cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanistic studies of the metabolic chiral inversion of (R)-ibuprofen in humans.

The metabolic chiral inversion of R-(-)-ibuprofen has been studied in human subjects by means of specific deuterium labeling and stereoselective gas chromatography-mass spectrometry methodology. After simultaneous p.o. administration of a mixture of R-(-)-ibuprofen (300 mg) and R-(-)-[3,3,3-2H3]ibuprofen (304 mg) to four adult male volunteers, the enantiomeric composition and deuterium content of the drug in serum, and of the drug and its principal metabolites in urine, were followed over a period of 24 hr. The results of these analyses indicated that: 1) conversion of R-(-)- to S-(+)-ibuprofen takes place with complete retention of deuterium at the beta-methyl (C-3) position; 2) chiral inversion of R-(-)-[2H3]ibuprofen is not subject to a discernible deuterium isotope effect; and 3) replacement of the beta-methyl hydrogen atoms by deuterium has no effect on any of the serum pharmacokinetic parameters for R-(-)- or S-(+)-ibuprofen. These data indicate that the process whereby R-(-)-ibuprofen undergoes metabolic inversion in human subjects does not involve 2,3-dehydroibuprofen as an intermediate, and that the underlying mechanism cannot, therefore, entail a desaturation/reduction sequence.
Precise system stabilization at SLC using dither techniques

A data acquisition method has been developed at the SLAC Linear Collider (SLC) that provides accurate beam parameter information using sub-tolerance excitation and synchronized detection. This is being applied to several SLC sub-systems to provide high speed feedback on beam parameters such as linac output energy spread. The method has significantly improved control of the linac energy spread. The linac average phase offset (/spl phi/), used to compensate the effects of longitudinal wakefields, is adjusted /spl plusmn/1 control bit (about 0.18/sup ./ S-band or 20% of tolerance), in a continuous fashion. Properly coordinated beam energy measurements provide a measure of the derivative of the accelerating voltage (dE/d/spl phi/). The position of the beam on the RF wave can thus be determined to /spl plusmn/0.3/sup ./ in about 5 seconds. The dithering does not contribute significantly to the energy jitter of the SLC and therefore does not adversely affect routine operation. Future applications include control of the interaction region beam size and orientation. >
Design Optimization of Trench Index Profile for the same dispersion characteristics with SMF

An optimized design on a trench index profile for bend-insensitive SMF is presented. The same dispersion characteristic with standard SMF with ultra low bending loss has been realized by optimization of trench index profile.
Study of host immunological resistance to syngeneic lymphoma using whole body irradiation.

Abstract Certain tumors have been considered non-antigenic or weakly antigenic because no host reaction was elicited after serial exposure to tumors. Experiments using repeated exposures to a syngeneic mouse lymphoma revealed that no host resistance was elicited after exposure to heavily irradiated (HI) killed tumor. However, easily detectable differences in tumor susceptibility were found using irradiated tumors when they were assayed in normal and sublethal, total body irradiated mice. Irradiated animals always developed a larger proportion of tumors than normal animals. Marked amplification of this host immunity was shown by serial graded exposures to viable tumors grafts, and it was possible to establish virtually complete immunity to tumor challenge by this method. Thus, whole-body radiation was a sensitive means of detecting the minimally antigenic properties of the LSA lymphoma in syngeneic C57BL mice. This method should be useful for the study of other weakly antigenic tumors.
IDENTIFICATION, THE SELF, AND AUTONOMY

Autonomy, we suppose, is self-regulation or self-direction. There is a distinct idea that is easily confused with self-direction, namely, self-expression, self-fulfillment, or self-realization. (I do not mean to suggest that the latter three terms are all synonymous. But in this essay, whatever differences there are among them play no role, so I will use them interchangeably.) Although it will turn out paradoxically that autonomy is neither self-regulation nor self-realization, it is reasonable to suppose that the former is a superior candidate. My teacher of Indian religion, Dr. Subodh Roy, blind from birth, chose not to undergo an operation that would have made him sighted because he believed, perhaps rightly, that the ability to see would interfere with his religious quest. He thereby chose not to realize one of his fundamental human capacities, one whose cultivation has produced some of the finest fruits of civilization. Joseph Raz describes a case in which a man places his life in jeopardy by undertaking a trip to deliver medical aid to a group of people in a distant place. Since he will be unable to secure food for several days, he, in effect, subordinates one of his own basic needs or interests to a goal that he deems more important. There is no reason to believe that, in refusing to express or realize a dimension of self, either Dr. Roy or Raz's philanthropist have failed to act autonomously.
High-Velocity Wind Measurements Using Synthetic Aperture Radar

