cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ergodic Rate of Millimeter Wave Ad Hoc Networks

In this paper, we use a stochastic geometry approach to quantify the ergodic rate of each user in an outdoor mm-wave ad hoc network. For a variety of use cases, it is reasonable to assume users will be clustered around a central point (e.g., WiFi hotspot or clusterhead) rather than uniformly distributed. Our results indicate that, in contrast to sub-6-GHz networks, clustered mm-wave ad hoc networks tolerate the increased interference because directional antenna arrays reduce the interference. For certain antenna array configurations and user densities, uncoordinated users within a cluster outperform TDMA. Additionally, we derive a scaling law for uniform mm-wave ad hoc networks and propose a heuristic scaling for clustered networks. The per user ergodic rate remains constant if mm-wave antenna arrays scale sub-linearly with the number of users for uniform networks or linearly in clustered networks as users are added to the cluster. Last, we compute expressions that quantify the loss in ergodic rate per user when alignment error occurs at the receiver and transmitter. Our results show that even relatively small errors in alignment can lead to significant ergodic rate reduction.
Age moderates the association between social integration and diurnal cortisol measures

Social integration is defined as the degree to which an individual participates in a broad range of social relationships. Although measures of social integration vary across studies, it is often assessed as the number of social roles (e.g., parent, friend, student, volunteer) that an individual reports actively participating in. More socially integrated individuals tend to be healthier than those less socially integrated, but the biological mechanisms through which this occurs remain unclear. One possibility is that social integration might alter the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, of which cortisol is a key product, and in turn influence a broad range of health outcomes. This study examined the association between social integration and two indices of cortisol in a community sample of 680 healthy men and women aged 18-55. Because the social roles held by younger individuals may be more numerous yet superficial than those held by older individuals, this study also tested the hypothesis that these associations could be moderated by age such that lower levels of integration would be associated with cortisol dysregulation for older but not younger individuals in our sample. Participants provided salivary cortisol samples during waking hours on three days that were used to calculate diurnal cortisol levels and slopes. Increased social integration was associated with lower cortisol AUC among older (ages 35-55) but not younger (ages 18-34) individuals in our sample. Moreover, while increased social integration was associated with steeper diurnal cortisol slopes regardless of age, this association was strongest among older individuals. Differences in health behaviors, affect, and psychological stress did not mediate these associations. The results of this study support cortisol as a candidate biological mechanism through which increased social integration is associated with better physical health among older individuals.
The Effect of Indium Additions on the Cryogenic Tensile Properties of Superplastically Deformed Al-Cu-Li-Zr Alloy 2090

Superplastic aluminum-lithium alloys are promising aerospace materials based on their high stiffness and low density, as compared to other superplastic aluminum alloys, and their ability to be formed to complex shapes that minimize weight. However, superplastic forming precludes the use of a pre-aging stretch which promotes homogeneous nucleation of T1 (Al2CuLi) and is a partial source of the excellent properties of 2090. Indium was added to superplastic 2090 in order to improve the post-formed mechanical properties. Tensile tests performed at 300 and 77 K show that the strengths are better than those demonstrated for regular 2090 after superplastic deformation. Failure occurs by transgranular shear and intergranular separation at 300K in both the formed and unformed material. At 77K failure occurs intergranularly prior to the geometric tensile instability, which is consistent with brittle fracture. It is believed that grain boundary intermetallics are promoting this fracture mode change at low temperatures.
Prodrugs as Treatments for Cannabis Use Disorder: N-Acetylcysteine as a Case Example

An important strategy for pharmacotherapy research is the development of prodrugs. These precursor compounds undergo in vivo transformation to pharmacologically active agents and offer the prospect for improved stability, absorption, and/or penetration when limitations exist in the pharmacokinetics of the active compounds. To date, only one prodrug has been extensively researched as a candidate treatment for cannabis use disorder (CUD). N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a prodrug of the amino acid cysteine, was shown in animal models to reduce drug seeking and reinstatement. This led to human laboratory and clinical trials research to examine NAC as a candidate pharmacotherapy for substance use disorders. Specific to CUD, large-scale randomized controlled trials have been conducted among adolescents and adults, and ongoing work aims to elucidate NAC’s optimal role CUD treatment. An overview of research to date on NAC for CUD is summarized in this chapter and offered as an example to inform the development of other prodrugs to treat CUD.
On the Location-Dependent SIR Gain in Cellular Networks

In wireless networks, the distances from a user to its desired transmitters and undesired interferers play a critical role in its channel quality. In this letter, we study this location-dependence in a cellular network, where a user is always served by its nearest base station. For any stationary and ergodic base station process, we partition its associated Voronoi cells into the cell centers and the cell boundaries. We show that in Poisson networks, the top fraction ${x}$ of users enjoy a signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) gain of ${-}{5}{\alpha }\text {log}_{{10}}{x}$ dB relative to the typical user for Rayleigh fading and the power-law path loss with the exponent $\alpha $ . For the cell boundary users, we give both the exact and asymptotic form of the SIR distribution. As such, this letter permits the grouping of users and the analysis of different groups of users.
Extruded feline diets formulated with high inclusion of soybean hulls: effects on apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility, and fecal quality and metabolites

