cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
When a relationship is imperative, will young women knowingly place their sexual health at risk? A sample of African American adolescent girls in the juvenile justice system.

Background: HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (HIV/STIs) are significant contributors to adolescent girls’ morbidity in the US. Risks for HIV/STIs are increased among adolescent girls involved in the juvenile justice system, and African American adolescent girls comprise nearly 50% of adolescent girls in detention centres. Although HIV prevention programs focus on HIV/STI knowledge, increased knowledge may not be sufficient to reduce sexual risk. The present study examined the interactive effects of HIV/STI knowledge and the importance of being in a relationship (a relationship imperative) on sexual risk behaviours in a sample of detained African American adolescent girls. Methods: In all, 188 African American adolescent girls, 13–17 years of age, were recruited from a short-term detention facility in Atlanta, Georgia, and completed assessments on sexual risk behaviours, relationship characteristics, HIV/STI knowledge and several psychosocial risk factors. Results: When girls endorsed a relationship imperative, higher HIV/STI knowledge was associated with low partner communication self-efficacy, inconsistent condom use and unprotected sex, when controlling for demographics and self-esteem. Conclusions: Young girls with high HIV/STI knowledge may have placed themselves at risk for HIV/STIs given the importance and value they place on being in a relationship. Contextual factors should be considered when developing interventions.
Mechanical property degradation and microstructural evolution of cast austenitic stainless steels under short-term thermal aging

Abstract Mechanical testing and microstructural characterization were performed on short-term thermally aged cast austenitic stainless steels (CASS) to understand the severity and mechanisms of thermal-aging degradation experienced during extended operation of light water reactor (LWR) coolant systems. Four CASS materials–CF3, CF3M, CF8, and CF8M–were thermally aged for 1500 h at 290 °C, 330 °C, 360 °C, and 400 °C. All four alloys experienced insignificant change in strength and ductility properties but a significant reduction in absorbed impact energy. The primary microstructural and compositional changes during thermal aging were spinodal decomposition of the δ-ferrite into α/α′, precipitation of G-phase in the δ-ferrite, segregation of solute to the austenite/ferrite interphase boundary, and growth of M23C6 carbides on the austenite/ferrite interphase boundary. These changes were shown to be highly dependent on chemical composition, particularly the concentration of C and Mo, and aging temperature. The low C, high Mo CF3M alloys experienced the most spinodal decomposition and G-phase precipitation coinciding the largest reduction in impact properties.
Modafinil/Armodafinil in the Treatment of Narcolepsy

Modafinil has been available in the USA since 1998 and is now regarded as the first-line therapy for the treatment of excessive sleepiness associated with narcolepsy. Modafinil does not help cataplexy or other ancillary features of narcolepsy, such as hypnagogic hallucinations or sleep paralysis.
Control Recommendations for Black Medic (Medicago lupulina) Based on Growth and Development in Competition with Strawberry

Strawberries are an important horticultural crop in Florida. Black medic is among the most problematic weeds within the production system. To better coordinate control measures, black medic growth and development while in competition with strawberry was studied. Twelve plants were randomly selected at each of four field sites in Hillsborough County, FL, in 2014. Plants were repeatedly measured over the growing season for stem length and number of primary branches, flower buds, flowers, and seed clusters. Growing degree days (GDD) were calculated (Tbase=0 C) starting from the hole-punch application of the plastic mulch (October 8, 2014, to October 10, 2014) from weather station data generated from the Florida Automated Weather Network. Strawberry height and width increased consistently across all sites, but black medic growth and development varied considerably. Strawberry suppressed black medic growth up to 1,805 cumulative GDD at three of four sites where black medic remained beneath the strawberry canopy. After 1,805 GDD, the black medic stems still remained below but experienced exponential growth for total stem length and, in turn, flower buds, inflorescence, and immature seed clusters. Ideal clopyralid spray timing based on susceptible plant size was 890 to 1,152 GDD. Optimal hand-weeding time frames would likely occur as the plant stems expand beyond the strawberry canopy (to improve visibility) and before flower production to prevent seed return to the seedbank. First seed production was observed at 1,200 GDD at the earliest site and between 1,966 to 2,365 GDD across all the other sites. Overall, consistent trends were observed across sites, but betweensite variability was observed that could not be accounted for by differences in temperature.Nomenclature: Clopyralid; black medic, Medicago lupulina L. MEDLU; strawberry, Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne.
Quantitative model of super-Arrhenian behavior in glass forming materials

The key feature of glass forming liquids is the super-Arrhenian temperature dependence of the mobility, where the mobility can increase by ten orders of magnitude or more as the temperature is decreased if crystallization does not intervene. A fundamental description of the super-Arrhenian behavior has been developed; specifically, the logarithm of the relaxation time is a linear function of $1/{\overline{U}}_{x}$, where ${\overline{U}}_{x}$ is the independently determined excess molar internal energy and $B$ is a material constant. This one-parameter mobility model quantitatively describes data for 21 glass forming materials, which are all the materials where there are sufficient experimental data for analysis. The effect of pressure on the $loga$ mobility is also described using the same ${\overline{U}}_{x}(T,p)$ function determined from the difference between the liquid and crystalline internal energies. It is also shown that $B$ is well correlated with the heat of fusion. The prediction of the $B/{\overline{U}}_{x}$ model is compared to the Adam and Gibbs $1/T{\overline{S}}_{x}$ model, where the $B/{\overline{U}}_{x}$ model is significantly better in unifying the full complement of mobility data. The implications of the $B/{\overline{U}}_{x}$ model for the development of a fundamental description of glass are discussed.
Cigarette smoke increases pro-inflammatory markers and inhibits osteogenic differentiation in experimental exposure model

