cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conservation Genetics and Management of Yellowtail Snapper, Ocyurus chrysurus , in the US Caribbean and South Florida

Population-genetic structure and average long-term effective size of yellowtail snapper, Ocyurus chrysurus (Bloch), sampled offshore from the Florida Keys and four localities in the US Caribbean, were investigated using nuclear-encoded microsatellites and a fragment of the mitochondrially encoded ND-4 gene. Analysis of spatial genetic variation revealed occurrence of up to four groupings (stocks) of yellowtail snapper: one in the Florida Keys, one along the west coast of Puerto Rico, one that includes the east coast of Puerto Rico and St. Thomas and one offshore of St. Croix. The observed genetic differences among localities are not strong, and additional sampling to examine whether the observed patterns of population structure are temporally stable is warranted. Levels of genetic variability and estimates of average, long-term effective size (Ne) indicate that yellowtail snapper at all five localities have, at present, sufficient genetic variation to maintain long-term integrity and sustainability.
Long-Period Fiber Gratings for Mode Coupling in Mode-Division-Multiplexing Systems

In mode-division-multiplexing systems, multi-input multi-output (MIMO) equalization is used to compensate for linear impairments, including modal dispersion (MD) and modal crosstalk. The MIMO equalizer memory length depends on the group delay (GD) spread arising from MD. The GD spread arising from MD can be significantly reduced by introducing strong mode coupling via mode scramblers. We study the design of such mode scramblers implemented as long-period multimode fiber gratings for systems using $D = 12$ modes (six spatial modes). By optimizing the grating chirp function, we minimize the mode-dependent loss (MDL) of the grating while ensuring full intergroup mode coupling. We find a design yielding MDL and mode-averaged loss in the C band not exceeding 0.36 and 0.45 dB, respectively. We also verify the effect of such mode scramblers on the GD scaling of a long-haul system, demonstrating that the scramblers reduce the scaling of GD spread with length from a linear to a square-root dependence, as expected in the strong coupling regime.
Theory and Praxis: The Feminist Solidarity Group at UT-Austin

This article addresses the issue feminist solidarity through the lens of an organization founded in the English Department at the University of Texas at Austin in 2006. The Feminist Solidarity Group provides support and forums for open discussion for graduate students seeking to emphasize collaboration, coalition-building, and self-reflection in their academic work. The essay begins with a conversation between the founders of the FSG, authors Erin Hurt and Layne Craig. Then, the essay puts the concrete history and activities of the Feminist Solidarity Group into the context of the history of solidarity as a concept in feminist communities, with particular emphasis on the work of bell hooks, Robin Morgan, and Chandra Mohanty. Ideas under particular consideration in this analysis include ethical approaches to the language of feminism and solidarity, ways to address conflicts and coalitions among feminist communities, and solidarity between academic feminists and extra-academic feminist communities. The essay ends with a reflection on the implications of the Feminist Solidarity Group as an ideological organization for other forms of feminist solidarity in the communities under discussion in the roundtable responses.
Identity and Self-Other Differentiation in Work and Giving Behaviors: Experimental Evidence

We show that the distinction between Self and Other, "us" and "them," or in-group and out-group, affects significantly economic and social behavior. In a series of experiments with approximately 200 Midwestern students as our subjects, we found that they favor those who are similar to them on any of a wide range of categories of identity over those who are not like them. Whereas family and kinship are the most powerful source of identity in our sample, all 13 potential sources of identity in our experiments affect behavior. We explored individuals' willingness to give money to imaginary people, using a dictator game setup with hypothetical money. Our experiments with hypothetical money generate essentially identical data to our experiments with actual money. We also investigated individuals' willingness to share an office with, commute with, and work on a critical project critical to their advancement with individuals who are similar to themselves (Self) along a particular identity dimension than with individuals who are dissimilar (Other). In addition to family, our data point to other important sources of identity such as political views, religion, sports-team loyalty, and music preferences, followed by television-viewing habits, dress type preferences, birth order, body type, socio-economic status and gender. The importance of the source of identity varies with the type of behavior under consideration.
UNSOLVED PROBLEMS CONCERNING RANDOM WALKS ON TREES

We state some unsolved problems and describe relevant examples concerning random walks on trees. Most of the problems involve the behavior of random walks with drift: e.g., is the speed on Galton-Watson trees monotonic in the drift parameter? These random walks have been used in Monte-Carlo algorithms for sampling from the vertices of a tree; in general, their behavior reflects the size and regularity of the underlying tree. Random walks are related to conductance. The distribution function for the conductance of Galton-Watson trees satisfies an interesting functional equation; is this distribution function absolutely continuous?
A tableau algorithm for description logics with nominal schema

