cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MO-G-BRA-01: Evaluation of Prostate Post-Implant Dosimetry by Tracking Edema Resolution with Deformable Image Registration

Purpose: To evaluate post‐implant dosimetry of prostate implants by tracking edema‐induced movements of implanted sources and tissue sub‐volumes using deformable image registration on post‐implant serial CTimages. Methods: Post‐implant serial CTimaging was used to characterize the variations of prostate volume and movements of implanted sources during edema resolution. Seven post‐implant time points, up to 42 days, were selected. Deformable image registrations performed between each consecutive pair of CTimages were used to track the spatial movements and tissue deformation using the Yale BioImage Suite non‐rigid image registration algorithm. The history of tissue movement was used in a 4D dose calculation approach to determine the dose actually received by each tissue sub‐volume in presence of prostate edema. Results: Tracking of tissue sub‐volume was validated using simulated datasets with known tissue deformations. Post‐implant dose rate distributions calculated at different post‐implant times were accumulated to corresponding tissue sub‐volumes. The dose distributions determined with full considerations of source migration and tissue deformation were compared to conventional approach using one static post‐implant image set. We observed that the hot and cold spot positions were moving around with edema evolution. Overdose at the peripheral of prostate would cause problems to the adjacent organs. The edema‐induced tissue and source movements caused overdose and deficit dose magnitudes were up to 1.12E04 cGy and −1.23E+04 cGy respectively, and overdose and deficit dose volumes were up to 10.37% and 10.26% respectively, and the percentage of hot or cold volume dynamically varied from 1.4% to 20.63% with post‐implant timing. Conclusions: Post‐implant dosimetry based on actual source position and tissue deformation during edema resolution was obtained using serial post‐implant CTimaging and deformable image registration. It provides a more realistic documentation of the actual dose delivered and could be used to compensate edema‐induced dose deficits and assess the risk of overdose. This research project is currently funded by the NIH grant R01CA134627‐ 01 “Prostate Edema in Permanent Interstitial Brachytherapy”.
Adaptive techniques for multiuser CDMA receivers

A number of CDMA receivers have been proposed that cover the whole spectrum of performance/complexity from the simple matched filter to the optimal Viterbi (1995) processor. Adaptive solutions, in particular, have the potential of providing the anticipated multiuser detection (MD) performance gains with a complexity that would be manageable for third generation systems. Our goal, in this article, is to provide an overview of previous work in MD with an emphasis on adaptive methods. We start with (suboptimal) linear receivers and discuss the data-aided MMSE receiver. Blind (nondata-aided) implementations are also reviewed together with techniques that can mitigate possible multipath effects and channel dispersion. In anticipation of those developments, appropriate discrete-time (chip rate) CDMA models are reviewed, which incorporate asynchronism and channel dispersion. For systems with large spreading factors, the convergence and tracking properties of conventional adaptive filters may be inadequate due to the large number of coefficients which must be estimated. In this context, reduced rank adaptive filtering is discussed. In this approach, the number of parameters is reduced by restricting the receiver tap vector to belong to a carefully chosen subspace. In this way the number of coefficients to be estimated is significantly reduced with minimal performance loss.
Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of large DNA molecules

A new development in gel electrophoresis allows investigators to fractionate and analyse DNA species from 10,000 to more than a million base pairs.
NEURODEVELOPMENTAL (ND) CHARACTERISTICS OF PRETERM (PT) INFANTS WITH DYSPHAGIA. 1645

The neurodevelopmental (ND) profile of preterm infants with dysphagia remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to characterize the ND features of PT infants with dysphagia. A prospective case series design was used to identify all preterm infants <31 weeks gestational age (N=249) who were admitted to one regional NICU between 1989-1990. A standardized oral feeding including a standard nipple and positioning was performed on 163/217 (75%) survivors at a mean post menstrual age of 35.4 ± 1.6 wks. A standardized ND examination including assessments of visual and auditory attention, posture, passive muscle tone, righting reactions, motility, primitive reflexes, state regulation, and cranial nerves were performed within 48 hours of the feeding. Infants (N=21) consuming a volume (<11 mL) of formula/breast milk greater than 1 SD below the mean (23 mL ± 11 mL) in the first five minutes were classified as inefficient (IN) feeders. Analyses were performed to assess the association between IN oral feeding and select ND characteristics. Statistical significance (P ≤ 0.05) was assessed with Chi Square Statistics or Fisher's Exact Test.
Kinetics of radiative recombination in magnesium oxide

We report time-resolved studies of luminescence excited in nominally pure single-crystal MgO by short pulses of 500-keV electrons at sample temperatures from 10 to 500 K. The principal luminescence bands have peaks at approximately 4.9, 3.3, and 1.7 eV. The decay kinetics and spectral shift of the 4.9-eV luminescence band can be accounted for by the theory of tunneling recombination between randomly distributed hole and electron traps. From prior work, the hole trap has been identified as a magnesium ion vacancy. The electron trap has not been identified, but there is some evidence to suggest that a substitutional O${\mathrm{H}}^{2\ensuremath{-}}$ molecular ion could be the neutral donor. The temperature dependence of the luminescence decay has been modeled by including thermal ionization of one trap as a de-excitation channel in parallel with tunneling recombination. Depending on conditions, this thermally-induced hopping of charges can enhance or quench the luminescence.
Predictors of stress in doctor of pharmacy students: Results from a nationwide survey

