cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
srDna‐based taxonomic affinities of algal symbionts from a planktonic foraminifer and a solitary radiolarian

Planktonic sarcodines (acantharia, radiolaria, and planktonic foraminifera) are oceanic amoeboid protozoa that often harbor a variety of microalgae as intracellular symbionts. The identity and function of these endosymbiotic algae have intrigued and perplexed biologists for more than a century. The most conspicuous and well-studied symbiotic algae of planktonic foraminifera and radiolaria are dinoflagellates, but a variety of nondinoflagellate taxa have also been reported. Ultrastructural features have been used to characterize some of these nondinoflagellate algae, but rarely has this led to clear taxonomic affiliations. We analyzed the nuclear small subunit ribosomal DNA (srDNA) isolated from the symbionts of the spinose planktonic foraminiferan Globigerinella siphonifera d’Orbigny ( 5 Globigerinella aequilateralis Brady) and a solitary radiolarian ( Spongodrymus sp. Haeckel) in order to determine the identity of these symbionts. The small coccoid algae isolated from G. siphonifera correspond to the Type I symbionts described by Faber et al. (1988). Phylogenetic analysis of the srDNA sequences places these symbionts within the prymnesiophyte (haptophyte) lineage, closer to Prymnesium Conrad than to Phaeocystis Lagerheim. To our knowledge, this is the first confirmed case of a symbiotic prymnesiophyte. In addition, we were able to examine the level of sequence heterogeneity between symbionts isolated from different individuals of a single host species. The three isolates in this study had srDNA sequences that were almost identical, indicating that the three were all of the same species. Very green symbiotic algae were isolated from three solitary radiolaria identified as species of Spongodrymus. The symbiont srDNA sequences from the three individual hosts were identical to each other, again implicating a single species of algae in that symbiotic association. These symbionts are prasinophytes most closely related to the clade containing Tetaselmis convolutae Norris, Hori et Chihara. Tetraselmis convolutae is the algal symbiont of the marine flatworm, Convolutae roscoffensis Graff.
Measuring the uniaxial strain of individual single-wall carbon nanotubes: resonance Raman spectra of atomic-force-microscope modified single-wall nanotubes.

Raman spectroscopy is used to measure the strain in individual single-wall carbon nanotubes, strained by manipulation with an atomic-force-microscope tip. Under strains varying from 0.06%--1.65%, the in-plane vibrational mode frequencies are lowered by as much as 1.5% ($40\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{c}\mathrm{m}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$), while the radial breathing mode (RBM) remains unchanged. The RBM Stokes/anti-Stokes intensity ratio remains unchanged under strain. The elasticity of these strain deformations is demonstrated as the down-shifted Raman modes resume their prestrain frequencies after a nanotube is broken under excessive strain.
Oxygen bulk diffusion measurements and TEM characterization of a natural ultramylonite: implications for fluid transport in mica‐bearing rocks

Oxygen bulk diffusion rates were experimentally determined in a natural ultramylonite sample (c. 5 μm grain size; 15–20% biotite, 20% quartz, 60–65% feldspars, and minor Fe-oxides) from the Gerrish Island shear zone, SE Maine, USA. The diffusion experiments were performed at 250–550 °C and 100 MPa water pressure. Oxygen bulk diffusion rates were determined both parallel and perpendicular to the strong foliation of the sample. The Arrhenius parameters for transport parallel to the foliation are: Dbulk0=2.0×10−11 m2 s−1 and Q=30±6 kJ mol−1. The bulk diffusivity perpendicular to the foliation is about a factor of 3.5 less than that parallel to the foliation with the same activation energy. The values of bulk diffusivity and activation energy obtained are consistent with ionic diffusion through a static aqueous fluid, suggesting that an interconnected fluid exists in the ultramylonite even under hydrostatic conditions. The microstructure of the ultramylonite was characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The nature and distribution of the interconnected fluid cannot be completely resolved from the TEM analysis; however, the low percentage of three-grain channels and open grain/interphase boundaries suggests that the fluid resides as a thin film on the grain surfaces. The results of this study have direct applications in many important geological settings and provide valuable insights into the observed rapid diffusion rates, strong lithological control and pervasive nature of fluid transport in mica-bearing rocks.
The Effect of Data Format on Integration of Performance Data Into Angoff Judgments

This study investigated the extent to which the performance data format impacted data use in Angoff standard setting exercises. Judges from two standard settings (a total of five panels) were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The full-data group received two types of data: (1) the proportion of examinees selecting each option and (2) plots showing the proportion of examinees selecting the correct answer by deciles defined by total test score. The options-only group received only the option data. Results indicated that judgments in the full-data group were in substantially closer alignment with the empirical data than those in the options-only group. This suggests that either the decile data alone or the combination of both pieces of data leads to a greater reliance on the data. The results are discussed from the perspective of the validity/credibility of the resulting cut scores.
The contentious nature of gestational diabetes: diet, insulin, glyburide and metformin.

