cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Real-time volumetric imaging system for CMUT arrays

We designed and implemented a flexible real-time volumetric ultrasound imaging system for capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) arrays, consisting of an ultrasound data acquisition system, an FPGA board, and a host PC. The system works with arbitrary-shaped CMUT arrays and non-standard beamforming methods, as well as with regularshaped CMUT arrays and conventional beamforming methods. In this paper, we present the system design and real-time imaging results obtained using this system with a ring array, a rectangular array, and a linear array. In synthetic phased array (SPA) imaging with a 64-element ring array, we could display 3 image planes with a total of about 70,000 pixels in real time, at a frame rate of 9 frames per second (fps) which was limited by the computational load on the CPU required for synthetic beamforming. On the other hand, the frame rate in classic phased array (CPA) imaging is limited by the data transfer time. In CPA imaging with a 16×16-element rectangular array, a frame rate of 5.4 fps was achieved for 1,250 acquisitions per frame and a 2.5-cm imaging depth. The frame rate can be increased by reducing the number of pixels processed in SPA, or by reducing the number of beams received in CPA, at the expense of degraded image quality or reduced field of view. KeywordsCMUT; Real-time imaging; Volumetric imaging; Ring array; 2-D array;
High Speed Camera Survivability In A High Explosive Environment

High-speed instrumentation cameras were required to document the explosively induced structural response of two missile silo simulating structures. The two structures were subjected to simulated airblast pressures in excess of 50,000 lb/in2 and accelerations of 20,000 G's. This extremely harsh environment presented various problems which had to be resolved to permit the intra-structure photography. The high-speed cameras would provide a subjective and quantitative analysis of the structural response. A unique kinematic mounting scheme and shock-isolation system was implemented which ensured the survivability of the high-speed camera equipment.
Triple Junction Structure and Properties

We provide a brief overview of the nature and behavior of triple junctions, including a description of their impact upon materials properties. It is shown that triple junctions may have distinct structures and thermodynamically definable energies. They may comprise strain fields in the form of dislocations or disclinations, and sustain chemical segregation.
Travel Behavior of the Poor after Welfare Reform

In 1996, President Bill Clinton signed into law the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, also known as welfare reform. As part of this act, Congress established welfare block grant programs that included a set of provisions intended to promote employment. In the aftermath of these reforms, policy makers turned to transportation as one strategy to transition welfare recipients and other low-income adults rapidly into the labor market. As the foundation for these transportation programs, studies documented the travel patterns of the poor and highlighted the limited access of these individuals to automobiles. Given the many changes since the 1990s, it is time to revisit these data. This study draws on the 1995 Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey and the 2009 National Household Travel Survey to examine changes in the commute travel of low-income adults since welfare reform. The data provide evidence that the reliance on automobiles has increased significantly over time; the g...
Sb-Mediated Si heteroepitaxial growth on Ge(0 0 1)

Abstract Silicon heteroepitaxial growth on Ge(0 0 1) was studied with and without an Sb surfactant using scanning tunneling microscopy. Growth was studied at 570 K where Ge segregation was kinetically inhibited but Sb segregation was not. Without Sb, elongated rectangular 2D islands were initially observed. As the 2D islands grew they left behind long, straight trenches in the first layer that paralleled the island dimer rows. Second layer islands grew until they reached the trenches and formed double height steps. A barrier to descend the double height steps along with nucleation at domain boundaries in the second layer islands then caused 3D pyramids followed by more rounded 3D mounds to form. The 3D features caused the surface roughness to rapidly increase with Si coverage. In contrast, Si growth on Sb-terminated Ge(0 0 1) led to a high density of smaller, more isotropic islands. The growth was still not layer-by-layer, however, the surface roughness increased only very slowly with coverage. The smoother growth was attributed to the change in island shape. Because diffusion along dimer rows is much faster than across them, for the same island area, the downward flux is enhanced on square islands compared to islands elongated along their dimer row direction. In addition, the shape change prevents the long straight trenches from forming in the first layer that subsequently caused the 3D pyramids and mounds to form. The results for Si are compared with previous data for Ge homoepitaxy with and without Sb.
Overview of Micro Heat Pipe Research and Development

The concept of a micro heat pipe was first proposed in 1984. Since that time, numerous analytical and experimental investigations have been conducted to determine the fundamental parameters that govern the operation of these devices. Micro heat pipes ranging in size from 1 mm in diameter and 60 mm in length to 30 {mu}m in diameter and 10 mm in length have been analyzed, modelled, and fabricated. The following review describes the historical development of these devices, along with the analytical and numerical techniques used to model and predict their performance and the results of several recent experimental investigations. Because of recent advances in the development of micro heat pipes fabricated as an integral part of semiconductor waters, particular emphasis has been placed on various construction and charging methods currently under investigation. 43 refs., 25 figs.
Perinatal lung mechanics and the first breath

