cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wasp-waist populations and marine ecosystem dynamics: Navigating the “predator pit” topographies

Abstract Many marine ecosystems exhibit a characteristic “wasp-waist” structure, where a single species, or at most several species, of small planktivorous fishes entirely dominate their trophic level. These species have complex life histories that result in radical variability that may propagate to both higher and lower trophic levels of the ecosystem. In addition, these populations have two key attributes: (1) they represent the lowest trophic level that is mobile, so they are capable of relocating their area of operation according to their own internal dynamics; (2) they may prey upon the early life stages of their predators, forming an unstable feedback loop in the trophic system that may, for example, precipitate abrupt regime shifts. Experience with the typical “boom-bust” dynamics of this type of population, and with populations that interact trophically with them, suggests a “predator pit” type of dynamics. This features a refuge from predation when abundance is very low, very destructive predation between an abundance level sufficient to attract interest from predators and an abundance level sufficient to satiate available predators, and, as abundance increases beyond this satiation point, decreasing specific predation mortality and population breakout. A simple formalism is developed to describe these dynamics. Examples of its application include (a) a hypothetical mechanism for progressive geographical habitat expansion at high biomass, (b) an explanation for the out-of-phase alternations of abundances of anchovies and sardines in many regional systems that appear to occur without substantial adverse interactions between the two species groups, and (c) an account of an interaction of environmental processes and fishery exploitation that caused a regime shift. The last is the example of the Baltic Sea, where the cod resource collapsed in concert with establishment of dominance of that ecosystem by the cod’s ‘wasp-waist” prey, herring and sprat.
The LHRH neuronal system in female rats: relation to the medial preoptic nucleus.

Previously we have found that small lesions confined to the medial preoptic nucleus (MPN) or the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) blocked the cyclic release of gonadotropins in the female rat, inducing a persistent estrous state. Since the MPN is located just caudal to the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT) where LHRH cell bodies are most concentrated, we applied an immunocytochemical technique to examine the possibility that the lesions had simply disrupted LHRH neurons or fibers.Using a new anti-LHRH provided by Dr. V. D. Ramirez, we found that the distribution pattern of immunoreactive LHRH cell bodies and fibers was similar to that previously reported, although the staining was more intense and extensive with low background. There was no concentration of LHRH cell bodies and fibers in the MPN or SCN and, in fact, these nuclei generally showed a lower density of stained elements than did sorrounding tissue. In persistent estrous animals with lesions confined to the MPN there was no detectable reduction of staind fibers in the median eminence.These results, along with the results of other workers, suggest that persistent estrus following lesions of the MPN or SCN is not due to reduction of LHRH neurons or fibers. Rather, they support the hypothesis that these nuclei are critical for triggering the ovulatory release of LHRH.
Third world medicine in first world cities: capital accumulation, uneven development and public health

This paper addresses issues of public health and access to care for the urban poor in the context of current U.S. urban, economic and industrial policy. The pathologies that threaten "inner city" neighborhoods are the result of decades of political neglect, economic exploitation and resource withdrawal, which themselves stem directly from public and corporate sector strategies to facilitate capital accumulation and consolidation. The resulting conditions of uneven development between wealthy and impoverished local sectors mirror similar relationships between First and Third World countries. These same patterns are reflected and reproduced in the health care "industry" itself, where growing corporate dominance has developed alongside a concomitant reduction in support for public sector and community-based care. These trends create and exacerbate conditions that place poor and minority populations at risk. Community development and political empowerment, as well as the overall corporate hegemony that increasingly characterizes the political economy of the U.S.A., are essential public health considerations that must be included in any meaningful health policy or health care reform proposals.
Abolition of an Inducible Highly Anionic Peroxidase Activity in Transgenic Tomato

Locally induced expression of a highly anionic peroxidase has previously been correlated temporally and spatially with suberization of tissues responding to pathogen assault, wounding, or exogenously applied abscisic acid or fungal elicitors. DNA sequences corresponding to the 5[prime] regions of two tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) genes encoding homologous anionic peroxidases were fused, inserted into a pTi-based plasmid designed to express a composite antisense transcript, and introduced into tomato via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. RNA gel-blot analyses showed high expression of the antisense transcript in most transgenic plants and no detectable induction of native anionic peroxidase transcripts in wounded or abscisic acid or pathogen-treated tissues. Plants and fruits expressing the antisense transcript appeared normal in all respects. Electrophoretic analysis of anionic proteins from selected transgenic plants showed no detectable anionic peroxidase protein or activity. Depolymerization of polymeric material from the wound periderm of transgenic tomato fruits and analysis of the aliphatic products by gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry showed that the content and composition of C16/C18 [omega]-hydroxy and dicarboxylic acids, characteristic of suberin, were not affected by the absence of the anionic peroxidase. Autofluorescence generated from cell wall phenolics at the wound lesion was also not affected by the absence of the highly anionic peroxidase.
The Relations of Pubertal Status to Intrapersonal Changes in Young Adolescents

