cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Tocharian tale from the Silk Road: A philological account of The Painter and the Mechanical Maiden and its resonances with the Western canon

This article analyses philological and literary aspects of a jātaka tale with a pygmalionesque motif involving a craftsman who falls in love with a non-human woman. This tale circulated along the Silk Road in at least six different versions: two original Sanskrit versions; one Tibetan translation from the Sanskrit source; one Tocharian adaptation; and two Chinese translations that also adapt the work to a smaller degree than the Tocharian version. By analysing the textual contexts and the content of the tale in all its alterations, this article shows that the two versions that differ most from the others, the Tocharian and the older Chinese version, are closely related to each other. Further analysis of the Tocharian version situates the tale among its literary kin. An analysis of the formulaic elements of the Tocharian tale indicates possible relations to Chinese chu-kung-tiao and pien-wen genres. The article also suggests the Tibetan lha mo as a link between Indian prosimetric campū style and the two Chinese genres. Finally, the analysis of the cluster of motifs in the tale is paralleled with canonical Western texts by Ovid and E. T. A. Hoffmann, opening fruitful venues for literary scholarship regarding human-like objects.
Demystifying loops in smart contracts

This paper aims to shed light on how loops are used in smart contracts. Towards this goal, we study various syntactic and semantic characteristics of loops used in over 20,000 Solidity contracts deployed on the Ethereum blockchain, with the goal of informing future research on program analysis for smart contracts. Based on our findings, we propose a small domain-specific language (DSL) that can be used to summarize common looping patterns in Solidity. To evaluate what percentage of smart contract loops can be expressed in our proposed DSL, we also design and implement a program synthesis toolchain called Solis that can synthesize loop summaries in our DSL. Our evaluation shows that at least 56% of the analyzed loops can be summarized in our DSL, and 81% of these summaries are exactly equivalent to the original loop.
Psychological Treatment of Medical Patients Struggling with Harmful Substance Use

As part of the Clinical Health Psychology Series, Psychological Treatment of Medical Patients Struggling with Harmful Substance Use is a comprehensive yet concise book that explains the neurobiology of addiction and offers clear guidance on how to spot and treat it.
Pleiotropy method identifies genetic overlap between orofacial clefts at multiple loci from GWAS of multi-ethnic trios

Based on epidemiologic and embryologic patterns, nonsyndromic orofacial clefts are commonly categorized into cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) and cleft palate alone (CP). While nearly forty risk genes have been identified for CL/P, few risk genes are known for CP. We used a new statistical method, PLACO, to identify genetic variants influencing risk of both CL/P and CP. In a combined multi-ethnic genome-wide study of 2,771 CL/P and 611 CP case-parent trios, we discovered 6 new loci of genetic overlap between CL/P and CP; 3 new loci between pairwise OFC subtypes; and 4 loci not previously implicated in OFCs. We replicated the shared genetic etiology of subtypes underlying CL/P, and further discovered loci of genetic overlap exhibiting etiologic differences. In summary, we found evidence for new genetic regions and confirmed some recognized OFC genes either exerting shared risk or with opposite effects on risk to OFC subtypes.
Continuum and molecular dynamics simulations of pore collapse in shocked β-tetramethylene tetranitramine (β-HMX) single crystals

The collapse of pores plays an essential role in the shock initiation of high energy (HE) materials. When these materials are subjected to shock loading, energy is localized in hot-spots due to various mechanisms, including void collapse. Depending on the void size and shock strength, the resulting hot-spots may quench or evolve into a self-sustained deflagration wave that consequently can cause detonation. We compare finite element (FE) and non-reactive molecular dynamic (MD) simulations to study the formation of hot-spots during the collapse of an 80 nm size void in a β-tetramethylene tetranitramine energetic crystal. The crystal is shocked normal to the crystallographic plane ( 010 ), applying boundary velocities of 0.5 km/s, 1.0 km/s, and 2.0 km/s. The FE simulations capture the transition from viscoelastic collapse for relatively weak shocks to a hydrodynamic regime, the overall temperature distributions, especially at scales relevant for the initiation of HE materials, and the rate of pore collapse. A detailed comparison of velocity and temperature fields shows that the MD simulations exhibit more localization of plastic deformation, which results in higher temperature spikes but localized to small volumes. The void collapse rate and temperature field are strongly dependent on the plasticity model in the FE results, and we quantify these effects.
Evaluation of Enterococcus faecium NRRL B-2354 as a surrogate for Salmonella in ground black pepper at different water activities.

