cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
School nursing: not just band-aids any more!

ISSUES AND PURPOSE . School nursing has changed dramatically over the past 25 years. The complex social and physical needs of children require an expanded role with advanced knowledge and skills. The school nurse functions as health promoter, health educator, collaborator, and researcher. Issues related to advanced practice and policy development also affect school nursing practice. CONCLUSIONS/PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS . The current emphasis on educational accountability and improvement of standardized test scores has mandated close examination of resource allocation. There is a need to appreciate an expanded role for the school nurse, as the provision of healthcare services in the school will afford children an increased capacity to learn, thus improving school performance.
Finite-size scaling of the ground-state parameters of the two-dimensional Heisenberg model

The ground-state parameters of the two-dimensional $S=1/2$ antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model are calculated using the stochastic series expansion quantum Monte Carlo method for $L\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}L$ lattices with $L$ up to $16$. The finite-size results for the energy $E$, the sublattice magnetization $M$, the long-wavelength susceptibility ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}(q=2\ensuremath{\pi}/L)$, and the spin stiffness ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{s},$ are extrapolated to the thermodynamic limit using fits to polynomials in $1/L$, constrained by scaling forms previously obtained from renormalization-group calculations for the nonlinear $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ model and chiral perturbation theory. The results are fully consistent with the predicted leading finite-size corrections, and are of sufficient accuracy for extracting also subleading terms. The subleading energy correction $(\ensuremath{\sim}{1/L}^{4})$ agrees with chiral perturbation theory to within a statistical error of a few percent, thus providing numerical confirmation of the finite-size scaling forms to this order. The extrapolated ground- state energy per spin is $E=\ensuremath{-}0.669437(5)$. The result from previous Green's function Monte Carlo (GFMC) calculations is slightly higher than this value, most likely due to a small systematic error originating from ``population control'' bias in GFMC. The other extrapolated parameters are $M=0.3070(3)$, ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{s}=0.175(2)$, ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}=0.0625(9)$, and the spin-wave velocity $c=1.673(7)$. The statistical errors are comparable with those of previous estimates obtained by fitting loop algorithm quantum Monte Carlo data to finite-temperature scaling forms. Both $M$ and ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{s}$ obtained from the finite-$T$ data are, however, a few error bars higher than the present estimates. It is argued that the $T=0$ extrapolations performed here are less sensitive to effects of neglected higher-order corrections, and therefore should be more reliable.
A multilevel exploration of normative reasoning

Herein, we explore the psychology of deontic reasoning through the presentation of a heterogeneous natural logic combining inference schemas with a preference-based model-theoretic semantics such as those typically found in various formalisms for nonmonotonic reasoning. We conjecture that the heterogeneous approach is a generalization of various other hypotheses concerning deontic reasoning, and provides a robust framework for explaining semantic intricacies which are present in so-called ``deontic paradoxes." As an initial investigation, two theories were tested: The first hypothesis states that people represent an obligation as a conditional statement which explicitly includes the concept of violation, and the other postulates that people not only prefer deontically perfect situations to less-than-perfect situations, but also have preference between these sub-ideal situations. Two sets of experiments were conducted in order to gain some insight regarding these two ideas, and the results show strong evidence supporting our initial intuitions.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A single-chain bifunctional gonadotropin analog is secreted from Chinese hamster ovary cells as two distinct bioactive species.

Abstract One of the major developments in exploring structure activity relationships of the glycoprotein hormone family was the genetic engineering of single chains comprised of the common α subunit and one or more of the hormone-specific β subunits tandemly arranged. These studies indicate that there is a structural permissiveness in the quaternary relationships between the subunits and biological activity. However, the conformational relationships between the ligand and the receptor are unclear. Bifunctional triple-domain analogs represent an ideal model to address this issue. Does a single molecule possess the ability to simultaneously interact with both specific receptors or are there two functionally distinct species in the chimeric population? Here we show, using a preadsorption protocol comprised of Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing either the luteinizing hormone (LH)/chorionic gonadotropin (CG) or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor, that at least two distinct bioactive populations of the dually active triple-domain chimera FSHβ-CGβ-α are synthesized, each corresponding to a single activity (CG or FSH). Furthermore, we show that these bioactive populations form distinct stable heterodimer-like contacts. That there is not a single biologically active species formed during synthesis of the chimera implies that in vivo the heterodimer exists in multiple conformations and is not a static rigid molecule.
People admitted to psychiatric hospitals commonly lack the mental capacity to make treatment decisions.

