cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Essential role for oncogenic Ras in tumour maintenance

Advanced malignancy in tumours represents the phenotypic endpoint of successive genetic lesions that affect the function and regulation of oncogenes and tumour-suppressor genes. The established tumour is maintained through complex and poorly understood host-tumour interactions that guide processes such as angiogenesis and immune sequestration. The many different genetic alterations that accompany tumour genesis raise questions as to whether experimental cancer-promoting mutations remain relevant during tumour maintenance. Here we show that melanoma genesis and maintenance are strictly dependent upon expression of H-RasV12G in a doxycycline-inducible H-Ras12G mouse melanoma model null for the tumour suppressor INK4a. Withdrawal of doxycycline and H-RasV12G down-regulation resulted in clinical and histological regression of primary and explanted tumours. The initial stages of regression involved marked apoptosis in the tumour cells and host-derived endothelial cells. Although the regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was found to be Ras-dependent in vitro, the failure of persistent endogenous and enforced VEGF expression to sustain tumour viability indicates that the tumour-maintaining actions of activated Ras extend beyond the regulation of VEGF expression in vivo. Our results provide genetic evidence that H-RasV12G is important in both the genesis and maintenance of solid tumours.
A remark on two weight estimates for positive dyadic operators

We give a simple proof of the Sawyer type characterization of the two weight estimate for positive dyadic operators (also known as the bilinear embedding theorem).
A MULTIPLIER-FREE, REDUCED HESSIAN METHOD FOR PROCESS OPTIMIZATION

Process optimization problems typically consist of large systems of algebraic equations with relatively few degrees of freedom. For these problems the equation system is generally constructed by linking individual process models together; solution of these models is frequently effected by calculation procedures that exploit their equation structure. This paper describes a tailored optimization strategy for these process models that is based on reduced Hessian Successive Quadratic Programming (SQP). In particular, this approach only requires Newton steps from the process models and their ‘sensitivities,’ and does not require the calculation of Lagrange multipliers for the equality constraints. It can also be extended to large-scale systems through the use of sparse matrix factorizations. The algorithm has the same superlinear and global properties as the reduced Hessian method developed in [4]. Here we summarize these properties and demonstrate the performance of the multiplier-free SQP method through numerical experiments.
Interaction of Stoned and Synaptotagmin in Synaptic Vesicle Endocytosis

The Drosophila dicistronic stoned locus encodes two distinctive presynaptic proteins, Stoned A (STNA) and Stoned B (STNB); STNA is a novel protein without homology to known synaptic proteins, and STNB contains a domain with homology to the endocytotic protein AP50. Both Stoned proteins colocalize precisely with endocytotic proteins including the AP2 complex and Dynamin in the “lattice network” characteristic of endocytotic domains in Drosophila presynaptic terminals. FM1–43 dye uptake studies in stoned mutants demonstrate a striking decrease in the size of the endo–exo-cycling synaptic vesicle pool and loss of spatial regulation of the vesicular recycling intermediates. Mutant synapses display a significant delay in vesicular membrane retrieval after depolarization and neurotransmitter release. These studies suggest that the Stoned proteins play a role in mediating synaptic vesicle endocytosis. We have documented previously a highly specific synaptic mislocalization and degradation of Synaptotagmin I in stoned mutants. Here we show that transgenic overexpression of Synaptotagmin I rescues stoned embryonic lethality and restores endocytotic recycling to normal levels. Furthermore, overexpression of Synaptotagmin I in otherwise wild-type animals results in increased synaptic dye uptake, indicating that Synaptotagmin I directly regulates the endo–exo-cycling synaptic vesicle pool size. In parallel with recent biochemical studies, this genetic analysis strongly suggests that Stoned proteins regulate the AP2–Synaptotagmin I interaction during synaptic vesicle endocytosis. We conclude that Stoned proteins control synaptic transmission strength by mediating the retrieval of Synaptotagmin I from the plasma membrane.
Severe childhood obesity: an under-recognised and growing health problem

Childhood obesity is a serious and urgent public health problem. In the last 10 years, there has been a concerted effort in the USA and globally to develop and implement educational, medical and public health interventions designed to attenuate its growth. The success of these efforts was probably responsible for the plateau in the prevalence rate of childhood obesity noted in the last two years. While the attenuation of the overall prevalence of childhood obesity is promising, data from the same cohort reveal a concerning upward trend in the number of children with severe obesity. The consequences of severe childhood obesity can be devastating. When compared to their moderately obese peers, children with severe obesity are at greater risk for adult obesity, early atherosclerosis, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, fatty liver disease and premature death. The determinants for severe obesity include the same lifestyle, environmental, familial and societal risk factors reported for overweight or obesity. While all these risk factors must be screened for, genetic influences are distinct considerations that may have greater bearing especially with early-onset obesity. Treatments for severe childhood obesity include lifestyle intervention, specialised low-calorie diets and bariatric surgery. Outcomes of these treatments vary, with bariatric surgery clearly the most successful of the three for both short-term and long-term weight loss. Severe obesity in children and adolescents remains a challenging health condition. The enormous medical, emotional and financial burden these children and their families endure signals an urgent need to further investigate and standardise treatment modalities and improve outcomes.
Origin of atherosclerosis in childhood and adolescence

