cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genesis and interpretation of differences in distribution of baseline characteristics between cases and non-cases in cohort studies

Abstract In cohort studies the transition of an individual from a non-case to a case (or event) can be viewed as a random selection process which is dependent on the values of some baseline risk variables. When true risk factors are studied the cases will be found to have different mean baseline values than the non-cases. The difference at baseline can also extend to other features of the statistical distributions for cases and non-cases. An illustration is given based on data from the Framingham Heart Study with systolic blood pressure and cigarette smoking as baseline risk variables and death due to all causes as an outcome. A mathematical model describing baseline distribution and selection to be a case is developed and discussed. This model is consistent, for example, with the observed differences between cases and non-cases in the regression of baseline systolic blood pressure upon number of cigarettes smoked, as well as other parameters. It is argued that these results should serve as a caution against making inferences concerning biological mechanisms based on differences in statistics for cases and non-cases. The risk function assumed in the mathematical model is shown, by examples, to give results similar to those obtained using the well-known logistic risk function.
The proximate composition and glycoalkaloid content of three potato meals

The proximate composition and glycoalkaloid content of a dried potato by-product meal (tater meal) and two dried potato pulp meals (potato meal and potato meal plus 10% molasses) were determined. All three feeds demonstrated variable compositions: the tater meal averaged 8.7% moisture, 9.1% crude protein, 5.4% ether extract, 5.0% crude fiber, 4.1% ash and 56.8% nitrogen-free extract; the potato meal averaged 14.5% moisture, 6.0% crude protein, 0.5% ether extract, 9.5% crude fiber, 2.2% ash and 57.1% nitrogen-free extract; the potato meal plus 10% molasses averaged 15.3% moisture, 6.4% crude protein, 0.3% ether extract, 8.0% crude fiber, 2.6% ash and 57.8% nitrogen-free extract. The phosphorus concentration was determined to be approximately 0.2% for the three samples. Other minerals were found in lesser concentrations. The riboflavin and thiamine concentrations of the three potato meals were less than 10% of the values reported for raw potato pulp and peel. The niacin concentration was approximately 40% of the values reported for raw potato pulp and peel. Tater meal contained 11.5 mg a-chaconine and 6.5 mg α-solanine per 100g meal. Analysis of potato meal gave 15.8 mg α-chaconine and 7.8 mg α-solanine per 100g meal while the potato meal plus 10% molasses was found to contain 13.2 mg α-chaconine and 7.3 mg α-solanine per l00g meal.
Frequency analysis of GaN MESFETs using full-band cellular Monte Carlo

A full-band electron transport calculation in wurtzite phase GaN based on a detailed model of the electron-phonon interactions using a Cellular Monte Carlo (CMC) approach is applied to the frequency analysis of MESFETs. Realistic polar-optical phonon, impurity, piezoelectric and dislocation scattering is included in the full-band CMC simulator, which shows good agreement with measured velocity-field data. The effect of the dislocation scattering on the MESFET RF characteristics is examined as well, indicating that the computed cut-off frequency is affected by the crystal dislocation density and bias conditions. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The two-machine no-wait general and proportionate open shop makespan problem

Abstract We consider the two-machine no-wait open shop minimum makespan problem in which the determination of an optimal solution requires an optimal pairing of the jobs followed by the optimal sequencing of the job pairs. We show that the required enumeration can be curtailed by reducing the pair sequencing problem for a given pair set to a traveling salesman problem which is equivalent to a two-machine no-wait flow shop problem solvable in O ( n log n ) time. We then propose an optimal O ( n log n ) algorithm for the proportionate problem with equal machine speeds in which each job has the same processing time on both machines. We show that our O ( n log n ) algorithm also applies to the more general proportionate problem with equal machine speeds and machine-specific setup times. We also analyze the proportionate problem with unequal machine speeds and conclude that the required enumeration can be further curtailed (compared to the problem with arbitrary job processing times) by eliminating certain job pairs from consideration.
Cloning and Characterization of ALX, an Adaptor Downstream of CD28

T cell activation requires two signals: specific recognition of antigen through the T cell receptor (TCR) and a costimulatory signal provided primarily by CD28 in naive T cells. We cloned a novel gene with considerable homology to RIBP/TSAd/Lad, an adaptor involved in T cell activation and interleukin-2 (IL-2) promoter activation. Expression of this gene is limited to the spleen and thymus. We have named this gene ALX, adaptor in lymphocytes of unknown function X. Because the related adaptor RIBP is involved in IL-2 regulation, we investigated whether ALX had a similar function. ALX overexpression in Jurkat T cells results in inhibition of IL-2 promoter activation after stimulation with superantigen. The IL-2 promoter contains several binding sites for transcription factors including the composite element RE/AP, which is the primary site of CD28 transcriptional activation. ALX overexpression had the greatest effect on the activation of a RE/AP reporter as opposed to an AP-1 reporter. Interestingly, ALX overexpression strongly inhibited RE/AP activation in response to anti-CD28/phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) stimulation but had minimal effect when anti-TCR/PMA was used. Therefore, it appears that ALX may function downstream of CD28 costimulation during T cell activation. In addition, the mobility of ALX shifts upon TCR/CD28 costimulation to a greater extent than what is observed with either stimulus alone demonstrating that ALX is a target of both TCR and CD28 costimulatory signaling pathways.
Carcinoma in exstrophy of the bladder.

