cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chemical cues affecting recruitment and juvenile habitat selection in marine versus freshwater systems

Marine and freshwater ecosystems differ in persistence, size, population connectivity, and the variance in physical and biotic conditions they experience. These differences may select for differing reproductive modes, life histories, dispersal strategies, and chemically cued recruitment behaviors. In marine systems, adults are commonly less mobile, while larvae spend hours to weeks to months dispersing in the plankton and may move over great distances. It is these immature larval stages that must select appropriate recruitment sites in marine environments. In freshwater systems, the fully developed adults more commonly disperse over greater distances, and it is usually adults that determine juvenile recruitment sites via their placement of larvae or fertilized eggs. Thus, in terms of large-scale habitat choices involving chemical cuing, adult stages should be selected to detect and react to habitat cues among most freshwater species, while juveniles should play this role among most marine species. Few studies assess this hypothesis, but adults of freshwater organisms as different as mosquitoes and frogs do key on chemical cues to select sites for depositing eggs or larvae, while chemical cuing of recruitment in marine systems occurs primarily among the larval stages of the numerous fishes and marine invertebrates investigated to date. Cues to general habitat features, to predators or competitors, and to specific prey or hosts have all been shown to affect recruitment. Here, we review chemically mediated recruitment in marine versus freshwater systems, summarizing what is known and suggesting unknowns that may be productive to investigate.
On controlling timed discrete event systems

This paper is a survey of our work on controlling discrete event systems modelled by timed event graphs. Such systems are structurally related to finite state machines in that both can be described by linear equations over an appropriate algebra. Using this structural similarity, we have extended supervisory control techniques developed for untimed DES to the timed case. When behavioral constraints are given as a range of acceptable schedules, it is possible to compute an extremal controllable subset or superset of the desired behavior. When constraints are expressed in terms of minimum separation times between events, it is possible to determine whether there is a controllable schedule which realizes the desired behavior.
Auditing overhead, auditing adaptation, and benchmark evaluation in Linux

Logging is a critical component of Linux auditing. However, our experiments indicate that the logging overhead can be significant. The paper aims to leverage the performance overhead introduced by Linux audit framework under various usage patterns. The study on the problem leads to an adaptive audit-logging mechanism. Many security incidents or other important events are often accompanied with precursory events. We identify important precursory events - the vital signs of system activity and the audit events that must be recorded. We then design an adaptive auditing mechanism that increases or reduces the type of events collected and the frequency of events collected based upon the online analysis of the vital-sign events. The adaptive auditing mechanism reduces the overall system overhead and achieves a similar level of protection on the system and network security. We further adopt LMbench to evaluate the performance of key operations in Linux with compliance to four security standards. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Formation of supercoiling domains in plasmid pBR322.

Abstract Twin domains of positive and negative supercoiling are thought to form in DNA molecules whenever free rotation of a transcription complex around the DNA helix is impeded. Evidence for these domains has come from findings with Escherichia coli strains that are deficient in DNA topoisomerase I (top mutants) or that have been treated with DNA gyrase inhibitors. Plasmid pBR322 is highly supercoiled in these strains, whereas some of its deletion derivatives are not. The studies of pBR322 derivatives presented here show that high negative supercoiling in top strains requires translation as well as transcription of the first 98 codons of the tet gene and does not require the divergently transcribed amp gene. The N-terminal region of the TetA protein is thought to insert into the inner membrane. Our results favor models in which supercoiling domains are created when DNA segments are anchored to a large cellular structure via coupled transcription, translation, and membrane insertion of a nascent protein.
Characterization of individuals with chronic pain: phenotyping approaches used in MAPP

Pain is a complex perception affecting one’s state of consciousness, functional status, and quality of life. Clinically, pain intensity is often the only facet of pain that is assessed; but two large research networks (i.e., the Orofacial Pain: Prospective Evaluation and Risk Assessment (OPPERA) [1] and the Multi-Disciplinary Approach to the Study of Chronic Pelvic Pain (MAPP) [2]) have characterized pain in accordance with broader pain concepts. MAPP was designed to characterize individuals with urologic chronic pelvic pain syndromes (UCPPS) which consisted of diagnoses such as interstitial cystitis, bladder pain syndrome, chronic prostatitis, and chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Characterization of the sample of n=1039 individuals occurred at multiple sites and at multiple levels of analysis including: biomarkers, self-report questionnaires, quantitative sensory testing (QST), functional neurobiological studies, and structured and resting state neuroimaging studies. A comprehensive assessment occurred at baseline followed longitudinally by biweekly or bimonthly internet questionnaires and more extensive in-clinic visits at 24 and 48 weeks following baseline [3]. The self-report methods covered both urologic-specific and non-urological domains relevant to chronic pain which are consistent with the bio-psycho-social model of pain. Urological domains included urological diagnostics, symptoms and impact, sexual functioning, self-esteem, and social relationships. Non-urological-specific self-assessment included clinical pain, functional status, mood, co-morbid conditions, personality, attitudes/ beliefs, and early life trauma. Biological specimens linked to clinical data included cheek swabs and plasma, as well as urine for exploration of infectious etiology. Also linked to the clinical data was quantitative sensory testing (QST) which helped to characterize individuals with respect to pain threshold, and neuroimaging studies providing structural, functional and network connectivity data corresponding to central pain processing and modulation. Ultimately, the goal of such extensive phenotyping will be to identify subgroups of individuals with UCPPS who have distinct underlying pathophysiology to which more optimal treatment approaches can be aligned thus offering the potential for improved disease management and improved patient care.
Vindicating Andrew Jackson: The 1828 Election and the Rise of the Two‐Party System – By Donald B. Cole

