cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ORCHOMENE LIMODES, NEW SPECIES, A SCAVENGING AMPHIPOD FROM SCRIPPS CANYON, CALIFORNIA: SPECIES DESCRIPTION AND ANALYSIS OF MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATION

Orchomene limodes, new species (Amphipoda: Lysianassidae), recently discovered in Scripps Canyon, California, is described and compared to other species within this genus. Intraspecific analysis of morphological variation was performed in order to determine which characters would be appropriate for the description. Thirty-five potentially diagnostic characters were grouped into three types: qualitative, meristic, and morphometric, and analyzed for variation between individuals. The characters found invariant or slightly variable in this study were then used in the diagnosis of the species description. A discussion is presented on this study's relevance to present and future taxonomic work on this genus. A hitherto undescribed species of the genus Orchomene is found in large numbers in Scripps Canyon off La Jolla, California. This species has been the object of various research studies (Meador, 1981; Present and Smith, 1981; Smith and Baldwin, 1982; Smith and Present, 1983) but lacks taxonomic recognition. It is easily caught by the thousands in baited funnel traps at depths of 50-175 m and is readily maintained for months in the laboratory. Individuals are gregarious, seek low light levels, and prefer temperatures ranging between 7?C and 15?C (Meador, 1981). This species has been used as a shallow-water analog of deepsea lysianassids because it exhibits similar behavioral activities (Smith and Present, 1983). Studies of adult morphological variation in the new species, Orchomene limodes, were conducted in order to describe this species accurately, to help elucidate its taxonomic standing, and to identify characters of special usefulness for future taxonomic work within the genus Orchomene. As Schulenberger and Barnard (1976) point out, such studies of morphological variation are especially needed in identification of species within the genus Orchomene. In this group, diagnostic characters primarily involve proportions, lengths, and shapes of appendages and body structures. The nature and extent ofintraspecific variation in these diagnostic characters, however, are essentially unknown. The ready availability of large numbers of specimens of this new species of Orchomene provided an opportunity to survey intraspecific variation.
Study of Synergistic Fire Retardancy of Nanoparticles in Polymer Matrix Composites

In this study, three kinds of carbon nanofiber sheets were made through a high-pressure filtration system: pure carbon nanofiber, carbon nanofiber with polyhedral oligomeric silsequioxane (PCNS) and carbon nanofiber with Cloisite Na+ clay (CCNS). Then these sheets were incorporated onto the surface of glass fiber reinforced polyester composites through resin transfer molding process. The samples were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal gravimetric analyses (TGA). The fire retardant performance of the laminates was evaluated with cone calorimeter test at an external radiated heat flux of 50kw/m2 . The results of laminates with PCNS indicated that the fire performance was impaired when comparing with the case of pure carbon nanofiber paper. However, in the case of CCNS, the primary results showed a pronounced improvement of the fire performance was observed. The possible mechanism was also discussed in the present study.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
The acgme outcome project and workhours: realistic expectations or false hopes?

Abstract Background: The ACGME Outcome Project and work guidelines are proposed to improve resident education and are changing the landscape of surgical training. The multi-generational workforce has highlighted varying expectations as the first Generation X surgeons are completing training. We sought to examine the effect of ACGME guidelines on the attitudes of those in academic surgery. Methods: Anonymous surveys addressing Core Competencies were distributed in an ACGME-accredited, university-affiliated, surgical training program. Results: 100% responded. Faculty (F; n = 30) and surgeons-in-training (T: n = 30) agree lifestyle expectations and long work hours are the biggest issues (79% & 57%/F & T, respectively). Implementation of ACGME guidelines is perceived as NOT improving Patient Care or Medical Knowledge by 30%/43% (F/T) and reducing operative experience by 50%/70% (F/T). Most faculty (>80%) worry ACGME guidelines will diminish patient care experiences as opposed to only 30% of trainees. Although most F (60%) and T (70%) agree that hiring physician extenders and more trainees will help maximize Core Competencies, many (30%, both F & T) disagree with the implementation of ACGME guidelines fearing the loss of Professionalism. While F (54%) and T (45%) reproach deficient Interpersonal and Communication Skills (“generation gaps” & “unrealistic expectations”) as the biggest impediment to ACGME guideline implementation, opinions regarding the impetus for implementation differ drastically. Most faculty (75%) believe ACGME-imposed deadlines are the most influential reason; however, trainees (58%) believe the guidelines should be promptly implemented to address long-awaited changes in work environment, surgical corporate culture and education. Conclusions: Although faculty and trainees’ perception of the issues facing surgical education converge, their perception of the changes following ACGME guideline implementation is quite divergent. For successful implementation, the leaders in surgery must address the prevailing attitudes and corporate cultures in their workplaces. Realistic expectations must be established based on the ACGME Outcome Project to monitor progress in our ever-changing environment. These data have important implications for planning the future of surgical education, bridging the gap between multi-generational colleagues and improving Systems-Based Practice.
Security and Discoverability of Spread Dynamics in Cyber-Physical Networks

