cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The allometry of daily energy expenditure in hummingbirds: An energy budget approach.

Within-clade allometric relationships represent standard laws of scaling between energy and size, and their outliers provide new avenues for physiological and ecological research. According to the metabolic-level boundaries hypothesis, metabolic rates as a function of mass are expected to scale closer to 0.67 when driven by surface-related processes (e.g. heat or water flux), while volume-related processes (e.g. activity) generate slopes closer to one. In birds, daily energy expenditure (DEE) scales with body mass (M) in the relationship logDEE=2.35+0.68×logM , consistent with surface-level processes driving the relationship. However, taxon-specific patterns differ from the scaling slope of all birds. Hummingbirds have the highest mass-specific metabolic rates among all vertebrates. Previous studies on a few hummingbird species, without accounting for the phylogeny, estimated that the DEE-body mass relationship for hummingbirds was logDEE=1.72+1.21×logM . In Contrast to the theoretical expectations, this slope >1 indicates that larger hummingbirds are less metabolically efficient than smaller hummingbirds. We collected DEE and mass data for 12 hummingbird species, which, combined with published data, represented 17 hummingbird species in eight of nine hummingbird clades over a sixfold size range of body size (2.7-17.5 g). After accounting for phylogenetic relatedness, we found DEE scales with body mass as logDEE=2.04+0.95×logM . This slope of 0.95 is lower than previously estimated for hummingbirds, but much higher than the slope for all birds (0.68). The high slopes of torpor, hovering and flight potentially explain the high interspecific DEE slope for hummingbirds compared to other endotherms.
Evaluation and Implementation of a Fundamental Model for Interfacial Heat Transfer Coefficient in High-Pressure Die-Casting

In the present study, the fundamental model for interfacial heat transfer coefficient (IHTC) in high-pressure die-casting (HPDC) developed by Hamasaiid et al. is re-examined using numerical simulations and established literature. The role of impact pressure on the peak IHTC is re-evaluated for the Aluminum alloy Al-9Si-3Cu and the magnesium alloy AZ91D. Currently, ANSYS FLUENT does not have a mesh independent model for air gap evolution at the die-casting boundary. To address this, an implementation of the Hamasaiid model is built for ANSYS FLUENT 18.1 and its results are compared to experimental work. All the derivations and code for the simulations are offered as open source under the GNU General Public License v3.0.
Toward a Model of Polymorphism Comprehension

Polymorphism is challenging for novice programmers because it is an emergent consequence of multiple language features. OO polymorphism is critical to flexible software design, but no model currently explains student comprehension. In this research, students implemented the Strategy pattern to improve their comprehension of polymorphism, then were assessed by professional developers in whiteboard interviews. From these data, the authors work toward deriving a model of novice comprehension of polymorphism.
Study on the characteristics of cluster cases and control measures of hand, foot and mouth disease in Liaoning province,2010

Objective Analysis on epidemiological features of Hand Foot and Mouth cases cluster in province Liaoning,2010.Methods Date of Hand,Foot and Mouth case clusters were collected by cities in Liaoning Province reported and analysis on epidemiological characteristics and pathogen distribution.Results 313 Hand,Foot and Mouth case cluster with 1156 cases were reported in 2010,their districbution are Anshan,Shenyang and Yingkou.From April,the Hand,Foot and Mouth Disease case creases rapidly,and reaches peak in August,then decrease steadily.the cases were Focused between May and August,and the main units are nursery,which is eighty-nine point seven four percent.EV71 was the main etiological agent.Conclusion Hand,foot and mouth disease cluster focus in the large and medium-sized city mainly and they most occurred in nursery. Key words: hand ,foot and mouth disease; cluster
Surgical outcomes are equivalent after pure laparoscopic and robotic-assisted pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

Summary Introduction Minimally invasive (robotic and pure laparoscopic) pyeloplasty has been increasingly used for treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). However, few large-scale studies have compared these two modalities directly. Methods We performed a retrospective single-center review of all patients who underwent pure laparoscopic (LP) or robotic pyeloplasty (RALP) between 2007 and 2018. Patients were excluded if the initial surgery at our institution was a redo pyeloplasty or if they lacked follow-up information. Outcomes of interest included operative time, length of stay, and complication rates, including rates of secondary procedures. We compared these outcomes between groups using Student's t test for continuous variables and a Chi-square for categorical variables. Results A total of 282 patients were identified. Forty-eight were excluded based on study criteria; therefore, our total study cohort was 234 patients: 119 RALP and 115 LP cases. Overall mean postoperative follow-up time was 20.8 months, with no significant differences between groups. Mean operative time was shorter in the LP group when compared the RALP group (3 h 7 min vs. 3 h 41 min, p Conclusion We demonstrated no significant differences between RALP and LP in regards to complication rates. Surgeons performing RALP and LP have the potential to offer the same level of care for the surgical management of UPJO, especially in countries where robotic technology may not be readily available. Median time from surgery to complication in days (range) Overall (n = 234) Robotic (n = 119) Laparoscopic (n = 115) p value Clavien I 9 (3–26) 9 (3.8%) 5 (4.2%) 4 (3.5%) p = 1.0 Clavien II 12 (3–37) 17 (7.3%) 8 (6.7%) 9 (7.8%) p = 0.75 Clavien III 33 (4–1316) 25 (10.7%) 14 (11.8%) 11 (9.6%) p = 0.59 All complications 17 (3–1316) 52 (22.2%) 28 (23.5%) 24 (20.9%) p = 0.63
The Limits of Autobiographical Logic. On the Impossibility of Narrating One’s Death