Atherosclerosis begins in childhood as deposits of cholesterol and its esters, referred to as fatty streaks, in the intima of large muscular arteries. In some persons and at certain arterial sites, more lipid accumulates and is covered by a fibromuscular cap to form a fibrous plaque. Further changes in fibrous plaques render them vulnerable to rupture, an event that precipitates occlusive thrombosis and clinically manifest disease (sudden cardiac death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or peripheral arterial disease). In adults, elevated non-HDL-cholesterol concentrations, low HDL-cholesterol concentrations, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, and obesity are associated with advanced atherosclerotic lesions and increased risk of clinically manifest atherosclerotic disease. Control of these risk factors is the major strategy for preventing atherosclerotic disease. To determine whether these risk factors also are associated with early atherosclerosis in young persons, we examined arteries and tissue from approximately 3000 autopsied persons aged 15-34 y who died of accidental injury, homicide, or suicide. The extent of both fatty streaks and raised lesions (fibrous plaques and other advanced lesions) in the right coronary artery and in the abdominal aorta was associated positively with non-HDL-cholesterol concentration, hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance, and obesity and associated negatively with HDL-cholesterol concentration. Atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta also was associated positively with smoking. These observations indicate that long-range prevention of atherosclerosis and its sequelae by control of the risk factors for adult coronary artery disease should begin in adolescence and young adulthood.
[3H]QNB binding and contraction of rabbit colonic smooth muscle cells

We used radioligand binding and studies of cell contraction to characterize muscarinic receptors on dispersed smooth muscle cells from rabbit proximal and distal colon. Cells obtained after serial incubations in collagenase were used to measure binding of tritiated quinuclidinyl benzilate [( 3H]QNB). AT 37 degrees C, specific [3H]QNB binding was saturable and linearly related to cell number. Nonlinear regression analysis was used to determine the affinity of [3H]QNB for its receptor. In the distal colon the Kd was 60 pM, and the mean number of receptors was 1.2 X 10(6)/cell. Compared with cells from the distal colon, cells from the proximal colon had a lower affinity (Kd = 337 pM) but similar numbers of receptors. The concentrations of the antagonists atropine, secovorine, and pirenzepine, which were required for inhibition of 50% [3H]QNB binding (IC50), were 8, 5, and 870 nM, respectively, suggesting that the receptors are of the M2-muscarinic subclass. Hill coefficients for these agents were 1.1, 0.9, and 1.1, suggesting binding to a single receptor. The IC50 for the muscarinic agonists bethanechol and oxotremorine were 80 and 0.57 microM, respectively. Hill coefficients were 0.67 for both, suggesting more complex interactions involving receptors of different affinities. In studies of cell contraction, bethanechol stimulated a dose-dependent decrease in cell length with half the maximal contraction occurring at 100 pM. These results suggest that 1) contraction is mediated by binding of bethanechol to M2-muscarinic receptors and that 2) there are a large number of spare receptors in colonic smooth muscle.
Bimodal electromigration mechanisms in dual-damascene Cu line/via on W

Electromigration in 0.23 /spl mu/m wide Cu dual-damascene lines connected to W underlayers has been investigated. Void growth at the vicinity of the cathode end of the line/via was determined to be the cause of the line failure. The distribution of failure lifetimes was found to be closely represented by a two-log-normal function. Focused ion beam analysis showed that the two failure populations had distinct difference in the location of the void growth.
Blistering Disorders (Porphyria Cutanea Tarda and Pseudoporphyria)

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) and pseudoporphyria represent the most common subtypes of porphyria presenting in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In these patients, there is a disorder of heme synthesis that produces a pathogenic accumulation of photosensitizing intermediary metabolites. The result of this disorder is a photodistributed pruritic blistering eruption as well as other characteristic clinical and laboratory findings. The distinction between PCT, pseudoporphyria, and other vesiculobullous disorders may be challenging. Thus, the aim of this chapter is to provide a comprehensive overview of the features, diagnostic markers, and treatment regimens for these common cutaneous entities observed in individuals with concurrent renal dysfunction.
The Development of the Internet in Everyday Life in America

Internet technology has the potential to affect various aspects of an individual’s life, from time allocation to mental well-being. However, discussions about the Internet’s effect on the individual often devolve into simplistic “good” versus “bad” debates, with little attention paid to the nuances of the medium and its effects. In previous work (Nie/ Erbring 2002; Hillygus 2002a; Nie/Hillygus 2002b; Nie/ Hillygus/ Erbring 2003), we have made an effort to move beyond this debate, focusing instead on the effects of Internet use at different times and different places on face-to-face interaction. In this chapter, we assess the current state of the continuing debate, taking into account the maturation of the Internet as a technology and the growing and changing group of Internet users.
Diagnosis, Nonsurgical Management, and Prevention of LVAD Thrombosis

