cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Success inhibits preschoolers' ability to establish selective trust.

Abstract A number of studies have shown that preschoolers make inferences about potential informants based on the informants’ past behavior, selectively trusting an informant who has been helpful in the past, for example, over one who has been unhelpful. Here we used a hiding game to show that 4- and 5-year-olds’ selective trust can also be influenced by inferences they make about their own abilities. Children do not prefer a previously helpful informant over a previously unhelpful one when informant helpfulness is decoupled from children’s success in finding hidden objects (Studies 1 and 3). Indeed, children do not seem to track informant helpfulness when their success at finding hidden objects has never depended on it (Study 2). A single failure to find a hidden object when offered information by the unhelpful informant can, however, lead them to selectively trust the previously helpful one later (Study 4). Children’s selective trust is based not only on differences between informants but also on their sense of illusory control—their inferences about whether they need assistance from those informants in the first place.
Recurrent Penile Fracture: A Case Report and Review of Literature

We report the case of a 49-year-old man presenting with a recurrent penile fracture 1-year after undergoing delayed repair for a previous penile fracture. To the authors' knowledge, this case represents the first documented instance of repeat fracture occurring after delayed repair. Risk factors for repeat penile fracture are not well documented due to the rarity of this condition. A review of literature regarding repeat penile fracture and the impact of delayed repair is discussed.
Chapter 102 – Spontaneous Dissections of Cervicocephalic Arteries

Abstract A dissection is a hematoma within the arterial wall, that can be spontaneous or the result of trauma. Cervicocephalic arterial dissections are a common cause of cerebrovascular disease, particularly in younger patients in whom atherosclerosis is less prevalent. The clinical presentation of dissections is variable. The pain fibers within the arterial wall are compressed by dissection causing ipsilateral headaches or neck pain, sometimes as the only symptom. Dissections of the cervicocephalic arteries can also result in an ischemic stroke or a subarachnoid hemorrhage. The arterial hematoma can result in a flow-limited lesion or an intramural thrombus, either of which can lead to brain ischemia. Dissection in intracranial vessels can also result in a “pseudoaneurysm” (dissecting aneurysm) that can cause a subarachnoid hemorrhage if it ruptures. Prevention of further ischemic events is typically done with antithrombotic agents, and endovascular procedures in complicated cases. Brain ischemia secondary to cervicocephalic arterial dissections has generally a better prognosis than ischemia due to atherosclerotic cerebrovascular disease.
Coevolution leaves a weak signal on ecological networks

One of the major challenges in evolutionary ecology is to understand how coevolution shapes species interaction networks. Important topological properties of networks such as nestedness and modularity are thought to be affected by coevolution. However, there has been no test whether coevolution does, in fact, lead to predictable network structure. Here, we investigate the structure of simulated bipartite networks generated under different modes of coevolution. We ask whether evolutionary processes influence network structure and, furthermore, whether any emergent trends are influenced by the strength or “intimacy” of the species interactions. We find that coevolution leaves a weak and variable signal on network topology, particularly nestedness and modularity, which was not strongly affected by the intimacy of interactions. Our findings indicate that network metrics, on their own, should not be used to make inferences about processes underlying the evolutionary history of communities. Instead, a more holistic approach that combines network approaches with traditional phylogenetic and biogeographic reconstructions is needed.
Efficient design of clinical trials and epidemiological research: is it possible?

In this Perspectives article, Lauer and colleagues discuss the causes for the increasing costs and inefficiencies in current clinical research, and provide potential strategies to transform clinical research business models, highlighting examples of innovative approaches that have been used successfully to conduct large-scale clinical trials and epidemiological research at relatively low cost.
Use of a vascular closure device during percutaneous arterial access in a dog with impaired hemostasis

Objective To report the use of a vascular closure device (VCD) to provide rapid arterial hemostasis following percutaneous femoral arterial catheterization and diagnostic angiography in a thrombocytopenic and coagulopathic dog. Case Summary A 6-year-old female spayed Kai Ken Tora dog presented after vehicular trauma. The dog was diagnosed with traumatic pneumothorax, degloving wounds of the right antebrachium, subcutaneous hemorrhage within the axillary tissues of the left thoracic limb, and anemia and thrombocytopenia secondary to acute hemorrhage. Treatment included therapeutic thoracocentesis and open wound management of the right thoracic limb as well as packed RBC and fresh frozen plasma transfusions. Diagnostic angiography of the left brachial artery was performed via percutaneous femoral arterial access to investigate the source of a persistent axillary hematoma. The arterial access site was closed using an extraluminal VCD and hemostasis was immediate with normal femoral arterial blood flow documented by Doppler ultrasound. New or Unique Information Provided This report describes use of a VCD for arterial closure following percutaneous access in a dog with impaired hemostasis; to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first clinical report of a VCD used in a veterinary species.
Recent Developments in the Treatment of Spinal Epidural Abscesses

Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a serious condition that can be challenging to diagnose due to nonspecific symptomology and delayed presentation. Despite this, it requires prompt recognition and management in order to prevent permanent neurologic sequelae. Several recent studies have improved our understanding of SEA. Herein, we summarize the recent literature from the past 10 years relevant to SEA diagnosis, management and outcome. While surgical care remains the mainstay of treatment, a select subset of SEA patients may be managed without operative intervention. Multidisciplinary management involves internal medicine, infectious disease, critical care, and spine surgeons in order to optimize care.
Pathogenic epigenetic programming of expanded B cell subsets in systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by multiple B cell abnormalities that contribute to disease pathogenesis through the production of autoantibodies. The recent characterizations of immune cells from SLE patients suggest that distinct B cell subsets are expanded and that defects in epigenetic programming may be a contributing factor to disease etiology. Using high-dimensional flow cytometry, five B cell subsets were isolated from cohorts of SLE and HC subjects. To create a molecular map of each cell type, the transcriptome was defined by RNA-seq and the epigenome by dual DNA methylation (RRBS) and chromatin accessibility (ATAC-seq) profiling. These data reveal cell-type relationships that suggest pathogenic B cell subsets are programmed to differentiate down a different trajectory than normal B cells. Across all SLE B cell subsets a distinct disease signature was observed in each of the three data sets. Resting naive B cells displayed a similar SLE signature to expanded B cell subsets indicating that a disease programming exists early in the differentiation pathway. Distinct epigenetic footprints were identified for transcriptional networks active in SLE B cells, revealing the unique environmental signals these cells receive. These results provide insights into the molecular programming of human B cell subsets, identify loci that may contribute to the expansion of distinct pathogenic B cell subsets, and suggest that early alterations in programming predispose B cells towards a disease fate.
Die Umsetzung von 1,1-Dimethylhydrazin mit Dimethylchloramin

Bei der Reaktion von 1,1-Dimethylhydrazin mit Dimethylchloramin wird nicht das erwartete 1,1,2,2-Tetramethyltriazaniumchlorid gebildet. Als Reaktionsprodukte konnten Tetramethyltetrazen (TMT), Dimethylamin, Dimethylaminhydrochlorid, Methan, Stickstoff, Formaldehyd-dimethylhydrazon und 3,3-Dimethyl-1-triazen identifiziert werden. Der wahrscheinliche Reaktionsverlauf wird diskutiert.
Comparison of Texture and Surface Finish Evolution During Single Point Incremental Forming and Formability Testing of AA 7075

Single Point Incremental Forming (SPIF) is an alternative method to conventional sheet forming processes, offering cost savings for small volume production as large presses and dies are not needed. In SPIF, a rigid tool moves along a pre-defined tool path, locally deforming the sheet until the final geometry is formed. For this study, AA 7075-O sheets were formed into variable angle funnels and 45° wall angle cones by SPIF. Deep drawn cups and a bulge test part were formed from the same sheet material as a comparison to SPIF. Specimens from the formed parts were sectioned and characterized for texture and surface finish at equivalent strains, but following different strain paths associated with the respective forming processes. Finite element models were used to compare the strain paths of SPIF and deep drawing.
A Starfish for Teaching: A Model of Hope for Students and Pedagogy

Millenniums have offered ideas about how people think, cope, adjust, and survive. Nurturing and maintaining a heart and mind to help others, to be inclusive against incredible odds and societies that act more quickly to exclude needs symbols to aid progress. Cognition, observation, hope, imagination, perception, responsibility, and self-efficacy connect well to the starfish. Students of any age need images, symbols, role models, and practice in finding ways to triumph over life experiences that cause pain and discouragement. Starfish in actual examples, metaphors, and stories aid educators in building thinking, learning, and coping skills for healthy inclusive environments.
An Experimental Study of Crack Detection in Annular Components by Ultrasonic Guided Waves

Fatigue cracks have been found in many thick annular components in aging helicopters such as the pitch shaft, rotor hub, and connecting link in H-46 helicopters. Fatigue cracks often occur on the outer and inner surface of the annular components and may lead to a critical failure. To keep aging helicopters in operation, these cracks must be identified and monitored. At the present time, visual inspection is still the major means to detect fatigue cracks in these components. Obviously, there is a need to develop an effective and efficient technique for detecting cracks in thick annular components.
Older siblings as positive role models in the development of at-risk children

