cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Tolerability of Mycophenolate Mofetil and Mycophenolic Acid for the Treatment of Morphea.

Importance First-line systemic therapy for morphea includes methotrexate with or without systemic corticosteroids. When this regimen is ineffective, not tolerated, or contraindicated, a trial of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or mycophenolic acid (MPA)—referred to herein asmycophenolate—is recommended; however, evidence to support this recommendation remains weak. Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of mycophenolate for the treatment of morphea. Design, Setting, and Participants A retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 1, 1999, to December 31, 2018, among 77 patients with morphea from 8 institutions who were treated with mycophenolate. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was morphea disease activity, severity, and response at 0, 3 to 6, and 9 to 12 months of mycophenolate treatment. A secondary outcome was whether mycophenolate was a well-tolerated treatment of morphea. Results There were 61 female patients (79%) and 16 male patients (21%) in the study, with a median age at disease onset of 36 years (interquartile range, 16-53 years) and median diagnostic delay of 8 months (interquartile range, 4-14 months). Generalized morphea (37 [48%]), pansclerotic morphea (12 [16%]), and linear morphea of the trunk and/or extremities (9 [12%]) were the most common subtypes of morphea identified. Forty-one patients (53%) had an associated functional impairment, and 49 patients (64%) had severe disease. Twelve patients received initial treatment with mycophenolate as monotherapy or combination therapy and 65 patients received mycophenolate after prior treatment was ineffective (50 of 65 [77%]) or poorly tolerated (21 of 65 [32%]). Treatments prior to mycophenolate included methotrexate (48 of 65 [74%]), systemic corticosteroids (42 of 65 [65%]), hydroxychloroquine (20 of 65 [31%]), and/or phototherapy (14 of 65 [22%]). After 3 to 6 months of mycophenolate treatment, 66 of 73 patients had stable (n = 22) or improved (n = 44) disease. After 9 to 12 months of treatment, 47 of 54 patients had stable (n = 14) or improved (n = 33) disease. Twenty-seven patients (35%) achieved disease remission at completion of the study. Treatments received in conjunction with mycophenolate were frequent. Mycophenolate was well tolerated. Gastrointestinal adverse effects were the most common (24 [31%]); cytopenia (3 [4%]) and infection (2 [3%]) occurred less frequently. Conclusions and Relevance This study suggests that mycophenolate is a well-tolerated and beneficial treatment of recalcitrant, severe morphea.
The relationship between black carbon and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposures and mortality in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Black carbon (BC) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are components of fine particulate matter associated with adverse health outcomes. However, limited work has examined the effects of PM constituents on mortality risk. Our multiple regression analysis evaluated the association of estimated neighborhood-level average fine particulate matter (PM2.5), BC, and PAH concentrations for 2013 obtained from local-scale land use regression models with 2007–2011 census tract-level age-adjusted non-accidental, cardiovascular, pulmonary, cancer, and other mortality rates in Allegheny County, PA. Models were further adjusted for census tract-level race, education, and health insurance status. In our adjusted models, estimated pollutant concentrations were not consistently associated with mortality. Only one model’s effect estimate did not include the null value, although the relationship was opposite of our original hypothesis. An interquartile range (0.25 μg/m3) increase in BC concentration was associated with a 5.9% (95% CI − 11.07, − 0.36%) decrease in log-transformed cancer mortality. However, in all mortality categories, education and health insurance covariates had a robust association with outcomes. We did not find a consistent relationship between pollutant exposures and age-adjusted mortality rates in Allegheny County, PA. However, having health insurance and having greater than a high school diploma were associated with lower mortality risk.
Weakly-Supervised Self-Training for Breast Cancer Localization *

The use of deep learning methods has dramatically increased the state-of-the-art performance in image object localization. However, commonly used supervised learning methods require large training datasets with pixel-level or bounding box annotations. Obtaining such fine-grained annotations is extremely costly, especially in the medical imaging domain. In this work, we propose a novel weakly supervised method for breast cancer localization. The essential advantage of our approach is that the model only requires image-level labels and uses a self-training strategy to refine the predicted localization in a step-wise manner. We evaluated our approach on a large, clinically relevant mammogram dataset. The results show that our model significantly improves performance compared to other methods trained similarly.
Soot-based Global Pathway Analysis: Soot formation and evolution at elevated pressures in co-flow diffusion flames

