cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SPECT-based evaluation of [211At]-astatide and surrogate isotopes for determination of activity concentration in vivo

1069 Objectives: [211At]-astatide has potential as a therapeutic in the management of metastatic thyroid cancer. [211At]-astatide has a different biodistribution and clearance kinetic than radioiodide, and should be independently determined for the accurate estimation of absorbed dose. Whilst SPECT imaging of the [211At]-astatide therapy dose is possible, using a smaller tracer dose of [211At]-astatide, in a manner analogous to a [131I]-iodide tracer dose presents many challenges. Establishing a patient-specific image-based method of determining [211At]-astatide biodistribution would be of great value in dose prescription. Methods: A simple phantom model was constructed, consisting of individual vials containing 211At, 99mTc and 131I at 0.78, 4.05 and 5.21 mCi respectively, each in a final volume of 250ul. Images were acquired for 10 minutes using a MIlabs uSPECT scanner with a general-purpose mouse collimator. For animal studies, HTH7 anaplastic thyroid cancer cells expressing hNIS as a transgene were grown as subcutaneous xenografts. Animals bearing xenografts were administered 99mTcO4- (5mCi) and [211At]-astatide (1mCi) simultaneously, with SPECT data acquired for 90 minutes. Images were reconstructed using manufacturer-supplied reconstruction algorithm (MiLabs 2.51g) with appropriate background subtraction. Energy windows used were 20% centered at 140keV (99mTc), 25% centered at 84.5 keV (211At) and 20% centered at 364 keV (131I). Images were analyzed using Vivoquant v4.0. Results: In the phantom studies, 99mTc and 211At were easily resolved based on energy. With both isotope phantoms in the FOV, we were able to resolve each phantom with 99.4% (99mTc) and 98.1% (211At) of the expected counts, based on individual isotope standards. In the dual isotope phantoms, we measured cross-talk between channels of less than 0.4% in each case. The addition of 131I to the FOV resulted in an increase in overall background signal in each channel, and an increased crosstalk between 131I and the other channels (25% in 211At and 11.3% in 99mTc respectively). This is likely due to insufficient collimator performance and resulting down-scattered photons. In vivo imaging following 99mTcO4- and [211At]-astatide co-administration revealed a similar spatial biodistribution, but suggested a different clearance kinetic between the isotopes. Conclusions: 99mTcO4- and [211At]-astatide may be co-administered and individually resolved in a pre-clinical setting for the evaluation tissue uptake and clearance kinetics. The concurrent use of 131I in this context is not recommended without use of a high-energy collimator of suitable specification. This method will provide a detailed evaluation of 99mTcO4- as a clinical surrogate for image-based [211At]-astatide dose prescription for metastatic thyroid cancer.
Politics of Universal and Unconditional Cash Transfer: Examining Attitudes Toward Universal Basic Income

Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a periodic cash payment to all residents in a jurisdiction, without obligation. Universalism and unconditionality distinguish UBI from other redistributive policies that require means testing and certain behaviors to gain and maintain eligibility. Despite an increased interest in UBI, it is poorly understood how these two critical features – universalism and unconditionality – influence public attitudes toward UBI. This paper explores results of the eighth round of the European Social Survey and finds that people who support unconditionality are more likely to support UBI, as expected. But support for UBI is also significantly associated with a desire to help the poor rather than provide universal cash transfers to all individuals.
Quasicontinuum Monte Carlo Simulation of Multilayer Surface Growth

We develop a method, for simulating epitaxial growth, based on coarse graining (in time) the evolution equations of the probability functions for Kinetic Monte Carlo. Our approach has the advantages offered by continuum methods but still retains enough of the fluctuations to offer good physical fidelity. We have compared our method to KMC in a number of situations and found good agreement.
Who is the adopter? organizational acceptance of customer loyalty programs in supermarket chains and the potential role of a community of practice

The paper presents a map of cognitions about customer relationship management and customer loyalty programs (CRM/CLPs) in USA food retailers. It shows that managers separate CRM/CLPs from their ongoing value adding effort and consider costs of CRM/CLPs critical obstacles. This is an example of failing implementation of IT systems manifesting in managerial cognition.
Tapered fluidized bed bioreactor for environmental control and fuel production

Fluidized bed bioreactors are under development for use in environmental control and energy production. The most effective systems utilize a tapered portion either throughout the column or at the top of the column. This taper allows a wide range of operating conditions without loss of the fluidized particulates, and in general, results in more stable operation. The system described here utilize fixed films of microorganisms that have attached themselves to the fluidized particles. Preliminary investigations of the attachment indicate that reactor performance is related to film thickness. The biological denitrification of aqueous waste streams is typical of processes under development that utilize fluidized bed bioreactors. This development has progressed to the pilot plant scale where two 20-cm-diam x 800-cm fluidized beds in series accept aqueous wastes with nitrate concentrations as high as 10,000 mg/l and denitrification rates greater than 50 g/l/day using residence times of less than 30 minutes in each reactor. Other applications include aerobic degradation of phenolic wastes at rates greater than 25 g/l/day and the conversion of glucose to ethanol.
Stealth works: emulating memory errors

