cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Seat Location and Movement or Permanence on Student-Initiated Participation.

There is conflicting evidence on the effect of seat location on student performance and participation in the classroom. The two major hypotheses are (1) that seat location influences student behavior and (2) that seat preference and selection is associated with personality traits of students. This study evaluated both hypotheses within a 55 student senior nutritional biochemistry class. Alternating every other seat, half of the class was randomly assigned a permanent seat while the other half was randomly reassigned a different seat each class period. Students sitting in the front of the classroom in the stay group made significantly more comments per student per day than stay group students in the back, in agreement with other studies. The move group, however, showed increased overall participation with no significant difference between the front and back of the classroom. Findings suggest a more flexible explanation—that students may adopt or reject an implied social role in which seat location and pers...
Solvational Barriers to Interfacial Electron-Transfer - Minimization via Valence Delocalization

Abstract : Standard rate constants (k sub s) for interfacial electron transfer (ET) have been obtained for several redox couples featuring very small internal activation barriers. To render these ordinarily fast rates measurable, we have employed low-defect-density, highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) as an electrode material (see: Allred and McCreery, Anal. Chem., 1992, 64, 444). At the HOPG/aqueous solution interface, we observe - for the first time - the systematic (exponential) increase of k sub s with inverse reactant size, predicted by Marcus for electrochemical reactions whose barriers are primarily defined by solvent reorganizational effects. We also observe that rates can be significantly accelerated by delocalizing electrons over multiple metal-centered trapping sites. The degree of rate acceleration is quantitatively consistent with the extent of solvent barrier lowering expected if electronic delocalization effectively increases the radius of the ET reaction site.
Observation of simultaneous electronic transitions for rare-earth ion pairs in aqueous solution

Abstract In concentrated aqueous solutions at 298°K absorption bands observed for praseodymium ion at 24 154, 24 844, and 25 974 cm−1 are assigned as simultaneous transitions for Pr3+ ion pairs to states[3P0][3H6], [3P0][3F2], and [3P0][3F3] from the pair ground state [3H4][3H4]. A shoulder at 23 200 and a band at 27 400 cm−1 are assigned analogously. The interpretations and applications of simultaneous transitions in metal-ion pairs in solution are discussed.
Symmetry of Electron States in GaP

We show that the symmetry of bound electron states in GaP depends upon the choice of origin for the group operations and hence upon the location of impurity in the crystal lattice. This provides an explanation of the discrepancy between the high radiative efficiency associated with group VI donors and group V isoelectronic centers and the low efficiency of group IV donors (Si) in GaP.
Role of transrectal ultrasound and prostate biopsy.

Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) has revolutionized our ability to image the human prostate. In the present review we, have attempted to present salient observations with respect to this modality. We emphasize its use in combination with biopsy in men who are considered at risk for harboring carcinoma. The relevant English literature is reviewed. In addition, our experience with 2,231 consecutive ultrasound-guided biopsies performed at the University of Washington and the Seattle VA Medical Center is analyzed. TRUS appears to have its primary use in directing the biopsy needle into suspicious areas and in performing the so-called systematic sector approach to biopsy. The role of transrectal ultrasound in staging established malignancy or in monitoring men following therapy remains to be defined. In our experience, carcinoma was detected in 27.2% of the subjects. Carcinoma was found in 30.7% of patients with a hypoechoic sector. Of note, 18.4% of men had their only carcinoma found in isoechoic areas. Failure to biopsy isoechoic sectors would have resulted in missing almost 20% of men with carcinoma. The role of TRUS in men with initially negative biopsy is also discussed. In summary, ultrasound guided biopsy is a useful addition to our armamentarium, particularly with respect to performing biopsy. Future advances in this modality include image enhancement utilizing computer technology as well as the potential additive role of color flow ultrasound. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Learning from new millennium science fiction cities

Fiction, and particularly current science fiction, (1) reflects, gives voice to, and may shape popular images of the city; (b) provides models of ‘world building’ whose methods may complement and critique other methods of informing the design of cities; and (3) plays out poetically rich thought experiments – cities of feeling – that can help designers understand nuances of current urban design and architectural theory. This paper examines the urban landscapes of three 21st-century award-winning science fiction novels. These cities of the fictive imagination can inform the creation of cities of the design imagination.
A mathematical model of aortic valve vibration

It has been shown experimentally that the second heart sound is produced by diastolic vibrations of the closed aortic valve. In the present paper a mathematical model of this vibration is developed from first principles. The model assumes a one dimensional but non-linear fluid behavior. The problem is coupled through a non-linear, planar valve. A solution is obtained using the method of characteristics developed in finite difference form. The resulting valve frequency and amplitude are in good agreement with patient data. The model predicts a strong dependency of response on the valve forcing function and valve stiffness; and a weaker dependency of response on valve mass.
l-Arginine inhibits neutrophil adherence and coronary artery dysfunction