Dietary fibers have gained renewed interest in companion animal nutrition as a means to manage pet obesity and improve gut and host health. Soybean hulls (SBH), a coproduct of the soybean oil extraction process, is an accessible and economical fiber source. However, limited research is available on the use of SBH in feline nutrition. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of a high SBH inclusion level on daily food intake, apparent total tract (ATT) macronutrient digestibility, fecal quality, and fecal fermentative end products in diets of adult cats. Four diets were formulated with either SBH, beet pulp (BP), or cellulose (CL) as the main source of dietary fiber, with the control diet formulated with no added fiber (NF). The fiber treatments were formulated to achieve approximately 15% total dietary fiber (TDF). Eight adult male cats (mean age = 10.5 yr ± 0.1; mean BW = 6.1 ± 0.8 kg) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. Each period consisted of 14 d, with 10 d of diet adaptation followed by 4 d of total fecal and urine collections. Food was offered twice daily and cats were fed to maintain BW. Food intake on a DM basis (DMB) was lower (P < 0.05) in cats fed BP (55.2 g/d) when compared with SBH (70.8 g/d). As-is fecal output did not differ in cats fed BP or SBH, and when expressed on a DMB, fecal output did not differ among fiber treatments. The ATT digestibility of DM, OM, and GE was greater (P < 0.05) in cats fed NF when compared with those fed BP, CL, or SBH. Cats fed CL had the greatest (P < 0.05) ATT CP digestibility (88.5%), followed by cats fed NF (84.9) and SBH (81.7%) with the lowest values (77%) noted for cats fed BP. Acid-hydrolyzed fat (AHF) digestibility was greater for cats fed CL (92.9%) than for cats fed BP (86.9%) and SBH (88.6%). The TDF ATT digestibility was lowest for cats fed NF and CL (8.5% and 15.1%, respectively), followed by SBH (18.0%), with BP having the highest digestibility (33.7%). Total short-chain fatty acid concentration was greatest (P < 0.05) in cats fed BP (699.7 μmole/g) when compared with the other 3 treatments, whereas phenol and indole concentrations did not differ among treatments. In conclusion, a high inclusion level (15% TDF) of SBH appears acceptable in diets for adult cats, resulting in no negative effects on daily food intake, fecal scores, and similar ATT digestibility for most macronutrients when compared with BP and CL.
Emergent Soft Lithographic Tools for the Fabrication of Functional Polymeric Microstructures.

Polymeric microstructures (PMs) are useful to a broad range of technologies applicable to, for example, sensing, energy storage, and soft robotics. Due to the diverse application space of PMs, many techniques (e. g., photolithography, 3D printing, micromilling, etc.) have been developed to fabricate these structures. Stemming from their generality and unique capabilities, the tools encompassed by soft lithography (e. g., replica molding, microcontact printing, etc.), which use soft elastomeric materials as masters in the fabrication of PMs, are particularly relevant. By taking advantage of the characteristics of elastomeric masters, particularly their mechanical and chemical properties, soft lithography has enabled the use of non-planar substrates and relatively inexpensive equipment in the generation of many types of PMs, redefining existing communities and creating new ones. Traditionally, these elastomeric masters have been produced from relief patterns fabricated using photolithography; however, recent efforts have led to the emergence of new methods that make use of masters that are self-forming, dynamic in their geometric and chemical properties, 3D in architecture, and/or sacrificial (i. e., easily removed/released using phase changes). These "next generation" soft lithographic masters include self-assembled liquid droplets, microscale balloons, templates derived from natural materials, and hierarchically microstructured surfaces. The new methods of fabrication supported by these unique masters enable access to numerous varieties of PMs (e. g., those with hierarchical microstructures, overhanging features, and 3D architectures) that would not be possible following established methods of soft lithography. This review explores these emergent soft lithographic methods, addressing their operational principles and the application space they can impact.
"Catching the War": Jessica Swanlake's Brief Liberation

Although war is horrible, many British and American women discovered during the Second World War that it could also be quite liberating. The need for men in the armed services created a tremendous demand for personnel both on the home front and in the military. Many women drove trucks, worked in factories and ran offices. Women also became ferry pilots, served in auxiliary branches of the armed services, and went overseas as medical personnel, primarily nurses. British women had their own versions of Rosie the Riveter; they also became land girls (agricultural workers) or worked in civil defense with the ARP (Air Raid Precaution) or AFS (Auxiliary Fire Service). Societal expectations for gender-appropriate behavior loosened considerably as the war went on: "women were initially resisted, then grudgingly accepted, finally taken for granted" (Ziegler 184). Jessica Swanlake, in Gravity's Rainbow, exemplifies a woman whose life is transformed, at least briefly, for the better by the social upheaval caused by the Second World War.
A 0.34-THz Wideband Wide-Angle 2-D Steering Phased Array in 0.13- $\mu$ m SiGe BiCMOS

