cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Value: A Framework for Radiation Oncology

In the current health care system, high costs without proportional improvements in quality or outcome have prompted widespread calls for change in how we deliver and pay for care. Value-based health care delivery models have been proposed. Multiple impediments exist to achieving value, including misaligned patient and provider incentives, information asymmetries, convoluted and opaque cost structures, and cultural attitudes toward cancer treatment. Radiation oncology as a specialty has recently become a focus of the value discussion. Escalating costs secondary to rapidly evolving technologies, safety breaches, and variable, nonstandardized structures and processes of delivering care have garnered attention. In response, we present a framework for the value discussion in radiation oncology and identify approaches for attaining value, including economic and structural models, process improvements, outcome measurement, and cost assessment.
Time to Play?: Activity Engagement in Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games

The online session behavior of users in a multiplayer online role playing game is examined. Three dimensions of online sessions are studied: frequency of sessions, distribution of start and stop times, and duration. These measures are modeled and examined econometrically to understand their relationships with attributes of the users and their avatars. Frequency is analyzed by using a negative binomial regression to uncover relationships with contributing factors, such as the experience level of players and the number of avatars per user account. Start and stop time distributions are examined aggregately with discrete choice models that capture the probability of starting a session in relation to the sociodemographics of users. Duration models are estimated by using data on the characteristics of events that occur within the duration and other user sociodemographics and player attributes. Since sessions are not explicitly indicated within the data set, sessions were stitched together on the basis of an ass...
Cadastral Audit and Assessments Using Unmanned Aerial Systems

Abstract. Ground surveys and remote sensing are integral to establishing fair and equitable property valuations necessary for real property taxation. The International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) has embraced aerial and street-view imaging as part of its standards related to property tax assessments and audits. New technologies, including unmanned aerial systems (UAS) paired with imaging sensors, will become more common as local governments work to ensure their cadastre and tax rolls are both accurate and complete. Trends in mapping technology have seen an evolution in platforms from large, expensive manned aircraft to very small, inexpensive UAS. Traditional methods of photogrammetry have also given way to new equipment and sensors: digital cameras, infrared imagers, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) laser scanners, and now synthetic aperture radar (SAR). At the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), we work extensively with unmanned aerial systems equipped with each of these newer sensors. UAF has significant experience flying unmanned systems in the US National Airspace, having begun in 1969 with scientific rockets and expanded to unmanned aircraft in 2003. Ongoing field experience allows UAF to partner effectively with outside organizations to test and develop leading-edge research in UAS and remote sensing. This presentation will discuss our research related to various sensors and payloads for mapping. We will also share our experience with UAS and optical systems for creating some of the first cadastral surveys in rural Alaska.
Routing Exploiting Multiple Heterogeneous Wireless Interfaces: A TCP Performance Study

This paper proposes a routing scheme that exploits multiple heterogeneous wireless interfaces: a primary 802.11a interface and a secondary 802.11b (or 802.11) interface. In normal conditions, a TCP flow uses a primary path over the 802.11a interface discovered by a reactive routing protocol. But in presence of route breakage due to node mobility, it resorts to its backup path over the 802.11b interface which is already maintained by a proactive routing protocol and is being used for delivery of other packets. The secondary interface exhibits different property than the primary interface (i.e., slower rate but larger transmission range), which helps keep TCP flows alive and preserve the TCP window size, thereby making them more robust to route breakage induced by mobility. ns-2 implementation and experiments reveal several potential benefits of the proposed routing scheme.
Metabolism of phenylalanine and tyrosine in tobacco cell lines resistant and sensitive to p-fluorophenylalanine

Abstract Chromatography of soluble polyphenols of p -fluorophenylalanine-sensitive and -resistant tobacco cells revealed that the 10-fold increased level found in the resistant line was largely due to the accumulation of two unidentified polyphenols. The uptake of Phe-[U- 14 C] and Tyr-[U- 14 C] by the resistant line was ca 10 % that by the sensitive line. About 90 % of the phenylalanine-[ 14 C] which was taken up by both cell lines could be accounted for as free phenylalanine in protein, soluble polyphenols or CO 2 . The fate of Tyr-[ 14 C] was similar to that of phenylalanine except that the incorporation was into insoluble polymeric forms of polyphenols rather than into soluble polyphenols. The resistant line incorporated 9-times more phenylalanine-[ 14 C] into soluble polyphenols than did the sensitive line. The different 14 C-aromatic amino acid accumulation and incorporation patterns noted with the two cell lines indicates that there are different active pools. Differential uptake rates by the two cell lines might affect the distribution of the absorbed amino acid among the different pools.
On the interference channel with common messages and the role of rate-sharing

