cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bullshit, Politics, and the Democratic Power of Satire

In 2005, Harry Frankfurt wrote a monograph entitled On Bullshit and this work received a flurry of attention. At its core, Frankfurt argues that while lying is a misrepresentation of the truth, bullshit is a misrepresentation of the self, and an indifference to truth, which in his mind is worse than lying. For all the attention it receives, outright lying is relatively rare in democratic politics. And when it does happen, politicians may pay heavy price. Bullshit, however, is all too common, produced not just by politicians, but pundits, and dare I say it, academics who study politics. And unlike lying, bullshitting is well rewarded. The history of political thought presents us with possible parallels. In Gorgias, Plato warns us of the danger of rhetoric, and what he describes comes close, bullshit. On the other hand, he also argued that in certain respects lies could be noble. In a different context, George Orwell made important observations about the way abuse of language harms political discourse. The kind of abuses Orwell details fit nicely under the designation “bullshit”. Plato and Orwell’s insights are especially relevant in democracy. Bullshit is more dangerous to democracy than lying. Unlike a lie, bullshit is destructive of even concern for the truth. Thus, in politics, it creates conditions where it is easier to present a lie as truth, and indifference to truth in public discourse renders public discourse impotent or worse. Even more destructively, it infects thinking. The corruption of language is bad enough, but even worse is the corruption of thinking. This is Plato’s insight into the problem with rhetoric, where the weaker argument can defeat the stronger. Because of this, the exposure of bullshit is an important political duty. A most effective means for this is political humor, especially satire. Bullshit seems to be resistant to conventional modes of argumentation and dispute, but at its best, satire exposes the pretensions of the powerful.
Why not have more milk

In the past, biological products derived from the human had to be extracted or isolated from bulk materials, but now, with genetic engineering, gross amounts can be prepared by placing the appropriate gene in the genome of a friendly bacterium. Genetic engineering is a major scientific advance of our time and has made major contributions to medicine. Prominent products of this exciting biological advance are insulin, growth hormone, and interferon. The principle of genetic engineering is simple. A foreign gene is inserted into the genome of a bacterium, and the bacterium uses the gene as a template for the synthesis of the cognate protein.
Pore‐scale trapping of supercritical CO2 and the role of grain wettability and shape

[1] The capillary trapping of supercritical CO2 (s-CO2) is postulated to comprise up to 90% of permanently trapped CO2 injected during geologic sequestration. Successive s-CO2/brine flooding experiments under reservoir conditions showed that water-wet rounded beads trapped 15% of injected s-CO2 both as clusters and as individual ganglia, whereas CO2-wet beads trapped only 2% of the injected s-CO2 as minute pockets in pore constrictions. Angular water-wet grains trapped 20% of the CO2 but flow was affected by preferential flow. Thus, capillary trapping is a viable mechanism for the permanent CO2 storage, but its success is constrained by the media wettability.
The Geography of Insurgency

In recent years geographers and scholars from other disciplines have made substantial contributions to the literature on political violence, civil war and conflict within states through asking spatial questions: where is conflict likely to occur and how will it spread or diffuse? In this article, we provide a survey of the approaches, theories and methodologies used to address these questions and suggest avenues for advancing the spatial analysis of conflict. We argue that such conflicts are best conceived as an insurgency, defined as a violent political process to assert power and control over territorial space. After exploring the contributions of qualitative approaches (critical and feminist geopolitics) to our spatial understandings of these political processes, we examine quantitative research addressing these spatial questions. Specifically, we suggest that a network approach provides a useful perspective for understanding the power relations and spatial contestation of an insurgency. This approach also differentiates between escalation and diffusion, which are often treated synonymously in the literature.
STUDENTS WITH READING AND WRITING CHALLENGES: USING INFORMAL ASSESSMENT TO ASSIST IN PLANNING FOR THE TRANSITION TO ADULT LIFE

The transition to adult life for students with reading and writing challenges is an area that is not often addressed. The purpose of this article is to relate the informal assessment process to the broader context of high stakes assessment, high school exit exams, diploma options, and transition planning; identify the competencies needed for a smooth transition to adult life for all students; identify the informal assessment techniques that are available and appropriate for use with adolescents with reading or writing challenges; and provide recommendations for integrating the results of the transition assessment process into instruction and support for students with reading and writing challenges.
Orai1, STIM1, and iPLA2β Determine Arterial Vasoconstriction