In this paper, a 0.34-THz $2\times 2$ phased array integrated circuit is presented, which demonstrates a new approach for implementing phased arrays in the millimeter-wave (mm-wave)/terahertz (THz) spectrum. The circuit structure consists of four unit standing wave oscillators. In each cell, fundamental frequency ( $f_{0}$ ) and odd harmonics are systematically cancelled, while the desired fourth harmonics ( $4f_{0}$ ) are combined and radiated by on-chip patch antennas. A phase-shifter-less mechanism is employed based on combining standing and traveling waves to create the required phase shift between the sources for beam steering. The transistors provide negative resistance to the circuit and generate the desired fourth harmonics through nonlinearity. Simultaneously, transistors are employed as active variable capacitors for varactor-less frequency tuning. The implemented phased array is capable of independent wideband frequency tuning and 2-D wide-angle beam steering. The circuit is fabricated in a 0.13- $\mu \text {m}$ SiGe BiCMOS process and is measured to have 52-GHz/15.1% frequency tuning range from 318 to 370 GHz and 128°/53° 2-D beam-steering angle. The chip consumes 310–640 mW power from a 1.5-V supply with −6.8-dBm maximum radiated power and minimum −93.1-dBc/Hz phase noise at 10-MHz offset. To the best of our knowledge, this paper has the largest bandwidth among fully integrated THz radiator/phased arrays as well as the widest angle beam steering among fully integrated THz phased arrays.
NEXT Ion Propulsion System Risk Mitigation Tests in Support of the Double Asteroid Redirection Test Mission

Risk mitigation tests have been conducted by the NASA Glenn Research Center and The Aerospace Corporation in support of the DART Mission. The tests focused on NEXT performance characterizations intended to ensure its operations and characteristics are compatible with the DART mission operations, and to assist in the definition of the propulsion system. Tests were performed at the Aerospace Corporation and they involved: flow sensitivity-analyses, steady-state performance characterizations, and measurements of thruster erosion. The tests also involved defining, demonstrating, verifying, and evaluating the start-up sequences and a beam current regulation algorithm consistent with DART mission requirements. It was found that NEXT thruster operations are compatible with the proposed relaxation of flow control ranges for ignition and for steady-state operation.
Review of computational methods for aerodynamic analysis of iced lifting surfaces

Abstract Extensive experimental studies and associated reviews have been conducted to better understand the aerodynamic impact of iced lifting surfaces based on measurements. This review is a computational compliment to these previous studies to understand how well we can predict these aerodynamics. In particular, we focus on classifying three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic (CFD) studies that have analyzed the aerodynamic impact of ice accretion on lifting surface geometries over the past three decades. The classification considers and discusses: airfoil/wing geometry, ice shape, flow conditions, meshing type/technique, numerical schemes, turbulence model, and prediction accuracy (via experimental validation). The review culminates in an informed commentary on the current gaps of knowledge present with regards to predicting aerodynamics on iced lifting surfaces, and recommends strategies for the research community to use to help address these issues.
Crushable multiaxial behavior of sandwich foam cores: Pressure vessel experiments:

The objective of this study was to characterize the multiaxial, elastic-plastic and hysteresis behavior of Divinycell PVC H100 foam using a novel pressure vessel experiment. Cyclic, elastic and pos...
Multidisciplinary standards of care and recent progress in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Despite tremendous gains in the molecular understanding of exocrine pancreatic cancer, the prognosis for this disease remains very poor, largely because of delayed disease detection and limited effectiveness of systemic therapies. Both incidence rates and mortality rates for pancreatic cancer have increased during the past decade, in contrast to most other solid tumor types. Recent improvements in multimodality care have substantially improved overall survival, local control, and metastasis-free survival for patients who have localized tumors that are amenable to surgical resection. The widening gap in prognosis between patients with resectable and unresectable or metastatic disease reinforces the importance of detecting pancreatic cancer sooner to improve outcomes. Furthermore, the developing use of therapies that target tumor-specific molecular vulnerabilities may offer improved disease control for patients with advanced disease. Finally, the substantial morbidity associated with pancreatic cancer, including wasting, fatigue, and pain, remains an under-addressed component of this disease, which powerfully affects quality of life and limits tolerance to aggressive therapies. In this article, the authors review the current multidisciplinary standards of care in pancreatic cancer with a focus on emerging concepts in pancreatic cancer detection, precision therapy, and survivorship.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Fire Blight Pathogen Strain Erwinia amylovora Ea1189

