cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE NEW PARTICLES AND THEIR APPLICATION IN MEDICINE

In recent years there has been increasing interest in the use of “new” particle beams for various medical applications. The particles being used, fast neutrons, protons, helium ions, negative pions, and heavy ions, have in fact been known and studied by nuclear and high-energy physicists for over forty years. They are new only in the sense that, until recently, the medical community has had little experience with them in the clinic. One of the particles, the neutron, is not really new even to radiotherapy. In the late thirties Stone et al. treated 226 patients using cyclotron-produced neutrons (1940), but they discontinued therapy five years later because of unexpected severe late reactions (Stone, 1948). It was not until the sixties that it became generally recognized that neutron irradiation is relatively more effective compared to x-rays at the lower doses per fraction used in therapy than at the higher single doses commonly used in animal and cell experiments. This difference in effectiveness becomes even more important at the lower doses encountered in radiation protection, and it is interesting that it played an inhibiting role in the early days of particle radiotherapy (Brennan and Phillips, 1971).
Development of a solar desiccant dehumidifier

A preliminary design for a cross-cooled two ton silica gel dehumidifier is presented. The system consists of two identical fixed bed units. One dehumidifies while the other is being regenerated. The cross-cooling is achieved with room or ambient air flowing through rectangular channels. The process stream flows in perpendicular channels which are lined with paper-like sheets consisting of micron size silica gel particles held in a Teflon web. These sheets are made by a specially developed manufacturing procedure. The silica gel sheets were tested in an isothermal channel and were found to perform to our satisfaction. Detailed calculations have shown that the low regeneration temperatures of the silica gel result in sufficient dehumidification for air conditioning applications. The low regeneration temperature permits the use of flat plate solar collectors. A prototype dehumidifier was constructed and is presently being tested.
A tunable inorganic blotting membrane for analysis of gel separated biomolecules by MALDI-MS

We describe the use of a monolithic through porous glass as a blotting material to capture gel separated biomolecules for matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometric (MALDI-MS) analysis. A through porous substrate (TPS) with the proper pore size and surface chemistry can be blotted directly to from gels containing DNA or proteins up to 200kDa in the same manner as traditional membranes. Using fluorescently labeled biomolecules and a confocal laser scanner, the data indicates the gel band morphology is maintained after transfer of DNA or proteins to the TPS. We further show that the TPS can be used as a MALDI target without disrupting the process and without contributing any extraneous peaks to the spectrum. Finally, we demonstrate that a protein blotted to the TPS was detected with our MALDI-MS system. The TPS offers a tunable composition, both in the substrate and applied surface chemistry. It is our belief that direct transfer of gel separated material to a mass spectrometer (MS) via TPS technology eliminates issues commonly associated with sample preparation (i.e. contamination, material loss) facilitating high throughput biomolecular analysis.
Sluggish Cognitive Tempo is Associated With Academic Functioning and Internalizing Symptoms in College Students With and Without Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Objectives The purposes of the present studies were to (a) examine the factor structure of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in college students and (b) examine the associations between SCT and academic functioning and internalizing symptoms in college students with and without ADHD. Method In Study 1, a confirmatory factor analysis of the Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale-IV (BAARS-IV) was conducted in a sample of 768 college students (aged 17–34 years, 68% female). In Study 2, we examined the relation of SCT to academic functioning and internalizing symptoms in a sample of 72 college students rigorously diagnosed with ADHD (aged 17–35 years, 44% female). Results Study 1 results supported the factor structure of the BAARS-IV, with the optimal model comprising 4 correlated but distinct factors: SCT, Inattention, Hyperactivity, and Impulsivity. After controlling for correlated demographic variables and ADHD symptoms, SCT was significantly related to academic impairment (including grade point average), anxiety, and depression. In Study 2, SCT again contributed unique variance to internalizing symptoms and academic impairment after controlling for correlated participant characteristics (i.e., sex, age, race, parent education level, family income, ADHD medication use, and mental health service utilization) and ADHD symptom severity. Conclusions These results fill an important gap in the literature by (a) confirming SCT to be distinct from ADHD in emerging adulthood, (b) demonstrating SCT to be strongly linked to college student adjustment, and (c) providing support for the hypothesis that SCT is associated with psychosocial functioning in both individuals with and without ADHD.
Decay of correlations for the Rauzy-Veech-Zorich induction map on the space of interval exchange transformations and the central limit theorem for the Teichmüller flow on the moduli space of Abelian differentials

The aim of this paper is to prove a stretched-exponential bound for the decay of correlations for the Rauzy-Veech-Zorich induction map on the space of interval exchange transformations (Theorem 4). A corollary is the Central Limit Theorem for the Teichm?ller flow on the moduli space of abelian differentials with prescribed singularities (Theorem 10). The proof of Theorem 4 proceeds by the method of Sinai [13] and Bunimovich Sinai [14]: the induction map is approximated by a sequence of Markov chains satisfying the Doeblin condition. The main "loss of memory" estimate is Lemma 4.
A Primer for Mathematical Modeling.

