cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cutaneous and subcutaneous endometriosis. Surgical and hormonal therapy.

background. Cutaneous or subcutaneous endometriosis is a rare entity that should be suspected in any female presenting with cyclic pain emanating from a mass in the vicinity of an abdominal surgical scar or the umbilicus. objective. The purpose of this report is to examine the diagnostic procedures for endometriosis and to review the therapeutic value of surgical excision alone or in combination with hormonal treatment. methods. Endometriosis presenting cutaneously in an infraumbilical laparoscopy scar and endometriosis occurring subcutaneously in a cesarean section scar were both diagnosed via incisional biopsy. Both lesions were treated with hormonal therapy followed by surgical excision. results. Hormonal therapy with danazol or with leuprolide resulted in reduction of symptoms but was associated with amenorrhea in both cases and with dyspareunia in the second patient. Subsequent laparoscopy and surgical excision of the endometrioma were curative. conclusion. Preoperative hormonal therapy, although sometimes associated with such side effects as amenorrhea, may be used in cases of large endometriotic masses to reduce the size of the surgical defect, but surgical excision remains the treatment of choice.
Application of high-field 1H-NMR spectroscopy for the study of perifused amphibian and excised mammalian muscles

Abstract Frog sartorius and gastrocnemius muscles were perifused at 20°C, the intracellular pH (pH i ) and the concentration of phosphocreatine were determined in the resting muscle by 1 H-NMR spectroscopy at 470 MHz; values of pH i = 7.31 ± 0.05 ( n = 7) and concentration of phosphocreatine = 20.4 ± 1.1 μ mol/g wet wt. ( n = 6) were found. The hydrolysis of phosphocreatine and the simultaneous increase in lactate upon perifusion with 10 mM caffeine (in Ringer's solution) was followed with a time resolution of 1 min. Lactate increased at a rate of 1.0 μmol/g per min, but no pH i change was recorded during the time monitored. The lower limit for the buffering capacity of the muscle cytosol was estimated to be 16.7 μmol/g muscle per pH unit from the uncertainty in pH i determination (±0.03 pH units) and from the amount of lactate produced and phosphocreatine hydrolyzed. Changes in pH i , lactate concentration and fatty acyl chain intensity were monitored by 1 H-NMR spectroscopy at 361 MHz in ischemic rat skeletal muscle, excised and stored at 20°C. The resonances in the 1 H-NMR spectrum of a human skeletal muscle perchloric acid extract are reported and tentatively assigned.
11 Gastric myoelectric activity while viewing and eating food in obese participants

Purpose: This study observed the reactions of the stomach to food viewing and food eating in obese people. Method: The participants were 20 obese (mean BMI of 32) and 20 normal-weighted (mean BMI of 21) undergraduate students, who were required to fast for at least 4 hours preceding the experiment. They viewed a video clip of food for 6 minutes; consumed food till full; and viewed the same video clip of food 30 minutes after the meal. Cutaneous electrogastrograms (EGGs) were recorded during the entire procedure. Questionnaires concerning the participants’ perception of somatic and affective changes during the tasks were completed. Results: The percentages of bradygastric, normal and tachygastric EGG activity were very similar between obese group and normal-weighted group during the baseline period. During the first food image viewing, an increase in normal 3 cpm activity and a decreased in bradygastric activity occurred in both groups, but obese participants showed less of an increase in 3 cpm activity than normal-weighted participants and the percentage of bradygastric activity was higher in obese group than in the normal-weighted group. During the 30 min. period following the meal, a higher percentage of bradygastric activity and a lower percentage of 3 cpm activity were observed in obese participants than in normal-weighted participants. Furthermore, obese participants showed a different pattern of change in 3 cpm and bradygastric activity than normal-weighed participants during the 30 min. The whole 30-min period was divided into five 6-min periods. In the obese group, the percentage of 3 cpm activity decreased in the third and forth 6-min periods and increased to the highest level in the last 6-min period, while in the normal-weighted group, the 3 cpm percentage was the greatest in the first 6-min period. Obese participants and normal-weighted participants reacted similarly to the second food image exposure, except that a higher increase in 3 cpm activity was observed in the normal-weighted group in the period after the termination of viewing the food images. Conclusions: These data suggest that obese people react to food images and to food eating differently from normal-weighted people. EGG activity in obese participants needs further investigation.
RNA polymerase II blockage by cisplatin-damaged DNA. Stability and polyubiquitylation of stalled polymerase.

