cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential Sensitivity Analysis for Resistant Malignancies (DISARM) Identifies Common Candidate Therapies across Platinum-Resistant Cancers

Purpose: Despite a growing arsenal of approved drugs, therapeutic resistance remains a formidable and, often, insurmountable challenge in cancer treatment. The mechanisms underlying therapeutic resistance remain largely unresolved and, thus, examples of effective combinatorial or sequential strategies to combat resistance are rare. Here, we present Differential Sensitivity Analysis for Resistant Malignancies (DISARM), a novel, integrated drug screen analysis tool designed to address this dilemma. Experimental Design: DISARM, a software package and web-based application, analyzes drug response data to prioritize candidate therapies for models with resistance to a reference drug and to assess whether response to a reference drug can be utilized to predict future response to other agents. Using cisplatin as our reference drug, we applied DISARM to models from nine cancers commonly treated with frontline platinum chemotherapy including recalcitrant malignancies such as small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD). Results: In cisplatin-resistant models, DISARM identified novel candidates including multiple inhibitors of PI3K, MEK and BCL-2, among other classes, across unrelated malignancies. Additionally, DISARM facilitated the selection of predictive biomarkers of response and identification of unique molecular subtypes, such as contrasting ASCL1-low/cMYC-high SCLC targetable by AURKA inhibitors and ASCL1-high/cMYC-low SCLC targetable by BCL-2 inhibitors. Utilizing these predictions, we assessed several of DISARM9s top candidates including inhibitors of AURKA, BCL-2, and HSP90 to confirm their activity in cisplatin-resistant SCLC models. Conclusions: DISARM represents the first validated tool to analyze large-scale in vitro drug response data to statistically optimize candidate drug and biomarker selection aimed at overcoming candidate drug resistance.
Does persistent snowpack inhibit degradation of fecal stress indicators

Physiological stress in wildlife can be a useful indicator of a population's response to environmental factors. By using non-invasive endocrinological techniques, such as fecal sampling, potential confounding factors associated with the stress of capture can be avoided. A potential drawback of fecal sampling, however, is degradation of samples which may produce aberrant measurements of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites. In vertebrates, glucocorticoids, such as corticosterone, become elevated in response to stress. We sought to gauge the reliability of measurement of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fecal samples exposed to a temperate winter with substantial snow cover and cold temperatures for up to 90 days, by repeatedly subsampling fecal samples every 10 days and performing a corticosterone enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Measurements of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites at 10 days were consistent with initial measurements, after which (20 days) they became aberrant following a period of thawing. Consequently, glucocorticoid metabolite levels in feces appear to remain stable under ambient conditions if temperatures remain below freezing at least for 10 days. While it's possible that samples may remain useful beyond this time frame based on previous laboratory studies of samples stored in a freezer, further work is needed to determine how samples weather in situ under extreme cold (e.g. Arctic) or periods of partial thawing.
Horizontal or Vertical? The Effects of Visual Orientation of Categorical Response Options on Survey Responses in Web Surveys:

Prior research has studied the impact of horizontal versus vertical orientation of rating scales on survey responses, but not the effects of orientation of categorical options. The present study at...
Imaging and Simulation of Inter-muscular Differences in Triceps Surae Contributions to Forward Propulsion During Walking

Forward propulsion during the push-off phase of walking is largely governed at the ankle by differential neuromechanical contributions from the biarticular medial (MG) and lateral gastrocnemii (LG) and the uniarticular soleus (SOL). However, the relative contribution of these individual muscles to forward propulsion is equivocal, with important implications for the design and control of wearable assistive devices and for targeted therapeutics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the agreement between empirical and model-predicted triceps surae (i.e., MG, LG, and SOL) contributions to forward propulsion during walking using conditions that systematically manipulated both walking speed and the mechanical demand for forward propulsion at a fixed speed—through the use of aiding and impeding forces. Ten young adults (age: 24.1 ± 3.6 years, 6M/4F) participated. We found that muscle-specific responses derived from experimental measurements (i.e., activation and fascicle behavior) were consistent with those derived from musculoskeletal simulations (i.e., muscle force and positive mechanical work) within the same subjects. In vivo, compared to walking normally, only LG muscle activation was affected by both aiding and impeding forces. Similarly, increased propulsive demand elicited greater relative fascicle shortening in the MG but not the SOL. In silico, only MG and LG force and positive mechanical work increased significantly to meet the increased demands for forward propulsion. By combining electromyography, ultrasound imaging, and musculoskeletal modeling in the same subjects, our cumulative findings suggest that the biarticular gastrocnemius muscles play a more significant role than the uniarticular soleus in governing changes in forward propulsion during the mid to late stance phase of walking.
Selenium, the Amorphous and Liquid States

