cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Niche syndromes reveal climate-driven extinction threat to island endemic conifers

Anthropogenic climate change is predicted to cause many extinctions worldwide1. Although species endemic to islands or archipelagos have high conservation value and are vulnerable to human impacts2,3, there has been no global analysis of climate-driven extinction risk focused on island endemics. Here, we use conifers as a model system to assess extinction risk among island endemics under climate projections for 2070. We employ the emerging technique of combining native and non-native occurrence data to model climatic conditions under which each species can sustain a population4–7 and also incorporate horticultural data to model the broader range of conditions that allow short-term survival. Our projections indicate that some species will retain suitable climatic conditions, some will experience conditions completely precluding survival and others will experience intermediate-risk conditions that lead to population decline and eventual extinction. Based on different climate change models, we report island size thresholds of 400 to 20,000 km2, below which extinction risks increase. These patterns are driven by correlations among island area and the breadth of species’ realized, fundamental and tolerance niches. Notably, realized and fundamental niche breadth are positively correlated. Our results highlight management interventions needed to protect species from climate-driven extinction across islands of different sizes. Island species are at risk as the climate changes. Island conifers are used as a model species and a combination of native and non-native occurrence data allows identification of realized, tolerable and fundamental niches; linking to island size provides an estimate of extinction risk.
Geothermal and solar based mutligenerational system: A comparative analysis

Abstract The current study focuses on the comparative analyses of multigeneration systems integrated with an electrolyzer for the production of hydrogen, for work rate a regenerative Rankine Cycle and finally for the cooling effect vapor absorption cycle was used. The power produced by both proposed systems was observed to yield some difference based on their positioning in the system and similarly, the rate of hydrogen production from the electrolyzer was also observed. Energetic and exergetic analyses of both the systems are done including all the concerned components. Certain parameters are varied to observe the overall changes in the system along with their effect on the overall efficiencies. A comparative analysis between the two proposed systems was carried out in the present study and eventually providing an efficient system, adding up to the novelty of this publication. At the similar ambient working conditions one of the systems was observed to yield an approximately 0.45% power efficiency difference but when the working parameters were varied, the difference was observed to be abrupt. The electrolyzer has a generation rate of 0.296 g/s and 0.2648 g/s respectively for both systems at base working conditions. At 800 W/m2 of solar irradiance, the Rankine-Trough-Vapour (RTV) cycle produced 11.77% more net power as compared with Vapour-Trough-Rankine (VTR) cycle. Hydrogen production is considered to be one of the most valuable asset of this analysis because of its immense use in multiple processes. Furthermore, this study suggests the most efficient system for different atmospheric conditions.
Cannabidiol (CBD) in the Therapeutics Industry

Use of Cannabidiol (CBD) in the therapeutics industry has become increasingly popular in the last few years. CBD rode into public consciousness on the coattails of three booming consumer trends: the herbal supplement industry, the anxiety economy, and the growing legitimate cannabis industry. However, many uncertainties remain about the legality, safety, and quality of CBD. The passage of the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp production throughout the US, thereby removing hemp-derived CBD from Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-regulation. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) still stakes a claim on regulating dietary supplements and food additives containing CBD. The sudden legality of CBD, coupled with uncertainty as to its safety, quality, and effectiveness, means it is imperative for states to support research and impose sufficient regulatory oversight over CBD-infused products.
Previous Reliance on Tax Form May Require Amending Returns

For the 2018 tax year, colleges will now be required to use the payments received method (Box 1) to report qualified higher education expenses paid by taxpayers on Form 1098-T, which is both furnished to the IRS and relied on by taxpayers when claiming education tax deductions and credits such as the deduction for qualified tuition and expenses, also known as the Tuition and Fees Deduction; the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit. While Form 1098-T provides relevant information, taxpayers and tax return preparers who have relied on Form 1098-T to claim these tax incentives in prior years may have underreported or overreported the payment of qualifying higher education expenses and limited their ability to claim a tax deduction or credit for qualifying higher education expenses incurred in the spring semester of the student’s senior academic year because of the popular use of the amounts billed method (Box 2) by most colleges and universities. This article confirms that those who may have relied on Form 1098-T to claim education tax deductions and credits may need to file amended tax returns using Form 1040X to claim additional education tax deductions and credits to which they were entitled.
Fasting-Evoked En Route Hypoglycemia in Diabetes (FEEHD): From Guidelines to Clinical Practice

