cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MS Lesions Detection in MRI Using Grouping Artificial Immune Networks

A dual-channel 3D MRI segmentation technique based on grouping artificial immune networks (GAIN) is introduced to detect MS lesion in MR images. The technique demonstrates the ability of artificial immune networks to handle MS lesions detection in T1- and T2-weighted brain MRI. The GAIN-based MRI segmentation technique was evaluated using simulated MS brain images from the McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute of McGill University. 3D anisotropic filtering is used to handle noise artifacts in the simulated 3D MRI data sets. Experimental results demonstrated that dual channel MS segmentation approach exhibited high accuracy in segmenting the simulated MS brain data and an even higher accuracy when compared to techniques based on single channel 3D MRI data sets in terms of the Dice coefficient, an objective measure of overlap.
Digital-computer interface systems

Digital-computer interface design is of vital and increas ing importance in simulation, control, instrumentation, and data processing. Hybrid-computer linkage design deals only with a small facet of the interface world, but reflects many of its problems. This tutorial report re views the important techniques for transferring data and control signals between digital computers and the out side world and discusses, in turn, device selection and control for a party line I/O bus, device control, sensing, interrupts and automatic data channels with direct mem ory access. Interfaces for iterative analog computers, for combined simulation, and for simple graphic displays are described as examples. Finally, special interfaces for random-process measurements and interfaces employ ing an intermediate digital processor are discussed.
Optimal routing of vehicles with communication capabilities in disasters

Major emergencies and disasters such as acts of terrorism, acts of nature, or human-caused accidents may lead to disruptions in traffic flow. Minimizing the negative effects of such disruptions is critical for a nation’s economy and security. A decision support system that is capable of gathering (real-time) information about the traffic conditions following a disaster and utilizing this information to generate alternative routes for vehicles would benefit the government, industry, and the public. For this purpose, we develop a mathematical programming model to minimize the delay for vehicles with communication capabilities following a disaster. Most commercial trucks and public buses utilize QUALCOMM as a communication tool. We also develop a prediction model for vehicles that do not have any communication capabilities. Although the problem is inherently integer we developed a linear program to reduce the computational burden caused by the large size of the problem. An algorithm is proposed to update the parameters of the linear program based on a duality analysis in order to obtain better results. A monotonic speed–density relationship is embedded in the model to capture high traffic congestion that occurs after a disaster. The model and the algorithm are tested using a simulated disaster scenario. The results indicate that the proposed model improves system performance measures such as mobility and average speed.
On the Myth of the Keiretsu Network: Japanese Electronics in North America

This study of Japanese consumer electronic networks in North America challenges conventional wisdom on the pervasiveness of keiretsu ties in Japanese production networks abroad. The consumer electronics industry poses hard questions to current views on the relationship between keiretsu and FDI not only because of the more modest internationalization of subcontractors, but more interestingly, because Japanese electronic production networks overseas remained remarkably closed to outside suppliers even in the absence of keiretsu commitments that could constrain purchasing decisions. This article offers a comparison of domestic subcontracting practices in the Japanese automobile and consumer electronic industries, a discussion of the internationalization of electronic part makers, and an analysis of the sourcing strategies of Japanese firms in North America. The article highlights the impact of the non-market environment in Japanese FDI strategies since Japanese companies embarked on foreign pro duction in No...
A class of laplace transforms arising in a diffusion problem

It is shown that the function [α + (1 + 2s)1/2]−1, s ≥ 0, with fixed α ≥ −1, is the Laplace transform of an explicitly given non-negative function g(x;α), × ≥ 0. This class of functions has easily computable convolutions. This property is used to identify the distribution of a sojourn time integral for the diffusion defined as Brownian motion on the real line with constant drift to the origin. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Optical properties of extended-chain polymers under stress

Birefringence and x-ray diffraction experiments have been carried out on Kevlar 49R fibers under tensile stress to monitor structure changes under the stress field. The origin of the observed birefringence is discussed in some detail. Results from theoretical calculations using semi-empirical molecular orbital techniques are presented and contrasted to the experimental observations. The calculations involved the estimation of chain polarizability and were performed under simulated stress conditions using the AM1 Hamiltonian in MOPAC. Polarizability is then used to calculate the birefringence as a function of tensile stress, by using existing internal field theory. This theoretical approach is applied to predict the optical properties of highly oriented extended-chain polyethylene, as well as those for poly(p' phenylene therephtalamide); the latter being the base polymer in Kevlar fibers. Results reveal reasonable birefringence predictions when compared to available experimental results in the literature. Also, it is found that the contribution from orienting crystallites under the stress field, to the measured birefringence in Kevlar fibers, is only a small fraction of the total. However, the calculations predict a significant contribution from deformation (extension) at the molecular level.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Quantitative Imaging in Proper Orthogonal Decomposition of Flow Past a Delta Wing