“Tip” O'Neil's famous dictum that “all politics is local” has found yet another advocate in this new book. Donald B. Cole provides in this new study a detailed analysis of the election of 1828 and ...
Augmentation of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 by free fatty acids in breast cancer cells

4374 Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is the primary inhibitor of urokinase- and tissue type-plasminogen activators. Increases in the expression of PAI-1 have been demonstrated in many tumor cells, including breast cancer cells. By contrast, retarded tumor development has been shown in PAI-1 deficient mice. Emerging clinical studies have pointed to PAI-1 as a key prognostic factor in breast cancer. Obesity is a high risk factor for breast cancer and increased plasma concentrations of free fatty acids (FFA) and PAI-1 are associated with obesity. We and others have demonstrated that FFA induced PAI-1 expression in a variety of cells. Accordingly, we hypothesized that FFA increase the expression of PAI-1 in breast cancer cells and facilitate breast cancer progression. The effects of FFA on PAI-1 expression in breast cancer cells were determined in MDA-MB-231 and Hs578T. FFA with different saturation and chain lengths including palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acid at physiological and pathological concentrations (50 μM to 500 μM) were studied. FFA were prepared in fatty acid free-BSA and experiments were performed in serum-free DMEM/F12 media. Secretion of PAI-1 in culture media was determined by ELISA. Intracellular PAI-1 was determined by Western blotting and PAI-1 mRNA was assessed by RT-PCR. PAI-1 secretion levels were higher in MDA-MB-231 compared with Hs578T (fold = 5.7 ± 0.8 MDA-MB-231 Vs. Hs578T, n = 4, p = 0.002). Linoleic and oleic acids induced PAI-1 in MDA-MB-231 and Hs578T in a dose-dependent manner, whereas palmitic, palmitoleic, and stearic acids (at all concentrations studied) had no effect on the expression of PAI-1 (n = 4). The greatest induction of PAI-1 was observed with linoleic acid (500 μM) in both MDA-MB-231 (fold = 1.8 ± 0.2, n = 4, p = 0.004) and Hs578T (fold = 3.4 ± 1.1, n = 4, p = 0.002). Increased PAI-1 mRNA was demonstrated in MDA-MB-231 (fold = 1.4 ± 0.3, n = 3, p in vitro Matrigel invasion assay, whereas other FFA had no effects. In summary, we have demonstrated that linoleic acid induced the greatest level of PAI-1 expression in breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and Hs578T. Increased invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells was also induced by linoleic acid, but not other FFA. These results are consistent with previous observations that linoleic acid (ω-6) is associated with cancer progression. The present study provides new insight into understanding the important role of PAI-1 in mediating the effects of FFA on breast cancer progression.
Partial Order Programming (Revisited)

This paper shows the use of partial-order program clauses and lattice domains for functional and logic programming. We illustrate the paradigm using a variety of examples: graph problems, program analysis, and database querying. These applications are characterized by a need to solve circular constraints and perform aggregate operations, a capability that is very clearly and efficiently provided by partial-order clauses. We present a novel approach to their model-theoretic and operational semantics. The least Herbrand model for any function is not the intersection of all models, but the glb/lub of the respective terms defined for this function in the different models. The operational semantics combines top-down goal reduction with monotonic memo-tables. In general, when functions are defined circularly in terms of one another through monotonic functions,a memoized entry may have to monotonically updated until the least (or greatest) fixed-point is reached. This partial-order programming paradigm has been implemented and all examples shown in this paper have been tested using this implementation.
Relationship of Mycoplasma pneumoniae to Other Human Mycoplasma Species Studied by Gel Diffusion

Abstract Taylor-Robinson, David (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Md.), Otakar Soběslavský, and Robert M. Chanock. Relationship of Mycoplasma pneumoniae to other human Mycoplasma species studied by gel diffusion. J. Bacteriol. 90:1432–1437. 1965.—Conditions are presented for the production of four lines of precipitate between Mycoplasma pneumoniae antigen and homologous hyperimmune rabbit serum in double diffusion in agar. The specificity of the reaction was shown by the fact that M. pneumoniae antigen did not react with antisera to the other human mycoplasma species, nor did M. pneumoniae antiserum produce lines with antigens prepared from the other human mycoplasmas. In addition, there was no reduction in the number or intensity of precipitation lines after absorption of M. pneumoniae antiserum with heterotypic mycoplasma antigens, or after absorption of heterotypic mycoplasma antisera with M. pneumoniae antigen. These findings indicate that, of the human mycoplasma species so far studied, M. pneumoniae is antigenically the most distinct.
Raptor: a visual programming environment for teaching object-oriented programming

