cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stochastic and graphical comparisons of the convergence property for multiple runs of non-linear programming algorithms

Non-Linear Programming (NLP) problems are often encountered in real world applications. For such problems numerous algorithms have been proposed and the convergence properties of single run of these algorithms have typically been assessed. In this article, we focus on computationally unintensive NLP algorithms with random starting values. Such algorithms enable multiple runs for a particular application and the optimum from the multiple runs is taken as the final solution. In such a scenario, the convergence property of multiple runs of an algorithm is of more interest than that of a single run. Therefore, we propose a stochastic and graphical method to assess the convergence property for multiple runs of NLP algorithms. We plot the mean best objective function values found in multiple runs versus the number of runs for several algorithms to examine how each algorithm converges and to compare among algorithms.
T-bet-independent effects of IL-12 family cytokines on regulation of Th17 responses to experimental T. cruzi infection.

Tbx21 (i.e., T-bet) is an IFN-γ-inducible transcription factor that promotes Th1 differentiation. Previously, we reported that Tbx21 -/- mice develop a robust Th17 response to the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, including CD4 + T cell subsets producing IL-17 and IFN-γ. Because of the known inhibitory effects of IFN-γ on Th17 cells, the purpose of this study was to determine the contribution of IFN-γ to regulation of Th17 differentiation during the course of T. cruzi infection. We observed that infection of IFN-γ -/- or Stat-1 -/- mice generated increased numbers of IL-17-producing cells. In sharp contrast to infected Stat-1 -/- or Tbx21 -/- mice, however, IFN-γ -/- mice developed a lower overall Th17 response, suggesting that IFN-γ was not required for T-bet-dependent activity, including T-bet-dependent expression of CXCR3. To determine if IFN-γ could influence Th17 responses indirectly by acting on APCs, we neutralized IFN-γ in cultures containing APC and T. cruzi antigens. Although anti-IFN-γ increased IL-17 production modestly, anti-IFN-γ and anti-IL-12 led to a significant enhancement of T. cruzi-specific IL-17 (P<0.01). In contrast to the inhibitory effects of IL-12, IL-23 was able to stimulate Tbx21 -/- T cells and cause a striking increase in T. cruzi-specific IL-17. These data show that the IL-12 family of cytokines can influence Th17 responses in a T-bet-independent manner and that the effects of IFN-γ are not necessarily related to its ability to induce T-bet expression in T cells.
Geologic Remote Sensing: New Technology, New Information

Results of geologic studies using data collected by the NASA/JPL Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (TIMS), Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS), and the Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (AIRSAR) are discussed. These instruments represent prototypes for the Earth Observing System (EOS) satellite instruments ASTER, High Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (HIRIS), and EOS SAR. Integrated analysis of this data type is one of the keys to successful geologic research using EOS. TIMS links the physical properties of surface materials in the 8-12-*mm region to their composition. Calibrated aircraft data make direct lithological mapping possible. AVIRIS, an analog for HIRIS, provides quantitative information about the surface composition of materials based on their detailed visible and infrared spectral signatures (0.4-2.45 mm). Calibrated AVIRIS data make direct identification of minerals possible. The AIRSAR provides additional complementary information about the surface morphology of rocks and soils.
Beyond Social Graphs: User Interactions in Online Social Networks and their Implications

Social networks are popular platforms for interaction, communication, and collaboration between friends. Researchers have recently proposed an emerging class of applications that leverage relationships from social networks to improve security and performance in applications such as email, Web browsing, and overlay routing. While these applications often cite social network connectivity statistics to support their designs, researchers in psychology and sociology have repeatedly cast doubt on the practice of inferring meaningful relationships from social network connections alone. This leads to the question: “Are social links valid indicators of real user interaction? If not, then how can we quantify these factors to form a more accurate model for evaluating socially enhanced applications?” In this article, we address this question through a detailed study of user interactions in the Facebook social network. We propose the use of “interaction graphs” to impart meaning to online social links by quantifying user interactions. We analyze interaction graphs derived from Facebook user traces and show that they exhibit significantly lower levels of the “small-world” properties present in their social graph counterparts. This means that these graphs have fewer “supernodes” with extremely high degree, and overall graph diameter increases significantly as a result. To quantify the impact of our observations, we use both types of graphs to validate several well-known social-based applications that rely on graph properties to infuse new functionality into Internet applications, including Reliable Email (RE), SybilGuard, and the weighted cascade influence maximization algorithm. The results reveal new insights into each of these systems, and confirm our hypothesis that to obtain realistic and accurate results, ongoing research on social network applications studies of social applications should use real indicators of user interactions in lieu of social graphs.
Making distance learning courses accessible to students and instructors with disabilities: A case study

