cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Energetics and thermoregulation of the Gouldian Finch (Erythrura gouldiae)

We examined the physiological responses of captive-bred Gouldian Finches (Erythrura gouldiae) to temperature by measuring their metabolic heat production (Hm, calculated from oxygen consumption), body temperature (Tb), and evaporative heat loss (He, calculated from evaporative water loss) at ambient temperatures (Ta) between 0 and 44°C. Overall, we found the Gouldian Finch to resemble other small tropical seed-eaters that forage in open, sunlit situations. Its active-phase basal metabolic rate (13.4 mW g–1; n = 11) was relatively low (61% of predicted allometrically) and it had only a modest capacity for evaporative cooling at high temperatures, dissipating evaporatively a maximum of 118% of its metabolic heat production above 40°C. Like other small tropical birds, the Gouldian Finch develops substantial hyperthermia at high temperature, maintaining its Tb an average of 1.4°C above Ta at Tas between 41.8 and 43.6°C. At Tas above the upper critical temperature (38°C), metabolic heat production increases linearly with Ta according to the relation: Hm (mW g–1) = –12.4 + 0.68 Ta. The slope of this relation, termed the coefficient of heat strain (hs), provides an integrated measure of the metabolic response to heat. For 38 bird species, hs (mW g–1 °C–1) varies with body size according to the relation: log(hs) = log(7.83) – 0.54log(m), where m equals mass in grams. The Gouldian Finch's hs is only 40% of that predicted for a 17.1-g bird by this equation, proportionately the lowest value yet measured. Although aviculturalists widely regard the Gouldian Finch as cold intolerant, Ta in its northern Australian range sometimes falls to below freezing. Not surprisingly, we found that the Gouldian Finch is actually better insulated than the average songbird its size, its thermal conductance (0.184 mL O2 g–1 h–1 °C–1) being 81% of that predicted allometrically.
Exertional Dizziness and Autonomic Dysregulation

Objectives To define the clinical characteristics and treatment of dizziness induced by physical exertion and to investigate autonomic nervous system function in exertional dizziness. Study Design Retrospective case series from a review of 1400 patients evaluated for dizziness at a neurotology referral center, identifying those with predominantly exertional symptoms. Methods Records of patients with exertional dizziness were screened to eliminate those with known vestibular deficits, cardiopulmonary illnesses, and psychiatric disorders. The clinical characteristics, evaluation results, and treatment of nine patients with purely exertional dizziness were described. Results The cohort included 4 male and 5 female patients (age range, 13–53 y) with symptoms for 1 to 8 years. Only one patient had a history of autonomic symptoms: phlebotomy-induced syncope in childhood. No patient was taking medications that caused dizziness or orthostasis. All patients experienced “spacey” or “foggy” head sensations without vertigo during exertion. Provocative activities ranged from standing upright for extended periods to running and swimming. On examination, voluntary hyperventilation provoked moderate symptoms in all patients (without nystagmus or anxiety), although no patient had spontaneously occurring, hyperventilation-related complaints. Seven patients underwent autonomic testing. Tilt table tests (n = 5) produced severe symptoms in one patient and mild symptoms in two patients. Sodium lactate infusions (n = 6) provoked marked symptoms in four patients and moderate symptoms in one patient. All were treated for autonomic dysregulation. Seven patients improved substantially and resumed all of their premorbid activities. Two improved slightly. Conclusions In nine patients with exertional dizziness, autonomic challenges were provocative, and medications for autonomic dysregulation were effective. Exertional dizziness may be a clinical manifestation of autonomic nervous system dysregulation.
Dialogue as philosophical inquiry in the teaching of tolerance and sympathy

Classroom conversations designed to foster mutual understanding encourage students to listen in a way that is receptive, open, and self-eclipsing. Such an emphasis on tolerance makes these conversations vulnerable to relativism and cynicism. I argue that dialogical philosophical inquiry diminishes such threats, as it fosters mutual appreciation of community and individuality. I offer three reasons for this in the context of a graduate-level course for teachers on dialogical philosophical inquiry. First, the inquiry into shared concepts creates a sense of commonality that transcends differences: all humans seek wisdom irrespective of its form. Second, dialogical philosophical inquiry prompts students to discover the inherent limitations of their perspectives, and to internalize the perspective of the other as a constant in their own thinking. Third, students are given an opportunity to practice relations with others that are informed by the first two points. In dialogical philosophical inquiry students reflect on their thinking together in an effort to improve it. The philosophers referred to in this article include Martin Buber, Nicholas Burbules, Jim Garrison and Leonard Waks.
Abortion in psychological perspective.

