cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reactions of O− with some hydrocarbons in the energy region between zero and two electron volts☆

Abstract Reaction products and rates of reaction of O− ions with C2H2, C2D2, C2H4, C2H6, C6H6, and C6D6 have been investigated at various points in the O− energy range between zero and two electron volts using a pulsed source mass spectrometer method. As a corollary to the ion—molecule reaction studies, the energy dependence of primary negative ion formation by dissociative electron attachment to these molecules is presented. The absolute magnitude of the ion—molecule reaction cross sections, their dependence on O− energy, and branching ratios and isotope effects (where these have been obtained) are compared with existing theory.
Effect of aldosterone on transmembrane potentials of frog skeletal muscle.

SummaryResting potentials of frog muscle fibers incubated in normal or high-potassium Ringer's solutions are maintained for longer periods of time by the addition of aldosterone. This response is absent in ouabain-Ringer's solution. Although based upon separate groups of muscles, the results indicate that muscle fibers in high-potassium Ringer's solution are slightly hyperpolarized when ouabain also is present.
GENETIC MOSAICS AND THE ANALYSIS OF LEAF DEVELOPMENT

Genetic mosaics with phenotypic markers can be used to study the development of normal leaves. Mosaics synthesized between normal cells and cells possessing developmental mutations can be used to determine whether or not a mutation acts cell autonomously or if cell‐to‐cell interactions occur. This article reviews the use of cytochimeras, plastid chimeras, radiation‐induced chimeras, and graft chimeras to analyze leaf development in angiosperms and to gain insight into the cell lineage, cell‐to‐cell communication, and the control of morphology. New data are also presented. Leaves of plastid chimeras and graft chimeras were analyzed to determine the level of cell autonomy in different regions of the leaf blade. Evidence that small populations of leaf cells can act out developmental programs is presented. The relationship of these leaves to concepts such as developmental compartments, organismal theory, and pattern formation is discussed.
Anisotropies of solar cosmic rays

The behavior of the anisotropy during solar cosmic-ray events is discussed in terms of a simple model in which cosmic-ray particles propagate along the mean interplanetary magnetic field, undergoing pitch-angle scattering. It is shown that a generalized form of the telegraph equation should be used when the anisotropy is large (i.e. greater than 30%), but that the usual diffusion equation is adequate otherwise. The behavior of the anisotropy during the decay phase of solar cosmic-ray events is then considered, and several effects which can give rise to a small persisting anisotropy are described. Finally, observations of solar cosmic-ray anisotropies following flares are reviewed and it is concluded that the simplified mathematical treatment presented here adequately describes some of the general features of the behavior of the anisotropy, but does not provide a detailed quantitative description of the particle behavior, especially during the highly anisotropic phase of an event.
Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia: prognosis and management.

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is a B-cell lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma characterized by monoclonal immunoglobulin M protein in the serum and infiltration of bone marrow with lymphoplasmacytic cells. Asymptomatic patients can be observed without therapy. First-line therapy should consist of the monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody, rituximab, given typically in combination with other agents. We prefer dexamethasone, rituximab, cyclophosphamide (DRC) as initial therapy for most patients with symptomatic WM. Other reasonable options are bortezomib, rituximab, dexamethasone (BoRD) or bendamustine plus rituximab (BR). All of these regimens are associated with excellent response and tolerability. Initial therapy is usually administered for 6 months, followed by observation. Response to therapy is assessed using the standard response criteria developed by the International Working Group on Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. Relapse is almost inevitable in WM but may occur years after initial therapy. In symptomatic patients relapsing more than 1–2 years after initial therapy, the original treatment can be repeated. For relapse occurring sooner, an alternative regimen is used. In select patients, high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation may be an option at relapse. Options for therapy of relapsed WM besides regimens used in the front-line setting include ibrutinib, purine nucleoside analogs (cladribine, fludarabine), carfilzomib and immunomodulatory agents (thalidomide, lenalidomide).
A Serious Look at Changeable Silly Putty

Changeable Silly Putty is a thermochromic material. It changes color due to a change in temperature. This paper describes advanced experiments designed to find the mechanism of the color change, provides a discussion of proposed mechanisms, and describes three experiments using Changeable Silly Putty that are suitable for young children.
Selection of music therapy activities by mentally retarded young adults of low, moderate, and high activity.