A study of Google's data center revealed that the incidence of main memory errors is surprisingly high. These errors can lead to application and system corruption, impacting reliability. The high error rate is an indication that new resiliency techniques will be vital in future memories. To develop such approaches, a framework is needed to conduct flexible and repeatable experiments. This paper describes such a framework, StealthWorks, to facilitate research on software resilience by behaviorally emulating memory errors in a live system. We illustrate it to study program tolerance to random errors and in the development of a new software technique to continuously test memory for errors.
An accurate SER estimation method based on propagation probability [soft error rate]

In this paper, we present an accurate but very fast soft error rate (SER) estimation technique for digital circuits, based on error propagation probability (EPP) computation. Experiments results and comparison of the results with the random simulation technique show that our proposed method is on average within 6% of the random simulation method and four to five orders of magnitude faster.
Remembering Odors and Their Names

It is generally believed that odor memory is excellent, but its strengths and weaknesses compared with visual or auditory memory are not well appreciated. What odor perception does best, the basis for its reputation, is to recreate significant past episodes in a person's life. The French novelist Marcel Proust has provided the classic example, describing at the beginning of his masterpiece Remembrance of Things Past how the aroma and flavor of a morsel of petite madeleine soaked in a spoonful of tea brought back long-forgotten memories of his aunt's bedroom in the family's house at Combray: "When from a long-distant past nothing subsists, after the people are dead, after the things are broken and scattered, still alone, more fragile, but with more vitality, more unsub stantial, more persistent, more faith ful, the smell and taste of things . . . bear unfaltering, in the tiny and al most impalpable drop of their es sence, the vast structure of recollec tion."
The epistemology of possible worlds : A guided tour

L'A. se propose de resoudre le probleme epistemologique de la possibilite d'une ontologie modale, en evitant le probleme semantique de l'existence des mondes possibles. L'A. confronte les solutions platonicienne et pragmatique apportees par D. Lewis aux differentes strategies fiabiliste, transcendantaliste, conventionnaliste et contextualisme
An integrate-and-dump receiver for high dynamic range photonic analog-to-digital conversion

A high-linearity integrate-and-dump circuit is proposed for the electrical interface to a photonic sampling system. The integrate-and-dump receiver operates at 2 GS/s with a 500ps period for integration, hold, and reset. Better than 7.5 ENOB is measured with a sinewave input. The integrate-and-dump receiver is fabricated in a 120nm SiGe BiCMOS technology with a core current consumption of 84 mA from a 5 V supply.
Interplay of hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in memory

Recent studies on the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex have considerably advanced our understanding of the distinct roles of these brain areas in the encoding and retrieval of memories, and of how they interact in the prolonged process by which new memories are consolidated into our permanent storehouse of knowledge. These studies have led to a new model of how the hippocampus forms and replays memories and how the prefrontal cortex engages representations of the meaningful contexts in which related memories occur, as well as how these areas interact during memory retrieval. Furthermore, they have provided new insights into how interactions between the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex support the assimilation of new memories into pre-existing networks of knowledge, called schemas, and how schemas are modified in this process as the foundation of memory consolidation.
Morphology and ontogeny of rat perirhinal cortical neurons.

Golgi-impregnated neurons from rat perirhinal cortex (PR) were classified into one of 15 distinct morphological categories (N = 6,891). The frequency of neurons in each cell class was determined as a function of the layer of PR and the age of the animal, which ranged from postnatal day 0 (P0) to young adulthood (P45). The developmental appearance of Golgi-impregnated neurons conformed to the expected “inside-out” pattern of development, meaning that cells populated in deep before superficial layers of PR. The relative frequencies of different cell types changed during the first 2 weeks of postnatal development. The largest cells, which were pyramidal and spiny multipolar neurons, appeared earliest. Aspiny stellate neurons were the last to appear. The total number of Golgi-impregnated neurons peaked at P10–12, corresponding to the time of eye-opening. This early increase in the number of impregnated neurons parallels observations in other cortical areas. The relative frequency of the 15 cell types remained constant between P14 to P45. The proportion of pyramidal neurons in PR (≈50%) was much smaller than is typical of neocortex (≈70%). A correspondingly larger proportion of PR neurons were nonpyramidal cells that are less common in neocortex. The relative frequency distribution of cell types creates an overall impression of considerable morphological diversity, which is arguably related to the particular manner in which this periallocortical brain region processes and stores information. J. Comp. Neurol. 505:493–510, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A Seemingly Unrelated Regression Model for Analyzing Multiparty Elections

