cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Future of Telepathology for the Developing World

Physician shortages are acute in developing countries, where disease burden is the greatest and resources for health care are very limited. A lack of pathologists in these countries has lead to delays in diagnosis and misdiagnoses that adversely affect patient care and survival. The introduction of telepathology into countries with limited resources for health care is but one of multiple approaches that can be used to alleviate the problem. Telepathology is the electronic transmission of digital images that can be used for education and diagnostic consultation. A basic system consists of a microscope with a mounted digital camera linked to a computer. The ability to produce histologic slides, to repair and maintain equipment, and to provide training are also needed for the successful use of this technology. iPath is a Web-based, open platform, software application which was developed at the University of Basel, Switzerland, for telepathology and which brings together pathologists from around the world to provide telepathology support for diagnostic consultation and provides education to centers with limited resources. The use of virtual-slide technology to provide a digital image of an entire glass slide is another technology for diagnostic consultation and pathology education. This technology requires more costly resources to support it, which may limit its utility in many areas. Telepathology can generate collections of digital images and virtual slides needed for training indigenous pathologists in their countries to become self-sufficient. Thus, the long-term goal of this technology is to improve patient care and survival.
Fingerprint image enhancement using a binary angular representation

We explore a novel approach to enhancing fingerprint images using a new binary directional filter bank (DFB). Automated fingerprint identification systems (AFIS) are used to classify a fingerprint in a large volume of images. Many approaches to AFIS have been suggested, most sharing in common the idea of extracting discriminate feature representations. As part of that process, the raw fingerprints are often smoothed, converted to binary and thinned. Conventional directional methods, which have been used successfully in the past, provide representations that delineate the directional components in the fingerprint image enabling separation, and enhancement. Our binary DFB receives a binary input and outputs a binary image set comprised of directional components. Through proper weighting and manipulation of the subbands, specific features within the fingerprint can be enhanced. We propose a new enhancement approach that remains in the binary domain for the entire process. This paper provides a description of a new binary DFB and its application to fingerprint pre-processing.
The “Unmaking” of a Movement?

The sad particulars about the “House of Labor” in the America of the 1980s are well known: Labor quiescence predominates, and the trade union movement, demoralized and disorganized, has rapidly lost momentum. The number of union members began to decline in 1979 and continued to do so for another decade, representing the greatest sustained loss of unionists since the 1920s. Unions have since lost between 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 million members. The rate of decline of “union density” (i.e., union membership as a percentage of the nonfarm labor force), already visible since 1954, began to steepen around 1979: It averaged about 0.4% per year for the period 1954–1978 but between 1% and 1.25% annually since 1979, more than double the previous rate.1 In the 1950s, unions won about two-thirds of the National Labor Relations Board certification elections held; in the 1960s, almost 60%. Since the late 1970s, however, unions have been winning only about 45% of NLRB certification elections, and during the Reagan years number of such elections declined by about 50% (Moody, 1987). Finally, labor’s strike activity, too, is much lower today than it was even two decades ago, with production time lost to strikes during the mid-1980s reaching an historic low.
Status of high-power free-electron lasers

A table of free electron laser (FEL) projects worldwide is described. The status of FEL attributes leading to high-average power operation is reviewed with discussion of future directions. Arguments are given as to why a short undulator containing only a few periods may be advantageous for the high-power FEL.
Preparation and Stability of Template-Synthesized Metal Nanorod Sols in Organic Solvents

Gold and silver nanorods of diameter 40 and 90 nm and having a variety of aspect ratios (length/diameter) were prepared using the template synthesis approach. After template synthesis, the nanorods were freed from the template membrane and dispersed in either hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) or CHCl3. The stability of these nanorod sols was monitored using visible absorption spectroscopy. For both the Au and Ag nanorods (in both solvents), sols prepared from the 90-nm diameter nanorods were found to be less stable than sols prepared from the 40-nm diameter nanorods. The addition of the polymeric stabilizers poly(vinylpyridine) or poly(vinylpyrrolidone) did not enhance the stability of these nanorod sols. In addition to these studies of sol stability, UV−vis absorption spectroscopy was used to investigate the plasmon absorption band of these sols. The wavelength of maximum absorbance of the plasmon resonance band (λmax) for both Ag and Au sols was shifted to higher wavelengths when the nanorod diameter was inc...
The viscoelastic behavior of notched glassy polymers

In the bulk, glassy polymers exhibit a nonlinear viscoelastic response during deformation. Stress or strain induced damage (i.e. crazing, microshear banding) results in the production of nonrecoverable work and observed nonlinearity. Stress or strain dependent shift factors have been used to mathematically model the mechanical behavior of these polymers. Glassy polymers that have been notched, may exhibit very different load displacement response compared to the same material under bulk deformation. If a sharp notch is introduced into the body then loaded, the load displacement trace may appear to be single-valued in the absence of viscoelasticity and crack growth. This suggests the volume of damaged material is small compared to the overall dimensions of the specimen. The ability to produce a single-valued load-load-line displacement trace through the use of the Correspondence Principle may prove to be useful for fracture of viscoelastic materials.
Evolution of development: diversified dorsoventral patterning.