Background: Nitric oxide (NO) attenuates neutrophil (PMN)-mediated damage, partly by inhibiting superoxide anion (O2−) generation and adherence to the coronary artery endothelium. l-Arginine is the endogenous substrate for production of NO via the NO synthase pathway. This study tested the hypothesis that the endogenous NO precursor l-arginine (l-Arg) would reduce PMN-induced coronary artery dysfunction by attenuating O2− production and neutrophil adherence. Methods: Neutrophils and left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery segments were isolated from normal, anesthetised (30 mg/kg i.v. pentobarbitone) dogs. LAD segments were either cut into 2–3 mm rings and mounted in organ chambers to measure vascular tone responses to acetylcholine (endothelium-receptor-dependent) and acidified NaNO2 (smooth muscle), or cut into segments to measure adherence of fluorescently labeled neutrophils by epifluorescence microscopy. Results: l-Arg had no direct inhibitory effect on O2− production (cytochrome c reduction) by PMN activated with platelet activating factor (PAF) (34.6 ± 4.8 nmol vs. 34.2 ± 4.1 nmol). l-Arg (10 mmol) reduced adherence of fluorescently labeled PMN to isolated canine coronary artery endothelium activated by 100 nM PAF from 187 ± 11 to 41 ± 6 PMN/mm2, P < 0.05. This inhibition of adherence was reversed by N -ω-nitro-l-arginine (l-NA, 1 mmol) (175 ± 20 PMN/mm2) and by the NO scavenger, carboxy-PTIO (600 μM, 157 ± 23 PMN/mm2). d-arginine, the nonmetabolised enantiomer of l-arginine, (d-Arg, 10 mmol) did not reduce adherence (162 ± 20 PMN/mm2). To determine the effect of PMN on coronary artery endothelial function, canine coronary artery rings were transiently incubated with activated PMNs in organ chambers to induce dysfunction. After washout of PMN, the EC50 (−log M) derived from post-injury concentration-relaxation responses to acetylcholine was significantly less in 10 mmol l-Arg (6.94 ± 0.08) than untreated rings (6.47 ± 0.06). In contrast, 10 mmol d-Arg could not reverse this dysfunction (6.48 ± 0.11). Conclusions: l-Arg reduces PMN-induced coronary endothelial dysfunction by inhibition of adherence via the l-arginine-NO pathway.
Luther on Unio Cum Christo

Although often neglected, Luther's concept of unio cum Christo in justification is a fruitful model for integrating faith and ethics. According to this model, the Christian is justified in union with Christ who is present in faith. Since Christ is the incarnation of God's self-giving love, the Christian united with Christ will in turn love her neighbor. This model of integration reveals an intrinsic connection between faith and ethics. Justification concerns not only the dyad of self and God, but also the self's relations with other persons. For Luther, loving the neighbor completes justification. Nonetheless, in both Luther's writings and for the purposes of constructive ethics, unio cum Christo is best understood not as an exhaustive account of integration, but as a helpful model for illuminating certain theological commitments, especially the importance of neighbor love to the God-relation.
Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: Relevance for the Neonatologist

After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Describe the risk factors for and prevalence of preeclampsia. 2. Delineate the signs and symptoms and diagnostic criteria of preeclampsia. 3. Describe the basic management of preeclampsia, including decisions to deliver and the impact on the neonate. 4. Distinguish among hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Preeclampsia is a disease unique to pregnancy, characterized by hypertension and proteinuria. Seen in 5% to 8% of all pregnancies, preeclampsia and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are major causes of maternal, fetal, and neonatal morbidity worldwide. Hypertension is a sign of preeclampsia, and both conditions may create morbidity. The disease may be mild and inconsequential or cause death or significant maternal morbidity from stroke, seizures, cerebral edema, pulmonary edema, hepatic failure, renal failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation, or placental abruption. Fetal and neonatal consequences include intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), stillbirth, and severe prematurity due to delivery for maternal indications. The cause of preeclampsia is unknown. It is a multisystem disorder characterized by vasospasm and coagulation abnormalities. The only known treatment is delivery, after which the symptoms generally resolve. Without an alternative treatment, preeclampsia remains a major cause of iatrogenic prematurity. This review addresses clinical aspects of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, primarily preeclampsia, including prevalence, risk factors, cause, type, management, neonatal impact, and recurrence as well as areas of research, including preeclampsia prediction and prevention. Preeclampsia complicates between 5% and 8% of United States pregnancies and 3% to 14% of pregnancies worldwide. Hypertensive diseases of pregnancy are the second most frequent cause of maternal death in the United States, after embolism, and account for nearly 18% of deaths. Most cases of preeclampsia are mild, and 90% occur after 34 weeks’ gestation. Earlier cases of preeclampsia tend to be more severe, although severe disease may develop at term. The disease usually occurs after …
Two-Frequency Two-Photon Ionization of Nascent PO(X2 Pi) from the Collision-Free IR Photolysis of Dimethyl Methylphosphonate,

We report the detection of nascent PO produced via the collision-free IR photolysis of dimethyl methylphosphonate. Absorption throughout the B2Σ+ ← X2Π system is followed by excitation using 266 nm radiation, which results in PO+ + e. Spectral features due to spin-orbit excitation appear extremely “cold” relative to vibrations and rotations.
Examining American Post‐Secondary Education