Background Lipid profiles have been used for the purposes of health screening and monitoring of the effects of lipid-lowering medications, especially in patients with diabetes who are prone to hyperlipidemia. Fasting for lipid profiles has been the norm for the past decades. This long-lasting tradition poses a risk of hypoglycemia, especially in patients with diabetes. Objective Our aim is to review the overlooked occurrence of hypoglycemia in patients who fast for laboratory tests, especially lipid profile tests, and commute to the laboratory facility while fasting; a condition we titled "Fasting-Evoked En route Hypoglycemia in Diabetes patients" or "FEEHD". We also review its prevalence and clinical impact on patients with diabetes. Methods We undertook an extensive literature search using search engines such as PubMed and Google Scholar. We used the following keywords for the search: Fasting, Non-fasting; Hypoglycemia; Hypoglycemic Agents; Laboratory Tests; Glucose, Hypoglycemia, Lipid Profiles, FEEHD. Results Our literature review has shown that the prevalence of FEEHD is alarmingly high (17-21% of patients at risk). This form of hypoglycemia is under recognized in the clinical practice despite its frequent occurrence. Recent changes in various international guidelines have uniformly endorsed the utilization of non-fasting lipid profiles as the new standard for obtaining lipid profiles with the exception of certain conditions. Multiple studies showed the efficacy of non-fasting lipid tests in comparison to fasting lipid tests, in routine clinical practice. Conclusion We hope to increase awareness among clinicians about this overlooked and potentially harmful form of hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes, which can be easily avoided. We also hope to call upon clinicians to consider changing the habit of ordering lipid profiles in the fasting state, which has been recently shown to be largely unnecessary in routine clinical settings, with few exceptions in selected cases.
Toward a 21st Century Socialization Model of Higher Education’s Impact on Students

In this chapter, we reflect on selected applications of Weidman’s three major frameworks for understanding student socialization in higher education and more recent iterations of that work as well as chapters in the present book to build a more comprehensive and inclusive model of student socialization in higher education for future application in research and institutional policy. We move away from the predominantly structural-functional foundation of the original models, incorporating perspectives that acknowledge human agency, namely, the capacity of individuals to modify influences by reshaping social structures within normative contexts. We conclude with discussing the importance of using conceptually rich and methodologically appropriate approaches to understandings of the complex passage through higher education and into early career.
Single-cell Characterization of Acute Myeloid Leukemia and its Microenvironment Following PD-1 Blockade Based Therapy

Abstract Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and effector cells of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy co-reside in a complex bone marrow (BM) milieu. The interplay of tumor intrinsic and microenvironment (TME) mechanisms that influences the response to ICB-based therapies in AML have not been elucidated. Here we report our analyses of single cell RNA profiling of more than 127,000 BM cells from healthy donors and relapsed/refractory (R/R) AML patients at pre/post treatment with azacitidine/nivolumab, paired with single cell T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire profiles, to uncover factors impacting response and resistance. Loss of chromosome 7/7q conferred an immunosuppressive TME and was associated with resistance to ICB-based therapy in R/R AML. Our trajectory analysis revealed a continuum of CD8+ T cell phenotypes, characterized by differential expression of granzyme B (GZMB) and GZMK. GZMK expression defined a BM residing memory CD8+ T cell subset with stem-like properties likely an intermediary between naive and cytotoxic lymphocytes. Responses to ICB-based therapy were primarily driven by novel and expanded T cell clonotypes. Our findings support an adaptable T cell plasticity in response to PD-1 blockade in AML. Disentangling AML cells from their complex, immune-rich microenvironment revealed characteristics that shaped resistance to ICB-based therapy and could inform strategies to target AML vulnerabilities. Significance Determining the cellular and molecular underpinnings of response and resistance to PD-1 blockade based therapy in AML can guide immune-based therapeutic strategies. Our results reveal AML intrinsic characteristics (chromosome 7/7q status and oxidative stressors) and tumor microenvironment to modulate responses to checkpoint blockers. CD8 cells exist in the bone marrow in a continuum with GZMK expression defining a memory, stem-like T cell population that could play a role in response to therapy.
Effects of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expansion on the Distribution of New General Internists Across States.

Background Some states expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, boosting their low-income residents' demand for health care, while other states opted not to expand. Objective The objective of this study was to determine whether the Medicaid expansion influenced the states selected by physicians just completing graduate medical education for establishing their first practices. Research design Using 2009-2019 data from the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile and information on states' Medicaid expansion status, we estimated conditional logit models to compare where new physicians located during the 6 years following implementation of the expansion to where they located during the 5 years preceding implementation. Subjects The sample consisted of 160,842 physicians in 8 specialty groups. Results Thirty-three states and the District of Columbia expanded Medicaid by the end of the study period. Compared with preexpansion patterns, we found that physicians in one specialty group-general internal medicine-were increasingly likely to locate in expansion states with time after the expansion. The Medicaid expansion influenced the practice location choices of men and international medical graduates in general internal medicine; women and United States medical graduates did not alter their preexpansion location patterns. Simulations estimated that, between 2014 and 2019, nonexpansion states lost 310 general internists (95% confidence interval, 156-464) to expansion states. Conclusions The Medicaid expansion influenced the practice location choices of new general internists. States that opted not to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act lost general internists to expansion states, potentially affecting access to care for all their residents irrespective of insurance coverage.
Pleurothyrium amissum (Lauraceae), a New Endemic Tree from the Talamanca Montane Forest in Costa Rica

Pleurothyrium amissum P. Juarez & J. F. Morales (Lauraceae), a new species endemic to the highland oak forests of the Costa Rican Talamanca range, is described and illustrated. Pleurothyrium amissum and P. pauciflorum van der Werff & Hammel have similar floral morphology but differ by their height, leaf size, inflorescence size, number of flowers per inflorescence, flower color, and habitat. Photographs, a distribution map, and a key to the species of Pleurothyrium Nees in Costa Rica are presented.
Evaluation of In-Office MRI/US Fusion Transperineal Prostate Biopsy via Free-hand Device during Routine Clinical Practice.

