cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Induction of necrogenesis by Agrobacterium tumefaciens on grape explants

Abstract Agrobacterium tumefaciens A281 has been reported to be supervirulent on many plant species. However, it induces a necrogenic rather than a tumourigenic response on several grape cultivars. This necrosis is cultivar-specific and Ti plasmid-related. The T-DNA of A281 was found to be required, but the vir genes were not critical for necrogenesis. Exogenous auxin (NAA) increased and kinetin decreased the necrogenesis. Suppression of necrosis by abscisic acid was apparent 1 week after inoculation with A281. β-glucuronidase (GUS) activity in transformed cells could be visualized 48 h after inoculation, which was 5 days earlier than necrosis. Hence, transformation preceded necrogenesis, suggesting that transformation was aborted rather than blocked. Reactivation of tumourigenesis from the necrogenic state also was observed. It appears that plant hormones mediate the induction of necrogenesis that limits tumourigenesis.
Mechanical Circulatory Support for Biventricular Heart Failure Using Continuous-Flow Total Artificial Heart

Purpose Biventricular assist device (BVAD) implantation is the treatment of choice in patients with severe biventricular heart failure (BHF) and cardiogenic shock . We previously developed a miniaturized continuous flow double-ended centrifugal pump intended for total artificial heart implant (CFTAH). The purpose of this initial in vitro study was to prove that scaled down CFTAH can be suitable for biventricular support. Methods The CFTAH was tested in BVAD configuration at 2 pump speeds (4500 and 6000 rpm) on a pulsatile mock loop with two pneumatic ventricles that simulated normal and heart failure conditions (moderate and severe) by adjusting the systolic and diastolic drive pressures to simulate hemodynamics of the failing biventricular function. Results The BVAD performance was maintained very well for both atrial and ventricular cannulation within the 4500 - 6000 rpm range. A stable hemodynamics were maintained, and the pump's self-regulating performance was confirmed with the most of atrial pressure difference (LAP-RAP) falling within ±5-15 mm Hg in (Mod.) and severe (Sev.) right (RHF) and left HF (LHF) conditions. Left and right pump flows (LPF and RPF) and total flow (TF) increased as the BVAD speed was increased (Figure). The TF was higher than LPF and RPF due to output from the native ventricles, and the LPF was higher than RPF with pump speed of 6,000 rpm, but the TF appeared balanced due to larger native right ventricular output vs. native left ventricle with given condition. Conclusion These initial in vitro study demonstrated that use of the CFTAH as BVAD supports cardiac output and arterial pressure in BHF conditions. In vivo evaluation of this technology is currently pending.
Punching a Ticket to Cooperstown

When exposed to principal components analysis for the first time, students can sometimes miss the primary purpose of the analysis. Often the focus is solely on data reduction and what to do after t...
Magnetothermodynamics: An experimental study of the equations of state applicable to a magnetized plasma

Measuring the equations of state of a compressed magnetized plasma is important for both advancing fusion experiments and understanding natural systems such as stellar winds. In this paper, we present results from our experiments on the thermodynamics of compressed magnetized plasmas; we call these studies “magnetothermodynamics.” In these experiments, we generate parcels of relaxed, magnetized plasma at one end of the linear Swarthmore Spheromak eXperimental device and observe their compression in a closed conducting boundary installed at the other end. Plasma parameters are measured during compression. Instances of ion heating during compression are identified by constructing a pressure-volume diagram using the measured density, temperature, and volume of the magnetized plasma. An axial scan of the ion temperature at upstream locations suggests that the increase in ion temperature arises due to the compression of the magnetized plasma in the conducting boundary. The theoretically predicted magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) and double adiabatic equations of state are compared with experimental measurements to estimate the adiabatic nature of the compressed plasma. The equilibrium of our magnetized plasmas is well-described by magnetohydrodynamics; however, we find that the MHD equation of state is not supported by our data. Our results are more consistent with the parallel Chew-Goldberger-Low equation of state, suggesting that there is significant anisotropy in the ion distribution function.
Modular Carrier Board and Package for Infrared LED Arrays

Infrared scene projectors (IRSPs) are a critical laboratory tool for setup, calibration, and testing of infrared sensors. Infrared light emitting diode projectors are evolving to handle higher resolution, faster frame rates, and higher cooling power. New cryogenic packaging that can support these advanced features is needed. This paper describes a new cryogenic package design that enables higher resolutions and faster frame rates. The resulting modifications to the IRSP system hardware are described.
Neutron radiation hardness testing of 650V / 7.5 A GaN power HEMT