The literature on psychological aspects of induced abortions and repeated abortion-seeking behavior is surveyed, and ongoing field studies in the United States and other countries are summarized. The relationship of abortion and contraception is considered, and the implications of the prostaglandins as a means of “postconception family planning” are discussed.
Report from the Laboratory: The Influence of Institutions on Political Elites' Democratic Values in Germany

The unification of Germany revives several questions about the future of Germany's democracy. Given the socialist-authoritarian background, how supportive are East Germany's elites of liberal democratic rights? Has the socialist-democratic experience instilled into elites a social egalitarian conception of democracies? In what ways, if at all, do elites support direct democracy procedures? I examine political elites' conceptions of democracies in the united Germany in 1991, using a survey of 168 parliamentarians from the united parliament in Berlin. I find that the socialist and parliamentary institutions in the East and the West, respectively, have substantially influenced elites' conceptions of democracies in Germany, leading to a value divergence across the East-West boundary. Yet the findings also suggest that a partial value convergence in terms of liberal democratic rights among postwar elites has taken place. The results support an institutional learning theory, but they also suggest that support for liberal democratic values has been diffused into East Germany.
Crystallographic study of turkey egg-white lysozyme and its complex with a disaccharide.

Abstract The crystal structure of turkey egg-white lysozyme, determined by the molecular replacement method at 5 A resolution (Bott & Sarma, 1976) has now been refined to 2.8 A resolution and a model has been built to fit the electron density. A comparison of the co-ordinates with those of hen lysozyme indicate a rootmean-square deviation of 1.6 A for all the main-chain and side-chain atoms. A significant difference is observed in the region of residues 98 to 115 of the structure. The molecules are packed in this crystal form with the entire length of the active cleft positioned in the vicinity of the crystallographic 6-fold axis and is not blocked by neighboring molecules. A difference electron density map calculated between crystals of turkey lysozyme soaked in a disaccharide of N-acetyl glucosamine—N-acetyl muramic acid and the native crystals showed a strong positive peak at subsite C, a weak positive peak at subsite D and two strong peaks that correspond to the subsite E and a new subsite F′. This new site F′ is different from the subsite F predicted for the sixth saccharide from model building in hen lysozyme. The interactions between the saccharides bound at subsites E and F′ and the enzyme molecules are discussed.
Aphid transmission of plant viruses from the epidermis and subepidermal tissue: Myzus persicae (Sulzer)—Cucumber mosaic virus☆

Abstract Aphid transmission tests from the epidermis and exposed subepidermal tissues were conducted for five consecutive weeks after inoculation of the virus source plants with cucumber mosaic virus. The transmission rates from the subepidermal tissues (corrected for effects of exposure) were not significantly different from those of the epidermis. The hypothesis that transmission rates after brief feedings (epidermis) are generally higher than after prolonged feedings (during which aphid stylets penetrate into the subepidermal tissues), because of unequal distribution of virus in the tissues would not be consistent with the results obtained in this experiment.
HHS/CDC Legal Response to SARS Outbreak

Before the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) legal authority to apprehend, detain, or conditionally release persons was limited to seven listed diseases, not including SARS, and could only be changed using a two-step process: 1) executive order of the President of the United States on recommendation by the Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and 2) amendment to CDC quarantine regulations (42 CFR Parts 70 and 71). In April 2003, in response to the SARS outbreak, the federal executive branch acted rapidly to add SARS to the list of quarantinable communicable diseases. At the same time, HHS amended the regulations to streamline the process of adding future emerging infectious diseases. Since the emergence of SARS, CDC has increased legal preparedness for future public health emergencies by establishing a multistate teleconference program for public health lawyers and a Web-based clearinghouse of legal documents.
Locally corrected Nyström method for EM scattering by bodies of revolution

The Nystrom method allows for high order solutions to integral equations. Modifying the Nystrom method with local corrections for singular integrands allows the method to be applied to the inherently singular kernels of frequency-domain electromagnetic integral equations. Here the efficiency and high order convergence properties of the Nystrom method are brought together with the body of revolution (BOR) geometry to create an efficient approach to solving this important class of problems. In this paper we summarize the locally corrected Nystrom method and the magnetic field integral equation (MFIE) for a BOR scatterer. Results are presented that demonstrate high order convergence and excellent agreement with reference data.
Performing traditional dances for modern tourists in the Amazon.

Summary This study focused on four indigenous tribes in the Peruvian Amazon that entertain tourists by donning traditional costumes and performing traditional dances. Those who oppose the development of tourism in indigenous communities argue that this type of tourism is demeaning to the locals and leads to cultural imperialism, foreign dependency, revenue leakages, cultural change, change in socioeconomic levels, and loss of authenticity. Those who support controlled tourism in indigenous communities suggest that tourism may offer community members a chance to increase their household income and aid in the preservation of traditional cultures. In the communities in this study, tourism entertainment brings in much needed capital, while at the same time offering an opportunity for locals to embrace their own cultural identity.
Exchange rate exposure and valuation effects of cross-border acquisitions

Abstract This study examines the relevance of exchange rate risk in the context of cross-border acquisitions. Using a sample of 156 foreign acquisitions of US firms, we find a reduction in exchange rate exposure following acquisition announcements. We also compare the valuation effects generated by a single-factor market model to those of a two-factor model that controls for the exchange rate effect. Our results show that, on average, abnormal returns generated by the two-factor model are significantly lower than those of the single-factor market model.
Interval flights and glycogen utilization by the mosquito, Culex tarsalis

