cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of quinoa roasting on sensory and physicochemical properties of allergen-free, gluten-free cakes

Summary The objectives of this study were to determine pasting properties of non-roasted (NR) and roasted quinoa (RQ) and to investigate the effect of RQ on consumer acceptance and physicochemical properties of an allergen-free, gluten-free cake formulation. Quinoa seeds were roasted at 177 °C for 15 (R15), 30 (R30) and 45 min (R45), and flours were analysed for pasting properties. Five cakes including a commercial chocolate cake (CCC) and cakes made with NR and RQ flours were evaluated for preference by fifty panelists. Quality parameters included colour, water activity, moisture content, firmness, weight and height. Peak and final viscosity increased with roasting time. The NR cake had the highest sensory scores for appearance, colour and texture. On flavour and overall acceptability, CCC was the highest. Regarding quality data, CCC, NR and R15 cakes had similar L* values, while CCC had the lowest a*, b*, aw, moisture content and firmness values.
Equivalent midterm outcomes after off-pump and on-pump coronary surgery.

Abstract Objective Multiple reports demonstrate that off-pump surgery reduces the early morbidity associated with coronary artery bypass grafting. To determine if there are any differences in later outcomes, we compared midterm results of propensity-matched patients who underwent off- and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods From January 1997 to July 2000, 481 patients underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting and 3231 underwent on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Propensity matching was used to match 406 patients from each group. Previously, the propensity-matched off-pump patients were found to have had significantly fewer bypass grafts. These 812 patients were followed for time-related events, including death, myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary reoperation, and the combined end point of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, and all coronary reintervention. Follow-up was 95% complete. Results At 4 years, survival was 87.5% after off-pump and 91.2% after on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting ( P = .2); freedom from myocardial infarction was 92.6% and 95.7% ( P = .7), respectively; freedom from percutaneous coronary intervention was 94.3% and 95.5% ( P = .9), respectively; freedom from coronary reoperation was 98.1% and 99.0% ( P = .4), respectively; and freedom from the combined end point of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, and coronary reintervention was 75.2% and 82.9% ( P = .14), respectively. Conclusions Off-pump and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting results in equivalent midterm outcomes. Fewer bypass grafts in the off-pump patients did not decrease survival or increase ischemic events at 4 years.
Small ball probability and Dvoretzky’s Theorem

Large deviation estimates are by now a standard tool in Asymptotic Convex Geometry, contrary to small deviation results. In this note we present a novel application of a small deviations inequality to a problem that is related to the diameters of random sections of high dimensional convex bodies. Our results imply an unexpected distinction between the lower and upper inclusions in Dvoretzky’s Theorem.
Monetary Expansion, International Trade and Capital Accumulation*

This paper considers the long-run domestic and foreign effects of a domestic monetary expansion in a two-country model in which the processes of capital accumulation at home and abroad interact with each other via international trade. We investigate the global stability conditions and their relationship with the comparative dynamic effects of a monetary expansion in the model. In particular, we show that under plausible global stability conditions the early analytical results obtained by Roberts (1978) and Shieh (1984) may be reversed in the two-country model.
A randomized trial comparing beractant and poractant treatment in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

Aim To compare the effects of beractant and poractant in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Methods Infants with RDS were randomized to receive beractant or poractant. The primary outcome measure was fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) requirement in the first 48 h after surfactant therapy. Results 58 infants completed the study. The mean gestational ages for the poractant and beractant groups were 29.6+/-3.6 and 29.3+/-2.9 wk, with average birthweights of 1394+/-699 and 1408+/-534 g, respectively. In the first 48 h, infants who received poractant had a lower FiO2 requirement compared to those who received beractant (p=0.018). The prevalence of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was lower in the group of infants that received poractant (17%) compared to the group that received beractant (45%) (p=0.02). Conclusions Infants with RDS treated with poractant had a lower FiO2 requirement during the first 48 h compared to infants who received beractant. Infants who received poractant also had fewer PDAs than infants who received beractant. The difference in FiO2 was not associated with a difference in age of first extubation, total intubation time, or incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia between groups.
Mass‐Spectrometric Investigation of the Reactions of O Atoms with H2 and NH3

Reaction of molecular hydrogen with oxygen in absence of molecular oxygen at various temperatures, using stirred reactor with mass spectrometer
Evaluation of MR angiography at 7.0 Tesla MRI using birdcage radio frequency coils with end caps

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of MR angiography (MRA) at 7.0 Tesla (T) using optimized birdcage (BC) coils with simple end cap configurations. Shielded 16-rung high-pass BC coils were built with identical geometry and compared with different sizes and locations of end caps. To determine whether the end cap configuration was effective, the signal intensity profiles along the superior–inferior (S–I) direction were analyzed in phantom and in vivo human experiments. The effects were also investigated in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) time-of-flight (TOF) MRA experiments. The signal intensity profiles showed that B1 homogeneity at the service end, that is, the end cap side, was improved as the diameter of the end caps increased and the end cap became closer to the coil end ring. The results of 2D and 3D TOF experiments showed the best improvement of vessel visibility at the BC coil with an 80% end cap, when compared with BC coils with other end cap sizes or without an end cap. In conclusion, the BC coil with an end cap was effective for improving S–I directional homogeneity and suitable for MRA applications, especially at ultrahigh field MRI, such as 7.0T. Magn Reson Med 60:330–338, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A point basis for multivariable piecewise linear interpolation and design centering