The purpose of this report is to identify the most prominent issues in U.S. higher education and to develop strategic research plans to address the issues that are most relevant to ETS's capabilities in measurement and assessment through the ETS's higher education research initiative. In the United States, issues related to higher education such as improved performance and effective accountability have received unprecedented attention from stakeholders at many levels. At the national level, President Obama has set forth an ambitious agenda for American postsecondary education such that by 2020, the United States should once again have the largest concentration of citizens with a postsecondary degree. At the corporate level, ETS, as the world's largest educational research and testing organization, is ready to move beyond testing program-based research in higher education and has the capability to deal with some of the most thorny issues in higher education. By strategically expanding post-secondary research, ETS will establish itself as a pioneer and thought leader in the field of higher education. The first part of the research report identifies four key issues existing in American higher education: enrollment and performance, retention and degree attainment, student learning and experience, and learning outcomes and accountability. The second part of the research report develops an ETS research agenda with short-term and long-term plans to address these issues. The agenda specifies short-term and long-term research goals that are specific, attainable, and measurable. Research findings from the studies proposed in this agenda have a potential for advancing understanding of the current situation and future needs of American higher education and also contributing to enhanced student learning at postsecondary institutions. Reaffirming and strengthening American higher education is critical to this country's success in the 21st century.
Magnetostatic volume wave propagation in a dielectric layered structure

As with magnetostatic surface waves, the presence of a conducting ground plane in the proximity of an epitaxial magnetic layer perturbs the propagation characteristics of magnetostatic volume waves. A dielectric layered structure consisting of an epitaxial YIG film separated from a ground plane by means of a dielectric layer is considered. A characteristic dispersion equation is derived for forward propagating magnetostatic volume waves within this layered structure. Although forward volume waves are reciprocal it is shown that regions of non-dispersive propagation exist. The theoretical predictions are supported by experimental results. Eine leitende Ebene in der Nahe einer epitaxialen magnetischen Schicht verzerrt die Ausbreitungscharakteristik von magnetostatischen Raumvellen wie die von magneto-statischen Oberflachenwellen. Eine dielektrische Schichtstruktur wird betrachtet, die aus einem epitaxialen YIG-Film besteht, der von der leitenden Ebene durch eine dielektrische Schicht getrennt ist. Die charakteristische Dispersionsgleichung fur sich in Vorwartsrichtung ausbreitende magnetostatische Raumwellen wird abgeleitet. Es wird gezeigt, das auch dispersionslose Zonen bestehen, obwohl die vorwarts laufenden Raumwellen reziprok sind. Die theoretischen Voraussagen werden durch experimentelle Ergebnisse bestatigt.
Vasoactivity of S-nitrosohemoglobin: role of oxygen, heme, and NO oxidation states

The mechanisms by which S-nitrosohemoglobin (SNOHb) stimulates vasodilation are unclear and underlie the controversies surrounding the proposal that this S-nitrosothiol modulates blood flow in vivo. Among the mechanistic complexities are the nature of vasoactive species released from SNOHb and the role heme and oxygen play in this process. This is important to address since hemoglobin inhibits NO-dependent vasodilation. We compared the vasodilatory properties of distinct oxidation and ligation states of SNOHb at different oxygen tensions. The results show that SNOHb in the oxygenated state (SNOoxyHb) is significantly less efficient than SNOHb in the ferric or met oxidation state (SNOmetHb) at stimulating relaxation of isolated rat aortic rings. Using pharmacologic approaches to modulate nitrogen monoxide radical (·NO)–dependent relaxation, our data suggest that SNOoxyHb promotes vasodilation in a ·NO-independent manner. In contrast, both SNOmetHb and S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), a putative intermediate in SNOHb reactivity, elicit vasodilation in a ·NO-dependent process. Consistent with previous observations, an increase in sensitivity of SNOHb vasodilation at low oxygen tensions also was observed. However, this was not exclusive for this protein but applied to a range of nitrosovasodilators (including a ·NO donor [DeaNonoate], an S-nitrosothiol [GSNO], and the nitroxyl anion donor, Angelis salt). This suggests that oxygen-dependent modulation of SNOHb vasoactivity does not occur by controlling the allosteric state of Hb but is a property of vessel responsiveness to nitrosovasodilators at low oxygen tensions.
1-soliton solution of the K(m,n) equation with generalized evolution and time-dependent damping and dispersion

This paper obtains the 1-soliton solution of the K(m,n) equation with generalized evolution in the presence of linear damping. The dispersion and linear damping terms have time-dependent coefficients. An exact 1-soliton solution is obtained for this equation together with the constraint between these time-dependent coefficients for the solitons to exist.
1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3-glycoside: Identification of a calcinogenic principle of solanum malacoxylon