Motivated by the increasing need for developing automated decision-support tools for cyber-physical networks subject to uncertainties, we have been pursuing development of a new control-theoretic framework for network security and vulnerability. In this paper, we build on the proposed framework to put forth concrete definitions for security and (dually) discoverability, for a class of models that can represent dynamics of numerous cyber-physical networks of interest: namely, dynamical network spread models. These security and discoverability definitions capture whether or not, and to what extent, a stakeholder can infer the temporal dynamics of the spread from localized and noisy measurements. We then equivalence these security and security-level definitions to the control-theoretic notions of observability and optimal estimation, and so obtain explicit algebraic and spectral conditions for security and analyses of the security level. Further drawing on graph-theory constructs, a series of graphical conditions for security, as well as characterizations of security levels, are derived. A case study on zoonotic disease spread is also included, to illustrate concrete application of the analyses in management of cyber-physical infrastructure networks.
Petawatt laser pulses.

We have developed a hybrid Ti:sapphire–Nd:glass laser system that produces more than 1500??TW (1.5??PW) of peak power. The system produces 660??J of power in a compressed 440±20 fs pulse by use of 94-cm master diffraction gratings. Focusing to an irradiance of >7×1020 W/cm2 is achieved by use of a Cassegrainian focusing system employing a plasma mirror.
An Amperometric Alcohol Sensor Based on Chemically Permeabilized Methylotrophic Microorganisms

Chemical permeabilization of the yeast Pichia pastoris NRRL Y-11430 with 1.0% glycine and 0.1 % Triton X-100 does not release intracellular alcohol oxidase but alters the cell envelope structure, allowing alcohol oxidase activity to be detected inside the cells (Naglak, 1990). An alcohol sensor based on the use of chemically permeabilized yeast cells was constructed. The sensor response time was within 2 min. The assay time was less than 30s by the initial rate method. The calibration curve for ethanol analysis was linear in the range 5–65 mg/L. The sensor response was almost unaffected by pH changes within the range pH 5–9. This alcohol sensor produced the highest sensitivity for methanol; the sensitivity for ethanol was about half that for methanol. The stability and other characteristics of this new alcohol sensor are also discussed in this work.
Examining the Mismatch between Learner-Centered Teaching and Teacher-Centered Supervision:

Student teacher supervision, with few exceptions, remains a teacher-centered enterprise. Typical supervision policies, procedures, and forms focus on teachers’ observable behaviors. They grant authority to the perceptions of the supervisor/teacher. The concerns, questions, professional knowledge, and deliberative processes of the student teacher/learner are secondary, if they are considered at all. In this self-study, the authors explore alternatives to teacher-centered supervision by first supervising each other in their own learner-centered college classrooms, then extrapolating what was learned to their student teaching supervision. Data analysis yielded themes of responsibility, power, and purpose; challenges to the lesson as the unit of analysis and standard sources of data on student teachers’ work; and the importance of the social construction of roles and meanings. The authors’ intent is not to put forward yet another model of student teacher supervision but to describe a process of coconstructing...
Densification of fused silica: effects on nanoindentation

As compared to other optical glasses, when fused silica (SiO2) is ground or polished, it has some unique features, such as low surface microroughness and subsurface damage, low grinding- induced residual stresses, and low removal rates. It also has higher hardness. On the other hand, fused silica's Young's modulus and fracture toughness are in the middle range of the optical glasses. So, compared to other optical glasses, fused silica behaves differently under compressive loads. When subjected to sufficiently large compressive stresses, fused silica glass will densify permanently. It is also noticed that shear will facilitate densification. We model this behavior by a simple constitutive law including both shear flow and densification. The constitutive model was used to interpret nanoindentation tests on fused silica via 3D finite element simulations of indentations of Berkovich indenter. This work extends our previous work on axisymmetric (2D) indentation.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Development of fragmented and of dissociated limb bud mesoderm

Abstract Chick embryo limb bud mesoderm was subjected to surgical fragmentation into 0.1–0.2 mm pieces and to dissociation into cell suspensions. When either the fragments or reaggregated cells were placed into a complete ectodermal covering from a limb bud and the composite was grown as a graft, recognizable limb structures developed. Control grafts of similar mesoderm, either alone or in association with nonlimb ectoderm, formed nodules or small rods of cartilage. Most limb properties were retained by the limb mesoderm after these procedures and were evinced only after reassociation with limb ectoderm. Evidence for regulability of limb mesoderm is discussed as are the contributions of these experiments to the problem of the dependence between limb bud mesoderm and the ectodermal ridge during limb morphogenesis. The observations support the view that there is a developmental dependence between these two limb bud components.
In vivo comparison of the effects of inhibition of MAO-A versus MAO-B on striatal L-DOPA and dopamine metabolism.

