cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Statistical justification of expansion cohorts in phase 1 cancer trials

BACKGROUND Phase I cancer trials increasingly incorporate dose-expansion cohorts (DECs), reflecting a growing demand to acquire more information about investigational drugs. Protocols commonly fail to provide a sample-size justification or analysis plan for the DEC. In this study, we develop a statistical framework for the design of DECs. METHODS We assume the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for the investigational drug has been identified in the dose-escalation stage of the trial. We use the 80% lower confidence bound and the 90% upper confidence bound for the response and toxicity rates, respectively, as decision thresholds for the dose-expansion stage. We calculate the operating characteristics with reference to prespecified minimum effective response rates and maximum safe DLT rates. RESULTS We apply our framework to specify a system of DEC plans. The design comprises three components: 1) the number of subjects enrolled at the MTD, 2) the minimum number of responses necessary to indicate provisional drug efficacy, and 3) the maximum number of dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) permitted to indicate drug safety. We demonstrate our method in an application to a cancer immunotherapy trial. CONCLUSIONS Our simple and practical tool enables creation of DEC designs that appropriately address the safety and efficacy objectives of the trial.
Judicial Jurisdiction: The Transnational Difference

This Article engages with some of the key debates that have emerged among international law and civil procedure scholars by examining the flurry of recent transnational cases that have become a common feature on the U.S. Supreme Court’s docket. It makes three principal contributions. First, it explains how the recent decisions involving judicial jurisdiction should be understood within, and partly limited to, their international contexts. Disputes involving nonresident foreign defendants raise different considerations than those involving defendants in the United States, and this Article canvasses those differences. If a concern previously was that courts gave too short shrift to the international aspects of a case, the concern now is that lower courts may make the reverse mistake by overstating the applicability of recent decisions to the domestic, interstate context. Second, it details how international law imposes modest constraints on national court adjudicatory authority, and pushes back on recent attempts to re-imagine public international law. It shows how the Fourth Restatement of the Foreign Relations Law of the United States — which states that judicial jurisdiction in civil cases is unregulated under international law — advances a position inconsistent with the overwhelming weight of authority. The Restatement’s attempt to fashion new customary law and reshape the existing legal regime in the judicial jurisdiction arena is problematic, and this Article serves as a counterpoint to that effort. Third, it describes an interplay between unilateral domestic extraterritorial regulation and international lawmaking, and aligns judicial jurisdiction with the closely-related area of legislative jurisdiction. Constraints on broad jurisdictional assertions in transnational disputes may be one of the predicates necessary to spur U.S. multilateral engagement.
Calculations of Multipactor Growth in Rectangular Waveguides

Multipactor growth in rectangular waveguides is probed based on a kinetic approach. Unlike most studies relying on the Vaughan model, a probabilitic approach for random multiple secondary particle emissions is used. Spread in electron emission velocities, the angular dependence of secondary emission yields, and an external radio frequency (RF) driving field due to a TE10 mode, were all built in. The calculations predict the secondary emission yield for copper, probe the population growth dynamics, and obtain the susceptibility diagram. Despite a maximum field at the waveguide center from the RF excitation, maximum electron densities are predicted at locations symmetrically displaced from the center. The secondary electron yield (SEY) characteristics, its local maxima, and the role of oblique incident angles, collectively lead to multipactor finding its place at off-center locations.
Incorporating Safety and Environmental Aspects in Fusion Reactor Systems Studies-The Prerequisites, Impacts, and Applications

A first-of-its-kind comprehensive overview of schematic procedures for incorporating Safety and Environmental (S&E) aspects in fusion reactor systems studies is presented. The potential future application of this methodology will provide a tool to enhance the emphasis on S&E interactively in the early phase of reactor design studies. This is illustrated by some representative couplings between reactor design parameters and S&E characteristics. 18 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.
Magnetic Nanowires for RF applications: Ferromagnetic Resonance and Permeability Characterization

Magnetic nanowires show promising potential in non-reciprocal device design and emerging areas like cells labeling in nano-medicine applications. One challenge, however, is how to obtain ferromagnetic resonance frequency (FMR) and complex permeability in a simplistic manner. In this study, a through line and short-circuited CPW circuits were used to obtain FMR in DC magnetic field and frequency domains, respectively. Factors were investigated to understand how magnetic field absorption is affected by sample placement on the circuit, how FMR is impacted by the angle between wire axis and DC field, and how complex permeability can be extracted from the reflection data. Using the "four steps" method which was commonly used for thin films [1]–[3], we obtain FMR of 27 GHz at 0.4T and complex permeability values of μ′ =7 and μ″ = 4.5, respectively for cobalt nanowires (pH=2).
The impact of entrepreneurship orientation on project performance: A machine learning approach

