cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sink habitats can alter ecological outcomes for competing species

Summary 1 Species often compete for breeding sites in heterogeneous landscapes consisting of sources and sinks. To understand how the presence or absence of sink breeding sites influence ecological outcomes, we extend Pulliam's source–sink model to competing species. 2 In a homogeneous landscape consisting of source sites, we prove that one species, the ‘superior’ competitor, competitively excludes the other. Dominance is determined by a simple rule: the species that at equilibrium acquires new breeding sites at a faster rate dominates. 3 We prove that the inclusion of sink sites can alter this ecological outcome by either mediating coexistence, reversing competitive dominance, or facilitating a priority effect. 4 Sink-mediated coexistence requires the species to exhibit asymmetries in acquiring sink sites, the ‘inferior’ species to have a competitive advantage on sink sites and the ratio of sink to source sites be sufficiently low. 5 For example, if the sink breeding sites are competitive refuges for the ‘inferior’ competitor and not too low in quality, coexistence occurs if the number of sink sites lies below a threshold. Alternatively, when the number of sink sites exceeds this threshold, competitive dominance is reversed and the ‘superior’ competitor is displaced. 6 Counter-intuitively, despite being unable to support species in isolation, sink habitats embedded in a geographical mosaic of sources and sinks can enhance biodiversity by mediating coexistence or alter species composition by reversing competitive interactions.
A note on the use of the partial least-squares method for multivariate calibration

The multivariate calibration problem is a problem of predicting the concentration in an unknown sample, cun, from the response vector of an unknown sample, run (J responses). The predicting equation can be arranged in the form ĉun = runTR+c. (1) R+ is the pseudo-inverse of the calibration set matrix of responses, R, whose column indices correspond to the J sensors or wavelengths and row indices correspond to the I samples (individuals), and c is the vector of concentrations for the I samples of the analyte in each of the calibration samples. Derivation of Eq. 1 is described in Ref. 1. The PLS regression involves solution of the predicting equation.
Characterization of protease-catalyzed hydrolysis of cyanine-labeled angiotensin using capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection.

Abstract The hydrolytic cleavage of a cyanine (Cy3)-labeled angiotensin, catalyzed by various proteases, was studied by capillary electrophoresis (CE) with laser-induced fluorescence detection (LIF). The end-labeled peptides and the Cy3 diacid internal standard were separated on a 20-μm × 27-cm capillary with LIF detection (emission, 580 nm) using a frequency-doubled solid-state diode laser emitting at 532 nm or a He-Ne laser emitting at 543 nm. Hydrolysis of the Cy3-labeled angiotensin I, catalyzed by proteinase K, is a sequential process beginning from the C-terminal of the peptide, instead of from random cleavages. Trypsin catalyzes a specific cleavage of Cy3-angiotensin I to Cy3-Asp-Arg as anticipated. Using a combination of endopeptidase and carboxypeptidases, the remnant of the labeled species was characterized by CE-LIF. The method provides a general tool for studying the mechanism of protease-catalyzed hydrolysis of peptide.
Assessment and management of treatment-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder in children.

Objective To review the assessment and treatment of treatment-refractory pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Method A PubMed search was conducted to identify controlled trials in pediatric OCD. In addition, practice guidelines for the treatment of adults and children were further reviewed for references in treatment-refractory OCD across the lifespan. Results Pharmacotherapy with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) were found to be effective treatments for pediatric OCD. Evidence suggests that CBT is also effective even in pediatric patients with refractory OCD symptoms. Antipsychotic augmentation, raising SSRI dosage, and several glutamate-modulating agents have some evidence of efficacy in adults with treatment-refractory OCD but have not been studied in pediatric populations. Conclusion Several pharmacological treatment options exist for children with refractory OCD symptoms. However, little evidence-based data exist to guide treatment for our most challenging pediatric OCD patients. Further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy/side effect profile of commonly used interventions in treatment-refractory pediatric OCD.
Junctional Ectopic Tachycardia After Infant Heart Surgery: Incidence and Outcomes

Junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) is an arrhythmia observed almost exclusively after open heart surgery in children. Current literature on JET has not focused on patients at the highest risk of both developing and being negatively impacted by JET. The purpose of this study was to determine the overall incidence of JET in an infant patient cohort undergoing open cardiac surgery, to identify patient- and procedure-related factors associated with developing JET, and to assess the clinical impact of JET on patient outcomes. We performed a nested case-control study from the complete cohort of patients at our institution younger than 1 year of age who underwent open heart surgery between 2005 and 2010. JET patients were compared with an age matched control group undergoing open heart surgery without JET regarding potential risk factors and outcomes. The overall incidence of JET in infants after open cardiac surgery was 14.3 %. From multivariate analyses, complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.0, 95 % CI 1.12–3.57] and longer aortic cross clamp times (AOR 1.02, 95 % CI 1.01–1.03) increased the risk of developing JET. Patients with JET had longer length of intubation, intensive care unit stays, and total length of hospitalization, and were more likely to require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support (13 vs. 4.3 %). JET is a common postoperative arrhythmia in infants after open heart operations. Both anatomic substrate and surgical procedure contribute to the overall risk of developing JET. Developing JET is associated with worse clinical outcomes.
The behavior of amides of N-acylamino acids toward aniline and substituted anilines under papain catalysis☆

