cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
American coal-ball floras

Interest in American coal-ball floras has increased perceptibly in the past few years, and some attempts have been made in this brief review to point out current lines of research and what may be expected during the next decade or two. Two other topics might have been considered, namely, a detailed comparison with the European fossils, and a stratigraphic compilation of the American floras. Such considerations would, I believe, be premature at present. We have many genera and a considerable number of species in common with those found in the European coal balls; it is also evident that there were certain elements in the American scene that did not occur on the other side of the Atlantic. Such a comparative picture is, however, only beginning to crystallize. The tendency to date has been to describe those fossils that are new, especially conspicuous and well preserved, and we are still a long way from the end of this “cream-skimming” stage. With continuation of such studies, which are now in progress in four or five laboratories, and the integration of botanical and geological interests, we should ultimately be able to work out a very interesting picture of the sequence of Upper Carboniferous floras and contribute notably to an understanding of the evolution of certain pteridophytic groups and the early seed plants.
Another Fork in the Road: Foxo3a Regulates NF-κB Activation

Abstract Previous studies have implicated the transcription factor FoxO3a in apoptosis induction. Thus, it comes as a surprise in this issue of Immunity that lymphoproliferative disease in Foxo3a-deficient mice may be due to T cell hyperactivity instead of cell death defects. Lin and colleagues provide important new evidence that disease development is associated with NF-κB hyperactivation in T cells.
Understanding Zinc Quantification with Existing and Advanced Ditopic Fluorescent Zinpyr Sensors

Treatment of aqueous zinc solutions with incremental additions of a ditopic fluorescent sensor of the Zinpyr family, based on pyridine/pyrazine-containing metal recognition units, affords a fluorescence titration curve with a sharp maximum at a sensor:Zn2+ ratio of 0.5 (Zhang, X-a.; Hayes, D.; Smith, S. J.; Friedle, S.; Lippard, S. J. J. Am. Chem. Soc.2008, 130, 15788−15789). This fluorescence response enables the quantification of readily chelatable zinc in biological samples by a simple titration protocol. In the present work a new set of ditopic fluorescence zinc sensors functionalized with pyridine/pyrazine-containing metal chelating units is described, and through detailed studies the principles governing the characteristic OFF−ON−OFF fluorescence behavior and quantification capabilities of the family are delineated. Incorporation of carboxylate/ester groups in the 6 position of the fluorescein allows for control of the spatial distribution of the sensor for selective extra- or intracellular imaging ...
Two-dimensional unsteady incompressible laminar duct flow with a step change in wall temperature

Abstract Analytical solutions are obtained of transient heat transfer for unsteady incompressible laminar flow between parallel plates. The transient is caused by simultaneously changing with time the driving pressure of the fluid and the wall temperature. The solution is first obtained for the case where the inside surfaces of the channel walls undergo a specified step in temperature, that is, the heattransfer resistance of the wall is neglected. Then some results are given where the temperature is specified at the outside surfaces of the walls and the transient heat conduction through the walls is taken into account. A few numerical examples are carried out to illustrate the method.
Morphine's immunoregulatory actions are not shared by fentanyl

Abstract Fentanyl is a commonly used narcotic agent in anesthesia. It has strong analgesic properties which it shares with morphine. Unlike morphine, it does not possess the ability to bind to the μ 3 receptor, and therefore does not have the ability to influence nitric oxide release as measured amperometrically. Cell adhesion also is not influenced. As a result, it also lacks the ability to downregulate the inflammatory response associated with surgery, especially cardiopulmonary bypass.
Voluntary Associations in History

Formal common interest associations appear to have become prominent during the neolithic, but to have declined subsequently in preindustrial nations. The industrial revolution supported a new proliferation. With this, the mode of operation changed: associations came to unite on the basis of rational-legal sanctions. Modern voluntary associations may contribute to social stability as adaptive mechanisms for traditional institutions. They may socialize and support individuals caught in the disorder of social change.
A cross-linguistic examination of cortical auditory evoked potentials for a categorical voicing contrast

Abstract Behavioral perceptions and cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) from native English ( N = 10) and Spanish speakers ( N = 10) were recorded for speech stimuli that constitute phonetically relevant categories of voicing. The stimuli were synthesized bilabial stop consonant-vowel syllables in a continuum ranging from/ba/to/pa/that varied in voice onset time (VOT) from 0 to 60 ms. Different behavioral perceptions were evidenced by significantly different categorical phonetic boundaries between the two groups ( p p > .05). Peak P1, N1, and P2 response latencies and P1–N1 and N1–P2 amplitudes increased significantly with increasing VOTs ( p p
Transcriptional regulation of the lipid transfer protein gene LTP3 in cotton fibers by a novel MYB protein

