cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 in patients with cancer: can baseline radiologic severity and early evolution predict clinical outcomes?

To determine whether the degree of parenchymal involvement on chest radiograph (CXR) at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis and its early radiologic evolution can predict adverse events including hospitalization, intubation, and death in patients with cancer. Retrospective study of 627 COVID-19-positive patients between March and April 2020, of which 248 had baseline CXR within 72 h of diagnosis and 64 patients had follow-up wihtin72 h. CXRs were classified as abnormal (i.e., radiologic findings suggestive of COVID-19 infection were noted), normal, or indeterminate. Baseline and follow-up severity scores were calculated based on lung regions in abnormal CXRs. Statistical analysis was performed to determine associations between abnormal CXR or severity score with adverse events. Of 248 patients (median age = 65) with a baseline CXR, 172/248 (69%) had an abnormal baseline study, which was associated with hospitalization (p 9 predicted > 50% probability of intubation and a score of ≥ 10 predicted > 50% of probability of death. The baseline severity score was not correlated with cancer-related treatment. Early radiologic progression was not correlated with hospitalization, intubation, or death. The degree of parenchymal involvement on CXR within 72 h of COVID-19 diagnosis is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with cancer. • In patients with cancer, the presence and severity of radiologic manifestation of COVID-19 on chest radiographs within 72 h of COVID-19 diagnosis are associated with hospitalization, intubation, and death. • Early radiologic progression on chest radiographs is not correlated with adverse outcomes.
Introduction to Turbulence Models

This chapter introduces turbulence modeling. The theory of turbulence modelling is developed from the simple mixing length, through the two-equation (k-epsilon), to differential and algebraic stress models. Modifications, limitations, and simplifications of the various turbulence models are presented. Popular methods of solving the equations are contrasted and compared. Grid refinement, artificial diffusion, and other methods for promoting convergence are discussed. Examples of turbulent flow calculations are presented.
The School Library Media Center in the Digital Age: Issues in the Cataloging of Electronic Resources

SUMMARY In May J999 a survey was distributed to 214 school library media specialists to explore the ways in which school library media centers provide access to electronic resources such as educational software, interactive multimedia, and Internet resources. Thesurvey also addressed the use of curriculum enhancements to the MARC formal, including fields 856, 658, 526, and 521 in school library catalogs. Results show that while direct-access electronic resources are being fully integrated into collections and services in the library media center, Internet resources are not yet at that point and most library media center catalogs do not reflect the use of curriculum-enhanced MARC for electronic or other materials. The need to develop cooperative cataloging ventures to create curriculum linkages for electronic educational resources is identified.
Anterior tibialis CMAP amplitude correlations with impairment in CMT1A.

Introduction: CMT1A is the most common form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), a slowly progressive neuropathy in which impairment is length dependent. Fibular nerve conduction studies to the anterior tibialis muscle (AT) may serve as a physiological marker of disease progression in patients with CMT1A. The objective of this study is to determine whether the AT compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude correlates with impairment in patients with CMT1A. Methods: We correlated AT CMAP amplitudes and impairment measured by the CMT Neuropathy Score (CMTNS) in a cross-section of 121 patients with CMT1A and a subset of 27 patients with longitudinal data. Results: AT CMAP amplitudes correlated with impairment as measured by the CMTNS in cross sectional analysis. Longitudinal changes in the AT CMAP showed a strong inverse correlation with leg strength but not other components of the CMTNS. Conclusions: AT CMAP amplitude may serve as a useful outcome measure for physiological changes in natural history studies and clinical trials for patients with CMT1A. Muscle Nerve, 2013
EGFR as a therapeutic target in glioblastoma

The tyrosine kinase receptor epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) can be activated by several ligands, thus triggering downstream pathways regulating cell growth and survival. Its dysregula­tion is particularly important for the development and progression of astrocytomas. After the description of its role in glioblastomas (WHO grade IV astrocytomas), an overview on the therapeutic strategies target­ing EGFR is provided. It analyzes the past and ongoing trials concerning the small molecule tyro­sine kinase inhibitors, i.e. gefitinib, erlotinib and the combination therapies, the EGFR vaccina­tion strategies, the antibodies directed against EGFR and finally the intracranially administered EGFR-targeted therapies. As our understanding of the underlying molecular aberrancies in glioblastoma grows, our ability to better target specific subtypes of glioblastoma should improve. Molecular biomarker enriched clinical trials may lead to improved patient outcomes.
You look familiar, but I don't care: Lure rejection in hybrid visual and memory search is not based on familiarity.

