cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Theorizing Lesbian and Gay Parenting: Past, Present, and Future Scholarship

Research on lesbian and gay parenting has stimulated theoretical advancement in family studies. Subjective understandings of lesbian and gay parents offer scholars a novel lens through which to view identity construction, management, and negotiation. Triggered by a recent queer shift in family research, however, some lesbian and gay parenting scholarship has begun to critique identity theories as constructing hegemony around the identity “gay” or “lesbian” in that they assume a uniform subject. Queer theory challenges the foundations of identity scholarship; unpacks the assumptions that underlie research on families, gender, and sexualities; and deconstructs how the rubric of difference has framed and limited existing knowledge. I conclude with suggestions for complicating and expanding queer theory.
Effects of ionizing radiation on RNA metabolism in cultured mammalian cells. II. Patterns of precursor incorporation into messenger-related RNAs of exponentially growing and synchronized populations.

Abstract During the later portion of the division delay period which follows exposure of cultured Chinese hamster cells to 800 rads ionizing radiation, there is an increased incorporation of [ 3 H]uridine (relative to control cells) into heterogeneous nuclear RNA (HnRNA) and polysomal mRNA without a corresponding increase of incorporation into informosomal messenger-like RNA. The nature of this effect has been further investigated. 1. 1. The increased net incorporation reflects an increase in incorporation rate, not a decrease in breakdown; 5-, 10- and 20-min pulses result in the same relative incorporation into HnRNA of irradiated and control cells. The rate of mRNA decay in actinomycin-treated irradiated and control populations is comparable. 2. 2. The magnitude of the effect is the same after 800 and 1600 rads. 3. 3. The effect is not apparent when synchronized cells are irradiated in G 1 and the incorporation rates in late interphase of control and irradiated populations are measured. It is concluded that the effect of irradiation on relative rates of uridine incorporation into messenger-related RNAs is a reflection of (1) the fact that the irradiated population is arrested in G 2 (period between end of S (the DNA synthetic period) and beginning of mitosis) while most of an exponential control population is in G 1 (period between mitosis and DNA synthesis) and (2) the incorporation pattern differs in G 2 and G 1 , the incorporation into HnRNA and polysomal mRNA being greater relative to that into informosomal messenger-like RNA in G 2 than in G 1 .
Decarbonylation of Aryl Ketones Mediated by Bulky Cyclopentadienylrhodium Bis(ethylene) Complexes

The cleavage of C−C bonds of diaryl ketones and aryl alkyl ketones mediated by bulky (1,2,4-triisopropyl-3,5-dimethylcyclopentadienyl)rhodium bis(ethylene) (1) and (1,2,4-tri-tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)rhodium bis(ethylene) (2) is reported. The reactions using 2 proceed at 120−150 °C, and the products of the decarbonylation are the (tri-tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)rhodium carbonyl dimer 4, the carbonyl ethylene complex 7, biphenyls (from benzophenones), and toluenes (from acetophenones). Use of β-phenylpropiophenone as substrate results initially in dehydrogenation to form the η4-enone complex 13, followed by decarbonylation at higher temperatures to yield stilbene.
Stochastically perturbed fields, with applications to wave propagation in random media

The statistical properties of a classical field propagating through a randomly inhomogeneous medium are analysed by a method in which the random medium is described by the two-point (bilocal) correlation function of its random characteristic,e.g., refractive index, potential, convective velocity, etc. A scheme of diagrams is introduced to classify the types of interaction between the propagating field and the random background. Equations for the one- and two-point fields are given, and the wave dispersion and attenuation they imply are discussed. The analysis is very similar to the Tamm-Dancoff theory of one- and two-nucleon propagators with virtual meson dressing and interaction, with the correlation function here playing the role of the meson field. A number of results obtained through the use of the method are described and various projected applications are cited.
Muḥammad Is Not the Father of Any of Your Men: The Makings of the Last Prophet

David Powers' book argues that the early Muslim community altered the consonantal Qurʾānic text in order to integrate fully the doctrine that Muḥammad was the final Abrahamic prophet, largely by am...
Crystal structure of sickle-cell deoxyhemoglobin at 5 A resolution.

Crystals of sickle-cell deoxyhemoglobin were grown from solutions containing polyethylene glycol and citrate-phosphate buffer at a pH between 5 and 6. The crystals have the symmetry of the monoclinic space group P21, with a=63·28 A, b=184·19 A, c=52·84 A, and β=92·67°. The structure was determined by rotational and translational search procedures. Structure amplitudes and phases were calculated from the atomic co-ordinates of deoxy Hb§ A molecules appropriately positioned in the unit cell of the deoxy Hb S crystal. An Fo−Fo difference Fourier for the Hb S cristal was compouted at 5 A resolution. Portions of the Hb S molecules near the Val6β residues do not appear to be significantly different from the same portions of deoxy Hb A molecules crystallized in polyethylene glycol solutions at pH 7. In the Hb S crystal the molecular x axes enclose angle of less than 10° with the crystallographic a axis. The molecules are arranged in pairs of interlocking strands aligned with the a axis. The two strands in each pair are related approximately a 2-fold screw axis running between them longitudinally. Intermolecular contacts within each pair of strands involve Val6β and other residues that are believed to affect sickling interactions. Double strands, similar to those found in the Hb S crystal, can be incorporated into a fiber model that is consistent with available information on the structure of deoxy Hb S fibers in vivo.
Management of vasospasm in ruptured unsecured intracranial vascular lesions: review of 10 cases.

