cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perioperative Considerations for Person-Centered Gender-Affirming Surgery.

With more than 1 million people identifying as transgender in the United States alone, the likelihood of encountering a transgender patient and their family of choice in the perioperative setting is very high. A lack of data exists to equitably inform transgender-specific issues, as well as the associated morbidity during the transgender reassignment perioperative period. Anaesthesiologists should actively acquire the knowledge and skills needed to inclusively and respectfully manage these patients and be aware of their unique physiological and psychosocial needs. The pre-operative approach includes a detailed history, focusing on the patients cross-sex hormone treatment (CSHT) regimen and associated medical conditions. An in-depth understanding of commonly used hormones such as estrogen and testosterone and their effect in the perioperative periods is essential. The physical examination should be relevant to the anatomy that is currently present while taking into consideration feminising and masculinising procedures (e.g., genioplasty, thyroid cartilage augmentation), how these interventions alter the anatomy, and potential airway complications. Laboratory results should be interpreted with care – and with expert assistance if needed - as hormone therapy might affect reference values. In addition, risk assessment tools should be used with caution since they often include sex in their scoring system but do not account for the use of CSHT. Intraoperative considerations include urethral catheter placement, drug dosing, and drug interactions that are commonly encountered in the transgender patient. Special attention should be taken in transgender females who have undergone vocal feminization, as case reports have described unexpected difficult airway management. A multimodal approach, which includes regional blocks and attention to pre-existing chronic pain conditions, should be employed as part of the post-operative pain management plan. The post-operative nausea and vomiting risk has not yet been established in this population, requiring appropriate anti-emetic prophylaxis. Despite societal advances that improve transgender health, the medical community still lacks empirical evidence to effectively mitigate the distinctive challenges confronted by this at-risk population.
The importance of Gilson / Peter A. Redpath.

That we in the West live in perilous times is evident to anyone who is half awake today. How to navigate through the waters of these perilous times is not so evident. My paper is about why preserving, reading, and understanding the work of Etienne Gilson is crucial for the West if we wish to be able to understand precisely the problems that are besetting the West and how we can best resolve them. If we listen to television, newspaper, and radio commentators, the general impression we might get is that the biggest problems we face today are political and economic troubles, problems like war and peace, crime, wealth and poverty. As far back as 1937, however, Gilson saw that the West was beset by a far greater, deeper, and wider problem that, in succeeding decades, would cause cultural and civilizational turmoil in the West. In a book entitled The Unity of Philosophical Experience, Gilson outlined how, since the dawn of the modern world in the seventeenth century, Western culture has engaged in a reckless adventure to abandon the Greek philosophical vision of the universe. Gilson called this Greek philosophical vision the “Western Creed,” and he saw it as the essential foundation of all Western cultural institutions. Simultaneous with the West’s attempt to abandon the Western Creed, Gilson saw the West attempting to replace the Greek philosophical vision with something Gilson called the “Scientific Creed.” He pointed to Cartesian thought as a cultural revolution that,
Development of an Avian Dietary LC 50 Toxicity Test for Potential Use Under the Toxic Substances Control Act

The Toxic Substances Control Act (PL 94-469) directs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to produce standards for the development of adequate data regarding the effect of chemical substances and mixtures on health and the environment. The agency is developing test standards to satisfy this charge. This paper describes part of the process by which a test standard is developed, using the avian dietary median lethal concentration (LC 5 0 ) toxicity test as an example. The history of avian dietary toxicity test methods is briefly described, along with the kinds of modifications in methods made by various users. The rationale for the selection of specific test conditions and procedures is discussed with respect to the use of the test results by a regulatory agency. Selection criteria for several controversial test parameters are presented as examples.
Apologies in Close Relationships: A Review of Theory and Research

This article summarizes current theory and research related to apologies in close relationships. Eight studies examined predictors of the occurrence and effectiveness of apologies, and 7 studies investigated outcomes associated with apologies. Two studies investigated predictors and associated outcomes of apologies. Findings indicated that characteristics of the victim (e.g., willingness to empathize), characteristics of the transgressor (e.g., gender, personality), and specific contextual factors (e.g., relational closeness) influence the occurrence and effectiveness of an apology. Several factors, including the transgressor's ability to adopt a self-focus or self-other focus when apologizing, were associated with positive relationship outcomes. The review highlights a lack of consensus in apology conceptualization and the need for additional research on the role of apologies in maintaining close relationships.
Comfort and effectiveness of the Symphony breast pump for mothers of preterm infants: comparison of three suction patterns.