Abstract Tobacco smokers have slowed bone growth and regeneration and more frequent implant failures than non-smokers, but the effect of cigarette smoking on the host response to bone-dwelling biomaterials is poorly understood. Macrophages and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are essential in the healing response after implant placement. This study examined the effects of an experimental model of cigarette smoke exposure using cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on bone architecture in vivo and differentiation and inflammatory cytokine production on clinically relevant microstructured surfaces in vitro. CSE was prepared by bubbling mainstream smoke from one research cigarette (3R4F) in 1 mL phosphate-buffered saline. For in vivo studies, bone morphometry was examined in femurs isolated from mice injected with diluted CSE for 25 days. For in vitro studies, osteogenic markers and interleukins were measured in human MSCs and murine macrophages cultured on rough or rough-hydrophilic titanium (Ti) surfaces in culture media ± CSE for seven days. In vivo, CSE exposure decreased in bone area, volume, and interconnectivity in a dose-dependent manner. In vitro, macrophages exposed to CSE increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, abolishing the increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines typically seen on rough-hydrophilic surfaces. MSCs exposed to CSE had lower mRNA expression of osteoblast differentiation markers, increased levels of pro-inflammatory mRNA, and reduced production of osteogenic proteins. Our results demonstrate that CSE decreases osteogenic differentiation and anti-inflammatory interleukin production while increasing pro-inflammatory interleukin production in macrophages and MSCs, suggesting that compounds in CSE strongly affect stem cell differentiation and may compromise bone formation following biomaterial placement. Statement of Significance The study of implantable materials’ interaction with biological systems occurs nearly exclusively in healthy cell and animal models. However, 15% of the US population smokes cigarettes, which is known to modulate immune response and tissue regeneration. To explore this interaction, we created a method of capturing smoke compounds as CSE for in vivo and in vitro use. We found chronic injection into mice produced an osteoporotic, pro-inflammatory phenotype similar to direct smoke models. Furthermore, CSE attenuated osteogenic differentiation and promoted a pro-inflammatory profile in MSCs and macrophages, respectively, when cultured on titanium surfaces. These results demonstrate that this CSE model may be useful for predicting how chronic tobacco exposure may adversely affect the outcome of biomedical implants in pre-clinical models.
Nanoarchitectured Electrodes for Enhanced Electron Transport in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

The invention of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) provided a promising alternative to Si-based photovoltaic devices. The first generation of DSSCs was constructed on nanoparticle wide bandgap semiconductor photoanodes. However, despite its unmatched success to date, the nanoparticle-based photoanode suffers from exceedingly slow electron transport due to the intrinsic defect states in the nanoparticle network, which eventually limits any further advancement in the device efficiency. Recent efforts have been directed toward developing ordered electron transport pathways using a variety of pseudo-1D photoanodes that exhibit enhanced charge transport and greater material versatility. Further exploration and optimization of these alternative nanoarchitectured photoanodes may eventually lead to device performance exceeding the current state-of-the-art.
Diabetic Nephropathy: Relevance of Animal Models to the Understanding of Pathological Processes in Immune Renal Disease

Diabetic glomerulopathy represents the end result of a variety of pathogenetic processes which are dependent upon a long-standing diabetic state for their expression. Since it is reasonable to assume that the glomerulus has a limited repertoire of responses to pathologic stimuli, it is hoped that these studies of glomerular structural and functional changes in rodents with diabetes may provide insights into events occurring in immune glomerular injury.
Molybdenum and Tungsten Bronzes

There has been a great deal of interest in reduced transition metal oxide bronzes for several decades. Sodium tungsten oxide, NaxWO3 was discovered by Wohler in 1825, who called these materials bronzes, because of their metallic luster [1]. The term bronze has been extended to a large variety of ternary transition metal oxides with the general formula AxMyOz and bronzes are known with A as virtually any cation and M as Ti, V, Mn, Nb, Mo, Ta, W, Re. Binary, reduced transition metal oxides (e.g., Mo4O11, ReO3), as well as quaternary and more complex compositions are often classified as bronzes as well. The structures of these materials are closely related to that of ReO3 with MO6 corner and/or edge-sharing octahedra arranged in either a three-dimensional (3D) network or two-dimensional (2D) layer-like structure; the A cations fill the interstitial sites created by the corner/edge-sharing polyhedra. Typically the bronzes are intensely colored with a metallic sheen, chemically inert to even strong acids and exhibit metallic or semiconducting behavior. There has been continuous interest in the bronzes. However, research in this area intensified since the early 1980’s with the discovery of charge-density-wave (CDW) phenomenon in the first oxide material, the quasi-one-dimensional (ID) blue bronze, K0.3MoO3 [2]. Subsequently, evidence of CDW in the 2D purple molybdenum bronzes(A0.9Mo6O17) [3] and sliding CDW motion in the blue bronzes fueled further interest. Recently, the discovery of cascading, multiple CDW’s in the 2D- monophosphate tungsten bronzes (MPTB, (PO2)4(WO3)2m) [4] generated renewed interest in these materials. Moreover, discovery of the high temperature (Tc) superconducting cuprates with similar low-dimensional (LD) structural and electronic properties raises new questions about the properties of the LD bronzes and their relationship to the high Tc materials.
The structural performance of flexible pipes