Learning object-oriented programming usually involves learning a programming language with a large amount of complexity. Students very often spend more time dealing with syntactical complexity than learning the underlying principles of object-orientation or solving the problem. Additionally, the textual nature of most programming environments works against the learning style of the majority of students. RAPTOR is an iconic programming environment, designed specifically to help students visualize classes and methods and limit syntactic complexity. RAPTOR programs are created visually using a combination of UML and flowcharts. The resulting programs can be executed visually within the environment and converted to Java.
Evaluation of the shear bond strength of different ceramic bracket base designs

The purpose of this study was to compare the Ceramaflex bracket with a traditional ceramic orthodontic bracket with regard to shear bond strength and bond failure location. Forty newly extracted human premolars were randomly divided into two groups. Twenty Ceramaflex brackets (TP Orthodontics Inc, LaPorte, Ind) and 20 Transcend 6000 brackets (Unitek Corp, Monrovia, Calif) were bonded to the teeth using the same bonding system (Right On, TP Orthodontics Inc, LaPorte, Ind). A Zwick Universal Test machine (Zwick Gm bH & Co, Ulm, Germany) was used to determine the shear bond strength for each bracket. After debonding, the teeth and brackets were examined under 10x magnification. After debonding, the amount of resin material adhering to the enamel surface was assessed according to the Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI). The results of this study suggest that Ceramaflex brackets have a significantly lower bond strength than traditional ceramic brackets. On the other hand, the bond failure location of the Ceramaflex bracket was consistently more favorable, i.e., occurring at the ceramic bracket-polycarbonate base.
Intracranial tumors in infants.

The prognosis in infants with brain tumors has historically been very poor. This study reviews 16 infants under the age of 12 months with brain tumors who presented to our institution between 1988 and 1999. The aim was todescribe the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of these patients and to establish if newer diagnostic and treatment modalities have improved prognosis in terms of survival and neurocognitive outcome. Charts were reviewed retrospectively for age at diagnosis, time to diagnosis, presenting features, location, histology, surgical and adjuvant treatment, survival, and neurocognitive outcome. Survival has improved. Three quarters of the patients remain alive. The 5-year survival rate was 81%. The 5-year progression-free survival rate was 51%, with a median follow-up time of 70 months. The 5-year survival rate for benign tumors was 100%. None of the children with malignant tumors survived. Morbidity remains high: 8 of 13 survivors had focal neurologic deficits, 7 of 13 had epilepsy, and 7 of 12 had significant cognitive disability. Future treatment protocols should include formal analysis of neurocognitive morbidity, functional outcome, and quality of life measures to provide accurate prognostic information and to prepare families for early intervention programs. (J Child Neurol 2004;19:424-430).
Operational upgrades to the DIII-D 60 GHz electron cyclotron resonant heating system

One of the primary components of the DIII-D radiofrequency (RF) program over the past seven years has been the 60 GHz electron cyclotron resonant heating (ECRH) system. The system now consists of eight units capable of operating and controlling eight Varian VGE-8006 60 GHz, 200 kW gyrotrons along with their associated waveguide components. This paper will discuss the operational upgrades and the overall system performance. Many modifications were instituted to enhance the system operation and performance. Modifications discussed in this paper include an improved gyrotron tube-fault response network, a computer controlled pulse-timing and sequencing system, and an improved high-voltage power supply control interface. The discussion on overall system performance will include operating techniques used to improve system operations and reliability. The techniques discussed apply to system start-up procedures, operating the system in a conditioning mode, and operating the system during DIII-D plasma operations.
Comparison of accuracy of soldering indices for fixed prostheses

lh e assembly of fixed prostheses requires a number of steps. Each must be performed with meticulous care to maintain the individual unit of the prosthesis in a precise relationship. The ultimate product is an accurately soldered assembly \vhich can be seated correctly on the abutments. Studies found in the literature refer to the accuracy of solder joints, but no direct comparison of the accuracy of the two bridge-indexing methods commonly used has been made. Stackhouse’ determined soldering accuracy with the use of quick-set plaster indices. Patterson’ described a technique for soldering using self-polymerizing (cold-curing) acrylic resin indices, but he did not validate its accuracy. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of impression plaster with cold-curing acrylic resin indices in the transfer of crowns from their abutment dies in preparation for the soldering of tixed partial dentures. The effect of variations in technique and elapsed time from indexing to investment were also measured.
Basal and cycle androgen levels correlate with in vitro fertilization stimulation parameters but do not predict pregnancy outcome.