Abstract We have performed neutron radiation hardness testing for commercially available 650 V/7.5 A GaN power HEMT. The devices were tested at Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) inside Irradiation of Chips Electronics, ICE house-1 at a flux density of 106 n/cm2-s and energy level above 1 MeV, which is approximately 106 times higher than neutron radiation at airliner flight height (30,000 ft). During the experiments, the devices were stressed electrically, thermally and irradiated with neutron radiation. We have observed degradation of AlGaN layer due to accelerated neutron radiation (1.54 × 1010 n/cm2 above 1.5 MeV neutron energy) under electrical stress condition. We have performed parametric defect analysis through step-by-step application of neutron irradiation, thermal stress and electrical bias, and observed highest degradation of threshold voltage (0.14 V) for combined electrical stress and neutron irradiation.
Description of Calliactis tigris sp. nov.: reconciling taxonomy and phylogeny in hermit-crab symbiotic anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria: Hormathiidae)

The symbiosis between sea anemones and hermit crabs is ubiquitous in the marine environment (except in the poles), occurring from shallow to deep waters; it involves one or more anemones living on a shell inhabited by a hermit crab. The anemone-crab partnership is a mutualism in which hermit crabs provide a hard substrate, increased access to oxygenated waters and food supply, in exchange for defense by the anemone. The vast majority of the sea anemone partners belong to three genera in family Hormathiidae: Adamsia, Calliactis, Paracalliactis. Given the remarkable nature of the symbiosis, hormathiid partners have been hypothesized to represent a monophyletic group. This has been rejected by Gusmao and Daly et al. (2010) and confirmed by our phylogenetic analysis using molecular markers (12S, 16S, 18S, 28S, COIII). We expand the results of Gusmao and Daly et al. (2010) by finding a monophyletic Paracalliactis, which was left untested in their analyses. Thus, characters of taxonomic significance associated to the symbiotic habit are interpreted as functional rather than phylogenetic. We reconcile taxonomy and the present evolutionary framework to avoid defining taxonomic groups based on characters prone to convergence. We formalize the synonymy of Adamsia and Calliactis and provide updated diagnoses for the valid genera Calliactis and Paracalliactis to bring more stability to the group. Under this new framework, we describe Calliactis tigris sp. nov. from Australia based on 21 specimens collected off the coast of New South Wales and Queensland and differentiate it from congeners and other hermit crab symbionts recorded in the Pacific Ocean.
Psychological well-being and personality traits are associated with experiencing love in everyday life

Abstract Everyday life presents many experiences that can make people feel connected to another and leave them feeling loved. We conducted two ecological momentary assessment studies (N = 52 and N = 160) to examine people's subjective perceptions of the impact of these experiences by capturing the extent to which they felt loved at several randomly sampled times during their daily life. Individual differences in loving feelings were characterized by baseline levels, within-person variabilities, and slow and fast time scale indicators of change. Results showed that there were considerable individual differences in these characteristics and these individual differences related systematically to both psychological well-being and personality: across two studies, higher felt love baseline levels were related to greater psychological well-being as well as to higher Extraversion personality scores, while people scoring high on Neuroticism showed lower baseline levels.
Update on Diabetes Medical Management: Epidemiology and Treatment

Diabetes represents a group of metabolic disorders which is affecting a growing number of people. It is estimated that worldwide about 8.8% of the adult population have diabetes and another 7% has prediabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form and accounts for about 90–95% of cases. Diabetes in most developed countries is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease, adult-onset blindness, kidney failure, and lower-limb amputation. The goal of diabetes treatment is the prevention of diabetes emergencies and prevention of complications. Diabetes emergencies for type 1 and type 2 diabetes include diabetes ketoacidosis and the hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, respectively. Long-term complications of hyperglycemia include microvascular complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, and macrovascular complications which include coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, and cerebrovascular disease. While treatment for type 1 diabetes mostly relies on insulin treatment, for patients with type 2 diabetes, there are now medications which have been shown to have also beneficial cardiovascular effects. We are therefore moving to a new era where in addition to glucose control it is now also possible to target the cardiovascular system. It is crucial that patients acquire awareness of diabetes and its complications since this is often poorly appreciated. This chapter will focus on the current epidemiology and treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in adults.
Chimpanzee Intercommunity Conflict: Fitness Outcomes, Power Imbalances, and Multilevel Selection

This chapter is the first of five comprising Part III. Though, as in Chap. 6, we have previously allowed some lexical analyses to interpolate Part II’s historical-empirical thrust, Part III is predominately statistical, even as it continues to review relevant literature and history. Though, consistent with the mandate of this monograph, we aim ultimately to establish the reality of human group selection, this initial chapter alone treats chimpanzees. To thoroughgoing evolutionists, the relevance will be self-evident; we only add that establishing evidence of group selection in such a highly related species foundationally supports the empirical argument for human group selection, as presented in the four subsequent chapters constituting Part III of this volume.
Ondansetron use in early pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage.