With the implementation of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics recommendations and the adoption of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, modeling has moved to the forefront of K–12 education. Modeling activities not only reinforce purposeful problem-solving skills, they also connect the mathematics students learn in school with the mathematics they will use outside of school. Instructors have found mathematical modeling difficult to teach. To successfully incorporate modeling activities I believe that curricular changes should be accompanied by professional development for curriculum developers, classroom teachers, and higher education professionals. This article serves as an introduction to modeling by defining mathematical modeling, outlining the steps to construct a model, and providing an example that illustrates the iterative non-linear process. Key to teaching modeling is the ability to understand how the modeling process differs from problemsolving activities, which this article discusses. This article describes the benefits and challenges of incorporating mathematical models. The overarching aim of this article is to serve as a primer to aid with the implementation of curricular reforms that call for an increased focus on modeling activities.
Mapping Ecotone Movements: Holocene Dynamics of the Forest Tension Zone in Central Lower Michigan, Usa

This paper presents a novel method for detecting and mapping movements of ecotone boundaries, over both time and space, using existing fossil pollen data. The method combines existing statistical techniques, including discriminant analysis and spatial interpolation, to generate statistically robust maps of ecotone boundaries over time. This method was applied to provide a comprehensive vegetative history of the forest tension zone in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan during the last 10,000 years. Pollen data for nine lakes in the Lower Peninsula were analyzed with discriminant analysis and spatially interpolated with inverse distance weighted to track ecotone movements of the forest tension zone. The forest tension zone has been in existence over the last 10,000 years and has been highly variable over space and time, with at least three major latitudinal shifts, spanning 320 km and 6° of latitude, as well as several less pronounced shifts. These shifts occurred primarily in response to millennial-scale osci...
Effects of Calcium-BAPTA Buffers and the Calmodulin Antagonist W-7 on Mouse Egg Activation

Results of numerous experiments indicate that the transient rise in intracellular Ca2+ following sperm-egg fusion is essential for the subsequent events that constitute egg activation. Some events of egg activation, e.g., cortical granule exocytosis, however, appear more sensitive to intracellular Ca2+ than other events, e.g., cell cycle resumption. To examine if specific events of egg activation have different thresholds for Ca2+, we manipulated buffered intracellular Ca2+ concentrations by microinjecting Ca2+-BAPTA buffers and then examined the effect on the cortical granule exocytosis, recruitment of maternal mRNAs, and cell cycle resumption. We find that whereas cortical granule exocytosis occurs over a narrow threshold range of injected free Ca2+ concentrations between 0.5 and 1.0 microM, recruitment of maternal mRNAs is only partially stimulated at injected free Ca2+ concentrations of 2.5 microM, and no evidence for cell cycle resumption was observed (up to 2.5 microM Ca2+). Although the Ca2+- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase, protein kinase C, is implicated in aspects of egg activation, calmodulin is also a potential target for the transient increase in Ca2+ that occurs following fertilization. Whereas incubation of eggs in the presence of the calmodulin antagonist W-7 followed by insemination does not block cortical granule exocytosis, cell cycle resumption, as assessed by the metaphase-to-anaphase transition, a decrease in histone H1 kinase activity and the time course for the emission of the second polar body are significantly delayed/inhibited.
Morphine-6-hemisuccinate as a narcotic annalgesic

Abstract Since morphine-6-hemisuccinate (M-6-HS) is currently being used in various laboratories studying morphine immunopharmacology, it was deemed appropriate to determine some of its pharmacological properties in intact animals. The compound was synthesized as per Simon, et al . (1) and met the purity criteria of these authors and those of Wainer, et al . (2,3). The standard hot plate analgesiometric test procedure was employed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of ip M-6-HS relative to ip morphine in CF-1 mice. Morphine was found to be 6 times more potent than M-6-HS minutes after ip administration. There were no differences observed between morphine and M-6-HS in the time of peak effect or duration of analgesia when both drugs were evaluated at their respective AD50's. Twenty-four hour LD50's for each agent were also determined and the relative lethality of morphine was found to be 1.7 times that of M-6-HS. The rate of tolerance development to the analgesic effect of morphine and M-6-HS evaluated at twice their AD50's did not significantly differ. Neither did the magnitude of dependence appreciably differ between morphine and M-6-HS as tested by naloxone-induced jumping behavior.
Salesforce Compensation: An Analytical and Empirical Examination of the Agency Theoretic Approach

