cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
"Husband and Wife Do It Together": Sex/Gender Allocation of Labor among the Qhawqhat Lahu of Lancang, Southwest China

In this article, I explore both the diversity and commonality of human labor organization in response to sex difference through an ethnographic study of the sex/gender allocation of labor among the Qhawqhat Lahu of Lancang, China. I argue that the principle of "unity," rather than the more commonly discussed "division," predominantly governs the gendered allocation of labor in Qhawqhat. I demonstrate that the Lahu ideal of gender unity, combined with their practical pursuit of optimal use of household laborers, foster an extraordinarily high degree of joint gender roles in child rearing, as well as in reproductive and productive activities in general. I also show that such an extreme sociocultural system minimizes (although it does not entirely negate) the impact of sex differences. This study may shed some light on the diversity and commonality of human labor organization in response to sex difference by bringing into dialogue more recent approaches to the issue and earlier studies of the "sexual division of labor." [sex/gender allocation of labor, sexual division of labor, anthropology of work, Lahu, China]
Essential Oil of English Ivy, Hedera helix L. ‘Hibernica’

ABSTRACT The essential oil of stems and leaves of Hedera helix ‘Hibernica,’ analyzed by GC/MS, was found to contain germacrene D (15.85±2.82%), β-caryophyllene (15.50±1.57%), sabinene (13.40±1.40%), β-pinene (11.25±2.50%), limonene (10.99±0.47%), and α-pinene (10.18±2.90%)
III. Examining Gender Gaps in Sociopolitical Attitudes: It’s Not Mars and Venus:

This paper investigates a robust, important, and fairly recent phenomenon: Women as members of the body politic think and vote differently from men. Despite the frequent discussion of these phenomena in the press, gender has remained surprisingly underanalyzed in political psychology. Moving beyond the stereotypical interpretations often seized upon by the media, we present a feminist analysis by invoking the social positioning of women and men as the origin of the differing political stances of women and men. From our perspective, gender gaps in attitudes and behavior are shaped by the divergence of women’s interests from those of men; in turn, these divergent interests derive from the gender division of labor. For Feminism & Psychology, Special Feature: “Political Psychology: Psychology Political? Edited by Rose Capdevila and Rhoda Unger
Enhancement of Protein Synthesis in Isolated Chloroplasts by Irradiation of Fern Gametophytes with Blue Light

Irradiation of the gametophytes of Pteridium aquilinum with blue light led to a nearly 5-fold increase in the amino acid-incorporating activity of isolated chloroplasts. The blue light effect was not due to increased synthesis of ATP or other energy donors by the chloroplasts but was probably related to an increased production of chlorophyll and photosynthetic enzymes.
Qumran Self-Identity: "Israel" or "Judah"?

A careful analysis of the Qumran "sectarian" texts reveals a consistent preference for self-identification as "Israel" rather than "Judah." In fact, they contain no unambiguous identifications of the community as "Judah" or its members as "Judeans". Like most biblical texts and unlike Josephus and the authors of 1–2 Maccabees, the Qumran community does not equate Israelite with Judean. They regard themselves as the vanguard of the eschatological restoration of the twelve tribes; for them, the Judean state is not the sole heir of biblical Israel.
Can pre-treatment with β-agonists reduce stress test time and the use of atropine in dobutamine stress testing?

Aim: To determine whether the use of inhaled β-agonists decreases the duration of dobutamine stress testing (DAS), reduces the amount of dobutamine infused and decreases the use of
The persistent mantle plume myth

Seismology, thermodynamics and classical physics—the physics associated with the names of Fourier, Debye, Born, Gruneisen, Kelvin, Rayleigh, Rutherford, Ramberg and Birch—show that ambient shallow mantle under large long-lived plates is hundreds of degrees hotter than in the passive upwellings that fuel the global spreading ridge system, that potential temperatures in mantle below about 200 km generally decrease with depth and that deep mantle low shear wave-speed features are broad, sluggish and dome-like rather than narrow and mantle-plume-like. The surface boundary layer of the mantle is more voluminous and potentially hotter than regions usually considered as sources for intraplate volcanoes. This means that the ‘mantle plume’ explanation for Hawaii and large igneous provinces is unnecessary. In isolated systems, heated from within and cooled from above, upwellings are passive and large, which suggests that tomographic features, and upwellings, are responses to plate tectonics, spreading and subduction, at least until melting introduces a small intrinsic buoyancy at shallow depths. Melting anomalies, or ‘hotspots,’ are side-effects of plate tectonics and are fed primarily by shear-driven processes in the boundary layer (BL), not by deep buoyant upwellings. A dense basal melange (BAM) component further stabilises the lower boundary layer of the mantle. Mid-ocean ridges and associated broad passive depleted mantle (DM) upwellings probably originate in the transition region. Deeper mantle upwellings are broad domes that stay in the lower mantle.
Differentiation of glioma and radiation injury in rats using in vitro produce magnetically labeled cytotoxic T-cells and MRI.

