cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patterns and Outcomes of Relapse Treated With Radiotherapy Following Total Marrow and Lymphoid Irradiation in High-Risk and/or Relapsed/Refractory Acute Leukemia.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Total Marrow and Lymphoid Irradiation (TMLI) is a promising component of the preparative regimen for hematopoietic cell transplantation in patients with high-risk and/or relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL), which has poor 5-yr OS at ∼15%. Extramedullary (EM) relapse rates in patients treated with this regimen has been reported to be ∼13%. This study evaluates patterns and outcomes of radiotherapy (RT) used to treat patients with EM relapse previously treated with TMLI. MATERIALS/METHODS An IRB-approved analysis of 5 prospective TMLI trials was interrogated (IRB 04199, 05013, 05021, 14012, and 14106). Pre-transplant conditioning consisted of TMLI and etoposide (VP-16)/cyclophosphamide, fludarabine/melphalan, or bulsulfan/VP-16. TMLI targeted bones and major lymphoid tissues using image-guided tomotherapy, with total dose ranging from 12 to 20Gy delivered twice daily. EM recurrences were treated at the discretion of the hematologist and radiation oncologist using RT ± chemotherapy. Descriptive statistics and survival analysis were then performed on this cohort. RESULTS In total, 254 patients with AML or ALL were treated with TMLI at our institution between 2006 and 2018. 21 of these patients were identified as receiving at least one subsequent course of radiation. A total of 67 relapse sites (median = 2 sites/patient, range = 1-16) were treated (6 lymph node, 34 soft tissue, 23 bone, and 4 CNS). At time of transplant, median age was 31 yrs (21-61 years). The median follow-up from date of transplant of these patients was 32.2 mo (3.9-154.1 mo). Of the 21 patients, 17 had active disease (MRD+ and/or bone marrow+) at transplant and 6 had prior history of EM disease. 12 patients had EM relapse only without BM relapse, while 5 had prior BM relapse and 4 had simultaneous EM and BM relapse. 12 recurrences were treated with systemic therapy prior to RT. The median mean TMLI dose to these sites was 12.0 Gy (4.0-20.8 Gy). 1-yr and 5-yr estimates of OS were 80.9% (95% CI = 56.9-92.4%) and 35.6% (95% CI = 13.8-58.3%), respectively. 1 and 2-yr OS following salvage RT to the first site of EM recurrence was 45.4% (95% CI = 23.1-65.3%) and 38.9% (95% CI = 17.7-59.8%), respectively. The median salvage RT dose was 24 Gy (6-30 Gy). Following RT, 86.6% of the sites had durable local control. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the largest analysis to date of patients treated with TMLI. Relapse incidence was as frequent in regions receiving ≥12 Gy as those receiving < 12 Gy, suggesting TMLI is not associated with an increased EM relapse risk. These patients did not have significantly different OS compared to historical controls. RT is an effective modality to treat EM relapse in patients with acute leukemia who were previously treated with TMLI.
Book Review. Companies, International Trade and Human Rights by Janet Dine

This is a book review of Janet Dine's Companies, International Trade and Human Rights (2005). While this 9-page review is quite positive, it does offer some criticisms of Dine's analysis and views.
Particle acceleration at a blunt termination shock

Voyager 1’s recent and long anticipated passage into the heliosheath contradicted the prediction that we would observe the source of anomalous cosmic rays (ACRs) accelerated at the termination shock (TS). McComas and Schwadron suggested a simple resolution to this paradox. Because of the TS’s blunt structure, the azimuthal magnetic field lines frozen into the solar wind first make contact with the TS at its nose where ions have very little time to be accelerated prior to being swept toward the shock’s flanks. Ions achieve high ACR energies not near the nose, but off on the flanks of the termination shock. Here, we describe an important consequence that follows naturally from this scenario concerning the modulation of ACRs. ACRs are produced on the flanks of the termination shock, which are beyond Voyager. Thus, fluctuations caused by modulation of ACRs should be correlated with GCR fluctuations because both populations must drift in against the modulating effects of solar wind in the heliosheath. McDonald...
Practical exception specifications

Exception specifications can aid in the tasks of writing correct exception handlers and understanding exceptional control flow, but current exception specification systems are impractical in a number of ways. In particular, they are too low-level, too heavyweight, and do not provide adequate support for describing exception policies. We have identified the essential properties of a practical exception specification system and we present a methodology and tool that provides integrated support for specifying understanding, and evolving exception policies. The annotations required of the programmer are lightweight and easier to maintain than those of current systems; in our studies we observed a 50% to 93% reduction in annotations. By leveraging these annotations, our system provides scalable support for understanding exception flow and for modifying exception annotations.
Nonresponse in follow-back surveys of ethnic minority groups: an analysis of the Puerto Rican Maternal and Infant Health Study.

