cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preimmunization and postimmunization pneumococcal antibody titers in children with recurrent infections

Background Patients with recurrent infections and normal IgG levels may have an abnormal response to pneumococcal polysaccharides. The ability to develop antibodies against different pneumococcal polysaccharides develops gradually in the first years of life, but the sequence of development and the influence of preexisting antibody titers has not been defined. Methods Preimmunization and postimmunization IgG antibody titers against pneumococcal serotypes 3, 7F, 9N, and 14 were evaluated in a population of 100 1- to 18-year-old children referred to a pediatric allergy-immunology clinic because of recurrent respiratory infections. None of the patients had a known immunodeficiency syndrome; all had normal total IgG levels. Postimmunization antibody levels were obtained 4 to 6 weeks after immunization. Patients ≤5 years of age who failed to develop antibody levels above 200 ng Ab N/mL against any serotype and older patients who failed to develop these levels against a second serotype in addition to serotype 3 were considered for IgG replacement therapy. Results Prior to immunization, 50% of 51 patients did not have protective antibody levels against any of the serotypes tested. Immunization induced a high response to serotype 3 in all age groups, but responses to serotypes 7F and 14 increased with age. Five of 78 patients (6.4%) failed to develop protective antibody levels against any serotype tested. Three of these patients had clinical criteria that justified the use of IgG replacement therapy; all improved. Three patients were re-immunized 1 to 2 years after the first immunization and all developed protective levels of antibodies against serotype 3 after the second immunization. Conclusion We conclude that, although measurement of antibody levels against pneumococcal serotype 3 allows a good differentiation of patients who are able to develop anti-polysaccharide antibodies from those who are not, further studies of the development of specific antibodies against other vaccine serotypes in normal populations of different ages are needed to define a normal response to pneumococcal polysaccharides.
Cell biology: popping out of the nucleus.

Previous structural snapshots have provided insight into how proteins are imported into the cell nucleus. The structure of an export complex now completes the molecular picture of the nuclear transport cycle.
Infrared spectroscopy studies of cyclic anhydrides as intermediates for ester crosslinking of cotton cellulose by polycarboxylic acids. IV. In situ free radical copolymerization of maleic acid and itaconic acid on cotton

Polycarboxylic acids have been used as crosslinking agents for cotton fabrics and paper to replace the traditional formaldehyde-based reagents. Previously, we found that a polycarboxylic acid esterifies cotton cellulose through the formation of a five-membered cyclic anhydride intermediate. Both maleic acid (MA) and itaconic acid (ITA) are extremely difficult to polymerize under conditions normally used for free radical polymerization. It has been reported in the literature that treatment of cotton fabric with a mixture of MA and ITA significantly improved wrinkle-resistance of the fabric. In this research, we investigated the in situ copolymerization of MA and ITA on cotton fabric. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy was used to study the anhydride carbonyl formed on the cotton fabric treated with the mixtures of MA and ITA. A redox titration technique also was applied to determine the quantity of alkene double bonds on the treated fabric. It was found that free radical copolymerization of MA and ITA does not occur on the fabric at elevated temperatures when potassium persulfate is present as an initiator. It does occur, however, when both potassium persulfate and sodium hypophosphite are present on the fabric. The in situ copolymerization on the cotton fabric probably is initiated by a reduction–oxidation system. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 75: 327–336, 2000
Tyrosine phosphorylation of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor is enhanced in synaptic membrane fractions of the adult rat hippocampus

Hippocampal N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) contribute to the expression of certain types of synaptic plasticity, such as long-term potentiation (LTP). It is well documented that tyrosine kinases increase NMDAR phosphorylation and potentiate NMDAR function. However, it is unclear how these phosphorylation changes result in enhanced NMDAR activity. We previously reported that NMDAR surface expression can be increased by LTP-inducing stimulation via tyrosine kinase-dependent mechanisms in the adult hippocampus [D.R. Grosshans, D.A. Clayton, S.J. Coultrap, M.D. Browning, Nat. Neurosci., 5 (2002) 27-33]. We therefore hypothesized that tyrosine phosphorylation of the NMDAR may enhance the trafficking of the receptor to the synaptic membrane. Here, we show that the stoichiometry of NR2A and NR2B tyrosine phosphorylation is significantly higher in synaptosomal membranes than intracellular microsomal/light membranes. Interestingly, NR2B tyrosine-1472, but not NR1 serine-896 or -897, phosphorylation is significantly higher in synaptosomal membranes than intracellular microsomal/light membranes. Furthermore, treatment of hippocampal slices with either a tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor or a tyrosine kinase inhibitor alters NMDAR tyrosine phosphorylation and produces a corresponding change in the concentration of NMDARs in the synaptosomal membrane fraction. Taken together, these data support the hypothesis that tyrosine phosphorylation may enhance NMDAR activity by increasing the number of NMDARs at the synaptic membrane.
Seasonal Cycles of Zooplankton Biomass in Southeastern Lake Michigan

