cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optical excitation of DX centers in GaAlAs alloys doped with Si and Te

The effect of light illumination on the deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) and constant temperature capacitance transient spectra of DX centers in GaAlAs alloys doped with Si and Te is studied. The experimental DLTS spectra are compared with theoretical spectra based on a model in which the only effect of light is to photoionize the DX centers. The calculated spectra reproduce satisfactorily the experimental spectra only in the Te doped samples. In Si doped samples the calculated spectra cannot reproduce the light-induced peak reported recently by Jia et al. Thus the results confirm that this peak may be associated with a light-induced shallow metastable center related to Si in GaAlAs. The identification of this shallow metastable state based on the present work and other recent experimental and theoretical investigations is discussed. Es wird der Einflus von Belichtung auf die DLTS und die Kapazitanztransientenspektren bei konstanter Temperatur im Fall von DX-Zentren in GaA1As-Legierungen untersucht, die mit Si und Te dotiert sind. Die experimentellen DLTS-Spektren werden verglichen mit theoretischen Spektren auf der Grundlage eines Modells, in dem der einzige Lichteinflus die Photoionisierung der DX-Zentren ist. Die berechneten Spektren geben die experimentellen Spektren nur in den Te-dotierten Proben befriedigend wieder. In Si-dotierten Proben konnen die berechneten Spektren nicht das kurzlich von Jia et al. berichtete lichtinduzierte Maximum reproduzieren. Somit bestatigen die Ergebnisse, das dieses Maximum einem lichtinduzierten flachen metastabilen Zentrum zugeordnet werden kann, das mit Si in GaAlAs verbunden ist. Die Identifizierung dieses flachen metastabilen Zustands mit den Ergebnissen der Arbeit und anderen neueren experimentellen und theoretischen Untersuchungen wird diskutiert.
Lung Cancer in Women

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States and is responsible for 20,000 more deaths yearly in US women than breast cancer. Cigarette smoking is the major cause of lung cancer, and unfortunately, approximately 22 million US women smoke. Mounting evidence suggests that there are significant differences in lung cancer between the sexes. There is a difference in the histologic distribution of lung cancer, with glandular differentiation being more common in women. Genetic variation may account for differences in susceptibility, and hormonal and biologic factors may play a role in carcinogenesis. Lung cancer patients have few therapeutic options. A more thorough understanding of the heterogeneity of lung cancer across populations may lead to innovations in treatment and prevention strategies.
Cardiopulmonary performance during exercise in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve

In patients with tetralogy of Fallot and absent pulmonary valve, the dilated pulmonary arteries sometimes result in bronchial compression and pulmonary symptoms due to airway obstruction, recurrent pulmonary infection, and development of bronchiectasis. After complete intracardiac repair, residual pulmonary disease may be expected to result in impaired cardiopulmonary performance during exercise. To assess this hypothesis, nine patients with tetralogy of Fallot and absent pulmonary valve underwent exercise testing and were compared to 38 patients with tetralogy of Fallot repaired using a transannular patch. All patients were exercied to maximum volition using a 1 minute incremental treadmill protocol with monitoring of pulmonary functions and expired gases. Maximal heart rate, maximal oxygen consumption, oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold, and maximal respiratory exchange ratio were similar for the two groups. There was no significant difference for ventilation and gas exchange parameters at rest or at maximal exercise, and values for both groups were below the predicted normal for healthy subjects. Breathing reserve, however, did tend to be some-what lower in the group with tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve. In summary, despite significant preoperative symptoms, cardiopulmonary performance during exercise in patients with tetralogy of Fallot and absent pulmonary valve is similar to patients with tetralogy of Fallot repaired with a transannular patch.
Effect of strip length on the contractile dysfunction of bladder smooth muscle after partial outlet obstruction.

Abstract Objectives Partial outlet obstruction mediates decreased contractile responses and increased collagen synthesis; however, it is not known to what extent the increased collagen contributes to contractile dysfunction. Methods Sixteen WNZ rabbits were divided into three groups: control, 2-week obstructed, and 2-week sham. Each rabbit was anesthetized, and the bladder was excised and cut into equal width strips of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0-cm lengths. The contractile responses to field stimulation, carbachol, potassium chloride, and adenosine triphosphate were determined. At the end of the experiment, each strip was fixed in formalin and immunostained for collagen. Results The contractile responses for the control and sham strips were similar for all strip lengths. In obstructed tissue, the shorter strip lengths generated significantly more tension per cross-sectional area than did the longer strips. The collagen density and distribution were similar for the control and sham bladders. The obstructed bladders had significantly increased collagen deposits between and within the smooth muscle bundles and cells. Conclusions Because the relationship between strip size and contraction were similar for field stimulation, carbachol, and potassium chloride, it is the increased density of connective tissue within and between the muscle bundles and fibers that interferes with contraction (ie, the greater the strip length, the greater the interference and the greater the contractile dysfunction). Therefore, both functional and structural alterations in the obstructed bladder participate in contractile dysfunction.
Effects of Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells on neonatal neutrophils.