Introduction Risks associated with endovascular management remain unaddressed for post-hemorrhagic cerebral vasospasm (PHCV) caused by pathologies that cannot be secured or identified before vasospasm treatment. This retrospective study reviews our 10 year experience in the difficult scenario of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with vasospasm, including intra-arterial vasodilators or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) to vessels feeding a ruptured unsecured lesion. Methods 10 SAH patients with ruptured unsecured vascular lesions underwent 44 endovascular treatments for PHCV (2002–2011). We defined unsecured as an untreated aneurysm/dissection, incompletely coiled aneurysm, dissection covered with self-expanding nitinol stents, or angiographically negative SAH. Treatments were categorized by location of the ruptured unsecured (partial or complete) lesion relative to the vessel treated for vasospasm. Results Our 10 patients with four aneurysms, four dissections, and two angiographically negative SAH accounted for 10.3% of SAH patients who underwent angiography for vasospasm. No procedure related complications occurred when treating vessels not supplying the index lesion or with angiographically negative SAH. Of the endovascular treated vessels supplying partially secured lesions, one (6.3%) fatal complication occurred; none of these patients receiving only vasodilators had complications. With endovascular treatment of PHCV with completely unsecured lesions, one (33%) complication was fatal. Conclusions Endovascular treatment appeared safe for PHCV for vessels not supplying the index arterial lesion and for angiographically negative SAH. Vasodilators were safe for vessels harboring partially secured, ruptured lesions (eg, incompletely coiled aneurysms, stented dissections). Following two major complications, the safety of administering vasodilators or performing PTA to vessels supplying completely unsecured vascular lesions remains inconclusive and should be used cautiously.
Microbial ecology of Lake Superior Bacteria and Archaea: An overview

Microorganisms are ubiquitously distributed in all types of lakes of varying trophic state. They play an important role in aquatic ecosystems, performing the tasks of decomposing organic matter, cycling nutrients and forming the base of microbial food webs. Bacterial abundance is generally lower in ultraoligotrophic Lake Superior than in other great lakes, ranging from 0.06 to 0.07 × 106 cells l−1 in offshore areas to 1.9 × 106 cells l−1 at nearshore stations along the north shore of this lake. Bacterioplankton cells are usually less abundant than in Lake Michigan and rarer than in more eutrophic Lake Erie. Heterotrophic bacterial production ranges from 0.02 to 0.66 mg C m−3 h−1 in the western arm of Lake Superior, which is generally lower than in the other Laurentian Great Lakes. There do not appear to be consistent gradients of bacterial abundance and production from nearshore to offshore areas and there are few studies about microbial populations and the diversity of microbial communities in Lake Super...
Smoking Cessation Is Associated With an Increase in Exhaled Nitric Oxide

Study objective Nitric oxide (NO), a gas produced by cells lining the respiratory tract, has been reported to be decreased in the exhaled air of cigarette smokers. We hypothesized that smoking cessation would result in an increase in exhaled NO. Design Comparison of exhaled NO measured from nonsmokers, cigarette smokers, and smokers after smoking cessation. Setting University outpatient smoking cessation clinic. Patients or participants Twenty-five cigarette smokers and 23 normal, nonsmokers. Interventions Exhaled NO was measured by three techniques: (1) a peak oral method; (2) a mean oral method; and (3) a nasal method. The smokers were given nicotine patches and instructed to return after 1 and 8 weeks. The exhaled NO determinations were repeated on each visit. Measurements and results Compared with nonsmokers, smokers had decreased NO levels measured by all three methods (p 0.05 for each method). Ten subjects returned after 8 weeks. The exhaled NO levels increased further and were not significantly different from the normal nonsmokers for the peak oral and nasal NO methods (p>0.2), but were still lower than the normal nonsmoker mean oral NO (p=0.018). Conclusions These data demonstrate that smoking cessation is associated with an increase in exhaled NO.
AUTOMATIC INDEXING USING BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATIONS

Bibliographic citations attached to technical documents have been used variously to refer to related items in the literature, to confer importance to a given piece of writing, and to serve as supplementary indications of document content. In the present study, citations are used directly to identify document content, and an attempt is made to evaluate their effectiveness in a retrieval environment. It is shown that the use of bibliographic citations in addition to the normal keyword‐type indicators produces improved retrieval performance, and that in some circumstances, citations are more effective for retrieval purposes than other more conventional terms and concepts.
The Influence of Impurity-Defect Interactions on Radiation Hardening and Embrittlement

It has been established that copper and other trace elements have a detrimental effect on the notch-impact properties of ferritic pressure vessel steels irradiated at reactor operating temperatures of about 288/sup 0/C (550/sup 0/F). The underlying cause, however, of this trace element effect has not been established. But based on radiation damage work on vanadium containing oxygen and iron containing nitrogen, a possible mechanism appears to involve stabilization of radiation-produced defects as a result of migration of impurity atoms to the defects where they become trapped. The evidence for this impurity-defect interaction in vanadium and iron is described, and its effect on radiation hardening and embrittlement is discussed. The influence of dislocation channeling in promoting the early onset of plastic instability is also discussed, and the possible relevance of dislocation channeling is indicated with regard to the radiation-produced increase in ductile-brittle transition temperature and decrease in ductile shelf energy.
Effect of deglycosylation on the subunit interactions and receptor binding activity of human chorionic gonadotropin.

