cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonsymmetric First-Order Transitions: Finite-Size Scaling and Tests for Infinite-Range Models

Finite-size rounding of first-order transitions is studied for the general case of nonsymmetric phases and nonperiodic boundary conditions. The main features include the surface-induced shift of the rounded transition on the scale 1/L, while the order parameter discontinuity is rounded on the scale 1/Ld. This rounding is described by the universal scaling forms with scaling functions identical to those for the periodic, symmetric case. The proposed formalism applies to scalar-order-parameter, single-domain systems. It is tested by exact calculations for a class of infinite-range models.
Evaluation of the disintegrant properties for an experimental, crosslinked polyalkylammonium polymer

The swelling and water sorption properties of an experimental, cross-linked polyalkylammonium polymer and three other super disintegrants, i.e. crospovidone, sodium starch glycolate, and croscarmellose sodium, were evaluated via water vapor uptake, water uptake, and dry/wet particle size measurements. Direct compression formulations containing either aspirin or hydrochlothiazide as a model drug, dibasic calcium phosphate as a bulking agent, and the aforementioned disintegrants at two levels (0.25 and 1%) were tableted on a single station Manesty F-3 press. The disintegration and dissolution tests demonstrated that the crosslinked polyalkylammonium polymer possesses effective disintegrant properties, e.g. consistently fast disintegration, rapid dissolution, and is effective at low concentrations.
Laser processes for precise microfabrication of magnetic disk-drive components

The technique of laser micro-processing has recently found several important and widespread applications in the manufacturing of disk-drive components. Examples provided here include the cleaning of surface contaminants, the formation of nano-bumps on disk surfaces for controlled surface texturing or for making glide height standards, and the micro-bending of magnetic head sliders for flight-height controls. Short-pulsed laser irradiation at suitable wavelength, fluence, and incidence direction can be used to clean off particulate and organic-film contaminants from surfaces of critical components, for example, the slider and the disk. Controlled disk texturing is needed to alleviate the problem of stiction which occurs when the disk stop spinning and the super smooth slider comes into stationary contact with the super smooth disk. A compact laser operating at high pulse repetition rate can be used to produce a low-stiction racetrack composed of typically a million nano-bumps. This can be done both for NiP/aluminum disks, or for glass disks. Single isolated bump with a specified height for providing height-standard can also be tailor-made. Very recently, we have developed a 'laser curvature adjust technique' and implemented it into production of magnetic head sliders. Here, microscopic adjustments of the curvature of air bearing surface of sliders can be produced by suitable laser scribing at the back side of the ceramic slider.
Loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 11 q 13 in lobular lesions of the breast using tissue microdissection and polymerase chain reaction

Abstract Demonstration of identical allelic loss on chromosome 11q13 in synchronous in situ (DCIS) and invasive ductal (IDC) breast carcinoma has provided molecular evidence of the progression of DCIS to IDC. We investigated loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at chromosome llql3 in the spectrum of "marker/premalignant" and "malignant" lobular lesions of the breast, including atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH), lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), and infiltrating lobular carcinoma (ILC). Thirty-eight cases with various combinations of ALH, LCIS, and ILC were studied. Synchronous ductal lesions were present in 9 of 38 cases. Areas of interest were specifically isolated by tissue microdissection. The extracted DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and analyzed with two polymorphic markers for chromosome 11q13 (INT2 and PYGM). LOH at 11q13 was identified in ILC and LCIS in approximately one third of informative cases. LCIS in association with ILC showed a loss in 50% of cases, whereas pure LCIS in the absence of ILC had a much lower frequency of LOH, which was comparable to that of pure ALH. These results suggest that LOH on chromosome llql3 may play an important role in development of ILC, similar to that of IDC from DCIS/ADH. Additionally, frequent LOH in ILC and LCIS associated with ILC and a significantly lower and comparable frequency of LOH in LCIS without ILC and ALH implies that genetic alteration(s) on chromosome l1ql3 may be important in the transition of LCIS to ILC. LOH was detected in three of nine synchronous ductal lesions (one IDC and two DCIS), confirming our earlier findings and indicating that lobular and ductal neoplasia in the breast show some similar genetic changes. We hypothesize that LOH may help in separating morphologically similar yet genetically different subgroups of ALH and LCIS into one group with genetic changes and an increased potential to progress to invasive cancer and another group, the "marker" lesions of LCIS/ALH, that remain stable or possibly regress.
Sliding-scale insulin: more evidence needed before final exit?