In “hybrid” search tasks, observers hold multiple possible targets in memory while searching for those targets amongst distractor items in visual displays. Wolfe (2012) found that, if the target set is held constant over a block of trials, RTs in such tasks were a linear function of the number of items in the visual display and a linear function of the log of the number of items held in memory. However, in such tasks, the targets can become far more familiar than the distractors. Does this “familiarity” – operationalized here as the frequency and recency with which an item has appeared – influence performance in hybrid tasks In Experiment 1, we compared searches where distractors appeared with the same frequency as the targets to searches where all distractors were novel. Distractor familiarity did not have any reliable effect on search. In Experiment 2, most distractors were novel but some critical distractors were as common as the targets while others were 4× more common. Familiar distractors did not produce false alarm errors, though they did slightly increase response times (RTs). In Experiment 3, observers successfully searched for the new, unfamiliar item among distractors that, in many cases, had been seen only once before. We conclude that when the memory set is held constant for many trials, item familiarity alone does not cause observers to mistakenly confuse target with distractors.
From horticultural plantings into wild populations: movement of pollen and genes in Lobelia cardinalis

Understanding the potential movement of genes from horticultural plantings into conspecific wild populations requires fundamental knowledge of pollen flow distances and of the siring abilities of genetically differentiated pollen types on local plants. We addressed these issues using Lobelia cardinalis, a native, hummingbird-pollinated species, which is available horticulturally both as wild types and cultivated varieties. Potential pollen and gene flow between relatively isolated populations were measured in an artificial array experiment. Potted plants were placed at discrete distances (50, 100, 500, and 1000 m) from either a local or one of three non-local potted pollen sources and scored for pollen and gene flow. Pollen movement was assessed with a dye analogue. The pollen source population did not significantly influence the results, but dye movement, fruit set, and to a lesser degree fruit volume declined with distance from the pollen source. Even at 1 km away from the pollen source, 20–50% of flowers set fruit, indicating substantial gene movement. Siring ability of four non-local pollen types on local plants was assessed by comparing paternity success when each type comprised 75, 50, and 25% of the pollen in controlled mixed load pollinations. Pollen type affected the percentage of non-local offspring. A cultivated variety of L. cardinalis showed poor siring success on the Virginia maternal plants at all mix ratios. Mating was random in mixes with Virginia pollen and pollen from geographically distant wild-type varieties. Finally, pollen from a neighboring county was significantly favored over local sires. These results demonstrate that pollen movement from horticultural plantings into native populations and the production of hybrid seed on native plants is possible in L. cardinalis.
Incomplete multivariate designs, optimal with respect to Fisher's information matrix

Abstract : In most experiments or investigations, usually more than one response or characteristic is measured on an experimental unit or individual. The interest very often lies in estimating certain parameters (usually of the location or scale type), on each response. It is well known that, in general, as the number of units on which a response is observed is increased, the efficiency of the estimate also increases. However, in general, one is faced with financial limitations. In the paper, the authors consider a multiresponse design problem when such parameters are to be estimated. The optimization under the given cost restriction, is done with respect to maximizing the determinant of the fixed information matrix corresponding to these parameters.
Estimation and testing of the relative risk of disease in case‐control studies with a set of k matched controls per case with known prevalence of disease

The analysis of case-control studies with matched controls per case is well documented in the medical literature. Of primary interest is the estimation of the relative risk of disease. Matched case-control studies fall into two scenarios: the probability of exposure is constant within each of the case and control groups, or the probability of exposure varies within each group. Numerous estimation procedures have been developed for both scenarios. Often these procedures are developed under the rare disease assumption, where the relative risk of disease is approximated by the odds ratio. In this paper, without making the rare disease assumption, we develop consistent estimators of the relative risk of disease for both scenarios. Exact derivations of the relative risk of disease are provided. Estimators, confidence intervals, and test statistics for the relative risk of disease are developed. We then make the following observations based on extensive simulations. First, our estimators are as close or closer to the relative risk of disease than other estimators. Second, our estimators produce mean square errors for the relative risk of disease that are as good as or better than these other estimators. Third, our confidence intervals provide accurate coverage probabilities. Therefore, these new estimators, confidence intervals, and test statistics can be used to either estimate or test the relative risk of disease in matched case-control studies.
Correlation of electronic transitions and redox potentials measured for pyrocatechol, resorcinol, hydroquinone, pyrogallol, and gallic acid with results of semi-empirical molecular orbital computations A useful interpretation tool

Abstract Cyclic voltammogram (CV) electrochemical measurements for pyrocatechol, resorcinol, hydroquinone, pyrogallol, and gallic acid in strong alkaline solution produced observable oxidation–reduction potentials for each hydroxy group present except for resorcinol. UV absorption spectra were also observed for the diluted solutions. Semi-empirical molecular orbital computations were conducted for these molecules of C 2 v point group symmetry to determine the character and energies to aid interpretation of the experimental results. CV oxidation removed a π-electron by a radiationless π–π* transition followed by an electron shift from a negative oxygen to the positive aromatic π-system indicated by an observable σ–π* transition. Simple semi-empirical computations correlated with measured excited electronic states during electron transfer.
Laser-Enhanced Ionization of Mercury Atoms in an Inert Atmosphere with Avalanche Amplification of the Signal

A new method for laser-enhanced ionization detection of mercury atoms in an inert gas atmosphere is described. The method, which is based on the avalanche amplification of the signal resulting from the ionization from a selected Rydberg level reached by a three-step laser excitation of mercury vapor in a simple quartz cell, can be applied to the determination of this element in various matrices by the use of conventional cold atomization techniques. The overall (collisional + photo) ionization efficiency is investigated at different temperatures, and the avalanche amplification effect is reported for Ar and P-10 gases at atmospheric pressure. It is shown that the amplified signal is related to the number of charges produced in the laser-irradiated volume. Under amplifier noise-limited conditions, a detection limit of ∼15 Hg atoms/laser pulse in the interaction region is estimated.
The hospice concept of care: facing the 1990s.

