cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ClusterMap: multi-scale clustering analysis of spatial gene expression

Abstract Quantifying RNAs in their spatial context is crucial to understanding gene expression and regulation in complex tissues. In situ transcriptomic methods generate spatially resolved RNA profiles in intact tissues. However, there is a lack of a unified computational framework for integrative analysis of in situ transcriptomic data. Here, we present an unsupervised and annotation-free framework, termed ClusterMap, which incorporates physical proximity and gene identity of RNAs, formulates the task as a point pattern analysis problem, and thus defines biologically meaningful structures and groups. Specifically, ClusterMap precisely clusters RNAs into subcellular structures, cell bodies, and tissue regions in both two- and three-dimensional space, and consistently performs on diverse tissue types, including mouse brain, placenta, gut, and human cardiac organoids. We demonstrate ClusterMap to be broadly applicable to various in situ transcriptomic measurements to uncover gene expression patterns, cell-cell interactions, and tissue organization principles from high-dimensional transcriptomic images.
Collision rates of permeable particles in creeping flows

Binary collision rates are calculated for the permeable particles undergoing (i) Brownian motion, (ii) gravity sedimentation, (iii) uniaxial straining flow, and (iv) shear flow. Darcy's law is used to describe the flow inside the permeable particles, and no-slip boundary conditions are applied at particle surfaces. A leading-order asymptotic solution of the problem is developed for the weak permeability regime K=k/a2≪1, where k=12(k1+k2) is the mean permeability and a=a1a2/(a1+a2) is the reduced radius; ai, ki (i = 1, 2), respectively, is the radius and permeability of each particle. The resulting collision rates are given by the quadrature of the pair mobility functions for permeable particles in the near-contact lubrication region and size-ratio-dependent parameters obtained from standard hard-sphere pair mobility functions. Collision rates in shear flow vanish below a critical value of the permeability parameter K* that increases with diminishing size ratio. The analogous problem of pair collision rates of particles with small-amplitude surface roughness δa is also analyzed. The formulas for the collision rates of rough particles provide accurate analytical approximations for the collision rates of permeable particles for all four aggregation mechanisms and a wide range of size ratios using an equivalent roughness δ=0.72K2/5.
Assessing the Benefit of Higher Biologically Effective Dose in Patients With Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lung Treated With Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy.

Purpose/Objective(s) Multiple studies have suggested that patients with early-stage squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lung treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) are more susceptible to local failure when compared to other non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) histologies. It is unknown if higher biological equivalent dose (BED) leads to improved outcomes in this patient population. We used the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to compare overall survival (OS) between patients with SCC and non-SCC NSCLC treated with “high” or “low” BED SBRT. Materials/Methods The NCDB was used to identify patients with cT1-2N0M0 NSCLC diagnosed between 2006-2016 and treated with 3-5 fraction SBRT. Patients were grouped by BEDhigh (> 150 Gy) and BEDlow (≤132 Gy). OS was estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Correlation between BED and OS was tested with univariate and doubly-robust multivariable Cox regression analysis (MVA). The MVA included age, sex, Charlson-Deyo score, tumor grade, clinical T stage, and BED group. Propensity-score matched analysis with inverse probability of treatment (IPTW) weighting was used to minimize selection bias. Results We identified 4,717 eligible SCC patients and 8,807 eligible non-SCC NSCLC patients. For the matched SCC cohorts, BEDhigh was associated with improved OS in both univariate and doubly robust multivariate analysis (MVA HR 0.84 95% CI 0.76-0.92, P Conclusion Our analysis suggests that in patients with early-stage NSCLC, SBRT regimens employing the use of BED > 150 Gy may confer a survival benefit in patients with SCC histology. Histology-based dose modification should be considered, and prospective validation may be warranted.
Heterogeneity in own-price residential customer demand elasticities for electricity under time-of-use rates: Evidence from a randomized-control trial in the United States

Abstract Regulators, policymakers, and stakeholders in several states have raised concerns about the price elasticity of residential customers’ electricity demand, especially as related to different customer subpopulations, management of critical end-uses, and enrollment approaches. This analysis sought to quantify the diversity of residential customer price elasticity in a time-of-use rate across these different dimensions using data generated from a utility pricing experiment. Customers were found to be more elastic during the peak period of critical peak days, who were predicted to own and use air conditioning, and who volunteered for time-of-use (TOU) rates (but those defaulted on were 25% as elastic).
Complications of Surgical and Medical Care

Complications related to the treatment of spinal neoplasms are often associated with inaccurate pre-operative assessment and diagnosis, as well as the definitive surgical procedure. A careful history and physical examination can lead to the appropriate diagnosis (1) and identify co-existing premorbid conditions, which may require further evaluation before operative intervention. Appropriate radiological and laboratory studies are important because they may lead to the correct diagnosis and direct proper treatment (2). In general, once a lesion is identified, a biopsy should be obtained to make a definitive diagnosis. Exact techniques of the biopsy and the definitive treatment should be tailored to the nature and location of the lesion and the patient’s general condition and life expectancy. A multidisciplinary team approach consisting of surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists, combined with experienced radiologists and pathologists, helps optimize patient care. The goals of operative intervention of spinal tumors are pain control, maintenance, or improvement of neurological function, eradication of the tumor, and maintenance of spinal stability, and the attainment of normal coronal and sagittal alignment.
Operational vignette-based electric warship load demand