Abstract The tethered flight performance of female Culex tarsalis mosquitoes was measured with an automatically recording flight-mill system. Mosquitoes were allowed to fly for uninterrupted periods of 5, 15, 30, 60, and 120 min. Flight ability did not change appreciably from one interval to another with respect to time. The distance flown in 120 min was about eight times that flown in 15 min. There was no indication of fatigue or a ‘reluctance’ to fly at the end of any flight. Glycogen utilization was also measured during the different flight intervals. The rate of glycogen utilization was greatest during 5- and 15-min flights (177 μg/mosquito per hr for 5-min flights and 187 μg/mosquito per hr for 15-min flights). The rate of glycogen utilization decreased by about two-thirds after 1 hr of flight. However, no additional rate change was observed during the second hour of flight.
Design and application of the interlayer van der Pauw resistor alignment bridge

The interlayer van der Pauw (VDP) resistor alignment bridge combines the sheet resistor and registration-sensitive bridge into one unified structure. As a result of symmetry, it does not require the width corrections resulting from image exposure and etch variations typical of linear resistor structures. It uses minimum area and pad count and provides orthogonal registration measurements. Bridges designed for 1.5- mu m feature size with body dimensions of 18 and 21 mu m and a tap length to width ratio of 0.5 show a sensitivity of 34-38 mV/ mu m at 10 mA. Registration errors of 0.2 mu m have been measured with an error of less than 10%. A good statistical correlation has been obtained between drawn and measured registration offsets. The correlation between the VDP bridge and the optical vernier is within +or-2% using a vernier spacing of 0.125 mu m. These results clearly indicate that the VDP bridge has the potential to provide accurate measurements of photo mask registration with the precision required for very large scale integration (VLSI) processing. The application of the VDP resistor bridge for interlayer registration using standard production procedures is described. Measurement precision and accuracy are discussed along with some fundamental bridge-design considerations. >
Parseval relationship of nonuniform samples of one- and two-dimensional signals

It is shown that the Parseval's relationship is extendable to a general set of nonuniform samples of a bandlimited signal. Further extensions to 2D signals are also considered. >
On second order conditions for equality constrained extremum problems

We prove a relationship between the bordered Hessian in an equality constrained extremum problem and the Hessian of the equivalent lower-dimension unconstrained problem. This relationship can be used to derive principal minor conditions for the former from the relatively simple and accessible conditions for the latter.
Characterization of double network epoxies with tunable compositions

This article reports the processing and characterization of epoxy resins with near constant molar cross-link density prepared from sequentially reacted amine cross-linking agents. Stoichiometric blends of curing agents with compositions ranging from all polyetheramine to all diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS) are reacted with an epoxy monomer in a staged curing procedure. The low reactivity of the aromatic amine permits the selective reaction of the aliphatic amine in the first stage. The residual aromatic amine and epoxide functionality are reacted in a second stage at higher temperature. Above approximately 50% DDS content the first stage produces sol glasses which have not reached the gel point. The glass transition temperatures of the partially cured networks decrease monotonically with increasing DDS content. The partially cured networks can be characterized thermally and mechanically above their respective glass transitions without significantly advancing the reaction of the residual DDS and epoxide functionality. The networks formed after the second stage of the cure exhibit thermal and mechanical properties intermediate between those of the two individual amine cured networks, according to composition. The blends do not show any evidence of phase separation across the entire composition range in either the partially cured or fully cured state.
Effect of physiological amounts of estrogen on the secretion of follicle stimulating and luteinizing hormones.

THE problem of pituitary ovarian interrelationships has been investigated extensively during the last three decades and there seems to be general agreement that large quantities of gonadal hormones will suppress gonadotrophic hormone secretion. However, there is considerable controversy concerning the quantitative aspect of the effect of gonadal hormones on the secretion of gonadotrophins. A most important consideration in this problem is whether or not estrogen inhibits the production of gonadotroplins when within physiological limits, and whether estrogen stimulates the production and/or release of gonadotrophic hormone. Some confusion results from the failure to distinguish between the gonadotrophic content of the pituitary and the amount of hormone being secreted by the gland. Although much work has been done on the effect of estrogen upon the amount of hormone within the gland, this may not always be a valid index of the secretion rate of the hormone.
Effect of sample size, number of biased items, and magnitude of bias on a two-stage item bias estimation method

A two-stage procedure for estimating item bias was examined with six indexes of item bias and with the Mantel-Haenszel (MH) statistic; the sample size, the number of biased items, and the magnitude of the bias were varied. The second stage of the procedure did not identify substantial numbers of false positives (unbiased items identified as biased). However, the identification of true positives in the second stage was useful only when the magnitude of the bias was not small and the number of biased items was large (20% or 40% of the test). The weighted indexes tended to identify more true and false positives than their unweighted item response theory counterparts. Finally, the MH statistic identified fewer false positives, but did not identify small bias as well as the item response theory indexes
The International Conference on Malignant Bowel Obstruction: A Meeting of the Minds to Advance Palliative Care Research