The consequences of human RNA polymerase II (pol II) arrest at the site of DNA damaged by cisplatin were studied in whole cells and cell extracts, with a particular focus on the stability of stalled pol II and its subsequent ubiquitylation. Site-specifically platinated DNA templates immobilized on a solid support were used to perform in vitro transcription in HeLa nuclear extracts. RNA elongation was completely blocked by a cisplatin intrastrand cross-link. The stalled polymerase was quite stable, remaining on the DNA template in nuclear extracts. The stability of pol II stalled at the site of cisplatin damage was also observed in live cells. A cell fractionation experiment using cisplatin-treated HeLa cells revealed an increased level of chromatin-associated pol II proteins following DNA damage. The stalled polymerase was transcriptionally active and capable of elongating the transcript following chemical removal of platinum from the template. Transcription inhibition by α-amanitin in vitro enhanced pol II ubiquitylation at ubiquitin residues Lys-6, Lys-48, and Lys-63. In live cells expressing epitope-tagged ubiquitin mutants, several ubiquitin lysines also participated in pol II ubiquitylation following DNA damage. Cisplatin treatment triggered ubiquitylation-mediated pol II degradation in HeLa cells, which could be prevented by the proteasomal inhibitor MG132. Fractionation of pol II from cells co-treated with MG132 and cisplatin indicated that the undegraded ubiquitylated polymerase was mostly unbound or only loosely associated with chromatin. These data are consistent with a model in which only a fraction of pol II, ubiquitylated in response to cisplatin damage of DNA, dissociates from the sites of platination. This altered polymerase is rapidly destroyed by proteasomes.
Taxation of Income in Israel and the West Bank: A Comparative Study

The State of Israel taxes the income of both its citizens and the residents of the West Bank that it has occupied since the 1967 War. The tax law that is used as a basis for the taxation of the income of its citizens is different from that used to tax the income of the residents of the West Bank. The purpose of this paper is to examine the two different tax laws that are used by the State of Israel to generate income and to attempt to assess the relative impact that these laws have on the taxpayers. The Income Tax Ordinance passed by Israel's Knesset is applicable to any person who earns income in the State of Israel, in annexed East Jerusalem, or in the Israeli settlements in the territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 War. Prior to the war, the income of the residents of the West Bank was taxed by the Kingdom of Jordan based on the Jordanian Income Tax Law of 1964. When Israel occupied the West Bank after the war, it retained the Jordanian tax law that had been in effect prior to the war. The Tax Law of 1964 is currently used as the basis for taxing the income of persons who earn their income in the West Bank. The major exception to this is those Israeli citizens who live in Israeli settlements on the West Bank. As stated earlier,
Optimal Fractional Factorial Plans for Main Effects Orthogonal to Two-Factor Interactions: 2 m Series

Abstract This article develops some theory of balanced 2m fractional factorial designs which permit estimation of main effects orthogonally to two-factor interactions and the general mean, whose size N is desirably small and which are optimal with respect to the three standard criteria namely, the trace, determinant and the largest root of the variance-covariance matrix of the estimates. The equivalence of these criteria is established for certain situations. For various practical values of m and N, balanced designs are obtained, some of which are also shown to be optimal.
First LC/MS Determination of Cyanazine Amide, Cyanazine Acid, and Cyanazine in Groundwater Samples

Cyanazine and two of its major metabolites, cyanazine amide and cyanazine acid, were measured at trace levels in groundwater using liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/mass spectrometry (LC/APCI/MS). Solid-phase extraction was carried out by passing 20 mL of groundwater sample through a cartridge containing a polymeric phase (PLRP-s), with recoveries ranging from 99 to 108% (n = 5). Using LC/MS detection in positive ion mode, useful structural information was obtained by increasing the fragmentor voltage, thus permitting the unequivocal identification of these compounds in groundwater samples with low sample volumes. The fragmentation of the amide, carboxylic acid, and cyano group was observed for both metabolites and cyanazine, respectively, leading to a diagnostic ion at m/z 214. Method detection limits were in the range of 0.002−0.005 μg/L for the three compounds. Finally, the newly developed method was evaluated for the analysis of groundwater samples from New York containing...
Fine structure of ultimobranchial follicles in the thyroid gland of the rat

The mature ultimobranchial follicle of the rat consists of two or more layers of cells (U cells) surrounding a lumen containing cell debris. The ultrastructure of the outer, or basal, U cell is characterized by the presence of half desmosomes on the basal plasma membrane and pinocytotic vesicles near it, by little granular reticulum but an abundance of free ribosomes, by clusters of fibrils connected to desmosomes and possibly free in the cytoplasm. The cell ages by accumulation of clusters of fibrils and it undergoes differentiation to form more apical U cells which contain fewer ribosomes and have fibrils dispersed in the cytoplasm. The apical U cell is desquamated into the lumen and ultimately becomes a carcass containing a dense matting of fibers and vacuoles containing a reticulated material resembling that in the lumen. U cells are observed associated with typical thyroid epithelium in the thyroid of the newborn rat in relatively large follicles containing colloid and desquamated cells. They also form rods of cells in the very young rat. Mixed follicles containing both U cells and typical thyroid epithelium occur at all ages.
Species-Level Analysis of DNA Sequence Data from the NIH Human Microbiome Project

Background Outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections emphasize the importance of surveillance of potentially pathogenic bacteria. Genomic sequencing of clinical microbiological specimens expands our capacity to study cultivable, fastidious and uncultivable members of the bacterial community. Herein, we compared the primary data collected by the NIH’s Human Microbiome Project (HMP) with published epidemiological surveillance data of Staphylococcus aureus.
Nutrient composition and anti-nutritional factors in selected vegetable soybean (Glycine Max [L.] Merr.)