Nominalschema is an expressive description logic (DL) construct that was proposed in recent efforts to integrate DLs and (logic programming) rule-based paradigms for the Semantic Web [1] represented by two "diverging" W3C standards: the DL-based Web Ontology Language (OWL) [2] whose major variant, OWL 2 DL, is based on the description logic (DL) ${\mathcal{SROIQ}}$ [3]; and the rulebased Rule Interchange Format (RIF) whose core variant, called RIF Core [4], is essentially Datalog, i.e., function-free Horn logic.
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with anemia: a cross-sectional study in healthy adults in the United States (260.3)

Objective: We aimed to examine the relationship between vitamin D status and anemia, hypothesizing that lower vitamin D status would be associated with increased risk for anemia, particularly anemia of inflammation. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the Emory/Georgia Tech Predictive Health cohort (n=638), a generally healthy adult cohort. Anemia was assessed via hemoglobin concentration. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association of vitamin D status with anemia, controlling for significant covariates of anemia. Relationships between vitamin D status and subtypes of anemia were assessed. Results: Vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D < 20 ng/mL) was significantly associated with anemia in bivariate analysis (OR: 2.64; 95% CI: 1.43, 4.86). After accounting for an interaction between vitamin D deficiency and race, vitamin D deficiency was significantly associated with anemia in blacks (OR: 6.42; 95% CI: 1.88, 21.99), controlling for anemia covariates, b...
Phospholipids in Cellular Survival and Growth

Biological membranes (plasma membrane, nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum, etc.) are composed primarily of phospholipids and proteins. Phospholipids are structural components; their physicochemical properties allow them to aggregate in aqueous environments to form lamellar bilayers, that are characteristic of biological membranes. This ability of phospholipids to spontaneously form noncovalently bound aggregates that can act as diffusion barriers (membranes) depends on the chemical composition of a given phospholipid mixture, and other biologically important membrane properties, like surface potential or microviscosity, are affected by this composition. It thus seems obvious that changes in membrane composition of mammalian cells ought to affect their ability to grow and even survive. However, the problem has not been studied much and we have no understanding of how phospholipids might contribute to regulation of cellular growth and rate of division. This chapter reviews evidence showing that various phospholipids are essential to cellular survival and growth. The special role of phosphatidylcholine in survival of cholinergic neurons, and changes in phospholipid turnover during the cell cycle are also briefly discussed.
Mapping Three Classical Isozyme Loci in Tetrahymena: Meiotic Linkage of Esta to the Chxa Linkage Group

We demonstrate a reliable method for mapping conventional loci and obtaining meiotic linkage data for the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila. By coupling nullisomic deletion mapping with meiotic linkage mapping, loci known to be located on a particular chromosome or chromosome arm can be tested for recombination. This approach has been used to map three isozyme loci, EstA (Esterase A), EstB (Esterase B), and AcpA (Acid Phosphatase A), with respect to the ChxA locus (cycloheximide resistance) and 11 RAPDs (randomly amplified polymorphic DNAs). To assign isozyme loci to chromosomes, clones of inbred strains C3 or C2 were crossed to inbred strain B nullisomics. EstA, EstB and AcpA were mapped to chromosomes 1R, 3L and 3R, respectively. To test EstA and AcpA for linkage to known RAPD loci on their respective chromosomes, a panel of Round II (genomic exclusion) segregants from a B/C3 heterozygote was used. Using the MAPMAKER program, EstA was assigned to the ChxA linkage group on chromosome 1R, and a detailed map was constructed that includes 10 RAPDs. AcpA (on 3R), while unlinked to all the RAPDs assigned to chromosome 3 by nullisomic mapping, does show linkage to a RAPD not yet assignable to chromosomes by nullisomic mapping.
Abruption-induced preterm delivery is associated with thrombin-mediated functional progesterone withdrawal in decidual cells

Plasma progesterone levels remain elevated throughout human pregnancy, suggesting that reduced reproductive-tract progesterone receptor (PR) initiates labor. Placental abruption and excess thrombin generation elicit preterm delivery (PTD). PR, glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and total and p-ERK1/2 in decidual cells (DCs) and interstitial trophoblasts (IT) were assessed via immunohistochemical staining in abruption-associated PTD versus gestational-age matched control placentas, and in cultured DCs incubated with estradiol (E2) ± medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) ± thrombin. Immunostaining for PR was lower in DC nuclei in abruption versus control decidua and was absent from ITs; GR was higher in IT than DCs, with no abruption-related changes in either cell type; p-ERK1/2 was higher in DCs in abruption than control decidua, with total ERK 1/2 unchanged. Immunoblotting of cultured DCs demonstrated strong E2, weak MPA, and intermediate E2+MPA mediated elevation of PR-A and PR-B levels, with constitutive GR expression. In cultured DCs, thrombin inhibited PR but not GR mRNA levels, reduced PR binding to DNA and [3H]progesterone binding to PR, and enhanced phosphorylated but not total ERK1/2 levels. Coincubation with a specific p-ERK1/2 inhibitor reversed thrombin-enhanced p-ERK1/2 and lowered PR levels. Thus, abruption-associated PTD is initiated by functional progesterone withdrawal, as indicated by significantly reduced DC nuclear expression of PR-A and PR-B. Functional withdrawal of progesterone results in increased p-ERK1/2, and is thus one pathway initiating abruption-associated PTD.
Achievement of balanced electron and hole mobility in copper-phthalocyanine field-effect transistors by using a crystalline aliphatic passivation layer