Snapshot proper orthogonal decomposition is used to characterize the unsteady e ow past a delta wing, focusing on the structure of the leading-edge vortices. The decomposition is applied to two-dimensional velocity e elds obtained via a laser-scanning version of high-image-density particle image velocimetry to extract the most coherent structures in the e ow. Data are analyzed for cases involving both a stationary wing and a wing undergoing harmonic oscillations in roll. In each case, the velocity e elds are reconstructed as a truncated series expansion in terms of the computed eigenfunctions from which the corresponding contours of constant vorticity and sectional streamline patterns are calculated. Comparison with the original data demonstrates that the analysis provides an accurate representation of the velocity e elds while eliminating extraneous small-scale features. Inclusion of as few astwo eigenfunctionsin thereconstruction series reproduces the largest-scalefeaturesoftheleading-edge vortices, whereas the inclusion of half of the total number of eigenfunctions produces a reconstructed e eld that captures the majority of the e ow features. By appropriately combining the spatial and temporal components of the proper orthogonal decomposition analysis, one obtains the dynamical structures that evolve in both space and time, such as the e uctuations in the location of vortex breakdown. Nomenclature ak = modal amplitudes for velocity b = span C = correlation matrix co = centerline chord dI = interrogation window size E = mean total e uctuation energy M = total number of snapshots N = number of modes retained in Eq. (4) T = period of oscillation t = time U1 = freestream velocity u = x component of velocity V = velocity vector v = y component of velocity xvb = location of vortex breakdown, measured along wing centerline from apex x; y = coordinates ®k = kth eigenvector of the correlation matrix 1t = time interval between snapshots · = reduced frequency, .ob/=2U1T ¸k = kth eigenvalue of the correlation matrix 8 = roll angle Ak = kth empirical velocity eigenfunction N = time-averaged quantities 0 = e uctuation quantities
The selective activation of the cardiac sarcolemmal sodium-calcium exchanger by plasmalogenic phosphatidic acid produced by phospholipase D

Since plasmalogens are the predominant phospholipid of cardiac sarcolemma, the activation of the sodium-calcium exchanger by either plasmenylethanolamine or plasmalogenic phosphatidic acid generated by phospholipase D was explored. Sodium-calcium exchange activity was 7-fold greater in proteoliposomes comprised of plasmenylethanolamine compared to proteoliposomes comprised of only plasmenylcholine. Phospholipase D treatment of proteoliposomes resulted in 1 mol % conversion of plasmenylcholine or phosphatidylcholine to their respective phosphatidic acid molecular species with a concomitant 8-fold or 2-fold activation of sodium-calcium exchange activity, respectfully. Thus, phospholipase D-mediated hydrolysis of plasmalogens to phosphatidic acid may be an important mechanism for the regulation of the sodium-calcium exchanger.
Survey Response-Related Biases in Contingent Valuation: Concepts, Remedies, and Empirical Application to Valuing Aquatic Plant Management

:S mple nonresponse and selection biases that may occur in survey research such as contingent valu tion applications are discussed and tested. Correction mechanisms for these types of biases are d monstrated. Results indicate the importance of testing and correcting for unit and item nonresp nse bias in contingent valuation survey data. When sample nonresponse and selection bias go u
Characterization of myosin heavy chain and its gene in Amoeba proteus

Monoclonal antibodies against the myosin heavy chain of Amoeba proteus were obtained and used to localize myosin inside amoebae and to clone cDNAs encoding myosin. Myosin was found throughout the amoeba cytoplasm but was more concentrated in the ectoplasmic regions as determined by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. In symbiont-bearing xD amoebae, myosin was also found on the symbiosome membranes, as checked by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy and by immunoelectron microscopy. The open reading frame of a cloned myosin cDNA contained 6,414 nucleotides, coding for a polypeptide of 2,138 amino acids. While the amino-acid sequence of the globular head region of amoeba's myosin had a high degree of similarity with that of myosins from various organisms, the tail region building a coiled-coil structure did not show a significant sequence similarity. There appeared to be at least three different isoforms of myosins in amoebae, with closely related amino acids in the globular head region.
Reimplantation of a fluocinolone acetonide sustained drug delivery implant for chronic uveitis.

Purpose To determine the effects of a second fluocinolone implant inserted in eyes with uveitis in which recurrent inflammation developed after the original implant was placed. Design Prospective, interventional trial. Methods Study subjects comprised all consecutive patients with noninfectious posterior uveitis who were treated at the Duke Eye Center from March 2004 to July 2007, and followed for at least nine months, in whom a fluocinolone acetonide implant was initially inserted, and in whom the implant was replaced, or a second implant was inserted because of recurrent inflammation. The main outcome measures were inflammation recurrences, use of adjunctive anti-inflammatory therapy, visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), and adverse events. Results Seventeen eyes of 14 patients were studied. The mean time from original fluocinolone implantation to first uveitis recurrence was 38 months. The time from first inflammation recurrence to the second implantation was eight months. The average follow-up was 17 months. Inflammation developed in only one eye during follow-up, three years after the second fluocinolone implant insertion. Adjunctive steroid use was decreased significantly. The mean snellen visual acuity 12 months after the second implant insertion was 20/78, compared with 20/400 at the time of the original fluocinolone implant placement (P = .04). The average IOP was unchanged after surgery compared with the preoperative IOP. Conclusions The fluocinolone implant controls ocular inflammation for an average of three years after initial insertion. After the implant is depleted of drug, inflammation may recur. Placement of a new implant maintains the eye in a quiet state and stabilizes or improves visual acuity for an extended time. Adverse events during insertion of a new implant are uncommon.
Interline CCD imaging array with on-chip A/D conversion

