cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polydomy and sexual allocation ratios in the ant Myrmica punctiventris

Colony structure and reproductive investment were studied in a population of Myrmica punctiventris. This species undergoes a seasonal cycle of polydomy. A colony overwinters in entirety but fractionates into two or more nest sites during the active season and then coalesces in the fall. Colony boundaries were determined by integrating data on spatial pattern, behavioral compatability, and genetic relatedness as revealed by protein electrophoresis. Colonies contained at most one queen. Consequently, a colony consisted of one queenright nest and one or more queenless nests. Furthermore, estimates of relatedness were fully consistent, with queens being single mated. M. punctiventris therefore has a colony genetic structure that conforms to the classical explanation of the maintenance of worker sterility by kin selection. Kin selection theory predicts that workers would favor a female-biased allocation ratio while selection on queens would favor equal investment in males and females. We predicted that in polydomous populations, queenless nests would rear more female reproductives from diploid larvae than queenright nests. There was a significant difference between queenright and queenless nests in sexual allocation; queenless nests allocated energy to reproductive females whereas queenright nests did not. At neither the nest nor colony levels did worker number limit sexual production. We also found that nests tended to rear either males or females but when colony reproduction was summed over nests, the sexes were more equally represented. The difference in allocation ratios between queenless and queenright nests was attributed solely to queen presence/absence. Our work shows that polydomy provides an opportunity for workers to evade queen control and thereby to sexualize brood.
Real-time image-based rendering for stereo views of vegetation

Rendering of detailed vegetation for real-time applications has always been difficult because of the high polygon count in 3D models. Generating correctly warped images for nonplanar projection surfaces often requires even higher degrees of tessellation. Generating left and right eye views for stereo would further reduce the frame rate since information for one eye view cannot be used to redraw the vegetation for the other eye view. We describe an image based rendering approach that is a modification fo an algorithm for monoscopic rendering of vegetation proposed by Aleks Jakulin. The Jakulin algorithm pre-renders vegetation models from 6 viewpoints; rendering from an arbitrary viewpoint is achieved by compositing the nearest two slicings. Slices are alpha blended as the user changes viewing positions. The blending produces visual artifacts that are not distracting in a monoscopic environment but are very distracting in a stereo environment. We have modified the algorithm so it displays all pre-rendered images simultaneously and slicings are partitioned and rendered in a back-to-front order. This approach improves the quality of the stereo, maintains the basic appearance of the vegetation and reduces visual artifacts but it increases rendering time slightly and produces a rendering that is not totally faithful to the original vegetation model.
Dielectric properties of salmon fillets as a function of temperature and composition

Abstract Dielectric properties for anterior, middle, tail, and belly portions of Alaska pink salmon ( Oncornynchus gorbuscha ) fillets were measured at frequencies between 27 and 1800 MHz from 20 to 120 °C to provide insights for improving the modeling of microwave (MW) and radio frequency (RF) commercial sterilization processes of salmon products. Compositional differences contributed to the observed slight differences in the dielectric properties for different parts of salmon fillet. For all portions of the fillet, similar trends in dielectric constant and loss factor measurements were observed as a function of temperature (20–120 °C). At RF frequencies of 27 and 40 MHz, the dielectric constant decreased with increasing temperature. But at microwave frequencies (e.g., 915, 1800 MHz), an opposite trend was observed. The dielectric loss factor increased with increasing temperature over the tested frequency range. Calculations from electrical conductivity of minced salmon fillets measured at different temperatures suggest that ionic conductivity was the major contributor to temperature dependent behaviors of dielectric properties at RF frequencies.
International Perspective: Preparing for Globalization—Do We Need Structural Change for Our Academic Programs+

Abstract The postwar era has witnessed a fundamental reshaping of how and who conducts world trade. Companies, and by extension countries, that succeed will be those who can evolve as quickly as the economic landscape. American colleges and universities have traditionally been the training ground for businesses seeking global managers. Their ability to produce graduates for this new marketplace may depend on structural realignment among themselves, accrediting agencies, business, and government. In this article, I explore how academic preparation efforts during the past 2 decades have not effectively addressed the challenge of preparing students to manage on a global level. I present a review of the current situation and suggestions for structural change.
Synergism of estrogens with pituitary gonadotropins in hypophysectomized rats

IT HAS BEEN KNOWN ever since the pioneer work of Walsh, Cuyler and McCullagh in 1934 (1) that spermatogenesis in the rat could be maintained after hypo-physectomy by the prompt and continued injection of male sex hormone. No corresponding maintenance of ovarian function by estrogenic substances had been observed until recently when Williams (2) reported an increase in the weight of ovaries of hypophysectomized rats implanted with diethylstilbestrol, and an augmentation of the gonadotropic effect of pregnant mare serum in animals simultaneously receiving stilbestrol. Pencharz (3) has also noted an increased ovarian size due to enlargement of follicles following the treatment of hypophysectomized rats with stilbestrol and other estrogens. Even more interesting is his observation of great augmentation of ovarian weights and the formation of large follicles and corpora lutea in animals given certain estrogens together with chorionic gonadotropin.
Magnetization of a binary anti-ferromagnetic alloy

