cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Review of newer contraceptive agents.

This paper reviews the latest developments in oral contraceptives (OCs) long-acting contraceptives such as injectable progesterone subdermal progestin implants progesterone-releasing IUDs emergency contraception and male contraception. Latest developments of OCs contain much lower doses of estradiol than the older preparations and uses newer progestins with less androgenic activity thus causing fewer side effects. Depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate injections every 3 months prevent conception by suppressing the luteinizing hormone surge thereby inhibiting ovulation. These contraceptive options are good for women in whom compliance may be low. Subdermal progestin implants have a failure rate of 0.8/100 woman-years for the first 5 years of use increasing to 2/100 woman-years by the 6th year. They acts primarily by rendering the cervical mucus impenetrable to sperm. The progesterone-releasing IUDs on the other hand induce decidualization of the endometrium thus inhibiting implantation. Among the postcoital contraceptives briefly discussed in this paper are the combined OCs (ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel) progestin-only compounds the copper IUD and mifepristone. The new developments of condoms which are the mainstay of male contraception include the new polyurethane condom which is thinner stronger and less allergenic.
Fifteenth-year Commemorative Issue

Journal of Network and Systems Management (JNSM) has come of age. The first issue of JNSM, which was published by Plenum Publishers, came out in March 1993. Since then, Plenum Publishers merged with Kluwer Academic, which was later acquired by Springer. JNSM has also been published online since 2000. We have published at least two annual special issues each year since 1995. These issues cover focused topics of network, service, and systems management. Thus far, we’ve published 30 such special issues, the list of which as well as abstracts of all the papers published so far are available on the Journal’s web site. This issue commemorates fifteen consecutive years of quarterly publication of JNSM. During these years, JNSM has enjoyed an increasingly high standard of quality, expanded authorship and readership. For instance, the acceptance rate of papers for the general issues, which was about 70% in 1996, stands at about 30% now; for the special issues, the acceptance rate has been as low as 20%. The Journal, which is indexed by 17 indexing services, is now recognized as the archival journal for the network and systems management community. These improvements have been achieved with the help, contributions, and advice of the editorial boards of JNSM, namely, the Editorial Advisory Board (EAB), Senior Technical Editors, and the Board of Editors. Members of these boards are prominent persons in the areas of network, service, and systems management. During this period, JNSM has had 85 members of editorial boards in all. I would like to thank all of them, especially those who have completed their terms and are no longer active members. I hope that the Journal will continue to benefit from their valuable support. This special issue includes articles authored mainly by some of the present or former editorial board members of JNSM. It discusses the history, state of the art, and future prospects of some important topics in network, service, and systems
Simulations of energy transfer in Cr(CO)6+ surface-induced dissociation

Abstract Classical trajectories are used to simulate energy transfer in collisions of hyperthermal Cr(CO)6+ ions with a surface consisting of an n-hexyl thiolate [i.e. CH3(CH2)5S] monolayer self-assembled on clean Au{111}. The fraction of the ion's initial translational energy Ei, which transfers to internal vibrational/rotational degrees of freedom of the ion, slightly increases from 14 to 16% as Ei is increased from 10 to 30 eV. This energy transfer efficiency is consistent with qualitative estimates from simple kinematic models and from experiments utilizing thermometer ions. The energy transfer found in these simulations agrees with those from previous simulations of Ne and Si(CD3)3+ colliding with self-assembled monolayer (SAM) surfaces.
Linear Unsteady Aerodynamic Models from Wind Tunnel Measurements

Linear unsteady aerodynamic models are obtained for a NACA 0006 airfoil in a wind tunnel experiment at Reynolds number 65,000. A family of system identification maneuvers, based on a canonical step-up, hold maneuver, are specifically designed to extract relevant unsteady information from phase averaged wind tunnel measurements. Linear models based on these maneuvers are constructed using OKID/ERA for the case of pitching about α0 =0 ◦ and α0 =1 0 ◦ , as well as the case of pure plunge. It is shown that the identified models are more accurate than Theodorsen’s model for all maneuvers, especially those at larger base angle of attack.
Theory of angular distributions in resonant transfer and excitation

It is shown that angular distributions of Auger electrons and X-rays from deexcitation of doubly excited states produced in the resonant transfer and excitation of projectiles in collisions with light targets are, in general, not isotropic. The X-ray emission is nonisotropic with respect to the projectile beam direction because the doubly excited states produced are collisionally aligned. The Auger electron emission to the ground state shows nonisotropic behavior due to the alignment, and the interference with the elastic scattering channel. The detailed theoretical results for the 2p21D resonance in F8+ + H2 are presented at a projectile energy of 20 MeV. The angular distribution of the Auger electron is strongly peaked in the forward direction in the laboratory, and the Auger electrons exhibit significant deviations from the Lorentzian profile, in particular for large angles in the laboratory frame.
Piranha scheduling: strategies and their implementations