Background A limitation with current imaging strategies of recurrent glioma undergoing radiotherapy is that tumor and radiation injury cannot be differentiated with post contrast CT or MRI, or with PET or other more complex parametric analyses of MRI data. We propose to address the imaging limitation building on emerging evidence indicating that effective therapy for recurrent glioma can be attained by sensitized T-cells following vaccination of primed dendritic cells (DCs). The purpose of this study was to determine whether cord blood T-cells can be sensitized against glioma cells (U-251) and if these sensitized cytotoxic T-cells (CTLs) can be used as cellular magnetic resonance imaging probes to identify and differentiate glioma from radiation necrosis in rodent models. Methodology/Principal Findings Cord blood T and CD14+ cells were collected. Isolated CD14+ cells were then converted to dendritic cells (DCs), primed with glioma cell lysate and used to sensitize T-cells. Phenotypical expression of the generated DCs were analyzed to determine the expression level of CD14, CD86, CD83 and HLA-DR. Cells positive for CD25, CD4, CD8 were determined in generated CTLs. Specificity of cytotoxicity of the generated CTLs was also determined by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. Secondary proliferation capacity of magnetically labeled and unlabeled CTLs was also determined. Generated CTLs were magnetically labeled and intravenously injected into glioma bearing animals that underwent MRI on days 3 and 7 post- injection. CTLs were also administered to animals with focal radiation injury to determine whether these CTLs accumulated non-specifically to the injury sites. Multi-echo T2- and T2*-weighted images were acquired and R2 and R2* maps created. Our method produced functional, sensitized CTLs that specifically induced U251 cell death in vitro. Both labeled and unlabeled CTLs proliferated equally after the secondary stimulation. There were significantly higher CD25 positive cells (p = <0.006) in CTLs. In addition, T2- and T2*-weighted MR images showed increased low signal intensity areas in animals that received labeled CTLs as compared to the images from animals that received control cells. Histological analysis confirmed the presence of iron positive cells in sites corresponding to MRI low signal intensity regions. Significant differences (p = <0.001) in tumor R2 and R2* values were observed among the groups of animals. Animals with radiation injury exhibited neither MRI hypointense areas nor presence of iron positive cells. Conclusion Our results indicate that T-cells can be effectively sensitized by in vitro methods and used as cellular probes to identify and differentiate glioma from radiation necrosis.
Sex differences in estrogenic regulation of neuronal activity in neonatal cultures of ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus

Estrogenic effects have been implicated in sexual differentiation of brain and behavior, in part by affecting neuronal activity in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMN). We report here a remarkable sex difference in estrogenic regulation of neuronal activity in male vs. female neural networks. Spontaneous synaptic currents originating from a population of neurons were recorded in primary VMN cultures using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Treatment with 17β-estradiol (E2, 10 nM) for 24 h induced opposite effects in the two sexes: the frequency of spontaneous synaptic events decreased significantly in neurons derived from males but increased in those from females. Interestingly, the 24-hour E2 effect was partially reversed by an acute application (5 min) of a second dose of E2 (10 nM), suggesting an interaction between extended (24-hr) and acute (5-min) effects of E2 in VMN neurons. To understand the underlying mechanism of this sexually dimorphic action of E2, we analyzed the E2 effect on GABAergic neurotransmission by recording miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents. After 24-hour E2 treatment, both the amplitude and frequency of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents increased in neurons derived from males but decreased in those from females. These results suggest that E2-induced changes in GABAergic inhibition could at least partially explain E2 effects on neuronal activity. We conclude that E2 may have sexually dimorphic effects on the synaptic output of VMN neurons by modulating GABAergic neurotransmission.
Kemetic (Egyptian) Historical Revision: Implications for Cross-Cultural Evaluation and Research in Education:

Feature articles should deal with topics applicable to the broad field of program evaluation. Implications for practicing evaluators should be clearly identified. Examples of contributions include ...
A formal model for intellectual relationships among knowledge workers and knowledge organizations

Abstract An academic learning network consists of multiple knowledge organizations and knowledge workers. The intellectual relationships can be derived from the interactions among them. In this paper, we propose a formal model to describe the interactions in an academic learning network and further provide an evaluation process to quantify intellectual relationships. Our approach is also integrated with a realistic social network platform SMNET.
Sea Breezes Shallow and Deep on the California Coast

Abstract Analyses of Doppler lidar data reveal sea breezes occurring on two different depth and time scales at Monterey Bay, California, on a day with offshore gradient flow indicated before sunrise and after sunset. The lidar data used in this study consist of vertical cross sections and profiles of the westerly, onshore wind component u. In the morning after 0900 PST a shallow sea breeze formed, which reached a depth of 300 m by noon. Starting in early afternoon a deeper sea-breeze layer formed in the lowest kilometer, and by late afternoon the shallow sea breeze blended into the deeper sea breeze and was no longer evident. Maximum speeds of 6 m s−1 in the shallow sea breeze occurred at the surface, whereas those in the deep sea breeze (also 6 m s−1) were about 300 m above the surface. It is hypothesized that the shallow sea breeze is a local phenomenon responding to a more local temperature contrast between the sea and the region between the ocean and the mountain ranges. The deeper sea breeze, on the ...
A record of phosphorus dynamics in oligotrophic lake sediment