There was a significant relationship between activity level and choice of music therapy activities by a sample of 33 moderately retarded clients.
The Mechanism of Hydroamination of Allenes, Alkynes, and Alkenes Catalyzed by Cyclopentadienyltitanium-Imido Complexes: A Density Functional Study

Considerable effort has been directed towards the development of procedures for hydroamination across carbon – carbon multiple bonds, and several catalytic systems for allene, alkyne, and alkene hydroamination have been investigated.[1] However, a general catalyst for the hydroamination of nonactivated unsaturated hydrocarbons remains elusive. A catalyst for the selective anti-Markovnikov addition of amines to terminal alkenes would be of particular interest [Eq. (1)].
Encoding versus retrieval of spatial memory: Double dissociation between the dentate gyrus and the perforant path inputs into CA3 in the dorsal hippocampus

The hippocampus is an essential neural structure for spatial memory. Computational models suggest that the CA3 subregion of the hippocampus plays an essential role in encoding and retrieval of spatial memory. The perforant path (PPCA3) and dentate gyrus (DG)-mediated mossy fibers (MFs) compose major afferent inputs into CA3. A possible functional dissociation between these afferent inputs was attempted using a simple navigation test (i.e., the modified Hebb-Williams maze). Behavioral testing was combined with electrolytic lesions of PPCA3 or neurotoxic lesions of the DG, to eliminate each afferent input into CA3. Lesions in either afferent input into CA3 affected learning of an effective navigational path on the maze. The contributions of the two CA3 afferent inputs, however, were different regarding encoding and retrieval of memory measured based on indices operationally defined for the behavioral paradigm (i.e., encoding, the number of errors reduced within a day; retrieval, the number of errors reduced between days). The DG-lesioned animals exhibited deficits regarding the encoding index, but not the retrieval index, whereas the PPCA3-lesioned rats displayed deficits regarding the retrieval index, but not the encoding index. The results suggest that the two major afferent inputs of CA3 may contribute differentially to encoding and retrieval of spatial memory. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Potent Inhibitors Of c-Myc-Max Dimerization Through Multivalent Binding To The Intrinsically Disordered c-Myc Monomer

We have shown that selective inhibitors of dimer formation between the oncogenic basic-helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper (bHLHZip) trancription factor c Myc and its bHLHZip partner protein Max act by binding to the intrinsically disordered (ID) c Myc monomer. Multiple, independent sites for inhibitor binding were found along c-Myc bHLHZip. We exploited the multiplicity of these sites to generate novel compounds capable of multivalent binding to c-Myc. Despite their disordered protein target, these molecules bind purified c-Myc with low nano-molar affinity, which is orders of magnitude tighter than that of c-Myc's obligate heterodimerization partner Max. The inhibitors effectively disrupt c-Myc-Max dimerization and specific DNA binding; they also inhibit growth of c-Myc overexpressing cancer cell lines in vitro.
The Two “Faces” of Self and Society in Japan

The Japanese self is commonly discussed as contextual, or "relational" (Araki 1973), defined in interaction with others. This "relational" self is preeminently social, so that human beings are consistently described as "always . .. existing in a network of human relationships" (Nakamura 1967:192), "identified as acting in some kind of human relationship, never autonomously" (Smith 1983:49). Moreover, fluidity, or the ability to shift communication appropriately over a wide range of situational modes, is regarded as an essential aspect of self (Bachnik 1989; Doi 1986; Lebra 1976; Kondo 1987; Rosenberger 1988; Smith 1983; Tobin 1988). In fact, characteristics such as "relational," "social," and "situational" tie a "shifting" self closely to a "shifting" social organization. Smith's (1983) depiction of Japanese society as "organic" specifies that participants are part of the social order and, furthermore, that they actively constitute this order, rather than passively "reading" it like actors on stage following a script. Smith also relates social order closely to emotional aspects of the self: "codes of conduct in Japan [have] a major component of relativity and flexibility, for [their] other face is human feelings or compassion" (1983:47). This specifies that self and society are linked in practice by codes of conduct [giri and ninjoo] with two "faces," one social, the other emotional. Japanese operate by shifting between
Polymer Education in Australia

Summary The coverage of polymer science and engineering in Australian universities was surveyed by contacting respondents and accessing course and unit catalogues of Australian universities. It was found that the breadth and extent of undergraduate education in polymers was not strongly correlated with the profile of polymer-related research at an institution, and that few institutions appeared to have a systemic commitment to polymer science. Polymer education was stronger in engineering faculties than science faculties, with a majority of Australian undergraduate students studying polymers to a significant extent enrolled in BEng programs. Most responses were consistent with a decline in polymer education over the past few decades, with units of study no longer offered and the reduction of polymer content in the units that remained. It was estimated that approximately 700 students with significant exposure to polymers graduate from Australian BSc and BEng programs annually. Given the small extent of the Australian polymer industry and the large proportion of foreign-trained professionals in Australia, the extent of polymer education in Australia appears to be adequate for the needs of the country.
2002 NVTherm improvements

The windows version of the Night Vision Thermal Imaging System Performance Model, NVTherm, was released in March 2001. NVTherm provides accurate predictions of sensor performance for both well-sampled and undersampled thermal imagers. Since its initial fielding in March 2001, a number of improvements have been implemented. The most significant improvements are: (1) the addition of atmospheric turbulence blurring effects, (2) National Imagery Interpretability Rating System (NIIRS) estimates, (3) and the option for slant-path MODTRAN transmission. This paper presents these modifications, as well as a brief description of some of the minor changes and improvements that have been completed over the past year. These significant changes were released in January 2002.
A model for making project funding decisions at the National Cancer Institute

