cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the structural properties of ferromagnetic Mn-implanted Si

Abstract The structural properties of Si crystals that were made ferromagnetic through Mn-ion implantation are studied. 300-keV Mn + ions were implanted at 350 °C at doses of 1–10 × 10 15 cm −2 reaching peak concentrations of 0.1–0.8 at.%. Ferromagnetic hysteresis loops were obtained using a SQUID magnetometer at temperature of 300 K, yielding a saturation magnetization of 0.2 emu/g after annealing at 800 °C for 5 min. The Curie temperature for all samples was found to be greater than 400 K. After annealing, a pronounced redistribution of Mn is observed in the depth profiles as measured through SIMS profiling. The quality of the resulting crystal structure has been investigated by RBS in the channeling mode.
Regional cerebral activity in normal and pathological perception of visceral pain

BACKGROUND & AIMS: To characterize the cerebral processing of noxious visceral events, changes in regional cerebral blood flow associated with perception of intestinal pain were examined. METHODS: The effects of rectal pressure stimuli on regional cerebral blood flow were assessed with 15O-water positron emission tomography (PET) in 12 subjects, half with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). PET scans were obtained at baseline and during both actual and simulated delivery of anticipated stimuli. Changes in regional cerebral blood flow were interpreted using statistical parametric mapping and region of interest methods of analysis. RESULTS: In healthy subjects, perception of pain during actual or simulated delivery of painful stimuli was significantly associated (P > 0.01) with activity of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC; Brodmann's areas 24 and 32), whereas no ACC response to perception of nonpainful stimuli was observed. In patients with IBS, the ACC failed to respond to the same stimuli, whereas significant activation (P > 0.01) of the left prefrontal cortex (maximal in Brodmann's area 10) was seen. CONCLUSIONS: The perception of acute rectal pain is associated with activation of the ACC in healthy subjects, and patients with IBS show an aberrant brain activation pattern both during noxious rectal distention and during the anticipation of rectal pain. (Gastroenterology 1997 Jan;112(1):64-72)
Evaluating quantitative screening methods for manganese toxicity in cotton genotypes 1

Abstract Identification of cotton genotypes more tolerant of toxic concentrations of soil solution manganese (Mn2+) would integrate well with soil ameliorations of that problem. Several quantitative and semi‐quantitative methods to determine the amount of Mn toxicity were evaluated on three genotypes of Gossypium hirsutum (LaDSIS 12513, LaDASS 5175, and Coker gl 79–501) and one genotype of Gossypium barbadense (Pitnas S‐5). Specific leaf weight (SLW) and the semi‐quantitative, ‘percentage of leaves that were damaged’ (PLD) correlated the least with other methods of Mn toxicity determination. Neither SLW or PLD provided more separation between genotypes than area/leaf (AL), peroxidase (POD) activity, and indole‐3‐acetic acid oxidase (IAAO) activity. Similar genotype separations occurred for AL, POD, and IAAO at 10 mg/L Mn in solution, but POD and IAAO produced more genotype separations than AL at 5 mg/L of Mn. There were differences in enzyme activity between genotypes at control (0.25 mg/L) Mn solution co...
Revenue enhancement through mergers and acquisitions: wealth effects of method of payment

Many firms enhance revenue through mergers and acquisitions deals because synergy occurs when the value of the combined firm after the merger is greater than the sum of the value of the bidding firm and the value of the target firm before the merger. This paper analyses value creation of mergers and acquisitions in ten Asian emerging markets over the past 12 years. The stock markets react positively to M&A deals around the time of the announcement in spite of variation in the method of payment or the types of the target form. Method of payment affects abnormal returns. The difference between cash only payment and stock only payment is statistically significant. When the target is a private firm or a subsidiary, bidder firms realise higher positive abnormal returns than that when the target is a public firm. However, the differences (public vs. private and public vs. subsidiary) are not statistically significant at conventional levels.
Uptake of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) from water by phreatophytes in the absence and presence of perchlorate as a co-contaminant.

The uptake and fate of the emerging contaminants N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and perchlorate in phreatophytes was studied in a hydroponics system under greenhouse conditions. NDMA is a potent carcinogen, and perchlorate disrupts the functioning of the human thyroid gland. The rate of removal of NDMA from solution by rooted cuttings of black willow (Salix nigra) and hybrid poplar (Populus deltoides × nigra, DN34) trees varied seasonally, with faster removal in summer months when transpiration rates were highest. A linear correlation between the volume of water transpired and mass of NDMA removed from the root zone was observed, especially at higher NDMA concentrations. In bioreactors dosed with both NDMA (0.7−1.0 mg L-1) and perchlorate (27 mg L-1), no competitive uptake of NDMA and perchlorate was observed. While NDMA was primarily removed from solution by plant uptake, perchlorate was predominantly removed by rhizodegradation. In the presence of NDMA, a slower rate of rhizodegradation of perchlorate wa...
Rate of decomposition of hexafluoroazomethane and the absolute rate of recombination of trifluoromethyl radical at higher temperatures