Gestational diabetes (GD) develops because pregnancy increases requirements for insulin secretion while increasing insulin resistance. Women with GD often have impaired pancreatic β-cell compensation for insulin resistance. The nature of GD is currently contentious, with debate about its existence, diagnosis and ramifications for both mother and offspring from pregnancy into later life. Also contentious are the outcomes of intervention with diet, insulin, glyburide (Glynase™, Pharmacia Upjohn) and metformin (Glucophage™, Bristol-Myers Squibb). There is consensus that women with unequivocal GD have a significant risk of adverse perinatal outcomes and increased risk of later type 2 diabetes mellitus. Foetuses from pregnancies with GD have a higher risk of macrosomia (associated with higher rate of birth injuries), asphyxia, and neonatal hypoglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia. Uncontrolled GD predisposes foetuses to accelerated, excessive fat accumulation, insulin resistance, pancreatic exhaustion secondary to ...
Respiratory-associated thalamic activity is related to level of respiratory drive

Abstract We recorded phrenic nerve activity and thalamic single unit firing in unanesthetized, suprathalamically decerebrated, paralyzed and ventilated cats, in which vagi and carotid sinus nerves (CSN) had been ablated. Seventy-six (14%) of 545 neurons in regions of the thalamus related to the ascending reticular system, which had been tonically firing at low respiratory drives, developed rhythmic increases of firing associated with each respiration when drive had been increased by CSN stimulation of hypercapnia. The increases of neuronal firing occurred in late inspiration/post-inspiration but sometimes lasted into expiration; the magnitude of change was graded according to the magnitude of respiratory activity. Thalamic neurons also fired with a rhythm related to ventilator-induced chest expansion, some units showing both the respiratory-associated and the ventilator-related rhythms. Simultaneously recorded mesencephalic and thalamic neurons developed similar rhythms when drive was increased. We suggest that these neuronal activities reflect the conveyance of information about respiration to the cortex, where it may lead to the sensation of dyspnea and perhaps to arousal.
Four-noded mixed finite elements, using unsymmetric stresses, for linear analysis of membranes

A family of new 4-noded membrane elements with drilling degrees of freedom and unsymmetric assumed stresses is presented; it is derived from a mixed variational principle originally formulated for finite strain analysis and already used in the literature to develop a purely kinematic membrane model. The performance of these elements, investigated through some well established benchmark problems, is found to be fairly good and their accuracy is comparable with that given by models with a larger number of nodal parameters.
Expression of epithelial membrane protein-2 is associated with endometrial adenocarcinoma of unfavorable outcome†

BACKGROUND Epithelial membrane protein 2 (EMP2) is an estrus-regulated tetraspan protein that is required for endometrial competence in blastocyst implantation. EMP2 controls surface levels of several classes of integrin and other cell-interaction molecules, and their trafficking to glycolipid-enriched lipid raft domains is important in receptor signaling. These features suggest that EMP2 may contribute to neoplastic traits of endometrial cancer. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of EMP2 expression in endometrial neoplasms and its clinical significance. METHODS EMP2 immunophenotype, histologic diagnosis, grade, the presence of lymphovascular invasion, disease stage, and clinical follow-up were determined for 99 endometrial cancers. RESULTS Significant EMP2 expression (EMP2 positive) was observed in 12 of 99 cancers (9 endometrioid [6 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Grade 3], 1 serous, 1 mixed endometrioid and serous, and 1 mixed endometrioid and clear cell), and weak EMP2 expression was observed in 11 cancers. EMP2-positive tumors were more likely than others to be myometrium invasive, high stage, and recurrent, persistent, or fatal. The overall median survival for patients with EMP2-positive tumor was only 23 months, whereas the medial survival was not reached for patients with EMP2-weak and EMP2-negative tumors. The median disease-free interval was only 11 months for patients with EMP2-positive tumors and was not reached for patients with EMP2-weak and EMP2-negative tumors. A multivariate analysis of disease-free survival demonstrated independent, negative prognostic significance for EMP2 expression, high stage, and high-risk histologic subtypes. CONCLUSIONS EMP2 expression is a feature of some prognostically unfavorable endometrial cancers. Its utility for clinical decision making and its biologic role in endometrial cancer deserves further study in a larger series of patients. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Shoemaker receives the Bowie Medal

The 1996 William Bowie Medal, given by AGU for outstanding contributions to fundamental geophysics and unselfish cooperation in research, was presented to Eugene Shoemaker at the AGU Fall Meeting Honor Ceremony on December 17, 1996, in San Francisco. The "Drs." in the title of the citation refers to both Eugene Shoemaker and his wife Carolyn Shoemaker.
Cellular functions are required for the synthesis and integration of avian sarcoma virus-specific DNA.