Abstract Two cotton fiber cDNAs ( GhMyb 7 and GhMyb 9) and their corresponding genes, encoding R2R3-MYB proteins, have been isolated from the allotetraploid cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. DES119) and characterized. Genomic origin analysis reveals that GhMyb 7 and 9 are alloallelic genes in the allotetraploid cotton (AD genome). GhMyb 7 is derived from the A 2 subgenome, whereas GhMyb 9 is from the D 5 subgenome. Northern blot analysis showed that GhMyb 7/9 is expressed in flowers and fibers, and its expression in fibers is developmentally regulated. Auxin treatment increases transcript levels of GhMyb 7/9 in fiber cells in an in vitro ovule culture system. The Escherichia coli -expressed GhMYB7 fusion protein binds to the promoter region (nt −614 to −580) of Ltp 3, a cotton–fiber-specific gene, in an in vitro DNA–protein-binding assay, suggesting that GhMYB7/9 may play a role in the transcriptional regulation of the Ltp 3 gene during fiber development. The overexpression of GhMyb 7 in both transgenic tobacco and Arabidopsis plants causes a pleiotropic effect on plant development, including dwarf, abnormal leaf shape, and retarded root development. The late-flowering phenotype is observed in the 35S: GhMyb 7 transgenic tobacco and Arabidopsis plants under long day (LD) condition. The transgenic Arabidopsis plants, however, show the absence of inflorescence under short day (SD) condition, suggesting that GhMYB7 overexpession might inhibit the GA biosynthesis or signaling pathway.
A randomized clinical trial comparing the effect of maternal intravenous hydration and placebo on the amniotic fluid index in oligohydramnios.

Objective. To compare the treatment of acute intravenous hydration with placebo in term pregnant women manifesting oligohydramnios.Methods. All patients with oligohydramnios who met the inclusion criteria were offered participation in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. After ruling out rupture of membranes and maternal and fetal complications, we recruited 44 women with third trimester singleton pregnancies having an amniotic fluid index (AFI) of less than 6. Patients were randomized into treatment or control groups. Patients in the treatment group received a continuous intravenous infusion of ½ normal saline (NS) at a rate of 1000 mL/h for two hours. Patients in the placebo group received an intravenous infusion of ½ NS at 10 mL/h for two hours. The AFI was re-assessed by the same sonographer one hour after the hydration was completed. Both the patient and the examiner were blinded to the study groups.Results. Maternal age, parity, gestational age, and birth weight were not signific...
Failure of the discrete maximum principle for an elliptic finite element problem

There has been a long-standing question of whether certain mesh restrictions are required for a maximum condition to hold for the discrete equations arising from a finite element approximation of an elliptic problem. This is related to knowing whether the discrete Green's function is positive for triangular meshes allowing sufficiently good approximation of H 1 functions. We study this question for the Poisson problem in two dimensions discretized via the Galerkin method with continuous piecewise linears. We give examples which show that in general the answer is negative, and furthermore we extend the number of cases where it is known to be positive. Our techniques utilize some new results about discrete Green's functions that are of independent interest.
MODULI OF STABLE PAIRS FOR HOLOMORPHIC BUNDLES OVER RIEMANN SURFACES II

In this paper we continue our investigation of the moduli space of stable pairs introduced in Part I. We obtain certain topological information, and we give a proof that this moduli space admits the structure of a nonsingular projective variety. We show that the natural map from the moduli space of stable pairs onto the Seshadri compactification of stable bundles is a morphism of algebraic varieties.
Transfer of metformin across the dually perfused human placental lobule

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the transfer characteristics of metformin across placentas that were obtained from uncomplicated pregnancies and from patients with gestational diabetes mellitus. Study design The technique of dual perfusion of placental lobule was used. Metformin, 5 μg/mL and its [14C]-isotope were co-transfused with the marker compound antipyrine, 20 μg/mL and its [3H]-isotope from the maternal to fetal circuit. The drug content in both circulations and placental tissue was determined by liquid scintillation spectrometry. Results The transfer of metformin across term human placentas that were obtained from uncomplicated pregnancies was rapid and was not different from that in placentas that were obtained from patients with gestational diabetes mellitus. Metformin is distributed between the maternal and fetal circuits, with reliable amounts retained by the tissue. Conclusion In an ex vivo model system, metformin was transferred readily from the maternal to fetal circuit across placentas that were obtained from uncomplicated pregnancies and pregnancies with gestational diabetes mellitus.
On the development of CMOS mmW and sub-THz phased array technology for communication/sensing nodes

In this paper, we present a single chip cross-layer approach for a new class of highly integrated CMOS millimeter wave and sub-THz communication and sensing wireless systems. It is based on the convergence of fully integrated CMOS digital radio and beam former, low power multi-gigabit mixed-signal processing and low cost packaging with embedded antenna. A 60GHz CMOS/PCB portable beam-former solution and highly scalable V-band CMOS 45nm architecture are highlighted as leading edge examples of such an approach, enabling breakthrough power/size reduction as well as multi-gigahertz bandwidth and processing speeds. These single chip millimeter wave and sub-THz system-on-chip solutions are the fundamental enablers for a wide range of communication and sensing applications operating from V-band to W-band and beyond.
Localization of technetium‐99m methylene diphosphonate in bone using microautoradiography

Technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate ([99mTc]MDP) is the most widely used bone-scanning agent today. In order to determine the precise bone locus of 99mTc corresponding to the delayed bone scan image, and to test the potential clinical use of this agent in enhancing the information obtained by bone scan, we employed [99mTc]MDP in this microautoradiographic study of normal bone and bone reparative tissue. Four white rabbits underwent operations in which two 1.5-mm drill holes were created in the subtrochanteric regions of both of their femora. An additional four white rabbits underwent sham operations of their femora, in which neither drilling nor periosteal injury occurred. Two rabbits were controls and did not undergo operation. After 7 days, the first two groups of rabbits were injected with [99mTc]MDP and bone scanned 2 h later. After the scans were completed, all three groups of animals were killed and their femora histologically processed for microautoradiography and routine histopathology. In the two groups that were injected with [99mTc]MDP, all bones showed the isotope to be clearly localized along mineralization fronts. The isotope was occasionally found in the substance of the osteoid, but was absent from the cytoplasm and nuclei of osteoblasts and osteocytes. Osteocytic lacunae showed the presence of isotope at their borders, but no identifiable pattern of isotope uptake was noted. Neither osteoclasts nor Howships lacunae showed isotope uptake.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Literature Review of Single Phase Internal Flow Heat Transfer Correlations in Straight Circular Conduits

An enormous number of empirical and analytical closed solution, single phase, internal flow heat transfer correlations exist in the open literature. This article is a compilation of single phase internal convective heat transfer correlations in straight, circular conduits. These correlations cover convective internal flow of various Newtonian fluids under a wide range of heating conditions, and orientations for the different flow regimes. In the past some engineers extended the use of some correlations beyond their limits. The purpose of this article is to compile internal flow heat transfer correlations in one source, to alleviate time required by the practicing engineer to research the literature for correlations to meet specific conditions.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Infectious complications of the primary immunodeficiencies

The primary manifestation of the immunodeficiencies is undue susceptibility to infection. This means too many, too severe, too prolonged, too complicated and too unusual infections. Infections in immunodeficiency have a characteristic cause depending on the nature of the immune deficiency. Antibody deficiencies are associated with infections with gram-positive infections. Cellular immune deficiencies are associated with mycobacterial, protozoan, fungus, virus, and opportunistic bacterial infection. Phagocytic disorders are associated with staphylococcal, fungal, and gram-negative organisms. Complement disorders are associated by neisserial infections. Infections have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of some immunodeficiencies in some circumstances. These include human T lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III), rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus. Several infectious syndromes in specific immunodeficiencies have been identified. Examples include enteric cytopathic human orphan (ECHO) virus encephalitis in agammaglobulinemia, and meningococcal meningitis in C6 deficiency. Infections can also be induced by live vaccines given in immunodeficiency (e.g., paralytic polio in agammaglobulinemia.) Unusual infectious syndromes will be illustrated including parainfluenza infection in severe combined and immunodeficiency, Legionella pneumonia in chronic granulomatous disease, and Cryptosporidium infection in hyper-IgM immunodeficiency.
Inverse Thermal Analysis of Titanium GTA Welds Using Multiple Constraints

Inverse thermal analysis of titanium gas-tungsten-arc welds using multiple constraint conditions is presented. This analysis employs a methodology that is in terms of numerical-analytical basis functions for inverse thermal analysis of steady-state energy deposition in plate structures. The results of this type of analysis provide parametric representations of weld temperature histories that can be adopted as input data to various types of computational procedures, such as those for prediction of solid-state phase transformations. In addition, these temperature histories can be used to construct parametric function representations for inverse thermal analysis of welds corresponding to other process parameters or welding processes whose process conditions are within similar regimes. The present study applies an inverse thermal analysis procedure that provides for the inclusion of constraint conditions associated with both solidification and phase transformation boundaries.
The Performance of Alternative Integration Strategies for Combining Regional Econometric and Input-Output Models:

As the number of integrated econometric and input-output models appearing in the literature grows, the need for a closer examination of the different approaches towards integration is warranted. Th...
Understanding the cancer pain experience.

Cancer pain management is a major element of successful cancer survivorship. Regardless of where someone is along the cancer experience, from a newly diagnosed pa- tient to long-term survivor, pain is a potential treatment- related effectthatcan havea significant impactona survivor's life. Quality pain management for cancer survivors is compli- cated by the fact that cancer-related pain can be due to the tumor, surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy. Additionally, the pain experience is related to many psychosocial/spiritual factors. Despite almost 40 years of attention devoted to im- proving cancer pain management, many cancer survivors are less than optimally treated, often owing to survivor and healthcare provider knowledge barriers. This article reviews some of the latest research related to cancer pain management treatment options, measurement/assessment, and interven- tions. Progress has been made in understanding new aspects of the pain experience, but more work is yet to be done.
Holographic spectral beamsplitting for increased organic photovoltaic conversion efficiency

