cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Examination of the Criminological Consequences and Correlates of Remorselessness During Adolescence

Warr recently proposed that remorselessness may offer a useful explanation for understanding persistence and desistance from criminal offending. While early empirical evidence supports this framewo...
Climate change and dryland wheat systems in the US Pacific Northwest

Abstract A regional assessment of baseline (1980–2010) and future (2015–2085) yields of dryland wheat-based cropping systems in the US Inland Pacific Northwest (IPNW) was conducted. The computer simulation-based assessment was done using CropSyst, a cropping systems simulation model, and projected daily weather data downscaled to a 4 × 4 km grid using 12 general circulation models (GCMs) for two atmospheric CO2 representative concentration pathways (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5). The study region was divided into 3 agro-ecological zones (AEZs): continuous cropping (CC), continuous cropping-fallow transition (CCF), and crop-fallow (CF), with the following typical rotations assigned to the zones: winter wheat (WW) – summer fallow (SF) (CF zone), WW – spring wheat (SW) – SF (CCF zone), and WW – SW – spring pea (CC zone). By the 2070s (2065–2085), precipitation in the IPNW is projected to increase by about 8 and 12% compared to the baseline period under RCP 4.5 and 8.5, respectively. Mean temperature during the WW growing season will increase about 1.5 and 2.3 °C under RCP 4.5 and 8.5, respectively, but will not change noticeably during the SW growing season due to the adaptive early planting used in this study. Concurrently, atmospheric CO2 concentration will increase from today's average of ~ 400 ppm to 532 ppm to 801 ppm by 2085 depending on future emissions of greenhouse gases. Soil water-crop growth interactions, which show large variation across the region, will modulate crop responses to these changing conditions, with our results showing an overall increase in yield across the IPNW. By the 2070s, the mean ratio of future to baseline WW yield will range from 1.29 to 1.35 under RCP 4.5 and from 1.41 to 1.64 under RCP 8.5 depending on the AEZ. The mean yield ratio for SW across AEZs will range from 1.38 to 1.53 under RCP 4.5 and 1.54 to 1.91 under RCP 8.5. Given substantial climatic heterogeneity in the region, these gains will not be distributed equally across the region or within AEZs, and overall they will not be shared equally by all growers.
Brownian dynamics of confined suspensions of active microrollers

We develop efficient numerical methods for performing many-body Brownian dynamics simulations of a recently observed fingering instability in an active suspension of colloidal rollers sedimented above a wall [M. Driscoll, B. Delmotte, M. Youssef, S. Sacanna, A. Donev, and P. Chaikin, Nat. Phys. (2016), preprint arXiv:1609.08673. We present a stochastic Adams-Bashforth integrator for the equations of Brownian dynamics, which has the same cost but is more accurate than the widely used Euler-Maruyama scheme, and use a random finite difference to capture the stochastic drift proportional to the divergence of the configuration-dependent mobility matrix. We generate the Brownian increments using a Krylov method and show that for particles confined to remain in the vicinity of a no-slip wall by gravity or active flows, the number of iterations is independent of the number of particles. Our numerical experiments with active rollers show that the thermal fluctuations set the characteristic height of the colloids above the wall, both in the initial condition and the subsequent evolution dominated by active flows. The characteristic height in turn controls the time scale and wavelength for the development of the fingering instability.
Computational analysis of the intermetallic formation during the dissimilar metal aluminum-to-steel friction stir welding process:

The extent of inter-material mixing and the formation of intermetallic compounds play a critical role in the structural integrity and mechanical properties of the joints in the case of dissimilar m...
Evidence, corruption, and reform: the importance of context-sensitivity

The types of corruption measures that practitioners find along the existing spectrum can complement each other, but have also posed challenges for policy makers and practitioners. We argue that these challenges have been characterized as conflict between precision and politics, which obscures the possibility for incorporating both aspects into corruption measurements. The paper presents a framework for evaluating corruption datasets in terms of their accessibility to a range of stakeholders, as well as their methodological design, potential for sustainability, and explicit link to reform actions. We believe that this exercise will dispel the myth that the gap between objectivity and inclusiveness is inevitable, and the findings will provide examples of how openness and reform action have been built into the design of some corruption datasets
Adrift Without a Rudder -- A Response to Seaman Miethke

Eric Miethke criticized Professors Michael J. McIntyre and Richard D. Pomp for not considering California law in their report defending Multistate Tax Commission Bulletin 95-1. This article responds to Miethke’s critcisms by explaining that California law is irrelevant because the report is an analysis of federal constitutional law, not state substantive or procedural law. The article concludes by explaining the authors’ fundamental opinion that Bulletin 95-1 is supported by Supreme Court precedent, and condemns Miethke’s ad hominem attack on the Multistate Tax Commission.
Hypopharyngeal applications of a new flexible robotic system in otolaryngology

