cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Randomized controlled trials in hospital epidemiology. Sixth annual National Foundation for Infectious Diseases lecture.

Abstract Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are useful in the evaluation of both new and well-established hospital infection control practices for which the benefit is unproven and not obvious. RCTs are often undertaken to resolve controversies, and many of them have a “negative” or inconclusive outcome. Well-designed RCTs with a negative outcome have the potential for reducing health care costs by identifying widely used preventive measures that are not cost effective. ICPs should appreciate that RCTs have important limitations, may contain serious flaws in design, and are subject to exploitation by pharmaceutical and equipment manufacturers. Knowledge of the principles of RCTs can lead to improved scientific standards for all research—nonrandomized as well as randomized—in hospital epidemiology.
An Exercise in Perceptions of Skin Tone: Are Subjective Measures of Skin Tone Systematically Related to the Outcomes?

While the vast majority of research focuses on differences in economic outcomes across races, recent research has also considered disparities within racial groups. Intra-racial discrimination or colorism is defined as a bias between members of the same racial group. One challenge in teaching classes involving discrimination is to get students to understand how discrimination can be very subtle and that the students themselves may discriminate based on skin color. This paper discusses the design and application of an experiment designed to assess whether students assess skin color based on outcomes.
Inhibition of the vascular renin-angiotensin system preserves nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation in human adipose arterioles after transient high pressure stress (676.9)

Increased intraluminal pressure converts the mediator of flow mediated dilation (FMD) from nitric oxide (NO) to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in human adipose arterioles. We hypothesized that inhibition...
Agroclimatic modeling for the simulation of phenology, yield and quality of crop production. I. Citrus response formulation

In our previous paper of this series, a set of criteria and functions were formulated to predict the temporal evolution of phenological stages, fruit growth, and fruit maturation for two varieties of oranges: Navel and Valencia. The present paper reports the development of a working model employing these criteria and functions, and an evaluation of the performance of the model. The model is capable of simulating the effects of management practices, such as fertilizer application or disease and pest control, but in the simulations reported here, only the local meteorologial effects are modeled. Available observations of the time of flowering and the time of maturity are compared with model predictions of these parameters in a variety of climatic regions for which daily meteorological data are available. The model tends to initiate flowering about a week earlier than observed. The time to maturity is predicted to be well within the observed range of this parameter in each climatic region. Simulation of fruit growth also agrees well with observations, but with a tendency to continue higher than observed growth rates at maturity, resulting in about a 9% over-estimate of final fruit size. Simulation of 20 years of average yields in several climatically diverse regions compare quite well with observed yields when the meteorological data is complete and representative of the whole region, when the bearing acreage in the region is stable and the region itself is homogeneous. Major climatic events and their effects on yield are well represented in the model. Average yields are slightly higher than observed, a result of excessive growth rates in the final stages, and the interseasonal variation is smaller in the model than in the observations, a result of using average, conservative functions to simulate real processes.
Testing the Relativistic Effect of the Propagation of Gravity by Very Long Baseline Interferometry

It is shown that the finite speed of gravity affects very long baseline interferometric observations of quasars during the time of their line-of-sight close angular encounter with Jupiter. The next such event will take place in 2002 September 8. The present Letter suggests a new experimental test of general relativity in which the effect of the propagation of gravity can be directly measured by very long baseline interferometry as an excess time delay in addition to the logarithmic Shapiro time delay.
Freezing and Viability of Tetrahymena pyriformis in Dimethylsulfoxide.

Ciliated protozoa may be preserved at very low temperatures. Tetrahymena pyriformis, suspended in 10 percent dimethylsulfoxide, survived when frozen in two steps, first to -20 ° C, then transferring immediately to a temperature of -196 ° C. Motility and ability to reproduce were recovered after freezing by this method and subsequent storage for 3 months in a liquid nitrogen refrigerator.
Observational data set in support of falling snow retrieval algorithm development

The Canadian CloudSat/CALIPSO Validation Program (C3VP) was a field campaign held during the winter of 2006-2007. The C3VP provided an opportunity for the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission team to participate in cold-season northern latitude data collection activities in advance of GPM's launch. The GPM team collaborated by providing instrumentation and scientists in order to advance the development of falling snow detection and snow rate retrieval algorithms. This paper will describe the field campaign, present some observations, and provide early analysis from the resulting measurements.
Flat Optics: Controlling Wavefronts With Optical Antenna Metasurfaces

Conventional optical components rely on the propagation effect to control the phase and polarization of light beams. One can instead exploit abrupt phase and polarization changes associated with scattered light from optical resonators to control light propagation. In this paper, we discuss the optical responses of anisotropic plasmonic antennas and a new class of planar optical components (“metasurfaces”) based on arrays of these antennas. To demonstrate the versatility of metasurfaces, we show the design and experimental realization of a number of flat optical components: 1) metasurfaces with a constant interfacial phase gradient that deflect light into arbitrary directions; 2) metasurfaces with anisotropic optical responses that create light beams of arbitrary polarization over a wide wavelength range; 3) planar lenses and axicons that generate spherical wavefronts and nondiffracting Bessel beams, respectively; and 4) metasurfaces with spiral phase distributions that create optical vortex beams of well-defined orbital angular momentum.
Computational Aeroelastic Analysis of Ares Crew Launch Vehicle Bi-Modal Loading

A Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes analysis, with and without dynamic aeroelastic effects, is presented for the Ares I-X launch vehicle at transonic Mach numbers and flight Reynolds numbers for two grid resolutions and two angles of attack. The purpose of the study is to quantify the force and moment increment imparted by the sudden transition from fully separated flow around the crew module - service module junction to that of the bi-modal flow state in which only part of the flow reattaches. The bi-modal flow phenomenon is of interest to the guidance, navigation and control community because it causes a discontinuous jump in forces and moments. Computations with a rigid structure at zero zero angle of attack indicate significant increases in normal force and pitching moment. Dynamic aeroelastic computations indicate the bi-modal flow state is insensitive to vehicle flexibility due to the resulting deflections imparting only very small changes in local angle of attack. At an angle of attack of 2.5deg, the magnitude of the pitching moment increment resulting from the bi-modal state nearly triples, while occurring at a slightly lower Mach number. Significant grid induced variations between the solutions indicate that further grid refinement is warranted.
A Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenoma in a Patient With Dizziness

The patient was a 57-year-old female who was referred to a physical therapist by an otolaryngologist with the diagnosis of postural dizziness. Findings from the physical therapist's evaluation were discussed with the patient's physician, who then ordered magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, which revealed a pituitary mass. The patient was referred to an endocrinologist and was diagnosed with a nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2011;41(5):364. doi:10.2519/jospt.2011.0409
Highly selective and sensitive assay for paclitaxel accumulation by tumor cells based on selective solid phase extraction and micro-flow liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry

The taxanes are among the most important cancer chemotherapy drugs approved for clinical use in the last two decades. Paclitaxel is used as first-line therapy for a variety of cancers, and numerous drug delivery approaches are under investigation to enhance its selectivity and effectiveness against tumors. One strategy is to produce sustained, low drug levels within the tumor to enhance apoptosis and inhibit angiogenesis. The interest in altering drug concentration/time exposure profiles to improve therapeutic outcomes creates the necessity to quantify low concentrations of paclitaxel in cells or tissues. Here, a selective solid phase extraction (SPE) method, coupled with a capillary liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (microLC-MS/MS) method, was developed to quantify low, therapeutically relevant concentrations of paclitaxel that could not be analyzed using conventional LC-MS/MS. Under optimized SPE wash and elution conditions, paclitaxel was selectively extracted from biological samples, and most matrix components were removed. A 150 x 0.5 mm ID ODS capillary column was used for microLC separation and the flow rate was 12 microL min(-1). Sample extracts were focused at the front of the microLC column and then eluted with a gradient. The lower limits of detection and quantification were 5 and 20 pg mL(-1), respectively, permitting quantification of paclitaxel in small tissue samples or in cultured cells exposed to low drug concentrations. The quantitative linear range was 20-20 000 pg mL(-1). The ability to quantify these low concentrations of paclitaxel provides an important tool to study the concentration-dependent pharmacological effects of this important drug.
Quantum interference from sums over closed paths for electrons on a three-dimensional lattice in a magnetic field: Total energy, magnetic moment, and orbital susceptibility.

We study quantum interference effects due to electron motion on a three-dimensional cubic lattice in a continuously tunable magnetic field B of arbitrary orientation and magnitude. These effects arise from the interference between magnetic phase factors associated with different electron closed paths. The sums of these phase factors, called lattice path integrals, are many-loop generalizations of the standard one-loop Aharonov-Bohm-type argument, where the electron wave function picks up a phase factor ${\mathit{e}}^{\mathit{i}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Phi}}}$ each time it travels around a closed loop enclosing a net flux \ensuremath{\Phi}. Our lattice path integral calculation enables us to obtain various important physical quantities through several different methods. The spirit of our approach follows Feynman's program: to derive physical quantities in terms of sums over paths. From these lattice path integrals we compute analytically, for several lengths of the electron path, the half-filled Fermi-sea ground-state energy, ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{T}}$(B), of noninteracting spinless electrons in a cubic lattice. Our expressions for ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{T}}$ are valid for any strength of the applied magnetic field in any direction. Moreover, we provide an explicit derivation for the absolute minimum energy of the flux state. For various field orientations, we also study the quantum interference patterns and ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{T}}$(B) by exactly summing over \ensuremath{\sim}${10}^{29}$ closed paths in a cubic lattice, each one with its corresponding magnetic phase factor representing the net flux enclosed by each path. Furthermore, an expression for the total kinetic energy ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{T}}$(B,\ensuremath{\nu}) for any electron filling \ensuremath{\nu} close to one-half is obtained. We also study in detail two experimentally important quantities: the magnetic moment M(B) and orbital susceptibility \ensuremath{\chi}(B) at half filling, as well as the zero-field susceptibility \ensuremath{\chi}(\ensuremath{\mu}) as a function of the Fermi energy \ensuremath{\mu}. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
RECONSTRUCTION AND ANALYSIS OF HISTORICAL CHANGES IN CARBON STORAGE IN ARCTIC TUNDRA