Summary The role of carbohydrate in the subunit interactions and in the binding to the receptor was assessed by the deglycosylation of the individual α- and β-subunits of hCG with trifluoromethane sulfonic acid (TFMS) at 0° for 5 h. The treatment with TFMS removed about 90% and 81% of the carbohydrates from hCG-α and hCG-β subunits respectively, without affecting the protein core as evidenced by their amino acid analyses, immunological activities and molecular weights, determined by SDS-gel electrophoresis. The deglycosylated subunits not only were able to reassociate completely as shown by the amino acid composition of the reconstituted deglycosylated hCG, but also recovered their immunological and receptor binding properties (90–105%) comparable to the native hCG. The above data strongly suggest that the carbohydrates in both subunits are not required in the interaction of the subunits and in the receptor binding activity of the hormone.
Low energy positrons from metal surfaces

There is reason to believe that slow positron spectroscopy will have value for surface analyses, but in order to develop practical methods it is necessary to devise monoenergetic sources of positrons that output usable intensities. This paper describes how this can be achieved by preparing certain metal surfaces to act as moderators for fast positrons from radioactive sources. After entering the moderator, the positrons are thermalized and a certain fraction are re-emitted back into the vacuum. They can then be extracted by an electrostatic field and accelerated to any desired energy. Yields of low energy positrons were found to be generally large for certain metals having negative positron work functions (theoretically calculated). It is also necessary to minimize bulk defects, which act as positron traps. Tungsten and molybdenum are metals having negative work functions which can be easily prepared as effective moderators by simply heating in vacuum. This effects a cleaning by volatilizing oxides and anneals defects. The inertness of their surfaces towards oxidation allows them to maintain the negative work function effect which might otherwise be reduced by exposure to air and poor vacuum. These results have been utilized by the authors to design a monoenergetic positron gun to measure discrete energy losses in reflection spectra and threshold absorption effects. A Brandeis University group has used a tungsten moderator gun to make the first experimental measurements of low energy positron diffraction spectra.
Gas-liquid equilibrium in mixtures of hydrogen + m-xylene and + m-cresol

Abstract Gas-liquid equilibrium has been determined for two binary mixtures of hydrogen: with m -xylene and with m -cresol. A flow apparatus was used to reduce residence time of the fluids in the apparatus, thus making possible measurement at elevated temperatures without causing significant thermal decomposition of the organic compounds. Experimentally observed compositions of the gas and liquid mixtures are reported at four temperatures from 462 to 582 K for hydrogen + m -xylene, and at six temperatures from 462 to 662 K for hydrogen + m -cresol. At each temperature observations were made at seven pressures from 2 to 25 MPa. Vapor pressures of the solvents at the reported temperatures were also measured.
Physical modeling in design projects: Development and testing of a new design method

Physical models are widely used as idea generation tools by industrial designers, engineers, engineering educators and government agencies. Many schools promote the use of physical models in their engineering curricula. Despite the apparent popularity of physical models, little is known about their cognitive impacts and when they should be implemented in the design process. A few studies have explored physical models and their use as idea generation tools; however the guidelines from them are conflicting. Based upon these conflicting guidelines, a series of controlled and qualitative studies are conducted by the authors to understand the cognitive impacts of physical models in engineering idea generation. In addition to the insights from these studies, data are collected from a project-based graduate design course. The reports from design teams prototyping their ideas as a part of a class project are studied. These reports provide insights about the conceptual errors that student designers make as they build and test physical models of their designs. To reduce the two most critical errors, a design method (Model Error Reduction Method) is formulated. This design method forces the designers to think about two potential conceptual errors in their designs and provides guidance to rectify the issues. The two conceptual errors that the method addresses are: failure to account for critical loads and failure to design connections. This paper presents a controlled experiment evaluating the effectiveness of the method. The preliminary results show that novice designers find the design method extremely useful; moreover, the method seems to help eliminate, to a large extent, said conceptual errors. These findings suggest that the method might augment existing engineering design curricula.
A current sourced inverter with saturating output transformer

A current sourced inverter with saturating output transformer offers advantages where a DC converter must regulate an isolated output voltage over a 10 to 1 range of input voltage in a dense package capable of 300 watt output.
Formal semantics for the PACEMAKER system specification