The practice of life writing seems to exclude the incorporation of the writer’s death. How can autobiography come to terms with this blind spot? Are there any strategies that enable the horizon or end of the writer’s life (‘bios’) to be integrated into his or her reflections thereof? How can the impulses that are given within the scope of the writer’s contemplation of her/his transience be characterized – and how are they important for ‘life writing’? This contribution examines the autobiographical works by Saint Augustine, Petrarch, and Fontane to illustrate three different models of how life writing sets out to address the different roles that death – or rather, the awareness of human finitude – plays for the genre.
What 2020 taught us about the politics and teaching of public health

The COVID-19 pandemic has illuminated the critical need to make greater investments in public health and build the capacity of the public health workforce. Among the professional competencies needed to address the ongoing morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19, as well as other current and future public health challenges, is the ability to effectively engage in the political process. While we acknowledge that public health institutions and workers are under-resourced and are grateful for their tireless efforts to control the pandemic, we argue that their efforts have been severely hampered by a notable absence from politics. We argue that our ability to protect and promote public health has been further challenged by divisive political rhetoric from the former presidential administration, which has amplified a culture of self-interest and individualism. Such values are counter to public health and threaten our ability to address the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on low-income communities and communities of color, along with the myriad of health inequities experienced by marginalized communities in the US. We assert that public health professionals must be better equipped and supported in their efforts to challenge powerful majorities that have generated such unhealthy and unequal social and environmental conditions. Policy change related to social determinants of health should be an integral component of our intervention strategies and political advocacy should be considered a core competency for training future public health professionals. The field needs professionals comfortable and adept at working within the political sphere; students are eager for skills that allow them to translate their passion for social justice in health; and the persistent and pervasive health inequities experienced by marginalized communities demand such action.
Assessment of Video Capsule Endoscopy in the Management of Acute Gastrointestinal Bleeding During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Importance Evaluation of acute gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding using invasive endoscopic procedures comprising the standard of care (SOC)-upper endoscopy and colonoscopy-can expose the endoscopy staff to SARS-CoV-2. Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) does not generate aerosols and only requires 1 person to manage the procedure. Objective To examine the safety of VCE for the initial evaluation of GI bleeding at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic to identify signs of active bleeding while minimizing patient and personnel exposure, saving personal protective equipment, and avoiding invasive or unnecessary procedures. Design, setting, and participants A multicenter (UMass Memorial Medical Center and Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center) retrospective cohort study including 146 patients with COVID-19 who received VCE as the first-line diagnostic modality was conducted from March 15 to June 15, 2020, compared with SOC in January 2020 for evaluation of GI bleeding. The association between treatment and outcomes was estimated using multivariable regression adjusting for potential confounders. Propensity score matching was used to verify the results. Main outcomes and measures The primary end point was detection of active bleeding or stigmata of recent bleeding. Secondary end points included the number of patients requiring any invasive procedures, number of additional procedures, rates of rebleeding and rehospitalization, transfusion requirements, and mortality. Results Among 146 patients, 92 (63.0%) were men; mean (SD) age was 64.93 (14.13) years in the COVID-19 group and 61.33 (13.39) years in the SOC group. Active bleeding or stigmata of recent bleeding was observed in 44 (59.5%) patients in the COVID-19 group compared with 18 (25.0%) in the SOC group (adjusted odds ratio, 5.23; 95% CI, 2.23 to 12.27). Only 36 patients (48.7%) in the COVID-19 group required any invasive procedure during the hospitalization compared with 70 (97.2%) in the SOC group (adjusted odds ratio, 0.01; 95% CI, 0.001 to 0.08). The mean (SD) number of invasive procedures was 0.59 (0.77) per patient in the COVID-19 group compared with 1.18 (0.48) per patient in the SOC group (adjusted difference, -0.54; 95% CI, -0.77 to -0.31). Both approaches appeared to be safe and there was no significant difference in transfusion requirements, rebleeding, rehospitalization, or in-hospital mortality. No mortality was attributed to GI bleeding in either group. Conclusions and relevance In this cohort study, first-line diagnostic evaluation of acute GI bleeding using VCE appeared to be a safe and useful alternative to the traditional approach of upper endoscopy and colonoscopy. Use of VCE was associated with increased detection of active bleeding and a reduced number of invasive procedures and unnecessary exposure of personnel to SARS-CoV-2 and use of personal protective equipment.
A Review of Complex Variable Theory

