cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maximum Vegetative Growth Potential and Seasonal Patterns of Resource Dynamics during Peach Growth

Abstract The maximum vegetative growth potential of two peach [ Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] cultivars that differ in the timing of resource demand for reproductive growth was determined in terms of stem extension, stem and leaf dry weight accumulation, and trunk radial increment on defruited trees. The maximum vegetative growth potentials were similar on the two cultivars indicating that the greater partitioning of dry weight to vegetative growth frequently observed on early maturing cultivars compared to late maturing cultivars is the result of a shorter period of competition between reproductive and vegetative growth, rather than a genetic difference in vegetative growth potential. On both cultivars, stem extension and leaf dry weight accumulation ceased in mid-summer, however stem dry weight accumulation and trunk radial increment increase continued through the autumn. The presence of fruit did not have a detectable effect on the final stem length, stem dry weight or leaf dry weight on the early maturing cultivar, but it reduced final stem length and dry weight by 43 and 56%, respectively on the late maturing cultivar. The presence of fruit did decrease stem length, stem dry weight and leaf dry weight on the early maturing cultivar for 1 month prior to and 1 month after fruit harvest. Fruit decreased final trunk radial increment by 42 and 77% on the early and late maturing cultivars, respectively. These reductions in vegetative growth indicate that resource partitioning to vegetative growth was reduced by competition with fruit growth. Comparison of stem relative extension rates and stem and leaf relative growth rates on fruited and defruited trees indicated that vegetative growth was resource-limited shortly after vegetative bud break on fruited trees of both cultivars. This period of resource-limited vegetative growth corresponded to a period of resource-limited fruit growth identified in an earlier study. During the period of resource-limited vegetative growth, assimilate supply was low due to low leaf area index, and carbohydrate demand was relatively high due to high vegetative and reproductive growth potentials, creating resource-limited growth conditions.
Racial/ethnic differences in treatment discussion, treatment chosen and treatment received for prostate cancer

B31 ABSTRACT: Title: Racial/ethnic differences in treatment discussion, treatment chosen and treatment received for prostate cancer Introduction: Racial/ethnic differences have been reported on the type of treatments received by prostate cancer patients. We hypothesize that the racial/ethnic differences in prostate cancer treatment arise from differences in discussing various treatment options by health professionals and differences in choosing a particular treatment options by the patients. Methods: This research was conducted on an existing MD Anderson Cancer Center dataset that included 746 prostate cancer patients who were diagnosed with organ confined disease. The information was self reported and we compared treatments, surgery, radiation therapy and watchful waiting, among white (n=294), Hispanic (n=173) and African American (n=279) patients. Result: The data showed that health professionals were less likely to discuss surgery and watchful waiting with Hispanic (77% and 28% respectively) and African American patients (77% and 31% respectively) compared to whites (88% and 43% respectively). No significant differences were found in the percentages of patients choosing surgery (white=56%, Hisp=60% and AA=48%) or watchful waiting (white=6%, Hisp=2% and AA=4%). Regarding radiation therapy, significantly more (p=0.01) Hispanic (35%) and African American patients (34%) chose radiation therapy compared to whites (24%). A comparison of agreement between treatment chosen and received showed that 88% of whites, 89% of Hispanics and 83% of African Americans chose and received surgery. The agreement was relatively lower for radiation therapy, 82% of whites, 73% of Hispanics and 70% of African Americans. Discussions: In this multiethnic study, we found that there were some racial/ethnic differences in treatment discussion, treatment choice and treatment received. Further in depth studies are needed to identify the reasons for these findings with the goal of eliminating differences and ensuring equal access to treatment in all racial/ethnic groups.
Reducing V&V Cost of Flight Critical Systems: Myth or Reality?

This paper presents an overview of NASA research program on the VV using an iterative learning process, it can then generate more test cases that represent potentially unsafe regions of operation. At the code level, we have developed and made available as open source a static analyzer for C and C++ programs called IKOS. We have shown that IKOS is very precise in the analysis of embedded C programs (very few false positives) and a bit less for regular C and C++ code. At the design level, in collaboration with our NRA partners, we have developed a suite of analysis tools for Simulink models. The analysis is done in a compositional framework for scalability.
Letter by Nabavizadeh et al Regarding Article, "Prediction of Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption and Intracerebral Hemorrhagic Infarction Using Arterial Spin-Labeling Magnetic Resonance Imaging".