Worldwide, distance learning programs offer opportunities for education and career enhancement for those who have access to a computer and the Internet. However, some potential students and instructors who have access to these technologies cannot fully participate because of the inaccessible design of courses. These individuals include those with visual and hearing impairments. The University of Washington Distance Learning program and the campus unit that provides computer access for students and instructors with disabilities teamed up with DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology), a national center that promotes the use of accessible technology, to improve the accessibility of the University's distance learning courses. The authors of this article discuss their ongoing efforts as well as lessons learned so that others might benefit from their experiences. They also provide an overview of access challenges and solutions for people with disabilities, legislation, accommodation and universal design approaches to accessibility, and standards and guidelines.
Insulator/Chern-insulator transition in the Haldane model

We study the behavior of several physical properties of the Haldane model as the system undergoes its transition from the normal-insulator to the Chern-insulator phase. We find that the density matrix has exponential decay in both insulating phases, while having a power-law decay, more characteristic of a metallic system, precisely at the phase boundary. The total spread of the maximally localized Wannier functions is found to diverge in the Chern-insulator phase. However, its gauge-invariant part, related to the localization length of Resta and Sorella, is finite in both insulating phases and diverges as the phase boundary is approached. We also clarify how the usual algorithms for constructing Wannier functions break down as one crosses into the Chern-insulator region of the phase diagram.
Coordinated vehicle dynamics control with control distribution

This paper investigates a hierarchically coordinated vehicle dynamics control approach with individual wheel torque and steering actuation. A high-level robust nonlinear sliding mode controller is designed to determine the generalized forces/moments required to achieve vehicle motion objectives. A weighted pseudo-inverse based control allocation method is employed for computationally efficient distribution of control effort to the slip and slip angle of each wheel. To avoid saturation, tire-road friction estimation is an essential part of the control distribution scheme. Two adverse driving scenario simulations are used to evaluate the effectiveness of this control system.
Parental smoking and childhood cancer : results from the United Kingdom Childhood Cancer Study

There are strong a priori reasons for considering parental smoking behaviour as a risk factor for childhood cancer but case – control studies have found relative risks of mostly only just above one. To investigate this further, self-reported smoking habits in parents of 3838 children with cancer and 7629 control children included in the United Kingdom Childhood Cancer Study (UKCCS) were analysed. Separate analyses were performed for four major groups (leukaemia, lymphoma, central nervous system tumours and other solid tumours) and more detailed diagnostic subgroups by logistic regression. In the four major groups, after adjustment for parental age and deprivation there were nonsignificant trends of increasing risk with number of cigarettes smoked for paternal preconception smoking and nonsignificant trends of decreasing risk for maternal preconception smoking (all P-values for trend >0.05). Among the diagnostic subgroups, a statistically significant increased risk of developing hepatoblastoma was found in children whose mothers smoked preconceptionally (OR=2.68, P=0.02) and strongest (relative to neither parent smoking) for both parents smoking (OR=4.74, P=0.003). This could be a chance result arising from multiple subgroup analysis. Statistically significant negative trends were found for maternal smoking during pregnancy for all diagnoses together (P<0.001) and for most individual groups, but there was evidence of under-reporting of smoking by case mothers. In conclusion, the UKCCS does not provide significant evidence that parental smoking is a risk factor for any of the major groups of childhood cancers.
Cross-Cultural Studies of Implicit Theories of Creativity: A Comparative Analysis Between the United States and the Main Ethnic Groups in Singapore

This article explores the extent of influence of culture on implicit theories of creativity among laypeople from the United States and Singapore, as well as the ethnic groups in Singapore. Adaptive and innovative styles of creativity were examined, as well as their own conceptions of creativity. Laypersons from the United States and Singapore were asked to rate the creativity level for the descriptors of the adaptor and innovator explicit theory of creativity. The laypersons were also asked to give words they believed associated with creativity. Data indicated that there was an implicit belief that high creativity was associated with the innovative style of creativity. Further, the words that were associated with creativity seemed to have an innovator bias.
MR Imaging of Ankle Inversion Injuries

Ankle inversions are common in the general population and in athletes. Multiple concurrent injuries are a common result of an ankle-inversion injury. Syndesmosis injury, lateral ankle ligament tears, peroneal retinaculum or tendon injury, osteochondral lesion, or fracture may occur. Chronic pain or instability may result from one or more of these injuries. MR imaging provides superior soft tissue resolution, high sensitivity for occult fractures, and the ability to image the articular cartilage and ankle ligaments directly. This article discusses the MR imaging evaluation of acute and chronic ankle inversion injuries.
FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAMS : A FAILURE IN COMPETITIVE STRATEGY, WITH LESSONS FOR MANAGEMENT

Discusses frequent flyer programs, promotional programs aimed at increasing brand loyalty among the important business travel market segment. Shows how what seemed like a good marketing strategy has turned into a nightmare for nearly all parties concerned; airlines have found that the programs cost more than they are worth. Draws lessons from the airline frequent flyer programs that might be of interest to any marketing manager who is interested in using promotional programs to create competitive advantage.
The location of experience: A manifest time orientation