The genetic variation in the nutrient composition and anti-nutritional factors of 17 vegetable soybean genotypes were determined and a wide variation in protein %, total phosphorus (TPi) and available phosphorus (AP) was found among these genotypes. Variations in Ca, K, Fe, Mn, and Cu were also documented. Variation was also found for trypsin inhibitor (TI) activity and Phytate (PA) content. A highly significant and negative correlation (r=−0.533,P<0.01) was observed between TI and total protein. Strong positive correlation (r=0.90) was also found between TPi and AP. Several genotypes (Sooty, Emperor, Wilson-5, PI 416771, PI 417322) showed good nutritional potential and can be used in the breeding program. High protein %, TPi, and minerals are desirable qualities for vegetable-type soybeans that make it as food with high nutrient density. Studies on the nutritional evaluation of immature vegetable type soybean seeds at different reproductive stages are also underway.
Mechanisms controlling granule-mediated cytolytic activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) play a critical role in immunity against viruses and cancer. The antigen receptor or T-cell receptor (TCR) on CTL determines the specificity toward target cells. The CD8 co-receptor functions in concert with the TCR to enhance TCR-mediated signaling, accounting for the remarkable sensitivity and swift signaling kinetics of the CTL response. The latter ensures efficient delivery and release of lytic granules, resulting in sensitive and rapid destruction of target cells.
What Can a Student Teacher Learn from Undergraduate Research

A disconnect exists between teaching and research; and it has become easy, if not automatic, for K–12 teachers to be enthusiastic about teaching and less supportive of research. As a student teache...
Selective in vitro transcription of chloroplast genes

Transcription of Euglena gracilis chloroplast genes has been investigated by using in vitro transcription systems. A DNA-dependent RNA polymerase responsible for the transcription of rRNA genes has been isolated as a nucleoprotein complex (transcriptionally active chromosome). The RNA polymerase remains tightly bound to the chloroplast DNA template and does not initiate transcription with cloned chloroplast genes. A transcriptionally active extract has been prepared from intact Euglena chloroplasts. The soluble RNA polymerase in this extract recognizes cloned chloroplast tRNA genes and tRNA-sized products have been detected after transcription. The tRNA-sized molecules specifically hybridize to the tRNA genes in the plasmid DNA. At least five tRNA-sized products have been identified from transcription of a trnY1-trnH1-trnM1-trnE1-trnW1-trnG1 cluster. Evidence is also presented that processing enzymes in the chloroplast-extract can recognize a polycistronic tRNAVal-tRNAAsn-tRNAArg precursor and process it into tRNA-sized molecules. Truncated templates have been used to demonstrate that the chloroplast tRNA genes are actively transcribed. From a comparison of 5′ flanking sequences in chloroplast tRNA genes, a consensus sequence which might function as a promoter, has been identified. The properties of the RNA polymerase involved in the transcription of chloroplast rRNA genes and tRNA genes have been investigated and compared.
Differentiation in life cycle of sympatric populations of two forms of Hyphantria moth in central Missouri

Wing patterns of Hyphantria adult male moths collected in central Missouri were examined throughout the breeding season. Three major peaks of adult flight were observed: the first peak consisted mainly of adults with spotted wings, while the second and third peaks consisted of immaculate adults. Black-headed larvae appeared in the field following the first major peak of moth flight, and red-headed larvae appeared in the field following the second peak. Sympatric red-headed and black-headed forms were collected in the field and subsequently reared on an artificial diet under conditions of 16 h light : 8 h dark (LD 16:8) at 25°C. The larval period of the black-headed form was shorter than the red-headed, whereas the pupal period of the black-headed form was longer than the red-headed. Pupal development is retarded in some individuals at high temperatures in the black-headed form. Photoperiodic response curves for pupal diapause were different between the two forms. The critical photoperiod for pupal diapause was 15 h 10 min in the red-headed form, which was longer than that for the black-headed form (14 h 40 min). The two forms responded to shifts in photoperiod differently. These developmental responses temporally separate the two forms in the field; the red-headed and black-headed forms represent a set of adaptations favoring univoltinism and bivoltinism, respectively. Red-headed larvae fed mainly at night, while the black-headed larvae fed without a clear day–night rhythm. Nocturnal feeding in the red-headed form is adaptive to protection against predation, but fails to fully utilize heat units and thus to produce a second generation.
Keynes and a post-Keynesian controversy over the effect of debt on income expansion

The paper considers arguments of Robertson (1938) and Asimakopulos (1983) that the Keynesian multiplier expansion of output may be constrained by debt implicitly incurred in the financing of autonomous investment necessary to start the multiplier process. The task of this essay is to show that within the ‘short-period’ and static analytical framework of Keynes, this line of reasoning regarding the adverse effects of debt on multiplier-induced expansions of output is unwarranted. Nevertheless it is concluded that if the Keynesian framework is abandoned in favour of a dynamic framework in the manner of a steady trend rate of growth - a choice dependent on how one conceives of the economy, as inherently static or dynamic - then such arguments have troubling implications. In particular, the dependence of Keynes's approach on credit and hence debt forges links between ‘short-periods' whose distinctness from one another is crucial to Keynes's result.
Gas‐liquid mass transfer with a tangentially moving interface: Part II. Experimental studies