This paper formally expresses the timing behavior of a cardiac pacemaker as defined in the PACEMAKER System Specification as understood by its principal author.The PACEMAKER System Specification was publicly released by Boston Scientific to provide a real-world subject for application of formal methods in response to Jim Woodcock's request at FM2006 for an industrial Grand Challenge problem. PACEMAKER's use for purposes other than formal methods has been surprising in its variety. Most ambitious is the Software Certification Consortium's mock regulatory submission, PACEMAKER Grand Challenge, to show that a product with safety-critical software is in fact safe. McMaster University is designing a second-generation hardware platform to execute formally-verified software during system feature test validation with an electrical heart simulator to show correct behavior.This paper uses first-order predicates, extended with a simple temporal operator, to formally express what the principal author understands to be "correct" behavior defined in PACEMAKER.
Suppression of electron emission from large surface area stainless steel electrodes

Surface treatment processes for 304L and 316L stainless steel have been tested for the electron emission suppression over large area planar surfaces. Testing was performed on 17-cm-diameter electrodes with 3 to 4 mm gaps. The treatment processes for the electrodes were solvent cleaned 16 micro-inch rms surface machining, chemical polishing, hydrogen vacuum furnace firing, and gold coating. Tests were made with a 60 to 160 kV, 200 ns flat topped voltage pulse and 150 to 260 kV, 160-ns-FWHM, waveform with 1-cos(/spl omega/t) shape. Gap closure and cathode plasma area expansion rates are determined from a Child-Langmuir model. It was noted that the initial 1-/spl mu/m-roughness 304L SS gave similar or perhaps slightly better results than the other preparations. Results from each of the treatment processes are discussed.
Effect of Mechanical Stress on Polycrystalline Diamond Schottky Diode I-V Characteristics

Schottky diodes to be used for mechanical stress effect studies were fabricated using aluminum contacts to polycrystalline diamond thin films grown by a hot-filament assisted chemical vapor deposition process. Compressive stress was found to have a large effect on the forward biased current-voltage characteristics of the diode. At selected values of constant forward biased current, a linear relationship between voltage and stress, for stress less than 10 N was observed. The stress sensitivity of the diode was as high as 0.74 V/N at 1 mA forward bias. This study shows that polycrystalline diamond Schottky diodes are stress sensitive devices and have potential as mechanical sensors.
Gas chromatography of urinary aromatic acids

Abstract A method is described for the separation and identification of 29 aromatic acids by gas chromatography. Aromatic acids without phenolic groups are converted to their methyl esters by reaction with ethereal diazomethane and chromatographed on an 8% ethylene glycol adipate column at 170°C. Phenolic acids are converted to their methyl ester derivatives by ethereal diazomethane and chromatographed on a 3% neopentyl glycol adipate column at 187°C. When other compounds in the urinary extracts overlap with these peaks, a second derivative, the methyl esterified O -methyl ether is prepared by reaction with diazomethane and methanol overnight, and chromatographed on the same column. Indolic acids are converted to their methyl esters with diazomethane and chromatographed on a 2% silicone (SE-30) column at 180°C. When the indolic hydroxyl groups are present, as in 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, the methyl esterified O -methyl ether derivative may be prepared if necessary and chromatographed at the same temperature. In certain cases such as vanilmandelic acid, the preferred derivative has an inconveniently long retention time at 187°C on the polar column and an inconveniently short retention time at 180°C on the nonpolar column. This derivative may best be determined at a higher temperature (210–225°) on the polar column.
Regulation of a decapentaplegic midgut enhancer by homeotic proteins

The clustered homeotic genes encode transcription factors that regulate pattern formation in all animals, conferring cell fates by coordinating the activities of downstream ‘target’ genes. In the Drosophila midgut, the Ultrabithorax (Ubx) protein activates and the abdominalA (abd-A) protein represses transcription of the decapentaplegic (dpp) gene, which encodes a secreted signalling protein of the TGFβ class. We have identified an 813 bp dpp enhancer which is capable of driving expression of a lacZ gene in a correct pattern in the embryonic midgut. The enhancer is activated ectopically in the visceral mesoderm by ubiquitous expression of Ubx or Antennapedia but not by Sex combs reduced protein. Ectopic expression of abd-A represses the enhancer. Deletion analysis reveals regions required for repression and activation. A 419 bp subfragment of the 813 bp fragment also drives reporter gene expression in an appropriate pattern, albeit more weakly. Evolutionary sequence conservation suggests other factors work with homeotic proteins to regulate dpp. A candidate cofactor, the extradenticle protein, binds to the dpp enhancer in close proximity to homeotic protein binding sites. Mutation of either this site or another conserved motif compromises enhancer function. A 45 bp fragment of DNA from within the enhancer correctly responds to both UBX and ABD-A in a largely tissue-specific manner, thus representing the smallest in vivo homeotic response element (HOMRE) identified to date. SUMMARY
Statin-induced cholestatic hepatitis: confirmed on rechallenge.