The capacity region of the interference channel with common messages is studied. This channel model is a variation of the classical two user interference channel modified such that each encoder has both a private message as well as a common message to be decoded at both receivers. Achievable rates for this channel model can be characterized by the classical Han-Kobayashi achievable rate region for the interference channel in which, at each encoder, the codeword embedding the private message is superimposed over the codeword for the common message. We show that the achievable rates for this region can be improved upon by rate-sharing, which consist of transmitting part of the private message into the common codeword. This improved region is shown to approach the capacity for a class of injective semi-deterministic channels. Moreover, we show that the Fourier Motzkin elimination of the Han-Kobayashi with rate-sharing contains less rate bounds than the one without rate-sharing. This approach provides an alternative proof of the simplification of the Han-Kobayashi originally shown by Chong et al. This result is particularly interesting as it shows that simplifications in the spirit of Chong et al. for general channels can be performed through rate-sharing and Fourier-Motzkin elimination. This approach can be easily implemented algorithmically and is relevant in the context of the automatic derivation of achievable rate regions.
PTSD, Depressive Symptoms, and Suicidal Ideation in African American Women: A Mediated Model

Although research has shown positive associations among post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation, the nature of these relations is unclear, especially in African American women. This study examined the associations among these comorbid psychological difficulties in a sample of 136 low-income, African American women. Specifically, the goal of this investigation was to ascertain if overall depressive symptoms, as well as both the cognitive-affective and somatic components of depression, mediated the PTSD-suicidal ideation link. Results from bootstrapping analyses revealed that overall depressive symptoms and the cognitive-affective components of depression, but not the somatic components, mediated the PTSD-suicidal ideation link.
WHAT I BELIEVE: STRUCTURE AND THE PROBLEM OF MACROSOCIALITY

The recent turn in archaeology and other social sciences to the microscale analysis of agency, personhood, and identity has led to a neglect of analysis at the macroscale. With older frameworks such as neoevolution discredited or rejected, there has been relatively little emphasis on patterns of social change at larger geographical and temporal scales. Proceeding from the work of sociologist William Sewell Jr., I suggest that a focus on structures, events, and processes offers Southeastern archaeology a useful and theoretically flexible perspective on such patterns of incremental and exponential social change.
Reconstruction of convex bodies of revolution from the areas of their shadows

In this note we reconstruct a convex body of revolution from the areas of its shadows by giving a precise formula for the support function.
Design of an accounting and metric-basedcloud-shifting and cloud-seeding framework for federatedclouds and bare-metal environments

We present the design of a dynamic provisioning system that is able to manage the resources of a federated cloud environment by focusing on their utilization. With our framework, it is not only possible to allocate resources at a particular time to a specific Infrastructure as a Service framework, but also to utilize them as part of a typical HPC environment controlled by batch queuing systems. Through this interplay between virtualized and non-virtualized resources, we provide a flexible resource management framework that can be adapted based on users' demands. The need for such a framework is motivated by real user data gathered during our operation of FutureGrid (FG). We observed that the usage of the different infrastructures vary over time changing from being over-utilized to underutilize and vice versa. Therefore, the proposed framework will be beneficial for users of environments such a FutureGrid where several infrastructures are supported with limited physical resources.
Structure and properties of ion-beam-modified (6H) silicon carbide

Abstract The ion-beam-induced crystalline-to-amorphous phase transition in single crystal ( 6 H) α -SiC has been studied as a function of irradiation temperature. The evolution of the amorphous state has been followed in situ by transmission electron microscopy in specimens irradiated with 0.8 MeV Ne + , 1.0 MeV Ar + , and 1.5 MeV Xe + ions over the temperature range from 20 to 475 K. The threshold displacement dose for complete amorphization in α -SiC at 20 K is 0.30 dpa (damage energy=15 eV atom −1 ). The dose for complete amorphization increases with temperature due to simultaneous recovery processes that can be adequately modeled in terms of a single-activated process. The critical temperature, above which amorphization does not occur, increases with particle mass and saturates at about 500 K. Single crystals of α -SiC with [0001] orientation have also been irradiated at 300 K with 360 keV Ar 2+ ions at an incident angle of 25° over fluences ranging from 1 to 8 Ar 2+ ions nm −2 . The damage accumulation in these samples has been characterized ex situ by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry–channeling (RBS/C) along the [0001] direction, Raman spectroscopy, cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (XTEM), and mechanical microprobe measurements.
Presence of 3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol and Metanephrine in Phæochromocytoma Tissue

THE ethereal sulphate of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol, a metabolite of epinephrine and norepinephrine, has recently been demonstrated in the urine of normal individuals and was noted to be markedly increased in the urine of patients having phaeochromocytoma1. The free compound has not been previously demonstrated and the possibility that conjugated (nor)metanephrine gives rise to this compound could not be ruled out. We have now been able to demonstrate the presence of free 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in phaeochromocytoma tissue from four different patients, as well as metanephrine in three of these tumours.
Urbanized Hamlets, Collective Action, and Municipal Administration in Japan

