cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scheduling heterogeneous delay tolerant tasks in smart grid with renewable energy

The smart grid is the new generation of electricity grid that can efficiently facilitate new distributed sources of energy (e.g., harvested renewable energy), and allow for dynamic electricity price. In this paper, we investigate the cost minimization problem for an end-user, such as a home, community, or a business, which is equipped with renewable energy devices when electrical appliances allow different levels of delay tolerance. The varying price of electricity presents an opportunity to reduce the electricity bill from an end-user's point of view by leveraging the flexibility to schedule operations of various appliances and HVAC systems. We assume that the end user has an energy storage battery as well as an energy harvesting device so that harvested renewable energy can be stored and later used when the price is high. The energy storage battery can also draw energy from the external grid. The problem we formulate here is to minimize the cost of the energy from the external grid while usage of appliances are subject to individual delay constraints and a longterm average delay constraint. The resulting algorithm requires some future information regarding electricity prices, but achieves provable performance without requiring future knowledge of either the power demands or the task arrival process.
The Afit Priz

Improved spatial light modulators (SLMs) are critical to the success of optical processors. One SLM which shows promise of fulfilling several roles in both analog and digital optical computers is the PRIZ. PRIZ is a Soviet acronym meaning image transformer. Two versions of the device have been reported. Only the version without dielectric layers is addressed in this paper. This version will be referred to as the conducting PRIZ. The version with dielectric layers will be referred to as the insulating PRIZ.
In vivo activity of a PSA-activated doxorubicin prodrug against PSA-producing human prostate cancer xenografts.

BACKGROUND There is currently no effective therapy for men with metastatic prostate cancer who relapse after androgen ablation. Prolonged administration of effective concentrations of standard chemotherapeutic agents is usually not possible because of dose-limiting systemic toxicities. A new strategy to target cytotoxic agents specifically to sites of metastatic prostate cancer while avoiding systemic toxicity would be to develop prodrugs that are inactive when given systemically but become activated when processed proteolytically within prostate cancer metastases by prostate-specific antigen (PSA). In this study, the in vivo activity of a prodrug consisting of doxorubicin (Dox) conjugated to a PSA-specific peptide carrier is described. METHODS Nude mice bearing PSA-producing human prostate cancer xenografts were treated either intraperitoneally (IP) or by continuous infusion with the Dox prodrug. Toxicity (weight loss, death) and antitumor efficacy (tumor volume changes) were determined. RESULTS The PSA-peptide Dox prodrug had no discernible systemic toxicity when given at four times the 100% lethal Dox equivalent dose. An IP dose of 60 mg/kg/week × 4 weeks resulted in a 57% decrease in tumor weight vs. control after 40 days. A 25 mg/kg/week dose given by continuous infusion produced a similar decrease in tumor weight vs. control. CONCLUSIONS The PSA-specific peptide/doxorubicin prodrug can be used to deliver higher intratumoral levels of Dox for longer duration while avoiding systemic toxicity. In addition, these results validate the specificity of the PSA-specific peptide as a targetable drug carrier. This PSA-specific peptide could also be used as a carrier to target a wide variety of cytotoxic agents for specific activation within sites of metastatic prostate cancer. Prostate 45:80–83, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Murine Cytomegalovirus (MCMV) Infection Upregulates P38 MAP kinase in Aortas of Apo E KO Mice: a Molecular Mechanism for MCMV-Induced Acceleration of Atherosclerosis

Multiple studies suggest an association between cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and atherogenesis; however, the molecular mechanisms by which viral infection might exacerbate atherosclerosis are not well understood. Aortas of MCMV-infected and uninfected Apo E knockout (KO) mice were analyzed for atherosclerotic lesion development and differential gene expression. Lesions in the infected mice were larger and showed more advanced disease compared to the uninfected mice. Sixty percent of the genes in the MAPK pathway were upregulated in the infected mice. p38 and ERK 1/2 MAPK genes were 5.6- and 2.0-fold higher, respectively, in aortas of infected vs. uninfected mice. Levels of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and MCP-1 were ~2.0–2.6-fold higher in aortas of infected vs. uninfected mice. Inhibition of p38 with SB203580 resulted in lower levels of pro-atherogenic molecules and MCMV viral load in aortas of infected mice. MCMV-induced upregulation of p38 may drive the virus-induced acceleration of atherogenesis observed in our model.
The convergence analysis for sixth-order methods for solving discrete-ordinates slab transport equations

Functional analytic methods, employing the CollectiVely compact operator approximation theory of P.M. Anselone, are utilized to study the convergence properties of four improvements to the rather promising quadratic method of Gopinath, Natarajan, and Sundararaman [Nucl. Sci. Eng. 75 (1980), 181-184] for effecting slab transport calculations. This method displays a global discretization error of order four; our alterations too possess global discretization errors of order four, but display superconvergence phenomena in that the discretization errors in computed cell-edge fluxes are of order six. The stability of our methods results from applying Anselone's theory of sequences of collectively compact operators. A numerical example is provided which shows that our asymptotic convergence rates are observed on rather coarse meshes.
Photoabsorption resonances of Na20, Na21Cl and Na22Cl2 clusters