The study by Niibo et al1 showed that detecting hyperemic lesions (HLs) using arterial spin-labeling (ASL) imaging is a reliable method to predict and localize subsequent blood–brain barrier disruption and hemorrhagic transformation. With great interest, we have some concerns about the methodology of the study. In the methodology, an HL was defined “as a visually perceivable increase in the CBF [cerebral blood flow] on ASL maps either within or around the hypoperfused lesion. HLs had to be clearly distinct from vascular structures.” Subsequently, the authors used a region of interest of the HL on ASL maps to calculate the quantitative cerebral blood flow values in HLs. The authors did not describe how they could confidently differentiate HLs especially the ones …
Fricciones y lecturas del archivo cultural cubensis: Diálogos entre Juan Abreu y Jorge E. Lage

The essay relates Juan Abreu’s Garbageland (2001) and Jorge E. Lage’s La autopista: The Movie (2014) in order to examine their inscription in the generic coordinates of cyberpunk or science fiction and their readings of the literary and cultural Cuban archive. Some symbolic strategies in Abreu’s Garbageland nourish the repertoire of an identitarian exceptionalism. Lage’s La autopista... carries out deflationary gestures that question this exceptionalism and the oracular and allegorical drive of cyberpunk and science fiction, present not only in Abreu’s novel, but also in other texts of the Cuban cyberpunk.
AN INVESTIGATION OF FACTORS THAT LEAD TO RESISTANCE TO CHANGE IN THE TRANSFORMATION PROCESSOF MICROFINANCE ORGANIZATIONS IN KENYA INTO DEPOSIT TAKING INSTITUTIONS

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors that lead to resistance to change in the transformation process of Microfinance institutions in Kenya into Deposit Taking institutions. Methodology : This study adopted descriptive research design. For purposes of collecting primary data, the use of a questionnaire developed by the researcher was used. Data was then analyzed using Excel and SPSS and presented in tables, graphs and charts. A total of 120 questionnaires were distributed to the above five organizations and 42 of them were returned. This represents a 35% response rate. Results : The study also concluded that initiatives that reduce resistance to change have a positive association with transformation. For instance, the study concluded that training was associated with higher transformation success. Furthermore, a positive attitude towards change was associated with higher transformation success. The study also concluded that the higher the perceived benefits, the higher the transformation success. It was also noted that organizations that had a good track record of successful change attempts had successful transformations and that the credibility of the organizations determined how respondents felt about the organizations ability to implement successful transformations. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that Leaders should as much as possible clearly define the need for the change by communicating the strategic decision as well as involving their subordinates in the planning of the change by asking them to give suggestions and ideas. Transforming MFIs should also plan for and deliver relevant training programs that develop basic skills.
Abstract 147: Role of Nicotine in the Development of Intracranial Aneurysm Rupture

Background: Nicotine is one of main chemicals of tobacco smoke and promotes atherosclerosis and stroke. Tobacco smoke is considered an independent risk factor for intracranial aneurysm formation, growth, and rupture. There are mainly 5 subtypes of nicotine receptors. Roles of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) in inflammation and vascular remodeling are diverse and context-dependent. Notably, endothelial α7nAChR is considered to mediate nicotine-induced inflammation. Activation of endothelial α7nAChR by nicotine may promote aneurysm rupture by increasing the aneurysm wall inflammation. Using a mouse model of intracranial aneurysm, we examined effects of nicotine in aneurysm rupture. Moreover we investigated potential roles of α7nAChR stimulation by nicotine in the pathophysiology of intracranial aneurysms. Methods: Intracranial aneurysms were induced by a combination of elastase injection into the cerebrospinal fluid and deoxycorticosteron acetate-salt (DOCA-salt) hypertension in male mice. Mice were treated with (1) nicotine (5 mg/kg/day, n=25); (2) saline sc (n=22) for three weeks after aneurysm induction. To investigate the effect of α7nAChR, mice were treated with (1) saline sc + saline ip (n=11); (2) saline sc + α7nAChR antagonist (Methyllycaconitine, MLA 5mg/kg/day) ip (n=13); (3) nicotine (5 mg/kg/day, sc, 28 days) + saline ip (n=18); (4) nicotine sc + MLA ip (n=18). Results: Nicotine alone significantly increased aneurysmal rupture compared with saline treatment (89% vs 46%, p=0.009). While α7nAChR antagonist did not affect the incidence of aneurysm or rupture rates, the α7nAChR antagonist significantly reduced the deleterious effect of nicotine as indicated by the reduction of the rupture rates (41% vs 100%: nicotine sc + MLA ip group vs nicotine sc + saline ip group, p=0.027). Conclusion: Our data indicate the promotion of aneurysm rupture by nicotine may be mediated by its stimulation of alpha7nAChR.
Food Insecurity and Social Capital among Middle School Students.

