cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fertility patterns prior to testicular cancer diagnosis

Although prenatal factors are associated with testicular cancer etiology, few studies have examined the reproductive profiles of men prior to diagnosis. This case–control study investigated fertility patterns prior to testicular cancer diagnosis by comparing pregnancies fathered by 201 men with testicular cancer and those fathered by 204 age- and neighborhood-matched controls. Regardless of histology, men with testicular cancer were less likely to have ever fathered a live-born infant (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.42–1.06) and had fewer offspring than control men (means 1.8 and 2.1, respectively). Cases were more likely than controls to report having an infertility diagnosis (OR 9.47, 95% CI 1.19–75.2) or a low sperm count (OR 5.85, 95% CI 1.28–26.7) prior to cancer diagnosis. No differences were observed for pregnancy loss. These results indicate that men with testicular cancer may have impaired fecundity and fertility as evidenced by an infertility diagnosis or low sperm count and fewer live births. Further research is needed to determine the extent to which reproductive factors are involved in the etiology of testicular cancer.
Geospatial Mapping of Soil Nitrate-Nitrogen Distribution Under a Mixed-Land Use System

Abstract Mapping the spatial distribution of soil nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) is important to guide nitrogen application as well as to assess environmental risk of NO3-N leaching into the groundwater. We employed univariate and hybrid geostatistical methods to map the spatial distribution of soil NO3-N across a landscape in northeast Florida. Soil samples were collected from four depth increments (0–30, 30–60, 60–120 and 120–180 cm) from 147 sampling locations identified using a stratified random and nested sampling design based on soil, land use and elevation strata. Soil NO3-N distributions in the top two layers were spatially autocorrelated and mapped using lognormal kriging. Environmental correlation models for NO3-N prediction were derived using linear and non-linear regression methods, and employed to develop NO3-N trend maps. Land use and its related variables derived from satellite imagery were identified as important variables to predict NO3-N using environmental correlation models. While lognormal kriging produced smoothly varying maps, trend maps derived from environmental correlation models generated spatially heterogeneous maps. Trend maps were combined with ordinary kriging predictions of trend model residuals to develop regression kriging prediction maps, which gave the best NO3-N predictions. As land use and remotely sensed data are readily available and have much finer spatial resolution compared to field sampled soils, our findings suggested the efficacy of environmental correlation models based on land use and remotely sensed data for landscape scale mapping of soil NO3-N. The methodologies implemented are transferable for mapping of soil NO3-N in other landscapes.
Sampled Analog Optical Links

We present a new intensity-modulated analog optical link architecture in which a pulsed optical carrier replaces the standard low-noise continuous-wave laser. Through a time-domain analysis of the sampled link architecture, we show that the link performance metrics reduce to those of a conventional analog optical link in the absence of photodiode nonlinearity. Experimental measurements of the link gain and third-order nonlinearity are presented, emphasizing the link performance as a function of received photocurrent. The work presented here demonstrates that the performance of sampled analog optical links rivals that of the conventional architecture, even in the presence of significant photodiode nonlinearity.
Wechsler IQ profiles in diagnosis of high-functioning autism

A Wechsler Intelligence Scale profile characterized by VIQ 70) children (n = 45) and adults (n = 36) with autism. Analysis of the profiles in these groups did not reveal the presumed typical VIQ < PIQ pattern. The typical subtest pattern was found, but the magnitude of profile variability was small. We concluded that individuals with autism can demonstrate a wide range of ability levels and patterns on the Wechsler scales, without a single characteristic prototype. Use of IQ score profiles in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of autism in high-functioning individuals is not considered valid.
Concentration fluctuations and chemical conversion associated with mixing in some turbulent flows

Microconductivity probes were used for the measurement of point values of mean concentrations and root-mean-square concentration fluctuations for mixing of salt solutions in turbulent shear flows. Mixing studies covered a range of flow conditions, with Reynolds numbers on the order of 104, and included ducted turbulent jets, dispersion in turbulent pipe flow, a plane mixing zone, and several multiple injection systems. The test sections all had characteristic dimensions of about 2 cm. The results for mixing experiments are compared with available previous work. Lack of resolution for root-mean-square concentration fluctuations in some previous work is indicated. Reaction product concentrations for a rapid, second-order, irreversible reaction in multiple injection systems, the plane jet, and the mixing zone were also obtained. The relation between conversion in reaction experiments and fluctuation level and decay in the equivalent mixing experiments is illustrated.
Please Destabilize Ethnography Now: Against Anthropological Showbiz-as-Usual

Reviews in Anthropology ISSN: 0093-8157 (Print) 1556-3014 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/grva20 Please Destabilize Ethnography Now: Against Anthropological Showbiz-as-Usual Bill Maurer To cite this article: Bill Maurer (2003) Please Destabilize Ethnography Now: Against Anthropological Showbiz-as-Usual, Reviews in Anthropology, 32:2, 159-169, DOI: To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00988150390197686 Published online: 29 Oct 2010. Submit your article to this journal Article views: 70 View related articles Citing articles: 1 View citing articles Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=grva20 Download by: [The UC Irvine Libraries] Date: 15 December 2015, At: 16:22
An infrared study of the surface chemistry of lithium titanate spinel (Li4Ti5O12)