Erwinia amylovora causes fire blight, the most devastating bacterial disease of apples and pears in the United States and worldwide. The model strain E. amylovora Ea1189 has been extensively used to understand bacterial pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms of bacterial-plant interactions. In this work, we sequenced and assembled the de novo genome of Ea1189, using a combination of long Oxford Nanopore Technologies and short Illumina sequence reads. A complete gapless genome assembly of Ea1189 consists of a 3,797,741-bp circular chromosome and a 28,259-bp plasmid with 3,472 predicted genes, including 78 transfer RNAs, 22 ribosomal RNAs, and 20 noncoding RNAs. A comparison of the Ea1189 genome to previously sequenced E. amylovora complete genomes showed 99.94 to 99.97% sequence similarity with 314 to 946 single nucleotide polymorphisms. We believe that the availability of the complete genome sequence of strain Ea1189 will further support studies to understand evolution, diversity and structural variations of Erwinia strains, as well as the molecular basis of E. amylovora pathogenesis and its interactions with host plants, thus facilitating the development of effective management strategies for this important disease.
Correlative microscopy workflow for precise targeted failure analysis of multi-layer ceramic capacitors

Abstract The correlative framework includes three-dimensional X-ray tomography, femto-second laser micro machining, three-dimensional FIB/SEM/EDS tomography, and data segmentation. This framework is highly efficient allowing non-destructive locating of the defect and nanometer precise targeting with communication between instruments. The analyses resulted in a fully segmented three-dimensional data set revealing a failure mode of leakage due to suspended metal within the dielectric material.
A Sos proteomimetic as a pan-Ras inhibitor

Aberrant Ras signaling is linked to a wide spectrum of hyperproliferative diseases, and components of the signaling pathway, including Ras, have been the subject of intense and ongoing drug discovery efforts. The cellular activity of Ras is modulated by its association with the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Son of sevenless (Sos), and the high-resolution crystal structure of the Ras-Sos complex provides a basis for the rational design of orthosteric Ras ligands. We constructed a synthetic Sos protein mimic that engages the wild-type and oncogenic forms of nucleotide-bound Ras and modulates downstream kinase signaling. The Sos mimic was designed to capture the conformation of the Sos helix-loop-helix motif that makes critical contacts with Ras in its switch region. Chemoproteomic studies illustrate that the proteomimetic engages Ras and other cellular GTPases. The synthetic proteomimetic resists proteolytic degradation and enters cells through macropinocytosis. As such, it is selectively toxic to cancer cells with up-regulated macropinocytosis, including those that feature oncogenic Ras mutations.
Generalized Mittag-Leffler Factorial Function with Sums

This research aims to express several functions, like trigonometric functions, Mittag-Leffler (ML) function. For that we have introduced Generalized Mittag-Leffler function factorial by which one can express certain functions as well as series by sum of polynomial factorials. This model will be used to obtain solutions of fractional difference equations also.
Design Strategies for Hands-On Activities to Increase Interest, Relevance, and Self-Efficacy in Chemistry

Chemistry is a vital and highly relevant field of science that is under-represented in science centers and museums. Amidst concerns that the public is ambivalent about the chemistry field, the Explore Science: Let's Do Chemistry project sought to understand how to design hands-on activities that could increase the feelings of interest, relevance, and self-efficacy around chemistry. Using design-based research, the team tested and refined a variety of activities while simultaneously creating a framework for future use about content and format strategies that increase interest, relevance, and self-efficacy. Science museum visitors tested these activities and were interviewed afterward to learn whether or not they had experienced any changes in their attitudes toward chemistry and what about the activity contributed to these feelings. Data indicated that the types of content embedded in an activity influence increased feelings that chemistry is relevant and interesting, while the format used in an activity contributes to increased interest and self-efficacy around chemistry. The design framework created from these findings can be used by other chemistry educators to develop additional chemistry outreach activities that support increased interest, relevance, or self-efficacy in participants.
Tributyltin exposure leads to increased adiposity and reduced abundance of leptogenic bacteria in the zebrafish intestine

The chemical obesogen tributyltin (TBT) is known to promote fat storage in adipose tissue through direct action on vertebrate cells. TBT also has direct toxic effects on microorganisms, raising the possibility that TBT may also promote fat storage in vertebrates by altering their microbiota. Here we show that exposure of conventionally-reared post-embryonic zebrafish to TBT results in increased adiposity, reduced body size, and altered intestinal microbiota composition including reduced relative abundance of Plesiomonas bacteria. To test if those microbiota alterations affected host adiposity, we exposed conventionally-reared zebrafish to intestinal bacterial strains representative of TBT-altered taxa. We found that introduction of a Plesiomonas strain into conventionally-reared zebrafish was sufficient to reduce adiposity and alter intestinal microbiota composition. Using new long-term gnotobiotic zebrafish husbandry methods, we found that colonization of germ-free zebrafish with Plesiomonas was sufficient to reduce host adiposity. These findings underscore how complex reciprocal interactions between animals and their microbial and chemical environments can influence energy balance and metabolic health.
P-102: Genomic and systemic metabolism differences associated with racial disparities in Multiple Myeloma