Before developing the mathematical foundations of the Complex Variable Boundary Element Method (CVBEM), the basic tools needed for the development of the method need to be reviewed. In this chapter, a brief surrmary of the prerequisite complex variable theory is presented. The basic definitions of analytic function theory are reviewed first, and the necessary line integral theory including the Cauchy theorems is then addressed. Because the use of computers in engineering and applied mathematics problems is now a conmon practice, computer programming for a complex polynomial approximation on a problem boundary is included in the review. Additionally, a few topics of applied complex variables are reviewed at the end of the chapter. These are not required for the development of the basic CVBEM, but will be useful for study of CVBEM applications to engineering problems. For a more extensive review of the subject, the complex variable theory, the reader is referred to the standard text or reference books; e.g. Churchill, 1974; Kaplan, 1952; Butkov, 1968.
Beyond the Politics of Race? Explaining the Vote in Recent Louisiana Gubernatorial Elections

In 2007, Bobby Jindal became the first nonwhite governor to be elected in Louisiana, and only the second nonwhite governor of a southern state. Jindal's election is interesting in that Louisiana has been afflicted by what many observers describe as racial backlash voting. Indeed, some have argued that such racial backlash explained Jindal's defeat in the 2003 gubernatorial election. This article utilizes aggregate-level data to examine whether racial backlash cost Jindal the 2003 election, and if so whether Jindal's victory in 2007 was attributable to the absence of such racial backlash. The findings suggest that racial backlash exerted a significant effect on Jindal's parish-by-parish vote in both the 2003 and 2007 gubernatorial contests. However, the findings also indicate that racial backlash alone was neither a sufficient explanation for Jindal's defeat in 2003 nor enough to deny him victory in 2007. En 2007, Bobby Jindal se convirtio en el primer gobernador no-blanco en ser elegido en Louisiana, y solo el segundo gobernador no-blanco en un estado sureno. La eleccion de Jindal es interesante ya que Louisiana ha sido aquejada por lo que muchos observadores denominan voto racial reactivo. En efecto, algunos han arguido que dicha reaccion violenta explico la derrota de Jindal en la eleccion para gobernador de 2003. Este articulo utiliza datos a nivel agregado (aggregate-level data) para examinar si acaso voto racial reactivo influyo en la derrota Jindal en 2003 y si acaso la ausencia del mismo contribuyo a su victoria en 2007. Las conclusiones apuntan a que el voto racial reactivo ejercio un efecto significativo en el voto distrito–por–distrito tanto en las elecciones para gobernador de 2003 como en las de 2007. Sin embargo, se destaca que aun asi el voto racial reactivo por si mismo resulta insuficiente tanto para causarle la derrota en 2003 como para impedirle la victoria en 2007.
Relativistic corrections to electron scattering: (II). Inelastic scattering

Abstract Relativistic corrections to inelastic electron scattering have been investigated using the results of a previous calculation on elastic scattering. A detailed discussion is made of the kinematics of inelastic scattering. Excitation of discrete states is treated in detail by two different methods, with particular attention paid to kinematical factors. Deuteron breakup is discussed and treated in a very similar manner to the discrete excitations. Comparison is made with analyses using plane wave final states and with previous work.
Disrupted network architecture of the resting brain in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Background Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders of childhood. Neuroimaging investigations of ADHD have traditionally sought to detect localized abnormalities in discrete brain regions. Recent years, however, have seen the emergence of complementary lines of investigation into distributed connectivity disturbances in ADHD. Current models emphasize abnormal relationships between default network—involved in internally directed mentation and lapses of attention—and task positive networks, especially ventral attention network. However, studies that comprehensively investigate interrelationships between large-scale networks in ADHD remain relatively rare. Methods Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained from 757 participants at seven sites in the ADHD-200 multisite sample. Functional connectomes were generated for each subject, and interrelationships between seven large-scale brain networks were examined with network contingency analysis. Results ADHD brains exhibited altered resting state connectivity between default network and ventral attention network [P < 0.0001, false discovery rate (FDR)-corrected], including prominent increased connectivity (more specifically, diminished anticorrelation) between posterior cingulate cortex in default network and right anterior insula and supplementary motor area in ventral attention network. There was distributed hypoconnectivity within default network (P = 0.009, FDR-corrected), and this network also exhibited significant alterations in its interconnections with several other large-scale networks. Additionally, there was pronounced right lateralization of aberrant default network connections. Conclusions Consistent with existing theoretical models, these results provide evidence that default network-ventral attention network interconnections are a key locus of dysfunction in ADHD. Moreover, these findings contribute to growing evidence that distributed dysconnectivity within and between large-scale networks is present in ADHD. Hum Brain Mapp 35:4693–4705, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Classical control theory applied to potentially chaotic systems