Background Ondansetron is commonly used to treat nausea and vomiting in pregnancy despite inconclusive evidence of its safety. Previous studies have reported no increase in risk of miscarriage but relied on methods that failed to account for gestational weeks at risk and non-user comparators, which may increase the potential for unmeasured confounding. Our objective was to estimate the risk of miscarriage among women prescribed ondansetron vs alternative antiemetics during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. Methods A pregnancy cohort was created using electronic health record data from a health care system in North Carolina. Women were classified as exposed to either ondansetron or comparator antiemetics (metoclopramide or promethazine) based on the first antiemetic prescription received in the first 20 weeks of gestation. Cumulative incidence of miscarriage at 20 weeks was estimated in each antiemetic group. Hazard ratios (HR) were estimated with 95% confidence intervals and measured confounding was controlled using inverse probability of treatment weights. Sensitivity analyses assessed the potential impact of exposure misclassification, latency period, and selection bias. Results We identified 2620 eligible pregnancies with antiemetic orders; 65% had a first ondansetron order and 35% had a first comparator antiemetic order. In total, 95 women had a miscarriage. After adjustment, there was no difference in risk of miscarriage (HR 1.21, 95% CI 0.77, 1.90). Results from the per-protocol and other sensitivity analyses were similar to the main analysis. Conclusions We did not observe an increase in the risk of miscarriage for pregnancies exposed to ondansetron vs comparator antiemetics.
Crystal structures of glutathione- and inhibitor-bound human GGT1: critical interactions within the cysteinylglycine binding site.

Overexpression of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT1) has been implicated in an array of human diseases including asthma, reperfusion injury, and cancer. Inhibitors are needed for therapy, but development of potent, specific inhibitors of GGT1 has been hampered by a lack of structural information regarding substrate binding and cleavage. To enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanism of substrate cleavage, we have solved the crystal structures of human GGT1 (hGGT1) with glutathione (a substrate) and a phosphate-glutathione analog (an irreversible inhibitor) bound in the active site. These are the first structures of any eukaryotic GGT with the cysteinylglycine region of the substrate-binding site occupied. These structures and the structure of apo-hGGT reveal movement of amino acid residues within the active site as the substrate binds. Asn-401 and Thr-381 each form hydrogen bonds with two atoms of GSH spanning the γ-glutamyl bond. Three different atoms of hGGT1 interact with the carboxyl oxygen of the cysteine of GSH. Interactions between the enzyme and substrate change as the substrate moves deeper into the active site cleft. The substrate reorients and a new hydrogen bond is formed between the substrate and the oxyanion hole. Thr-381 is locked into a single conformation as an acyl bond forms between the substrate and the enzyme. These data provide insight on a molecular level into the substrate specificity of hGGT1 and provide an explanation for seemingly disparate observations regarding the enzymatic activity of hGGT1 mutants. This knowledge will aid in the design of clinically useful hGGT1 inhibitors.
Sec Market-Risk Disclosures: Enhancing Comparability

In 1997, the U.S. SEC mandated through Financial Reporting Release 48 (FRR48) the disclosure of forward-looking market risk information. Because of the recency of the required risk disclosures, little has been written about them or about how analysts might use them. FRR48 allows three disclosure formats: sensitivity measures, value at risk, and a tabular format. The issue is that variations among the disclosure formats and the discretion allowed about assumptions underlying sensitivity and VAR measures may impair analysts' use of the disclosures. We demonstrate how sensitivity and VAR measures can be derived from the tabular format. Our methodology allows financial analysts to derive risk measures based on consistent assumptions among companies. Tabular data provide a common denominator by which companies may be compared and provide a means of overcoming the limitations of sensitivity and VAR measures.
Vickery’s Folk Flora: An A–Z of the Folklore and Uses of British and Irish Plants: By Roy Vickery. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2019. 823 pp. Illus. £30.00 (hbk). ISBN 978-1-47460-462-8

Vickery’s Folk Flora is a treasure house of information, clearly and attractively written and presented. The book represents the distillation of many years of research done while Roy Vickery was wo...
The Ebola virus matrix protein clusters phosphatidylserine, a critical step in viral budding

Phosphatidylserine (PS) has been shown to be a critical lipid factor in the assembly and spread of numerous lipid enveloped viruses. Here, we describe the ability of the Ebola virus (EBOV) matrix protein eVP40 to induce clustering of PS and promote viral budding in vitro, as well as the ability of an FDA approved drug, fendiline, to reduce PS clustering subsequently reducing virus budding and entry. To gain mechanistic insight into fendiline inhibition of EBOV replication, multiple in vitro assays were employed including imaging, viral budding and viral entry assays. Fendiline reduced the PS content in mammalian cells and PS in the plasma membrane, reducing the ability of VP40 to form new virus particles. Further, particles that do form from fendiline treated cells have altered particle morphology and decreased infectivity capacity. These complementary studies reveal the mechanism by which filovirus matrix proteins cluster PS to enhance viral assembly, budding, and spread from the host cell while also laying the groundwork for fundamental drug targeting strategies.
Clinical Outcome Measure Crosswalks in Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review.