Abstract In this paper we describe an interline CCD imaging array which features high-speed, on-chip, parallelA/D conversion. Lu addition, we present test results from fabricated devices. The imaging chip wasfabricated through MOSIS in a double-poly 2.0jm CCD/CMOS technology on a chip with total area2.25mm x 2.22mm. The chip is composed of two components, namely, a 28 x 39 pixel, interline imagingarray and a bank of 39, single-slope CCD/CMOS A/D converters; the converters function in parallel toachieve effective high-speed A/D conversion. Chip output is a stream of 8-bit digital data in which each8-bit value corresponds to the light level at a pixel. Once an image has been captured, a set of parallelCCD shift registers transfer the data one column at a time to the parallel A/D converters. The analogdata from each column is then converted in parallel and the resulting digital values are read out serially.In each row, the area cost of the A/D conversion circuitry is approximately the area occupied by eightpixels. This cost scales with the number of rows and the number of bits desired for the digital output andnot with the number of columns. Ultimately, counter and control circuitry used to drive the single slopeconversion can all be implemented on-chip, resulting in a single chip imager with direct digital output.
Variations in the Measurement of Periodontal Disease with Use of Radiographs

The gingiva-bone count was used clinically, with posterior bitewing radiographs and with a full survey of 14 apical radiographs to determine variations in scoring of periodontal disease. Neither type of radiograph produced increases in findings large and standard enough to justify use in largescale epidemiologic surveying.
STRANDED IN UPSTATE NEW YORK: CAMBRIAN SCYPHOMEDUSAE FROM THE POTSDAM SANDSTONE

Abstract The Cambrian portion of the Potsdam Sandstone contains a suite of scyphomedusae impressions in fine-grained to medium-grained quartz arenites that outcrop on the periphery of the Adirondack Mountains, New York. The fossils are similar taphonomically and morphologically to coeval scyphomedusae from the Elk Mound Group of Wisconsin and were likely stranded on a sand flat. Soft-tissue preservation in such sandstones is rare, except in Ediacaran Konservat-Lagerstatten. Although subtidal facies are abundant and continental facies are present in the Potsdam, soft-bodied fossils are found only in emergent coastal facies. These units are characterized by microbial structures including domal sand buildups, sand shadows, and breached ripples and by such horizontal trace fossils as Climactichnites and Protichnites. Domal sand buildups mantle some medusa carcasses and suggest that carcasses were exposed at the sediment-water or sediment-air interface for significant intervals of time prior to burial. It is u...
Determination of ammonium-N, moisture, total C and total N in dairy manures using a near infrared fibre-optic spectrometer.

The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using near infrared (400 to 2498 nm or sub-regions thereof) fibre-optic-based spectroscopy to estimate nutrient concentrations in dairy manures. One hundred and seven diverse manures, collected from dairy farms in the north-eastern United States (CT, MD, NY, PA, VA) were assayed by conventional means and spectroscopically for total C and N, ammonium-N and moisture. Samples were scanned (64 coadded scans) on a Foss-NIRSystems Model 6500 scanning monochromator equipped with a fibre-optic probe from 400 to 2498 nm, and on an Ocean Optics model S2000 CCD, fibre-optic probe spectrometer from 430 to 1100 nm (1000 scans/sample, integration time of 41 ms). Calibrations were developed using the one-out cross-validation procedure using Partial Least Squares Regression. Results demonstrated the following: 1) calibrations for ammonium-N, moisture and total C and N can be developed, but are not as accurate as those previously developed using a large sample cell (approximately 38 × 200 mm) and vertical cell transport device (non-fibre-optic); 2) limitations (high noise in the 2000– 2498 nm region) in the spectra produced by fibre-optic bundles are at least partially responsible for the reduced accuracy found with fibre-optic systems when compared to non-fibre-optic means of sample presentation; 3) spectra produced by fibre-optic systems appear to be more spectrally diverse than those for non-fibre-optic systems; 4) while determinations based on spectra covering the region from 400 to 2300 nm appear to be a viable alternative to manure Quick Tests already on the market, those using only the 400 to 1098 nm region are not; and 5) further work with larger data sets is needed to better determine the feasibility, limitations and requirements for developing accurate and robust calibrations for manure constituents using fibre-optic based spectrometers, regardless of the spectral region used.
SELECTIVE STIMULATION OF CARBOXYLESTERASES METABOLIZING CHARGED STEROID ESTERS BY HYDROCORTISONE