This case report describes the use a new flexible robotic system in otolaryngology, the FlexRobot® for cricopharyngeal myotomy in cadaver dissections, and for the treatment of a patient with esophageal stenosis and secondary dysphagia and dysphonia. The Flexrobot® facilitates access to the hypopharynx with increased proximity to the surgical field and improved optics, allowing more exact dilatation and injection in our patient. It also would allow surgeons to reach deep inside the cavity of the hypopharynx into anatomical regions that are typically inaccessible without an open approach, as shown in our cadaveric procedure, where full exposure of the posterior aspect of the cricopharyngeus and isolation of the muscle belly were achieved. While esophageal dysmotility can be treated through botulinum toxin injection and esophageal dilation as demonstrated in our patient, for longer term results, operative cricopharyngeal myotomy is superior. Surgical complications include infection, hematoma, mucosal damage, fistula, and recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis. While endoscopic procedures avoid the risk of recurrent laryngeal nerve or great vessel injury and lower the risk of perforation and fistula, they create the potential for mediastinitis as a consequence of opening the pharyngoesophageal muscosa and violating the buccopharyngeal fascia. Based on the cadaveric procedure, we believe that the robotic approach would reduce the risk of mediastinitis as a result of better visualization of the buccopharyngeal fascia and the robot's precise instrument control.
THEORETICAL PREDICTION OF NOVEL MOLECULAR SOLIDS FORMED AT HIGH PRESSURE

Static and dynamic high-pressure processing can enrich the variety of organic and inorganic molecular solids for use in high technology applications. Compared to atomic solids, the theoretical and experimental design of molecular materials for different functions is in its infancy. However, rigorous theoretical guidelines exist for optimizing specific physical parameters by the high-pressure manipulation of the architecture of molecular materials. A review of these theoretical principals is presented. In particular, it will be shown how fluctuation theory may be utilized in conjunction with many-body and mechanistic criteria for metallic and superconducting properties to assess the stability of novel quasi-one-dimensional and two-dimensional molecular solids which may be created by high pressure. One such solid is a new theoretically-predicted form of polymeric, quasi-1D polysulfur nitride (SNNS)X. On the basis of the criteria, its superconducting TC is predicted to exceed that for semimetallic (SN)X which, at the present time, is the only empirically-known, undoped polymer which becomes superconducting.
Quantitative Determination of Wax Contamination in Polystyrene HIPE Foam Using Solid-State NMR

Differences in molecular mobility between polystyrene foam and Brij-78 wax results in vast differences in the 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) linewidth. This allows for the convenient determina...
Pembrolizumab and its use in the treatment of recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer

Until recently, palliative options for the treatment of platinum-refractory recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) have been cytotoxic chemotherapy and EGFR inhibitors. These agents offer limited efficacy with substantial toxicity. The development of novel immune checkpoint inhibitors has challenged the standard treatment. Pembrolizumab is a potent and highly selective humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1, an immune checkpoint receptor and its ligands PD-L1 and -2. In August 2016, the US FDA approved the use of pembrolizumab in R/M HNSCC following disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. This review highlights the pharmacology, therapeutic efficacy and tolerability data relevant to the use of pembrolizumab for the treatment of R/M HNSCC. Readers will gain greater insight into the HNSCC tumor microenvironment, available biomarkers, and learn about important clinical considerations associated with the use of pembrolizumab and similar immune checkpoint inhibitors.
DNA Barcoding Permits Identification of Potential Fish Hosts of Unionid Freshwater Mussels

Fish have an ecologically significant role in the life-history of unionid freshwater mussels, as the larvae of most species are obligate ectoparasites (glochidia) on fish hosts. Although this ecological interaction is vital to freshwater mussel conservation, there is a paucity of data on fish-host specificity for many species. A species-specific DNA barcoding dataset utilizing the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1) gene was used to identify 154 glochidia attached to wild fish collected from March through August of 2013 in the Sabine and Neches rivers in Texas, U.S.A. These data include the first report of potential hosts for two state-threatened species, Fusconaia askewi (Marsh, 1896) and Pleurobema riddellii (I. Lea, 1862), as well as potential hosts for Amblema plicata (Say, 1817), Obliquaria reflexa (Rafinesque, 1820), Plectomerus dombeyanus (Valenciennes, 1827), Potamilus purpuratus (Lamarck, 1819), Quadrula mortoni (I. Lea, 1831), Q. verrucosa (Rafinesque, 1820), and Truncilla truncata (Rafinesque, 1820). Cyprinella lutrensis appears to be the primary host for F. askewi, as 50% (54/108) of its glochidia were found on this minnow species alone. Pleurobema riddellii may be a cyprinid specialist, infesting only C. lutrensis and Pimephales vigilax. Alternatively, F. askewi may be a host generalist, as glochidia were found encysted on 17 fish species suggesting that host fish availability may not be an important factor contributing to observed population declines. The findings here will be instrumental in the future conservation of these species, through the translocation to correct habitat and developing successful propagation programs
El desmantelamiento del patrimonio: las mujeres y los bienes en la Marsella medieval

