cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
S-S imaging with vertical-force sources

AbstractWe show examples of S-S images created from multicomponent seismic data generated by vertical-force sources that can be quite useful to seismic interpreters. Two source types are used: vertical vibrators and shot-hole explosives. We first discuss S-S images made from data generated by a vertical vibrator and recorded with vertical receiver arrays of 3C geophones. We next show images extracted from surface-based 3C geophones deployed around this VSP well as a 3D seismic grid. The energy sources used to generate these surface 3D seismic data were shot-hole explosives. In all data examples, we observe that each type of vertical-force source (vertical vibrator and shot-hole explosive) produces abundant direct-S energy on radial and transverse geophones. We find only minimal amounts of P-wave energy on transverse-receiver data. In contrast, radial-receiver data have significant P-wave events intermingled with radial-S events. The minimal amount of P-wave noise on transverse-receiver data makes it easie...
Vibrational analysis of the dispersed fluorescence from single molecules of terrylene in polyethylene

Abstract Vibrationally resolved dispersed fluorescence spectra of single molecules of terrylene in polyethylene at 1.5 K are presented. Most of the ≈ 35 individual molecules examined show spectra very similar to those of the bulk sample, with only small frequency shifts and intensity variations. Several molecules with a different frequency and intensity pattern are also observed. After considering many possibilities, we tentatively conclude that the two types of spectra arise from terrylene molecules located in the amorphous and crystalline regions of the polyethylene matrix.
Development of a Questionnaire on Sexual Quality of Life in Women

The Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F) questionnaire has been developed to assess the impact of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) on a woman's sexual quality of life. SQOL-F items were developed through interviews with 82 women. Three data sets from women's health surveys in the United Kingdom and the United States generated data for scale validation. The SQOL-F showed good psychometric properties: convergent validity, discriminant validity, and test-retest reliability. The SQOL-F is a valid instrument for assessing the impact of FSD on quality of life and as an adjunct in evaluating FSD in clinical trials. The SQOL-F sensitivity to changes in sexual function needs confirmation.
Cultured neurons infected with an HSV-1-derived vector remain electrically excitable and responsive to neurotransmitter.

Abstract Vectors derived from herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) have allowed foreign genes to be expressed in differentiated postmitotic neurons, but the usefulness of these infected neurons for electrophysiological studies has not been examined. Using a latent, non-pathogenic recombinant HSV-1 virus, we expressed E. coli β-galactosidase in identified rat cholinergic and dopaminergic neurons in culture. The electrophysiological properties of the infected cholinergic neurons were examined. The neurons remained electrically excitable and responsive to neurotransmitter.
A Review of Microbiology: an Evolving Science

Review of: Microbiology: an Evolving Science. 1 st ed. Joan L. Slonczewski and John W. Foster; (2008) . W.W. Norton and Company, New York. 1280 pages.
Comparison of Oblique Versus Hockey-Stick Surgical Incision for Kidney Transplantation

The hockey-stick surgical incision is becoming more popular than the oblique incision for kidney transplantations. Both incisions are convenient and comfortable. Both have some drawbacks, such as muscle denervation for the former, or section of lateral muscles for the latter. In this retrospective study, we compared these incisions with regard to the incidence of long-term complications, such as postincisional hernia, relaxation of the abdominal wall, and a poor cosmetic result. One hundred patients (50 of each type) were evaluated at an average of 4.5 years after transplantation (3 months-15 years). Occurrence of incisional hernia was 16% in the former (8 cases) versus 4% in the latter (2 cases: X(2) = 4; P < .05). A major relaxation of the abdominal wall was found in 24% of the former (12 cases) versus 8% of the latter (4 cases) (X(2) = 4.76; P < .05). These complications were not correlated with age, sex, weight, side of transplant, or immunosuppressive drugs. In the former patients with hockey-stick incisions, the overall cosmetic results were poor, because in most cases the incision had been prolonged upward, above the transverse umbilical line, even as high as the costal arch. In 20% of the former patients with hockey-stick incisions, the scar had widened, particularly in the upper vertical branch of the J incision. We conclude that the final outcome of the oblique surgical incision was better than the hockey-stick incision because of the lower incidence of hernia and abdominal wall relaxation and the more favorable cosmetic results.
Clinical interpretation of serum β-glucuronidase activity

1. Serum β-glucuronidase activity was assayed in 1134 patients with hepatobiliary or pancreatic diseases.
Ground-state repopulation dynamics in pyridine vapor

Abstract The new experimental method of vibronically selective ground-state recovery probing has been used to study relaxation processes that follow S 1 ←
Speaking Out: “High Stakes in the Competition for Talent”

(1980). Speaking Out: “High Stakes in the Competition for Talent”. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas: Vol. 54, No. 3, pp. 100-100.
Heterogeneously Integrated Long-Wavelength VCSEL using High-Contrast Grating on Silicon

We report an electrically pumped AlGaInAs-silicon VCSEL using a high-contrast grating reflector on silicon. CW output power >1.5 mW, thermal resistance of 1.46 K/mW, and 5 Gb/s direct modulation is demonstrated.
Does the oxidation of nitric oxide by oxyMyoglobin share an intermediate with the metMyoglobin-catalyzed isomerization of peroxynitrite?