This paper develops an estimator for models of election returns in multiparty elections. It shares the same functional formas the Katz—King estimator but is computationally simpler, can be used with any number of parties, and is based on more conventional distributional assumptions. Small sample properties of the estimator are derived, which makes it particularly useful in many of the applications where there are a relatively small number of voting districts. The distributional assumptions are contained in two elements. The first treats the observed votes as the outcomes resulting from sampling the voters in each district. The second stochastic element arises from the usual treatment of the stochastic term in a regression model, namely, the inability of the included variables and the linear form to match the underlying process perfectly. The model is then used to analyze the 1993 Polish parliamentary elections. The results from this analysis are used to develop Monte Carlo experiments comparing several different yet feasible estimators. The conclusion is that a number of accessible estimators, including the standard seemingly unrelated regression model and the Beck-Katz model with panel-corrected standard errors, are all good choices.
Corrections to 'Radiation from a dielectric coated hemispherical conductor fed by a coaxial transmission line' (Feb. 1989, 16-20)

The authors provide a corrected figure and title for the apparent input admittance in the above-titled paper (see ibid., vol.31, no.1, p.16-20, 1989). >
Training for efficiency: work, time, and systems-based practice in medical residency.

Medical residency is a period of intense socialization with a heavy workload. Previous sociological studies have identified efficiency as a practical skill necessary for success. However, many cont...
Anterior Shoulder Instability Repair and Reconstruction: An Algorithm for Patients with Bone Defects

Abstract Most cases of instability of the shoulder do not involve a significant osseous lesion. Bony lesions of the glenoid and humeral head, however, can be a major cause of recurrent anterior glenohumeral instability. Unrecognized bony glenoid defects and Hill-Sachs lesions can lead to failure after arthroscopic soft tissue stabilization procedures for anterior instability. However bony defects can usually be identified and effectively treated, if an appropriate protocol and workup is followed. Current indications for the treatment of anterior glenohumeral instability with a bony augmentation procedure include anteroinferior glenoid bone loss of greater than 20%-30%, an engaging Hill-Sachs lesion, or an Instability Severity Index Score greater than 6. A variety of procedures have been described for treating bony instability, including both arthroscopic and open techniques. Here we discuss the evaluation, workup, and treatment of anterior shoulder instability related to bone deficiency of the glenohumeral joint.
Investigation of the Local Structure of the LiNi0.5Mn0.5 O 2 Cathode Material during Electrochemical Cycling by X-Ray Absorption and NMR Spectroscopy

In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) of the Mn and Ni K-edges and 6 Li magic angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy have been carried out during the first charging and discharging process for the layered LiNi 0 . 5 Mn 0 . 5 O 2 cathode material. The Ni K-edge structure in the X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectrum exhibits a rigid positive energy shift with increased Li deintercalation level, while the Mn XANES spectra do not show any substantial energy changes. The Ni edge shifts back reversibly during discharge. Further Li-ion intercalation at ∼1 V (vs. Li) could be accomplished by reduction of the Mn 4 + ions. The 6 Li MAS NMR results showed the presence of Li in the Ni 2 + /Mn 4 + layers, in addition to the expected sites for Li in the lithium layers. All the Li ions in the transition metal layers are removed on the first charge, leaving residual lithium ions in the lithium layers.
Firm behavior in the U.S. market for factor VIII: a need for policy?

Abstract In this paper, we historically examine the market for Factor VIII concentrate, a collection of blood products used in the treatment of hemophilia A. With the introduction of HIV-1 into the U.S. blood supply, a majority of American hemophiliacs became infected with the virus. In response to contami- nation, the pharmaceutical manufacturers producing Factor VIII concentrate developed highly purified products which were introduced in the late 1980s at four to five times the price of the older, intermediate purity products. These new products are highly valuable in protecting the 30% of hemophiliacs who are HIV-1 seronegative; however, for those individuals previously infected by the virus, the extra benefit of the more costly products was questionable at the time they were first introduced. We postulate that there has been some level of industry coordination among the producers of Factor VIII concentrates to supply only the more expensive, highly purified products even though there appeared to be significant demand for the intermediate purity products by HIV-1 infected hemophiliacs. We develop and present a model that is useful for testing an inter-product collusion hypothesis. Further, we hypothetically discuss the model's implications and develop some public health policy optios that might improve the competitive performance of the market.
What Makes Christian Bioethics Christian? Bible, Story, and Communal Discernment

Scripture is somehow normative for any bioethic that would be Christian. There are problems, however, both with Scripture and with those who read Scripture. Methodological reflection is necessary. Scripture must be read humbly and in Christian community. It must be read not as a timeless code but as the story of God and of our lives. That story moves from creation to a new creation. At the center of the Christian story are the stories of Jesus of Nazareth as healer, preacher of good news to the poor, and sufferer. The story shapes character and conduct and enables communal discernment.
Self-tuning average consensus in complex networks

Abstract In this paper we present an adaptive algorithm for distributed average consensus over a network of multi-agent systems. The coupling parameters defining the strength of agents interactions are locally self-tuned by each node based on the state information of its neighbors. Assuming that the underlying graph is connected, it is shown that the sequence of coupling parameters generated by normalized gradient algorithm (NGA) is convergent, and the agent states converge toward the average of the initial state values. Relation of the proposed method to synchronization phenomenon is discussed. Simulation results illustrate effectiveness of the proposed method.
DNA mediated charge transport: characterization of a DNA radical localized at an artificial nucleic acid base.