Thermodynamic principles limit the conversion efficiency of a single bandgap organic photovoltaic (OPV) cell to 33%1 . In order to increase efficiency, multiple OPV devices can be combined to cover a larger spectral range of the incident solar spectrum. The most common way of doing this is to mount multiple bandgap cells in tandem or series. However, stacked multijunction systems have limitations, such as current-matching constraints and optical quality of the OPV layer. A separated arrangement with spectrum splitting is a promising alternative to the stacked tandem approach. In this paper, two organic photovoltaic cells with complementary EQE curves are integrated into a holographic spectrum splitting module. The highest possible conversion efficiency of this two-cell combination is quantified assuming an ideal spectral filter as a reference. A spectrum splitting module is built, consisting of a reflective hologram oriented at an angle to split the incident beam into two spectral bands. The holographic beamsplitting system is assembled and studied under a solar simulator. Power output and conversion efficiency of the holographic spectrum splitting system is evaluated in terms of Improvement over Best Bandgap (IoBB) of the two-cell combination. The combined system has a measured improvement over its best single cell of 12.30% under a solar simulator lamp and a predicted improvement of 16.39% under sunlight.
Thermally targeted delivery of chemotherapeutics and anti-cancer peptides by elastin-like polypeptide

Current chemotherapy treatment of solid tumors is limited due to a lack of specific delivery of the drugs to the tumor, leading to systemic toxicity. Therefore, it is necessary to develop targeted cancer therapies and tumor-targeted drug carriers. The authors review the development of elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) as a potential carrier for thermally targeted delivery of therapeutics. The authors searched Medline for articles concerning the application of ELP as a drug delivery vector for small molecule drugs and therapeutic peptides. ELP has been demonstrated to be a promising thermally targeted carrier. Further examination of the in vivo biodistribution and efficacy will provide the necessary data to advance ELP technology toward the ultimate goal of human therapeutics.
Optimal quality reporting in markets for health plans.

Quality reports about health plans and providers are becoming more prevalent in health care markets. This paper casts the decision about what information to report to consumers about health plans as a policy decision. In a market with adverse selection, complete information about quality leads to inefficient outcomes. In a Rothschild–Stiglitz model, we show that averaging quality information into a summary report can enforce pooling in health insurance, and by choice of the right weights in the averaged report, a payer or regulator can induce first-best quality choices. The optimal quality report is as powerful as optimal risk adjustment in correcting adverse selection inefficiencies.
Intraarterial administration of norcantharidin attenuates ischemic stroke damage in rodents when given at the time of reperfusion: novel uses of endovascular capabilities

OBJECT Matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9) plays a critical role in infarct progression, blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, and vasogenic edema. While systemic administration of MMP-9 inhibitors has shown neuroprotective promise in ischemic stroke, there has been little effort to incorporate these drugs into endovascular modalities. By modifying the rodent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model to allow local intraarterial delivery of drugs, one has the ability to mimic endovascular delivery of therapeutics. Using this model, the authors sought to maximize the protective potential of MMP-9 inhibition by intraarterial administration of an MMP-9 inhibitor, norcantharidin (NCTD). METHODS Spontaneously hypertensive rats were subjected to 90-minute MCAO followed immediately by local intraarterial administration of NCTD. The rats' neurobehavioral performances were scored according to the ladder rung walking test results and the Garcia neurological test for as long as 7 days after stroke. MRI was also conducted 24 hours after the stroke to assess infarct volume and BBB disruption. At the end of the experimental protocol, rat brains were used for active MMP-9 immunohistochemical analysis to assess the degree of MMP-9 inhibition. RESULTS NCTD-treated rats showed significantly better neurobehavioral scores for all days tested. MR images also depicted significantly decreased infarct volumes and BBB disruption 24 hours after stroke. Inhibition of MMP-9 expression in the ischemic region was depicted on immunohistochemical analysis, wherein treated rats showed decreased active MMP-9 staining compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS Intraarterial NCTD significantly improved outcome when administered at the time of reperfusion in a spontaneously hypertensive rat stroke model. This study suggests that supplementing endovascular revascularization with local neuroprotective drug therapy may be a viable therapeutic strategy.
A 100 watt power supply using ZVS boost converter

This paper presents the analysis, design and experimental data of a power supply based on the boost power converter topology using the zero-voltage switching technique. The topology uses two switches. Zero-voltage turn-on is accomplished on both switches with the capacitor across only one switch. The converter operates at 100 kHz. This power converter has a wide range of zero-voltage switching capability. Theoretical performance is determined by using the state-plane analysis. >
Partition-based uniform error bounds

Develops probabilistic bounds on out-of-sample error rates for several classifiers using a single set of in-sample data. The bounds are based on probabilities over partitions of the union of in-sample and out-of-sample data into in-sample and out-of-sample data sets. The bounds apply when in-sample and out-of-sample data are drawn from the same distribution. Partition-based bounds are stronger than VC-type bounds, but they require more computation.
Role of 20-HETE in Elevating Chloride Transport in the Thick Ascending Limb of Dahl SS/Jr Rats