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) thrombosis is a life-threatening complication. Multiple case reports describe successful nonsurgical management with thrombolytics, aggressive antiplatelet therapy, or percutaneous catheter-directed thrombectomy. However, consensus management of LVAD thrombosis has not been established and guidelines are urgently needed. In order to raise awareness of nonsurgical treatment options, we review the current strategies for the clinical diagnosis, management, and prevention of LVAD thrombosis. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12238 (J Card Surg 2014;29:83-94)
The prognostic impact of concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting during aortic valve surgery: Implications for revascularization in the transcatheter era

Objective Clinicians may give greater consideration to medical management versus coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for coronary artery disease (CAD) at the time of aortic valve intervention. We evaluated the prognostic impact of revascularization strategy during aortic valve replacement (AVR). Methods We studied 1308 consecutive patients with significant CAD (≥50% stenosis) undergoing AVR with or with out CABG between 2001 and 2010. Late mortality and its determinants were analyzed using multivariable Cox models. Results Patients undergoing CABG (n = 1043; 18%) had more frequent angina (50% vs 26%; P P = .003), advanced (>70% stenosis) CAD (85% vs 48%; P P P = .90), 5-year (72% vs 64%) and 8-year (50% vs 39%) survival was higher following CABG ( P = .007). Adjusting for older age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.28 per 5 years), female sex (HR, 1.23), peripheral vascular disease (HR, 1.71), New York Heart Association functional class III to IV (HR, 1.48), and diabetes (HR, 1.50) concomitant CABG at AVR reduced late mortality risk by more than one-third (HR, 0.62, 95% confidence interval, 0.49-0.79; P P = .02) and severe (>70%) CAD (HR, 0.62; P = .002). Conclusions In patients undergoing AVR with coexistent CAD, concomitant CABG reduces risk of late death by more than one-third, without augmenting operative mortality. This survival advantage persists in moderate (50% to 70%) and severe (>70%) CAD. These findings underline the prognostic importance of revascularization in this population and should influence decisions regarding revascularization strategy in patients undergoing transcatheter valve therapy.
Clinical and experimental tumors of the kidney in tissue culture and in the chick embryo

Abstract A brief report is presented on several lines of study involving solid tumors of the kidney. Wilms' tumors, either immediately after surgery or after freezing preservation, have been transplanted successfully to the chorioallantois of the chick, in combination with normal chick embryonic tissues. The transplanted tumors grew as nodules of anaplastic cells and as neoplastic tubules with various degrees of differentiation. Applying the techniques of renal microdissection to surgical specimens of Wilsm' tumors, we have seen details of tubular structure and branching. A renal cell carcinoma, MDCK, derived from normal dog kidney, grew in culture with one of two patterns of polarization, depending upon the microenvironment of the cells. The implications of these studies for the treatment of clinical cancer is considered.
Dynamics of a Cavitating Propeller in a Water Tunnel

This study investigates the unsteady dynamics and inherent instabilities of a cavitating propeller operating in a water tunnel. First, the steady characteristics of the cavitating propeller such as the thrust coefficient are obtained by applying continuity and momentum equations to a simple one-dimensional flow tube model. The effects of the tunnel walls as well as those of the propeller operating conditions (advance ratio and cavitation number) are explored. Then the transfer matrix of the cavitating propeller (considered to be the most appropriate way to describe the dynamics of propeller) is obtained by combining the simple stream tube model with the conventional cavity model using the quasi-static cavitation compliance and mass flow gain factor representation. Finally, the surge instability of a cavitating propeller observed by Duttweiler and Brennen (2001) is examined by coupling the present model of the cavitation with a dynamic model for the water tunnel. This analysis shows that the effect of tunnel walls is to promote the surge instability.
Changes in Pancreatic Hormones Associated with Coccidiosis

Abstract Compared to controls, 2- to 3-week-old broiler chicks inoculated with Eimeria acervulina (2 × 106 sporulated oocysts/bird) had significantly lower mean plasma levels of pancreatic insulin (PI) and pancreatic glucagon (PG) between 4 and 6 days after inoculation (DAI). In further trials with E. acervulina infections, significant depressions in mean PG were seen at 7 DAI and appeared to be associated with a high inoculating dose. Mean plasma levels of glucagon-like immunoreactants (GLI) were significantly increased from 3 to 8 DAI. This increase was repeatedly demonstrable at 7 DAI and was dose dependent between doses of 2 × 103 and 2 × 105 sporulated oocysts/bird. Compared to controls, chicks inoculated with E. tenella (2 × 105 sporulated oocysts/bird) had significantly higher mean plasma levels of PI at 4, 7, and 8 DAI and a significantly lower value at 6 DAI. Mean plasma PG values were significantly lower at 5 and 6 DAI. Mean plasma levels of GLI did not differ significantly from controls throughout the experiment. Changes in the hormones measured in both infections showed no direct significant statistical relationship with changes in pancreas weight, body weight, blood glucose or liver glycogen. However, an inverse correlation was found between plasma GLI and plasma pigment levels with time after infection in E. acervulina infections. The coincidence of plasma GLI increase with increased oocyst dose and diminished plasma pigment in E. acervulina infections, and the fact that E. tenella infection did not elicit a significant increase in plasma GLI, suggests that elevated GLI is closely associated with mucosal damage in the upper small intestine caused by E. acervulina.
Differential expression of novel Gsα signal transduction protein cDNA species