Objectives: This study documents the levels and sources of nonresponse in the first large-scale maternal–infant health survey administered to representative samples of Puerto Rican mothers on both the U.S. mainland and the island of Puerto Rico. Methods: The data source is the Puerto Rican Maternal and Infant Health Study, which was administered to a vital records-based sample of 2763 mothers of infants. An additional 805 women were nonrespondents. Nonresponse is examined as a function of several characteristics measured from vital records using logistic regression. Results: The response rate for this survey compares favorably to response rates for similar surveys. Although nonresponse is not associated with most characteristics measured from vital records, it is higher among mainland residents and mothers of infants who died. The absence of significant associations is due to opposite relationships between several covariates and the failure to locate and refusal. For example, nonresponse in the birth sample is not associated with migration, despite the difficulty of locating migrants. The lower likelihood of locating migrants is offset by their willingness to participate. Conclusions: Selectivity due to nonresponse is minimal. Nevertheless, researchers who design “binational” surveys should be aware of setting-specific circumstances that affect the ability to locate sampled individuals and secure their cooperation.
Influence of grain boundaries on the charge order formation in the high-temperature superconductor

Abstract The possibility of the formation of stripes in the high-temperature superconductor Y Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7 − δ (YBCO) due to interaction between the charged oxygen vacancies or di-vacancies is shown. The high-angle grain boundaries (GBs) regions are preferable places for this formation. The adsorption capability of high-angle GBs with respect to the stripe embryo formation is determined. It is shown that there is a proportional dependence between the repetition distance along the high-angle GBs and an energy advantage of the stripe embryo formation in GBs regions. It is expected that bi-crystals with a high-angle grain boundary inside are prospective objects for stripe investigations in YBCO.
Future Technologies and Applications of III-Nitride Materials and Devices

Nobel Prize in Physics 2014 Materials Department of the College of Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), Santa Barbara CA 93106-5050, USA © The Author(s) 2015. Published by Engineering Sciences Press. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) III-nitride light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are now used almost everywhere, due to their energy-saving capability. In the near future, the vast majority of lighting sources will undoubtedly be based on LEDs. What future technologies and applications can we expect from III-nitride-based and particularly gallium nitride (GaN)-based, materials and devices? The new generation of LED technology will be GaN-on-GaN lighting, with laser lighting following as the next opportunity. Ultraviolet A (UVA) light may play an important role in lighting, once it can be used to generate a high-quality white light source. In addition to lighting applications, ultraviolet C (UVC) light, light-based wireless communication (LiFi), laser communication, and electronic devices are the main applications of III-nitride materials and devices in the future.
The unusual inhibition of a dirhodium tetraphosphine-based bimetallic hydroformylation catalyst by PPh3

Abstract The addition of even small amounts of PPh 3 to the dirhodium tetraphosphine hydroformylation catalyst generated from 〚 rac -Rh 2 (nbd) 2 (et,ph-P4)〛(BF 4 ) 2 (nbd = norbornadiene; et,ph-P4 = Et 2 CH 2 CH 2 (Ph)PCH 2 P(Ph)CH 2 CH 2 PEt 2 ) causes a dramatic drop in the aldehyde linear-to-branched regioselectivity (25:1 to 3:1) in acetone solvent (90 °C, 6.1 bar, 1-hexene). Catalytic results are presented for differing amounts of added PPh 3 along with comparisons to the monometallic Rh catalyst family, HRh(CO) x (PPh 3 ) y ( x = 1–3; y = 3 – x ), generated from PPh 3 and Rh(acac)(CO) 2 (acac = acetylacetonate). The results point to the extremely effective inhibition of the regioselective bimetallic hydroformylation mechanism and the formation of an inefficient monometallic catalyst cycle, but not fragmentation to generate free HRh(CO)(PPh 3 ) 2 catalysts.
A VEGF165-induced phenotypic switch from increased vessel density to increased vessel diameter and increased endothelial NOS activity

Abstract Although vascular endothelial growth factor-165 (VEGF 165 ) regulates numerous angiogenic cellular activities, its complex effects on vascular morphology are not highly quantified. By fractal-based, multiparametric branching analysis of 2D vascular pattern in the quail chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), we report that vessel density increased maximally at lower VEGF concentrations, but that vessel diameter and activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) increased maximally at higher VEGF concentrations. Following exogenous application of human VEGF 165 to the CAM at embryonic day 7, vessel density and diameter were measured after 24 h at arterial end points by the fractal dimension ( D f ) and generational branching parameters for vessel area density ( A v ), vessel length density ( L v ) and vessel diameter ( D v ) using the computer code VESGEN. The VEGF-dependent phenotypic switch from normal vessels displaying increased vessel density to abnormal, dilated vessels typical of tumor vasculature and other pathologies resulted from an approximate threefold increase in VEGF concentration (1.25 to 5 μg/CAM) and correlated positively with increased eNOS activity. Relative to control specimens, eNOS activity increased maximally to 60% following VEGF treatment at 5 μg/CAM, compared to 10% at 1.25 μg/CAM, and was accompanied by no significant change in activity of inducible NOS. In summary, VEGF 165 induced a phenotypic switch from increased vessel density associated with low VEGF concentration, to increased vessel diameter and increased eNOS activity at high VEGF concentration.
Captopril Ameliorates Myocarditis in Acute Experimental Chagas Disease