Since the papers of Basu et al. (1985) and Lal and Srinivasan (1993), marketing academics have been interested in the design and implementation of optimal compensation plans. The literature has focused on agency theory as a foundation to help describe and understand this process. Although there has been much theoretical work on this topic, empirical evidence to support this theory remains sparse. Studies by Coughlan and Narasimhan (1992) and John and Weitz (1988, 1989) have found some early evidence that supports agency theory. In this paper we revisit the issue of salesforce compensation on both theoretical and empirical fronts. On the theory side we build a game theoretic model of salesforce compensation that accounts for risk aversion on the part of both the principal and the agent. We further show that accounting for the firm size within the analytical framework yields new insights into the nature of compensation design. The results obtained from our model, while substantiating past findings, offer some new insights into the compensation design process. In particular we find that firm demographics play an important role in the design of the optimal compensation scheme. We then use two datasets collected ten years apart by the Dartnell Corporation to investigate and test hypotheses generated by our model and the extant literature. Our results show that the basic tenets of agency theory continue to hold over time and that our new theoretical hypotheses are consistent with the data. Using the two datasets we also find that inter-temporal changes in salesforce compensation coincide with the advent and adoption of new technologies. Our research thus adds to our substantive knowledge of the drivers of salesforce compensation, while adding to the theoretical structure through taking account of the possibility of principal risk aversion.
The classroom setting as a source of expectations about teachers and pupils

Abstract The major purpose of this research is to examine the impact of classroom spatial arrangement (open versus traditional) and orderliness (messy versus neat) on observers' impressions of teachers and pupils. In experiments 1 and 2, samples of college students were shown color slides of vacant elementary classrooms which varied on these two physical dimensions. Subjects were asked to indicate their impressions of the teacher and the pupils who used each room by completing a set of bipolar adjective scales. Data analysis indicated that teachers in neat classrooms were rated more positively than their counterparts in disorderly classrooms on measures of kindliness, inventiveness, and organization. Pupils associated with neat classrooms were judged to be happier and better behaved. Open classroom teachers received higher ratings than traditional classroom teachers on kindliness and inventiveness. In experiment 3, the same procedure was used to obtain ratings from fifth-grade students. Their judgements of teacher and pupil characteristics were also positively affected by neatness, but classroom arrangement had no impact.
Predicting the Short- and Long-Term Helpfulness of Premarital Counseling: The Critical Role of Counseling Quality

This study seeks to uncover the important role of quality of premarital counseling in predicting the helpfulness of this service. Perceived quality of the church-based premarital counseling experience was predicted by infrequent church attendance. The short-term helpfulness of premarital counseling was predicted by greater quality of counseling but shorter duration, as well as less frequent church attendance and having had many quarrels before marriage. The long-term helpfulness of premarital counseling was predicted by greater short-term helpfulness and by greater counseling quality, as well as younger age at marriage. Only wives reported that their premarital counseling had been mandated. Overall, premarital counseling quality was found to be the strongest predictor of successful premarital outcomes in a religious setting.
beta-lactamase stability of HR 756, a novel cephalosporin, compared to that of cefuroxime and cefoxitin.

Abstract The stability to β-lactamase hydrolysis of HR 756, a new cephalosporin antibiotic, was compared to the β-lactamase stability of cefoxitin and cefuroxime. HR 756, cefoxitin, and cefuroxime were not hydrolyzed by Richmond type I, III, IV, and V β-lactamases. Antibacterial activity of HR 756 correlated well with resistance to β-lactamase hydrolysis except against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. HR 756, cefoxitin, and cefuroxime inhibited type I β-lactamases, but not type III, IV, or V enzymes. HR 756 was the most active inhibitor.
Mediterranean fruit fly: propensity to flight of sterilized flies

Sterilized (by irradiation) and untreated laboratory-reared Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) were studied in a specially designed flight-propensity chamber. Irradiation with 10 krad 2 days before adult eclosion produced a sedentary male and a very sedentary female, compared with the unirradiated counterparts and with native flies. The irradiated male and female were about 4O and 60%, respectively, less active than the native fly. The irradiated laboratory-reared fly also had a reduced potential for survival in a field cage and was eliminated in 8 to 9 days; the unirradiated fly was eliminated in 7-11 days.
A novel extracellular membrane elaborated by a mouse embryonal carcinoma-derived cell line.

Abstract An extracellular membranous structure is synthesized by an embryonal carcinoma-derived cell line, M1536-B3, in suspension cultures. Analysis of the solubilized membranous structure on polyacrylamide gels in sodium dodecyl sulfate yielded two major classes of glycoproteins with molecular weights of approximately 230,000 and 320,000 respectively. The amino acid composition of the purified membranous structures revealed the absence of both hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine. Carbohydrate analysis demonstrated the presence of fucose, xylose, mannose, galactose, glucose, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, and N-acetylneuraminic acid. These carbohydrates represented approximately 9% of the weight of the membrane. A comparison of the electrophoretic patterns of cells grown on monolayers and in suspension revealed a marked accumulation of the glycoproteins under the latter growth conditions. D -[3H]-glucosamine was incorporated into these two and a third major glycoprotein by cells in suspension culture.
Evaluation of Jefferies' level population ratios, and generalization of Seaton's cascade matrix, by a Markov-chain method

Closed expressions are obtained for the conditional probabilitiesq ij,k required in evaluating particular ratios of atomic level populations, using a Markov-chain representation of the system of levels. The total transition probability between two arbitrary levels is also evaluated and its relation to population ratios is clarified. It is shown that Seaton's cascade matrix is a subset of the total transition probability matrix.
The allatotropic activity of the larval brain of Galleria mellonella cultured in vitro