A horizontal, rectangular channel of high aspect ratio has been built for the study of interphase mass transfer in stratified, laminar gas-liquid flow. Cases were examined where the resistance to mass transfer is confined to the gas phase and where the control is distributed between phases. Measurements of the rate of evaporation of ethanol into oxygen and carbon dioxide confirmed that cocurrent interface motion enhances gas phase-controlled mass transfer coefficients substantially. On the other hand countercurrent motion of the interface decreases the coefficient. Agreement with basic convective diffusion theory was found for the evaporation of ethyl ether into helium and carbon dioxide from dilute solutions in ethanol, cases where the mass transfer control is distributed between the phases. Experiments with aqueous solutions were hampered by the accumulation of surfactants at the interface. A diaphragm cell technique was used to measure diffusivities of 0.87 × 10−5 sq.cm./sec. for ethyl ether at high dilution in ethanol and 0.96 × 10−5 sq.cm./sec. for ethyl ether at high dilution in water at 25°C.
First Report of Tilletia pulcherrima Bunt on Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in Texas.

Switchgrass seed samples of ‘Blackwell’ and ‘Alamo’ from Bailey County, TX were examined for bunt fungi. Fourteen completely bunted seeds of ‘Blackwell’ and four of ‘Alamo’ were found. No partially bunted seeds were found. Bunted seeds were darker and occasionally slightly swollen relative to noninfected seeds. Teliospores were globose to subglobose, 21 to 28 × 20 to 27 μm in diameter, dark reddish brown to nearly black, with blunt warts 1 to 1.8 μm long, enveloped in a hyaline sheath, and often with a short apiculus. Sterile cells were globose to subglobose, 17.5 to 22 μm, with smooth, laminated walls as much as 2.6 μm thick, and often with a short apiculus. This bunt was identified as Tilletia pulcherrima Ellis & Galloway on the basis of host and spore morphology (2). The internal transcribed spacer regions 1 and 2, including the 5.8S rDNA, were sequenced from bunted ‘Blackwell’ seeds (GenBank Accession No. EU915293, WSP 71501). The sequence was distinct from all Tilletia sequences in GenBank, including...
Conservation of resources and quality of life in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome

AbstractObjective: To examine the relationship between resources and quality of life in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).Participants and Study Design: A cross-sectional design was used to describe associations between resource loss and gain and quality of life for 47 individuals diagnosed with CFS.Main Outcome Measures: The Conservation of Resources Evaluation was used to measure resources in terms of perceived loss and gain. Health-related quality of life was assessed with the Quality of Life Index.Results: Total resource loss and total resource gain were significant correlates of overall quality of life. Gains in self-esteem, energy, and work resources were associated with higher-perceived quality of life. Material loss and energy loss were associated with lower-perceived quality of life.Conclusions: Findings for the relationships between perceived resources of self-esteem, work, material items, and energy and perceived quality of life can be used inform future rehabilitation efforts. Th...
Implementing Standardized Patients Within Simulation in a Nurse Practitioner Program

Abstract Background Nurse practitioner (NP) faculty need to think strategically about how to best implement simulation using standardized patients (SPs) for primary care NP courses. This pilot study sought to identify barriers and strategies to facilitate the use of SPs in a NP program. Method NP students participated in an ambulatory care simulation using a SP. Students completed the Debriefing Assessment for Simulation in Healthcare (DASH)© student version, short form, after the simulation. Results Students rated the simulation debriefing experience as effective in helping them improve or sustain good performance. Conclusion Although SPs portrayed a realistic ambulatory care environment, barriers are identified along with suggestions to overcome these barriers.
Neurologic conditions affecting the lower extremities in HIV infection

The vast majority of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) have symptoms or signs involving the feet and lower extremities. Patients presenting to podiatrists with foot complaints may, in fact, have neurologic complications of HIV originating in any level of the neuraxis, and multiple levels may be involved. These include multiple classes of peripheral neuropathy and myopathy, inflammatory radiculopathy, myelopathy, and central nervous system lesions caused by direct HIV infection or opportunistic infections. Common complaints such as pain, numbness, burning, tingling, weakness, cramps, unsteady gait, and others should be systematically evaluated with both podiatric and neurologic etiologies in mind for early diagnosis and intervention.
Clathrate nanostructures for mass spectrometry

