cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reinforcement Tractography: A Hybrid Approach for Robust Segmentation of Complex Fiber Bundles

We develop and evaluate a novel hybrid tractography algorithm for improved segmentation of complex fiber bundles from diffusion magnetic resonance imaging datasets. We propose an approach inspired by reinforcement learning that combines the strengths of both probabilistic and deterministic tractography to better resolve pathways dominated by crossing fibers. Given a fiber bundle query, our approach first explores an array of possible pathways probabilistically, and then exploits this information with streamline tractography using globally optimal fiber compartment assignment in a conditional random field. We quantitatively evaluated our approach in comparison with deterministic and probabilistic approaches using a realistic phantom with Tractometer and 88 test-retest scans from the Human Connectome Project. We found that the proposed hybrid method offers improved accuracy with phantom data and more biologically plausible topographic organization and higher reliability with in vivo data. This demonstrates the benefits of combining tractography approaches and indicates opportunities for integrating reinforcement learning strategies into tractograpy algorithms.
Brevetoxin and Conotoxin Interactions with Single-Domain Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels from a Diatom and Coccolithophore

The recently characterized single-domain voltage-gated ion channels from eukaryotic protists (EukCats) provide an array of novel channel proteins upon which to test the pharmacology of both clinically and environmentally relevant marine toxins. Here, we examined the effects of the hydrophilic µ-CTx PIIIA and the lipophilic brevetoxins PbTx-2 and PbTx-3 on heterologously expressed EukCat ion channels from a marine diatom and coccolithophore. Surprisingly, none of the toxins inhibited the peak currents evoked by the two EukCats tested. The lack of homology in the outer pore elements of the channel may disrupt the binding of µ-CTx PIIIA, while major structural differences between mammalian sodium channels and the C-terminal domains of the EukCats may diminish interactions with the brevetoxins. However, all three toxins produced significant negative shifts in the voltage dependence of activation and steady state inactivation, suggesting alternative and state-dependent binding conformations that potentially lead to changes in the excitability of the phytoplankton themselves.
Electrochemical properties of poly(ethylene oxide) electrolytes above the entanglement threshold

Abstract Ion transport in electrolytes depends on three transport coefficients, conductivity (κ), salt diffusion coefficient (D), and the cation transference number with respect to the solvent velocity ( t + 0 ), and the thermodynamic factor (Tf). Current methods for determining these parameters involve four separate experiments, and the coupled nature of the equations used to determine them generally results in large experimental uncertainty. We present data obtained from 64 independent polymer electrolytes comprising poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) salt. The molecular weights of PEO ranged from 5 to 275 kg mol−1; these samples are all above the entanglement threshold. We minimize the experimental uncertainty in transport and thermodynamic measurements by exploiting the fact that ion transport in entangled polymer electrolytes should be independent of molecular weight. The dependence of κ, D, t + 0 , and Tf as a function of salt concentration in the range 0.035 ≤ r ≤ 0.30 are presented with a 95% confidence interval, where r is the molar ratio of lithium ions to ethylene oxide monomer units. While κ, D, and Tf are all positive as required by thermodynamic constraints, there is no constraint on the sign of t + 0 . We find that t + 0 is negative in the salt concentration range of 0.093 ≤ r ≤ 0.189.
Four Letters: Deconstructing the Brontë-Héger Myth

Out of many, only four Bronte-Heger letters have survived the test of time, all of them one-sided. Since these unfortunate gaps cannot possibly fill themselves, speculation has largely taken over the scholarship surrounding this complex relationship. Claire Harman, Sally Shuttleworth, Elizabeth Gaskell, and Margaret Smith are only a few exceptional scholars who have explored the contemporary obsession with this relationship. The intertextual discourse largely focuses on Charlotte Bronte as a hopeless romantic, an infatuated mentee struck down by first love—the judgment sometimes extending so far as to deem her a Victorian madwoman. In this essay, however, I will be arguing that the intellectual relationship between Heger and Bronte is far more important to analyze than the romantic, as it gives us a justifiable reason to delve into the intimate contents of the letters. For a purpose other than gratifying curiosity regarding Bronte’s private life, perusing the letters offers a fresh perspective to assess her fictional works. In a sense, her novels are given new life through the act of reimagining how and why she made certain literary decisions. What catalyzed Jane Eyre? In this case, who? Constantin Heger directly influenced Bronte’s empowerment as a female novelist, her urgency to improve, and dedication to the art of storytelling. “Her essays bid for his professional attention, a point too frequently missed by critics who treat her attachment to Heger as a romance rather than a writer’s connection,” mirrors Sue Lonoff in her study of Bronte’s Belgian devoir essays (Lonoff 391). As a firm believer that personal writings often hold invaluable resources to enable the reader to distinguish the artist from their art, I intend to explore this further. In this paper, I examine the letters chronologically, approaching them with much more than merely romance in mind, but the sentiments of a woman who was once taken seriously by an intellectual counterpart, embittered by the sudden deprivation of it.
Requirement Specification, Analysis and Verification for Autonomous Systems

