cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ONENESS AND SELF-CENTEREDNESS IN THE MORAL PSYCHOLOGY OF WANG YANGMING

Rather than “selfishness,” a more accurate and revealing interpretation of Wang’s use of siyu is “self-centeredness.” One of the main goals in Wang’s model of moral cultivation was to attain a state devoid of self-centered desires. Wang relied a great deal on the exercise and cultivation of an emotional identification and feeling of oneness with others. In this paper, I first provide a brief summary of the role of Wang’s concept of siyu in his moral psychology. I then examine key passages in Wang’s writings that reveal his nuanced understanding of siyu and, along the way, I draw on empirical research in psychology to help illuminate the significance of Wang’s view of siyu to his overall model of moral cultivation. THE MORAL PSYCHOLOGY OF the Chinese scholar-official Wang Yangming (1472–1529) presents a compelling and nuanced vision of how people are at “one” with others and other parts of the world, and even with the universe at large. Wang focuses on the ethical implications that come from recognizing and living in light of such a conception of the self, especially in relation to how such a view entails or implies various types and levels of care for other people, creatures, and things. This essay describes Wang’s conception of the self and explains its ethical implications, demonstrating how Wang’s views can make significant contributions to contemporary debates about the ways we are and can see ourselves related to other people and the world. The teachings of Wang Yangming form the basis of what became known as “The Learning of the Mind” (xin xue ), one of the two leading schools of thought in the history of Neo-Confucianism, which dominated Chinese philosophy for over a thousand years. Wang’s philosophy also greatly influenced the development of Confucian thought in Japan and Korea. Almost all accounts of Wang Yangming’s philosophy interpret his central concept of siyu as “selfishness,” which refers to a state of being almost exclusively or excessively concerned with one’s own desires in contrast to others. A different interpretation of siyu would proceed in terms of
Numerical investigation on the interaction between surface roughness and viscous flows

Over the last 60 years, there has been a great deal of research aimed at determining the impact of surface roughness on fluid flow and the mechanisms by which the result­ ing flow phenomena occur. The effects of surface roughness include increases in drag the likelihood of flow separation, and the ability to trigger premature transition to tur­ bulent flow. The primary concern for aircraft performance is surface roughness on the leading edge of an airfoil, which can adversely affect the design characteristics. The research to date has examined many problems in this area and has continued to expand the knowledge base, but many gaps still exist for a full understanding of the roughness-fluid interaction. In this study, a numerical investigation is conducted to examine the impact of sur­ face roughness on external viscous flows. The focus of this study is on different types of airfoil leading-edge roughness and how these surface permrbations interact with the external flow field. The freestream conditions are varied to include both steady and unsteady flow at a constant angle-of-attack or in pitch-up. Several complex flow phe­ nomena are examined in this work, including the laminar separation mechanism, leading-edge flow separation, stall characteristics, and vortex shedding. Several key findings are observed for the impact of roughness on the flow field. The results show that small-scale surface roughness can significantly alter the charac­ viii teristics of the laminar separation mechanism. In particular, surface roughness, fully contained within the boundary layer, can shift the laminar separation point upstream of the original, clean surface location. It is also observed that similar small-scale rough­ ness affects the secondary separation mechanism in the dynamic stall process. With large-scale roughness, the inception time for the formation of the dynamic stall vortex is accelerated as compared to a clean airfoil. This study also shows that the current two-dimensional Navier-Stokes algorithm is capable of predicting regions of laminar and roughness-induced transitional flow for the roughness geometries considered in this work, provided the grid resolution is sufficient to capture the small-scale flow structures.
Chemical risk assessment of animal feed.

Abstract: This chapter discusses the risk assessment of chemicals potentially present in feeds, based on the approaches adopted by the European Food Safety Authority, as well as on some significant examples including a coccidiostat, which may also cross-contaminate feeds for non-target species (narasin); a trace element proposed as a nutritional additive, but for which there remain serious uncertainties regarding safety (chromium(III)); a widespread estrogenic mycotoxin (zearalenone); and a persistent organic pollutant with multiple toxicological targets (hexachlorobenzene). Areas in which there are gaps in knowledge and possible areas requiring further investigation are also discussed.
Who Finances Startups in the USA? A Comprehensive Study of Informal Investors, 1999-2003

We examine the informal investment1 in the U.S.A. during the period 1999-2003. We develop models that correlate informal investment with income, net worth, age, education level, gender, whether or not an investor is also an entrepreneur, and residency of the investor (e.g., rural versus urban). The dependent variables are (1) Whether or not a person is an informal investor, and (2) Amount of informal capital an individual invests per year. The data set comprises 22,292 household interviews from the annual Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) study in the U.S.A. over the period 1999 and 2003. We believe our findings are useful for entrepreneurs looking for informal investment; policy makers seeking to stimulate informal investment; and professionals such as accountants, lawyers, financial advisors, and educators dealing with entrepreneurs and informal investors.
Music and Consumer Experience

Consumers are besieged by music. Corporations use music to shape consumer experience and purchasing behaviors, to build emotional connections with consumers, and to enhance the corporate brand image. Music provides a set of aesthetic and commercial cues, beyond visual and other sensory practices, for consumers and corporations. In this manner, music is intricately intertwined with commercial symbols, practices, and environments. Keywords: capitalism; commerce; consumerism; music; sociology of culture and media
Fractionation of the Protein Components of Human Erythrocyte Membranes

