cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Canopy gap dynamics and development patterns in secondary Quercus stands on the Cumberland Plateau, Alabama, USA

Abstract Forest disturbances of various spatial extents and magnitudes shape species composition, structure, and stand development patterns. The disturbance regimes of most complex stage hardwood stands of the deciduous forests of eastern North America are typified by asynchronous and localized disturbance events. The overwhelming majority of gap-scale disturbance studies in hardwood forests of the region have analyzed late-successional stands. As such, there is a paucity of data on gap dynamics in hardwood stands prior to a complex developmental stage. We quantified biophysical characteristics of 60 canopy gaps in secondary Quercus stands on the Cumberland Plateau in Alabama to analyze gap-scale disturbance processes in developing systems. We found most gaps (90%) were caused by the removal of a single tree. Of the three gap formation mechanisms, snag-formed gaps were most common (40%). However, based on the number of uprooted and snapped stems we speculate that wind was also an important disturbance agent in these stands. Gap size and shape patterns were similar to what has been reported in other hardwood forests of the southern Appalachian Highlands. We did not find differences in gap size or shape based on formation mechanisms; a finding that may be related to the number of single-tree gap events. Gaps projected to close via subcanopy recruitment were significantly larger than those projected to close through lateral crown expansion. Most gaps (65%) were projected to close by lateral crown expansion of gap perimeter trees. However, the number of gaps projected to fill by subcanopy recruitment indicated the stands were approaching a transition in their developmental stage. Gap-scale processes modify residual tree architecture and stand structure. Through time these alterations result in progressively larger gaps, eventually reaching a size when most will fill by subcanopy recruitment, thus marking the complex stage of development. Gap capture by Quercus was restricted to relatively xeric sites that did not contain abundant shade-tolerant mesophytes in the understory. However, the majority of gaps contained abundant subcanopy Fagus grandifolia, Acer saccharum, and Acer rubrum leading us to project that the forest will undergo a drastic composition shift under the current disturbance regime. Liriodendron tulipifera was projected to capture several relatively small gaps illustrating the role of topography on gap closure mechanisms.
Cooperative Learning Groups at the College Level: Differential Effects on High, Average, and Low Exam Performers

A repeated-measures mixed-design was used in examining the effects of cooperative learning study teams on exam performance for 378 undergraduate students enrolled in one of 10 large sections of an introductory educational psychology course over a two-semester period. Students were assigned to 5-member cooperative groups based on previous exam achievement (low, average, high). Bonuses (20% of exam score) were offered to groups who improved their mean exam performance to a pre-established criterion in the cooperative-group phase. Results yielded an overall effect size of 0.42 for cooperative study versus individual study. Students who had obtained low and average scores on the preceding exam improved significantly during cooperative study, but the previously high achievers decreased somewhat.
Torsional barriers of substituted biphenyls calculated using density functional theory: a benchmarking study.

The barriers of torsional isomerization of 13 substituted biphenyls, ranging from 7.4 to 44 kcal mol−1, were calculated using 9 density functionals (the BP86 and B97D GGAs, the meta-GGA TPSS, hybrids B3LYP, PBE0, ωB97XD, BMK and M06-2X, as well as the double-hybrid B2PLYP), some combined with D and D3 corrections for dispersive interactions, and results were compared with experimental data. As attractive dispersive interactions between substituents had a significant impact on the geometries and stabilities of the ground and transition states of the torsional isomerization pathways, the B3LYP-D, B97-D and TPSS-D3 functionals were identified as the most promising methods, and were used to determine the torsional barriers of 33 other substituted biphenyls with known Gibbs energies of activation (6.0 to 45 kcal mol−1). Throughout the 46-member ensemble, results were very accurate relative to experimental values (mean deviation between −0.38 and 0.24 kcal mol−1), and narrow distributions of errors were obtained (root-mean-square deviations between 0.14 and 0.16 kcal mol−1; mean absolute deviations ranging from 0.61 to 0.75 kcal mol−1), as long as (1) large triple-ζ basis sets were used, (2) all conformations were screened at these levels of theory, (3) electronic energies were corrected with zero-point energies and entropic contributions, and (4) solvation effects were taken into account for biphenyl derivatives bearing charged ortho-substituents. With its simple procedures, this study is intended as a benchmark for future determinations of torsional barriers of various biphenyl derivatives.
Strong-field ionization of small niobium and tantalum clusters

Abstract Strong-field ionization and concomitant Coulomb explosion studies are performed on small (
The asymptotic efficiency of conditional likelihood methods

SUMMARY This paper concerns the efficiency of the conditional likelihood method for inference in models which include nuisance parameters. A new concept of ancillarity, asymptotic weak ancillarity, is introduced. It is shown that the conditional maximum likelihood estimator and the conditional score test of 0, the parameter of interest, are asymptotically equivalent to their unconditional counterparts, and hence are asymptotically efficient, provided that the conditioning statistic is asymptotically weakly ancillary. The key assumption that the conditioning statistic is asymptotically weakly ancillary is verified when the underlying distribution is from exponential families. Some illustrative examples are given.
Pediatric & Adolescent Flatfoot Reconstruction in Combination with Middle Facet Talocalcaneal Coalition Resection

