cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diplomacy and Education: A Changing Global Landscape

Educational diplomacy is rapidly moving beyond the realm of government sponsored initiatives to a much wider array of actors and activities. Institutions are actively developing their own brand of international relations. Governments will find it more and more difficult to dictate the nature and direction of educational diplomacy. In this baffling array of cross-border activity, senders and receivers of this kind of diplomacy need to adhere to a clear policy of mutuality if all sides are to benefit from the rising tide of global engagement.
Nitric oxide bioavailability modulates the dynamics of microvascular oxygen exchange during recovery from contractions

Aim: Lowered microvascular PO 2 (PO 2 mv) during the exercise off-transient likely impairs muscle metabolic recovery and limits the capacity to perform repetitive tasks. The current investigation explored the impact of altered nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability on PO 2 mv during recovery from contractions in healthy skeletal muscle. We hypothesized that increased NO bioavailability (sodium nitroprusside: SNP) would enhance PO 2 mv and speed its recovery kinetics while decreased NO bioavailability ( L -nitro arginine methyl ester: L -NAME) would reduce PO 2 mv and slow its recovery kinetics. Methods: PO 2 mv was measured by phosphorescence quenching during transitions (rest-1 Hz twitch-contractions for 3 min-recovery) in the spinotrapezius muscle of Sprague-Dawley rats under SNP (300 μM), Krebs-Henseleit (Control) and L -NAME (1.5 mM) superfusion conditions. Results: Relative to recovery in Control, SNP resulted in greater overall microvascular oxygenation as assessed by the area under the PO 2 mv curve (PO 2 AREA; Control: 3471 ± 292 mmHg s; SNP: 4307 ± 282 mmHg s; P < 0.05) and faster off-kinetics as evidenced by the mean response time (MRToff; Control: 60.2 ± 6.9 s; SNP: 34.8 ± 5.7 s; P < 0.05), whereas L -NAME produced lower PO 2 AREA (2339 ± 444 mmHg s; P < 0.05) and slower MRToff (86.6 ± 14.5 s; P < 0.05). Conclusion: NO bioavailability plays a key role in determining the matching of O 2 delivery-to-O 2 uptake and thus the upstream O 2 pressure driving capillary-myocyte O 2 flux (i.e. PO 2 mv) following cessation of contractions in healthy skeletal muscle. Additionally, these data support a mechanistic link between reduced NO bioavailability and prolonged muscle metabolic recovery commonly observed in ageing and diseased populations.
ON MARKET MAKER FUNCTIONS

Since market scoring rules have become popular as a form of market maker, it seems worth reviewing just what such mechanisms are intended to do. The main function performed by most market makers is to serve as an intermediary between people who prefer to trade at different times. Traders who have the same favorite times to trade can show up together to an ordinary continuous double auction, and then make and accept offers to trade. But when traders have different favorite times, a market maker can help them by first making offers that some of them will accept, and then later making opposite offers which others will accept. By adjusting prices in his favor, a market maker can even profit from providing this service.
Petrous apex effusion: a clinical disorder.

Introduction: Petrous apex fluid accumulations without evidence of acute infection are routinely managed as “leave alone lesions” without potential morbidity. Are petrous apex fluid accumulations (effusions) in the absence of acute infection always asymptomatic without the need for treatment? If petrous apex effusions can produce symptoms separate from acute infections, what are the clinical outcomes in these patients? Study Design: Retrospective clinical review. Methods: A retrospective record review of 31 patients presenting with petrous apex effusions was performed with recording of clinical characteristics, interventions, and outcomes. Results: Eighteen of the 31 patients had clinical symptoms referable to the petrous apex effusion with the following characteristics: indolent and previous infections (4), hearing loss (3), headache and pressure alone (8), facial spasms (1), and positional vertigo (2). Overall, 5 of 18 symptomatic patients resolved with antibiotics, steroids, or positioning maneuvers. Three of five infracochlear drainages produced symptom resolution. Three of four patients undergoing retrolabyrinthine drainage had symptom resolution, and four of seven middle fossa drainages yielded symptom resolution. In contrast, infratemporal fossa drainage procedures did not resolve the patients' symptoms. Conclusions: Isolated petrous apex effusions are rare, but they can cause symptoms. If medical management fails, surgical drainage based on the location is appropriate. The surgical drainage approach selected (infracochlear, infralabyrinthine, middle fossa, and endoscopic transnasal) should be based on an anatomic consideration of the involved petrous apex air cells (superior vs. inferior) and the relative position of the carotid artery and jugular bulb.
A Minimally Invasive Implantable Wireless Pressure Sensor for Continuous IOP Monitoring

