cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Examining the relationship between generation constraint and memory.

Self-generated information is often better remembered than read information (the generation effect). Recent research, however, has shown that generating information under fewer experimental constraints (i.e., fewer limitations on what can be generated) can increase the magnitude of the generation effect. This study systematically varied generation constraint to better understand the effects of constraint on memory. Participants encoded associated cue–target word pairs (above–below) on either the left or right side of a computer monitor. At encoding, generation constraint was manipulated by systematically varying the number of letters given to participants to generate the target word (i.e., above–below; option–choic_; bank–mon__; etc.). At retrieval, participants were given either a recognition, cued recall, or free recall test measuring both item (target word) and context memory (location on the computer monitor). Using mixed-effects logistic regression analyses to control for item-selection effects (e.g., participants producing idiosyncratic targets in some conditions relative to others), results indicated that generation constraint significantly influenced item, but not context (location) memory. The relationship between generation constraint and memory performance, however, differed by the type of memory test administered: Recognition data revealed a curvilinear relationship; cued recall showed a negative, linear relationship; and free recall showed no significant relationship. Overall, these findings provide more evidence that generation constraint has a strong yet complex effect on different aspects of memory, and further delineates some boundary conditions of the influence of generation constraint on memory.
Radio loud far-infrared galaxies.

The first results are presented of a multiwavelength study of Infrared Astronomy Satellite (IRAS) galaxies with excess radio emission. The sample was selected by cross correlating the IRAS Faint Source Survey, and the Point Source Catalogue with the Texas radio survey. Recent optical (imaging and spectroscopic) and radio (VLA) observations are discussed. These observations will be used to investigate possible connections between radio galaxy activity, star formation and galaxy interactions.
Holistically valuing public investments in agricultural water conservation

Abstract Multiple Inlet Rice Irrigation (MIRI) reduces water use and production costs for Arkansas rice producers. While the water savings from MIRI have been analyzed experimentally, the overall holistic benefits of MIRI rice have yet to be quantified compared to cascade flooded rice. As such, this study evaluates the economic and environmental benefits of MIRI resulting from publicly funded research, in this case the Rice Checkoff, to continue improvements in agricultural sustainability. MIRI acreage associated with public funding from the Rice Checkoff for 2002–2018 were identified by county using producer surveys. Based on MIRI acreage, we estimate cost savings, the future value of water conserved, and reductions in environmental impacts comparing cascade and MIRI rice irrigation. Cost savings range from a low of $138,230 in 2002 to a high of $825,535 in 2008, with a total of $8,655,687 for all years. We estimated the total in situ value of conserved water from MIRI adoption associated with the Rice Checkoff to be $11,133,069. If future funding decisions for MIRI were only made based on cost savings it would underestimate the average total yearly benefits by 128%. Additionally, a Life Cycle Assessment was used to compare single score ecosystem impacts for cascade versus MIRI flooded rice based on 1 kg of rice produced. The single score, calculated as the externalized environmental cost for producing one kg of rice using cascade versus MIRI-flooded rice was estimated at $0.4066 and $0.3814, respectively; a reduction of $0.0252 per kg of MIRI-produced rice. Finally, a benefit-cost ratio of 79:1 was calculated after accounting for savings, in situ value, and reduced environmental impacts provided by MIRI adoption due to the Rice Checkoff. This study provides stakeholders a holistic picture of the economic impacts and environmental benefits provided by water conservation funded projects such as MIRI in Arkansas.
A PERSONAL COMPUTER-BASED CAD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING LATERAL STABILITY OF VEHICLE-DOLLY-TRAILER COMBINATIONS

A Computer–Aided Design (CAD) system is developed and applied to study the lateral stability of two vehicle–powered dolly–trailer combinations under various design configurations, tyre properties and braking conditions. The dynamics of the tow vehicle path and the yaw angles of each element are expressed as nine first–order non–linear differential equations. Stable behaviour is interpreted as the ability to recover straight–line motion without any driver correction, and is quantitatively expressed in terms of the times for the yaw angles to decay to near zero. A stand–alone menu–driven system was developed for personal computer (PC) use. It combines simplified analysis with simulation, and enables a designer to easily alter parameters and view the evolution of yaw angles over time. Results are summarised for nine vehicle–trailer size combinations, each under three braking conditions.
Household Expenditures for Leisure Tourism in the USA, 1996 and 2006

Using Consumer Expenditure Survey data, this study compares the different impacts of household socio-economic characteristics on leisure travel expenditure patterns between 1996 and 2006. The total expenditure is divided into food/beverage, lodging, transportation and sightseeing/entertainment to examine more specific changes. Results indicate that family size, gender, number of elderly family members, race and region/location had different impacts on leisure trip consumption patterns in 1996 and 2006. There is no evident change for the income elasticities of four categories between these two years. The upward direction in high-income households reflects the potential for luxury sightseeing and entertainment activities. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Forces between Minerals and Biological Surfaces in Aqueous Solution