Abstract The Gs alpha guanine nucleotide-binding signal transduction protein is part of a heterotrimeric complex that is involved in the stimulation of adenylate cyclase upon activation of membrane receptors. We report the characterization of 16 Gs alpha cDNA clones isolated from the human adult retina and fetal eye libraries. Molecular heterogeneity in the 5'-region defines four novel Gs alpha cDNA species which are generated either by alternate splicing or by using alternative promoter. The novel exons upstream of exon 2 interrupt the highly conserved 'region A' in the Gs alpha polypeptide. Non-AUG codons in the novel 5'-exon can initiate translation of these Gs alpha species in vitro. Reverse transcription of total RNA coupled with polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) using specific primers and in situ hybridization to mRNA in baboon tissue sections with a specific oligonucleotide probe show a high level of expression of these species in retina and brain but not in liver. Differential expression of alternatively spliced Gs alpha species suggests novel signal transducing pathways.
A semiquantitative dietary history questionnaire for Chinese Americans

An 84-item, semiquantitative dietary history questionnaire was developed for epidemiologic studies of diet and diseases in Chinese Americans. The questionnaire is a 30-minute, face-to-face administered instrument designed especially for assessing mixed dishes; it consists of a food list and requires information on frequency of consumption and portion estimation. A nutrient database was compiled from many sources, but mostly from US Department of Agriculture publications. The relative validity of this food frequency questionnaire was tested among 74 Chinese women between the ages of 30 and 60 years living in the San Francisco Bay area against a 1-day recall deemed a typical day's diet. Correlation coefficients of nutrients from both methods ranged from 0.2 for total fat to 0.7 for calcium and were all statistically significant at less than the 0.001 level. Agreement between these two methods was assessed by the percentage of misclassification of quartile distributions. Around 10% were grossly misclassified and 50% were correct estimates of intake in the same highest quartile, while 73% were correctly placed in the two highest quartiles. This food frequency questionnaire can reasonably estimate the usual dietary intakes among Chinese Americans for epidemiologic studies, but further validation would be needed.
Ready for Retirement: The Gateway Drug Hypothesis

The psycho-social observation that the use of some psychoactive substances (“drugs”) is often followed by the use of other and more problematic drugs has given rise to a cluster of so-called “gatew...
Assessing the temporary use of at-will employment for reorganization and workforce reduction in mississippi state government

Over the past two decades, at-will employment initiatives and a wave of other reforms have taken place, aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the public sector and the control that government has over it. Administrators in the State of Mississippi have continued to propose at-will employment for state workers, at least on a temporary basis, to facilitate reorganization. This study assesses state human resource directors’ attitudes toward the incremental use of at-will employment and the terminations that have resulted from its use. The authors find that while an incremental move toward the at-will environment may produce more optimism in the perception of human resource directors regarding motivation, performance, efficiency, and value, uncertainty still remains as to whether or not the declassification of civil service employees to at-will status truly enhances public sector employee responsiveness, productivity, and management.
Biases for Affective Versus Sexual Content in Multidimensional Scaling Analysis: An Individual Difference Perspective

Visual sexual stimuli can motivate sexual behaviors that can risk or enhance health. How one allocates attention to a sexually motivating stimulus may be important for predicting its effect on sexual feelings, sexual risk behaviors, and sexual problems. A large sample (N = 157) of men and women rated the similarity of all possible pairs of photographs of women, which had been pretested to vary in their sexual and affective content. Multidimensional scaling was used to extract two dimensions of sex and affect, including the extent to which each person relied on each dimension in making their similarity judgments. These individual weights were then used to predict sexual variables of interest. Participants who relied more on the affect information judging photograph similarity were more likely to be female, viewed erotica less frequently, reported fewer sexual partners, reported less sexual desire, and more sexual problems. Those who relied more on the erotic content in making their similarity judgments were more likely to be male, viewed more erotica weekly, experienced higher sexual desire, and were more likely to have taken an HIV test. The “double edge sword” of attention weight to affect in sexual cues is discussed for its potential to both enhance and harm sexual health.
Plastic coating of glass fibers and its influence on strength