Los historiadores y sociologos interpretan especificamente los derechos de la mujer a los bienes y a la sucesion como una fuerza importante contra el desmantelamiento de las sociedades. En este articulo se demuestra que existieron otras formas de la movilidad de los bienes entre los sexos, en el siglo XIV, en Marsella -de la madre al hijo y del padre a la hija- y se estudia como la proteccion legal que creaban los derechos dotales constituia estrategias distintas para mantener los bienes y las riquezas en el linaje familiar. Que este fuera patrimonial o matrilineal no revestia demasiada importancia.
Ovulation after intravenous and intramuscular human chorionic gonadotropin

Objective To define the time interval from intravenous and intramuscular hCG administration to follicular wall rupture and the endocrinologic events associated with ovulation. Design Subjects were studied in two cycles and received hCG either 10,000 IU IM or 500 IU IV in a random sequence with an intervening spontaneous menstrual cycle. Patients Thirty women from the University of Vermont Reproductive Endocrinology Service with unexplained, male, or cervical factor infertility. Interventions Subjects underwent superovulation with clomiphene citrate followed by hCG administration when the lead follicle reached a mean diameter of 18 mm. Follicular rupture was determined by ultrasound monitoring every 2 hours starting 31 and 30 hours after intravenous and intramuscular hCG, respectively. Serum samples were obtained hourly for hormone measurements. The study was completed 2 hours after follicular rupture or 48 hours after hCG administration. Results Twenty-five subjects received both intramuscular and intravenous hCG. The mean time to ovulation was 40.4 hours after intramuscular hCG (range, ≤ 36 to ≥ 48 hours) and 38.3 hours after intravenous hCG (range, 33 to ≥ 48 hours). No differences were noted in the time interval to ovulation or rate of change in circulating E2 and P levels after IM versus IV hCG administration. Conclusions These findings suggest (1) ovulation occurs over a broad range of time after hCG administration; (2) ovulation does not occur in a more specific time interval after intravenous than intramuscular hCG; and (3) the rate of change in circulating E2 and P levels are not different after intravenous than intramuscular hCG.
Material Attenuation and Efficiency Factors

The models of wave propagation described in previous chapters treated the underlying fluids and/or solids as perfect, nonattenuating media. Real materials however do exhibit attenuation that must be accounted for in any complete description of an ultrasonic measurement system. Since the processes that generate material attenuation are generally quite complex, we do not attempt to model those processes in detail. Instead we use a simple phenomenological attenuation model and detailed experimental measurements in an explicitly modeled calibration setup.
Hydrolysis of proteins with methanesulfonic acid for improved HPLC-ICP-MS determination of seleno-methionine in yeast and nuts.

In this work, the use of methanesulfonic acid for protein hydrolysis is proposed for evaluation of Se-methionine in yeast, Brazil nuts, and possibly other selenium-rich biological samples. The hydrolysis was carried out by heating the sample with 4 mol L–1 acid at reflux for 8 h. Two chromatographic techniques (size-exclusion and ion-pairing) coupled with ICP-MS detection were used to compare the release of Se-methionine from proteins by enzymatic (proteinase K, protease XIV) and acid hydrolyses. A more efficient liberation of Se-methionine was observed by acid hydrolysis. For quantification, the sample extracts were introduced onto a C8 Alltima column, and the separation was achieved with a mobile phase containing 5 mmol L–1 hexanesulfonic acid in citrate buffer (pH 4.5)/methanol (95:5). The results obtained by standard addition showed 816±17 µg g–1 and 36.2±1.5 µg g–1 of selenium in the form of Se-methionine in yeast and nuts, respectively (65% and 75% of total selenium).
Agency Visualized: Connecting Relational Network Modeling and Communication Design

This study pilots a mixed-method approach for networked modeling of agency, assessing seismic risk visuals from the websites of key organizations concerned with seismic activity. Preliminary findings indicate the need for visuals that stage more complex networks and avoid tendencies to simplify technical situations in order to create greater opportunities for engagement and danger-reducing action.
Investigations on Data Augmentation and Loss Functions for Deep Learning Based Speech-Background Separation.

A successful deep learning-based method for separation of a speech signal from an interfering background audio signal is based on neural network prediction of time-frequency masks which multiply noisy signal’s short-time Fourier transform (STFT) to yield the STFT of an enhanced signal. In this paper, we investigate training strategies for mask-prediction based speech-background separation systems. First, we examine the impact of mixing speech and noise ﬁles on the ﬂy during training, which enables models to be trained on virtually inﬁnite amount of data. We also investigate the effect of using a novel signal-to-noise ratio related loss function, instead of mean-squared error which is prone to scaling differences among utterances. We evaluate bi-directional long-short term memory (BLSTM) networks as well as a combination of convolutional and BLSTM (CNN+BLSTM) networks for mask prediction and compare performances of real and complex-valued mask prediction. Data-augmented training combined with a novel loss function yields signiﬁcant improvements in signal to distortion ratio (SDR)and perceptual evaluation of speech quality (PESQ) as compared to the best published result on CHiME-2 medium vocabulary data set when using a CNN+BLSTM network.
Reunifying Families after a Disaster via Serverless Computing and Raspberry Pis

Children constitute a vulnerable population and special considerations are necessary in order to provide proper care for them during disasters. After disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, the rapid identification and protection of separated children and their reunification with legal guardians is necessary to minimize secondary injuries (i:e, physical and sexual abuse, neglect and abduction). At Camp Gruber, an Oklahoma shelter for Louisianan's displaced by Hurricane Katrina, of the 254 children at the camp, 36 ((i.e, 14.2%) were separated from their legal guardians. It took 6 months to reunify the last children; 70% of the children were with their legal guardian after 2 weeks. Imagine not knowing for 2 weeks (or 6 months) if your children are dead or alive. To exacerbate these natural challenges, during a disaster Internet connectivity is scarse or unreliable.
Ablating the fixed lineage conjecture: Commentary on Kimble 1981.