Patterning of the dorsoventral axis by graded BMP signaling is conserved in the evolution of animals. However, this system has also proven to be highly adaptable, as is now highlighted by its short-range function in the leech Helobdella.
Vocal fold elasticity in the pig, sheep, and cow larynges.

Summary Elastic characteristics of the pig, sheep, and cow vocal folds were investigated through a series of in vitro experiments. Sample strips of the vocal-fold tissue were dissected from pig, sheep, and cow vocal folds and mounted inside a saline-filled ergometer chamber that was maintained at 37°C±1°C. Sinusoidal elongation was applied on the samples to obtain the passive force measurements. Force and elongation data from the samples were recorded electronically with a dual-servo system (ergometer). Stress-Strain data were compared to characterize the interspecies differences in the elastic properties of vocal folds. Pig vocal folds exhibited the most nonlinear stress-strain relationship, indicating the presence of a high level of collagen fibers. Cow vocal folds had the highest Young's modulus, but the tissue displayed a nearly linear stress-strain profile. Previous studies of phonation in these three species have indicated that pig larynges have the highest range of phonation frequencies, making them a good candidate for animal studies. The current study provides quantitative data for the elastic properties of the oscillating laryngeal tissue in these species and indicates that nonlinear behavior of these tissues may lead to wider oscillation ranges.
An adaptive delay and synchronization control scheme for Wi-Fi based audio/video conferencing

The prevalence of the IEEE 802.11 b technology has made Wi-Fi based Audio/Video (AV) conferencing applications a viable service. However, due to the "best-effort" transport service and other unpredictable factors such as user mobility, location and background traffic, the transport channel behavior often fluctuates drastically. It thus becomes rather difficult to configure an appropriate de-jitter buffer to maintain the temporal fidelity of the AV presentation. We propose in this paper an adaptive delay and synchronization control scheme for AV conferencing applications over campus-wide WLANs. Making use of a distributed timing mechanism, the scheme monitors the synchronization errors and estimates the delay jitters among adjacent Media Data Units (MDUs) in real-time. It piece-wisely controls the equalization delay to compensate for the delay jitters experienced by MDUs in a closed-loop manner.We investigate the performance of the proposed scheme through trace-driven simulations. We collected network traces from a production campus-wide IEEE 802.11 b WLAN by emulating real conferencing sessions. Simulation results show that the scheme is capable of dynamically balancing between synchronization requirements and latency requirements in all scenarios. Small synchronization phase distortions, low MDU loss percentages and low average end-to-end delay can be achieved simultaneously. In particular, compared with solutions using a static setting, the proposed scheme is able to achieve a reduction of around 100ms in end-to-end delay with the same amount of MDU losses under some media-unfriendly situations.
The effect of temperature on energy distribution during the last-larval stadium of the female house cricket, Acheta domesticus

Abstract The distribution of energy during the last stadium of the house cricket at two temperatures was the main theme of this study. Food consumption, growth, and oxygen consumption were greater in the first half of the stadium at both 25 and 35°C. An RQ > 1 indicated the conversion of carbohydrates to lipids during the first half of the instar at both temperatures. The duration of the stadium increased from 6 days at 35°C to 14 days at 25°C. The same maximal weight, protein content and lipid content were attained at both 25 and 35°C. A weight loss (mostly in stored lipids) after the midstadium peak weight was greater at the lower temperature. The absorption efficiency and the production of metabolic wastes were not affected by temperature, but the metabolic efficiency was much higher at 35 than at 25°C during the first half as well as the latter half of the stadium. Although during the first half of the stadium more energy was ingested, absorbed, and made available for growth at 25 than at 35°C, only slightly more growth occurred at 25°C. During the last half of the stadium less energy was ingested at 25 than at 35°C, and much more growth occurred at 35°C because of the even greater heat loss at 25 than at 35°C. Therefore at a lower temperature cricket larvae eat slightly more and reach the same maximal weight as at a higher temperature, but they end up smaller because they waste more energy during the extended duration of the stadium at the lower temperature.
Information Technologies and Omnivorous News Diets over Three U.S. Presidential Elections

ABSTRACT Technology convergence and rising expectations for interactivity have had a significant impact on the news diets of U.S. voters. While television may appear to be the most important single media in this system of political communication, for a growing portion of the population, news diets are defined by combinations and permutations of secondary media. What explains the changing distribution of primary media choice and the dramatic rise in secondary media? We offer a theory of omnivorous information habits to help explain the rising number of people who make active choices to get political news and information from several media technologies, sourced from multiple news organizations, and then engage with news and information through varied interactive tools. Data from 2000, 2004, and 2008 demonstrate not just the growing importance of secondary media, but the importance of the Internet in particular. Indeed, elections have become occasions in which people make significant changes in their informa...
Mood-Altering Substances: A Behavior Inventory.

