cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mathematical Modeling of Indoor Air Contaminant Concentrations

Several physical-chemical mathematical models have been popularized as an exposure estimation method for occupational indoor air contaminants. Although direct air sampling is preferred traditionally, there are situations in which monitoring is not feasible. In such cases, mathematical modeling has been developed to estimate exposure intensity. Because modeling is theoretical and based on explicit assumptions, many occupational hygienists believe that modeling exposure estimates are too uncertain. The present study finds that the air sampling needs a statistical approach that eliminates investigator bias. The three elements of a physical-chemical model have also been addressed. Keywords: indoor air contaminants; statistical analysis; dispersion pattern; well-mixed room (WMR)
Synthesis and Diastereoselective Alkylation of Pseudoephedrine Amides

Synthesis and diastereoselective alkylation of pseudoephedrine amides intermediate: (1S,2S)-pseudoephedrinepropionamide product: (1S,2S)-pseudoephedrine-(R)-2-methylhydrocinnamamide Keywords: acylation; alkylation, C-alkylation; stereoselective reactions, diastereoselective
A CLASS OF RUIN PROBLEMS

Von Bahr (1974) and others have investigated the ruin problem of insurance risk in the case where the total amount of claims received by the company is formulated as a compound renewal process. Such processes, under the name of renewal-reward processes, were introduced by Jewell (1967), who extended to them the fluctuation theory of random walks. In this paper we establish further results for compound renewal processes and apply them to Von Bahr’s ruin problem and also to a generalized model in which the gross risk premium is represented by a subordinator with a drift, while the claim process is a compound renewal process.
Vehicle-mounted STAR antenna isolation performance

Vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems promise enhanced safety for passengers, but require access to a crowded wireless spectrum to enable their data links. Simultaneous Transmit and Receive (STAR) systems can facilitate this spectrum access by increasing the number of users within a given frequency band. Since high isolation is needed for STAR system operation, the effect of mounting a STAR antenna on a vehicle is investigated in this paper. The omni-directional antennas isolation performance was measured to be 53 dB at 2.45 GHz across a 60 MHz bandwidth, which confirms that the vehicle does not significantly degrade isolation performance.
Development of a many-body Tersoff-type potential for silicon.

An empirical potential for silicon recently introduced by Tersoff has been found to be unusable for global structural calculations since the bcc structure has lower energy than the diamond structure, by roughly 1 eV/atom, with this potential. Simulated annealing optimization studies of the fitting parameters to the quantum-mechanical data base for silicon reveal that serious structural pathologies (relative to the behavior of silicon) cannot be avoided. We introduce a modification of the Tersoff potential which retains the accurate treatment of surface and defect properties exhibited by that potential but which yields a reasonable fit to the bulk and high-density structural properties of silicon. The resulting potential can be used for global structural calculations.
Dengue virus infection and immune response in humanized RAG2−/−γc−/− (RAG-hu) mice

Dengue viral (DENV) pathogenesis and vaccine studies are hampered by the lack of an ideal animal model mimicking human disease and eliciting an adaptive human immune response. Although currently available animal models have been very useful in dissecting some key aspects of disease pathogenesis, a major limitation with these is the lack of a human immune response. In this study, we sought to overcome this difficulty by utilizing a novel mouse model that permits multi-lineage human hematopoiesis and immune response following transplantation with human hematopoietic stem cells. To generate immunocompetent humanized mice, neonatal RAG2−/−γc−/− mice were xenografted with human CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells, resulting in de novo development of major functional cells of the human adaptive immune system. To evaluate susceptibility to dengue viral infection, humanized mice were challenged with DEN-2 serotype. Viremia lasting up to 3 weeks was detected in infected mice with viral titers reaching up to 106.3 RNA copies/ml. Fever characteristic of dengue was also noted in infected mice. Presence of human anti-dengue antibodies was evaluated using an antibody capture ELISA. Anti-dengue IgM was first detected by 2 weeks post-infection followed by IgG at 6 weeks. Sera from some of the infected mice were also found to be capable of dengue virus neutralization. Infected mouse sera showed reactivity with the viral envelope and capsid proteins in immunoprecipitation assay. These results demonstrate for the first time that humanized mice are capable of dengue viral primary human immune responses thus paving the way for new dengue immunopathogenesis and vaccine studies.
Differential validity of the MMPI-2 Subtle and Obvious scales with psychiatric inpatients: Scale 2

The construct and concurrent validity of the MMPI-2 Scale 2 Subtle and Obvious scales were examined for a group of 67 psychiatric inpatients. Validity coefficients for the Obvious scale were uniformly greater than those for the Full and Subtle scales. Subtle scale validity coefficients were negative and attenuated the validity of the Full clinical scale. Use of Obvious items resulted in more accurate prediction of assessed suicide risk, while inclusion of the Subtle items did not add any useful information in the prediction of assessed suicide risk or psychiatric diagnosis. It is recommended that future research that uses the MMPI-2 basic clinical scales examine the differential validity of the Subtle and Obvious scales.
The protective role of coping and social resources for depressive symptoms among young adolescents