### Question: What proportion of people admitted to psychiatric hospitals have the mental capacity to make decisions on treatment? ### Population: 350 people consecutively admitted for psychiatric care. Exclusions: no written informed consent; change in choice or resistance to assessment; residence outside catchment area or transferred from other inpatient facilities. ### Setting: Three general adult psychiatric wards serving an inner city area, Maudsley Hospital, London, UK; February 2006–June 2007. ### Assessment: Information on patient’s presenting problems, diagnosis and treatment plan were obtained from medical records. The clinical researcher ascertained whether the main decision about treatment was stabilisation with drugs, admission to a place of safety or further assessment. Decision about a patient’s mental capacity was based on a clinical assessment and the McArthur competence assessment tool for treatment. The McArthur tool consists of an …
The radio‐meteorograph project of Blue Hill Observatory, Harvard University—A preliminary report

Meteorological observations of the upper air have attained rapidly growing significance to all phases of the meteorological science. Their recent successful application in preparing the daily weather-forecast has given them a considerable practical importance in excess of their mere scientific values. In the United States alone, the number of stations which take measurements regularly of pressure, temperature, and humidity up to 17,000 feet was recently increased to twenty. These stations are operated in addition to the stations which measure the wind-direction and wind-velocity aloft. Besides these routine observations, the United States Weather Bureau and private institutes conduct special investigations into the highest layers of the atmosphere in order to find further correlations between upper-air phenomena and weather-developments.
Anaphase progression and furrow establishment in nocodazole-arrested PtK1 cells.

The relationship between progression through anaphase and furrow establishment was investigated in PtK1 cells using the anti-mitotic agent Nocodazole to arrest cells at different points in anaphase. The capacity of cells to furrow was compared to the kinetochore-kinetochore separation attained at the time of arrest. For the stages of anaphase examined, furrowing capacity increased directly with kinetochore-kinetochore separation until complete furrows were formed after kinetochore-kinetochore separations of 14 μm or more were reached. Furrow establishment thus occurs during a definite interval during anaphase in PtK1 cells. Results from electron microscopy of both Nocodazole-treated and control cells suggest that a population of astral microtubules may be important for furrow establishment.
Two-region kinetic model for reflected reactors

Reflected reactors constitute one of the most important classes of nuclear reactors. Yet, experimental data clearly shows that the kinetic behavior of some types of reflected systems cannot be adequately characterized using the standard point kinetic model. In this work, a two-region, nodal kinetic model for reflected systems is developed that appears to explain the anomalous behavior of these systems in terms of integral parameters that are both measurable and calculable. The model is based on previous work by Avery and Cohn. We augment the Avery-Cohn model with the introduction of simple probability relationships essential to calculating the coupling parameters between the core and the reflector. Using these probability relationships, we then derive the definition of the effective multiplication factor keff, in terms of the multiplication factor of the core region, kc, and the reflector return fraction, f. We also derive the reflected-core inhour equation and introduce expressions to calculate the neutron lifetimes characterizing the system's static and dynamic behavior. The model is then tested using Rossi-α data from the University of New Mexico's AGN-201 reactor.
Rhizome growth and nutrient resorption: mechanisms underlying the replacement of two clonal species in Florida Everglades

Abstract Spatial occupation and nutrient resorption (the process by which nutrients are recovered from senescing leaves to other plant tissue) are important mechanisms employed by plants to invade a new habitat and to recycle nutrients, respectively. Two clonal freshwater species with different life histories (sawgrass, Cladium jamaicense Crantz, and cattail, Typha domingensis Pers.) were studied to understand mechanisms underlying vegetation replacement in Florida Everglades. Seedlings of both species were planted in plastic pots holding approximately 1500 cm 3 of either phosphorus (P)-enriched (711 mg/kg) or P-unenriched (257 mg/kg) soil. Four holes in the bottom at the sides of each pot allowed rhizomes to spread outside the pot. The plants were placed in outdoor mesocosms with plenty of space for rhizomes to grow. For 1 year, water levels in the mesocosms were maintained between 15 and 25 cm with the same P treatment as the soil. Total biomass and ramet production of both species significantly increased in the enriched treatment, yet contrasting rhizome growth patterns were found between them. Although sawgrass genets produced a greater total biomass and number of ramets than cattails in the enriched treatment, cattail genets occupied a larger area. Morphological constraints in sawgrass limit its spatial expansion in P-enriched areas. Both species exhibited an extremely high P resorption efficiency, ranging from 69 to 82% for sawgrass and 61–71% for cattail. This finding supports that high-nutrient resorption from senescing leaves is characteristic for plant species with contrasting life histories. Thus, it is not appropriate to predict nutrient resorption efficiency of plants based on their nutrient concentrations in senesced leaves (i.e., proficiency values).
First Report of Black Leaf Mold of Tomato Caused by Pseudocercospora fuligena in Ohio.

