cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is simpler better? Quality of life based on type of urinary diversion.

CANTER DJ. Is simpler better? Quality of life based on type of urinary diversion Can J Urol 2013; 20(1):6632. Although it has been reported that continent urinary diversions may not have increased morbidity in the short term,9 practically speaking, these diversions do require more effort and diligence than an ileal conduit. Ultimately, it is a very personal patient decision as to the type of urinary diversion that one chooses. Clearly, there are some patients whose self-image and other subjective, difficult to elucidate features dictate a continent urinary diversion. A patient choosing a continent urinary diversion requires extensive counseling to ensure that he/she understands the limitations of continent diversions and that these diversions do not function in a similar fashion as a “normal” bladder. In the appropriately selected, highly motivated patient, a continent urinary diversion is a reasonable choice, however as the present study seems to indicate, the majority of patients undergoing cystectomy are equally served with an ileal conduit. Radical cystectomy with urinary diversion is an effective yet potentially morbid treatment for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.1 Both the short term and long term complications related to the operation itself as well as the urinary diversion have been well-documented.2,3 One single-institutional study demonstrated that just over 60% of patients experienced a complication related to their urinary diversion and that there were on average 2.3 complications/patient.4 Thus, as with any major reconstructive oncologic surgery, the urologist is trying to maximize cancer control while minimizing the negative effects of the treatment itself. Population-based and institutional studies have demonstrated that younger, less comorbid men with a higher socioeconomic status are more likely to choose a continent urinary diversion versus an ileal conduit.5,6 The perception may be that a continent urinary diversion, especially an orthotopic diversion in men, may replicate both the normal anatomic and functional role of the native bladder, leading to an improved quality of life and self-image. However, the objective data to prove this assertion is lacking, and data indicates that the use of a continent urinary diversion has declined in more recent years.6 In the report contained in this issue of the Canadian Journal of Urology, the authors measured the quality of life in patients post-cystectomy stratified by diversion type using a validated quality of life assessment tool. In their report, the authors found that diversion type was not associated with an improved quality of life after radical cystectomy using the FACT-G Vanderbilt Cystectomy Index.7,8 Although this report had a relatively small number of respondents (n = 84), it is certainly thought-provoking in its findings and potential clinical extrapolations. References
Vegetal continuity and the naming of species

This essay takes up Karen Houle’s suggestion that we address the ‘conceptual monoculture’ at work in the naming of plants (Houle, 2017, 158). While Houle’s work considers the linguistic hegemony exercised by modern botany, my focus is on premodern attempts to identify species of plants and ‘contain’ them in language. I argue that such a history is incomplete without considering the ways in which plants inscribed themselves in the cultural artifacts that record and represent them, particularly language-artifacts like words and books. In medieval herbals, encyclopedias, romances, and treatises, the vegetal often escaped its scientific, philosophic, and/or poetic locution, most notably by a tendency to mass and merge. Vegetal ‘inscription’ is here not vocalization per se (pace Marder, 2017, 115), but rather an effect on the form and content of human discourse.
Tibial Cartilage Defects

Tibial plateau defects present a challenging clinical entity, as their location, geometry, and proximity to surrounding structures make them technically challenging to treat. Additionally, the literature on the management of tibial plateau cartilage defects is not well-developed. Techniques such as osteochondral allografts or autografts are technically complicated in these regions and should be approached with caution. Microfracture is a well-established technique that is technically simple and has low rates of complications, and it is well-suited for treating tibial plateau defects. However, concerns about the long-term outcomes of microfracture have been raised, likely secondary to the generation of fibrocartilage. Newer treatments that are available including BioCartilage (Arthrex, Naples, FL) and matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) may have promise in this technically demanding area.
G protein αq exerts expression level-dependent distinct signaling paradigms

G protein αq-coupled receptors (Gq-GPCRs) primarily signal through GαqGTP mediated phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ) stimulation and the subsequent hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4, 5 bisphosphate (PIP2). Though Gq-heterotrimer activation results in both GαqGTP and Gβγ, unlike Gi/o-receptors, it is unclear if Gq-coupled receptors employ Gβγ as a major signal transducer. Compared to Gi/o- and Gs-coupled receptors, we observed that most cell types exhibit a limited free Gβγ generation upon Gq-pathway and Gαq/11 heterotrimer activation. We show that cells transfected with Gαq or endogenously expressing more than average-levels of Gαq/11 compared to Gαs and Gαi exhibit a distinct signaling regime primarily characterized by recovery-resistant PIP2 hydrolysis. Interestingly, the elevated Gq-expression is also associated with enhanced free Gβγ generation and signaling. Furthermore, the gene GNAQ, which encodes for Gαq, has recently been identified as a cancer driver gene. We also show that GNAQ is overexpressed in tumor samples of patients with Kidney Chromophobe (KICH) and Kidney renal papillary (KIRP) cell carcinomas in a matched tumor-normal sample analysis, which demonstrates the clinical significance of Gαq expression. Overall, our data indicates that cells usually express low Gαq levels, likely safeguarding cells from excessive calcium as wells as from Gβγ signaling.
Late Evening Food and Beverage Consumption by U.S. Adults: Prevalence and Associations with Nutrient and Food Pattern Intakes (P18-118-19)