Abstract A procedure is given for calculating the thermodynamic properties of a magnetic binary system. Comparison is made with the previous molecular field type calculation.
tRNA Ligase Is Required for Regulated mRNA Splicing in the Unfolded Protein Response

The accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) triggers an intracellular signaling pathway, the unfolded protein response (UPR), that leads to increased transcription of genes encoding ER-resident proteins. Transcriptional activation is mediated by a dedicated transcription factor, Hac1p, whose activity is controlled by regulated splicing of its mRNA. We have identified a mutation in tRNA ligase that disrupts the UPR in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this mutant, splicing of HAC1 mRNA, but not tRNA, is blocked. In contrast, HAC1 mRNA splicing is not impaired in cells that are blocked in spliceosome-mediated mRNA splicing. Furthermore, the splice junctions of HAC1 mRNA do not conform to the consensus sequences of other yeast pre-mRNAs. Our results suggest that the regulated splicing of HAC1 mRNA occurs by a novel pathway, involving tRNA ligase and bypassing the spliceosome.
Fisheries science: why mothers matter.

Fish population growth depends on older mothers, which in some species produce more and 'better' offspring than younger fish. When fisheries remove the most productive females, the whole population suffers.
Successful treatment of postoperative chylothorax using an external pleuroperitoneal shunt

We report 3 patients with chylothorax who were successfully managed as outpatients using external pleuroperitoneal shunts. This external shunt has the advantage over subcutaneously placed shunts of pumping large volumes of fluid with each compression of the pumping chamber, of not causing the discomfort associated with pumping a subcutaneous chamber, of not becoming difficult to find in the subcutaneous space, and of being constructed of larger components which do not kink or become easily clogged with fibrinous debris.
Mode scanning: Heating pattern synthesis with ultrasound phased arrays

Modes, the characteristic symmetric focal patterns of an ultrasound phased array, prove especially useful for hyperthermia. Modes cancel the complex pressure fields exactly along the central axis, eliminating axial constructive interference both proximal and distal to the treatment volume. A simple calculation exploits planar or rotational array symmetry and produces the driving signals which generate modal focal patterns. Results show that temporal mode scanning improves heating patterns considerably, expanding the maximum treatable size of the tumour volume.
Significato e verità nell'aritmetica peaniana

Partendo da alcune esigenze di carattere neopositivistico si propone un concetto di verita diverso da quello tarskiano e si costruiscono sistemi logici che, in un senso che viene chiarito, sfuggono alle consuele limitazioni deduttive ed espressive.
Hippocampal GABA transporter function in temporal-lobe epilepsy

ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL studies of human temporal-lobe epilepsy suggest that a loss of hippocampal GABA-mediated inhibition may underlie the neuronal hyperexcitability1–3. However, GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid)-containing cells are preserved4and GABA receptors are maintained in the surviving hippocampal neurons5. Diminished GABA release may therefore mediate the loss of inhibition. Here we show that, in the human brain, potassium-stimulated release of GABA was increased, and glutamate-induced, calcium-independent release of GABA was markedly decreased, in epileptogenic hippocampi, in contrast with contra-lateral, non-epileptogenic hippocampi. The glutamate-induced GABA release in vivo was transporter-mediated in rats. Furthermore, in amygdala-kindled rats, a model for human epilepsy, a decrease in glutamate-induced GABA release was associated with a 48% decrease in the number of GABA transporters. These data suggest that temporal-lobe epilepsy is characterized in part by a loss of glutamate-stimulated GABA release that is secondary to a reduction in the number of GABA transporters.
Cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity.

Cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH) is a distinct form of lymphocyte-mediated hypersensitivity in guinea pigs, separate both from classic delayed hypersensitivity (DH) and from the well-known antibody-mediated reactions. CBH, not DH, is the usual cellular immune response of this species to a wide variety of immunogens (e.g., allografts, certain parasites, and viruses) when these are presented in native form without supplementation with mycobacteria-containing adjuvants, thus attesting to the importance of this response in the guinea pig's overall immune defense mechanism. Basophil-containing, cell-mediated, delayed-onset reactions occur in other species, including man, as well.
Human mesenchymal stem cells support megakaryocyte and pro-platelet formation from CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Megakaryocytopoiesis and thrombocytopoiesis result from the interactions between hematopoietic progenitor cells, humoral factors, and marrow stromal cells derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or MSCs directly. MSCs are self-renewing marrow cells that provide progenitors for osteoblasts, adipocytes, chondrocytes, myocytes, and marrow stromal cells. MSCs are isolated from bone marrow aspirates and are expanded in adherent cell culture using an optimized media preparation. Culture-expanded human MSCs (hMSCs) express a variety of hematopoietic cytokines and growth factors and maintain long-term culture-initiating cells in long-term marrow culture with CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitor cells. Two lines of evidence suggest that hMSCs function in megakaryocyte development. First, hMSCs express messenger RNA for thrombopoietin, a primary regulator for megakaryocytopoiesis and thrombocytopoiesis. Second, adherent hMSC colonies in primary culture are often associated with hematopoietic cell clusters containing CD41(+) megakaryocytes. The physical association between hMSCs and megakaryocytes in marrow was confirmed by experiments in which hMSCs were copurified by immunoselection using an anti-CD41 antibody. To determine whether hMSCs can support megakaryocyte and platelet formation in vitro, we established a coculture system of hMSCs and CD34(+) cells in serum-free media without exogenous cytokines. These cocultures produced clusters of hematopoietic cells atop adherent MSCs. After 7 days, CD41(+) megakaryocyte clusters and pro-platelet networks were observed with pro-platelets increasing in the next 2 weeks. CD41(+) platelets were found in culture medium and expressed CD62P after thrombin treatment. These results suggest that MSCs residing within the megakaryocytic microenvironment in bone marrow provide key signals to stimulate megakaryocyte and platelet production from CD34(+) hematopoietic cells.
Development of Specific Synaptic Network Functions in Organotypic Central Nervous System (CNS) Cultures: Implications for Transplantation of CNS Neural Cellsin Vivo☆

Abstract This article provides a broad overview of the significant roles that morphophysiologic analyses of organotypic cultures of neural tissues explantedin vitro—initiated during the 1950s—have played in stimulating the more recent development of techniques for transplantation of neural cells and tissues into specific regions of the central nervous system (CNS)in vivo.The demonstrations by Crain and co-workers in the 1950s and 1960s that fetal rodent and human CNS neurons can continue to develop a remarkable degree of mature structure and function during many months of complete isolation in culture provided crucial evidence that development of many organotypic properties of nerve cells is regulated by epigenetic factors that ensure rather stereotyped expression despite wide variations in environmental conditions. Thesein vitrostudies strongly suggested that fetal neural cells should, indeed, be capable of even more highly organotypic development after transplantationin vivo,as has been elegantly demonstrated by many of the successful CNS transplantation studies reviewed here.
Resistivity of ferromagnetic CePt

Abstract The resistivity of CePt has been measured between 1.9 and 300 K. CePt orders ferromagnetically at 5.8 K. Its ferromagnetic state resistivity increases as T3 above a constant residual term. This correlates with a T3 term in the magnetic specific heat.
Secure Distance Indicator Leveraging Wireless Link Signatures

Received Signal Strength (RSS) and Round Trip Time (RTT) are two common metrics for a wireless receiver to tell the proximity of a remote wireless transmitter. A large RSS or a small RTT normally indicates a close transmitter, and vice versa. Both metrics are effective in a benign environment. However, when the transmitter modifies the send time or transmit power to hide its real distance, they may fail to identify the actual proximity of the transmitter. In this paper, we propose a secure physical layer metric that not only reflects the distance between the transmitter and the receiver, but is difficult to manipulate. Our theoretical and experimental studies show that the proposed metric and the distance is inverse proportional, in both the ideal and practical scenarios with shadow fading and channel noise. We also create distance distribution profiles based on the proposed metric, and point out how such profiles can be used to enhance the reliability of the distance estimation.
Influence of sea water solution on mortar containing calcium carbonate

Normal Portland cement mortar discs containing precipitated or ground limestone at dosages of 0, 2.5, 5 and 15% were made at water/cement ratios of 0.42 or 0.60. They were hydrated in lime water or sea water solution for periods up to 1 year. The length and modulus of elasticity changes were monitored periodically. Some mortars containing CaCO3 exhibited more than three times the expansion of the reference in sea water. The expansions were greater in samples containing fine CaCO3. The modulus of elasticity was especially low for samples containing precipitated CaCO3 and exposed to sea water.
Numerical simulation of Lewis number effects on lean premixed turbulent flames

Abstract A dominant factor in determining the burning rate of a premixed turbulent flame is the degree to which the flame front is wrinkled by turbulence. Higher turbulent intensities lead to greater wrinkling of the flame front and an increase in the turbulent burning rate. This picture of turbulent flame dynamics must be modified, however, to accommodate the affects of variations in the local propagation speed of the flame front. Classical flame analysis characterizes these local variations in propagation speed by the Markstein number which represents the response of the flame front to curvature and strain. In this paper, we consider lean premixed flames for three different fuels having widely varying fuel Lewis numbers corresponding to widely varying Markstein numbers. In particular, we present numerical simulations of premixed turbulent flames for lean hydrogen, propane and methane mixtures in two dimensions. Each simulation is performed at turbulence conditions similar to those found in laboratory-scale experiments and is performed using detailed chemical kinetics and transport properties. We discuss the effect of Lewis number on the overall flame morphology and explore the dependence of local flame propagation speed on flame curvature. We also explore the relationship between local flame speed and experimentally accessible variables such as OH concentration. Finally, we focus on the low Lewis number case, hydrogen, in which the flame front is broken indicating local extinction.
Female heterogamety in the swordtail, Xiphophorus alvarezi rosen (Pisces, Poeciliidae), with comments on a natural polymorphism affecting sword coloration