DNA assemblies containing 4-methylindole incorporated as an artificial base provide a chemically well-defined system in which to explore the oxidative charge transport process in DNA. Using this artificial base, we have combined transient absorption and EPR spectroscopies as well as biochemical methods to test experimentally current mechanisms for DNA charge transport. The 4-methylindole radical cation intermediate has been identified using both EPR and transient absorption spectroscopies in oxidative flash-quench studies using a dipyridophenazine complex of ruthenium as the intercalating oxidant. The 4-methylindole radical cation intermediate is particularly amenable to study given its strong absorptivity at 600 nm and EPR signal measured at 77 K with g = 2.0065. Both transient absorption and EPR spectroscopies show that the 4-methylindole is well incorporated in the duplex; the data also indicate no evidence of guanine radicals, given the low oxidation potential of 4-methylindole relative to the nucleic acid bases. Biochemical studies further support the irreversible oxidation of the indole moiety and allow the determination of yields of irreversible product formation. The construction of these assemblies containing 4-methylindole as an artificial base is also applied in examining long-range charge transport mediated by the DNA base pair stack as a function of intervening distance and sequence. The rate of formation of the indole radical cation is ≥107 s-1 for different assemblies with the ruthenium positioned 17−37 A away from the methylindole and with intervening A−T base pairs primarily composing the bridge. In these assemblies, methylindole radical formation at a distance is essentially coincident with quenching of the ruthenium excited state to form the Ru(III) oxidant; charge transport is not rate limiting over this distance regime. The measurements here of rates of radical cation formation establish that a model of G-hopping and AT-tunneling is not sufficient to account for DNA charge transport. Instead, these data are viewed mechanistically as charge transport through the DNA duplex primarily through hopping among well stacked domains of the helix defined by DNA sequence and dynamics.
Landau level anticrossing manifestations in the phase-diagram topology of a two-subband system

In a two-subband $\mathrm{Ga}\mathrm{As}∕\mathrm{Al}\mathrm{Ga}\mathrm{As}$ two-dimensional electron system, the phase diagram of longitudinal resistivity ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{xx}$ in density and magnetic field plane exhibits an intriguing structure centered at filling factor $\ensuremath{\nu}=4$ which is strikingly different from the ringlike structures at lower magnetic fields. Thermal activation measurements reveal an anticrossing gap on each boundary of the structure where intersubband Landau levels with parallel or antiparallel spin are brought into degeneracy. While the physics of the anticrossing can be ascribed to the pseudospin quantum Hall ferromagnetism, as reported earlier by Muraki et al., the mapping and modeling of the phase-diagram topology allow us to establish a more complete picture of the consequences of real spin/pseudospin interactions for the two-subband system.
In vitro conversion of normal mouse lymphocytes by plasmacytoma RNA to express idiotypic specificities on their surface characteristic of the plasmacytoma immunoglobulin.

Abstract Using a “blind” experimental protocol, we have reaffirmed that RNA-rich extracts from plasmacytoma can convert normal mouse lymphocytes in vitro so that normal surface immunoglobulins (Ig) are replaced by specific plasmacytoma Ig as judged by an immunocytoadhesion assay that detects cells bearing the idiotypic specificity of the plasmacytoma Ig. No loss of biological activity could be detected when extensive degradation of DNA in the extracts by DNase was explicitly demonstrated or when de novo RNA synthesis by the cells was inhibited by actinomycin D, thus eliminating a role for DNA in the cell conversion. Loss of biological activity also failed to occur after the RNA-rich extracts were treated with pronase or when the amount of contaminating protein was markedly reduced; however, loss of activity did occur when de novo protein synthesis by the cells was inhibited by puromycin or cycloheximide, thus eliminating the possibility that the specific plasmacytoma Ig or a fragment thereof was passively transferred onto the cell surface with the RNA molecule as a carrier. However, mild RNase treatment that causes a relatively small increase in the amount of 4S RNA and yet retaining relatively large amounts of 18S and 28S RNA, as might result from only a few breaks in the intact RNA molecules, effectively destroyed the biological activity of the RNA-rich extracts, reaffirming the requirement for intact RNA. When the RNA-rich extracts were fractionated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation, the activity was limited to the 12S to 23S fractions.
Migration in the life course of women in the border city of Matamoros, Tamualipas: Links to educational, family, and labor trajectories