Background Racial disparities exist in the prevalence of multiple myeloma (MM) and monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS), with significantly higher prevalence in African American/ black (AA) compared to non-AA individuals. AA patients are also younger than non-AA at the time of diagnosis. We aimed to determine if differences in systemic metabolism and genetics might contribute to these racial disparities in MM. Methods Studies were approved by the IRB and IACUC. We used a large health system electronic medical record database to characterize the metabolic phenotype of AA and white individuals with MM. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from height and weight measures. BMI≥30kg/m2 defined obesity. HbA1c ≥6.5% defined diabetes. Genomic analysis was performed by extracting mutational signatures from tumor samples of MM patients as previously described, and comparing their prevalence between AA and white patients. We used an immunodeficient non-obese mouse model of type 2 diabetes (Rag1-/-/MKR) and controls (Rag1-/-) for in vivo MM1.S xenograft studies. Results Of our population of 3170 people, 2128 individuals were AA (21.7%) or white (78.3%). Females comprised 53.2% (n=246) of the AA population and 40.2% (n=669) of the white population. The highest prevalence of obesity was in AA women (46%) > white men (41%) > AA men (36%) > white women (35%). The prevalence of diabetes was greater in AA men (37%) and women (34%) than white men (24%) and women (19%). BMI was a poor predictor of diabetes in the AA population with MM, where diabetes affected 1 in 5 AA individuals with normal BMI, but only 1 in 12 white individuals. Genomic characterization of AA patients, revealed a significant enrichment for the COSMIC SBS1 clock-like mutational signature in AA patients compared to white (p Conclusions In our large diverse cohort of individuals with MM, we found significant racial disparities in the prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes, in addition to enrichment of a clock-like mutational signature in MM from AA individuals. In our mouse model, MM xenografts grew more rapidly in the diabetic mice and had more activation of mTOR signaling, a pathway known to regulate clock and aging gene signatures.
Laser ion source activities at Brookhaven National Laboratory

In Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), we have been developing laser ion sources for diverse accelerators. Tabletop Nd:YAG lasers with up to several Joules of energy are mainly used to create ablation plasmas for stable operations. The obtained charge states depend on laser power density and target species. Two types of ion extraction schemes, direct plasma injection scheme (DPIS) and conventional static extraction, are used depending on the application. We optimized and selected a suitable laser irradiation condition and a beam extraction scheme to meet the requirement of the following accelerator system. We have demonstrated to accelerate more than 5 × 1010 of C6+ ions using the DPIS. We successfully commissioned a low-charge ion beam provider to the user facilities in BNL. To achieve higher current, higher charge state and lower emittance, further studies will continue.
Evolution of Trading Structures

This paper reviews the evolution of trading structures by examining two pertinent strands in the literature on economics with interacting agents, one, works that presume a specified topology of interactions among agents, and two, works that let random mechanisms determine that topology. The papr reviews interactive discrete choice models in isotropic settings and proposes extensions within certain stylized anisotopic settings which are particularly interesting for economists. In particular, circular patterns of interaction highlight the role of money and credit; tree-type settings depict Walrasian interactions. The paper suggests that the random topology of interaction approach, which as employed analyses of sizes of trading gorups and thus exploit the full range of possible topological properties of trading structures. The paper proposes an integration of those approaches which is intended to exploit their natural complementaries. In the simplest possible version, our sythesis involves individual decisions and expectations, randomness, and nature combinng to fix an initial "primordial" topology of interaction. The dynamics of interaction move the economy from then on. The evolution of trading structures depends criticlaly upon multiplicity and stability properties of equilibrium configurations of the interaction model. The paper addresses a number of additional topics, including matching models, spatial aspects of the evolution of trading structures and issues of statistical inference.
Weather Forecasting with Ensemble Methods

Traditional weather forecasting has been built on a foundation of deterministic modeling--start with initial conditions, put them into a supercomputer model, and end up with a prediction about future weather. But as Gneiting and Raftery discuss in their Perspective, a new approach--ensemble forecasting--was introduced in the early 1990s. In this method, up to 100 different computer runs, each with slightly different starting conditions or model assumptions, are combined into a weather forecast. In concert with statistical techniques, ensembles can provide accurate statements about the uncertainty in daily and seasonal forecasting. The challenge now is to improve the modeling, statistical analysis, and visualization technologies for disseminating the ensemble results.
A review of Frederick Adams and Kenneth Aizawa, The Bounds of Cognition