This study sought to characterize late evening (8:00 pm – 11:59 pm) food/beverage consumption among U.S. adults and compare nutrients and food pattern (FP) components (absolute intakes and densities/1000 kcal) between late evening reporters and nonreporters using the most recent nationwide dietary data. One day of 24-hour recall data from 9861 adults (4829 men and 5032 women) age ≥ 20 years collected in What We Eat in America, NHANES 2013–2016 was analyzed. Individuals who reported foods or beverages other than plain water between 8:00 pm and midnight on the intake day were considered late evening reporters. Nutrient and FP intakes of reporters and nonreporters were compared after regression adjustment for confounding variables including sex, age, and physical activity. Two-thirds (67%) of adults were late evening reporters. Prevalence of late evening eating/drinking did not differ by sex but was higher among adults age 20–39 (71%) and 40–59 years (67%) than among those ≥60 years (61%; P < 0.001; P-trend < 0.001). Among late evening reporters, 78% reported a snack, 38% reported a meal (primarily dinner), and 31% reported multiple meals/snacks during the late evening. Mean energy contributed by late evening foods/beverages was 519 kcal, accounting for 23% of reporters’ daily energy intake, 18–24% of nutrients, and 9–27% of FP components. Relative to nonreporters, reporters had higher adjusted mean daily intakes of energy (+268 kcal), nearly all macro- and micronutrients analyzed, and the FP components total and refined grains, total protein foods, eggs, total dairy, fluid milk, cheese, oils, solid fats, and added sugars. However, mean daily density per 1000 kcal did not differ by reporting status for any nutrients or FP components. Consuming foods and beverages during late evening is common among U.S. adults and contributes substantially to dietary intake. Late evening reporters have higher daily intakes of nutrients and FP components but densities do not differ. Findings of age-related differences in occurrence of late evening eating/drinking and in consumption of snacks versus meals in this time period suggest there may be varying patterns of late evening consumption in this population. ARS, USDA.
Effect of Potassium Level on Severity of Drechslera Leaf Spot of Calathea picturata ‘Vandenheckei’

Abstract Severity of Drechslera leaf spot (Drechslera setariae) of Calathea picturata ‘Vandenheckei’ was affected by potassium fertilization rate with ½, 1 or 2 times the recommended rate (1400 g/m...
A Tetramethylsilane TPC with Cherenkov light readout and 3D reconstruction

Abstract We describe the construction and calibration of a multi-channel liquid time projection chamber filled with Tetramethylsilane. Its charge readout system consists of 8 wires each in the X and Y directions. The chamber is also equipped with a light readout system consisting of a 5 ′ ′ photomultiplier tube coupled to the liquid volume through a viewport. The energy scale of the detector is calibrated using positron–electron pairs produced by 4.4 MeV gamma rays emitted from an AmBe source, using an external trigger on the positron annihilation gammas. The external trigger is then reconfigured to tag cosmic ray muons passing through the active Tetramethylsilane volume, which are used to measure the stopping power in Tetramethylsilane and the electron lifetime in the detector. We find a most-probable energy loss from minimum ionizing particles of Δ p ∕ d s = (0.60 ± 0.01) MeV/cm. We also measure an electron lifetime of 43 − 21 + 680 μ s by measuring the most-probable energy loss as a function of drift time. For both measurements, the errors are statistical only. For both fast electron and muon signals, the photomultiplier tube detects prompt Cherenkov light, demonstrating the possibility of self-triggering of the detector. The room-temperature organic target medium, together with the self-triggering capabilities and long electron lifetimes reported in this work, make this an attractive technology to explore for rare event detectors or other applications in the area of radiation measurements.
Factors Associated With Intention to Pursue Pharmacy Residency: The Undecided Student Issue

Abstract Purpose With over 14,000 pharmacy graduates in 2019 in the United States, the pharmacy job market may be steadily becoming saturated. As part of the quality indicators, many Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) programs report and encourage their graduates to pursue residencies. However, there is a portion of the pharmacy students that are undecided about residencies. The purpose of this study was to learn about contributing factors that leads students to being undecided regarding considering residency programs. Method This was a survey-based study of year two and three pharmacy students from five Colleges of Pharmacy in the United States, conducted retrospectively. This study compared students’ past behaviors, attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control between students who were undecided and those with an Intent to Pursue (ITP) residency. Results A total of 287 students responded to the survey (response rate = 24.78%). Students that had not attended Midyear/residency showcase were more likely to be undecided about residencies than those that did (91.67% vs 62.50%). In addition, undecided students were less likely to agree that the people who were important to them believed that they should pursue residency compared to ITP group (4.36 vs. 5.72, on a 7-point Likert score). Lastly, those who perceived large student loans or family obligations as barriers were more likely to be undecided (OR 1.761 and 1.560, respectively). Discussion Focusing on undecided students and addressing these major contributing factors as part of the career advising/preparation may result in shifting these students’ intention to pursue residency.
Health Insurance Coverage of Permanent Hair Removal in Transgender and Gender-Minority Patients

