cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Suturing a Wounded Body—Wounded Mind in Red Silk on White Linen: Embodied and Hand(Y) Knowledge of Trauma

In 1830, Elizabeth Parker, daughter of a day laborer and of a teacher in Ashburnham, East Sussex, England, cross-stitched in red silk thread an extraordinarily complex text that participates in several genres, including a memoir of her then brief life of some seventeen years, a confession, a suicide note, and a prayer. These various genres cohere around one momentous event in Parker’s young life: the sexual violation and physical abuse at the hands of her employer, Lt. G. After suturing 46 lines, 1,722 words, and 6,699 characters, she stops mid-line and mid-way down her cloth with the powerful plea, “What will become of my soul[?]” This paper argues that Parker’s sampler was a robust site in which Parker was able to grapple with her wounded body and mind. To justify the claim that a woman’s stitching can be interpreted as an epistemic activity, the proposed paper turns to two key concepts “situated knowledges” and “embodied knowledge”- both of which have been posited by feminists as a way to destabilize the dominant validation of disembodied, abstract thinking where the eye serves as the mind’s tool of investigation. (Haraway; Knappett; Frank; Driver)
Acetylcholinesterase and responses to acetylcholine in the embryonic chicken heart.

Three and 4 day old embryonic chicken hearts were examined for their responsiveness to acetylcholine and presence of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) to determine the role of the enzyme in the cardiac effects of the transmitter. The effects of acetylcholine on rate and contractility of 3 day old hearts were indistinguishable from those on 4 day old hearts. These effects were readily blocked by atropine at both stages of development. In 3 day old hearts the responses to acetylcholine were not affected by the AChE inhibitor physostigmine but in 4 day old hearts they were considerably potentiated. The effect of acetylcholine on the rates of 4 day old hearts is of short duration (5 min or less). In 3 day old hearts it persists for a much longer time. Thus, the appearance of AChE in the embryonic heart of the chicken does not seem to modify the responsiveness of the cholinergic receptor to the transmitter.
Some Heteronema species (Euglenophyta) occurring in Łęczna-Włodawa Lakeland (Eastern Poland)

One new Heteronema cf. distigmoides Christen and three rare taxa of H. acus (Ehrenberg) Stein, H. spirale KLEBS and H. nebulosum (Dujardin) Klebs were reported for the Polish flora. All of them were found in the mesotrophic Lake Piaseczno and in a small village pond in Kaniwola, in 2002. Both water reservoirs are situated on the Łeczna-Wlodawa Lakeland (Eastern Poland). The above mentioned species are new to the flora of the Łeczna-Wlodawa Lakeland, probably because of insufficient research, which was carried out on euglenophytes in this area previously. All the presented species are described thoroughly and illustrated in this paper.
Changes in Acidity of Fe-Pillared/Delaminated Smectites on Heat Treatment

Hydroxy–iron smectites were prepared using solutions with a OH/Fe content of about 1.2 and 2.5. To study thermal stability, the samples were heated in air at temperatures between 473 and 873 K. Changes in surface chemistry imposed by heat treatment were evaluated using potentiometric titration. The pKadistributions revealed peaks characteristic for iron complexes (FeIII) deposited on the surface of smectite. Heat treatment resulted in significant changes in the chemistry of the material and creation new species; however, the sorbents textural properties did not alter significantly. Data obtained from X-ray diffraction and sorption of nitrogen demonstrate that iron species are adsorbed mainly on the external surface of smectite and that the properties of the final products depend upon the OH/Fe ratio of hydroxy–iron solutions used in their preparation.
Cropping and tillage systems for dryland grain production in the Southern High Plains

Low precipitation and high evaporative potential limit yields of dryland crops in the semiarid Southern High Plains. Improved residue management can reduce evaporation and improve water conservation. We compared no-tillage (NT) and stubble mulch (SM) residue management effects from 1984 to 1993 on leveled minibenches at Bushland, TX, using winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-fallow (WF), continuous wheat (CW), wheat-sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]-fallow (WSF), and continuous sorghum (CS) systems. The soil was a Pullman clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Torrertic Paleustoll). Our objective was to quantify and compare soil water storage, crop water use, and grain production in order to identify the most water-efficient production system. Relative to SM management, NT management of wheat residues increased average soil water contents at planting of the next crop by 22 mm with WSF, 15 mm with WF, and 29 mm with CW; it was not as effective with sorghum residues. Mean grain yields were not affected by residue management on any cropping system, because the additional water stored with NT management was slight in relation to seasonal evapotranspiration. Cropping systems had major effects on grain yield and production. Fallow systems (WSF, WF) normally resulted in higher yields than the corresponding annual cropping system (CW, CS). However, when grain production was adjusted to an annual basis including fallow time, the CS system was most efficient at using precipitation, producing 92% more grain than WSF, 240% more than CW, and 320% more than WF. Grain production was more than twice as great with sorghum than with wheat, due to greater biomass production and a 33% greater harvest index. Although wheat is the major dryland crop in the Southern High Plains, sorghum seems much better adapted to the region's predominant pattern of late spring-summer rainfall.
Adaptive Actuator/Component Fault Compensation for Nonlinear Systems

