cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Habitat selection by spotted owls after a megafire reflects their adaptation to historical frequent-fire regimes

Climate and land-use change have led to disturbance regimes in many ecosystems without a historical analog, leading to uncertainty about how species adapted to past conditions will respond to novel post-disturbance landscapes. We examined habitat selection by spotted owls in a post-fire landscape. We tested whether selection or avoidance of severely burned areas could be explained by patch size or configuration, and whether variation in selection among individuals could be explained by differences in habitat availability. We applied mixed-effects models to GPS data from 20 spotted owls in the Sierra Nevada, California, USA, with individual owls occupying home ranges spanning a broad range of post-fire conditions after the 2014 King Fire. Individual spotted owls whose home ranges experienced less severe fire ( 100-m into severe fire patches. Spotted owls avoided areas that had experienced post-fire salvage logging but the interpretation of this effect was nuanced. Owls also avoided areas that were classified as open and/or young forest prior to the fire. Our results support the hypothesis that spotted owls are adapted to historical fire regimes characterized by small severe fire patches in this region. Shifts in disturbance regimes that produce novel landscape patterns characterized by large, homogeneous patches of high-severity fire may negatively affect this species.
Chronic Use of Long-Acting Somatostatin Analogues (SSAs) and Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) in Patients with Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (GEP-NETs): An Under-recognized Adverse Effect.

Background Somatostatin Analogues (SSAs) are used to treat Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) and acromegaly. Side effects of SAAs usually include biliary disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, injection-site pain and hyperglycemia. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) is often misdiagnosed as disease progression or failure to SAAs or diagnosed after a delay in patients receiving SAAs. We present our experience with EPI developing in patients following use of SAAs. Methods We reviewed chart and pharmacy records of 110 GEP-NETs patients who received SSAs. Data was collected including demographics, pathology, stage, dose/duration of long and short-acting SA, use of antidiarrheal, pancreatic enzyme replacement (PER), proton pump inhibitors (PPI) or H2 blockers). Laboratory data include chromogranin-A (CgA), urine 5-HIAA and quantitative fecal fat test (QFFT) or fecal elastase test (FE). EPI was defined by a FE below normal level OR by a reduction of ≥ 21.2% or steatorrhea on QFFT. Patients who were identified to develop EPI were treated with pancreatic exocrine replacement therapy (PERT). Results Among, 110 GEP-NETs patients, 104 received LA Octreotide and 6 Somatuline Depot Injection. Of these, 23 received short-acting SSA for worsening diarrhea, 96 had intensification of antidiarrheal and 1 got telotristat ethyl. QFFT confirmed EPI in 19, 11 based on clinical symptoms, and 16 had sample error or refusal to collect specimen. CTCAE 4.0 grades of EPI were: grade 2(69%), grade 3(22%) and grade 4(9%). Median time to development of EPI was 12 months (95%CI 3 - 23). Except 1, all patients received PERT either with concomitant PPI (13) or later if no improvement with PERT (6) and 2 on H2 blockers. 37% of the patients had improvement in EPI within 4-8 weeks. Deficiency of vitamins and trace elements was found in 11 of 19 patients, who received supplementation. Conclusions Our experience constitutes the first and the largest study addressing EPI as a rare but serious complication of chronic use of SAAs. Although SAAs are used to treat diarrhea, paradoxically they can worsen diarrhea secondary to EPI. Early recognition and diagnosis of this under-diagnosed and under-reported side effect of SAAs, such as EPI, can improve not only diarrhea and weight loss in these patients but also can reduce cost of using short-acting SAAs and antidiarrheal.
Martyrs and Monsters of the Avengers: Christianity and Disability in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

This paper examines the visual vocabulary of Marvel’s Avengers movies through a study of characters with acquired impairments. When an impairment exhibits the characters’ commitment to justice, the...
National trends and outcomes of inpatient robotic-assisted versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Abstract Background Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has reached nearly universal adoption in the management of gallstone-related disease. With advances in operative technology, robotic-assisted cholecystectomy has been used increasingly in many practices, but few studies have examined the adoption of robotic assistance for inpatient cholecystectomy and the temporal outcomes on a national scale. The present study aimed to identify trends in utilization, as well as outcomes and factors associated with the use of robotic-assisted cholecystectomy. Methods The 2008 to 2017 database of the National Inpatient Sample was used to identify patients undergoing inpatient cholecystectomy. Independent predictors of the use of robotic assistance for cholecystectomy were identified using multivariable logistic regression adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics. Results Of an estimated 3,193,697 patients undergoing cholecystectomy, 98.7% underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 1.3% robotic-assisted cholecystectomy. Rates of robotic-assisted cholecystectomy increased from 0.02% in 2008 to 3.2% in 2017 (nptrend Conclusion Using the largest national database available, we found a dramatic increase in the use of robotic-assisted cholecystectomy with no difference in mortality or duration of hospital stay, but there was a statistically significant increase in complications and costs. These findings warrant further investigation.
Immediate postoperative hyperglycemia after peripheral arterial bypass is associated with short-term and long-term poor outcomes.