Importance Hair removal can be an essential component of the gender affirmation process for gender-minority (GM) patients whose outward appearance does not align with their gender identity. Objective To examine the health insurance policies in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace and Medicaid policies for coverage of permanent hair removal for transgender and GM patients and to correlate the policies in each state with statewide protections of coverage for gender-affirming care. Design and Setting Private health insurance policies available on the ACA marketplace and statewide Medicaid policies were examined in a cross-sectional study from September 1 to October 31, 2019, and January 17 to 30, 2020. Policies were assessed for coverage of permanent hair removal. Language concerning hair removal was found in each policy’s medical or clinical coverage guidelines and separated into general categories. Main Outcomes and Measures Logistic regression analyses were performed to compare Medicaid policies and ACA policies in states with and without transgender protections. Results A total of 174 policies were analyzed, including 123 private insurance policies and 51 statewide Medicaid policies. Of these policies, 8 (4.6%) permitted the coverage of permanent hair removal without explicit restrictions. The remaining 166 policies (95.4%) broadly excluded or did not mention gender-affirming care; prohibited coverage of hair removal or did not mention it; or only permitted coverage of hair removal preoperatively for genital surgery. The ACA marketplace policies in states without transgender care protections were less likely to cover hair removal without restrictions than ACA policies in states with protections (2 of 85 policies [2.4%] in states without transgender care protections vs 5 of 38 policies [13.2%] in states with transgender care protections), and Medicaid policies were less likely to cover preoperative or nonsurgical hair removal compared with ACA policies (6 of 51 Medicaid policies [11.8%] vs 47 of 123 ACA policies [38.2%]). Conclusions and Relevance Despite adoption of statewide restrictions on GM health care exclusions by several states, most Medicaid and ACA policies examined in this study did not cover permanent hair removal for transgender patients. Many GM patients seeking hair removal may be required to pay out-of-pocket costs, which could be a barrier for gender-affirming care.
A model of electronic map interpretation

This paper describes an experiment that provides data for the development of a cognitive model of pilot flight navigation. The model views navigation as a process involving the alignment of mental images with the perceptual view out of the cockpit. The data support a three stage model: (1) the perceptual encoding of the map display, (2) mental rotation of the mental image, and (3) comparison of the image to the environment. The variables that significantly influence the processes embodied in the model in decreasing importance are: speed of processing, display sequencing, map complexity, and rotation angle of the map. The model can be used as a preliminary computational tool in predicting the navigational component of pilot situational awareness.
Corporate Frauds, Information Asymmetry and Stock Market Reaction

Corporate financial frauds have shaken the investorsâ€™ trust in the credibility of financial reports. Given the significance of the association between the quality of governance structure and reliability of financial reporting mechanism, the study evaluates this relation to evidence whether firms accused of financial misconduct improve their credibility. Applying a sample of 63 firms involved in violations of Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) rules, the study affirms a positive relation between fraud disclosure and successive improvements in governance structure. The study further notices a positive relation between the buy-and-hold abnormal returns and the intensity of increase in outside director percentage after three years of fraud detection. These empirical assertions extend the understanding of the aftereffects of manipulating financial reports. They would be handful to the regulators debating corporate governance rules, to the management when crafting policies to reinstate investorsâ€™ trust after fraud revelation, and to the investors while deciding on future investments in these securities.
A cross-cultural study of the elementary forms of religious life: shamanistic healers, priests, and witches

Empirical cross-cultural research provides a typology of magico-religious practitioners and identifies their relations to social complexity, their selection-function relationships, and reveals thei...
Effects of carbonitrides and carbides on microstructure and properties of castable nanostructured alloys

Abstract To develop advanced reduced-activation ferritic-martensitic (RAFM) steels for fusion reactor structural applications, both carbonitride- and carbide-strengthened castable nanostructured alloys (CNAs) were explored for higher densities of MX (M = Ti/Ta/V/etc. and X = C/N) nanoprecipitates. Systematic comparisons between the two types of CNAs indicated generally similar microstructures and comparable tensile properties and creep resistance. However, the carbide-CNAs did show some advantages over the carbonitride-CNAs in terms of the uniformly distributed higher density of MC nanoprecipitates, greater Charpy impact upper shelf energies, less deuterium retention and swelling, and potentially less transmutation-induced composition changes and consequently thermodynamically more stable carbides. The carbide-CNAs showed the best-balanced high performance in the examined properties, in contrast to the significantly varied performance of oxide-dispersion-strengthened alloys and the generally lower performance of current RAFM steels.
Practical and Ethical Concerns in Implementing Enhanced Surveillance Methods to Improve Continuity of HIV Care: Qualitative Expert Stakeholder Study.

