cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU‐E‐J‐136: Evaluation of a Non‐Invasive Method on Lung Tumor Tracking

Purpose: to develop a non‐invasive method to track lung motion in free‐breathing patients. Methods: A free‐breathing breathing model has been developed to use tidal volume and air flow rate as surrogates for lung trajectories. In this study, 4D CTdata sets were acquired during simulation and were reconstructed into 10 phases. Total lung capacities were calculated from the reconstructed images. Continuous signals from the abdominal pneumatic belt were correlated to the volumes and were therefore converted into a curve of tidal volumes. Air flow rate were calculated as the first order derivative of the tidal volume curve. Lung trajectories in the 10 reconstructed images were obtained using B‐Spline registration. Parameters of the free‐breathing lung motion model were fit from the tidal volumes, airflow rates and lung trajectories using the simulation data. Patients were rescanned every week during the treatment. Prediction of lung trajectories from the model were given and compared to the actual positions in BEV. Results: Trajectories of lung were predicted with residual error of 1.49mm at 95th percentile of all tracked points. Tracking was stable and reproducible over two weeks. Conclusion: Non‐invasive tumor tracking based on a free‐breathing lung motion model is feasible and stable over weeks.
Changes from visual to verbal memory organization as a function of age.

Abstract The false recognition procedure was used to determine the relative dominance of visual and verbal memory organization at two grade levels. The results indicated that visual encoding was predominant for first-graders, but that both visual and verbal encoding occurred with fourth-graders.
THE ADRENERGIC RECEPTORS OF THE INTRAOCULAR MUSCLES OF THE CAT.

The nature of the adrenergic receptors of the internal muscles of the cat eye was investigated on isolated sphincter, dilator, and ciliary muscle strips by studying the effects of three sympathomimetic amines (l-epinephrine,l-norepinephrine, andl-isoproterenol) and the effects of adrenergic blocking agents (phenoxybenzamine, tolazoline, and dichloro-isoproterenol). It was concluded that all three muscle carry both alpha and beta receptors, the dilator being almost exclusively alpha and the sphincter and ciliary muscle predominantly beta in character. After cervical sympathetic ganglionectomy, sensitization of the internal eye muscles could occasionally be demonstratedin vitro.
Positive feedbacks to growth of an invasive grass through alteration of nitrogen cycling

Understanding the mechanisms by which invasive plants maintain dominance is essential to achieving long-term restoration goals. While many reports have suggested invasive plants alter resource availability, experimental tests of feedbacks between invasive plants and soil resources are lacking. We used field observations and experimental manipulations to test if the invasive grass Microstegium vimineum both causes and benefits from altered soil nitrogen (N) cycling. To quantify M. vimineum effects on N dynamics, we compared inorganic N pools and nitrification rates in 20 naturally invaded and uninvaded plots across a range of mixed hardwood forests, and in experimentally invaded and uninvaded common garden plots. Potential nitrification rates were 142 and 63 % greater in invaded than uninvaded plots in forest and common garden soils, respectively. As a result, soil nitrate was the dominant form of inorganic N during peak M. vimineum productivity in both studies. To determine the response of M. vimineum to altered nitrogen availability, we manipulated the dominant N form (nitrate or ammonium) in greenhouse pots containing M. vimineum alone, M. vimineum with native species, and native species alone. M. vimineum productivity was highest in monocultures receiving nitrate; in contrast, uninvaded native communities showed no response to N form. Notably, the positive response of M. vimineum to nitrate was not apparent when grown in competition with natives, suggesting an invader density threshold is required before positive feedbacks occur. Collectively, our results demonstrate that persistence of invasive plants can be promoted by positive feedbacks with soil resources but that the magnitude of feedbacks may depend on interspecific interactions.
A mndo study of 3-, 5-, 7- and 9-membered carbocyclic, completely conjugated, planar carbenes and their nonplanar isomers

Abstract Molecular orbital calculations have been conducted on a series of planar, cyclic, completely conjugated carbenes and their nonplanar isomers. Energy surfaces have been probed using reaction coordinate diagrams and vibrational force constant calculations. The importance of the nonplanar allenic and carbenic isomers is emphasized. In most cases, planar, cyclic, completely conjugated carbenes are not found to be energy minima.
Formation of citraconic anhydride via condensation of dialkyl succinates and formaldehyde

The formation of citraconic anhydride (CAN) from the condensation of succinic acid and its derivatives with formaldehyde over oxide catalysts is described. Alumina and aluminum phosphate are active catalysts that give selectivity to citraconic anhydride as high as 75% in an integral fixed bed reactor. Weakly acidic sites on the catalyst surface, particularly Lewis acid sites, are responsible for activating the desired reaction pathway. Strongly acidic sites lead to cracking and coking, while basic sites facilitate the Cannizzaro reaction of formaldehyde to carbon dioxide and methanol. Catalyst deactivation via coking occurs over the course of reaction, but activity is easily restored by regeneration in air at elevated temperatures. The reaction system under investigation is part of an overall process to produce itaconic acid from renewable resource-based succinic acid.
Anisotropic honeycomb domain wall networks in uniaxial systems