Abstract This paper focuses on the role that migration plays in the life chances of women of very limited resources living in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, a major maquiladora site in Mexico. Due in part to the growth of the maquiladora industry, the Mexican border region experiences significant levels of migration. The maquiladora industry, which has been disproportionately geared to employment of women, has no doubt attracted female migration to the border (Pedraza 1991). Thus, in this study we are particularly concerned with understanding the dynamics of migration among women—both among women who are associated with the maquiladora industry and those who are not. Based on rich information obtained through life histories of a group of women from different age cohorts, we find that female migration patterns seem to be consistent with major life events, although the timing of migration was not always optimal. Furthermore, important variations existed for women of different age cohorts. For the older women, schoo...
Calorie restriction inhibits the age-related dysregulation of the cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 in C3B10RF1 mice

TNF-alpha and IL-6 are generally increased in the sera of aged humans and mice. The dysregulation of these cytokines may be critical in autoreactivity and immune dysfunction. In earlier studies we demonstrated that production of TNF-alpha and IL-6 following in vitro stimulation of peritoneal macrophages by LPS was reduced in old compared to young mice, and that dietary caloric restriction (CR) had no effect on the induction of TNF-alpha in this system. In the present study we examined the effects of age and calorie restriction on the constitutive production of both TNF-alpha and IL-6. Serum levels of both cytokines were significantly higher in old versus young mice. However, in old mice subjected to long term CR the serum levels were comparable to those of young mice. The potential involvement of normalization of TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in the life extension effect of CR are discussed.
Solid-state magnetometer using electrically detected magnetic resonance

Abstract A silicon-based magnetometer utilizing spin-dependent recombination to electrically detect electron spin resonance is described. Electronic tracking of the resonant frequency provides an absolute, calibration-free measure of the magnetic field. The magnetometer can potentially be implemented entirely in conventional complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) integrated circuit technology. Based on published results for spin-dependent recombination in semiconductor diodes, an estimate of the achievable sensitivity and power consumption of an integrated magnetometer is derived.
Heteronuclear zero quantum spectroscopy as a conformational probe

Investigations of the conformations of molecules in liquids are often aided by the information present in the proton NMR spectrum of the sample. The proton chemical shifts and proton-proton couplings often contain sufficient information for determination of the structural features of interest. However, in many cases the proton spectrum is obscured by the signals from solvent or an enzyme or by overlap of signals from the molecule being studied. One approach to overcoming this problem is to use heteronuclear two-dimensional NMR to detect indirectly the proton spectral information (1, 2). The heteronuclear two-dimensional NMR method can be used to obtain proton spectra of sufficient quality to answer conformational questions (35). The technique has recently been extended to detection of protons which share a coupling partner with the heteronucleus but are not directly coupled to the heteronucleus (6, 7). Another approach to spying on protons is to use heteronuclear multiple quantum spectroscopy (8-10). Since indirect detection of protons is of use in examining the conformations and structures of molecules where conventional approaches fail, it was of interest to begin an investigation of the merits of multiple quantum spectroscopy relative to heteronuclear two-dimensional NMR. Zero quantum spectroscopy, in particular, appears to be quite promising. The linewidths obtained in the crucial domain containing the proton information are only weakly dependent on the field homogeneity. A more advantageous feature is that the proton spectra obtained via heteronuclear zero quantum spectroscopy correspond to the heteronuclear decoupled proton spectrum when only one proton is coupled to the heteronucleus. The pulse sequence used for the generation and detection of heteronuclear zero quantum coherence is shown in Fig. 1. The phases of the pulses are cycled so that the phosphorus-31 signals are modulated only by the zero quantum coherence as a function of tl. Unlike the situation for homonuclear zero quantum spectroscopy, phase cycling can discriminate between zero quantum coherence and longitudinal magnetization. The phase cycling modulates the phase of the detected signal, allowing “quadrature” detection to be used in both frequency domains. The frequency of the heteronuclear zero quantum signal, in the absence of protonproton coupling, is the difference between the proton Larmor frequency and the proton transmitter frequency minus the difference between the phosphorus-31 Lar-
Modification rates during testing

Abstract The general lack of success in adequately estimating time and resources needed for a software project contributes to the major problem of late delivery of unreliable software. Increased capability for estimation follows an increased understanding of the activity in each phase of software development. This paper presents a study of the rate at which program modifications are made during the testing phase of software development. The effect of complexity, measured by lines of code and cyclomatic complexity, are also studied. When the modules were evaluated as one group, the rate of modification was found to be relatively consistent with some decrease in the latter stage of testing. Modules with low complexity experienced greater relative modification activity during the latter stage of testing than did the modules with higher complexity.
Oceanography: Ultra marine

Stephen R. Palumbi finds both stark warnings and buoyant optimism in an encyclopaedic take on the state of the oceans.
Wireless vulnerability of SCADA systems

Critical infrastructures such as the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems have succumbed to the demands of greater connectivity. Although the scheme of connecting these critical equipment and devices to cyberspace has brought us tremendous convenience, it also enabled certain unimaginable risks and vulnerabilities. These risks and vulnerabilities are very critical to our daily existence and are perilous to ignore. This paper presents an overview of wireless security and vulnerabilities of SCADA systems. Also described are proof-of-concept methods of attacking wireless vulnerabilities on SCADA systems.
Female Cowbird Song Perception: Evidence for Different Developmental Programs within the same Subspecies