The proteins of the human erythrocyte membrane can be fractionated into several groups. Approximately one-half of the proteins in the membrane can be removed by sequential extraction of the erythrocyte ghost, first with a solution containing chelating agents, and then with concentrated NaCl solutions. A small amount of the membrane proteins (less than 10% of the total proteins) remains in the organic phase during alcohol-ether and ether extraction of the partially fractionated membrane. The remaining membrane proteins can be solubilized in solutions of sodium dodecyl sulfate and fractionated by gel filtration into distinct groups. The amino acid and carbohydrate compositions of the eight fractions thus obtained are presented. Four of the protein fractions have large amounts of sialic acid. Several fractions contain a much greater proportion of nonpolar amino acids than does the membrane as a whole. The number of individual components in each of the fractions has been studied by acrylamide gel electrophoresis and NH2-terminal amino acid analysis. There are at least 12 different membrane proteins present in significant amounts. The size of the membrane proteins varies from about 10,000 to 150,000 in molecular weight.
Calorimetric studies of thymidylate synthesis.

Abstract Heats of reaction for dihydrofolate (DHF) reductase (Reaction 1), for the reaction of formaldehyde with tetrahydrofolate (THF) (Reaction 2), and for thymidylate (dTMP) synthetase (Reaction 3) were measured in an isothermal conduction calorimeter operated at 25 ± 1° employing enzymes for Reactions 1 and 3 isolated from Lactobacillus casei. NADPH + DHF + H+ ⇄ NADP+ + THF ΔH1 = -12.6 ± 0.3 Cal/mole (1) CH2(OH) + THF ⇄ methylene-THF (CH2 - THF) + 2H2O ΔH2 = -25.0 ± 5 Cal/mole (2) CH2 - THF + dUMP ⇄ DHF + dTMP ΔH3 = -9.5 ± 1.3 Cal/mole (3) Reaction 2 occurs without enzyme and is accompanied by a large decrease in entropy. The observed enthalpy values in combination with the appropriate equilibrium constants from the literature indicate that the experimentally observed irreversibility of Reaction 3 is due in part to a large positive entropy change. The sum of Reactions 1, 2, and 3 gives the over-all Reaction 4 in which the reduced folates act catalytically. NADPH + H+ + CH2(OH)2 + dUMP ⇄ NADP+ + dTMP + 2H2O ΔH4 = -47.1 Cal/mole (4) This large exothermic ΔH clearly makes a significant contribution to driving the over-all reaction toward thymidylate formation. In order to assist in our understanding of the driving forces acting on Reactions 1 to 4, a series of ancillary measurements were made. These are: CH2(OH)SCH2CH2OH + THF ⇄ CH2 - THF + HOCH2CH2SH + H2O ΔH5 = -15.4 Cal/mole (5) and CH2(OH)2 + HOCH2CH2SH ⇄ CH2(OH)SCH2CH2OH ΔH6 = -9.6 Cal/mole (6) These various enthalpy values were combined with free energy values from the literature in a manner which allowed an estimate of the minimum equilibrium constant for Reaction 3 to be obtained. This value, K ≃ 1025, presents a thermodynamic explanation for the failure to demonstrate reversibility for this system. Consideration of the sign of the entropy change accompanying Reaction 3 indicates that the equilibrium constant may be several orders of magnitude greater than this minimum value.
Variational Methods with Applications in Science and Engineering

1. Preliminaries 2. Calculus of variations 3. Rayleigh-Ritz, Galerkin, and finite-element methods 4. Hamilton's principle 5. Classical mechanics 6. Stability of dynamical systems 7. Optics and electromagnetics 8. Modern physics 9. Fluid mechanics 10. Optimization and control 11. Image processing and data analysis 12. Numerical grid generation.
The Role of Parliamentary Committees in the Budgetary Process within Europe

Theoretical work in the study of the American Congress has focused on two different conceptions of the function of committees. The “distributional” perspective posits that committees are established to guarantee deals made among legislators to distribute spending across different policy areas. Legislators represent distinct constituencies and seek to maximize spending for their supporters. Since those constituencies also pay taxes, a given legislator has an incentive to renege on a deal to swamp support with others once the spending most important to her has passed. Committees provide an institutional solution to this prisoner’s dilemma that develops especially when votes on spending are not made at the same time. Committee members establish “property rights” on certain issue areas, so that, for example, a defense committee determines how many fighters will be built while a farm committee sets the level of subsidies on grain production. Two implications that follow are, first, that committee members should be “high demanders,” or advocates for increased spending in the committee’s area of specialization, and second, that committees should possess the power to affect legislation that becomes law, such as closed rules or gatekeeping power. (Weingast and Marshall 1988; Shesple and Weingast 1994).
Efficacy and safety of antihyperglycaemic drug regimens added to metformin and sulphonylurea therapy in Type 2 diabetes: a network meta‐analysis