Early adolescence is a period of the life course involving high levels of challenge that are stressful for some, perhaps resulting in depressive symptoms. In this study, adolescents were divided into four groups based on indices of depression and negative life events. Group differences in coping style, mastery, optimism, and social resources as well as group differences in patterns of change were investigated. Participants were 458 adolescents in sixth and seventh grade from a rural working class community. Subjects were assessed twice over a one-year period. Analyses revealed that the four groups were characterized by different levels of coping and social resources. Asymptomatic youth reported higher levels of optimism, mastery, active coping, and more positive relationships with parents and peers than did symptomatic adolescents. These same characteristics distinguished the resilient adolescents from the vulnerable adolescents, suggesting potential stress-buffering effects. One year later, the adolescents who were low on both depressive symptoms and negative life events continued to report more individual and contextual resources than the adolescents in the other groups.
Reactive Ion Etching Of Silicon Dioxide

The etch rates of thermally grown and CVD-deposited silicon dioxide were studied in three different reactive ion etch reactors, parallel plate, hexode and single wafer. Carbon-fluorine chemistry was used, and each reactor operated at 13.56 MHz. Assuming the etch rate to be a linear function of the DC bias and using an empirical relationship between bias and the ratio of pressure to power, a good correlation for the rate in each reactor was obtained. In addition, it was found that by plotting a normalized etch rate against the pressure to power ratio, data from all three reactors, as well as other data reported in the literature, could be correlated by a single line for each oxide.
Inverse scattering using the Heitler equation

The problem of determining a scattering potential from scattered field data is addressed within the two integral equation formulation of scattering theory first proposed by Goldberger (1964). The lowest-order approximation within this formulation casts the inverse problem entirely in terms of the Heitler equation which relates the on-shell T matrix directly to the scattering potential. This lowest-order approximation is applied to the case of non-relativistic quantum mechanical inverse scattering from one-dimensional local potentials and is found to yield an exact solution for the case of a one-dimensional delta function potential.
The Social Memoir: An Analysis of Developing Reflective Ability in a Pre-Service Methods Course.

Abstract This descriptive study uses narrative analysis to examine the nature and quality of pre-service teachers’ initial attempts at reflection via the genre of memoir writing in a social studies methods course. The paper begins by reviewing other uses of narrative reflection and autobiographical writing in teacher education. This is followed by an explanation of how students develop a memoir as part of their social studies course work and the methodology employed by the researchers to examine these texts. The paper concludes with an analysis of the findings accompanied by a discussion of the educational significance of this study in initiating reflection through autobiographical writing.
Diagnosis of intussusception by physician novice sonographers in the emergency department

Study objective We investigate the performance characteristics of bedside emergency department (ED) ultrasonography by nonradiologist physician sonographers in the diagnosis of ileocolic intussusception in children. Methods This was a prospective, observational study conducted in a pediatric ED of an urban tertiary care children's hospital. Pediatric emergency physicians with no experience in bowel ultrasonography underwent a focused 1-hour training session conducted by a pediatric radiologist. The session included a didactic component on sonographic appearances of ileocolic intussusception, review of images with positive and negative results for intussusceptions, and a hands-on component with a live child model. On completion of the training, a prospective convenience sample study was performed. Children were enrolled if they were to undergo diagnostic radiology ultrasonography for suspected intussusception. Bedside ultrasonography by trained pediatric emergency physicians was performed and interpreted as either positive or negative for ileocolic intussusception. Ultrasonographic studies were then performed by diagnostic radiologists, and their results were used as the reference standard. Test characteristics (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values) and likelihood ratios were calculated. Results Six pediatric emergency physicians completed the training and performed the bedside studies. Eighty-two patients were enrolled. The median age was 25 months (range 3 to 127 months). Thirteen patients (16%) received a diagnosis of ileocolic intussusception by diagnostic radiology. Bedside ultrasonography had a sensitivity of 85% (95% confidence interval [CI] 54% to 97%), specificity of 97% (95% CI 89% to 99%), positive predictive value of 85% (95% CI 54% to 97%), and negative predictive value of 97% (95% CI 89% to 99%). A positive bedside ultrasonographic result had a likelihood ratio of 29 (95% CI 7.3 to 117), and a negative bedside ultrasonographic result had a likelihood ratio of 0.16 (95% CI 0.04 to 0.57). Conclusion With limited and focused training, pediatric emergency physicians can accurately diagnose ileocolic intussusception in children by using bedside ultrasonography.
Long term (1960–2010) trends in groundwater contamination and salinization in the Ogallala aquifer in Texas