Abstract One of the major concerns in high pressure combustion is its high soot yield. An exact and comprehensive mechanism behind this phenomenon, from a chemical kinetics perspective, is still elusive. In this study, a series of pressurized (1–16 atm) co-flow ethylene diffusion sooting flames are simulated with detailed finite-rate chemistry and molecular transport. The experimental maximum soot volume fraction and its scaling law with pressure are well reproduced by the simulations. To extract kinetic information from the complex sooting reacting system, a Soot-based Global Pathway Analysis (SGPA) method is developed to identify the dominant Global Pathways (GPs) from fuel to soot by considering carbon element flux from gaseous species to soot. Using SGPA, the dominance and sensitivity of soot chemical pathways at elevated pressures are revealed. It is found that increasing pressure shifts the first ring Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) formation from C 3 H 3 recombination to reactions involving C 2 H 2 . At 1 atm, the production of C 2 H 2 for surface growth is purely controlled by the H-abstraction of C 2 H 4 and C 2 H 3 . In contrast, at elevated pressures, the production of C 2 H 2 for surface growth is also influenced by many other reactions including some third body reactions. The SGPA method reveals that the mismatch of predicted PAH with the experimental data at 12 atm is majorly caused by the rate coefficient uncertainty of the reaction C 2 H 2 + A1CH 2 = C 9 H 8 + H. Based on the analysis by SGPA, the mechanism reduction based on Directed Relation Graph with Error Propagation (DRGEP) with A2 and C 2 H 2 as the target species deleted significant species such as C 9 H 8 , C 9 H 7 , incurring inaccurate soot field prediction. It is also found that the combined dominance of GPs with heavier PAH species (A4-A7) is even greater than the most dominant GP at the flame wing regions, indicating that heavier PAH species play critical roles for soot nucleation and condensation, especially at the flame wing regions.
Accrual of Black participants to cancer clinical trials following a five-year prospective initiative of community outreach and engagement.

100Background: Accrual of Black participants to cancer clinical trials remains a major challenge across the country. Here, we report the outcomes of a five-year initiative of community outreach and...
Enhanced bleomycin-mediated damage of DNA opposite charged nicks. A model for bleomycin-directed double strand scission of DNA.

Abstract The anticancer drug, bleomycin, causes both single and double strand scission of duplex DNA in vitro, with double strand scission occurring in excess of that expected from the random accumulation of single strand nicks. The mechanism of the preferential double strand scission of DNA by bleomycin has been investigated through the synthesis of a series of double hairpin and linear oligonucleotides designed to contain a single nick-like structure at a defined site to serve as models of bleomycin-damaged duplex DNA. The 3' and/or 5' hydroxyls flanking the nick have been phosphorylated to model the increased negative charge at a bleomycin-generated nick. The ability of bleomycin to cleave the intact strand opposite the nick was then determined by autoradiography. The results demonstrate that phosphorylation at either the 3' or 5' hydroxyl, and especially when both sites are phosphorylated, strongly enhances selective cleavage by bleomycin of the opposite strand. These experiments indicate that bleomycin-mediated double strand scission is a form of self-potentiation in which the high affinity of bleomycin for the initially generated nicked sites leads to a greatly enhanced probability of scission of the strand opposite those sites.
Calcite Crystal Growth Rate Inhibition by Aquatic Humic Substances

Calcium carbonate crystallization is an important process in numerous terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Moreover, calcium carbonate scale formation on heat transfer surfaces is an important industrial problem. Humic substances, which are ubiquitous in natural waters, often reduce or inhibit calcite crystal growth and may, therefore, have application in scale prevention. This study quantifies and interprets calcite crystal growth rate reduction due to humic substance fractions isolated from surface water. We conducted calcite growth experiments at constant pH (8.5), temperature (25°C), supersaturation (Σ= 4.5), PCO 2 (10−3.5atm), and ionic strength (0.1 M KNO3) with various concentrations of natural organic acid isolates. Plant-derived aquatic hydrophobic acids from the Everglades were effective growth inhibitors. Organic acid molecular weight correlated with growth inhibition as did aromaticity, aliphatic content and heteroatom content; however, carboxyl content did not. Growth inhibition over a range of organic inhibitor concentrations for Everglades, samples is consistent with a Langmuir adsorption mechanism blocking growth sites on the calcite surface.
Characterization of the early steps of OE17 precursor transport by the thylakoid ΔpH/Tat machinery

In order to probe the structure and protein translocation function of the thylakoid Tat machinery, a 25-residue C-terminal extension containing a 13-residue in vivo biotinylation tag and a 6× His tag was added to a mutant precursor of the 17-kDa subunit of the oxygen-evolving complex to form pOE17(C)-BioHis. When avidin was attached to biotinylated precursor in situ, the precursor–avidin complex was neither imported nor did it form a membrane-spanning translocation intermediate. It did, however, competitively inhibit the translocation of unbiotinylated precursor with an apparent KI unaffected by avidin. It is shown that the precursor protein achieves a stable folded structure upon dilution from urea, suggesting that the avidin-induced inhibition of transport results from a folding-induced proximity of N-terminal and C-terminal domains. It is further demonstrated that the majority of precursor rapidly binds to the thylakoid membrane, remaining import competent and yet undissociable by high salt or high pH treatment at ice temperature. The membrane binding event is unaffected by avidin. Import kinetics reveal that nonproton motive force-driven transport steps make up a major fraction of the transport time. These observations suggest that the N-terminal presequence on the avidin-bound precursor is available for membrane binding and initial recognition by the transport machinery, but the attached avidin signals the machinery that the precursor is an incorrectly configured substrate and thus import is aborted. Consequently, the ΔpH/Tat machinery's proofreading mechanism must operate after precursor recognition but before the committed step in transport.
Multi-Spectral Imager On the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous Mission