This study examines the relationship between social capital, poverty, limited food accessibility, and food insecurity among fifth to seventh graders (N = 317), ages 10 to 14, attending a middle sch...
Virtual tours and informational modeling for conservation of cultural heritage sites

Abstract Thorough and organized documentation is crucial for conservation of historic structures. While photogrammetry, laser scanning and building information modeling (BIM) have enhanced 3D documentation in conservation, it is imperative that the method of documentation matches the requirements of the project. Present methods are efficient for certain types of projects. However, for projects that need to depict 3D conservation challenges, but do not have the budget or time for a 3D model, a middle ground does not exist. We present an intermediate solution, a workflow for virtual tour environments (VT) and informational modeling (IM) and we test this workflow on a case study. The VT/IM environment we created contains building plans, previous conservation reports, image galleries, databases about past interventions and short descriptions of the conservation issues at Princeton University. In this paper, we compare conservation reports using 2D plans against the VT/IM environment and we compare the time, cost and data management of VT/IM with methods of 3D documentation.
Non-Market-Based Transfers of Wealth and Power: A Research Framework for Family Businesses:

Family businesses are basically owner-managed enterprises with the family Involved within the business. When, to family ties within the business, is added the biological inevitability of an eventua...
What We Know About Asperger Syndrome: Epidemiology and Etiology

As we will see in this chapter, many individuals around the world have contributed to the contemporary understanding of Asperger syndrome. The numerous studies must be evaluated both individually and collectively. Each adds value to the field despite the fact that there are few unequivocal answers to the questions this chapter sets out to discuss.
Contemporary Issues in Group Learning in Undergraduate Science Classrooms: A Perspective from Student Engagement

As the use of collaborative-learning methods such as group work in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics classes has grown, so has the research into factors impacting effectiveness, the kinds of learning engendered, and demographic differences in student response. Generalizing across the range of this research is complicated by the diversity of group-learning approaches used. In this overview, I discuss theories of how group-work formats support or hinder learning based on the ICAP (interactive, constructive, active, passive) framework of student engagement. I then use this model to analyze current issues in group learning, such as the nature of student discourse during group work, the role of group learning in making our classrooms inclusive, and how classroom spaces factor into group learning. I identify key gaps for further research and propose implications from this research for teaching practice. This analysis helps identify essential, effective, and efficient features of group learning, thus providing faculty with constructive guidelines to support their work and affirm their efforts.
"Maybe I'll Be a Poet, Rapper": Hip-Hop Feminism and Literary Aesthetics in Push

This article argues that Push is properly read within the tradition of hip-hop feminist literature and aesthetics. The novel’s invocation of hip hop as the cultural backdrop of protagonist Precious’s coming-of-age intervenes in black literary aesthetics in two ways. First, the novel is the first in the tradition of African American women’s literature to offer a protagonist whose primary self-articulation is understood through hip hop, rather than jazz or the blues. Thus I argue that this text both takes up the cultural project of making space for hip-hop music begun in Toni Morrison’s Jazz and acts as a critique of the way that Morrison invokes (or rather doesn’t invoke) hip-hop culture a decade later in Love . Second, however, I contend that this text intervenes in male-centered genealogies of hip-hop aesthetics, arguing for a different set of cultural narratives through which female hip-hop protagonists understand themselves—ultimately that history includes the hip-hop practice of sampling from black women novelists like Alice Walker and Toni Morrison and soul singers like Aretha Franklin. Through the invocation of this black feminist past, Precious begins to articulate her own nascent hip-hop feminist consciousness. Thus, I argue that Push acts as a bridge text between more traditional canonical African American women’s novels by Walker and Morrison and more recent hip-hop, urban, or street novels like those by Sistah Souljah, Nikki Turner, Wahida Clark, and others.
Fat Embolism Syndrome in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Patients: Early Recognition and Aggressive Therapy

We describe two pediatric patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy that presented with acute neurologic deterioration and hypoxic respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. These cases fulfill the clinical criteria for Fat Embolism Syndrome. Early recognition and aggressive supportive therapy with mechanical ventilation, right ventricular afterload reduction, and blood transfusion led to survival without any residual effects from the event. Fat Embolism Syndrome needs to be considered early in the course of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy who present with respiratory and neurological symptoms.
Interesting and Complicated Cases

This chapter provides interesting and complicated TAVR cases. These cases include ventricular perforation, coronary inclusion, annular rupture, and paravalvular leak.
Parent Tutoring in Reading Using Literature and Curriculum Materials: Impact on Student Reading Achievement

This study investigated the effects of two parent tutoring reading programs upon children's reading achievement: one that used children's literature books and one that used each child's classroom b...
Comparative Morphology of Macrophages in Tissue Culture

Macrophages were obtained in tissue cultures with cells obtained from mouse lung, spleen, bone marrow, peripheral blood, and peritoneal cavity. In addition, macrophages from lung, spleen, bone marrow, and peritoneal cavity of guinea pigs and rats were also cultivated in vitro. Cells from the rat closely resembled those from the mouse, whereas guinea pig cells differed in several respects. In most instances, cells other than macrophages were phagocytized or died with the result that within seven days the cultures consisted entirely of macrophages. Macrophages from all these sources were actively phagocytic, were present as solitary ameboid cells, and, with the exception of certain guinea pig cells, underwent mitosis.
Fermat’s and Euler’s Theorems

Pierre de Fermat (1601–1666) was a public official in the French city of Toulouse, and in his spare time was one of the greatest mathematicians of the seventeenth century. Fermat’s “little theorem,” as generalized by Euler a century later, is perhaps the first theorem in what is now known as group theory. But it also has some remarkably interesting applications. We present theorem and related theory in this chapter and some applications in the next.
A transdisciplinary team approach to scoping reviews: the case of pediatric polypharmacy

