cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rats don’t always respond faster for more food: The paradoxical incentive effect

Rats’ leverpressing was reinforced on variable-ratio (VR) schedules. As ratio values increased, response rates initially increased with them, then eventually decreased. In Experiment 1, rates were uniformly higher with one-pellet reinforcers than with two-pellet reinforcers—theparadoxical incentive effect. Killeen’s (1994) mathematical principles of reinforcement (MPR) described the data quantitatively but failed to predict the advantage for the one-pellet condition. In Experiment 2, rats received one-, two-, and three-pellet reinforcers with counterbalanced preloads of pellets; the continued superiority of the smaller reinforcers ruled out a satiation explanation. Experiment 3 introduced a 20-sec intertrial interval (ITI), and Experiment 4 filled the ITI with an alternate response to test a memorial/overshadowing explanation. In Experiment 5, the rats received one or two standard grain pellets or one sucrose pellet as reinforcers over an extended range of ratios. Once again, rates were higher for one than for two pellets at short to moderate VR values; thereafter, two pellets supported higher response rates. The diminution of the effect in Experiment 3 and its reversal in Experiment 4 and in Experiment 5 at large ratios provided evidence for overshadowing and reconciled the phenomenon with MPR.
Photochemistry of 1,1,1-Trifluoroacetone on Rutile TiO2(110)†

The ultraviolet (UV) photon-induced photodecomposition of 1,1,1-trifluoroacetone (TFA) adsorbed on the rutile TiO2(110) surface has been investigated with photon stimulated desorption (PSD), temperature programmed desorption (TPD), and density functional theory (DFT). TFA adsorbed molecularly on the reduced surface (8% oxygen vacancies) in states desorbing below 300 K with trace thermal decomposition observed in TPD. Adsorption of TFA on a preoxidized TiO2(110) surface (accomplished by pre-exposure with 20 L O2) led to formation of a new TFA desorption state at 350 K, assigned to decomposition of a TFA-diolate species ((CF3)(CH3)COO). No TFA photochemistry was detected on the reduced surface. UV irradiation of TFA on the oxidized surface depleted TFA in the 350 K state with TFA molecules in other TPD states unaffected. PSD measurements revealed that both carbonyl substituents (CH3 and CF3), as well as CO, were liberated during UV exposure at 95 K. Postirradiation TPD showed evidence for both acetate (evol...
An orientation free study of handprinted characters

Abstract A pattern recognition program is described which was used to study handprinted characters in the absence of any information concerning the orientation of the characters. The program generates an orientation free description of a sample pattern in which inflection points play a central role. It identifies the sample by comparing its description with representative descriptions from previous samples which act as models. It detects differences between the description of a sample and the description of a model and is able to learn when a combination of differences should be judged as being significant.
The choreographer of soaring: The documentary evidence

In her autobiography, unfinished at her death in 1958, then edited and finished as a biography by the dance historian Selma Jeanne Cohen in 1972, Doris Humphrey recalled the beginnings of the Denishawn dance Soaring.1 Revived within the last decade and variously credited to Humphrey's mentor Ruth St. Denis as well as to Humphrey, this dance-which was very popular during the 1920s, when Denishawn was at its height as a performing unit-is exhibiting a gratifying durability. Therefore the exact attribution of credit for its creation must be faced by those interested in the relative contribution to American dance that these figures, St. Denis and Humphrey, made during the first half of the twentieth century, when dance became accepted as an indigenous art form in the American theater. Humphrey's autobiographical record gives the dance's beginnings as she remembered them thirty years later. In 1919, she recalled in the 1950s:
Total positivity of the discrete spline collocation matrix

For an integer k ⩾ 1, let t:=(ti), be a non-decreasing real sequence with ti $ti, k, and let Ni,k,t(x):= (¦ti + 1,…,ti + k¦ − ¦ti,…, tj, k − 1¦)(. − x)k, 1. It is wellknown that Ni,k,t are B-splines of order k for the knot sequence t. Suppose that μ:= (μj)∞∞ is a sequence of integers and τj:= tμj. Then Nj,k,τ allows the representation Nj,k,τ = ∑i,k,τ,t(i)Ni,k,t. The coefficient sequence βj,k,τ,t is called a discrete B-spline with τ and with respect to t. This paper develops several properties of discrete B-splines and proves, in particular, the total positivily of the discrete spline collocation matrix.
Chiral microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography with two chiral components: Improved separations via synergies between a chiral surfactant and a chiral cosurfactant