Background— Captopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, is commonly prescribed to patients with Chagas heart disease (CHD). There are few human studies and no animal studies on the effec...
Beliefs and Expectations about Engineering Preparation Exhibited by High School STEM Teachers

BACKGROUND If we are to effect change in teacher practices and decision making regarding instruction, college preparation, and career success in engineering, then knowledge of teachers’ beliefs and expectations about engineering needs to be understood. PURPOSE (HYPOTHESIS) The primary purpose was to develop a statistically reliable survey instrument to document teachers’ beliefs and expectations about pre-college engineering instruction, college preparation, and career success in engineering, called the Engineering Education Beliefs and Expectations Instrument (EEBEI), and to compare teachers’ views. DESIGN/METHOD Using two samples of teachers, EEBEI was established as a statistically reliable survey and was used to examine the beliefs and expectations of Project Lead the Way (PLTW) and non-PLTW teachers. The results were used to further examine teachers’ decisions in advising fictional students (described in vignettes) with varying academic and socioeconomic profiles. RESULTS High school STEM teachers report their instruction was influenced by students’ interests, family background, and prior academic achievement. Comparisons between PLTW and non-PLTW teachers revealed that nonPLTW teachers agreed more strongly that an engineer must demonstrate high scholastic achievement in math and science whereas PLTW teachers were more likely to report that science and math content was integrated into engineering activities. Although teachers report that students’ socioeconomic status was not influential when asked explicitly, it did influence situated decision-making tasks using fictional student vignettes. CONCLUSIONS Findings address challenges of STEM integration and reveal conflicting purposes of K‐12 engineering education as being for a select few or to promote technological literacy for all students, which affects recruitment, instruction, and assessment practices.
Preparation of block copolymers from occluded vinyl acetate macroradicals

Stable vinyl acetate macroradicals were produced by polymerization in a nonviscous poor solvent, a viscous good solvent and a viscous poor solvent. These macroradicals were then allowed to react with a second vinyl monomer to produce block copolymers. The formation of block copolymers was monitored for rate and yield data. The block copolymers produced were poly(vinyl acetate-b-methyl methacrylate), poly(vinyl acetate-b-acrylic acid), poly(vinyl acetate-b-vinylpyrrolidone), poly(vinyl acetate-b-acrylonitrile), poly(vinyl acetate-b-styrene), and poly(vinyl acetate-b-methyl acrylate). The block copolymers were characterized by yield, precipitation in selected solvents, pyrolysis gas chromatography, and differential scanning calorimetry.
Storytelling intervention for patients with cancer: part 1--development and implementation.

Purpose/objectives To develop a nurse-led storytelling intervention for patients with cancer and implement the intervention using trained oncology nurses. Design Descriptive pilot project using qualitative methods to assess implementation of an intervention tool kit, with investigators blinded to control and intervention group membership. Setting Local regional medical center in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Sample A convenience sample of 11 patients with various cancer diagnoses was used for tool kit generation. Intervention and control groups were then formed and used to study tool kit implementation. Methods Participant exit interviews and facilitator debriefing questionnaires assessed the ability of a nurse facilitator to use a group storytelling intervention tool kit. Data from control and intervention groups were analyzed and compared with qualitative procedures. Main research variables A nurse-led storytelling intervention. Findings Analysis of interviews and questionnaires revealed implementation of storytelling tool kit principles and differences between storytelling and control groups in three patterns: finding a soft place to fall, understanding the cancer experience, and figuring out how (if) to get through it. Conclusions Techniques contained in the tool kit were implemented and deemed clinically useful by oncology nurses. Implications for nursing Given the small testing groups, pilot project results must be interpreted with caution, but with additional research and instructional development, the tool kit could be useful to nurses in a variety of settings and locales.
Evaluation and management of occupational low back disorders

This clinical practice review of occupational low back disorders describes work-related risk factors, occupational history, physical evaluation, clinical tests, diagnosis, care, and prevention. It is part of a quality assurance (QA) and quality improvement (QI) effort to establish exemplary occupational practice standards. It emphasizes the involvement of occupational medicine physicians in exposure assessment, care of injured workers, and disease prevention. Important occupational risk factors such as lifting, awkward body posture and vibration, in addition to psychosocial, socio-economic and other factors are summarized. The focus is on mechanical back disorders. Return-to-work, rehabilitation and prevention strategies are discussed as part of integrated disability management involving the injured worker, the primary care provider, employers and other relevant parties.
MULTIPOLE ANALYSIS OF PARTICLE--PARTICLE OR PARTICLE--HOLE MULTIPLETS.