The purpose of the present study was to explore the sibling relationships in low-income families. This study utilized a subsample of a larger longitudinal study and included 35 Head Start and 45 kindergarten children who had older siblings. All subjects were from low income families. Among the kindergarten children, 29 had attended Head Start. Children were interviewed about their relationships with their older siblings. When a child had more than one older sibling, random sampling was used to select the older sibling on whom to focus the interview. There were no significant differences between Head Start and kindergarten children in their descriptions of sibling relationships. Compensatory and congruous patterns of sibling relationships were investigated in low income families. The quality of sibling relationships was related to social skills of younger siblings. The younger siblings' social skills were rated by parents and teachers. Cooperation, assertion, responsibility and self-control were assessed. In families who experienced stress, the quality of sibling relationships related to social skills of the younger siblings. In families who perceived no stress, the quality of sibling relationships were related to both cognitive and social skills of the younger siblings. Therefore, parents may influence children's academic skills better than siblings; siblings may influence children's social skills. Several findings on the relationships between family constellation variables (siblings' sex, ages, age interval, and family size) and the quality of sibling relationships were consistent with other findings of sibling studies conducted with middle-class families. Only younger siblings', rather than both older and younger siblings', perceptions were used to assess the sibling relationship. In addition, only the interview
Data-adaptive pipeline for filtering and normalizing metabolomics data

Abstract Introduction Untargeted metabolomics datasets contain large proportions of uninformative features and are affected by a variety of nuisance technical effects that can bias subsequent statistical analyses. Thus, there is a need for versatile and data-adaptive methods for filtering and normalizing data prior to investigating the underlying biological phenomena. Objectives Here, we propose and evaluate a data-adaptive pipeline for metabolomics data that are generated by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry platforms. Methods Our data-adaptive pipeline includes novel methods for filtering features based on blank samples, proportions of missing values, and estimated intra-class correlation coefficients. It also incorporates a variant of k-nearest-neighbor imputation of missing values. Finally, we adapted an RNA-Seq approach and R package, scone, to select an appropriate normalization scheme for removing unwanted variation from metabolomics datasets. Results Using two metabolomics datasets that were generated in our laboratory from samples of human blood serum and neonatal blood spots, we compared our data-adaptive pipeline with a traditional filtering and normalization scheme. The data-adaptive approach outperformed the traditional pipeline in almost all metrics related to removal of unwanted variation and maintenance of biologically relevant signatures. The R code for running the data-adaptive pipeline is provided with an example dataset at https://github.com/courtneyschiffman/Data-adaptive-metabolomics. Conclusion Our proposed data-adaptive pipeline is intuitive and effectively reduces technical noise from untargeted metabolomics datasets. It is particularly relevant for interrogation of biological phenomena in data derived from complex matrices associated with biospecimens.
The growth of various filamentous fungi and yeasts on n-alkanes and ketones. I. Studies on substrate specificity.

Ninety-five fungi, hydrocarbon isolates as well as those obtained from various type culture collections, were tested for their ability to grow on liquid mineral media containing n-alkanes as sole source of carbon and energy. Of the 29 filamentous fungi tested, 18 were capable of growing on n-alkanes, which represented 11 of the 14 genera tested. Of the 66 yeasts (16 genera) examined only 11 exhibited this ability, predominantly members of the genera Candida, Rhodotorula (2 strains) and Debaryomyces (1 species). Of the hydrocarbon utilizing filamentous fungi and yeasts examined, almost all were capable of growing on n-alkanes having a chain length of 10 carbon atoms or more. However, only a few of the filamentous fungi and none of the yeasts tested possessed the ability to grow on the short chain n-alkanes. Of the 8 hydrocarbon utilizing yeasts examined, only 5 were capable of growing on a few of the wide variety of ketones tested, particularly on 2-hexanone or 2-heptanone.
Design of VT-Sensitive Ring Oscillators for Monitoring Gate-TDDB Environmental Stress

This paper discusses the design methodology of a voltage and temperature-sensitive ring oscillator (VT_RO), whose frequency has a similar dependence on voltages and temperatures as that of worn-out stress strength of a gate time-dependent dielectric breakdown (gate-TDDB). The VT_RO is used to monitor the accumulated environmental stress of gate-TDDB in reliability-oriented products, such as automotive microcontroller units. Therein, the VT_RO drives the on-chip stress counters during the product operations over the years. Three types of VT_ROs have been designed and compared, which have been fabricated by using 28 nm HKMG test chips; multi- ${V}_{{th}}$ VT_RO, single- ${V}_{{th}}$ VT_RO; and combinational use of both a voltage-sensitive ring oscillator and a temperature-sensitive ring oscillator. The measured frequencies of the three types of ring oscillators are in good agreement with the target model of power-law V dependency along with an exponential inverse ${T}$ dependency. The single- ${V}_{{th}}$ VT_RO seems most promising in terms of product applicability, design difficulty, and low power.
A phase Ib/IIa study of rucaparib (PARP inhibitor) combined with nivolumab in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer and advanced/recurrent endometrial cancer.