In this study, the combination of two chiral components in a microemulsion formulation for the separation of enantiomers via microemulsion EKC (MEEKC) was successfully accomplished. Previous publications of chiral microemulsions have utilized only one chiral entity; the surfactant, cosurfactant, or oil was chiral. This is the first study, to date, of the effects of using two chiral species in a single pseudostationary phase (PSP). The chiral surfactant dodecoxycarbonylvaline (DDCV) was used in conjunction with the chiral cosurfactant S-2-hexanol. Ethyl acetate was incorporated as the oil core of the microemulsion and the buffer was 50 mM phosphate at a pH of 7. Additionally, a microemulsion prepared with racemic 2-hexanol was used for comparison to a previous DDCV microemulsion and as a baseline for the newly formulated dual chiral microemulsion. The efficiencies, resolutions, and enantioselectivities for the S-2-hexanol, racemic 2-hexanol, and original 1-butanol DDCV microemulsions are compared. The hexanol-based PSPs provide improved efficiencies and resolutions. To evaluate the combination of each DDCV enantiomer (R and S) with S-2-hexanol, changes in Gibb's free energy were calculated. A synergistic effect was found when two chiral components were combined to form a microemulsion.
Prevention and Treatment in Environmental Policy Design

Abstract In many environmental contexts, the damages that result from some externality-generating activity can be reduced either through prevention prior to the occurrence of the event or treatment after that occurrence. The existing literature has focused on the use of prevention. Only Polinsky and Shavell [11] consider explicitly the use of mitigation, but their analysis is limited to the case of Pareto efficiency. In reality, policymakers often pursue other objectives, such as minimizing damages subject to a budget constraint or minimizing the cost of maintaining a certain safety level. This paper provides an analytical framework for examining the choice of prevention vs treatment in the context of these alternative behavioral assumptions. It considers first the case where the effectiveness of treatment is known at the time that the allocation decision must be made. We then extend the analysis to the case where the effectiveness of treatment is uncertain and develop a framework for addressing the tradeoff between prevention and treatment under a “safety” rule. In both cases, we examine the factors that influence the allocation of resources between prevention and treatment and show that these factors can affect the second best allocations of resources in ways that are contrary to the effect under the Pareto efficient allocation.
Soft tissue infection prophylaxis with gentamicin encapsulated in multivesicular liposomes: Results from a prospective, randomized trial

ObjectivesSystemically administered antibiotic agents are not evenly distributed in the body, which frequently results in subtherapeutic regional drug concentrations, particularly in areas of poor vascularization, including wound sites. We have developed a lipid-based drug delivery system to provide
First Report of Aerial Blight of Peanut Caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IA in Arkansas

In early September 2012, symptoms similar to aerial blight were observed on runner peanut (cv. Georgia 09B) in a commercial field in Randolph County, Arkansas (3). Leaves within the canopy closest to the soil had water-soaked, gray to green lesions or tan to brown lesions. Localized areas of matted leaves with mycelium occurred on stems and hyphae extended along stems and newly affected leaves. Dark brown spherical sclerotia (1.5 to 4 mm diam.) were produced on the surface of symptomatic peanut tissue (3). Aerial blight symptoms were observed in two peanut fields (~4 to 6 ha) that were furrow irrigated. Symptomatic plants were localized in a single circular pattern (~20 × 25 m) near the lower end of each field with the final disease incidence of less than 5%. Isolations from surface-disinfected leaves on potato dextrose agar consistently yielded light brown to brown colonies with sclerotia typical of Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IA. The fungus was confirmed to be R. solani AG1 by anastomosis reaction (2) with k...
Oxygen isotopes in cellulose identify source water for archaeological maize in the American Southwest

Abstract Maize (Zea mays) was a primary food crop for aboriginal societies of the arid American Southwest. Water used for maize production in these arid zones could have come from precipitation and runoff during the summer monsoon, from perennial streams and springs, or from stored soil water fed by snowmelt. The oxygen stable isotope ratio (δ18O) of summer and winter precipitation on the Colorado Plateau naturally differ by more than 10‰ providing a powerful tool for distinguishing winter- from summer-derived water sources used in cultivation of maize. We investigated whether variation in δ18O of potential source waters is preserved in the δ18O of cellulose (δ18Ocellulose) of maize cobs by growing four aboriginal and one modern maize variety in pots irrigated with water of known δ18O composition. The δ18Ocellulose values of cobs ranged from 26.8 to 36.4‰ (averaged within varieties) and were highly correlated with δ18O values of the source irrigation water (−15.8 to −8.2‰). Cob δ18Ocellulose from five archaeological sites on the Colorado Plateau in southeastern Utah ranged from 27.3 to 34.6‰, closely matching the range of values observed in experimental plants. A δ18Ocellulose model developed originally for tree rings was parameterized and applied to the archaeological maize cobs. The model indicated that monsoonal precipitation accounted for 0–20% of the moisture for archaeological cob samples from a site adjacent to a perennial stream and 43–98% for samples from an upland site, more distant from a perennial water source. These results reveal the potential for using δ18Ocellulose to investigate prehistoric irrigation practices and source water used for maize production in the American Southwest.
Socio-Environmental Factors Associated With Pubertal Development in Female Adolescents: The Role of Prepubertal Tobacco and Alcohol Use