Background Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been proposed as autologous therapy for inflammatory diseases in neonates. MSCs from umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly (WJ-MSCs) are accessible, with high proliferative capacity. The effects of WJ-MSCs on neutrophil activity in neonates are not known. We compared the effects of WJ-MSCs on apoptosis and the expression of inflammatory, oxidant, and antioxidant mediators in adult and neonatal neutrophils.
A force-based failure criterion for spot weld design

This paper suggests a very simple, force-based formula that combines four failure modes into one dimensionless equation to govern spot weld failure under general static loading conditions. The four failure modes are shear, rotation, normal and peel. The normal separation mode and the peel mode are corresponding to mode I (opening mode). The tensile/shear mode is mode II (sliding mode), and the in-plane rotation mode is mode III (tearing mode). Test coupons and test fixtures are designed and tested to establish and verify this equation. To further verify this equation, a long difficult to understand automotive spot weld failure problem was studied. Applying finite element-calculated resultant loads to the proposed formula resulted in analytical values that correlated very well with the long time field observed spot weld failures. This analytical prediction reasonably explained the spot weld failure mechanism and provided good design directions to improve the durability of the auto structure.
A role for lipid‐mediated signaling in plant gravitropism

Gravitropism is a universal plant response. It is initiated by the sensing of the primary signal (mass or pressure), which is then converted into chemical signals that are transduced and propagated in a precise spatial and temporal fashion, resulting in a differential growth response. Our thesis is that membrane lipids and lipid-mediated signaling pathways play critical roles in the initial signaling and in the establishment of polarity. In this review, we highlight results from recent literature and discuss the major questions that remain unanswered.
Impact of race on biochemical disease recurrence after prostate brachytherapy.

BACKGROUND: Understanding racial differences in disease presentation and response to therapy is necessary for the effective treatment and control of prostate cancer. In this study, the authors examined the influence of race on biochemical disease-free survival (BDFS) among men who received prostate brachytherapy. METHODS: In total, 2301 men were identified who had a minimum follow-up of 24 months and had received low-dose-rate brachytherapy for prostate cancer at the Mount Sinai Medical Center from June 1990 to October 2008. Patient factors, with specific emphasis on patient race, were analyzed with respect to freedom from biochemical failure (FFbF). Kaplan-Meier analyses, life-tables, and log-rank tests were used to identify variables that were predictive of 10-year FFbF. RESULTS: In this series, a total of 2268 patients included 81% Caucasians, 12% African Americans, 6% Hispanics, and 1% Asians. The 10-year actuarial FFbF rate was 70% for AA men and 84% for all others (P ¼ .002). Between Caucasian men and AA men, the 10-year FFbF rate was 83% versus 70%, respectively (P ¼ .001).There was no significant difference in 10-year FFbF between Caucasian men and Hispanic men (83% vs 86%, respectively; P ¼ .6). The 10-year FFbF rate for Hispanic men and AA men was 86% versus 70%, respectively (P ¼ .062). A greater percentage of AA men presented with higher prostate-specific antigen levels (PSA) (>10 ng/mL; 44% vs 21%; P < .001) and, thus, with higher risk disease (24% vs 15%; P < .001) compared with Caucasian men. Among the men with low-risk disease, the 10-year FFbF rate was 90% for Caucasian men and 76% for AA men (P ¼ .041). The 10-year BDFS rate for patients who received brachytherapy alone was 86% for Caucasian men and 61% for AA men (P ¼ .001); however, this difference was not observed when brachytherapy was combined with androgen-deprivation therapy(ADT) with or without supplemental external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT). Multivariate analysis revealed that PSA (P ¼ .024), Gleason score (P < .001), the biologic effective dose (P < .001), EBRT (P ¼ .002), ADT (P ¼ .03), and AA race (P ¼ .037) were significant predictors of 10-year FFbF. No significant differences was observed in overall survival, cause-specific survival, or distant metastasis-free survival between racial groups. CONCLUSIONS: AA race appeared to be an independent negative predictor of BDFS after prostate brachytherapy, and this result may highlight the need for more aggressive therapy in this patient population. Cancer 2011;117:5589–600. V C 2011 American Cancer Society.
Crack‐Growth Resistance of Microcracking Brittle Materials

A mechanics model of microcrack toughening is presented. The model predicts the magnitude of microcrack toughening as well as the existence of R-curve effects. The toughening is predicated on both the elastic modulus diminution in the microcrack process zone and the dilatation induced by microcracking. The modulus effect is relatively small and process-zone-size-independent. The dilatational effect is potentially more substantial, as well as being the primary source of the R curve. The dilatational contribution is also zone-size-dependent. The analysis demonstrates that microcrack toughening is less potent than transformation toughening.
Taming of the Virginia Opossum