A multispectral imager has been developed for a rendezvous mission with the near-Earth asteroid, 433 Eros. The Multi-Spectral Imager (MSI) on the Near-Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft uses a five-element refractive optical telescope, has a field of view of 2.93 × 2.25°, a focal length of 167.35 mm, and has a spatial resolution of 16.1 × 9.5 m at a range of 100 km. The spectral sensitivity of the instrument spans visible to near infrared wavelengths, and was designed to provide insight into the nature and fundamental properties of asteroids and comets. Seven narrow band spectral filters were chosen to provide multicolor imaging and to make comparative studies with previous observations of S asteroids and measurements of the characteristic absorption in Fe minerals near 1 µm. An eighth filter with a much wider spectral passband will be used for optical navigation and for imaging faint objects, down to visual magnitude of +10.5. The camera has a fixed 1 Hz frame rate and the signal intensities are digitized to 12 bits. The detector, a Thomson-CSF TH7866A Charge-Coupled Device, permits electronic shuttering which effectively varies the dynamic range over an additional three orders of magnitude. Communication with the NEAR spacecraft occurs via a MIL-STD-1553 bus interface, and a high speed serial interface permits rapid transmission of images to the spacecraft solid state recorder. Onboard image processing consists of a multi-tiered data compression scheme. The instrument was extensively tested and calibrated prior to launch; some inflight calibrations have already been completed. This paper presents a detailed overview of the Multi-Spectral Imager and its objectives, design, construction, testing and calibration.
Service composition in Lipto

The authors have designed an object-oriented architecture for a family of portable, distributed operating systems. The implementation of an experimental prototype called Lipto is underway. Lipto's architecture facilities the dynamic composition of distributed services and applications from a set of building blocks or modules. Their approach is based on two fundamental premises. First, a modern operating system should allow applications to dynamically compose higher-level services from a set of building blocks (modules); it should further support the integration of system, third-party, and application provided modules. The second premise reads that a modern operating system must be readily portable across a variety of hardware architectures. >
Field emission from alligned carbon nanotubes grown on patterned oxide layers

In this paper, we report field emission from carbon nanotubes/fibers selectively grown on patterned silicon dioxide, without a pre-deposited metal catalyst layer. The nanotubes were grown by the chemical vapour deposition (CVD) of xylene (C/sub 8/H/sub 10/), using ferrocene(Fe(C/sub 5/H/sub 5/)/sub 2/) as the catalyst precursor, on n/sup ++/ silicon substrate with an over layer of thermally grown oxide, at growth temperature of 800-900 /spl deg/C. The influence of the oxide thickness when varied 15nm to 100nm, on the field emission properties is reported.
Dynamics of distributed feedback fiber lasers

Summary form only given. The ability to write permanent gratings into the core of amplifying fibers has made possible the recent demonstration of fiber distributed feedback (DFB) lasers. Single-frequency operation of these lasers has been achieved at 1.5 /spl mu/m in Er/sup 3+/-doped fibers, and at 1.047 /spl mu/m in a Yb/sup 3+/ system by using quarter-wave shifted DFB structures. Because of their narrow linewidth and compatibility with fiber communication systems, such DFB fiber lasers may become useful alternatives to DFB semiconductor lasers.
Organic and inorganic composition of post-metamorphic growth stages of Ophionotushexactis (E.A. Smith) (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) during intraovarian incubation

Abstract Eggs of most internally brooding echinoderms are small and apparently contain insufficient yolk to account for the large sizes reached by brooded juveniles. The composition of intraovarian juveniles of the six-armed subantarctic brittlestar Ophionotus hexactis (E. A. Smith) was measured to estimate the contribution by the parent to post-metamorphic growth. The levels (% dry weight) of ash, carbohydrate, lipid, and protein were generally unchanged. The total dry weight increased up to 2200-fold. The contents (mg) of total organic matter and the three organic components also showed large increases, although a smaller range of juvenile sizes was available for biochemical analysis than for measurement of dry weight. Estimates based on other published data yield a 100,000-fold increase in organic content from egg to the largest, reported, juvenile stage; the size at which birth usually occurs is, however, unknown. Nutrient transfer probably involves nurse eggs and parental body fluids and does not occur by placentation or adelphophagia. Broodcare in O. hexactis conforms to the definition of viviparity used by insect and vertebrate embryologists.
A survey of brain computer interfaces and their applications

This paper concerns the theory behind developing a brain computer interface (BCI) and the applications of such a system. Signal acquisition methods such as Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS), Magnetoencephalography (MEG), Electrocorticography (ECoG), and Electroencephalography (EEG) are discussed. There is also a review of the different types of Event Related Potentials (ERP) and signal extraction methods for generating filters from the captured data to generate a model for a BCI. Finally, this paper covers a review of notable BCIs that are being utilized in a wide range of applications and gives a working example using BCILAB to generate results from a sample data set using the techniques discussed in the paper.
Suppression of toxoplasmin skin reactivity in sensitized guinea pigs by multiple inoculations.