Recent data on particle-hole multiplets in ${\mathrm{Bi}}^{208}$ have been analyzed in terms of the Racah multipole decomposition. The resulting multipole coefficients are very similar for the various multiplets. A comparison with other known multiplets in ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{38}$, ${\mathrm{K}}^{30}$, ${\mathrm{Sc}}^{42}$, ${\mathrm{Sc}}^{48}$, ${\mathrm{Sc}}^{50}$, ${\mathrm{Nb}}^{92}$, and ${\mathrm{Bi}}^{210}$ also shows a remarkable similarity. These empirical results show that the spectra of such multiplets are determined reasonably well by one set of multipole coefficients, independent of the single-particle orbits involved. It has been pointed out by Kurath that a simple $\ensuremath{\delta}$-function two-body force with spin exchange fits these average multipole coefficients as well as more complicated interactions.
Spectral analysis on time-course expression data: detecting periodic genes using a real-valued iterative adaptive approach.

Time-course expression profiles and methods for spectrum analysis have been applied for detecting transcriptional periodicities, which are valuable patterns to unravel genes associated with cell cycle and circadian rhythm regulation. However, most of the proposed methods suffer from restrictions and large false positives to a certain extent. Additionally, in some experiments, arbitrarily irregular sampling times as well as the presence of high noise and small sample sizes make accurate detection a challenging task. A novel scheme for detecting periodicities in time-course expression data is proposed, in which a real-valued iterative adaptive approach (RIAA), originally proposed for signal processing, is applied for periodogram estimation. The inferred spectrum is then analyzed using Fisher’s hypothesis test. With a proper -value threshold, periodic genes can be detected. A periodic signal, two nonperiodic signals, and four sampling strategies were considered in the simulations, including both bursts and drops. In addition, two yeast real datasets were applied for validation. The simulations and real data analysis reveal that RIAA can perform competitively with the existing algorithms. The advantage of RIAA is manifested when the expression data are highly irregularly sampled, and when the number of cycles covered by the sampling time points is very reduced.
A method of lipid peroxidation in paramecium tetraurelia

Lipid peroxidation in vitro has been examined in the ciliated protozoan Paramecium tetraurelia. A method is described which measures the susceptibility of Paramecium tetraurelia to lipid peroxidation induced by ascorbic acid and ferrous ion, as determined by production of thlobarblturic acid-reactive substances (TBARS). The paramecium model has been optimized with regard to pH, incubation time, incubation temperature, culture density, and other parameters. The method was observed to be sensitive and reliable, and yielded results comparable to various mammalian peroxidation models. The value of this technique lies in the growing use of Paramecium tetraurelia as models of diseases or conditions in which oxidative damage has been strongly implicated, including radiation toxicity, environmental toxicology, and aging, in addition, this method allows for the rapid screening of antioxidants both in vivo and in vitro.
Heptavalent Pseudomonas Vaccination in Seriously Burned Children

Abstract Thirty-two infants and children with burn injury were given either saline placebo or a heptavalent Pseudomonas vaccine in a double-blind, randomized fashion. Thus far the vaccine has proved to be safe and effective in terms of invoking a significant rise in antibody titers for all of the seven major serotypes, although greater for some than for others. The vaccine must be given in adequate dosage and, preferably, prior to the fifth postburn day in children. There appears to be a relationship between the Pseudomonas serotype, antibody titer, and resistance to infection, but more patients with large burn injuries must be studied to prove this conclusively. Preliminary results are encouraging.
Induced electromagnetic fields associated with large ship wakes

Abstract A mathematical model is proposed to calculate the electromagnetic signals induced by the motion of conductive sea water across the earth's magnetic field, in the wake of of a ship. The results show that these signals are significant and measurable. The unique spectral peaks of the measured data can be used to remotely infer the presence of a ship wake.
Improving carotenoids production in yeast via adaptive laboratory evolution

Adaptive laboratory evolution is an important tool for the engineering of strains for industrially relevant phenotypes. Traditionally, adaptive laboratory evolution has been implemented to improve robustness of industrial strains under diverse operational conditions; however due to the required coupling between growth and survival, its application for increased production of secondary metabolites generally results in decreased production due to the metabolic burden imposed by, or toxicity of, the produced compound. In this study, adaptive laboratory evolution was successfully applied to improve carotenoids production in an engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae producer strain by exploiting the antioxidant properties of carotenoids. Short-term evolution experiment using periodic hydrogen peroxide shocking schemes resulted in a 3-fold increase in carotenoids production (from 6 mg/g dry cell weight to up to 18 mg/g dry cell weight). Subsequent transcriptome analysis was used to elucidate the molecular mechanisms for increased carotenoids production. Upregulation of genes related with lipid biosynthesis and mevalonate biosynthesis pathways were commonly observed in the carotenoids hyper-producers analyzed.
In situ aortic thrombosis secondary to intra-abdominal abscess.

Background: Abdominal aortic mural thrombus is uncommon in the absence of aneurysm or atherosclerosis.
An exact formulation of coupled-mode theory for coupled-cavity lasers

Coupled-mode rate equations for coupled-cavity lasers are derived using a novel approach. The method, based on the Mittag-Leffler theorem, is exact. The coupling coefficients are compared to those derived by several different approximations. >
A validated LC/MS/MS method for the quantification of pyrrole-2,3,5-tricarboxylic acid (PTCA), a eumelanin specific biomarker, in human skin punch biopsies.