The unimolecular homogeneous decomposition of hexafluoroazomethane was studied in a VLPP apparatus in the temperature range 720–1050 K and is consistent with the following Arrhenius parameters: at 900 K, where the A factor was assumed to be the same as for 2,2′-azoisobutane. The homogeneous rate of recombination of ·CF3 radicals at temperatures around 1000 K was also studied under VLPP conditions and was found to be in the fall-off region, corresponding to k/k∞ = 8.5 × 10−3 when a rotational transition-state model was used. This model predicts an essentially constant value of kr∞ of 109.7 over the temperature range 300–1000 K.
A long-term study of cerebrospinal leukemia

In a 9 year study of 205 patients with acute stem cell leukemia, 61 developed central nervous system involvement. Intrathecal aminopterin, radiation therapy, or a combination of both, was employed for treatment. Aminopterin in a dosage of 0.1 mg. per kilogram was administered on alternate days until the cerebrospinal fluid cell count dropped below 10 per cubic millimeter. This regimen was most effective in the treatment of meningeal leukemia and no refractoriness was observed with repeated trials. Patients with clinical evidence of deep seated leukemic infiltration had a less favorable response and radiotherapy had to be instituted also.
Determination of carbohydrates, sugar acids and alditols by capillary electrophoresis and electrochemical detection at a copper electrode

Abstract Capillary electrophoresis combined with electrochemical detection at copper electrodes has been shown to provide a simple and sensitive method for the direct analysis of samples containing a wide range of carbohydrate compounds including simple sugars, sugar acids and alditols. In this approach, both the separation and the detection required the use of a strongly alkaline medium whose hydroxide content could be varied to optimize conveniently the migration times and resolution obtained. Detection consisted of a direct oxidation that required no derivatization and yielded detection limits at or below the fmol level for most of the carbohydrate species.
Defining the limits: Protein aggregation and toxicity in vivo.

AbstractThe proper folding of proteins to their functional forms is essential to cellular homeostasis. Perhaps not surprisingly, cells have evolved multiple pathways, some overlapping and others complementary, to resolve mis-folded proteins when they arise, ranging from refolding through the action of molecular chaperones to elimination through regulated proteolytic mechanisms. These protein quality control pathways are sufficient, under normal conditions, to maintain a functioning proteome, but in response to diverse environmental, genetic and/or stochastic events, protein mis-folding exceeds the corrective capacity of these pathways, leading to the accumulation of aggregates and ultimately toxicity. Particularly devastating examples of these effects include certain neurodegenerative diseases, such as Huntington’s Disease, which are associated with the expansion of polyglutamine tracks in proteins. In these cases, protein mis-folding and aggregation are clear contributors to pathogenesis, but uncovering ...
Effects of long-term annual and periodic burning on tree survival and growth in a Missouri Ozark oak-hickory forest

Abstract In a Missouri Ozark Mountains oak-hickory forest, long-term annual and periodic burning regimes decreased survival of Carya and Erythrobalanus oak species, but had little impact on survival of Quercus stellata . Reductions in survival of Carya and Erythrobalanus species were greater in periodically- than in annually burned plots. Compared with Q. stellata mortality, Carya mortality was less closely related to preatreatment diameter, possibly because of drought-related mortality between 1972 and 1984. Erythrobalanus mortality was likely related to drought both during the first measurement interval, between 1949/1951 and 1964, and during the last period, between 1972 and 1984. Survival increased with pretreatment diameter for Q. stellata and peaked at an intermediate diameter for the Erythrobalanus species. The relationship between diameter and survival was likely associated with self-thinning and natural life-span limits of trees and was modified by fire regimes. Fire accelerated the loss of small-diameter trees in all species. The results suggest that use of fire as a tool to influence species composition oak-hickory forests must include considerations of stand age, species life-span, stages of stand development and environmental stresses.
Prolonged Effects of Repeated Social Defeat Stress on mRNA Expression and Function of μ -Opioid Receptors in the Ventral Tegmental Area of Rats

Social defeat stress alters the activity of mesocorticolimbic dopamine projections from the ventral tegmental area (VTA), a process that has been implicated in the development of sensitization and drug-seeking behavior. We showed previously that acute brief social defeat stress increased short-term expression of μ-opioid receptor mRNA in the VTA. The present study assessed the presence and functional significance of μ-opioid receptor mRNA expression 1 week after the last episode of social defeat stress. Social defeat stress was induced in intruder rats during short confrontations with an aggressive resident rat, and subsequent exposures behind a protective screen once a day for 5 days. Regional μ-receptor mRNA levels were assessed by in situ hybridization histochemistry, and the amount of mRNA labeling was measured in the VTA and the substantia nigra (SN). Expression of μ-opioid receptor mRNA was significantly higher in defeated rats relative to handled control animals in the VTA, but not in the SN. In an additional group of rats, bilateral local intra-VTA injection of the selective μ-opioid receptor agonist DAMGO (1.0 μg per side) was performed 7–10 days after the last defeat stress or handling control procedure. Baseline motor activity did not differ between control and stressed rats. Intra-VTA DAMGO significantly increased locomotor activity in stressed rats compared to handled control rats. These results suggest that repeated social stress upregulates VTA μ-opioid receptors and can produce locomotor activation via stimulation of these receptors. This locomotor effect is probably the consequence of enhanced disinhibition of mesolimbic dopamine neurons.
Minimally Invasive Approaches for Diagnosis and Treatment of Early-Stage Breast Cancer