Sustaining an adequate milk volume is difficult for mothers of very-low-birth-weight (≤ 1,500 g) infants who must use a breast pump long term. A comfortable, effective, and efficient pump facilitates efforts of mothers, and may result in a greater volume of milk.
Open job management architecture for the blue gene/l supercomputer

We describe an open job management architecture of the Blue Gene/L supercomputer. The architecture allows integration of virtually any job management system with Blue Gene/L with minimal effort. The architecture has several ”openness” characteristics. First, any job management system runs outside the Blue Gene/L core (i.e. no part of the job management system runs on Blue Gene/L resources). Second, the logic of the scheduling cycle (i.e. when to match jobs with resources) can be retained without modifications. Third, job management systems can use different scheduling and resources allocation models and algorithms. We describe the architecture, its main components, and its operation. We discuss in detail two job management systems, one based on LoadLeveler, the other — on SLURM, that have been successfully integrated with Blue Gene/L, independently of each other. Even though the two systems are very different, Blue Gene/L's open job management architecture naturally accommodated both.
Robust tracking of marginally observable targets

The authors address the robust determination of a target trajectory from acoustic or radar data under conditions that may render conventional estimation techniques unreliable, such as weak or fading signals, sensor failure, or poor signal collection geometries. A set-valued estimator that provides the set of all trajectories that are consistent with the observed signals and available contextual information is introduced. Simulation results that demonstrate the operation of the set-valued estimator are presented. >
Sources of Technological Divergence between Developed and Less Developed Economies

Developed and less developed countries differ in numerous ways. Incomes per head are different, capital stocks are different, the levels of education of their citizens differ. Whether a cause or consequence of these differences, some of the most salient differences are related to technological change and innovation. Firms in many developed countries appear to be constantly looking around for new technologies, for better and more efficient ways of doing things; firms in the newly industrialized countries (NICs) and those LDCs aspiring to become NICs appear to be searching among available technologies for those which will most improve their productivity, while firms in the less successful LDCs are often slow to abandon the traditional ways of doing things. Though exceptions to this polar characterization can be found, the fact remains that the technological gap between many poorer LDCs and the developed countries has not significantly narrowed over the past 50 years.
Ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release using the manos CTR system.

Purpose Ultrasound (US) has been used in the management of carpal tunnel syndrome since the 1980s. The first report of US-guided carpal tunnel release (CTR) was published in 1997, with cadaver and clinical reports confirming the safe navigation of surgical tools with US for division of the transverse carpal ligament. The MANOS CTR device was recently reported as a minimally invasive tool for CTR, and may be well suited for use with US guidance. Patients and methods The authors report three cases of US-guided CTR using the MANOS CTR device. The MANOS device was inserted in a blunt configuration into the safe zone, and the cutting surface was deployed with a thumb-activated trigger that simultaneously ejected a sharp through the palm. The transverse carpal ligament was divided safely and confirmed with US. Results US allowed for clear identification of the median nerve, safe zones, transverse carpal ligament, and the MANOS CTR device in relation to all pertinent structures of the carpal tunnel. Complete division of the transverse carpal ligament was confirmed in all three cases. There were no median nerve, vessel, tendon injuries, or chronic regional pain syndrome in any of the three cases. Conclusions US-guided CTR with the MANOS CTR device appears to be a safe technique and successful in confirming complete release. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 33:362–366, 2013.
Initiation of alcohol, marijuana, and inhalant use by American-Indian and white youth living on or near reservations.

BACKGROUND: Early initiation of drinking, intoxication, marijuana, and inhalant use is associated with negative outcomes and substance use trajectories. Using national datasets, American Indian (AI) youth have been found to initiate substance use earlier than other youth. This study uses a population-based sample of youth living on or near reservations to compare substance use onset for AI and white youth where socioeconomic conditions may be similar for these youth. METHODS: Student survey data were gathered from 32 schools in 3 regions from 2009 to 2012. A retrospective person-period data set was constructed using reported age of initiation of intoxication and marijuana and inhalant use. Multi-level modeling and event history analysis were used to estimate initiation as a function of age, gender, ethnicity, and region. RESULTS: The results provide further evidence that AI youth living on or near reservations initiate substance use significantly earlier than white youth who attend the same schools and live in the same communities. Differences between the two cultural groups were most evident for marijuana initiation where the odds of initiating marijuana use ranged from seven to 10 times greater for nine vs. eight-year-old AI compared to white youth. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention efforts targeted to AI youth must begin earlier than for non-AI youth in order to delay or prevent initiation. In addition, better understanding about the differences in the psychosocial environments of AI and white youth living in these communities is of paramount importance in designing prevention efforts. Language: en
FDG and FLT-PET for Early measurement of response to 37.5 mg daily sunitinib therapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma has a poor prognosis and an intrinsic resistance to standard treatment. Sunitinib is an oral receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has been used as a first-line targeted therapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma. While computed tomography (CT) is currently the gold standard for response assessment in oncological trials, numerous studies have shown that positron emission tomography (PET) imaging can provide information predictive of tumor response to treatment earlier than the typical interval for standard of care follow-up CT imaging. In this exploratory study we sought to characterize early tumor response in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with continuous daily 37.5 mg sunitinib therapy. Twenty patients underwent dynamic acquisition positron emission tomography (PET) imaging using 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and 18 F-fluorothymidine (FLT) at baseline and early in treatment (after 1, 2, 3 or 4 weeks) with 37.5 mg continuous daily dosing of sunitinib. Semi-quantitative analyses were performed to characterize the tumor metabolic (FDG) and proliferative (FLT) responses to treatment. Proliferative responses were observed in 9/19 patients and occurred in 2 patients at one week (the earliest interval evaluated) after the initiation of therapy. A metabolic response was observed in 5/19 patients, however this was not observed until after two weeks of therapy were completed. Metabolic progression was observed in 2/19 patients and proliferative progression was observed in 1/19 patients. Baseline FDG-PET tumor maximum standardized uptake values correlated inversely with overall survival (p = 0.0036). Conversely, baseline 18 F-fluorothymidine PET imaging did not have prognostic value (p = 0.56) but showed a greater early response rate at 1–2 weeks after initiating therapy. While preliminary in nature, these results show an immediate and sustained proliferative response followed by a delayed metabolic response beginning after two weeks in metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with a continuous daily dose of 37.5 mg sunitinib. The results provide evidence of tumor response to lower-dose sunitinib while also supporting the inclusion of PET imaging as a tool for early assessment in oncological clinical trials. ID: NCT00694096
The dissociation energy of Cl2O2