Historical phosphorus (P) dynamics were studied using sediment cores from three oligotrophic, acidic lakes in Maine, USA. Long-term oligotrophy of these lakes is consistent with high sediment aluminum (as Al(OH)3) concentrations, as Al inhibits internal P loading, even under reducing conditions. The role of microbially-mediated reactions in controlling redox conditions was evaluated by estimating microbial biomass and relative abundance of specific functional groups. Sediments were fractionated using a sequential chemical extraction technique and all lakes met criteria for P retention based on threshold sediment concentrations of Al, Fe, and P fractions as determined by (Kopacek et al. (2005) Limnol Oceanogr 52: 1147–1155). Sediment NaOH-extractable molybdate-reactive P (rP) and non-reactive P (nrP) represent P associated with non-reducible phases, and organic matter-related P, respectively. Total P (TP) does not decrease with sediment depth, as is typical of eutrophic lake sediments; however, nrP/TP decreases and rP/TP increases for all three lakes, indicating nrP mineralization without any significant upward diffusion and release into the hypolimnion; i.e. diagenesis of P is conservative within the sediment. Two diagenetic models were developed based on nrP and rP concentrations as a function of sediment age. The first model assumes a first-order decay of nrP, the rate coefficient being a function of time, and represents irreversible nrP mineralization, where the produced PO4 is permanently sequestered by the sediment. The second model assumes a first-order reversible transformation between nrP and rP, representing biotic mineralization of organic P followed by incorporation of inorganic P into microbial biomass. Both models reflect preservation of TP with no loss to overlying water. The rate coefficients give us insight into qualities of the sediment that have affected mineralization and sequestration of phosphorus throughout the 210Pb-dateable history of each lake. Similar models could be constructed for other lakes to help reconstruct their trophic histories. Paleolimnological reconstruction of the sediment P record in oligotrophic lakes shows mineralization of nrP to rP, but unlike the case in eutrophic lake sediments, sediment TP is preserved in these sediments.
Singlet oxygen in biological systems

Abstract Photobiologists have long known of the potential dangers of singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) generated either by exogenous or endogenous photosensitizers. Now it appears that this highly reactive species of oxygen can be produced in several biochemical systems without the use of light and its reactions may account for some types of cell damage.
Design of Sampled-Data Control Systems with One Memoryless, Time-Invariant Nonlinearity using QFT Technique

In this paper, we examine the controller design for sampled-data systems containing one memoryless, time-invariant nonlinearity within the plant. The linear part of the plant is subjected to large parameter variations. By using Kochenburger's describing function analysis for the nonlinear part, modified templates of the plant at a set of selected frequency points can be constructed on the Nichols chart. The quantitative feedback theory (QFT) is then used to design the robust controllers. Two examples with saturation and backlash types of nonlinearity are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach.
Severe CD4 T Cell-Mediated Immunopathology in Murine Schistosomiasis Is Dependent on IL-12p40 and Correlates with High Levels of IL-17

C57BL/6 mice infected with the helminth Schistosoma mansoni develop small hepatic granulomas around parasite eggs, but concomitant immunization with soluble schistosome egg Ags (SEA) in CFA (SEA/CFA) causes marked exacerbation of the lesions in a Th1-dominated environment characterized by high levels of IFN-gamma. We explored the cause of the severe immunopathology by using IL-12p40(-/-) and IL-12p35(-/-) mice. SEA/CFA-immunized IL-12p40(-/-) mice, incapable of making IL-12 or IL-23, were completely resistant to high pathology, and their SEA-stimulated lymphoid cells failed to secrete significant IFN-gamma or IL-17. In contrast, SEA/CFA-immunized IL-12p35(-/-) mice, able to make IL-23 but not IL-12, developed severe lesions that correlated with high levels of IL-17, low IFN-gamma, and an expansion of activated CD4 T cells with a CD44(high)/CD62L(low) memory phenotype. In vivo administration of neutralizing anti-IL-17 mAb markedly inhibited hepatic granulomatous inflammation. Importantly, CBA mice, a naturally high pathology strain, also displayed elevated IL-17 levels comparable to those seen in the SEA/CFA-immunized BL/6 mice, and their lesions were similarly reduced by in vivo treatment with anti-IL-17. Our findings indicate that an IL-17-producing T cell population, likely driven by IL-23, significantly contributes to severe immunopathology in schistosomiasis.
Developing a Prediction Model to Reduce a Growing Number of Psychology Majors.

