cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cyclin-dependent Kinase 9 Is Required for Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-stimulated Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Expression in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells *

The proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) promotes tumor progression through activation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. MMP-9 is a gelatinase secreted by both cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells, and it contributes to TNF-alpha-stimulated tumor invasion and metastasis. Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), the catalytic component of positive transcription elongation factor-b, phosphorylates serine 2 residues in the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II for productive transcription elongation and is up-regulated upon exposure to various stresses. This study investigated roles of CDK9 in TNF-alpha-stimulated MMP-9 expression in human lung adenocarcinoma cells. CDK9 activity was inhibited using three different strategies, including the CDK9 pharmacological inhibitor 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB), a dominant-negative CDK9, and a CDK9-specific small interfering RNA. All three approaches reduced TNF-alpha-mediated accumulation of MMP-9 in the conditioned media as demonstrated by gelatin zymography. In contrast, transforming growth factor-beta1-induced accumulation of MMP-2 was unaffected by DRB. Expression of the MMP-9 gene was examined using reverse transcription real time PCR and using a transient transfection assay to evaluate MMP-9 promoter activity. DRB reduced the TNF-alpha-induced increase in MMP-9 mRNA levels but did not effect transforming growth factor-beta1-induced MMP-2 mRNA expression. Consistently DRB and dominant-negative CDK9 completely abrogated TNF-alpha-stimulated human MMP-9 promoter activity. TNF-alpha did not regulate expression or localization of CDK9 or its regulatory partner Cyclin T. However, TNF-alpha stimulated CDK9 binding to Cyclin T and MMP-9 gene occupancy by both CDK9 and the serine 2-phosphorylated form of RNA polymerase II. Our findings indicate that CDK9 mediates TNF-alpha-induced MMP-9 transcription. Disruption of TNF-alpha signaling using CDK9 inhibitors could serve as a potential therapeutic strategy against tumor invasion and metastasis.
Peak athletic performance and ageing: Evidence from baseball

Baseball players exhibit a pattern of improvement and decline in performance; however, differing lengths of careers and changes in rules and characteristics of the game complicate assessments of age-related effects on performance. This study attempts to isolate the impact of age on several player skills while controlling for relevant outside factors using longitudinal data from 86 seasons of Major League Baseball. The results indicate that players age in different skills in accord with studies of ageing in other athletic contests. For overall performance, multiple-regression estimates indicate that hitters and pitchers peak around the age of 29 - later than previous estimates. Athletic skills such as hitting and running peak earlier than skills that rely heavily on experience and knowledge, such as issuing and drawing walks.
Intercellular junctional complexes of the rat seminiferous tubules: A freeze‐fracture study

This paper provides a description of the intercellular junctions in the rat testis, as observed using the freeze fracture technique. These intercellular junctions were categorized into four general types: Sertoli cell tight junctions, myoid cell tight junctions, gap junctions, and "heterogeneous junctions." The Sertoli cell tight junctions had a mean depth of 3.1 micron in the basal to apical direction, and contained 25 to 50 (average: 36) parallel rows of particulate sealing elements. The myoid cell tight junction was neither continuous nor extensive, but focal in nature. Interestingly the sealing elements of this junction, like those of the Sertoli cell tight junction, were quite particulate in nature. Typical gap junctions were observed between Sertoli cells where they were intercalated between the parallel rows of the Sertoli cell tight junction. The most interesting observation was the identification of gap junction-like structures, in various stages of formation, on germ cell membrane fracture faces, both in the basal and adluminal compartments. Lastly, the unusual "heterogeneous junction" was observed on large membrane fracture faces in close proximity to cells in the adluminal compartment, presumably between Sertoli cells. These junctions appeared to consist of both tight and gap junction elements.
Understanding of phase modulation in two-level systems through inverse scattering.

Analytical and numerical calculations describe the effects of shaped radiation pulses on two-level systems in terms of quantum-mechanical scattering. Previous results obtained in the reduced case of amplitude modulation are extended to the general case of simultaneous amplitude and phase modulation. We show that an infinite family of phase- and amplitude-modulated pulses all generate rectangular inversion profiles. Experimental measurements also verify the theoretical analysis.
A Controlled Study of the Effects of the Transcendental Meditation® Program on Cardiovascular Reactivity and Ambulatory Blood Pressure

Cardiovascular responses to stress reactivity has been proposed as a risk factor for hypertension. In this study, we evaluated the effects of stress reduction on both laboratory cardiovascular reac...
1=2: When a Singular Experience Leads to Dissociated Evaluations

This research examines how a single experience with a salesperson can lead to the formation of dual representations of the salesperson resulting in opposing spontaneous and deliberative affective responses and dissociated evaluations. Consumers may either use their spontaneous affective reactions to form an evaluation or may respond more deliberately using information that contradicts this initial affect. As a result, they can hold 2 evaluations of the same salesperson—one that is more spontaneously generated and one that is more deliberate. The 2 cognitive bases for these evaluations can coexist in memory even when they are opposite in valence, and consumers switch back and forth between the 2 evaluations, depending on the level of cognitive activity in which they engage.
Reliability based optimization: A safety index approach

Abstract An alternative approach to the classical chance constraint optimization technique is presented. The proposed method employs an advanced second-moment method in evaluating the probabilities of violating the constraints. The approach is applied to the optimal design of a simple structure. The results are compared to those obtained using the classical chance constraint optimization technique. Using the proposed optimization approach the basic drawbacks of the classical chance constraint optimization technique are shown to be overcome. The improved accuracy of the new optimazation method is verified using Monte-Carlo simulation.
Does maternal asthma contribute to racial/ethnic disparities in obstetrical and neonatal complications?

