cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Applying multiattribute utility technology to the formulary evaluation process

' Abstract Making good formulary decisions can be a difficult task. Frequently, decisions invoive the processing of large amounts of information by several individuals with unique perspectives. Reconciling those perspectives to process a parsimonious set of information is key to any consensus decision. Several tools have been suggested to assist in recognizing insights and valuing attributes involved in the evaluation process. In this month's column, we present an application of multiattribute utility technology as a tool for aiding decision-makers in developing better evaluations and ultimately improving on the drug selection process.
Stably computable properties of network graphs

We consider a scenario in which anonymous, finite-state sensing devices are deployed in an ad-hoc communication network of arbitrary size and unknown topology, and explore what properties of the network graph can be stably computed by the devices. We show that they can detect whether the network has degree bounded by a constant d, and, if so, organize a computation that achieves asymptotically optimal linear memory use. We define a model of stabilizing inputs to such devices and show that a large class of predicates of the multiset of final input values are stably computable in any weakly-connected network. We also show that nondeterminism in the transition function does not increase the class of stably computable predicates.
Developmental Strategies in a Global Economy: The Unexpected Emergence of China's Indigenous Auto Industry

Late industrializing nations confront the challenge of creating strong domestic firms under conditions of intense competition from industrialized countries, steep technological learning curves, scarcity of capital, and evolving regulations within the global trade regime. The appeal of FDI lies in its potential to bring badly needed capital, along with technology, production and management expertise. Yet FDI can also result in the domination of the local industry by multinational corporations. The Chinese auto industry provides a case in which FDI has been widely encouraged and yet independent upstarts without foreign investment are emerging as major players. This paper argues that the emergence of China’s indigenous auto industry has not been the outcome of a targeted developmental strategy (e.g., well-conceived FDI policy), but the rather the unexpected result of China’s entry into the World Trade Organization, increased access to international capital markets, and the globalization of auto production networks.
Effect of Renal Impairment on the Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Axitinib

Axitinib, an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors, is approved as second-line treatment for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Agents targeting the VEGF pathway may induce renal toxicities, which may be influenced by pre-existing renal dysfunction. The objective was to characterize axitinib pharmacokinetics and safety in patients with renal impairment. Effect of renal function (baseline creatinine clearance [CrCL]) on axitinib clearance was evaluated in a population pharmacokinetic model in 207 patients with advanced solid tumors who received a standard axitinib starting dose, and in 383 healthy volunteers. Axitinib safety according to baseline CrCL was assessed in previously treated patients with RCC (n = 350) who received axitinib in the phase 3 AXIS study. Median axitinib clearance was 14.0, 10.7, 12.3, 7.81, and 12.6 L/h, respectively, in individuals with normal renal function (≥90 ml/min; n = 381), mild renal impairment (60–89 ml/min; n = 139), moderate renal impairment (30–59 ml/min; n = 64), severe renal impairment (15–29 ml/min; n = 5), and end-stage renal disease (<15 ml/min; n = 1). The population pharmacokinetic model adequately predicted axitinib clearance in individuals with severe renal impairment or end-stage renal disease. Grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) were reported in 63 % of patients with normal renal function or mild impairment, 77 % with moderate impairment, and 50 % with severe impairment; study discontinuations due to AEs were 10 %, 11 %, and 0 %, respectively. Axitinib pharmacokinetics and safety were similar regardless of baseline renal function; no starting-dose adjustment is needed for patients with pre-existing mild to severe renal impairment.
Synthesis of Macromolecules

Much of the effort of organic chemists since about 1930, especially in industrial research laboratories, has been directed toward the synthesis of polymeric materials, and many such substances have come to play a prominent role in industry and commerce. In this chapter, some of the reactions that are utilized to create useful polymers will be illustrated. It will be seen from the discussion that the basic mechanisms of polymerization reactions are the same as those encountered in the reactions of small organic molecules, and that the special features of polymerizations are the result of the high molecular weights of the molecules involved.
Quantifying cell-induced matrix deformation in three dimensions based on imaging matrix fibers