Abstract Objectives While the impact of poorly controlled Diabetes on surgical outcomes of patients undergoing lower extremity revascularization is well-known, it is not clear if immediate postoperative hyperglycemia (IPH) itself can be used as a surrogate for poor outcomes following peripheral arterial bypass. We sought to examine the effect of IPH in this patient population with its impact on short-term and long-term outcomes. Methods Retrospective review was completed for 505 patients who underwent either suprainguinal bypass surgery (SBS) or infrainguinal bypass surgery (IBS) between July 2002 and April 2018 for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease. All patients were undergoing first-time open bypass grafting (BG). Patients were stratified into those who were normoglycemic or hyperglycemic (glucose ≥ 140) within 24 hours following surgery. Comparative analysis was performed on comorbidities and outcomes. Results Of 505 patients who underwent BG, 255 patients (50.5%) were hyperglycemic. The mean age of patients was 63.5 ± 14.1 years. Median follow up was 5.2 years (range 0.0-15.2 years). Distribution of procedures was as follows: femoral to popliteal bypasses (29%), femoral to femoral bypasses (17%), femoral to tibial bypasses (12%), aortobifemoral bypasses (10%), iliofemoral bypasses (9%), and axillofemoral bypasses (7%). At 30-days, hyperglycemic patients had increased incidence of limb loss (8.3% vs. 4%), myocardial infarction (4.8% vs. 0.8%) and incurred higher costs of hospital stay ($27,701 vs. $22,990) (all p Conclusions In this single institution study with long-term follow up, IPH was associated with increased rates of 30-day amputation, myocardial infarction and increased cost of hospital stay. In the long-term, postoperative hyperglycemia was associated with greater major limb loss. Among the cohort of patients who required major amputations, time period between revascularization and amputation was shorter for those patients who had IPH. IPH is an independent marker for poor outcomes after lower extremity revascularization procedures.
Equilibrium refinements in sender-receiver games

Abstract This paper examines the effectiveness of perturbation refinements in sender-receiver games. It is shown that babbling equilibria are always perfect and even proper. However, they need not be strategically stable. An example is given where the only strategically stable pooling equilibria are pure strategy equilibria. Furthermore, there exist examples in which none of the pooling equilibria is strategically stable. Persistence is effective in games with small message spaces. It rules out pooling equilibria in games which have strict separating equilibria but its effectiveness is not confined to these games. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Number: C72.
Cryo-EM structures reveal multiple stages of bacterial outer membrane protein folding

Transmembrane β barrel proteins are folded into the outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria by the β barrel assembly machine (BAM) via an unexplained process that occurs without known external energy sources. Here we used single-particle cryo-EM to visualize the folding dynamics of a model β barrel protein (EspP) by BAM. We found that BAM binds the highly conserved β signal motif of EspP to correctly orient β strands in the OM during folding. We also found that the folding of EspP proceeds via remarkable hybrid-barrel intermediates in which membrane integrated β sheets are attached to the essential BAM subunit, BamA. The structures show an unprecedented deflection of the membrane surrounding the EspP intermediates and suggest that β sheets progressively fold towards BamA to form a β barrel. Along with in vivo experiments that tracked β barrel folding while the OM tension was modified, our results support a model in which BAM harnesses OM elasticity to accelerate β barrel folding.
Renal angina index predicts fluid overload in critically ill children: an observational cohort study.

Background Fluid overload and acute kidney injury are common and associated with poor outcomes among critically ill children. The prodrome of renal angina stratifies patients by risk for severe acute kidney injury, but the predictive discrimination for fluid overload is unknown. Methods Post-hoc analysis of patients admitted to a tertiary care pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The primary outcome was the performance of renal angina fulfillment on day of ICU admission to predict fluid overload ≥15% on Day 3. Results 77/139 children (55%) fulfilled renal angina (RA+). After adjusting for covariates, RA+ was associated with increased odds of fluid overload on Day 3 (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 5.1, 95% CI 1.23-21.2, p = 0.025, versus RA-). RA- resulted in a 90% negative predictive value for fluid overload on Day 3. Median fluid overload was significantly higher in RA+ patients with severe acute kidney injury compared to RA+ patients without severe acute kidney injury (% fluid overload on Day 3: 8.8% vs. 0.73%, p = 0.002). Conclusion Among critically ill children, fulfillment of renal angina was associated with increased odds of fluid overload versus the absence of renal angina and a higher fluid overload among patients who developed acute kidney injury. Renal angina directed risk classification may identify patients at highest risk for fluid accumulation. Expanded study in larger populations is warranted.
Improved Full-Newton-Step Infeasible Interior-Point Method for Linear Complementarity Problems