Abstract A novel skin tissue extraction method coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) detection was developed and validated for the analysis of endogenous pyrrole-2,3,5-tricarboxylic acid (PTCA), a eumelanin specific biomarker, in human skin punch biopsies. The analyte is extracted from the matrix (2 mm skin punch biopsies) using a simple oxidative degradation procedure. The extract supernatants are evaporated, reconstituted in mobile phase solvent, and injected into the LC/MS/MS system without further derivatization. The chromatographic separation is achieved on a reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) column. The accuracy and precision of the method was determined over the concentration range of 1–1000 ng/mL PTCA from human skin extracts in three validation batch runs. Inter-assay precision (%CV) and accuracy (%R.E.) of the quality control samples were ≤18.5% (at lower limit quality control, LLQC) and ≤5.25%, respectively. The sensitivity and throughput of this assay is significantly improved relative to previously published methods resulting in much smaller tissue requirements and analysis time. This procedure could potentially be used in the investigation of therapies associated with skin pigmentation.
Bulk-Flow Analysis of Hybrid Thrust Bearings for Process Fluid Applications

Advanced cryogenic fluid turbopumps are very compact, operate at extremely high shaft speeds, and require hybrid (hydrostatic/hydrodynamic) radial and thrust fluid film bearings for accurate rotor positioning. Sound design and reliable operation of fluid film thrust bearings also allows for unshrouded impellers with a significant increase in the turbopump mechanical efficiency. A bulk-flow analysis for prediction of the static load performance and dynamic force coefficients of high speed, angled injection orifice-compensated, hybrid (hydrostatic/hydrodynamic) thrust bearings is presented. The model accounts for the bulk-flow mass, momentum and thermal energy transport, and includes flow turbulence and fluid inertia (advection and centrifugal) effects on the bearing film lands and recesses. The performance of a refrigerant hybrid thrust bearing for an oil-free air conditioning equipment is evaluated at two operating speeds and pressure differentials. The computed results are presented in dimensionless form to evidence consistent trends in the bearing performance characteristics. As the applied axial load increases, the bearing film thickness and flow rate decrease while the recess pressure increases. The axial stiffness coefficient shows a maximum for a certain intermediate load while the damping coefficient steadily increases with load. The computed results show the significance of centrifugal fluid inertia at low recess pressures (i.e. low loads) and high rotational speeds, and which can lead to film starvation at the bearing inner radius and subambient pressures just downstream of the bearing recess edge.
Quantification of toxic and inhibitory impact of copper and zinc on mixed cultures of sulfate‐reducing bacteria

The adverse effects of copper and zinc on an acetate-utilizing mixed cultures of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) at concentrations below the toxic concentration (minimum metal concentration at which no sulfate reduction is observed) are reported in this paper. Mathematical models were developed to incorporate the toxic and inhibitory effects (defined as the reduction in bacterial population upon exposure to the metal and the decrease in the metabolic rate of sulfate reduction by the SRB, respectively) into the sulfate-reduction biokinetics. The characteristic toxicity and inhibition constants were obtained from the measurements of bacterial populations and dissolved metal concentrations in serum bottle studies conducted at 35 degrees C and pH 6.6. Both copper and zinc had toxic and inhibitory effects on SRB. The toxicity constants for copper and zinc were 10.6 and 2.9 mM(-1), respectively, indicating that exposure to copper resulted in a higher mortality of SRB than did exposure to zinc. The values of the inhibition constants were found to be 17.9 +/- 2.5 and 25.2 +/- 1.0 mM(-1) for copper and zinc, respectively. This implies that dissolved zinc was slightly more inhibitory to SRB than copper. The models presented in the paper can be used to predict the response of a sulfate-reduction bioreactor to heavy metals during acid mine drainage treatment.
Early Tertiary paleomagnetic evidence and the displacement of southern Alaska

Paleomagnetic data from early Paleocene lavas, a few kilometers north of Lake Clark just inboard of the Peninsular terrane, indicate modest post-early Tertiary latitudinal displacement and about 55/sup 0/ of counterclockwise rotation of this region with respect to North America. A nearby middle Eocene sequence of lava flows, however, gives no indication of displacement or rotation. South of Lake Clark, the paleomagnetism of five Paleogene (30 to 40 Ma) volcanic sequences that are a part of the Peninsular terrane proper shows no northward translation and no rotation. A major part of the northward movement documented by other studies in the Gulf of Alaska region may be accounted for by cumulatively significant intraterrane displacements. 32 references, 3 figures, 1 table.
Visibility trends—I. Methods of analysis

Abstract Visibility trends which reflect changes in optical air quality due to air pollution are examined. Two methods of analysis of National Climatic Center visibility data are considered: cumulative percentiles and ridits. Each is applicable to data having nonstandard probability distribution functions. The dependence of trend lines derived from each method of analysis on meteorology is explored by application to mideastern U.S. sites. The most representative data base includes midday observations in the absence of precipitation and nigh relative humidity. A qualitative index of the visibility trend is given by the net percentage change in visibility over the 1948–1978 period obtained from a linear least-squares fit to the trend line. When carefully applied, the 60th cumulative percentile trend line and the mean ridit trend line are in complete concurrence.
Nanoscale changes in collagen are reflected in physical and mechanical properties of bone at the microscale in diabetic rats.