Surface air temperature in arctic regions has increased since pre-industrial times, raising concerns that warmer and possibly drier conditions have increased soil de- composition rates, thereby stimulating the release to the atmosphere of the large stores of carbon (C) in arctic soils. We used a model (MBL-GEM, Marine Biological Laboratory General Ecosystem Model) of ecosystem C and nitrogen (N) dynamics to predict and analyze historical (1829-1990) changes in C storage in a N-limited, tussock-tundra ecosystem near Toolik Lake on the North Slope of Alaska. The model simulates stand-level photosynthesis and N uptake by plants, allocation of C and N to foliage, stems, and fine roots, respiration in these tissues, turnover of biomass through litterfall, and decomposition of litter and soil organic matter. We first calibrated the model by deriving a single parameter set that closely simulated the response of tussock tundra to decade-long experimental manipulations of nutrients, temperature, light, and atmospheric CO2. The calibrated model predicts that historical increases in temperature and atmospheric CO2 have increased total ecosystem C storage. Higher temperatures increased soil and plant respiration, but those losses of C were overcompensated by increased photosynthesis re- sulting from redistribution of N from soil to plants. This redistribution of N was due to increased net mineralization and uptake of N. Increases in atmospheric CO2 also increased photosynthesis, but consequent increases in C storage were constrained by limits on in- creases in the C:N ratio of vegetation. In contrast, hypothesized historical decreases in soil moisture substantially decreased simulated total ecosystem C storage as a result of large increases in soil respiration. With decreased soil moisture, increases in photosynthesis associated with redistribution of N from soil to plants only partially compensated for respiratory C losses, as plant uptake of N could not keep pace with increased N mineral- ization rates. Consequent losses of N from the ecosystem contributed to the declines in C storage under drier conditions. Based on the combined effects of reconstructed historical changes in atmospheric C02, mean growing-season temperature, and two alternative soil moisture scenarios, the model predicts a -5.4 to +2.3% change in ecosystem C from 1829 to 1990. These estimates are consistent with field evidence that historically recent changes in C storage of tussock tundra have been relatively small. However, the model also predicts that relatively large transient losses of ecosystem C (50-180 g.m-2.yr-4) may frequently have occurred since the late 1800s, with one of the largest simulated C losses of the 20th century occurring from 1988 to 1990 (3-yr average = 133 g C.m-2.yr-'). These simulated losses were similar to losses measured in tussock tundra at Toolik Lake from 1983 to 1990 (e.g., 1990 losses = 156 g C.m-2.yr-') but nonetheless suggest that these measured losses may be transitory in nature.
Covalency and the metal-insulator transition in titanate and vanadate perovskites

A combination of density functional and dynamical mean-field theory is applied to the perovskites ${\mathrm{SrVO}}_{3}$, ${\mathrm{LaTiO}}_{3}$, and ${\mathrm{LaVO}}_{3}$. We show that DFT + DMFT in conjunction with the standard fully localized-limit (FLL) double-counting predicts that ${\mathrm{LaTiO}}_{3}$ and ${\mathrm{LaVO}}_{3}$ are metals even though experimentally they are correlation-driven (``Mott'') insulators. In addition, the FLL double counting implies a splitting between oxygen $p$ and transition metal $d$ levels, which differs from experiment. Introducing into the theory an ad hoc double counting correction, which reproduces the experimentally measured insulating gap leads also to a $p$-$d$ splitting consistent with experiment if the on-site interaction $U$ is chosen in a relatively narrow range ($\ensuremath{\sim}$$6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1$ eV). The results indicate that these early transition metal oxides will serve as critical test for the formulation of a general ab initio theory of correlated electron metals.
Prevalence of chemical defenses among freshwater plants.

Although macrophyte–herbivore interactions in freshwater systems were generally disregarded for many years, recent data suggest that herbivory can be intense and important in structuring freshwater communities. This has led to the hypothesis that chemical defenses should be common among freshwater plants, but few studies have reported such chemical defenses, and no previous studies have assessed the frequency of chemical defenses among a substantial number of freshwater plant species. In a study of 21 macrophyte species co-occurring with the omnivorous crayfish Procambarus acutus in a southeastern USA wetland environment, we found that extracts of 11 species (52%) deterred feeding by P. acutus when tested in artificial foods at natural concentrations. Of these 11 chemically defended species, one species, Eupatorium capillifolium, consistently had a more unpalatable extract following mechanical damage to plant tissue, indicative of an activated chemical defense. Because herbivores are commonly nitrogen-limited and select food based on several plant traits, including plant nutritional value, it might be expected that chemical defenses would be especially important for protein-rich plants. However, we found no relationship between soluble protein concentration and deterrence of plant extracts.
Design of Antibacterial Surfaces and Interfaces: Polyelectrolyte Multilayers as a Multifunctional Platform