Abstract A systematic study of the possibility of weakly incommensurate phases with a honeycomb domain wall network structure in uniaxial systems is presented. Competition between breathing entropy, the energy needed to tilt a domain wall, and the core energy of intersections can stabilize honeycomb phases in uniaxial systems. Two types of honeycomb networks are introduced, O-shaped and X-shaped. Breathing entropy turns out to be much weaker, compared to meander entropy, in uniaxial systems than in isotropic ones. Still, our study suggests that at the chiral melting transition the commensurate solid melts into an incommensurate fluid with a local short ranged O-shaped network order. Moreover, breathing entropy of X-shaped honeycomb networks might change the Pokrovsky-Talapov nature of the commensurate to striped incommensurate solid transition.
Hemodynamic study of TCPC using in vivo and in vitro 4D Flow MRI and numerical simulation

Introduction: Altered total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) hemodynamics can cause long-term complications. Patient-specific anatomy hinders generalized solutions. 4D Flow MRI allows in vivo assessment, but not predictions under varying conditions and surgical approaches. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) improves understanding and explores varying physiological conditions. This study investigated a combination of 4D Flow MRI and CFD to assess TCPC hemodynamics, accompanied with in vitro measurements as CFD validation. 4D Flow MRI was performed in extracardiac and atriopulmonary TCPC subjects. Data was processed for visualization and quantification of velocity and flow. Three-dimensional (3D) geometries were generated from angiography scans and used for CFD and a physical model construction through additive manufacturing. These models were connected to a perfusion system, circulating water through the vena cavae and exiting through the pulmonary arteries at two flow rates. Models underwent 4D Flow MRI and image processing. CFD simulated the in vitro system, applying two different inlet conditions from in vitro 4D Flow MRI measurements; no-slip was implemented at rigid walls. Velocity and flow were obtained and analyzed. The three approaches showed similar velocities, increasing proportionally with high inflow. Atriopulmonary TCPC presented higher vorticity compared to extracardiac at both inflow rates. Increased inflow balanced flow distribution in both TCPC cases. Atriopulmonary IVC flow participated in atrium recirculation, contributing to RPA outflow; at baseline, IVC flow preferentially traveled through the LPA. The combination of patient-specific in vitro and CFD allows hemodynamic parameter control, impossible in vivo. Physical models serve as CFD verification and fine-tuning tools.
Toward improved film cooling prediction

Computations of flow and heat transfer for a film-cooled high pressure gas turbine rotor blade geometry are presented with an assessment of several turbulence models. Details of flow and temperature field predictions in the vicinity of cooling holes are examined. It is demonstrated that good predictions can be obtained when spurious turbulence energy production by the turbulence model is prevented.
Innovation strategies of Asian firms in the United States

This paper examines the relationship between Asian firms’ technological and non-technological strategies and innovation capability. Particular attention is focused on subsidiaries in the United States (US) with headquarter units in South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan. Empirical evidence from a sample of 151 subsidiary plants and establishments suggests that Asian firms invest in the US to upgrade their their knowledge base with a view to supporting new product and market-based innovations. The results of an ordered probit regression model of innovation performance suggests that new product development and marketing capability make a significant contribution to increased US patents among Asian firms while applied research is only marginally significant in explaining firms’ innovation capability. The major sources of innovation capability are revolved around a tacit understanding of technology and products than more explicit forms of knowledge. Our empirical findings also suggest that stronger business performance is associated with new product development and marketing capability.
Clinical and economic outcomes of low‐field intraoperative MRI‐guided tumor resection neurosurgery

PURPOSE To compare low-field (0.15 T) intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI)-guided tumor resection with both conventional magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI)-guided tumor resection and high-field (1.5 T) iMRI-guided resection from the clinical and economic point of view. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively compared 65 iMRI patients with 65 cMRI patients in terms of hospital length of stay, repeat resection rate, repeat resection interval, complication rate, cost to the patient, cost to the hospital, and cost effectiveness. In addition, we compared our low-field results with previously published high-field results. RESULTS The complication rate was lower for iMRI vs. cMRI in patients presenting for their initial tumor resection (45 vs. 57 complications, P = 0.048). The iMRI repeat resection interval was longer for this cohort (20.1 vs. 6.7 months, P = 0.020). iMRI was more cost-effective than cMRI for patients who had repeat resections ($10,690/RFY vs. $76,874/RFY, P < 0.001). We found no other clinical or economic differences between iMRI- and cMRI-guided tumor resection surgeries. Overall, we did not find the advantages to low-field iMRI that have been reported for high-field iMRI. CONCLUSION There is no adequate justification for the widespread installation of low-field iMRI in its current development state.
Life events and relapse in bipolar disorder: The impact of a catastrophic event