Abstract Thermal inactivation kinetics of Salmonella in low moisture foods are necessary for developing proper thermal processing parameters for pasteurization. The effect of water activity on thermal inactivation kinetics of Salmonella and Enterococcus faecium NRRL B-2354 in ground black pepper has not been studied previously. Identification of a suitable surrogate assists in conducting in-plant process validations. Ground black pepper was inoculated with a 5-serotype Salmonella cocktail or E. faecium NRRL B-2354, equilibrated to water activities of 0.25, 0.45 or 0.65 in a humidity-controlled chamber, and isothermally treated at different temperatures. The survivor data were used for fitting the log-linear models to obtain the D and z-values of Salmonella and E. faecium in ground black pepper. Modified Bigelow models were developed to evaluate the effects of temperature and water activity on the thermal inactivation kinetics of Salmonella and E. faecium. Water activity and temperature showed significant negative effects on the thermal resistance of Salmonella and E. faecium in ground black pepper. For example, significantly higher D values of Salmonella were observed at water activity of 0.45 (D70°C = 20.5 min and D75°C = 7.8 min) compared to water activity of 0.65 (D70°C = 3.9 min and D75°C = 2.0 min). D-values of E. faecium were significantly higher than those of Salmonella at all three water activities, indicating that E. faecium is a suitable surrogate for Salmonella in thermal processing validation.
Snake Bite Management: A Scoping Review of the Literature.

Background Around the world, snake bite envenomation remains an underreported human health hazard. Envenomation can cause local and systemic complications, especially when there is a lack of antivenom availability. Although there are established guidelines regarding snake bite management acute care, there is a paucity of data regarding surgical intervention and the plastic surgeon's role treating this unique patient population. Methods A review was conducted identifying relevant published articles involving snake bite management and treatment in PubMed and EMBASE. Results One hundred ten articles were identified and 77 met inclusion criteria. Snake bite envenomation can result in complications that are dependent upon a variety of variables. The literature has shown the best field treatment to be timely transportation to the nearest medical facility, along with antivenom administration. The cytotoxic, hemotoxic, and neurotoxic effects of venom can cause a variety of local soft tissue and systemic complications. Surgical interventions such as fasciotomies, wound debridements, skin grafts, and tissue flaps may be necessary in these patients to optimize functional and aesthetic outcomes. Disparities in access to care in resource limited settings are discussed. Conclusions Global health disparities and insufficient antivenom distribution create an inequality of care in snake bite patients. Plastic surgeons have an important role in managing acute and chronic complications of snake bite envenomations that can lead to improved patient outcomes.
New electronic structure in short-period complex oxide superlattices

This is a copy of the slides presented at the meeting but not formally written up for the volume. At heterojunctions between different oxide perovskite phases both lattice and electronic structure is modified by the junction. One interesting question that several groups have studied is just how far into the neighboring materials these perturbations extend. We have studied this for insulating phases as well as conducting phases. For insulating phases it appears that the lattice distortions are healed in a layer about one unit cell thick. By stacking different materials each of which is only a single unit cell thick we have obtained materials that exhibit new properties determined by the stacking architecture. For example, superlattices that lack inversion symmetry have a built-in polarization that is controlled by the direction of the strain asymmetry. For conducting phases, the electronic structure also seems to be modified mainly in a layer only a few unit cells thick. We have studied this in superlattices of SrTiO3 and LaMnO3 in which we vary the thickness of the layers. We use optical conductivity to probe the electronic structure in the near infrared to near ultraviolet spectral region. The conductivity is close to the average of the two constituents, but differs in certain spectral regions, especially for the films with the thinnest supercells.This work was supported by the Department of Energy Basic Energy Sciences program at the Fredrick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory at the University of Illinois, Urbana, IL.
Microinjection for precision genome editing in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Summary In Caenorhabditis elegans, targeted genome editing techniques are now routinely used to generate germline edits. The remarkable ease of C. elegans germline editing is attributed to the syncytial nature of the pachytene ovary which is easily accessed by microinjection. This protocol describes the step-by-step details and troubleshooting tips for the entire CRISPR-Cas genome editing procedure, including gRNA design and microinjection of ribonucleoprotein complexes, followed by screening and genotyping in C. elegans, to help accessing this powerful genetic animal system. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Ghanta and Mello (2020) .
A Longitudinal Investigation of Observed Adolescent Text-Based Sexting and Adjustment

Despite strong concerns that sexting poses risks for adolescents’ well-being, previous research finds mixed results. Moreover, these studies rely heavily on self-report measures and cross-sectional designs. This study utilizes observational methods to examine longitudinal relations between text-based sexting and both negative and positive indicators of psychosocial adjustment. An ethnically diverse sample of 197 adolescents was provided smartphones that captured their text messages across high school, from 2008–2012. Two, two-day samples of text messages from grades 9–12 were content-coded (468,201 total observations). Sexting was defined as sending and receiving text-based statements about past, present, or hypothetical sexual behaviors occurring between dyadic texting partners. Each year, adolescents reported on negative (internalizing, externalizing, and social problems; borderline personality features) and positive (life satisfaction, group belongingness, and positive self-perceptions) indicators of their psychosocial adjustment. Using concurrent and longitudinal multilevel models, greater sexting at one time point than one’s average (within-person) was only associated with lower levels of group belongingness within the same year. For girls only, text-based sexting more than others on average (between-person) was related to increased externalizing symptoms and borderline personality disorder features, as well as decreased life satisfaction, group belongingness, self-perceived social competence, and global self-worth. No within-person differences by gender emerged, nor did longitudinal associations. Future studies and intervention efforts should examine when and why higher sexting might be related to psychosocial problems among girls.
Self-Control Theory and Crime

