cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simulation of nonlinear instabilities in an attachment-line boundary layer

The linear and the nonlinear stability of disturbances that propagate along the attachment line of a three-dimensional boundary layer are considered. The spatially evolving disturbances in the boundary layer are computed by direct numerical simulation (DNS) of the unsteady, incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. Disturbances are introduced either by forcing at the inflow or by applying suction and blowing at the wall. Quasi-parallel linear stability theory and a nonparallel theory yield notably different stability characteristics for disturbances near the critical Reynolds number; the DNS results confirm the latter theory. Previously, a weakly nonlinear theory and computations revealed a high wave-number region of subcritical disturbance growth. More recent computations have failed to achieve this subcritical growth. The present computational results indicate the presence of subcritically growing disturbances; the results support the weakly nonlinear theory. Furthermore, an explanation is provided for the previous theoretical and computational discrepancy. In addition, the present results demonstrate that steady suction can be used to stabilize disturbances that otherwise grow subcritically along the attachment line.
Patient and family satisfaction in a pediatric otolaryngology clinic

Abstract Objectives Identify factors related to patient/family satisfaction in an academic pediatric otolaryngology clinic and suggest strategies to improve patient and family satisfaction. Methods Patients and families were surveyed following clinic encounters between May, 2010 and April, 2011. Review of an ongoing continuous quality improvement (CQI) effort. Univariable and multivariable ordinal logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between reception area and examination room wait times, assessment of the provider, and clinic volume with overall satisfaction. Results 1415 clinical encounters in the pediatric otolaryngology clinic resulted in 962 responses for a response rate of 68%. Ordinal logistic regression showed a significant relationship between overall satisfaction and satisfaction with the provider (cumulative odds ratio [COR] = 51.0; 95% CI: 29.5, 88.2; P P P P = 0.033). Multivariable analysis showed that satisfaction with provider (COR = 32.2; 95% CI: 14.5, 71.8; P P P = 0.005) were independently associated with overall satisfaction. Conclusions Examination room wait times and reception area wait times are associated with overall satisfaction and should be minimized.
Mathematical programming models for revenue management under customer choice

Abstract We study a network airline revenue management problem with discrete customer choice behavior. We discuss a choice model based on the concept of preference orders, in which customers can be grouped according to a list of options in decreasing order of preference. If a customer’s preferred option is not available, the customer moves to the next choice on the list with some probability. If that option is not available, the customer moves to the third choice on the list with some probability, and so forth until either the customer has no other choice but to leave or his/her request is accepted. Using this choice model as an input, we propose some mathematical programs to determine seat allocations. We also propose a post-optimization heuristic to refine the allocation suggested by the optimization model. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of our method, including comparisons with other models.
The Influence of Classroom Ethnic Composition on Same‐ and Other‐ethnicity Peer Nominations in Middle School

The study of peer group status typically involves examination of peer nominations received. In this study, the focus was on nominations given and received. We examined the degree to which middle school students from different ethnic groups demonstrate same-ethnicity preferences in their peer nominations, the effects of the classroom ethnic composition on these preferences, and the association between same-ethnicity preferences and social standing. Latina/o, Asian, and White students demonstrated a positive same-ethnicity bias (i.e., greater acceptance and less rejection of same-ethnicity peers) whereas African-American students demonstrated a global same-ethnicity bias (i.e., they were more likely to nominate African-American students in general). All students made more nominations to same-ethnicity peers when there were larger numbers of same-ethnicity peers in the classroom. Students who made more acceptance nominations to same-ethnicity peers were more accepted among same-ethnicity peers and less accepted among other-ethnicity peers. The significance of the ethnic context to understanding students' peer status and the benefits and costs of same-ethnicity biases are discussed.
Correlating Problem/Process Exam Question Complexity to Anticipated Effort: A Modeling Protocol

This paper presents the initial investigation of the use of complexity as a surrogate for problem difficulty in predicting the effort or point value of an exam problem. In previous research, complexity of graph-based models has been used to predict market value of products using function models and to predict assembly time from connectivity graphs. This research investigates the potential of applying graphical representations and complexity metrics for exam problem solutions using expert assigned values as an appropriate method to offer point values for new exam questions. The factors and sources of problem difficulty are examined and compared to the structural complexity of a graphical representation of the problem solution. Specifically, this paper presents a protocol for developing the graphical representation. Multiple participants used the protocol to create graphical models of three exam questions to test and validate the usability of the protocol. A secondary protocol was tested to improve the rater agreement for use of the protocol. This protocol will be used for transforming exam problems into graphical models that can be analyzed with the connectivity complexity metrics. These metrics will be used to create predictive models for point assignments based on historical data.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Differences in disease outcomes between medicaid and privately insured children: possible health disparities in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective To determine the relationship between health insurance status and disease outcome in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Methods JRA patients followed at a tertiary pediatric rheumatology center were assessed for the number of active joints and number of joints with limited range of motion. Disease activity, patient well-being, and pain were measured. Disability was assessed by the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire, health-related quality of life by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Generic Core Scale, and the PedsQL Rheumatology Module. Health care resource utilization was estimated based on the number of billing events for health services coded in administrative databases; these databases also provided information on patient health insurance status. Children insured by Medicaid or similar state programs for low-income families were considered to have Medicaid status. Disease outcomes of children with Medicaid status was compared with that of children with private health insurance. Results Forty (14%) of the 295 children with JRA had Medicaid status. Patients with Medicaid status were more often of nonwhite race (P Conclusion Despite apparently similar health resource utilization and joint involvement, Medicaid status is associated with significantly lower health-related quality of life and higher disability in JRA.
Mathematical modelling of the renal concentrating mechanism