Abstract A discussion of so-called past, present and future orientations in philosophical and psychological literature is followed by a description of the Experiential Inventory, an instrument aimed at operationalizing individual temporal orientations. The Inventory asks respondents to list ten important experiences of their life and then locate these experiences in one of five microzones, distant past. near past, present, near future and distant future. Data collected from American Navy personnel are examined from the point of view of a conflict of recall and expectation and the distinction between real and imagined events. The study concludes with a warning of the dangers of empirical and theoretical approaches built on monotonic temporal orientations.
Does Liberal Democracy Presuppose a Cultural Nation? Four Arguments

This paper subjects to critical analysis four common arguments in the sociopolitical theory literature supporting the cultural nationalist thesis that liberal democracy is viable only against the background of a single national public culture: the arguments that (1) social integration in a liberal democracy requires shared norms and beliefs (Schnapper); (2) the levels of trust that democratic politics requires can be attained only among conationals (Miller); (3) democratic deliberation requires communicational transparency, possible in turn only within a shared national public culture (Miller, Barry); and (4) the economic viability of specifically industrialized liberal democracies requires a single national culture (Gellner). I argue that all four arguments fail: At best, a shared cultural nation may reduce some of the costs liberal democratic societies must incur; at worst, cultural nationalist policies ironically undermine social integration. The failure of these cultural nationalist arguments clears the way for a normative theory of liberal democracy in multinational and postnational contexts.
Routing and Uplink-Downlink Scheduling in Ad Hoc CDMA Networks

In multihop ad hoc CDMA networks, uplink-downlink schedules are needed to forward packet flows throughout the network without conflict. Also, a routing algorithm and a power control mechanism are required to route the flows while satisfying the QoS needs of the users. To maximize bandwidth utilization efficiency, scheduling tables of minimum length are desired. We suggest an incremental contention-based algorithm as a heuristic distributed solution to the NP-hard uplink-downlink scheduling problem. Also, we propose a routing strategy that considers these schedules, i.e., integrated routing and scheduling.
Genetic analysis of the major homology region of the Rous sarcoma virus Gag protein.

The mature cores of all retroviruses contain a major structural protein known as the CA (capsid) protein. Although it appears to form a shell around the ribonucleoprotein complex that contains the viral RNA, its function in viral replication is largely unknown. Little sequence similarity exists between the CA proteins of different retroviruses, except for a region of about 20 amino acids termed the major homology region (MHR). To examine the role of the CA protein in particle assembly and release, mutants of Rous sarcoma virus were created in which segments of CA were deleted or single conserved residues in the MHR were altered. The ability of the deletion mutants to release particles at rates similar to the wild-type protein demonstrated that the CA domain of Gag is not an essential component of the minimal budding machinery. Certain point mutations in the MHR region did block assembly and release in certain cell types, presumably by perturbing the global structure of the Gag precursor. Another group of MHR substitutions produced noninfectious or poorly infectious particles that were normal in their content of gag and pol gene products and viral RNA. The mutants were capable of initiating reverse transcription in vitro; however, the association of CA protein with the core was compromised, as indicated by its sensitivity to extraction with nonionic detergent. Prominent blebs on the virion envelope also indicated a disturbance at the membrane. Finally, an anti-peptide serum directed against MHR was found to react with the uncleaved Gag protein but not with mature CA, suggesting that MHR undergoes a dynamic rearrangement upon liberation from the polyprotein. We conclude that the MHR is involved in the very late steps in maturation of the virion (i.e., ones that occur after budding is initiated) and is essential for proper function of the core upon entry into a new host cell.
Effects of machine speed on the development and detection of rolling element bearing faults

This research investigates the effects of a variable machine speed on machine vibration and the implications for bearing fault detection. These effects are important to understand because when ignored they can significantly hinder the ability to detect bearing faults. Experimental results verify that a variable machine speed can directly and nonlinearly alter the level of machine vibration. This is due to differences in mechanical damping and resonance at various machine speeds. While this effect is difficult to notice in healthy machines, it can become significant as bearing health degrades. An additional effect that speed can exert is on the rate of development of a bearing fault. Variations in speed can actually retard or temporarily mask the increase in machine vibration due to a bearing fault. This phenomenon is observed in experimental trials as the bearing fault enters an advanced and more deteriorated stage. This can inadvertently make a machine appear healthy even though a bearing failure is imminent. However, by understanding these effects, a more skillful application of the available condition monitoring tools in variable speed applications is achieved.
High Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in the Alaska Native Population and Association with Low Serum Ferritin Levels in Young Adults