Dans cette etude, les auteurs examinent les changements se produisant dans le metabolisme hydrolytique au niveau des microsomes hepatiques, des hemisuccinates et d'ester d'acetate d'hydrocortisone, d'acide acetylsalicylique, de 2-acetylaminofluorene, d'acetanilide, de p-nitrophenylacetate, de procaine, de butyrylcholine et de thiacetazone esterase cytosolique sous l'effet d'un traitement repetitif oral avec des esters d'hydrocortisone chez le rat
Regulation of spvR, the positive regulatory gene of Salmonella plasmid virulence genes

The regulation of the spvR promoter from the Salmonella dublin virulence plasmid was monitored using proter-reporter gene fusion constructs. Activity was dependent upon the presence of the spv region and was affected by the number of copies of the spv region present with the cell. Activity remained constant throughout exponential growth, and increased rapidly with the onset of stationary phase, under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Additionally, the level of spvR expression was controlled by the availability of iron, activity being greatest under low iron conditions in stationary phase. The spvA gene product negatively regulated spvR expression in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that SpvA provides a negative feedback mechanism for this operon.
Deutero-1-pentene tracer studies for iron and cobalt Fischer–Tropsch synthesis

Abstract The addition of D 5 -1-pentene[4,4,5,5,5] to the synthesis gas fed to cobalt and iron catalysts under Fischer–Tropsch synthesis conditions show that H/D exchange does not occur to a measurable extent. The added D 5 -1-pentene[4,4,5,5,5] underwent hydrogenation, isomerization to interval alkenes and initiated chain growth to a greater extent with the cobalt than the iron catalyst. The data show similar results for both catalysts with the readsorbed alkene initiating chain growth, but not in an amount to significantly impact the product distribution. For cobalt, but not for iron, the added alkene may also be involved in the hydroformylation reaction. The data clearly show that vapor pressure and product accumulation effects must be accounted for in mechanism studies using isotopic tracers. The added D 5 -1-pentene[4,4,5,5,5] was found to initiate a growing hydrocarbon chain as the CD 3 CD 2 CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 unit without measurable scrambling of the isotope label in contrast to earlier work with deuterated ethanol using a cobalt catalysts.
The Migratory Patterns of Two Mennonite Communities in Mexico

This research will begin with a brief overview of early European Mennonite history and the migrations that led to Mennonite settlements in the New World, especially Canada and Mexico. This historical tracing of migratory patterns will reveal the conditions that prompt Mennonites to traverse international borders to the present day. A more specific analysis of two Mexican Mennonite colonies in the state of Chihuahua, one in the region of Cuauhtemoc and the other in Capulin, will follow in order to examine the present-day "push" and "pull" factors to emigrate to new lands. While anticipated migration will result in the movement of Mennonites within and out of the region, it is expected that vacated lands will be repopulated by other immigrating Mennonites, owing at least in part to the strong sense of religious identity shared even across schisms.
Determination of amino acids in biological, pharmaceutical, plant and food samples by automated precolumn derivatization and high-performance liquid chromatography

An easy, rapid and sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of primary and secondary amino acids in different matrices, e.g. protein hydrolysates, pharmaceutical formulations, plant extracts, food samples and physiological fluids, is described. After minimum sample preparation amino acids were derivatized with two different reagents, o-phthalaldehyde-3-mercaptopropionic acid for primary and 9-fluorenylmethylchloroformate for secondary amino acids, by an automated precolumn derivatization technique. With minor adjustments of separation parameters this method can also be used to determine amino acids in different matrices. Analysis time including reaction, separation and reconditioning ranged from 20 min for hydrolysates to 60 min for physiological fluids. The separation was done on a reversed-phase column with a gradient of acetate buffer-acetonitrile as the mobile phase. The precision for peak areas of the individual amino acids was within a relative standard deviation of 2% for the hydrolysate assay and 2-5% for the physiological assay, and for retention times better than 0.7%. The detection limit with the diode array detector (ultraviolet-visible) was ca. 2-5 pmol, measured at 338 nm for primary and 266 nm for secondary amino acids; with the fluorescence detector 20-50 fmol were detectable at excitation and emission wavelengths of 230 and 455 nm for primary and 266 and 310 nm for secondary amino acids, respectively.
Correlation of pathophysiology and pharmacotherapy in primary hypertension