Abstract Crystal structures containing a trapezoidal Cl 2 O 2 + cation, one of several structural isomers of Cl 2 O 2 + , have been recently obtained by the Seppelt group. There is no experimental thermochemistry for this isomer, partly because the corresponding neutral structure has no significant interdiatomic bonding. We have measured the 0 K dissociation energy D (Cl 2 + O 2 ) = 57 ± 7 kJ/mol using energy resolved collision-induced dissociation experiments in a flowing afterglow-tandem mass spectrometer. This leads to Δ f H 298 (Cl 2 O 2 + ) = 1056 ± 7 kJ/mol. The calculated B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ dissociation energy is 13 kJ/mol higher than experiment, while CASPT2 calculations by Seppelt and coworkers give a result 8 kJ/mol below experiment. The agreement between experiment and theory is better than for the related X 4 + (X = Cl, Br, and I) cations.
United States Anti-Dumping Policy and the Negotiation of a Free Trade Area of the Americas: The Impact of Protectionist Measures on Regional Trade Integration

This article examines the United States' policy of "zeroing" in anti-dumping investigations, as well as that policy's impact on regional trade integration.
Confronting Potential Injustice with Preemptive Suppression

Â Vermont state prosecutors have asked the Vermont Supreme Court to enda state trial judgeâ€™s practice of attaching ten restrictionsÂ Â to all computer search warrants he signs. Â According to Professor Paul Ohm of the University Colorado Law School, the Vermont trial judge is not alone.Â Professor Ohm sees a â€œtrend emergingâ€ among federal magistrate judges who are attempting to regulate how officers execute computer warrants.Â This article focuses on Vermont conditions 1-4.Â I argue that the Vermont Supreme Court should reject these conditions. They are gratuitously damaging to Vermont law enforcement and ultimately ineffective in limiting the intrusiveness of computer searches.Â Â In sum, these conditions: (1)Â Â Are based on an unwarrantedÂ judicial presumption thatÂ Vermont police officers who obtainÂ warrants to search computers will deliberately choose to violate the Fourth Amendment when they execute these warrants; (2)Â Â Require police officers[who seek a warrant to search computers to agree, as condition to obtaining the warrant, that they will ignore, and never use, any evidence of a crime that has been legally obtained Â under the â€œplain view doctrineâ€ during the execution of the warrant; and (3)Â Â Require police officers who seek a warrant to search computers to agree, as a condition to obtaining the warrant, that they (as investigating officers) will not be involved in the execution of the warrant, thereby increasing the likelihood of delay, and lost evidence as well as the likelihood that the search will be broader than necessary.
Departments of internal medicine: Upright or supine?