At the most fundamental level, intermolecular forces (e.g., van der Waals, electrostatic, solvation, steric) control interactions between biological molecules and mineral surfaces. These are forces with magnitudes of piconewtons to nanonewtons, which operate in a space that is on the order of nanometers. We have used force microscopy to quantitatively probe forces, energies, and distances between crystal surfaces and living microbial cells or biological molecules in their native state. The systems we have studied include those involving: Escherichia coli, Shewanella oneidensis, siderophores, muscovite, goethite, and/or diaspore, in aqueous solutions of varying composition. Direct force measurements at the organic–inorganic interface have been interpreted with theoretical models describing interfacial forces, adhesion, and molecular dynamic calculations. A new perspective on bacterium–mineral interactions is emerging from these studies. We have discovered a world that operates under a very different set of principles than macroscopic bodies. A world where the intermolecular force, rather than gravitational attraction, is the preeminent force controlling the evolution of processes at the bacterium–mineral interface.
Slow viscoelastic radial flow between parallel disks

A perturbation analysis is presented for the steady-state radial flow of a third-order fluid between two parallel disks. The results include previous perturbation analyses in which various other rheological models were used. The pressure drop needed to maintain the radial flow is less than that for the Newtonian creeping-flow solution because of fluid inertia and shear-thinning viscosity, whereas the normal stresses have the opposite effect. Possible use of the “radial flow viscometer” for experimental evaluation of second-order constants is also discussed. Finally, molecular stretching in the flow system is examined using the elastic dumbbell model for a polymer molecule.
Children's Sense of Self: Learning and Meaning in the Digital Age

This research began with the premise that video game play, especially as it relates to participation in persistent virtual worlds, provides fictional spaces where players engage in cognitive and communicative practices that can be personal lytransformativeinprosocialways.Players’experienceswith theseworldsareasmuchdefinedbythetechnicaldesignand construction of these spaces as they are influenced by the socio-cultural arrangements that develop. In support of this belief, we collected data on children’s experiences with a range of technologies germane to the Digital Age, including their participation in the Quest Atlantis environment, an immersive space for learning that is intended to engage chil dren ages 9‐12 in a form of dramatic play comprising both online and real-world learning activities. By enlisting this innovationtononintrusivelycollectdataaboutchildren’spar ticipation as well as their engagement with media more gen erally, the research team was able to move beyond an ethno graphicstudyofwhatalreadyexistsintheworldanddevelop
Studies in pancreatic function. IV. The use of the secretin test in the diagnosis of tumors in and about the pancreas.

Summary Norms have been established for the volume, bicarbonate, and amylase responses to a standardized commercially available preparation of secretin. A study of the data has yielded evidence for the use of an 80-minute collection period and for the inclusion of enzyme determinations in the clinical application of the procedure. Body weight adjustment of the values for total volume of secretion and total quantity of amylase results in a marked decrease in the scatter of the data, and therefore, narrowing of the range of normalcy. For this reason, volume and enzyme data should be reduced to a per kilogram basis.
Of Mice and Men: Defining the Role of Interleukin 17 in Rheumatoid Arthritis

In a recent issue of The Journal , Pavelka and colleagues reported on a negative study of brodalumab, the interleukin 17 (IL-17) inhibitor, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)1. In addition to the authors’ conclusion that there is no reason to pursue further evaluation of the molecule, an antibody against the IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA), in this disease, there are a number of other important lessons to be learned from this publication. Combined with previously published data for secukinumab2 and ixekizumab3, 2 anti-IL-17A antibodies, the results of this study strongly suggest that the IL-17 pathway is not an appropriate target in RA. This conclusion comes despite both animal data suggesting potential benefit and clinical evidence that IL-17 inhibition is effective in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The latter observation is instructive, and may provide a clue to important pathogenic differences between 2 outwardly similar forms of inflammatory arthritis. The study itself compared 3 different dose regimens of brodalumab (70 mg, 140 mg, and 210 mg) and placebo; doses were given every 2 weeks, with an additional loading dose at 1 week. The population studied was a typical methotrexate (MTX) inadequate responder population (∼80% female, 7–8 years of disease, Disease Activity Score28 ∼6.4, Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index 1.4, and mean dose of MTX 17 mg/week). The primary endpoint selected was the ACR50 (American College of Rheumatology 50% improvement) response rate at Week 12. There was no benefit seen for any of the brodalumab doses over placebo, and no dose response seen for the 3 tested doses. None of the secondary endpoints were achieved either. This was in contrast to the brodalumab data in PsA, … Address correspondence to Dr. Ruderman. E-mail: e-ruderman{at}northwestern.edu
Existence and uniqueness of viscosity solutions for second order integro-differential equations without monotonicity conditions