Piranha is a execution model for Linda4 developed at Yale(1) to reclaim idle cycles from networked workstations for use in executing parallel programs. Piranha has proven to be an effective system for harnessing large amounts of computing power. Most Piranha research to this point has concentrated on efficiently executing a single application at a time. In this paper we evaluate strategies for scheduling multiple Piranha applications. We examine methods for predicting idle periods and the effectiveness of scheduling strategies that make use of these predictions. We present a prototype scheduler for the Piranha system implemented using the process trellis software architecture for networks of workstations.
Modeling, analysis, and validation of a preliminary design for a 20 kV medium voltage DC substation

With the advancement of high capacity power electronics technologies, most notably in HVDC applications, the concept of developing and implementing future transmission subsystems through a DC backbone presents a realistic and advantageous option over traditional AC approaches. Currently, electrical equipment or devices requiring DC power to function, whether loads or resources, necessitate AC/DC conversion technologies. Having an accessible and direct supply of DC power to serve such loads and resources creates the potential to mitigate losses experienced in the AC/DC conversion process, reduce overall electrical system infrastructure, and lessen the amount of power generated from power plants, as well as other advantages. This paper introduces an initial design and simulation model of a medium voltage DC (MVDC) substation concept containing renewable generation, power electronic converters, and induction machine loads. Each of the components is developed and modeled in PSCAD and validated analytically. The models of the represented system equipment and components are individually presented and accompanied with their simulated results to demonstrate the validity of the overall model. Future work will build upon the model to develop additional loads and resources, control strategies for optimized integration, and more detailed component models.
Teenage smoking in China.

Abstract China's production and consumption of cigarettes have ranked first in the world. One of every three cigarettes manufactured in the world is consumed in China. Three of every five Chinese smokers begin smoking at the age of 15–20 years. Teenage smoking is increasingly becoming a problem in modern China. At least 50 million of the children now living in China will be killed by smoking. Therefore China's top priority in control of smoking is to educate the youth against smoking so as to prevent them from starting and reduce the overall number of new smokers. Adults smoke; children follow. Thus a major feature of China's smoking control efforts has been the mobilization of primary school children to advise their parents to stop smoking. The goal of the Chinese Association on Smoking and Health is to achieve a male (age 15+) smoking rate below 58% and a female (age 15+) smoking rate below 5% by the year 2000. Although the number of smoke-free schools is on the increase and many more teenagers are quitting, China still has a long way to go.
Evaluation of yield strength anomaly of Alloy 718 at 700–800 °C

Abstract Alloy 718 showed enhanced tensile yield strength and reduced ductility at 700 and 800 °C, a possible indication of yield strength anomaly phenomenon. The results of TEM, STEM and EDS verified the formation and precipitation of γ′′ and δ phases at these temperatures that could have contributed to such anomalous behavior of this alloy under tensile loading. Presence of nickel (Ni) and niobium (Nb) was observed in both phases, suggesting a composition of Ni 3 Nb for them.
Effect of resonances on 2s-2p and 2l-3l' excitation of Li-like ions by electron impact

Collision strengths are calculated in a five-state close-coupling approximation for excitation of C/sup 3 +/, O/sup 5 +/, Ne/sup 7 +/, and Ar/sup 15 +/ by electron impact for energies less than the 3d threshold. Resonance contributions enhance the allowed 2p-3s collision strength by larger factors than the enhancement of the forbidden 2s-3s collision strength. The resonance enhancement is approximately independent of nuclear charge Z for 2s-3s, 2s-3p, and 2p-3p, and increases nearly linearly with Z for 2p-3s. The average effect of resonance contributions to ..cap omega..(2s,2p) is only 4%.
Information fusion: telling the story (or threat narrative)

Today’s operators face a “double whammy” – the need to process increasing amounts of information, including “Twitter-INT” 1 (social information such as Facebook, You-Tube videos, blogs, Twitter) as well as the need to discern threat signatures in new security environments, including those in which the airspace is contested. To do this will require the Air Force to “fuse and leverage its vast capabilities in new ways.” 2 For starters, the integration of quantitative and qualitative information must be done in a way that preserves important contextual information since the goal increasingly is to identify and mitigate violence before it occurs. To do so requires a more nuanced understanding of the environment being sensed, including the human environment, ideally from the “emic” perspective; that is, from the perspective of that individual or group. This requires not only data and information that informs the understanding of how the individuals and/or groups see themselves and others (social identity) but also information on how that identity filters information in their environment which, in turn, shapes their behaviors. 3 The goal is to piece together the individual and/or collective narratives regarding threat, the threat narrative, from various sources of information. Is there a threat? If so, what is it? What is motivating the threat? What is the intent of those who pose the threat and what are their capabilities and their vulnerabilities? 4 This paper will describe preliminary investigations regarding the application of prototype hybrid information fusion method based on the threat narrative framework.
Utilization of the tympanomastoid fissure for intraoperative identification of the facial nerve: a cadaver study.