There is a dearth of well-designed clinical research focusing on palliative care in cancer patients, especially those who are near the end of life. Reasons for this include ethical dilemmas in conducting such trials, communication barriers between specialties, and unclear standards for best care practices. To ensure that patients with incurable illnesses are offered the best available care, it is essential to develop and disseminate research methodologies well suited to this population. Given the multidimensional and culture-dependent nature of the end-of-life experience, it is necessary to adopt an interdisciplinary approach to developing research methods. As a means of initiating the process of palliative clinical research methodology development, malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) was used as a model to develop a research protocol. Although many treatment options for MBO have been proposed, existing literature offers little guidance with regard to algorithms for optimal management. To this end, an international leaders in quality-of-life research, ethnocultural variability, palliative medicine, surgical oncology, gastroenterology, major consortium research, medical ethics, and patient advocacy/cancer survivors was convened in Pasadena, California, on November 12-13, 2004. Participants also represented the broad ethnic and racial perspectives required to develop culturally sensitive research methods. Consensus on methodological approaches was attained through vigorous debate. Using the conference-developed MBO model to implement trials will advance palliative care research.
Über die Reaktion von Natrium‐bis‐trimethylsilyl‐amid mit Derivaten der Benzoesäure

Natrium-bis-trimethylsilyl-amid reagiert mit Benzoesaure und einigen ihrer Derivate unter H/Na- oder O/NSi(CH3)-Austausch, wobei meist das N.O-Bis-trimethylsilyl-Derivat der Benzimidsaure, C6H5C(NH)OH, entsteht. N.N-Bis-trimethylsilyl-carbonamid-Gruppen, CON[Si(CH3)3]2, lagern sich bereits im Augenblicke ihrer Bildung in isomere C[OSi(CH3)3]NSi(CH3)3-Einheiten um.
Tests of Unbiased Forecasts in Stock Index Futures Markets

In this study the martingale hypothesis concerning the stock index futures market is analyzed. The purpose is to understand how this notion concerning the behavior of the index futures affects the forecasting process. In addition, the forecasting of both daily and weekly stock index futures is examined. For daily forecasting, we find that the martingale method outperforms stepwise autoregressive and exponential smoothing methods However, for weekly forecasts, the stepwise autoregressive method is best.
'I thought you were a Mexican or something': Re/Visioning Borders of the Global South in Rakesh Roshan's Kites

AbstractDespite histories that share a deep, wounded sensibility about borders, Mexico and India have relatively few overt meditations on potential parallels. This paper proposes to look at a 2010 Indian action film set in Las Vegas and Mexico featuring Bollywood mega-star Hrithik Roshan and the Mexican-Japanese-Uruguyan telenovela actress Barbara Mori — who play immigrants of Indian and Mexican descent in the United States. In the film, their star-crossed love takes the pair across the US–Mexico border, where at different times in the movie they find themselves negotiating legal systems (getting papers first from the United States, then Mexico), language barriers (the movie is about one-third each Spanish, English, and Hindi), and an evil casino owner's henchmen. We look at the film from a bifocal perspective, across the US–Mexican border, but also across cultural expectations around a series of differently weighted concepts in South Asian and US understandings, including the key title image of the kite,...
Optically pumped parametric amplification for micromechanical oscillators

Micromechanical oscillators in the rf range were fabricated in the form of silicon discs supported by a SiO2 pillar at the disk center. A low-power laser beam, (Plaser∼100 μW), focused at the periphery of the disk, causes a significant change of the effective spring constant producing a frequency shift, Δf(Δf/f∼10−4). The high quality factor, Q, of the disk oscillator (Q∼104) allows us to realize parametric amplification of the disk’s vibrations through a double frequency modulation of the laser power. An amplitude gain of up to 30 was demonstrated, with further increase limited by nonlinear behavior and self-generation. Phase dependence, inherent in degenerate parametric amplification, was also observed. Using this technique, the sensitivity of detection of a small force is greatly enhanced.
Does Turbulent Convection Feel the Shape of the Container

Temperature and vertical velocity fluctuations are measured in turbulent Rayleigh-B\'enard convection for Rayleigh numbers $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{8}lRl4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{9}$ in cells with cylindrical and square geometries with approximately unit-aspect ratios. The geometries are constructed such that they have the same height and cross sectional area. We find, very unexpectedly, that both the magnitudes and scalings of fluctuations as a function of $R$ depend strongly on the geometry. This latter result implies a possible nonuniversality in internal fluctuations and poses significant difficulties for existing model descriptions of turbulent convection.
The importance of perspective in communication

(1954). The importance of perspective in communication. Central States Speech Journal: Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 3-6.
Indirect ultraviolet detection of biologically relevant organic acids by capillary electrophoresis

Abstract Indirect UV detection of fourteen short-chain organic acids (e.g., oxalic acid, citric acid, malonic acid, tartaric acid, methylmalonic acid, α-ketoglutaric acid, succinic acid, ethylmalonic acid, methylsuccinic acid, glutaric acid, apidic acid, methylglutaric acid, lactic acid and pyruvic acid) by capillary electrophoresis is described. The method used phthalate as the UV-absorbing additive in carbonate buffer and the non-absorbing analytes were detected indirectly at 230 nm. The influences of buffer pH, ionic strenght, concentration of phthalate and organic modifier on indirect signal response and migration behavior of the organic acids were investigated. Comparisons of reproducibility on migration time, limit of detection and separation efficiency among three types of capillary (e.g., polyacrylamide-coated, myristyltrimethylammonium bromide-coated and uncoated capillaries) were conducted. The method developed was applied to detect succinic acid, methylmalonic acid, citric acid, glutaric acid and lactic acid in human body fluids, and preliminary results were provided.
Infrequent periodic sleep disruption: Effects on sleep, performance and mood