Plasma resonance profiles in the visible part of the spectrum were measured by photoabsorption spectroscopy for the clusters Na 20 , Na 21 Cl and Na 22 Cl 2 in a beam. The resonance positions in Na 20 and Na 21 Cl are close, suggesting that the Cl - ion does not locate at the center of the metallic droplet and does not strongly modify the effective valence electron density. The spectrum of Na 22 Cl 2 is noticeably dissimilar to the other two, raising the possibility of structural differences and/or incomplete charge transfer.
Curiosity and Exploration: Facilitating Positive Subjective Experiences and Personal Growth Opportunities

In an effort to expand research on curiosity, we elaborate on a theoretical model that informs research on the design of a new measure and the nomological network of curiosity. Curiosity was conceptualized as a positive emotional-motivational system associated with the recognition, pursuit, and self-regulation of novelty and challenge. Using 5 independent samples, we developed the Curiosity and Exploration Inventory (CEI) comprising 2 dimensions: exploration (appetitive strivings for novelty and challenge) and absorption (full engagement in specific activities). The CEI has good psychometric properties, is relatively unaffected by socially desirable responding, is relatively independent from positive affect, and has a nomological network consistent with our theoretical framework. Predicated on our personal growth facilitation model, we discuss the potential role of curiosity in advancing understanding of various psychological phenomena.
Neuroendocrine control of moulting cycle in mealworms: Histology and autoradiography of cephalic components

Abstract Fluctuations in the activities of the cephalic neuroendocrine system of larval mealworms ( Tenebrio molitor ) have been investigated by autoradiographic and histological techniques. Shortly after ecdysis, the proteinaceous granules in the cytoplasm of the ‘A’ type medial neurosecretory cells of the brain undergo a marked increase in numbers per cell and in chromophilia; both numbers and stain density reach a maximum about two-thirds of the way through interval between ecdyses and then both decline precipitously. The cyclic histological changes are nicely correlated with overall patterns of protein synthesis, as demonstrated by incorporation of 3 H-amino acids into the medial cells. Paradoxically no cyclicity was observed downstream: no fluctuations in numbers or chromophilia of stainable inclusions were detected in the axons of the medial neurosecretory cells, in the corresponding efferent nerves to the corpora cardiaca, or within the cardiaca themselves. Mechanisms are proposed to account for this apparent paradox, and the patterns of protein synthesis within the ‘A’ type medial neurosecretory cells are correlated with previously determined fluctuations in moulting hormone activity.
Identification of a Calcium Permeable Human Acid-sensing Ion Channel 1 Transcript Variant

The acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are proton-gated cation channels activated when extracellular pH declines. In rodents, the Accn2 gene encodes transcript variants ASIC1a and ASIC1b, which differ in the first third of the protein and display distinct channel properties. In humans, ACCN2 transcript variant 2 (hVariant 2) is homologous to mouse ASIC1a. In this article, we study two other human ACCN2 transcript variants. Human ACCN2 transcript variant 1 (hVariant 1) is not present in rodents and contains an additional 46 amino acids directly preceding the proposed channel gate. We report that hVariant 1 does not produce proton-gated currents under normal conditions when expressed in heterologous systems. We also describe a third human ACCN2 transcript variant (hVariant 3) that is similar to rodent ASIC1b. hVariant 3 is more abundantly expressed in dorsal root ganglion compared with brain and shows basic channel properties analogous to rodent ASIC1b. Yet, proton-gated currents from hVariant 3 are significantly more permeable to calcium than either hVariant 2 or rodent ASIC1b, which shows negligible calcium permeability. hVariant 3 also displays a small acid-dependent sustained current. Such a sustained current is particularly intriguing as ASIC1b is thought to play a role in sensory transduction in rodents. In human DRG neurons, hVariant 3 could induce sustained calcium influx in response to acidic pH and make a major contribution to acid-dependent sensations, such as pain.
Odorant-sensitive adenylate cyclase: rapid, potent activation and desensitization in primary olfactory neuronal cultures.

Abstract Using primary olfactory neuronal cultures, we have demonstrated rapid, potent increases in cAMP levels and adenylate cyclase [AC; ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1] activity in response to odorants. Isobutyl-methoxypyrazine is active at 1 nM. Odorant enhancement is dependent on Ca2+ concentration with maximal effects at 10-100 microM. Biphasic temporal and concentration-related effects occur with all odorants. All odorants examined elicit desensitization with AC responses abolished when odorants are reapplied immediately after removal. When reapplied 1 min after removal, odorants elicit an AC response greater than on first exposure, implying a cellular "memory" for odorants.
Intermode vibrational crossing in CH3Br

Abstract Subsequent to Q-switch CO 2 -laser pumping of the v 6 band of CH 3 Br, rate constants for activation and deactivation of other modes have been measured. v 1 , v 4 and v 2 , v 5 are populated in about 60 gas kinetic collissions, and v 3 in about 170 collissions. All modes decay at the same rate, corresponding to about 335 collissions. Measurements have also been made on deactivation of the various modes by rare gases. The results are discussed in terms of possible mechanisms and in comparison to those on CH 3 F and CH 3 Cl. Considerations based on available theories of vibrational relaxation seem to give considerable, though quantitatively imperfect, insight into energy transfer in these species.
Effective antigen cross-presentation by prostate cancer patients' dendritic cells: implications for prostate cancer immunotherapy.