Utilizing the cerebral microdialysis technique, we have compared in vivo the effects of selective MAO-A, MAO-B, and nonselective MAO inhibitors on striatal extracellular levels of dopamine (DA) and DA metabolites (DOPAC and HVA). The measurements were made in rats both under basal conditions and following L-DOPA administration. Extracellular levels of dopamine were enhanced and DA metabolite levels strongly inhibited both under basal conditions and following L-DOPA administration by pretreatment with the nonselective MAO inhibitor pargyline and the MAO-A selective inhibitors clorgyline and Ro 41-1049. The MAO-B inhibitor deprenyl had no effect on basal DA, HVA, or DOPAC levels. Nervertheless, deprenyl significantly increased DA and decreased DOPAC levels following exogenous L-DOPA administration, a finding compatible with a significant glial metabolism of DA formed from exogenous L-DOPA. We conclude that DA metabolism underbasal conditions is primarily mediated by MAO-A. In contrast, both MAO-A and MAO-B mediate DA formation when L-DOPA is administered exogenously. The efficacy of newer, reversible agents which lack the “cheese effect” such as Ro 41-1049 are comparable to the irreversible MAO-A inhibitor clorgyline. The possible relevance of these findings for the treatment of Parkinson's disease is discussed.
Hydrothermal synthesis and structural characterization of an organically templated copper-vanadium phosphate: [{(bpy-dicarb)Cu}2{V3O3(OH)2(H2O)}(O3PCH2PO3)2]·2H2O (bpy-dicarb=2,2′-bipyridyl-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid)

Abstract The hydrothermal reaction of Cu2O, Na3VO4, H2O3PCH2PO3H2, 2,2′-bipyridine-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid, and H2O in the mole ratio 2.5:1.7:10:1.0:2700 at 200°C for 42 h yields [{(bpy-dicarb)Cu}2{V3O3(OH)2(H2O)}(O3PCH2PO3)2]·2H2O (1·2H2O). The structure of 1 is a two-dimensional sheet constructed from pentanuclear {V3Cu2O3(OH)2(H2O)}8+ units linked by (O3PCH2PO3)4− ligands into a network. Crystal data: C13H14N2O14P2V1.5Cu, triclinic, P 1 : a=7.8993(7) A, b=11.0417(9) A, c=11.857(1) A, α=100.845(1)°, β=98.400(2)°, γ=105.290(2)°, V=958.7(1) A3.
Comparison of the genotoxic activities of the K-region dihydrodiol of benzo[a]pyrene with benzo[a]pyrene in mammalian cells: morphological cell transformation; DNA damage; and stable covalent DNA adducts.

Abstract Benzo[ a ]pyrene (B[ a ]P) is the most thoroughly studied polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). Many mechanisms have been suggested to explain its carcinogenic activity, yet many questions still remain. K-region dihydrodiols of PAHs are metabolic intermediates depending on the specific cytochrome P450 and had been thought to be detoxification products. However, K-region dihydrodiols of several PAHs have recently been shown to morphologically transform mouse embryo C3H10T1/2CL8 cells (C3H10T1/2 cells). Because K-region dihydrodiols are not metabolically formed from PAHs by C3H10T1/2 cells, these cells provide a useful tool to independently study the mechanisms of action of PAHs and their K-region dihydrodiols. Here, we compare the morphological cell transforming, DNA damaging, and DNA adducting activities of the K-region dihydrodiol of B[ a ]P, trans- B[ a ]P-4,5-diol with B[ a ]P. Both trans -B[ a ]P-4,5-diol and B[ a ]P morphologically transformed C3H10T1/2 cells by producing both Types II and III transformed foci. The morphological cell transforming and cytotoxicity dose response curves for trans -B[ a ]P-4,5-diol and B[ a ]P were indistinguishable. Since morphological cell transformation is strongly associated with mutation and/or larger scale DNA damage in C3H10T1/2 cells, the identification of DNA damage induced in these cells by trans -B[ a ]P-4,5-diol was sought. Both trans -B[ a ]P-4,5-diol and B[ a ]P exhibited significant DNA damaging activity without significant concurrent cytotoxicity using the comet assay, but with different dose responses and comet tail distributions. DNA adduct patterns from C3H10T1/2 cells were examined after trans -B[ a ]P-4,5-diol or B[ a ]P treatment using 32 P -postlabeling techniques and improved TLC elution systems designed to separate polar DNA adducts. While B[ a ]P treatment produced one major DNA adduct identified as anti-trans -B[ a ]P-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide-deoxyguanosine, no stable covalent DNA adducts were detected in the DNA of trans -B[ a ]P-4,5-diol-treated cells. In summary, this study provides evidence for the DNA damaging and morphological cell transforming activities of the K-region dihydrodiol of B[ a ]P, in the absence of covalent stable DNA adducts. While trans -B[ a ]P-4,5-diol and B[ a ]P both induce morphological cell transformation, their activities as DNA damaging agents differ, both qualitatively and quantitatively. In concert with the morphological cell transformation activities of other K-region dihydrodiols of PAHs, these data suggest a new mechanism/pathway for the morphological cell transforming activities of B[ a ]P and its metabolites.
9/11 – A New Pearl Harbor? Analogies, Narratives, and Meanings of 9/11 in Civil Society:

Narrative analyses in the neo-Durkheimian tradition have tended to focus mostly on event-specific narratives in civil society in order to study meanings, strategies, and codes surrounding those events. Analysis of comparisons between the 9/11 attacks and those at Pearl Harbor can build on this tradition by expanding the discursive locations from which to understand the construction of meanings in civil society. Through examining specific analogies, narratives, and metanarratives, I show how the comparison of 9/11 to the attacks on Pearl Harbor has led to varying meanings of 9/11 based on the employment of various genre based narratives and metanarratives of the events and the nation.
Certain finite linear groups of prime degree