This paper describes the development of a model for making project funding decisions at The National Cancer Institute (NCI). The American Stop Smoking Intervention Study (ASSIST) is a multiple-year, multiple-site demonstration project, aimed at reducing smoking prevalence. The initial request for ASSIST proposals was answered by about twice as many states as could be funded. Scientific peer review of the proposals was the primary criterion used for funding decisions. However, a modified Delphi process made explicit several criteria of secondary importance. A structured questionnaire identified the relative importance of these secondary criteria, some of which we incorporated into a composite preference function. We modeled the proposal funding decision as a zero-one program, and adjusted the preference function and available budget parametrically to generate many suitable outcomes. The actual funding decision, identified by our model, offers significant advantages over manually generated solutions found by experts at NCI.
Meridional Heat Transport Variability at 26.5°N in the North Atlantic

Abstract Data from almost five years of current meter moorings located across the Bahamas Escarpment at 26.5°N are used to investigate meridional heat transport variability in the section and its impact on transatlantic heat flux. Estimates of heat transport derived from the moored arrays are compared to results from the Community Modeling Effort (CME) Atlantic basin model and to historical hydrographic section data. A large fraction of the entire transatlantic heat flux is observed in this western boundary region, due to the opposing warm and cold water flows associated with the Antilles Current in the thermocline and the deep western boundary current at depth. Local heat transport time series derived from the moored arrays exhibit large variability over a range of ± 2 PW relative to 0°C, on timescales of roughly 100 days. An annual cycle of local heat transport with a range of 1.4 PW is observed with a summer maximum and fall minimum, qualitatively similar to CME model results. Breakdown of the total he...
Joint commission requirements for discharge instructions in patients with heart failure: Is understanding important for preventing readmissions?

Abstract Background Many approaches have been considered to reduce heart failure (HF) readmissions. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JC) requires hospitals to provide patients admitted for HF with discharge instructions that address 6 topics related to HF management: diet, exercise, weight monitoring, worsening symptoms, medications, and follow-up appointments. These guidelines were developed based on expert opinion, but no one has tested whether patients' understanding of these instructions affects 30-day readmission rates. Methods and Results We conducted a prospective cohort study of patients admitted for decompensated HF. Patients completed an understanding survey immediately after their nurse read their discharge papers. The survey contained 1 question for each of the 6 JC topics. Of the 145 patients in the study, only 14 (10%) understood all 6 discharge instructions. Patients with complete comprehension of their discharge instructions were significantly less likely to be readmitted within 30 days than those with nonperfect understanding ( P = .044), but this association was no longer significant after controlling for level of education and use of English as a primary language. Conclusions HF patients' comprehension of discharge instructions is inadequate. Patients with limited education and those that do not speak English as a primary language are more likely to have poorer discharge understanding and higher rates of 30-day readmissions.
Modulation of O6-alkylguanine alkyltransferase-directed DNA repair in metastatic colon cancers.

PURPOSECarmustine (BCNU) resistance has been correlated with tumor expression of the DNA repair enzyme O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AT). It has been shown that streptozotocin will deplete AT activity of human colon cancer cells in vitro and potentiate BCNU cytotoxicity. This clinical trial was conducted to determine whether streptozotocin can be used as a modulator of AT in metastatic colorectal cancers and thereby overcome clinical resistance to BCNU.PATIENTS AND METHODSFifteen patients with fluorouracil-resistant metastatic colon or rectal cancers were treated sequentially with 2 g/m2 of streptozotocin followed 5 1/2 hours later by BCNU. Sequential biopsies of metastases before and after streptozotocin were conducted to determine whether streptozotocin depletes tumor AT. Peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were evaluated as a surrogate tissue for prediction of baseline AT levels and streptozotocin posttreatment modulation of the AT in metastases.RESULTSStreptozotocin treatment led to a 7...
Cognitive Barriers to Equal Justice before the Law

Recently there has been growing concern with the degree to which the legal needs of the American public-and, more particularly, the poor in America-are being met. The inpetus for such concern has been the realization that if the protection of individual rights depends on income or social class, many individuals will not be guaranteed equal rights. Several studies have documented some of the structural barriers (primarily of an economic nature) to equal justice before the law. Others argue that while economic theories may help account for the adequacy of legal services, they do not fully explain patterns of contact between the public and attorneys. Instead, the overall social organizational characteristics of legal institutions are seen to best account for legal service utilization. We argue that a third set of variables are critical in understanding legal service outcomes. These are labeled social psycho logical disincentives for seeking legal assistance. At the affective level one finds deeply ingrained ...
Stimulus presentation rate and verbal response efficiency