SCOTT1 has recently reviewed the role of optimal or critical periods for imprinting and socialization. These investigations deal with domesticated species, such as the dog, and show that if raised without human contact the adult is permanently fearful of people; this fear, once established, is difficult or impossible to eliminate. There have been few systematic attempts to investigate the factors involved in taming wild members of non-domesticated mammalian species. The Virginia opossum (Didel-phis virginiana), a marsupial, is native to North America and is often considered to be untamable. There are local instances of young opossums being raised as pets, although any general success is rare. This report deals with three litters of opossums.
Anomalous hairpin formation in an oligodeoxyribonucleotide

An accurate method for deriving molar absorptivity-temperature profiles applied to a set of single-stranded oligodeoxyribonucleotides shows that the undecamer CGAGTTTGACGp exists in a hairpin conformation involving Watson-Crick base pairing between the two terminal CG dinucleotides. The hairpin, which has a transition midpoint of 40 degrees C in 0.115 M Na+, is unusually stable in comparison with previously reported hairpins. A non-linear least squares analysis of the undecamer's profile in terms of a two-state equilibrium model indicates that the hairpin-to-coil transition occurs with an enthalpy change about twice that expected if only combinations of Watson-Crick base-paired stacking interactions are considered. The analogous hairpin structure (containing an identical CG/CG stem) assignable to the complementary strand CGTCAAACTCGp does not form above 0 degrees C. Measurements on the two undecamers indicate that variation in non Watson-Crick interactions within the loops of two similar hairpins can produce a difference in stability of at least 2.2 kcal/mol (25 degrees C, 0.115 M Na+), roughly equal to the amount contributed to a double helix by a 5'-CG-3'/5'-CG-3' base-paired stacking interaction.
Gender Differences in the Selection of an Action Plan for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective: To assess differences between women and men in developing an action plan for the management of their type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: We chose a convenience sample of the first 153 patients who participated in a four-part educational class focused on the management of type 2 DM. The classes are run by a certified diabetes educator and have a specific format. We use a decision wheel to assist in the development of a patient-generated action plan to address a specific health behavior change. For each patient we documented age, gender, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level. Results: There was a difference in choice of action plan based on gender (p = 0.014). For women the distribution of action plans was exercise 38%, nutrition 22%, medication 20%, no action plan 13%, and monitoring 7%. For men the distribution of action plans was exercise 26%, nutrition 26%, medication 6%, no action plan 26%, and monitoring 16%. Age did not affect the choice of an action plan (p = 0.964); however, patients with a lower HbA1c level chose exercise more frequently (p < 0.002). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest there may be gender-based differences affecting the selection of an action plan for patients with type 2 DM. Further research is needed to determine the relative weight of other important factors on the decision for a particular action plan; e.g. sociodemographic factors, stage of readiness to change, and comorbid conditions.
Factors influencing long-term survival following salvage total laryngectomy after initial radiotherapy or conservative surgery.

Background. This retrospective study investigated survival outcomes of salvage total laryngectomy (STL) after initial radiation therapy (RT) or larynx conservation surgery (CS) at an academic center. Methods. A chart review yielded 64 patients with STL: 53 with RT failures, six with CS failures, and five after RT + CS. Median potential follow-up after STL was 9.4 years (mean, 9.2 years; range, 0.3–17.4 years). Results. Five- and 10-year actuarial overall survival (OS) after STL was 65.2% and 37.7%, respectively. Mean survival after STL was 7.2 years (median, 6.8 years; range, 0.2–17.4 years). No significant survival difference was found between the three treatment groups (p = .50). For 21 patients with nodes assessed at STL, 9-year OS was 45.4% for patients with N0 disease versus 26.7% for patients with N+ disease (p = .25). Conclusion. These data suggest that STL after radiation failure is associated with equivalent long-term survival as STL after RT + CS or after failure of CS alone. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck27: XXX–XXX, 2005
Mathematical models for polygamous mating systems

Abstract In this paper, two-sex models for populations with polygamous mating systems are developed. These models depend on the mating ratio and are applicable to both polygynous and polyandrous populations. Models for the population dynamics of populations with and without competition are constructed. Also, marriage models are discussed. The models developed describe situations common to mathematical ecology and mathematical demography. All of the models developed here are based on systems of linear and nonlinear autonomous differential equations.
Effects of vegetation, limestone and aeration on nitritation, anammox and denitrification in wetland treatment systems

Abstract Integration of partial nitrification (nitritation) and anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) in constructed wetlands creates a sustainable design for nitrogen removal. Three wetland treatment systems were operated with synthetic wastewater (60 mg NH3–N L−1) in a batch mode of fill – 1-week reaction – drain. Each treatment system had a surface flow wetland (unplanted, planted, and planted plus aerated, respectively) with a rooting substrate of sandy loam and limestone pellets, followed by an unplanted subsurface flow wetland. Meanwhile, three surface flow wetlands with a substrate of sandy loam and pavestone were operated in parallel to the former surface flow wetlands. Influent and effluent were monitored weekly for five cycles. Aeration reduced nitrogen removal due to hindered nitrate reduction. Vegetation maintained pH near neutral and moderate dissolved oxygen, significantly improved ammonia removal by anammox, and had higher TN removal due to coexistence of anammox and denitrification in anaerobic biofilm layers. Nitrite production was at a peak at the residence time of 4–5 d. Relative to pavestone, limestone increased the nitrite mass production peak by 97%. The subsurface flow wetlands removed nitrogen via nitritation and anammox, having an anammox activity of up to 2.4 g N m−3 d−1 over a startup operation of two months.
Gonadal autoantibodies in patients with hypogonadism and/or Addison's disease.