In the first of two experiments, 12 normal young adults had their sleep periodically disturbed for two nights in the laboratory at three different rates: 10 min of sleep followed by 20 min of disturbance, 20 min of sleep followed by 40 min of disturbance and 40 min of sleep followed by 80 min of disturbance. Sleep and disturbance alternated throughout the night. While all disturbance conditions resulted in decreased daytime performance and increased sleepiness, the disturbance conditions did not differ from each other. In the second experiment, sleep was periodically disturbed for two nights at three new rates to act as control conditions for Experiment 1. The three conditions were: 2 min of sleep followed by 4 min of disturbance, 20 min of sleep followed by a single awakening, and 40 min of sleep followed by a single awakening. Sleep and disturbance again alternated throughout the night. As expected, sleep was less disturbed and daytime decrements were smaller in the conditions allowing 20 and 40 min of sleep followed by a single awakening. The data from both experiments were interpreted as support for sleep continuity theory; i.e., as the length of periods of consolidated sleep decrease, residual decrements increase.
Sensory ecology: In sight of speciation

Adaptation of a fish's eyes to its visual environment can bias females to mate with different males according to their coloration. This sensory preference can contribute to the formation of new species.
Cross-section for the reaction O− + O2 → O2− at relative kinetic energies from threshold to 3 eV

Abstract The cross-section for the charge-transfer reaction of O − with O 2 is determined in the relative kinetic energy range from 1 eV (threshold) to about 3 eV, using a combination of experimental and theoretical ion-swarm techniques. Reaction rate constants are measured in a helium-buffered flow-drift tube in the range 50 ≤ E/N ≤ 110 Td, where E is the DC electric field strength, N is the helium gas number density and 1 Townsend (Td)  10 −17 V cm 2 . Velocity distributions are computed using Monte Carlo techniques for O − ions drifting in helium at E/N values in this range. These distributions and the drift-tube rate constants define the reaction cross-section at low collision energies, a region in which it has been difficult to make reliable ion-beam measurements.
Polymer-Mediated Assembly of Gold Nanoclusters

Low molecular weight, ≤4000, polymers containing amine functionalities such as polyethyleneimine or poly-l-lysine serve as a scaffold for assembly of carboxylic acid functionalized gold clusters. The assembly produces at the liquid−air interface of the reaction medium, free-standing, space-filling films that are one monolayer thick. Assembly was promoted through the formation of peptide bonds by the addition of a carbodiimide but also proceeds in the absence of the carbodiimide by ion pairing. The morphology of the films is sensitive to the nature of the acid coating on the gold clusters with mercaptododecanoic acid and mercaptosuccinic acid forming more regular films than those coated with thioctic acid.
Simulation of oxygen transfer in microbial slimes

A model based on diffusion mechanisms accounts for oxygen transfer from flowing nutrient medium into a film of organisms in slime. Profiles of dissolved oxygen concentration are generated at distances downstream from the start of the slime. In these studies, the nutrient medium was assumed rich, thus the rate of oxygen transport limited microbial respiration. Parameter sensitivity tests were performed for flow rate, oxygen concentration in the medium, and mass transfer coefficients.
Characterization of the Muscles within the Beef Forequarter

Thirty-four muscles/muscle groups, each 0.1 kg or greater, were dissected from each of 16 forequarters to establish a data base of individual muscle traits. Individual muscle yields, tenderness profiles, and chemical analyses indicated the muscles within the forequarter are extremely variable. The Serratus ventralis (SRV), Infraspinatus (INF) and Triceps brachii complex (lateral, long and medial heads, TBT, TBL and TBM, respectively), which are several of the larger muscles/muscle groups within the forequarter, possess tenderness profiles comparable to the Longissimus dorsi (LGD). This study suggests that maximum utilization of the beef forequarter may best be achieved when individual muscles are fabricated and marketed according to their size, tenderness potential and composition.
Impact of Triple-Negative Phenotype on Prognosis of Patients With Breast Cancer Brain Metastases

Purpose To elucidate survival times and identify potential prognostic factors in patients with triple-negative (TN) phenotype who harbored brain metastases arising from breast cancer and who underwent stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Methods and Materials A total of 103 breast cancer patients with brain metastases were treated with SRS and then studied retrospectively. Twenty-four patients (23.3%) were TN. Survival times were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, with a log–rank test computing the survival time difference between groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses to predict potential prognostic factors were performed using a Cox proportional hazard regression model. Results The presence of TN phenotype was associated with worse survival times, including overall survival after the diagnosis of primary breast cancer (43 months vs. 82 months), neurologic survival after the diagnosis of intracranial metastases, and radiosurgical survival after SRS, with median survival times being 13 months vs. 25 months and 6 months vs. 16 months, respectively ( p Conclusion The TN phenotype represents a significant adverse prognostic factor with respect to overall survival, neurologic survival, and radiosurgical survival in breast cancer patients with intracranial metastasis. Recursive partitioning analysis class also served as an important and independent prognostic factor.
Structural and enzymatic characterization of a host-specificity determinant from Salmonella