Abstract While there are numerous studies examining the performance of lithium titanate spinel (LTS) as a lithium-ion battery, little is known about the surface chemistry of this material. In this paper, diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy spectroscopy was used to study the type of surface groups present on LTS as a function of temperature. The surface was found to contain isolated and hydrogen-bonded TiOH groups and the dehydroxylation behavior with thermal treatment was similar to that of TiO 2 . In addition, hexamethyldisilazane (HMDZ) and pyridine were used to probe the reactivity of surface hydroxyl groups and the presence of Lewis acid sites, respectively. The reaction of HMDZ occurred with both LiOH and TiOH groups to form Li–O–Si and Ti–O–Si. In addition, the reaction of gaseous CO 2 with the Li + ions resulted in the formation of surface carbonate ions. The carbonate ions are removed by heating at 400 °C in air.
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ in Lung Cancer: Defining Specific Versus “Off-Target― Effectors

A large number of studies have indicated that thiazolidinediones (TZDs) such as rosiglitazone and pioglitazone inhibit tumor growth, progression, and metastasis. These agents are specific agonists for the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR gamma) but also engage other pathways. In lung cancer, these agents have been shown to induce apoptosis and inhibit tumor growth in xenograft models. Retrospective studies have indicated a significant decrease in lung cancer risk in patients using these agents, suggesting that TZDs may be chemopreventive for lung cancer. However, emerging data suggest that chronic use of these agents is associated with increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events. It is therefore critical to determine the relative contributions of PPAR gamma-dependent versus PPAR gamma-independent pathways in mediating both the anti-tumorigenic effects and the cardiovascular effects of TZDs. This review examines these pathways with a specific focus on the role of TZDs and PPAR gamma in lung cancer.
Iron overload in hereditary spherocytosis: Association with hla-linked hemochromatosis

Heavy iron loading is a rare clinical finding in patients with hereditary spherocytosis. A pedigree was studied in which the proband, a 38-year-old man, had both hereditary spherocytosis and overt hemochromatosis. He had never received blood transfusions. The 8-year-old son of the proband also had hereditary spherocytosis and mildly increased iron stores. The 39-year-old brother of the proband did not have spherocytosis but did have overt hemochromatosis. Since hemochromatosis is transmitted as an HLA-linked autosomal recessive disorder, HLA haplotypes serve as markers of hemochromatosis alleles. In this pedigree only individuals with two hemochromatosis alleles (homozygosity) had heavy iron loads, whether hereditary spherocytosis was present or not. The presence of hereditary spherocytosis may have contributed to the magnitude of the iron loading but was not a major factor. Our findings suggest that nontransfusional hemochromatosis found in association with hereditary spherocytosis is due primarily to homozygosity for hemochromatosis.
Inhibition of recovery from potentially lethal radiation damage in A549 cells by the K+H+ ionophore nigericin

A549 cells held for 4 hr in Hank's balanced salt solution, after 10 Gy irradiation, exhibit potentially lethal damage recovery (PLDR) which is dependent on extracellular pH (pHe). Recovery factors of 2.2 to 3.5 are observed when pHe is 6.40 to 7.30, but recovery factors of less than 1.0 are found when pHe is reduced to 6.20 or 6.00. The K+/H+ ionophore nigericin, when added to cells post-irradiation, inhibits PLDR in a pHe-dependent manner; it is increasingly more effective as pHe is reduced from 6.80 to 6.40. The presence of nigericin thus causes inhibition of PLDR at pHe's that normally promote recovery. The drug does not affect radiation response of A549 cells when present only during irradiation. Effects of low pHe buffer, with and without nigericin, on intracellular pH (pHi) and on ATP levels were examined in an effort to elucidate the mechanisms for inhibition of PLDR and enhancement of radiation response. Incubation of cells in pHe 6.00 buffer results in a slight decrease in pHi and does not induce a drop in ATP levels. In contrast, post-irradiation incubation of cells in pHe 6.40 buffer containing 2 microM nigericin causes an immediate and dramatic decrease in pHi, and a gradual loss of ATP to 30% of control levels by 4 hr. The data obtained so far suggest that a very slight lowering of pHi may influence post-irradiation holding recovery, and that the mechanisms by which pHe 6.00 buffer alone, or pHe 6.40 buffer containing nigericin, affect holding recovery are different.
Magnesium Requirement of the Young Chick Determined with a “Magnesium-Free” Diet