Background A key challenge in studies that model outcomes, disease progression, and cost-effectiveness of existing and emerging dementia treatments is the lack of conversion criteria to translate, or 'crosswalk', scores on multiple measurement scales. Clinical status in dementia is commonly characterized in the cognitive, functional, and behavioral domains. Objective We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed dementia measure crosswalks in the three domains. Methods We systematically reviewed published literature for crosswalks between scales used to measure cognitive, functional, or behavioral outcomes in Alzheimer's and related dementias. The search was conducted in PubMed, and additional crosswalks were identified through snowballing and expert input from dementia modelers. Results Of the reviewed articles, 2,334 were identified through a PubMed search, 842 articles were sourced from backward and forward citation snowballing, and 8 additional articles were recommended through expert input. 31 papers were eligible for inclusion, listing 74 unique crosswalks. Of those, 62 (83.8%) were between endpoints of the cognitive domain and 12 (16.2%) were either between endpoints of the functional domain or were hybrid in nature. Among crosswalks exclusively in the cognitive domain, a majority involved the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) (37 crosswalks) or the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and its variants (25 crosswalks). MMSE was directly compared to MoCA or MoCA variants in 16 crosswalks. Conclusion Existing crosswalks between measures of dementia focus largely on a limited selection of outcome measures, particularly MMSE and MoCA. Few crosswalks exist in the functional domain, and no crosswalks were identified for solely behavioral measures.
A Survey of Parking Solutions for Smart Cities

Existing surveys look at parking solutions from the perspective of sensors, communication protocols, and the hardware-software interface. While this is a worthwhile approach, it suffers from three obvious shortcomings, namely that present-day sensors are likely to become obsolete in a few years, communication protocols get discontinued, and present-day software will almost certainly not run on tomorrow's platforms. Consequently, these approaches are not promising for the Smart Cities of the near future. Unlike previous surveys, we look at parking in Smart Cities through the lens of market-based allocation of goods and services. In competitive markets prices act as signals used to allocate goods to those who value them most. In the case of parking spots, some drivers are willing to pay higher prices for the use of those parking spots that offer them the highest utility. What makes our survey unique is that we are looking at the recent literature with an eye for market-oriented solutions including pricing as an instrument for shaping traffic and for incentivizing socially-desirable driver behavior. We believe that one of the important contributions of any survey paper, over and above being a compendium of known art, is to suggest new lines of research. With this in mind, we have peppered the manuscript with slightly unorthodox perspectives. These perspectives are intended to be thought-provoking and to open new avenues for possible investigations.
Targeted CuS nanoparticles and near-infrared laser irradiation for photothermal ablation therapy of KB cervical tumor xenograft

1366 Objectives CuS nanoparticles (NPs) mediate strong near-infrared light absorption and are proposed as an efficient conductor for photothermal ablation (PTA) therapy (J Am Chem Soc 132:15351, 2010). The purpose of this study was to synthesize a novel class of folate receptor-targeted CuS (FA-CuS) NPs, and evaluate the therapeutic effects of these NPs for PTA therapy in KB xenografts. Methods FA-CuS NPs and non-targeted PEG-CuS NPs were synthesized and characterized with regard to size, and stability. Tumor uptake and biodistribution of NPs were studied by microPET/CT imaging. For antitumor activity, nude mice bearing s.c. folate receptor-positive KB cancer cells were injected i.v. with saline, PEG-CuS NPs, or FA-CuS NPs, followed by treatment with 808 nm laser at 1.5 W/cm2 for 3 min. Twenty-four hours after laser treatment, tumors were removed for histological evaluation Results CuS NPs had average diameter of 11-18 nm and possessed colloidal excellent stability. FA-CuS NPs displayed significantly higher tumor-to-muscle ratio (T/M=7.26) than PEG-CuS NPs did (T/M=5.38). Mice treated with FA−CuS NPs plus laser caused almost greater than 90% tumor necrosis. In comparison, mice treated with PEG−CuS NPs plus the laser caused 50% tumor necrosis. Mice treated with saline plus laser had only baseline level of necrosis ( Conclusions FA-CuS NPs targeting folate receptors displayed increased tumor delivery of CuS NPs and enhanced antitumor effect of photothermal ablation therapy.
Pharmacokinetic model of ascorbic acid in healthy male volunteers during depletion and repletion.

Purpose. To develop a new pharmacokinetic model for ascorbic acid (vitamin C) since no previously published model describes ascorbic acid absorption and disposition over a broad physiologic range of doses and plasma concentrations.
Brain-penetrating 2-aminobenzimidazole H1-antihistamines for the treatment of insomnia

Abstract The benzimidazole core of the selective non-brain-penetrating H 1 -antihistamine mizolastine was used to identify a series of brain-penetrating H 1 -antihistamines for the potential treatment of insomnia. Using cassette PK studies, brain-penetrating H 1 -antihistamines were identified and in vivo efficacy was demonstrated in a rat EEG/EMG model. Further optimization focused on strategies to attenuate an identified hERG liability, leading to the discovery of 4i with a promising in vitro profile.
Beyond the “Delivery Problem”: Why There is “No Such Thing as a Language”