There has been a long standing interest in the molecular structure of liquid (l- and amorphous (a-) selenium. Recently this has been extended to include the local atomic arrangements at intrinsic bonding defects in a-Se as well. This paper addresses these questions by reviewing past work in the context of recent experimental and theoretical studies. No attempt is made to be comprehensive in treating all of the relevant research reports and many important contributions will therefore appear solely as references in those papers which are specifically cited in this text.
Symmetric Hyper-acute Quadriplegia in a Previous Healthy Patient: NMO-Like

A 15-year-old previously healthy female presented to the emergency department with rapidly progressing ascending paralysis. Her symptoms began with right-sided flank pain which progressed to lower extremity weakness, followed by a “tingling” sensation in both upper extremities and difficulty breathing over the course of 1.5 hours. Physical exam revealed absent bilateral deep tendon reflexes and loss of sharp pain and temperature sensation below level of the neck with preserved vibration and position senses. IVIG therapy was initiated for suspected Guillain Barre Syndrome. CSF revealed protein 28 (reference: 15 - 45 …
Complement C3a and C5a receptor blockade modulates regulatory T cell conversion in head and neck cancer.

Background Resistance to therapy is a major problem in treating head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Complement system inhibition has been shown to reduce tumor growth, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance in other tumor models, but has yet to be explored in the context of HNSCC. Here, we tested the effects of complement inhibition and its therapeutic potential in HNSCC. Methods We conducted our studies using two Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)-negative HNSCC orthotopic mouse models. Complement C3aR and C5aR1 receptor antagonists were paired with radiation therapy (RT). Tumor growth was measured and immune populations from tumor, lymph node, and peripheral blood were compared among various treatment groups. Genetically engineered mouse models DEREG and C3-/- were used in addition to standard wild type models. Flow cytometry, clinical gene sets, and in vitro assays were used to evaluate the role complement receptor blockade has on the immunological makeup of the tumor microenvironment. Results In contrast to established literature, inhibition of complement C3a and C5a signaling using receptor antagonists accelerated tumor growth in multiple HNSCC cell lines and corresponded with increased frequency of regulatory T cell (Treg) populations. Local C3a and C5a signaling has importance for CD4 T cell homeostasis and eventual development into effector phenotypes. Interruption of this signaling axis drives a phenotypic conversion of CD4+ T cells into Tregs, characterized by enhanced expression of Foxp3. Depletion of Tregs reversed tumor growth, and combination of Treg depletion and C3a and C5a receptor inhibition decreased tumor growth below that of the control groups. Complete knockout of C3 does not harbor the expected effect on tumor growth, indicating a still undetermined compensatory mechanism. Dexamethasone is frequently prescribed to patients undergoing RT and inhibits complement activation. We report no deleterious effects associated with dexamethasone due to complement inhibition. Conclusions Our data establish Tregs as a pro-tumorigenic driver during complement inhibition and provide evidence that targeted C3a and C5a receptor inhibition may add therapeutic advantage when coupled with anti-Treg therapy.
Treatment of Wastewaters from Chemical Industries

Chemical industry wastewaters are diverse in composition ranging from pharmaceutical products, polymers, petrochemicals, intermediates, and fertilizers. The wastewaters from these industries contain both organic and inorganic materials. They are further characterized by an abundant organics content and they can contain traces of toxic pollutants as well. As such, care must be taken when handling and treating these wastewaters. Additionally, pretreatment techniques are utilized to separate inorganic matter. Common methods used for treating chemical industry wastewater are trickling filters, rotating biological contactor (RBC), activated sludge, or lagoons. Several case studies will be investigated throughout this paper to discuss various methods for treating these types of wastewaters.
Shining light on location-biased cAMP signaling.

cAMP is the indispensable second messenger regulating cell metabolism and function in response to extracellular hormones and neurotransmitters. cAMP is produced via the activation of G protein–coupled receptors located at both the cell surface and inside the cell. Recently, Tsvetanova et al. explored cAMP generation in distinct locations and the impact on respective cell functions. Using a phospho-proteomic analysis, they provide insight into the unique role of localized cAMP production in cellular phospho-responses.
Compact Incoherent Spatial Frequency Filtering and Image Differentiation Enabled by Metalens Engineering

A metalens opto-electronic camera for spatial frequency filtering under inco- herent illumination is introduced. By inverse-designing the phase on the metasurface, near arbitrarily structured 2D filters are realized for depth-invariant operation.
Comparing the predictive value of screening to the use of electronic health record data for detecting future suicidal thoughts and behavior in an urban pediatric emergency department: A preliminary analysis.