The adhesion and proliferation of bacteria on abiotic surfaces pose challenges related to human infection, including subsequent formation of antibiotic-resistant biofilms in both healthcare and industrial applications. Although the design of antibacterial materials is a longstanding effort, the surface properties that modulate adhesion of viable bacteria—the critical first step in biofilm formation—have been difficult to decouple. This partial and limited success is due chiefly to two factors. First, bacteria cells exhibit multiple, complex adhesion mechanisms that vary with bacteria strain, rapid genetic mutations within a given strain, and mutable environmental stimuli such as nutrient levels and fluid velocities. Second, there exist only a limited number of studies that systematically characterize or vary the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of potential antimicrobial materials. Here, we briefly review the dominant strategies for antimicrobial material surface design, including the advanta...
Logging injuries for a 10-year period in Jilin Province of the People's Republic of China.

Abstract Problem : Logging continues to be a major source of injuries in northeast China. This paper describes logging-related injuries in the Jilin Province of the People's Republic of China. Methods : Logging fatalities and nonfatal injuries were summarized from 1981 to 1990 in Jilin. Injury data from 1991 for the entire forestry sector in China were also analyzed. Results : Fatalities were mainly from of head injuries and were caused by being struck by an object. Nonfatal injuries were most often to the lower extremities and the head and were normally caused by being struck by an object or a fall or slip. The majority of both fatal and nonfatal logging injuries occurred to workers with less than 1 year of employment and those under 35 years old. Most injuries occurred November through March in Jilin. Impact on industry : Patterns of logging injury in Jilin of China were similar, but not identical, to those described in other studies of logging injuries worldwide. Methods found to be effective in reducing logging-related injuries in other parts of the world might be used in China to reduce the injuries associated with logging.
Development of Three Scaled Adjective Lists and an Example of Their Possible Application in One Area of Measurement

The objective of this research was to develop three lists of scaled adjectives congruent with Osgood's three dimensions of meaning, Evalutive, Potency, and Activity. A modification of Thurstone's e...
Similarities and Differences Between “Traditional” and “Clean” Diesel PM

The majority of particulate matter (PM) emitted from diesel engines is captured by advanced emission aftertreatment, here defined as the combination of a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR). Some PM is still emitted, however, and because PM from uncontrolled diesel engines is known to be carcinogenic, any changes in diesel PM chemistry with aftertreatment would be of interest. Here, we present PM chemical composition from emissions of a 2010 compliant heavy-duty diesel vehicle (HDDV) with original equipment manufacturer aftertreatment collected on bulk filters and impactor stages. Results reported include inorganic ions, water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC), thermo-optical organic and elemental carbon (OC/EC), and specific polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We compare the model year 2010 composition to that emitted by a model year 1998 HDDV without DPF/SCR. We found that diesel PM mass emissions are reduced by one to two orders of magnitude by aftertreatment, but that a carbon-based accumulation mode (∼100 nm), the defining feature of traditional diesel PM, is still present in 2010 compliant HDDVs. Under heavier engine load conditions (high-speed cruise), the 2010 vehicle also emitted a sulfate-rich nucleation mode that, at times, made up the majority of particulate mass. OC and EC size distributions are similar for the two HDDVs, although during cruise, a second OC peak was found in the 2010 nucleation mode. PAH and WSOC data suggest that the OC emitted with aftertreatment is more oxidized and has a smaller relative contribution of unmodified fuel and lube hydrocarbons.
Effectiveness of radiation therapy in the management of sarcoma of the soft somatic tissues.

Response of sarcomas of the soft somatic tissues to irradiation therapy is not uncommon but it is unpredictable except for liposarcoma, which is radiosensitive. Nevertheless, definite radiocurability is exhibited by a smaller, though still unpredictable, group of sarcomas of the soft parts. Preoperative irradiation, followed by surgical excision, is recommended as the preferred method of treatment for sarcomas of the soft parts.
Pleural mycobacterium avium complex infection in an immunocompetent female with no risk factors.

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infections rarely affect the pleura, accounting for 5–15% of pulmonary MAC. We report a case of MAC pleural effusion in an otherwise immunocompetent young patient. A 37-year-old healthy female with no past medical history was admitted to the hospital with two weeks of right sided pleuritic chest pain, productive cough, and fever. She was febrile, tachycardic, and tachypneic with signs of right sided pleural effusion which were confirmed by chest X-ray and chest CT. Thoracentesis revealed lymphocytic predominant exudative fluid. The patient underwent pleural biopsy, bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage, and video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), all of which failed to identify the causative organism. Six weeks later, MAC was identified in the pleural fluid and pleural biopsy by DNA hybridization and culture. The patient was started on clarithromycin, ethambutol, and rifampin. After six months of treatment, she was asymptomatic with complete radiological resolution of the effusion. The presence of lymphocytic effusion should raise the suspicion for both tuberculous and nontuberculous mycobacterial disease. Pleural biopsy must be considered to make the diagnosis. Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion of MAC infection in an otherwise immunocompetent patient presenting with a unilateral lymphocytic exudative effusion.
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ENVIRONMENTAL AND GENETIC HETEROGENEITY IN FOREST TREE POPULATIONS