Aim To assess the efficacy and safety of third-line adjuvant antihyperglycaemic agents in people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus failing metformin and sulphonylurea combination therapy. Methods We searched MEDLINE, CENTRAL, clinicaltrials.gov and regulatory websites, and conducted a manual search of references in the identified studies. Randomized trials evaluating antihyperglycaemic agents in adults with Type 2 diabetes experiencing poor glycaemic control despite optimized metformin and sulphonylurea therapy (≥ 1500 mg metformin or maximum tolerated dose; ≥ 50% of maximum sulphonylurea dose for ≥ 3 weeks) were included. Data extraction included: study characteristics; change in HbA1c concentration; weight; systolic blood pressure; and relative risk of hypoglycaemia, urinary tract infections; and genital tract infections. A network meta-analysis was performed. Results A total of 20 trials evaluating 13 antihyperglycaemic agents were included. Compared with placebo/control, all antihyperglycaemic agents reduced HbA1c levels, albeit by differing magnitudes [range 7 mmol/mol (0.6%) for acarbose to 13 mmol/mol (1.20%) for liraglutide]. Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors reduced weight (1.43–2.07 kg) whereas thiazolidinediones, glargine and sitagliptin caused weight gain (1.48–3.62 kg) compared with placebo/control. Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, rosiglitazone and liraglutide decreased systolic blood pressure compared with placebo/control, pioglitazone, glargine and sitagliptin (2.41–8.88 mm Hg). Glargine, thiazolidinediones, liraglutide, sitagliptin and canagliflozin increased hypoglycaemia risk compared with placebo/control (relative risk 1.92–7.47), while glargine and rosiglitazone increased hypoglycaemia compared with most antihyperglycaemic agents (relative risk 2.81–7.47). No antihyperglycaemic agent increased the risk of urinary tract infection, but canagliflozin increased the risk of genital tract infection by 3.9-fold compared with placebo/control. Conclusions When added to metformin and a sulphonylurea, antihyperglycaemic agents had varying effects on efficacy and safety endpoints. These conclusions should be considered when clinicians choose between possible adjunctive agents.
Responses of Narrowleaf Cattail (Typha angustifolia) to Combinations of Salinity and Nutrient Additions: Implications for Coastal Marsh Restoration

Narrowleaf cattail ( Typha angustifolia ) is an exotic, invasive species in North America that has become abundant in many tidally-restricted salt marshes. Restoration of tidal flow to these wetlands results in elevated salinities that should favor the establishment of native salt marsh halophytes while reducing the abundance of narrowleaf cattail. However, there is some uncertainty about the salinity tolerance of narrowleaf cattail, which makes it difficult to predict vegetation trends and to interpret the actual results of restoration. Moreover, the effect of soil nutrient status on salinity tolerance of this species is virtually unknown, although many restoration projects occur in heavily urbanized settings with substantial allochthonous nutrient inputs. In this study, a salinity and nutrient addition experiment was conducted in a greenhouse to determine the effect of mineral nutrition on salinity responses in narrowleaf cattail. Within high salinity (~ 32 ppt) treatments, nutrients enhanced final biomass. Within the intermediate salinity (~ 17 ppt) treatments, nutrients significantly increased the number of leaves per shoot, sum of all leaf lengths, and final biomass. Under low salinity (~ 6 ppt) conditions, nutrient addition increased the mean height of the tallest shoot, mean height of all leaves, sum of all leaf lengths, and final biomass. The salinity responses and observed reductions in salinity-induced physiological stress by nutrient addition provide some context for forecasting and analyzing vegetation change in response to tidal restoration.
Suppression of turbulent transport by a weak magnetic field

Two-dimensional numerical simulations with high spatial resolution are used to study the effects of a large-scale magnetic field on its turbulent transport. It is commonly believed that the nonlinear back-reaction of the magnetic field on the turbulence becomes important when the field strength is close to equipartition. However, turbulent diffusion is effectively reduced even when the large-scale field is much weaker than equipartition.
Reasons for drinking among DWI arrestees

The present study investigated the reasons given for drinking episodes that led to arrests for driving while intoxicated (DWI). DWI arrestees completed a self-report checklist of the psychological and situational factors associated with their drinking-related arrest. Three general categories of reasons for drinking were factor analytically derived. These included (a) drinking in response to negative feelings primarily of an interpersonal nature, (b) drinking in response to negative feelings primarily of an intrapersonal nature, and (c) social factors involved in drinking.
Differential connections of the temporal pole with the orbital and medial prefrontal networks in macaque monkeys.