Diseased tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cvs. Geronimo, Rebelski, and Big Dena) plants were received for diagnosis from a home gardener in Wayne County, Ohio, in August 2013 and from a 0.14-ha greenhouse in Brown County, Ohio, in September 2013. Approximately 10 and 60% of leaf area was diseased in the home garden and greenhouse, respectively. One or more lesions, each with an indistinct border, were observed on the leaves. Black fungal growth was observed on both sides of the leaf in association with the lesions. Microscopic examination revealed Cercospora-like conidia (2). Three symptomatic leaves from each location were surface-sterilized with 0.5% NaClO for 1 min and cultured on V8 juice agar medium at room temperature under continuous fluorescent lighting. One isolate was selected from each of Wayne Co. (SAM33-13) and Brown Co. (SAM34-13). The fungus produced small, dark-brown colonies within 2 weeks of plating. Mycelium was olive brown and septate, producing fascicles of conidiophores. Conidia were ...
Calculation of diffraction effects on the average phase of an optical field

We report on algorithms for the computation of the average phase of a beam over a detector in the near field. The basic idea is to reconstruct the optical field numerically and then use a quadrature algorithm to evaluate the quantity of interest. The various algorithms that employ discrete Fourier transform techniques for the computation of the field are described, and numerical tests that assess the accuracy of these algorithms are presented. No particular algorithm delivers the desired accuracy over the entire range of Fresnel numbers of interest, but each can produce satisfactory results within a particular range. Finally, new methods to evaluate the average phase are introduced, and their efficiency is assessed.
An inconsistent Bayes estimator in bivariate survival curve analysis

Abstract An example of an inconsistent sequence of Bayes estimates is presented. This example occurs in a very natural framework when estimating a bivariate survival function from incompletely observed data. The same example shows that the generalized maximum likelihood estimator in this problem is not unique even for large sample sizes and may not have a limit. For this example there does exist a particular sequence of generalized maximum likelihood estimates which does converge to the true underlying distribution.
Cardiovascular and renal characteristics, and responses to acute volume expansion of a rat model of diabetic pregnancy.

Abstract The objective of this study was to characterize the cardiovascular and renal alterations that occur during diabetic pregnancy, and to evaluate the effect of insulin treatment in 12–14 days pregnant diabetic rats. Four groups of female Sprague Dawley rats were studied: virgin control group (NP), pregnant control group (CP), diabetic pregnant group (DP), and diabetic pregnant group with insulin treatment (DPI). Systolic arterial pressure (SAP) was increased on day 12, whereas heart rate (HR) decreased starting with day 3 in DP group of rats. DP rats exhibited marked renal hypertrophy with greater kidney weight (wt) and kidney wt/body wt ratio. Insulin treatment normalized blood glucose (BG) concentration, SAP and HR, and prevented the increase in kidney wt/body wt ratio in DPI rats. At the time of the terminal acute experiment, acute saline volume expansion (VE, 5% body wt/30 min) significantly increased renal interstitial hydrostatic pressure (RIHP), urinary sodium excretion (U Na V) and urine flow rate (V) in all groups, but the increases (Δ) were significantly attenuated in both CP (1.7 ± 0.2mmHg, 12.0 ± 1.5 μEq.min −1 .g kidney wt −1 and 76.2 ± 10.9 μl.min −1 .g kidney wt −1 for ΔRIHP, ΔU Na V and ΔV respectively) and DP (1.3 ± 0.1 mmHg, 6.8 ± 1.8 μEq.min −1 .g kidney wt −1 and 32.3 ± 9.3 μl.min −1 .g kidney wt −1 for ΔRIHP, ΔU Na V and ΔV respectively) group of rats as compared to NP (4.0 ± 0.6 mmHg, 21.6 ± 1.4 μEq.min −1 .g kidney wt −1 and 136.8 ± 10.5 μl.min −1 .g kidney wt −1 for ΔRIHP, ΔU Na V and ΔV respectively) group of rats. Although RIHP response to VE was similar in DP and CP group of rats, the natriuretic and diuretic responses to VE were significantly lower in DP as compared to CP group of rats. Insulin treatment had no effect on RIHP response (ΔRIHP = 1.5 ± 0.3 mmHg), but restored most of the natriuretic (ΔU Na V = 15.7 ± 2.9 μEq.min −1 .g kidney wt −1 ) and diuretic (ΔV = 100.2 ± 19.3 μl.min −1 .g kidney wt −1 ) responses to VE in DPI as compared with CP group of rats. These data suggest that with VE, the restoration of the increase in U Na V and V with insulin treatment in diabetic pregnant rats is not mediated by changes in RIHP.
The Evolution of Occupational Power An Historical Study of Task Boundaries between Physiclans and Pharmacists

To understand the process of how occupations amass power, English and American historical data are used to document the evolution of task boundaries between physicians and pharmacists. The ability to legally defend occupational tasks or successfully encroach on others' is taken as a measure of occupational power. Changing relationships among occupational groups, clients, and government are traced and analyzed. Occupational resources such as an optimal man-power base, formal education, type of economic base, technological improvements and, most importantly, clientele were critical factors in aiding associations to successfully lobby for protection of task domains.
Evaluating different fixation protocols for spectral cytopathology, part 2: cultured cells.

