cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Variation in the self-incompatibility response within and among populations of the tropical shrub Witheringia solanacea (Solanaceae)

Breakdown of genetically enforced self-incompatibility (SI), an extremely common and important evolutionary transition in plants, has conventionally been conceived as a qualitative rather than a quantitative change. We evaluated qualitative and quantitative variation in SI for four populations of Witheringia solanacea in Costa Rica, examining growth of self-pollen tubes in pollinations of buds and mature flowers. We also measured levels of RNase production in styles to determine whether enzyme production was correlated with differences in self-rejection. The two small populations contained both self-compatible (SC) individuals and obligate outcrossers (female or SI). Plants in the two large populations were uniformly SI as revealed by pollen tube growth, although several of these individuals sporadically set seed autogamously. Stylar RNase activity did not differ significantly between bud and mature flowers, but self-pollen tube growth did differ, suggesting that a gene product in addition to S-RNase is responsible for developmental onset of SI. Population-level differences in RNase activity were consistent with differences in the strength of the rejection response in bud pollinations, suggesting that a threshold level of S-RNase, in combination with other factors, is necessary for SI. Our results support a growing body of evidence that not only qualitative variation in SI, but also quantitative variation may be functionally significant.
Complications and outcome of balloon aortic valvuloplasty in high-risk or inoperable patients.

Objectives This study aimed to determine the success, complications, and survival of patients after balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV). Background The introduction of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) BAV has led to a revival in the treatment of patients with severe aortic stenosis. Methods A cohort of 262 patients with severe aortic stenosis underwent 301 BAV procedures. Of these, 39 (14.8%) patients had ≥2 BAV procedures. Clinical, hemodynamic, and follow-up mortality data were collected. Results The cohort mean age was 81.7 ± 9.8 years, and the mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons and logistic EuroSCORE (European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation) was 13.3 ± 6.7 and 45.6 ± 21.6, respectively. BAV was performed as a bridge to TAVI or to surgical aortic valve replacement in 28 patients (10.6%) and for symptom relief in 234 (89.4%). The mean aortic valve area (AVA) increased from 0.58 ± 0.3 cm2 to 0.96 ± 0.3 cm2 (p 1 cm2, and in 195 patients (79%), AVA increased by >40%. De novo BAV resulted in a higher mean increase in AVA 0.41 ± 0.24 cm2 versus 0.28 ± 0.24 cm2 in redo BAV (p = 0.003). Serious adverse events occurred in 47 patients (15.6%), intraprocedural death in 5 (1.6%), stroke in 6 (1.99%), coronary occlusion in 2 (0.66%), severe aortic regurgitation in 4 (1.3%), resuscitation/cardioversion in 5 (1.6%), tamponade in 1 (0.33%), and permanent pacemaker in 3 (0.99%). A vascular complication occurred in 21 patients (6.9%); 34 (11.3%) had a post-procedure rise in creatinine >50%; and 3 (0.99%) required hemodialysis. During median follow-up of 181 days, the mortality rate was 50% (n = 131). The mortality rate in the group with final AVA >1 cm2 was significantly lower than in the group with final AVA of Conclusions Long-term survival is poor after BAV alone. BAV as a bridge to percutaneous or surgical aortic valve replacement is feasible, safe, and associated with better outcome than BAV alone.
Robust Emotional Stressed Speech Detection Using Weighted Frequency Subbands

The problem of detecting psychological stress from speech is challenging due to differences in how speakers convey stress. Changes in speech production due to speaker state are not linearly dependent on changes in stress. Research is further complicated by the existence of different stress types and the lack of metrics capable of discriminating stress levels. This study addresses the problem of automatic detection of speech under stress using a previously developed feature extraction scheme based on the Teager Energy Operator (TEO). To improve detection performance a (i) selected sub-band frequency partitioned weighting scheme and (ii) weighting scheme for all frequency bands are proposed. Using the traditional TEO-based feature vector with a closed-speaker Hidden Markov Model-trained stressed speech classifier, error rates of 22.5/13.0% for stress/neutral speech are obtained. With the new weighted sub-band detection scheme, closed-speaker error rates are reduced to 4.7/4.6% for stress/neutral detection, with a relative error reduction of 79.1/64.6%, respectively. For the open-speaker case, stress/neutral speech detection error rates of 69.7/16.2% using traditional features are used to 13.1/4.0% (a relative 81.3/75.4% reduction) with the proposed automatic frequency sub-band weighting scheme. Finally, issues related to speaker dependent/independent scenarios, vowel duration, and mismatched vowel type on stress detection performance are discussed.
Automorphic spectral identities and applications to automorphic L-functions on GL2

Abstract We prove an automorphic spectral identity on GL 2 involving second moments. From it we obtain an asymptotic, with power-saving error term, for (non-archimedean) conductor-aspect integral moments, twisting by GL 1 characters ramifying at a fixed finite place. The strength of the spectral identity, and of the resulting asymptotics, is illustrated by extracting a subconvex bound in conductor aspect at a fixed finite prime.
A phase I-II trial of escalating doses of mitoxantrone with fixed doses of cytarabine plus fludarabine as salvage therapy for patients with acute leukemia and the blastic phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia.