Mechanical properties of the liquid-filled fetal lung are similar to those of the adult lung in so far as pulmonary tissue offers little resistance to volume change, but not to liquid flow, throughout its volume range. Contrary to what has been held, fetal lungs are not highly plastic. As fetal development progresses, tissue elastance probably falls as tissue-to-potential airspace density decreases. At the same time, liquid in future airspaces is enriched with phospholipid surfactants secreted by maturing type 2 saccular epithelial cells. When air-breathing begins at birth, dispersion of air into surfactant-rich liquid ofmature lungs results in formation of stable bubbles, the films of which achieve surface tension near-zero. Saccules are distended by the air-containing bubbles as well as by “free” air in direct communication with the airways. Stable bubbles establish immediate formation of functional residual capacity, continued gas exchange throughout the respiratory cycle, and saccular resistance to collapse as a result of the near-zero surface tension of and the structural stability provided by bubble films. This process produces the mature volume-pressure diagram, both in vivo and in vitro, which is characterized by relatively low opening pressure, high maximal volume, wide hysteresis and retention of large volumes at end-deflation or end-expiration. High expiratory pressures in vivo probably enhance production and distribution of bubbles. Surfactant-poorimmature lungs do not have the capacity to produce stable bubbles. As a consequence, initial aeration requires high opening pressure, achieves proportionately small maximal volume, and results in little hysteresis and gas retention during deflation. This is the underlying pathophysiologic derangement of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Pregnancy

During pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations, fluid shifts, and musculoskeletal changes predispose women to carpal tunnel syndrome. While the clinical presentation is similar to other patients, the history obtained must include information regarding the pregnancy itself. Currently, the indication for electrodiagnostic testing is not clearly defined. Given that symptoms often improve with conservative treatment and abate after delivery, EMG/NCV testing can often be avoided. However, if symptoms are severe or persist, carpal tunnel release is indicated and is considered a safe procedure for both mother and fetus.
Traversal of comet SL‐9 through the Jovian magnetosphere and impact with Jupiter: radio upper limits

Continuous radio observations below 1 MHz of Jupiter from the Ulysses spacecraft are used to establish an upper limit to the radiated power at low frequencies associated with the traversal through the magnetosphere and impact of Comet SL-9 with the planet. Although Jovian emissions were observed throughout the impact interval, no systematic intensity changes were observed before, during, or after the fragment impact times as a whole. Examined individually, a large intensity increase, probably associated with a solar wind compression at Jupiter, was observed at the time of the P impact. Intense solar type III bursts, which can sometimes be confused with Jovian emissions, occurred often, which serves as a caution to other (groundbased) radio observers. We derive an upper limit for the interfragment dust density of 10−3/m3 in the context of a dust-magnetosphere interaction model proposed earlier.
The significance of contrast blush on computed tomography in children with splenic injuries.

Abstract Purpose Most children and adults with blunt splenic injuries are treated nonoperatively by well-established management protocols. The "blush sign" is an active pooling of contrast material within or around the spleen seen during intravenous enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan. Adult treatment algorithms often include the "blush sign" as an indication for embolization or surgical intervention. This study was designed to evaluate the implications of the "blush sign" in children with blunt splenic injuries. Methods A review was performed of all children with blunt splenic injuries treated between January 1996 and December 2001 at a level I pediatric trauma center using an established solid organ injury protocol. The demographic, CT imaging, and outcome data were recorded. Treatment was categorized as operative or nonoperative. A single pediatric radiologist retrospectively reviewed all available CT scans to confirm injury grade and the presence or absence of a "blush sign." Results There were 133 eligible children admitted with blunt splenic trauma, with a mean age of 9.1 years (range, 1 to 15), including 86 children with an abdominal CT available for review. A "blush sign" on initial CT scan was noted in 6 children, all with grade 3 or above splenic injuries, 5 of who were treated nonoperatively. In this series, the single child with a "blush sign" who did not respond to nonoperative treatment had a severe polytrauma requiring urgent splenectomy and left nephrectomy. None of the children died of their splenic injury. Conclusions Although associated with higher grades of injury, the blush sign did not mandate embolization or surgical intervention in children with blunt splenic trauma in this series. Severe splenic injuries with a blush sign on the initial CT scan may be successfully treated nonoperatively when using an established treatment protocol. Management should be based primarily on physiological response to injury rather than the radiologic features of the injury.
Clustering of suspension-feeding macrobenthos near abyssal hydrothermal vents at oceanic spreading centers