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relations between pubertal development and adolescents' perceptions of their physical and emotional states. Two research questions were posed: (a) What are the effects of pubertal status upon satisfaction with appearance and mood states of the adolescent; and, (b) What are the patterns of those pubertal effects in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades? A nonclinical group of adolescents (N = 253) was selected from two cohorts and was followed from sixth through eighth grade. Multiple measures were used to assess satisfaction with appearance and mood states. Significant multivariate findings were limited to seventh and eighth grades. For satisfaction with appearance in girls, there were significant multivariate effects for pubertal status in both grades with the salient variable being satisfaction with weight. Girls who were more physically mature reported being less satisfied with their weight. For moods in seventh grade boys, the multivariate effect was signif...
Preliminary study of viscoelastic bulk properties for cell-substrate interaction in scaffold guided tissue engineering

In the field of tissue engineering the development of biomaterial surfaces that allow cell attachment for viability and growth is highly challenging. These materials are used in the development of scaffolds to provide a supporting framework and also to provide a controlled spatial distribution of cells which could guide tissue formation. Our group focuses in designing scaffolds that can engineer tissue growth by tuning the geometry, mechanical properties or chemical properties of the material. For effective and complete designing quantitative analysis of interactions of the cell and scaffold is highly significant. This would be of great value for controlling cell behavior and the processes involved in incorporating the cells into the scaffolds for directing cellular responses and tissue formation. This paper discusses the material considerations and design parameters required for conducting this study.
Integrating agent based modeling into a discrete event simulation

Movement of entities in discrete event simulation typically requires predefined paths with decision points that dictate entity movement. Human-like travel is difficult to model correctly with these constraints because that is not how people move and large individual differences exist in capabilities and strategies. Agent based modeling is considered a better way to simulate the real-time interaction of people with their environment. In this paper we propose to integrate agent based modeling with discrete event simulation to simulate the movement of people in a discrete event system. An agent based module was constructed within the AutoMod simulation package, and a test case was modeled in which people (agents) at a theme-park interact with objects and people in their environment to get directions and then walk or take a tram to their final destination. We explain the details of model implementation and describe the verification and initial validation of the model.
Wireless Telemetric Data Acquisition and Real-Time Control for a High Measurement-Density Internal Heat Transfer Experiment

This paper describes a wireless data transmission system for a large-scale rotating experiment to investigate the heat transfer in a three-passage serpentine test section. Patterned after the NASA HOST program, the current experiment extends the data set to larger aspect ratios including 1:2, 1:4 and 1:6. As with HOST, heat transfer is measured using the heated conducting segments technique, and the serpentine test section spins at rotation numbers representative of engine conditions. Rotating experiments are essential for capturing the representative operating conditions and complicated flow physics that must be understood to advance internal cooling technology for these high aspect ratio configurations.There are challenges associated with controlling the operating parameters and collecting accurate data for high measurement-density rotating experiments. This experiment requires that 140 copper panels be held at a constant temperature by independently controlling and recording the power supplied to a separate heater on each panel. This means there must be 140 temperature measurements, 140 pairs of heater power leads, enough power to drive all of these heaters, and data recording capacity left over to measure fluid temperatures and pressures. Traditional methods of transferring rotating signals to the stationary frame of reference (such as slip rings) are widely implemented but have practical limitations in the quantity of transferrable signals and the electrical current capacity of the individual channels. Alternatively, wireless transmission techniques were first developed decades ago, but their practical use has been limited by onboard power delivery requirements and cost.This paper describes the development of a new data transmission and control system that takes advantage of improvements in low-cost off-the-shelf electronics to create a battery powered and microprocessor controlled system for acquisition, storage, control, and wireless communication. These components are assembled to form an integral part of the rotating mechanical hardware. By handling high-fidelity microcircuit signal conditioning, data acquisition, feedback control, and data storage in the rotating frame and transmitting the results with two-way wireless communication, this system provides high measurement density and active feedback control that would have been impractical with a conventional slip-ring approach.The design and construction of the wireless control system for one full sidewall of the three-serpentine passage is described in detail. Its capability and functionality is demonstrated with operational data. It will be demonstrated that while all of the components in this system are readily available, the unique combination of this technology opens up a new world of measurement capabilities.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
A practical classification algorithm for M-ary frequency shift keying signals