Abstract In closing, I would reiterate that with the inevitable restructuring of departments of internal medicine, now is the time to develop innovative, interdisciplinary strategies to manage across boundaries. Strategies of vertical and horizontal integration within an academic health center and its alliance with the communities it serves. Strategies that will enhance our missions in patient care, education, and research. Recreate the environment that will once again allow nature to flourish. D During this time of reform we are not strapped with sustaining the status quo. Opportunities for innovation abound. Innovation demands an ability to reallocate and adapt. Abandon old paradigms. Seize the occasion to reformulate, restructure, revitalize, and revamp—to write a new chapter. We are limited only by our creative potential and entrepreneurial spirit, or willingness to take risk. I ask you, who better than academic health centers to succeed in managed care? Corporate relationships between medical school and hospital already exist, and with innovative restructuring seamless delivery of high-quality care is a reasonable expectation. Seize the opportunity. I ask you, who better than departments of internal medicine to provide innovative answers to seamless delivery of primary and specialty care? But vision begets responsibilities. In formulating plans of reform we must rise to the challenge of solving critical societal needs. Medically underserved populations should be targeted for high-quality health care. Community-based patient-centered programs of education, research, and preventive medicine must be provided. Research can be the friend of cost containment. In placing a premium on synergies that will increase our potential, our productivity, and effectiveness in a culture of cooperation, common purpose, and mutual education, new knowledge for the twenty-first century will emerge and of which we can be justifiably proud. It will guarantee our viability. It will be our legacy.
Different nucleosome structures on transcribing and nontranscribing ribosomal gene sequences

Monomeric DNA lengths from Physarum nuclear chromatin occur in two subunit forms which differ from each other and from higher oligomers of nucleosomes in content of transcribed ribosomal DNA sequences. Labeled DNA restriction fragments from ribosomal RNA coding regions reanneal most rapidly with DNA from a monomeric subunit fraction. A particles, isolated from growing plasmodia and containing 144 base pairs of DNA in an extended conformation. Higher oligomers of nucleosomes are depleted in sequences from transcribing gene regions but are enriched in sequences from the nontranscribed central spacer of the ribosomal DNA palindrome. Nucleosome configuration on two 26S gene intervening sequences resembles that on adjacent coding regions.
CONGENITAL RENAL ARTERY STENOSIS IN A PREMATURE NEONATE. 1328

Arterial hypertension is rare in the neonate where it has high morbidity and mortality. Renovascular disease is the leading cause of neonatal hypertension. We report a case of severe hypertension in a 34 week gestation male neonate due to 90% right renal artery stenosis. The neonate presented at birth with malignant hypertension, hematuria, proteinuria, and normal GFR. Initial course was complicated by salt wasting, retinal arteriolar narrowing and labile blood pressure. Renal biopsy showed normal fetal architecture with ongoing nephrogenesis. Based on the biopsy findings, antihypertensive therapy with Captopril was temporarily discontinued due to its known adverse affect on the renin angiotensin axis and subsequent renal development. Despite no perfusion to the left kidney on radionuclide studies, renal ultrasound and Doppler flow studies were normal on two occasions. Arteriogram revealed long segment stenosis of the left main renal artery. Left nephrectomy resulted in resolution of hypertension and withdrawal of all medical therapy.
Evaluation of a brief cardiovascular autonomic screen.

Abstract Objective To test the validity and practicality of a simple, rapid autonomic cardiovascular evaluation (RACE). Introduction Assessment of the autonomic nervous system is costly and time consuming. Consequently, briefer measures are often utilized as evaluations of autonomic function. We therefore set out to assess the validity and practicality of a simple, rapid autonomic cardiovascular evaluation protocol which mimicked the bedside evaluations used in many healthcare centers. Design/methods Every eligible patient undergoing full autonomic testing (FAT) in our laboratory was enrolled. The protocol, performed blinded to FAT results, consisted of one breath in the supine position, and supine and standing (1 and 3 min) pressures and pulse. Results were scored for cardiac variation during the breath, a drop in pressure during the stand. Pulse increase was also scored. Aggregate RACE score was regressed against a similarly scored FAT. Results The single breath response correlated poorly with the standard response to deep breathing with convergent results in only 26/37 patients, with a specificity of 30%, and sensitivity of 85%. HR and BP changes standing showed little regression against matching values during FAT. Only 5/11 patients who met the criteria for postural tachycardia syndrome by FAT demonstrated a > 20 bpm increase in HR by 3 min standing. Finally, aggregate scores for FAT and RACE correlated poorly. Discussion The RACE does not satisfy the criteria to serve as a robust dysautonomia screen. Full autonomic testing provides more complete and accurate information than simple bedside assessment.
Ecotypic Adaptation in Sitanion hystrix

Ecotypic differentiation as a response to climatic conditions was studied in an adaptable grass species Sitanion hystrix (Nutt.) J. G. Smith. Twelve collection were obtained from seven states: Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Utah. The collection sites varied in elevation from 1,380 to 2,980 m and in annual precipitation from 310 to 739 mm. Plant materials were grown under uniform conditions in a transplant garden and a growth chamber. The effective growing seasons at the original collection sites were apparently as limited by moisture stress as by cold temperatures. Relative phenological development could be predicted by a climatic scale representing temperature and moisture conditions at the original collection sites. Plant size and dry matter production could not be predicted as reliably, suggesting that the primary factors which influence morphological and production characteristics may be more numerous or complex than those which influence penology. The populations represented in this study have adapted to different climatic conditions primarily through variations in timing of phenological development and in rate of growth. No differences in water use efficiency were found. Under uniform conditions: (1) plants from warm, dry habitats flowered early and had low dry matter production; (2) plants from habitats with moderate temperature and moisture conditions flowered latest and had relatively high dry matter production; and (3) plants from cool, wet habitats flowered early and had relatively high dry matter production. Flowering dates of the different collections varied as much as 2 mo.
PHOTONEUTRON YIELDS FROM NATURAL MAGNESIUM