Summary Although numerous studies have expounded on depletion of the Ogallala aquifer, very few researchers have studied groundwater quality therein which relates to the ‘usability’ of available groundwater resources. The objective of this study was to elucidate regional trends in groundwater quality and salinization in the Ogallala aquifer, underlying 49 counties and two Groundwater Management Areas (GMA 1 and 2) in Texas, on a decadal scale between 1960 and 2010. Contrasting groundwater quality distinguished GMA 1 (northern Ogallala) from GMA 2 (southern Ogallala), and shallow wells (depth 50 m) wells. The GMA 2 was characterized by pronounced groundwater nitrate (NO 3 − ) contamination accompanied by elevated levels of sulfate (SO 4 2− ), chloride (Cl − ) and salinity (TDS), marked by an abundance of mixed cation SO 4 –Cl and Na–Cl facies. In contrast, Ca–Mg–HCO 3 and Ca–HCO 3 facies prevailed in GMA 1 with substantially lower salinization, SO 4 2− , Cl − and NO 3 contamination. In shallow wells, more abundant in GMA 2, about 80% and 32% of observations exceeded the United State Environmental Protection Agency’s Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL, 500 mg L −1 ) for total dissolved solids (TDS) and MCL (44 mg L −1 ) for NO 3 , respectively in the 2000s (2000–2010), with progressive increases in both parameters since the 1960s (1960–1969). Majority (>60%) of the shallow observations since the 1980s (1980–1989) have exceeded the natural background of 11 mg L −1 of NO 3 − indicating anthropogenic sources, The NO 3 − contamination was more apparent in domestic wells indicating substantial human health risk. Groundwater salinization in this aquifer resulted from a combination of natural (e.g. upwelling of highly mineralized groundwater from the underlying formations, seepage from playas and saline plumes, and evaporative enrichment) and anthropogenic processes (irrigated agriculture and hydrocarbon exploration activities). Natural processes were largely aggravated by anthropogenic practices such as lowering of hydraulic heads in the Ogallala aquifer due to prolonged irrigational pumping, inducing cross-formational flow from underlying highly mineralized older formations (Edwards Trinity (High Plains)) which led to groundwater mixing between the formations and rise in salinity levels in the Ogallala aquifer over time.
OPTIMAL PLANE CHANGES IN TIDALLY PERTURBED ENVIRONMENTS

For planetary satellite orbiters (such as the Europa Orbiter) and planet orbiters (such as the Mercury Messenger Mission), tidal forces can induce large changes in orbital elements over one orbit. The longitude of the ascending node and the argument of periapsis of a transfer orbit can be viewed as control variables since they have a strong influence on the dynamics, and can be set to an arbitrary precision by proper timing. In this paper we investigate some aspects of the practical application of transfer maneuvers in a strongly perturbed tidal environment with a focus on plane change maneuvers. In particular, transfers involving an ellipse cannot be considered without taking the tidal forces into account, and two and three impulse transfers must be replaced by tidally driven transfers. These tidally driven plane changes are shown to be optimal over classical plane change maneuvers for plane changes larger than , replacing the classical optimality of bi-elliptic transfers over the one impulse plane changes in the case of tidally perturbed environments. The investigation is performed by solving an optimization problem with constraints and using the Hill three body problem for the underlying dynamics. Savings on the order of are obtained when compared to the one impulse transfers for plane changes of and plane changes of are shown to be possible (with savings).
Solving convex optimization with side constraints in a multi-class queue by adaptive $$c\mu $$cμ rule

We study convex optimization problems with side constraints in a multi-class $$M/G/1$$ M / G / 1 queue with controllable service rates. In the simplest problem of optimizing linear costs with fixed service rate, the $$c\mu $$ c μ rule is known to be optimal. A natural question to ask is whether such simple policies exist for more complex control objectives. In this paper, combining the achievable region approach in queueing systems and the Lyapunov drift theory suitable to optimize renewal systems with time-average constraints, we show that convex optimization problems can be solved by variants of adaptive $$c\mu $$ c μ rules. These policies greedily re-prioritize job classes at the end of busy periods in response to past observed delays in each job class. Our method transforms the original problems into a new set of queue stability problems, and the adaptive $$c\mu $$ c μ rules are queue stable policies. An attractive feature of the adaptive $$c\mu $$ c μ rules is that they use limited statistics of the queue, where no statistics are required for the problem of satisfying average queueing delay in each job class.
Abstract 3596: Globally, minorities are at increased risk for lung cancer

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Purpose of Study: To determine whether identifiable minority populations in countries of the six regions of the world experience higher incidence rates of lung cancer than do the members of the majority population of those countries. Experimental procedures: The WHO website has codified the world's continents into six regions including Africa, Americas, South East Asia, Europe, The Eastern Mediterranean and the Western Pacific. This definition of world regions was used for this study. Data were available from five of the six regions. Countries were ordered in each region according to population density. In each region, at a minimum, the 10 most densely populated countries were included. A minority population group was defined as a numerically smaller proportion of a population differing from the majority by a specific identifiable characteristic. Minority and majority populations were defined according to the CIA world fact book and the minority rights group international. Each country was evaluated separately for incidence rates of lung cancer within both minority and majority populations. Codified study data were included for a country only if the data met the following specific criteria: (1) the data had to be presented in its original form using a case-control or cohort methodology; (2) lung cancer incidences had to be reported as an outcome. Data were only included for analysis if it were published as a case-control or cohort study with appropriate references in a peer-reviewed journal. No data from non -peer reviewed articles were considered. Results: Table 1: Lung cancer incidence rates in minority and majority populations from countries included in the top ten of the most densely populated of five world regions. Conclusions: Globally, minority populations experience much higher incidence rates for lung cancer within a country than do the majority population. We hypothesize that this is due to marginalization of these minority groups which may lead to increased smoking in the minority group members as a coping mechanism. ![Figure][1] Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3596. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3596 [1]: pending:yes
Comparison of calculated and experimental isotope edited FTIR difference spectra for purple bacterial photosynthetic reaction centers with different quinones incorporated into the QA binding site