In this paper, we establish a new existence and uniqueness result of a continuous viscosity solution for integro-partial differential equation (IPDE in short). The novelty is that we relax the so-called monotonicity assumption on the driver which is classically assumed in the literature of viscosity solution of equation with non local terms. Our method is based on the link of those IPDEs with backward stochastic differential equations (BSDEs in short) with jumps for which we already know that the solution exists and is unique. In the second part of the paper we deal with the IPDE with obstacle and we obtain similar results. AMS Classification subjects: 60H30
Postscript: Exploring Aspects of ‘the Public’ from 1991 to 2014

This essay suggests the expanded scholarly terrain created to analyse ‘the public’ that has been mapped between an initial special issue of the journal South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies (published in 1991) and this current essay collection (of 2015). In the process, it suggests not only what new scholarly interests and skills, as well as new sites for analysis, have opened up, but also points to issues yet unaddressed, along with elements of visual culture that scholars interested in ‘the public’ could consider. For the realm of the visual remains, even after 25 years, largely unconnected to analyses of ‘the public’, despite its centrality to the ways in which public issues, enactments and interests are expressed and debated. To provide overarching ways to think about how the essays presented here treat ‘the public’, as well as to draw attention to issues still not addressed that offer future challenges, this essay suggests conceptualising the subject around four aspects that emerged when the aut...
Sovereignty, Oath, and the Profane Life in the Avowing of Arthur

This essay considers the northern Gawain romances as Anglo-Scottish border literature responding to government centralization in the late fourteenth century. Revisiting the peculiar vows made by Baldwin in The Avowing of Arthur, it contends that the uniqueness of Baldwin’s oaths to those of Arthur, Gawain, and Kay embody disparities felt by marchers towards the ruling center of England. Reading the Avowing through the lens of biopolitics, this essay claims that Baldwin’s seeming aloofness to Arthur’s machinations constitutes not a conscious resistance to Arthur’s authority, such as we see in the other northern Gawain romances, but a negligence towards sovereign power figured in what Giorgio Agamben calls a “profane life.” Through Baldwin’s profaning, the Avowing imagines a life at the border that is removed from the punishing weight of sovereign power.
Variation in the terrestrial isotopic composition and atomic weight of argon (IUPAC Technical Report)

The isotopic composition and atomic weight of argon (Ar) are variable in terrestrial materials. Those variations are a source of uncertainty in the assignment of standard properties for Ar, but they provide useful information in many areas of science. Variations in the stable isotopic composition and atomic weight of Ar are caused by several different processes, including (1) isotope production from other elements by radioac- tive decay (radiogenic isotopes) or other nuclear transformations (e.g., nucleogenic isotopes), and (2) iso- topic fractionation by physical-chemical processes such as diffusion or phase equilibria. Physical-chemical processes cause correlated mass-dependent variations in the Ar isotope-amount ratios ( 40 Ar/ 36 Ar, 38 Ar/ 36 Ar), whereas nuclear transformation processes cause non-mass-dependent variations. While atmospheric Ar can serve as an abundant and homogeneous isotopic reference, deviations from the atmospheric isotopic ratios in other Ar occurrences limit the precision with which a standard atomic weight can be given for Ar. Pub- lished data indicate variation of Ar atomic weights in normal terrestrial materials between about 39.7931 and 39.9624. The upper bound of this interval is given by the atomic mass of 40 Ar, as some samples contain almost pure radiogenic 40 Ar. The lower bound is derived from analyses of pitchblende (uranium mineral) containing large amounts of nucleogenic 36 Ar and 38 Ar. Within this interval, measurements of different isotope ratios ( 40 Ar/ 36 Ar or 38 Ar/ 36 Ar) at various levels of precision are widely used for studies in geochronology, water-rock interaction, atmospheric evolution, and other fields.
Dendritic cells in progression and pathology of HIV infection

Although the major targets of HIV infection are CD4+ T cells, dendritic cells (DCs) represent a crucial subset in HIV infection because they influence viral transmission and target cell infection and presentation of HIV antigens. DCs are potent antigen-presenting cells that can modulate antiviral immune responses. Through secretion of inflammatory cytokines and interferons (IFNs), DCs also alter T cell proliferation and differentiation, participating in the immune dysregulation characteristic of chronic HIV infection. Their wide distribution in close proximity with the mucosal epithelia makes them one of the first cell types to encounter HIV during sexual transmission. We discuss here the multiple roles that DCs play at different stages of HIV infection, emphasizing their relevance to HIV pathology and progression.
Three-dimensional asymptotic mode I/II stress fields at the front of interfacial crack/anticrack discontinuities in trimaterial bonded plates

