cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phytoplankton composition modifies predator-driven life history evolution in Daphnia

Organisms experience competing selective pressures, which can obscure the mechanisms driving evolution. Daphnia ambigua is found in lakes where a predator, the alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) either does (anadromous) or does not (landlocked) migrate between marine and freshwater. We previously reported an association between alewife variation and life history evolution in Daphnia. However, differences in alewife migration indirectly influence phytoplankton composition for Daphnia. In ‘anadromous lakes’, Daphnia are present in the spring and experience abundant high-quality green algae. Intense predation by young-of-the-year anadromous alewife quickly eliminates these Daphnia populations by early summer. Daphnia from ‘landlocked lakes’ and lakes without alewife (‘no alewife lakes’) are present during the spring and summer and are more likely to experience high concentrations of sub-optimal cyanobacteria during the summer. To explore links between predation, resources, and prey evolution, we reared third-generation laboratory-born Daphnia from all lake types on increasing cyanobacteria concentrations. We observed several significant ‘lake type × resource’ interactions whereby the differences among lake types depended upon cyanobacteria concentrations. Daphnia from anadromous lakes developed faster, were larger at maturation, produced more offspring, and had higher intrinsic rates of increase in the absence of cyanobacteria. Such trends disappeared or reversed as cyanobacteria concentration was increased because Daphnia from anadromous lakes were more strongly influenced by the presence of cyanobacteria. Our results argue that alewife migration and phytoplankton composition both play a role in Daphnia evolution.
Mass Spectrometry Sampling Under Ambient Conditions with Desorption Electrospray Ionization

A new method of desorption ionization is described and applied to the ionization of various compounds, including peptides and proteins present on metal, polymer, and mineral surfaces. Desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) is carried out by directing electrosprayed charged droplets and ions of solvent onto the surface to be analyzed. The impact of the charged particles on the surface produces gaseous ions of material originally present on the surface. The resulting mass spectra are similar to normal ESI mass spectra in that they show mainly singly or multiply charged molecular ions of the analytes. The DESI phenomenon was observed both in the case of conductive and insulator surfaces and for compounds ranging from nonpolar small molecules such as lycopene, the alkaloid coniceine, and small drugs, through polar compounds such as peptides and proteins. Changes in the solution that is sprayed can be used to selectively ionize particular compounds, including those in biological matrices. In vivo analysis is demonstrated.
Ten Year Research Update (2001–2010): Evaluations for Competence to Stand Trial (Adjudicative Competence)

This article reviews and evaluates publications during 2001-2010 with relevance for assessments of competence to stand trial, referred to in this article as adjudicative competence. The review focuses specifically on articles that provide new concepts or data supported by research or case analyses. The studies are reviewed under the following headings: (i) systemic issues, (ii) conceptual guidelines for AC evaluations, (iii) AC assessment methods, (iv) empirical correlates of AC judgments and psycholegal abilities, (v) quality of AC evaluations and reports, (vi) interpretive issues, (vii) special populations (defendants who are elderly, defendants with intellectual disabilities), (viii) AC evaluations of juveniles, and (ix) treatment of incompetent defendants. Suggestions are offered for further research to advance the quality of clinical evaluations of adjudicative competence.
MBSVT: Software for Modeling, Sensitivity Analysis, and Optimization of Multibody Systems at Virginia Tech

This paper introduces MBSVT (Multibody Systems at Virginia Tech), as a software library for the kinematic and dynamic simulation of multibody systems, with forward kinematics and dynamics, direct and adjoint sensitivity analysis, and optimization capabilities. The MBSVT software was developed in Fortran 2003 as a collection of Fortran modules and it was tested on several different platforms using multiple compilers. The kinematic library includes dot-1 constraint, revolute, spherical, Euler, and translational joints, as well as distance and coordinates driving constraints. The forward dynamics uses the penalty formulation to write the equations of motion and both explicit and implicit Runge-Kutta numerical integrators are implemented to integrate the equations. The library implements external forces, such as translational spring-damper-actuator, bump stop, linear normal contact, and basic tire force. Direct and adjoint sensitivity equations are implemented for the penalty formulation. The L-BFGS-B quasi-Newton optimization algorithm [1] is integrated with the library, to carry out the optimization tasks. MBSVT also provides a connection with Matlab by means of the Matlab engine. 3D rendering is available via the graphic library MBSVT-viz based on OpenSceneGraph. The collection of benchmark problems provided includes a crank-slider mechanism, 2D and 3D excavators models, a vehicle suspension, and full vehicle model. The distribution includes a Cmake list, gfortran make files, MSV2010 project files, and a collection of training problems. Detailed doxygen documentation for the MBSVT library is available in html and pdf formats.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Initiation of a transplantable fibrosarcoma by the synergism of two non-initiators, alpha-tocopherol and soya oil.