Monthly estimates of crustacean zooplankton standing stock (mg/m3) in southeastern Lake Michigan were calculated using species dry weight estimates (μg/individual) and densities (no./m3). Zooplankton standing stock varied seasonally over the three-year sampling period (1975-1977) and spatially according to depth over a 252 km2 lake survey area. Biomass was greater at deeper, offshore stations than at inshore stations because large copepods dominated the zooplankton offshore but were rare inshore from May through October. The mean annual standing stock of 60 mg/m3 was similar to that of other oligotrophic to mesotrophic lakes but lower than expected in comparison with other Great Lakes. In addition, seasonal cycles in weight for several species were related to the timing of maturation of new generations and the temperature at which development occurred.
Medium Components Essential for Guanosine Production in Bacillus subtilis MG-1

Culture conditions for guanosine production were studied with Bacillus subtilis MG–1 that exclusively accumulated guanosine. Of components investigated, KH2PO4, KC1, Fe++, Mn++, NH4NO3 and sodium glutamate have played important roles for guanosine production. The optimal concentrations in the culture medium were 2.0 g, 0.9 g, 7.5 mg, 7.5 mg, 20. 4 g and 6.0 g per liter, respectively.In particular, the extremely minor concentration of Mn++ 0.01 ppm completely repressed guanosine production although the cells grew sufficiently. Amino acids mixture was necessary for cell growth, but not essential for guanosine production.Under these conditions, MG–1 accumulated 15 g of guanosine per liter in a weight yield of 18.8% of consumed sugar. However, a large amount of acetoin was also found as a byproduct.
A new reactive potential for the molecular dynamics simulation of liquid water

Abstract In this Letter, ‘recursive fitting’ is applied to obtain a new parameterization of the central force field for water. As target experimental data to be reproduced, we use experimental radial distribution functions determined by neutron scattering, which provide accurate information about the internal structure of water. We show firstly, that the obtained force field reproduces correctly the geometry of water molecules and the coordination shell. Afterwards the new force field is applied to simulate some physical properties of water (diffusion coefficient and density). Finally we sketch briefly the ability of this force field, to allow for the proton transfer between a hydronium ion and a water molecule in a hydrated Nafion membrane.
Developmental patterns of renal functional maturation compared in the human neonate

Observations on the influence of extrauterine life upon renal functional maturation in the human being were made in 49 newborn infants of 25 to 41 weeks' GA during the first 48 hours of life, and in serial studies of 12 of these infants whose GA at birth was ≤34 weeks. GFR was found to be uniformly low in infants born prior to 34 weeks' GA, and increased rapidly after 34 weeks' GA. Glucosuria was found to occur commonly in infants ≤30 weeks' GA. Glomerulotubular balance for glucose was noted in every infant studied, regardless of GA or length of time since birth. Mean values for TRP at every age prior to feeding was ≥85%, and decreased concomitantly with the rise in serum phosphate concentrations after feedings were introduced. The urinary excretion of alpha amino nitrogen was greatest in infants
Crustal and magmatic evolution in a large multicyclic caldera complex: isotopic evidence from the central San Juan volcanic field

The Sr, Nd and Pb isotope compositions of ash-flow tuffs and lavas from the central caldera cluster of the San Juan volcanic field, Colorado, suggest that the silicic magmas were derived by fractional crystallization of mantle-derived basalts, coupled with extensive assimilation of both lower-and upper-crustal components. Temporal trends of increasing eNd values and decreasing 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the ash-flow tuffs suggest that extensive crustal hybridization of both upper-and lower-crustal reservoirs occurred as a result of magmatism. Mantle-derived basalts are envisioned to have initially crystallized and significantly interacted with crust near the crust-mantle boundary, creating a hybrid crust that is a mixture of mantle and lower-crustal components. Evolved magmas ascended into the upper crust, where they continued to assimilate and crystallize, modifying the bulk upper-crustal composition through transfer of both lower-crustal and mantle components into the upper crust, strongly affecting the isotopic compositions of the lower and upper crust. Lower-crustal eNd values and 87Sr/86Sr ratios are calculated to have shifted > 30–40% toward mantle compositions during these processes, although Pb isotope compositions of the lower crust are not as strongly affected (< 30% shift to mantle compositions). Depending on the extent of upper crust-lower crust recycling, upper-crustal eNd values shift 15–30% toward mantle compositions, 87Sr/86Sr ratios shift 20–55% toward lower-crustal and mantle ratios and 206Pb/204Pb ratios decrease 15–25% toward lower-crustal ratios. Crustal hybridization during evolution of the central caldera cluster was intense, although hybridization in the upper crust was localized to the region immediately underlying the calderas. Two distinct isotopic cycles are recognized in the ash-flow tuffs, one from 27.8 to 26.9 Ma (first caldera cycle) and the second from 26.4 to 26.1 Ma (San Luis caldera cycle). The break between the two cycles may be due to a shift in the locus of magmatism to the northwest, into an area of relatively unhybridized, original Proterozoic crust. Isotopic compositions of the caldera-related lavas are variable, and unlike the ash-flow tuffs, there are no distinctive temporal trends. The lavas are believed to undergo late-stage evolution in smaller magma chambers surrounding the caldera cluster, where the crust has not been as intensely hybridized. The comparatively large isotopic variability of the lavas reflects the high susceptibility of small magma chambers to isotopic modification during interaction with heterogeneous crust. In contrast, ash-flow magmas evolve in much larger magma chambers which tend to average isotopic heterogeneity of crust and mantle end-members, and the isotopic compositions of the tuffs serve as a better monitor of changes in the average composition of the magmatic system and the crustal column.
EFFECT OF FORMATE CONCENTRATION ON RADICAL FORMATION IN THE RADIOLYSIS OF AQUEOUS METHYL VIOLOGEN SOLUTIONS