Sliding-scale regular insulin (SSI) in the management of patients with diabetes was the standard practice as early as 1934 (1) and was also used in the hyperglycemic emergency diabetic ketoacidosis (2). These earlier studies used urine glucose for sliding scale, but with demonstration of inaccuracy of urine glucose (3), blood glucose replaced urine glucose for sliding scale in diabetic ketoacidosis (4). SSI is widely used in health institutions (5,6) because it is easy and convenient, but it has the disadvantage of not delivering insulin in a physiologic manner, thereby leading to fluctuations in glycemic levels (7–9). Despite these drawbacks, the use of SSI has survived for >70 years, through many generations of physicians. Retrospective (6,9) and prospective (5) cohort studies, as well as observations and commentaries (10), have concluded that SSI should be discouraged because it has not been shown to be an effective means of achieving much-needed optimal glycemic control in hospitalized patients. However, the issue of SSI has never been settled because of the …
Changes in lipogenic capacity and activities of ketolytic and lipogenic enzymes in brain regions of developing rats.

: Oxidation of ketone bodies (KBs) generates acetyl coenzyme A (AcCoA), which can be further incorporated into fatty acid. We have determined the rates of lipogenesis from ketone bodies in developing rats and their relation to the activities of enzymes involved in the production of cytoplasmic AcCoA via different pathways in brain regions. In the cerebrum (Cbr), rates of fatty acid synthesis from [3-14C]acetoacetate ([3-14C]AcAc) were high during the early postnatal period but decreased rapidly thereafter until weaning. Although similar developmental patterns of synthesis characterized the cerebellum (Cbl), midbrain (Mb), brain stem (Bs), and thalamus (Th), maximal rates were highest in the Cbr and lowest in the Th. In all regions, synthetic rates were higher throughout the entire suckling period than in adulthood. There were no appreciable differences in synthetic rates among brain regions of adult rats. The developmental changes in rates of AcAc incorporation into fatty acids were closely related to AcAcCoA synthetase activity, but not to activities of ATP-citrate lyase or AcCoA synthetase. During the early postnatal stage the enhanced rates of lipogenesis were accompanied by increased activities of AcAcCoA synthetase in all regions, with the highest activity occurring in the Cbr. The sequence of reactions coupling AcAcCoA synthetase and AcAcCoA thiolase in cytoplasm may be an important pathway for generation of AcCoA from KBs for fatty acid synthesis in all regions of the developing brain. This interpretation is strengthened by evidence of concomitant increases in the activities of fatty acid synthetase and AcCoA carboxylase.
Thermally stimulated current studies of electron and hole traps in single crystal Al2O3

The method of thermally stimulated conductivity (TSC) is applied to the study of electron and hole traps in synthetic single crystalline Al2O3 from various sources with 100 keV X-rays being used to populate the trapping states in the crystals. Samples from a given source had a characteristic TSC spectrum but there is considerable variation among the various sources with only a peak at 273 K being common to all samples. Optical bleaching and optical trap repopulation techniques are combined with the TSC studies to aid in center identification. Once a sample is exposed to X-rays the repopulation of some of the traps with low energy photons becomes possible and sequential thermal and optical stimulation may be used to cycle carriers between the deep and shallow levels without additional X-irradiation for several weeks. A tentative assignment is made of the observed TSC peaks to known lattice defects. The importance of these defects in silicon on sapphire microelectronics technology is briefly discussed. Die Methode der Glowkurven (TSC) wird benutzt, um Elektronen- und Lochertraps in synthetischen Einkristallen von Al2O3 aus verschiedenen Quellen zu untersuchen, wobei 100 keV-Rontgenstrahlen benutzt werden, um die Haftniveaus in diesen Kristallen zu besetzen. Zu einer Quelle gehorende Proben besitzen ein charakteristisches TSC-Spektrum, es existieren jedoch betrachtliche Unterschiede zwischen den Proben aus verschiedenen Quellen, wobei nur ein Maximum bei 273 K allen Proben gemeinsam ist. Optisches Bleichen und optische Umbesetzung der Haftstellen werden mit den TSC-Untersuchungen kombiniert, um eine Identifizierung der Zentren zu erreichen. Wenn eine Probe mit Rontgenstrahlen bestrahlt wird, wird die Umbesetzung einiger Haftstellen mit Photonen niedriger Energie moglich und darauffolgende thermische und optische Anregung kann benutzt werden, um Ladungstrager zyklisch zwischen tiefen und flachen Niveaus ohne zusatzliche Rontgenstrahlung einige Wochen lang auszutauschen. Eine vorlaufige Zuordnung der beobachteten TSC-Maxima zu bekannten Gitterdefekten wird versucht. Die Bedeutung dieser Defekte in der Silizium-auf-Saphir-Mikroelektroniktechnologie wird kurz diskutiert.
Using a Web‐Based Accounting System for Teaching Accounting System Design and Implementation

In this project, each student customizes an accounting system using a Web‐based accounting package that allows users to enter accounting data anytime anywhere via the Internet. The student also prepares system documentation so that other end‐users can efficiently use the system. Finally, the student provides a report that explains whether the Web‐based accounting package has all the required features for his or her business. This project helps students learn accounting systems from the enterprise perspective instead of the piecemeal account approach. Results indicate that students significantly improve their knowledge and skills regarding systems design and implementation.
Clustering of Fast-Food Restaurants Around Schools: A Novel Application of Spatial Statistics to the Study of Food Environments