In 1981 Judith Kimble published what became a classic paper in developmental biology (Kimble, 1981). The history of nematode cell lineage dating back to Boveri and zur Strassen in the 19th century indicated that nematodes had a fixed cell lineage. This invariance was confirmed in a modern study by Sulston and Horvitz (1977). Kimble's PhD work confirmed this except for two cases of indeterminate development (Kimble and Hirsh, 1979). As a postdoc, Kimble followed up using a laser microbeam system developed by John White (Sulston and White, 1980a, Sulston and White, 1980b) to selectively remove cells. With this system, if you can see the cell with Nomarski DIC optics, you can kill it. This paper laid the groundwork for analysis of the AC-VU decision, hence for the genetic analysis of LIN-12/Notch signaling (Greenwald, 2012), and for vulval induction, hence for the genetic analysis of the EGFR-RAS pathway (Sternberg, 2006).
Neutralization of G-CSF inhibits ILK-induced heterophil influx: granulocyte-colony stimulating factor mediates the Salmonella enteritidis-immune lymphokine potentiation of the acute avian inflammatory response.

Hematopoietie colony stimulating factors (CSF) regulate the growth and development of phagocytic cell progenitors and also augment functional activation of phagocytes. Granulocyte-CSF (G-CSF) is the CSF that acts specifically upon granulocyte progenitor cells and mature granulocytes. We have shown that lymphokines (ILK) from T cells of birds immunized against Salmonella enteritidis (SE) induce a granulocytic (PMN) inflammatory response in chicks challenged with SE. This inflammatory response was characterized by: (a) a dramatic emigration of granulocytic cells from the bone marrow into the peripheral blood, (b) an enhancement of the biological functions of the circulating PMNs, and (c) a directed influx of these activated PMNs to the site of bacterial invasion. In the current study, we determined the presence of G-CSF in ILK by Western blot analysis using a goat polyclonal anti-human G-CSF antibody (Ab). Using this Ab, we then evaluated the role of G-CSF in the ILK-induced protective inflammatory response in chickens against SE. Pretreatment of ILK with the Ab totally abolished the colony-stimulating activity of the ILK. Furthermore, Ab treatment of ILK resulted in: (a) an elimination of the ILK-induced peripheral blood heterophilia with a dramatic inhibition of ILK-mediated protection against SE organ invasion and (b) an elimination of accumulation of inflammatory PMNs in the peritoneum with subsequent decrease in the survival rate of chicks challenged i.p. with SE. Taken together these studies demonstrate for the first time the contribution of G-CSF to avian PMN activation and the immunoprophylaxis of SE infection by ILK in neonatal chickens.
Ribavirin and cellular ribavirin-triphosphate concentrations in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in two lung transplant patients with respiratory syncytial virus

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in the lung transplant population. Oral and aerosolized ribavirin may improve outcomes in lung transplant patients with RSV; however, data relating ribavirin concentrations in plasma and intracellular ribavirin triphosphate (iRTP) concentrations in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid cells with efficacy and safety are lacking. We describe ribavirin and iRTP concentrations within various compartments in two adult lung transplant recipients with RSV who were sampled throughout successful treatment courses with oral and inhaled ribavirin. In patient one, iRTP BAL concentrations decreased by 45% over three days after changing inhaled ribavirin to oral (6.32 to 3.43 pmol/106 cells). In patient two, iRTP BAL concentrations were 103 pmol/106 cells after five days of oral followed by five days of inhaled ribavirin. Further study is needed to describe ribavirin pharmacokinetics in the respiratory compartment to inform clinical use of ribavirin for respiratory viruses.
Characterization of a highly stable mixed-mode reversed-phase/weak anion-exchange stationary phase based on hybrid organic/inorganic particles