BECAUSE OF ADMINISTRATIVE amalgamations, Japanese cities contain within their limits substantial rural areas. Where they have not been overwhelmed by migrants, people in these areas continue to reproduce hamlet society through collective action. Although hamlets have not enjoyed legal standing in the postwar period, city administrations continue to contribute to their social reality. An examination of cases—instances of installation of city water, siting of a school road, purchases of fire-fighting equipment, and the expansion of trash incineration facilities—in hamlets in Inuyama City suggest this relationship prospers because it allows citizens and administrators to maintain high levels of confidence in the efficacy of local collective action, especially in the provision of public goods supported by national, regional, or local policy. [Japanese cities, urbanization, cooperation, collective action, public goods]
Cytochalasin binding to macrophages

Cytochalasin-sensitive structures are involved in macrophage motility, membrane recognition phenomena and the internalization of phagocytic particles. The purpose of this study was to characterize the binding of cytochalasins to rabbit alveolar macrophages. Kinetic and quantitative binding experiments demonstrated rapid, temperature dependent attachment of [3H]CB (tritium labeled cytochalasin B) to high (0.4 M) and low (10 M) affinity sites. Macrophages possessed a larger number of high affinity sites (1.8 × 107 sites/cell) than erythrocytes, lymphocytes, granulocytes, and other cell types so far examined. CB was the best inhibitor of high affinity [3H] CB binding, although CA, CD, and CE were also highly effective. However, cytochalasins A, E, and D were considerably more potent inhibitors of low affinity [3H] CB binding sites than CB. In contrast to cytochalasins A and E, CB binding was easily reversible, while cytochalasin D binding was partially reversible. A wide variety of pharmacologic agents, including cyclic nucleotides and sulfhydryl containing or reactive compounds, had minimal inhibitory or no effect on either low or high affinity cytochalasin binding to intact cells. Vinblastine but not colchicine augmented [3H] CB binding. Radioautography demonstrated that most of the high affinity [3H] CB binding sites appeared to be located in or adjacent to the plasma membrane. The previously described alterations in macrophage function induced by cytochalasins required relatively high concentrations and our data suggest that low affinity sites would be primarily involved in mediating these changes.
Isolation and recovery of 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene from animal bedding by reversed-phase solid-phase extraction combined with high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract Animal bedding which may contain toxic substances represents a new type of hazardous waste. The conventional technique of liquid–liquid extraction and acid–base cleanup was found to be unsuitable due to the high lipophilic content of the sample matrix. Liquid–solid bath sonication combined with reversed-phase solid-phase extraction and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) as the instrumental determinative step resulted in high recovery and good precision among triplicate samples of the bedding material.
Multicomponent analysis of alcohol vapors using integrated gas chromatography with sensor arrays

Abstract We have fabricated and tested a multiarray polymer sensor by integrating the sensor array with a gas chromatograph. We compared the performance of the system with a contemporary thermoconductivity detector for the identification and detection of different volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These sensor arrays were not only able to detect the different compounds but also demonstrated a very wide linear response to the amounts of VOC exposure. The performance of the gas chromatograph-polymer sensor array detector (GC–PSAD) was very good and comparable to the gas chromatograph thermal conductivity detector (GC–TCD) system in terms of linearity and reproducibility. The repeatability of peak heights and areas was consistent over several months. The PSAD chip is easily fabricated and that process including the polymer deposition is described in detail. Our experimental results suggest that the GC–PSAD system is effective in the analysis of mixtures and this is a distinct advantage over the contemporary electronic nose sensor array systems.
The impact of serious mental illness on health and healthcare.

Background Patients with serious mental illness (SMI; e.g., psychotic disorders and major mood disorders) die earlier, have more medical illnesses, and receive worse medical care than those in the general population. Objective The aims of this article are to review the data on medical morbidity and mortality in those with SMI, to highlight the factors that lead to such disparities, and to discuss potential solutions to the problem. Method The authors reviewed the literature on medical morbidity and mortality in those with SMI. Results Adults with SMI in the United States die 25 years earlier than those in the general population; cardiovascular disease is responsible for the majority of this excess mortality, accounting for roughly 50%–60% of the deaths due to medical illness. Patient, provider, and system-level factors interact to contribute to poor health outcomes in people with SMI. Conclusion Patients with SMI are losing many years of life to preventable and treatable medical illnesses. Solutions to the problem will require attention to patient, provider, and system-level factors.
Interaction of hypoxia and carbon tetrachloride toxicity in hepatocyte monolayers