The environments and the goals that an autonomous system needs to be able to understand and act upon are not fully known and clearly identifiable at design time, especially for those systems that interact with the physical world. Still, for applications that require a certain level of assurance, requirements, which include the definition of how a system is supposed to interact with its context, need to be defined, analyzed, refined towards an implementation that can be shown to deliver certain guarantees. We first broadly discuss the importance of the early stages of the design process where requirements are defined, and we then discuss the formalisms needed to capture requirements and refine them towards implementation for autonomous systems.
Electromagnetic transients simulator for large-scale spacecraft power systems

A transient simulator program is being developed for the design of adequate surge protection and insulation levels within a spacecraft power system. The program divides the transmission lines into a series of L-section segments. By using Kirchoff's voltage and current laws, a state variable model is derived to accurately simulate the travelling waves on each line. The state variables are chosen as the inductor current and the capacitor voltage of each L-section segment. The coefficient matrix that results is highly sparse. Finally, the state variable equations are solved using the trapezoidal method of numerical integration. >
Research and Implementation of Knowledge-Enhanced Information Services

Information isolation has been identified as a big challenge in IT Service Management (ITSM). Existing ITSM practices mostly rely on configuration information and are geared towards individual applications and processes. However, information available in complicated IT infrastructure goes beyond data from the configuration management domain. How to efficiently extract and integrate the hidden knowledge from a wide variety of information sources is a major pain point for ITSM. In this paper, a threading strategy (TS) with KPI mark and knowledge-enhanced information services is proposed to improve ITSM quality. The essential contribution of this work is to organize the highly complex IT service information with KPI mark and to build a knowledge repository for accumulateing and reusing experts' knowledge. In addition, a prototype called BIANCHIN is implemented to explore this knowledge-enhanced information services framework. Finally, a real business application of Cisco VoIP system is used as a case study for evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of the knowledge-enhanced information services framework.
Real-Time Flu Monitoring System and Decision Informatics

This paper presents a flu monitoring system that utilizes prescriptions-based data. It provides evidence-base information that may be "useful" to many users, e.g., Medical professionals, public health administrators, patients, prescription drugs manufacturers, elementary/middle/high schools. The system consists of a real-time flu surveillance engine and a web based client. The real-time flu surveillance engine consumes E-prescription data feeds in XML format. The analytical engine performs Extraction/Load/Transform (ETL) operations to extract prescriptions, dosage, patient information, and pharmacy location information from the prescriptions, and then, presents a relative flu risk index by zip code. The flu tracking information is published in real-time via geodatabase map application that resides on a Web portal. This flu tracking system differs from available flu tracking systems in three ways: 1) it has real-time updating capability, 2) it incorporates a prediction component, and 3) it integrates the monitoring and predicting capabilities in one system with layers of access right to different users.
Organometallic polymers. Synthesis of and reductions using poly(vinylpyridine)-palladium(II) complexes containing CPd bonds

Synthese par substitution de la pyridine avec la polyvinyl-4 pyridine en presence de Na 2 PdCl 4 . Application a la reduction de l'acide trans-cinnamique
Making sense of multisensory integration

A pseudo-aquatic parasite, voiceless as a fish, yet constructing within itself an instrument of voice against the time when it will talk. Organs of skin, ear, eye, nose, tongue, superfluous all of them in the watery dark where formed, yet each unhaltingly preparing to enter a daylight, airy, object-full manifold world which they will be wanted to report on. A great excresence at one end of a nerve-tube, an outrageously outsized brain, of no avail at the moment but where the learning of a world which is to be experienced will go forward.
A general-relativistic collisionless plasma

A nonrelativistic collisionless plasma model is generalized to the general-relativistic domain. By imposing sufficient restrictions and making use of several integrals, the coupled Einstein-Maxwell-Euler equations are reduced to six coupled, ordinary differential equations which may be solved numerically. The tangents to the null geodesics are exhibited as functions of the metric-tensor components. The normals to the characteristic surfaces for magnetohydrodynamic waves are also exhibited. The latter surfaces turn out to coincide with the surfaces generated by the streamlines. A spacelike Killing vector, normal to the streamlines is also shown to exist. Finally, the Minkowski-space version of the model is considered and some explicit solutions are obtained, including a solution to a Boltzmann equation.
Learning strategies in children from different socioeconomic levels.