Surgical reconstruction of symptomatic flatfoot associated with middle facet tarsal coalition is becoming more widely used. This article demonstrates that coalition-concomitant flatfoot is a pathologic entity that is worthy of surgical management. The literature, although limited, has suggested that poor outcomes with isolated simple coalition resection may have been related to the preoperative pes planus that was not addressed. More recently studies have demonstrated improved clinical and radiographic postoperative outcomes when the flatfoot correction is combined with the coalition resection. This article reviews a surgical treatment algorithm that considers the presence of varying degrees of pes planus and rearfoot arthrosis associated with coalition.
Periodic solutions of circular-elliptic type in the planarN-body problem

Letn≥2 mass points with arbitrary masses move circularly on a rotating straight-line central-configuration; i.e. on a particular solution of relative equilibrium of then-body problem. Replacing one of the mass points by a close pair of mass points (with mass conservation) we show that the resultingN-body problem (N=n+1) has solutions, which are periodic in a rotating coordinate system and describe precessing nearlyelliptic motion of the binary and nearlycircular collinear motion of its center of mass and the other bodies; assuming that also the mass ratio of the binary is small.
Reflectance and scattering properties of highly absorbing black appliqués over a broadband spectral region

I present angle-dependent directional hemispherical reflectance (DHR) and bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) measurements of three highly absorbing black appliques in the 250–2000-nm broadband spectral region. DHR measurements of Energy Science Laboratories, Inc. (ESLI), Rippey, and Rodel appliques were obtained at incidence angles of 8°, 50°, and 70°. For an incidence angle of 8°, the ESLI applique exhibited the lowest DHR value of 0.3% across this entire spectral region, whereas the Rippey and Rodel had DHR values of 1.5% and 2.0–2.5%, respectively. In-plane BRDF measurements of the appliques, obtained at a wavelength of 633 nm and incidence angle of 10°, yielded Lambertian profiles from -80° to +80° with values ranging from ∼10-3 sr-1 for the ESLI, 6 × 10-3 sr-1 for the Rippey, and 9 × 10-3 sr-1 for the Rodel applique. In addition, rms surface roughness and correlation lengths for the Rippey and the Rodel appliques were determined. The in-plane BRDF data were used to estimate the reflected specular component from Beckmann’s scattering theory, and excellent agreement was found.
Congenital Heart Disease with Hypereosinophilic Syndrome

The idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome, common in adults, is a leukoproliferative disorder marked by a predilection to damage specific organs. This report describes a unique case of an infant with tricuspid stenosis, a hypoplastic right ventricle, severe pulmonary stenosis, patent ductus arteriosus, and a patent foramen ovale associated with hypereosinophilic syndrome. Although treatment with high-dose oral steroids failed to decrease the leukocyte counts, a right classic Blalock–Taussig shunt through a right thoracotomy resolved her cyanosis.
Genome-Wide Analysis of the Core DNA Replication Machinery in the Higher Plants Arabidopsis and Rice

Core DNA replication proteins mediate the initiation, elongation, and Okazaki fragment maturation functions of DNA replication. Although this process is generally conserved in eukaryotes, important differences in the molecular architecture of the DNA replication machine and the function of individual subunits have been reported in various model systems. We have combined genome-wide bioinformatic analyses of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and rice (Oryza sativa) with published experimental data to provide a comprehensive view of the core DNA replication machinery in plants. Many components identified in this analysis have not been studied previously in plant systems, including the GINS (go ichi ni san) complex (PSF1, PSF2, PSF3, and SLD5), MCM8, MCM9, MCM10, NOC3, POLA2, POLA3, POLA4, POLD3, POLD4, and RNASEH2. Our results indicate that the core DNA replication machinery from plants is more similar to vertebrates than single-celled yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), suggesting that animal models may be more relevant to plant systems. However, we also uncovered some important differences between plants and vertebrate machinery. For example, we did not identify geminin or RNASEH1 genes in plants. Our analyses also indicate that plants may be unique among eukaryotes in that they have multiple copies of numerous core DNA replication genes. This finding raises the question of whether specialized functions have evolved in some cases. This analysis establishes that the core DNA replication machinery is highly conserved across plant species and displays many features in common with other eukaryotes and some characteristics that are unique to plants.
Energetics and Specificity of Rat DNA Polymerase β Interactions with Template-primer and Gapped DNA Substrates