Patients with primary hypertension vary in the extent to which abnormalities of peripheral vascular resistance, cardiac output, intravascular volume, and the functional state of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and sympathetic nervous system contribute to their hyperpiesis. Antihypertensive drugs can specifically counteract most of these pressor mechanisms. Through choice of appropriate drugs one can selectively correct existing disturbances and increase the effectiveness and acceptance of antihypertensive therapy. Increased vascular resistance of patients with mild hypertension can be reversed by diuretic agents. In all others more effective vasodilators are required. These should be coadministered with a diuretic and propranolol to prevent expansion of intravascular and extracellular volumes and reflex increases in cardiac output and plasma renin activity. This combination of drugs can control all degrees of hypertension. Because it reduces cardiac output and depresses plasma renin activity, propranolol is indicated for hypertensive patients with elevated cardiac output or hyperreninemia. Sympathoplegic drugs are most specific for patients whose hypertension is maintained by excessive sympathetic stimulation of the circulation. Low renin essential hypertension responds well to the natriuretic effects of spironolactone and other diuretic agents. Since the arterial compliance of hypertensive subjects decreases with increasing pressure, they have more systolic than diastolic hyperpiesis. Systolic hypertension at least equals diastolic as a risk factor for cardiovascular complications. Drug therapy of hypertension decreases systolic pressure more than diastolic, but the former often remains elevated when diastolic normotension has been achieved. In patients with decreased arterial compliance, normalization of systolic pressure requires induction of diastolic hypotension, and the safety and effectiveness of such therapy remain unknown.
Lateral plication of synthetic sack for large gastroschisis and omphalocele defects.

Abstract A modification of the treatment of giant omphaloceles and gastroschisis by the use of synthetic fabrics to extend the peritoneal cavity consists of two stages: first, the intestines are squeezed out of the sack into the abdomen, and, second, the defect is closed by lateral plication of the prosthetic. The main advantage is that it is suitable for large defects. Other advantages of this method are that obliteration of the sack can be performed in the incubator while asepsis is rigidly practiced, and the hazards of peritoneal contamination and cooling of the infant are obviated. Anesthesia is not required because the skin is not manipulated.
24-GHz low noise amplifier using coplanar waveguide series feedback in 130-nm CMOS

This paper presents the design and implementation of an RF CMOS low noise amplifier (LNA) in a 130-nm CMOS technology for 24-GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) applications. The use of coplanar waveguide (CPW) structures as series feedback enables simultaneous noise and power matching, which is a fundamental trade-off in LNA design. Accurate high frequency noise modeling of nanometer MOSFETs using in-house high-field drifting-dipole noise (DDN) model is also introduced for first-pass silicon design. The LNA prototype shows a gain of 19 dB and a noise figure NF of 3.8 dB measured at 24 GHz while consuming 15 mW from a 1.2-V power supply.
The saga of Xenophon Dmitrivich Kalamatiano

(1995). The saga of Xenophon Dmitrivich Kalamatiano. International Journal of Intelligence and CounterIntelligence: Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 179-201.
Feature Selection using a Random Forests Classifier for the Integrated Analysis of Multiple Data Types

Complex clinical phenotypes arise from the concerted interactions among the myriad components of a biological system. Therefore, comprehensive models can only be developed through the integrated study of multiple types of experimental data gathered from the system in question. The Random Foreststrade(RF) method is adept at identifying relevant features having only slight main effects in high-dimensional data. This method is well-suited to integrated analysis, as relevant attributes may be selected from categorical or continuous data, and there may be interactions across data types. RF is a natural approach for studying gene-gene, gene-protein, or protein-protein interactions because importance scores for particular attributes take interactions into account. Thus, Random Forests is a promising solution to the analysis challenge posed by high-dimensional datasets including interactions among attributes of different types. In this study, we characterize the performance of RF on a range of simulated genetic and/or proteomic datasets. We compare the performance of RF in identifying relevant attributes when given genetic data alone, proteomic data alone, or a combined dataset of genetic plus proteomic data. Our results indicate that utilizing multiple data types is beneficial when the disease model is complex and the phenotypic outcome-associated data type is unknown. The results of this study also show that RF is adept at identifying relevant features in high-dimensional data with small main effects and low heritability
Well water level changes in Fairbanks, Alaska, due to the great Sumatra-Andaman earthquake

The Mw 9.3 great Sumatra-Andaman earthquake of December 26, 2004 induced water level changes in Fairbanks, Alaska, at an epicentral distance of 10,800 km. Spike like water level changes followed by a step of water level rise were observed in at least four wells. We modeled the timing and magnitude of the water level rise using a combination of a linear trend and a step function. We calculated the misfit between the observed water level rises and our model by systematically shifting the timing of occurrence of step in water level. The minimum value of cumulative misfit suggested the timing of occurrence of steps. A previous study showed persistent water level rises in all these wells from the 2002 Denali fault earthquake and it’s major aftershocks. From those observations, we developed an empirical relationship between water level changes, epicentral distances and earthquake magnitude. This relationship attributed water level changes in the wells to ground shaking by seismic waves. The estimated average water level changes due to the Sumatra earthquake using that relationship was in agreement with the observed water level changes. Thus we concluded that ground shaking in Fairbanks, induced by surface waves from the Sumatra earthquake was sufficient to change water levels.
Between Death and Survival: Retinoic Acid in Regulation of Apoptosis