The sex-determining mechanism of swordtails (Xiphophorus, Poeciliidae, Pisces) is poorly understood, because many laboratory strains of these species are characterized by biased sex ratios in either the male or female direction. Because of these ratios sex determination is said to be controlled by numerous male and female factors scattered over many chromosomes. However, direct experimental evidence for the polygenic theory is absent. Three strains of X. alvarezi were derived from natural populations in Guatemala, two of which (Dolores, Candelaria) always exhibit a ratio of 1:1, whereas the third one (San Ramon) shows a preponderance of males. Males of X. alvarezi, like those of other species of swordtails, develop a caudal appendage or sword at maturity. Chromatophores with carotenoid pigment (orange) are present in the sword of Dolores males and pigment cells containing sepiapterin (green) are present in the swords of males and the other two stocks. F1 and backcross hybrids were produced between the Dolores and Candelaria stocks. The sex ratios of all hybrid pedigrees was always in statistical agreement with unity. The pattern of inheritance of the two pigmentary traits demonstrated sex-linkage with female heterogamety (WY female female-YY male male).
Optical Absorption Edge in CdTe: Theoretical

Optical absorption in the "edge region" (i.e., for photon energies just below the first exciton peak) due to the creation of direct excitons with the simultaneous absorption of one and two longitudinal optical phonons is calculated by perturbation theory for Wannier excitons formed from the conduction and valence bands around k=0. It is shown that the contributions from the $ng1$ exciton bands, neglected in earlier calculations, are quite important and are required for a quantitative study. The results quantitatively account for the magnitude and for the temperature and energy dependences of the absorption coefficient observed in CdTe using a (average) hole mass of $0.4m$, where $m$ is the free-electron mass. These results strongly support the assignment to CdTe of a "direct" minimum band gap at k=0, contrary to a number of recent contentions (also based on absorption measurements) that the material is "indirect." It is noted that the agreement between the calculated results (including a rough correction for level broadening) and the data extends up to the temperature range at which the absorption coefficient begins to exhibit Urbach's-rule behavior. It is argued from this fact that the mechanism employed in these calculations, as opposed to others recently considered, underlies Urbach's rule in, at least, the compound semiconductors.
Determination of 24(R)-pseudoginsenoside F11 in North American ginseng using high performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light scattering detection

A gradient liquid chromatographic method with evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) for the determination of 24(R)-pseudoginsenoside F(11) in North American ginseng is described. Samples are analyzed by means of a reverse-phase column (Waters Spherisorb ODS-2, C(18)) using acetonitrile and water under gradient conditions as the mobile phase over 20 min. The evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD) used, was set at an evaporating temperature of 35 degrees C and nitrogen gas pressure of 3.4 bar. The detection limit (S/N>5) of 24(R)-pseudoginsenoside F(11) is 53 ng on column.
A two-stage ultrafiltration process for fractionation of whey protein isolate

Abstract Recent studies have demonstrated that membrane ultrafiltration can be used to separate proteins with very similar size, but these investigations have been performed with model binary mixtures. This study examined the use of a two-stage tangential flow filtration system for the purification of both α-LA and β-LG from whey protein isolate. Separation was achieved using 100 and 30 kDa membranes in series, with the buffer concentration and filtration velocity for each stage adjusted to give optimal separation. Two purification strategies were examined: one using the 100 kDa membrane followed by the 30 kDa and one with the reverse order. In both cases, the α-LA purification was greater than 10-fold at 90% yield. The recovery of β-LG was more challenging since it was obtained in the permeate from one stage and the retentate from the other. The results provide important insights into the development of staged membrane systems for the purification of complex protein mixtures.
On a Problem of Zaks

Let Mm be a matching with m edges, n?2m. We prove that the smallest number of complete bipartite graphs which partition the edges of Kn+Mm is at least n?m+?2m??1.
Reliability Of InGaAsPIInP Light Emitting Diodes

InGaAsP/InP double heterostructure light-emitting diodes (LEDs) provide an excellent source for fiber optic transmitters because of the low transmission losses and minimal material dispersion in silica fibers, which is characteristic of 1.3 μm wavelength transmission. Life testing is performed on a line of commercially available LEDs at both DC and a typical pulse condition. Homogeneous degradation kinetics are derived for current and temperature acceleration.
Dynamic aspects of lingual propulsive activity in swallowing.