Publisher Summary Environmental and behavioral differences among socioeconomic levels have been voluminous and encyclopedic. Attempts have been made to quantify the observations and obtain correlations among several categories of variables. Unfortunately such work suffers from the limitations of all similar endeavors; it is difficult, if not impossible, to separate phenomena from epiphenomena, relationships from artifacts. The question still remains about the necessary or sufficient environmental conditions required for the establishment of identifiable patterns of behavior. Fortunately, the available correlational data provide the bases for intuitions and guesses. At the start of the current research, socioeconomic level was the principal independent variable. However, the ultimate goal is to replace this vague and confounded construct by a set of scientifically more manageable variables.
Children's Affective Orientations in Preschool and Their Initial Adjustment to Kindergarten.

Children's prior attitudes toward school may be an important entry factor to consider in their initial adjustment to kindergarten. This short-term longitudinal study examined children's affective orientations and other school-related perceptions and approaches to learning in late preschool and then 1 to 2 months after entry into kindergarten. Child, parent, and teacher reports were obtained, and classroom practices were observed. Findings showed that children who anticipated liking school demonstrated more positive approaches and adjustment in kindergarten than did less enthusiastic children. Children's approaches to learning in the classroom, reported by teachers and parents, were similar across the transition from preschool to kindergarten, despite notable differences in practices. Recommendations for practice include attending to children's affective orientations, involving multiple informants in school readiness assessments, and fostering communication among teachers in school transition activities.
MORBIDITY AS A FOCUS OF PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE IN THE ELDERLY

The broad spectrum of preventive health concerns in the elderly ranges from incident disease to prevalent disease to the effect (sequelae) of disease. A major component of the burden of illness for the elderly derives from prevalent chronic disease. For a substantial impact on this burden, unique preventive health care strategies specific to the elderly need to be clearly formulated and tested. These strategies must include as a goal the prevention of disability and the maintenance of functioning. Current recommendations for periodic health examinations and for preventive health care for the elderly include only minimal components for a geriatric preventive health care approach. The specific content and impact of a full geriatric strategy is yet to be defined. A comprehensive geriatric periodic health examination will ultimately be based on epidemiologic definitions of the issues regarding risk factors, modifiers, and incident and prevalent disease as described above, melded with improved understanding of 1) the dynamics or models of illness in the elderly, 2) meaningful and important outcomes, 3) the points before which intervention will be most effective, and 4) further definition of the problems that contribute most to the burden of illness across the elderly population. The goals of prevention focused on prevalent disease will include attenuating the progression of morbidity, the development of disability, and the incidence of superimposed acute illness and injuries, and maximizing functional autonomy and quality of life in older persons. To accomplish these goals, epidemiology has major contributions to make in understanding the illness burden of an aging population, including 1) defining risk factors and effect modifiers for, and natural history of, disease and associated disability in older persons, 2) defining outcomes meaningful to older persons which express the burden of illness, and 3) identifying critical points before which intervention is efficacious in preventing disability.
Differential Effects of Homocytotropic Antibodies on the Mast Cell and Anaphylactic Responses in Actively and Passively Sensitized Mice

The relationship between mast cell degranulation, anaphylaxis, and the production of homocytotropic antibodies was examined in ICR mice after trichinella infection. It was found that the active cutaneous response to trichinella antigen had a rapid onset (within 2 weeks) and the sensitivity increased over a 9-week period after infection. Two types of mast cell degranulation were observed: (i) moderate, with few extracellular, deep-blue-staining granules (May-Grunwald-Giemsa), and (ii) "explosive," with many extracellular reddish-staining, swollen granules, indicating an apparent breakdown of cell membrane. The moderate type was observed primarily during the first 4 weeks after infection, whereas the explosive type predominated during 5 to 8 weeks. Homocytotropic antibody of the immunoglubulin G(1) type appears responsible for moderate type degranulation, and mouse immunoglobulin E appears responsible for the explosive degranulation. No correlation was evident between the active cutaneous anaphylactic response and either type of degranulation or between active cutaneous anaphylaxis and circulating levels of homocytotropic antibody. A proposed role of immunoglobulin G(1) and mouse immunoglobulin E in immunity is discussed.
Development of a chemical ionization ion trap mass spectrometric method for trace level determination of molecular halogens.

An ion trap mass spectrometric technique using negative ion chemical ionization has been developed for the quantitative determination of the molecular halogen species Br2, Cl2, and BrCl. The technique utilizes NO2- as a chemical ionization reagent in an electron-transfer reaction to form the corresponding molecular anions of the halogen species, lending excellent selectivity to the measurement. Reaction rate experiments performed in the ion trap yield a rate constant for Br2 + NO2- → Br2- + NO2 of (1.4 ± 0.6) × 10-9 cm3 molecule-1 s-1, determined relative to published data for Cl2 + NO2- → Cl2- + NO2. This paper describes a mass spectrometer pinhole inlet design and cryogenic preconcentration system for detection of the molecular halogens at atmospherically relevant concentrations. Linear calibration curves were obtained for Cl2 and Br2 over 3 orders of magnitude and indicate limits of detection of 50 and 8 pmol for 3.8- and 5.1-L samples, respectively, corresponding to 220 and 50 parts per trillion (mole...
In search of active RGD peptides: Theoretical study of hydrogen bonding in five-member ring cyclic-RGD isomers