We present an Infeasible Interior-Point Method (IIPM) for monotone LinearComplementarity Problem (LCP) which is an improved version of the algorithm given in[13]. In the earlier version, each iteration consisted of one feasibility step and few centeringsteps. The improved version guarantees that after one feasibility step, the new iterate is fea-sible and close enough to central path thanks to the much tighter proximity estimate whichis based on the new lemma introduced in [18]. Thus, the centering steps are eliminated.Another advantage of this method is the use of full-Newton steps, that is, no calculation ofthe step size is required. The preliminary implementation and numerical results demonstratethe advantage of the improved version of the method in comparison with the old one.
Caucuses, Group Consciousness, and Factionalism among Democratic Party Delegates

We examine the behavior of delegates at the contentious Democratic National Convention in 2008, with particular attention to their participation in group caucus meetings. Group caucuses, we argue, represent the institutionalization of demographic factions within the Democratic Party. A survey of party delegates that we conducted during the convention reveals that the protracted nomination battle between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama reinforced factional lines within the party. Specifically, attendance at group caucuses was moderated by feelings about Obama’s nomination. Women who were more critical of Obama’s nomination were more likely to attend the Women’s Caucus. Meanwhile, Obama’s nomination reaffirmed factional sentiments across group lines, with African Americans, Latinos, union members, and others more likely to attend their respective group caucus if they were more supportive of Obama.
Process‐designed training: A new approach for helping leaders develop emotional and social competence

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of a leadership development program based on International Organization for Standardization (ISO) principles. The program utilized process‐designed training groups to help participants develop emotional and social competence.Design/methodology/approach – The study involved 162 managers from nine different companies in a random assignment control group design. There were nine different groups with nine managers in each group. Each group was required to follow the identical process. Trained moderators led the groups during year 1, but during year 2 a group member served as moderator, with all new moderators committing to following the process. The outcome measure was the Emotional Competence Inventory (ECI), a multi‐rater measure of social and emotional competencies associated with effective leadership. Outcome data were collected before the program started, one year later, and two years later.Findings – Results indicated that after two ye...
Processing and Presentation of Antigen by the Class II Histocompatibility System

1 Introduction 2 The Innate System of Defense, APCs, and Symbiosis with T Cells 3 Antigen Presentation in Thymus and Peripheral Lymphoid Organs 4 MHCII Molecules 5 Stages in Antigen Presentation 6 APC Interactions with T Cells Keywords: innate system of defense, APCs, and T cell symbiosis; antigen presentation in thymus and peripheral lymphoid organs; antigen presentation-interaction between T cell and antigen-presenting cell (APC); dendritic cells and cytokine granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF); MHCII molecules; MHC molecules and peptide interaction-in binding interactions; stages in antigen presentation; intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM), movement towards periphery of complex
A Hopfield-Based Neuro-Diagnostic System

A high potential application area for neural networks in the dynamic systems is the area of failure detection and identification. An innovation based failure diagnostic is considered in this paper. This scheme requires a fast on-line system identification technique. Formulation and development of a recurrent Hopfield network for system identification is presented. The general case of a combined parameter idenfification and state observation is considered.
Cytogenetics and Speciation in Crepis

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the cytogenetics and speciation in crepis. The genetic processes involved in speciation in this genus have been recognized as a belonging to two categories: primary, those that have been of chief importance in the history of the genus and secondary, those that have played a less important role. The primary genetic processes are reciprocal translocation between nonhomologous chromosomes and gene mutation. The secondary genetic processes are interspecific hybridization, polyploidy, and apomixis. Speciation is a very complex aspect of organic evolution, in which five different processes of genetic change play more or less important roles: (1) Reciprocal translocations have been of fundamental importance by initiating interspecific sterility leading to genetic isolation and hence to speciation, (2) Gene mutations have made possible the morphological and physiological differentiation within and between the species that was essential to speciation throughout the genus, (3) Interspecific hybridization has been involved in the origin of certain Crepis species, perhaps to the extent of 1/5 of all the species in the genus, and (4) Polyploidy has been involved in less than 8% of the species of Crepis. In apomixes, the partial sexual fertility of many of the apomictic forms has resulted in a multitude of “microspecies” and of intergrading forms that complicate the taxonomic treatment of some of the American species.
Mapping statistics to success on the PGA Tour : Insights from the use of a single metric

Purpose – Although the PGA Tour provides a wide array of statistics, no single measure has successfully been able to predict a player's success during the season, either in terms of earnings per tournament or weighted average scores. The purpose of this paper is to present a metric that attempts to predict annual player rankings based on these two criteria.Design/methodology/approach – The metric is computed from available statistics and attempts to encapsulate a player's unique strengths and weaknesses in a single number.Findings – Deviations in rankings based on the metric are compared to those based on earnings per event and adjusted scoring averages. The results suggest that in addition to the average annual performance on the greens, the mix of tournaments played and the incidence of heroics or consistency have an important impact on the chances of success on the Tour.Research limitations/implications – The metric's predictions can be negatively affected if a golfer makes a large proportion of double...
Voltage and Calcium Dynamics Both Underlie Cellular Alternans in Cardiac Myocytes