In “Practical Knowledge of Language”, C.-h. Tsai criticizes the arguments in “Swimming and Speaking Spanish” (this issue, pp. 331–341), on the grounds that its account of knowledge of language as knowledge-how is mistaken. In its place, he proposes an alternative account in terms of Russell’s concept “knowledge-by-acquaintance”. In this paper, I show that this account succeeds neither in displacing the account in Swimming and Speaking Spanish nor in addressing Tsai’s main concern: solving the “delivery problem”.
Blueberry Supplementation Attenuates Inflammation and Oxidative Stress and Increases Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in the Brains of Middle-Aged Mice Consuming a High Fat Diet

Previously it was demonstrated that 9 month old mice fed a high fat diet (HFD, Harlan, TD.06414, 60% calories from lard fat) for five months had impaired memory; however supplementation of the HFD with 4% blueberry (BB, freeze-dried extract, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council) reduced these memory deficits. The brains of these mice were dissected, homogenized, and assayed with ELISA for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and were evaluated for oxidative stress by examining 4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE). There was a significant increase in hippocampal BDNF in the animals fed the HFD + BB (273±56 pg/ml/per mg of tissue) in comparison with the low fat diet (LFD, TD.08806, 10% calories from fat) and HFD-fed animals without BB supplementation (44±3 and 46±2 pg/ml, respectively). There was also a trend suggesting that animals fed a LFD + BB had elevated BDNF levels (101±57 pg/ml). Greater levels of TNF-alpha were found in the cerebral cortex of mice fe...
RADIATION FROM HOT, THIN PLASMAS

We discuss the processes which produce radiation in astrophysical plasmas, emphasizing the accuracy with which the spectrum can be predicted. Detailed comparisons among different computations are made for simple cases, and the effects of non-negligible densities, fields, photon fluxes and time variations are discussed.
The Tubulin Binding Mode of Microtubule Stabilizing Agents Studied by Electron Crystallography

Since tubulin was discovered in 1967, drug probes have been used to manipulate mechanisms of microtubule polymerization and disassembly. In parallel, advances in optical imagery, electron microscopy, along with both electron and X-ray diffraction have provided ability to “see” the molecular underpinning of these machines. Nanoscale mapping of different tubulin polymers formed in the presence of different drugs and cofactors provide a context for examining the dynamic features relevant to their biological activity. Models built from EM maps have been used to understand the binding of stabilizing drugs such as taxanes and epothilones, to predict more effective molecules, and to explain mutation based resistance. Here, we discuss drug binding in the context of different polymeric forms and propose a trigger mechanism associated with microtubules’ dynamic instability.
Creating surface patterns of polymer brushes by degrafting via tetrabutyl ammonium fluoride

We demonstrate the use of tetrabutyl ammonium fluoride (TBAF) for creating spatial patterns of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) brushes on a flat silica support by degrafting PMMA grafted chains from selected regions on the substrate. We generate a gradient in grafting density of PMMA brushes by dipping substrates featuring homogeneous PMMA brush assemblies into TBAF solution. Desired in-plane patterns in the PMMA brush layer in millimeter scale are created by using a microcontact printing TBAF with a stamp made of agarose gel. The use of TBAF for degrafting is appealing because it cleaves selectively Si–O bonds and activates hydroxyl groups on silicon surfaces to enable deposition of organosilane-based initiators for growth of a fresh polymer brush layer. The latter is verified by using ellipsometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and water contact angle measurements. The reusability of the substrate allows us to create diblock copolymer brushes on selected portions of the substrate not exposed to TBAF while decorating the TBAF-treated sections of the substrate with homopolymer brushes.
Influence of dietary fats on Ecstasy-induced hyperthermia.

Background and purpose: Studies were designed to examine the effects of dietary fats on metabolic effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy). These effects included hyperthermia, expression of uncoupling protein (UCP1 and 3) in brown adipose tissue or skeletal muscle and plasma free fatty acid (FFA) levels. Experimental approach: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a high-fat diet (HFD, 60% kcal) or a lower fat isocaloric controlled diet (LFD, 10% kcal) for 28 days before MDMA challenge. Key results: No significant differences were observed between LFD and HFD groups in terms of body weight, plasma thyroxine (T4) levels and expression of brown fat UCP1 or skeletal muscle UCP3 protein. HFD significantly raised levels of circulating FFA and potentiated the thermogenesis induced by MDMA (10 mg kg−1, s.c.), compared to the effects of the LFD. Moreover, 30 and 60 min after MDMA administration, plasma FFA levels decreased in HFD animals, but were markedly elevated in the LFD group. Conclusions and implications: These results indicate that high-fat feeding regulates MDMA-induced thermogenesis by augmenting the activation of UCP rather than its expression. British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 151, 1103–1108; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707312
How and for whom does gender matter? Rethinking the concept of sexual orientation

While the gender reliant binary hetero/homo sexual orientation model shapes our social understanding of sex and desire, there is often a disjuncture between individuals’ self-described sexual orien...
Scheduling jobs with equal processing times subject to machine eligibility constraints