Abstract Recent studies in project management have shown the important role of entrepreneurship orientation of the individuals in project performance. Although identifying the role of entrepreneurship orientation as a critical success factor in project performance has been considered as an important issue, it is also important to develop a measurement system for predicting performance based on the degree of an individual's entrepreneurial orientation. In this study, we use predictive analytics by proposing a machine learning approach to predict individuals' project performance based on measures of several aspects of entrepreneurial orientation and entrepreneurial attitude of the individuals. We investigated this relationship using a sample of 185 observations and a range of machine learning algorithms including lasso, ridge, support vector machines, neural networks, and random forest. Our results showed that the best method for predicting project performance is lasso. After identifying the best predictive model, we then used the Bayesian Information Criterion and the Akaike Information Criterion to identify the most significant factors. Our results identify all three aspects of entrepreneurial attitude (social self-efficacy, appearance self-efficacy, and comparativeness) and one aspect of entrepreneurial orientation (proactiveness) as the most important factors. This study contributes to the relationship between entrepreneurship skills and project performance and provides insights into the application of emerging tools in data science and machine learning in operations management and project management research.
Circadian clock genes and respiratory neuroplasticity genes oscillate in the phrenic motor system.

Circadian rhythms are endogenous and entrainable daily patterns of physiology and behavior. Molecular mechanisms underlie circadian rhythms, characterized by an ~24-h pattern of gene expression of ...
Incisional carcinoma of Mullerian Origin: A case report and review of literature.

Abstract Primary incisional carcinoma (PIC) is a rare, delayed complication of surgery, usually attributed to the malignant transformation of endometriosis. We report a case of incisional carcinoma with nodal metastases in a 55-year-old woman, 18 years after cesarean section. She underwent extirpative surgery, including hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, without intraperitoneal disease identifed. Adjuvant treatment included sandwiched platinum-based chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) and radiation. She remains disease-free 8 months after completing therapy. We identified 46 additional reported cases. Of these, >90% had undergone an “endometrium-exposing” surgery, most commonly cesarean section; while no cases followed adnexal-only surgery. The median time between antecedent surgery and presentation was 18 years. At presentation, tumors were often large (median 8 cm), and symptomatic with pain (63%) and/or mass (26%). Serum CA125 levels were commonly, albeit slightly, elevated (median 57U/ml (IQR 22–96, Range 6–1690)). Lymph node metastases were common (35%), with most following a vulvar-type spread pattern (inguinal first). Most patients (63%) were treated with chemotherapy +/− radiation. Approximately 50% of patients recurred promptly (median These data suggest that some incisional carcinomas may result from displacement of healthy endometrium followed by delayed malignant transformation. Chemotherapy-only and radiation-only treatments are attended by modest prognosis. Taken together, these data suggest there is both need and potential avenues for improved prevention, detection, and treatment of this condition.
Demographic Discrepancies in Prenatal Urine Drug Screening in Washington State Surrounding Recreational Marijuana Legalization and Accessibility

This study evaluated demographic patterns related to prenatal cannabinoid urine drug screening (UDS) over a 5-year period during which recreational marijuana was legalized and became accessible in Washington State. Using electronic health record data, we performed a retrospective analysis for deliveries occurring over a 5-year period that encapsulated the transitions to marijuana legalization and legal access. For three cohorts of women delivering prior to legalization, between legalization and accessibility, and following accessibility, the UDS completion rate and screening demographic characteristics were assessed using Chi-squared tests and multivariate logistic regression. 25,514 deliveries occurred between March 2011 and March 2016. A significantly higher percentage of women underwent UDS post-accessibility (24.5%) compared to pre-legalization (20.0%, p < 0.001). A corresponding increase was not observed in the percentage of marijuana-positive UDS in tested patients (22.7% vs. 23.3%, p = 0.86). African American women had 2.8 times higher odds than Latinas of being tested, 2.1 times higher odds than Asian women, 1.7 times higher odds than White women, and 1.4 times higher odds than women of other races (all p < 0.001). Subsidized insurance status was also strongly associated with increased likelihood of testing (aOR = 3.5, p < 0.001). Prenatal UDS testing patterns changed as recreational marijuana possession and accessibility became legal. Demographic discrepancies in testing reveal biases related to race and insurance status, which may be a proxy for socioeconomic status. As such discrepancies are potential contributors to health outcome disparities, it is important for providers and health care systems to examine their practices and ensure they are being appropriately, equally, and justly applied.
Immunologic dysfunction during viral oncogenesis: II. Inhibition of cellular immunity to viral antigens by malignant rabbit fibroma virus

Abstract The ability of two related viruses—Shope fibroma virus (SFV) and malignant rabbit fibroma virus (MV)—to induce virus-specific immune responses in lymphocytes of recipient animals was studied. SFV produces a benign local tumor which regresses in 12–14 days. Using an assay for virus-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis lymphocytes reactive to SFV were detected, both in rabbits bearing SFV-induced tumors and in rabbits whose SFV-induced tumor had regressed. These virus-reactive cells were detected in peripheral blood and spleen, and in lymph nodes draining the primary tumor. In contrast, MV produces a disseminated tumor and eventual death. MV does not induce detectable blastogenic responses in lymphocyte populations. SFV and MV are antigenically cross reactive: rabbits immune to SFV do not develop MV-induced tumors, and antisera to each virus neutralize both equally. Lymphocytes from SFV-infected rabbits proliferate in vitro in response to MV that has been inactivated by ultraviolet light (uv/MV) but not to infectious MV. In contrast, lymphocytes from rabbits infected with MV do not respond to uv-inactivated MV or to SFV. Thus, infectious MV inhibits the development of normal blastogenic responses in vivo and prevents the expression of those responses in lymphocytes from MV-resistant, SFV-immune rabbits in vitro . The relevance of this impairment to the differences in the clinical courses of SFV- and MV-induced tumors is discussed.
Aerobic and anaerobic metabolism of larval and adult Taenia taeniaeformis. VI. Glycogen synthesis from single substrates and substrate mixtures.