Cardiac alternans, a putative trigger event for cardiac reentry, is a beat-to-beat alternation in membrane potential and calcium transient. Alternans was originally attributed to instabilities in transmembrane ion channel dynamics (i.e., the voltage mechanism). As of this writing, the predominant view is that instabilities in subcellular calcium handling are the main underlying mechanism. That being said, because the voltage and calcium systems are bidirectionally coupled, theoretical studies have suggested that both mechanisms can contribute. To date, to our knowledge, no experimental evidence of such a dual role within the same cell has been reported. Here, a combined electrophysiological and calcium imaging approach was developed and used to illuminate the contributions of voltage and calcium dynamics to alternans. An experimentally feasible protocol, quantification of subcellular calcium alternans and restitution slope during cycle-length ramping alternans control, was designed and validated. This approach allows simultaneous illumination of the contributions of voltage and calcium-driven instability to total cellular instability as a function of cycle-length. Application of this protocol in in vitro guinea-pig left-ventricular myocytes demonstrated that both voltage- and calcium-driven instabilities underlie alternans, and that the relative contributions of the two systems change as a function of pacing rate.
Taper Design Affects Failure of Large-head Metal-on-metal Total Hip Replacements

Background Large-head metal-on-metal (MoM) hip arthroplasties have demonstrated poor survival. Damage at the taper-trunnion junction is a contributing factor; however, the influence of junction design is not well understood.
An integrated approach to measuring potential spatial access to health care services

In recent years there have been several attempts to develop quantitative measures of potential spatial access to health care services which, despite their limitations, offer many positive ideas that can perhaps be integrated into a logically consistent and generally acceptable index. It is in this vein that the current paper presents an integrated approach, drawing partially from past contributions, to measuring potential spatial access to health care services. The final access index is derived as the culmination of a series of individual measures, starting with an initial gravity formulation and progressing through successive stages as new elements, consistent with the definition and conceptualization of potential spatial access, are introduced. Application of the proposed index to the ambulatory medical care system of the Akron, Ohio SMSA, demonstrates the validity of the measure, and its suitability as a potential health care planning tool.
Rapid access to reference resources

Understanding, as opposed to seeing, depends on knowing the background, the context, of whatever is of interest. For this reason the creation of reference resources is foundational. Creating reference resources and making them available requires major investments of resources expertise. The benefits derived, the return on this investment, depends on the use made of them. The digital environment offers new possibilities for creation, publication and access, but the principal effect has been to increase the use of the resources that are easiest to use rather than the most trustworthy. Hence, a design challenge: How can the use of respected reference resources be made comparably easy to use? We will present a "Context Finder" a browser enhancement that reduces radically the effort required to find explanations in reference resources and report on infrastructure connecting the reader's screen, library guides, and reference resources.
Identifying the gaps between biodefense researchers, public health, and clinical practice in a rural community.

OBJECTIVE: It is essential for health care professionals to be prepared for a bioterrorist attack or other public health emergency. We sought to determine how well biodefense and emerging infectious disease research information was being disseminated to rural health care providers, first responders, and public health officials. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted at a federally funded research institution and a rural community in Washington state with 10 subjects, including researchers, community physicians and other health care providers, first responders, and public health officials. RESULTS: The interviews suggest there is inadequate information dissemination regarding biodefense and emerging infectious disease research and an overall lack of preparedness for a bioterrorist event among rural clinicians and first responders. Additionally, a significant communication gap exists between public health and clinical practice regarding policies for bioterrorism and emerging infectious disease. There was, however, support and understanding for the research enterprise in bioterrorism. CONCLUSIONS: Biodefense preparedness and availability of information about emerging infectious diseases continues to be a problem. Methods for information dissemination and the relationships between public health officials and clinicians in rural communities need to be improved. Language: en
Efficient stereo vision algorithms for resource-limited systems

In most circumstances, determining an acceptable trade-off between speed and accuracy when selecting a stereo vision algorithm for implementation is dependent on the target application. This work attempts to provide a perspective on the efficiency of existing real-time stereo vision algorithms in terms of this trade-off. This work also provides an example of modifying an existing highly accurate stereo vision algorithm to increase its runtime performance while trying to limit the loss in accuracy. The modifications can be used to increase efficiency of several other local stereo vision algorithms due to sharing some common components. Such an example demonstrates the challenge of making efficient trade-offs in accuracy for runtime performance. It is shown that the modifications resulted in an 8X speedup over the original algorithm, with accuracy results comparable to existing real-time algorithms.
Synthesis and characterization of novel linear and crosslinked polyelectrolytes derived from the acetoacetic ester and acrylic acid