Purpose Intraoperative identification of the facial nerve is an essential component of parotid gland surgery. Failure to visualize the facial nerve during the procedure can result in significant complications such as facial palsy. Several anatomic landmarks are used clinically to identify the facial nerve trunk; however, most of these structures have variable locations with respect to the nerve. The tympanomastoid fissure is the closest and least variable of the anatomic landmarks used in parotid gland surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distance between the tympanomastoid fissure and the facial nerve trunk. Materials and Methods Thirty cadaver sides were dissected. A modified Blair incision exposed the facial nerve trunk, and the dissection was extended to the stylomastoid foramen and adjacent mastoid process. The distance between the most lateral aspect of the tympanomastoid fissure and facial nerve trunk was obtained using a digital caliper. Results The distance from the tympanomastoid fissure to the facial nerve trunk ranged from 3.3 to 9.2 mm with a mean of 4.9 mm. Conclusions The results showed that the tympanomastoid fissure is a close and predictable anatomic landmark that can be used to identify the facial nerve trunk intraoperatively.
A way of following individual cells in the migrating slugs of Dictyostelium discoideum

In the development of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum there is a stage in which the aggregated amoebae form a migrating slug that moves forward in a polar fashion, showing sensitive orientation to environmental cues, as well as early signs of differentiation into anterior prestalk and posterior prespore cells. Heretofore it has been difficult to follow the movement of the individual cells within the slug, but a new method is described in which small, flat (one cell thick) slugs are produced in a glass-mineral oil interface where one can follow the movement of all the cells. Observations of time-lapse videos reveal the following facts about slug migration: (i) While the posterior cells move straight forward, the anterior cells swirl about rapidly in a chaotic fashion. (ii) Turning involves shifting the high point of these hyperactive cells. (iii) Both the anterior and the posterior cells move forward on their own power as the slug moves forward. (iv) There are no visible regular oscillations within the slug. (v) The number of prestalk and prespore cells is proportional for a range of sizes of these mini-slugs. All of these observations on thin slugs are consistent with what one finds in normal, three-dimensional slugs.
An Experimental Comparison of Methods of Measuring Ethnicity

Ethnicity is a labile construct in the United States, and the combination of complex backgrounds and low saliency contributes to variability in reporting. This is demonstrated in an experiment of the 2004 General Social Survey in which a computer-assisted personal interview—based version of a traditional paper-and-pencil interview—based item on ethnicity produced many more mentions of ethnicities.
Partial Least Squares Regression Calibration for Determining Wax Content in Processed Flax Fiber by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

The quality of flax fiber in the textile industry is closely related to the wax content remaining on the fiber after the cleaning process. Extraction by organic solvents, which is currently used for determining wax content, is very time consuming and produces chemical waste. In this study, near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was used as a rapid analytical technique to develop models for wax content associated with flax fiber. Calibration samples (n = 11) were prepared by manually mixing dewaxed fiber and isolated wax to provide a range of wax content from 0 to 5%. A total of fourteen flax fiber samples obtained after a cleaning process were used for prediction. Principal component analysis demonstrated that one principal component is enough to separate the flax fibers by their wax content. The most highly correlated wavelengths were 2312, 2352, 1732, and 1766 nm, in order of significance. Partial least squares models were developed with various chemometric preprocessing approaches to obtain the best model performance. Two models, one using the entire region (1100–2498 nm) and the other using the selected wavelengths, were developed and the accuracies compared. For the model using the entire region, the correlation coefficient (R2) between actual and predicted values was 0.996 and the standard error of prediction (RMSEP) was 0.289%. For the selected-wavelengths model, the R2 was 0.997 and RMSEP was 0.272%. The results suggested that NIR spectroscopy can be used to determine wax content in very clean flax fiber and that development of a low-cost device, using few wavelengths, should be possible.
Performance Characteristics of Prostate-specific Antigen in Patients Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy

Objective To assess the performance characteristics of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) for predicting the volume of total or high-grade cancer in men undergoing radical prostatectomy. It is known that the performance characteristics of PSA are improved for predicting the presence of high-grade prostate cancer. Methods We identified 1459 patients from the Stanford Radical Prostatectomy Database with clinical Stage T1c (n = 783) and T2 (n = 676) disease who underwent surgery from 1988 to 2003 with detailed morphometric mapping. We generated receiver operating characteristic curves for PSA levels according to the total and high-grade (Gleason score 4 or 5) cancer volume and compared the areas under the curve (AUC) for the various total and high-grade cancer volumes. Results For patients with Stage T1c disease, the AUC for the PSA ROC curve increased in a stepwise fashion as both the total cancer volume and the high-grade cancer volume increased. Significant differences between the AUCs for low and high volumes of total and high-grade disease were observed. For T2 disease, the AUCs for predicting high-grade cancer volume were generally greater than the corresponding AUCs for T1c disease, although no incremental increase was observed. Conclusion In patients with Stage T1c disease, in whom the PSA level was the driving force for biopsy, the PSA performance improved in a stepwise fashion with greater total and high-grade cancer volumes as evidenced by improved ROC. Previous studies have shown that PSA performs better for detecting the presence of high-grade disease. We have shown that PSA performs better in predicting greater volumes of high-grade disease in radical prostatectomy specimens.
Digital cows grazing on digital grounds