Abstract Although hospice is a widely accepted form of care for the terminally ill, there is still a misconception that hospice represents a place, rather than a form of care. Hospice is designed to address three major problems of dying: pain, loneliness, and loss of control. It also emphasizes the role of the family in the caregiving process. The greatest need today in hospice is the increased involvement of the medical profession. Hospice must also expand to include not only cancer patients, but anyone who is dying, including AIDS patients. The future of hospice is bright, but it needs our commitment, our time, and our prayers.
EOS MLS observations of ozone loss in the 2004-2005 Arctic winter

[1] Earth Observing System Microwave Limb Sounder O3 and N2O are used to examine transport and chemical O3 loss in the unusually cold 2004–2005 Arctic winter. The vortex was dynamically active, with episodic mixing events throughout the winter; descent was the dominant transport process only through late January. Before the onset of lower stratospheric chemical loss, O3 was higher near the vortex edge than in the vortex core, causing different effects of mixing depending on the vortex region and time, either masking or mimicking chemical loss. O3 loss ceased by 10 March because of an early final warming. Rough estimates suggest maximum vortex-averaged O3 loss of 1.2–1.5 ppmv between 450 and 500 K, with up to ∼2 ppmv loss in the outer vortex near 500 K. Despite record cold, chemical O3 loss was less in 2004–2005 than in previous cold Arctic winters.
Imaging System For Correlating Fluorescence Cell Measurements In Flow

A high sensitivity camera and imaging system are employed in a special purpose flow cytofluorometer for extraction of fluorescence images of cells and objects in flow. Each image is uniquely correlated with a fluorescence profile or "slit-scan" contour of the cell also derived in flow. Contours are computer analyzed to extract low resolution morphologic information. Optical considerations for imaging in flow and results obtained from the imaging system are presented.© (1977) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Working with what you’ve got: Changes in thermal preference and behavior in mice with or without nesting material

Abstract In laboratories mice are typically housed at ambient temperatures ( T a ) of 20–24 °C, which are below their average preferred T a of ≈30 °C. Adjusting laboratory T a is not a solution because preferences differ depending on activity, time of the day, and gender. We tested the hypothesis that providing mice with nesting material will allow behavioral thermoregulation and reduce aversion to colder T a . We housed C57BL/6J mice with and without nesting material in a set of 3 connected cages, each maintained at a different T a (20, 25, or 30 °C). Mice were confined in and given free access to the T a options to determine if thermotaxis or nest building was the primary mode of behavioral thermoregulation. As predicted, nesting material reduced aversion to 20 °C but the overall preference, in both treatments, was still 30 °C. Inactive and nesting behaviors were more likely to be seen in contact with nesting material while active behaviors were more likely to be observed when not in contact. Nest quality increased with decreasing T a when mice could not use thermotaxis but nest quality was uncorrelated with T a when thermotaxis was possible. Males decreased nest quality with increasing temperatures but females showed no correlation. We conclude that nesting material does not alter thermal preferences for 30 °C when thermotaxis is possible, indicating thermotaxis as the primary mode of behavioral thermoregulation. However, when thermotaxis is not possible, mice adjust nest shape depending on the T a . Nesting material appears to partially compensate for cooler T a and is especially important when mice are inactive. Therefore, nesting material may be a solution to the mismatch between laboratory T a and mouse thermal preferences.
Limitations of fluorescent antibody staining of Histoplasma capsulatum in tissue sections

Unadsorbed as well as adsorbed fluorescein-labeled Histoplasma capsulatum antiglobulins stain H. capsulatum in culture and in paraffin sections of fixed tissue from active cases of histoplasmosis. Hence, these reagents can be used to great advantage for the identification of the organism in active histoplasmosis. However, in calcified (healed) lesions, fluorescent antibody staining becomes unreliable and is inferior to comparatively simple methods like the use of silver methenamine stain of Grocott.
Insulin action and insulin resistance in vascular endothelium.