The literature on life events and the precipitation of bipolar disorder is reviewed. The authors describe an unexpected increase in bipolar relapses in a Lithium Clinic following a catastrophic life event, a hurricane, and contrast the patients who relapsed with an age and sex matched control of bipolars who did not. Though retrospective, the study avoids the question of the independence of life events. The results suggest that certain bipolar patients, especially those recently unstable, may be more vulnerable to the impact of life events.
Detection of coronary calcium during standard chest computed tomography correlates with multi-detector computed tomography coronary artery calcium score.

The correlation between formal coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) determined by multi-detector CT (MDCT) and the presence of coronary calcium on standard non-gated CT chest examinations was evaluated. In 163 consecutive healthy participants, we performed screening same-day standard non-gated, non-enhanced CT chest exams followed by high-resolution, ECG-synchronized MDCT exams for CACS. For the standard CT examinations, a scoring system (Weston score, range 0–12) was developed assigning a score (0–3) for each coronary vessel including the left main trunk. Overall, 30% and 39% of patients had CAC on standard CT and MDCT exams, respectively (P = 0.13). CAC on standard CT was highly correlated to the Agatston CACS on the MDCT (Spearman correlation coefficient 0.83, P 2 identified a CACS > 100 with an area under the curve of 0.976, sensitivity of 100%, and specificity of 85%. A Weston score >7 identified a CACS > 400 with an area under the curve of 0.991, sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 98%. The intra-observer variability was low as was the inter-observer variability between a cardiac specialized radiologist and a non-specialized reader. A visual coronary artery scoring system on standard, non-gated CT correlates well with traditional methods for CACS. Further, a non-expert cardiac radiologist performed equally well to a cardiac expert. This information suggests that a visual scoring system, at least in a descriptive manner can be utilized for a general statement about coronary artery calcification seen on standard CT imaging to guide clinicians in risk stratification.
Translate or Transliterate? Modeling the Decision For English to Arabic Machine Translation

Translation of named entities (NEs) is important for NLP applications such as Machine Translation (MT) and Cross-lingual Information Retrieval. For MT, named entities are major subset of the out-of-vocabulary terms. Due to their diversity, they cannot always be found in parallel corpora, dictionaries or gazetteers. Thus, state-of-the-art MT systems need to handle NEs in specii¬c ways: (i) direct translation which results in missing many out of vocabulary terms and (ii) blind transliteration of out of vocabulary terms which does not necessarily contribute to translation adequacy and may actually create noisy contexts for the language model and the decoder. For example, in the sentence "Dudley North visits North London", the MT system is expected to transliterate "North" in the former case, and translate "North" in the latter. In this work, we present a classification-based framework, that enables MT system to automate the decision of translation vs. transliteration for differ...
Enriching Child Psychology Courses with a Preschool Journal Option.

This article describes a preschool journal option for child psychology classes. The option requires students to spend 2 hr each week throughout the term as volunteers at a preschool. Weekly journal entries must integrate lecture and text material with practical experience. Participating students earn extra credit, commensurate with their performance, toward their final course grade. Students' evaluations indicate that the project is enjoyable as well as educational. Furthermore, local preschools are eager to participate in exchange for the volunteers.
Cellulosomes from mesophilic bacteria

Plant cell wall-degrading enzymes have become increasingly important, since the development of efficient biomass degradation methods and the conversion of sugars to valuable products such as butanol and amino acids and utilizable forms of energy such as ethanol and methane could lead to less dependence on imported petroleum as a fuel and chemical source. Plant biomass is an abundant renewable resource. Since cellulose and hemicellulose comprise about 40 to 50% of plant cell walls and are considered to be the largest components of the earth's biomass, efficient conversion of this material by engineered enzymes and/or microorganisms would be highly desirable. The rate-limiting step in biomass degradation is the conversion of the cellulose and hemicellulose polymers to sugars.
A Multigroup Study of Personality Patterns in Creativity

The personality characteristics of three professional groups, each rated for level of creativity, were investigated using the California Psychological Inventory. Samples of male architects, mathematicians, and research scientists were compared and then combined to allow an over-all pattern of personality characteristics associated with creative accomplishment to emerge. Using regression analysis a five-variable index was constructed which yielded an over-all within sample validity of .375 (.35 corrected for shrinkage), and subsample validities of .42, .31, and .31, respectively. Scales with positive weights in the regression equation were Capacity for Status and Empathy; Sociability, Communality, and Good Impression received negative weights. The personological meaning of this creativity index was illustrated with California Q-sort, Adjective Check List, and case study data of selected high and low scorers.
A modified microdiffusion procedure for the growth of single protein crystals by concentration-gradient equilibrium dialysis.