Interactions between rat polymerase beta (pol beta) and the template-primer, as well as gapped DNAs, were studied using the quantitative fluorescence titration technique. Stoichiometries of rat pol beta complexes with DNA substrates are much higher than stoichiometries predicted by the structures of co-crystals. The data can be understood in the context of the two single-stranded (ss)DNA-binding modes of the enzyme, the (pol beta)(16) and (pol beta)(5) binding modes, which differ by the number of nucleotides occluded by the protein. The 8-kDa domain of the enzyme engages the double-stranded (ds)DNA downstream from the primer, while the 31-kDa domain has similar affinity for the ss-ds DNA junction and the dsDNA. The affinity of rat pol beta for the gapped DNA is not affected by the size of the gap. The results indicate a plausible model for recognition of the gapped DNA by rat pol beta. The enzyme binds the ss-ds DNA junction of the gap using the 31-kDa domain. This binding induces an allosteric transition, resulting in the association of the 8-kDa domain with the dsDNA, leading to an amplification of the affinity for the gap. The 5' terminal phosphate, downstream from the primer, has little effect on the affinity, but affects the ssDNA conformation of the gap.
Combining COPD with clinical, pathological and demographic information refines prognosis and treatment response prediction of non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND Accurate assessment of a patient's risk of recurrence and treatment response is an important prerequisite of personalized therapy in lung cancer. This study extends a previously described non-small cell lung cancer prognostic model by the addition of chemotherapy and co-morbidities through the use of linked SEER-Medicare data. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Data on 34,203 lung adenocarcinoma and 26,967 squamous cell lung carcinoma patients were used to determine the contribution of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) to prognostication in 30 treatment combinations. A Cox model including COPD was estimated on 1,000 bootstrap samples, with the resulting model assessed on ROC, Brier Score, Harrell's C, and Nagelkerke's R2 metrics in order to evaluate improvements in prognostication over a model without COPD. The addition of COPD to the model incorporating cancer stage, age, gender, race, and tumor grade was shown to improve prognostication in multiple patient groups. For lung adenocarcinoma patients, there was an improvement on the prognostication in the overall patient population and in patients without receiving chemotherapy, including those receiving surgery only. For squamous cell carcinoma, an improvement on prognostication was seen in both the overall patient population and in patients receiving multiple types of chemotherapy. COPD condition was able to stratify patients receiving the same treatments into significantly (log-rank p<0.05) different prognostic groups, independent of cancer stage. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE Combining patient information on COPD, cancer stage, age, gender, race, and tumor grade could improve prognostication and prediction of treatment response in individual non-small cell lung cancer patients. This model enables refined prognosis and estimation of clinical outcome of comprehensive treatment regimens, providing a useful tool for personalized clinical decision-making.
Set up and delivery of electrical and computer engineering projects at undergraduate engineering universities for outreach and partnership with K-12 STEM schools

This paper discusses the set up and delivery of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) projects with critical Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) components as part of “Engage K-12 students in ECE”, the outreach and partnership program to (a) inspire K-12 students to pursue careers in ECE disciplines, and (b) integrate K-12 STEM learning with the ECE disciplines at institutes of higher education. In this form of outreach, called direct outreach, the K-12 students are invited to the University on ECE day to participate in hands-on ECE project activities in the ECE laboratories. The projects relate engineering principles to design specifications with real-world constraints. The project overview and the steps required to build and validate the design are presented by the ECE faculty member in charge of the project activities. The faculty member and currently enrolled ECE undergraduate students assist the K-12 STEM students. The K-12 students complete a survey at the end of the project as part of the summative evaluation. The survey comprised two sections (a) quantitative (b) qualitative. Despite the limited duration of each project, the students rated the projects to be very effective (greater than 3.8 on 5) in the application of STEM to real-world problems.
Classroom Instruction Differences by Level of Technology Use in Middle School Mathematics

This study examined whether 1) classroom interaction, 2) selection of activities, 3) instructional activities, 4) organizational setting of the classroom, and 4) student on-task and off-task behavi...
Development of fabrication process for integrated micro-optical elements on Si substrate

We have developed a new process for fabricating micro-optical elements by applying deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) process and thermal oxidation. This processing technique enables us to make micro-lenses and prisms on a Si substrate without assembly because they are made on the Si substrate with a single etching mask. This process can also form other optical elements, such as optical waveguides, by changing the mask pattern.
Learning curve calculation and plotting

Abstract A basic time sharing computer program can be used in manufacturing processes to determine the total man-hours required to build a number of units and the hours to build the first unit. The examples are based upon a 90% learning curve. The program and examples are given.
Liver transplantation for neuroendocrine tumors

Liver transplantation for the treatment of metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) is radical. Although cure is not impossible, it is improbable. The reported experience with transplantation for NETs is limited to less than 150 cases with widely varying results and few 5-year disease-free survivors. We reviewed our experience with transplantation for patients with NETs. Fourteen symptomatic patients with unresectable NET liver metastases who had failed medical management were listed for transplantation. Two patients listed for transplantation underwent prior right lobectomies. Three patients were listed but did not undergo transplantation: one was lost to follow-up, one died 14 months after listing, and one remains waiting over 4 years. Eleven patients underwent liver transplantation, three with living donor grafts. There were four men (36.4%) and seven women (63.6%) who had a mean age of 51.2 ± 6.3 years. Three patients had distal pancreatectomies and one patient had a Whipple procedure at the time of transplantation. There were six nonfunctioning tumors (54.6%), three carcinoid tumors (27.3%), and two (18.2%) Vipomas. In one patient, with fulminant hepatic failure, the NET was an incidental finding in the explant. The 1- and 5-year survival among transplanted patients is 73% and 36%, respectively, with a mean follow-up of 34 ± 40 months (range 0 to 119 months). Of the three patients surviving more than 5 years, only one was disease free. In carefully selected patients with metastatic NETs, liver transplantation may be an appropriate option.
Molecular dynamic simulation of coal-solvent interactions in Permian-aged South African coals