Previously we have shown that ONIOM type (QM/MM) calculations can be used to simulate isotope edited FTIR difference spectra for neutral ubiquinone in the QA binding site in Rhodobacter sphaeroides photosynthetic reaction centers. Here we considerably extend upon this previous work by calculating isotope edited FTIR difference spectra for reaction centers with a variety of unlabeled and 18O labeled foreign quinones incorporated into the QA binding site. Isotope edited spectra were calculated for reaction centers with 2,3-dimethoxy-5,6-dimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone (MQ0), 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-1,4-benzoquinone (duroquinone, DQ), and 2,3-dimethyl-l,4-naphthoquinone (DMNQ) incorporated, and compared to corresponding experimental spectra. The calculated and experimental spectra agree well, further demonstrating the utility and applicability of our ONIOM approach for calculating the vibrational properties of pigments in protein binding sites. The normal modes that contribute to the bands in the calculated spectra, their composition, frequency and intensity, and how these quantities are modified upon 18O labeling, are presented. This computed information leads to a new and more detailed understanding/interpretation of the experimental FTIR difference spectra. Hydrogen bonding to the carbonyl groups of the incorporated quinones is shown to be relatively weak. It is also shown that there is some asymmetry in hydrogen bonding, accounting for 10-13 cm-1 separation in the frequencies of the carbonyl vibrational modes of the incorporated quinones. The extent of asymmetry H-bonding could only be established by considering the spectra for various types of quinones incorporated into the QA binding site. The quinones listed above are “tail-less”. Spectra were also calculated for reaction centers with corresponding “tail” containing quinones incorporated, and it is found that replacement of the quinone methyl group by a phytyl or prenyl chain does not alter ONIOM calculated s
Hypocalcemia as a complication of radioiodine therapy.

A 38-year-old woman presented to the otolaryngology clinic 1 month after delivery of a healthy baby. During the pregnancy, the patient noted an enlarged neck mass that was slightly more prominent on the right side. She was asymptomatic, and thyroid function tests were within normal limits. Examination of the neck revealed a 6 X 4-cm mass of the right thyroid lobe and a Zx 4-cm mass of the left lobe. A fine-needle aspiration was performed on the mass, and papillary carcinoma was diagnosed. After discussing the options, the patient elected to undergo subtotal thyroidectomy, which was performed on March 6, 1997. A firm, 1.5cm lymph node was palpated in the right paraesophageal region and was excised. Both recurrent laryngeal nerves and three parathyroid glands were identified and preserved. The patient did well following surgery and experienced no immediate complications. Pathology showed a multifocal papillary carcinoma involving both lobes. The right lobe excisional margin was positive for tumor as well. The excised paratracheal lymph node was positive. No parathyroid glands were identified in the specimen. The patient’s calcium levels were followed during her hospital stay. Twelve hours into her
Solvation effects on the 31P-NMR chemical shifts and infrared spectra of phosphate diesters

The effects of organic solvents on the 31P-mr chemical shifts of various phosphate diesters have been investigated in water and mixed-organic solvent systems. The addition of organic solvents to cyclic phosphates and to diethyl phosphate causes large upfield shifts of the phosphorus resonance which are attributed to solvent-induced changes in the local hydration of the phosphodiester group. This is consistent with the fact that there is an inverse correlation between the hydrogen-bond-donating ability of the solvents and the magnitude of the shifts they induce. Other possible interpretations, such as solvent-induced ion pairing and solvent-induced conformational changes, appear to be eliminated. Fourier-transform ir study of the cyclic nucletides reveals that there are also large solvent-induced shifts in the frequency of the antisymmetric OPO stretching frequency, and a comparison of the two types of measurements indicates that there is a linear correlation between shifts observed in the ir and in the 31P-nmr spectra. With UpU, the solvent-induced 31P-nmr shifts are ∼3 times smaller than those observed with the cyclic phosphates and the solvent-induced shift of the OPO band is reduced (factor of ∼1.7) as compared with the cyclic phosphates. With the single-stranded polynuclotides, poly(C) and poly(U), the solvent-induced shifts in both the nmr and ir are quite small (∼0.1 ppm and ∼1 cm−1). The very small solvent effects observed with poly(U) and poly(C) are attributed to a combination of steric effects and a polyelectrolyte effect which maintains a high density of counterions with waters of hydration in the vicinity of the charged backbone and makes the phosphates much less susceptible to solvent-induced changes in hydration.
Planet formation in small separation binaries: not so excited after all