Objectives. We examined the concentration of fast food restaurants in areas proximal to schools to characterize school neighborhood food environments.Methods. We used geocoded databases of restaurant and school addresses to examine locational patterns of fast‐food restaurants and kindergartens and primary and secondary schools in Chicago. We used the bivariate K function statistical method to quantify the degree of clustering (spatial dependence) of fast-food restaurants around school locations.Results. The median distance from any school in Chicago to the nearest fast-food restaurant was 0.52 km, a distance that an adult can walk in little more than 5 minutes, and 78% of schools had at least 1 fast-food restaurant within 800 m. Fast-food restaurants were statistically significantly clustered in areas within a short walking distance from schools, with an estimated 3 to 4 times as many fast-food restaurants within 1.5 km from schools than would be expected if the restaurants were distributed throughout the...
Child mortality and cohort lifespan: a test of diminished entelechy

Author(s): Catalano, Ralph; Bruckner, Tim | Abstract: The literature implies a 'diminished entelechy' hypothesis in which birth cohorts subjected to relatively many or relatively virulent environmental insults early in life do not realize their otherwise expected lifespan. No direct test of this hypothesis appears in literature.We test the hypothesis directly by measuring the association between mortality in the first 5 years and life expectancy at age 5 for male and female cohorts born in Sweden (1751-1912), Denmark (1835-1913), and England and Wales (1841-1912). The methods control for trends, seasonal cycles, and other forms of autocorrelation that could induce spurious associations.Our results support the hypothesis in that life expectancy at age 5 fell below the values expected from history in cohorts in which child mortality before age 5 increased over its expected value. We find no evidence for culling effects in which a cohort remaining after suffering relatively many environmental insults may be smaller but hardier than expected.These findings converge with individual-level studies and suggest that suffering relatively virulent or many environmental insults during childhood reduces the subsequent lifespan of birth cohorts.
Structural and kinematic evolution of the Yukon-Tanana upland tectonites, east-central Alaska: A record of late Paleozoic to Mesozoic crustal assembly

The Yukon-Tanana terrane, the largest tectonostratigraphic terrane in the northern North American Cordillera, is polygenetic and not a single terrane. Lineated and foliated (L-S) tectonites, which characterize the Yukon- Tanana terrane, record multiple deformations and formed at different times. We document the polyphase history recorded by L-S tectonites within the Yukon-Tanana upland, east-central Alaska. These upland tectonites compose a heterogeneous assemblage of deformed igneous and metamorphic rocks that form the Alaskan part of what has been called the Yukon-Tanana composite terrane. We build on previous kinematic data and establish the three-dimensional architecture of the upland tectonites through kinematic and structural analysis of more than 250 oriented samples, including quartz c-axis fabric analysis of 39 samples. Through this study we distinguish allochthonous tectonites from parautochthonous tectonites within the Yukon-Tanana upland. The upland tectonites define a regionally coherent stacking order: from bottom to top, they are lower plate North American parautochthonous attenuated continental margin; continentally derived marginal-basin strata; and upper plate ocean-basin and island-arc rocks, including some continental basement rocks. We delineate three major deformation events in time, space, and structural level across the upland from the United States–Canada border to Fairbanks, Alaska: (1) pre-Early Jurassic (>212 Ma) northeast-directed, apparent margin-normal contraction that affected oceanic rocks; (2) late Early to early Middle Jurassic (>188–185 Ma) northwest-directed, apparent margin-parallel contraction and imbrication that resulted in juxtaposition of the allochthonous tectonites with parautochthonous continental rocks; and (3) Early Cretaceous (135–110 Ma) southeast-directed crustal extension that resulted in exposure of the structurally deepest, parautochthonous continental rocks. The oldest event represents deformation within a west-dipping (present coordinates) Permian-Triassic subduction zone. The second event records Early to Middle Jurassic collision of the arc and subduction complex with North American crust, and the third event reflects mid-Cretaceous southeast-directed crustal extension. Events one and two can be recognized and correlated through southern Yukon, even though this region was affected by mid-Cretaceous dextral shear along steep northwest-striking faults. Our data support a model of crustal assembly originally proposed by D. Tempelman-Kluit in which previously deformed allochthonous rocks were thrust over parautochthonous rocks of the attenuated North American margin in Middle Jurassic time. Approximately 50 m.y. after tectonic accretion, east-central Alaska was dissected by crustal extension, exposing overthrust parautochthonous strata.
Asynchronous disk interleaving: approximating access delays