Abstract ALMQUIST (1942) concluded that the chick requires 400 p.p.m. of dietary magnesium for optimum growth and survival. Using purified diets, Snyder (1954) and Scott et al. (1956) could not improve chick growth with supplemental levels of magnesium greater than 250 and 100 p.p.m., respectively. Moeller (1959) found the magnesium requirement of the chick to be similar to that suggested by the National Research Council (1954) of 220 mg./lb. of diet. In all studies cited, the basal diets employed contained appreciable amounts of magnesium of unknown availability. Recently, Gardiner et al. (1959) were able to reduce the magnesium content of their glucose-isolated soybean protein basal diet to 75 p.p.m. by using only reagent grade chemicals in the salt mixture. They report that the chicks’ requirement for magnesium, as measured by growth and clinical deficiency symptoms, was of the order of 250 p.p.m. In the present study, a basal diet, essentially free…
Developing Tracer Particles for X-Ray Particle Tracking Velocimetry

X-ray imaging, as a noninvasive flow visualization technique, has been shown to be a useful method for observing and characterizing multiphase flows. One type of X-ray flow visualization technique, called X-ray Particle Tracking Velocimetry (XPTV), tracks an X-ray attenuating particle in an opaque fluid flow. A significant challenge with XPTV is identifying tracer particles with the desired fluid flow characteristics (e.g., small and neutrally buoyant) but yet differentially attenuate X-rays, which is based primarily on density differences. This paper describes the manufacturing of XPTV tracer particles that satisfy specific particle characteristics including high X-ray attenuation, uniform shape, specified effective density, and desired diameter. An example use of these particles as an intruder particle in a fluidized bed (to simulate biomass injection) is then demonstrated using X-ray stereographic imaging to determine intruder particle position as a function of time in a three-dimensional opaque system.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Dynamics of the Earth’s Ring Current: Theory and Observation

The development of currents within an arbitrary distribution of particles trapped in the geomagnetic field is described. These currents combine to form the earth's ring current and thus are responsible for the worldwide depressions of surface magnetic field strength during periods of magnetic activity known as magnetic storms. Following a brief review of trapped particle motion in magnetic fields, ring current development is described and presented in terms of basic field and particle distribution parameters. Experimental observations then are presented and discussed within the theoretical framework developed earlier. New results are presented which, in the area of composition and charge state observations, hold high promise in solving many long standing ring current problems. Finally, available experimental results will be used to assess our present understanding as to ring current sources, generation, and dissipation.
Alterations in the properties of mouse leukemia L1210 cell lines selected by different methods for resistance to deoxyguanosine

Abstract Mouse leukemia L1210 cells were generated for resistance to deoxyguanosine by two different methods. In one case the L1210 cells were subjected to gradual increases in deoxyguanosine (dGuo-R); in the second approach, the cells were subjected to deoxyguanosine at a concentration ten times the IC50 value and plated out on soft agar (D-92). The dGuo-R and D-92 cell lines had different phenotypic expressions. The dGuo-R cells showed a higher degree of resistance to dGuo than the D-92 cells. The levels of resistance to other cytotoxic drugs such as araC or 2-chloro-2′-deoxyadenosine did not necessarily correlate with the degree of resistance to dGuo. Deoxycytidine kinase activity was decreased in both of the cell lines, although there was a larger decrease in the dGuo-R cell line. The levels of kinase activities toward the other substrates were not all coordinately decreased in these cell lines. The degree of resistance of these cell lines to dGuo cannot be ascribed solely to an alteration at the deoxycytidine kinase site.
Concept formation using ITERATE building rule models for efficient reasoning

This paper discusses the application of a conceptual clustering algorithm called ITERATE to improve complex problem solving. More specifically, we apply the ITERATE system to build a hierarchy of rule models from sets of rules defined for PLAYMAKER, an expert system for characterizing hydrocarbon fields and plays in terms of their essential geological characteristics for the purposes of prospect analysis. PLAYMAKER is built on MIDST, an expert system shell that employs task-specific reasoning structures. The rule model hierarchy derived by ITERATE is then used with the task-specific reasoning structures to develop a more efficient and focused reasoning mechanism. A set of case studies were conducted to demonstrate the improved performance of the reasoning system.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Development and validation of an automated system for detection and assessment of scratching in the rodent

Pruritus, the sensation of itch, which evokes reflex scratching behavior, has a diverse etiology. Because of its clinical significance, mechanisms of pruriception are an important topic. In the present work we describe and validate a paw motion detector (PMD) system. The system employs a small removable metal band placed on one hind paw that provides a signal indicative of paw movement through perturbation of an electromagnetic (EM) field. C57Bl/6 mice were fitted with a unilateral hind paw band and adapted to testing cylinders equipped with EM signal emission and detection. The following observations were made: (1) in mice, unilateral SQ injection of 48/80 into the dorsolateral aspect of the neck evoked periodic high frequency bursts of scratching at the injected site with the ipsilateral (banded) but not the contralateral (not banded) hind paw. (2) Cross correlation between PMD and human observer counts after SQ 48/80 using the specified computational algorithm revealed a highly significant correlation. (3) SQ histamine and 48/80 over a 1hour interval produced dose dependent scratching, which diphenhydramine dose dependently reversed. Chloroquine scratching displayed an inverse u-shaped dose response curve, which was insensitive to diphenhydramine. (4) SQ 48/80 at intervals over 28 days showed no change in the scratching response within the same cohort of mice. (5) Power analysis showed 40% changes in scratching activity could be detected at the p<0.05 level with groups of 4 mice. These observations indicate that the system described can efficiently define the actions and pharmacology of pruritogenic agents.
Neutrophil disorders in burn injury: complement, cytokines, and organ injury.