Some nonlinear systems of order three or higher become chaotic for certain parameter values and initial conditions. Interesting examples have been discussed in recent years, using sophisticated mathematical analysis and/or simulation. This article presents a simple method of predicting if chaos is possible and under what conditions, using classical control theory tools such as Nyquist's stability theorem and describing functions. The method is demonstrated using several examples.
Generalization of log-location-scale regression model to thermal fatigue reliability in electronic packaging

The reliability evaluation of important components in electronic packaging usually is done using finite element analysis (FEA), which is a deterministic approach. Many sophisticated statistical models have been developed for general life data analysis. However, little work has been done to integrate numerical results from FEA, highly censored statistical life data and the statistical regression models available in literature. The present paper proposes such an integrated approach.
Development and evaluation of an open source software tool for deidentification of pathology reports

Electronic medical records, including pathology reports, are often used for research purposes. Currently, there are few programs freely available to remove identifiers while leaving the remainder of the pathology report text intact. Our goal was to produce an open source, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant, deidentification tool tailored for pathology reports. We designed a three-step process for removing potential identifiers. The first step is to look for identifiers known to be associated with the patient, such as name, medical record number, pathology accession number, etc. Next, a series of pattern matches look for predictable patterns likely to represent identifying data; such as dates, accession numbers and addresses as well as patient, institution and physician names. Finally, individual words are compared with a database of proper names and geographic locations. Pathology reports from three institutions were used to design and test the algorithms. The software was improved iteratively on training sets until it exhibited good performance. 1800 new pathology reports were then processed. Each report was reviewed manually before and after deidentification to catalog all identifiers and note those that were not removed. 1254 (69.7 %) of 1800 pathology reports contained identifiers in the body of the report. 3439 (98.3%) of 3499 unique identifiers in the test set were removed. Only 19 HIPAA-specified identifiers (mainly consult accession numbers and misspelled names) were missed. Of 41 non-HIPAA identifiers missed, the majority were partial institutional addresses and ages. Outside consultation case reports typically contain numerous identifiers and were the most challenging to deidentify comprehensively. There was variation in performance among reports from the three institutions, highlighting the need for site-specific customization, which is easily accomplished with our tool. We have demonstrated that it is possible to create an open-source deidentification program which performs well on free-text pathology reports.
Review of S. Conway Morris' Book: Life's Solution: Inevitable Humans in a Lonely Universe

Simon Conway Morris in "Life's Solution" makes his point. Evolution does seem to be going somewhere, and human-like intelligence is along the way (not to be confused with the endpoint). Morris is less convincing with his belief that we are alone in the universe. To collect convincing data we need to travel to distant corners of the universe, and see for ourselves. But such a hypothetical adventure is out of the question, at least today. You can find this book at Amazon: Life's Solution: Inevitable Humans in a Lonely Universe .
The role of drift, diffusion, and recombination in time-resolved photoluminescence of CdTe solar cells determined through numerical simulation

Time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) measurements are one of the key metrics available to determine the minority-carrier lifetime in the absorber layer of direct band gap photovoltaic devices. Direct measurement of the minority-carrier lifetime is essential to understanding the impact of changes in deposition and processing on material quality. Unfortunately, the TRPL signal is determined by a complex convolution of multiple physical factors including bulk carrier lifetime, interface recombination velocity, electric field, doping density, photo-excited carrier density, and carrier mobility. To gain clarity, we have used numerical simulations to analyze the carrier dynamics after a CdTe device is illuminated with a short light pulse. After the light pulse, the photo-generated carriers undergo complex dynamics including drift, diffusion, interface, and bulk recombination. In this work, we develop a new formalism that enables much greater insight into which factors dominate the TRPL decay dynamics. By breaking down the carrier dynamics into drift, diffusion, and recombination terms, we have developed six-factor, four-factor, and two-factor analyses that provide clear understanding of which physical factors dominate the decay dynamics under various conditions and at different times during the decay. We show that in a typical CdTe device under the typical experimental conditions used in our laboratories, the faster part of the decay is dominated by charge separation, whereas the slower part is dominated by carrier recombination. Therefore, under the conditions investigated in this study, the slower part of the decay is a better parameter to explain the defect density in the CdTe layer. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Depression Among Cocaine Abusers in Treatment: Relation to Cocaine and Alcohol Use and Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: The authors investigated the theoretical and clinical role of depression among cocaine abusers in treatment. METHOD: Eighty-nine cocaine-abusing patients underwent 2 weeks of substance abuse treatment. Posttreatment major depressive disorder, depressive symptoms before and after substance abuse treatment, and alcohol diagnoses were assessed and their relation to pretreatment substance use, cravings in high-risk situations, and 3-month follow-up status was examined. RESULTS: High rates of major depressive disorder were found but were unrelated to pretreatment substance use. The decrease in depressive symptoms during treatment was independent of major depressive disorder or alcohol diagnoses and predicted treatment attrition. Higher levels of depressive symptoms during treatment were associated with greater urge to use cocaine, alcohol, and other drugs in high-risk situations. Concurrent major depressive disorder and depressive symptoms did not predict cocaine use at follow-up. However, patients ...
Outcomes after aneurysm rupture during endovascular coil embolization.