AIM Brief screening and predictive modeling have garnered attention for utility at identifying individuals at risk of suicide. Although previous research has investigated these methods, little is known about how these methods compare against each other or work in combination in the pediatric population. METHODS Patients were aged 8-18 years old who presented from January 1, 2017, to June 30, 2019, to a Pediatric Emergency Department (PED). All patients were screened with the Ask Suicide Questionnaire (ASQ) as part of a universal screening approach. For all models, we used 5-fold cross-validation. We compared four models: Model 1 only included the ASQ; Model 2 included the ASQ and EHR data gathered at the time of ED visit (EHR data); Model 3 only included EHR data; and Model 4 included EHR data and a single item from the ASQ that asked about a lifetime history of suicide attempt. The main outcome was subsequent PED visit with suicide-related presenting problem within a 3-month follow-up period. RESULTS Of the N = 13,420 individuals, n = 141 had a subsequent suicide-related PED visit. Approximately 63% identified as Black. Results showed that a model based only on EHR data (Model 3) had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.775 compared to the ASQ alone (Model 1), which had an AUC of 0.754. Combining screening and EHR data (Model 4) resulted in a 17.4% (absolute difference = 3.6%) improvement in sensitivity and 13.4% increase in AUC (absolute difference = 6.6%) compared to screening alone (Model 1). CONCLUSION Our findings show that predictive modeling based on EHR data is helpful either in the absence or as an addition to brief suicide screening. This is the first study to compare brief suicide screening to EHR-based predictive modeling and adds to our understanding of how best to identify youth at risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in clinical care settings.
Using Optical Coherence Tomography to Screen for Cognitive Impairment and Dementia.

Background Screening for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (ADRD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) could increase case identification, enhance clinical trial enrollment, and enable early intervention. MCI and ADRD screening would be most beneficial if detection measures reflect neurodegenerative changes. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) could be a marker of neurodegeneration (part of the amyloid-tau-neurodegeneration (ATN) framework). Objective To determine whether OCT measurements can be used as a screening measure to detect individuals with MCI and ADRD. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on 136 participants with comprehensive clinical, cognitive, functional, and behavioral evaluations including OCT with a subset (n = 76) completing volumetric MRI. Pearson correlation coefficients tested strength of association between OCT and outcome measures. Receiver operator characteristic curves assessed the ability of OCT, patient-reported outcomes, and cognitive performance measures to discriminate between individuals with and without cognitive impairment. Results After controlling for age, of the 6 OCT measurements collected, granular cell layer-inner plexiform layer (GCL + IPL) thickness best correlated with memory, global cognitive performance, Clinical Dementia Rating, and hippocampal atrophy. GCL + IPL thickness provided good discrimination in cognitive status with a cut-off score of 75μm. Combining GCL + IPL thickness as a proxy marker for hippocampal atrophy with a brief patient-reported outcome and performance measure correctly classified 87%of MCI and ADRD participants. Conclusion Multimodal approaches may improve recognition of MCI and ADRD. OCT has the potential to be a practical, non-invasive biomarker for ADRD providing a screening platform to quickly identify at-risk individuals for further clinical evaluation or research enrollment.
Combustion Instability Theory

Temporal variations in a combustion system are always present and take varieties of forms and intensity under different environments. A system is stable if a disturbance introduced into the system decreases in amplitude with time and eventually becomes lost in the random fluctuations prevailing in the system. A system is unstable if the amplitude increases with time. If an unstable combustion system is weakly coupled with the environment, a new equilibrium state of combustion will be reached without modifying the surroundings appreciably. A good example of this is the transition of a flame in open atmosphere from the laminar to the turbulent state. The instability of small disturbances (often referred to as Tollmien-Schlichting waves) is an inherent property of the flow of the combustible mixture. The unstable oscillations are present in a broad band rather than a few selected frequencies. The instability of such weakly coupled systems is of considerable scientific interest but does not possess direct relation with the instability of combustion in a rocket motor where the combustion is strongly coupled to its environment.
A Model to Evaluate the Effect of Organizational Adaptation

When an organization's output declines due to either internal changes or changes in its external environment, it needs to adapt. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of different adaptation strategies on organizational performance, an organizational model composed of individual models of a five stage interacting decision maker was designed using an object oriented design approach and implemented as a Colored Petri net. The concept of entropy is used to calculate the total activity value, a surrogate for decision maker workload, based on the functional partition and the adaptation strategy being implemented. The individual decision maker's total activity is monitored, as overloaded decision makers constrain organizational performance. A virtual experiment was conducteds organizations implementing local and global adaptation strategies were compared to a control organization with no adaptation. The level of tolerance of the organization, the workload limit based on the concept of the bounded rationality constraint, was used to determined when a decision maker was overloaded: the limiting effect of the workload on performance. The timeliness of the organization's response was used in order to evaluate organizational output as a function of adaptation strategy.
p-Anisolesulfonyl Chloride†