Breastcancermanagementhasbeenevolvingtowardminimally invasive approaches. Image-guided percutaneous biopsy techniques provide accurate histologic diagnosis without the need for surgical biopsy. Breast conservation therapy has become the treatment standard for earlystage breast cancer. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a new procedure that can predict axillary lymph node status without the need of axillary lymph node dissection. The next challenge is to treat primary tumors without surgery. For this purpose, several new minimally invasive procedures, including radiofrequency ablation, interstitial laser ablation, focused ultrasound ablation, and cryotherapy, are currently under development and may offer effective tumor management and provide treatment options that are psychologically and cosmetically more acceptable to the patients than are traditional surgical therapies. In this review, we give an overview of minimally invasive approaches for the diagnostic and therapeutic management of early-stage breast cancer. The Oncologist 2007;12: 1–10
Optical Navigation Using Planet’s Centroid and Apparent Diameter in Image

Recent interest in sending humans to the moon, Mars, or other destinations beyond low Earth orbit has created an increased need for autonomous spacecraft navigation. Because traditional navigation ...
Task scheduling in budget-constrained cloud computing systems to maximise throughput

We consider the problem of running a large amount of independent equal-sized tasks in the cloud with a budget constraint from the perspective of the cloud users. We model the cloud infrastructure by a node-weighted edge-weighted star-shaped graph and focus on the maximisation of the steady-state throughput. We show that the specific budget-constrained steady-state throughput maximisation problem can be formulated and solved as a linear programming (LP) problem. We incorporate the compute nodes of different communication capacity into our problem formulation in a unified way. We identify two modes of the system where closed-form solutions exist, i.e., the budget-bound mode and the communication-bound mode. The best scheduling scheme is benefit-first (resp. communication-first) when the system is budget-bound (resp. communication-bound), where tasks should be scheduled onto the compute nodes in the descending order of the effective benefit (resp. bandwidth). When the system is under conditions other than these two modes, we propose a simple heuristic to solve it instead of resolving to the conventional numerical algorithms for the LP. Simulation results show that the simple heuristic outperforms other intuitive heuristics under varied sampled system setups.
Glycogen supercompensation masks the effect of a traininginduced increase in GLUT-4 on muscle glucose transport

Endurance exercise training induces a rapid increase in the GLUT-4 isoform of the glucose transporter in muscle. In fasted rats, insulin-stimulated muscle glucose transport is increased in proporti...
MMTSB Tool Set: enhanced sampling and multiscale modeling methods for applications in structural biology

We describe the Multiscale Modeling Tools for Structural Biology (MMTSB) Tool Set (http://mmtsb.scripps.edu/software/mmtsbToolSet. html), which is a novel set of utilities and programming libraries that provide new enhanced sampling and multiscale modeling techniques for the simulation of proteins and nucleic acids. The tool set interfaces with the existing molecular modeling packages CHARMM and Amber for classical all-atom simulations, and with MONSSTER for lattice-based low-resolution conformational sampling. In addition, it adds new functionality for the integration and translation between both levels of detail. The replica exchange method is implemented to allow enhanced sampling of both the all-atom and low-resolution models. The tool set aims at applications in structural biology that involve protein or nucleic acid structure prediction, refinement, and/or extended conformational sampling. With structure prediction applications in mind, the tool set also implements a facility that allows the control and application of modeling tasks on a large set of conformations in what we have termed ensemble computing. Ensemble computing encompasses loosely coupled, parallel computation on high-end parallel computers, clustered computational grids and desktop grid environments. This paper describes the design and implementation of the MMTSB Tool Set and illustrates its utility with three typical examples—scoring of a set of predicted protein conformations in order to identify the most native-like structures, ab initio folding of peptides in implicit solvent with the replica exchange method, and the prediction of a missing fragment in a larger protein structure.
Automated Placement for Parallelized FPGA FFTs

We present an automated placement algorithm for a high-bandwidth, streaming fast Fourier transform (FFT) generated using an open-source core generator. For radio spectral line analysis, we generate a 2048-point FFT for a standard commercial FPGA high-bandwidth spectrometer, which can process 16 digital samples per cycle simultaneously (streaming). Our placement algorithm enables this system to operate at 375 MHz and process a 6 GHz sampling rate, nearly 85% of the theoretical maximum FPGA clock rate. This algorithm is a special case of the junction tree algorithm from machine learning, and allows our design to support a 25% faster clock than the standard Xilinx tool flow implementation while using 50% less CPU time to compile. This gain is equivalent to gains induced by floor planning with no hand placement.
Alkali replacement raises urinary citrate excretion in patients with topiramate-induced hypocitraturia