We describe model equations, a method of solution, and show examples of steady-state and transient solutions for the urinary concentrating mechanism. Then we draw some conclusions about the current successes and failures of the models and about future directions in modelling the mammalian concentrating mechanism.
Multitasking in e-learning environments: users' multitasking strategies and design implications

The purpose of this study is to better understand users' multitasking behavior patterns and to extract design implications based on user experience and user testing evaluation. To understand users' multitasking strategies, we conducted a user testing and post-session interviews. Our preliminary results show that each user has different strategies for multitasking efficiently. Four main themes emerged as characteristics of users' multitasking strategies in e-Learning environments, including: tiling windows, customizing shortcut keys, switching windows one by one, and utilizing visual notifications.
Personal and social value concerns of Scandinavian elderly: a multivariate study.

This study is a descriptive account of the results obtained by a set of three attitudes scales, as part of a larger study on the value concerns of two samples of Scandinavian elderly, one Danish and the other Norwegian. The measuring instruments were the Cantril Self Anchoring Scale, the Life Satisfaction Index-A and Rosencranz-McNevin's Semantic Differential. The results indicate that both samples are equally preoccupied with personal security rather than economic concerns. The Danish sample perceives greater congruence between life goals and achievements than the Norwegians. The Norwegians see their young as deviant from the modal ideology of the adult world, while the Danes perceive the young as drifters, but functionally efficient. No correlation was found between personal life satisfaction and acceptance of youth, a finding at variance with results obtained by the authors among previous U.S. Samples of aged.
On Recency and Echoic Memory

In short-term memory, the tendency for the last few (recency) items from a verbal sequence to be increasingly well recalled is more pronounced if the items are spoken rather than written. This auditory recency advantage has been quite generally attributed to echoic memory, on the grounds that in the auditory, but not the visual, mode, sensory memory persists just long enough to supplement recall of the most recent items. This view no longer seems tenable. There are now several studies showing that an auditory recency advantage occurs not only in long-term memory, but under conditions in which it cannot possibly be attributed to echoic memory. Also, similar recency phenomena have been discovered in short-term memory when the items are lip-read, or presented in sign-language, rather than heard. This article provides a partial review of these studies, taking a broad theoretical position from which these particular recency phenomena are approached as possible exceptions to a general theory according to which recency is due to temporal distinctiveness. Much of the fresh evidence reviewed is of a somewhat preliminary nature and it is as yet unexplained by any theory of memory. The need for additional, converging experimental tests is obvious; so too is the need for further theoretical development. Several alternative theoretical resolutions are mentioned, including the possibility that enhanced recency may reflect movement, from sequentially occurring stimulus features, and the suggestion that it may be associated with the primary linguistic mode of the individuals concerned. But special weight is attached to the conjecture that all these recency phenomena might be accounted for in terms of distinctiveness or discriminability. On this view, the enhanced recency effects observed with certain modes, including the auditory mode, are attributed to items possessing greater temporal discriminability in those modes.
Smart‐Sex and Proper‐Sex: A Paradigm Found

Fieldwork problems are multiplied with sexual research. A model is presented which identifies the critical issues. Sociocultural processes are shown to be a function of two different types of guidance systems: logical standards and empirical standards. Logical standards (when followed) lead to “proper” behavior; empirical standards (when followed) lead to “smart” behavior. The “smart” versus “proper” conflict must be fully described and analyzed for an adequate ethnographic statement on sexual life. It is also necessary to discuss the hiding processes: the processes which mediate the “smart” versus “proper” conflict.
Temperature Dependence of Protein Folding in Live Cell