The sera from 325 normal individuals, 21 patients with Turner's syndrome, 505 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, 15 patients with unexplained ovarian insufficiency, nd37 patients with Addison's disease or serological evidence of adrenal autoimmunity were examined for the presence of gonadal autoantibodies by an indirect immunofluorescent techniqueusing sections of human testis. All 12 patients found to have gonadal autoantibodies also had adrenocortical autoantibodies. These autoantibodies were completely absorbed with powdered adrenal cortex and thus were “steroidal cell” antibodies (SCA), cross-reactive with a cytosolic antigen in the steroid-producing cells of adrenal cortex, placental syncytiotrophoblast, Leydig areas of testis, and theca interna/ granulosa layer of ovarian follicles. Sera with SCA had reduced titers of adrenal antibodiesafterrepeated absorptions with gonadal or placental tissues, suggesting that adrenal-specific autoantibodies were also present. Sera from patients wit...
Reversed-Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography of Underivatized Fatty Acids by Fatty ACID Analysis Column

Abstract Underivatized fatty acids of mammalian source after group separation by thin layer chromatography were further separated among saturates and monounsaturates as a group, and polyunsaturates as another group by reversed phase μ Bondapak Fatty Acid Analysis Column. The mobile phases consisted of tetrahydrofuran acetonitrile- water-acetic acid in ratios of 25:35:X:Y (v/v/v/v). When saturates (from C12 through C24) and monounsaturates (from C14:1 through C24:l) were analyzed, X=50 and Y = 0.2 were the best combination: When polyunsaturates (from C18:2 through C22:6) were chromatographed, X = 70 and Y = 03 provided the best resolution. Saturates were monitored by refractive index (RI) at 4X aad UV 213 nm. Monoenoic acids were scanned at UV 207nm. Potyenoic fatty acids were analyzed at UV 210 run and 235 nm. The 235 nm was for detection of possible peroxidation of those polyenoic acids. The minimal detection levels for saturates, monoenes, and polyenes were about 20 μg, 2μg, and 0.2μg at 0.01 aufs.
Supervisory control of production-distribution systems with saturation decisions

Abstract In this paper, the supervisor implementation which guarantees good performance for saturation operation and prevents reset windup is presented. Moreover, the bounded-input bound-output (BIBO) stability for saturated systems using supervisory control with a dynamic controller is provided in the time domain.
Isotopic fractionation during peptide bond hydrolysis

Abstract Isotopic fractionation of nitrogen and carbon is considered during peptide bond hydrolysis. Theoretical considerations suggest that hydrolysis will enrich residual, unhydrolyzed protein in 15N while 13C should be relatively unaffected. Preliminary experimental results support this conclusion, although further studies are required to quantify the magnitude of this effect as a function of protein degradation, in particular under natural environmental conditions.
Final results from a national multicenter phase II trial of combination bacillus Calmette-Guérin plus interferon α-2B for reducing recurrence of superficial bladder cancer☆

Abstract Background Both bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and interferon-alpha (IFN-α) express activity against superficial bladder cancer. The results of a national multicenter phase II trial of a combination of these 2 agents used in a wide range of patients are reported. Materials and Methods Patients previously having BCG failure received IFN-α (50 million units) plus reduced dose BCG, while patients naive to BCG received the same IFN-α dose with standard dose BCG. All patients who were relapse free received an additional 3 series of 3-week reduced dose BCG plus IFN-α treatments at 3, 9, and 15 months after completing induction. Any relapse during the 3-month evaluation was counted as a failure of therapy for Kaplan-Meier analysis. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors associated with recurrence. Results Of 1,007 valuable patients, 59% and 45% of patients naive to BCG and those having BCG failure, respectively, remained disease free at 24-month median follow-up. Stage T1, tumor size >5 cm, prior BCG failure more than once, and multifocality were all statistically significant risk factors for recurrence. Conclusions Although BCG plus IFN-α can be effectively applied to both patients naive to BCG and those having BCG failure, certain patient and tumor characteristics influence durable response.
Nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions with the fluoride ion : formation of 5-fluoro-indanones and indandiones related to atipamezole

Abstract The 5-nitro and 5-(trimethylammonium trifluoromethanesulfonyl)indanones 2a , b and the related 1,3-indandiones 3a , b have been synthesized, and the efficiency of the nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction with fluoride ion on these substrates evaluated. The indandiones underwent aromatic substitution to afford fluoroaromatic adducts whereas the indanone substrates provided little or no fluoro-substitution product. The fluoro- indandione was subsequently reduced to the corresponding fluoroindane hydrocarbon. The synthetic sequence of nucleophilic fluorination followed by carbonyl reduction provides a rationale for the potential preparation of the radiofluorinated α 2 -adrenoreceptor ligand 5-fluoroatipamezole.
Orbital mucopyoceles. Two cases and a review