The design and control of electric warship power systems is a complex, challenging problem and numerous power system architectures, technologies, algorithms, and control schemes have been proposed. Instead of a quantitative assessment of these ideas based on ideal, steady-state conditions, a set of representative operational vignettes that span the entire electric warship mission package is introduced in order to obtain true results. This paper describes a set of realistic test cases that provide load demand dynamics based on a variety of unique scenarios, mission load characteristics, and human-in-the-loop decision-making. Stochastic and deterministic power profiles are established for individual ship systems and mission loads, which are then combined together for a particular scenario. These test cases can be applied to early-stage design trade studies as well as design tool development. For example, various control methods can be benchmarked against the same test cases. In addition to the established test cases, the method used here enables operators to communicate to design engineers how they intend to use the ship (not the other way around).
Estimating Agricultural Use Value for Property Tax Purposes: How do State Programs Assess Use Value?

All fifty states in the United States provide property tax preferences for agricultural land via some form of use-value assessment. By this assessment approach agricultural land is valued in its current agricultural use, not at its full market value. The intent of this policy is to provide a preferential property tax rate for agricultural land. This method of valuing agricultural land has its challenges, however. Isolating agricultural use value as distinct from other sources of land value is more complex and difficult that it would first appear. In this paper I provide a review of the methods used by various states in their application of use-value statutes for agricultural land. My intent is to review the methods used in various state programs, to provide evaluative comments on those methods, and to make suggestions for improvements in the methods used.
Cadherins and catenins, Wnts and SOXs: embryonic patterning in Xenopus.

Abstract Wnt signaling plays a critical role in a wide range of developmental and oncogenic processes. Altered gene regulation by the canonical Wnt signaling pathway involves the cytoplasmic stabilization of β-catenin, a protein critical to the assembly of cadherin-based cell-cell adherence junctions. In addition to binding to cadherins, β-catenin also interacts with transcription factors of the TCF-subfamily of HMG box proteins and regulates their activity. The Xenopus embryo has proven to be a particularly powerful experimental system in which to study the role of Wnt signaling components in development and differentiation. We review this literature, focusing on the role of Wnt signaling and interacting components in establishing patterns within the early embryo.
The Law and Economics of Critical Race Theory

Legal academics often perceive law and economics (LE and part of the answer has to do with efficiency, an ideological technology for creating incentives and a central theme in L&E. Both ideas - assimilation and efficiency - combine to tell a story about workplace discrimination that derives from what we call "the homogeneity incentive." In sum, in order to increase efficiency, employers have incentives to screen prospective employees for homogeneity, and, in order to counter racial stereotypes, nonwhite employees have incentives to demonstrate a willingness and capacity to assimilate. In this sense, the modern workplace discrimination problem may be more about employers requiring people of color to demonstrate racial palatability than about employers totally excluding people of color for the workplace. We discuss whether and to what extent anti-discrimination law can ameliorate this problem.
THE VARIABLE 3' ENDS OF A HUMAN CYTOMEGALOVIRUS ORILYT TRANSCRIPT (SRT) OVERLAP AN ESSENTIAL, CONSERVED REPLICATOR ELEMENT

The genetically defined human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) lytic-phase replicator, oriLyt, comprises more than 2 kb in a structurally complex region that spans a variety of potential transcription control signals. Several transcripts originate within or cross oriLyt, and we are studying these oriLyt transcription units to determine whether they participate in initiating or regulating lytic-phase DNA synthesis. Results presented here establish the temporal accumulation and structure of the smallest replicator transcript, which we call SRT, and identify a single-sequence element essential to replicator function. SRT was detected as early as 2 h after HCMV infection of human fibroblast cells; transcript levels increased by 24 h and continued to increase thereafter. Consistent with its early appearance, treatment of HCMV-infected cells with the viral DNA polymerase inhibitor phosphonoformic acid had no effect on SRT accumulation; however, no SRT was detected in RNA preparations from cycloheximide-treated infected cells. Additional Northern (RNA) analysis localized the 0.2- to 0.25-kb SRT to an apparently noncoding segment near the center of the oriLyt core region. Reverse transcriptase PCR (rapid amplification of cDNA 5' ends [5'-RACE]) identified a single 5' end. In transient-transfection assays, the sequence immediately upstream of SRT functioned as a promoter responsive to HCMV infection when placed upstream of a reporter gene, suggesting that SRT is the product of a discrete transcription unit. RNA ligase-mediated 3'-RACE showed that SRT is not polyadenylated and has heterogeneous 3' ends within a roughly 45-nucleotide window overlapping an oligopyrimidine sequence having counterparts in the lytic-phase replicators of several herpesviruses. Mutation of the oligopyrimidine element showed that it is essential to oriLyt replicator function; it is the only essential single-sequence HCMV oriLyt replicator element described to date. Collectively, the location of SRT near the center of the oriLyt core region, its early expression, its overlapping relationship with a sequence element essential to replicator function, and its similarities to replicator transcripts in other systems suggest the possibility that SRT plays a role in initiating or regulating HCMV lytic-phase DNA synthesis.
Cartographic Constructs: A Case Study of Nantucket Island Oral Histories

