cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of thymulin on avian IL-2 receptor expression.

Abstract The effect of thymulin on IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression by avian splenocytes was examined in the functionally hypothyroid sex-linked dwarf (SLD) and in normal euthyroid K strain chickens. Daily thymulin injections of 0, 0.05 and 5.0 ng/100 g body weight were given from hatching until 4 weeks of age. ConA-treated and non-stimulated splenocytes from these animals were analyzed by flow cytometry for their expression of IL-2Rα, CD4 and CD8 cell surface molecules. ConA activation increased the number of IL-2R+ cells within K strain more than in the SLD. Thymulin treatment increased the number of IL-2R+ cells in the SLD but had the opposite effect in K strain chickens. Mitogen activation or thymulin treatment had little effect on the IL-2R density within small cell populations. In contrast, mitogen activation increased the density of IL-2R on larger cell populations in both K and SLD. IL-2R densities on non-stimulated larger cells decreased in the SLD after thymulin exposure. Thymulin treatment produced no effect on the mean IL-2R densities for large activated cells. ConA stimulation increased the number of CD4+ cells in both strains. The density of CD4 expression was modulated by both mitogen activation and thymulin treatment. ConA stimulation produced an increase in the number of CD8+ cells. The SLD had fewer CD8+ cells than did the K strain and thymulin treatment had little effect on this population in either strain. Mitogen stimulation increased the density of CD8 on CD8+ cells but again thymulin treatment had little effect. These results suggest that thymulin can modulate IL-2R expression on splenocytes and that this effect may be dependent upon the thyroidal status of the animal. Further, these data suggest that thymulin has a differential effect on the CD4 and CD8 T-cell subpopulations.
Comment, with reply, on "Vertex implications of stability for a class of delay-differential interval system" by K.D. Kim and N.K. Bose

The commenters disagree with the claim by K.D. Kim and N.K. Bose (see ibid., vol.37, no.7, p.969-972, 1990) that for an important special case of delay-differential systems when the characteristic equation is describable by certain quasi-polynomials, the vertex implication for stability does hold. The commenters show that this claim is not true. What may be true is that the vertex implication holds for the very limited case of systems which are known as stable independent of delay. The authors' reply is included. >
Is gender a risk factor for mortality or appropriate shock in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy who have implantable cardioverter defibrillators

NYHA class 1 or 2, p 0.02, respectively). After correcting for age, gender, use of -blockers, and indication for ICD implantation in a Cox Regression model, advanced heart failure (NYHA class 3,4) remained an independent predictor of inappropriate ICD shocks (Hazard Ratio 2.3, p 0.023). Conclusion: Inappropriate ICD shocks are predominantly due to atrial arrhythmias and are not decreased by the presence of an atrial lead. Advanced heart failure is an independent predictor of inappropriate ICD shocks. Early use of antiarrhythmic drugs or atrioventricular nodal ablation might be indicated in heart failure patients who receive an ICD. The effect of ICD programming on the incidence of inappropriate shocks deserves further investigation.
Systematic synthesis of cascaded continuous-time ΔΣ ADCs for wideband data conversion

Continuous-time delta sigma (CT-ΔΣ ) ADCs are gaining wider adoption in data conversion systems primarily aided by their robustness to mismatch in nano-scale CMOS technologies and inherent anti-alias filtering. In past, several techniques have been employed to achieve wider conversion bandwidths by either scaling the designs to a lower technology node or by adopting architectures with lower oversampling ratios (OSR). Cascaded, or MASH, CT-ΔΣ ADCs have been explored to achieve conversion bandwidths by cascading lower order ΔΣ loops followed by a digital coarse quantization noise canceling filter (NCF). Another technique which has recently been explored is to increase the quantizer sampling rate, in a given technology node, by absorbing excess loop-delay (ELD) greater than one clock cycle (Ts) in the loop. However, these techniques individually cannot sufficiently meet the ever increasing bandwidth demand for the broadband wireless applications. Further, the ELD > Ts designs require an extra modulator order to achieve the same noise-shaping performance as the low-speed ELD <; 0.5 Ts prototype, necessitating high-order CT-ΔΣ loops. As a step towards combing the two techniques, we propose a systematic design method to synthesize 3-2 MASH CT-ΔΣ modulators to achieve higher conversion bandwidths, BW ≥ 40MHz in a 130-nm CMOS technology.
Modeling natural energy flow in houses