Abstract We have used two experimental strategies to test the role of cellular functions in the synthesis and integration of virus-specific DNA in cells infected by avian sarcoma virus. First, quail embryo fibroblasts, placed in stationary phase (G 0 ) by prolonged serum starvation, did not support the efficient synthesis of viral DNA during the first 24–48 hr after infection. Synthesis of viral DNA was impaired according to at least two parameters: the amount of DNA was diminished, particularly the amount of the plus-strand DNA (identical in polarity to the viral genome); and the length of both minus and plus strands was reduced in the stationary cells. In parallel cultures fed with fresh serum, over two thirds of the cells were able to reenter the cell cycle within 24 hr, and viral DNA of normal size was synthesized. Second, density labeling of viral and cellular DNA with BUdR was used to determine whether cellular DNA synthesis was required for integration of viral DNA. In both quail embryo fibroblasts released from G 0 by serum replacement and randomly growing duck embryo fibroblasts, viral DNA was integrated only into cellular DNA replicated during the infection. Our results indicate that serum-starved cells lack a factor (or factors) required for the efficient and complete synthesis of ASV-specific DNA. We have not been able to establish whether such factor(s) are present in growing cells only during S phase. Integration of viral DNA appears to require cellular DNA synthesis; this may be due to a requirement for a factor (or factors) present in adequate concentration only during S phase or to a requirement for the structural changes in cellular DNA that accompany replication.
Preliminary Remarks On the Demotic Book of Thoth and the Greek Hermetica

Le Livre de Thoth et les Hermetica grecs font l'objet du present article. Ces textes d'inspiration egyptienne (il y est question d'Osiris) sont compares l'un a l'autre au regard du christianisme. Par-dessus tout, l'A. s'attarde sur des questions de critique textuelle en se referant aux diverses versions des manuscrits, notamment grecs. La philosophie occupe une grande part de ces ecrits. La notion de Trimegiste ressort fortement de cette etude
Exploring the Link between Visits and Parole Success: A Survey of Prison Visitors

An exploratory survey of visitors to two men's prisons finds that the visitors differ in some significant ways from prisoners' families previously described in the literature. The results raise some questions about the correlation that has been established between visits and post-release success and provoke suggestions for in-depth research into visitor/prisoner relationships.
An Autophotographic Study of Poverty, Collective Orientation, and Identity Among Street Children

(1998). An Autophotographic Study of Poverty, Collective Orientation, and Identity Among Street Children. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 138, No. 3, pp. 403-406.
Generalization of the Reissner-Nordström Solution to the Einstein Field Equations

The field equations for coupled gravitational and zero-mass scalar fields in the presence of a point charge are solved in the spherically symmetric static case. The resulting solution is the generalization of the Reissner-Nordstr\"om solution in the presence of a zero-mass meson field.
Growth of GaAs1−xBix by molecular beam epitaxy: Trade-offs in optical and structural characteristics

Recent work has shown that Bi incorporation increases during molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) when surface processes are kinetically limited through increased growth rate. Herein we explore how the structural and optical properties of GaAs1−xBix films are modified when grown under conditions with varying degrees of kinetic limitations realized through growth temperature and growth rate changes. Within the typical window of MBE growth conditions for GaAs1−xBix, we compare films with similar (∼3%) compositions grown under conditions of reduced kinetic limitations, i.e., relatively low gallium supersaturation achieved at higher temperatures (∼350 °C) and lower growth rates (∼0.5 μm/h), to those grown farther from equilibrium, specifically, higher supersaturation achieved at lower growth temperatures (∼290 °C) and higher growth rates (∼1.4 μm/h). Both the x-ray diffraction full width at half maximum of the omega-2theta scan and the 300 K photoluminescence intensity increase when samples are grown under less kinet...
Prostate cancer postoperative nomogram scores and obesity

PurposeNomograms are tools used in clinical practice to predict cancer outcomes and to help make decisions regarding management of disease. Since its conception, utility of the prostate cancer nomogram has more than tripled. Limited information is available on the relation between the nomograms' predicted probabilities and obesity. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the predictions from a validated postoperative prostate cancer nomogram were associated with obesity.MethodsWe carried out a cross-sectional analysis of 1220 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) in southern California from 2000 to 2008. Progression-free probabilities (PFPs) were ascertained from the 10-year Kattan postoperative nomogram. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsIn the present study, aggressive prostate cancer (Gleason ≥7), but not advanced stage, was associated with obesity (p = 0.01). After adjusting for age, black race, family history of prostate cancer and current smoking, an inverse association was observed for 10-year progression-free predictions (OR = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.28–0.90) and positive associations were observed for preoperative PSA levels (OR = 1.23; 95% CI = 1.01–1.50) and Gleason >7 (OR = 1.45; 95% CI = 1.11–1.90).ConclusionObese RP patients were more likely to have lower PFP values than non-obese patients, suggesting a higher risk of experiencing prostate cancer progression. Identifying men with potentially higher risks due to obesity may improve disease prognosis and treatment decision-making.
A New Role for Experimental Work in Metaphysics