In this paper, the issue of automatically classifying M-ary frequency shift keying (MFSK) signals contaminated by additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) is considered, which is blind in nature since the modulation parameters of a received MFSK signal such as frequency deviation that may vary over a large range are unknown in advance. Based on the properties of the spectra of MFSK signals, we present a new classification algorithm which only requires some knowledge that can be obtained through the front-end processing. In simulation, the proposed algorithm can classify 2-, 4-, 8-, 16-, and 32-FSK signals with an overall success rate higher than 99% when the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is greater than or equal to 5 dB. To examine its effectiveness with MFSK data received from real-world communications systems, it has been applied to 2-, 4-, and 8-FSK data available in a Web site, resulting in an overall success rate of 89.1%. It is clear that the proposed algorithm has made a step towards practical and blind MFSK signal classification.
Comparative Dynamics of Parliamentary Governments

This article presents a dynamic theory of parliamentary governments that incorporates attributes of the institutional system in a country, exogenous events that shape parliamentary and electoral opportunities, and the strategies of the government and the opposition as structured by institutions and preferences. The dynamics are investigated in an infinitely repeated game in which events in the form of shocks to income or government resources occur and the government responds with a legislative proposal that is subject to a confidence or censure procedure and may lead to government continuation, reorganization, or dissolution. With a majority confidence procedure, governments are stable, and if parties are politically patient, voting cohesion within the government is high. A censure motion initiated by the opposition can result in voluntary dissolution of government, and the approach of required elections increases the likelihood of dissolution. If the events represent fluctuations in aggregate income, governnment dissolution occurs in good times for the government leader and bad times for the other parties.
CSMA/CD network problem threshold

CSMA/CD network transmission errors such as collisions, CRC errors, misalignment, etc. are statistical in nature. Although errors can vary randomly, a high level of errors does indicate specific network problems (e.g. equipment failure). This paper examines the random nature of collisions theoretically as well as from actual statistics, and establishes a threshold above which a network problem is indicated with a high probability.
WSN07-3: RPB-MACn: A Relative Position Based Collision-free MAC Nucleus for Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks

Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) will play a vital role in reducing the number of road accidents and fatalities as well as vehicular traffic optimization. Though an instance of mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs), the highly mobile and dynamic environment of VANET introduces new research challenges. To quickly adapt to the highly mobile and constantly changing topology and still meet the desired application requirements, it is vital for the VANET media access control (MAC) protocol guarantees wireless channel access with minimal delay and minimal exchange of control messages. This paper proposes an innovative relative-position-based MAC Nucleus (RPB- MACn). By combining the dedicated communication channel pair and the dedicated directional antenna associated to the relative position of vehicles, a conceptually contention-free RPB-MACn mechanism for VANET is realized (when coupling with dynamic power control mechanism). Consequently, RPB-MACn can meet all the key requirements of the MAC protocol in a VANET system.
Sensing and control of flow separation using plasma actuators

Single dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuators have been used to control flow separation in a large number of applications. An often used configuration involves spanwise-oriented asymmetric electrodes that are arranged to induce a tangential wall jet in the mean flow direction. For the best effect, the plasma actuator is placed just upstream of where the flow separation will occur. This approach is generally more effective when the plasma actuator is periodically pulsed at a frequency that scales with the streamwise length of the separation zone and the free-stream velocity. The optimum frequency produces two coherent spanwise vortices within the separation zone. It has been recently shown that this periodic pulsing of the plasma actuator could be sensed by a surface pressure sensor only when the boundary layer was about to separate, and therefore could provide a flow separation indicator that could be used for feedback control. The paper demonstrates this approach on an aerofoil that is slowly increasing its angle of attack, and on a sinusoidally pitching aerofoil undergoing dynamic stall. Short-time spectral analysis of time series from a static pressure sensor on the aerofoil is used to determine the separation state that ranges from attached, to imminent separation, to fully separated. A feedback control approach is then proposed, and demonstrated on the aerofoil with the slow angle of attack motion.
Diverse pathways to deficient self-regulation: Implications for disinhibitory psychopathology in children

Abstract Laboratory evidence from research employing adult subjects has revealed three different pathways to the breakdown of self-regulation. The pathways are elucidated using Gray's neuropsychological model of approach/avoidance learning: One pathway, associated with Gray's behavioral activation system (BAS), is triggered by cues for reward; another, associated with the behavioral inhibition system (BIS), is triggered by cues for punishment; and the third involves an intrinsic deficit in the automatic integration of BAS and BIS processes which results in more widespread self-regulatory problems. We propose that childhood disinhibition also reflects diverse etiological processes and review the potential implications of our proposals for the development of conduct disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and several “comorbid” syndromes (i.e., those manifesting multiple dimensions of psychopathology).
The Degree of CD4+ T Cell Autoreactivity Determines Cellular Pathways Underlying Inflammatory Arthritis