Abstract Ambipolar charge carrier transport of copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) field-effect transistors with an aliphatic and insulating tetratetracontane (TTC) interlayer are investigated systematically. The TTC interlayer provides a dielectric-semiconductor interface that is free of electron traps. The growth mechanisms of TTC on SiO 2 and CuPc on TTC are studied and charge carrier transport properties are analyzed in dependence of the TTC morphology. Different growth regimes for as-grown and temperature-annealed TTC layers are identified and correlated to the behavior of the respective charge carrier mobilities. Additionally, the thickness of the TTC passivation layer has turned out to influence the grain size of the polycrystalline CuPc layer significantly. Hole and electron transport are affected differently. This behavior can be explained qualitatively with the help of simulations taking into account a difference in grain boundary trap density for electrons and holes. By optimizing the TTC film, balanced charge carrier mobilities can be achieved with μ ≈ 3 × 10 - 2 cm 2 / Vs , which are record values for electron transport in CuPc.
Nanoscale laser-induced spallation in SiO2 films containing gold nanoparticles

A phenomenological theory of ultraviolet pulsed-laser-induced spallation is proposed to interpret crater formation in SiO2 thin films containing absorbing 18.5-nm gold particles. The theory considers a spherical thermoacoustic stress wave propagating from a thermal source produced by laser-energy absorption inside the particle and surrounding ionized volume. Calculations show that the tensile stress associated with such an acoustic wave may exceed the local strength of the material and cause fracture and spallation of the top film portion. The theory provides an explanation of the experimentally observed complex (two-cone) shape of craters formed in the film with particle-lodging depth exceeding 110 nm. Theoretical estimates for the threshold stress amplitude and peak temperature in the thermal source are in qualitative agreement with the experimental observations.
Low-temperature renormalization-group study of the random-field model

The continuous-spin random-field model is investigated by means of the low-temperature renormalization-group technique with the use of the replica trick. The Wilson-Kogut recursion method is applied. For short-range exchange, the results are in exact agreement with those of the random-axis model studied by Pelcovits. For long-range exchange varying with distance $R$ as ${R}^{\ensuremath{-}(d+\ensuremath{\sigma})}$, critical exponents are calculated to first order in $d\ensuremath{-}2\ensuremath{\sigma}$. They are identical to those in a $d\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\sigma}$ expansion of the nonrandom model. However, the hyperscaling law becomes $(d+{\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{T})\ensuremath{\nu}=2\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\alpha}$ (${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{T}$ is the eigenvalue associated with the dangerous irrelevant operator $T$), and, for $m$-component spins, $\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{T}=\ensuremath{\sigma}+\frac{(d\ensuremath{-}2\ensuremath{\sigma})}{m}$.
Alcoholism and occupations : a review and analysis of 104 occupations

A review of the many attempts to establish an association between occupations and alcoholism reveals that most do not deal with data about clinically defined alcoholism but instead use data about cirrhosis mortality, self-reported alcohol problems, and frequent and heavy drinking. The present study establishes an association between occupations and diagnoses of Alcohol Dependence Disorder and Alcohol Abuse Disorder, using data from a large population-based household interview study. Statistical adjustment using logistic methods reveals that apparent associations between occupations and alcohol-related disorders previously reported in the literature are due to characteristics of those employed in various occupations. The prevalence of alcohol dependence and abuse in two high risk industries, construction and transportation, is confirmed. More than one in four construction laborers and one in five skilled construction trades workers received a DIS/DSM-III diagnosis related to alcohol abuse. In the transportation industry one in six heavy truck drivers and material movers received an alcohol diagnosis. Analyses of the data from individuals currently employed and not employed in their occupation reveals reduction in risk for those who leave some occupations and increased risk for those who leave other occupations. Evidence is presented that employment in some occupations may be protective for Alcohol Dependence. The findings support the view that occupation may be associated with Alcohol Dependence and Alcohol Abuse independent of demographic variations. Previously proposed explanatory models for associations between occupations and alcohol problems are called into question because they do not take into account the demographic characteristics and employment status of workers.
Maternal responses to infant vocalizations and olfactory cues in rats and mice