During processes such as development and cancer metastasis, cells migrate into three-dimensional fibrous matrices. Previous studies have speculated on the mechanical forces required for migration by observing matrix fiber alignment, densification, and degradation, but these forces remain difficult to quantify. Here we present a new experimental technique to simultaneously measure full-field 3D displacements and structural remodeling of a fibrous matrix, both of which result from cellular forces. We apply this “2-in-1” experimental technique to follow single cells as they invade a physiologically relevant fibrin matrix. We find that cells generate tube-like structures in the matrix by plastically deforming their surroundings, and they re-use these tubes to extend protrusions. Cells generate these tubular structures by applying both pulling and pushing forces.
To Dialyze or Not to Dialyze: An Ethical and Evidence-Based Approach to the Patient With Acute Renal Failure in the Intensive Care Unit

Patients with acute renal failure in the intensive care unit have high in-hospital mortality. In this setting, decision making with regard to the initiation or discontinuation of dialysis by physicians, patients, and families is challenging because of the desire of all for the patient to recover while sparing unnecessary suffering. Decision making can be facilitated by knowledge of outcomes of the treatment of such patients in the medical literature. This knowledge assists nephrologists to distinguish those patients whose clinical situation indicates a more favorable prognosis from those whose prognosis is uncertain or definitely poor even with dialysis. This information, combined with consideration of relevant ethical guidelines, provides a framework for nephrologists to make decisions that are evidence based and ethically sound. We present and discuss two cases to show the application of evidence-based medicine and ethical considerations to decision making for patients with acute renal failure in the intensive care unit.
Calculation of sensitivity derivatives in thermal problems by finite differences

The optimum design of a structure subject to temperature constraints is considered. When mathematical optimization techniques are used, derivatives of the temperature constraints with respect to the design variables are usually required. In the case of large aerospace structures, such as the Space Shuttle, the computation of these derivatives can become prohibitively expensive. Analytical methods and a finite difference approach have been considered in studies conducted to improve the efficiency of the calculation of the derivatives. The present investigation explores two possibilities for enhancing the effectiveness of the finite difference approach. One procedure involves the simultaneous solution of temperatures and derivatives. The second procedure makes use of the optimum selection of the magnitude of the perturbations of the design variables to achieve maximum accuracy.
Hydrocortisone induced regional cerebral activity changes in schizophrenia: a PET scan study

Abstract Background . There is evidence that, even during remission, schizophrenia (SZ) patients are especially vulnerable to de-compensate under stress, and that they tend to have a high baseline serum cortisol levels. This study was undertaken to determine whether raising serum cortisol by the infusion of hydrocortisone, in the absence of additional psychological stress, would result in different cerebral activity changes in schizophrenic patients compared to normal controls (CON). We were especially interested in cerebral activity in regions such as the medial temporal lobe and hippocampus, since structural abnormalities in these brain regions were frequent in association with schizophrenia. Methods . Serum cortisol levels were raised, by infusing hydrocortisone, in 8 pairwise-matched SZ patients and 8 CONs. The associated regional cerebral activity changes were analyzed using statistical parametric mapping (SPM). Results . There was increased regional cerebral activity in response to elevated cortisol in the left hippocampal region in the SZ group, while the controls showed evidence of decreased regional cerebral activity in the same anatomical location. For the rest of the brain regions, cerebral activity increases and decreases, in response to raised serum cortisol, in the SZ followed the same regional pattern as in the control group, but with a smaller overall magnitude of change. The blunted response in SZ was most marked in the regions that showed greatest regional cerebral activity changes in normal subjects. Conclusion . Patients with schizophrenia showed an abnormal increased regional cerebral activity response to cortisol infusion in the left hippocampal region, and similar but attenuated regional cerebral activity response in other regions, when compared to matched controls.
Highly sensitive and selective label-free optical detection of mercuric ions using photon upconverting nanoparticles.