[98-68-0] C7H7ClO3S (MW 206.65) InChI = 1S/C7H7ClO3S/c1-11-6-2-4-7(5-3-6)12(8,9)10/h2-5H,1H3 InChIKey = DTJVECUKADWGMO-UHFFFAOYSA-N (versatile sulfonating agent; useful for the preparation of sulfonamides or as an N-protecting group2) Alternate Name: 4-methoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride. Physical Data: mp 40–43 °C. Solubility: sol acetone, acetonitrile, EtOH, MeOH, dioxane, H2O. Form Supplied in: solid; widely available 98% pure. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: corrosive and a lachrymator. Store at room temperature under anhydrous conditions. Use in a fume hood.
Characterization of the turnpike property of optimal paths in the aggregative model of intertemporal allocation

The present paper provides a complete characterization of the turnpike property of optimal paths in the (reduced form) aggregative model of intertemporal allocation. The characterization allows one to identify precisely the bifurcation point between globally stable and cyclical long-run optimal behavior. The complete characterization result is used to evaluate several sufficient conditions for global asymptotic stability of optimal paths that have been proposed in the published literature. It is also used to examine sufficient conditions for the emergence of competitive equilibrium cycles in two-sector models.
Inhibition of the Bursa of Fabricius and the Stilboestrol-Stimulated Oviduct of the Domestic Chick

Abstract WITHIN recent years the domestic bird has been used to an increasing extent in physiologic and endocrinologic studies. Some of these investigations have revealed inherent differences between the bird and the mammal (Jailer and Boas, 1950; Zarrow and Baldini, 1952; Morris, 1953; Newcomer, 1959; Nalbandov, 1953). Recently the advent of many new steroids has led to extensive studies on these compounds in the mammal but little work has been done in the bird. The present investigation is concerned with the effect of some of these compounds in the chick and and is designed to determine whether the differences in the action of these compounds in the chick and rat are of a quantitative or qualitative nature and to determine whether some structure-function relationship can be obtained. MATERIAL AND METHODS The chick oviduct test was carried out on 16-day-old chicks of the White Leghorn strain. All birds were injected intramuscularly for …
Synthetic Pyrethroid and Organophosphate Insecticides Against the Parasitoid Apanteles marginiventris and the Predators Geocoris punctipes, Hippodamia convergens, and Podisus maculiventris

The parasitoid, Apanteles marginiventris (Cresson), and adult or nymphal predators, Geocoris Punctipes (Say), Hippodamia convergens (Guerin-Meneville), and Podisus maculiventris (Say), were exposed by tarsal contact to filter paper impregnated with the synthetic pyrethroids fenvalerate and permethrin and the organophosphates sulprofos and profenofos. Mortality resulting from the recommended maximum and minimum concentrations after 5 days indicates a wide range of toxicity for the insecticides. The survival coefficients for the test species showed the order of toxicity for these compounds tested to be: fenvalerate <permethrin <sulprofos <profenofos. Survival of the parasitoid and the predators after exposure to maximum and minimum concentrations of the 2 pyrethroids was from 42 to 82%, while the survival of these species exposed to the oganophosphates would range from 14 to 29%.
Suppression of Frothing by Silicon Addition During Oxynitride Glass Synthesis

Several oxynitride glasses were synthesized with and without the addition of a few weight percent of free silicon. For Mg-Si-0-N and Si-Al-0-N glass compositions, the severe frothing (or “bubbling”) which was observed during melting could be eliminated completely by the addition of silicon. In a Y-Si-Al-0-N composition, frothing was not observed, even when no silicon was added. The results are used to explain why A1N is superior to Si3N4 for synthesizing transparent oxynitride glasses.
Solution and Solid State Studies of Tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-Tetracyano-p-Quinodimethane, TCNQF4. Evidence for Long-Range Amphoteric Intermolecular Interactions and Low-Dimensionality in the Solid State Structure

Solution and solid state studies of TCNQF4 are reported. The electron affinity of TCNQF4 has been derived from spectral observations of the visible-near IR charge-transfer band for the pyrene compl...
An extremely simple method for extraction of lysophospholipids and phospholipids from blood samples

Lipids, lysophospholipids and phospholipids in particular, have been shown to be biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for human diseases. While many extraction and analytical methods have been developed for quantitative analyses of these molecules, most of them are laborious and time-consuming, with associated issues of poor reproducibility. This becomes one of the critical bottle-necks to move lipid markers to clinics. In the current work, we have developed an extremely simple method for lysophospholipids and phospholipids extraction from human plasma or serum samples, which only utilizes a single methanol (MeOH) solvent and involves a single step of centrifugation. This method has been subjected to strict validation by comparing it with classical lipid extraction methods. This simple method will be extremely useful for the lipidomic, diseases marker, and lipid biochemistry fields not only for its potential wide applications associated with its simplicity and reproducibility, but also for its impact in moving lipid markers into clinics through high-throughput processing.
Report on steep‐slope flow