Described is a test designed to appraise the knowledge and actual practice of high school graduates concerning the use of mood-altering substances.
Significance of absent vas deferens at hernia repair in infants and children

An absent vas deferens may be associated with unilateral renal agenesis or undiagnosed cystic fibrosis. Such patients should be further evaluated with a sweat chloride and intravenous pyelogram. The finding of absent vas deferens during exploration for an undescended testis does not provide absolute evidence for absence of the testis, since these structures have independent embryologic origins.
Free Space Optical Interconnects For Microelectronics And Parallel Computing

Free space optical interconnections offer some beneficial solutions to microelectronic problems, e.g., pin-ins, pin-outs, testing, and wafer scale integrations. When applied to an array of multiprocessors for parallel computing, free space interconnects can offer 3-D interconnection topology, 2-D parallel data inputs and outputs and shared memory architectures. Furthermore, if the optical interconnections are programmable, we shall be able to incorporate several computational architectures efficient for implementing several computational algorithms in one machine. In this review, many of these potential benefits of utilizing free space optical interconnections will be described in detail and various research topics currently under investigation at UCSD will be discussed.
Analysis of stacking faults in the Hf-V-Nb cubic laves phase

It has been shown that increasing the Nb concentration within the cubic laves phase of a Hf-V-Nb alloy such that the composition is closer to a region of hexagonal laves phase stability increases the occurrence of stacking defects in the material. The stacking faults were shown to have intrinsic character by HREM analysis in contrast to alloys of lower Nb content. Although no direct measurement was made, the data are consistent with a reduced stacking fault energy of the cubic laves phase. Although a lower SFE in elemental fcc materials can increase deformation twinning, the implications for twinning in cubic laves phases (complex fcc) is unclear since intergrowths of hexagonal material may compromise polycrystalline ductility.
A non-trophic interaction chain links predators in different spatial niches.

Non-trophic interactions, driven by one species changing the behavior but not density of another species, appear to be as pervasive as those involving consumption. However, ecologists have only begun to explore non-trophic interactions in species-rich communities. We investigated interactions within a community including two predator–prey linkages separated in space: ground-active predatory beetles and their fly egg prey on the ground, and lady beetles and their aphid prey in plant foliage. In field and greenhouse experiments we found that ground-active predators preyed heavily on fly eggs except when both aphids and lady beetles were present. The aphids drop from the foliage to escape foraging lady beetles, and once on the ground apparently triggered ground-active predators to switch from attacking fly eggs to attacking aphids. This suggests that the first non-trophic interaction in the foliage, mediated by aphid antipredator behavior, in turn initiated and accentuated a second non-trophic interaction on the ground, mediated by prey-switching behavior by ground predators. Our results demonstrate that successive non-trophic interactions can be propagated along chains of more than three species, and can serve to link species that are otherwise spatially isolated.
A Multi-Objective, Multi-Criteria Approach for Evaluating IT Investments: Results from Two Case Studies

While information technology investments have the potential for providing competitive advantage, actual returns on such investments have varied widely and a majority of CEOs rank IT investments as disappointing. Numerous methods exist for investment evaluation, but traditional methods do not adequately account for the intangible benefits that characterize strategic investments and lack other features of portfolio selection. This paper describes a model based upon the analytic hierarchy process, combined with integer programming, to overcome the deficiencies associated with traditional approaches to economic evaluation of IT investments. It also presents results of two case studies in which the model was used successfully and important contextual factors were observed. The multi-objective, multi-criteria approach was found to reflect both tangible and intangible benefits, link the investment to business strategies, increase management participation in the evaluation process, and provide important features of portfolio selection.
Quasielastic neutron scattering studies of 7Li diffusion in the mixed conductor, LiAl

Abstract The diffusion of 7 Li in the intermetallic compound, LiAl, has been studied by quasielastic incoherent neutron scattering. The measurements were performed on a single crystal sample of composition, 49% 7 Li and 51% 27 Al. Since the incoherent scattering cross section of 7 Li is small, σ inc = .7 barns, only a limited number of measurements were performed as a function of momentum transfer and temperature. These measurements present the first direct determination of the tracer diffusion, D ∗ , of Li in LiAl. The value of D ∗ Li was determined to be (6±1) × 10 −6 cm 2 /sec at 800 K. This value is in reasonable agreement with the value extrapolated from low temperature NMR measurements as well as with results derived from chemical diffusivity data. The Li diffusion is a result of a very rapid diffusion of constitutional vacancies residing primarily on the Li sublattice. Approximately 5% of the sites on the Li sublattice are vacant in the present sample, Li .49 Al .51 .
Observation of chaotic behavior in an electron-hole plasma in Ge

Spontaneous current oscillations which develop chaotic behavior are reported for an electron-hole plasma in a crystal of Ge at 77 K in parallel electric and magnetic fields. The observed behavior includes a period-doubling route to chaos with increasing applied electric field, regions of broadband noise which contain noise-free periodic windows, and bifurcations from quasiperiodic states to turbulence. A rate-equation model, which includes nonlinear coupling between unstable and damped plasma density waves, is presented.
Cicatricial pemphigoid of upper digestive and respiratory tracts.