Objective: To better understand the stress levels experienced by current students of pharmacy in the context of their program, grade point average (GPA), and demographic information (e.g., ethnicity, gender, year, and program type). Methods: Current pharmacy students completed an online survey that included the Perceived Stress Scale and demographic information. The results were analyzed for relationships among the variables and compared to previous assessments of stress in pharmacy students. Results: Women reported higher stress than did men. Asian students reported higher stress than did Caucasian students. Year in program (but not age) and GPA correlated negatively with stress levels. Direct entry students reported significantly higher stress than traditional or post-graduate programs students did. Conclusion: Pharmacy programs and pharmacy educators would do well to monitor stress among their students. Further study is needed to be able to design interventions that are sensitive to the needs of students with different backgrounds and stages of career development. Interventions and assistance in the first two professional years of pharmacy school may be particularly effective.
Doubled haploid production in nutraceutical species: a review

There is a growing interest in herbs, spices, nutraceuticals, and medicinal plants worldwide. These species are used for food, flavourings, cosmetics, and for medicinal purposes. However, there is very little activity underway to improve the genetics and breeding of these crops. Much of the industry relies on “wild” plants (i.e. not genetically improved/enhanced); therefore, the potential for variability in crop performance and active ingredients is high, presenting significant challenges for the industry. Uniform varieties would be beneficial for use in agronomic and clinical trials. Doubled haploid technology can accelerate the breeding of new varieties as has been demonstrated in other species. However, very little work has been done on developing doubled haploid technology for herbs, spices, and nutraceutical species. This review describes some of the research conducted in this field.
Study of Small-Scale Friction at Elevated Temperatures

This paper presents some preliminary results obtained from small-scale friction measurements from 25°C to 200°C on fused silica and 1018 low carbon steel surfaces. Friction transition phenomena were observed on the surfaces of fused silica and 1018 low carbon steel. The friction coefficient of the fused silica was found to be lower at higher temperature due to the material softening effect. However, the friction coefficient of the 1018 steel was found to be greater at high temperature which is likely the result of surface oxide formation.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
When Can Subscores Be Expected To Have Added Value? Results From Operational and Simulated Data

Recently, there has been an increasing level of interest in using subscores for their potential diagnostic value. Haberman (2008) suggested a method based on classical test theory to determine whether subscores have added value over total scores. This paper provides a literature review and reports when subscores were found to have added value for several operational data sets. Then this paper provides results from a detailed simulation study that examines what properties subscores should possess in order to have added value. The results indicate that subscores have to satisfy strict standards of reliability and correlation to have added value. Augmented subscores (Haberman, 2008; Wainer et al., 2001) were found to have added value more often.
Primary central nervous system lymphoma: is there still a role for radiotherapy?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Adding high-dose methotrexate to whole-brain radiotherapy improves survival in primary central nervous system lymphoma. However, the high neurotoxicity rates observed, especially in the elderly, raised interest in exploring other alternatives such as reduced-dose radiotherapy and chemotherapy-only treatments. RECENT FINDINGS Phase II studies suggested that omitting radiotherapy decreases progression-free survival (PFS) but not overall survival. A randomized phase III trial testing chemotherapy with/without radiation found similar results. However, interpretation of that trial has been difficult because of the chemotherapy regimen used (methotrexate with/without ifosfamide), intrinsic methodological problems and lack of neuropsychological evaluation. It also remains unclear whether chemotherapy-only treatments could ultimately result in worse cognitive outcomes in comparison with combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy because the higher rates of relapses could result in additional neurotoxicity from salvage treatments and brain damage by relapsing tumor. Given differences in relapses and neurotoxicity rates according to age, it is also unclear how results apply to younger versus older patients. SUMMARY Given the lack of better data, omitting radiotherapy currently seems a justifiable choice in routine practice, particularly in the elderly, but the question remains unsettled. Ongoing studies are investigating other consolidation options, including reduced-dose radiotherapy and high-dose chemotherapy with stem-cell rescue, aiming at improving disease control and decreasing neurotoxicity.
Measuring meaningful outcomes in consequential contexts: searching for a happy medium in educational technology research (Phase II)

In a paper published 25 years ago, Ross and Morrison (Educ Technol Res Dev 37(1):19–33, 1989) called for a “happy medium” in educational technology research, to be achieved by balancing high rigor of studies (internal validity) with relevance to real-world applications (external validity). In this paper, we argue that, although contemporary research orientations have made substantial strides in capturing these two features, success in combining them and achieving the happy medium envisioned remains limited and disappointing. Highly prevalent today are (a) “technology effects studies,” which are strong in rigor but continue to view educational technology (ET) as a “treatment” rather than as a mode for delivering and potentially enhancing treatments; and (b) “surface learning studies,” which examine processes and outcomes of realistic ET applications, but often without including meaningful measures of student learning. To promote studies that more successfully bridge research and practice, we present suggestions and positive examples for finally achieving a happy medium in this “Phase II” quest.
Conversational interfaces to robots