Results are given which establish a computational foundation for simplicial approximation and design centering of a convex body. A simplicial polyhedron is used to approximate the convex body and the “design center”, i.e. the point inside the body furthest in some norm from its exterior, is approximated by the point in the polyhedron furthest from its exterior. A point representation of the polyhedron is used, so that there is no necessity for computing or storing the faces of the approximation. Since in N space there can be factorially more faces than points, we are able to achieve significant efficiencies in both operation count and storage requirements, compared to previously reported methods. We give results for the 2 norm and the max norm, and demonstrate that our new method is operable in the nonconvex case, and can handle a mixed basis of faces and points as well.
Abstract IA19: Understanding the dynamics of cancer: From developmental pathways to in vivo imaging

Our research focuses on the signals that control hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal and differentiation, how these signals are utilized during regeneration and how their dysregulation may lead to cancer. Using a multitude of genetic models, we have shown that classic developmental signaling pathways such as Wnt, Hedgehog and Notch play key roles in stem cell growth and regeneration and are dysregulated during leukemia development. In addition, we have used real-time imaging strategies to show that hematopoietic stem cells have the capacity to undergo both symmetric and asymmetric division, and that shifts in the balance between these modes of division are controlled by the microenvironment and subverted by oncogenes. Importantly, we have shown that regulators of this process, including the cell fate determinant Musashi, can promote aggressive cancers and could serve as critical targets for diagnostics and therapy. Most recently, we have developed a high resolution in vivo imaging system that has allowed us to begin to map the behavior and interactions of hematopoietic stem cells with the microenvironment within living animals, and to define how these change during regeneration and cancer formation. Citation Format: Tannishtha Reya. Understanding the dynamics of cancer: From developmental pathways to in vivo imaging. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Invasion and Metastasis; Jan 20-23, 2013; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(3 Suppl):Abstract nr IA19.
Structural, Thermodynamic, and Kinetic Effects of a Phosphomimetic Mutation in Dynein Light Chain LC8

Dynein light chain LC8 is a small, dimeric, very highly conserved globular protein first identified as an integral part of the dynein and myosin molecular motors but now recognized as a dimerization hub with wider significance. Phosphorylation at Ser88 is thought to be involved in regulating LC8 in the apoptotic pathway. The phosphomimetic Ser88Glu mutation weakens dimerization of LC8 and thus its overall ligand-binding affinity, because only the dimer binds ligands. The 1.9 A resolution crystal structure of dimeric LC8(S88E) bound to a fragment of the ligand Swallow (Swa) presented here shows that the tertiary structure is identical to that of wild-type LC8/Swa, with Glu88 well accommodated sterically at the dimer interface. NMR longitudinal magnetization exchange spectroscopy reveals remarkably slow association kinetics (k(on) approximately 1 s(-1) mM(-1)) in the monomer-dimer equilibrium of both wild-type LC8 and LC8(S88E), possibly due to the strand-swapped architecture of the dimer. The Ser88Glu mutation raises the dimer dissociation constant (K(D)) through a combination of a higher k(off) and lower k(on). Using a minimal model of titration linked to dimerization, we dissect the thermodynamics of dimerization of wild-type LC8 and LC8(S88E) in their various protonation states. When both Glu88 residues are protonated, the LC8(S88E) dimer is nearly as stable as the wild-type dimer, but deprotonation of one Glu88 residue raises K(D) by a factor of 400. We infer that phosphorylation of one subunit of wild-type LC8 raises K(D) by at least as much to prevent dimerization of LC8 at physiological concentrations. Some LC8 binding partners may bind tightly enough to promote dimerization even when one subunit is phosphorylated; thus linkage between phosphorylation and dimerization provides a mechanism for differential regulation of binding of LC8 to its diverse partners.
Clinical Results: Radiosurgery and Radiotherapy of Cranial Nerve Schwannomas

Stereotactic radiosurgery and fractionated radiotherapy are two attractive low-morbidity alternatives to surgical resection for managing cranial nerve schwannomas. Treatment outcomes from these radiation treatment approaches are well documented with long-term outcome studies from multiple institutions. Differences in outcome between these two modalities are difficult to define clearly. The low morbidity and high long-term tumor control rates with radiation treatment have made it the choice of many patients who opt for active initial management for small- or medium-sized cranial nerve schwannomas.
White-light coronal transients observed from Skylab May 1973 to February 1974: A classification by apparent morphology