We have characterized Atlantis ethylene-bridged hybrid C18 anion-exchange, a mixed-mode reversed-phase/weak anion-exchange stationary phase designed to give greater retention for anions (e.g., ionized acids) compared to conventional reversed-phase materials. The retention and selectivity of this stationary phase were compared to that of three benchmark materials, using a mixture of six polar compounds that includes an acid, two bases, and three neutrals. The compatibility of the ethylene-bridged hybrid C18 anion-exchange material with 100% aqueous mobile phases was also evaluated. We investigated the batch-to-batch reproducibility of the ethylene-bridged hybrid C18 anion-exchange stationary phase for 27 batches across three different particle sizes (1.7, 2.5, and 5 μm) and found it to be comparable to that of one of the most reproducible C18 stationary phases. We also characterized the acid and base stability of the ethylene-bridged hybrid C18 anion-exchange stationary phase and the results show it to be usable over a wide pH range, from 2 to 10. The extended upper pH limit relative to silica-based reversed-phase/weak anion-exchange materials is enabled by the use of ethylene-bridged hybrid organic/inorganic particles. The improved base stability allows Atlantis ethylene-bridged hybrid C18 anion-exchange to be used with a wider range of mobile phase pH values, opening up a greater range of selectivity options.
Room-Level Localization and Automated Contact Tracing via Internet of Things (IoT) Nodes and Machine Learning Algorithm

Contact tracing has become a vital practice in reducing the spread of COVID-19 among staff in all industries, especially those in high-risk occupations such as healthcare workers. Our research team has investigated how wearable IoT devices can alleviate this problem by utilizing 802.11 wireless beacon frames broadcasted from pre-existing access points in a building to achieve room-level localization. Notable improvements to this low-cost localization technique’s accuracy are achieved via machine learning by implementing the random forest algorithm. Using random forest, historical data can train the model and make more informed decisions while tracking other nodes in the future. In this project, employees’ and patients’ locations while in a building (e.g., a healthcare facility) can be time-stamped and stored in a database. With this data available, contact tracing can be automated and accurately conducted, allowing those who have been in contact with a confirmed positive COVID-19 case to be notified and quarantined immediately. This paper presents the application of the random forest algorithm on broadcast frame data collected in February of 2020 at Sentara RMH in Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA. Our research demonstrates the combination of affordability and accuracy possible in an IoT beacon frame-based localization system that allows for historical recall of room-level localization data.
Computer-Interactive Functional Assessments

You may have some recollection of a young track star who had an intense fear of flowers. In Chapter I, Nelda Hudson had come to Larry Pritchard, a school psychology intern, at the behest of one of her teachers. Nelda had no clue as to why she felt such intense anxiety and trepidation upon encountering sunflowers--of all things. Her fear was “totally irrational and without logical foundation,” she had told herself many times. Nelda was a very logical person, but her irrational panic was real, as real as the auto accident she had nearly caused when suddenly trying to avert coming close to a cluster of sunflowers on the highway. Clearly, her phobia was getting out of control, and something had to be done.
Structure and function of interleukin-4 and its receptor

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is a highly pleiotropic cytokine which has been extensively studied in the last decade. It is predominantly produced by activated T lymphocytes, mast cells, and basophils [1–5]. Consistent with the pleiotropic nature of this molecule, the receptors for IL-4 have been identified on many different cell types, including hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cells (see reveiws [6,7]). Recent studies have identified a couple of novel functions of IL-4 which were previously unidentified. We and others have shown that IL-4 receptors are expressed on solid human tumor malignancies and that IL-4 has growth inhibitory and immunomodulatory effects on many solid tumor cell types [8–13]. It is also reported that IL-4 may play a major role in the progression of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) [14–16]. It has been shown that the earlier stages of HIV-1 infection are dominated by IL-4 production with concomitant inhibition of IL-2 production [17]. However, the role of IL-4 in AIDS progression is questionable because recent studies did not observe increased IL-4 production in cells from lymph nodes or from periphery of AIDS patients [18,19]. Thus the role of IL-4 in the pathophysiology of AIDS is controversial.
Modeling and measurement of the variations of CT number distributions for mobile targets in cone-beam computed tomographic imaging.

The purpose of this study was to investigate quantitatively by measurement and modeling the variations in CT number distributions of mobile targets in cone-beam CT (CBCT) imaging. CBCT images were acquired for three targets manufactured from homogenous water-equivalent gel that was inserted into a commercial mobile thorax phantom. The phantom moved with a controlled cyclic motion in one-dimension along the superior–inferior direction to simulate patient respiratory motion. Profiles of the CT number distributions of the static and mobile targets were obtained using CBCT images. A mathematical model was developed that predicted the variations in CT number distributions and their dependence on the motion parameters of targets moving in one-dimension using CBCT imaging. The measured CT number distributions for the mobile targets varied considerably, depending on the motion parameters. The extension of the CT number distribution increased linearly with motion amplitude where maximum target elongation reached twice the motion amplitude. The CT number levels of the mobile targets were smeared over a longer distribution; for example, the CT number level for the 20 mm target dropped by nearly 30% at motion amplitude (A) equal to 20 mm in comparison with the CT number distribution of stationary targets. Frequency of motion played an important role in spatial and level variations of the CT number distributions. For example, the level of the CT number profile for the medium target (20 mm) decreased evenly by nearly 50% at A = 20 mm with high motion frequencies. Motion phase did not affect the CT number distributions for prolonged projection acquisition that included several respiratory cycles. The mathematical model of the CT number distributions of mobile targets in CBCT reproduced well the measured CT number distributions and predicted their dependence on the target size and phantom motion parameters such as speed, amplitude, frequency, and phase. The CT number distributions varied considerably with motion in CBCT. A motion model of CT number distribution for mobile targets has been developed in this work that predicted well the variations in the measured CT number profiles and their dependence on motion parameters. The model corrected the CT number distribution retrospective to CT image reconstruction where it used a first-order linear relationship between the number of projections collected in the imaging window of a mobile voxel to obtain the cumulative CT number. This model provides quantitative characterization of motion artifacts on CT number distributions in CBCT that is useful to determine the validity of CT numbers and the accuracy of localization and volume measurement of tumors in diagnostic imaging and interventional applications, such as radiotherapy.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH—BASIC SCIENCE: Intracavernosal Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Improves Vasoreactivity in the Hypercholesterolemic Rabbit