The reaction of nitric oxide with oxy-myoglobin (oxyMb) to form ferric myoglobin (metMb) and nitrate, and the metMb-catalyzed isomerization of peroxynitrite to nitrate, have long been assumed to proceed via the same iron-bound peroxynitrite intermediate (metMb(OONO)). More recent research showed that the metMb-catalyzed isomerization of peroxynitrite to nitrate produces detectable amounts of nitrogen dioxide and ferryl myoglobin (ferrylMb). This suggests a mechanism in which the peroxynitrite binds to the metMb, ferrylMb is transiently generated by dissociation of NO2, and nitrate is formed when the NO2 nitrogen attacks the ferrylMb oxo ligand. The presence of free NO2 and ferrylMb products reveals that small amounts of NO2 escape from myoglobin’s interior before recombination can occur. Free NO2 and ferrylMb should also be generated in the reaction of oxyMb with NO, if the common intermediate metMb(OONO) is formed. However, this report presents a series of time-resolved UV/vis spectroscopy experiments in...
Human leukocyte antigen associations with humoral and cellular immunity following a second dose of measles-containing vaccine: Persistence, dampening, and extinction of associations found after a first dose

Abstract Previously we found human leukocyte antigen (HLA) associations with humoral immunity following a single dose of measles-containing vaccine. In this study, we sought to determine if HLA associations exist with humoral and cellular immunity following a second dose of measles-containing vaccine and if the associations we found with humoral immunity after the first dose persist following a second dose. We recruited a population-based sample of 346 schoolchildren, all who previously received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine. Molecular HLA classes I and II typing as well as humoral and cellular immune assays (measles-specific IgG antibody levels and lymphoproliferative response) were performed in these subjects. We found significant associations with class I HLA-B ( p = 0.05) as well as class II HLA-DPB1 ( p = 0.01) and -DPA1 ( p = 0.03) genes for measles vaccine-induced antibody levels after the second dose. Similarly, we found significant associations with class II HLA-DQB1 ( p = 0.05) and -DRB1 ( p = 0.01) genes for measles-specific lymphoproliferation after the second dose. While we found HLA associations after the second dose that we previously found after the first dose of measles containing vaccine, fewer alleles had statistically significant associations, suggesting that the second dose had a dampening or extinguishing effect on the HLA associations. It appears that the second dose overcomes HLA restriction through an as yet unknown mechanism. Future studies of HLA associations should consider both the effect of dose and the role that subsequent doses might play on genetic associations found with the response to a first dose.
Energy-efficient dynamic task scheduling algorithms for DVS systems

Dynamic voltage scaling (DVS) is a well-known low-power design technique that reduces the processor energy by slowing down the DVS processor and stretching the task execution time. However, in a DVS system consisting of a DVS processor and multiple devices, slowing down the processor increases the device energy consumption and thereby the system-level energy consumption. In this paper, we first use system-level energy consideration to derive the “optimal ” scaling factor by which a task should be scaled if there are no deadline constraints. Next, we develop dynamic task-scheduling algorithms that make use of dynamic processor utilization and optimal scaling factor to determine the speed setting of a task. We present algorithm duEDF, which reduces the CPU energy consumption and algorithm duSYS and its reduced preemption version, duSYS_PC, which reduce the system-level energy. Experimental results on the video-phone task set show that when the CPU power is dominant, algorithm duEDF results in up to 45% energy savings compared to the non-DVS case. When the CPU power and device power are comparable, algorithms duSYS and duSYS_PC achieve up to 25% energy saving compared to CPU energy-efficient algorithm duEDF, and up to 12% energy saving over the non-DVS scheduling algorithm. However, if the device power is large compared to the CPU power, then we show that a DVS scheme does not result in lowest energy. Finally, a comparison of the performance of algorithms duSYS and duSYS_PC show that preemption control has minimal effect on system-level energy reduction.
SU‐GG‐I‐106: Evaluation of Free‐Form B‐Spline Deformable Registrations for Noisy CBCT/SimCT Images

Purpose: Accurately registering noisy cone‐beam CT(CBCT)images to simulation CT (SimCT) is a challenging task. The goal of this study is to evaluate B‐spline based free‐form deformable registrations with noisy CBCTimages.Method and Materials:CBCTimages were retrospectively selected with large rectum gases and/or significant motion artifacts around bones. Then, they were registered to corresponding SimCT images using Elastix, a software package implemented in conjunction with ITK (Insight Segmentation and Registration Toolkit). Each registration consisted of three sequential stages; translation, affine, and B‐spline. Each stage had three resolutions to avoid local minima and to reduce the overall registration time. The B‐spline grid spacing in the finest resolution was (8, 8, 2) voxel in the (x, y, z) directions respectively. Mutual information (MI) was chosen as similarity metric with random sampling per iteration. The sampling size was 10% of the image size. Registrations were evaluated using an interactive blending software.Results: External skin boundaries were found to match well, but internal organ registration included notable errors, especially near areas containing large amount of rectum gas. Errors were also observed around the top and bottom slices of the input CBCTimages, where the bones were shown to “stretch” in the superior/inferior direction. Conclusion: Based on the preliminary results, the metric MI with free‐form deformation alone is inadequate for noisy CBCT/SimCT registrations. Our future study includes using rigidity constraints on bones and customary constraints on deformable organs.
Behavior maintained by termination of a schedule of self-administered cocaine