Published measurements of the cross sections for the ($\ensuremath{\gamma}, n$) reaction in natural Mg and in ${\mathrm{Mg}}^{25}$ are in disagreement in the energy region where the other Mg isotopes do not contribute to the cross section of the natural sample, and imply a most unusual cross-section curve for the ${\mathrm{Mg}}^{26}$ isotope at slightly higher energies. A new measurement of the cross section for natural Mg is reported which disagrees strongly with the published data, but agrees with the ${\mathrm{Mg}}^{25}$ values, and implies a not-surprising cross-section curve for ${\mathrm{Mg}}^{26}$. The origin of the disagreement in the natural-sample cross-section values is unknown.
A review of observations of organic matter in fogs and clouds: Origin, processing and fate

Abstract While fog and cloud composition has been studied for decades, most of the research was limited to inorganic species and fog acidity. Recently the focus has shifted towards organic matter in the atmospheric aqueous phase of fogs and clouds: its origin, reactivity and fate. An impressive number of fog and cloud chemistry observational studies have been performed over the last decade throughout the world. In the present work we will review the state of knowledge of atmospheric organic matter processing by fogs, with a focus on field observations. We start by reviewing observational studies in general and then discuss our knowledge on the occurrence of organic matter in fogs, its solubility, characterization and molecular speciation. Organic carbon concentrations can vary widely from approximately 1 mg C/L in remote marine environments to more than 100 mg C/L in polluted radiation fogs, accounting for a substantial part of fogwater solutes. The carbonaceous material can enter the droplets from the gas and particle phase and the scavenging behavior of fogs will be detailed. Observational studies showed evidence of aqueous phase transformation of organic material, in particular secondary organic aerosol (SOA) generation, in fog. Recent observations of biological material in fog suggest also an impact of biological processing within the droplets on fog organic matter. The review will end with a discussion of the impact of fog on the deposition fluxes of organic material and hence its atmospheric lifetime.
Adiabatically tapered slab-coupled optical waveguide lasers

Adiabatically flared slab-coupled optical waveguide lasers (SCOWLs) at 1.06 µm wavelength have been studied, achieving a large fundamental mode and a 32% increase in COD power. Capabilities and limitations of the taper mechanism are discussed.
Geometry and heat loss in channel flow of a fluid with temperature-dependent density

Cao et al. previously derived a thermomechanically constrained theory for materials with temperature-dependent density and applied it to the illustrative problem of plane Poiseuille flow between isothermal walls. Here the theory is applied to geometries and thermal boundary conditions of practical importance in polymer processing: flows through planar, circular and annular dies with heat loss through the die walls. How geometry and thermal boundary conditions combine with material properties, especially thermal expansivity, to effect velocity and temperature profiles, and mass and volume flow rates is explored. A comparison is made with predictions that follow if temperature-dependence of density is either ignored or handled (as is the standard practice) by a posteriori insertion of a temperature-dependent expression for density into equations derived for constant density.
On the Existence of Linear Pfaff Systems with Lower Characteristic Sets of Positive Lebesgue m-Measure

We prove the existence of an n-dimensional completely integrable Pfaff system with multidimensional time of dimension m ⩾ 2, with bounded infinitely differentiable coefficients, and with the set of lower characteristic vectors of its solutions having positive Lebesgue m-measure.
How and when does fabrication damage adversely affect the clinical performance of ceramic restorations

Abstract Objectives As compared to factory-processed ceramic parts, one unique trait of all-ceramic dental restorations is that they are custom-fabricated, which implies a greater susceptibility to fabrication defects. A variety of processing techniques is now available for the custom fabrication of all-ceramic single and multi-unit restorations, these include sintering, heat-pressing, slip-casting, hard machining and soft machining, all in combination with a final staining or veneering step. All these fabrication techniques, from shaping to firing, are associated with the production of flaws of various shapes and sizes, in conjunction with thermal residual stresses, all of which are capable of inducing failure. Methods This review will examine the various types of fabrication damage inherent to each technique and attempt to establish a relationship between fabrication defects and clinical performance of all-ceramic dental restorations with particular attention to their longevity in vivo. Results Failure mechanisms in dental ceramics can be very complex and often involve the combination of physical factors, to which are added patient and clinician-related variables such as restoration design and in vivo conditions. Significance Tremendous progress has been made in understanding the failure mechanisms of all-ceramic dental restorations over the past thirty years. It remains that there is still a need for laboratory tests that usefully simulate clinical conditions.
Plate Electroporation: A Numerical Study of Factors Affecting Thermal Damage