Spectral cytopathology (SCP) is a robust and reproducible diagnostic technique that employs infrared spectroscopy and multivariate statistical methods, such as principal component analysis to interrogate unstained cellular samples and discriminate changes on the biochemical level. In the past decade, SCP has taken considerable strides in its application for disease diagnosis. Cultured cell lines have proven to be useful model systems to provide detailed biological information to this field; however, the effects of sample fixation and storage of cultured cells are still not entirely understood in SCP. Conventional cytopathology utilizes fixation and staining methods that have been established and widely accepted for nearly a century and are focused on maintaining the morphology of a cell. Conversely, SCP practices must implement fixation protocols that preserve the sample’s biochemical composition and maintain its spectral integrity so not to introduce spectral changes that may mask variance significant to...
Elective Discontinuation of Life-Sustaining Mechanical Ventilation on a Chronic Ventilator Unit

Withdrawal of medical interventions has become common in the hospital for patients with terminal disease. Despite the widespread feeling that medical interventions may be futile in certain patients, many patients, families, and medical staff find withdrawal of care difficult and withdrawal of mechanical ventilation to be the most disturbing secondary to the close proximity of withdrawal and death. Presented is a 6-year retrospective review of elective withdrawal of life-sustaining mechanical ventilation on a chronic ventilator unit (CVU) in an academic nursing home. Of the 98 patients admitted to the 19-bed CVU during this period, only 13 underwent terminal weaning (TW). Statistically, these 13 patients did not differ significantly in age, gender, race, route of nutrition, decisional capacity, or length of stay on the unit compared with the 85 patients who were not terminally weaned (t-test P > .05). Stepwise logistic regression found that patients who were more alert at admission were more likely to have participated in TW (chi2 = 5.22, coefficient for alertness P < .036). The decision to terminate mechanical ventilation was made by patients in eight cases and by family in five cases. The first step in the process leading to TW was a discussion with the patient and family about plan of care, including the patient's desires for attempted resuscitation, rehospitalization, advance directives, and family contacts. Plan of care was reviewed informally in a weekly multidisciplinary round and formally, to address each patient's care plan, in a multidisciplinary family meeting on a regular basis. The second step was to address TW when brought up by the patient, family, or medical staff. A request for TW by a patient or surrogate was referred to the medical staff, who screened the patient for depression or other remediable symptoms. The third step was to refer the patient and family to another formal meeting to discuss the request for TW and, if needed, in the case of multiple family members, to allow questions to be answered and consensus to be formed. Additional meetings were scheduled as needed. The next step occurred once a consensus was reached to proceed with TW; a date and time was set to reconvene the patient, family, and anyone else who wanted to be present at the TW. The TW process began when a peripheral intravenous catheter was placed and the patient was premedicated with low doses of morphine sulfate and a benzodiazepine. After premedication, the patient was removed from the ventilator. The physician, nurse, family, and physician assistant remained at the bedside and additional morphine or benzodiazepine was given, as needed, for symptom management. Death from TW occurred in all patients, at times ranging from 2 minutes to 10.5 hours (average 6.2 hours). A mean total dose of 115 mg morphine and 14 mg diazepam was given for symptom control. There was no correlation between dose of these medications and duration of survival off the ventilator.
Tumor Treating Fields—An Emerging Cancer Treatment Modality

Tumor treating fields (TTFs) are an evolving new anticancer modality. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first device, the NovoTTF-100A™, that uses this technology and is indicated for use in progressive glioblastoma multiforme after standard therapies have failed. Promising clinical trial results will likely lead to expanded uses in primary brain tumors and other cancer types. This article will review the concept of TTFs and their mechanism of action, and overview the TTF device and its approved usage.
A history of iron deficiency anemia during infancy alters brain monoamine activity later in juvenile monkeys.

Both during and after a period of iron deficiency (ID), iron-dependent neural processes are affected, which raises the potential concern that the anemia commonly experienced by many growing infants could have a protracted effect on the developing brain. To further investigate the effects of ID on the immature brain, 49 infant rhesus monkeys were evaluated across the first year of life. The mothers, and subsequently the infants after weaning, were maintained on a standardized diet containing 180 mg/kg of iron and were not provided other iron-rich foods as treats or supplements. As the infants grew, they were all screened with hematological tests, which documented that 16 (33.3%) became markedly ID between 4-to-8 months of age. During this anemic period and subsequently at one year of age, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens were collected to compare monoamine activity in the ID and iron-sufficient infants. Monoamine neurotransmitters and metabolite levels were normal at 4 and 8 months of age, but by one year the formerly anemic monkeys had significantly lower dopamine and significantly higher norepinephrine levels. These findings indicate that ID can affect the developmental trajectory of these two important neurotransmitter systems, which are associated with emotionality and behavioral performance, and further that the impact in the young monkey was most evident during the period of recovery.
The role of ribose-binding protein in transport and chemotaxis in Escherichia coli K12