Abstract Purpose To examine whether maternal asthma contributes to racial/ethnic differences in obstetrical and neonatal complications. Methods Data on white ( n = 110,603), black ( n = 50,284), and Hispanic ( n = 38,831) singleton deliveries came from the Consortium on Safe Labor. Multilevel logistic regression models, with an interaction term for asthma and race/ethnicity, estimated within-group adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, placental abruption, premature rupture of membranes, preterm delivery, maternal hemorrhage, neonatal intensive care unit admissions, small for gestational age, apnea, respiratory distress syndrome, transient tachypnea of the newborn, anemia, and hyperbilirubinemia after adjustment for clinical and demographic confounders. Nonasthmatics of the same racial/ethnic group were the reference group. Results Compared with nonasthmatics, white asthmatics had increased odds of pre-eclampsia (aOR, 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15–1.43) and maternal hemorrhage (aOR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.04–1.23). White and Hispanic infants were more likely to have neonatal intensive care unit admissions (aOR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.11–1.28; aOR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.02–1.32, respectively) and be small for gestational age (aOR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.02–1.20; aOR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.10–1.44, respectively), and Hispanic infants were more likely to have apnea (aOR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.02–1.69). Conclusions Maternal asthma did not affect most obstetrical and neonatal complication risks within racial/ethnic groups. Despite their increased risk for both asthma and many complications, our findings for black women were null. Asthma did not contribute to racial/ethnic disparities in complications.
Differences in levels of the transmembrane protein Crumbs can influence cell survival at clonal boundaries.

The survival and growth of individual cells in a tissue can be nonautonomously regulated by the properties of adjacent cells. In mosaic Drosophila imaginal discs, for example, wild-type cells induce the elimination of adjacent slow-growing Minute cells by apoptosis, while, conversely, certain types of faster-growing cells are able to eliminate adjacent wild-type cells. This process, known as cell competition, represents one example of a diverse group of phenomena in which short-range heterotypic interactions result in the selective elimination of one type of cell by another. The mechanisms that designate “winner” and “loser” genotypes in these processes are not known. Here we show that apoptosis is observed preferentially at boundaries that separate populations of cells that express different levels of the transmembrane protein Crumbs (Crb). Cells that express higher levels of Crb tend to be eliminated when they are near cells that express lower levels of Crb. We also observe distortions in the structure of epithelia on either side of boundaries between populations of cells that differ in Crb expression. Thus, while previous studies have focused mostly on the cell autonomous functions of Crb, we show that Crb can regulate cell survival and tissue morphology nonautonomously. Moreover, we find that the extracellular domain (ECD) of Crb, which seems to be dispensable for some of the other characterised functions of Crb, is required to elicit the nonautonomous effects on cell survival. The ECD can also regulate the subcellular localisation of Hippo pathway components, and possibly other proteins, in adjacent cells and may therefore directly mediate these effects. Several genetic lesions alter Crb levels, including loss-of-function mutations in hyperplastic tumour suppressors in the Hippo-Salvador-Warts pathway and in neoplastic tumour suppressor genes, such as scribble. Thus, Crb may be part of a “surveillance mechanism” that is responsible for the cell death that is observed at the boundaries of mutant clones in these cases.
Anxiety's Relationship to Inconsistent Use of Oral Contraceptives

Five percent of typical oral contraceptive users experience an unintended pregnancy every year. Inconsistent use of oral contraception may be a leading contributor to the high rate of unintended pregnancy among oral contraceptive users. Previous medical research also suggests that anxiety may play a role in medication compliance, yet no known studies have examined the relationship between anxiety and oral contraceptive use. To test this relationship, the authors analyze data from the National Survey of Family Growth Cycle V (NSFG-V), restricting their sample to sexually active women currently taking oral contraceptives. They find that women who report multiple episodes of anxiety lasting at least 6 months have a greater probability of inconsistent use. The authors suggest goals for future research and discuss the role of health care professionals in addressing oral contraception compliance in light of their findings.
The Elusive Goal of Maintaining Population Cancer Screening: It Is Time for a New Paradigm