Abstract The water soluble calcinogenic factor present in the plant Solanum malacoxylon is partially purified by selective extraction and chromatography on silicic acid and then hydrolyzed with a mixed preparation of glycosidases from the sea worm, Charonia lampus . Hydrolysis produces a chloroform soluble factor with biologic characteristics of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3), the hormonal form of vitamin D. Purification of this factor is accomplished by chromatography on Sephadex LH-20, silicic acid, and Celite columns, yielding 3 μg of active material. During the isolation, bioactivity (as assessed by the ability of fractions to compete with labeled 1,25-(OH)2D3 for binding to a specific intestinal receptor protein) migrates exactly with authentic tritiated 1,25-(OH)2D3. The purified factor has an ultraviolet absorption spectrum identical to that of 1,25-(OH)2D3 and analysis via direct probe mass spectrometry yields a parent molecular ion of m/e 416 and a fragmentation pattern indistinguishable from synthetic 1,25-(OH)2D3 hormone. We therefore conclude that the vitamin D-like principle in Solanum malacoxylon is a sterol-glycoside which contains the 1,25-(OH)2D3 molecule as its active sterol component.
ALTERATIONS IN THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF PROTECTIVE ANTIGEN OF BACILLUS ANTHRACIS TOXIN.

Abstract : The toxin of Bacillus anthracis contains at least three known components - protective antigen (PA), edema factor (EF), and lethal factor (LF) - that can be assayed by the agar diffusion technique. None of the components is toxic when tested alone, but combination of PA with either EF or LF produces, respectively, the edema reaction (deter mined in guinea pigs) or lethality (determined as the time to death of Fischer 344 rats). Sev eral preparations of partially purified PA failed to kill rats when combined with LF, although they were serologically indistinguishable from samples of active PA. Recently this loss in lethal activity has been observed in vivo along with a transient conversion of PA to an inhibitor of toxin lethality. The exact nature of the change or changes is unknown but probably involves subtle physico-chemical changes rather than extensive splitting of the molecule. The lethality of toxic mixtures was inhibited in vitro by low levels of altered PA and by high levels of active PA. These ats aredusse in relationship to the cleance from the bloodstream of injected whole toxin or its components, and a possible role of PA in anthrax therapy is sugested.
Label-free photoacoustic nanoscopy

Super-resolution microscopy techniques—capable of overcoming the diffraction limit of light—have opened new opportunities to explore subcellular structures and dynamics not resolvable in conventional far-field microscopy. However, relying on staining with exogenous fluorescent markers, these techniques can sometimes introduce undesired artifacts to the image, mainly due to large tagging agent sizes and insufficient or variable labeling densities. By contrast, the use of endogenous pigments allows imaging of the intrinsic structures of biological samples with unaltered molecular constituents. Here, we report label-free photoacoustic (PA) nanoscopy, which is exquisitely sensitive to optical absorption, with an 88 nm resolution. At each scanning position, multiple PA signals are successively excited with increasing laser pulse energy. Because of optical saturation or nonlinear thermal expansion, the PA amplitude depends on the nonlinear incident optical fluence. The high-order dependence, quantified by polynomial fitting, provides super-resolution imaging with optical sectioning. PA nanoscopy is capable of super-resolution imaging of either fluorescent or nonfluorescent molecules.
Preparation of zwitterionic electron acceptors and donors

The reactions of 4, 4'-bipyridine and nicotinamide with 1, 3-propane sultone yields zwitterionic electron acceptors. Reaction of dimethylaminoethyl ferrocene with 1, 3-propane sultone yields a zwitterionic ferrocene electron donor. The electron acceptors and donor are reduced and oxidized to the respective radical anions and ferrocenyl cation. Dipropyl-4, 4'-bipyridinium disulfonate and the ferrocene derivative quench the excited Ru(bipy)32+.
Benthic foraminifera living in Gulf of Mexico bathyal and abyssal sediments: Community analysis and comparison to metazoan meiofaunal biomass and density

Abstract Benthic foraminiferal biomass, density, and species composition were determined at 10 sites in the Gulf of Mexico. During June 2001 and 2002, sediment samples were collected with a GoMex box corer. A 7.5-cm diameter subcore was taken from a box core collected at each site and sliced into 1-cm or 2-cm sections to a depth of 2 or 3 cm; the >63-μm fraction was examined shipboard for benthic foraminifera. Individual foraminifers were extracted for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) using a luciferin–luciferase assay, which indicated the total ATP content per specimen; that data was converted to organic carbon. Foraminiferal biomass and density varied substantially (∼2–53 mg C m−2; ∼3600–44,500 individuals m−2, respectively) and inconsistently with water depth: although two ∼1000-m deep sites were geographically separated by only ∼75 km, the foraminiferal biomass at one site was relatively low (∼9 mg C m−2) while the other site had the highest foraminiferal biomass (∼53 mg C m−2). Although most samples from Sigsbee Plain (>3000 m) had low biomass, one Sigsbee site had >20 mg foraminiferal C m−2. The foraminiferal community from all sites (i.e. bathyal and abyssal locales) was dominated by agglutinated, rather than calcareous or tectinous, species. Foraminiferal density never exceeded that of metazoan meiofauna at any site. Foraminiferal biomass, however, exceeded metazoan meiofaunal biomass at 5 of the 10 sites, indicating that foraminifera constitute a major component of the Gulf's deep-water meiofaunal biomass.
Methods for determining the intrinsic and effective charges on spherical macroions.