There is no need to emphasize the role of Ca2+ entry as one of the major factors that determine constriction of arterial smooth muscle cells (SMC).1 For many years voltage-gated Ca2+ channels were thought to be a main path for Ca2+ entry, but recently it became clear that a variety of other Ca2+-conducting channels exist in vascular SMC, can respond to contractile agonists, and may play important roles in cardiovascular function.2–4 One of them is a store-operated channel (SOC) that many thought to be critically important only for store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) in nonexcitable cells (that lack voltage-gated Ca2+ channels) but recently made its triumphant breakthrough into the reality of the excitable cells. Presently there is no doubt that SOCE is involved in SMC function,5,6 but debate continues on whether molecular determinants and mechanism of SOCE found in nonexcitable cells and heterologous systems may be directly applied to vascular SMC. It also remains unclear how important SOCE mechanism is for responses of small pressurized vessels to physiologically relevant vasoconstrictors and how it relates to voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. See accompanying article on page 1325 In nonexcitable cells SOCE is mediated by Ca2+ …
Analyses of neurobehavioral screening data: Benchmark dose estimation

Zhu et al. (Zhu, Y., Wessel, M., Liu, T., Moser, V.C., 2005. Analyses of neurobehavioral screening data: dose-time-response modeling of continuous outcomes. Regul. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 41, 240-255) have recently applied dose-time-response models to longitudinal or time-course neurotoxicity data, and have illustrated the modeling process using continuous data from a functional observational battery (FOB). Following the work of these authors, the purpose of this paper is to show that the benchmark dose (BMD) method for single time point dose-response data can be generalized and applied to longitudinal data such as those generated in neurotoxicity studies. We propose a statistical procedure called bootstrap method for computing the lower confidence limits for the BMD. We demonstrate the method using three previously published FOB datasets of triethyltin (Moser, V.C., Becking, G.C., Cuomo, V., Frantik, E., Kulig, B., MacPhail, R.C., Tilson, H.A., Winneke, G., Brightwell, W.S., DeSalvia, M.A., Gill, M.W., Haggerty, G.C., Hornychova, M., Lammers, J., Larsson, J., McDaniel, K.L., Nelson, B.K., Ostergaard, G., 1997a. The IPCS study on neurobehavioral screening methods: results of chemical testing. Neurotoxicology 18, 969-1056.) and the models of Zhu et al. (Zhu, Y., Wessel, M., Liu, T., Moser, V.C., 2005. Analyses of neurobehavioral screening data: dose-time-response modeling of continuous outcomes. Regul. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 41, 240-255).
Numerical and Experimental Analysis for Laser Surface Densification of Plasma Sprayed Coatings

Advanced ceramics, suitable to fabricate ultra-high temperature ceramic components for structural applications and thermal protection systems, are not easily prepared by the plasma spray technique due to their extremely high melting temperature. How to prepare the materials with high density is a challenging research task. In this study, applying a laser surface treatment technique for the densification of zirconium diboride, the influence of laser power and beam diameter on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the coatings are examined both numerically and experimentally. Using a two dimensional mathematical model, which was developed incorporating melting, solidification, and evaporation phenomena, the microstructural characteristics during solidification are predicted via tracking the solid-liquid interface. For the mathematical model, volume-of-fluid technique is incorporated to track the free surface, while the surface force as a body force instead of a boundary condition. Typical laser processing parameters have been obtained for the desired both porosity reduction and microstructure from the model and the predicted results are compared with the experimental results.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
IMPROVED REVERSE OSMOSIS PERMEATION BY HEATING

At higher temperatures reverse osmosis membrane coefficients increase and cause permeation rates to increase. Diffusion coefficients also increase and viscosity coefficients decrease causing concentration polarization to decrease and improve permeation. Experiments were performed with 15% (w/w) sucrose solutions in tubular cellulose acetate reverse osmosis membranes at 500 psig for low flow rates (Reynolds numbers between 10 and 1000). Depending upon the flow rate and mode of heating, raising the temperature from 25 to 35°C increased permeation rates up to 20%, and from 25 to 45°C up to 55%. Two methods of heating were tested: preheating the entire feed to the system, and heating the boundary layer at the membrane surface. Comparisons with theory are discussed
Using online technologies to extend a classroom to learners at a distance

The authors studied a course in which an instructor allowed individuals at a distance to participate. Although these students were not formally enrolled in the university where the class took place, the instructor gave them full access to all course materials and encouraged them to complete course assignments. The authors examined the time and technical proficiency required to involve learners at a distance. We surveyed these learners to determine their perceptions of the course and examined their work. Learners at a distance reported receiving some benefit from the course, particularly in terms of learner–content interaction. We surveyed students in the face‐to‐face classroom to determine whether having students participating at a distance in the same class affected their perception of the course. They reported no impact. The implications and limitations of these results are discussed.
The Oxidative Metabolism of a Cryptomonad Flagellate, Chilomonas paramecium*