Screening mammography is credited, in part, for the success in reducing the mortality from breast cancer in the United States (1). However, screening uptake has not been universal nor has it been adopted for regular use by all eligible women. In this issue of the Journal, Vernon et al. conducted a methodologically rigorous review of the literature on controlled behavioral interventions to increase repeat mammography screening among women at average risk for the disease (2). Their results are sobering: Behavioral interventions only increase rates by a small to moderate amount, and there is insufficient evidence to know which approaches are the most effective (2). These results are all the more discouraging because the reviewed studies focused on getting women to undergo only one to two repeat screening examinations and not the 12–13 biennial screenings presently recommended for average risk women aged 50–74 years (3). Even intensive counseling approaches, which included patient navigation (patient education and assistance), showed only a modest return for their high resource intensity. The most effective approaches reported by studies in this analysis appear to be reminder systems, but those studies were too heterogeneous to provide definitive evidence
Phosphorylation of the proline-rich domain of Xp95 modulates Xp95 interaction with partner proteins

The mammalian adaptor protein Alix [ALG-2 (apoptosis-linked-gene-2 product)-interacting protein X] belongs to a conserved family of proteins that have in common an N-terminal Bro1 domain and a C-terminal PRD (proline-rich domain), both of which mediate partner protein interactions. Following our previous finding that Xp95, the Xenopus orthologue of Alix, undergoes a phosphorylation-dependent gel mobility shift during progesteroneinduced oocyte meiotic maturation, we explored potential regulation of Xp95/Alix by protein phosphorylation in hormone-induced cell cycle re-entry or M-phase induction. By MALDI–TOF (matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization–time-of-flight) MS analyses and gel mobility-shift assays, Xp95 is phosphorylated at multiple sites within the N-terminal half of the PRD during Xenopus oocyte maturation, and a similar region in Alix is phosphorylated in mitotically arrested but not serum-stimulated mammalian cells. By tandem MS, Thr745 within this region, which localizes in a conserved binding site to the adaptor protein SETA [SH3 (Src homology 3) domain-containing, expressed in tumorigenic astrocytes] CIN85 (α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate)/SH3KBP1 (SH3-domain kinase-binding protein 1), is one of the phosphorylation sites in Xp95. Results from GST (glutathione S-transferase)-pull down and peptide binding/competition assays further demonstrate that the Thr745 phosphorylation inhibits Xp95 interaction with the second SH3 domain of SETA. However, immunoprecipitates of Xp95 from extracts of M-phase-arrested mature oocytes contained additional partner proteins as compared with immunoprecipitates from extracts of G2-arrested immature oocytes. The deubiquitinase AMSH (associated molecule with the SH3 domain of signal transducing adaptor molecule) specifically interacts with phosphorylated Xp95 in M-phase cell lysates. These findings establish that Xp95/Alix is phosphorylated within the PRD during M-phase induction, and indicate that the phosphorylation may both positively and negatively modulate their interaction with partner proteins.
Military and Civilian Dimensions of America's Regional Policy, 1972-1994

This article examines the impact of federal properties on regional growth in the United States between 1972 and 1994, and provides evidence that these properties influenced and continue to influence regional growth. Documenting the impact of federal facilities (military and civilian) on regional growth from 1972 to 1994 allows examination of the differences among types of such facilities. For understanding regional dynamics, those that play a role in the nation's science and technology program—whether military or civilian-have exerted a much stronger force on regional economies than others. The federal government has allocated a very large share of discretionary spending to national security, and thus there are far more national security facilities than there are civilian ones and their collective impact is significantly higher. Nevertheless, if the comparison is made on a per installation basis, individual civilian installations have made a contribution to local economies that is comparable to that of na...
THE EFFECTS OF CONTEXT, SEX, AND BODY SIZE ON STAGED SOCIAL INTERACTIONS IN JUVENILE MALE AND FEMALE GREEN ANOLES (ANOLIS CAROLINENSIS)

We documented the ontogeny of headbobbing display use in green anoles (Anolis carolinensis) by determining the effects of social context, sex, and body size on juvenile social interactions. Juveniles only gave displays in social interactions (never while isolated), and activity levels in general were much higher during interactions than during isolation. Neither social context (consexual or heterosexual) nor sex affected the type or quantity of displays and related behaviors (perch shifts, display modifiers, color changes, and approaches or retreats). Interactions always appeared to be aggressive in nature and qualitatively similar to interactions between adult females. Both males and females tended to increase overall activity during interactions with body size, including the use of displays and related behaviors, and large juvenile males performed more headbobbing displays than did large juvenile females. These results suggest that juvenile social interactions are agonistic in nature and that they function to defend both immediate and future resources (prospective resource hypothesis). It is likely that resource protection confers the immediate benefits of suitable habitat for foraging, thermoregulation, and predator avoidance, and it is hypothesized that the primary future benefit is the acquisition of the eventual breeding territory that juveniles will hold as adults.
Hitler Youth – Michael H. Kater

Over the past two decades, the scholarly literature on the Hitler Youth, particularly in German, has expanded enormously, ranging from secondary works to documentary films by Guido Koppe and numero...
166: Left Ventricular Dimension Predicts Successful Myocardial Recovery and Device Explant in Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy Patients Requiring Mechanical Circulatory Support

Left Ventricular Dimension Predicts Successful Myocardial Recovery and Device Explant in Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy Patients Requiring Mechanical Circulatory Support M.A. Simon, J.J. Teuteberg, R.L. Kormos, M. Siegenthaler, H. Shah, J. Gorscan, D.M. McNamara, Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Interpretation of symptoms and delay in seeking treatment by patients who have had a stroke: exploratory study.