Abstract —This study examined the role of endogenous 20 hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) in elevating Cl − transport in the medullary thick ascending loop of Henle (MTAL) of 9-week-old male Dahl salt-sensitive (SS/Jr) and salt-resistant (SR/Jr) rats perfused in vitro. Basal transepithelial voltage (V te ; 14.9±0.9 versus 10.1±0.5 mV) and net lumen-to-bath Cl − flux (J Cl ) (155±6 versus 127±5 pEq · min −1 · mm −1 ) were significantly greater in MTAL isolated from SS/Jr rats (n=16) than in those obtained from SR/Jr rats (n=16). Blockade of the synthesis of 20-HETE with 17-octadecynoic acid (17-ODYA; 10 μmol/L) increased V te from 9.9±0.8 to 13.1±1.0 mV and J Cl from 127±7 to 152±8 pEq · min −1 · mm −1 in the MTAL of SR/Jr rats (n=8), but it had no significant effect on V te or J Cl in the MTAL of SS/Jr rats (n=8). Exogenous 20-HETE (1 μmol/L) decreased V te from 14.8±0.6 to 10.5±0.6 mV and J Cl from 155±10 to 116±6 pEq · min −1 · mm −1 in MTAL of SS/Jr rats (n=8), but it had no effect on V te or J Cl in the MTAL of SR/Jr rats (n=8). The expression of P4504A2 protein in the MTAL of SS/Jr rats was approximately half of that seen in the MTAL of SR/Jr rats. These results indicate that endogenously formed 20-HETE regulates transepithelial voltage and Cl − transport in the MTAL and that a diminished production of 20-HETE contributes to an elevation in Cl − transport in the MTAL of SS/Jr rats.
Organising against Gender Violence in South Africa

South Africa continues to top international rankings of incidence of reported rape and sexual violence. Rooted in the patriarchies of oppression found in colonialism, apartheid and the Cold War, these deeply ingrained patterns of sexual violence did not end with the transition to democracy. Many fear the level of gender-based violence may be increasing because of a backlash against the constitutionally-enforced gender equality of South African women. In response, one of the most viable parts of the women's movement in South Africa is the movement to end violence against women. Organisations in this sector have become the primary contract agents for the government, yet many women's groups remain thwarted by the complexities of their new bureaucratic relationship with the government institutions they used to oppose during apartheid. This article examines how organisations concerned with violence against women are redefining their mission, securing effective leadership and utilising new methods of activism. ...
Predictors of dyadic adjustment in multiple sclerosis.

Because multiple sclerosis (MS) is usually diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, a time during which most people begin serious relationships, dyadic adjustment for MS patients is a salient issue. However, little is known about factors that might contribute to dyadic adjustment problems in MS. In the present study, we predicted that MS patients showing evidence of three common sequelae of MS-depression symptoms, fatigue and cognitive dysfunction-would be most likely to display problems with dyadic adjustment. Sixty-four MS patients and 49 significant others were assessed. Patient-reported dyadic adjustment was significantly (P at least <0.05) associated with depression (r=-0.48) and fatigue (r=-0.31), but not cognitive functioning. Significant other-reported dyadic adjustment was significantly associated with patients’ depression (r=-0.38), fatigue (r=-0.30) and executive functioning impairments (r=0.37). Stepwise regression analyses revealed that depression was the only significant predictor of dyadic ...
Studying black holes in the internet with Hubble

We present Hubble, a system that operates continuously to find Internet reachability problems in which routes exist to a destination but packets are unable to reach the destination. Hubble monitors at a 15 minute granularity the data-path to prefixes that cover 89% of the Internet's edge address space. Key enabling techniques include a hybrid passive/active monitoring approach and the synthesis of multiple information sources that include historical data. With these techniques, we estimate that Hubble discovers 85% of the reachability problems that would be found with a pervasive probing approach, while issuing only 5.5% as many probes. We also present the results of a three week study conducted with Hubble. We find that the extent of reachability problems, both in number and duration, is much greater than we expected, with problems persisting for hours and even days, and many of the problems do not correlate with BGP updates. In many cases, a multi-homed AS is reachable through one provider, but probes through another terminate; using spoofed packets, we isolated the direction of failure in 84% of cases we analyzed and found all problems to be exclusively on the forward path from the provider to the destination. A snapshot of the problems Hubble is currently monitoring can be found at http://hubble.cs.washington.edu.
Amphipod prey of gray whales in the northern Bering Sea : Comparison of biomass and distribution between the 1980s and 2002-2003