The island of Nantucket has, in the last fifty years, undergone great social and environmental changes. Using geographic information systems (GIS) and building on principles of grounded visualization—the visualization of qualitative data to detect trends and patterns—and mixed methods research, we employ a cartographic construct of oral histories to investigate how changes were perceived on the island. We found that respondents concentrated largely on economic factors rather than abstract concepts when articulating change and interpreted historical events, even relatively distant ones, employing a narrative of the island's past that was largely a construction of a small elite of visionaries.
Likelihood of Null Effects of Large NHLBI Clinical Trials Has Increased over Time

Background We explore whether the number of null results in large National Heart Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) funded trials has increased over time. Methods We identified all large NHLBI supported RCTs between 1970 and 2012 evaluating drugs or dietary supplements for the treatment or prevention of cardiovascular disease. Trials were included if direct costs >$500,000/year, participants were adult humans, and the primary outcome was cardiovascular risk, disease or death. The 55 trials meeting these criteria were coded for whether they were published prior to or after the year 2000, whether they registered in clinicaltrials.gov prior to publication, used active or placebo comparator, and whether or not the trial had industry co-sponsorship. We tabulated whether the study reported a positive, negative, or null result on the primary outcome variable and for total mortality. Results 17 of 30 studies (57%) published prior to 2000 showed a significant benefit of intervention on the primary outcome in comparison to only 2 among the 25 (8%) trials published after 2000 (χ2=12.2,df= 1, p=0.0005). There has been no change in the proportion of trials that compared treatment to placebo versus active comparator. Industry co-sponsorship was unrelated to the probability of reporting a significant benefit. Pre-registration in clinical trials.gov was strongly associated with the trend toward null findings. Conclusions The number NHLBI trials reporting positive results declined after the year 2000. Prospective declaration of outcomes in RCTs, and the adoption of transparent reporting standards, as required by clinicaltrials.gov, may have contributed to the trend toward null findings.
Third-Order Elastic Moduli of Barium Fluoride

The complete set of the six third-order elastic moduli for Ba${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ was determined from the change in the sound velocity under hydrostatic and uniaxial pressure. The third-order elastic moduli for Ba${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ were found to be nonisotropic, although the second-order moduli are isotropic. The Grueneisen-mode $\ensuremath{\gamma}'\mathrm{s}$ and their low- and high-temperature limit were calculated from the third-order elastic moduli, as well as the isotherm ($P\ensuremath{-}V$ curve) over an extended pressure range. The experimental results for the third-order elastic moduli were compared with theoretically calculated values, and good agreement was found.
Investigation of optical effect of lignin solution and determination of M̄w of kraft lignin by LALLS

The optical effects (fluorescence, anisotropy, and absorption) of kraft lignin solutions in three different kinds of solvents (0.1N NaOH, DMF, and pyridine) on the measurement of the weight-averaged molecular weight of lignin were investigated, and a correction procedure for these optical effects in the determination of the weight-averaged molecular weight of kraft lignin was developed. It was found that the fluorescence effect is the main source of error in the determination of the molecular weight of lignin, and the anisotropy and absorption strongly affect the second virial coefficient. It was also found that the anisotropic effect of kraft lignin dissolved in DMF and pyridine is contributed mainly by the anisotropic solvents rather than by the lignin particles and that the lignin solution in 0.1N NaOH is essentially optically isotropic. By using the correction procedure provided, the corrected molecular weight of lignin determined in three kinds of solvents varies only about ±10%, whereas the apparent weight-averaged molecular weight of the same lignin differs by ±57%. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Determinants for degradation of SAMHD1, Mus81 and induction of G2 arrest in HIV-1 Vpr and SIVagm Vpr.