Polypharmacy can be either beneficial or harmful to children. We conducted a scoping review to examine the concept of pediatric polypharmacy: its definition, prevalence, extent and gaps in research. In this manuscript, we report our transdisciplinary scoping review methodology. After establishing a transdisciplinary team, we iteratively developed standard operating procedures for the study’s search strategy, inclusion/exclusion criteria, screening, and data extraction. We searched eight bibliographic databases, screened abstracts and full text articles, and extracted data from included studies using standardized forms. We held regular team meetings and performed ongoing internal validity measurements to maintain consistent and quality outputs. With the aid of EPPI Reviewer collaborative software, our transdisciplinary team of nine members performed dual reviews of 363 included studies after dual screening of 4398 abstracts and 1082 full text articles. We achieved overall agreement of 85% and a kappa coefficient of 0.71 (95% CI 0.68–0.74) while screening full text articles. The screening and review processes required about seven hours per extracted study. The two pharmacists, an epidemiologist, a neurologist, and a librarian on the review team provided internal consultation in these key disciplines. A stakeholder group of 10 members with expertise in evidence synthesis, research implementation, pediatrics, mental health, epilepsy, pharmacoepidemiology, and pharmaceutical outcomes were periodically consulted to further characterize pediatric polypharmacy. A transdisciplinary approach to scoping reviews, including internal and external consultation, should be considered when addressing complex cross-disciplinary questions.
Proceedings of the 3rd ACM workshop on Wireless of the students, by the students, for the students

It is our great pleasure to welcome you to the Wireless of the students, by the students, for the students workshop -- ACM S3'11. Now in its third year, this workshop continues the tradition of being a unique venue for graduate students around the world to present, discuss, and exchange ideas on research in systems and theory of mobile wireless networks. Last year's workshop continued to attract numerous student researchers worldwide and we hope that the new additions to the program will make S3 even more interesting and more relevant. Building on the success of two previous workshops, this year's program comprises several new sessions. Nine research presentations are divided between the systems and theory tracks, including negative result presentations. A new startup/wild ideas session promises to be an interesting setting for participants to showcase their creativity. A PhD forum session enables participants to discuss interesting aspects of their research beyond their results, such as their impact and relevance. Finally, a panel of recent graduates of wireless research will discuss the pros and cons of their career choices to guide student researchers in their future career paths.
Arthroplasty studies with greater than 1000 participants: analysis of follow-up methods

Abstract Background The use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) has become a mainstay of orthopedic joint arthroplasty research. Large studies with >1000 participants are vital to orthopedic research, as they allow for comprehensive multivariable analysis. Achieving high follow-up rates minimizes potential response bias. Maintaining adequate follow-up rates becomes more challenging as sample size increases. We aimed to systematically review the present literature to determine the follow-up rates of large cohorts/registries of total joint arthroplasty patients and to identify factors associated with successful collection of PROMs. Methods A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Inclusion criteria were: ≥1000 participants, ≥6 months of postoperative follow-up, and use of validated PROMs postoperatively. Results Of 720 abstracts screened, 21 studies met inclusion criteria. Only 2 studies reported achieving a PROM follow-up rate ≥80%, but neither collected PROMs preoperatively. The median rate of follow-up was 70%, and the median number of patients was 2970. Only 38% (8 of 21) of studies collected baseline PROMs prior to surgery. Conclusions Very few studies in the present literature have collected validated PROMs on ≥1000 patients with ≥80% follow-up; these parameters are conducive to comprehensive multivariable analysis, while maintaining study validity and avoiding follow-up bias. Federal funding and a central coordinating site may be helpful in achieving follow-up in studies of this magnitude. Level of Evidence Level III, systematic review of studies with Level of Evidence I-III.
A latent class analysis of health lifestyles and suicidal behaviors among US adolescents

Abstract Background Previous studies have documented the link between individual health behaviors and suicide, but little is known about the influence of health lifestyles on suicide among adolescents. This study aims to identify the unobserved patterns of health behaviors and to examine their associations with adolescent suicidal behaviors to inform screening of suicidality. Methods Data were derived from a nationally representative sample of adolescents (n = 14,506, ages 12–18, 50.9% female) in the national school-based 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Latent class analysis was performed based on 13 health behaviors related to diet (e.g., frequency of consuming breakfast, fruits/vegetables, soda), physical activity (frequencies of physical activity, sports team participation), sleep, and media use (TV/computers). Suicidal behaviors were measured by three dichotomized variables, including suicidal ideation, plan, and attempts. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to examine associations between identified classes and suicidal behaviors. Results Four classes of health lifestyles were identified. Class 1 (23.6%) consistently engaged in health-promoting behaviors, including eating breakfast daily, high intake of fruits/vegetables, physically active, and infrequent use of TV/computers. Class 2 (37.7%) had an irregular diet, moderate exercise, and high computer use. Class 3 (31.8%) had moderate diet, frequent exercise, and moderate sleep. Class 4 (6.9%) had the lowest engagement in health-promoting behaviors. Class 4 had higher odds of suicide plan than Class 1 (OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.10–2.05). Notably, Class 2 and 3 were less likely to attempt suicide than Class 1 (OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.57–0.95 for Class 2; OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.48–0.89 for Class 3). Limitations Due to the cross-sectional design, no causal inference can be drawn. Conclusions Both Class 1 (consistent) and Class 4 (lowest) engagement in health-promoting behaviors were associated with increased suicidal behaviors. Suicide prevention efforts that examine both lifestyles are keys to early detection of suicidal ideation and plans, and prevention of suicide attempts.
Genetic Basis of Dental Caries and Periapical Pathology