Although statins have been associated with an increase in serum aminotransferase levels,1,2 these elevations may resolve spontaneously in 70% of patients despite continued therapy and may not be associated with significant liver injury.3 Statin-induced idiosyncratic liver injury that is severe enough to cause morbidity and mortality is rare, with only a few of these cases confirmed by rechallenge.4 We describe a patient with statin-induced symptomatic cholestatic hepatitis that was confirmed on rechallenge.
Stable encapsulation structures for Permalloy films

This paper presents a study of the effects of annealing on the micromagnetic properties of encapsulated Permalloy films. The stress relaxation during annealing causes observable changes in the micro-magnetic state of the Permalloy. The amount of stress relaxation is highly sensitive to the shape of the Permalloy film and the encapsulation material. After Permalloy films with negative magnetostrictive coefficient are annealed, the easy axis of bar-shape yokes remains in the transversal direction while those of ring-shape yokes and heart-shape yokes rotate so that the easy axis is normal to the film edge. The annealing properties of bar-shape Permalloy films in six different encapsulation structures are compared. Permalloy films encapsulated entirely in hardbaked photoresist are consistently more stable. The uneven external stress is absorbed by the relatively softer hardbaked photoresist buffer layer and is re-distributed evenly to the Permalloy. A better control of the anisotropy of the Permalloy yoke can be obtained by placing a hardbaked photoresist buffer layer between the alumina overcoat and the Permalloy. >
The Success of the Fed and the Death of Monetarism

Monetarists blamed fluctuations in inflation on excessively volatile growth in monetary aggregates. The data supported this hypothesis until 1982. Since 1983 monetary aggregates have been essentially uncorrelated with subsequent inflation in the US. Kochin (1973) argued that well designed monetary policy would lead to zero correlation between any measure of monetary policy and subsequent inflation. We modify Kochin's criterion showing that if the effects of fluctuations in monetary aggregates were not precisely known then optimal policy would produce negative correlations between monetary aggregates and inflation. We find that in the period 1960-1982 the variance in the growth rate of monetary base in the US was too large and in fact destabilizing. However, from 1983 to 2003 variations in the monetary base growth rate were just right. In both periods the fluctuations in the federal funds rate were too small since federal funds rate in both periods was positively correlated with subsequent inflation. The fluctuations in the federal funds rate were close to optimal size during 1983-2003. Using a similar criterion we could not reject the idea that deviations from the Taylor Rule in the federal funds rate were of optimal size in both periods.
Maintaining Dental Equipment Prevent Problems Before they Occur

Routine monitoring, maintenance and repair of essential dental systems will help to ensure a smoothly functioning dental office. Careful planning and attention to detail will help to prevent catastrophic mechanical failures that can be so devastating to a clinical schedule.
Reconsidering Environmental Policy: Prescriptive Consequentialism and Volitional Pragmatism

Prescriptive consequentialism informs currentassessments of rational action in economics. Choice is alleged to start with stable andknown preferences over alternative outcomes,and rational agents choose actions thatmaximize well being with respect to thesepreferences. Evidence suggests that thisformulation fails as an accurate and reliabledescription of how individuals make choices,and this formulation seems particularly at oddswith collective decision making with respect toenvironmental policy. Pragmatism, an importantbranch of philosophy, offers a theory of humanaction that economists would find helpful. This promise is especially pertinent to effortsdevoted to the assignment of values to parts ofnature, and to environmental policy in general.
Hed1 regulates Rad51-mediated recombination via a novel mechanism

Two RecA orthologs, Rad51 and Dmc1, mediate homologous recombination in meiotic cells. During budding yeast meiosis, Hed1 coordinates the actions of Rad51 and Dmc1 by down-regulating Rad51 activity. It is thought that Hed1-dependent attenuation of Rad51 facilitates formation of crossovers that are necessary for the correct segregation of chromosomes at the first meiotic division. We purified Hed1 in order to elucidate its mechanism of action. Hed1 binds Rad51 with high affinity and specificity. We show that Hed1 does not adversely affect assembly of the Rad51 presynaptic filament, but it specifically prohibits interaction of Rad51 with Rad54, a Swi2/Snf2-like factor that is indispensable for Rad51-mediated recombination. In congruence with the biochemical results, Hed1 prevents the recruitment of Rad54 to a site-specific DNA double-strand break in vivo but has no effect on the recruitment of Rad51. These findings shed light on the function of Hed1 and, importantly, unveil a novel mechanism for the regulation of homologous recombination.
Regulation of ACE2 and ANG-(1–7) in the aorta: new insights into the renin-angiotensin system in the control of vascular function

the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a key role in the control of cardiovascular function. Normal activity of the RAS has been physiologically implicated in maintaining homeostasis of arterial pressure and hydroelectrolyte balance as well as in modulating cell growth and differentiation. In
RELATING HYBRID ADVANTAGE AND GENOME REPLACEMENT IN UNISEXUAL SALAMANDERS