The apparent morphologies of the major coronal mass ejection transients observed during the Skylab mission with the High Altitude Observatory's white-light coronagraph are described and illustrated. The 77 major events are grouped into classes referred to as Loop, Filled Bottle, Material Injected into Streamer, Ray, Cloud, and Streamer Separation events, with 14 being Unclassifiable because of incomplete observations. One example of each class is shown, with references to others described in the literature. A chronological listing of all the events is given.
Initiation of nitromethane with relatively long-duration, low-amplitude shock waves

Abstract The shock initiation to detonation in nitromethane by a nearly rectangular, ∼ 60-kilobar amplitude shock is reported here. The time to the appearance of detonation in three experiments with shocks of nominal initial pressures of 65.62 and 60 kilobars was approximately 10, 16, and 20 μsec, respectively. Additionally, evidence is reported of chemical reaction in or near the shock front which appears to accelerate the shock front and to reduce the time to initiation as it has generally been calculated.
Unipolar brush cells of the cerebellum are produced in the rhombic lip and migrate through developing white matter.

Unipolar brush cells (UBCs) are glutamatergic interneurons in the cerebellar cortex and dorsal cochlear nucleus. We studied the development of UBCs, using transcription factor Tbr2/Eomes as a marker for UBCs and their progenitors in embryonic and postnatal mouse cerebellum. Tbr2+ UBCs appeared to migrate out of the upper rhombic lip via two cellular streams: a dorsal pathway into developing cerebellar white matter, where the migrating cells dispersed widely before entering the internal granular layer, and a rostral pathway along the cerebellar ventricular zone toward the brainstem. Ablation of the rhombic lip in organotypic slice cultures substantially reduced the production of Tbr2+ UBCs. In coculture experiments, Tbr2+ UBCs migrated from rhombic lip explants directly into the developing white matter of adjacent cerebellar slices. The origin of Tbr2+ UBCs was confirmed by colocalization with β-galactosidase expressed from the Math1 locus, a molecular marker of rhombic lip lineages. Moreover, the production of Tbr2+ UBCs was Math1 dependent, as Tbr2+ UBCs were severely reduced in Math1-null cerebellum. In reeler mutant mice, Tbr2+ UBCs accumulated near the rhombic lip, consistent with impaired migration through developing white matter. Our results suggest that UBCs arise from the rhombic lip and migrate via novel pathways to their final destinations in the cerebellum and dorsal cochlear nucleus. Our findings support a model of cerebellar neurogenesis, in which glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons are produced from separate progenitor pools located mainly in the rhombic lip and the cerebellar ventricular zone, respectively.
Phase imaging of cells by simultaneous dual-wavelength reflection digital holography

We present a phase-imaging technique to quantitatively study the three-dimensional structure of cells. The method, based on the simultaneous dual-wavelength digital holography, allows for higher axial range at which the unambiguous phase imaging can be performed. The technique is capable of nanometer axial resolution. The noise level, which increases as a result of using two wavelengths, is then reduced to the level of a single wavelength. The method compares favorably to software unwrapping, as the technique does not produce non-existent phase steps. Curvature mismatch between the reference and object beams is numerically compensated. The 3D images of SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells are presented.
Retrolental Fibroplasia in Full-Term Infants Without Exposure to Supplemental Oxygen

We observed retinal folds identical in appearance to Grade 3 cicatricial retrolental fibroplasia in three infants at birth. In two of them we observed the active lesion of acute retrolental fibroplasia in the fellow eye at birth. These observations lead us to suggest that the active lesion of retrolental fibroplasia can occur in utero and progress to cicatrization in the absence of any obvious precipitating factor.
Isotopy and geotopy for ternary rings of projective planes

Abstract We investigate the question of when two ternary rings coordinatize the same finite projective plane. Necessary and sufficient conditions are obtained for right quasifields and for right distributive linear rings whose multiplicative loop is a group.
How we will treat chronic myeloid leukemia in 2016

article i nfo Imatinib will become generic in 2016; assuming that its price will decrease precipitously, we expect that the economic forces will change our current practice habits. We reviewed the literature on the current recommen- dations to treat chronic myeloid leukemia and highlight how we plan to deal with these changes. Specifically, we propose to better characterize patients according to prognostic scores, to allow more attention to those at high risk for disease progression, e.g., 3-month guidelines and BCR/ABL1 message half-time, emphasize compli- ance by using contemporary technologies, and increase the importance of early monitoring. We hope that our message will open communication between providers, insurance companies and healthcare authorities to offer the best care for our patients.
Retinoic acid regulates cell cycle progression and cell differentiation in human monocytic THP-1 cells.