BACKGROUND Cytarabine is an essential drug for inducing remission of acute myelogenous leukemia, and it is also one the most effective drugs used as salvage therapy for patients with all types of relapsed acute leukemia. Nevertheless, there is considerable room for improvement in the treatment of patients with relapsed leukemia in terms of both the reinduction rate and the duration of response. Fludarabine has been shown to augment responses to cytarabine, possibly by increasing the intracellular concentrations of the active metabolite cytarabine triphosphate. Higher-than-standard doses of mitoxantrone have been shown to augment responses to cytarabine, possibly by increasing the DNA strand breaks induced by topoisomerase II; these strand breaks cannot be effectively repaired in the presence of cytarabine triphosphate. This preliminary study was designed to determine whether moderately high doses of mitoxantrone could be added to the combination of fludarabine and cytarabine in an attempt to improve the combination's antileukemic efficacy. METHODS Fifty-five adults with relapsed or refractory acute leukemia or the blastic phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) received salvage therapy with the FLAM regimen, which consisted of fludarabine, cytarabine, and increasing doses of mitoxantrone. RESULTS Even with doses of mitoxantrone escalated to as much as 60 mg/m2 over 4 days, dose-limiting toxicity was not observed. Overall, the complete response rate was 27.3% (15 of 55 patients, including 4 of 17 with acute myelogenous leukemia [AML], 4 of 12 with acute lymphocytic leukemia [ALL], and 7 of 26 with the blastic phase of CML). The median time to complete response was 42 days. Toxicity other than myelosuppression was manifested primarily as hyperbilirubinemia, which was reversible in all cases. Poor performance status and undifferentiated blastic phase of CML were poor prognostic factors for response to FLAM. CONCLUSIONS The FLAM regimen is an active salvage regimen and should be formally evaluated in Phase II studies of patients with AML, ALL, and the myeloid and lymphoid blastic phases of CML. Cancer 1999;86:2246–51. © 1999 American Cancer Society.
A tilt cage technique for measuring auditory evoked potentials during avoidance conditioning

Abstract A tilt cage procedure is described in which cat subjects were trained to make a rocking response. This response introduced a self-imposed restraint so that the cat's position can be maintained in a controlled stimulus field. The resulting reduction in motor activity allows electrophysiological events to be recorded during avoidance conditioning.
CONTRACEPTIVE RISK-TAKING BEHAVIOR BY SEXUALLY ACTIVE ADOLESCENT FEMALES

Despite the availability of effective contraceptives, adolescent pregnancy remains a formidable health issue. Previous studies of adolescent contraceptive risk-taking have been atheoretical in nature and have been analyzed in univariate and bivariate modes. The purpose of this study was to test a multivariate theoretical model which predicts (1) the decision to use contraceptives and (2) the choice of a specific method. The model consists of: premarital sexual standards and experiences→frequency of coitus→perceived probability of pregnancy→cognitive assessment of pregnancy→contraceptive activity. The model was tested using a recent national (U.S.A.) representative sample of nonmarried, sexually active females ages 15 to 20 years (n=1010) and was analyzed with three multiple regression analysis models. The number of years of sexual activity and the frequency of attendance at religious services were associated with coital frequency (R=.17, p<0001). Coital frequency, followed by post menarchial age and years dating also had a direct effect on contraceptive use (R=.23, p<0001). Attitude toward pregnancy, previous professional birth control advice, compliance with first contraceptive method, coital frequency and the source of their first family planning services were highly associated with contraceptive use (r=.84, p<0.0001). These data support the model and provide insight into the decision process used by adolescents to take contraceptive risks.
Does job resource loss reduce burnout and job exit for professionally trained social workers in child welfare

Abstract This study contributes to the literature on burnout and turnover in child welfare by examining the applicability of conservation of resources theory (COR). This theory argues that a loss of resources leads to the stress underlying burnout. This article examines the loss of two resources in particular: (a) the loss of a member of the entering cohort of workers and (b) change in the coethnic population of the community in which the social worker practices. In this sample of 1001 specially trained social workers, 44.3% reported high levels of emotional exhaustion or burnout. Stress was positively associated with burnout. Likewise, job satisfaction was protective against burnout. Furthermore, coethnic resources were associated with higher personal accomplishment scores for Asian–American, Hispanic, and Caucasian workers. Cohort member loss was not associated with burnout when controlling for personal resources and organizational factors, but cohort member loss did triple the odds of others in the cohort leaving. However, burnout was not associated with job exit in this sample. Although this study did not find evidence that cohort loss or coethnic loss was associated with burnout, it raises questions for further research about the social network implications of turnover.
When peptides fly: Advances in Drosophila proteomics