Abstract Resolution of z - dl -alanine amide has been achieved through papain-catalyzed reactions with aniline, the three anisidines, the three aminophenols and the three fluoroanilines. Most of the resultant anilides displayed better than a 95% resolution of the racemic amide. The four methyl esters of hippuric acid, z -glycine, z - l -alanine and z - dl -alanine were prepared by means of a recently reported catalytic dehydrator in the presence of excess dry methanol. Subsequent treatment with ammonia produced the amides. Three N-acylaminomalonic amides were synthesized by a different route than previously used, from ethyl aminomalonate hydrochloride. Trial asymmetric syntheses were unsuccessful for papain catalysis of such achiral amides with aniline. A few organic solutes were tested for their effects on the activity of papain during anilide synthesis. The pH dependence of yield was studied for papain catalysis of reactions between aniline and hippuric amide and then aniline and z -glycine amide.
Isolated left pulmonary artery stenosis due to extrinsic compression by intra thoracic tumor: recognition of unusual Doppler flow pattern and correlation with computed tomography

Pulmonary artery compression in adults resulting from tumors is an uncommon condition often associated with poor prognosis. Among the imaging modalities used for diagnosis, the role of trans thoracic echocardiography in identifying secondary pulmonic stenosis due to extrinsic or intrinsic compression and more importantly the physiologic significance has been increasingly recognized. We describe here a case of isolated left pulmonary artery stenosis which was initially suspected based on classic echocardiographic features of obstruction of pulmonary artery and subsequently confirmed by CT imaging. This case illustrates the versatility of trans thoracic echocardiography in diagnosing incidental abnormalities with potential significant consequences.
Job Analyses of Emerging Information Professions: A Survey Validation of Core Competencies to Inform Curricula

AbstractJob analysts examine the tasks performed by individuals in an occupation as well as the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform those tasks. Job analyses provide educators with a robust means to infuse feedback from real-world practice into curricula for emerging information professions. This article presents a survey validation study and findings of the American Library Association’s Map and Geospatial Information Round Table (MAGIRT) Core Competencies (CCs). Survey participants identified the importance of CCs required to obtain, discover, archive, and curate geographic information. The discussion includes the use and benefits of the survey validation method and findings, a detailed presentation of a potential next step for job analyses, and future directions for job analyses relating to librarianship.
Increase in tuberculin skin test converters among health care workers after a change from Tubersol to Aplisol.

Background Comparability of the 2 commercially available tuberculin skin testing (TST) preparations, Aplisol (Parkdale Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Rochester, MI) and Tubersol (Aventis Pasteur, Inc, Swiftwater, PA), remains uncertain, particularly in groups that undergo repeated testing, such as health care workers. Methods Data from the annual tuberculosis screening program for health care workers at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, were analyzed. Conversion rates during 1997-2003 in workers screened with Tubersol (n = 8897 screenings) were compared with 1203 workers who underwent screening with Aplisol in 2004. Repeat testing with Tubersol was examined in those who converted in 2004 with Aplisol. Results Annual TST conversion rates ranged from 0.3% to 0.9% between 1997 and 2003 using Tubersol. After switching to Aplisol in 2004, the TST conversion rate significantly increased to 2% ( P Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, and there was no epidemiologic evidence of transmission. Reclassification based on Tubersol testing in 2004 resulted in conversion rates comparable with previous years. Conclusion We conclude that the change from Tubersol to Aplisol resulted in falsely elevated conversion rates. Our results support the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations that 1 product should be used consistently in populations undergoing periodic testing.
Balancing accuracy against computation time: 3D FDTD for nanophotonics device optimization

The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) approach is now widely used to simulate the expected performance of photonic crystal, plasmonic, and other nanophotonic devices. Unfortunately, given the computational demands of full 3-D simulations, researchers can seldom bring this modeling tool to bear on more than a few isolated design points. Thus 3-D FDTD -- as it stands now -- is merely a verification rather than a design optimization tool. Over the long term, continuing improvements in available computing power can be expected to bring structures of current interest within general reach. In the meantime, however, many researchers appear to be exploring alternative modeling techniques, trading off flexibility of approach in return for more rapid turnaround on the devices of specific interest to them. In contrast, we are trying to improve the efficiency of 3-D FDTD by reducing its computational expense without sacrificing accuracy. We believe that these two approaches are completely complementary because even with vast amounts of computational power, any real-world system will still require a modular approach to modeling, spanning from the nanometer to the millimeter scale or beyond.
Calcification, tanning, and the rôle of ecdyson in the formation of the puparium of the facefly, Musca automnalis