Abstract Diabetes detrimentally affects the musculoskeletal system by stiffening the collagen matrix due to increased advanced glycation end products (AGEs). In this study, tibiae and tendon from Zucker diabetic Sprague–Dawley (ZDSD) rats were compared to Sprague–Dawley derived controls (CD) using Atomic Force Microscopy. ZDSD and CD tibiae were compared using Raman Spectroscopy and Reference Point Indentation (RPI). ZDSD bone had a significantly different distribution of collagen D-spacing than CD (p = 0.015; ZDSD n = 294 fibrils; CD n = 274 fibrils) which was more variable and shifted to higher values. This shift between ZDSD and CD D-spacing distribution was more pronounced in tendon (p
Heat shock proteins HSP70 and HSP27 in the cerebral spinal fluid of patients undergoing thoracic aneurysm repair correlate with the probability of postoperative paralysis

An understanding of the time course and correlation with injury of heat shock proteins (HSPs) released during brain and/or spinal cord cellular stress (ischemia) is critical in understanding the role of the HSPs in cellular survival, and may provide a clinically useful biomarker of severe cellular stress. We have analyzed the levels of HSPs in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients who are undergoing thoracic aneurysm repair. Blood and CSF samples were collected at regular intervals, and CSF was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for HSP70 and HSP27. These results were correlated with intraoperative somatosensory-evoked potentials measurements and postoperative paralysis. We find that the levels of these proteins in many patients are elevated and that the degree of elevation correlates with the risk of permanent paralysis. We hypothesize that sequential measurement intraoperatively of the levels of the heat shock proteins HSP70 and HSP27 in the CSF can predict those patients who are at greatest risk for paralysis during thoracic aneurysm surgery and will allow us to develop means of preventing or attenuating this severe and often fatal complication.
A profile of police administration resources: using textbook citations to determine collecting parameters

Cited references and suggested readings from undergraduate textbooks can help collection development librarians define parameters of newly emerging fields of study. This study examined the citations from four heavily used textbooks in police administration in order to gain an overview of the resources experts use to introduce their subject to undergraduates. Books were cited more than journals. Government publications, court cases, and association publications contributed substantially to the field. Monographic and serial resources in business, management, public affairs, labor relations, sociology, and law were cited frequently, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the field. Materials from the 70s and 80s were cited more often than current resources. Using the compiled data as a base, the author suggests implications for building collections geared toward students in the field.
Tryptamine enhancement of neurotransmitter release under conditions that normally depress calcium influx

Neurotransmitter release, resulting in excitatory and inhibitory junction potentials (E- and IJPs) is normally mediated by an influx of calcium ions into nerve terminals following depolarization. At a lobster neuromuscular junction, tryptamine is shown to greatly enhance the amplitude and duration of evoked E- and IJPs in low Ca2+-high Mg2+ media that depress Ca2+ influx. This suggests that in the presence of tryptamine, intracellular Ca2+ sources may support evoked, phasic neurotransmitter release.
Effects of dietary linolenate on the fatty acid composition of brain lipids in rats

Weanling male rats were fed hydrogenated coconut oil to induce essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency. After 15 weeks, the rats were divided into six groups. Five groups were fed graded amounts of purified linolenate (18∶3ω3) with a constant amount of linoleate (18∶2ω6) for six weeks. Fatty acid composition was determined in brain lipids. Increasing dietary 18∶3ω3 resulted in a decrease in arachidonic acid (20∶4ω6), docosatetraenoic acid (22∶4ω6) and docosapentaenoic acid (22∶5ω6), whereas 18∶2ω6 and eicosatrienoic acid (20∶3ω6) were increased both in total lipids and phospholipids. These results suggest that dietary 18∶3ω3 exerts its inhibitory effect mainly on the desaturation of 20∶ω6 to 20∶4ω6 in brain lipids. Linolenate was undetectable in brain lipids from any dietary treatments. The levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (20∶5ω3) in groups receiving dietary 18∶3ω3 were not different from that of the group receiving no 18∶3ω3. These results indicate that, in the brain, 18∶3ω3 is rapidly converted mainly to 22∶6ω3 without being accumulated and imply that dietary 18∶3ω3 can modulate the level of precursor of diene prostaglandins (PG) but not that of triene PG in the rat brain.
The distribution of stress around a flat parabolic crack in an elastic solid