Background: Retention in HIV care is critical to maintaining viral suppression and preventing further transmission, yet less than 50% of people living with HIV in the United States are engaged in care. All US states have a funding mandate to implement Data-to-Care (D2C) programs, which use surveillance data (eg, laboratory, Medicaid billing) to identify out-of-care HIV-positive persons and relink them to treatment. Objective: The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify and describe practical and ethical considerations that arise in planning for and implementing D2C. Methods: Via purposive sampling, we recruited 43 expert stakeholders—including ethicists, privacy experts, researchers, public health personnel, HIV medical providers, legal experts, and community advocates—to participate in audio-recorded semistructured interviews to share their perspectives on D2C. Interview transcripts were analyzed across a priori and inductively derived thematic categories. Results: Stakeholders reported practical and ethical concerns in seven key domains: permission and consent, government assistance versus overreach, privacy and confidentiality, stigma, HIV exceptionalism, criminalization, and data integrity and sharing. Conclusions: Participants expressed a great deal of support for D2C, yet also stressed the role of public trust and transparency in addressing the practical and ethical concerns they identified. Trial Registration:
Toward a System of Evidence for All: Current Practices and Future Opportunities in 37 Randomized Trials:

As a result of the evidence-based decision-making movement, the number of randomized trials evaluating educational programs and curricula has increased dramatically over the past 20 years. Policy m...
Patterns of surveillance intensity in kidney cancer.

Surveillance guidelines for kidney cancer following surgery are heterogeneous, making it unclear what factors influence surveillance intensity in practice. Thus, we assessed the patterns of surveillance intensity in kidney cancer after primary surgery among patients ≥ 66 years. Non-metastatic kidney cancer patients after primary surgery (n = 2433) from 2007 to 2011 were identified in SEER-Medicare. Surveillance intensity was measured as the number of unique inpatient and outpatient claims made for kidney cancer starting 60 days after primary surgery. Multivariable linear regressions assessed relationships between patient factors and surveillance intensity (log-transformed). Parameters were reported using risk ratios (RRs). Patients diagnosed in contemporary years experienced 10% more surveillance visits/12 months (RR 1.10 for every 1-year increase, 95% CI 1.07–1.13, p < 0.001). Compared to pT1 stage, patients with pT2-4 disease experienced 108% more surveillance visits/12 months (RR 2.08, 95% CI 1.90–2.27, p < 0.001). Both older age and living in a metro/urban area, as compared to a big metropolitan location, were associated with significantly fewer follow-up visits (10-year increase in age: RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.83–0.95, p < 0.001; metro/urban: RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.79–0.93, p < 0.001). Surgery type (radical, partial or ablation), gender, race and Charlson comorbidity score were not significantly associated with surveillance intensity. Similar to guidelines, surveillance intensity in practice was associated with stage, but not with surgery type. Other factors such as diagnosis year, care location and patient age were associated with the amount of surveillance administered by the clinician. These additional influences are augmenting the heterogeneous delivery of kidney cancer surveillance care.
Teaching while traumatized: an autoethnographic account of teaching, triggers, and the higher education classroom

With this paper, we present an autoethnographic account of how two higher education teachers have navigated the classroom as they deal with their own traumatic experiences. This includes discussion...
Digital breast tomosynthesis denoising using deep convolutional neural network: effects of dose level of training target images

This paper investigates the training of deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) to denoise digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) images. In our approach, the DCNN was trained with high dose (HD)/low dose (LD) image pairs, in which the HD image was used as reference to guide the DCNN to learn to reduce noise of a corresponding input LD image. In the current work, we studied the effect of the dose level of the HD target images on the effectiveness of the trained denoiser. We generated a set of simulated DBT data with different dose levels using CatSim, a dedicated x-ray imaging simulator, in combination with virtual anthropomorphic breast phantoms simulated by VICTRE. We found that a DCNN trained with higher dose level of HD target images led to less noisy denoised images. We also acquired DBT images of real physical phantoms containing simulated microcalcifications (MCs) for training and validation. The denoisers trained with either simulated or physical phantom data improved significantly (&#119901;&#119901; < 0.0001) the contrast-tonoise ratio of MCs in the validation phantom images. In an independent test set of human subject DBTs, the MCs became more conspicuous, and the mass margins and spiculations were well preserved. The study showed that the denoising DCNN was robust in that the denoiser could be trained with either simulation or physical phantom data. Moreover, the denoiser trained with CatSim simulation data was directly applicable to human DBTs, allowing flexibility in terms of the training data preparation, especially the HD images.
The Role of Skeletal Muscles in Exertional Heat Stroke Pathophysiology.