When, in the course of an ageing study, α-tocopherol (vitamin E), dissolved in soya oil, was given to 22 Balb/c mice once a week subcutaneously for 10 months, it caused the development of vigorously growing fibrosarcomata at the site of the injections in 17 (77.3%) of the animals. The tumors produced in this manner proved eminently transplantable into syngeneic Balb/c hosts, and have been serially transplanted every 3–4 weeks for over 3 years in such recipients, having reached their 44th transplantation cycle at the present time; upon transplantation, they now exhibit a 100% “take” incidence and proliferate extremely rapidly, growing from pin-head size to up to half the weight of a whole recipient mouse within 3 weeks. All fibrosarcomata showed marked mitotic activity, invasion of adjacent tissues and extensive necrotic areas, and they became more undifferentiated after the third transplantation cycle.
Modeling of the low temperature electron distribution function in ultra-fast transient situations for semiconductor devices

A physics-based approach to the distribution function derived from the evolution of the distribution function as a result of scattering is presented. Instead of solving the Boltzmann transport equations or using the Monte Carlo simulation, the non-equilibrium distribution function can be determined efficiently using the physics-based approach. The approach is applied to model the non-equilibrium distribution function accounting for highly Non-Maxwellian effects at low temperature. Study shows that at low temperature the relatively weak scattering substantially enhances the non-Maxwellian nature of the electron distribution function. The Non-Maxwellian behavior at low temperature can be taken into account in the presented approach when the velocity relaxation is properly included in the model.
Darwin, Marx and Pagano: a comment on “Love, War, and Cultures”

While reading Ugo Pagano’s extraordinary paper, I was reminded of Hernan Cortes’ long letters toKingCharles ofCastile describing the exotic and unusual customs he and his armed band encountered as they advanced toward Temixtitan in 1519. But in light of the thirteen millennia which had passed since there had been any sustained contact between people of the Old World and the New, what is striking about his account of Mexico is how familiar it all was. Upon reaching Temixtitan (where Mexico City now stands), he wrote:
The Principle of Asymptotic Proportionality

The Principle of Asymptotic Proportionality, which is based on the Green's function method for equilibrium problems, is proposed. Using this principle, the induced far-field variable due to any distribution of applied physical quantities can be approximated. This principle has been verified by considering the induced stresses due to applied tractions and dislocations in two-dimensional linear elastic media, and has been shown to be applicable to other physical phenomena such as electrostatics, gravitation, and electromagnetism
Foreign direct investment and endogenous growth in Vietnam

Foregin Direct Investment's (FDI's) contribution to growth has been a controversial topic in economic literature and appears to be country specific. In this article, we use time-varying coefficients in an augmented production function and let FDI indirectly affect Gross domestic product growth through labour productivity. This approach creates built-in heteroskedasticity, so the feasible generalized least square estimation is employed. The results show that FDI has significant and positive effect on labour productivity and economic growth in Vietnam, but the effect is not equally distributed among economic sectors.
Scalable Offline Searches in DNA Sequences

Searching for a particular pattern in a very large DNA database is a fundamental and essential component in computational biology. In the biological world, pattern matching is required for finding repeats in a particular DNA sequence, finding motif, aligning sequences, and other similar tasks. Due to an immense amount and continuous increase of biological data, the searching process requires very fast algorithms. A function-based tool set for fast offline pattern searches in large DNA sequences is proposed. The method benefits from the use of Boolean functions, their compact storage using canonical data structure, and the existence of built-in operators for these data structures. Experiments on DNA sequences from the NCBI database show that the proposed approach is scalable. The time complexity depends on the size of the data structure used for storing the function that represents the DNA sequence. It is shown that the presented approach exhibits sublinear time complexity to the DNA sequence size.
The majority of H2-M3 is retained intracellularly in a peptide-receptive state and traffics to the cell surface in the presence of N-formylated peptides.

We used a new monoclonal antibody (mAb 130) to analyze the intracellular trafficking and surface expression of H2-M3, the major histocompatibility complex class Ib molecule that presents N-formylated peptides to cytotoxic T cells. M3 surface expression is undetectable in most cell types due to the paucity of endogenous antigen. M3 is induced on the cell surface by addition of high-affinity N-formylated peptides from mitochondria and listeria. Peptide-induced M3 expression is most efficient on antigen presenting cells. Basal and inducible expression of M3 is transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP)-dependent, distinguishing M3 from the class Ib molecules TL and CD1. Unlike the expression of class Ia molecules and a previously described M3/Ld chimera, surface expression of M3 cannot be rescued by lowered temperature, suggesting that the α3 domain and transmembrane region of M3 may control trafficking. Pulse–chase analysis and use of trafficking inhibitors revealed a pool of empty M3 in the endoplasmic reticulum or early Golgi apparatus. Addition of exogenous peptide allows maturation with kinetics matching those of Dd. The lack of endogenous N-formylated peptide allows discovery of novel pathogen-derived peptides in normal antigen presenting cells. The nonpolymorphic nature of M3 and its ability to present bacterial antigens rapidly and dominantly make it an attractive target for peptide vaccination strategies.
Pseudolymphoma of the lung: Benign pulmonary nodule with elevated fluorodeoxyglucose uptake.