Objective Intracranial aneurysm rupture during placement of Guglielmi detachable coils has been reported, but the management and consequences of this event have not been extensively described. We present our experience with this feared complication and report possible neuroradiological and neurosurgical interventions to improve outcomes. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records for 701 patients with 734 intracranial aneurysms that were treated with endovascular coiling, during a 6-year period, in the metropolitan Minneapolis-St. Paul (Minnesota) area. This analysis revealed 10 cases of perforation during coiling. The management and outcomes were recorded, and the pertinent literature was reviewed. Results All 10 cases involved previously ruptured aneurysms. This complication occurred sporadically and was not observed in the first 100 cases. Perforation occurred during microcatheterization of the aneurysm in two cases and during coil deposition in eight cases. Seven of the perforated aneurysms were located in the anterior circulation and three in the posterior circulation. Six of the 10 patients made good or fair recoveries; all three patients with posterior circulation lesions died immediately after rehemorrhage. Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) was noted for all five patients with intraventricular catheters in place. Bilateral pupil dilation and profound hemodynamic changes were noted for eight patients. Coiling was rapidly completed, and total or nearly total occlusion was achieved in all cases. Emergency ventriculostomy was performed to rapidly reduce increased ICP for two patients, both of whom made good recoveries. Hemodynamic and angiographic factors after perforation, such as prolonged systemic hypertension, persistent dye extravasation after deployment of the first Guglielmi detachable coil, and persistent prolongation of contrast dye transit time (suggesting ongoing ICP elevation), were correlated with poor outcomes. Conclusion Previously ruptured aneurysms seem to be more susceptible to endovascular treatment-related perforation than are unruptured lesions. Worse prognoses are associated with iatrogenic rupture during coiling of posterior circulation lesions, compared with those in the anterior circulation. When perforation is recognized, the definitive treatment seems to be reversal of anticoagulation therapy and completion of Guglielmi detachable coil embolization. Immediate neurosurgical intervention is limited in these cases and focuses on decreasing ICP via emergency ventriculostomy. However, these measures may be life-saving, and neurosurgical assistance must be readily available during treatment of these cases.
Best Practice for On-Wafer Millimeter Wave Noise Figure Measurements

Equations are developed for convenient, but rigorous, corrections to on-wafer noise figure measurements based on the radiometer equation. The suitability of the approach for millimeter-wave measurements is demonstrated by presenting measured results for a W-Band (75-110GHz) MMIC low-noise amplifier (LNA). The measured quantities are vector-corrected to specified measurement planes by processing received noise temperatures (or noise power) and applying the developed equations to the measured system characteristics, such as probe S-parameters and noise source reflection coefficients. This technique provides a more rigorous treatment of the losses and mismatches present in a measurement system, yielding more accurate noise figure results compared to those obtained using scalar-corrected quantities. The results for the selected LNA show the noise figure to be on the order of 4 dB over 93-95 GHz, with an average discrepancy of 0.7 dB between noise figure corrections using only scalar loss information and the rigorous noise figure corrections based on vector S-parameter corrections presented here.
Cytomegalovirus infection of liver transplant recipients: Comparison of antigenemia and molecular biology assays

Background: CMV is a major clinical problem in transplant recipients. Thus, it is important to use sensitive and specific diagnostic techniques to rapidly and accurately detect CMV infection and identify patients at risk of developing CMV disease. In the present study, CMV infection after liver transplantation was monitored retrospectively by two molecular biology assays—a quantitative PCR assay and a qualitative NASBA assay. The results were compared with those obtained by prospective pp65 antigenemia determinations. Materials and Methods: 87 consecutive samples from 10 liver transplanted patients were tested for CMV by pp65 antigenemia, and CMV monitor and NASBA pp67 mRNA assay. Results: CMV infection was detected in all patients by antigenemia and CMV monitor, whereas NASBA assay identified only 8/10 patients with viremia. Furthermore, CMV infection was never detected earlier by molecular biology assays than by antigenemia. Only 5/10 patients with CMV infection developed CMV disease. Using a cut off value of 8 cells/50,000, antigenemia was found to be the assay that better identified patients at risk of developing CMV disease. However, the kinetics of the onset of infection detected by NASBA and CMV monitor seemed to have better identified patients at risk of developing CMV disease. Furthermore, before onset of disease, CMV pp67 mRNA was found to have similar or better negative and positive predictive values for the development of CMV disease. Conclusions: The present data, suggests that the concomitant use of antigenemia and pp67 mRNA assay gives the best identification of patients at risk of developing CMV disease.
Characterization of structural and functional domains of the anillin-related protein Mid1p that contribute to cytokinesis in fission yeast.