Sixty Ss, 20 in each of three IQ levels (Normal, Hi IQ Retarded and Lo IQ Retarded) responded with a single word each time they heard a tap, which was presented for half of the Ss once every 2 sec and for the other half once every 4 sec. The Hi IQ Retarded Ss’ performance was like the Lo IQ Retarded group at the faster presentation rate but like the Normal Ss at the slower rate. Efficiency of performance for all groups was greater at the slower rate.
Integrins αvβ3 and αvβ5 Are Expressed by Endothelium of High-Risk Neuroblastoma and Their Inhibition Is Associated with Increased Endogenous Ceramide

Inhibition of the RGD-binding integrins,α vβ3 and αvβ5, prevents endothelial cell anchorage and induces endothelial apoptosis, which results in disruption of tumor angiogenesis and inhibition of tumor growth in animal models. In this study, we demonstrate by immunohistochemical analysis that integrinα vβ3 was expressed by 61% (mean) of microvessels in high-risk neuroblastomas (stage IV and MYCN-amplified stage III; n = 28) but only by 18% (mean) of microvessels in low-risk tumors (stages I and II and non-MYCN-amplified stage III; n = 12). Integrin αvβ5 was found on 60% (mean) of microvessels in 21 Stage IV tumors. These data suggest that neuroblastomas may be targeted for antiangiogenic treatment directed against endothelial integrins αvβ3 andα vβ5. In cell culture, inhibition of integrin-dependent endothelial cell anchorage to vitronectin by RGDfV, an RGD function-blocking cyclic peptide, induced apoptosis in bovine brain endothelial cells compared with the control peptide, RADfV (37.5% versus 8.7%, respectively), as detected by chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation. Treatment with RGDfV but not with RADfV, which prevented attachment of endothelial cells to vitronectin or fibronectin, was associated with up to a 50% increase in endogenous ceramide, a lipid second messenger that can mediate cell death. Furthermore, exogenous C2-ceramide was cytotoxic to bovine brain endothelial cells and induced activation of C-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), a MAP kinase that can be activated in stress-induced apoptosis pathways. This suggests that ceramide may function in detachment-induced endothelial cell apoptosis, originating from inhibition of vitronectin binding to integrins such asα vβ3 and αvβ5. This is the first report to demonstrate expression of integrinsα vβ3 and αvβ5 by microvascular endothelium of a childhood tumor and association of their expression with neuroblastoma aggressiveness. Furthermore, our data provide the first suggestion that inhibition of endothelial cell anchorage, resulting from specific blockade of RGD-binding integrins, increases endogenous ceramide, which may contribute to endothelial cell death.
Photodiode-coupled active metamaterial antenna with boosted radiation efficiency

Photodiode-coupled active antennas (PDCA) are capable of mitigating de-coupling issues when applied to electrically small antennas (ESA). The ESA presented in this paper demonstrates a significant advantage over conventional antennas with an increased radiation efficiency of 10dB due to its metamaterial structure. These types of antennas can find applications in radio-over-fiber links.
An Effective Web Services Discovery Strategy for Web Services Composition

With the popularity of Web services, how to discover suitable Web services to support Web services composition has become a challenge. Traditional keyword search is insufficient due to its lower recall and precision. This paper proposes an effective Web service discovery strategy based on Web services description information. In this paper, the description information for Web services is divided into operation information named as WSDL attributes and profile information, where profile information consists of service function information and service constraint information, and they are represented as general attributes and instance attributes respectively. Based on the information and ontology knowledge, three steps are adopted for discovering Web services. Firstly, according to WSDL attribute, the heterogeneities of service operations are resolved. Secondly, based on general attributes, the Web services to meet the function requirement of customers are found. Thirdly, a matching model is applied based on instance attributes and suitable Web services are obtained and provided for customers. The service discovering approach is simple, available and become highly effective by introducing semantics, moreover, it has been applied to e_Scope successfully
Effects of root residues on growth ofPinus radiata seedlings and a mycorrhizal fungus

SUMMARY The height of Pinus radiata Don seedlings grown on soils incorporating different proportions of root tissues (25 and 50%) was shown to be reduced by 20–80%. Seedlings watered with aqueous extracts from soil/root mixtures also showed a significant reduction in growth. This growth-retarding effect was partially overcome by the addition of nutrients or by soil sterilisation. It is postulated that growth retardation was caused not only by nutrient deficiency resulting from the addition of organic matter with a high C/N ratio, but also by phytotoxic substances present in the root tissue. The effect of water extracts of roots from old P. radiata trees on the growth of young P. radiata seedlings and on a mycorrhizal fungus (Rhizopogon sp.) under aseptic conditions was also studied. Extracts from the inner bark of roots caused complete growth inhibition of the mycorrhizal fungus as well as root necrosis and wilting of P. radiata seedlings. A water-soluble substance or substances, toxic both to the roots of P. radiata and to its mycorrhizal fungus, is postulated as the causal agent.
The role of inflammation in ICU-acquired weakness

A pilot observational study by Weber-Carstens and colleagues contributes to a mechanistic explanation of the puzzling and complex phenomena of ICU-acquired weakness (ICU-AW). The authors suggest systemic, inflammatory-mediated pathology is the most significant risk factor for ICU-AW. While this finding is somewhat equivocal, it provides important direction for future investigations and illustrates the challenges of interpreting significance in small observational studies.
Using the arthroscopic surgery skill evaluation tool as a pass-fail examination.