Abstract The puparium of the facefly, Musca autumnalis , is brittle, opaque, and white as distinct from that of other flies which is typically dark brown. Application of acid results in evolution of CO 2 , and the puparium then becomes soft, transparent, and colourless. This indicates that calcification has taken the place of tanning. The amount of CaCO 3 in the puparium is 65 to 80 per cent according to different methods of determination. These differences may reflect individual differences and the presence of other calcium salts in smaller amounts. The virtual absence of tanning is shown by the fact that water-soluble protein in the cuticle remains soluble, and that the level of free tyrosine does not drop, as is typical in the formation of tanned puparia. Calcification, like tanning in other flies, is controlled by ecdyson. This was demonstrated by the induction of calcification in ligated hind parts of prepupae upon injection of synthetic ecdyson.
Doppler Lidar System Design via Interdisciplinary Design Concept at NASA Langley Research Center - Part II

Optimized designs of the Navigation Doppler Lidar (NDL) instrument for Autonomous Landing Hazard Avoidance Technology (ALHAT) were accomplished via Interdisciplinary Design Concept (IDEC) at NASA Langley Research Center during the summer of 2013. Three branches in the Engineering Directorate and three students were involved in this joint task through the NASA Langley Aerospace Research Summer Scholars (LARSS) Program. The Laser Remote Sensing Branch (LRSB), Mechanical Systems Branch (MSB), and Structural and Thermal Systems Branch (STSB) were engaged to achieve optimal designs through iterative and interactive collaborative design processes. A preliminary design iteration was able to reduce the power consumption, mass, and footprint by removing redundant components and replacing inefficient components with more efficient ones. A second design iteration reduced volume and mass by replacing bulky components with excessive performance with smaller components custom-designed for the power system. Thermal modeling software was used to run steady state thermal analyses, which were used to both validate the designs and recommend further changes. Analyses were run on each redesign, as well as the original system. Thermal Desktop was used to run trade studies to account for uncertainty and assumptions about fan performance and boundary conditions. The studies suggested that, even if the assumptions were significantly wrong, the redesigned systems would remain within operating temperature limits.
Everything You Want to Know and Moa

The Lost World of the Moa Prehistoric Life of New Zealand. Trevor H. Worthy and Richard N. Holdaway. Indiana University Press, Bloomington, IN, 2002. 755 pp. $89.95. ISBN 0-253-34034-9. The authors discuss the composition, ecology, and fate of the Pleistocene vertebrate fauna of New Zealand; their emphasis is on the large flightless birds, but they cover everything from frogs to bats.
High-temperature sensing using whispering gallery mode resonance in bent optical fibers

A new mechanism for high-temperature sensing with single-mode optical fibers is proposed. This sensing mechanism is based on whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonance in bent optical fibers. The interference fringes between the core mode and WGMs were induced by bending a cladding-thinned fiber and forming a loop in the fiber. The wavelength shift of the resonance peaks as a function of temperature is investigated. It is demonstrated that the single loop of bend ring in the fibers can be used as a transducer for high-temperature sensing without any internal structure.
Comparisons between in Situ Anisotropic Reflectance Measurements and Simulations for Vegetation Canopies: Validation and Sensitivity Analysis

In situ directional reflectance observations were taken on trees of three species and were used to validate the Four-Scale Linear Model for AnIsotropic Reflectance (FLAIR). FLAIR-simulated spectra were satisfactory in general, especially for the shaded and shaded/sunlit mixed portions of the canopy but were species dependent. Good agreements with field observations were found when utilizing these simulations to derive band ratio indexes, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Photochemical Reflectance Index (PRI). Sensitivity analysis were performed to investigate the importance of three canopy biophysical parameters, and the leaf to shoot ratio showed the most impact on simulation results. The results in this study showed the potential to simulate directional reflectances with FLAIR on canopies with complicated structure.
Outcome of intracoronary stenting after failed maximal medical therapy in patients with symptomatic myocardial bridge

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to study the outcome of coronary stenting in patients with symptomatic myocardial bridging refractory to standard medical therapy. Background: Medical therapy constitutes the first line treatment for patients with symptomatic myocardial bridge, surgical correction may be offered to select patients with refractory symptoms. Limited data exists on the outcome of coronary stenting in this patient cohort. Methods: Twenty-nine patients with symptoms of angina, documented myocardial ischemia and angiographically documented myocardial bridge of the left anterior descending artery (defined as [mt]50% systolic compression) were identified retrospectively. Seventeen (59%) patients responded to maximized medical therapy (mean age 51 ± 16 years, range 29–80, 7 female) and 12 (41%) patients received coronary stents following a failed attempt of minimum 3 months of maximal medical therapy (mean age 49 ± 15 years, range 32–76 years, 5 females). Medical therapy responders were compared with intracoronary stent group for recurrent severe angina, target vessel revascularization (TVR), myocardial infarction (MI), and death at follow-up. Results: Intracoronary stents were placed in all patients successfully. The incidence of recurrent severe angina and TVR were significantly greater in the stent group (P = 0.04) while MI and death in two groups were similar at mean follow-up of 15 ± 3 months. Conclusions: Coronary stent placement for medically refractory symptomatic myocardial bridge failed to relieve severe angina and is associated with high clinical restenosis and hence should be avoided. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Regulation of adhE (Encoding Ethanol Oxidoreductase) by the Fis Protein in Escherichia coli