Abstract Larval Taenia taeniaeformis synthesized glycogen in vitro both in the presence and absence of CO 2 ; a slight beneficial effect of CO 2 is evident. Increasing the experimental period from 2 to 6 hours resulted in no significant shift between substrate consumption and glycogen synthesis. No net glycogen synthesis occurred anaerobically with any of the substrate mixtures tested, nor did it occur aerobically in a glucose/galactose mixture. Net glycogen synthesis was observed during aerobic incubation of larvae and adults in a glucose/glycerol mixture. Larvae, but not adults, showed a corresponding glycogen increase in a galactose/glycerol mixture. By employing 14 C-labeled glucose, -galactose, and -glycerol singly, or in combination, it was shown that all these compounds serve as substrates for glycogen synthesis, even when no net increase but a net decrease in glycogen content occurred during incubation. The carbon of both components of the substrate mixtures appeared in the newly formed polysaccharide.
Interference suppression in congested undersea environments

Many acoustic channels suffer from interference which is neither narrowband nor impulsive. This relatively long duration partial band interference can be particularly detrimental to system performance. In operational networks, many “dropped” messages are lost due to partial band interference which corrupts different portions of the received signal depending on the relative position of the interferers, information source and receivers due to the slow speed of propagation. We survey recent work in interference mitigation as background motivation to develop a spatial diversity receiver for use in underwater networks and compare this multi-receiver interference mitigation strategy with a recently developed single receiver interference mitigation algorithm using experimental data collected from the underwater acoustic network at the Atlantic Underwater Test and Evaluation Center. The results indicate that both mitigation strategies are effective: parameterized interference cancellation is most effective at moderate SIRs whereas spatial diversity reconstruction is effective and realizes the most gain at high SIRs. We also apply the parameterized interference cancellation to the problem of estimating mutually interfering waveforms when it is desired to know both time domain signals and find that it effectively extracts both mutually interfering linear frequency modulated (LFM) and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) waveforms.
Modal pushover analysis of skewed bridges-case study of Jack Tone Road On-Ramp overcrossing

Modal Pushover Analysis (MPA) procedure was applied to a skewed-abutment bridge. Dynamic properties of the bridge were computed using an eigenvalue analysis. Base shear versus lateral target displacement (vbn-urn) of the monitoring point was generated for each mode of vibration for both longitudinal and transverse directions. Dynamic properties of the bridge were then applied to (vbn-urn) curves to generate capacity spectrum curves for various modes. Target displacement of each mode was computed by considering both capacity spectrum and demand spectrum (obtained from ground motion) assuming the bridge as a Single Degree of Freedom (SDOF) system. The corresponding displacements were then converted to a new set of displacements for a Multi Degree of Freedom (MDOF) system (actual bridge). Using these displacements, a set of new pushover analyses was carried out for each mode and response quantities were recorded. The recoded responses were then summed up using a modal combination technique for both longitudinal and transverse directions. Overall response of the bridge system considering a bi-directional ground motion was computed by combining the longitudinal and transverse responses. Estimated errors which were computed with respect to the results of the Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis (NDA) proved that MPA can be deemed as a promising tool for skewed bridges which can be used instead of NDA so that computational expenses can be decreased significantly while maintaining a reasonable accuracy.
Anatomical and Physiological Basis of Embryonic Motility in Birds and Mammals

In previous communications, I have paid tribute to Professor Wilhelm Preyer, to whom this volume is dedicated. The importance of his theoretical and observational contributions to the embryology of behavior has been acknowledged particularly in a recent essay (Hamburger, 1971). If his name does not appear in the following pages, this means that his influence has reached the stage of anonymity which is the fate of all great innovators.
Drinking after intragastric NaCl without increase in systemic plasma osmolality in rats

Drinking after intragastric hypertonic solutions was examined to determine whether increased plasma osmolality always accompanied initiation of drinking. A 2-ml infusion through a gastric catheter was the beginning of tests in Sprague-Dawley male rats. Latency to drink was shorter and 1-h water intake was greater for increasing concentrations of NaCl (600, 1,200, and 1,800 mosmol/kg) compared with baseline (290 mosmol/kg). Although 600, 900, or 1,200 mosmol/kg NaCl elicited drinking, such infusions failed to change systemic plasma osmolality, and 900 mosmol/kg also failed to change plasma sodium, protein, renin activity, or packed cell volume at the initiation of drinking. Intragastric 900 mosmol/kg sodium bicarbonate, sodium isethionate, potassium chloride, lithium chloride, and mannitol differentially increased water intake. Total subdiaphragmatic vagotomy abolished drinking elicited by intragastric NaCl; selective gastric or hepatic vagotomy attenuated intake under some conditions. These results support the hypothesis of a vagally mediated, gastrointestinal and/or hepatic-portal, osmosensitive mechanism for initiation of drinking in advance of postprandial increases in systemic osmolality.
OSA Is Under-Reported In Patients Admitted With Acute Stroke (P5.280)