SummarySuppression of the skin reactivity to toxoplasmin by simultaneous injection of larger amounts of the antigen in the same sensitized guinea pigs was demonstrated by fewer animals reacting to the lesser amount of toxoplasmin and a decrease in the mean skin reaction as compared with the reaction when the toxoplasmin was injected alone.
The Dilemma of Agricultural Economists: Discussion

Gardner's primary conclusion that "our lack of attention to the ammunition we use in our sophisticated analytical artillery is an important impediment to the progress of agricultural economics as a science" is well taken. If all we do is whittle on our theoretical models without developing and using appropriate and accurate data (i.e., if we fail to combine the inductive with the deductive), we will never improve our theory or our data. Gardner's evidence, based on publication in this Journal, is interesting. Gardner does a good job of reviewing the impact on agricultural statistics of the real dollar reduction in federal budgets. His table 1 shows a 1978-82 decline in real resources of 25% for the Statistical Reporting Service (SRS) and 29% for the census of agriculture. Most of the decline has occurred since 1980. The significance of dropping the 1982 census follow-up surveys needs to be understood. Censuses are no longer complete enumerations of some universe. Because of the incredible increase in their costs, censuses are evolving toward nested surveys in which only basic characteristics are completely enumerated to provide a sampling frame for simultaneous and subsequent specialized surveys of varying sample size. Surveys are more cost-effective because sample size can be tailored to the reliability needed at different levels of aggregation and detail. Thus, county data require a larger sample than state data and state data larger than national for the same level of reliability. The census of agriculture today is a limited 100% sample of a list frame plus a 25% sample taken simultaneously, followed by several surveys to get national data that usually require only a 2% or 3% sample. Since follow-up surveys are separated from the census by a year or so, that colorful intellectual Luddite, Senator Melcher, insisted that these separate surveys were unnecessary harassment of a few Montana veterinarians. Melcher succeeded in killing a critical part of the 1982 census. Next time I suggest we drop Montana from the census and let the rest of the nation get its statistics. Given present financial difficulties, the loss of the agricultural finance survey is a tragedy. Gardner says that it is data on the number of farms, the characteristics of the farm and their operators, plus state and county disaggregations that make the census indispensable. All of the national and most state data the census produces could be or are produced by the USDA. It is county data on which the real justification of the census rests. The bureau periodically has tried to reduce or eliminate its responsibility for county data. If that ever occurs, it will not be long before the agricultural census itself is eliminated. The other argument for the uniqueness of the census is its use as an accurate, independent base for adjusting USDA survey data. Following the 1964 census, continuous methodological changes combined with real resource reductions made the 1969 and 1974
Cationic 1,2-Azaborine Adducts of Trimethylphosphine, Triphenylphosphine Oxide, and Pyridine-N-Oxide

The first cationic 1,2-azaborine adducts of neutral phosphorus- and oxygen-based nucleophiles have been synthesized and characterized via spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.
The role of p53 in growth of mouse fibroblast lines.

To examine the hypothesis that p53 protein may play a central role in regulating reproduction of mammalian cells, we compared the absolute amounts and relative rates of synthesis of p53 protein in two pseudonormal cell lines, 3T3 and C3H 10 T 1/2 , during quiescence, during log proliferation, and in quiescent cells stimulated with serum. The absolute amount of p53 protein per cell was found to be severalfold lower in quiescent cells than in log-phase cells. The ratio of the rate of synthesis of p53 protein to the rate of synthesis of total protein was slightly higher in quiescent cells than the same ratio in logphase cells. Thus, entry into quiescence is not accompanied by a differential switch-off of synthesis of p53 protein. In quiescent cells stimulated with serum the amount of p53 protein per cell and its rate of synthesis increase, but only in proportion to the increase in total protein per cell and the increase in rate of total protein synthesis. Similarly, 12–14 h after serum stimulation, the time of the G1 to S transition, the accumulated increase in p53 protein per cell is about what would be expected for a short-lived protein whose rate of synthesis has increased in proportion to the increase in rate of synthesis of total protein. The results are not those expected for a protein that functions specifically in release from quiescence or in transition from G1 to S.
Estimating common parameters in heterogeneous random effects models