1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1.1 Objectives and Scope 1.2 Literature Review PART I. EVALUATION OF HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE PIPE INSTALLATIONS 2. INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY 2.1 Objective 2.2 Methodology 2.3 MN. DOT specifications for HDPE Pipe instalations 3. DATA EVALUATION AND INTERPRETATIONS 3.1 Structural Problems 3.2 Sediments 4. CONCLUSIONS PART II. BURIED FLEXIBLE PIPE ANALYSIS USING FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS 5. INTRODUCTION 5.1 General Background 5.2 Objectives and Scope 5.3 Modeling 6. ANSYS AND CANDE ANALYSES 6.1 Elastic Soil, Comparison of ANSYS and CANDE 6.2 Soil Models 6.3 Comparison of ANSYS and CANDE 6.4 Pipe Material Effect 6.5 Construction Process Modeling
The One-Dimensional Hubbard Model with Attractive U as a Soluble Model for Exciton Bands and Electron-Hole Droplets

We consider two one-dimensional nearest neighbor tight-binding bands of spinless fermions; one band represents the conduction band and the other one the valence band of a semiconductor or semimetal. Both bands have the same hopping matrix element t and the bands are split by a gap, 2Δ. There is an attractive on-site interaction of strength U between the electrons in the conduction band and the holes in the valence band. This model can be mapped onto the one-dimensional Hubbard model with attractive interaction. The chemical potential in Hubbard’s model corresponds to Δ and the magnetic field represents the chemical potential of the exciton model. We use Lieb and Wu’s exact solution of the Hubbard chain to study the formation of exciton bound states. At low T many-particle bound states (string solutions of the Bethe ansatz equations) are populated, which can be interpreted as electron-hole droplets.
(E)Quality of Life: A Cross-National Analysis of the Effect of Gender Equality on Life Satisfaction

Several international organizations have recently prioritized promoting equal rights for men and women. Reflecting these priorities, many view gender equality as a means to promote societal well-being; yet still others suggest that it has deleterious effects on the enacting state. To test these pro-equality arguments, we examine the effect of four major indicators of gender (in)equality on life satisfaction: the Gender Empowerment Measure, Gender Development Index, Gender Inequality Index, and the Gender Gap Index (or Global Gender Gap). Utilizing survey data from the World Values Survey and Eurobarometer, we find strong and consistent evidence that promoting gender equality leads to greater subjective well-being. Furthermore, we demonstrate that policies promoting gender equality tend to improve the quality of life for everyone, not just direct beneficiaries of the policies (women). Indeed, men also see strong and significant gains in life satisfaction when the sexes are more equal. As a result, we suggest that scholars of subjective well-being expand research into determinants of quality of life to include equality and other social factors. We also suggest that the findings presented here have tangible implications for governments and policy workers who are tasked with promoting equality and well-being.
Single-step purification of peroxidases from rice bran: Evaluation of the main expanded-bed chromatography parameters

Abstract Peroxidases catalyze the oxidation-reduction reactions of organic substrates and present several applications in the biotechnological, clinical, environmental, and industrial areas. Among the chromatographic strategies applied to peroxidase purification to allow future uses, expanded-bed adsorption (EBA) stands out due to the large volumes of purified enzyme and potential for scale-up. In this paper, the main EBA parameters were evaluated in the purification of rice bran peroxidases. Sodium acetate buffer (pH 4.5) and expansion degree of 2.5 were the most favorable conditions to the enzyme adsorption onto Streamline® SP resin, showing an enzymatic activity at equilibrium on the solid phase (q*) of 2.68 U/mL resin, a partition coefficient (f) of 38.35 and a dynamic binding capacity (Q10%) of 0.19 U/mL resin. Rice bran peroxidase was purified in 14.1-fold (± 1.3) with 49.8% (± 2.5) of recovery by using 25 mmol/L acetate buffer pH 5.5 in the washing step, and elution combining stepwise (0.15 mol/L NaCl) and linear gradient (0.15–1 mol/L NaCl), using acetate buffer pH 5.5 with 1 mmol/L of CaCl2. Based on the results obtained, EBA showed to be a viable single-step strategy for peroxidase purification.
Conviction or Diversion and the Labeling of First-Time DUI Offenders: An Analysis of Sentencing and Recidivism in Pennsylvania