The intrinsic number of charges per particle, Z, on particles in a suspension of monodisperse sulfonated polystyrene latex is found by measuring steady-state voltammetric transport-limited currents...
Substrate-based fragment identification for the development of selective, nonpeptidic inhibitors of striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase.

High levels of striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase (STEP) activity are observed in a number of neuropsychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Overexpression of STEP results in the dephosphorylation and inactivation of many key neuronal signaling molecules, including ionotropic glutamate receptors. Moreover, genetically reducing STEP levels in AD mouse models significantly reversed cognitive deficits and decreased glutamate receptor internalization. These results support STEP as a potential target for drug discovery for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Herein, a substrate-based approach for the discovery and optimization of fragments called substrate activity screening (SAS) has been applied to the development of low molecular weight (<450 Da) and nonpeptidic, single-digit micromolar mechanism-based STEP inhibitors with greater than 20-fold selectivity across multiple tyrosine and dual specificity phosphatases. Significant levels of STEP inhibition in rat cortical neurons are also ...
Protective immunity to Ascaris suum: Analysis of swine peripheral blood cell subsets using monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry

Abstract Outbred domestic swine or SLA inbred miniature swine were exposed to Ascaris suum either naturally on contaminated lots or by inoculation with UV-irradiated attenuated eggs. Both inbred and outbred swine developed virtually complete protection to a challenge of 10 000 eggs after natural exposure, but inbred swine were less resistant than outbred swine after UV-egg exposure. Flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from these animals, performed to determine changes in cell subsets including helper T-cells, cytotoxic/suppressor T-cells, macrophages, and cells expressing class II major histocompatibility antigens, showed that both outbred and inbred swine had similar responses after parasite exposure. The levels of helper T-cells and cytotoxic/ suppressor T-cells did not change after parasite exposure, while there was an appreciable but transient increase in macrophages only in those swine naturally exposed to A. suum. Swine exposed to A. suum , both naturally and by inoculation with UV-eggs, showed an increase in the amount of class II antigens detectable per cell. In a second set of experiments, outbred swine were exposed to A. suum naturally or by repeated experimental inoculation with different doses of normal eggs, and protective immunity and changes in blood cell subsets were determined. The greatest change in blood cell subsets was found at 3 and 5 weeks after initial parasite exposure, when macrophages were elevated moderately in a group of pigs inoculated every other day with 1000 eggs and markedly in a group that was naturally exposed; class II antigen expression was also increased during this period. These increases preceded peak serum antibody responses, which were lower in the naturally-exposed group relative to the experimentally-inoculated group. Both groups had high levels of protective immunity. This suggests that natural exposure to A. suum may activate cells and enhance specific immune responses to give high levels of protection.
Performance of a linear ion trap-Orbitrap hybrid for peptide analysis.

Proteomic analysis of digested complex protein mixtures has become a useful strategy to identify proteins involved in biological processes. We have evaluated the use of a new mass spectrometer that combines a linear ion trap and an Orbitrap to create a hybrid tandem mass spectrometer. A digested submandibular/sublingual saliva sample was used for the analysis. We find the instrument is capable of mass resolution in excess of 40 000 and mass measurement accuracies of less than 2 ppm for the analysis of complex peptide mixtures. Such high mass accuracy allowed the elimination of virtually any false positive peptide identifications, suggesting that peptides that do not match the specificity of the protease used in the digestion of the sample should not automatically be considered as false positives. Tandem mass spectra from the linear ion trap and from the Orbitrap have very similar ion abundance ratios. We conclude this instrument will be well suited for shotgun proteomic types of analyses.
Continuous measurement and analysis of staining kinetics by flow cytometry

The measurement of color development with time in cells following the start of a staining reaction is of interest in a number of biological systems. These include the subsets of peripheral white blood cells after acridine orange staining, the uptake by cells and nuclei of fluorescent agents, especially antitumor drugs, and measurement of intracellular enzyme kinetics using fluorogenic or absorbing substrates. The present work describes a simple computer program for analyzing flow cytometric (FCM) data versus time, including both the population kinetics of color development and the variability of staining speed within one population of cells. A single-channel absorption measurement in flow (Technicon Hemalog D) was used to record peroxidase kinetics in peripheral blood cells. Every 5 s, a 64-channel absorption histogram was recorded, up to a maximum of 64 histograms. The data were then analyzed by a computer program which searched for the peak channel of each histogram. A least-squares fit was computed for these maxima. The asymmetries of the 64 absorption histograms were compared to see if there was more than one population present with different time constants. Although developed for enzyme kinetic measurements, this program may have wider usefulness in any measurements of time-dependent phenomena by FCM.
Objectivity and the double standard for feminist epistemologies