A question of fundamental importance for meta-analysis of heterogeneous multidimensional data studies is how to form a best consensus estimator of common parameters, and what uncertainty to attach to the estimate. This issue is addressed for a class of unbalanced linear designs which include classical growth curve models. The solution obtained is similar to the popular DerSimonian and Laird (1986) method for a simple meta-analysis model. By using almost unbiased variance estimators, an estimator of the covariance matrix of this procedure is derived. Combination of these methods is illustrated by two examples and are compared via simulation.
Comparison of mandibular movements recorded by two pantographs

Denar and Stuart pantographic tracings were obtained at 10 separate appointments with one patient. Twenty pantographic recordings were transferred to the Stuart fully adjustable articulator. One pantograph from each appointment was used to set the articulator. The second pantograph of each appointment was mounted on the articulator without altering the setting adjustments and compared to the first pantograph of the previous 10 sessions. Overlay tracings were generated on the articulator as a permanent record of how accurately the articulator had been set and to compare measurements to the nearest 0.1 mm. Each working and orbiting path tracing was measured at four locations with a total of 960 measurements. Paired and Student t tests determined statistically significant differences. Mean data showed a 0.007 mm difference between Stuart and Denar recordings and was not statistically significant. Of the 12 lines on each set of tracings, the right vertical working path revealed significant data. Of the 48 measuring sites, the right vertical working path and the left vertical orbiting path displayed noteworthy data.
A Two-Stage Procedure with Elimination for Partitioning a Set of Normal Populations with Respect to a Control

Abstract We consider the problem of partitioning a set of given normal populations, with respect to a control population, into two subsets according to their unknown means. In this article, using the subset selection approach in the first stage and indifference zone approach in the second stage, we propose a two-stage procedure. The procedure partitions “too superior or inferior” treatments after the first stage, thereby reducing the average sample size and making the procedure more attractive for practitioners. The proposed procedure is studied and compared via the Monte Carlo simulation studies with other competitive procedures known in the literature.
Linear models for responses measured on a continuous scale.

Abstract A first-order linear model for responses measured on a continuous scale is considered. Expressions are derived for stimulus dependencies, autocorrelations, and variances, thus giving a unified treatment of previous work. The stimulus dependencies are shown to remain essentially unchanged for certain cases of nonconstant parameters. The analysis of continuous contingent schedules is illustrated. A higher-order linear model is also discussed briefly. It is shown that the stimulus dependencies can provide parameter-free tests of the whole class of models under consideration. Relations of these models to autoregressive models, and to discreteresponse, linear operator models are pointed out.
Status, Personality, and Gender Stereotyping: Response to Commentators

Status differences between women and men can explain why they perceive themselves as having different personality traits. The status explanation of gender stereotyping is discussed in relation to two views that have shaped research and theory on gender and personality: the traditional view that men and women are characterized by stable, enduring dispositions and the more recent view that women’s and men’s self-perceived traits vary from one situation to another. Other issues include: status in relation to developmental issues and cross-cultural stereotypes, effect of gender identity on gender stereotyped behaviors and traits, and changes in gender stereotyped traits over time within the larger sociocultural context. Differences between the status explanation of gender stereotyping and personality and the view that gender is the central, determining factor are discussed.
Electronic and vibrational spectra of Ba4NaCuO4(CO3)2 and Ba4LiCuO4(CO3)2

Abstract The title compounds contain diamagnetic Cu(III) in nearly square planar CuO4 units linked to each other by alkali ions. The optical and vibrational spectra were measured. A d—d transition at 12,000 cm−1 and a charge transfer transition at 22,000 cm−1 were observed, each having a large spectral band width. The Raman and infrared spectra were assigned according to a full factor group analysis and with the help of a two-dimensional vibrational analysis of the CuO4A, where A = Na or Li, network. The electronic spectra are consistent with those of other Cu(III)O4 compounds.
A measure of accounting faculties and doctoral programs

Abstract References from accounting doctoral course syllabi are used to construct a data base. Some type of syllabus in the areas of financial accounting, research methodology, behavioral accounting, managerial accounting, and information economics and agency theory was obtained from 49 schools. Syllabi references are used to rank accounting departments based on the author's place of employment and institution from which the doctorate was earned.
Perceptual integration of indexical information in bilingual speech

The present research examines how different types of indexical information, namely talker information and the language being spoken, are perceptually integrated in bilingual speech. Using a speeded classification paradigm (Garner, 1974), variability in characteristics of the talker (gender in Experiment 1 and specific talker in Experiment 2) and in the language being spoken (Mandarin vs. English) was manipulated. Listeners from two different language backgrounds, English monolinguals and Mandarin-English bilinguals, were asked to classify short, meaningful sentences obtained from different Mandarin-English bilingual talkers on these indexical dimensions. Results for the gender-language classification (Exp. 1) showed a significant, symmetrical interference effect for both listener groups, indicating that gender information and language are processed in an integral manner. For talker-language classification (Exp. 2), language interfered more with talker than vice versa for the English monolinguals, but symm...
A single origin of Batesian mimicry among hybridizing populations of admiral butterflies (Limenitis arthemis) rejects an evolutionary reversion to the ancestral phenotype