Picture a pasture open to all (…) As a rational being, each herdsman seeks to maximize his gain. Explicitly or implicitly, more or less consciously, he asks, "What is the utility to me of adding one more animal to the herd?" This utility has one negative and one positive component. 1) The positive component is a function of the increment of one animal. Since the herdsman receives all the proceeds from the sale of the additional animal, the positive utility is nearly +1. 2) The negative component is a function of the additional overgrazing created by one more animal. Since, however, the effects of overgrazing are shared by all the herdsmen, the negative utility for any particular decision-making herdsman is only a fraction of −1. Adding together the component partial utilities, the rational herdsman concludes that the only sensible course for him to pursue is to add another animal to the herd. And another; and another …
Sex differences in anxiety and emotional behavior

Research has elucidated causal links between stress exposure and the development of anxiety disorders, but due to the limited use of female or sex-comparative animal models, little is known about the mechanisms underlying sex differences in those disorders. This is despite an overwhelming wealth of evidence from the clinical literature that the prevalence of anxiety disorders is about twice as high in women compared to men, in addition to gender differences in severity and treatment efficacy. We here review human gender differences in generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety-relevant biological functions, discuss the limitations of classic conflict anxiety tests to measure naturally occurring sex differences in anxiety-like behaviors, describe sex-dependent manifestation of anxiety states after gestational, neonatal, or adolescent stressors, and present animal models of chronic anxiety states induced by acute or chronic stressors during adulthood. Potential mechanisms underlying sex differences in stress-related anxiety states include emerging evidence supporting the existence of two anatomically and functionally distinct serotonergic circuits that are related to the modulation of conflict anxiety and panic-like anxiety, respectively. We discuss how these serotonergic circuits may be controlled by reproductive steroid hormone-dependent modulation of crfr1 and crfr2 expression in the midbrain dorsal raphe nucleus and by estrous stage-dependent alterations of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABAergic) neurotransmission in the periaqueductal gray, ultimately leading to sex differences in emotional behavior.
Communication overload: a phenomenological inquiry into academic reference librarianship

Purpose – This study aims to provide insight on the meaning of communication overload as experienced by modern academic librarians. Communication is the essence of reference librarianship, and a practically endless array of synchronous and asynchronous communication tools (ICTs) are available to facilitate communication.Design/methodology/approach – This study relied on a phenomenological methodology, which included nine in‐depth interviews with academic librarians. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using RQDA, a qualitative analysis software package that facilitates coding, category building, and project management.Findings – Seven themes about librarianship emerged from this research: attending to communication abundance, librarians of two types, instruction not reference, twenty‐first century librarianship, user needs, trusted methods: filter not retrieve, and self‐impact. The shared meaning of communication overload among these librarians is that it is a problem when it detracts from or hin...
Entropy in an Expanding Universe

The question of how the observed evolution of organized structures from initial chaos in the expanding universe can be reconciled with the laws of statistical mechanics is studied, with emphasis on effects of the expansion and gravity. Some major sources of entropy increase are listed. An expanding "causal" region is defined in which the entropy, though increasing, tends to fall further and further behind its maximum possible value, thus allowing for the development of order. The related questions of whether entropy will continue increasing without limit in the future, and whether such increase in the form of Hawking radiation or radiation from positronium might enable life to maintain itself permanently, are considered. Attempts to find a scheme for preserving life based on solid structures fail because events such as quantum tunneling recurrently disorganize matter on a very long but fixed time scale, whereas all energy sources slow down progressively in an expanding universe. However, there remains hope that other modes of life capable of maintaining themselves permanently can be found.
Three-dimensional structure of the chromatoid body helix of Entamoeba invadens.