This paper presents a minimally invasive implantable pressure sensing transponder for continuous wireless monitoring of intraocular pressure (IOP). The transponder is designed to make the implantation surgery simple while still measuring the true IOP through direct hydraulic contact with the intraocular space. Furthermore, when IOP monitoring is complete, the design allows physicians to easily retrieve the transponder. The device consists of three main components: 1) a hypodermic needle (30 gauge) that penetrates the sclera through pars plana and establishes direct access to the vitreous space of the eye; 2) a micromachined capacitive pressure sensor connected to the needle back-end; and 3) a flexible polyimide coil connected to the capacitor forming a parallel LC circuit whose resonant frequency is a function of IOP. Most parts of the sensor sit externally on the sclera and only the needle penetrates inside the vitreous space. In vitro tests show a sensitivity of 15 kHz/mmHg with approximately 1-mmHg resolution. One month in vivo implants in rabbits confirm biocompatibility and functionality of the device.
Security and Science of Agility

Moving target defenses alter the environment in response to adversarial action and perceived threats. Such defenses are a specific example of a broader class of system management techniques called system agility. In its fullest generality, agility is any reasoned modification to a system or environment in response to a functional, performance, or security need. This paper details a recently launched 10-year Cyber-Security Collaborative Research Alliance effort focused in-part on the development of a new science of system agility, of which moving target defenses are a central theme. In this context, the consortium seeks to address the questions of when, what, and how to employ changes to improve the security of an environment, as well as consider how to measure and weigh the effectiveness of different approaches to agility. We discuss several fundamental challenges in developing and using MTD maneuvers, and outline several broad classes of mechanisms that can be used to implement them. We conclude by detailing specific MTD mechanisms used to adaptively quarantine vulnerable code in Android applications, and consider ways of comparing cost and payout of its use.
Valproic acid increases white matter repair and neurogenesis after stroke

Acute treatment of stroke with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors has been shown to reduce ischemic cell damage; however, it is unclear whether delayed treatment with HDAC inhibitors will contribute to the brain repair and plasticity. In the present study, we investigated the effects of delayed treatment of stroke with a pan HDAC inhibitor, valproic acid (VPA), on white matter injury and neurogenesis during stroke recovery. Administration of VPA at a dose of 100mg/kg for 7 days starting 24h after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) in rats significantly improved neurological outcome measured 7-28 days post-MCAo. In addition, the VPA treatment significantly increased oligodendrocyte survival and newly generated oligodendrocytes, which was associated with elevation of myelinated axonal density in the ischemic boundary 28 days after MCAo. VPA treatment also increased the expression of glutamate transporter 1 (GLT1) in the ischemic boundary after stroke, and increased acetylated histone H4 expression in neuroblasts and the number of new neurons in striatal ischemic boundary region. This study provides new evidence that the delayed VPA treatment enhances white matter repair and neurogenesis in ischemic brain, which may contribute to improved functional outcome.
Microsomal chemiluminescence of benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol and its synthetic analogues trans- and cis-1-methoxyvinylpyrene

The cis- and trans-methoxyvinylpyrene (MVP) analogues of benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol (7,8-diol) produce specific microsomal chemiluminescence comparable to that produced from 7,8-diol in Aroclor-induced rat liver microsome preparations. The chemiluminescence quantum yields, emission spectra, and the concentration and the temporal kinetics of these three substrates have been examined. Radiolabelled 7,8-diol and t-MVP exhibit significant covalent binding (more than 14%) to microsomal protein when metabolized enzymatically. The extreme quenching of the dioxetane chemiluminescence by both microsomes and phosphatidylcholine, as a model phospholipid, implies that despite the low quantum yield (approx. 10−8 photons per substrate molecule) for microsomal chemiluminescence of these substrates, a significant fraction of their microsomal oxygenations may proceed via a dioxetane pathway.
Infection and labor. VIII. Microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity in patients with suspected cervical incompetence: prevalence and clinical significance.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence, microbiology, arid outcome of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity in twin gestation presenting with preterm labor and intact membranes. Amniocenteses were performed on both sacs of 46 women with twin gestations, preterm labor, and intact membranes. Indigo carmine was injected to ensure sampling of both amniotic sacs. Amniotic fluid was cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, Mycoplasma hominis , and Ureaplasma urealyticum . A positive amniotic fluid culture of at least one sac was noted in 10.8% (5/46) of patients admitted in preterm labor and in 11.9% (5/42) of women delivered of preterm neonates. Of the five patients with microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity, three had microorganisms isolated from both sacs. The presenting sac was involved in all cases, supporting an ascending route for microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity in twin gestation. Polymicrobial infection was found in three of the eight amniotic sacs with positive cultures. In two cases different organisms were isolated from each sac. All patients with positive amniotic fluid cultures were delivered of preterm infants within 48 hours of amniocentesis. Patients with positive amniotic fluid cultures presented with preterm labor at an earlier gestational age and with more advanced cervical dilatation than did women with negative amniotic fluid cultures. Clinical evidence of chorioamnionitis subsequently developed in two of five women with positive amniotic fluid cultures. The interval between amniocentesis and delivery was shorter in women with positive amniotic fluid cultures than in women with negative amniotic fluid cultures (median: 3.5 vs 168 hours, p p = 0.024; respiratory distress syndrome: 37.5% vs 8.3%, p = 0.04).
An Application of Green's Function in the Theory of Optical Coherence