A model for predicting the energy use of residential buildings is developed for the purpose of investigating the effect on energy consumption of various changes in building design, construction and operation. The model differentiates between the thermal behavior of the north and south zones of the house, and describes an innovative method of air-handling. The model is incorporated into an analytical computer program called TWOZONE. This program is used to evaluate the effect on annual energy use of various amounts and locations of glass areas in houses. The results are compared with recent work on the energy value of windows in houses. Among the findings, when using this particular model and load program, is the fact that single-glazing is a net loser in any climate. Energy-use curves for several climates are given for single- versus double-glazing, thereby permitting cost-effectiveness analysis to be done.
A prospective study of patient-physician communication about resuscitation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate prospectively seriously ill patients' characteristics, perceptions, and preferences associated with discussing resuscitation (CPR) with their physicians. DESIGN: Prospective cohort. SETTING: Five academic medical centers. PARTICIPANTS: Patients enrolled in the Study to Understand Prognoses and Preferences for Outcomes and Risks of Treatments who had not communicated with their physicians about CPR at admission to a hospital for life-threatening illness (n = 1288). MEASUREMENTS: Baseline surveys of patients' characteristics, health status, desires for participation in medical decision making, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Two month follow-up surveys of patients' communication of resuscitation preference. Chart reviews for clinical indicators. RESULTS: Thirty percent of patients communicated their resuscitation preference to their physician during a 2 month-period following hospital admission. Patients whose preference was to forgo CPR (odds ratio (OR) 2.9; (95% CI, 1.9-4.2)) and whose preference had changed from desiring to forgoing CPR (OR 1.6; (95% CI, 1.1–2.4)) were more likely to communicate their preference than patients who continued to prefer to receive CPR. However, only 50% of patients who maintained a preference to forgo CPR communicated this over a 2-month period. Having an advance directive and remaining in the hospital at 2-month follow-up were also independently associated with communication, whereas patients' preference for participation in decision-making, health status, and prognostic estimate were not. CONCLUSIONS: Communication about resuscitation preferences occurred infrequently after hospital admission for a serious illness, even among patients wishing to forgo resuscitation. Factors such as declining quality of life, which were expected to be associated with communication, were not. An invitation to communicate about CPR preference is important after hospital admission for a serious illness. Novel approaches are needed to promote physician-patient discussions about resuscitation.
For teachers, all the classroom's a stage.

In his Perspective “Farewell, Lecture?” (2 January, p. [50][1]), E. Mazur criticizes traditional lectures while praising the virtues of a new interactive electronic approach. While the new approach may enhance student learning, the traditional lecture approach can be very effective if conducted
Host Range and Phylogeny of Fusarium solani f. sp. eumartii from Potato and Tomato in California.

ABSTRACT Fusarium solani f. sp. eumartii, historically considered solely a pathogen of potato (Solanum tuberosum), was associated with tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum) exhibiting foot rot symptoms in California. The pathogenicity of California isolates of F. solani f. sp. eumartii from potato plants with Eumartii wilt symptoms and tomato plants with foot rot symptoms was determined on potato, tomato, pepper (Capsicum anuum), and eggplant (S. melongena). Isolates from both potato and tomato caused dry rot symptoms on potato tubers and root or collar rot on all four host species in the greenhouse. In field trials, isolates from both tomato and potato were pathogenic on tomato, potato, and pepper, confirming that the host range of F. solani f. sp. eumartii is not limited to potato. The phylogeny of isolates from potato and tomato was determined based on sequences of two DNA fragments: rDNA internal transcribed spacer regions and partial sequences of elongation factor 1-α. All of the California isolate...
Destruction of the World Trade Center and PCBs, PBDEs, PCDD/Fs, PBDD/Fs, and Chlorinated Biphenylenes in Water, Sediment, and Sewage Sludge

Ash-laden runoff samples collected near Ground Zero soon after the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center (WTC) and subsequent fire demonstrate the release of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated dipheyl ethers (PBDEs), polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polybrominated dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), and tetra- and pentachlorinated biphenylenes (PCBPs) from the incident. Relative abundances of PCDD/F congeners in the runoff water and post-disaster lower Manhattan dust samples were different from those seen in pre-disaster NYC combined sewer outfall (CSO) samples. The WTC-related samples showed a greater relative abundance of 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF than usually seen in CSOs, sludges, and treated wastewaters. This congener may be associated with certain types of incineration. Comparison of sediment and water samples collected in the lower Hudson River before and shortly after September 11, 2001 (9/11) showed no changes in PCB or PCDD/F concentrations or homologue profiles determined down to the parts per quadrillion range. Comparisons of ambient water samples collected post-9/11 with archived samples suggest that the WTC disaster did not significantly impact ambient concentrations of the target chemicals. Ambient concentrations of PBDD/Fs in New York Harbor are similar to those of PCDD/Fs, suggesting that these contaminants deserve increased scrutiny with respect to toxicity, sources, and fate in the environment.
Sources of Migrant Housing Disadvantage in Urban China

The increasing level of labor mobility in China challenges the current population-management structure. In particular, recent reforms in urban housing provision seem largely to overlook the needs of the migrant population. In this paper I examine the sources of migrant housing disadvantage in cities. Specifically, I analyze the institutional and socioeconomic factors underlying migrant housing choice and conditions, and how these factors influence migrants differently from the locals. Data are drawn primarily from citywide housing surveys and interviews conducted in Shanghai and Beijing. The findings show that migrants make housing decisions based on whether they intend to settle in the cities, and market-related factors such as income and education have a significant, positive impact on migrant housing conditions. But more importantly, the general disadvantage experienced by migrants has much of its root in the institutional restrictions associated with the hukou system that outweigh the combined effects...
Crustal thickening during Proterozoic metamorphism and deformation in New Mexico