An active fault compensation control law is developed for a class of nonlinear systems to guarantee closed-loop stability in the presence of faults, based on a neural network representation of the fault dynamics. Changes in the systems due to faults are modeled as unknown nonlinear functions. The closed-loop stability of the robust fault compensation scheme is established in the Lyapunov's sense. The nonlinear fault function is represented by a neural network, then an adaptive corrective control law is formulated to ensure system stability. The main contributions presented are the design of the fault compensation and corrective control law of nonlinear systems with unmatched uncertainties and the stability analysis of the closed-loop systems in the presence of fault modeling errors. Applications of the proposed design indicate that the fault compensation control law is effective for a nonlinear fermentation process. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Studies of New Zealand hepaticae. 20-38. A miscellanea of new taxa and combinations

ABSTRACT The following new infrageneric taxa are described: Bazzania S. Gray sect. Glaucobazzania J. J. Engel (Lepidoziaceae) and Cephalozia (Dumortier) Dumortier subg. Eocephalozia R. M. Schuster ex J. J. Engel (Cephaloziaceae). Solenostoma cryptogynum R. M. Schuster ex J. J. Engel (Jungermanniaceae), C. austrigena R. M. Schuster ex J. J. Engel, C. schusteriana J. J. Engel, C. pachygyna R. M. Schuster ex J. J. Engel (Cephaloziaceae), Cephaloziella pseudocrassigyna R. M. Schuster ex J. J. Engel (Cephaloziellaceae), and Hyalolepidozia microphylla R. M. Schuster ex J. J. Engel (Lepidoziaceae) are new species. Kurzia helophila R. M. Schuster var. flaccida R. M. Schuster ex J. J. Engel and Allisoniella nigra (Rodway) R. M. Schuster var. acutiloba J. J. Engel are new varieties. Lophozia monoica (Hodgson) J. J. Engel, Andrewsianthus hodgsoniae (R. M. Schuster) R. M. Schuster ex J. J. Engel, A. scabrellus (C. Massalongo) R. M. Schuster ex J. J. Engel, A. sphenoloboides (R. M. Schuster) R. M. Schuster ex J. J. En...
Advancing Human Rights Policy: Does Grassroots Mobilization and Community Dispute Resolution Matter? Insights from Chiapas, Mexico

This research examines the impact of grassroots organizing at the community level in Chiapas, Mexico, to address problems associated with human rights advocacy and implementation. Traditionally, the nation-state has had the primary responsibility to address issues pertaining to human rights violations and the enforcement of international human rights principles and treaties. Local political struggles and acts of resistance by disenfranchised groups in Mexico offer insight to understand the impact of indigenous and other social movements in furthering human rights. Indigenous populations in the state of Chiapas use local community dispute resolution to contest the inadequacy of the state in responding to the problems that give rise to poverty, lack of human dignity, educational access, racial and ethnic discrimination, lack of political participation in government and the right to equality in economic, social, and political sectors. Drawing from research based on participant observations in Chiapas, Mexico, there is some evidence to suggest that since the 1994 EZLN (Zapatista National Liberation Army) uprising several micro-level political and social movements have contested the power of the state through symbolic and pragmatic organizing efforts. These groups include, but are not limited to, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), women's groups, and indigenous groups. After the Zapatista uprising, these groups were instrumental in making claims against the state through numerous activities: protests to end the war, the development of NGOs to observe human rights violations, civilian-based Zapatista support groups (base de apoyo), peace camps, and open dialogue with the EZLN. I argue that collective mobilization in local communities serves both symbolic and pragmatic efforts in helping disenfranchised groups empower themselves to address economic, social, and political inequality. Local-level activism has fueled a sense of self-empowerment to change state institutional responses and to involve sectors of civil society domestically and internationally to initiate a proper resolution of issues that are fundamentally related to human rights.
Control of Pinyon Needle Scale with Dimethoate

This paper reports on the last in a series of tests to find a control for Matsucoccus acalyptus Herbert. Water-emulsion formulations of 0.5 to 1.0% dimethoate gave similar and effective results. Addition of a surfactant did not significantly increase mortality. Proper timing is important; spray should be applied to all egg-mass concentrations when eggs begin to hatch.
Development of detached wheat spikelets in culture

A liquid culture medium in cluster culture dishes supported development of detached wheat spikelets from 7 days pre-anthesis to grain maturity. Development of florets in vitro closely resembled that in vivo as revealed by the growth of anthers, ovaries, and the viability of developing embryos. The number and viability of pollen produced and percentage seed set, however, were significantly lower in cultured spikelets. The developing grain was grown to maturity in vitro by transfering the spikelets into fresh liquid medium every two weeks. The culture of wheat spikelets represents a new experimental tool for studying developmental phenomena and host-pathogen interactions in wheat.
Comparing VM-Placement Algorithms for On-Demand Clouds

Much recent research has been devoted to investigating algorithms for allocating virtual machines (VMs) to physical machines (PMs) in infrastructure clouds. Many such algorithms address distinct problems, such as initial placement, consolidation, or tradeoffs between honoring service-level agreements and constraining provider operating costs. Even where similar problems are addressed, each individual research team evaluates proposed algorithms under distinct conditions, using various techniques, often targeted to a small collection of VMs and PMs. In this paper, we describe an objective method that can be used to compare VM-placement algorithms in large clouds, covering tens of thousands of PMs and hundreds of thousands of VMs. We demonstrate our method by comparing 18 algorithms for initial VM placement in on-demand infrastructure clouds. We compare algorithms inspired by open-source code for infrastructure clouds, and by the online bin-packing literature.
Vorkommen bitterer Hydroxyfettsäuren in Hafer und Weizen