Previous studies indicate that the orbital and medial prefrontal cortex (OMPFC) is organized into "orbital" and "medial" networks, which have distinct connections with cortical, limbic, and subcortical structures. In this study, retrograde and anterograde tracer experiments in monkeys demonstrated differential connections between the medial and orbital networks and the dorsal and ventral parts of the temporal pole. The dorsal part, including dysgranular and granular areas (TGdd and TGdg), is reciprocally connected with the medial network areas on the medial wall and gyrus rectus (areas 10m, 10o, 11m, 13a, 14c, 14r, 25, and 32) and on the lateral orbital surface (areas Iai and 12o). The strongest connections are with areas 10m (caudal part), 14c, 14r, 25, 32, and Iai. The agranular temporal pole (TGa) is connected with several areas, but most strongly with medial network area 25. The granular area around the superior temporal sulcus (TGsts) and the ventral dysgranular and granular areas (TGvd and TGvg) are reciprocally connected with the orbital network (especially areas 11l, 13b, 13l, 13m, Ial, Iam, and Iapm). TGsts is strongly connected with the entire orbital network, whereas areas TGvd and TGvg have lighter and more limited connections. Intrinsic connections within the temporal pole are also restricted to dorsal or ventral parts. Together with evidence that the dorsal and ventral temporal pole are differentially connected to auditory and visual areas of the superior and inferior temporal cortex, the results indicate separate connections between these systems and the medial and orbital prefrontal networks.
Effect of Mechanical Contact on the Molecular Recognition of Biomolecules

Several developing technologies rely upon the activity of surface-bound biomolecules to control the functionality of an interface. The specificity of these biomolecules can be compromised by mechanical stresses present during their preparation or use. Moreover, many new biomechanical devices are also sensitive to mechanical stress. This paper is concerned with the direct assessment of the mechanical limits beyond which biomolecules are rendered inactive. These mechanical limits are evaluated by a combined approach involving an atomic force microscope (AFM), an optical microscope, and standard colorimetric techniques. The AFM is used to systematically stress micrometer-sized domains of biomolecule-laden surfaces; the results of which can be directly observed with an optical microscope following histochemical staining of the surface with biologically specific dyes. Using this method, we examined the limiting conditions of two benchmark systems, i.e., streptavidin and DNA. Because of the breadth of histochem...
IT-Portfoliomanagement – Ein Konzept zur Bewertung und Gestaltung von IT

Bei zunehmenden Investitionsausgaben fur IT ist die aktuelle Situation, dass ca. 70% der IT-Investitionen die geplanten Ziele nicht erreichen, kaum tragbar. Dieser Zustand resultiert u. a. aus einer Fehlallokation von Ressourcen infolge unzureichender Methoden in der IT-Bewertung. Deshalb stellt sich die Frage, welche Anforderungen geeignete Methoden des IT-Portfoliomanagements zu erfullen haben und welche IT-spezifischen Gestaltungsspielraume dabei zu berucksichtigen sind, um eine effiziente Ressourcenallokation zu gewahrleisten.
Subpicosecond photo-induced electron transfer from conjugated polymers to C60

Evidence for ultrafast photoinduced electron transfer from semiconducting polymers to C60 is presented. Upon photoexcitation across the (pi) -(pi) * gap of the conjugated polymer, an electron transfer from the polymer to C60 is initiated. We find that the forward charge transfer occurs in the subpicosecond time domain, and that the charge transferred state is metastable. The ultrafast electron transfer implies that the intrinsic quantum efficiency for photogenerating charged species is close to unity. Hence C60 can serve as an ideal photosensitizing agent for conjugated polymers, as confirmed by picosecond photoconductivity measurements. Steady state photoinduced absorption shows features of the absorption of the C60 anion and the polymer cation, confirming the mechanism of charge transfer from the polymer host to C60.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic phosphate phosphodiesterase from bovine thyroid: Isolation and properties of a partially purified, soluble fraction

Abstract 1. 1.|Adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic phosphate (cyclic AMP) phosphodiesterase was partially purified from a 10 000 × g supernate of bovine thyroid; the enzyme preparation so obtained was free of 5′-nucleotidase and deaminase activity and yielded [3H]-adenosine 5′-phosphate (AMP) as the end product of enzymatic hydrolysis of cyclic [3H]AMP. 2. 2.|Using an assay procedure that relied on physiologic substrate concentrations (i.e confirming to known intracellular levels of cyclic AMP in thyroid), the partially purified thyroid phosphodiesterase was kinetically characterized and compared with a highly purified beef heart phosphodiesterase preparation. Double reciprocal plots of cyclic AMP hydrolysis yielded two apparent Michaelis constants: the lower in the 10−6 M and the higher in the 10−5 M range. Two apparent Km values were also obtained for Mg2+ which was required for expression of maximal enzymatic activity. Other bivalent cations (Mn2+, Co2+, Ca2+) activated the enzyme to a significantly lesser extent; Zn2+ was stimulatory at 10−4 M and inhibitory at ≥ 10−3 M. 3. 3.|A number of cyclic nucleotides and acylated derivatives thereof interfered with the enzymatic hydrolysis of cyclic [3H]AMP to varying degrees; of these the mono- and dibutyryl derivatives of cyclic AMP were the most potent inhibitors. The inhibition was competitive in nature with Ki values for dibutyryl cyclic AMP, N6-monobutyryl cyclic AMP, and O2′-monobutyryl cyclic AMP of 1.6·10−4 M, 1.1·10−4 M and 2.6·10−5 M, respectively. 4. 4.|Methylxanthines and quazodine strongly inhibited thyroid phosphodiesterase whereas sulfonylureas were weakly inhibitory. 5. 5.|High concentrations of pituitary thyrotropin in vitro enhanced thyroid phosphodiesterase activity slightly while heat-inactivated thyrotropin, long-acting thyroid stimulator immunoglobulin G, and the prostaglandins E2 and F1a were ineffective; prostaglandin E1 was weakly inhibitory. The prostaglandin antagonists 7-oxa-13-prostynoic acid and polyphloretin phosphate effected significant inhibition of thyroid phosphodiesterase, possibly accounting for the agonist properties of these agents occasionally observed in vitro. 6. 6.|Upon complexing with a cyclic AMP-binding protein prepared from beef kidney, cyclic [3H]AMP became completely resistant to enzymatic breakdown by thyroidal phosphodiesterase.
Against the Unchallenged Discourse of Homelessness: Examining the Views of Early Childhood Preservice Teachers.