Abstract Sodium borosilicate glass fibers pulled from the melt were plastic coated “on-line” to preserve the fiber strength. By the use of tapered nozzles within the coating applicator the coating could be made concentric around the fiber, and a 40-μm concentric coating was found to be sufficient for the fiber to withstand a mild abrasion test with no deterioration in strength. Strength measurements made in ambient conditions showed that the fiber had a uniform breaking strain of 4% elongation. The same fiber measured at liquid nitrogen temperatures had a breaking strain of 14%, even after extensive handling, which is close to the theoretical glass cohesive strength.
EFFECT OF DEVELOPMENTAL STATUS ON THE APPROACH TO PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

A certain mystique surrounds pediatric clinicians, many of whom appear to have a magical touch with children. Admittedly, there are a few true masters of the art who invariably seem to bring calm to even the most frantic of patients. But for the most part, this magic can be learned by attending to the lessons provided by the study of normal child development. The science of knowing what to concentrate on, what to expect, and how to interpret findings, and the art of sequence, pace, and distraction are equally derived from on-going attention to the patient's stage of affective, cognitive, and physical development. When the stage-related approach is modified by individual circumstance (e.g., child's temperament, acuity of illness), the magic success can become a routine expectation for the vast majority of pediatric clinical encounters.
Simulation study of east-African perennial graminoid responses to defoliation

Abstract The responses of East African grasses to defoliation at specific heights and frequencies were simulated mathematically over a single optimal growing season. The simulation model used morphological and physiological features of graminoid growth that are known to affect responses to defoliation. Water and nutrient limitations were not considered. Except under the most severe defoliation regimes, the model simulated greater aboveground and belowground productivities in grazed plants than ungrazed plants. This simulation of productivity was maximal at moderate grazing intensities, declining at both high and low grazing intensities. Short, mid, and tall-grasses exhibited different responses to defoliation. Short-grasses gave greater yields with greater frequencies of defoliation than mid and tall-grasses. Since mid and tall-grasses maximized their production through increased shoot sizes, greater intervals between grazing events were necessary. Short-grasses maximized production through increased shoot numbers, hence maximum yields could be obtained with greater grazing frequencies. At greater frequencies and lower heights of defoliation the proportions of blade tissue increased, stems decreased, nitrogen contents increased and a dense, leafy concentration of live shoot biomass was induced by enhanced tillering, removal of culm meristems and prevention of senescence. The most important factors responsible for grazing stimulation were: stimulation of tillering through decreased self shading, continued activity of non-elevated tiller meristems which had escaped grazing removal, release from apical dominance and subsequent stimulation of tillering, and the presence of a high maximum photosynthetic rate which rapidly replenishes carbohydrate reserves used for the early regrowth. The three essential properties a plant must have in order to compensate for herbivory are: (a) the ability to protect and regenerate apical meristems; (b) the ability to store carbohydrates that can supply activity of these meristems following substantial leaf area reduction; and (c) a photosynthetic rate great enough to support continued shoot and root growth, and to replenish carbohydrate reserves. Stimulation of photosynthetic rate by defoliation contributes greatly to the latter requirement.
Impact of nano zero valent iron (NZVI) on methanogenic activity and population dynamics in anaerobic digestion.

Abstract Nano zero valent iron (NZVI), although being increasingly used for environmental remediation, has potential negative impact on methanogenesis in anaerobic digestion. In this study, NZVI (average size = 55 ± 11 nm) showed inhibition of methanogenesis due to its disruption of cell integrity. The inhibition was coincident with the fast hydrogen production and accumulation due to NZVI dissolution under anaerobic conditions. At the concentrations of 1 mM and above, NZVI reduced methane production by more than 20%. At the concentration of 30 mM, NZVI led to a significant increase in soluble COD (an indication of cell disruption) and volatile fatty acids in the mixed liquor along with an accumulation of H2, resulting in a reduction of methane production by 69% (±4% [standard deviation]). By adding a specific methanogenesis inhibitor-sodium 2-bromoethanesulfonate (BES) to the anaerobic sludge containing 30 mM NZVI, the amount of H2 produced was only 79% (±1%) of that with heat-killed sludge, indicating the occurrence of bacterially controlled hydrogen utilization processes. Quantitative PCR data was in accordance with the result of methanogenesis inhibition, as the level of methanogenic population (dominated by Methanosaeta) in the presence of 30 mM NZVI decreased significantly compared to that of the control. On the contrary, ZVI powder (average size
Melanic body colour and aggressive mating behaviour are correlated traits in male mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki)