Despite the potency with which dendritic cells (DCs) are able to utilize the exogenous MHC I antigen cross-presentation pathway to cross-present antigen for the activation of killer T cells in model systems, concern about defects in immune function in cancer patients has led to uncertainty regarding whether immune cells derived from patients can effectively be used to generate tumor vaccines. We have undertaken a careful analysis of the potency of using DCs obtained from prostate cancer patients to cross-present antigen derived from human prostate tumor cells for the activation of antigen-specific T cells. Such DCs can be matured ex vivo into functionally active cells and are capable of cross-presenting influenza antigen derived from internalized apoptotic prostate tumor cells. Importantly, we demonstrate effective stimulation of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, as evident by production of IFN-γ, and the ability of CD8+ T cells to differentiate into effector CTLs. These results, defining conditions in which prostate cancer patient DCs can efficiently utilize the cross-presentation pathway and in which apoptotic tumor can serve as a source of antigen for DCs to activate T cells, demonstrate that this system warrants clinical study as a potential immunotherapy.
Changes in Extent of Spatial Attention with Increased Workload in Dual-Task Driving

A dual-task driving paradigm was used in this study to investigate (a) the effect of increased workload on the extent of spatial attention and (b) whether the measure of useful field of view (UFOV) predicts the decrement of performance in a light detection task with increased workload. A car-following task and a peripheral light detection task were used. In the car-following task, drivers tried to maintain a predetermined distance from a leading vehicle (LV) as it varied its speed. Two levels of workload were examined by manipulating the amplitude of the LV's speed variation. In the light detection task, drivers detected a light change in a light array located above the roadway. The horizontal position of the target was manipulated. The performance in the car-following task was assessed by using both global measures (distance headway, standard deviation of distance headway, and root-mean-square velocity error) and local measures (gain, phase, and coherence). The performance in the light detection task was...
POSSIBLE PRIMARY MIGRATION OF OIL GLOBULES1

Difficulty of migrating a large amount of oil in either molecular or micellar solution may lead to an assumption that a continuous oil phase or a relatively high (20-30%) concentration of oil in pores of shales is necessary for primary migration to overcome the capillary restrictions against the oil. Movement of small oil globules in shales is believed by many workers to be an extremely difficult process. However, the above assumption is not necessarily valid in shales which contain a large quantity of structured and semi-solid water. Such oil globules may deform by the effect of compacting grains (solid material) and the semi-solid water, thus reducing the capillary restrictions significantly. This suggests that the small oil globules which are separated from each other can move in the direction of lower stress in the shales: a continuous oil phase or relatively high oil concentration is not a necessary requirement for primary oil migration.
DYNAMIC STRESS RESPONSE OF CONCRETE PAVEMENTS TO MOVING TANDEM-AXLE LOADS

The dynamic stress response of concrete pavements subjected to moving tandem-axle loads of constant amplitude and harmonic and arbitrary variations was investigated. The concrete pavement was modeled using a plate of infinite extent on a viscoelastic foundation. Formulations were developed in the transformed field domain using (a) a double Fourier transform in space and moving space for moving loads of constant amplitude and for the steady-state response to moving harmonic loads and (b) a triple Fourier transform in time, space, and moving space for moving loads of arbitrary variation. The effects of viscous damping, velocity, load frequency, and phase between front- and rear-axle loads on the maximum stress and the stress distribution were analyzed. Without viscous damping, the effects of velocity and frequency, within practical ranges, on the stresses are negligible; however, with viscous damping, those effects are significant. Since materials used in various pavement layers possess damping characterist...
Feature measures for the segmentation of neuronal membrane using a machine learning algorithm

In this paper, we present a Support Vector Machine (SVM) based pixel classifier for a semi-automated segmentation algorithm to detect neuronal membrane structures in stacks of electron microscopy images of brain tissue samples. This algorithm uses high-dimensional feature spaces extracted from center-surrounded patches, and some distinct edge sensitive features for each pixel in the image, and a training dataset for the segmentation of neuronal membrane structures and background. Some threshold conditions are later applied to remove small regions, which are below a certain threshold criteria, and morphological operations, such as the filling of the detected objects, are done to get compactness in the objects. The performance of the segmentation method is calculated on the unseen data by using three distinct error measures: pixel error, wrapping error, and rand error, and also a pixel by pixel accuracy measure with their respective ground-truth. The trained SVM classifier achieves the best precision level in these three distinct errors at 0.23, 0.016 and 0.15, respectively; while the best accuracy using pixel by pixel measure reaches 77% on the given dataset. The results presented here are one step further towards exploring possible ways to solve these hard problems, such as segmentation in medical image analysis. In the future, we plan to extend it as a 3D segmentation approach for 3D datasets to not only retain the topological structures in the dataset but also for the ease of further analysis.
Endocochlear potentials and compound action potential recovery: functions in the C57BL/6J mouse