Background: Examination of arthroscopic skill requires evaluation tools that are valid and reliable with clear criteria for passing. The Arthroscopic Surgery Skill Evaluation Tool was developed as a video-based assessment of technical skill with criteria for passing established by a panel of experts. The purpose of this study was to test the validity and reliability of the Arthroscopic Surgery Skill Evaluation Tool as a pass-fail examination of arthroscopic skill. Methods: Twenty-eight residents and two sports medicine faculty members were recorded performing diagnostic knee arthroscopy on a left and right cadaveric specimen in our arthroscopic skills laboratory. Procedure videos were evaluated with use of the Arthroscopic Surgery Skill Evaluation Tool by two raters blind to subject identity. Subjects were considered to pass the Arthroscopic Surgery Skill Evaluation Tool when they attained scores of ≥3 on all eight assessment domains. Results: The raters agreed on a pass-fail rating for fifty-five of sixty videos rated with an interclass correlation coefficient value of 0.83. Ten of thirty participants were assigned passing scores by both raters for both diagnostic arthroscopies performed in the laboratory. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that logging more than eighty arthroscopic cases or performing more than thirty-five arthroscopic knee cases was predictive of attaining a passing Arthroscopic Surgery Skill Evaluation Tool score on both procedures performed in the laboratory. Conclusions: The Arthroscopic Surgery Skill Evaluation Tool is valid and reliable as a pass-fail examination of diagnostic arthroscopy of the knee in the simulation laboratory. Clinical Relevance: This study demonstrates that the Arthroscopic Surgery Skill Evaluation Tool may be a useful tool for pass-fail examination of diagnostic arthroscopy of the knee in the simulation laboratory. Further study is necessary to determine whether the Arthroscopic Surgery Skill Evaluation Tool can be used for the assessment of multiple arthroscopic procedures and whether it can be used to evaluate arthroscopic procedures performed in the operating room.
Punctuation and the Prosody of Written Language

Introspection suggests that both writers and readers experience auditory imagery of intonation, accents, and hesitations. The suggestion here is that certain important aspects of this “covert prosody” of written language are reflected in punctuation. In order to study systematically the degree to which punctuation reflects the covert prosody of written language, one would like to find independent ways of uncovering that prosody. Two such ways are explored here: reading aloud and “repunctuating” (inserting punctuation in passages from which the author's punctuation has been removed). The article focuses especially on the relation between “punctuation units” (stretches of language between punctuation marks) and the “intonation units” of speech, and the variations in this relation that are found among different authors and different styles. It explores the degree to which different pieces of writing are prosodically spokenlike, and the degree to which they capture the prosodic imagery of ordinary readers. “C...
MEK1/2 Inhibitors Block Basal and Transforming Growth Factor β1-Stimulated JC Virus Multiplication

The multiplication of the human neurotropic polyomavirus JC virus (JCV) is regulated by cell membrane receptors and nuclear transcription factors. Signaling pathways also play a role in determining the extent to which JCV can productively infect cells. These data show that constitutively active MEK1 protein (CA-MEK1), overexpressed in cultures of human glia, supports a substantial increase in late JCV protein (Vp-1) synthesis. The specificity of this pathway was indicated by no significant enhancement of JCV multiplication through activation of other components of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways such as p38, Jun N-terminal protein kinase, and protein kinase A. Further evidence supporting the importance of signaling in JCV infection came from addition of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), which stimulated a 200% increase of Vp-1 expression. Specific MEK1/2 inhibitors, flavenoid PD98059 and U0126, decreased the basal and TGF-beta1-stimulated Vp-1 expression by 95% or more. TGF-beta1 is known to phosphorylate/activate Smad DNA binding proteins that could subsequently bind or increase binding to JCV promoter sequences, linking the effects of signaling with JCV transcriptional regulation. The effectiveness with which MEK1/2 inhibitors block JCV multiplication provides insight that may contribute to development of compounds directed against JCV.
Nematode effector proteins: an emerging paradigm of parasitism

Phytonematodes use a stylet and secreted effectors to modify host cells and ingest nutrients to support their growth and development. The molecular function of nematode effectors is currently the subject of intense investigation. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of nematode effectors, with a particular focus on proteinaceous stylet-secreted effectors of sedentary endoparasitic phytonematodes, for which a wealth of information has surfaced in the past 10 yr. We provide an update on the effector repertoires of several of the most economically important genera of phytonematodes and discuss current approaches to dissecting their function. Lastly, we highlight the latest breakthroughs in effector discovery that promise to shed new light on effector diversity and function across the phylum Nematoda.
The constructive functions of tropical cyclones and tsunamis on deep-water sand deposition during sea level highstand: Implications for petroleum exploration

