cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reduction in JCV antibody titers in multiple sclerosis patients treated with rituximab (P5.368)

Objective: To determine the stability of JC virus antibody titers in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with rituximab. Background: Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody to CD20, has been used to treat multiple diseases including lymphoma, leukemia, autoimmune disorders and, more recently, MS. Long-term use of rituximab is associated with the development of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Use of JC virus (JCV) antibody titers has uncertain significance as a risk stratification tool with rituximab. Design/Methods: We investigated the change in antibody titers to JCV in 68 patients with MS on rituximab therapy at the BIDMC MS Center. Results: Using data from patients receiving rituximab dosed at 100 mg every 6 months, 500 mg every 6 months and 1000 mg every 6 months treated for a mean of 28. 2 months, we found 63% of patients overall had a decrease in anti-JCV titers. Patients on 1000 mg every 6 month dosing were more likely to have a decrease in their titer (76.2%) versus those on 500 mg every 6 months dosing (66.7%). No patients on 100 mg every 6 months dosing experienced decreased JCV antibody titers. The overall seroprevalance of anti-JCV antibodies in patients was found to be 76%. During rituximab treatment, overall seropositivity prevalence fell to 69.7% with 2 patients converting from seropositive to seronegative. Similar reductions were seen when measuring immunoglobulin subsets in patients on rituximab. Levels taken prior to or within 1 year of rituximab treatment as compared to during treatment showed a decrease in IgG, IgM and IgA in 77.3%, 90.5% and 62.0% of patients, respectively. Conclusions: Physicians may need to exercise caution when using JCV antibody titers to risk stratify patients for PML due to JCV titer reduction with rituximab use. In addition, long term use of rituximab may lead to additional decreases in immunoglobulin levels, increasing susceptibility to other infections. Study Supported by: N/A Disclosure: Dr. Siddiqui has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sloane has nothing to disclose. Dr. Egnor has nothing to disclose. Dr. Johnson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mojica has nothing to disclose.
Predicting Intention Through Eye Gaze Patterns

Eye movement is a valuable (and in several cases, the only remaining) means of communication for impaired people with extremely limited motor or communication capabilities. In this paper, we present a new framework that utilizes eye gaze patterns as input, to predict user's intention for performing daily tasks. The proposed framework consists of two main modules. First, by clustering the eye gaze patterns, the regions of interest (ROIs) on the displayed image are extracted. A deep convolutional neural network is then trained and used to recognize the objects in each ROI. Finally, the intended task is predicted by using support vector machine (SVM) through learning the embedded relationship between recognized objects. The proposed framework is tested using data from 8 subjects, in an experiment considering 4 intended tasks as well as the scenario in which the user does not have a specific intention when looking at the displayed image. Results demonstrate an average accuracy of 95.68% across all tasks, confirming the efficacy of the proposed framework.
15.03 – Nasal Airways☆

In recent years, there has been a remarkable increase in scientific information on the structure and function of the nose and its response to inhaled toxicants. This previously under examined part of the respiratory tract has been the focus of research efforts in a variety of diverse scientific disciplines, besides toxicology, such as neuroscience, immunology, pharmacology, and even paleontology. The tremendous discoveries made over the past two decades in the area of olfactory science were highlighted worldwide when Drs. Buck and Axel were awarded the 2004 Nobel Prize in biology for their pioneering work on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of olfaction. Major scientific advances have also been made in the field of nasal toxicology, ever since the first published reports that long-term inhalation exposures to high concentrations of formaldehyde induce nasal tumors in laboratory rodents.
Crossing Boundaries for Collaboration in Comparative Perspective: Key Insights, Lessons Learned, and Recommendations for Future Practice

This chapter concludes the book by providing a comparative analysis of the collaborative projects described in the foregoing chapters. The premise is that the projects largely had to learn by doing about how to effectively collaborate across boundaries to pursue social-ecological systems (SES) science and outreach. The chapter therefore focuses on key insights, shared challenges, factors affecting the difficulty of challenges, noteworthy strategies to address challenges, and recommendations for future teams preparing to pursue collaboration across boundaries. Each section features salient contributions from the teams on the collaborative projects, noting similarities and differences in their experiences. The book concludes with a final reflection about the strategic importance of the decision to embark on the enterprise that is collaboration across boundaries.
The great Atlantic Sargassum belt

Pelagic Sargassum is abundant in the Sargasso Sea, but a recurrent great Atlantic Sargassum belt (GASB) has been observed in satellite imagery since 2011, often extending from West Africa to the Gulf of Mexico. In June 2018, the 8850-kilometer GASB contained >20 million metric tons of Sargassum biomass. The spatial distribution of the GASB is mostly driven by ocean circulation. The bloom of 2011 might be a result of Amazon River discharge in previous years, but recent increases and interannual variability after 2011 appear to be driven by upwelling off West Africa during boreal winter and by Amazon River discharge during spring and summer, indicating a possible regime shift and raising the possibility that recurrent blooms in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean Sea may become the new norm.
The Indirect Relationship Between Interpersonal Trauma History and Alcohol Use via Negative Cognitions in a Multisite Alcohol Treatment Sample.

