cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Actions et récit dans La Vengeance d'une femme de Barbey d'Aurevilly

La sixieme Diabolique offre une perspective privilegiee a qui s'interroge sur le rapport entre vengeance et recit. Le projet vengeur recoupe ici l'acte de narrer. Il s'agit de faire rayonner l'histoire d'une bassesse et d'une grandeur, dont temoignent les faits et gestes de la duchesse de Sierra-Leone, qui se prostitue afin de se venger de son epoux, grand d'Espagne. La strategie adoptee par l'aristocrate consiste a se faire consumer par l'acte meme au moyen duquel elle se venge. Rendu public, le recit des circonstances de sa mort doit souiller le nom et le rang de son mari et sceller ainsi son deshonneur. Cependant, ce programme narratif releve, en derniere analyse, d'une ambiguite, inherente a l'execution de l'acte vengeur. Celui-ci semble en effet osciller entre deux scenarios incompatibles. Tantot il pretend resider dans la transmission meme du recit par un intermediaire, tantot il rejette la delegation narrative et pretend s'immuniser contre toute diffusion discursive: il se revele alors comme pure contemplation mentale. C'est que, paradoxalement, la duchesse/fille semble ne raconter son histoire que pour affirmer la gratuite de son recit. L'ambiguite troublante qui sous-tend la realisation de cette vengeance est-t-elle levee par la production meme du texte de la nouvelle?.
A study of the platinization of semiconductors using photoacoustic spectroscopy

Abstract Platinized samples of tungsten trioxide, titanium dioxide and an ion exchange resin were examined by photoacoustic spectroscopy. For the oxide samples the lack of a simple relationship between signal intensity and loading was attributed to agglomeration—aggregation of the platinum on the surface of the oxide. The sample of platinized titanium dioxide having the maximum photocatalytic activity for methane production from acetic acid was found to have a relatively low loading (0.2 – 0.5 wt.%). The lower reactivity of the samples having a higher loading was attributed to the greater degree of agglomeration—aggregation of the platinum in these samples.
Aging Gay Men: A Review of the Literature

The population of older Americans is growing, as is the population of older Americans who identify as gay or lesbian. It has been estimated that by 2030, one in five Americans will be age 65 or older, with approximately four million of those individuals identifying themselves as gay or lesbian. Even by the most conservative estimates, this indicates that approximately 1.2 to 1.4 million of those individuals will be older gay men. Despite these significant shifts in population, reports show that a more contemporary appraisal of the needs of older gay men is warranted. Additional inquiry into the needs of older gay men was further validated in 2011 by the landmark report released by the Institute of Medicine that called attention to health disparities often encountered by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. In an effort to more fully understand the state of the science related to aging among older gay men, an integrated literature review was conducted. The purpose of this article is to pres...
Experimentally validated thermal model of thin film NiTi

The primary focus of this work is to develop a new analytical approach for thermal modeling of Nickel Titanium (NiTi) shape memory alloy membranes undergoing both phase transformation and large deflections. This paper describes a thermal model of a NiTi plate or thin film, including all the modes of heat loss and latent heat dissipation during the phase transformation. This model is used to predict the NiTi temperature during cooling. The results are compared with experiments conducted on a NiTi plate and thin film (3 micrometers thick), and very good agreement is found. The thermal model is also used to predict the temperature response of a bubble actuator proposed for use in a forced flow environment. Using a 3 mm diameter, 3 micrometers thickness bubble under forced airflow conditions it is possible to achieve a frequency response faster than 300 Hz. Additional calculations were made to verify the structural stability of the actuator system. Predictions indicated that for specific geometries a pressure of at least 35 kPa can be supported by the NiTi membrane. Deflections of a bubble actuator are shown to be on the order of 10% of its diameter while the strain remains below 4%.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Vortex-defect interactions in Josephson-junction arrays.

Defects produced by removing small numbers of junctions in a square Josephson-junction array act as strong vortex-pinning sites. We find the vortex-depinning current for various types of isolated defects with numerical simulations of the static phase configuration, and present arguments for the dependence of depinning current on defect size. We also discuss pinning of multiple vortices on a single defect, and generalize our results to systems containing many defects.
The theory of elastica in the non-linear behaviour of plane frameworks

Abstract Exact expressions governing the flexural equilibrium of prismatic members with arbitrary end-restraints are developed in suitable form for a generalized analysis of plane frameworks loaded centrally at the joints. A generalized non-linear analysis of plane continuous frameworks is presented for the initial phase of post-buckling equilibrium. The analysis is illustrated on a variety of plane structures, and the effect of geometrical imperfections is studied by means of a model.
The Use of Surface-Barrier Diodes for Fast-Neutron Spectroscopy