Squirrel monkeys self-administered cocaine by pressing a lever while under a variable-interval schedule of reinforcement. At the same time, they terminated the availability of self-administered cocaine by pressing a second lever while under a fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement. The maintenance of behavior by schedule drug injections and by termination of scheduled drug injections, usually considered to be processes associated with different classes of drugs, can occur simultaneously when behavior is controlled by different contingencies associated with a single drug.
Can you trust your computer? (digital arithmetic)

Floating-point numbers are explained, and rounding, chopping, overflow, and underflow are discussed. The resulting errors are examined. An example is given to show the implications of roundoff in a very common type of calculation. Machine constants, error propagation and analysis, and some new ideas for computer arithmetic are considered. >
Reduced folate carrier: tissue distribution and effects of chronic ethanol intake in the micropig.

Background: Folate deficiency is common in alcoholic patients, in part due to abnormal transport across membranes relevant to folate homeostasis. The reduced folate carrier (RFC) transports monoglutamyl folates across tissue membranes and could be affected by chronic exposure to ethanol. The micropig model is suitable to study the effect of alcoholism on RFC and folate transport across membranes. Methods: The membrane transport of [3H]-folic acid was measured by a vacuum filtration method in jejunal brush border (JBB), liver plasma membrane (LPM), and kidney brush border (KBB) membranes vesicles from micropigs fed control or 40% ethanol diets for 12 months. RFC transcripts were analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in jejunal mucosa, liver, and kidney from the same animals. Results: When we compared results from three relevant membranes in control animals, the transport of [3H]-folic acid was highest in LPM, 3-fold lower in KBB (p < 0.001), and 6-fold lower in JBB (p < 0.001). The concentration of RFC transcripts per total RNA was greatest in liver, followed by kidney and jejunum. The transport of [3H]-folic acid by JBB vesicles from chronic ethanol-fed animals exhibited 2-fold lower Km and Vmax (p < 0.05), whereas there was no ethanol effect on the Vmax of [3H]-folic acid transport by LPM or KBB. RFC transcript levels were 10-fold lower in jejunal mucosa from ethanol-fed animals than in control-fed animals (p < 0.005). Conclusions: Although our findings demonstrate different RFC transcript amounts and transport efficiencies among tissues, the present studies suggest that chronic ethanol exposure decreases the intestinal absorption of folic acid by altering the expression of RFC and consequently its transport kinetics in JBB. These findings provide a mechanism for the clinical finding of reduced folic acid absorption in chronic alcoholics.
Surface charges on membranes.

The equations of membrane potential developed by Kobatake and coworkers have been applied to the literature data on the resting membrane potential of the crayfish andMyxicola axons to derive values for the surface charge density present on the axon membranes. Some shortcomings of the method are briefly discussed. The value for the surface charge density derived for the squid axon membrane agreed with a similar value derived from measurements of shifts in Na and/or potassium conductance-voltage relations following changes in the concentration of calcium in the solutions bathing the axons.
The Relative Importance of Import Decision Variables

This is an empirically examined study which explores the purchasing behavior of U.S. import managers by identifying and measuring the use of import decision variables. The study finding supports for the hypothesized relationships between the import decision variables managers use and the countries from which they import.
Some effects of microcracks on the mechanical properties of brittle solids—II. Microcrack toughening

Abstract The stress-strain characteristics of a microcracking material are used as the basis for computations of the fracture toughness, by applying a line integral formulation, pertinent to frontal and steady-state microcrack process zones. The calculated toughness is used to predict the trends in toughness with grain size and specimen geometry. The trends are correlated with experimental data.
Proximal calciphylaxis in four insulin-requiring diabetic hemodialysis patients

We present four cases of proximal calciphylaxis in end-stage renal disease patients treated with hemodialysis. All patients were diabetic and developed lesions in areas that had previously served as sites of insulin injection. We review the presentation, pathogenesis, pathology, prognosis, and treatment of this devastating condition. Finally, we hypothesize that subcutaneous injection of insulin may play a pathogenic role in the development of proximal calciphylaxis.
Freezing Front Propagation on Microgrooved Substrates

An experimental and numerical study of a planar freezing front propagating in a water layer above microgrooved substrates is presented. Classical photolithographic technology is employed to fabricate the microgrooves, and the morphological effect on the front propagation speed is quantified and compared with that predicted by the numerical simulation. The simulation is performed using enthalpy method and the finite element analysis package FIDAP in order to understand the physical mechanisms. The experimental results show that the speed of a freezing front oscillates when the front moves across the adjacent crests and troughs of microgrooves. The propagation speed on crests is about two to eight times that in troughs. The simulation results agree well with experiments and demonstrate that the silicon crests change the heat transfer direction into vertical as the latent heat is released from the freezing front, leading to a fast propagation on crests. The shape of the freezing front, the impact of the sample geometry, and the cooling rate of the system are also reported and discussed. The findings provide insight into how the speed and shape of a freezing front can be manipulated and might find broad application in systems with solidification.
Scapula form and biomechanics in gorillas