Iron deficiency anemia is a common public health problem in the Alaska Native population. Yet, a clear etiology has eluded researchers for decades. Previous studies suggested a link between Helicobacter pylori infection, gastrointestinal blood loss due to hemorrhagic gastritis, and generalized iron deficiency anemia in adult Alaska Natives. Therefore, we examined the association between the prevalence of H. pylori-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) and serum ferritin levels, a marker of iron deficiency. A random sample of 2,080 serum samples from Alaska Native residents drawn between 1980 and 1986 from residents in 13 regions was selected, and the samples were stratified by age, sex, and region. Overall, 75% were positive for H. pylori-specific IgG. The rate of H. pylori seropositivity increased with age; by age 14 years, 78% of the residents were positive. There were no gender differences in H. pylori seropositivity. However, marked regional differences were observed. Serum ferritin levels of <12 ng/ml were found most commonly among persons <20 years of age and among women of childbearing age. A significant association between low serum ferritin levels and prevalence of H. pylori-specific IgG was found, particularly for people aged less than 20 years. H. pylori may be a factor contributing to the iron deficiency anemia in the Alaska Native population.
Dependency-based analytical model for computing connection blocking rates and its application in the sparse placement of optical converters

In this paper, we present a new analytical model that captures link dependencies in all-optical wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) networks under uniform traffic and enables the estimation of connection-blocking probabilities more accurately than previously possible. The basic formula of the dependency between two links in this model reflects their degree of adjacency, the degree of connectivity of the nodes composing them, and their carried traffic. Our validation tests have shown that the analytical dependency model gives accurate results and successfully captures the main dependency characteristics observed in the simulation measurements. The usefulness of the model is illustrated by showing how to use it in enhancing a simulation-based algorithm that we recently proposed for the sparse placement of full wavelength converters in WDM networks. To analytically handle the presence of wavelength converters, a lightpath containing converters is divided into smaller subpaths, such that each subpath is a wavelength-continuous path, and the nodes shared between these subpaths are full wavelength-conversion-capable. The blocking probability of the entire path is obtained by computing the probabilities in the individual subpaths. We validate the analytically-based sparse placement algorithm by comparing it with its simulation-based counterpart using a number of network topologies.
Active efflux of dasatinib from the brain limits efficacy against murine glioblastoma: broad implications for the clinical use of molecularly-targeted agents

The importance of the blood-brain barrier in preventing effective pharmacotherapy of glioblastoma has been controversial. The controversy stems from the fact that vascular endothelial cell tight junctions are disrupted in the tumor, allowing some systemic drug delivery. P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) efflux drugs from brain capillary endothelial cells into the blood. We tested the hypothesis that although the tight junctions are "leaky" in the core of glioblastomas, active efflux limits drug delivery to tumor-infiltrated normal brain and consequently, treatment efficacy. Malignant gliomas were induced by oncogene transfer into wild-type (WT) mice or mice deficient for Pgp and BCRP (knockout, KO). Glioma-bearing mice were orally dosed with dasatinib, a kinase inhibitor and dual BCRP/PgP substrate that is being currently tested in clinical trials. KO mice treated with dasatinib survived for twice as long as WT mice. Microdissection of the tumor core, invasive rim, and normal brain revealed 2- to 3-fold enhancement in dasatinib brain concentrations in KO mice relative to WT. Analysis of signaling showed that poor drug delivery correlated with the lack of inhibition of a dasatinib target, especially in normal brain. A majority of human glioma xenograft lines tested expressed BCRP or PgP and were sensitized to dasatinib by a dual BCRP/Pgp inhibitor, illustrating a second barrier to drug delivery intrinsic to the tumor itself. These data show that active efflux is a relevant obstacle to treating glioblastoma and provide a plausible mechanistic basis for the clinical failure of numerous drugs that are BCRP/Pgp substrates.
Reassessment of MTBE cancer potency considering modes of action for MTBE and its metabolites

A 1999 California state agency cancer potency (CP) evaluation of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) assumed linear risk extrapolations from tumor data were plausible because of limited evidence that MTBE or its metabolites could damage DNA, and based such extrapolations on data from rat gavage and rat and mouse inhalation studies indicating elevated tumor rates in male rat kidney, male rat Leydig interstitial cells, and female rat leukemia/lymphomas. More recent data bearing on MTBE cancer potency include a rodent cancer bioassay of MTBE in drinking water; several new studies of MTBE genotoxicity; several similar evaluations of MTBE metabolites, formaldehyde, and tert-butyl alcohol or TBA; and updated evaluations of carcinogenic mode(s) of action (MOAs) of MTBE and MTBE metabolite's. The lymphoma/leukemia data used in the California assessment were recently declared unreliable by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Updated characterizations of MTBE CP, and its uncertainty, are currently needed to address a variety of decision goals concerning historical and current MTBE contamination. To this end, an extensive review of data sets bearing on MTBE and metabolite genotoxicity, cytotoxicity, and tumorigenicity was applied to reassess MTBE CP and related uncertainty in view of MOA considerations. Adopting the traditional approach that cytotoxicity-driven cancer MOAs are inoperative at very low, non-cytotoxic dose levels, it was determined that MTBE most likely does not increase cancer risk unless chronic exposures induce target-tissue toxicity, including in sensitive individuals. However, the corresponding expected (or plausible upper bound) CP for MTBE conditional on a hypothetical linear (e.g., genotoxic) MOA was estimated to be ∼2 × 10(-5) (or 0.003) per mg MTBE per kg body weight per day for adults exposed chronically over a lifetime. Based on this conservative estimate of CP, if MTBE is carcinogenic to humans, it is among the weakest 10% of chemical carcinogens evaluated by EPA.
Congenitally corrected transposition: size of the pulmonary trunk and septal malalignment