Abstract Vpr and Vpx are a group of highly related accessory proteins from primate lentiviruses. Despite the high degree of amino acid homology within this group, these proteins can be highly divergent in their functions. In this work, we constructed chimeric and mutant proteins between HIV-1 and SIVagm Vpr in order to better understand the structure–function relationships. We tested these constructs for their abilities to induce G 2 arrest in human cells and to degrade agmSAMHD1 and Mus81. We found that the C-terminus of HIV-1 Vpr, when transferred onto SIVagm Vpr, provides the latter with the de novo ability to induce G 2 arrest in human cells. We confirmed that HIV-1 Vpr induces degradation of Mus81 although, surprisingly, degradation is independent and genetically separable from Vpr׳s ability to induce G 2 arrest.
The induction of a rheumatoid factor-like substance in rabbits

Hyperimmunization of two groups of rabbits with killed Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis has resulted in the formation of a serum factor (RFLS) which resembled the human rheumatoid factor. It was a heat-stable protein that migrated electrophoretically in the gamma-beta globulin range and sedimented rapidly with ultracentrifugation. The serologic properties of the RFLS were destroyed by mercaptoethanol. It reacted primarily with rabbit gamma globulin in an aggregated state (immune complexes or physically aggregated gamma globulin) and demonstrated cross-reactivity with human gamma globulin.
Milestones in endoscope design for minimally invasive urologic surgery: the sentinel role of a pioneer

Endoscopically based techniques have revolutionized the entire field of surgical specialties over the past 50 years. Currently, minimal access surgery is commonplace for considerable segments of surgical procedures across specialty lines. Central to this revolution, and arguably foremost in its impact on the development of minimally invasive endoscopic surgery, was the development of the rod-lens optical system by Professor Harold H. Hopkins and the almost simultaneous development of the fiberoptic cold-light light source by Karl Storz. It was George Berci who acted as the catalyst in bringing these two men together in the early 1960s, and from that meeting ensued one of the most successful cooperations in the design of endoscopic equipment. Innovative surgeons quickly recognized the enormous potential of these inventions, and in this context, George Berci's work and vision provided the hallmark events leading to the clinical applications from which surgeons and their patients so greatly benefit currently. In urology, Berci's early work has been recognized as a sentinel event bringing endoscopic endoluminal surgery from the lower urinary tract (urethra, bladder, prostate) to the upper urinary tract (ureter, kidney), and eventually to extraluminal laparoendoscopic surgery. This work has been recognized by the Journal of Urology as a "milestone in urology" leading to the clinical application in the field of endoscopic surgery currently referred to as endourology. In this article, the current state-of-the-art urologic surgery for the management of stone disease, urologic tumors, and anatomic abnormalities is presented, which to a great extent has its roots in George Berci's contributions to the field of innovative endoscope design.
Genetic Analysis of Neoplasia Induced by N-Nitroso-N-methylurea in Xiphophorus Hybrid Fish

Interspecific crosses within the genus Xiphophorus have historically been used to study the genetic aspects of melanoma formation. Melanomas typically occur as a result of deregulation of polymorphic, naturally occurring macromelanophore pigment patterns. Hybrid crosses also have been used to study the inducibility of melanoma by physical sources (such as UV light) and chemicals (such as N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, MNU). We previously defined a genomic region that is implicated in fish melanomagenesis and identified a candidate tumor suppressor gene (CDKN2X) within this genomic area. Highly significant associations between BC1-hybrid CDKN2X genotypes and UV-induced melanoma formation exist in a backcross produced from 2 inbred parental lines. However, when BC1 hybrids are exposed to MNU as the tumor induction agent, a significant association between inheritance of CDKN2X alleles and tumor development is not observed. These data suggest there is mechanistic and genetic heterogeneity in melanomas derived from different etiologies within BC1 hybrid fish.
STAT Is an Essential Activator of the Zygotic Genome in the Early Drosophila Embryo

In many organisms, transcription of the zygotic genome begins during the maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT), which is characterized by a dramatic increase in global transcriptional activities and coincides with embryonic stem cell differentiation. In Drosophila, it has been shown that maternal morphogen gradients and ubiquitously distributed general transcription factors may cooperate to upregulate zygotic genes that are essential for pattern formation in the early embryo. Here, we show that Drosophila STAT (STAT92E) functions as a general transcription factor that, together with the transcription factor Zelda, induces transcription of a large number of early-transcribed zygotic genes during the MZT. STAT92E is present in the early embryo as a maternal product and is active around the MZT. DNA–binding motifs for STAT and Zelda are highly enriched in promoters of early zygotic genes but not in housekeeping genes. Loss of Stat92E in the early embryo, similarly to loss of zelda, preferentially down-regulates early zygotic genes important for pattern formation. We further show that STAT92E and Zelda synergistically regulate transcription. We conclude that STAT92E, in conjunction with Zelda, plays an important role in transcription of the zygotic genome at the onset of embryonic development.
Relationship between particulate matter exposure and atherogenic profile in “Ground Zero” workers as shown by dynamic contrast enhanced MR imaging