Abstract An eigenfuntion expansion method is employed for obtaining three-dimensional asymptotic displacement and stress fields in the vicinity of the front of a crack/anticrack discontinuity weakening/reinforcing an infinite pie-shaped trimaterial plate, of finite thickness, formed as a result of bimaterial (matrix/ARC plus reaction product/scatterer) deposit over a substrate (fiber/semiconductor). The wedge is subjected to mode I/II far field loading. Each material is isotropic and elastic, but with different material properties. The material 2 or the substrate is always taken to be a half-space, while the wedge aperture angle of the material 1 is varied to represent varying composition of the bimaterial deposit. Numerical results pertaining to the variation of the mode I/II eigenvalues (or stress singularities) with Young’s moduli ratio, as well as with the wedge aperture angle of the material 1 (reaction product/scatterer) are presented. Hitherto generally unavailable results, pertaining to the through-thickness variations of stress intensity factors or stress singularity coefficients for symmetric exponentially growing distributed load and its skew-symmetric counterpart that also satisfy the boundary conditions on the top and bottom surfaces of the trimaterial plates under investigation, bridge a longstanding gap in the stress singularity/interfacial fracture mechanics literature.
Effect of Age on Diurnal Changes of 24-Hour QT Interval Variability

QT interval on the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) reflects the time for repolarization of myocardium and prolongation of QTc is strongly associated with sudden cardiac death. Studies using novel techniques on beat-to-beat QT interval variability (QTV) have shown that it is influenced by the autonomic nervous system and is a predictor of sudden cardiac death. In this study, we examined the awake and sleep changes in QTV in 39 normal adults (mean age, 35 years) and 10 children (mean age, 11 years) using 24-hour ECG records. We obtained eight 5-minute segments of ECG sampled at 1000 Hz from the 24-hour records. Our results show that there is a diurnal variation of QTvm, detrended QT interval variance corrected for mean QT, and QTvi, an index of QTvm divided by heart rate variability corrected for mean heart rate. There was a significant increase in mean QT during sleep, whereas there was a significant decrease in QTvm and QTvi. QTvi significantly increased during the early morning hours. There were significant but modest correlations between the average 24-hour and awake QTvi and age (p < 0.01). There were also decreased low-frequency and high-frequency powers of QT during sleep. Coherence between heart rate and QT interval fluctuations in the range of 0–0.5 Hz, and especially in the high-frequency range (0.15–0.5 Hz), was significantly lower in adults than in children (p < 0.0002). These findings demonstrate diurnal fluctuations in ventricular repolarization lability. We speculate that these effects may relate to changes in cardiac autonomic function and may contribute to the well-known diurnal variation in the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias.
Ideology and utopia in family studies since the second world war

Synopsis Mannheim conceptualized the thought and action system of a society as directed toward either stability or change. The former framework, ‘ideology≐, takes a metaphysical view of the past and present and thus precludes the possibility of change. The latter framework, ‘utopia≐, focuses on change and thus denies the validity of the present. Ideology and utopia have alternately characterized the United States since the Second World War.The period following the war was dominated by proponents of social stability; the 1960s were dominated by pro ponents of social change; the 1970s are again the stage for proponents of stability. This paper contends that this struggle has been reflected in a debate within family studies concerning stability and change in the nuclear family. The major issues in this debate include stability vs change in the nuclear family; the role and status of women in the family and in society; the male's contribution to the family; and the relationship of the family to the care of children. The debate between ideology and utopia in family studies since the Second World War is presented and critiqued. Particular attention is given to the emergent ideological stance which is currently being taken toward the family. The conclusion is drawn that this ideological stance will prevent family studies from considering innovative solutions to family-related problems which are currently troubling women, men and children.
Molecular characterization of antipeptide antibodies against the 5-HT1A receptor: evidence for state-dependent antibody binding

Abstract Differential immunohistochemical labeling is often observed using different antibodies against the same protein. Two polyclonal antipeptide antibodies against the 5-HT1A receptor have been generated by our group. The S1A-170 (aa 170-186) and 258 (aa 258-274) are specific for sites in the second extracellular loop and third intracellular loop, respectively [E.C. Azmtia, I. Yu, H.M. Akbari, N. Kheck, P.M. Whitaker-Azmitia and D.R. Marshak, Antipeptide antibodies against the 5-HT1A receptor, J. Chem. Neuroanat., 5 (1992) 289-298]. Comparison of the labeling patterns of these two antibodies and other antipeptide antibodies against the 5-HT1A receptor revealed that although similar populations of cells were labeled, individual antibodies favor certain staining patterns. Immunocytochemistry and western blotting results of transfected cell lines and brain tissue revealed the following: (1)both the S1A-170 and S1A-258 are specific for the 5-HT1A receptor when used for immunocytochemistry in transfected HEK-293 and COS-1 cells; (2) when expressed in cultured cell lines, the 5-HT1A receptor is differentially glycosylated dependent on cell type, and the S1A-258 is specific for only certain species on immunoblots; and (3) the S1A-258 and L5B7 [M. Riad, S. El Mestikawy, D. Derge, H. Gozlan, and M. Hamon, Visualization and quantification of central 5-HT1A receptors with specific antibodies, Neurochem. Int., 4 (1991) 413-423] label common bands at 40 and 70 kDa on immunoblots of hippocampal proteins, but show opposite staining intensities. These results provide evidence for the immunocytochemical specificity of both the S1A-170 and S1A-258 and suggest that the discrepancies noted in immunohistochemistry may be due in part to different molecular conformations.© 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.
Alkaline Labile D -Alanine in Cell Walls