Protein folding kinetics is known to be non-Arrhenius temperature dependent. We use Fast Relaxation Imaging (FReI) to measure stability and folding kinetics of FRET-labeled destabilized phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK). With modulated heating laser, we are able to measure the thermodynamics of PGK rapidly across the midpoint of transition of protein unfolding to minimize baseline shifts coming from photobleaching and protein aggregation.We have measured PGK folding kinetics from 295K to 320K both in vitro and in vivo. Kinetics of PGK as mutiplestate folder can be fitted to stretched exponential. Folding rate and folding mechanism of PGK are correlated and both are strongly dependent on temperature, which can be explained by solvent viscosity and hydrophobic interactions.
Heritability of frost-seeded red clover establishment

In the colder parts of the United States (north of 32° N latitude and east of 92° W longitude), in late winter after disappearance of snow cover, red clover (Trifolium pratense) is often broadcast seeded into forage legume-depleted grass pastures to increase pasture forage quality. This method of establishment is referred to as frost seeding. However, in an estimated 30–40% of frost seeded pastures in Wisconsin, USA the legumes fail to establish. In this study 40 red clover halfsib families from one breeding population and ten check populations were evaluated for spring frost-seeded establishment in three environments. Seedling establishment counts and plant heights were measured 3 months after frost-seeded planting. One of the three environments experienced a stand establishment failure. Narrow sense heritability estimates on a halfsib family basis for stand counts and heights were 0.07 and 0.63, respectively. Seedling counts were greatly affected by environment with micro-environmental effects contributing to low heritability. Additive by environment genetic variance was large, again leading to low seedling count heritabilities. These results, based on one population, suggest that it may be difficult to select for increased frost-seeded seedling establishment and that many test environments are needed to achieve genetic gains for this trait. In comparison, seedling height was very heritable with relatively small additive by environment genetic variances. The genetic correlation between seedling count and height using frost-seeded establishment was r A = 0.42.
Sediments as a source of nutrients to hypereutrophic marshes of Point Pelee, Ontario, Canada

Abstract Elevated concentrations of nutrients, resulting in prolific algal growth, were reported in some open-water ponds in one of the finest surviving wetlands on the Lower Great Lakes, Point Pelee National Park, Ontario, Canada. A study was undertaken to identify the sources of nutrients to the most impacted pond in the complex, Sanctuary Pond. Sediment chemistry and chemistry of interstitial water were examined to determine the role of benthic sediments in nutrient dynamics. The results indicate high concentrations of dissolved nutrients (about 4 mg/l of P and over 20 mg/l of N) in sediment porewater, a consequence of organic matter decomposition. No spatial differences were observed between porewater profiles, nor in the levels of dissolved constituents. Likewise, sediment P concentrations were similar at both investigated sites. Thermodynamic calculations, carried out to determine mineral equilibria of phosphate minerals potentially controlling the concentrations of dissolved P in sediment porewater, suggest that P generated from organic matter decomposition should be reacting with Fe, Ca and Al to form authigenic mineral phases vivianite, hydroxyapatite and variscite. The high levels of nutrients in porewater, the lack of spatial differences in sediment and porewater nutrient concentrations and the absence of known external nutrients sources suggest that at the Sanctuary Pond internal regeneration of nutrients from sediments is responsible for the hypereutrophic conditions in the pond.
Verbal and pictorial elaborations enhance memory in younger and older adults

Abstract These studies examined the facilitative role of verbal and pictorial elaborations in younger and older adults' recall of verbal material. During acquisition, subjects studied short sentences under one of several encoding/retrieval conditions where the presence of verbal and pictorial elaborations was systematically varied. Subjects later recalled the target adjectives, given the sentence frames as a prompt. In Experiment 1, explanatory verbal elaborations at study and test enhanced verbal recall for both age groups, but no benefit of pictorial elaborations was observed. In Experiment 2, pictorial elaborations improved recall for both age groups. A significant Age x Encoding Condition interaction effect revealed that the benefit was especially pronounced for the older adults. the implications of these results for understanding the facilitative effects of pictorial illustrations on older adults. recall of verbal material are discussed.
Defining window-boundaries for genomic analyses using smoothing spline techniques.

High-density genomic data is often analyzed by combining information over windows of adjacent markers. Interpretation of data grouped in windows versus at individual locations may increase statistical power, simplify computation, reduce sampling noise, and reduce the total number of tests performed. However, use of adjacent marker information can result in over- or under-smoothing, undesirable window boundary specifications, or highly correlated test statistics. We introduce a method for defining windows based on statistically guided breakpoints in the data, as a foundation for the analysis of multiple adjacent data points. This method involves first fitting a cubic smoothing spline to the data and then identifying the inflection points of the fitted spline, which serve as the boundaries of adjacent windows. This technique does not require prior knowledge of linkage disequilibrium, and therefore can be applied to data collected from individual or pooled sequencing experiments. Moreover, in contrast to existing methods, an arbitrary choice of window size is not necessary, since these are determined empirically and allowed to vary along the genome. Simulations applying this method were performed to identify selection signatures from pooled sequencing F ST data, for which allele frequencies were estimated from a pool of individuals. The relative ratio of true to false positives was twice that generated by existing techniques. A comparison of the approach to a previous study that involved pooled sequencing F ST data from maize suggested that outlying windows were more clearly separated from their neighbors than when using a standard sliding window approach. We have developed a novel technique to identify window boundaries for subsequent analysis protocols. When applied to selection studies based on F ST data, this method provides a high discovery rate and minimizes false positives. The method is implemented in the R package GenWin, which is publicly available from CRAN.
Anthropological Theories of Crime and Delinquency