Abstract A community of abundant suspension-feeding organisms was photographed around an active hydrothermal vent at the Galapagos Rift. A site on the crest of the East Pacific Rise where hydrothermal discharge is suspected also has a dense colony of sessile organisms. The high standing crop of macrobenthos in these patches probably results from local increases of deep-sea food supply near hydrothermal plumes in the bottom water.
Spatial patterning of underrepresented tree species in canopy gaps 9years after group selection cutting

Abstract Group selection and gap-based silvicultural systems are often proposed to promote compositional and structural heterogeneity across forest landscapes. The gap environment creates gradients of resources, especially light and moisture, that are important for maintaining and enhancing tree species diversity. To advance understanding of spatial variability of tree regeneration in forest gaps, seedlings and saplings of yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton) and eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carriere) were mapped in 49 group-selection openings with diameters of 1, 1.5, and 2 times canopy tree height (22 m), 9 years after the openings were created. We used Ripley’s K, kernel density estimates, and raster-based local statistics to analyze spatial point patterns. Our results indicate that spatial patterns in the openings were mostly aggregated. The southern edges of the largest openings contained the highest magnitude of yellow birch and eastern hemlock per unit area. Moisture availability and opening size appear to be important factors underlying regeneration success in this study. Over time, the spatial patterns of these species may shift as the southern locations become less suitable for the shade mid-tolerant yellow birch. Continued monitoring and additional treatments, such as gap expansion along southern borders, will likely be necessary in order to ensure underrepresented species successfully reach maturity.
The Homo Energeticus: maturity, inheritance, identity

In this letter, modern society’s intimate bond to the convenience and reliability of delivered energy services results in a form of identification I call the Homo Energeticus. The Homo Energeticus relies upon a mature system of services for achieving an equivalency of status and prestige that is historically similar to the morality of a noble class. I describe the uniqueness of this identity by its imperative for acquiring experience through an invisibility of energy expenditures. In this way, the Homo Energeticus cultivates a highly individualized life whose ambience of perfection, while created personally, is only successful insofar as it conceals energy expenditures in labor and supply.
Characteristic Residence Times of Laminar Nonpremixed Flames at Extinction

Abstract The relationships between the inverse of the characteristic residence time a q which is a measure of the strain rate at extinction, the “scalar dissipation rate” at extinction χ the adiabatic flame temperature T st, and the stoichiometric mixture fraction Z st in diffusion flames are examined. Numerical calculations are performed to determine the structure and critical conditions of extinction of diffusion flames stabilized between counterflowing streams, one containing methane and the other containing oxygen. These reactant streams are diluted with nitrogen or with nitrogen and argon. In the flame the value of the scalar dissipation rate is found to vary over a wide range and its value evaluated at Z st is used to characterize the system. At constant values of T st the values of a q and χq are found to decrease with decreasing values of Z st. The value of χq decreases at a faster rate than that of a q. At constant values of Z st the values of a q, and χq are found to decrease at the same rate wi...
Ethical Considerations in Crisis and Humanitarian Interventions

The need for professionals to volunteer their time in crisis situations and to reach across time and culture in the service of humanitarian interventions will likely not abate in the near future. This article provides readers with multiple venues for considering the ethical dimensions present in crisis and humanitarian interventions. Core ethical concerns common to helping situations are magnified in crisis work. In addition, issues unique to the nature of volunteer and crisis work must also be considered. Using hypothetical case examples, bioethical principles, and ethical decision-making models, helping professionals are encouraged to go beyond their particular ethical codes in contemplating ethically and clinically sensitive volunteering.
Do Lodging Managers Expect More From Hospitality Graduates? A Comparison of Job Competency Expectations

The lodging industry continues to be a fast-growing portion of the American business landscape. Simultaneously, colleges are expanding their hospitality management offerings, while remaining variable in their levels of lodging-specific coursework. The growth of the industry has led to higher competency needs/requirements among lodging recruiters. In this study, lodging managers who were members of the American Hotel & Lodging Association were surveyed to garner expectations for new-hires specifically using the job competency domains of knowledge, ability, and attitude. With inconsistency in curricula across college hospitality programs in the U.S. as the norm, lodging recruiters cannot recruit with the accuracy necessary for success. Results indicate consistently higher expectations for hospitality graduates, at the same time a wide lacuna of lodging-specific content is being offered at the college level. Recruiters are encouraged to verify the specific training before hiring and educational institutions ...
Human fatalities in animal-related highway crashes