Abstract Molecular structures, properties and hydrogen bonding in 10 models of cyclic-five-member-ring pentapeptides containing Arginine–Glycine–Aspartic acid (RGD) have been studied at B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) theoretical level. Among the investigated models, five structures represent active RGD peptides (cRGDfV, cRGDfE, cRGDfC, cRGDyV, and cRGDfK). The other five models were derived from the active structures by exchanging the positions of the fourth residue and the fifth residue of the corresponding active model. All the 10 models were fully optimized both in the gas phase and in the solvent. The comparison of the predicted characteristics suggests that the modified models of cRGDEf and cRGDCf might be good candidates for the active cyclic RGD pentapeptides.
Adrenal transcription regulatory genes modulated by angiotensin II and their role in steroidogenesis

Transcription regulatory genes are crucial modulators of cell physiology and metabolism whose intracellular levels are tightly controlled to respond to extracellular stimuli. We studied transcripti...
Bioindicators in the MIDUS National Study: Protocol, Measures, Sample, and Comparative Context

Objectives: Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) is a national study of health and aging among individuals aged 25 to 74 at baseline (1995-1996). Longitudinal survey assessments (2004-2005), were followed by biological assessments on a subsample (aged 35-85).To facilitate public use, we describe the protocol, measures, and sample. Method: Respondents traveled to clinics for a 2-day data-collection protocol that included fasting blood specimens, 12-hr urine specimen, medical history, physical exam, bone densitometry, and a laboratory challenge (heart rate variability, blood pressure, respiration, salivary cortisol). Results: Response rates for the biological protocol (N = 1,255) were 39.3% or 43.1% (adjusting for those who could not be located or contacted). Reasons for nonparticipation were travel, family obligations, and being too busy. Respondents were comparable to the recruitment pool on most demographic characteristics and health assessments. Discussion: Strengths of the protocol vis-a-vis similar st...
Brief note: a reliability model for fire safety in structural steel members

A reliability model for fire safety requires a two-sided activity. On one side is the description of fire duration time (rs), and its effects. On the other side, we have the description of fire resistance time (~a) of material properties and prediction of structural capacity. These two parameters are random variables and the structural failure [l-3] is an event such that Q > TR or Ts/TR > 1. The probability of failure, P,, can be expressed as
Unexpected Polymorphism and Unique Particle Morphologies from Monodisperse Droplet Evaporation

The particle sizes, morphologies, and structures are presented for succinic acid particles formed from the evaporation of uniform droplets created with a vibrating orifice aerosol generator. Particle sizes are monodisperse, and solvent choice is found to be the dominant factor in determining the final morphology and structure. The external particle morphologies range from round to cap shaped, while the surface roughness ranges from fairly smooth to extremely rough and pitted. Internally, the particles have significant void space and noticeable crystals. X-ray diffraction confirms that the particles are crystalline. Thus, the morphologies of the particles take on a crystal filled structure that is unique in comparison to previous particles formed through droplet evaporation. The structure of the particles contains β succinic acid; however, the particles formed from water also contain α succinic acid. α Succinic acid has not previously been able to be formed from solution at near atmospheric conditions. The...
Francis Bacon and Plain Scientific Prose: A Reexamination:

Though historical scholarship in technical writing has been sparse, what is available on Francis Bacon has tended to focus on Bacon's influence in directing scientific discourse toward the use of p...
Eugenics and disability discrimination

ABSTRACT Testimony presented during the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (P.L. 101–336) indicated the continued existence of discrimination based upon a disability. Many persons, including academics, do not believe that such discrimination exists nor do they believe that some of the most threatening discrimination in the US is based in state law. This paper details these state laws (past and present) in the area of domestic relations and presents the historical cause for the enactment of the discriminatory laws. The Eugenics Movement using (somewhat wrongly) Darwin's evolutionary theory was and continues to be the force behind them. Policy implications are presented in the conclusion.
Development of a fully 3D system model in iterative expectation-maximization reconstruction for cone-beam SPECT

ABSTRACT In order to improve reconstructed image quality for cone-beam collimator SPECT, we have developed and implemented a fully 3D reconstruction, using an ordered subsets expectation maximization (OSEM) algorithm, along with a volumetric system model cone-volume system model (CVSM), a modified attenuation compensation, and a 3D depth- and angle-dependent resolution and sensitivity co rrection. SPECT data were acquired in a 128 u 128 matrix, in 120 views with a single circular orbit. Two sets of numerical Defrise phantoms were used to simulate CBC SPECT scans, and low noise and scatter-free projection datasets were obtained using the SimSET Monte Carlo package. The reconstructed images, obtained using OSEM with a line-length system model (LLSM) and a 3D Gaussian post-filter, and OSEM with FVSM and a 3D Gaussian post-filter were quantitatively studied. Overall improvement in the image quality has been observed, including better transaxial resolution, higher contrast-to-noise ratio between hot and cold disks, and better accuracy and lower bias in OSEM-C VSM, compared with OSEM-LLSM. Keywords: cone-beam collimator SPECT, volumetric system models, cone-beam fully 3D reconstruction
The sensory component of the facial nerve of a reptile (Lacerta viridis)