Although interpersonal trauma history (ITH) is frequently associated with alcohol use disorder (AUD), little is known about specific psychological constructs that may indirectly link these phenomen...
GOES: Girls in Ocean Engineering and Science Institute

The GOES: Girls in Ocean Engineering and Science program encourages rising 6th grade girls to consider careers in science and engineering. Through a hands-on 4-day summer program, the students learn engineering through design and building activities and learn about the ocean by exploring the natural environment.
Elasticity of substitution and technical efficiency: evidence from the US electricity generation

ABSTRACTThe implications of national or regional energy policies for technical efficiency and environmental outcomes in electricity generation depend on fossil fuel input substitution. This study u...
Structural neuroimaging of the altered brain stemming from pediatric and adolescent hearing loss—Scientific and clinical challenges

There has been a spurt in structural neuroimaging studies of the effect of hearing loss on the brain. Specifically, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) technologies provide an opportunity to quantify changes in gray and white matter structures at the macroscopic scale. To date, there have been 32 MRI and 23 DTI studies that have analyzed structural differences accruing from pre- or peri-lingual pediatric hearing loss with congenital or early onset etiology and postlingual hearing loss in pre-to-late adolescence. Additionally, there have been 15 prospective clinical structural neuroimaging studies of children and adolescents being evaluated for cochlear implants. The results of the 70 studies are summarized in two figures and three tables. Plastic changes in the brain are seen to be multifocal rather than diffuse, that is, differences are consistent across regions implicated in the hearing, speech and language networks regardless of modes of communication and amplification. Structures in that play an important role in cognition are affected to a lesser extent. A limitation of these studies is the emphasis on volumetric measures and on homogeneous groups of subjects with hearing loss. It is suggested that additional measures of morphometry and connectivity could contribute to a greater understanding of the effect of hearing loss on the brain. Then an interpretation of the observed macroscopic structural differences is given. This is followed by discussion of how structural imaging can be combined with functional imaging to provide biomarkers for longitudinal tracking of amplification. This article is categorized under: Developmental Biology > Developmental Processes in Health and Disease Translational, Genomic, and Systems Medicine > Translational Medicine Laboratory Methods and Technologies > Imaging.
Two-Stream Instability of Counterrotating Galaxies

The present study of the two-stream instability in stellar disks with counterrotating components of stars and/or gas is stimulated by recently discovered counterrotating spiral and S0 galaxies. Strong linear two-stream instability of tightly wrapped spiral waves is found for one- and two-armed waves with the pattern angular speed of the unstable waves always intermediate between the angular speed of the corotating matter (+Ω) and that of the counterrotating matter (-Ω). The instability arises from the interaction of positive and negative energy modes in the co- and counterrotating components. The unstable waves are in general convective—they move in radius and radial wavenumber space—with the result that amplification of the advected wave is more important than the local growth rate. For a galaxy of corotating stars and counterrotating stars of mass fraction ξ*<½, or of counterrotating gas of mass fraction ξg<½, the largest amplification is usually for the one-armed leading waves (with respect to the corotating stars). For the case of both counterrotating stars and gas, the largest amplifications are for ξ*+ξg ≈ ½, also for one-armed leading waves. The two-armed trailing waves usually have smaller amplifications. The growth rates and amplifications all decrease as the velocity spreads of the stars and/or gas increase. It is suggested that the spiral waves can provide an effective viscosity for the gas causing its accretion.
Preoperative Frailty Status and Intensity of End-of-Life Care Among Older Adults After Emergency Surgery.

Abstract Context Emergency general surgery (EGS) is common and highly morbid for older adults, particularly for those who are frail. However, there are little data on the quality of end-of-life care (EOLC) for this population. Objectives We sought to examine the association of frailty with intensity of EOLC for older adults with and without frailty who undergo EGS but die within one year. Methods This retrospective cohort study included 100% Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries, ≥66 years, who underwent one of five EGS procedures with the highest mortality (partial colectomy, small bowel resection, peptic ulcer disease repair, adhesiolysis, or laparotomy) between 2008 and 2014 and died within one year. A validated claims-based frailty index (CFI) identified patients who were not frail (CFI Results Among 138,916 older EGS adults who died within one year, 32.2% were not frail, 31.7% were prefrail, 29.8% had mild frailty and 6.3% had moderate-to-severe frailty. Decedents with any degree of frailty experienced high-intensity EOLC (P Conclusion While all older patients undergoing EGS have poor end-of-life outcomes, frail EGS patients receive the highest intensity EOLC and represent a vulnerable population for whom targeted interventions could limit burdensome treatment.
The Financial Crisis of 1847 (A)