The C57BL/6J mouse suffers from cochlear degeneration beginning at an early age and has been used as a model of age-related hearing loss (presbyacusis). Here, the endocochlear potential (EP) and compound action potential (CAP) responses were determined in one-, four-, 12- and 24-month-old C57BL/6J mice. CAP measures included thresholds to tone pips, input/output (I/O) functions, and recovery functions to conditioning tones. EP values among the four age groups did not differ significantly (P>0.05) in either the basal or apical turns. CAP thresholds were increased significantly by 10 to 30 dB in the four-month group compared to the one-month controls at 11.3, 16, 20, and 22.6 kHz. CAP I/O functions were shallower in the four-month group compared to controls at all frequencies. In the 12- and 24-month-old mice, CAP responses were absent, despite normal EP values in these animals. Recovery functions after conditioning tones were obtained at 8, 16, 20 and 22.6 kHz; the functions had fast and slow components at all frequencies tested in both the one- and four-month-old groups. The corresponding recovery curves were identical for both age groups, even with significant threshold shifts in the older group. The two component recovery curves provide the first physiological evidence that different spontaneous rate (SR) classes of auditory neurons exist in the C57BL/6J mouse. Moreover, the unchanged recovery functions in the older group suggest that there was no loss of activity of the low-SR fiber population with age under conditions where the EP remains stable, in contrast to the gerbil model of presbyacusis where there is a loss of low-SR fiber activity and EP does decline with age.
Treatment of idiopathic CD4 T lymphocytopenia with IL-2

Idiopathic CD4 T lymphocytopenia (ICL) is an unusual immune defect in which there is an unexplained deficit of CD4 T cells, leading to fungal, parasitic or other serious opportunistic infections. Current treatment efforts are directed at eliminating infections. Here we describe the use of a novel treatment, subcutaneous polyethylene glycol (PEG)–IL-2 injections, in a woman with this disorder, who had chronic severe mycobacterial disease which led to repeated hospitalizations, and advancing respiratory insufficiency. For this patient, PEG–IL-2, 50 000 U/m2, has been given by weekly subcutaneous injections for 5.5 years. This treatment has resulted in marked (and still continuing) long-term immunological improvement with normalized T cell functions and increased CD4 cell numbers. She has had substantial clinical improvement with clearing of mycobacterial disease, reducing hospitalizations and improved lung functions. The improvement seen in this patient suggests that low-dose IL-2 is a safe and practical therapy, which might be useful in other subjects with this potentially serious immune defect.
Chymotrypsin-catalyzed hydrolysis of N-acetyl- and N-benzoyl-l-tyrosine p-nitroanilides

Both N-acetyl- and N-benzoyl-l-tyrosine p-nitroanilide serve as substrates for chymotrypsin. The benzoyl derivative provides the more sensitive substrate but requires the presence of organic solvent, while the acetyl derivative can be used in aqueous solution. Both substrates are slowly hydrolyzed by trypsin. Inhibition of the chymotrypsin-catalyzed hydrolysis by human blood serum has been investigated and values for Km(app), k3(app), and the Ki of indole have been determined at various acetone concentrations. The effect of acetone is discussed.
A conserved region between the heptad repeats of paramyxovirus fusion proteins is critical for proper F protein folding.

Paramyxoviruses are a diverse family which utilizes a fusion (F) protein to enter cells via fusion of the viral lipid bilayer with a target cell membrane. Although certain regions of F are known to play critical roles in membrane fusion, the function of much of the protein remains unclear. Sequence alignment of a set of paramyxovirus F proteins and analysis utilizing Block Maker identified a region of conserved amino acid sequence in a large domain between the heptad repeats of F1, designated CBF1. We employed site-directed mutagenesis to analyze the function of completely conserved residues of CBF1 in both the simian virus 5 (SV5) and Hendra virus F proteins. The majority of CBF1 point mutants were deficient in homotrimer formation, proteolytic processing, and transport to the cell surface. For some SV5 F mutants, proteolytic cleavage and surface expression could be restored by expression at 30°C, and varying levels of fusion promotion were observed at this temperature. In addition, the mutant SV5 F V402A displayed a hyperfusogenic phenotype at both 30°C and 37°C, indicating this mutation allows for efficient fusion with only an extremely small amount of cleaved, active protein. The recently published prefusogenic structure of PIV5/SV5 F [Yin, H.S., et al. (2006) Nature 439, 38–44] indicates that residues within and flanking CBF1 interact with the fusion peptide domain. Together, these data suggest that CBF1-fusion peptide interactions are critical for the initial folding of paramyxovirus F proteins from across this important viral family, and can also modulate subsequent membrane fusion promotion.
Juvenile hormone regulation of vitellogenin in the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar: Suppression of vitellogenin mRNA in the fat body