A neutron-sensitive semiconductor counter has ben constructed by depositing a thin layer of Li6F between two silicon surface-barrier counters. Neutrons are detected by observing the ? + T pair resulting from the Li6 (n, ?)T reaction; pulses from the two counters are added and the sum pulse is amplified and recorded on a multi-channel analyzer. Since the sandwich geometry permits simultaneous detection of both reaction products, the magnitude of the sum pulse is proportional to the energy of the incoming neutron. A coincidence circuit was used to reduce background counts. Pulse-height spectra from slow neutrons and from monoenergetic fast neutrons, in the energy region 0.6 to 15 Mev, have been recorded from several counters of this type using sengitive areas of about 0.7 to 0.8 cm2, with a Li6F layer of order 150 ? gm/cm2 thick. In all cases a well defined neutron peak was observed in the pulse-height spectra. The full width at half maximum of the fast-neutron peak was about 300 kev approximately independent of neutron energy. [Counters of this type seem relatively insensitive to gamma-ray background but at the higher energies (8 Mev and up) background from (n, charged particle) reactions in materials other than the Li6 is quite high.]
FEDERAL ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY POLICY MAKING BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT

This article examines the reasons for the Supreme Court of the United States' support for federal agency policy choices through an examination of cases litigated from 1953 to 1991. Three explanations of the Court's support of agency policy choices are evaluated. The attitudinal explanation posits that the Court supports agency policy because it agrees with the political ideology of agency policy. The legal context explanation postulates that the Court should defer to agency policy choices except in personal freedoms issues. A political context explanation hypothesizes that the decisions of the Court will be influenced by party control of the presidency and Congress, the agency's policy agenda or constitutional status, or the characteristics of the private party litigating against the agency. Logit analysis of separate models of the Court's support of liberal and conservative agency policy choices using public record data and the United States Supreme Court Judicial Database are used to evaluate the explanations. The conclusions indicate that the attitudinal characteristics of the justices, the legal context in which the agency is appealing to the Court, and the presence of an independent agency as a party all have a significant effect on the Court's support for agency policy choices.
Tracking of blood pressure from adolescence to middle age: the Dormont High School Study.

Abstract Methods. Tracking of blood pressure was studied in a cohort of 86 men and 116 women, initially examined at mean age 17 years and re-examined at mean ages 34 and 47 years in the Dormont High School Follow-up Study. Results. Correlations for systolic blood pressure (men vs women, P
Dialects and the effects of stereotypes on interpersonal attraction and cognitive processes in impression formation

Two studies examined the nature of regional dialect cued stereotypes and their effect upon the formation of an impression of an unknown other. The studies showed (1) that subjects rely upon dialect as a cue to qualities of the other which facilitate his sociological placement, (2) that initial evaluative orientations based upon such stereotypes are quite tentative and change when subsequent information concerning the other's character is acquired, and (3) that the effects of the stereotype persist in little noticed ways in shaping the content and form of the impression.
Achieving media portability through local content translation and end-to-end rights management

The problem addressed in this paper is that of DRM interoperability. The term DRM interoperability, as used here, refers to approaches that provide for the transfer, from one "upstream" DRM system to another "downstream" DRM system, of DRM protected content and an associated license. We introduce the concept of a Rights Issuer Module (RIM) that is functionally situated in the home network between the upstream device (which includes an upstream-DRM agent) and downstream devices (which each include a downstream-DRM agent). The novelty of our approach lies in the way the RIM handles significant aspects of the translation operations, potentially leaving the upstream and downstream DRM agents intact. Security and implementation advantages of the RIM are discussed. The tradeoffs involved with different RIM implementations are examined.
Divided Government and the Passage of Partisan Legislation, 1947-1990:

Recent literature has provided some evidence that the presence of di vided government does not affect the amount of significant legislation passed by Congress and enacted into law (Mayhew 1991). In this article, I argue that although there may not be a difference in the absolute num ber of bills passed during unified and divided periods, there nevertheless may be an important difference in the formation of coalitions1 during divided and unified periods. Specifically, I argue that party unity votes that favor the dominant party 2 are more likely to form on final votes of passage during periods of unified government. I use regression analysis and probit analysis to determine if there is empirical support for this hypothesized difference in coalition formation. I find that the presence of unified government significantly increases the likelihood that a bill will pass through Congress with a party unity vote favoring the dominant party The estimates are statistically significant for both the House and the Senate.
Wavelength‐shift fluorescent probes for monitoring of polymerization

The feasibility of using wavelength-shift fluorescent probes for cure monitoring of an epoxy resin and an acrylic resin was evaluated. 4-(N,N-dihexylaminostyryl)-4′-pyridinium propylsulfonate (DHASP-PS), as well as each of other wavelength-shift fluorescent probes, was dissolved in the epoxy resin, a stoichiometric mixture of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A and 4,4′-methylene-bis(cyclohexylamine). The fluorescence and the excitation spectra of each of the probes dissolved in the epoxy resin were then measured at various times during the cure of the epoxy resin at 60°C. The fluorescence and the excitation spectra of the probe DHASP-PS dissolved in methyl methacrylate (MMA) were also measured at various times during the cure of the acrylic resin at 55°C. Since the peak fluorescence wavelength of each of the wavelength-shift fluorescent probes decreased during the cure of the epoxy resin or MMA, these fluorescent probes can be used for monitoring the polymerization reactions of epoxy resins and vinyl resins. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 747–750, 2006
Slow inactivation of calcium channels in the cardiac Purkinje fiber.