On October 25, 1847, British prime minister John Russell met with his cabinet to review a deepening financial crisis and to weigh proposals for government response. Chief among these were two proposals. The first was to suspend the Bank Charter Act of 1844 in order to permit the Bank of England to discount more freely and to issue banknotes in greater volume than the Act allowed. In recent days, delegations of merchants, industrialists, and country bankers had approached Russell to plead for more currency. The second was to do nothing and allow the crisis to run its course. Some members of Parliament argued that the whole point of the Act was to impose discipline at times like this, so to suspend it would make a mockery of that discipline and create moral hazard.As leaders of the Whig Party, Russell and his cabinet would need to navigate carefully through the crisis, owing to the slim majority his government held in Parliament. The A case describes five shocks that promoted the financial crisis of 1847—agriculture, railways, demand, monetary, and fiscal—as well as the complicated political situation at this time of the Irish potato famine. The B case offers an epilogue. Excerpt UVA-F-1930 Rev. May 27, 2020 The Financial Crisis of 1847 (A) On Sunday, October 24, 1847, the British prime minister John Russell met with his cabinet to review a deepening financial crisis and to weigh proposals for the government response. • Reports on the Irish potato famine and food riots in Scotland prompted appeals for more social relief by purchasing grain from America and distributing it to the starving people. Payment for grain imports had worsened Britain's balance of payments and led to the loss of gold reserves at the Bank of England (BoE). The humanitarian crisis triggered demands for more food. How should the government finance it? • A fiscal crisis loomed as growing government deficits, a negative balance of payments, and erosion in gold reserves weakened investor confidence in government bonds. A debt issue in April 1847 struggled to attract investors, and news of that difficulty sparked a run on banks. How should the government correct the deficits? Raise taxes? Cut expenses? If so, how much and where? . . .
Evaluation of behavioral changes in cattle using three-dimensional accelerometers during experimental infection with bovine viral diarrhea virus

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a leading cause of morbidity and death in cattle. Timely recognition of sickness before development of irreparable damage to the lungs, which results in substantial economic loss, continues to be difficult. Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) contributes to the development of BRD. Currently, detection of BRD relies upon subjective assessment of cattle, which is reported to have a low diagnostic sensitivity and specificity because ill cattle alter behavior in the presence of human observers. Efforts to identify BRD and predict its occurrence have used clinicopathologic measures of inflammation, including alterations in inflammatory cells and acute phase proteins, such as haptoglobin. These diagnostics are invasive, expensive, and subject to variability dependent upon the stage of the disease. The need for remote, objective measurement of behavior in ill cattle prompted the development of several technologies capable of real-time collection of various physiologic variables. The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior of cattle that were experimentally inoculated with a low-virulent strain of BVDV and presumably subclinically infected by the use of 3-D accelerometers. Behavior responses were evaluated in conjunction with traditional markers of inflammation.
A Multiparametric MRI Protocol for Evaluation of Cognitive Insufficiency, Dementia and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): A Case Series

Background The purpose of this work was to determine the extent to which a multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approach to patients with dementia and/or traumatic brain injury (TBI) can help to determine the most likely diagnosis and the prognosis of these patients. Objective Volumetric brain MRI alone is recognized as a useful imaging tool to differentiate behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) from the more common Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Our objective is to create a protocol that will provide additional non-standard, objective imaging data that can be utilized clinically to distinguish common and uncommon forms of dementia and TBI. As patients with these diseases are increasingly presenting to clinical practice, our ability to combine multiple parameters within the standard 30-minute or 45-minute (pre- and post-contrast) MRI exams has high potential to affect current and future clinical practice. Methods All MRI studies were performed on 1.5 T MRI GE 450w or GE HDx imagers. All patients were seen clinically in outpatient practices. All techniques are FDA approved. The 30 minute protocol utilized T2w FSE 3 mm, 2.5 mm SWAN, 3D T1 sagittal 1.2 mm, DWI 5 mm, 3D FLAIR 1.2 mm, 2.5 mm SWAN (susceptibility sensitive), 3D T1 sagittal 1.2 mm, arterial spin labeling perfusion, posterior cingulate single voxel PRESS MR spectroscopy and NeuroQuant automated volumetric analysis and LesionQuant automated lesion detection and measurement. The 45-minute TBI protocol added diffusion tensor imaging, MR spectroscopy (MRS) of normal appearing frontal white matter and 3D gadolinium enhanced technique. Results The combination of multiparametric data together with standard imaging and clinical information allowed radiologic interpretation that was able to focus on 1–2 specific diagnoses and to indicate those patients in which a combination of pathologies was most likely. Neurologists, gerontologists, neuropsychologists and psychiatric specialists used these data and our summary conclusions to develop more specific diagnoses, treatments and prognoses. Conclusions Readily available MRI techniques can be added to standard imaging to markedly improve the usefulness of the radiologic opinion in cases of subjective cognitive insufficiency, clinical mild cognitive insufficiency, behavioral pathologies, dementia and post-traumatic brain syndromes.
Role of 3D Printing and Modeling to Aid in Neuroradiology Education for Medical Trainees.