Abstract Hormonal regulation of vitellogenin synthesis and accumulation in the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar , was examined using a potent juvenile hormone analogue fenoxycarb. The vitellogenin in the haemolymph of female larvae could be detected on days 4–5 of the 5th (final) larval stadium and continued to accumulate throughout the remainder of the stadium. Treatment of larvae with fenoxycarb during the intermoult period from 4th to 5th instar caused a delay in the appearance of the vitellogenin in the haemolymph and the rate of vitellogenin accumulation decreased. This effect of fenoxycarb was dose responsive and depended on the developmental stage of the larva. Treatment done after day 2 of the 5th stadium had no effect on the vitellogenin accumulation. Analysis of poly(A) RNA isolated from the fat body of female larvae showed the presence of a 5400 nucleotide (nt) RNA species in untreated larvae not present in fenoxycarb-treated larvae. This RNA species was not detected in the fat body of day 7 5th-instar male and day 1 5th-instar female larvae but was present in females on day 6 and later part of the 5th stadium. Translation of poly(A) RNA from untreated female larvae yielded a protein of 175 kDa whereas poly(A) RNA from fenoxycarb-treated female larvae did not. The presence of the 175 kDa product depended upon the presence of the 5400 nt RNA species in the poly(A) RNA. The 175 kDa translation product was immunologically related to the large subunits of the vitellogenin. A synthetic oligonucleotide probe encoding the amino acid sequence corresponding to the N-terminal region of the large subunit of vitellogenin (Vg190) hybridized specifically to the 5400 nt RNA. These data indicate that fenoxycarb acts by regulating the level of vitellogenin mRNA in the fat body.
Anti-estrogens and postmenopausal osteoporosis

Two recent developments in clinical investigation have led to emergence of interest in so-called “antiestrogens” as potential therapeutic modalities in osteoporosis. The first is the confirmation in numerous well-executed clinical studied that estrogen is, indeed, the most effective therapeutic agent available for the prevention of the bone loss leading to osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. The second is increasing evidence, both basic and clinical, that many agents, rather than being simply “estrogens” or “antiestrogens” are more appropriately characterized as mixed estrogen agonistantagonists, and therefore have the potential of affecting various estrogen-sensitive systems in a highly selective manner. Most of the currently available data on effect of antiestrogens in osteoporosis come from studies with tamoxifen. This agent, widely used in the treatment of bone cancer, has been shown to be bone sparing in a number of retrospective survey investigations, and more recently in prospective, blinded, placebo-controlled studies as well. Data showing apparent estrogen-agonist activity in the skelton, in the face of clear estrogen-antagonist action in other tissues, has led to an intense search for the mechanism of this “selective” action. Animal models have been employed to screen compounds for the desired combinations of selective actions. One of the interesting new compounds in this area is raloxifene. This benzothiophen derivative has been shown in the ovariectomized rat model to have potent estrogen-agonist actions in the skelton, reducing bone turnover and preserving bone mineral density in the face of estrogen deficiency. In addition, its actions on serum lipids appear also to be estrogen agonistic. On the other hand, this compound behaves as a potent estrogen antagonist in the uterus, demonstrating no endometrial stimulatory action, while blocking estrogen action in the same organ. In recently completed Phase 2 clinical trials in postmenopausal women, raloxifene has been shown to reduce born turnover, as measured by a variety of serum and urine biochemical markers. It lowers LDL cholesterol in these women as well, but has no apparent uterine stimulatory activity.
Modulation of the expression of p16INK4a and p14ARF by hnRNP A1 and A2 RNA binding proteins: implications for cellular senescence.

Cellular senescence is a terminal growth phase characteristic of normal human diploid fibroblasts. Altered gene expression during cellular senescence is numerous compared to that of younger proliferative cells in culture. We have previously reported that the levels and activities of hnRNP A1 and A2 RNA binding proteins are decreased in senescent human fibroblasts. Both proteins are multifunctional and may influence the expression of mRNA isoforms during development. In this study, we tested whether overexpression of either protein could modulate the mRNA isoforms of the INK4a locus, specifically p14ARF and p16INK4a. Both INK4a mRNA isoforms have been shown to be growth suppressors and deletions of this locus allow cells to escape cellular senescence. We have found that increasing the ratio of either hnRNP A1 or A2 over that of splicing factor SF2/ASF results in the preferential generation of the p14ARF isoform. Overexpression of A1 or A2 RNA binding proteins also appear to increase the steady state mRNA levels of both isoforms, suggesting that in addition to alternative splicing, A1 and A2 may effect p14ARF and p16INK4a mRNA stability. A constitutive decrease in the ratio of hnRNP A1 or A2 to SF2/ASF in senescent fibroblasts is typically accompanied by an increase in the level of p16INK4a isoform. Our studies suggest that hnRNP A1 and A2 may exert an important role during replicative senescence by altering expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins through mRNA metabolism. J. Cell. Physiol. 193: 19–25, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Landscape heterogeneity and the confluence of regional faunas promote richness and structure community assemblage in a tropical biodiversity hotspot