Two patients with superior orbital masses that were initially diagnosed as orbital cellulitis with abscess formation had orbital mucopyoceles, from which Enterobacteriaceae was cultured. Both patients had frontal sinus involvement and one had massive destruction with posterior extension abutting the frontal lobes. The radiology, computerized tomography, surgical procedures, and histopathologic findings pertaining to each case and the disease entity are reviewed. Antibiotic usage is discussed.
A Comparative Synchronous Coronary Surgery Survival Study

Abstract Utilizing patient criteria published by the Veterans Administration Cooperative (VAC) Study, a cohort of 229 surgically treated patients was retrieved from the Milwaukee Cardiovascular Data Registry. These patients were all operated on by one surgeon during 1972 to 1974. Four-year survival of this group was compared with that of the medically treated cohort of 310 patients from the VAC Study. Operative mortality was included in all surgical groups. The cumulative 4-year survival of both groups revealed a 95 to 85% advantage for surgical therapy. In patients with three-vessel disease, the cumulative survival favored surgical therapy—94% compared with 80% in the medically treated cohort—and in patients with triple-vessel disease and a normal left ventricle, surgical therapy again showed better results: 100% compared with 88%. Patients with two-vessel disease and a normal left ventricle who underwent surgical intervention had slightly better 4-year survival than those who had medical treatment—100% versus 95%—and those with two-vessel disease and an abnormal left ventricle had a 93% survival after surgical treatment compared with 84% for those with medical treatment. For patients with single-vessel disease, there was no difference in survival between the surgical and medical cohorts.
Researcher allegiance and supportive therapy: Pernicious affects on results of randomized clinical trials

Allegiance effects have been discussed, debated, and tested over the past several decades. The evidence clearly shows that allegiance affects the findings and representation of therapies that are considered efficacious. We argue that allegiance effects are evident in randomized controlled trials of supportive therapy. Supportive therapy is an established and bona-fide therapy but its implementation as a control group for non-specific elements is a treatment that does not resemble supportive therapy as would be used therapeutically. Allegiance effects in the use of supportive therapy are caused by the design of supportive therapy controls, the therapists who deliver supportive therapy, and the patients who are enrolled in the trials.
A simplified assay of 4-methyl sterol oxidase of liver microsomes.

Abstract Microsomal 4-methyl sterol oxidase of cholesterol biosynthesis from lanosterol has been assayed to date by coupling of the NAD(P)H-dependent oxygenase to a NAD-dependent decarboxylase in a two-step incubation procedure. A simple assay of 4-methyl sterol oxidase of rat liver microsomes has now been developed with the model substrate, 4-hydroxy[14C]methylene-5α-cholest-7-en-3-one. In the presence of oxygen and NADPH, the 30-14C-model substrate is oxidized directly to a 3-ketosteroid and14CO2, which is collected and counted. Conditions for measurement of initial rates of oxidation of the model substrate have been established. With the model substrate, the maximal velocity is four- to five-fold greater than the rate observed with 4α-methyl sterol substrates. Furthermore, when methyl sterol oxidase is measured with both the one-step and two-step assays, parallel effects are produced upon addition of either competitive or noncompetitive inhibitorsin vitro; similarly, oxidative attack on each substrate is enhanced equally when rats are treatedin vivo with a bile salt sequestrant. Thus, the direct one-step assay of oxidase activity with the model 4-hydroxy[14C]methylene sterol substrate is rapid, the observed rates are rapid, and the enzymic steps in the multienzymic, mixed function oxidase may be elucidated with this simplified procedure.
Recent advances in microscale pumping technologies: a review and evaluation

Micropumping has emerged as a critical research area for many electronics and biological applications. A significant driving force underlying this research has been the integration of pumping mechanisms in micro total analysis systems and other multi-functional analysis techniques. Uses in electronics packaging and micromixing and microdosing systems have also capitalized on novel pumping concepts. The present work builds upon a number of existing reviews of micropumping strategies by focusing on the large body of micropump advances reported in the very recent literature. Critical selection criteria are included for pumps and valves to aid in determining the pumping mechanism that is most appropriate for a given application. Important limitations or incompatibilities are also addressed. Quantitative comparisons are provided in graphical and tabular forms.
Male density affects large-male advantage in the golden silk spider, Nephila clavipes

Across a variety of animal taxa, the outcome of male--male contests depends on male body size; winners are usually the larger males or the males with bigger weapons. However, high male density can either increase or reverse large-male advantage because density changes the frequency and intensity of male--male interactions. In the golden orb-web spider Nephila clavipes, large males have a competitive advantage in male--male contests. However, this species shows more than 2-fold variation in male body size and highly variable local male density (the number of males on a female's web). To test how male density affects large-male advantage, I manipulated male density on female webs. I measured how density affects the rate of male--male challenges and the body size of successful males. Large males have a reproductive advantage when male density is high and fighting among males is intense, but small and large males are equally likely to copulate successfully when male density is low, possibly because male--male interactions are infrequent at low densities. High variance in male density among female webs and the positive relationship between density and the strength of sexual selection for male body size create a heterogeneous mosaic of selection intensities. Spatial variation in selection intensity could act to maintain variation in male body size in this species. Copyright 2010, Oxford University Press.
The Constitutive, Glucose-Repression-Insensitive Mutation of the Yeast MAL4 Locus Is an Alteration of the MAL43 Gene