Abstract A simple limiting procedure is revealed whereby the three-dimensional state of stress and deformation around parabolic cracks or flaws embedded in elastic solids may be obtained. Several results are derived from available solutions concerning elliptical cracks or thin-sheet rigid inclusions. In particular, stress-intensity factors used in the Griffith-Irwin theory of fracture are evaluated and shown in curves. The findings of this investigation may also be exploited to determine the stress-strain field in thin sheets containing parabolic boles (and hence semi-infinite cracks) from existing solutions concerning similar bodies with elliptic holes.
Grain boundaries in Ni3Al—I. The local compositional order

Abstract The local compositional order in the vicinity of grain boundaries in Ni3Al, with and without boron, was examined using lattice imaging techniques. It was shown that small angle twist, tilt and mixed boundaries and large angle (near Σ = 5) twist boundaries were ordered up to very close to the interface plane. A compositionally disordered region ∼ 1.5 nm thick is present in the vicinity of a large angle general boundary in boron-doped Ni3Al. Two large angle general boundaries are ordered up to very close to the interface in boron-free Ni3Al. Image simulations were performed to identify possible imaging artifacts due to inclination of the boundary plane away from being edge-on. It was shown that the experimental observations of a locally disordered region cannot be explained as being an imaging artifact.
Facilitating Interdisciplinary Learning: Lessons from Project Kaleidoscope

Many major funding organizations, policymakers, government agencies, and other higher education stakeholders want higher education to encourage interdisciplinary learning so that students graduate ...
Passing as an Indicator of Social Dominance Among Female Wild and Domestic Norway Rats

The most frequent form of social interaction between pairs of wild or domestic rats (Rattus norvegicus) was passing behaviour in the narrow burrows and open field of seminatural environments. This behaviour occurs when a moving rat approaches another, either head-to-head or head-to-tail; the passed animal freezes while the passing rat continues, side touching side. The social dominance manifest by this behaviour correlated significantly with fighting dominance, particularly among female wild and domestic rats. In addition, dominance during displacements for access to food and water correlated with the dominance relationship in passing within pairs of domestic female rats. Although both passing and general activity had the same crepuscular daily rhythm, passing dominance did not correlate with individual differences in general activity level. Thus passing indicates social order and is not simply a by-product of general activity. Because passing occurs ten times more frequently than fights, in future studies it may be a more powerful indicator of female dominance and social order.
Prognostic value of myocardial metabolic imaging with BMIPP in the spectrum of coronary artery disease: A systematic review

Background We conducted a systematic review to summarize the current literature on the prognostic value of BMIPP imaging, fatty-acid metabolic imaging, for the prediction of cardiovascular events in coronary artery disease.
Streptokinase, urokinase, and tissue plasminogen activator: Pharmacokinetics, relative advantages, and methods for maximizing rates and consistency of lysis

Early reperfusion of occluded coronary arteries offers great promise as a method for minimizing myocardial damage after acute myocardial infarction. Such reperfusion is usually attempted via administration of fibrinolytic agents. Urokinase may hold marginal advantages over streptokinase, especially in patients with high preexisting titers of antistreptokinase antibodies. These minor differences, however, pale in comparison to important advantages demonstrated by the newly developed agent, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). The advantages of t-PA derive primarily from its property of binding to, and being activated by, fibrin. Consequently the generated plasmin is also fibrin-bound, the bound plasmin is protected from circulating antiplasmin and therefore more efficiently utilized, and circulating fibrinogen is spared. Preliminary clinical experience indicates that the frequency of favorable response after intravenous administration of t-PA is considerably greater than after SK. A major determinant of clinical benefit after reperfusion is the brevity of ischemia. Selective intracoronary infusion of fibrinolytic agent produces faster lysis than does intravenous infusion, and rate of lysis may be further accelerated by transcatheter disruption of clot and intrathrombic injections of highly concentrated urokinase or t-PA. Even maximally accelerated lysis, however, cannot fully compensate for the inherent delay imposed by catheterization. For that reason, prompt intravenous infusion of fibrinolytic agents, presumably t-PA, seems preferable to the intracoronary route. In the effort to initiate fibrinolytic therapy at the earliest feasible time after infarction, administration by paramedics, or even home administration after training, is a program worthy of exploration.
Surface energy modification and characterization of a plasma-polymerized fluoropolymer

This paper describes two methods of modifying the surface energy of a plasma-polymerized film. One method is to use diphenylamine (DPA) to stabilize the surface energy increase of the polymer caused on exposure to air or a polar liquid. Another method is to use heptafluorobutyric anhydride (HFBA) to reduce the surface energy of aged (oxidized) film. The HFBA-treated film displays the same surface energy (20 mJ/m2) as the freshly prepared film. It is, however, much more stable than the as-polymerized film in propylene glycol. Other silylation and fluorinated esterification reagents were found to be much less effective. The changes in surface energy were caused by changes in the chemical structure. The chemical changes were analyzed by infrared (IR) spectroscopy and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). These changes were either caused by oxidation of the film in air, water, and propylene glycol or were induced by fluorination of the oxidized film. The polymer used in this study is a copolymer...
Hierarchies in the Structure of Personality Traits