The active participation of skeletal muscles is a unique characteristic of exertional heat stroke. Nevertheless, the only well-documented link between skeletal muscle activities and exertional heat stroke pathophysiology is the extensive muscle damage (e. g., rhabdomyolysis) and subsequent leakage of intramuscular content into the circulation of exertional heat stroke victims. Here, we will present and discuss rarely explored roles of skeletal muscles in the context of exertional heat stroke pathophysiology and recovery. This includes an overview of heat production that contributes to severe hyperthermia and the synthesis and secretion of bioactive molecules, such as cytokines, chemokines and acute phase proteins. These molecules can alter the overall inflammatory status from pro- to anti-inflammatory, affecting other organ systems and influencing recovery. The activation of innate immunity can determine whether a victim is ready to return to physical activity or experiences a prolonged convalescence. We also provide a brief discussion on whether heat acclimation can shift skeletal muscle secretory phenotype to prevent or aid recovery from exertional heat stroke. We conclude that skeletal muscles should be considered as a key organ system in exertional heat stroke pathophysiology.
Emergency management of open fractures

Open fractures are associated with an increased risk of complications, such as infection or nonunion, and present a therapeutic challenge. The incidence of such complications is directly influenced...
The effects of static avatars on impression formation across different contexts on social networking sites

Participants formed impressions based on social media profiles.Profiles had different avatars and creation contexts.Nonhuman avatars create more physical uncertainty and less task attraction than other types.Avatars designed for task attractiveness may lower uncertainty about task attractiveness.Avatar cues and context impact attraction. When making judgments about others, people use whatever social information is available in online environments. Such is the case for forming impressions of others. One type of such social information is a user's avatar. This study examines different types of avatars (photographs, cartoon humans, and nonhumans) created for task, social or dating/romantic situations to study the effect of avatar type on judgments of uncertainty and task-specific attractiveness. Data suggest various patterns of uncertainty and attractiveness in these situations. Both the graphic from of an avatar and the context of impression formation have effects on subsequent impression formation. Judgments of uncertainty and attraction were affected by both the graphic from of avatar and by the consistency between the context of impression formation and the attractiveness cues of the avatar. These findings are discussed as are implications for future research.
Why Do Investors Trade? A Realization Utility Explanation

This short note provides a non-technical summary of our Review of Financial Studies paper, 'Realization Utility with Reference-Dependent Preferences'.
Identification of a specific binding protein for 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in basal-lateral membranes of chick intestinal epithelium and relationship to transcaltachia.

Abstract The steroid hormone 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3) elicits biological responses by both genomic and nongenomic pathways. This report describes purification of a receptor for 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 (VDR) located in the basal-lateral membrane (BLM) of vitamin D-replete chick intestinal epithelium, which is implicated in the nongenomic stimulation of calcium transport (transcaltachia). The BLM-VDR exhibited saturable binding for [3H]1,25-(OH)2D3 (KD = 0.72 x 10(-9)M, Bmax = 0.24 pmol/mg of protein). A 4500-fold purification of the BLM-VDR receptor was achieved. In addition, saturable binding was observed for [3H]24R,25-(OH)2D3 at physiologically relevant levels (KD = 19 x 10(-9) M, Bmax = 2.4 pmol/mg of protein) to a component apparently distinct from the 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 BLM-VDR. A functional correlation between the BLM-VDR and transcaltachia was observed in three experimental situations: (i) vitamin D deficiency, which suppresses transcaltachia, resulted in reduced specific [3H]1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 binding in the BLM-VDR, relative to corresponding fractions from vitamin D-replete chicks; (ii) the BLM-VDR exhibited down-regulation of specific [3H]1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 binding following exposure to nonradioactive 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3; and (iii) the relative potencies of two "6-s-cis" analogs of 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 to initiate transcaltachia and their ability to compete with [3H]1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 for binding to the BLM-VDR were parallel. The combined results support the existence of a plasmalemal 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 receptor which is a prime candidate for signal transduction in transcaltachia.
What questions do patients undergoing lower extremity joint replacement surgery have

The value of the Internet to deliver preoperative education would increase if there was variability in questions patients want answered. This study's goal was to have patients consulting an orthopedic surgeon about undergoing either a total hip arthroplasty (THA) or a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) rate the importance of different questions concerning their care. We assembled questions patients might have about joint replacement surgery by analyzing the literature and querying a pilot group of patients and surgeons. Twenty-nine patients considering undergoing THA and 19 patients considering TKR completed a written survey asking them to rate 30 different questions, with a 5 point Likert scale from 1 (least important) – 5 (most important). For patients considering THA or TKR, the 4 highest rated questions were: Will the surgery affect my abilities to care for myself?, Am I going to need physical therapy?, How mobile will I be after my surgery?, When will I be able to walk normally again? The mean percentage disagreement was 42% for questions answered by TKR patients and 47% for the THA group. Some patients gave a high rating to questions lowly rated by the rest of the group. Although there was enough agreement to define a core set of questions that should be addressed with most patients considering THA or TKA, some of the remaining questions were also highly important to some patients. The Web may offer a flexible medium for accommodating this large variety of information needs.
Planting and Maintenance