Gorillas are generating renewed interest as mounting evidence from field and molecular studies strongly suggests the western lowland (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and eastern mountain (Gorilla gorilla beringei) gorillas are considerably more distinct than has previously been accepted. Schultz (1927, 1930, 1934) was one of the earliest investigators to document morphological differences between the two groups, noting differences in pedal, limb and scapular morphology. These differences led Schultz to conclude that while lowland gorillas retained some features suited to an arboreal habitat, the mountain gorilla had evolved into a specialized terrestrial quadruped. In particular, he noted that mountain gorillas exhibited lower values for the scapular index, higher values for ratios of infraspinous fossa vs. scapula length and spine length vs. scapula length and variability in the extent of curvature of the vertebral border. However, Schultz' observations were based upon small sample sizes of mostly adult specimens. This study extends Schultz' preliminary work by assessing, with appreciably larger sample sizes, patterns of relative growth of the scapula in these two subspecies of Gorilla. Scapula measurements were obtained for ontogenetic series of G.g. gorilla (n = 366) and G. g. beringei (n = 43). Statistical analyses reveal mountain gorillas exhibit significantly (P < 0.05) greater spine lengths and scapula breadths and smaller scapula lengths than lowland gorillas of comparable superior border lengths. However, at comparable body weights, mountain gorillas exhibit significantly shorter spines and superior borders than lowland gorillas. These differences in scapula proportions are evaluated in the context of biomechanical predictions regarding scapula form and locomotion.
Children's Preferences for Humanized versus Natural Animals

Summary Children's responsiveness to animal drawings led to the theory that they identify more closely with animals than with humans. Werner's (1948) theory suggests, however, that children may identify equally with humans or animals until they become aware that animals are not appropriately personalized. To determine the development of emotional responses to personalized animals, a matched-pair set of drawings (each set comparing a natural versus a humanized animal) were administered to 377 children, aged 6 to 12. Preferences elicited resulted in random distributions of scores from age 6 through age 9. At age 10 (and after) a “J” curve distribution of scores developed. From the age of 10, a majority of children preferred the natural animals while a few dissidents preferred the humanized animals.
Influence of alkylhydroxynaphthoquinones on the mitochondrial oxidation of tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine.

Abstract 1. Those 2-hydroxy-3-alkyl-1,4-naphthoquinones which are saturated at the β bond in the alkyl group inhibit coupled oxidation of N,N,N′,N′- tetramethyl -p- phenylenediamine (TMPD) in the same range of concentration at which they inhibit succinate oxidation. 2. All quinones examined act as uncouplers in that they stimulate mitochondrial ATPase, while those which are saturated at the β bond inhibit succinate and coupled TMPD oxidation at concentrations below those at which uncoupling effects commence. 3. Inhibition of succinate oxidation and of coupled TMPD oxidation appear to reflect a single interaction with the respiratory chain, and this interaction, probably occurring between cytochromes b and c , should be included in any consideration of phosphorylation sites spanned by the oxidation of TMPD.
Retrospectively gated cardiac cine imaging with temporal and spatial acceleration

Abstract Parallel imaging methods are routinely used to accelerate the image acquisition process in cardiac cine imaging. The addition of a temporal acceleration method, whereby k-space is sampled differently for different time frames, has been shown in prior work to improve image quality as compared to parallel imaging by itself. However, such temporal acceleration strategies prove difficult to combine with retrospectively gated cine imaging. The only currently published method to feature such combination, by Hansen et al. [Magn Reson Med 55 (2006) 85–91] tends to be associated with prohibitively long reconstruction times. The goal of the present work was to develop a retrospectively gated cardiac cine method that features both parallel imaging and temporal acceleration, capable of achieving significant acceleration factors on commonly available hardware and associated with reconstruction times short enough for practical use in a clinical context. Seven cardiac patients and a healthy volunteer were recruited and imaged, with acceleration factors of 3.5 or 4.5, using an eight-channel product cardiac array on a 1.5-T system. The prescribed FOV value proved slightly too small in three patients, and one of the patients had a bigemini condition. Despite these additional challenges, good-quality results were obtained for all slices and all patients, with a reconstruction time of 0.98±0.07 s per frame, or about 20 s for a 20-frame slice, using a single processor on a single PC. As compared to using parallel imaging by itself, the addition of a temporal acceleration strategy provided much resistance to artifacts.
Scattering and recoiling mapping of the Kr–Pt(1 1 1) system by SARIS

Abstract The technique of angle resolved mapping of scattering and recoiling imaging spectra (SARIS) combined with computer simulations is demonstrated to be a valuable tool for characterization of atomic collision events on surfaces. The energy distributions of scattered Kr and fast recoiled Pt atoms from a Pt(1 1 1) surface were measured as a function of exit angle. The use of a large area microchannel plate detector and time-of-flight techniques decreases the collection time and increases the number of detected trajectories above that of other designs. Classical ion trajectory simulations using the three-dimensional scattering and recoiling imaging code are used to simulate the kinematics of the scattering and recoiling particles. It is shown that SARIS mapping allows one to probe the kinematics of both scattered and recoiled particles, the probability for their occurrence in specific trajectories, their detection probabilities, and their threshold detection velocity. The measured and simulated energy distributions agree quantitatively if the detection efficiency is taken into account. The observed value of the threshold detection velocity for Pt atoms, ν th =3.78(5)×10 4 m/s, is in good agreement with previous studies.
Highly stereoselective synthesis of cyclic primary amines via hydride reductions.