TPS2663Background: Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) antibodies have made a major impact in a wide range of cancers. However, only subsets of patients across all malignancies benefit from ICB. In pa...
Organizing for Disruptive Innovation: Untangling Cognitive and Structural Antecedents

This paper studies how cognitive and structural antecedents affect adaptation to disruptive innovations. We do so by analyzing how video game firms adapted to the introduction of the ``free-to-play...
Plasmonic Nanoantenna Optimization Using Characteristic Mode Analysis

Plasmonic nanoantennas are typically designed with RF-inspired rigorous parametric optimization processes that lack proper physical insights. In this article, we demonstrate a systematic optimization approach for nanoantennas based on characteristic mode analysis (CMA). A complex geometry, designated as split-ring two-wire antenna (SRA), is selected and optimized using the CMA technique. CMA identifies the dominant modes of the structure at the frequency of interest as well as explains the dependence of the modes on the structure’s shape, size and material properties. These insights from CMA have been used in this study to efficiently optimize SRA shape, size, and material which yield more than 700% near-field intensity enhancement (NFIE) at the desired operating frequency. This proposed CMA-based optimization method can be adapted easily for many other nanoantenna applications, facilitating the development of improved nanostructures.
Evaluation of a Novel Multi-slit Collimated Detection System for Prompt Gamma-Ray Imaging During Proton Beam Therapy

Range uncertainty in proton therapy has a significant impact on the utilization and efficacy of the treatment modality. Several methods are under investigation to verify proton range by the detection of secondary emissions, with many studies focused on the use of prompt gamma-ray imaging (PGI) as a means to determine the Bragg peak location. This work introduces a new system and method of PGI using a multi-knife-edge slit collimator and detector. Initial measurements using 50 MeV protons demonstrated the ability of the system to provide 2-dimensional prompt gamma-ray (PG) distributions. A Bragg peak localization precision of 1 mm (2σ) was achieved with delivery of (1.7 ± 0.8) x 108 protons into a PMMA target from an 8 cm standoff distance, suggesting the ability of the system to detect relative shifts in proton range while delivering fewer protons than used in a typical treatment fraction. Additionally, the absolute position of the Bragg peak was identified to within 1.6 mm (2σ) with 5.6 x 1010 protons delivered. The initial results are promising and warrant further investigation and system optimization for clinical implementation.
CHAPTER 17 – Small Clinical Trials

Publisher Summary This chapter explores several ideas that have been consistently useful in designing trials. The ideas include the difference between explanatory and pragmatic orientation in clinical trial design, approaches to studying groups of patients with heterogeneous disease mechanisms, the importance of placebo responses, and the concept of “assay sensitivity” in clinical trials. Examples are drawn from experiences in clinical trials of pain treatments. The orientation of small clinical trials is almost certainly explanatory—the main purpose is to gather insights about pathophysiology and infer principles of treatment. The investigator's main challenge is that many different mechanisms can generate the dysfunction found within most diagnostic categories. A major thrust of clinical research is to identify disease mechanisms in individual patients, whether by genotyping of the patient or the affected organ, performing functional imaging, or performing electrophysiological or biochemical tests. If these tests are used to fill the trial with patients with the same disease mechanisms, this meets the explanatory ideal, but this is rarely the case. More commonly, tests to distinguish mechanisms are works in progress, and one hopes to use drug responses to shed additional light on these possible mechanistic distinctions. Many new treatments are targeted to one particular mechanism, which may exist in only a modest proportion of the enrolled patients.
Dilation of subglacial sediment governs incipient surge motion in glaciers with deformable beds

Glacier surges are quasi-periodic episodes of rapid ice flow that arise from increases in slip rate at the icebed interface. The mechanisms that trigger and sustain surges are not well understood. ...
Intention to Leave Emergency Medicine: Mid-career Women Are at Increased Risk.

Introduction: Burnout is prevalent among emergency physicians and may cause physicians to consider leaving the practice of emergency medicine (EM). This study sought to determine whether there is a gender difference in reporting burnout and seriously considering leaving the specialty of EM, and secondarily to explore the factors reported as contributing to burnout.Methods: This was a secondary analysis of the 2014 American Board of Emergency Medicine Longitudinal Survey of Emergency Physicians. We used multiple logistic regression to determine which factors were associated with reporting serious consideration of leaving EM, when stratified by years in practice and adjusting for individual, departmental, and institutional factors.Results: The response rate was 82%, (n = 868); 22.6% (194) were female and 77.4% (664) were males; and 83.9% (733) White. The mean age of men responding was significantly higher than women (52.7±11.9 vs. 44.9±10.4, p<0.001). Overall, there were no significant gender differences in reporting having had serious thoughts of leaving EM in either unmatched or age-matched analyses. More women reported that burnout was a significant problem, while men more often were equivocal as to whether it was a problem. When stratified by years in practice, mid-career women had a seven-fold increase in the odds ratio (OR) of seriously considered leaving EM, compared to men of similar years in practice (OR 7.07, 95% confidence interval, 2.45-20.39). Autonomy at work, control over working conditions, fair compensation, personal reward, and a sense of ownership were factors associated with a lower rate of reporting considering leaving EM.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the intention to leave EM is not more prevalent in women. However, mid-career women more often reported seriously considering leaving the specialty than mid-career men. Further research on the factors behind this finding in mid-career women in EM is needed.
Towards a Portable Magnetoencephalography Based Brain Computer Interface with Optically-Pumped Magnetometers

Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs) allow individuals to control devices, machines and prostheses with their thoughts. Most feasibility studies with BCIs have utilized scalp electroencephalography (EEG), due to it being accessible, noninvasive, and portable. While BCIs have been studied with magnetoencephalography (MEG), the modality has limited applications due to the large immobile hardware. Here we propose that room-temperature, optically-pumped magnetometers (OPMs) can potentially serve a portable modality that can be used for BCIs. OPMs have the added advantage that low-frequency neuromagnetic fields are not affected by volume conduction, which is known to distort EEG signals. In this feasibility study, we tested an OPM system with a real-time BCI where able bodied participants controlled a cursor to reach two targets. This BCI system used alpha and beta-band power modulations associated with hand movements. Our preliminary results show significant alpha and beta-band desynchronization due to movement, as found in previous literature.
Modeling Multiphase Flow Within and Around Deformable Porous Materials: A Darcy Brinkman Biot Approach

We present a new computational fluid dynamics approach to simulating two-phase flow in hybrid systems containing solid-free regions and deformable porous matrices. Our approach is based on the deri...
A solid state transformer

This paper describes a solid state step up/down transformer system which also provides AC output voltage regulation. It uses PWM AC power switching to achieve high efficiences and uses no large inductive components. Its performance has been verified by extensive computer simulation of the entire system and breadboard testing of several of the key circuits.
Regulations and factor adjustment in transit systems

Dynamic factor adjustment models are applied to analyse input inflexibilities in public transit systems. Based on a panel data of 44 U.S. single mode bus transit systems, labour input is found to b...
One-cycle control and its applications in power quality control and renewable power generation

One-cycle control is a universal method to control single or three-phase MOSFET, IGBT, or GTO power modules to realize four quadrant power converters that are capable of serving as grid-connected inverters, active power filters, power factor corrected rectifiers, flexible ac transmission system components, etc. Due to its fast speed, simplicity, stability, and universal adaptability, one-cycle control promises unmatched performance, lower cost, and high reliability. This paper shows some representative examples. Countless combinations of those can be made to meet the power processing needs of the industry, transportation, defense, and power systems.
A landscape model for cell fate decisions during mesoendoderm differentiation in C. elegans based on Wnt dynamics

Abstract Geometric models allow us to quantify topography of the Waddington landscape and gain quantitative insights of gene interaction in cell fate differentiation. Often mutant phenotypes show partial penetrance and there is a dearth of quantitative models that can exploit this data and make predictions about new allelic combinations with no additional parameters. C. elegans with its invariant cell lineages has been a key model system for discovering the genes controlling development. Here we focus on the differentiation of the endoderm founder cell named E from its mother, the EMS cell. Mutants that convert E to its sister MS fate have figured prominently in deciphering the Wnt pathway in worm. We construct a bi-valued Waddington landscape model that predicts the effect on POP-1/TCF and SYS-1/beta-catenin levels based on the penetrance of mutant alleles and RNAi, and relates the levels to fate choice decisions. A subset of the available data is used to fit the model and remaining data is then correctly predicted. Simple kinetic arguments show that contrary to current belief the ratio of these two proteins alone is not indicative of fate outcomes. Furthermore, double mutants within a background reduction of POP-1 levels are predicted with no adjustable parameters and their relative penetrance can differ from the same mutants with the wild-type POP-1 level, which calls for further experimental investigations. Our model refines the content of existing gene networks and invites extensions to other manifestations of the Wnt pathway in worm.
Worsening Lower Jaw Swelling and Pain in a Teenager: Differential Diagnosis and Management.

Giant cell granuloma is a rare, benign non-neoplastic, aggressive tumor that originates mainly from the maxilla and mandible. It affects all age groups and is more commonly seen in children. We describe a 17-year-old female that presented to the Pediatrics Emergency room with a history of right lower jaw pain. Examination revealed a bone-like buccal vestibular swelling on the lower right tooth, a bone-like lingual swelling, and a pink gingival overgrowth lesion. The biopsy of the lesion revealed a central giant cell granuloma. Tissue biopsy with histopathological examination is diagnostic and surgical excision is the gold standard of treatment.
Neuropsychological outcomes after thalamic deep brain stimulation for essential tremor.

Abstract Introduction Non-motor DBS outcomes have received little attention in ET relative to PD. This study examines neuropsychological outcomes in ET following thalamic VIM DBS. Methods Fifty patients completed neuropsychological evaluations preoperatively and approximately seven months postoperatively. Cognition and mood changes were analyzed at the group level and individual level. Additional associations with treatment, disease, and demographic characteristics were assessed. Results Significant cognitive decline was not observed at the group level. At the individual level, 46% of patients demonstrated at least subtle overall cognitive decline (≥1SD on at least one test within at least two domains). Mild decline (≥1SD) was seen in 10%–29.17% of patients on individual tests across all cognitive domains, with highest rates in verbal memory. Substantial cognitive decline (≥2SD) occurred in less than 9% of the sample across all tests. Factors related to cognitive decline included higher DBS parameter settings, older age of ET onset, intracranial complications, and inability to reduce ET medications postoperatively. Depression and anxiety did not change when accounting for questionnaire items that could be falsely elevated by tremor. Conclusion Substantial cognitive decline after VIM DBS is rare in patients with ET. However, subtle decrements can occur across cognitive domains and particularly in verbal memory. DBS parameter settings may relate to cognitive decline. Further research is needed to better understand possible associations with electrode lateralization and other variables that could also relate to disease progression and test-retest effects. Symptoms of depression and anxiety remain stable.
The effect of breeding-habitat patch size on bird population density