Batesian mimicry is a fundamental example of adaptive phenotypic evolution driven by strong natural selection. Given the potentially dramatic impacts of selection on individual fitness, it is important to understand the conditions under which mimicry is maintained versus lost. Although much empirical and theoretical work has been devoted to the maintenance of Batesian mimicry, there are no conclusive examples of its loss in natural populations. Recently, it has been proposed that non-mimetic populations of the polytypic Limenitis arthemis species complex represent an evolutionary loss of Batesian mimicry, and a reversion to the ancestral phenotype. Here, we evaluate this conclusion using segregating amplified fragment length polymorphism markers to investigate the history and fate of mimicry among forms of the L. arthemis complex and closely related Nearctic Limenitis species. In contrast to the previous finding, our results support a single origin of mimicry within the L. arthemis complex and the retention of the ancestral white-banded form in non-mimetic populations. Our finding is based on a genome-wide sampling approach to phylogeny reconstruction that highlights the challenges associated with inferring the evolutionary relationships among recently diverged species or populations (i.e. incomplete lineage sorting, introgressive hybridization and/or selection).
The Politics of Language in Education: The Mikro Case in South Africa

School language policies stand at the nexus of identity politics and human rights in contemporary South Africa. Since 1996, litigation on school language policies has been resolved on the basis of language rights. Courts have emphasized that the mere mention of single-medium schools in the constitution in no way privileges these institutions over dual-medium schools, parallel-medium schools, or schools that otherwise accommodate multilingualism. In turn, legal proceedings have consistently upheld the letter of the law in terms of language rights, and English-speaking students have almost always been accommodated at former Afrikaans-medium public schools. But the constitutional goal of cooperative government remains unfulfilled. As a result, disputes over language policy continue to be costly, emotional, and directed at what “ought to be done” about one specific language, Afrikaans. This article focuses on the shortcomings of one case, the Mikro case, to argue that the vision of public education must be re...
Site-specific reference dose for methylmercury for fish-eating populations

Abstract The purpose of the analysis reported here was to derive a site-specific reference dose (RfD) for methylmercury, specifically for a population exposed through the chronic ingestion of contaminated fish. A study of the neurodevelopmental toxicity of methylmercury conducted on a fish-eating population in the Seychelles Islands was determined to be the most applicable for the development of the site-specific RfD. The analysis, which made use of the benchmark dose approach as an alternative to the traditional no-observed-adverse effect-level (NOAEL) approach, physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling, and Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis, was designed to provide information on the distribution of acceptable ingestion rates across the population, rather than a single point estimate. Benchmark dose modeling over the wide range of neurodevelopmental endpoints reported in the Seychelles study yielded a BMDL (95% lower confidence limit) tolerable concentration of methylmercury in maternal hair of 21 ppm. This hair concentration was then converted to an expected distribution of daily ingestion rates across a population of U.S. women of childbearing age using Monte Carlo analysis with a PBPK model to evaluate the impact of interindividual variability. An uncertainty factor of 3 was applied in consideration of results from similar studies in New Zealand and the Faroe Islands that could be construed to suggest the possibility of effects at maternal hair concentrations below 10 ppm. Based on the analysis described above, the distribution of acceptable daily ingestion rates (RfDs) ranges from approximately 0.3–1.1 μg/kg/day, with a population median (50th percentile) of 0.5 μg/kg/day.
Environmental contamination and cancer in fish

Abstract Field investigations of liver neoplasia in feral fishes indicate that tumor-bearing animals are of advanced age, have bottom-dwelling life style, and reside in polluted areas near urban centers. Laboratory investigations have shown that neoplasia in fish liver, like that of its mammalian counterparts, is a multistage process involving initiation, promotion, and progression. This paper reviews laboratory bioassay data and presents stages of carcinogenesis seen in livers of exposed fishes. Based on intervals of time between initiation and tumor formation in laboratory exposures, tumor laden livers in multiyear feral fishes could have been the result of exposure to initiating carcinogen(s) as an embryo, larva, or adult. Promotion of carcinogenesis likely results by exposure of previously initiated fish to substances within sediments or food. While linkage between fish liver neoplasia and carcinogens in the water table, sediment, or food has been sought, the presence or absence of tumors may be related more to the concentration of promoter substances at specific environmental sites. Biomarkers for initiation and means to investigate promotion are presented and suggestions made for application to field studies.
An integrated data flow visual language and software development environment