Tests based on respirometric and population growth methods for the analysis of oxidizable substrates for Chilomonas paramecium revealed that only those substances tested which are intermediates in terminal cyclic respiratory mechanisms (pyruvate, lactate, acetate, α-ketoglutarate, succinate, fumarate, L-malate, oxalacetate, but not citrate, cis-aconitate or DL-isocitrate) were attacked. These organic acids, and the fatty acids and alcohols earlier known to be used, n-butyric, n-caproic and n-caprylic acids, ethyl, n-butyl and n-hexyl alcohols, were the only carbon compounds oxidized by C. paramecium under the test conditions employed. Utilization of acid substrates was found to be pH-dependent. Reproductive and respiratory rates were related to the pKa values of the compounds. Oxidation of acetate, lactate, and pyruvate, however, was observed at pH values where their molecular form was present in exceedingly small amounts. Naturally-occurring α-amino acids, amines, glycolysis intermediates (3-phosphoglyceric acid, glucose-1-phosphate, hexose diphosphate) and degraded intermediates of glycolysis (glyceric acid, glycerol, dihydroxyacetone, glucose), two-carbon compounds more oxidized than acetic acid (oxalic, glycolic, glyoxylic acids, glyoxal, ethylene glycol), and formic, tartaric, malonic, and glutaric acids, were not used. Respiration in the presence of single members of the group of oxidizable substrates was sensitive to malonate and fluoroacetate. Malonate inhibition of succinate oxidation could be reversed by an increase in succinate concentration, but the relationship was not competitive; possibly because of permeability differences between the substrate and inhibitor. Fluoroacetate inhibition was accompanied by the accumulation of citric acid. The experiments on substrate oxidation, and the effects of inhibitors on the respiratory metabolism of the flagellate, are considered to provide evidence for the operation of the Krebs tricarboxylic acid cycle as a terminal respiratory mechanism in C. paramecium.
The computer as experimenter.

This paper describes a program for turning an IBM 1620 into an automatic experimenter which administers a complex problem-solving task to individual subjects. Communication between subject and computer is in terms of ordinary English with certain restrictions in wording. The advantages and disadvantages of automated experimentation are discussed. Some preliminary results comparing the problem solving elicited by human and automated experimenters are mentioned.
Measuring Progress Toward a Goal Estimating Teacher Productivity Using a Multivariate Multilevel Model for Value-Added Analysis

This article develops a procedure for measuring how much is gained by students in a pretest and posttest situation against a target score on the posttest. The author defines a productivity index, Mj, for teacher j as the ratio of estimated gains to an estimated standard that is the distance between an estimate of the pretest and target score. Using language, mathematics, and reading scores on the SAT 9 for 1999 and 2000 from 75 public elementary classrooms (Grades 3-6 in 2000), the author employs a Bayesian implementation of a multivariate mixed model for repeated test scores from individual students. The analysis points to statistically significant gains on the whole for Grades 3, 4, and 6. The strength of the approach lies in a straightforward estimation of the productivity index and a procedure for representing its uncertainty in the form of a productivity profile. This approach also facilitates a Bayesian effect size analysis free from frequentist appeals to noncentral t or F distributions.
A9-month Follow-up Evaluation of a Teleconference Using a Mixed Model for Distance Education

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To evaluate the long-terra effectiveness of a new mixed model approach to distance education and to determine its impact on practice. A new "mixed model" approach for distance education (DE) combining satellite teleconferencing with hands-on activity sessions was evaluated nine months following the conference to determine its impact on practice. This new model was developed to adjust for many of the disadvantages associated with DE (e.g., difficult to personalize lessons) and traditional in-person training (e.g., costly and inefficient at reaching large audiences). The mixed model used a two-day mix of live teleconference speakers, video clips, interactive call-in sessions, and local sessions. We used this approach to teach Special Supplemental Food Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC) educators about facilitated group discussions (FGD), an innovative educational technique that involves interactive learning. Three general areas were included in the teleconference: 1) background and philosophy for nutrition education; 2) skill building exercises; and, 3) hands-on practice in small group settings. The conference was broadcast to 30 Southwestern sites. Pro- and immediately post-conference evaluation questionnaires (n=525) were administered and analyzed, then compared with the 9-months follow-up mail survey. The study is still in progress. Preliminary analysis (n=200; response rate=39%) indicates: Positive attitude towards teleconferences was maintained from post-conference (81%) to 9-months follow-up (80%), and was significantly higher than pre-conference (36%; p
Group Work with Athletes.

Abstract This article contains a literature review, an analysis of the group process with a college ice hockey team, and a discussion of individual counseling with three of the team members.
A Contemporary Analysis of Surgical Trends in the Treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oropharynx from 1998 to 2012: A Report from the National Cancer Database.