Within a plant species, environmental heterogeneity has the potential to influence the distribution of genetic variation among populations through several evolutionary processes, including natural selection, differential gene exchange, and chance associations caused by genetic drift or founder effects. We evaluated the relationship between environmental characteristics and the distribution of genotypes for three common woody species (Quercus alba, Carya tomentosa, and Sassafras albidum) in Missouri Ozark forests. We measured the correlation between multivariate genotypes and forest structure variables, and assessed the influence of physical landscape on multivariate genotypes. For all three species, we found significant relationships between genetic variation and environmental heterogeneity. We discovered that populations in local habitat patches with different forest structures also differed in combinations of multivariate genotypes. In contrast, we did not detect significant differences in multivariate genotypes among soil-type/aspect classes in any of the three study species, suggesting that genotypic differentiation is operating on a finer scale than soil or aspect differences. We conclude that natural selection, possibly interacting with founder events, has influenced the population differentiation of these three long-lived plant species. Such microgeographic variation in response to environmental heterogeneity is expected for a broad range of species, even when extensive gene flow is present.
1997 Whitaker Distinguished Lecture: Models to solve mysteries in biomechanics at the cellular level; a new view of fiber matrix layers

Three different fundamental cellular level transport models are presented to explore current or recently solved mysteries in what appear to be three unrelated problem areas: (i) Starling's hypothesis for lymph formation in the microcirculation; (ii) the cellular level transduction and transmission mechanisms for sensing and communicating mechanical strain in bone; and (iii) the growth of cellular level macromolecular leakage spots in the arterial intima and their relation to the formation of subendothelial liposomes. This trilogy of what appear to be unrelated problems is shown to have a common link, the thin layer of specialized matrix that cells produce at the surface of their plasmalemma membranes in part to regulate the water and solute transport that surrounds them. In each case unexpected model predictions have led to new hypotheses and the design of new experiments which have helped explain long-standing fundamental questions in biomechanics. © 1998 Biomedical Engineering Society.
Selenium-containing proteins of rat kidney and liver microsomes.

Abstract Selenium (Se)-containing proteins in microsomal fractions of rat kidney and liver were after isotopic labeling of rats with [ 75 Se]selenite. More than 35% of the 75 Se in the solubilized microsomal extracts precipitated with protein after trichloroacetic acid treatment. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), used to separate the labeled protein subunits in the solubilized microsomal extracts, revealed several 75 Se-containing proteins in addition to glutathione peroxidase. 75 Se-labeled subunits with molecular weights of 55, 30, 26, 22, 19, and 17 kDa were present in microsomal fractions of kidney and liver. The 75 Se-labeled tryptic peptide of the 55 kDa subunit had the same R i value on a 17% SDS-PAGE gel as the peptide from plasma selenoprotein P. A time-course study of the labeling of individual protein subunits in kidney and liver microsomes from Se-supplemented and Se-deficient rats showed the most of the 75 Se was associated with the 55 kDa subunit 3 hr after injection. The amount of 75 Se associated with this protien subunit decreased by 12 hr, with a concurrent increase in the labeling of lower molecular-weight subunits. The results support the hypothesis that there is a mechanism for transfer of Se from the 55 kDa subunit to other Se-containing proteins.
Risk of predation reflects variation in the reproductive strategy of a dominant forage fish in mangrove tidal tributaries

The role of predators in shaping prey life histories is a central theme in the ecological literature. However, the association between degree of predation risk and prey reproductive strategies has not been clearly established. We examined reproduction in the sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna) from small tidal tributaries in a subtropical estuary. Our results revealed a gradient along which females produced many, small offspring at one extreme (mean = 42 offspring, 17 mg each) and fewer, larger offspring at the other (24 offspring, 29 mg each). Reproductive allotment ranged from 14.9–21.5% of maternal biomass. Based on our observation of divergent reproductive strategies, we experimentally tested the null hypothesis of no difference in predation risk among tributaries using a novel quantitative approach to estimate predation. We predicted greater risk in tributaries where mollies produced many, small offspring. Tethering confirmed increasing risk from 16.2 ± 5.3% SE to 54.7 ± 3.6% fish lost h−1 across sites in agreement with observed variation in reproduction. Predation was unexpectedly higher than predicted at one of the four sites suggesting that additional factors (e.g., food) had influenced reproduction there. Our results provide insight into the well-studied concept of predator-mediated variation in prey reproduction by quantitatively demonstrating differential risk for mollies exhibiting divergent reproductive strategies. While the observed range of variation in reproductive traits was consistent with previous studies reporting strong predator effects, higher than expected predation in one case may suggest that the prey response does not follow a continuous trajectory of incremental change with increasing predation risk, but may be better defined as a threshold beyond which a significant shift in reproductive strategy occurs.
Phosphotyrosine — a new protein modification