Objectives The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the knowledge of stroke symptoms and risk factors in patients who have had a stroke and examine factors contributing to longer patient delay times during stroke. Methods Patients who had experienced an ischemic stroke and were able to understand and respond to questions were eligible to participate. A structured interview was used to identify patients’ knowledge about symptoms and causes of stroke and the sequence of events from recognizing symptoms to accessing the emergency department (ED). Results Twenty-six women and 12 men participated. Patients’ ages ranged from 33 to 84 years (M = 62), and 44.7% were African-American, 39.5% were non-Hispanic white, and 15.8% were Latino. Only 60.5% of patients accurately identified one risk factor for stroke, and 55.3% were able to accurately identify at least one symptom of stroke. Patients’ median delay time from the onset of symptoms to admission for stroke in the ED was 16 hours; only 12 patients (31.6%) accessed the ED in less than 2 hours. The most frequently reported symptom was weakness, which was experienced by 60% of the sample. The variables that were significantly related to longer delay time were as follows: African-American or Latino; lack of recognition of the seriousness of the symptoms; primary symptom was not motor; did not use 911; and resided in an urban setting. Logistic regression analysis showed that nonmotor symptoms as the primary symptom and not using 911 were significant predictors of delay longer than 2 hours. Someone other than the patient made the decision to seek treatment in 66% of the situations. Conclusion Educational interventions should be targeted to high-risk groups and their family members and should include not only stroke symptoms but also an action plan (call 911) when stroke symptoms are experienced.
Non-conformal domain decomposition methods for modeling EM problems with repetitions

We proposed a non-conformal domain decomposition method (NC-DDM) for solving electromagnetic problems with significant repetitions: such as large finite antenna arrays, frequency selective surfaces, and metamaterials, to name just a few. To further improve the convergence in the DDM iterations, an optimal 2nd order transmission condition is introduced to enforce field continuities across domain interfaces. Moreover, many electromagnetic problems with repetitions are also electrically large. Consequently, the use of absorbing boundary condition may not be adequate as an accurate mesh truncation method. Herein, we combine directly the finite element domain decomposition method with a generalized combined field integral equation and form automatically the hybrid finite element and boundary integral (FEBI) method. The use of the boundary integral method, arguably, offers the best accuracy for modeling unbounded electromagnetic radiation and scattering problems, albeit at the increases of memory and CPU times. Furthermore, the finite element tearing and interconnecting (FETI) method is employed to take advantage of the repetitions to drastically reduce the computational resources.
GENETIC CONTROL OF THE IMMUNE RESPONSE : THE EFFECT OF GRAFT-VERSUS-HOST REACTION ON THE ANTIBODY RESPONSE TO POLY-L(TYR,GLU)-POLY-D,L-ALA--POLY-L-LYS IN NONRESPONDER MICE

The transfer of parental (H-2k/k) nonresponder lymphoid cells into heterozygous (H-2k/q) nonresponder recipients at the time of primary challenge with aqueous poly-L(Tyr,Glu)-poly-D,L-Ala-poly-L-Lys [(T,G)-A--L] elicited the production of both IgM and IgG anti-(T,G)-A--L antibody. Normally, the production of IgG anti-(T,G)-A--L antibody is restricted to strains possessing the responder Ir-1 allele. The timing and intensity of the graft-versus-host (GVH) reaction required for this effect were found to be critical. Injection of H-2k/k cells into H-2k/q recipients 1 wk before antigen challenge did not elicit IgG anti-(T,G)-A--L antibody production, and markedly suppressed IgM anti-(T,G)-A--L antibody production. The transfer of alloimmune (H-2q-primed) H-2k/k cells at the time of antigen challenge was also associated with no IgG and little IgM anti-(T,G)-A--L antibody production. These data are consistent with the model that nonresponder thymus-derived lymphocytes (T cells) activated in a GVH reaction can substitute for (T,G)-A--L-reactive T cells to induce a shift from IgM to IgG anti-(T,G)-A--L antibody production.
Thermal and Structural Characterizations of Individual Single‐, Double‐, and Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Thermal conductance measurements of individual single- (S), double- (D), and multi- (M) walled (W) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) grown using thermal chemical vapor deposition between two suspended microthermometers are reported. The crystal structure of the measured CNT samples is characterized in detail using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The thermal conductance, diameter, and chirality are all determined on the same individual SWCNT. The thermal contact resistance per unit length is obtained as 78―585 m K W ―1 for three as-grown 10―14 nm diameter MWCNTs on rough Pt electrodes, and decreases by more than 2 times after the deposition of amorphous platinum―carbon composites at the contacts. The obtained intrinsic thermal conductivity of approximately 42―48, 178―336, and 269― 343 W m ―1 K ―1 at room-temperature for the three MWCNT samples correlates well with TEM-observed defects spaced approximately 13, 20, and 29 nm apart, respectively; whereas the effective thermal conductivity is found to be limited by the thermal contact resistance to be about 600 W m ―1 K ―1 at room temperature for the as-grown DWCNT and SWCNT samples without the contact deposition.
Health disparities are important determinants of outcome for children with solid tumor malignancies.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify health disparities in children with non-CNS solid tumor malignancies and examine their impact on disease presentation and outcome.
Parents’ Perceived Treatment Match and Treatment Retention Over 12 Months Among Youths in the LAMS Study