This study examined surgical trends for oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma (OPC) from 1998 to 2012, with a post-2009 focus coinciding with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of transoral robotic surgery (TORS). Using the National Cancer Data Base, the study analyzed 84,449 patients with stage I-IVB OPC. χ 2 tests and logistic regression models were used to examine surgical trends. The use of surgery decreased from 41.4 % in 1998 to 30.4 % in 2009 (p < 0.001). The surgical trends reversed and in 2012 increased to 34.8 % (p < 0.001). There was much variation in surgery in 2012 between American Joint Committee on Cancer stages, with 80.2 % of stage I patients receiving surgery compared with 54.0 % of stage II patients, 36.8 % of stage III patients, and 28.5 % of stage IV patients (p < 0.001). Black patients with high socioeconomic status (SES) showed lower use of surgery (25.3 %) compared to low SES white (32.3 %) and low SES Hispanic patients (27.3 %) (p < 0.001). The highest surgical rates were noted in the West North Central region and lowest rates were observed in the New England and South Atlantic regions. Between 2009 and 2012, independent predictors of surgical treatment included young age, female gender, white or Hispanic race, high SES, private insurance, academic hospitals, hospitals in the West North Central region, residence more than 75 miles from the hospital, increasing comorbidities, stage I disease, and tonsil origin (all p < 0.05). Since FDA approval of TORS in 2009, surgical rates have increased with multiple socioeconomic and regional factors affecting patient selection. This study provides a basis for further investigation into factors involved in decision making for OPC patients.
Replacement of the patello-femoral joint with the total condylar knee arthroplasty

We have studied 241 total condylar knee arthroplasties with replacement of the articular surface of the patella in 206 patients. The average age was 65 years. The technique of replacement of the patellofemoral joint emphasises realignment of the quadriceps mechanism, minimal excision of the patella to preserve subchondral bone, preservation of soft tissue attachments including the infrapatellar fat pad, and closure of the quadriceps without tension. The results of replacement have been good to excellent in 95 per cent of patients followed for two years or more. There were no subluxations, dislocations or fractures. Loosening was noted in one case associated with anterior knee pain. Discomfort was also noted with eccentric placement of the prosthesis where bone was left uncovered. We consider that routine replacement of the patello-femoral joint is advisable with total condylar knee arthroplasty.
Viscosity of selenium measured by impression test

Abstract By using an impression test, the viscosity of amorphous Se was measured in the temperature range of 29.2 to 50.7°C and under a punching stress of 0.25 to 15 MPa. The flow behavior under these conditions was found to be Newtonian and the viscosity of amorphous Se obtained this way was comparable to the literature data, including the ones from nanoindentation.
Calibration procedures for seeds preloaded in cartridges.

Radioactive seeds preloaded in sterilized cartridges or needles are commonly obtainable from manufacturers. Under the US regulations for control of radioactive materials, seed users are required to account for all seeds and independently verify their air kerma strength ( S K ) . As a result, the viability of inspection schemes that rely on measurement of aggregate seeds is of interest. In this paper we consider the conditions (if any) under which cartridge inspection can satisfy regulatory requirements and still provide practical benefit (i.e., time savings) against the regular single-seed assay. The standards for comparison are the recommendations of AAPM TG40, AAPM TG56, and ACR’s “Standard for the Performance of Manually Loaded Brachytherapy Sources.” The practical benefit is judged in comparison to the effort required to apply the 10% assay recommendation of TG40 to seeds in cartridges. Two specific cartridge inspection schemes are considered: (a) measuring the S K of each cartridge in a batch; (b) measuring a single cartridge sampled at random from the batch. Unlike the 10% assay, which is defined (imperfectly, in our view) without reference to the prevalence of in-calibration seeds, the estimation of the relative merits of cartridge inspection methods must necessarily include such information and, as such, is manufacturer specific. In this paper results are provided for Oncura model 6711 I 125 seeds in shielded and unshielded Mick cartridges. We show that the only practically useful cartridge inspection scheme is the batch scheme applied to unshielded cartridges. The false positive rates associated with the other schemes are such that we expect to open a cartridge (and perform the 10% assay) at least 80% of the time. While anything less than 100% of the time is theoretically an improvement, this neglects the additional effort required to assay the cartridges.
Terahertz digital off-axis holography for non-destructive testing

Terahertz digital off-axis holography is demonstrated with a highly coherent, frequency tunable continuous wave terahertz source emitting between 0.1 and 0.8 THz and a single spatially-scanned Schottky diode detector. The angular spectrum and dual wavelength reconstruction methods are employed for the digital reconstruction process.
Patrons and Entrepreneurs: A Response to "Public Interest Group Entrepreneurship and Theories of Groups Mobilization":