Empirical data on tropical cyclones (meteorological phenomena) and tsunamis (oceanographic phenomena) from the Indian, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans reveal that they are highly powerful and frequent events during the present sea level highstand. Tropical cyclones have the power to stir up the entire water column across the United States Atlantic continental shelf, which is 100 km (62 mi) wide and 200 m (656 ft) deep at the shelf edge. Maximum measured velocities of cyclone-triggered bottom flows are commonly in the range of 100–300 cm s1 (39–117 in. s1) on the shelf and 200–7000 cm s1 (78–2730 in. s1) in submarine canyons and troughs. At these high velocities, even gravel-size grains would be eroded and transported. Data also reveal that tropical cyclones accelerate deep-water siliciclastic deposition by transporting sediment seaward across the open shelf, over the shelf edge, and via submarine canyons into deep-water environments during the present highstand. Modern shelf edges are composed of both relict and active sand bodies that are suitable for delivering sand and gravel into the deep sea. Estimates suggest that 200,000 tropical cyclones (Bay of Bengal [Indian Ocean] and Atlantic Ocean) and 140,000 tsunamis (Pacific Ocean) would have occurred during the present highstand interval. During Hurricane Hugo (September 1989), more than 2 million kg of sediments were flushed down the Salt River Submarine Canyon (St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands) into deep water. Although cyclones and tsunamis could have a significant impact on developing deep-water siliciclastic and calciclastic reservoirs in equatorial regions during sea level highstand, such real-world possibilities have been overlooked by the petroleum industry.
Student achievement in charter schools: A complex picture

Since the inception of charter schools over a decade ago, policymakers have wanted to know how charter schools are performing.
Analytical Uses of Immobilized Enzymes

Although soluble enzymes can be used as excellent reagents for the analysis of inorganic and organic compounds, they face a serious challenge when attempts are made to utilize them in complex matrices, like blood or crude water. Problems center about the effect of activators, inhibitors, other substrates, pH, and temperature on the soluble enzyme. However, upon immobilization most of these effects can be eliminated or minimized. For example, an enzyme with a narrow pH range of 4–6 can be transformed upon insolubilization to a more viable reagent with a broad pH range of 4–10. Also, following immobilization the enzymes are much more stable; they can be heated to 37, 40 or 50°C, with little loss of activity; and the activity persists after several thousand analysis are performed. However, the biggest advantage, analytically speaking, of immobilization, is that the insolubilized reagent becomes a much more selective reagent. No longer do many activators and inhibitors have an effect; only the most powerful can actually attack the enzyme.
The Talk Test and its relationship with the ventilatory and lactate thresholds

In this study, we wished to determine the relationship between the Talk Test physiological and perceptual indicators and variables measured at the ventilatory and lactate thresholds, and if the Talk Test indicators were associated with a typical exercise prescription. Fifteen participants (13 males and 2 females; age 18-35 years) underwent a treadmill lactate threshold test followed by a VO2max (maximal oxygen consumption) test in which the ventilatory threshold was determined. On a separate day, a Talk Test was administered in which participants read a passage during exercise and rated speaking comfort: "comfortable" (+Talk Test), "not sure" (+/-Talk Test), or "not able to speak comfortably" (-Talk Test). Exercise prescriptions based on 65% and 80% of heart rate reserve and VO2 reserve were determined. Lactate threshold values were significantly higher than those at the ventilatory threshold (P < 0.05). The heart rate, VO2, and %VO2max recorded at all levels of the Talk Test were significantly higher than similar measurements recorded at the ventilatory threshold (P < 0.05). Lactate threshold measurements were similar to the +Talk Test and +/-Talk Test. Participants were exercising at 64 ± 5% VO2max, 82 ± 7% maximal heart rate, and 12 ± 2% RPE (rating of perceived exertion) at the +Talk Test, and 71 ± 6% VO2max, 90 ± 6% maximal heart rate, and 15 ± 2% RPE at the +/-Talk Test, with all values being within ACSM exercise intensity guidelines. Therefore, the Talk Test can be used in this population to prescribe exercise, and Talk Test data are more strongly related to physiological and perceptual variables corresponding to the lactate threshold than to the ventilatory threshold.
Making use of social prototypes: From fuzzy concepts to firm decisions

Abstract Evidence suggestive of the ‘fuzzy’ structure of many natural language (as opposed to scientific) categories is reviewed. Examples are drawn from categorization schemes for objects, such as cars, fruit or tables, as well as for people, such as extroverts, hippies and ‘fraternity types’. It is argued that despite the fuzziness of natural categories, there is orderliness and utility to these concepts, as well. Specifically, natural categories are organized around prototypes, representative category members, which serve as reference points for the category. The identification of category members involves a prototype-matching process. Prototypes about ‘kinds of people’ can be very useful in decisions about people with whom to affiliate and places in which to live. This process was illustrated by reference to a case analysis of students' preferences for university housing. It was concluded that natural categories may well be fuzzy, but they are far from being dispensible.
Defective Memories, Deception, and the Writing Process: Montaigne’s Attempt at Truth in Essay I: 9