The three-dimensional structure of the helix of the chromatoid body of Entamoeba invadens, which is thought to be composed of ribosomes or ribosome precursors, has been reconstructed from electron micrographs of positively contrasted sections. The asymmetric unit of the helix is found to contain three well-resolved regions of density. The dimensions of these regions are measured from models representing the density fluctuations above and below the average radial density and are therefore only approximate. The largest region of density, labeled the L subunit, is located near the periphery of the helix and appears approximately circular when viewed radially. It measures approximately 220 A axially, ~ 150 A radially, and ~250 A tangentially, which corresponds to an approximate volume of 4.9 × 106 A3. The next largest region, labeled the S subunit, is bonded to the L subunit in approximately the axial direction. The S subunit extends ~ 180 A axially and has a maximum width perpendicular to the long axis of ~ 160 A and a minimum width of ~ 80 A. The corresponding volume of S is ~ 2.9 × 106 A3. The smallest region of density is labeled the X particle. The most densely stained region of this particle extends ~ 100 A axially, 60 to 80 A radially and 100 to 120 A tangentially. A tail region of the particle, which may be artifactual, is 50 to 70 A in diameter and ~ 100 A long. The volume of the X particle, including the tail, is ~ 0.9 × 106 A3.
ISO estimates of noise-induced hearing impairment

The revision of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard ISO 1999 [(1971). International Organization of Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland)] in 1990 was based on two noise and hearing study databases, one presented by Burns and Robinson [(1970). Hearing and Noise in Industry (Her Majesty's Stationary Office, London)] and the other by Passchier-Vermeer [(1968). Report No. 35 and Supplement to Report No. 35 (Institute for Public Health Engineering, the Netherlands)]. However, the mathematical expression of these data in ISO 1999 neither closely predicts the distribution of hearing threshold levels in these two databases nor those in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health database. As a result, lower estimates of the risk of noise-induced hearing impairment are found using ISO 1999. An explanation of the revision is needed to justify these lower risk values.
Assessing reproductive cycles and pregnancy in cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) by vaginal cytology

Vaginal cytology was used to monitor ovarian cycles, two pregnancies, and three pseudopregnancies. Vaginal smears were collected two or three times per week from three adult females; smears plus blood samples were collected once per week from a fourth, adolescent female. Mean cycle lengths, based on intervals between onset of leukocyte infusions, were 11.9 ± 4.9 days (n = 43 cycles), 10.8 ± 5.1 days (n = 49), and 12.3 ± 6.3 days (n = 7) for the three females. Weekly hormone data from the adolescent female revealed a correlation between serum estradiol and percent anuclear cells, suggesting that these cells may be indicative of estrus. The fourth female experienced two sustained, 6-week increases in serum progesterone, one spontaneous and the other following follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) administration. Leukocyte infusions continued during these periods of increased progesterone secretion. However, leukocyte infusions ceased during the two pregnancies of one adult female and during two FSH-induced pseudopregnancies of another. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Robust Model Free Fuzzy Adaptive Controller with fuzzy and crisp feedback error learning schemes

The aim of the paper is to investigate the different feedback error learning strategies used in conjunction with the Model Free Fuzzy Adaptive Controller (MFFAC). MFFAC guarantees tight control performance in the presence of disturbances and plant uncertainties. These uncertainties might arise due to the un-modelled dynamics of the plant under control or due to the different sensors introduced in the control loop at various points. The MFFAC is based on the model reference adaptive control (MRAC) philosophy and develops an inverse model of the plant by incorporating feedback error learning (FEL) strategy. The MFFAC is modelled as a fuzzy relational model and the identification scheme used is computationally undemanding. FEL governs the behaviour of the MFFAC during the learning phase i.e. whether the fuzzy controller will behave as a PI, PD or PID controller. It is an integral part of the overall identification scheme because it estimates the correct control signal which is consequently used to update the controller parameters. Fuzzy and crisp versions of the FEL have been studied and the comparison of the different approaches is discussed and their impact on the control performance is elaborated.
Deadline Based Resource Balancing Task Allocation for Clustered Heterogeneous LEO Small Satellite Network

This paper proposes a Deadline Based Resource Balancing (DBRB) task allocation algorithm for heterogeneous LEO small satellite networks, in which each satellite is equipped with one or more resources and limited power. So in the task allocation process, the dispatcher needs to consider the deadlines of the tasks as well as the balance of different resources. As the Map-Reduce program model is broadly adopted, a task in this network can consists of multiple subtasks. This paper schedules the subtasks based on both task deadline and resource balance. The DBRB algorithm is deployed on the head node of a cluster. It gathers the status from each cluster member and calculates their Node Importance Factors (NIFs) from the carried resources, residue power and compute capacity. The algorithm calculates the number of concurrent subtasks based on the deadlines, and allocates the subtasks to the lower NIFs first to balance the resources. The simulation results show that when cluster members carry multiple resources, resource are more balanced and rare resources serve longer in DBRB than in an Early Deadline First algorithm. We also analyze the resource balancing and average task finish time with different task deadline settings. And we show that the algorithm performs well in service isolation by serving multiple tasks with different deadlines. Moreover, the average task response time with various cluster size settings is well controlled within deadlines as well.
Anisotropy in magnetic properties of high-Tc materials

Abstract A brief review is given on recent results concerning equilibrium flux-line lattices, the field distribution within a cell of vortex lattices, the transverse magnetization and the anisotropy related torque. Current carrying properties of boundaries between misaligned anisotropic superconductors are discussed.
Silver staining studies on the short arm variant of human chromosome 17

The absence of silver grain precipitation on human chromosome 17, consistently observed in four patients displaying the 17p variant, supports the hypothesis that the 17p variant is a structural heteromorphism rather than translocated satellite material.
The determination of chlorobutanol in pharmaceuticals by amperometric titration.