Novel linear and crosslinked polyelectrolytes based on acetoacetic ester and acrylic acid were synthesized for the first time via Michael addition reaction followed by radical polymerization. The structure and properties of polyelectrolytes were characterized by FTIR, Raman and NMR spectroscopy, TGA, DSC, GPC, viscometry and potentiometric titration. Considerable influence of water content on the swelling rate of hydrogels was established. The swelling-deswelling properties of hydrogels were studied in dependence of pH, ionic strength and in water-organic solvent mixtures.
Comparison of platelet number, mean platelet volume and platelet mass in five mammalian species

Platelet number, mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet mass were compared among horses, foals, ponies, dogs, cats, cows, calves and goats. Platelet mass was not constant across species lines and an inverse relationship between platelet number and size was not found in all species. Although platelet mass is a function of platelet number and platelet size, these variables are likely under separate control. If platelet mass regulates thrombopoietin concentration in all species, then it is likely that thrombopoietin production and/or sensitivity of megakaryocytes to thrombopoietin also varies among species.
Placental location in pregnancies following Cesarean section

Ultrasonic placentography1–4 was used to compare placental location in patients who had undergone previous Cesarean sections with those who had had vaginal deliveries. Results indicated that: (1) placental location was not influenced by existing uterine scars; (2) anterior uterine wall implantations occur with sufficient frequency (35%) to warrant ultrasonic placentography prior to third trimester amniocentesis for fetal maturity studies; and (3) lower anterior uterine segment implantations occur with sufficient frequency (8%) to warrant ultrasonic placentography prior to surgical entry of the lower uterine segment.
Petrography and bulk chemistry of Martian orthopyroxenite ALH84001: implications for the origin of secondary carbonates.

Abstract New petrologic and bulk geochemical data for the SNC-related (Martian) meteorite ALH84001 suggest a relatively simple igneous history overprinted by complex shock and hydrothermal processes. ALH84001 is an igneous orthopyroxene cumulate containing penetrative shock deformation textures and a few percent secondary extraterrestrial carbonates. Rare earth element (REE) patterns for several splits of the meteorite reveal substantial heterogeneity in REE abundances and significant fractionation of the REES between crushed and uncrushed domains within the meteorite. Complex zoning in carbonates indicates nonequilibrium processes were involved in their formation, suggesting that CO2-rich fluids of variable composition infiltrated the rock while on Mars. We interpret petrographic textures to be consistent with an inorganic origin for the carbonate involving dissolution-replacement reactions between CO2-charged fluids and feldspathic glass in the meteorite. Carbonate formation clearly postdated processes that last redistributed the REE in the meteorite.
Medical student bias and care recommendations for an obese versus non-obese virtual patient

Medical student bias and care recommendations for an obese versus non-obese virtual patient
Gas gangrene of the thigh in a morbidly obese patient with occult colon cancer

Summary We report a case of atraumatic gas gangrene and myonecrosis of the leg secondary to infection with Clostridium septicum in a severely obese patient with an occult cancer. She was treated successfully for both conditions. A review of the current literature describes this constellation of findings and the appropriate treatment.
ATP enhances repair of hair bundles in sea anemones.

Abstract Hair bundle mechanoreceptors of sea anemones are similar to those of the acousticolateralis system of vertebrates (Watson, Mire and Hudson, 1997, Hear. Res. 107, 53–63). Anemone hair bundles are repaired by ‘repair proteins’ secreted following a complete loss of structural integrity and loss of function caused by 1 h exposure to calcium free seawater. Exogenously supplied repair proteins (RP) restore structural integrity to hair bundles and restore vibration sensitivity in 7–8 min (Watson, Mire and Hudson, 1998, Hear. Res. 115, 119–128). We here report that exogenously supplied ATP enhances the rate by which RP restore vibration sensitivity. A bimodal dose response to ATP indicates maximal enhancement at picomolar and micromolar concentrations of ATP. At these concentrations of ATP, vibration sensitivity is restored in 2 min. These data suggest that at least two ATPases exhibiting different binding affinities for ATP are involved in the repair process. Whereas the higher affinity site is specific for ATP, the lower affinity site does not discriminate between ATP and ADP. Nucleotidase cytochemistry localizes ATPase activity in isolated repair proteins. In the absence of exogenously added RP, sea anemones secrete and consume ATP during the 4 h recovery period after 1 h exposure to calcium free seawater. In the presence of exogenously added RP, ATP is secreted and then consumed within 10 min. Quinacrine cytochemistry localizes possible stores of ATP in the apical cytoplasm of sensory neurons located at the center of the hair bundle. According to our model, ATP is secreted by the sensory neuron after its hair bundle loses structural integrity. Hydrolysis of ATP by repair proteins is essential to the repair process.
Induced Fatigue Effects on Velopharyngeal Closure Force

This investigation studied the effects of induced velopharyngeal fatigue in speakers with normal mechanisms. Five adult female and 5 adult male subjects were used. A force sensing bulb was placed i...
Pharmacy's future: Transformation, diffusion, and imagination.