Recent national and statewide trends in the relatively uncommon animal-related highway crashes that involve human fatalities were reviewed. Highway crashes in which animals are struck by vehicular traffic regularly occur throughout the United States. Invariably, such crashes are most damaging to the struck animals, while injuries to humans are usually not as severe. As such, significant research has focused on the plight of animals involved in traffic crashes. However, over the past decade animal-related crashes in the United States have claimed 1,353 human lives, costing the nation well over $1 billion in losses. The research reported focuses on recent national and statewide trends in fatality-producing animal-related vehicular crash frequencies and rates. Additionally, the temporal aspects of these crashes and trends in human and vehicle involvement in these crashes were investigated. The analysis used Fatality Analysis Reporting System data from 1991 to 2000, which were combined with data from other sources in a geographic information system. Analysis of the integrated data indicated that fatality-producing animal-related crashes are increasing nationally and that this trend is attributable to increasing vehicle miles traveled. The rate for fatality-producing animal-related crashes is holding steady at the national level. Human fatalities in such crashes occur at times when animals are more active, and unrestrained persons are more often killed than restrained persons. The information presented is suitable for agencies assessing the issue of human fatalities in animal-related crashes and for driver education and awareness programs.
Stability analysis of invariant points using Euler spheres, with an application to FMAS granulites

Alternative assignment of invariant point stabilities in a possible P–T phase diagram is given by a family of grids that derives from a form of the Euler equation. Invariant points are represented by great circles that divide the surface of a sphere (the Euler sphere) into polygonal regions that correspond to the number of potential solutions or grids in n-component systems with n+3 non-degenerate phases. A particular invariant point is stable in all grids on one side of the great circle and metastable on the other. The advantage of this representation is the ease and efficiency by which all grids consistent with experimental and theoretical constraints can be identified. The method is well suited for systems of n+3 phases in which the thermochemical data necessary for direct calculation of the phase diagram is either uncertain or non-existent for one or more of the phases. The mass balance equations among the n+3 phases of interest define the Euler sphere for any particular system. There is a unique Euler sphere for unary systems, and another for binary systems. Ternary and quaternary systems have four and 11 different types of Euler spheres, respectively. In the ternary case with six phases, the 16 non-degenerate chemographies belong to four groups that are associated with the four Euler spheres. An analysis of those groups shows a close relationship between the topologies of the chemographies and the topologies of the grids represented on the Euler sphere. Euler spheres for degenerate chemographies are characterized by a smaller number of spherical polygons. A useful application of the Euler sphere concept is the systematic derivation of possible FMAS petrogenetic grids from subsystem constraints. Assumption of just one stable invariant point in each of MAS and FAS systems is consistent with seven FMAS grids involving cordierite, garnet, hypersthene, quartz, sapphirine, sillimanite and spinel.
Parameter Identifiability and Estimation of HIV/AIDS Dynamic Models

We use a technique from engineering (Xia and Moog, in IEEE Trans. Autom. Contr. 48(2):330-336, 2003; Jeffrey and Xia, in Tan, W.Y., Wu, H. (Eds.), Deterministic and Stochastic Models of AIDS Epidemics and HIV Infections with Intervention, 2005) to investigate the algebraic identifiability of a popular three-dimensional HIV/AIDS dynamic model containing six unknown parameters. We find that not all six parameters in the model can be identified if only the viral load is measured, instead only four parameters and the product of two parameters (N and lambda) are identifiable. We introduce the concepts of an identification function and an identification equation and propose the multiple time point (MTP) method to form the identification function which is an alternative to the previously developed higher-order derivative (HOD) method (Xia and Moog, in IEEE Trans. Autom. Contr. 48(2):330-336, 2003; Jeffrey and Xia, in Tan, W.Y., Wu, H. (Eds.), Deterministic and Stochastic Models of AIDS Epidemics and HIV Infections with Intervention, 2005). We show that the newly proposed MTP method has advantages over the HOD method in the practical implementation. We also discuss the effect of the initial values of state variables on the identifiability of unknown parameters. We conclude that the initial values of output (observable) variables are part of the data that can be used to estimate the unknown parameters, but the identifiability of unknown parameters is not affected by these initial values if the exact initial values are measured with error. These noisy initial values only increase the estimation error of the unknown parameters. However, having the initial values of the latent (unobservable) state variables exactly known may help to identify more parameters. In order to validate the identifiability results, simulation studies are performed to estimate the unknown parameters and initial values from simulated noisy data. We also apply the proposed methods to a clinical data set to estimate HIV dynamic parameters. Although we have developed the identifiability methods based on an HIV dynamic model, the proposed methodologies are generally applicable to any ordinary differential equation systems.
Narcolepsy: biogenic amine deficits in an animal model

Concentrations of biogenic amine metabolites in discrete brain areas differed significantly between dogs with genetically transmitted narcolepsy and age- and breed-matched controls. Dopamine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid were consistently elevated in the brains of narcoleptic animals, while homovanillic acid was not. Narcoleptic animals consistently exhibited lower utilization of dopamine and higher intraneuronal degradation of dopamine but no uniform decrease in serotonin utilization. Hence neuropathology appears to be associated with genetically transmitted canine narcolepsy. The data indicate a nonglobal depression of dopamine utilization or turnover or both.
A quantitative method of sample loading for field desorption mass spectrometry.