The adhE gene of Escherichia coli encodes a multifunctional ethanol oxidoreductase whose expression is 10-fold higher under anaerobic than aerobic conditions. Transcription of the gene is under the negative control of the Cra (catabolite repressor-activator) protein, whereas translation of the adhE mRNA requires processing by RNase III. In this report, we show that the expression of adhE also depends on the Fis (factor for inversion stimulation) protein. A strain bearing a fis::kan null allele failed to grow anaerobically on glucose solely because of inadequate adhE transcription. However, fis expression itself is not under redox control. Sequence inspection of the adhE promoter revealed three potential Fis binding sites. Electrophoretic mobility shift analysis, using purified Fis protein and adhE promoter DNA, showed three different complexes.
The contribution of general and specific cognitive abilities to reading achievement

Since the development of the Weschler scales, significant advances have been made in intelligence theory and testing technology that have the potential to provide a more comprehensive understanding of cognitive abilities than currently exists. For this study, the standardization sample of the Woodcock–Johnson Psychoeducational Battery-Revised (WJ-R)—an empirically supported measure of several constructs within the Cattell–Horn–Carroll (CHC) theory of cognitive abilities—was used to analyze the contribution of specific cognitive abilities to reading achievement at five developmental levels. Structural equation modeling (SEM), with calibration and cross-validation samples, of four different models of the hypothesized relations among the variables was conducted to determine if specific abilities can provide relevant information regarding the development of reading skills. The results of this study clearly indicate that Gc (comprehension knowledge or crystallized intelligence) and Ga (auditory processing) play an important role in the development of reading skills.
Rescue from photoreceptor degeneration in the rd mouse by human immunodeficiency virus vector-mediated gene transfer.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common inherited retinal disease, in which photoreceptor cells degenerate, leading to blindness. Mutations in the rod photoreceptor cGMP phosphodiesterase β subunit (PDEβ) gene are found in patients with autosomal recessive RP as well as in the rd mouse. We have recently shown that lentivirus vectors based on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 achieve stable and efficient gene transfer into retinal cells. In this study, we evaluated the potential of HIV vector-mediated gene therapy for RP in the rd mouse. HIV vectors containing a gene encoding a hemagglutinin (HA)-tagged PDEβ were injected into the subretinal spaces of newborn rd mouse eyes. One to three rows of photoreceptor nuclei were observed in the eyes for at least 24 weeks postinjection, whereas no photoreceptor cells remained in the eyes of control animals at 6 weeks postinjection. Expression of HA-tagged PDEβ in the rescued photoreceptor cells was confirmed by two-color confocal immunofluorescence analysis using anti-HA and anti-opsin antibodies. HIV vector-mediated gene therapy appears to be a promising means for the treatment of recessive forms of inherited retinal degeneration.
The decomposition of the trivial module in the complexity quotient category

Suppose that G is a finite group and that k is an algebraically closed field of characteristic p > 0. There exist short exact sequences of kG-modules with the property that one of the terms is a sum of induced modules from the centralizers of maximal elementary abelian p-subgroups of G, a second term is a translate Ωn (k) of the trivial module k, and the variety of the third term is smaller than the full maximal ideal spectrum of the cohomology ring of G. One implication of the result is that any kG-module whose variety intersects the variety of the third term trivially must be an induced module. Also in the quotient category of kG-modules modulo the subcategory of modules with less than maximal complexity, some multiple of the trivial module is a direct sum of induced modules. Thus, by Frobeinus reciprocity, within some complexity factor, the module theory of kG is controlled at the level of the centralizers of the maximal elementary abelian p-subgroups.
Models of Dst geomagnetic activity and of its coupling to solar wind parameters

Nonlinear filters have provided high-accuracy mid-latitude geomagnetic effects, mainly due to the ring predictions of geomagnetic activity indices from solar wind current and magnetopause current, but also smaller effects key parameters. Here we extend the nonlinear prediction of other current systems (Mayaud, 1980; Campbell, 1996; methods to derive closed-form analytical models for the so- Tsurutani et al., 1997). In particular, magnetopause currents lar wind-geomagnetic coupling. For each phase of either are enhanced and move earthward following increases in the storm or magnetopause compression as identified by D,,, we solar wind ram pressure Psw. The magnetopause current calculate nonlinear, piecewise-constant models of the rela- effect can be reduced by defining the pressure corrected tion between the ring current index D,, and the solar wind index, DJ+ Dst + ba + c, where representative electric field components. The time scales of storm main values are b = 25.32 nT/(nP)"* and c = -10.6 nT (from phase and recovery depend on storm phase, and the pres- McPherron, 1995). The standard Dst model (Burton et al., ence of solar wind VB, and pressure. Then, going beyond 1975) is a linear response of the pressure-corrected index piecewise constant models, we use state space methods to to the "injection function" Q(t) (McPherron, 1997), usually reveal the fine structure of the D,, dynamics in detail. written as a simple function of the solar wind electric field,
High Efficiency, Homology-Directed Genome Editing in Caenorhabditis elegans Using CRISPR-Cas9 Ribonucleoprotein Complexes.