Objective To evaluate androgen levels before and during IVF. To assess for an association between androgen levels and IVF stimulation parameters or IVF pregnancy outcome. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Residency-based IVF program. Patient(s) One hundred seventeen infertility patients. Intervention(s) Androgen levels were evaluated on basal day 3 and during the IVF stimulation cycle. Main Outcome Measure(s) Pregnancy outcome rates and IVF stimulation parameters. Result(s) Mean serum androgen levels did not differ among different pregnancy outcomes. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that body mass index (BMI) and oocyte number had a significant positive association with basal testosterone levels. Mean ovarian volume correlated negatively and follicle number correlated positively with testosterone levels on day 6 of stimulation. Peak E 2 and BMI correlated positively with testosterone on day of hCG administration. The interval change in androgen levels throughout the IVF cycle was not associated with outcome rates. Likewise, threshold analysis did not reveal any significant androgen level that affected pregnancy outcome. Conclusion(s) Serum androgen levels during IVF correlate with IVF stimulation parameters. However, these data do not support an influence of serum androgen levels on IVF pregnancy outcome rates.
The secretion of fibrinolysin by cultured rat ovarian tumor cells

Abstract Rat ovarian tumor cells grown in culture secrete a fibrinolysin which can be obtained in highly purified form from conditioned serum-free medium. Increased fibrinolytic activity may be a property associated with neoplasia and is currently under active investigation.
SIRT2 deacetylates FOXO3a in response to oxidative stress and caloric restriction

The sirtuin family of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent (NAD) deacetylases plays an important role in aging and metabolic regulation. In yeast, the Sir2 gene and its homolog Hst2 independently mediate the action of caloric restriction on lifespan extension. The mammalian Sir2 ortholog, SIRT1, is up-regulated by caloric restriction and deacetylates a variety of substrates, including histones and the forkhead box O (FOXO) transcription factors. The mammalian ortholog of Hst2, SIRT2, was shown to co-localize with microtubules and functions as alpha-tubulin deacetylase. During G2/M phase, SIRT2 proteins enter nuclei and deacetylate histones. We report here that the expression of SIRT2 is elevated in the white adipose tissue and kidney of caloric-restricted mice. Oxidative stress, such as hydrogen peroxide treatment, also increases SIRT2 expression in cells. We have demonstrated that SIRT2 binds to FOXO3a and reduces its acetylation level. SIRT2 hence increases FOXO DNA binding and elevates the expression of FOXO target genes, p27(Kip1), manganese superoxide dismutase and Bim. As a consequence, SIRT2 decreases cellular levels of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, as Bim is a pro-apoptotic factor, SIRT2 promotes cell death when cells are under severe stress. Therefore, mammalian SIRT2 responds to caloric restriction and oxidative stress to deacetylate FOXO transcription factors.
Occipital seizures manifesting as visual loss with post-ictal Anton's syndrome.

Focal occipital seizures are typically associated with simple isual phenomenon, such as scotomas or flashes of light. With pread to the temporal and parietal regions, symptoms of greater isual complexity may occur, including metamorphopsia (distorion of shape), micropsia or macropsia (distortion of size), and allucinations consisting of colorful imagery. Nonvisual manifesations, such as blinking and contralateral eye or head deviation, ay also occur [1]. Less frequently, occipital seizures may present ith visual loss, as an ictal or postictal phenomenon, which may e transient or permanent [2]. Visual anosognosia or denial of loss f vision, also know by its eponym, Anton’s syndrome, as an ictal r post-ictal phenomenon, has rarely been reported [3]. Herein, we iscuss a patient whose visual anosognosia was prominent during he post-ictal period.
Guided-mode resonance effects in thin-film diffractive optics and their applications

High-efficiency resonance coupling effects in zero-order diffractive multilayer structures have applications in fields such as optical filtering and laser technology. These resonance effects arise on phase matching of an incident laser beam to a leaky waveguide mode. Then, in theory, complete energy exchange between the input wave and a reflected wave can take place within narrow ranges in wavelength, angle of incidence, index of refraction, or layer thickness. This paper addresses theoretical modeling, experimental realization, and applications of this so-called guided-mode resonance (GMR) effect. In particular, the achievable GMR-filter efficiencies, spectral linewidths, sideband levels, and polarization characteristics are treated with a plane-wave model and a Gaussian-beam model. Resonance bandpass filters operating in reflection and transmission are shown to exhibit high efficiencies and extended low sidebands. Genetic algorithms are applied to solve inverse resonance-filter design problems. Applications including GMR laser mirrors, electro-optic modulators, and resonant Brewster filters are presented. Experimental results are shown to agree well with theoretical calculations.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An interest rate risk management model for commercial banks

Abstract This paper develops a goal programming model to assist a commercial bank in managing its exposure to interest rate risk. The bank's objective is to immunize its equity position against innovations in interest rates while maximizing its market value. To accomplish this task, a duration gap framework is developed that does not require interest rate forecasts. As decision variables, the model includes assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet derivative securities. The focus is on a protective-put strategy that uses options on interest rate futures, but to provide contrast, a short interest rate futures position is examined as well. Application of the model to an illustrative environment indicates that for larger interest rate changes the option strategy provides better protection against interest rate risk than the short futures position.
Complementary therapy to target LDL cholesterol: the role of the ezetimibe/ simvastatin combination