T HIRTY cases of carcinoma occurring in the exstrophic bladder have been reported in the literature. We wish to report an additional case, making a total of thirty-one reported cases. McCown l6 summarized the reported cases of exstraphy of the bladder in 1gqo and added one case, bringing the number of reported cases up to twenty-five. IIe did not include the case reported by Montpellier in 1935. li In 1913, Abeshouse’ reviewed the entire subject and added one case. Graham6 reported two cases in ‘g-12 and Etherington-Wilsonj reported the thirtieth case in 1945. The addition of our case makes (1 tctal of thirty-one reported cases of carcinoma occurring in the exstrophic bladder. (Table I.)
Watching Hydrogen Bonds Break: A Transient Absorption Study of Water

Ultrafast infrared transient absorption measurements of the complete hydroxyl OD stretching mode spectrum of HOD in water, from 100 fs to tens of picoseconds, observe hydrogen bond breaking and monitor the equilibration of the hydrogen bond network in water. In addition, the vibrational lifetime, the time constant for hydrogen bond breaking, and the rate of orientational relaxation are determined. The reactant and photoproduct spectra of the hydrogen bond breaking process are identified by decomposing the transient spectra into two components, the initial spectrum associated with vibrational excited states (reactants) and the long-time spectrum associated with broken hydrogen bonds (photoproducts). By properly taking into account the perturbation of the reactant spectrum decay by the growth of the photoproduct spectrum, it is found that the vibrational relaxation (1.45 ps) and orientational relaxation (1.53 ps) are wavelength independent and, therefore, independent of the degree of hydrogen bonding. Energy deposited into water by vibrational relaxation does not immediately break a hydrogen bond by predissociation nor produce a thermally equilibrated hydrogen bond distribution at an elevated temperature. Following deposition of energy by vibrational relaxation, the hydrogen bond breaking time is 800 fs, and there is a transient period of several picoseconds during which the hydrogen bond distribution is not in thermal equilibrium.
Enhancing middleware support for architecture-based development through compositional weaving of styles

Architecture-based software development has been shown as an effective approach for managing the implementation complexity of large-scale software systems. Architecture-based development is often achieved with the help of a middleware, which provides implementation-level counterparts for the architectural modeling constructs. Such a middleware automatically ensures that implemented system accurately embodies the properties encoded in its architectural models. However, existing middlewares do not provide sufficient support for architectural styles. This is due to the crosscutting structure of styles that impacts the behavior of every other architectural construct, and hence the corresponding middleware facilities. We present an aspect-oriented approach that alleviates this problem by weaving the stylistic concerns with the rest of the middleware. The approach decouples stylistic concerns from other middleware facilities, which in turn improves the middleware's understandability and flexibility, and enables rapid composition of hybrid styles. We evaluate the approach and describe our experiences by providing support for several well-known styles using two open-source middleware platforms.
Gangliosides as Modulators of Dendritogenesis in Normal and Storage Disease-affected Pyramidal Neurons

Pyramidal cells initiate the formation of dendritic arbors in a prolific burst of neurite outgrowth during early cortical development. Although morphologically mature pyramidal neurons do not normally sprout additional primary dendrites, the discovery of ectopic dendritogenesis in neuronal storage diseases has revealed that these cells do retain this ability under appropriate stimulation. The capacity for renewal of dendritogenesis has been found to exhibit a species gradient with human > cat, dog, sheep > mouse. A consistent metabolic feature of ectopic dendrite-bearing pyramidal neurons is a heightened intracellular expression of GM2 ganglioside. Elevated expression of this same glycosphingolipid has also been found to correlate with normal dendritogenesis. Immature neurons in developing cat and ferret cortex exhibit high levels of GM2 ganglioside immunoreactivity coincident with normal dendritic sprouting and a similar relationship has now been shown for human cortical development. Ultrastructural studies of all three species revealed GM2 localized to vesicles in a manner consistent with Golgi synthesis and exocytic trafficking to the somatic-dendritic plasmalemma. We propose that GM2 ganglioside functions in glycosphingolipid-enriched microdomains (lipid rafts) in the plasmalemma to promote dendritic initiation through modulation of specific membrane proteins and/or their associated second messenger cascades.
Variable Block Size Architecture for Programs

Cache reconfiguration is well studied topic in recent time. This paper proposes an algorithm to determine variable block size for variables in a program at some predetermined points called decision points based on their access pattern. The whole program is divided into segments by the decision points. Rules to decide the decision points are developed. The algorithm identifies the decision points, formulates optimization function to determine the average memory access time for the variables involved at these decision points. Solving the optimization function with constraints gives the optimal block size. The algorithm is simulated for a chosen example and an improvement of 78% in AMAT was observed for the chosen example. The chosen example performed better than prefetching by 28%.
Development of OE integrated surface mount packaging