Abstract A modification of a microdiffusion cell (1) for protein crystallization is described that reduces the number of required manipulations and permits continuous addition of precipitant. Data are presented for the experimental parameters that affect the rate of ammonium sulfate diffusion, so that the method may easily be adapted to the crystallization of any particular protein. Results of the application of this modified method to the crystallization of aldolase, glutamine synthetase, RNA polymerase, and leucine-binding protein are given.
Ovicidal Activity of Insecticides Against Tobacco Budworm Eggs on Cotton

Various insecticides were evaluated for their ovicidal activity against Heliothis virescens (F.) eggs on cotton. Methomyl had the greatest ovicidal activity. Lower rates of methomyl also were more toxic to tobacco bud worm eggs than that of the standard material, chlordimeform.
A cellular framework for structural analysis and optimization

The present paper describes the implementation of a cellular automata based computational approach in structural analysis and design. This approach assumes that a computational domain can be subdivided into a number of discrete cells, with state variables associated with each cell. Collectively, these cell states define the state of the entire domain, and which may be evolved through application of local rules of interaction that apply to a defined neighborhood around each cell. The computational process is intrinsically parallel in nature, and allows for a natural implementation on parallel computers. The paper describes an overview of this computational model for the analysis of structural systems, and demonstrates how it can be extended for a fine-grained parallel implementation of the genetic algorithm based optimization strategy. The paper also illustrates an extension of the proposed model in solving problems of simultaneous analysis and optimization.
Performance analysis of clock-regulated queues with output multiplexing in three different 2 × 2 crossbar switch architectures

Abstract Switches in interconnection networks for highly parallel shared memory computer systems may be implemented with different internal buffer structures. For a 2 × 2 synchronous switch, previous studies have often assumed a switch composed of two queues, one at each output, each of which has unbounded size and may accept two inputs every clock cycle. Hardware implementations may actually use simpler queue designs and will have bounded size. Two additional models for a 2 × 2 switch using queues that may accept only one input at a time are analyzed. The first uses four queues, one for each input/output pair. The second uses two queues, one at each input. In each case, a multiplexer blocks one queue if two queues desire the same output, making these models more difficult to analyze than the previous model. Maximum bandwidth, expected queue length, expected waiting time, and queue length distribution are presented for both models, with unbounded queue size and with queue size equal to 1.
Evidence for the use of vision in diurnal orientation of the bat Myotis austroriparius

Abstract Normal, ear-plugged and blindfolded southeastern brown bats, Myotis austroriparius , were released during the day at two stations 500 and 750 ft from the home cave. Thirty-two (33·3 per cent) of ninety-six normal bats returned to the main or secondary entrances of the cave as compared with five (12·5 per cent) of forty earplugged and none of forty-five eye-covered subjects. More bats returned from the south, the direction in which the bulk of the colony went during the evening flight two nights before the experiment, thus suggesting that differential familiarity with the local terrain may have been a factor in homing success. In addition to the fact that none returned to the cave area, blindfolded bats were obviously more disoriented than either controls or ear-plugged subjects. These results thus appear to provide further evidence that vision in bats of the suborder Microchiroptera is better developed than generally supposed and that at least under certain conditions visual cues play a significant role in the orientation of these animals. It is suggested that auditory guidance from normal bats may play a major role in the homing of blindfolded bats.
Design and analysis for a two-level factorial experiment in the presence of variance heterogeneity

With heterogeneous variance, the standard factorial designs are not optimal for estimation of a mean model. A sequential two-stage experimental design procedure is proposed that first allows estimation of the variance structure, and then uses the variance estimates and the Q-optimality criterion to develop a second stage design that efficiently estimates the mean model. Other procedures considered include the “equal replicate” design analyzed by ordinary least squares, and the same design analyzed by weighted least squares. Finally, the three procedures are compared for various models and variance structures, and for each case a recommendation is made as to which procedure is preferred.
Food Insecurity Among Low-Income Hispanics in Hartford, Connecticut: Implications for Public Health Policy

During the last two decades hunger has reemerged as an important social issue in the United States. As a result, efforts were initiated to adequately define hunger and food insecurity (i.e., limited or uncertain access to nutritionally adequate and safe foods) and to develop appropriate indicators for their measurement. The purpose of this study is to examine hunger and food insecurity among low-income Hispanic families with children in Hartford, Connecticut, using the Radimer/Cornell Scale. Additionally, the association of specified sociodemographic and food-assistance variables with hunger and food insecurity in this population are examined. Findings are compared to local and national data and implications for public health nutrition policy are discussed. More than 41 percent of households were food insecure, 25.4 percent of the adult participants were food insecure, and 20.9 percent of the study children (1-6 years) suffered from periodic hunger. These data corroborate an earlier study conducted in Har...
Sulfur segregation to the metal oxide interface during the early stages in the oxidation of iron