Dental caries is a disease consequence of continued localized mineral loss from the dental enamel. As it progresses, subclinical mineral losses become visible (white spot lesions) and eventually unsupported enamel collapses (cavitates). Historically caries has been treated by a classical surgical approach implemented by dentists over the decades. As care shifts toward a holistic medical approach, one challenge in communicating the need for this shift is that we use the same term “dental caries” to indicate both the disease and its consequences: the carious lesions. Dental caries requires a susceptible host. The factors involved with the host include the status of the dentition, saliva and immune response, and behaviors. These factors are influenced by genetics and dental caries can be said to have a multifactorial or complex mode of inheritance, with environmental factors likely overturning any individual susceptibility to the condition.
ARTICLE: #Black Lives Matter? Analyzing the Effects of Police-Caused Black Deaths on Media Coverage and Public Interest in the Movement

Black Lives Matter is a social movement, created and maintained on social media networks; its formation was spurred in part by the number of Black men and women who have been killed by police officers in the United States. This research focuses on the relationship between police-caused deaths of Black men and women and media coverage of and public interest in Black Lives Matter. The primary goal of the research was to determine whether traditional news coverage of Black Lives Matter was linked to the killings of Black citizens by police. We found that Black citizen deaths did not result in increased mentions of Black Lives Matter in either newspaper articles or Google searches. We did, however, find that when police officers were killed at a protest, mentions of Black Lives Matter in both the news and Google queries increased at a substantial rate, as did searches for “Blue Lives Matter.” The implications for police use of force, Black Lives Matter, and traditional news media are discussed.
Creating an Artificial 3-Dimensional Ovarian Follicle Culture System Using a Microfluidic System

We hypothesized that the creation of a 3-dimensional ovarian follicle, with embedded granulosa and theca cells, would better mimic the environment necessary to support early oocytes, both structurally and hormonally. Using a microfluidic system with controlled flow rates, 3-dimensional two-layer (core and shell) capsules were created. The core consists of murine granulosa cells in 0.8 mg/mL collagen + 0.05% alginate, while the shell is composed of murine theca cells suspended in 2% alginate. Somatic cell viability tests and hormonal assessments (estradiol, progesterone, and androstenedione) were performed on days 1, 6, 13, 20, and 27. Confocal microscopy confirmed appropriate compartmentalization of fluorescently-labeled murine granulosa cells to the inner capsule and theca cells to the outer shell. Greater than 78% of cells present in capsules were alive up to 27 days after collection. Artificially constructed ovarian follicles exhibited intact endocrine function as evidenced by the production of estradiol, progesterone, and androstenedione. Oocytes from primary and early secondary follicles were successfully encapsulated, which maintained size and cellular compartmentalization. This novel microfluidic system successfully encapsulated oocytes from primary and secondary follicles, recapitulating the two-compartment system necessary for the development of the mammalian oocyte. Importantly, this microfluidic system can be easily adapted for sterile, high throughput applications.
More than Conveying Information: Informed Consent as Speech Act.