There is growing interest in robots that are designed specifically to interact with people and which respond to voice commands. Very little attention has been paid, however, to the kind of verbal interaction that is possible or desirable with robots. This paper presents recent work in multimodal interfaces that addresses this question. It proposes a new form of robot-user interface, namely a collaborative conversational interface. This article explains what collaborative conversational interfaces are, argues for their application in robots, and presents strategies for designing good conversational interfaces. It concludes with a discussion of the particular challenges faced in designing conversational interfaces for robots.
Responding to the Sociopolitical Complexity of Trauma: An Integration of Theory and Practice

This article calls attention to the complexity of trauma by enhancing the awareness of the intersectionality of race, class, and gender among oppressed groups, specifically women from marginalized populations, and underscores that consideration of such is essential for the creation of systems of care that are truly trauma-informed. Advancing the integration of theory and practice, we provide a rationale for adopting a postmodern feminist perspective to facilitate the creation of trauma-informed systems of care that take into account the complexity of trauma among this population, leading to comprehensive treatment that furthers the social work mission of social justice.
Maximum dissipation evolution equations for non-linear thermoviscoelasticity

Abstract Non-linear viscoelastic models often require many experiments to determine empirical material and time-dependent functions and are restricted to isothermal behavior. A new class of simpler non-equilibrium thermoviscoelastic evolution equations based on a long-term behavior model and a maximum dissipation principle models the mechanical response of polymers, and in particular rubber. The non-linear evolution equations for thermoviscoelastic behavior are generated from long term equilibrium constitutive models using Haslach’s generalized energy construction for non-equilibrium behavior and its associated relaxation processes. Classical spring and dashpot linear models are recovered by this construction. They and simple non-linear isothermal models are calculated in closed form. The rubber model based on a thermoelastic extension of the Mooney–Rivlin model predicts the thermal response of a rubber rod and reproduces the adiabatic Gough–Joule effect in rubber. The model is applied to the two degree of freedom relaxation response of an isothermal biaxially loaded rubber sheet to perturbations from an equilibrium in-plane stress state. It also captures the temperature influence on the biaxial creep of a rubber sheet at different uniform temperatures.
Reversible immunoneutralization of human follitropin receptor

Investigations of the human Follitropin receptor (hFSHR) have failed to identify the tertiary structure that forms the active hormone-receptor interaction site which is essential to develop an immunocontraceptive based upon the receptor. To identify such a domain of hFSHR, an immunoneutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) 106-105 (IgG2b) was generated. Flow cytometry tested whether mAb 106-105 recognized native hFSHR. The epitope of mAb 106-105 was mapped by Western blot and by peptide ELISA. Inhibition of hFSH binding and bioactivity was determined by radioreceptor assay and by cAMP production, respectively. MAb 106-105 bound native hFSHR through an epitope including residues 300-315. MAb 106-105 completely blocked hormone binding to receptor and cAMP production by Y1-R cells expressing hFSHR. These effects were completely reversible by increasing the concentration of hFSH. Coincubation of this antibody with peptide D300-F315 blocked antibody activity. These data demonstrate that a discrete linear hFSHR epitope is a target for interference with hormone activity. These results further demonstrate that antibody binding to the extracellular domain (ECD) of hFSHR and subsequent bioactivation can be modulated through a domain specific hindrance, offering a reversible immunoneutralizing target.
Effect of increases in heart rate and arterial pressure on coronary flow reserve in humans

Abstract Objectives . The objective of this study was to determine the effect of increases in heart rate and arterial pressure on maximal pharmacologic coronary Wood flow reserve. Background . Coronary flow reserve measurements are useful in assessment of the physiologic significance of coronary lesions. However, animal studies suggest that alterations in hemodynamic status may influence coronary flow reserve independent of coronary stenosis. Methods . Coronary flow reserve was measured during cardiac catheterization with the use of a 3F coronary Doppler catheter and intracoronary papaverine. Flow reserve was measured under control conditions and during increases in heart rate produced by atrial pacing (18 patients) or during elevation of arterial pressure by intravenous phenylephrine infusion (9 patients) with intracoronary alpha-adrenergic blockade by phentolamine. Results . Coronary flow reserve progressively decreased from 3.7 ± 0.9 (mean ± SD) at the rate of 71 ± 8 beats/min at rest to 3.0 ± 0.6 during pacing at 100 beats/min and to 2.6 ± 0.5 during pacing at 120 beats/min. Flow reserve decreased because of a progressive increase in rest coronary flow velocity during pacing (122 +- 16% of control value at 100 beats/min, 139 ± 16% of control value at 120 beats/min), whereas papaverine hyperemia peak velocity remained unchanged. Flow reserve decreased with pacing tachycardia whether the initial flow reserve was normal or depressed. Mean arterial pressure increased from 95 ± 12 mm Hg to 130 ± 8 mm Hg daring intravenous phenylephrine infusion and to 123 ± 10 mm Hg during combined intravenous phenylephrine and intracoronary phentolamine infusions. Coronary flow reserve was not affected by the blood pressure increases control value 4.3 ± 1.0, phenytephrine 4.4 ± 1.5, phenylephrine and phentolamine 4.4 ± 2.0). Conclusions . Sudden increases in heart rate but not mean arterial pressure lead to a substantial reduction in maximal coronary blood flow reserve. These data suggest that the diagnostic utility of all flow reserve measurement techniques might be improved by standardization of heart rate during measurement or extrapolation of the measured flow reserve to that expected at a reference heart rate.
Graphics Processor performance analysis for 3D applications