All-trans-retinoic acid (RA), a natural metabolite of retinol, carries out most of the biological activities of vitamin A and is required for normal growth, cell differentiation, and immune functions. In the present studies, THP-1 human monocytes were used to investigate the mechanisms by which RA may regulate progression through the G1/S phase of the cell cycle. Physiological concentrations of all-trans-RA reduced the levels of cyclin E mRNA by 6 h and reduced cyclin E protein in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Similar reductions were observed for the retinoic acid receptor RARα and RXRα proteins. Concomitantly, RA increased the level of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 (Kip-1). The levels of retinoblastoma mRNA and protein (pRb) were also increased, while the proportion of hyperphosphorylated (phosphoserine 807/811) pRb was markedly reduced. Overall, RA increased the functionality of pRb as an inhibitor of cell cycle progression. Furthermore, RA reduced the binding activity of the transcription factor E2F to its core DNA element. Retinoic acid-induced changes in cell cycle-related proteins occurred in 4–6 h, including reduced cyclin E expression in bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-labeled cells, before the onset of cell differentiation as indicated by an increase in the percentage of G1 phase cells and a reduction in S phase cells at 24 h. The expression of CD11b, a cell surface marker of macrophage-like differentiation was increased by RA, as was phagocytic activity. The multiple effects of RA on cell cycle progression may help to explain its well-documented ability to induce the differentiation of THP-1 cells, and thereby to enhance macrophage-like immune functions.
Modeling ion sensing in molecular electronics

We examine the ability of molecules to sense ions by measuring the change in molecular conductance in the presence of such charged species. The detection of protons (H+), alkali metal cations (M+), calcium ions (Ca2+), and hydronium ions (H3O+) is considered. Density functional theory (DFT) is used within the Keldysh non-equilibrium Green's function framework (NEGF) to model electron transport properties of quinolinedithiol (QDT, C9H7NS2), bridging Al electrodes. The geometry of the transport region is relaxed with DFT. The transport properties of the device are modeled with NEGF-DFT to determine if this device can distinguish among the M+ + QDT species containing monovalent cations, where M+ = H+, Li+, Na+, or K+. Because of the asymmetry of QDT in between the two electrodes, both positive and negative biases are considered. The electron transmission function and conductance properties are simulated for electrode biases in the range from −0.5 V to 0.5 V at increments of 0.1 V. Scattering state analysis i...
Low even configurations in the first spectrum of thorium (Th I)

Positions of twenty-one observed levels in the 6d/sup 2/ 7s/sup 2/ and 6d/sup 3/ 7s configurations of Th I are calculated with a mean error of plus or minus 143 cm/sup -1/ , by use of seven adjustable parameters. This mean error is reduced to plus or minus 47 cm/sup -1/ by use of the L(L + 1) correction in a calculation with eleven adjustable parameters. The agreement between observed and calculated g-values is satisfactory. The parameters are compared with ones already published for related configurations in the spectra of Th II and Th III. With one exception, similarly defined parameters show a roughly linear variation with the degree of ionization, in accordance with simple expectation. The effect of neglecting the 6d/sup 4/ configuration in Th I is briefly discussed to explain this exception. (auth)
Fictions of the Cosmos. Science and Literature in the Seventeenth Century

Frederique Ait-Touati's ambitious work analyzes an array of astronomical and literary texts in order to argue that ‘the history of astronomy … (is) the history of the novel’ (p. 95). In doing so, s...
The in vitro cell culture age and cell density of articular chondrocytes alter sulfated-proteoglycan biosynthesis.

The effect of cell culture age and concomitant changes in cell density on the biosynthesis of sulfated-proteoglycan by rabbit articular chondrocytes in secondary monolayer culture was studied. Low density (LD, 2 d), middle density (MD, 5-7 d), and high density (HD, 12-15 d) cultures demonstrated changes in cellular morphology and rates of DNA synthesis. DNA synthesis was highest at LD to MD densities, but HD cultures continued to incorporate [3H]-thymidine. LD cultures incorporated 35SO4 into sulfated-proteoglycans at a higher rate than MD or LD cultures. The qualitative nature of the sulfated-proteoglycans synthesized at the different culture ages were analyzed by assessing the distribution of incorporated 35SO4 in associative and dissociative CsCI density gradients and by elution profiles on Sepharose CL-2B. Chondrocytes deposited into the extracellular matrix (cell-associated fraction) 35SO4-labeled proteoglycan aggregate. More aggregated proteoglycan was found in the MD and HD cultures than at LD. A 35SO4-labeled aggregated proteoglycan of smaller hydrodynamic size than that found in the cell-associated fraction was secreted into the culture medium at each culture age. The proteoglycan monomer (A1D1) of young and older cultures had similar hydrodynamic sizes at all cell culture ages and cell densities. The glycosaminoglycan chains of A1D1 were hydrodynamically larger in the younger LD cultures than in the older HD cultures and consisted of only chondroitin 6 and 4 sulfate chains. A small amount of chondroitin 4,6 sulfate was detected, but no keratan sulfate was measured. The A1D2 fractions of young LD cultures contained measurable amounts of dermatan sulfate; no dermatan sulfate was found in older MD or HD cultures. These studies indicated that chondrocytes at LD synthesized a proteoglycan monomer with many of the characteristics of young immature articular cartilage of rabbits. These results also indicated that rapidly dividing chondrocytes were capable of synthesizing proteoglycans which form aggregates with hyaluronic acid. Culture age and cell density appears primarily to modulate the synthesis of glycosaminoglycan types and chain length. Whether or not these glycosaminoglycans are found on the same or different core proteins remains to be determined.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in an endemic Hawaiian planthopper ( Nesosydne chambersi : Delphacidae)