Abstract Objectives To describe our recent experience with in-office transperineal prostate biopsy, including the adoption of software-assisted MRI/US fusion technology. Technological improvements have recently allowed transperineal biopsy to be effectively integrated into outpatient practices with negligible risk of infection. Methods We retrospectively reviewed a cohort of men undergoing transperineal prostate biopsy from 2018-2020, at a single institution. We compared this to another cohort of men undergoing transrectal fusion biopsy from 2014-2018, matched to the first cohort based on age, PSA, and presence of prostate cancer diagnosis prior to biopsy. All patients underwent systematic transperineal templated biopsies in addition to fusion biopsies of MRI-visible lesions. Baseline characteristics, MRI findings, biopsy results, and complications were analyzed and compared between the 2 groups. Results One-hundred and thirty men underwent transperineal prostate biopsy, and 130 men underwent transrectal fusion biopsy. Of those who underwent transperineal biopsy, 30% underwent fusion biopsy while all men with the transrectal biopsy underwent fusion biopsy. Men who underwent transperineal vs transrectal biopsy demonstrated lower infection rates (0% vs 0.8%, P = .31) with fewer prophylactic antibiotics prescribed at provider's discretion (48% vs 100%), yet higher total post-biopsy complication rates (6.1% vs 0.8%, P = .036). Conclusion Our initial experiences with transperineal prostate biopsy confirm prior findings demonstrating feasibility in outpatient urologic practice without infectious complication. Software-assisted MRI/US fusion technology can be successfully integrated with transperineal biopsies to target suspicious lesions. Higher rates of non–infectious complications were observed compared with transrectal biopsy. Further analysis is needed to determine whether risk profiles improve over the learning curve of this newly implemented approach.
Concerns and recommendations for using Amazon MTurk for eating disorder research

OBJECTIVE Our original aim was to validate and norm common eating disorder (ED) symptom measures in a large, representative community sample of transgender adults in the United States. We recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk), a popular online recruitment and data collection platform both within and outside of the ED field. We present an overview of our experience using MTurk. METHOD Recruitment began in Spring 2020; our original target N was 2,250 transgender adults stratified evenly across the United States. Measures included a demographics questionnaire, the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire, and the Eating Attitudes Test-26. Consistent with current literature recommendations, we implemented a comprehensive set of attention and validity measures to reduce and identify bot responding, data farming, and participant misrepresentation. RESULTS Recommended validity and attention checks failed to identify the majority of likely invalid responses. Our collection of two similar ED measures, thorough weight history assessment, and gender identity experiences allowed us to examine response concordance and identify impossible and improbable responses, which revealed glaring discrepancies and invalid data. Furthermore, qualitative data (e.g., emails received from MTurk workers) raised concerns about economic conditions facing MTurk workers that could compel misrepresentation. DISCUSSION Our results strongly suggest most of our data were invalid, and call into question results of recently published MTurk studies. We assert that caution and rigor must be applied when using MTurk as a recruitment tool for ED research, and offer several suggestions for ED researchers to mitigate and identify invalid data.
Phenomenological Theories of Superconductivity

In the previous lecture you became acquainted with some of the facts and history of superconductivity. We will now begin a somewhat intensive study of these facts and the theories that have successfully explained them.
STARI: A Case Study in Compositional and Hierarchical Timing Verification

In [TAKB96], we investigated techniques for checking if one real-time system correctly implements another and developed theory for hierarchical proofs and assume-guarantee style reasoning. In this study, using the techniques of [TAKB96], we verify the correctness of the timing of the communication chip STARI.
A Review of “Sojourning for Freedom: Black Women, American Communism, and the Making of Black Left Feminism”

It is right that I a woman/Black, should speak of white womanhood, My fathers,/My brothers,/My husbands, my sons/Die for it—because of it./Their blood chilled in electric chairs,/Stopped by hangman...
Strategies for spatially separating photoactive molecules in mesosfructured sol-gel silicate films

Abstract Three strategies for placing molecules in designated regions of mesostructured thin films made by the sol-gel dip-coating technique are demonstrated. These strategies all involve one-step syntheses where all of the components are present in the sol from which the substrate is pulled. Silicate films templated by ionic surfactants contain three spatially- separated regions: a silicate framework, an organic region formed by the hydrocarbon tails of the surfactants, and an intervening ionic interface formed by the charged surfactant head groups. Luminescent molecules are placed in each of these regions, and the formation is monitored spectroscopically.
Robust control of a nonlinear time-delay system (heating of living tissue)