It has been known for a great many years that the flow of water on steep slopes differs in many respects from that on milder slopes. Of the peculiarities the more important are: (1) A different law of resistance; (2) entrainment of air; and (3) roller-waves. Regarding the first of these I have little to report except that my observations confirm completely the formula obtained by R. EHRENBERGER [see 1 of “References” at end of paper] for the mean velocity of flow in a rectangular channel of planed wood. In foot-second units his formula reads: Figure 1. where V is average velocity, R is hydraulic radius, and S is the sine of the slope-angle. This formula was based on tests on slopes from 0.153 to 0.707 and depths of flow up to one foot in a channel approximately ten inches wide. My own observations on a channel of similar size indicate that this formula is valid for much flatter slopes than 0.153 but I am not prepared to say what the lower limit of applicability is. At any rate the older CHECZY formula seems to agree closer with measurements than does that of ROBERT MANNING for slopes appreciably steeper than the critical.
Stem compensation of loop sensors for electromagnetic blood flow and vascular diameter measurement.

Accuracy of electromagnetic blood flow —and vascular diameter — measurements by means of intravascular loop probes in an extracorporeal alternating magnetic field can be impaired by an error signal induced in the probe stem. The standard method of removing this artifact by twisting the lead wires is difficult to implement in this case because the wires are bifilar and are made of highly resilient metals. The solution described here makes use of a hair pin loop incorporated within the probe stem in which an e.m.f. is induced that can be used to cancel the unwanted e.m.f. induced in the lead wires of the loop of the sensor. This scheme is applicable to simple loop probes as well as to orthogonal double-loop sensors.
Environmental, societal, and genetic contributions to the epidemic of hypertension in African Americans

The high prevalence of hypertension in African Americans persists. Although many theories have been postulated in efforts to determine the major underlying cause, it is more likely that this phenomenon has no single cause but, rather, many contributing factors. This article reviews many of the factors associated with hypertension in African Americans.
The Postmodern Sin of Intelligent Design Creationism

That Intelligent Design Creationism rejects the methodological naturalism of modern science in favor of a premodern supernaturalist worldview is well documented and by now well known. An irony that has not been sufficiently appreciated, however, is the way that ID Creationists try to advance their premodern view by adopting (if only tactically) a radical postmodern perspective. This paper will reveal the deep threads of postmodernism that run through the ID Creationist movement’s arguments, as evidenced in the writings and interviews of its key leaders. Seeing their arguments and activities from this perspective highlights the danger to science posed by both ID Creationism and radical postmodernism.
Experimental investigation of pneumatic tire performance on ice: Part 2 – Outdoor study

Abstract The concept of ‘Lab to the Road’ is very challenging, especially for tire operation on ice. The changing ambient and ice conditions necessitate the need for robust engineering for the safety of vehicles on icy roads. Test method has a direct effect in measuring tire behavior on ice, with differences in the test setup and ability to maintain constant test conditions. The purpose of design for each test method also varies; certain test methods are designed to understand absolute tire performance, as compared to studying relative tire performance. This paper examines the performance of tires on ice through field tests conducted at the Keweenaw Research Center. Part-1 (Bhoopalam et al., 2015) presented a detailed indoor test program conducted on the Terramechanics Rig at the Advanced Vehicle Dynamics Laboratory, Virginia Tech, including the ice preparation procedure, test method, and test results. The two tests procedures were performed to understand how each test method influences the test results. A comparison of the laboratory (Bhoopalam et al., 2015) and field test method is also presented in this paper, with reasons for the differences in the measured values presented.
Ecologically Appropriate Plant Materials for Functional Restoration of Rangelands

Rangeland ecosystems targeted for restoration are typically degraded and ecologically modified in a way that hinders restoration efforts. For adaptation to the local site, local plant materials have often been assumed to be best. While local adaptation has long been used as an argument for the exclusive use of local plant materials, recent meta-analysis results indicate that general adaptation across a variety of environments can be just as important as local adaptation. Here I argue that “ecologically appropriate” plant materials with enhanced general adaptation and effective expression of functional traits, including establishment and persistence, will become increasingly important as degradation increases. This approach will be useful for generalist “workhorse” native species that are common, widespread, and can be readily propagated under cultivation.
Large single-crystal monolayer graphene by decomposition of methanol

We present a novel method for the synthesis of monolayer graphene with large single-crystal domains extending over 10–30 μm2, produced by the decomposition of methanol on Cu in a single process step, in a flow of pure Ar gas, without H2. Eliminating H2 as a process gas offers increased safety and greatly facilitates fabrication scaling. The graphene grain size and orientation were characterized by selected area electron diffraction in transmission electron microscopy. Based on analyses of effluents from the furnace during the synthesis, a possible mechanism for graphene formation from methanol, involving carbon monoxide as an intermediate, is proposed.
Regional life cycle assessment of soybean derived biodiesel for transportation fleets