Abstract In the past decade, improvements in genome annotation, protein fractionation methods and mass spectrometry instrumentation resulted in rapid growth of Drosophila proteomics. This review presents the current status of proteomics research in the fly. Areas that have seen major advances in recent years include efforts to map and catalog the Drosophila proteome and high-throughput as well as targeted studies to analyze protein–protein interactions and post-translational modifications. Stable isotope labeling of flies and other applications of quantitative proteomics have opened up new possibilities for functional analyses. It is clear that proteomics is becoming an indispensable tool in Drosophila systems biology research that adds a unique dimension to studying gene function.
Discovery of nanocrystalline botanical magnetite

Based on transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction observations, we report the discovery of nanocrystalline botanical magnetite in iron-rich extracts from disrupted grass cells. The majority of the magnetite nanocrystals extracted from the grass plants display cubo-octahedral shapes, with a minority of hexagonal prism morphologies. In addition to the constrained morphologies, each group has a narrow size distribution typical of intracellular-boundary organized biomineralization processes responsible for bacterial magnetite. The smallest cubo-octahedral botanical nanocrystals (4 ± 1 nm) are an order of magnitude smaller than their bacterial counterparts. These botanical nanocrystals are self-organized in ordered, micrometer-sized agglomerates, distinct from magnetite strings in magnetotactic bacteria and similar to some pedogenic magnetite currently attributed to inorganic processes. We discuss the implications of our findings on the search for magnetite records of extraterrestrial and ancient terrestrial life, the origin of the terrestrial topsoil magnetite, and the potential for bioremediation using botanical magnetite.
Arsenic interstitials and interstitial complexes in low-temperature grown GaAs

First-principles molecular-dynamics calculations have been used to calculate the formation energy of the lowest-energy As interstitial configuration relative to the formation energies of As antisites and Ga vacancies in As-rich GaAs, and to identify and study the properties of energetically favorable complexes containing one As antisite and one As interstitial. It is suggested that the electronic and optical properties of the antisite-interstitial complexes match the properties of the defects responsible for the dominant donor band in some samples grown around 350 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C.
A remark on eigenvalues of certain positive operators

For a transition operator onC(X) with an invariant measure having global support, the point spectrum of unit modulus and the corresponding eigenfunctions are related to the action of a compact group on a quotient space ofX.
Edc3 Function in Yeast and Mammals Is Modulated by Interaction with NAD-Related Compounds

The control of mRNA translation and degradation is mediated in part by a set of proteins that can inhibit translation and promote decapping, as well as function in the assembly of cytoplasmic mRNP granules referred to as processing bodies (P-bodies). The conserved enhancer of mRNA decapping 3 (Edc3) protein functions to promote both decapping and P-body assembly. Crystal structures of the YjeF_N domain in hEdc3 identified a putative binding site for a small molecule. Structure modeling of the human Edc3 Yjef_N along with other Yjef_N-containing proteins suggests that this molecule is related to NAD(H). We now show human Edc3 directly binds NADH. We also show that human and yeast Edc3 chemically modify NAD in vitro. Mutations that are predicted to disrupt the binding and/or hydrolysis of an NAD-related molecule by yeast and human Edc3 affect the control of mRNA degradation and/or P-body composition in vivo. This suggests that the interaction of Edc3 with an NAD-related molecule affects its function in the regulation of mRNA translation and degradation and provides a possible mechanism to couple the energetics of the cell to posttranscriptional control. Moreover, this provides a unique example of and lends strength to the postulated connection of metabolites, enzymes, and RNA.
The Longevity of Sirtuins

Controversy has recently arisen over the role of sirtuins in metazoan aging. In this issue of Cell Reports , Banerjee et al. demonstrate that Drosophila Sir2 is necessary for life span extension in response to dietary restriction and that its overexpression in the fat body increases the life span.
The three adaptation systems of Bacillus subtilis chemotaxis

Adaptation has a crucial role in the gradient-sensing mechanism that underlies bacterial chemotaxis. The Escherichia coli chemotaxis pathway uses a single adaptation system involving reversible receptor methylation. In Bacillus subtilis, the chemotaxis pathway seems to use three adaptation systems. One involves reversible receptor methylation, although quite differently than in E. coli. The other two involve CheC, CheD and CheV, which are chemotaxis proteins not found in E. coli. Remarkably, no one system is absolutely required for adaptation or is independently capable of generating adaptation. In this review, we discuss these three novel adaptation systems in B. subtilis and propose a model for their integration.
Diagnostic tracing for wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks are typically deployed in harsh environments, thus post-deployment failures are not infrequent. An execution trace containing events in their order of execution could play a crucial role in postmortem diagnosis of these failures. Obtaining such a trace however is challenging due to stringent resource constraints. We propose an efficient approach to intraprocedural and interprocedural control-flow tracing that generates traces of all interleaving concurrent events and of the control-flow paths taken inside those events. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach with the help of case studies and illustrate its low overhead through measurements and simulations.
T4N0 Colon Cancer Has Oncologic Outcomes Comparable to Stage III in a Specialized Center