Abstract We demonstrate a fluorescence-based, label-free detection scheme that reports the presence of Hg(II) ion using photon upconverting nanoparticles. A single-stranded DNA containing a number of thymine bases to be used as the Hg2+-capturing element is covalently attached to the photon upconverting NaYF4:Yb3+,Tm3+ nanoparticles. Under the illumination of 980 nm laser, energy transfer takes place between the NaYF4:Yb3+,Tm3+ nanoparticles as the donor and SYBR Green I, a DNA intercalating dye, as the acceptor. By monitoring the ratio of the acceptor emission to the donor emission, we can quantitatively detect the presence of the mercuric ions with a directly observed detection limit of 0.06 nM. The remarkably high signal-to-noise ratio of photon upconverting particles leads to very high sensitivity and specificity without the need of fluorophore labeling. The sensor also does not suffer from photobleaching.
Robotics for human exploration

Robots can do a variety of work to increase the productivity of human explorers. Robots can perform tasks that are tedious, highly repetitive or long-duration. Robots can perform precursor tasks, such as reconnaissance, which help prepare for future human activity. Robots can work in support of astronauts, assisting or performing tasks in parallel. Robots can also perform "follow-up" work, completing tasks designated or started by humans. In this paper, we summarize the development and testing of robots designed to improve future human exploration of space.
A study of the determinants of acceptance of computer-mediated communication systems: research-in-progress report

Computer-mediated communication systems use a computer to create, store, manipulate, and communicate text files and data bases of various types. They include "electronic mail," computerized conference systems, and office support systems (text processing, managerial decision support systems that contain group communication components, etc.). Pilot studies indicate that their use can significantly increase the productivity of the "knowledge workers" who now make up the majority of the labor force in the United States and other "post-industrial" societies.... One estimate... is that labor savings for managerial, professional, and technical workers making optimal use of such systems could equate to two hours a day per person, or $62 billion dollars per year based on total current U.S. annual labor costs in these areas.
Physical perspective on the Kondo effect

Abstract A physical discussion of the Kondo effect is presented including: exclusion principle restrictions and the instability of fermion systems to local attractive s-wave interactions.
Effect of nano-scale particles on the creep behavior of 2014 Al

The creep behavior of two grades of 2014 Al was investigated over six orders of magnitude of strain rate. While these two grades were prepared by powder metallurgy (PM), they have different oxygen levels (0.3 and 1.0 wt.% oxygen). The creep data show that the creep behavior of these two grades of PM 2014 Al is similar to that of dispersion strengthened (DS) alloys with regard to the following characteristics: (a) the apparent stress exponent is high and variable, and (b) the apparent activation energy is higher than that for self-diffusion in Al. An analysis of the experimental data indicates that there exists a threshold stress for creep whose temperature dependence is strong. The values of threshold stress increase noticeably with the increase of oxygen content in the alloy. This finding together with the observation of extensive interaction between moving dislocations and nano-scale dispersion particles indicates that the presence of oxide particles is responsible for the threshold stress creep behavior in 2014 Al. By considering the effect of the threshold stress, it is demonstrated that the true creep characteristics of PM 2014 Al are consistent with those reported for Al solid-solution alloys.
Seasonal reproduction and abundance of six sympatric species of Gracilaria Grev. (Gracilariaceae; Rhodophyta) on a Caribbean subtidal sand plain

Only a few studies have focused on the seasonality (Cheney & Dyer, 1974; Schneider, 1976; Bula Meyer, 1983) orreproduction (Peckol, 1982; Peckol & Searles, 1983) of subtidal macroalgal communities in the tropical/subtropical western Atlantic.
Capacitated Covering Models

Because of their widespread applicability, the set covering location problem and the maximal covering location problem have received considerable attention in the facility-location literature. There have been many extensions and modifications to these problems as they have been applied to various planning scenarios. A basic underlying assumption of the location-covering models formulated to date is that the facilities being sited are uncapacitated. Although this assumption is valid in many location-planning settings, there certainly exist situations in which this assumption severely limits the application of covering models. Capacitated versions of the set covering location problem and the maximal covering location problem have thus been formulated.In addition, the theoretical links between these models and the capacitated plant location problem, the capacitated p-median problem and, the generalized assignment problem are shown. By exploiting these links, planners can solve small and moderately sized real...
An Efficient Algorithm for Batch Stability Testing

Given a stable marriage problem instance represented by a bipartite graph having 2n vertices and m edges, we describe an algorithm that can verify the stability of k different matchings in a batch fashion in O((m+kn)log 2 n) time. This affirmatively answers a longstanding open question of Gusfield and Irving as to whether stability can be verified in a batch setting (after sufficient preprocessing) in time sub-quadratic in n.
Boys Must be Boys: Gender and the Serbian Radical Party, 1991–2000*