Abstract Background In hearts with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, the atrial and ventricular septums are usually malaligned. This is associated with an abnormal location of the atrioventricular conduction system. However, well-aligned septums and normally positioned atrioventricular conduction tissues have been found in a few cases, some of which also happened to have a small or atretic pulmonary trunk. Our aim was to determine whether septal alignment could be predicted on the basis of the size of the pulmonary trunk. Potentially this could provide a guide to the disposition of the atrioventricular conduction tissues. Methods We examined 14 hearts. In all cases there was usual atrial arrangement. We carried out histologic examination of the sites of the atrioventricular conduction tissues in 1 heart. Results We found a statistically significant correlation between the size of the pulmonary trunk and the degree of septal malalignment. In the presence of a small or atretic pulmonary trunk, the septums were well aligned. Our histologic study of one such specimen revealed dual atrioventricular nodes connecting to a sling of conduction tissue. This suggests that presence of a postero-inferiorly situated atrioventricular conduction bundle in addition to an anteriorly located bundle may be anticipated when the septums are well aligned. Conclusions The presence of a small or atretic pulmonary trunk in congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries is associated with good septal alignment. This should alert the surgeon to the possibility of a slinglike arrangement of the atrioventricular conduction system.
Susceptibility of peritoneal macrophages to infection by Theiler's virus

Abstract Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) strains fall into two groups: high-neurovirulence GDVII virus results in rapidly fatal encephalitis, while low-neurovirulence BeAn and DA viruses produce persistent central nervous system (CNS) infection and inflammatory demyelinating disease. Because macrophages (Mφs) are key components in BeAn virus-induced demyelinating disease, we examined the susceptibility of primary peritoneal macrophages (pMφs) to BeAn infection in vitro. Freshly isolated, thioglycollate-elicited pMφs were resistant to BeAn virus infection even at high multiplicity of infection. In contrast, after incubation of thioglycollate-elicited pMφs at 37 °C for 4 days before infection, approximately half of the cells expressed virus antigen(s) and contained nicked DNA indicative of apoptosis. However, BeAn virus RNA replication and virus yields were highly restricted. Interestingly, about one-third of the cells were apoptotic but negative for virus RNA and antigen(s). Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-α (IFN-α) were elevated in BeAn-infected pMφ cultures suggesting that bystander killing may be responsible for the apoptosis seen in BeAn virus antigen-negative cells. These data show for the first time that pMφs are susceptible to BeAn virus infection, although the infection is highly restricted and most of these cells undergo BeAn-induced apoptosis.
Errorless Differentiation of Academic Responses by College Students

Reporting research in which students learn without ever making a mistake. Could it lead to an entirely new method of classroom instruction?
NOx Reduction in Partially Premixed Flames by Flue Gas Recirculation

The authors are currently investigating new technical (both design and operation) approach, which is expected to enable the improvement of the performance of partially premixed type burners without jeopardizing the simplicity, cost, and reliability that this type of burners are well known for. The improvements include significant reduction of the NOx emission without substantial redesign of the combustion system. The results of the experimental investigation of burner operation and design improvements are to be presented and further discussed at the podium.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Power Measurement Techniques Applied to Imaging Systems

Techniques for accurate measurements of peak power, average power, and spatial intensity distribution are described, especially with respect to large surface transducers such as commonly used in acoustical imaging devices. The radiation force technique, using a reflecting target and a microbalance, was used as a primary standard to measure peak and average power. A secondary standard in form of an electronic power meter was developed for displaying average power output. The sound field was mapped at several distances from the transducer by means of a scanning miniature hydrophone, and the intensity field for square and circular transducers was studied theoretically using computer generated field maps.
Impairment of Endothelial Function by Little Cigar Secondhand Smoke.