Background Applications of 3-dimensional (3D) printing in medical imaging and health care are expanding. Currently, primary uses involve presurgical planning and patient and medical trainee education. Neuroradiology is a complex subdiscipline of radiology that requires further training beyond radiology residency. This review seeks to explore the clinical value of 3D printing and modeling specifically in enhancing neuroradiology education for radiology physician residents and medical trainees. Methods A brief review summarizing the key steps from radiologic image to 3D printed model is provided, including storage of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging data as digital imaging and communications in medicine files; conversion to standard tessellation language (STL) format; manipulation of STL files in interactive medical image control system software (Materialise) to create 3D models; and 3D printing using various resins via a Formlabs 2 printer. Results For the purposes of demonstration and proof of concept, neuroanatomy models deemed crucial in early radiology education were created via open-source hardware designs under free or open licenses. 3D-printed objects included a sphenoid bone, cerebellum, skull base, middle ear labyrinth and ossicles, mandible, circle of Willis, carotid aneurysm, and lumbar spine using a combination of clear, white, and elastic resins. Conclusions Based on this single-institution experience, 3D-printed complex neuroanatomical structures seem feasible and may enhance resident education and patient safety. These same steps and principles may be applied to other subspecialties of radiology. Artificial intelligence also has the potential to advance the 3D process.
An Algorithm to Solve the Zeckendorf Game

Zeckendorf proved that every positive integer N can be written uniquely as the sum of non-adjacent Fibonacci numbers. This property can be used to create a two-player Zeckendorf game. A recent paper proved that player 2 has the winning strategy for all N>2. However, the proof was non-constructive. In fact, the paper only provided computer code of the winning strategy of player 2 by brute force. In this paper, we present an algorithm to efficiently solve the Zeckendorf game. Specifically, we convert the game to a directed graph, prove that the graph has no cycles and only one terminal node, and construct an iterative algorithm to find all the winning strategies of player 2. We provide an example to show that the proposed algorithm works much more efficiently than a brute force approach.
Investigation of effect of variations in bone fraction and red marrow cellularity on bone marrow dosimetry in I-131 radioimmunotherapy (RIT)

583 Objectives Because marrow toxicity is the dose-limiting factor in RIT of non-Hodgkin9s lymphoma, accurate a priori determation of red marrow absorbed dose could permit patient-specific treatment planning and lead to better therapeutic outcomes. We describe here a method for computing dose to red marrow which accounts for spatial variation in bone fraction and marrow cellularity. Methods The 3D Monte Carlo dosimetry program DPM was expanded to treat energy deposition in marrow-bearing bone regions distinctly. Homogeneous voxels in regions of trabecular bone (defined on CT images) was assumed to be comprised only of bone, red marrow and yellow marrow, with cellularities determined from biopsy and bone fractions from voxel densities. Models of energy deposition for primary beta particles and photon-generated secondary electrons were devised to tally dose in the three constituent bone materials, based on tabulated energy absorption fractions, which are functions of energy, cellularity, and reference bone region (for data taken from literature) or patient-specific bone fractions (for which data was derived from EGS5 Monte Carlo simulations). Evaluations were performed using patient bone images and over the range of cellularities seen in typical RIT cases. Results Treating dose to constituents of trabecular bone distinctly produced marrow doses which differed from homogenous bone doses by up to 30%, depending on the model used and the cellularity. Ignoring cellularity lead to underestimation of marrow dose by roughly 20% at low cellularity. Conclusions Accurate bone marrow dosimetry must account for variations in marrow cellularity and bone fraction. Research Support NIH 2R01 EB00199
Simulation replay - Implementation and flight simulation applications

Throughout the aircraft development process flight simulators are used to evaluate design concepts, 'handling' qualities, and operational procedures. A modern flight research simulator comprises a cockpit equipped with flight instruments and controls, subsystems to provide visual, motion, and other flight cues, and a digital computer. REPLAY is a computer program which enables a user to reproduce the multidimensional flight cues for an entire simulation 'run'. Attention is given to simulation fidelity improvement, simulation data recovery, simulation quality assurance, and aircraft systems research. It is pointed out that each of the applications discussed supports aircraft systems research by improving the realism, efficiency, or reliability of the simulation facility.
A demystification of the U-shaped probability distribution

A measurement uncertainty calculation involves the consideration of several different probability distributions. Of those considered, the U-shaped distribution is generally least familiar to the typical EMC engineer. This paper attempts to demystify the U-shaped distribution by studying a situation in which the distribution occurs naturally (the Voltage Standing Wave (VSW) amplitude generated along a cable by impedance mismatch at its termination). An analytical expression for the probability distribution is derived and shown to be U-shaped.
Application of Fourier and Laplace transform techniques for modeling an electric circuit having time-varying components