This investigation concerned the effect of different bolus volumes on the characteristics of lingual propulsive activity in swallowing. Young normal subjects were asked to perform dry swallows and swallows of 5, 10, and 15 ml of water. Tongue activity was recorded by tracking multiple gold pellets affixed to the tongue, utilizing the specialized research capabilities of the X-ray Microbeam facility at the University of Wisconsin. The major differences were between dry and liquid swallows, with dry swallows showing smaller range of movement, higher tongue position at the initiation of lingual propulsive activity, a slightly different direction of motion, a humped or flat rather than grooved cross-sectional contour of the tongue, lower peak velocity of motion, and slower progression of activity from tongue blade to dorsum. Within the 5–15 ml range of liquid bolus volumes, fewer consistent differences were found as a function of bolus size, and some marked individual differences in swallowing patterns were seen. Data are presented on normal within-subject variability in swallowing, with discussion of the possible contribution of sensory assessment of bolus size to the modification of oral and pharyngeal characteristics of swallowing.
Locating Phospholamban in Co-Crystals with Ca2+-ATPase by Cryoelectron Microscopy

Phospholamban (PLB) is responsible for regulating Ca(2+) transport by Ca(2+)-ATPase across the sarcoplasmic reticulum of cardiac and smooth muscle. This regulation is coupled to beta-adrenergic stimulation, and dysfunction has been associated with end-stage heart failure. PLB appears to directly bind to Ca(2+)-ATPase, thus slowing certain steps in the Ca(2+) transport cycle. We have determined 3D structures from co-crystals of PLB with Ca(2+)-ATPase by cryoelectron microscopy of tubular co-crystals at 8--10 A resolution. Specifically, we have used wild-type PLB, a monomeric PLB mutant (L37A), and a pentameric PLB mutant (N27A) for co-reconstitution and have compared resulting structures with three control structures of Ca(2+)-ATPase alone. The overall molecular shape of Ca(2+)-ATPase was indistinguishable in the various reconstructions, indicating that PLB did not have any global effects on Ca(2+)-ATPase conformation. Difference maps reveal densities which we attributed to the cytoplasmic domain of PLB, though no difference densities were seen for PLB's transmembrane helix. Based on these difference maps, we propose that a single PLB molecule interacts with two Ca(2+)-ATPase molecules. Our model suggests that PLB may resist the large domain movements associated with the catalytic cycle, thus inhibiting turnover.
Tracing developing pathways in the brain: A comparison of carbocyanine dyes and cholera toxin B subunit

The present study examined the efficiency of fluorescent carbocyanine dye 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylinodocarbocyanine perchlorate and cholera toxin B subunit in tracing the crossed tectal projection to the nucleus rotundus of the thalamus (tectorotundal pathways) of paraformaldehyde-fixed and living chick embryos. The tracers were injected into the optic tectum under three experimental conditions (carbocyanine postfix, carbocyanine in vivo, and cholera toxin B subunit in vivo) and the anterograde transport of the nucleus rotundus was monitored and compared. In the carbocyanine postfix method, small crystals of carbocyanine dye were inserted into the tectum of paraformaldehyde-fixed embryos. A 6-month post-insertion period was required to label the crossed tectorotundal pathway. Results showed that tectal neurons did not begin to innervate the ipsilateral nucleus rotundus until embryonic day 9 and the contralateral nucleus rotundus until embryonic day 17. This slow progression of labeling through the crossed tectal projection resulted in significant contrast of the labeling between the ipsilateral and contralateral nuclei rotundus. In the carbocyanine in vivo method, a small volume of carbocyanine dye solution was injected into the tectum of living embryos. A 8- to 12-h survival period was sufficient enough to label the tectorotundal pathway. By embryonic day 8, the labeled axons terminated in the ipsilateral nucleus rotundus and the crossed tectorotundal projection was first detected by embryonic day 10. Similarly, in the cholera toxin B subunit in vivo method, a small volume of cholera toxin B subunit solution was injected into the tectum of living embryos. After a 6- to 10-h survival period, heavily labeled axons were found to innervate bilaterally the nucleus rotundus by embryonic day 8. This appeared to be the earliest schedule for detecting the crossed tectorotundal projection, compared with that of both the postfix and in vivo methods of carbocyanine dye. Based on the differences in the detectability of the crossed tectorotundal projection between the postfix and in vivo methods, the present data suggest that the former method is of limited purpose for labeling tectal collaterals during embryogenesis. Moreover, given the rapid transport rate and absence of photobleaching, which is often seen when using carbocyanine dye, the cholera toxin B subunit in vivo method appears to be the tracer of choice for investigating embryonic pathways.
Synthesis of N-alkyl-octahydroisoquinolin-1-one-8-carboxamide libraries using a tandem Diels-Alder/acylation sequence.