Anthropological perspectives on crime and delinquency reflect historical contexts and the increasing complexity of societies over time. For most of anthropology's history, field researchers studied small societies in an attempt to decipher the rules that governed behavior. By the middle of the twentieth century, anthropologists turned to class and power differentials related to resource access to explain crime and delinquency in social groups that were part of larger societies. Economic and political motives for defining criminality have since become central to the ethnographies of contemporary anthropologists. Twenty-first-century anthropological studies encompass both local and global contexts, and continue to draw upon the cornerstone concepts and ethnographic methods of their predecessors.
Acute airway obstruction following tooth extraction in hereditary angioedema

Life threatening airway obstruction occurred following a single tooth extraction in a patient who had hereditary angioedema, despite preoperative administration of FFP and danazol. Emergency intubation was performed in the operating room, and assisted respiration was required during the acute attack. The clinician should be aware that an acute attack of HAE may occur even though recommended medical management regimens are followed and should be prepared for emergency airway control.
Limonoid debittering of citrus juices using immobilized bacterial cell systems

Limonoids such as limonin and nomilin cause bitterness in a variety of commercial citrus juices. This is a major problem of the world‐wide citrus product industry and also has significant negative economic impact on processors and growers also. This article reviews research on immobilized bacterial cell systems that can be used for the reduction of limonoid bitterness in citrus juices.
Domain-based causal ordering group communication in wireless hybrid networks

There is a growing trend in developing group communication for mobile computing systems in which mobile host retain their network connections while in transit. In this paper, we present domain-based causal ordering group communication in wireless hybrid network. Our protocol ensures that causally related messages directed to the same destination mobile host will be delivered in an order consistent with their causality, which is important in applications that involve human interaction such as mobile e-mail and mobile teleconferencing. We address group communication that meets causal ordering requirement in a wireless hybrid network. Our handoff protocol ensures smooth migration of mobile hosts while preserving causal ordering property in a wireless hybrid network.
Influence of Mastitis on Properties of Milk. VIII. Distribution of Soluble and Micellar Casein

Abstract The effect of mastitis on the distribution of soluble and micellar casein in skim milk was investigated. Paired quarter milk samples from individual cows were selected on Wisconsin Mastitis Test positive (>20mm) and negative (
Global–Local Finite Element Analysis of Adhesive Joints and Crack Propagation

Accurately capturing the stress distribution in an adhesive joint of aircraft structures requires discretizing the adhesive layer with a very fine finite element mesh. Because such a simulation requires high computational processing unit time, researchers are looking for alternative methods to simulate adhesive joints of aircraft structures for saving the computational processing unit time. Another high computational processing unit requiring the study of aircraft structures is the evaluation of delamination growth in adhesive joints and crack propagation in brittle materials using cohesive zone modeling along with the very fine finite element mesh for the bulk material. To reduce these computational times, a possible alternative is to use a global–local finite element method. Therefore, both the crack propagation and the characteristics of adhesive joints were studied using a global–local finite element method. Three cases were studied using the proposed global–local finite element method, including 1) a...
The Diagnostic and Therapeutic Role of Imaging in Postoperative Complications of Esophageal Surgery

Esophageal surgeries are frequently employed in the management of gastrointestinal reflux disease and esophageal carcinoma. Imaging, in the form of computed tomography and fluoroscopy, is commonly utilized to evaluate for postoperative complications such as anastomotic leaks, abscess formation, pneumothorax, and pleural effusion. An understanding of both esophageal anatomy and the most commonly performed surgical techniques facilitates the diagnosis of these complications and governs their potential computed tomography-guided treatment.
Attachment of C-terminus of SDF-1 enhances the biological activity of its N-terminal peptide.

