient image matching with distributions of local invariant features

Sets of local features that are invariant to common image transformations are an effective representation to use when comparing images; current methods typically judge feature sets' similarity via a voting scheme (which ignores co-occurrence statistics) or by comparing histograms over a set of prototypes (which must be found by clustering). We present a method for efficiently comparing images based on their discrete distributions (bags) of distinctive local invariant features, without clustering descriptors. Similarity between images is measured with an approximation of the Earth Mover's Distance (EMD), which quickly computes minimal-cost correspondences between two bags of features. Each image's feature distribution is mapped into a normed space with a low-distortion embedding of EMD. Examples most similar to a novel query image are retrieved in time sublinear in the number of examples via approximate nearest neighbor search in the embedded space. We evaluate our method with scene, object, and texture recognition tasks.
THE RADIOGRAPHIC EVOLUTION OF RADIO FREQUENCY ABLATED RENAL TUMORS

ABSTRACTPurpose:: Radio frequency ablation (RFA) of renal tumors is a relatively new technology. Few groups are familiar with the posttreatment appearance of these lesions and how they differ from cryoablated renal masses. We describe the evolution of the appearance of these lesions on followup contrast enhanced (CE) computerized tomography (CT).Methods and Materials:: A total of 64 consecutive renal tumors treated with RFA from April 2000 to September 2003 for which posttreatment CE-CT was done were included in this study. CE-CT was reviewed at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and every 6 months thereafter to determine the characteristic features and evolution of these lesions.Results:: Renal tumors were treated with CT guided percutaneous (34), laparoscopic (28) or open (2) RFA. At a median followup of 13.7 months (range 6 weeks to 29 months) 62 RFA lesions demonstrated an absence of contrast enhancement on CE-CT. Treated endophytic tumors developed a low density, nonenhancing, wedge-shaped defect with fat i...
Cerebral glucose utilization in motor neuron disease.

• Positron emission tomography with fludeoxyglucose F 18 ( 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose) was used to examine regional cerebral glucose metabolism in individuals with motor neuron disease. Motor neuron disease involves selective loss of motor neurons, large pyramidal cells in the motor cortex, and corticospinal tract degeneration. We postulated that the local cerebral metabolic rate of glucose should correlate with this regional neuronal cell loss. Glucose metabolism values in patients with motor neuron disease were reduced compared with those of controls in several regions; however, when corrected for multiple comparisons, no significant difference was observed between patients with motor neuron disease and age-matched controls. No correlation was noted between the local cerebral metabolic rate of glucose and duration or severity of illness. Correlation between metabolic changes with objective findings on neurologic examination, including motor weakness and tendon reflexes, provided interesting results, including a decline in glucose metabolism with progressive weakness and upper motor neuron dysfunction. Moreover, in supplementary motor areas, there appears to be an increase in regional glucose metabolism as the neurologic condition deteriorates, possibly representing increased metabolic activity of the motor association cortex in response to primary loss of pyramidal cells.
Highly efficient interconnection for use with a multistage optical switching network with orthogonally polarized data and address information

A novel optical interconnection is introduced for a multistage optical switching network that uses orthogonally polarized data and address information. The network is unique in that the data information is never regenerated and remains in optical form throughout (i.e., it is never converted into electrical information). This has two main consequences: (1) the bandwidth of the data is not restricted by electrical circuit considerations, and (2) the optical interconnections from one stage of the network to the next must be highly efficient. The interconnection meets several goals: high efficiency, preservation of cross polarization of data and address, low cross talk between polarizations, good manufacturability, resistance to misalignment caused by thermal expansion, and absence of significant aberrations. In addition, sychronization of the signals is maintained, as the optical path lengths for all routes through the system are equal.
Simulated radiative forcing from contrails and contrail cirrus

Abstract. A comprehensive general circulation model including ice supersaturation is used to estimate the climate impact of aviation induced contrails. The model uses a realistic aviation emissions inventory for 2006 to initiate contrails, and allows them to evolve consistently with the model hydrologic cycle. The radiative forcing from linear contrails is very sensitive to the diurnal cycle. For linear contrails, including the diurnal cycle of air traffic reduces the estimated radiative forcing by 29%, and for contrail cirrus estimates, the radiative forcing is reduced by 25%. Estimated global radiative forcing from linear contrails is 0.0031 ± 0.0005 Wm −2 . The linear contrail radiative forcing is found to exhibit a strong diurnal cycle. The contrail cirrus radiative forcing is less sensitive to the diurnal cycle of flights. The estimated global radiative forcing from contrail cirrus is 0.013 ± 0.01 Wm −2 . Over regions with the highest air traffic, the regional effect can be as large as 1 Wm −2 .
Surface Speciation Modeling of Heavy Metals in Kaolin: Implications for Electrokinetic Soil Remediation Processes

The driving mechanisms for flux occur at interface between the soil particles and solution during electrokinetic soil remediation and the nature of this interface affects the electrokinetic response of the system. The pH-dependent adsorption of heavy metal contaminants by kaolin and the sensitivity of kaolin zeta potential to the aqueous phase properties are two important aspects that complicate the metal movement during electrokinteic soil remediation. This paper addresses these aspects and presents an electrostatic adsorption model that describes the behavior of kaolin surface for Cr(VI), Cr(III), Ni(II), and Cd(II) under various chemical conditions. This study showed that the aqueous properties: pH, ionic strength and the presence of the heavy metals Cr(VI), Cr(III), Ni(II), and Cd(II) in the system affect the zeta potential of kaolin surface. The zeta potential of kaolin shifts to a more negative value if the system pH increases. However, it shifts to a more positive value if the system ionic strength or metal concentration increases. It was found that the amount of the heavy metal adsorbed by kaolin has a pronounced sensitivity to the pH. As a result of the adsorption modeling, the constant capacitance protonation-dissociation intrinsic constants of kaolin are: pK int =− 3.8 ± 0.5 and pK int − = 9.4 ± 0.5. The ion-kaolin surface complexation constants (pK int )o fCr(VI), Cr(III), Ni(II), and Cd(II) are: −12.5 ± 0.5, −5.0 ± 1.0, 2.6 ± 0.6, and 3.3 ± 1.0, respectively.
Time-resolved and high-resolution MRA in a rabbit model of pulmonary embolism at 7 T: preliminary results.

Abstract Purpose Evaluate feasibility of using time-resolved and high-resolution, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) at 7 T for characterization of an animal model of pulmonary embolism. Methods MRAs were performed in five rabbits using a 7-T MR scanner. Preceding the MR studies, each rabbit underwent a pulmonary artery catheterization with balloon placement. Two doses of gadodiamide were injected: first during a time-resolved MRA, immediately followed by a high-resolution acquisition. Balloon was then deflated, permitting reperfusion for 5 min. A second dose was then injected and another high-resolution MRA acquired. Measurements of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and vessel cross-sections down to fourth-order branches were made, among other parameters. Results Occlusion was detected in all rabbits. Despite a TE of 0.58 ms for the time-resolved MRA, regions of nonuniform enhancement attributed to susceptibility effects at the 7-T field were observed in perfused lung. Mean SNR=7.5±3.3 and 134.2±46.5 for the lung and aorta, respectively, and mean CNR=126.7±46.4 for aorta versus lung were obtained. Diameters of vessels in lung that was never occluded were not statistically different from those in reperfused lung. Conclusion Results show that time-resolved and high-resolution MRA of the lung are feasible at 7 T and provide high SNR, CNR and resolution, but TEs smaller than 0.58 ms are required to avoid susceptibility artifacts in time-resolved MRAs.