Background National data indicate that patients with T4N0 colon carcinoma have worse oncologic outcomes than other stage II cases. Our hypothesis was that optimized surgical resection and lymph node staging in a specialized center could eliminate discrepancies in oncologic outcomes within stage II colon carcinomas.
Sequence-dependent dynamics of DNA

The sequence-dependent high-frequency motion of a fluorescent base in DNA has been studied by picosecond time-resolved fluorescence depolarization measurements on a series of defined-sequence synthetic oligonucleotides of the type d[GCCXCCG] d[CGG(AP)GGC], where X = T, A, G or C and AP is the fluorescent adenine analogue 2- aminopurine. The fluorescence anisotropy contained a rapidly decaying component that was due to restricted internal rotation of AP and a slowly decaying component due to overall tumbling. The tumbling correlation time varied with X in a manner that reflected the association state of the oligonucleotide strands. The internal motion dynamics of AP depended on the nature of the base-pairing interactions between AP and x.
Visualized Analysis and Simulation Research on Dynamic Performance of the Whole NC Machine Tool

The dynamic performance of numerical control (NC) machine is not only basis of evaluation for the vibration resistance and stability, but also theory basis of optimizing dynamic performance, and improving processed quality. As digital design method, visual design realizes "visibility" during the whole design process, increases design efficiency and guarantees the quality, which make visual design preferred design method in large mechanical engineering. In this paper, the analysis of dynamic performance on NC machine and visual design method will be integrated, taking a NC machining center built by Shenyang machine tool group as a study case, the dynamic visual design flow to be proposed, including the design purpose, content and design methods, finally, the dynamic performance of visual simulation we have done, taking the strength, inherent characteristics and harmonic response into account, offers the foundation about structural performance optimization on the machine.
Adaptive sliding controller synthesis for non-linear systems

Classical ‘sliding mode control’, as investigated mostly in Soviet literature, features excellent robustness properties in relation to parametric uncertainty, but presents several important drawbacks that severely limit its practical applicability. These drawbacks, including large control authority and control chattering, were remedied by Slotine and Sastry (1983) and Slotine (1984) by replacing control switching at a fixed sliding surface by a smooth control interpolation in a boundary layer neighbouring a time-varying sliding surface. This avoids the excitation of high-frequency unmodelled dynamics, and leads to an explicit trade-off between model uncertainty and controller tracking performance. The present paper examines how to further improve performance by effectively coupling on-line parameter estimation to sliding controller design. The boundary layer concept leads to a compact measure of the quality of parameter estimation, and provides a consistent rule on when to stop adaptation. The approach is...
Investigating the Benefits of Web-Centric Instruction for Student Learning--An Exploratory Study of an MBA Course.

Abstract In this article, the author presents the results of an exploratory study in which she surveyed students to examine the benefits of Web-centric learning environments for the quality of student learning. More specifically, the author investigated the effects of Web-centric instruction on the quality of students' social interaction, involvement with the course content, technical skills, and overall learning experience. Preliminary results of this study, conducted in an MBA course, indicate that students seemed to benefit positively from the instructional methods used.
Species-specific predation on amphipod crustacea by the pinfish Lagodon rhomboides: Mediation by macrophyte standing crop

The amphipod species consumed by Lagodon rhomboides represented only a small subset of the amphipod assemblage available at three seagrass habitats in Apalachee Bay, Florida (USA). Predatory preferences were related most closely to the microhabitat of prey species and were unrelated to amphipod abundances. Important prey species were all epifaunal types. Consumption of preferred amphipod species was non-selective at a site with sparse macrophyte cover, but selectivity increased with macrophyte biomass. The amphipod species that were preferentially selected as prey by pinfish correspond with those that have been suggested as being limited by fish predators. It was suggested that mediation of predator behavior by physical structure in seagrass meadows may play an important role in the regulation of species richness and abundances. Species-specific identification of prey is recommended for food-habit studies.
Effect of starvation on nuclear bodies and rough endoplasmic reticulum in the bovine hepatocyte.

Abstract The frequency of simple nuclear bodies and the relative volume of rough endoplasmic reticulum was determined in hepatocytes of normal lactating cows and of lactating cows starved for 6 days. Starvation resulted in a highly significant decrease in frequency of simple nuclear bodies and in the relative volume of rough endoplasmic reticulum. It is suggested that simple nuclear bodies are normal nuclear organelles which can respond to physiological changes.
Biased inheritance of the protein PatN frees vegetative cells to initiate patterned heterocyst differentiation