Iron (110) single crystals have been studied during the early stages of their oxidation at 800°C at an oxygen flux equivalent to a pressure of 2 × 10−5 Torr. Depth profiles using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) determined that if sulfur was present on the metal surface before the oxidation then sulfur was present at the internal metal/oxide interface after a 20 minute oxidation. Oxidation of a clean surface resulted in very little sulfur at the internal metal/oxide interface after the same oxidation exposure even though sufficient time was available for sulfur to accumulate at that interface. The interpretation of the AES data was complicated by the non-uniformity of the oxide growth. The oxide morphology was found to depend on the amount of sulfur on the free surface just prior to oxidation. A model for this growth was developed that was consistant with both the AES depth profiles and scanning electron microsopy (SEM) observations of the oxide surface morphology.
Hypertriglyceridemia in patients with psoriasis treated with cyclosporine

Eight patients received cyclosporine at doses of 2.0 to 7.5 mg/kg/day. Seven of these patients had increased fasting plasma triglyceride levels with cyclosporine therapy compared with pretreatment values, which peaked after 1 month of therapy. Four patients experienced elevations in fasting triglycerides, over the upper limits for age- and sex-matched controls, which were at least two times higher than their baseline values. It was striking that all four of these patients had previously had hypertriglyceridemia while using etretinate and three of these patients had preexisting hypertriglyceridemia before both etretinate and cyclosporine therapy. Triglyceride elevation did not correlate with cyclosporine levels. Thus cyclosporine, similar to etretinate, unmasks a latent tendency for mild to moderate hypertriglyceridemia. Fasting triglyceride levels should be monitored during cyclosporine therapy, especially after 1 to 2 months of use, and in patients with preexisting increased triglycerides and/or a history of etretinate use.
Health and health care in south Asian communities in the UK.

In the 2001 census the population of the UK was estimated to be around 59 million, of which the ethnic minorities comprised just over 4.5 million (Office of National Statistics, 2001). People from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh (the south Asian communities) made up nearly 2 million or 4% of the total UK population. The health-related problems of this section of the population are in many ways different from the native Caucasian population. Moreover, this section of the population is itself heterogeneous, with different cultural and religious beliefs and varying dietary and lifestyle habits.
Percutaneous Treatment of Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery Aneurysm with Use of the Amplatzer Septal Occluder

Aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) aneurysms are rare but carry a high risk of rupture and require early elective treatment. The present report describes a 60-year-old man with an asymptomatic ARSA aneurysm for whom surgical treatment would have been associated with a high degree of risk. The ARSA aneurysm was occluded with use of Amplatzer septal occluders, which avoided high-risk surgery and preserved antegrade flow into the left common carotid, subclavian, and vertebral arteries and perfusion of the right upper extremity through an induced right subclavian steal. The eventual need for bypass surgery for perfusion of the right upper extremity was assessed after the procedure
Kinetic Analysis Of ATP Synthesis Catalyzed By E. coli FoF1 ATP Synthase Reconstituted Into Egg Yolk Liposomes: Evidence For Bi-site Activation

Escherichia coli FOF1 ATP synthase was reconstituted into liposomes made of asolectin, soybean PC or egg yolk PC. The reconstitution system with egg yolk proteoliposomes gave the highest ATP synthase activity and ATP yield, and was used for analysis of the reaction characteristics. Under optimal conditions (ΔpH 3.4 at 37°C, ΔΨ = 109 mV, 10 μM valinomycin), the steady state rate of ATP synthesis reached 400 s-1. The dependency for Pi was hyperbolic over a range from 0.01 -5 mM. In contrast, variation of ADP concentration over a broad range (20 nM-2000 μM) revealed two apparent Km, one much less than 1 μM and the second at 11 μM. The apparent Km values for both substrates were independent of the membrane potential, ΔΨ. We propose that filling of two catalytic sites is sufficient and necessary for steady state ATP synthesis. Also, thiophosphate was found to be an uncompetitive inhibitor of ATP synthesis with respect to ADP, which implies an ordered substrate binding with ADP binding preceding phosphate binding. The data are in agreement with a reversible ATP synthesis-hydrolysis catalytic step with the ratio of the forward and reverse rate constants close to unity (Baylis Scanlon et al. J. Biol. Chem. 283, 26228-26240, 2008). In contrast to ATP hydrolysis where binding of Mg·ATP to the third catalytic site drives rotational catalysis, our results show that steady state ATP synthesis only requires binding of substrates to the second site.
i +l #ZPD

Abstract: The aim of this article is to explore the differences in nature and origin between two constructs that are used in the contemporary professional literature to explain the processes and consequences of language learning: i (input) + 1 and the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). Each construct is situated with respect to its history and to the fundamental assumptions it makes about language, the mind, and society. A brief comparison is established between the ways each construct is used to interpret the role of social interaction in the classroom. Within this comparison, particular emphasis is placed on the implications of the ZPD, because this construct is the least familiar of the two within the professional discourses of language education in the United States.
PURINE METABOLISM IN THE CHICK EMBRYO: INFLUENCE OF 2-SUBSTITUTED THIADIAZOLES.