The authors investigate the use of control theory techniques as applied to the heating of living tissue. Experiments dealing with the heating of living tissue have resulted in four completely different temperature response characteristics as a result of the application of four different constant power levels. The four response characteristics are overdamped, critically damped, underdamped, and undamped oscillations. A nonlinear, time-delay dynamic equation is presented and shown to exhibit the same type of temperature response characteristics as those in the experiments. A control strategy is then applied to the dynamic equation to inhibit the oscillatory behavior. It turns out that a proportional plus integral controller that is restricted to be nonnegative and bounded from above with antireset windup is sufficient to eliminate the oscillatory responses. >
Role of electronics and controls in steering systems

Automotive steering systems have gone through several changes over the years since its first introduction in early 1900's. The advances in electronics, controls, and electrical machines are enabling the replacement of hydraulically assisted steering to electromechanically assisted steering. These also enabled the introduction of four-wheel steering, which gives the driver much more vehicle maneuverability and safer operation. Integration of steering and other chassis functions provides improved vehicle stability under various driving conditions. This paper discusses the role of electronics in the present and future steering systems.
Cultivation of viral agents from Crohn's disease. A new sensitive system

Abstract The isolation and animal transmission of a viral agent from Crohn's disease patients stimulated studies aimed at the development of improved tissue-culture techniques. The need for an effective tissue-culture system led to a comparison of African green monkey tissue-culture cells (A.G.M.K.), human diploid lung cells (WI-38), and a new tissue-culture line—continuous rabbit ileum (C.R.I.). Homogenates prepared from ileal specimens from four Crohn's disease patients and from four control patients without inflammatory bowel disease were filtered through a 0·2 μ 'Millipore' filter. After confluence, groups of six tissue-culture flasks were inoculated with 0·3 ml of Crohn's disease or control filtrates. No cytopathic agents were isolated from A.G.M.K. tissue-culture. Cytopathic agents were isolated in WI-38 and C.R.I. tissue-cultures from each of the four Crohn's disease specimens but from none of the control specimens. A comparison of C.R.I. and WI-38 demonstrated that cytopathogenic change (C.P.E.) developed in C.R.I. earlier than in WI-38. C.P.E. was complete in a shorter period of time in C.R.I. but was irregular in WI-38. The sensitivity of WI-38 varied with the passage level and age of the monolayer. C.R.I. was found to be free of cytopathic adventitial agents upon inoculation of standard tissue-culture systems and weanling mice. Therefore C.R.I. is a sensitive and superior tissue-culture system for the cultivation of viral agents from Crohn's disease filtrates. The reproducible isolation of a viral agent from the ileum of patient's with Crohn's disease is confirmed by these studies.
Some Effects of Feeding Iodinated Casein to Dairy Cows

Summary Data have been secured on the effect of feeding 15 g. of iodinated casein daily to eleven dairy cows for varying periods of time and under various conditions. Increases in milk and butterfat production were obtained. All cows lost weight and had increased heart rates. Night-morning milk composites were obtained at 2- and 3-week intervals during the experimental period and analyzed for fat, total solids, skim milk nitrogen, casein nitrogen, non-protein nitrogen, urea and ammonia nitrogen, and vitamin C. Decreases of 30 to 63 per cent in vitamin C and of 20 to 40 per cent in urea nitrogen and a maximum decrease of 0.05 per cent (0.32 per cent protein) in the skim milk nitrogen were found. Blood samples were taken, concurrently with the milk samples and analyzed for total nitrogen, plasma nitrogen, non-protein nitrogen, urea and ammonia nitrogen, vitamin C, and per cent cells. Blood urea nitrogen decreased. The duration of response varied from 6 to 15 weeks, after which a marked drop in milk yield occurred after iodinated casein feeding was discontinued. Age and breed differences in response were noted. The limitations of iodinated casein for commercial usage are discussed.
Synchronization of potentials and response to direct current stimulation in denervated mammalian muscle.