An individual-based simulation model was used to study the effect of the relative location of food and nest sites in the landscape on the relationship between the breeding habitat patch size and bird population density. The model predicted that when both food and nest sites are located exclusively in the breeding habitat patches, larger patches tend to harbor higher population densities. But when food starts to be added to the `matrix' habitat and taken out of the breeding habitat the advantageous effect of larger patches diminishes and eventually the trend reverses, with small patches having higher population densities. This pattern arises from the combined effect of the existence of an extended foraging area around patches and an intrinsic advantage of large habitat patches associated with the concentration of food resources and potential colonizers. The effects of interspecific interactions and the management implications of the model are discussed.
Electrical transport measurements on polycrystalline superconducting Y-Ba-Cu-O films

The current-voltage, I–V, characteristics of polycrystalline Y-Ba-Cu-O films have been measured as a function of temperature. The I–V characteristics are interpreted using a model based upon an array of weak links with a statistical distribution of critical currents. In addition, we find evidence that the supercurrents flow in nearly independent filaments near Tc. Various criteria are discussed with respect to the definition of the transport critical current, Ic, in these films. A temperature dependence for Ic has also been deduced from the I–V data by appealing to an empirical scaling law. We propose that this temperature dependence, Ic α (1-T/Tc)2.2, is representative of the weaker links within the critical current distribution.
Artificial Intelligence: Computational Approach to Vision and Motor Control

The sections in this article are: 1 Founding Principles of Artificial Intelligence 2 Computational Approach to Neuroscience 3 Relation to Other Areas of Artificial Intelligence 3.1 Study of Vision 3.2 Representational Structure of Vision 3.3 Natural Constraints in Vision 3.4 From Theory to Implementation: Detection of Intensity Changes 4 Study of Motor Control 4.1 Features of Motor Control Research 4.2 Natural Constraints in Motor Control 4.3 Movement-Planning Hierarchy 4.4 Biological Implications 5 Conclusions
Biological efficiencies in multiple-cropping systems

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the biological efficiencies in multiple-cropping systems. Many multiple-cropping systems persist on farms on which resources are limited and the level of new technology is low. Intensive cropping systems, often with mixtures of species, have reached high yield levels using pesticides, improved cultivars, and other high-input technology in countries such as China, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Thailand. Multiple cropping of cereals, grain legumes, and root crops forms the basis of farming systems for many subsistence farmers in the developing world. The most intensive use of time and space occurs with the simultaneous or near-simultaneous plantings of two or more crops. Detailed growth analysis and measurement of resource use are being used to broaden the knowledge base on competition and productivity. Double cropping, which includes two crops in the field in a sequential pattern, provides opportunity for much greater temporal interception of total radiation through the year compared to any single crop, unless that one crop has an extremely long growth cycle. Pest management in multiple-cropping systems is also elaborated.
Irrigation and Debridement Before a 2-Stage Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty Does Not Increase Risk of Failure

Abstract Background Studies have suggested that the success of 2-stage revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) may be compromised by a prior failed irrigation and debridement (ID 95% CI, 0.20-1.20), which indicated a lower risk of failure compared to the group without prior I&D. Conclusion These findings indicate that the failure rate of 2-stage rTKA is not increased by prior failed I&D.
Assessing the Practice and Challenges of Stream Restoration in Urbanized Environments of the USA

We identify several common characteristics of urbanized watersheds in the USA and discuss some of the challenges frequently encountered with urban stream restoration projects. These projects necessarily differ in many respects compared with watershed restoration practices employed in less developed locations. The stream condition, common in urbanized watersheds, is not easily rehabilitated even with more contemporary bioengineering practices replacing traditional ‘harder’ engineering practices. Major challenges for restoration projects in these settings include (i) the increased efficiency with which runoff and pollutants are routed into streams by means of impervious surface cover and storm drains; (ii) a poor understanding of sediment sources and transport relations; and (iii) the general paucity of documented projects with sufficient long-term monitoring to guide ongoing and future efforts. To succeed in this field may require (i) a more complete database of project characteristics that can be used for adaptive management, (ii) a broader watershed-scale restoration approach, and (iii) an improved understanding of geomorphologic and ecological processes relevant to urban streams. Recent examples of urban stream projects in the USA highlight the diversity of site-specific circumstances and considerations that accompany each project.
Wide-band fiber optic signal processor

Operation of a 16-tap fiber-optic delay line configured as a bandpass filter with a fundamental frequency of 2.0 GHz over the frequency range from 0 to 12.5 GHz is discussed. Equal tap weights and spacings were used to facilitate comparison of experimental and predicted results. More than 10/sup 11/ analog multiplications per second are performed in this relatively simple signal processing system. Other processors for performing functions such as matched filtering and correlation can be implemented by appropriate choice of the mirror reflectances and fiber lengths. >
Participation of a dialyzable cofactor in the relaxing factor system of muscle. III. Substitution of pyrophosphate for the cofactor.