> History is not concerned with predicting: the ability to predict would mean a closed and determined universe or, perhaps worse, a managed one. And if we know anything from our observation of the drama of history, it is that history is open, full of extraordinary potential and inexplicable turns
Internally consistent approach for modeling solid-state aggregation. II. Mean-field representation of atomistic processes

A detailed continuum (mean-field) model is presented that captures quantitatively the evolution of a vacancy cluster size distribution in crystalline silicon simulated directly by large-scale parallel molecular dynamics. The continuum model is parametrized entirely using the results of atomistic simulations based on the same empirical potential used to perform the atomistic aggregation simulation, leading to an internally consistent comparison across the two scales. It is found that an excellent representation of all measured components of the cluster size distribution can be obtained with consistent parameters only if the assumed physical mechanisms are captured correctly. In particular, the inclusion of vacancy cluster diffusion and a model to capture the dynamic nature of cluster morphology at high temperature are necessary to reproduce the results of the large-scale atomistic simulation. Dynamic clusters with large capture volumes at high temperature, which are the result of rapid cluster shape fluctuations, are shown to be larger than would be expected from static analyses, leading to substantial enhancement of the nucleation rate. Based on these results, it is shown that a parametrically consistent atomistic-continuum comparison can be used as a sensitive framework for formulating accurate continuum models of complex phenomena such as defect aggregation in solids.
Social skills training through poetry therapy: A group intervention with schizophrenic patients

Schizophrenia impairs the development of psychosocial skills needed for the useful, independent living, social functioning, occupational skills, and self-care. While medication can reduce psychosis, drug side effects and compliance in patients with schizophrenia is a problem. Often with this population, it is necessary to integrate psychosocial treatments which aim to enhance interpersonal and social functioning. The focus of this paper is on a psychosocial intervention (group therapy) that introduced specific social skills to patients through the use of poetry. The intervention took place in a large state psychiatric facility.
Isolation and characterization of revertant cell lines. IV. Direct selection of serum-revertant sublines of SV40-transformed 3T3 mouse cells.

SV101, the SV40-transformed subline of the mouse fibroblast line 3T3, is both serum- and density transformed, since it grows in both 1% and 10% calf serum, and grows beyond confluence in 10% calf serum. Negative selection at low cell density in 1% calf serum or in 10% agamma-depleted serum permits direct recovery of serum-revertant sublines of SV101. These sublines are unable to grow in 1% calf serum. Although negative selection at high cell density in 10% calf serum is known to permit recovery of density-revertant sublines of SV101, most density-revertants are not serum-revertant. However, all serum-revertants isolated so far are density-revertant as well.
Modeling of the volumetric properties and estimation of the solubility parameters of ionic liquid + ethanol mixtures with the Sanchez–Lacombe and Simha–Somcynsky equations of state: [EMIM]Ac + ethanol and [EMIM]Cl + ethanol mixtures

Abstract A variable-volume view-cell equipped with a motorized pressure generator was utilized to collect PVT data for two different ionic liquids, [EMIM]Ac and [EMIM]Cl, and their mixtures with ethanol which are of interest as alternative solvents for processing of lignocellulosic materials. Continuous density data were generated from 10 to 40 MPa at temperatures of 298, 323, 348, 373, and 398 K. Pressure scans were performed on both ILs, ethanol, and their mixtures with 5, 25, 50, and 75 wt% IL content. The density data were used to determine the parameters for the Sanchez–Lacombe (S-L) and Simha–Somcynsky (S-S) equations of state (EOS). The S-L EOS was then employed to estimate isobaric expansivity, isothermal compressibility, internal pressure, free-volume fractions, and the solubility parameters for these mixtures. The S-S EOS was also used to evaluate the free-volume fractions, and the solubility parameters as this EOS provides more direct assessments of these quantities. The manuscript provides for the first time solubility parameter values for [EMIM]Cl. The manuscript for the first time also provides solubility parameter values at pressures above ambient pressure for both of these ionic liquids, for ethanol, and for their mixtures. The solubility parameters estimated for [EMIM]Ac at 10 MPa and 298 K were around 22.7 MPa 0.5 by S-L EOS, and around 21.8 MPa 0.5 by S-S EOS as compared to the literature value of 23.1 MPa 0.5 reported at ambient pressure and at 313 K.
Thin-layer chromatographic analyses of lipids in different layers of porcine epidermis and oral epithelium