Abstract The ribose-binding protein of Escherichia coli [Willis, R. C., and Furlong, C. E. (1974) J. Biol. Chem. 249 , 6926–6929] has been shown to be a required common receptor component for high-affinity ribose transport and for chemotaxis toward this attractant. Mutants devoid of the ribose-binding protein are missing high-affinity ribose transport and do not respond chemotactically to this sugar, whereas the response to other attractants is normal. Eight independently isolated ribose-positive revertant strains regained the binding protein, high-affinity ribose transport, and ribose chemotaxis. One revertant which grows slowly on ribose as a sole carbon source did not regain the binding protein, high-affinity transport, or ribose chemotaxis.
Multiple-error-correcting codes for improving the performance of optical matrix–vector processors

I examine the use of Reed-Solomon multiple-error-correcting codes for enhancing the performance of optical matrix-vector processors. An optimal code rate of 0.75 is found, and n = 127 block-length codes are seen to increase the optical matrix dimension achievable by a factor of 2.0 for a required system bit-error rate of 10(-15). The optimal codes required for various matrix dimensions are determined. I show that single code word implementations are more efficient than those utilizing multiple code words.
Long-term study of temporomandibular joint surgery with alloplastic implants compared with nonimplant surgery and nonsurgical rehabilitation for painful temporomandibular joint disc displacement

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term objective and subjective outcomes of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) implant surgery for the treatment of painful TMJ disc displacement using temporary Silastic (Dow Corning Corporation, Midland, MI), permanent Silastic, or Proplast (Vitek, Houston, TX) implants to replace the disc. These cases were compared with other cases of the same diagnosis treated with either nonsurgical rehabilitation or nonimplant surgery involving discectomy or disc repair procedures. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 466 patients who received treatment for unilateral or bilateral TMJ disc displacement before January 1, 1990. The 5 treatment groups noted above were compared for long-term outcomes. Objective outcome measurements for jaw function were performed using a calibrated examiner and the Craniomandibular Index (CMI). Subjective (self-reported) outcomes were obtained relative to jaw function (Mandibular Function Impairment Questionnaire [MFIQ]), symptom severity (Symptom Severity Index [SSI]), and the impact of pain (Global Pain Impact [GPI] scale). Results: The results, adjusted for gender, baseline tomogram score, and baseline symptom scores, showed that the nonsurgical rehabilitation group (n = 159) and the group having TMJ surgery without implants (n = 149) had statistically better results than the group who underwent surgery with a Proplast implant (n = 94). These between-group differences included both objective signs (CMI), and subjective reports of jaw function (MFIQ), symptom severity (SSI), and global pain impact (GPI). The MFIQ score associated with the nonsurgical rehabilitation group was also statistically better than for the Silastic implant groups, including both the temporary (n = 31) and permanent (n = 33) implants. Clinical differences between groups were slight. Conclusion: This study suggests that the use of interpositional disc implants in TMJ surgery is not associated with improved outcomes when compared with nonimplant surgery or nonsurgical rehabilitation. © 2002 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons J Oral Maxillofac Surg 60:1400-1411, 2002
Synchronous switched linear systems

Synchronously switched linear systems provide models for a number of important digital control applications. In this paper, a new definition is provided for such systems, and certain properties are described. Applications areas and examples are given.
Sound source segregation by goldfish: Two simultaneous tones

The perception of two simultaneous tones was investigated in goldfish using classical respiratory conditioning and a stimulus generalization paradigm. Pairs of tones were used to make up a mixture of 150 Hz and a higher harmonic or a mistuned harmonic. Fish were conditioned to the two-tone mixture and then tested for generalization to several pure tones. The simultaneous tones tended to be segregated in perception, with the generalization gradient for single tones having two peaks corresponding to the frequencies of the tone pairs. There were no consistent differences in the generalization gradients following conditioning to harmonic or inharmonic tone pairs. In addition, experiments were carried out in which the two tones of the pair were heard on alternate trials, always as single tones, followed by generalization tests to single tones. There was more generalization in this experiment, reflecting the fact that conditioning and generalization test stimuli were both single tones. However, the shapes of the generalization gradients were similar to those in which fish were conditioned to two simultaneous tones, indicating that the simultaneity of the tones did not make them harder to segregate. As the frequency separation between the two components narrowed, segregation tended to fail.
Rhacophyton from the Upper Devonian of West Virginia