Aims The aims of this study were to assess (1) the magnitude and temporality of decreased urinary citrate excretion in patients just starting topiramate and (2) the effect of alkali replacement on topiramate-induced hypocitraturia. Methods Study 1 was a prospective, non-intervention study in which patients starting topiramate for headache remediation provided pre- and post-topiramate 24 h urine collections for measurement of urine citrate. Study 2 was a clinical comparative effectiveness study in which patients reporting to our stone clinic for kidney stones and who were treated with topiramate were prescribed alkali therapy. Pre- and post-alkali 24 h urinary citrate excretion was compared. Results Data for 12 and 22 patients (studies 1 and 2 respectively) were evaluated. After starting topiramate, urinary citrate excretion dropped significantly by 30 days (P = 0.016) and 62% of patients had hypocitraturia (citrate <320 mg day–1). At 60 days, urine citrate was even lower than at baseline (P = 0.0032) and 86% of patients had developed hypocitraturia. After starting alkali, urine citrate increased in stone-forming patients on topiramate (198 ± 120 to 408 ± 274 mg day–1; P = 0.042 for difference). 85% of patients were hypocitraturic on topiramate alone vs. 40% after adding alkali. The increase in urinary citrate was greater in patients provided ≥90 mEq potassium citrate. Conclusions Our study is the first to provide clinical evidence that alkali therapy can raise urinary citrate excretion in patients who form kidney stones while being treated with topiramate. Clinicians should consider alkali therapy for reducing the kidney stone risk of patients benefitting from topiramate treatment for migraine headaches or other conditions.
Subsidizing Child Care: How Child Care Subsidies Affect the Child Care Used by Low-Income African American Families.

To evaluate the type and quality of child care used by low-income families who were either receiving or not receiving subsidized child care, we interviewed 111 African American parents from a randomly selected sample of low-income families. We inquired about their child-care use, satisfaction with care, work stress, and employment history. Using standardized assessment instruments, independent observers in the children’s child-care setting evaluated the quality of the care and characteristics of the providers. We found that families using subsidized child care were more likely to use center care and other more formal types of care, while families not using subsidized child care were more likely to use a relative in the relative’s home. Families using subsidized care tended to use licensed and registered child-care arrangements more than non-subsidized families. Also, subsidized families spent approximately half as much out-of-pocket money for child care. However, we found no evidence that the care used by families using subsidized care was of any higher quality than that used by non-subsidized families. We examine the possibility that child-care subsidy programs may not be adequately designed or funded to increase the availability of quality child care to low-income families. Educators and policy makers may want to consider additional means of increasing access to quality care in low-income families.
Frictional performance of silica microspheres

Abstract We present a fundamental study of the frictional performance of silica microspheres, either 4, 2, or 0.5 μm in diameter, on a silicon substrate. The tribological properties of these rolling systems were measured with a ball-on-flat tribometer at various loads. The frictional performance of the rolling systems is found to be highly dependent on load and sphere diameter. Rolling motion was confirmed by imaging the surface of microsphere systems that have been coated with a thin layer of gold. In addition, the surface energy of the lubrication scheme was altered using coatings containing octadecyltrichlorosilane or (tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl)-1-trichlorosilane precursors.
Navy shipboard time synchronization service options and analysis

Next generation Navy platform designs are evolving towards generalized multipurpose infrastructures based on open standards and commercial products. These platforms will support a wide range of new and expanding applications in a more flexible and dynamic manner than in previous designs. These applications are increasingly being more finely partitioned and distributed over this generalized infrastructure with defined open interfaces. This new paradigm creates significant time synchronization challenges. Time sensitive applications that have previously been implemented in a single computer are now distributed across multiple computers over a network. IEEE 1588 (also known as PTP) has been identified as a potential open standards-based technology utilizing existing infrastructure to meet these requirements. This paper discusses next generation Navy shipboard infrastructures, emerging Navy applicationpsilas time service requirements, results from preliminary experiments, and future directions in design, test, and evaluation in support of next generation Navy network time synchronization requirements.
The Effect of Oviposition on Fertility in Chickens

The fertility between the first two eggs of a clutch and between eggs oviposited by the same bird on the same day were compared to determine the effect of oviposition on fertility. No differences in fertility were observed indicating that factors other than oviposition are involved in the mechanism of spermatozoal release and fertility in chickens.
CALIBRATION OF SPHERICAL PARTICLES BY LIGHT SCATTERING USING PHOTON CORRELATION SPECTROSCOPY