The performance analysis of Graphics Processor Unit (GPU) is important for analyzing and fine-tuning current graphics processors as well as for comparing the performance of different technologies. In this paper, we present an analytical model to calculate the total time it takes for a GPU to retire one frame for a given benchmark. The model also estimates the total retirement time for the same frame for different GPU configuration. The model consists of two stages. The first stage entails establishing the measured baseline for a specific frame on a given graphics card, and the second stage entails adjusting the measured baseline and estimating the time it takes to process all draw calls for the same frame on a different GPU. The model considers the impact of pipeline bottlenecks to process a specific frame, estimates the minimum time it takes to process that frame, and re-parameterize the baseline for a different graphics card to calculate new frame retirement times at two different memory frequencies. We propose an analytical estimation method to estimate frame retirement time for a different GPU at higher memory frequencies based on the new adjusted measured baseline.
Thermally switchable thin films of an ABC triblock copolymer of poly( n -butyl methacrylate)-poly(methyl methacrylate)-poly(2-fluoroethyl methacrylate)

Abstract The thermo-responsive behavior of polymer films consisting of novel linear triblock copolymers of poly(n-butyl methacrylate)–poly(methyl methacrylate)–poly(2-fluoroethyl methacrylate) (PnBuMA–PMMA–P2FEMA) are reported using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), atomic forcing microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contacting angle (CA) measurements. The surface morphology, wettability and chemical structure of thin films of these triblock copolymers on silicon wafers as a function of temperature have been investigated. It has been shown that the wettability of the films is thermally switchable. Detailed structural analysis shows that thermo-responsive surface composition changes are produced. The underlying mechanism of the thermoresponsive behavior is discussed.
Preoperative evaluation of serum CA 125 levels in premenopausal and postmenopausal patients with pelvic masses: discrimination of benign from malignant disease.

CA 125 levels were measured in 158 patients with palpable pelvic masses who were about to undergo diagnostic laparotomy. When the 68 patients found to have cancer were compared with the 90 patients with benign disease, those with malignancies were significantly older, were more frequently postmenopausal, and had significantly higher values of serum CA 125. Patients with benign pelvic masses had CA 125 levels >65 U/ml in 8% of cases, whereas those with malignancies had CA 125 levels >65 U/ml in 75% of cases. If only those patients who had frankly malignant, primary, nonmucinous epithelial ovarian carcinomas were considered, CA 125 levels >65 U/ml predicted malignancy with a sensitivity of 91% for all patients. Greater sensitivity and specificity were observed in the postmenopausal subgroup than in the premenopausal subgroup. In the postmenopausal group with a 63% prevalence of ovarian cancer the predictive positive value was 98% and the predictive value negative was 72%. In a premenopausal population with a 15% prevalence of ovarian cancer the predictive value for a positive test was 49%, while the predictive value for a negative test was 93%.
A voltage-dependent role for K+ in recovery from C-type inactivation

Recovery from C-type inactivation of Kv1.3 can be accelerated by the binding of extracellular potassium to the channel in a voltage-dependent fashion. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings of human T lymphocytes show that Ko+ can bind to open or inactivated channels. Recovery is biphasic with time constants that depend on the holding potential. Recovery is also dependent on the voltage of the depolarizing pulse that induces the inactivation, consistent with a modulatory binding site for K+ located at an effective membrane electrical field distance of 30%. This K(+)-enhanced recovery can be further potentiated by the binding of extracellular tetraethylammonium to the inactivated channel, although the tetraethylammonium does not interact directly with the K(+)-binding site. Our findings are consistent with a model in which K+ can bind and unbind slowly from a channel in the inactivated state, and inactivated channels that are bound by K+ will recover with a rate that is fast relative to unbound channels. Our data suggest that the kinetics of K+ binding to the modulatory site are slower than these recovery rates, especially at hyperpolarized voltages.
Dissociation and oxidation of carbon monoxide over Rh/Al2O3 catalysts