The ampeliscid amphipod community in the Chirikov Basin of the northern Bering Sea was a focus of study during the 1980s because they were a major food for the Eastern North Pacific (ENP) population of gray whales Eschrichtius robustus. Information from the 1980s benthic investigations, published accounts of ENP gray whale population trends and the occurrence in 1999–2000 of an unusual number of gray whale mortalities prompted concern that the whale population may have exceeded the carrying capacity of its food base. Therefore, during two cruises per year between June and September, 2002 and 2003, we resampled the 20 stations occupied during the 1980s, to determine if there had been any significant changes in ampeliscid abundance and biomass. During 2002–2003, average ampeliscid dry weight biomass was about 28710 g m � 2 (95% confidence interval), a decline of nearly 50% from maximum values in the 1980s. Amphipod length measurements indicated that the declines were due mainly to the absence of the larger animals (20–30 mm length). Two hypotheses were considered regarding the amphipod declines: gray whale predation and climate. Ampeliscid production (105 kcal m � 2 yr � 1 ) and gray whale energy requirements (1.6 � 10 8 kcal individual � 1 yr � 1 ) indicated that as little as 3–6% of the current estimate of the ENP gray whale population could remove 10–20% of the annual ampeliscid production from the study site in 2002–2003, a finding consistent with the hypothesis that top-down control by foraging whales was the primary cause of the observed declines. A 10-yr time series of temperature near the bottom in the Bering Strait and northward transport did not reveal a consistent trend between 1990 and 2001, suggesting that climate influences were not the major cause of the observed declines. Arctic ampeliscids have slow growth rates and long generation times; therefore the ampeliscid community may require decades to recover to densities observed in the 1980s. Predicted warming trends in the northern Bering Sea could impact ampeliscid recovery by lowering primary production or altering the community composition of the benthos. r 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Microtubule inhibitors: Differentiating tubulin-inhibiting agents based on mechanisms of action, clinical activity, and resistance

Microtubules are important cellular targets for anticancer therapy because of their key role in mitosis. Microtubule inhibitors (MTI) such as taxanes, vinca alkaloids, and epothilones stabilize or destabilize microtubules, thereby suppressing microtubule dynamics required for proper mitotic function, effectively blocking cell cycle progression and resulting in apoptosis. In spite of their antitumor activity, innate or acquired drug resistance to MTIs such as the taxanes is common, limiting their overall clinical efficacy. Further insight into the mechanisms of action of microtubule-targeting drugs has lead to the discovery of novel agents that may provide higher efficacy with limited toxicity and help overcome resistance to conventional MTIs. This review will focus on the different mechanisms of action of MTIs, potential factors related to resistance and tolerability, and will discuss the recent approval as well as the development of new antineoplastic agents.
Design and Development of a Novel Paper-based Inkjet-Printed RFID-Enabled UHF (433.9 MHz) Sensor Node

In this paper, inkjet-printed RFID-enabled sensor modules are investigated for the first time on paper-based substrates for UHF sensing/monitoring applications. An inkjet-printed antenna using silver nano particles on paper substrate is presented and utilized for the compact implementation of the wireless part of the node. The efficiency of the modulation scheme of the sensor signal is characterized at the UHF RFID Band operating around the center frequency of 433.9 MHz, verifying the feasibility of the sensor/rfid integration. Such low-cost integrated sensing nodes would enable the deployment of large ad-hoc wireless sensor networks that would mark a revolution in wireless automatic identification and real-time monitoring for medical, inventory and security applications.
MARKET STRUCTURE AND MULTIPLE EQUILIBRIA IN AIRLINE MARKETS

We provide a practical method to estimate the payoff functions of players in complete information, static, discrete games. With respect to the empirical literature on entry games originated by Bresnahan and Reiss (1990) and Berry (1992), the main novelty of our framework is to allow for general forms of heterogeneity across players without making equilibrium selection assumptions. We allow the effects that the entry of each individual airline has on the profits of its competitors, its “competitive effects,” to differ across airlines. The identified features of the model are sets of parameters (partial identification) such that the choice probabilities predicted by the econometric model are consistent with the empirical choice probabilities estimated from the data. We apply this methodology to investigate the empirical importance of firm heterogeneity as a determinant of market structure in the U.S. airline industry. We find evidence of heterogeneity across airlines in their profit functions. The competitive effects of large airlines (American, Delta, United) are different from those of low cost carriers and Southwest. Also, the competitive effect of an airline is increasing in its airport presence, which is an important measure of observable heterogeneity in the airline industry. Then we develop a policy experiment to estimate the effect of repealing the Wright Amendment on competition in markets out of the Dallas airports. We find that repealing theWright Amendment would increase the number of markets served out of Dallas Love.
Seeing double: the transforming personalities of Alan Moore's Promethea and the Ulster Cycle's Cuchulain

This article explores the physical and psychic transformation of Sophie-Promethea®, of Alan Moore's Promethea, and Cuchulain, of the Irish Ulster Cycle, into dual heroic identities, illustrating the psychological concerns present in the texts. This heroic process of establishing a dual identity dramatizes the creation of a balance between the conscious ego and the unconscious psyche, a pattern of individuation put forward by theorist Carl Jung and subsequently explored by Erich Neumann and James Hillman. The plot structure of the texts, as well as elements of visual/descriptive detail concerning transformation support this comparative examination and confirm a concern for an attempted resolution between conflicting psychological aspects of the heroic individual. This study highlights both the heroic failure of Cuchulain to attain this desired resolution and Moore's creation of a new paradigm for potential synthesis between the worlds of the ego and the psyche as illustrated through his character, Promethea®.
Methods for implantation of micro-wire bundles and optimization of single/multi-unit recordings from human mesial temporal lobe.