Abstract The Reduction of p,p'-dimethoxybenzhydryl imines of substituted cyclohexanones with lithium tri-sec-butyl or tri-ethylborohydride and subsequent cleavage of the resulting secondary amines with formic acid affords the corresponding axial cyclohexyl primary amines with high stereoselectivity.
Alfred Kahn as a Case Study of a Political Entrepreneur:An Essay in Honor of His 90th Birthday

The success of airline deregulation challenged the claims of public choice theory, which asserts that regulation serves the purposes of the regulated firms themselves. One prominent explanation for airline deregulation is that "political entrepreneurs" can, under certain circumstances, challenge the status quo. Nonetheless, commentators have failed to examine how Fred Kahn fits the model of a political entrepreneur. By examining Kahn's success as a political entrepreneur, this Essay highlights how commentators and policymakers can gain important insights into how to spur regulatory reform and oversee regulatory reform efforts like that necessary to modernize our system of spectrum management.
Protein Kinase A Modulates Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling through a Direct Interaction with Smad4 Protein

Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling normally functions to regulate embryonic development and cellular homeostasis. It is increasingly recognized that TGFβ signaling is regulated by cross-talk with other signaling pathways. We previously reported that TGFβ activates protein kinase A (PKA) independent of cAMP through an interaction of an activated Smad3-Smad4 complex and the regulatory subunit of the PKA holoenzyme (PKA-R). Here we define the interaction domains of Smad4 and PKA-R and the functional consequences of this interaction. Using a series of Smad4 and PKA-R truncation mutants, we identified amino acids 290–300 of the Smad4 linker region as critical for the specific interaction of Smad4 and PKA-R. Co-immunoprecipitation assays showed that the B cAMP binding domain of PKA-R was sufficient for interaction with Smad4. Targeting of B domain regions conserved among all PKA-R isoforms and exposed on the molecular surface demonstrated that amino acids 281–285 and 320–329 were required for complex formation with Smad4. Interactions of these specific regions of Smad4 and PKA-R were necessary for TGFβ-mediated increases in PKA activity, CREB (cAMP-response element-binding protein) phosphorylation, induction of p21, and growth inhibition. Moreover, this Smad4-PKA interaction was required for TGFβ-induced epithelial mesenchymal transition, invasion of pancreatic tumor cells, and regulation of tumor growth in vivo.
Sub-lethal effects of coastal petroluem pollution on Spartina alterniflora stem epiphytes

Abstract Sub-lethal effects of diesel fuel on N2 fixing Spartina alterniflora stem microbial epiphytes from North Carolina salt marshes were examined to assess impacts of chronic petroleum pollution on the structure and function of this ecologically-important habitat in southeastern US estuaries. Changes in nitrogenase activity (NA), primary productivity, and chlorophyll a (Chi a ) were assessed following short-term (3 hour) and longterm (4 day) exposures to a range of diesel fuel concentrations (0.87–17,400 ppm). In short-term experiments no effect was observed on Chi a values and reductions in NA and primary productivity occurred only following exposure to high concentrations of diesel fuel (>5,000 ppm). Long-term incubations produced reductions in both NA and Chi a at diesel fuel concentrations of 87 and 435 ppm. Primary productivity was reduced at additions ≥ 8.7 ppm. Reduction in phototrophy and NA resulting from sublethal concentrations of petroleum pollution may affect biogeochemical cycling and trophodynamics in salt marshes.
Automated oncogene detection in complex protein networks with applications to the MAPK signal transduction pathway.

Abstract Activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2; p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)) is one of the most extensively studied signaling pathways not least because it occurs downstream of oncogenic RAS. Here, we take advantage of the wealth of experimental data available on the canonical RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway of Bhalla et al. to test the utility of a newly developed nonlinear analysis algorithm designed to predict likelihood of cellular transformation. By using ERK phosphorylation as an “output signal”, the method analyzes experimentally determined kinetic data and predicts putative oncogenes and tumor suppressor gene products impacting the RAS/MAPK module using a purely theoretical approach. This analysis identified several modifiers of ERK/MAPK activation described previously. In addition, several novel enzymes are identified which are not previously described to affect ERK/MAPK phosphorylation. Importantly, the nonlinear analysis enables a ranking of modifiers of MAPK activation predicting their relative importance in RAS-dependent oncogenesis. The results are compared with a linearized analysis based on sensitivity analysis about the steady state or metabolic control analysis (MCA). The results are favorable, pointing to the utility of first-order sensitivity analysis and MCA in the analysis of complex signaling networks for oncogenes.
Service Learning: Bringing Real-World Education Into the B-School Classroom