Electroporation is an approach used to enhance the transport of large molecules to cell cytosol in which a targeted tissue region is exposed to a series of electric pulses. The cell membrane, which normally acts as a barrier to large molecule transport into the cell interior, is temporarily destabilized due to the development of pores in the cell membrane. Consequently agents that are ordinarily unable enter the cell are able to pass through the cell membrane. Of possible concern when exposing biological tissue to an electric field is thermal tissue damage associated with joule heating. This paper explores the thermal effects of various geometric, biological, and electroporation pulse parameters including the blood vessel presence and size, plate electrode configuration, and pulse duration and frequency. A three-dimensional transient finite volume model of in vivo parallel plate electroporation of liver tissue is used to develop a better understanding of the underlying relationships between the physical parameters involved with tissue electroporation and resulting thermal damage potential.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Quantitative analysis of Auger lineshapes of oxidized iron

Abstract A detailed data set of Fe(MNN) Auger lineshapes and O(511 eV)/Fe(LMM) Auger peak ratios for polycrystalline iron is reported as a function of oxygen exposure, and compared to corresponding X-ray photoelectron spectra. The data demonstrate that the Fe(MNN) lineshapes of Fe 3 O 4 and Fe 2 O 3 are extremely similar, and cannot be used to discriminate between these two oxides, except under nearly idealconditions. Other methods of determining iron oxidation states using relative heights of the Fe(LMM) peaks and O(KLL)/Fe(LMM) peak height ratios are critically evaluated. The data also demonstrate that although X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is generally superior to Auger electron spectroscopy for determining iron oxidation states, the extreme surface sensitivity of the Fe(MNN) Auger peak provides certain advantages for analysis of the initial stages of iron oxidation. A methodology is discussed whereby this data set can be used to separate contributions to the O(511 eV) Auger peak due to iron oxides from contributions due to other oxides in multicomponent samples. In this manner, oxidation-state information can be obtained for individual components of multiple-element samples by Auger electron spectroscopy. In principle, this approach is applicable to transition-metal elements other than iron.
2012 Presidential Address: The Scientist as a Citizen of the World

The URLs for information presented herein are as follows:No Military Trials for Civilians, http://en.nomiltrials.com/On the Media, http://www.onthemedia.org/2011/apr/15/state-run-newspapers-and-mona-seif/transcript/
Predation risk, escape and refuge use by mountain spiny lizards (Sceloporus jarrovii)

Economic theories of antipredatory behavior take into account expected fitness losses and gains to predict escape decisions. Prey at greater risk are predicted to have longer flight initiation distance (= distance from predator when escape begins), flee farther, be more likely to enter refuge, and have longer hiding time (= time between entering and exiting refuge). We simulated predators to study effects of risk factors in the lizard Sceloporus jarrovii. Flight initiation distance, distance fled and probability of entering refuge increased with approach speed. Flight initiation distance increased additively with increases in speed and directness of approach. Lizards habituated to human presence had shorter flight initiation distances than unhabituated lizards. As predicted from greater threat posed by a persistent predator, flight initiation distance and hiding time were longer after the second of two approaches. Fleeing was more likely when an investigator stood nearby and turned toward them than when farther way or turned away. These findings verify theoretical predictions of escape and refuge use for several risk factors and most are consistent with those for other lizards. However, speed and directness of approach had additive effects in S. jarrovii, but interacted in other species. Another novel finding was a small interaction between individual investigator and directness of approach. Although outcomes of tests of escape and refuge use theories consistently confirm qualitative predictions, quantitative comparisons between studies by different investigators may have limited value unless information is available about relative responses by prey to each investigator.
Observations of Physical and Environmental Characteristics of Suwannee Bass Spawning in a Spring-Fed Florida River

Abstract We describe physical and environmental characteristics associated with Micropterus notius (Suwannee Bass) spawning in the Ichetucknee River, FL. We located 24 Suwannee Bass nests from March to June (75% found May and June). Nests were found in relatively shallow waters (mean = 95 cm) with substrates dominated by organic material (63%). Suwannee Bass nests were located near cover, in low-flow areas (mean velocity = 0.01 m/s), and at a mean temperature of 21.7 °C. We did not detect any relationships from regressions between the frequency of nesting and temperature, photoperiod, river stage, discharge or lunar cycle. Ninety-two percent of nests contained submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), which are likely important to nesting areas as stream-velocity refuges that reduce sediment wash-in and egg disturbance during spawning. Descriptions of spawning habitat of this range-restricted species have implications for conservation and management decisions.
The effects of oxygen on line intensities during spark excitation