In an effort to provide a breakthrough in next-generation fiber optic data links, we are proposing a concept in optics and electronics (OE) integrated surface mount packaging technology. It can provide more compact and easier assembly of optoelectronics packaging. One assembly issue of surface mount packaging is being able to secure high bit rate transmission lines from board level to optics mount level as well as optical connectivity on the board. In this paper, we describe how a flat lead type surface mount package utilizing RF vias, which has broadband characteristics and provides high performance, low distortion of the pulse waveform, and low jitter, from active devices. For a demonstration, we evaluated actual EO modules using 2 mm length RF vias, enabling a receptacle such as an SC type to be attached. Measurement results of electrical/optical eye diagram tests were very close to the theoretical expectations. Therefore, we believe that the technology is a positive solution to develop downsizing and mass-productivity of optoelectronics packaging.
Downloading replicated, wide-area files - a framework and empirical evaluation

The challenge of efficiently retrieving files that are broken into segments and replicated across the wide-area is of prime importance to wide-area, peer-to-peer, and grid file systems. Two differing algorithms addressing this challenge have been proposed and evaluated. While both have been successful in differing performance scenarios, there has been no unifying work that can view both algorithms under a single framework. We define such a framework, where download algorithms are defined in terms of four dimensions: the number of simultaneous downloads, the degree of work replication, the failover strategy, and the server selection algorithm. We then explore the impact of varying parameters along each of these dimensions.
A Model of Naticid Gastropod Predator-Prey Coevolution

This paper presents the first in a series of increasingly complex models of naticid gastropod predator-prey coevolution. This model is restricted to one predator and one prey and to coevolutionary feedback in size change. Subsequent models will involve multiple species and evolving morphologies. Gastropods of the family Naticidae are predators on other molluscs, both gastropods and bivalves, which they attack by drilling through the shells of their prey. The unique characteristics of the naticid gastropod system for testing aspects of coevolutionary theory in the fossil record were discussed by Kitchell et al. (1981) and Kitchell (1982).
Compute-and-Forward: Error-Correcting Codes for Wireless Network Coding on the Physical Layer

By exploiting properties of the wireless medium, network coding may provide even larger throughput increases for wireless networks than possible for wired networks. In particular, simultaneously transmitted signals are seen as noisy linear combinations at the antennas of receivers. It is thus quite tempting to use the physical layer to directly perform network coding "on the air". However, classical communication schemes are ill-suited for carrying out these distributed computations and uncoded transmission accumulates noise with multiple transmissions. In previous work, we have developed a coding technique, computation codes, for reliable, efficient computation over noisy channels. We have also demonstrated how to use these codes to run a network code on finite-field and Gaussian multiple-access networks. In this note, we survey our recent work on reliable computation over channels and show how it can be applied to perform network coding.
Advances in Intramedullary Nail Fixation in Foot and Ankle Surgery

Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis for the treatment of complex foot and ankle deformities are extremely challenging cases. Technological advances in intramedullary nail fixation have improved the biomechanical properties of available fixation constructs in recent years. Nails designed specifically to accommodate hindfoot anatomy, advancement in the understanding of optimal screw orientation, fixed angle technology, the availability of spiral blade screws, and features designed to achieve compression across the arthrodesis site have provided the foot and ankle surgeon with a greater armamentarium for performing tibiotalocalneal arthrodesis. Although advances may help to improve clinical results, small sample sizes and the low-level evidence of study designs limit the evaluation of how these advances affect clinical outcomes.
Multiscale Reconstruction of Photon-Limited Hyperspectral Data

This paper combines recent innovations in intensity estimation for marked Poisson processes and multiscale nonparametric function estimation using generalized linear models (GLM) to perform photon-limited hyperspectral image reconstruction. Inspired by spectroscopic images of solar flares, which are very intense at some energies but very weak at others, we develop a multiscale intensity estimation method which can adapt to spatial inhomogeneities, spectral emission lines, and large spectral dynamic ranges. This approach exploits the fact that boundaries between different physical structures exist at every spectral band, even when the contrast is very small in some of those bands. Incorporating this denoising method into a generalized expectation-maximization method allows very faint features to be accurately reconstructed from blurry, photon-limited observations.
Lumbar Plexus Anatomy within the Psoas Muscle: Implications for the Transpsoas Lateral Approach to the L4-L5 Disc