In their target article, Millum and Bromwich (2021) situate their article against a backdrop of well-documented empirical research demonstrating that many participants have variable and often poor ...
Spatial Dose Sparing for Organs-at-Risk (OARs) to Decrease Severe Lymphopenia Risks in Head and Neck Cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Severe lymphopenia during chemoradiation is often associated with higher risk of death, disease progression and distant metastases. Recent data has shown that head and neck cancer (HNC) patients with lymphopenia has a decreased 5-year overall survival of 70 vs 90%. While both radiation and chemotherapy have been associated with lymphopenia, the mechanism of action remains unclear. Here, we propose a spatially-defined model that evaluates the combined effects of lymphotoxic radiation doses to head and neck organs-at-risk (HN-OARs) which include the cervical bone marrow and the circulating blood pool. Our objective is to investigate the spatial dose relationships related to treatment-related lymphopenia (TRL) in HNC patients. MATERIALS/METHODS We have identified a prospectively acquired dataset of 40 HNC patients treated at our institution with 31 oropharynx, 3 oral cavity, 4 nasopharynx and 2 larynx cases. Weekly lymphocyte counts were extracted at baseline and for 8 weeks since initiation of radiotherapy. Chemotherapy timing, dosage and regimens were documented. HN-OARs were manually contoured on CT simulation scans. To generate the spatially-defined linear regression model, we included these inputs (x): internal jugular veins (IJVs), carotid arteries (CAs), capillary bed (CB) and vertebral bodies (VBs). The output (y) is defined by % decrease between baseline and nadir lymphocyte counts. Then, we segmented VBs by vertebral levels, and other HN-OARs by disease laterality (ipsilateral vs contralateral). IJVs and CAs are further segmented by anatomic zones (zone 1: C1 to hyoid, zone 2: hyoid to cricoid, and zone 3: cricoid to C7). Stepwise selection was used to identify influential HN-OARs. Finally, we proposed spatial dose parameters associated with high risk lymphopenia (defined as ≥70% decrease) and performed sensitivity/specificity (Se/Sp) analyses. RESULTS Using stepwise (forward) selection, we identified IJVs as potential targets to spare low dose bath parameters Dmin and D90 (P-values 0.028 to 0.056), and VBs as potential targets to spare point max doses Dmax and D10 (P-values < 0.001 to 0.020). To avoid overfitting, we also performed backward selection with a more liberal P-value criterion of 0.50 which showed similar results. Key anatomic zones for potential dose sparing include C1-3 VBs and contralateral zone 1 IJVs. Overall, we proposed these dose parameters to limit TRL risks: Dmax ≤ 60 Gy for VBs (Se/Sp: 76%/86%, AUC 0.84) and D90 ≤ 13 Gy for contralateral IJVs (Se/Sp: 72%/86%, AUC 0.79). CONCLUSION The risk of treatment-related lymphopenia (TRL) appears to be spatially related to radiation doses to the VBs and IJVs. Better understanding of the spatial dose relationship with HN-OARs may lead to insights in reducing TRL risks and improving oncologic outcomes, especially as we consider the benefits of recent dose de-escalation studies (to reduce point max doses) and proton treatment techniques (to reduce low dose baths) in the management of head and neck cancers.
Mechanics of Stratified Flow through Orifices

Investigations were conducted to determine the characteristics of the withdrawal zone resulting from the release of flow through a submerged orifice from a randomly density-stratified reservoir in experimental facilities for the purpose of developing means of predicting the quality of water discharged through similar openings in prototype intake structures. Density stratification, caused mainly by temperature differentials in the prototype, were simulated in the model by using salt and fresh water. Density and velocity distributions were observed at various locations within a 1-ft-wide channel upstream of an orifice. These data were used to develop generalized expressions describing the limits of the zone of withdrawal and the distribution of velocities therein. With the velocity distribution known, the weighted average technique may be applied to predict the temperature, dissolved oxygen content, and any other water quality parameter of the outflow for which a profile in the reservoir is known.
Spatiotemporal Neuronal Correlates of Seizure Generation in Focal Epilepsy

Summary Purpose: Focal seizures are thought to reflect simultaneous activation of a large population of neurons within a discrete region of pathologic brain. Resective surgery targeting this focus is an effective treatment in carefully selected patients, but not all. Although in vivo recordings of single-neuron (i.e., “unit”) activity in patients with epilepsy have a long history, no studies have examined long-term firing rates leading into seizures and the spatial relationship of unit activity with respect to the seizure-onset zone. Methods: Microelectrode arrays recorded action potentials from neurons in mesial temporal structures (often including contralateral mesial temporal structures) in seven patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Key Findings: Only 7.6% of microelectrode recordings showed increased firing rates before seizure onset and only 32.4% of microelectrodes showed any seizure-related activity changes. Surprisingly, firing rates on the majority of microelectrodes (67.6%) did not change throughout the seizure, including some microelectrodes located within the seizure-onset zone. Furthermore, changes in firing rate before and at seizure onset were observed on microelectrodes located outside the seizure-onset zone and even in contralateral mesial temporal lobe. These early changes varied from seizure to seizure, demonstrating the heterogeneity of ensemble activity underlying the generation of focal seizures. Increased neuronal synchrony was primarily observed only following seizure onset. Significance: These results suggest that cellular correlates of seizure initiation and sustained ictal discharge in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy involve a small subset of the neurons within and outside the seizure-onset zone. These results further suggest that the “epileptic ensemble or network” responsible for seizure generation are more complex and heterogeneous than previously thought and that future studies may find mechanistic insights and therapeutic treatments outside the clinical seizure-onset zone.
The Corrosion and Mass Transfer of Pure Iron, Nickel, Chromium and Cobalt in 660°–760°C Sodium

Experiments to determine the corrosion mechanism of stainless steels and cobalt-base alloys by studying the corrosion and interaction of pure Fe, Ni, Cr and Co in Na are in progress.
Performance evaluation of a seismic data analysis kernel on the KSR multiprocessors