Abstract 2 m M pyrophosphate restores the capacity of muscle granules sedimented at 35,000 × g to relax muscle fibres and inhibit myofibrillar adenosinetriphosphatase. These effects are reversed by Ca ++ , pyrophosphate, thus, can replace the dialyzable cofactor described in the preceding two communications 7,8 . Pyrophosphatase destroys the activating effect of pyrophosphate but not that of the cofactor present in the 35, 000 × g -supernatant, rendering it unlikely that the cofactor is identical with pyrophosphate.
An approximate Bayesian up-down method for estimating a percentage point on a dose-response curve

While the up-down method for estimating a percentage point on a dose-response curve has received considerable attention, a general Bayesian solution to the up-down design and estimation has never been presented, probably due to its computational complexity both in design and use. This paper presents a theoretical approach for up-down experimental designs with unknown location and slope parameters, and a practical approach for their use. The simplex method is used to find the optimal starting dose level and step sizes that minimize the expected root mean square error for a fixed number of observations and a reduced number of step sizes. The Bayesian estimate is then approximated by a polynomial formula. The coefficients of the formula are also chosen using simplex minimization. Two example solutions are given with uniform-uniform and normal-gamma joint prior distributions, showing that the simplifying assumptions make the method far easier to use with only a marginal increase in expected root mean square e...
The neurophysiology of glial cells.

SummaryAlthough glial cells occupy about halfofthe brain's total volume, they have been less well studied than neurons and have been the subject of endless speculation regarding their role in the brain's work. An enormous amount of new information about glial cells has become available in recent yea
Efficacy and safety of early versus late initiation of warfarin during heparin therapy in acute thromboembolism

There is no universally accepted approach to the initiation of systemic anticoagulant therapy. In an open, randomized study, two anticoagulant regimens that differed only in the timing of warfarin therapy after the start of heparin were compared. We randomized 119 patients with acute thromboembolic events to receive warfarin either within 48 hours of the start of heparin (early group, n = 63) or 96 hours or later after the start of heparin (late group, n = 56). Heparin was given as a 5000 IU bolus as a constant infusion titrated to maintain the activated partial thromboplastin time at 1.5 to 2 times control values. Warfarin was started at 10 mg daily for 3 days and the dose was titrated to maintain the prothrombin time at 1.2 to 1.5 times control values. There were no significant differences between the early and late warfarin groups with regard to age, sex, indication for anticoagulation, heparin dose, mean activated partial thromboplastin time during heparin, warfarin dose at discharge, length of warfarin therapy before discharge, bleeding, recurrent thromboembolic events, or mortality rates. Time to the start of warfarin after heparin was 31 hours and 108 hours in the early and late groups, respectively. Length of hospitalization, hospital costs, and the incidence of heparin-induced infusion phlebitis and thrombocytopenia were significantly less in the early group compared with the late group. Early initiation of warfarin after heparin is safer, less expensive, and as effective as the late initiation of warfarin.
Implications of modelling the chromophore of rhodopsin and bacteriorhodopsin with resonance Raman spectra of retinal Schiff bases

Resonance Raman spectra of protonated and unprotonated Schiff bases of all-trans retinal with propylamine, hexylamine, butylamine, deuterated butylamine (d9), methylamine and N15 methylamine have been obtained. The spectra of methylated and deuterated butylamine Schiff bases of retinal have also been recorded. It was found that the carbon–nitrogen stretching vibration associated with the Schiff base is insensitive to changes in the mass and/or length of the saturated hydrocarbon group attached to the Schiff base except for the case of methylamine. The fingerprint region, on the other hand, is sensitive to alterations in the Schiff base substituent. Deuterating the Schiff base has a larger effect on the carbon–nitrogen stretching frequency than replacing the Schiff base nitrogen N14 with N15. Furthermore, the data on deuterated Schiff bases indicate that the CCH bending vibrational mode is altered by deuteration. Implications concerning use of these compounds for modelling visual pigments and bacteriorhodopsin are discussed.
Inductive interactions in the development of the mouse metanephros.