The vitamin A metabolite all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) regulates multiple biological processes by virtue of its ability to regulate gene expression. It thus plays critical roles in embryonic development and is involved in regulating growth, remodeling, and metabolic responses in adult tissues. RA can also suppress carcinoma cell growth and is currently used in treatment of some cancers. Growth inhibition by RA may be exerted by induction of differentiation, cell cycle arrest, or apoptosis, or by a combination of these activities. Paradoxically, in the context of some cells, RA not only fails to inhibit growth but, instead, enhances proliferation and survival. This review focuses on the involvement of RA in regulating apoptotic responses. It includes brief overviews of transcriptional signaling by RA and of apoptotic pathways, and then addresses available information on the mechanisms by which RA induces apoptosis or, conversely, inhibits cell death and enhances survival.
A result on direct products of copies of the integers

Let P be the direct product of an infinite number of copies of the integers. If P = A⊗B as an abelian group, then A or B is isomorphic to P
Designing and using an on-line game to teach engineering

We have developed an on-line game, built around a simple simulator, as an innovative approach to mitigate the time and budget constraints that hinder the development of engineering expertise within a typical one-semester course. Students playing the game, as an alternative to calculation-based homework sets, develop a rich empirical understanding of the engineering principles of interest. A variety of gaming features such as real-life role-playing, competition, and graphically amplified results transform a Matlab-based simulator from being merely a sophisticated calculator into a learning tool that motivates exploration and provides rapid meaningful feedback to real-life engineering design challenges. As with many engineering projects, solutions are obtained by adjusting a variety of interrelated parameters within a set of physical constraints to satisfy a threshold condition. A comparison of a player's solution to an optimal solution provides a quantitative mechanism through which feedback can be easily provided, a competitive factor for either personal accomplishment or group bragging rights, and motivation to pursue the optimal solution. Decisions required during the game engage learning at the advanced level of comparisons and analyses. A digital record of the students' interaction with the game enables an innovative mechanism for learning assessment.
The Catecholamine Afferents to the Cerebellum

One of the earliest indications that norepinephrine could be localized to the cerebellum was provided by the investigations of Pscheidt and Himwich (1963, 1965) on the avian brain. Fuxe (1965), in his study of amine distribution in brain slices by the Falck-Hillarp histofluorescence technique, reported the presence of small numbers of norepinephrine fibers in the cerebellar cortex. These studies were enlarged by the work of Anden et al. (1966) and Anden and Ungerstedt (1967). The presence of norepinephrine was then confirmed in the cerebellar cortex by the biochemical determinations of Iverson and Glowinski (1966). With improvements in technique and the use of both in vivo material and incubation of brain slices in various pharmacologic agents, Hokfelt and Fuxe (1969) demostrated a plexus of norepinephrine axons in the cerebellum. These were found to enter the cerebellum via the inferior peduncle and then to distribute all over the cerebellar cortex in a patchy manner, mainly to the anterior and posterior lobes.
Reforming the city: Neoliberal school reform and democratic contestation in New Orleans

Following Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans became a testing ground for a series of neoliberal school reforms, including the eradication of neighbourhood attendance boundaries and the extensive charterization of public schools in the parish. Ostensibly designed to improve schooling options, these efforts are not directed solely at securing positive educational outcomes. Instead, neoliberal school reforms utilize spatial strategies to reshape the city itself in ways that often benefit white elites while displacing and disempowering many of the city's poor people of colour. These reform strategies tend to undermine democratic life but, as illustrated by the work of the non-profit group OPEN (Orleans Public Education Network), they do not foreclose the possibility of it. Rather than taking a particular stand toward the current reforms, OPEN attempts to build civic capacity around educational issues. The deliberative process they use creates a time and a place for a type of educative experience that is actively discouraged by neoliberal reform and yet vitally important to democratic struggles. Reformer la ville : La reforme scolaire neoliberale et la contestation democratique a la Nouvelle-Orleans Au lendemain de l’ouragan Katrina, la Nouvelle-Orleans a servi de terrain d’essai a une serie de reformes scolaires neoliberales, y compris l’elimination des frontieres d’inscription par quartier et la creation d’un vaste nombre d’ecoles publiques a charte dans la paroisse. Manifestement concues pour ameliorer les options de scolarisation, ces mesures ne visent pas uniquement a favoriser l’obtention de resultats scolaires positifs. Les reformes scolaires neoliberales renvoient plutot a des strategies spatiales de reamenagement urbain qui profitent souvent aux elites blanches aux depens des minorites visibles et marginalisees qui, dans bien des cas, sont evincees et deviennent encore plus demunies. Bien que ces strategies de reforme contribuent a appauvrir la vie democratique, des travaux comme ceux realises par l’organisme a but non lucratif OPEN (Orleans Public Education Network) montrent au contraire qu’elles n’en excluent pas la possibilite. Au lieu de se borner a defendre une position en ce qui concerne les reformes en cours, OPEN met l’accent sur le renforcement de la capacite d’agir des citoyens sur les questions relatives a l’education. Le processus deliberatif sur lequel on se base permet de situer une experience pedagogique dans un moment et un lieu qui vont a l’encontre de la reforme neoliberale et qui contribuent grandement aux luttes democratiques.
Perspectives From the Other Side: A Physician and Cancer Survivor

ASCO has made great strides to integrate palliative care into the comprehensive care model. However, much work remains to ensure that all patients, whether receiving curative or palliative therapy, have a good quality of life.
LOCAL FIELD EFFECTS