The sensory fibers of the facial nerve in Lacerta viridis have been studied with a silver impregnation method to follow the course of axonal degeneration. Destruction of the geniculate ganglion demonstrated the degenerated sensory component of the facial nerve adjacent to the anterior vestibular root. Within the lateral vestibular area the facial sensory fibers consist of numerous rootlets separated by vestibular fibers and cells. These rootlets may join to form a main or paired sensory tract that passes through the vestibular nuclei to enter the tractus solitarius and divide into a small ascending prefacial component and a major descending prevagal division. A few fibers continue into the postvagal part of tractus solitarius and extend caudally to terminate in the nucleus commissura infima. Prefacial fibers terminate along the periventricular gray while prevagal fibers terminate within the tractus solitarius on the dendrites of cells of nucleus tractus solitarius and near the periphery of the dorsal motor nucleus of X. There was no noticeable degeneration in the descendens tractus trigemini. Terminal degeneration to descendens nucleus trigemini and motor nucleus of VII followed the tractus solitarius course. Most facial sensory fibers are probably related to taste and other visceral information.
Cardiac Arrhythmias Associated with the Repair of Atrial and Ventricular Septal Defects

This is a report of cardiac arrhythmias associated with the repair of cardiac septal defects. Electrocardiographic studies showed a high incidence of paroxysmal disturbances of rhythm following surgery.
Deficient cognitive control fuels children’s exuberant false allegations

In eyewitness studies as in actual investigations, a minority of children generate numerous false (and sometimes incredulous) allegations. To explore the characteristics of these children, we reinterviewed and administered a battery of tasks to 61 children (ages 4-9 years) who had previously participated in an eyewitness study where a man broke a "germ rule" twice when he tried to touch them. Performance on utilization, response conflict (Luria tapping), and theory of mind tasks predicted the number of false reports of touching (with age and time since the event controlled) and correctly classified 90.16% of the children as typical witnesses or exuberant (more than 3) false reporters. Results of a factor analysis pointed to a common process underlying performance on these tasks that accounted for 49% of the variability in false reports. Relations between task performance and testimony confirmed that the mechanisms underlying occasional intrusions are different from those that drive persistent confabulation and that deficient cognitive control fuels young children's exuberant false reports.
Patient-Specific Radiation Dosimetry for Radionuclide Therapy of Liver Tumors With Intrahepatic Artery Rhenium-188 Lipiodol

A clinically practical algorithm has been developed for the treatment of liver cancer by the administration of rhenium-188 ( 188 Re)-labeled lipiodol via the hepatic artery. This algorithm is based on the "maximum tolerated-activity" paradigm for radionuclide therapy. A small "scout" activity of 188 Re-labeled lipiodol is administered to the patient before the actual therapeutic administration. At approximately 3 hours after administration, the activities in the normal liver, liver tumors, lungs, and total body are measured by gamma camera imaging using the conjugate-view method, with first-order corrections for attenuation (using a 188 Re transmission scan) and scatter (using the "dual-window" method). At the same time, peripheral blood samples are counted, and the activity concentrations in whole blood are calculated. The blood activity concentrations are then converted to red marrow activity concentrations and then total red marrow activity using anatomic data from Standard Man anthropomorphic models. Next, the cumulated activities in the normal liver, liver tumors, lungs, red marrow, and total body are calculated using the measured activities in the respective source regions and conservatively assuming elimination of activity only by physical decay in situ. The absorbed doses to the therapy-limiting normal tissues, liver, lung, and red marrow, are then calculated using the Medical Internal Radiation Dose Committee schema, adjusting the pertinent S factors for differences in total body and organ masses between the patient and the anthropomorphic model and including the dose contribution from the liver tumors. Finally, based on maximum tolerated absorbed doses of 3,000, 1,200, and 150 rad (cGy) to liver, lung, and red marrow, the respective absorbed doses per unit administered activity are used to calculate the therapy activity. Although not required for treatment planning, tumor absorbed dose may also be estimated. This algorithm has been automated using an Excel (Microsoft, Redmond, WA) spreadsheet.
Teaching for Understanding: Using Games Invention with Elementary Children

(1996). Teaching for Understanding: Using Games Invention with Elementary Children. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 67, No. 3, pp. 33-37.
Exploration of the lower lithosphere; northeastern United States