The performance implications of asynchronous disk interleaving are examined. In an asynchronous system, adjacent subblocks are placed independently of each other. Since each of the disks in such a system is treated independently while being accessed as a group, the access delay of a request for a data block in an n-disk system is the maximum of n access delays. Using approximate analysis, a simple expression for the expected value of such a maximum delay is obtained. The analysis approximation is verified by simulation using trace data; the relative error is found to be at most 6%. >
Direct measurement of free‐volume hole distributions in polymers by using a positronium probe

The free-volume hole distributions in semicrystalline polypropylene was directly measured by positron lifetime annihilation spectroscopy. A Laplace inversion technique was engaged to analyze the positron lifetime spectra measured under quasi-isotropic external pressures of 0, 4.2, and 14.7 kbar into continous lifetime distributions. The hole radii distributions as determined from the ortho-positronium lifetime distributions are found to be between 4.0 and 0.5 A and to have maxima at 3.0, 1.9, and 1.1 A under the external pressures of 0, 4.2, and 14.7 kbar, respectively
Facts and values, cars and smog: analytical perspectives of stakeholders in air quality and transportation planning in Los Angeles, CA

Technical policy decisions can be thought of as resulting from two models: an environmental model and a preference model. The environmental model is a description of the physical and social systems affected by the policy decision. The preference model is a description of the preferences of the decision maker for the outcomes predicted by the environmental model. In many technical policy making processes, the development of the environmental model is delegated to technical experts. In these processes, efforts to involve stakeholders tend to focus on characterizing the stakeholders' preferences for various outcomes. Such efforts fail to recognize that stakeholders differ in their description of the problem as well as in their preferences. This paper presents techniques for characterizing differences in stakeholder's analytical perspectives, for exploring the effect of these differences on the structure and content of environmental models, and for estimating the impact of these differences on policy decisions. By illuminating these relationships, these techniques will contribute to a better understanding of the role of experts and other stakeholders in addressing complex policy issues. The application of these techniques in the context of air pollution and transportation planning in Los Angeles will be discussed.
ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF AMBER SUPPRESSORS IN YEAST

Nonsense suppressors were obtained in a haploid yeast strain containing eight nutritional mutations, that are assumed to be amber or ochre, and the cyc1-179 amber mutation that has a UAG codon corresponding to position 9 in iso-1-cytochrome c. Previous studies established that the biosynthesis and function of iso-1-cytochrome c is compatible with replacements at position 9 of amino acids having widely different structures (Stewart and Sherman 1972). UV-induced revertants, selected on media requiring the reversion of one or two of the amber nutritional markers, were presumed to contain a suppressor if there was the unselected reversion of at least one other marker. The 1088 suppressors that were isolated could be divided into 78 phenotypic classes. Only 43 suppressors of three classes caused the production of more than 50% of the normal amount of iso-1-cytochrome c in the cyc1-179 strain. Genetic analyses indicated that all of these highly efficient amber suppressors are allelic to one or another of the eight suppressors which cause the insertion of tyrosine at ochre (UAA) codons (Gilmore, Stewart and Sherman 1971). Furthermore, only tyrosine has been identified at position 9 in iso-1-cytochrome c in cyc1-179 strains suppressed with these efficient amber suppressors.
Collisional excitation transfer between Rb(5P) states in 50?3000 Torr of 4He

Measurements of the mixing rates and cross sections for collisional excitation transfer between the 5P1/2 and 5P3/2 states of rubidium (Rb) in the presence of 4He buffer gas are presented. Selected pulses from a high repetition rate, mode-locked femtosecond laser are used to excite either Rb state with the fluorescence due to collisional excitation transfer observed by time-correlated single-photon counting. The time dependence of this fluorescence is fitted to the solution of rate equations which include the mixing rate, atomic lifetimes and any quenching processes. The variation in the mixing rate over a large range of buffer gas densities allows the determination of both the binary collisional transfer cross section and a three-body collisional transfer rate. We do not observe any collisional quenching effects at 4He pressures up to 6 atm and discuss in detail other systematic effects considered in the experiment.
Reversal of Warfarin: Case-Based Practice Recommendations

Case Presentation: A 74-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with bruising. She takes warfarin for atrial fibrillation. She has recently begun taking trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Her international normalized ratio (INR) is reported as 8.6. Supratherapeutic INR values are common in warfarin-treated patients. In this case, the antibiotic is the likely cause, but it is not unusual for an INR measurement to exceed 3.0 without explanation. Irrespective of whether a cause for the INR increase can be identified, the patient should be interviewed and examined to ensure she is not bleeding. For an asymptomatic patient whose INR is >5, warfarin should be withheld for at least 1 dose, and close follow-up monitoring should be arranged. This patient's INR will return to the therapeutic range more quickly if she receives low-dose oral vitamin K (as opposed to simple warfarin withdrawal).1 Low-dose oral vitamin K is often considered in such situations because INR elevations like the one described here can be quite alarming to both the patient and the clinician. However, there is uncertainty about the short-term risk of major bleeding in such a patient. In one observational cohort of 1104 warfarin-treated asymptomatic patients with a single INR value between 5.0 and 9.0 (90% of whom were managed with simple warfarin withdrawal), only 0.96% experienced major hemorrhage within 30 days.2 However, an earlier observational study of 114 asymptomatic patients taking warfarin with an INR >6.0 managed without vitamin K reported major bleeding in 5 patients (4.4%; 95% confidence interval, 1.4%–9.9%) during 14 days of follow-up.3 To address this uncertainty, we randomized 355 nonbleeding warfarin-treated patients whose INR was >5.0 and <9.0 to receive either 1.25 mg of oral vitamin K or placebo. Although INR correction was more robust for the vitamin K–treated patients, the rate of major bleeding was low in …
The Surfaces of Memory in Berlin