This article explores problems associated with increased numbers of undergraduate psychology majors and considers strategies available to psychology departments wishing to reduce these numbers. Special attention is given to an approach using multiple regression procedures to develop a prediction model for reducing the number of psychology majors. With a prediction model, a criterion such as psychology GPA at graduation is selected, and predictors of this criterion (e.g., Introductory Psychology grade and first semester GPA) are examined. The prediction model approach is illustrated with data from Holy Cross College.
DO SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT FUNDS UNDER-PERFORM THE MARKET? EVIDENCE FROM CHINA

1* Built on previous literature, this study first used the Sharpe Ratio and then extended multifactor CAPM-based model and Jensen's alpha to examine whether the Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) funds in China underperform the broad market benchmark index in China. Totally four SRI funds in China were found and observed in the paper. Jensen's alpha is used to measure a SRI fund's performance after accounting for the risk it involved; the lagged terms of two public information variables, risk-free rate and corresponding dividend yield, were incorporated in the extended CAPM-based model. The potential non-stationary, serial autocorrelation, and heteroskedasticity issues that are typically reported in financial data were tested and considered and corresponding appropriate models were estimated through either a Generalized Linear Model or a time series ARIMA model. We found different results when using the extended multifactor CAPM-based modeling versus using the static Sharpe Ratio measure that can be manipulated. The multifactor cautiously specified dynamic CAPM-based modeling generated more comprehensive and robust results. Based on the modeling, we find that two largest and most industry-diversified SRI funds in China have statistically significant positive alphas and outperform the broad market index (CSI300 Index) in China. Those two outperforming SRI funds also both share concentration and outweigh the market in Pharmaceutical and Biology and Food and Beverage. The two non-outperforming SRI funds both have a particularly high concentration in one industry and both are managed by the same company. The identified underperforming fund has a particularly high industry specialization in Finance and Insurance. It is speculated that the industry diversification and the scale of a SRI fund could be related to a SRI fund performance. More information on screening and fund details would be helpful for further study.
Pyridoxine deficiency in adult patients with status epilepticus

An 8-year-old girl treated at our facility for superrefractory status epilepticus was found to have a low pyridoxine level at 5 μg/L. After starting pyridoxine supplementation, improvement in the EEG for a 24-hour period was seen. We decided to look at the pyridoxine levels in adult patients admitted with status epilepticus. We reviewed the records on patients admitted to the neurological ICU for status epilepticus (SE). Eighty-one adult patients were identified with documented pyridoxine levels. For comparison purposes, we looked at pyridoxine levels in outpatients with epilepsy (n=132). Reported normal pyridoxine range is >10 ng/mL. All but six patients admitted for SE had low normal or undetectable pyridoxine levels. A selective pyridoxine deficiency was seen in 94% of patients with status epilepticus (compared to 39.4% in the outpatients) which leads us to believe that there is a relationship between status epilepticus and pyridoxine levels.
The ATG Autophagic Conjugation System in Maize: ATG Transcripts and Abundance of the ATG8-Lipid Adduct Are Regulated by Development and Nutrient Availability

Plants employ sophisticated mechanisms to recycle intracellular constituents needed for growth, development, and survival under nutrient-limiting conditions. Autophagy is one important route in which cytoplasm and organelles are sequestered in bulk into vesicles and subsequently delivered to the vacuole for breakdown by resident hydrolases. The formation and trafficking of autophagic vesicles are directed in part by associated conjugation cascades that couple the AUTOPHAGY-RELATED8 (ATG8) and ATG12 proteins to their respective targets, phosphatidylethanolamine and the ATG5 protein. To help understand the importance of autophagy to nutrient remobilization in cereals, we describe here the ATG8/12 conjugation cascades in maize (Zea mays) and examine their dynamics during development, leaf senescence, and nitrogen and fixed-carbon starvation. From searches of the maize genomic sequence using Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and rice (Oryza sativa) counterparts as queries, we identified orthologous loci encoding all components necessary for ATG8/12 conjugation, including a five-member gene family expressing ATG8. Alternative splicing was evident for almost all Atg transcripts, which could have important regulatory consequences. In addition to free ATG8, its membrane-associated, lipidated form was detected in many maize tissues, suggesting that its conjugation cascade is active throughout the plant at most, if not all, developmental stages. Levels of Atg transcripts and/or the ATG8-phosphatidylethanolamine adduct increase during leaf senescence and nitrogen and fixed-carbon limitations, indicating that autophagy plays a key role in nutrient remobilization. The description of the maize ATG system now provides a battery of molecular and biochemical tools to study autophagy in this crop under field conditions.
Effect of Porosity on the Capacity Fade of a Lithium-Ion Battery Theory

A mathematical model is presented to predict the performance of a lithium-ion battery. It includes the changes in the porosity of the material due to the reversible intercalation processes and the irreversible parasitic reaction. The model was also extended to predict the capacity fade in a lithium-ion battery based on the unwanted parasitic reaction that consumes along with the changes in the porosities of the electrodes with cycling due to the continuous parasitic side reaction. The model can be used to predict the drop in the voltage profile, change in the state of charge, and the effects of charge and discharge rates during cycling. © 2004 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.
Analysis and control of bidirectional DC/DC converter for PEM fuel cell applications