Embryonic mouse kidney mesenchymes of various ages were tested for their abilities to initiate and supportureteric bud morphogenesis in vitro. Nephrogenic cord mesenchyme taken from animals before metanephros initiation (10 days) was combined with ureteric buds. The buds showed no morphogenesis. This was true for presumptive metanephric mesenchyme and for mesenchymes (pronephric and mesonephric) already undergoing nephrogenesis. These results indicate basic physiological differences between pronephric, mesonephric and metanephric regions of the cord. When entire nephric systems were cultured alone no metanephros developed. This, and the fact that presumptive metanephric mesenchyme had no influence on ureteric buds, indicates that metanephros initiation (both bud and mesenchyme) results from some activity originating outside the nephrogenic cord. When combined with metanephric mesenchyme at various stages of tubulogenesis (loose, condensed, or tubular), ureteric buds branched only in the presence of the loose mesenchyme. Branching occurred in loose mesenchyme taken from 11 to 15 day kidneys. Apparently once a given group of cells begins tubulogenesis they lose their ability to induce ureteric bud morphogenesis. As tubulogenesis proceeds, the amount of loose mesenchymes per kidney decreases sharply. Ultimate size of the metanephros may be established by depletion of loose mesenchyme resulting in its ureteric bud-inducing potential falling below some critical level.
Genotoxicity of the cancer chemopreventive drug candidates CP-31398, SHetA2, and phospho-ibuprofen

Abstract The genotoxic activities of three cancer chemopreventive drug candidates, CP-31398 (a cell permeable styrylquinazoline p53 modulator), SHetA2 (a flexible heteroarotinoid), and phospho-ibuprofen (PI, a derivative of ibuprofen) were tested. None of the compounds were mutagenic in the Salmonella / Escherichia coli /microsome plate incorporation test. CP-31398 and SHetA2 did not induce chromosomal aberrations (CA) in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, either in the presence or absence of rat hepatic S9 (S9). PI induced CA in CHO cells, but only in the presence of S9. PI, its parent compound ibuprofen, and its moiety diethoxyphosphoryloxybutyl alcohol (DEPBA) were tested for CA and micronuclei (MN) in CHO cells in the presence of S9. PI induced CA as well as MN, both kinetochore-positive (Kin+) and -negative (Kin−), in the presence of S9 at ≤100 μg/ml. Ibuprofen was negative for CA, positive for MN with Kin+ at 250 μg/ml, and positive for MN with Kin− at 125 and 250 μg/ml. DEPBA induced neither CA nor MN at ≤5000 μg/ml. The induction of chromosomal damage in PI-treated CHO cells in the presence of S9 may be due to its metabolites. None of the compounds were genotoxic, in the presence or absence of S9, in the GADD45α-GFP Human GreenScreen assay and none induced MN in mouse bone marrow erythrocytes.
Cell types in long-term propagable cultures of rat liver.

SUMMARY Under the conditions of this experiment, propagable hepatic epithelial cells in long-term culture were derived from a small, nonparenchymal precursor cell present in the liver in vivo. Progeny of the nonparenchymal precursor cell weakly expressed some hepatocyte-like properties in culture. Hepatocytes were not clonogenic under the conditions of this experiment. Propagable hepatic epithelial cells in long-term culture probably originate from hepatic stem cells in vivo. Terminal biliary ductular cells are facultative stem cells for hepatocytes.
Multiple Decision Rules for Comparing Several Populations with a Fixed Known Standard

Independent observations are available from k univariate distributions indexed by a real parameter θ. It is desired to select that distribution with the largest parameter value unless this value is smaller than some fixed standard θ0 in which case no distribution is to be selected. Various single-stage procedures for this (k+l)-decision problem are discussed, using indifference zone, decision theoretic, Bayesian, and subset selection approaches.
A compensation of angular displacements of the hip joints and lumbosacral spine between subjects with and without idiopathic low back pain during squatting

Abstract Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common symptoms reported in adults. However, the contribution of postural control on the lumbar spine and hips during squatting has not been carefully investigated in individuals with LBP. The aim of this study was to compare three-dimensional kinematic changes of the lumbar spine and hips between subjects with and without idiopathic chronic LBP during squatting activities. In total, 30 subjects enrolled in the study (15 control subjects and 15 subjects with idiopathic chronic LBP). All participants were asked to perform squatting activities five times repeatedly while holding a load of 2 kg in a basket. The outcome measures included the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and kinematic angular displacement for the hips and lumbar spine. The LBP group demonstrated increased range of motion (ROM) in flexion of the dominant (T = −2.14, p = 0.03) and non-dominant (T = −2.11, p = 0.03) hips during squatting. The lumbar spine flexion ROM significantly decreased (T = 2.20, p = 0.03). The kinematic changes demonstrated interactions with region × group (F = 5.56, p = 0.02), plane × group (F = 4.36, p = 0.04), and region × plane (F = 2292.47, p = 0.001). The ODI level demonstrated significant interaction on combined effects of body region and plane (F = 4.91, p = 0.03). Therefore, the LBP group utilized a compensation strategy to increase hip flexion with a stiffened lumbar spine in the sagittal plane during squatting. This compensatory kinematic strategy could apply to clinical management used to enhance lumbar spine flexibility in subjects with idiopathic chronic LBP.