Abstract This article uses the demolition of the Palace of the Republic, razed in order to reconstruct the Hohenzollern City Palace, as a lens to view the complex relations between the urban manifestations of collective memory and the contemporary architecture in Berlin. Berlin's search for a historical identity is manifested in contradictory ways; while the concern for architecture shrinks to surfaces as representations of “traditional” images, the surface of the city expands, transforming Berlin into an archaeological site, unearthing historical layers beneath it. The site of the Palace of the Republic constitutes a micro model, representing these facets of urban transformation.
Diagnostic uncertainty in the inflammatory myopathies

A group of case histories with appropriate muscle biopsy findings is presented to demonstrate some atypical presentations of the inflammatory myopathies. Differential diagnostic possibilities are considered in presentations of idiopathic polymyositis, statin myotoxicity, the inflammatory component with the dysferlinopathies, treated dermatomyositis, a necrotizing myopathy with pipe-stem microvascular change, an inflammatory myopathy with abundant macrophages, inclusion-body myositis, and the differential diagnosis of problems with eosinophilic infiltration in the muscle biopsy. Attention is given to the role of membrane attack complex deposition in the microvasculature and the role of major histiocompatibility complex-1-expressing muscle fibers indicating activation of the endoplasmic reticulum stress response.
Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy of Melanoma-Simulating Silicone Phantoms

Currently the only method for positively identifying malignant melanoma involves invasive and often undesirable biopsy procedures. Available ex-vivo data indicates increased vascularization in the lower regions of excised melanoma, as compared to dysplastic nevi. The ability to interrogate this region of tissue in-vivo could lead to useful diagnostic information. Using a newly developed fiber based superficial probe in conjunction with a steady-state frequency-domain photon migration (SSFDPM) system, we can probe the upper 1-2 mm of tissue, extracting functional information in the near infrared (650-1000 nm) range. To test the resolution and detection range of the superficial probe in this context, deformable silicone phantoms have been fabricated that simulate normal skin with melanocytic lesions. These phantoms consist of a two-layered matrix with the optical properties of normal light skin, containing several cylindrical inclusions that simulate highly absorbing pigmented lesions such as melanoma. These inclusions are varied in depth, diameter, and optical properties in order to fully test the probe's detection capabilities. It was found that, depending on absorption, we can typically probe to a depth of 1.0-1.5 mm in an inclusion, likely reaching the site of angiogenesis in an early-stage melanoma. Additionally, we can successfully interrogate normal tissue below lesions 1.5mm deep when absorption is about 0.4/mm or less. This data indicates that the superficial probe shows great promise for non-invasive diagnosis of pigmented lesions.
Nitroprusside abolishes increased arterial wave reflections from methoxamine-induced hypertension

Afterload reduction has been considered to be of primary importance in the treatment of hypertensive patients. It has not been clear how the central aorta and the peripheral vasculature interact to bring this about. The authors examined this aspect in terms of wave reflections in open-chest anesthetized dogs. Results show that nitroprusside effectively reduced the increased wave reflection from hypertension induced by methoxamine administration. >
CHLOROPLAST GENETICS OF CHLAMYDOMONAS. III. CLOSING THE CIRCLE

A novel mapping procedure is presented for organelle genes or any other genetic system exhibiting a measurable frequency of exchanges occurring at a constant rate over a measurable time interval. For a set of markers in a multiply-marked cross, the exchange rates measure relative map distances from a centromere-like attachment point. With this method, we present mapping data and a linear map of genes in the chlcroplast genome of Chlamydomonas. The data are plotted as log (percent remaining heterozygotes) against time and map distances are taken as proportional to slope. A statistical method which is an adaptation of jackknife methodology to a regression problem was developed to estimate slope values. A single line is fitted to pooled data for each marker from several crosses, and then lines are re-fit to a series of pooled data sets in each of which the observations from a single cross have been omitted. From these data sets a final summary slope is computed as well as a statement of its variability. The relative positions of new markers present in single crosses can then be estimated utilizing data from many crosses. The method does not distinguish between one-armed and two-armed linear or circular maps. However, evaluation of this map in conjunction with cosegregation frequency data (Sager and Ramanis 1976b) provides unambiguous evidence of the genetic circularity of the Chlamydomonas chloroplast genome.
The Narrative Study of Feminist Psychologist Identities