Since the fuel cell system has a slow dynamics by nature, it is recommended to have an additional auxiliary power such as ultra-capacitors or battery during transients to improve system performance in stationary power and transportation applications. Using ultracapacitors and bidirectional converter with fuel cell system can be a possible solution to the problem of slow dynamics of the fuel cell system. In this paper, we present a combined small signal ac equivalent circuit model consisting of a bidirectional converter, a PEM fuel cell, and an ultracapacitor for the purpose to design an appropriate controller for the bidirectional converter. Transient performance of the whole system including fuel cell model, ultracapacitor and bidirectional converter was simulated in Matlab Simulink environment.
Variables affecting the yield and developmental potential of embryos following superstimulation and in vitro fertilization in rhesus monkeys

Three follicular-stimulation protocols were compared to evaluate the yield and quality of oocytes obtained from rhesus monkeys. Five animals received a high-dose regimen of PMSG (protocol I), three received a lower-dose regimen (protocol II), and two received Clomid-Pergonal (protocol III). Oocytes were recovered at laparoscopy after HCG injection, fertilized in vitro, and cultured up to the blastocyst stage. Yields of mature oocytes were 17.2 ± 13.0 (80% of total recovered), 6.7 ± 6.6 (41%), and 4.5 ± 2.5 (90%) per stimulated cycle for protocols I, II, and III, respectively. Of mature oocytes, 72%, 45%, and 89% were fertilized for protocols I, II and III, respectively. Protocol I produced the most fertilized oocytes per stimulated cycle (11.6 ± 11.6) and the greatest E2 production (approximately fourfold that maximally expected for an unstimulated cycle). For the combined protocol I and II results, there was a significant correlation (P ⩽ 0.05) between mean embryo development score and E2 production. Fertilized oocytes from protocol I yielded 7.8 ± 8.0 morulae and 6.8 ± 7.2 early zonal blastocysts per cycle. After transfer of nine singleton embryos to surrogate recipients, one live birth resulted. We conclude that our high-dose PMSG regimen offers the best means at present for obtaining susbstantial numbers of developmentally competent oocytes in rhesus monkeys and that more extensive use of rapid serum E2 assays for monitoring both stimulated cycles and those of potential surrogate recipients could help to predict the success of in vitro fertilization and embryonic development following embryo transfer in rhesus monkeys.
Model-free analysis of protein dynamics: assessment of accuracy and model selection protocols based on molecular dynamics simulation.

The popular model-free approach to analyze NMR relaxation measurements has been examined using artificial amide 15 N relaxation data sets generated from a 10 nanosecond molecular dynamics trajectory of a dihydrofolate reductase ternary complex in explicit water. With access to a detailed picture of the underlying internal motions, the efficacy of model-free analysis and impact of model selection protocols on the interpretation of NMR data can be studied. In the limit of uncorrelated global tumbling and internal motions, fitting the relaxation data to the modelfree models can recover a significant amount of quantitative information on the internal dynamics. Despite a slight overestimation, the generalized order parameter is quite accurately determined. However, the model-free analysis appears to be insensitive to the presence of nanosecond time scale motions with relatively small magnitude. For such cases, the effective correlation time can be significantly underestimated. As a result, proteins appear to be more rigid than they really are. The model selection protocols have a major impact on the information one can reliably obtain. The commonly employed protocol based on step-up hypothesis testing has severe drawbacks of oversimplification and underfitting. The consequences are that the order parameter is more severely overestimated and the correlation time more severely underestimated. Instead, model selection based on Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC), recently introduced to the model-free analysis by d’Auvergne and Gooley (2003), provides a better balance between bias and variance. More appropriate models can be selected, leading to improved estimate of both the order parameter and correlation time. In addition, the computational cost is significantly reduced and subjective parameters such as the significance level are unnecessary.
Accuracy and precision of non-matrix-matched calibration for lead isotope ratio measurements of lead-poor minerals by LA-MC-ICPMS

This study evaluates the necessity of matrix matching for laser ablation multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICPMS) lead isotope ratio measurements of lead-poor (<70 µg g−1 total Pb) feldspar and sulfide using standard–sample–standard bracketing to correct for mass discrimination. Lead isotope ratios of three different feldspar minerals and three different sulfide matrices were measured by LA-MC-ICPMS to determine the quality of data possible when calibrating samples with standards having different physical characteristics and chemical compositions. Lead isotope ratios for the feldspars were calibrated against NIST 612 and BCR2-G. The average 206,207,208Pb/204Pb and 207,208Pb/206Pb ratios determined by LA-MC-ICPMS on all three feldspars, independent of standard, are within 0.40% of the average TIMS measurements made in this study on the same grains. External precisions for the LA-MC-ICPMS measurements are better than 0.60% (RSD, 1σ). Lead isotope ratios for 3 sulfides were determined by LA-MC-ICPMS using either NIST 612 or PB-1, a synthetic sulfide glass, as the external calibration standard. For the two sulfides that contain little to no mercury the mean 206,207,208Pb/204Pb and 207,208Pb/206Pb ratios are accurate within 0.40% of the average TIMS measurements made in this study on the same grains, with only subtle differences in results between matrix-matched (PB-1) and non-matrix-matched (NIST 612) analyses. Lead isotope ratios determined for MASS-1, a pressed powder sulfide containing high levels of mercury (∼60 µg g−1), are highly variable. This is a result of intrinsic lead isotope heterogeneity in MASS-1 and errors in the isobaric overlap corrections for 204Hg on 204Pb caused by fractionation of Hg/Pb during spot analyses. Despite significant differences in the ablation behavior of silicate glass, feldspar and sulfide, the results demonstrate that precise and accurate lead isotope ratio data can be obtained by LA-MC-ICPMS for feldspar and sulfide containing little to no mercury, using commonly available silicate glasses as calibration standards.
The National Ignition Facility: Status and Plans