Although therapies targeting distinct cellular pathways (e.g., anticytokine versus anti-B cell therapy) have been found to be an effective strategy for at least some patients with inflammatory arthritis, the mechanisms that determine which pathways promote arthritis development are poorly understood. We have used a transgenic mouse model to examine how variations in the CD4(+) T cell response to a surrogate self-peptide can affect the cellular pathways that are required for arthritis development. CD4(+) T cells that are highly reactive with the self-peptide induce inflammatory arthritis that affects male and female mice equally. Arthritis develops by a B cell-independent mechanism, although it can be suppressed by an anti-TNF treatment, which prevented the accumulation of effector CD4(+) Th17 cells in the joints of treated mice. By contrast, arthritis develops with a significant female bias in the context of a more weakly autoreactive CD4(+) T cell response, and B cells play a prominent role in disease pathogenesis. In this setting of lower CD4(+) T cell autoreactivity, B cells promote the formation of autoreactive CD4(+) effector T cells (including Th17 cells), and IL-17 is required for arthritis development. These studies show that the degree of CD4(+) T cell reactivity for a self-peptide can play a prominent role in determining whether distinct cellular pathways can be targeted to prevent the development of inflammatory arthritis.
Characterization and performance of short cationic antimicrobial peptide isomers.

Cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) represent an ancient defense mechanism against invading bacteria, with peptides such as the cathelicidins being essential elements of vertebrate innate immunity. CAMPs are typically associated with broad-spectrum antimicrobial potency and limited bacterial resistance. The cathelicidin identified from the elapid snake Naja atra (NA-CATH) contains a semi-conserved repeated 11-residue motif (ATRA motif) with a sequence pattern consistent with formation of an amphipathic helical conformation. Short peptide amides (ATRA-1, -1A, -1P, and -2) generated based on the pair of ATRA motifs in NA-CATH exhibited varied antimicrobial potencies. The small size of the ATRA peptides, coupled with their varied antimicrobial performances, make them interesting models to study the impact various physico-chemical properties have on antimicrobial performance in helical CAMPs. Accordingly, the d- and l-enantiomers of the peptide ATRA-1A, which in earlier studies had shown both good antimicrobial performance and strong helical character, were investigated in order to assess the impact peptide stereochemistry has on antimicrobial performance and interaction with chiral membranes. The ATRA-1A isomers exhibit varied potencies against four bacterial strains, and their conformational properties in the presence of mixed zwitterionic/anionic liposomes are influenced by anionic lipid content. These studies reveal subtle differences in the properties of the peptide isomers. Differences are also seen in the abilities of the ATRA-1A isomers to induce liposome fusion/aggregation, bilayer rearrangement and lysing through turbidity studies and fluorescence microscopy. The similarities and differences in the properties of the ATRA-1A isomers could aid in efforts to develop d-peptide-based therapeutics using high-performing l-peptides as templates. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 100: 387–401, 2013.
Art from the Gutter: Heinrich Zille's Berlin

The quintessential Berlin artist Heinrich Zille, while remaining almost unrecognized outside Germany and certainly neglected in art historical circles on both sides of the Atlantic, nonetheless offers an important way to understand the modern city in late-nineteenth-century Europe. Zille, I argue, represents a proletarian modernism, a way of viewing and embracing a vibrant working-class domesticity—a milieu—that the Grosstadt itself had created. In so doing, he offered intimate representations of Berlin for Berliners; he was decidedly grounded in the local and telescoped Berlin from its districts to its neighborhoods to its streets. What reemerged at this insider level, however, were glimpses of the wider world into which Berliners had been cast. Zille thus blurred distinctions between public and private spaces that marked the social boundaries of the city and drew from both the local and the global in ways that have gone unrecognized in his work. His perspective on the new capital, in other words, was accomplished by embracing the liminal, and he ultimately offered a kind of palatable social protest—a vision of reform without socialism—that was itself quite remarkable.
Dietary arginine intake alters avian leukocyte population distribution during infectious bronchitis challenge.

Abstract Although dietary arginine is a factor in immune function and disease resistance, the full range of effects has yet to be described. In this study, the effects of dietary arginine on leukocyte population changes were examined in the peripheral blood and the respiratory tract of chickens inoculated with infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) strain M41. At 2 wk of age, female line P2a White Leghorn-type chickens were randomly assigned to one of three diets with different arginine levels: a marginally deficient diet (0.5%), an adequate diet (1.0%), and a diet containing a high level of arginine (3.0%). All birds were inoculated with IBV at 4 wk of age, and then the peripheral blood and the respiratory lavage were collected at 1 and 7 d postinfection (DPI). The growth rate of birds that received 0.5% arginine was significantly lower than that of birds receiving 1.0 or 3.0% arginine, whereas the growth of the latter groups did not differ. The percentage and absolute number of heterophil (H) and the H/lymphocyte (L) ratio in the peripheral blood at 1 DPI significantly increased as dietary arginine increased. In the respiratory lavage at 1 DPI, the percentage of H also increased with dietary arginine increase. At 7 DPI, the percentage of CD8+ cells from birds fed the deficient diet was lower than those from birds fed the adequate diet and the diet containing a high level of arginine, whereas the cell surface density of CD8 antigen did not vary among groups. These results show that dietary arginine influences the character of the chicken cellular response to IBV and the distribution of responding leukocyte subpopulations in a target tissue for the infection.
How do Major, Violent and Nonviolent Opposition Campaigns, Impact Predicted Life Expectancy at birth?