A new species of Rhacophyton, R. ceratangium, is described from Upper Devonian rocks of West Virginia, U.S.A.; this is synonymous with R. incertum (Dawson) Krausel and Weyland but reasons are cited to indicate that the latter species name is not appropriate. The collections include: stems up to 2 cm in diameter bearing bipinnate, non-laminate vegetative fronds; abundant well preserved fertile fronds that show clearly the distinctive morphology of their sterile and fertile pinnae; fragments of axes with woody tissues petrified. The sporangia are particularly distinctive with their long slender tip; they dehisced longitudinally and contained several hundred spores; all available evidence indicates that the plant was homosporous. All petrified axes have a slender bar-shaped strand of primary wood swollen at either end and surrounded by strongly developed secondary wood consisting of scalariform tracheids and rays. R. ceratangium is closely related to the Belgian R. zygopteroides Leelercq. A comparison with other Devonian and Carboniferous pteridophytes suggests that Rhacophyton is probably a primitive member of the Progymnospermopsida or immediately ancestral to that group.
Streamlining immunoassays with immiscible filtrations assisted by surface tension.

Immunoassays are utilized for a wide variety of clinical and biomedical research applications. In typical immunoassays, analytes are captured, labeled, and quantified on a single surface (e.g., the bottom of a well plate). In order to minimize the background, this type of assay must be washed multiple times between each of these steps to ensure residual reagents (e.g., unbound labeling antibody) are removed from the system. In this manuscript, the immunoassay is fundamentally reconfigured, such that each reagent is confined to its own well and no wash steps are required. Using immiscible filtration assisted by surface tension (IFAST), a technique developed for nucleic acid and whole cell purifications, immunoassays can be drastically simplified such that all reagent manipulation is performed at the start of the assay (i.e., no pipetting steps are necessary during the assay). Analytes are bound to paramagnetic particles via antibodies and drawn through oil barriers between four isolated compartments: (1) s...
Conserved regulatory architecture underlies parallel genetic changes and convergent phenotypic evolution

Similar morphological, physiological, and behavioral features have evolved independently in different species, a pattern known as convergence. It is known that morphological convergence can occur through changes in orthologous genes. In some cases of convergence, cis-regulatory changes generate parallel modifications in the expression patterns of orthologous genes. Our understanding of how changes in cis-regulatory regions contribute to convergence is hampered, usually, by a limited understanding of the global cis-regulatory structure of the evolving genes. Here we examine the genetic causes of a case of precise phenotypic convergence between Drosophila sechellia and Drosophila ezoana, species that diverged ∼40 Mya. Previous studies revealed that changes in multiple transcriptional enhancers of shavenbaby (svb, a transcript of the ovo locus) caused phenotypic evolution in the D. sechellia lineage. It has also been shown that the convergent phenotype of D. ezoana was likely caused by cis-regulatory evolution of svb. Here we show that the large-scale cis-regulatory architecture of svb is conserved between these Drosophila species. Furthermore, we show that the D. ezoana orthologs of the evolved D. sechellia enhancers have also evolved expression patterns that correlate precisely with the changes in the phenotype. Our results suggest that phenotypic convergence resulted from multiple noncoding changes that occurred in parallel in the D. sechellia and D. ezoana lineages.
The application of radar topographic data to mapping of a mega-paleodrainage in the Eastern Sahara

Abstract The recently available Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data, with ∼90 m horizontal resolution, are used to delineate the entire Tushka mega-watershed. It is calculated that the watershed covers an area of 150 000 km2 and composed of four subwatersheds. This study indicates that the Tushka basin is a closed hydrological system independent of the Nile hydro-system, the Qena Valley system, and the Chad basin as well. More importantly, the study demonstrates that this basin drains northeasterly toward the westernmost of the recently flooded lakes in the Tushka depression, west of Lake Nasser. The hydrological activities within the basin resulted in the formation of the largest paleo-lake deposit in Egypt at Bir-Tarfawi. The vast sand sheets that cover the Tushka basin accentuate the theory of El-Baz [1982. Genesis of the Great Sand Sea, Western Desert of Egypt. International Association of Sediment, 11th International Conference, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, p. 68], which relates sand accumulations within basins in today's deserts to previous fluvial activities. The present study illustrates the capability of the SRTM in penetrating desert sand surfaces and mapping the ancient drainage networks, which remarkably correlate with subsurface channels detected in Radarsat-1 images.
Modification of electric and magnetic dipoles emission in close vicinity of metal

Strongly different behavior of magnetic and electric dipole spontaneous emission is observed in close vicinity of gold and silver. Effects can be used to study and map modifications of local optical environment in plasmonic systems.
Epinephrine precursors: effects on the iodine and intermediary metabolism of isolated calf thyroid cells.