In Experiment I lactating female Long-Evans rats (Rattus norvegicus) and in Experiment II lactating female C57BL/10 mice (Mus musculus) were tested for retrieval of young in a Y-maze using the home cage as a start box. Retrieval-eliciting stimuli compared were: (1) a pup emitting ultrasounds, (2) a tape loop of neonatal vocalizations, (3) a chilled pup which could not emit ultrasounds, and (4) an empty maze arm to control for random and/or exploratory activity. For both rats and mice the absence of any olfactory cue in the maze arms was accompanied by an absence of differential choice behavior. Given the presence of olfactory cues neonatal ultrasounds were effective directional cues for retrieval. The rat seemed incapable of utilizing olfactory cues alone for directional information, whereas the mouse utilized vocalizations and olfactory cues equally well.
Effects of Milk and Training on Swimming Performance and Organ Weight in Rats

Abstract Three groups of litter mate albino male rats were utilized as follows: Group A received a stock diet and was forced to swim daily; group B was subjected to the same exercise but the diet was such that 30 percent of the caloric intake came from powdered whole milk; group C was given the stock diet but no exercise. The experiment continued for 12 weeks after which the animals were forced to swim as long as they were able. Several days later the animals were sacrificed and organ weights determined. Replacing a portion of the stock diet with milk appeared to have no effect on body weight, endurance performance, or weight of the heart, kidneys, spleen, adrenals, liver, or testes. When the exercised animals were compared with the sedentary ones, the daily swimming program was seen to result in significant increases in swim time, carcass specific gravity, and heart and adrenal weight and a significant decrease in body and spleen weight. Endurance swimming time appeared to be unrelated to the various org...
BMO, boundedness of affine operators, and frames

This paper addresses the construction of wavelet frames as an application of the modern theory of singular integrals. The continuous wavelet inversion formula (Calderon reproducing formula) may be viewed as the action of a Calderon–Zygmund singular integral operator. Wavelet frame operators arise as Riemann sum approximations of these singular integrals. When the analyzing and synthesizing functions are smooth and have a vanishing moment, boundedness of the approximations is a simple matter of applying, for example, the Cotlar lemma. Here we investigate the situation when only one of the analyzing/synthesizing pair has a vanishing moment. The dyadic discretizations are no longer automatically bounded. We show how the T(1) theorem may be used to find criteria under which boundedness and invertibility are ensured. Parallels between these ideas and the frame criteria of Daubechies and Ron–Shen are also discussed.
The ambulatory oncology Nurse's role

N THE PAST 20 years, ambulatory oncology nursing has changed from a task-oriented, physician-dominated model of care to one of increased responsibility, autonomy, and multidisciplinary collaboration. ~ Directing patient flow has been replaced with coordination of patient care, often including case management, triage, and comprehensive patient education. Because ambulatory care by definition connects acute care and home care, outpatient nurses serve as liaisons between the hospital and the patient at home and are in a position to facilitate the resumption of self-care. 2 The increasing complexity of cancer care in the ambulatory setting results in the role of the ambulatory oncology nurse being pivotal to ensuring quality health care. This article reviews the roles and responsibilities of ambulatory oncology nurses and future directions. ROLE DEVELOPMENT
A longitudinal examination of the relation between co-offending with violent accomplices and violent crime

Although the idea that youthful offenders are affected by the company they keep is widely accepted, evidence in support of this idea is based primarily on reports provided by offenders and their peers. As an alternative to relying on reports of criminal behavior, a method that may overestimate the role that peers play in criminal behavior, the current research on co-offending uses court records to identify and track over time individuals who are known to commit crimes together. The present investigation is the first co-offending study to track patterns of violent criminal behavior (over an 18-year period) among a sample of urban offenders and their accomplices. The study tests whether violence “spreads” from violent offenders to those inexperienced in violence. Results indicate that nonviolent offenders who commit their first co-offense with violent accomplices are at increased risk for subsequent serious violent crime. Findings suggest that lessons of violence can be learned “on the street,” where knowledge is passed along through impromptu social contexts, including those in which offenders commit crimes together. Aggr. Behav. 28:97–108, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
THE ORIENTATION OF CHLOROPHYLL AND BACTERIOCHLOROPHYLL MOLECULES IN AN ORIENTED LECITHIN MULTILAYER

— Chlorophyll a and b and bacteriochlorophyll a have been incorporated in an oriented phospholipid multilayer. The orientation of the chlorophyll molecules in this layer has been measured by polarization spectroscopy. Formulas are given expressing the dichroic ratio R as a function of the angle of tilt θ between the molecule and the plane of the multilayer and the angle μ between this plane and the transition dipole moment measured in the plane of the molecule. The possibility of overlapping bands of mutually perpendicular polarization has been taken into account. Analysis of the experimental results gives the angles θ and μ as well as an estimate for the fraction of polarization of some bands along the dihydro axis in the plane of the chlorophyll molecule.
Dual wall-tube electrode cell for use in clay-modified electrode studies

A dual tube-electrode cell has been constructed for use in clay-modified electrode (CME) studies. The optimization and characterization of the wall-tube cell through both visual and electrochemical measurements is described. Its use in some CME studies is then described. The system is found to give excellent insight into the behavior of a CME.
Fracture network of the Ferron Sandstone Member of the Mancos Shale, east-central Utah, USA