Proterozoic rocks in northern and central New Mexico underwent simultaneous metamorphism and deformation, tentatively dated at 1410 Ma. Structural relationships record a minimum of 20%–30% shortening during the latter part of deformation, and chemical zoning in garnet and plagioclase indicates a 20% increase in depth of burial during the same interval. Locally, deformation thickened the upper continental crust by at least 20%. This crustal thickening was distributed over a broad area and caused rocks across 75 000 km 2 to recrystallize at peak metamorphic conditions near 525 °C and 4 kbar. The metamorphic terrane cooled isobarically, at rates less than 5 °C/m.y. Such slow cooling may be normal at middle crustal depths. Preservation of the regionally uniform peak metamorphic conditions reflects an unusual tectonic history: heat from the metamorphic event outlasted deformation, and the terrane was not subjected to rapid uplift following its thermal peak.
MEMS-Based Adaptive-Optics Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope

We developed a clinically deployable adaptive optics (AO) scanning laser ophthalmoscope (AOSLO) using a micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) deformable mirror and low coherent light sources. We investigated retina microstructure in retinal degeneration patients with high resolution.
Nonexistence results for classes of 3 × 3 elliptic systems

Abstract We consider the system − Δ u = λ f ( v , w ) ; x ∈ Ω − Δ v = μ g ( u , w ) ; x ∈ Ω − Δ w = σ h ( u , v ) ; x ∈ Ω u = v = w = 0 ; x ∈ ∂ Ω , where Ω is a ball in R N , N > 1 and ∂ Ω is its boundary, λ , μ , σ are positive parameters bounded away from zero, and f , g , h are smooth functions that are negative at the origin (semipositone system) and satisfy certain linear growth conditions at infinity. We establish nonexistence of positive solutions when two of the parameters λ , μ , σ are large. Our proofs depend on energy analysis and comparison methods.
Fracture of fibrous metal matrix composites—IV. Plastic zones, local stresses and fracture strength

Abstract An analytical procedure for prediction of fracture strength in unidirectionally reinforced, notched metal matrix composite (MMC) plates is described. As in Parts I–III [Engng Fracture Mech.34, 87–104 (1989); 34, 105–123 (1989); 37, 1207–1232 (1990)], the objective is to evaluate the tension stress in a small volume of material ahead of the notch tip, while the composite plate is loaded in simple tension. In the composite systems considered in this study, fracture is typically preceded by formation of long, discrete plastic shear zones aligned in the fiber direction. The length of such zones is evaluated here by the crack interaction scheme proposed recently by Benveniste et al. [Int. J. Solids Structures25, 1279–1293 (1989)] and a Dugdale-type condition imposed at the end of the plastic zone. Then, the local tension stress ahead of the notch is found by superposition of a ligament stress and the stress induced by the shear tractions in the plastic zone. Comparison with numerous fracture strength measurements on notched B/Al and FP/Al plates confirms that the onset of fracture is associated with a critical magnitude of the local stress in a small volume of the composite material. The present procedure provides closed-form expressions for evaluation of the local stresses, and for fracture strength predictions in unidirectional MMC plates.
Effects of anemia and hypotension on porcine optic nerve blood flow and oxygen delivery.

Background: Perioperative ischemic optic neuropathy occurs after major surgical procedures, which are often associated with hypotension, anemia, or venous congestion. However, the effects of these conditions on optic nerve (ON) blood flow are unknown and cannot be studied adequately in humans. Methods: Farm-raised pigs were anesthetized with isoflurane, kept normocapnic and normothermic, and subjected to conditions of euvolemic or hypovolemic hypotension (mean arterial pressure 50-55 mm Hg), anemia (hematocrit 17%), venous congestion, and combinations thereof. Control animals were kept euvolemic and normotensive for the entire experiment. Fluorescent microspheres were used to measure cerebral blood flow (CBF) and ON blood flow at baseline and after experimental conditions, and to calculate oxygen delivery (DO 2 ). Results: No significant changes in CBF or ON blood flow or DO 2 occurred with euvolemic hypotension (n = 5), compared with controls (n = 12). Hypovolemic hypotension (n = 4) resulted in stable CBF and cerebral DO 2 , but significant reductions in ON DO 2 (P = 0.032). The significant increase in CBF associated with anemia (n = 6) resulted in stable cerebral DO 2 . In contrast, ON blood flow did not significantly change with anemia, with (n = 5) or without (n = 6) euvolemic hypotension, resulting in significant reductions in ON DO 2 (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Compensatory mechanisms for porcine CBF maintain stable DO 2 under specified conditions of hypotension or anemia, whereas ON compensatory mechanisms were unable to maintain blood flow and to preserve DO 2 . The authors conclude that the porcine ON is more susceptible to physiologic perturbations than the brain.
NUCLEIC ACID AND PROTEIN SYNTHESIS, AS MEASURED BY INCORPORATION OF TRACERS, DURING REGENERATION IN ULTRAVIOLET-TREATED BLEPHARISMA.