Modest abnormal fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake was observed in a pulmonary nodule as a result of a rare benign pulmonary lymphoproliferative disorder commonly known as pseudolymphoma. Pseudolymphoma has been described as a benign inflammatory tumor characterized by a mixed cellular infiltration of reactive lymph follicles with mature lymphocytes predominating and the presence of true germinal centers. The radiographic and CT appearance of pseudolymphoma is indistinguishable from bronchogenic carcinoma. Transbronchial or percutaneous biopsy typically yields a nonspecific diagnosis of a lymphoproliferative disorder or inflammatory process. It has been postulated that the masses formed by pseudolymphoma have as a cause a postinflammatory process, which may, in part, account for the elevated FDG uptake observed in this case.
Combined Power and Performance Management of Virtualized Computing Environments Serving Session-Based Workloads

This paper develops an online resource provisioning framework for combined power and performance management in a virtualized computing environment serving session-based workloads. We pose this management problem as one of sequential optimization under uncertainty and solve it using limited lookahead control (LLC), a form of model-predictive control. The approach accounts for the switching costs incurred when provisioning virtual machines and explicitly encodes the risk of provisioning resources in an uncertain and dynamic operating environment. We experimentally validate the control framework on a server cluster supporting three online services. When managed using LLC, our cluster setup saves, on average, 41% in power-consumption costs over a twenty-four hour period when compared to a system operating without dynamic control. Finally, we use trace-based simulations to analyze LLC performance on server clusters larger than our testbed and show how concepts from approximation theory can be used to further reduce the computational burden of controlling large systems.
The impact of Social Media on information technology across the Enterprise

Social Media is quickly becoming a vital part of the digital transformation that is occurring across almost all industries today. It is becoming a critical tool for the enterprise as a means to facilitate communicate among peers while driving businesses to next level. In the past, organizations would communicate solely through traditional methods such as email, face-to-face meetings and written communications thus limiting information flow to a small subset of individuals. With the advent of social media platforms, keeping all organizations (and individuals) across an Enterprise “in the communications loop” has become the norm rather than the exception.
Unmet Need, Cost Burden, and Communication Problems in SCHIP by Special Health Care Needs Status

Children with special health care needs (CSHCN) require more health care than other children; hence adequate health insurance is critical. The Maternal and Child Health Bureau defined three components of adequacy: (1) coverage of needed benefits and services; (2) reasonable costs; and (3) ability to see needed providers. This study compares cost burden, access to care, and patient/provider communication within New Jersey’s SCHIP for CSHCN versus those without such needs. We used data from the 2003 NJ FamilyCare (NJFC) Supplement to the New Jersey Family Health Survey on 444 children enrolled in NJFC and 145 children disenrolled from NJFC but covered by other insurance at the time of the survey. The CSHCN Screener was used to identify CSHCN. CSHCN in NJFC had 1.5 times the odds of an unmet need for health care; 2.7 times the odds of a cost burden; and 2.2 times the odds of any coverage or service inadequacy than those without SHCN, even when demographic factors and NJFC plan level (which is based on income) were taken into account. CSHCN enrolled in NJFC have more difficulties in some areas of access to care and cost burden. Patterns of access to care, cost burden, and patient/provider communication were similar for children formerly in NJFC who had other types of insurance at the time of the survey. Future studies should use comprehensive measures of adequacy of coverage, including attitudinal, structural and economic perspectives.
Chemical Reduction of Metal−Organic Framework Materials as a Method to Enhance Gas Uptake and Binding

A mixed-ligand metal−organic framework (MOF) of the formula Zn2(NDC)2(diPyNI) (NDC = 2,6-dicarboxylate, diPyNI = N,N‘-di-(4-pyridyl)-1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxydiimide) has been chemically reduced in the solid state by lithium metal in dimethylformamide (DMF). Striking hysteresis in the N2 adsorption isotherm suggests dynamic framework behavior of the reduced material that is not observed in the neutral MOF. The reduced framework also exhibits significantly enhanced H2 uptake and isosteric heat of adsorption over the entire loading range. Notably, the striking increase in H2 uptake cannot be solely attributed to H2−Li+ interactions and is most likely augmented by increased ligand polarizability and framework displacement effects.
The relation of lifetime reproduction to survivorship in women and men: A prospective study.

The relation of lifetime reproduction to survivorship was investigated among 1,533 women and 1,230 men from Southern California who were born between 1880 and 1929. Analyses used the total group and two 25-year birthyear subcohorts (1880-1904 and 1905-1929). Follow-up for vital status was 100% and included 41,399 person-years, from baseline (1972-1974) through mid-1990. Cox proportional hazards analyses were adjusted for age, body mass index, estrogen use in women, and socioeconomic status. Alternate sets of analyses for each sex used reproduction coded dichotomously, and as a continuous variable. Parous women had significantly poorer survivorship than nulliparous women in the total group (P = 0.003) and among women born 1880-1904 (P = 0.02), but not among women born 1905-1929 (P = 0.08). Analyses using number of biological children showed significantly poorer maternal survivorship "per child ever born" among the total group of women (P = 0.04) and among women born 1880-1904 (P = 0.01), but not among women born 1905-1929 (P = 0.96). Further analyses confirmed that women's risk per child tended to increase with maternal age. Equivalent sets of analyses for men showed no relationship between reproduction and survivorship. The survivorship differences between women's birthyear subcohorts may be due to secular trends or age-specific disease patterns. Study findings tend to support the latter, and suggest that childbearing may increase or accelerate women's mortality from certain diseases which occur late in life, and that risk may increase with age. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
SU-E-T-204: Real-Time Monitoring of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Radiosurgery Using Plastic Scintillation Dosimetry