Abstract Molecular dynamic simulations were used to examine the initial stages of solvent–coal interactions during solvent swelling. Large-scale (> 10,000 atoms) vitrinite-rich Waterberg and inertinite-rich Highveld coal models used in this study were previously constructed. Isothermal–isobaric molecular dynamics simulated the experimental conditions used for the solvent swelling of these coals. Partially solvent swollen structures were constructed by the addition of solvent molecules to the original coal molecules using an amorphous building approach. The various solvated coal models were simulated using pyridine, N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) and CS 2 /NMP solvents. The changes in bonding and nonbonding energies due to solvent swelling were determined by comparing original coal models to corresponding swollen models. Simulation studies showed that coal–coal nonbonding interactions changed due to disruption of the van der Waals interaction energies. The distributions of hydrogen bonds were calculated and provided a method to evaluate solvent–coal hydrogen interactions. It was found that hydroxyl groups associated with the bituminous coal structure are the dominating hydrogen bond donor in solvent interaction. Therefore, the contributions of nonbonding interactions in coal play an important role during coal–solvent swelling. Molecular modeling and simulation is a useful tool to probe these changes in energies and nonbonding interactions in coal with various solvents.
Catecholamines in the ventral nerve cord of Lumbricus terrestris

Abstract 1. 1. Extraction of catecholamines from Lumbricus terrestris ventral nerve cords followed by thin-layer chromatography of the extracts reveals the presence of dopamine as the predominant catecholamine. 2. 2. Noradrenaline is also present, but in smaller amounts. 3. 3. No adrenaline was detected by these methods. Occasionally DOPA was present.
Exploring attack vectors facilitated by miniaturized computers

The development of miniaturized, inexpensive, fully functional computers has opened up new opportunities for a pentester. A device approximately the length and width of a credit card and only a couple inches high, is capable of running a version of the GNU/Linux operating system, which makes the access to many tools such as network mappers and exploitation frameworks possible. Due to its size, the device can be hidden inside a building and attached to the network for as long as it has power, affording a great advantage to an attacker. In this paper, we attempt to explore different attack vectors facilitate by miniaturized computers and identify their feasibilities. We also make recommendations of countermeasures to the potential attacks launched through miniaturized computers.
12.3: UV Curable Barrier Sealants

Through a collaboration within the U.S. Display Consortium, several new OLED perimeter sealants have been developed. Analyses describing key chemical and physical attributes of these adhesives will be presented. An “outgassing during UV cure” GC-MS analysis has been established and applied. A calcium button test adapted specifically for the evaluation of perimeter sealed geometries has been developed and used to evaluate the barrier performance of the new sealants in a prototype device geometry.
Education: High-Performance Computing in Community Colleges?

Contra Costa College's HPC program is vocational, preparing students to be Linux cluster administrators. It began with a US National Science Foundation-sponsored consortium of four community colleges tasked with developing an HPC technician curriculum reflective of the local community. The four colleges would then combine these programs to form a national curriculum
Genetic Defects of Steroidogenesis in Premature Pubarche

Twenty three patients (19 girls, 4 boys) presented with typical features of premature pubarche between the ages of 2-7 yr. The patients were studied for the presence of an adrenal steroidogenic defect by ACTH stimulation testing (Cortrosyn, 0.25 mg iv bolus dose). Based on published nomogram standards for serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), seven patients (30%) were diagnosed as having the nonclassical symptomatic form of 21-hydroxylase deficiency [mean post ACTH 4244 +/- 1113 (SD) ng/dl]. Three patients (13%) were diagnosed to have a mild form of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency based upon the response of serum delta 5-17-hydroxypregnenolone (delta 5-17P) and dehydroepiandrosterone, and the ratio of delta 5-17P/17-OHP to ACTH stimulation (delta 5-17P: 1543 +/- 272 ng/dl vs. Tanner stage I control subjects, 350 +/- 197 ng/dl; dehydroepiandrosterone: 675 +/- 190 ng/dl vs. Tanner stage I control subjects, 82 +/- 79 ng/dl; delta 5-17P/17-OHP: 8.1 +/- 2.6 vs. Tanner stage I control subjects, 1.4 +/- 0.6). No enzyme defect could be identified in the remaining 13 patients (57%). Eleven patients with premature pubarche, with and without an adrenal enzymatic defect, underwent dexamethasone suppression. In all patients the measured steroid levels were suppressed. Thus, the dexamethasone suppression test alone did not distinguish the pathogenesis of premature pubarche. In conclusion, premature pubarche is more commonly due to a partial enzyme defect in adrenal steroidogenesis than has been previously recognized.
β1- and β2-adrenoceptor induced synaptic facilitation in rat basolateral amygdala