The emphasis on the limitations of objectivity, in specific guises and networks, has been a continuing theme of contemporary analytic philosophy for the past few decades. The popular sport of baiting feminist philosophers — into pointing to what's left out of objective knowledge, or into describing what methods, exactly, they would offer to replace the powerful “objective” methods grounding scientific knowledge — embodies a blatant double standard which has the effect of constantly putting feminist epistemologists on the defensive, on the fringes, on the run. This strategy can only work if ‘objectivity’ is transparent, simple, stable, and clear in its meaning. It most certainly is not. In fact, taking ‘objectivity’ as a sort of beautiful primitive, self-evident in its value, and all-powerful in its revelatory power, requires careless philosophy, and the best workers in metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophy of science have made reworked definitions of ‘objectivity’ absolutely central to their own projects. In fact, classic feminist concerns with exploring the impact of sex and gender on knowledge, understanding, and other relations between human beings and the rest of the world fall squarely within the sort of human and social settings thatare already considered central in most current analytic metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophy of science. I argue that the burden of proof is clearly on those who wish toreject the centrality and relevance of sex and gender to our most fundamental philosophical work on knowledge and reality.
Crustal anisotropy in the Ural Mountains Foredeep from teleseismic receiver functions

Radial and transverse teleseismic receiver functions (RFs) at GSN station ARU, in central Eurasia, display variation in back-azimuth ψ consistent with a 1-D anisotropic crustal structure. In a broad ψ range, the transverse RFs possess a strong phase at ∼5-sec delay relative to direct P, with a polarity reversal at ψ ∼ 50°. The radial RFs peak at the transyerse-RF polarity reversal for this converted phase. The first motion of the transverse RFs varies with ψ also, reversing polarity at ψ ∼ 345°. The azimuthal variation can be modeled by a 5-layer velocity profile with substantial (15%) seismic anisotropy in both the lowermost crust and a low-velocity surface layer. Assuming hexagonal symmetry, the lowermost crust has a tilted “slow” symmetry axis i.e. an oblate phase velocity surface. The strike of the axis is oblique to the north-south Urals trend, but deviates <20° from the mantle fast-axis inferred from SKS splitting. The magnitude and tilt of the model's anisotropy suggests that fine layering and/or aligned cracks augment mineral-orientation anisotropy near the top and bottom of the crust.
Pole orientation of 16 psyche by two independent methods

Nineteen new lightcurves of 16 Psyche are presented along with a pole orientation derived using two independent methods, namely, photometric astrometry and magnitude-amplitude-shape-aspect. The pole orientations found using these two methods agree to within 4 deg. The results from applying photometric astrometry were prograde rotation, a sidereal period of 0.1748143 days + or - 0.0000003 days, and a pole at longitude 223 deg and latitude +37 deg, with an uncertainty of 10 deg, and, from applying magnitude-amplitude-shape-aspect a pole at 220 + or - 1 deg, +40 + or - 4 deg, and a modeled triaxial ellipsoid shape (a greater than b greater than c) and a/b = 1.33 + or - 0.07. The discrepancy between the high-pole latitude found here and the low latitudes reported by Lupishko et al. (1982) and Zhou and Yang (1982) is discussed.
Recent radar measurements of turbulence and microphysical parameters in marine boundary layer clouds

We present a collection of research related to radar measurements of turbulence and microphysical properties in clouds. The radars used in these studies operate at frequencies ranging from 404 MHz to 34.6 GHz. We discuss the relative contributions made by the two primary radar scattering mechanisms to the measured values of radar reflectivity at the different frequencies. The desired turbulence and microphysical information is obtained from the radar reflectivity and other elements of the Doppler velocity spectra. Methods and examples are given with emphasis on liquid water clouds associated with the marine boundary layer.
Discrete analogues of the Heisenberg-Weyl algebra

Theq-analog and finite difference analog of the canonical Heisenberg-Weyl algebra are studied. The basic representations are found. Analogs of the standard boson Fock space are constructed. Various examples and illustrations are presented.
Jak2 tyrosine kinase residues glutamic acid 1024 and arginine 1113 form a hydrogen bond interaction that is essential for Jak-STAT signal transduction

Angiotensin II is a well-known vasoactive peptide, but it can also act as a potent growth factor, partially through activation of the tyrosine kinase Jak2. Activated Jak2 tyrosine phosphorylates and activates members of the Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (STAT) family of cytoplasmic transcription factors. Recently, we demonstrated that tryptophan 1020 and glutamic acid 1024 within the Jak2 activation loop are required for Jak2 tyrosine kinase activity. Here, we sought to elucidate the requirement of glutamic acid 1024 for Jak2 function. Using molecular modeling algorithms of the Jak2 kinase domain, we identified a putative interaction between glutamic acid 1024 and an arginine at position 1113. We generated a series of charge-based substitution mutations at position 1113 and found that conversion of arginine 1113 to glutamic acid, alanine, or lysine prevented Jak2 autophosphorylation. Furthermore, mutation of arginine 1113 prevented the following angiotensin II-dependent processes from occurring: (1) Jak2 tyrosine phosphorylation, (2) Jak2/AT1receptor co-association, (3) STAT1 recruitment to the Jak2/AT1receptor complex, (4) STAT1 tyrosine phosphorylation, and (5) STAT-mediated gene expression. We determined that the interaction between glutamic acid 1024 and arginine 1113 consists of two distinct hydrogen bonds. We conclude that these hydrogen bond interactions are critical for Jak2 kinase function and subsequent angiotensin II-dependent activation of the Jak/STAT signaling pathway.
Syriac Sources for Seventh-Century History