The struggle involved in identifying as both feminist and psychologist has previously been explored. This project, which grew out of our experiences in a graduate course entitled `Theory and Practice of Narrative Research', examined our identities as Feminist Psychologists. In the tradition of social constructionist, hermeneutic, narrative work, we told stories, conducted interviews and engaged in dialogue based on our identities. The results indicate that it is not only feasible, but necessary for us, and possibly others, to identify as Feminist Psychologists. Based on the functional, multiple-case analysis of our narratives, we concluded that the meanings constructed through narratives, interviews and dialogues are our identities; conducting feminist psychological research enacts our identities. We found that combining identities was important, feminist process was essential, critiquing dominant paradigms was significant and creating and maintaining a safe space to do this identity work was necessary.
Numbering the hairs on our heads: The shared challenge and promise of phenomics

Evolution and medicine share a dependence on the genotype–phenotype map. Although genotypes exist and are inherited in a discrete space convenient for many sorts of analyses, the causation of key phenomena such as natural selection and disease takes place in a continuous phenotype space whose relationship to the genotype space is only dimly grasped. Direct study of genotypes with minimal reference to phenotypes is clearly insufficient to elucidate these phenomena. Phenomics, the comprehensive study of phenotypes, is therefore essential to understanding biology. For all of the advances in knowledge that a genomic approach to biology has brought, awareness is growing that many phenotypes are highly polygenic and susceptible to genetic interactions. Prime examples are common human diseases. Phenomic thinking is starting to take hold and yield results that reveal why it is so critical. The dimensionality of phenotypic data are often extremely high, suggesting that attempts to characterize phenotypes with a few key measurements are unlikely to be completely successful. However, once phenotypic data are obtained, causation can turn out to be unexpectedly simple. Phenotypic data can be informative about the past history of selection and unexpectedly predictive of long-term evolution. Comprehensive efforts to increase the throughput and range of phenotyping are an urgent priority.
A resource budget model to explain intraspecific variation in mast reproductive dynamics

Rowan, Sorbus aucuparia L., exhibits conspicuous geographic variation in its inter-annual patterns of reproduction across southern Norway. Along the southern west coast, trees flower and produce clusters of succulent berries every other year, while in the east, trees mast every 3 years. We investigate two hypotheses for this variation: local adaptation to environmental conditions that favors different reproductive schedules at different locations or variation arising from single stereotyped reproductive strategy in the face of a geographic variation in productivity. To assess the theoretical plausibility of each of these hypotheses, we develop a refined resource budget model for mast reproduction. The refined model assumes that there is a lower bound on the amount of resource that may be allocated to reproduction, which allows the prediction of the relation between reproductive schedules and productivity. From the analysis of the model, we find that the observed geographic transition in rowan mast is caused if either productivity in the east is lower than that in the west or if plants in the eastern populations have evolved to pause reproduction until energy reserves are replenished to higher levels. The prediction by the productivity gradient hypothesis match with the empirical finding that the productivity is, in fact, likely to be lower in the east than the west, although we lack empirical data to test the likelihood of the local adaptation hypothesis. There is a need for experimental studies to clarify the validity of the local adaptation hypothesis.
Building partnerships in community-based participatory research: Budgetary and other cost considerations

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is an important framework for partnering with communities to reduce health disparities. Working in partnership with community incurs additional costs, some that can be represented in a budget summary page and others that are tied to the competing demands placed on community and academic partners. These cost considerations can inform development of community-academic partnerships. We calculated costs from a case study based on an ongoing CBPR project involving a Community Planning Group (CPG) of community co-researchers in rural Alaska and a bicultural liaison group who help bridge communication between CPG and academic co-researchers. Budget considerations specific to CBPR include travel and other communication-related costs, compensation for community partners, and food served at meetings. We also identified sources of competing demands for community and academic partners. Our findings can inform budget discussions in community-academic partnerships. Discussions of competing demands on community partners' time can help plan timelines for CBPR projects. Our findings may also inform discussions about tenure and promotion policies that may represent barriers to participation in CBPR for academic researchers.
Olfaction and taste