Abstract Rabbit muscle, from the time of denervation to the 108th day after denervation, and normal, has been studied in situ with needle electrodes. The general nature of “insertion” and of “spontaneous” activity and of synchronization of fibre activity are described in detail. It is demonstrated that direct current stimulation may exaggerate or depress fibrillation activity depending upon the orientation of fibres in the electrical field. Repetitive fibre activity in the “twitch” response at make and break is shown. Curare produces no effect upon fibrillation activity and Prostigmine only a transient increment. Fibrillation probably represents repetitive response to causal damage in low threshold tissue rather than true spontaneous contraction. Low threshold rather than fibrillation per se is the significant factor in denervated muscle and direct current stimulation offers a more effective method of demonstrating it than observation of random activity. It is proposed that the definition of fibrillation activity be enlarged to include all muscle fibre contraction not excited by a neural mechanism. The relation of these studies to the significance of strength-duration curve discontinuities is discussed.
The microstructure and properties of a buried AIN layer produced by nitrogen implantation into pure aluminum

A buried aluminum nitride (AIN) layer was formed by nitrogen ion implantation into pure aluminum with doses of 10, 18 and 28 × 1017 N+ cm−2 at 200 keV. In order to analyze the profile of the implanted nitrogen in aluminum, 3.5 MeV 4He+ backscattering was used, in preference to 2.0 Mev 4He+ backscattering. A rectangular-like profile of the implanted nitrogen was obtained from the Rutherford backscattering spectra after the dose of 10 × 1017 N+ cm−2. The nitrogen to aluminum ratio at the rectangular-like profile is about 0.9–1.0. The results of X-ray diffraction and transmission electron diffraction indicated that aluminum nitride structure is essentially the hexagonal crystal. Aluminum nitride with f.c.c. structure also appeared on nitrogen implantantion into aluminum. This is a transient structure. The resistivity of AIN formed by nitrogen implantation into aluminum is about (1.4−2.0) × 1012 Ω cm.
Improving power quality by optimizing the protection of distribution systems

This paper discusses the effects of different short circuit faults on the voltage profile across the distribution system. The behavior of typical distribution feeder protection or substation protection systems is analyzed from the perspective of the definitions of voltage related power quality events. Multi-functional protective intelligent electronic devices (IED) are then considered and it is demonstrated that by using all available advanced distribution protection schemes and programmable logic functions the user can reduce the effect of short circuit faults on sensitive loads supplied from the distribution substation. Combinations of instantaneous, definite time and inverse time-delayed phase, ground and negative sequence elements will result in a significant reduction in the duration of the fault. This will lead to changes in the voltage level/time characteristics of the fault condition and reduced the probability for the costly interruption of voltage sensitive processes.
Feasibility of retrieving upper tropospheric water vapor from observations of far-infrared radiation

Since the early 1970's, infrared remote sensing of water vapor has been based exclusively on observations of mid-infrared (mid-ir) emission from the strong 6.3 micrometers vibration-rotation band. However, the outgoing longwave radiation from Earth is dominated by emission in the far-infrared (far-ir) at wavelengths greater than 15 micrometers . The source of this far-ir radiation is upper tropospheric water vapor. Furthermore, there are a growing number of novel instrument concepts that propose measuring the thermal far-ir spectrum for the purpose of radiation budget sensing and climate fingerprinting. As a result, we investigate the feasibility of retrieving upper tropospheric water vapor from nadir-viewing observations of far-ir spectral emission. We find that it is possible to retrieve upper tropospheric water vapor from measurements of the far-ir spectral radiation, and that the vertical resolution can be significantly improved by combining measurements from the far-ir and mid-ir spectrum.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Cytokinesis Formins from the Nematode Worm and Fission Yeast Differentially Mediate Actin Filament Assembly

Formins drive actin filament assembly for diverse cellular processes including motility, establishing polarity, and cell division. To investigate the mechanism of contractile ring assembly in animal cells, we directly compared the actin assembly properties of formins required for cytokinesis in the nematode worm early embryo (CYK-1) and fission yeast (Cdc12p). Like Cdc12p and most other formins, CYK-1 nucleates actin filament assembly and remains processively associated with the elongating barbed end while facilitating the addition of profilin-actin above the theoretical diffusion-limited rate. However, specific properties differ significantly between Cdc12p and CYK-1. Cdc12p efficiently nucleates filaments that in the presence of profilin elongate at approximately the same rate as control filaments without formin (∼10.0 subunits/s). CYK-1 is an inefficient nucleator but allows filaments to elongate profilin-actin 6-fold faster than Cdc12p (∼60 subunits/s). Both Cdc12p and CYK-1 bind to pre-assembled actin filaments with low nanomolar affinity, but CYK-1 dissociates 2 orders of magnitude more quickly. However, CYK-1 rapidly re-associates with free barbed ends. Cdc12p allows barbed ends to elongate in the presence of excess capping protein, whereas capping protein inhibits CYK-1-mediated actin assembly. Therefore, these evolutionarily diverse formins can drive contractile ring assembly by a generally similar mechanism, but cells with unique dimensions and physical parameters might require proteins with carefully tuned actin assembly properties.
Transgressive Hybrids as Hopeful Monsters