Public interest groups are a small percentage of the universe of all interest groups, yet they play a critical representative role in American democracy (Schlozman and Tierney 1986). Groups with agendas as diverse as the American Civil Liberties Union and the Religious Roundtable fall into the general category of public interest groups-lobbies which seek "a collective good, the achievement of which will not selectively and materially benefit the membership or activists of the organization" (Berry 1977: 7). An environmental group pursuing a ban on seal hunting, for example, returns to members and nonmembers alike the ideological satisfaction of knowing that they are doing something to protect seal pups. Yet the collective action problem makes it difficult for organizers to convince potential members that they should be the ones to pay for protecting the baby seals. One way public interest group entrepreneurs attempt to circumvent the free-rider problem is by pursuing large contributions from wealthy individuals as well as foundation, corporation, and government grants (Salisbury 1983; Walker 1991). Many groups formed since the surge of public interest organizing began in the 1960s have become stable and important participants in national policymaking. Yet at the same time many public interest organizations fold quickly as the fervor of activists cannot sustain an organization over time (Piven and Cloward 1979; Pope 1989; Salisbury 1989; Woliver 1993). It falls to political entrepreneurs to translate surges in public interest into vehicles for lasting political change (McAdam 1982; Pope 1989). Drawing upon questionnaire data collected from the founders of 60 public interest groups, professors Nownes and Neeley call our attention to the critical process of public interest group formation. Founders were asked about their motivations in forming their organizations. Were they moved to act by
Climate change and amphibian declines: is there a link?

Abstract. Global climates have been changing, sometimes rapidly and dramatically, throughout the evolutionary history of amphibians. Therefore, existing amphibian species have been derived from those that have survived major climatic disturbances. Although recent global climate change has resulted in warming in many regions, temperatures in some areas to date have not changed measurably, or have even cooled. Declines of some amphibian populations have been correlated with climate events, but demonstrations of direct causal relationships need further research. Data are available indicating some indirect effect of climate change on the initiation of breeding activities of some amphibians that occur earlier than in previous springs, but the costs and benefits of these changes are just beginning to be investigated. Climate may also play an indirect role in facilitating epidemics of infectious disease. Regardless of the role that climate changes may have played in past and current amphibian declines, future shifts in climate, should they prove as dramatic as predicted, will certainly pose challenges for surviving amphibian populations and for successful recovery efforts of species that have suffered declines.
Landscape Distribution of Microbial Activity in the McMurdo Dry Valleys: Linked Biotic Processes, Hydrology, and Geochemistry in a Cold Desert Ecosystem

In desert ecosystems, microbial activity and associated nutrient cycles are driven primarily by water availability and secondarily by nutrient availability. This is especially apparent in the extremely low productivity cold deserts of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. In this region, sediments near streams and lakes provide the seasonally wet conditions necessary for microbial activity and nutrient cycling and thus transfer energy to higher organisms. However, aside from a few studies of soil respiration, rates of microbial activity throughout the region remain unexplored. We measured extracellular enzyme activity potentials (alkaline phosphatase, leucine-aminopeptidase, beta-glucosidase, phenol oxidase, and peroxidase) in soils adjacent to lakes and streams, expecting activity to be primarily related to soil water content, as well as time of season and organic matter supply. Phosphatase and beta-glucosidase activities were higher in shoreline than upland soils; however, potential rates were not correlated with soil water content. Instead, soil organic matter, salinity, and pH were the best predictors of microbial activity. Microbial nutrient limitation metrics estimated from extracellular enzyme activity were correlated with pH and salinity and exhibited similar patterns to previously published trends in soil P and N content. Compared to other terrestrial ecosystems, organic matter specific rates for leucine-aminopeptidase and oxidative enzyme activities were high, typical of alkaline desert soils. Phosphatase activity was close to the global mean whereas beta-glucosidase activity was extremely low, which may reflect the lack of vascular plant derived organic matter in the Dry Valleys. In this cold desert ecosystem, water availability promotes microbial activity, and microbial nutrient cycling potentials are related to soil geochemistry.
Addressing The Nurse Shortage To Improve The Quality Of Patient Care

Nurses are the largest group of health care professionals providing direct patient care in hospitals, and the quality of care for hospital patients is strongly linked to the performance of nursing staff, according to an Institute of Medicine report. This paper describes the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s (RWJF’s) work in nursing, which focuses on improving the hospital work environment to attract and retain high-quality nursing staff, with the ultimate goal of improving patient care and outcomes in hospitals. Other organizations’ efforts to address the nurse shortage are also explored.
Collagen heterogeneity in normal human bone marrow

Summary. Paraffin embedded sections of formalin fixed, decalcified, normal, human, vertebral bone were stained immunohistochemically for collagen types I, III and IV using the peroxidase—anti-peroxidase (PAP) technique. Preparations stained for collagen types I and III were virtually identical in appearance. These substrates were localized to the cytoplasm and fibrillar processes of a population of cells which were sparsely distributed within the haemopoietic compartment of the bone marrow, being particularly prominent in relation to the marrow sinusoids and fat spaces. They would thus appear to parallel the known distribution of reticulum cells, although their morphology differed in some respects from classical descriptions of the latter cell type. Type IV collagen was found in association with the endothelial lining of the sinusoids. Other connective tissue elements (bone, periosteum, endosteum, blood vessels, etc.) showed characteristic collagen heterogeneity. These results indicate that collagen is a significant component of the bone marrow connective tissue.
Partnering on Extranets for Strategic Advantage