In The Bounds of Cognition, Fred Adams and Kenneth Aizawa treat the arguments for extended cognition to withering criticism. I summarize their main arguments and focus special attention on their distinction between the extended cognitive system hypothesis and the extended cognition hypothesis, as well as on their demand for a mark of the mental.
Specific Basic Proteins from Mammalian Testes ISOLATION AND PROPERTIES OF SMALL BASIC PROTEINS FROM RAT TESTES AND EPIDIDYMAL SPERMATOZOA

Abstract A unique acid-soluble basic protein was detected in the testes of sexually mature rats and a number of other mammalian species. This protein was not found in comparable acid extracts prepared from many other rat organs or from the testes of juvenile rats. It makes its appearance only after spermatids are evident in normally developing testes and is absent from the gonads of male rats rendered artificially cryptorchid for periods of 10 days or longer. This protein was purified extensively and was found to be devoid of phenylalanine, tryptophan, glutamic acid, glutamine, isoleucine, and cyst(e)ine. The specific basic protein from rat testes could not be extracted from epididymal sperm by a variety of procedures. In contrast, certain techniques reproducibly extracted from both epididymal spermatozoa and whole testis a highly basic protein fraction that is strikingly rich both in arginine and cyst(e)ine.
Affirmative Consent and Safer, Hotter Sex

In this documentary film, an exploration of sexual consent challenges common assumptions about how partners communicate their willingness or unwillingness to engage in sexual activity. Consistent w...
Desmoglein shows extensive homology to the cadherin family of cell adhesion molecules

Summary Desmoglein is a major adhesive component of the desmosome. It is also at least one of the antigenic targets of pathogenic antibodies circulating in the sera of patients with the blistering disease Pemphigus foliaceus . To examine the molecular basis of desmosomal adhesion and to further our understanding of its disruption in various bullous disorders we have cloned cDNAs encoding four of the extracellular domains of desmoglein. The predicted amino acid sequence of these clones shows extensive homology with the cadherin class of calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecules. Desmoglein represents a novel subtype of this family.
ODGen: a prototype reverse engineering tool for Ada

The problem of keeping documentation current with an evolving software system has always been a major concern in software engineering, especially as deriving an understanding of a program's logic may represent as much as 90% of the cost of maintenance. Reverse engineering, the processing of source code to extract higher levels of abstraction, promises to be a viable solution to this problem as tools may be developed to automatically extract design information from a software system. This paper describes the design and development of one such tool: the Object Diagram Generator (ODGen) developed at Auburn University for automatically generating graphical documentation for Ada programs.
Axiorecombination: A New Mechanism for Stellar Axion Production

Abstract Axiorecombination, e− + Z → (e−, Z) + a, is considered as a source of light pseudoscalar axions in stars. This process dominates the energy loss in axions for low-mass main-sequence stars, M ⪅ 0.2M ⊚ . For the sun, axiorecombination accounts for ∼ 1 4 of total axion flux at energies above ∼2 keV.
Disciplined imagination: Building scenarios and building theories

Abstract This article outlines a relationship between scenario construction and theory building. This is done in two key ways: (1) it is argued that a deficiency of theory and theory building exists with regard to the phenomenon of scenario construction and (2) it is also argued that scenario construction may constitute a form of theory building. These arguments are developed using foundational works that label both scenario construction and theory building as processes of disciplined imagination. Drawing from other core works in management and organizational change perspectives the argument is developed that scenario construction might most appropriately be thought of as a process of developing and changing theories-in-use. Conclusions and implications for management professionals are drawn.
Sociobiological and Social Constructionist Accounts of Altruism: a Phenomenological Critique

Much theorizing about altruism has been undertaken within a naturalistic and deterministic sociobiological framework that has sought to explain altruistic action in terms of underlying genetic selfishness. Recently, however, social constructionist thinkers have developed an alternative to such theorizing which suggests that human action arises out of fundamentally open-ended and malleable social relationships. This paper intends to show, however, that a reductive egoism is nonetheless still at work in such accounts, typically taking the form of an underlying concern for matters of personal status and social recognition. As a response, this paper will briefly outline the work of the French phenomenologists Maurice Merleau-Ponty and Emmanuel Levinas as an example of non-reductive and fundamentally Other-oriented alternatives to both sociobiological and social constructionist accounts of altruistic action.
Proper Risk Allocation during Construction: Differing Site Conditions

AbstractDiffering site conditions are encountered on site when the actual conditions are materially different from those included in the contract documents (Type I) or from those reasonably expected by the project team given the type of work performed on site (Type II). In both cases, the damages associated with differing site conditions can cause the failure of the entire project if this risk is not properly allocated in the contract documents. Regardless of this allocation, the construction contract requires the contractor to give notice to the owner in the case of differing site conditions. Also, the contractor is required to keep track of the effects that differing site conditions have on his schedule and performance. The main objective of this paper is to describe the risks associated with differing site conditions and to demonstrate how these risks are usually allocated during the different scenarios that may occur if differing site conditions are encountered. This was done by looking at several leg...
Atorvastatin: beyond lipid-lowering effects in the diabetic population

Statins are the mainstay of therapy in coronary artery disease and hypercholesterolemia. Atorvastatin is a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme-A reductase inhibitor that is taken once daily. It has been shown to considerably reduce cardiovascular mortality events. Recently, several trials have demonstrated that atorvastatin has pleiotropic effects beyond its lipid-lowering capacities. Atorvastatin is especially beneficial in diabetics for stroke prevention and improving cardiovascular mortality risk.
The effects of the dietary glycemic load on type 2 diabetes risk factors during weight loss.