Abstract The expression and characteristics of β-adrenoceptor subtypes (β 1 and β 2 ) and their agonist actions on synaptic transmission in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) of the rat were examined using in situ hybridization, quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot analysis and field potential recording. In situ hybridization data revealed an intense distribution of β 1 -and β 2 -adrenoceptor mRNA in the BLA. Real-time PCR analysis of rat amygdala revealed significant transcriptional expression levels of both β-adrenoceptors, with β 2 -adrenoceptors outnumbering β 1 -adrenoceptors in a ratio of 2.9 to 1. Bath application of the selective β 1 -adrenoceptor agonist xamoterol hemifumarate (10 µM) facilitated the excitatory field synaptic potential evoked in the BLA by stimulation of the external capsule by 186.5 ± 10.7% of control amplitude. In the presence of the selective β 1 -adrenoceptor antagonist betaxolol hydrochloride (30 µM), the facilitating effects of field excitatory synaptic potential induced by the agonist were reduced to 126.1 ± 2.3 % of control amplitude in the BLA. Bath application of the selective β 2 -adrenoceptor agonist salmeterol (15 µM) facilitated the excitatory field synaptic potential evoked in the BLA by stimulation of the external capsule by 167.3 ± 9.7 % of control amplitude. In the presence of the selective β 2 -adrenoceptor antagonist ICI 118,551 HCl (30 µM), the facilitating effects of field excitatory synaptic potential induced by the agonist were reduced to 121.1 ± 4.1 % of control amplitude in the BLA. These data suggest that β-adrenoceptor mediated synaptic facilitation in the amygdala is mediated by both β 1 and β 2 -adrenoceptor activation.
Role of a novel nociceptor autocrine mechanism in chronic pain

We have previously shown, in the rat, that neuropathic and inflammatory events produce a neuroplastic change in nociceptor function whereby a subsequent exposure to a proinflammatory mediator (e.g. prostaglandin E2 ; PGE2 ) produces markedly prolonged mechanical hyperalgesia. While the initial approximately 30 min of this prolonged PGE2 hyperalgesia remains PKA-dependent, it subsequently switches to become dependent on protein kinase C epsilon (PKCe). In this study we tested the hypothesis that the delayed onset, PKCe-mediated, component of PGE2 hyperalgesia is generated by the active release of a nucleotide from the peripheral terminal of the primed nociceptor and this nucleotide is then metabolized to produce adenosine, which acts on a Gi-coupled A1 adenosine receptor on the nociceptor to generate PKCe-dependent hyperalgesia. We report that inhibitors of ATP-binding cassette transporters, of ecto-5'-phosphodiesterase and ecto-5'nucleotidase (enzymes involved in the metabolism of cyclic nucleotides to adenosine) and of A1 adenosine receptors each eliminated the late, but not the early, phase of PGE2 -induced hyperalgesia in primed animals. A second model of chronic pain induced by transient attenuation of G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2, in which the prolongation of PGE2 hyperalgesia is not PKCe-dependent, was not attenuated by inhibitors of any of these mechanisms. Based on these results we propose a contribution of an autocrine mechanism, in the peripheral terminal of the nociceptor, in the hyperalgesic priming model of chronic pain.
Controlling Transnational Corporations: The Role of Governmental Entities and Grassroots Organizations in Combating White-Collar Crime

Controlling transnational corporations is problematic because of the absence of powerful international regulations and inconsistent national legislation. Corporations that conduct business in several countries can therefore often engage in corporate behaviors that are illegal in one country but not in others. However, efforts to control these corporations are undertaken in spite of such difficulties. Insights from state theory and social movement/ problem theory are used to explain the relative successes of efforts to control corporations active in the infant formula, pharmaceutical, and tobacco industries.
Coupled finite-element/state-space modeling of turbogenerators in the abc frame of reference-the no-load case

This first of two companion papers centers on applying a coupled finite-element/state-space technique to the determination of self and mutual winding inductances of a 733 MVA turbogenerator and computing its open-circuit characteristic, in the natural abc frame of reference. In this method, the apparent self and mutual inductance profiles of the armature and field windings, expressed as functions of rotor position angle, are computed from a series of magnetic field solutions performed at uniformly-distributed samples of rotor positions covering the entire 360/spl deg/ electrical cycle, using the energy perturbation method. These inductances, which are obtained at no-load for three different excitation levels, include the full effect of space harmonics introduced by the magnetic circuit geometry, winding layouts and magnetic circuit saturation. The abc-frame/finite-element computed open-circuit characteristic is in excellent agreement with the test results. This computed no-load set of parameters forms the initial data for simulation of the full-load performance given in the companion paper, including the full impact of space harmonics and saturation on the flux linkage, current and voltage waveforms, and other performance parameters. >
When Family Talk is Difficult: Making Sense of Nonverbal Communication at the End-of-Life