Cardiovascular (CV) disease remains the number 1 cause of death in the USA. Nonetheless, there has been a decline in the age-adjusted death rate for coronary heart disease (CHD) which may be due to more aggressive treatment guidelines for treating CV risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. The recent update to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines have recommended lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals in high-risk patients. Based on the new targets for LDL-C, clinicians will need more efficacious lipid-lowering therapies. One of these newer therapies is the combination of ezetimibe and simvastatin. This article reviews the implications of the updated guidelines and discusses the efficacy and safety of ezetimibe/simvastatin for lowering LDL-C.
Galectins bind to the multivalent glycoprotein asialofetuin with enhanced affinities and a gradient of decreasing binding constants.

Our previous isothermal titration microcalorimetry (ITC) studies of the binding of synthetic multivalent carbohydrates to the Man/Glc-specific lectins concanavalin A (ConA) and Dioclea grandiflora ...
Narrow‐band ultraviolet B treatment for vitiligo, pruritus, and inflammatory dermatoses

Background: Narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) therapy has been used successfully for the treatment of inflammatory and pigmentary skin disorders including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, mycosis fungoides, polymorphous light eruption, and vitiligo. Methods: This is a retrospective review of the treatment outcomes of 117 consecutive patients with vitiligo, pruritus, and other inflammatory dermatoses, excluding those with psoriasis and CTCL, who were treated with NB-UVB between 1998 and 2001 at our institution. Results: Approximately 80% of all patients showed improvement in their condition. NB-UVB phototherapy was well tolerated, with no serious adverse effects. In patients with vitiligo, 6.4% had an abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone level and 6.5% had anemia. Conclusion: NB-UVB may be considered as a viable therapeutic option in the treatment of vitiligo, pruritus, and other inflammatory dermatoses. Long-term adverse effects and cost–benefit analysis of NB-UVB therapy compared to other treatment modalities remain to be determined.
An Oxalate/Citrate Homeostatic Pathway: The Oxalate Slc26a6 and Citrate NaDC-1 Transporters Interplay

Stone formation is one of the most common urologic diseases in industrialized societies, most prevalent in the kidney and salivary glands. A predominant component of kidney stones is the Ca2+-oxalate crystals found in more than 70% of cases. The stones are formed when renal oxalate and Ca2+ loads increase as a result of their increased level in the filtrate. Stone formation is normally prevented by chelation of urinary Ca2+ by citrate. A change in the oxalate/citrate balance is also required for stone formation. A link between Ca2+-oxalate kidney stones and the oxalate transporter Slc26a6 has been described in Slc26a6-/- mice, where the major phenotype is Ca2+-oxalate stone formation. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanism that maintains oxalate/citrate balance remains unknown. Here, we report in-vivo and in-vitro interplay between the oxalate transporter Slc26a6 and the citrate transporter NaDC-1 to achieve a balanced citrate/oxalate homeostasis. Thus, Slc26a6 markedly inhibits NaDC-1 to limit citrate absorption at increased oxalate loads. At the same time, NaDC-1 activates Slc26a6 to allow oxalate clearance when citrate load is high. The interaction between the oxalate and citrate transporters is mediated by the Slc26a6 STAS domain and the NaDC-1 first intracellular loop. The STAS domain and the first intracellular loop are sufficient to mediate the reciprocal regulation. Accordingly, deletion of Slc26a6 in mice enhanced the activity of the native NaDC-1. These findings reveal a molecular pathway that senses and tightly regulates renal oxalate and citrate that likely function in other organs, such as the salivary glands, to guard against Ca2+-oxalate stone formation.
EXCHANGE PROCESSES IN HISTORY: INTEGRATING THE MICRO AND MACRO LEVELS OF ANALYSIS

The existing form of social exchange theory has serious flaws. Yet, this article argues that exchange theory should and can be a powerful tool for analysis at both the micro and macro levels. A model of exchange is developed that: (1) includes temporality; (2) includes both positive and negative sanctions; (3) defines rationality and voluntariness in such a way as to account for long-term, stable systems of unequal exchange; and (4) links the micro and macro levels of analysis. Selective historical materials are introduced to analyze the problem of routine, peaceful, unequal exchange between Romans and barbarians inside the Roman Empire. In interpersonal exchange, it shows, all the terms of exchange are not negotiated by the partners to exchange. Governing rules have been established by collective actors at the macro level for social exchange at the micro level. Traditional exchange theory has failed to identify the historically distant conflict of macro level actors over governing rules.
Betula platyphylla: the Preferred Oviposition Host of Lymantria dispar japonica in Hokkaido, Japans