This study examines the sentencing and recidivism of 34,315 first-time DUI offenders in Pennsylvania. Results indicated that individuals processed through accelerated rehabilitative disposition (AR...
The Effects of Heterogeneous Stellar Surfaces on the Analysis of Exoplanet Transit Light Curves and Spectra

If stars were uniformly bright across their surfaces, then the analysis of transit observations would require only the subtraction of this bright background from the observed data in order to obtain the transit light curve and the absorption spectrum produced by atoms and molecules in the exoplanet’s atmosphere. Even this unrealistically simple observing scenario is a data analysis challenge because the area of a transiting planet may be only 1% or smaller compared to that of the host star, and the area of a terrestrial exoplanet’s atmosphere seen in absorption against the stellar disk emission may be only 0.01% that of the stellar disk area. Thus high signal/noise data are essential to minimize random noise.
Expression and distribution of PIEZO1 in the mouse urinary tract

The proper function of the organs that make up the urinary tract (kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra) depends on their ability to sense and respond to mechanical forces, including shear stress ...
P140 Get the Good Stuff in NYC: Baseline Survey Findings of a Supermarket-Based Nutrition Incentive Program

Objective The objective of this study was to assess participant characteristics and evaluate usage of a fruit and vegetable (FV) incentive program for people with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits at 4 supermarkets in New York City (NYC). Use of Theory or Research In 2017, NYC residents with low incomes reported consuming 1 serving less of FV per day on average than those with high incomes (3.1 vs 2.1). Cost is a barrier to healthy eating and research shows that financial incentives are a promising tool for making produce more affordable. A recent study demonstrated that offering a $0.30 match on every SNAP dollar spent on FV resulted in nearly a quarter-cup increase in consumption. Target Audience NYC residents enrolled in SNAP at 4 participating supermarkets. Program Description Utilizing supermarkets’ electronic point-of-sales systems and customer loyalty technology, participants get a dollar-for-dollar match on SNAP purchases of eligible FV. The electronic infrastructure streamlines incentive distribution and benefits are extended beyond fresh produce to frozen and canned FV and dried beans. Evaluation Methods At baseline, a 13-question survey collects participant demographics and supermarkets report incentive distribution and redemption monthly. Results From June 2019 through January 2020, 3,159 individuals enrolled in the program. The mean participant age was 49 years. Participants were predominantly female (84%), Hispanic or Latino (62%) and Black (25%). Thirty-four percent of participants reported a diagnosis of hypertension and 21% reported a diabetes diagnosis. Over $125,000 in incentives have been distributed through the program, 70% of which have been redeemed. Conclusions The majority of incentives distributed are redeemed and we anticipate the program will reach the intended audience. Funding USDA
The Child in Our Midst: The Shifting Trends in Ministry with Children and Families over the Past Forty Years:

For the past 40 years, the field of children and family ministries has emerged, developed, and been strengthened through the intentional engagement of various teaching/learning approaches, the infl...
Abstract 2534: High-affinity small molecule inhibitors of the menin-MLL interaction reverse oncogenic transformation mediated by MLL fusion proteins in leukemia

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA The protein-protein interaction (PPI) between menin and Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL) plays a critical role in acute leukemias with translocations of MLL gene, and inhibition of this interaction with small molecules represents a new potential therapeutic strategy for the MLL leukemia patients. We identified novel small molecule inhibitors of the menin-MLL interaction with distinct molecular scaffolds by performing a High Throughput Screening (HTS) of over 300,000 compounds. Extensive medicinal chemistry efforts performed for two lead classes to improve inhibitory activity of these compounds resulted in menin-MLL inhibitors with low nanomolar binding affinities. The menin-inhibitor co-crystal structures revealed that these compounds directly bind to menin and closely mimic the key interactions of MLL with menin, resulting in their high binding affinity. Interestingly, the hydroxymethylpiperidine class of the menin-MLL inhibitors extends beyond the MLL binding region on menin, providing additional opportunity for their optimization. We combined extensive crystallography studies with structure-based design to perform rational optimization and scaffold modification to rapidly improve activity and modulate physicochemical properties of the menin-MLL inhibitors. Treatment of MLL leukemia cells with the most potent menin-MLL inhibitors we developed resulted in very effective and selective inhibition of cell proliferation, induced apoptosis and differentiation of these cells. These effects were associated with downregulation of Hoxa9 and Meis1 expression, the downstream targets of MLL fusion proteins required for their leukemogenicity, demonstrating a very specific mechanism of action for these newly developed menin-MLL inhibitors. In vivo studies are currently undergoing to assess the effect of these compounds on leukemia progression in animal models of MLL leukemia. Our studies provide a novel and very attractive scaffolds for further development as a new potential therapeutic approach for the MLL leukemia patients. Citation Format: Jolanta E. Grembecka, Shihan He, Timothy J. Senter, Dmitry Borkin, Jonathan Pollock, Changho Han, Sunil Kumar Upadhyay, Trupta Purohit, Hongzhi Miao, Rocco D. Gogliotti D. Gogliotti, Craig W. Lindsley, Tomasz Cierpicki, Shaun R. Stauffer. High-affinity small molecule inhibitors of the menin-MLL interaction reverse oncogenic transformation mediated by MLL fusion proteins in leukemia. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2534. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2534
Nucleotide sequence of aceK, the gene encoding isocitrate dehydrogenase kinase/phosphatase.