EVIDENCE has been presented by Baddiley et al.1that “in the native walls the teichoic acid has free phosphate and amino groups and is presumably held in the wall through ionic linkages and hydrogen bonds”. However, Strominger2 has proposed, as an alternative, that the teichoic acid may be “attached to the glycopeptide through the peptide”. In this latter proposal the ester-linked D-alanine of the teichoic acid and the last peptide linked D-alanine of the mucopeptide would be the same alanine residue. Such a linkage would require that cold 5 or 10 per cent trichloroacetic acid, which has been used to remove teichoic acid from walls1, selectively hydrolyses the D-alanyl–D-alanine peptide bond, leaving the other peptide bonds present and the labile ester linkage unaffected. In addition, similarities in the molar ratios of amino-acids and muramic acid in cell walls and in the principal uridine nucleotide (Park compound) which accumulates under conditions of penicillin treatment of Staphylococcus aureus have been used in support of the role of this uridine muramic acid pentapeptide as a direct or nearly immediate precursor of the muramic acid peptide (mucopeptide) of the wall3.
Characteristics of American Indian light smokers.

Abstract Introduction American Indians (AI) have the highest smoking rates of any racial/ethnic group in the U.S. and have more difficulty quitting smoking. Little is known about the smoking characteristics of AI smokers. The present study compared the demographic and smoking characteristics of light (≤ 10 cigarettes per day; N = 206) and moderate/heavy (11 + cigarettes per day; N = 86) AI smokers participating in a cross-sectional survey about smoking and health. Methods Multiple methods were used to recruit participants in attendance at powwows, health and career fairs, and conferences. A total of 998 AI (76% cooperation rate) completed a survey assessing general health, sociodemographics, traditional and commercial tobacco use, knowledge and attitudes related to cancer, source of health information and care and other health-related behaviors. Results AI light smokers were younger and less likely to be married or living with a partner compared to moderate/heavy smokers. AI light smokers were less dependent on smoking and more likely to have home smoking restrictions. There were no differences with respect to number of quit attempts in the past year or the average length of their most recent quit attempt by light vs. moderate/heavy smoking. In addition, a similar proportion of light and heavy smokers reported using tobacco for traditional purposes such as ceremonial, spiritual and prayer. Conclusions These findings highlight important differences between AI light and heavier smokers. Differences related to smoking characteristics such as level of dependence and home smoking restrictions have important implications for the treatment of AI smokers.
The effectiveness of progressively increasing stimulation frequency and intensity to maintain paralyzed muscle force during repetitive activation in persons with spinal cord injury.

Abstract Chou L-W, Lee SC, Johnston TE, Binder-Macleod SA. The effectiveness of progressively increasing stimulation frequency and intensity to maintain paralyzed muscle force during repetitive activation in persons with spinal cord injury. Objective To compare the effectiveness of progressively increasing stimulation intensity, progressively increasing frequency, or progressively increasing both frequency and intensity on paralyzed quadriceps femoris muscle force maintenance during repetitive activation. Design Factorial design with different stimulation protocols as independent variables. Setting A muscle performance laboratory. Participants People (N=8) with spinal cord injury (SCI) (age, 14.63±1.77y). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure Number of contractions when the peak force was 90% or more of a subject's maximal twitch force. Results The protocol involving progressively increasing stimulation intensity and then frequency generated more successful contractions (189.88±53.33) than progressively increasing the frequency followed by intensity (122.75±26.56 contractions). Regardless of the order, progressively increasing both intensity and frequency generated more successful contractions than progressively increasing intensity (97 contractions) or frequency (62 contractions) alone. Conclusions Our findings suggest that during repetitive electric activation, progressively increasing both stimulation frequency and intensity can produce more successful contractions than progressively increasing only frequency or intensity. These findings can help researchers and clinicians design more effective stimulation protocols for persons with SCI during functional electric stimulation applications.
On maximizing item information and matching difficulty with ability

An important assumption in IRT model-based adaptive testing is that matching difficulty levels of test items with an examinee's ability makes a test more efficient. According to Lord, “An examinee is measured most effectively when the test items are neither too difficult nor too easy for him”. This assumption is examined and challenged through a class of one-parameter IRT models including those of Rasch and the normal ogive. It is found that for a specific model, the validity of the fundamental assumption is closely related to the so-called van Zwet tail ordering of symmetric distributions. In this connection, the cosine distribution serves as the borderline between those satisfying the assumption and those violating the assumption. Graphic and numerical illustrations are presented to demonstrate the theoretic results.
Magnetization of dilute Cu(Fe) alloys at low temperatures