Abstract Because of the association of burn injury with subsequent bacterial infection, numerous studies have been performed characterizing neutrophil function in burn injury. These studies provide a picture of intravascular complement activation, neutrophil-C5a interactions, and consequent disordered cellular function. Neutrophil dysfunction includes suppressed random and C5a-directed migration and hyperresponsiveness to oxidative stimuli. These observations do not explain the histologic and functional involvement of neutrophils in ARDS and perhaps other organ failure states. Circumstantial and extrapolated information suggests that macrophage-lineage cells function as regulators of neutrophil function within matrix environments in burn injury. Elevated endotoxin levels have been found in burned patients, which would support the notion of endotoxin-stimulated monocytes/macrophages as inducing neutrophil migration into connective tissue matrices (LTB4 and IL-8), inducing prolonged oxidant production (TNF-alpha, GM-CSF), and inducing neutrophil release of regulatory substances from neutrophils (G-CSF). This information suggests a variety of experimental approaches to testing this hypothesis.
Neither backlash nor fad: The new men's studies

Although men's studies is no longer a novelty on college campuses, it can still raise some bewildered eyebrows and prompt a few explosive reactions. Recently, on a national computer bulletin board used by reference librarians, a request for journals, articles, and books “that analyze drama from a male/masculine perspective” touched off considerable crossfire among respondents. Beneath the hostilities, however, were serious questions and understandable confusions about the topic of men's studies. These concerns suggest that some clarifications concerning the new men's studies might be useful.
The control of morphogenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by Elm1 kinase is responsive to RAS/cAMP pathway activity and tryptophan availability.

Many fungi undergo a morphological transition to filamentous growth in response to limiting nutrient conditions. Constitutively elongated Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants (elm) have been isolated; the ELM1 gene encodes a putative serine/threonine protein kinase. A novel allele, elm1-15, has been isolated in an S288C-derived strain, which causes a pleiotropic phenotype, including media-specific growth effects, abnormal morphology and altered stress response, in cells that are auxotrophic for tryptophan. elm1-15 trp1 cells cannot use many nitrogen sources, are sensitive to amino acid analogues, have very low general amino acid permease activity and do not accumulate trehalose. In contrast, haploid elm1-15 TRP1 cells grow well in budding form on all media, are stress resistant and overaccumulate trehalose. Several lines of evidence suggest that Elm1 acts on functions related to the RAS/cAMP pathway. Overexpression of Elm1 partially rescues the ts phenotype of cdc25 and cyr1 mutants. Deletion of ELM1 in low PKA activity mutants increased the severity of their phenotypes, and activation of Ras2 decreases the cell elongation phenotype of elm1 mutants. A ‘signal integration’ model for the complex relationship of Elm1 and the RAS/cAMP pathway in controlling morphogenesis in response to nutrients is proposed.
Reducing the power of a command language to improve rover safety

When designing the command language for the Mars Exploration Rovers, it turned out to be important to decide what to omit. Sequences had to be flexible enough to react appropriately to contingencies, but if they became too complex, the team wouldn't be able to validate them on the tight tactical schedule. (The rovers are commanded daily, so the uplink team has only hours to design, implement, and validate the day's sequences, which typically run to hundreds of commands.) As a result, the rovers' command language does not have the power of a full programming language. Many of these tradeoffs were wise, some have required workarounds, and a few lessons can be learned for future rover missions. On the whole, the MER command language is a valuable reminder that sometimes less is more: the chosen restrictions, by striking a careful balance between complexity and power, have enabled the uplink team to greatly exceed the mission's goals. 1 2
Towards small asymptotically near-optimal roadmaps

An exciting recent development is the definition of sampling-based motion planners which guarantee asymptotic optimality. Nevertheless, roadmaps with this property may grow too large and lead to longer query resolution times. If optimality requirements are relaxed, existing asymptotically near-optimal solutions produce sparser graphs by removing redundant edges. Even these alternatives, however, include all sampled configurations as nodes in the roadmap. This work proposes a method, which can reject redundant samples but does provide asymptotic coverage and connectivity guarantees, while keeping local path costs low. Not adding every sample can significantly reduce the size of the final roadmap. An additional advantage is that it is possible to define a reasonable stopping criterion for the approach inspired by previous methods. To achieve these objectives, the proposed method maintains a dense graph that is used for evaluating the performance of the roadmap with regards to local path costs. Experimental results show that the method indeed provides small roadmaps, allowing for shorter query resolution times. Furthermore, smoothing the final paths results in an even more advantageous comparison against alternatives with regards to path quality.
Group cognitive-behavioral treatment for depressed adolescent offspring of depressed parents in a health maintenance organization.