Abstract The fracture network at the outcrop of the Ferron Sandstone Member of the Mancos Shale was studied to gain an understanding of the tectonic history of the region and to contribute data to studies of gas and water transmissivity related to the occurrence and production of coal-bed methane. About 1900 fracture readings were made at 40 coal outcrops and 62 sandstone outcrops in the area from Willow Springs Wash in the south to Farnham dome in the north of the study area in east-central Utah. Two sets of regional, vertical to nearly vertical, systematic face cleats were identified in Ferron coals. A northwest-striking set trends at a mean azimuth of 321°, and a northeast-striking set has a mean azimuth of 55°. Cleats were observed in all coal outcrops examined and are closely spaced and commonly coated with thin films of iron oxide. Two sets of regional, systematic joint sets in sandstone were also identified and have mean azimuths of 321° and 34°. The joints of each set are planar, long, and extend vertically to nearly vertically through multiple beds; the northeast-striking set is more prevalent than the northwest-striking set. In some places, joints of the northeast-striking set occur in closely spaced clusters, or joint zones, flanked by unjointed rock. Both sets are mineralized with iron oxide and calcite, and the northwest-striking set is commonly tightly cemented, which allowed the northeast-striking set to propagate across it. All cleats and joints of these sets are interpreted as opening-mode (mode I) fractures. Abutting relations indicate that the northwest-striking cleats and joints formed first and were later overprinted by the northeast-striking cleats and joints. Burial curves constructed for the Ferron indicate rapid initial burial after deposition. The Ferron reached a depth of 3000 ft (1000 m) within 5.2 million years (m.y.), and this is considered a minimum depth and time for development of cleats and joints. The Sevier orogeny produced southeast-directed compressional stress at this time and is thought to be the likely mechanism for the northwest-striking systematic cleats and joints. The onset of the Laramide orogeny occurred at about 75 Ma, within 13.7 m.y. of burial, and is thought to be the probable mechanism for development of the northeast-striking systematic cleats and joints. Uplift of the Ferron in the late Tertiary contributed to development of butt cleats and secondary cross-joints and probably enhanced previously formed fracture sets. Using a study of the younger Blackhawk Formation as an analogy, the fracture pattern of the Ferron in the subsurface is probably similar to that at the surface, at least as far west as the Paradise fault and Joe's Valley graben. Farther to the west, on the Wasatch Plateau, the orientations of Ferron fractures may diverge from those measured at the outcrop.
U.S. Joint Venture Activities in the Former Soviet Union

The study focuses on primarily big U.S. firms' joint venture activities with the Soviets after the break‐up of the former Soviet Union. It examines U.S.‐Soviet joint ventures in the following sectors: oil and gas, soft drinks, consumer products, gold mining, aircraft engines, telecommunications, and software. Data were collected by mail and interviews in order to identify the obstacles in the negotiation and operational stages of the venture. Furthermore, business and governmental organisations' recommendations as to whether or not U.S. firms should engage in joint venture activities in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) were elicited.
Polygalacturonase, biomass and ascospore production by Byssochlamys fulva. II. Effects of sugars found in fruits

Polygalacturonase, biomass, and ascospore production by four strains of Byssochlamys fulva cultured in laboratory media supplemented with glucose, sucrose, or fructose was studied over a 20-day incubation period at 30 degrees C. The production of polygalacturonase was variable, but most activity was detected between 4 and 8 days in 1% sugar media at an initial pH of 4 or 5. The rate of biomass production was retarded early in the incubation period in media initially at pH 3 or 4 as compared to pH 5, but the amount of growth was about the same in media containing the test sugars after 20 days. Large numbers of ascospores were produced between 8 and 10 days in media containing 5% sugar initially at pH 5 and 4. Production of ascospores was retarded at pH 3 in media containing 5% sugar as compared to media initially at pH 5 and 4.
1- or 3-Haloallyllithio and α-Halobenzyllithio Reagents

Abstract Whereas the α-elimination of hydrogen halide from benzyl halides with powerful bases, leading to carbene-derived products, is a well-known process,1 two examples of the formation of α, β-diarylethyl chloride, presumably by the interaction of a benzyl chloride with the chlorobenzyl anion derived therefrom, have been reported.2,3 Furthermore, 1,1- or 3,3-dichloroallyllithium, prepared from 3,3-dichloroallyltriphenyllead with n-butyllithium, has been shown to undergo alkylation and reaction with carbonyl compounds.4 The following discussion illustrates benzylations and allylations with α-halobenzyllithio and 1- or 3-haloallyllithio reagents, respectively.
Differential STAT5 activation and phenotypic marker expression by immune cells following low levels of ethanol consumption in mice.