In studying finite linear groups of fixed degree over the complex field, it is convenient to restrict attention to irreducible, unimodular, and quasiprimitive groups. If one assumes the degree to be an odd prime p, there is a natural division into cases, according to the order of a Sylow p-group of such a group. When the order is p 4 or larger, all such groups are known (by W. Feit and J. Lindsey, independently). THEOREM 1 . Suppose G is a finite group with a faithful, irreducible, unimodular, and quasiprimitive complex representation of prime degree p ≥ 5. If a Sylow p-group P of G has order p 3 , then P is normal in G. As is well known, Theorem 1 is false for p = 2 or 3. Combining Theorem 1 with known results, we have immediately the following conjecture of Feit. THEOREM 2 . Suppose G is a finite group with a faithful, irreducible, and unimodular complex representation of prime degree p ≥ 5. Then p 2 does not divide the order of G/0 p (G). The following result, which is of independent interest, is used in the proof of Theorem 1. THEOREM 3 . Suppose G is a finite group with a Sylow p-group P of order larger than 3, which satisfies C G (x) = P, for all x ≠ 1 in P. If G has a faithful complex representation of degree less than (|P| - 1) 2/3 , then P is normal in G.
Interaction of Optical Phonons with Spin Waves in Ionic Crystals

Optical phonon effects on the magnon resonance (FMR and AFMR) are shown to be negligible in ferromagnetic insulators and most antiferromagnets in present day laboratory fields (H ⪅ 2 × 105 G). In these fields the magnon frequency lies lower than the optical phonon frequency so that the coupling is to a polarization mode which is mainly photon-like. However, at the band edge, the wavelength-dependence of the magnon and optical phonon dispersion may allow crossing in low fields. Also, in metamagnetic systems where the anisotropy field is much larger than the exchange field, the resonance in the paramagnetic phase may occur in a frequency range such that the polarization mode will contain a relative large fraction of optical phonons. The theory developed in this paper can also be applied to optical phonon-spin resonance in paramagnetic salts. This type of resonance should occur in attainable magnetic fields for materials with large g factors. Die Wirkung optischer Phononen auf die Magnonresonanz (FMR und AFMR) in ferromagnetischen Isolatoren und in den meisten antiferromagnetischen Stoffen ist bei Feldern von H ⪅ 2 × 105 G zu vernachlassigen. In diesen Feldern ist die Magnonfrequenz niedriger als die optische Phononenfrequenz, so das ihre Kopplung eine Polarisation ergibt, die hauptsachlich der durch Photonen verursachten ahnlich ist. An der Bandkante konnen sich jedoch in niedrigen Feldern die Wellenlangenabhangigkeit der Magnonen- und optischen Phononendispersion kreuzen. Auch in metamagnetischen Systemen, bei denen das Anisotropiefeld sehr viel groser ist als das Austauschfeld, kann die Resonanz in der paramagnetischen Phase in einem solchen Frequenzbereich auftreten, das die Polarisation einen relativ grosen Anteil optischer Phononen enthalt. Die in dieser Arbeit entwickelte Theorie kann ebenfalls auf die optische Phonon-Spin-Resonanz in paramagnetischen Salzen angewandt werden. Dieser Resonanztyp sollte bei erreichbaren Feldern for Stoffe mit grosen g-Faktoren auftreten.
Aortic Valve Perforation in Bacterial Endocarditis

This report describes 10 patients with bacterial endocarditis who during observation developed signs of dynamic aortic insufficiency or experienced marked worsening of the manifestations of pre-existing aortic insufficiency. The autopsy findings in these patients provide evidence that the clinical signs were associated with perforation or rupture of the aortic valve cusps. It is suggested that this sequence of events in the course of bacterial endocarditis is common and that its occurrence must be regarded as an ominous prognostic sign.
CUSTOMER PRODUCT: RATIONALIZATION FOR PROFITABILITY

One of the key applications for a company adopting a total asset utilization approach to cost and profitability improvement is to determine the true profitability of an existing customer/product portfolio. In the second of two articles, Jeffrey T Luftig describes the process of customer/product rationalization.
Processing misregistered hyperspectral data

Many hyperspectral sensors collect data using multiple spectrometers to span a broad spectral range. These spectrometers can be fed by optical fibers on the same or separate focal planes. The Modular Imaging Spectrometer Instrument (MISI), a 70 band line scanner built by the Rochester Institute of Technology, is configured in this manner. Visible and near infrared spectrometers at the primary focal plane are each fed by their own optical fiber. The spatial offset between the two fibers on the focal plane causes an inherent misregistration between the two sets of spectral bands. This configuration causes a relatively complicated misregistration which cannot be corrected with a simple shift or rotation of the data. This mismatch between spectral channels has detrimental effects on the spectral purity of each pixel, especially when dealing with the application of sub-pixel target detection. A geometric model of the sensor has been developed to solve for the misregistration and achieve image rectification. This paper addresses the issues in dealing with the misregistration and techniques used to improve spectral purity on a per pixel basis.
Migraine and the menopausal transition