Recent work in philosophy could benefit from paying greater attention to empirical results from cognitive science involving judgments about the nature of our ordinary experience. This paper describes the way that experimental and theoretical results about the nature of ordinary judgments could—and should—inform certain sorts of enquiries in contemporary philosophy, using metaphysics as an exemplar, and hence defines a new way for experimental philosophy and cognitive science to contribute to traditional philosophical debates.
Does Status Inconsistency Matter for Marital Quality

This study tests status inconsistency theory by examining the associations between wives' and husbands' relative statuses—that is, earnings, work-time, occupational, and educational inconsistencies—and marital quality and global happiness. The author asks three questions: (a) Is status inconsistency associated with marital quality and overall happiness? (b) Do those who hold traditional or egalitarian gender ideologies react differently to status inconsistency? (c) Are these patterns replicable across three data sets, gathered at different points in time? Data are from the Marital Instability Over the Life Course Survey (1980), the National Survey of Families and Households (1987-1988), and the General Social Survey (1996). With only one exception, status inconsistency is not associated with marital quality or global happiness, even among those who hold the most traditional gender ideologies.
Simultaneous molecular imaging of EGFR and HER2 using hyperspectral darkfield microscopy and immunotargeted nanoparticles

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2) contribute to the regulation of cell proliferation, and when jointly over-expressed are associated with several types of cancer. The ability to monitor both receptors simultaneously results in a more accurate indicator of degree of cancerous activity than either receptor alone. Plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) show promise as a potential EGFR and HER2 biomarker over alternatives such as fluorophores and quantum dots, which are limited by their cytotoxicity and photobleaching. To observe immunolabeled NPs bound to receptor-expressing cells, our past experiments were conducted using a novel optical darkfield microspectroscopy system. We implemented an epi-illumination darkfield broadband light train, which allows for darkfield analysis of live cells in culture with enhanced NP contrast. Under this setup, molecularly specific binding of NPs immunolabeled with anti-EGFR was confirmed. We have since adapted our darkfield setup, which previously only obtained spectral information from a line imaging spectrometer, to incorporate hyperspectral imaging capabilities, allowing widefield data acquisition within seconds. The new system has been validated through observation of shifts in the peak wavelength of scattering by gold NPs on silanated cover glasses using several immersion media. Peak resonant scattering wavelengths match well with that predicted by Mie theory. We will further demonstrate the potential of the system with simultaneous molecular imaging of multiple receptors in vitro using labeled EGFR+/HER2+ SK-BR-3 human breast cancer cells with anti-EGFR immunolabeled gold nanospheres and anti-HER2 immunolabeled gold nanorods, with each scattering in different spectral windows. Additional trials will be performed to demonstrate molecularly specific binding using EGFR+/HER2- MDA-MB-468 and HER2+/EGFR- MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cells.
Numerical Solutions of the Hydromagnetic Dynamo Problem

Summary Fluid motions are driven in a sphere by an applied body force. The fluid is electrically conducting and incompressible, and is surrounded by an insulator. The vorticity equation, in which inertial terms have been omitted but which includes magnetic forces, is solved in conjunction with the pre-Maxwell equations which govern the magnetic field. The model allows the magnetic field to grow to a finite limit. Some solutions are obtained when the body force is axisymmetric and drives fluid motions which are similar to those used in a previous kinematic study. The time evolution of the magnetic field is calculated and in most cases the magnetic field is found to approach a steady state in an oscillatory fashion. There is a critical limit of forcing below which no magnetic field can be sustained. When the dynamo is driven well above this critical limit the magnetic field undergoes large oscillations which may ultimately lead to Geomagnetic-type reversal behaviour. Possible modifications and improvements to the model, including the addition of rotation, are discussed, and future calculations are outlined.
Academic Administration: Essential Characteristics and Attributes of Speech-Language Pathologists

In 2007, the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAPCSD) developed a list of Eligibility Requirements and Essential Functions for students interested in the field ...
Platelet Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Receptors and Glanzmann’s Thrombasthenia