The brains of last instar larvae of Galleria mellonella can be successfully cultured in vitro. The high allatotropic activity of 0–8 hr brains, as measured by their ability to elicit supernumerary larval molts upon implantation into 0–8 hr last instar larval hosts, remains constant through 4 days in vitro. The allatotropic activity of 120 hr brains increases during in vitro culture. The number of supernumerary larvae resulting from the implantations of 120 hr brains rises from 20 to 30% of the hosts implanted with fresh brains, to 90% of the hosts supplied with brains maintained in vitro for 24 hr prior to implantation. There is a progressive loss of paraldehyde-fuchsin-stainable neurosecretory material over 72 hr of in vitro culture from the three groups of neurosecretory cells visible in whole mounts of the brains. Nevertheless, the ultrastructural picture of the medial neurosecretory cells, which are the probable source of the allatotropic factor, indicates synthetic activity after 72 hr of culture. In 0–8 hr last instar brains which are cultured for 48 hr as complexes with attached corpora cardiaca and corpora allata, stainable neurosecretory material accumulates in all three groups of cerebral neurosecretorycells. The brains from the cultured complexes have low allatotropic activity. It is concluded on the basis of the bioassay and ultrastructural observations that under our conditions of in vitro culture, the neurosecretory cells of the last instar larval brain not only survive but also maintain synthetic activity through at least 72 hr in vitro. The relationship between stainable neurosecretory material and neurosecretory activity in this system is discussed, as are possible feedback interactions involving the corpora cardiaca-corpora allata and the brain.
The Downs and Ups of Sensory Deprivation: Evidence for Firing Rate Homeostasis In Vivo

Homeostatic adjustment of neuronal firing rates is considered a vital mechanism to keep neurons operating in their optimal range despite dynamically changing input. Two studies in this issue of Neuron, Hengen et al. (2013) and Keck et al. (2013), provide evidence for firing rate homeostasis in the neocortex of freely behaving rodents.
Tracheoesophageal fistula associated with perforated Meckel's diverticulum

Abstract Neonates with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) may present with respiratory distress. Intubation and mechanical ventilation may force air from the tracheobronchial tree, through a distal fistula and into the gastrointestinal tract. We present a newborn with TEF who became morbund during mechanical ventilation. High ventilator pressures transmitted via the TEF caused over distention of the gastrointestinal tract and perforation of a Meckel's diverticulum.
Buffer-gas-induced absorption resonances in Rb vapor

We observe transformation of the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) resonance into an absorption resonance in a $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ interaction configuration in a cell filled with $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ and a buffer gas. This transformation occurs as one-photon detuning of the coupling fields is varied from the atomic transition. No such absorption resonance is found in the absence of a buffer gas. The width of the absorption resonance is several times smaller than the width of the EIT resonance, and the changes of absorption near these resonances are about the same. Similar absorption resonances are detected in the Hanle configuration in a buffered cell.
Voting in professional associations: The case of the American sociological association revisited

Who votes in ASA elections? This article examines data on voter turnout from two recent presidential contests of the American Sociological Association in an analysis of the determinants of election participation. Extending the 1981 Ridgeway and Moore study of voting dynamics in the ASA, we hypothesize that intraorganizational networks and particular demongraphic characteristics link ASA members to the discipline in a manner analogous to the way such factors operate in the national electorate. On the basis of data compiled from 1985 and 1986 ASA election returns, we find that network factors are the most salient determinants of voting behavior. We conclude that those organizational ties that effectively link members, however directly or indirectly, to the larger Association are the most predictive of propensity to vote.
Assessing the Impact of Pharmacologic Intervention on the Quality of Life in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain and Fibromyalgia

Chronic, neuropathic pain may be secondary to myriad etiologies including diabetic peripheral neuropathy and fibromyalgia. It is a debilitating condition that imposes a significant burden on individuals and society alike. This article will review various instruments designed to assess quality of life (QoL) and key data assessing QoL of patients suffering from these diseases as well as currently available pharmacologic agents for symptomatic management. As basic and clinical science progress over the next few years, along with the introduction of novel pharmacologic agents, we anticipate greater potential for pain intervention and improvement in the quality of life of our patients.
Novel anticonvulsant action of chronic melatonin in gerbils

Melatonin, a hormone from the pineal gland, was tested for its anticonvulsant effects in male gerbils. Daily administration of melatonin (25 micrograms injection-1, s.c.) for ten weeks reduced the number and severity of seizures (total convulsion score: 7.67 +/- 1.83 in controls vs 2.47 +/- 0.90 in melatonin-injected animals, p < 0.05) associated with the injection of the convulsant, pentylenetetrazol (PTZ, 60 mg kg-1, s.c.). However, neither 12 weeks of short photoperiod exposure (LD 10:14) nor biweekly administration of melatonin pellets altered PTZ-induced convulsions. Overall, melatonin-injected gerbils were better able to survive and respond to seizures than control animals. No melatonin-injected gerbils died during seizure induction (0/31) while 5 out of 33 control gerbils died after PTZ injection. The mechanism for melatonin's anticonvulsant effects could be due to a direct inhibitory action on neural activity or a conversion of melatonin to an anticonvulsant compound that resembles the kynurenines.
Comparison between theory and measurements for ice sheet forces on conical structures