This article provides an overview of Gottfredson and Hirschi's (1990) self-control theory. The article details the development. The development pertains to the role of parents and schools. Gottfredson and Hirschi argue that peer association is not an issue with their theory. This article discusses the issues surrounding this viewpoint. In addition, it discusses gender differences. Each of these topics is applied to criminal and deviant behavior.
Classifying Uncertain and Evolving Data Streams with Distributed Extreme Learning Machine

Conventional classification algorithms are not well suited for the inherent uncertainty, potential concept drift, volume, and velocity of streaming data. Specialized algorithms are needed to obtain efficient and accurate classifiers for uncertain data streams. In this paper, we first introduce Distributed Extreme Learning Machine (DELM), an optimization of ELM for large matrix operations over large datasets. We then present Weighted Ensemble Classifier Based on Distributed ELM (WE-DELM), an online and one-pass algorithm for efficiently classifying uncertain streaming data with concept drift. A probability world model is built to transform uncertain streaming data into certain streaming data. Base classifiers are learned using DELM. The weights of the base classifiers are updated dynamically according to classification results. WE-DELM improves both the efficiency in learning the model and the accuracy in performing classification. Experimental results show that WE-DELM achieves better performance on different evaluation criteria, including efficiency, accuracy, and speedup.
Intellectual Property Incentives: Economics and Policy Implications *

Classical proofs for the efficiency of markets do not extend to information goods. Economists have worked since the 1960s to construct sophisticated microeconomic framework for analyzing when intellectual property (“IP”) rights benefit to society. This chapter reviews IP theory's main findings and asks how well they have been implemented in US law. Section III begins by reviewing how IP mediates the benefits of faster innovation against the burden of monopoly. It then shows why IP is generally less efficient when multiple firms compete and how shrewd reforms could improve the tradeoff. Finally, it explores extended models in which ideas for R&D investments are scarce so that IP incentives must coordinate contributions by firms that may not know of each others' existence. Section III asks how well legislators and judges have incorporated these insights into everyday patent, antitrust, and copyright law. Section IV presents a brief conclusion.
Differentiating properties of the dihydrofolate reductases of amethopterin-resistant Streptococcus faecalis/Ak and the sensitive parent strain.

Abstract The dihydrofolate reductase of the amethopterin-sensitive Streptococcus faecalis (SF/O) and of the amethopterin-resistant mutant strain S. faecalis/Ak(SF/Ak) have been partially purified by a three step procedure comprising treatment with protamine sulfate, fractionation with ammonium sulfate, and gel filtration. The most highly purified material in gel filtration fractions catalyzes the reduction of 2.4 or 4.9 µmoles of dihydrofolate per min per mg of protein of SF/O or SF/Ak, respectively. Half-maximal reaction velocities of both enzymes were calculated to occur at dihydrofolate and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate concentrations of 0.013 and 0.022 mm, respectively. Inhibition by amethopterin of dihydrofolate reduction is essentially stoichiometric with excess enzyme, and reversible with equivalent or excess inhibitor. The purified enzymes exhibit several properties which indicate a structural dissimilarity. Optimal activity of the SF/O enzyme occurs at pH 6.2; pH 6.7 is optimum for the SF/Ak enzyme. The preparation of the SF/Ak dihydrofolate reductase shows a 12-fold elevation in titration of amethopterin per unit of activity. The enzymes appear to migrate through a column of Sephadex G-100 at slightly different rates. Several possible causes of the alteration in drug-binding ability of the SF/Ak dihydrofolate reductase preparation have been considered: a decreased turnover rate; an accelerated dissociation of the enzyme-inhibitor complex; and an altered drug affinity. Attention has been given also to drug interaction at buffer sites other than the reactive site; partial attachment of drug to enzyme; and the presence of other amethopterin-binding protein with considerably lower dihydrofolate reductase activity. Another interesting, and perhaps not unrelated, difference was observed upon extended incubation of cultures. In SF/Ak, amethopterin-binding capacity and enzyme activity decreased proportionately while enzyme activity remained constant in SF/O.
Discrete-time feedforward/feedback control of multivariable nonlinear processes

Discrete-time feedforward/feedback control laws are derived for general multivariable nonlinear processes, whose delay-free parts are minimum-phase. The derived control laws can (a) reject the effect of measurable disturbances as effectively as possible, (b) reject the effect of unmeasurable disturbances asymptotically, (c) induce desirable closed-loop dynamics, and (d) track setpoint step changes without offset. The derived control laws are interpreted from the point of view of model predictive control.
Overages in Mortgage Pricing