Montaigne expresses strong doubt in the Essais about intrusions of memory. For Montaigne scholars, essay I: 9, “Des Menteurs,” provides a particularly fascinating study, as the essayist ties the act of lying with that of remembering and proposes a solution to the problem of his own defective memory in the dialectical nature of the writing process. While deviating from the initial subject of his essay, “Of Liars,” Montaigne joins the Renaissance debate concerning natural vs. artificial memory, inviting us to consider the wisdom of his ancient predecessors Aristotle, Cicero and Quintilian. A consideration of the elaborate visual systems and mnemonic devices of his contemporaries Giulio Camillo and Giordano Bruno sheds yet another perspective on the value of memory in the search for truth. The historical anecdotes Montaigne chooses to include in essay I: 9 underscore the modernity of his writing, as they describe memory defects not unlike those identified by contemporary neuroscientists and cognitive psychologists. Finally, through his own writing process in essay I: 9, Montaigne displays a preference for the power of human judgment and the exercise of our intellects over that of our memories as a more certain way of getting at the truth.
Evaluation of a novel propylene oxide—treated collagen material as a dural substitute

Object. The authors evaluated a new non—cross-linked, propylene oxide—treated, acellular collagen matrix for use as a dural substitute in rabbits. They then compared this material to a commonly used dural substitute as well as to native dura mater used during primary closure. Methods. Forty-six rabbits were randomly assigned to eight groups of five or six rabbits each. These groups differed according to the type of closure material that was used during surgery (native dura, control dural substitute, or experimental dural substitute) and the duration of convalescence. At the end of the experiment, the tightness of the duraplasty was assessed in each live rabbit by continuous infusion of fluid into the cisterna magna until leakage was detected. The animals were killed and each specimen was sectioned and studied histologically. The authors found that the experimental dural substitute was safe in animals for this application, that it held sutures well, and that a watertight closure was usually achieved. There...
Accessing telephony services from the Internet

Networks exist to provide services to users. Increasingly, the networks on which the services reside are not the same as the networks from which the services are accessed. This leads to the problem on how to best provide such services transparently when the access protocols differ. We discusses a methodology to make available the existing services residing in a network whose protocols are distinct from the network where the access attempt is made. We propose a technique we term call model mapping with state sharing and demonstrate it in the telecommunication domain where we access traditional telephony services residing on the telephone network from Internet telephony endpoints residing on the Internet.
Analyzing Human Body 3-D Motion of Golf Swing From Single-Camera Video Sequences

We present an algorithm for analyzing the human body 3-D motion of golf swing from single-camera video sequences. As the first step, the human body used for the analysis is automatically extracted using a video object segmentation technique. Once human body is extracted, this two-dimensional information is utilized to obtain a three-dimensional body model consisting of head, upper arms, lower arms, body trunk, upper legs, lower legs and feet using an iterative 3-D fitting algorithm and Dynamic Bayesian Networks. The ultimate objective of the system is to obtain the 3-D motion information for golf swinging and comparing this information for different players regardless of the great variability caused by different camera viewing perspectives. 3-D body motion during the golf swing is computed for all segments of the body. This system will allow the spatial-temporal relationship of each body segment, as they make their transition, be thoroughly studied, and enable the parameters for different players to be compared, as well.
Potential Allelopathic Interference by the Exotic Chinese Tallow Tree (Sapium sebiferum)

Abstract The Chinese tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum) was introduced into the southeastern United States in late 1800s and has rapidly naturalized throughout the region's coastal ecosystems. Because tallow forms monotypic woodlands, we hypothesized that allelopathic interference is a mechanism by which tallow maintains and expands its presence. Laboratory experiments were performed using black willow (Salix nigra), baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) and tallow, as test species, to examine the hypothesis that aqueous tallow extracts inhibit seed germination and seedling root growth, shoot growth and mass. Extracts were prepared from tallow litter, woodland soil from under tallow trees and fresh tallow leaves. Samples were collected during October, January, April and July to determine any seasonal differences in allelopathic potential. Germination, root and shoot lengths and seedling mass differed (P 0.05) am...
Academic and Special Library Collaboration in North Carolina: the MAHEC/WCU Partnership

Distance education is a rapidly expanding segment of the education marketplace, and the ability to support remote students with appropriate and quality services has become a major challenge for libraries. This article is concerned with library support for nursing students who are enrolled in a distance education program. Specifically, this article describes a collaborative arrangement wherein the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) provides Western Carolina University (WCU) students with library services.
Role of excitatory amino acids in regulation of rat pial microvasculature