The yields of methyl viologen radical cation (MV•+) in the radiolysis of nitrogen-saturated 0.5 mM methyl viologen (MV2+) solutions containing formate were measured using 60Co γ-rays, 1H ions of 2−15 MeV, and 4He ions of 5−20 MeV. The concentrations of formate were 1, 10, 100, and 1000 mM, which correspond to OH radical scavenging capacities of 3.2 × 106 to 3.2 × 109 s-1. Methyl viologen radical cation yields should be stoichiometrically equivalent to the sum of the hydrated electron, H atom, and OH radical yields. This outcome is found in γ-ray radiolysis except at very high or low formate concentrations. At all formate concentrations, the 1H and 4He ion radiolyses give yields of methyl viologen radical cations that are significantly lower than expected from the results of other aqueous solutions. Possible reasons for the differences are discussed.
Defective bursa regeneration after irradiation of young thymectomized chickens

The ability of the bursa of Fabricius to regenerate after gamma-irradiation and bone marrow reconstitution was examined in chickens thymectomized (TX) immediately after hatching. Irradiation (2 X 500 R) 3 weeks after hatching was followed by impaired bursa regeneration, as judged both by bursa/body weight ratios and by bursa follicle development 3-6 weeks later in TX as compared to control birds. Germinal center formation in the spleen was deficient, and immune responses to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) and B. abortus (BA) were moderately reduced in the TX as compared to control birds irradiated at 3 weeks but not in TX birds irradiated at 5 weeks of age.
Visual search and natural color distributions

We examined visual search for color within the distributions of colors that characterize natural images, by using a foraging task designed to mimic the problem of finding a fruit among foliage. Color distributions were taken from spectroradiometric measurements of outdoor scenes and used to define the colors of a dense background of ellipses. Search times were measured for locating test colors presented as a superposed circular target. Reaction times varied from high values for target colors within the distribution (where they are limited by serial search based on form) to asymptotically low values for colors far removed from the distribution (where targets pop out). The variation in reaction time follows the distribution of background contrasts but is substantially broader. In further experiments we assessed the color organization underlying visual search, and how search is influenced by contrast adaptation to the colors of the background. Asymmetries between blue-yellow and red-green backgrounds suggest that search times do not depend on the separable L-M and S- (L+M) dimensions of early postreceptoral color vision. Prior adaptation facilitates search over adaptation to a uniform background, while adaptation to an inappropriate background impedes search. Contrast adaptation may therefore enhance the salience of novel stimuli by partially discounting the ambient background.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Parallel botnet detection system by using GPU

In recent years, botnet is one of the major threats to network security. Many approaches have been proposed to detect botnets by comparing bot features. Usually, these approaches adopt traffic reduction strategy as first step to reduce the flow to following strategies by filtering packets. With the rapid development of network hardware and software the network speed has reached to multi-gigabit. However, analyzing header and payload of every packet consumes huge amount of computational resources and is not suitable for many realistic situations. Although signature-based solutions are accurate, it is not possible to detect bot variants in real-time. In this study, we proposed a GPU-based botnet detection approach. The experimental results show that the network traffic reduction stage on GPU can achieve about 8x times over CPU based botnet detection tool. The proposed algorithm can used to improve the performance of botnet detection tools efficiently.
Quantitative assessment of conjunctival microvascular circulation of the human eye

Abstract Accessibility to the bulbar conjunctival microvasculature provides a means to assess blood supply to the cerebral cortex and thus optimize therapeutic interventions designed to prevent or reduce the risk of cerebral vascular disease and stroke. The feasibility of a method for quantitative measurements of conjunctiva blood vessel diameter, blood velocity, and flow in the human eye is reported. The method is based on slit lamp biomicroscope digital imaging coupled with a space time image analysis technique. A sequence of conjunctiva microvasculature images was captured at a rate of 50 Hz. The images were analyzed to determine blood vessel diameter, velocity and flow. Blood vessel diameter measurements ranged between 8.7 and 24.3 microns, with a mean value of 15.5 microns. Blood flow rate ranged between 27.3 and 296.9 pl/s, with a mean value of 111.8 pl/s. The relationship between blood flow and vessel diameter was fit with a power law curve ( R = 0.87). The application of this technique for in vivo quantitative assessment of blood flow dynamics has potential to impact diagnosis and monitoring of various cardiovascular and blood disorders.
Vibration and buckling of generally laminated composite plates with arbitrary edge conditions