The relation between the retarded Green's function and second-order correlation tensor of electromagnetic potential for a pure electromagnetic radiation in thermal equilibrium is derived. This relation holds also for a long wavelength electromagnetic radiation in media, so long as the radiation is in thermal equilibrium. The electromagnetic second-order correlation tensors for blackbody radiation is obtained, using the relation mentioned above. Upon following Abrikosov, Gorkov and Dzyaloshinski the retarded Green's function for a electromagnetic radiation interacting with matter is expressed in terms of the complex dielectric constant which is necessarily introduced for carrying out a macroscopic formulation. With the assumption of spatial homogeneity of media the electromagnetic second-order correlation tensors for an optical field are obtained. These correlation tensors are also expressed in tems of the complex dielectric constant. This retarded Green's function is simply related to the temperature Gree...
Effects of cue order in a decision-modeling instrument

Two experiments, using two separate samples and two methods of analysis (Hotelling's T2 and hierarchial regression), ruled out the cue-order threat to the internal validity of a decision-modeling i...
CORPUS LUTEUM STUDIES RECOVERY OF PREGNANDIOL FROM URINE

VENNING, HENRY AND BROWNE (1-4) submitted data in 1937 and 1938 to indicate that progesterone secretion by the corpus luteum could be followed by measuring an excretion product (sodium pregnandiol glucuronidate) occurring in the urine during pregnancy or the menstrual cycle. The method for the quantitative measurement of the sodium pregnandiol glucuronidate has been reported by Venning (5, 6) and has been clinically applied by a number of investigators. Studies made in this laboratory indicate that determinations made by the Ven-ning method may be inaccurate as a result of partial or complete hydrolysis of the pregnandiol complex to free pregnandiol. Weil, in reporting previous work from this laboratory (7, 8) indicated that pregnandiol could be recovered quantitatively in the free form following incubation of the urine. It was thought that the recovery of free pregnandiol might offer a better index of corpus luteum function if all of the complex could be converted to the free form because the accidental ...
Febrile illness in early infancy associated with ECHO virus infection

Twenty-three infants less than six weeks of age with fever of 100.4° F. or higher and no evidence of bacterial infection were seen at the Cincinnati General Hospital from July to December, 1971. Seventeen of these were admitted to the hospital; 15 were treated with penicillin and kanamycin for possible sepsis. Viral isolation was attempted on 21 of these infants, and ECHO viruses were isolated from 14 (66.7 per cent), compared to three (14.3 per cent) of 21 controls. Elevent of the 14 ECHO viruses isolated were type 4, and the other 3 were types 6, 11, and 25, respectively. Acute and convalescent serum was obtained from 11 of the 21 infants; seven had a fourfold rise in antibody to ECHO virus type 4. Most of the children had fever with irritability, six of the 23 had a fine maculopapular rash, and three had aseptic meningitis. This study suggests that ECHO viruses may be a significant cause of febrile illness in young infants during the summer and fall and may account for illnesses which lead to hospitalization as possible sepsis.
Cardiac mast cell regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-related ventricular remodeling in chronic pressure or volume overload

The chronic elevation in ventricular wall stress secondary to ventricular volume or pressure overload leads to structural remodeling of the muscular, vascular and extracellular matrix components of the myocardium. While initially a compensatory response, the progressive hypertrophy and ventricular dilatation induced by this condition ultimately have a detrimental effect on ventricular function, resulting in heart failure. Fibrillar collagen provides the skeletal framework which interconnects the cardiomyocytes, thereby maintaining ventricular shape and size and contributing to tissue stiffness. Accordingly, these myocardial collagen fibers must be disrupted for ventricular dilatation, sphericalization and wall thinning to occur. The presence of an abundant, latent matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) population which coexists with myocardial fibrillar collagen has been documented. Thus, the potential for collagen degradation to exceed synthesis exists should there be significant activation of this latent MMP system. Mast cells are known to store and release a variety of biologically active mediators including TNF-a and proteases such as tryptase and chymase, which can induce MMP activation. Increased cardiac mast cell density has been implicated in the pathophysiology of human end-stage cardiomyopathy and experimental myocardial infarction, hypertension and chronic volume overload secondary to mitral regurgitation and aorto-caval fistula. The potential role of cardiac mast cells in activating MMPs, which then results in fibrillar collagen degradation and adverse myocardial remodeling secondary to chronic volume and pressure overload will be the subject of this review.
SU‐F‐BRCD‐06: Multiple Anatomy Optimization of Accumulated Dose