Trees planted in the urban street setting are constantly fighting for their survival. Trees need sunlight, oxygen, water, and soil volume for nutrients and stability. As our urban population centers grow, technology and planning are needed to help establish trees in this environment. As new planting materials are developed and transplanting techniques are modified, it becomes necessary to change our method of planting to meet the urban forests’ challenge. Using the Princeton area as a model for planting and maintenance specifications in the Northeast will show both the seasonal considerations and problems involved in keeping a healthy and sustainable tree population.
Genetic Constraints on the Evolution of Phenotypic Plasticity

In many species, dramatic phenotypic variation can be observed among individuals that are allowed to develop in different environments. Such environment-related phenotypic variation need not always indicate genetic differentiation; phenotypic variation among genetically identical individuals can result from the susceptibility to environmental influences. A change in the average phenotype expressed by a genotype in different macro-environments is generally called phenotypic plasticity (cf. Bradshaw 1965). Although variation due to micro-environmental effects within environments (“developmental instability”, Bradshaw 1985) is considered in the models discussed here, the objective of this chapter is to discuss the evolutionary mechanisms that can produce an advantageous phenotypic response to spatial variation in the environment, that is, adaptive phenotypic plasticity.
Effect of Temperature on Defect Generation during Copper Chemical Mechanical Planarization

Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) is the process of choice for planarization of the constituent layers of the Multi Level Metallization schemes in modern Integrated Circuits. Besides having a lot of advantages, copper CMP process still needs significant process control to eliminate defects such as delamination, microscratches, dishing, erosion etc. In this research, effect of heat generated at the interface on the generation of CMP defects has been investigated. CMP of blanket and patterned samples has been carried out at two conditions of pressure x velocity values with varying slurry temperature. Post CMP metrology is carried out using Atomic force microscopy (AFM) in order to characterize the variation in scratch depth, dishing profile and non-uniformity in step coverage. Pictures of the patterned samples polished at different temperatures are captured using Optical Microscopy (OM) to study the dishing and dissolution of copper lines in greater detail. The primary goal of this study was to gain deeper understanding of the effect of heat generation and rise in temperature at the pad-wafer-slurry interface on CMP induced defectivity.
Identity of Staphylococcus epidermidis

Jones, Dorothy (American Meat Institute Foundation, Chicago, Ill.), R. H. Deibel, and C. F. Niven, Jr. Identity of Staphylococcus epidermidis. J. Bacteriol. 85:62-67. 1963.-The species Staphylococcus epidermidis is defined more precisely, and compared with other staphylococci. The physiological characteristics considered to be of primary import are: (i) ability to grow anaerobically in a defined complex medium with glucose or pyruvate as the energy source; (ii) inability to produce coagulase; (iii) ability to ferment serine as an energy source; (iv) the requirement for biotin and uracil (under anaerobic conditions) in a semisynthetic medium; and (v) inability to reduce nitrate beyond nitrite.
Pillar: A Parallel Implementation Language

As parallelism in microprocessors becomes mainstream, new prog- ramming languages and environments are emerging to meet the challenges of parallel programming. To support research on these languages, we are developing a low-level language infrastructure called Pillar(derived from Parallel Implementation Language). Although Pillar programs are intended to be automatically generated from source programs in each parallel language, Pillar programs can also be written by expert programmers. The language is defined as a small set of extensions to C. As a result, Pillar is familiar to C programmers, but more importantly, it is practical to reuse an existing optimizing compiler like gcc [1] or Open64 [2] to implement a Pillar compiler. Pillar's concurrency features include constructs for threading, synchronization, and explicit data-parallel operations. The threading constructs focus on creating new threads only when hardware resources are idle, and otherwise executing parallel work within existing threads, thus minimizing thread creation overhead. In addition to the usual synchronization constructs, Pillar includes transactional memory. Its sequential features include stack walking, second-class continuations, support for precise garbage collection, tail calls, and seamless integration of Pillar and legacy code. This paper describes the design and implementation of the Pillar software stack, including the language, compiler, runtime, and high-level converters(that translate high-level language programs into Pillar programs). It also reports on early experience with three high-level languages that target Pillar.
Speckle interferometry of asteroids III. 511 Davida and its photometry

Photometric interferometry data on the fifth largest minor planet, 511 Davida, are used to generate orbital elements and physical dimensions. The Seward 2.3 m telescope was employed to obtain the speckle interferometric data. The asteroid was assumed to be a uniform-surfaced triaxial ellipsoid rotating about its shortest axis. A simultaneous amplitude-magnitude aspect method is defined for determining the pole position of the object, which is calculated to be within 4 deg of (307 deg; +32). A weighted amplitude aspect relation provides similar data. The albedos are estimated to lie within the range 0.24-0.42, and an a/b axial ratio of 0.97-1.66 is projected. The variations in the photometric albedos are taken as evidence of a nonuniform surface, a conclusion similar to that reached after earlier photometric measurements of the asteroid Herculina.
The genetic background of Streptococcus pneumoniae affects protection in mice immunized with PspA