In this pilot study, we hypothesize that dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) has the potential to evaluate differences in atherosclerosis profiles in patients subjected to high (initial dust cloud) and low (after 13 September 2001) particulate matter (PM) exposure. Exposure to PM may be associated with adverse health effects leading to increased morbidity. Law enforcement workers were exposed to high levels of particulate pollution after working at “Ground Zero” and may exhibit accelerated atherosclerosis. 31 subjects (28 male) with high (n = 19) or low (n = 12) exposure to PM underwent DCE-MRI. Demographics (age, gender, family history, hypertension, diabetes, BMI, and smoking status), biomarkers (lipid profiles, hs-CRP, BP) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) measures (left and right) were obtained from all subjects. Differences between the high and low exposures were compared using independent samples t test. Using linear forward stepwise regression with information criteria model, independent predictors of increased area under curve (AUC) from DCE-MRI were determined using all variables as input. Confidence interval of 95 % was used and variables with p > 0.1 were eliminated. p 3.0 and total cholesterol were independently associated with increased neovascularization (in decreasing order of importance, all p < 0.026). HE to PM may increase plaque neovascularization, and thereby potentially indicate worsening atherogenic profile of “Ground Zero” workers.
EFFECTS OF FINAL SCORES ON DIFFERENCE SCORE COMPUTATIONS

Srsmmary.-This paper demonstrates the peculiar dependency of the correlation (TDX) between initial scores (X) and change scores (D) on the variance of final scores (spa). Parameters of the primary distributions are manipulated to do so. The paper provides further support for the contentions of redundancy and spuriousness of sox without relying on the claim of additiviry of errors. In psychology researchers are often interested in change or difference measures for some experimental effect, for example, the difference in behavioral measures before and after a stimulus is presented. A persistent dilemma in the assessment of change involves the computation of change scores (Bereiter, 1963; Fleiss, 1976; Leeb & Weinberg, 1977; Overall & Woodward, 1975, 1976). It is widely known that the correlation between change scores and initial scores is likely to be significant and is equal to - 1 /I? given equal variances of the primary distributions and zero correlation berween them (Lacey. 1956). The reader may satisfy himself that this is so by examination of the following equation from Garside (1956) for the correlation coefficient (sox) berween initial scores (X) and change scores (D) expressed in terms of primary distribution paramerers. where rr' and sra are variances of the initial and final (Y) scores, respectively, and is the correlation coefficient computed for these two sets of scores. This correlation is oken attributed to the additivity of error measurement. However, the value of TDI can be shown to be consistently a function of SP more than any other of the above parameters. First, consider the values of sox as Txr varies from -1.0 to 1.0 and ss = sr. If
Methodology of H NMR Spectroscopy of the Human Brain at Very High Magnetic Fields

An ultrashort-echo-time stimulated echo-acquisition mode (STEAM) pulse sequence with interleaved outer volume suppression and VAPOR (variable power and optimized relaxation delays) water suppression was redesigned and optimized for human applications at 4 and 7 T, taking into account the specific requirements for spectroscopy at high magnetic fields and limitations of currently available hardware. In combination with automatic shimming, automated parameter adjustments and data processing, this method provided a user-friendly tool for routine (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of the human brain at very high magnetic fields. Effects of first- and second-order shimming, single-scan averaging, frequency and phase corrections, and eddy currents were described. LCModel analysis of an in vivo (1)H NMR spectrum measured from the human brain at 7 T allowed reliable quantification of more than fifteen metabolites noninvasively, illustrating the potential of high-field NMR spectroscopy. Examples of spectroscopic studies performed at 4 and 7 T demonstrated the high reproducibility of acquired spectra quality.
Elasticity theory of materials with long range cohesive forces

Abstract The strain energy of a deformed material with spatial interaction can be written either in a differential (multipolar) form, i.e. as a single volume integral containing displacement gradients up to infinite order, or in an integral (non-local) form, e.g. as a double volume integral summing up the interactions of pairs of mass elements. The linear theory is derived from lattice theory and the following insights have been gained: 1. (1) The differential theory, though in principle applicable to any (analytic) elastic long range problem, is mainly convenient in describing range effects on a very small (nearly atomic) scale. 2. (2) The effects of the electric cohesive forces can be comprised in the two-point material tensors (kernels) of the non-local theory. In this way, the macroscopical theory becomes purely elastic. 3. (3) Van der Waals cohesive forces give rise to elastic range effects under certain inhomogeneous stress conditions, in particular in defect interaction and diffusion problems.
Experimental results for Reynolds number effects on trailing vortices

Introduction T work is a study of tip vortices, such as trail from wings or control surfaces on airplanes, surface ships, or undersea vehicles. The near-wake behavior of the vortices trailing from low aspect ratio lifting surfaces mounted on either side of a larger, nonlifting, streamlined strut was investigated in a wind tunnel. The simulation of vortices by small-scale model testing in wind tunnels and towing tanks presents a problem, since the history of vortices is known to be sensitive to Reynolds number. The present test program was designed to obtain a high Reynolds number by using a large-scale model of a part of a vehicle configuration. The rest of the vehicle was "simulated" by mounting the model on the floor of the wind tunnel. At a tunnel speed of 220 ft/s, this gave an Rec of 1.5 x 10, which is greater than the usual tests with complete vehicle configurations in wind tunnels and towing tanks. Tests were also conducted at Rec = 2.\xlQ and 6.7xl0 to clarify the Reynolds number dependence. Mean flow properties were measured with a five-port yawhead probe, and axial turbulence intensity was obtained by a straight, hot-wire anemometer.
Globally attracting attenuant versus resonant cycles in periodic compensatory Leslie models