It is estimated that over 200 million people in the United States suffer from a chemosensory disorder. The impact of disorders of smell and taste on quality of life is significant. Moreover, these chemosensory losses can leave patients vulnerable to the serious hazards of spoiled foods, smoke, and natural gas. As clinicians, the impact of these losses is often overshadowed by other medical problems. Often, the inability to successfully treat many of these disorders is frustrating for both the patient and clinician. Nevertheless, the number of patients visiting a physician for a chemosensory complaint is estimated to be 200,000 a year. It is my hope that this issue of the Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America will be interesting and helpful to the practicing clinician faced with patients who present with chemosensory loss. Although far from comprehensive, it is designed to highlight areas with the most significant impact on clinical practice. The issue begins by reviewing the basic anatomy and physiology of olfaction and taste and is followed by a guide to the clinical evaluation of the patient presenting with smell and taste disorders. Other articles individually examine the most common causes of chemosensory loss, including chronic sinusitis, postviral loss, head injury, toxic exposures, aging, and the effects of pharmacologic agents. Radiographic evaluation of chemosensory loss is also reviewed. Areas of future research directions are addressed in the final article. Our understanding of the special senses of olfaction and taste continues to grow. Over the past decade, a fascinating array of basic science Karen J. Fong, MD, FACS
Associations between Beer, Wine, and Liquor Consumption and Lung Cancer Risk: A Meta-analysis

Objective: Epidemiologic studies suggest that the effect on lung cancer risk may be different for beer, wine, and liquor. We conducted dose-specific meta-analyses and dose-response meta-regression to summarize findings from the current literature on the association between consumption of beer, wine, or liquor and lung cancer risk. Results: Average beer consumption of one drink or greater per day was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer [relative risk (RR), 1.23; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.06-1.41]. This association was observed in both men and women, although it was only significant in men. A J-shaped dose-response curve was suggested for beer intake. An inverse association was observed for both average wine consumption of less than one drink per day (RR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.59-1.00) and one drink or greater per day (RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.60-1.02) in the drinking range incurred in the source studies. Average liquor consumption of one drink or greater per day was found to be associated with increased risk in men (RR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.10-1.62). No association was observed for liquor drinking in women. The presence of heterogeneity between studies was detected. Study design, country, gender, adjustment factors, and lung cancer histologic type were not significant predictors of the heterogeneity. Conclusions: The results from this meta-analysis suggest that high consumption of beer and liquors may be associated with increased lung cancer risk, whereas modest wine consumption may be inversely associated with risk. More research with improved control of confounding is needed to confirm these findings and to establish the dose-response relationship, particularly risk at high consumption levels. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(11):2436–47)
The Value of Quality of Life Research in Stroke

See related article, pages 2081–2085. This issue of Stroke contains an excellent article by Williams et al that deals with an important area of outcomes research: health-related quality of life (HRQOL).1 Williams and colleagues have previously created and validated the Stroke Specific Quality of Life scale (SSQOL),2 which is now being used as a secondary outcome measure in many ongoing stroke clinical trials. In this article, they measure the validity of obtaining the SSQOL from a family proxy. For many among the readership of Stroke , outcomes research may not be as stimulating as other topics, such as the results of clinical trials or epidemiological studies. Most who pick up this issue will not (or did not) immediately focus on the Williams article and read it first. And yet, research with regard to outcomes such as HRQOL is of increasing importance, especially for clinical trialists. Stroke clinical trials in general have used “crude” ordinal scales such as the modified Rankin (mRS) to measure functional poststroke outcomes. The mRS is clinically meaningful in that …
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Chemoradiation Therapy Versus Transoral Robotic Surgery for Human Papillomavirus-Associated, Clinical N2 Oropharyngeal Cancer.

Purpose To perform a cost-effectiveness analysis of primary chemoradiation therapy (CRT) versus transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for clinical N2, human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal carcinoma. Methods and Materials We developed a Markov model to describe the health states after treatment with CRT or TORS, followed by adjuvant radiation therapy or CRT in the presence of high-risk pathology (positive margins or extracapsular extension). Outcomes, toxicities, and costs were extracted from the literature. One-way sensitivity analyses (SA) were performed over a wide range of parameters, as were 2-way SA between the key variables. Probabilistic SA and value of information studies were performed over key parameters. Results The expected quality-adjusted life years (QALYs)/total costs for CRT and TORS were 7.31/$50,100 and 7.29/$62,200, respectively, so that CRT dominated TORS. In SA, primary CRT was almost always cost-effective up to a societal willingness-to-pay of $200,000/QALY, unless the locoregional recurrence risk after TORS was 30% to 50% lower, at which point it became cost effective at a willingness-to-pay of $50-100,000/QALY. Probabilistic SA confirmed the importance of locoregional recurrence risk, and the value of information in precisely knowing this parameter was more than $7M per year. If the long-term utility after TORS was 0.03 lower than CRT, CRT was cost-effective over nearly any assumption. Conclusions Under nearly all assumptions, primary CRT was the cost-effective therapy for HPV-associated, clinical N2 OPC. However, in the hypothetical event of a large relative improvement in LRR with surgery and equivalent long-term utilities, primary TORS would become the higher-value treatment, arguing for prospective, comparative study of the 2 paradigms.
Cancer biology and necrotic changes in metastatic lymph nodes and survival of colon cancer patients

Abstract Background Identifying factors that can contribute to a better understanding of tumor progression in stage III colon cancer patients continues to be an important task. Necrotic changes in metastatic lymph nodes have not been previously analyzed in English literature. Methods The study included 48 consecutive colon and rectosigmoid cancer patients with stage III disease who underwent radical surgery. After reviewing the diagnostic slides, a pathologist developed a scale describing the extent of necrotic changes. Results were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Results Thirty-four (70%) patients had necrotic changes in metastatic lymph nodes. Patients with necrotic changes in metastatic lymph nodes had more risk factors than patients without necrosis. The 5-year survival rate for patients with necrotic changes in metastatic lymph nodes was 85% and for patients without necrosis was 50% ( P = 0.02). Conclusions The survival of patients with necrotic changes in metastatic lymph nodes was higher ( P = 0.02). These necrotic changes can help us to understand body-tumor relations.
Fulminant case of hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy.

Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy (HNPP) is typified as isolated nerve palsies caused by trivial compression or trauma. It rarely presents in two extremities and even more infrequently affects all four limbs simultaneously. We present a patient who concurrently experienced right shoulder, left hand, and bilateral foot weakness mimicking several multifocal conditions. Electromyography suggested HNPP and subsequent nerve biopsy and genetic testing were confirmatory. The case demonstrates that HNPP can present in a fulminant manner and should be included in the differential diagnosis of acute multiple mononeuropathies. The possible causes for such a rapid clinical course in our patient are discussed.
SIGNALING TO THE P53 TUMOR SUPPRESSOR THROUGH PATHWAYS ACTIVATED BY GENOTOXIC AND NON-GENOTOXIC STRESSES.

The p53 tumor suppressor is a tetrameric transcription factor that is post-translational modified at {approx}18 different sites by phosphorylation, acetylation, or sumoylation in response to various cellular stress conditions. Specific posttranslational modifications, or groups of modifications, that result from the activation of different stress-induced signaling pathways are thought to modulate p53 activity to regulate cell fate by inducing cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, or cellular senescence. Here we review the posttranslational modifications to p53 and the pathways that produce them in response to both genotoxic and non-genotoxic stresses.
Evolution of Copper-Oxide Damascene Structures in Chemical Mechanical Polishing II. Copper Dishing and Oxide Erosion

Test wafers comprising damascene structures were designed and fabricated to investigate Cu dishing and oxide erosion. The mask design covered a wide range of linewidths and pitches from 0.5 to 100 μm. to represent such features as signal and power transmission lines, and probing or wire-bonding pads. Experiments were conducted to investigate the evolution of the pattern profile during polishing and to determine the onset and rates of dishing and erosion. The effects of Cu linewidth and area fraction on the rates of pattern planarization, Cu dishing, and oxide erosion have been quantified. The effect of hardness of the composite surface on dishing and crosion were examined. An optimization scheme, employing particle size, particle hardness, and pad stiffness, to enhance the selectivity between SiO 2 Ta and Cu, and to reduce die-scale nonplanarity is proposed.
CAN LOW RETURNS TO CAPITAL EXPLAIN LOW FORMAL CREDIT USE? EVIDENCE FROM ECUADOR

One potential explanation for low formal credit use is that poor entrepreneurs generate returns to capital below borrowing costs and cannot afford the loans. I test this using a new, nationally representative data from Ecuador, focusing on entrepreneurs that say credit constraints are a major problem. I estimate returns to capital and find monthly returns between 3.5% and 21%, well above prevailing interest rates. Despite this, one third of the finance constrained sample expresses no demand for a hypothetical loan. I estimate the determinants of demand for this loan, focusing on the role profitability may play. I find that measures of profitability are positively and significantly associated with demand, and that perceptions of profitability are among the strongest determinants. Meanwhile, assets, employees, duration, formality and past credit use have no predictive power. This suggests that some microentrepreneurs cannot afford prevailing interest rates and rationally eschew formal credit as a result.
The adolescent varicocele.

Just as all adolescent males should be educated by their primary care physicians about testicular self-examination and the symptoms of testicular torsion, they should also be routinely examined in the upright position. In this issue of Pediatrics , Salzhauer et al1 report the potential advantages of the early recognition and treatment of the adolescent varicocele. The observation that varicoceles affect ipsilateral testicular growth and that this growth arrest can be reversed reportedly dates back to Bennett in an article in The Lancet in 1889. However, this information was apparently lost, and it was not until 1977, when Lipschultz and Corriere2 noted progressive ipsilateral testicular volume loss in adults with varicoceles, that attention became refocused on this problem. Based on their report and the fortuitous observation in an adolescent patient with a varicocele of a significantly smaller left testis as compared with the right, Kass and Belman3 prospectively compared testicular size before and after varicocele ligation. Testicular “catch-up” growth occurred in 80% postoperatively. Subsequently, as noted in the article by Salzhauer et al,1 this has been repeatedly substantiated. However, satisfactory evidence that fertility is improved … Address correspondence to A. Barry Belman, MD, MS, 111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010. E-mail: abbelman{at}cnmc.org