Unisexual vertebrates are model systems for understanding the evolution of sex. Many predominantly clonal lineages allow occasional genetic recombination, which may be sufficient to avoid the accumulation of deleterious mutations and parasites. Introgression of paternal DNA into an all-female lineage represents a one-way flow of genetic material. Over many generations, this could result in complete replacement of the unisexual genomes by those of the donor species. The process of genome replacement may be counteracted by contemporary dispersal or by positive selection on hybrid nuclear genomes in ecotones. I present a conceptual model that relates nuclear genome replacement, positive selection on hybrids and biogeography in unisexual systems. I execute an individual-based simulation of the fate of hybrid genotypes in contact with a single host species. I parameterize these models for unisexual salamanders in the Ambystoma genus, for which the frequency of genome replacement has been a source of ongoing debate. I find that, if genome replacement occurs at a rate greater than 1/10,000 in Ambystoma, then there must be compensating positive selection in order to maintain observed levels of hybrid nuclei. Future researchers studying unisexual systems may use this framework as a guide to evaluating the hybrid superiority hypothesis.
Incidental finding of a ruptured thin-cap fibroatheroma by optical coherence tomography

A 61-year-old male with stable exertional angina presented for elective percutaneous treatment of a left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery stenosis. Following successful stent deployment, [left coronary angiogram with …
Effects of Angiotensin I and Angiotensin II on Canine Hepatic Vascular Resistance

The effects of angiotensin I (0.2-3.2 µg) and angiotensin II (0.1-1.6 µg) injections into the pump-perfused arterial supply of the liver were studied in dogs anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital. Marked increases in hepatic artery perfusion pressure (10-50%), reflecting directionally similar changes in resistance to blood flow, were caused by either angiotensin I or angiotensin II. Resistance increases produced by angiotensin I were significantly attenuated by the synthetic nonapeptide SQ 20881 (Pyr-Trp-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gln-Ile-Pro-Pro, 50 µg/kg, iv) that inhibits enzymatic conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. In contrast, responses caused by angiotensin II were unaltered by SQ 20881. However, resistance increases caused by either angiotensin I or angiotensin II were blocked by 1-Sar-8-Ala-angiotensin II (100 µg/kg min-1, ia), a specific angiotensin II antagonist. These findings parallel the finding that responses to angiotensin I in the vasculature supplied by the hepatic artery are largely caused by local enzymatic conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. Such conversion appears to occur to the extent of about 46%.
Regulatory T cells and asthma.

Airway inflammation in asthma is characterized by activation of T helper type-2 (Th2) T cells, IgE production and eosinophilia. In many cases, this process is related to an inappropriate T cell response to environmental allergens, and other T cell-dependent pathways may also be involved (such as Th17). Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are T cells that suppress potentially harmful immune responses. Two major subsets of Treg are CD25hi, Foxp3+Tregs and IL-10-producing Tregs. There is evidence that the numbers or function of both subsets may be deficient in patients with atopic allergic disease. Recent work has extended these findings into the airway in asthma where Foxp3 expression was reduced and CD25hi Treg-suppressive function was deficient. In animal models of allergic airways disease, Tregs can suppress established airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness, and protocols to enhance the development, recruitment and function of Tregs have been described. Together with studies of patients and in vitro studies of human T cells, these investigations are defining potential interventions to enhance Treg function in the airway in asthma. Existing therapies including corticosteroids and allergen immunotherapy act on Tregs, in part to increase IL-10 production, while vitamin D3 and long-acting β-agonists enhance IL-10 Treg function. Other possibilities may be enhancement of Treg function via histamine or prostanoid receptors, or by blocking pro-inflammatory pathways that prevent suppression by Tregs (activation of Toll-like receptors, or production of cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α). As Tregs can also suppress the potentially beneficial immune response important for controlling infections and cancer, a therapeutic intervention should target allergen- or site-specific regulation.
Luminescence dating of protohistoric pottery from the Great Basin

Luminescence analyses of several protohistoric brownware ceramics from the Great Basin have produced dates ranging from the 15th to 19th centuries. These begin to add detail to the chronology of these ceramics, which up until now has been poorly known despite their potential importance for understanding Numic population movement in the area. Use of the “slide method” for determining equivalent dose has circumvented problems due to nonlinearity in the relationship between dose and luminescence and has provided much higher precision than traditional methods of dating. Disequilibrium detected in the U-series radioisotope decay chain and some contribution to the dose from nuclear fallout products have created some uncertainty in the dose rate, but less than the overall analytical error. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Distributed decision fusion in the presence of link failures

The problem of optimal data fusion involving detector unit communication link failures is considered. Two strategies for decision making in presence of link failures are examined and an optimal decision making scheme in the sense of the Neyman-Pearson (N-P) test is proposed. The performance of q+1 reliable links versus q reliable links are examined theoretically, as well as, numerically using the receiver operating characteristics (ROCs).
Planar and Nonplanar Conformations of (meso-Tetraphenylporphinato)nickel(II) in Solution As Inferred from Solution and Solid-State Raman Spectroscopy