Wasrige Suspensionen von Hafer-, Weichweizen- und Hartweizenmehlen wurden 4 1/2 Stunden bei 38° C inkubiert. Nur im Hafermehl entwickelte sich ein intensiver Bittergeschmack. Die in gefriergetrockneten Proben der inkubierten Mehle vorkommenden freien Hydroxyfettsauren mit Bittergeschmack wurden quantitativ analysiert. Im Hafermehl wurden 750 μg/g LOH (Gemisch aus der 9-Hydroxy-trans, cis-10,12- und der 13-Hydroxy-cis, trans-9,11-octadecadiensaure) und 62 μg/g Tri-OH (Gemisch aus der 9,12,13-Trihydroxy-trans-10- und der 9,10,13-Trihydroxy-trans-11-octadecensaure) nachgewiesen. Weichweizen enthielt dieselbe Menge an Tri-OH wie das Hafermehl, aber nur 60 μg/g LOH. Im Hartweizen kamen von den beiden Hydroxyfettsauren die geringsten Konzentrationen vor (20 μg/g LOH bzw. 15 μg/g Tri-OH). In einer Hafermehlprobe, die durch Extraktion der Lipide entbittert worden war, stellte sich der Bittergeschmack nach Zugabe von 750 μg/g LOH und 62 μg/g Tri-OH wieder ein. Occurrence of Bitter Hydroxy Fatty Acids in Oat and Wheat Water suspensions of oat, soft wheat, and durum wheat flours were incubated for 4.5 h at 38° C. Only the oat flour became intensely bitter. Freeze-dried samples of the incubated flours were analyzed for free hydroxy fatty acids with bitter taste. 750 μg/g L-OH (mixture of 9-hydroxy-trans, cis-10,12-octadecadienoic acid and 13-hydroxy-cis, trans-9,11-octadecadienoic acid) and 62 μg/g Tri-OH (mixture of 9,12,13-trihydroxy-trans-10-octadecenoic acid and 9,10,13-trihydroxy-trans-11-octadecenoic acid) were found in oat flour. Soft wheat flour contained the same amount of Tri-OH as oat flour but only 60 μg/g LOH were detected. Considerable less amounts of both L-OH and Tri-OH (20 μg/g and 15 μg/g respectively) were found in durum wheat flour. The bitter taste of oat flour which has been debittered by extraction of the lipids could be restored by addition of a mixture of 750 μg/g L-OH and 62 μg/g Tri-OH.
Sub-band STAP for stretch processed systems

This paper considers adaptive jammer rejection algorithms applicable to wideband stretch-processed systems. Specifically, sub-banding algorithms in which the received data is first pre-processed into narrow frequency bins are studied. In conventional sub-band STAP, the received signal is divided into narrowband frequency bins, following which the interference is adaptively rejected in each bin. This usually requires that a different weight vector be computed for each sub-band. Alternatively, the received data can be pre-processed so that every sub-band is shifted to a common central sub-band. This enables computation of a single weight vector that can be applied to all of the shifted sub-bands. Simulation results are presented to assess the behavior and performance of these algorithms.
Localization of Sperm During Microdissection Testicular Sperm Extraction in Men with Nonobstructive Azoospermia

Purpose: We determined the location where sperm were identified during microdissection testicular sperm extraction and characterized the subset of patients for whom complete bilateral exploration was most beneficial.Materials and Methods: A total of 900 men underwent a first attempt at microdissection testicular sperm extraction. Sperm extraction began with an initial wide incision in the larger testis. If no sperm were identified, the deeper tissue was extensively microdissected. A similar technique was used on the contralateral testis if no sperm were found on the initial side.Results: In 474 men (52.6%) sperm were identified at the first microdissection testicular sperm extraction. Of these men 308 (65%) had sperm identified through the initial wide incision alone. In men with lower preoperative follicle-stimulating hormone, larger testicular volume, a varicocele history and hypospermatogenesis on preoperative or intraoperative diagnostic biopsy there was a greater chance of finding sperm in the initia...
The relationship between self-consciousness and interpersonal effectiveness and a new scale to measure individual differences in self-consciousness

Abstract The purpose of this research was to explore the relationship between a dispositional tendency to become self-conscious and interpersonal effectiveness. It was hypothesized that excessive self-consciousness may be a significant component of social inadequacy and this prediction was confirmed in two experiments. In both studies, maladaptive self-consciousness was measured using a new scale and the development and validity for the test are reported. In the first study, the social skills of persons high or low in maladaptive self-consciousness were assessed using sociometric ratings made by acquaintances. Persons high in maladaptive self-consciousness were perceived by their peers as more socially inadequate. The second study was conducted in a controlled laboratory setting and involved placing persons high or low in maladaptive self-consciousness in a dyadic interaction with a randomly selected partner. Following this, both participants were asked to report their feelings and reactions during the interaction and to make behavioral ratings of their partner. Trained observers also made behavioral ratings of both interactants. It was hypothesized that maladaptive self-consciousness would be associated with ineffective social behavior, reduced sensitivity to one's partner, and a heightened self-perception of inadequacy. These predictions were confirmed and the implications of the relationship between maladaptive self-consciousness and social inadequacy are discussed.
Validation of Di-5-HT-Gd-DTPA, an Enzyme-Specific MR Contrast Agent for Myeloperoxidase, in the Rabbit Elastase Model of Cerebrovascular Aneurysm