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of OSA in people admitted for acute stroke to the community prevalence which is estimated to be 15 % or higher. (Young T. Wis. Med J. 2009;108:246 BACKGROUND: Sleep disordered breaking and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are believed to increase the risk of stroke and cardiac disease. DESIGN/METHODS: Retrospective cohort analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (AHRQ.gov) a 20% stratified sample of all US hospital admissions. We identified all admission with a primary diagnosis of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) from 2006 through 2010. The ICD9 diagnostic codes for OSA were revised and expanded in 2005. RESULTS: 615,318 admissions were identified. OSA was listed as a secondary diagnosis in 2.99%, 4.08% of men and 1.93% of women, and more often in younger (4.19% median age) patients. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of OSA as a secondary diagnosis of those admitted with stroke was less than 1/3 that which would be predicted based on community prevalence. Since OSA is felt to be a risk factor for stroke, better detection of OSA in patients admitted for stroke is needed. Disclosure: Dr. Shorten has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dubinsky has received personal compensation for activities with Allergan Inc. Dr. Dubinsky has received research support from Allergan Inc., Medevation Pharmaceuticals, and from the National Institutes of Health.
Wave-function mapping in multiple quantum wells using diluted magnetic semiconductors

We have shown that in symmetric multiple quantum wells (QW's), wave functions of the lowest multiplet of states have rather surprising distributions, where some states are localized only in certain wells, and are totally absent in other wells. To demonstrate this experimentally, we have used magnetoabsorption measurements to map out the distribution of wave functions in multiple-quantum-well structures in which some layers consist of diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMS's). For this purpose we fabricated triple- and quintuple-QW systems consisting of ${\mathrm{Zn}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x\ensuremath{-}y}{\mathrm{Cd}}_{x}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{y}\mathrm{Se}$ (DMS) and ${\mathrm{Zn}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Cd}}_{x}\mathrm{Se}$ (non-DMS) wells, separated by ZnSe (i.e., nonmagnetic) barriers. Transitions involving the lowest multiplet of states (i.e., the ground state split by interwell interactions) were clearly observed and well resolved at zero magnetic field. The wave-function behavior in multiple quantum wells of equal depth was investigated by observing the Zeeman splitting of the optical transitions at 30 K, where the Zeeman splitting of DMS band edges is small compared to the band offset, so that the wells remain in near-resonant condition. This in turn results in strong (resonant) interactions between the wells. The experiments clearly demonstrated that for certain states there are wells in which the probability of finding an electron or a hole vanishes.
Relationships between residual feed intake and hepatic mitochondrial function in growing beef cattle.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between hepatic mitochondrial function and residual feed intake (RFI) in growing beef cattle. In Trial 1, RFI was measured in 29 Angus heifers (initial BW = 258.0 ± 24.9 kg) from divergent IGF-I selection lines created at the Eastern Agricultural Research Station (The Ohio State University) fed a grain-based diet (calculated ME = 2.85 Mcal/kg DM). In Trial 2, RFI was measured in 119 Santa Gertrudis steers (initial BW = 308.4 ± 28.1 kg) fed a roughage-based diet (calculated ME = 2.21 Mcal/kg DM). At the end of the RFI measurement period, cattle in Trial 1 (n = 7 low RFI and n = 7 high RFI) and in Trial 2 (n = 6 low RFI and n = 8 high RFI) with measures of RFI exceeding 0.5 (Trial 1) or 1.0 (Trial 2) SD from the mean RFI were selected to measure mitochondrial function. Overall ADG, DMI, and RFI were 1.19 ± 0.15, 9.31 ± 1.12, and 0.00 ± 0.63 kg/d and 0.83 ± 0.16, 9.48 ± 1.00, and 0.00 ± 0.86 kg/d in Trial 1 and 2, respectively. Cattle with low RFI consumed 13 and 24% less (P 0.10). In Trial 1, cattle with low RFI tended (P = 0.06) to have greater state 3 respiration rates than cattle with high RFI, but state 3 respiration rates were similar (P > 0.10) between cattle with low and high RFI in Trial 2. In both trials, cattle with low RFI had greater (P 0.10) was observed in Trial 2. Proton-leak kinetics were similar (P > 0.05) between cattle with low and high RFI in both trials. These data suggest that ADP has greater control of oxidative phosphorylation in liver mitochondrial of cattle with low RFI compared to their high RFI counterparts.
Risk-adaptive optimization: Selective boosting of high-risk tumor subvolumes