This study compared the effects of major violent and nonviolent opposition campaigns for regime change, on predicted life expectancy at birth. The study measured life expectancy five and ten years after the campaign ended, so that deaths which occurred during the campaign would not be included in the metric, and thus enabling the study of changes made in the state on the social determinants affecting longevity, after the campaign was over. Life expectancy is one of the best reported World Development Indicators and is considered to be a good indication of the overall health and general living conditions of the state and therefore is an ideal indicator to reflect the changes made in the state following a major campaign. The results of this analysis showed that states have a hard time recovering from a major opposition campaign and initially drop behind the growth trend in the world average for predicted life expectancy at birth. But, the type of campaign that was waged and whether it was successful, greatly affects the state’s ability to recover. Encouragingly by a decade after the campaign ends, states that experienced a nonviolent campaign that was successful had caught up to the world average and inched ahead of it. This shows that on this important development indicator, new governments that were ushered into power by nonviolent social movements, had made positive changes in the state that enabled it to surpass world averages.
Improving Survey Methods With Cognitive Interviews in Small- and Medium-Scale Evaluations

Findings derived from self-reported, structured survey questionnaires are commonly used in evaluation and applied research to inform policy-making and program decisions. Although there are a variety of issues related to the quality of survey evidence (e.g., sampling precision), the validity of response processes–how respondents process thoughts and perceptions when answering questionnaires–is crucial. We assess the extent to which cognitive interviews, used to test survey questions as part of the process of questionnaire design and refinement, can strengthen the quality of survey evidence for small- and medium-scale evaluations. To illustrate how cognitive interviews can reveal respondents' response processes and improved questionnaire interpretations, we present excerpts from two types of evaluations (e.g., needs assessment) in two domains (e.g., education). The paper concludes with a brief summary about how the use of cognitive interviews can be augmented in survey development, refinement, and adaptatio...
The unpolarized component in polarimetric radar observations of forested areas

A polarimetric radar measures the complete scattering matrix of a target. For a forest and other natural targets, the average return is, in general, partially polarized. Conditions on the second-order statistics of the scattering matrix under which the return is fully polarized are derived, and it is shown that these conditions are connected with the eigenvalues of the covariance matrix. The result of this analysis is a set of three quantities which indicate the ability of a scatterer to generate an unpolarized component. These quantities for forested areas are shown. >
TRPC6 channels and their binding partners in podocytes: role in glomerular filtration and pathophysiology

Loss or dysfunction of podocytes is a major cause of glomerular kidney disease. Several genetic forms of glomerular disease are caused by mutations in genes that encode structural elements of the slit diaphragm or the underlying cytoskeleton of podocyte foot processes. The recent discovery that gain-of-function mutations in Ca2+-permeable canonical transient receptor potential-6 channels (TRPC6) underlie a subset of familial forms of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) has focused attention on the basic cellular physiology of podocytes. Several recent studies have examined the role of Ca2+ dynamics in normal podocyte function and their possible contributions to glomerular disease. This review summarizes the properties of TRPC6 and related channels, focusing on their permeation and gating properties, the nature of mutations associated with familial FSGS, and the role of TRPC channels in podocyte cell biology as well as in glomerular pathophysiology. TRPC6 interacts with several proteins in podocytes, including essential slit diaphragm proteins and mechanosensitive large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels. The signaling dynamics controlling ion channel function and localization in podocytes appear to be quite complex.
Characterization of ultrafine coal fly ash particles by energy-filtered TEM

In this study, energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy is demonstrated to be a valuable tool for characterizing ultrafine coal fly ash particles, especially those particles encapsulated in or associated with carbon. By examining a series of elemental maps (K-edge maps of C and O, and L-edge maps of Si, Al, Ti and Fe) recorded using the three-window method, considerable numbers of titanium and iron species with sizes from several nanometres to submicrometre were shown to be present, typically as oxides dispersed in the carbonaceous matrix. Crystalline phases, such as rutile and iron-rich oxide spinel, were also identified from electron diffraction patterns and high-resolution TEM images. Information about these ultrafine coal fly ash particles regarding their size, morphology, elemental composition and distribution, and crystalline phases, which has not been available previously in conventional ash studies, should be useful in toxicological studies and related environmental fields.
Modulation of Superoxide-dependent Oxidation and Hydroxylation Reactions by Nitric Oxide