Abstract A method is developed for the analysis of free vibration and buckling of generally laminated composite plates having arbitrary edge conditions, such as clamped, simply supported or free. The procedure is an extension of the Ritz method utilizing a strain energy functional containing both bending and stretching effects and accommodating arbitrary ply stacking sequences. Displacement functions are taken in the form of polynomials, and an algorithm for satisfying the geometric boundary conditions is presented. Numerical results are compared with those of other researchers in order to establish the correctness and effectiveness of the method. Some additional new results are also presented.
Feature issue introduction: specialty optical fibers

“For groundbreaking achievements concerning the transmission of light in fibers for optical communication.” With this citation, the Nobel Committee bestowed the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics to Dr. Charles Kao and validated the global importance of optical fibers. That said, technological demands march on and the applications in which optical fibers are employed continue to expand. Further, both existing and emerging applications are requiring greater performance and functionality, beyond those associated with telecommunications, from the enabling optical fibers; and so it is timely to offer this special issue that compiles recent advances in specialty optical fibers.
Towards the development of a universal fire emulator-detector evaluator

Past measurements are examined of CO, CO2, H2O, H2, O2, smoke and temperature produced in standard fires of the UL and EN type. Additional measurements just above the heat release zone are suggested to obtain a more complete footprint of each standard fire, and the concept of a universal fire emulator-detector evaluator (FE-DE) is introduced. The objective of the emulator is to produce more well-controlled environments that eliminate the unavoidable run-to-run variations associated with full-scale tests. Numerical fluid dynamic computations are recommended to insert the fire source into the space being protected as a guide for detector placement and to predict system per formance under realistic conditions.
The Role of Fundulus heteroclitus in Salt Marsh Trophic Dynamics

The common mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus , functions as both predator and prey in the trophic structure of east coast tidal marshes. Although mummichogs are generally considered important to energy transformations within marshes, few studies have convincingly demonstrated that predation by F. heteroclitus affects the abundance of salt marsh benthic invertebrates. Thus far investigations of this type have dealt only with the direct effects of adult mummichogs. The results of recent experiments have suggested that by controlling smaller predators, mummichogs may indirectly have a positive effect on the densities of some infaunal marsh invertebrates. Our current knowledge of larval and juvenile mummichogs in their natural habitat is minimal. Unlike the adults, which can utilize the intertidal zone only when it is flooded, the young remain on the marsh even at low tide, inhabiting shallow puddles of residual tidal water that form between clumps of vegetation and around fiddler crab ( Uca sp .) burrows. The importance of F. heteroclitus in salt marsh communities will remain incompletely understood unless future studies consider the role of larval and juvenile mummichogs. Although many species of fishes and wading birds feed on mummichogs, the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is probably the major predator of adult F. heteroclitus in the intertidal salt marsh. Predation by adult mummichogs and xanthid crabs (e.g., Eurytium limosum ) may contribute to the high mortality of larval and juvenile Fundulus .
Kydland and Prescott's Nobel Prize: the methodology of time consistency and real business cycle models

Abstract Finn Kydland and Edward Prescott won the 2004 Nobel Prize in Economics for their work on time consistency and real business cycle models. What united the work in these two papers is the method of modeling the economy. In the mid-1970s, Kydland and Prescott set out to use optimal control theory in a rational expectations model, and ended up being credited with a sea change in the manner in which economists think about central banking. In the early 1980s, Kydland and Prescott set out to look at the effect of time-to-build and ended up being credited with a monumental change in the manner in which economists study the macroeconomy. An overview of their Nobel-meriting work both shows what they were trying to accomplish and how well they accomplished their aim.
Further Investigation of Acoustic Propagation Codes for Three-Dimensional Geometries

The ability to predict fan noise within complex three-dimensional aircraft engine nacelle geometries is a valuable tool in designing and assessing low-noise concepts. This work begins a systematic study to identify the areas of the design space in which propagation codes of varying fidelity may be used effectively to provide efficient design and assessment. An efficient lower-fidelity code is used in conjunction with two higher-fidelity, more computationally intensive methods to solve benchmark problems of increasing complexity. The codes represent a small sampling of the current propagation codes available or under development. Results of this initial study indicate that the lower-fidelity code provides satisfactory results for cases involving low to moderate attenuation rates, whereas, the two higher-fidelity codes perform well across the range of problems.
Translin associated protein X is essential for cellular proliferation

DNA vectors that express short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) provide a new tool for reverse genetic analysis for selective long-term reduction of gene expression in mammalian cells. Using shRNA constructs with a cytomegalovirus promoter and an actin intron between the hairpins for stabilization, we reduce expression of an exogenously expressed gene, GFP and the endogenous protein, Translin-associated factor X (TRAX), in stably transfected Hela cell lines. The reduction of TRAX in Hela cells causes reduced cell proliferation. This decrease is specific as there is no equivalent reduction of the TRAX interacting protein, Testis brain RNA-binding protein, or any significant increase in a number of interferon-related target genes.
A WORD-BASED CHINESE LANGUAGE UNDERSTANDING SYSTEM