Correlated traits are important from an evolutionary perspective as natural selection acting on one trait may indirectly affect other traits. Further, the response to selection can be constrained or hastened as a result of correlations. Because mating behaviour and body colour can dramatically affect fitness, a correlation between them can have important fitness ramifications. In this work, melanic (black) male mosquitofishes ( Gambusia holbrooki ) with temperature–sensitive body–colour expression are bred in captivity. Half of the sons of each melanic sire are reared at 19°C (and express a black body colour) and half are reared at 31°C (and express a silver body colour). The two colour morphs are placed in the same social setting and monitored for behavioural differences. Mating behaviour and colour are correlated traits. Mating behaviour differs markedly between the two phenotypes, despite high genetic relatedness. Melanic (black) phenotypes are more aggressive towards females, chasing them and attempting more matings than their silver siblings. Females avoid melanic–male mating attempts more than silver–male mating attempts. When males with temperature–sensitive colour expression are melanic and aggressive, they probably experience a very different selective regime in nature from when they are silver and less aggressive. Under some conditions (e.g. predation), melanic coloration and/or aggression is advantageous compared with silver coloration and/or less aggressive behaviour. However, under different conditions (e.g. high–frequency melanism), melanism and/or aggression appears to be disadvantageous and melanic males have reduced survival and reproduction. Selective advantages to each morph under different conditions may enable the long–term persistence of this temperature–sensitive genotype.
Regulation of chlorophyll synthesis in photosynthetic bacteria

Energy-transducing membranes of the nonsulfur purple photosynthetic bacteria are known to contain several species of bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) complexes. The reaction-centre complex (rc-BChl) is the locus of the charge separation that provides the “poles” of the photochemical electron transport system, whereas the other complexes serve lightharvesting functions. This report summarizes an investigation of the general features of the control mechanisms governing synthesis of the several chlorophyll complexes inRhodopseudomonas capsulata. The results obtained indicate a close biosynthetic association between rc-BChl and one of the light-harvesting chlorophylls (complex I). Regulation of synthesis of light-harvesting complex II (during anaerobic photosynthetic growth) appears to be relatively independent, and intimately related to the “energy state” of the cell. Chlorophyll synthesis inR. capsulata cells growing aerobically in darkness was also studied. The presence of functional photosynthetic units in dark-grown cells, of very low BChl content, was clearly evidenced by demonstration of: the potentiality for resumption of anaerobic photosynthetic growth, light-induced oxidation of cytochrome552 in vivo, and high photophosphorylation capacity (relative to BChl) of membrane fragments from such cells. Synthesis of light-harvesting BChl complex II is particularly inhibited in cells growing in darkness with respiratory phosphorylation as the source of energy, and it is suggested that this complex is a primary “target” of the biosynthetic control devices activated by change of light intensity or presence of molecular oxygen during growth of nonsulfur purple bacteria.
Adsorption of TiCl4 on Si(100)

Abstract Adsorption of TiCl 4 on Si(100) has been examined with temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and low-energy electron diffraction (LEED). At low coverage, TiCl 4 reacts to yield exclusively SiQ 2 , which desorbs according to second-order kinetics near 950 K. The activation energy for desorption E D is 73 ± 4 kcal/mol, and the pre-exponential factor n 0 v 0 is 4 × 10 16 ± 1 s -1 . At higher coverages, this state saturates, and desorption as TiCl 4 takes place near 500 K. The kinetic parameters of the 500 K peak appear to have only phenomenological significance and point to a complex reaction network for associative recombination. At very high exposures, TiCl 4 desorbs from a weakly bound state near 170 K. The significance of these results for the chemical vapor deposition of TiSi 2 and TiN is discussed. In particular chlorine-free material may be difficult to grow below ∼ 950 K.
Indirect neutron absorptiometry

Abstract A preliminary account is given of the use of the neutron absorption of suitable elements (such as gadolinium) for the determination of non-absorbing elements (such as fluorine) by measuring the absorption of a dissolved precipitate (in the case quoted, gadolinium fluoride). This indirect determination by neutron absorption gives reproducible results rapidly and non-destructibly. The applications of the method are being studied.
Does customer sex influence the relationship between perceived quality and share of wallet

Abstract This study examines the within and between sex differences on the relative importances of merchandise quality and interaction quality as drivers of behavioral loyalty (share of wallet). A sample of customers of a national retail chain serves as the study setting. The results indicate that for female customers, interaction quality and merchandise quality have equally strong total influence on share of wallet. For male customers, the total effect of merchandise quality on share of wallet is significantly stronger than the total effect of interaction quality. Across sex comparisons reveal that the total effect of interaction quality on share of wallet is stronger for female customers. However, merchandise quality exerts a stronger total influence on share of wallet for male customers. Implications of the results are discussed and avenues for future research are offered.
Collisional simulations of particles in a narrow planetary ring

A model is used to investigate how particle-particle collisions might modify some consequences of satellite perturbations relevant to short-term features of narrow planetary rings. A Monte Carlo-like simulation ring-model particle velocity alteration allows the simulation of collisions while individual particles are tracked. Periodic features visible in Voyager images are reproduced in a 2D numerical model which incorporates the collisional simulation as well as the perturbations of adjacent satellites. Collisions are noted to wash out periodic features within one collisional relaxation time.
Differentiation of Alpha Coma From Awake Alpha by Nonlinear Dynamics of Electroencephalography.