The origin of novelty is a critical subject for evolutionary biologists. Early geneticists speculated about the sudden appearance of new species via special macromutations, epitomized by Goldschmidt’s infamous “hopeful monster”. Although these ideas were easily dismissed by the insights of the Modern Synthesis, a lingering fascination with the possibility of sudden, dramatic change has persisted. Recent work on hybridization and gene exchange suggests an underappreciated mechanism for the sudden appearance of evolutionary novelty that is entirely consistent with the principles of modern population genetics. Genetic recombination in hybrids can produce transgressive phenotypes, “monstrous” phenotypes beyond the range of parental populations. Transgressive phenotypes can be products of epistatic interactions or additive effects of multiple recombined loci. We compare several epistatic and additive models of transgressive segregation in hybrids and find that they are special cases of a general, classic quantitative genetic model. The Dobzhansky-Muller model predicts “hopeless” monsters, sterile and inviable transgressive phenotypes. The Bateson model predicts “hopeful” monsters with fitness greater than either parental population. The complementation model predicts both. Transgressive segregation after hybridization can rapidly produce novel phenotypes by recombining multiple loci simultaneously. Admixed populations will also produce many similar recombinant phenotypes at the same time, increasing the probability that recombinant “hopeful monsters” will establish true-breeding evolutionary lineages. Recombination is not the only (or even most common) process generating evolutionary novelty, but might be the most credible mechanism for sudden appearance of new forms.
The Relationship of Loneliness and Social Support with College Freshmen's Academic Performance and Persistence:

Based on Tinto's (1993) model of academic persistence, this study investigated the relationship of loneliness, social support, and living arrangements with academic persistence decisions of 401 col...
Prevention of human PC-346C prostate cancer growth in mice by a xenogeneic tissue vaccine

Vaccination, as an approach to prostate can- cer, has largely focused on immunotherapy utilizing speciWc molecules or allogeneic cells. Such methods are limited by the focused antigenic menu presented to the immune system and by immunotolerance to antigens recognized as "self". To examine if a xenogeneic tissue vaccine could stimulate protective immunity in a human prostate cancer cell line, a vaccine was produced by glutaraldehyde Wxation of harvested PAIII prostate cancer cells tumors (GFT cell vaccine) from Lobund- Wistar rats. Immunocompetent Ncr-Foxn1 mice were vaccinated with the GFT cell vaccine four times, 7 days apart. The control animals were either not vacci- nated or vaccinated with media or glutaraldehyde-Wxed PC346C human prostate cancer cells and adjuvant. About 8 days after the Wnal boost, serum and spleens were harvested. The splenocytes were co-incubated with PC346C cells and then transplanted orthotopically into sygneneic immunodeWcient nude mice. About 10 weeks later, the prostates were weighed and sampled for histolologic examination. The spleens were har- vested from additional mice, and the splenocytes were cultured, either with or without pulsing by GFT cells, and the supernatants harvested 72 h later for cytokine analysis. Results showed that vaccination with GFT cells resulted in increased serum antibody to a PAIII cell lysate; reduced weight of the prostate/seminal vesi- cle complex and reduced incidence of prostate cancer in nude mice; increased splenocyte supernatant levels of TNF-, IL-2, IFN- and IL-12, cytokines associated with Th1 immunity; and increased splenocyte superna- tant levels of IL-4 and IL-10, cytokines associated with Th2 immunity. In summary, the results suggest that use of a xenogeneic tissue vaccine can stimulate protective immunity against human prostate cancer cells.
Myocardial protection during aortic valve replacement.

Abstract The results following aortic valve replacement (AVR) were compared in 40 patients in whom the myocardium was protected by topical hypothermic arrest or continuous coronary perfusion with sustained electrical fibrillation (Group A) and 40 similar patients in whom the hearts were also continuously perfused but were kept in the beating state (Group B). The operative mortality was not greatly different between the two groups, being 10 and 5%, respectively. The postperfusion cardiac performance was strikingly different, however. Seventeen patients (43%) in Group A required inotropic support, while this was necessary in only 1 patient (3%) in Group B. In this instance, recurrent ventricular fibrillation persisted despite attempts at reversion. These data show that the myocardium is preserved best during AVR when continuous coronary perfusion is used and the heart is maintained in the beating state.
New Pupil Masks for High-Contrast Imaging

ABSTRACT Motivated by the desire to image exosolar planets, recent work by us and others has shown that high-contrast imagingcan be achieved using specially shaped pupil masks. To date, our masks have been symmetric with respect to a cartesiancoordinate system but were not rotationally invariant, thus requiring that one take multiple images at different angles ofrotation about the central point in order to obtain high-contrast in all directions. In this talk, we present two new classes ofmasks that have rotational symmetry and provide high-contrast in all directions with just one image. These masks providethe required 10 10 level of contrast to within 4 of the central point. They are also well-suited for use on ground-basedtelescopes, and perhaps NGST as well, since they can accommodate central obstructions and associated support spiders. 1. APODIZATION The purpose of this paper is to present and compare new pupil plane masks for high-contrast imaging in the context ofdesigning the Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) space telescope. Since pupil plane masks can be viewed mathematicallya special case of apodized pupils, we begin by developing some notation and concepts in the general context of pupilapodization.The image-plane electric Þeld ( ) produced by an on-axis point source and an apodized aperture deÞned by acircularly-symmetric apodization function ( ) is itself circularly symmetric and is given by ( )=
The form of the spectral functions associated with a class of Sturm-Liouville equations with integrable coefficient

We consider the second order, linear differential equation in the case where, roughly, q ∊ L 1 [0, ∞). We devise a representation for the spectral function, τ( t ), associated with (*) which is valid for t sufficiently large. Our results are the best possible.
Hominid revelations from Chad.