Anti-PspA antibodies are less efficient at protecting mice against certain pneumococcal strains. Immunization with PspA from EF5668 provided better protection against WU2 (a different capsular serotype and PspA family) than against EF5668. To understand the role of the pneumococcal genetic background in anti-PspA-mediated protection, we constructed a mutant of WU2 expressing pspA from EF5668. Both passive and active immunization demonstrated that the genetic background impacted the protection mediated by anti-PspA antibodies. We localized the protection-eliciting region to the first 122 amino acid residues of the N-termius of the α-helical domain of PspA/EF5668.
A Review of “Presidents Creating the Presidency: Deeds Done in Words”

In 1987, Jeffrey Tulis attracted significant scholarly attention for his thoughtful exploration of the origins—and importance—of modern presidential rhetoric in The Rhetorical Presidency. Three yea...
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Timely diagnosis and treatment can prevent severe contractures.

PREVIEWReflex sympathetic dystrophy is characterized by persistent pain associated with trophic and vasomotor changes in and around a joint, usually to a degree that is disproportionate to the extent of injury. These symptoms, however, are consistent with those of many other clinical entities. How, then, are timely diagnosis and treatment achieved? In this article, Dr Lopez reviews this condition, describes a typical case, and recommends diagnostic and treatment options.
Oxidation of methyl and ethyl nitrosamines by cytochrome P450 2E1 and 2B1.

Cytochrome P450 (P450) 2E1 is the major enzyme that oxidizes N-nitrosodimethylamine [N,N-dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)], a carcinogen and also a representative of some nitrosamines formed endogenously. Oxidation of DMN by rat or human P450 2E1 to HCHO showed a high apparent intrinsic kinetic deuterium isotope effect (KIE), ≥8. The KIE was not attenuated in noncompetitive intermolecular experiments with rat liver microsomes {DV = 12.5; D(V/K) = 10.9 [nomenclature of Northrop, D. B. (1982) Methods Enzymol. 87, 607–625]} but was with purified human P450 2E1 [DV = 3.3; D(V/K) = 3.7], indicating that C–H bond breaking is partially rate-limiting with human P450 2E1. With N-nitrosodiethylamine [N,N-diethylnitrosamine (DEN)], the intrinsic KIE was slightly lower and was not expressed [e.g., D(V/K) = 1.2] in noncompetitive intermolecular experiments. The same general pattern of KIEs was also seen in the D(V/K) results with DMN and DEN for the minor products resulting from the denitrosation reactions (CH3NH2, CH3CH2NH2...
Kinetics of ion beam nitridation (IBN) of Si and of MBE-grown Ge and SixGe1−x alloys: The role of ion energy, ion dose and substrate temperature

Abstract The growth of thin nitride films of Si, MBE-grown Ge and Si x Ge 1− x alloys on Si by low energy ion beam nitridation (IBN)_has been investigated both theoretically and experimentally. This paper focuses on the modeling of the kinetics of IBN thin film growth. The model is based on our recent experimental results and includes the present understanding of atomic collisions at low energy and the thermal diffusivity and chemical reactivity of point defects generated by IBN. Three variables relevant to ion beam nitridation (IBN), ion energy, ion dose, and substrate temperature, are studied for their effect on the growth of nitride films and their resulting properties. These variables are shown to constitute attractive processing parameters to control nitride properties in a way that cannot be achieved thermally. The proposed model takes into account the range and range straggling of the ions, physical sputtering, desorption, chemical reaction and enhanced mobility of point defects created in the collision cascade. Based on this model, the film thickness and stoichiometry at any stage of IBN can be computed using finite differences calculation methods. Analytical expressions can also be derived for the two limiting cases of “low dose” or initial stage, and “high dose” which corresponds to growth saturation at steady state. Such modeling is shown to be useful in determining the chemical processes which govern the reactive growth of IBN nitride thin films. IBN is shown for instance to be a reaction of order greater than one. Diffusivity and reactivity are found to be competitive during IBN, quite the opposite of ion beam oxidation (IBO), where reactivity dominates over diffusivity.
Dark Currents and Their Effect on the Primary Beam in an X-band Linac