Mutations resulting in constitutive production of maltase have been identified at each of the five MAL loci of Saccharomyces yeasts. Here we examine a dominant constitutive, glucose-repression-insensitive allele of the MAL4 locus (MAL4-C). Our results demonstrate that MAL4-C is an alteration in the MAL43 gene, which encodes the positive regulator of the MAL structural genes, and that its product is trans-acting. The MAL43 gene from the MAL4-C strain was cloned and integrated into a series of nonfermenting strains lacking a functional regulatory gene but carrying copies of the maltose permease and maltase structural genes. Expression of the maltase structural gene was both constitutive and insensitive to glucose repression in these transformants. The MAL4-C allele also results in constitutive expression of the unlinked MAL12 gene (encoding maltase) in this strain. In addition, the cloned MAL43 gene was shown to be dominant to the wild-type MAL63 gene. We also show that most of the glucose repression insensitivity of strains carrying the MAL4-C allele results from alteration of MAL43.
Hacking, Mashing, Gluing: Understanding Opportunistic Design

Opportunistic practices can accelerate and simplify ubiquitous computing systems design. Such practices may include copying and pasting code from online forums into one's own scripts or reappropriating components from consumer electronics for design prototypes. The authors introduce a framework that links opportunistic design for ubiquitous computing to hardware and software practices. They interview 14 professional and hobbyist "mashers"-Web 2.0 programmers, hardware hackers, and designers of interactive ubiquitous computing systems-to learn how designers choose between integration levels. Finally, they discover the mashups' epistemic, pragmatic, and intrinsic values for creators and how shopping becomes a central activity.
Exchange rate pass-through in Korea and Thailand: Trends and determinants

Abstract An important but age-old transmission channel of global factors into domestic prices is via exchange rate movements. This paper examines the extent and evolution of exchange rate pass-through (ERPT) into Korea's and Thailand's consumer and import prices at the aggregate level for the period over the last two decades. We find that ERPT appears to be consistently higher for Thailand compared to Korea; while for both nations ERPT of their respective bilateral rates with respect to the US dollar is higher than with respect to the Japanese yen. The paper also investigates if and how ERPT has changed over time, especially during and after the currency crisis period of 1997–1998, as well as its macroeconomic determinants.
Victimization and Safety in Schools Serving Early Adolescents

Hierarchical linear modeling techniques were used to examine the relations between school-level variables and victimization, behavior, and perceptions of school safety using a nationally representative sample of 8th-graders from the National Education Longitudinal Study. The results indicated that victimization, getting into trouble for bad behavior, and perceptions of school as unsafe were more characteristic of schools with 6th- through 8th-grade or 7th- through 9th-grade configurations than in kindergarten through 8th-grade or kindergarten through 12th-grade schools. After controlling for school-level variables, ethnicity and socioeconomic status did not emerge as strong predictors. Females were less likely to report being victimized or getting into trouble for bad behavior than were males. The results also indicated that schools with kindergarten through 8th-grade and kindergarten through 12th-grade configurations reported dealing with repeated occurrences of bad behavior and with serious behavioral i...
Prevnar 13, the New 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine

Objective:To review the immurtogenicity, efficacy, and safety of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) for use in pediatric patients.Data Sources:A MEDLINE search (2000-September 2011) was conducted using the key words Streptococcus pneumoniae and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for clinical trials, limited to studies conducted in humans and published in English.Studv Selection And Data Extraction:Randomized, controlled, multicenter trials were reviewed and included to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PCV13, Literature on the epidemiology and pathology of pneumococcal Infections and recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) were also reviewed.Data Synthesis:PCV13 is approved for routine vaccination of all infants as a 4-dose series at age 2,4,6, and 12–15 months for children who previously received 1 or more doses of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7), and for children with underlying medical conditions that increase their risk for pneumo...
Examining the Sexual Harassment Experiences of Mexican Immigrant Farmworking Women

This study examined sexual harassment experiences of Mexican immigrant farmworking women (n = 150) employed on California farms. Of the estimated one million California farmworkers, 78% are Latino, mostly from Mexico, and 28% are women. Unlike gender-segregated worksites of Mexico, women farmworkers in the United States labor alongside men, facilitating harassment from coworkers and supervisors. Simultaneous sexist, racist, and economic discrimination are comparable to converging lanes of automobile traffic (Crenshaw, 2000) that women, standing at the intersections, manage to avoid harm. Findings highlight how discrimination shapes women's experiences and demonstrate the need for institutional policies to protect them.
TABLE FOR TESTING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE R‐INDEX