With the word-based theory of natural language processing, a word-based Chinese language understanding system has been developed. In the light of psychological language analysis and the features of the Chinese language, this theory of natural language processing is presented with the description of the computer programs based on it. The heart of the system is to define a Total Information Dictionary and the World Knowledge Source used in the system. The purpose of this research is to develop a system which can understand not only Chinese sentences but also the whole text.
Tissue-Specific Regulation of the Sodium Pump in DOCA-Salt Hypertension

Alterations in sodium pump activity have been associated with volume-sensitive hypertension, but little is known regarding the molecular regulation of the catalytically active α-subunit of the sodium pump in these models. We examined changes in the mRNA abundance of the α-isoforms in tissues that might participate in sodium and volume regulation in the deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)–high salt rat model. These tissues included kidney, heart, aorta, pituitary, and hypothalamus. This study assessed alterations arising from changes in dietary salt intake alone, from DOCA administration alone, and those requiring both DOCA and high salt with their attendant volume expansion and hypertension. Increased sodium intake produced no significant change in any isoform in the five tissues studied. DOCA administered with a low salt diet produced no significant change in any of the α-isoforms in any of the tissues studied. The combination of DOCA and high salt (HS), on the other hand, brought about a twofold increase in renal α1-mRNA abundance compared with control (α1, CTL: 101.1 ± 9.3, DOCA-HS: 197.3 ± 22.9, P < .0001). DOCA-HS also induced a marked increase in both α1- and α2-mRNA in the aorta (α1, CTL: 122.5 ± 33.3 v DOCA-HS: 487.2 ± 59.9, P = .001; α2, CTL: 126.6 ± 40.0 v DOCA-HS: 559.8 ± 271.7, P = .01). In contrast DOCA-HS animals showed a significant reduction in the α2-, but not α1-, mRNA abundance in heart (α2, CTL: 118.0 ± 11.7 v DOCA-HS: 61.1 ± 9.1, P = .006). No change was observed in pituitary or hypothalamus with DOCA-HS. Of factors known to modulate the mRNA abundance of the sodium pump, only the putative endogenous sodium pump inhibitor might account for the changes in the aorta and kidney. Reductions in aldosterone or hypertension might reduce α2 in the heart. Only the renal response would favor sodium reabsorption, which could contribute to the hypertensive process.
Marginal recurrence requiring salvage radiotherapy after stereotactic body radiotherapy for spinal metastases.

Introduction We sought to quantify and identify risk factors associated with margin recurrence (MR) requiring salvage radiotherapy after stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for spinal metastases. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients with spinal metastases who were treated with single-fraction SBRT between 2006 and 2009. Gross tumor was contoured, along with either the entire associated vertebral body(ies) or the posterior elements, and included in the planning target volume. No additional margins were used. MR was defined as recurrent tumor within one vertebral level above or below the treated lesion that required salvage radiotherapy. Only patients who presented for 3-month post-SBRT follow-up were included in the analysis. Fine and Gray competing risk regression models were generated to identify variables associated with higher risks of MR. MR was plotted using cumulative incidence analysis. Results SBRT was delivered to 208 lesions in 149 patients. Median follow-up was 8.6 months, and median survival was 12.8 months. The median prescribed dose was 14 Gy (10-16 Gy). MR occurred in 26 (12.5%) treated lesions, at a median time of 7.7 months after SBRT. Patients with paraspinal disease at the time of SBRT (20.8% vs. 7.6% of patients; p = 0.02), and those treated with Conclusion SBRT for spinal metastases results in a low overall rate of MR. The presence of paraspinal disease at the time of SBRT and a dose of
Residue Arithmetic Circuit Design Based On Integrated Optics

Hybrid circuits containing integrated optical detectors, waveguides, and electro-optic-switches can be used to perform a variety of digital logic operations. In combining the hybrid circuits with the carry-free residue arithmetic algorithm, different modules are designed to perform basic arithmetic operations, encoding, decoding, and scaling. Based on pipelining and parallel concepts, a vector-vector multiplier is designed to yield very high throughput rate for application involving traditionally slow computation such as matrix-vector multiplication and polynomial evaluation.© (1982) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Occupational Sex Composition and the Gendered Availability of Workplace Support

This study examines how occupational sex segregation affects women’s and men’s perceptions of the availability of workplace support. Drawing on theories of gender and empirical studies of workplace tokenism, the author develops the concept of an occupational minority. Although the notion of tokenism was developed to describe processes at the level of the workplace, the author explores how being a minority at the occupational level affects workers. Using nationally representative data, she finds that in mixed-sex occupations, women report higher levels of workplace support than men; in male-dominated occupations, they perceive relatively low levels of support. Men, by contrast, perceive relatively high levels of workplace support in female-dominated occupations. That is, being a member of a numerical minority in one’s occupation is an advantage for men and a disadvantage for women.
Thermodynamic behavior of Ni–Cd and Ni–H2 batteries over wide ranges of temperatures (0–200°C), KOH concentrations (0.1–20 mol kg−1) and H2 pressure (0.1–500 bar)