Existence of planets is binaries with relatively small separations (around 20 AU), such as \alpha Centauri or \gamma Cephei poses severe challenges to standard planet formation theories. The problem lies in the vigorous secular excitation of planetesimal eccentricities at separations of several AU, where some of the planets are found, by the massive, eccentric stellar companions. High relative velocities of planetesimals preclude their growth in mutual collisions for a wide range of sizes, from below 1 km up to several hundred km, resulting in fragmentation barrier to planet formation. Here we show that rapid apsidal precession of planetesimal orbits, caused by the gravity of the circumstellar protoplanetary disk, acts to strongly reduce eccentricity excitation, lowering planetesimal velocities by an order of magnitude or even more at 1 AU. By examining the details of planetesimal dynamics we demonstrate that this effect eliminates fragmentation barrier for in-situ growth of planetesimals as small as < 10 km even at separations as wide as 2.6 AU (semi-major axis of the giant planet in HD 196885), provided that the circumstellar protoplanetary disk is relatively massive, ~0.1 M_Sun.
Estimation of Pareto's Law from Grouped Observations

Abstract The problem of estimating the scale parameter in the Pareto distribution from grouped observations is considered. Several estimators—the maximum likelihood estimator and four variants of least squares—are evaluated. Most of these have identical BAN properties but require nonlinear computations. A linearized BAN estimator is constructed, and numerical illustrations are provided.
Ultra-wideband microstrip quasi-horn antenna

The development of a novel ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna is reported. The antenna, based on a microstrip transmission line, forms a quasi-horn and possesses an extremely wide bandwidth of many decades with relatively high gain. It does not require a balun or transition at the input port and is inherently matched. Two such antennas, when used as transmit and receive elements, have a high isolation between them, even when they are placed next to each other and no absorbing material is used. Measured results show a return loss of better than 10 dB from 0.2 to more than 20 GHz, gain from 7.5 dBi at 2.6 GHz to 17.6 dBi at 18 GHz, and good radiation patterns. Although not measured, the antenna should also perform well at much higher frequencies than 18 GHz. With proper size and shape, the antenna can achieve a relatively flat gain response over an extremely wide bandwidth. Calculated and measured radiation patterns also agree reasonably well.
Development of a respiratory burst assay using zebrafish kidneys and embryos

The innate immune response constitutes the first line of defense against invading pathogens and consists of a variety of immune defense mechanisms including the respiratory burst of phagocytes. Respiratory burst can be used as a reliable measure of the immune response of a host, and numerous assays have been developed to measure this response in a variety of mammal and fish species. Phagocytes, like granulocytes and macrophages, that are derived from different tissues, or grown in cell culture, have been employed in a range of assay formats employing a variety of detection methods. The small size of the zebrafish has prevented the large-scale extraction of these cells for respiratory burst assays in the zebrafish. In this work, we describe a respiratory burst assay developed for the zebrafish using intact kidneys and embryos as sources of phagocytes. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-inducible reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected following the oxidation of a non-fluorescent dye 2',7'-dihydrodichlorofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA) to dichlorofluorescein (DCF), a fluorescent product. Embryos from 1 day post-fertilization until 5 days post-fertilization (dpf) were employed in this assay. Abrogation of H2DCFDA oxidation by the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide I (BisI) indicated a reduction in the respiratory burst. Fluorescence from the PMA-induced respiratory burst in kidneys and embryos was significantly elevated above DMSO-treated controls, while preincubation with BisI inhibited the increase in fluorescence. Colocalization of cell-associated chloromethyl-dihydrodichlorofluorescein diacetate (CM-H2DCFDA) with the phagocyte-selective dye neutral red is consistent with the observation that macrophages and granulocytes are the ROS-producing cells in the zebrafish.
Dopamine: Stimulation-Induced Release from Central Neurons

Dopamine, synthesized in rat brain slices from labeled L-tyrosine or L-dopa, can be released by electrical stimulation of a type known to induce neuronal depolarization. Pretreatment of the animals with 6-hydroxydopamine, which destroys central catecholamine-containing nerve terminals, substantially reduced the release of dopamine synthesized from [14C]tyrosine or from a low concentration of [3H]dopa, whereas the release of dopamine formed from a high concentration of [3H]dopa remained essentially unchanged. The observations that at high concentrations L-dopa may enter noncatecholaminergic cells, undergo decarboxylation to dopamine, and subsequently be liberated in response to depolarization suggest that dopamine may act as a substitute central transmitter, possibly in serotonergic neurons. This mechanism may contribute to L-dopa9s clinical effects in parkinsonian patients.
Behavioral and psychosocial cancer research in the underserved: An agenda for the future

Background. This research was undertaken to review the status of behavioral and psychosocial cancer research in the underserved. Methods. The author extensively reviewed the literature related to behavioral and psychosocial cancer research in the underserved for this article. The author's experience as the Principal Investigator for the only National Institutes of Health smoking cessation study targeting Asian-Americans also was used in analyzing the literature and developing an agenda for the future. Results. Two questions and accompanying agenda items were addressed. The underserved were defined, and the effect of being underserved was illustrated through their disproportionate and earlier (younger) presence in morbidity and mortality statistics
Liu and Ridge Estimators-A Comparison