Purpose of reviewVasodilator actions of insulin are mediated byphosphatidylinositol 3-kinase dependent insulin signalingpathwaysinendothelium,whichstimulateproductionofnitricoxide. Insulin-stimulated nitric oxide mediates capillaryrecruitment, vasodilation, increased blood ﬂow, andsubsequent augmentation of glucose disposal in skeletalmuscle.Distinctmitogen-activatedproteinkinasedependentinsulin signaling pathways regulate secretion of thevasoconstrictor endothelin-1 from endothelium. Thesevascular actions of insulin contribute to the coupling ofmetabolicandhemodynamichomeostasisthatoccursunderhealthy conditions. Insulin resistance is characterized bypathway-speciﬁcimpairmentinphosphatidylinositol3-kinasedependent signaling in both metabolic and vascular insulintarget tissues. Here we discuss consequences of pathway-speciﬁc insulin resistance in endothelium and therapeuticinterventions targeting this selective impairment.Recent ﬁndingsSharedcausalfactorssuchasglucotoxicity,lipotoxicity,andinﬂammation selectively impair phosphatidylinositol3-kinase dependent insulin signaling pathways, creatingreciprocal relationships between insulin resistance andendothelial dysfunction. Diet, exercise, cardiovasculardrugs, and insulin sensitizers simultaneously modulatephosphatidylinositol3-kinaseandmitogen-activatedproteinkinase dependent pathways, improving metabolic andvascular actions of insulin.SummaryPathway-speciﬁc impairment in insulin action contributes toreciprocal relationships between endothelial dysfunctionand insulin resistance, fostering clustering of metabolic andcardiovascular diseases in insulin-resistant states.Therapeutic interventions that target this selectiveimpairment often simultaneously improve both metabolicand vascular function.Keywordsendothelial dysfunction, insulin resistance, metabolicsyndrome, nitric oxide
Quantifying vertical mixing in estuaries

Estuarine turbulence is notable in that both the dissipation rate and the buoyancy frequency extend to much higher values than in other natural environments. The high dissipation rates lead to a distinct inertial subrange in the velocity and scalar spectra, which can be exploited for quantifying the turbulence quantities. However, high buoyancy frequencies lead to small Ozmidov scales, which require high sampling rates and small spatial aperture to resolve the turbulent fluxes. A set of observations in a highly stratified estuary demonstrate the effectiveness of a vessel-mounted turbulence array for resolving turbulent processes, and for relating the turbulence to the forcing by the Reynolds-averaged flow. The observations focus on the ebb, when most of the buoyancy flux occurs. Three stages of mixing are observed: (1) intermittent and localized but intense shear instability during the early ebb; (2) continuous and relatively homogeneous shear-induced mixing during the mid-ebb, and weakly stratified, boundary-layer mixing during the late ebb. The mixing efficiency as quantified by the flux Richardson number Rf was frequently observed to be higher than the canonical value of 0.15 from Osborn (J Phys Oceanogr 10:83–89, 1980). The high efficiency may be linked to the temporal–spatial evolution of shear instabilities.
Formation of Spherical Colloidal Nickel Ferrite Particles as Model Corrosion Products

Abstract Ni-ferrite particles of various sizes and chemical compositions were prepared by aging at 90 C for different periods of time coprecipitated ferrous and nickel hydroxide gels in the presence of nitrate ion. The size and the stoichiometry of the final solids were found to be strongly dependent on the initial composition of the systems. Under certain conditions, the so prepared particles are spherical and of narrow size distribution. The formation of Ni-ferrite by incorporation of Ni2+ ions into magnetite, crystallizing from a ferrous hydroxide gel at 90 C in a mild oxidative medium, was also studied. The developed procedures suggest possible pathways by which the corrosion crud is formed in nuclear power plants.
A study of human mandibular nutrient canals.

Abstract Cadaver mandibles which displayed nutrient canals on radiographic examination were prepared for histologic study. The radiographic and histologic findings were compared in order to gain a better understanding of these radiolucent structures.
Surface:volume relationship in cardiac myocytes studied with confocal microscopy and membrane capacitance measurements: species-dependence and developmental effects

The quantitative analysis of the contribution of ion fluxes through membrane channels to changes of intracellular ion concentrations would benefit from the exact knowledge of the cell volume. It would allow direct correlation of ionic current measurements with simultaneous measurements of ion concentrations in individual cells. Because of various limitations of conventional light microscopy a simple method for accurate cell volume determination is lacking. We have combined the optical sectioning capabilities of fluorescence laser scanning confocal microscopy and the whole-cell patch-clamp technique to study the correlation between cell volume and membrane capacitance. Single cardiac myocytes loaded with the fluorescent dye calcein were optically sectioned to produce a series of confocal images. The volume of cardiac myocytes of three different mammalian species was determined by three-dimensional volume rendering of the confocal images. The calculated cell volumes were 30.4 +/- 7.3 pl (mean +/- SD) in rabbits (n = 28), 30.9 +/- 9.0 pl in ferrets (n = 23), and 34.4 +/- 7.0 pl in rats (n = 21), respectively. There was a positive linear correlation between membrane capacitance and cell volume in each animal species. The capacitance-volume ratios were significantly different among species (4.58 +/- 0.45 pF/pl in rabbit, 5.39 +/- 0.57 pF/pl in ferret, and 8.44 +/- 1.35 pF/pl in rat). Furthermore, the capacitance-volume ratio was dependent on the developmental stage (8.88 +/- 1.14 pF/pl in 6-month-old rats versus 6.76 +/- 0.62 pF/pl in 3-month-old rats). The data suggest that the ratio of surface area:volume of cardiac myocytes undergoes significant developmental changes and differs among mammalian species. We further established that the easily measurable parameters of cell membrane capacitance or the product of cell length and width provide reliable but species-dependent estimates for the volume of individual cells.
Modification and the cohomology groups of compact solvmanifolds