A synthetic sequence was developed in which a diene containing an attached secondary amine was reacted with maleic anhydride to afford the title structures in one step. The reaction involves a Diels–Alder reaction combined with a transacylation reaction of the imide group. A series of six scaffolds was constructed using this methodology. Each scaffold was subsequently reacted with 12 amines to afford a library containing 72 compounds.
Female Faculty Role Models and Student Outcomes: A Caveat about Aggregation

The idea that female faculty might serve as role models for female students has led to studies of the effect of female faculty on female student performance. Due to varying levels of aggregation of the measure of student exposure to female faculty—percentage of female faculty at an institution or department, percentage of classes taught by females, or the effect of female instructors on female students in a class—existing research provides mixed and incompatible results. By applying both non-aggregated and aggregated measures of exposure to female role models to the same data, this analysis demonstrates how aggregation affects the association between exposure to female role models and student achievement. This study shows that female instructors have a significant positive effect on female student grade performance and do not have a statistically significant effect on male student performance.
Characterization of response spectra through the statistics of oscillator response

This paper presents the physical relationships that exist between the response spectra and the Fourier Transform of strong-motion accelerograms through the extreme value statistics of oscillator response. Under the assumption of a stationary response, it has been shown that the spectrum value depends only on two parameters: arms, the root-mean-square-value of the response, and, ɛ, a parameter which measures the distribution of the energy among the various frequencies. The influence of these parameters on the response statistics together with their physical meaning in terms of the oscillator's characteristics have been studied. Comparisons with the Damped Fourier Transform (Udwadia and Trifunac, 1973) computed velocity spectra and the statistically calculated maximum response are presented for three typical accelerograms. The results indicate that response spectra based on statistical computations lead to good first approximations of the actual response to strong ground motion. In addition to characterizing the response spectrum with statistical curves expressing the expected value and the most probable value of the peak response, the 5 and 95 per cent confidence levels are also indicated, thus giving the lower and upper bounds for these statistical spectral estimates. These confidence levels delineate the 90 per cent confidence interval.
Assessment of a new dipstick test in screening for microalbuminuria in patients with hypertension

The prevalence of elevated urinary albumin levels is significantly greater in hypertensive than in normotensive subjects. To determine the sensitivity and specificity of a new dipstick test for microalbunimuria (the Micral-Test), 171 hypertensive patients were studied at a union-sponsored hypertension treatment program. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and correlation coefficients between urinary albumin concentration results obtained by the Micral-Test and by nephelometry were determined in three urine samples. Sensitivity values of the Micral-Test, compared with 24-h nephelometry, were 81%, 75%, and 92% in a 24-h, overnight, and random sample, respectively. Specificity values were 89%, 90%, and 63% in the three samples, respectively. Positive predictive value ranged from 41% to 67%, whereas negative predictive value ranged from 93% to 97%. Correlation coefficients between the logarithms of albumin concentrations obtained from the three different urine specimens using nephelometry fell between 0.71 and 0.78, whereas those obtained with the Micral-Test fell between 0.49 and 0.71, and across techniques, 0.29 to 0.53 (all P < .001). Results obtained with both nephelometry and the Micral-Test using overnight and random urine collections approximated those obtained with 24-h collection. These results, coupled with the ease and convenience of both specimen collection and the Micral-Test itself, support the use of the test as a valuable screening tool for microalbuminuria in patients with hypertension.
Utility of casein-specific IgE levels in predicting reactivity to baked milk.

Based on data from a large cohort of milk allergic children, our results show that measurement of casein-specific IgE is a helpful diagnostic indicator for predicting reactivity to baked milk, showing the greatest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of parameters tested.
Cure and properties of thermosetting systems

A generalised time-temperature-transformation cure diagram for thermosetting systems is discussed from the point of view of understanding relationships between cure, properties, and thermal degradation.
Hemodynamics alter arterial low-density lipoprotein metabolism

We have investigated the role of hemodynamic factors on low-density lipoprotein transport and metabolism in the intact arterial wall. Freshly excised canine carotid blood vessels were exposed to well-defined pulsatile flow in vitro for continuous periods up to 20 hours. We chose to impose the following hemodynamic conditions on our test carotid arteries: normotension, hypertension (at physiologic flow conditions), and hypertension coupled with elevated flow of canine serum perfusate. In several experiments the effect of endothelial denudation was examined in carotid arteries exposed to normotensive pulsatile flow. A trapped ligand method was used for quantitating low-density lipoprotein uptake and metabolism in the arterial wall. The distribution of both intact and degraded low-density lipoprotein fractions was determined from measurements of radiolabelled low-density lipoprotein activity within thin radial sections of perfused arteries. Our results suggest that both hypertensive hemodynamic simulations exacerbate the uptake of low-density lipoprotein within the arterial wall (by a factor of three to nine). The percentage of low-density lipoprotein that undergoes irreversible degradation falls from 41% under normotensive conditions to below 30% when hypertensive conditions are imposed, indicating that degradative processes are not proportionally elevated with the accelerated influx. A similar pattern is observed for deendothelialized vessels.
Trait vs. phylogenetic diversity as predictors of competition and community composition in herbivorous marine amphipods