Service-learning pedagogy that supports community involvement values and promotes leadership development offers more effectiveness and efficiency for management educators interested in incorporating real-world learning into their courses than traditional internships and cooperative education (P. C. Godfrey & E. T. Grasso, 2000). In this article, the authors argue for service learning as means of integrating real-world learning into curricula. They describe 2 longitudinal examples in an economics course and a management course from 2001 to 2004. Beyond qualitative data from student reflective journals, essays, and anonymous comments, the authors present quantitative evidence of significant differences that support arguments in favor of service learning.
Imaging of nitroxides at 250 MHz using rapid-scan electron paramagnetic resonance

Projections for 2D spectral-spatial images were obtained by continuous wave and rapid-scan electron paramagnetic resonance using a bimodal cross-loop resonator at 251 MHz. The phantom consisted of three 4 mm tubes containing different 15N,2H-substituted nitroxides. Rapid-scan and continuous wave images were obtained with 5 min total acquisition times. For comparison, images also were obtained with 29 s acquisition time for rapid scan and 15 min for continuous wave. Relative to continuous wave projections obtained for the same data acquisition time, rapid-scan projections had significantly less low-frequency noise and substantially higher signal-to-noise at higher gradients. Because of the improved image quality for the same data acquisition time, linewidths could be determined more accurately from the rapid-scan images than from the continuous wave images.
Vacuum ultraviolet absorption measurements on ionized species

Abstract By using a new continuum light source it is now possible to obtain absorption spectra of ionized species. As an illustration, a spectrum of ultraviolet lines of C II, Si II and Si III is shown.
Stability, Reproducibility, and Absolute Wavelength of a 633-nm He-Ne Laser Stabilized to an Iodine Hyperfine Component.

A 633-nm He–Ne laser has been stabilized on a hyperfine component of an absorption line of natural iodine vapor by means of a servo system utilizing the zero crossing of the third harmonic of an applied modulation frequency. In its present form the laser has a 1000-sec stability of 1 × 10−11 λ, and by virtue of the great reduction in background offset problems resulting from the third harmonic servo, a reproducibility without manual interference of 2 × 10−10 λ; improvement in both of these characteristics appears straightforward. The absolute wavelength measured against the Kr86 standard is 632,991.398 ± 0.003 pm.
A self-paced first course in computer science

As demand for a first course in computer science increases, more efficient and effective approaches to such a course become increasingly desirable. This paper describes the development and use of a completely self-paced CAI course at The Evergreen State College. Use of behavioral objectives in designing the course is explained, the content of the course is outlined, the process used to develop the course is described, experiences with 256 students are reported, and some general observations on implementing CAI courses are offered.
How should flood risk assessments be done in a changing climate

Growing consensus on climate and land use change means that it is reasonable to assume, at the very least, that flood levels in a region may change. Then why, ask Rosner et al. in a new study, do the dominant risk assessment techniques used to decide whether to build new flood protection infrastructure nearly always start with an assumption of “no trend” in flood behavior?
Numerical upper bounds on ropelengths of large physical knots

Numerical computations explored for this paper show that an upper bound on the ropelength of large knots with crossing number n grows as fast as nln2n. The algorithms to randomly generate samples of such large knots and to determine an upper bound on the ropelength for each knot are described. The numeric results are presented and compared to the smallest known theoretical upper bounds on ropelength.
Quaternary faulting in the southern Mississippi embayment and implications for tectonics and seismicity in an intraplate setting

The recently recognized Saline River fault zone in the southwestern Mississippi embayment (strike = 135°) is characterized by moderate historic seismicity. We document paleoseismicity (possibly strong) on the Saline River fault zone that is outside the known region of neotectonism in the northern embayment. Six surface faults were excavated within the Saline River fault zone, and all faults displace marine Eocene units and fluvial Pliocene–Pleistocene units; five show post-Wisconsin loess movement (thermoluminescence [TL] age = 23.6 ± 3 ka), and three deform middle to late Holocene eolian silt (TL age = 5.1 ± 0.6 ka and 3.6 ± 0.5 ka) as fault-tip flexures. Along the principal excavated fault, fault-plane braiding and plunging drag folding suggest a strong component of left slip, and subsidiary faults show both normal and reverse displacement (<1m) of Pliocene−Pleistocene, Wisconsin, and Holocene units. We interpret these faults as components of a left-slip flower structure. A shallow seismic reflection profile acquired across the principal fault and a subsidiary fault shows Eocene stratigraphy separated in a reverse sense below 120 m depth and separated in a normal sense above 120 m, supporting a strike-slip interpretation. In addition, the only focal plane mechanism available in the area indicates left slip with a small reverse component. We conclude that the Saline River fault zone is a Paleozoic–Mesozoic basement fault zone reactivated as a left-slip system in a Quaternary east-west compressive stress field. Field evidence suggests that earthquakes with several meters of strike slip may be characteristic, and the width of a liquefaction field on the Saline River fault zone suggests an event of magnitude 5.5–6. Considering a similarity of strike and sense of Holocene movements of the Meers fault of southern Oklahoma and of the Saline River fault zone, there may be additional active fault zones that pose seismic hazards concealed by sediments in southern North America.
Behavioral recognition of molluscan and echinoderm predators by the bay scallop, Argopecten irradians (Lamarck) at two temperatures☆