AbstractIn view of the paucity of other sources for this century, so momentous in the history of the Near East, the Syriac materials take on a particular importance for both Byzantine and Islamic historians. While some of these sources, such as Michael's Chronicle, are well known to all, others lie as yet unexploited and ignored. The purpose of the present article is to collect together in convenient form details of all the main Syriac sources available for the seventh century, listing standard editions, translations and the more important discussions. Fuller information on authors and secondary literature can readily be found by reference to the following works: A. Baumstark, Geschichte der syrischen Literatur (Bonn, 1922); I. Ortiz de Urbina, Patrologia Syriaca, 2nd ed. (Rome, 1965); C. Moss, Catalogue of Syriac Printed Books and Related Literature in the British Museum (London, 1962); S. P. Brock, ‘Syriac Studies 1960–1970: a classified bibliography’, Parole de l'Orient, IV (1973), 393–465. For the top...
Thermal conductivity and thermal expansion of stainless steels D9 and HT9

Renewed interest in the use of metallic fuel in a liquid-metal fast breeder reactor has prompted study of the thermodynamic and transport properties of fuel and cladding materials. Two stainless steels are of particular interest because of their good performance under irradiation. These are D9, an austenitic steel, and HT9, a ferritic steel. Thermal conductivity and thermal expansion data for these cladding alloys are of particular interest in assessing in-reactor behavior. These two properties were measured for the two steels at temperatures to 1200 K. Of particular interest is the influence on these properties of a phase transition in HT9.
A comparison of the effect of Ca2+ codoping in cerium doped GSO with that of LSO and YSO

Abstract The cerium-doped oxyorthosilicates Lu 2 SiO 5 (LSO), Y 2 SiO 5 (YSO), and Gd 2 SiO 5 (GSO) are well-known single-crystal scintillators with well-characterized properties, which are commonly used for gamma-ray detection. LSO and YSO share the monoclinic C2/c structure in which the two rare earth sites, which are also the cerium substitutional sites, have coordination numbers 6 and 7. GSO differs in that it has a monoclinic P2 1 /c structure, in which the two rare earth sites have coordination numbers 7 and 9. Prior work has shown that cerium doped LSO and YSO can be very successfully codoped with Ca 2+ , increasing the light yield and shortening the decay time in a reproducible, predictable way. It is known that this aliovalent codoping results in a significant reduction in shallow charge carrier traps in both YSO and LSO without any significant changes in the emission and excitation spectra. This current work extends that prior investigation; in this case, the scintillation properties of cerium doped GSO single crystals, with and without Ca 2+ codoping, are compared with those of LSO and YSO single crystals.
SU‐GG‐J‐71: Development of Carbon Nanotube Field Emission Micro‐Radiotherapy System for Cancer Research

Purpose: To demonstrate the feasibility of a carbon nanotube(CNT)field emission FE) technology based novel multi‐pixel array x‐ray micro‐radiotherapy (micro‐RT) system for fast conformal and intensity‐modulated radiotherapy(IMRT) irradiation for small animals. When it is developed, the CNT FE micro‐RT system will be integrated with the already developed CNT FE micro‐CT for real time imaged‐guidedIMRT and treatment response observation in small animals. Method and Materials: The micro‐RT system comprises a CNT pixel cathode array for individual pixel beam generation and control, a transimission anode for x‐ray production, and a pixel beam collimation array to converts the Bremstrahlung x‐rays to x‐ray pixel beams. Each x‐ray beam is 2 mm × 2 mm at the irradiation object and the beam energy should be 100 kV or higher. Micro‐RT dosimetry is computed using Monte Carlo simulation techniques. A CNTcathode array for the prototype of micro‐RT consists of 50 (5 × 10) individual addressable pixel cathode. The single array offers a maximum radiation field size of 10 mm × 20 mm at the irradiation object. The eventual micro‐RT system is consisted of several x‐ray pixel beam arrays within a donut‐shape structure. Results: We have designed and fabricated a 50‐pixel beam cathode array for the prototype micro‐RT. The FE current of the 50 pixel beams is uniform. Each cathode pixel is individually addressable and can produce emission current of 4 mA/pixel. Conclusion: We have demonstrated the feasibility to fabricate the CNT FE cathode array. A micro‐RT system consisted of 5 × 10 pixel beam array. The next step is to fabricate the anode and pixel beam collimation system, and assemble the entire prototype micro‐RT system for feasibility demonstration. The proposed multi‐pixel array x‐ray micro‐RT system is capable of electronically defining radiation field shape and intensity modulation pattern for small animal irradiation.
Reliability analysis of hybrid ceramic/steel gun barrels