Homology-directed repair (HDR) of breaks induced by the RNA-programmed nuclease Cas9 has become a popular method for genome editing in several organisms. Most HDR protocols rely on plasmid-based expression of Cas9 and the gene-specific guide RNAs. Here we report that direct injection of in vitro–assembled Cas9-CRISPR RNA (crRNA) trans-activating crRNA (tracrRNA) ribonucleoprotein complexes into the gonad of Caenorhabditis elegans yields HDR edits at a high frequency. Building on our earlier finding that PCR fragments with 35-base homology are efficient repair templates, we developed an entirely cloning-free protocol for the generation of seamless HDR edits without selection. Combined with the co-CRISPR method, this protocol is sufficiently robust for use with low-efficiency guide RNAs and to generate complex edits, including ORF replacement and simultaneous tagging of two genes with fluorescent proteins.
Sorokin and Parsons at Harvard: Institutional conflict and the origin of a hegemonic tradition

The early history of Harvard sociology is closely entwined with the careers and personalities of Pitirim Sorokin and Talcott Parsons. The processes and conditions that led to Parsons's rise and Sorokin's decline are essential to understanding the development of Harvard sociology. Edward Tiryakian's work on theory schools and hegemonic traditions in the social sciences is a useful framework for analyzing and discussing these developments. Following Tiryakian, one can simultaneously trace the operating factors in Sorokin's failure to achieve lasting power and the development of a Parsonian sociology which would vie for hegemony in the discipline. Personality, milieu, forms of theorizing, and sociology's movement toward maturation are keys to the major changes in Harvard sociology during the 1940s. Analysis of this case deepens understanding of the conditions that contribute to the emergence of important intellectual traditions.
Probabilistic modeling of the states of a buffer in a production flow system

Assembly line manufacturing systems and materials handling systems usually operate through a system of serially linked stages. In a serially dependent system of this type, the failure of any stage either causes a reduction or causes the complete shutdown of the system. The provision of buffers between stages can result in operation of the nonfailed stages even in the event of failure of a stage. The author presents a stochastic analysis of a buffered production system. The probability of the buffer being full is determined as a function of buffer capacity. This, in turn is used to make the decision on buffer size. Results of the analysis indicate that, over the range of buffer capacity from zero to infinity, the probability of the buffer-full-state exhibits monotonically decreasing behavior that approaches zero asymptotically as buffer size approaches infinity. This finding can be used to detect the range over which the probability of the buffer-full-state asymptotically approaches zero, and appropriately select a buffer size beyond which there is no significant gain in system availability to justify the incremental cost of the additional buffer capacity. >
A twin study of the etiology of high readingability

The present study examined the etiology of highreading ability in an overall sample of 350twin pairs in which at least one member of 100pairs (54 MZ, 46 DZ) had a reading compositescore one standard deviation above the sample mean. These highreaders also had significantly higher scoresthan the rest of the sample on Full Scale,Verbal and Performance IQ scores, as well as onmeasures of phoneme awareness, orthographiccoding, phonological decoding, and verbalshort-term memory. The MZ proband-wiseconcordance rate for high group membership wassignificantly higher than the DZ proband-wiseconcordance rate and further behavioralgenetic analyses corroborated that high readingability is partly due to genetic influence(h2g = 0.55 ± 0.22). Bivariatemultiple regression analyses demonstrated thathigh phonological awareness, orthographiccoding, phonological decoding, and short-termverbal memory skills all share significantcommon genetic influence with high readingability. These results suggest that readingability and its cognitive correlates are on acontinuous distribution, with both extremes ofthe distribution being similarly heritable. They also support the hypothesis that the samecognitive processes that are associated withdyslexia are important for the development ofhigh reading ability.
John J. Kulczycki, The Polish Coal Miners' Union and the German Labor Movement in the Ruhr, 1902–1934. National and Social Solidarity. New York: Berg, 1997. xv + 283 pp. $47.95 cloth; $19.95 paper.

This is the second installment of Kulczycki's examination of the Polish working-class diaspora in the Ruhr Valley, the coal-rich region in the west that, like Upper Silesia in the southeast, belonged to Prussia. Both the Ruhr and Upper Silesia contained significant Polish populations. Coal mining and steel production in these two regions fueled first Prussia's and then, after 1871, Imperial Germany's rise as a Great Power. Mention of “the Polish-German antagonism” will invariably bring to mind the tense history of Polish–German diplomatic relations leading up to the outbreak of World War Two and the ensuing apocalypse. The post-1918 border conflicts between Germany and Poland, especially the bloody struggle in Upper Silesia, might also come up. Depending on the audience, the roughly four million Prussian Poles in Poznania and Western Prussia could also receive attention. However, it is unlikely that the Polish population in the Ruhr would be recognized, at least on this side of the Atlantic, as a distinct group with its own chapter in the history of Polish–German relations. Yet in 1914 there were roughly one hundred thousand Polish miners in the Ruhr, comprising about a quarter of the work force.
Long-distance relationships: do membrane nanotubes regulate cell-cell communication and disease progression?