Japanese gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar japonica Motschulsky, in low population densities in northern Japan's mixed species forests, oviposited almost exclusively on the white bark of Betula platyphylla Sukatschev: in plots totaling 3.3 ha, 88 of 90 egg masses were on white birches, which comprised < 30% of the stand composition. Likewise, high densities of the moth in a planting of Larix leptolepis (Sieb. and Zucc.) Gord. preferred to oviposit on B. platyphylla: 3 white birches among 154 trees (0.09 ha) held 84% of the egg masses, and one birch that had a DBH of 17 cm held 482 masses. These findings have practical application for field workers who wish to collect gypsy moth eggs in northern Japan where white birch is found.
Fabrication of microgaps in electroplated metallic structures for MEMS

ABSTRACT High aspect ratio micro-gaps are important for electrostatically and electromagnetically transforming forces in movable parts of MEMS. In this paper, three methods based on common UV photolithography are presented to achieve micro-gaps in electroplated permalloy alloy structures. The first method uses an electroplated photoresist PEPR coating as a sacrificial layer. The electrodeposition of photoresist can produce a resist coating of consistent thickness over complex shapes. The micro-gap is realized after the photoresist coating between two electroplated metallic components is removed. This method has been used to produce a gap of 5 m in a 50 m thick metallic structure. The second method is used electroplated copper as a sacrificial layer. This method has been demonstrated to produce a 3 m wide gap in a 50 m thick metallic structure. The last method uses SU-8 molds whose molecular cross-links are intentionally controlled. After electroplating, the SU-8 molds are completely stripped. This method has been used to produce a 15 m gap in a 50 m thick metallic structure. For the three methods a bove, movable parts can be obtained by removing the underneath sacrificial layers. Compared to DRIE and LIGA, the present approaches enable the inexpensive fabrication of micro-gaps in metallic structures for a variety of MEMS devices such as microsensors, microactuators and microswitches. Keywords: Micro-gaps, MEMS, Electroplating, SU-8
Identification and Tuning of Integrating Processes with Deadtime and Inverse Response

The classical example of an integrating process with inverse response is level control of a boiler steam drum. The “boiler swell” problem can lead to a transfer function between the drum level and boiler feedwater flow rate that contains a pure integrator and a positive zero, in addition to some deadtime and lags. This paper presents a procedure for identifying the transfer-function parameters for this type of system from step response data. A proportional−integral controller tuning procedure is also presented. Because the process contains an integrator and the proportional−integral controller also contains an integrator, controller tuning is somewhat complex. The proposed method determines the smallest possible value for integral time. Then, using this value, the controller gain that gives a +2 dB maximum closed-loop log modulus is calculated. Simple Matlab programs are given for performing these calculations. The use of proportional−integral−derivative control is also briefly studied, but the typically ...
Effect on circulation of conversion of atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm.

Treadmill exercise tests were performed in cardiac subjects before and after conversion from atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm. The most striking changes following conversion were a marked reduction in exercise heart rate and increase in stroke volume and cardiac output. Exercise performance as judged by a standardized exercise test improved significantly in some but not all subjects following conversion. Duplicate control studies in nonconverting subjects failed in general to show these improvements. The results indicate that conversion from atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm is worthwhile from a functional standpoint in patients with valvular heart disease, and is especially indicated after successful mitral commissurotomy.
Supplemental Tube Feeding Does Not Mitigate Weight Loss in Infants with Shunt-Dependent Single-Ventricle Physiology

Infants with shunt-dependent single-ventricle (SV) physiology are at risk for poor weight gain before superior cavopulmonary connection (SCPC). Lower weight-for-age z-score is a risk factor for prolonged length of stay (LOS) after SCPC. We sought to characterize infant growth and feeding and determine the effect of method of feeding on outcomes. Chart review of infants with shunt-dependent SV physiology born between October 2007 and September 2010 was performed. The cohort was divided into three groups based on feeding method at discharge after initial palliation; 53 in the oral feeding (PO) group, 56 in the nasogastric (NG) tube group, and 26 in the gastrostomy tube (GT) group. Birth weight z-score did not differ among groups (p = 0.39), but infants fed by NG or GT were smaller than PO-fed infants at hospital discharge (p = 0.0001), a difference that persisted through SCPC (p < 0.0001). Predictors of need for GT included Norwood procedure (p = 0.008) and longer LOS after initial palliation (p < 0.001). Interstage mortality and age at SCPC did not differ among groups. Risk factors for longer LOS at SCPC included longer LOS and need for supplemental feeds at discharge from initial palliation as well as lower weight at SCPC. Poor growth is common among infants with shunt-dependent SV physiology. Infants who require GT have lower weight-for-age z-scores at hospital discharge and remain smaller at SCPC than those fed PO. Although GT after initial palliation is associated with longer LOS after SCPC, it is not associated with an increase in interstage morbidity or mortality.
Structure of the bifunctional aminoglycoside-resistance enzyme AAC(6')-Ie-APH(2'')-Ia revealed by crystallographic and small-angle X-ray scattering analysis.