Abstract The magnetization of several dilute Cu(Fe) alloys was measured in small magnetic fields and at low temperatures. The results are believed to reflect the fundamental behavior of magnetic impurity pairs in dilute alloy systems.
Soil conservation practices and farm income in the Dominican Republic

Abstract A method is presented for determining least-cost strategies for meeting soil conservation targets on small steeply sloped farms in the Dominican Republic. An easily replicated farm decision-making model using linear programming was employed to assess the relative costs of using a variety of erosion control practices including grass strips, hillside ditches and bench terraces. The effects of agricultural policy reform and secure land tenure on the cost of reducing erosion were also estimated. Grass strips were found to be the least-costly means of reducing erosion. Policy reforms, in general, will reduce the cost to the farmer of complying with soil loss restrictions.
SU-FF-T-86: The Effect of Set-Up Errors On the Final Target Dose Distribution in Step-And-Shoot IMRT Plans Compared to Helical Tomotherapy Plans

Purpose: To compare the effect of small setup errors on the final target dose distribution when using step and shoot IMRT and helical tomotherapy. Method and Materials: For three head and neck patients, two plans were created: one for delivery on a Tomotherapy system and the second one, using the Pinnacle treatment planning system, for delivery as step‐and‐shoot IMRT. After the patient was set up on the Tomotherapy couch, a megavoltage CT was acquired. This CT was imported to the adaptive planning module of Tomotherapy and the dose was recalculated assuming the patient was not repositioned prior to treatment. The shifts that would have been required to correctly position the patient were used to alter the treatment isocenter in the pinnacle plan and the dose was recalculated. This process was repeated for seven fractions in each patient and the doses from all fractions were summed up to create a PTV DVH for each case. Results: For all three cases, the final delivered DVH showed deviations from the planned DVH. It was apparent that the discrepancy between the planned and delivered DVHs was much larger for the tomotherapy plans than the step‐and‐shoot plans. Conclusion: The results show that extra care should be exhibited in properly positioning the patient when treating with tomotherapy.
An asymptotically correct classical model for smart beams

An asymptotically correct classical beam model has been developed for smart slender structures using the variational asymptotic method. Taking advantage of the slenderness of the structure, we asymptotically split the original three-dimensional electromechanical problem into a two-dimensional electromechanical cross-sectional analysis and a one-dimensional beam analysis. The one-dimensional beam analysis could be geometrically nonlinear or linear depending whether the original three-dimensional analysis is geometrically nonlinear or linear. The cross-sectional analysis, implemented using the finite element method, provides an asymptotically correct, one-dimensional constitutive model for smart slender structures without a priori assumptions regarding the geometry of the cross section, the distribution of the electric field, and the location of smart materials, such as embedded or surface mounted. Several examples are used to validate the accuracy of the present theory with available results in the literature and three-dimensional commercial finite element packages.
Interactions Between SOFC Interconnect Coating Materials and Chromia

Manganese cobalt oxides are promising coating materials for reducing chromium volatilization, and thus the associated cathode poisoning, from interconnect alloys in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Interaction between this coating and the oxide scale formed on the alloy during fuel cell operation can lead to changes in the coating composition and thus its performance. In this study, the properties of manganese cobalt spinel oxides and the reaction between manganese cobalt spinel oxides and chromia were investigated. The reaction product consists of two layers: a layer in contact with chromia that grows by the diffusion of cobalt and manganese from (Mn,Co)3O4 toward the chromia and an intermediate layer that grows by the diffusion of chromium through the reaction layer. The effect of dopants on the coating performance was also investigated. With the addition of iron or titanium, the rate of reaction between the spinel coating and the chromia scale can be decreased significantly, which would reduce the risk of scale spallation and provide an increase in the lifetime of the interconnect and thus the fuel cell.
Revisiting exact combinational circuit synthesis

The paper revisits exact combinational circuit synthesis with logic programming tools. Our focus is finding a minimal cost circuit that matches a specification - a notoriously hard nondeterministic search problem. After an exhaustive expressiveness comparison of various minimal libraries, two asymmetrical operations, Logical Implication "⇒" and Strict Boolean Inequality "
Immobilization of the restriction enzymes HaeIII and HindIII on porous silica particles via a glutaraldehyde linkage for the micro-digestion of dsDNA with analysis by capillary electrophoresis