Characterization of molecular imaging probes in multiple animal models of disease is essential to increase their diagnostic potential. For example, we recently demonstrated visualization of active inflammation in a rabbit model saccular aneurysm using clinical field strength MRI and the paramagnetic MR contrast agent di-5-HT-GdDTPA, which has been shown in vitro to be sensitive and specific for the enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO). While the use of transgenic mice (MPO−/−) has demonstrated specificity of di-5-HT-GdDTPA for MPO in a model of myocardial infarction [1], MPO-deficient rabbits are not available. Therefore, in this study, we sought to validate di-5-HT-GdDTPA MPO specificity in the New Zealand white rabbit by comparing serial enhancement ratios of di-5-HT-GdDTPA to a structurally similar MR contrast agent, di-Tyr-GdDTPA, which is activated by peroxidases but not by MPO. Structural diagrams of the synthesis of the two agents are demonstrated in Figure 1 [2].Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Competition in secondary spectrum markets: Price war or market sharing?

Recent initiatives allow cellular providers to offer spot service of their licensed spectrum, paving the way to dynamic secondary spectrum markets. This paper characterizes market outcomes when multiple providers are drawn into competition for secondary demand. We study a game-theoretic model in which each provider aims to enhance its revenue by opportunistically serving secondary demand, while also serving dedicated primary demand. The secondary demand is a function of the price being charged. We consider two philosophies for sharing spectrum between primary and secondary demand: In coordinated access, spectrum providers have the option to decline a secondary access request if that helps enhance their revenue. We explicitly characterize a break-even price such that profitability of secondary access provision is guaranteed if secondary access is priced above the break-even price, regardless of the volume of secondary demand. Consequently, we establish that competition among providers that employ coordinated access leads to a price war. In particular market sharing above the break-even price is not an equilibrium outcome. This conclusion is valid for arbitrary secondary-demand functions. While the demand function does not play a part in determining the winner, it does affect the price of secondary access as exercised by the winning provider. In uncoordinated access, primary and secondary users share spectrum on equal basis, akin to the sharing modality of ISM bands. We demonstrate that market equilibrium in an uncoordinated access setting can be fundamentally different as it opens up the possibility of providers sharing the market at higher prices.
The role of calcium in the secretion of surfactant by rat alveolar type II cells

Beta adrenergic agonists, tetradecanoylphorbol acetate, and the ionophore A23187 all stimulate surfactant secretion in type II cells isolated from rats. We found that combinations of these agonists cause augmented secretion, suggesting that the agonists may effect different steps in the secretory process. Previous studies have shown that cAMP is likely to be an intracellular 'second messenger' in type II cells. A23187, which has been reported to increase cAMP in some cell systems, did not increase the cAMP content of type II cells. We investigated the possible role of Ca2+ as another 'second messenger' by studying cellular 45Ca fluxes and the effect of extracellular calcium depletion on secretion. Depletion of extracellular calcium for as long as 3 h did not alter stimulated secretion, although basal secretion was increased. Secretagogues did not stimulate 45Ca influx from extracellular sources. A23187 and, to a lesser extent, terbutaline caused an acceleration of 45Ca efflux from type II cells. The addition of terbutaline or tetradecanoylphorbol acetate to A23187 further accelerated 45Ca efflux, suggesting that these agonists may act on separate calcium pools or by different mechanisms on the same calcium pool. Although secretion from type II cells is not inhibited by extracellular calcium depletion, the studies on 45Ca efflux suggest that Ca2+ plays a role in the regulation of surfactant secretion from isolated type II cells.
Modeling of electric field distribution and its corelation with breakdown strength in diphasic dielectrics

An electric field distribution in a 3D diphasic dielectric structure with inclusions randomly dispersed in a host phase is simulated using a boundary element method (BEM) to mimic real-world system. A dielectric composite is assumed to undergo the intrinsic breakdown, and a percolation model is used to define the initiation of breakdown process. The simulations comprehensively identify the impact of the inclusion proximity, orientation, dielectric contrast, inclusion volume fraction, and role of interfaces on breakdown strength of diphasic composites. The quantitative correlation between all these factors and the breakdown strength of composites has been established.
Biochemical Analysis of the Human Mismatch Repair Proteins hMutSα MSH2G674A-MSH6 and MSH2-MSH6T1219D