Background: The transpsoas lateral surgical approach has been advocated as an alternative to direct anterior approaches for less invasive or minimally invasive access to the spine. Postoperative thigh pain, paresthesia, and/or weakness have been described after the use of this surgical approach. The purpose of this cadaveric anatomic study is to provide a description of the lumbar plexus as it relates to the transpsoas lateral surgical approach. Methods: Dissection of the lumbar plexus was performed in eighteen cadaveric specimens. Needle markers were placed in the L2-L3, L3-L4, and L4-L5 discs in the midcoronal plane. The anatomic structures were surveyed, and the proximity of the needle to the neural structures was observed. Results: In thirteen of the eighteen specimens, the femoral nerve received its contributions from the L2 to L4 nerve roots and was formed at the L4-L5 disc space. In all specimens, the femoral nerve passed dorsal to or directly at the midpoint of the disc. In three specimens, the needle displaced or was immediately adjacent to the femoral nerve. The femoral nerve was found between the needle and the posterior aspect of the L4-L5 disc space in thirteen of the eighteen specimens. Conclusions: Because of the proximity of the neural elements, in particular the femoral nerve, to the center of the disc space, the transpsoas lateral surgical approach to the L4-L5 disc space will likely cause intraoperative displacement of neural structures from their anatomic course during retractor dilation. Careful attention should be paid to retractor placement and dilation time during transpsoas lateral access surgery, particularly at the L4-L5 disc. Clinical Relevance: During the transpsoas lateral surgical approach to the L4-L5 disc space, the femoral nerve should be considered to be at risk intraoperatively because of the position and size of currently available retractors.
Aluminum Flow Analysis for the Life Cycle of Aluminum Products

In order to achieve a sustainable development of aluminum industry, aluminum flow analysis for the life cycle of aluminum products in China was necessary. Aluminum flow in the aluminum products life cycle of 2003-2007 in China has been analyzed, from which the following data were resulted. Resources self-support ratio in alumina production, aluminum production and the aluminum industry dropped, increased and leveled off in the period 2003-2007, respectively. Self-produced aluminum scrap use ratio was in the range 5-7%, and the situation of the aluminum scrap lacking state can’t be settled in case of fast increment of aluminum production. Proposals for the sustainable development of aluminum industry in China were put forward.
Black Molecular Adsorber Coatings for Spaceflight Applications

The molecular adsorber coating is a new technology that was developed to mitigate the risk of on-orbit molecular contamination on spaceflight missions. The application of this coating would be ideal near highly sensitive, interior surfaces and instruments that are negatively impacted by outgassed molecules from materials, such as plastics, adhesives, lubricants, epoxies, and other similar compounds. This current, sprayable paint technology is comprised of inorganic white materials made from highly porous zeolite. In addition to good adhesion performance, thermal stability, and adsorptive capability, the molecular adsorber coating offers favorable thermal control characteristics. However, low reflectivity properties, which are typically offered by black thermal control coatings, are desired for some spaceflight applications. For example, black coatings are used on interior surfaces, in particular, on instrument baffles for optical stray light control. Similarly, they are also used within light paths between optical systems, such as telescopes, to absorb light. Recent efforts have been made to transform the white molecular adsorber coating into a black coating with similar adsorptive properties. This result is achieved by optimizing the current formulation with black pigments, while still maintaining its adsorption capability for outgassing control. Different binder to pigment ratios, coating thicknesses, and spray application techniques were explored to develop a black version of the molecular adsorber coating. During the development process, coating performance and adsorption characteristics were studied. The preliminary work performed on black molecular adsorber coatings thus far is very promising. Continued development and testing is necessary for its use on future contamination sensitive spaceflight missions.
A cryptic lineage within the pupfish Cyprinodon dearborni suggests multiple colonizations of South America

The coastal South American species Cyprinodon dearborni contains two lineages distinct at both mitochondrial and nuclear loci. One appears to be a long-term South American endemic, whereas the other is a more recent colonizer related to the widespread Cyprinodon variegatus.
Treatment of periodontal furcation defects. (II). Bone regeneration in mandibular class II defects.

Abstract A total of 30 mandibular, buccal class II furcation defects were treated in 22 subjects using a regenerative surgical therapy that included citric acid root conditioning and coronally positioned flaps secured by crown-attached sutures. In addition, grafts of freeze-dried, decalcified allogenic bone were placed in 16 of the 30 defects. The effect of the therapies was evaluated from a series of soft and hard tissue measurements. These measurements demonstrated notable improvement 12 months following therapy. On the average. 61% of the defect volume became filled with bone. 43% of treated defects were completely closed by bone fill. No difference was observed between defects treated with and without bone grafts.
Bacterial Heterogeneity Is a Requirement for Host Superinfection by the Lyme Disease Spirochete