The change in accuracy of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) near-surface wind measurements as a function of increasing wind speed is assessed by matching satellite SAR measurements with wintertime buoy measurements in the Bering Sea. For wind speeds less than 15 m/s, SAR-buoy wind speed comparisons show biases less than 1 m/s with standard deviations less than 2.5 m/s. For wind speeds from 15 to 25 m/s, SAR wind measurements have a positive bias above 2 m/s and somewhat more scatter when compared to buoy winds. For winds larger than 25 m/s, the accuracy of SAR winds is not well known. Very few buoy matches are available. Comparisons of SAR winds with hurricane model winds and aircraft measurements are still in a preliminary stage, but indicate that improved algorithms are needed.
A Structural Model for Souvenir Consumption, Travel Activities, and Tourist Demographics

Structural equation modeling (LISREL 8) was used to test the causal relationships between tourist travel motivations (travel activities and tourist demographics) and souvenir consumption (souvenir products, product attributes, and store attributes). A survey containing Likert-type scales was used in collecting data from 398 tourists who had traveled to Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. Using factor analysis, dimensions were identified for scales used in the study: souvenir products, product attributes, store attributes, and travel activities. Results indicated that the travel activities of tourists had positive correlations with souvenir consumption, while tourist demographics had no correlation. Thus, retailers who can identify the travel activities of their tourist customer should do so to provide a better souvenir product mix with appealing attributes sold in an appealing environment. By using identified travel activities, retailers can partner with lodging facilities, restaurants, and tourism b...
Potential Competition and the American Antitrust Legislation of 1914

The concepts of actual and potential competition as natural checks on trusts are examined through the literature which accompanied the framing and passage of the Chyton and Federal Trade Commission acts. The contributions of professional economists to these discussions are especially significant in the evolution of the public policies ultimately adopted.
Sonographic target sign in neurofibromas.

Neurofibromas are the most common tumors of the peripheral nerves. They may be solitary lesions, multiple localized lesions, or large plexiform masses often associated with neurofibromatosis. Relatively few reports discuss the sonographic features of PNST, specifically neurofibromas.1–7 The typical sonographic description is that of a well defined, homogeneous hypoechoic lesion, which can show posterior acoustic enhancement mimicking a cystic lesion.1,3,4 We present a case of neurofibromatosis in a 19 year old man, which was initially diagnosed by ultrasonography. We describe the ultrasonographic findings that we believe correspond to the so-called target sign on T2-weighted MR imaging examinations. The appearance on T2-weighted MR images is reported as increased signal intensity peripherally and decreased signal intensity centrally.8–10 A target sign appearance was seen sonographically in numerous lesions, demonstrating a hyperechoic central region and a hypoechoic periphery.
Wealth distributions in asset exchange models

A model for the evolution of the wealth distribution in an economically interacting population is introduced, in which a specified amount of assets are exchanged between two individuals when they interact. The resulting wealth distributions are determined for a variety of exchange rules. For “random” exchange, either individual is equally likely to gain in a trade, while “greedy” exchange, the richer individual gains. When the amount of asset traded is fixed, random exchange leads to a Gaussian wealth distribution, while greedy exchange gives a Fermi-like scaled wealth distribution in the long-time limit. Multiplicative processes are also investigated, where the amount of asset exchanged is a finite fraction of the wealth of one of the traders. For random multiplicative exchange, a steady state occurs, while in greedy multiplicative exchange a continuously evolving power law wealth distribution arises.
Multidimensional systems and signal processing editorial

The previous Issue was devoted to the topic “Image and video processing for wireless sensor networks”, guest edited by E.Y. Lam, K.S. Lui and V.W.L. Tam. The popularity of the topic is underscored by a journal entitled “Wireless Sensor Network” (Website: http://www. scirp.org/journal/wsn), where readers may find other papers concerned with advancement of wireless sensor network and applications. I wish to bring out some changes in the day-to-day operation of our journal that was communicated to me recently. Ms. Jeyel Tecson is the new support contact for the journal. Henceforth please direct any queries and requests regarding the Editorial Manager (EM) system to her instead of to Ms. Marife Tiangco, who was the previous JEO Assistant. You can contact her through Jeyel.Tecson@springer.com always and her fax number is +63 2 3250601. Editorial Assistant Ms. Emma Kalb, who is with Springer Science and Business Media at the NewYork Office (233 Spring St. NewYork, NY 10013, United States), will take over the responsibilities of Ms. Jill Strathdee, who left Springer towards the end of April. Her coordinates are Emma.Kalb@springer.comwith tel +1 (212) 460-1643 and fax +1 (212) 4630742. Emma Kalb will, if necessary, work with Laura Lander (Laura.Lander@springer.com) and both will be under the direct supervision of Ms. Jennifer Evans, who is known to most for her many years of experience with our journal. While I write this Editorial, I am reminded of the plans for summer travels to several conferences and workshops of interest that may be meeting-points for several of us. To that list, I add the summer schools on (a) computer algebra and szyzygies at Sophus-Lie Konferenzzentrum at Norway from 15 to 19 June, 2009, (b) algebraic analysis and computer algebra (AACA’09) at Linz, Austria from July 13 to 17, 2009 and international workshops on (1) symbolic-numeric computation (SNC 2009) at Kobe, Japan from 3 to 5 August, 2009 and (2) computer algebra in scientific computing (CASC 2009) in Kobe, Japan from 13 to 17 September 2009. For a blend of theory and practice, there are also the International Conference on Condition Monitoring and Machinery Failure Prevention Technologies (CM 2009
Website loyalty: an empirical investigation of its antecedents