Companies that started by improving internal communication with intranet systems are now developing extranet systems to improve communication with their external business partners. This article describes how leading firms are using extranets to achieve competitive advantages. Extranets are less expensive and offer more functionality than EDI systems.
Spatio-Temporal Regulation of Membrane Recruitment of Rac1 GTPase during Cellular Polarization

Cell polarization is one of the most critical and intriguing phenomena in biological systems, observed during directed cell migration, establishment of axis, axon specification etc. Rho family of GTPases including Rac1, cdc42 and RhoA are key players in the establishment and maintenance of polarization. Of these, polarized Rac1 signaling is ubiquitous in various cell types and is associated with cytoskeletal changes leading to a polarized cell shape/morphology. Besides cycling between a GTP-bound and a GDP-bound state, Rac1 also undergoes a membrane targeting cycle. The precise steps of activation and/or membrane-trafficking of Rac1 are still the subject of a lot of speculations. We employed total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy and single molecule tracking methods to quantify the recruitment kinetics of Rac1 GTPases from cytosol to plasma membrane. We observed that the rate of recruitment, kon, is spatially and temporally regulated in adherent cells in a polarized pattern under different inductive conditions. Moreover, regions of high Rac1 recruitment correlated well with actin polymerization, as indicated by the generation of active protrusions. Combining FRET and single molecule imaging, we found that the high recruitment regions are associated with higher Rac1 activity. Furthermore, Hidden Markov analysis of Rac1 diffusion on plasma membrane suggested that Rac1 exist in free and GEF-bound state, and that the regulation of Rac1 recruitment is GEF independent. Our results indicate that the spatial and temporal regulation of membrane kon rates for Rac1 GTPase contributes significantly in establishing and/or maintaining cellular polarization.
NERVE INJURY AFTER LAPAROSCOPIC VARICOCELECTOMY

ABSTRACT Purpose: Laparoscopic varicocelectomy is a minimally invasive option for varicoceles in children. Occasional reports of nerve injury after inguinal laparoscopic procedures have been published. There is anatomical variation in the sensory innervation of the anterior thigh and variable branching patterns of the nerves involved. We report a retrospective analysis of our patients, focusing on the incidence of sensory changes on the ipsilateral anterior thigh after laparoscopic varicocelectomy. Materials and Methods: The medical records of all patients who underwent laparoscopic varicocelectomy at 1 institution performed by 2 of us (YR and DV) from 1997 to 2002 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographics, outcomes and any postoperative sensory complications were obtained by chart review and telephone interview. Results: A total of 58 patients underwent laparoscopic varicocelectomy during this 5-year analysis and 51 with a total of 62 varicoceles were available for review. Three patients (4.8%) experienced transient numbness of the ipsilateral anterior thigh, which resolved or improved in an average of 8.0 months (range 6 to 9). Symptoms were not always noticed immediately postoperatively (range 0 to 10 days). In affected patients the sensory distribution was usually consistent with injury to the genitofemoral nerve. Conclusions: Laparoscopic varicocelectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that still has the potential for complications. Cautery or harmonic dissection of the peritoneum overlying the spermatic cord and excessive traction on the tissues surrounding the cord should be avoided intraoperatively. Patients and surgeons should be aware of the possibility of nerve injury and the resultant sensory deficit.
Inexact reconstructions from projections

Abstract Images of biological objects formed in the electron microscope are of such a nature that we can simplify the problem of three-dimensional reconstruction. One simplification is to make the assumption that the object can be represented as a Boolean three-dimensional matrix. In this paper we examine the problem of reconstructing two-dimensional Boolean matrices from their projections and conclude that surprisingly good reconstructions can be obtained using only four projections.
Analytical model for characterizing the pear-shaped tribotest for tube hydroforming. Part 1

AbstractAn analytical model to characterize the pear-shaped tribotest is presented. In this test, a tubular specimen is pressurized, forcing the material to flow towards the apex of a pear-shaped d...
High Resolution Sonar Signals in a Multipath Environment

Because active sonar systems are typically peakpower limited, and because sonar targets can often appear at speeds within the doppler spread of reverberation, pulses having large time-bandwidth (TW) products are called for. The resultant high resolution in range and doppler creates a potential problem because of multipath. Multipath is caused by multiple reflections from the two rough surfaces -- the ocean surface and the ocean bottom -- from which signals are reflected, refraction, eand by multiple reflections from the target itself. Due to motions of the echo ranging ship, the target, and the ocean surface, the multipath exhibits doppler spreading as well as time spreading. A model is postulated for the overall spreading of the signal seen at the receiver in which the magnitudes of time spreading and doppler spreading are represented by L and B. Detection performance of signals with large pulse length (T) and bandwidth (W) is derived as function of WL and BT. Performance is measured in terms of input signal level required to produce specified probabilities of detection and false alarm at the processor output. Two basic signal codes are considered -- random modulation in amplitude and/or phase (RM) and linear frequency modulation (LFM). Detection performance of a single correlator, tuned to one range and doppler, is given. Next, a processor is postulated consisting of a multiplicity of correlators covering the entire expected range and doppler spread of the signal, the outputs of which are combined incoherently.
Theoretical transient currents from two-component bipolar space-charge swarms in media