The story of human origins in Africa takes a twist with the description of a 6–7-million-year-old cranium from Chad. The discovery hints at the likely diversity of early hominids.
Density Functional Theory Analysis of Nickel Octaethylporphyrin Ruffling

The results of density functional theory (DFT) energy calculations and geometry optimizations for selected planar and ruffled conformers of nickel octaethylporphyrin (NiOEP) are reported. Calculated geometric parameters show remarkably good agreement with experimental X-ray crystallography data. The tendency for ruffling of the porphyrin macrocycle to allow for a shorter Ni−N bond is accurately predicted by DFT calculations. Energy values indicate that ruffling of the macrocycle lowers the energy of the different conformers by about 0.2 kcal/mol.
EFFECTS OF AMINO ACID SUPPLEMENTATION OF LOW PROTEIN CORN AND GRAIN SORGHUM DIETS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF EGG PRODUCTION STOCKS.

Abstract ACCORDING to Sunde (1962), the amino acids are the important units in proteins. Until we know more about the interrelationships of the various amino acids and their requirements as influenced by their specific combination in proteins we can expect progress to be retarded. As our methods of designing the optimum amino acid mixture improve, increases in performance may be expected. Considerable work has been done but variables such as rate of lay, geographic location, and genotype and environment interactions seem to influence considerably the results obtained by the various investigators working in this field. Johnson and Fisher (1958) by the use of an amino acid free basal diet have reported the minimal essential amino acid requirements of the laying hen. Waibel et al. (1961) reported that by increasing the levels of essential amino acids 25% above those recommended by Johnson and Fisher (1958) they were able to maintain satisfactory body…
Antimicrobial susceptibility and biofilm formation of Staphylococcus epidermidis small colony variants associated with prosthetic joint infection

We determined the frequency of isolation of non-aureus staphylococcal small colony variants (SCVs) from 31 patients with staphylococcal prosthetic joint infection (PJI) and described the antimicrobial susceptibility, auxotrophy, and biofilm-forming capacity of these SCVs. Eleven non-aureus SCVs were recovered, all of which were Staphylococcus epidermidis, and none of which was auxotrophic for hemin, menadione, or thymidine. Aminoglycoside resistance was detected in 5. Two were proficient, and 7 were poor, biofilm formers. With passage on antimicrobial free media, we observed a fluctuating phenotype in 3 isolates. We also noted a difference in antimicrobial susceptibility of different morphology isolates recovered from the same joints despite similar pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns. Our findings suggest S. epidermidis SCVs are common in PJI, and while they have a similar appearance to S. aureus SCVs, they do not necessarily share such characteristics as aminoglycoside resistance; auxotrophy for hemin, menadione, or thymidine; or enhanced biofilm formation. We also underscore the importance of antimicrobial susceptibility testing of all morphologies of isolates recovered from PJI.
Environmental and Socio-Economic Factors as Contributors to Racial Disparities in Diabetes Prevalence

BACKGROUND We deployed a study design that attempts to account for racial differences in socioeconomic and environmental risk exposures to determine if the diabetes race disparity reported in national data is similar when black and white Americans live under similar social conditions.
On the second-order coding rate of non-ergodic fading channels

This paper analyzes the rate-reliability trade-off for non-ergodic fading channels with state information available at the receiver, specifically the second-order coding rate with a fixed length corresponding to one channel coherence time and a target average error probability. Achievability is developed using random coding and modified typicality decoding, and the converse is developed using generalized information spectrum methods. Although the infinite blocklength performance of such a wireless channel depends only upon the fading, our results suggest that both fading and noise affect finite blocklength performance. Furthermore, although our non-asymptotic bounds conform with those in the recent work by Yang et al., our finite blocklength approximation is more useful for numerical evaluation.
Architecture's Resistance to Diversity: A Matter of Theory as Much as Practice

It would appear that the recent seesaw of opposing theoretical perspectives is quite distinct from the lack of ethnic and gender diversity within artchitecture. However, in this article I argue that these trends are actually symptomatic of the same theoretical dead end in which architecture now finds itself. Specifically, women and minorities are not likely to see the two dominant models of the architect—the architect-as-artist and the architect-as technician—as offering viable roles that will enable them to have a significant impact or to effect broader changes. In this light, the characteristics and advantages of a culturalist theoretical perspective offer the possibility of a different model: the architect-as-cultivator.
Models, Narratives, and French Ways off Doing