Concial structures have been considered for ice covered waters because they reduce the ice forces by causing the ice sheet to fail in bending rather than in crushing. This paper compares the two theories of Nevel and Ralston with eight available data sets from model tests. Both theories agree reasonable well with the data. The advantage of Nevel's theory is that it predicts the overturning moment and location of the ice forces on the cone.
Sequence stratigraphy and sequence boundary characteristics for upper Tournaisian (Mississippian) strata in the greater Williston basin area: an analysis of a third-order cratonic carbonate-evaporite depositional cycle

Abstract Sequence stratigraphy and sequence boundary interpretations for Mississippian Madison stratigraphic units in the greater Williston basin area illustrate some of the challenges for sequence stratigraphy in cratonic carbonate-evaporite depositional systems. Some of the most significant interpretation differences occur in middle Madison strata that correlate with the upper Tournaisian Frobisher-Alida interval in North Dakota which, in the present paper, is considered to represent a third-order (2–3 million-year) sequence. Widely published surface studies in Wyoming place a third-order sequence boundary near the base of a regional solution breccia bed that corresponds with the Frobisher-Alida evaporite. In the subsurface, it can be demonstrated that most of the evaporite formed during regressive deposition and a stratal surface near the base of the evaporite is not a viable choice for a third-order sequence boundary. The Frobisher-Alida third-order maximum regressive surface separates underlying regressive deposits from overlying transgressive deposits and it broadly corresponds with conventional sequence boundary placement. This is a subtle surface that may lie either within or on top of the Frobisher-Alida evaporite or solution breccia equivalent. The third-order maximum flooding surface is placed on a widely mappable submarine unconformity that occurs as a sharp contact on an eroded Thalassinoides-burrowed firmground or a breccia-conglomerate lag deposit. This surface separates transgressive deposits from overlying open-marine strata. Fourth-order Frobisher-Alida sequences are defined in landward areas by the cyclic alternation of anhydrite-dominated strata, with dolomitic and siliciclastic marker beds. Both low-magnitude sea-level movements and the paleoclimatic change from a hot, arid climate (anhydritic strata) to a hot, subhumid climate (dolomitic and siliciclastic marker beds) are responsible for the cyclicity. Abrupt sea-level falls sometimes caused exposure that generated local but prominent fourth and fifth-order subaerial erosion surfaces. In this setting, caution should be employed if subaerial erosion is used to indicate the location of a third-order sequence boundary.
Anti–IL6-receptor-alpha (tocilizumab) does not inhibit human monocyte-derived dendritic cell maturation or alloreactive T-cell responses

Significant comorbidites and lethality complicate GVHD and its treatment. Targeting the cytokine milieu may improve GVHD control; and IL6 is an attractive candidate, given its role in dendritic cell activation and T-cell differentiation. Tocilizumab is a humanized mAb to IL6-receptor-α (IL6R-α), which is Food and Drug Administration–approved for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Mouse transplant models have demonstrated that IL6 blockade also improves GVHD scores and survival. Definitive immunologic effects of IL6 inhibition have not emerged given inconsistent alterations in regulatory T cells (Tregs) and suppression of T-cell proliferation. Despite on-target suppression of IL6R-α signaling in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs) and T cells, our data show no effect on moDC maturation/activation, alloreactive T-cell proliferation, Treg expansion, or allogeneic Th1/Th17 responses in vitro. These findings merit attention in any clinical trials of tocilizumab for GVHD prevention or treatment and provide a rationale for evaluating more specific inhibitors of downstream JAK2/STAT3 signaling as well.
Crystal growth, magnetic and electrical transport properties of a reduced potassium niobium phosphate

Abstract Single crystals of the bronze K3Nb6P4O26 were grown by chemical vapor transport and flux techniques with KCl. The directional electrical transport properties along the three crystallographic axes indicate anisotropic semiconducting behavior with activation energies of 0.11, 0.08 and 0.11 eV for Ea, Eb and Ec, respectively. Magnetic susceptibility data followed Curie behavior with μeff = 1.37μB.
Feeling with the mind's eye: contribution of visual cortex to tactile perception

Visual imagery is implicated in the normal tactile perception of certain object properties. This is an example of cross-modal interactions that characterize normal perception. Here we review recent studies from our laboratory on cross-modal interactions between vision and touch in normally sighted humans. Positron emission tomography was used to demonstrate activation of a region of extrastriate visual cortex, near the parieto-occipital fissure, during tactile discrimination of grating orientation. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over this region interfered with performance of this tactile task. In both studies, visual cortical involvement was found for tactile discrimination of orientation but not spatial frequency. Thus, this cortical region is not only active during but also necessary for optimal tactile sensing of orientation. Recent findings implicating visual cortex in Braille-reading in the blind should be evaluated from this perspective.
Micro Versus Mainframe Performance for a Selected Class of Mathematical Programming Problems