Abstract Using a nickel base, alloy as a sample and point-to-plane electrode geometry, the atmospheric composition of the analytical gap was varied by introducing different mixtures of oxygen, nitrogen and argon and by using graphite and copper counter-electrodes. Variations in the oxygen content of the analytical gap produced large changes in (1) the physical appearance of the spark burns, (2) the general spectral intensity, (3) the intensity ratio of a Ni III to a Ni I line, (4) the intensity ratio of analytical line pairs and (5) the time necessary for the analytical intensity ratios to reach equilibrium. The variations in the above parameters show interesting and important correlations. The best analytical results were obtained with agraphite counter-electrode and an atmosphere without oxygen, although highly oxidizing conditions were satisfactory for some elements. Analytical curves were not obtained for intermediate conditions because the intensity ratios were markedly time dependent.
Sensitivity of acoustic predictions to variation of input parameters

Rotor noise prediction codes predict the thickness and loading noise produced by a helicopter rotor, given the blade motion, rotor operating conditions, and fluctuating force distribution over the blade surface. However, the criticality of these various inputs, and their respective effects on the predicted acoustic field, have never been fully addressed. This paper examines the importance of these inputs, and the sensitivity of the acoustic predicitions to a variation of each parameter. The effects of collective and cyclic pitch, as well as coning and cyclic flapping, are presented. Blade loading inputs are examined to determine the necessary spatial and temporal resolution, as well as the importance of the chordwise distribution. The acoustic predictions show regions in the acoustic field where significant errors occur when simplified blade motions or blade loadings are used. An assessment of the variation in the predicted acoustic field is balanced by a consideration of Central Processing Unit (CPU) time necessary for the various approximations.
Endoscopic and Robotic Thyroidectomy for Cancer

This article focuses on endoscopic and robotic surgical techniques for the treatment of thyroid cancer. The most widely applied techniques are minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy, as well as various combinations using a primarily axillary-based approach. Although there are few large studies delineating the benefits of endoscopic thyroid resection when compared with traditional thyroidectomy, in patients who desire the lack of a cervical incision, endoscopic thyroidectomy provides a safe and oncologically effective surgical option when applied by experienced surgeons. Endoscopic surgical treatment of thyroid disease is a developing field and deserves further study before widespread application.
Computerized simple regression methods for survival time studies

Abstract Given a set of grouped survival data which may contain censored observations, a computer program has been written which obtains estimates of the parameters of four survival distributions by least squares procedures and selects the one which fits the data best. The distributions are the exponential, linear hazard, Gompertz, and Weibull. Also, estimates of the hazard function, λ(t), the survivorship function, F t, and the probability density function, f(t), are made based upon the estimated parameter values of each of the distributions. Plots of the survival functions are made for the best fitting model. The survival data are entered into the program in the form of a life table with the following given information: the number of individuals alive at the start of the study and the number dying or censored in each interval. “Censored” observations are those individuals alive at the time of final analysis or lost to follow-up. The width of each interval is selected by the user. Reasonably good estimates of parameters may be expected if the total number of observations is 50 or more. A complete discussion of the problem of estimating the parameters of the four survival distributions by regression methods is given in Gehan and Siddiqui. These methods of estimation are utilized in this program.
Novel components and enzymatic activities of the human erythrocyte plasma membrane calcium pump

The plasma membrane Ca2+ pump is essential for the maintenance of cystolic calcium ion concentration levels in eukaryotes. Here we show that the Ca2+-ATPase, purified from human erythrocytes, contains two homopolymers, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and inorganic polyphosphate (polyP), which form voltage-activated calcium channels in the plasma membranes of Escherichia coli and other bacteria. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase may function as a polyphosphate kinase, i.e. it exhibits ATP-polyphosphate transferase and polyphosphate-ADP transferase activities. These findings suggest a novel supramolecular structure for the functional Ca2+-ATPase, and a new mechanism of uphill Ca2+ extrusion coupled to ATP hydrolysis.
Sending RNAs into the Future: RNA Localization and Germ Cell Fate

RNA localization is a cellular mechanism used to localize proteins to subcellular domains and to control protein synthesis regionally. In oocytes, RNA localization has profound implications for development, setting up local concentrations of regulatory proteins that will establish regional fates in the future embryo. One such fate is that of the germ cell lineage. In a diverse number of organisms, including Drosophila and Xenopus, the germ cell lineage is determined by the inheritance of germ plasm assembled during oogenesis. This process requires the recruitment of specific RNAs, many now identified, to the germ plasm. Complex signals located in the 3' UTR direct RNAs to their destinations. These signals are sites for protein binding and assembly into particles competent to localize. Three different mechanisms have been described that operate during oogenesis or embryogenesis to localize RNAs in the germ plasm: motor driven transport, differential stability, and entrapment. Each of these localization mechanisms must be coordinated with translation and anchoring mechanisms to achieve functional germ plasms. Here we review what is known about these processes in germ cells, but the cellular mechanisms that select and transport RNAs are likely to be conserved among somatic cells as well.
Explicit Routing in Software-Defined Networking (ERSDN): Addressing Controller Scalability