The determination of chlorobutanol by the official method is a lengthy procedure not readily applicable to pharmaceutical preparations. Chlorobutanol has been determined turbidimetrically, but sodium chloride and other halides interfere. A procedure for the direct determination of chlorobutanol in pharmaceutical preparations by the amperometric titration of chloride ion with silver nitrate using a rotating platinum electrode has been developed. This procedure is rapid and is not interfered with by sodium chloride, sodium bisulfite, and other halides.
NOTES ON SPATIAL INTERACTION

With this article, THE PROFESSIONAL GEOGRAPHER introduces a new type of Views and Opinions piece focusing upon key issues confronting particular segments of the discipline. The editors hope that such expressions of opinion will generate a productive exchange of views. In this paper, the author finds that log-linear regression estimates of the aggregate gravity model impose considerable technical problems. Entropy models do not provide a theory for the gravity model. Both approaches suggest that the performance of this model can be attributed to its tautological structure. Neglect of accessibility factors helps explain underestimation of travel demand in many studies. Individual choice theory does not realistically support the idea that the gravity model is superior to opportunity models. In addition, the whole notion of using observed behavior to “reveal” spatial decision-making must be seriously questioned.
Mobility of icy sand packs, with application to Martian permafrost

[1] The physical state of water on Mars has fundamental ramifications for both climatology and astrobiology. The widespread presence of “softened” Martian landforms (such as impact craters) can be attributed to viscous creep of subsurface ground ice. We present laboratory experiments designed to determine the minimum amount of ice necessary to mobilize topography within Martian permafrost. Our results show that the jammed-to-mobile transition of icy sand packs neither occurs at fixed ice content nor is dependent on temperature or stress, but instead correlates strongly with the maximum dry packing density of the sand component. Viscosity also changes rapidly near the mobility transition. The results suggest a potentially lower minimum volatile inventory for the impact-pulverized megaregolith of Mars. Furthermore, the long-term preservation of partially relaxed craters implies that the ice content of Martian permafrost has remained close to that at the mobility transition throughout Martian history.
The electrodeposition of metal at metal/carbon nanotube junctions

Abstract We deposited a semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube on Pd electrodes, and the initial charge transport measurements showed the usual large contact resistance between the electrodes and the nanotube. We electroplated Au over the electrodes with no obvious deposition of Au along the sidewalls of the nanotube between the electrodes. Post deposition charge transport measurements indicated more than a factor of six decrease in the electrode/nanotube contact resistance, yet the semiconducting behavior of the nanotube was maintained. A significant difference in the post deposition I–V characteristics may be explained by an electronic or mechanical modification of the nanotube/electrode junction.
Application of Supercritical Anti-Solvent Technologies for the Synthesis of Delivery Systems of Bioactive Food Components

To develop edible delivery systems suitable for food applications, regulations require that solvents and ingredients are either generally recognized as safe or listed by the Food and Drug Administration as processing aids. In this work, we studied a food grade polymer-corn zein, a category of alcohol-soluble proteins, as the carrier material for microencapsulating bioactives. Zein is insoluble in aqueous solutions; zein-based delivery systems may thus maintain the integrity in aqueous food products during processing and storage. Three alcohols, i.e., ethanol, methanol, and isopropanol, with an appropriate amount of water were used to dissolve zein. A supercritical anti-solvent process was applied to synthesize micro- and nanoparticles of zein for edible delivery systems of bioactive compounds. We studied critical variables during the particle formation: polymer concentration, CO2 flow rate, and co-solvent chemistry. Particles were produced only when mass transfer was fast enough that the co-solvent in the atomized droplets could be extracted by the reservoir CO2 and polymers could nucleate and grow into particles. Manipulation of the above variables enabled the production of micro- and nanoparticles, which can be used as bases for microencapsulating bioactives. Our results demonstrated promising applications of the supercritical anti-solvent technology to synthesize food grade delivery systems of bioactive food ingredients that can enhance the healthfulness, safety, and quality of food products.
Rapping, Blogging, and Plain Language: The Stars of Science Communication Events

“What you heard in the poetry, what you heard in the stories and the songs here tonight—there are people in the world who will get that a lot better than our posters,” said Richard Alley to a packed crowd of Earth and space scientists at the Fall Meeting's second annual Open Mic Night. “Not only are they going to be happier because of it, but so are we.”
Inhibition of fermentation by x-rays in normal and low nitrogen yeast.