We have isolated and characterized 17 microsatellite loci for the endemic Hawaiian planthopper Nesosydne chambersi (Delphacidae), a member of a large Hawaiian Nesosydne radiation. Thirty individuals from one population and 10 individuals from two populations across the species’ range were tested to investigate polymorphism. The observed loci contained two to nine alleles per locus. Expected heterozygosity within this species ranged from 0.2 to 0.85. These markers will be used to assess intraspecific differentiation and population structure within N. chambersi.
Three pulse stimulated photon echo experiments as a probe of polar solvation dynamics: Utility of harmonic bath models

The three pulse photon echo peak shift technique was used to study solvation dynamics in acetonitrile (297 K), methanol (297 and 323 K), and ethylene glycol (297 and 397 K) utilizing the tricarbocyanine laser dye, IR144, as a probe. The spectral density, ρ(ω), governing the solute-solvent interaction was obtained for each solvent and temperature through numerical fitting of the three pulse photon echo peak shift relaxation using finite temporal-duration optical fields. An ultrafast three pulse photon echo peak shift relaxation, ascribed to the inertial component, was nearly identical for ethylene glycol at 297 and 397 K; this indicates the spectral density is essentially temperature independent from 10 to 250 cm−1 over this temperature range. Conversely, the low-frequency spectral density (0–10 cm−1) obtained from three pulse photon echo peak shift relaxation of ethylene glycol at 297 and 397 K showed a strong temperature dependence which cannot be predicted using harmonic bath models. We calculated spect...
Determination of stability constants of stannous fluoride complexes by potentiostatic titration

The stability constants for stannous fluoride complexes were determined by potentiostatic titration. The method involves incremental additions of fluoride wherein each addition is followed by titration with stannous such that there is no change in the electromotive force developed between the fluoride ion and the reference electrodes. The values obtained were β1 = 4 × 103, β2 = 1.1 × 107, and β3 = 1 × 109. The results of this work suggest that the potentiostatic method would be useful for determining stability constants in complexation systems involving an ion for which a specific ion electrode is available.
Plasticity and genotypic variation in photosynthetic behaviour of an early and a late successional species of Polygonum

Rates of photosynthesis were measured in each of six replicated genotypes for each of two Polygonum species at five light and seven temperature levels. The early successional species, Polygonum pensylvanicum L., exhibited higher rates of photosynthesis and a more sun-tolerant behavior compared to its later successional relative, Polygonum virginianum L., results that are consistent with previously observed successional trends. Quantitative comparisons of individual genotype plasticity and between-genotype variation indicate that, in general, plasticity contributes more to population flexibility in photosynthetic response of these species than does between-genotype variation. However, the relative contribution of between-genotype variation was found to vary depending on the environmental variable and species studied. Between-genotype variation assumed greater importance in the temperature response than in the light response. Similarly between-genotype variation was more important in P. virginianum than in P. pensylvanicum supporting the notion that later successional species are less plastic. These results establish that significant levels of photosynthetic variation occur even within populations.
A genetic analysis of nicotine effects on open field activity

The genetics of the effects of nicotine on the open field activity of mice were studied using a 5 by 5 diallel cross. The five inbred strains used were: A, BALB, C57BL, DBA, and C3H. These strains differ both in basal open field activity as well as activity after injection of nicotine. Analysis of the results of baseline activity indicated that both additive and dominance variance affected the activity of the animals. The dominance was non-directional. Likewise, the responses observed after injection of 0.75 mg/kg nicotine displayed both additive and dominance components. However, after correcting the results for differences in basal activity, the dominance item was primarily directional. This directional dominance was towards a more intense response to the effects of the drug, that is, a decrease in open field activity.
The biology of deception: The reluctance to accept the cognitive animal

Cognitive ability did not appear de novo in man. Despite our ability to recognize limited cognitive behavioral characteristics in animals, there has been no outcry to proclaim this phenomenon. Man's image of himself solely possessing cognition has taken advantage of the illusory potential in intersubjectivity and placed him outside of reality. This deception, however, has positive survival value since it is man's self-proclaimed responsibility to excel beyond other simple animal species. However, at this point in evolution, we must allow our cognitive ability to reform itself and, in so doing, evolve with the benefit of the knowledge that this ability is itself creating. By recognizing that animals may have limited cognitive ability, we only enhance our self-esteem, not diminish it.
Going to the next level: Health care's evolving expectations for evidence