Abstract In Escherichia coli, the phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) are catalyzed by a bifunctional protein kinase/phosphatase. We have determined the nucleotide sequence of aceK, the gene encoding IDH kinase/phosphatase. This gene consists of a single open reading frame of 1,734 base pairs preceded by a Shine-Dalgarno ribosome-binding site. Examination of the deduced amino acid sequence of IDH kinase/phosphatase revealed sequences which are similar to the consensus sequence for ATP-binding sites. This protein did not, however, exhibit the extensive sequence homologies which are typical of other protein kinases. Multiple copies of the REP family of repetitive extragenic elements were found within the intergenic region between aceA (encoding isocitrate lyase) and aceK. These elements have the potential for combining to form an exceptionally stable stem-loop structure (delta G = -54 kcal/mol [ca. -226 kJ/mol]) in the mRNA. This structure, which masks the ribosome-binding site and start codon for aceK, may contribute to the downshift in expression observed between aceA and aceK. Another potential stem-loop structure (delta G = -29 kcal/mol [ca. 121 kJ/mol]), unrelated to the REP sequences, was found within aceK.
Oxygen isotope analyses of biogenic opal and quartz using a novel microfluorination technique

RATIONALE Measuring δ(18)O values in silicates is difficult and hazardous in comparison with measurements of carbonate minerals due to the difficulty in breaking Si-O-Si bonds. A novel method for measurement of δ(18)O values from quartz and biogenic silica utilizing high-temperature pyrolysis with continuous-flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry (CF-IRMS) is presented. METHODS Samples were prepared by offline dehydroxylation/dehydration under vacuum at 1060°C. The dehydroxylated samples are mixed with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) powder (2.3:1 PTFE/Si) and graphite in silver foil capsules and reacted in a vario PYRO cube TC/EA system in a glassy carbon reaction tube. Quartz and biogenic opal samples react with available carbon in a microfluorination environment upon decomposition of the PTFE, producing CO for analysis via CF-IRMS. RESULTS Silicate samples reacted quantitatively, producing data with yields ≥88% from ~400 µg samples. Multiple analyses with international standards demonstrated accuracy for replicate measurements (1σ range ±0.3-0.6‰), comparing favorably with previously published techniques. CONCLUSIONS New data produced with the microfluorination technique are comparable with data from studies using existing methodologies. The microfluorination technique has the potential to greatly increase the number of laboratories producing silicate oxygen isotope data for mineralogic, paleoclimatic and biogeochemical applications.
SU-E-T-360: End-To-End Dosimetric Testing of a Versa HD Linear Accelerator with the Agility Head Modeled in Pinnacle3

Purpose: The Versa HD incorporates a variety of upgrades, primarily including the Agility head. The distinct dosimetric properties of the head from its predecessors combined with flattening-filter-free (FFF) beams require a new investigation of modeling in planning systems and verification of modeling accuracy. Methods: A model was created in Pinnacle3 v9.8 with commissioned beam data. Leaf transmission was modeled as <0.5% with maximum leaf speed of 3 cm/s. Photon spectra were tuned for FFF beams, for which profiles were modeled with arbitrary profiles rather than with cones. For verification, a variety of plans with varied parameters were devised, and point dose measurements were compared to calculated values. A phantom of several plastic water and Styrofoam slabs was scanned and imported into Pinnacle3. Beams of different field sizes, SSD, wedges, and gantry angles were created. All available photon energies (6 MV, 10 MV, 18 MV, 6 FFF, 10 FFF) as well four clinical electron energies (6, 9, 12, and 15 MeV) were investigated. The plans were verified at a calculation point (8 cm deep for photons, variable for electrons) by measurement with a PTW Semiflex ionization chamber. In addition, IMRT testing was performed with three standard plans (step and shoot IMRT, small and large field VMAT plans). The plans were delivered on the Delta4 IMRT QA phantom (ScandiDos, Uppsala, Sweden). Results: Homogeneous point dose measurement agreed within 2% for all photon and electron beams. Open field photon measurements along the central axis at 100 cm SSD passed within 1%. Gamma passing rates were >99.5% for all plans with a 3%/3mm tolerance criteria. The IMRT QA results for the first 23 patients yielded gamma passing rates of 97.4±2.3%. Conclusion: The end-to-end testing ensured confidence in the ability of Pinnacle3 to model photon and electron beams with the Agility head.
Simulating the time‐dependent response of Titan's upper atmosphere to periods of magnetospheric forcing