Abstract Frozen cryosections were cut parallel to the surface of porcine skin and palatal, buccal and floor-of-mouth mucosa so as to provide separate samples representing various epithelial layers. The samples were dried, extracted with chloroform: methanol, and the lipids were chromatographed on silica gel plates in various solvent systems. After charring, lipids were quantified with a scanning densitometer. Overall, greater differences in proportions and distributions of lipid components were evident between keratinized and non-keratinized epithelia than between epidermis and keratinized oral epithelium. For epidermis and palate there was an increase in neutral lipids, including ceramides, from the deeper layers to the surface; ceramides were most abundant in surface layers. In buccal epithelium there was a distinct increase in glycosylceramides toward the surface, and in both non-keratinized regions ceramides were present in only very small amounts. The results suggest that although neutral lipids may be associated with a superficial barrier layer in skin and oral mucosa, there are differences in the composition of this barrier between keratinized and non-keratinized epithelia.
Continuum theory of interfacial segregation

Theoretical work in the field of interfacial segregation is mainly focused on the Gibbsian approach that uses the dividing surface construct. In this article a continuum approach to the problem of interfacial segregation in multicomponent hydrostatically compressed alloys is developed and the segregation at homophase and heterophase interfaces is considered on common grounds. The Gibbs adsorption theorem is derived in the framework of an isoperimetric problem, and a comparison is made with the dividing surface construct approach. The interfacial segregation is calculated for the case of a linear thermodynamic system where it is found to vanish at a heterophase interface and have a critical dependence on the temperature and composition at a homophase interface. The physical driving force for the interfacial segregation is discussed.
On Constructions of Generalized Skein Modules

Jozef Przytycki introduced skein modules of 3-manifolds and skein deformation initiating algebraic topology based on knots. We discuss the generalized skein modules of Walker, defined by fields and local relations. Some results by Przytycki are proven in a more general setting of fields defined by decorated cell-complexes in manifolds. A construction of skein theory from embedded TQFT-functors is given, and the corresponding background is developed. The possible coloring of fields by elements of TQFT-modules is discussed for those generalized skein modules. Also an approach of defining skein modules from studying compressions of fields is described.
The effects of cash, electronic, and paper gift certificates as respondent incentives for a web-based survey of technologically sophisticated respondents

An experiment was conducted to determine the effectiveness of three invitation and incentive combinations in a web-based survey. A stratified convenience sample of 434 researchers who were target users of a collaboratory for earthquake engineering was randomly divided into three experimental conditions: (a) a $5 bill sent with the survey instructions via first class mail, (b) a $5 gift certificate code to Amazon.com sent with the survey instructions via first-class mail, or (c) a $5 gift certificate code to Amazon.com sent with the survey instructions via e-mail. Overall response was 43%. Results show that $5 bills led to significantly higher response rates than either gift certificate condition (57% for cash vs. 36% for the two gift certificate conditions, χ2(1)=9.3, p < .01). This suggests that cash is a superior incentive for an online survey, even with technologically sophisticated respondents. This may be due to the perceived limitations, delayed payoff, or reduced visibility of online gift certificates.
Pumping from wells on the floor of the Sevier Desert, Utah

Data collected at the Topaz Relocation Center provide an excellent record of the development and subsequent disappearance of a cone of depression caused by pumping. This Center occupied temporarily an area of natural ground-water discharge on the floor of the Sevier Desert in west-central Utah. Water for a population of 6500 was pumped from artesian wells which tapped aquifers of sand. Overlying these sand beds are lake-bed sediments too impermeable to yield water to wells, but apparently permeable enough to permit slow upward movement of water from the artesian aquifers. The water table is near the surface, and there is natural discharge by evapotranspiration, accumulation of “alkali” in the soil, and a need for drainage of irrigated lands. The wells were abandoned when the Relocation Center was closed, apparently because these handicaps were so great that the ground water could not be used profitably for irrigation.
Flavonoids from Gymnosperma glutinosum

Abstract From Gymnosperma glutinosum seven new and 14 known compounds were isolated. Six of the seven new compounds have unusual B-rings with 2′-methoxyl groups. The seven new compounds are 5,7-dihydroxy-3,6,8,2′,4′,5′-hexamethoxyflavone, 5,4′,5′-trihydroxy-3,6,7,8,2′-pentamethoxyflavone, 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3,6,8,2′,5′-pentamethoxyflavone, 5,7,4′,5′-tetrahydroxy-3,6,8,2′-tetramethoxyflavone, 5,7,4′,5′-tetrahydroxy-3,6,2′-trimethoxyflavone, 5,7,4′,5′-tetrahydroxy-3,2′-dimethoxyflavone and 3,5,4′-trihydroxy-6,7,8,3′-tetramethoxyflavone. In addition, the following known flavonoids were isolated: 5,7,2′-trihydroxy-3,6,8,4′,5′-pentamethoxyflavone, 5,7,2′,4′-tetrahydroxy-3,6,8,5′-tetramethoxyflavone, 5,3′-dihydroxy-3,6,7,8,4′5′-hexamethoxyflavone, 5,7,3′-trihydroxy-3,6,8,4′,5′-pentamethoxyflavone, 5,7,3′,5′-tetrahydroxy-3,6,8,4′-tetramethoxyflavone, 5,7,3′4′,5′-pentahydroxy-3,6,8-trimethoxyflavone, 5,7,3′5′-tetrahydroxy-3,6,4′-trimethoxyflavone, 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3,6,8,3′-tetramethoxyflavone, 5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy-3,6,8-trimethoxyflavone, 3,5,7,3′,4′-pentahydroxy-6,8-dimethoxyflavone, 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3,6,8-trimethoxyflavone, 5,7,3′4′-tetrahydroxyflavone, 8- C -glucosyl-5,7,4′-trihydroxyflavone and 5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxyflavone 7- O -glucoside.
"Self-healing": softening precision to avoid brittleness: position paper for WOSS '02: workshop on self-healing systems