The N-terminus of stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) is known to be a critical site for CXCR4 receptor binding and signaling. However, the functional role of other regions, in particular the C-terminal helix of SDF-1, has yet to be defined. In this study, we designed and synthesized a peptide model of SDF-1 containing its N- and C-terminal regions. The attachment of the C-terminus of SDF-1, which by itself had no activity in receptor binding and signaling, dramatically increased the effect of the N-terminal fragment in inducing chemotaxis and intracellular Ca(2+) influx in sup T1 cells compared with the peptide containing only the N-terminal sequence. The enhancement in activity was not due to the increase in receptor affinity as the N,C-terminal peptide did not show higher CXCR4 binding than the N-terminal peptide. On the other hand, the intracellular Ca(2+) influx activated by the N,C-terminal peptide, but not the N-terminal peptide, was completely abolished by the addition of heparin, suggesting that the C-terminal fragment of the peptide binds glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and exerts an effect to modulate biological activity. These data raise the possibility that the C-terminus in native SDF-1 is one of interaction sites with GAGs and may be associated with biological function of SDF-1. Furthermore, this study demonstrates an approach for the design of novel agonists or antagonists of other chemokine receptors that possess enhanced biological activity.
Encoding of sound duration by neurons in the auditory cortex of the little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus

Responses of 117 single- or multi-units in the auditory cortex (AC) of bats (Myotis lucifugus) to tone bursts of different stimulus durations (1– 400 ms) were studied over a wide range of stimulus intensities to determine how stimulus duration is represented in the AC. 36% of AC neurons responded more strongly to short stimulus durations showing short-pass duration response functions, 31% responded equally to all pulse durations (i.e., all-pass), 18% responded preferentially to stimuli having longer durations (i.e., long-pass), and 15% responded to a narrow range of stimulus durations (i.e., band-pass). Neurons showing long-pass and short-pass duration response functions were narrowly distributed within two horizontal slabs of the cortex, over the rostrocaudal extent of the AC. The effects of stimulus level on duration selectivity were evaluated for 17 AC neurons. For 65% of these units, an increase in stimulus intensity resulted in a progressive decrease in the best duration. In light of the unusual intensity-dependent duration responses of AC neurons, we hypothesized that the response selectivities of AC neurons is different from that in the brainstem. This hypothesis was validated by results of study of the duration response characteristics of single neurons in the inferior colliculus.
Differential and Isomer-Specific Modulation of Vitamin A Transport and the Catalytic Activities of the RBP Receptor by Retinoids

Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives with diverse biological functions. Both natural and artificial retinoids have been used as therapeutic reagents to treat human diseases, but not all retinoid actions are understood mechanistically. Plasma retinol binding protein (RBP) is the principal and specific carrier of vitamin A in the blood. STRA6 is the membrane receptor for RBP that mediates cellular vitamin A uptake. The effects of retinoids or related compounds on the receptor’s vitamin A uptake activity and its catalytic activities are not well understood. In this study, we dissected the membrane receptor-mediated vitamin A uptake mechanism using various retinoids. We show that a subset of retinoids strongly stimulates STRA6-mediated vitamin A release from holo-RBP. STRA6 also catalyzes the exchange of retinol in RBP with certain retinoids. The effect of retinoids on STRA6 is highly isomer-specific. This study provides unique insights into the RBP receptor’s mechanism and reveals that the vitamin A transport machinery can be a target of retinoid-based drugs.
DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF CARDS FOR CUSTOMER FEEDBACK OF FOOD QUALITY

Various types of customer feedback cards were evaluated in military dining halls. Variations tested included the use of behavior/attitude questions, food attribute ratings and hedonic scales. A 4 category, 7-point scale card was selected for further use.
Combination Therapy With Suicide and Cytokine Genes for Hepatic Metastases of Lung Cancer

Metastases of lung cancer are a major cause of treatment failure. To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of gene therapy in metastatic lung cancer, we used adenoviral (ADV) mediated transfer of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) gene and the cytokine gene interleukin-2 (IL-2) to treat a murine model of metastatic lung cancer in the liver. Hepatic metastases were established by intrahepatic implantation of LL2 cells in syngeneic recipient mice. One week after tumor implantation, various replication defective ADV vectors were injected intratumorally. Treatment with a vector expressing the HSV-tk followed by ganciclovir administration with ADV.tk resulted in significant regression of tumor (p<0.01) as well as prolongation of survival (p<0.001). While a vector expressing mouse IL-2 ADV.IL-2 alone was ineffective, combination therapy with HSV-tk resulted in further tumor regression and improvement of animal survival (p<0.05). These results demonstrate that suicide and cytokine genes can be utilized in combination to treat metastatic lung cancer in vivo.
Triadic configurations in limited choice sociometric networks: Empirical and theoretical results