Solid-Phase DNA restriction digest reactors have been developed consisting of silica particles modified with a covalently tethered restriction enzyme. This solid-phase restriction reactor enables digestion and separation of minute quantities of DNA with minimal reagent consumption. In this study, the restriction enzymes, HaeIII, PstI, and HindIII, were successfully immobilized via glutaraldehyde linkages to porous silica micro-particles. Studies were carried out to examine the impact of immobilization on enzymatic activity. Digestions of ϕX174-RF DNA phage and SV40 viral DNA were performed with the immobilized enzymes by placing the silica particles in solution with the target DNA with digestion times of 120 min and 240 min respectively. The digests were analyzed off-line using capillary electrophoresis (CE) with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection. Timed studies were performed to establish optimal conditions for complete digestion. Digests utilizing immobilized HaeIII and HindIII were similar in composition to homogeneous, free solution digests. PstI showed no evidence of activity upon immobilization. The immobilized restriction enzymes could also be used for multiple rounds of digestion; however, longer incubation times were required for successive runs probably due to partial denaturation of the restriction enzyme. Digests also were prepared and isolated by use of a simple micro-spin column consisting of a layer of immobilized enzyme-coated silica on a molecular weight cut-off filter. Using this approach, digestion times were comparable to solution digests as previously mentioned; however, enzyme reuse and reaction product isolation was facilitated.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and the Kingdom of God: A Cosmological Integration

The core cosmological dimension of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Christianity emphasizes a similar truth—the future is now. As humans live in their preferred realities, they experience the future, problem free solution for their lives from a SFBT perspective. The Christian tradition emphasizes the in-breaking Kingdom of God beginning with the Christ event. The end has entered the now. However, the final consummation of the end-times is still as yet in the future which means that sin and death are part of the world. This Christian understanding of sin and fallenness provides humility to SFBT’s inherently positive view of the world (Bidwell, D. R. Am J of Pastor Couns, 3:3–21, 1999), while SFBT encourages Christians to see the kingdom of God in the now instead of the future.
Decreased frequency of FBN1 missense variants in Ghent criteria-positive Marfan syndrome and characterization of novel FBN1 variants

The diagnosis of Marfan syndrome (MFS) remains challenging despite the 2010 revision to Ghent nosology criteria, and there is a lack of published information regarding FBN1 genotype associations in patients since the update in Ghent criteria. Applying revised Ghent criteria, we reviewed consecutive proband cases (n=292) submitted for FBN1 sequencing. Testing yielded 207 pathogenic or likely pathogenic FBN1 variants, with 114/207 (55%) missense, 67/207 (32%) non-sense or frameshift, and 28/207 (13%) splicing. There were 130 novel FBN1 variants predicted as pathogenic or likely pathogenic (n=109) or variant of undetermined significance (n=21). Of the 104 patients who met 2010 revised Ghent criteria, 87/104 (82%) had a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant. There was a significantly lower frequency of missense variants (41 vs 89%; P<0.0001) observed in the Ghent-positive (vs Ghent-negative) patients, and this association held true in age-based groupings. Previously described genotype associations with ectopia lentis and early onset/'neonatal' MFS were confirmed in our cohort. Overall, our study points to the imperfect nature of relying solely on clinical criteria to diagnose MFS as well as the potential importance of truncating/splicing variants in Ghent-positive cases. Furthermore, the description of numerous novel variants and associated clinical findings may be useful for future clinical interpretation of FBN1 genotype in patients with suspected MFS.
1H NMR study of partially oriented 1‐phenylpropyne

The proton magnetic resonance spectrum of partially oriented 1-phenylpropyne has been studied and the values of the chemical shifts, the direct and the indirect coupling constants determined from the analysis of the spectrum. The ratios of the interproton distances have been derived. No significant deviations have been observed between the relative proton positions on the aromatic ring in 1-phenylpropyne and those expected for the regular hexagonal geometry of the benzene ring. The results are insensitive to the mode of internal rotation of the methyl group about the CC bond.
Affiliation in a kindergarten peer group

The article describes methods, reports findings, and suggests implications from a naturalistic study of peer affiliation among children in a kindergarten classroom. Eighty hours of participant observation field notes, formal and informal interview transcripts, and other, unobtrusive data were collected over a six months period. The Spradley Developmental Research Sequence guided data collection and analysis. The findings are a description and analysis of children's strategies for making social contact with peers, for checking on standings with peers, and for expressing feelings of affection and belonging to peers. Implications for educators are presented as part of a discussion of the importance of face-to-face interaction with peers to self-concept development, childhood socialization, and the development of social competence.
Expanding roles of neutrophils in aging hosts

Neutrophils' role in the clearance of pathogens is well documented, but there is increasing appreciation that neutrophils can participate in the resolution of infection and inflammation. An obvious implication is that alteration of neutrophil functions with old age could significant impact both susceptibility of the host to infection and inflammatory conditions. Advances in recent years suggest additional chinks in the neutrophil antimicrobial arsenals in aged hosts, which render neutrophils less capable of killing pathogens. Moreover there is evidence that changes in neutrophil cross-talk with other immune cells also contribute to poor resolution of inflammation. These advances provide new insight on how these phagocytic cells could contribute to age-related diseases.
Contribution to the assessment of exposure of nonsmokers to air pollution from cigarette and cigar smoke in occupied spaces.