The electroencephalogram, as a probe of scalp-recorded electrical activity arising from the human cortex, provides useful information because of its temporal and spatial organization. Recent developments in nonlinear dynamics suggest that an object can be constructed in an n-dimensional space out of a temporal sequence of data such as an EEG signal and that its organization is characterized by the dimensionality of the object (in this case, human brain activity). We have carried out an analysis of a set of alpha coma EEG patterns in comparison to the awake alpha EEG patterns of normal volunteers and patients. Alpha coma recorded from a single channel is visually indistinguishable from normal resting alpha due to its similar frequency spectrum (a broad-band spectrum with 1/f characteristics). Our results show that alpha coma dimensionality, however, differs from that of normal alpha in that it has a greater variability over different temporal segments of EEG. Single channel recordings in 7 patients with alpha coma were differentiable from those of 10 subjects with "normal" EEGs. Through dynamic analysis of the EEG, novel methods of signal extraction from EEG may become evident and applicable to clinical practice.
Sensitivity of small-angle correlations of light charged particles to reaction mechanisms in the 16 O+ 27 Al reaction at 40 MeV/nucleon

Small-angle $p$-$p$, $p$-$d$, $d$-$\ensuremath{\alpha}$, and $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-$\ensuremath{\alpha}$ correlation functions were measured following the reaction ${}^{16}$O+${}^{27}$Al at 40 MeV/nucleon ${}^{16}$O. These light charged particles (LCP's) were measured with a closely packed hexagonal array of CsI detectors, located at $35\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$, with a center to center opening angle of 2.35$\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$ for adjacent detectors. Coincident particles were simultaneously detected in the NSCL $4\ensuremath{\pi}$ detector. This measurement was intended to be a complement to earlier results from the same system. Based on studies of this system at lower energies and other published correlation measurements, it was expected that at 40 MeV/nucleon there would be significant positive correlations from the nuclear force and deep anticorrelations from Coulomb repulsion. However, correlation functions from this higher energy are remarkably similar to those previously measured at $\ensuremath{\approx}$15 MeV/nucleon. Correlation functions formed from events with a high multiplicity or high total detected energy (central collisions) are not significantly different from the inclusive measurements. As a possible explanation we suggest that significant correlations are most readily seen in experiments sensitive to LCP's from fast preequilibrium processes and that measurements at more backward angles are primarily sensitive to LCP's from a longer-lived source formed after preequilibrium processes are done. This idea is supported by trends of $p$-$p$ correlation functions from a wide range of systems. A schematic calculation based on a Boltzmann-Ueling-Uhlenbeck (BUU) model and statistical emission qualitatively reproduces the results from this work.
Wireless interrogation of microwave transmission line for distributed sensing

This paper studies the application of microwave transmission lines as wireless distributed sensors. Wireless interrogation of the transmission line was achieved based on the principle of backscattering. A normalizing scheme was developed to extract the signal reflected by the transmission line from the background clutter. Time correlation analysis was applied to determine the arrival time of the reflection. The principle of operation, the experiment setup, and the results are discussed.
Phagosome Maturation: Steady as She Goes

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) trigger inflammatory signaling in macrophages and enrich on phagosomes, suggesting that TLRs may directly influence phagosome formation and maturation. However, in this issue of Immunity, Yates and Russell use carefully defined particles and quantitative methodology to measure phagosome maturation and find no effect of TLR signaling on the process.
Rhenium heptasulfide: a potential carrier system for radiation synovectomy

Rhenium sulfide colloid was prepared by the thiosulfate acid reduction method and assessed for its applicability as a particle carrier for use in radiation synovectomy. In vitro stability studies demonstrated that greater than 95% of the 186Re activity remained in colloidal form over a 5 day period. Intraarticular knee injections of 186Re2S7 into normal and arthritic rabbit joints were followed by gamma camera imaging and by biodistribution in order to quantify the leakage to different organs. Mean retentions of 186Re in knees, determined by gamma camera imaging were 97(+/- 4)%, 92(+/- 7)%, 89(+/- 9)% and 88(+/- 10)% at 1 h, 1, 2 and 3 days, respectively. The percent injected dose was 0.0023% in the lymph nodes, 1.65% in the liver, 0.006% to the spleen, 0.013% in the lungs, 0.35% in the kidney, 0.014% in the heart, 0.12% in the bone, 0.7% in the muscle, 0.3% in the fat and 0.6% in the blood.
USDA's New Diet and Health Knowledge Survey: How Can it be Used for Theory-Based Research?