The menopausal transition or "perimenopause" represents a time period of turbulent changes in ovarian hormones as middle-aged women progress into menopause. The purpose of this article is to review the literature to determine the effect of the menopausal transition on migraine headaches and to develop a rational treatment approach to these patients. The menopausal transition is divided into early and stages based upon patterns of menstruation and specific reproductive hormones. Studies would suggest that the prevalence of migraine and other climacteric symptoms tend to peak during the late menopausal transition particularly in those with a past history of premenstrual stress disorder. Treatment approaches vary by stage of the menopausal transition and include conventional daily preventatives, mini-prophylaxis and hormonal therapies.
Are mangroves a limiting resource for two coral reef fishes

Nearshore marine habitats, such as seagrass beds and mangroves, are generally assumed to be key nurseries for many marine species. Few studies, however, have examined relationships between the characteristics of juvenile habitats and the size of adult populations, although such studies are essential for confirming and quantifying the nursery function of these habitats. In this paper I describe the results of surveys of adult populations of 2 coral reef fish species (the yellow-fin mojarra Gerres cinereus and the schoolmaster Lutjanus apodus) that are thought to be dependent on mangroves as nurseries in the Virgin Islands, Caribbean Sea, to determine if the size of nearby mangrove stands and their proximity to adult reef habitat are related to adult densities. The results indicate that these 2 factors do not affect adult fish densities on coral reef patches. However, evidence suggests that a relationship between the island-wide size of mangroves and adult fish densities and population sizes exists for at least 1 fish species at the island scale, indicating that juvenile habitat may limit adult fish numbers for some species at this scale.
The effects of liver denervation on the regulation of hepatic biliary secretion.

Effects of liver denervation on bile formation were studied in eight dogs prepared with chronic biliary fistulas. The animals were studied in the basal state, after feeding, and during infusion of glucagon 50 ng/kg/min, secretin 2 U/kg/hr, or somatostatin 200 ng/kg/min. After this first set of exper
The (dis)appearance of Up Your Ass: Valerie Solanas as abject revolutionary

Through performative writing and using Cixous' notion of ecriture feminine, this piece explores how the archival and treatment of Valerie Solanas' ‘lost’ manuscript Up Your Ass marks her as an abject body. Further, this piece critiques the treatment of Solanas' works as typical of radical feminist activists.
Separation and identification of barbiturates and glutethimide by thin-layer chromatography.

Abstract A method is presented for the simultaneous detection and identification of a number of barbiturates and glutethimide in chloroform extracts of serum. An acid solvent system for thin-layer chromatography assures that all samples actually migrate. Better definition of the barbiturates more difficult to separate, such as secobarbital, pentobarbital and amobarbital, is obtained. The calculation of migration data increases confidence in identification. An improved method for the quantification of glutethimide is described.
Movement Patterns and Sociality of the Mediterranean Gecko, Hemidactylus turcicus, in Southwestern Louisiana

Abstract The Mediterranean gecko, Hemidactylus turcicus, is a nonnative lizard that lives on buildings and other artificial structures in the southern United States. Previous studies have shown that geckos rarely move from one building to another and that, when they do, it is usually due to juveniles dispersing to new buildings. Little is known about the movements of geckos on the buildings they occupy or about the degree to which males and females or adults and juveniles associate with each other during their nocturnal activity periods. We used data from a multi-year, mark-recapture study of a population of Mediterranean geckos on a one-story building in southwestern Louisiana to analyze movements of geckos between recaptures and to analyze age and sex of pairs of geckos. The distance moved by adult geckos between recaptures was usually small ( 30 days within a year, or in succeeding years. There was no difference in patterns of moveme...
Cardiac Operations in Patients 80 Years Old and Older

Abstract Background . Because the elderly are increasingly referred for operation, we reviewed results with cardiac surgical patients 80 years old or older. Methods . Records of 600 consecutive patients 80 years old or older having cardiac operations between 1985 and 1995 were reviewed. Follow-up was 99% complete. Results . Two hundred ninety-two patients had coronary grafting (CABG), 105 aortic valve replacement (AVR), 111 AVR + CABG, 42 mitral valve repair/replacement (MVR) ± CABG, and 50 other operations. Rates of hospital death, stroke, and prolonged stay (>14 days) were as follows: CABG: 17 (5.8%), 23 (7.9%) and 91 (31.2%); AVR: 8 (7.6%), 1 (1.0%), and 31 (29.5%); AVR + CABG: 7 (6.3%), 12 (10.8%), and 57 (51.4%); MVR ± CABG: 4 (9.5%), 3 (7.1%), and 16 (38.1%); other: 9 (18.0%), 3 (6.0%), and 23 (46.0%). Multivariate predictors ( p Conclusions . Cardiac operations are successful in most octogenarians with increased hospital mortality, postoperative stroke, and longer hospital stay. Long-term survival is largely determined by concurrent medical diseases.
Contributions of Prof. James R. Melcher to engineering education