Abstract Tyrosine protein kinases carry out a newly described form of protein modification — phosphorylation of tyrosine residues. The transforming proteins of certain tumor viruses are tyrosine protein kinases and unscheduled phosphorylation of tyrosine in cellular proteins appears to be crucial for malignant transformation by these viruses. A primary effect of two cellular growth factors is to activate intracellular tyrosine protein kinases.
Microstructure of 9 Cr-1 MoVNb steel irradiated to 36 dpa at elevated temperatures in HFIR☆

Abstract As part of an effort by the Office of Fusion Energy to evaluate the irradiation behavior of ferritic steels, a 9 Cr-1 MoVNb alloy was irradiated in HFIR to a dose of ~36 dpa at temperatures of 300, 400, 500, and 600°C. In addition to the displacement damage produced during irradiation, a transmutation reaction of nickel during HFIR irradiation resulted in the simultaneous production of ~30 at. ppm He. Electron microscopy disks in the normalized and tempered condition were irradiated, and the microstructures were evaluated as a function of irradiation temperature. A few small cavities were observed after irradiation at 300, 500, and 600°C. However, a pronounced cavity microstructure was found after irradiation at 400°C. At this temperature, the cavities had a volume-averaged diameter of 15 nm and a concentration of 1.1 × 10 21 m −3 , resulting in a void-swelling contribution of 0.19%. The cavities at 400°C were homogeneously distributed throughout the tempered martensite matrix, and showed no preference for lath boundaries or precipitate interfaces. The results are compared to those recently reported on a similarly irradiated 12 Cr-1 MoVW ferritic steel.
Chloride-Resistant Metabolic Alkalosis in an Adult with Congenital Chloride Diarrhea

Congenital chloride diarrhea is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by defective chloride-bicarbonate exchange in the ileum and possibly the colon, which results in diarrhea with marked losses of chloride in the stool [l-3]. Diarrhea usually begins within the first 24 hours after birth and may result in hypovolemia and chronic metabolic alkalosis due to chloride depletion. With aggressive sodium and potassium chloride replacement beginning in infancy, normal development and survival into adulthood are possible [2]. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with this disorder who has survived to adulthood without major complications, except impairment of renal function, while receiving no specific therapy to correct the associated metabolic abnormalities. Chloride-responsive metabolic alkalosis related to chloride depletion and chloride-resistant metabolic alkalosis related to coexisting profound potassium depletion have both been observed in the course of clinical evaluation.
Stress-strain model for clays with anisotropic void ratio distribution

The porosity of soils is considered to be a directional measure and its distribution is characterized by a functional form. This form has been used to extend the critical state soil mechanics framework to include the effects of structure in soils. A new internal plastic energy dissipation formulation has been proposed to account for fabric arrangement. New expressions for the yield locus, and the plastic stress–strain response of structural soils have been derived. The applicability of the concepts to model the plastic stress–strain behaviour of a number of soils is illustrated. The advantage of the new model is very well identified in modelling the stress–strain behaviour of K0 consolidated and natural clays. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wetland isolation facilitates larval mosquito density through the reduction of predators

. 1Wetlands harbour high biodiversity and offer important ecosystem services, but they are also a habitat for mosquito larvae (Diptera: Culicidae), which are important disease vectors. 2Isolation among remnant, or newly created wetlands and ponds, and their consequent density in the landscape, is a key factor that can influence a variety of food web processes, including effects on mosquitoes which are important prey to many predators. 3We assess the impact of habitat isolation on the density of pond-breeding mosquitoes (several Anopheles and Culex species) both directly and indirectly through the food web. 4Results from structural equation modelling of survey data shows that larval mosquitoes are denser in ponds that are more isolated from one another, and that this result was primarily driven indirectly by a reduction of larval mosquito predators (e.g. predaceous insects and amphibians). Furthermore, results from a long-term mesocosm experiment factorially manipulating isolation and predator reduction show that the effect of isolation on mosquito density was eliminated when predators were experimentally reduced. 5It is concluded that metacommunity processes, both directly and indirectly mediated through predators, can play an important role in the local abundance of wetland breeding mosquitoes and possibly the diseases they spread.
Towards an emancipatory practice: Incorporating feminist pedagogy in the creative arts therapies

Abstract This article explores the use of feminist pedagogy in higher education and considers how educators in the field of creative arts therapies (CATs) can incorporate this theory. It outlines the emergence of feminist pedagogy as a response to the lack of equity in higher education and explores feminist pedagogy's evolution as part of the grassroots women's movement to promote social change for oppressed groups, as well as the pedagogical shift towards education for the emancipation of oppressed people. Drawing on literature from the creative arts therapies regarding gender issues, race, and social change, this article offers theory about how creative arts therapies can incorporate feminist pedagogy as a foundation for their teaching in higher education. This suggestion has wide implications for revising curriculum and content; teaching strategies; de-programming the pedagogical banking system; and advocating for social change.
VERTEX: the lateral transport of manganese in the northeast Pacific