Heterocysts, cells specialized for nitrogen fixation in certain filamentous cyanobacteria, appear singly in a nonrandom spacing pattern along the chain of vegetative cells. A two-stage, biased initiation and competitive resolution model has been proposed to explain the establishment of this spacing pattern. There is substantial evidence that competitive resolution of a subset of cells initiating differentiation occurs by interactions between a self-enhancing activator protein, HetR, and a diffusible pentapeptide inhibitor PatS-5 (RGSGR). Results presented here show that the absence of a unique membrane protein, PatN, in Nostoc punctiforme strain ATCC 29133 leads to a threefold increase in heterocyst frequency and a fourfold decrease in the vegetative cell interval between heterocysts. A PatN-GFP translational fusion shows a pattern of biased inheritance in daughter vegetative cells of ammonium-grown cultures. Inactivation of another heterocyst patterning gene, patA, is epistatic to inactivation of patN, and transcription of patA increases in a patN-deletion strain, implying that patN may function by modulating levels of patA. The presence of PatN is hypothesized to decrease the competency of a vegetative cell to initiate heterocyst differentiation, and the cellular concentration of PatN is dependent on cell division that results in cells transiently depleted of PatN. We suggest that biased inheritance of cell-fate determinants is a phylogenetic domain-spanning paradigm in the development of biological patterns.
Effect of Signature Card on Disposition of Joint Bank Account upon Death of Co-Owner under New York Banking Law

It is a common practice for people to open a bank account in the name of one or more owners (a/k/a co-owners) and not just in the name of a single person alone. It is also common for an individual to be added to the ownership of an existing account once it has been established. Oftentimes spouses, friends, family or business associates decide for various reasons, both financial and personal, to establish a joint bank account and hold it as co-owners. Furthermore, as the population ages, it has become a common practice for elderly individuals to place another person’s name on a bank account, effectively creating a joint account arrangement for a once individually held account. As is often the case when multiple parties share in a financial transaction, disputes can arise as to the disposition of the funds held in such an account, either during life or at death. In order to address this issue, New York, a major world financial center, has put in place specific legislation to address the disposition of a joint bank account governed by the laws of that State. In this article, the author discusses New York Banking Law §675 and its application to the transfer of funds held in a joint account at the death of a co-owner, paying particular attention to the effect of the account’s signature card on the issue.
An Integrative Genomics Approach for Associating GWAS Information with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified genetic variants associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer. However, the association of genetic variants and their associated genes with the most aggressive subset of breast cancer, the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), remains a central puzzle in molecular epidemiology. The objective of this study was to determine whether genes containing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer are connected to and could stratify different subtypes of TNBC. Additionally, we sought to identify molecular pathways and networks involved in TNBC. We performed integrative genomics analysis, combining information from GWAS studies involving over 400,000 cases and over 400,000 controls, with gene expression data derived from 124 breast cancer patients classified as TNBC (at the time of diagnosis) and 142 cancer-free controls. Analysis of GWAS reports produced 500 SNPs mapped to 188 genes. We identified a signature of 159 functionally related SNP-containing genes which were significantly (P , 10-5) associated with and stratified TNBC. Additionally, we identified 97 genes which were functionally related to, and had similar patterns of expression profiles, SNP-containing genes. Network modeling and pathway prediction revealed multi-gene pathways including p53, NFkB, BRCA, apoptosis, DNA repair, DNA mismatch, and excision repair pathways enriched for SNPs mapped to genes significantly associated with TNBC. The results provide convincing evidence that integrating GWAS information with gene expression data provides a unified and powerful approach for biomarker discovery in TNBC.
Observed form and action of the magnetic energy release in flares

The observable spatio-temporal characteristics of the energy release in flares and their association with the magnetic environment and tracers of field dynamics are reviewed. The observations indicate that impulsive phase manifestations, like particle acceleration, may be related to the formation of neutral sheets at the interface between interacting bipoles, but that the site for the bulk of the energy release is within closed loops rather than at the interaction site.
Persistence of Neutralizing Antibody in Adult Volunteers Immunized With Adenovirus Soluble Antigens

SummaryEleven of 15 men given the type-specific antigen of adenovirus 1 and 10 of 10 men given type-specific antigen of adenovirus 2 developed significant levels of homotypic neutralizing antibody. All 17 men who were given the group-specific antigen of either adenovirus 1 or 2 developed antibody. Measurable levels of these antibodies persisted for extended periods of time.
Citizenship and morality

I discuss two problems in making democracy work: the failure of citizens to recognize that their participation is more beneficial for others, the wider the circle of others they consider; and the failure to think about policy choices in a way that is actively open-minded. Teaching people to avoid these problems might improve the functioning of democratic government.
A simple fiber-optic sensor for use over a large displacement range

Abstract An intensity-based fiber-optic displacement sensor has been developed and tested for static and dynamic response. The sensor incorporates an extremely simple design, light source and detector. Testing was done using quasi-static extension, a simple oscillating cantilever beam and a small shaker capable of frequencies up to 10 kHz. The sensor shows a response over a wide range of 410 mm. The response has two distinct linear regions with a central nonlinear region. For small displacements, the sensor shows excellent frequency response up to 10 kHz. At this stage, no attempt has been made to theoretically predict the light-loss behavior associated with this macrobend sensor [Marcuse, D., Journal of the Optics Society of America, 66 (3) (1976) 216–220; Lagakos, N., Cole, J. H. & Bucaro, Applied Optics, 26 (11) (1987) 2171–2180]; 1,2 rather this paper serves to demonstrate the basic function of the novel geometry of the sensing element.
“Monk” Lewis's journals and the discipline of discourse