Purpose: Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness among those over age 65. In its wet form, blood vessels grow from the choroid, causing macular tension and sometimes retinal displacement. As an alternative to monthly direct‐injection methods, Oraya Therapeutics has developed the IRayTM stereotactic radiosurgery device. This table‐top system has been validated in Monte Carlo simulations, human cadaver eye studies, pre‐clinical animal studies, and a phase 1 clinical trial. A plastic scintillation dosimetry (PSD) system was developed to monitor dose delivery in real‐time and provide measurement of total dose delivered. Methods: The IRayTM uses 100 keV x‐rays to deliver 24 Gy of macular dose, divided into three positions along the inferior pars plana. The PSD's small volume (0.5 mm diameter and 2 mm height), allows placement within the machine head. The PSD is fiber‐optically coupled to a photomultiplier tube via a plastic waveguide. Before direct characterization of the IRayTM, the preliminary PSD performance was tested using a portable x‐ray unit, mobile c‐arm fluoroscopy unit, and an ion chamber. Results: In order to avoid buffering issues, real‐time measurements used 250 ms bins, but can be adjustable to 10 ms. A calibration factor (CF) from PSD percent‐depth‐dose to ion chamber percent‐depth‐dose was 1.06 at a depth of 1.5 cm in solid water, the typical macular target depth. Counts‐to‐exposure CF varied less than 1% from 0.862 to 15.26R. Counts‐to‐exposure CF remained linear with R2 of 0.999 up to 16R even with varying dose rate (.002 R/s to 1.0 R/s). Conclusions: The PSD demonstrated linear dose measurements even at high dose and high dose rates. This study demonstrates the feasibility, accuracy, and precision of a PSD for clinical implantation in the IRayTM, a device for treatment of AMD. This research was supported by a grant from Oraya Therapeutics, Inc.
Hydration and convergence temperatures: on the use and interpretation of correlation plots

An understanding of the energetics of hydration of protein functional groups is essential to understanding the stability and folding of proteins. Much can be learned about hydration energetics by the study of the transfer of model compounds into water. An important feature, common to model compound dissolution and to protein unfolding, is the presence of convergence temperatures at which ΔS°(orΔH°) for each compound in a series takes on a common value. Here we review the relationship between convergence and group additivity. Analysis of the aqueous dissolution of gaseous alcohols and alkanes shows a large negative entropy change for the alcohols relative to the alkanes. While this has been taken as leading to entropic stabilization of hydrogen bonding in proteins, it is shown that this negative ΔS° arises from changes in internal degrees of freedom and should not be applied to the analysis of protein energetics.
Experimental therapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma

Background: The treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has changed dramatically over the past few years. Sunitinib malate, sorafenib tosylate, bevacizumab ± interferon-alfa, temsirolimus, and everolimus have improved clinical outcomes in randomized Phase III trials by inhibiting the VEGF and related pathways. Combinations and sequences of these agents are being evaluated. Other novel agents are in clinical development, some of which target novel pathways not yet exploited as therapy for RCC. Objective: The objective of this review on experimental agents is to provide a comprehensive overview of evolving novel therapies in development for advanced RCC. Methods: Experimental therapies were identified through review of abstracts submitted to recent meetings, and manuscripts published and indexed in Medline/PubMed databases. Results/conclusion: Several experimental agents have shown significant antitumor activity in early studies, with potential application as therapy for advanced RCC. Recently re...
Finite element modeling of damping in constrained layer composite structures induced by inplane loads using ADINA

Passive damping for inplane axial loads can be created by special design of fibrous composites with intermediate viscoelastic plies. Conventional constrained layer damping takes place due to free edge transverse shear in the viscoelastic layer. A proposed segmented constrained layer damping is reviewed. Implementing a chevron pattern of segments for each lamina allows for more lateral motion and potentially more damping. The finite element package ADINA is used to model the composite laminates and, using the modal strain energy method, investigates damping mechanisms. A parametric study of modeling parameters is presented demonstrating the phenomena by which damping is occurring and the relative importance of each of the design criteria. The segmented constrained layer damping is found to be advantageous when small segment aspect ratios are employed.
Columns: Nanostructured Materials

The field of nanostructured materials continues to be a very exciting area, with new materials, constructions, equipment, and intermaterial competition. As one would expect, there are also many new books in this field. I recently had the opportunity to review two new books that I want to bring to the attention of the readers of this column.This book is an introduction to the science and technology of metal and semiconductor nanoparticles (quantum-dots), and provides many details about preparation, structure, properties, applications, and other aspects related to these materials. Owing to the unique electronic nature that is regulated by quantum mechanical rules instead of classical physical laws governing bulk-materials, semiconductor and metal clusters are of fundamental importance and constitute the focus of present research interests in nanotechnology.
Light-induced deformation in a liquid crystal elastomer photonic crystal