The heterodimeric human MSH2-MSH6 protein initiates DNA mismatch repair (MMR) by recognizing mismatched bases that result from replication errors. Msh2G674A or Msh6T1217D mice that have mutations in or near the ATP binding site of MSH2 or ATP hydrolysis catalytic site of MSH6 develop cancer and have a reduced lifespan due to loss of the MMR pathway (Lin, D. P., Wang, Y., Scherer, S. J., Clark, A. B., Yang, K., Avdievich, E., Jin, B., Werling, U., Parris, T., Kurihara, N., Umar, A., Kucherlapati, R., Lipkin, M., Kunkel, T. A., and Edelmann, W. (2004) Cancer Res. 64, 517–522; Yang, G., Scherer, S. J., Shell, S. S., Yang, K., Kim, M., Lipkin, M., Kucherlapati, R., Kolodner, R. D., and Edelmann, W. (2004) Cancer Cell 6, 139–150). Mouse embryonic fibroblasts from these mice retain an apoptotic response to DNA damage. Mutant human MutSα proteins MSH2G674A-MSH6wt and MSH2wt-MSH6T1219D are profiled in a variety of functional assays and as expected fail to support MMR in vitro, although they retain mismatch recognition activity. Kinetic analyses of DNA binding and ATPase activities and examination of the excision step of MMR reveal that the two mutants differ in their underlying molecular defects. MSH2wt-MSH6T1219D fails to couple nucleotide binding and mismatch recognition, whereas MSH2G674A-MSH6wt has a partial defect in nucleotide binding. Nevertheless, both mutant proteins remain bound to the mismatch and fail to promote efficient excision thereby inhibiting MMR in vitro in a dominant manner. Implications of these findings for MMR and DNA damage signaling by MMR proteins are discussed.
CO adsorption on clean and oxidized Al(110)

Electron-energy loss (EELS) spectra and thermal desorption (TDS) traces of carbon monoxide bound to the (100) surface of aluminum are presented. CO chemisorption on clean Al(100) is characterized by vibrational bands at 440 and 2060 cm−1 and by desorption at 125 K. Oxide “islands”, formed by oxidation in O2 at 575 K, have no observed electronic influence on open metallic areas of the adsorbent but merely block CO adsorption sites.
Structural basis for regulation of Arp2/3 complex by GMF

The Arp2/3 complex regulates the actin cytoskeleton by nucleating branched actin filaments in response to cellular signals and is in turn controlled by regulators including GMF. The crystal structure of GMF bound to Arp2/3 provides insight into how GMF inhibits actin nucleation and dissembles branches.
Infinite factorized groups

The article describes problems about the structure of factorized groups. It is concerned in particular with soluble groups which are products of two subgroups of finite rank.
On the cause of serous detachments and acute central serous chorioretinopathy

Serous detachments, with bullous elevation of the retina, occur in a variety of disorders including central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), age related macular degeneration, lupus erythematosus, choroidal ischaemic disorders such as accelerated hypertension and pre-eclampsia, systemic corticosteroid usage, over some choroidal tumours, and in inflammatory disorders such as Harada’s disease. There is little mystery about the appearance of fluid when it overlies a large area of leaky retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which itself overlies exudative choroidal inflammation or vasculopathy. However, the development and persistence of elevated detachment is rather curious in disorders such as CSC where the region of leakage is very small relative to the area of retina that is detached. Under these conditions, the question of pathophysiological interest is not so much ‘why does fluid enter?’ but ‘why does fluid persist?’ To form a serous detachment, there must be a driving force for fluid entering the subretinal space (for example, a pressure gradient from the choroid acting through an RPE defect) that overcomes retinal adhesive force. But how and why is the detachment maintained? Animal experiments have shown that fluid does not ordinarily persist in the subretinal space (SRS), since it is rapidly transported across the RPE by active and facilitated ionic transport.1-3 Hydrostatic and osmotic forces also drive fluid towards the choroid,45 but are less powerful in a normal eye because they are blocked by the tight junctional barrier of the RPE. It is not surprising, therefore, that when the RPE barrier is damaged (for example, by laser or by an RPE toxin such as sodium iodate), fluid actually leaves the subretinal space faster.67 Removal of the barrier allows a more rapid passive egress of subretinal fluid. Why, then, do some serous detachments (as in CSC) extend far beyond a focal site of …
Concurrent relations among cigarette smoking status, resting heart rate variability, and erectile response.

Abstract Introduction Heart rate variability (HRV) is a marker of sympathovagal balance; it has been implicated in erectile function and is also altered by tobacco use. Furthermore, smoking and erectile health are strongly related, given that smokers are at increased risk for erectile dysfunction. Few studies have explored the interrelationships between smoking, HRV, and erectile function concurrently. Aim The aim of this study was to examine potential mechanisms underlying tobacco's effects on penile hemodynamics by exploring the mediating role of HRV. Methods The sample comprised 119 men (smokers = 64; nonsmokers = 55) (mean age 28.90 years; standard deviation (SD) 11.68; range 18–58) selected from the control conditions of three previously published experiments. Participants were free from a history of cardiovascular disease, myocardial infarct, and/or cardiac/cardiovascular medication use. During a laboratory visit, self-report, anthropometric, cardiovascular, and electrocardiographic data were assessed, as well as sexual arousal responses elicited from viewing an erotic film. Main Outcome Measures Objective sexual arousal indices (circumferential change via penile plethysmography), self-reported erectile function (per the erectile function domain score of the International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF-EF]), and time- (SD of beat-to-beat intervals) and frequency-domain parameters of HRV (ratio of low-frequency [LF] power to high-frequency [HF] power [LF/HF ratio]) were assessed. Results Being a current long-term cigarette smoker was associated with dysregulated sympathovagal balance (higher LF/HF ratios, indicative of sympathetic nervous system dominance), which in turn showed inverse relations with magnitude of erectile tumescence. HRV did not mediate relations between tobacco use and either IIEF-EF scores or resting penile circumference. Conclusions Findings suggest that dysfunctional cardiac autonomic tone may be an underlying mechanism by which tobacco exerts its deleterious effects on erectile health. Further research is necessary to determine whether this relationship is mechanistic in nature, or whether it is better explained by other health factors. Harte CB. Concurrent relations among cigarette smoking status, resting heart rate variability, and erectile response. J Sex Med 2014;11:1230–1239.
Regulation of Macrophage TNFα, IL-1β, and Ia (I-Aα) mRNA Expression during Peritonitis Is Site Dependent