The current generation of data flow based visual programming systems is all too often limited in application. It is our contention that data flow visual languages, to be more widely accepted for solving a broad range of problems, need to be more general in their syntax, semantics, translation schemes, computational model, execution methods and scheduling. These capabilities should be accompanied by a development environment that facilitates information processing extensions needed by the user to solve a wide range of application-specific problems. This paper addresses these issues by describing and critiquing the Khoros system implemented by the University of New Mexico, Khoros Group. The Khoros infrastructure consists of several layers of interacting subsystems. A user interface development system (UIDS) combines a high-level user interface specification with methods of software development that are embedded in a code generation tool set. The UIDS is used to create, install and maintain the fundamental operators for cantata, the visual programming language component of Khoros.
Durability of Composite Reinforcement for Timber Bridges

Fiber-reinforced polymeric (FRP) composites are materials that are increasing in use in civil engineering applications. Despite the excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance offered by these organic matrix materials, their susceptibility to the synergistic effects of stress and environmental weathering hinders their widespread acceptance in civil engineering. The durability of a specific formulation of wood-compatible, pultruded, E-glass—phenolic composite in characterized. This composite is unique because its layered structure and void content make it compatible with standard structural wood adhesives. The durability of this wood-compatible FRP reinforcement cannot be directly determined from published work on the durability of E-glass composites because of its unique design. A durability test matrix was generated according to specifications and test standards from the International Conference of Building Officials Evaluation Service, Inc., and from the California Department of Transportat...
Undocumented immigration and income inequality in the native-born population of the US: econometric evidence

According to the theoretical models suggested by Chiswick and others, the growing presence of undocumented immigrants in the US should have a disequalizing effect on income distribution in the native-born population. However, this proposition has not been subjected to empirical test. Here an econometric model of income inequality in native-born households is constructed and Census-based estimates of the state distribution of undocumented immigrants are used to estimate model parameters. The results show that such immigration has been disequalizing, but that the impact has been small, ranking behind several other socio-economic variables.
Wavelet Interpolation and Approximate Solutions of Elliptic Partial Differential Equations

The paper formulates and proves a second order interpolation result for square-integrable functions by means of locally finite series of Daubechies’ wavelets. Sample values of a sufficiently smooth function can be used as coefficients of a wavelet expansion at a fine scale, and the corresponding wavelet interpolation function converges in Sobolev norms of first order to the original function. This has applications to wavelet-Galerkin numerical solutions of elliptic partial differential equations.
Single-model multiple-process noise soft-switching filter

This paper presents a new tracking filter capable of soft switching between two kinematic target models without requiring any a priori knowledge of the target state's transition probability matrix. The target models used are both constant velocity (CV) models, one with a low state process noise and one with a high state process noise. Simulations are performed to show the soft switching capability of the new filter as well as its performance. The newly derived filter significantly outperforms a well-known variable dimension filter. The results of this paper constitute a first step toward designing a new class of filters that are capable of soft switching between different target kinematic models without requiring a priori knowledge of the target state's transition likelihoods.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the effect of oral doses of rizatriptan 10 mg on oral contraceptive pharmacokinetics in healthy female volunteers

Rizatriptan (MAXALT), a potent, oral 5-HT1B/1D agonist with a rapid onset of action, is available now for the acute treatment of migraine. This study examined the pharmacokinetic and clinical interaction between rizatriptan 10 mg and the components (ethinyl estradiol [EE] 35 micrograms and norethindrone [NET] 1.0 mg) of a well-established oral contraceptive combination product, ORTHO-NOVUM 1/35. Levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), a protein increased by EE to which NET binds, were also examined. In this two-period crossover study, 20 healthy young female subjects received a coadministration of 8 days of rizatriptan treatment (6 days of single-dose 10 mg rizatriptan and 2 days of multiple-dose rizatriptan, 10 mg q 4 hours for three doses, giving a total daily dose of 30 mg on Days 7 and 8) or matching placebo along with their daily dose (one tablet) of ORTHO-NOVUM 1/35 within their oral contraceptive cycle. Plasma was sampled for EE, NET, and SHBG concentrations. Safety evaluations included routine laboratory safety studies, physical examinations, and monitoring for ECG, vital signs, and adverse events. There were no statistically significant differences in any of the pharmacokinetic parameters of EE or NET between the rizatriptan and placebo treatment periods, thus indicating that rizatriptan had no meaningful effect on the disposition of either the EE or the NET component of ORTHO-NOVUM 1/35. The SHBG concentration did not change throughout the entire study. Clinically, coadministration of rizatriptan with ORTHO-NOVUM 1/35 was well tolerated. Blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature showed no consistent trend or clinically important changes. Adverse events following coadministration of rizatriptan with ORTHO-NOVUM 1/35 were similar to those reported when placebo was given with ORTHO-NOVUM 1/35. The findings of this study indicate that there is little potential for dosages as high as 30 mg/day, the maximum recommended dosing schedule, of rizatriptan to alter the plasma concentrations of oral contraceptives.
Involvement of SIRT1 in Zn 2+ , Streptozotocin, Non-Obese Diabetic, and Cytokine-Mediated Toxicities of β-cells