We use a periodically forced density-dependent compensatory Leslie model to study the combined effects of environmental fluctuations and age-structure on pioneer populations. In constant environments, the models have globally attracting positive fixed points. However, with the advent of periodic forcing, the models have globally attracting cycles. We derive conditions under which the cycle is attenuant, resonant, and neither attenuant nor resonant. These results show that the response of age-structured populations to environmental fluctuations is a complex function of the compensatory mechanisms at different life-history stages, the fertile age classes and the period of the environment.
Soil microbial community analysis using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms

Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-fingerprinting method that is commonly used for comparative microbial community analysis. The method can be used to analyze communities of bacteria, archaea, fungi, other phylogenetic groups or subgroups, as well as functional genes. The method is rapid, highly reproducible, and often yields a higher number of operational taxonomic units than other, commonly used PCR-fingerprinting methods. Sizing of terminal restriction fragments (T-RFs) can now be done using capillary sequencing technology allowing samples contained in 96- or 384-well plates to be sized in an overnight run. Many multivariate statistical approaches have been used to interpret and compare T-RFLP fingerprints derived from different communities. Detrended correspondence analysis and the additive main effects with multiplicative interaction model are particularly useful for revealing trends in T-RFLP data. Due to biases inherent in the method, linking the size of T-RFs derived from complex communities to existing sequence databases to infer their taxonomic position is not very robust. This approach has been used successfully, however, to identify and follow the dynamics of members within very simple or model communities. The T-RFLP approach has been used successfully to analyze the composition of microbial communities in soil, water, marine, and lacustrine sediments, biofilms, feces, in and on plant tissues, and in the digestive tracts of insects and mammals. The T-RFLP method is a user-friendly molecular approach to microbial community analysis that is adding significant information to studies of microbial populations in many environments.
Observations of an anticyclonic eddy of 18°C water in the Sargasso Sea

Abstract Observations have been made of a lens of 18°C water in the Sargasso Sea near 30°N, 69°W. The lens was nearly isothermal and isohaline and was embedded in the more typical weakly stratified 18°C water in the area. It was more than 500 m thick and 170 km in diameter. The lens was moving south-southwest at 3.8 km day−1 and was rotating anticyclonically with speeds up to 50 cm s−1. A smaller lens of water near 16°C was located concentrically below the major eddy. The 14°C isotherm in the main thermocline was depressed 300 m below its level in the surrounding area, and the 20°C isotherm in the seasonal thermocline was raised 50 M. Significant anticyclonic flow occurred as deep as 850 m in the thermocline. These observations confirm previous sparse evidence of eddies of this type. It has been suggested that they are generated near the Corner Rise Seamounts. We speculate that the observed feature is the remnant of an eddy formed by a convection cell of 18°C water possibly generated near the New England ...
Investigation of Photoluminescence from Ge1-xSnx: A CMOS-Compatible Material Grown on Si via CVD

Photoluminescence (PL) from Ge1-xSnx grown on Si by CVD was investigated for Sn composition of 0.9, 3.2, 6, and 7%, respectively. The direct and indirect band transitions were analyzed at different temperatures.
Laparoscopic revision of Nissen fundoplication to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in morbidly obese patients.

Background We present a case of a morbidly obese patient with previous laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) who was successfully treated by revision to a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and discuss our collective experience.
The diagnosis and management of children with blunt injury of the chest

Thoracic trauma remains a major source of morbidity and mortality in injured children, and is second only to brain injuries as a cause of death. The presence of a chest injury increases an injured child’s mortality by 20-fold. Greater than 80% of chest injuries in children are secondary to blunt trauma. The compliant chest wall in children makes pulmonary contusions and rib fractures the most common chest injuries in children. Injuries to the great vessels, esophagus, and diaphragm are rare. Failure to promptly diagnose and treat these injuries results in increased morbidity and mortality.
Storm-time enhancement of mid-latitude ultraviolet emissions due to energetic neutral atom precipitation

[1] In this work we present a direct connection between Energetic Neutral Atom (ENA) precipitation and enhanced ultraviolet emissions from the mid-latitude thermosphere during times of geomagnetic disturbance. Data from the IMAGE/HENA instrument provides information about ENA emission from the ring current, the IMAGE/FUV instrument shows the temporal response of the ultraviolet airglow, and data from TIMED/GUVI is used to infer the vertical distribution of the airglow enhancement. We find that the airglow signature is well correlated with energetic atom precipitation. The ultraviolet emission has a maximum above 120 km tangent altitude and is dominated by OI 135.6 nm emission. The relative brightness of 135.6 nm emission and OI 130.4 nm radiance suggest a lack of an electron cascade.
Effects of bright incandescent light on seasonal and nonseasonal major depressive disorder.