Electric field flow fractionation is a technique in which an electric field is applied perpendicular to the direction of the flow of fluid. This technique was first introduced in 1972. However, not much progress was made due to an inherent problem associated with polarization near the electrodes. Polarization induces a double layer which causes most of the potential drop to occur near the channel walls (electrodes) leaving a very weak field inside the channel. It is essential to understand the physics behind the formation of the double layer in order to model the channel behavior appropriately. Such would help in the identification of ways-and-means to manipulate the double layer so that higher effective potential in the channel, and hence improved analyte retention, could be achieved. This paper mainly focuses on modeling aspects of the equivalent circuit of a fluid channel. Comparison of simulated current response and experimental data indicate that time varying circuit parameters are necessary to provide a good fit over the entire time domain. Time varying components in an electrical circuit presented a unique set of problems. A discussion of these problems and results of preliminary simulations have been presented in this paper.
Ultrastructural Changes Associated with Activation and Germination of Bacillus cereus T Spores

Abstract The ultrastructural changes occurring during defined stages of the transition of dormant Bacillus cereus T spores into heat-sensitive forms were investigated. The coat of the heat-activated spores displayed conspicuous striations across its middle layer. Electron microscopy of thin sections of heat-activated spores revealed the presence in the spore of a layer consisting of hexagonally oriented subunits. It was demonstrated that the subcoat region, but not the cortex, disappears rapidly during germination of B. cereus T spores. The fibrous structures apparently associated with the spore coat remain virtually unchanged during the entire course of activation and germination.
Carlos Bulosan and a Collective Outline for Critical Filipina and Filipino Studies

As an activist-scholar formation called the Critical Filipina and Filipino StudiesCollective (CFFSC) we take the position that Carlos Bulosan is indispensable foran emerging multidisciplinary field that is equipped in defying the neoliberalonslaught against ethnic studies in the United States and the unbridled racismmost evident in the ongoing US “wars of terrorism” that haunt people of colorthroughout the world. We take seriously Bulosan’s insight that “[I]f the writer hasany significance, [s]he should write about the world in which [s]he lives: interprethis [her] time and envision the future through his [her] knowledge of historicalreality” (On Becoming Filipino 43). While Bulosan for our times can be taken upin an assortment of ways, for the purpose of this article we draw upon Bulosan’swriting and praxis to conceptualize an outline for CFFS that can offer groundedanalysis and academic critique.
The Search for Trans-Acting Factors Controlling Messenger RNA Decay

Control of mRNA turnover is an integral component of regulated gene expression. Individual mRNAs display a wide range of stabilities, which in many cases have been linked to discrete sequence elements. The most extensively characterized determinants of rapid constitutive mRNA turnover in mammalian systems are A + U-rich elements (AREs), first identified in the 3′ untranslated regions of many cytokine/lymphokine and protooncogene mRNAs. In this article, we describe recent advances in the characterization of ARE-directed mRNA turnover, including links to deadenylation kinetics and functional heterogeneity among AREs from different mRNAs. We then describe strategies employed in the search for trans-acting factors interacting with these elements. Using such techniques, an ARE-binding activity capable of accelerating c-myc mRNA turnover in vitro was identified, and named AUF1. Subsequent cloning and characterization revealed that AUF1 exists as a family of four proteins formed by alternative splicing of a common pre-mRNA and appears to function as part of a multisubunit trans-acting complex to promote ARE-directed mRNA turnover. Investigations using several systems have demonstrated that AUF1 expression and/or activity correlate with rapid decay of ARE-containing mRNAs, and that both expression and activity of AUF1 are regulated by developmental and signal transduction mechanisms.
Consensus methods for finding and ranking DNA binding sites. Application to Escherichia coli promoters.

There have been many different approaches employed to define the “consensus” sequence of various DNA binding sites and to use the definition obtained to locate and rank members of a given sequence family. The analysis presented here enlists two of these approaches, each in modified form, to develop a highly efficient search protocol for Escherichia coli promoters and to provide a relative ranking of these sites showing good agreement with in vitro measurements of promoter strength. Schneider et al. have applied Shannon's index of information content to evaluate the significance of each position within the consensus of a family of aligned sequences. In a formal sense, this index is only applicable to a group of sequences, providing at each position a negative entropy value between zero (random) and two bits (total conservation of a single base) for sequences in which all bases are equally represented. A method for evaluating how well an individual sequence conforms to the information content pattern of the consensus is described. A function is derived, by analogy to the information content of the sequence family, for application to individual sequences. Since this function is a measure of conformity, it can be used in a search protocol to identify new members of the family represented by the consensus. A protocol for locating E. coli promoters is presented. The Berg-von Hippel statistical-mechanical function is also tested in a similar application. While the information content function provides a superior search protocol, the Berg-von Hippel function, when scaled at each position by the information content, does well at ranking promoters according to their strength as measured in vitro.
Inlet Development for a Rocket Based Combined Cycle, Single Stage to Orbit Vehicle Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Design and analysis of the inlet for a rocket based combined cycle engine is discussed. Computational fluid dynamics was used in both the design and subsequent analysis. Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes simulations were performed using both perfect gas and real gas assumptions. An inlet design that operates over the required Mach number range from 0 to 12 was produced. Performance data for cycle analysis was post processed using a stream thrust averaging technique. A detailed performance database for cycle analysis is presented. The effect ot vehicle forebody compression on air capture is also examined.
Ryegrass forage yield and quality response to sulfur and nitrogen fertilizer on coastal plain soil