Little cigars and cigarillos are gaining in popularity as cigarette use wanes, mainly due to relaxed regulatory standards that make them cheaper, easier to buy individually, and available in a variety of flavors not allowed in cigarettes. To address whether they should be regulated as strictly as cigarettes, we investigated whether little cigar secondhand smoke (SHS) decreases vascular endothelial function like that of cigarettes.We exposed rats to SHS from little cigars, cigarettes, or chamber air, for 10 minutes and measured the resulting acute impairment of arterial flow-mediated dilation (FMD).SHS from both little cigars and cigarettes impaired FMD. Impairment was greater after exposure to little cigar SHS than by cigarette SHS relative to pre-exposure values, although the post-exposure FMD values were not significantly different from each other.Exposure to little cigar SHS leads to impairment of FMD that is at least equal to that resulting from similar levels of cigarette SHS. Our findings support the need to prevent even brief exposure to little cigar SHS, and support tobacco control policies that regulate little cigars as strictly as cigarettes.
Syntheses and surprising regioselectivity of 5- and 6-substituted decaboranyl ethers via the nucleophilic attack of alcohols on 6- and 5-halodecaboranes.

The selective syntheses of new classes of decaboranyl ethers containing a range of functional groups substituted at the B5 or B6 positions were achieved through the reaction of alcohols with halode...
Sublethal Effects of Insecticides on the Alfalfa Weevil Parasites Microctonus aethiopoides

Microctonus aethiopoides Loan, developed from alfalfa weevils treated with LD50 to LD90 dosages of carbofuran (Furadan®), methyl parathion, methoxychlor and methidathion (Supracide®), during egg, early larval and late larval stages of parasite development did not differ significantly from the controls in reproductive potential, longevity and progeny sex ratio. However, parasites which survived LD50 dosages of these insecticides during adult or pupal stage showed a 25–50% reduction in longevity and 40–60% reduction in reproductive potential. Sex ratio of the progeny again remain unaffected.
Iron(II) Catalysis in Oxidation of Hydrocarbons with Ozone in Acetonitrile

Oxidation of alcohols, ethers, and sulfoxides by ozone in acetonitrile is catalyzed by submillimolar concentrations of Fe(CH3CN)62+. The catalyst provides both rate acceleration and greater selectivity toward the less oxidized products. For example, Fe(CH3CN)62+-catalyzed oxidation of benzyl alcohol yields benzaldehyde almost exclusively (>95%), whereas the uncatalyzed reaction generates a 1:1 mixture of benzaldehyde and benzoic acid. Similarly, aliphatic alcohols are oxidized to aldehydes/ketones, cyclobutanol to cyclobutanone, and diethyl ether to a 1:1 mixture of ethanol and acetaldehyde. The kinetics of oxidation of alcohols and diethyl ether are first-order in [Fe(CH3CN)62+] and [O3] and independent of [substrate] at concentrations greater than ∼5 mM. In this regime, the rate constant for all of the alcohols is approximately the same, kcat = (8 ± 1) × 104 M–1 s–1, and that for (C2H5)2O is (5 ± 0.5) × 104 M–1 s–1. In the absence of substrate, Fe(CH3CN)62+ reacts with O3 with kFe = (9.3 ± 0.3) × 104 M–...
Morphology and Defect Structure of Sputtered High-Quality In-Situ YBa2Cu3O7−δ Films

Transmission Electron Microscopy has been used to study the morphology and defect structure of sharp superconducting transition, high (2-6 × 107 A/cm2) critical current YBa2Cu3O7−δ films on MgO substrates. These were oriented such that the unit cell axes of the film aligned with those of the substrate, with some domains obeying a second orientation relationship rotated by 45° in the plane of the film, i.e. film parallel to substrate . The latter is not expected from simple lattice matching considerations. A strong influence of substrate surface topography on film microstructure was noted, leading to a high density of out-of-phase, low-angle tilt, and other boundaries near the substrate-film interface, which decreased with increasing distance from the substrate. Finally, the effects on film microstructure of two variables of specific interest in our sputtering system were investigated: the thickness of the deposited film, and the temperature at which a high oxygen pressure (500 torr) is introduced after deposition is complete. Increases in film thickness resulted in longer, more widely spaced twins, whereas lower oxygenation temperatures resulted in shorter twins.
Optical Properties of Secondary Organic Aerosol from cis-3-Hexenol and cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate: Effect of Chemical Composition, Humidity, and Phase

Atmospheric aerosols play an important role in Earth’s radiative balance directly, by scattering and absorbing radiation, and indirectly, by acting as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). Atmospheric aerosol is dominated by secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formed by the oxidation of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs). Green leaf volatiles (GLVs) are a class of BVOCs that contribute to SOA, yet their role in the Earth’s radiative budget is poorly understood. In this work we measured the scattering efficiency (at 450, 525, and 635 nm), absorption efficiency (between 190 and 900 nm), particle phase, bulk chemical properties (O:C, H:C), and molecular-level composition of SOA formed from the ozonolysis of two GLVs: cis-3-hexenol (HXL) and cis-3-hexenyl acetate (CHA). Both HXL and CHA produced SOA that was weakly absorbing, yet CHA-SOA was a more efficient absorber than HXL-SOA. The scatter efficiency of SOA from both systems was wavelength-dependent, with the stronger dependence exhibited by HXL-SOA, likel...
Indium-111-DTPA-folate as a potential folate-receptor-targeted radiopharmaceutical.