Abstract Previous research demonstrated that information contained in triad censuses from heterogeneous collections of social networks occupies a high dimensional space. Regions of this space, and locations of triad censuses within it, are largely defined by lower order network properties: network density and dyad distributions [Faust, K., 2006. Comparing social networks: size, density, and local structure. Metodoloski Zvezki (Advances in Methodology and Statistics) 3 (2), 185–216; Faust, K., 2007. Very local structure in social networks. Sociological Methodology 37, 209–256]. The current paper extends comparative work on triad censuses by addressing three related issues. First, it determines and interprets the space occupied by triad censuses for 128 friendship networks gathered using a limited choice sociometric protocol. Second, it constructs a theoretical space for triad censuses expected given lower order graph properties and examines the dimensionality and shape of this space. Third, it brings together these lines of investigation to determine where the empirical triad censuses reside within the theoretical space. Results show that the empirical triad censuses are almost perfectly represented in one dimension (explaining 99% of the data) and that network density explains over 96% of the variance in locations on this dimension. In contrast, the theoretical space for triad censuses is at least four-dimensional, with distinctive regions defined by network density and dyad distributions. Within this theoretical space, the empirical triad censuses occupy a restricted region that closely tracks triad censuses expected given network density. Results differ markedly from prior findings that the space occupied by triad censuses from heterogeneous social networks is of high dimensionality. Results also reinforce observations about constraints that network size and density place on graph level indices.
Truncated group sequential test for clinical trials

Abstract Although a sequential test, in general, requires a smaller sample size on the average, most clinical trials are not designed in a sequential approach. One of the reasons is that the sample size by a sequential test can exceed that required by an equivalent fixed-sample size test. Truncation of a triangular sequential design is considered in this paper. It is intended so that the maximum sample size for the test becomes approximately equal to the sample size for the fixed-sample test of about the same power. The method is intended for one-sided group sequential tests where the treatment group is compared to the control group for the difference in proportions. The method is illustrated using a clinical trial of head injury patients. Comparisons with other group sequential tests suggested that the proposed method may provide a more efficient test in clinical trials.
Effect of Acute Challenge with an Extreme Dose of Somatotropin in a Prolonged-Release Formulation on Milk Production and Health of Dairy Cattle

Abstract Eight pregnant Holstein cows were given weekly injections of 15g of recombinant bST over a 2-wk period for a total dose of 30g to determine signs of acute toxicity. Cows were monitored intensively throughout the study, and samples were taken for analyses of hormones, metabolites, chemistries, hematology, and urine analytes. Animal health throughout the study was generally excellent. Mean rectal temperatures were significantly higher in treated cows (38.7 vs. 39.2°C). Least squares means for 3.5% FCM production were 15.9 and 23.0 kg/d, and net energy intakes were 29.4 and 26.9 Mcal/d for control and treated cows, respectively. Somatotropin concentrations reached more than 250 ng/d on d 10 and remained above 200ng/ml. Insulin and glucose concentrations were also increased but returned toward baseline values. Free fatty acid concentrations were higher in treated cows, but β-hydroxybutyrate was not affected. Most hematological measurements were unaffected except for a reduction in erythrocyte number in treated cows and decreases in hematocrit and hemoglobin, but values were within clinically normal ranges. Although cows received in 2 wk a dose that was equivalent to the amount administered during more than 2 yr of continuous use, no signs of acute toxicity to bST were observed.
Expression of the ZNT (SLC30) family members in the epithelium of the mouse prostate during sexual maturation.

A prostate contains ~10-fold higher zinc than other soft organs. The function of the prostate is to produce a zinc-enriched seminal fluid. To establish a protein expression profile for zinc transporters involved in zinc efflux and intracellular sequestration/storage in the mouse prostate during sexual maturation, ZNT expression were investigated by immunohistochemistry. Our study demonstrated that ZNT proteins were differentially expressed in the prostate during sexual maturation. ZNT1 was mainly detected on the lateral membrane of the epithelium. Other ZNTs examined resided intracellularly. Among differences were a staining of ZNT2/ZNT5 in the ER-rich area of the epithelium in the anterior lobe, a staining of ZNT2 along the lateral and apical membrane, a luminal border staining of ZNT4, a staining of ZNT5 in the Golgi area of the epithelium in the ventral lobe, a uniform expression of ZNT6 across the lobes and ages, and a staining of ZNT7 in all lobes across ages.
Iron and Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic hepatitis worldwide. Iron may play a comorbid role in HCV disease and other liver diseases. Although adjunctive treatment of HCV disease with iron reduction is popular in east Asia, especially Japan, it is less popular in the United States. However, iron reduction may be of importance, especially for certain HCV patient subgroups that have not responded to or cannot tolerate standard therapy. This review focuses on recent advances in understanding how iron may influence HCV infection and vice versa. A key is effects on levels of expression of the hepcidin gene in hepatocytes, because hepcidin has emerged as the key regulator of iron homeostasis. This review also summarizes prior clinical studies involving iron reduction therapy and clinical implications.
The recall in sioux city, iowa

The story of the recall in Sioux City can now be told impartially. It is a contribution to the slender testimony on the subject.
Molecular simulation studies on chemical reactivity of methylcyclopentadiene.