In this note we give a modification theorem for a compact homogeneous solvmanifold such that a certain Mostow type condition will be satisfied. An application of this result is a simpler way to calculate the cohomology groups of compact quotients of real solvable Lie group over a cocompact discrete subgroup. Furthermore, we apply the second result to obtain a splitting theorem for compact complex homogeneous manifolds with symplectic structures. In particular, we are able to classify compact complex homogeneous spaces with pseudo-Kahlerian structures.
Online Consistency Checking for AM-FM Target Tracks

We compute AM-FM models for infrared video frames depicting military targets immersed in structured clutter backgrounds. We show that independent correlation based detection processes can be implemented in the pixel and modulation domains and used to construct useful online track consistency checks that indicate when the detection process has been degraded due to nonstationary evolution of the target signature. Throughout the paper, we use the well-known AMCOM closure sequences as exemplars.
Differentiation of biogenic and psychogenic impotence with the Eysenck personality questionnaire and the inventory of sexual attitudes

Abstract Thirty-one men with erectile dysfunction completed the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and the Inventory of Sexual Attitudes. Biomedical assessment was utilized to assign men to biogenic and psychogenic groups. The only significant difference noted between the two groups was a tendency of men with psychogenic impotence to be more introverted.
Effects of anesthetic alcohols on membrane transport processes in human erythrocytes.

Abstract 1. 1. Anesthetic alcohols (pentanol, hexanol and heptanol) were found to increase the fluidity of red cell membrane lipids as monitored by the fluorescence depolarization of diphenylhexatriene. The relative potency of the alcohols was found to be parallel to their relative membrane/water partition coefficients. 2. 2. Hexanol had biphasic effect on erythritol uptake by simple diffusion by red cells. At concentrations less than 9 mM, hexanol had no significant effect. At concentrations greater than 9 mM, there was an approximately linear increase in erythritol permeability with increasing alcohol concentration. 3. 3. The facilitated transport of uridine was markedly inhibited by hexanol. Hexanol at 6 mM produced a 65% inhibition of uridine (4 mM) uptake. Hexanol decreased both the apparent Km and V values for the equilibrium exchange of uridine. 4. 4. The facilitated transport of galactose was only slightly inhibited by hexanol. 5. 5. Hexanol was without effect on the passive and active fluxes of Na+ and K+ in red cells with altered cation contents. Cells that were slightly depleted of K+ and cells that were highly K+-depleted were both insensitive to hexanol.
THE ROCHE LIMIT FOR CLOSE-ORBITING PLANETS: MINIMUM DENSITY, COMPOSITION CONSTRAINTS, AND APPLICATION TO THE 4.2 hr PLANET KOI 1843.03

The requirement that a planet must orbit outside of its Roche limit gives a lower limit on the planet's mean density. The minimum density depends almost entirely on the orbital period and is immune to systematic errors in the stellar properties. We consider the implications of this density constraint for the newly identified class of small planets with periods shorter than half a day. When the planet's radius is accurately known, this lower limit to the density can be used to restrict the possible combinations of iron and rock within the planet. Applied to KOI 1843.03, a 0.6 R⊕ planet with the shortest known orbital period of 4.245 hr, the planet's mean density must be ≳7 g cm^(–3). By modeling the planetary interior subject to this constraint, we find that the composition of the planet must be mostly iron, with at most a modest fraction of silicates (≾30% by mass).
Significant performance enhancement in photoconductive terahertz optoelectronics by incorporating plasmonic contact electrodes

For terahertz optoelectronics to find broader applications, more efficient sources and detectors are needed. Towards this end, Berry et al. demonstrate the use of plasmonic contact electrodes for both terahertz emitters and detectors, finding large enhancement over standard photoconductive devices.
Calculation of the thermopower of Ni-P amorphous alloys

We have modeled the Ni-P amorphous alloy system by a set of supercells on which we have carried out calculations of electronic and transport properties. The thermopower is determined by calculating the energy dependence of the dc electrical conductivity from the Kubo formalism. At 15% P we find {minus}0.015 {mu}V/K{sup 2} for the thermopower divided by the temperature, while for 25% P the calculated value is +0.008 {mu}V/K{sup 2}, in reasonable agreement with experiment, particularly with regard to the change of sign with concentration.
Liquid viscosity model for polymer solutions and mixtures

A simple liquid viscosity model for multicomponent mixtures containing polymers is presented. This model is essentially a new mixing rule for calculating the Newtonian viscosity of mixtures over the entire composition range using the pure-component viscosities. A modified Mark−Houwink model is applied to calculate the Newtonian viscosity of pure polymer melts, and the Andrade/DIPPR correlation model is used to calculate the viscosity of pure conventional components. Two binary parameters, one symmetric and one antisymmetric, are introduced to capture nonideal mixing behavior of Newtonian viscosity in polymer solutions. Applications to polystyrene solutions and poly(ethylene glycol) solutions are presented.
Lack of premating isolation at the base of a phylogenetic tree