ABSTRACTEthanol has been recognized as an immunosuppressive agent for many years. Effects of high levels of ethanol consumption on immune functions have been extensively studied, but little is known about the effects of low levels (scuh as 5% ethanol) of ethanol consumption. Herein we report that exposure of mice to 5% ethanol for 4–8 weeks decreases IL-2-augmented splenic NK cell activity, decreases the numbers of NK cells in spleen and liver, decreases the number of granulocytes (Gr-1+) in bone marrow and spleen, and decreases the percentages of B cells in liver. In contrast, the percentages of CD4+CD8+ thymocytes, CD4+CD8− splenocytes, CD4+CD8− liver nonparenchymal cells, CD3+ splenocytes, and CD3+ bone marrow cells were increased. Furthermore, exposure to 5% ethanol increases STAT5 activation in T cells and liver cells while decreases STAT5 activation in NK cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that low levels of ethanol consumption can differentially modulate immune cells in thymus, spleen, b...
Utility valuation of multi-name credit derivatives and application to CDOs

We study the impact of risk-aversion on the valuation of credit derivatives. Using the technology of utility-indifference pricing in intensity-based models of default risk, we analyse resulting yield spreads in multi-name credit derivatives, particularly CDOs. We study first the idealized problem with constant intensities where solutions are essentially explicit. We also give the large portfolio asymptotics for this problem. We then analyse the case where the firms have stochastic default intensities driven by a common factor, which can be viewed as another extreme from the independent case. This involves the numerical solution of a system of reaction-diffusion PDEs. We observe that the nonlinearity of the utility-indifference valuation mechanism enhances the effective correlation between the times of the credit events of the various firms leading to non-trivial senior tranche spreads, as often seen from market data.
Iatrogenic Subcutaneous Emphysema of Dental and Surgical Origin: A Literature Review

Purpose Subcutaneous emphysema arises when air is forced beneath the tissue, leading to swelling, crepitus on palpation, and potential to spread along the fascial planes. The goal of this literature review is to alert the oral and maxillofacial surgeon to the inciting factors, diagnosis, and management of subcutaneous emphysema. Patients and Methods A comprehensive search of the medical and dental literature from 1993 to 2008 was performed using PubMed, and yielded 32 case reports of subcutaneous emphysema. Only cases associated with dental or surgical procedures were included. Cases of trauma were excluded. Results Sixteen of the 32 cases were linked to the use of air-driven handpieces. Other cases involved a CO 2 laser, a NO 2 cryomachine, an air abrasive system, endotracheal intubation/ventilation, and patient activities after surgical procedures. Of the cases reviewed, 5 resulted in significant complications after subcutaneous emphysema. Conclusion Although rare, iatrogenic subcutaneous emphysema can have serious and potentially life-threatening effects. Care should be taken when using air-driven handpieces or performing endotracheal intubation/ventilation. Additionally, instructions should be given to patients after procedures violating the epithelium to reduce the incidence of subcutaneous emphysema. When subcutaneous emphysema does arise, it must be quickly diagnosed and properly managed to reduce further complications.
Adaptive Optimal -Stage Runge-Kutta Methods for Solving Reaction-Diffusion-Chemotaxis Systems

We present a class of numerical methods for the reaction-diffusion-chemotaxis system which is significant for biological and chemistry pattern formation problems. To solve reaction-diffusion-chemotaxis systems, efficient and reliable numerical algorithms are essential for pattern generations. Along with the implementation of the method of lines, implicit or semi-implicit schemes are typical time stepping solvers to reduce the effect on time step constrains due to the stability condition. However, these two schemes are usually difficult to employ. In this paper, we propose an adaptive optimal time stepping strategy for the explicit 𝑚-stage Runge-Kutta method to solve reaction-diffusion-chemotaxis systems. Instead of relying on empirical approaches to control the time step size, variable time step sizes are given explicitly. Yet, theorems about stability and convergence of the algorithm are provided in analyzing robustness and efficiency. Numerical experiment results on a testing problem and a real application problem are shown.
Characteristics of electromagnetic shower sampling counters

Abstract We report an experimental investigation of the properties of electro magnetic shower detectors composed of alternate layers of plastic scintillator and radiator. The various contributions to the pulse-height resolution are characterized, particularly in their dependence upon beam energy, sampling thickness, type of radiator employed, and total counter depth.
Metabolic Syndrome, Proteinuria, and the Risk of Progressive CKD in Hypertensive African Americans