Indium-111-labeled diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-folate was evaluated as a radiopharmaceutical for targeting tumor associated folate receptors. Methods: Athymic mice were subcutaneously inoculated with ∼1.8 × 106 folate receptor-positive KB (human nasopharyngeal carcinoma) cells, yielding 0.2- to 0.6-g tumors in 15 days, at which time 111In-DTPA-folate, 111In-DTPAor 111In-citrate was administered by intravenous injection. Results: The 111In-DTPA-folate conjugate afforded marked tumor-specific 111In deposition in vivo using this mouse model. The involvement of the folate receptor in mediating tumor uptake of 111In-DTPA-folate was demonstrated by the blocking of tumor uptake by coadministration of free folic acid (intravenous). The 111In-DTPA-folate also shows folate receptor-mediated uptake and retention in the kidneys, presumably reflecting radiotracer binding to folate receptors of the proximal tubules. In control experiments, 111In-citrate radiopharmaceutical precursor was also shown to afford significant tumor uptake of 111In, but with much poorer tumor-to-background tissue contrast than that obtained with 111In-DTPA-folate. Unconjugated 111In-DTPA showed no tumor affinity. Conclusion: Indium-111-DTPA-folate appears suitable as a radiopharmaceutical for targeting tumor-associated folate receptors.
Synergistic interaction between interleukin-12 and steel factor in support of proliferation of murine lymphohematopoietic progenitors in culture

We have investigated the effects of interleukin (IL)-12 (natural killer cell stimulatory factor/cytotoxic lymphocyte maturation factor) on the proliferation of murine myeloid and lymphohematopoietic progenitors in methylcellulose culture. In the presence of erythropoietin (Ep), IL-12 alone failed to support colony formation by mononuclear and enriched marrow cells of normal mice. Steel factor (SF) alone supported primarily formation of granulocyte/macrophage (GM) colony formation. However, the combination of the two cytokines yielded a significant number of multilineage colonies. When tested on marrow cells from 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-treated mice, the combination of IL-12 and SF, but not the single factors, was effective in support of formation of various types of colonies. Approximately 25% of these colonies yielded pre-B-cell colonies when replated in secondary culture containing SF and IL-7, indicating that IL-12 can interact with SF in supporting the development of primitive lymphohematopoietic progenitors. These results demonstrate that IL-12, a cytokine believed to be involved in the development of cell-mediated immune responses, has a wider range of activity, including committed myeloid and multipotent lymphohematopoietic progenitors.
The Importance of Measuring Quality of Care at the End of Life

SUMMARYAlthough designed to respond to acute illness, the current health care system must increasingly provide care for people living longer with chronic diseases. Evaluation of the quality of this care must utilize appropriate measurements, study populations, and outcomes. Current quality measures and major studies of quality of care are highlighted. A framework for measuring quality of care is outlined. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-342-9678. E-mail address: getinfo@haworth.com]
Antigenic Deletion and Prognosis of Patients with Stage a Transitional Cell Bladder Carcinoma

AbstractThe mixed cell agglutination reaction was studied in 22 patients with stage A transitional cell bladder tumors. The absence of antigens on the original tumor was found to correlate with development of invasive cancer on followup. The presence of antigens on the original tumor correlated with failure to develop stage B or greater disease within 5 to 14 years of followup.
Asynchronous arbiter design using CMOS DCVS logic

The design and operation of an asynchronous two-input mutual exclusion element are described in this paper. A decision-making module suitable for implementing n-way decision-making circuits is also implemented using CMOS DVCS logic.
Panel Discussion: Teaching Ethics in the Information Technology Curriculum

As ethical scandals erupt in information technology [1][2], calls to teach ethical behavior increase. Both the 2008 IT curriculum guidelines [3] and the ABET computing accreditation criteria [4] as well as the AACSB curriculum criteria [5] include teaching ethical decision making to computing students. The proposed IT2017 curriculum guidelines include ethics under "Professional Practice / Social Responsibility" [6]. Each of the three panelists has been responsible for incorporating ethics in the curricula of their respective institutions, but it has been done in a variety of ways.
AlGaN based UV LEDs and high frequency transistors

We discuss the recent advances in UV optoelectronic and high frequency electronic devices based on the AlGaN material system. The paper addresses the physical, electrical and optical properties of the material system and how they impact the device performance. We also describe the innovative approaches that lead to the solution of the growth and processing problems and thus enable the fabrication of high efficiency optoelectronic and electronic devices.
Revisiting Milan cervical cancer study: Do the original findings hold in the era of chemotherapy?