ABSTRACT Photon Correlation Spectroscopy, also known as Quasi-Elastic or Dynamic Light-Scattering, can be a convenient method of size measurement for suspensions of monodisperse spherical particles in the 20-500 nanometer (nm) size range [0.02 to 0.5 micrometer (μm)]. The results obtained vary widely, depending on the concentration and condition of the sample, as well as environmental factors. Techniques have been developed that improve the accuracy and precision of the measurements. These techniques include controlling the concentration, uniformity and dispersion of the sample. The improved method was verified by measuring particle-size standards.
A widely tunable chirped-grating distributed-feedback laser for spectroscopic applications

A 65-nm quasi-continuous tuning range is reported for a 3.5-mm-wide optically pumped type-II chirped-grating distributed-feedback laser at 3.2 µm. Methane absorption spectra demonstrate the utility of this source for atmospheric-pressure molecular spectroscopy.
Local Density Approximation Total Energy Calculations for Silica and Titania Structure and Defects

Theoretical structural predictions are presented for three polymorphs of silica (α-quartz, α-cristobalite, and stishovite) and the rutile structure of titania. Several defects within the silica system (the oxygen vacancy, a puckering distortion in quartz with no oxygen vacancy, and titanium in silica) are also studied. These ab initio studies are conducted using the local density approximation for electronic structure and total energies and are implemented using some very recent advances in improved pseudopotentials and energy minimization algorithms. Results include two metastable conformations of the oxygen vacancy in silica, similar Si—O and Ti—O bond energies, and equilibrium structures of several defects.
CX3CR1 signaling on monocytes is dispensable after intracerebral hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage is a subset of stroke for which there is no specific treatment. The Ly6Chi CCR2+ monocytes have been shown to contribute to acute injury after intracerebral hemorrhage. The other murine monocyte subset expresses CX3CR1 and lower Ly6C levels, and contributes to repair in other disease models. We hypothesized that the Ly6Clo CX3CR1+ monocytes would contribute to recovery after intracerebral hemorrhage. Intracerebral hemorrhage was modeled by blood injection in WT and CX3CR1-null bone marrow chimeras. Neurological outcomes and leukocyte recruitment were quantified at various time points. Functional outcomes were equal at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after intracerebral hemorrhage in both genotypes. No differences were observed in leukocyte recruitment between genotypes on either 3 or 7 days after intracerebral hemorrhage. A few hundred Ly6Clo monocytes were found in the ipsilateral hemisphere in each genotype and they did not change over time. Peripherally derived CX3CR1+ monocytes were observed in the perihematomal brain 7 and 14 days after intracerebral hemorrhage. Our data suggests CX3CR1 signaling on monocytes does not play an influential role in acute injury or functional recovery after intracerebral hemorrhage and therefore CX3CR1 is not a therapeutic target to improve outcome after intracerebral hemorrhage.
The Balance Between Donor T Cell Anergy and Suppression Versus Lethal Graft-Versus-Host Disease Is Determined by Host Conditioning

Graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) remains the most life-threatening complication following the transfer of allogeneic bone marrow into immunocompromised hosts. Transferred alloreactive T cells respond in a complex manner. While massive T cell expansion is observed upon entry into an allogeneic environment, anergy, apoptosis, and repertoire selection are also observed. The study presented here shows that alloreactive T cell expansion and differentiation vs anergy and suppression are dramatically influenced by host conditioning. Using alloreactive CD4(+) and CD8(+) TCR transgenic (Tg) T cells, a novel GVHD model is presented that allows for the visualization of how alloreactive T cells behave when host conditioning is manipulated. Following the transfer of alloreactive CD4(+) and CD8(+) TCR Tg T cells into sublethally irradiated hosts, both Tg T cells populations expand, develop effector function, and cause GVHD. In contrast, when Tg T cells are transferred in non-irradiated hosts, expansion is observed, but there is no development of effector function or disease. Assessment of CD4(+) Tg T cell function following transfer into non-irradiated hosts reveals that these CD4(+) Tg cells are profoundly anergic and have acquired a regulatory function, as manifested in their ability to suppress the expansion of naive TCR Tg T cells in vitro and in vivo as well as the development of GVHD. These findings underscore the decisive effect of the inflammatory environment created by irradiation in determining the ultimate fate and function of alloreactive T cells in vivo
The Media Buying Process: Perceptions of Media Sales Representatives

his three-wave e-mail/Web-based survey examined current perceptions of media sales representatives. Media departments from small, medium, and large advertising agencies across the United States answered questions related to the general perception, influence, and role of media sales representatives across media types. Overall, the findings suggested a favorable opinion about media sales representatives with magazine representatives rated as most influential. Trust emerged as a critical component in the buyer-seller relationship. In addition, providers of reliable knowledge and information were found to be critical roles of media sales representatives. The findings are noteworthy and emphasize the importance of educating industry sales representatives regarding the value of relationship building in the media sales process. ACCESS TO FULL TEXT
Twist-averaged boundary conditions in continuum quantum Monte Carlo algorithms.