Summary form only given. The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is a 192 beam laser facility presently under construction at LLNL. When completed, NIF will produce 1.8 MJ, 500 TW of ultraviolet light making it the world's largest and most powerful laser system. NIF will be the world's preeminent facility for performing experiments for fusion ignition for inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and experiments studying high energy density science (HEDS). The project, begun in 1995, is nearly 80% complete. The building and the beam path are essentially completed. The remaining work is mostly to complete the optics and install them in the beam path. The project is scheduled for completion in 2009. Four of the NIF beams have been commissioned to demonstrate laser performance and to commission the target area including target and beam alignment and laser timing. During this time, NIF demonstrated on a single beam basis that it meets its performance goals producing up to 10.4 kJ of 3omega light and 11.4 kJ of 2omega light. Experiments have demonstrated the laser's precision and flexibility for pulse shaping, pointing, and timing. Beam conditioning techniques, important for target performance, were also demonstrated. The focal spot can be tailored to user specifications using phase plates. Temporal smoothing using smoothing by spectral dispersion (SSD) was demonstrated. Polarization smoothing was also demonstrated. It also performed four important target experiments for ICF and HEDS. Hydrodynamic experiments produced valuable data to compare with three dimensional radiation-hydrodynamics modeling codes under development. In radiation drive experiments, radiation temperatures greater than 300 eV were produced. An integrated plan is being developed to begin ignition experiments in 2010. This plan includes the NIF operations, user equipment such as diagnostics and cryogenic target capability, and experiments and calculations. This talk will provide NIF status, the plan to complete NIF, and the path to ignition
Strategies for assessing community challenges and strengths for cancer disparities participatory research and outreach.

Interventions involving community–academic partnerships must be driven by a participatory approach that is informed by a comprehensive understanding of the perspectives of communities or focus populations. Often research agendas of academics are different from perceived priority needs of community members. Successful and sustainable interventions are made possible with initial open dialogue among all collaborators so that roles are clearly defined and concerns are addressed. This article describes approaches used in the development of a participatory assessment of health and social issues as defined by community and academic partners, current findings, and lessons learned. The assessment is one initial activity of the Tampa Bay Community Cancer Network (TBCCN) to guide network directions through 2010. The TBCCN is one of 25 programs nationwide addressing cancer disparities through sustainable community-based participatory research, outreach, and screening activities.
Brightness preference in the frog.

There has recently been considerable interest in the chromatic preferences of frogs (Muntz, 1964). T he present investigation was primarily designed to explore achromatic preference in this species. Secondarily, the experiments sought to determine whether alternation tendencies analogous to those in the rat are manifest in the frog and to ascertain whether Ss would demonstrate a preference for a maze arm which has undergone a brightness change. The brightness preference in turtle has already been demonstrated (Spigel 6: Ellis, 1965), and for the collared lizard (Vance, Richardson, 8: Goodrich, 1965). In both cases, the darker of the two brightness levels was preferred. METHOD Subjects Seventy 2-yr.-old male frogs (Rand pipiens) were employed in a two-part experiment. Apparatus A Y-maze, with arms subtending a. 145' angle, was employed. The maze remained in a fixed position wich a reflector lamp located 3 ft. above and to the rear of a gray-panelled wire mesh start box. The arms of the maze were 12 in. long, with 5-in, walls and an alley width of 7% in. The 6-in. start box, which also served for transport, was open at the front and contained a hinged door at the rear. This also constinited the stem of the maze. Both arms were covered with wire mesh. The maze arms were painted gray, and sleeves of black or white posterboard fitted the maze arms for variations in brightness. Thus, three brightness levels in any combination were available. These were measured at 4.0 ft-c., 30.0 ft-c., and 66.7 ft-c., respectively, for the black, gray and white arms. Procedure Ten groups of 5 Ss each were constit~lted randomly for Part 1. These Ss were given two trials each, with an intertrial interval of 30 sec. The choice of arm and latency in leaving the start box were recorded for each S. The 10
Sequence Stability of the Gene Encoding Outer Membrane Protein P2 of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae in the Human Respiratory Tract