Abstract Regeneration of postperistomial pieces of Blepharisma intermedium was retarded by increasing doses of UV 265 nm; a dose of 3 200 ergs/mm −2 usually doubled the time for 50 % regeneration while one greater than 5 600 ergs/mm −2 generally stopped regeneration. However, a dose of 4 000 ergs/mm −2 just detectably reduced incorporation of 14 C-uridine into RNA (RNAase-removable) in and near the macronucleus, doses of 4 400 ergs/mm −2 and more produced progressively greater effects, reduction of tracer incorporation being evident both in degree of labeling of individual cells and number of cells strongly labeled. Incorporation of 14 C-thymidine into DNA (DNAase-removable) in and around the macronucleus of those postperistomial pieces which showed any incorporation of Blepharisma was reduced by UV doses of 4 000–5 000 ergs mm −2 , as was incorporation of 14 C-amino acids into proteins. Growth in bromodeoxyuridine did not sensitize fragments of Blepharisma to UV. Regeneration was retarded most by UV in cells irradiated immediately after cutting. However, incorporation of 14 C-uridine into postperistomial pieces continued throughout regeneration and was about equally sensitive to UV 4 h after cutting as immediately afterwards. Regeneration was also retarded more if irradiated whole cells were cut soon after exposure than if cut later. However, incorporation of 14 C-uridine continued throughout regeneration and was about as sensitive to UV in those cut later as in those cut earlier. The macronuclear condensation cycle which accompanies regeneration was retarded by UV, the delay increasing with dose.
Appendages Associated with Glugea stephani, a Microsporidan Found in Flounder1

During an electron microscopic study of Glugea stephani, three morphologically distinct tubular appendages that are continuous with the sporoblast plasmalemma were observed. The tubules were designated as: type I, 45–50 nm in diameter and 600–900 nm in length; type II, 25–35 nm in diameter, averaging 1300 nm in length; type III, 50–70 nm in diameter and with an indeterminate length, which often exceeds 3000 nm. Type III tubules contain regularly spaced, electron-dense particles that are approximately 30 nm in diameter. Since many genera of microsporida have some type of appendage, which may eventually be utilized for taxonomic purposes, we propose the formation of a system of serially numbered detailed descriptions of these structures to promote uniformity and clarity in future publications.
Ontogenetic Behavior and Migration of Gulf of Mexico Sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi, with Notes on Body Color and Development

We observed Suwannee River Gulf sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi, in the laboratory and found free embryos (first interval after hatching) hid under rocks and did not migrate. Thus, wild embryos should be at the spawning area. Larvae (first interval feeding exogenously) initiated a slow downstream migration, and some juveniles (interval with adult features) continued to migrate slowly for at least 5 months, e.g., a 1-step long larva-juvenile migration. No other population of sturgeon yet studied has this migration style. A conceptual model using this result suggests wild year-0 sturgeon have a variable downstream migration style with short-duration (short distance) migrants and long-duration (long distance) migrants. This migration style should widely disperse wild fish. The model is supported by field studies that found year-0 juveniles are widely dispersed in fresh water to river km 10. Thus, laboratory and field data agree that the entire freshwater reach of river downstream of spawning is nursery habitat. Foraging position of larvae and early juveniles was mostly on the bottom, but fish also spent hours holding position in the water column, an unusual feeding location for sturgeons. The holding position of fish above the bottom suggests benthic forage in the river is scarce and fish have evolved drift feeding. The unusual migration and foraging styles may be adaptations to rear in a river at the southern limit of the species range with poor rearing habitat (low abundance of benthic forage and high summer water temperatures). Suwannee River Gulf sturgeon and Hudson River Atlantic sturgeon, A. o. oxyrinchus, are similar for initiation of migration, early habitat preference, and diel migration. The two subspecies differ greatly for migration and foraging styles, which is likely related to major differences in the quality of rearing habitat. The differences between Atlantic sturgeon populations show the need for geographical studies to represent the behavior of an entire species.
One way domain decomposition method with second order transmission conditions for solving electromagnetic wave problems

Non-overlapping domain decomposition (DD) methods with complex first order Robin-type transmission conditions (TCs) provide an efficient iterative solution for Maxwell's equation. Unfortunately, the first order TCs do not effectively account for some eigenmodes of the system matrix, which limits the scalability of the methods. In this work, we examine two TCs with a second order transverse derivative to improve the method's performance. A detailed convergence analysis of the two TCs is presented. We then investigate the use of the two second order TCs in non-conformal and non-overlapping one way DD methods. Numerical results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods on some model problems and on several problems of practical interest.
Prenatal Care Need and Access: A GIS Analysis