Purpose: Multiple anatomyoptimization (MAO) utilizing deformable dose accumulation on entire 4DCT data sets is implemented to overcome ambiguity between optimal dose defined on a single anatomy and optimal accumulated dose resulting from dose delivery to moving and deforming anatomy.Methods: Six lungcancer patients are planned using two methods of radiotherapyoptimization: the internal target volume (ITV) envelope method and MAO, which simultaneously optimizes a single fluence for delivery to all 10 breathing phases such that the accumulated dose satisfies the plan objectives. Target dose is constrained to 70 Gy. The ITV‐plan is optimized on a single breathing phase with the planning target volume defined as the ITV; the MAO target is the moving CTV. MAO is compared to single image ITV optimization based on the accumulated dose assuming equal monitor‐units to each phase. Dose‐volume differences between single image estimations and 10‐image accumulation are examined. Results: Single image optimal dose distributions overestimate target V70 by 4.2%±3.1% (average, one standard deviation) and in five of six cases ipsilateral lung V20 is underestimated (1.4%±0.9%). For these five cases, MAO increases V70 by 2.8%±2.5% (maximum of 6% increase in V70) and reduces ipsilateral lung V20 by up to 3% (average decrease of 1.2%±1.3%). Contralateral lung V20, esophagus V25, and heart V30 are also reduced by up to 5%, 3%, and 3%. For the sixth case, lungtumor motion is on the order of the dose voxel size (3mm), and MAO did not improve upon the ITV plan. Conclusions:Dose‐volumeoptimization on a stationary image does not ensure accumulated dose coverage to the moving CTV. Multiple anatomyoptimization can remove dose ambiguity and improve plan quality. P01CA11602 and Philips Medical Systems
Social Distress and Theorizations of Child Victimization.

This paper presents an in- depth analysis of theoretical accounts of the epidemiology, process, and causalities of child victimization as the manifestation of social distress. Through a comprehensive search of the literature, 46 theories (also models and perspectives) were compiled and categorized into nine paradigms that were further characterized in terms of three bipolar continua. In this paper, the major representative concepts of each paradigm are presented and evaluated to highlight the commonalities, strengths, and weaknesses of its member theories. It is concluded that the history of child victimization theorizations has passed through three progression stages — the “speculations” of the 1960s, the “introspective explorations” of the 1970s, and the “diversity” of the 1980s. It now has reached the “multidisciplinary integration” of the 1990s. In short, an ideal theory is required for each type of social distress phenomenon (such as the child victimization presented in this paper). It must integrate all existing theories such that various controversial and inconclusive theoretical and practical issues can be organized under a common framework for the design, improvement, and implementation of effective service programs.
Cellular dynamical mean-field theory study of an interacting topological honeycomb lattice model at finite temperature

Topological phases originating from spin-orbit coupling have attracted great attention recently. In this work, we use cellular dynamical mean field theory with the continuous-time quantum Monte Carlo solver to study the Kane-Mele-Hubbard model supplemented with an additional third-neighbor hopping term. For weak interactions, the third-neighbor hopping term drives a topological phase transition between a topological insulator and a trivial insulator, consistent with previous fermion sign-free quantum Monte Carlo results [H.-Hung et al., Phys. Rev. B 89, 235104 (2014)]. At finite temperatures, the Dirac cones of the zero temperature topological phase boundary give rise to a metallic regime of finite width in the third-neighbor hopping. Furthermore, we extend the range of interactions into the strong coupling regime and find an easy-plane anti-ferromagnetic insulating state across a wide range of third-neighbor hopping. In contrast to the weak coupling regime, no topological phase transition occurs at strong coupling, and the ground state is a trivial anti-ferromagnetic insulating state. A comprehensive finite temperature phase diagram in the interaction-third-neighbor hopping plane is provided.
SELF‐DISCLOSURE AND INTERPERSONAL SOLIDARITY: MEASUREMENT, VALIDATION, AND RELATIONSHIPS

This study investigated the relationship of self-disclosure and interpersonal solidarity. Major emphasis was devoted to the refinement of a multidimensional measure of reported self-disclosure and development of a preliminary measure of solidarity. Results replicated in two studies indicated that (1) the self-disclosure scales could be improved to acceptable levels of reliability, (2) the solidarity measure validly distinguished between closer and more distant relationships, (3) self-disclosure and solidarity were positively related, and (4) meaningfully higher levels of self-disclosure were associated with high solidarity relations than with low solidarity relations.
Abstract 5577: ERG enhances prostate cancer growth by upregulating neurotransmitter receptors

Almost 50% of prostate cancer (PCa) cases exhibit a gene fusion between TMPRSS2 and the ETS transcription factor ERG. ERG is suspected to promote the acceleration and progression of prostate cancer. However, the mechanisms whereby ERG exerts its affects growth and development of the prostate cancer cell is are poorly understood. We aimed to identify and characterize ERG-related changes using a prostate tumor cell as a model. We profiled the transcription and metabolomics of cell lines induced to express ERG, and used RT-PCR, calcium influx, proliferation and phosphorylation assays to test our in silico observations. Genome-wide gene expression and metabolite profiling revealed a significantly increased representation of neuronal receptors and metabolites in the ERG+ cells. Specifically, ERG+ cells overexpressed several nicotinic, adrenergic and glutamate receptors. Out of all three receptors, nicotinic receptors were predominently upregulated compared to others. To test the function of these receptors, cells expressing ERG were treated with neuronal receptor agonists nicotin, epinephrine and glutamate. Interestingly, ERG+ cells responded with increased calcium influx, and phosphorylation of pAKT and GSK3b. Nicotine increased cellular growth in ERG+ cells, but had no effect on the ERG- cells. Similar expression of these receptors was found in human PCa samples. Furtheremore, our analysis using the EDRN tissue bank identified a positive correlation between smoking and tumor size among TMRPSS2:ERG expressing PCa patients. Collectively, our findings suggest a correlation between neurotransmitter receptors and cellular proliferation of ERG-expressing Pca, and identify GSK3b and pAKT as the possible underlying signaling mediators. Citation Format: Seungtae On. ERG enhances prostate cancer growth by upregulating neurotransmitter receptors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 5577. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-5577
Spectral optical properties of Cu2ZnSnS4 thin film between 0.73 and 6.5 eV