Hefezellen, die in einem synthetischen Substrat mit verschiedenen Mengen von (NH4)2SO4 (mit Phosphatpuffer) kultiviert worden waren, wurden bestrahlt (100 kV Rontgenstrahlen). Darauf wurde die Garung von Glukose manometrisch bestimmt. Die in einem wenig Stickstoff enthaltenden Milieu kultivierte Hefe hatte einen verminderten Stickstoffgehalt und ein erniedrigtes $$Q_{CO_2 }^{N_2 } $$ . Die Garung solcher Hefe war nach Einwirkung kleiner Strahlendosis geringer als die Garung normaler Hefe. Das Garungsvermogen von Hefe mit erniedrigtem Stickstoffgehalt wurde durch eine Strahlendosis von 30 000 und 60 000 r starker herabgesetzt als die Garung normaler Hefer.
Unilateral nephrectomy in a juvenile llama.

Objective—The purpose of this study was to decribe the clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and surgical management of a llama with an ectopic ureter. Animals or Sample Population—Nine-month-old female llama. Results—The diagnostic evaluation included the use of computed tomography and an excretory ureterogram to confirm and identify the location of the ectopic ureter. Surgical management involved a unilateral nephrectomy. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Computed tomography is a valuable asset to diagnose the presence and terminal location of an ectopic ureter in llamas, and nephrectomy appears to be a viable procedure to resolve the subsequent urinary incontinence.
Dynamics of the A+BC reaction in solution

Abstract Molecular dynamics are computed for A+BC → AB+C in a rare gas solvent. Transition state theory is valid. For ± 0.02 ps about the barrier, reaction dynamics are essentially the same as without solvent. Reactive trajectories are translationally special over ≈ ± 0.02 ps, rotationally over ≈ ± 0.5 ps, and vibrationally over > 100ps.
Instantaneous Volumetric Combustion Diagnostics

This paper reports instantaneous and volumetric flame measurements based on tomographic techniques. Experimental results at kHz temporal rate, in a volume of 16×16×16 cm3, and with a spatial resolution of 2~3 mm, are discussed.
Abstract 1483: Biological and clinical significance of miR-224 in colorectal cancer

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA MicroRNAs (miRNAs) not only participate to cancer initiation and tumor growth, but also play roles in tumor metastasis. The aims of this study were to identify specific miRNAs involved in colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis, and study their biological functions. We initially assessed by microarray global miRNA expression profile in primary CRC tissues from patients with or without metastasis. The most differentially expressed miRNAs were validated in a large set of CRC patient samples by real time PCR (qRT-PCR). We identified 7 miRNAs that were significantly upregulated in stage III-IV primary CRC compared with stage I-II cancer, among which miR-224 expression increased consistently with tumor burden. We used transwell-based cell motility analysis in CRC cell lines to test the biological activities of studied miRNAs, and showed that miR-224 and miR-141 promote CRC cell motility. By using qRT-PCR, western blot and luciferase assay, we identified SMAD4 as a direct miR-224 target mediating miR-224's effect on cell motility in CRC cells. We conclude that MiR-224 is associated with CRC malignancy, and functions as a metastasis activator by negative regulation of SMAD4. Citation Format: HUI LING, George Calin, Milena Nicoloso, Mariko Ikuo. Biological and clinical significance of miR-224 in colorectal cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1483. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1483
Pulsed laser deposition of cobalt-doped manganese oxide thin films for supercapacitor applications

Abstract Thin films of vanadium-doped crystalline Mn 2 O 3 and amorphous MnO x have been grown by the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) process on silicon wafer and stainless steel substrates at different substrate temperatures and oxygen gas pressures. It was found that V-doping level as low as 3.2 atm. % can transform the crystal structure of a crystalline Mn 2 O 3 film into a crystalline MnO 2 film. V-doping (up to 10 atm. %) has significantly lowered the specific capacitance of the crystalline Mn 2 O 3 films. However, V-doped amorphous MnO x films did significantly increase the specific capacitance at high CV scan rate as compared with the un-doped MnO x films and the specific capacitance of V-doped amorphous films increased linearly with the V atomic percentage. At high scan rate of 100 mV s −1 , 9.7 atm. % V-doped MnO x film reached a high specific capacitance value of 95 F g −1 indicating that V-doped amorphous MnO x is good candidate active materials for high energy supercapacitors. The results prove that elemental doping can significantly change the electrochemical properties of MnO x films.
The crystal structure of Trichomonas vaginalis ferredoxin provides insight into metronidazole activation.