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) promises a more flexible, automatable and programmable computer network. Software-Defined Networking separates the control from data plane. The control plane is placed in a centralized controller which network applications such as traffic engineering, QoS and firewalls reside. The centralize controller creates a scalability problem when large numbers of network events are processed in the control plane. Reducing the number of network events processed in the control plane and only processing required network events is critical in addressing the scalability concerns of SDN architecture. This paper addresses the scalability problem of controller by introducing Explicit Routing in SDN (ERSDN) which is a routing scheme used to reduce the number of network events processed by the control plane. This paper makes three contributions to research. First, it presents ERSDN a routing scheme used to select transit routers throughout the network at the edge routers. Second, it presents the design and implementation of ERSDN. Third, it evaluates the effect of ERSDN on SDN controller scalability in terms of the number of network events handled in the control plane. Finally, the results show that ERSDN is able to reduce the number of network events processed in the control plane by 430% when compared to traditional routing in SDN/Open flow network. ERSDN is a promising routing solution which can be used to address the controller scalability problem.
ISOTOPIC EXCHANGE IN MINERAL-FLUID SYSTEMS. III: RATES AND MECHANISMS OF OXYGEN ISOTOPE EXCHANGE IN THE SYSTEM GRANITE-H2O NACL KCL AT HYDROTHERMAL CONDITIONS

Abstract Variations with time in the alteration mineralogy and the oxygen isotopic composition of solutions, minerals, and rocks have been experimentally investigated in the system granite-H2O ± NaCl ± KCl at T = 170° to 300°C, P = L V to 0.3 kb , water rock mass ratios (0.2 to 6), and grain sizes (~0.1 mm to 2.5 mm) for periods up to 1006 h. Alteration assemblages formed in the experiments are dominated by chlorite (after biotite), sericite-zeolite-albite (after K-feldspar and plagioclase), and hematite (after magnetite and pyrite). The abundance of these minerals continued to increase with increasing reaction time, temperature, NaCl (or KCl) concentration of solution, and surface area of solids. However, major element concentrations attained steady state in less than 330 h. Reaction of rock ( δ 18 O i ∼- +8‰ ) and aqueous solution ( δ 18 O i ∼- −10‰ ) resulted in depletion of 18O in the solid and enrichment of 18O in the fluid. The magnitudes of change increase as temperature, time, salt concentration, and surface area increase. The trends in isotopic shifts are directly related to changes in the style and intensity of mineralogic alterations in the granite. The degree of isotope exchange in the experimental systems between granite (minerals) and solutions was computed from the comparison with calculated equilibrium fractionation factors and yield values of less than 5 to 50% exchange. The δ18O changes of the rocks, minerals, and fluid were observed to follow closely with those expected from a firstorder rate law. At temperatures between 170 and 300°C, rate constants for the oxygen isotope exchange between granite and pure water range from 10−9 to 10−8.1 (moles 0 m−2 sec−1) whereas rates in the granite-0. 1m NaCl system range from 10−8.5 to 10−7.6. Rate constants were also retrieved for biotite, K-feldspar, and plagioclase interacted with either pure water or 0.1–1 m NaCl. Based on a simple closed-system model with (W/S) mass ratios between 0.5 and 5, we estimate the minimum time required for granite-fluid isotopic equilibration to be roughly 200 years or less for grains 1 cm in radius or smaller (porous-media analog) reacted at 300°C, and between 104 and 105 years for grains ranging from 0.1 to 1 m in radius (fractured-media analog) reacted at 300°C.
Transcription of Agrobacterium rhizogenes A4 T-DNA

Two distinct segments of transferred DNA (T-DNA) were detected in tumor tissue incited by Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain A4 on Nicotiana glauca. RNA from these tumors was examined for the presence of T-DNA encoded transcripts. Six genetic loci involved in virulence and tumor morphology have been identified by transposon mutagenesis: rol A-D on the leftward T-DNA (TL-DNA) and tms1 and 2 on the rightward T-DNA (TR-DNA). On the basis of map position, the rol A-D loci are associated with transcripts of 650, 1,050, 850 and 1,250 nucleotides, respectively, while the tms loci are associated with transcripts of 2,500 and 1,600 nucleotides. An additional transcript of 1,050 nucleotides not associated with a detectable phenotype was identified on the TL-DNA. On the TR-DNA, at least four transcripts other than those associated with tms1 and 2 were identified.
Stacking Sequence Changes in A3B-Type Close-Packed Structures: a One-Dimensional Stacking Model

Structural modifications resulting from changes in the sequence of stacking of close-packed layers are very common in A 3 B-type transition-metal alloys. In the present work, a one-dimensional model of stacking has been explored. We found that the stacking changes observed in these alloys can be interpreted in terms of interactions between a few adjacent layers.