We numerically study properties of primary dark currents in an $X$-band accelerating structure. For the H60VG3 structure considered for the Next Linear Collider (NLC) we first perform a fairly complete (with some approximations) calculation of dark-current trajectories. These results are used to study properties of the dark current leaving the structure. For example, at accelerating gradient of $65\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{MV}/\mathrm{m}$, considering two very different assumptions about dark-current emission around the irises, we find that the fraction of emitted current leaving the structure to be a consistent $\ensuremath{\sim}1%$. Considering that $\ensuremath{\sim}1\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{mA}$ outgoing dark current is seen in measurement, this implies that $\ensuremath{\sim}100\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{mA}$ (or 10 pC per period) is emitted within the structure itself. Using the formalism of the Li\'enard-Wiechert potentials, we then perform a systematic calculation of the transverse kick of dark currents on a primary linac bunch. The result is $\ensuremath{\sim}1\text{ }\mathrm{V}$ kick per mA (or per $0.1\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{pC}$ per period) dark current emitted from an iris. For an entire structure we estimate the total kick on a primary bunch to be $\ensuremath{\sim}15\text{ }\mathrm{V}$. For the NLC linac this translates to a ratio of (final) vertical beam offset to beam size of about 0.2. However, with the assumptions that needed to be made\char22{}particularly the number of emitters and their distribution within a structure\char22{}the accuracy of this result may be limited to the order of magnitude.
Dimeric structure of the six-domain VibF subunit of vibriobactin synthetase: mutant domain activity regain and ultracentrifugation studies.

Nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS), fatty acid synthases (FAS), and polyketide sythases (PKS) are multimodular enzymatic assembly lines utilized in natural product biosynthesis. Previous data on FAS and PKS subunits have indicated that they are homodimers and that some of their catalytic functions can work in trans. When NRPS assembly lines have been probed for comparable formation of stable oligomers, no evidence had been forthcoming that species other than monomer forms were active. In this work we focus on the six-domain (Cy1-Cy2-A-C1-PCP-C2) enzyme VibF from the vibriobactin synthetase assembly line, which contains three other proteins, VibB, VibE, and VibH, thatwhen purified and mixed with VibF and the substrates ATP, threonine, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate (DHB), and norspermidineproduce the iron chelator vibriobactin. Using a deletion of the Cy1 domain and separate inactivating mutations in the Cy2, A, PCP, and C2 domains of VibF, we report regain of catalytic activity upon mutant protein mixing that...
Effect of 2-deoxyglucose on bovine spermatozoan metabolism and preservation.

Abstract Bovine spermatozoa were used to test the effectiveness of the glucose analog, 2-deoxyglucose (2DG), as a reversible inhibitor of spermatozoan glycolysis, with its possible use as a spermatozoan preservative under practical storage conditions. The results showed that 2DG was an effective inhibitor of spermatozoan glycolysis, with fructolysis being more sensitive to the inhibitory action of 2DG than glucolysis. This inhibition was reversed by adding glucose. The oxidative metabolism of pyruvate and lactate was not inhibited by concentrations of 2DG which completely inhibited the oxidation of fructose. The oxidation of glucose-1-, glucose-6-, and fructose-6-phosphates was inhibited by 2DG. Thus it appears that the analog inhibits at several enzyme steps in the Embden-Meyerhof pathway of glycolysis, but the primary inhibition appears to be on the hexokinase enzyme for fructose. During longer storage, when motility was inhibited and recovered by addition of glucose, recovery became more difficult with longer storage. Thus the addition of 2DG appeared detrimental to livability of the cells under the conditions employed and consequently cannot be used as a metabolic control mechanism for preserving spermatozoa.
Governing Doped Bodies: The World Anti-Doping Agency and the Global Culture of Surveillance:

This essay examines the governing practices of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), an organization established in 1999 to cope with the crisis of illicit performance-enhancing drug use in internat...
Disentangling the wage-productivity relationship: Evidence from select OECD member countries

Conventional theory proposes that firms reward productivity improvements with higher wages. Conversely, efficiency wage theory suggests that wages can induce greater productivity. This paper applies a statistical technique that disentangles the potential bidirectional feedback between wages and productivity. Wage strategies in six industrialized countries with various labor market institutions are examined. Conventional and efficiency wage practices vary systematically across the industrialized countries; these variations are consistent with the expected effects of labor market institutions.
Visitation of Heliotrope and Western Purslane Flowers by Hesperopsis gracielae (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae)

ABSTRACT We conducted 2 studies on nectar-feeding by MacNeill's sootywing, Hesperopsis gracielae (MacNeill), a rare skipper, near the lower Colorado River in Cibola Valley, Arizona. In the first study, we examined rates of visitation by adults to Heliotropium curassavicum (Boraginaceae) inflorescences and Sesuvium verrucosum (Aizoaceae) flowers on potted plants. Visitation rates per plant or per inflorescence or flower did not differ between species when species were placed alone or together or when plants were placed in sun or shade. Frequencies of landings on both species were greater on plants in sun than shade, suggesting sooty-wings visually respond to flowers when foraging for nectar. In the second study, we measured masses of sugar in H. curassavicum inflorescences on wild plants after visitation by male or female adults. Inflorescences visited by females contained more sugar, but similar numbers of flowers, than those visited by males. Amounts of sugar remaining in inflorescences visited by female...