The ability of mass spectrometry to generate intact biomolecular ions efficiently in the gas phase has led to its widespread application in metabolomics, proteomics, biological imaging, biomarker discovery and clinical assays (namely neonatal screens). Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) and electrospray ionization have been at the forefront of these developments. However, matrix application complicates the use of MALDI for cellular, tissue, biofluid and microarray analysis and can limit the spatial resolution because of the matrix crystal size (typically more than 10 mum), sensitivity and detection of small compounds (less than 500 Da). Secondary-ion mass spectrometry has extremely high lateral resolution (100 nm) and has found biological applications although the energetic desorption/ionization is a limitation owing to molecular fragmentation. Here we introduce nanostructure-initiator mass spectrometry (NIMS), a tool for spatially defined mass analysis. NIMS uses 'initiator' molecules trapped in nanostructured surfaces or 'clathrates' to release and ionize intact molecules adsorbed on the surface. This surface responds to both ion and laser irradiation. The lateral resolution (ion-NIMS about 150 nm), sensitivity, matrix-free and reduced fragmentation of NIMS allows direct characterization of peptide microarrays, direct mass analysis of single cells, tissue imaging, and direct characterization of blood and urine.
The influence of crumb rubber modifier (CRM) microstructures on the high temperature properties of CRM binders

Many physical and chemical factors affect the rheological properties of crumb rubber modifier (CRM) binders. This study is aimed at understanding the influence of CRM microstructure on one of the rheological properties, the high temperature properties of the CRM binders. To this end, the high temperature properties of the binders that were modified by two types of CRM with different microstructures, three different sizes, two percentages as well as three different mixing times, were evaluated by dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) test on samples before and after RTFO aging. A series of scanning electron microscope (SEM) were taken on the two types of CRM of three different mesh sizes. Results from this study showed that: (1) ambient CRM has porous surfaces and cryogenic CRM has angular with smooth cracked surfaces; (2) an addition of 10–15% of CRM in the binder can increase one and two PG grades at high temperature for either ambient or cryogenic CRM regardless of the microstructure of CRM; (3) when a high per...
A meta‐analysis of leaf gas exchange and nitrogen in trees grown under elevated carbon dioxide

The response of trees to rising atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]) is of concern to forest ecologists and global carbon modellers and is the focus of an increasing body of research work. I review studies published up to May 1994, and several unpublished works, which reported at least one of the following: net CO2 assimilation (A), stomatal conductance (gs), leaf dark respiration (Rd) leaf nitrogen or specific leaf area (SLA) in woody plants grown at while leaf N was reduced only when expressed on a mass basis. This review is the first meta-analysis of elevated CO2 studies and provides statistical confirmation of several general responses of trees to elevated [CO2]. It also highlights important areas of continued uncertainty in our understanding of these responses.
Nutrient supply, nutrient demand and plant response to mycorrhizal infection.

summary One of the most dramatic effects of infection by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the physiology of the host plant is an increase in phosphorus absorption. When phosphorus is limiting, the maximum extent to which mycorrhizal infection can improve plant performance is thus predicted to be a function of the phosphorus deficit of the plant, the difference between phosphorus demand and phosphorus supply. Phosphorus demand is defined as the rate of phosphorus absorption that would result in optimum performance of the plant as measured by growth rate, reproduction or fitness. The phosphorus supply is defined as the actual rate of phosphorus absorption under the prevailing conditions. Variation among plant taxa in morphological, physiological or phenological traits which affect either phosphorus demand or phosphorus supply (and thus phosphorus deficit) is predicted to lead to variation in potential response to mycorrhizal infection. The actual response to mycorrhizal infection is predicted to be a function of the increase in phosphorus uptake due to mycorrhizal infection and the phosphorus utilization efficiency of the plant. Demonstrated variability in responsiveness to mycorrhizal infection among plant taxa suggests that mycorrhizal fungi may play an important role in determining the structure of plant communities. Mycorrhizal infection may alter the phosphorus deficit or phosphorus utilization efficiency independently from its direct effect on phosphorus uptake, making the prediction of response to mycorrhizal infection based on the traits of non-mycorrhizal plants quite difficult. For example, infection may at times increase the rate of phosphorus accumulation beyond that which can be currently utilized in growth, reducing the current phosphorus utilization efficiency. Such momentary ‘luxury consumption’ of phosphorus may, however, serve a storage function and be utilized subsequently, allowing mycorrhizal plants ultimately to outperform non-mycorrhizal plants.
Age-dependency in hunting ability among the Ache of eastern Paraguay.

This paper examines changes in hunting ability across the lifespan for the Ache of eastern Paraguay. Hunting ability is decomposed into two components-finding prey and probability of kill upon encounter- and analyzed for important prey species. Results support the argument that skill acquisition is an important aspect of the human foraging niche with hunting outcome variables reaching peaks surprisingly late in life, significantly after peaks in strength. The implications of this study are important for modeling the role of the human foraging niche in the co-evolution of various outstanding human life history characteristics such as large brains, long lifespans, and extended juvenile periods.
La production de l’« homme » moderne ou le passage de la peur à l’intérieur