We conduct an empirical investigation of the relative importance of competing hypotheses that attempt to explain observed differentials in overage pricing. Our analysis makes several contributions. First, we use tobit techniques to estimate the parameters of the model. Second, we include a number of variables that are not available in previous analysis. Specifically, we use borrower and lender characteristics that go beyond gender and race. Third, we are able to consider the impact of the bargaining capabilities of individual loan officers on the overages paid by borrowers, including minorities and women. Using proprietary data from different branches of a particular bank, this paper demonstrates that a large component of the explained variance in overages traces to variables proxying for the degree of competitiveness in the markets associated with these loans, and to differences in the bargaining power and expertise of both loan officers and borrowers. We find differences in overages collected from different ethnic groups, and though it is far too soon to conclude that this is due to bigotry, to the extent that our models are well-specified, this would probably constitute discrimination from a regulatory perspective. Variables controlling for risk prove less effective in explaining overages, perhaps because our sample includes only loans that were actually approved and made. Thus, they all represent relatively good risks, and might not display enough risk variation to detect.
Evolutionary Inversion of Swarm Emergence Using Disjunctive Combs Control

Given simple agent rules, a swarm's emergent behavior can be difficult to predict. The inverse problem is even more difficult: Given a desired emergent behavior, what are the rules by which swarm agents should operate? Disjunctive fuzzy control is proposed as a method to model swarm agents. Compared to more commonly used conjunctive fuzzy control such as that proposed by Mamdani, disjunctive fuzzy control is robustly fault tolerant and disjointly connected. Swarms are inherently disjunctive. Instead of agents working in coordination with one another, each swarm agent contributes individually to the result. The disjunctive attribute can also be applied at the sensor level for each individual agent. Disjunctive control allows adaptation of the describing membership function, as is commonly done in conjunctive control. The inversion process is illustrated with numerous simulation examples, including a predator-prey game, gang warfare, and escaping agents. The swarm is instructed what to do but not how to do it. Imposition of fitness constraints and repeated generations of evolutionary molding of agent performance can then result in unexpected emergent behaviors of the swarm, e.g., use of decoys, self-sacrifice, flanking maneuvers, and shielding of the weak.
Evaluation of the Corometrics 315 telemetry system for fetal monitoring

The Corometrics 315 telemetry system is a commercially available unit which can transmit both fetal heart rate (FHR) and intrauterine or external pressure data to a standard fetal monitor. This system was evaluated in 40 patients, ten of whom were monitored simultaneously by telemetry and direct-wire fetal monitoring. Because of some differences in electronic engineering between the telemetry and direct fetal monitoring systems, the following differences were found: Comparison of the simultaneously obtained FHR recordings revealed that the telemetry system rejected most of the motion artifacts while maintaining true variability. There were no differences as regards readability, FHR, and beat-to-beat variability. The intrauterine pressure values were the same, although the telemetry system gave a smoother waveform with less motion artifact. The main advantages of the telemetry system were found to be: (1) The patient was free to move about and ambulate during labor. (2) It was possible to obtain uninterrupted monitoring while the patient was moved from the labor room to the delivery room and throughout the second stage of labor.
Light Reflected from Colored Mulches to Growing Turnip Leaves Affects Glucosinolate and Sugar Contents of Edible Roots

— Plastic mulches are widely used to conserve water and control weeds with less applied herbicides in production of food crops. Both yield and quality are important and can be affected by reflected blue (B), red (R) and far-red (FR) light combinations received during growth and development. Photosynthate allocation among growing plant parts and flavor of edible roots were studied in turnip (Brassica rapa L.) grown in trickle-irrigated field plots with blue, green and white mulches. The blue and green mulches reflected different amounts of B, but they both reflected FR/R ratios higher than the ratio in incoming sunlight. The white mulch reflected more photosyn-thetic light and a lower FR/R ratio than the blue or green mulches. Plants grown with blue and green mulches did not differ significantly in leaf length, root size and shoot/ root biomass ratio. Those grown with white had shorter leaves and larger roots. Taste testers found that plants grown with blue mulch developed roots with a sharp flavor, and roots from plants grown with green mulch had a mild flavor. Those grown with white had a less distinct flavor. Roots grown with blue mulch had the greatest concentrations of total glucosinolates (GSL) and ascorbic acid. Reducing sugar concentrations were higher in roots grown with green than in those grown with blue mulches. The comparison of chemical composition of roots from plants grown with blue versus green mulches is important because the main difference was the amount of reflected B, suggesting that B influenced an enzyme involved in the pathway from glucose to GSL. We conclude that the spectrum of light reflected from mulch on the soil surface can influence not only shoot/root biomass ratio but also flavor-related chemical composition of field-grown food crop plants.
Green polymer chemistry: Precision synthesis of novel multifunctional poly(ethylene glycol)s using enzymatic catalysis

This paper gives an overview about enzyme catalysis, and reports the precision synthesis of multifunctional poly(ethylene glycol)s using this green chemistry approach. Specifically, vinyl acrylate was transesterified with tetraethylene glycol (TEG) and a PEG with DPn = 23, and then (HO)2–TEG–(OH)2 and (HO)2–PEG–(OH)2 were synthesized by the Michael addition of diethanolamine to the acrylate double bonds. These structures will serve as the core of novel dendrimers designed for drug delivery applications.
Metropolitan-nonmetropolitan differences in amount and type of mental health treatment.