Liu (1993) proposed an estimator that is similar in form but different from the ridge regression estimator of Hoerl and Kennard. More recently, Ozkale and Kaciranlar (2007) proposed a two-parameter variation of the Liu estimator. This new estimator has a number of interesting properties. First, like the ridge estimator, it is a special case of the linear Bayes, mixed and the minimax estimators. Second, it can be expressed as a convex linear combination of the ridge and the least square estimators. Third, it is an optimal estimator given a prior mean and dispersion when averaged over Zellner's balanced loss function. Fourth, the Liu estimator, ridge regression estimator, and least square estimator are all special cases. The relevant optimization problems, prior assumptions, and the resulting estimators and a comparison of their efficiencies will be presented in this article.
Mechanisms of the reactions of chloromethanes with trimethylstannylsodium. Synthesis of tetrakis[trimethylstannyl]methane.

Abstract The reactions of CCl4, CHCl3, and CH2Cl2 with trimethylstannylsodium in tetraglyme have been examined. Tetrakis[trimethylstannyl]methane can be obtained by reaction with CCl4 in yields of about 40%. Among other products which have been characterized in varying degree are the following: trichloromethyltrimethylstannane, bis[trimethylstannyl]dichloromethane, tris[trimethylstannyl]methane, and hexamethyldistannane, The first step in the reaction leads to the formation of the trichloromethyl anion, and dichlorocarbene has been trapped with 2,3- dimethyl-2-butene. Dichlorobis[trimethylstannyl]methane reacts with Me3SnNa to form tetrakis[trimethylstannyl]methane in 85% yield. When the reaction was carried out in the presence of t -butyl alcohol the only product formed was bis[trimethylstannyl]methane, indicating carbanionic intermediates. Chloroform yields tetrakis[trimethylstannyl]methane and bis[trimethylstannyl]methane, but no detectable tris[trimethylstannylmethane. Trapping experiemtns with 3-pentanol and 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene indicate the intermediacy of dichloromethyl anion and of dichlorocarbene. Methylene chloride yields bis[trimethylstannyl]methane. No intermediates could be trapped by added alcohol.
Aiding Faculty Research Through Convenience in the Interlibrary Loan Department

The Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Department at Murray State University has developed convenient methods to aid faculty members in their research. Various means of communication and programs, such as Campus Delivery, Document Delivery, and “Free ILL,” have allowed faculty members to see the wide variety of research resources that are available through interlibrary loan. These methods have been used as key public relations tools to promote library resources and services, and have strengthened the relationship between faculty members and the Interlibrary Loan Department at Murray State University.
Reply to Comment on “Unraveling the Causes of Radiation Belt Enhancements”

Numerous current systems contribute to the magnetic perturbations used to calculate the Dst index. Ionospheric and field-aligned current effects are minimized, although not always well [e.g., Friedrich et al., 1999], by averaging measurements from a worldwide chain of low-latitude stations. The index is imperfect, but it has been shown that Biot-Savart magnetic perturbations from magnetospheric currents derived from in situ particle observations can account for most of the Dst variation [Greenspan and Hamilton, 2000; Turner et al., 2001; Jorgenson et al., 2004].
Activation of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa AlgU Regulon through mucA Mutation Inhibits Cyclic AMP/Vfr Signaling

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that causes acute, invasive infections in immunocompromised individuals and chronic, persistent respiratory infections in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). The differential progression of acute or chronic infections involves the production of distinct sets of virulence factors. P. aeruginosa strains isolated from patients with acute respiratory infection are generally nonencapsulated and express a variety of invasive virulence factors, including flagella, the type III secretion system (T3SS), type IV pili (TFP), and multiple secreted toxins and degradative enzymes. Strains isolated from chronically infected CF patients, however, typically lack expression of invasive virulence factors and have a mucoid phenotype due to the production of an alginate capsule. The mucoid phenotype results from loss-of-function mutations in mucA, which encodes an anti-sigma factor that normally prevents alginate synthesis. Here, we report that the cyclic AMP/Vfr-dependent signaling (CVS) pathway is defective in mucA mutants and that the defect occurs at the level of vfr expression. The CVS pathway regulates the expression of multiple invasive virulence factors, including T3SS, exotoxin A, protease IV, and TFP. We further demonstrate that mucA-dependent CVS inhibition involves the alternative sigma factor AlgU (AlgT) and the response regulator AlgR but does not depend on alginate production. Our findings show that a single naturally occurring mutation leads to inverse regulation of virulence factors involved in acute and persistent infections. These results suggest that mucoid conversion and inhibition of invasive virulence determinants may both confer a selective advantage to mucA mutant strains of P. aeruginosa in the CF lung.
Electrolytic trichloroethene degradation using mixed metal oxide coated titanium mesh electrodes