Broad-spectrum resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics in clinically important Gram-positive staphylococcal and entero­coccal pathogens is primarily conferred by the bifunctional enzyme AAC(6′)-Ie-APH(2′′)-Ia. This enzyme possesses an N-terminal coenzyme A-dependent acetyltransferase domain [AAC(6′)-Ie] and a C-terminal GTP-dependent phosphotransferase domain [APH(2′′)-Ia], and together they produce resistance to almost all known aminoglycosides in clinical use. Despite considerable effort over the last two or more decades, structural details of AAC(6′)-Ie-APH(2′′)-Ia have remained elusive. In a recent breakthrough, the structure of the isolated C-terminal APH(2′′)-Ia enzyme was determined as the binary Mg2GDP complex. Here, the high-resolution structure of the N-terminal AAC(6′)-Ie enzyme is reported as a ternary kanamycin/coenzyme A abortive complex. The structure of the full-length bifunctional enzyme has subsequently been elucidated based upon small-angle X-ray scattering data using the two crystallographic models. The AAC(6′)-Ie enzyme is joined to APH(2′′)-Ia by a short, predominantly rigid linker at the N-terminal end of a long α-helix. This α-helix is in turn intrinsically associated with the N-terminus of APH(2′′)-Ia. This structural arrangement supports earlier observations that the presence of the intact α-helix is essential to the activity of both functionalities of the full-length AAC(6′)-Ie-APH(2′′)-Ia enzyme.
Sequential Comparison of the Proportionate Mortality Ratio for an Ongoing Study of Mortality in an Occupational Cohort

Purpose Potential adverse health effects associated with occupational exposure to acrylonitrile have been studied since a report of increased lung cancer incidence among DuPont fiber production workers in 1980. Six investigations have been conducted for the cohort through 2002. At each iteration, standardized mortality ratios (SMR) taking into account age and period characteristics have been reported. The objective of this study is to apply the proportionate mortality ratio (PMR) and the proportionate cancer mortality ratio (PCMR) to compare serial estimates of respiratory and all malignant cancer mortality risks in a closed cohort. Methods The cohort includes 2,548 male employees from two fiber production facilities operating from 1947 through 1991. Sequential mortality risks have been assessed through the years 1976, 1981, 1991, 1997, and 2002. We calculated the PMR and PCMR from estimates of the SMR for respiratory cancer, malignant cancer, and overall mortality based on two referent populations, the U.S. general population and a regional population of workers from the same company. Results Compared to the company reference rates, respiratory cancer, malignant cancer, and overall SMR were increased in early analyses (SMR > 1.1 for each mortality category) but decreased over time (SMR Conclusion We find the PMR to be a useful indicator of temporal variation in mortality patterns for ongoing occupational cohort studies. As the number of deaths increases for an aging cohort, the magnitude and direction of the PMR may be used to compare serial estimates of cause-specific relative mortality risks. SMR estimates can vary within a closed cohort over time and may not be a suitable longitudinal risk indicator. The PMR can be applied to evaluate internal consistency of results as well as the strength of association for sequential investigations of closed cohorts.
Managerial decision making about employee grievances: The impact of the grievant's work history.

This study uses field data to examine whether managerial decisions about employee grievances are influenced by the grievant's work history with the organization. Additionally, because aspects of the grievant's history may be contractually relevant when evaluating grievances over disciplinary issues, the study examines whether the impact of the grievant's work history varies with the nature of the grievance. The results suggest that managers, at later stages of the grievance process, are influenced by the grievant's work history-even when that history is not relevant to evaluating the merits of the grievance. In finding this, the results suggest that inconsistencies exist in terms of the treatment of employees within the grievance system.
Realizing S-Reliability for services via recovery-driven intrusion tolerance mechanism

Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) paradigm facilitates the design of large systems as a set of loosely coupled services interacting with each other. These services, in turn, can be combined to form a more complex service. But, for services to be useful, they must satisfy non-functional requirements, especially security-related quality of service. Unfortunately, software vulnerabilities expose these services to malicious actors, and make them susceptible to attacks. Therefore, security quality of service is critical in order to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability for system data and services. Due to the distributed and decentralized nature of services, publishing and guaranteeing security quality of service are crucial so that potential applications and clients can make use of the provided services. In this paper, we will first discuss how Intrusion Tolerance Quality of Service (IT-QoS) can be modeled and specified. Then, we will show how a recovery-driven intrusion tolerance architecture is able to ensure differentiated levels of S-Reliability, an important IT-QoS for a Service.
NEOADJUVANT HORMONAL ABLATIVE THERAPY BEFORE RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY: A REVIEW. IS IT INDICATED?