Many municipalities provide special prenatal care services targeted to low-income women whose access to prenatal care is constrained. For such services to be successful and effective, they must be geographically targeted to the places where low-income, high-need mothers live. This paper presents a GIS analysis of prenatal care need and clinic services for low-income mothers in Brooklyn, NY. We analyze fine-grained geographic variation in need using data on the residential locations of recent mothers who lack health insurance or are covered by Medicaid. Spatial statistical methods are used to create spatially smoothed maps of the density of mothers and corresponding maps of the density of prenatal clinics. For these mothers, clinic density is positively associated with early initiation of prenatal care. Although clinic locations conform relatively well to the residential concentrations of high-need women, we identify several underserved areas with large numbers of needy women and few clinics available.
Sleep state and the risk of seizure recurrence following a first unprovoked seizure in childhood

In a prospective study, we have followed 347 children identified at the time of a first unprovoked seizure for a mean of 46 months. To date, 135 (39%) have experienced a seizure recurrence. In this study, we analyzed recurrence risk as a function of whether the child was asleep or awake at the time of the first seizure. The cumulative recurrence risks for children whose first seizure occurred in sleep was 28% at 0.5 years, 39% at 1 year, 53% at 2 years, and 55% at 4 years, compared with recurrence risks of 18%, 23%, 30%, and 35% at the same intervals in children whose first seizure occurred while awake (p < 0.001). The association of a first seizure during sleep with an increased recurrence risk was present primarily in children with idiopathic seizures. It occurred in both those with a normal and an abnormal EEG. On multivariable analysis, sleep state, etiology, and the EEG were statistically significant predictors of recurrence risk. In children who experienced a seizure recurrence, the recurrences occurred in the same sleep state in 73% of the cases (p < 0.0001). This was also true of subsequent recurrences. We conclude that the occurrence of a first seizure in sleep is associated with an increased risk of recurrence. Subsequent seizures, if they do occur, usually occur in the same sleep state as the initial seizure.
The Balanced Dynamical Nature of a Rapidly Intensifying Oceanic Cyclone

Abstract Aided with a numerical simulation, the authors diagnose the synoptic-scale evolution of an intense extratropical cyclone over the western Atlantic Ocean from the perspective of balanced dynamics using potential vorticity inversion techniques. The authors show that even during the period of largest growth rate, early in the life cycle, the balance equations capture much of the nondivergent wind, irrotational wind, and height tendency fields. The structure of the cyclone evolves from a maximum amplitude at the tropopause to a maximum amplitude at the surface as the system moves offshore. The vertical phase structure remains slightly upshear tilted throughout (less than one-quarter wavelength). Cyclogenesis is interpreted in terms of a baroclinic wave propagating through a varying basic state, in which surface development is rapid because of the sudden response of the wave structure to a changing environment. The mature cyclone structure strongly resembles cases of continental cyclones except that t...
Who Studies Whom

"Living among one savage tribe after another, the anthropological fieldworker becomes convinced that culture is something which is constantly at work, which is there for the satisfaction of elementary human needs, which in turn creates new wants and provides means for their fulfillment" (Malinowski 1924:36).
Pairing glue or inelastic tunnelling

Scanning tunnelling microscopy studies have identified a vibrational phonon mode in a high-temperature superconductor, but is it evidence for an electron–phonon pairing interaction or is it a signature of an inelastic tunnelling channel?
Survival and recovery after pediatric hypothermic immersion injury achieved through coordinated multidisciplinary approach

Our purpose is to illustrate how this Level 1 Trauma Center coordinated multiple disciplines to facilitate the care of two pediatric hypothermic immersions. The clinical services involved in the stabilization and care of these children included Prehospital EMS, Emergency Services, Operating Room, Cardiac Surgery, Trauma, Pediatric Surgery, and Pediatric Critical Care Three children ages 5, 7 and 12, fell through the ice on a pond December 23, 1998. The oldest child was able to pull himself to safety and call for help. The water temperature was 32°F. The first responders were city police followed by EMS. A call was placed to the Trauma Team by prehospital personnel shortly after their arrival at the scene. The Trauma Attending notified the Operating Room and the Cardiac Surgery Attending to prepare for cardiopulmonary bypass. The 7-year-old was finally rescued 45 min after initial immersion and was intubated at the scene. He arrived in the Trauma Room at 12 noon, asystolic with a temperature of 81°F. He was taken directly to the OR for rewarming via cardiopulmonary bypass. He was on bypass for approximately 4 hours and was successfully resuscitated. He was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for 34 days and then discharged to inpatient rehabilitation. He has made a full functional and neurological recovery. A similar treatment was pursued for the 5 year old child when recovered but resuscitation of vital signs could not be achieved. This institution experienced many 'firsts' with these cases. We had not previously used cardiopulmonary bypass in children. For future cases of hypothermic immersion injury, we needed a method to assure adequate communication and a systematic way of mobilizing appropriate personnel in a timely manner. Pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass equipment needed to be available and ready. When literature search did not yield specific guidelines for hypothermia, a multi-departmental task force was formed and a new hypothermia management protocol was created. This protocol insured maintenance of necessary equipment, availability of specialty personnel and rapid sequential mobilization and coordination of staff from many disciplines. Development of a multi-departmental protocol is the key to successful coordination of multiple departments toward a favorable outcome in such time-critical cases as hypothermic immersion injury. Institutional education and the publicizing of favorable outcomes will help to motivate staff in maintaining preparedness for these cases.
Subclavian mycotic aneurysm presenting as mediastinal abscess