ABSTRACT Objective A randomized, controlled effectiveness trial of group cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for depressed adolescent offspring of depressed parents in a health maintenance organization (HMO) was conducted. Method Potential adult cases were found by reviewing antidepressant medication prescriptions, mental health appointments, and medical charts. Introductory study letters signed by each parent's treating physician were mailed to the appropriate adults. Eligible offspring aged 13 to 18 who met current DSM-III-R criteria for major depression and/or dysthymia were randomly assigned to either usual HMO care ( n = 47) or usual care plus a 16-session group CBT program ( n = 41). Assessments were conducted at baseline, after treatment, and at 12-and 24-month follow-up. Results Using intent-to-treat analyses, the authors were unable to detect any significant advantage of the CBT program over usual care, either for depression diagnoses, continuous depression measures, nonaffective measures, or functioning outcomes. Conclusions Group CBT does not appear to be incrementally beneficial for depressed offspring of depressed parents who are receiving other mental health care. However, given that many other studies have found positive effects of CBT for youth depression, this single study should not be viewed as evidence that CBT is ineffective overall.
Immunoaffinity Enrichment and Liquid Chromatography-Selected Reaction Monitoring Mass Spectrometry for Quantitation of Carbonic Anhydrase 12 in Cultured Renal Carcinoma Cells

Liquid chromatography-selected reaction monitoring (LC-SRM) is a highly specific and sensitive mass spectrometry (MS) technique that is widely being applied to selectively qualify and validate candidate markers within complex biological samples. However, in order for LC-SRM methods to take on these attributes, target-specific optimization of sample processing is required, in order to reduce analyte complexity, prior to LC-SRM. In this study, we have developed a targeted platform consisting of protein immunoaffinity enrichment on magnetic beads and LC-SRM for measuring carbonic anhydrase 12 (CA12) protein in a renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell line (PRC3), a candidate biomarker for RCC whose expression at the protein level has not been previously reported. Sample processing and LC-SRM assay were optimized for signature peptides selected as surrogate markers of CA12 protein. Using LC-SRM coupled with stable isotope dilution, we achieved limits of quantitation in the low fmol range sufficient for measuring clinically relevant biomarkers with good intra- and inter-assay accuracy and precision (≤17%). Our results show that using a quantitative immunoaffinity capture approach provides specific, accurate, and robust assays amenable to high-throughput verification of potential biomarkers.
Calculation of linear and nonlinear intersubband optical absorptions in a quantum well model with an applied electric field

Analytic forms of the linear and the third-order nonlinear optical intersubband absorption coefficients are obtained for general asymmetric quantum well systems using the density matrix formalism, taking into account the intrasubband relaxation. Based on this model, we calculate the electric field dependence of the linear and the third-order nonlinear intersubband optical absorption coefficients of a semiconductor quantum well. The energy of the peak optical intersubband absorption is around 100 meV (wavelength is 12.4 μm). Thus, electrooptical modulators and photodetectors in the infrared regime can be built based on the physical mechanisms discussed here. The contributors to the nonlinear absorption coefficient due to the electric field include 1) the matrix element variation and 2) the energy shifts. Numerical results are illustrated.
Rapid and advanced tools for mycotoxin analysis: a review

The problems associated with mycotoxin contamination of foods and feeds are well established and, in many cases, have been known for a long time. Consequently, the techniques for detecting known mycotoxins are quite advanced and range from methods for directly detecting the toxins themselves, based upon physical characteristics of the toxins, to methods for indirectly detecting the toxins, such as immunoassays. This review focuses on recent technologies that can be used to detect mycotoxins and, as such, is not a comprehensive review of the mycotoxin analytical literature. Rather, the intent is to survey the range of technologies from those that are instrument intensive such as modern chromatographic methods to those that require no instrumentation, such as certain immunoassays and biosensors. In particular, mass spectrometric techniques using ambient ionization offer the intriguing possibility of non-destructive sampling and detection. The potential application of one such technique, desorption electrospray ionization (DESI), is demonstrated for fumonisin B(1) on maize. While methods for detecting mycotoxins are quite advanced, the need remains for assays with increased throughput, for the exploration of novel detection technologies, and for the comprehensive validation of such technologies as they continue to be developed.
Deconstructing oppositional defiant disorder: clinic-based evidence for an anger/irritability phenotype.