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) is an important cause of lower respiratory tract infections in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Recent findings suggest that the major outer membrane protein P2 should be reconsidered as a vaccine candidate for NTHI. A P2-based vaccine would require a relative degree of sequence stability of the gene encoding P2 (ompP2) during colonization. To characterize the sequence stability of ompP2 during colonization of the human respiratory tract, ompP2 genes from 13 sets of isolates that persisted in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (mean colonization, 7 months) were sequenced. In 9 sets of isolates, ompP2 did not change. Sequence changes were noted in 4 sets of isolates. Most of these changes occurred within areas of repetitive DNA, suggesting that this type of DNA has a role in antigenic variation of P2. The sequence of ompP2 is relatively stable during persistence of NTHI in the human host.
Influence of aerosol and surface reflectance variability on hyperspectral observed radiance

Abstract. Current aerosol retrievals based on visible and near infrared remote-sensing, are prone to loss of accuracy, where the assumptions of the applied algorithm are violated. This happens mostly over land and it is related to misrepresentation of specific aerosol conditions or surface properties. New satellite missions, based on high spectral resolution instruments, such as PRISMA (Hyperspectral Precursor of the Application Mission), represent a valuable opportunity to improve the accuracy of τa550 retrievable from a remote-sensing system developing new atmospheric measurement techniques. This paper aims to address the potential of these new observing systems in more accurate retrieving τa550, specifically over land in heterogeneous and/or homogeneous areas composed by dark and bright targets. The study shows how the variation of the hyperspectral observed radiance can be addressed to recognise a variation of Δτa550 = 0.02. The goal has been achieved by using simulated radiances by combining two aerosol models (urban and continental) and two reflecting surfaces: dark (represented by water) and bright (represented by sand) for the PRISMA instrument, considering the environmental contribution of the observed radiance, i.e., the adjacency effect. Results showed that, in the continental regime, the expected instrument sensitivity would allow for retrieval accuracy of the aerosol optical thickness at 550 nm of 0.02 or better, with a dark surface surrounded by dark areas. The study also showed that for the urban regime, the surface plays a more significant role, with a bright surface surrounded by dark areas providing favourable conditions for the aerosol load retrievals, and dark surfaces representing less suitable situations for inversion independently of the surroundings. However, over all, the results obtained provide evidence that high resolution observations of Earth spectrum between 400 and 1000 nm would allow for a significant improvement of the accuracy of the τa550 for anthropogenic/natural aerosols over land.
Changes in the Visiting Medical Student Clerkship Program at Mayo Clinic

To the Editor: Implementation of a policy described by Mueller et al1 for the Mayo Clinic Visiting Medical Student Clerkship Program appears to have had unanticipated consequences. New requirements that international visiting medical students pass licensing and language examinations were expected to increase the fraction of visiting students who apply to Mayo residency positions, on the basis of the rationale that students who passed would likely pursue US residencies. As predicted, the policy change precipitated a decline in the international applicant pool to the visiting student program that was accompanied by a similar decrease (from 82 to 34 during the 3-year observation period) in the number of international participants who applied for Mayo residency positions. However, the fraction of participating students applying for Mayo residency did not increase as expected but nominally decreased (82/464 [18%] before to 34/205 [17%] after implementation). The authors correctly note that, among participants in the visiting clerkship, international students who apply for Mayo residency program positions are just as likely as US students to be appointed to Mayo residency program positions, but they neglect the fact that before implementation, international students were more likely to be appointed than US students (39% vs 31%). Overall, these data suggest that this policy substantially decreased the international applicant pool without increasing the fraction of seriously interested students or the quality of applicants, as reflected by their lower frequency of appointment to residency. To the extent that such changes are causally related to the policy change, it is interesting to speculate why the consequences were opposite of those predicted. Could it be that a policy that discouraged applications and decreased participant number affected the culture of the program to the extent that these students concluded that the environment was not optimal for their educational needs?
Practical applications of the brightness approximation plane method with a simple parameter

When processing an image that contains complex intensity changes, it is generally difficult to select an appropriate processing technique and to determine suitable weighted coefficients for a specific purpose since such choices require an advanced level of understanding and experience of image processing technology. To overcome these problems that occur in actual applications, we have attempted to simplify the parameter setting for detecting complex intensity changes by using the brightness approximation plane method that is capable of detecting a wide range of intensity changes by adjusting the sizes of its parameters. This paper describes the advantages of applying this simplification to applications in real environments. In addition, we verified the effect of changing the section size on the ability of the method to detect intensity changes and how this detection ability was affected by using a one-parameter filter compared with using a conventional differential filter ; this was done by estimating the acceptable range for intensity gradients and the robustness to capture noise. The experimental results for detection ability and robustness demonstrated that the proposed method has considerable potential to be used on-site in practical applications.
Self-Regulated Learning During a Clinical Preceptorship: The Reflections of Senior Baccalaureate Nursing Students