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is more likely to progress to kidney failure (end-stage renal disease) in African Americans, although the reasons for this are unclear. Metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease and recently was linked to incident CKD. The purpose of this study is to examine whether metabolic syndrome is associated with kidney disease progression in hypertensive African Americans. Design & Participants The current study design is a secondary analysis of the African-American Study of Hypertension and Kidney Disease, a randomized controlled trial of blood pressure goal and agents in hypertensive African Americans with CKD. Predictors Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the modified National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines. Outcomes Decrease in glomerular filtration rate of 50% or 25 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , end-stage renal disease (initiation of dialysis therapy or transplantation), death, or a composite outcome of all 3. Results 842 subjects were included in this analysis, and 41.7% met criteria for metabolic syndrome. Subjects meeting criteria for metabolic syndrome had greater levels of proteinuria. Cox regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, glomerular filtration rate, and other significant covariates except for proteinuria indicated a 31% increased risk, with a 95% confidence interval of 1.03 to 1.7 ( P = 0.03) for time to reach the composite outcome in those with metabolic syndrome. Adjusting for proteinuria, the effect was abated to 16% (95% confidence interval, 0.9 to 1.5), no longer remained significant ( P = 0.2), and was unchanged by adjusting randomized treatment group (blood pressure goal or antihypertensive drug). Limitations Lack of waist circumference as a better surrogate of abdominal obesity. Conclusions In summary, metabolic syndrome is associated with proteinuria in hypertensive African Americans, but is not independently associated with CKD progression.
Physics challenges for advanced fuel cycle assessment

Advanced fuel cycles and associated optimized reactor designs will require substantial improvements in key research area to meet new and more challenging requirements. The present paper reviews challenges and issues in the field of reactor and fuel cycle physics. Typical examples are discussed with, in some cases, original results.
Subtidal food webs in a georgia estuary: δ13C analysis

Abstract Stable carbon isotope compositions were analyzed for estuarine fauna collected in tidal creeks draining salt marshes dominated by either Spartina alterniflora Loisel. (δ13C of −12.5%.) or Juncus roemerianus Scheele (δ13C of −26%.). Mean δ13C values of subtidal invertebrates and fishes were −17.8%. and −17.5%. in the Spartina creek and −20.1%. and −20.0%. respectively in the two Juncus creeks. The intermediate δ13C values of the fauna implied an alternate carbon input to the food web, most probably benthic algae (δ13C of −16 to −18%.) and phytoplankton (δ13C of −20 to −22%.). In the Spartina marsh creek, animals with δ13C values less negative than −17%., e.g. mummichogs, mullet, and mud crabs, were most closely linked to the Spartina detritus/benthic algal food web, while species with δ13C values more negative than −19%., e.g. brown shrimp, menhaden, and oysters, were apparently more dependent on the phytoplankton food web. The data suggested that 1. (1) marsh plant carbon is a component of subtidal food webs, 2. (2) phytoplankton carbon is a more important food source for subtidal animals than for intertidal marsh fauna, 3. (3) the subtidal food web is structured such that individual invertebrate and fish species show varying degrees of dependence on the detritus/benthic algae-based food web of the marsh vs. the phytoplankton-based food web of the tidal creek.
Microclimate Change and Effect on Fire Following Forest‐Grass Conversion in Seasonally Dry Tropical Woodland1

We tested the hypothesis that, where fire has historically been infrequent, wooded areas that have been invaded by grasses and converted to grassland by fire are predisposed to future fire compared to adjacent areas that remain wooded; thus, an initial forest fire may promote future fires. We compared microclimate between a grass-dominated burned area and a nearby grass-invaded woodland that has not burned in recent history, both located in the submontane dry forest of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The results were used to parameterize BEHAVE, a fire behavior prediction model developed by the USDA Forest Service. The model's predictions include probability of ignition, intensity, rate of spread, and tree mortality. Contrary to expectations, daytime hourly mean temperatures were higher and relative humidity was lower in the woodland site. However, the differences in temperature and humidity were not great enough to affect spread rate or probability of ignition. Wind speeds were substantially greater in the grassland, and this was most important in driving differences in modeled fire spread. Given similar synoptic conditions, a fire started in the grassland can be expected to spread an order of magnitude faster than one started in the woodland.
Ferrous ion oxidation by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans immobilized in calcium alginate

Thiobacillus ferrooxidans was immobilized by entrapment into calcium alginate matrix. The immobilized bacteria were used in packed-bed column reactors for the continuous oxidation of ferrous ion at pH 1.5. The presence of mineral salts resulted in a shorter lag period before a steady-state of about 95% iron oxidation was achieved. Parallel shake flask experiments were used to evaluate pH, mineral salts, and alginate toxicity as factors influencing biological iron oxidation. Manometric experiments indicated that the previous growth history of T. ferrooxidans was important in determining the rate of iron oxidation. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive analysis of X-rays were used to characterize bacteria entrapped in calcium alginate and the enrichment of iron in the matrix.
“De Maximis Non Curat Lex” or how Context Reduces Science to Art in the Practice of Human Factors

Frequently claims are made that what the discipline of human factors and ergonomics needs are better and more detailed data bases which can be used by designers as “look up” tables to specify the properties of human beings. Several of these already exist but they seem not to be satisfactory. The experience of teaching user centered design has convinced the author that the problem lies not in the absence of appropriate data tables for designers, but in the nature of the systems we design. Unlike many other engineering disciplines human factors is extremely sensitive to context. The result is that there are no such things as context free laws in applied psychology, and hence the value of data bases and tables is restricted to certain fairly basic ergonomic problems. It is moreover not merely in small details that laws do not apply - hence the title of this paper. Increasingly the nature of advanced systems renders such data bases of little value unless we can develop equivalent data bases which describe con...
Statistical visual feature indexes in video retrieval