Abstract Previous research has indicated that exposure to bright fluorescent light can benefit clinically depressed individuals. The present study, a 1-to 2-week open trial of bright (⩾2,000 lux) incandescent light with seasonal (fall/winter) and nonseasonal depressives, produced a therapeutic effect on seasonal depression, as measured by three criteria for recovery: final score on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) DSM-III criteria for major depressive disorder. Phototherapy was not effective in the nonseasonal patients, whose functioning was more impaired than that of the seasonal subjects even before the trial. No adverse effects were observed in any patient.
An Observational and High-Resolution Model Analysis of Gale Wind Events in the Gulf of California

Abstract The Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch (TAFB) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida, provides high-seas forecasts to portions of the eastern Pacific Ocean, including the Gulf of California. These forecasts include wind velocity and significant wave height forecasts and are initiated by forecast winds of at least 20 kt (10.3 m s−1) or significant wave heights of at least 8 ft (2.4 m). The Gulf of California is a commonly traveled area, where winds are highly modulated by nearby terrain variations. This provides a unique forecast challenge, especially in the absence of regular surface observations. In October and November 2008, the NOAA R/V David Starr Jordan was stationed in the Gulf of California and occasionally reported gale force winds [34–47 kt (17.5–24.2 m s−1)], which operational models regularly missed. A ship log of these events provided the basis for determining mean and anomaly fields for a handful of meteorologi...
Borehole pressure correction equation

A method of calculation for borehole pressure has been developed and compared to measured data for PETN. The results show that by adjusting the ratio of the specific heats using an equation derived from a curve fit of a pressure as a function of decoupling ratio graph, the plot shifts to a position within the ranges of the measured data. Also, at this point the proper specific heat may be obtained for a given gaseous mixture. Although other mixtures have been considered the results are not yet conclusive, but preliminary values seem to hold for the methodology used.
A hysteretic cohesive-law model of fatigue-crack nucleation

We assess the ability of a hysteretic cohesive-law model to predict the number of cycles to fatigue-crack initiation. Comparisons with experimental data for a 2048-T851 aluminum alloy, 300 M steel and AISI 4340 steel suggest that the approach captures salient aspects of the observed behavior.
Analyses of surface degradation of nanofilled polypropylene films through partial discharges & surface study

The surface resistance of nanoparticles filled Poly Propylene (PP) to Partial Discharges(PD) is investigated in this work. PP films with different percentages of organoclay filled PP films were aged under 60 Hz AC voltages. Each sample was continuously aged for 8 hours with Rod-Plane profile electrodes in presence of surface discharges. Several characteristics such as Qavg, Qmax, Weibull distribution parameters of PD distributions were collected continuously with time using a Computerized PD Detection System. The change in the Breakdown strength due to aging by Partial Discharges was determined by using a ASTM D-149 breakdown strength measurement system using standardized electrodes for films. The results of experiments, statistical analyses as well as the model for the progression of aging in terms of observed PD (φ, q, n) measurements and surface defects caused on the samples due to PD for samples with different levels of nano-fillers has been analysed.
Future energy supply for society—Challenges in evaluation criteria and interdisciplinary research

Abstract Society faces a change from an age of vast and silently accepted energy supplies to an age requiring conscious effort to secure new and adequate source-energy for its future. The criteria for success will be different from currently customary methods. The sheer magnitude of the “product” will involve interrelationships of several participating technological and social parameters. The practice of customary “cost” evaluation of technology by itself will be insufficient as it employs monetary measurements based on economics of the present-day environment of energy availability. The pursuit of large-scale solar energy utilization provides an example for the multiplicity of interacting parameters that must be pursued technologically and the need for interdisciplinary understanding and pursuits.
Diastereoface selection in the inoc reaction

Abstract The effect of an “inside” allylic asymmetric center on the course of the intramolecular nitrile oxide cycloaddition reaction has been studied.
Velocity perception for sounds moving in frequency space

In three experiments, we considered the relative contribution of frequency change (Δf) and time change (Δt) to perceived velocity (Δf/Δt) for sounds that moved either continuously in frequency space (Experiment 1) or in discrete steps (Experiments 2 and 3). In all the experiments, participants estimated “how quickly stimuli changed in pitch” on a scale ranging from 0 (not changing at all) to 100 (changing very quickly). Objective frequency velocity was specified in terms of semitones per second (ST/s), with ascending and descending stimuli presented on each trial at one of seven velocities (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 ST/s). Separate contributions of frequency change (Δf) and time change (Δt) to perceived velocity were assessed by holding total Δt constant and varying Δf or vice versa. For tone glides that moved continuously in frequency space, both Δf and Δt cues contributed approximately equally to perceived velocity. For tone sequences, in contrast, perceived velocity was based almost entirely on Δt, with surprisingly little contribution from Δf. Experiment 3 considered separate judgments about Δf and Δt in order to rule out the possibility that the results of Experiment 2 were due to the inability to judge frequency change in tone sequences.
Charged black hole in a grand canonical ensemble.