Abstract: Darwin's finches in the Galapagos archipelago are an unusual example of adaptive radiation in that the basal split separates two lineages of warbler finches (Certhidea olivacea and Certhidea fusca) believed until recently to be only one species. The large genetic difference between them contrasts with their similarity in plumage, size, shape, and courtship behavior. They differ in song, which is a key factor in premating isolation of other sympatric Darwin’s finches. We conducted playback experiments to see whether members of the population of C. olivacea on Santa Cruz Island would respond to songs of C. fusca from two islands, Genovesa and Pinta, and songs of C. olivacea from another island (Isabela). Another set of experiments was performed, using the same playback tapes, with C. fusca on Genovesa. Some members of both populations responded to all playbacks; therefore, the hypothesis of complete premating isolation on the basis of song is rejected. Discrimination between songs of the two linea...
Ejection of Matter and Gravitational Radiation from Orbiting Bodies

IF a particle of mass m is in a circular orbit of radius r around a central body of mass M ≫ m and if M suddenly undergoes a decrease of mass, carried to infinity by massless particles, say, the orbit of m will be perturbed as the shell of emitted particles passes its radius. The question of the escape of m and of its exact subsequent motion has been discussed1,2 and in this communication we turn our attention to a related question.
Experiences of stigma and access to HAART in children and adolescents living with HIV/AIDS in Brazil.

This study describes and conceptualizes the experiences of stigma in a group of children living with HIV in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and evaluates the impact of access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) over the social course of AIDS and over the children's experiences of stigma. Through ethnographic research in Sao Paulo from 1999 to 2001, the life trajectories of 50 children ages 1-15 living with or affected by HIV were studied. Data were collected via participant observation and semi-structured informal interviews and analyzed using social theories on illness experience and social inequality. Our results demonstrate that AIDS-related stigma occurs within complex discrimination processes that change as children reach adolescence. We found that structural violence in the forms of poverty, racism, and inequalities in social status, gender, and age fuels children's experiences of stigma. We also describe how access to HAART changes the lived experience of children, reduces stigma, and brings new challenges in AIDS care such as adolescents' sexuality and treatment adherence. Based on these results, we propose structural violence as the framework to study stigma and argue that interventions to reduce stigma that solely target the perception and attitudes toward people living with HIV are limited. In contrast universal access to HAART in Brazil is a powerful intervention that reduces stigma, in that it transforms AIDS from a debilitating and fatal disease to a chronic and manageable one, belongs to a broader mechanism to assure citizens' rights, and reduces social inequalities in access to health care.
Modeling the failure of an adhesive layer in a peel test

The failure of an adhesive layer in a 180° peel test is analyzed by the modeling of the peel as an elastica. The adhesive is assumed to fail by a process of cavitation and fibrillation. The resistance of the fibrillated material to deformation gives rise to a rate-dependent peel force F. Governing equations, which take into account the large deformation of the fibrillated materials, are derived. Numerical solutions are obtained for the special case of a linear, viscous adhesive. Assuming a critical strain failure criterion for the fibrils, we show that the peel rate is inversely proportional to the square root of the adhesive thickness and directly proportional to F 3/4 . The connection between the peel test and the tack test is also discussed. The maximum traction on the peel arm is found to be directly proportional to the peel force and inversely proportional to the adhesive thickness.
The IBM Enterprise Systems Connection (ESCON) channel: a versatile building block

The IBM Enterprise Systems Connection (ESCON™) environment required the design of a single channel that could be attached to the entire line of Enterprise System/9000™ processors and deliver the performance required by the top of that line. In addition to the channel, other functions were needed, such as the ESCON channel-to-channel adapter. All of these functions were required to be implemented using the same channel hardware. This paper describes the key elements of the IBM ESCON channel design.
Teaching the Theory of 1st and 3rd Angle Orthographic Projection

Last month Mr Macqueen's article dealt generally with solid geometry and industrial drawing. In the present article Mr Howarth, who is a member of the SBAC Committee on the Training of Draughtsmen, follows this with the development of 1st and 3rd angle projection in particular.
Sediment delivery in a semi-arid coastal stream

Abstract The transport and yield of bed sediment in a small coastal stream is the focus of this study. Spatial and temporal variations of sediment characteristics have been simulated using a calibrated mathematical model for time-dependent fluvial process-response. The study illustrates how channel storage, a major factor affecting sediment yield, can be quantified by an erodible-boundary model. The mathematical model also accounts for the storage effects caused by the works of man, a task that cannot be easily accomplished by other methods. The model simulates the interrelated changes in channel-bed profile and channel width based upon the stream's tendency to seek uniformities in sediment discharge and power expenditure. Scour and fill of the channel bed are accompanied by significant changes in channel width, which may contribute more to sediment storage. Thus, sediment routing must be based upon an erodible-boundary model rather than an erodible-bed model. This study confirms field evidence of the significant variation in sediment yield that occurs along the stream reach.
Transitioning health care responsibility from caregivers to patient: A pilot study aiming to facilitate medication adherence during this process