Background and Purpose: A tumor subvolume-based, risk-adaptive optimization strategy is presented. Methods and Materials: Risk-adaptive optimization employs a biologic objective function instead of an objective function based on physical dose constraints. Using this biologic objective function, tumor control probability (TCP) is maximized for different tumor risk regions while at the same time minimizing normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) for organs at risk. The feasibility of risk-adaptive optimization was investigated for a variety of tumor subvolume geometries, risk-levels, and slopes of the TCP curve. Furthermore, the impact of a correlation parameter, δ, between TCP and NTCP on risk-adaptive optimization was investigated. Results: Employing risk-adaptive optimization, it is possible in a prostate cancer model to increase the equivalent uniform dose (EUD) by up to 35.4 Gy in tumor subvolumes having the highest risk classification without increasing predicted normal tissue complications in organs at risk. For all tumor subvolume geometries investigated, we found that the EUD to high-risk tumor subvolumes could be increased significantly without increasing normal tissue complications above those expected from a treatment plan aiming for uniform dose coverage of the planning target volume. We furthermore found that the tumor subvolume with the highest risk classification had the largest influence on the design of the risk-adaptive dose distribution. The parameter δ had little effect on risk-adaptive optimization. However, the clinical parameters D 50 and γ 50 that represent the risk classification of tumor subvolumes had the largest impact on risk-adaptive optimization. Conclusions: On the whole, risk-adaptive optimization yields heterogeneous dose distributions that match the risk level distribution of different subvolumes within the tumor volume.
Beam maser measurement of deuterium quadrupole coupling in CD2F2

Abstract Hyperfine structure on the 2 20 → 3 13 rotational transition of CD 2 F 2 was measured using a molecular beam maser spectrometer with 6 kHz linewidth (f.w.h.m.). The measured deuterium quadrupole coupling strength along the CD bond direction is eq zz Q = 186 ± 10 kHz. The best fit asymmetry parameter is η = −0.15 ± 0.05. Spin-rotation interaction strengths obtained from the spectrum are related to similar terms for CH 2 F 2 . The center frequency for the observed transition is 22 727 863 ± 2 kHz.
Carbofuran degradation mediated by three related plasmid systems

Two carbofuran-metabolizing Sphingomonas strains, TA and CD, were isolated from soils with differing histories of exposure to carbofuran. These strains were compared with a previously described strain, Sphingomonas sp. CFO6, with regard to growth rate, formation of metabolites, and plasmid content and structure. Extensive regions of similarity were observed between the three different plasmid systems as evidenced by cross hybridization. In addition, all three systems harbor IS1412, an insertion sequence (IS) element involved in heat-induced loss of carbofuran phenotype in CFO6, and heat-induced carbofuran deficient mutants of all three strains correlated with loss of IS1412. A carbofuran deficient mutant of TA generated by induction of IS elements was complemented by reintroduction of the wild-type plasmid, confirming the presence of genes required for carbofuran metabolism on this plasmid. Carbofuran metabolism in these three strains is clearly linked via plasmids of different numbers and sizes that share extensive common regions, and carbofuran-degrading genes may be associated with active IS elements.
Expanding the usefulness of Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) for depressed elders with co-morbid cognitive impairment.

Background The utility of Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) has been documented as a maintenance treatment for late life depression as mono-therapy or in combination with antidepressant medication. Late life depression, however, is frequently co-morbid with declining memory or other cognitive abilities such that the usefulness of one-to-one psychotherapies is called into question for this subgroup. Additionally, concerned caregivers often accompany these patients to request help and their role in the presenting symptoms and in their potential resolution must also be addressed by any successful psychotherapy in this population. Objectives To explore ways in which IPT could be modified to better serve the particular presentation and needs of depressed elders with cognitive decline along with their caregivers. Methods Various modifications of traditional IPT techniques were experimented with and refined in our collaborative late life research center using regular group supervision and feedback from patients and their caregivers. Results A key component of these modifications involves the integration of the caregiver into the treatment process in flexible ways that recognize their own role transition that is taking place simultaneously with that of the patient's role transition from a greater to a lesser functional state. Other techniques for resolving role conflicts, particularly those directly involving care issues for the patient, are also delineated. These modifications are collectively referred to as IPT-CI for cognitive impairment. A brief case vignette is presented. Conclusion The modifications outlined in this communication reflect an evolving work-in-progress and serve as a framework for the future development of a manual of guidelines to assist healthcare personnel to optimally treat this population and their caregivers. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ANALYSIS OF MICROWAVE ASSISTED FLUIDIZED-BED DRYING OF PARTICULATE PRODUCT WITH A SIMPLIFIED HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER MODEL