Abstract Cicatricial pemphigoid can no longer be considered a "benign" bullous disorder. The most critical lesions are those involving the larynx and esophagus. Endoscopy, biopsy, and culture are essential as early in the patient's course as possible. Surgical intervention might include tracheostomy or gastrostomy and possibly surgical rehabilitation of the airway.
Discrimination of intensity differences on format transitions in and out of syllable context

The Ss were presented pairs of stimuli, /bae/s, /ae/s, or isolated transitions from /bae/s, which differed in the initial 60 msec of the signals by 0, 7.5, or 9 dB. In the syllable context, the intensity differences were discriminated essentially at chance; in both the vowel and isolated transition conditions, the intensity differences were discriminated essentially perfectly. This outcome suggests that after the acoustic features of a stop-consonant/vowel syllable have been recorded into a phonetic representation, the acoustic information is relatively inaccessible for recall from auditory short-term memory.
A novel approach to breynolide

Abstract The viability of the key steps in our approach to the novel sesquiterpene breynolide ( 1 ) has been verified by preparation of the hydrobenzothiophene 16 . The sequence features a Diels-Alder reaction of 10 with 7 to lead eventually to 13 ; subsequent dipolar cycloaddition of 13 with a functionalized nitrile oxide gave 16 .
Potential rescue, survival and differentiation of cancer stem cells and primary non-transformed stem cells by monocyte-induced split anergy in natural killer cells

Cytotoxic function of NK cells is largely suppressed in the tumor microenvironment by a number of distinct effectors and their secreted factors. The aims of this review are to provide a rationale and a potential mechanism for immunosuppression in cancer and to demonstrate the significance of such immunosuppression in cellular differentiation and progression of cancer. We have recently shown that NK cells mediate significant cytotoxicity against primary oral squamous carcinoma stem cells (OSCSCs) as compared to their more differentiated oral squamous carcinoma cells. In addition, human embryonic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells were all significantly more susceptible to NK-cell-mediated cytotoxicity than their differentiated counterparts or parental cells from which they were derived. We have also reported that inhibition of differentiation or reversion of cells to a less-differentiated phenotype by blocking NFκB significantly augmented NK-cell function. Total population of monocytes and those depleted of CD16+ subsets were able to substantially suppress NK-cell-mediated lysis of OSCSCs, hMSCs and hDPSCs. Overall, our results suggest that stem cells but not their differentiated counterparts are significant targets of the NK-cell cytotoxicity. The concept of split anergy in NK cells and its contribution to cell differentiation, tissue repair and regeneration and in tumor resistance and progression will be discussed in this review.
Sedimentation coefficient of polyoma virus DNA

The sedimentation coefficient of the twisted circular form of polyoma virus DNA is calculated from the Kirkwood sedimentation–diffusion equation, the structure being assumed to be a rigid double superhelix. Agreement with the experimental sedimentation coefficient can be obtained, with the use of an experimental value for the number of superhelical turns, when the pitch of the superhelix is intermediate between its minimal and maximal possible values. Another model, which has been proposed for polyoma DNA at low ionic strengths, may be visualized as a superhelical structure wound about a torus. Calculations of sedimentation coefficients for this model agree qualitatively with experimental data at ionic strengths Below 10−2M.
An ab initio study of VC: a comparison of different levels of theory including density functional methods

Abstract A comparison is made of various ab initio methods, including density functional methods for the 2 Δ and 2 Σ states of VC. The calculations confirm that the ground state of VC is the 2 Δ state. A 2 Π state is not well described by a single configuration. The bond length in the 2 Δ state is 1.65 A, the dissociation energy 2.9 eV, and the harmonic vibrational frequency is about 733 cm −1 . The B3LYP predictions are good, but not as good as found for TiC and CrC.
The electron localization function description of aromaticity in five-membered rings

Abstract The electron localization function (ELF) has been calculated at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p)//MP2/6-31+G(d,p) level for a series of substituted five-membered cyclopentadienyl systems. While the behavior of the ELF data for the formally double CC bond is somewhat chaotic, that of the formally single C–C bond shows a strong and smooth correlation with resonance energies, E ( H ), calculated at the BLYP/6-311G(d,p)//BLYP/6-31G(d) level in the homomolecular homodesmotic approach. When appropriately scaled, the functional behavior of the C–C bond basin populations and pair numbers follow very closely that found empirically for the reduced vapor density of real liquid–vapor coexistence curves.
Degradation of DDT by resistant and susceptible Strains of House Flies.