A quantitative method for loading nanogram samples onto field desorption emitter wires is described. Sample consumption is reduced and problems with emitter wettability are overcome by freezing microliter droplets onto the emitters. Using this technique, good spectral data are obtained from 10 to 50 ng of material. Field desorption sensitivity measurements are reported for neomycin B, adenosine and cholesterol. Evaluation of the nonquantitative dipping technique previously employed reveals poor and nonreproducible sample loading efficiency.
Public Targets, Private Choices: Urban Climate Governance in the Pacific Northwest

A survey of local governments participating in two urban climate change programs is presented to determine the mechanisms used to reach emissions reduction goals and the motivations for participation. Results support previous research that shows a preference for policies that rely on changes in individual behavior, while also providing new insights into how mitigation responsibilities are distributed among the public and private sector and the relative importance of scientific consensus, economic incentives, and federal inaction on local government justification for climate-related policies. The article concludes with a discussion of urban climate governance as part of a wider system of neoliberal climate governance.
Fish-Sims: Characterizing the Metabolic Potential and Interspecies Interactions between Uncultured Environmental Microorganisms

The ability to link phylogenetic identity with metabolic function is one of the longstanding goals in the field of microbial ecology. With greater than 99% of the global microbial diversity missing from culture collections, there is a critical need for alternative, culture-independent approaches that can extend beyond diversity surveys and directly illuminate the ecological and biogeochemical roles of microorganisms in nature. To this end, research incorporating the use of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS and nanoSIMS) combined with stable isotope tracers and molecular methodologies such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) have opened new and exciting avenues of research to study the metabolic potential of individual microorganisms, microbial consortia, and symbiotic associations. Here, we will highlight the application of FISH combined with nanoSIMS ion imaging to unravel complex microbial associations and trophic relationships in marine ecosystems fueled by methane.
Representing Energy. II. Energy Tracking Representations.

The Energy Project at Seattle Pacific University has developed representations that embody the substance metaphor and support learners in conserving and tracking energy as it flows from object to object and changes form. Such representations enable detailed modeling of energy dynamics in complex physical processes. We assess student learning by means of representations that learners invent to explain energy dynamics in specific real-world scenarios. Refined versions of these learner-generated representations have proven valuable for our own teaching, physics understanding, and research.
Doing More Harm Than Good: When Is Impression Management Likely to Evoke a Negative Response?

Impression management tactics do not always successfully influence observers, and may in fact create undesirable impressions. Hypotheses are derived concerning the conditions under which observers may respond more or less positively to impression management tactics. Qualitative data from an experiment manipulating two impression management tactics—self-handicapping and causal accounts—in conjunction with successful or failed performance outcomes were content-analyzed for subjects' general impressions of an actor. In turn, these ratings were subjected to an ANOVA. Results suggest that impression management tactics are differentially effective and under certain conditions can actually create negative images. The consistency of impression management tactics, performance outcomes, and observers' expectations form the basis for observers' general impressions of impression managers.
Microsurgical lumbar discectomy: A personal series of 300 patients with at least 1 year of follow‐up

A personal series of 300 cases of lumbar disc disease treated by microsurgical lumbar discectomy is presented. Follow-up is available in all cases. Good to excellent results are reported in 94% of the patients. Six patients (2%) have needed repeat surgery at the same level, all with good results. One of these six patients has had third-time exploration at the same level. There has been no mortality; one patient had a superficial wound infection, two suffered from minor pulmonary embolii, and one patient had an MI in the postoperative period. Surgical technique as used by the author is discussed.
Weaving a Web: The Use of Internet Technology in Field Education.

Abstract The use of Internet technology in social work education is increasingly being debated. This paper describes applications using two technological tools to enhance one school's field education program. The development and current use of these computer-based strategies for use in the classroom-based Integrative Seminars, as a method to orient students to practicum and to offer an on-line Integrative Seminar, are discussed. Also described is the development of an additional project: the use of video conferencing technology to conduct virtual site visits. Key features, implications for the adoption of this technology in other programs, and student and faculty evaluation data are presented.
Loss of citron kinase affects a subset of progenitor cells that alters late but not early neurogenesis in the developing rat retina.