The rapid and spontaneous interaction between superoxide (O2-.) and nitric oxide (NO) to yield the potent oxidants peroxynitrite (ONOO-) and peroxynitrous acid (ONOOH), has been suggested to represent an important pathway by which tissue may be injured during inflammation. Although several groups of investigators have demonstrated substantial oxidizing and cytotoxic activities of chemically synthesized ONOO-, there has been little information available quantifying the interaction between O2-. and NO in the absence or the presence of redox-active iron. Using the hypoxanthine (HX)/xanthine oxidase system to generate various fluxes of O2-. and H2O2 and the spontaneous decomposition of the spermine/NO adduct to produce various fluxes of NO, we found that in the absence of redox-active iron, the simultaneous production of equimolar fluxes of O2-. and NO increased the oxidation of dihydrorhodamine (DHR) from normally undetectable levels to approximately 15 microM, suggesting the formation of a potent oxidant. Superoxide dismutase, but not catalase, inhibited this oxidative reaction, suggesting that O2-. and not hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) interacts with NO to generate a potent oxidizing agent. Excess production of either radical virtually eliminated the oxidation of DHR. In the presence of 5 microM Fe+3-EDTA to insure optimum O2-.-driven Fenton chemistry, NO enhanced modestly HX/xanthine oxidase-induced oxidation of DHR. As expected, both superoxide dismutase and catalase inhibited this Fe-catalyzed oxidation reaction. Excess NO production with respect to O2-. flux produced only modest inhibition (33%) of DHR oxidation. In a separate series of studies, we found that equimolar fluxes of O2-. and NO in the absence of iron only modestly enhanced hydroxylation of benzoic acid from undetectable levels to 0.6 microM 2-hydroxybenzoate. In the presence of 5 microM Fe+3-EDTA, HX/xanthine oxidase-mediated hydroxylation of benzoic acid increased dramatically from undetectable levels to 4.5 microM of the hydroxylated product. Superoxide dismutase and catalase were both effective at inhibiting this classic O2-.-driven Fenton reaction. Interestingly, NO inhibited this iron-catalyzed hydroxylation reaction in a concentration-dependent manner such that fluxes of NO approximating those of O2-. and H2O2 virtually abolished the hydroxylation of benzoic acid. We conclude that in the absence of iron, equimolar fluxes of NO and O2-. interact to yield potent oxidants such as ONOO-/ONOOH, which oxidize organic compounds. Excess production of either radical remarkably inhibits these oxidative reactions. In the presence of low molecular weight redox-active iron complexes, NO may enhance or inhibit O2-.-dependent oxidation and hydroxylation reactions depending upon their relative fluxes.
Comparison of surface and bulk nitrogen modification in highly porous carbon for enhanced supercapacitors

Highly porous carbon prepared through sol-gel processing can be modified with nitrogen via a simple solution-based method to achieve increased capacitance. Nitrogen was added either in the form of a surface coating using hexamine or incorporated into the bulk carbon network upon heat treatment of the hexamine-coated carbon. The properties and electrochemical behavior of both materials were measured and compared to that of unmodified porous carbon. Nitrogen in the bulk carbon network shows increased conductivity, while nitrogen coated on the surface of porous carbon is more effective at increasing capacitance. Nitrogen modification can also reduce diffusivity resistance and charge transfer resistance, resulting in supercapacitors with better performance at higher charge and discharge rates.
Marine-entry timing and growth rates of juvenile Chum Salmon in Alaskan waters of the Chukchi and northern Bering seas

Abstract Climate change in the Arctic has implications for influences on juvenile Chum Salmon Oncorhynchus keta early life-history patterns, such as altered timing of marine entry and/or early marine growth. Sagittal otoliths were used to estimate marine entry dates and daily growth rates of juvenile Chum Salmon collected during surface trawl surveys in summers 2007, 2012, and 2013 in the Chukchi and northern Bering seas. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to discriminate between freshwater and marine sagittal growth on the otoliths, and daily growth increments were counted to determine marine-entry dates and growth rates to make temporal and regional comparisons of juvenile Chum Salmon characteristics. Marine-entry dates ranged from mid-June to mid-July, with all region and year combinations exhibiting similar characteristics in entry timing (i.e. larger individuals at the time of capture entered the marine environment earlier in the growing season than smaller individuals in the same region/year), as well as similar mean marine-entry dates. Juvenile Chum Salmon growth rates were on average 4.9% body weight per day in both regions in summers 2007 and 2012, and significantly higher (6.8% body weight per day) in the Chukchi Sea in 2013. These results suggest that juvenile Chum Salmon in the northern Bering and Chukchi seas currently exhibit consistent marine-entry timing and early marine growth rates, despite some differences in environmental conditions between regions and among years. This study also provides a baseline of early marine life-history characteristics of Chum Salmon for comparisons with future climate change studies in these regions.
Dynamic reconfiguration of IO adapters for real-time outage prevention