Abstract Purpose Alcohol administered to laboratory animals has been shown to suppress puberty-related hormones and delay puberty by interfering with ovarian development and function. The effects of early substance use on human pubertal development are relatively unexplored. Methods This cross-sectional study of 3,106 female adolescents, aged 11–21 years, evaluated the association between prepubertal alcohol and tobacco use and the onset of puberty. Ages at initial breast development, body hair growth, and menarche were self-reported. Prepubertal alcohol and tobacco use were defined as the age at first use before the age of pubertal development and accompanied by regular use. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using Cox proportional hazard models. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between substance use and delayed puberty, defined as lack of breast development by the age of 13 years. Results Unadjusted models indicated prepubertal tobacco use was associated with a longer time required for breast development (HR = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.65–0.85) and body hair growth (HR = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.71–0.93). Prepubertal alcohol use was associated with late breast development (HR = 0.71; 95% CI, 0.57–0.88). The direction of the observed associations remained consistent after adjusting for covariates, but the magnitude of effects were attenuated and the upper bound of the 95% CIs exceeded the null value. Girls who used alcohol before puberty had four times the odds of having delayed puberty (OR = 3.99; 95% CI, 1.94–8.21) as compared with nonusers. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that the endocrine-disrupting effects of alcohol and tobacco use may alter the timing of pubertal development. These cross-sectional findings warrant further investigation.
Inhibition of anchorage-independent growth and lung metastasis of A549 lung carcinoma cells by IκBβ

To evaluate the role of the NF-κB signaling pathway in oncogenic transformation, we expressed IκBβ, a specific inhibitor of NF-κB, in two human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines, A549 and H441. Expression of IκBβ significantly reduced NF-κB activation induced by cotransfection with p65/RelA or TNF-α and abrogated the basal NF-κB activity in A549 cells. Transfection of IκBβ into A549, H441 and K-ras-transformed NIH3T3 cells suppressed anchorage-independent growth as measured by colony formation in soft agar. Anchorage-independent growth of vector-transfected A549 cells in reduced serum could be enhanced by both EGF and IGF-I. In contrast, only EGF but not IGF-I could induce anchorage-independent growth of IκBβ-expressing A549 cells, suggesting that the IGF-I signaling pathway regulating growth and survival may be blocked by IκBβ. Interestingly, expression of IκBβ suppressed growth of A549 cells in low serum in vitro without affecting in vivo growth subcutaneously in nude mice. However, metastatic growth of IκBβ-expressing A549 cells in the lungs of nude mice was significantly inhibited. These results provide evidence that NFκB plays an important role in anchorage-independent growth and metastatic growth of lung carcinoma cells.
Expression of oil from oilseeds—A review

Abstract Generally, the recommended pre-pressing operations for oil expression include grinding or flaking and then cooking pre-cleaned oilseeds. The literature indicates that pressure, temperature, pressing time and moisture content are the factors which affect oil yield during expression processing of oilseeds. Nearly all of the yield data reported correspond to hydraulic presses while the current technology, at least in the U.S.A., for expression processing is the screw press. Research is still needed to determine if these factors affect the screw-pressing process in the same way and to the same extent as they do in a static pressing operation.
State estimation in systems driven by poisson processes with unknown arrival rates

The Poisson process is a very useful tool for modeling system inputs or measurement disturbances in a wide variety of applications like tracking problems, failing systems, etc. This paper investigates the problem of state estimation in systems driven by or observed in the presence of Poisson noise whose arrival rate is unknown but parametrically constrained to be an element of a known compact space. This includes convex uncertainty spaces and covers a wide range of applications since most uncertainties can be restricted to such a set on physical grounds. It is demonstrated that a combined detection estimation structure and an incremental square error criterion provide a minimax solution which is not pessimistic for rates far from the least favorable prior, is straightforward to realize and capable of adaptation to changing rates. Applications in Poisson driven linear systems and doubly stochastic Poisson processes are considered. It is worthy of note that the resulting solution performs nearly uniformly close to the MMSE solution obtained if the real rate were known without requiring any prior probability assumptions.
Cardiac allograft failure: successful use of biventricular assist device

Nonspecific primary allograft dysfunction is an important cause of perioperative death in cardiac transplant recipients. We report a case of severe nonspecific allograft dysfunction that was ultimately reversible after 18 days of biventricular mechanical circulatory support. Allograft recovery was echocardiographically recognized by a positive inotropic response to isoproterenol and milrinone. This case illustrates the potential for recovery of even extreme allograft dysfunction.
HUA1 and HUA2 Are Two Members of the Floral Homeotic AGAMOUS Pathway

The identities of the four floral organ types in an Arabidopsis flower are specified by the combinatorial activities of the floral homeotic A, B, and C function genes; AGAMOUS is the only known C function gene. We have identified two genes that interact with AG in the specification of floral structure, HUA1 and HUA2, from a screen for enhancers of a weak ag allele, ag-4. HUA1 and HUA2 are involved in all aspects of AG function. HUA2 encodes a novel protein that contains nuclear localization signals and signature motifs that suggest HUA2, like AG, may be a transcription factor. Molecular analyses suggest that HUA2 (and possibly HUA1) acts to facilitate AG action at the same hierarchical level as AG.
Markets for surplus components with a strategic supplier