Fission yeast cells depend on the anillin-related protein Mid1p for reliable cytokinesis. Insolubility limits the purification of full-length Mid1p for biophysical analysis, and lack of knowledge about the structural domains of Mid1p limits functional analysis. We addressed these limitations by identifying in a bacterial expression screen of random Mid1p fragments five soluble segments that can be purified and one insoluble segment. Using complementation experiments in Δmid1 cells, we tested the biological functions of these six putative domains that account for full-length Mid1p. The N-terminal domain (residues 1–149) is essential for correct positioning and orientation of septa. The third domain (residues 309–452) allows the construct composed of the first three domains (residues 1-452) to form hydrodynamically well-behaved octamers. Constructs consisting of residues 1–452 or 1–578 carry out most functions of full-length Mid1p, including concentration at the equatorial cortex in nodes that accumulate myosin-II and other contractile ring proteins during mitosis. However, cells depending on these constructs without the insoluble domain (residues 579–797) form equatorially located rings slowly from strands rather than by direct condensation of nodes. We conclude that residues 1–578 assemble node components myosin-II, Rng2p, and Cdc15p, and the insoluble domain facilitates the normal, efficient condensation of nodes into rings.
Theoretical and experimental study of monopole phased array antennas

A theoretical and experimental investigation of the mutual coupling in large two-dimensional periodic planar phased arrays of thin cylindrical monopoles is addressed. A plane wave representation of the active input impedance is used to analyze an infinite array of monopoles. A finite array analysis is used to compute the center element gain pattern and input impedance as a function of the array size and element position. The center element gain pattern is shown to have omnidirectional vertical polarization with a null on-axis and peak gain in the vicinity of 50\deg from broadside. Measurements of the element gain pattern and mutual coupling for a 121-element passively terminated monopole square lattice array are shown to be in good agreement with the theory. The results of the infinite array analysis are compared to theoretical and experimental data in the literature for hexagonal lattice arrays.
Predicting Variation in the Timing of Language Milestones in the Second Year: An Events History Approach

In a longitudinal investigation of 40 child–mother dyads, we examined prediction from three indexes of children's own language: (1) vocal imitations, (2) first spontaneous words in production, and (3) receptive language starting at 0;9, and their mothers' verbal responsiveness at 0;9 and 1;1, to the developmental onset of three significant language milestones of the second year: (1) 50 words in productive language, (2) combinatorial speech, and (3) the use of language to express a memory. In these analyses, we utilized EVENTS HISTORY ANALYSIS, a statistical technique well suited to questions concerning when in development certain events begin and the extent to which predictors influence the timing of those events. The timing of children's first words in production, the timing of their achievement of 50 words in receptive language, and maternal responsiveness at 1;1 each contributed uniquely to variation in the timing of the three language milestones. When child and mother factors were considered together, the onset of the three language milestones differed by as much as 0;5 months for children in the lower and upper 10th percentiles of the predictor variables. The present findings contribute to generating and testing specific models about child and mother factors thought to explain variation in key aspects of children's second-year language development.
FARMERS AND ‘PROSTITUTES’: TWENTIETH-CENTURY PROBLEMS OF FEMALE INHERITANCE IN KANO EMIRATE, NIGERIA

This article focuses on the implications of an emir of Kano's decision to forbid women from inheriting houses and farms in 1923 and a successor's reversal of that policy in 1954. The earlier emir justified his policy by claiming that women inheritors were becoming prostitutes and the later one argued that women's re-enfranchisement would ameliorate the poverty of destitute elderly women. Both these events appear to have been radical innovations for their time and reflect continuous anxiety over women living outside of male control and a longer-term attack on women's public role. While the emirs' explanations do not fully comprehend the political logic of their decisions, both the proclamations and the way they were explained illustrate contradictions and ambiguities within Hausa conceptions of gender.
Robotic-assisted lingual tonsillectomy.