Abstract Because it was suspected that a significant portion of the total pollutants inhaled by an urban dweller may be contributed by pollution in occupied spaces where smokers are present, a study was performed to determine pollutant concentrations in occupied ventilated spaces. Carbon monoxide was continuously monitored with a Beckman infrared analyzer and was used as a tracer for suspended particulate matter generated from cigarette and cigar smoke. Experiments were first performed in an exposure chamber with a smoking machine of new design. Pollutants were then monitored in occupied spaces with known occupancy levels and occupancy smoking rates. Measured pollutant concentrations and associated doses were compared to Threshold Limit Values for occupational exposures and Federal Ambient Air Quality Standards for outdoor air. An equation proposed by Turk for predicting pollutant concentrations from tobacco smoke generated in ventilated spaces was found to be a reliable predictor of carbon monoxide concentrations in the exposure chamber. The equation was also successfully used to predict carbon monoxide concentrations when the smoking rate and occupancy levels, as well as the room ventilation rate and mixing factor were known. Approximately 4.6 times as much carbon monoxide was generated in cigarette sidestream smoke as in the mainstream smoke. One cigar generated approximately 1.7 to 2.5 times as much carbon monoxide as three cigarettes. When measured and predicted pollutant concentrations from smoking in occupied spaces were compared to Federal Ambient Air Quality Standards, our results suggested that carbon monoxide from cigarette and cigar smoking do not present an inhalation hazard to nonsmokers, but suspended particulate matter may reach excessive concentrations.
Camera control in three dimensions with a two-dimensional input device

Abstract We implement a variety of operations to control a virtual camera using a two-dimensional modal input device, such as a standard three-button mouse. The operations offer control of position, orientation, zoom, and a separate scaling parameter for the view of the world. All operations are designed to be easy to use for the end user, but we also designed for ease of implementation for the programmer.
LoDiM: A novel power system state estimation method with dynamic measurement selection

For decades, state estimation has been a fundamental aspect of power systems. However for large-scale and wide-area interconnected power systems, the required computation makes real-time on-line estimation a major challenge. In this paper we present a new method we call Lower Dimensional Measurement-space (LoDiM) state estimation. LoDiM is based on the Extended Kalman filter — popular because of its efficiency, robustness, and typical accuracy. LoDiM, which can take advantage of modern parallel computation techniques, may be useful for other large-scale, real-time on-line and computationally-intensive state tracking systems beyond the power systems, such as weather forecasting or gas-pipeline state estimation. Although LoDiM is presented in the context of the Kalman filter, the associated measurement selection procedure is not filter-specific, i.e. it can be used with other state estimation methods such as particle and unscented filters. If desired, robust estimation techniques can also be employed to detect and eliminate outlier measurements.
Pressor Effect of Increased Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure and Vertebral Artery Occlusion With and Without Anesthesia

The intracranial pressures of conscious, lightly anesthetized and fully anesthetized dogs were altered by means of previously implanted intraventricular cannulas, while systemic arterial pressures were simultaneously measured. One vertebral artery was occluded in all these experiments by the catheter used to record aortic pressure. Increased intracranial pressure, which probably acts by reducing cerebral blood flow, caused a rise in systemic arterial pressure whose magnitude depended on the presence and depth of anesthesia. When anesthesia was not used, but when the animals were resting quietly, a significant pressor response occurred within the physiological range of CSF pressure. The response was typically of slow onset, developing over a period of one half to two minutes. It was reproducible, but tended to diminish gradually in the course of several hours if the experiment was continued, although it could be restored if CSF pressure was further increased. The pulse rate tended to increase slightly, or ...
Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor case report: treatment with surgical excision, radiation therapy, and alternative medicines

Intracranial atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RT) are rare with a poor prognosis. We report one case of a 7-year old girl living over 17 months after the diagnosis of AT/RT in the left frontal lobe. Treatment was partial surgical resection and post-operative radiation therapy. Radiation therapy resulted in complete response with no evidence of residual or recurrent disease more than 17 months after diagnosis. The patient has been maintained on an extensive regimen of alternative therapies since completion of radiation therapy.
Total syntheses of thiocoraline and BE-22179 and assessment of their DNA binding and biological properties.

Full details of the total syntheses of thiocoraline (1) and BE-22179 (2), C2 symmetric bicyclic octadepsipeptides possessing two pendant 3-hydroxyquinoline chromophores, are described in which their relative and absolute stereochemistry were established. Key elements of the approach include the late-stage introduction of the chromophore, symmetrical tetrapeptide coupling, macrocyclization of the 26-membered octadepsipeptide conducted at the single secondary amide site following disulfide formation, and a convergent assemblage of the tetradepsipeptide with introduction of the labile thiol ester linkage in the final coupling reaction under near racemization free conditions. By virtue of the late-stage introduction of the chromophore and despite the challenges this imposes on the synthesis, this approach provides ready access to a range of key chromophore analogues. Thiocoraline and BE-22179 were shown to bind to DNA by high-affinity bisintercalation analogous to echinomycin, but with little or no perceptibl...