A polycrystalline Cu2ZnSnS4 thin film was deposited on fused quartz by co-evaporation. The selected thickness was ~100 nm to avoid artifacts in its optical properties caused by thicker as-grown films. The composition and phase of the film were checked with x-ray fluorescence, Raman shift spectroscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. An improved spectroscopic ellipsometry methodology with two-side measurement geometries was applied to extract the complex dielectric function e = e1 + ie2 of the Cu2ZnSnS4 thin film between 0.73 and 6.5 eV. Five critical points were observed, at 1.32 (fundamental band gap), 2.92, 3.92, 4.96, and 5.62 eV, respectively. The e spectra are in reasonable agreement with those from theoretical calculations.
Coccinellid Beetles on Sugar Beet in Eastern England, 1961–75

SUMMARY The times of flight and the annual fluctuations in the numbers of coccinellid beetles on sugar beet crops in eastern England from 1961 to 1975 were determined using yellow, cylindrical sticky traps and by examining plants in plots which had not been treated with insecticide. Adalia bipunctata (L.) was the coccinellid most often trapped and it formed 33 per cent of the total catch. Propylea 14-punctata (L.) formed 25 per cent of the total catch. Coccinella septempunctata L. was less often caught, forming only nine per cent of the total catch on traps, and it was uncommon on sugar beet except when the plants were heavily infested with Aphis fabae Scop, in August. The ‘plagues’ of C. septempunctata occasionally recorded on the East Anglian coast occurred only in years when aphids had been common on cereal crops. Although coccinellids are one of the causes of the rapid decline of aphid populations on sugar beet in August, no evidence was found that they play an important part in controlling the spread of yellowing viruses. However, they may prevent a crop from becoming heavily infested with aphids which are potential vectors in the spring and they may destroy aphids overwintering on virus-infected weeds and other sources of infection.
Shared Family Identity, Age Salience, and Intergroup Contact: Investigation of the Grandparent–Grandchild Relationship

This study investigated communicative and relational aspects of the grandparent–grandchild relationship that lead to perceptions of age salience and shared family identity with the grandparent. The perceptions represent manifestations of inter- and intragroup levels of categorization in dealing with the other family member. The association between these group-oriented categorizations and perceptions of intergenerational contact outside of the family was examined. Participants (N = 369) completed questionnaires assessing perceptions of experiences with multiple grandparents. Findings showed that general family identification of the grandchild, parental encouragement, and personal communication (social support and reciprocal self-disclosure) are positively associated with perceptions of shared family identity, whereas intergroup communication (under/overaccommodation) and perceptions of impaired health are associated with age salience. Results suggest that age salience may moderate the relationship between ...
SU‐FF‐I‐22: Analysis of Residual Geometric Artifacts From 4DCT

Purpose: 4DCT has been shown to provide improved imaging of the thoracic and abdominal region, reducing the temporal artifacts observed from traditional “free‐breathing” helical CT methods. However, the reconstruction accuracy of a 4DCT exam is dependent on the reproducibility of a patient's respiratory cycle (amplitude, period). Variation of this respiratory can introduce residual geometric uncertainty in the resulting 4DCT data. This work examines the geometric uncertainties introduced in phase resorted 4DCT imaging arising from the variability of patient respiration, comparing computational simulation with phantom measurements. Method and Materials: Examples of residual 4DCT artifacts were obtained by scanning a moving phantom capable of reproducing patient respiratory motion along the patient superior‐inferior and lateral axes. Motion of the phantom stage was driven by RPM signals recorded from actual patient 4DCT scans. Geometric dimensions of the target volumes scanned on the moving phantom were compared to phase reconstructed 4DCT target images. A new computational tool was developed to examine the continuous variation of patient respiration upon cine CTimage reconstruction. This tool reproduces basic 4DCT acquisition, allowing variation of patient and scan parameters such as scan start time relative to the RPM signal, multi‐slice CT dimensions, amplitude of patient respiration and target volume dimensions. Results: Variation of 4DCT target volume has been observed to be as great as 13% from measured values. Spherical phantoms have shown as much as 17% deviation from the known value when compared to 4DCT reconstructed images.Conclusion: While 4DCT provides superior reconstruction of respiratory motion, it is not completely free from artifacts. A complete understanding of residual motion artifacts from 4DCT imaging is necessary before incorporating this data into patient treatment planning, especially with respect to techniques involving mid‐phase (between exhale and inhale) images where the motion artifacts are most significant.
Infarct expansion: Pathologic analysis of 204 patients with a single myocardial infarct