This study investigated views about children experiencing homelessness held by preservice teachers in an early childhood education program. Thirteen early childhood preservice teachers were actively involved in class discussion, reading, doing class assignments, and visiting homeless shelters as community-based field experience. They were asked to participate in focus groups, and some of them also participated in individual interviews. The analysis showed that the preservice teachers viewed homelessness in a way parallel to public discourse, which neglects and stigmatizes children experiencing homelessness. They believed that those children and families would be abnormal and held stereotypes attached to the spaces they occupied. By connecting these preservice teachers' views to the dominant discourse of homelessness in U.S. society, this study addresses how early childhood educators can support preservice teachers to prepare children experiencing homelessness in their future classrooms.
Induction of tension wood by 2,4-dinitrophenol and auxins

The effect of DNP and auxins on the development of the secondary xylem in erect stems ofAcer rubrum was studied. DNP affected the development of the secondary xylem only locally in the treated internode. Tension wood is formed in the stem below the DNP treatment site whereas above the application site the development of tracheary elements is altered. InAcer rubrum seedlings that were treated with auxin, especially at low concentrations, a thick ring of tension wood is developed in the erect stem below the treatment site. Previous suggestions that the formation of tension wood in arborescent angiosperms is a developmental response to auxin deficiency are discussed in terms of the induction of tension wood inAcer rubrum by DNP and auxins.
Hypoglycemia mediated by paraneoplastic production of Insulin like growth factor-2 from a malignant renal solitary fibrous tumor - clinical case and literature review

Hypoglycemic episodes are infrequent in individuals without a history of diabetes mellitus or bariatric surgery. When hypoglycemia does occur in such individuals, an uncommon but important diagnosis to consider is non-islet cell tumor hypoglycemia (NICTH). We report a case of NICTH associated with paraneoplastic insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2) production and review current relevant medical literature. A 60 year old male with no relevant past medical history was referred to the endocrinology clinic with 18 month history of episodic hypoglycemic symptoms and, on one occasion was noted to have a fingerstick glucose of 36 mg/dL while having symptoms of hypoglycemia. Basic laboratory evaluation was unrevealing. Further evaluation however showed an elevated serum IGF-2 level at 2215 ng/mL (reference range 411–1248 ng/mL). Imaging demonstrated a large right suprarenal mass. A right nephrectomy with resection of the mass demonstrated a malignant solitary fibrous tumor. Post resection, the patient’s IGF-2 levels normalized and hypoglycemic symptoms resolved. Due to the structural and biochemical homology between IGF-2 and insulin, elevated levels of IGF-2 can result in hypoglycemia. A posttranslational precursor to IGF-2 known as “big IGF” also possesses biologic activity. Review of recent reported cases of NICTH identified widespread anatomic locations and varied pathologic diagnoses of tumors associated with paraneoplastic production of IGF-2 causing hypoglycemia. Definitive management of hypoglycemia associated with paraneoplastic production of IGF-2 consists of resection of the tumor responsible for IGF-2 production. Accumulating literature provides a firm basis for routine IGF-2 laboratory evaluation in patients presenting with spontaneous hypoglycemia with no readily apparent cause.
Ultrastructure before freezing, while frozen, and after thawing in assessing cryoinjury of mouse epididymal spermatozoa.

Abstract Tails of mouse epididymides were treated as follows: control, unfrozen with and without cryoprotective agents (CPA); frozen (to below −80 °C), slowly (8 °C/min), and rapidly (18 °C/sec), with and without CPA. Intracellular and/or extracellular location of CPA, at least glycerol, was influenced, respectively, by high (22 °C) or low (0 °C) exposure temperature. Standard procedures in electron microscopy were employed and the frozen state preserved by freeze-substitution. Motility before freezing and after thawing was the criterion of cryosurvival. Results showed no evidence of deleterious ultrastructural effects of freezing at rates compared, or of benefits of CPA, regardless of their cellular location. Differences were noted, however, in the appearance of spermatozoa in the frozen state, as a function of the rate of freezing but not as a function of the presence, absence, or location of either glycerol of DMSO. Rapidly frozen cells showed intracellular ice formation in the acrosome, neck, midpiece, and tail regions; there was no intranuclear ice, and extracellular ice artifacts were small. Slowly frozen cells showed large extracellular ice artifacts with evidence of shrinkage distortion due to the dehydration induced by extracellular ice. No spermatozoa survived any of the freezing treatments, showing the lethal effect of both extracellular ice during slow freezing and of intracellular and/or extracellular ice during rapid freezing.
Thermodynamic evaluation and restoration of volcanic gas analyses: An example based on modern collection and analytical methods