Platelet aggregation and fibrin formation are essential for the maintenance of normal hemostasis, a system designed to act quickly and effectively to arrest hemorrhage. This system is also triggered by pathogenic events, such as the rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque, which can lead to thrombotic vaso-occlusion, ischemia, and infarction. Platelets are a major contributor to these damaging and life-threatening thrombotic phenomena because of their adhesive properties, which result in the release of soluble mediators, platelet aggregation, and enhancement of thrombin generation.1 The platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa) receptor is a key component in the pathway to platelet aggregation; consequently, this receptor has become the target for therapeutic intervention. A paradigm of this antiplatelet treatment modality is found naturally in the inherited disorder Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia. A key feature of this disease is that patients present with mucocutaneous bleeding but only rarely demonstrate spontaneous central nervous system hemorrhage,2 a feared complication of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy. All of the mutations that have been identified in patients with Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia result in a functional deficiency of GPIIb/IIIa receptors,2 3 and a hallmark of this disease is the absence of agonist-induced platelet aggregation. The molecular characterization of mutations causing Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia has provided a wealth of information on structure-function relations of the GPIIb/IIIa receptor. This review will briefly summarize those mutations that affect ligand-binding domains and receptor activation and present them in the context of predicted structures. More comprehensive coverage can be found in reviews discussing the structure and function of the GPIIb/IIIa receptor complex4 5 and the clinical and molecular basis of Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia.2 3 Platelets are the first line of defense in preventing blood loss from injured blood vessels via recognition and adhesion to components of the subendothelial matrix. This event is followed by formation of a platelet …
What Our Students Teach Us About Managing Care Ethically

test of experience. The two best experiential tests of a position about clinical ethics are whether we can look patients and families in the eye and honestly discuss our treatment recommendations and our reasons for making them (4) and whether our students’ challenges about why we do what we do elicit pride or shame. The seminar provided the opportunity to respond to our students’ challenges. From review of the notes I made after each seminar and discussion of our three years together, I have concluded that these students taught their teachers four key lessons about managing care ethically. The lessons centered on threats to coordination of care and empathy, confusing messages about the role of the psychiatrist, the importance of a new form of “differential diagnosis,” and a changing psychological contract for young professionals.
The Poetic Turn of Culture, or the “Resistances of Structure”

SUMMARY Paul Friedrich (1996) argues that poetry helps us to understand the cultural assumptions of particular societies, as well as think about what culture is. What does it mean to say that culture is in poetry, or poetry in culture? And what are the consequences of such questions for theories of culture or structure? I qualify what Friedrich says about poetry and culture, taken separately, as well as the two interwoven sides of his equation—culture in poetry, and poetry in culture. Yet, Friedrich gives us a fundamental insight: that both culture and poetry possess structural elements while they may also be highly allusive. To unravel this paradox we can turn to the telling phrase of the poet, Heather McHugh (1996): poetry (and I would add culture) is “a making full of breakings.” Both rely on a “structure of resistances,” less a blueprint for action than a watercolor wash, at once elliptical and suggestive of both social memory and imagined futures.
Cerebellar involvement in clumsiness and other developmental disorders.

Cerebellar abnormalities have been linked to a number of developmental disorders. Much evidence is based on the analysis of highresolution MRI scans. Imaging and behavioral studies have led researchers to consider functional contributions of the cerebellum beyond that associated with motor control. I review this literature, providing an analysis of different ways to consider the relation between cerebellar abnormalities and developmental disorders. Interestingly, although clumsiness is a problem of coordination, the contribution of cerebellar dysfunction to this developmental problem has received little attention. Select studies indicate that some clumsy children have difficulties on tasks requiring precise timing, similar to that observed in adult patients with cerebellar lesions. I suggest that the underlying neural bases of clumsiness are heterogeneous, with cerebellar dysfunction likely a major contributor for a subpopulation of such children.
Design of pairs of reflectors

Given a 3D reflecting surface G, which is not necessarily rotationally symmetric, away from a point source, and a direction e, we design a reflecting surface F so that the system (G,F) reflects all rays into the direction e. We also solve the near-field problem when the direction e is replaced by a given point R. The surface F satisfies a system of first-order partial differential equations that can be explicitly solved in terms of G and e. We also apply the same ideas to designing refracting plates, of which the Schmidt corrector plate is an example.
Three-dimensional mapping of geomorphic controls on flood-plain hydrology and connectivity from aerial photos

Abstract The Nyack flood plain of the Middle Fork Flathead River, MT, USA is a 9-km anastomosed alluvial montane flood plain. Upstream from the flood plain, the river is unregulated and the catchment virtually pristine. A patchy mosaic of vegetation and channels exists on the flood-plain surface. The surface and subsurface geomorphic structures of the flood plain facilitate high hydrologic connectivity (water flux between the channel and flood plain) marked by complex seasonal patterns of flood-plain inundation, extensive penetration of channel water laterally into the alluvial aquifer, and springbrooks formed by ground water erupting onto the flood-plain surface. After delineating and classifying flood-plain “elements” (vegetation patches and channel reaches) on the flood plain, we analyzed field-based elevation survey data to identify expected relationships among flood-plain element type, surface scour frequency, and flood-plain elevation. Data analyses show that scour frequency was inversely proportional to the elevation of the flood plain above river stage, except when localized geomorphic controls such as natural levees prevent normal high flows from inundating and scouring relatively low flood-plain elements. Further, while different flood-plain element types occupy distinct elevation zones on the flood plain, the elevation of each zone above the river channel varies with localized channel entrenchment. We found that topographic variation among flood-plain elements is greater than the variation within elements, suggesting that coarse-scale flood-plain topography can be characterized by delineating flood-plain elements. Field data document strong associations between specific classes of flood-plain elements and preferential ground-water flow paths in the upper alluvial aquifer. Combined with preexisting ground penetrating RADAR (GPR) surveys, these data intimate a sinuous lattice of preferential ground-water flow paths (buried abandoned streambeds) in the upper alluvial aquifer at approximately the same elevation as the main channel's streambed. Using aerial photo interpretation and the identified relationships among element-types, elevation, and preferential ground-water flow paths, we developed a quantitative, three-dimensional characterization of surface and subsurface geomorphology across the entire flood plain to support a heuristic modeling effort investigating the influence of flood-plain geomorphology on spatio-temporal patterns of surface and ground-water flow and exchange under dynamic hydrologic regimes.
Using Technology to Explore Social Networks and Mechanisms Underlying Peer Effects in Classrooms