We study markets for surplus components, which allow manufacturers with excess component inventory to sell to firms with a shortage. Recent developments in internet commerce have the potential to greatly increase the efficiency of such markets. We develop a one-period model in which a monopolist supplier sells to a number of independent manufacturers who are uncertain about demand for final goods. After uncertainty is resolved, the manufacturers have the opportunity to trade. Because uncertainty is over demand functions, the model allows us to endogenize both the price of final goods and the price of components in wholesale and surplus markets. We derive conditions on demand uncertainty that determine whether a surplus market will increase or decrease supplier profits. Increased costs of transacting on the surplus market may benefit manufacturers, because of the impact of these costs on the supplier's pricing power. The surplus market can decrease overall efficiency of the supply chain, since the benefit of better allocation of components may be outweighed by an increased double-marginalization effect. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2005.
Adsorption isotherms of the fullerenes C60 and C70 on a tetraphenylporphyrin-bonded silica

The single-component adsorption isotherms of the C60 (from 0 to 15 g/L) and C70 (from 0 to 8 g/L) buckminsterfullerenes on a tetraphenylporphyrin-bonded silica were acquired by frontal analysis, using a solution of toluene-1-methylnaphthalene (40:60, v/v) as the mobile phase. The best isotherm model derived from the fitting of these adsorption data was the bi-Langmuir model, a choice supported by the bimodal affinity energy distribution (AED) obtained for C60. The isotherm parameters derived from the inverse method (IM) of isotherm determination (by fitting calculated profiles to experimental overloaded band profiles of C60 and C70) are in very good agreement with those derived from the FA data. According to the isotherm parameters found by these three methods (FA, AED, IM), the tetraphenylporphyrin-bonded silica can adsorb 54 and 42 mmol/L of C60 and C70 fullerenes, respectively, a result that is consistent with the relative molecular size of these two compounds. The 20% lower surface accessibility for C70 is compensated by a three times higher equilibrium constant on the low-energy sites, giving a selectivity alpha(C70/C60) = 3.6. Large volumes (0.2, 0.8 and 1.7 mL) of mixtures of C60 (3.2 g/L) and C70 (1.3 g/L) were injected and their elution profiles compared to those calculated from the competitive bi-Langmuir model derived from the single-component isotherm data. A good agreement is obtained between calculated and experimental profiles, which supports the two-site adsorption mechanism derived from the single-component adsorption data. The measurements of the influence of the pressure on the retention of C60 and C70 demonstrate that the partial molar volumes of the two buckminsterfullerenes are 12 mL/mol larger in the stationary than in the mobile phase.
Deep seismicity and modes of deformation in Tonga subduction zone

The geometry of deep (>400 km) earthquakes in the subducting western edge of the Pacific plate, when related to the local distribution of seismic activity, reveals a complex pattern of planes of shear failure, enabling the modes of deformation by which the descending plate shortens and thickens to be identified. The deepest part of the slab is displaced laterally, suggesting that it fails to penetrate the discontinuity at 670 km.
Neutron-Diffraction Measurements of an Antiferromagnetic Semiconducting Phase in the Vicinity of the High-Temperature Superconducting State of K x Fe 2 − y Se 2

The recently discovered K-Fe-Se high-temperature superconductor has caused heated debate regarding the nature of its parent compound. Transport, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, and STM measurements have suggested that its parent compound could be insulating, semiconducting, or even metallic [M. H. Fang, H.-D. Wang, C.-H. Dong, Z.-J. Li, C.-M. Feng, J. Chen, and H. Q. Yuan, Europhys. Lett. 94, 27009 (2011); F. Chen et al., Phys. Rev. X 1, 021020 (2011); and W. Li et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 057003 (2012)]. Because the magnetic ground states associated with these different phases have not yet been identified and the relationship between magnetism and superconductivity is not fully understood, the real parent compound of this system remains elusive. Here, we report neutron-diffraction experiments that reveal a semiconducting antiferromagnetic (AFM) phase with rhombus iron vacancy order. The magnetic order of the semiconducting phase is the same as the stripe AFM order of the iron pnictide parent compounds. Moreover, while the $\sqrt{5}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\sqrt{5}$ block AFM phase coexists with superconductivity, the stripe AFM order is suppressed by it. This leads us to conjecture that the new semiconducting magnetic ordered phase is the true parent phase of this superconductor.
1.4.1 Reducing Risk for the Next Generation Nuclear Plant

The Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) Project, managed by the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), is directed by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, to research, develop, design, construct, and operate a prototype forth generation nuclear reactor to meet the needs of the 21st Century. As with all large projects developing and deploying new technologies, the NGNP has numerous risks that need to be identified, tracked, mitigated, and reduced in order for successful project completion. A Risk Management Plan (RMP) was created to outline the process the INL is using to manage the risks and reduction strategies for the NGNP Project. Integral to the RMP is the development and use of a Risk Management System (RMS). The RMS is a tool that supports management and monitoring of the project risks. The RMS does not only contain a risk register, but other functionality that allows decision makers, engineering staff, and technology researchers to review and monitor the risks as the project matures.
Chain Structure in Polyelectrolyte Solutions at Nonzero Concentrations

We present an analytic theory for the structure of intrinsically flexible polyelectrolyte chains in solution at arbitrary concentrations, with or without added salt. We use a self-consistent approach based on an idea suggested by generalized Debye−Huckel theory, namely, that the screening length from polyions is wavevector-dependent, due to chain connectivity. At high wavevectors (short length scales), only counterions contribute to screening, but at lower wavevectors, both polyions and counterions contribute. The results of the theory are in quantitative agreement with molecular dynamics simulations, with no adjustable parameters.
Nematode Sperm Motility: Nonpolar Filament Polymerization Mediated by End-Tracking Motors

In nematode sperm cell motility, major sperm protein (MSP) filament assembly results in dynamic membrane protrusions in a manner that closely resembles actin-based motility in other eukaryotic cells. Paradoxically, whereas actin-based motility is driven by addition of ATP-bound actin subunits onto actin filament plus-ends located at the cell membrane, MSP dimers assemble from solution into nonpolar filaments that lack a nucleotide binding site. Thus, filament polarity and on-filament ATP hydrolysis, although essential for actin-based motility, appear to be unnecessary for membrane protrusions by MSP. As a potential resolution to this paradox, we propose a model for MSP filament assembly and force generation by MSP filament end-tracking proteins. In this model, ATP hydrolysis drives affinity-modulated, processive interactions between membrane-associated proteins and elongating filament ends. However, in contrast to the “actoclampin” model for actin filament end-tracking motors, ATP activates the tracking protein (or a soluble cofactor) rather than the MSP subunits themselves (in contrast to activation of actin subunits by ATP binding). The MSP end-tracking model predicts properties that are consistent with several key observations of MSP-based motility, including persistent membrane attachment, polymerization of filament ends at the membrane with depolymerization of free-filament ends away from the membrane, as well as a saturating dependence of polymerization rate on the concentration of non-MSP soluble cytoplasmic components.
Racial differences in neuropsychiatric symptoms among dementia outpatients.

This study, based on evaluations of 240 outpatients with Alzheimer's disease or multi-infarct dementia, examines whether race has any independent effects on the prevalence and levels of related neuropsychiatric symptoms. After the authors controlled for 14 potentially confounding variables, race had a significant independent effect on the levels of psychotic and depressive symptoms, the former being greater among blacks and the latter among whites. There were no differences in symptoms between U.S.-born African Americans and African Caribbeans. Although it is likely that racial differences reflect variations in symptoms brought in for evaluation, the absence of intraracial differences suggests the possibility of an underlying biological process.
Determination of pKa for dithiophosphinic acids using density functional theory

Abstract Aromatic dithiophosphinic acids have shown remarkable abilities for separating minor actinides from accompanying lanthanide elements. In particular, the bis(o-trifluoromethylphenyl)dithiophosphinic acid has displayed excellent separation properties, and this molecule also has an unexpectedly high pKa. To investigate the intrinsic chemistry responsible for the separation and acidity behavior, and envelope of dithiophosphinic acid derivatives were investigated using Density Functional Theory. Symmetric aromatic dithiophosphinic acids of the form (XC6H4)2P(=S)(SH), where X = H, o-CH3, p-CH3, p-Cl, p-F, o-CF3, m-CF3, and p-CF3, and asymmetric aromatic acids of the form (X′C6H4)(X″C6H4)P(=S)(SH), where X′ = o-CF3, X″ = m-CF3; X′ = H, X″ = o-CF3, have been investigated using B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) and 6-311++G(d,p) (Gaussian03). Solvation was included in the calculations using the CPCM continuum solvation method. Using the thermochemical data from vibrational frequency calculations, the pKa was calculated for the acids, and compared to that of Cyanex-301. The unexpectedly high pKa for bis(o-trifluoromethylphenyl)dithiophosphinic acid, when compared to the ortho–meta, meta–meta, and para–para isomers, is rationalized by electron repulsion between nearby fluorines and the sulfurs in the anion. This repulsion destabilizes the anion to a greater extent than the other isomers, thus raising the pKa.
Ischaemia-reperfusion mechanisms in acute pancreatitis.