Purpose: Neoadjuvant hormonal ablation therapy has been used to decrease the rate of positive surgical margins in patients treated with radical prostatectomy. We reviewed the available literature to determine whether this therapy is indicated and beneficial.Materials and Methods: We performed a MEDLINE key word search and assessed randomized prospective articles. Data were analyzed for the rate of positive surgical margins, seminal vesicle invasion and lymph node metastasis as well as surgical characteristics, including operative time, blood loss, hospital stay, rate of complications and difficulty of surgical dissection. In addition, these data were evaluated for prostate specific antigen-free survival.Results: Neoadjuvant hormonal therapy decreased the rate of positive margins in 6 of the 7 randomized prospective studies. In none of 4 randomized prospective series was there an improved rate of seminal vesicle invasion with neoadjuvant hormonal therapy. Of 4 studies 3 showed no improvement in the rate of...
Nuclear factor κB functions as a negative regulator for the rat androgen receptor gene and NF-κB activity increases during the age-dependent desensitization of the liver

Transcriptional regulation of the steroid hormone receptor genes plays a central role in temporal changes of target cell sensitivity during development, maturation, and aging. Sequence-specific DNA-protein interactions mediate these regulatory functions. Progressive 5′ deletion of the rat androgen receptor (rAR) gene immediately beyond the −572 base pair (bp) region causes a marked increase in its promoter activity. DNase I footprinting with nuclear proteins revealed a protected area encompassing −574- to −554-bp positions that begins with a perfectly palindromic nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) motif. Electrophoretic mobility shift analyses (EMSA) showed that the decameric rAR NF-κB site at positions −574 to −565 cross-competes with the authentic κ immunoglobulin light chain enhancer for specific protein binding. Supershift with specific antibodies to NF-κB subunits confirmed that the two retarded bands observed in the EMSA with the labeled rAR probe are due to p50/p65 and p50/p50 dimers of the NF-κB/Rel proteins. Fragments of rAR promoter with either deletion or point mutation of the NF-κB site are found to be about 2- to 3-fold more effective as compared to the wild type control in driving a heterologous reporter gene in cellulo. Thus, unlike most other known cases, NF-κB acts as a negative regulator for the rAR gene. The physiological relevance of this repressor function is evident from a 10-fold increase in the p50/p50 form of the NF-κB activity in the liver of aged rats exhibiting hepatic androgen desensitization. The newly identified repressor element is a rare example of a naturally occurring perfect palindromic binding motif for the NF-κB/Rel family of transcription factors. This repressor factor and the positively acting age-dependent factor, ADF, described earlier (Supakar, P. C., Song, C. S., Jung, M. H., Slomczynska, M. A., Kim, J.-M., Vellanoweth, R. L., Chatterjee, B. & Roy, A. K.(1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 26400-26408) function to coordinate the tissue-specific down-regulation of the rAR gene during aging.
Risk factors for four-year incidence and progression of age-related macular degeneration: the los angeles latino eye study

Purpose To identify risk factors for 4-year incidence and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in adult Latinos. Design Population-based prospective cohort study. Methods Participants, aged 40 or older, from The Los Angeles Latino Eye Study (LALES) underwent standardized comprehensive ophthalmologic examinations at baseline and at 4 years of follow-up. Age-related macular degeneration was detected by grading 30-degree stereoscopic fundus photographs using the modified Wisconsin Age-Related Maculopathy Grading System. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression was used to examine the independent association of incidence and progression of AMD and baseline sociodemographic, behavioral, clinical, and ocular characteristics. Results Multivariate analyses revealed that older age (OR per decade of age: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.29, 1.85) and higher pulse pressure (OR per 10 mm Hg: 2.54; 95% CI: 1.36, 4.76) were independently associated with the incidence of any AMD. The same factors were associated with early AMD, soft indistinct drusen, and retinal pigmentary abnormalities. Additionally, presence of clinically diagnosed diabetes mellitus was independently associated with increased retinal pigment (OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.85), and male gender was associated with retinal pigment epithelial depigmentation (OR 2.50; 95% CI: 1.48, 4.23). Older age (OR per decade of age: 2.20; 95% CI: 1.82, 2.67) and current smoking (OR: 2.85; 95% CI: 1.66, 4.90) were independently associated with progression of AMD. Conclusions Several modifiable risk factors were associated with 4-year incidence and progression of AMD in Latinos. The results suggest that interventions aimed at reducing pulse pressure and promoting smoking cessation may reduce incidence and progression of AMD, respectively.
Injection of the sciatic nerve with TMEV: a new model for peripheral nerve demyelination

Demyelination of the human peripheral nervous system (PNS) can be caused by diverse mechanisms including viral infection. Despite association of several viruses with the development of peripheral demyelination, animal models of the condition have been limited to disease that is either autoimmune or genetic in origin. We describe here a model of PNS demyelination based on direct injection of sciatic nerves of mice with the cardiovirus, Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV). Sciatic nerves of FVB mice develop inflammatory cell infiltration following TMEV injection. Schwann cells and macrophages are infected with TMEV. Viral replication is observed initially in the sciatic nerves and subsequently the spinal cord. Sciatic nerves are demyelinated by day 5 post-inoculation (p.i.). Injecting sciatic nerves of scid mice resulted in increased levels of virus recovered from the sciatic nerve and spinal cord relative to FVB mice. Demyelination also occurred in scid mice and by 12 days p.i., hindlimbs were paralyzed. This new model of virus-induced peripheral demyelination may be used to dissect processes involved in protection of the PNS from viral insult and to study the early phases of lesion development.