Transition in pediatric transplant recipients consists of both a physical shift in medical care location as well as a transition in health care responsibilities from caregivers to patients. The purpose of the present study was to test the feasibility of a pilot intervention aiming to facilitate the transition in health care responsibilities from caregivers to patients while patients are still receiving pediatric services. Twenty-two patients were enrolled in a two-session educational protocol aiming to facilitate transition of responsibility. Patients were recruited from an outpatient transplant clinic. Ten were referred because of suspected difficulty in transitioning of care, and 12 were consecutively recruited without any specific a priori concerns. Medication adherence, measured through the use of standard deviations of tacrolimus blood levels, and ALT levels were the medical outcome measures. Complete data are available for 20 patients. Mean ALT levels improved after the follow-up period. For referred patients, adherence and ALT levels improved. Standard deviation of tacrolimus decreased from 3.33 to 2.23, t = 2.52, p = 0.04. Mean ALT decreased from 120.33 to 63.99, t = 3.01, p = 0.01. Maximal ALT values decreased overall from 284.10 to 101.20, t = 2.61, p = 0.03. Our findings suggest that targeted education regarding transition in responsibility for adolescents' own health care is feasible in the outpatient environment and may assist families who are facing this potentially challenging process. A randomized, controlled study with a substantial number of enrolled patients is needed to establish the efficacy of this or other approaches.
Twist points as branch points for the QCD2 string

Abstract We show that the string representation of the QCD 2 partition function satisfies, by virtue of a Young-tableau-transposition symmetry, the topological constraint that any branched covering of an orientable or nonorientable surface without boundary must have an even branch point multiplicity. This statement holds for each chiral sector and requires multiple branch point behavior for the twist points, since cross-terms appear that couple twist points with odd powers of simple branch points. We obtain the same result for the complete partition function of SO( N ) and Sp( N ) Yang-Mills 2 theory.
Effects of exercise vs experimental osteoarthritis on imaging outcomes

Summary Objective To identify changes in imaging outcomes in a controlled model of osteoarthritis (OA) vs exercise. Method Sixteen 2-year-old horses were randomly assigned to an exercise control ( n =8) or an exercise OA ( n =8) group. All horses had middle carpal joints arthroscopically explored and an osteochondral fragment was induced in one middle carpal joint of the OA group. All horses were treadmill exercised for the duration of the study (91 days). Clinical, radiographic, nuclear scintigraphic, computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations were performed and outcomes of these were compared between groups. Imaging results were correlated to clinical, biomarker and gross pathologic results. Results The OA group had significant increases in clinical outcomes and most imaging parameters. Specifically, the OA group showed significant increases in radiographic lysis and nuclear scintigraphic uptake. There was very little change in subchondral bone density, but a significant change in subchondral bone edema. Radiographic lysis, radial carpal bone edema and nuclear scintigraphy were strongly correlated with clinical changes and radial carpal bone edema was strongly correlated with changes in Type I and Type II collagen found in the synovial fluid. Conclusions OA induced significant changes in imaging parameters beyond the adaptation seen with exercise. Bone edema detected with MRI was closely correlated with collagen biomarkers detected in the synovial fluid.
Fast flow behavior of highly entangled monodisperse polymers

When a stick-slip transition of an extremely large magnitude occurs in capillary flow of a highly entangled melt, a significant flow can be generated in the barrel. At a constant piston pressure, this barrel flow reduces the actual pressure available at the die entry that produces the capillary flow in the die. Experiments on linear monodisperse polybutadienes (PBd) show that a significant correction due to this barrel flow must be made to obtain a reliable characterization of the interfacial stick-slip transition. The interfacial flow discontinuity transition exhibits hysteresis behavior similar to that of linear polyethylenes. When a large pressure loss occurs in the barrel due to a massive stick-slip transition, the die wall stress may drop below the hysteresis loop, causing a new self-regulated flow oscillation to take place at a constant applied pressure.
Losers in Politics (and How They Sometimes Become Winners): William Riker's Heresthetic

This article develops an idea implicit in many of the writings of the late William Harrison Riker on the role in politics for “losers.” Out-of-power politicians, intent upon changing their fortunes and securing office, provide a rhythm to political life that often goes unappreciated (with media and scholarly attention primarily focused instead on those in power).
Cholesterol Phosphate Derivatives: Synthesis and Incorporation into a Phosphatase and Calcium-Sensitive Triggered Release Liposome