Recently, the notion of loyalty has become an important construct within the e-business framework because of customers' easy switching behaviour on the web. Despite the increasing importance of website loyalty, substantive research employing this construct has been constrained by various factors. In this paper, a model where individuals' website loyalty is conceptualised by both their willingness to return to a website (revisit), and their desire to spend a longer time at a website (stickiness) is presented. In this model the relationships between website trust, satisfaction, flow, and loyalty is examined. Further, the antecedents of website trust, satisfaction and flow in online environment are investigated. The proposed model is tested by two different studies. The findings support the proposed relationships in the model. Managerial implications are also discussed.
Pro-apoptotic interactions between XK469 and the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor.

Abstract XK469 (2-[4-(7-chloro-2-quinoxalinyloxy) phenoxy]propionic acid) is a new anti-tumor agent with substantial activity against several drug-resistant cell lines. Using murine leukemia L1210 cells in culture, we found the chiral R(+) form of XK469 to be substantially more cytotoxic than the S(−) form, while the herbicide analog ‘Assure ® ’ was essentially inactive. The cytotoxic response to these agents was accompanied by apoptosis, and was found to be correlated with drug binding to the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor in cell culture, suggesting that receptor binding may be a factor in drug-induced cytotoxicity.
Egg shell sign: rare finding in acute aortic dissection.

A 77 year-old woman presented with a one day history of central chest pressure that radiated to the neck and right upper extremity. She had a history of hypertension and chronic obstruction pulmonary disease. Her blood pressure was 86/47 with a heart rate of 87 beats per minute. A grade 2/6 systolic ejection murmur was auscultated over the left sternal border. An electrocardiogram showed ST elevation in lead III with ST depression I, AVL, V4–V6 and a chest radiograph was obtained which showed an “egg shell sign” as compared to previous radiograph (Figures 1 and ​and2).2). The patient was diagnosed with a type A aortic dissection and taken to the operating room for emergent repair but died during the procedure. Figure 1 Previous radiograph with no acute disease process. Figure 2 Egg shell sign (arrow), defined as a distance greater than 6mm from the aortic calcification to the lateral soft tissue margin of the aorta, with a widened mediastinum indicating aortic dissection.
Analysis of intersection delay under real-time adaptive signal control

The United States Department of Transportation has recently begun implementation of the national demonstration project for suburban Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS) utilizing the Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System (SCATS). SCATS is an automated, real time, traffic responsive signal control strategy. The expected benefit from the system comes from its ability to constantly modify signal timing patterns to most effectively accommodate changing traffic conditions. The objectives of this research study were to analyze the differences in certain delay parameters which would occur as a result of implementing SCATS signal control. The study employed a macroscopic simulation procedure to compute intersection delay under both a strategy that changed signal timings once per hour and SCATS signal control. A comparison of delay under both forms of control is presented. The study findings demonstrated mixed results regarding the benefit of SCATS control. A general conclusion of the study was that SCATS distributed the delay across competing approaches more evenly. However, in some cases this resulted in an increase in the total intersection delay. The observed delay change was attributed primarily to the saturation equalization objective of the SCATS control program. SCATS attempts to allocate green time to the intersection approaches based on the degree of saturation. Under this philosophy the system is able to balance the percentage of green time between all approaches, resulting in more uniform delay.
Dark current degradation of near infrared avalanche photodiodes from proton irradiation

InGaAs and Ge avalanche photodiodes (APDs) are examined for the effects of 63-MeV protons on dark current. Dark current increases were large and similar to prior results for silicon APDs, despite the smaller size of InGaAs and Ge devices. Bulk dark current increases from displacement damage in the depletion regions appeared to be the dominant contributor to overall dark current degradation. Differences in displacement damage factors are discussed as they relate to structural and material differences between devices.
Activation of central trigeminovascular neurons by cortical spreading depression.