On 27 June 2004, Serbian voters went to the polls for the third time in a year to choose a president. The winner of the first two rounds of voting, Tomislav Nikolic, Deputy to the President of the ...
Employer Participation in Workforce Development Networks

Rural America faces numerous challenges in building a high-wage, high-skilled workforce. Many rural communities are establishing workforce development networks that promote linkages across organizations and communities to more efficiently integrate and deliver a variety of services. Drawing on case studies from rural areas of the United States, the authors identify three different patterns of organizing workforce development networks: the sole provider, the hub-spoke, and the cluster oriented. In comparing the case studies, they find that place matters as much as form of organization in the ability to promote employer participation.
The phonon wind and distribution of electron-hole droplets in Ge

Abstract Intensity contour maps of electron-hole droplet luminescence in Ge reveal a striking evolution of the droplet cloud shape with radial distance from the excitation point. A calculation of the phonon wind force which includes anisotropies in phonon absorption and phonon focusing explains the general features of the cloud. The data and calculations indicate a strong attenuation of the LA phonon flux due to absorption by droplets.
Random Effects, Fixed Effects and Hausman's Test for the Generalized Mixed Regressive Spatial Autoregressive Panel Data Model

This article suggests random and fixed effects spatial two-stage least squares estimators for the generalized mixed regressive spatial autoregressive panel data model. This extends the generalized spatial panel model of Baltagi et al. (2013) by the inclusion of a spatial lag term. The estimation method utilizes the Generalized Moments method suggested by Kapoor et al. (2007) for a spatial autoregressive panel data model. We derive the asymptotic distributions of these estimators and suggest a Hausman test a la Mutl and Pfaffermayr (2011) based on the difference between these estimators. Monte Carlo experiments are performed to investigate the performance of these estimators as well as the corresponding Hausman test.
C. elegans positive olfactory associative memory is a molecularly conserved behavioral paradigm.

Abstract While it is thought that short-term memory arises from changes in protein dynamics that increase the strength of synaptic signaling, many of the underlying fundamental molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Our lab developed a Caenorhabditis elegans assay of positive olfactory short-term associative memory (STAM), in which worms learn to associate food with an odor and can remember this association for over 1 h. Here we use this massed olfactory associative assay to identify regulators of C. elegans short-term and intermediate-term associative memory (ITAM) processes. We show that there are unique molecular characteristics for different temporal phases of STAM, which include: learning , which is tested immediately after training, short-term memory , tested 30 min after training, intermediate-term memory , tested 1 h after training, and forgetting , tested 2 h after training. We find that, as in higher organisms, C. elegans STAM requires calcium and cAMP signaling, and ITAM requires protein translation. Additionally, we found that STAM and ITAM are distinct from olfactory adaptation, an associative paradigm in which worms learn to disregard an inherently attractive odor after starvation in the presence of that odor. Adaptation mutants show variable responses to short-term associative memory training. Our data distinguish between shorter forms of a positive associative memory in C. elegans that require canonical memory pathways. Study of STAM and ITAM in C. elegans could lead to a more general understanding of the distinctions between these important processes and also to the discovery of novel conserved memory regulators.
A Generalized Defries–Fulker Regression Framework for the Analysis of Twin Data

Twin studies compare the similarity between monozygotic twins to that between dizygotic twins in order to investigate the relative contributions of latent genetic and environmental factors influencing a phenotype. Statistical methods for twin data include likelihood estimation and Defries-Fulker regression. We propose a new generalization of the Defries-Fulker model that fully incorporates the effects of observed covariates on both members of a twin pair and is robust to violations of the Normality assumption. A simulation study demonstrates that the method is competitive with likelihood analysis. The Defries-Fulker strategy yields new insight into the parameter space of the twin model and provides a novel, prediction-based interpretation of twin study results that unifies continuous and binary traits. Due to the simplicity of its structure, extensions of the model have the potential to encompass generalized linear models, censored and truncated data; and gene by environment interactions.
Participation or Communication? An Explication of Political Activity in the Internet Age