On tend a comprendre la peur comme un phenomene psychobiologique interieur qui limite la liberte et l'autonomie des individus si elle n'est pas reconnue et maitrisee, refoulee ou sublimee. En contrepartie, nous avancons que la peur est issue de relations sociales et culturelles. Dans les societes liberales et democratiques modernes, la peur est un des aspects qui fondent l'autonomie et l'exercice de la liberte des sujets - des sujets dedoubles qui se gouvernent par la peur. Faisant etat des angoisses sociales et culturelles qui traversent la France des XVII e et XVIII e siecles, de la diffusion concertee de la peur issue de la Terreur, ainsi que de la popularite croissante de l'idee du pacte social, nous avancons que la rationalisation de la conduite politique, telle qu'elle est annoncee par les theoriciens du contrat social, soit John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau et Ceasare Beccaria, marque le passage de la peur a l'interieur des individus
Urban Democracy and the Local Trap

This paper argues against the local trap-the tendency to assume that the local scale is preferable to other scales. The local trap is an important problem in the recent explosion of research on urb...
Techniques for improving timing convergence of advanced microprocessors

The wire capacitance models that are used in synthesis tools are typically based on the number of fanouts. These wire capacitance models can be misleading when compared to real wiring. This discrepancy can cause synthesis tools to optimize incorrectly, causing severe problems with chip-level timing convergence. Designs may take longer than expected and designers may work on timing paths that are not critical, thus increasing the design cycle time. In submicron designs, it is crucial to improve the timing convergence between the synthesis and the physical design. This paper describes several practical approaches used in the timing convergence of an advanced PowerPC microprocessor. The impact of each approach is evaluated on the timing and the size of the microprocessor.
Blind inverse gamma correction

The luminance nonlinearity introduced by many imaging devices can often be described by a simple point-wise operation (gamma correction). This paper presents a technique for blindly estimating the amount of gamma correction in the absence of any calibration information or knowledge of the imaging device. The basic approach exploits the fact that gamma correction introduces specific higher-order correlations in the frequency domain. These correlations can be detected using tools from polyspectral analysis. The amount of gamma correction is then estimated by minimizing these correlations.
Characteristics of 3D Micro-Structured Semiconductor High Efficiency Neutron Detectors

Silicon diodes with large aspect ratio perforated micro-structures backfilled with 6LiF show a dramatic increase in neutron detection efficiency beyond that of conventional thin-film coated planar devices. Described in the following are advancements in the technology with increased perforation depths. Perforated silicon diodes with three different etched micro-structure patterns were tested for neutron counting efficiency. The etched micro-structure patterns consisted of circular holes, straight trenches, and continuous sinusoidal waves, with each pattern etched 200 mum deep. Normal incident neutron counting efficiencies were determined to be 9.7%, 12.6%, and 16.2% for circular hole, straight trench, and sinusoidal devices, respectively, at a reverse bias of 3 volts. The perforated neutron detectors demonstrate limited sensitivity to high-energy photon irradiation with a 60Co gamma-ray source. This work is part of on-going research to develop solid-state semiconductor neutron detectors with high detection efficiencies and uniform angular responses.
Adrenal insufficiency in a female pseudohermaphrodite.

A 6-year-old female pseudohermaphrodite developed adrenal cortical insufficiency during infancy. Evidence derived from a study of this patient suggests that congenital adrenal cortical hyperplasia was the cause of the pseudohermaphroditism. The cause of the subsequent adrenal cortical atrophy is unknown.
Mice Lacking Components of Adaptive Immunity Show Increased Brucella abortus virB Mutant Colonization

The Brucella abortus type IV secretion system (T4SS), encoded by the virB genes, is essential for survival in mononuclear phagocytes in vitro. In the mouse model, a B. abortus virB mutant was initially able to colonize the spleen at the level of the wild type for approximately 3 to 5 days, which coincided with the development of adaptive immunity. To investigate the relationship between survival in macrophages cultivated in vitro and persistence in tissues in vivo, we tested the ability of mutant mice lacking components of adaptive immunity to eliminate the virB mutant from the spleen during a mixed infection with the B. abortus wild type. Ifng−/− or β2m−/− mice were able to clear the virB mutant to the same degree as control mice. However, spleens of Rag1−/− mice and Igh6−/− mice were more highly colonized by the virB mutant than control mice after 14 to 21 days, suggesting that, in these mice, there is not an absolute requirement for the T4SS to mediate persistence of B. abortus in the spleen. Macrophages isolated from Igh6−/− mice killed the virB mutant to the same extent as macrophages from control mice, showing that the reduced ability of these mice to clear the virB mutant from the spleen does not correlate with diminished macrophage function in vitro. These results show that in the murine model host, the T4SS is required for persistence beyond 3 to 5 days after infection and suggest that the T4SS may contribute to evasion of adaptive immune mechanisms by B. abortus.
Reliability of 20µm pitch NCF type COF package with compliant-bump

In this study, three kinds of NCF adhesives named as NCF I, NCF II and NCF III, were applied to COF package with compliant-bump. Firstly, to investigate bonding temperature effects, the curing rate of the NCFs and strength of interconnection under different bonding temperatures (150 °C ∼ 230 °C) were evaluated using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) test and a 90 degree peeling test, respectively. Then, the electrical performances of NCF joints bonded at different bonding temperatures were monitored by measuring daisy chain and insulated resistance. After that, the reliability tests of 85 °C / 85 % RH thermal humidity storage test (THST), and 55 °C ∼ 125 °C thermal cycling test (TCT) were performed. Finally, the cross-section images of failure samples from SEM were observed to find the failure mode.
Switching from an Esterase to a Hydroxynitrile Lyase Mechanism Requires Only Two Amino Acid Substitutions