The activity of Rh/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} catalysts for CO oxidation was investigated by transient isotopic pulse experiments using packed-bed reactor. This transient experimental scheme revealed significant CO dissociation activity during CO oxidation over Rh/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} catalysts. Results indicate that the oxidation of CO proceeds via dissociative oxidation by its own oxygen as well as via direct oxidation by gas-phase oxygen on well-dispersed Rh/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} catalysts. The rate of CO dissociation is on the same order of magnitude as the rate of CO oxidation; under steady-state conditions at 300{degree}C, the rate of CO dissociation is approximately half that of direct oxidation. Differences in CO dissociation activity between single-crystal Rh surfaces and well-dispersed supported Rh particles are explained in terms of the molecular bonding and adsorption characteristics on these two different surfaces. The importance of CO dissociation kinetics in the overall CO oxidation activity of Rh/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} catalysts is further discussed in view of the reaction lightoff behavior.
RECONCILING OF ENGINEERING ECONOMY FEASIBILITY STUDIES WITH CORPORATE GOALS

(1977). RECONCILING OF ENGINEERING ECONOMY FEASIBILITY STUDIES WITH CORPORATE GOALS. The Engineering Economist: Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 265-274.
Rotaviruses: From Pathogenesis to Vaccination

Rotaviruses cause life-threatening gastroenteritis in children worldwide; the enormous disease burden has focused efforts to develop vaccines and led to the discovery of novel mechanisms of gastrointestinal virus pathogenesis and host responses to infection. Two live-attenuated vaccines for gastroenteritis (Rotateq [Merck] and Rotarix) have been licensed in many countries. This review summarizes the latest data on these vaccines, their effectiveness, and challenges to global vaccination. Recent insights into rotavirus pathogenesis also are discussed, including information on extraintestinal infection, viral antagonists of the interferon response, and the first described viral enterotoxin. Rotavirus-induced diarrhea now is considered to be a disease that can be prevented through vaccination, although there are many challenges to achieving global effectiveness. Molecular biology studies of rotavirus replication and pathogenesis have identified unique viral targets that might be useful in developing therapies for immunocompromised children with chronic infections.
TH-C-BRC-02: Lung Injury From Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Efficacy of Amifostine: A Small Animal Study On Helical TomoTherapy

Purpose: To evaluate a Helical TomoTherapy‐based rodent radiosurgery platform that reproduces human image guided radiosurgerytreatment and to study radiobiologic effects of stereotactic radiosurgery on lungtissues, with or without Amifostine, a radioprotector. Methods and Materials: Hypofractionated radiosurgery with varying radiation dose from 21 Gy to 60 Gy was delivered to the right lung of 16 anesthetized New Zealand rabbits using Helical TomoTherapy in three fractions with MVCT image guidance. Contrast enhanced MR perfusion, hyperpolarized helium‐3 MR ventilation, and CT were obtained before radiation and monthly for 4 months after radiation. The radiological findings were verified by subsequent histopathology studies. Amifostine was given to a subgroup of rabbits received 33 Gy before each fraction of radiation. Results: Precise dose delivery to a 1.6 cc of the lower right lung was achieved without additional immobilization. No deficits were detected at baseline with respect to perfusion and ventilation. Lung perfusion deficits in the irradiated lung regions began at 2 months post radiation and worsen with time for rabbits received 27 Gy and higher. No ventilation defects were observed after radiation. Decrease of lungCT density in irradiated regions was observed after radiation, but the changes were less significant than those in MR perfusion. Compared with rabbits received 33 Gy radiation only, rabbits received Amifostine treatments were significantly better protected from lung injury indicated by a 31% higher perfusion level. Conclusions: We demonstrated that highly conformal radiation can be reproducibly delivered to a small volume of rodent lung on a widely available clinical unit. The radiation‐induced lung injury can be detected as early as 2 months after radiation with perfusion MRI. The primary pattern of injury agrees with previously reported endothelial damage to radiosurgical radiation doses. The injury can be effectively reduced by Amifostine, a free radical scavenger.
An unprecedented silyl triflate-promoted hydride shift within a taxane derivative

Abstract Triketone 3 has been found to experience O-silylation initially in ring A and subsequendy in ring C. The carbonyl group in the central ring is most susceptible to transannular aldolization. Under swamping silylation conditions, an unusual intramolecular hydride shift occurs to deliver 8 .
A quantitative midge-based reconstruction of mean July air temperature from a high-elevation site in central Colorado, USA, for MIS 6 and 5

Abstract Sediments recovered from the Ziegler Reservoir fossil site (ZRFS) in Snowmass Village, Colorado (USA) were analyzed for subfossil chironomids (or midges). The midge stratigraphy spans ~ 140–77 ka, which includes the end of Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage (MIS) 6 and all of MIS 5. Notable shifts in midge assemblages occurred during two discrete intervals: the transition from MIS 6 to MIS 5e and midway through MIS 5a. A regional calibration set, incorporating lakes from the Colorado Rockies, Sierra Nevada, and Uinta Mountains, was used to develop a midge-based mean July air temperature (MJAT) inference model (r2jack = 0.61, RMSEP = 0.97°C). Model results indicate that the transition from MIS 6 to MIS 5e at the ZRFS was characterized by an increase in MJAT from ~ 9.0 to 10.5°C. The results also indicate that temperatures gradually increased through MIS 5 before reaching a maximum of 13.3°C during MIS 5a. This study represents the first set of quantitative, midge-based MJAT estimates in the continental U.S. that spans the entirety of MIS 5. Overall, our results suggest that conditions in the Colorado Rockies throughout MIS 5 were cooler than today, as the upper limit of the reconstructed temperatures is ~ 2°C below modern July air temperatures.
Same-different reaction time to the sequential visual presentation of vowels and consonants