ABSTRACT Purpose We determined the effects of intracavernosal injection (ICI) of recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor (rbFGF) on corporal tissue in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Methods Twenty New Zealand White rabbits were fed a 1% cholesterol diet for 6 weeks and were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 (N = 5) received an ICI of phosphate buffered saline solution (PBS) once and again 3 weeks later. Group 2 (N = 4) received an ICI of 2.5 µg rbFGF once and PBS 3 weeks later. Group 3 (N = 6) received an ICI of 2.5 µg rbFGF once and again 3 weeks later. Group 4 (N = 5) received an ICI of 2.5 µg rbFGF once. All animals were maintained on the high cholesterol diet until sacrifice, 3 weeks after last injection. Strips of corporal tissue were submaximally contracted with norepinephrine, and dose–response curves were generated to evaluate endothelial‐dependent (acetylcholine, ACH) and endothelial‐independent (sodium nitroprusside, SNP) vasoreactivity. Protein levels of bFGF and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were assessed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) protein and mRNA were detected by Western blot and semi‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Results Vasoreactivity was improved by bFGF treatment as shown by higher ED50[−log(M)] of ACH and SNP in Groups 2, 3, and 4. The expression of bFGF protein, VEGF protein, nNOS protein, and mRNA were all increased after bFGF treatment. Conclusions ICI of bFGF improved vasoreactivity in hypercholesterolemic rabbit corporal tissue, offering a new direction to explore for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Xie D, Pippen AM, Odronic SI, Annex BH, and Donatucci CF. Intracavernosal basic fibroblast growth factor improves vasoreactivity in the hypercholesterolemic rabbit. J Sex Med 2006;3:223–232.
Management of postabortal infections complicated by acute renal failure

A FAVORABLE OutCOnE is usually anticipated when acute renal failure is associated with pregnancy.le5 The individuals in this group are young and rarely have underlying renal disease. However, in sharp contrast, the renal failure which develops in such patients during the course of septic abortion has a very high mortality.6-10 This low survival rate occurs with overwhelming infections such as those due to Clostridium wetchii.1’-14 The conservative management of such patients, including artificial hemodialysis, has not sufficiently decreased this mortality. In a small experience with 4 such desperately ill patients, conservative management including hemodialysis failed to produce any patient survivals. More recently we have added hysterectomy in an attempt to improve these results. Of the last 3 patients so treated, 2 have survived. Obviously many more will have to be so treated to indicate a more accurate survival rate. In one of the conservatively managed cases a curettage was performed (Case 4). This patient died in the diuretic phase of the illness just prior to a proposed second hemodialysis. ‘In case 7 the patient died following hys-
Synthesis and Intracellular Localization of Vaccinia Virus Deoxyribonucleic Acid-dependent Ribonucleic Acid Polymerase

The time course of vaccinia deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-dependent ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymerase synthesis and its intracellular localization were studied with virus-infected HeLa cells. Viral RNA polymerase activity could be meassured shortly after viral infection in the cytoplasmic fraction of infected cells in vitro. However, unless the cells were broken in the presence of the nonionic detergent Triton-X-100, no significant synthesis of new RNA polymerase was detected during the viral growth cycle. When cells were broken in the presence of this detergent, extensive increases in viral RNA polymerase activity were observed late in the infection cycle. The onset of new RNA polymerase synthesis was dependent on prior viral DNA replication. Fluorodeoxyuridine (5 x 10(-5)m) prevented the onset of viral polymerase synthesis. Streptovitacin A, a specific and complete inhibitor of protein synthesis in HeLa cells, prevented the synthesis of RNA polymerase. Thus, the synthesis of RNA polymerase is a "late" function of the virus. The newly synthesized RNA polymerase activity was primarily bound to particles which sedimented during high-speed centrifugation. These particles have been characterized by sucrose gradient centrifugation. A major class of active RNA polymerase particles were considerably "lighter" than whole virus in sucrose gradients. These particles were entirely resistant to the action of added pancreatic deoxyribonuclease, and they were not stimulated by added calf thymus primer DNA. It is concluded that these particles are not active in RNA synthesis in vivo, and that activation occurs as a result of detergent treatment in vitro.
Engineering Considerations of the Toroidal Magnet and Dewar for Uwmak-11—a Wisconsin Tokamak Fusion Reactor Design

Optimization studies seem to indicate that a typical Tokamak power reactor will have a thermal output of 5000 MW, a major radius of 13 m, and a minor radius of 5 m. The D-shaped superconductive toroidal field magnets for such a reactor will probably have a bore of 25 m. Radiation damage to the plasma containment vessel will require its periodic replacement by remote control. This implies that the magnets should be easily removed from the reactor, or alternatively, be large enough to allow sections of the containment vessel to be removed from within their enclosure.
Hoplorhynchus aster n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Actinocephalidae: Menosporinae) and Anguilloforma marcelyni gen. et n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Actinocephalidae: Acanthosporinae) Infecting Ischnura ramburii and Enallagma civile (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae) from Texas, U.S.A.