Purpose To understand how loss of citron kinase (CitK) affects retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) in the developing rat retina. Methods We compared knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) retinae by immunohistochemistry. The TdT-mediated dUTP terminal nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay was performed to determine cell death. Pulse-chase experiments using 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) were carried out to interrogate RPC behavior and in turn neurogenesis. Results Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that CitK was expressed at embryonic day (E)12 and was turned off at approximately postnatal day (P)4. Immunohistochemistry showed CitK being localized as puncta at the apical end of the outer neuroblastic layer (ONBL). Analyses during embryonic development showed that the KO retina was of comparable size to that of WT until E13. However, by E14, there was a reduction in the number of S-phase RPCs with a concomitant increase in TUNEL+ cells in the KO retina. Moreover, early neurogenesis, as reflected by retinal ganglion cell production, was not affected. Postnatal analysis of the retina showed that ONBL in the KO retina was reduced to half the size of that in WT and showed further degeneration. Immunohistochemistry revealed absence of Islet1+ bipolar cells at P2, which was further confirmed by EdU pulse-chase experiments. The CitK KO retinae underwent complete degeneration by P14. Conclusions Our study showed that CitK is not required for a subset of RPCs before E14, but is necessary for RPC survival post E14. This in turn results in normal early embryonic neurogenesis, but severely compromised later embryonic and postnatal neurogenesis.
Transit Passenger Perceptions of Transit-Related Crime Reduction Measures

Violent crimes against public transit bus operators and passengers in Michigan were studied. The study was funded by the Michigan Department of Transportation and conducted by the University of Michigan in early 1999. A survey approach examined transit passenger perceptions of numerous transit-related crime reduction measures, primarily patrol and security, design actions, and technological innovation. The respondents ranked emergency telephones for passengers and increased lighting as the best crime prevention measures. The survey was part of a wider study that also surveyed transit agencies and transit vehicle operators.
Selective histochemical staining of cartilage matrix by RivanolR

RivanolR, a fluorescent ethoxy derivative of acridine, interacts at different pH's with both glycosaminoglycans and proteins. The present study utilizes the specific interaction of RivanolR with acidic substances of the ground substance for histochemical studies of the cartilage matrix. This stain was applied to newborn mouse epiphyseal cartilages which were either unextracted or dissociatively extracted by graded concentrations of guanidinium chloride (GuHCl) from 0.5–3.0 M for four days at 25°C. Routinely prepared sections were then stained (0.1% solution) for two minutes at pH's ranging from 2.2–11.2. Stainability of the interterritorial matrix as well as the inner halo zone and outer corona zone of the lacunar matrix varied with pH. Whereas the interterritorial matrix decreased in stainability with rising pH, the halo and corona persisted in stainability up to pH 10.7. Dissociative extractions using GuHCl revealed the unextractable nature of the inner halo zone as well as the extractable nature of the corona above 1.0 M GuHCl concentration. Anionic sites on polyelectrolytes such as glycosaminoglycans are known to stoichiometrically bind many cationic dyes. The precise localization of stain-reactive glycosaminoglycans or proteoglycans in the region of the perichondrocytic matrix by RivanolR supports prior observations using other cationic stains. Our data demonstrates that RivanolR enables one to visualize the unique perichondrocytic matrix which may be interpreted to be both chemically and morphologically a “matrix within a matrix”.
Relationship of lead‐induced proteins to stress response proteins in astroglial cells

Astroglial cells are resistant to cell death and morphologic damage following lead (Pb) exposure at concentrations which elicit detrimental effects in neurons. A possible explanation may be that astroglial cells respond to Pb by increasing the expression of specific proteins, such as heat-shock proteins (HSPs), which confer resistance to low levels of Pb. However, there has been relatively limited information regarding the ability of Pb to evoke the synthesis of HSPs. In the current study, pulse-labeling of cultured astroglial proteins with [3H]-leucine was used to evaluate the nature of Pb-induced changes in protein expression. The effect of Pb on newly synthesized proteins was compared to the response elicited by heat-shock and oxidative injury. Immunoblot analysis was utilized to examine alterations in levels of various stress proteins including HSP27, HSP70, HSP90, and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Even though Pb induced the synthesis of proteins with estimated molecular weights of 23 kDa, 32 kDa, 70 kDa, and 90 kDa, the accumulation of HSPs other than HO-1 was not observed. Hyperthermia and treatment with Na arsenite both resulted in enhanced expression of HSP70 and HO-1. In addition, exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), cadmium (Cd), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated a rise in HO-1 levels. Although cellular insult failed to elicit an increase in either HSP27 or HSP90, cultured astroglia expressed readily detectable levels of both these proteins. Furthermore, Pb exposure resulted in the development of crosstolerance to subsequent injury by treatment with either Cd or H2O2. The results of this study indicate that Pb triggers a less conventional stress response in astroglial cells, which may provide enhanced resistance to the toxic effects of Pb.
Head and Spinal Cord Injury: Diagnosis and Management

This article reviews aspects of management of traumatic brain and spinal cord injury. A discussion of management of intracranial pressure after traumatic brain injury is followed by a discourse on cerebrovascular trauma and pediatric injuries. Specific management methods are discussed, including medical and surgical management in intracranial hypertension. A special attempt is made to include the current recommendations for management of brain and spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries are discussed in the final section. With an increasing number of patients surviving after devastating spinal cord injuries, the special issues in their management are evaluated.
How will coral reef fish communities respond to climate-driven disturbances? Insight from landscape-scale perturbations