Thermodynamic evaluation and restoration procedures are applied to a set of 10 volcanic gas analyses obtained by modern collection and analytical methods. The samples were collected from a vigorously fuming fissure during episode 1 of the Puu Oo eruption of Kilauea Volcano in 1983. Collections were made through titanium and mullite tubing at 895–935°C in evacuated bottles containing 4N NaOH solution. A variety of analytical techniques were used to determine the gas compositions. In most samples, the combined amounts of N2+Ar+O2 are far less abundant than H2, CO, or H2S, suggesting little or no contamination or reaction with atmospheric gases. Analyses of samples collected through titanium and mullite tubing are similar, indicating chemical alterations from gas-titanium interactions were insignificant. Thermodynamic evaluation shows that 6 of the 10 analyses are equilibrium compositions, and 4 analyses are disequilibrium compositions. Three of the disequilibrium analyses involve samples affected by minor spilling of NaOH solution from the sample bottles during collection. The deviation of these analyses from equilibrium is dominated by the effects of disequilibrium water-loss. The fourth disequilibrium analysis, is contaminated with meteoric water. In all 4 cases, the restoration procedures retrieve the original equilibrium compositions. Minor loss of sulfur by elemental S precipitation is restored for all samples. All gas samples approach closely to equilibrium compositions at temperatures up to 117°C above collection temperatures. The equilibrium preserved in the gases, however, actually reflects oxygen buffering of the gases by coexisting lavas, not just simple internal homogeneous equilibrium among the gas species. The oxygen buffering process is not evident if oxygen fugacities or RH redox parameter values are calculated and plotted directly from the analytical data. It is only evident after thermodynamic evaluation and restoration of the analyses. Direct use of gas analytical data in thermodynamic calculations and diagrams without prior evaluation of equilibrium/disequilibrium and restoration is not recommended, despite the undeniable improvements in collection and analytical techniques.
Heregulin Induces Glial Cell Line-derived Neurotrophic Growth Factor-independent, Non-branching Growth and Differentiation of Ureteric Bud Epithelia

We have purified a protein present in a conditioned medium derived from the metanephric mesenchyme that supports non-branching growth and epithelial differentiation of the isolated ureteric bud (UB) independent of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic growth factor (GDNF). By sequential liquid chromatography, together with protein microsequencing, the protein was identified as heregulin (HRG)α. The addition of recombinant HRG to the isolated UB grown in three-dimensional culture confirmed the proliferative activity of HRG. In branching UBs induced by whole metanephric mesenchyme cell-conditioned medium, proliferating cells were localized at ampullae, where a binding receptor for GDNF, GFRα1, was found. In HRG-induced UBs, however, the expression of GFRα1 was down-regulated, and proliferating cells were distributed throughout the structure. Electron microscopic examination of the HRG-induced UB revealed the presence of structurally mature and polarized epithelial cells reminiscent of the epithelial cells found in the stalk portion of the branching UB. cDNA array analysis further revealed that genes ontologically classified as developmental were down-regulated by HRG, whereas those involved in transport were up-regulated. For example, the mRNA for the GDNF receptors, GFRα1 and ret9, was down-regulated, whereas the mRNA for collecting duct transporters, such as urea transporter2, aquaporin3, and sodium-hydrogen exchanger2 was up-regulated in HRG-treated UBs compared with UBs grown in the presence of branch-promoting factors. Moreover, HRG promoted growth of UBs cultured in the absence of GDNF. Taken together, the data suggest that HRG supports UB epithelial cell differentiation and non-GDNF-dependent growth, raising the possibility that this kind of activity plays a role in the growth and differentiation of the stalk portion of the branching epithelial UB.
Worker Youth and Everyday Violence in the Post-Stalin Soviet Union:

The essay explores the implications of a new campaign launched by the Soviet authorities against violent youth behaviour, especially amongst working-class youngsters, after Stalin's death in 1953. ...
CdSe nanowire solar cells using carbazole as a surface modifier

Carbazole molecules containing thiol functional groups, when attached to CdSe nanowires (NWs), facilitate hole transport across semiconductor interfaces. The improved hole transfer rate is evidenced by increased electron lifetimes and better photovoltaic performance. Nanowire solar cells (NWSCs) with carbazole treatment delivered a power conversion efficiency of 0.46%, which is an order of magnitude improvement over untreated films. The illumination of the sample during the electrophoretic deposition of nanowires also had a profound effect in obtaining stable and higher photocurrents.
As Makkah is sweet and beloved, so is Madina: Islam, devotional genres, and electronic mediation in Mauritius

Mauritian Muslims profoundly disagree over the legitimacy of the devotional genre na't, as audition of audiocassette and audio-CD recordings of the genre has become more popular. In this article, I suggest a close articulation between critiques of textual and spiritual mediation in South Asian Islamic traditions practiced in Mauritius and certain uses of electronic voice mediation, such as the circulation of audiocassette and audio-CD na't. The significance of electronically mediated devotional discourse emerges in the ways in which media practices become part of genealogical forms of Islamic authority centered on ensuring authentic textual and performative transmission through long chains of reliable interlocutors.
Exploitation of Cornucopina tuba (Bryozoa: Cheilostomata) by Aetea curta (Bryozoa: Cheilostomata)