Four statistical visual feature indexes are proposed: SLM (Shot Length Mean), the average length of each shot in a video; SLD (Shot Length Deviation), the standard deviation of shot lengths for a video; ONM (Object Number Mean), the average number of objects per frame of the video; and OND (Object Number Deviation), the standard deviation of the number of objects per frame across the video. Each of these indexes provides a unique perspective on video content. A novel video retrieval interface has been developed as a platform to examine our assumption that the new indexes facilitate some video retrieval tasks. Initial feedback is promising and formal experiments are planned.
Novel harmonic and phase estimator for grid-connected renewable energy systems

In this paper, an efficient and effective method to estimate utility grid harmonics and eliminate their effect during Phase Locked Loop (PLL) phase estimation is proposed. This harmonics estimation algorithm is designed primarily for grid-connected renewable energy systems (RES). The estimation of the grid harmonics is very important for the RES to participate in power quality improvement. The proposed method uses simple arithmetic operations and it can be combined easily with PLL algorithms for grid synchronization. The proposed method has less computation complexity than the other existing method to perform the same task. The overall algorithm can be implemented on a low cost embedded controller with minimum processing time. The simulations and experimental results verified that the algorithm achieves very fast and accurate phase and harmonic estimation on highly distorted utility grids.
Power and Sample Size for Randomized Phase III Survival Trials Under the Weibull Model

Two parametric tests are proposed for designing randomized two-arm phase III survival trials under the Weibull model. The properties of the two parametric tests are compared with the nonparametric log-rank test through simulation studies. Power and sample size formulas of the two parametric tests are derived. The sensitivity of sample size under misspecification of the Weibull shape parameter is also investigated. The study can be designed by planning the study duration and handling nonuniform entry and loss to follow-up under the Weibull model using either the proposed parametric tests or the well-known nonparametric log-rank test.
Ultrastructural effects of testosterone on epiphyseal cartilage.

Although experimental and clinical experience indicates that large doses of testosterone lead to premature cessation of growth, the exact mechanism and precise site of action of this hormone on the growth apparatus of long bones remain unknown. In this study, plateaued male rats were injected with supraphysiologic doses of testosterone to observe the submicroscopic effects on the various zones of the epiphyseal cartilage. In the zone of cell division there were increased numbers of dividing cells. The maturing cells accumulated larger amounts of secretory products at earlier stages of their life cycle, and appeared to undergo a more abrupt hypertrophy. In the zone of prehypertrophy, the interterritorial matrix contained foci of early and premature calcification and thicker and longer collagen fibers than at comparable levels in controls. It is concluded that in intact animals, even large doses of testosterone initially cause a stimulation of chondrocyte proliferation, prior to promoting maturation processes.
Roles Played by Capsid-Dependent Induction of Membrane Curvature and Gag-ESCRT Interactions in Tetherin Recruitment to HIV-1 Assembly Sites

Tetherin/BST-2 (here called tetherin) is an antiviral protein that restricts release of diverse enveloped viruses from infected cells through physically tethering virus envelope and host plasma membrane. For HIV-1, specific recruitment of tetherin to assembly sites has been observed as its colocalization with the viral structural protein Gag or its accumulation in virus particles. Because of its broad range of targets, we hypothesized that tetherin is recruited through conserved features shared among various enveloped viruses, such as lipid raft association, membrane curvature, or ESCRT dependence. We observed that reduction of cellular cholesterol does not block tetherin anti-HIV-1 function, excluding an essential role for lipid rafts. In contrast, mutations in the capsid domain of Gag, which inhibit induction of membrane curvature, prevented tetherin-Gag colocalization detectable by confocal microscopy. Disruption of Gag-ESCRT interactions also inhibited tetherin-Gag colocalization when disruption was accomplished via amino acid substitutions in late domain motifs, expression of a dominant-negative Tsg101 derivative, or small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated depletion of Tsg101 or Alix. However, further analyses of these conditions by quantitative superresolution localization microscopy revealed that Gag-tetherin coclustering is significantly reduced but persists at intermediate levels. Notably, this residual tetherin recruitment was still sufficient for the full restriction of HIV-1 release. Unlike the late domain mutants, the capsid mutants defective in inducing membrane curvature showed little or no coclustering with tetherin in superresolution analyses. These results support a model in which both Gag-induced membrane curvature and Gag-ESCRT interactions promote tetherin recruitment, but the recruitment level achieved by the former is sufficient for full restriction.
Guest Editorial: Special Issue on Rigorous Modeling and Analysis of Cyber-Physical Systems

The three papers in this special issue focus on rigorous modeling and analysis of cyber-physical systems.