Abstract Electrochemical systems provide a low cost, versatile, and controllable platform to potentially treat contaminants in water, including chlorinated solvents. Relative to bare metal or noble metal amended materials, dimensionally stable electrode materials such as mixed metal oxide coated titanium (Ti/MMO) have advantages in terms of stability and cost, important factors for sustainable remediation solutions. Here, we report the use of Ti/MMO as an effective cathode substrate for treatment of trichloroethene (TCE). TCE degradation in a batch reactor was measured as the decrease of TCE concentration over time and the corresponding evolution of chloride; notably, this occurred without the formation of commonly encountered chlorinated intermediates. The reaction was initiated when Ti/MMO cathode potentials were less than −0.8 V vs. the standard hydrogen electrode, and the rate of TCE degradation increased linearly with progressively more negative potentials. The maximum pseudo-first-order heterogeneous rate constant was approximately 0.05 cm min−1, which is comparable to more commonly used cathode materials such as nickel. In laboratory-scale flow-though column reactors designed to simulate permeable reactive barriers (PRBs), TCE concentrations were reduced by 80–90%. The extent of TCE flux reduction increased with the applied potential difference across the electrodes and was largely insensitive to the spacing distance between the electrodes. This is the first report of the electrochemical reduction of a chlorinated organic contaminant at a Ti/MMO cathode, and these results support the use of this material in PRBs as a possible approach to manage TCE plume migration.
Elimination of leverage measurements via matrix stretching

Some of the measurements of a power system may have a much stronger influence on the state estimate than others due to their location, the local measurement redundancy, the network topology, and parameters. Such measurements, referred to as leverage measurements, will distort the solution of the least absolute value estimation, when they carry bad data. This paper presents a matrix stretching method by which leveraging effects of injection measurements can be eliminated. Simulation results are included to show the effectiveness of the method on typical power systems.
PRMT3 Is a Distinct Member of the Protein Arginine N-Methyltransferase Family CONFERRAL OF SUBSTRATE SPECIFICITY BY A ZINC-FINGER DOMAIN

Abstract S-Adenosyl-l-methionine-dependent protein arginine N-methyltransferases (PRMTs) catalyze the methylation of arginine residues within a variety of proteins. At least four distinct mammalian family members have now been described, including PRMT1, PRMT3, CARM1/PRMT4, and JBP1/PRMT5. To more fully define the physiological role of PRMT3, we characterized its unique putative zinc-finger domain and how it can affect its enzymatic activity. Here we show that PRMT3 does contain a single zinc-finger domain in its amino terminus. Although the zinc-liganded form of this domain is not required for methylation of an artificial substrate such as the glutathione S-transferase-fibrillarin amino-terminal fusion protein (GST-GAR), it is required for the enzyme to recognize RNA-associated substrates in RAT1 cell extracts. The recombinant form of PRMT3 is inhibited by high concentrations of ZnCl2 as well as N-ethylmaleimide, reagents that can modify cysteine sulfhydryl groups. We found that we could distinguish PRMT family members by their sensitivity to these reagents; JBP1/PRMT5 and Hsl7 methyltransferases were inhibited in a similar manner as PRMT3, whereas Rmt1, PRMT1, and CARM1/PRMT4 were not affected. We were also able to define differences in these enzymes by their sensitivity to inhibition by Tris and free arginine. Finally, we found that the treatment of RAT1 cell extracts with N-ethylmaleimide leads to a loss of the major PRMT1-associated activity that was immune to inhibition under the same conditions as a GST fusion protein. These results suggest that native forms of PRMTs can have different properties than their GST-catalytic chain fusion protein counterparts, which may lack associated noncatalytic subunits.
Stable transformation of plastids in higher plants

Abstract Stable genetic transformation of the plastid genome is reported in a higher plant, Nicotiana tabacum. Plastid transformation was obtained after bombardment of leaves with tungsten particles coated with pZS148 plasmid DNA. Plasmid pZS148 (9.6 kilobases) contains a 3.7-kilobase plastid DNA fragment encoding the 16S rRNA. In the 16S rRNA-encoding DNA (rDNA) a spectinomycin resistance mutation is flanked on the 5' side by a streptomycin resistance mutation and on the 3' side by a Pst I site generated by ligating an oligonucleotide in the intergenic region. Transgenic lines were selected by spectinomycin resistance and distinguished from spontaneous mutants by the flanking, cotransformed streptomycin resistance and Pst I markers. Regenerated plants are homoplasmic for the spectinomycin resistance and the Pst I markers and heteroplasmic for the unselected streptomycin resistance trait. Transgenic plastid traits are transmitted to the seed progeny. The transgenic plastid genomes are products of a multistep process, involving DNA recombination, copy correction, and sorting out of plastid DNA copies.
Susceptibility to chlorhexidine of plaque streptococci after two years oral chlorhexidine hygiene