Failure of the ceramic gun-barrel lining during single-shot and burst firing events has been studied by combining a finite-element method based thermo-mechanical analysis with a structural reliability analysis. An initial distribution of residual stresses in the lined barrel, as introduced during shrink-fitting of the steel jacket over the ceramic lining, is taken into account. Forced-convection boundary conditions at the inner surface of the barrel are determined by carrying out an internal-ballistic analysis, followed by compressible boundary-layer modeling of the heat transfer coefficient. The results obtained reveal that due to thermal expansion of the steel jacket during single-shot and burst ballistic events, tensile axial stresses develop in the ceramic lining near the barrel ends. These stresses are sufficiently high, particularly in the case of burst firing, that they can induce formation of circumferential cracks and, in turn, failure of the lining. Using the Weibull structural reliability analysis, the failure probability for the lining has been computed as 0.0025 and 0.0121 for the single-round and the 10-round firing modes, respectively. Optimization of the main design, materials and processing parameters in order to minimize the failure probability for the lining is also discussed.
Application of Probability: Identification of Mobile Radio Channels

It is common practice in the operation of mobile radio systems to identify each channel once during every half hour unless it is in constant use during that period. This practice is prompted by Part 21.213 of the Federal Communications Commission rules. When an operator or dispatcher is involved in handling calls, there is no difficulty in administering this practice. A proposed method for this identification in automatic systems with no operators introduces the possibility of not identifying all channels during the specified time interval. A probability analysis was performed for independently loaded channels and for multiple access channels; this analysis allows one to evaluate the probability of successfully identifying all the mobile radio channels.
Predictors of patient satisfaction

Correlates of patient satisfaction at varying points in time were assessed using a survey with 2-week and 3-month follow-up in a general medicine walk-in clinic, in USA. Five hundred adults presenting with a physical symptom, seen by one of 38 participating clinicians were surveyed and the following measurements were taken into account: patient symptom characteristics, symptom-related expectations, functional status (Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey [SF-6]), mental disorders (PRIME-MD), symptom resolution, unmet expectations, satisfaction (RAND 9-item survey), visit costs and health utilization. Physician perception of difficulty (Difficult Doctor Patient Relationship Questionnaire), and Physician Belief Scale. Immediately after the visit, 260 (52%) patients were fully satisfied with their care, increasing to 59% at 2 weeks and 63% by 3 months. Patients older than 65 and those with better functional status were more likely to be satisfied. At all time points, the presence of unmet expectations markedly decreased satisfaction: immediately post-visit (OR: 0.14, 95% CI: 0.07-0.30), 2-week (OR: 0.07, 95% CI: 0.04-0.13) and 3-month (OR: 0.05, 95% CI: 0.03-0.09). Other independent variables predicting immediate after visit satisfaction included receiving an explanation of the likely cause as well as expected duration of the presenting symptom. At 2 weeks and 3 months, experiencing symptomatic improvement increased satisfaction while additional visits (actual or anticipated) for the same symptom decreased satisfaction. A lack of unmet expectations was a powerful predictor of satisfaction at all time-points. Immediately post-visit, other predictors of satisfaction reflected aspects of patient doctor communication (receiving an explanation of the symptom cause, likely duration, lack of unmet expectations), while 2-week and 3-month satisfaction reflected aspects of symptom outcome (symptom resolution, need for repeat visits, functional status). Patient satisfaction surveys need to carefully consider the sampling time frame as well as adjust for pertinent patient characteristics.
Academic productivity and contributions to the literature among spine surgery fellowship faculty.

Abstract Background context No previous study has considered academic productivity and contributions to the literature among the faculty members of spine fellowship programs. Purpose We sought to evaluate the total number of publications and measures of academic impact among faculty at spine surgical fellowship programs between 2011 and the present. Study design This study is based on a review of data publicly available on PubMed and Scopus. Patient sample Physicians listed as faculty at a spine fellowship program in the directory of the North American Spine Society (NASS). Outcome measures The outcome measures were the number of publications between January 1, 2011 and August 31, 2014 and the h-index for 1996 to present (h-tot) and 2011 to present (h-pres) for faculty members. Methods Fellowship programs and their characteristics were obtained from the directory of the NASS. Program-specific features, including academic affiliation, number of participating faculty, location, number of fellowship positions, dedicated research time, and presence of a research requirement for fellows, were abstracted. The number of publications for faculty at each program between January 1, 2011 and August 31, 2014 and the h-tot and h-pres were obtained from Scopus. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify statistically significant factors associated with increased academic productivity. Results Among 75 fellowship programs, with 282 faculty members, there were 55 (73%) with academic affiliation. The average number of publications per faculty member (2011–2014) was 5.5 (standard deviation, 8.4; range, 0–54). The mean h-tot for programs was 13.6 (8.7, 0–37), and mean h-pres was 3.0 (2.2, 0–8.2). Academic affiliation (regression coefficient, 22.1; 95% confidence interval: 7.2, 37.0), and the number of fellows in a program (7.0, 0.9–13.2) was significantly associated with the total number of publications. Similar findings were encountered for average h-tot and h-pres. Conclusions The descriptive statistics presented can help surgeons benchmark their performance and that of their fellowship, compared with others in the field. Determinations regarding characteristics associated with academic productivity may also help programs’ fashion future strategic initiatives.