PITTAS, ANASTASSIOS G., SUSAN B. ROBERTS, SAI KRUPA DAS, CHERYL H. GILHOOLY, EDWARD SALTZMAN, JULIE GOLDEN, PAUL C. STARK, AND ANDREW S. GREENBERG. The effects of the dietary glycemic load on type 2 diabetes risk factors during weight loss. Obesity. 2006;14:2200–2209. Objective: To compare the effects of two calorie-restricted diets that differ in glycemic load (GL) on glucose tolerance and inflammation. Research Methods and Procedures: Thirty-four healthy overweight adults, ages 24 to 42 years, were randomized to 30% provided calorie-restricted diets with high (HG) or low (LG) glycemic load for 6 months. Outcomes were changes in glucose-insulin dynamics and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Results: Compared with baseline, levels of fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, postload insulin at 30 minutes, and incremental area-under-thecurve-insulin during the oral glucose tolerance test were significantly lower in both groups at 6 months (p range, 0.01 to 0.05), but after adjustment for baseline values and weight change, there were no differences between the two groups with regard to changes over time in any parameter. The mean percentage change in insulin sensitivity by a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test was 26% in the HG group and 24% in the LG group (p 0.83); first-phase acute insulin release was 20% in the HG group and 21% in the LG group (p 0.77). More participants on the LG diet (14 of 16 subjects) had a decline in serum CRP, compared with those on the HG diet (7 of 16 subjects) (p 0.05). Discussion: In healthy overweight adults provided with food for 6 months, the dietary GL did not seem to influence chronic adaptations in glucose-insulin dynamics above that associated with weight loss. This finding highlights the importance of absolute weight loss over the dietary macronutrient composition used to achieve weight loss. The finding of greater declines in CRP concentration after consumption of a low-GL diet warrants further investigation.
Designing Clothes and Cars: Second Grade Students Using Multiple Forms of Literacy to Try on and Perform Identity

Children of elementary school age are in the process of discovering and establishing their self-identity through talk, gesture, writing, and, especially, the arts. While they can sometimes find room to exert their individuality in their daily classroom assignments, it is more often in the spaces open to social interaction in school in which this work is done. However, as the act of schooling is often considered as an act of social reproduction as well as that of education in skills and knowledge, students can struggle when their personal and cultural backgrounds differ from the expected norms. This article reflects various instances of second-grade children working on their self-identity in various spaces in the school day, and offers rationale and suggestions for supporting this process in an open and safe way.
Expression of a Murine Cytomegalovirus Early-Late Protein in “Latently” Infected Mice

Monoclonal antibodies were isolated from the spleen of a latently infected mouse to identify possible antigenic markers for latent murine cytomegalovirus infection. One antibody, AM3, was selected for further study. Characterization of the antigen recognized by AM3 confirmed that it is the early-late phosphoprotein pp50. The antigen was readily detected by immunoautoradiography in the spleens of acutely and latently infected mice. Low levels of the AM3/pp50 transcript were also detected in latently infected tissues by in situ hybridization. Presence of AM3/pp50 mRNA, as well as IE-1 transcripts, was confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in 3 of 5 latently infected spleens. The expression of both immediate-early and early-late classes of viral genes suggests that persistent infection may be a component of the MCMV life cycle operationally defined as latency and that this gene is not specific for latency.
Regulation of Integrin αvβ3-mediated Endothelial Cell Migration and Angiogenesis by Integrin α5β1 and Protein Kinase A

Recent studies indicate that angiogenesis depends, in part, on ligation of integrin alpha(5)beta(1) by fibronectin. Evidence is now provided that integrin alpha(5)beta(1) regulates the function of integrin alpha(v)beta(3) on endothelial cells during their migration in vitro or angiogenesis in vivo. Secretion of fibronectin by endothelial cells leads to the ligation of integrin alpha(5)beta(1), which potentiates alpha(v)beta(3)-mediated migration on vitronectin without influencing alpha(v)beta(3)-mediated cell adhesion. Endothelial cell attachment to vitronectin suppresses protein kinase A (PKA) activity, while addition of soluble anti-alpha(5)beta(1) restores this activity. Moreover, agents that activate intracellular PKA, such as forskolin, dibutyryl cAMP or alpha(5)beta(1) antagonists, suppress endothelial cell migration on vitronectin in vitro or angiogenesis in vivo. In contrast, inhibitors of PKA reverse the anti-migratory or anti-angiogenic effects mediated by alpha(5)beta(1) antagonists. Therefore, alpha(v)beta(3)-mediated endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis can be regulated by PKA activity, which depends on the ligation state of integrin alpha(5)beta(1).
Influenza associated mortality in Southern China, 2010-2012.