Abstract Elastomer materials can undergo large, reversible elastic deformation, and offer novel possibilities for coupled optomechanical behavior when light itself is used to induce that deformation. This phenomenology is especially interesting to consider when photonic bandstructure effects and mechanical instabilities are present over the same length scales. Here we investigate a novel, coupled optomechanical material behavior whereby complex deformation, with the potential to occur cyclically, occurs in a soft photonic crystal structure due to a mechanical instability, as a result of constant, uniform illumination by normally incident light. We suppose that the base material for the structure is a material that responds to light by undergoing a microstructural change. Such a behavior is observed, for example, in a liquid crystal elastomer containing azobenzene moieties attached to the liquid crystal main-chains ( Finkelmann et al., 2001 ) transformational strain generated by the effect of localized light energy on the isomerization of the azobenzene moieties can be calculated from an order-parameter based model ( Hogan et al., 2002 ). Under uniform exposure to constant illumination, the interaction between the light, the material, and the deforming structure lead to a complex, reversible deformation sequence. We analyze the electromagnetic energy distribution inside this photonic crystal structure by solving Maxwells equations for the electromagnetic problem of light transmittance using finite element analysis. First, upon contraction of the structure due to isomerization in the uniformly illuminated material, the photonic bandstructure shifts, thereby significantly reducing the average illumination of material within the structure. The locally reduced illumination allows for a relaxation of the strain in some parts of the structure, due to the reversible isomerization at room temperature. Then, as a result of this relaxation, the structure is subjected to uniaxial stress, leading to a mechanical instability that triggers a geometrical pattern transformation. This in turn produces a second contractile deformation, as a result of the buckling-like deformation in the structure. Finally, the highly nonuniform local strain field that results generates a dramatic change in the photonic bandstructure of the system, leading to a new localization of the light that tends to reverse the effect of pattern transformation. This completes the transformation sequence, demonstrating the potential for cyclical deformation induced simply by uniform illumination. The coupled optomechanical material/structure behavior observed here could lead to applications in optically sensors, energy harvesters, or other reversible optomechanically active structures.
Parallel Implementation of the Projector Augmented Plane Wave Method for Charged Systems

A parallel implementation of the projector augmented plane wave (PAW) method with the applications to several transition metal complexes is presented. A unique aspect of our PAW code is that it can treat both charged and neutral cluster systems. We discuss how this is achieved via accurate numerical treatment of the Coulomb Green's function with free space boundary conditions. The strategy for parallelizing the PAW code is based on distributing the plane wave basis across processors. This is a versatile approach and is implemented using a parallel three-dimensional Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT). We report parallel performance analysis of our program and of the three-dimensional FFT's and discuss large-scale parallelization issues of the PAW code. Using a series of transition metal monoxides and dioxides, as well as two iron aqueous complexes, it is shown that a free space PAW code can give structural parameters and energies in good accord with Gaussian based methods.
The Intellectual and ‘La Nation’ in Jean Guéhenno’s Journal des années noires

This article explores Jean Guehenno’s perspectives on the role and function of the intellectual both in the context of the Occupation, and in relation to ‘la nation’, understood in the original revolutionary sense of the people constituted into the body politic. Clandestinely written, Guehenno’s Journal des annees noires seems at first blush a solitary exercise in thought and observation. Closer analysis reveals, however, that although Guehenno takes pains to distance himself from the ambient confusion and propaganda, he understood both his writing and his career as a professor at the Lycee Henry IV to derive their full significance only as acts of a citizen in ‘la nation’. Contrasting sharply with the model of the ‘maitre a penser’ or institutional iconoclast, Guehenno’s conception of the intellectual proves to be consonant the contemporary reality of the French intellectual as observed by Michel Winock, Luc Ferry, Pierre Nora and Jacques Julliard.
Chromosome Synapsis Defects and Sexually Dimorphic Meiotic Progression in Mice Lacking Spo11

Spo11, a protein first identified in yeast, is thought to generate the chromosome breaks that initiate meiotic recombination. We now report that disruption of mouse Spo11 leads to severe gonadal abnormalities from defective meiosis. Spermatocytes suffer apoptotic death during early prophase; oocytes reach the diplotene/dictyate stage in nearly normal numbers, but most die soon after birth. Consistent with a conserved function in initiating meiotic recombination, Dmc1/Rad51 focus formation is abolished. Spo11(-/-) meiocytes also display homologous chromosome synapsis defects, similar to fungi but distinct from flies and nematodes. We propose that recombination initiation precedes and is required for normal synapsis in mammals. Our results also support the view that mammalian checkpoint responses to meiotic recombination and/or synapsis defects are sexually dimorphic.
Tracks to the Sea: Galveston and Western Railroad Development, 1866-1900