[1] We demonstrate that a simulation of Titan's upper atmosphere can exhibit significant short-term temperature variations when exposed to globally averaged plasma heating rates over periods of 8 Earth days (0.5 Titan days). Temperature enhancements can range from 16 K when exposed to column-integrated, orbit-averaged heating rates of 2.5 × 108 eV/cm2/s up to 30 K when exposed to 5.0 × 108 eV/cm2/s. Upon cessation of these plasma heating periods, the simulated upper atmosphere relaxes back to its original, unperturbed state after ∼10 Earth days (0.625 Titan days). Thus, we conclude that the variations in densities measured by the Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS) above 1000 km during sequential flybys (i.e., those flybys separated by only 1 Titan day) can be potentially explained by periodic exposure of Titan to Saturn's plasma sheet.
Template Activity of Modified Terminator Codons

Abstract Modified trinucleotides, 3MeU-A-G+, 3MeU-A-A, 5MeU-A-G, 5MeU-A-A, BrU-A-G, hU-A-G, and U-A-I (see J. Biol. Chem., 241, 527 (1966)), were synthesized by a combination of organic and enzymatic methods. The activity of each trinucleotide as a template for peptide chain termination was determined. The attachment of a methyl group to the N3 position of uracil eliminates the template activity of terminator codons corresponding to release Factors 1 or 2. The attachment of methyl or bromo groups to the C5 position of uracil has little or no effect on the template activity of terminator codons. The trinucleotide U-A-I is an active template with release Factor 1 but not 2. hU-A-G is inactive in the presence of release Factor 1. The data suggest that the N3 proton and the C4 carboxyl moieties are essential for translation of terminator codons, whereas substituents attached to the C5 position are not essential.
The Foundations of Classical Mechanics in the Light of Recent Advances in Continuum Mechanics

It is a widespread belief even today that classical mechanics is a dead subject, that its foundations were made clear long ago, and that all that remains to be done is to solve special problems. This is not so. It is true that the mechanics of systems of a finite number of mass points has been on a sufficiently rigorous basis since Newton. Many textbooks on theoretical mechanics dismiss continuous bodies with the remark that they can be regarded as the limiting case of a particle system with an increasing number of particles. They cannot. The erroneous belief that they can had the unfortunate effect that no serious attempt was made for a long period to put classical continuum mechanics on a rigorous axiomatic basis. Only the recent advances in the theory of materials other than perfect fluids and linearly elastic solids have revived the interest in the foundations of classical mechanics. A clarification of these foundations is of importance also for the following reason. It is known that continuous matter is really made up of elementary particles. The basic laws governing the elementary particles are those of quantum mechanics. The science that provides the link between these basic laws and the laws describing the behavior of gross matter is statistical mechanics.
Quantitative Problems in Magnetic Particle Inspection

Because it can be effective, rapid, and inexpensive, possibly more nondestructive evaluation is performed on magnetic steels by magnetic particle inspection (MPI) than by any other method. In industrial use for over fifty years, it has long been considered a mature technology. However, a number of questions remain on how to obtain reproducible, quantitative results when using MPI. It is possible to make the method too sensitive, in which case an obscuring background forms, or not sensitive enough, in which case important defects are missed. The primary factors that must be controlled to obtain reproducible and predictable MPI are: 1) magnetization level, 2) concentration, magnetic properties, and shapes of the particles used, 3) method of particle application, and 4) method of illumination and interpretation of the indications. A number of these factors has recently been addressed by Skeie and Hagemaier1. We briefly mention some of these here and discuss in some detail the nature of the magnetic leakage field and how it affects MPI, and outline a procedure by which the field level required to produce indications for a given defect may be estimated.
Altered-function mutations of the transcriptional regulatory gene virG of Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

Three point mutations were isolated in the Agrobacterium tumefaciens virG gene by screening for vir gene expression in the absence of added phenolic inducing compounds. All three mutations were localized in the predicted amino-terminal phosphoryl receiver domain of the protein. One mutant (N54D) bypasses the requirement for VirA and phenolic inducers both for transcriptional activation of all tested vir promoters and for plant tumorigenesis. This mutant also activates vir gene expression efficiently at neutral pH, indicating that the step in induction that is normally stimulated by acid pH occurs before or during VirG phosphorylation. The other two mutants (M13T and H15R) require VirA for activity but are sensitized to low levels of inducing stimuli. Images
Axial flow induces distinct gene expression profiles in LVAD recipients

Abstract Introduction: Implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has been shown to reverse cardiac remodeling through a distinct pattern of gene expression. We sought to determine if the differences in flow rendered by an axial flow pump would produce a distinct transcriptome when compared with a pulsatile device. Methods: RNA was isolated from paired myocardial tissues taken from the left ventricular apex of LVAD recipients at the time of device insertion and again at transplantation. Three of the patients who were studied underwent implantation of an axial flow pump (Micromed DeBakey VAD) while three patients received a pulsatile device (Heartmate). Double-stranded cDNA was synthesized from total RNA and hybridized to the Affymetrix Human U133 Plus 2.0 Array chip. Normalization and expression value summarization were performed using robust multi-chip average. The local pooled error method was used to determine differential expression. Results: A total of 2332 genes were found to undergo statistically significant change following LVAD support with an axial flow pump. Of these, 62 genes were found to be significantly changed in the pulsatile device group while 2270 genes were found to be expressed in the axial flow group alone. Conclusions: These findings suggest that differences in pulsatility during LVAD support induce distinct changes in gene expression. Additional studies are needed to correlate these results with alterations in function.
Patient Dose In Diagnostic Radiology: When & How?