It has been demonstrated by Sternburg et al , (1950) and Perry and Hoskins (1950) that certain strains of DDT-resistant house flies have an abnormal facility to degrade DDT to its non-toxic metabolite DDE (1, 1-dichloro-2, 2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethylene). The difference between susceptible and resistant strains is so great in this respect that it would seem to be a major factor in the explanation of the nature of DDT-resistance. It seemed that further studies on the metabolism of DDT by the two strains of flies might lead to a clarification of the significance of DDT-degradation in relation to the acquisition of DDT-resistance and at the same time contribute much needed information on the mode of action of DDT. The previous work indicated the need for information concerning the site or sites at which DDT is degraded in resistant flies. It also seemed desirable to extend the studies on DDT metabolism to stages other than the adult.
Biotin synthase: Insights into radical-mediated carbon–sulfur bond formation

Abstract The enzyme cofactor and essential vitamin biotin is biosynthesized in bacteria, fungi, and plants through a pathway that culminates with the addition of a sulfur atom to generate the five-membered thiophane ring. The immediate precursor, dethiobiotin, has methylene and methyl groups at the C6 and C9 positions, respectively, and formation of a thioether bridging these carbon atoms requires cleavage of unactivated C H bonds. Biotin synthase is an S-adenosyl- l -methionine (SAM or AdoMet) radical enzyme that catalyzes reduction of the AdoMet sulfonium to produce 5′-deoxyadenosyl radicals, high-energy carbon radicals that can directly abstract hydrogen atoms from dethiobiotin. The available experimental and structural data suggest that a [2Fe–2S]2 + cluster bound deep within biotin synthase provides a sulfur atom that is added to dethiobiotin in a stepwise reaction, first at the C9 position to generate 9-mercaptodethiobiotin, and then at the C6 position to close the thiophane ring. The formation of sulfur-containing biomolecules through a radical reaction involving an iron–sulfur cluster is an unprecedented reaction in biochemistry; however, recent enzyme discoveries suggest that radical sulfur insertion reactions may be a distinct subgroup within the burgeoning Radical SAM superfamily. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Radical SAM enzymes and Radical Enzymology.
Heat inactivation of native plasminogen activators in bovine milk

Inactivation of plasminogen activators appeared tO follow first-order kinetics in the temperature range tested. The Arrhenius plot was linear (correlation coefficient 0.990). The Arrhenius equation for heat inactivation was deduced, from which the rate of inactivation at any temperature in the range 60-140 degrees C could be calculated. The decimal reduction time (D-value) was 109 min at 70 degrees C and 32 sec at 140 degrees C. This indicated that native plasminogen activators in bovine milk are not affected by pasteurization, and to a large extent are not inactivated by UHT dairy processing conditions.
Reinforcing efficiency of nanoparticles: A simple comparison for polymer nanocomposites

The mechanical reinforcing efficiencies of two types of nanoparticles, nanotube and nanoplatelet, are compared from a micro-mechanics perspective. Additionally, the interphase zone created by altered dynamics of host polymer molecules in the vicinity of the nanoparticles is addressed. The results indicate that nanotubes generally have superior mechanical reinforcement potential beyond that of nanoplatelets for aligned orientations, while the high in-plane isotropic modulus of nanoplatelets allows better reinforcing in random orientations. However, at the same volume fraction, under the assumption of identical degree of dispersion and extent of influence on the surrounding polymer molecules, the nanotubes generate a significantly larger amount of interphase than the nanoplatelets. The interphase effects can then overwhelm the basic nanoparticle influence and lead to higher stiffnesses for all configurations of nanotube composites. These simple yet insightful comparisons may provide guidance in the design of nanocomposites.
Effect of Alterations in Prose Style on the Readability of College Texts.

AbstractThe effects of altering prose style on the readability of college textbook material were examined. Two 1000-word science passages were rewritten to create seven stylistically "simpler" versions—by substituting frequently occurring for infrequently occurring nontechnical vocabulary, by shortening the average sentence length, by restructuring sentences, and by combining these factors. High school seniors read the passages, each passage altered by one of the above methods. Their responses to the text were assessed by five measures of text difficulty. Readability, as measured in this study, was unaffected by the alterations. Consideration of patterns of scores suggests that readability may be changed only when significant sources of difficulty, such as concept familiarity, are addressed. Perhaps, then, because the essential content was unchanged in the present adaptations, the readability was unaffected.
Systemic and coronary hemodynamic effects of combined intravenous diltiazem and nitroglycerin administration.