Abstract In an investigation of predator-stimulated responses, bay scallops Argopecten irradians (Lamarck) were least sensitive to stimulation on the dorsal side of their shell periphery. Scallops discriminated predatory from non-predatory gastropod molluscs and echinoderms based on scallop response times and swimming claps. Predatory test species Urosalpinx cinerea (Say), Asterias forbesi (Desor), Eupleura caudata (Say), Thais lapillus (L.), and Busycon canaliculatum (L.) provoked stereotypic escape responses. Although temperature had little effect on predator recognition, scallops required more time to respond to predators at 12°C than at 20°C. Once initiated, escape responses appeared to be temperature independent. It would seem predator recognition contributes to an efficient time-energy budget.
What time travelers may be able to do

Kadri Vihvelin, in “What time travelers cannot do” (Philos Stud 81:315–330, 1996), argued that “no time traveler can kill the baby who in fact is her younger self”, because (V1) “if someone would fail to do something, no matter how hard or how many times she tried, then she cannot do it”, and (V2) if a time traveler tried to kill her baby self, she would always fail. Theodore Sider (Philos Stud 110:115–138, 2002) criticized Vihvelin’s argument, and Ira Kiourti (Philos Stud 139:343–352, 2008) criticized both Vihvelin’s argument and Sider’s critique. I present a critique of Vihvelin’s argument different from both Sider’s and Kiourti’s critiques: I argue in a novel way that both V1 and V2 are false. Since Vihvelin’s argument might be understood as providing a challenge to the possibility of time travel, if my critique succeeds then time travel survives such a challenge unscathed.
Ab initio modeling of volume–temperature curves for glassforming systems

Abstract We derive a new model of the glass transition for isobaric conditions. Our model is based on mapping the continuous (3N + 1)-dimensional enthalpy landscape of a glassforming system to a discrete set of inherent structure and transition point enthalpies. Using a master equation approach, we follow the time evolution of a system from its equilibrium liquid state through an arbitrary cooling path. Our model employs a phase space distribution matrix to enable computation of macroscopic properties as a function of time. We have implemented our model for selenium and present the first-ever volume–temperature curves of a glassforming system based solely on ab initio physics.
Test–Retest Stability of Word Retrieval in Aphasic Discourse

Purpose This study examined the test–retest stability of select word-retrieval measures in the discourses of people with aphasia who completed a 5-stimulus discourse task. Method Discourse samples ...
Mixing primitive and evolved olivine tholeiite magmas in the Eastern Snake River Plain, Idaho

Abstract Butte 5206, a small monogenetic olivine tholeiite basalt (OTB) shield in the Eastern Snake River Plain (ESRP), erupted during late-Pleistocene time along the Arco–Big Southern Butte Volcanic Rift Zone. Geochemical data from Butte 5206 and other basalts that erupted in the vicinity, including correlated samples from coreholes, are evaluated for possible mechanisms of magma evolution in the ESRP. Thermodynamic and mass balance models demonstrate that the evolution of Butte 5206 magmas reflect a two-stage process: (1) fractional crystallization of relatively primitive magma, possibly at multiple crustal levels, and (2) mixing of primitive and evolved liquids in a shallow reservoir prior to eruption. Application of this model to other basalts and local eruptive centers in the region suggest that similar processes are active during the petrogenesis of many ESRP basalts, and that the process of intrusion and mixing is cyclic throughout Pleistocene to Holocene time.
Protein gene product 9.5-like and calbindin-like immunoreactivity in the nasal respiratory mucosa of perinatal humans

Background Protein gene product 9.5 (PGP) and calbindin-D28k (calbindin) are neuroendocrine markers that have been localized to neuroendocrine cells in the developing tracheobronchial epithelium. Neuroendocrine cells may play some role in the development of the tracheobronchial epithelium. Little is known about the development of the nasal respiratory epithelium (RE). Methods Nasal respiratory mucosa from fetal and newborn humans was examined to determine immunoreactivity for PGP and calbindin. Results At all stages studied, cells of different morphologies displayed PGP-like immunoreactivity (-LI) and calbindin-LI. Columnar immunoreactive cells for both markers predominated, but labeled cells of different shapes were also observed. Most labeled columnar cells were in the RE at its border with olfactory epithelium (OE); a few similarly labeled columnar cells also appeared in this OE. In the lamina propria, PGP-LI was also seen in numerous thin branching fibers. Some of these branches penetrated into the epithelium, where fiber varicosities appeared to contact cells, some of which also exhibited PGP-LI. Conclusion This study demonstrates that during development the human nasal RE contains different cell types, as illustrated by the assortment of epithelial cells displaying PGP-LI and calbindin-LI among unlabeled cells. Because PGP and calbindin immunoreactivities were found within neuroendocrine cells in previous studies, the present results indicate that the developing human nasal RE also may support a number of neuroendocrine cells. Furthermore, at least some of these cells may form synaptic contacts with nerve fibers from outside the epithelium.
Neural pathways mediating vaginal function: The vagus nerves and spinal cord oxytocin