The coexistence in solution of at least two conformers of (meso-tetraphenylporphinato)nickel(II) [Ni(TPP)] is inferred from solution and single-crystal resonance Raman spectra obtained at different temperatures (170 − 297 K) and excitation wavelengths (413.1 and 457.9 nm). The shapes of the structure-sensitive Raman lines ν8 and ν2 are clearly asymmetric and change with temperature. These broad lines can be decomposed into at least two sublines, a low-frequency (LF) and a high-frequency (HF) component. In contrast, the corresponding single-crystal Raman lines of the nonplanar structure of Ni(TPP) in the crystal are narrow and symmetric. For the line ν2, the broad LF subline results from nonplanar conformers and the narrow HF subline arises from a more planar conformer. This assignment is consistent with the observation that the LF subline of ν2 is more enhanced upon changing the excitation wavelength from 413.1 to 457.9 nm. The selective resonance enhancement is caused by the red shifts of the UV−visible ...
Multiple Male Feeders at Nests of the Veery

Abstract We present the first documentation of nestling care by multiple male feeders at nests of the Veery (Catharus fuscescens) in a Mid-Atlantic Piedmont forest in northern Delaware. This is only the second confirmation of this behavior in a Nearctic-neotropical migrant songbird. Five of six nests (83%) were attended by a male that concurrently fed nestlings at a second or third nest. Three of six nests (50%) were attended by one female and two males. No females were observed at more than one nest. We monitored >140 Veery nests at our study site since 1998, and believe the dense breeding habitat and single-brooded nature of the Veery have inhibited our ability to confirm this behavior prior to 2011. Our data suggest this behavior is widespread in our study population.
The Significance of Social Context: The Case of Adolescent Childbearing in the African American Community:

The incidence of adolescent childbearing is significantly higher among African Americans compared to Whites, whereas the rates of early childbirth have declined more rapidlyforAfricanAmericans over the past two decades. Although traditional measures of socioeconomic status do not account for the difference in adolescent childbirth rates by race, there are important reasons to question the external validity of these conventional variables. After summarizing differences in teen childbearing by race, this article addresses the problems inherent in a comparative approach to understanding race differences. More meaningful measures of socioeconomic status that provide a richer account of the social context of adolescents at risk of early childbearing are outlined. The social context approach might help inform literature on the role of family factors in adolescent childbearing, and some recent exanples of such an approach are provided. The resiliency shown by African American adolescents living within socially d...
Evaluation of the efficacy of extrapolation population modeling to predict the dynamics of Americamysis bahia populations in the laboratory.

An age-classified projection matrix model has beendeveloped to extrapolate the chronic (28–35 d) demographic responses of Americamysis bahia (formerly Mysidopsis bahia) to population-level response. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of this model for predicting the population behavior of A. bahia held (for more than three generations) under controlled laboratory exposure conditions. The research involved the performance of a standard life-cycle test and a multigenerational (greater than three mysid generations, 55 d) assay using A. bahia to experimentally evaluate model predictions regarding population-level risks of chemical exposure. The organic compound para-nonylphenol was chosen as the chemical stressor in these assays. This compound is a ubiquitous contaminant and suspected endocrine disruptor. Utilizing data obtained during the standard life-cycle test, aggregate estimates of population growth rate (λ) and measured p-nonylphenol concentration were used to develop an exposure-response model of population-level effects. These estimates provided the basis of predictions for the long-term dynamics of mysid populations exposed to p-nonylphenol. The veracity of the mysid population model was evaluated through quantitative comparisons of model predictions based on the life-cycle test with dynamics of the experimental populations (multigenerational assay results). The results indicate that the population model was able to project within a few micrograms per liter the concentration where population-level effects would begin to occur (projected 16 μg/L from the model vs measured 19 μg/L from the multigenerational assay).
A Python tool to set up relative free energy calculations in GROMACS

Free energy calculations based on molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have seen a tremendous growth in the last decade. However, it is still difficult and tedious to set them up in an automated manner, as the majority of the present-day MD simulation packages lack that functionality. Relative free energy calculations are a particular challenge for several reasons, including the problem of finding a common substructure and mapping the transformation to be applied. Here we present a tool, alchemical-setup.py, that automatically generates all the input files needed to perform relative solvation and binding free energy calculations with the MD package GROMACS. When combined with Lead Optimization Mapper (LOMAP; Liu et al. in J Comput Aided Mol Des 27(9):755-770, 2013), recently developed in our group, alchemical-setup.py allows fully automated setup of relative free energy calculations in GROMACS. Taking a graph of the planned calculations and a mapping, both computed by LOMAP, our tool generates the topology and coordinate files needed to perform relative free energy calculations for a given set of molecules, and provides a set of simulation input parameters. The tool was validated by performing relative hydration free energy calculations for a handful of molecules from the SAMPL4 challenge (Mobley et al. in J Comput Aided Mol Des 28(4):135-150, 2014). Good agreement with previously published results and the straightforward way in which free energy calculations can be conducted make alchemical-setup.py a promising tool for automated setup of relative solvation and binding free energy calculations.
Linear Correlation and Regression

In Chap. 1, Pearson’s correlation coefficient as a means to describe a linear association between two continuous measures was introduced. In this chapter, the inference of the correlation coefficient using sample data will be discussed first, and then the discussion will extend to a related method and its inference to examine a linear association of the continuous and binary outcomes with one or more variables using sample data.
Abstract 11253: EF<50% Strongly Predicts Abnormal PET/CT Imaging Results in Patients Being Evaluated for Cardiac Sarcoidosis