Objective: Cortical spreading depression (CSD) has long been implicated in migraine attacks that begin with visual aura. Having shown that a wave of CSD can trigger long-lasting activation of meningeal nociceptors—the first-order neurons of the trigeminovascular pathway thought to underlie migraine headache—we now report that CSD can activate central trigeminovascular neurons in the spinal trigeminal nucleus (C1–2). Methods: Stimulation of the cortex with pinprick or KCl granule was used to induce CSD in anesthetized rats. Neuronal activity was monitored in C1–2 using single-unit recording. Results: In 25 trigeminovascular neurons activated by CSD, mean firing rate (spikes/s) increased from 3.6 ± 1.2 before CSD (baseline) to 6.1 ± 1.8 after CSD (p 13 minutes. Neuronal activity returned to baseline level after 30.0 ± 3.1 minutes in 14 units, and remained elevated for 66.0 ± 8.3 (22–108) minutes through the entire recording period in the other 11 units. Neuronal activation began within 0.9 ± 0.4 (0–2.5) minutes after CSD in 7 neurons located in laminae I–II, or after a latency of 25.1 ± 4.0 (7–75) minutes in 9 neurons located in laminae I–II, and 9 neurons located in laminae III–V. In 27 trigeminovascular neurons not activated by CSD, mean firing rate was 2.0 ± 0.7 at baseline and 1.8 ± 0.7 after CSD. Interpretation: We propose that CSD constitutes a nociceptive stimulus capable of activating peripheral and central trigeminovascular neurons that underlie the headache of migraine with aura. ANN NEUROL 2011;
Pattern transfer and photoluminescence damage assessment of deep-submicrometer features etched by photon-induced cryoetching

We present a study of pattern-transfer and etch-induced damage in photon-induced cryoetching. Features with effective radii as small as ≈ 100 nm have been formed in both bulk and layered GaAs/AlGaAs materials. A measurement of the photoluminescence of etch-defined deep- submicrometer structures material suggests that this form of etching results in minimal process-induced damage. Modeling of the luminescence vs feature size for these features shows that the luminescence is limited only by carrier diffusion and non-radiative surface recombination.
Postoperative complications following the Fontan procedure: the role of aprotinin

Objective: To determine how the anti-inflammatory properties of aprotinin impact on postoperative complications in children undergoing the Fontan procedure.Methods: We included all patients between 14 months and 18 years (n=56) undergoing a Fontan operation at our institution between January 2005 and June 2009. The study group (n=29) included patients from January 2005 through December 2007 all of whom received aprotinin. The control group (n=27) included all patients from January 2008 through June 2009 who did not receive aprotinin. We reviewed all medical records and collected preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data. Duration and volume of chest tube drainage were the primary outcome measures.Results: Of the 20% of patients who had postoperative arrhythmias, multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated only aprotinin was associated with significantly decreased postoperative arrhythmias (P=0.01). Renal function and fenestration or Fontan thrombosis did not differ significantly; ther...
Developing nominal threshold levels for Phyllotreta cruciferae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) damage on canola in Montana, USA

The flea beetles Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze) and Phyllotreta striolata (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) are serious pests infesting canola (Brassica napus L.; Brassicales: Brassicaceae) in the Northern Great Plains of the United States. In Montana, P. cruciferae is the only flea beetle species that attacks canola during the crop growing stage. Management of P. cruciferae is usually focused on treating adults feeding on canola seedlings, which is the stage most vulnerable to flea beetle damage. In the Golden Triangle area in Montana, canola growers traditionally use seed treatments or calendar based spraying to control P. cruciferae. Here, we compared calendar-based spraying with seed treatment and threshold-based treatment. The experiment treatments included threshold levels (15e20, 25, 45% of leaf area damaged), calendar based sprays (15, 30 and 45 day intervals after plant emergence), seed treatments (imidacloprid), and untreated controls. The trials were done at two locations (Conrad and Western Triangle Agricultural Research Center). We found that calendar-based spraying at a 15-day interval did not differ significantly in yields from threshold-based treatment at 15e20% leaf damage. Also, the seed treatment did not give significantly higher yields compared to calendar-based sprays. A negative correlation was detected between leaf damage and yield in each treatment. Overall, calendar-based and threshold-based treatments were most effective in improving yields. However, treatment made at the threshold of 15e20% leaf area damage is recommended in order to reduce the number of chemical applications and also to reduce the possibility of selecting for resistance in flea beetles. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/).
Trilogy Health Services, Llc: Building a Great Service Company

This case is appropriate for teaching in the areas of entrepreneurship and managing the growth of smaller enterprises. It illustrates how an entrepreneur builds a premier service company by aligning culture, hiring practices, training, rewards, leadership, and its business model.
Clinical validity of PROMIS Depression, Anxiety, and Anger across diverse clinical samples

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the responsiveness to change of the PROMIS negative affect measures (depression, anxiety, and anger) using longitudinal data collected in six chronic health conditions. Study Design and Setting Individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD), back pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic heart failure (CHF), and cancer completed PROMIS negative affect instruments as computerized adaptive test or as fixed-length short form at baseline and a clinically relevant follow-up interval. Participants also completed global ratings of health. Linear mixed effects models and standardized response means (SRM) were estimated at baseline and follow-up. Results A total of 903 individuals participated (back pain, n = 218; cancer, n = 304; CHF, n = 60; COPD, n = 125; MDD, n = 196). All three negative affect instruments improved significantly for treatments of depression and pain. Depression improved for CHF patients (anxiety and anger not administered), whereas anxiety improved significantly in COPD groups (stable and exacerbation). Response to treatment was not assessed in cancer. Subgroups of patients reporting better or worse health showed a corresponding positive or negative average SRM for negative affect across samples. Conclusion This study provides evidence that the PROMIS negative affect scores are sensitive to change in intervention studies in which negative affect is expected to change. These results inform the estimation of meaningful change and enable comparative effectiveness research.
Prognostics Health Management for Advanced Small Modular Reactor Passive Components