The initial observations, made in our laboratory with Knut Larsson, of the ability of vaginocervical stimulation (VCS) to block withdrawal responses to foot pinch in rats has led to findings of multiple behavioral, autonomic, and neuroendocrine effects of this potent stimulus in rats and also in women. It has led to an understanding of: (1) the neuroanatomical and neurochemical basis of a novel and potent pain-blocking mechanism; (2) likely neuroanatomical pathways mediating both the Ferguson reflex and a specific autonomic response - the pupil-dilating effect of VCS; (3) a role for oxytocin as a putative central nervous system neurotransmitter that stimulates autonomic sympathetic preganglionic neurons within the spinal cord; and (4) a novel pathway that can convey sensory activity from the cervix, adequate to induce orgasm, via the vagus nerves. This latter pathway bypasses the spinal cord and projects directly to the medulla oblongata, and thus can convey genital afferent activity despite complete spinal cord injury at any level.
The Interrelationships Among Sex Hormone Concentrations, Motoneuron Excitability, and Anterior Tibial Displacement in Women and Men

Abstract Context: Sex hormone fluctuations have been implicated as a contributing factor to the high rates of noncontact injury to the anterior cruciate ligament in females. Objective: To determine...
Nucleoside transport-deficient mutants of PK-15 pig kidney cell line.

Abstract Previous studies indicated that PK-15 pig kidney cells express solely a nitrobenzylthioinosine-sensitive, equilibrative nucleoside transporter. In the present study, PK-15 cells were mutagenized by treatment with ICR-170 and nucleoside transport-deficient mutants selected in a single step in growth medium containing tubercidin and cytosine arabinoside at a frequency of about 2·10 −6 . The mutants were simultaneously at least 100-times more resistant to tubercidin, cytosine arabinoside and 5-fluorodeoxyuridine than the wild-type parent cells. The mutants failed to transport thymidine and uridine and had lost all high affinity nitrobenzylthioinosine binding sites. Residual low level uptake of thymidine by the mutants was shown to be due to nonmediated permeation (passive diffusion), which explains the sensitivity of the mutants to growth inhibition by high concentrations of the nucleoside drugs. Passive diffusion of thymidine at a concentration of 16 μM was not rapid enough to support the growth of nucleoside transport-deficient mutant cells that had been made thymidine-dependent by treatment with methotraxate, whereas wild-type cells grew normally under these conditions. The nucleoside transport-deficient mutants exhibited about the same growth rate and plating efficiency (60–80%) as wild-type cells, but formed larger colonies than wild-type cells because of a more extensive spread of the cells on the surface of culture dishes. PK-15 cells adhere very stronly to the surface of culture dishes and have been transformed with high efficiency with plasmid DNA either via lipofection or electroporation.
Study of Nonlinear Electric Field Effects in Tetramethyltetraselenefulvalene Hexafluorophosphate [(TMTSF)2PF6]

Detailed field- and frequency-dependent conductivity measurements are reported in ${(\mathrm{TMTSF})}_{2}$P${\mathrm{F}}_{6}$. No threshold field and a small dielectric constant are found, implying the absence of restoring forces. No evidence is found for wide- or narrow-band noise in the nonlinear regime. This, together with the preliminary observation of a high mobility, suggests that single-particle effects are largely responsible for the nonlinear conductivity below the transition.
Anthropology and education: History, method and applications to American schooling

Joan I. Roberts and Sherrie K. Akinsanya, eds. Educational Patterns and Cultural Configurations: The Anthropology of Education. New York: David McKay Company, Inc., 1976. xiv + 412 pp. Bibliography...
Electrical Conductivity and Electromagnetic Interference Shielding of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotube Filled Polymer Composites

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) filled polystyrene (PS) composites were synthesized for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications. SEM images of composites showed the formation of the conducting networks through MWNTs within the PS matrix. The measured DC conductivity of composites increased with increasing MWNT loading, showing a typical percolation behavior. EMI shielding characteristics of MWNT-PS composites were investigated in the frequency range of 8.2–12.4 GHz (X-band). It was observed that the shielding effectiveness (SE) of such composite increased with the increase of MWNT loading. The SE of the composite containing 7 wt% MWNTs could reach more than 26 dB in the measured frequency region.
3D surface mesh generator for electromagnetic field problems

Surface integral equations, which are widely used to solve electromagnetic problems, require mesh generation on the very complex geometry surfaces of the 3D targets and circuits. This is a tedious and time-consuming work, but it is a very important work. A 3D surface hybrid mesh generator for multi-layer structures and complex targets is described. The new technique used in the generator is the grid-based Delauney type triangulation. Some quality complex meshes are provided to demonstrate the powerful mesh generator.