In nature, mixed Borrelia burgdorferi infections are common and possibly can be acquired by either superinfection or coinfection. Superinfection by heterologous B. burgdorferi strains has been established experimentally, although the ability of homologous B. burgdorferi clones to superinfect a host has not been studied in detail. Information regarding any potential immune barriers to secondary infection also currently is unavailable. In the present study, the ability to superinfect various mouse models by homologous wild-type clones was examined and compared to superinfection by heterologous strains. To assess the ability of homologous B. burgdorferi clones to successfully superinfect a mouse host, primary- and secondary-infecting spirochetes were recovered via in vitro cultivation of collected blood or tissue samples. This was accomplished by generating two different antibiotic-resistant versions of the wild-type B31-A3 clone in order to distinguish superinfecting B. burgdorferi from primary-infecting spirochetes. The data demonstrate an inability of homologous B. burgdorferi to superinfect immunocompetent mice as opposed to heterologous strains. Attempts to superinfect different types of immunodeficient mice with homologous B. burgdorferi indicate that the murine innate immune system represents a major barrier to intrastrain superinfection. Consequently, the possibility of innate immunity as a driving force for B. burgdorferi heterogeneity during the enzootic cycle is discussed.
How Does Satisfaction With Medical Care Differ by Citizenship and Nativity Status?: A County-Level Multilevel Analysis

Purpose of the Study: This study examined patient satisfaction among community-dwelling older adults by their citizenship and nativity statuses. Since the welfare reform of 1996, citizenship has been an important factor in determining health care access among foreign-born individuals. Little is known regarding how the perceived satisfaction of older noncitizens compares with that of U.S.-born and naturalized citizens and how it is affected by countylevel contextual characteristics. Design and Methods: The 2000–2007 Medical Expenditure Panel Sur vey and linked Area Resource File were analyzed for 27,383 individuals (65+). Two dimensions of satisfaction (perceived access and ease of access) were examined using the Consumer Assessment of Health Plans Survey. Multilevel models were conducted using STATA. Results: After both individ ual- and county-level covariates were controlled for, noncitizens were less likely to agree that their providers had spent enough time with them (p = .03) or had sufficiently explained treatment (p = .01) compared with U.S.-born citizens. Noncitizens’ overall ratings of their providers were also lower (p < .001). Among those reported needs, noncitizens reported greater difficulties in accessing acute care (p < .001), routine care (p < .001), and specialty care (p = .009). In these models, some county-level characteristics (e.g., % of foreign-born individuals) were negatively associated with individual-level satisfaction. Interestingly, noncitizens from counties with high densities of foreign-born populations had higher overall satisfaction levels than did their U.S.-born counterparts (i.e., interaction effect). Implications: Guided by the expanded Andersen model, this study demonstrates the importance of considering both individual- and county-level contextual characteristics to accurately understand older noncitizens’ access to health care and patient satisfaction.
Rpp2, an essential protein subunit of nuclear RNase P, is required for processing of precursor tRNAs and 35S precursor rRNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

RPP2, an essential gene that encodes a 15.8-kDa protein subunit of nuclear RNase P, has been identified in the genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Rpp2 was detected by sequence similarity with a human protein, Rpp20, which copurifies with human RNase P. Epitope-tagged Rpp2 can be found in association with both RNase P and RNase mitochondrial RNA processing in immunoprecipitates from crude extracts of cells. Depletion of Rpp2 protein in vivo causes accumulation of precursor tRNAs with unprocessed introns and 5′ and 3′ termini, and leads to defects in the processing of the 35S precursor rRNA. Rpp2-depleted cells are defective in processing of the 5.8S rRNA. Rpp2 immunoprecipitates cleave both yeast precursor tRNAs and precursor rRNAs accurately at the expected sites and contain the Rpp1 protein orthologue of the human scleroderma autoimmune antigen, Rpp30. These results demonstrate that Rpp2 is a protein subunit of nuclear RNase P that is functionally conserved in eukaryotes from yeast to humans.
In vitro and in vivo synergistic interactions between the Runx2/Cbfa1 transcription factor and bone morphogenetic protein-2 in stimulating osteoblast differentiation.

Bone regeneration requires interactions between a number of factors including bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), growth factors, and transcriptional regulators such as Runx2/Cbfa1 (Runx2). Because each component may provide a unique contribution to the overall osteogenic response, we hypothesized that bone formation may be enhanced by using combinations of complimentary factors. As an initial test of this concept, interactions between BMP2 and Runx2 were examined using adenovirus-based expression vectors (AdCMV-Runx2, AdCMV-BMP2) in the pluripotent C3H10T1/2 cell line. Cells transduced with AdCMV-Runx2 strongly expressed osteoblast markers, such as alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin, but formed only a weakly mineralized extracellular matrix in vitro, whereas cells transduced with AdCMV-BMP2 exhibited higher levels of mineralization, but only expressed low levels of Runx2 and osteocalcin mRNA. Significantly, when cells were transduced with optimal titers of both viruses, osteoblast differentiation was stimulated to levels that were 10-fold greater than those seen with either AdCMV-Runx2 or AdCMV-BMP2 alone. To measure in vivo osteogenic activity, virally transduced cells were subcutaneously implanted into immunodeficient mice. Cells transduced with control virus produced only fibrous tissue while those with AdCMV-Runx2 produced limited amounts of both cartilage and bone. In contrast, cells transduced with either AdCMV-BMP2 alone or AdCMV-BMP2 plus AdCMV-Cbfa1 generated large ossicles containing cartilage, bone, and a marrow cavity. However, ossification in the AdCMV-BMP2 plus AdCMV-Cbfa1 group was more extensive in that both mineral content and fractional bone area were greater than that seen in the AdCMV-BMP2 group. Thus, the increased osteoblast differentiation observed with combined adenovirus treatment in vitro is also manifested by increased bone formation in vivo. These results suggest that Runx2 and BMP2 have distinct, but complementary, roles in osteogenesis and that their combined actions may be necessary for optimal bone formation.
Complementation, Genetic Conflict, and the Evolution of Sex and Recombination