Female Molothrus ater from Oklahoma at the subspecies border with M.a. obscurus were tested for their discrimination of songs from their native area and from Austin, Texas. This 400-km distance is characterized by a structural shift in the male cowbird's inclusion of the mid-song element, a structure found in the songs of Austin and the more southern M.a. obscurus populations but not in the songs of Oklahoma or the more northern and eastern M.a. ater populations. Females captured in Oklahoma showed a strong preference for their native song variants. In contrast, captive females from Oklahoma who were housed with Austin males showed no preference, responding equally to Oklahoma and Austin song. The songs of the Austin males housed with the Oklahoma females did not differ acoustically from those of wild Austin males. Thus, a different developmental pattern may operate in this region than in eastern populations of M.a. ater: here, the female may be more open to social influence.
Node clustering based on link delay in P2P networks

Peer-to-peer (P2P) has become an important computing model because of its adaptation, self-organization and autonomy etc. But efficient organization of the nodes in P2P networks is still a challenge needs to be addressed. Node clustering is a mechanism that aims to provide an optimal infrastructure to organize the nodes in a P2P network. This paper describes an approach to implement node clustering based on link delay of node communications in the P2P network. This approach is completely distributed, in which each node only depends on its neighbors to implement node clustering. In this approach, we propose two distributed algorithms: T-closure algorithm and hierarchical node clustering algorithm to find node clusters automatically in a P2P network. We explore the node connectivity together with the connection quality. As a result, the link delay of communication between the super-node and the peer-node in node clustering can be limited, which will improve the overall performance of P2P networks.
Tryptophan scanning mutagenesis in TM4 of the GABAA receptor α1 subunit: implications for modulation by inhaled anesthetics and ion channel structure

Previous studies have shown that amino acid residues in trans-membrane (TM) segments 1, 2 and 3 of the α subunit are critical for the enhancement of GABAA receptor function by inhaled anesthetics. In this study we used tryptophan (Trp) scanning mutagenesis between Ile 406 and Asn 417 in the α1 subunit to determine the effects of Trp substitution in the fourth transmembrane segment (TM4) on receptor gating and anesthetic modulation. Wild-type and mutant α1 subunits were transiently expressed in HEK 293 cells with wild-type β2 and γ2s subunits and GABA-activated currents were recorded using whole-cell voltage clamp. The potentiation by three inhaled anesthetics (isoflurane, halothane and chloroform) of responses elicited by a submaximal concentration of GABA were also examined. EC50 values for GABA at the mutant receptors were in the range 4–60 μM (wild-type=20 μM), indicating that Trp substitution can alter the apparent affinity of the receptor for GABA positively or negatively, dependent on position. The variation of the calculated EC50 value for GABA exhibited an interesting periodicity, with the cycle length for each repeat corresponding to approximately 3.6 amino acids. These data are consistent with an α-helical structure for the TM4 segment of the α subunit. Several of these Trp point mutations altered the ability of one or more of the three inhaled anesthetics to modulate receptor function; four of the 12 mutations abolished receptor modulation by one or more of the anesthetics tested. These data are consistent with a role for these residues at the extracellular end of TM4 in anesthetic modulation of GABAA receptors.
The Contours and Correlates of Informal Work in Rural Pennsylvania.

Social scientists have increasingly come to recognize the informal economy as a prominent and permanent structural feature of modern society. Rural sociologists have made a considerable contribution to this literature, demonstrating informal work to factor prominently in the livelihood strategies of rural Americans. Despite this scholarly attention significant gaps persist in our understanding of the informal economy. Drawing on data from a survey of family households in nonmetropolitan Pennsylvania, this paper examines the contours and correlates of informal work. The results make a strong case that participation in informal work is widespread and most often combined with formal work as a household livelihood strategy. While income is not found to be a significant correlate of informal work, it is found to influence the reasons cited for participation. Important correlates of informal work are identified and differences in the factors associated with informal work done to generate income (cash or in-kind) versus savings are revealed.
Persistent current fluctuations in mesoscopic rings in the presence of spin effects

The effects of spin-flip scattering, spin-orbit interaction, and Zeeman splitting on the persistent currents in mesoscopic metallic rings and related correlation functions are investigated, with emphasis on the non-interacting electron case. Interaction effects are briefly reviewed.
Medication safety and chronic kidney disease in older adults prescribed metformin: a cross-sectional analysis