Abstract In this study we report on the modeling of broadband seismograms from moderate-sized earthquakes at regional distances. We demonstrate that the longer-period motions (World Wide Standardized Seismograph Network; WWSSN) preceding the direct S arrival can be modeled reasonably well with a crustal model consisting of a layer over a half-space. Although a generic model, assumed to be the same everywhere, can be used to model the Pnl waveshape, some adjustments are required to fit the Pn and Sn timing for specific paths. Inversion of three-component seismograms assuming such simple models proves effective in source retrieval using a single station. Shorter periods can then be modeled by adding more detail to the velocity structure, holding the source fixed and repeating the process. Application of this modeling procedure to earthquakes occurring in the New England region proves interesting. In particular, paths on opposite sides of the Appalachian Thrust Belt produce distinct models. Paths along the western side of the belt can be modeled with an average crustal thickness of 35 km, the compressional and shear velocities of the crust are 6.5 km s−1 and 3.6–3.7 km s−1, and those of the upper mantle 8.4–8.5 km s−1 and 4.7–4.8 km s−1, respectively. The results are in agreement with the normal shield parameters. Paths along the eastern side of the belt indicate more variability but yield consistently lower lithospheric velocities by 3–4% for P waves. These models predict P-wave travel time delays across this zone of about 0.3 s, in agreement with teleseismic delays.
Adaptive grid service flow management: framework and model

Grid computing provides the basic software infrastructure for integrating geographically distributed resources and services through standardized grid services. One of the key challenges to enable the broader use of grid services beyond the domain of scientific computing is the ability to perform complex tasks that require the modeling and coordination of the enactment of a number of distributed grid services. Workflow technology is a good candidate for supporting grid service flow. However, traditional workflow is static, thus unable to exploit the dynamic information available in the grid and respond to the dynamic nature of the grid. In this paper, we present an adaptive framework that provides adaptive management of grid service flows. The framework is based on an adaptive grid service flow model and is supported by an event-trigger-rule (ETR) technology that will be used to trigger rules in a distributed fashion to adapt a grid service flow to the dynamic grid environment and the changing requirements of a grid application.
Points of the Star, Branches of the Cedar: Israeli and Lebanese Military Integration Policies

The use of military policy to foster the political integration of ethno-religious minorities has long been assumed to aid in the formation of national identities in heterogeneous societies. Recent scholarship has challenged this notion in emphasizing the role of political contestation. Using a contrast of contexts research design of Israeli and Lebanese military integration policies, this research looks to the relationship of the military in relation to its society before considering the distinction between the identity and ideology of ethnic minorities. In exploring these facets, a renewed focus on the nexus of identity and ideology is warranted.
Bifurcations in reaction-diffusion problems

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses bifurcations in reaction-diffusion problems. The general structure related bifurcation theorems is that from some hypotheses about the linearized version of the problem, conclusions are drawn about the full nonlinear one, valid in an appropriate neighborhood. This is analogous to the implicit function theorem, and indeed proofs of such bifurcation theorems typically involve transformations that convert the problem into a form in which the implicit function theorem can be applied. Another consequence of the hypotheses in the theorem stated above relates to the stability properties of the new family of critical points. When this is adjoined to the mere existence of the critical points, the bifurcation theorem becomes genuinely a result about differential equations. Bifurcations are said to exhibit an exchange of stabilities. To obtain a more satisfactory understanding of the shocks and to derive the conditions characterizing their propagation, one should return to the full reaction-diffusion equations and, at least in certain idealized cases, show that they do have solutions with a shock structure, a region of transition between two different plane wave solutions. This can be done for the case of a shock structure joining two plane-wave solutions with nearly equal wave numbers and frequencies by bifurcation methods used for the weak gas dynamic shock structure problem.
The impact of institutional processes, social networks, and culture on diffusion of global work values in multinational organizations

Purpose – Previous research has documented emergence of global work values and an important function of multinational organizations (MNOs) in their diffusion. However, studies on the processes supporting the diffusion of global work values have been limited. This study seeks to conceptually explore the roles of institutional mechanisms and moderating functions of social network structures and cultural values in diffusion of global work values within the context of MNOs.Design/methodology/approach – Adopting a multilevel approach and grounding the arguments in the neo‐institutional framework, this work synthesizes cross‐cultural research with organizational theory research to present a conceptual model of the diffusion of global work values in the context of MNOs.Findings – It is proposed that the level of diffusion of global work values by members of MNOs is positively related to the level of institutionalization of these values within and between MNOs by means of regulative and normative institutional pr...
Amelioration of cognitive impairment and changes in microtubule-associated protein 2 after transient global cerebral ischemia are influenced by complex environment experience