We consider the problem of nonpreemptively scheduling a set of n jobs with equal processing times on m parallel machines so as to minimize the makespan. Each job has a prespecified set of machines on which it can be processed, called its eligible set. We consider the most general case of machine eligibility constraints as well as special cases of nested and inclusive eligible sets. Both online and offline models are considered. For offline problems we develop optimal algorithms that run in polynomial time, while for online problems we focus on the development of optimal algorithms of a new and more elaborate structure as well as approximation algorithms with good competitive ratios.
Characterization and Quantitation of the Apoproteins of High-Density Lipoprotein by Capillary Electrophoresis

Abstract A method has been developed using capillary electrophoresis (CE) to quantitate plasma levels of apoprotein A-I (apoA-I) and apoprotein A-II (apoA-II) in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) samples. ApoA-I and apoA-II are resolved by CE in delipidated and non-delipidated HDL samples. Concentrations of apoA-I and apoA-II were calculated from their peak areas in the electropherogram. Results of the analysis of Sigma plasma standards (Controls 1 and 2) using CE are in good agreement with values obtained by Sigma using immunoturbidimetric assay. CE and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) were found to be complementary in the study of apoA-I and apoA-II. RP-HPLC resolves the isoforms of purified apoA-I and apoA-II, but it cannot resolve mixtures of them because the retention times of the isoforms overlap. CE separates apoA-I from apoA-II, but it does not resolve the isoforms. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry was used to identify the isoforms of apoA-I and apoA-II by their molecular weight ( M r ) in fractions collected from RP-HPLC.
Ontology and logic: remarks on hartry field's anti-platonist philosophy of mathematics

In Science without numbers Hartry Field attempted to formulate a nominalist version of Newtonian physics—one free of ontic commitment to numbers, functions or sets—sufficiently strong to have the standard platonist version as a conservative extension. However, when uses for abstract entities kept popping up like hydra heads, Field enriched his logic to avoid them. This paper reviews some of Field's attempts to deflate his ontology by inflating his logic.
HIGHER MOMENT EXCITATION OF NORMAL MODES AND SURFACE WAVES

Following the formalism introduced initially by Backus and Malcuhy, and developed for body waves by Stump, we investigate the excitation of normal modes and surface waves in the Earth by higher moments, characteristic of seismic sources with extended lateral dimensions. We derive coefficients of excitation in the most general case for second order moments (third-order tensors), and show that they can be readily computed from the double-couple excitation coefficients for all geometries, and for both normal modes and surface waves. We apply our results to a number of simple fault models, including ruptures involving vertical propagation, which cannot be treated by the classic directivity method. While it is in principle possible to correct for. the vertical extent of the source through the use of the centroidal double-couple in the case of simple ruptures, our formalism can be applied to any geometry. Our results show that vertical rupture, even over short distances (10km), can substantially modify the excitation of normal modes in the case of dip-slip sources. This may have important consequences for moment tensor inversion, and in the search for deep lateral heterogeneities. Finally, this formalism may be transposed to the theory of tsunami generation.
Grazing of the seagrass Zostera noltii by birds at terschelling (Dutch Wadden Sea)

On the tidal flats south of the island of Terschelling in the Dutch Wadden Sea a seagrass bed is situated, which covered an area of 107 ha in 1974. The dominant species in this bed was Zostera noltii Hornem., but scattered single shoots of Zostera marina L. also occurred. Maximum standing stock estimations for the whole bed amounted to 2778 kg dry wt. in 1974. The island of Terschelling is an important roostin place for wildfowl in the Dutch Wadden Sea. Four species, viz. the brent goose (Branta bernicla (L.)), the pintail (Anas acuta L.), the wigeon (Anas penelope L.) and the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos L.) use th intertidal Zostera noltii as a food source. Censuses taken during the autumn of 1974 showed that an average of 710 birds remained on the seagrass vegetation each day. From 10 September to 8 December these birds consumed 1426 kg dry wt. of seagrass, Anas acuta and Anas penelope taking the greatest share of 66%. Since the winter standing stock was very low, ca. 1300 kg dry wt., i.e., approximately 50% of the total amount must have been lost due to dying off, consumption by invertebrates and breaking off by wave action. This figure agreed with estimates of the biomass decrease in two enclosures. A detailed study of the effect of grazing on the seagrass vegetation showed that the initial cover of the seagrass determined the whole grazing process, the birds prefering to feed in the most dense and homogeneous beds. Intensive grazing initially caused an increase of the heterogeneity but ultimately resulted in a homogeneous vegetation with a very low percentage cover, that is to say an almost total disapperance of the above-ground parts of the plant.
Tryptophan-Niacin relationship in the developing chick embryo.