Objective:The goal of these analyses was to describe the 12-month prevalence of mental health services retention for youths ages six to 12 years and identify predictors of treatment retention. Data...
Technique for determining when plantar heel pain can be neural in origin

The surgeon doing microsurgery will encounter problems related to the heel not only in terms of how to reinnervate the transferred tissue, but also in patients presenting with heel pain. While most heel pain is thought to be related to the plantar fascia arising from the calcaneus, conceptually heel pain can be of neural origin. The technique for documenting sensibility in the heel is described using the Pressure-Specified Sensory Device. Knowledge of calcaneal nerve sensibility can determine whether there is sufficient sensation to prevent ulceration, whether there is a nerve entrapment that would benefit from neurolysis, or whether there is a neuroma that would benefit from resection.
The Incidence and Context of Tobacco Use in Popular Movies from 1988 to 1997

Objective. The aim of this study was to describe tobacco use in a large representative sample of movies. Methods. We analyzed the content of the top 25 box office hits per year from 1988 to 1997. Outcomes included the number of occurrences of tobacco use, the time tobacco use appeared on screen, the context in which tobacco use was portrayed, and characteristics of smokers compared with nonsmokers. Results. Eighty-seven percent of the movies portrayed tobacco use, with a median of 5 occurrences per film. Tobacco use was not related to year of release or box office success of the movie. R-rated movies had the greatest number of occurrences (median 8.5; P < 0.05) and were most likely to feature major characters using tobacco (81%, P < 0.001). Among major characters, males were more likely to use tobacco than females (28% vs 17%, P < 0.001), but there was no difference in the prevalence of tobacco use by age, race, or socioeconomic status. Tobacco users were typically adults (96.3%) who were more likely to engage in a variety of other risk behaviors. Most tobacco use involved cigarettes or cigars (89.5%). Motivations for onscreen smoking included agitation (20.1%), sadness (5.1%), happiness (15.3%), and relaxation (17.1%). Characters were often shown smoking while confiding in others (30.7%) or in social/celebratory situations (18.0%). Negative reactions to tobacco use were rarely shown (5.9%) and negative consequences resulting from tobacco use were depicted for only 3.4% of the major characters who used tobacco. Conclusion. Despite increasing anti-smoking sentiments in our society, negative reactions to smoking are rare and there is no evidence that tobacco use in movies has declined over the past decade. Movies continue to model smoking as a socially acceptable behavior and portray it as both a way to relieve tension and something to do while socializing. By depicting positive images of tobacco use, movies have the potential to influence adolescent smoking behavior as much as any other environmental e xposure, s uch a s f amily o r f riend smoking. © 2002 American Health Foundation and Elsevier Science (USA)
Exploit camera metadata for enhancing interesting region detection and photo retrieval

Photographs taken by human beings differ from the images that taken by a lifeless device, such as a surveillance camera or a visual sensor on a robot, in that human being intentionally shoot photographs to express his/her feeling or photo-realistically record a scene. This creation process is accomplished by adjusting two factors: the setting of parameters on a camera and the position between the camera and the object which he or she is interested in. In this paper, this procedure is learned using the machine learning technique so that what the interest of the photographer is and what the core content of a photo wants to display can be reversely calculated. A photo retrieval system was built upon the category of interesting regions and the metadata is used for help. The research also explore the argument how local or global feature affects the performance of image retrieval. A novel stochastic segmentation algorithm called region restricted EM algorithm was applied in order to construct the interesting regions. Experimental evaluation on over 7000+ photos taken by 200+ different models of cameras with variety of interests has shown the robustness of our technique.
The development of the black blow fly, Phormia regina (Meigen).