The role of ischaemia in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis is unknown. Some experimental studies have shown that ischaemia has little effect on the pancreas, while others have found an association with pancreatic injury. Ischaemia-reperfusion damage has been well documented in other sites such as the intestine, cardiac muscle, and skeletal muscle. However, in the pancreas, injury is usually seen only after complete ischaemia, which is uncommon clinically. Experimental chronic pancreatitis is characterized by low pancreatic blood flow, low interstitial pH, and impaired pancreatic tissue oxygenation, which are all findings consistent with the ischaemia-reperfusion mechanisms. Acute pancreatitis is also associated with a reduction in pancreatic blood flow and evidence of free radical generation, similarly suggesting the possibility of ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Ethanol ingestion, which is commonly associated clinically with both chronic and acute pancreatitis, may itself contribute to an ischaemic-re...
Parvoviruses: structure and infection

Parvoviruses package a ssDNA genome. Both nonpathogenic and pathogenic members exist, including those that cause fetal infections, encompassing the entire spectrum of virus phenotypes. Their small genomes and simple coding strategy has enabled functional annotation of many steps in the infectious life cycle. They assemble a multifunctional capsid responsible for cell recognition and the transport of the packaged genome to the nucleus for replication and progeny virus production. It is also the target of the host immune response. Understanding how the capsid structure relates to the function of parvoviruses provides a platform for recombinant engineering of viral gene delivery vectors for the treatment of clinical diseases, and is fundamental for dissecting the viral determinants of pathogenicity. This review focuses on our current understanding of parvovirus capsid structure and function with respect to the infectious life cycle.
Resistance of Nocardia asteroides to Oxygen-Dependent Killing by Neutrophils

Nocardia asteroides resists killing by neutrophils despite the occurrence of the oxidative metabolic burst when the organism is phagocytosed. In a study of the apparent resistance of N asteroides to oxygen-dependent killing by neutrophils, this organism and (for comparison) Staphylococcus aureus were exposed to metabolites of the oxidative metabolic burst. N asteroides was more resistant than S aureus to H2O2, hydroxyl radical, and singlet oxygen and to the combination of H2O2, lactoperoxidase, and iodide. The rate of iodination of N asteroides by neutrophils or by the combination of lactoperoxidase and H2O2 was significantly lower than that of S aureus. Lysates of N asteroides had 2.8 times more catalase than lysates of S aureus, but levels of superoxide dismutase were similar in the two lysates. A reduction in the level of catalase activity of N asteroides with aminotriazole or azide resulted in a modest decrease in resistance to oxidative metabolites. Thus, the relative resistance of N asteroides to killing appeared to be due partially but not completely to its relatively high level of catalase activity.
Correcting for negative weights in ordinary kriging

Abstract Negative weights in ordinary kriging (OK) arise when data close to the location being estimated screen outlying data. Depending on the variogram and the amount of screening, the negative weights can be significant; there is nothing in the OK algorithm that alerts the kriging system about the zero threshold for weights. Negative weights, when interpreted as probabilities for constructing a local conditional distribution, are nonphysical. Also, negative weights when applied to high data values may lead to negative and nonphysical estimates. In these situations the negative weights in ordinary kriging must be corrected. An algorithm is presented to reset negative kriging weights, and compensating positive weights to zero. The sum of the remaining nonzero weights is restandardized to 1.0 to ensure unbiasedness. The situations when this correction is appropriate are described and a number of examples are given.
Repeating History and Learning From It: What Can SlutWalks Teach Us About Feminism?

SlutWalks, a form of feminist protest objecting to the use of women's appearance as an explanation or excuse for rape, has produced a range of responses from feminists. Some praise the protests for energizing contemporary feminism, and others deride them as objectifying, racially insensitive, and frivolous. We argue that controversy over SlutWalks is grounded in long-standing conflicts within feminism over the proper focus for feminist political action and the most viable routes to social change. Such dissent, rather than being an indicator of feminism's weakness, is a symptom of its continuing vitality.
Moldovan Identity and the Politics of Pan- Romanianism

Depuis que la Moldavie n'appartient plus a l'Union sovietique (depuis 1991) se pose la question delicate de la future orientation de la republique. Deux mouvements coexistent dans la politique du pays : les defenseurs de l'independance font face a ceux de l'unification avec la Roumanie, la terre patrie. L'identite moldovienne apparait sous deux aspects : s'agit-il d'une identite nationale, ou d'une identite regionale ? Si les Moldaves partagent en effet une culture et un langage communs avec les Roumains, cela suffit-il pour autant pour parler d'unification, car l'identite ne se limite pas a des similitudes rhetoriques. Le debat diverge entre les politiques et les intellectuels qui ne voient pas la creation d'un Etat sous le meme angle
Analyzing the effect of a virtual avatar's geometric and motion fidelity on ego-centric spatial perception in immersive virtual environments