Hoplorhynchus aster n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eugregarinida: Actinocephalidae: Menosporinae) and Anguilloforma marcelyni (Actinocephalidae: Acanthosporinae) are described from adults of Ischnura ramburii and Enallagma civile (Odonata: Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae), respectively, from south and west Texas, U.S.A. Hoplorhynchus aster is the eleventh species described in the genus, and only the second reported from North America. It is distinguished from Hoplorhynchus acanthatholius by the number of digitations surrounding the epimerite disk (8 in H. acanthatholius vs. 14–18 in H. aster). Anguilloforma marcelyni gen. et n. sp. is distinguished from existing genera within Acanthosporinae by oocysts bearing a total of 14 spines (6 equatorial, 1 at each equatorial vertex, and 4 terminal spines inserted at each pole, 1 at each vertex created by polar truncations); mature trophozoites long and slender; and epimerite a simple, striated cup.
A role for relational databases in high energy physics software systems

Abstract This paper presents the design and initial implementation of software which uses a relational database management system for storage and retrieval of real and Monte Carlo generated events from a charm and beauty spectrometer with a vertex detector. The purpose of the software is to graphically display and interactively manipulate the events, fit tracks and vertices and calculate physics quantities. The INGRES database forms the core of the system, while the DI3000 graphics package is used to plot the events. The paper introduces relational database concepts and their applicability to high energy physics data. It also evaluates the environment provided by INGRES, particularly its usefulness in code development and its Fortran interface. Specifies of the database design we have chosen are detailed as well.
Quality-of-life studies in patients with ambiguous genitalia.

No published study to date has adequately addressed the quality of life (QOL) of intersexuals, although three studies reviewed some of these aspects. A tool specifically for studies in intersexuality is being developed. A pilot survey tested by this author using questions from a population-specific, standardized QOL survey tool was evaluated by use on a small sampling of an intersexual patient test population. The group comprised ten adult intersexuals with an average age of 34.2 years (range: 22–47 years). Survey results disclosed that all considered themselves healthy and physically active. Family relationships were described as generally good, though in discussion most showed some family problems that centered on gender issues. Six had many friends, three had some, and one had few. Eight of the ten had experienced orgasm. Only two felt they trusted doctors. All but one were partially or completely satisfied with their overall physical appearance. Those who had surgery were distressed by the appearance of their genitals, some expressing complete dissatisfaction. With development of sensitive survey tools reflecting the attitudes and concerns of this special population, important issues relating to intersexuality can be addressed.
Power Politics in Foreign Policy: The Influence of Bureaucratic Minorities

Scholars of foreign policy-making have concentrated on how the most powerful domestic actors influence foreign policy and have largely ignored the influence of less powerful, minority actors. This ...
Coexisting static and flowing regions in a centrifuging granular heap

We report an unexpectedly rich variety of new flow patterns on a granular heap that is centrifuged so as to simulate a reduction in gravity. These surface patterns exhibit coexisting static and flowing regions that depend strongly on centrifugal stress, but surprisingly not on mass flow rate. A discrete cellular automata model reproduces some of the patterning features and indicates that subsurface jamming may precipitate the formation of localized frozen patterns on the surface. This model provides insights into the mechanics of granular flows under controlled stress environment and jammed-to-flowing transitions in granular media.
A new serum α-amylase assay of high sensitivity

Abstract The use of chemically modified starch substrates for measurement of serum α-amylase activity is described. Action of α-amylase on such substrates, in the presence of excess fungal glucoamylase, results in the production of glucose in direct proportion to the amount of α-amylase present. The glucose produced is measured by a specific enzymic assay. Results obtained by using this new assay correlate well with activities determined by a conventional saccharogenic assay. The new method is of much higher sensitivity, and is less susceptible to interference, than are most other α-amylase assay methods.
Interpreting effects when comparing two interventions

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) 2008 report on violence prevention in low- and middle-income countries stressed the importance of understanding what works in violence prevention around the world (I...
The volcanic acidification of glacial Lake Caviahue, Province of Neuquen, Argentina