Different situations are discussed in which it is of value to know radiation dose to the patient in diagnostic radiology. Radiation dose to specific organs is determined using the Handbook on Organ Doses published by the Bureau of Radiological Health of the Food and Drug Administration; the method is applied to a specific case. In this example dose to an embryo is calculated in examinations involving both fluoroscopy and radiography. In another example dose is determined to a fetus in late pregnancy using tissue air ratios. Patient inquiries about radiation dose are discussed, and some answers are suggested. The reliability of dose calculations is examined.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Concurrent program synthesis based on supervisory control

The paper introduces a new area of application of the supervisory control (SC) methods and a project dealing with this research topic. Based on the observation that various constraints on the operation and synchronization of concurrent processes can be expressed in terms of SC specifications, the paper proposes the application of SC to the automation of concurrent program synthesis. Specifically, the paper proposes a three-stage approach allowing to generate automatically the part of the programs that deals with the coordination of concurrent processes. In a first stage, Petri net models are extracted from a high level specification. An SC specification is also extracted. Then, SC is applied to generate the supervisor enforcing the specification. Finally, the programs representing the processes and the supervisor are generated. This work is motivated by the difficulty of writing correctly concurrent programs. Since this difficulty is due to the constraints on the operation and synchronization of concurrent processes, research in this area has the potential of simplifying the development of concurrent programs.
The Gibbs method and Duhem's theorem: The quantitative relationships among P, T, chemical potential, phase composition and reaction progress in igneous and metamorphic systems

The Gibbs method permits simultaneous evaluation of the relationships among all intensive thermodynamic variables of a heterogeneous system in equilibrium. Addition of mass balance constraints permits simultaneous evaluation of both intensive and extensive variables so that changes in phase chemistry and modes may be monitored. Assumption of closed system behavior results in a system of equations with two degrees of freedom, regardless of the thermodynamic variance, as specified by Duhem's theorem. Open system behavior increases the number of degrees of freedom by the number of components to which the system is open. The methodology presented is therefore a formal statement of the constraints among the differential of all of the intensive and extensive variables of a heterogeneous system.
Intragroup Differences Between Black Native and Transfer Students at a Predominantly White University: Implications for Advising

This research project identified demographic, academic, and social differences between Black native (entering, first-year) and Black transfer students at a predominantly White, urban, public university. A questionnaire mailed to all Black students (N = 735) elicited 172 responses (23%). Most students from both groups felt that the university promoted a positive race attitude. They also expected their advisors to be accessible and to know academic programs and policies. The researchers found significant differences in age, marital status, and who had been most influential in a student's having remained in school. Native students used the Career Development Center and Minority Student Alliance at a greater rate, and a larger percentage of them participated in the African American Student Union, the Student Government Association, the International Student Organization, and sororities and fraternities.
Practical Approaches to Delivering Service-Oriented Solutions: The Role of Software Architects and Architecture in an SOA World

Summary form only given. A key challenge in software engineering is the design and realization of complex software- intensive systems from assemblies of parts and pieces. Creating successful component-based software solutions depends on there being a close connection between the key business objectives, and the flexible IT technical services that enable this. Current software development patterns and practices have evolved to help create the flexible architectures required to achieve the goals of component-based approaches. With the increasing focus on service-oriented architectures (SOA), we must revisit some of the key architectural concerns for SOA, and enhance the methods, tools, and best practices at the heart of successful service-oriented solutions. The focus of this presentation will be on changing practices for component-based development with SOA, and methods for modeling of service-oriented solutions in support of a broader approach to the analysis, design, construction, and governance of such solutions.
Loops in multicommodity flows

Given the traffic flow from each source to each destination in a network and given the aggregate traffic in each link, we want to find if there is any looping of traffic. A careful definition of looping shows that the question is equivalent to whether some of the aggregate link flows can be reduced without increasing any of the others. It is then shown, through the use of duality in linear programming, that an aggregate flow is loop free iff all the traffic follows shortest routes for some assignment of positive lengths to the links. It is further shown that there is a finite set of these length assignments, dependent only on the topology of the network, such that every shortest route flow is a shortest route flow for one of those special assignments. Finally, it is shown that any loopfree flow can be realized by a routing in which the sum, over all destinations, of the number of alternate route links required to reach that destination, is at most the number of links minus the number of nodes.
Probable cervical midline epidural septum complicating the treatment of a patient with upper extremity sympathetically maintained pain

Abstract We present a woman who developed left arm sympathetically maintained pain (SMP, or "shoulder-hand syndrome") as a result of brachial plexus injury. After confirmatory diagnosis with both stellate local anesthetic block and intravenous phentolamine infusion, the patient had a cervical epidural catheter placed and a local anesthetic infusion started. After numerous unilateral blocks were obtained, a cervical epidurogram demonstrated a probable cervical midline epidural septum. Catheter placement was adjusted, and a successful chemical sympathectomy was performed for 6 days. This resulted in significant relief of the patient's shoulder pain as well as almost complete resolution of the patient's left arm SMP symptoms. This case represents, to our knowledge, the first documentation of the use of phentolamine for the diagnosis of SMP secondary to pathology at a site proximal to that of symptomatology, as well as the first documentation of presumptive cervical midline epidural septum.
Higgs searches in CMS