The reasons for the marked variability in expansion of myocardial infarcts are unknown. To examine this question, the hearts in 204 patients with a single myocardial infarct, autopsied at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and studied after coronary arteriography and fixation in distension, were reviewed. There were 58 (28%) hearts with marked infarct expansion, 34 (17%) with moderate expansion and 112 (55%) with no or minimal expansion. The degree of expansion was greater in larger, more transmural infarcts (p The results show that expansion is associated with large infarcts but is less marked in hearts with ventricular hypertrophy. Expansion occurs predominantly in infarcts in the left anterior descending coronary artery distribution, that is, regions of the left ventricular myocardium with the greatest curvature. These results suggest that the degree to which an infarct expands may be influenced by the preinfarction thickness of the ventricular wall.
Habitat tracker: learning about scientific inquiry through digital journaling in wildlife centers

This poster presents preliminary results from an ongoing research project designed to help elementary school students learn about scientific inquiry. Florida State University, in partnership with the Tallahassee Museum (a wildlife center in Tallahassee, FL), has developed a digital journaling system that uses online and mobile technologies to help students better understand the nature of science. The project's goal is to encourage students to become active participants in the scientific inquiry process by collecting and analyzing data about natural habitats, before, during, and after visits to a wildlife center. Preliminary results show that a mobile learning application specifically designed for elementary school students can support the scientific inquiry process at wildlife centers and in the classroom, and help students master the scientific inquiry and nature of science benchmarks advocated by science education reform efforts.
Analysis of strong earthquake ground motion for prediction of response spectra

SUMMARY Prediction of response spectra for earthquake engineering purposes is considered from a new point of view based on the dislocation theory of earthquakes. It is shown that the traditional scaling of response spectra by the predicted peak acceleration should be limited to the high-frequency end of the spectrum, and that the peak acceleration in the near field is not strongly correlated with earthquake magnitude. The amplitude of the long-period end of response spectrum at source to station distances greater than about 10 source dimensions should be scaled with seismic moment, while for distances less than about one source dimension this amplitude should be proportional to the permanent ground displacement. To reconcile the existing extensive data on seismicity of active regions based on magnitude scale, it is shown that magnitude can be used to determine approximately the seismic moment.
An Autoregressive Heteroskedastic in the Mean (ARCH‐M) Analysis of International Stock Market Indexes

This study examines predicability and volatility in three major stock markets, (the US, UK, and Japan) using the Vector Autoregressive Approach and the Multivariate Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedastic‐in‐mean (ARCH‐M) approach. We find that in the three markets: a) stock returns are predictable, and b) there is persistence in the variance of stock returns, and c) predictability and persistence are attributed to common sources of information.
The Calcium-Phosphorus Ratio in the Nutrition of Growing Chicks

Abstract The Ca-P ratio in cows milk as well as the milk of other mammals is approximately 1:.65. It has been found by Simmonds1 that the optimum amounts of calcium and phosphorus for the rat are approximately .65 gram of calcium and .40 gram of phosphorus per 100 grams of food mixture. These proportions give a Ca-P ratio of 1:.62, a ratio quite similar to that found in milk. Because of the ideal character of milk as a food for the young, and because of the results secured by Simmonds, this ratio has been emphasized as the most suitable one in ration construction for the rat and possibly other mammals. In the hen’s egg—exclusive of shell—the Ca-P ratio is very different from that of milk and shows a preponderance of phosphorus over calcium. The ratio is 1:2.77. These figures are based on analyses of the combined white and yolk . . .
Stable extraction of Kronecker structure of pencils

This paper presents a novel method of extracting the general structure of a pencil ?B-A using stable transformations. Special applications are treated such as the computation of minimal realizations, (invariant, transmission and decoupling) zeros, supremal (A,B)-invariant and controllability subspaces.
Enrichment of differentiated CD45RBdim,CD27- memory T cells in the peripheral blood, synovial fluid, and synovial tissue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective. To delineate in greater detail the phenotype of T cells that reside in the synovial tissue (ST) and synovial fluid (SF) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in order to determine their precise differentiation status, and to determine whether the accumulation of these specific T cell subsets in these synovial compartments could be related to their capacity for transendothelial migration. Methods. Lymphocytes from normal subjects or from the peripheral blood (PB), ST, and/or SF of RA patients were phenotypically analyzed by flow cytometry. Normal PB CD4+ T cells were also characterized using an in vitro assay of transendothelial migration. Results. ST and SF were found to be enriched with memory (CD45RA-, CD45RO+, CD11abright, CD44bright) and activated (CD69+) T cells. Moreover, ST and SF cells from RA patients were enriched in differentiated CD4+, CD45RBdim, CD27- T cells, a subset of mature memory T cells that develops after prolonged antigenic stimulation. In addition, PB of some RA patients contained an increased number of CD4+, CD45RBdim, CD27- T cells. The CD4+, CD11abright, CD44bright memory T cells, which included the CD45RBdim, CD27- more mature memory cells, exhibited an enhanced capacity for transendothelial migration that is likely to contribute to their enrichment in the rheumatoid synovium. Conclusion. RA patients manifest an increased number of mature memory T cells in the SF and ST, and some also have an increased number of these cells in PB that is likely to reflect chronic antigenic stimulation. The enrichment of these cells in the SF and ST reflects, in part, an enhanced capacity to migrate from the vascular space into inflamed tissue.
Selection of Refractory and Permissive Strains of Aedes triseriatus (Diptera: Culicidae) for Transovarial Transmission of La Crosse Virus