Global climate change is rapidly altering disturbance regimes in many ecosystems including coral reefs, yet the long-term impacts of these changes on ecosystem structure and function are difficult to predict. A major ecosystem service provided by coral reefs is the provisioning of physical habitat for other organisms, and consequently, many of the effects of climate change on coral reefs will be mediated by their impacts on habitat structure. Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand the independent and combined effects of coral mortality and loss of physical habitat on reef-associated biota. Here, we use a unique series of events affecting the coral reefs around the Pacific island of Moorea, French Polynesia to differentiate between the impacts of coral mortality and the degradation of physical habitat on the structure of reef fish communities. We found that, by removing large amounts of physical habitat, a tropical cyclone had larger impacts on reef fish communities than an outbreak of coral-eating sea stars that caused widespread coral mortality but left the physical structure intact. In addition, the impacts of declining structural complexity on reef fish assemblages accelerated as structure became increasingly rare. Structure provided by dead coral colonies can take up to decades to erode following coral mortality, and, consequently, our results suggest that predictions based on short-term studies are likely to grossly underestimate the long-term impacts of coral decline on reef fish communities.
Efficient intermediate fine mapping: confidence set inference with likelihood ratio test statistic.

In positional cloning of disease causing genes, identification of a linked chromosomal region via linkage studies is often followed by fine mapping via association studies. Efficiency can be gained with an intermediate step where confidence regions for the locations of disease genes are constructed. The confidence set inference [CSI; Papachristou and Lin, 2006b] achieves this goal by replacing the traditional null hypothesis of no linkage with a new set of null hypotheses where the chromosomal position under consideration is in tight linkage with a trait locus. This approach was shown to perform favorably compared with several competing methods. Using the duality of confidence sets and hypothesis testing, CSI was proposed for the Mean test statistics with affected sibling pair data (CSI-Mean). We postulate that more efficient confidence sets will result if more efficient test statistics are used in the CSI framework. One promising candidate, the maximum LOD score (MLS) statistic, makes maximum use of available identity by descent information, in addition to handling markers with incomplete polymorphism naturally. We propose a procedure that tests the CSI null hypotheses using the MLS statistic (CSI-MLS). Compared with CSI-Mean, CSI-MLS provides tighter confidence regions over a range of single and two-locus disease models. The MLS test is also shown to be more powerful than the Mean test in testing the CSI null over a wide range of disease models, the advantage being most pronounced for recessive models. In addition, CSI-MLS is computationally much more efficient than CSI-Mean. Genet. Epidemiol. 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
MR-based cellular imaging: ready for prime time?

Comment on Arbab et al, page [1217][1] To advance and exploit recent advances in experimental cell-based therapies, a method to monitor the migratory patterns of therapeutic cells that compels the development of clinically relevant cellular labeling and imaging techniques is necessary. Recent
Catalytic cooperativity among subunits of Escherichia coli transcription termination factor Rho. Kinetics and substrate structural requirements.

Escherichia coli transcription termination factor Rho shows a 30-fold faster rate of ATP hydrolysis when all three catalytic sites are filled with ATP than when only a single site is filled (Stitt, B. L. and Xu, Y. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 26477–26486). To study the structural requirements of the substrate for this catalytic cooperativity, rapid mix/chemical quench experiments using various ATP analogs were performed. The results indicate that it is the configuration of the β- and γ-phosphoryl groups of ATP that is of primary importance for the rate enhancement. Our results also show that there are kinetically slow branches of the enzyme mechanism that are not seen when the chemistry step of the catalytic cycle is fast. These branches become prominent, however, when two of the three Rho active sites are empty or bear non-hydrolyzable compounds. A first-order step that is slow compared with Vmax catalysis enables a single ATP molecule bound in any one of the three Rho active sites to be hydrolyzed and defines the kinetically slow branches. This first-order step could be a protein conformation change or a rearrangement of bound RNA. The results reinforce the importance of catalytic cooperativity in normal Rho function and suggest that several protein conformations exist along the catalytic pathway.
Chemical transformations of tetrahydrohomofolic acid in vitro and in vivo