Abstract Using an arbitrary initial space-charge distribution consisting of two bipolar species of charge carriers of different but constant mobilities in a medium, relations for the electric fields and charge-carrier densities, are derived as functions of position and time. The highly nonlinear, one-dimensional equations, which are derived for swarms of charge carriers between parallel plane electrodes, include the effects of the space-charge fields. A general method is outlined which, in principle, can be used to generate second-order differential equations whose solutions predict the time-dependent current caused by the drifting bipolar space-charge swarm. A specific differential equation is derived for initial charge distributions in dielectric media which could be produced by a pulse of ionizing radiation of uniform intensity.
Quiché Rebelde: Religious Conversion, Politics, and Ethnic Identity in Guatemala

Quiche Rebelde: Religious Conversion, Politics, and Ethnic Identity in Guatemala. Ricardo Falla. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2001. vii. 279 pp., appendix, notes, bibliography, index.
Device and system performance expectations in clinical PACS

Since PACS functionality and utility are relatively difficult to demonstrate beyond display capabilities, system developers have concentrated on display functions that do not necessarily address many of the problems PAC systems are expected to solve in the clinical environment. In this paper, minimal functional requirements are reviewed. These are designed ultimately to improve patient care through increased efficiency and improved communications (both within and outside of radiology). End user expectations that should be assessed when considering PACS are also discussed.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Abstract 2131: Plk1 decreases DNA double strand break (DSB) formation during replication- stalling genotoxic stress

Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is a regulator of the mitotic checkpoint, and is involved in adaptation, which is the progression of cells into mitosis with damaged DNA. Deregulation of Plk1 activity is linked to cellular transformation. Recent studies suggest Plk1 activity to be critical for resumption of cell cycle progression during recovery from DNA damage. However, the ability of Plk1 to affect the DNA damage response remains relatively unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine the ability of Plk1 to affect the DNA damage response in the face of different forms of DSB-inducing genotoxic stress. We employed the respiratory carcinogen, hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], the anticancer drug and topoisomerase II inhibitor, etoposide, as well as the oxidizer, H2O2. We have previously shown that Plk1 activation was sufficient to bypass the G2/M checkpoint in normal human lung cells (HLFs), in the presence of Cr(VI)-induced acute genotoxic stress. In the present study, we measured DNA DSB induction in HLFs by the respective genotoxins under the condition of Plk1 activation by using the comet assay and γH2AX immunofluorescence staining. Transfection of HLFs with the constitutively active (c/a) Plk1 T210D mutant resulted in increased Plk1 protein expression 24h-48h post transfection. We used equitoxic concentrations of the different genotoxins and found that DNA DSBs increased > 2 fold after exposure to 3 μM Cr(VI), 12.5 μM etoposide, and 150 μM H2O2, respectively, and persisted for at least 4h. Consistent with DNA DSB formation, Cr(VI) exposure was associated with G1 arrest, at least at 4h, as determined by BrdU incorporation. Expression of the c/a T210D mutant increased Plk1 activity in vitro, and abrogated both Cr(VI) and etoposide-induced DNA DSBs as early as 30 min, and up to 4h post-treatment, in comparison to the vector control-transfected cells. In sharp contrast, treatment with 150 μM H2O2 induced a similar level of DNA DSBs in both the c/a T210D mutant- and vector-transfected cells. These data highlight the ability of Plk1 to decrease DNA DSBs uniquely under conditions of replication-stalling genotoxic stress. Given the documented roles of aberrant DNA damage response and Plk1 activation in cellular transformation, there is a critical need to define the molecular mechanism(s) by which Plk1 mediates decreased DNA DSBs after genotoxin exposure and delineate the pathways responsible for Plk1 activation. We postulate that the ability of Plk1 activation to abrogate DNA DSB formation after either Cr(VI) or etoposide exposure may occur at the expense of genomic stability. Supported by NIH grants CA107972 and ES017334 to SC and ES09961 and ES05304 to SRP and PhRMA foundation to GC. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2131. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2131
Editorial: On behalf of children

When you think about it, many of the things we do are expressly designed to maintain a sense of wonder because once it is lost, childhood is lost. I still vividly recall a class discussion with one of my teachers about the existence of Santa Claus when I was 10 years old. By that time, nobody in the class was a believer. Sister Christopher told us that she still believed in Santa until she was 13. When we asked her how she could have been so gullible, she said that just about the time she was beginning to question the myth, her father (she later found out) climbed up on the roof in the middle of the night to make “reindeer tracks” and lines from the runners of the sleigh. Now that was a man who really wanted to keep the wonder alive!
Beam plasma neutron sources based on beam-driven mirror