Abstract Vertical distributions (0 to 2000 m) of dissolved Mn were measured at 5 stations on a 3200-km east-west (California to Hawaii) transect during the VERTEX (Vertical Transport and Exchange) IV and V cruises. All profiles shared common features: surface maxima, subsurface minima, maxima associated with the oxygen minimum, and relatively low levels at depth. Particulate Mn fluxes, measured at four of the five stations using free-floating particle traps (∼ 100 to 2000 m), indicated that in situ particulate scavenging was not responsible for the formation of the subsurface dissolved Mn minimum nor was in situ particulate Mn regeneration responsible for the dissolved Mn maximum associated with the oxygen minimum. Thus, these dissolved Mn extrema result primarily from lateral advective transport processes. The Mn minimum is associated with the shallow salinity minimum, a water mass that sinks away from the surface in the North Pacific (∼ 47°N), and spreads to the south and east in our study area. Additional evidence of the onshore flow of open-ocean, near-surface water is provided by the high Pb concentrations (∼ 50 pmol kg−1 associated with this feature. Waters in the oxygen minimum/ Mn maximum appear to have northerly and offshore flow in our study area. Box model estimates indicate that offshore lateral advective velocities must approach 0.4 cm s−1 to balance vertical diffusive losses from the oxygen minimum/dissolved Mn maximum. Maintenance of the subsurface Mn minimum requires onshore lateral transport of water with low Mn content at velocities on the order of 0.9 cm s−1 offshore, increasing to 4.4 cm s−1 inshore. These velocities represent maximum estimates since north-south Mn distribution data were not available.
Transient Response of Controlled Rectifier Circuits

Transients in circuits supplied by controlled rectifiers using gas or mercury-vapor-filled electron tubes are found analytically by an extended superposition method. Loads containing resistance, inductance, and a counter electromotive force are studied, and results are obtained for both rectification and inversion. Examples are based on the half-wave biphase rectifier, while the appendix contains an analysis of a p-phase rectifier. The assumptions include constant-circuit parameters, a fixed firing angle during transients, continuous load current, and no-leakage reactance in the supply transformer.
On space coverings by unbounded convex sets

Abstract Let (Ci) be a sequence of closed convex subsets of Euclidean n-space En. This paper is concerned with the problem of finding necessary and sufficient conditions that the sets Ci can be rearranged (by the application of rigid motions or translations) so as to cover all or almost all En. Particular attention is paid to the problems that arise if the sets Ci are permitted to be unbounded. It is shown that under certain conditions this covering problem can be reduced to the already thoroughly investigated case of compact sets with bounded diameter set{d(Ci)}, and it is also proved that there are two additional covering possibilities if such a reduction is not possible.
Modelling of Kelvin–Helmholtz instability and splashing of melt layers from plasma-facing components in tokamaks under plasma impact

Plasma-facing components (PFCs) in tokamaks are exposed to high-heat loads during abnormal events such as plasma disruptions and edge-localized modes. The most significant erosion and plasma contamination problem is macroscopic melt splashes and losses from metallic divertor plates and wall materials into core plasma. The classical linear stability analysis is used to assess the initial conditions for development and growth of surface waves at the plasma–liquid metal interface. The maximum velocity difference and critical wavelengths are predicted. The effects of plasma density, surface tension and magnetic field on the stability of plasma–liquid tungsten flows are analytically investigated. The numerical modelling predicts that macroscopic motion and melt-layer losses involve the onset of disturbances on the surface of the tungsten melt layer with relatively long wavelengths compared with the melt thickness, the formation of liquid tungsten ligaments at wave crests and their elongation by the plasma stream with splitting of the bulk of the melt, and the development of extremely long, thin threads that eventually break into liquid droplets. Ejection of these droplets in the form of fine spray can lead to significant plasma contamination and enhanced erosion of PFCs. The numerical results advance the current understanding of the physics involved in the mechanism of melt-layer breakdown and droplet generation processes. These findings may also have implications for free surface liquid metal flows considered as the first wall in the design of several types of future fusion reactors.
Fast crude-oil heavy-component characterization using combination of ASTM, HPLC, and GPC methods

Abstract Resins and asphaltenes are considered important culprits of the asphaltene deposition problem and understanding their phase behavior is crucial to its solution. Predictive models of asphaltene deposition would normally require as input a minimum number of physical, chemical, and thermodynamic properties of the resins and asphaltenes. The main objective of the paper is to propose an improved technique for quick determination of the resin (i.e., asphaltene peptizing agent) content of a hydrocarbon mixture that simultaneously separates the resins for further analysis. The technique is a combination of ASTM standard and HPLC methods. The results of this technique were checked satisfactorily against those of another equivalent conventional method, which is more time consuming and less reproducible. Furthermore, molecular size distributions of asphaltenes and resins were determined for two crude oils of widely different asphaltene and resin content and place of origin using GPC. A relationship between the asphaltene-number average molecular weight (relative to polystyrene) and the flocculant paraffin carbon number is suggested.
Phosphorylase Activity in Megakaryocytes