GtgE is an effector protein from Salmonella Typhimurium that modulates trafficking of the Salmonella-containing vacuole. It exerts its function by cleaving the Rab-family GTPases Rab29, Rab32 and Rab38, thereby preventing the delivery of antimicrobial factors to the bacteria-containing vacuole. Here, the crystal structure of GtgE at 1.65 A resolution is presented, and structure-based mutagenesis and in vivo infection assays are used to identify its catalytic triad. A panel of cysteine protease inhibitors were examined and it was determined that N-ethylmaleimide, antipain and chymostatin inhibit GtgE activity in vitro. These findings provide the basis for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to combat Salmonella infections.
The human IL-13 locus in neonatal CD4+ T cells is refractory to the acquisition of a repressive chromatin architecture.

The Th2 cytokine IL-13 is a major effector molecule in human allergic inflammation. Notably, IL-13 expression at birth correlates with subsequent susceptibility to atopic disease. In order to characterize the chromatin-based mechanisms that regulate IL-13 expression in human neonatal CD4+ T cells, we analyzed patterns of DNase I hypersensitivity and epigenetic modifications within the IL-13 locus in cord blood CD4+ T cells, naive or differentiated in vitro under Th1- or Th2-polarizing conditions. In naive CD4+ T cells, hypersensitivity associated with DNA hypomethylation was limited to the distal promoter. Unexpectedly, during both Th1 and Th2 differentiation, the locus was extensively remodeled, as revealed by the formation of numerous HS sites and decreased DNA methylation. Obvious differences in chromatin architecture were limited to the proximal promoter, where strong hypersensitivity, hypomethylation, and permissive histone modifications were found selectively in Th2 cells. In addition to revealing the locations of putative cis-regulatory elements that may be required to control IL-13 expression in neonatal CD4+ T cells, our results suggest that differential IL-13 expression may depend on the acquisition of a permissive chromatin architecture at the proximal promoter in Th2 cells rather than the formation of locus-wide repressive chromatin in Th1 cells.
Automatic intra-subject registration-based segmentation of abdominal fat from water-fat MRI.

Purpose: To develop an automatic registration-based segmentation algorithm for measuring abdominal adipose tissue depot volumes and organ fat fraction content from three-dimensional (3D) water–fat MRI data, and to evaluate its performance against manual segmentation. Materials and Methods: Data were obtained from 11 subjects at two time points with intermediate repositioning, and from four subjects before and after a meal with repositioning. Imaging was performed on a 3 Tesla MRI, using the IDEAL chemical-shift water–fat pulse sequence. Adipose tissue (subcutaneous—SAT, visceral—VAT) and organs (liver, pancreas) were manually segmented twice for each scan by a single trained observer. Automated segmentations of each subject's second scan were generated using a nonrigid volume registration algorithm for water–fat MRI images that used a b-spline basis for deformation and minimized image dissimilarity after the deformation. Manual and automated segmentations were compared using Dice coefficients and linear regression of SAT and VAT volumes, organ volumes, and hepatic and pancreatic fat fractions (HFF, PFF). Results: Manual segmentations from the 11 repositioned subjects exhibited strong repeatability and set performance benchmarks. The average Dice coefficients were 0.9747 (SAT), 0.9424 (VAT), 0.9404 (liver), and 0.8205 (pancreas); the linear correlation coefficients were 0.9994 (SAT volume), 0.9974 (VAT volume), 0.9885 (liver volume), 0.9782 (pancreas volume), 0.9996 (HFF), and 0.9660 (PFF). When comparing manual and automated segmentations, the average Dice coefficients were 0.9043 (SAT volume), 0.8235 (VAT), 0.8942 (liver), and 0.7168 (pancreas); the linear correlation coefficients were 0.9493 (SAT volume), 0.9982 (VAT volume), 0.9326 (liver volume), 0.8876 (pancreas volume), 0.9972 (HFF), and 0.8617 (PFF). In the four pre- and post-prandial subjects, the Dice coefficients were 0.9024 (SAT), 0.7781 (VAT), 0.8799 (liver), and 0.5179 (pancreas); the linear correlation coefficients were 0.9889, 0.9902 (SAT, and VAT volume), 0.9523 (liver volume), 0.8760 (pancreas volume), 0.9991 (HFF), and 0.6338 (PFF). Conclusion: Automated intra-subject registration-based segmentation is potentially suitable for the quantification of abdominal and organ fat and achieves comparable quantitative endpoints with respect to manual segmentation. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:423–430. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the theory of hot-water drives