Abstract Although the life cycle environmental impacts of biofuels have been recently reported, studies that focus on specific regions and use real fleet data for the use phase are still lacking. In Pennsylvania, the Penn Security Fuels Initiative required 2% biodiesel (B2), effective on January 1, 2010, with higher blending levels required in the future if production thresholds are met. This study quantifies the environmental impacts of biodiesel blends to meet increasing regional biodiesel demand. A process life cycle model was developed using data collected from collaboration with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. For PennDOT, both in-state and out-of-state production scenarios were analyzed to estimate the possible environmental impacts of biodiesel blends. The results show that fertilizer usage in the agricultural phase, soy oil extraction and refining, feedstock and fuel transportation, and fuel combustion in the use phase are main contributors to biodiesel’s life cycle environmental impacts for all blends. Comparing biodiesels with ultra low sulfur diesel, significant environmental tradeoffs exist between global warming potential and eutrophication. For Pennsylvania, an in-state farming and processing preference has the lowest environmental impacts for B5. However, the limited area of farmlands in Pennsylvania may not satisfy the state’s biodiesel needs with higher blending levels.
The cancer information overload (CIO) scale: Establishing predictive and discriminant validity

Abstract Objective Survey data suggests that approximately three-fourths of adults are overwhelmed by cancer information – a construct we label cancer information overload (CIO). A significant limitation of existing research is that it relies on a single-item measure. The objective of the current study is to develop and validate a multi-item measure of CIO. Methods Study 1 (N = 209) surveyed healthcare and manufacturing employees at eight worksites. Colonoscopy insurance claims data were culled eighteen months later to evaluate the predictive validity of CIO. Study 2 (N = 399) surveyed adults at seven shopping malls. CIO and cancer fatalism were measured to examine the properties of the two constructs. Results Study 1 identified a reliable 8-item CIO scale that significantly predicted colonoscopy insurance claims 18 months after the initial survey. Study 2 confirmed the factor structure identified in Study 1, and demonstrated that CIO, cancer fatalism about prevention, and cancer fatalism about treatment are best modeled as three distinct constructs. Conclusion The perception that there are too many recommendations about cancer prevention to know which ones to follow is an indicator of CIO, a widespread disposition that predicts colon cancer screening and is related to, but distinct from, cancer fatalism. Practice implications Many adults exhibit high CIO, a disposition that undermines health efforts. Communication strategies that mitigate CIO are a priority. In the short-term, health care providers and public health professionals should monitor the amount of information provided to patients and the public.
The origin of polymer migration in a nonhomogeneous flow field

Flow-induced polymer migration is treated in a rather intuitive though mathematically formal way. It is important to incorporate hydrodynamic interaction effects as well as flow geometry effects in studying polymer migration perpendicular to the flow direction. Simple examples, circular Couette flow in the free-draining limit and plane Poiseuille flow in the nondraining limit, are chosen to illustrate the importance of such effects.
Controls on flash flood magnitude and hydrograph shape, Upper Blue Hills badlands, Utah

Although many arid badland channels erode rapidly, channel flows appear to be rare, raising the issue of the character and frequency of flows responsible for channel erosion. Using an acoustic stream gauge, we recorded nine flash flood hydrographs over a 3 yr period from the Upper Blue Hills badlands, Utah, with maximum discharges up to ∼ 9 m3/s. Flow hydrographs reveal bores and rapid depth changes that are similar to flash floods observed elsewhere. Bore and hydrograph peak translation velocities are greatest in narrow channel segments. Rapid runoff generation during short-duration thunderstorms produced complex hydrographs whose shapes appear to reflect channel network geometry. Storm runoff response is highly sensitive to antecedent moisture, which greatly reduces the regolith infiltration capacity. High antecedent moisture coupled with a relatively low intensity, long-duration rainstorm produced the largest flow event. Estimating flow frequency in this landscape therefore requires knowledge of the distributions of both storm sizes and temporal spacing relative to the short time required for the regolith infiltration capacity to recover following wetting, here roughly 24 hr. Landscape changes can be produced not only by rare, large rainfall events, but by a broad range of storm size and frequency under optimal antecedent moisture conditions.
Dynamical Calculations and Regge Trajectories in the Presence of Spin

Some new features of the Regge trajectory structure of scattering amplitudes for spinning particles, associated with the existence of a nonsense channel, are described. The restrictions imposed by smoothness in angular momentum on the input forces to dynamical calculations are then discussed. Some popular versions of the N/D method are not, in general, consistent with these restrictions, but can be made so by special choice of substractions. We illustrate these ideas in detail for the scalar-vector scattering amplitude. The characteristic new feature is a trajectory α0 which goes to zero in the limit of small coupling constant; it emerges naturally from the N/D method with our special subtractions. The dynamics of particles lying on this trajectory are curious, and may reflect a weakness of the N/D approximation rather than physics, since strong forces (large coupling constants) are not needed to bring it up to a physical value of the angular momentum. As an example, we perform a simple bootstrap calculation for pseudoscalar mesons, assuming that they lie on such a trajectory.
Shear-stabilized bi-axial texture and lamellar contraction in both diblock copolymer and diblock copolymer/homopolymer blends