Abstract This study evaluated left ventricular (LV) and coronary hemodynamic effects of intravenous nitroglycerin (NTG) in the presence of an intravenous infusion of diltiazem in 15 patients with severe coronary disease. Diltiazem (250 μg/kg bolus followed by 1.4 μg/kg/min infusion) alone decreased mean systemic blood pressure (mean 6%) without changing heart rate or LV end-diastolic pressure. The rate of rise in LV pressure declined slightly (4%), and peripheral resistance decreased (19%). Coronary sinus (CS) and great cardiac vein (GCV) flows were preserved. Addition of NTG (average, 68 μg/min) decreased systemic pressure further (7%) as LV end-diastolic pressure declined (5 mm Hg). These pressure changes were accompanied by a 10% increase in heart rate (compared with the heart rate found with diitlazem alone). Peripheral resistance was similar to values after diitiazem alone. The CS and GCV flows did not decrease. The sequence of intravenous drug administration was reversed in three other patients with combination therapy, producing similar effects, regardiess of which drug was administered first. Hemodynamic effects of intravenous diitiazem alone and its combination with intravenous NTG seemed potentially favorable for patients with ischemic heart disease.
Defining climate's role in ecosystem evolution: Clues from late quaternary mammals

Mammalian communities alter their taxonomic composition through time as the species composing them change their biogeographic range, become extinct, or evolve into new species. When taxonomic compositions change through these processes, inevitably the links between taxa and communities change too, resulting in evolution from one ecosystem into the next. Late Quaternary examples suggest that on a timescale encompassing a few thousand to a few hundred thousand years (the “multi‐millennial timescale"), climatic change is perhaps the most important driver of ecosystem evolution because it periodically forces biogeographic changes and extinction. Climatic change over this timescale, which essentially slips between “geological time”; and “ecological time”;, is not very closely in phase with population‐level evolution of a species analyzed for this study, the meadow vole Microtus pennsylvanicus; therefore climatic oscillations on the multi‐millennial timescale may not stimulate speciation much. Instead, speciati...
Large chorioangioma: antenatal color-flow Doppler ultrasonic imaging and its correlation with postpartum pathology. Experience of two cases

Objective. To elucidate whether there is a distention of the symphysis pubis intra partum and whether a history of pelvic pain during pregnancy is associated with increased distention during delivery.Methods. Using ultrasonography, the width of the symphysis pubis was measured on two occasions during delivery; firstly, upon engagement of the fetal head in the pelvic inlet, secondly, when the largest diameter of the fetal head was at the level of the ischiadic spines. The first measurement was conducted in 24 patients, the second measurement was obtained in 16 of these patients.Results. The average width of the symphysis pubis at onset of labor was 5.8 mm. The average distention of the symphysis during labor was 1.1 mm for those without pelvic pain and 0.2 mm for those with a history of pelvic pain during pregnancy (p=0.02). Parity and ensuing birth weight had no statistically significant influence on degree of distention.Conclusion. The symphyseal distention during labor is minimal regardless of parity an...
Comparative sulfite metabolism in the rat, rabbit, and rhesus monkey.

Abstract The clearance of injected sulfite, which is due principally to its metabolism to sulfate, was measured in rats, rabbits, and rhesus monkeys for the purpose of estimating the in vivo function of sulfite oxidase. The order of clearance was rat > rabbit > rhesus monkey, and the relative rates were 1.00:0.34:0.20. If it is assumed that man clears sulfite similarly to the rhesus monkey, it would appear that the rat is not a good model for prediction of human toxicity. In vitro measurements of the sulfite oxidase activity of the major metabolizing tissues of these three species produced a change in the above rank order to rat > rhesus monkey > rabbit, with relative magnitudes of 1.00:0.12:0.05, respectively. The transposing of the relative order of the rabbit and rhesus monkey with respect to in vitro enzyme activity as compared with in vivo function demonstrates that factors other than the absolute amount of sulfite oxidase play a significant role in the functioning of the enzyme.
African American Women’s Readiness to Change Abusive Relationships

This study explores 178 low-income, abused African American women’s readiness to change abusive relationships and achieve safety. We explore stages of change using Prochaska and DiClemente’s transtheoretical model (TM; Precontemplation, Contemplation, Action, Preparation, and Maintenance). Results reveal that: for abused women, the stages fall along a continuum (versus discreet and linear stages); abused women are primarily in the Contemplation stage; and multiple factors (perception of current abuse, number of children in her home, symptoms of general anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], substance use, spiritual well-being, self-esteem, and social support) affect women’s total readiness to change intimate partner violence (IPV). Current IPV, anxiety, PTSD, substance abuse, and spirituality were positively correlated with readiness to change, and children in the home and self-esteem were negatively correlated with readiness to change. Multiple regression analysis revealed that PTSD and spiritual well-being are positive predictors of readiness to change. Findings contribute to the growing body of literature supporting the TM as applied to IPV. Results are discussed in terms of applicability to interventionists, policy makers, and community leaders as they consider the plight of abused women and their efforts towards violence-free relationships.
Marginal Deformations of N=4 SYM and Non-Commutative Moduli Spaces of Vacua

We review recent work on the application of the non-commutative geometric framework to an interpretation of the moduli space of vacua of marginal deformations of N = 4 super Yang-Mills theories. At rational values of couplings, different regions of moduli space may be associated with D5-branes of various topologies, and orbifold dual descriptions exist which may be accessed by T-duality. Singularities in the moduli space are associated with topology change.
A dinitrosyl iron complex as a platform for metal-bound imidazole to N-heterocyclic carbene conversion.