A 60-year-old man was admitted to a hospital for evaluation of intermittent fever, dysphagia, hoarseness, and general chest discomfort. Great vessel mycotic aneurysm was suspected when antibiotic trials failed and chest X-ray showed paraaortic mass with pleural effusion mimicking mediastinitis. Although the correct diagnosis of mycotic aneurysm of innominate artery was made thereafter and vigorous treatment was initiated immediately, this patient succumbed to overwhelming sepsis, probably due to a 2-week delay in another hospital. This case is reported to remind readers of the possibility of this unusual location of mycotic aneurysm. A high index of suspicion should be maintained to make an earlier diagnosis and obtain better prognosis. Computed tomography and 3D magnetic resonance angiography also significantly improve the diagnosis when mycotic aneurysm location is unusual and presentation is equivocal.
3D Integration Using Adhesive, Metal, and Metal/Adhesive as Wafer Bonding Interfaces

Three-dimensional (3D) integration is an emerging technology that vertically stacks and interconnects multiple materials, technologies and functional components to form highly integrated micro/nano-systems. This paper reviews the materials and technologies for three wafer bonding approaches to 3D integration using adhesive, metal, and metal/adhesive as the bonding interfaces. Similarities and differences in architectural advantages and technology challenges are presented, with recent research advances discussed.
Iterative learning control as a method of experiment design for improved system identification

Iterative learning control (ILC) and repetitive control (RC) use iterations in hardware that adjust the input to a system in order to converge to zero tracking error following a desired system output. ILC experiments on a robot improved the tracking accuracy during a high-speed manoeuvre by a factor of 1000 in approximately 12 iterations. Such performance requires knowing system phase information accurate to within ±90° or better. Otherwise, the iterations appear to start diverging. During divergence, they produce inputs that particularly excite unmodelled or poorly modelled dynamics, producing experimental data that is focussed on what is wrong with the current model. This article investigates use of RC/ILC for the purpose of developing good data sets for identification. This reverses the normal objective in RC/ILC to make convergence to zero tracking error as robust to model error as possible. Instead, for identification, one aims to make the convergence of iterations as sensitive as possible to model e...
A diffusional interphase in layered polyesters

The properties of the birefringent interphase in the laminates of unsaturated polyester resin were characterized using polarized microscopy and a birefringence compensation technique. The thickness of the interphase was found to depend on the casting conditions, and values ranging from 0.004 to 0.25 mm were observed. The location and dependence of the thickness on the curing conditions suggested that the interphase formed due to the diffusion of constituents from the liquid resin of the second layer into the previously cured layer. The index of refraction of the interphase was higher than that of the polyester above and below it. There was a sharp front marking a boundary of the interphase from the rest of the resin. These observations indicated characteristics of non-Fickian interfacial diffusion. Qualitative estimation of the birefringence in the interphase by interference colors indicated the first-order optical retardation. The birefringence was hypothesized to be due to residual stresses resulting from the fabrication procedure. The birefringence was quantified using a Berek compensator to measure the stresses. The approximate stress values were found to be in the range of 10-40 MPa.
Equivariant collaring, tubular neighbourhood and gluing theorems for proper Lie group actions

The purpose of this paper is to prove equivariant versions of some basic theorems in differential topology for proper Lie group actions. In particular, we study how to extend equivariant isotopies and then apply these results to obtain equivariant smoothing and gluing theorems. We also study equivariant collars and tubular neighbourhoods. When possible, we follow the ideas in the well-known book of M W Hirsch. When necessary, we use results from the differential topology of Hilbert spaces.
Dexamethasone suppresses beta-endorphin in humans.

Abstract Studies assessing the effect of glucocorticoids on beta-endorphin regulation in man have yielded inconsistent results. As measured by a highly specific beta-endorphin assay procedure, plasma immunoreactive beta-endorphin (irB-EP) in six healthy subjects was significantly suppressed, along with cortisol, after a 2 mg oral dose of dexamethasone (DEX) (pre-DEX mean ± S.E.M. in pg/ml = 15.3 ± 2.0, post-DEX = 9.1 ± 0, 5 t = 3.46, p
Authentic and Virtual Global Connections: the Transformation of Gifted Education:

This article explores the role that global connections play in developing curriculum for gifted and talented students. It also examines how converging technology trends, or virtual connections, are impacting the daily lives and learning of gifted students that is accessible anywhere at any time. It also crosses boundaries, or authentic connectedness, as it examines trends in defining giftedness, particularly for marginalized groups, and the role of global and multicultural education for the gifted that includes the development of intercultural skills in gifted world citizenship. Opportunities to develop creative productivity through international service learning are explored.
Test Preparation: Examining Teacher Perceptions and Practices