Objective To examine risk factors and co-occurring symptoms associated with mother-reported versus teacher-reported anger/irritability symptoms (AIS) of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) in a clinic-based sample of 1,160 youth aged 6 through 18 years. Method Participants completed a background history questionnaire (mothers), school functioning questionnaire (mothers, teachers), and DSM-IV –referenced symptom checklists (mothers, teachers). Youth meeting AIS criteria for ODD were compared to youth with ODD who met criteria for noncompliant symptoms (NS) but not AIS and to clinic controls. Results Compared with NS youth, youth with AIS were rated as exhibiting higher levels of anxiety and mood symptoms for both mother- and teacher-defined groups, and higher levels of conduct disorder symptoms for mother-defined younger and older youth. The remaining group differences for developmental, psychosocial, and psychiatric correlates varied as a function of informant and youth's age. Conclusions Evidence suggests that AIS may constitute a more severe and qualitatively different ODD clinical phenotype, but informant and age of youth appear to be important considerations.
Agricultural commodity branding in the rise and decline of the US food regime: from product to place-based branding in the global cotton trade, 1955–2012

Recent scholarship has focused on the tensions, contradictions, and limits of place-based branding through labels of origin, place-named agricultural products, and geographical indications. Existing literature demonstrates that even well-intentioned efforts to use place-based branding to protect the livelihoods and cultural and ecological practices of small producers are often undermined by transnational firms, states, and local elites who attempt to capture the benefits of these marketing strategies. Yet, little attention has been given to the implications of place-based branding for competition among geographically dispersed agricultural producers. While place-based branding can be used for emancipatory ends, it can also be used strategically by agricultural producers to expand their market share at the expense of others. To explore these dynamics, I trace an alternative history of place-based branding that begins not in the potentially emancipatory politics of protecting terroir but rather in the tensions and contradictions characterizing the rise and decline of the US food regime. Drawing on a cross-time comparison of branding strategies within the global cotton trade, I make two key arguments. First, I argue that US producers and the US state forged the use of different types of branding strategies (product vs. place-based) in response to the distinct tensions and contradictions characterized by the rise and decline of the US food regime. Second, these distinct branding strategies organized competition among geographically dispersed cotton producers in different ways.
Infection risk factors in febrile, neutropenic children and adolescents.

We studied 276 fever episodes with an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) <500/m3 to determine patient characteristics predicting serious infection. Infections occurred in 38% of patients. Blood cultures were positive in 58% of documented infections. There was no difference in the rates of infection or positive blood culture when ANC was <200/m3 compared with a higher ANC. However, certain high risk infections were more common with an ANC <2001/m3. Leukemia patients had more infections compared with other groups. Serious infections were more common during induction therapy or relapse. Infection incidence varied significantly with patient age and onset of fever in the inpatients. Less than one fifth of febrile neutropenic episodes had no risk features for serious infection. We conclude that several clinical characteristics correlate with serious infection in febrile, neutropenic children and adolescents receiving modern supportive care. Despite improvements in supportive care measures, most febrile, neutropeni...
Poincaré–Friedrichs Inequalities for Piecewise H 2 Functions

Abstract Poincare–Friedrichs inequalities are derived for piecewise H 2 functions on two dimensional domains. These inequalities can be applied to classical non-conforming finite element methods, mortar methods and discontinuous Galerkin methods.
An analysis of university training programs for instructional developers

This article summarizes a study of the curricula of nine graduate programs in instructional development in three categories: Residential PhD, Commuter PhD, and MA Only. It briefly describes the methodology used. It then presents general comparisons among the institutional categories on nine variables: purpose/orientation; curriculum development processes; number and types of ID courses; where/how ID is learned; types of synthesizing projects; emphasis on faculty/organization development and performance solutions; orientation to evaluation; orientation to ID; and number of students, number of faculty, and student/faculty ratio. It presents the data on the amount of time individual programs and categories of institutions spend in their curricula on 82 ID related competencies in five Domain of Instructional Technology functions and 15 competency areas. The author then compares institutional categories on the general variables and the specific competencies, and individual institutions on the specific competencies, pointing out interesting and unexpected results. Finally, the author draws several conclusions about the emphases of the institutional categories and individual programs, and raises questions about issues related to ID training that seem to require more research.
Myeloperoxidase and Atherosclerosis

Myeloperoxidase (MPO), a member of the peroxidase family, emerged as a major player in the initiation and propagation of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). Evidence for its role in atherosclerosis include that MPO: a) induces endothelial dysfunction, b) modifies physiologically functional high density lipoprotein (HDL) into “dysfunctional HDL”, c) converts low density lipoprotein (LDL) into more atherogenic modified LDL form, and d) induces endothelial cell death and tissue factor expression involved in plaque vulnerability. Elevated levels of blood MPO are associated with CVD, predict incident risks for myocardial infarction and cardiac death in subjects with acute coronary syndrome, and predict future risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) in healthy individuals. In this article, we review current understandings on the role of MPO in pathophysiological processes involved in atherosclerosis and CVD.
Selfing versus outcrossing in the androdioecious clam shrimp, Eulimnadia texana (Crustacea, Conchostraca)