The Industrial Revolution rode into Texas on the railroads. The entire state witnessed the political and economic climate change as the tracks were laid, creating urban centers and even a new governmental body, the Texas Railroad Commission. At the same time, Galveston was a city on a mission to become the primary seaport for the Great West. Together, the corporate strategy of the railroads and the city's own desire for greatness paved the way for Galveston's growth and transformation into a focal point of Texas railroad ventures. In "Tracks to the Sea: Galveston and Western Rail Development, 18661900, " Earle B. Young traces the efforts of "railroad generals" Jay Gould and Collis Huntington to control Texas' railroad ventures, as well as the struggles of the new railroads built during this era, such as the Houston and Great Northern, the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe, and the Houston and Texas Central. Young also examines the men behind the rails, and the goals and rivalries which shaped the routes and profits of Texas railroads, especially Galveston's George Sealy in his battle with New York's Gould for the route to the thriving seaport and Gould's competition with Huntington over who would dominate the southwestern lines. By the end of the nineteenth century, these railroad builders had brought Galveston to a position of national prominence as a transportation center. In combination with the ships calling at Galveston's new deep water harbor, the railroads provided connections for all of the western states with markets around the world. Young, using resources from the Rosenberg Library's Galveston History Center, the Kansas Historical Society, and the Library of Congress, devotes chapters to the bankruptcy and revival of Sealy's Galveston's Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway. "Tracks to the Sea "is ideal for anyone interested in the history of Texas and Galveston, as well as the dreams, deals, and feuds that shaped the railroad industry of the 1800s. "
‘Orphaned’ Converted Tense Forms in Classical Biblical Hebrew Prose

From Saussure's distinction between diachronic and synchronic linguistics, it follows that Classical Biblical Hebrew wayyiqtol and wĕqatal are, grammatically speaking, 'converted' tenses. The converted tenses, as such, are not mere verbs, but verb phrases, consisting of a conjunction (conversive waw) and a verb. But verb phrases can be syntactically manipulated: the converted tenses might be realized in alternate forms. In fact, I will analyse numerous anomalous occurrences of both gatal and yiqtol as instances of tense 'conversion', in which conversive waw has been replaced by a syntactic equivalent or displaced by a syntactic insertion, and is thus separated from the converted verb - a phenomenon I refer to as 'orphaned' converted tense forms. Most notably, I will account for 'āz yiqtol in this manner. The adverbial 'āz has replaced waw, so that the converted imperfect appears without the conjunction, but with the same tense value as wayyiqtol.
Mdm2 is required for maintenance of the nephrogenic niche

The balance between nephron progenitor cell (NPC) renewal, survival and differentiation ultimately determines nephron endowment and thus susceptibile to chronic kidney disease and hypertension. Embryos lacking the p53-E3 ubiquitin ligase, Murine double minute 2 (Mdm2), die secondary to p53-mediated apoptosis and growth arrest, demonstrating the absolute requirement of Mdm2 in embryogenesis. Although Mdm2 is required in the maintenance of hematopoietic stem cells, its role in renewal and differentiation of stem/progenitor cells during kidney organogenesis is not well defined. Here we examine the role of the Mdm2-p53 pathway in NPC renewal and fate in mice. The Six2-GFP::Cre(tg/+) mediated inactivation of Mdm2 in the NPC (NPC(Mdm)2(-/-)) results in perinatal lethality. NPC(Mdm)2(-/-) neonates have hypo-dysplastic kidneys, patchy depletion of the nephrogenic zone and pockets of superficially placed, ectopic, well-differentiated proximal tubules. NPC(Mdm2-/-) metanephroi exhibit thinning of the progenitor GFP(+)/Six2(+) population and a marked reduction or loss of progenitor markers Amphiphysin, Cited1, Sall1 and Pax2. This is accompanied by aberrant accumulation of phospho-γH2AX and p53, and elevated apoptosis together with reduced cell proliferation. E13.5-E15.5 NPC(Mdm2-/-) kidneys show reduced expression of Eya1, Pax2 and Bmp7 while the few surviving nephron precursors maintain expression of Wnt4, Lhx1, Pax2, and Pax8. Lineage fate analysis and section immunofluorescence revealed that NPC(Mdm2-/-) kidneys have severely reduced renal parenchyma embedded in an expanded stroma. Six2-GFP::Cre(tg/+); Mdm2(f/f) mice bred into a p53 null background ensures survival of the GFP-positive, self-renewing progenitor mesenchyme and therefore restores normal renal development and postnatal survival of mice. In conclusion, the Mdm2-p53 pathway is essential to the maintenance of the nephron progenitor niche.
In situ optical monitoring of the Langmuir layer and Langmuir-Blodgett film deposition with optical second harmonic generation at the air-water interface

Abstract Second harmonic generation (SHG) is tested as an in situ technique for monitoring the properties of the Langmuir layer and the Langmuir-Blodgett deposition process. From compression-expansion of the Langmuir layer the SHG for a pure hemicyane dye increased sharply near a surface pressure of 20 mN m−1. For mixtures of hemicyanine with behenic acid the SHG increased sharply before any significant surface pressure was detected, indicating that the hemicyanine molecules are aligning at nearly zero surface pressure. Compression-expansion cycles of the Langmuir layer with hemicyanine suggest hemicyanine aggregate formation or two-dimensional crystal realignment. During Langmuir-Blodgett deposition the flow of the monolayer can be detected by both a surface pressure decrease and an SHG decrease.
The role of lateral masking and orthographic structure in letter and word recognition.