In the United States, sustainable nuclear power to promote energy security is a key national energy priority. Advanced small modular reactors (AdvSMR), which are based on modularization of advanced reactor concepts using non-light-water reactor (LWR) coolants such as liquid metal, helium, or liquid salt may provide a longer-term alternative to more conventional LWR-based concepts. The economics of AdvSMRs will be impacted by the reduced economy-of-scale savings when compared to traditional LWRs and the controllable day-to-day costs of AdvSMRs are expected to be dominated by operations and maintenance costs. Therefore, achieving the full benefits of AdvSMR deployment requires a new paradigm for plant design and management. In this context, prognostic health management of passive components in AdvSMRs can play a key role in enabling the economic deployment of AdvSMRs. In this paper, the background of AdvSMRs is discussed from which requirements for PHM systems are derived. The particle filter technique is proposed as a prognostics framework for AdvSMR passive components and the suitability of the particle filter technique is illustrated by using it to forecast thermal creep degradation using a physics-of-failure model and based on a combination of types of measurements conceived for passive AdvSMR components.
Improving the Prediction of Risk for Anxiety Development in Temperamentally Fearful Children

Pediatric anxiety disorders are among the most common disorders in children and adolescence resulting in both short-term and long-term negative consequences across a variety of domains including social and academic. Early fearful temperament has emerged as a strong predictor of anxiety development in childhood; however, not all fearful children become anxious. The current article summarizes theory and evidence for heterogeneity in the identification of temperamentally fearful children and trajectories of risk for anxiety. The findings presented in this article reveal that identification of subgroups of fearful temperament improves prediction of who is at risk for developing anxiety problems.
Withdrawal symptoms after abrupt termination of imipramine.

The reports and clinical experience cited illustrate the physiological withdrawal reaction which follows abrupt imipramine withdrawal. Many such reactions have probably gone unreported or have been...
Human Performance on a Signal Detection Task: Discriminability and Sensitivity to Reinforcement

Ten human participants worked on a computer-based discrete-trials signal detection task in which stimulus disparity and the ratio of reinforcers for correct responses were manipulated. During each trial, a 12 × 12 stimulus array consisting of an unequal number of randomly arranged circles and squares was presented. Participants responded by indicating whether the stimulus contained more circles or more squares. Two levels of stimulus disparity, high and low, were arranged by changing the numbers of circles and squares in the stimulus. At both levels of disparity, the ratio of reinforcers for correct circle and square responses was varied across 5 different levels ranging from 1:9 to 9:1. Reinforcers were assigned using a controlled reinforcer procedure that held obtained reinforcer ratios close to the programmed ratios. For all participants, discriminability was higher when the stimulus disparity was high but was not affected by changes in the reinforcer ratio. Response bias varied as a function of the reinforcer ratio. Estimates of the sensitivity of bias to changes in the reinforcer ratio varied with changes in disparity; however, the variations were typically small and their direction differed across participants. These findings are consistent with previous human research (Gallagher & Alsop, Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 75(2), 183–203, 2001; Johnstone & Alsop, Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 73, 275–290, 2000; Lie & Alsop, Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 93(2), 185-201, 2010) showing that when a controlled reinforcer procedure is used, bias and sensitivity are independent of discriminability.
User Interface Design with OVID

Object-oriented (OO) code design methodologies such as Booch, Schlaer-Mellor, Rumbaugh, and OMT have become very popular and have proven effective tools for software development. User interface design, on the other hand, is often done without a formal methodology. Ad hoc approaches typically produce designs which are incomplete, do not fully meet user requirements, and are not in a form which is easy for the programming team to translate into code.Object, View, and Interaction Design (OVID) addresses the needs to improve the quality and efficiency of user interface design. We apply many of the tools and techniques used in OO code design to the domain of user interface design. OVID brings rigor to the interface design process and produces output which feeds directly into code design.In this paper, we describe the OVID methodology and show examples of how it could be applied to designing an IT system to provide desktop and network support services to small businesses. The other methodologies discussed in th...
Nesting Behavior of Herring Gulls: Invasion into Spartina Salt Marsh Areas of New Jersey

The Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) has increased its numbers and expanded its breeding range substantially since the turn of the century. Populations in Sweden, North Germany, and Holland have doubled or tripled (Davis and Dunn 1976, Andersson 1970). In New England, populations have increased by a factor of 15 to 20 (Kadlec and Drury 1968, Drury and Kadlec 1974), and the species has extended its breeding range as far south as North Carolina (Hailman 1963, Parnell and Soots 1975). The increase in numbers has been attributed to the presence of garbage dumps which provide a constant and dependable food supply at all times of the year (Drury 1965, Harris 1970). The availability of ample and easily obtained food influences the survival of growing chicks in the breeding season, juveniles after the breeding season (Drury and Smith 1968), and all age groups during the winter months. Yet the expansion of any breeding population of gulls depends not only upon available food reserves, but upon available nesting habitat(s) as well. Colonies in the northeastern United States are located on sandy or rocky barrier beach islands (Kadlec and Drury 1968). Further south, fewer such islands are available for colonization. Herring Gulls have been found nesting under Iva bushes in high salt marsh at Stone Harbor, New Jersey. Laughing Gulls (L. atricilla) nested in nearby low marsh areas of Spartina alterniflora. Since the two species did not use the same habitat, Bongiorno and Swinebroad (1969:100) concluded that they were "not yet in direct competition." In a colony of Laughing Gulls on Elder Island in the Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge, New Jersey, 15 to 30 pairs of Herring Gulls have nested under Iva bushes for the last four or five years. During the 1973 breeding season some of these nests were located in the high marsh S. alterniflora near the Iva bushes suggesting the possibility of expansion into new habitat and of direct competition with Laughing Gulls. Therefore, during 1974 and 1975 I censused and studied the Herring Gull colonies in and near the Refuge in order to determine the extent of their expansion into salt marsh areas. I investigated the adaptations of nesting Herring Gulls to salt marshes and compared the breeding success of pairs in Spartina areas with others nesting under the higher and drier Iva bushes.
Some relations between hydrogenion concentration and antigenic properties of proteins.1

The recent work of J. Loeb2 and others has indicated the important role which the hydrogen-ion concentration plays in affecting the physical and chemical properties of proteins. Our studies were designed to determine whether certain biological properties of the proteins were also affected by hydrogen and hydroxyl-ions over the range of concentration which markedly affects such properties as osmotic pressure, swelling power, viscosity, power to combine with ions, electrical charge, etc.Our first studies upon the anaphylactogenic properties of proteins were made with gelatin. We failed to produce anaphylaxis in guinea pigs with this protein when it was introduced intravenously or intraperitoneally in solutions at its isoelectric point (PH = 4.7) and in more acid and in more alkaline solutions. With pure, crystallized hen ovalbumin (isoelectric point, PH = 4.8) we obtained anaphylaxis in the guinea pig readily and consistently. When this protein is introduced into the animal in solutions more acid than those...
Chemopreventive Metabolites Are Correlated with a Change in Intestinal Microbiota Measured in A-T Mice and Decreased Carcinogenesis

Intestinal microbiota play a significant role in nutrient metabolism, modulation of the immune system, obesity, and possibly in carcinogenesis, although the underlying mechanisms resulting in disease or impacts on longevity caused by different intestinal microbiota are mostly unknown. Herein we use isogenic Atm-deficient and wild type mice as models to interrogate changes in the metabolic profiles of urine and feces of these mice, which are differing in their intestinal microbiota. Using high resolution mass spectrometry approach we show that the composition of intestinal microbiota modulates specific metabolic perturbations resulting in a possible alleviation of a glycolytic phenotype. Metabolites including 3-methylbutyrolactone, kyneurenic acid and 3-methyladenine known to be onco-protective are elevated in Atm-deficient and wild type mice with restricted intestinal microbiota. Thus our approach has broad applicability to study the direct influence of gut microbiome on host metabolism and resultant phenotype. These results for the first time suggest a possible correlation of metabolic alterations and carcinogenesis, modulated by intestinal microbiota in A-T mice.
Predictors of completed childhood vaccination in Bolivia.

This project examines how access issues, ethnicity, and geographic region affect vaccination of children by two years of age in Bolivia. Bolivia’s rich variation in culture and geography results in unequal healthcare utilization even for basic interventions such as childhood vaccination. This study utilizes secondary data from the 2008 Demographic and Health Survey for Bolivia to examine predictors of vaccination completion in children by two years of age. Using logistic regression methods, we control for health system variables (difficulty getting to a health center and type of health center as well as demographic and socio-economic covariates). The results indicated that children whose parents reported distance as a problem in obtaining health care were less likely to have completed all vaccinations. Ethnicity was not independently statistically significant, however, in a sub-analysis, people from the Quechua ethnic group were more likely to report ‘distance as a problem in obtaining healthcare.’ Surprisingly, living in a rural environment has a protective effect on completed vaccinations. However, geographic region did predict significant differences in the probability that children would be fully vaccinated; children in the region with the lowest vaccination completion coverage were 80% less likely to have completed vaccination compared to children in the best performing region, which may indicate unequal access and utilization of health services nationally. Further study of regional differences, urbanicity, and distance as a healthcare access problem will help refine implications for the Bolivian health system.
Lung ultrasound surface wave elastography