In this article, we assess transcripts of interviews with 55 people who participated in end-of-life conversations with a family member or relationally close other. Nonverbal cues are studied often for the diverse meanings that can be given to them, and this study reports strong qualitative evidence that nonverbal cues can be understood as performing important communicative functions in this context. These perceived functions were categorized as relational messages, emotional expression, interaction management, social support, and transitioning. Many of the identified functions also had unique subtypes, and these more specific meanings were often associated with particular cues. Together, the findings help reveal the nature of sense-making for nonverbal communication family members recall at the end-of-life and ways in which survivors use that sense-making to find peace with a loved one’s death.
Bevacizumab 5 mg/kg Can Be Infused Safely Over 10 Minutes

Purpose Bevacizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets vascular endothelial growth factor. As a result of concerns for potential infusion-related hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs), initial phase I trials used a 90-, 60-, 30-minute initial infusion sequence. We sought to determine if the initial prolonged infusion was still necessary and if an infusion time of fewer than 30 minutes could be safely used. Methods We used computerized pharmacy records to identify all patients who received bevacizumab at our institution in the first 2 years of commercial availability (February 1, 2004, to June 30, 2006). Our institutional adverse drug reaction reporting program was used to identify any infusion reactions possibly related to bevacizumab, and patient medical records were reviewed for confirmation. Results A total of 1,077 patients were treated with 10,606 doses of bevacizumab, and 765 of these patients received a 5-mg/kg dose (total of 8,494 doses). No HSRs occurred with the 90-, 60-, 30-minute infu...
Correction of a coagulopathy using recombinant factor VII before removal of an intra-aortic balloon pump.

N PATIENTS with refractory cardiogenic shock, cardiovascular support with intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation can be life-saving. Specific morbidity may occur, however, related to the placement, use, and removal of these devices. Low levels of anticoagulation are frequently instituted during use of the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) to prevent thromboembolic complications. Before removal, however, normalization of coagulation parameters may decrease the potential for bleeding complications. Correction of coagulation may require only discontinuation of heparin administration. In critically ill patients, other factors, such as multisystem organ failure with hepatic dysfunction and associated disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), may be present. In this setting, it is generally feasible to correct the coagulation defect with blood products, including platelets, fresh frozen plasma (FFP), and cryoprecipitate. The authors present the case of a 19-year-old woman who suffered cardiogenic shock after an intraoperative cardiac arrest, who was supported with an IABP. Ongoing hepatic dysfunction and DIC resulted in a coagulopathy that was not responsive to the administration of FFP. The administration of recombinant factor VIIa (NovoSeven; Novo Nordisk, Princeton, NJ) normalized coagulation function.
EFFECTS OF TRACK STRUCTURE ON NEUTRON MICRODOSIMETRY AND NANODOSIMETRY

Abstract The process by which neutrons transfer their energy to tissue is described, including the deposition of energy by secondary charged particle tracks in small sites; that is, microdosimetry and nanodosimetry. Three approximations are considered in order of increasing amounts of information on track structure: the continuous slowing-down approximation (CSDA), the straggling approximation, and the delta-ray approximation. Although simple approximations sometimes work quite well, much work remains to be done for very small sites, and for the inclusion of the effects of “passer” in the calculations.
Nocturnal roost habitat selection by Ruffed Grouse broods

Abstract Although nocturnal habitats are often critical to avian survival, they are relatively unstudied. Nocturnal roost habitat selection may be particularly important for Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) broods, which experience high mortality due to predation and exposure in the first few weeks after hatching. Because these habitats may have important consequences for Ruffed Grouse productivity and abundance, and little is known about them, we assessed nocturnal roost habitat selection of Ruffed Grouse broods and the influence of habitat features on brood survival in central Pennsylvania. Roost use changed through time, with grouse broods roosting on the ground in the first five weeks after hatching and arboreally thereafter. Broods selected roost sites with greater deciduous canopy cover, coarser woody debris, and more concealing cover than at random sites. Habitat did not differ between ground and arboreal roosts. Brood survival declined from a mean 0.90 in the first week to 0.38 through the fifth we...
Viscous Hypersonic Flow Past Blunted Cones at Small Angles of Attack

Theme V ISCOUS hypersonic flow over spherically blunted cones of large half angles is calculated at small angles of attack in the plane of symmetry of the flowfield. Time-dependent viscous shock-layer equations in body-oriented coordinates are used to describe the flowfield. The shock wave is treated as a discontinuity, across which the shock relations are used to compute the flow conditions behind the shock. A timedependent second-order finite-difference method is used to solve the equations for a perfect gas. The local CourantFriedrich-Lewy time increment is used to advance the solution in time at each grid point. A fourth-order damping is used to damp the oscillations in the flow quantities. The numerical results of the present analysis for quantities such as shock standoff distance, surface pressure distribution, and heating rates compare well with the existing theoretical and experimental results.
Movement Recognition Using Body Area Networks