Abstract 2-Ethylamino-1, 3, 4-thiadiazole, a compound that inhibits the growth of certain transplanted animal tumors is capable of increasing the synthesis of purines de novo in the developing chick embryo. The effect of 2-ethylamino-1,3,4-thiadiazole can be prevented by nicotinamide and by the nicotinamide antagonists, 3-acetylpyridine and 6-aminonicotinamide. The effect of 2-ethylamino-1 ,3,4-thiadiazole can be enhanced by 3,3-dimethyl-1-phenyltriazene, a compound that is otherwise similar to 6-aminonicotinamide in its effects on the developing chick embryo. It is suggested that different tissues or biochemical systems have varying requirements for nicotinamide or are less discriminating in acceptance of substitutes.
A NOVEL METHOD TO ESTIMATE THE RFI ENVIRONMENT

One of the greatest challenges in the evaluation of microwave radiometer RFI detection methods is a lack of suitable ground truth about the RFI environment; the false alarm rate can be readily estimated without it, but probability of detection cannot. A method is introduced to derive the probability distribution of RFI amplitude anywhere on the globe, thus characterizing the RFI environment. The method constructs low-level RFI characteristics which are difficult to detect from the highlevel RFI characteristics that are more easily detected. The conceptual and theoretical basis of the method is presented, followed by possible future augmentations and improvements.
Cell selection in development.

Summary Cell selection is recognized to be the principal mechanism in the generation of the immune response. The role of cell selection in other developmental systems is considered here, with emphasis on the morphogenesis of the vertebrate limb, the formation of pigment pattern in the pelt of mammals and the changes that occur in the human erythrocyte at the time of birth.
Description of the hitherto unknown male of Hermilius (Copepoda: Caligidae)

The paper describes in detail the male of the genus Hermilius for the first time. Though the males were collected along with females of H. pyriventris they cannot be assigned with certainty to any of the known species. Hence the specimens are described without specific name.
Sequence-tagged-site-facilitated PCR for barley genome mapping

Speed, efficiency, and safety considerations have led many genome mapping projects to evaluate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequence amplification as an alternative to Southern blot analysis. However, the availability of informative primer sequences can be a limiting factor in PCR-based mapping. An alternative to random amplified polymorphism detection (RAPD) is the sequence-tagged-site (STS) approach. If informative primer sequences could be derived from known sequences, then current maps, which are based on both known function and anonymous clones, might be easily converted to maps utilizing PCR technology. In this paper, four pairs of primer sequences were obtained from published sequences, and four pairs were obtained by sequencing portions of DNA clones from genomic clones derived from a random genomic library used in the North American Barley Genome Mapping Project (NABGMP). These primers were used to screen for polymorphisms in the progeny of a winter x spring and a spring x spring barley cross. Two types of polymorphisms were distinguished using these primer sets: (1) insertion/deletion events that could be read directly from agarose gels, and (2) point mutation events. The latter were identified using polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis of PCR products following digestion with restriction endonucleases (four-base cutters). To determine whether the PCR-based polymorphisms were allelic to polymorphisms identified by the clones from which the primer sequences derived, chromosomal assignments and (when possible) co-segregation analysis was performed.
Application of multipoint measurements for flow characterization

Some of the possibilities for inferring the structure of complicated flows from simultaneous measurements at many points are reviewed. Conditional sampling, pseudoflow visualization, stochastic estimation, and the proper orthogonal decomposition are briefly reviewed and illustrated by example. Resolution criteria for multipoint spatial arrays are proposed that minimize the possibilities for misinterpreting the data.
Apremilast, albiglutide, and empagliflozin