The performance of microcomputers in solving a collection of well-known nonlinear programming test problems is compared with that of a mainframe computer.
SU-E-P-01: An Informative Review On the Role of Diagnostic Medical Physicist in the Academic and Private Medical Centers

Purpose: The role of physicist in the academic and private hospital environment continues to evolve and expand. This becomes more obvious with the newly revised requirements of the Joint Commission (JC) on imaging modalities and the continued updated requirements of ACR accreditation for medical physics (i.e., starting in June 2014, a physicists test will be needed before US accreditation). We provide an informative review on the role of diagnostic medical physicist and hope that our experience will expedite junior physicists in understanding their role in medical centers, and be ready to more opportunities. Methods: Based on our experience, diagnostic medical physicists in both academic and private medical centers perform several clinical functions. These include providing clinical service and physics support, ensuring that all ionizing radiation devices are tested and operated in compliance with the State and Federal laws, regulations and guidelines. We also discuss the training and education required to ensure that the radiation exposure to patients and staff is as low as reasonably achievable. We review the overlapping roles of medical and health physicist in some institutions. Results: A detailed scheme on the new requirements (effective 7/1/2014) of the JC is provided. In 2015, new standards for fluoroscopy, conemore » beam CT and the qualifications of staff will be phased in. A summary of new ACR requirements for different modalities is presented. Medical physicist have other duties such as sitting on CT and fluoroscopy committees for protocols design, training of non-radiologists to meet the new fluoroscopy rules, as well as helping with special therapies such as Yittrium 90 cases. Conclusion: Medical physicists in both academic and private hospitals are positioned to be more involved and prominent. Diagnostic physicists need to be more proactive to involve themselves in the day to day activities of the radiology department.« less
Modulation of the ryanodine receptor sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+ channel in skinned fibers of fast- and slow-twitch skeletal muscles from rabbits.

This study was performed to compare skinned fibers from rabbit adductor magnus (AM) and soleus (SL) muscles with regard to the influence of caffeine, Ca2+ and Mg2+ on the depressive effects of ryanodine (RYA) on the caffeine-induced tension transients. Single skinned fibers were immersed in solution: to load Ca2+ into, and release Ca2+ from the SR (a load-release cycle). Three cycles were sequentially performed in each skinned fiber: (1) a control (no RYA) (2) a conditioning period in which activation was car ried out in the presence of ryanodine plus various con centrations of the modulators, i.e. caffeine, Ca2+ or Mg2+, and (3) a test (no RYA) which monitored the release activity retained after the conditioning cycle. The depressive effect of RYA was found to be a function of [ryanodine], [caffeine], or [Ca2+], and an inverse function of [Mg2+], where [caffeine] denotes concentration. The half-maximal effects of RYA in AM (5 μM RYA) and SL (10 μM RYA), respectively, occurred at a pCa50 of 5.32 versus 5.43 without caffeine, or pCa50 of 7.24 versus 6.88 and pMg50 of 3.29 versus 3.61 with 25 mM caffeine, at a [caffeine] of 4.96 versus 7.29 mM, and at a [ryanodine] of 31.0 versus 101.6 μM. Thus, the RYA depression in skinned muscle fibers is modulated by caffeine, Ca2+, and Mg2+ in both muscle types, and AM is at least two- to fourfold more sensitive than SL.
Purification and characterization of an extracellular alkaline serine protease from Aspergillus terreus (IJIRA 6.2).

An extracellular alkaline serine protease has been purified from Aspergillus terreus (IJIRA 6.2). The purification procedure involved chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex A25, phosphocellulose, hydroxyapatite, casein-Sepharose, gel filtration on Sephacryl-S-300 and by glycerol density gradient centrifugation. The enzyme was further purified to apparent homogeneity through a combination of electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel containing 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) with or without protease substrate (gelatin) and subsequent regeneration of its activity in situ by removal of SDS. The active enzyme was visualized in a zymogram or on the basis of protease activity exhibited on an X-ray film. The protein in the unstained segment of the gel was electroeluted. The eluted protein with protease activity exhibited a molecular mass of 37,000-daltons on electrophoresis in SDS-polyacrylamide gel. A sedimentation coefficient of 3.2S was obtained by glycerol density gradient contrifugation. Maximum activity of protease was observed at pH 8.5 and at 37°C. Purified protease was active between pH 5.5 and 9.5 and was found to be stable up to 60°C. With Na-caseinate, the K m of the purified protease was found to be 0.055 mM. Antipain, phenylmethane sulfonyl fluoride, and chymostatin served as non-competitive inhibitors. Substrate specificity was determined by using a synthetic chromogenic peptide containing N-P-Tosyl-Gly-Pro-Arg-p-nitroanilide. Results showed that the protease cleaved the peptide on the -COOH end of arginine residue.
RF excitation profiles with FAIR: impact of truncation of the arterial input function on quantitative perfusion.