ABSTRACT This study clarifies the differences between political participation and political communication online. Although many studies have examined the nature and effects of online activity, none has effectively distinguished between the two types of behavior. This lack of clarity has arguably led to conflicting findings and confusion about what demarks a truly participatory act online. Using Pew 2008 data, online political behaviors are defined and examined. Results suggest that online communication and participation do appear to be different constructs, and while online participation predicts voting, online communication does not. Implications for conceptualizing these behaviors and directions for future research are discussed. This manuscript utilizes publicly available data from the Pew Internet & American Life Project. The data are available at http://www.pewInternet.org/Shared-Content/Data-Sets/2008/November-2008-Post-Election.aspx, and SPSS syntax is available from the author upon request.
Endoscopic approach to tumors of the anterior skull base and orbit

The techniques of functional endoscopic sinus surgery have become widely accepted for management of inflammatory disease. However, with the excellent visualization provided by the endoscope, these same techniques are now being used with great success managing benign tumors of the anterior skull base and orbit. This article will discuss our experience in managing such lesions since 1989, emphasizing general principles for resection and specific details for individual lesions including mucoceles, inverted papillomata, fibro-osseus lesions, and juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromata. Preoperative planning with computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and angiography is discussed. Our results to date using endoscopic resection are encouraging, but equally important is the postoperative monitoring afforded by the endoscope with the ability to detect early recurrence regardless of the resection technique used.
New-Onset Lymphopenia Assessed during Routine Follow-up Is a Risk Factor for Relapse Postautologous Peripheral Blood Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

A specific predictor during routine follow-up to ascertain risk for postautologous peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (post-APHSCT) relapse in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) has not been identified. Thus, we studied if new-onset lymphopenia measured by the absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) was a marker of post-APHSCT NHL relapse. ALC was obtained at the time of confirmed relapse, and at last follow-up with no relapse. From 1993 until 2005, 269 patients treated with APHSCT for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) were included in this study. Patients at last follow-up without relapse (N=137) had a higher ALC compared with those with low ALC at the time of confirmed relapsed (N=132) (median ALC x10(9)/L of 1.66 versus 0.71, P or =1.0 x 10(9)/L (N=147) had a cumulative incidence of relapse of 19% versus 92%, with an ALC <1.0 x 10(9)/L (N=122) (P < .0001). This study suggests that new-onset lymphopenia measured by ALC can be used as marker to assess risk of DLBCL relapse during routine follow-up for after APHSCT.
PHARMACOKINETIC INTERACTION BETWEEN MARAVIROC AND FOSAMPRENAVIR/RITONAVIR: AN OPEN-LABEL, FIXED-SEQUENCE STUDY IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS

ABSTRACT This open-label, fixed-sequence, phase 1 study evaluated the pharmacokinetic interaction between maraviroc (MVC) and ritonavir-boosted fosamprenavir (FPV/r) in healthy subjects. In period 1, subjects received 300 mg of MVC twice daily (BID; cohort 1) or once daily (QD; cohort 2) for 5 days. In period 2, cohort 1 subjects received 700/100 mg of FPV/r BID alone on days 1 to 10 and then FPV/r at 700/100 mg BID plus MVC at 300 mg BID on days 11 to 20; cohort 2 subjects received FPV/r at 1,400/100 mg QD alone on days 1 to 10 and then FPV/r at 1,400/100 mg QD plus MVC at 300 mg QD on days 11 to 20. Pharmacokinetic parameters, assessed on day 5 of period 1 and on days 10 and 20 of period 2, included the maximum plasma concentration ( C max ), the concentration at end of dosing interval ( C τ ), and the area under the curve over dosing interval (AUC τ ). Safety and tolerability were also assessed. MVC geometric mean AUC τ , C max , and C τ were increased by 149, 52, and 374%, respectively, after BID dosing with FPV/r, and by 126, 45, and 80%, respectively, after QD dosing. Amprenavir (the active form of the prodrug fosamprenavir) and ritonavir exposures were decreased in the presence of MVC with amprenavir AUC τ , C max , and C τ decreased by 34 to 36% in the presence of FPV/r plus maraviroc BID and by 15 to 30% with FPV/r plus MVC QD both compared to FPV/r alone. The overall all-causality adverse-event (AE) incidence rate was 96.4%; all AEs were of mild or moderate severity. Commonly reported treatment-related AEs (>20% of patients overall) included diarrhea, fatigue, abdominal discomfort, headache, and nausea. No serious AEs or deaths occurred. In summary, maraviroc exposure increased in the presence of FPV/r, whereas MVC coadministration decreased amprenavir and ritonavir exposures. MVC dosed at 300 mg BID with FPV/r is not recommended due to concerns of lower amprenavir exposures; however, no dose adjustment is warranted with MVC at 150 mg BID in combination with FPV/r based on the available clinical data. MVC plus FPV/r was generally well tolerated; no new safety signals were detected.
Membrane Bilayer Environment Influences Thermodynamics of Rhodopsin Membrane Protein-Lipid Interactions