Abstract The toxicity of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in monolayer cultures of primary hepatocytes was investigated at oxygen concentrations that prevail in the liver under conditions that range from normoxia to hypoxia: 0.5, 1, 2, and 20% O2. CCl4 was administered in the vapor phase at concentrations that produce aqueous concentrations at 37°C of 0.4, 2.0, and 4.0 mM. Damage was assayed by leakage of aspartate transaminase and the inclusion of Trypan Blue immediately after the 2-hr incubation and after an additional 6-hr incubation in 20% O2. Only in the case of 0.5% O2 and 4 mM CCl4 were the monolayers damaged (18%) immediately after the 2-hr exposure; all other exposed cells were undamaged at that time point and the dose response of cell death as a function of CCl4 and oxygen concentration was not evident until the 6-hr time point. The monolayers exposed to 4 mM CCl4 and 1, 2, or 20% O2 exhibited little immediate damage but were all 100% dead 6 hr later. The monolayers exposed to 2 mM CCl4 and 0.5, 1, 2, or 20% O2 were 53, 48, 40, and 22 ± 2% dead after 6 hr, respectively. These results suggest that effects of CCl4 exposure, for example alterations in the function or synthesis of essential proteins, require several hours to affect cell viability.
Access denied: : low mentoring of women and minority first-time directors and its negative effects on appointments to additional boards.

This study contributes to the literature on women and minorities in corporate leadership by developing theory that can help to explain the persistent underrepresentation of women and minorities amo...
Effects of GA4+7 and benzyladenine application on postproduction quality of ‘Seadov’ pot tulip flowers

Abstract We investigated the effect of gibberellin 4+7 (GA 4+7 ) plus benzyladenine (BA) on postproduction quality of potted tulips. Plants of Tulipa gesneriana ‘Seadov’ were sprayed with GA 4+7 plus BA, and placed in a simulated consumer environment (SCE) in order to determine effectiveness of the compound at each stage. Regardless of plant stage, treatment with GA 4+7 plus BA improved individual flower longevity and postproduction longevity in the range of concentrations tested, with BA being the main active ingredient in the mixture. At bud stage application, postproduction quality was improved with higher doses of GA 4+7 plus BA. GA 4+7 plus BA had a strong effect on enhancing flower longevity when sprayed at the mature (fully colored) bud, and a lesser effect when applied to immature (green) buds. When applied at bloom stage, however, concentrations over 50 mg L −1 reduced individual flower and postproduction longevity relative to lower concentrations as a result of undesirable hyper-opening of older flowers and greatly stimulated gynoecium growth. For all flower ages, concentrations as low as 10 mg L −1 significantly increased tulip flower longevity.
Breath testing to evaluate lactose intolerance in irritable bowel syndrome correlates with lactulose testing and may not reflect true lactose malabsorption.

Breath testing to evaluate lactose intolerance in irritable bowel syndrome correlates with lactulose testing and may not reflect true lactose malabsorption
Structural complexity and functional diversity of endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ stores

Considerable evidence, including recent direct observations, suggest that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca(2+) stores in neurons, glia, and other cell types, consists of spatially-distinct compartments that can be individually loaded and unloaded. In addition, sub-plasmalemmal ('junctional') components of the ER (jER) are functionally coupled to the overlying plasmalemmal (PL) microdomains in PL-jER units named 'PLasmERosomes'. The PL microdomains and the jER contain clusters of specific transport proteins that regulate Na(+) and Ca(2+) concentrations in the tiny cytosolic space between the PL and jER. This organization helps the ER to produce the many types of complex local and global Ca(2+) signals that are responsible for the simultaneous control of numerous neuronal and glial functions.
Testing Interventions to Motivate and Educate (TIME): A multi-level intervention to improve colorectal cancer screening.

Objective To test the effectiveness of a colorectal cancer (CRC) screening intervention directed at three levels (clinic, provider, patient) in a primary care setting.
Structure dependence of NO adsorption and dissociation on platinum surfaces

The influence of surface structure on NO chemisorption and dissociation on Pt{100}-(1×1), Pt{211}, and Pt{410} has been studied using density functional theory slab calculations with the generalized gradient corrections. The presence of steps on Pt{211} strengthens the NO−surface chemisorption bond, but the barrier for NO dissociation remains high. On the other hand, the steps on Pt{410} help to stabilize the N and O adatoms that form upon dissociation and the transition state. The calculated barrier of 80.2 kJ/mol on Pt{410} is in good agreement with experiment. These results show that both the presence of steps and the nature of the steps are important to activate NO. An ensemble of square-arranged Pt atoms has been identified as an important feature in activating the N−O bond.
Turning Back the Clock in Baseball: Crises of Commitment and Symbolic Value of Inferior Technologies

What are the contexts in which inferior technologies will be celebrated and employed to increase audience esteem for the user? I argue that previously discarded technologies can be re-purposed for ...
The expert learner: Strategic, self-regulated, and reflective

Reflection on the process of learning is believed to be an essential ingredient in the development of expert learners. By employing reflective thinking skills to evaluate the results of one's own learning efforts, awareness of effective learning strategies can be increased and ways to use these strategies in other learning situations can be understood. This article describes how expert learners use the knowledge they have gained of themselves as learners, of task requirements, and of specific strategy use to deliberately select, control, and monitor strategies needed to achieve desired learning goals. We present a model of expert learning which illustrates how learners' metacognitive knowledge of cognitive, motivational, and environmental strategies is translated into regulatory control of the learning process through ongoing reflective thinking. Finally, we discuss the implications that the concept of expert learning has for instructional practices.
Long-term tolerance to allogeneic thymus transplants in complete DiGeorge anomaly