Field studies of community assembly patterns increasingly use phylogenetic relatedness as a surrogate for traits. Recent experiments appear to validate this approach by showing effects of correlated trait and phylogenetic distances on coexistence. However, traits governing resource use in animals are often labile. To test whether feeding trait or phylogenetic diversity can predict competition and production in communities of grazing amphipods, we manipulated both types of diversity independently in mesocosms. We found that increasing the feeding trait diversity of the community increased the number of species coexisting, reduced dominance and changed food availability. In contrast, phylogenetic diversity had no effect, suggesting that whatever additional ecological information it represents was not relevant in this context. Although community phylogenetic structure in the field may result from multiple traits with potential for phylogenetic signal, phylogenetic effects on species interactions in controlled experiments may depend on the lability of fewer key traits.
Sober & Wilson’s evolutionary arguments for psychological altruism: a reassessment

In their book Unto Others, Sober and Wilson argue that various evolutionary considerations (based on the logic of natural selection) lend support to the truth of psychological altruism. However, recently, Stephen Stich has raised a number of challenges to their reasoning: in particular, he claims that three out of the four evolutionary arguments they give are internally unconvincing, and that the one that is initially plausible fails to take into account recent findings from cognitive science and thus leaves open a number of egoistic responses. These challenges make it necessary to reassess the plausibility of Sober & Wilson’s evolutionary account—which is what I aim to do in this paper. In particular, I try to show that, as a matter of fact, Sober & Wilson’s case remains compelling, as some of Stich’s concerns rest on a confusion, and those that do not are not sufficiently strong to establish all the conclusions he is after. The upshot is that no reason has been given to abandon the view that evolutionary theory has advanced the debate surrounding psychological altruism.
Characteristics and design procedure of hyperbolic dies

Nozzle profiles capable of generating constant extensional strain rates are termed hyperbolic dies. When used in polymer extrusion, they exhibit greater potential in inducing and retaining polymer molecular orientation than conventional capillary dies. Most mathematical expressions found in the literature involve several processing variables in describing and designing such nozzle profiles. This report reveals that a hyperbolic die profile, although rather complicated, can be expressed with equations in terms of two ordinary geometrical parameters—the exit diameter and the hyperbolic length. This finding greatly simplifies the design procedure of hyperbolic dies. The extensional strain rate of a hyperbolic die can be related to the length-to-diameter ratio for any given exit diameter. Examples of various types of die profiles are presented and their constant extensional strain-rate characteristics are discussed.
Comparison of Outcomes of Synthetic Mesh vs Suture Repair of Elective Primary Ventral Herniorrhaphy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Importance More than 350 000 ventral hernias are repaired in the United States annually, of which 75% are primary ventral hernias (eg, umbilical or epigastric hernias). Despite the volume, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of sutures vs mesh for primary ventral hernia repairs. Objective To compare suture vs mesh repairs for 3 outcomes: hernia recurrence, surgical site infection (SSI), and seromas. Data Sources Randomized controlled trials, case-control, and cohort studies were identified from OVID, PubMed, and reference lists from January 1, 1980, through June 1, 2012. Study Selection English-language studies with adult patients were eligible for review if there was mention of both suture and mesh techniques used during elective repair of a primary ventral hernia. Two study authors independently reviewed the 1492 articles originally identified and selected 9 for analysis. The Downs and Black 26-item checklist was used to critically assess the risk of bias. Data Extraction Year of publication, study design, inclusion and exclusion criteria, number of patients, follow-up duration, use of preoperative antibiotics, size of hernias repaired, age, body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared), American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, repair techniques, incidence of hernia recurrence, seroma, and SSI. Data Extraction and Synthesis Three separate univariate meta-analyses for each end point followed by a multivariate meta-analysis were performed. Across all 9 studies, there were 637 mesh repairs and 1145 suture repairs. The pooled mesh repairs demonstrated a 2.7% recurrence rate, 7.7% seroma rate, and 7.3% SSI rate The pooled suture repairs demonstrated an 8.2% recurrence rate, 3.8% seroma rate, and 6.6% SSI rate. On the basis of results from the multivariate meta-analysis, recurrences (log odds ratio , −1.04; 95% CI, −1.58 to −0.52) were more common with suture repair, whereas seromas (0.84; 0.27-1.41) and SSIs (0.65; 0.12-1.18) were more common with mesh repair. Conclusions and Relevance Mesh repair has a small reduction in recurrence rates compared with suture repairs for primary ventral hernias, but an increased risk of seroma and SSI was observed. Further high-quality studies are necessary to determine whether suture or mesh repair leads to improved outcomes for primary ventral hernias.
A new modelling approach to delineate the spatial extent of alpine sediment cascades

The delineation of sediment cascades in alpine geosystems requires the identification and localisation of the effective geomorphic processes. In order to classify the terrain on that basis, modelling approaches originally designed for natural hazard zonation were extended. Four sub-models are used to simulate geomorphic processes: (1) potential initiation sites, (2) process pathways, (3) run-out distances and (4) geomorphic activity (erosion, transport and deposition areas). By overlaying the datasets comprising the spatial extent of geomorphic activity, a map of geomorphic process units, i.e. a map with units of homogeneous process composition can be generated. As the modelling of process pathways includes a topology of process links, the map can be used to address several geomorphologic problems, e.g. process interaction, sediment routing, hillslope-channel coupling and the identification of areas of predominant erosion and deposition (sediment storages). This paper presents the design of the modelling approach and selected results of rockfall, slope-type and torrent bed-type debris flow modelling in an alpine basin (Lahnenwiesgraben) in the Northern Limestone Alps, Germany.
Halide dependence of the myeloperoxidase-mediated antimicrobial system of the polymorphonuclear leukocyte in the phenomenon of electronic excitation