Medication safety in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing concern. This is particularly relevant in older adults due to underlying CKD. Metformin use is contraindicated in patients with abnormal kidney function; however, many patients are potentially prescribed metformin inappropriately. We evaluated the prevalence of CKD among older adults prescribed metformin for type 2 diabetes mellitus using available equations to estimate kidney function and examined demographic characteristics of patients who were potentially inappropriately prescribed metformin. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of older adults aged ≥65 years prescribed metformin from March 2008-March 2009 at an urban tertiary-care facility in Seattle, Washington, USA. CKD was defined using National Kidney Foundation-Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative criteria. Creatinine clearance was calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault equation; estimated glomerular filtration rate was calculated using the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) and CKD-Epidemiology (EPI) Collaboration equations. Regression analyses were used to determine the associations between demographic characteristics and prevalent CKD. Among 356 subjects (median age 69 years, 52.5% female, 39.4% non-Hispanic black), prevalence of stage 3 or greater CKD calculated by any of the equations was 31.4%. The Cockcroft-Gault equation identified more subjects as having CKD (23.7%) than the abbreviated MDRD (21.1%) or CKD-EPI (21.7%) equations (P < 0.001). Older age (OR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.08-1.19) and female sex (OR = 2.51, 95% CI 1.44-4.38) were associated with increased odds of potentially inappropriate metformin prescription due to CKD; non-Hispanic black race was associated with decreased odds of potentially inappropriate metformin prescription due to CKD (OR = 0.41, 95% CI 0.23-0.71). CKD is common in older adults prescribed metformin for type 2 diabetes, raising concern for potentially inappropriate medication use. No single equation to estimate kidney function may accurately identify CKD in this population. Medication safety deserves greater consideration among elderly patients due to the widespread prevalence of CKD.
BIOLOGIC VARIATION OF HUMAN SERUM IMMUNOGLOBULIN CONCENTRATIONS: SEX-AGE SPECIFIC EFFECTS*

Abstract Concentrations of serum immunoglobulins provide clinically useful parameters of immunologic or inflammatory diseases. Valid interpretations of these data require recognition of biologic variations which exist throughout the life-span of the individual. The most important of these variables are sex, age and race. The present study reports the sex-age specific changes in serum immunoglobulin concentrations in 3213 unselected individuals from 5 to 94 yr of age from a community study. Evaluation of biologic differences was accomplished by multiple linear regression on log e transformed data. IgG and IgA concentrations increased with age with slight but significant differences between the sexes. Females had higher serum levels of IgG and lower levels of IgA than males. IgM levels did not change with age and were significantly higher in females than in males. None of the immunoglobulin concentrations decreased with age, nor was there a change in variability. These observations document significant biologic variations which occur in immunoglobulin concentrations and are the first data available based on an unbiased community sample.
Bioaccumulation and tissue distribution of a quaternary ammonium surfactant in three aquatic species

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are commonly used as surfactants in drilling muds and fabric softeners and as biocides in antiseptics and disinfectants. QACs and cationic polyelectrolytes elicit acute toxic effects in aquatic organisms by disrupting the structure and function of gill tissues, which may result in the suffocation of the organism. Little information is available, however, on the relative availability and distribution of QACs in the tissues of aquatic organisms. Information of this nature is required to understand the potential consequences of releases of sublethal concentrations of QACs into the aquatic environment. In this study, hexadecylpyridinium bromide (HPB; CAS 140-72-7) was selected as a compound for initial study because it belongs to a chemical class (alkylpyridinium QACs) that includes the most toxic and environmentally persistent QACs. Clams, minnows, and tadpoles were chosen as test organisms to define the relative availability of HPB to organisms that occupy distinctly different ecological niches.
Optical Properties of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Separated in a Density Gradient; Length, Bundling, and Aromatic Stacking Effects

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are promising materials for in vitro and in vivo biological applications due to their high surface area and inherent near-infrared photoluminescence and Raman scattering properties. Here, we use density gradient centrifugation to separate SWNTs by length and degree of bundling. Following separation, we observe a peak in photoluminescence quantum yield (PL QY) and Raman scattering intensity where the SWNT length is maximized and bundling is minimized. Individualized SWNTs are found to exhibit a high PL QY and high resonance-enhanced Raman scattering intensity. Fractions containing long, individual SWNTs exhibit the highest PL QY and Raman scattering intensities compared with fractions containing single, short SWNTs or SWNT bundles. Intensity gains of approximately ∼1.7- and 4-fold, respectively, are obtained compared with the starting material. Spectroscopic analysis reveals that SWNT fractions at higher displacement contain increasing proportions of SWNT bundles, whi...
Mechanisms of bradykinin-induced glucagon release in clonal α-cells In-R1-G9: involvement of Ca2+-dependent and -independent pathways