Abstract Background The primary treatment of early stage cervical carcinoma (IB-IIA) is either surgery or radiation therapy based on the pivotal Milan randomized study published twenty years ago. In the presence of high-risk features, the gold standard treatment is concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRT) whether it is the in the postoperative or the definitive setting. Using the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB), the goal of our study is to compare the outcomes of surgery and radiation therapy in the chemotherapy era. Methods Between 2004 and 2013, 5478 patients diagnosed with early stage cervical cancer were divided into 2 groups based on their primary treatment: non-surgical ( n =1980) and surgical groups ( n =3498). The distribution of patient/tumor characteristics and treatment variables with their relation to overall survival and proportional regression models were assessed to investigate the superiority of one approach over the other. Propensity score analysis adjusted for imbalance of covariates to create a well-matched-patient cohort. Findings At 46months median follow-up, the 5-year overall survival was similar between both groups (73·8% vs. 75.7%; p =0.619) after applying propensity score analysis. On multivariate analysis, high Charlson comorbidity score, stage IIA disease, larger tumor size, positive lymph nodes and high-grade disease were significant predictors of poor outcome while older age and treatment approach were not. Interpretation Our analysis suggests that surgery (followed by adjuvant RT or CRT) and definitive radiotherapy (with or without chemotherapy) result in equivalent survival. Prospective studies are warranted to establish this paradigm in the chemotherapy era.
Molecular Biology of Varicella—Zoster Virus

Varicella—zoster virus (VZV) is a human herpesvirus that causes two common clinical conditions: chicken pox (varicella) and shingles (herpes zoster). Virus isolated from patients with either disease is indistinguishable immunologically and biologically from virus isolated from patients with the other disease (reviewed by Taylor-Robinson and Caunt, 1972). Earlier experiments had established that vesicular fluid from patients with herpes zoster could cause varicella when injected into children. For example, Bruusgaard (1932) injected vesicular fluid from 5 herpes zoster patients into the arms of a total of 18 children; 4 of the 18 showed local vesicles and another 4 showed a more generalized vesicle spread. For these reasons, the earlier terms varicella virus and herpes zoster virus have been supplanted by the term varicella—zoster virus.
Message Passing or Shared Memory: Evaluating the Delegation Abstraction for Multicores

Even for small multi-core systems, it has become harder and harder to support a simple shared memory abstraction: processors access some memory regions more quickly than others, a phenomenon called non-uniform memory access (NUMA). These trends have prompted researchers to investigate alternative programming abstractions based on message passing rather than cache-coherent shared memory. To advance a pragmatic understanding of these models' strengths and weaknesses, we have explored a range of different message passing and shared memory designs, for a variety of concurrent data structures, running on different multicore architectures. Our goal was to evaluate which combinations perform best, and where simple software or hardware optimizations might have the most impact. We observe that different approaches perform best in different circumstances, and that the communication overhead of message passing can often outweigh its benefits. Nonetheless, we discuss ways in which this balance may shift in the future. Overall, we conclude that, by emphasizing high-level shared data abstractions, software should be designed to be largely independent of the choice of low-level communication mechanism.
Associations Between Trauma Type, Timing, and Accumulation on Current Coping Behaviors in Adolescents: Results from a Large, Population-based Sample

The development of adolescents’ coping in response to stress is critical for adaptive functioning; these coping strategies may be shaped by numerous environmental factors during childhood, including experiences such as exposure to trauma. Childhood trauma has been shown to undermine contemporaneous coping, but how does a history of exposure to trauma and the characteristics of that trauma (type, timing, and accumulation) relate to current coping among adolescents? We addressed this question using a nationally-representative sample of 9427 adolescents (ages 13–18; 48.9% female; 66% White). Adolescents reported on their lifetime exposure to 18 different traumas, including witnessing or experiencing interpersonal violence, accidents, disasters, and violent or accidental loss of loved ones, as well as their current use of coping behaviors when under stress (problem-focused, positive emotion-focused, and negative emotion-focused coping strategies). The study’s results highlight that exposure to nearly all forms of trauma was unrelated to problem-focused and positive emotion-focused coping behaviors, but strongly associated with increased negative emotion-focused coping. Use of each coping style did not vary with age at first exposure to trauma, but increased with the number of lifetime traumatic events experienced. The findings suggest that the extent of prior exposure to trauma, including variations across type and timing, may be related to a particular form of coping that has been linked to increased risk for mental health problems. Study results highlight coping strategies as a potential target for prevention and treatment efforts, and indicate a need to better understand the malleability and trajectory of coping responses to stress for promoting healthy youth development.