ABSTRACTResearch studies employing major theories of behavior change, such as the Health Belief Model, Rogers' Model of Diffusion of Innovation, and other theories, have added to our understanding of the relationship of knowledge and attitudes to food-related behavior. Unfortunately, many of the studies that employed these models have used small, local samples, limiting the generalizability of their findings. The new Diet and Health Knowledge Survey (DHKS), conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides nationally-collected data on knowledge and attitudes concerning diet and health. Linked to dietary data collected from those individuals as a part of USDA's Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals, the DHKS data can be used to examine relationships between knowledge, attitudes, and food-related behavior, as postulated by behavior change theories, in a large, diverse, national sample of individuals. This article describes the DHKS, discusses its strengths and limitations as a data source...
Concepts and methods for assessing the quality of essential obstetric care.

A framework has been developed to facilitate evaluation of the quality of essential obstetric care (EOC) services. It aims to improve interventions to effect improved obstetric care resulting in reduced maternal mortality and morbidity. The framework focuses on the obstetric care provided by health centers but its key principles would also apply to the district hospital. It emphasizes that any factor that would influence quality EOC must operate through clinical management of uncomplicated labor detection of complications of labor and clinical management of complications of labor. The first group of factors include the health sector policy environment availability of public financial resources availability and deployment of trained personnel and the formulation production and dissemination of a national certified standard of practice. The second group of factors encompass utilization of health services and the social economic educational and marital status of clients. A qualitative method to assess the quality of EOC is the continuous quality improvement technique. Quantitative methods are also discussed in this article. Any method to assess the quality of EOC must meet the following criteria: be derived from scientifically sound and locally defined guidelines for what constitutes good quality EOC; enable objectively verifiable measurements of the performance of critical tasks; be adequately discriminating to detect differences in quality among health centers thereby enabling managers to focus on improving EOC in those health centers providing lower quality EOC; facilitate production of visual aids within each health center in order to help midwives and their supervisors to use information for improving their work daily; include qualitative assessments to facilitate interpretation of quantitative information; be reasonably simple to use without complex and unsustainable foreign technical assistance; and be affordable within the limited resources of public health facilities and district health management teams.
Divergent productive thinking factors and accuracy of nursing diagnoses.

Theories of diagnosis in nursing (Carnevali, 1983; Gordon, 1982) and a model of intelligence (Guilford, 1979) were integrated to provide a theoretical basis for this study. In contrast to previous studies, accuracy of nursing diagnoses was measured as a continuous variable. It was hypothesized that three factors of divergent productive thinking, fluency, flexibility, and elaboration, would correlate positively with accuracy of nursing diagnoses. The sample consisted of 86 female nurses, graduates of generic baccalaureate programs with 1 to 5 years experience, who met the criterion of knowledge. Three written case studies (CS1, CS2, CS3) served as the criterion for accuracy. With CS1, none of the hypotheses were supported. With CS2, the three hypotheses were supported (p less than .05) and 10% of the variance was explained by one factor, fluency (p less than .01). With CS3, elaboration and accuracy were correlated (p less than .05). The findings provide beginning support for inclusion of exercises for divergent thinking in nursing education and practice.
A Comeback for Capitalism

1970s however, all of this changed; and from now on "capitalism" became a word with positive public connotations. It could suddenly be found in advertisements, in the business press, in the speeches of CEOs, and so on. "Most important, the fundamentally Marxian claim that capitalism as a system is global, unified, and coherent has been embraced by the apostles of neoliberalism. This is their foundation for arguing that each nation has no choice but to engage in the same process of privatization, deregulation, and public-sector retrenchment if it expects to prosper in an increasingly competitive global capitalist system" (Block: 85). Block's essay appeared a decade ago, and if he had updated it today, he might have added that as the popularity of the term capitalism has continued in the public sphere, its use among social scientists has declined. Today's sociologists, for example, tend to use such words as "the economy," "the market," "entrepreneurship," "corporations," and so on but rarely "capitalism." But this tendency to ignore capitalism may be about to change. When the financial crisis hit the United States, many academics felt a need to take a new look at the theory of capitalism and see what it can add to understanding what is going on. By now, several years after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, you can find quite a few attempts by sociologists and other social scientists to revive the analyses of capitalism. The two works that will be reviewed in this essay belong to this group: a textbook on global capitalism by Miguel Centeno and Joseph Cohen, and a monograph on the recent history of capitalism in Germany by Wolfgang Streeck. Global Capitalism: A Sociological Perspective , by Miguel Centeno and Joseph Cohen. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press, 2010. 246pp. $22.95 paper. ISBN: 9780745644516.
Trust Networks in Transnational Migration

The sheer volume of migrant remittances to relatively poor countries, including those of Latin America and the Caribbean, nicely dramatizes the genuinely transnational social ties created by long-distance migration. The evidence underlines that migration flows are serious business, not only for the individuals and families involved, but also for whole national economies. Thinking about remittances also allows us to identify some crucial social processes of which most migrants and first-hand students of migration are well aware, but for which we have neither well-established theories, carefully crafted concepts, nor extensive evidence. I mean the creation, use, and transformation of interpersonal trust networks within migration streams.