Abstract Voltage-dependent calcium channels exist in a wide variety of cells and participate in diverse aspects of cellular function [ 6 ]. In the heart, ion movement through these channels underlies impulse conduction in the atrioventricular and sinoatrial nodes, contributes to regulation of some ionic conductances, maintains the plateau phase of the ventricular and Purkinje fiber action potentials, and is linked to activation of contractile protein [ 4, 7, 11, 13 ]. The activation of this channel has been assumed to resemble activation of sodium channels but recent investigations have raised questions about the nature of its inactivation. In cardiac Purkinje fibers, Marban and Tsien [ 10 ] find that inactivation of this conductance is regulated, at least in part, by intracellular calcium, as is calcium channel inactivation in Helix and Aplysia neurones [ 14, 15 ] and Paramecium [ 2 ]. In this paper, we report experiments designed to investigate another characteristic of calcium channel inactivation in the cardiac Purkinje fiber. Using a new procedure to reduce overlapping outward currents, we find a very slow component of inactivation in this channel. Time constants for this slow inactivation are on the order of seconds, are not steeply voltage dependent and are not regulated by calcium ion entry.
An examination of chemistry and transport processes in the tropical lower stratosphere using observations of long-lived and short-lived compounds obtained during STRAT and POLARIS

A suite of compounds with a wide range of photochemical lifetimes (3 months to several decades) was measured in the tropical and midlatitude upper troposphere and lower stratosphere during the Stratospheric Tracers of Atmospheric Transport (STRAT) experiment (fall 1995 and winter, summer, and fall 1996) and the Photochemistry of Ozone Loss in the Arctic Region in Summer (POLARIS) deployment in late summer 1997. These species include various chlorofluorocarbons, hydrocarbons, halocarbons, and halons measured in whole air samples and CO measured in situ by tunable diode laser spectroscopy. Mixing ratio profiles of long-lived species in the tropical lower stratosphere are examined using a one-dimensional (1-D) photochemical model that includes entrainment from the extratropical stratosphere and is constrained by measured concentrations of OH. Profiles of tracers found using the 1-D model agree well with all the observed tropical profiles for an entrainment time scale of 8.5 -4 +6 months, independent of altitude between potential temperatures of 370 and 500 K. The tropical profile of CO is used to show that the annually averaged ascent rate profile, on the basis of a set of radiative heating calculations, is accurate to approximately ±44%, a smaller uncertainty than found by considering the uncertainties in the radiative model and its inputs. Tropical profiles of ethane and C 2 Cl 4 reveal that the concentration of Cl is higher than expected on the basis of photochemical model simulations using standard gas phase kinetics and established relationships between total inorganic chlorine and CFC-11. Our observations suggest that short-lived organic chlorinated compounds and HCI carried across the tropical tropopause may provide an important source of inorganic chlorine to the tropical lower stratosphere that has been largely unappreciated in previous studies. The entrainment timescale found here is considerably less than the value found by a similar study that focused on observations obtained in the lower stratosphere during 1994. Several possible explanations for this difference are discussed.
Some observations on the Carex muricata group with especial reference to the identification and definition of C. divulsa subsp. leersii (Cyperaceae)

A morphological study of Carex divulsa subsp. leersii is described. This work was prompted by recent finds of the taxon away from its presumed characteristic calcareous substrates, and by the fact that many plants had measurements outside the ranges given in standard descriptions. The study confirmed this to be so for inflorescence length, proximal inter-spike distance and especially for utricle length. Large values for the first two of these characters may have caused confusion in the past with subsp. divulsa and of the last with C. spicata, which also shares the broad leaves and robust, tufted habit of subsp. leersii. The importance of using only plants with mature fruits for identification is stressed, as immature fruits of subsp. leersii are paler and can be up to 0.5 mm shorter than the darker mature ones. Misidentification of subsp. leersii as other taxa in the C. muricata group has led to it being under-recorded, and adoption of the European concept of the taxon is recommended in order to remedy this.
Illusive Equality: On Weitzman's Divorce Revolution

A major problem when law and legal change are viewed as something distinct from or outside of culture is that such a notion can lead to the conclusion that one can identify and correct "errors" in the law, thus correcting the problem, while the society remains unchanged. Some go as far as to suggest that law itself may have significant power to transform society, dispensing the correct solutions, imposing the appropriate attitudes in the hands of wise (and legal) social engineers.1 Those who tend to focus on legal change as the way to social change have it backwards, it seems to me. In my opinion, the culture must change if there is to be real reform. In the context of marriage and divorce, this is an inherently pessimistic position, given the current unlikelihood and impracticality of necessary major cultural changes concerning gender. A recognition of the difficulty of change, however, does not allow us to escape the conclusion that law is embedded in our culture-that it is culture from
Impaired exocrine pancreatic function in diabetics with diarrhea and peripheral neuropathy