In this paper we are going to investigate a hot water drive in an oil-bearing rock formation. The hot-water drive is one of several thermal recovery methods EI~, [21, [81 a) used by the petroleum industry to produce the residual oil in a reservoir. (The essential phenomenon all such methods are based on is that by heating the reservoir the viscosity of the oil is lowered and may be more easily produced.) A disadvantage of this process is that initially cold oil must be displaced, unless of course there is ample stratification or pore-space in the formation for the hot water to flow through. There have been a number of theoretical hot-water drive studies made previous to this one. Most assume a piston like displacement by the encroaching water; however, they differ on the modes of heat transfer. SCI~UMANN [31, KLINKENBERG [41, and WALTER [51 have studied a model in which the heat is transfered by (1) convection of hot liquids, and (Model A) (2) heat exchange between the solid matrix and liquids which are at different temperatures.
Wildfire and drought dynamics destabilize carbon stores of fire-suppressed forests

Widespread fire suppression and thinning have altered the structure and composition of many forests in the western United States, making them more susceptible to the synergy of large-scale drought and fire events. We examine how these changes affect carbon storage and stability compared to historic fire-adapted conditions. We modeled carbon dynamics under possible drought and fire conditions over a 300-year simulation period in two mixed-conifer conditions common in the western United States: (1) pine-dominated with an active fire regime and (2) fir-dominated, fire suppressed forests. Fir-dominated stands, with higher live- and dead-wood density, had much lower carbon stability as drought and fire frequency increased compared to pine-dominated forest. Carbon instability resulted from species (i.e., fir's greater susceptibility to drought and fire) and stand (i.e., high density of smaller trees) conditions that develop in the absence of active management. Our modeling suggests restoring historic species composition and active fire regimes can significantly increase carbon stability in fire-suppressed, mixed-conifer forests. Long-term management of forest carbon should consider the relative resilience of stand structure and composition to possible increases in disturbance frequency and intensity under changing climate.
An unusual case of hyperkalaemia in infancy: question.

A male infant presented with recurrent episodes of hyperkalaemia and acidosis since birth. He was born by normal vaginal delivery at term weighing 2.7 kg (9th centile) with a head circumference of 33 cm (9th centile) to a mother with a known history of alcohol abuse. There were no perinatal problems. Mother’s antenatal ultrasound scan at 20 weeks’ gestation did not identify any foetal abnormalities. At 1 month of age, the boy was admitted to the local hospital with a week’s history of “funny spells”, where he had extensor posturing of his trunk and limbs and cried out. These lasted for 2–3 min at a time. There was no apparent relationship to feeding or passing bowel motions. On examination, the child was noted to be thriving, with a weight of 3.29 kg (2nd centile), a head circumference of 36 cm (9th centile) and a length of 52 cm (9th centile). Blood pressure was 78/52 mmHg. Clinical examination was unremarkable. He was not dehydrated on clinical assessment. The external genitalia appeared normal. Initial blood investigations (performed by venipuncture) showed serum potassium 7 mmol/l, sodium 135 mmol/l, chloride 112 mmol/l, bicarbonate 19 mmol/l, urea 2.1 mmol/ l and creatinine 26 μmol/l. The complete blood count showed normal haemoglobin, white blood cell and platelet values. Liver function tests were within normal limits. Calcium, phosphate and magnesium were within the normal range. Glucose was 4.2 mmol/l. Serum ammonia, lactate and creatinine kinase were normal. Capillary blood gas showed a mild metabolic acidosis with a base deficit of −5.2. A working diagnosis of sepsis was originally considered, and he was treated with antibiotics intravenously. A complete septic screen was negative. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate, plasma and CSF amino acids; random cortisol; thyroid function tests; and 17hydroxyprogesterone were all within the normal range. Serum aldosterone was entirely normal for age at 454 pmol/l (normal 300–1,500 pmol/l). Plasma renin activity was low at <0.2 nmol/l per hour (normal 1.1– 2.7 nmol/l per hour). Urinary potassium was 10 mmol/l, urine osmolality 151 mmol/l and plasma osmolality 290 mmol/l. Urinary screen for drugs and toxins was negative. An ultrasound scan of the renal tract demonstrated two normal kidneys with no evidence of hydronephrosis or hydroureter. The child had a trial of sodium bicarbonate, fludrocortisone and calcium resonium at 2 months of age. However, these were not sufficient to correct the hyperkalaemia, which at this stage was associated with poor weight gain (3.7 kg, 0.4th centile). He was then commenced on low-potassium-containing milk. This corrected the hyperkalaemia. He was discharged home with serum potassium 3.8 mmol/l, sodium 139 mmol/l, chloride 100 mmol/l, urea 1.2 mmol/l and creatinine 18 μmol/l.
Beamspace iterative quadratic WSF for DOA estimation

This article presents a beamspace version of the class of polynomial parameterized weighted subspace fitting (WSF) methods, including the well-known methods iterative quadratic maximum likelihood and method of direction estimation, for direction-of-arrival estimation with a uniform linear array. The difficulty with beamspace operation is that the Vandermonde structure of the array manifold may not preserve during a beamspace transformation. We tackle this obstacle using discrete Fourier transform beams and derive a parameterized polynomial representation of the signal subspace in the beamspace dimension. The resulting beamspace iterative quadratic WSF algorithm is not only computationally attractive, but also enjoys improved resolution threshold over element-space estimation.
Developing Consistency in the Terminology and Display of Bar Graphs and Histograms