This study investigates the impact of imaging coil length and consequent truncation of the arterial input function on the perfusion signal contrast obtained in the flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery (FAIR) perfusion imaging measurement. We examined the difference in perfusion contrast achieved with head, head and neck, and body imaging coils based on the hypothesis that the standard head coil provides a truncated input function compared with that provided by the body coil and that this effect will be accentuated at long inversion times. The TI-dependent cerebral response of the FAIR sequence was examined at 1.5 T by varying the TI from 200 to 3500 msec with both the head and whole body coils (n = 5) as well as using a head and neck coil (n = 3). Difference signal intensity DeltaM and quantitative cerebral blood flow (CBF) were plotted against TI for each coil configuration. Despite a lower signal-to-noise ratio, relative CBF was significantly greater when measured with the body or head and neck coil compared with the standard head coil for longer inversion times (two-way ANOVA, P 1200 msec at 1.5 T). Use of a head and neck coil ensures adequate inversion while preserving SNR that is lost in the body coil.
Lanthanium hydroxide tracer studies on rat corneal endothelum

Abstract The ultrastructure of corneal endothelium of rats was examined using two aldehyde fixatives, including glutaraldehyde. In addition, the lanthanum-hydroxide method was employed to trace spaces continuous with the intercellular space. The extracellular gap between the endothelial cells varied from about 250–400 A. In the junctional complexes beneath the endothelial surface, a closer apposition of cell membranes, formerly described as terminal bar or tight junction, can be observed. The intercellular space is here reduced to about 30 A, but remains still wider than the one normally observed in tight junctions. “En face” sections of cell junctions showed evidence of subunits characteristic of nexus (“gap junction”). Colloidal lanthanum-hydroxide, used as an electron-opaque marker, penetrated readily through these “gap junctions” and was found as accumulations of electron-dense granules on the innermost layers of Descemet's membrane. This penetration of an electron-opaque marker of about 20 A minimal diameter along the intercellular space into Descemet's membrane in the absence of pinocytotic activity of endothelial cells lends support to the hypothesis, that the formerly described “tight junctions” (zonulae occludentes or terminal bars) between endothelial cells are to be considered as “gap junctions” with gaps of approximately 30 A between two apposed cell membranes. The penetration of ions and larger molecules as represented by the lanthanum-hydroxide across the junctional complexes seems to be possible even without the formerly postulated mechanisms of a partly intracellular transport by means of pinocytosis.
Stuttering Conviction: Commitment and Hesitation in William James’ Oration to Robert Gould Shaw

This article reconstructs a pragmatist conception of political conviction from the works of William James. Pragmatism is often criticized for failing to account for the force of moral convictions to motivate risky and confrontational political action. This article argues that such criticisms presume a conception of conviction as an experience of moral command that pragmatism rejects. In its place, pragmatism portrays the experience of conviction as acting on faith. Drawing on Gilles Deleuze’s notion of the stutter, I argue that this experience of faith is neither a deliberative justification nor a form of decisionism but rather a style of moral deliberation that is experimental, social and affective. I consider the sole piece of political oratory in James’ corpus, his 1897 oration to Robert Gould Shaw and the Massachusetts 54th Regiment, as a significant example of stuttering conviction. James’ oration seeks to demonstrate the ways that convictions can take hold of actors without relying on deep philosophical foundations or justifications. Although James places his argument squarely within the context of the politics of race, he himself does not attend to the ways his celebration of Shaw obscures the moral experiences of the African–American soldiers of the 54th. In response to this blindness, the final section considers whether or not the martyrdom of John Brown provides a more appropriate conception of conviction than James’ Shaw.
Sucrose density gradient sedimentation of E. coli ribosomes

Abstract The behavior of E. coli ribosomes during sedimentation on sucrose gradients is predicted under a variety of conditions by computer simulations. Since numerous recent kinetic studies indicate equilibration in times short compared to the time of sedimentation, these simulations assume that the system attains local reaction equilibrium at every point in the gradient at all times. For any type of homogeneous equilibrating ribosome population, governed by a single formation constant at one atmosphere pressure for 70S couples, no more than two clearly defined zones will be resolved, although the presence of large dissociating effects due to pressure gradients in high speed experiments will spread the subunit zone. Normally the pattern will consist of a 30S zone and a so-called “70S” zone, which is in reality a mixture of 70S couples and 30S and 50S subunits in local equilibrium. The greater the dissociation into subunits, the more the “70S” zone will be slowed below the nominal rate of 70 Svedberg units. If ribosomes have been collected from the “70S” zone in several successive cycles of purification, the repeated deletion of resolved 30S subunits can result in a preparation with so large a molar excess of 50S subunits that the ensuing sucrose density gradient sedimentation pattern may exhibit a “70S” zone followed by zone of 50S subunits, instead of a zone of 30S subunits. Our most important conclusion is that whenever a well-resolved 50S zone is present in a sucrose density gradient sedimentation experiment on E. coli ribosomes, in addition to a 30S and a “70S” zone, under conditions where ribosomes and subunits should be in reversible equilibrium, the preparation must be microheterogeneous, containing a mixture of “tight” and “loose” couples. Moreover in such cases the content of large subunits in the 50S zone must be derived entirely from “loose” couples whereas the 30S zone must contain small subunits derived from both “tight” and “loose” couples. Sedimentation patterns predicted for various mixtures of “tight” and “loose” couples display all the major characteristics of published experimental patterns for E. coli ribosomes, including the partial or complete resolution into three zones, depending on rotor velocity and level of Mg 2+ .
Peptide Subunits of γ‐Aminobutyric AcidA/Benzodiazepine Receptors from Bovine Cerebral Cortex