Thymus transplantation in subjects with complete DiGeorge anomaly using postnatal allogeneic HLA-nonmatched cultured thymus tissue provides immunoreconstitution. Tolerance of the newly developed T cells toward the donor thymus has not previously been studied. Mixed lymphocyte cultures were used to test 12 thymus transplant recipients for long-term tolerance toward their thymus allografts. Two subjects tested for responses toward thymus donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed significantly less reactivity toward the donors compared to responses against third-party allogeneic cells. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 10 other subjects were less responsive toward cryopreserved donor thymic cells than toward allogeneic cells (P = 0.00007). Adult control peripheral blood mononuclear cells proliferated strongly in response to the donor thymic cells. Both the subjects and controls showed similar proliferative responses against allogeneic cells and phytohemagglutinin. This study provides in vitro evidence for long-term tolerance of complete DiGeorge anomaly thymus transplantation recipients toward their HLA-nonmatched thymus grafts.
Allen-Masters Syndrome Detected at the Time of a Cesarean Delivery: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature

The Allen-Masters syndrome was first reported in 1955 by Allen and Masters, who described lacerations in the peritoneum and fascia of the broad and cardinal ligaments. The two researchers attributed their findings to traumatic deliveries since all of their patients were multiparous. The present article reports a case of Allen-Masters syndrome, reviewing the literature, in a primigravida with intermittent right-lower quadrant pain during gestation, and who was diagnosed at the time of her cesarean birth.
On the fluctuation theory for the liquid—vapor interface

Abstract Using the statistical mechanical formulation of Triezenberg and Zwanzig, we argue that the “intrinsic” or “bare” width of the liquid—vapor interface in the Buff—Lovett—Stillinger capillary model may be identified as the interfacial width described by the “van der Waals-like” theories.
On multiple Compton scattering in plasma clouds

Abstract Inverse Compton scattering of low energy photons in a nonrelativistic electron gas is considered. The angle dependence in the Thomson cross section is neglected and spatial and energy transport are separated in a multiple scattering development of the emerging spectrum. The energy transport is determined by a Green function G which may be obtained from the single scattering spectrum for small optical depth or from the Kompaneets equation in the optically thick medium (τ ⪢ 1). The electron cloud is assumed to be spherical and homogeneous with constant temperature ϑ e = kT e m e c 2 . Photon escape probabilities P N from the cloud after N scatterings are calculated from a random flight problem with absorbing walls and alternative methods are mentioned and compared in the limit of large optical depth.
Helping Global Hawk Fly with the Rest of US

When the United States Air Force (USAF) planned to start operations of the Global Hawk Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) at Beale Air Force Base (AFB) they turned to the MITRE Corporation for an analysis of nearby air traffic that fly in the vicinity of Beale where a portion of the planned Global Hawk mission would occur. Using several data sources, MITRE analyzed flight paths of both transponding and non-transponding aircraft to characterize the air traffic patterns in the vicinity of Beale AFB. In addition to examining aircraft with beacon transponders, which represented flights under air traffic control and some uncontrolled flights, it was critical to examine operations of non-transponding flyers such as hang gliders, hot air balloons, and some general aviation aircraft. These airspace users may either not be equipped with transponders or may not be using them; they rely on their eyes to "see-and-avoid" other traffic. Global Hawk's cruise altitude is well above most other aircraft so the key flight phases to investigate were early in climb and late in descent, when the likelihood of encounters with low-altitude, non-controlled and non-transponding aircraft is greatest. Specifically, interest was in those operating in the altitude range from the ceiling of Class C airspace above Beale AFB (4100 feet) up to positive control airspace (Class A airspace with a floor of 18,000 feet). The results offer insight into the air traffic around Beale AFB by quantifying hourly and day-of-the week patterns, showing an altitude distribution of the traffic, providing a breakdown of users by air carrier and general aviation operations and by class of aircraft flown, and by tabulating nearby origin/destination airports used. The Air Force used this information in requesting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) permission to operate Global Hawk out of Beale AFB.
Reconstruction of discontinuous light-phase functions

The reconstruction of discontinuous light-phase functions is of major importance in adaptive optics. An efficient and simple algorithm that can reconstruct large arrays of phases from phase differences is presented. We prove that the algorithm yields a perfect result in the absence of noise, and we describe the function that it maximizes. We suggest a method that makes use of the reconstructed phase to measure the position of branch points. A simulation of the reconstruction of a 33×33 phase array is presented.
The Relationship Between Brain–Heart Autonomic Signaling and Aging: A Gender-Specific Longitudinal Perspective from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging

Background Low heart rate variability (HRV) has been previously associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in high-risk populations or subjects with previously documented cardiovascular conditions. Information about HRV in healthy subjects is, however, scant. Moreover, gender effects of HRV in healthy subjects have not being well described. The objective of this study was to evaluate aging-related changes of the autonomic nervous system as measured by HRV in a cohort of healthy subjects. Methods We evaluated 368 subjects from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging (BLSA) who had 2 or more Holter studies with time-domain variables lasting 24 hours. The study population is a series of healthy volunteers of different ages, starting at 20 years old, followed indefinitively with a series of evaluations over time. The data were analyzed using linear mixed effects that account for unbalanced unequally spaced observations using SAS® 9.2 software, which is characteristic of the BLSA cohort. The number of pairs of successive NNs that differ by >50 ms (pNN50), the standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN), and the standard deviation of the average NN intervals (SDANN) were used to measure HRV. Results Average age of participants in this study is 65.3 years (range 20–97 years). We found a statistically significant difference on HRV variables and gender, with women having lower HRV values than men (pNN50 –5.416%, P = .002; SDNN –18.974 ms, P = .0001; SDANN –12.945 ms, P = .0001). When each variable was analyzed by gender, our study did not show a significant longitudinal association between aging and changes in HRV, but it did show a significant cross-sectional association. This association is characterized by lower HRV variables measurements in later ages of life compared to earlier ones. Conclusions Our study shows that changes in HRV are gender dependent, with women having lower HRV than men at any given age. We also found that HRV variable measurements are lower in advanced ages compared to younger ones.
Flow Patterns and Molecular Alignment in a Nematic Liquid Crystal due to Electric Fields

Abstract A mechanism exists for producing molecular alignment in liquid crystals which is associated with ionic conduction anisotropy and hydrodynamic flow. This flow can be investigated with the help of either dyes, dust particles, or scattered light. Previous work on MBBA, which employed magnetic fields up to 6 kG, showed that flow cells usually extended from one electrode to the other and exhibited a domain width dependent on the strengths of the applied electric and magnetic fields. This work has been extended to include magnetic fields up to 16 kG. The thickness of the samples were 0.2 cm and 100 microns. The effect of the dielectric anisotropy on the flow cell width has also been investigated. Data which relates the flow cell width to the average state of alignment will also be presented.
Successful engraftment without radiation after fludarabine-based regimen in Fanconi anemia patients undergoing genotypically identical donor hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Background To potentially reduce late effects of malignancy, chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), endocrinopathy, and infertility in patients with Fanconi anemia (FA) undergoing HLA-matched related donor hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), we developed a regimen using fludarabine (FLU), cyclophosphamide (CY), and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) followed by infusion of T-cell depleted (TCD) bone marrow (BM) or unmanipulated umbilical cord blood (UCB). GVHD prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporine and short course methylprednisolone. Procedure Between April 2000 and June 2003, 11 patients (10 aplastic anemia (AA), 1 myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)) underwent HCT using this regimen. Stem cell sources were BM and UCB in eight and three patients, respectively. Results All patients demonstrated primary engraftment. Median days to neutrophil and platelet engraftment were 11 days (range 9–21) and 38 days (range 19–381), respectively. No patient developed GVHD after primary HCT. The patient with MDS relapsed with AML and a maternal donor recipient experienced secondary graft failure. For the nine FA patients with AA who underwent HLA-identical sibling donor HCT, the Kaplan–Meier estimates of overall survival and event-free survival (EFS) at 2 years are 100% and 82%, respectively, at a median follow-up of 2.9 years (range 1.9–4.8). Conclusions In summary, a FLU-based, non-irradiation approach is effective for FA patients with AA undergoing HLA-identical sibling donor HCT. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Biofuel Residues/Wastes: Ban or Boon?

Biofuel production generates significant amounts of low-value residues and wastes. This results in concern over the sustainability of the biofuel industry and its impact on the environment. Bioconversion offers opportunities for the economic utilization of biofuel residues and wastes with concomitant remediation of wastes. Due to their characteristics, these residues/wastes can serve as low-cost substrates for bioconversion to high-value products. Attempts have been made to produce several bio-based products, such as single-cell proteins, single-cell oil, enzymes, bioplastics, and organic acids. The authors review biofuel residues/wastes generation and their use in value-added processing. In addition, special attention is given to economic analyses of value-added processing of biofuel residues.
A Methodology for the Modeling of Forced Dynamical Systems From Time Series Measurements Using Time-Delay Neural Networks