Abstract Molecular simulations are important to predict thermodynamic values for reactive chemicals especially when sufficient experimental data are not available. Methylcyclopentadiene (MCP) is an example of a highly reactive and hazardous compound in the chemical process industry. In this work, chemical reactivity of 2-methylcyclopentadiene, including isomerization, dimerization, and oxidation reactions, is investigated in detail by theoretical computational chemistry methods and empirical thermodynamic-energy correlation. On the basis of molecular simulations, an average value of −15.2 kcal/mol for overall heat of dimerization and −45.6 kcal/mol for overall heat of oxidation were obtained in gaseous phase at 298 K and 1 atm. These molecular simulation studies can provide guidance for the design of safer chemical processes, safer handling of MCP, and also provide useful information for an investigation of the T2 Laboratories explosion on December 19, 2007, in Florida.
Well-ordered trimeric HIV-1 subtype B and C soluble spike mimetics generated by negative selection display native-like properties.

The structure of BG505 gp140 SOSIP, a soluble mimic of the native HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env), marks the beginning of new era in Env structure-based immunogen design. Displaying a well-ordered quaternary structure, these subtype A-derived trimers display an excellent antigenic profile, discriminating recognition by broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) from non-broadly neutralizing antibodies (non-bNAbs), and provide a solid Env-based immunogenic platform starting point. Even with this important advance, obtaining homogeneous well-ordered soluble SOSIP trimers derived from other subtypes remains challenging. Here, we report the “rescue” of homogeneous well-ordered subtype B and C SOSIP trimers from a heterogeneous Env mixture using CD4 binding site-directed (CD4bs) non-bNAbs in a negative-selection purification process. These non-bNAbs recognize the primary receptor CD4bs only on disordered trimers but not on the native Env spike or well-ordered soluble trimers due to steric hindrance. Following negative selection to remove disordered oligomers, we demonstrated recovery of well-ordered, homogeneous trimers by electron microscopy (EM). We obtained 3D EM reconstructions of unliganded trimers, as well as in complex with sCD4, a panel of CD4bs-directed bNAbs, and the cleavage-dependent, trimer-specific bNAb, PGT151. Using bio-layer light interferometry (BLI) we demonstrated that the well-ordered trimers were efficiently recognized by bNAbs and poorly recognized by non-bNAbs, representing soluble mimics of the native viral spike. Biophysical characterization was consistent with the thermostability of a homogeneous species that could be further stabilized by specific bNAbs. This study revealed that Env trimers generate different frequencies of well-ordered versus disordered aberrant trimers even when they are genetically identical. By negatively selecting the native-like well-ordered trimers, we establish a new means to obtain soluble Env mimetics derived from subtypes B and C for expanded use as candidate vaccine immunogens.
Viscosity properties of tellurite-based glasses

Abstract The viscosity behavior of glasses with the composition (90-x)TeO2–10Bi2O3–xZnO with x = 15, 17.5, and 20 (TBZ glasses) and 80TeO2–(20-y)Na2O–yZnO system with y = 0, 5, and 10 (TNZ glasses) have been measured as a function of temperature using a beam-bending (BBV) and a parallel-plate (PPV) viscometer. The structure of the glass’ network has been characterized using Raman spectroscopy and has been related to the viscosity temperature behavior and the fragility parameter (m) of the glasses. As the concentration of ZnO in the TBZ system (x) increases, the fragility parameter of the glass increases, whereas it decreases with an increase of the ZnO concentration (y) in the TNZ system. In both glasses, these variations in m have been related to the partial depolymerization of the tellurite network associated with the level of modifier content. The depolymerization of the tellurite network is believed to be the result of a reduction in the number of [TeO4] units and the formation of [TeO3] and [TeO3+1] units that occurs with a change in TeO2 content in the TBZ system and modifier content in the TNZ system.
The Ecological-Evolutionary Typology of Human Societies and the Evolution of Social Inequality*:

Gerhard Lenski's ecological-evolutionary typology of human societies, based on the level of technology of a society and the nature of its physical environment, is a powerful predictor of various dimensions of social inequality. Analysis of comparative data shows that while some dimensions of the stratification system (such as measures of social complexity) exhibit a monotonic trend of increasing inequality with level of technology from the hunting-and-gathering to the agrarian type, others (such as measures of freedom and sexual inequality among males) exhibit a pattern of “agrarian reversal” in which inequality increases from the hunting-and-gathering to the advanced horticultural type but then declines with the agrarian type. Theoretical and empirical implications of the agrarian reversal pattern for the study of social inequality are discussed.I am grateful to Bernice McNair Barnett and Gehard Lenski for comments and to Patrick Nolan for advice on coding societal type.
[Clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of metastatic pituitary tumors. Report of four cases].