We develop and test Quantum Monte Carlo algorithms that use a``twist'' or a phase in the wave function for fermions in periodic boundary conditions. For metallic systems, averaging over the twist results in faster convergence to the thermodynamic limit than periodic boundary conditions for properties involving the kinetic energy and has the same computational complexity. We determine exponents for the rate of convergence to the thermodynamic limit for the components of the energy of coulomb systems. We show results with twist averaged variational Monte Carlo on free particles, the Stoner model and the electron gas using Hartree-Fock, Slater-Jastrow, and three-body and backflow wave function. We also discuss the use of twist averaging in the grand canonical ensemble, and numerical methods to accomplish the twist averaging.
The environment's influence on mate preferences

Two studies tested the hypothesis that the degree to which individuals are selective in a location is influenced by the perceived probability that others within a given location can support reproductive goals. In Study 1 (n = 72), participants were asked to imagine themselves in various locations and asked their minimum criteria for a one-night stand. Both male and female participants were less selective in locations that were perceived to support their reproductive goals and became more selective in non-supportive locations. Study 2 (n = 300) extended and replicated the findings in a field study in which experimenters collected criteria in six locations. Limitations and implications of the current research are discussed.
Bone resorption and mineral excretion in rats during spaceflight

Bone resorption was measured directly in flight and synchronous control rats during COSMOS 1129. Continuous tracer administration techniques were used, with replacement of dietary calcium with isotopically enriched 40Ca and measurement by neutron activation analysis of the 48Ca released by the skeleton. There is no large change in bone resorption in rats at the end of 20 days of spaceflight as has been found for bone formation. Based on the time course of changes, the measured 20–25% decrease in resorption is probably secondary to a decrease in total body calcium turnover. The excretion of sodium, potassium, and zinc all increase during flight, sodium and potassium to a level four to five times control values.
Genealogical and Demographic Influences on Infant Abuse and Neglect in Group-Living Sooty Mangabeys (Cercocebus atys)

This study investigated the occurrence of infant abuse and neglect in a large population of group-living mangabeys over a period of almost 3 decades. The prevalence of infant abuse and neglect did not differ significantly among the 9 families comprising the population, but within some families there was evidence of genealogical effects on infant abuse. Maternal inexperience and infant age were risk factors for neglect but not for abuse. Whereas neglecting mothers neglected only 1 of their offspring, usually their first-born infant, abusive mothers abused several of their offspring, and risk of severe abuse increased with later births. Infant sex was not a risk factor for neglect or abuse. These and other results concur with the findings of a previous investigation of infant abuse and neglect in a different primate species in indicating that neglect and abuse are different phenomena and in emphasizing genealogical influences on infant abuse in primates. The investigation of biological, experiential, and social determinants of the spontaneous occurrence of infant abuse and neglect in relatively undisturbed primate populations could significantly enhance our understanding of the etiology of child abuse and neglect in humans.
How Race and Class Stereotyping Shapes Attitudes Toward Affordable Housing

The development of affordable housing often involves a contentious siting process. Proposed housing developments frequently trigger concern among neighbors and community groups about potential negative impacts on neighborhood quality of life and property values. Advocates, developers, and researchers have long suspected that these concerns stem in part from racial or class prejudice. Yet, to date, empirical evidence supporting these assumptions is lacking. This study seeks to examine roles that perceptions of race and class play in shaping opinions that underlie public opposition to affordable housing. This study applies a public opinion survey to determine the extent to which stereotypes and perceptions of the poor and minorities relate to attitudes toward affordable housing. The results demonstrate that such perceptions are particularly strong determinants of negative attitudes about affordable housing. These findings provide advocates, planners, developers, and researchers with a more accurate portraya...
The FLA3 KAP subunit is required for localization of kinesin-2 to the site of flagellar assembly and processive anterograde intraflagellar transport.

Intraflagellar transport (IFT) is a bidirectional process required for assembly and maintenance of cilia and flagella. Kinesin-2 is the anterograde IFT motor, and Dhc1b/Dhc2 drives retrograde IFT. To understand how either motor interacts with the IFT particle or how their activities might be coordinated, we characterized a ts mutation in the Chlamydomonas gene encoding KAP, the nonmotor subunit of Kinesin-2. The fla3-1 mutation is an amino acid substitution in a conserved C-terminal domain. fla3-1 strains assemble flagella at 21°C, but cannot maintain them at 33°C. Although the Kinesin-2 complex is present at both 21 and 33°C, the fla3-1 Kinesin-2 complex is not efficiently targeted to or retained in the basal body region or flagella. Video-enhanced DIC microscopy of fla3-1 cells shows that the frequency of anterograde IFT particles is significantly reduced. Anterograde particles move at near wild-type velocities, but appear larger and pause more frequently in fla3-1. Transformation with an epitope-tagged KAP gene rescues all of the fla3-1 defects and results in preferential incorporation of tagged KAP complexes into flagella. KAP is therefore required for the localization of Kinesin-2 at the site of flagellar assembly and the efficient transport of anterograde IFT particles within flagella.
The Contact Hypothesis Revisited Status Bias in the Reduction of Implicit Prejudice in the United States and Lebanon