An N-alkyl imidazole bearing a neutral {Fe(NO)2}10 dinitrosyliron complex (DNIC) when treated with sodium t-butoxide undergoes base-promoted conversion to the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)–DNIC, while maintaining the Fe(NO)2 unit intact. Subsequent alkylation led to the isolation of the NHC–DNIC product; further nitrosylation led to trinitrosyl (NHC)Fe(NO)3+. Both were isolated and structurally characterized.
Inhibition of Caspases Inhibits the Release of Apoptotic Bodies: Bcl-2 Inhibits the Initiation of Formation of Apoptotic Bodies in Chemotherapeutic Agent-induced Apoptosis

During apoptosis, the cell actively dismantles itself and reduces cell size by the formation and pinching off of portions of cytoplasm and nucleus as “apoptotic bodies.” We have combined our previously established quantitative assay relating the amount of release of [3H]-membrane lipid to the degree of apoptosis with electron microscopy (EM) at a series of timepoints to study apoptosis of lymphoid cells exposed to vincristine or etoposide. We find that the [3H]-membrane lipid release assay correlates well with EM studies showing the formation and release of apoptotic bodies and cell death, and both processes are regulated in parallel by inducers or inhibitors of apoptosis. Overexpression of Bcl-2 or inhibition of caspases by DEVD inhibited equally well the activation of caspases as indicated by PARP cleavage. They also inhibited [3H]-membrane lipid release and release of apoptotic bodies. EM showed that cells overexpressing Bcl-2 displayed near-normal morphology and viability in response to vincristine or etoposide. In contrast, DEVD did not prevent cell death. Although DEVD inhibited the chromatin condensation, PARP cleavage, release of apoptotic bodies, and release of labeled lipid, DEVD-treated cells showed accumulation of heterogeneous vesicles trapped in the condensed cytoplasm. These results suggest that inhibition of caspases arrested the maturation and release of apoptotic bodies. Our results also imply that Bcl-2 regulates processes in addition to caspase activation.
Electron Microscopy of Sintered Beryllia

Porosity, etching characteristics, and general microstructural features of extruded and sintered beryllium oxide were studied by electron microscope observation of surface replicas. Both pore structures and etching characteristics were shown to be related to the hemimorphic hexagonal crystal structure of BeO. A form of twinning possible only in hemimorphic systems was also observed.
Trainer self-loathing?

In this article, I address the often lingering and multifaceted issues of trainer accountability, specifically, transfer of training. The significance of transfer came to light for me recently during my research in progress with certified diabetes educators. Because certified diabetes educators lack performance appraisal systems that memorialize their training effectiveness vis-a-vis diabetes education to the patient, undocumented feckless transfer of training here may not only equate to inefficiencies within the clinic but also may be linked to poor health outcomes and shorter life spans for the trainee-patient.
Plasma modeling and first wall interaction phenomena in Tokamaks

Abstract Fluxes of neutral hydrogenic particles, alpha particles and electromagnetic radiation to the liner or first wall of both two component tokamaks and large ignited tokamak fusion reactors are estimated using space and time dependent models of tokamak plasmas. Data requirements and the effects of uncertainties in the areas of first wall interaction phenomenon and plasma transport coefficients are described.
Second order longitudinal dynamic models with covariates: estimation and forecasting

In this paper, we propose an extension to the first-order branching process with immigration in the presence of fixed covariates and unobservable random effects. The extension permits the possibility that individuals from the second generation of the process may contribute to the total number of offsprings at time $$t$$ by producing offsprings of their own. We will study the basic properties of the second order process and discuss a generalized quasilikelihood (GQL) estimation of the mean and variance parameters and the generalized method of moments estimation of the correlation parameters. We will discuss the asymptotic distribution of the GQL estimator by first deriving the influence curve of the estimator. For the fixed effects model we shall derive a forecasting function and the variance of the forecast error. The performance of the proposed estimators and forecasts will be examined through a simulation study.
Air pollutant emissions from the development, production, and processing of Marcellus Shale natural gas