Distal portions of zooids of uniserial, encrusting Aetea colonies curve abruptly away from the encrusted substratum. This characteristic, plus highly directional growth capability, enabled A. curta infesting an erect Cornucopina tuba colony to position its feeding structures consistently above the host colony, perhaps as a rheophilic growth response of individual zooids to feeding currents set up by the host.
CATASTROPHE PROCESSES WITH CONTINUOUS STATE‐SPACE1

Summary Some continuous state-space models for the size of a population subject to catastrophes are examined. Inputs to the population constitute a compound Poisson process, and catastrophes, which are of random magnitudes, occur at a rate which is dependent on the population size. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of stationary distributions are investigated and in special cases the stationary distributions are found explicitly. The time-dependent behaviour of a process with linear catastrophe rate and truncated exponential catastrophe sizes is also studied.
Seasonal and spatial patterns of metals at a restored copper mine site II. Copper in riparian soils and Bromus carinatus shoots

Abstract Soil and plants were sampled throughout winter and spring near a perennial stream traversing a restored mine site in a winter–rainy climate. Within 1 m of an acidic reach of the stream, soil had pH 3–5 and 50–100 μg/g “bioavailable” copper (extractable with 0.01 M CaCl 2 ). Soil 2–3 m from the stream had pH 5–8 and lower (less than 3 μg/g) bioavailable copper. “Oxide-bound” copper (extractable with 2 N HCl) was 50–100 μg/g at most locations. Copper concentrations in the shoots of field-collected Bromus carinatus declined from 20 μg/g in winter to 2 μg/g in spring at all sampling sites. A similar temporal pattern was found in plants grown under controlled conditions. Thus B. carinatus has a developmental program for control of shoot copper concentration, causing a seasonally-varying pattern of copper phytoaccumulation over a large range of copper availability in the soil.
Simultaneous Flow Cytometric Quantification of Plant Nuclear DNA Contents Over the Full Range of Described Angiosperm 2C Values

Flow cytometry provides a rapid, accurate, and simple means to determine nuclear DNA contents (C-value) within plant homogenates. This parameter is extremely useful in a number of applications in basic and applied plant biology; for example, it provides an important starting point for projects involving whole genome sequencing, it facilitates characterization of plant species within natural and agricultural settings, it allows facile identification of engineered plants that are euploid or that represent desired ploidy classes, it points toward studies concerning the role of C-value in plant growth and development and in response to the environment and in terms of evolutionary fitness, and, in uncovering new and unexpected phenomena (for example endoreduplication), it uncovers new avenues of scientific enquiry. Despite the ease of the method, C-values have been determined for only around 2% of the described angiosperm (flowering plant) species. Within this small subset, one of the most remarkable observations is the range of 2C values, which spans at least two orders of magnitude. In determining C-values for new species, technical issues are encountered which relate both to requirement for a method that can provide accurate measurements across this extended dynamic range, and that can accommodate the large amounts of debris which accompanies flow measurements of plant homogenates. In this study, the use of the Accuri C6 flow cytometer for the analysis of plant C-values is described. This work indicates that the unusually large dynamic range of the C6, a design feature, coupled to the linearity of fluorescence emission conferred by staining of nuclei using propidium iodide, allows simultaneous analysis of species whose C-values span that of almost the entire described angiosperms. ' 2009 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Dynamic representations of the somatosensory cortex

Neural representation of somatosensory events undergoes major transformation in the primary somatosensory cortex (SI) from its original, more or less isomorphic, form found at the level of peripheral receptors. A large body of SI optical imaging, neural recording and psychophysical studies suggests that SI representation of stimuli encountered in everyday life is a product of dynamic processes that involve competitive interactions at multiple levels of cortical organization. Such interactions take place among neighboring neurons, among local groups of minicolumns, among neighboring macrocolumns, between SI and SII, between Pacinian and non-Pacinian channels, and bilaterally between homotopic somatosensory regions of the opposite hemispheres. Together these interactions sharpen SI response to suprathreshold and time-extended tactile stimuli by funneling the initially widespread stimulus-triggered activity in SI into the local group of macrocolumns most directly driven by the stimulus. Those macrocolumns in turn fractionate into stimulus-specific patterns of differentially active minicolumns. Thus SI dynamically shapes its representation of a tactile stimulus by selecting among all of its neurons initially activated by the stimulus a subset of neurons with receptive-field and feature-tuning properties closely matching those of the stimulus. Through this stimulus-directed dynamical selection process, which operates on a scale of hundreds of milliseconds, SI achieves a more faithful representation of stimulus properties, which is reflected in improved performance on tactile perceptual tasks.
Transition metal compatibilization of poly(vinylamine) and poly(ethylene imine)