Rhinologic literature has historically relied on lower levels of evidence to make prescriptive recommendations for use of new technology and procedures. However, as the medical profession has moved to embrace the principles of evidence-based medicine, expectations for minimum standards of evidence have risen. The resulting high-quality efficacy outcomes data have become the linchpin of informed decision making by physicians, payers, and health care systems. While many challenges remain in this transition to higher evidence expectations, none are insurmountable. It has become the responsibility of the organized medical profession to play a role in influencing and supporting production of high-quality outcomes research.
Distribution of the salt marsh snail ( Melampus bidentatus Say) in relation to marsh plants in the Poropotank River area, Virginia

The distribution and abundance of the salt marsh snail (Melampus bidentatus Say) was related to the distribution of marsh plants within a Virginia estuary. The animal was found in association with 10 species of marsh phanerogams, occurring with three plant species more than 50 percent of the time. These plants wereDistichlis spicata, Spartina patens, and the short form ofSpartina alterniflora.
Absolute Equivalence and Dirac Operators of Commuting Tuples of Operators

In this paper we define an equivalence relation of operators on Hilbert spaces which we call absolute equivalence. Two operators are called absolutely equivalent if both the absolute value of the operators and their adjoints are unitarily equivalent. We then use the properties of this equivalence relation to study the Koszul complex of a commuting tuple of operators through the Dirac operator of the tuple.
ACP Journal Club. PCI using drug-eluting stents had higher mortality than CABG in diabetes and multivessel CAD.

Source Citation Farkouh ME, Domanski M, Sleeper LA, et al; FREEDOM Trial Investigators. Strategies for multivessel revascularization in patients with diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2012;367:2375-84. 23121323
A class of multivariate skew-normal models

The existing model for multivariate skew normal data does not cohere with the joint distribution of a random sample from a univariate skew normal distribution. This incoherence causes awkward interpretation for data analysis in practice, especially in the development of the sampling distribution theory. In this paper, we propose a refined model that is coherent with the joint distribution of the univariate skew normal random sample, for multivariate skew normal data. The proposed model extends and strengthens the multivariate skew model described in Azzalini (1985,Scandinavian Journal of Statistics,12, 171–178). We present a stochastic representation for the newly proposed model, and discuss a bivariate setting, which confirms that the newly proposed model is more plausible than the one given by Azzalini and Dalla Valle (1996,Biometrika,83, 715–726).
Forced response of a cantilever beam with a dry friction damper attached, part I: Theory

Abstract A theoretical-experimental study of the forced vibration response of a cantilevered beam with Coulomb damping non-linearity is described. Particular emphasis is placed upon the types of non-linear behavior and system response spectral characteristics observed theoretically and experimentally, upon the design of the experimental apparatus and the utilization of associated instrumentation, and upon the methodology developed for system calibration. Several system configurations are explored, with similarities and deviations analyzed and discussed. This paper, Part I, is devoted to the theory and the companion paper, Part II [1] to the experiments including correlation with theory.
SU-D-500-01: TCP-Driven Biological Planning for High-Dose Rate Brachytherapy

Purpose: Tumor control probability(TCP) measures the probability that no malignant cells are left in the affected organ. It is an important clinical metric for measuring treatment success. Zaider and Minerbo provide a complex yet important TCP formalism which links the treatment duration, dose deposit, radiobiology of tumor cells and cell life characteristics. We perform feasibility tests on TCP‐driven biological planning for high‐dose‐rate brachytherapy(HDR) where the objective maximizes TCP of the treatment plans. Plan robustness is tested, and plan quality and potential outcome significance are evaluated. Methods: CT and 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose based‐PET images are obtained for 15 cervical cancer patients. All received prior external‐beam radiation. The CTV prescribed dose is 5Gy for 4 fractionations, with the PET‐identified pockets prescribed an escalated‐dose ranging from 7.5–9.0Gy per fraction. The treatment model determines the dwell time and seed location that maximizes TCP while constraining PTV coverage, the lower/upper dose, and dose‐volume shape for organs‐at‐risk and PTV. We contrast the standard HDR plan and PET‐pocket escalated plan. Results: TCP ranges from 48–63% for standard plans versus 82–99% for PET‐guided escalated plans. The increase is most significant with the smallest PET‐identified pockets. Uniformly, urethra and rectum receive 5–8% reduced dose. There is marginal difference in PTV dose between standard and escalated plans. All resulting TCP‐driven plans are clinically acceptable. Conclusion: TCP can be a very important objective for treatment plan optimization. With advances in biological/functional imaging, there is an urgent need to incorporate radiobiological parameters and TCP within planning. This study marks the first use of TCP as the driving objective for treatment planning. The optimization problem is very difficult to solve and requires computational breakthroughs. The resulting plans improve significantly the overall local tumor control, and reduce organs‐at‐risk dose. Rush University began clinical studies in 2011. A long term outcome study must be carried out to gauge the overall impact.
An evaluation of estimates of underenumeration in the census and the age pattern of mortality, Philadelphia, 1880.