The Marcellus Shale is one of the largest natural gas reserves in the United States; it has recently been the focus of intense drilling and leasing activity. This paper describes an air emissions inventory for the development, production, and processing of natural gas in the Marcellus Shale region for 2009 and 2020. It includes estimates of the emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and primary fine particulate matter (≤2.5 µm aerodynamic diameter; PM2.5) from major activities such as drilling, hydraulic fracturing, compressor stations, and completion venting. The inventory is constructed using a process-level approach; a Monte Carlo analysis is used to explicitly account for the uncertainty. Emissions were estimated for 2009 and projected to 2020, accounting for the effects of existing and potential additional regulations. In 2020, Marcellus activities are predicted to contribute 6–18% (95% confidence interval) of the NOx emissions in the Marcellus region, with an avera...
Continuum Model Evaluation of the Effect of Saturation on Coalescence Filtration

Abstract Coalescing filters are widely used throughout industry for removal of liquid aerosols from gases or the separation of liquid droplets from emulsions. Typical filters are constructed of non-woven fibers. Fibrous filters are capable of efficient removal of micron and submicron sized droplets and particles. The filtration process is highly complex due to variability in fiber sizes, particle sizes, mixtures of particles and droplets, mixture of types of droplets (oil, water, etc.), and effects of viscosity, surface tension, and chemical reactions between components or with the filter fibers. Prediction of filter performance under such complex conditions is difficult. Performance of a filter depends on many factors like particle and fiber sizes, flow rate, surface properties of the fibers etc. One of those parameters is the saturation of the filter medium. Saturation is a measure of the amount of liquid present in the void space. Prior models assume that the saturation is uniform along the depth of th...
Sediment toxicity in Savannah Harbor

Savannah Harbor, located near the mouth of the Savannah River, Georgia and South Carolina, is impacted by industrial and municipal effluents. Potential release of contaminants stored in harbor sediments through dredging and shipping operations requires that contaminated areas be identified for proper management of the system and protection of wildlife resources. During 1991, Hyalella azteca were exposed in 10-d static-renewal toxicity tests to pore-water and solid-phase sediment samples collected from 26 sites within Savannah Harbor. Pore-water toxicity was more pronounced than that for solidphase sediment. Toxicity and reduced leaf consumption demonstrated impaired sediment quality at specific sites within Savannah Harbor and Back River. Factors responsible for the decreased sediment quality were ammonia, alkalinity, and metal concentrations (cadmium, chromium, lead, molybdenum, and nickel). Elevated concentrations of metals and toxicities in Back River sediments indicated impacts from adjacent dredge-spoil areas.
Expression of Streptomyces sp. cholesterol oxidase in Lactobacillus casei

Three strains of Lactobacillus casei were electrotransformed with pNCO937, an 8.1-kb recombinant plasmid carrier of a Streptomyces sp. cholesterol oxidase gene. Transformation frequency was generally low and strain-dependent, ranging from 6 to 40 transformants/μg DNA. L. casei transformants stably maintained pNCO937 with no indication of deletion mutational events. Transformants produced active cholesterol oxidase and sonicated cells formed 4-cholesten-3-one from both free and lipoprotein-bound cholesterol. L. casei shows promise as a host suitable for studying heterologous gene expression in lactobacilli.
Contributions of L. H. Gray to radiation physics, biology, and oncology.

The Gray is the unit of radiation absorbed dose and is named after Louis Harold Gray (Fig. 1). At the time of this Gray Lecture, which is sponsored jointly by the International Commission on Radiologic Units and the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, recognition of the several important contributions of L. H. Gray to our discipline is warranted. L. H. Gray (1905–1965) was a man quite remarkable for his creativity, productivity, and ability to spot and nurture extraordinary talent and to lead a large and remarkably productive group at several institutions. Loutitt and Scott provide a more detailed assessment of the career of Hal Gray in “Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society” (1). Harold Gray was the only child of a financially disadvantaged family. However, young Harold performed at an exceptional level and advanced on scholarships to Trinity College, Cambridge and then to the Cavendish Laboratory. He worked there from 1928 to 1933. Officially, his advisor was James Chadwick, who, among other things, demonstrated the existence of the neutron in 1932. He worked around and with Rutherford, Thompson, Wilson, Blackett, Chadwick, Ellis, and other superstars. Gray’s research led to an understanding of ionization by photons. This was followed by the theory of ionization chambers and their demonstrated practicality. Because of his modesty, the Bragg Gray theory carried his advisor’s name first. According to information provided to me, the concepts and work were primarily those of Gray. The time at the Cavendish was productive, as evidenced by the publication of five papers in the Proceedings of the Royal Society, the present day equivalent of having five papers in “Nature.” Gray, to our advantage, decided to direct his career to the application of physics to medicine and to discerning the mechanisms of the radiation effects on biologic material. He moved to the Mount Vernon Hospital (1933–1946) and performed experiments with Read, Spear, and Mottram based on the growing root tip of Vicia faba or broad bean root. They determined the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) for neutrons and demonstrated that the RBE increased as the dose decreased (2, 3). Gray used his own unit of radiation dose, which was based on absorbed energy. This was almost