We present the results of the standard model Higgs boson search in proton-proton collisions at 7 and 8 TeV center of mass energy collected by the Compact Muon Solenoid experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. Data correspond to an integrated luminosity of about 5fb−1 at 7 TeV and another 5fb−1 at 8 TeV. Five decay modes of the Higgs boson are analyzed: γγ, ZZ, WW, τ+τ−, and bb. The observed excess has a significance of 5.0 σ standard deviations at a mass of about 125 GeV, while the expected significance of the standard model Higgs boson at this mass is 5.8 σ. Analysis of γγ and ZZ decay channels, that offer the best mass resolution, yield the measurement of the new particleʼs mass to be 125.3±0.4(stat.)±0.5(syst.)GeV.
Human Ovarian 17β-Hydroxysteroid Oxidoreductase Activity: A Comparison of Normal and Polycystic Ovarian Tissues*

Ovarian tissue and ovarian venous blood were obtained from women undergoing wedge resection, and ovarian tissue was obtained from normally menstruating women who had an oophorectomy for medical reasons. A morphological evaluation was made of the wedged tissue. 17β-Hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase levels were determined as the 17-ketoreductase (17-KR) and 17β-dehydrogenase activities in both normal and wedged tissue. Plasma androstenedione (A) and testosterone (T) levels were measured in the ovarian venous blood. Low, but measurable, 17β-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase activity was found in the mitochondria, microsomes, and cytosol. With whole, cell-free homogenates, mean 17-KR activity was not significantly different in normal tissues and polycystic tissues; mean 17-KR activity of corpora lutea was significantly greater than that of the other tissues. Mean 17β-dehydrogenase activity was not significantly different from 17-KR activity in the tissues studied. Ovarian venous A levels were higher than the reported...
Outfoxing a paradox

Abstract This paper addresses a paradox noted by Kevin Fox, that ‘using a standard definition of cost efficiency, a multi-product firm may be more efficient in producing each product than any other firm, yet it may not be the most efficient firm overall.’ We show why the paradox arises and how to avoid the paradox. Specifically we use the duality between cost functions and the directional distance function to provide a cost measure of efficiency that is nonparadoxical.
Synthesis of 2,7-disubstituted-4,5,9,10-tetraazapyrenes

2,7-Dimethyl-4,5,9,10-tetraazapyrene (VI) was synthesized by the catalytic hydrogenation of 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′,6,6′-tetranitrobiphenyl (IIa) with W-2 Raney nickel in the presence of alkali. 4,4′-Dicarbomethoxy-2,2′,6,6′-tetranitrobiphenyl (IIc) under similar conditions in neutral medium gave 4,4′-dicarbomethoxy-2,2′,6,6′-tetraaminobiphenyl (IV) which on oxidation gave 2,7-dicarbomethoxy-4,5,9,10-tetraazapyrene (V). 2,7-Dimethyl-, 2,7-dimethoxy-, and 2,7-diacetamido-4,5,9,10-tetraazapyrene di-N-oxides (III a,b,c) were obtained by catalytic reduction of the corresponding 4,4′-disubstituted-2,2′,6,6′-tetranitrobiphenyls with W-7 Raney nickel in the presence of alkali. Compound VI on oxidation with hydrogen peroxide gave the di-N-oxide (IIIa).
Handlebar hernia: Diagnosis by abdominal computed tomography

Traumatic "handlebar" hernia, produced by impaction of a bicycle handlebar on the abdominal wall, is a rare entity. Presented is the case of a 7-year-old boy who sustained such a hernia, which contained an incarcerated loop of small bowel. The use of abdominal computed tomography to confirm the diagnosis before operative reduction of the hernia appears to be a safe and efficacious adjunct to physical examination.
DS3: A Dynamic and Smart Spectrum Sensing Technique for Cognitive Radio Networks under denial of service attack

IEEE 802.22 Cognitive Radio Networks (CRN) employ a two-stage quiet period mechanism based on a mandatory Fast Sensing and an optional Fine Sensing stage for Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) during every super frame. However, the two-stage spectrum sensing approach presents an opportunity to malicious users where they can launch a smart Denial of Service (DoS) attack by transmitting a very short jamming signal during the fast sensing stage and thus forcing the CRN to carry out fine sensing, thereby wasting spectrum opportunities for honest Secondary Users (SU). In this paper, we present ‘DS3’: A Dynamic and Smart Spectrum Sensing algorithm, which minimizes the effects of jamming as well as noise on the fast sensing phase of DSA. It improves system's efficiency by striking a balance between spectrum utilization by SUs and delay in the detection of Primary Users' (PU) presence on the spectrum, using a dynamic fine sensing decision algorithm with minimal overhead.