Four cases of symptomatic metastatic pituitary tumors are presented and the pertinent literature on the management of secondary tumors of the pituitary region is reviewed. Of the 4 cases, 2 had metastases from breast carcinoma, one had pituitary metastasis from liposarcoma of the leg, and one had direct invasion of nasopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma to the clival and pituitary region. Two cases presented panhypopituitarism and in all cases rapidly deteriorating cranial nerve palsies were noticed. Contrast-enhanced computerized tomography scan precisely demonstrated the pituitary metastatic lesions in all cases. Transsphenoidal microsurgical tumor resections were performed in 3 cases. Visual disturbance observed in one was markedly improved after surgery. Cranial nerve palsies subsided completely in all cases after radiotherapy. Metastases of malignant tumors to the pituitary region are not uncommon in postmortem examinations or in cases with hypophysectomy performed to treat advanced breast carcinoma. However, the majority of metastatic pituitary tumors are asymptomatic. Recently some authors reported a few cases which presented diabetes insipidus, anterior pituitary insufficiency or cranial nerve palsies as observed in these cases. In such cases, early recognition and radiotherapy will significantly improve the prognosis. When the cases has single metastasis or breast carcinoma metastasis, or presents visual field defect, transsphenoidal tumor resection is also assumed to be an effective treatment.
Annealing effects on a-SiC:H and a-SiC:H(F) thin films deposited by PECVD at room temperature

Abstract Thin films of a-SiC:H and a-SiC:H(F) deposited under high ion bombardment at room temperature by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition were annealed at temperatures ranging from 300 to 600 °C. The effects of the annealing on stress, bonding structures, hydrogen content and optical properties were studied. Both films tend to become more cross-linked as the annealing temperature is increased, but beyond 500 °C the film appears to become oxidized. The hydrogen content of a-SiC:H film starts to decrease when the annealing temperature exceeds 400 °C. Upon annealing, the optical transparency in the visible region improved slightly upon annealing with a-SiC:H film, whereas the opposite behavior is observed with a-SiC:H(F) film. Strikingly different behaviors were observed in the film stress. For a-SiC:H film, the stress decreases progressively as the annealing temperature is increased and becomes zero at 600 °C. For a-SiC:H(F) film, the stress becomes zero at a relatively low annealing temperature of 200 °C, beyond which the stress changes from compressive to tensile.
Exponential Dichotomy for Asymptotically Hyperbolic Two-Dimensional Linear Systems

We consider the problem of determining the existence of exponential dichotomy for a class of linear nonautonomous ODEs. An approach is explored that combines numerical techniques with rigorous perturbation theory. It is applicable to a given problem within the class we consider. Numerical results illustrate the utility of the approach.
VITAL STATISTICS FOR EDUCATIONAL USES

T HE PUBLIC seems to be suspicious of statistics and statisticians for two reasons. First, anyone who has a sufficient knowledge of higher mathematics and of statistical method to be classed as a genuine statistician will of necessity find himself among the group of " highbrows" collectively labelled as experts, and there seems to be in the popular mind an inherent distrust of the expert. Secondly, the public is easily confused by figures; the methods employed by statistics are over its head, and it does not like what it cannot fully understand. Something incomprehensible offends the instinct for superiority. Any element in the environment, whether it be a statistical calculation or a foreigner, that is not easily understood, arouses distrust if not hate, because of a normal and almost universal instinctive reaction. For these reasons, if statistics are to be accepted by the public, and are to be useful in interpreting facts and in motivating action, they must be made as simple as possible. Too meticulous an explanation of technique wearies the casual reader and arouses rather than allays suspicion and antipathy. Hence, a simple presentation of statistical observations is to be desired. The chief points of interest should be stressed and the minor ones ignored. Otherwise the reader is very likely to miss entirely the very items one is most anxious to emphasize. Practically, this means that figures are greatly helped
Communication and relational culture: Bases for the study of human relationships

This article elaborates two concepts centrally important in the study of human relationships: communication and relational culture. Communication is represented as a formative process which constitutes, defines and disassembles relationships. Arising out of communication is relational culture, a privately transacted system of discourse and definition that coordinates attitudes, actions, and identities of partners in a relationship. These two concepts are used to define states of relationship which represent both stages and types of human relationships. For each state, communicative processes and functions are identified and attention is devoted to the impact of communication in moving partners toward or away from a binding relational culture.
CP non-conservation in the decay B → Kψ

Abstract We make here an estimate of CP -violating particle/anti-particle rate asymmetry in the Kobayashi-Maskawa (K-M) model for the decay B → K ψ . Unlike hyperon decays where asymmetries are minuscule (≲ 10 −5 ) or zero, asymmetry in this B-meson decay mode can be as high as a percent. The B → K ψ decay is particularly favorable for measuring CP asymmetries due to its distinctive experimental signature.