Significant research has been done on recognizing the daily activities using acceleration data but few works have focused on classifying the movements comprising an activity due to the shorter time scales of the movements compared to that of an activity. Recognizing the individual movements within an activity can help improve the activity recognition on the whole by using the extra information from the movement granularity. Also, for many applications such as rehabilitation, sports medicine, geriatric care, and health/fitness monitoring the importance of movement recognition cannot be overlooked. Hence, in this paper a novel machine learning algorithm using body area networks is proposed that can on the fly, jointly classify the type of movements, and starting and finishing instant of each movement within an activity. A case study on the best set of features and minimum number of accelerometers needed to correctly classify movements within a smoking activity is also presented.
Skeletal Maturation in Rats with Special Reference to Order and Time of Epiphysial Closure1

The order and time of closure of the epiphysial plate in the female rat (Charles River CD strain) from age 60–120 days are presented. The state of the epiphysial fusion zone was observed stereomicroscopically on cleared and Alizarin Red S stained intact skeletons, using the method of Dawson (10, 11). This method of determining the skeletal maturation is compared with others using radiography and histologic sections. The usefulness of assessing skeletal maturation in rats by the number of epiphysial fusions and the requirements for statistical analyses are discussed. Reasons are advanced for selecting 21 epiphyses chosen by means of consistency in the sequence of closure and by reliability in determining the state of closure. Two nonparametric statistical tests are suggested for assessing skeletal maturation. Skeletal maturation in the female rat is advanced in relation to that of the male rat.
Size dependence of the mechanical properties of ZnO nanobelts

The Young’s modulus of ZnO nanobelts was measured using an atomic force microscope following the modulated nanoindentation method. The nanobelts have a rectangular cross-section, with width-to-thickness ratios ranging 1–10 and lengths up to a few millimetres. The Young’s modulus of two nanobelts with width-to-thickness ratio of 2.2 and 1.3 was measured at 55 and 108 GPa, respectively, indicating a size dependence of the elastic properties of the nanobelts.
Human visitation rates to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and the introduction of the non-native species Lymantria dispar (L.)

The introduction of non-native species has accelerated due to increasing levels of global trade and travel, threatening the composition and function of ecosystems. Upon arrival and successful establishment, biological invaders begin to spread and often do so with considerable assistance from humans. Recreational areas can be especially prone to the problem of accidental non-native species transport given the number of visitors that arrive from geographically diverse areas. In this paper, we examine camping permit data to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in northwestern Wisconsin, USA, from 1999 to 2007 relative to gypsy moth distribution, phenology and outbreak data. During this time, gypsy moth populations became established in this area ahead of the moving population front of the gypsy moth, suggesting anthropogenic introduction. The permit data revealed that the majority of visitors arrived from outside of the gypsy moth established area. However, there was a consistent yearly trend of visitors that arrived from areas of high gypsy moth populations and who arrived during the gypsy moth life stage (egg masses) most likely to be successfully introduced. Using available data on the gypsy moth and its relationship to camping permit data, we describe how recreational managers could optimize park strategies to mitigate unwanted introductions of the gypsy moth as well as develop analogous strategies for managing other biological invaders in recreational areas.
Reflex control of the circulation during exercise: chemoreflexes and mechanoreflexes

The overall scheme for control is as follows: central command sets basic patterns of cardiovascular effector activity, which is modulated via muscle chemo- and mechanoreflexes and arterial mechanoreflexes (baroreflexes) as appropriate error signals develop. A key question is whether the primary error corrected is a mismatch between blood flow and metabolism (a flow error that accumulates muscle metabolites that activate group III and IV chemosensitive muscle afferents) or a mismatch between cardiac output (CO) and vascular conductance [a blood pressure (BP) error] that activates the arterial baroreflex and raises BP. Reduction in muscle blood flow to a threshold for the muscle chemoreflex raises muscle metabolite concentration and reflexly raises BP by activating chemosensitive muscle afferents. In isometric exercise, sympathetic nervous activity (SNA) is increased mainly by muscle chemoreflex whereas central command raises heart rate (HR) and CO by vagal withdrawal. Cardiovascular control changes for dynamic exercise with large muscles. At exercise onset, central command increases HR by vagal withdrawal and "resets" the baroreflex to a higher BP. As long as vagal withdrawal can raise HR and CO rapidly so that BP rises quickly to its higher operating point, there is no mismatch between CO and vascular conductance (no BP error) and SNA does not increase. Increased SNA occurs at whatever HR (depending on species) exceeds the range of vagal withdrawal; the additional sympathetically mediated rise in CO needed to raise BP to its new operating point is slower and leads to a BP error. Sympathetic vasoconstriction is needed to complete the rise in BP. The baroreflex is essential for BP elevation at onset of exercise and for BP stabilization during mild exercise (subthreshold for chemoreflex), and it can oppose or magnify the chemoreflex when it is activated at higher work rates. Ultimately, when vascular conductance exceeds cardiac pumping capacity in the most severe exercise both chemoreflex and baroreflex must maintain BP by vasoconstricting active muscle.
Cytomegalovirus protein substrates are not cleaved by the herpes simplex virus type 1 proteinase.