Daniel A. Hussar and Stephanie Yenner The adverse events reported most often in the clinical studies of apremilast are nausea (9%), diarrhea (8%), and headache (6%). Dosage titration is recommended to reduce the gastrointestinal symptoms associated with initial therapy. One percent of the patients reported depression or depressed mood, and suicidal ideation or behavior was observed in 0.2%. Whether or not apremilast should be used in patients with a history of these experiences should be carefully evaluated. If the drug is prescribed, these patients, as well as their family members and/or caregivers, should be advised of the importance of being alert for the emergence or worsening of such responses. Ten percent of the patients treated with apremilast experienced a weight decrease between 5% and 10% of body weight, compared with 3% of those receiving placebo. Patients should have their weight monitored regularly and, in the event that excessive weight loss occurs, consideration should be given to discontinuing treatment. Apremilast is classified in Pregnancy Category C and should only be used during pregnancy if the anticipated benefit justifies the risk to the fetus. A pregnancy registry has been established (877–311–8972) to monitor outcomes in women exposed to the drug during pregnancy. It is not known whether the drug is excreted in human milk, and caution must be exercised when the drug is used by a nursing woman. The effectiveness and safety of apremilast in patients less than 18 years of age have not been established. Because it is effective following oral administration, apremilast has an advantage over TNF blockers and ustekinumab that are administered parenterally. Anti-inflammatory agent
Work in progress: web based Ink submission and playback in MessageGrid

ReplayInk is a Tablet PC based application for use by General Engineering courses at Clemson University to help instructors evaluate students understanding of basic engineering math and unit conversions. ReplayInk records Tablet PC ink strokes (Ink) and erasures performed by the student in order to allow the instructor to replay the solution procedure from the student. Through the recording of Ink, this presents to the instructor a new pedagogical tool for student evaluation and opens the door to many areas of research on how students solve problems. ReplayInk intends to assist instructors evaluate problem solving strategies and understanding of concepts for freshman engineering courses but could be used in any academic setting where the instructor wants more information on how students are solving problems.The remainder of this paper is organized as follows. Sections 1 and 2 introduce the need for a Tablet PC tool in freshman engineering courses at Clemson University to evaluate student problem solving strategies. Section 3 describes the proposed Tablet PC application, ReplayInk. Section 4 is a description of the current implementation of ReplayInk. Section 5 describes the future work necessary to allow ReplayInk provide a structure to semi-automatically evaluate student problem solving strategies. Section 6 acknowledges all people and organizations that made ReplayInk possible. Section 7 is a list of all references in this paper.
Spatial polarization of insulin-like growth factor receptors on the human syncytiotrophoblast.

The expression of IGF receptors on the maternal-facing, microvillous membrane (MVM) surface and the fetal-facing, basal membrane (BM) surface of the syncytiotrophoblast was studied using standard ligand binding assays, covalent cross-linking techniques, and immunoblot analysis. Scatchard analysis of [125I]IGF-I and -II binding revealed the presence of both high and low affinity binding sites associated with each membrane preparation that did not clearly distinguish between the two membrane preparations. Cross-linking analysis, however, demonstrated type I and type II IGF receptors associated primarily with MVM, suggesting that nonreceptor binding sites may contribute to total membrane binding. Ligand blot analysis revealed that BM are uniquely associated with 29- and 24-kD IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs).[125I]QAYL-IGF-1, having reduced affinity for IGFBPs, was therefore used to study receptor-specific binding. Approximately 5-fold more type I IGF receptors were shown to be associated with MVM than BM by Scatchard and cross-linking analyses. This was confirmed by immunoblot analysis. By contrast, immunoblot analysis revealed approximately 50-100% more type II IGF receptor protein associated with BM, whereas cross-linking to[125I]IGF-II revealed a MVM predominance. In the presence of 5 mM mannose 6-phosphate, however, a substantial increase in [125I]IGF-II cross-linked to the type II IGF receptor was observed in BM but not MVM, consistent with immunoblot analysis. These data demonstrate that type I and unoccupied type II IGF receptors are expressed primarily on the maternal-facing, MVM surface of the syncytiotrophoblast.
Saddle point techniques

From the beginning of the calculus of variations over 300 years ago, scientists were interested in finding extrema of expressions (now called functionals) involving unknown functions. It was discovered that functions producing extrema are solutions of differential equations (called Euler equations). In one dimentional problems these were ordinary differential equations, and the easiest procedure was to solve the corresponding Euler equation and then check if the solution produces the desired maximum or minimum. However, as researchers began to study higher dimensional problems, it became obvious that it was more difficult to solve the Euler equations than obtain an extremum of the functional. Moreover, many partial differential equations and systems that were being studied by various scientists happened to be the Euler equations of functionals. In this case, any critical point of the corresponding functional will provide a solution of the given equation. This led to the search for critical points of functionals. In this paper we describe several methods of finding critical points. We present applications.
Spectroscopic method for the determination of the compositions of ternary polymer blends

Abstract A spectroscopic method for the determination of polybutyleneterphthalate, polycarbonate and poly(methyl methacrylate)-coated polybutadiene-polystyrene rubber content in polymeric blends of these components is presented. The technique uses i.r. spectroscopy with quantitative calibration by 13C magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MASNMR) data. Several advantages of an i.r. spectral integration treatment are discussed. The primary advantage of the method is the elimination of arbitrary baseline estimates. The technique illustrates the use of MASNMR to acquire quantitative data. The compositions of three samples of an engineering plastic blend were determined using this method. No changes in composition were observed for samples that had been extruded two and three times.
The limitations of preoperative grading of rectal carcinoma