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency has been observed in some diabetics with peripheral neuropathy and diarrhea. Several mechanisms may be responsible for this insufficiency: (1) pancreatic atrophy, (2) disruption of the cholinergic enteropancreatic reflexes, or (3) elevated serum levels of peptides such as glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide which are known to inhibit pancreatic exocrine secretion. To clarify the mechanism(s) involved in this exocrine pancreatic impairment, we studied 10 diabetics with diarrhea and peripheral neuropathy. Their results were compared to those of eight normal volunteers. Each subject underwent a standardized pancreatic function study which assessed nonstimulated secretion, the response to intrajejunal infusion of a mixture of amino acids, and the output following intravenous administration of secretin and cholecystokinin (CCK). In separate studies, the effect of a background infusion of bethanechol and secretin on the pancreatic response to CCK was assessed in six patients and six normal controls. Compared to normals, all diabetics exhibited a significant reduction in both enzyme and bicarbonate secretion to all stimuli. This reduction was not corrected by administering bethanechol. Plasma glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide levels in diabetics were not significantly higher than those in controls. We conclude that diabetics with diarrhea and peripheral neuropathy exhibit impairment of their exocrine pancreatic secretion and possible mechanisms for this are discussed.
Rapid dose calculations for stereotactic radiosurgery

A three-dimensional dose calculation algorithm is described for stereotactic radiosurgery using multiple noncoplanar beam arcs. Precalculated dose libraries of 20-deg arc segments, or mini arcs, are stored in computer memory which permits rapid calculation of complete, high resolution, three-dimensional isodose distributions and dose volume histograms. Three-dimensional patient contours and target volumes are obtained from CT scans and angiographic x rays. Rapid dose calculations are made possible by the use of arc libraries and an improved algorithm for mapping beam doses to the dose calculation grid. This permits more flexibility in designing optimum treatment plans, as five-six complete plans can be generated in less than 1 h. Thus many possible treatment options can be tested in the 3-4-h time period typically available in stereotactic procedures between CT scanning and treatment.
Toward wafer-scale fabrication and 3D integration of micro-solid oxide fuel cells for portable energy

Pathways to scaling up the power and voltage output of on-chip micro-solid oxide fuel cells (μSOFC) have been investigated. μSOFC arrays consisting of one thousand three hundred and thirty-two (1332) membranes have been lithographically fabricated on 4" wafers. The membranes, with widths of ~150 μm, are comprised of 15-nm-thick La 0.6 Sr 0.4 Co 0.8 F 0.2 O 3 (LSCF) or 100-nm-thick porous Pt cathodes, 75-nm-thick Y 0.15 Z 0.85 O 1.93 (YSZ) electrolytes, and 100-nm-thick porous Pt anodes. Yield of fabrication is greater than 99% and only a few membranes failed after annealing at 500 °C. However, to reduce resistive loss, a current collector or a much thicker LSCF needs to be implemented if using LSCF as the cathode material on 4" wafers. Prototype components of μSOFC stacks for scaling up output voltage are also presented. The stacks require only two components - namely, a μSOFC plate and a bipolar separator - to form a repeating unit for the stacks. Flow channels and through silicon vias are integrated in the components. Challenges in fabrication and direction for further improvement for these approaches are discussed. The preliminary results suggest potential for further exploration into wafer-scale processing of fuel cell device structures for portable energy.
Contaminated Breast Milk: A Source of Klebsiella Bacteremia in a Newborn Intensive Care Unit

Five patients in a newborn intensive care unit (NICU) developed primary bacteremia due to Klebsiella during a 12-day period, May 2 through June 2, 1979, after feeding for 24-96 hr with contaminated breast milk. All patients had been fed via nasoduodenal tube with milk obtained from a single donor. The donor milk collected via electric suction pump was positive by gram stain for gram-negative rods and by culture for Klebsiella pneumoniae. A culture of hand-expressed milk was negative for gram-negative rods. The breast-pump tubing and safety trap were grossly contaminated with K. pneumoniae. Institution of proper sterilization to the pump equipment controlled the outbreak. This outbreak is the first documentation of nosocomial bacteremia as a major infectious complication of feedings of premature infants with contaminated breast milk.
5-(8-hydroxy-5-quinolylmethyl)-8-hydroxy-1-methylquinolinium salts as solvatochromic chelating agents

Abstract The title compounds and related substances were prepared, characterised and tested as solvatochromic chelating agents. These reagents show large color changes with solvent, and the chelates, though insoluble in most common solvents, are also solvatochromic. Reagents with a 2-methyl group adjacent to the chelating centre do not precipitate aluminium, and this effect can be used as a colour test for aluminium.
Giorgio Agamben's lessons and limitations in confronting the problem of genocide