Metazoan cells rapidly exchange signals at tight cell-cell interfaces, including synapses and gap junctions. Advances in imaging recently exposed a third mode of intercel- lular cross-talk mediated by thin, actin-containing membrane extensions broadly known as "membrane" or "tunneling" nanotubes. An explosion of research suggests diverse functions for nanotubular superhighways, including cell-cell electrical coupling, calcium signaling, small- molecule exchange, and, remarkably, the transfer of bulky cargoes, including organelles or pathogenic agents. Despite great enthusiasm for all things nanotubular and their potential roles in cell signaling and pathogenesis, key questions remain regarding the mechanisms by which these structures regulate directional cell-cell exchange; how these linkages are formed and between which cells and, critically, whether nanotubes are as prevalent in vivo as they appear to be in the incubator.
Association of nasomaxillary asymmetry in children with unilateral cleft lip and palate and their parents.

Abstract Objective: It has been suggested previously that increased width of midfacial structures is associated with the development of palatal clefting. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of transverse craniofacial asymmetry between children with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and their parents. Specifically, we hypothesized that parental transverse craniofacial asymmetry is a risk factor associated with the development of asymmetry in children with UCLP. Design: Retrospective cross-sectional investigation including affected children and their noncleft parents. Patients, Participants: A total of 64 children-parent sets of data (32 child-biological mother + 32 child-biological father) were included. Subject records included posteroanterior cephalometric radiographs obtained from 29 Costa Rican families with UCLP. Main Outcome Measures: The side of parental nasal asymmetry was significantly associated with the side of cleft in their children. For the majority of parents with chil...
Visualization of Phosphoinositides That Bind Pleckstrin Homology Domains: Calcium- and Agonist-induced Dynamic Changes and Relationship to Myo-[3H]inositol-labeled Phosphoinositide Pools

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns[4,5]P2) pools that bind pleckstrin homology (PH) domains were visualized by cellular expression of a phospholipase C (PLC)δ PH domain–green fluorescent protein fusion construct and analysis of confocal images in living cells. Plasma membrane localization of the fluorescent probe required the presence of three basic residues within the PLCδ PH domain known to form critical contacts with PtdIns(4,5)P2. Activation of endogenous PLCs by ionophores or by receptor stimulation produced rapid redistribution of the fluorescent signal from the membrane to cytosol, which was reversed after Ca2+ chelation. In both ionomycin- and agonist-stimulated cells, fluorescent probe distribution closely correlated with changes in absolute mass of PtdIns(4,5)P2. Inhibition of PtdIns(4,5)P2 synthesis by quercetin or phenylarsine oxide prevented the relocalization of the fluorescent probe to the membranes after Ca2+ chelation in ionomycin-treated cells or during agonist stimulation. In contrast, the synthesis of the PtdIns(4,5)P2 imaged by the PH domain was not sensitive to concentrations of wortmannin that had been found inhibitory of the synthesis of myo-[3H]inositol– labeled PtdIns(4,5)P2. Identification and dynamic imaging of phosphoinositides that interact with PH domains will further our understanding of the regulation of such proteins by inositol phospholipids.
Evaluation of potential causes for the incomplete bioavailability of furosemide: Gastric first-pass metabolism

Potential causes for reported incomplete (usually 40–60%) and often highly variable (e.g., 11–79%) bioavailability of furosemide in humans were investigated. The drug was found to be fairly stable in gastric fluids and its hepatic first-pass elimination (HFPE) was estimated to be much less than 6% based on published i.v. data. The rat was used as the main model for extensive evaluation. About 4% (n=4) of dose was recovered unchanged in the GI tract after i.v. injection while about 40% (n=12) was recovered after a 120-fold (0.05–6 mg) dose range of oral administration. In another study 70 % of the oral dose eventually disappearing (presumably due to absorption and first-pass elimination) from the GI tract was estimated to occur in just 20 min. These data indicate an unsaturable, incomplete, site-specific absorption as well as a lack of dissolution-rate-limited absorption at the doses studied. Based on plasma data, oral bioavailability in four rats was only 30%, and the HFPE much <10%. After oral administration, 61% of the dose was absorbed and/or metabolized in the GI recovery study. Thus, 20–30% of oral dose in rats must be metabolized in the GI wall during absorption. The metabolic activity of stomach (homogenate) from 5 rats was found to be much (e.g., 5–10.5-fold) greater than those of liver and small intestine. This was also confirmed in preliminary studies with 3 rabbits and 1 dog. Large intersubject variability in enzyme activity was found in rats and rabbits. The phenomenon of a presystemic first-pass effect was also substantiated by urinary excretion data of a metabolite. It is postulated that variable gastric and intestinal first-pass metabolism may be a major factor causing incomplete and irregular absorption of furosemide in humans.
Gas transport properties of thermotropic liquid‐crystalline copolyesters. II. The effects of copolymer composition