The effects of epinephrine and its precursors and metabolites on the iodine and intermediary metabolism of isolated calf thyroid cells were studied. Dopa, dopamine, and epinephrine, in increasing order of effectiveness, were stimulatory to iodine incorporation, iodothyronine synthesis, oxidation of glucose, synthesis of RNA from 3Huridine, and incorporation of mixed 14C—labeled amino acids into protein. The stimulatory response of these functions to dopa, dopamine, and epinephrine was also assessed in the presence of adrenergic blocking agents in concentrations which had no effect on these functions when added alone. Effects of iodine metabolism were inhibited by the alphaadrenergic blocker, phentolamine, but not the beta—blocker, propranolol. In contrast, stimulation of glucose metabolism was inhibited by both alphaand beta—adrenergic blockers, while stimulation of RNA synthesis and amino acid incorporation was inhibited by neither. It is suggested, therefore, that the isolated calf thyroid cell contains...
Conservation of energy for a weakly irregular, open‐ or close‐bounded dispersive medium

A variational technique is used to develop an energy-conservation theorem for a dispersive, anisotropic medium bounded by a weakly irregular open or closed structure. The weakly active/dissipative medium supports growing/decaying waves. Corrections in wave number and frequency are dependent on the instability properties of the wave for the open structure. New contributions to the power flux density and energy density result. For open and closed structures, the ratio of the corrections in wave number and frequency is dependent on the reactive properties of the structure walls. Effective wall-resistance contributions for open structures further modify this ratio. Mode-coupling and growth-rate relationships are examined.
Predicting Evolution with Generalized Models of Divergent Selection: A Case Study with Poeciliid Fish

Over the past century and half since the process of natural selection was first described, one enduring question has captivated many, "how predictable is evolution?" Because natural selection comprises deterministic components, the course of evolution may exhibit some level of predictability across organismal groups. Here, I provide an early appraisal of the utility of one particular approach to understanding the predictability of evolution: generalized models of divergent selection (GMDS). The GMDS approach is meant to provide a unifying framework for the science of evolutionary prediction, offering a means of better understanding the causes and consequences of phenotypic and genetic evolution. I describe and test a GMDS centered on the evolution of body shape, size of the gonopodium (sperm-transfer organ), steady-swimming abilities, fast-start swimming performance, and reproductive isolation between populations in Gambusia fishes (Family Poeciliidae). The GMDS produced some accurate evolutionary predictions in Gambusia, identifying variation in intensity of predation by piscivorous fish as a major factor driving repeatable and predictable phenotypic divergence, and apparently playing a key role in promoting ecological speciation. Moreover, the model's applicability seems quite general, as patterns of differentiation in body shape between predator regimes in many disparate fishes match the model's predictions. The fact that such a simple model could yield accurate evolutionary predictions in distantly related fishes inhabiting different geographic regions and types of habitat, and experiencing different predator species, suggests that the model pinpointed a causal factor underlying major, shared patterns of diversification. The GMDS approach appears to represent a promising method of addressing the predictability of evolution and identifying environmental factors responsible for driving major patterns of replicated evolution.
Osteoarthritis: MR imaging findings in different stages of disease and correlation with clinical findings.

PURPOSE: To determine whether knee pain, stiffness, and limited function in patients with different stages of osteoarthritis correlate with the degree of disease assessed on magnetic resonance (MR) images and radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Radiographs in 50 patients with varying degrees of osteoarthritis of the knee were assessed by using the the Western Ontario and McMaster University (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index and the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) scale. MR images were obtained and analyzed by two readers for cartilage lesions, bone marrow edema pattern, and ligamentous and meniscal lesions. RESULTS: Thirteen of 16 knees with a KL score of 4 showed full-thickness cartilage lesions and bone marrow edema pattern. Cruciate ligament tears were found in five of 12 knees with a KL score of 3 and in nine of 16 knees with a KL score of 4. While the KL score correlated significantly (P < .05) with the grade of cartilage lesions, and a substantially higher percentage of lesions with higher KL scores were found on...
Optical properties of the DIRC fused silica Cherenkov radiator

The DIRC is a new type of Cherenkov detector that is successfully operating as the hadronic particle identification system for the BABAR experiment at SLAC. The fused silica bars that serve as the DIRC's Cherenkov radiators must transmit the light over long optical pathlengths with a large number of internal reflections. This imposes a number of stringent and novel requirements on the bar properties. This note summarizes a large amount of R&D that was performed both to develop specifications and production methods and to determine whether commercially produced bars could meet the requirements. One of the major outcomes of this R&D work is an understanding of methods to select radiation hard and optically uniform fused silica material. Others include measurement of the wavelength dependency of the internal reflection coefficient, and its sensitivity to surface contaminants, development of radiator support methods, and selection of good optical glue.
Winding loss from an air-gap

A simple treatment is provided for the fringing fields of an air-gap in the core of a magnetic component such as an inductor or a transformer. Approximate analytical formulas for the fields show good agreement with finite-element calculations. These formulas are then applied to the calculations of high-frequency eddy current losses for two types of windings, which employ conductors with rectangular cross section. The rectangular conductors are commonly used in flex circuit windings. The two types of windings are flat and barrel wound. Distinctively different behavior is found for the two types of windings as a function of the position of the conductor. The applications to the circular conductors such as a wire are also discussed.
Abnormalities of quantitative dinitrochlorobenzene sensitization in cancer patients: correlation with tumor stage and histology.