In this paper, I work through the possible contours of an anti-genocide based on a framework informed by the work of Giorgio Agamben. Such a framework posits the inherent need to circumvent sovereign power within any form of normative activism. To begin, I show how the nascent anti-genocide movement promotes an ideal in which ‘Western’ states, particularly the USA, accept the global responsibility to protect persecuted life beyond national boundaries. Using Agamben, I argue that this vision also entails an acceptance of a sovereign framework for the valuation of life, thus failing to confront the inherent power of the sovereign to condemn life in the first place. I then highlight the limitations that Agamben's ontology places on us in dealing with this inherent problem within the sovereign-subject relationship. By positing an alternative ontology, I suggest the possibility of establishing communities of solidarity that challenge the sovereign's self-ascribed role as the absolute valuator of life. Counter ...
FOOD LIMITS ANNUAL FECUNDITY OF A MIGRATORY SONGBIRD: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

In short-lived species, fecundity strongly influences population size. For those species with multiple breeding attempts per breeding season, variance in fecundity is best explained by the number of breeding attempts. For birds, multiple brooding may be influenced by food availability. Here, we report results of a food supplementation experiment that tests the role of food as a mechanism driving variation among individuals in the frequency of multiple brooding in a Neotropical migrant songbird, the Black-throated Blue Warbler (Dendroica caerulescens). Supplementally fed females produced more second broods, spent less time foraging and more time loafing, and stayed closer to their nests than did control females. Fed and control females did not differ in the number or mass of young fledged from the first nesting attempt. Supplemental food increased the probability that females would initiate second broods in both a low and an average food year, suggesting that this population is food limited during the breeding season in most years. Our results thus demonstrate that food availability can strongly influence annual fecundity in migratory bird species breeding in temperate forests, which, in turn, affects annual recruitment rates and population size.
Spatial distribution of Physeter catodon (sperm whales) underwater

Abstract Plots of sound-source direction from 4-hydrophone array data for underwater sperm whale (Physeter catodon) sounds indicated a consistent scatter in both horizontal and vertical bearings to different animals. During each dive the whales routinely appeared to be distributed 100 m or more apart throughout a large volume of water, both in depth and plan, but they usually regrouped to surface together for breathing. A plot of acoustic bearings to 19 sperm whales in one group shows their underwater distribution scattered over 100° horizontally and 30° vertically. Underwater distributions and surfacing patterns were analyzed from eight groups of sperm whales during August and September 1972, 1974, and 1975 in the western North Atlantic from 300 km east of New Jersey to 100 km south of Sable Island. It is suggested that the whales probably maintain contact with each other acoustically, and that their underwater spatial distribution patterns could be designed for foraging.
Cooperative phase transitions in polymers with special reference to hyaldronate solutions

Abstract A model of the cooperative conformational changes in hyaluronic acid in phosphate buffer is presented. Similar models offer a comprehensive theory for conformational changes in polymers with cooperative effects. The master equation of the stochastic theories of the Prigogine school can be related to both the bead necklace model under equilibrium conditions and a similar model exhibiting long range correlations under nonequilibrium conditions near a critical point. The model can also incorporate the concept of internal viscosity. For a conformational transition to occur, the system must either become dissipative (evolutionary phase transition) or the dissipative state already existing must dissolve (devolutionary phase transition). The synthesis presented in this paper offers a comprehensive theory for conformational changes in polymers.
Using commonality as backup safety stock

Abstract It is well known that replacing several parts by a single common part can reduce required safety stock levels due to the benefits of risk pooling. It is not clear, however, if this reduces cost when the common part is more expensive than the parts it would replace. Recent analysis has shown that even when the common part is more expensive, it is often still worthwhile to employ in the single-period case. However, this is usually not true in the multiple-period case. This paper will consider the possibility of using both cheaper unique parts and a more expensive common part. Initial demand is met with the unique parts. The common part is used only as backup, when one or more of the unique parts stocks out. A multiple-period (or infinite-horizon) model is developed that considers purchasing, holding, and shortage costs. Results will show that the strategy of using commonality as backup (CAB) dominates the strategies of no commonality (NC) or pure commonality (PC), and may still be worthwhile even if the common part is significantly more expensive than the unique parts.
Managing battery lifetime with energy-aware adaptation

We demonstrate that a collaborative relationship between the operating system and applications can be used to meet user-specified goals for battery duration. We first describe a novel profiling-based approach for accurately measuring application and system energy consumption. We then show how applications can dynamically modify their behavior to conserve energy. We extend the Linux operating system to yield battery lifetimes of user-specified duration. By monitoring energy supply and demand and by maintaining a history of application energy use, the approach can dynamically balance energy conservation and application quality. Our evaluation shows that this approach can meet goals that extend battery life by as much as 30p.
Quantification of tomato and Arabidopsis mobile RNAs trafficking into the parasitic plant Cuscuta pentagona.