The genetic basis of transovarial transmission of La Crosse virus in Aedes triseriatus (Say) was investigated through selection experiments on 2 mosquito strains. One strain was subject to selection for transovarial transmission refractoriness, the other for permissiveness to transovarial transmission. Response to selection for a low filial infection rate was rapid, decreasing from 18 to 3% in 3 generations. However, no response to selection for permissiveness was observed in the other strain; the average filial infection rates through 4 generations fluctuated between 25 and 40%. By contrast, the transovarial transmission rate in both strains showed a consistent response to selection in both directions. These patterns are consistent with a model in which transovarial transmission is controlled by a single genetic locus and permissiveness is conditioned by dominant alleles; whereas the filial infection rate is nongenetic and influenced by stochastic factors in the mosquito and virus.
Response of the Woodborers Monochamus carolinensis and Monochamus titillator (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) to Known Cerambycid Pheromones in the Presence and Absence of the Host Plant Volatile α-Pinene

ABSTRACT In recent years, several attractant pheromones have been identified for cerambycid beetles, including 2-(undecyloxy)-ethanol (hereafter monochamol) for Monochamus galloprovincialis (Olivier), M. alternatus Hope, and M. scutellatus (Say). This study screened eight known cerambycid pheromones or their analogues (including monochamol) as potential attractants for M. carolinensis Olivier and M. titillator (F.), in the presence and absence of the host volatile α-pinene. Monochamol attracted M. carolinensis in the presence and absence of α-pinene, whereas M. titillator was only attracted to the combination of monochamol and α-pinene. (2R*,3R*)-2,3-Hexanediol also attracted both M. carolinensis and M. titillator, but only in the presence of α-pinene. Subsequent coupled gas chromatography—mass spectrometry and gas chromatography—electroantennogram detection analyses of extracts of volatiles collected from both sexes demonstrated that male M. carolinensis and M. titillator release monochamol, and that ant...
Femtosecond studies of crown ethers: supramolecular solvation, local solvent structure and cation-π interaction

Abstract We report here femtosecond studies of microsolvation, host-guest recognition, and cation–π interaction of crown ethers in organic solvents. The side-armed indole ring of the supramolecule acts as an optical probe and a π-donor. Significantly-slow solvation dynamics (e.g. 206 ps in acetonitrile) were observed, revealing ordered local solvent structures. With encapsulation of the alkali-metal cation in the macroring, solvation dynamics become much faster by one order of magnitude, reflecting significant solvent reorganization during molecular recognition. The combined data suggest a folded supramolecular structure involving intercalated solvent molecules or a sandwiched metal cation, consistent with the enhanced local polarization and the strong electrostatic interactions.
Galactic 12C/13C Ratios from Millimeter-Wave Observations of Interstellar CN

The N = 1 → 0 transitions of 12CN and 13CN(X 2Σ+) at 113.5 and 108.8 GHz, respectively, have been observed in a sample of 13 Galactic molecular clouds using the Kitt Peak 12 m radio telescope. The objects studied include the Galactic center [SgrB2(OH)], sources in the solar neighborhood such as Orion A and NGC 2024, and various other clouds with and without star formation. Hyperfine structure, arising from the nitrogen nuclear spin, was resolved in the spectra of both species, enabling an accurate determination of the opacity in 12CN. From these measurements, estimates of the 12C/13C isotope ratio were obtained. These values fall in the range 12C/13C ~ 20-70 and exhibit a noticeable gradient with distance from the Galactic center. In general, the ratios obtained from CN are very similar to those determined from millimeter observations of CO but are consistently lower than those derived from H2CO. If chemical fractionation is occurring in CN, it is comparable to that in CO. The highest 12C/13C ratios (65 ± 12 and 70 ± 11) were obtained toward two known photon-dominated regions (the Orion Bar and NGC 2024); CN in these two sources may be undergoing some isotope-selective photodissociation. The 12C/13C ratio of 43 ± 7, found in Orion A, is similar to that determined from optical observations of CN toward a nearby source, ζ Ophiuchi, but significantly lower than the average value found in comets (90 ± 10). This difference suggests that substantial enrichment of 13C has occurred during the past 4.6 Gyr in the solar neighborhood.
Systematic desensitization of snake-avoidance under two conditions of suggestion.