Abstract This paper reviews the teaching and research career of the late Professor James R. Melcher. It describes his approach to the teaching of electric and magnetic fields bolstered by the lecture demonstrations he had developed. He is considered the founder of the modern day field of electrohydrodynamics. His undergraduate courses, reinforced by educational films which are briefly described, gave students an introduction into the field. His graduate courses and research extended more broadly into fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and physical chemistry. He spoke and wrote on the need for a national energy policy and was concerned about the effect of military expenditures on US commercial competitiveness.
The residence time of thorium in surface sea water and its implications regarding the rate of reactive pollutants

Abstract The activity ratio of228Th/228Ra in the open surface ocean averages 0.21. This suggests that thorium is removed from surface water in about 0.7 yr. As plant matter is cycled within the surface sea on a similar time scale, the suggestion is made that highly reactive compounds are inadvertently removed by plants in their quest for the critical nutrients nitrate and phosphate. Combined with the coefficient for horizontal eddy diffusivity obtained from the distribution of228Ra in surface sea water this result provides a basis for the prediction of the distribution of “reactive” pollutants released to the surface sea from coastal areas.
Detection of Permeability Variations by a Shallow Geothermal Technique

During a seven-month sampling period surface-water, ground-water, and shallow subsurface temperatures were measured at a well field in the Coastal Plain province in southeastern Pennsylvania in an attempt to delineate zones of relatively greater permeability in the underlying glacial outwash materials. Temperature measurements were made at monthly intervals using a tele-thermometer equipped with a thermistor. Subsurface temperatures were taken at a depth of six feet (183 cm) in a network of 66 access holes. In order to recognize perturbations in the subsurface thermal regime, theoretical conductive heat flow calculation: of the temperature variation expected to occur at a depth of six feet (183 cm) were compared to the observed temperature variation measured in the network of access holes. Isothermal maps, contouring equal temperatures at a specific time, and isallothermal maps, contouring equal temperature changes in a specific time interval, were constructed from the access hole data. These maps facilitated the identification of areas not conforming to the predicted value of annual subsurface temperature variation. Anomalous areas were found to represent regions where differing land-use practices or ground-water movement perturbed the normal thermal regime. Access hole temperatures measured in areas not covered by a dense vegetative cover or a tree canopy were found to have greater temperature variation than predicted. Areas where the temperature variation in the access holes was less than predicted were found to overlie known zones of relatively greater permeability in the underlying materials.
Effects of caffeine and ryanodine on low pHi-induced changes in gap junction conductance and calcium concentration in crayfish septate axons.

Electrical uncoupling of crayfish septate axons with acidification has been shown to cause a substantial increase in [Ca2+]i which closely matches in percent the increase in junctional resistance. To determine the origin of [Ca2+]i increase, septate axons have been exposed either to drugs that influence Ca2+ release from internal stores, caffeine and ryanodine, or to treatments that affect Ca2+ entry. A large increase in junctional resistance and [Ca2+]i maxima above controls resulted from addition of caffeine (10–30mm) to acetate solutions, while a substantial decrease in both parameters was observed when exposure to acetate-caffeine was preceded by caffeine pretreatment. In contrast, ryanodine (1–10 μm) always caused a significant decrease in junctional resistance and [Ca2+]i maxima when applied either together with acetate or both before and with acetate. Calcium channel blockers such as La3+, Cd2+ and nisoldipine had no effect, while an increase in the [Ca2+] of acetate solutions either decreased junctional resistance and [Ca2+]i maxima or had no effect. The data suggest that cytoplasmic acidification causes an increase in [Ca2+]i by releasing Ca2+ from caffeine and ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ stores. The increase in [Ca2+]i results in a decrease in gap junction conductance.
Desertification and Migration

With the world’s forests, farm areas and grasslands in retreat, only the deserts are expanding. The UN estimates that 6 million hectares of productive land, an area almost half the size of England, is lost to desertification every year. Arable land per person declined from 0.32 ha in 1962 to 0.21 ha in 1998 and is expected to drop further to 0.16 ha by 2030. Consequently, each year there are fewer places for environmental refugees to go. With the supply of ecologically healthy land shrinking, there is increasing pressure for the world’s expanding human population tomigrate. This pressure is enhanced by global warming caused by wasteful fossil fuel consumption in rich countries and changes in rainfall patterns accompanied by increased frequencies of drought. Population growth together with poverty and poor land management require increasing amounts of ecological resources from the shrinking forest areas and agricultural lands that border the world’s deserts. Agricultural techniques that improved yields up to the 1990s are now proving less effective. Exhausted land is being stripped of vegetation; crop yields are faltering; and rural populations are being displaced from their lands in growing numbers. Clearly, this is a dangerously unsustainable situation that puts the future of mankind at risk! About a quarter of the world’s population inhabits drylands with roughly two-thirds of Africa falling into this category; areas near the Sahara are at the highest risk of desertification. The northern Sahara covers at least half of Algeria, Libya and Egypt while the southern Sahara extends into much of Mali, Niger, Chad, Somalia and Sudan. We know from historical accounts that much of this desert was once fertile land that supported advanced societies, those of ancient Egypt, for example. In these areas, deserts are continually advancing so that conflicts over land, already a major problem, are expected to intensify. Climate change will lower water absorption and promote windstorms that turn fertile land into dust bowls. Increasingly restricted habitable land availability is likely to affect all world populations. Areas of fast population growth with extensive poverty exert the greatest pressures on land use. Niger’s population, for example, is growing by 3.4%/year, with a fertility rate of eight children per woman. Only 14% of married women there use contraception. Niger’s population is projected to more than triple, from 14 million in 2006 to 50 million by 2050 unless drastic preventative measures are taken or massive increases in the death rate result. Just imagine the consequence to the already miserable quality of life! Climate change and population pressures fuel migration. Yet the capacity of other countries to absorb Water Air Soil Pollut (2010) 205 (Suppl 1):S31–S32 DOI 10.1007/s11270-007-9429-6
Urachal Anomalies: A Longitudinal Study of Urachal Remnants in Children and Adults