The main goal of this research was to develop and present a general, efficient, mathematical, and theoretical based methodology to model nonlinear forced-vibrating mechanical systems from time series measurements. A system identification modeling methodology for forced dynamical systems is presented based on a dynamic system theory and a nonlinear time series analysis that employ phase space reconstruction (delay vector embedding) in modeling dynamical systems from time series data using time-delay neural networks. The first part of this work details the modeling methodology, including background on dynamic systems, phase space reconstruction, and neural networks. In the second part of this work, the methodology is evaluated based on its ability to model selected analytical lumped-parameter forced-vibrating dynamic systems, including an example of a linear system predicting lumped mass displacement subjected to a displacement forcing function. The work discusses the application to nonlinear systems, multiple degree of freedom systems, and multiple input systems. The methodology is further evaluated on its ability to model an analytical passenger rail car predicting vertical wheel/rail force using a measured vertical rail profile as the input function. Studying the neural modeling methodology using analytical systems shows the clearest observations from results, providing prospective users of this tool an understanding of the expectations and limitations of the modeling methodology.
Dithiane and trithiane-based photolabile molecular linkers equipped with amino-functionality: synthesis and quantum yields of fragmentation

Abstract Addition of lithiated di- and trithianes to the in situ generated N -silylated imines produces α-aminoalkyldi- and trithianes capable of photoinduced fragmentation, similar to the fragmentation of the previously described α-hydroxyalkyldithianes. The initially generated primary amino-functionality is readily derivatized with various electrophiles providing access to biologically relevant functional groups such as amides, ureas and aminopyridines. Quantum efficiency of the photoinduced C C fragmentation in the amino-derivatives is comparable to that of the parent hydroxyalkyl-dithianes (i.e. the adducts of lithiodithiane and aldehydes, approximately 0.12) and in some cases even higher, up to 0.17. The accessibility of sulfur moiety to the approaching ET-sensitizer improves the quantum yield of cleavage, as evidenced by more efficient fragmentation in trithiane adducts compared to dithianes. The presence of either O H or N H is necessary for the fragmentation to occur with a useful efficiency, because its deprotonation in the initially formed cation-radical by a general base present in the solution or by the benzophenone anion-radical accelerates the reaction.
Erratum to: What could be caused must actually be caused

On page 15 of the published article after the following sentence, there should have been a reference to footnote 47: “But, the quantum state attributed to the system allows one to infer that a given one of these outcomes will arise with a certain probability (see footnote 47).” On page 15 of the published article after the following sentence, there should have been a footnote: “The Kochen proof attempted to show that, the interrelationship among measured values predicted by quantum mechanics, are incompatible with any possibility of the values being fully determined by underlying values of hidden parameters.1 Thanks to Lawrence Sklar (via email correspondence) for being so nice in encouraging me not to worry about these accidental omissions. Note: These subtle omissions occurred accidently during the proof correction process.
INACTIVATION OF SOLUBLE RIBONUCLEIC ACID BY ULTRAVIOLET IRRADIATION.

Abstract Yeast soluble ribonucleic acid was inactivated by monochromatic ultraviolet light in the wavelength region 2262 A to 2894 A. The action spectrum of soluble ribonucleic acid specific for valine, was not similar to its absorption spectrum, and hence the quantum yields for inactivation depends on wavelength.
One-dimensional problems in unconstrained signomial programming: an interval arithmetic approach

One-dimensional problems arise in both primal and dual signomial programs. Primal problems are of interest since many multidimensional search procedures involve one-dimensional searches. Dual problems occur naturally since many engineering design problems can be expressed as signomial programs with a single degree of difficulty. This paper applies an interval arithmetic version of Newton's method to one-dimensional unconstrained problems in signomial programming. The interval arithmetic method is guaranteed to generate all the stationary points.
Mantle flow and lithosphere–asthenosphere coupling beneath the southwestern edge of the North American craton: Constraints from shear-wave splitting measurements

Abstract High-quality broadband seismic data recorded by the USArray and other stations in the southwestern United States provide a unique opportunity to test different models of anisotropy-forming mechanisms in the vicinity of a cratonic margin. Systematic spatial variations of anisotropic characteristics are revealed by 3027 pairs of splitting parameters measured at 547 broadband seismic stations. The western and southern edges of the North American craton show edge-parallel fast directions with larger-than-normal splitting times, and the continental interior is characterized by smaller splitting times and spatially consistent fast directions that are mostly parallel to the absolute plate motion direction of North America. At the majority of the stations, no significant systematic azimuthal variations of the splitting parameters are observed, suggesting that a single layer of anisotropy with a horizontal axis of symmetry can adequately explain most of the observations. The spatial coherency of the splitting parameters indicates that the observed anisotropy is likely caused by shearing between the partially coupled lithosphere and asthenosphere. Based on previous results of seismic tomography and geodynamic modeling, we propose a model involving deflecting of asthenospheric flow by the cratonic root as the cause of the observed edge-parallel fast directions and large splitting times along the western and southern edges of the North American craton.
Interictal spike-wave complexes in the human medial temporal lobe: typical topography and comparisons with cognitive potentials