Books reviewed in this article: Jean-Yves Grenier, Claude Grignon, and Pierre-Michel Menger, eds., Le Modele et le recit
Automated checkpointing for enabling intensive applications on energy harvesting devices

We propose a framework that enables intensive computation on ultra-low power devices with discontinuous energy-harvesting supplies. We devise an optimization algorithm that efficiently partitions the applications into smaller computational steps during high-level synthesis. Our system finds low-overhead checkpoints that minimize recomputation cost due to power losses, then inserts the checkpoints at the design's register-transfer level. The checkpointing rate is automatically adapted to the source's realtime behavior. We evaluate our mechanisms on a battery-less RF energy-harvester platform. Extensive experiments targeting applications in medical implant devices demonstrate our approach's ability to successfully execute complex computations for various supply patterns with low time, energy, and area overheads.
Families, Dependencies, and the Moral Ground of Health Savings Accounts

Health Savings Accounts have been marginalized in the West. In Singapore, however, they are foundational to the financing of health care. In this brief essay, I shall begin to sketch a justification for Health Savings Accounts. The family has always been thought of as a mere prolegomena to the polis and to be primarily about securing the goods of material life: food, shelter, intimacy. I shall first explore the recent scientific literature on the communal nature of human thriving and follow it with a phenomenological account of human dependency. I shall claim that in securing the material means to sustain life, the family is also involved in the creation of the life-world of the child. That means that the bare necessities of life met in families are not merely about sustaining bodily life but are also part of the meaning-making aspects of life. The family then should have recourse to the material means of life-and-death decisions, because it is in these life-and-death decisions that the families' life-world of values is to be deployed.
A tutorial on linear regression in blood banking.

The relationship between a set of independent and dependent variables can be evaluated by the least squares line. Methods are presented to calculate this line, to test the significance of intercept and slope, to estimate, and to predict.
Obstacles to TQM implementation in Mexico's maquiladora industry

Many manufacturing firms must overcome obstacles to TQM implementation. The purpose of this paper is empirically to investigate barriers that firms in the maquiladora industry experience, based on 25 potential obstacles to TQM success, and to compare findings with prior research done with US firms. The findings of this study suggest that a prevalent TQM barrier in the maquiladora industry is high employee turnover. Obstacles to TQM implementation that are common to both maquiladoras and US firms include lack of employee training, failure to tie management's compensation to achieving quality goals, and employee resistance to change. Managerial implications of these obstacles are discussed.
Histochemical evidence of a functional heterogeneity in neonatal canine epiphyseal chondrocytes

The chondrocytes of the neonatal proximal humeral chondroepiphyses of twelve purebred English pointer pups were investigated histochemically, using frozen serial sections, for chondroitin sulphate and for the following enzyme activities: lactate dehydrogenase, NAD and NADP transhydrogenases, glutamate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, ATPase, succinate dehydrogenase, and UDPgalactose 4-epimerase. By using Alcian Blue with and without a prior digestion in testicular hyaluronidase, and Alcian Blue in the presence of 0.9 M magnesium chloride, it was found that about half the chondrocytes stained as if they were producing significant amounts of chondroitin sulphate. Only one enzyme, UDPgalactose 4-epimerase (which is involved in the biosynthesis of chondroitin sulphate), was found to have a similar staining heterogeneity. Therefore, it was concluded that the chondrocytes studied possessed a functional heterogenicity with particular reference to chondroitin sulphate synthesis while appearing morphologically homogeneous.
Goal-attainment scaling: a review and applications to pharmacy practice.

Abstract Background Goal-attainment scaling (GAS) might represent a breakthrough, or at least hold significant utility in pharmacy practice for program evaluation, but it has not yet been widely applied in the discipline. Objective This study aimed to (1) review the psychometric properties of GAS—a measurement technique for the evaluation of outcomes, (2) explore the clinical utility of GAS in various settings, and (3) introduce its potential application in pharmacy practice. Methods This systematic review included identified published literature in Pubmed electronic database with keywords/search terms: GAS, goal attainment, goal scaling, goal-attainment procedure, goal-attainment method, GAS and health outcomes, GAS and Short-Form-36 (SF-36), and GAS and quality of life. The inclusion criteria were (1) articles pertaining to GAS method; (2) psychometric data of reliability, validity, and responsiveness were reported; (3) published in Pubmed from 1968 to July 2007; and (4) research on humans. The exclusion criteria were (1) articles published in languages other than English and (2) review articles. Results Of the 1055 articles screened, 26 articles from physical/occupational rehabilitation (17) and psychology (9) with psychometric properties evaluation met the inclusion criteria for review. Examination of the literature revealed that GAS demonstrated high reliability, variable validity, and excellent responsiveness. Conclusion Several reasons that make GAS a useful methodology include the capability for patient-specific and cooperative goal setting; incremental goal setting toward progress; versatility of clinical utility to cover medication therapy management; and indexing of individual scores for evaluation of program effectiveness.