Peer interactions among children have long interested social scientists. Identifying causal peer effects is difficult, and a number of studies have used random assignment to produce evidence that peers affect each other's outcomes. This focus by sociologists and economists on whether peers affect each other has not been matched by direct evidence on how these effects operate. The authors argue that one reason for the small number of studies in sociology and economics on the mechanisms underlying peer effects is the difficulty of collecting data on microinteractions. They argue technology reduces data collection costs relative to direct observation and allows for realistic school activities with randomly assigned peers. The authors describe a novel strategy for collecting data on peer interactions and discuss how this approach might shed light on mechanisms underlying peer influence. The centerpiece of this strategy is the use of handheld computers by middle and high school students as part of interactive math and science lessons called the Discussion Game. The handhelds collect data on interactions between students and track how students' answers evolve as they interact with different peers.
Use of gabapentin in the treatment of childhood reflex sympathetic dystrophy

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy, a painful syndrome involving an extremity after trauma or injury, is increasingly reported in the pediatric population. Although no clear pathophysiologic mechanism for this disorder has been identified, the role of central serotonin activity seems important. Gabapentin, a new antiepileptic medication, has been demonstrated to be effective in adults with reflex sympathetic dystrophy. The first reported case of a child with a diagnosis of reflex sympathetic dystrophy who was treated successfully with gabapentin is presented.
Flowfield Initialization and Approach to Stationary Conditions in Unsteady Combustion Simulations

The initial transient leading to stationary conditions in unsteady combustion simulations is investigated by considering flow establishment in model combustors. Quiescent initial conditions with the chamber initially filled with an inert, hot gas are used to provide physically realistic starting conditions and robust, reliable combustion initiation. Transient processes are visualized by using a distinct initial fluid in the combustor whose concentration is tracked as it is expelled. The duration of the transient is shown to be dependent on the characteristic turn-over time for recirculation zones and the time for the chamber pressure to reach steady conditions. Substantial changes in the initial condition did not materially affect the length of the transient. Different combustor geometries changed the ratio of pressure equilibration time and species replenishment time, but did not have a major effect on the overall duration of the transient. Representative comparisons of the time-averaged, stationary results with experiment are presented to document the computations.
Mortality in Pennsylvania captive elk (Cervus elaphus): 1998-2006.

The necropsy records of 65 elk ranging from 1 day to 13 1/2 years of age were reviewed to determine the primary cause of death of each animal. The animal carcasses were submitted from 22 separate Pennsylvania elk farms over an approximately 8-year period. The most common causes of mortality in animals in which the cause of death was determined were gastrointestinal parasitism (21 cases), pneumonia (7 cases), enterocolitis (5 cases), malnutrition (5 cases), and rumenitis/acidosis (5 cases). The cause of death was undetermined in 4 of the 65 elk. Nematode organisms (20 cases) were the primary parasites identified in cases of mortality owing to gastrointestinal parasitism. Arcanobacterium pyogenes (3 cases), Escherichia coli (3 cases), and Streptococcus sp. (2 cases) were the most commonly isolated bacteria from the lung in the cases of pneumonia. Fungal organisms, consistent with Aspergillus sp. were present histologically within the pulmonary lesions in 5 cases. Bacterial agents associated with enterocolit...
Climate change correlates with rapid delays and advancements in reproductive timing in an amphibian community

Climate change has had a significant impact globally on the timing of ecological events such as reproduction and migration in many species. Here, we examined the phenology of reproductive migrations in 10 amphibian species at a wetland in South Carolina, USA using a 30 year dataset. We show for the first time that two autumn-breeding amphibians are breeding increasingly later in recent years, coincident with an estimated 1.2°C increase in local overnight air temperatures during the September through February pre-breeding and breeding periods. Additionally, two winter-breeding species in the same community are breeding increasingly earlier. Four of the 10 species studied have shifted their reproductive timing an estimated 15.3 to 76.4 days in the past 30 years. This has resulted in rates of phenological change that range from 5.9 to 37.2 days per decade, providing examples of some of the greatest rates of changing phenology in ecological events reported to date. Owing to the opposing direction of the shifts in reproductive timing, our results suggest an alteration in the degree of temporal niche overlap experienced by amphibian larvae in this community. Reproductive timing can drive community dynamics in larval amphibians and our results identify an important pathway by which climate change may affect amphibian communities.
Retinoblastoma in transgenic mice: models of hereditary retinoblastoma.