Objective. The authors report methods developed for the implantation of micro-wire bundles into mesial temporal lobe structures and subsequent single neuron recording in epileptic patients undergoing in-patient diagnostic monitoring. This is done with the intention of lowering the perceived barriers to routine single neuron recording from deep brain structures in the clinical setting. Approach. Over a 15 month period, 11 patients were implanted with platinum micro-wire bundles into mesial temporal structures. Protocols were developed for (A) monitoring electrode integrity through impedance testing, (B) ensuring continuous 24-7 recording, (C) localizing micro-wire position and ‘splay’ pattern and (D) monitoring grounding and referencing to maintain the quality of recordings. Main results. Five common modes of failure were identified: (1) broken micro-wires from acute tensile force, (2) broken micro-wires from cyclic fatigue at stress points, (3) poor in vivo micro-electrode separation, (4) motion artifact and (5) deteriorating ground connection and subsequent drop in common mode noise rejection. Single neurons have been observed up to 14 days post-implantation and on 40% of micro-wires. Significance. Long-term success requires detailed review of each implant by both the clinical and research teams to identify failure modes, and appropriate refinement of techniques while moving forward. This approach leads to reliable unit recordings without prolonging operative times, which will help increase the availability and clinical viability of human single neuron data.
Status of ultrawideband (UWB) radar and its technology

UWB radar is of interest because of its highly successful application to ground probing radar and to the challenge of working in an area which requires technology different from more conventional narrowband (NB) radar. The status of UWB technology is examined, and differences between UWB and NB radar are discussed with reference to the transient nature of target scattering, dispersive propagation effects, antenna effects, transmitters, and signal processing. >
Particle size limitations due to heat transfer in determining pyrolysis kinetics of biomass

Abstract A simplified heat transfer model is analyzed in order to determine an upper bound for biomass particle size in conducting experimental pyrolysis kinetics. In determining intrinsic kinetic rates, it is desirable that the entire particle be at reactor temperature for the duration of the chemical reaction. By comparing characteristic times for reaction rates versus heat-up rates, an approximate boundary for particle size can be constructed as a function of temperature; above this boundary, the reaction rate is strongly heat transfer dominated, and below the boundary the reaction rate is kinetically controlled. Using parameters for cellulose pyrolysis, it is estimated that a 200 μm particle will be heat transfer limited due to internal heat transfer at temperatures above 500°C. This boundary applies for conditions where the surface of the particle is brought to reactor temperature instantaneously. Using our specific experimental conditions, it is found that the limitations imposed by external transfer are reached before those predicted by assuming that only internal heat transfer is limiting. In examining wood pyrolysis, where a global reaction rate approximation is insufficient, it is experimentally shown that the decomposition for hemicellulose can be transport limited, while cellulose remains in the kinetic controlled regime.
Scabies in Childhood

Scabies is an extremely contagious disorder caused by an itch mite, Sarcoptes scabiei, which attacks infants and children as well as adults. Infestation begins with a newly fertilized female mite. She tunnels into the stratum corneum and lives in cutaneous burrows which may measure several millimeters to a few centimeters in length. The parasite favors areas with a low concentration of pilosebaceous follicles and a thin stratum corneum. This seems to account for a difference in the distribution of lesions in infants and young children compared to older children and adults.1 INCIDENCE Epidemics of scabies occur in 30-year cycles, each one lasting about 15 years. We presently are near the end of a world-wide pandemic which began in 1964 and, if estimates are correct, should last until or beyond 1979 or 1980.2 CASE HISTOR A 3-month-old white female infant started with a pruritic eruption at 2 months of age. She had a scaly erythematous papular eruption on the trunk, the postauricular areas, and extremities (Fig 1) and was otherwise healthy.3 Microscopic examinations of skin scrapings and fungal cultures were performed, and the eruption was treated as a seborrheic dermatitis with frequent shampoos and topical fluocinolone acetonide cream. Two weeks later the rash had spread to the back of the head and neck, the entire trunk, and all extremities including the palms and soles.
Isolating and Purifying Genomic DNA of Rhizobia Using a Large-Scale Method

The DNA of bacteria are found on the chromosomes and plasmids, which together make up the genome. Isolating and purifying the total genomic DNA constitute the first step in the procedure for the genetic fingerprinting of a rhizobial strain. Total genomic DNA can also be used for constructing the gene library of a rhizobial strain. In the isolation procedure, the cells are first treated with lysozyme to digest much of the cell wall. This is followed by adding a mixture of an ionic detergent (sarkosyl) and proteolytic enzyme (pronase), which causes cell lysis to release the total cellular DNA and simultaneous digestion of many native proteins (e. g., endogenous nucleases). The cell lysate can then be treated with phenol to dissociate the DNA from the cellular proteins. The dissociated DNA is precipitated by adding isopropanol or ethanol. In this exercise, a young culture of a strain of Rhizobium spp. or Bradyrhizobium spp. is processed to isolate, purify, and quantify total genomic DNA employing a large-scale method.
Impact of increasing calcium in the diet on nutrient consumption, plasma lipids, and lipoproteins in humans