A spherical charged black hole in thermal equilibrium is considered from the perspective of a grand canonical ensemble in which the electrostatic potential, temperature, and surface area are specified at a finite boundary. A correspondence is established between the boundary-value data of a well-posed problem in a finite region of Euclidean spacetime and the freely chosen thermodynamic data specifying the ensemble. The Hamiltonian and Gauss's-law constraints are solved and eliminated from the Einstein-Maxwell action, producing a "reduced action" that depends upon two remaining degrees of freedom (two free parameters), as well as on the thermodynamic data. The black-hole temperature, entropy, and corresponding electrostatic potential then follow from relations holding at the stationary points of the reduced action with respect to variation of the free parameters. Investigation of an appropriate eigenvalue problem shows that the criteria for local dynamical and thermodynamical stability are the same. The ensemble can be either stable or unstable, depending upon a certain relation involving mean charge, gravitational radius, and boundary radius. The role of the reduced action in determining the grand partition function, the thermodynamics of charged black holes, and the density of states is discussed.
Syntheses of Strychnos and Aspidospermatan-Type Alkaloids. 8. Selective Total Syntheses of Mossambine and 14-epi-Mossambine by a Radical Cyclization Reaction1

Mossambine (6) was obtained by a six-step reaction sequence from the indoloazepine ester 7. Radical cyclization of the tetracyclic vinyl iodide 12a provided a racemic pentacyclic ketone 16E, which could be converted to either enantiomer by condensation with (S or R)-N,S-dimethyl-S-phenylsulfoximine and selective pyrolysis of the resulting diastereomeric alcohols 18 and 19 or 20 and 21. Selective reductions of the resolved (or racemic) ketone 16E provided mossambine (6) and its hydroxy epimer 17.
Nonlinear Dynamics of a Gear Transmission System: Part I — Mechanism of Impacting Chatter With Stick

In this paper, an investigation on nonlinear dynamical behaviors of a transmission system with a gear pair is conducted. The transmission system is described through an impact model with possible stick between the two gears. From the theory of discontinuous dynamical systems, the motion mechanism of impacting chatter with stick is investigated. The onset and vanishing conditions of stick motions are developed, and the condition for maintaining the stick motion is achieved as well. The corresponding physics interpretation is given for a better understanding of nonlinear behaviors of gear transmission systems. Furthermore, such an understanding may be very helpful to improve the efficiency of gear transmission systems.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
ArF Laser-induced decomposition of simple energetic niolecules

Chemiluminescent products formed from ArF laser-induced decomposition of nitromethane, n -propyl nitrate and nitrobenzene have been studied. Implications to explosive chemistry are briefly, discussed.
Robust method for the motion compensation of ISAR imagery

A technique for improving stepped-frequency inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imagery via entropy minimization is presented. Image improvement is achieved in the frequency domain where the echo phase can be adjusted to compensate for radial motion. The computational algorithm which determines motion parameters that reduce entropy to an absolute minimum is based on the golden-section-search method and operates in a closed-loop mode. Using this technique one can efficiently focus the image generated by a fully automated high-resolution-radar system that evaluates its own performance in terms of image quality.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Reflections on the Identity Development of Medical Educators

In the United States, 82% of adults admit to gambling over the past year. Approximately 2.3% of people are considered to be problematic gamblers and 0.6% are considered to have pathological gambling problems. As many as 87% of college students admit to gambling over the past 12 months with up to 9% of men and 2% of women college students considered to be probable pathological gamblers. To date, no studies have been published regarding medical student gambling and its relationship to demographic variables, academics, socializing, and various risk factors. This study surveyed medical students on the prevalence of gambling, gambling behavior, problematic gambling, the relationship between gambling and academic and social issues, and other risky behaviors. Survey results found that 61% of medical students admitted to gambling over the past year. Overall, 13.6% of students who gambled reported at least one symptom or behavior related to problem gambling and less than one percent of students reported pathological gambling. Few students reported that gambling negatively impacted academics or relationships. In general, medical students reported high rates of alcohol use. Implications for medical educators and administration are discussed within the article.
Ion beam deposition of amorphous carbon films with diamond like properties

Carbon films were deposited on silicon, quartz, and potassium bromide substrates from an ion beam. Growth rates were approximately 0.3 micron/hour. The films were featureless and amorphous and contained only carbon and hydrogen in significant amounts. The density and carbon/hydrogen ratio indicate the film is a hydrogen deficient polymer. One possible structure, consistent with the data, is a random network of methylene linkages and tetrahedrally coordinated carbon atoms.
IC of CJD in the OR.

Review precautions for the safe handling of surgical materials that may be contaminated with infectious agents from patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.