The interaction between lipid bilayers and membrane proteins plays an important role in the functionality of GPCRs such as rhodopsin. During rhodopsin photoactivation, the photoreactive 11-cis retinylidene chromophore is isomerized to an all-trans state attaining an equilibrium between the MetaI and MetaII states. Lipid bilayer interaction with rhodopsin during its photoactivation process is explained using the flexible surface model (FSM). The FSM describes the elastic coupling of membrane lipids to integral membrane proteins through a balance of curvature and hydrophobic forces in lipid-protein interactions [1]. The FSM predicts a shift of the MetaI-MetaII equilibrium towards the activated MetaII state for unsaturated phosphatidylcholines with an increase in acyl chain length [1] or temperature. using UV-visible spectroscopy, we test the FSM by evaluating how the MetaI-MetaII equilibrium and thermodynamic parameters are influenced by a change in membrane environment. Absorption wavelength maxima at 485 nm and 380 nm correspond to the MetaI and MetaII states (inactive and active MetaII-H+), respectively. Accurate results are obtained by using the Rayleigh-Gans approximation to Mie scattering to compensate for light scattering in the UV-visible spectra. We determine effects of the type of head group, lipid to protein ratio, acyl chain length, and temperature on the MetaI-MetaII equilibrium by comparing pH titration curves for reconstituted rhodopsin in different lipid bilayers to those for native disk membranes [2,3]. The thermodynamic parameters are obtained for this equilibrium by fitting a modified phenomenological Henderson-Hasselbalch function [2] to the pH titration curves. These thermodynamic parameters illustrate how free energy drives the structural changes in rhodopsin upon photoactivation and can be used to model other GPCRs.[1] A.V. Botelho et al. (2006) BJ91, 4464-4477.[2] M. Mahalingam et al. (2008) PNAS105, 17795-17800.[3] E. Zaitseva et al. (2010) JACS132, 4815-4821.
Wind turbines: clean, renewable and quiet?

noise notes volume 9 number 1 In the United States, officials responsible for energy policy have been exhibiting renewed interest in wind energy as an alternate power source that is clean and renewable. Despite the new public enthusiasm for this option, wind turbine installations and wind farms must comply with U.S. Federal Environmental Protection Agency and Occupational Health and Safety guidelines and be approved by state and city regulators. Several recent news stories have indicated that turbine noise levels have become a factor in deciding whether to approve these installations— in part because they affect quality of life for nearby residents. Although wind is clean and renewable, wind turbine noise may impede extensive use of wind energy. The perception of wind turbine farms has both visual and acoustic criteria. Recent reports by Oerlemans and Schepers1 and Van den berg et al.2 confirm that “sound is one of the most annoying aspects of wind turbines.” Three recent examples highlight how important the problem has become, but I refrain from commenting on technical/legal merits of specific cases. The Bismark Tribune (North Dakota; July 9, 2009) reported that officials approved a wind farm despite noise complaints. State regulators approved the location of a wind farm in east central North Dakota despite noise complaints but recommended that operators move one of 80 turbines to an alternate site. Commissioners approved installation because it complied with U.S. Federal guidelines that turbine noise was not expected to exceed 50 dB outside the homes. To put this noise level in perspective other commonly encountered sounds are shown in Figure 1. In a second example, reported by KMBC-TV (Kansas City), a Missouri man is suing over wind turbine noise. His 20-acre farm is surrounded by 27 turbines (seven within ⁄2 mile of his house). He noted that on a bad day “it sounds like a helicopter or a train coming that never arrives.” A third example comes from Libertyville, IL (Chicago Sun Times; June 4, 2009) where residents protesting noise related to installation of a single wind turbine in a suburban setting close to residences obtained a temporary restraining order. These incidents clearly illustrate the need for noise reduction technologies and for metrics beyond Wind turbines: clean, renewable and quiet?
Gateway Placement for Throughput Optimization in Wireless Mesh Networks