A table is provided for testing the significance of R-index values. The use of the table is illustrated and the theory and assumptions behind the method are explained.
The constraint based decomposition (CBD) training architecture

The Constraint Based Decomposition (CBD) is a constructive neural network technique that builds a three or four layer network, has guaranteed convergence and can deal with binary, n-ary, class labeled and real-value problems. CBD is shown to be able to solve complicated problems in a simple, fast and reliable manner. The technique is further enhanced by two modifications (locking detection and redundancy elimination) which address the training speed and the efficiency of the internal representation built by the network. The redundancy elimination aims at building more compact architectures while the locking detection aims at improving the training speed. The computational cost of the redundancy elimination is negligible and this enhancement can be used for any problem. However, the computational cost of the locking detection is exponential in the number of dimensions and should only be used in low dimensional spaces. The experimental results show the performance of the algorithm presented in a series of classical benchmark problems including the 2-spiral problem and the Iris, Wine, Glass, Lenses, Ionosphere, Lung cancer, Pima Indians, Bupa, TicTacToe, Balance and Zoo data sets from the UCI machine learning repository. CBD's generalization accuracy is compared with that of C4.5, C4.5 with rules, incremental decision trees, oblique classifiers, linear machine decision trees, CN2, learning vector quantization (LVQ), backpropagation, nearest neighbor, Q* and radial basis functions (RBFs). CBD provides the second best average accuracy on the problems tested as well as the best reliability (the lowest standard deviation).
Kelvin waves in stratosphere, mesosphere and lower thermosphere temperatures as observed by TIMED/SABER during 2002-2006

Temperature measurements from the SABER instrument on the TIMED spacecraft are used to elucidate the properties of Kelvin waves and other equatorial oscillations over the altitude range 20–120 km during 2002–2006. The dominant Kelvin waves transition from long periods (52–10 days) and short wavelengths (9–13 km) in the stratosphere, to shorter periods (2–3 days) and longer wavelengths (35–45 km) in the 80–120 km height region. Ultra-Fast Kelvin Waves (UFKW) with periods of 2.5–4.5 days intermittently exist at amplitudes of order 3–10 K between 80–120 km during all months of the year, with variability at periods typically in the 20–60 day range. An Intra-seasonal oscillation (ISO) of zonal mean temperatures also exists with periods 20–60 days that may be driven by Eliassen-Palm Flux Divergences (EPFD) due, at least in part, to UFKW and migrating diurnal tides.
Clustering-Based Dynamic Event Location Using Wide-Area Phasor Measurements

This paper presents an online dynamic event location method that uses wide-area measurements. The method is based on an offline hierarchical clustering of N generators into coherent groups. The clustering method can be used to produce any number of groups between 1 and N. One measurement location is selected during the offline phase to represent each cluster in the online phase. Event location is formulated as finding the most likely group from which an event originates. The rotor frequencies of the representative generators are used to identify the cluster with the largest initial swing. The method is demonstrated for locating events caused by faults and generator trips on a 176-bus model. The online location accuracy is around 80% when the offline clustering is good.
Adsorption of polymorphonuclear leukocyte lysosomal enzymes to monosodium urate crystals

Monosodium urate (MSU) crystals induced prompt release of lysozyme, and slower release of beta-glucuronidase, alpha-mannosidase, and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) from polymorphonuclear leukocytes. At increasing crystal concentrations, an increasing delay in the apparent onset of beta-glucuronidase release was detected which appears to be due to selective absorption of enzyme activities to the MSU crystals: beta-glucuronidase greater than LDH greater than alpha-mannosidase greater than lysozyme. Lysosomal enzyme adsorption by MSU crystals may then contribute to experimental error or may modulate gouty inflammation.
The cytoplasmic domains of TNFα-converting enzyme (TACE/ADAM17) and L-selectin are regulated differently by p38 MAPK and PKC to promote ectodomain shedding

L-selectin mediates the initial tethering and subsequent rolling of leucocytes along luminal walls of inflamed venules. TACE [TNFalpha (tumour necrosis factor alpha)-converting enzyme] is responsible for cleaving the membrane-proximal extracellular domain of L-selectin (also known as shedding), which reduces the efficiency of leucocyte recruitment to sites of inflammation. Many reports have highlighted roles for PKC (protein kinase C) and p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) in promoting L-selectin shedding with little insight into the mechanism involved. By using PMA and the phosphatase inhibitors cantharidin and calyculin A, we could selectively activate PKC or p38 MAPK respectively to promote TACE-dependent shedding of L-selectin. Interestingly, the intracellular mechanisms leading to the shedding event differed dramatically. For example, regulatory elements within the L-selectin cytoplasmic tail, such as ERM (ezrin/radixin/moesin)-binding and serine residues, were important for PKC- but not p38 MAPK-dependent shedding. Also, increased and sustained cell surface levels of TACE, and phosphorylation of its cytoplasmic tail (a hallmark of TACE activation), occurred in lymphocytes and monocytes following p38 MAPK activation. Finally, we showed that TNFalpha-induced shedding of L-selectin in monocytes was strikingly similar to cantharidin-induced shedding and suggest that this newly characterized mechanism could be physiologically relevant in inflammatory cells.
The Molecular Basis of Phenotypic Convergence