Abstract Retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular malignancy in childhood, has served as a paradigm for the study of genetic mechanisms of oncogenesis. The retinoblastoma susceptibility gene RB1 was the first tumor suppressor gene to be cloned, and genetic and molecular biologic studies of this tumor have greatly expanded the understanding of the mechanics of tumorigenesis. Human retinoblastoma has essentially no naturally occurring animal counterpart. The development of transgenic murine models of retinoblastoma have created an experimental tool for manipulation of a tumor gene system in vivo. These models have also enabled studies of new therapeutic modalities. This review outlines the development of the transgenic murine models of retinoblastoma, together with the genetic mechanisms of retinoblastoma origin. Current therapeutic innovations developed by means of the transgenic models are described.
Use of Ultrasound Elastography for Skin and Subcutaneous Abscesses

Objective Elastography is a new adjunct to real-time ultrasound imaging that overlays traditional B-mode imaging with a color graphic representation of tissue elasticity. Soft tissue infections are common presenting conditions in the emergency department, and elastography has the potential to help in diagnosis and treatment of evolving soft tissue infections as they progress from induration to fluctuant abscesses, but to our knowledge, no studies of elastography in superficial soft tissue have been published. We hypothesized that elastography would provide increased information regarding skin abscesses. Methods This was a prospective study of patients with suspected skin abscesses requiring surgical drainage in the emergency department of an urban tertiary care center. Abscesses were imaged with B-mode imaging and elastography in orthogonal planes. Ultrasound images were analyzed for characteristics of the elastographic images. Results A total of 50 patients with suspected skin abscesses underwent B-mode imaging and elastography. Elastography accurately differentiated the induration surrounding the abscess from the surrounding healthy tissue, a differentiation that was not visible on B-mode imaging. The elastographic properties of the abscess cavity were variable and not always seen, even with purulence identified during incision and drainage. In some cases, elastography identified abscess cavities not seen on B-mode imaging. When seen, the abscess cavity could be characterized by elastographic color and speckle patterns. Conclusions Elastography identified the tissue induration and some abscess cavities not seen on B-mode imaging. It offers a way to characterize abscesses that may be useful clinically, but more research is needed.
Ask the Experts: How important is radiofrequency ablation in lung cancer?

Terrance T Healey is the director of Thoracic Radiology at Rhode Island Hospital (RI, USA) and an Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Imaging at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University (RI, USA). Healey received his medical degree from the combined Dartmouth Medical School–Brown Medical School Program in 2003, completed his residency in radiology at Brown University in 2008 and a thoracic radiology fellowship at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MA, USA) in 2009. He joined the faculty staff at Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University in 2009. Robert C Ward is one of the chief residents within the Department of Diagnostic Imaging at Rhode Island Hospital (RI, USA) and the Alpert Medical School of Brown University (RI, USA). Ward received his medical degree from the George Washington University (Washington, DC, USA) in 2010. Damian E Dupuy is the director of Tumor Ablation at Rhode Island Hospital (RI, USA) and a Professor of Diagnostic Imaging at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University...
Performance limitations of translationally symmetric nonimaging devices

The component of the optical direction vector along the symmetry axis is conserved for all rays propagated through a translationally symmetric optical device. This quality, referred to herein as the translational skew invariant, is analogous to the conventional skew invariant, which is conserved in rotationally symmetric optical systems. The invariance of both of these quantities is a consequence of Noether's theorem. We show how performance limits for translationally symmetric nonimaging optical devices can be derived from the distributions of the translational skew invariant for the optical source and for the target to which flux is to be transferred. Examples of computed performance limits are provided. In addition, we show that a numerically optimized non-tracking solar concentrator utilizing symmetry-breaking surface microstructure can overcome the performance limits associated with translational symmetry. The optimized design provides a 47.4% increase in efficiency and concentration relative to an ideal translationally symmetric concentrator.
Reflections on Italian nationalism

Two things come to mind as I read the essays that have been published in this issue of the Journal of Modern Italian Studies. Italian nationalism, permanently dissatisfied with Italy as it actually...
Contexts and sharing/not sharing private information