IN 1956, Scavo and Andres1, and later others2–4, reported that glycogen in megakaryocytes was decreased in chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) with megakaryocytic hyperplasia before splenectomy. Also, some of these investigators1,2 showed that megakaryocytic glycogen increased after splenectomy and that the increase coincided with the appearance of budding megakaryocytes and numerous platelet masses in bone marrow. Jamra and Lorenzi5, however, following Daniell's6 system for semi-quantitating megakaryocytic glycogen, noted that in presplenectomy patients with ITP there was an increase in large coarse PAS positive glycogen granules and concluded that this histochemical finding might prove to be pathognomonic of ITP with megakaryocytic hyperplasia. Because of the importance of phosphorylase, required for the initiation of glycogenolysis, it was decided to determine if the large masses of glycogen in megakaryocytes in this condition might be cumulative secondary to a relative phosphorylase deficiency, that is, an acquired megakaryocytic phosphorylase deficiency glycogenosis.
Nitrous oxide: effects on the mitotic apparatus and chromosome movement in HeLa cells.

When HeLa cells were grown in the presence of nitrous oxide (N2O) under pressure (80 lb/in2) mitosis was inhibited and the chromosomes displayed a typical colchicine metaphase (c-metaphase) configuration when examined by light microscopy. When the cells were returned to a 37°C incubator, mitosis was resumed and the cells entered G1 synchronously. Ultrastructural studies of N2O-blocked cells revealed a bipolar spindle with centriole pairs at each pole. Both chromosomal and interpolar (pole-to-pole) microtubules were also present. Thus, N2O, unlike most c-mitotic agents, appeared to have little or no effect upon spindle microtubule assembly. However, the failure of chromo somes to become properly aligned onto the metaphase plate indicated an impairment in normal prometaphase movement. The alignment of spindle microtubules was frequently atypical with some chromosomal microtubules extending from kinetochores to the poles, while others extended out at acute angles from the spindle axis. These ultrastructural studies indicated that N2O blocked cells at a stage in mitosis more advanced than that produced by Colcemid or other c-mitotic agents. Like Colcemid, however, prolonged arrest in mitosis with N2O led to an increased incidence of multipolar spindles.
Effects of Larval Stocking Density on Laboratory-Scale and Commercial-Scale Production of Summer Flounder Paraliehthys dentatus

.— Three experiments investigating larval stocking densities of summer flounder from hatch to metamorphosis, Paralichthvs dentalus, were conducted at laboratory-scale (75-L aquaria) and at commercial scale (1,000-L tanks). Experiments 1 and 2 at commercial scale tested the densities of 10 and 60 larvae/L, and 10, 20, and 30/L, respectively. The laboratory scale experiment tested the densities of 10, 20, 30, and 40 larvae/L. Experiments were carried out in two separate filtered, flow-through seawater systems at URI Narragansett Bay Campus (laboratory-scale), and at GreatBay Aquafarms, Inc. (commercial-scale). At both locations, the larvae were raised in a “greenwater” culture environment, and fed rotifers and brine shrimp nauplii according to feeding regimes established for each location. Water temperature was maintained at 21C (± 2) and 19C (± 1) for the duration of laboratory and commercial experiments, respectively. Experiments 1 and 2 at the commercial location were terminated at 42 and 37 d post hatch (dph), respectively, and the laboratory experiment lasted 34 DPH. Larvae initially stocked at 10/L grew to an average length of 14.3 and 14.4 mm, and were significantly larger (P < 0.05) than those stocked at 30/L (13.1 mm) and 60/L (11.7 mm) in commercial scale experiments I and 2, respectively. At laboratory scale, no significant differences in length were detected, although mean total length tended to decrease with increasing stocking density (average length of 14.2, 13.3, 12.7, and 12.7 mm for treatments of 10, 20, 30, and 40/L, respectively). Final survival percentage was not affected by stocking density in either commercial experiment, and was 61 and 40% for treatments of 10 and 60/L in Experiment 1, respectively, and 62, 59, and 56% for Experiment 2, respectively. Similarly, there was no significant difference in final survival percentage among treatments in the laboratory experiment, which averaged 59, 55, 56, and 37% for treatments of 10, 20, 30, and 40L. respectively. Since larval length was not different between the intermediate densities (20 and 30 Iarvae/L), and because high-density rearing can produce a much greater numerical yield per tank, we recommend a density of 30 larvaen as an optimal stocking density for the hatchery production of summer flounder.
Holographic 3D disks using shift multiplexing

Keywords: Holographic Storage ; Holographic 3D Disks ; Angle Multiplexing ; Peristrophic Multiplexing ; Shift Multiplexing ; Surface Storage Density Reference EPFL-CONF-158483View record in Web of Science Record created on 2010-11-25, modified on 2017-05-10