Abstract Analytical and preparative procedures for complete separation of dihydrohomofolic acid from tetrahydrohomofolic acid were established. Following incubation at 25 and 37°, the drug was oxidized to dihydrohomofolic acid within 30 min in the presence of plasma; however, it was stable for 1 h in the presence of Cleland's reagent. In 1 h the drug in 0.6% ascorbate solution showed only slight oxidation, but oxidized and decomposed extensively in 17 h. A study in vivo showed that the drug constituted 90–95% of the Bratton-Marshall-positive material present in the liver for 4 h after administration of the drug, as well as its oxidation product, the dihydrohomofolic acid-like material. At 20 min after administration mostly unchanged drug, and no other transformation product, was found in the plasma. However, at 40 min the material eluted in the fractions corresponding to the drug showed at UV absorption spectrum (λmax 287–292) not characteristic of the drug, indicating the presence of transformation products of the drug. Although urine contained unchanged drug in large amounts, biotransformation of the drug in vivo could not be ruled out. The study suggests that the continued presence of the drug in liver might be due to the intracellular reduction of dihydrohomofolic acid-like material and the antitumor activity of the drug might be dependent on high levels of dihydrofolate reductase activity in tumors.
Low-level detection of language-level data races with LARD

Researchers have proposed always-on data-race exceptions as a way to avoid the ill effects of data races, but slow performance of accurate dynamic data-race detection remains a barrier to the adoption of always-on data-race exceptions. Proposals for accurate low-level (e.g., hardware) data-race detection have the potential to reduce this performance barrier. This paper explains why low-level data-race detectors are wrong for programs written in high-level languages (e.g., Java): they miss true data races and report false data races in these programs. To bring the benefits of low-level data-race detection to high-level languages, we design low-level abstractable race detection (LARD), an extension of the interface between low-level data-race detectors and run-time systems that enables accurate language-level data-race detection using low-level detection mechanisms. We implement accurate LARD data-race exception support for Java, coupling a modified Jikes RVM Java virtual machine and a simulated hardware race detector. We evaluate our detector's accuracy against an accurate dynamic Java data-race detector and other low-level race detectors without LARD, showing that naive accurate nlow-level data-race detectors suffer from many missed and false language-level races in practice, and that LARD prevents this inaccuracy.
Prism-coupled light emission from tunnel junctions.

Completely p-polarized light emission has been observed from smooth Al-AlO(x)-Au tunnel junctions placed on a prism coupler. The angle and polarization dependence demonstrate unambiguously that the emitted light is radiated by the fast-mode surface plasmon polariton. The emission spectra suggest that the dominant process for the excitation of the fast mode is through conversion of the slow mode to the fast mode mediated by residual roughness on the junction surface.
Cheering for ‘our’ champs by watching ‘sexy’ female throwers: Representation of nationality and gender in Slovenian 2008 Summer Olympic television coverage

Television is a cultural service and its national renderings of the Olympic Games contribute to the viewers’ understanding of themselves and the world. This study examines the representation of nationality and gender within Slovenian broadcasts of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Results show that evaluative commentary comprised as much as 44% of the dialogue. ‘Home’ athletes were given more prominence, while foreign athletes were largely portrayed through quantifiable features. Male athletes received more commentary than females. Announcers favoured analysing results and predicting outcomes for men, and resorted to personality and physicality depictions in women. A critical discourse analysis uncovered notions about gender and nationality that would be deemed inappropriate in many societies. Sports journalists and broadcasters at TV Slovenija do not have explicit editorial policies addressing chauvinistic dialogue. The absence of a policy is not perceived as an issue as individual announcers abide to their per...
The characterization of Ti and Al oxide overlayers on rhodium and gold by XPS

Abstract X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has been used to characterize alumina and titania overlayers deposited on a polycrystalline Rh foil. Only the 3+ state of Al is observed for submonolayer deposits of alumina. Titanium is found, though, in both the 4+ and 3+ states, the proportion of Ti 3+ increasing with the extent of sample reduction. The proportion of Ti 3+ is also found to decrease with increasing coverage of the Rh foil by titania. This trend is associated with preferential reduction of Ti 4+ cations located at the perimeter of the TiO x islands comprising the overlayer. XPS studies of 0.15 ML of TiO x deposited on Au substrates revealed that all the Ti is in the 4+ oxidation state independent of CO and H 2 treatments. These results indicate that reduction of Ti to the 3+ state proceeds only by reaction with CO and H 2 chemisorbed on the metal. XPS characterization of TiO x /Rh following CO hydrogenation indicates that the proportion of Ti 3+ is nearly independent of the sample pretreatment conditions.
Ultraviolet light-emitting diodes based on group three nitrides

Light-emitting diodes with emission wavelengths less than 400 nm have been developed using the AlInGaN material system. For devices operating at shorter wavelengths, alloy compositions with a greater aluminium content are required. The material properties of these materials lie on the border between conventional semiconductors and insulators, which adds a degree of complexity to the development of efficient light-emitting devices. A number of technical developments have enabled the fabrication of LEDs based on group three nitrides (III-nitrides) that emit in the UV part of the spectrum, providing useful tools for a wealth of applications in optoelectronic systems.