Abstract Sulfur (S) deficiency has been reported in some upland soils of the southern United States and S application has improved forage quality on the low‐S soils. A field experiment was conducted for three years to determine ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) dry matter yield and forage quality response to S fertilization. Prilled elemental S was applied each year at two rates (0 and 45 kg S/ha) in combinations with three rates of nitrogen (N) (168, 224, and 280 kg/ha). Wet depositions of S in rain were monitored over the seasons. Sulfur fertilization generally did not increase seasonal dry matter yield and plant uptake of S. Nitrogen application generally increased dry matter yield and protein content during the season. Averaged over the three‐year period, however, forage yield and S uptake increased from 7.7 to 10.5 Mg/ha and 13.9 to 18.8 kg/ha, respectively, as N fertilization increased from the lowest to highest treatment rates. Forage dry matter for each harvest ranged from 0.6 to 2.2 Mg/ha, while S...
Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy and survival: report from the National Cancer Data Base, 1998-2002.

The use of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) has been increasing despite questionable survival benefit. We examined the effect of CPM on survival using the National Cancer Data Base. We examined overall survival on 219,983 mastectomy patients diagnosed with unilateral AJCC Stage 1–III invasive breast cancer between 1998 and 2002 of which 14,994 (7 %) underwent CPM at the time of their index mastectomy. Median follow up time was 5 years. Neoadjuvant and locally advanced breast cancers were excluded. Approximately 4 % underwent CPM in 1998 compared to 9.4 % in 2002, an ~125 % increase. CPM patients were significantly younger than non-CPM patients, on managed care plans, and were treated at high volume centers. The unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) of death was 0.55 (95 % CI 0.52–0.57) for CPM compared to unilateral mastectomy. In a multivariable Cox model adjusting for age, race, stage, grade, histology, insurance, facility characteristics, use of adjuvant hormonal, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, and year of diagnosis, the adjusted HR was 0.88 (95 % CI 0.83–0.93; p < 0.001) which translated into an absolute 5-year benefit of 2 %. There was a differential effect of CPM by stage and age: HR = 0.88 (95 % CI 0.82–0.94; p < 0.001) in women younger than 70 with stage I/II, and HR = 0.95 (95 % CI 0.88–1.04; p = 0.28) in women with stage III or older than age 69 which translated into an absolute 5-year benefit of 1.3 %. Utilization of hormonal therapy or chemotherapy had no effect on the HR. After adjusting for confounding, the overall survival benefit for CPM is minimal at best.
Understanding Focus Effects In Submicrometer Optical Lithography

A new approach for characterizing resolution and depth of focus (DOF) in optical microlithography is introduced. By examination of the interaction of the aerial image with the photoresist process, a metric of image quality is defined. The variation of this metric with feature size and defocus can be used to measure the resolution and DOF. The effects of various imaging parameters on DOF can then be determined. To further study focus effects in submicrometer imaging, the lithography simulation program PROLITH (the positive resist optical lithography model) is modi­ fied to account for defocus within the photoresist film. Subject terms: microlithography; depth of focus; resolution; lithography simula­ tion.
Cognitive Self-Instructional Training Approach for Reducing Disruptive Behavior of Young Children

The influence of cognitive self-instructional training on the impulsive-aggressive behavior of 16 third-grade boys was examined. Children were equated by ranks on the frequency of their aggressive and motor behavior in the classroom and randomly assigned to the cognitive self-instruction or an attention-control group. The instruction condition employed a training procedure which required the child to talk to himself, initially overtly and then covertly, to increase self-control. Posttreatment classroom observations and teachers' ratings showed that the instruction group exhibited fewer deviant behaviors compared to controls although the differences were non-significant. Daring a staged problematic situation the instruction condition showed somewhat fewer deviant responses than controls and the number of prosocial responses differed only slightly. However, there was a significant difference between groups in the frequency of waiting and verbal aggressive behaviors. Results suggest that the instruction grou...
Numerical Investigation of Bouncing Vibrations of a Partial Contact Slider

A nonlinear dynamic model is developed to analyze the bouncing vibration of a partial contact air bearing slider, which is designed for the areal recording density in hard disk drives of 1 Tbit/in2 or even higher. In this model the air bearing with contact is modeled using the generalized Reynolds equation modified with the Fukui-Kaneko slip correction and a new second order slip correction for the contact situation [1]. The adhesion, contact and friction between the slider and the disk are also considered in the model. It is found that the disk surface roughness, which moves into the head disk interface (HDI) as the disk rotates, excites the bouncing vibrations of the partial contact slider. The frequency spectra of the slider’s bouncing vibration have high frequency components that correspond to the slider-disk contact.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Commodity checkoff programs as alternative producer investment opportunities: The case of soybeans