Summary The chemiluminescent (CL) response from intact phagocytizing polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes was found to be halide-dependent and halide-specific, and this suggested the participation of the myeloperoxidase antimicrobial system in the electronic excitation phenomenon. Myeloperoxidase extracted from these leukocytes also yielded a chemiluminescence if HOOH and a halide cofactor were available to the system. Each halide was unique with respect to the magnitude and kinetic character of the CL response for a given concentration. Bromide and chloride gave best results for both cellular and enzyme systems. Iodide gave a weak response, but fluoride gave no response. The CL response was labile to heat denaturation, 90°C for 10 minutes.
A rural/metropolitan split in the speech of Texas Anglos

The migration of people to the Sunbelt in the United States constitutes a major demographic shift, but has received little attention from language variationists. In Texas, this migration has led to a split of the Anglo population of the state into two dialects, a rural dialect and a metropolitan dialect. Evidence from a random-sample survey of Texas and from a systematic set of surveys of high schools in the state shows that young rural Anglos preserve two stereotypical features of the Texas accent, monophthongal /ai/, as in night, and lowered onsets of /e/, as in day, while young Anglos from metropolitan centers lack these features. This difference, which is absent among middle-aged and older native Texan Anglos, appears to have resulted from the fact that in-migration from other parts of the country is concentrated in metropolitan centers, especially suburbs.
Studies in the Growth and Nutrition of Dairy Calves

Summary From the work reported here it would appear that the following deductions are possible: 1.Milk though a suitable ration for young calves cannot maintain ruminants indefinitely. 2.The addition of a grain mixture of corn, oats, bran and oil meal to a ration consisting solely of milk impairs the growth of the calves and leads to death even more rapidly than a ration of milk only. 3.The cause of the earlier death on the addition of the grains is probably due to the depletion of the body stores of calcium due to the fact that the grains contain more magnesium than calcium and calcium must consequently be drawn from the body, especially the bones, to take care of this excess of magnesium. 4.The addition of alfalfa hay to a ration of milk or of milk, corn, oats, bran and oil meal will bring back to good growing condition animals which have fallen to a low place of nutrition on the rations mentioned. 5.Milk and alfalfa hay can be used to grow out calves satisfactorily. 6.The beneficial effects of the alfalfa hay are apparently not due absolutely to the nutrients it supplies as an abundance of nutrients had been provided in the other experimental rations. 7.It is apparently not probable that the alfalfa hay adds in appreciable amounts vitamines which might have been absent from the other rations used. 8.Where alfalfa is added to a ration of milk and the grain mixture used, it would appear that part of the beneficial effect of the alfalfa is due to the fact that it increases the calcium content as compared to the magnesium content of the ration and thus conserves the calcium stores of the body. 9.The main advantage derived from the alfalfa hay seems to be due to the fact that this feed, being bulky in character, helps to distend the digestive tract of the calf and so renders proper digestion possible.
Generation of Knowledge for Reproductive Health Technologies: Constraints on Social and Behavioral Research

Advances in new reproductive health technologies have surfaced an array of social and behavioral issues regarding decision-making and use of these technologies, underscoring the need for research on such topics as reproductive health decision-making, sexual practices, and norms and values for childbearing and family formation. Using topical microbicides as an example of a new method to prevent Sexually Transmitted infections (STIs), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and/or pregnancy, we focus on gaps in information to inform reproductive health decision-making, noting in particular the discrepancies between data on clinical efficacy and typical use-effectiveness. Constraints on government and private sector support for research, particularly research on aspects of sexual behavior, contribute to problems with the availability of information for decision-making about use of reproductive health technologies.
Remodeling of regulatory nucleoprotein complexes on the Xenopus hsp70 promoter during meiotic maturation of the Xenopus oocyte

Transcriptional repression occurs during meiotic maturation of Xenopus oocytes. Injection of a DNA template containing an hsp70 promoter into Xenopus oocytes, followed by progesterone-induced maturation has been used to demonstrate a dynamic competition between the assembly of transcription factor-containing nucleoprotein complexes and repressive nucleosomal arrays during the maturation process. In particular, it is shown that increased levels of injected heat shock protein, the transcriptional activator Gal4-VP16 or the DNA template itself all lead to reduced repression of transcription on maturation. Conversely, injection of additional histone increases repression. Repression of transcription is shown to be accompanied by the formation of a more regular array of nucleosomes and by an increase in the efficiency of nucleosome assembly on the injected plasmid. Meiotic maturation is therefore accompanied by replacement of transcription factor complexes by a repressive chromatin environment.