Two groups of Ss received systematic desensitization for “snakephobia.” 9 Ss were led to expect anxiety reduction from desensitization; another 9 were not. Changes in snake-avoidance for these two groups were compared with changes displayed by 9 Ss who received no treatment.
Alfalfa and Corn Silage Systems Compared on Michigan Dairy Farms

Abstract Two primary roughages used for diets of dairy cows are corn silage ( Zea mays L.) and alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.). A dairy forage system model was used to compare the relative merits of these two forages when varied amounts (none, one-third, two-thirds, and all on a dry matter basis) of the forage requirement were ammoniated corn silage and the remainder was alfalfa. Primary comparisons were the net return above feed and manure costs, but manure management issues and labor requirements were also considered. Economic comparisons were made for representative farms using a partial budget analysis synthesized from research reports and surveys. The highest net return was from alfalfa at 100% of the forage requirement, but differences in net returns across forage systems were small compared with the variation caused by weather among years. Changes in assumptions concerning farm size, soil type, crop yield, milk production, relative prices, and manure handling did not affect the conclusions of the analysis. In systems that used all alfalfa forage, much of the manure was applied to alfalfa crops, a practice that is normally discouraged because the manure reduces weed control, stand persistence, and yield. With alfalfa at 100% of the forage requirement, large amounts of excess manure nitrogen were produced on the farm. Application of nitrogen to alfalfa must be compensated by a reduced nitrogen fixation to avoid ground water contamination. Because of the lack of a strong economic advantage among the forage systems, the practice of having at least one-third of the forage requirement provided by each of the forage crops is favored to improve management of crops, manure disposal, and labor.
Serum reference values for leptin in healthy infants.

Objective Reports on leptin concentrations in pediatric populations lack reference values for infants in the first months of life. Our study was conducted on healthy full-term infants between 2002 and 2012 to determine serum leptin reference values in subjects less than 18 months old. Methods Routine outpatient blood tests for serum leptin were performed on 317 infants using a radioimmunoassay method. The median and 10th–90th percentiles were calculated to obtain reference values using quantile regression. Values established in this study were compared with another independent cohort of 110 infants. Results The median (IQR) serum leptin concentration in the infants was 2.37 (3.26) ng/ml (n = 317). The median leptin concentration was 2.81 (3.49) ng/ml (n = 202) in infants younger than 6 months of age, 1.44 (2.27) ng/ml (n = 59) in infants between 6–12 months of age and 1.77 (2.05) ng/ml (n = 56) in infants between 12–18 months of age. We obtained leptin reference values based on age by estimating the lower and upper percentiles. In the entire cohort, the median (IQR) leptin concentration was 2.22 (3.11) ng/ml in males (n = 168) and 2.60 (3.32) ng/ml in females (n = 149). According to the type of feeding median serum leptin concentration was higher in breast-fed infants (n = 188) than in formula-fed infants (n = 129) (2.63 (3.34) ng/ml vs. 2.12 (2.77) ng/ml; p<0.05). Conclusions Our data revealed no gender difference in leptin concentration in early infancy. After 6 months of life, leptin concentrations decreased slightly. We used a large cohort to confirm that breast-fed infants had significantly higher serum leptin levels than formula-fed infants during the first 6 months of life, although this difference disappeared later in life. In this study, we defined the leptin reference range in healthy infants in the first 18 months of life according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI).
Adenosine analogues as inhibitors of Trypanosoma brucei phosphoglycerate kinase: elucidation of a novel binding mode for a 2-amino-N(6)-substituted adenosine.

As part of a project aimed at structure-based design of adenosine analogues as drugs against African trypanosomiasis, N6-, 2-amino-N6-, and N2-substituted adenosine analogues were synthesized and tested to establish structure−activity relationships for inhibiting Trypanosoma brucei glycosomal phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH). Evaluation of X-ray structures of parasite PGK, GAPDH, and GPDH complexed with their adenosyl-bearing substrates led us to generate a series of adenosine analogues which would target all three enzymes simultaneously. There was a modest preference by PGK for N6-substituted analogues bearing the 2-amino group. The best compound in this series, 2-amino-N6-[2‘ ‘-(p-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]adenosine (46b), displayed a 23-fold improvement over adenosine with an IC50 of 130 μM. 2-[[2‘ ‘-(p-Hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]amino]adenosine (46c) was a weak inhibitor of T. brucei PGK with an IC50 of 500 μM. To explore...
Quality analysis of wintertime B6–B20 biodiesel blend samples collected in the United States

Abstract A survey of the quality of biodiesel blends in the United States was conducted in the winter of 2009–2010. Forty samples were collected in the study; two-thirds of the samples collected were from areas with a 10th percentile minimum ambient temperature below − 12 °C. Fuel properties were measured and compared to the relevant ASTM D7467-09 specification properties. The B6–B20 study shows increased compliance with the blend level requirements to 72.5% of samples tested, with a cold state average biodiesel content of 12% and a warm state average biodiesel content of 19%. The decreased biodiesel content in cold states is likely to due to deliberate reductions to meet the cloud point expectations. Continuing problems were noted with induction period stability for B6–B20 blends, with a failure rate of 24%. Samples collected from cold weather states had a failure rate of only 18%, likely because of the reduced biodiesel content; the failure rate from warm weather states rose to 57%. Samples failed the induction period stability specification before the acid value increased to the point of failure and no acid value failures were recorded. No failures were observed water and sediment. A single failure was noted for flash point, likely due to external contamination during fuel handling. Cloud point and cold filter plugging points are reported.