A series of cholesterol derivatives that position a phosphate monoester at increasing distance from the sterol ring system was synthesized, and their utility as a triggered release liposome tested. Stable anionic liposomes consisting of the novel cholesterol phosphate derivatives and dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) can be induced to collapse upon phosphatase-catalyzed removal of the phosphate group. Control liposomes containing DOPE and cholesterol phosphate or phosphatidic acid, which are not phosphatase substrates, do not undergo phosphatase-mediated collapse. The phosphatase-sensitive liposomes also collapse in the presence of calcium. The precise concentration of calcium that induces the collapse is controlled by the structure of the cholesterol phosphate derivative. Plasmid DNA encoding luciferase, encapsulated in the cholesterol derivative/DOPE liposomes, transfected cells in vitro. The level of transfection is dependent upon the cholesterol derivative and is mediated by both a calcium-independent and a calcium-dependent pathway; however, the involvement of phosphatase in the latter mechanism is not yet resolved. The transfection efficiency is between 10(6) and 10(7) of luciferase activity in relative light units per milligram of protein, which is similar to transfection values reported using other triggered release liposomes.
A 2.5D Integrated Voltage Regulator Using Coupled-Magnetic-Core Inductors on Silicon Interposer

An integrated voltage regulator (IVR) is presented that uses custom fabricated thin-film magnetic power inductors. The inductors are fabricated on a silicon interposer and integrated with a multi-phase buck converter IC by 2.5D chip stacking. Several inductor design variations have been fabricated and tested. The best performance has been achieved with a set of eight coupled inductors that each occupies 0.245 mm2 and provides 12.5 nH with 270 mΩ DC. With early inductor prototypes, the IVR efficiency for a 1.8 V:1.0 V conversion ratio peaks at 71% with FEOL current density of 10.8 A/mm2 and inductor current density of 1.53 A/mm2. At maximum load current, 69% conversion efficiency and 1.8 V:1.2 V conversion ratio the FEOL current density reaches 22.6 A/mm2 and inductor current density reaches 3.21 A/mm2.
Concession or compromise? The politics of abortion in United Germany

Most GDR policies instituted to secure women's equality between 1949 and 1989 have been dismantled in the name of German unity, including freedom of choice regarding abortion. That right ceased to exist in May 1993, when the Constitutional Court imposed a number of western restrictions on eastern women as the new law of the land. This study addresses the post‐unity search for an acceptable compromise between the western constitutional mandate of foetal protection and the eastern guarantee of a woman's right to choose. It argues that a three‐year reform process which should have provided a positive introduction to the art of democratic compromise served instead as a negative socialising experience for Germans in the new Lander. Besides denying them a chance to render a meaningful policy contribution to their new state, the nature of the process has distorted East German perceptions of the quintessential ‘balance of power’ between legislative and judicial institutions under democracy. ‘Compromise’ has been ...
New structural snapshots provide molecular insights into the mechanism of high fidelity DNA synthesis

Time-lapse X-ray crystallography allows visualization of intermediate structures during the DNA polymerase catalytic cycle. Employing time-lapse crystallography with human DNA polymerase β has recently allowed us to capture and solve novel intermediate structures that are not stable enough to be analyzed by traditional crystallography. The structures of these intermediates reveals exciting surprises about active site metal ions and enzyme conformational changes as the reaction proceeds from the ground state to product release. In this perspective, we provide an overview of recent advances in understanding the DNA polymerase nucleotidyl transferase reaction and highlight both the significance and mysteries of enzyme efficiency and specificity that remain to be solved.
A Teenager with Marfan Syndrome and Left Ventricular Noncompaction

We report a teenager with Marfan syndrome who presented to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center as part of a preoperative evaluation for an orthopedic procedure after asymptomatic arrhythmia was recognized. Continuous cardiac monitoring showed frequent premature ventricular contractions and nonsustained runs of ventricular tachycardia. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC), prompting insertion of an implantable cardiac defibrillator. Although Marfan syndrome is associated with cardiac lesions, it has not previously been described with LVNC. Likewise LVNC has been seen in association with other cardiac lesions; however, this report represents the first reference of LVNC in the context of Marfan syndrome.
Falling man: Encounters with catastrophic change

The assault on the twin towers thrust Americans into an encounter with catastrophic change. Previously protected by the illusion of security fed by our relative imperviousness to others' points of view, we are harshly awakened to our defensive blindness. This rupture helps us see the particular beyond the seeming universality, locating culture as a variable frame defining meanings through the narratives that hold complexities of human experience in conceptual space. Don DeLillo's Falling Man offers a reading of catastrophe as a forced encounter with fallibility, breaking apart illusions of sameness and difference, towards integration of what trauma excludes from awareness.
Pantheism and current ontology

Pantheism claims: (1) there exists an all-inclusive unity; and (2) that unity is divine. I review three current and scientifically viable ontologies to see how pantheism can be developed in each. They are: (1) materialism; (2) Platonism; and (3) class-theoretic Pythagoreanism. I show how each ontology has an all-inclusive unity. I check the degree to which that unity is: eternal, infinite, complex, necessary, plentiful, self-representative, holy. I show how each ontology solves the problem of evil (its theodicy) and provides for salvation (its soteriology). I conclude that Platonism and Pythagoreanism have the most divine all-inclusive unities. They support sophisticated contemporary pantheisms.