This article examines the extent to which, conditional on receiving treatment, the type of care differs across metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), the findings indicate that nonmetro residents who obtained mental health care (n = 2,381) have fewer mental health visits in a calendar year than their metro counterparts after adjusting for individual-level characteristics. Although observed rates of hospitalization and contact with physicians are higher in nonmetro areas than metro areas, this difference is attributable primarily to compositional differences between metro and nonmetro residents.
ALTERATIONS IN THE FUNCTIONAL ORGANIZATION OF THE STRIATE CORTEX OF THE NEWBORN MONKEY IN RESPONSE TO MONOCULAR VISUAL DEPRIVATION

ALTERATIONS IN THE FUNCTIONAL ORGANIZATION OF THE STRIATE CORTEX OF THE NEWBORN MONKEY IN RESPONSE TO MONOCULAR VISUAL DEPRIVATION
The Use of Pulmonary Function Tests for Disability Appraisal: Including Evaluation Standards in Chronic Pulmonary Disease*

SUMMARY A) An accurate evaluation of the degree of pulmonary function impairment can be made from the following physiological tests: (1) Ventilation measurements from spirogram tracings (total vital capacity, three second vital capacity, maximal breathing capacity and the shape of the exhalation curve following a deep breath), (2) the degree of bronchospasm present, (3) the residual volume and alveolar nitrogen per cent after seven minutes oxygen breathing, (4) the arterial blood oxygen saturation at rest and immediately after step-up exercise, (5) the oxygen uptake during step-up exercise and (6) the character and duration of dyspnea after step-up exercise. B) A numerical ventilation factor has been derived from the three second vital capacity (a timed measurement), the maximal breathing capacity and the residual per cent of total lung volume. In about 75 per cent of the group of 500 coal miners studied the ventilation factor was correct in predicting the degree of pulmonary function impairment as compared to an evaluation based on comprehensive studies including arterial blood and respiratory gas analysis. C) Improved techniques and apparatus for measuring maximal breathing capacity and residual air volumes by the oxygen open circuit method are presented. D) The step-up exercise test is quite satisfactory for obtaining the exercise measurements in pulmonary function evaluation, equal to or superior to the treadmill. E) Vital capacity as a volume measurement should not be used as a single test of lung function in chronic pulmonary disease, as it can be misleading and responsible for false interpretations. F) Evaluation standards for the normal and four grades of pulmonary function impairment are given for the physiological tests which appear to be most useful in pulmonary function appraisal.
Testing for Single Intermittent Failures in Combinational Circuits by Maximizing the Probability of Fault Detection

Intermittent faults in combinational circuits may appear and disappear randomly; hence, their detection requires many repeated applications of test vectors. Since testing reduces the time available for computation, it is necessary to efficiently minimize the time required for a test, while still achieving a high degree of fault detection.
Ocean prediction at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

Summary form only given. The Oceanography Division of the Naval Research Laboratory conducts a coordinated program of research and development (R&D) supporting Navy operational ocean nowcast and prediction. This R&D program covers domains from global scales down to local surf zone scales. Included in these efforts are sophisticated primitive equation ocean circulation models on global, basin, and regional domains run on high performance computing platforms at the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVO) and at the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC). These efforts combine primitive equation models with observations using various assimilation techniques such as optimal interpolation using both in situ and satellite temperature and altimetry data. In addition to large scale and computationally significant models run at the Navy's central sites are the operationally relevant models designed to run on workstations and personal computers at the Navy's regional Meteorology and Oceanography Centers (METOCCEN) as well as on-scene. These latter capabilities can run stand-alone but also are designed to accept initial and boundary conditions available from the central site products. This allows for rapid relocatability to provide local area nowcasts and forecasts of temperature, salinity, currents, tides and surface waves for the METOCCEN and for on-scene applications. This paper provides an overview on the present NRL R&D nowcast and prediction capabilities from global to local scales.
SU-D-16A-05: Fitting Grade>=2(2+) Rectal Complication Rates to Lyman Kutcher Burman (LKB) Model with a Database of 81 Prostate Patients Treated with IMRT.