Large-amplitude oscillatory shear was applied to a poly(styrene-6-ethylenepropylene) diblock copolymer and also to binary blends of this copolymer with homopolystyrene. The shearing was applied at a temperature above the glass transition and well below the microphase separation transition for long times : 12 h, strain amplitude γ = 40, frequency ω = 1 rad/s, T = 150 °C. The dynamic moduli decrease during the shearing and after a partial recovery upon annealing at 150 °C display permanently altered rheological state. Small-angle X-ray scattering studies indicate that the shearing induces a biaxial texture consisting predominantly of parallel orientation which coexists with a nearly transverse orientation of lamellae, inclined at ∼80° to the parallel orientation. The shearing also causes a ∼4% decrease in the lamellae spacing of the parallel orientation relative to the unsheared equilibrium state ; lamellae in the nearly transverse orientation retain the equilibrium spacing. This lamellar contraction compares favorably to a recent theoretical treatment by Williams and MacKintosh [Macromolecules 1994, 27, 7677]. Upon annealing, the spacing of the lamellae in the parallel orientation expands to recover the equilibrium spacing, and the biaxial texture disappears via the loss of the nearly transverse orientation. After annealing, subjecting the sample to large-amplitude oscillatory shear a second time re-creates the biaxial texture.
Breathe Easy, But Be Concerned

We do not often think about the contents of the air that we breathe in on a daily basis. Perhaps it is time to start. Air pollutants too small to be seen, touched, or felt clearly affect our health. Beelen and colleagues have demonstrated that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (pollution with particle diameter less than 2.5 μm) is associated with an increased incidence of natural-cause mortality. Disturbingly, the authors found the relationship to be present at concentrations significantly below regulatory standards, as defined by European annual mean limit values. This is a well-designed study that used consistent statistical methods across multiple large subcohorts. The project leveraged data from the general population in 22 centers participating in the European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects (ESCAPE) project and assessed 5,118,039 person-years. The association between air pollution exposure and natural-cause mortality was examined separately in each group through assessments of pollution concentration, traffic intensity, total traffic on the nearest major road, and mortality registry data. Cohort-specific estimates were then combined by means of random effects meta-analysis. Multiple Cox proportional hazard models controlled for relevant confounders. Particle pollution with diameter less than 2.5 μm was most consistently associated with mortality. Fine particulate matter has been previously implicated in the pathogenesis of oxidative stress and modulation of inflammation. These critical, phylogenetically preserved pathways may affect mortality and affect a host of disease processes. Cause-specific analysis data are not presented in this article and will be published separately, but the authors report increased hazard ratios for stroke mortality and lung cancer incidence. This is concerning, particularly for individuals who live in close proximity to high levels of traffic and vehicular exhaust. As studies confirming the detrimental health effects of air pollution continue to mount, changes in public policy may warrant consideration. R. Beelen et al ., Effects of long-term exposure to air pollution on natural-cause mortality: An analysis of 22 European cohorts within the multicentre ESCAPE project. Lancet , published online 6 December 2013 [10.1016/S0140-6736(13)62158-3]. [[Full Text]][1] [1]: http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(13)62158-3/fulltext
Creative Thinking and Movement Styles of Three Culturally Homogeneous Kindergarten Groups

The purpose of this study was to investigate the creative thinking and movement styles of three culturally homogeneous groups of kindergarten children to identify whether, and in what ways, they ex...
Climatology of globally averaged thermospheric mass density

[1] We present a climatological analysis of daily globally averaged density data, derived from orbit data and covering the years 1967–2007, along with an empirical Global Average Mass Density Model (GAMDM) that encapsulates the 1986–2007 data. The model represents density as a function of the F10.7 solar radio flux index, the day of year, and the Kp geomagnetic activity index. We discuss in detail the dependence of the data on each of the input variables, and demonstrate that all of the terms in the model represent consistent variations in both the 1986–2007 data (on which the model is based) and the independent 1967–1985 data. We also analyze the uncertainty in the results, and quantify how the variance in the data is apportioned among the model terms. We investigate the annual and semiannual variations of the data and quantify the amplitude, height dependence, solar cycle dependence, and interannual variability of these oscillatory modes. The auxiliary material includes Fortran 90 code for evaluating GAMDM.
Resonant dielectric amplifier frequency response

THE DIELECTRIC VOLTAGE amplifier shown in Fig. 1 utilizes a nonlinear dielectric (ferroelectric) condenser (capacitor) as part of a series-resonant circuit. This circuit is excited by a carrier source whose voltage and frequency are constant. The capacity of the nonlinear condenser (capacitor) is varied by the signal voltage to be amplified. Of course, a change in the capacity alters the tuning of the resonant circuit, and since the carrier frequency is constant, the circulating carrier current in the resonant circuit is modulated by the signal. The voltages appearing across the elements of the circuit likewise will be modulated. If one of these voltages, usually that across the inductance, is demodulated, a voltage output is obtained which, in a properly designed amplifier, has similar waveshape but larger amplitude than the input signal. Thus a voltage gain is realized.
In situ fiber-optic oxygen consumption measurements from a working mouse heart.