The purpose of the present study was to examine if streptococci, isolated from human dental plaque in experimental subjects having practiced 2 years daily oral chlorhexidine hygiene, showed any difference in susceptibility to chlorhexidine compared to plaque streptococci isolated from a control group. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of chlorhexidine were determined using the broth dilution test tube method. From an 18 h culture of each strain in brain heart infusion, 0.2 ml were inoculated into 5 ml brain heart infusion with added chlorhexidine to final concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 μg per ml. Three months later identical tests were performed. In both tests strains of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus milleri and Streptococcus salivarius were found to be the most susceptible to chlorhexidine, showing MIC around 4 μg chlorhexidine per ml. Strains resembling S. milleri appeared slightly less susceptible than strains identified as S. milleri. The majority of the S. sanguis strains had MIC ranging from 8 to 16 μg per ml. This species was slightly more susceptible than a group of streptococci intermediary to S. sanguis and S. mitior, while the susceptibility of the S. mitior strains ranged from 4 to more than 64 μg per ml. A difference in susceptibility to chlorhexidine between strains isolated from the chlorhexidine group and the control group was only observed for S. sanguis. Strains of this species isolated from the chlorhexidine group showed higher MIC than did strains isolated from the control group.
MIDTARSAL BLOCK FOR SURGERY OF THE FOREFOOT

An alternative approach to anaesthesia of the forefoot is described whereby injections were performed at the midtarsal level rather than above the ankle joint as previously advocated. The technique provided complete forefoot anaesthesia, and was considered easier and less cumbersome to perform. Ankle tourniquet pain was not observed.
Impact Welding of Aluminum to Copper and Stainless Steel by Vaporizing Foil Actuator: Effect of Heat Treatment Cycles on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure

This work studies the mechanical property effect of microstructure on impact welds of aluminum alloy AA6061 with both copper alloy Cu 110 and stainless steel AISI 304. AA6061-T6 and T4 temper aluminum sheets of 1 mm thickness were launched toward copper and stainless steel targets using the vaporizing foil actuator technique. Flyer plate velocities, measured via photonic Doppler velocimetry, were observed to be approximately 800 m/s. The welded aluminum-copper samples were subjected to instrumented peel testing, microhardness testing, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The welded joints exhibited cracks through their continuous intermetallic layers. The cracks were impeded upon encountering a ductile metallic wave. The welds created with T6 temper flyer sheets were found to have smaller intermetallic-free and wavy interface regions as compared to those created with T4 temper flyer sheets. Peel strength tests of the two weld combinations resulted in failure along the interface in the case of the T6 flyer welds, while the failure generally occurred in the parent aluminum for the T4 temper flyer welds. Half of the T4 flyer welds were subjected to aging for 18 h at 433 K (160 °C) to convert the aluminum sheet to the T6 condition. Although the aged flyer material did not attain the hardness of the as-received T6 material, it was found to be significantly stronger than the T4 material. These welds retained their strength after the aging process, and diffusion across the interface was minimal. The welded aluminum-stainless steel samples were analyzed on a more basic level than aluminum-copper samples, but were found to exhibit similar results.
Open-loop and closed-loop control of posture: A random-walk analysis of center-of-pressure trajectories

A new conceptual and theoretical framework for studying the human postural control system is introduced. Mathematical techniques from statistical mechanics are developed and applied to the analysis and interpretation of stabilograms. This work was based on the assumption that the act of maintaining an erect posture could be viewed, in part, as a stochastic process. Twenty-five healthy young subjects were studied under quite-standing conditions. Center-of-pressure (COP) trajectories were analyzed as one-dimensional and two-dimensional random walks. This novel approach led to the extraction of repeatable, physiologically meaningful parameters from stabilograms. It is shown that although individual stabilograms for a single subject were highly variable and random in appearance, a consistent, subject-specific pattern emerged with the generation of averaged stabilogram-diffusion plots (mean square COP displacement vs time interval). In addition, significant inter-subject differences were found in the calculated results. This suggests that the steady-state behavior of the control mechanisms involved in maintaining erect posture can be quite variable even amongst a population of age-matched, anthropometrically similar, healthy individuals. These posturographic analyses also demonstrated that COP trajectories could be modelled as fractional Brownian motion and that at least two control systems-a short-term mechanism and a long-term mechanism-were operating during quit standing. More specifically, the present results suggest that over short-term intervals open-loop control schemes are utilized by the postural control system, whereas over long-term intervals closed-loop control mechanisms are called into play. This work strongly supports the position that much can be learned about the functional organization of the postural control system by studying the steady-state behavior of the human body during periods of undisturbed stance.
Converted wave imaging of the Toba Caldera, Indonesia

[1] Receiver functions calculated from data recorded by the 1995 PASSCAL Toba Seismic Experiment in northern Sumatra, Indonesia and the permanent station PSI reveal the presence of a low seismic velocity zone at between 8 and 14 km depth, which is interpreted to be the top of a magma reservoir. The Moho under the Toba caldera lies near 30 km with a localized thickened region that reaches 39 km beneath the eastern edge of the caldera with an abrupt shallowing to the northeast. This thickened crust may be where hot gabbroic material underplates the base of the crust to serve as the heat source for shallower volcanism. Alternatively, the thickened crust and Moho offset may be due to localized crustal thickening when this region was situated in a sharp restraining bend of a now extinct segment of the Sumatran fault.