In this study we examined whether expression of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) after transient global cerebral ischemia can be influenced by behavioral experience and if the changes are associated with functional improvement. Rats received either ischemia or sham surgery then assigned to: complex environment housing (EC) or social housing (SC) as controls for 14 days followed by water maze testing. Upregulation of MAP2 was seen in all ischemic animals with a significant overall increase evident in the EC housed rats. Behaviorally, all animals learned to perform the water maze task over time but the ischemia SC rats had the worst performance overall while all the EC housed animals demonstrated the best performance in general. Regression analysis showed that increase MAP2 expression was able to explain some of the variance in the behavioral parameters in the water maze suggesting that this cytoskeletal protein probably played a role in mediating enhanced functional outcomes.
Ligands, metals, and metal-ligand complexes as differential probes of soil adsorptive heterogeneity

Abstract The availability and transport of solutes in the subsurface can be strongly influenced by the scale-dependent adsorptive heterogeneity of the aquifer formation. Adsorptive heterogeneity appears at both the micro (“heterogeneity”) and the macro (“variability”) scale. It has been suggested in the literature that adsorptive heterogeneity should be defined only for specific adsorbate/adsorbent pairs. We have investigated the hypothesis that the observed adsorptive heterogeneity is not only an inherent property of the adsorbent but depends in part on the nature and the concentration of the adsorbates. Batch experiments yielded adsorption pH edges for a ligand (oxalic acid), a metal (Cu), and a metal-ligand complex (Cu-oxalate) adsorbing onto two related soils, Milford coated (MC) and Milford uncoated (MU), containing different amounts of metal oxide coating. For the concentration range studied, oxalate revealed appreciable variability between MC and MU. Cu revealed a smaller degree of variability between MC and MU while Cu-oxalate indicated an intermediate degree of variability. The effectiveness of an adsorbate to act as probe of soil variability was found also to depend on the concentration of the adsorbate. Apparent soil variability increased with a higher concentration of oxalate but showed no concentration dependence for Cu. For Cu-oxalate, variability depended on the concentration of both oxalate and Cu. At the microscale, oxalate exhibited appreciable heterogeneity in both soil samples whereas Cu adsorption on the same samples appeared to be quite homogeneous. Cu-oxalate exhibited appreciable heterogeneity in MC for lower concentration of oxalic acid. For higher concentration of oxalate (1.0 mM) no appreciable heterogeneity was exhibited. Cu-oxalate adsorption on MU was homogeneous for both oxalate concentrations. These results verify that both the macro and micro scale adsorptive heterogeneity depends not only on the adsorbent but also on the nature and the total concentration of the adsorbate used to investigate the adsorption process.
Relationship between coronary flow and adenosine production and release

Hearts from 5 guinea pigs were excised and simultaneously perfused for 30 min with Krebs-Henseleit solution at 37°C and equilibrated with 95% O2 and 5% CO2. The coronary flow at the end of the equilibration period was taken as the control flow (100%). Thereafter the hearts were perfused for 10 min with solutions equilibrated with various oxygen mixtures (95, 60, 30, 15, 10 and 5% O2). Experiments were performed on two groups of 5 hearts at each oxygen level. Coronary flow was measured and the perfusates were collected for adenosine analysis. At the end of 10 min the hearts were instantaneously frozen and myocardial adenosine and adenine nucleotides were determined. As the PO2 of the gas phase was reduced, per cent change in coronary flow, tissue adenosine and the rate of adenosine release into perfusates were the same for 95 and 60% PO2 but increased in a parallel fashion at the lower PO2 values. However, oxygen consumption remained relatively constant and the estimated energy charge (E = 12ADP + ATPATP + ADP + AMP) decreased slightly. The striking parallelism between coronary flow and adenosine production suggests that the decrease in coronary resistance associated with reduction of oxygen tension in the perfusing fluid may be attributed to the release of adenosine by myocardial cells. Since 5′-nucleotidase is activated in vitro by a decrease in E, it is possible that the small change in the balance of the myocardial adenine nucleotides may control adenosine production.
Application of in-situ nano-scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction to characterize Ni–Ti–Hf high-temperature shape memory alloys

Combinatorial nanocalorimetry and synchrotron X-ray diffraction were combined to study the martensite–austenite (M–A) phase transformation behavior of Ni–Ti–Hf shape memory alloys. A thin-film library of Ni–Ti–Hf samples with a range of compositions was deposited on a parallel nano-scanning calorimeter device using sputter deposition. Crystallization of each amorphous as-deposited sample by local heating at approximately 10^4 K/s produced a nanoscale grain structure of austenite and martensite. Individual samples were then cycled through the M–A transformation, while the transformation enthalpy was measured by nanocalorimetry and the low- and high-temperature phase compositions were determined by X-ray diffraction. The techniques enable correlation of the observed behavior during thermal cycling with the thermodynamic and structural properties of the samples.
Potentiation of the central nervous system effects of DOPA by decarboxylase inhibition: possible direct role of this neuroamino acid in brain mechanisms.