Subjects saw either two vowels (E and I) or two consonants (D and G) presented sequentially on a screen (ISI of either 250 or 2,000 msec) and pressed a key to indicate whether the letters were the same or different. As predicted, reactions were faster to vowel pairs than to consonant pairs. Results are explained in terms of (1) coding of letters in terms of their speech properties; (2) representation of vowel sounds but not consonant sounds in the covert rehearsal loop; (3) transfer of vowel sounds to the echoic store; and (4) faster comparison of those features represented in the echoic store.
Variable sampling intervals for multiparameter shewhart charts

This paper considers the problem of using control charts to simultaneously monitor more than one parameter with emphasis on simultaneously monitoring the mean and variance. Fixed sampling interval control charts are modified to use variable sampling intervals depending on what is being observed from the data. Two basic strategies are investigated. One strategy uses separate control charts for each parameter, A second strategy uses a proposed single combined statistic which is sensitive to shifts in both the mean and variance. Each procedure is compared to corresponding fixed interval procedures. It is seen that for both strategies the variable sampling interval approach is substantially more efficient than fixed interval procedures.
Palladium assisted synthesis of 1-azaspirocycles

Abstract A facile, general route to 1-azaspirocycles utilizing a π-allyl palladium complex in the key cyclization step has been developed.
Enhancing temporal resolution of satellite imagery for public health studies: A case study of West Nile Virus outbreak in Los Angeles in 2007

Abstract Although remotely sensed data have been used in public health studies, these studies are often limited by the critical choice that has to be made in data selection: either using data with high spatial but low temporal resolution, or data with high temporal but low spatial resolution. This choice creates significant limitations for time-dependent epidemiological studies, since it is often essential to have datasets with high spatial and temporal resolution. Effectively synthesizing high temporal resolution imagery with high spatial resolution imagery can potentially ease this limitation. To this end, we conducted an experiment by creating a series of simulated ASTER datasets by fusing ASTER and MODIS data with the STARFM image fusion model. These simulated datasets are then used to derive the following urban environmental variables: normalized difference vegetation index, normalized difference water index, and land surface temperature. These variables are used to quantitatively examine the effects of urban environmental characteristics on West Nile Virus dissemination in Los Angeles County, California, where the epidemic was most prevalent in the United States in 2007. Mosquito surveillance data were collected from the weekly summary reports published in the California West Nile Virus website. A spatial–temporal analysis of WNV dissemination was conducted by synthesizing remote sensing variables and mosquito surveillance records. We focused on assessment of WNV risk areas in July through September due to data sufficiency of tested-positive mosquito pools. Moderate- and high-risk areas of WNV infections in mosquitoes were identified for five selected time windows, i.e., epidemiological weeks 30–31, 32–33, 34–35, 36–37, and 38–39. The results show that elevation and urban built-up conditions were negatively associated with the WNV propagation, while LST positively correlated with viral transmission. NDVI was not significantly associated with WNV transmission during the studied time intervals. San Fernando Valley was found to be the most vulnerable to mosquito infections of WNV within the City of Los Angeles. With the complementation of high-spatial resolution ASTER and high-temporal resolution MODIS images, the fused image datasets allow for estimating environmental parameters at desired epidemiological weeks. This paper provides important insights into how high temporal resolution remote sensing imagery might be used to study time-dependant events in public health, especially in the operational surveillance and control of vector-borne or other epidemic diseases.
Stage migration in dogs with lymphoma.

Background: Various diagnostic tests have been used to assign a clinical stage to dogs with lymphoma. As more sensitive staging methods are introduced, dogs are reclassified as having a higher disease stage, thereby affecting comparisons of dogs across differently staged clinical trials, and possibly, prognosis. Hypothesis: The addition of more sensitive staging tests causes stage migration in dogs with lymphoma. Animals: Fifty-nine client-owned dogs with previously untreated cytologically or histologically confirmed lymphoma Methods: For every dog, the World Health Organization stage classification (I-V) was based on 5 groupings of various diagnostic tests: A (physical examination [PE] and quantitative blood count [QBC]), B (PE, QBC, thoracic and abdominal radiographs), C (PE, complete blood count with blood-smear evaluation [CBC], thoracic and abdominal radiographs), D (PE, CBC, thoracic radiographs, abdominal ultrasound), and E (PE, CBC, thoracic radiographs, abdominal ultrasound, and bone-marrow cytology). Dogs were treated with doxorubicin-based protocols. Results: There was migration between all of the staging methods except D to E. However, the stage was not a predictor of remission rate, remission duration, or survival, regardless of staging method used. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: These data emphasized the need for standardized methods to determine the clinical stage in dogs with lymphoma.
Determination of the interfacial characteristics of a series of bolaamphiphilic poly(fluorooxetane) surfactants through molecular dynamics simulation