Abstract For simulating the full discharged and charged states of nickel–cadmium and nickel–hydrogen batteries, thermodynamic characteristics such as the equilibrium E e and thermoneutral E T potentials of the cells have been calculated over wide ranges of temperatures (0°–200°C), potassium hydroxide concentrations (0.1–20 mol kg −1 ) and hydrogen pressures (0.1–500 bar). The effects of non-ideality of the hydrogen gas phase and potassium hydroxide aqueous solution were taken into account by using available thermodynamic and experimental data. The effect of temperature, potassium hydroxide concentration, and hydrogen pressures on E e and E T have been analyzed.
Derivation of the Extended Fan-Beam Formula

The fan-beam tomographic reconstruction formulas that have previously appeared in the literature have been restricted to the case where the source points are situated on a circle. This paper extends the fan-beam formula to "curves of source points" other than a circle of source points (e.g., a straight line or a hexagon). In the derivation new mathematical techniques are presented. For both the straight line and the hexagon a discrete version of the "extended" formula is developed.
Optical mapping of drug-induced polymorphic arrhythmias and torsade de pointes in the isolated rabbit heart.

Abstract Objectives. This study sought to 1) test the hypothesis that in the setting of bradycardia and drug-induced action potential prolongation, multiple foci of early afterdepolarizations (EADs) result in beat to beat changes in the origin and direction of the excitation wave front and are responsible for polymorphic arrhythmias; and 2) determine whether EADs may initiate nonstationary reentry, giving rise to the typical torsade de pointes (TDP) pattern. Background. In the past, it has been difficult to associate EADs or reentry with the undulating electrocardiographic (ECG) patterns of TDP. Methods. A voltage-sensitive dye was used for high resolution video imaging of electrical waves on the epicardial and endocardial surface of the Langendorff-perfused rabbit heart. ECG and monophasic action potentials from the right septal region were also recorded. Bradycardia was induced by ablation of the atrioventricular node. Results. Perfusion of low potassium chloride Tyrode solution plus quinidine led to prolongation of the action potential and the QT interval. Eventually, EADs and triggered activity ensued, giving rise to intermittent episodes of polymorphic arrhythmia. In one experiment, triggered activity was followed by a long episode of vortex-like reentry with an ECG pattern characteristic of TDP. However, in most experiments, focal activity of varying origins and propagation patterns was observed. Triggered responses also showed varying degrees of local block. Similar results were obtained with E-4031. Burst pacing both at control conditions and in the presence of quinidine consistently led to vortex-like reentry whose ECG pattern resembled TDP. However, the cycle length of the arrhythmia with quinidine was longer than that for control ([mean ± SEM] 194 ± 12 vs. 132 ± 8 ms, p Conclusions. Drug-induced polymorphic ventricular arrhythmias may result from beat to beat changes in wave propagation patterns initiated by EADs or EAD-induced nonstationary reentrant activity. In contrast, burst pacing–induced polymorphic tachycardia in the presence or absence of drugs is the result of nonstationary reentrant activity. (J Am Coll Cardiol 1997;29:831–42)
High-resolution homonuclear 2D NMR of carbon-13 enriched metabolites and their mixtures

Abstract High-resolution 2D 13 C– 13 C NMR correlation spectra of uniformly 13 C-labeled molecules in solution are obtained by homonuclear 13 C-decoupling along both dimensions by the application of indirect covariance NMR to constant-time NMR spectra. The spectra are optimally suited for chemical structure elucidation and molecular identification of the components of complex mixtures, such as ones from uniformly 13 C-labeled cell cultures.
Bacterial and viral induction of chicken thrombocyte inflammatory responses

Abstract Thrombocytes express Toll-like receptors (TLRs) that detect bacterial or viral pathogens to signal the release of cytokines and mediators. We examined inflammatory responses when thrombocytes were exposed to four TLR ligands. Treatment of thrombocytes with TLR ligands demonstrates differential effects on gene expression of interleukin (IL)-6. Among the TLR ligands examined, lipopolysaccharide stimulation led to the most significant up-regulation of the IL-6 gene and a significant amount of active IL-6 in thrombocyte culture media. Lipoteichoic acid stimulation led to only marginal up-regulation of IL-6 gene expression. Although gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) did not increase due to different ligand exposure, a low level constitutive expression of iNOS was observed in all cases. Only thrombocytes treated with polyinosinic–polycytidylic acid and thymidine homopolymer phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides induced rapid, significant production of nitric oxide. We also observed that thrombocytes are able to respond faster upon TLR ligand exposure compared to MQ.NCSU macrophages.
Adaptive evolution of the FADS gene cluster within Africa.

Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) are essential for brain structure, development, and function, and adequate dietary quantities of LC-PUFAs are thought to have been necessary for both brain expansion and the increase in brain complexity observed during modern human evolution. Previous studies conducted in largely European populations suggest that humans have limited capacity to synthesize brain LC-PUFAs such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from plant-based medium chain (MC) PUFAs due to limited desaturase activity. Population-based differences in LC-PUFA levels and their product-to-substrate ratios can, in part, be explained by polymorphisms in the fatty acid desaturase (FADS) gene cluster, which have been associated with increased conversion of MC-PUFAs to LC-PUFAs. Here, we show evidence that these high efficiency converter alleles in the FADS gene cluster were likely driven to near fixation in African populations by positive selection ∼85 kya. We hypothesize that selection at FADS variants, which increase LC-PUFA synthesis from plant-based MC-PUFAs, played an important role in allowing African populations obligatorily tethered to marine sources for LC-PUFAs in isolated geographic regions, to rapidly expand throughout the African continent 60–80 kya.
Quantum effects in relativistic decays

By using both explicit time-dependent andS-matrix formalisms of relativistic quantum theory we calculate the decay law of a moving unstable system and show that the classical Einstein time dilation formula is not rigorously applicable in this case and quantum corrections should be taken into account. The consistency of experimental data with Einstein's time dilation formula and the absence of translation-induced decays indicate that the interactions responsible for decays belong to the Dirac instant form dynamics rather than to the point form dynamics. Our results suggest that even though the different forms of dynamics are scattering-equivalent, they are not exactly physically equivalent, as was thought before. Three different experiments with unstable particles are discussed which allow one in principle to determine the details of the interaction governing the decay.
Damage from the impacts of small asteroids

Previous work is extended by using a model spherical atmosphere with a fitted density profile to find the damage done by an asteroid entering it at various zenith angles. At zenith angle 0° and a typical impact: velocity at the top of the atmosphere of V = 17.5 km s−1, the atmosphere absorbs more than half the kinetic energy of stony meteoroids with diameters, DM<230 m and iron meteoroids with DM<50 m. At zenith angle 45° the corresponding figures are 360 and 70 m while at 60° they are 500 and 100 m. For comets with V = 50 km s−1 the values are DM<1900 and 3000 m for 45 and 60°, respectively, using typical values of ablation, but they are much smaller if ablation is reduced. Only impactors with DM above these critical values are effective in producing ground impact damage: craters, earthquakes, and tsunami. Smaller impactors can still produce atmospheric blast waves. It is found that the area of destruction around the impact point in which the overpressure in the blast wave exceeds 4p.s.i. = 2.8 × 105 dyn cm−2, which is enough to knock over trees and destroy buildings. It is found that for chondritic asteroids entering at zenith angle 45° and an impact velocity at the top of the atmosphere of 17.5 km s−1 that it increases rapidly from zero for those less than 50 m in diameter (13.5 megatons) to about 2000 km2 for those 76 m in diameter (31 megatons). If we assume that a stony asteroid 100 m in diameter hits land about every 1000 years, we find that a 50 m diameter one (causing some blast damage) hits land every 125 years while a Tunguska size impactor occurs about every 400 years. If iron asteroids are about 3.5 per cent of the frequency of stony ones of the same size, they constitute most of the impactors that produce areas of blast damage of less than 300 km2. While the optical flux from a small asteroid such as Tunguska is enough to ignite pine forests, the blast from it goes beyond the radius within which the fire starts. The blast tends to blow out the fire, so it is likely that the impact will char the forest (as at Tunguska), but it will not produce a sustained fire.
Depletion-mode carrier-plasma optical modulator in zero-change advanced CMOS.

We demonstrate the first (to the best of our knowledge) depletion-mode carrier-plasma optical modulator fabricated in a standard advanced complementary metal–oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic process (45 nm node SOI CMOS) with no process modifications. The zero-change CMOS photonics approach enables this device to be monolithically integrated into state-of-the-art microprocessors and advanced electronics. Because these processes support lateral p-n junctions but not efficient ridge waveguides, we accommodate these constraints with a new type of resonant modulator. It is based on a hybrid microring/disk cavity formed entirely in the sub-90 nm thick monocrystalline silicon transistor body layer. Electrical contact of both polarities is made along the inner radius of the multimode ring cavity via an array of silicon spokes. The spokes connect to p and n regions formed using transistor well implants, which form radially extending lateral junctions that provide index modulation. We show 5 Gbps data modulation at 1265 nm wavelength with 5.2 dB extinction ratio and an estimated 40 fJ/bit energy consumption. Broad thermal tuning is demonstrated across 3.2 THz (18 nm) with an efficiency of 291 GHz/mW. A single postprocessing step to remove the silicon handle wafer was necessary to support low-loss optical confinement in the device layer. This modulator is an important step toward monolithically integrated CMOS photonic interconnects.
Expert Testimony on Decision Processes in Employment Cases

The 1991 Civil Rights Act and recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions have modified standards applicable to psychometric or statistical proof of discrimination in employment cases. Changes in the legal standards have increased the role for psychological experts to prove or rebut allegations of disparate impact of hiring or promotional criteria, whether those criteria caused the observed disparities in the workforce, and whether the legitimate needs of the employer were substantially served by the employer's selection criteria. Three different methods or approaches to meet the legal standards are discussed: (a) reliance on traditional psychometric validity analyses; (b) regression analysis or the “policy-capturing” method; and (c) the survey data approach. These techniques are illustrated by reference to three cases in which experts successfully presented this evidence. While the application of the 1991 Civil Rights Act remains somewhat unclear, these approaches may prove useful in future employment discrimination cases.
In situ observations of Stygiomedusa gigantea in the Gulf of Mexico with a review of its global distribution and habitat