Evaluations of commodity checkoff programs generally involve benefit-costs analyses. The typical benefit-cost approach, however, provides no clear criteria for judging whether program benefits exceeds the costs sufficiently to warrant continuation of the program. This article proposes a method for evaluating a commodity checkoff program as an alternative investment opportunity facing producers which allows a ranking of the program among investment alternatives facing producers. The procedure is demonstrated through an analysis of the soybean checkoff promotion program. The analysis clearly indicates that the soybean checkoff program has performed well as an investment alternative for soybean farmers and warrants consideration for continuation. In contrast, a benefit-cost analysis of the soybean checkoff program yields ambiguous results regarding both the magnitude of the producer benefit and whether the benefit is sufficiently large relative to cost to justify continuation of the program. [Econ-Lit citations: Q130, M300, M370] © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Recent developments in urinary kallikrein research

Abstract There have been numerous contributions to the knowledge of urinary kallikrein over the past few years. They throw light on the nature and the origin of urinary kallikrein, as well as improvements in the methods of measurement of its activity. The relationship of urinary kallikrein to salt and water excretion is critically reviewed; and its interaction with other renal endocrine hormonal systems highlighted.
High temperature air separation by perovskite-type oxide sorbents–Heat effect minimization

Abstract Oxygen sorption on perovskite-type oxides can be advantageously used for air separation at high temperature. The large heat of oxygen sorption on these oxide sorbents presents a major challenge for the heat management of the high sorption separation process in practical applications. This paper reports a method to minimize the heat effects by taking advantage of an endothermic process of oxygen vacancy order–disorder phase transition accompanying the oxygen sorption process on perovskite-type oxide sorbents. The oxygen sorption isotherms, phase diagram, exothermic heat of oxygen sorption, and endothermic heat of the order–disorder phase transition for La 0.1 Sr 0.9 Co 0.9 Fe 0.1 O 3 - δ were measured by simultaneous TGA/DSC and XRD. The conditions for zero apparent heat of sorption are determined. If the oxygen partial pressure change and adsorption temperature are controlled such that they give an oxygen adsorption amount, which is numerically equal to the ratio of heat of phase transition to heat of oxygen sorption, the net heat released from the oxygen sorption step can be minimized or controlled to be negligible. This strategy for heat effect minimization is demonstrated with the results of TGA/DSC measurements at different operating conditions and air separation by a fixed-bed packed with the perovskite-type oxide sorbent.
Critical Thinking and the Use of Optical Illusions

The ability to think critically-to "see clearly"-'is a skill that has generated a great deal of interest and attention among educators in recent years.2 One annotated bibliography of works published since 1980 cites over 900 monographs and articles on critical thinking (Cassel and Congleton 1993). The swath of disciplines represented by this body of literature is broad, and all levels of education are involved, from kindergarten and high school to post-secondary education3 and graduate-level programs. A center for critical thinking has been established at Sonoma State University to advance understanding and application of this mode of inquiry. The number of professional conferences devoted to this subject seems to be on the rise, as well. With only a few exceptions, however, political scientists have not contributed significantly to the conversation about critical think-
Interface Heuristics and Style Guide Design: An Air Battle Management Case Study:

Abstract : This paper describes the development of a human-machine interface style guide designed to promote a common look and feel among operator interfaces employed by air battle managers in the United States Air Force, and to reduce training requirements for operators moving between platforms. An analysis of the content of extensive operator interviews from all relevant platforms preceded the production of a compact style guide based on a few simple heuristics and populated with wire frame illustrations devised to act as examples of interfaces that were either compatible or incompatible with each rule. This novel methodology will be discussed as it applies to the air battle management work domain, and in the context of its ability to produce usable style guides.
Government policy with deficit financing, imperfect capital mobility and exchange rate effects on the supply side

Abstract This paper examines the impact of monetary and fiscal policy when supply-side effects of prices as well as exchange rates are taken into account in an open economy macro model. Partial deficit financing and imperfect international capital movements are appropriately modelled. It is shown that the well known Mundell–Fleming result, that fiscal policy is completely ineffective under perfect capital mobility and flexible exchange rates, is significantly affected when exchange rate effects on the supply side are taken into account. The paper also shows that such effects significantly alter the effects of devaluation under fixed exchange rates.
Relapses in the Guillain–Barré syndrome after treatment with intravenous immune globulin or plasma exchange

To clarify the question of whether Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS) patients treated with intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) relapse at a higher frequency than those treated with plasma exchange (PE), 54 patients with GBS were studied retrospectively. A higher frequency of relapses was noted in the PE-treated patients than in those receiving IVIG. The presence of an associated medical condition correlated with an increased risk of relapses, while earlier onset of treatment resulted in a decrease of relapses of GBS. This study found no support for prior suggestions of increased relapses in patients with GBS treated with IVIG as opposed to those treated with PE. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 21:1327–1330, 1998.
Targeted gene transfection from microbubbles into vascular smooth muscle cells using focused, ultrasound-mediated delivery