This study analyzed questionnaire and interview data on teachers' practices and perceptions with respect to test preparation. Questionnaire respondents were asked to rate the ethicality of various test-preparation practices and indicate the extent to which they utilize these practices in their instruction. On the basis of questionnaire results, interviews were conducted with a smaller sample of teachers to determine their views on the appropriateness of particular test-preparation practices, and to determine the factors affecting teacher perceptions about a given activity. Contrary to previous empirical work, questionnaire results indicated that neither use of a given practice nor teacher perceptions of the ethicality of the practice vary across levels of student achievement. On the other hand, consistent with previous empirical work, both use and perceptions varied across grade-level configuration. Estimates of the prevalence of particular teacher practices and perceptions were obtained and compared with those from the literature. In addition, dimensions of teacher reasoning were explored, indicating that when considering the appropriateness of a given practice, teachers consider the following factors: score meaning, learning, the potential for raising student scores, professional ethics, equity, and external perceptions.
Rorty's Pragmatism and Gadamer's Hermeneutics

SINCE ITS PUBLICATION in 1979, Richard Rorty's Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature has generated a great deal of discussion and debate. In this book, Rorty attacks wholesale not only the idea of mind, the representation theory of knowledge, and the correspondence theory of truth, but (if that were not enough) also the long-reigning understanding of philosophy itself as, in some sense, a foundationalist enterprise. In brief, Rorty argues that since knowledge involves neither accurate nor privileged representations, the idea of the mind is a fiction. And if there is no such thing as a mind, then the notion of philosophy as the foundational discipline which adjudicates disputes about the mind and prescribes the correct or appropriate epistemological methods can and must be abandoned. Philosophy must, in Rorty's words, be "therapeutic rather than constructive, edifying rather than systematic" (1979:5). It must give up entirely the whole business of epistemology and become instead a form of hermeneutics.
Sensitive detection of pathway perturbations in cancers: extended abstract

The normal functioning of a living cell is characterized by complex interaction networks involving many different types of molecules. Associations detected between diseases and perturbations in well-defined pathways within such interaction networks have the potential to illuminate the molecular mechanisms underlying disease progression and response to treatment. In this paper, we present a computational method that compares expression profiles of genes in cancer samples to samples from normal tissues in order to detect perturbations of pre-defined pathways in the cancer. In contrast to many previous methods, our scoring function approach explicitly takes into account the interactions between the gene products in a pathway. Moreover, we compute the sub-pathway that has the highest score, as opposed to merely computing the score for the entire pathway. We use a permutation test to assess the statistical significance of the most perturbed sub-pathway. We apply our method to 20 pathways in the Netpath database and to the Global Cancer Map of gene expression in 18 cancers. We demonstrate that our method yields more sensitive results than alternatives that do not consider interactions or measure the perturbation of a pathway as a whole. We perform a sensitivity analysis to show that our approach is robust to modest changes in the input data. Our method confirms numerous well-known connections between pathways and cancers.
Reconsidering Schools and the American Welfare State

Recalling her experience as an exchange teacher in Birmingham, England, in 1938-39, in the midst of the Great Depression, Oregon teacher Mary Kelly, wrote: When I witnessed the first ‘leaving’ day … in one of the Birmingham schools and learned that as soon as the majority of the English children were fourteen they were through with regular schooling forever, I almost shed tears. “Do you mean that those girls will never go to high school?” I asked. “Yes it is true.” “Will they have jobs or will they be idle?” “The Education Department will place most of them in positions in homes, shops or factories ….” There were no graduation exercises, no lovely new dresses, no parents or relatives invited. I thought of my high-school graduation, which possibly would never have been if education was not free, because the means were limited. Still another graduation after going through college on nothing a year permitted me to take up teaching … . To me, at that moment, there was nothing more precious than democracy and I mean the American way.
Palaeoaltimetry from energy conservation principles

A KNOWLEDGE of past changes in the mean elevations of large continental areas is important for understanding both dynamic processes in the Earth's mantle1 and the evolution of the global climate2. But virtually all methods for determining palaeoelevations are problematic3, in part because changes in either elevation or climate can give rise to the same observed geological phenomena4. Ideally, palaeoelevations would be inferred directly from estimates of palaeopressure, and it has recently been shown5 that vesicles in basaltic lava flows preserve a record of atmospheric pressure at the altitude of emplacement; however, the elevations thus obtained have large errors (∼1.4 km), and the method can at present be applied only to lavas that have had a simple emplacement history5. Palaeobotanical methods for estimating palaeoelevation have received much attention6–12, but they rely on empirical temperature–elevation relationships, the uncertainties in which are difficult to evaluate for past climates. Here we describe an alternative palaeobotanical approach, based on energy conservation in the atmosphere, in which fossil leaf assemblages are used to infer enthalpy, rather than temperature. This approach is relatively insensitive to palaeoclimate, with an expected error in palaeoeleva-tion of ∼700 m.
Endangered species: Deciding which species to save