Although 50 years of research demonstrate that friendly intergroup contact reduces intergroup prejudice, the findings are based solely on self-reported, explicit prejudice. In two parallel experiments examining intergroup contact and prejudice-between Whites and Blacks in the United States (Experiment 1) and between Christians and Muslims in Lebanon (Experiment 2)-we examined whether intergroup status differences moderate contact effects on implicit prejudice, as well as explicit prejudice. Both experiments replicated the standard effect of contact on explicit prejudice. They also demonstrated that intergroup contact reduces implicit prejudice among low-status groups. In Experiment 1, the implicit prejudice of Blacks toward Whites (but not Whites toward Blacks) was reduced as a function of friendly contact. In Experiment 2, the implicit prejudice of Muslims toward Christians (but not Christians toward Muslims) was reduced as a function of friendly contact.
On the effectiveness of DNS-based server selection

The rapid growth of the Internet in users and content has fueled extensive efforts to improve the user's overall Internet experience. A growing number of providers deliver content from multiple servers or proxies to reduce response time by moving content closer to end users. An increasingly popular mechanism to direct clients to the closest point of service is DNS-based redirection, due to its transparency and generality. This paper draws attention to two of the main issues in using DNS: (1) the negative effects of reducing or eliminating the cache lifetimes of DNS information, and (2) the implicit assumption that client nameservers are indicative of actual client location and performance. We quantify the impact of reducing DNS TTL values on Web access latency and show that it can increase name resolution latency by two orders of magnitude. Using HTTP and DNS server logs, as well as a large number of dial-up ISP clients, we measure client-nameserver proximity and show that a significant fraction are distant, more than 8 hops apart. Finally, we suggest protocol modifications to improve the accuracy of DNS-based redirection schemes.
Heckscher–Ohlin Trade Flows: A Re-appraisal

The famous Leontief paradox compared the factor proportions used in a countryis export sectors with those used in that countryis import-competing sectors in order to conclude whether a country was relatively capital abundant (in a two-factor, labor and capital setting). When examined in a two-factor, many commodity setting, this procedure reveals the troubling conclusion that as a countryis relative capital endowment rises, its export sector relative to its import-competing sector cycles from being labor-intensive to being capital-intensive, to being labor-intensive, etc., which serves to invalidate the Leontief procedure.
Changing attitudes and improving skills: demonstrating the value of the SAGES flexible endoscopy course for fellows

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the SAGES flexible endoscopy course in improving fellows’ attitudes, confidence, and skills related to implementing endoscopy in practice. Fellows participated in a 2-day course consisting of case presentations, expert panels, and hands-on laboratory training. Before and after the course, fellows completed a questionnaire assessing demographics, experiences in residency, practice plans, plans to implement flexible endoscopy in practice, and level of confidence performing 15 endoscopic procedures. Half of the fellows were randomly assigned to complete pre- and post-skills testing using a previously validated endoscopic targeting model. Fifty-four fellows (90 %; age 33.5 ± 2.8; 58 % male) completed the pre- and post-questionnaire. All MIS fellowship types were represented. Almost half (48 %) reported none or very little flexible endoscopy in their current fellowship. The average prior case volume among those completing an ACGME-approved residency (42/54) was 76 upper and 75 lower endoscopies with one-third reporting no experience in therapeutic EGD (33 %) or polypectomy (31 %). Intentions to implement flexible endoscopy in practice significantly improved after the course overall (3.72 ± .85–3.92 ± .69, p < 0.05; 1 = never; 5 = very frequently). Prior to the course, 39 % of fellows reported plans to use endoscopy in practice “occasionally” or “rarely.” After, this decreased to 28 with 72 % planning to implement “frequently” or “very frequently.” Mean levels of confidence performing all 15 endoscopic tasks improved significantly after the course. Skills performance for the 27 fellows improved significantly as well; participants decreased their time to perform the targeting task by 40 % (222.3 ± 119.8–133.0 ± 70.1 s; p < 0.001) and decreased errors by 49 % (2.9 ± 1.7–1.5 ± 1.5; p < 0.001). These results indicate that the SAGES flexible endoscopy course increases fellow confidence to implement endoscopic techniques, expands the ways in which they plan to include endoscopy in practice, and enhances their endoscopic skills.
Application of FQ-PCR technology in early diagnosis of children with EB virus infection

Objective: To explore value of FQ-PCR technique in early diagnosis of the children infected by EB virus.Methods: 186 children with fever,pharyngitis or lymphadenopathy et al,received from April in 2009 to February in 2011,were selected to conduct detection of EBV-DNA in peripheral blood cells by FQ-PCR method. Results: There are 66 positive cases,including 39 boys and 27 girls.A quarter of them can be diagnosed in 3 days,overrun 80% of them can be diagnosed in 7 days.Conclusion: Children infected by EB virus have complex clinical symptoms,which is hard to diagnose early;FQ-PCR technique is the best method to check EBV-DNA.It has many virtues and worth application.
Genetics and Plant Development