Purpose: Urachal anomalies are often recognized in children but they may persist into adulthood and cause considerable morbidity. We reviewed the clinical findings associated with these embryological structures and evaluated risk factors for cancer to define the optimal timing for intervention.Materials and Methods: We examined the medical records of 176 patients diagnosed with a urachal anomaly between 1951 and 2005. Association of clinicopathological features with malignancy for adults was evaluated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression studies.Results: Urachal remnants were identified in 46 children and 130 adults. Of the 46 children 20 (43%) presented with umbilical drainage and 23 (50%) could be diagnosed by physical examination. A total of 34 children (74%) underwent simple excision. In contrast, 65 of the 130 adults (50%) presented with hematuria, 78 (60%) required cystoscopy and 53 (41%) required computerized tomography. A total of 66 adults (51%) required more extensive surgical i...
The fast–slow continuum and mammalian life-history patterns: an empirical evaluation

Summary The fast–slow continuum hypothesis has been proposed to explain the diversity of life-history patterns exhibited by biological populations, but the quantification and population-dynamic consequences of the continuum has remained unclear. I used the ratio of fertility rate to age at first reproduction ( F / α ratio) to quantify the tempo of life-history of 138 populations of mammals, and investigated the life-history and population-dynamic consequences of being “fast” or “slow”. “Fast” mammals ( F / α > 0.60 ) were characterized by early maturity, short lifespans, low survival rates, and high fertility and projected population growth rate ( λ ) compared to “slow” ( F / α 0.15 ) mammals. In “fast” populations, λ was overwhelmingly most sensitive to changes in reproductive parameters (age at first reproduction and fertility rates) and relatively insensitive to changes in survival rates. In “slow” populations, λ was very sensitive to changes in juvenile or adult survival rates, and relatively insensitive to changes in reproductive parameters. The pattern of relationships between the F / α ratio and life-history variables, λ , and elasticity of λ to changes in life-history variables persisted even after the effects of body size and phylogeny were statistically removed. These results suggest that fast–slow continuum in mammalian life-history is independent of body size or phylogeny, that the F / α ratio adequately quantifies the position of a population along a fast–slow continuum, and that the tempo of life- histories has substantial population-dynamic consequences.
Using the Compatibility Factor to Design High Efficiency Segmented Thermoelectric Generators

Using thermoelectric compatibility, efficient thermoelectric generators are rationally designed. With examples, compatible and incompatible systems are explained and materials proposed for targeted development. The compatibility factor explains why segmentation of TAGS with SnTe or PbTe produces little extra power, while filled skutterudite increases the efficiency from 10.5% to 13.6%. High efficiency generators are designed with compatible n-type La2Te3, and similar p-type material, while incompatible SiGe alloys actually reduce the efficiency. A refractory metal with high p-type thermopower (> 100 μV/K) is required for development. The Chevrel compound Cu4Mo6Se8 is a compatible p-type metal that provides a modest increase in efficiency. A fully segmented generator using Bi2Te3-type, PbTe, TAGS, Zn4Sb3, skutterudite, La2Te3, and Chevrel compounds between 25° C and 1000° C will achieve 18.1% conversion efficiency.
Breach of Posterior Wall of Frontal Sinus: Management with Preservation of the Sinus

Objective To analyze outcomes after the management of mild ( 1 mm and Methods A retrospective analysis of prospectively accrued data was performed on patients with mild and moderately severe breaches of the posterior wall of their frontal sinus who were managed with the intent to preserve the frontal sinus. Data on presenting features, pathology, details on breaches of the posterior wall, management, outcome, and complications were collected from medical records and neuroimages. Results Forty-two cases met inclusion criteria. Diagnostic categories included trauma in 34 cases, infection in 3, and other categories in another 5 cases. Five presented with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, and 26 had radiographic evidence of obstruction of a nasofrontal duct at time of presentation. Fifteen patients were managed without surgical intervention, and 27 underwent surgery. No complications occurred in the patients managed without surgery and 4 postoperative cerebrospinal leaks that were managed successfully with a period of drainage occurred in the surgical group. No patient developed meningitis or mucocele. Conclusions Many patients with mild to moderately severe breaches of the posterior wall of the frontal sinus can be managed safely and effectively by techniques that preserve the anatomy and function of the frontal sinus.
A comparison of evaluation metrics for biomedical journals, articles, and websites in terms of sensitivity to topic