Constant surface tension (NgammaT) and constant volume (NVT) molecular dynamics simulations have been conducted on a series of bolaamphiphilic alpha,varpi-(diammonium disulfato)poly(fluorooxetane)s and on a typical "long-chain" anionic fluorosurfactant used to improve the flow-and-leveling characteristics of aqueous coatings, to compare their behavior at a water/air interface. Recent research has shown that the poly(fluorooxetane) surfactants considered in this paper could serve as an effective substitute for traditional fluorosurfactants used in flow-and-leveling applications.(1) From molecular dynamics simulation, we have determined the saturated interfacial area per surfactant, interfacial area per surfactant as a function of surface tension, density profiles, the degree of hydration for various atoms in each surfactant, the degree of counterion binding, and order parameters. Our results for saturated interfacial area per surfactant molecule are greater than what has been obtained by other researchers through parametric fitting of interfacial area from experimental surface tension data using the Davies isotherm. Possible explanations for this difference are discussed. The low interfacial areas occupied by each poly(fluorooxetane) at the water/air interface are the result of their ability to adopt a "looped" conformation, in which the carbon and oxygen backbone of each surfactant and the attached perfluoroalkyl chains are forced into the air phase. A geometrically defined penetration parameter was calculated from the density profiles, which reveals that each poly(fluorooxetane) surfactant is more effective at separating the air and water phases than the "long-chain" anionic fluorosurfactant. The degree of hydration measured for different atoms in poly(fluorooxetane) during simulation confirms that a "looped" conformation is adopted in which the surfactant backbone and the perfluoroalkyl chains are lifted away from the water surface. Calculation of order parameters revealed a much lower degree of ordering for the perfluoroalkyl side chains in each bolaamphiphile than in the "long chain" anionic fluorosurfactant. When viewed in the context of the penetration parameter analysis, the density profiles and hydration data suggest why each poly(fluorooxetane) is capable of significantly reducing surface tension when other fluorosurfactants with similarly short perfluoroalkyl moieties provide inadequate surface tension reduction for practical flow-and-leveling applications.
Mixed gonadal dysgenesis in a child with isodicentric y chromosome: Does the relative proportion of the 45,X line really matter?

Isodicentric Y chromosomes [idic(Y)] cause several sex-linked phenotypes ranging from typical Turner syndrome, to phenotypic males, and to those with ambiguous genitalia. The idic(Y) are unstable during mitosis and therefore result in mosaicism with an additional cell line. The associated phenotypic heterogeneity was attributed to variable location of the breakpoints and to the proportion of idic(Y)-containing cells in gonads and other tissues. We report on a phenotypic and cytogenetic characterization of an apparently male patient with ambiguous genitalia and mixed gonadal dysgenesis who was found to be mosaic 45,X/46,X,idic(Y). Unexpectedly, the histologically male gonad showed a predominant proportion of 45,X cells suggesting that additional factors, other than the proportion of the 45,X cell line and the location of the breakpoint, may play a role in gonadal determination and differentiation. Our observation suggests that the timing of the mitotic loss of idic(Y) during gonadal ontogenesis and the proportion of SRY positive pre-Sertoli cells in the gonad are probably more relevant than the postnatal proportion of the different mosaic clones. We discuss the dynamic nature of mitotic instability of isodicentric Y chromosomes and the fundamental role of Sertoli cells in gonadal differentiation and their contribution to the phenotypic variability.
Electroconvulsive therapy in the treatment of neuropsychiatric conditions and transcranial magnetic stimulation as a pathophysiological probe in neuropsychiatry.

It is a challenging task to review transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) studies in neuropsychiatric disorders alongside assessments of longstanding clinical applications of ECT as an empirical treatment. The task is challenging because TMS was developed as a probe of neural mechanisms, whereas, in marked contrast, ECT has been a clinical technique from its inception. Since the onset of modern psychopharmacology, the understanding of the potential applications of ECT to neuropsychiatric disorders is generally restricted to case reports of patients with intractable disease that have had at least a partial response to ECT. Studies of the possible efficacy of TMS in neuropsychiatric conditions have a significant advantage over ECT as the treatments are associated with less morbidity. The only serious known complication in TMS is a risk of seizures that may increase in patients with neuropsychiatric conditions such as course brain disease. Only cortical structures are themselves accessible to TMS using current technology. Present TMS techniques, however, seem capable of affecting activity in deeper brain structures that are functionally linked to cortical brain regions. TMS permits novel explorations of relationships between regional brain activity and symptoms of a number of neuropsychiatric disorders, as well as in research relating activity in functionally related brain regions to modulation of cognition and affective states in healthy individuals. This is particularly true at present because TMS and powerful neuroimaging and neuropsychological tools are all making rapid advances simultaneously. Depression and Anxiety 12:135–143, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
When crime reporting goes high-tech: An experimental test of computerized citizen response to crime