We review the local field problem, beginning with the pioneering work of the 19th century. We then approach the problem from a microscopic perspective and include a momentum dependence. We also offer experimental examples.
Inside Front Cover: Plasma-Assisted Synthesis of Silicon Nanocrystal Inks (Adv. Mater. 18/2007)

The inside cover shows a photo and a schematic of a two-step nonthermal plasma process used to produced silicon nanocrystal inks, that is, stable colloidal solutions of silicon nanocrystals. In the first (upper) plasma, nanocrystals are formed through plasma-induced dissociation of silane molecules, leading to nanocrystal nucleation through chemical clustering. In the second (lower) plasma step, organic ligands are attached in-flight to the silicon nanocrystal surfaces. The collected powder of surface functionalized silicon nanocrystals readily forms stable colloidal solutions in nonpolar solvents, report Lorenzo Mangolini and Uwe Kortshagen on p. 2513.
Acceleration dependence and task-specific modulation of short- and medium-latency reflexes in the ankle extensors

Involuntary responses to muscle stretch are often composed of a short-latency reflex (SLR) and more variable responses at longer latencies such as the medium-latency (MLR) and long-latency stretch reflex (LLR). Although longer latency reflexes are enhanced in the upper limb during stabilization of external loads, it remains unknown if they have a similar role in the lower limb. This uncertainty results in part from the inconsistency with which longer latency reflexes have been observed in the lower limb. A review of the literature suggests that studies that only observe SLRs have used perturbations with large accelerations, possibly causing a synchronization of motoneuron refractory periods or an activation of force-dependent inhibition. We therefore hypothesized that the amplitude of longer latency reflexes would vary with perturbation acceleration. We further hypothesized that if longer latency reflexes were elicited, they would increase in amplitude during control of an unstable load, as has been observed in the upper limb. These hypotheses were tested at the ankle while subjects performed a torque or position control task. SLR and MLR reflex components were elicited by ankle flexion perturbations with a fixed peak velocity and variable acceleration. Both reflex components initially scaled with acceleration, however, while the SLR continued to increase at high accelerations, the MLR weakened. At accelerations that reliably elicited MLRs, both the SLR and MLR were reduced during control of the unstable load. These findings clarify the conditions required to elicit MLRs in the ankle extensors and provide additional evidence that rapid feedback pathways are downregulated when stability is compromised in the lower limb.
Plasma phenoloxidase of the larval tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens, is virucidal

Heliothis virescens larval plasma contains high levels of an antiviral activity against the budded form of the Helicoverpa zea single nucleopolyhedrovirus (HzSNPV) in vitro. Preliminary results indicated that phenoloxidase is primarily responsible for this virucidal effect. However it is known that other enzymes that generate antimicrobial reactive oxygen intermediates and reactive nitrogen intermediates are present in hemolymph that could contribute to the observed virucidal activity. To elucidate the contributions of phenoloxidase and other candidate activities to plasma innate immune response against baculovirus infection specific metabolic inhibitors were used. In vitro the general inhibitors of melanization (N-acetyl cysteine, ascorbate and glutathione), and specific inhibitors of phenoloxidase (phenylthiourea and Kojic acid), completely blocked virucidal activity up to the level seen in controls. Addition of the enzyme superoxide dismutase to plasma did not affect virucidal activity; however addition of catalase had an inhibitory effect. Inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase activity did not affect virucidal activity. Our results confirm that phenoloxidase is the predominate activity in larval plasma accounting for inactivation of HzSNPV in vitro, and that phenoloxidase-dependent H2O2 production may contribute to this virucidal activity.
Additional Considerations for the Early Detection and Diagnosis of Autism: Review of Available Instruments.

Once considered rare, autism is now viewed as a common and highly debilitating condition that has generated great interest among mental health professionals worldwide. The disorder is quite heterogeneous, can be very debilitating, and has a lifelong course. The general consensus among researchers, therefore, is that intervention should start at a very early age as a means of enhancing prognosis. The linchpin of early treatment is early detection and diagnosis. As a result of this recognized goal, psychiatrists and psychologists have been engaged in intensive efforts to develop methodologies and methods which will allow for the identification of autism at two years of age or younger. The current review focuses on research for early detection and diagnosis, relevant issues in identifying the disorder, and available assessment methods and instruments for making a diagnosis. Recommendations for future research are provided.
Variations in Base‐Flow Nitrate Flux in a First‐Order Stream and Riparian Zone1