(2001). “Monk” Lewis's journals and the discipline of discourse. Nineteenth-Century Contexts: Vol. 23, No. 1, pp. 59-88.
Postsynaptic regulation of the development and long-term plasticity of Aplysia sensorimotor synapses in cell culture

The monosynaptic component of the neuronal circuit that mediates the withdrawal reflex of Aplysia californica can be reconstituted in dissociated cell culture. Study of these in vitro monosynaptic connections has yielded insights into the basic cellular mechanisms of synaptogenesis and long-term synaptic plasticity. One such insight has been that the development of the presynaptic sensory neurons is strongly regulated by the postsynaptic motor neuron. Sensory neurons which have been cocultured with a target motor neuron have more elaborate structures--characterized by neurites with more branches and varicosities--than do sensory neurons grown alone in culture or sensory neurons that have been cocultured with an inappropriate target cell. Another way in which the motor neuron regulates the development of sensory neurons is apparent when sensorimotor cocultures with two presynaptic cells are examined. In such cocultures the outgrowth from the different presynaptic cells is obviously segregated on the processes of the postsynaptic cell. By contrast, when two sensory neurons are placed into cell culture without a motor neuron, their processes readily grow together. In addition to regulating the in vitro development of sensory neurons, the motor neuron also regulates learning-related changes in the structure of sensory neurons. Application of the endogenous facilitatory transmitter serotonin (5-HT) causes long-term facilitation of in vitro sensorimotor synapses due in part to growth of new presynaptic varicosities. But 5-HT applied to sensory neurons alone in culture does not produce structural changes in these cells. More recently it has been found that sensorimotor synapses in cell culture can exhibit long-term potentiation (LTP). Like LTP of some hippocampal synapses, LTP of in vitro Aplysia synapses is regulated by the voltage of the postsynaptic cell. Pairing high-frequency stimulation of sensory neurons with strong hyperpolarization of the motor neuron blocks the induction of LTP. Moreover, LTP of sensorimotor synapses can be induced in Hebbian fashion by pairing weak presynaptic stimulation with strong postsynaptic depolarization. These findings implicate a Hebbian mechanism in classical conditioning in Aplysia. They also indicate that Hebbian LTP is a phylogenetically ancient form of synaptic plasticity.
Recycling of nitrogen in herbivore feces: plant recovery, herbivore assimilation, soil retention, and leaching losses.

Herbivores directly and indirectly affect ecosystem functioning in forests. Feces deposition is a direct effect that supplies ephemeral N pulses to soils. Herbivore-mediated changes in plant N allocation and uptake are indirect effects that can also influence soil N availability. These effects may interact if defoliation influences the ability of plants to recover fecal N, and this may affect subsequent generations of herbivores. We added 15N-enriched insect feces (frass) to a series of replicated red oak, Quercus rubra, mesocosms that had been damaged experimentally and then followed the frass N over the course of 2 years. In the first season, some frass N was mineralized in the soil and leached in organic form from the mesocosms within 1 week of deposition. Within 1 month, frass N had been acquired by the oaks and enriched the foliage; late-season herbivores assimilated the frass N within the same growing season. In the second season, herbivore damage from the previous year lowered total leaf N contents and 15N recovered in the foliage. A subsequent cohort of early-season herbivores fed on this foliage consequently derived less of their N from the previous year’s frass, and feral leaf rollers colonized fewer of these saplings. The 0- to 5-cm soil fraction was the largest N sink measured, and 42% of the frass N was recovered in the soil. The results demonstrate that: (1) some frass N can be recycled rapidly into foliage and assimilated by successive cohorts of herbivore within the same season; (2) damage can affect N allocation in the following year’s foliage, influencing N availability to and host selection by herbivores; and (3) leaching losses occur soon after deposition but are buffered by soil pools, which are the largest sinks for frass N.
Message in a Bottle-PEG It Anywhere.

Nutrition in head and neck cancer is challenged by swallowing and feeding difficulties due to the disease, poor oral hygiene, treatment side effects and psychosocial factors. The weight loss and treatment induced malnutrition affects nutrition, immunity, quality of life and prognosis. A multi-disciplinary and multi-level involvement is crucial for effective care. Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) in our country is a grossly misunderstood and underutilized option due to many reasons. A change in attitude towards the PEG can open out an option of enteral feeding which is more physiological, more comfortable, provides a better quality of life with fewer complications. PEG scores over other tube enterostomies being less invasive compared to the open technique, which is reserved for those who cannot undergo an endoscopy, have an anatomical aberration or as a part of another procedure. Prophylactic tube enterostomies improve compliance to treatment and hence the outcome. Predictors of tube enterostomies include disease stage, performance scores and smoking.
Effectiveness of a Reduced-Risk Insecticide Based Bed Bug Management Program in Low-Income Housing.

Bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.) infestations are becoming increasingly common in low-income communities. Once they are introduced, elimination is very difficult. As part of the efforts to develop effective and safe bed bug management programs, we conducted a laboratory study evaluating the efficacy of a reduced-risk insecticide—Alpine aerosol (0.5% dinotefuran). We then conducted a field evaluation of a reduced-risk insecticide based integrated pest management (IPM) program in low-income family apartments with young children. In laboratory evaluations, direct spray and 5 min exposure to dry Alpine aerosol residue caused 100.0 ± 0.0 and 91.7 ± 8.3% mortality to bed bug nymphs, respectively. Direct Alpine aerosol spray killed 91.3 ± 4.3% of the eggs. The IPM program included education, steam, bagging infested linens, placing intercepting devices under furniture legs and corners of rooms, applying Alpine aerosol and Alpine dust (0.25% dinotefuran, 95% diatomaceous earth dust), and regularly scheduled monitoring and re-treatment. Nine apartments ranging from 1–1,428 (median: 29) bed bugs based on visual inspection and Climbup interceptor counts were included. Over a 6-month period, an average 172 g insecticide (Alpine aerosol + Alpine dust) was used in each apartment, a 96% reduction in pesticide usage compared to chemical only treatment reported in a similar environment. The IPM program resulted in an average of 96.8 ± 2.2% reduction in the number of bed bugs. However, elimination of bed bugs was only achieved in three lightly infested apartments (<30 bed bugs at the beginning). Elimination success was closely correlated with the level of bed bug populations.
Efficient Testing of RF MIMO Transceivers Used in WLAN Applications

Multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems that enable data transfer rates beyond 100 Mbps for WLAN applications is under development and will emerge rapidly. While the higher data rates will enable numerous features in modern communication devices, the industry has to face the soaring test cost due to the increased test complexity and test time. Since MIMO systems have multiple RF paths, each path needs to be individually tested. Moreover, mismatch parameters among the multiple paths require synchronized sampling of RF signals, requiring complicated equipment In this paper, we propose a low cost MIMO test solution that targets the specifications that are fundamental for MIMO operation, such as gain, IIP3, and phase imbalances between the RF paths. Our test methodology measures these parameters with a high accuracy while requiring only one RF frequency synthesizer. Using the proposed test method, RF MIMO systems can be tested using a mixed signal tester and a single fixed frequency RF signal generator.
Integrin bi‐directional signaling across the plasma membrane

Integrins are heterodimeric cell adhesion molecules that are important in many biological functions, such as cell migration, proliferation, differentiation, and survival. They can transmit bi-directional signals across the plasma membrane. Inside-out activating signal from some cell surface receptors bound with soluble agonists triggers integrins conformational change leading to high affinity for extracellular ligands. Then binding of ligands to integrins results in outside-in signaling, leading to formation of focal adhesion complex at the integrin cytoplasmic tail and activation of downstream signal pathways. This bi-directional signaling is essential for rapid response of cell to surrounding environmental changes. During this process, the conformational change of integrin extracellular and transmembrane/cytoplasmic domains is particularly important. In this review, we will summarize recent progress in both inside-out and outside-in signaling with specific focus on the mechanism how integrins transmit bi-directional signals through transmembrane/cytoplasmic domains. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 306–312, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Accretion of matter by condensed objects

The equations of motion for steady-state spherical symmetric flow of matter into or out of a condensed object (e.g. neutron stars, ‘black holes’, etc.) are displayed and solved for simple polytropic gases. It appears that infalling matter may be heated as hot as 1012K and that X-ray luminosities of the order of 1037 erg s−1 could result. The two fluid (electrons and ions separately) approach is also examined and it is shown that electrostatic fields of the order of 105 V m−1 are required near the surface of the object. Such fields are not strong enough to significantly modify the space-time metric.
Tetralogy of Fallot with Pulmonary Atresia

Tetralogy of Fallot with Pulmonary Atresia (TOF-PA) accounts for 1.5–3.4% of all forms of congenital heart disease and for 20% of all forms of TOF [1]. The Baltimore Washington Infant study reported an incidence of 0.07 per 1,000 live births for TOF-PA. TOF-PA is slightly more prevalent in males than in females. The intra-cardiac anatomy of TOF-PA has all the features of classic Tetralogy of Fallot: ventricular septal defect, overriding of the aorta, right ventricular outflow obstruction, and right ventricular hypertrophy. The difference is in the membranous or complete atresia of the pulmonary valve, and extreme variability of the architecture of the main and distal pulmonary arteries [Fig. 21.1]. The central pulmonary arteries can be of good size, variably hypoplastic, discontinuous, or even absent. Blood flow to the pulmonary vasculature may be provided by a persistent ductus arteriosus (PDA), major aorto-pulmonary collaterals (MAPCAs), or both.
Racial discrimination and the social organization of industries

Abstract This study investigates the relationship between several factors of the social organization of labor markets and racial discrimination during the late 1960s. Log-linear models are used to obtain indicators of the relative opportunities of black and white men to obtain different occupations across each of 38 industrial segments. We then examine the nature of the relationship between these indicators of discrimination and a number of aspects of industries suggested to be important by various theories of discrimination. The results indicate that relative black opportunities were favorably influenced by government employment, industrial and white collar (but not craft) unionization, and product market power, and they were adversely influenced by profitability and customer preferences for nonretail sales workers. Of particular interest is the finding that, contrary to the hypothesis derived from neoclassical economics, market power had a positive effect on black opportunities.
A comparison of silver-plated and stone dies from rubber-base impressions.