Summary The cross-species movement of mRNA from hosts to the parasitic plant Cuscuta pentagona has been reported previously, but has not been characterized quantitatively or with attention to uptake patterns and the fate of specific mRNAs. Real-time PCR and RNA-Seq approaches were used to identify and characterize mobile transcripts from tomato and Arabidopsis hosts into C. pentagona. Tomato transcripts of Gibberellic Acid Insensitive (SlGAI) and Cathepsin D Proteinase Inhibitor (SlPI) differed significantly in the rate of uptake into the parasite, but were then distributed over the length of the parasite shoot. When parasite shoots were detached from the hosts, the SlPI transcript concentrations in the parasite showed the greatest decrease within the first 8 h. Arabidopsis transcripts also varied in mobility into the parasite, and assay of specific regions of a Salt-inducible Zinc Finger Protein (AtSZF1) transcript revealed distinct patterns of abundance in the parasite. The uptake and distribution of host mRNAs into C. pentagona appears to vary among mRNAs, and perhaps even with the region of the mRNA under investigation. We propose that mRNAs traffic into the parasite via multiple routes, or that other mechanisms for selective uptake and mobility exist between host and parasite.
Compartmentalization of β-Adrenergic Signals in Cardiomyocytes

Activation of adrenergic receptors (AR) represents the primary mechanism to increase cardiac performance under stress. Activated βAR couple to Gs protein, leading to adenylyl cyclase-dependent increases in secondary-messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) to activate protein kinase A. The increased protein kinase A activities promote phosphorylation of diversified substrates, ranging from the receptor and its associated partners to proteins involved in increases in contractility and heart rate. Recent progress with live-cell imaging has drastically advanced our understanding of the βAR-induced cAMP and protein kinase A activities that are precisely regulated in a spatiotemporal fashion in highly differentiated myocytes. Several features stand out: membrane location of βAR and its associated complexes dictates the cellular compartmentalization of signaling; βAR agonist dose-dependent equilibrium between cAMP production and cAMP degradation shapes persistent increases in cAMP signals for sustained cardiac contraction response; and arrestin acts as an agonist dose-dependent master switch to promote cAMP diffusion and propagation into intracellular compartments by sequestrating phosphodiesterase isoforms associated with the βAR signaling cascades. These features and the underlying molecular mechanisms of dynamic regulation of βAR complexes with adenylyl cyclase and phosphodiesterase enzymes and the implication in heart failure are discussed.
Modified Lanczos method for solving large sparse linear systems

Generalized conjugate gradient methods are often used to solve large sparse non-symmetric linear systems. Such systems often arise in the numerical solution of convection–diffusion problems. The Lanczos/Orthodir method proposed by Jea and Young suffers the roundoff error problem. In this paper a modified Lanczos/Orthodir method is considered. The modifications are based on Paige's computational procedure and on the adaptive restarting procedure. Numerical results showed that the modified Lanczos/Orthodir method is more stable than the original version. Furthermore, with the adaptive restarting scheme the method performed much better than the Lanczos/Orthomin method.
Treatment adherence in a lay health adviser intervention to treat tobacco dependence

Lay health advisers (LHAs) are increasingly used to deliver tobacco dependence treatment, especially with low-socioeconomic status (SES) populations. More information is needed about treatment adherence to help interpret mixed evidence of LHA intervention effectiveness. This study examined adherence to behavioral counseling and nicotine patches in an LHA intervention with 147 Ohio Appalachian female daily smokers. Participants were randomly selected from clinics and randomized to the intervention condition of a randomized controlled trial. Overall, 75.5% of participants received all seven planned LHA visits, 29.3% used patches for >7 weeks and approximately half received high average ratings on participant responsiveness. Depressive symptoms and low nicotine dependence were associated with lower patch adherence while high poverty-to-income ratio was associated with high responsiveness. Compared with those with fewer visits, participants who received all visits were more likely to be abstinent (22.5 versus 2.8%, P=0.026) or have attempted quitting (85.0 versus 47.4%, P=0.009) at 3 months. High participant responsiveness was associated with 12-month abstinence. LHA interventions should focus on improving adherence to nicotine patches and managing depression because it is an independent risk factor for low adherence.
Reassessing the Role of DotF in the Legionella pneumophila Type IV Secretion System

Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of a severe pneumonia termed Legionnaires’ Disease, survives and replicates within both protozoan hosts and human alveolar macrophages. Intracellular survival is dependent upon secretion of a plethora of protein effectors that function to form a replicative vacuole, evade the endocytic pathway and subvert host immune defenses. Export of these factors requires a type IV secretion system (T4SS) called Dot/Icm that is composed of twenty-seven proteins. This report focuses on the DotF protein, which was previously postulated to have several different functions, one of which centered on binding Dot/Icm substrates. In this report, we examined if DotF functions as the T4SS inner membrane receptor for Dot/Icm substrates. Although we were able to recapitulate the previously published bacterial two-hybrid interaction between DotF and several substrates, the interaction was not dependent on the Dot/Icm substrates’ signal sequences as predicted for a substrate:receptor interaction. In addition, binding did not require the cytoplasmic domain of DotF, which was anticipated to be involved in recognizing substrates in the cytoplasm. Finally, inactivation of dotF did not abolish intracellular growth of L. pneumophila or translocation of substrates, two phenotypes dependent on the T4SS receptor. These data strongly suggest that DotF does not act as the major receptor for Dot/Icm substrates and therefore likely performs an accessory function within the core-transmembrane subcomplex of the L. pneumophila Dot/Icm type IV secretion system.
Analysis and applications of a new CPW-slotline transition

A novel broad-band coplanar waveguide (CPW) to slotline transition and several new CPW passive circuits based on this transition are proposed and analyzed in this paper. This transition utilizes CPW-slotline mode-conversion to convert CPW-mode field to slotline-mode field, and the transition bandwidth is broadened by the use of air-bridges. The transition consists of three parts, including a uniform CPW, phase shifter, and slotline. The phase shifter converts the CPW mode to slotline mode and the bandwidth of the transition is broadened due to the modes "bounce back-and-forth" in between the air-bridge and slotline. This new transition is used to realize three CPW passive circuits, including a CPW-fed Vivaldi antenna, CPW power divider, and side-coupled CPW-slotline coupler. The finite-difference time-domain method is employed to analyze those circuits, and good agreements are obtained with measured results.
Delivery Strategies to Achieve Therapeutic Myocardial Angiogenesis

The use of recombinant genes or growth factors to enhance myocardial collateral blood vessel function may represent a new approach to the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Proof of concept has been demonstrated in animal models of myocardial ischemia, and clinical trials are underway. Currently, it is unknown which is the safest and most effective delivery strategy to induce clinically important therapeutic angiogenic responses in ischemic myocardium. Most strategies for transcatheter delivery of angiogenic factors have used an intracoronary route, which may have limitations because of imprecise localization of genes or proteins and systemic delivery to noncardiac tissue. The effect of direct intraoperative intramyocardial injection of angiogenic factors on collateral function has been reported in experimental models, and angiogenesis is being studied after direct intramyocardial injection of angiogenic peptides or plasmid vectors during open heart surgery in patients. Catheter-based transendocardial injection of angiogenic factors may provide equivalent benefit without the need for surgery. Intrapericardial delivery of angiogenic factors may offer a theoretical advantage of prolonged exposure of either coronary or myocardial tissue to the administered drug as result of a reservoir function of the pericardium. In this article, we review the different modes of administration for therapeutic myocardial angiogenesis therapy.
Left Pleural Effusion: Masking Subphrenic Abscess Caused by Salmonella enteritidis serotype Heidelberg

The authors describe a young girl presenting with fever and respiratory distress and a chest x-ray showing a left lower lobe infiltrate and an effusion. She also had splenomegaly. Salmonella enteritidis serotype Heidelberg was isolated by thoracentesis. Further evaluation disclosed an occult but large left subphrenic abscess, explaining the misleading presentation and radiograph. A review of salmonella infections associated with subphrenic abscess is discussed.
Efficacy of Fruit Purees as Partial Fat Replacements in a Chocolate Cake and Cookie Recipe

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To examine the effects of fat replacement with various fruit purees on palatability measures and acceptability in a chocolate cake and spice cookie recipe. Three types of fruit purees (prune, apricot and apple) were evaluated as partial fat replacements in a chocolate cake and spice cookie recipe. Fat was replaced using a 1:0.5 ratio for the prune and apricot versions, and a 1:1 ratio for the applesauce version, reducing total fat content by 40%. Four treatments were evaluated for each dessert product (cake and cookie): a control, and three reduced fat treatments containing prune, apricot, and apple purees. Three replications of each treatment were conducted producing twelve total replications which were randomly assigned to several testing sessions. Cookie treatments were evaluated by 23 semi-trained and untrained panelists using descriptive scales (5- & 9-point) for appearance, texture, flavor & acceptability, and cake treatments for tenderness, moistness, flavor, and acceptability. Food Action Rating Scale (FACT) was also used to evaluate acceptability. Standard protocols were followed for preparation and evaluation of products. Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Duncan tests. Overall, palatability characteristics and acceptability of the reduced fat, prune, apricot and applesauce cookie treatments did not differ significantly from the control cookie; appearance of the prune and apricot treatments was rated significantly lower (p
Atypical (second generation) antipsychotic treatment response in very late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis.