This study examined the feasibility of increasing food-derived calcium to 1500 mg/d and the impact of this change on plasma lipids and nutrient consumption in hypertensive (n = 130) and normotensive (n = 196) participants. Three interventions were applied in a randomized, parallel, placebo-controlled fashion: 1) counseling to increase dietary calcium through food consumption to 1500 mg/d (n = 106), 2) a 1000-mg/d calcium supplement (n = 109), or 3) placebo (n = 111). Plasma lipids were measured before and after 12 wk of intervention whereas nutrient intake was monitored throughout the study. At baseline, hypertensive patients reported lower intakes of carbohydrates, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, vitamin D, thiamin, and riboflavin (all P < 0.05). They also had lower HDL (P = 0.014) and higher LDL (P < 0.05) compared with normotensive subjects. During intervention, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, thiamin, riboflavin, and vitamins C and D increased (P < 0.01) in the group receiving food calcium but not in the placebo or supplement groups. No changes occurred in plasma lipids or lipoproteins after 12 wk of intervention.
The effect of disease states on serum protein binding of antimicrobials

Serum protein binding of antimicrobials is altered in various disease states. In uremia, the binding of many organic acids to serum proteins is reduced. The defect in binding is 1. greater than can be accounted for by hypoalbuminemia alone, 2. unchanged by dialysis, 3. transferred in the protein but not the ultrafiltrate fraction, 4. corrected by a successful kidney transplant, and 5. corrected by treatment with activated charcoal at low pH. These data suggest that the binding defect is due to the accumulation of an inhibitor. The nature of the inhibitor is currently unknown. The accumulation of certain endogenous compounds such as bilirubin and free fatty acids (FFA) can also affect protein binding of antimicrobials. Elevation of the molar ratio of FFA to albumin during pump perfusion in patients undergoing cardiac bypass produces a binding defect. Various disease states probably behave similarly.
Baseline models of spatial population dynamics

ABSTRACTTo understand human population dynamics fully, before considering complex human agency it may be useful to construct baseline models to see where such agency may and may not be necessary. In fact, the dynamics of human populations may be amenable to mathematical modeling with relatively parsimonious mechanisms. We review some of the more prominent of such models, namely, the spatial Galton-Watson (GW) model, modifications of the GW model that add migration and immigration, and the Bolker-Pacala model, in which mortality (or birth rate) is affected by competition. We show that change in the distribution of population density over the last century for 12 American rural states may be captured by the simplest of the models, the spatial GW model.
Impact of FAS 166/167 on Credit Card Securitization

We examine the impact of FAS 166/177 on the quantity and quality of credit card loans of the affected securitization banks. We focus on credit card securitization because its nature makes it most likely to be consolidated back onto the balance sheet after FAS 166/167. Using credit card loans of non-securitization banks as controls, we document the following findings. First, the balance of total managed credit card loans for securitization banks decreases significantly from pre to post-FAS 166/167 period. Second, we find significant lower asset quality for non-securitized credit card loans relative to securitized loans of the same securitization bank prior to the adoption of FAS 166/167. Furthermore, we find significant improvement of the asset quality for credit card loans of the securitization banks after the adoption of FAS 166/167, especially for banks whose regulatory capital ratios are closer to the legal minimum after the adoption of the accounting rules. Overall, our findings suggest that banks have less opportunity to engage in regulatory capital arbitrage after the adoption of FAS 166/167 and adjust their risk taking behavior accordingly.
Formalizing Reusable Aspect-Oriented Concurrency Control.

Java and its library provide powerful concurrency control mechanisms. However, their use can lead to similar synchronization code being scattered across multiple classes, synchronization and functional code being tangled together, and similar code being duplicated in many applications. Aspect-oriented (AO) programming makes it possible to address these problems. The precise behavior of systems built using AO techniques can, however, be difficult to understand. We propose a specification approach to precisely express key concurrency and synchronization properties of such systems. We illustrate the approach with a simple example.
Small-Group Phonological Awareness Training for Pre-Kindergarten Children with Hearing Loss Who Wear Cochlear Implants and/or Hearing Aids.

AbstractThis case report details a year-long phonological awareness (PA) intervention for pre-kindergarten children with hearing loss (CHL) who use listening and spoken language. All children wore cochlear implants and/or hearing aids. Intervention occurred for 15 min/day, 4 days per week across the pre-kindergarten school year and was delivered by classroom teachers of the deaf. At the beginning of the year, children's performance on measures of PA generally was low. After participating in the intervention, the majority of students performed within or above the developmental range. These findings indicate that PA training that is intense, modified for CHL, and transferable to mainstream setting is effective in increasing PA skills in CHL.