Abstract The black blow fly, Phormia regina (Meigen) is a primary species commonly utilized to indicate a postmortem interval, or more appropriately a "time since colonization". Due to the importance of this species as a secondary myiasis producer in livestock operations, and more recently as a time since death indicator in the field of forensic entomology, a considerable amount of data on its growth and development has been generated. However, the developmental time as reported by these studies varies greatly, and current more detailed data is needed for use in medicocriminal entomology. Hourly developmental data is presented under constant temperatures of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40°C, and cyclic temperatures of 10–15, 15–25, 25–35 and 35–45°C. This study is in agreement with the results reported by Kamal [Comparative study of thirteen species of sarcosaprophagous Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae (Diptera). I. Bionomics, Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 51 (1958) 261] and Melvin [Incubation period of eggs of certain musciod flies at different constant temperatures, Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 27 (1934) 406] only at temperatures of 25°C and below. Bishopp [Flies which cause myiasis in man and animals: some aspects of the problem, J. Econ. Entomol. 8 (1915) 317] reported a shorter developmental duration for larval stages than what was produced with our laboratory rearings.
Deconstructing Fragmentation: Koskenniemi's 2006 ILC Project

This essay – a contribution to a workshop organized to assess Martti Koskenniemi’s scholarship – focuses principally on Koskenniemi’s work as a member of the International Law Commission (ILC) from 2002 to 2006, and in particular his chairmanship of an ILC study group. Unlike Koskenniemi’s scholarship, which is solely his own or perhaps his in conjunction with a co-author, the ILC study group report on "Fragmentation of International Law: Difficulties Arising from the Diversification and Expansion of International Law (Report)," and the 42 associated conclusions, were a group effort, though it is well-understood that Koskenniemi was the driving force in writing, editing, and finalizing them. In considering Koskenniemi’s scholarly contributions to the field of international law, I think it reasonable to take into account this Report, especially since part of my interest lies in assessing the Report in relationship to Koskenniemi’s scholarship.In briefly “deconstructing” the Report, the essay examines three different vantage points. First, is the Report mostly a scholarly think-piece that will sit on the jurisprudential shelf in the library – a self-contained intellectual regime of a sort? Or is the Report useful for the practical lawyer toiling in the field of international law, one that will prove illuminating for emerging areas of international law in the years to come? Second, how does the Report relate to Koskenniemi’s own scholarship; might the Report be viewed as a confirmation or extension of that scholarship, or – more provocatively – a betrayal of it? Third, will the Report have “legs” in helping point the direction for future work by the ILC and other comparable institutions? Does it suggest new ways of thinking about codification and progressive development of international law?
Influence of flooring on standing fatigue

This study investigated effects of flooring on perceived tiredness, fatigue, and discomfort for workers required to stand while performing their jobs. Eight flooring conditions of varying thickness and stiffness (including one shoe insert) were evaluated by workers who answered a questionnaire. Questions were asked regarding whole-body tiredness. leg fatigue. and discomfort. Flooring had a significant effect on workers' perception. In general softer materials caused less perceived tiredness; however, one extremely soft floor resulted in higher ratings of tiredness. Similar results were found for material thickness. The shoe insert condition showed low tiredness ratings as compared with most floors, including one made of the same material. The discomfort ratings indicated that harder flooring materials caused greater discomfort. Discomfort of the lower extremities tended to decrease as distance from the floor increased. Low back discomfort was found for hard flooring surfaces.
First demonstration of 80-km long-haul transmission of 12.5-Gb/s data using silicon microring resonator electro-optic modulator

First demonstration of long-haul transmission reaching bandwidth-distance product of 1-Tb-km/s, using silicon microring resonator electro-optic modulator, sets new precedence for silicon photonic applications. 12.5-Gb/s bit-error-rate and power penalty measurements confirm 80-km of feasible fiber propagation.
Cybersafety in Early Childhood: What Parents and Educators Need to Know

The internet provides wonderful learning opportunities that were not available to previous generations; however, there are also drawbacks to allowing young children to use internet-capable technology. This chapter identifies the specific dangers associated with online play and learning; reviews the international laws, government regulatory practices, and professional standards that protect children from online dangers; and provides tips and resources that parents and educators can employ/access to ensure that young children use technology safely and responsibly.
Remarks for Grassroots Discussion Panel on Civil Society and Regulation

Written remarks prepared for Grassroots Discussion Panel No. 3 on "Civil Society and Regulation" at the 2007 Conference of the International Communication Association. I review the history of my involvement on the Boards of Directors of two nonprofit organizations related to technology activism: Computer Professionials for Social Responsibility and LaborTech. I conclude with thoughts about the potential role online deliberation tools might play in shifting power in grassroots civil society.
Evaluating and Refining the Construct of Sexual Quality With Item Response Theory: Development of the Quality of Sex Inventory