This study investigates the importance of the reporting mode as a factor contributing to citizen crime reporting decisions in the United States. A randomized experimental design involving 140 subjects was used to compare the treatment effects of two crime reporting modes: one which was telephonic and the other computer interactive. The findings of this exploratory study of citizen crime reporting within a controlled laboratory setting revealed significant increases in reporting rates for subjects assigned to the computer reporting mode condition relative to those assigned to the telephonic reporting mode condition. This relationship persisted for reporting behavior examined at both low and moderate levels of crime seriousness. The implications of these findings for predicting future changes in the incidence and distribution of reported criminal behavior or illegal incidents are presented and discussed.
Mediation in Multiple Networks: Elite Mobilization before the English Civil War:

Navigating political action typically requires coalition building across different interest groups. Because members represent divergent interests and are embedded in different networks, however, alliance formation is difficult. In this article, I consider how elites rely on political brokerage to overcome these divisions and form successful coalitions, with successful organization of the parliamentary opposition to the king before the English Civil War as a case in point. Supporting quantitative evidence comes from rich network data on the business, kinship, and political affiliations among 346 political and mercantile elites. Rather than the mere presence of mediator positions, I argue that effective brokerage of mobilizing alliances between interest groups requires political mediators who are equally affiliated with these diverse networks. Successful brokerage is conditional on both their structural position between groups and the diversity of ties that compose their personal networks. The results demon...
The effect of processing on the giant dielectric properties of CaCu3Ti4O12

Abstract The effect of processing on the dielectric properties of CaCu 3 Ti 4 O 12 (CCTO) was researched. CaCu 3 Ti 4 O 12 was prepared using conventional ceramic solid state reaction processing techniques. Powders mixed via mortar and pestle yielded CCTO with a room temperature permittivity of 11,700 and a loss of 0.047, which is similar to reported values in the literature. However, attrition-milled powders led to CCTO with permittivities close to 100,000 which are in the same range reported for single crystal CCTO. Increasing sintering temperature in the range from 990 to 1050 °C led to an increase in both the dielectric constant (714 to 82,450) and loss (0.014 to 0.98). Increasing sintering times also led to substantial improvements in permittivity. Grain size and density differences were not large enough to account for the enhancement in dielectric constant. The colossal effective dielectric constant of close to one million at room temperature was measured after annealing in flowing argon at 1000 °C. Based on the observations, it is believed that the primary factor affecting dielectric behavior is the development of internal defects. It appeared that higher defect concentration within the ‘core’ of a grain results in higher conductivity of the core and therefore, higher effective dielectric constant but also higher loss. The correlation between grain size and dielectric constant was also observed.
The Interaction between Polyelectrolytes and Surfactants of Opposite Charge

Abstract In the experimental colloid science literature, considerable information on the subject of polymer-surfactant interactions has accumulated over many years. However, few physicochemical studies were done on the inter-action between oppositely charged polyelectrolytes and surfactants in the early work. This may be due t o the strong interaction which starts a t a very low surfactant concentration and which is often accompanied by precipita-tion, making it difficult t o measure the low surfactant concentration in the region of interest.
The effect of acceptor group variation on the solvatochromism of donor-acceptor fluorophores

The absorption and emission characteristics of five hydroxytetrahydrochrysenes substituted with acceptor groups (nitro, cyano, methylketone, 1 degree amide and methyl ester) (THC-NO2, THC-CN, THC-COCH3, THC-CONH2 and THC-CO2CH3, respectively) were investigated in an extensive set of solvents. The order of absorption and fluorescence bathochromicity are: THC-NO2 > THC-COCH3 > THC-CN > or = THC-CO2CH3 > THC-CONH2 and THC-NO2 >> THC-COCH3 > THC-CO2CH3 > THC-CN > THC-CONH2, respectively. The emission spectra of these compounds are sensitive to the solvent polarity (ET[30] scale) in the order: THC-NO2 > THC-COCH3 > THC-CO2CH3 > THC-CONH2 > THC-CN. The response of the emission maxima of these compounds to the solvent polarity and hydrogen-bond donor/acceptor properties (pi */alpha/beta and acity/basity scales) was also determined. The emission energies of THC-NO2 were most sensitive to pi *, beta, acity, and basity of the solvent; those of the amide were least sensitive to the solvent pi *, beta, and basity. The ground- and excited-state dipole moments were determined by semiempirical molecular orbital calculations and the absorption/fluorescence solvent-shift method, respectively. THC-NO2 had the largest ground- and excited-state moments. The ester and amide had the smallest ground- and excited-state moments, respectively. In general, unsatisfactory results were obtained for correlations of the emission and absorption energies, fluorescence solvatochromism and the ground- and excited-state dipole moments with the Hammett substituent constants of the five acceptor groups. Acceptable correlations were obtained for the absorption and emission energies and the fluorescence solvatochromism with the substituent constants if the cyano compound was excluded.