No matter how discreet people are they tend to share private information with the people they trust. They also expose information when sharing the information is relevant to the situation or to the requestor. Our study deals with finding out in what contexts people share or do not share certain kind of private information elements. The analyses of our study showed that the context really matters when an individual decides to share information. Based on different contexts and private information, we analyzed what contexts prove effective in getting certain private information elements. It turns out that people trust other people who are close to them and would share private information elements in cases when it is appropriate to expose the information such as helping the trusted person or when they themselves would benefit from the exposure. We conclude that the combination of a trusted person and relevant context is enough to gather sufficient private information about a person, which may be against the owner of the information.
Performance analysis of routing protocols in delay/disruption tolerant mobile ad hoc networks

In the last few years research activity in delay/disruption tolerant networks (DTN) is growing and researchers have proposed various types of routing protocols. Those efforts formulate DTN to become the adequate solution for the challenged network environment. DTN architecture provides good performance in the intermittently connected Mobile ad hoc networks (MANET). Routing in DTN architecture is the key challenge because of the nature of MANET environment where the network is an opportunistic connected and topology is changing rapidly. In this article we analyze the performance of DTN-based routing protocols including our routing approach, History of Encounters Probabilistic Routing Algorithm (HEPRA) in terms of different aspects. We select well-known DTN routing protocols in our evaluation to demonstrate how those protocols act comparing to our approach, HEPRA. We continue developing our algorithm, HEPRA, to provide a detailed analytical as well as simulation-based study. Using simulation we considered in our analysis various factors such as number of nodes, buffer size, speed of nodes, time to live (TTL), movement models and transmission range.
Naval Blockades in Peace and War: The United States versus Great Britain, 1776–1815

INTRODUCTION Although a state of formal war between the United States and Great Britain existed for only 126 of the 477 months between April 17, 1775, and December 24, 1814, a state of near war, including both American embargos and British blockades of the American coast, encompassed much of that thirty-eight and one-half year period that began with the American Declaration of Independence and ended shortly after the signing of the Treaty of Ghent. Given the nature of the period and the interest of this study in the role of international law, it seems most reasonable to temporally divide this chapter into three parts. The first covers the years of the American Revolution (April 17, 1775, to April 15, 1783). The second span the years of “neither war nor peace” (April 1783 to June 19, 1812), when the young republic, because of the maritime focus of its economy, found itself involved as a “neutral” in the ongoing conflict between Britain and France. Finally, the last section will cover the years of the disastrous (at least from the American point of view) War of 1812 – June 1812 until the middle of January 1815. The roots of the major issue that underlay U.S.-British relations during the entire period rested in a series of British laws – the first of which predated the Declaration of Independence by more than a century and a half.
Wastewater Disposal Wells, Fracking, and Environmental Injustice in Southern Texas

Objectives. To investigate race and poverty in areas where oil and gas wastewater disposal wells, which are used to permanently inject wastewater from hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations, are permitted.Methods. With location data of oil and gas disposal wells permitted between 2007 and 2014 in the Eagle Ford area, a region of intensive fracking in southern Texas, we analyzed the racial composition of residents living less than 5 kilometers from a disposal well and those farther away, adjusting for rurality and poverty, using a Poisson regression.Results. The proportion of people of color living less than 5 kilometers from a disposal well was 1.3 times higher than was the proportion of non-Hispanic Whites. Adjusting for rurality, disposal wells were 2.04 times (95% confidence interval = 2.02, 2.06) as common in areas with 80% people of color or more than in majority White areas. Disposal wells are also disproportionately sited in high-poverty areas.Conclusions. Wastewater disposal wells in southern ...
Induced hypothermia post cardiac resuscitation works in hospitalized patients but not during transport to hospital, a logical inconsistency of evidence

A critical appraisal and clinical application of Kim F, Nichol G, Maynard C, et al. Effect of prehospital induction of mild hypothermia on survival and neurological status among adults with cardiac arrest. JAMA 2013;311(1):45-52. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.282173
Efficient Computation of Gaussian Likelihoods for Stationary Markov Random Field Models

Rue and Held (2005) proposed a method for efficiently computing the Gaussian likelihood for stationary Markov random field models, when the data locations fall on a complete regular grid, and the model has no additive error term. The calculations rely on the availability of the covariances. We prove a theorem giving the rate of convergence of a spectral method of computing the covariances, establishing that the error decays faster than any polynomial in the size of the computing grid. We extend the exact likelihood calculations to the case of non-rectangular domains and missing values on the interior of the grid and to the case when an additive uncorrelated error term (nugget) is present in the model. We also give an alternative formulation of the likelihood that has a smaller memory burden, parts of which can be computed in parallel. We show in simulations that using the exact likelihood can give far better parameter estimates than using standard Markov random field approximations. Having access to the exact likelihood allows for model comparisons via likelihood ratios on large datasets, so as an application of the methods, we compare several state-of-the-art methods for large spatial datasets on an aerosol optical thickness dataset. We find that simple block independent likelihood and composite likelihood methods outperform stochastic partial differential equation approximations in terms of computation time and returning parameter estimates that nearly maximize the likelihood.