A real-time system is one where its application can be considered to be time critical. Real-time computations can be said to have failed if they are not completed before their deadline, where their deadline is relative to an event. Existing research focuses on reactive methods for resolving outages on Input / Output (I/O) adapters in real time systems. Our paper proposes a novel pro-active approach by predicting outages on I/O adapters of real time systems and taking immediate corrective action, thereby preventing the actual outage from happening. Our approach also ensures that real time system requirements for I/O are kept intact and thus results in improving the overall dependability of I/O adapters in real time systems.
Malathion bait sprays for control of apple maggot (Diptera: tephritidae)

Malathion (1.2 g [Al]/liter, applied at 2-wk intervals for a total of four spray applications) was compared with malathion mixed with 0.25 and 0.5% Nu lure bait for control of the apple maggot, Rhagoletis Pomona ella (Walsh), in 1986 and 1987 seasons. Apples sprayed with malathion mixed with Nu lure had the lowest fruit injury in both years. In 1986, fruit injury averaged 18.3 ± 16.4% (x ± SEM) in apples treated with malathion bait mixture compared with 39.0 ± 9.5% in apples treated with malathion alone and 56.3 ± 15.5% in untreated apples. In 1987, apple maggot injury in apples treated with malathion bait mixture averaged 3.7 ± 3.2% compared with 45.7 ± 2.7% in apples treated with malathion alone and 26.7 ± 22.2% in untreated apples. Laboratory bios says of residual toxicities of malathion against apple maggot adults at a rate of 1.2 g (AI)/liter indicated efficacy of <1 wk and complete ineffectiveness within 12 d after application on apple foliage and fruits. At the higher rate of 2.4 g (AI)/liter, only 17%mortality was noticed 16 d after application. Further laboratory tests indicated total adult mortality within 48 h and negligible rates of opposition (<1 egg per female) in apples treated with malathion at rates of 0.3 and 0.6 g (AI)/liter mixed with 1% Nu lure bait. In apples treated with malathion alone, 29 ± 7.7% mortality occurred and 10 eggs per female were deposited at the end of 48 h for 0.3 (AI)/liter rate, and 21 ± 7.7% mortality occurred and 16 eggs per female were deposited for 0.6 g (AI)/liter rate. Nu lure alone at 1% had no adverse effects on survival and opposition of apple maggot females. Results of these field and laboratory experiments showed that addition of Nu lure bait to malathion increased adult mortality and reduced opposition in treated apples.
Blade Runner’s humanism: Cinema and representation

Many have pointed to Blade Runner’s humanization of its ‘replicants’ as a compelling statement against exploitation and domination. I argue, however, that the film has another kind of agenda: a Rousseauvian concern about the dangers of representation, about confusing the imitation with the real and confusing the consumption of images with political action. Rather than humanizing the other, Blade Runner’s central concern is to humanize our own social and political relationships, which are in danger of falling into the same trap Rousseau outlined in his Letter to D’Alembert. To do so, we must learn to appreciate the difference between mutual surveillance and mutual regard. To live freely in any regime, we must understand the dangers of representation, even if, in a large state, we must continue to make use of it.
Preclinical studies with dihydronaphthalene monophenol (NSC D725087), a vascular targeting agent, and its monophosphate prodrug (NSC D725088).

2044 CDDO (2-cyano,3,12-dioxoolean-1,9 (11)-dien-28-oic acid; NSC-711193) is a synthetic oleanane triterpenoid that has been shown to have potent differentiating, anti-proliferative, and anti-inflammatory activities both in vitro and in vivo. In preparation for clinical trials, the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of CDDO were investigated in groups of male Fischer rats (4 rats/dose group) and male and female beagle dogs (1 dog/sex/dose group) given single bolus iv doses or 120-hour continuous iv (civ) infusion doses. For rats given single bolus iv doses of 19.8 or 39.6 mg/m2, mean plasma concentrations of CDDO at 5 minutes after dosing increased proportional to the size of the dose and were 17.9 and 32.7 μM, respectively. CDDO was subsequently eliminated from plasma in two apparent phases with mean half-lives of 0.06 hours (α-phase) and 1.95 hours (β-phase). The total body clearance of CDDO was 9.1 L/m2/hr for rats given 19.8 mg/m2 and 9.5 L/m2/hr for rats given 39.6 mg/m2. The steady state volume of distribution (Vdss) was 13.3 or 15.8 L/m2 for rats given 19.8 or 39.6 mg/m2, respectively. For two dogs administered a single iv bolus dose of 60 mg/m2, CDDO was eliminated from plasma with mean half-lives of 0.02 and 0.65 hours. The mean clearance and steady state volume of distribution of CDDO in these dogs were 44.6 L/m2/hr and 26.8 L/m2, respectively. For rats given 120-hour civ doses of 0, 6, 18, 54, or 108 mg/m2/hr, mortality was observed within 24 hours after the start of the infusion of doses ≥18 mg/m2/hr. Drug-related toxicity included adverse clinical signs (diarrhea, hunched posture, piloerection), body weight loss, clinical pathology changes (including increases in BUN, AST, and ALT, and decreases in ALP), and histopathological changes (including lesions in the liver). No toxicity, as indicated by the absence of adverse clinical signs, changes in body weight, or changes in clinical chemistry parameters, was observed for dogs given 120-hr civ doses of CDDO of 20 or 50 mg/m2/hr. Mean steady state plasma concentrations of CDDO observed during the 120-hr infusion period were 0.886 μuM for dogs given 20 mg/m2/hr and 2.46 μM for dogs given 50 mg/m2/hr. The results of these studies indicated that, at the doses given, CDDO exhibited linear pharmacokinetics in rats and dogs. When given as 120-hr civ infusion doses, the maximum tolerated dose of CDDO was
GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO (PEACEFULLY) WAIT: TOWARD A THEORY OF PATIENCE

GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO (PEACEFULLY) WAIT: TOWARD A THEORY OF PATIENCE By Caroline R. Lavelock, M.S. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2015. Major Director: Everett L. Worthington, Jr. Professor of Psychology Department of Psychology Patience is among the most common colloquially known virtues, and yet its empirical attention is among the smallest of all virtues. In this dissertation, I focused on the conscientiousness-based virtue of patience in terms of theory and intervention. In my first study, I examined the effects of a preliminary intervention workbook designed to promote patience. In my second study, I examined a number of correlates informed by patience literature as potential antecedents, mechanisms, and outcomes of patience and, using structural equation modeling, present a theory of patience. Finally, in my third study, I beta tested the patience intervention workbook along with outcome measures posited in my proposed theory of patience in order to examine this theory under experimental and longitudinal design. In Study 1, the patience workbook did indeed produce higher patience outcomes at post-test relative to the control condition but was not significantly different from a positivity workbook condition. Participants in the patience workbook condition also improved in trait self-control, trait forgivingness, and trait negativity. In Study 2, familiarity with an identified stressor and perceived stress related to that stressor predicted state patience for that stressor, consistent with an ego-depletion model of patience. Additionally, patience predicted mental (resilience, anxiety, satisfaction with life, depression, positive affect, and negative affect), physical, relational (communicative competence and perceived social support), and spiritual (spiritual attitudes and involvement) health outcomes. Study 3 replicated the support for an ego-depletion model of patience, and those in the patience intervention workbook improved in trait and state patience, anxiety, and depression, extending and partially supporting the outcomes found in Study 2. The present studies support the use of a workbook intervention to promote patience and additional virtue and mental health outcomes. Implications of these results and future research directions are discussed.
A trial of two iron-dextran infusion regimens in chronic hemodialysis patients

Aim To test the ability to elicit a hemoglobin (Hb) response in patients on chronic hemodialysis, we prospectively compared two regimens of iron dextran administration, 100 mg once weekly (QW) or 100 mg once every dialysis (QD), both given for 10 doses. Patients and methods Twenty-three consecutive patients on chronic hemodialysis received iron dextran intravenously if they had absolute or functional iron deficiency. There was no difference in the Hb response between regimens. Results Both groups had a significant increase in Hb from 10.5+/-1.5 g/dl at baseline, to 11.1+/-1.7 g/dl at 1 month, 1.4+/-2.1 g/dl at 2 months and 11.6+/-1.9 g/dl at 3 months. The increment in Hb at 1 month was similar (QD 0.62+/-1.245 g/dl vs. QW 0.64+/-1.464 g/dl) between the two groups despite a large difference in the amount of iron received. Serum ferritin, transferrin saturations or epoetin dose did not change significantly. At the end of 3 months 12 patients did not need further iron therapy as judged by the serological markers of iron stores. Of these 12 patients, 3 had serum ferritins of > 1,000 ng/ml. Weekly dosing of iron was associated with more medication errors than dosing every dialysis. Baseline iron stores could not predict the responsiveness to intravenous iron therapy as judged by an increase in Hb concentration at 1 month or at 3 months. Conclusion This study confirms the efficacy of 1,000 mg of intravenous iron administered over a 3-month period in patients with functional iron deficiency. It underscores the importance of careful monitoring of iron stores and highlights the need for developing better parameters of functional iron stores in hemodialysis patients.
Can't get well fatal forty DDI: Itraconazole, budesonide, CYP3A4

This case discusses a pharmacokinetic interaction between budesonide and itraconazole, resulting in Cushing’s disease. Budesonide is a cytochrome P450 3A4 substrate and itraconazole is a 3A4 inhibitor.