Abstract The injection of tryptophan in the egg after 10 days of incubation resulted in a significant increase in the niacin content, but no increase in the tryptophan content of the newly hatched chick. The injection of niacin had no sparing effect on tryptophan and only a small part of the injected material could be recovered from the chick. The niacin content increases in the incubating egg and the tryptophan content decreases. Anthranilic acid and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid injections did not increase the niacin content of the chick. The injection of pyridoxine and pyridoxamine together with tryptophan did not increase the niacin content of the chick above that resulting from tryptophan alone. A consistent, but not statistically significant, decrease in the niacin content of the chick resulted from the injection of desoxypyridoxine.
Seasonal variation in mate-locating activity in the desert hackberry butterfly (Asterocampa leilia; Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Males of the desert hackberry butterfly occupy and defend encounter sites used in mate location. This activity is restricted to about 3 h each day, usually between 0800 and 1100. We monitored daily and seasonal changes in the number of males perched at encounter sites along a census route on 32 days during 1991 and 1992. The results indicate that males are active earlier in the mornings during summer than in spring or fall. However, they were not active at all times when air temperature and solar altitude would appear to permit perch site occupation. Daily and seasonal shifts in air temperature and solar radiation are not a sufficient proximate explanation for patterns of male behavior. Over a wide range of temperatures, females most often eclose around 0800, which suggests that the timing of female availability determines when males are active within the broad limits imposed by thermoregulatory requirements.
Electron stimulated desorption of excited OH radicals from SrF2 surfaces

Abstract Electron stimulated desorption (ESD) of OH radicals from H2O adsorbed on SrF2 surfaces was investigated in order to determine the energy distribution of desorbed excited radicals. Kinetic energies were determined by measuring the spatial extent of the fluorescence above the surface and vibrational and rotational energies were determined by analysing the intensity distribution of the rovibrational spectra. Comparable kinetic and vibrational energies were found (Etr = 0.2 eV, Evib = 0.17 eV), where the rotational energy was measured to be much smaller (Erot = 0.04 eV). These results are discussed in terms of possible dissociation channels of the adsorbed molecule.
Gq-dependent signalling by the lysophosphatidic acid receptor LPA3 in gastric smooth muscle: reciprocal regulation of MYPT1 phosphorylation by Rho kinase and cAMP-independent PKA

The present study characterized the signalling pathways initiated by the bioactive lipid, LPA (lysophosphatidic acid) in smooth muscle. Expression of LPA(3) receptors, but not LPA(1) and LPA(2), receptors was demonstrated by Western blot analysis. LPA stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis, PKC (protein kinase C) and Rho kinase (Rho-associated kinase) activities: stimulation of all three enzymes was inhibited by expression of the G(alphaq), but not the G(alphai), minigene. Initial contraction and MLC(20) (20 kDa regulatory light chain of myosin II) phosphorylation induced by LPA were abolished by inhibitors of PLC (phospholipase C)-beta (U73122) or MLCK (myosin light-chain kinase; ML-9), but were not affected by inhibitors of PKC (bisindolylmaleimide) or Rho kinase (Y27632). In contrast, sustained contraction, and phosphorylation of MLC(20) and CPI-17 (PKC-potentiated inhibitor 17 kDa protein) induced by LPA were abolished selectively by bisindolylmaleimide. LPA-induced activation of IKK2 {IkappaB [inhibitor of NF-kappaB (nuclear factor kappaB)] kinase 2} and PKA (protein kinase A; cAMP-dependent protein kinase), and degradation of IkappaBalpha were blocked by the RhoA inhibitor (C3 exoenzyme) and in cells expressing dominant-negative mutants of IKK2(K44A) or RhoA(N19RhoA). Phosphorylation by Rho kinase of MYPT1 (myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1) at Thr(696) was masked by phosphorylation of MYPT1 at Ser(695) by PKA derived from IkappaB degradation via RhoA, but unmasked in the presence of PKI (PKA inhibitor) or C3 exoenzyme and in cells expressing IKK2(K44A). We conclude that LPA induces initial contraction which involves activation of PLC-beta and MLCK and phosphorylation of MLC(20), and sustained contraction which involves activation of PKC and phosphorylation of CPI-17 and MLC(20). Although Rho kinase was activated, phosphorylation of MYPT1 at Thr(696) by Rho kinase was masked by phosphorylation of MYPT1 at Ser(695) via cAMP-independent PKA derived from the NF-kappaB pathway.
Sodium, Potassium, and Chloride in Floral Nectars: Energy-Free Contributions to Refractive Index and Salt Balance

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Advanced TCAD for predictive FinFETs Vth mismatch using full 3D process/device simulation

Predictive TCAD tool is crucial for several reasons such as to provide pre-silicon data, shorten the technology development cycle and reduce the fabrication cost. In this paper, advanced 3D TCAD process and device simulations is used to gain physical understanding and to optimize the performance/variability of bulk-FinFETs. For the first time, the full FinFET process flow simulation was performed using diffusion, activation and segregation models identical to those used in planar nodes. In this work a wide range of implantation and anneal splits is used to demonstrate the 3D simulation accuracy. After achieving good agreement with experiments in terms of Vth and Ion/Ioff, considering lateral dopant diffusion and activation, the simulation was used to investigate SRAM random doping fluctuation RDF.
Captopril reduces the VE/VCO2 ratio in myocardial infarction patients with low ejection fraction