There are only three grand theories in biology: the theory of the cell, the theory of the gene, and the theory of evolution. Two of these, the cell and gene theories, originated in the study of plants, with the third resulting in part from botanical considerations as well. Mendel's elucidation of the rules of inheritance was a result of his experiments on peas. The rediscovery of Mendel's work in 1900 was by the botanists de Vries, Correns, and Tschermak. It was only in subsequent years that animals were also shown to have segregation of genetic elements in the exact same manner as had been shown in plants. The story of developmental biology is different – while the development of plants has long been studied, the experimental and genetic approaches to developmental mechanism were developed via experiments on animals, and the importance of genes in development (e.g., Waddington, 1940) and their use for understanding developmental mechanisms came to botanical science much later – as late as the 1980s.
Resection of congenital tracheal stenosis involving the carina

Congenital stenosis of the distal trachea is frequently considered lethal. A successful outcome of tracheal resection of a funnel-like stenosis involving the carina in a 5-month-old infant is presented, with a brief review of several other successful cases of tracheal resection in infancy recently published. These cases demonstrate that tracheal resection can be performed in infancy, with reasonable assurance of operative survival and subsequent normal growth of the tracheal suture line.
Alcohol Interactions with Psychostimulants: An Overview of Animal and Human Studies

Alcohol consumption with psychostimulants is very common among drug addicts. There is little known about the possible pharmacological interactions between alcohol and psychostimulants. Among most commonly co-abused psychostimulants with alcohol are methamphetamine, cocaine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetaminen, and nicotine. Co-abuse of alcohol with psychostimulants can lead to several neurophysiological dysfunctions such as decrease in brain antioxidant enzymes, disruption of learning and memory processes, cerebral hypo-perfusion, neurotransmitters depletion as well as potentiation of drug seeking behaviour. Moreover, co-abuse of alcohol and psychostimulants can lead to increase in heart rate, blood pressure, myocardial oxygen consumption and cellular stress, and the risk of developing different types of cancer. Co-abuse of alcohol with psychostimulants during pregnancy can lead to fetal brain abnormalities. Further studies are needed to investigate the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and neurochemical changes on co-abuse of alcohol and psychostimulants.
Attitudes toward medication-assisted treatment among fishermen in Kuantan, Malaysia, who inject drugs

Fishermen who inject drugs represent an understudied group at high risk for HIV in Malaysia. This study describes fishing, drug use, and attitudes toward medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorders. Thirty-four male ethnic Malay fishermen completed semistructured interviews analyzed by content analysis. Analysis revealed four themes surrounding opioids, which they called ubat ("medicine"): (a) the fishing lifestyle facilitating substance use, (b) previous unsuccessful attempts to quit, (c) categorizing substances as haram or halal, and (d) attitudes toward MAT. Fishermen's environment permits substance use, including injecting drugs on boats. Fishermen expressed more positive attitudes toward methadone and negative attitudes toward buprenorphine.
Small-Scale Industry in African Economic Development

This question can be considered at two levels: the general or the particular. At the general level, one can discuss the pros and cons of emphasis on small-scale industries in development plans and investment patterns, perhaps with some special emphasis on societies at very early stages of economic development as African countries usually are (in Rostow’s terminology, ‘traditional societies’, or societies in the early phases of the ‘pre-condition’ stage). At the particular level, one should pay special attention to special features peculiar to African economies, which would not necessarily be dis played by Asian, Middle Eastern, or Latin American economies at the same income level, nor would they be found in earlier European history. The particular approach is more meritorious, but suffers from the difficulty that it may not be possible to generalize too much and the matter had really best be discussed for individual countries; for this, however, the present author lacks time, space, and competence.
Adsorption of Laterally Interacting Mixtures on Heterogeneous Solid Surfaces: A Model Study

Abstract We present calculations of mixture adsorption equilibrium, using a simple lattice model which accounts for both adsorbate (lateral) interactions and energetic heterogeneity. The effects of the topography of the heterogeneity on the mixture equilibrium are explored. One particular realization of the model, assuming random heterogeneity, is applied to predict mixed gas adsorption.
Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation Improves Knee-Specific Functional Outcomes and Health-Related Quality of Life in Adolescent Patients

Background:Existing studies of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) in adolescent patients have primarily reported outcomes that have not been validated for cartilage repair and have failed to include measures of general health or health-related quality of life.Purpose:This study assesses validated knee-specific functional outcomes and health-related quality of life after ACI in adolescent patients.Study Design:Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:Patients younger than 18 years who underwent ACI between 1999 and 2011 with a minimum 2-year clinical follow-up were identified from a prospectively collected database. A total of 37 patients were included in the analysis. Patient demographic data and pre- and postoperative functional outcomes scores were collected and chondral lesion characteristics were assessed. Primary outcome measures were the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score–Quality of Life (KOOS-QOL) subscore;...