Drying characteristics of particulates in a fluidized bed with microwave energy were studied with a simplified heat and mass transfer model. In the model, the temperature equation considered the air flow conditions while in the moisture equation, a diffusion equation was employed. The resulting equations were solved with an implicit finite difference scheme. The model simulation was checked against the experimental results of diced apples. The model prediction for product moisture agreed well with the experimental result. Predicted product temperature was slightly lower than the measured. This may be caused by error in the estimation of the microwave power term. The development and validation of the model will provide a relatively simple means of simulating the drying kinetics of microwave assisted convective drying in a fluidized bed.
Discussion: Clinical measurements of periodontitis

and the assumptions are that the e, are independently normally distribtited with mean zero and (common) variance a^, e,~NID (0,(7 ). Focusing first on the structure of the model itself (Fig. 1), to test H:)8=0, is to test no change versus linear change and thus, according to the model, to reject H is to conclude that linear change has occurred, i.e., progressive change at a constant rate. To the extent that the data fit a line, the data are giving testimony favoring the slow, continuous disease hypothesis. To test the "random burst" hypothesis, we would like a procedure that would test no change versus change in the level of a stationary time series (Fig. 2), but this is not consistent with the choice of the SLR model. If one believes in the random burst hypothesis, choosing the SLR model is choosing a model believed to be inappropriate. Indeed, the SLR model would be the model of choice only if one believed that periodontal disease was a continuous, progressive process. Thus without questioning any of the assumptions of SLR, without considering the sequential application of SLR, without considering the choice of sites as experimental units, there is a problem: the SLR model is logically inconsistent with the random burst hypothesis.
Building Partnerships: Developing a Quality of Life Index

Cochise College, Cochise County, and the Cochise Community Foundation partnered to create the Cochise County Quality of Life Index—the first to be developed in Arizona. The project brought together stakeholders to address shared problems in new ways, based on non-traditional partnerships. The college's Center for Economic Research provided technical expertise.
The infrequent use of office-based diagnostic tests for vaginitis.

Abstract Objective: This study was undertaken to determine physician use of simple office-based tests in the evaluation of women with vulvovaginal symptoms. Study Design: A medical record review of 52 women seeking care at a referral-based vaginitis clinic was performed. The evaluation performed and the care management were recorded for 150 previous physician-provided office visits. Results: A microscopic assessment of vaginal fluid was not performed in 37% of office visits, and 42% of physicians did not perform microscopy as part of any evaluation of vaginitis. Whiff amine tests and measurement of vaginal pH were rarely performed (3% of office visits). Treatment without adequate evaluation of the etiology of the symptoms occurred in 54% of visits in which medication was prescribed. Conclusions: In our study population the evaluation and care provided to women presenting for evaluation of vulvovaginal symptoms were suboptimal. The use of simple inexpensive office-based tests can optimize the assessment of vaginal infections and should be encouraged. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;181:39-41.)
Peptide binding to mixed isotype AβdEαd class II histocompatibility molecules

Previous studies have demonstrated that mixed isotype A beta(d) E alpha(d) molecules are expressed in transfected cell lines and that the level of expression is very low in normal B cells from H-2(d) mice. T-cell responses restricted by A beta(d) E alpha(d) are induced in H-2(d) mice immunized with the synthetic peptides YL2 and FL2 or with sperm whale myoglobin, despite the low concentration of mixed isotype molecules expressed on antigen-presenting cells. In the present study, the peptide binding behavior of A beta(d) E alpha(d) was investigated. A peptide from the cytoplasmic domain of invariant chain, I(1-18), was observed to bind with high affinity to purified A beta(d) E alpha(d). Binding was optimal at pH 5, indicating that these molecules prefer to bind peptide in the acidic environment of endosomal compartments similar to other murine class II proteins. YL2 and FL2 bind to A beta(d) E alpha(d) with slightly lower affinity. The selective restriction of YL2- and FL2-specific T cells to mixed isotype molecules was accounted for by the observation that these peptides do not bind to either I-E(d) or I-A(d). By contrast, myoglobin peptides bind to both parental and mixed isotype molecules. None of the A beta(d) E alpha(d)-restricted peptide determinants bind to A beta(d) E alpha(d) with extremely high affinity. Thus it is unlikely that these peptides occupy an unusually high fraction of mixed isotype molecules during antigen presentation in vivo. It is more likely that the presence of a subpopulation of high-affinity T cells capable of being stimulated by very low concentrations of A beta(d) E alpha(d)/peptide complexes is responsible for the unusual A beta(d) E alpha(d)-restricted response observed with some antigens.
Various contributions to the osmotic second virial coefficient in protein-water-cosolvent solutions.

An analysis of the cosolvent concentration dependence of the osmotic second virial coefficient (OSVC) in water−protein−cosolvent mixtures is developed. The Kirkwood−Buff fluctuation theory for ternary mixtures is used as the main theoretical tool. On its basis, the OSVC is expressed in terms of the thermodynamic properties of infinitely dilute (with respect to the protein) water−protein−cosolvent mixtures. These properties can be divided into two groups: (1) those of infinitely dilute protein solutions (such as the partial molar volume of a protein at infinite dilution and the derivatives of the protein activity coefficient with respect to the protein and water molar fractions) and (2) those of the protein-free water−cosolvent mixture (such as its concentrations, the isothermal compressibility, the partial molar volumes, and the derivative of the water activity coefficient with respect to the water molar fraction). Expressions are derived for the OSVC of ideal mixtures and for a mixture in which only the ...
Pathogenic and molecular characterization of the H5N1 avian influenza virus isolated from the first human case in Zhejiang province, China.