Purpose: Quantec review of best parameters for the LKB NTCP model of rectal complications is based exclusively on datasets obtained with 3D conformal techniques. The report suggests that inherent differences in rectal dose distributions obtained with IMRT techniques could require modification of the parameters which provide the best fit to clinical data. Methods: We compiled a database of 81 prostate patients who were treated with an IMRT technique to a dose of 77.4 Gy, 1.8Gy/fx, with an integrated boost to 81-83Gy in a sub-volume of a prostate which was identified on a pre-treatment MRI study. Acute grade 2+ rectal toxicities were graded according to CTCAE v4 by a physician who retrospectively reviewed patient's medical records. We used the API interface of the Eclipse Treatment Planning System (Varian, Inc) to extract dosimetric data for rectum with contents. We used “R” statistical package to perform a maximum likelihood fit of the LKB model to data. We defined the model in terms of parameters, m,n and TD_50, as recommended in the Quantec report. We converted the dose to 2Gy equivalent dose using linear-quadratic model with alpha over beta of 3Gy, also as recommended in the Quantec report. Results: Grade 2+ acute rectal toxicity occurred in 19% (15/81 patients). The best fit of LKB model to data was obtained for n = 0.06, m = 0.073, and TD_50 = 67.4Gy. Prediction accuracy was quantified using the Area Under the Curve method which yielded a value of 0.63, consistent with published data. Conclusion: We obtained LKB model parameters which are reasonably consistent with Quantec recommendations. A low value of parameter ‘n’ indicates sensitivity of rectal complications to high doses in the rectum. Our value of TD_50 is lower than Quantec recommendations, likely due to our use of acute complications.
Maximum likelihood estimation of spontaneous mutation rates from large initial populations

Abstract When estimating a spontaneous mutation rate from either a single culture ( C = 1) or from the C parallel cultures ( C > 1) of a fluctuation experiment, the use of a large initial population size N 0 to seed each culture will permit a gaussian approximation for the probability distribution of the number M of mutants at the time when the culture(s) has(have) grown to size N = N 0 2 g , i.e., experienced g doublings. Using this gaussian approximation we find that the maximum likelihood estimate μ of the expected number μ of mutants present in a culture in generation g is (exactly) μ = 1 2 ( r 2 +4 M 2 −r) where r = 2 g / g and M 2 is the average of the squares of the C mutant counts. The maximum likelihood estimate p of the unknown mutation rate p is p = 2 μ gN assuming an ‘ideal’ experiment and that there were no mutants in the initial population. A well-behaved maximum likelihood estimate is known to be efficient in large samples and we illustrate by Monte Carlo simulation that indeed p is better (has smaller mean squared error) than our previous (Rossman et al., 1995) estimator p = 2 M gN ( M is the average mutant count) provided N 0 is of the order of 1 p or larger. This advantage exists even without a fluctuation experiment, i.e., for C = 1.
The contribution of longevity to population death rates

The magnitude of a population's per capita death rate depends on the maximum age at death and the intensity or schedule of mortality of its members. Knowing the maximum possible lifespan that an animal can achieve when raised under defined conditions makes it possible to calculate the component of per capita death rate due to longevity alone. This component is most important to slow-growing populations of animals with relatively short lifespans. Life-table experiments with two rotifer species and a cladoceran indicate that the short lifespans of these animals account for moderate proportions (up to 37.2%) of their population death rates. Decomposing per capita death rates into two components, one due to maximum length of life and another due to differential mortality of animals of different ages, may therefore be a useful way to examine how deleterious processes, such as predation and starvation, limit growth of zooplankton populations.
Promoting delivery system integration to foster higher value care slow progress ahead.

While most people think of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as designed primarily to expand insurance coverage, the roughly 900page bill establishes numerous additional programs promising to change the delivery structure of American medicine. Most notably, the ACA provides clear impetus for hospitals to establish closer relations, if not integration, with medical groups providing ambulatory care and health care providers responsible for post–acute care.
Cocaine-opioid interactions in groups of rats trained to discriminate different doses of cocaine.

Rationale: The growing abuse of cocaine combined with morphine-like opiates (”speedballs”) in human addicts has prompted efforts to characterize the roles of different opioid receptor subtypes in mediating their combined effects. Previous drug discrimination studies in rats have been inconsistent in showing significant interactions between cocaine and opioid agonists in subjects trained to discriminate a relatively high dose of cocaine from vehicle. It is known, however, that the training dose of cocaine can play a key role in drug-substitution and drug-interaction profiles and, therefore, training rats to discriminate a relatively low dose of cocaine may influence its interactions with opioid agonists. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to examine the degree to which a relatively high (10 mg/kg) versus a relatively low (3.0 mg/kg) cocaine training dose influenced the interactions between cocaine and either the µ opioid agonist morphine or the κ opioid agonist U50,488. Methods: Substitution tests with cumulative doses of cocaine, morphine and U50,488 were conducted, as were studies in which selected doses of morphine or U50,488 were administered prior to cumulative doses of cocaine. Results: In substitution tests, cocaine was 2.9 times more potent under the low- than the high-dose training condition. Morphine substituted fully for cocaine in the majority of subjects trained to discriminate the low, but not the high, dose of cocaine. U50,488 engendered mainly saline-lever responses under both training conditions. In pretreatment studies, morphine enhanced and U50,488 attenuated the discriminative stimulus effects of cocaine in low-dose, but not high-dose, trained rats. In low-dose trained rats, cocaine was five- to eightfold more potent after morphine and three- to fourfold less potent after U50,488 pretreatments. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that cocaine–opioid interactions are dependent on the training dose of cocaine in rats and suggest an opposing influence of µ and κ opioid receptors in modifying the discriminative stimulus effects of cocaine.
Photoacoustic tomography: High-resolution imaging of optical contrast in vivo at superdepths