The existence of sexual reproduction is difficult to explain because the 2-fold cost of meiosis requires a compensatory 2-fold advantage that is difficult to prove. Here, I show that asexual reproduction has a short-term disadvantage due to the loss of complementation of recessive deleterious mutations, which can overcome the 2-fold cost of meiosis in one or few generations. This complementation hypothesis can also explain why most asexual species are polyploid, why only certain types of asexual reproduction exist, why meiosis is not one-step, and the origin of amphimixis. I also show that the promotion of variation by recombination is not necessary to explain the evolution of amphimixis. Instead, recombination can be the result of an intragenomic conflict between alleles that induce the initiation of crossing over and alleles that evolve to resist that initiation. Thus recombination does not require any advantage at the individual or population level.
Use of MODIS enhanced vegetation index to detect seasonal patterns of leaf phenology in central Amazon várzea forest

MODIS 16-day composite EVI, NDVI, and VI Quality Analysis values for 2000–2005 were extracted for 21 varzea forest sites along the Solimoes-Amazon floodplain west of Manaus, Brazil. VI values were filtered to exclude dates with VI-QA values greater than 3, and time series of median values of the remaining pixels were examined in conjunction with river stage levels recorded at the Manacapuru gauge. All sites showed a regular seasonal variation in EVI, ranging from a mean low for all sites of 0.41 to a mean high of 0.61. The amplitude of variability in NDVI was about 50% that of EVI. Minimum EVI, corresponding to minimum leaf area, occurred in late May, about 40 days preceding maximum river stage; EVI peaked in mid-October, about 30 days before lowest river levels. These temporal patterns are in general agreement with field observations of leaf phenology at varzea stands near Manaus.
Photobiology of the deep twilight zone and beyond

Photobiology in the twilight zone of the deep sea depends on faint light of two, or possibly three, origins: sunlight, bioluminescence and some visible radiation near the bottom associated with hydrothermal vents. The deep twilight zone also contains two quite distinct ecosystems: the vast open ocean pelagic regime far from the shore and the bottom as well as the far less expansive benthic regime with quite different characteristic animals that live on, in or near the sea bo10 Most of the whole ocean's benthic regime with a mean depth over 3000m is well below the twilight zone, which eliminates sunlight as a light source there. Many of the most familiar deepsea animals with their spectacular arrays of dennal light organs and remarkable eyes are from the pelagic 19, 25 The less familiar benthic fishes and crustaceans sometimes have curious internal light organs powered by bacteria13 and occasional incredibly modified eyes.30 With the exception of those on the fishing rods of most female deepsea anglerfish, where the light is produced by symbiotic bacteria, all the numerous light organs of pelagic deepsea fishes are generally believed to manage their own chemiluminescence independent of luminous bacteria.17© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Ultrasonography in the diagnosis of breast disease

Two hundred nine patients with breast disease were examined with a new advanced ultrasonic scanner. The ultrasound data were compared with clinical examination and, when available, X-ray, surgical, and pathologic observations. The main purpose of the study was to determine whether ultrasonic examination provides additional diagnostic information on breast disease, to compare the sensitivity of ultrasonic examination with other diagnostic modalities, and to define its clinical applications. In 171 patients with fibrocystic disease of the breast, ultrasound usually permitted a more accurate, detailed description of the lesions than other modalities and was capable of detecting cysts as small as 0.2 cm in diameter. By the use of ultrasound, fibrocystic disease was correctly diagnosed in 97% of patients and confirmed the presence of palpable cystic masses in 95%. In 24 cases of histologically confirmed breast cancer, 16 were diagnosed initially by ultrasound and 18 on review, compared with 22 of 24 cases by X-ray mammography. Six of the eight initial false-negative cases belonged to the non-palpable group, where sonography could not visualize the presence of microcalcifications or radiologic mass identified by X-ray mammography. In two patients who refused mammography, cancer was diagnosed by ultrasound only. Our results demonstrate that ultrasound is a useful adjunct to other techniques in the differential diagnosis of breast lesions; however, it is not an unqualified substitute for X-ray mammography. At present, we therefore consider that breast screening programs cannot be based on ultrasound alone. The main proven use of ultrasound is in the differential diagnosis of palpable lesions of the breast.
Victim Age-Based Subtypes of Juveniles Adjudicated for Sexual Offenses Comparisons Across Domains in an Outpatient Sample