Crane flies (Limoniidae; Limoniinae) were sampled at national parks and protected areas across central to northern Thailand to observe patterns of species richness and faunal turnover in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. Prior to sampling, the crane fly fauna of this region was poorly known and no taxonomic keys existed for specimen identification. Utilizing a multi-access taxonomic key to the Limoniinae genera of the Oriental Region designed for this project, identification of collected specimens revealed a crane fly fauna displaying higher richness than inventories from temperate regions. Sixty-six morphospecies from 29 genera/subgenera were collected using a combination of light trapping and Malaise trapping. Richness estimators projected that a total of 70–81 species are to be collected with future sampling, with mountainous northern Thailand projected to have the highest richness. The faunas of Central and Northern Thailand were different, with the north generally composed of more temperate genera and the south composed of more tropical genera. The increased diversity in northern Thailand was significantly influenced by landscape topology. Sampling that spread across two mountain ranges displayed faunas that were divided into both high elevation (>1,000 m) and lower elevation (<1,000 m) faunas. This change in community assemblage across elevation illustrates faunas that were more alike at similar elevations between mountain ranges than they were within national parks.
Locus of Control and Assertiveness in Male and Female College Students

Summary The relationship between locus of control and assertiveness was investigated in college undergraduates. Fifty-five students were administered both the Adult Nowicki-Strickland Internal-External Control Scale and the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule. There was a significant correlation between internality and assertiveness for males but not for females. This discrepancy between the results from males and females is discussed with reference to a proposed belief/behavior dichotomy.
How Can You Patent Genes

What accounts for the continued lack of clarity over the legal procedures for the patenting of DNA sequences? The patenting system was built for a "bricks-and-mortar" world rather than an information economy. The fact that genes are both material molecules and informational systems helps explain the difficulty that the patent system is going to continue to have.
The modulating actions of sulfonylurea on atrial natriuretic peptide release in experimental acute heart failure.

Objectives This study defined the modulating actions of sulfonylurea on acute release of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in experimental acute heart failure. Background: Sulfonylurea drugs, blockers of cardioprotective ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels, may increase the risk of early cardiovascular mortality. In cardiovascular diseases such as acute heart failure, early release of ANP is essential for cardiorenal homeostasis. Although KATP channels regulate secretion of hormones, such as insulin, it is unknown whether sulfonylureas interfere with ANP release in acute heart failure. Methods The effects of acute administration of glyburide (0.3 mg/kg), a prototype sulfonylurea, on ANP release and sodium excretion were measured in vivo in a canine model of pacing-induced acute heart failure characterized by acute atrial stretch. Immunoreactivity, in atrial tissue, for ANP and the KATP channel subunit, Kir6.2, was determined using specific antibodies. Results With increased left atrial pressure in heart failure, plasma levels of ANP increased rapidly and peaked within 25±3 min. Glyburide delayed the time required for peak plasma ANP secretion to 48±5 min. This resulted in reduced natriuresis from 84±17 μEq/min in the absence of glyburide, to 34±9 μEq/min in the presence of glyburide. However, glyburide did not alter the renal natriuretic responsiveness to exogenously administered ANP in normal dogs. In atrial tissue, both ANP and the KATP channel subunit, Kir6.2, displayed strong immunoreactivity and co-localization. Conclusions Glyburide delays release of ANP in acute heart failure resulting in impaired natriuresis. This cannot be ascribed to an antinatriuretic effect on the kidney, but rather may be due to interference with KATP channel-dependent ANP secretion from the atrium. Such adverse outcome of sulfonylurea drug use could reduce the compensatory capacity to preserve cardiorenal homeostasis in acute heart failure.
Strong Electronic Coupling between Mo2n+ Units: The Oxidation Products of [Mo2(DAniF)3]2(μ−H)2 and Mo2(DAniF)4

The two compounds [[Mo2(DAniF)3]2(μ−H)2]PF6 (2), and [Mo2(DAniF)4]TFPB (3), (DAniF represents (p−MeOC6H4N)2CH, and TFPB tetra–3,5–bis(trifluoromethyl)phenylborate) have been prepared and characterized structurally by X-ray crystallography, and by cyclic voltammetry and EPR spectroscopy. DFT calculations have been performed on 2. This is a fully delocalized system in which the two Mo2 units have essentially identical Mo–Mo distances, 2.115(1) A and 2.116(1) A, that are 0.017(1) A longer than those in the neutral precursor. Delocalization over four molybdenum atoms is confirmed by the hyperfine structure observed in the EPR spectrum. No coupling of the delocalized electron to the bridging protons is observed, and this is consistent with the electronic structure calculated by DFT. The cation in 3, which is commonly a contaminant of 2, shows exactly the structural and EPR characteristics expected.
n-Propanol-acetic acid esterification catalyzed by silica gel

Abstract The vapor phase n-propanol-acetic acid esterification catalyzed by silica gel was studied in a flow reactor between 170 and 230 °C. Catalyst activities were determined in a system in which the total pressure was always 1 atm and the partial pressures of the reactants were varied with and without the addition of nitrogen, an inert diluent. After the steady state activities are corrected for an unexpected increase in activity associated with the introduction of nitrogen, there is satisfactory agreement with the results reported by Fricke and Altpeter, who did not use a diluent. Six more or less conventional mechanisms are rejected because the corresponding rate laws predict the opposite of what was observed when nitrogen was introduced. Another mechanism, a more complicated one postulated by Fricke and Altpeter, takes into account both the production and the poisoning of sites by the water which is produced in the reaction, and can perhaps account for the nitrogen effect. The number of active sites per unit area, the site density, is calculated for the FrickeAltpeter catalyst. The calculated site density is shown to be consistent with the mechanism they postulate.
Comparison and evaluation of contemporary restraint systems in the driver and front-passenger environments