Abstract The present experiments evaluated the contribution of orthographic structure and lateral masking in the perception of letter, word, and nonword test displays. Performance was tested in a backward recognition masking experiment in which a masking stimulus followed the test display after a variable blank interstimulus interval. In agreement with previous findings across different experiments, words were recognized better than single letterd at short interstimulus intervals, but the opposite was the case at long intervals. Performance on the nonwords resembled performance on letters at short masking intervals and performance on words at long masking intervals. The quantitative results were described by a processing model that incorporates the effects of lateral masking and orthographic structure in the dynamic processing of letter strings. Lateral masking tends to lower the potential perceptibility of letters whereas orthographic structure can reduce the uncertainty of the candidate letters in the letter sequence. The present model predicts that the quantitative contribution of each of these processes to performance is critically dependent upon the processing time available before the onset of the masking stimulus.
Enhancement of recovery of chemical carcinogen-induced ouabain-resistant mutants in Chinese hamster cells by the tumor-promoting agent, 12-o-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate.

Abstract The effects of a tumor-promoting agent on the frequency of mutation to ouabain resistance and survival of Chinese hamster cells treated with a chemical carcinogen have been investigated. 12- O -Tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) significantly enhanced the mutation frequency induced by the carcinogen, methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM), without having similar effects on cytotoxicity, at concentrations of 2 μg/ml or less. The observed degree of enhancement of mutagenesis increased with promoter concentration up to the point where the lateter exhibited frank toxicity. Exposure of the cells to the promoter for a period of 2 or 6 h was found ineffective, but subsequently a significant enhancement was found after a 27-h exposure time. The maximum effect occurred after a 5-day exposure, with a increase in the mutation frequency of 250%. Treatment of cells with TPA alone resulted in no enhancement of spontaneous mutation rates, nor did treatment of cells prior to addition of carcinogen-induced mutagenesis. In contrast, TPA was found to be effective when applied as late as 6 weeks following carcinogen treatment. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that TPA owes its promoting activity towards chemically-induced mutagenesis and carciogenesis to its ability to enhance expression of latent somatic genetic modifications by epigenetic mechanisms. They do not support mechanisms involving TPA-induced inhibition of DNA-repair replication, or mutagenic activity of TPA per se. The notably similar qualitative response to TPA of several parameters in mouse-skin tumorigenesis and Chinese hamster cell mutagenesis suggest that the mechanism of action of the promoter is imiklar in the 2 diverse biolgical systems.
Biochemistry: Divergence from the superfamily.

The unique structure of an enzyme that synthesizes lipid mediators in plants defines its function and serves as a characteristic footprint in genomes of plants and some animals.
Electrosurgery: High-Frequency Modalities

. The most popular form of electrosurgery used in cutaneous surgery involves the application of high voltage electromagnetic energy in the form of a damped sine wave. This form of current may be applied by electrofulguration, electrodesiccation, or electrocoagulation. The principles involved in the application of these three forms of electrosurgery are discussed.
Thionin oxide as a Possible Intermediate on Periodate Oxidation of 9-Thiabicyclo[6.1.0]nona-2,4,6-triene

Abstract 9-Thiabicyclo[6.1.0]nona-2,4,6-triene was oxidized at −15 to −20°C with sodium periodate in a methanol-water medium. The major isolated product was established as cis 3a,7a-dihydrobenzo[b]thiophene- cis -1-oxide, which is best explained as arising from intramolecular cycloaddition of a thionin oxide intermediate.
Successful Aging or Aging Successfully

In this issue, Young et al argue that there is a need to redefine the concept of “successful aging” as originally defined by Rowe and Kahn. In the original definition, successful aging was confined to persons with an excellent genetic background who had also, possibly, lived an exemplary lifestyle. However, the lifestyle behaviors are not always necessary, as the world’s oldest woman smoked cigarettes until she was older than 100. Of course she did ride her bicycle even longer. They contrasted successful aging to usual aging. Young et al argue that many persons with diseases also exhibit successful aging. The argument in this issue of the Journal is that successful aging is more than just physiology and it can coexist in persons with diseases and disabilities. This is similar to the view we have used at Saint Louis University for the past 2 decades. To differentiate the ability of a person to successfully overcome disabilities, we have termed this “aging successfully” in contradistinction to successful aging. Examples of aging successfully abound. My favorite example is Anna Maria Robertson (Grandma Moses) who, when arthritis limited her ability to make quilts because of weakness in her interosseous muscles, she took up painting miniatures and became one of the most famous painters in the United States. As arthritis limited Matisse, he took up making paper cutouts. Monet invented modern impressionism as he developed cataracts. Lee Allen incorporated his visual defect caused by macular degeneration into his paintings. Renoir painted holding his brush with a clenched fist after he developed arthritis. Corot at age 76 said, “If providence gives me another 2 years, I believe I shall still be able to paint something beautiful,” and the next year he painted the Gypsy with a Mandolin. Pablo Casals in his nineties still played his cello each day. Maurice Ravel composed the famous Bolero when he had already developed dementia. William de Kooning continued to paint successfully after he had developed Alzheimer’s disease. These examples all stress that overcoming disabilities can lead to successful aging. Lifestyle factors that result in successful aging have been well established since the treatise by Friar Roger Bacon in the
Some Properties of a Genetic Cytoplasmic Factor in Paramecium.