Zn2+ toxicity is implicated in pancreatic β-cell death that occurs secondarily to: streptozotocin exposure in vitro and both autoimmune attack or streptozotocin in vivo models of T1DM.
Structural Evolution of Wilmington Anticline, California: ABSTRACT

Isopach maps of the major zones of the East Wilmington field shed significant light on the structural evolution of the Wilmington anticline. A minor ancestral basement high marked the location of the Wilmington anticline at the close of the early Mohnian, but the structure was essentially a syncline on the north flank of the Catalina uplift. Uninterrupted sedimentation occurred throughout the late Mohnian and early Delmontian. No evidence of the present Wilmington anticline is seen prior to the deposition of the lower part of the Ranger. The source of sediment supply was on the northeast and the direction of transport was southwest. Growth of the Wilmington anticline was initiated in late Miocene time, early in Ranger deposition. Most Ranger subzone isopachs reflect Ranger structure, and demonstrate continuous anticlinal growth during lower Repetto deposition. Movement on the Long Beach Unit fault began during Ranger X-sand deposition and culminated at the close of F-sand deposition. The F sand was eroded and channeled by current action along and across the anticlinal axis prior to Fo-sand deposition. The Fo sand was deposited as a lens-shaped body on the eroded F, and is present over a minimum 48-sq-mi area. No evidence of structural growth is seen during the deposition of this sand, in contrast to the other Ranger sands. The Fo is thought to be primarily a tractionite. Renewed uplift and additional movement on earlier faults occurred during the Pasadenan orogeny and completed Wilmington structural development. End_of_Article - Last_Page 809------------
Closing Doors of Opportunity? Trends in Enrollment, College Costs, and Direct Grant Aid at Community Colleges in the United States, 2000–2001 to 2005–2006

This study had two major purposes. The first purpose was to compare federal, state, and institutional direct grant aid, unmet needs, and headcount in 2000–2001 and 2005–2006. The second was to assess if any changes found related to the presence or absence of two key factors identified by experts as important to understanding the community college field: (a) type of Associate's College (rural, suburban, and urban) delineated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching's 2005 Basic Classification, and (b) significant local funding, using the Grapevine definition that defines 25 states as having local tax appropriations accounting for more than 10% of total funding and 25 states without. Analyzing data from the National Center for Educational Statistics' Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, the study found that between 2000–2001 and 2005–2006, enrollment at Associate's Colleges grew by 30%, and while all categories of direct student aid also grew, the growth was overwhelmed by tuiti...
The vertebrate muscle Z-disc: sarcomere anchor for structure and signalling

The Z-disc, appearing as a fine dense line forming sarcomere boundaries in striated muscles, when studied in detail reveals crosslinked filament arrays that transmit tension and house myriads of proteins with diverse functions. At the Z-disc the barbed ends of the antiparallel actin filaments from adjoining sarcomeres interdigitate and are crosslinked primarily by layers of α-actinin. The Z-disc is therefore the site of polarity reversal of the actin filaments, as needed to interact with the bipolar myosin filaments in successive sarcomeres. The layers of α-actinin determine the Z-disc width: fast fibres have narrow (~30–50 nm) Z-discs and slow and cardiac fibres have wide (~100 nm) Z-discs. Comprehensive reviews on the roles of the numerous proteins located at the Z-disc in signalling and disease have been published; the aim here is different, namely to review the advances in structural aspects of the Z-disc.
Multilevel Approaches Toward Monitoring and Control of Semiconductor Epitaxy

Various optical techniques have been developed over the last few years to allow real-time analysis of regions of importance for semiconductor epitaxy, in particular the unreacted and reacted parts of the surface reaction layer (SRL) and the near-surface region of the sample. When coupled with emerging microscopic methods of calculating optical properties, these approaches will allow several levels of control beyond that which has been currently demonstrated.
Use of optical emission intensity to characterize an RF plasma source for MBE growth of GaAsN

Abstract With the continued importance of 1.3 μm wavelength fiber optic communication, devices based on GaAsN materials are becoming increasingly important components due to their inherent integration capability and their temperature stability. In this paper, we report on the characterization of a radio frequency (RF) plasma source using a dilute nitrogen (N) in argon gas mix, to understand the production of atomic nitrogen and its effect on GaAsN growth. Optical emission intensity was used to characterize nitrogen production, and was found to predict the percentage of nitrogen in an as-grown GaAsN film over a wide range of gas flow and RF power conditions. The RF plasma source was also characterized for the production of ionic species. We found that the number of ions produced, and their energy, varies significantly depending on the RF power, the gas flow rate, and the source gas used (Ar, dilute N in Ar, pure N2). This data allows for the optimization of RF conditions, which minimize damage from ionic species independently from nitrogen production.