Previous work has shown that giving a user a first-person virtual avatar can increase the accuracy of their egocentric distance judgments in an immersive virtual environment (IVE). This result provides one of the rare examples of a manipulation that can enable improved spatial task performance in a virtual environment without potentially compromising the ability for accurate information transfer to the real world. However, many open questions about the scope and limitations of the effectiveness of IVE avatar self-embodiment remain. In this paper, we report the results of a series of four experiments, involving a total of 40 participants, that explore the importance, to the desired outcome of enabling enhanced spatial perception accuracy, of providing a high level of geometric and motion fidelity in the avatar representation. In these studies, we assess participants' abilities to estimate egocentric distances in a novel virtual environment under four different conditions of avatar self-embodiment: a) no avatar; b) a fully tracked, custom-fitted, high fidelity avatar, represented using a textured triangle mesh; c) the same avatar as in b) but implemented with single point rather than full body tracking; and d) a fully tracked but simplified avatar, represented by a collection of small spheres at the raw tracking marker locations. The goal of these investigations is to attain insight into what specific characteristics of a virtual avatar representation are most important to facilitating accurate spatial perception, and what cost-saving measures in the avatar implementation might be possible. Our results indicate that each of the simplified avatar implementations we tested is significantly less effective than the full avatar in facilitating accurate distance estimation; in fact, the participants who were given the simplified avatar representations performed only marginally (but not significantly) more accurately than the participants who were given no avatar at all. These findings suggest that the beneficial impact of providing users with a high fidelity avatar self-representation may stem less directly from the low-level size and motion cues that the avatar embodiment makes available to them than from the cognitive sense of presence that the self-embodiment supports.
Family Cohesion Moderates the Relationship between Acculturative Stress and Depression in Japanese Adolescent Temporary Residents

Acculturative stress is a risk factor for depression, and may be important in the risk for depression among acculturating Japanese adolescents. However, little to no research has been published on the mental health of acculturating Japanese adolescents. Further, although family cohesion has been shown to be protective against depression across ethnic groups, no prior research has examined family cohesion as a protective factor for Japanese adolescents. To examine these relationships, 26 Japanese temporary resident adolescents and 76 parents in the Midwest were recruited to participate. Moderate to strong correlations between acculturative stress, depression, likelihood for and seriousness of family conflict were found. A regression analysis found that likelihood for family conflict moderated the relationship between acculturative stress and depression. Findings broaden our understanding of the role of acculturative stress and family conflict on depression risk for Japanese adolescent immigrants.
High affinity binding sites for a somatostatin-28 analog in rat brain.

Abstract Using an iodinated analog of a large (28 residues) and biologically active form of somatostatin, 125 I[Leu 8 ,D-Trp 22 ,Tyr 25 ]SS-28, it was possible to demonstrate saturable and high affinity binding sites (dissociation constant = 0.46 ± 0.04 nM) in rat cortical membranes. Somatostatin, somatostatin-28, as well as two potent analogs, [D-Trp 8 ] somatostatin and [D-Trp 22 ] somatostatin-28, could completely displace the radiogland in the nanomolar range whereas the inactive analog Des-Trp 8 -somatostatin and the unrelated peptide GnRH showed no affinity for these binding sites; octa- and nona-peptide analogs of somatostatin were inactive. High binding was found in hippocampus, amygdala, tuberculum olfactorium, caudate-putamen and cortex; moderate binding in midbrain and hypothalamus, and no binding in the cerebellum. These results suggest that specific somatostatin receptors can be measured within the brain with 125 I[Leu 8 ,D-Trp 22 ,Tyr 25 ] SS-28 as radioligand.
Does intracellular sodium regulate sodium transport across the mucosal surface of frog skin

Abstract A method has been devised to functionally remove the serosal membrane of frog skin. Skins treated in this way have no spontaneous potential. However, if sodium gradients are placed across the tissues diffusion potentials and hence short-circuit currents of either sign, depending on the direction of the gradient, could be recorded. These short-circuit currents were completely inhibited by amiloride only from the mucosal face. However, the concentration of amiloride causing 50% inhibition of the short-circuit current ( K m ) in treated skins was 2.3 · 10−3 M, when a sodium gradient was applied from serosa to mucosa, whereas both in untreated skins without a sodium gradient and in treated skins with a mucosal to serosal sodium gradient, the K m of amiloride was 2·10−7-4·10−7 M. The mechanism by which amiloride is able to inhibit the short-circuit currents of either sign is discussed.
Mouse B-Type Lamins Are Required for Proper Organogenesis But Not by Embryonic Stem Cells

B-type lamins, the major components of the nuclear lamina, are believed to be essential for cell proliferation and survival. We found that mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) do not need any lamins for self-renewal and pluripotency. Although genome-wide lamin-B binding profiles correlate with reduced gene expression, such binding is not directly required for gene silencing in ESCs or trophectoderm cells. However, B-type lamins are required for proper organogenesis. Defects in spindle orientation in neural progenitor cells and migration of neurons probably cause brain disorganizations found in lamin-B null mice. Thus, our studies not only disprove several prevailing views of lamin-Bs but also establish a foundation for redefining the function of the nuclear lamina in the context of tissue building and homeostasis.
Regulation of Myosin Heavy Chain Expression during Rat Skeletal Muscle Development In Vitro

Signals that determine fast- and slow-twitch phenotypes of skeletal muscle fibers are thought to stem from depolarization, with concomitant contraction and activation of calcium-dependent pathways....
Helping students soar to success on computers: An investigation of the SOAR study method for computer-based learning.