Modern practical computing systems are much more complex than the simple programs on which we developed our models of dependability. These dependability models depend on precise specifications, but it is often impractical to obtain precise specifications of practical software-intensive systems. Furthermore, the criteria for acceptable behavior vary from time to time and from one user to another. When development methods are based on the classic models that assume precise specifications, the resulting systems are often brittle --- they are vulnerable to unexpected conditions and hard to tune to changing expectations. Practical systems would be better served by development models that recognize the variability and unpredictability of the environment in which the systems are used. Such development methods should pursue not the absolute criterion of correctness, but rather the goal of fitness for the intended task, or sufficient correctness. They should accommodate environmental unpredictability not only by reactive mechanisms, but also by design that produces resilience to environmental change, or homeostasis. In many cases, this resilience may be achievable by relaxing tolerances in the specifications, thereby enlarging the envelope of acceptable operation.
Metal–insulator transition in DNA molecules induced by long-range correlations in the sequence of nucleotides

Abstract We propose an analytical approach for calculation of the electron localization length in the DNA molecules. In the fishbone model the localization length is directly related to the binary correlation function of the sequence of nucleotides. Application of the proposed method to some known DNA sequences shows sharp maxima in the energy dependence of the localization length. These maxima can be considered as mobility edges. Existence of the mobility edge is rather rare event and it requires that the correlation function apart from an inverse power law decay, also oscillates as a function of the distance between the nucleotides. Although many DNA sequences exhibit slow decay of correlations, only very few of them possess the mobility edge. It is not clear yet what is the biological role of the mobility edge.
Drug infusions for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain.

Diagnostic infusion therapy has several advantages over other routes of drug administration in the management of chronic pain. Although systemic side effects may occur, the procedure is relatively noninvasive and is generally well tolerated by patients. Infusion techniques have a potential use in the blinded evaluation of a patient’s response to a specific therapy, and thus may minimize placebo responses associated with the more invasive diagnostic nerve blocks. Infusion tests may be useful prognostic indicators of the potential efficacy of a class of oral drugs in a patient. This article reviews the scientific and clinical background behind the major classes of drugs used in diagnostic infusion testing, namely local anesthetics, opioids, and α-adrenergic blockers. Clinical application of these agents in the management of chronic pain also is outlined.
The adult mouse utricle as an in vitro preparation for studies of ototoxic-drug-induced sensory hair cell death

Sensory hair cells of the inner ear are susceptible to death from a variety of stresses including aging, noise trauma, genetic disorders, and exposure to certain therapeutic drugs. Ototoxic drugs include the aminoglycoside antibiotics and the antineoplastic agent cisplatin. This is a short technical report describing the dissection and culture of the adult mouse utricle. This in vitro preparation allows for detailed studies of ototoxic-drug-induced hair cell death in an adult mammalian system. In addition, this preparation allows for examination of the effects of specific gene products through the use of transgenic and knockout mouse models.
Assessment of stratospheric fuel burn by civil commercial aviation

Abstract When jetliners fly in the stratosphere, their emissions tend to be longer-lived and therefore have greater environmental impact. Since the altitude of the tropopause is not consistent and can be as low as 23,000 ft., cruising flights may have a great chance to fly into the stratosphere. In this paper, we present a simple and rapid method to estimate the extent of US commercial passenger and cargo flight that currently occurs in the stratosphere, based on publicly available historical data from 2008 to 2012. We model the vertical profile of a flight and compare it with the height of the tropopause along its route. Our analysis covers 78% of the total travelled distance reported by the United States Bureau of Transportation Statistics, and shows that these flights burnt ∼11 million tons of fuel annually, or ∼31% of cruise fuel, in the stratosphere between 2008 and 2012. Our results also show that the chance of flying into stratosphere varies by area, but flights within the contiguous United States tend to stay below the stratosphere. Moreover, the stratosphere fuel burn of Asia-US flights may be significantly reduced by taking jet stream routes.