The herpesvirus maturational proteinase, assemblin, is made as a precursor that undergoes at least two autoproteolytic cleavages--one in a sequence toward its carboxyl end, called the maturational (M) site, and one in a sequence toward its midpoint, called the release (R) site. The M- and R-site sequences are both well conserved among the herpesvirus proteinase homologs, suggesting that the proteinase of one herpesvirus might be able to cleave the substrates of another. To test this possibility, we cloned and expressed in human cells the long (i.e., full-length open reading frame of proteinase gene) and short (i.e., proteolytic domain, assemblin) forms of the proteinase from human and simian cytomegalovirus (HCMV and SCMV, respectively) and from herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), as well as the genes for their respective assembly protein precursor substrates. Data from cotransfections of these proteinase genes with appropriate homologous and heterologous substrates showed that although the SCMV and HCMV enzymes cleaved the M-sites of the assembly protein substrates of all three viruses and an SCMV R-site substrate, the HSV-1 proteinase cleaved only its own substrate. This finding demonstrates that the substrate specificity properties of the HSV-1 enzyme differ from those of the two CMV enzymes.
Evaluation of ataxia in the horse

Summary Ataxia in the horse is a common clinical presentation requiring a methodical approach for accurate neurolocalisation. Observed neurological deficiencies should support a localised single aetiology whenever possible. Relevant differential diagnoses should be considered based on the case history and localisation. Diagnostic strategies can then be applied relative to disease risk.
Subcutaneous mandibulotomy: a new surgical access for large tumors of the parapharyngeal space.

Objectives: Surgery for tumors of the parapharyngeal space (PPS) requires adequate exposure to identify and protect vital structures. Transcervical and transcervical-transparotid approaches to the PPS may be enhanced by mandibulotomy. However, midline mandibulotomy traditionally requires lip-splitting and extensive intraoral incisions, often necessitating tracheostomy and nasogastric feeding. We describe a new technique to gain exposure to the PPS while avoiding these consequences. Study Design: Case series. Methods: Five patients with PPS tumors underwent surgery using a new technique, the subcutaneous mandibulotomy approach (SMA). Each case was retrospectively assessed for tumor size, intraoperative access to the PPS, perioperative complications, and length of hospitalization. Results: In this series, the additional exposure achieved by SMA was adequate to safely remove large PPS tumors that could not be delivered through the transcervical-transparotid approach. All patients started oral diets on postoperative day 1 and were discharged within 3 days. There were no intraoperative complications, and postoperative complications were self-limited. The pathologic entities were a venous malformation, a paraganglioma, and three large, deep-lobe pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid. Conclusions: We introduce a new technique, the SMA, which affords excellent access to the PPS without the lip-split, chin-split, and floor of mouth incisions. The SMA avoids both nasogastric feeding and a tracheostomy and offers improved cosmesis compared with a traditional midline mandibulotomy. Our current stepwise approach to achieve exposure to the PPS includes use of the SMA as an intermediate step for extensive PPS lesions, which are inaccessible through the transcervical approach yet do not require full labiomandibulotomy for safe and complete removal.
History of Carotid Endarterectomy Then and Now Personal Perspective

It seems the first successful carotid endarterectomy (CE) was done by Michael E. DeBakey1 in 1953, although the first published report of CE was by Eastcott et al2 in 1954. During the subsequent 2 decades, the number of these surgeries grew. In 1969, the Joint Study of Extracranial Arterial Occlusion, a methodologically imperfect study, reported that, in 2400 operations performed between 1961 and 1968, there was a surgical mortality of 4.5%, ranging from <2% to 36% among the 24 participating institutions, although there was a steady decline in surgical mortality during the 8 years.3 Fifteen thousand CEs were performed in the United States in 1971, and this grew to 34000 in 1976.4 By 1976, my colleague, David Sherman, and I were becoming troubled with the growth in the number of CEs because we were observing patients experiencing ischemic strokes and deaths in conjunction with these surgeries. We were at Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Medicine in Springfield, IL, observing the good and the bad results of CE. Our medical colleagues often asked us, “What is the complication rate for carotid endarterectomy in our two hospitals?” We replied, “We don’t know.” The time had come to answer the question. We initiated a retrospective study of 228 consecutive CEs during the arbitrary interval from January 1, 1970, to June 30, 1976, in our two 600-bed community hospitals to determine the perioperative stroke and mortality rate. Our primitive methodology is described in the results publication of the study.5 The combined stroke-mortality rate for our series of patients was 21.1% (48 of 228). Eleven CEs were performed for asymptomatic bruits, and the combined stroke-mortality rate was 18.2% (2 of 11). Fifty-seven CEs were performed for transient ischemic attacks in the symptomatic carotid artery distribution, and the combined stroke …