The clam shrimpEulimnadia texana is an androdioecious crustacean in which hermaphrodites may self fertilize or outcross with males but cannot outcross with other hermaphrodites. Outcrossing is maintained within most populations of this species despite the high genetic cost of sex, suggesting that compensating factors provide an advantage to outcrossing. We hypothesized that one such benefit would be the production of larger clutch sizes resulting from outcrossed matings. To test this prediction, we recorded the body sizes and clutch sizes of hermaphrodites which mated via selfing or bia outcrossing. Clutch sizes showed significant, almost exponential, increases as body size increased in both selfing and outcrossing hernmaphrodites. The rate of this increase was the same for both groups, and there was no significant difference in clutch size when body size was controlled for between the two fertilization types.
Evaluation of Hydrogen Addition to Natural Gas on the Stability and Emissions Behavior of a Model Gas Turbine Combustor

In recent years, the potential for utilization of hydrogen as a strategy to optimize the performance of gas turbine combustors has been recognized. In this study, a swirl stabilized model combustor operating under lean premixed conditions with a centerline pilot injector is utilized to study how hydrogen addition to natural gas impacts performance. The relatively effectiveness of hydrogen addition to the pilot vs main fuel is examined in terms of overall stability and CO and NOx emissions. In addition, the relationship between the relative amount of hydrogen utilized and (1) the overall stability limits and (2) the ability to achieve both low CO and low NOx emissions is established. The role of hydrogen on the general flowfield and reaction structure is also examined. Also, the effect of hydrogen addition to the main fuel on flashback tendencies is examined. The results show that hydrogen addition can extend stability limits and allow for NOx reduction. The results also show that, for the system studied, pilot injection offers a more significant opportunity for using hydrogen to improve overall system emissions performance.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
On the Crystal Structure of the Organic Charge-Transfer Salt Derived from Hexamethylenetetraselenafulvalene (HMTSF) and Tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8- Tetracyano-p-Quinodimethane (TCNQF4), HMTSF-TCNQF4

Abstract The charge-transfer salt HMTSF-TCNQF4 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/m, with the following crystal data: a = 21.906(5) A, b = 12.918(3) A, c = 4.018(1) A, β = 91.66(1)°, V = 1136.5 A3 Z = 2, D cale, = 2.186 g cm−3 Dcale,= 2.17(2) g cm−3. A structural model was readily deduced from standard Patterson-Fourier methods and has been refined (based on 1175 counter-collected X-ray data) to an R value of 0.048. The crystalline motif is dominated by uniform, segregated stacks of donors and acceptors. Within each stack, the molecular overlap pattem is of the ring-over-bond type and the mean interplanar separations are 3.68 A (donor column) and 3.24 A (acceptor column). Principal intercolumn contacts are of two types: Se(donor) … F(acceptor) at 3.19 A and Se(donor) … N(acceptor) at 3.36 A. Comparisons are made between the crystal structure and physical properties of HMTSF-TCNQF4 and HMTSF-TCNQ (to which it is isostructural) and to those of HMTTF-TCNQ and HMTTF-TCNQF4 (to which it is c...
Differential inhibition of erythrocyte and hepatic uroporphyrinogen 1 synthetase activity by lead

Abstract In lead poisoning porphobilinogen (PBG) excretion may be increased. Presently, there is no explanation for this effect of lead. These studies show that lead inhibits erythrocytic uroporphyrinogen (URO) 1 synthetase activity in hemolysate preparations but has little effect on the hepatic enzyme. Lead chloride concentrations as low as 5 × 10 −6 M produced a significant inhibition of activity in human hemolysates, and 10 −4 M lead chloride produced 92 and 58% inhibition of URO 1 synthetase activity in human and rat hemolysates, respectively. However, lead chloride in concentrations up to 10 −4 M was unable to effect appreciable inhibition of activity in rat or human liver preparations. These results suggest that the source of PBG excretion following lead poisoning may be from erythropoietic tissue.
Domain Organization and Conformational Plasticity of the G Protein Effector, PDE6.

The cGMP phosphodiesterase of rod photoreceptor cells, PDE6, is the key effector enzyme in phototransduction. Two large catalytic subunits, PDE6α and -β, each contain one catalytic domain and two non-catalytic GAF domains, whereas two small inhibitory PDE6γ subunits allow tight regulation by the G protein transducin. The structure of holo-PDE6 in complex with the ROS-1 antibody Fab fragment was determined by cryo-electron microscopy. The ∼11 Å map revealed previously unseen features of PDE6, and each domain was readily fit with high resolution structures. A structure of PDE6 in complex with prenyl-binding protein (PrBP/δ) indicated the location of the PDE6 C-terminal prenylations. Reconstructions of complexes with Fab fragments bound to N or C termini of PDE6γ revealed that PDE6γ stretches from the catalytic domain at one end of the holoenzyme to the GAF-A domain at the other. Removal of PDE6γ caused dramatic structural rearrangements, which were reversed upon its restoration.
Build your own 3D display