This study used self-report and observation techniques to investigate how students study computer-based materials. In addition, it examined if a study method called SOAR can facilitate computer-based learning. SOAR is an acronym that stands for the method's 4 theoretically driven and empirically supported components: select (S), organize (O), associate (A), and regulate (R). There were 2 experiments. In Experiment 1, 114 undergraduates completed a questionnaire about how they study computer-based materials. Students reported using more ineffective study strategies than effective SOAR strategies. In Experiment 2, 108 different undergraduates read an online text about wildcats and then created materials that reflected their preferred study method, the full SOAR method, or parts of the SOAR method. Specifically, the control group created their preferred study notes; the S group created a complete set of linear notes; the SO group created graphically organized matrix notes; the SOA group created a matrix and associations; and the SOAR group created a matrix, associations, and practice questions that aid self-regulation. The SOAR materials were also created in line with four theoretical principles for technology design (Mayer, 2009). Students studied their materials in preparation for fact and relationship tests. Results from both tests showed that those using the full SOAR method outscored the control group and most other groups using parts of the SOAR method. In addition, observations of students' preferred study methods confirmed the Experiment 1 self-reports that unaided students use ineffective study strategies. Study limitations, suggestions for future research, and instructional implications are presented.
Thermal evolution of the Cl(-)-LiAl(2) layered double hydroxide: a multinuclear MAS NMR and XRD perspective.

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with a cation composition of LiAl(2) have a wide range of potential applications as catalysts, catalyst supports, and precursors for refractory oxide materials, including several industrially important lithium aluminate phases. The understanding of the calcination behavior of this group of LDH phases is essential to advancing these applications, and the research described here focuses on the thermal decomposition and structural evolution of LiAl(2)(OH)(6)Cl.nH(2)O in the temperature range of 20-1100 degrees C. (27)Al, (35)Cl, and (6,7)Li magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis (including thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry), and compositional analysis provide a highly consistent picture of the thermally induced phase formation and transformations of this LDH. The loss of the surface and interlayer water can begin as low as room temperature, depending on the relative humidity. Beginning at about 300 degrees C, the simultaneous volatilization of H(2)O and HCl and the exsolution of crystalline LiCl result in the formation of amorphous Li-Al-O-OH. By at least 500 degrees C, volumes with the structures of alpha-LiAlO(2) and LiAl(5)O(8) appear, and these phases become progressively more ordered with increasing temperature. LiCl begins to volatilize by 850 degrees C and is present only in trace amounts above ca. 1000 degrees C. alpha-LiAlO(2) converts to gamma-LiAlO(2) between 970 and 1100 degrees C. Because of the delithiation due to LiCl volatilization, the final products are dominated by LiAl(5)O(8), in contrast to the calcination products of previously studied LiAl(2) LDHs which are dominated by LiAlO(2).
High transesterification activities of immobilized proteases in new ether-functionalized ionic liquids.

Three new ether-functionalized hydrophobic ionic liquids (ILs) were synthesized. Two proteases (subtilisin and α-chymotrypsin both covalently immobilized on chitosan) exhibited high synthetic activity (1–3 μmol/min·g) and selectivity (>97–99%, esterification over hydrolysis) in these ILs containing 10–15% (v/v) water during the transesterification of N-acetyl-l-phenylalanine ethyl ester with 1-propanol. However, the same reaction in t-butanol or [BMIM][Tf2N], with water contents higher than 2% (v/v) yielded low synthetic activities (0.2–1 μmol/min g in t-butanol) and/or poor selectivity (<40%). The high synthetic activities of proteases in ether-functionalized ILs at high water contents are explained by two reasons: (1) the hydrogen-bond donors in ILs (R1–O–R2) and chitosan (–OH) controlling the thermodynamic water activity of the reaction system, and (2) the protective role of the ether chain in reducing the cation–protein interaction.
Splines for electromagnetics

The theory of splines for approximation is developed. The theory is presented in a general form applicable to other than just piecewise polynomial approximation. The relationship of spline approximation and finite elements is shown with an example given to demonstrate the procedure as applied to the solution of Poisson's equation. The use of spline functions in the method of moments is also discussed. The results of this use is then presented for the solution of a center-fed wire antenna.
Systems chemistry and Parrondo’s paradox: computational models of thermal cycling

A mathematical concept known as Parrondo’s paradox motivated the development of several novel computational models of chemical systems, in which thermal cycling was explored. In these kinetics systems, we compared the rates of formation of products under temperature-cycling and steady-state conditions. We found model chemical systems that counter-intuitively predicted a greater concentration of product under oscillating temperature conditions than under fixed conditions. At a practical level, these computational models of thermal cycling suggest new applications in chemistry, biochemistry and chemical engineering. More fundamentally, these models contribute to a growing understanding that even simple chemical systems may behave paradoxically, and that forced oscillating conditions may induce such an outcome.