Adolescents adjudicated for sexual offenses are a heterogeneous group. The identification of more homogeneous subgroups of offenders may enable improved treatment, as the specific risks and needs presented by each group could be more effectively targeted. The current study examines three subgroups derived based on the age of victim(s), a popular method of subtyping that has mixed empirical support, using a sample of 176 males adjudicated for a sexual offense and court-ordered to participate in a community-based collaborative intervention program that integrates treatment and probationary services. Differences expected between groups based on theories regarding victim-age based subtypes are examined, in addition to differences consistently identified in prior research. Results indicate that these three subgroups are more similar than different, although some expected differences were found. Juveniles with child victims were more likely to have male victims and biologically related victims. Juveniles with peer/adult victims were more likely to have poor monitoring by their parents and more likely to have been arrested again. Juveniles with mixed types of victims appeared similar to juveniles with child victims on some variables and similar to those with peer/adult victims on others. Treatment implications and future directions for research are discussed. Typologies based on clinical characteristics of the youth rather than offense characteristics may have more promise for identifying meaningful subgroups.
What was Damaged?: Taking Sacred Ecology into Account in Environmental Impact Assessment

How do we assess the damages done to an indigenous community by environmental disaster, by pollution, or by changes in the environment? One way is to look at the direct health impacts on members of a community, for example, the effects of uraniummining on water quality and cancer in the Navajo Nation (Robyn 2010). Another lens is the direct effects on the economic livelihoods of individuals in a community, for example how pollution impacts treaty rights to shellfish harvesting by pollution of shellfish beds (Frank Jr. 2011). A third type ofimpact also needs to be considered: the impact of environmental threats on the beliefs, feeling, and practices by which indigenous communities and individualsconnect in sacred ways with the environment. My argument inthis paper is composed of three parts. The first point is that many indigenousgroups are connected to their environment, not only through direct resource usebut also through sacred beliefs and practices. The second point is that thesesacred connections with the environment may remain vital parts of indigenouscommunity life, even when these communities have experienced technological orother forms of cultural change. The third point is that these sacredconnections can be severely damaged by environmental pollution. These pointslead us to the inescapable conclusion that any analysis of environmentalimpacts on indigenous communities is probably going to be incomplete if weneglect to analyze the ways in which changes in environmental quality haveharmed indigenous ways of sacredly connecting to the environment.
Dynamic 3-D computer graphics for designing a diagnostic tool for patients with schizophrenia

We introduce a novel procedure that uses dynamic 3-D computer graphics as a diagnostic tool for assessing disease severity in schizophrenia patients, based on their reduced influence of top-down cognitive processes in interpreting bottom-up sensory input. Our procedure uses the hollow-mask illusion, in which the concave side of the mask is misperceived as convex, because familiarity with convex faces dominates sensory cues signaling a concave mask. It is known that schizophrenia patients resist this illusion and their resistance increases with illness severity. Our method uses virtual masks rendered with two competing textures: (a) realistic features that enhance the illusion; (b) random-dot visual noise that reduces the illusion. We control the relative weights of the two textures to obtain psychometric functions for controls and patients and assess illness severity. The primary novelty is the use of a rotating mask that is easy to implement on a wide variety of portable devices and avoids the use of elaborate stereoscopic devices that have been used in the past. Thus our method, which can also be used to assess the efficacy of treatments, provides clinicians the advantage to bring the test to the patient's own environment, instead of having to bring patients to the clinic.
Study on the Pharmacodynamics of Kangbingdu Oral Liquid

AIM\ The purpose is to study the pharmacodynamics of Kangbingdu oral liquid (KOL) through animal experiment. METHODS\ The variation in temperature of fevered rabbit induced by endotoxin, the effect of KOL on the pulmonary lesion in mice induced by influenza virus and virus proliferation, and the determination of the maximum tolerance dose of mice were found. RESULTS\ The variation in temperature of rabbit treated by KOL 0.193 g/kg differed from that treated by Shuanghuanglian oral liquid 0.6105 g/kg within half an hour. There was significant difference between the three dosage groups compared with the controlled model group. A descent of temperature lasted four hours. After infected by virus the mortality of mice receiving KOL was remarkably lower than that of the controlled model group ( P 0.05). The average survival time was prolonged but the rate of death protection was lower than that of Virazole group. As for KOL group and Virazole group, the degree of the pulmonary lesion and the pulmonary index were much lower than that of the controlled model group ( P 0.05). But KOL was less effective compared with Virazole. The maximum tolerance dose of mice was 125 times of that of human. CONCLUSION\ Available experiment data indicated that KOL was a safe and nontoxic drug for clearing away heat and toxic material. It can markedly decrease fever induced by endotoxin and effectively inhibit viral pulmonary infection.
Improved Hill–Sauer Force Field for Accurate Description of Pores in 8-Ring Zeolites