Cellular immune responses in 103 patients with non-lymphoid cancers were compared with those in 143 healthy controls using quantitative DNCB contact sensitization. Differences were demonstrated between cancer patients and controls at all levels of reactivity measured. Cancer patients had a lower incidence of spontaneous flare reactions (40.8 vs. 96.5 in controls), a higher incidence of impaired reactivity (29.1% vs. 0.7% in controls), and a higher incidence of anergy (30.1% vs. 2.8% in controls). All anergic cancer patients and all but one control developed a chemical irritation reaction to the sensitizing dose of DNCB. While abnormal reactivity occurred in all histologic tumor types studied, a significant relationship was shown between tumor histology and the distribution of abnormalities. Reactivity was most abnormal in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (43% anergic, 27% impaired reactivity), less in patients with melanoma (25% anergic, 44% impaired) and adenocarcinoma (26% anergic, 27% impaired), and least in patients with sarcoma (13% anergic, 25% impaired). With the exception of patients with sarcoma, the incidence of impaired cellular reactivity was similar in patients with clinically localized cancer (61%) and in patients with disseminated cancer (60%).
Searching for Stem/Progenitor Cells in the Adult Mouse Kidney

Stem cells are generally defined as clonogenic cells that are capable of both self-renewal and multilineage differentiation ([1–3][1][⇓][2][⇓][3]). The fertilized zygote has the highest developmental potential and gives rise to the cells of the entire organism. More than 20 years ago,
Characterization of database access pattern for analytic prediction of buffer hit probability

The analytic prediction of buffer hit probability, based on the characterization of database accesses from real reference traces, is extremely useful for workload management and system capacity planning. The knowledge can be helpful for proper allocation of buffer space to various database relations, as well as for the management of buffer space for a mixed transaction and query environment. Access characterization can also be used to predict the buffer invalidation effect in a multi-node environment which, in turn, can influence transaction routing strategies. However, it is a challenge to characterize the database access pattern of a real workload reference trace in a simple manner that can easily be used to compute buffer hit probability. In this article, we use a characterization method that distinguishes three types of access patterns from a trace: (1) locality within a transaction, (2) random accesses by transactions, and (3) sequential accesses by long queries. We then propose a concise way to characterize the access skew across randomly accessed pages by logically grouping the large number of data pages into a small number of partitions such that the frequency of accessing each page within a partition can be treated as equal. Based on this approach, we present a recursive binary partitioning algorithm that can infer the access skew characterization from the buffer hit probabilities for a subset of the buffer sizes. We validate the buffer hit predictions for single and multiple node systems using production database traces. We further show that the proposed approach can predict the buffer hit probability of a composite workload from those of its component files.
Strength improvement of short graphite fiber‐reinforced polypropylene

The Improvement of the tensile strength of discontinuous graphite fiber-reinforced polypropylene is described. Two methods were employed: (1) modification of the polymer backbone by the introduction of acrylic acid grafts and (2) varying the chemistry of the fiber sizing. The strength improvements attained are attributed to intermolecular interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, which improve the adhesion between the fiber and the polymer.
Introduced birds incompletely replace seed dispersal by a native frugivore

The widespread loss of native species and the introduction of non-native species has important con- sequences for island ecosystems. Non-native species may or may not functionally replace the role of native species in ecological processes such as seed dispersal. Although the majority of Hawaii's native plants require bird-mediated seed dispersal, only one native frugivore, Omao (Myadestes obscurus), persists in sufficient numbers to fill this func- tional role. Omao are restricted to less than half their original range, but two introduced frugivores are abundant throughout Hawaii. Given large-scale extinctions on islands, it is important to understand whether introduced birds serve as functional replacements or whether the absence of native frugivores alters plant communities. To assess seed dispersal by native and introduced birds, seed rain, vegetation characteristics, bird diet, density and habitat use were measured at three sites with Omao and three sites without Omao on Hawaii Island. The diet of native and introduced birds overlapped substantially, but Omao dispersed a variety of native species (n ¼ 6) relatively evenly. In contrast, introduced birds dispersed an invasive species and fewer native species (n ¼ 4), and .90 % of seeds dispersed by introduced birds were from two ubiquitous small-seeded species. Seed rain was significantly greater and more species rich at sites with Omao. These findings suggest that patterns of seed dispersal are altered follow- ing the local extinction of a native island frugivore. To more directly evaluate the relative roles of native and intro- duced frugivores in ecological processes, future studies could include reintroducing Omao to a suitable habitat within its historic range, or novel introductions to nearby islands where closely related species are now extinct. In an era of widespread extinction and invasion of island ecosystems, understanding the consequences of novel animal assemblages for processes like seed dispersal will be critical for maintaining diverse and self-regenerating plant communities.