Evaluating the biomedical literature and health-related websites for quality are challenging information retrieval tasks. Current commonly used methods include impact factor for journals, PubMed's clinical query filters and machine learning-based filter models for articles, and PageRank for websites. Previous work has focused on the average performance of these methods without considering the topic, and it is unknown how performance varies for specific topics or focused searches. Clinicians, researchers, and users should be aware when expected performance is not achieved for specific topics. The present work analyzes the behavior of these methods for a variety of topics. Impact factor, clinical query filters, and PageRank vary widely across different topics while a topic-specific impact factor and machine learning-based filter models are more stable. The results demonstrate that a method may perform excellently on average but struggle when used on a number of narrower topics. Topic-adjusted metrics and other topic robust methods have an advantage in such situations. Users of traditional topic-sensitive metrics should be aware of their limitations.
Phylogenetic concordance analysis shows an emerging pathogen is novel and endemic

Distinguishing whether pathogens are novel or endemic is critical for controlling emerging infectious diseases, an increasing threat to wildlife and human health. To test the endemic vs. novel pathogen hypothesis, we present a unique analysis of intraspecific host-pathogen phylogenetic concordance of tiger salamanders and an emerging Ranavirus throughout Western North America. There is significant non-concordance of host and virus gene trees, suggesting pathogen novelty. However, non-concordance has likely resulted from virus introductions by human movement of infected salamanders. When human-associated viral introductions are excluded, host and virus gene trees are identical, strongly supporting coevolution and endemism. A laboratory experiment showed an introduced virus strain is significantly more virulent than endemic strains, likely due to artificial selection for high virulence. Thus, our analysis of intraspecific phylogenetic concordance revealed that human introduction of viruses is the mechanism underlying tree non-concordance and possibly disease emergence via artificial selection.
Caspofungin: An overview

The echinocandins are a novel class of antifungal agents that have come into use over the past 10 years. The mechanism of action of these lipopeptide agents is via noncompetitive inhibition of the synthesis of 1,3-beta-glucans, which are fungal cell wall constituents. All agents of this class are only available in an intravenous formulation. The first approved agent of this class was caspofungin (Cancidas). Caspofungin is a therapeutic option for patients with candidal esophagitis and deep-seated candidal infections, and is an alternative therapy for Aspergillus infections, especially in the salvage setting. In addition, it is a therapeutic option for the empiric therapy of febrile neutropenia. The usefulness of this agent in treating less common fungal infections has been cited in anecdotal reports. One major limitation of this drug is the lack of an oral formulation. Caspofungin may be considered as a component of combination antifungal regimens. Caspofungin represents a significant advance in the care of patients with serious fungal infections.
Effects of pre-operative administration of medetomidine on plasma insulin and glucose concentrations in healthy dogs and dogs with insulinoma

Abstract Objective To investigate the effect of medetomidine on plasma glucose and insulin concentrations in dogs with insulinoma and in healthy dogs undergoing anesthesia and surgery. Animals Twenty–five dogs with insulinoma and 26 healthy dogs. Methods In dogs with insulinoma, medetomidine (5 μg kg −1 ) was randomly included ( n = 12) or omitted ( n = 13) from the pre–anesthetic medication protocol, which typically contained an opioid and an anticholinergic. Healthy dogs received medetomidine (5 μg kg −1 ; n = 13) or acepromazine (0.04 mg kg −1 ; n = 13) plus an opioid (morphine 0.5 mg kg −1 ) and an anticholinergic (atropine 0.04 mg kg −1 ) as pre–anesthetic medications. Pre–anesthetic medications were given intramuscularly. Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were measured before (sample 1) and 30 minutes after pre–anesthetic medication (sample 2), and at the end of surgery in dogs with insulinoma or at 2 hours of anesthesia in healthy dogs (sample 3). Glucose requirement to maintain intra–operative normoglycemia in dogs with insulinoma was quantified and compared. Data were analyzed with anova and Bonferroni post–test, t –tests or chi–square tests as appropriate with p Results Medetomidine significantly decreased plasma insulin concentrations and increased plasma glucose concentrations in healthy dogs and those with insulinoma. These variables did not change significantly in the dogs not receiving medetomidine. In the dogs with insulinoma, intra–operative glucose administration rate was significantly less in the animals that received medetomidine compared to those that did not. Conclusions Pre–anesthetic administration of medetomidine significantly suppressed insulin secretion and increased plasma glucose concentration in dogs with insulinoma and in healthy dogs undergoing anesthesia and surgery. Clinical relevance These findings support the judicious use of medetomidine at low doses as an adjunct to the anesthetic management of dogs with insulinoma.
Distributed Algorithms for Generating Loop-Free Routes in Networks with Frequently Changing Topology

We consider the problem of maintaining communication between the nodes of a data network and a central station in the presence of frequent topological changes as, for example, in mobile packet radio networks. We argue that flooding schemes have significant drawbacks for such networks, and propose a general class of distributed algorithms for establishing new loop-free routes to the station for any node left without a route due to changes in the network topology. By virtue of built-in redundancy, the algorithms are typically activated very infrequently and, even when they are, they do not involve any communication within the portion of the network that has not been materially affected by a topological change.