Abstract Lake Caviahue (northern Patagonia, Argentina) is a large glacial lake acidified by volcanic fluids from Copahue volcano. The lake and the feeding rivers were sampled annually from 1997 till early 2006, including the eruptive period of 2000. Lake Caviahue waters evolved over time, with the most concentrated waters in 2000 during the eruptive period, followed by gradual dilution that was interrupted by renewed acidification in 2003–2004. Inversion of the lake water data and application of a dynamic non-steady state model for the lake provides our best quantitative estimates for the variation in element fluxes over the 9-year period. The model flux results agree well with most of the measured fluxes. The Copahue hydrothermal system had gently declining element fluxes between 1997 and mid-1999, although the lake was still becoming more concentrated. About 2–3 months before the 2000 eruption, element fluxes increased strongly, but the hydrothermal fluxes almost shutoff directly after the main eruptive events. The fluxes of several elements recovered post-2001, with an increase in element fluxes in 2003–2004; the lake became more dilute between 2004 and 2006. The intrusion of new magma into the hydrothermal system just prior to the 2000 eruption led to enhanced water rock interaction, with higher concentrations of the rock forming elements in the fluids, and the hot spring flow rate increased as a result of the higher pressure in the reservoir. The fluids became saturated in alunite and jarosite, and they were already saturated with anhydrite. Precipitation of these minerals possibly led to a decreased permeability of the hydrothermal reservoir, leading to the strongly reduced element fluxes just after the eruption. In addition, K, Al and S were retained in the newly precipitated minerals as well, further diminishing their export. The acidification in 2003–2004 may have resulted from a new small intrusion of magma or resulted from seismic activity that created new permeability and fresh rock surfaces for water rock interaction. The volcano is a significant source of toxic trace elements such as F, As, B and Li as well as a nutrient (P) for the local watershed. Monitoring of the hydrothermal fluids in the river that drains Copahue, especially the S/Cl, Mg/Cl and Mg/K values as well as the magnitude of the element fluxes would provide the best information for eruption forecasting for this volcano.
Statistical mechanics of light elements at high pressure. VII - A perturbative free energy for arbitrary mixtures of H and He

A model free energy is presented which accurately represents results from 45 high-precision Monte Carlo calculations of the thermodynamics of hydrogen-helium mixtures at pressures of astrophysical and planetophysical interest. The free energy is calculated using free-electron perturbation theory (dielectric function theory), and is an extension of the expression given in an earlier paper in this series. However, it fits the Monte Carlo results more accurately, and is valid for the full range of compositions from pure hydrogen to pure helium. Using the new free energy, the phase diagram of mixtures of liquid metallic hydrogen and helium is calculated and compared with earlier results. Sample results for mixing volumes are also presented, and the new free energy expression is used to compute a theoretical Jovian adiabat and compare the adiabat with results from three-dimensional Thomas-Fermi-Dirac theory. The present theory gives slightly higher densities at pressures of about 10 megabars.
Universal scaling laws in fully developed turbulence.

The inertial-range scaling laws of fully developed turbulence are described in terms of scalings of a sequence of moment ratios of the energy dissipation field ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}}_{\mathit{l}}$ coarse-grained at inertial-range scale l. These moment ratios ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}}_{\mathit{l}}^{(\mathit{p})}$=〈${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}}_{\mathit{l}}^{\mathit{p}+1}$〉/〈${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}}_{\mathit{l}}^{\mathit{p}}$〉(p=0, 1, 2,...,) form a hierarchy of structures. The most singular structures ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}}_{\mathit{l}}^{(\mathrm{\ensuremath{\infty}})}$ are assumed to be filaments, and it is argued that ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}}_{\mathit{l}}^{(\mathrm{\ensuremath{\infty}})}$\ensuremath{\sim}${\mathit{l}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2/3}$. Furthermore, a universal relation between scalings of successive structures is postulated, which leads to a prediction of the entire set of the scaling exponents: 〈${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}}_{\mathit{l}}^{\mathit{p}}$〉\ensuremath{\sim}${\mathit{l}}_{\mathit{p}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}$, ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}_{\mathit{p}}$=-2/3p+2[1-( 2) / 3 ${)}^{\mathit{p}}$] and 〈\ensuremath{\delta}${\mathit{v}}_{\mathit{l}}^{\mathit{p}}$〉\ensuremath{\sim}${\mathit{l}}_{\mathit{p}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\zeta}}}$, ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\zeta}}}_{\mathit{p}}$=p/9+2[1-(2/3${)}^{\mathit{p}/3}$].
Monoclonal and polyclonal immunoglobulin interference in a conjugated bilirubin assay.

Context.—Monoclonal proteins can interfere with the conjugated bilirubin assay on the Beckman Coulter AU5400 and AU2700 instruments and produce spurious results. Protein depletion eliminates the interference, suggesting that monoclonal proteins cause the problem. Objectives.—To determine the interference rate with the Beckman Coulter AU5400 and AU2700 conjugated bilirubin assay and to identify the interfering substance. Design.—Beckman Coulter bilirubin results from 33 720 samples analyzed during 6 months were evaluated for interference. On a subset of samples, protein G columns were used to specifically remove immunoglobulin G (IgG) to determine the cause of the interference. Another 117 samples containing a (known) monoclonal protein were selected to determine the interference rate. Results.—From 26 different patients, 103 samples had conjugated bilirubin results greater than the total bilirubin for a false-positive rate of 0.3%. Removal of IgG from a subset of those samples with IgG monoclonal protein ...