Summary The α/β hydrolase superfamily contains mainly esterases, which catalyze hydrolysis, but also includes hydroxynitrile lyases, which catalyze addition of cyanide to aldehydes, a carbon-carbon bond formation. Here, we convert a plant esterase, SABP2, into a hydroxynitrile lyase using just two amino acid substitutions. Variant SABP2-G12T-M239K lost the ability to catalyze ester hydrolysis ( cat /K M = 70 min -1 M -1 ). This variant also catalyzed the reverse reaction, formation of mandelonitrile with low enantioselectivity: 20% ee ( S ), E = 1.5. The specificity constant for the lysis of mandelontrile is 13,000-fold faster than the uncatalyzed reaction and only 1300-fold less efficient (k cat/ K M ) than hydroxynitrile lyase from rubber tree.
Transgenerational effects of global environmental change: long-term CO2 and nitrogen treatments influence offspring growth response to elevated CO2

Global environmental changes can have immediate impacts on plant growth, physiology, and phenology. Long-term effects that are only observable after one or more generations are also likely to occur. These transgenerational effects can result either from maternal environmental effects or from evolutionary responses to novel selection pressures and are important because they may alter the ultimate ecological impact of the environmental change. Here, we show that transgenerational effects of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and soil nitrogen (N) treatments influence the magnitude of plant growth responses to elevated CO2 (eCO2). We collected seeds from Lupinus perennis, Poa pratensis, and Schizachyrium scoparium populations that had experienced five growing seasons of ambient CO2 (aCO2) or eCO2 treatments and ambient or increased N deposition and planted these seeds into aCO2 or eCO2 environments. We found that the offspring eCO2 treatments stimulated immediate increases in L. perennis and P. pratensis growth and that the maternal CO2 environment influenced the magnitude of this growth response for L. perennis: biomass responses of offspring from the eCO2 maternal treatments were only 54% that of the offspring from the aCO2 maternal treatments. Similar trends were observed for P. pratensis and S. scoparium. We detected some evidence that long-term N treatments also altered growth responses to eCO2; offspring reared from seed from maternal N-addition treatments tended to show greater positive growth responses to eCO2 than offspring from ambient N maternal treatments. However, the effects of long-term N treatments on offspring survival showed the opposite pattern. Combined, our results suggest that transgenerational effects of eCO2 and N-addition may influence the growth stimulation effects of eCO2, potentially altering the long-term impacts of eCO2 on plant populations.
Fatigue, depression, and physical activity in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: Results from a prospective, 18-month study

Abstract Background Fatigue, depression, and physical inactivity are common in multiple sclerosis (MS), but there is limited information on the bi-directional associations among those variables over a long period of time. Objective This study examined the hypothesis that fatigue and depression would predict change in physical activity and that physical activity would predict changes in fatigue and depression over an 18-month period of time in persons with MS, even after controlling for disability status, disease duration, sex, and age. Methods This longitudinal study collected data on fatigue, depression, physical activity, and confounding variables from the same sample of persons with relapsing-remitting MS on two occasions that were separated by 18 months. Results The cross-lagged path coefficient between baseline fatigue and follow-up physical activity was statistically significant (path coefficient=−.26, p Conclusions This study identified bi-directional associations between fatigue and physical activity over an 18-month period of time. The nature of such associations opens the door for research on fatigue management as an approach for sustaining or promoting physical activity over time.
Integrated On-Chip Inductors With Magnetic Films

On-chip inductors with 2 levels of magnetic material were integrated into an advanced 130-nm CMOS process to obtain over an order of magnitude increase in inductance (19times) and Q-factor (16times), significantly greater than prior values of les2.3times for high frequency inductors. The magnetic material enhances inductance at frequencies up to 9.8 GHz. Measurements and models of the permeability from amorphous CoZrTa alloy demonstrate that the skin effect and eddy current dampening become important. Two levels of magnetic material with high-temperature and long annealing-time stability, high saturation magnetization, low magnetostriction, high resistivity, minimal hysteretic loss, and compatibility with Si technology were used in combination with magnetic vias and elongated structures that take advantage of the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy
A highly conserved protein of unknown function in Sinorhizobium meliloti affects sRNA regulation similar to Hfq