We develop photoacoustic imaging technologies for in vivo early-cancer detection and functional imaging by physically combining non-ionizing electromagnetic and ultrasonic waves. Unlike ionizing x-ray radiation, non-ionizing electromagnetic waves, such as optical and radio waves, pose no health hazard and, at the same time, reveal new contrast mechanisms. Unfortunately, electromagnetic waves in the non-ionizing spectral region do not penetrate biological tissue in straight paths as x-rays do. Consequently, high-resolution tomography based on non-ionizing electromagnetic waves alone, as demonstrated by confocal microscopy and two-photon microscopy as well as optical coherence tomography, is limited to superficial imaging within about one optical transport mean free path (∼1 mm in the skin) of the surface of biological tissue. Ultrasonic imaging, on the contrary, provides good image resolution but has strong speckle artifacts as well as poor contrast in early-stage tumors. We have developed ultrasound-mediated imaging modalities by combining electromagnetic and ultrasonic waves synergistically to overcome the above limitations. The hybrid modalities provide relatively deep penetration at high ultrasonic resolution and yield speckle-free images with high electromagnetic contrast.
Securities Arbitration: Is It Truly Efficient, or Can It Be Improved?

This is an in‐depth and critical look at securities arbitration. How efficient is it? Is it a better option than the courtroom? Were industry expectations of the benefits of arbitration justified?
An analysis of the growth of the cranial vault in rabbits by vital staining with lead acetate

The mode and the rate of formation of individual bones in the cranium were studied by vital staining with lead acetate in 13 New Zealand white rabbits beginning at 35 days of age. These evaluations were compared with45Ca uptake at bilaterally comparable sites.
An optimal exponential method for improved calculation of laplace integrals and power series

A new general procedure developed here improves the calculation of both Laplace-type integrals and convergent power series: Integrals and series of this type (which often depend on parameters) arise frequently in the solution of important chemical engineering problems, especially in the transport and chemical reaction areas. The results of this study yield convenient analytical approximations. A recursive algorithm determines the required numerical coefficients with the aid of a computer. Several examples illustrate the features of the new technique. Some comparisons are made to earlier improvement methods, such as Pade approximation.
The binding of divalent metal ions to platelet factor XIII modulates its proteolysis by trypsin and thrombin

We investigated the effect of divalent metal ions on the proteolytic cleavage and activation of platelet Factor XIII by thrombin and trypsin. In the absence of metal ions (5 mM EDTA), trypsin and thrombin rapidly degraded platelet Factor XIII (80 kDa) to low-molecular-mass peptides (50-19 kDa) with simultaneous loss of transglutaminase activity. Divalent metal ions protected Factor XIII from proteolytic inactivation with an order of efficacy of Ca2+ greater than Zn2+ greater than Mg2+ greater than Mn2+. Calcium (2 mM) increased by 10- to 1000-fold the trypsin and thrombin concentrations required to degrade Factor XIII to a 19-kDa peptide. Factor XIIIa formed by thrombin in the presence of 5 mM EDTA had one-half the specific activity of Factor XIIIa formed in the presence of calcium. Factor XIII was cleaved by trypsin in the presence of 5 mM Ca2+ to a 51 +/- 3-kDa fragment that had 60% of the original Factor XIIIa activity. A similar tryptic peptide formed in the presence of 5 mM EDTA did not have transglutaminase activity. In the presence of 5 mM Mg2+, thrombin cleaved Factor XIII to a major 51 +/- 3-kDa fragment that had 60% of the Factor XIIIa activity. Mn2+ (0.1-5 mM) limited trypsin and thrombin proteolysis. The resulting digest containing a population of Factor XIII fragments (50-14 kDa) expressed 50-60% transglutaminase activity of Factor XIIIa. Factor XIII was fully activated by both trypsin and thrombin in the presence of 5 mM Zn2+, resulting in two fragments of 76 and 72 kDa. We conclude that the binding of divalent metal ions to platelet Factor XIII induces conformational changes in the protein that alter its susceptibility to proteolysis and influence the expression of transglutaminase activity.
Using restructured electricity supply industries to understand oligopoly industry outcomes