Introduction: Symptom amelioration in older patients with very late onset schizophrenia-like psychosis (VLOSLP) is often difficult, with limited psychotropic response reports yielding variable findings. Information about atypical (second generation) antipsychotic use in this population is scant.Methods: A consecutive sample of geriatric psychiatry outpatients and inpatients with psychotic disorders were retrospectively identified over a 31-month period based on systematic information abstraction from an electronic medical record (e-record). After exclusion criteria were applied, 8/138 outpatients and 13/362 inpatients met inclusion criteria for VLOSLP and had been naturalistically treated with an atypical antipsychotic during hospitalization or nine months of outpatient care. Mandatorily completed e-record standardized symptom severity response ratings were converted into positive treatment response thresholds.Results: 38% of outpatients and 77% of inpatients (mean age = 76 years for both groups; mean age of onset of psychosis = 70 years for outpatients and 74 years for inpatients) met criteria for positive treatment response to an atypical antipsychotic (either aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, or risperidone) with sign/symptom amelioration, rather than eradication.Conclusions: Various atypical antipsychotics at geriatric doses yielded a positive treatment response in nearly two-thirds of VLOSLP patients. Patients with less chronic, more severe symptoms responded at a higher rate. Prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials with representative subject samples are needed to validate these preliminary findings.
Candida albicans Niche Specialization: Features That Distinguish Biofilm Cells from Commensal Cells

The fungus Candida albicans is a frequent commensal colonizer of the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract, but is also an opportunistic pathogen. This review explores features that distinguish the colonizing and pathogenic forms of C. albicans. Candida albicans in a biofilm is used as an example of a pathogenic form of the organism, because biofilms are a common feature of device-associated C. albicans infections. Biofilms (complex, sessile communities of cells) have been the subject of several large-scale gene expression studies. Biofilms and commensal C. albicans colonizing the murine GI tract show a variety of differentially expressed genes. Cell surface proteins encoded by these differentially expressed genes are especially attractive as targets for new clinical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment tools that are specific for C. albicans in its pathogenic biofilm state.
Fluorometric measurements of conformational changes in glutamate transporters.

Glutamate transporters remove glutamate from the synaptic cleft to maintain efficient synaptic communication between neurons and to prevent extracellular glutamate concentrations from reaching neurotoxic levels (1). It is thought that glutamate transporters mediate glutamate transport through a reaction cycle with conformational changes between the two major access states that alternatively expose glutamate-binding sites to the extracellular or to the intracellular solution. However, there is no direct real-time evidence for the conformational changes predicted to occur during the transport cycle. In the present study, we used voltage-clamp fluorometry to measure conformational changes in the neuronal excitatory amino acid transporter (EAAT) 3 glutamate transporter covalently labeled with a fluorescent reporter group. Alterations in glutamate and cotransported ion concentrations or in the membrane voltage induced changes in the fluorescence that allowed detection of conformational rearrangements occurring during forward and reverse transport. In addition to the transition between the two major access states, our results show that there are significant Na+-dependent conformational changes preceding glutamate binding. We furthermore show that Na+ and H+ are cotransported with glutamate in the forward part of the transport cycle. The data further suggest that an increase in proton concentrations slows the reverse transport of glutamate, which may play a neuro-protective role during ischemia.
Ink and Holes: Correlates and Predictive Associations of Body Modification Among Adolescents

We examined correlates and predictive associations of tattoos and body piercings among 1,462 Colorado students in grades 9 to 12. More boys (19%) than girls (17%) reported tattoos, but more girls (42%) than boys (16%) reported piercings (earlobes not included). Older students reported more body modification. Structural equation models showed that although girls generally reported less deviant behavior, the indirect effect of female gender mediated through piercings was toward greater deviance that was not an artifact of girls having more piercings. Pierced girls were less school oriented than girls without piercings; they reported more substance use than boys without piercings, and pierced girls did not differ from boys in weapons possession and delinquency. However, among pierced respondents, boys still reported a greater number of deviant behaviors than girls. Educators and other adults should become aware of the possible at-risk status of body-modified adolescents, especially among girls who have pierc...
Intercellular Signaling in Cancer-the SMT and TOFT Hypotheses, Exosomes, Telocytes and Metastases: Is the Messenger in the Message?

This review examines the current two leading hypotheses relating to cancer neogenesis—the somatic mutation theory (SMT) and the tissue organization field theory (TOFT)—and focuses on four specific issues. What are the details of the process that changes the epigenetic cargo of the exosomes a cell produces when it becomes malignant? Can exosomes produced by a malignant cell induce on their own a metastatic cancer in the target tissue? What is the functional significance of the fact that exosomes from cancer cells carry in their loads segments of genomic DNA bearing cancer-related mutations across the entire spectrum? What is the evolutionary advantage for the organism of the production by its cancer cells of exosomes that carry epigenetic instructions for the building of elaborate molecular mechanisms that promote the growth of metastatic cancers? These issues are examined with a view of determining the support they give to one or other of the two hypotheses. The conclusion is that they support a specific form of TOFT in which exosomes play a key role.
The causes of terrorism

Terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001 and after intensified concerns about a global Jihad and other forms of terrorism, and renewed calls to better understand its causes or roots. There have been ...