The SMc01113/YbeY protein, belonging to the UPF0054 family, is highly conserved in nearly every bacterium. However, the function of these proteins still remains elusive. Our results show that SMc01113/YbeY proteins share structural similarities with the MID domain of the Argonaute (AGO) proteins, and might similarly bind to a small-RNA (sRNA) seed, making a special interaction with the phosphate on the 5'-side of the seed, suggesting they may form a component of the bacterial sRNA pathway. Indeed, eliminating SMc01113/YbeY expression in Sinorhizobium meliloti produces symbiotic and physiological phenotypes strikingly similar to those of the hfq mutant. Hfq, an RNA chaperone, is central to bacterial sRNA-pathway. We evaluated the expression of 13 target genes in the smc01113 and hfq mutants. Further, we predicted the sRNAs that may potentially target these genes, and evaluated the accumulation of nine sRNAs in WT and smc01113 and hfq mutants. Similar to hfq, smc01113 regulates the accumulation of sRNAs as well as the target mRNAs. AGOs are central components of the eukaryotic sRNA machinery and conceptual parallels between the prokaryotic and eukaryotic sRNA pathways have long been drawn. Our study provides the first line of evidence for such conceptual parallels. Furthermore, our investigation gives insights into the sRNA-mediated regulation of stress adaptation in S. meliloti.
Asymmetric neurotransmitter release enables rapid odour lateralization in Drosophila

In Drosophila, most individual olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) project bilaterally to both sides of the brain. Having bilateral rather than unilateral projections may represent a useful redundancy. However, bilateral ORN projections to the brain should also compromise the ability to lateralize odours. Nevertheless, walking or flying Drosophila reportedly turn towards the antenna that is more strongly stimulated by odour. Here we show that each ORN spike releases approximately 40% more neurotransmitter from the axon branch ipsilateral to the soma than from the contralateral branch. As a result, when an odour activates the antennae asymmetrically, ipsilateral central neurons begin to spike a few milliseconds before contralateral neurons, and at a 30 to 50% higher rate than contralateral neurons. We show that a walking fly can detect a 5% asymmetry in total ORN input to its left and right antennal lobes, and can turn towards the odour in less time than it requires the fly to complete a stride. These results demonstrate that neurotransmitter release properties can be tuned independently at output synapses formed by a single axon onto two target cells with identical functions and morphologies. Our data also show that small differences in spike timing and spike rate can produce reliable differences in olfactory behaviour.
Internet Access and Attitudes Toward Online Personal Health Information Among Detained Youth

OBJECTIVE: To assess Internet access and usage patterns among high-risk youth involved in the juvenile justice system, and to determine if health information technology tools might play a useful role in more actively engaging this population in their health care. METHODS: A sample of 79 youth between the ages of 13 and 18 years old underwent a structured interview while detained in a large, Northern California juvenile detention facility. After an institutional review board-approved assent/consent process, youth discussed their typical Internet use when not detained, as well as their attitudes toward online access to their personal health information (PHI). RESULTS: Detained youth from predominantly underserved, minority communities, reported high levels of access to the Internet while outside of the detention setting, with 97% reporting using the Internet at least once per month and 87% at least weekly. Furthermore, 90% of these youth expressed interest in accessing their PHI online and sharing it with either parents or physicians. CONCLUSIONS: Detained adolescents describe unexpectedly high usage of the Internet and online resources when they are outside of the juvenile hall setting. These youth show an interest in, and may benefit from, accessing their PHI online. Further studies are needed to understand the potential health benefits that may be realized by engaging this population through online tools.
LXIII.—New or little-known Tipulidæ (Diptera).—III. Ethiopian species

(1920). LXIII.—New or little-known Tipulidae (Diptera).—III. Ethiopian species. Annals and Magazine of Natural History: Vol. 5, No. 30, pp. 465-472.
Investing in Growth

Policymakers in developing countries often point to insufficient infrastructure as a constraint on their countries’ growth prospects. But more important than whether a country can expand its public investment in infrastructure is whether it should. Unfortunately, the results of studies on public investment’s impact on growth are unclear, leading many to conclude that it is unproductive. This article revisits this debate and, using estimates of public capital for 48 advanced and developing economies during 1960–2001, finds that public investment generally has a positive impact on growth. Furthermore, the results indicate that advanced economies use public investment more as a demand management tool — to counter the business cycle — than do emerging and developing economies, where it is more likely used to boost long-term growth prospects.
Intramolecular Microsolvation of SN2 Transition States

Introduction of an ω-substituent (CN, Cl, or OH) onto a primary n-alkyl chloride significantly enhances the rate of SN2 chloride exchange in the gas phase. Trends in reactivity suggest that the rate acceleration depends primarily on through-space solvation of the transition state, especially charge-dipole interactions. The potential energy surfaces and dynamics of these reactions are discussed.
The Mechanism of Ductile Fracture in Constrained Thin Films

The mechanism of low macroscopic-plastic-strain, ductile fractures under various high triaxial stresses in constrained thin silver films was investigated. Particular emphasis was placed on investigating ductile fracture by unstable cavity growth. The various multi-axial loads to failure were experimentally measured. FEA analysis was used to determine the corresponding high triaxial stress-states within the interlayer, also considering cavity-cavity interaction, residual stresses and elastic incompatibility stresses across interfaces. These were compared to the stresses required for cavity instability. Ductile fracture under high triaxial stresses, associated with low macroscopic strains, appears to be explained by unstable cavity growth, where cavity growth may occur without large macroscopic (e.g., < 0.05) plastic strains.