The gamma-aminobutyric acidA/benzodiazepine receptor complexes from bovine cerebral cortex were purified by immunoaffinity chromatography, and the main component peptide subunits were characterized. The peptide band originally thought to be a single beta subunit [57,000 Mr band in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)] is composed of at least four different peptides of 54,000-57,000 Mr. Two peptides of 55,000 and 57,000 Mr were recognized by the beta subunit-specific monoclonal antibody 62-3G1. Peptides in the range of 54,000-57,000 Mr were photoaffinity-labeled with [3H]muscimol. A different 57,000 Mr peptide was photoaffinity-labeled by [3H]flunitrazepam, but neither was recognized by the monoclonal antibody 62-3G1 nor photoaffinity-labeled with [3H]muscimol. Some peptides could be identified by their differential mobility shift in SDS-PAGE after treatment with endoglycosidase H. Two additional subunit peptides of 51,000 and 53,000 Mr were also photoaffinity-labeled by [3H]flunitrazepam and reacted with antiserum A. However, the 57,000 Mr peptide that also was photoaffinity-labeled by [3H]flunitrazepam did not react with antiserum A.
Thermal properties and influence of orientation on crystalline morphologies in stereoblock polypropylene and related elastomers

Atomic force microscopy (AFM), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC), variable heating rate DSC, an independent rapid heating rate method for melting points, and cyclic mechanical testing were used to study semicrystalline thermoplastic elastomeric polypropylenes (ELPPs) and related semicrystalline polyolefins including ethylene copolymers. Low crystallinity (ca., 9 and 15%) ELPP samples were studied by AFM in the nonoriented and melt-oriented states. AFM images taken as a function of time after quenching of a melt-drawn and highly nucleated film resolved details of secondary crystallization involving lateral growth on the ordered row-nucleated structures. For nonoriented films, isothermal melt crystallization at high temperatures (110 °C) led to similar features for the two ELPPs. The dominant crystalline morphology studied by AFM consisted of small (several nm in width) granular crystallites organized into immature but large spherulites spanning tens of microns. A striking cross-hatch morphology was detected in regions of the surface in 110 °C crystallized samples, which is contrasted with melt-drawn films where row nucleated structures dominated the morphology in the film under no external stress. AFM was also used to monitor the morphological changes that occurred as the films were stretched at 25 °C. Break-down of lamellae was observed, resulting in oriented narrow fibrils. Cyclic stress-strain curves showed the expected result where lower crystallinity ELPPs had higher recoverable levels of set after both 100 and 500% elongation. TMDSC was used to resolve the broad melting and recrystallization regions in these low to medium crystallinity ELPP systems, and to contrast the results with ethylene copolymers. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011
Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of the N-terminal actin binding domain of human fimbrin.

We have crystallized the N-terminal actin binding domain (ABD1) of human fimbrin, a representative member of the largest class of actin crosslinking proteins. Diffraction from these crystals is consistent with the orthorhombic space group P212121 (a = 50.03 A, b = 61.24 A, c = 102.30 A). These crystals contain one molecule in the asymmetric unit and diffract to at least 1.9 A resolution. The crystal structure of ABD1 will be the first structure of an actin crosslinking domain. Proteins 28:452–453, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
EFL Professional Development in Cross-Cultural Relief: Examining Effects of U.S. Frameworks on Teacher Practice in México:

First-year research conducted by the authors of a 3-year, cross-cultural, professional development project involving English-as-a-Foreign Language (EFL) teachers at a private pre-K-12 school in central Mexico. Findings indicate that key elements of the integrative-systematic approach—developed to respond to the combined need for equity and quality schooling within the highly diversified and differentially performing student populations in U.S. public schools—had positive effects on EFL teachers and students within the school.
Requirements for deadlock-free, adaptive packet routing

This paper studies the problem of deadlock-free packet routing in parallel and distributed architectures. We present three main results. First, we show that the standard technique of ordering the queues so that every packet always has the possibility of moving to a higher ordered queue is not necessary for deadlock-freedom. Second, we show that every deadlock-free, adaptive packet routing algorithm can be restricted, by limiting the adaptivity available, to obtain an oblivious algorithm which is also deadlock-free. Third, we show that any packet routing algorithm for a cycle or torus network which is free of deadlock and which uses only minimal length paths must require at least three queues in some node. This matches the known upper bound of three queues per node for deadlock-free, minimal packet routing on cycle and torus networks.