INTRODUCTION This report presents a new technique of transoral robotic-assisted lingual tonsillectomy (RALT). The lingual tonsil area is difficult to visualize and access in the oropharynx. When a lingual tonsillectomy is performed to obtain diagnostic tissue, visualization of this area is important. Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has been reported to be feasible and safe in other areas of the oral cavity and is reported frequently in resection of tonsillar squamous cell carcinomas. We report a single institution’s experience with RALT, including the feasibility, safety, utility of the procedure, as well as functional and quality-of-life (QOL) data.
Efficient Visual Mixture Design of Experiments using Property Clustering Techniques

Mixture design is a design of experiments (DOE) tool used to determine the optimum combination of chemical constituents that deliver a desired response (or property) using a minimum number of experimental runs. While the approach is sufficient for most experimental designs, it suffers from combinatorial explosion and visualization difficulties when dealing with multicomponent mixtures. To circumvent these problems, a recently developed design technique called property clustering is applied. In this type of design the properties are transformed to conserved surrogate property clusters described by property operators, which have linear mixing rules even if the operators themselves are nonlinear. Product and process property targets are then used to describe a feasibility target region. To solve the mixture design, components are mixed according to property operator models in a reverse problem format until the mixture falls within the feasibility target region. Once candidate solutions are found, they can be...
Ion- and dust-acoustic instabilities in dusty plasmas

Dust ion-acoustic and dust-acoustic instabilities in dusty plasmas are investigated using a standard Vlasov approach. Possible applications of these instabilities to various cosmic environments, including protostellar clouds and planetary rings, are briefly discussed.
Can osseous landmarks in the distal medial humerus be used to identify the attachment sites of ligaments and tendons: paleopathologic-anatomic imaging study in cadavers.

Objective To describe osseous landmarks that allow identification of the attachments of the ligaments and tendons in the distal medial aspect of the humerus.
Energy modulations of a polarized proton beam associated with polarization reversal

Abstract The energy change associated with polarization reversal was studied for protons from an atomic beam polarized ion source after acceleration by a tandem accelerator. The modulation was found to be ≦0.5 eV.
The Effects of Proximity and Empathy on Ethical Decision-Making: An Exploratory Investigation

The goals of this research were to (1) explore the direct effects of and interactions between magnitude of consequences and various types of proximity – social, psychological, and physical – on the ethical decision-making process and (2) investigate the influence of empathy on the ethical decision-making process. A carpal tunnel syndrome vignette and questionnaire were administered to a sample of human resource management professionals to test the hypothesized relationships. Significant relationships were found for the main effects between magnitude of consequences and principle-based evaluation, cognitive empathy and principle-based evaluation, and empathy and moral intention. Physical proximity moderated the relationships between magnitude of consequences and utilitarian evaluation as well as magnitude of consequences and moral intention. Cognitive empathy moderated the relationships between magnitude of consequences and principle-based evaluation and physical proximity and utilitarian evaluation. Affective empathy marginally moderated the relationship between physical proximity and principle-based evaluation. Future research directions, management implications, and strengths and weaknesses of the research are discussed.
Thermogenic capacity in shrews

Abstract 1. 1. Mass-independent (division of body mass to the 2/3 power) resting metabolic rates (RMR) were greater in the shrew (Sorex vagrans) than in the three rodent species studies (Peromyscus maniculatus, Reithrodontomys megalotis and Microtus montanus). 2. 2. Norepinephrine-induced nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) was not different among the four species studied, but for the shrew, was less than predicted by body mass. 3. 3. Specific GDP binding to brown fat mitochondria, an index of brown fat thermogenic capacity and thus nonshivering thermogenic capacity, was also depressed in the shrews. 4. 4. Acute (2 h) cold exposure of S. vagrans or P. maniculatus had no effect on brown fat GDP binding. 5. 5. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that regulatory nonshivering thermogenic capacity is relatively low in shrews.
Identification of three 11p11.2 candidate liver tumor suppressors through analysis of known human genes

We have previously mapped a liver tumor suppressor locus to human chromosome 11p11.2-p12 using a functional model of tumor suppression. Using this model system, we have employed a candidate gene approach to identify potential liver tumor suppressor genes. Thirty-eight known genes have been positioned in human 11p11.2-p12 by the Human Genome Project. Here we show that four of these genes (guanine nucleotide binding protein gamma 3; mitochondrial carrier homolog 2; p53-induced protein (PIG11), and pRDI-BF1-rIZ1 domain containing 11) localized to the minimal liver tumor suppressor region within 11p11.2-p12. In fact, all of these genes mapped to human 11p11.2, allowing refinement of the liver tumor suppressor region to this cytogenetic band. Three of the four genes (mitochondrial carrier homolog 2, PIG11, and pRDI-BF1-rIZ1 domain containing 11) were uniformly expressed by an index panel of suppressed microcell hybrid cell lines, identifying them as candidate liver tumor suppressor genes. In a preliminary analysis of four human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (HepG2, Hep3B, SNU398, and SNU449), the transcript for PIG11 was lost or significantly decreased in two of these cell lines (HepG2 and Hep3B), suggesting the potential involvement of PIG11 in some human hepatocellular carcinomas. The results of this study extended our previous knowledge of genes located in the minimal liver tumor suppressor region of human 11p11.2 and identified several candidate liver tumor suppressor genes from this region. Further characterization of these candidates will provide new insight into the role of human 11p11.2 in the molecular pathogenesis of human liver cancer.
Cultured and immediately procured endothelial cells: current and future clinical applications