Abstract Objective Influenza caused substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. The mortality burden caused by influenza has been under evaluation; however, data assessing this burden have been relatively sparse in tropical or subtropical regions. We estimated influenza-associated mortality in Guangzhou, China and assessed the excess mortality due to different influenza virus subtypes. Methods We estimated influenza-associated excess mortality due to all-cause, pneumonia and influenza, cardiorespiratory disease and other influenza-associated diagnoses from weekly numbers of deaths and influenza surveillance data through negative binomial regression model during 2010–2012. Results Estimates derived from the model indicated that influenza resulted in 14.72 (95% confidence interval (CI), 12.12–17.31) deaths per 100,000 population per year from all-cause death among all ages group. Most deaths (84.2%) occurred among people aged ≥65 years. B virus caused 5.84 (95%CI, 4.10–7.58) deaths per 100,000 population for all-cause death, which was higher than A (H3N2) (4.89, 95%CI, 3.19–6.59) or A(H1N1)pdm09 (3.99, 95%CI, 2.32–5.66). Conclusions Influenza is responsible for a substantial mortality especially among people aged ≥65 years and influenza B virus caused the highest influenza-associated mortality. The results highlight the need for seasonal influenza vaccination programs in subtropical areas to decrease excess mortality.
Nitrification and nitrate reductase activity along a secondary successional gradient

The control of nitrification was studied in a secondary successional gradient on Nantucket Island, MA. It was hypothesized that 1) variability in nitrification along the gradient is controlled by litter primary and secondary chemistry, and 2) differences in nitrate availability along the gradient are reflected in potential nitrate assimilation rates in plant tissue. Nitrification varied significantly (p<0.05) by successional stage in all study sites, generally increasing with successional age. The ratio of nitrification to total N mineralization did not vary significantly between successional stages, suggesting substrate limitation of nitrification. Litter terpenoid resin concentration was a significant predictor (p<0.05) of nitrification rate, but soil %C, %N, and water content also contributed significantly to a stepwise regression model predicting nitrification. Nitrate reductase activity (NRA), an index of potential nitrate assimilation, was measured in an assay species (Schizachyrium scoparium). Although there was no significant correlation with nitrification, NRA was significantly (p<0.05) negatively correlated with soil ammonium concentration along the successional gradient at one site, suggesting that plants preferentially utilized ammonium in this system.
Services in a (post)Google world

Purpose – This paper aims to serve as an introduction to the articles in the special theme issue on “reference in the (post)Google age”, outlining some of the challenges and opportunities this new information environment has presented for reference services and introducing some of the creative ways in which librarians are adapting.Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides an overview of the reference service issues and models that are discussed in the papers that follow, including various ways of assessing, locating, and staffing services.Findings – Reference services have not been made obsolete by new online search options, and reference librarians are adapting and rethinking their service models in various resourceful ways.Practical implications – Specific examples of new reference models and ways of assessing reference services are outlined.Originality/value – This paper provides an introduction to the special issue on current reference services.
High density slag concrete

Test results are presented that show that a strong concrete weighing approximately 185 lb/ft/sup 3/ can be made using water, waste lead slag, and Ciment Fondu. Feasibility, materials, mortar tests, concrete tests, and Ciment Fondu concretes are discussed. A 24-in.-thick concrete shield wall would have to be increased in thickness by 5 in. if slag concrete is used in place of barytes or magnetite concrete. On a pound-for-pound basis, the waste lead slag concrete materials were 30% cheaper than barytes and magnetite concrete materials. (M.C.G.)
The Mean Along-Isobath Heat and Salt Balances over the Middle Atlantic Bight Continental Shelf

Abstract The mean heat and salt balances over the Middle Atlantic Bight continental shelf are investigated by testing the hypothesis that surface fluxes of heat or freshwater are balanced by along-isobath fluxes resulting from the mean, depth-averaged, along-isobath flow acting on the mean, depth-averaged, along-isobath temperature or salinity gradient. This hypothesized balance is equivalent in a Lagrangian frame to a column of water, for example, warming because of surface heating as it is advected southward along isobath by the mean flow. Mean depth-averaged temperatures increase from north to south along isobath at a rate of 2°C (1000 km)−1 at midshelf, which is consistent with the hypothesized balance and mean surface heat flux estimates from the 50-yr NCEP Reanalysis. However, mean surface heat flux estimates from the higher-resolution 20-yr Objectively Analyzed Air–Sea Fluxes (OAFlux) reanalysis are too small to balance the along-isobath heat flux divergence implying a cross-shelf heat flux converg...