We have introduced a simple modification of the well-known Hill–Sauer force field for silica. The modified force field improves the accuracy with which pore sizes and framework flexibility in small pore zeolites are described. The modification focused on the Si–O–Si and O–Si–O angles in these materials, which are instrumental in controlling vibrations of the framework such as twisting of the near-rigid SiO4 units. The accuracy of the modified Hill–Sauer force field was compared with data from extensive density functional theory calculations of zeolite structures and dynamics. The transferability of the force field was tested on 13 experimentally known silica 8-ring zeolites. Additional tests examining the thermal expansion behavior of selected zeolites were also performed.
Fortunate Son: John Fogerty—My Life, My Music

In five years, from 1968 to 1972, John Fogerty led Creedence Clearwater Revival in a firestorm of activity that resulted in ten top-ten singles, seven gold albums, and sold-out arena dates around t...
Novel concepts on pregnancy clocks and alarms: redundancy and synergy in human parturition

The signals and mechanisms that synchronize the timing of human parturition remain a mystery and a better understanding of these processes is essential to avert adverse pregnancy outcomes. Although our insights into human labor initiation have been informed by studies in animal models, the timing of parturition relative to fetal maturation varies among viviparous species, indicative of phylogenetically different clocks and alarms; but what is clear is that important common pathways must converge to control the birth process. For example, in all species, parturition involves the transition of the myometrium from a relaxed to a highly excitable state, where the muscle rhythmically and forcefully contracts, softening the cervical extracellular matrix to allow distensibility and dilatation and thus a shearing of the fetal membranes to facilitate their rupture. We review a number of theories promulgated to explain how a variety of different timing mechanisms, including fetal membrane cell senescence, circadian endocrine clocks, and inflammatory and mechanical factors, are coordinated as initiators and effectors of parturition. Many of these factors have been independently described with a focus on specific tissue compartments.In this review, we put forth the core hypothesis that fetal membrane (amnion and chorion) senescence is the initiator of a coordinated, redundant signal cascade leading to parturition. Whether modified by oxidative stress or other factors, this process constitutes a counting device, i.e. a clock, that measures maturation of the fetal organ systems and the production of hormones and other soluble mediators (including alarmins) and that promotes inflammation and orchestrates an immune cascade to propagate signals across different uterine compartments. This mechanism in turn sensitizes decidual responsiveness and eventually promotes functional progesterone withdrawal in the myometrium, leading to increased myometrial cell contraction and the triggering of parturition. Linkage of these processes allows convergence and integration of the gestational clocks and alarms, prompting a timely and safe birth. In summary, we provide a comprehensive synthesis of the mediators that contribute to the timing of human labor. Integrating these concepts will provide a better understanding of human parturition and ultimately improve pregnancy outcomes.
Cardio-Oncology: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Inhibitors, Salt, and Macrophages: A Complicated Interaction.

See related article, pp 919–926 Cardio-oncology (the cardiovascular care of patients with cancer) has emerged as a new medical discipline, mostly because of targeted cancer therapies, which are effective in cancer treatment but which can cause cardiovascular complications.1 Cardiovascular sequalae of these targeted therapies, which interfere with specific intracellular signaling pathways, may also provide insights into human cardiovascular biology.2 As an example, cardiovascular complications that arise after treatment with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors have provided a growing appreciation of VEGF signaling in cardiovascular homeostasis and cardiovascular disease.2 VEGFA, secreted by tumors, plays a critical role in angiogenesis through binding VEGF receptors and activating VEGF signaling pathway (VSP).3 Targeting this pathway (via VEGF inhibitors, also known as VSP inhibitors) has become an important means to treat various cancer types, with 12 such therapies having been approved over the past decade. Most of these therapies are small molecular multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors with sunitinib being the first drug approved. The tyrosine kinase inhibitors in this class can target multiple tyrosine kinase receptors although each is potent against the 3 VEGF receptors: VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and VEGFR3.1 VSP inhibitors also cause many cardiovascular complications, including cardiomyopathy, vascular events, and hypertension. Of these, hypertension is the most common.4 An absolute blood pressure increase is observed 1 week after initiating VSP inhibitors with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure affected. The frequency of hypertension has prompted algorithms by clinicians to recognize and treat the hypertension; however, an intriguing question …
Chemical Vapor-Deposited Carbon Nanotubes as Electrode Material for Supercapacitor Applications

We report the capacitance of entangled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) synthesized on flexible carbon fabric via water-assisted chemical vapor deposition. The CNTs were grown at atmospheric pressure with iron (Fe) as the catalyst, ethylene (C2H4) and 5%/95% H2/Ar as precursor gasses, and aluminum oxide as a buffer/barrier layer. The effect of the catalyst thickness (5 and 10 nm) on the specific capacitance was studied. The capacitance behavior of CNTs was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry measurements via a three-electrode system. The highest specific capacitance, approximately 56 F/g, was obtained for electrodes with 5nm Fe thickness. A nearly rectangular shaped cyclic voltammogram was exhibited for the CNTs grown on the carbon fabric. A specific power density of 0.012 KW/Kg and specific energy density 0.15 Wh/Kg were calculated from the galvanic charge/discharge (CD) curves. In addition, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) revealed a characteristic supercapacitive behavior with a low equivalent series resistance of 7 Ocm2.