Failure of the immune system to successfully prevent organ failure after injury or infection may be associated with a shift in macrophage function from antigen recognition and presentation to overexpression of inflammatory cytokines. Regulation may be due to changes in macrophage gene expression. Levels of mRNA for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), and the Ia subunit, I-A alpha, in peritoneal macrophages, liver, spleen, kidney, and lung were measured following cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in Swiss Webster mice. Northern blot analysis was performed using 32P-labeled mouse cDNA probes. Peritoneal macrophage TNF alpha and IL-1 beta mRNA expression increased 2.5- and 2-fold, respectively, by 6 hr after CLP and remained elevated at 24 hr. Peritoneal macrophage I-A alpha mRNA levels decreased 8-fold by 24 hr after CLP. I-A alpha mRNA expression in liver, spleen, kidney, and lung decreased following CLP, with a return toward normal levels by 8 days in all tissues except spleen. IL-1 beta and TNF alpha mRNA were barely detectable in liver and kidney. IL-1 beta mRNA tended to increase over time in lung and spleen, whereas TNF alpha mRNA in these tissues did not vary greatly after CLP. Muramyl dipeptide or monophosphoryl lipid A pretreatment of animals prior to CLP was ineffective in altering the expression of TNF alpha and I-A alpha mRNA. We conclude that peritonitis is associated with an early increase in peritoneal macrophage TNF alpha and IL-1 beta mRNA levels and a sharp decline in macrophage I-A alpha mRNA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
In vitro evaluation of terbinafine and itraconazole against dematiaceous fungi

Two hundred and three isolates representing 15 species of filamentous ascomycetes were evaluated against terbinafine and itraconazole using a modification of the NCCLS M27-A standard reference method for yeasts. The MIC ranges and geometric means were similar, although terbinafine tended to have the lowest values. The loculo-ascomycete clade tested had consistently low MIC geometric mean values for its members, ranging from 0·03 to 0·17 μg ml-1 for terbinafine and 0·03–0·37 μg ml-1 for itraconazole.
DISPOSER: distributed secure position service in mobile ad hoc networks

Position service is essential for position-based ad hoc routing algorithms, which have proved to have decent network performance. As private information, node positions are valuable for attackers to locate their targets. Therefore, a secure position service system is needed. In this paper, a distributed secure position service system, named DISPOSER, is proposed and evaluated. A number of trusted servers are distributed in the network. Each node has a virtual home region (VHR). Servers residing in a node's VHR handle the position service regarding to the node, such as position update and position retrieving. DISPOSER keeps the position information private and prevents the position from being misused by a compromised user for tracing purposes. A region-based local broadcast approach has been designed to reduce the control overhead for information distribution within a VHR. Mechanisms for improving system robustness have been proposed. Analytical results show that while DISPOSER meets the security requirements, it achieves a high system robustness at a relatively low control overhead. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Eustasy, supercontinental insulation, and the temporal variability of terrestrial heat flux

Abstract Heat flux from convection in Earth's mantle has recently been suggested to vary substantially (20–30%) with the Wilson cycle of continental aggregation and dispersal, because of possible changes in the aspect ratio of convective cells, and the present-day heat flux may be at the maximum at such a temporal variation. This possibility of strong temporal fluctuations in heat flux has an important bearing on how we should model the thermal evolution of Earth in general. As most of convective heat flux appears as oceanic heat flux, and changes in oceanic heat flux can cause changes in the global sea-level, the likely amplitude of such a temporal variation can be quantified by long-term eustasy. Though this inference may be complicated by other processes that can affect the global sea level, most of them predict sea-level fall when Pangea was present, allowing to place a likely bound on the temporal variability of heat flux. Given the geologically plausible age–area distribution of seafloor, the present-day oceanic heat flux is likely at the minimum (not the maximum) of a possible temporal fluctuation, and the oceanic heat flux at ∼ 200 Ma cannot be lower than today by more than a few percent. I also suggest that mantle warming by supercontinental insulation is probably up to only ∼ 20 K, though it still has a nontrivial consequence for the global sea level.
Real-time kinetics of HIV-1 Rev-Rev response element interactions. Definition of minimal binding sites on RNA and protein and stoichiometric analysis.