The paper presents the results of performance analyses of a seismic analysis kernel code on the KSR multiprocessors. The purpose of such analysis is to understand the performance behaviors of a class of applications on shared memory parallel machines. The g5 kernel code, commonly used in seismic analysis applications, is parallelized, and its computational and I/O performance is analyzed on a 32-node KSR-1 and a 64-node KSR-2. >
Chapter 6 U- and Th-Series Nuclides in Estuarine Environments

Publisher Summary Estuaries are zones of mixing between freshwater from rivers and saline ocean water. The estuarine zone contains strong gradients in salinity, turbidity, energy, and chemical composition. This chapter examines U- and Th-series series nuclides that enter estuaries, their fate within the estuary and their input to the ocean. The source of U- and Th-series nuclides to estuaries varies depending on elemental characteristics and half-life. Potential sources of U- and Th-series nuclides are rivers, the ocean, the atmosphere, sediments, and groundwater. Physically, estuarine mixing and transport are complex processes. Many chemically relevant changes occur along the estuary; including changes in pH, sediment size, temperature and salinity/conductivity. For U- and Th-series nuclides, half-lives and reaction rates differ widely relative to the residence time of water within an estuary. Sedimentary processes that influence the fate of U- and Th-series nuclides in estuaries include settling, deposition, resuspension and burial. These are intimately linked to geochemical processes such as sediment diagenesis and pore water diffusion. In addition to the dissolved phase, particulate phases also play important roles in the fate of U- and Th-series nuclides in estuaries. It is apparent that much progress has been made in terms of analytical precision and the ability to measure low concentrations in dissolved and colloidal phases. Much work has also been done to further develop extremely useful tools such as the radium quartet. These studies would improve the current state of knowledge about the estuarine control of global uranium budgets.
Antisymmetric stresses induced by the rigid-body rotation of dipolar suspensions: Vortex flows

Abstract It is shown theoretically that the steady rotation of a container filled with a spatially uniform suspension of identical, otherwise neutrally buoyant, dipolar spherical particles in a Newtonian fluid, each containing an embedded gravitational dipole (due to an assumed mass inhomogeneity within the sphere), will give rise to an antisymmetric stress state on the length scale of the suspension. Simultaneously, an external torque must be continuously exerted on the container by some agency to maintain its steady rotation. These phenomena obtain despite the fact that the suspension-scale motion is trivially a rigid-body rotation. This result is interpreted within the general framework of classical structured continua/director/micropolar fluid theories, supplemented with a mass distribution polarization density field. For the case of concentrated suspensions of spheres whose centers are arrayed in a cubic lattice (but are otherwise free to rotate about axes through their centers), expressions are obtained for all of the parameters required for a complete characterization of the phenomena. Simple experiments are proposed for measuring the vortex viscosity of suspensions in an unequivocal manner, essentially free of the question of internal spin boundary conditions. In dilute suspensions, first-order wall effects upon the translational and rotational motions of isolated spherical particles are employed to interpret the heretofore unexplained macroscopic “swirling” motions observed in ferrofluid suspensions when subjected to a circularly rotating magnetic field. In particular, it is shown inter alia that this swirling motion (relative to the fixed container walls) is a manifestation of the existence of a suspension-scale translational slip velocity occurring at the container walls, arising from a combination of wall and external field effects. This translational slip, which—being a wall effect—is relatively small, is in addition to a much larger suspension-scale rotational slip velocity, whose existence is virtually independent of wall effects.
Multilaboratory comparison of three immunodiffusion methods used for the detection of precipitating antibodies in hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Abstract The presence of precipitating antibodies in the serum of patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis is often used to determine the etiologic agent of the disease or to confirm a tentative diagnosis. Three variations of the Ouchterlony double-diffusion technique are commonly used to determine the presence of antibodies. However, the reproducibility of each method has never been tested with fungal antigens. Hence, a double-blind study was undertaken to determine the reproducibility of each method in three different laboratories. The results indicated that the gel template method and the microscope slide micro-Ouchterlony method were comparable in reproducibility and both were superior to the counterimmunoelectrophoresis method (CEP).
FAA Law, Without the Activism: What If the Bellwether Cases Were Decided by a Truly Conservative Court?

The U.S. Supreme Court has decided an extraordinary number of cases under the Federal Arbitration Act in the last half century, a pattern that continues today at the pace of case or two a year. During this time, Republican presidential candidates have made much political hay out of the Supreme Court, running against the Warren Court’s “liberal activism” by promising to appoint judges who would decide cases more conservatively. In this article, I analyze whether this promise has been fulfilled in the context of the Supreme Court’s FAA jurisprudence by identifying the core principles of judicial conservatism – restraint, fidelity to text, and federalism -- and then applying them to five of the Court’s most significant FAA arbitration cases: Prima Paint v. Flood & Conklin, Southland v. Keating, Gilmer v. Interstate/Johnson Lane, Circuit City v. Adams, and, most recently, AT&T Mobility v. Concepcion. The analysis finds the conservative promise woefully disappointed in the FAA area. Instead, the article contends, the Court has been highly activist as it has used the FAA as pretext to impose its own brand of civil justice reform. Finally, the article concludes by suggesting that FAA arbitration would look very different today had the bellwether cases actually been decided by conservative jurisprudential principles -- much less visible in the dispute resolution landscape but also much more legitimate as a dispute resolution process.
Linear and Nonlinear Wave Action Estimates