The schedule of mortality by age for Philadelphia’s 1880 population classified by sex and race showed aberrations from Coale and Demeny West, South, and North model life tables. Deviations from standard age patterns of mortality were especially pronounced for the black population. The question addressed in this paper is whether the alternative age patterns of mortality are produced by underenumeration in the 1880census or by actual variations in the age-specific mortality experience. The conclusion was reached that the underenumeration of the urban population, especially the blacks, exceeds estimates for the national population. In addition, the results indicated that the black population faced risks of dying that genuinely differed from standard age patterns. An attempt to use a Brass logit model to generalize the black mortality experience met with success for females but not for males.
Steiner's problem and fagnano's result on the sphere

This note describes the nature of optimal solutions for the spherical Steiner-Weber location problem for the case of unit weights and either 3 or 4 demand points (requireing 4 demand points to lie in an open hemisphere). Geometrically appealing results which are necessary conditions for optimum solutions and spherical analogs of known planar results are obtained.
LABORATORY MEASUREMENTS OF THE Fe XVII 2p-3s AND 2p-3d TRANSITIONS AND COMPARISON WITH SOLAR AND ASTROPHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS

The L-shell emission spectrum of Fe XVII is measured in high-temperature laboratory plasmas, and the inferred intensities of the 3s → 2p transitions relative to those of the dominant 3d → 2p transition are compared to solar observations, as well as to observations of Capella, Procyon, Castor C, II Pegassi, and NGC 4636 with the Chandra and XMM-Newton X-ray observatories. The results from laboratory and astrophysical plasmas are in very good agreement, indicating that the collisional line formation processes found in low-density, high-temperature laboratory plasmas are a good description of those found in astrophysical plasmas. The laboratory observations disagree, however, to varying degrees with spectral modeling calculations. A review of existing laboratory measurements suggests that the intensity of the dominant 3d → 2p transition is overestimated by spectral modeling predications. By calibrating spectral models with laboratory data, especially by decreasing the strength of the dominant 3d → 2p transition, spectral models can be brought into agreement with the majority of solar and astrophysical observations. Without doing so, opacity effects may be grossly overestimated.
Self-assembly of water insoluble polymers into Colloidal Unimolecular Polymer (CUP) particles of 3–9 nm

Abstract Colloidal Unimolecular Polymer, CUP, particles were synthesized and characterized as a potential new and useful spheroidal polymer conformation for a variety of applications. Also known as single chain nanoparticles, these nanomaterials are gaining in popularity. The route to CUP particle formation is an innovative approach utilizing a small number of hydrophilic groups along a hydrophobic polymer backbone which transitions from a random coil conformation in organic solvent to a hard sphere in water through a slow gradient with subsequent solvent removal. The CUP particles have diameters which are proportional to their molecular weights and range typically from 3 nm to over 9 nm. These CUP particles were stable in water and free of solvent or surfactants. The sodium or potassium salts of CUP particles are spheroidal and are able to be dried then re-dissolved in water with no aggregation, unlike the original polymer. The diameters of the CUP particles correlate with the absolute number average molecular weight (Mn) and distributions from the GPC. Molecular weights from 28K to 122K are reported here and are based on an acrylic copolymer having a molar ratio of 9:1 MMA:MAA.
Chagas’ Disease and Ventricular Aneurysms

A 55-year-old woman presented with shortness of breath and palpitations. She had a history of heart damage with an arrhythmia, which had been detected 16 years previously when she was living in South …
Effect of temperature, photoperiod, and feeding on the rate of tail regeneration in a semiaquatic plethodontid salamander

Abstract Salamander tail autotomy improves survival, but loss of the tail can subsequently be costly. For example, burst swimming speed is significantly slower after autotomy in desmognathan salamanders, which may increase predation risk in aquatic habitats. However, any long-term cost of tail loss is contingent on the rate of tail regeneration. To examine variation among seasons and environments in the cost of tail autotomy, we tested the effect of temperature, photoperiod, and feeding on tail-length re-growth in the semiaquatic plethodontid salamander Desmognathus conanti . Eight experimental groups ( n =15 each, equivalent in body size) were tested. After acclimation for four weeks at one of two temperatures (either 10 °C or 20 °C) and one of two photoperiods (either L:D 9.5:14.5 h or 14.5:9.5 h), 60% of the tail length was autotomized for each individual. After autotomy, each experimental group was maintained under unique conditions of temperature (either 10 °C or 20 °C), photoperiod (either L:D 9.5:14.5 h or 14.5:9.5 h), and feeding (either fasting or weekly feeding). The length of the regenerated tail portion for each individual was measured each week until the group with the fastest re-growth had regenerated 50% of the lost tail length. Low temperature had a large, negative effect, fasting had a small, negative effect, but photoperiod had no significant effect on tail re-growth. The large thermal effect resulted from a combination of delayed initiation of tail-length re-growth and reduced regeneration rate thereafter at low temperature. We conclude that the cost of salamander tail autotomy differs among seasons and environments based on variation in temperature and food availability.
Building a Network to Empower Teachers for School Reform