Four individuals of the large scyphozoan jellyfish Stygiomedusa gigantea were observed in the northern Gulf of Mexico over 2005–2009 by industrial remotely operated vehicles as part of the SERPENT Project. One of these observations included the symbiotic bythitid fish Thalassobathia pelagica. Prior to these observations, neither S. gigantea nor T. pelagica had been observed in, or collected from the Gulf of Mexico. In order to summarize the available information on S. gigantea, we located 110 observations obtained over 110 years (1899–2009) representing 118 individual specimens of this species from around the world. The resulting dataset confirms that this species is cosmopolitan occurring with records from all oceans except the Arctic. While the depth-range of the four Gulf of Mexico specimens was bathypelagic, there appears to be a pattern of S. gigantea occurring in mesopelagic and epipelagic depth-zones at high latitudes, particularly in the Southern Ocean and mesopelagic and bathypelagic depths at mid- and low-latitudes. This pattern may be related to the meridional vertical distribution of temperature or perhaps avoidance of light levels that could degrade porphyrin pigments. There was no evidence that this species migrates vertically. Two of the individuals in the Gulf of Mexico appeared to be actively clinging to subsea structures and we speculate that this is a consequence of its normal mode of feeding, which may entail using its large oral lobes to hold on to, and trap prey.
Experience, Testimony, and the Women's Health Movement

This essay focuses on the use of experience and testimony as a source of and evidence for arguments by women's health activists of the late 1960s and 1970s as they challenged the health care system. Women used their own experiences and the experiences of other women as the substance of their rhetoric. Their experiences documented the mistreatment of women and highlighted the extent to which the treatment women received was characterized by tradition and outdated beliefs rather than by the advances in scientific knowledge and medical practice that were supposed to characterize medicine in the second half of the twentieth century. Further, women used their experiences to collect, disseminate, research, and determine the effectiveness of both medical and folk remedies for a variety of women's health issues. As a result, the women's health movement brought about changes in the health care system and continues to influence other health movements.
Simultaneous determination of the anticonvulsants, cinromide (3-bromo-N-ethylcinnamamide), 3-bromocinnamamide, and carbamazepine in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method is described for monitoring plasma concentrations of cinromide (3-bromo-N-ethylcinnamamide) and its de-ethylated metabolite. Carbamazepine levels can be easily measured by the same technique. The N-isopropyl analogue of cinromide is used as internal standard, and all compounds are easily separated on a reversed-phase column operated at 55 degrees with a small-diameter pre-column maintained at the same temperature. The extraction is rapid and generally applicable to plasma and urine samples that are to be analyzed by reversed-phase chromatography. Short- and long-term reproducibility studies show less than 4% relative standard deviation for replicate determinations for all drugs. Limits of quantitation are 10-20 ng/ml with an internal standard concentration of 3 micrograms/ml. Another metabolite of cinromide, 3-bromocinnamic acid, which may have some anticonvulsant effect, can be analyzed simultaneously by buffering the mobile phase and adding an ion-pairing reagent.
Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) Inhibition Selectively Decreases Type II MMP Activity in a Murine Model of Pancreatic Cancer

Abstract Background. Basement membrane degradation is a critical component of tumor invasion and metastasis that is facilitated by the family of enzymes known as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). MMP-2 and MMP-9 are two subtypes that have specifically been identified in tumors of gastrointestinal origin. We have previously shown that broad inhibition of these enzymes with the MMP inhibitor BB-94 improves survival in a murine model of pancreatic cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity in orthotopic tumors from mice treated with and without BB-94. Methods. Ten million cells of a moderately differentiated pancreatic cancer cell line (HPAC) were implanted orthotopically into Balb/c nu/nu mice. The mice were treated with BB-94 or vehicle control for 70 days or until death. At necropsy, tumors were harvested, total protein was extracted, and MMPs were purified from 400 μg of crude protein extract by gelatin–Sepharose affinity chromatography. Relative enzyme levels and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were determined by Western blot and gelatin zymography. Results. Tumors from treated animals were significantly smaller than those from nontreated animals. MMP-2 was present in greater amounts in both treated and nontreated animals than MMP-9. Active MMP-2 was present in both groups but significantly decreased in animals treated with BB-94. Active MMP-9 was absent in both groups, whereas levels of latent MMP-9 appeared lower than those of MMP-2 in all samples. Conclusions. Activated MMP-2 and not MMP-9 in HPAC cells grown in nude mice suggests that this MMP subtype is more critical in the phenotypic behavior of such tumors. Furthermore, attenuated levels of active MMP-2 in animals treated with the enzyme inhibitor BB-94 suggest that previously observed improvements in survival correlate with the level of MMP-2 activity.