Background: 18F-FDG positron emission tomography (PET) along with 82Rubidium radiotracer imaging is a non-invasive semi-quantitative technique that aids in the diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis, as defined by the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare Criteria (JMHC). The study’s objective was to identify characteristics in cardiac presentation associated with positive PET results. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 83 patients with proven or suspected cardiac sarcoidosis, referred for PET imaging between 2009-2013. PET scans were classified as normal or abnormal with positive FDG uptake and/or Rubidium perfusion defect. Multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, race, gender, HTN, DM, and CAD was performed to assess PET results as associated with significant baseline cardiac characteristics. Results: Mean age was 54 + 12 years, 60% were male, 6% had CAD, 4.8% were survivors of SCD, 12% had AICD discharges for VT, 21.7% had sustained VT and 48.2% had CHF. 55.4% of patients had abnormal FDG uptake in the heart. Significant predictors for a positive PET scan are shown in the Table. Conclusion: Patients with suspected or known cardiac sarcoidosis and EF
Contents and Structure Atta texana Nest in Summer

A large nest of Atta texana (Buckley) in central Louisiana was partially excavated in August 1960. Twelve dormancy, 5 detritus, and 93 fungus-garden cavities were found. Fungus-garden cavities near the surface outnumbered those at lower depths and contained most of the fungus material and brood. Inquilines were most numerous in detritus cavities. Dormancy cavities are described as new to science. They resemble fungus-garden cavities, but differ in that the cavity is irregular in shape, the substrate is tightly packed and has a silage-like odor, and workers and inquilines in them arc torpid.
Exploring non-Condon effects in a covalent tetracene dimer: how important are vibrations in determining the electronic coupling for singlet fission?

Singlet fission (SF) offers opportunities for wavelength-selective processing of solar photons with an end goal of achieving higher efficiency inexpensive photovoltaic or solar-fuels-producing devices. In order to evaluate new molecular design strategies and for theoretical exploration of dynamics, it is important to put in place tools for efficient calculation of the electronic coupling between single-exciton reactant and multiexciton product states. For maximum utility, the couplings should be calculated at multiple nuclear geometries (rather than assumed constant everywhere, i.e., the Condon approximation) and we must be able to evaluate couplings for covalently linked multichromophore systems. With these requirements in mind, here we discuss the simplest methodology possible for rapid calculation of diabatic one-electron coupling matrix elements—based on Boys localization and rediagonalization of molecular orbitals. We focus on a covalent species called BT1 that juxtaposes two tetracene units in a par...
Culture,Isolation and Identification of Normal Intestinal Bacterial Flora and Their Antibiotic Susceptibility in Tree Shrew

Objective To identify the normal intestinal bacterial flora and their antibiotic susceptibility in tree shrew.Methods The intestinal bacterial flora of the tree shrew were sampled,cultured,isolated and their species and characteristics were identified by Gram staining test,oxidase test,catalase test,biochemical identification of microtubes/systems for bacteria,and susceptibility test of 9 amtibiotics.Results Five bacterial species were isolated from cultures.There were 2 Gram-positive and 3 Gram-negative bacteria,with predominance of Escherichia coli and staphylococci.Their antibiotic susceptibilities were:1) Escherichia coli were most susceptible to cefoperazone and highly susceptible to aminobenzenesulfonamide,ofloxacin,levofloxacin,furantoin norfloracin and ampicillin.2) Salmonella were most susceptible to amikacin and highly susceptible to cefoperazone penicillin G;3) Streptococci were moderately susceptible to the tested drugs ampicillin cefoperazone,furantion;4) Staphylococci were most susceptible to cefoperazone,and they were more sensitive to aminobenzenesulfonamide,norfloxacin,levofloxacin ofloxacin,furantoin,ampicillin than to the other drugs;5) Pseudomonas was most sensitive to levofloxacin and highly sensitive to most of the other drugs.Conclusion Escherichia coli and staphylococci may be the predominant intestinal flora,while other intestinal flora may simultaneously exist in the intestine of tree shrew.Drugs selected by antibiotic susceptibility test can be used to instruct clinical treatment and bio-cleaning for animals.
Current situation and analysis for the UK Research Ethics Committees

The main responsibility of Research Ethics Committee is to protect the rights,safety and wellbeing of human subjects involved in a clinical trial.This article reviewed the laws regulations,application and assessment procedure for ethical review of the UK Research Ethics Committees,and this will provide references for the operation of Chinese Research Ethics Committees.
Capillary Electrophoresis Quantification of Hb A2 in the Setting of Hb SS or Hb S / 20-thalassemia is More Accurate than HPLC

It is well known that HbA2 quantification in the presence of HbS using HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) is falsely elevated because the HbS adduct has the same retention time. HbA2 estimation is used in the diagnosis of HbS/β-thalassemia in the presence of low MCV and MCH with increased HbA2. HbS/β0-thalassemia is the third …