Nonpoint source pollution, which contributes to contamination of surface waters, is difficult to control. Some pollutants, particularly nitrate (NO 3 - ), are predominantly transmitted through ground water. Riparian buffer zones have the potential to remove contaminants from ground water and reduce the amount of NO 3 - that enters surface water. This is a justification for setting aside vegetated buffer strips along waterways. Many riparian zone hydrologic models assume uniform ground-water flow through organic-rich soil under reducing conditions, leading to effective removal of ground-water NO 3 - prior to discharge into a stream. However, in a small first-order stream in the mid-Atlantic coastal plain, base-flow generation was highly variable (spatially and temporally). Average base-flow NO 3 - loads were greater in winter than summer, and higher during a wetter year than in dryer years. Specific sections of the stream consistently received greater amounts of high NO 3 - ground water than others. Areas within the riparian zone responsible for most of the NO 3 - exported from the watershed are termed "critical areas." Over this 5-year study, most of the NO 3 - exported during base flow originated from a critical area comprising less than 10% of the total riparian zone land area. Allocation of resources to address and improve mitigation function in critical areas should be a priority for continued riparian zone research.
Generating the optimal mRNA for therapy: HPLC purification eliminates immune activation and improves translation of nucleoside-modified, protein-encoding mRNA

In vitro-transcribed mRNA has great therapeutic potential to transiently express the encoded protein without the adverse effects of viral and DNA-based constructs. Mammalian cells, however, contain RNA sensors of the innate immune system that must be considered in the generation of therapeutic RNA. Incorporation of modified nucleosides both reduces innate immune activation and increases translation of mRNA, but residual induction of type I interferons (IFNs) and proinflammatory cytokines remains. We identify that contaminants, including double-stranded RNA, in nucleoside-modified in vitro-transcribed RNA are responsible for innate immune activation and their removal by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) results in mRNA that does not induce IFNs and inflammatory cytokines and is translated at 10- to 1000-fold greater levels in primary cells. Although unmodified mRNAs were translated significantly better following purification, they still induced high levels of cytokine secretion. HPLC purified nucleoside-modified mRNA is a powerful vector for applications ranging from ex vivo stem cell generation to in vivo gene therapy.
A joint test of market power, menu costs, and currency invoicing

This article investigates exchange rate pass-through (ERPT) and currency invoicing decisions of Canadian pork exporters in the presence of menu costs. It is shown that when export prices are negotiated in the exporter's currency, menu costs cause threshold effects in the sense that there are bounds within (outside of) which price adjustments are not (are) observed. Conversely, the pass-through is not interrupted by menu costs when export prices are denominated in the importer's currency. The empirical model focuses on pork meat exports from two Canadian provinces to the U.S. and Japan. Hansen's (2000) threshold estimation procedure is used to jointly test for currency invoicing and incomplete pass-through in the presence of menu costs. Inference is conducted using the bootstrap with pre-pivoting methods to deal with nuisance parameters. The existence of menu cost is supported by the data in three of the four cases. It also appears that Quebec pork exporters have some market power and invoice in Japanese yen their exports to Japan. Manitoba exporters also seem to follow the same invoicing strategy, but their ability to increase their profit margin in response to large enough own-currency devaluations is questionable. Our currency invoicing results for sales to the U.S. are consistent with subsets of Canadian firms using either the Canadian or U.S. currency.
Monoclonal antibodies to a benzo[a]pyrene diolepoxide modified protein

Monoclonal antibodies have been developed which specifically recognize protein modified by 7 beta,8 alpha-dihydroxy-9 alpha,10 alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (BPDE-I). These antibodies have been characterized as to sensitivity and specificity by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. They react with BPDE-I-modified proteins and do not cross-react with non-modified protein. All the antibodies have higher sensitivity toward BPDE-I-tetraols than to BPDE-I-modified protein. They cross-react with BPDE-I-deoxyguanosine, BPDE-I-DNA and BPDE-II-rabbit serum albumin. Because of the high antibody sensitivity for tetraols, an immunoassay was developed for quantitating DNA and protein adducts based on release of tetraols from modified samples. This approach was validated using radiolabeled BPDE-I modified DNA and protein.
Infrasonic signals generated by volcanic eruptions

Volcanic eruptions are driven by excess pressure inside magma conduits, and thus volcanoes can be efficient radiators of acoustic signals. The amplitude and period of an infrasonic pulse generated by an eruption depend on the quantity and acceleration of ejected material. Strombolian and small Vulcanian explosion pulses resemble low-yield TNT blasts and may be observed at distances of tens of kilometers. Vigorous Vulcanian explosions may be observed at ranges of hundreds to thousands of kilometers. Plinian explosions may emit a destructive shock wave as well as generate gravity waves that circumnavigate the globe. Pelean eruptions excite infrasonic waves during the collapse, bursting, and avalanching of lava blocks and debris. In addition to these transient events, most volcanoes exhibit a type of vibration known as tremor, which consists of a sustained oscillation with dominant frequencies in the band of 1-10 Hz. These signals are traditionally attributed to the resonance of magma-gas mixtures inside volcanic conduits. Infrasonic signals generated during tremor, explosion, and pyroclastic flow episodes can be used to monitor an eruption sequence even under low-visibility conditions. Although it is possible to observe eruption pressure signals with individual sensors, infrasonic arrays are more desirable because they can filter out ambiguous signals. However, infrasonic array designs must reduce the detrimental effect of wind noise either through careful site selection or a suitable spatial filter design.