AbstractRestrained driver and passenger kinematics and injury outcome in frontal collisions are compared using US fatality field data and post-mortem human surrogate sled tests. The fatality data indicate that a frontal airbag may provide greater benefit for a passenger than for a driver. The thoracic injuries sustained by passenger-side surrogates restrained by a force-limited, pre-tensioned belt and airbag are evaluated, and kinematics are compared with driver-side subjects exposed to a similar impact. Driver and passenger kinematic differences are identified and the implications are discussed with respect to the injury-predictive ability of existing thoracic injury criteria. The chest acceleration of the passenger-side subjects exhibited a bimodal profile with an initial (and global) maximum before the subject loaded the airbag. A second acceleration peak occurred as the subject loaded both the belt and the airbag. A similarly restrained driver-side subject loaded the belt and airbag concurrently at th...
Histologic and immunohistochemical characterization of a testicular mixed germ cell sex cord-stromal tumor and a leydig cell tumor in a dog.

Mixed germ cell sex cord-stromal tumors (MGSCTs) of the testis are rare in dogs. We describe the histopathology and immunohistochemical characteristics of an MGSCT associated with a Leydig cell tumor in a cryptorchid testis. Histologically, MGSCT consisted of two nodules of seminiferous tubules lined by germ cells and Sertoli cells in variable proportions. Germ cells had variable size and nuclear features, with frequent giant cells. Germ cells were evenly mixed with Sertoli cells or located in the center of tubules. Markers that labeled mainly germ cells and few or no Sertoli or Leydig cells were calretinin, KIT, and PGP 9.5. E-cadherin, GATA-4, inhibin-α (INH-α), and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) were predominantly detected in Sertoli cells, whereas melan A was particularly expressed in Leydig cells and vimentin in all three cell types. OCT3/4 was not detected in any cell type. Although more cases of canine MGSCT need to be examined, our results suggest that an immunohistochemical panel of E-cadherin, GA...
Transformation of access rights

The author introduces the concept of transformation of access rights to unify a variety of access-control mechanisms. These mechanisms have mostly been proposed independently of each other to deal with various integrity issues. Their common foundation is abstracted in a model called transform. The formalization makes it possible to investigate the minimal features required to support transform. The relation of transform to existing access-control models is then considered. It is shown that the access-matrix model transform is outside the class of systems for which safety is known to be decidable. On the other hand it is shown that transform is an instance of the decidable cases of the schematic protection model. >
Maximum Likelihood Estimator Under a Misspecified Model With High Signal-to-Noise Ratio

It is well known that the maximum-likelihood estimator (MLE) under a misspecified model converges to a well defined limit and it is asymptotically Gaussian as the sample size goes to infinity. In this correspondence, we consider a misspecified model with deterministic signal embedded in Gaussian noise and fully characterize the asymptotic performance of the MLE under this misspecified model with high signal-to-noise (SNR). We see that under some regularity conditions, it converges to a well defined limit and is asymptotically Gaussian with high SNR.
On proving the correctness of program transformations based on free theorems for higher-order polymorphic calculi

A number of program transformations currently of interest can be derived from Wadler's ‘free theorems’ for calculi approximating modern functional languages. Although delicate but fundamental issues arise in proving the correctness of free theorems-based program transformations, these issues have usually been left unaddressed in the correctness proofs appearing in the literature. As a result, most such proofs are incomplete, and most free theorems-based transformations are applied to programs in calculi for which they are not actually known to be correct.The purpose of this paper is three-fold. First, we raise and clarify some of the issues that must be addressed when constructing correctness proofs for free theorems-based program transformations. Second, we offer a principled approach to developing such proofs. Third, we use Pitts' recent work on parametricity and observational equivalence to show how our approach can be used to give the first proof that transformations based on the Acid Rain theorems preserve observational equivalence of programs in a polymorphic lambda calculus supporting FPC-style fixpoints and algebraic data types. Correctness of the foldr-build rule, the destroy-unfoldr rule, and the hylofusion program transformation for this calculus follows immediately. The same approach is expected to yield complete correctness proofs for free theorems-based transformations in calculi that even more closely resemble languages with which programmers are concerned in practice.
Timbral praxis: when a tree falls in the forest is it music?