Crystallographic studies revealing the three-dimensional structure of the oxidized form of the [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin from Trichomonas vaginalis (TvFd) are presented. TvFd, a member of the hydrogenosomal class of ferredoxins, possesses a unique combination of redox and spectroscopic properties, and is believed to be the biological molecule that activates the drug metronidazole reductively in the treatment of trichomoniasis. It is the first hydrogenosomal ferredoxin to have its structure determined. The structure of TvFd reveals a monomeric, 93 residue protein with a fold similar to that of other known [2Fe-2S] ferredoxins. It contains nine hydrogen bonds to the sulfur atoms of the cluster, which is more than the number predicted on the basis of the spectroscopic data. The TvFd structure contains a large dipole moment like adrenodoxin, and appears to have a similar interaction domain. Our analysis demonstrates that TvFd has a unique cavity near the iron-sulfur cluster that exposes one of the inorganic sulfur atoms of the cluster to solvent. This cavity is not seen in any other [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin with known structure, and is hypothesized to be responsible for the high rate of metronidazole reduction by TvFd.
Structural and tectonic evolution of the Cherokee Ridge arch, south-central Wyoming: Implications for recurring strike-slip along the Cheyenne Belt suture zone

The Cherokee Ridge arch is an east–west-trending structure that separates the Washakie Basin of south-central Wyoming from the Sand Wash Basin of northwestern Colorado. It is characterized by a distinct east–west-trending lineament on Landsat images and a zone of northwest–southeast-striking, en echelon, high-angle faults that cut Upper Cretaceous to Miocene sedimentary rocks. The lineament is interpreted to be the surface expression of the Cheyenne belt, a buried suture zone that separates Proterozoic crust of the Colorado province from Archean crust of the Wyoming province. Results of this study indicate that the surface and near-surface structures along the Cherokee Ridge arch are the result of periodic strike-slip motion along the Cheyenne belt since Late Cretaceous time and possibly before. Previous structural and paleomagnetic studies support the conclusion that left-lateral transpressional motion occurred during the Late Cretaceous and early Tertiary as the area was under the contractional tectonic regime of the Laramide orogeny. The left-lateral shear zone is interpreted to be a lateral ramp accommodating west-directed thrusting that culminated in the formation of the Rock Springs uplift as the Colorado Plateau rotated in a clockwise direction at the end of the Laramide orogeny. A significant amount of vertical reverse displacement would also have occurred at this time along the south-dipping shear zone, giving the arch its present-day structural relief. This interpretation is also consistent with uplift of the Uinta Mountains during the Eocene. Right-lateral transtensional motion is interpreted to have taken place after the Miocene as the Colorado Plateau rotated to the west relative to the more stable Wyoming province during Tertiary extensional events. Northwest translation of the Colorado Plateau during Cenozoic extension is also supported by structural and paleomagnetic studies. Most surface structures observed along the arch are related to this most recent period of wrenching.
Glutamate neurotoxicity in the developing rat cochlea: physiological and morphological approaches

Abstract The neurotoxic effects of exogenous glutamate were studied in the rat cochlea. Glutamate-treated rats (4 g/kg/day i.p., postnatal days 2–9) exhibited electrophysiologically-measured elevations in high frequency thresholds usually associated with hair cell loss in the basal region of the cochlea. While surface preparations of the organ of Corti revealed no loss of hair cells, there was a dramatic and selective reduction of neurons in the basal, high frequency-related portion of the spiral ganglion. This sensitivity of developing spiral ganglion cells to the neurotoxicity of glutamate is consistent with the hypothesis that glutamate or a structurally related substance is a neurotransmitter at afferent synapses of cochlear hair cells.
Vegf or EphA2 Antisense Polyamide-nucleic acids; Vascular Localization and Suppression of Retinal Neovascularization

Localized gene knockdown is a valuable tool for investigating the function of gene products in tissues. It may also be a good therapeutic strategy for selective targeting of a gene product implicated in disease pathogenesis. While small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are useful for localized gene knockdown and have achieved well-deserved attention, other strategies may also have applications. Polyamide nucleic acids (PNAs) are DNA–protein chimeric molecules that can be designed with modifications so as to allow good cell entry and high affinity binding to complementary RNA. After intraocular injection of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled antisense PNAs directed against Vegf or EphA2 (genes that are highly expressed in retinal vessels), labeling was observed to persist in retinal blood vessels even after staining elsewhere in the retina had faded. This did not occur after injection of FITC-labeled antisense human cAMP responsive element binding protein 1 (hCreb) PNA. Subretinal injection of antisense EphA2 PNA was seen to label choroidal blood vessels. Intraocular injection of antisense Vegf PNA or antisense EphA2 PNA significantly reduced their respective target messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in ischemic retinas and suppressed retinal neovascularization (NV). These data suggest that signaling through EphA2 contributes to retinal NV, and that antisense PNAs may be an advantageous way to target EphA2 and other endothelial cell receptors that contribute to ocular NV.
Bound on CPT and Lorentz Symmetry with a Trapped Electron

An upper bound is placed on a combination of CPT - and Lorentz-violating quantities using data from a Penning-trap experiment with a single trapped electron. The experiment involves searching for diurnal variations in the electron anomaly frequency. The theoretical framework is a standard-model extension that violates these symmetries. The figure of merit for Lorentz and CPT symmetry in this context is bounded at 1.6 parts in 10{sup 21} . {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}