Understanding what aspects of evolution are predictable, and repeatable, is a central goal of biology. Studying phenotypic convergence (the independent evolution of similar traits in different organisms) provides an opportunity to address evolutionary predictability at different hierarchical levels. Here we focus on recent advances in understanding the molecular basis of convergence. Understanding when, and why, similar molecular solutions are used repeatedly provides insight into the constraints that shape biological diversity. We first distinguish between convergence as a phenotypic pattern and parallelism as a shared molecular basis for convergence. We then address the overarching question: What factors influence when parallel molecular mechanisms will underlie phenotypic convergence? We present four core determinants of convergence (natural selection, phylogenetic history, population demography, and genetic constraints) and explore specific factors that influence the probability of molecular paralleli...
Standardized doses of epoetin alfa for hemodialysis patients

Epoetin alfa plays a significant role in anemia management in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Aggressive anemia management in CKD patients improves survival, decreases morbidity, and increases quality of life. The National Kidney Foundation Dialysis Outcome Quality Initiative recommends a
What the federal government can do about the nonmedical determinants of health.

Growing recognition that the acute health care delivery system contributes proportionally less to health when compared with environment and behavior has focused scholars and public health experts on the need to address nonmedical determinants of health. This paper outlines some steps that the U.S. government can take to address these factors and describes some of the challenges involved. Actions that can be undertaken now are increased education and leadership, development of mechanisms to further collaboration among sectors, expanded monitoring and reporting on nonmedical determinants, and developing new knowledge about how these factors affect health and successful interventions to address them.
Party Ideology and Popular Politics at the Accession of George III

Part I. Introduction: 1. Hanoverian politics and the 1760s 2. Historiography and method Part II. The Reconfiguration of Politics: 3. Whig and tort 4. Opposition and the proprietary parties 5. From Old Corps to Rockinghamite whigs: the emergence of a party 6. Pitt and patriotism: a case study in political argument 7. Ministerial responsibility and the powers of the Crown Part III. An Alternative Structure of Politics: 8. The press in the 1760s Part IV. Focused Radicalism: 9. Personality, propaganda and ritual: Wilkes and the Wilkites 10. American ideology and British radicalism the case for parliamentary reform Part V. Two Political Nations: 11. The politicians, the press and the public 12. The present discontents party ideology and public unrest.
Reliability of the Thoratec HeartMate II flow measurements and alarms in the presence of reduced or non-existent flow

Introduction: The Thoratec Corporation has over 10,000 patients registered as recipients of the HeartMate II left ventricular assist device (LVAD) worldwide. Although it has undoubtedly prolonged the lifespan of heart failure patients, the most recognized risk associated with these devices is the development of thrombus. In the presence of a small or developing clot, the HeartMate II display module and system monitor indicate that there is a decrease in pump flow, adjusts its pump power and is accompanied by audible and visual alarms when flow rates drop below a fixed threshold established by Thoratec. In contrast, when thrombus completely inhibits flow through the device, the display module and system monitor have failed in previous case studies to indicate that flow has reduced to zero and do not produce any corresponding alarms. Methods: To test the efficacy of the HeartMate II alarms, a cardiovascular simulation tank was used to reproduce the hemodynamics of a typical heart failure patient. The hemody...
Chronic kidney disease in the VACTERL association: clinical course and outcome.

Approximately 60% of VACTERL (vertebral defects, anal atresia, cardiac defects, tracheoesophageal fistula with atresia, renal defects/radial limb dysplasia) patients have renal anomalies that can be associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). With improved medical care, a large proportion of these patients survive into adulthood. Longitudinal follow-up data regarding the management of kidney disease in these children is lacking. Twelve VACTERL patients with CKD stage 2–5 and 12 age-matched controls with similar urologic anomalies and CKD [mean follow-up period 15.0 ± 1.4 (SE) and 11.9 ± 2.1 years, respectively] were identified in a single center. Eight VACTERL patients progressed to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) compared to four controls (66.7 vs. 33.3%, respectively). Six VACTERL patients were dialyzed pre-transplant. Of the four patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD), three had to be switched to hemodialysis due to complications, whereas two of the three controls on PD did not experience significant problems. Seven VACTERL patients underwent renal transplantation compared to four controls. Mean creatinine clearance 2 years post-transplant was 65.8 ± 6.3 in VACTERL patients vs. 87.8 ± 7.1 ml/min per 1.73 m2 in controls (p = 0.03). VACTERL patients had a significantly lower mean height standard deviation score than the controls (−2.34 ± 0.41 vs. −1.27 ± 0.24, respectively; p < 0.05). Based on these results, VACTERL patients with CKD develop ESRD more frequently, experience more complications with dialysis, may have a poorer transplant outcome, and have more severe growth failure than controls.