Abstract Evoked potential studies were conducted in unanesthetized rabbits using a Computer of Average Transients. DOPA (50 mg/kg) increased the amplitude of the slow component of the visual evoked response, whereas DOPA (100 mg/kg) reduced it. In rabbits pretreated with α-methyldopa, DOPA increased the amplitude of this wave at both doses. DOPA did not affect the direct cortical evoked response in untreated or α-methyldopa treated rabbits. Behavioral studies were conducted in mice. DOPA reduced motor activity at 50 mg/kg, increased activity at 150–300 mg/kg, and induced aggressive behavior and stereotyped movements at 500 mg/kg. Pretreatment with α-methyldopa potentiated the stimulant effects of DOPA. Neither α-methyldopa nor α-methyl- m -tyrosine prevented the antireserpine effect of DOPA. DOPA enhanced the motor stimulant effect of 2-phenylethylamine in monoamine oxidase inhibitor-treated mice; α-methyldopa enhanced these stimulatory effects. Since α-methyldopa inhibits l -aromatic amino acid decarboxylase and via its metabolites depletes catecholamines, these results suggest that DOPA exerts part of its central stimulant, antiparkinson and “choreic-like” effects directly or via a noncatecholaminic metabolite.
They Aren't Really My Relatives, I Just Pretend They Are: Public Library Collections as a Source for Academic Research

ABSTRACT This paper was written at the invitation of Rebecca Littman, the Music Librarian at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, who knows my work and had heard a presentation I gave on research as part of a UWM lecture series. In this paper I discuss my research process, emphasizing my use of resources found in public library collections. The research problem I discuss concerns the early history of variety entertainment, a music-theatrical form that eventually developed into vaudeville at the end of the nineteenth century. I consider how the existing narrative about vaudeville has emerged from surviving evidence in large academic research libraries, and show the ways in which other resources held in smaller regional public libraries can be used to challenge and complicate that narrative. I discuss my use of a wide range of sources, including city directories, platte and insurance maps, census records, local ordinances and state statutes, city histories, other local history resources, and reading long ...
An experimental comparison of hypnotic depth measured by self-ratings and by an objective scale

Abstract The behavioral items of an individually-administered test of hypnotic susceptibility were scored by the Ss themselves (N = 88) and by E Susceptibility scores derived from these self-ratings and observer-ratings were in excellent agreement (r = .90) and did not differ significantly in distribution. Marked item scoring biases were found as a function of hypnotizability: poor hypnotic Ss tending to underevaluate their performance and good ones to overevaluate it. Moderate correlations were found between magnitude estimates made by Ss of their subjective hypnotic depth and both observer-rating (r = .55) and self-rating (r = .54) susceptibility scores. The interrelation and potential usefulness of these types of scoring procedures are discussed.
Hyperpolarization-activated inward current in embryonic chick cardiac myocytes: developmental changes and modulation by isoproterenol and carbachol.

Abstract Modulation of the hyperpolarization-activated inward current (I f ) in embryonic chick ventricular myocytes was examined using whole-cell voltage-clamp. Long (3 s) hyperpolarizing pulses were applied from a holding potential of −30 mV to steps of −40 to − 120 mV. I f was marked in 3-day-old cells, diminished at 10 days, and was almost completely gone at 17 days. I f current density (at −120 mV) was −6.7 ± 1.3 (3 days), −3.3 ± 1.0 (10 days), and −2.0 ± 0.5 pA/pF (17 days). I f reduction paralleled the decrease in spontaneous activity. In 3-day cells, the threshold potential was −50 to −60 mV, and the reversal potential was −13.4 ± 1.3 mV. The time course of activation was fitted by a single exponential and was temperature dependent: τ was 1.3 ± 0.4 s at 20°C(and 0.7 ± 0.4 s at 30°C (at−120 mV). I f amplitude was enhanced by 12.1 ± 1.8% at 30 °C compared with 20°C. Cs + (3 mM) blocked I f and had a negative chronotropic effect (rate decreased by 61%). Isoproterenol (1 μM) caused a positive chronotropic effect (17.1 ± 2.9%) and increased I f by 65.2 ± 5.6%. Carbachol (0.1 μM) had a negative chronotropic effect (26.3 ± 3.4%), and decreased I f by 41.2 ± 1.3%; it also reversed the enhancement produced by isoproterenol. Intracellular application of 100 μM GTP-γS decreased basal I f by 35.2 ± 5.0%, but potentiated the stimulant effect of isoproterenol (by 37.8 ± 4.7%) and the inhibitory effect of carbachol (21.2 ± 4.3%). These results indicate that the I f current may contribute to the pacemaker potential of young embryonic chick heart cells and decreases during development. β-Adrenoceptor agonists stimulate I f , whereas muscarinic cholinergic agonists inhibit I f and reverse β-adrenoceptor stimulation. G proteins may directly and indirectly couple autonomic receptors to I f channels.