Luminescence-based imaging-fiber oxygen sensors (IFOSs) were utilized for the in situ measurement of oxygen consumption from intact perfused mouse hearts. IFOSs were fabricated using a technically expedient, photoinitiated polymerization reaction whereby an oxygen-sensitive polymer matrix was immobilized in a precise location on an imaging fiber's distal face. The oxygen-sensing layer used in this work comprised a transition metal complex, Ru(Ph2phen)32+, entrapped in a gas-permeable photopolymerizable siloxane membrane (PS802). The transduction mechanism was based upon the oxygen collisional quenching of the ruthenium complex luminescence; detection was performed utilizing an epi-fluorescence microscope/charge coupled device imaging system. IFOS measurements from working mouse hearts were validated through concurrent, blind, ex situ blood gas analyzer (BGA) measurements. The BGA and IFOS methodologies were utilized successfully to measure oxygen concentrations in aortic and pulmonary artery perfusates fr...
DYSFUNCTIONAL ELIMINATION SYNDROME AS AN ETIOLOGY OF IDIOPATHIC URETHRITIS IN CHILDHOOD

ABSTRACTPurpose:: Idiopathic urethritis (IU) of childhood or urethrorrhagia is a common problem characterized by blood spotting in the underwear between voiding. A clear etiology has not been established and treatments vary. We postulate that idiopathic urethritis is a manifestation of underlying dysfunctional elimination syndrome (DES).Materials and Methods:: During a 5-year period we reviewed the records of all children diagnosed with IU in our practice. In total 72 children fit the analysis criteria. There were 68 boys and 4 girls. All children presented with either gross blood per urethra or microhematuria. Children with active infection, immunodeficiency, neurogenic bladder, vesicoureteral reflux, infravesical obstruction, urethral trauma or other genitourinary anomalies were excluded. Evaluation included thorough history and physical examination, urinalysis and urine culture. Renal and bladder ultrasound, voiding cystourethrogram and uroflow/electromyogram/post-void residual volume were obtained in ...
The photosynthetic electron transfer chain of Chromatium vinosum chromatophores flash-induced cytochrome b reduction

Abstract Reduction of a cytochrome b following excitation by a single, short, near-saturating light flash has been demonstrated in Chromatium vinosum chromatophores. The extent of reduction is increased by addition of antimycin. The cytochrome has an α-band maximum at 562 nm in the presence of antimycin. The cytochrome b reduction is most readily observed in the presence of antimycin at high redox potential when cytochrome c-555 is oxidised before excitation. Under these conditions the half-time for reduction is about 20 ms, and the extent is about 0.5 mol of cytochrome b reduced per mol of reaction center oxidised. This extent of reduction is observed on the first flash-excitation from the dark-adapted state, and there was no indication that the reaction center quinone acceptor complex acted as a two-electron accumulating system. With cytochrome c-555 reduced before excitation, the extent of cytochrome b reduction is approximately halved. The factors which result in substoichiometric cytochrome b reduction are not yet understood. Agents which appear to inhibit primary acceptor oxidation by the secondary acceptor (UHDBT, PHDBT, DDAQQ, HOQNO, o-phenanthroline), inhibit reduction of the cytochrome b. DBMIB inhibits cytochrome b reduction but does not appear to inhibit primary acceptor oxidation. These observations confirm that a cytochrome b receives electrons delivered from the primary acceptor complex, and indicate that the photoreduced cytochrome b is reoxidised via an antimycin-sensitive pathway.
Reagentless optical biosensor

Critical to our ability to respond effectively to a biothreat attack is the development of sensitive and specific sensor systems that can easily be used for rapid screening of potential victims for infection due to biothreat agents and detection of pathogens in the environment. To help address these needs, we have developed a Reagentless Optical Biosensor (ROB) based on protein specific assays and waveguide-based evanescent fluorescence excitation. Modeled on host pathogen interactions, the sensor's membrane based assay provides rapid, sensitive detection without the addition of reagents. We report here the development of two waveguide based detection systems: a laboratory sensor test-bed system and a handheld, battery operated, prototype. Evanescent fluorescence excitation using planar optical waveguides provides spatial filtering of background auto-fluorescence found in many natural samples, thereby permitting direct analysis of complex environmental and medical samples. The waveguide based assay is fully self-contained in a small, exchangeable cartridge that is optically coupled to the sensor detection system making ROB simple to use and offering the possibility of inexpensive, disposable sensor elements. Using assays for cholera toxin we compare results using flourimetry of vesicle solutions against results for our waveguide based test-bed and prototype sensor systems.