Abstract This research was conducted to test the efficacy of audiotapes as a method of recording reflections of senior baccalaureate nursing students in a clinical preceptorship. The overall aim of the research was to promote cognitive and metacognitive thinking processes with self-regulated learning strategies for problem solving in clinical situations. Verbal protocol technique revealed a consistent use of self-regulated learning strategies with a focus on environmental structuring for metacognitive activities. Common themes of thought were found in both clinical experiences and the use of critical thinking skills.
Attachment, history of corporal punishment, and impulsivity as predictors of risk-taking behaviors in college students

Risk-taking behaviors (RTBs) can cause (1) psychological, social, health, and economic problems; (2) physical injury; (3) legal entanglements; and (4) death. Attachment insecurity, corporal punishment, and impulsivity are risk factors for engaging in RTB. The present study is the first to examine all three of these predictors and their interactions for a broad spectrum of RTBs (i.e. academic risk, risky long-term health behaviors (RLTHBs), reckless driving, drug use, drinking, antisocial behavior, and risky sex). Participants were 101 college students who completed a narrative storytelling and self-report attachment assessment, a behavioral assessment of impulsivity, and a battery of RTB self-report questionnaires. Analyses revealed significant and meaningful effects in predicting academic risk, RLTHBs, drug use, antisocial behavior, and risky sex. The effects that emerged differed, but at their core was the effect of attachment on each of the aforementioned RTBs. Discussion focuses on limitations and fut...
Anatomy and Physiology of the Breast

The mammary gland is classified as a branched tubuloalveolar structure with hormone-responsive lobules surrounded by a loose connective tissue stroma. The glands making up the breast are embedded in adipose tissue separated by bands of connective tissue. The breast is unique in that it completes the majority of its development after birth undergoing hormonally regulated changes during puberty. It varies moderately during each menstrual cycle, develops additionally during pregnancy, and differentiates following parturition during the process of lactation. The breast regresses after lactation to a much less differentiated state through the process of involution, which occurs following each cycle of pregnancy, parturition, and lactation. Following reduction of estrogen and progesterone at menopause, the breast involutes, reverting to a near prepubertal structure. These complex developmental processes are controlled by a combination of hormonal stimulation, growth factors, and other physical elements constituting the microenvironment of the mammary gland.
Transcriptional Control Mechanisms Which Regulate the Expression of Human Metallothionein Genes

The human genome contains at least 12 distinct metallothionein genes. The expression of these genes is regulated at the transcriptional levels by heavy metal ions, steroid hormones, interferon, interleukin 1 and phorbol esters. Comparisons of metallothionein gene sequences reveals a higher level of heterogeneity in the 5′ flanking control regions than in the coding regions. This is due to the presence of distinct promoter elements on each of the genes. These elements are responsible for inducer and tissue specificity of metallothionein gene expression.
Comparison of two rapid latex agglutination methods for detection of group A streptococcal pharyngitis

Throat swabs from 404 patients with suspected pharyngitis were collected using duplicate swabs. Both swabs were used to inoculate 5% sheep blood agar plates, which were incubated in an anaerobic atmosphere for the isolation of Group A streptococci. The throat swabs were tested for the presence of Group A antigen using the Culturette Brand 10-Minute Group A Strep ID kit (Marion Scientific, Kansas City, MO), and the Direct Antigen Identification D.A.I. Strep A Test (Difco Laboratories, Inc., Detroit, MI). We found that 77 of the 404 specimens were culture positive for Group A streptococci. The Strep ID kit had a sensitivity of 83.7% and a specificity of 91.6%. The positive and negative predictive values were 72% and 95.6%, respectively. The D.A.I. test had a sensitivity of 80.2% and a specificity of 100%. The positive and negative predictive values were 100% and 94.5%, respectively. There was not a significant difference in the sensitivity of the two kits (P less than 0.1), but there was a significant difference in the specificity (P less than 0.01).
Selective Response Factors in Tourist Surveys

Investigators need to consider the underlying probability mechanisms that produce tourist samples selected by conventional procedures. Some procedures exclude certain segments of the tourist “popul...
Preparation of Reactions for Imaging with Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy

Here we present our standard protocol for studying the binding of kinetochore proteins to microtubules as a paradigm for designing single-molecule total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy experiments. Several aspects of this protocol require empirical optimization, including the method for anchoring the polymer or substrate to the coverslip, the type and amount of blocking protein to prevent nonspecific protein adsorption to the glass, the appropriate protein concentration, the laser power, and the duration of imaging. Our method uses bovine serum albumin and κ-casein as blocking agents to coat any imperfections in the coverslip silanization and thereby prevent protein adsorption to the coverslip. Protein concentration and duration of imaging must be optimized for each experiment and protein of interest. Ideally, a range is determined that allows for resolution of single complexes binding to microtubules to ensure proper measurement of kinetic off rates and diffusion along microtubules. Excessively high concentrations may lead to overlapping binding of proteins on microtubules, making it impossible to resolve single binding events. The duration of imaging must be long enough to capture very low off rates (long residence time on microtubules) and we typically image at 10 frames/sec for 200 sec. The laser power can be adjusted to prevent photobleaching, but must be high enough to achieve a sufficient signal/noise ratio.