The effects of nonlinearities on wave action quantities computed for irrotational surface gravity waves propagating on an inviscid incompressible fluid may be demonstrated on the relative wave steepness-relative water depth dissection plane by contours of relative errors between estimates computed by the nonlinear Dean Stream Function and by linear wave theory. The relative errors for energy density quantities and the ratio of nonlinear wave length values to linear wave length values are found to increase monotonically in magnitude with increasing relative wave steepness and with increasing Ursell number. A contour of zero relative error which intersects the breaking index in intermediate water depth and a positive extremal of relative error in deep water are found on the dissection plane for the average total energy flux estimates.
Literature, Culture, and Thought in Africa: A Conversation with Abiola Irele

Abiola Irele is clearly one of the leading African literary and cultural critics of our time. From achieving what in Nigeria was a pioneer feat of attending the nation’s premier university, the University College, Ibadan (UCI) at its earliest years, also attended by famous Nigerian writers, Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka and Christopher Okigbo (writers popularly called the Ibadan Boys), to being among the first set of African critics of modern Nigerian and African literature. As a student and an up-and-coming scholar, Irele was editor (1958-60) of The Horn, a journal that provided opportunity to the UCI students from virtually all disciplines to participate in the vibrant literary atmosphere developing then at Ibadan. Later on as Professor of French and Chair of the Department of Modern Languages at his Alma matter, now the University of Ibadan, Irele was in the forefront of the efforts to revise the French curriculum and ensure it reflected African culture and traditions and the literary aspirations of the students.
Unidirectional potassium fluxes in renal distal tubule: effects of chloride and barium

Low luminal concentrations of chloride stimulate net potassium secretion by the renal distal tubule, independent of changes in transepithelial voltage. These effects are not prevented by the luminal application of the potassium channel blocking agent barium. Because net potassium secretion comprises secretory and absorptive components, we sought to evaluate the effects of chloride and barium on unidirectional potassium fluxes in the renal distal tubule. In vivo microperfusion methods were used in anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. Perfusion solutions contained either 42K or 86Rb as tracers for potassium. Tracer efflux coefficients, indicating apparent potassium permeability, were similar when measured using either isotope. Net potassium flux was determined as the difference between perfusion and collected rate, and unidirectional absorptive potassium flux was calculated as the product of the mean luminal potassium concentration and the tracer efflux coefficient. During perfusion with a solution that resembled fluid normally arriving at the early distal tubule, the absorptive potassium flux was approximately 25% of the unidirectional secretory flux. Reducing lumen chloride concentration increased net potassium secretion, because blood-to-lumen potassium flux increased from 61 +/- 12.7 to 96 +/- 14.6 pmol/min. Barium reduced both absorptive and secretory fluxes but did not prevent the stimulation of net potassium secretion that occurs when luminal chloride concentration is reduced. Apparent potassium permeability during perfusion with a solution that resembled fluid normally arriving at the early distal tubule was 800 nm/s when corrected for voltage. Together with the results of previous experiments, these results are consistent with the presence of a secretory pathway linking potassium with chloride in the luminal membrane of cells of the distal tubule.
Reflections of a Homeless Population's Lived Experience With Substance Abuse

The aim of this study was to describe a homeless population's lived experience with substance abuse. A retrospective descriptive design was used to collect data from a sample of 75 homeless adults participating in a community-based homeless recovery residential program. Each participant was interviewed concerning gender, age, marital status, race, religion, education, employment, substance abuse, family history, psychiatric history, and legal history. Characteristics that emerged from the data were grouped into categories using content analysis. Seventy-three of the 75 homeless participants reported a history of substance abuse and provided in-depth descriptions of issues concerning their substance abuse.
Stimulation of insulin secretion by corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in anesthetized rats.

Abstract Corticotropin-releasing factor-containing cells have been recently found in the endocrine pancreas of several vertebrate species by immunocytochemistry. In order to clarify the possible physiological significance of these findings, we have studied the effect of the administration of CRF on endocrine pancreatic function. Five minutes after injection of ovine CRF 1–41 into the jugular vein, a dose-related increase in insulin levels in the hepatic-portal vein of anesthetized rats was found. This dose-dependent insulin increase was delayed to fifteen minutes after CRF injection into rats exposed to greater surgical stress and was partially blunted in adrenalectomized animals. Glucose and glucagon levels were not altered after CRF administration under these conditions. These results suggest that CRF may play a modulatory role in insulin secretion; however, whether CRF acts directly on the beta-cell or through some CRF-stimulated mediator remains to be established.