Since the reemergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1, it caused disease in 20 people with 13 deaths in mainland of China. On February 21, 2006, the first suspected human case in Zhejiang province was reported. Pathogenic analyses, including reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), real-time RT-PCR, and virus isolation, were carried out to confirm the pathogen from tracheal aspirate specimen. In addition, antibody in serum sample was detected using hemagglutination–inhibition (HI). Results revealed that nucleic acid extracted from the tracheal aspirate specimen was positive for H5N1 avian influenza virus and influenza virus type A. The H5N1 virus strain named A/Zhejiang/16/06 (H5N1) was isolated. The titers of HI antibody for H5N1 avian influenza virus were 1:320 and 1:640, respectively. The sequenced genes were all avian origin. Phylogenetic analyses between the A/Zhejiang/16/06 and other H5N1 influenza viruses were also included.
Functional integration among 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor families in the control of female rat sexual behavior

Abstract Serotonin (5-HT) receptor interaction in the control of female rat lordosis behavior was examined. Ovariectomized rats, with bilateral implants in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMN), were hormonally primed with 25 μg estradiol benzoate and 500 μg progesterone. Rats were infused with the 5-HT 3 receptor antagonist, 3-tropanyl-indole-3 carbonylate (tropisetron; 500 ng), or were coinfused with the 5-HT 3 receptor antagonist and the 5-HT 2A/2C receptor agonist, 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI; 500, 1500, or 2000 ng). Additional ovariectomized, hormone-primed rats received bilateral VMN infusions with the 5-HT 1A receptor agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-(di- n -propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT; 200 ng), or were coinfused with the 5-HT 1A receptor agonist and the 5-HT 3 receptor agonist, m -chlorophenyl-biguanide (mCPBG; 250, 500, or 1000 ng). Lordosis behavior was observed prior to VMN infusion, during the infusion and for 30 consecutive minutes thereafter. Tropisetron reduced the lordosis to mount (L/M) ratio in every animal investigated but the decline was attenuated by coinfusion with DOI. Similarly, the L/M ratio declined following infusion with 8-OH-DPAT and the decline was dose-dependently reduced by coinfusion with mCPBG. Only the 5-HT 3 receptor agonist altered the quality of the lordosis reflex. These studies provide evidence that the effects of 5-HT on female rat lordosis behavior involve the integrated activity of at least 3 different 5-HT receptor families.
Exploring spatio-temporal commuting patterns in a university environment

Universities in small towns are often located so that amenities, stores, activities and housing are concentrated within a short distance from campus. Given this compactness between origins and destinations, bicycling and walking should be ideal modes of transportation among a university population. This research seeks to explore the spatial, temporal and gender differences in transportation modal choice among student commuters with an objective of uncovering incentives to increase the use of non-motorized or public transportation to the campus. Findings point to the availability of lower-cost parking permits as an enabler of shorter distance car commutes, especially in the winter season. Male students are found to be more likely to switch commuting modes throughout the year while females are generally more likely to drive. Differences in commuting choice behavior between students with children, and traditional undergraduate and graduate students are also found. Policy implications of the stated preference survey are discussed.
Stratigraphic evolution of a submarine channel―lobe complex system in a narrow fairway within the Magallanes foreland basin, Cerro Toro Formation, southern Chile

Abstract This study integrates newly acquired stratigraphic data, geologic mapping, and paleocurrent data to constrain the stratigraphic evolution of the oldest channel–lobe complex in the Upper Cretaceous Cerro Toro Formation in the Silla Syncline area of the Magallanes Basin, termed the Pehoe member. The Pehoe member ranges in thickness from 60 m in the north to at least 410 m farther down system and comprises three separate divisions (A, B, and C). A lower conglomerate unit and an upper one, termed Pehoe A and C divisions respectively, represent the fill of major incised submarine channels or channel complexes. These are separated by stratified sandstone of the Pehoe B division, representing a weakly confined lobe complex, either transient or terminal. The integration of new data with observations from previous studies reveal that the three main coarse-grained conglomerate and sandstone members in the Cerro Toro Formation in the Silla Syncline include at least seven distinct submarine channels or channel complexes and two major lobe complexes. The thinning and disappearance of these units along the eastern limb of the syncline reflect confinement of the flows to a narrow trough or mini-basin bounded to the east by a topographic high. This confinement resulted in unidirectional paleocurrents to the south and southeast in all deposits. Changes in depositional geometries are interpreted as reflecting changes in sediment supply and relative confinement. Submarine channels were from 700 m to 3.5 km wide and occupied a fairway that was 4–5 km wide. Flows moving south and southeast in this mini-basin probably crossed the eastern topographic high south of the present exposures and joined those moving southward along the axis of the foreland basin at least 16 km to the east.
Hydroxylamine as an inhibitor between Z and P680 in photosystem II

Upon addition of hydroxylamine to chloroplasts or photosystem II preparations, the EPR signal of Z⨥ disappears and a new signal is observed. From its shape and g-value this signal is identified with the oxidized reaction center chlorophyll, P680+. The decay of P680+ occurs with a halftime of ⪅ 200 μs and apparently is the result of a back reaction with the reduced form of the primary acceptor, QA. This mode of hydroxylamine inhibition is reversible. These observations indicate that hydroxylamine, in addition to its well known inhibitory action on the oxygen evolving complex, is also able to disrupt physiological electron flow to P680 itself.
The Korteweg-de Vries hierarchy as dynamics of closed curves in the plane.