Many species face extinction because preservation organizations do not have the resources to mount all of the interventions that are needed. Decision analysis provides techniques that can help managers of these organizations to make judgments about which species they will attempt to rescue. A formal analysis of the choices available to the US Fish and Wildlife Services' endangered species program with regard toIsotria medeoloides illustrates how the difficulties of making preservation decisions can be lessened.I. medeoloides is perhaps the rarest orchid in the United States. Little is known of the species' biology and less about effective management. Yet unless a preservation effort is mounted, the species will continue to be threatened by habitat destruction and botanical collecting. The analysis employs formal probabalistic techniques to weigh the utility of possible intervention strategies, that is, their likelihood of achieving different amounts of increase in the longevity of the species, and to balance these gains against their costs. If similar decision analyses are performed on other endangered species, the technique can be used to choose among them, as well as among strategies for individual species.
Review article: the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir, a novel, oral nucleotide NS5B polymerase inhibitor, in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

SummaryBackground The treatment of chronic hepatitis C is changing rapidly. Aim To review clinical studies of the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir-containing regimens in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Methods Using PubMed and search terms ‘sofosbuvir,’ ‘emerging HCV treatment,’ and ‘HCV polymerase inhibitor,’ literature on the clinical development of sofosbuvir, as well as abstracts presented at the November 2013 annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), was reviewed. The last search was undertaken on 15 November 2014. Results In a dose of 400 mg once daily, the drug has been safe and generally well tolerated with most adverse reactions attributable to the concurrent use of ribavirin or peginterferon plus ribavirin. A high barrier to resistance has been demonstrated. In genotype 1 (G1) patients, the addition of sofosbuvir to peginterferon plus ribavirin yielded sustained virological response rates at week 12 after discontinuation of treatment (SVR12) of about 90% with slightly lower levels in G1b and in patients with cirrhosis, but with no major impact of IL28B genotype, high viral load, body mass index (BMI), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or race/ethnicity. In genotype 2 (G2), sofosbuvir and ribavirin for 12 weeks also resulted in SVR12 of 90% or better with little effect from cirrhosis. In contrast, genotype 3 (G3) was less responsive to 12 weeks of sofosbuvir plus ribavirin, especially in the presence of cirrhosis. Conclusion The efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir-containing regimens with ribavirin alone or with peginterferon plus ribavirin signal a new era in treatment.
A rose by any other name

In this article I describe a mental health programme that has clear, though unstated, adumbrations of the spiritual practice of mindfulness. The programme has been successful in the southern USA, an area noted for its religious and political conservatism. I provide a background of the historical, political, cultural and religious situation affecting spiritual education in the USA with which such programmes contend. Research methodologies include historical research, text analysis and personal interviews.
Repeated sequences including RS1100 from Pseudomonas cepacia AC1100 function as IS elements.

Several lines of evidence were obtained that the previously identified, repeated sequence RS 1100 of Pseudomonas cepacia strain AC1100 undergoes transposition events. DNA sequences flanking the chlorohydroxy hydroquinone (CHQ) degradative genes of this organism were examined from sources, including several independently isolated cosmid clones from an AC1100 genomic library and genomic DNAs of two independently maintained wild-type AC1100 isolates. Hybridization and restriction endonuclease mapping studies revealed these sequences to be similar except for their numbers and distributions of RS1100 copies. A recombinant plasmid containing the immediate chq gene region and excluding any copies of RS1100 was conjugated into AC1100 mutant RHA5 which was shown to have undergone a deletion of its corresponding DNA. Hybridization and restriction mapping analyses of several reisolated plasmids revealed the presence of RS1100 sequences at different positions within either the vector or insert portions. One such plasmid contained tandem copies of RS1100 with an intervening DNA sequence also of AC1100 origin. Similar experiments involving introduction of the promoter probe plasmid pKT240 into wild-type AC1100 cells resulted in the acquisition of high-concentration streptomycin resistance by a number of recipients. The reisolated plasmids in most cases also conferred streptomycin resistance to Escherichia coli transformants and in each case were found to contain insertions close to the upstream portion of the aphC structural gene. These insertions alternatively contained RS1100 sequences or a newly identified 3400 by repeated sequence from AC1100. Based on these results, RS1100 has been redesignated as insertion sequence IS931 and the 3400 bp repeated sequence has been designated as IS932.[/ab]
n -Tuple Coloring of Planar Graphs with Large Odd Girth

The main result of the papzer is that any planar graph with odd girth at least 10k−7 has a homomorphism to the Kneser graph G k 2 k +1, i.e. each vertex can be colored with k colors from the set {1,2,…,2k+1} so that adjacent vertices have no colors in common. Thus, for example, if the odd girth of a planar graph is at least 13, then the graph has a homomorphism to G 2 5, also known as the Petersen graph. Other similar results for planar graphs are also obtained with better bounds and additional restrictions.
Influence of spectrophotometer slits on tristimulus calculations

The importance of the slit function is discussed in connection with the calculation of tristimulus values by the weighted-ordinate method. The influence of slit-function shape on wavelength calibration is shown. The influence of slit-function range on photometric accuracy is discussed. It is shown how slit-function range affects the choice of optimum radiance-factor measurement interval and vice versa.