A lung ultrasound surface wave elastography (LUSWE) technique is developed to measure superficial lung tissue elastic properties. A small, local, and short 0.1 second harmonic vibration is generated by the indenter of a handheld shaker on the skin of a subject. The ultrasound probe is positioned about 5 mm away from the indenter in the same intercostal space to measure the generated surface wave propagation on the lung. In this paper, the protocol of LUSWE is standarzied for assessing patients with interstitial lung disease. We demonstrate the surface wave speed at 100 Hz for a healthy volunteer using this protocol. The wave speed in the upper right lung was 1.90 ± 0.02 m/s (mean ± SD). The wave speed in the lower right lung in the mid-axillary line was 1.93 ± 0.08 m/s and 2.06 ± 0.13 m/s in the mid-scapular line. The corresponding values in the left lung were, respectively, 2.12 ± 0.19 m/s, 2.08 ± 0.15 m/s, and 2.15 ± 0.12 m/s. These values are consistent with our previous measurements. LUSWE is a safe and noninvasive technique for assessing patients with interstitial lung disease.
Abstract 1496: Quantification of tumor blood perfusion of an orthotopic mouse model of neuroblastoma using nonlinear contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA This study quantifies tumor perfusion in individual tumors to estimate blood flow and blood volume parameters of an individualized tumor compartment of a comprehensive physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model of topotecan using an orthotopic xenograft model of pediatric neuroblastoma. We non-invasively imaged perfusion in orthotopic neuroblastoma (NB5) xenograft tumors (n = 3 CD1 nude mice/time point) using nonlinear contrast enhanced ultrasound technique (CEUS). Tumor tissue and organs from the mice were harvested at predefined time-points. We used a programmable syringe pump to inject MicroMarker® microbubbles via tail vein catheter and acquired images using VisualSonics VEVO 2100 imaging system. We used the burst-replenishment technique to image tumor perfusion, which requires a constant concentration of microbubbles in blood during acquisition. To maintain a steady concentration of microbubbles, we programmed the pump to inject a small bolus followed by constant infusion. Our preliminary analysis showed that healthy kidneys rapidly reach a steady state in less than 1 min, significantly shorter than the commonly used constant infusion without an initial bolus. The nonlinear CEUS signal intensities of kidney cortex showed less than 20% variation between mice. We used a custom program to acquire the CEUS perfusion images over a 3D volume that included the tumor and a kidney. We used the kidney as a reference organ to normalize whole tumor perfusion data. We fitted the log-normal perfusion model to estimate perfusion parameters for individual tumors. Our perfusion quantification over the entire tumor volume represents tumor perfusion more accurately than the commonly used methods based on a single 2D plane without a reference organ. Our approach provides population estimates of blood perfusion based on properly normalized estimates of individual blood perfusion parameters. Citation Format: Suresh Thiagarajan, Abbas Shirinifard, Megan O. Jacus, Abigail D. Davis, Yogesh T. Patel, Stacy L. Throm, Vinay Daryani, Clinton F. Stewart, Andras Sablauer. Quantification of tumor blood perfusion of an orthotopic mouse model of neuroblastoma using nonlinear contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 1496. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-1496
Toward Morality and Ethics for Robots

Humans need morality and ethics to get along constructively as members of the same society. As we face the prospect of robots taking a larger role in society, we need to consider how they, too, should behave toward other members of society. To the extent that robots will be able to act as agents in their own right, as opposed to being simply tools controlled by humans, they will need to behave according to some moral and ethical principles. Inspired by recent research on the cognitive science of human morality, we take steps toward an architecture for morality and ethics in robots. As in humans, there is a rapid intuitive response to the current situation. Reasoned reflection takes place at a slower time-scale, and is focused more on constructing a justification than on revising the reaction. However, there is a yet slower process of social interaction, in which examples of moral judgments and their justifications influence the moral development both of individuals and of the society as a whole. This moral architecture is illustrated by several examples, including identifying research results that will be necessary for the architecture to be implemented.
Controlled electrochemical growth of ultra-long gold nanoribbons

This paper describes the electrochemical growth of branchless gold nanoribbons with ∼40 nm × ∼300 nm cross sections and >100 μm lengths (giving length-to-thickness aspect ratios of >103). These structures are useful for opto-electronic studies and as nanoscale electrodes. The 0.75–1.0 V voltage amplitude range is optimal for branchless ribbon growth. Reduced amplitudes induce no growth, possibly due to reversible redox chemistry of gold at reduced amplitudes, whereas elevated amplitudes, or excess electrical noise, induce significant side-branching. The inter-relatedness of voltage-amplitude, noise, and side-branching in electrochemical nanoribbon growth is demonstrated.
Review: Palliative care improves quality of life and symptom burden but does not affect mortality at 1 to 3 months.

Source Citation Kavalieratos D, Corbelli J, Zhang D, et al. Association between palliative care and patient and caregiver outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2016;316:2104-14. 27...
Surface modulation of polymeric nanocarriers enhances the stability and delivery of proteins and small molecules.