Reform efforts in college mathematics teaching are often hindered by the fact that many instructors have never experienced instructional delivery methods other than lecture. Building a network of college mathematics faculty interested in reform has provided the impetus for faculty members to incorporate problem solving, cooperative learning, technology, manipulatives, writing, and alternative means of assessment into courses for preservice elementary teachers. Suggestions for setting up a network are intended to provide guidance for other departments wishing to stimulate reform movements.
The relationship between age, processing speed, working memory capacity, and language comprehension

A total of 50 elderly individuals and 48 college students were tested on several measures of processing speed and of working memory capacity. Language processing was tested with an on-line measure of sentence processing efficiency, an end-of-sentence acceptability judgement task, and a paragraph comprehension test. Elderly individuals performed more poorly than college students on the speed of processing and working memory measures and had longer listening times overall on the sentence processing measures. Elderly individuals did not, however, have overall longer listening times at the most capacity-demanding regions of the harder sentence types. Correlational analyses failed to establish a relationship between the increase in syntactic processing load at the capacity-demanding region of the harder sentence type and the measures of working memory capacity, but did establish a relationship between paragraph comprehension and working memory capacity. The data are argued to provide evidence that the WM system used to structure sentences syntactically is separate from that used in other aspects of language comprehension.
Minimization of jet and core noise of a turbojet engine by swirling the exhaust flow

A noise abating improvement for jet engines has been investigated and demonstrated using a full scale turbojet engine which provided the means for significant reductions in jet and core noise with minimal thrust loss. This was accomplished by controlled solid body rotation (swirling) of the flow in the nozzle and jet exhaust. Relatively moderate angles of solid body rotation in the presence of temperature, density, pressure, and velocity gradients were utilized. Of great interest was the finding that significant reductions of sound pressure levels and sound power were obtained with only a small percentage of the total primary mass flow swirling at the exit of the nozzle. Therefore, tradeoffs between noise reduction and engine performance can be optimized to satisfy aircraft performance and federal noise standards with minimal wasted rotational kinetic energy.
Assessing student learning in instructional technology: dimensions of a learning model

A study of methods to assess student learning in instructional technology courses was conducted using an IT learning model that consists of four dimensions. Static assessment and dynamic assessment methods were employed to assess student (a) attitudes toward technology, (b) learning and use of technology, (c) technology integration, and (d) self-mastering and teaching technology.
A three-dimensional finite element model of the human anterior cruciate ligament: a computational analysis with experimental validation

Abstract In this study, the force and stress distribution within the anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL) bundles of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in response to an anterior tibial load with the knee at full extension was calculated using a validated three-dimensional finite element model (FEM) of a human ACL. The interaction between the AM and PL bundles, as well as the contact and friction caused by the ACL wrapping around the bone during knee motion, were included in the model. The AM and PL bundles of the ACL were simulated as incompressible homogeneous and isotropic hyperelastic materials. The multiple-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) knee kinematics of a cadaveric knee were first obtained using a robotic/universal force–moment sensor testing system. These data were used as the boundary conditions for the FEM of the ACL to calculate the forces in the ACL. The calculated forces were compared to the in situ force in the ACL, determined experimentally, to validate the model. The validated FEM was then used to calculate the force and stress distribution within the ACL under an anterior tibial load at full extension. The AM and PL bundles shared the force, and the stress distribution was non-uniform within both bundles with the highest stress localized near the femoral insertion site. The contact and friction caused by the ACL wrapping around the bone during knee motion played the role of transferring the force from the ACL to the bone, and had a direct effect on the force and stress distribution of the ACL. This validated model will enable the analysis of force and stress distribution in the ACL in response to more complex loading conditions and has the potential to help design improved surgical procedures following ACL injuries.
The effects of proton exposure on neurochemistry and behavior

Future space missions will involve long-term travel beyond the magnetic field of the Earth, where astronauts will be exposed to radiation hazards such as those that arise from galactic cosmic rays. Galactic cosmic rays are composed of protons, alpha particles, and particles of high energy and charge (HZE particles). Research by our group has shown that exposure to HZE particles, primarily 600 MeV/n and 1 GeV/n 56Fe, can produce significant alterations in brain neurochemistry and behavior. However, given that protons can make up a significant portion of the radiation spectrum, it is important to study their effects on neural functioning and on related performance. Therefore, these studies examined the effects of exposure to proton irradiation on neurochemical and behavioral endpoints, including dopaminergic functioning, amphetamine-induced conditioned taste aversion learning, and spatial learning and memory as measured by the Morris water maze. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received a dose of 0, 1.5, 3.0 or 4.0 Gy of 250 MeV protons at Loma Linda University and were tested in the different behavioral tests at various times following exposure. Results showed that there was no effect of proton irradiation at any dose on any of the endpoints measured. Therefore, there is a contrast between the insignificant effects of high dose proton exposure and the dramatic effectiveness of low dose (<0.1 Gy) exposures to 56Fe particles on both neurochemical and behavioral endpoints. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of COSPAR.