In another experiment 7 of 16 New Jersey No. 2 hybrid field corn plants, exposed for one day to a colony of 200 adult leafhoppers that had been hatched and reared on a diseased plant, came down with stunt in from 34 to 38 days after exposure. All of 16 similar plants of the same hybrid exposed to 200 virus-free leafhoppers for one day remained healthy during a period of 85 days that they were under observation. In still another experiment 15 virus-free leafhoppers were allowed to feed on a diseased corn plant for 5 days and were then transferred to 26 healthy New Jersey No. 2 hybrid field corn plants. Fifteen other virus-free leafhoppers were allowed to feed on a healthy corn plant for 5 days and were then transferred to 26 other healthy corn plants of the same hybrid. After feeding on the two sets of plants for 30 days both groups of insects were removed and destroyed. In from 28 to 40 days thereafter 15 of the 26 plants exposed to the insects that had fed on the diseased corn plant, came down with stunt. The other 11 plants and the 26 control plants remained healthy during a period of 60 days that they were kept under observation. These experiments and other similar experiments have proved that corn stunt is readily transmitted by Baldulus maidis.
Preparation of the Paramagnetic Hydrides (Me5C5)3M3(μ3-CH)(μ-H) (M = Ni, Co)

MeLi reacts with Me5C5M(acac) to give the trinuclear clusters (Me5C5)3M3(μ3-CH)(μ-H) (M = Co, Ni). The 49-electron nickel cluster is paramagnetic with one unpaired electron, and the 46-electron cobalt cluster is also paramagnetic; the latter reacts with dihydrogen to give diamagnetic (Me5C5)3Co3(μ3-CH)(μ-H)3.
Flexibility of native DNA from the sedimentation behavior as a function of molecular weight and temperature.

The sedimentation coefficient at infinite dilution of deoxyribonucleic acid has been measured as a function of molecular weight and temperature for several bacteriophage DNA's. Application of statistical thermodynamic and hydrodynamic theories for stiff-chain (“wormlike coil”) polymers in solution to the data from the sedimentation velocity measurements has yielded estimates of the enthalpy and entropy associated with the bending of the Watson-Crick helix in dilute aqueous electrolyte solution. Calculations using the data from this work have shown that the sedimentation coefficient of DNA increases slightly with temperature and the Kuhn statistical length decreases. The enthalpy and entropy of bending for DNA in solution are small, and a crude calculation of the enthalpy required for packing DNA into a bacteriophage head indicates that 10 kcal. per 100 A length of DNA is required for the bending process. Several tentative interpretations of the negative value obtained for the entropy of bending are advanced.
Genetic control of adult life span in Drosophila melanogaster.

Abstract Adult life span determinations have been made on two wild type and two mutant strains of Drosophila melanogaster. One wild line (Oregon-R) was long lived, the other (Swedish-c) short lived. When the mutant strains of vestigial and its allele, nipped, were repeatedly backcrossed to these wild lines the mutants served as markers for the selection of long- and short-lived lines. The magnitude of the difference in adult life span between each mutant and its wild type allele is related to sex and to genetic background. In some genetic backgrounds a mutant will appear as a life-shortening gene, while in other genetic backgrounds it will be equal to its wild type allele in adult life span. The results are interpreted as being evidence for the genetic control of adult-life span as a function of the total developmental pattern of the organism.
Stimulo-deterrent diversion: A concept and its possible application to onion maggot control

Considerable basic information has been gathered on the interaction between the onion fly (Delia antiqua) and its host plant, the onion (Allium cepa). An attempt is underway to manipulate ovipositional behavior of this pest by treating onion seedlings with chemical deterrents while simultaneously providing deeply planted onion culls on which onion flies prefer to lay. This bipolar strategy of behavioral manipulation, termed “stimulo-deterrent diversion” (SDD), has the advantages of: (1) avoiding severe pest deprival and concomitant overriding of deterrents, (2) combining the effects of “push” and “pull” multiplicatively, and (3) providing opportunities for enhanced biological control in sites where the pest becomes concentrated. The suggestion is made that using SDD along with soil insecticide might relax or even reverse selection for physiological resistance ofD. antiqua to insecticides. As tools of molecular biology open new possibilities for manipulating plants and their allelochemicals, applied chemical ecologists should consider arranging situations where the allelochemicals have clear and adaptive messages for the pest. By combining toxins and deterrents at sites where feeding should be prevented, while simultaneously expediting use of alternative plants or plant parts, it might be possible to guide pest evolution toward paths of less conflict with human interest.