Abstract The accuracy of silver-plated dies as compared with that of stone dies was investigated using a silicone impression material, Xantopren, and a polysulfide material, Permlastic. A revised method of metallizing the surface of the Xantopren was used which yielded dies with a satisfactory plating of silver. The following conclusions were made from the results of this investigation. 1.Primary stone dies from Xantopren impressions are more accurate than primary or backup silver-plated dies from Xantopren impressions. 2.There is no significant difference in accuracy between primary stone dies and primary silver-plated dies from Permlastic impressions. 3.Secondary silver-plated dies are less accurate than primary stone dies or primary silver-plated dies from Permlastic impressions.
Algorithm development for evaluating the IPS survivability due to its topology

The paper presents a time-efficient computational algorithm for automated evaluation of the topological survivability of the integrated power system (IPS) in an all-electric ship. Topological survivability is the capacity inherent in the IPS architecture to maintain operations under adverse conditions such as, for example, combat damage. The IPS architecture determines whether power is available to loads after damage occurs and, therefore, is a key factor to consider in the analysis of the IPS survivability. Since survivability of an all-electric ship relies on the IPS survivability, clearly, the resistance of the IPS architecture to multiple faults should be analyzed at the early design stage and incorporated into the ship design. The algorithm proposed enables one to conduct such an analysis in a timely manner.
Self‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Organo‐Silica Nanoparticles

A procedure has been developed which utilizes aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) as the catalyst and a comonomer in the production of hybrid organo-silica nanoparticles. Particles ranging from ca. 100 to 500 nm can be prepared using organo-silanes of the type R′Si(OR)3, where R′= Me, vinyl, allyl, or other hydrophobic groups and R = Me or Et, in a water/surfactant solution. Based on elemental analysis, up to 10 mol% of APS was incorporated into the siloxane particle network. It is thought that the amino groups are located mainly on the surface due to their hydrophilicity and APS′ relatively slow rate of hydrolysis and condensation.
Substructured macro elements based on locally blended interpolation

In this paper we describe a new class of locally refined macro finite elements which are especially amenable to the use of substructuring techniques for the efficient solution of the resulting idealization. The tools and guidelines illustrated by the examples of modelling crack tips, point load singularities and singularities at re-entrant corners should enable an analyst to construct other such blended macro elements specifically tailored to his particular class of problems. The use of such substructured macro elements in finite element calculations permits substantial reduction in the manual effort of data preparation and the computational cost of numerical solution.
Spirapole antenna for communication systems utilizing both satellite and terrestrial assets

In this paper an antenna is presented that satisfies the two-fold radiation pattern requirement of communication systems utilizing both geostationary satellites and terrestrial transponders for coverage of mobile terminal away from the equator. A typical requirement for such a system is a low profile antenna that maximizes left-hand circularly polarized radiation in the satellite viewing angle, from 30/spl deg/ to 70/spl deg/ from zenith, and vertically polarized radiation in the terrestrial station viewing angle, from 70/spl deg/ to 90/spl deg/ from zenith. This dual radiation pattern coverage is achieved by integrating a small four arm spiral with a top loaded monopole into a single compact volume, an antenna termed a spirapole.
Discovery of Ainoceras (Ammonoidea) from the Upper Cretaceous Futakawa Formation in the Aridagawa Area, Wakayama, Southwestern Japan

Abstract. Late Cretaceous heteromorph ammonoids, Ainoceras kamuy and Ainoceras paucicostatum, were discovered for the first time from the Futakawa Formation in the Aridagawa area, Wakayama, southwestern Japan. Other molluscan fossils such as Eupachydiscus sp., Gaudryceras aff. striatum, “Gigantocapulus” transformis, Sphenoceramus nagaoi, Sphenoceramus orientalis and Inoceramus balticus also cooccur with Ainoceras, and together they indicate the lower Campanian Stage. Recently, the middle Turonian—Santonian and upper lower Campanian—Maastrichtian litho- and biostratigraphy in the Aridagawa area was established. Therefore, the lower Campanian strata in the study area fill the gap between them and supplement the Upper Cretaceous stratigraphy in the Aridagawa area. The results of this study advance the biostratigraphy and correlation of the marine Cretaceous strata in the northwestern Pacific region.