The mechanisms by which bradykinin (BK) increases glucagon release were investigated. BK (0.1-10 microM) increased [Ca(2+)](i) and glucagon release in clonal alpha-cells In-R1-G9. BK-induced glucagon release was lower in the absence than in the presence of extracellular Ca(2+), but it still increased glucagon release while [Ca(2+)](i) was stringently deprived. Depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) store with thapsigargin abolished both the BK-induced Ca(2+) peak and sustained plateau. Microinjection of heparin abolished BK-induced Ca(2+) release. Pertussis toxin (PTX) did not block BK-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increase or glucagon release. U-73122 (8 microM), a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, abolished BK-induced increases in [Ca(2+)](i), but only reduced BK-induced glucagon release by 40%. A phospholipase D (PLD) inhibitor zLYCK reduced BK-induced glucagon release by 60%. The combination of U-73122 and zLYCK abolished BK-induced glucagon release. Both SK&F 96365, a receptor-operated Ca(2+) channel (ROC) blocker and nimodipine, an L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker, reduced BK-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increase and glucagon release. These findings suggest that BK increase glucagon release through a PTX-insensitive G protein and both Ca(2+)-dependent and -independent pathways. The Ca(2+)-dependent pathway is attributable to PLC activation. PLC catalyzes IP(3) formation, inducing Ca(2+) release from the endoplasmic reticulum, which, in turn, triggers Ca(2+) influx via both ROCs and L-type channels. PLD activation may be involved in Ca(2+)-dependent and/or -independent pathway.
Canonical Forms of Linear Nonstationary Observation Systems with Quasidifferentiable Coefficients with Respect to Various Transformation Groups

We obtain conditions for the existence and suggest a method for the construction of canonical forms of linear differential observation systems with the use of arbitrary linear transformation groups on the basis of the technique of quasidifferentiation with respect to lower triangular matrices.
Demonstration of the Use of Lower Partial Moments to Improve Safety-First Probability Limits

A general stochastic inequality is presented which utilizes lower partial moments to generate sharp upper bounds on safety-first type probabilities. Alternative forms of the inequality often generate less conservative probability bounds than Chebychev's mean-standard error and Berck and Hihn's mean-semivariance inequalities. Of particular interest is the linear lower partial moment version which utilizes absolute deviations below a fixed reference point. A constraint is developed which, if enforced in an optimization model, guarantees that safety-first probability concerns are satisfied while selecting the least constraining level for the reference point.
Presentation of venous thromboembolism during pregnancy

Abstract Objective: We sought to characterize the presentation, recurrence, and outcome of venous thromboembolism during pregnancy. Study Design: We performed a 12-year, single-center, retrospective review of 38 patients with venous thromboembolism during pregnancy. The independent variables were subjected to univariate analysis (unpaired t test for normally distributed continuous variables and Fisher exact test for discrete variables). P Results: There was no significant difference for the following variables according to time of presentation (antepartum vs post partum): gestational age at delivery (37.4 ± 6.6 wk vs 38.1 ± 2.4 wk; P = .7), birth weight (3257 ± 458 g vs 3093 ± 719 g; P = .3), and mode of delivery (2 vs 4 cesarean deliveries; P = .15). There were 2 maternal deaths. All 3 women with antepartum recurrent venous thromboembolism (despite heparin prophylaxis) had findings of protein C deficiency, protein S deficiency, and lupus anticoagulant–anticardiolipin antibody, respectively. Conclusion: The gestational age at presentation appears more equally distributed throughout gestation than previously reported. Notwithstanding limited numbers, the recurrence of venous thromboembolism despite use of prophylactic heparin therapy suggests the need to reexamine the current recommendations for heparin dosing. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;181:1118-21.)
China's evolving AIDS policy: the influence of global norms and transnational non-governmental organizations

China is moving towards greater rule of law and more accountable governance, including civil society participation. China's AIDS response has moved from denial to pragmatic policy. This change has come both through global influence and domestic pressure and led to adoption of many international norms for prevention, treatment, and care, sometimes in conflict with cultural attitudes and political positions. Connections between China's AIDS non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and transnational civil society organizations have contributed to transfer of new norms and approaches. Policies on sex worker rights, NGOs’ role in governance, legal protection from discrimination, compensation for some infected by medical procedures, and intellectual property rights for essential medicines have begun to change. Advocacy and expert input from domestic NGOs connected to global groups have played a role. This paper argues that these soft power processes accompanying globalization are creating inroads even in China reg...
Are the important “individual differences” between or within individuals?☆

Abstract Within-individual differences have been a common finding in a variety of research areas. Such inconsistencies with individuals are argued to represent an important consideration for researchers concerned with between-individual differences. Cognitive Flexibility (availability in the individual's repertoire of several alternative types of strategies or processes, and ability to select the one(s) of the alternatives that are most effective for the required task) is suggested to be an important individual-difference variable. Some methodological problems in the assessment of cognitive flexibility as related to human memory are discussed, along with possible ways of overcoming these methodological difficulties, and some limited evidence for the importance of cognitive flexibility in research on personality as well as ability differences.
Consistent planning with changing tastes

Abstract This paper proposes an approach to achieving a consistent consumption plan which is free of the shortcomings that characterize earlier proposals in the literature. Specifically, our consumption plan exists, is coherent, and most important, is Pareto-optimal.