Summary Students often are confused about the differences between bar graphs and histograms. The authors discuss some reasons behind this confusion and offer suggestions that help clarify thinking.
Fertility awareness-based methods for contraception: systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Context: Fertility awareness-based (FAB) methods of family planning estimate the fertile days of the menstrual cycle whether by observing fertility signs such as cervical secretions and basal body temperature or by monitoring cycle days. The efficacy and acceptability of these methods are unclear. Methods: We retrieved and analyzed all randomized controlled trials that examined any FAB method used for contraception. Results: Because of poor methods and reporting, pregnancy rates could not be determined. A trial in Colombia found similar numbers of pregnancies among women randomized to the ovulation and symptothermal methods, but a trial in Los Angeles observed more pregnancies in the group assigned to the ovulation method. In the two American trials, recruitment of participants was unexpectedly difficult. Continuation rates were poor. Conclusion: Despite intensive training and ongoing support, most participants in these trials discontinued prematurely. The comparative efficacy of these methods remains unknown. However, with the ovulation and symptothermal methods, pregnancies appear to be common; method continuation rates are low.
Efficient synchronization-demodulation for UWB ad hoc access: performance analysis and comparisons with RAKE

Synchronization is a performance-critical factor in all communication systems, but becomes particularly challenging in ultra-wideband (UWB) radios due to the ultra-short length of the transmitted pulses. Presence of severe inter-symbol interference (ISI) and multi-user interference (MUI) render the synchronization task even more difficult. The present paper deals with a blind synchronization and demodulation scheme which relies on intermittent transmission of nonzero mean symbols. This transmission pattern enables MUI-and ISI-resilient timing acquisition via energy detection and low-complexity demodulation by correlating the received waveform with a synchronized aggregate template (SAT). The resultant SAT receiver offers distinct advantages over the traditional RAKE and has remarkably low-complexity. Analytical performance evaluation of the novel timing estimator and the SAT demodulator is provided along with comparisons with the RAKE receiver for a single user link without ISI. Simulations confirm the analytical results and corroborate the high potential SAT-based UWB modems have for deployment.
Tracking Performance of Leveragedand Regular Fixed-Income ETFs

This article examines the tracking performance of the leveraged and regular fixed-income exchange-traded funds (FIETFs) on four major indexes: medium-term Treasury, long-term Treasury, investment-grade corporate, and high-yield corporate bond indexes. All sample FIETFs display significant tracking errors, and these tracking errors are much larger for funds on the longer maturity bond index. In addition, funds tracking corporate bond indexes show greater tracking errors than those on Treasury bond indexes. Finally, tracking errors are larger for leveraged FIETFs than for regular FIETFs and increase as the magnitude of target leverage increases for bull/bear funds. Over multiple trading days such as a week, the return deviation of a leveraged FIETF can be driven by both the net asset value (NAV) deviation due to fund management tracking error and compounding effect due to the daily rebalancing nature of LETFs. While both return deviation components are significant on a weekly basis, the size of the NAV deviation dominates that of the compounding deviation, reflecting the difficulty for fund managers to track fixed-income indexes.
Slow conformational dynamics at C2'-endo nucleotides in RNA.

RNA molecules undergo local conformational dynamics on timescales spanning picoseconds to minutes. Slower local motions have the greater potential to govern RNA folding, ligand recognition, and ribonucleoprotein assembly reactions but are difficult to detect in large RNAs with complex structures. RNA SHAPE chemistry employs acylation of the ribose 2′-hydroxyl position to measure local nucleotide flexibility in RNA and is well-characterized by a mechanism in which each nucleotide samples unreactive (closed) and reactive (open) states. We monitor RNA conformational dynamics over distinct time domains by varying the electrophilicity of the acylating reagent. Select C2′-endo nucleotides are nonreactive toward fast reagents but reactive toward slower SHAPE reagents in both model RNAs and in a large RNA with a tertiary fold. We conclude, first, that the C2′-endo conformation by itself does not govern SHAPE reactivity. However, some C2′-endo nucleotides undergo extraordinarily slow conformational changes, on the...
Radiation as an Immune Modulator

Radiation therapy is currently one of the most widely utilized treatment strategies in the clinical management of cancer. Classically, radiation therapy was developed as an anticancer treatment on the basis of its capacity to induce DNA double strand breaks in exposed cancer cells, ultimately resulting in tumor cell death. Recently, our understanding of radiation effects has expanded widely in terms of the consequences of radiation-induced tumor cell death and the pertinent cells, signaling pathways, and molecular sensors that modify the tumor response to radiation. It is now well accepted that inflammation plays a complex dual role in promoting or inhibiting tumor growth. The capacity of inflammatory responses to alter the tumor response to radiation therapy, and vice versa, is now the subject of intense scientific and clinical investigation. Herein, we review the concepts regarding the immunostimulatory properties of radiation therapy with particular focus on the effects of radiation therapy on the tumor microenvironment.