Great progress has been made in the last several years in our ability to culture human endothelial cells. In addition, techniques to immediately procure and utilize these cells have also been developed. The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the current and potential uses of these cells in both vascular and nonvascular conditions. It is likely that endothelial cells will be used in a variety of applications in the near future. Immediately procured and cultured cells will be used to resurface vascular prosthetic grafts. They may also be used on the surface of vessels following procedures such as balloon angioplasty or atherectomy. In addition, they may be placed upon the surface of implantable devices such as expandable stents. Through the mechanism of genetic engineering, these cells may be modified to produce proteins, which may modify thrombogenicity and perhaps decrease the rate of recurrent stenosis by influencing cellular hyperplasia. Genetically modified endothelial cells also have great potential in nonvascular disease. Their contact with circulating blood makes them an ideal cell for production of proteins to correct systemic conditions such as the insulin deficiency found in diabetes mellitus. The application of endothelial cell biology in both vascular and nonvascular science represents one of the most exciting fields of research active today.
Hypertension in children with chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension occurs commonly in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and undoubtedly contributes to the progression of disease. This review summarizes the role of hypertension in the progression of CKD in children and highlights the central role played by the renin-angiotensin system in this relentless process. Strategies for renoprotection are discussed, and treatment recommendations are made for control of hypertension in this patient population.
Function and Regulation of Natural Killer (NK) Cells during Viral Infections: Characterization of Responsesin Vivo

Although in vitro systems have provided important information about the composition and nature of various immune responses, understanding physiologically relevant function and regulation requires evaluating in vivo conditions. Two different models of acute viral infections have made possible the characterization of a variety of responses to these agents, including natural killer (NK) cell activation and regulation during infection; these are mouse infections with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV). The results of our characterization of the NK cell responses elicited in these models and the methods used to dissect the regulation of these responses are reviewed here. Cytotoxicity, proliferation, and cytokine expression assays as well as flow cytometric analyses are used to characterize the in vivo responses. Both of the infections induce early NK cell cytotoxicity and blastogenesis. Infection with MCMV but not LCMV also induces NK cell production of the antiviral cytokine, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Antibodies, to mediate in vivo cell subset depletion or cytokine neutralization, and mice, genetically altered to have cell subset or cytokine deficiencies, are utilized to identify the regulatory pathways and mechanisms controlling endogenous NK cell responses to the infections. The major mediators of the regulation of NK cell function during viral infection of normal mice are IFN-alpha/beta and interleukin-12 but not interleukin-2. Furthermore, the induction of later T-cell responses contributes to the negative regulation of NK cells by promoting the production of inhibitory factors including biologically active transforming growth factors-beta. Thus, the study of immune responses to viral infections has provided and will continue to provide important insights into the characteristics of endogenous NK cell responses and the cells and factors that regulate these responses in vivo.
Identification and analysis of the gas vesicle gene cluster on an unstable plasmid of Halobacterium halobium.

In our efforts to elucidate the mechanism of high-frequency mutation ofHalobacterium halobium to a gas vesicle deficient state, we discovered insertions, deletions, inversions, and complex DNA rearrangements associated with a large endogenous plasmid, pNRC100. The rearrangements are mostly IS element-mediated, and when they occur in a region of pNCRC100 containing a cluster of thirteen genes, gas vesicle mutants result. We have characterized the structure and expression of this gas vesicle protein (gvp) gene cluster and demonstrated its requirement for gas vesicle synthesis and cell flotation by genetic transformation.
Do Assets Affect Well-Being? Perceptions of Youth in a Matched Savings Program

ABSTRACT This article presents data from a qualitative study of a youth savings account program. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 youth ages 14–19 between November 2004 and February 2005 who were participants in the Saving for Education, Entrepreneurship, and Downpayment (SEED) national demonstration project. Our findings focus on youths' perceptions of the psychological, behavioral, and social impacts of savings-program participation. Five of our hypothesized effects were found including: (1) fiscal prudence, (2) view of self, (3) future orientation, (4) sense of security, and (5) financial knowledge. Youth did not generally perceive that savings participation had impacts on: (1) family interactions, or (2) community involvement. Following the presentation of findings, our discussion centers on implications for theory building, research, and policy and program design.