Abstract This paper argues that many determinants of generic oligopoly market outcomes can be studied in bid-based wholesale electricity markets under much weaker assumptions than in other oligopoly industries because of their rich data, regulatory history, and clearly specified market rules. These methods are compared to those used in existing studies of oligopolistic industries where the best data available are market-clearing prices and quantities and demand and cost shifters. The extent to which the methods used in bid-based wholesale electricity markets generalize conventional methods is explained in detail and major applications of these techniques are summarized. Lessons from the study of wholesale electricity markets for the monitoring and design of other oligopolistic markets are also discussed.
Advances in microradiocarbon dating and the direct tracing of environmental carbon

Some important findings are presented concerning atmospheric carbon, particularly for those species having potential effects on climate and human health.
Managing incontinence: Women's normalizing strategies

Women's strategies for managing urinary incontinence were examined in a grounded‐theory study. The women's basic social concern was dealing with incontinence in a manner that enabled them to feel normal. Feeling normal meant being able to do what they wanted to do and needed to do to have a normal life‐style as they perceived it. This goal was accomplished by normalizing incontinence and its management. Normalization was achieved by directing its course through self‐management, accounting for it in terms of personal history and life experiences, and delaying medical counsel. These strategies are described. The findings provide fresh insights about women's response to incontinence and their practice of self‐managing its consequences.
Characterization of the gtfB and gtfC promoters from Streptococcus mutans GS-5.

We have characterized the promoter regions of the gtfB and gtfC genes from Streptococcus mutans GS-5. Using a plasmid-based reporter system, we discovered that the gtfC promoter is an order of magnitude stronger than the gtfB promoter. In addition, we found that a variety of growth conditions failed to affect or discriminate between the expression of the two promoters. Only during the various phases of growth could we demonstrate significant changes in expression. We conclude that gtfB and gtfC promoters are coordinately expressed.
Breast implant safety.

When reading Jocelyn Kaiser's article “Scientific panel clears breast implants” (News of the Week, 11 Dec. p. [1963][1]), one should not confuse the failure to accumulate sufficient human evidence that silicone breast implants damage the health of some people with evidence that no such link, in
Romantic partner deviance and the continuity of violence from adolescence to adulthood among offending girls.

Little research has examined whether romantic relationships promote or deter antisocial behavior over the transition to adulthood among women who offend in adolescence. We examined associations between partner deviance and offending for women who were sentenced to confinement within a juvenile correctional facility in adolescence. Most (73.6%) women dated deviant partners in adulthood. Women with deviant partners experienced significant continuity in violent crime between adolescence and adulthood, whereas those with nondeviant partners did not. Results held after controlling for age, relationship length, and peer deviance. Partner deviance was associated with increased nonviolent crime within adulthood, but did not moderate the continuity of nonviolent crime. Interventions targeting the development of prosocial relationships might help reduce violence among high-risk girls.
Effect of Creatinine Clearance on Patterns of Toxicity in Older Patients Receiving Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

A number of age-related physiological changes contribute to an increased risk of toxicity of cancer chemotherapy in the elderly. One of the most important of these changes is the progressive decline in renal function with aging. We sought to determine the association between calculated creatinine clearance (CLCR) and grade 3 or 4 toxicities during adjuvant chemotherapy in women ≥65 years of age with breast cancer. We identified 1405 patients ≥65 years of age who had been treated for primary invasive breast cancer at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center between January 1998 and December 2000. Patients were included in this analysis if they had stage I–III breast cancer and had received adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients were excluded if they had a prior history of breast cancer or chemotherapy, or had no baseline creatinine value available for review. The 126 patients who met our criteria had received either cyclophos-phamide, methotrexate and fluorouracil (CMF) [n = 65, mean age 71, range 65–78] or an anthracycline-based regimen (n = 61, mean age 69, range 65–79). The majority of patients (97%) had a normal creatinine. CLCR, as calculated by the Cockcroft-Gault and Jeliffe formulas, decreased with increasing age (increased age associated with decreased Cockcroft-Gault [p = 0.02]; increased age associated with decreased Jeliffe [p < 0.01]). In multivariate analysis, after controlling for age and co-morbidity, a CLCR <50 mL/min by the Cockcroft-Gault formula was associated with an increased risk of fever and neutropenia (odds ratio [OR] 3.60; 95% CI 1.00, 12.94; p = 0.05) and a CLCR <50 mL/min by the Jeliffe formula was associated with a trend towards an increased risk of fever and neutropenia (OR 3.30; 95% CI 0.91, 12.33; p = 0.07), grade 3 or 4 haematological toxicity (OR 2.43; 95% CI 0.90, 6.55; p = 0.08), and need for erythropoietin (OR 4.15; 95% CI 0.81, 2.99; p = 0.09). An increase in creatinine (as a continuous variable) was associated with a trend towards an increased risk of grade 3 or 4 haematological toxicity (OR 5.81; 95% CI 0.96, 35.33; p = 0.06). In this cohort of older breast cancer patients, a decreased CLCR and increased creatinine was associated with an increased risk of fever and neutropenia or haematological toxicity. CLCR should be considered when determining chemotherapy dosage in the elderly.