Poly(vinylamine), PVA, complexes with cobalt chloride hexahydrate exhibit a 45 °C enhancement in the glass-transition temperature per mol % of the d-block metal cation. Poly(ethylene imine), PEI, complexes with CoCl2(H2O)6 exhibit a 20 °C enhancement in Tg per mol % Co2+. Since the basicities of primary and secondary amines are comparable (i.e., pKb,PVA ≈ 3.34 vs. pKb,PEI ≈ 3.27) and the rates at which each polymeric ligand displaces waters of hydration in the coordination sphere of Co2+ are similar, transition metal compatibilization is operative in blends of both polymers with CoCl2(H2O)6. These two polymers are immiscible in the absence of the inorganic component. Infrared spectroscopy suggests that nitrogen lone pairs in PVA and PEI coordinate to Co2+. The stress–strain response of a 75/25 blend of PVA and PEI with 2 mol % Co2+ reveals a decrease in elastic modulus from 4.4 × 109 N/m2 to 5.7 × 107 N/m2, a decrease in fracture stress from 3.7 × 107 N/m2 to 2.0 × 106 N/m2, and an increase in ultimate strain from 1.3 to 12% relative to the 75/25 immiscible polymer–polymer blend. A plausible explanation for this effect is based on the fact that cobalt chloride hexahydrate compatibilizes both polymers by forming a coordination bridge between nitrogen lone pairs in dissimilar chains. Hence, poly(ethylene imine), which is very weak with a Tg near −40 °C, is integrated into a homogeneous structure with poly(vinylamine) and the mechanical properties of the individual polymers are averaged in the compatibilized ternary complex. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 552–561, 2000
Hemispheric differences in orthographic and semantic processing as revealed by event-related potentials

Differences in how the right and left hemispheres (RH, LH) apprehend visual words were examined using event-related potentials (ERPs) in a repetition paradigm with visual half-field (VF) presentation. In both hemispheres (RH/LVF, LH/RVF), initial presentation of items elicited similar and typical effects of orthographic neighborhood size, with larger N400s for orthographically regular items (words and pseudowords) than for irregular items (acronyms and meaningless illegal strings). However, hemispheric differences emerged on repetition effects. When items were repeated in the LH/RVF, orthographically regular items, relative to irregular items, elicited larger repetition effects on both the N250, a component reflecting processing at the level of visual form (orthography), and on the N400, which has been linked to semantic access. In contrast, in the RH/LVF, repetition effects were biased toward irregular items on the N250 and were similar in size across item types for the N400. The results suggest that processing in the LH is more strongly affected by wordform regularity than in the RH, either due to enhanced processing of familiar orthographic patterns or due to the fact that regular forms can be more readily mapped onto phonology.
CEREBRAL PROTEIN PATTERNS FROM TRAINED AND NAIVE PIGEONS

— Cerebral protein patterns resolved into 12 soluble fractions by ion exchange and 18 particulate fractions by gel electrophoresis were quantitatively analyzed from the cerebra of naive and trained pigeons. Behavioral treatment affected protein distribution significantly (P < 0.01) in 2 soluble and 2 particulate fractions, and marginally (P < 0.05) in a third fraction. The magnitude of the observed changes ranged from 12 to 57% of control values for a given fraction, but involved very small (< 1 mg/g brain) shifts in absolute protein concentration. These results support the view that protein patterns are basically stable to non-traumatic behavioral stimulation, but that small changes in specific fractions can occur.
Once Daily Everolimus Is Safe and Effective in De Novo Renal Transplant Recipients: Six-Month Results of a Pilot Study

Introduction. The half-life of everolimus is approximately 28 hours, but everolimus is normally administered twice a day. The aim of this prospective, single-center, exploratory study was to compare the efficacy and safety of a once a day (OD) everolimus regimen versus the standard twice a day regimen (BID) for immunosuppressive therapy in renal transplantation. Methods. Forty de novo renal transplant recipients prospectively assigned to OD (n = 21) or BID (n = 19) were followed for 6 months. In the OD group, everolimus was given orally once a day to target a trough blood level of 2-6 ng/mL. In the BID, group everolimus was given twice a day to target a trough blood level of 3-12 ng/mL. All patients also received induction treatment with basiliximab and low-dose calcineurin inhibitors. Results. At 6 months follow-up, patient and graft survivals were 100%; renal function and acute rejection rates were similar between the 2 regimens. Patients in the OD group showed significantly lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared with those in the BID group, namely, total cholesterol level, OD 212 ± 54 versus BID 249 ± 59 mg/dL (P < .05), and serum triglycerides, OD 162 ± 72 versus BID 245 ± 133 mg/dL (P < .02). Discussion. This study showed that OD administration of everolimus provided excellent patient and graft survivals and good renal function without an increased incidence of acute rejection episodes. The lipid profile was significantly better among patients receiving everolimus OD. These findings suggested that everolimus can be safely administered once a day.
A magnetorheological elastomer compressive and shear sensor

A magnetorheological elastomer (MRE)-based wireless sensor is designed, developed and tested, which is capable of sensing compression and shear forces. The MRE wireless sensor system consists of a disk-shape MRE sample with two thin steel electrodes attached to both sides and two wires connected to electrodes. Electrical resistance of MRE sensor samples changes due to piezoresistance behavior of MRE as various axial and shear stresses are applied. Electrical resistance decreases as the applied compressive axial forces increases, on the other hand, the electrical resistance increases as the applied shear force increases. Different MRE sensor configurations are evaluated for design optimization.