Abstract The kinetics of interaction between the human immunodeficiency virus-1 Rev protein and its RNA target, Rev response element (RRE) RNA was determined in vitro using a biosensor technique. Our results showed that the primary Rev binding site is a core stem-loop RNA molecule of 30 nucleotides that bound Rev at a 1:1 ratio, whereas the 244-nucleotide full-length RRE bound four Rev monomers. At high Rev concentrations, additional binding of Rev to RRE was observed with ratios of more than 10:1. Because RRE mutants that lacked the core binding site and were inactive in vivobound Rev nonspecifically at these concentrations, the real stoichiometric ratio of Rev-RRE is probably closer to 4:1. Binding affinity of Rev for RRE was approximately 10−10 m, whereas the affinity for the core RNA was about 10−11 m, the difference being due to the contribution of low affinity binding sites on the RRE. Mathematical analysis suggested cooperativity of Rev binding, probably mediated by the Rev oligomerization domains. C-terminal deletions of Rev had no effect on RRE binding, but truncation of the N terminus by as few as 11 residues significantly reduced binding specificity. This method was also useful to rapidly evaluate the potential of aminoglycoside antibiotics, to inhibit the Rev-RRE interaction.
Generational Differences in Registered Nurse Turnover

The chronic nature of the nursing workforce shortage in the United States is a continuing concern. As the nationwide gap between supply and demand grows, it remains unknown what impact turnover wil...
Ecological studies of polyploidy in the 100 years following its discovery

Polyploidy is a mutation with profound phenotypic consequences and thus hypothesized to have transformative effects in plant ecology. This is most often considered in the context of geographical and environmental distributions—as achieved from divergence of physiological and life-history traits—but may also include species interactions and biological invasion. This paper presents a historical overview of hypotheses and empirical data regarding the ecology of polyploids. Early researchers of polyploidy (1910s–1930s) were geneticists by training but nonetheless savvy to its phenotypic effects, and speculated on the importance of genome duplication to adaptation and crop improvement. Cytogenetic studies in the 1930s–1950s indicated that polyploids are larger (sturdier foliage, thicker stems and taller stature) than diploids while cytogeographic surveys suggested that polyploids and diploids have allopatric or parapatric distributions. Although autopolyploidy was initially regarded as common, influential writings by North American botanists in the 1940s and 1950s argued for the principle role of allopolyploidy; according to this view, genome duplication was significant for providing a broader canvas for hybridization rather than for its phenotypic effects per se . The emphasis on allopolyploidy had a chilling effect on nascent ecological work, in part due to taxonomic challenges posed by interspecific hybridization. Nonetheless, biosystematic efforts over the next few decades (1950s–1970s) laid the foundation for ecological research by documenting cytotype distributions and identifying phenotypic correlates of polyploidy. Rigorous investigation of polyploid ecology was achieved in the 1980s and 1990s by population biologists who leveraged flow cytometry for comparative work in autopolyploid complexes. These efforts revealed multi-faceted ecological and phenotypic differences, some of which may be direct consequences of genome duplication. Several classical hypotheses about the ecology of polyploids remain untested, however, and allopolyploidy—regarded by most botanists as the primary mode of genome duplication—is largely unstudied in an ecological context.
A Population-Based Study of Stroke in the Setting of Mitral Valve Prolapse: Risk Factors and Infarct Subtype Classification

Objective To determine the frequency of risk factors and the mechanisms of stroke in patients with cerebral infarction and echocardiographically diagnosed mitral valve prolapse in the general population. Design We conducted a population-based study in Olmsted County, Minnesota, which encompassed the period from 1975 through 1989. Material and Methods Study subjects were identified by using the Rochester Epidemiology Project medical records-linkage system. Cardiac and neurologic data were summarized, and a two-sided χ 2 test or Fisher's exact test was used for statistical analysis. Results Among residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, 33 had echocardiographically diagnosed mitral valve prolapse and a first cerebral infarction between 1975 and 1989. The mean patient age was 71 years, and more than half (52%) were men. Risk factors for stroke included hypertension (55%), smoking (42%), coronary artery disease (27%), atrial fibrillation or flutter (24%), congestive heart failure (21%), hypertensive heart disease (21%), prior myocardial infarction (12%), diabetes (9%), and sick sinus syndrome (3%). Cerebral infarction subtypes were as follows: cardioembolic source (excluding mitral valve prolapse only), 30%; lacuna, 12%; large-vessel atherosclerosis, 9%; other, 6%; and infarction of uncertain cause (including mitral valve prolapse), 42%. Conclusion Most Olmsted County patients with cerebral infarction and echocardiographically diagnosed mitral valve prolapse had other risk factors for stroke, and most had identifiable mechanisms of infarction other than embolism due to mitral valve prolapse.
Biological Control of the Leafminer Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess): Implications for Intraguild Predation between Diglyphus begini Ashmead and Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser)

Abstract Studies were conducted on the combined use of the eulophid parasitoid wasp Diglyphus begini Ashmead and the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) for control of the leafminer Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) on chrysanthemums. Several factors indicated that these two agents were suitable for combined use: adult D. begini were not susceptible to nematode infection, leafminer larvae parasitized by the wasp were less susceptible to nematode infection, adult wasps detected and tended to avoid ovipositing on nematode-infected leafminer larvae, nematode-infected larvae served as host-feeding sources for the adult wasps, and nematodes showed equal orientation toward paralyzed/parasitized leafminer larvae and healthy leafminer larvae. However, interspecific interference and intraguild predation (IGP) between the agents were found. Infection of D. begini larval stages by nematodes was seen in petri dishes and in intact leaf mines. The presence of nematodes in mines with wasp eggs decreased the chance of wasp survival to adulthood. IGP may be minimized through proper timing of natural enemy releases.
Roles of oxidative stress and glutathione depletion in JP-8 jet fuel-induced apoptosis in rat lung epithelial cells.