Study objectives To determine whether captopril (CAP) therapy had an effect on the minute ventilation/carbon dioxide output ( V ˙ E /V ˙ CO 2 ratio at submaximal levels of exercise in asymptomatic patients with reduced left ventricular function after myocardial infarction. Design Double blinded, randomized, prospective, repeated measures. Patients and interventions One hundred thirty-five patients with left ventricular ejection fractions of 22 months (T3) postmyocardial infarction. Measurements Oxygen uptake ( V ˙ O2 ), V ˙ E /V ˙ co 2 , and VE were measured throughout each exercise test. Dependent variables were peak V ˙ O2 ( V ˙ O2 peak), the ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT), and the V ˙ E /V ˙ CO 2 ratio measured at 30 W and at 75% V ˙ O2 peak. Results V ˙ O2 peak and VAT did not differ as a result of treatment (CAP vs PLC; p=0.92 and 0.80) or over time (T1 vs T2 vs T3; p=0.51 and 0.07). V ˙ E /V ˙ CO 2 was significantly lower for CAP at 30 W (p = 0.05) and, although lower at 75% V ˙ O2 peak, did not obtain statistical significance (p = 0.22). The between group differences were larger at T2 and T3 when compared with T1. Conclusions CAP resulted in a reduced V ˙ E /V ˙ CO 2 ratio during submaximal exercise. The reduced ventilation may permit patients to perform their normal activities of daily living at a lower perception of difficulty, reduce symptoms, and provide an improved quality of life.
How Should Carriage Disputes in Digital Media Be Addressed

Disagreements between television networks or channels like AMC or Viacom, and media distributors like Comcast or DISH are endemic. In this research, we study the nature of contractual relationship between the television networks and media distributors in a multilayered two-sided framework to explain why carriage disputes (which are obviously non-equilibrium outcomes) have become so common in the current media marketplace. We find that there is a strategic tension between the interests of TV network companies and media distributor companies, and that maintaining agreements between these firms require non-contractible actions. These non-contractible actions are very different from the natural behavior of the firms, so the agreement can only be maintained if each firm has recourse to a credible, costly, and temporary threat- a carriage dispute.
Morphology of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Affected by the Thermal Stability of the Catalyst System

High-quality multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were efficiently synthesized on the CaCO3 supported Fe−Co catalyst with catalytic chemical vapor deposition method using acetylene as carbon source. The relationship between the catalyst structure and the carbon nanotube growth was systematically studied by using multiple techniques including SEM, TEM, TGA, Raman spectroscopy, and XRD. It was found that the MWCNT product demonstrates two groups in the outer diameter distribution, which is associated with the partial decomposition of CaCO3. This thermal decomposition was found to have as a result the coexistence of two catalytic systems throughout the entire synthesis process: Fe−Co/CaCO3 and Fe−Co/CaO. It was also found that the smaller diameter nanotubes grow on the Fe−Co/CaO system, while Fe−Co/CaCO3 produces larger diameter tubes.
Characterization of 1-methyl-4-[4'-amino]phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine toxicity in the mouse.

We examined the effects of pretreatment with clorgyline or deprenyl, selective inhibitors of MAO-A and -B respectively, as well as the selective DA uptake inhibitor GBR 12909, on the toxicity of MPTP analog. In addition, we examined the effects of 4'-amino MPTP 1 month after administration and characterized the anatomical changes induced by this agent. Finally, we evaluated the effect of dosing interval on 4'-amino MPTP toxicity
Changing Patterns of Femininity: Psychoanalytic Implications

The social status and gender-role behavior of women has changed periodi- cally over history, depending on a variety of socio-cultural, economic, and religious factors. Classical psychoanalytic views concerning "normal" feminine psychology and sexuality, based on Freud's original postulates were derived from his experiences and observations as a late-19th and early-20th century middle-European male. This ar- ticle explores the errors involved in these traditional hypotheses concerning "penis envy," "normal" feminine masochism and passivity, female super-ego development and female psychosexuality, including orgasm and gender-role behavior. There is probably no area in Freud's writings more fraught with theoretical and clinical contradictions than his pronouncements concerning feminine psychophysiology. In what follows, I shall examine these pronouncements in the light of certain developments and changes in the behavioral patterns of 20th-century women. The exact nature of the relationship of primitive man and woman is shrouded in conjecture (the popular fantasy pictures a masterful caveman dragging his willing and passively inert mate along the ground by her hair). We know, however, that since recorded history there has been no fixed pat- tern to this relationship. There is evidence to suggest that in most primitive, nomadic societies family descent was originally reckoned through the moth- ers (probably for the obvious reason that maternity, in contrast to paternity, could not be doubted), and clans were consequently organized along matrilin- eal lines. With the evolution of agriculture, and the gradual development of