Aim: We aimed to enhance the stability and therapeutic efficiency of protein-based therapeutic formulations. Materials & methods: Proteins were immobilized on the surface of nanoparticles (NPs) to improve both protein stability and protein function, especially enzymatic activity. The modularity of the platform was demonstrated by coating proteins of varied molecular weights and functionalities on the surface of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-based NPs. Results: Coating proteins to the particle surface greatly enhanced the stability of the NPs, preventing particle aggregation and improving enzymatic potency, including in vivo. Specifically, coating of collagenase I to the particle surface greatly improved the ability of the enzyme to degrade tumor collagen relative to free enzyme, thereby increasing the penetration of adjuvant chemotherapy (doxorubicin). Additionally, the protein coating reduced the rate of doxorubicin release, enabling sustained release of the small-molecule payload. Conclusion: The straig...
Double-Crested Cormorants: Too Much of a Good Thing?

For centuries, people have viewed double-crested cormorants Phalacrocorax auritus negatively, and human persecution coupled with environmental contamination severely reduced numbers of cormorants throughout North America. Shifts in paradigms for management of our natural resources resulted in reductions in environmental contaminants and regulatory protection of cormorants, allowing for an amazing population resurgence of this adaptable fish-eating bird. However, for cormorants, as with some other native wildlife species the populations of which have rebounded due to conservation efforts, there have been cormorant-societal conflicts with respect to commercial and natural resources such as aquaculture and sport fisheries. Increasing resource conflicts caused cormorants to be a priority with agencies responsible for their management, resulting in development of policy to facilitate addressing stakeholder concerns. Subsequent research and management in regard to cormorant issues have been subject to considera...
Relative Compression Strength Evolution of Silica-Fume Ultrahigh-Performance Concrete under Saturated Adiabatic Hydration Using Virtual Tests

AbstractThis investigation introduces the formulation of a new closed-form representation of the evolution of the relative compressive strength of a class of ultrahigh-performance concrete (UHPC) m...
“Who’s the face?”: communication and white identity in a Texas business community

This article examines the relationship between whiteness and communication through analysing how white business community members acknowledge their own, usually invisible, white identity. Discourse...
Voriconazole Autoinduction and Saturable Metabolism After Cessation of Rifampin in a Patient With Invasive Central Nervous System Aspergillus: Importance of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring.

Purpose:Optimization of antifungal therapy with voriconazole can be challenging due to inter- and intrapatient variability in voriconazole pharmacokinetics (PK). In this case, we introduce challeng...
Extracellular DNA promotes colorectal tumor cell survival after cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Abstract Background Inflammation promotes the growth and survival of malignant cells. Inflammation within the tumor microenvironment is a result of damage-associated molecular patterns released by dead or dying cells that provide survival signals to the surrounding cells. It has been proposed that extracellular DNA can act as a damage-associated molecular pattern given the association between circulating DNA and autoimmune diseases. Herein, we demonstrate a novel role for genomic extracellular DNA binding to the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-9 on tumor cells in response to cytotoxic insult. Materials and methods The colorectal tumor cell line HCCT116 was used to study the role of DNA in tumor cell response to chemotherapy. Cell viability was assessed using CCK-8 assay. Cell death mechanisms were assessed by YOYO-1 and lactate dehydrogenase staining for necrosis and TUNEL staining for apoptosis. Autophagy was measured by LC3 punctate formation. TLR9-short hairpin RNA was used to knockdown TLR-9 and determine its role in tumor cell response to DNA. Results DNA is released from necrotic tumor cells after chemotherapy. Survival after cytotoxic insult is enhanced by the presence of extracellular DNA as a result of inhibition of apoptosis and enhanced autophagy. Knockdown of TLR-9 enhanced apoptosis, diminished autophagy, and decreased survival after cytotoxic insult in the presence or absence of extracellular DNA. Conclusions DNA in the tumor microenvironment promotes survival through induction of autophagy via TLR-9 signaling. This work has important implications for targeting extracellular DNA, TLR-9, and autophagy during treatment with chemotherapy and enhances our understanding of the role of extracellular DNA in the tumor microenvironment.
A design proposal for Gen: probabilistic programming with fast custom inference via code generation

Probabilistic programming languages have the potential to make probabilistic modeling and inference easier to use in practice, but only if inference is sufficiently fast and accurate for real applications. Thus far, this has only been possible for domain-specific languages that focus on a restricted class of models and inference algorithms. This paper proposes a design for a probabilistic programming language called Gen, embedded in Julia, that aims to be sufficiently expressive and performant for general-purpose use. The language provides constructs for automatically generating optimized implementations of custom inference tactics based on static analysis of the target probabilistic model. This paper informally describes a language design for Gen, and shows that Gen is more expressive than Stan, a widely used language for hierarchical Bayesian modeling. A first benchmark shows that a prototype implementation of Gen can be as fast as Stan, only ∼1.4x slower than a hand-coded sampler in Julia, and ∼7,500x faster than Venture, one of the only other probabilistic languages with support for custom inference.