This study took a critical look at the construct of sexual quality. The 65 items of four well-validated self-report measures of sexual satisfaction (the Index of Sexual Satisfaction [ISS], Hudson, Harrison, & Crosscup, 1981; the Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction [GMSEX], Lawrance & Byers, 1995; the Pinney Sexual Satisfaction Inventory [PSSI], Pinney, Gerrard, & Denney, 1987; the Young Sexual Satisfaction Scale [YSSS], Young, Denny, Luquis, & Young, 1998) and an additional 74 potential sexual quality items were given to 3060 online participants. Using Item Response Theory (IRT), we demonstrated that the ISS, YSSS, and PSSI scales provided suboptimal levels of precision in assessing sexual quality, particularly given the length of those scales. Exploratory factor analyses, IRT, differential item functioning analyses, and longitudinal responsiveness analyses were used to develop and evaluate the Quality of Sex Inventory. Results suggested that, in comparison to existing scales, the QSI (1) offers investigators and clinicians more theoretically focused scales, (2) distinguishes sexual satisfaction from sexual dissatisfaction, and (3) offers greater precision and power for detecting differences with (4) comparably high levels of responsiveness for detecting change over time despite being notably shorter than most of the existing scales. The QSI-satisfaction subscales demonstrated strong convergent validity with other measures of sexual satisfaction and excellent construct validity with anchor scales from the nomological net surrounding that construct, suggesting that they continue to assess the same theoretical construct as prior scales. Implications for research are discussed.
Improving Classification of Medical Assertions in Clinical Notes

We present an NLP system that classifies the assertion type of medical problems in clinical notes used for the Fourth i2b2/VA Challenge. Our classifier uses a variety of linguistic features, including lexical, syntactic, lexico-syntactic, and contextual features. To overcome an extremely unbalanced distribution of assertion types in the data set, we focused our efforts on adding features specifically to improve the performance of minority classes. As a result, our system reached 94.17% micro-averaged and 79.76% macro-averaged F1-measures, and showed substantial recall gains on the minority classes.
The Effects of Same-Sex and Other-Sex Contexts on Masculinity and Femininity

The study addressed whether or not masculinity and femininity as indexed by state measures of gender-typed behaviors changed when participants worked with asame-sex or other-sex peer. In a within-subjects design, 80 college students (40 women and 40 men, M age = 19.5 years, SD = 2.10) worked with a man and a woman confederate on a collaborative task. State masculinity and femininity measures were created from existing trait measures (Bem, 1974; Boldizar, 1991). Men and women reported greater state femininity when working with an other-sex partner than when working with a same-sex partner. State masculinity did not vary as a function of same-sex and other-sex contexts. Implications of these findings for understanding how social interactions contribute to the construction of masculinity and femininity are discussed.
Fatigue in Parkinson's Disease (P06.052)

Objective: To assess the relationship between the Fatigue item on the MDS-UPDRS and other non-motor and motor symptoms of Parkinson9s disease (PD) as measured by the newly developed scale. Background Patients with PD report a high incidence of fatigue though it remains a poorly understood symptom. It is not clear whether fatigue relates to a single or multiple motor and non-motor symptoms of PD and what are the relative contributions of these associated symptoms to fatigue. Design/Methods: A retrospective analysis assessing the relationships between the Fatigue item (1.13) and different non-motor and motor components of MDS-UPDRS, was performed using the MDS-UPDRS validation database consisting of 877 subjects. Individual items exceeding a Kendall9s correlation of 0.20 (p Results: Fatigue showed stronger correlations with MDS-UPDRS items in Parts I and II (Non-motor Experiences of Daily Living and Motor Experiences of Daily Living), compared to items in Parts III and IV (Motor Examination and Motor Complications). Among the 24 motor and non-motor items that met criteria to enter the logistic regression, only six items significantly contributed, all derived from Parts I and II: Hobbies and Other activities contributed most to Fatigue (p Conclusions: Fatigue, as assessed by MDS-UPDRS, is a multi-factorial construct rather than being related to a single symptom. Mood, sleep and vegetative symptoms contribute significantly to ratings of fatigue, while motor symptoms do not. Whereas cause and effect relationships cannot be established, treatment of these non-motor associates to fatigue may offer options to abate fatigue. Disclosure: Dr. Homayoun has nothing to disclose. Dr. Stebbins has received personal compensation for activities with Impax Laboratories, Inc., Ceregene, Inc., Biovail Technologies, Ltd., Santhera Pharmaceuticals, and Ingenix Pharmaceutical Services. Dr. Stebbins has received research support from the National Institutes of Health, American Cancer Society, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and Fragile-X Foundation. Dr. Tilley has received personal compensation for activities with Pfizer Inc, Human Genome and Novartis as a participant on a data and safety monitoring board and/or advisor. Dr. Goetz has received personal compensation for activities with Asubio Pharmaceuticals Inc., Campbell Alliance, CNS Therapeutics, Curry Rockerfeller Group, Health Advances, Impax Pharmaceuticals, Ingenix, Juvantia Pharma LTD as a consultant and participant on an advisory board. Dr. Goetz has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Movement Disorders and Oxford University Press. Dr. Goetz has received research support from Michael J. Fox Foundation, National Institute of Health and Parkinson9s Disease Foundation.
Structural Studies and Electrical Properties of Cs/Al/Te/O Phases with the Pyrochlore Structure