Gas transport properties are reported for a series of compression-molded films prepared from copolyesters of hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) and 2,6 hydroxynaphthoic acid (HNA) having 30/70, 58/42, 73/27, 75/25, and 80/20 mol % HBA/HNA. The mesomorphic and crystalline morphology of the materials was characterized using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X-ray diffraction As evidenced by DMTA, the phenyl and naphthyl moieties of the HBA/HNA materials exhibit a significant degree of segmental mobility below the glass transition temperature. The nonlinear nature of the naphthyl unit leads to a more hindered rotation about the chain axis. Permeability measurements were made for He, H2, O2, N2, Ar, and CO2 at 35°C and the diffusivities were computed from time-lag data. As previously observed in these materials, the films exhibited excellent barrier properties resulting largely from very low gas solubility coefficients. The liquid-crystalline copolyester: (LCP) materials with the highest HNA content exhibit the best barrier properties. It appears that the more hindered motions of the naphthyl unit restrict penetrant mobility. The reduction in permeability with increased naphthyl unit content is accompanied by a very dramatic increase in selectivity between gas pairs. Fractional free volume analysis was used to correlate the transport properties of the LCP materials and other conventional polymers. A “two-phase” modification of the free volume correlation suggests that transport may likely occur in a small volume fraction of a less dense boundary phase.
Vulnerability Analysis of MMS User Agents

The Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) is becoming more popular, as mobile phones integrate audio and video recording functionality. Multimedia messages are delivered to users through a multi-step process, whose end-points are the MMS User Agents that reside on the users? mobile phones. The security of these components is critical, be- cause they might have access to private information and, if compromised, could be leveraged to spread an MMS-based worm. Unfortunately, the vulnerability analysis of these components is made more difficult by the fact that they are mostly closed-source and the testing has to be performed through the mobile phone network, which makes the testing time-consuming and costly. This paper presents a novel approach to the security testing of MMS User Agents. Our approach takes into account the effects of the infrastructure on the delivery of MMS messages and then uses a virtual infrastructure to speed up the testing process. Our testing approach was able to identify a number of previously unknown vulnerabilities, which, in one case, allowed for the execution of arbitrary code.
Hysteresis in the Binary Exchange of Cations on 2:1 Clay Minerals: A Critical Review

The binary exchange of cations on clays and soils is generally regarded as a thermodynamically reversible process. The literature on soil chemistry and geochemistry, however, abounds with reports on cation exchange reactions that appear to have only limited reversibility, i.e., that exhibit hysteresis. A satisfactory explanation of this phenomenon is still lacking, even though a number of mechanisms have been advocated, e.g., charge or site heterogeneity at the surface, differential hydration of cations, dehy- dration of the exchanger, crystalline swelling hysteresis, and inaccessibility of sites caused by domain or quasi-crystal formation. In the present article, the relevant literature is reviewed and analyzed critically. On the basis of available evidence, it is shown that exchangeable cations can be classified into three groups, defined in such a way that hysteresis has, in the literature, generally not been observed when exchange reactions involved cations belonging to the same group, but has often been found when the reactions involved cations from different groups. Furthermore, it is argued that none of the five mech- anisms mentioned can, in and of itself, account fully for the observed exchange hysteresis. A conceptual model is proposed that combines elements of these five mechanisms and is able to describe, at least qualitatively, the effects of factors such as clay type, electrolyte concentration, and extent of dehydration.
spen encodes an RNP motif protein that interacts with Hox pathways to repress the development of head-like sclerites in the Drosophila trunk.

Drosophila has eight Hox proteins, and they require factors acting in parallel to regulate different segmental morphologies. Here we find that the Drosophila gene split ends (spen), has a homeotic mutant phenotype, and appears to encode such a parallel factor. Our results indicate that spen plays two important segment identity roles. One is to promote sclerite development in the head region, in parallel with Hox genes; the other is to cooperate with Antennapedia and teashirt to suppress head-like sclerite development in the thorax. Our results also indicate that without spen and teashirt functions, Antennapedia loses its ability to specify thoracic identity in the epidermis. spen transcripts encode extraordinarily large protein isoforms (approx. 5,500 amino acids), which are concentrated in embryonic nuclei. Both Spen protein isoforms and Spen-like proteins in other animals possess a clustered repeat of three RNP (or RRM) domains, as well as a conserved motif of 165 amino acids (SPOC domain) at their C-termini. Spen is the only known homeotic protein with RNP binding motifs, which indicates that splicing, transport, or other RNA regulatory steps are involved in the diversification of segmental morphology. Previous studies by Dickson and others (Dickson, B. J., Van Der Straten, A., Dominguez, M. and Hafen, E. (1996). Genetics 142, 163–171) identified spen as a gene that acts downstream of Raf to suppress Raf signaling in a manner similar to the ETS transcription factor Aop/Yan. This raises the intriguing possibility that the Spen RNP protein might integrate signals from both the Raf and Hox pathways.
Species and size selectivity of two midwater trawls used in an acoustic survey of the Alaska Arctic