The Korteweg-de Vries, modified Korteweg-de Vries, and Harry Dym hierarchies of integrable systems are shown to be equivalent to a hierarchy of chiral shape dynamics of closed curves in the plane. These purely local dynamics conserve an infinite number of global geometric properties of the curves, such as perimeter and enclosed area. Several techniques used to study these integrable systems are shown to have simple differential-geometric interpretations. Connections with incompressible, inviscid fluid flow in two dimensions are suggested
Improving lifting motion planning and re-planning of cranes with consideration for safety and efficiency

Safe and efficient operation of cranes requires not only good planning, but also sufficient and appropriate support in real time. Due to the dynamic nature of construction sites, unexpected changes in site layout may create new obstacles for the crane that can result in collisions and accidents. Previous research on construction equipment motion planning focuses on off-line support, which considers static environment or predictable obstacles. These plans may not fit the reality when the environment has any change. In this case on-site safety and efficiency can be affected. In this research, a motion planning algorithm is proposed to efficiently generate safe and smooth paths for crane motions while taking into account engineering constraints and the path quality. Path smoothness is taken into account to provide a realistic path for cranes and to reduce unnecessary movements. A dynamic motion planning algorithm is proposed to ensure safety during the execution stage by quickly re-planning and avoiding collisions. In addition, an anytime algorithm is proposed to search for better solutions during a given time period by improving path smoothness and by reducing path execution time. The proposed algorithms are compared with other available algorithms to evaluate their performance in terms of planning and re-planning time and the cost of the path. Based on the literature review, this is the first time that dual-tree RRT algorithms have been applied to crane motion planning.
Predicting Essential Components of Signal Transduction Networks: A Dynamic Model of Guard Cell Abscisic Acid Signaling

Plants both lose water and take in carbon dioxide through microscopic stomatal pores, each of which is regulated by a surrounding pair of guard cells. During drought, the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) inhibits stomatal opening and promotes stomatal closure, thereby promoting water conservation. Dozens of cellular components have been identified to function in ABA regulation of guard cell volume and thus of stomatal aperture, but a dynamic description is still not available for this complex process. Here we synthesize experimental results into a consistent guard cell signal transduction network for ABA-induced stomatal closure, and develop a dynamic model of this process. Our model captures the regulation of more than 40 identified network components, and accords well with previous experimental results at both the pathway and whole-cell physiological level. By simulating gene disruptions and pharmacological interventions we find that the network is robust against a significant fraction of possible perturbations. Our analysis reveals the novel predictions that the disruption of membrane depolarizability, anion efflux, actin cytoskeleton reorganization, cytosolic pH increase, the phosphatidic acid pathway, or K+ efflux through slowly activating K+ channels at the plasma membrane lead to the strongest reduction in ABA responsiveness. Initial experimental analysis assessing ABA-induced stomatal closure in the presence of cytosolic pH clamp imposed by the weak acid butyrate is consistent with model prediction. Simulations of stomatal response as derived from our model provide an efficient tool for the identification of candidate manipulations that have the best chance of conferring increased drought stress tolerance and for the prioritization of future wet bench analyses. Our method can be readily applied to other biological signaling networks to identify key regulatory components in systems where quantitative information is limited.
1558 CARDIAC OUTPUT CHANGES IN NEONATES WITH HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA TREATED WITH PHOTOTHERAPY

Phototherapy (PT) is known to increase peripheral blood flow in neonates, but information on the associated cardiovascular effects is not available. Using pulsed Doppler echocardiography we evaluated cardiac output (CO) and stroke volume (SV) in 12 preterm (BW±SD 2264±425 g, GA 35.2±1.4 w) and 13 term (BW 3161±488 g, GA 39.0±1.7 w) neonates with and without PT. We concomitantly measured arterial limb blood flow by strain gauge plethysmography and skin blood flow by photoplethysmography. The results show that with PT CO fell by 6% (from 261±37 to 246±30 ml/min/kg, p<0.02) due to reduced SV (from 1.85±0.32 to 1.67±0.29 ml/kg, p<0.005). Heart rate increased only slightly (from 143±16 to 149±17/min, NS). Skin blood flow increased by 54% (p<0.005) in the preterm and by 27% (p<0.005) in the term infants, total limb blood flow increased by 68% (p<0.05) in the preterm and by 38% (p<0.05) in the term infants. The reduced SV during PT is probably an expression of reduced physical activity of the newborn. We conclude that (1) CO decreases during PT due to reduced SV, (2) skin blood flow increases during PT with the increments tending to be higher in preterm than in term infants. We speculate that this effect may lead to redistribution of blood flow and has the potential for compromising tissue perfusion in sick newborns with reduced CO.