Abstract The toxic jet fuel JP-8 induces morphological and biochemical changes characteristic of apoptosis in rat lung epithelial (RLE-6TN) cells. The mechanism of JP-8 toxicity in these cells was further investigated in an attempt to identify potential therapeutic interventions. Given that oxidative stress and changes in the concentrations of endogenous antioxidants, such as glutathione (GSH), have been associated with the cellular damage elicited by numerous toxicants, the possibility that JP-8 induces cellular oxidative stress was investigated. Experimentally induced depletion of intracellular GSH or exposure of cells to a low concentration of H 2 O 2 markedly enhanced JP-8-induced cell death. A significant reduction in intracellular concentrations of GSH was noted in RLE-6TN cells shortly after exposure to JP-8. Furthermore, JP-8 induced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in RLE-6TN cells. Consistent with the notion that JP-8 toxicity is mediated by generation of ROS and depletion of intracellular GSH, JP-8-induced cell death was inhibited by exogenous GSH or the thiol-containing antioxidant N -acetyl-cysteine. This protective effect was associated with marked inhibition of both the activation of caspase-3 and the loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential induced by JP-8. Inhibition of the JP-8-induced activation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase by 3-aminobenzamide did not protect cells against JP-8 toxicity. Together, these results indicate that thiol antioxidants are highly effective in rescuing cells from JP-8-induced cell death and that they may provide a basis for new therapeutic approaches to counteract JP-8 toxicity.
"Go, Trabi, Go!": Reflections on a Car and Its Symbolization over Time

SUMMARY When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, a small boxy car made of fiberglass and pressed cotton captured the imaginations of Germans East and West. Long the object of affection and frustration in East Germany, the Trabi quickly came to be a key symbol not only of the German Democratic Republic but also of socialist inefficiency and backwardness. In the mid 1990s, however, the Trabi reemerged as an evocative symbol of Eastern German distinctiveness and postsocialist nostalgia. A central figure in the "argument of images" surrounding the politics of German re-unification, then, the Trabi has moved from thejokebooks of 1989 to a new status as the "cult automobile" of the late 1990s. Drawing on James Fernandez's theory of images and symbolization over time, I trace the symbolic formation of the Trabi before, during, and after re-unification.
The genealogy and genetic viability of reintroduced Yellowstone grey wolves

The recovery of the grey wolf in Yellowstone National Park is an outstanding example of a successful reintroduction. A general question concerning reintroduction is the degree to which genetic variation has been preserved and the specific behavioural mechanisms that enhance the preservation of genetic diversity and reduce inbreeding. We have analysed 200 Yellowstone wolves, including all 31 founders, for variation in 26 microsatellite loci over the 10-year reintroduction period (1995–2004). The population maintained high levels of variation (1995 H0 = 0.69; 2004 H0 = 0.73) with low levels of inbreeding (1995 FIS = –0.063; 2004 FIS = –0.051) and throughout, the population expanded rapidly (N1995 = 21; N2004 = 169). Pedigree-based effective population size ratios did not vary appreciably over the duration of population expansion (1995 Ne/Ng = 0.29; 2000 Ne/Ng = 0.26; 2004 Ne/Ng = 0.33). We estimated kinship and found only two of 30 natural breeding pairs showed evidence of being related (average r = –0.026, SE = 0.03). We reconstructed the genealogy of 200 wolves based on genetic and field data and discovered that they avoid inbreeding through a wide variety of behavioural mechanisms including absolute avoidance of breeding with related pack members, male-biased dispersal to packs where they breed with nonrelatives, and femalebiased subordinate breeding. We documented a greater diversity of such population assembly patterns in Yellowstone than previously observed in any other natural wolf population. Inbreeding avoidance is nearly absolute despite the high probability of within-pack inbreeding opportunities and extensive interpack kinship ties between adjacent packs. Simulations showed that the Yellowstone population has levels of genetic variation similar to that of a population managed for high variation and low inbreeding, and greater than that expected for random breeding within packs or across the entire breeding pool. Although short-term losses in variation seem minimal, future projections of the population at carrying capacity suggest significant inbreeding depression will occur without connectivity and migratory exchange with other populations.
INSTRUMENTAL VARIABLES ESTIMATION WITH PANEL DATA

The system two stage least squares estimator for the linear panel data model is shown to have different characterizations depending on the choice of instrument matrix. The more general estimator, where, in effect, separate reduced form linear projections are estimated for each time period, also has the advantage of being applicable when the number of instruments changes across time periods. The issue of efficient estimation is also treated.
A FAST AND EFFICIENT MODEL FOR LEARNING TO REACH

This paper proposes a self-supervised model which enables a humanoid robot to learn to reach to visual targets. Only 400 training samples are used to learn a forward kinematic model of the six degree-of-freedom (DOF) arm. The forward model is represented compactly with just 150 hidden neurons and enables high accuracy reaching in real time. We provide an optimization process for the learning parameters and a careful analysis of reaching errors. An extension of the model is presented to address additional DOFs in the neck. The consistency of the model with physiological and psychological observations is elaborated.