In 103 patients who had a preoperative biopsy before resection of a single carcinoma of the rectum, the grading of the biopsy by one pathologist was compared to the definitive grade. Only 62% of the biopsies were correctly assessed, and the tendency was to underestimate the grade with few tumors being described correctly as high grade. This suggests that the grading of biopsy fragments has definite limitations and is of limited value when selecting patients for conservative treatment of rectal carcinoma.
A survey on the management of pollen-food allergy syndrome in allergy practices.

Abstract Background There is no consensus on the diagnosis and therapy of oral allergy syndrome (OAS; also known as pollen-food allergy syndrome), a disorder caused by IgE antibody-mediated reactions to homologous proteins in pollens and fruits and vegetables. Objective We sought to determine how practicing allergists define and treat OAS. Methods A questionnaire was mailed to 226 randomly selected US allergists from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology directory. Results One hundred twenty-two (54%) returned surveys were analyzed. Median estimates of the prevalence of OAS among the patients with pollen allergy were 5% among children and 8% among adults. Twenty percent of allergists reported that some patients progressed to systemic symptoms. Fifty-three percent of allergists recommended complete avoidance of causal foods to all patients, whereas 9% did not advocate any restrictions. Thirty percent never prescribed epinephrine for OAS, 3% always did, and the remainder did so on the basis of symptoms. When presented with clinical cases, 20% diagnosed systemic reactions to peach as OAS, 13% believed peanut could cause OAS, and 25% did not prescribe epinephrine for peanut allergy manifested by oral symptoms. Conclusion Allergists' estimates of the prevalence of OAS in patients with pollen allergy (5%-8%) are lower than the prevalence reported (approximately 50%) in the published studies of these patients, perhaps reflecting a low index of suspicion, underdiagnosis, or both. The wide range of responses regarding diagnosis and management indicates the need for a better definition for the disorder and standard therapeutic guidelines. Discrepancies might be related to the term OAS, and therefore use of the more specific term "pollen-food allergy syndrome" is suggested.
Effect of chromosome substitution on intrinsic exercise capacity in mice.

Previous research identified a locus on Chromosome 14 as an important regulator of endurance exercise capacity in mice. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chromosome substitution on intrinsic exercise capacity and identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with exercise capacity in mice. Mice from a chromosome substitution strain (CSS) derived from A/J and C57Bl/6J (B6), denoted as B6.A14, were used to assess the contribution of Chromosome 14 to intrinsic exercise capacity. All mice performed a graded exercise test to exhaustion to determine exercise capacity expressed as time (min) or work (kg·m). Exercise time and work were significantly greater in B6 mice than B6.A14 and A/J mice, indicating the presence of a QTL on Chromosome 14 for exercise capacity. To localize exercise-related QTL, 155 B6.A14 x B6 F 2 mice were generated for linkage analysis. Suggestive QTL for exercise time (57 cM, 1.75 LOD) and work (57 cM, 2.08 LOD) were identified in the entire B6.A14 x B6 F 2 cohort. To identify putative sex-specific QTL, male and female F 2 cohorts were analyzed separately. In males, a significant QTL for exercise time (55 cM, 2.28 LOD) and a suggestive QTL for work (55 cM, 2.19 LOD) were identified. In the female cohort, no QTL was identified for time, but a suggestive QTL for work was located at 16 cM (1.8 LOD). These data suggest that one or more QTL on Chromosome 14 regulate exercise capacity. The putative sex-specific QTL further suggest that the genetic architecture underlying exercise capacity is different in males and females. Overall, the results of this study support the use of CSS as a model for the genetic analysis of exercise capacity. Future studies should incorporate the full panel of CSS using male and female mice to dissect the genetic basis for differences in exercise capacity.
Optimizing early Go/No Go decisions in CNS drug development.

Go/No Go decisions concerning development of any single compound determine investment in increasingly costly studies from Phases I–III. Such decisions are problematic for CNS drug development where the variety of molecular targets in the brain have stimulated decades of studies without major therapeutic advances. Many costly studies do not even yield interpretable results as to whether the mechanism being pursued has therapeutic potential. Therefore, both industry and the public sector have implemented a decision making strategy based on whether a compound can test a molecular hypothesis of drug action. One requires, at a minimum, compelling evidence in humans that a compound both interacts with its presumed molecular targets in brain and ideally documents a CNS functional consequence of the interaction prior to efficacy studies. This strategy will much more quickly rule out ineffective mechanisms although it does not address the problem of poorly predictive models of novel CNS drug efficacy.