There is growing evidence of widespread acceptance of timbre as a primary surface feature and as a structural device in music across genres. This is a result of a growing body of source material available in musical contexts through recording and sampling. Composers using new sounds are creating new musical syntax and structures, and consequently, new contexts and paradoxical or ‘synchretic’ situations that motivate resolution by the listener. New source materials, syntax, structure and synchresis pose challenges for the analyst in this largely non-notated music as well. Research in perception and the formation of conceptual frameworks is providing key information towards understanding this growing timbral common practice and how to talk about it with cogency and depth.
PHYSIOLOGICAL SNAPSHOTS REFLECT ECOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF THE SEA PALM, POSTELSIA PALMAEFORMIS (PHAEOPHYCAEA) ACROSS INTERTIDAL ELEVATION AND EXPOSURE GRADIENTS1

Postelsia palmaeformis Ruprecht is an intertidal kelp found only on very wave-exposed rocky shores of the northeast Pacific. In areas dominated by mussels, Postelsia depends on wave-induced disturbances to complete its life-history cycle. Postelsia also recruits where mussels are absent, but not at less wave-exposed shores. Thus, physical conditions related to wave exposure limit its horizontal distribution. It is not clear what limits the vertical distribution of Postelsia. We investigated factors contributing to Postelsia’s limited distribution using transplant experiments, demographic monitoring, and field fluorometry to evaluate growth and performance across gradients of tidal elevation and wave exposure. Survivorship and growth were sharply reduced at upper and wave-protected edges relative to mid-level, wave-exposed sporophytes. Reproductive output was reduced at upper and lower levels, and growth but not survivorship was lower at the lower level. Effects were independent of population of origin and were a manifestation of the environment. Maximum electron transport rates (ETRm), light saturation parameters (Ek), and maximum quantum yields (DF/Fm) provided insight into physiological dynamics; all were lowest at the high edge, but increased when desiccation stress was alleviated by a mock sea-spray treatment. The ETRm and Ek values of low sporophytes were not as high as the values for mid-sporophytes, despite higher or equivalent nitrogen content, chl a, and absorptance, suggesting a trade-off between light-capturing and carbon-fixation capacity. Physiological limitations at upper and lower levels and deleterious desiccation effects at wave-protected sites prevent establishment, thus constraining Postelsia to a mid-zone, wave-exposed distribution. Physical conditions related to wave exposure may limit the horizontal distribution of Postelsia because this kelp is also found in areas where mussels are lacking but not on less wave-exposed shores.
Real-time gridless 800G super-channel transport field trial over 410km using coherent DP-16 QAM

We report the first successful trial of real-time gridless 800G super-channel over a 410km DCM-less, EDFA-only fibre link using production grade DP - 16QAM, demonstrating 4.76b/s/Hz spectral efficiency, stable error free performance and robust PMD tolerance.
Longitudinal study of amygdala volume and joint attention in 2- to 4-year-old children with autism

Context Cerebral cortical volume enlargement has been reported in 2- to 4-year-olds with autism. Little is known about the volume of subregions during this period of development. The amygdala is hypothesized to be abnormal in volume and related to core clinical features in autism. Objectives To examine amygdala volume at 2 years with follow-up at 4 years of age in children with autism and to explore the relationship between amygdala volume and selected behavioral features of autism. Design Longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging study. Setting University medical setting. Participants Fifty autistic and 33 control (11 developmentally delayed, 22 typically developing) children between 18 and 35 months (2 years) of age followed up at 42 to 59 months (4 years) of age. Main Outcome Measures Amygdala volumes in relation to joint attention ability measured with a new observational coding system, the Social Orienting Continuum and Response Scale; group comparisons including total tissue volume, sex, IQ, and age as covariates. Results Amygdala enlargement was observed in subjects with autism at both 2 and 4 years of age. Significant change over time in volume was observed, although the rate of change did not differ between groups. Amygdala volume was associated with joint attention ability at age 4 years in subjects with autism. Conclusions The amygdala is enlarged in autism relative to controls by age 2 years but shows no relative increase in magnitude between 2 and 4 years of age. A significant association between amygdala volume and joint attention suggests that alterations to this structure may be linked to a core deficit of autism.
Graph coloring in J: an introduction

Fundamentals of graph coloring are introduced, and four basic alternative algorithms for coloring undirected graphs are described in J, along with programs for generating, adjacency matrices and testing them. Results are compared, and suggestions for future development are offered.
Lobular Neoplasia of the Breast

Lobular neoplasia is increasingly being detected, probably due to the widespread screening for breast malignancies. The understanding of lobular neoplasia is undergoing a paradigm shift, from being considered a predictor of recurrence to being considered a pre-invasive lesion, based on molecular studies suggesting a clonal link with invasive lobular cancer. The management of patients diagnosed to have lobular neoplasia is in evolution, with the increasing need for risk stratification and hence the necessity to identify this entity separately as either lobular carcinoma in-situ and atypical lobular hyperplasia. The indications for wide local excision for patients diagnosed to have lobular neoplasia on biopsy are being defined. The evidence for preventive strategies like hormonal treatment with Tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors for high risk patients is increasing, with the results from prospective interventional trials. The role of screening magnetic resonance imaging for surveillance of high risk patients with lobular neoplasia is under evaluation.
Local atomic structure and large piezoelectric response

The atomistic origin of large piezoelectric response in materials such as PZN-PT is discussed based upon the structural information garnered by pulsed neutron and synchrotron X-ray diffraction. High dielectric or piezoelectric responses of mixed-ion ferroelectric materials are produced as a result of competing interactions which are reflected in local structure. A new avenue for further improving piezoelectric response is proposed based upon the local structural information.