Recently, attention has been drawn to the possibility that excitatory amino acids (EAAs) may play an important role in the pathogenesis of hypoxic-ischemic neuronal injury. Exaggerated release of EAAs and excessive stimulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and other EAA receptors have been suggested to contribute to neuronal death in ischemia and anoxia. A number of in vitro and in vivo experimental studies have shown that EAA-receptor antagonists exert a protective effect on the brain after cerebral ischemia. Because neurons are in close apposition to small intracerebral vessels, synaptically released EAAs might also regulate small blood vessel function. With the use of quantitative television microscopic observations, in vivo studies were undertaken on pial arterioles of rats. Perivascular administration of cumulative doses (10(-7)-10(-2) M) of L-glycine, L-glutamate, L-aspartate, and NMDA on the pial microvessels resulted in concentration-dependent constriction of pial arterioles (5-30% decreases in diameter) and cerebrovasospasm; the relative order of potency was aspartate > NMDA > glycine > glutamate. High concentrations of EAAs often resulted in rupture of postcapillary venules. No amine or opiate antagonist or cyclooxygenase inhibitor prevented or attenuated the effects of these putative EAAs. EAA-induced constriction and spasm of pial arterioles as well as rupture of venules could, however, be blocked by the noncompetitive NMDA-receptor antagonist MK-801 and by Mg2+. MK-801 also produced a concentration-dependent relaxation on normal pial arterioles. These results are compatible with the idea that a specific NMDA-receptor complex (RC) exists in rat cortical microvessels, which subserves vasoconstriction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Fabrication of smart parts using powder bed fusion additive manufacturing technology

Abstract Energy system components with embedded sensors, or smart parts, can be a pathway in obtaining real-time system performance feedback and in situ monitoring during operation. Traditional surface contact or cavity placed sensors increase the possibility of disturbing the normal operation of energy systems due to changes in part design required for sensor placement. The fabrication of smart parts using additive manufacturing (AM) technology can allow the flexibility of embedding a sensor within a structure without compromising the structure and/or functionality. The embedding of a sensor within a desired location allows an end user the ability to monitor specific critical regions that are of interest such as high temperature and pressure ( e.g., combustor inlet conditions that can reach up to 810 K and 2760 kPa). In addition, the non-intrusive placement of the sensor within a part’s body can increase the sensor’s life span by isolating the sensor from the aforementioned harsh operating environments. This paper focuses on the fabrication of smart parts using electron beam melting (EBM) AM technology as well as the characterization of the sensor’s functionality. The development of a “stop and go” process was explored that comprised of pausing a part’s fabrication process to allow the placement of piezoelectric ceramic material into pre-designed cavities within a part’s body, and resuming the process to complete the final product. A compression test was performed on the smart parts fabricated using EBM to demonstrate the sensor’s capability of sensing external forces. A maximum sensing voltage response of approximately 3 V was detected with a maximum pressure not exceeding 40 MPa. The sensor responses showed good agreement with the applied force in four different frequency conditions ( i.e. , 10 Hz, 15 Hz, 20 Hz, and 25 Hz). This research work demonstrates the feasibility of fabricating smart parts with embedded sensors without the need of post-processing ( e.g. , CNC machining and polishing). In addition, the sensing capability of monitoring a component’s performance has been validated, leading to the possibility of fabricating other smart parts that could impact industries such as energy, aerospace, automotive, and biomedical industries for applications like air/fuel pre-mixing, pressure tubes, and turbine blades.
The Road Ahead: EPA's Options and Obligations for Regulating Greenhouse Gases

This detailed legal analysis provides an in-depth and thorough discussion of greenhouse gas regulation under the Clean Air Act answering the questions: What are EPA’s obligations under the Clean Air Act, and how far can and should the agency go to regulate greenhouse gases?
Observations on the Mechanisms of High Resistance Junction Formation in Aluminum Wire Connections.

The basic mechanism of high resistance junction formation in duplex connectors wired with aluminum was investigated. Laboratory experiments to simulate loose connections were made both in actual duplex connectors and in an experimental apparatus. Microstructural observations were made by scanning electron microscopy and x-ray microanalysis of the structures formed at the interfaces between the circuit components during high resistance junction formation. At the iron screw/aluminum wire interface, the arcing process which occurs in a loose connection causes high temperatures in excess of 1500 °C and material transport between the components. Under these conditions, aluminum and iron react to form intermetallic compounds such as Fe3Al and FeAl3. The formation of an extensive zone of these compounds adjacent to the iron-aluminum interface in duplex connectors was revealed by electron metallography. In duplex connectors tested to glow failure, the formation of intermetallic compounds such as CuAl2 and Cu2ZnAl was observed at the brass plate/aluminum wire interface. These intermetallic compounds have a resistivity of the order of 100 × 10-6 ohm-cm or higher which may provide sufficient resistence at the current-carrying interface to lead to significant I2R heating losses at the interface.