Abstract We investigated a method for gene delivery to vascular smooth muscle cells using ultrasound triggered delivery of plasmid DNA from electrostatically coupled cationic microbubbles. Microbubbles carrying reporter plasmid DNA were acoustically ruptured in the vicinity of smooth muscle cells in vitro under a range of acoustic pressures (0 to 950 kPa) and pulse durations (0 to 100 cycles). No effect on gene transfection or viability was observed from application of microbubbles, DNA or ultrasound alone. Microbubbles in combination with ultrasound (500-kPa, 1-MHz, 50-cycle bursts at a pulse repetition frequency [PRF] of 100 Hz) significantly reduced viability both with DNA (53 ± 27%) and without (19 ± 8%). Maximal gene transfection (∼1% of cells) occurred using 50-cycle, 1-MHz pulses at 300 kPa, which resulted in 40% viability of cells. We demonstrated that we can locally deliver DNA to vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro using microbubble carriers and focused ultrasound. (E-mail: jh7fj@virginia.edu )
5-HT3 receptor antagonists block cocaine-induced locomotion via a PCPA-sensitive mechanism

We report results in rats pretreated with (+/-)-zacopride (0.03 mg/kg, IP), ICS 205-930 (0.1 mg/kg, IP), and MDL 72222 (1.0 mg/kg, IP) 15 min before challenge with (-)-cocaine (10.0 mg/kg, IP). At a dose of 10 micrograms/kg, zacopride significantly inhibited (approximately 50%) cocaine-induced locomotion. We also investigated whether or not 5-hydroxytryptamine3 (5-HT3) antagonists block the cocaine binding site on the dopamine transporter and/or affect the ability of dopamine to regulate this binding site. In well-washed striatal membranes, neither zacopride nor ICS 205-930 (10(-9)-10(-5) M) inhibited [3H]2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4-fluorophenyl)tropane ([3H]WIN 35,428) (0.3 nM) binding. Furthermore, neither of these compounds affected the ability of dopamine to block WIN 35,428 binding. To determine if 5-HT is required for the 5-HT3 antagonist effect, we examined the interaction between cocaine and zacopride in rats pretreated with p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) (3 days x 100 mg/kg/day). PCPA pretreatment shifted the cocaine dose-response curve to the right and blocked the ability of zacopride to reverse cocaine-induced activity.
HIV-1 and the hijacking of dendritic cells: a tug of war.

Dendritic cells are critical for host immunity and are involved both in the innate and adaptive immune responses. They are among the first cells targeted by HIV-1 in vivo at mucosal sites. Dendritic cells can sequester HIV-1 in endosomal compartments for several days and transmit infectious HIV-1 to interacting T cells in the lymph node, which is the most important site for viral replication and spread. Initially, the cellular immune response developed against HIV-1 is strong, but eventually it fails to control and resolve the infection. The most dramatic effect seen on the immune system during untreated HIV-1 infection is the destruction of helper CD4+ T cells, which leads to subsequent immune deficiency. However, the immunomodulatory effects of HIV-1 on different dendritic cell subpopulations may also play an important role in the pathogenesis of HIV-1. This review discusses the effects HIV-1 exerts on dendritic cells in vivo and in vitro, including the binding and uptake of HIV by dendritic cells, the formation of infectious synapses, infection, and the role of dendritic cells in HIV-1 pathogenesis.
Contribution of Cell Mechanics to Acute Leukemia

Leukostasis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when leukemia cells accumulate in the vasculature of organs such as the brain and lungs. Recent evidence has shown that leukostasis is not simply due to the physical overcrowding of leukemia cells, as previously thought, but may result from specific mechanical properties of the cells and interactions between cells. Using atomic force microscopy (AFM), we obtained direct measurements of two mechanical properties that are likely involved in this condition: (1) stiffness of individual leukemia cells and (2) non-specific adhesion forces between leukemia cells. We found that myeloid leukemia cells were significantly stiffer than lymphoid leukemia cells. Cell-cell adhesion forces of the cell lines were not found to be statistically different. These results may help to explain the clinical observation that leukostasis occurs in myeloid leukemia at lower white blood cell counts than in lymphoid leukemia.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
The relative importance of the husband's and wife's characteristics in family migration, 1960-2000

We explore whether the growing labor force attachment of married women has increased the importance of the wife’s characteristics in determining the household migration decision. To the contrary, we find that surprisingly little changed between 1960 and 2000. Wives were a weak determinant of family migration over the entire period. Our results suggest that it is difficult to balance two careers simultaneously, with households finding it optimal to focus primarily on the husband’s career rather than settling for significantly inferior labor market outcomes for each spouse.