The design and performance of a relatively low-cost, plasma-based, 14-MeV D-T neutron source for accelerated end-of-life testing of fusion reactor materials are described in this article. An intense flux (up to 5×1018 n/m2·s) of 14-MeV neutrons is produced in a fully-ionized high-density tritium target (n e ≈ 3×1021 m−3) by injecting a current of 150-keV deuterium atoms. The tritium plasma target and the energetic D+ density produced by D0 injection are confined in a column of diameter ⩽ 0.16 m by a linear magnet set, which provides magnetic fields up to 12 T. Energy deposited by transverse injection of neutral beams at the midpoint of the column is conducted along the plasma column to the end regions. Longitudinal plasma pressure in the column is balanced by neutral gas pressure in the end tanks. The target plasma temperature is about 200 eV at the beam-injection position and falls to 5 eV or less in the end region. Ions reach the walls with energies below the sputtering threshold, and the wall temperature is maintained below 740 K by conventional cooling technology.
Attenuated and enhanced neophobia in the taste-aversion “delay of reinforcement” effect

Rats were made ill immediately or 6 h after drinking either familiar tap water or a novel .1% saccharin solution. Control animals were given sham treatments immediately after water or saccharin consumption. Subsequent two-bottle preference tests between water and saccharin revealed: (1) a “delay of reinforcement” effect across those groups presented with saccharin prior to treatment; (2)a neophobic avoidance of the novel saccharin solution by all groups presented with water prior to treatment; and (3) that the extinction curve of those animals poisoned 6 h after drinking saccharin was similar to the extinction curves of the groups presented with water prior to treatment. The results are discussed in terms of the two-process model of the poison avoidance behavior of the rat proposed by Mitchell, Kirschbaum, and Perry (1975). It was suggested that “conditioned” taste aversions obtained when laboratory rats are poisoned some hours after the consumption of a novel substance consist of two antagonistic nonassociative components, attenuation or habituation of neophobia and the disruption of habituation by the administration of a noxious stimulus during the habituation process.
Examination of a simplified reaction-diffusion model for post-exposure bake of chemically amplified resists

For a chemically amplified resist (CAR), the simulation of the post exposure bake (PEB) process is computationally very expensive when compared with simulation of PEB for a conventional resist. The reason for the additional computational difficulty for a CAR is that the commonly accepted mechanism for acid-catalyzed deprotection of the polymer resin requires the acid to diffuse and react simultaneously. One approach to a more efficient simulation of PEB for a CAR is to decouple the reaction-diffusion model into a diffusion step followed by a reaction step. Although the decoupled approach is its accuracy compared with the original (coupled) reaction-diffusion PEB model. In this study, the reaction-diffusion model of the PEB process for a CAR is solved analytically for the case where the diffusivity of acid is constant and no base quencher is present in the resist formulation. This special case for PEB of a CAR allows a systematic investigation of the differences between coupled and decoupled reaction-diffusion models. It is shown that the dynamics of the PEB process predicted by the coupled reaction-diffusion models. It is shown that the dynamics of the PEB process predicted by the coupled reaction-diffusion model cannot be reproduced by a decoupled model. Specifically, the two models cannot be matched to predict the same dynamics for both short-time responses, such as the damping of standing wave corrugations in the resist profile, and long-time responses, such as the resist contribution to iso-dense bias or line-end shortening.
Measuring the Sources of Self-Efficacy Among Secondary School Music Students:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the four sources of self-efficacy in music performance and examine responses from the Music Performance Self-Efficacy Scale (MPSES). Participants (N = 290) were middle and high school music students from 10 schools in two regions of the United States. Questions included the following: (1) How much influence does each source have on self-efficacy? (2) Are there differences among band, chorus, and string students? (3) Are there differences between middle and high school students? (4) Does music aptitude predict self-efficacy, and (5) Does evidence support the MPSES as a valid and reliable scale? Results indicated that mastery experience exerted the strongest influence, no differences were found among ensemble types or grade levels, and music aptitude scores predicted modest increases in self-efficacy, β = .16 (.07). Examination of test content, response process, internal structure, and relationships with other variables provided evidence of validity, while intern...
Oxidation and oxidative cleavage of tryptophanyl peptide bonds during iodination.

Abstract Tryptophan peptides are oxidized to the oxindole by various chemical and peroxidase catalyzed iodination procedures in the pH range 4.0–7.5. This oxidation results in significant cleavage of tryptophanyl peptide bonds at pH 4–5. Thus, destruction of some biologically active peptides and proteins during iodination may be due to the modification of essential tryptophan residues.
Counseling the Irresponsible AIDS Client: Guidelines for Decision Making

Counselors treating a socially irresponsible AIDS client face the dilemma of preserving the client's right to confidentiality while protecting unsuspecting sexual partners from infection. Specific guidelines for decision making are suggested.