Ten of 16 patients with complex partial epilepsy displayed an interictal spike-slow wave sequence with characteristic morphology and depth voltage topography. This ‘typical slow wave’ (TSW) lasted 300–600 msec, was usually largest and negative in the anterior hippocampus, and positive in the amygdala. Simultaneous recordings from ipsilateral cingulate, supplementary motor, orbitofrontal, and lateral temporal cortices, as well as from the contralateral medial temporal lobe (MTL), revealed only small, apparently volume-conducted, wave forms. Simultaneously recorded multiunit activity within the focal MTL was profoundly inhibited during the TSW. The TSW propagated to the scalp, producing a large widespread positivity. A large endogenous potential with similar latency range and task correlates as the scalp-P3 was recorded from the MTL to infrequent tones in a simple discrimination task. This ‘depth-P3’ had very similar polarity and relative amplitude across MTL sites, as was observed for the TSW at the same electrode contacts. However, at more superficial intracranial sites, the TSW was relatively smaller than the P3. Similarly, from MTL to surface, the P3 was found to decrement about half as much as the TSW decrements. This evidence suggests that the surface P3 is generated, but in part only, by the MTL.
Higher-order generalizations of Arrow–Pratt and Ross risk aversion: A comparative statics approach

Abstract We analyze comparative risk aversion in a new way, through a comparative statics problem in which, for a cost, agents can shift from an initial probability distribution toward a preferred distribution. The Ross characterization arises when the original distribution is riskier than the preferred distribution and the cost is monetary, and the Arrow–Pratt characterization arises when the original distribution differs from the preferred distribution by a simple mean-preserving spread and the cost is a utility cost. Higher-order increases in risk lead to higher-order generalizations, and the comparative statics method yields a unified approach to the problem of comparative risk attitudes.
Investigation of a broadly applicable chiral selector used in enantioselective chromatography (Whelk-O 1) as a chiral solvating agent for NMR determination of enantiomeric composition

Abstract A chiral solvating agent (CSA) based on the chiral selector used in the Whelk-O 1 chiral stationary phase (CSP) was prepared and its scope evaluated. This chiral selector possesses a cleft flanked with aromatic groups and produces upfield chemical shifts for analytes, which are held in this cleft. The enantiomers of each of the Whelk-O 1 resolvable analytes surveyed show non-equivalent 1H NMR spectra at room temperature with the addition of only 0.5 equiv of the CSA. Similar non-equivalence is sometimes noted for enantiomers, which do not resolve on this CSP. In such cases, it is apparent that a hydrogen bond acceptor is required and higher CSA to substrate ratios and/or lower temperatures may be needed if adequate resolution of enantiomeric signals is to be obtained.
TNM T3A renal cell carcinoma: Adrenal gland involvement is not the same as renal fat invasion

ABSTRACTPurpose: Upper pole tumors with direct extension into the adrenal gland are currently staged as pT3a tumors in the 1997 TNM staging system. To determine whether the clinical behavior of pT3a adrenal tumors differs from that of tumors with perinephric fat invasion (also stage pT3a) a retrospective analysis was performed.Materials and Methods: Of 1,087 patients who underwent nephrectomy 27 were identified with direct adrenal involvement and 187 were identified with perinephric fat or renal sinus involvement. Variables and outcomes analyzed in each group included the percent of patients with metastatic disease at presentation, lymph node involvement, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score, response to immunotherapy, and median and overall survival using Kaplan-Meier curves.Results: Median survival for patients with pT3a disease and perinephric or renal sinus fat involvement was 36 months with a 36% 5-year cancer specific survival rate. In contrast, patients with adrenal gland invasion had significa...
The murine immune response to the male‐specific antigen mouse testicular cytochrome c

Male and female A/J mice were examined for their ability to elicit T lymphocyte and antibody (Ab) responses to the male-specific Ag, mouse testicular cytochrome c (Mt cyt). T lymphocytes from both male and female mice primed in vivo responded to the Ag in in vitro proliferation assays, and the dose-response curves were statistically indistinguishable. In addition, similar levels of Ab to Mt cyt were observed in immunized male and female mice. The B cells producing the Ab had switched isotypes to IgG1 and IgG2a, indicating that the self-reactive T helper (Th) cells in male mice were functional. Thus, male mice do not appear to be immunologically tolerant to Mt cyt, at least at the Th and B lymphocyte levels. No evidence for disease was found in male mice primed with Mt cyt. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-positive antigen-presenting cells are present in the testes and these were shown in vitro to process and present Mt cyt to a T cell hybridoma specific for the synthetic peptide Mt cyt 93-104. However, the hybridoma was not activated in the absence of exogenous Mt cyt 93-104 or Mt cyt, indicating that endogenous Mt cyt is not normally processed in sufficient quantity to effectively load MHC class II molecules with this particular Mt cyt-derived peptide. Notwithstanding any immunologic privilege of the testes, the lack of tolerance to Mt cyt and its failure to elicit an autoimmune disease could extend from the low levels of processed Mt cyt Ag available for T cell recognition. The T cell response elicited by Mt cyt contrasts the lack of response to mouse somatic cytochrome c which differs from Mt cyt at 13 amino acid residues and is expressed in most tissues and at higher levels.