An emerging body of findings indicates that hierarchy is critical to integrating the Big Trait models – the Big Five, Big Four, Big Three, and Big Two – within a common structural framework. These findings, in addition to providing a unifying framework for understanding personality traits, confirm that hierarchy is an intrinsic and pervasive feature of trait structure. Here, fundamental concepts of trait hierarchies are reviewed, as is the empirical literature about hierarchies in personality trait structure. Important questions remain to be answered about the nature and form of hierarchies found in trait structure, as well as the methods used to understand them.
Dependence of the Capacitive Deionization Performance on Potential of Zero Charge Shifting of Carbon Xerogel Electrodes during Long-Term Operation

In order to examine the reliability of carbon xerogel (CX) materials for capacitive deionization (CDI), long-term operation of a CDIcellwithCXelectrodeswasperformedinadiluteNaClsolution.Duringoperationat1.2/0V,thedeionizationperformancegraduallydegraded, and a growing inversion peak formed at the beginning of each adsorption step. When the polarity of the electrode wasreversed, the use of −1.2/0 V signiﬁcantly boosted deionization performance. However, this enhancement was not sustained withcontinued cycling. In this study, we also reported the use of a four-electrode cell, in which the potential distribution for a pair ofelectrodes could be measured, and the potential of zero charge (PZC) for a single electrode could be located. Based upon the PZClocation for the used electrodes with respect to the corresponding potential distribution, performance variation and the formation ofthe inversion peak for long-term CDI operation were interpreted. In addition, N
And the last shall be first: recordkeeping policies and the NII

The lack of attention to recordkeeping issues in NII activities is not surprising given that recordkeeping is neither a generic activity nor an end in itself which can be evaluated apart form the objectives of a broad range of NII-related applications. A fruitful understanding of the role and value of record-keeping for the NII can be derived from understanding model recordkeeping policies and how they might be integrated into the specific needs and requirements of particular application areas
Actin' like actin?

The most biologically significant property of actin is its ability to self-associate and form two-stranded polymeric microfilaments. In living cells, these micro filaments form the actin cytoskeleton, essential for maintenance of the shape, passive mechanical properties and active motility of eukaryotic cells. Recently discovered actin-related proteins (ARPs) appear to share a common ancestor with conventional actin. At present, six classes of ARPs have been discovered, three of which have representatives in diverse species across eukaryotic phyla and may share functional characteristics with conventional actin. The three most ubiquitous ARPs are predicted to share a common core structure with actin and contain all the residues required for ATP binding. Surface residues involved in protein protein interactions, however, have diverged. Models of these proteins based on the atomic structure of actin provide some clues about how ARPs interact with each other, with conventional actin and with conventional actin-binding proteins.
A stochastic control model of investment, production and consumption

We consider a stochastic control model in which an economic unit has productive capital and also liabilities in the form of debt. The worth of capital changes over time through investment as well as through random Brownian fluctuations in the unit price of capital. Income from production is also subject to random Brownian fluctuations. The goal is to choose investment and consumption controls which maximize total expected discounted HARA utility of consumption. Optimal control policies are found using the method of dynamic programming. In case of logarithmic utility, these policies have explicit forms.
Preferential cellular uptake of amphiphilic macromolecule–lipid complexes with enhanced stability and biocompatibility

Amphiphilic macromolecules (AM) were electrostatically complexed with a 1:1 ratio of 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP) and 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE) to form AM–lipid complexes with drug delivery applications. The complexes exist as AM-coated liposomes and their drug delivery properties can be tuned by altering the AM–lipid weight ratio. The complexation and tuning are achieved in a simple, efficient, and scalable manner. The gradual increase in lipid ratios concurrently increased the zeta potential of the complexes, which directly correlates to increased cell uptake of the complexes in vitro with preferential uptake noted in BT-20 carcinoma cells versus normal fibroblasts. Increasing AM content increased complex steric stability in the presence of serum proteins and reduced the inherent cytotoxicity towards fibroblasts in vitro. AM–lipid complexes solubilized paclitaxel and showed drug-mediated, dose-dependent cytotoxicity towards target BT-20 cells in vitro. AM–lipid complexes make good candidates as drug delivery systems due to their tunable zeta potential, steric stability, inherently low cytotoxicity, and ability to load and deliver insoluble chemotherapeutic agents. Significantly, their preferential uptake in a carcinoma cell line over normal cells in vitro demonstrates a unique, passive targeting approach to delivery anti-cancer therapeutics.
Tunable source of terahertz radiation using molecular modulation.

We describe a source of terahertz (THz) radiation that is based on Raman down-shifting of an infrared laser beam using highly coherent molecular vibrations. The source can operate in either the pulsed or the continuous wave (CW) regime and is tunable over much of the THz region of the spectrum (1–10 THz). In the pulsed regime, we predict average output powers of order 10 mW and peak powers approaching 1 MW. In the CW regime, average powers exceeding 100 μW with spectral linewidths at the hertz level are achievable.