A series of polycrystalline and single crystal cesium aluminum tellurates with the pyrochlore structure have been prepared and characterized. The variations in cell edge for the Cs/Al/Te/O phases range from 10.06 A for the Al rich limit to 10.14 A for the Te rich limit. Rietveld structural analyses based on both X-ray and neutron diffraction data were performed on 5 different compositions. Single crystals of 3 compositions were prepared and studied by X-ray diffraction. The anharmonic component of the thermal motion for Cs was small but became significant on replacing Cs with Rb. A maximum in the electrical conductivity of about 0.1 S/cm is found in the middle of this range close to the ideal composition of CsAl(1/3)Te(5/3)O(6). The conductivity is attributed to filled Te 5s states associated with Te(4+) lying just below the conduction band based on empty Te 5s states associated with Te(6+). The relatively large Te(4+) ion is compressed by the lattice, and as this compression increases the filled 5s states approach the conduction band and thereby increases conductivity.
Toxicity and Electrophysiological and Behavioral Effects of Insecticide–Pheromone-related Chemicals on Cabbage Looper Moths

Three insecticide–pheromone-related chemicals, the methyl carbamate, the diethylphosphate, and the 3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylate of (Z)-7-dodecenol, were prepared, and their toxicity as well as their effects on electrical activity of antennae and flight behavior of cabbage looper moths in response to pheromone stimulation were determined. Acute toxicity of the chemicals was low. Electroantennograms indicated no inhibition of pheromone receptors or mechanisms for pheromone inactivation. Moth flight behavior in a wind tunnel was adversely affected by long exposure to the chemicals. None of the three chemicals appears to be as active as the moth's own pheromone in causing habituation and disruption of normal pheromone-induced behavior.
Convergence of Highly Resolved and Rapid Screening Platforms with Dynamically Engineered, Cell Phenotype-Prescriptive Biomaterials

Biophysical and biochemical cues from the cellular microenvironment initiate intracellular signaling through cellular membrane receptors and trigger specific cell developmental programs. Extracellular substrates and matrix scaffolds engineered to mimic cell’s native physiological environment must incorporate the multifactorial parameters (composition, micro and nanoscale organization, and topography) of the extracellular matrix as well as the dynamic nature of the matrix. The design of such engineered biomaterials is challenged by the inherent complexity and dynamic nature of the cell-extracellular matrix reciprocity, while the validation of robust microenvironments requires a deeper, higher content phenotypic resolution of cell-matrix interactions alongside a rapid screening capability. To this end, high-throughput platforms are integral to facilitating the screening and optimization of complex engineered microenvironments for directing desired cell developmental pathway. This review highlights the recent advances in biomaterial platforms that present dynamic cues and enable high throughput screening of cell’s response to a combination of micro-environmental factors. We also address some newer techniques involving high-content image informatics to elucidate emergent cellular behaviors with a focus on stem cell regenerative endpoints.
ECOLOGICAL FACTORS IN SPECIATION

The past decades have seen the gradual formulation of the theory of geographical speciation, principally based on work in the fields of the systematics of mammals, birds, insects, and mollusks. This theory 'postulates that in bisexual animals a new species can develop only "if a population, which has become geographically isolated from its parental species, acquires during this period of isolation characters which prorhote or guarantee reproductive isolation when 'the external barriers break down" (Mayr, 1942). A number of workers in recent years have considered this statement an oversimplification. The omission of any reference in this description of the speciation process to the ecological factors-so vitally involved in the process of speciation-has also been objected to. Even though the importance of geographical speciation is universally admitted, there are a number of authors, particularly among the ichthyologists and entomologists, who believe that in addition to geographical speciation there is another process of speciation, variously referred to as ecological or sympatric speciation. Thorpe (1945), for example, is inclined to consider that in addition to geographical speciation there is a speciation process which is characterized by the fact "that local differences of habit may be the starting point for the evolution of new species." It appears to me that there is no real conflict between those authors who stress the ecological aspects of speciation, such as Stresemann (1943) and Thorpe (1945), and those who, like myself, have stressed the geographical aspects. This was pointed out by Timofeeff-Ressovsky (1943). The seeming differences are due partly to misunderstandings and partly to a different emphasis placed on various aspects of a single process of speciation. The field has suffered from looseness of thought and vagueness of expression, and it may therefore be ulseful to attempt a fresh analysis and possibly a synthesis of the two viewpoints. The principal obstacle blocking such synthesis up to now has been that those authors who have emphasized the role of ecological factors in speciation generally accept sympatric speciation as an integral part of ecological speciation. To remove this difficulty, a special section (pp. 269-285) has been devoted to a discussion of sympatric speciation. It is more important, however, to determine the respective roles of geographical and ecological factors in speciation, and to find out whether they operate consecutively or concomitantly. The field has suffered particularly from the lack of a clear-cut Fragestellung. The result has been that only few investigations have ever been undertaken which would give decisive answers to the unsolved questions. Most of the published studies sadly miss the crucial points. It is one additional object of this discussion to focus the attention of investigators on those aspects that are in particular need of further study.