Abstract Acoustic-trawl (AT) survey methods are widely used to estimate the abundance and distribution of pelagic organisms. This technique relies on estimates of size and species composition from trawl catches along with estimates of the acoustic properties of these animals to convert measurements of acoustic backscatter into animal abundance. However, trawls are selective samplers, and if the catch does not represent the size and species composition of the animals in the acoustic beam the resulting abundance estimates will be biased. We conducted an experiment to quantify trawl selectivity for species encountered during an AT survey of the Alaska Arctic. The pelagic assemblage in this environment was dominated by small young-of-the-year (age-0) fishes and jellyfish, which may be poorly retained in trawls. A large midwater trawl (Cantrawl) and a smaller midwater trawl (modified Marinovich) were used during the survey. The Marinovich was equipped with 8 small-mesh recapture nets which were used to estimate the probability that an individual that enters the trawl is retained. In addition, paired hauls were made with the Cantrawl and Marinovich to estimate the difference in selectivity between the two trawls. A statistical model was developed to combine the catches of the recapture nets and the paired hauls to estimate the length-dependent selectivity of the trawls for the most abundant species (e.g., age-0 fishes and jellyfish). The analysis indicated that there was substantial size and species selectivity: although the modified Marinovich generally had a higher catch per unit effort, many of the animals encountered in this environment were poorly retained by both trawls. The observed size and species selectivity of the trawls can be used to select appropriate nets for sampling pelagic fishes, and correct survey estimates for the biases introduced in the trawl capture process.
Congenital hemolytic disease associated with red cell inclusion bodies, abnormal pigment metabolism and an electrophoretic hemoglobin abnormality.

1. A fourth case of the syndrome of congenital hemolytic anemia with abnormal pigment metabolism and red cell inclusion bodies following splenectomy is described. 2. In this case an abnormality was found on paper and starch electrophoresis of the red cell hemolysate at pH 8.6. A similar abnormality has not been reported previously. 3. An increased rate of erythrocyte autohemolysis was found during in vitro incubation, Partial correction of this defect occurred in the presence of glucose or purine ribosides. 4. Genetic transmission of the defect could not be demonstrated.
Variation in patient–provider communication by patient’s race and ethnicity, provider type, and continuity in and site of care: An analysis of data from the Connecticut Health Care Survey:

Objectives:The purpose of this study is to examine the quality of patient-reported communication with their health care providers using data from a large, statewide survey of patients. We examine the relationship between patient’s race and ethnicity, type of health care provider, site of and continuity in care, and the quality of patient–provider communication.Methods:We analyze data from the Connecticut Health Care Survey, a representative telephone survey of 4608 Connecticut residents conducted between June 2012 and February 2013. Eight measures of patient–provider communication were analyzed using weighted general linear and logistic regression models.Results:Patients’ assessments of the quality of communication with their health care providers were generally positive. Hispanic patients, those who received care in a clinic or hospital setting, and those who did not consistently see the same provider reported significantly poorer communication with their providers.Conclusion:Our data suggest that improv...
Quenching of naphthalocyanine triplets by O2: application of the Sandros equation

Recently the authors showed that the triplet (T/sub 1/) energy of bis(tri-n-hexylsiloxy)silicon 2,3-naphthalocyanine (SiNc, see below) is 1.0 kcal/mol lower than that of singlet molecular oxygen (22.5 kcal/mol). Sandros showed that for endergonic triplet energy transfer reactions the bimolecular rate constant decreases nearly exponentially with increasing gap between the donor and the acceptor. Thus, small variations in the triplet energies of metal 2,3-naphthalocyanines caused by changes in the nature of the metal and solvent are expected to have a significant effect on the efficiency of triplet quenching by O/sub 2/. Further, if the S/sub 1/-T/sub 1/ energy gap (E/sub ST/) remains constant within the 2,3-naphthalocyanine family, then the quenching rate constant should be related by the Sandros equation to the energy of the S/sub 0/-S/sub 1/ transition. The results described below show that the predicted relationship is obeyed with E/sub ST/ = 15.6 /plus minus/ 0.4 kcal/mol, in agreement with the value determined spectroscopically for SiNc. This is the first example of the application of the Sandros equation to the triplet quenching by O/sub 2/ and the first to correlate triplet energy transfer kinetics with singlet energy levels.
The antihypertensive effect of pregnancy in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

SummaryPregnancy in the SHR is associated with a marked and significant decline in blood pressure into the normal range before delivery. While a mild decrease in blood pressure was also seen during the last 3 days of gestation in the nor-motensive pregnant rats, the mechanism for the marked change in blood pressure in the SHR is not clear. Further investigation of the blood pressure effects of pregnancy in the SHR may improve our understanding of the pathophysiology involved in this model of experimental hypertension.