Commercial stereoscopic displays have reemerged in the consumer market within the last few years. Today, film studios routinely produce live-action and animated 3D content for theatrical release. While primarily enabled by the widespread adoption of digital projection, allowing accurate view synchronization, the underlying 3D display technologies have changed little in the last few decades. Theatrical systems rely on stereoscopic display: projecting a unique left/right image pair that is separated by various filters placed within a pair of glasses worn by each viewer. In contrast, several LCD manufactures are introducing automultiscopic displays: allowing view-dependent imagery to be perceived without the aide of special glasses. Given these developments, 3D display is poised for another resurgence.This course is a hands-on introduction to 3D display and provides attendees with the mathematics, software, and practical details necessary to build their own low-cost stereoscopic displays. An example-driven approach is used throughout, with each new concept illustrated using a practical 3D display implemented with off-the-shelf parts. First, glasses-bound stereoscopic displays are explained. Detailed plans are provided for attendees to construct their own LCD shutter glasses. Next, unencumbered automultiscopic displays are explained, including step-by-step directions to construct lenticular and parallax barrier designs using modified LCDs. All the necessary software, including algorithms for rendering and calibration, is provided for each example, allowing attendees to quickly construct 3D displays for their own educational, amusement, and research purposes.The course concludes by describing various methods for capturing, rendering, and viewing various multi-view imagery sources. Stereoscopic OpenGL support is reviewed, as well as methods for ray-tracing multiview imagery with POV-Ray. Techniques for capturing "live-action" light fields are also outlined. Finally, recent developments are summarized, inspiring attendees to evolve the capabilities of their self-built 3D displays.
The death receptor TRAIL in cancer cell apoptosis

Apoptosis is a key regulator or tissue homeostasis. Death ligands and death receptors of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family play crucial roles in mediating apoptosis. TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is unique amongst death ligands in that it uniquely induces apoptosis in transformed cells, but not normal cells. Indeed, TRAIL is being developed as an anticancer therapy. However, many malignant tumors are resistant to apoptosis induction by TRAIL. Understanding the mechanism of resistance to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis will not only provide insight regarding transduction of the death signal, but will also be essential for designing strategies to overcome resistance to TRAIL for clinical applicatons. In this review, we focus on the apoptosis signaling pathways stimulated by TRAIL, and summarize recent clues regarding TRAIL physiology.
Fabrication of durable hydrophobic surfaces through surface texturing

Low surface energy polymer thin-films can be applied to surfaces to increase hydrophobicity and reduce friction for a variety of applications. However, wear of these thin films, resulting from repetitive rubbing against another surface, is of great concern. In this study, we show that highly hydrophobic surfaces with persistent abrasion resistance can be fabricated by depositing fluorinated carbon thin films on sandblasted glass surfaces. In our study, fluorinated carbon thin films were deposited on sandblasted and as-received smooth glass using deep reactive ion etching equipment by only activating the passivation step. The surfaces of the samples were then rubbed with FibrMet abrasive papers in a reciprocating motion using an automatic friction abrasion analyzer. During the rubbing, the static and kinetic friction forces were also measured. The surface wetting properties were then characterized using a video-based contact angle measuring system to determine the changes in water contact angle as a result of rubbing. Assessment of the wear properties of the thin films was based on the changes in the water contact angles of the coated surfaces after repetitive rubbing. It was found that, for sandblasted glass coated with fluorinated carbon film, the water contact angle remained constant throughout the entire rubbing process, contrary to the smooth glass coated with fluorinated carbon film which showed a drastic decrease in water contact angle with the increasing number of rubbing cycles. In addition, the static and kinetic friction coefficients of the sandblasted glass were also much lower than those of the smooth glass.
Optimization and characterization of a ZnO biosensor array

Abstract Practical usage of acoustic biosensors has revealed that high quality factor, Q , is an important attribute of a highly sensitive acoustic sensor. In this research, we present performance optimization of ZnO thin-film bulk acoustic resonators (FBARs) operating in the thickness shear mode through characterization of a variety of electrode geometries. The resulting average Q and K 2 from each of the electrode geometries were calculated and compared. Based on these results, a preferred electrode configuration was selected, and fabricated into an 8-device array. The arrays were tested in physiologically relevant environments to illustrate the effects of temperature and solution conductivity on the stability of the resonators. The devices demonstrated a temperature coefficient of frequency of ∼25 ppm/°C. The resonators also exhibited reasonable stability under varying levels of solution conductivity as tested by exposing the devices to solutions containing a varied amount of NaCl in deionized H 2 O.
"Alternative Responses to Literature": Experimental Writing, Experimental Teaching.

Ifirst designed my Alternative Responses to Literature course for myself as much as for my students. I was tired of reading uninspired, laboriously imitative essays that reflected my literature students' anxiety and joylessness when it came to the endeavor of writing. Behind their passivity, the disillusionment and cynicism in many of my students struck me as tragic. In creative writing courses-I teach fiction writing as well as expository writing and literature-this was not the case. There, young writers invested their work with hope and desire, eagerly revised it toward perfection, and seemed not to suffer from the self-compromise, penitentially low self-esteem, and purposelessness I so often encountered in my other classes. Writing mattered deeply to them, and their work had a passionate context, their own lives.