In this paper, we address the problem of gateway placement for throughput optimization in multi-hop wireless mesh networks. Assume that each mesh node in the mesh network has a traffic demand. Given the number of gateways need to be deployed (denoted by k) and the interference model in the network, we study where to place exactly k gateways in the mesh network such that the total throughput is maximized while it also ensures a certain fairness among all mesh nodes. We propose a novel grid-based gateway deployment method using a cross-layer throughput optimization. Our proposed method can also be extended to work with multi-channel and multi-radio mesh networks. Simulation result demonstrates that our method can effectively exploit the resources available and perform much better than random and fixed deployment methods.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE HYMAN-BAKER MAMMOGRAPHY QUESTIONNAIRE, A MEASURE OF HEALTH BELIEF MODEL VARIABLES "'

Summary.-Despite its considerable promise as a screening tool, mammography has thus far not been as widely used as seems warranted. One conceptualization of patient-related factors or motivation useful in previous research on use of services is the Health Belief Model, which postulates that health behavior can be predicted by people's perceptions of the seriousness of the disease, their susceptibility to the disease, and their perceptions of the benefits of and barriers to the health behavior. Yet no psychometrically sound measure of these variables as related to mammography was found in a search of the literature. This study reports the construction and preliminary validation of such an instrument. Factor analysis, moderate or zero correlation of the subscales, and a higher mean score on the Barriers subscale for women referred for mammography as compared to those actually presenting for mammography support the validity of the questionnaire. Although reliability coefficients for Benefits were low, those for Susceptibility and Barriers were adequate. The questionnaire appears to be a promising measure awaiting further validation.
Ionic and biradical mechanisms in thermal and photo cis-trans isomerizations

Abstract Calculations on the planar and twisted configurations of a number of polyenes and related compounds show that photo and thermal isomerization occur through two, conceptually different mechanisms.
Solvent Effects on the Precision of Sample Application in Quantitative Thin-Layer Chromatography

Abstract The use of non-polar solvents for sample application in quantitative thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was shown to have a marked effect on the precision of the analytical technique when polar compounds were applied to silica gel plates. Increasing the polarity of the application solvent allowed competitive binding of the solvent molecules to silica, thereby deactivating the silica at the origin. Studies showed that the coefficient of variation for TLC assays were substantially reduced by altering the polarity of the application solvent.
Antithrombotic therapy in patients with valvular heart disease and prosthetic heart valves

Indications and the type of antithrombotic therapy for the prevention of thromboembolism in patients with valvular heart disease, mechanical prosthetic heart valves and bioprosthetic heart valves are discussed. The evidence for these clinical recommendations is described and graded into five levels. The indications for anticoagulation in patients with valvular heart disease are chronic or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, sinus rhythm with a very large left atrium, severe left ventricular dysfunction or presence of heart failure or a history of previous thromboembolism. Anticoagulant therapy is administered to prolong the prothrombin time to 1.5 to 2.0 times control, using rabbit brain thromboplastin (standardized international normalized ratio = 3.0 to 4.5). Risk factors for thromboembolism in patients with prosthetic heart valves are discussed. Because intracardiac thrombus formation may start during and continues early after operation, restarting heparin therapy 6 hours after operation and continuing it for the duration of the hospitalization is advised. For mechanical prosthetic heart valves, oral anticoagulation as outlined plus dipyridamole is advised indefinitely. Platelet inhibitor therapy alone is insufficient. For bioprosthetic heart valves, heparin is followed by oral anticoagulation as outlined for 3 months after mitral or aortic valve replacement and indefinitely after mitral valve replacement if there is atrial fibrillation or a very large left atrium; aspirin may be recommended indefinitely after aortic valve replacement. Antithrombotic therapy is also considered for four special situations: 1) noncardiac surgery, 2) prosthetic valve endocarditis, 3) anticoagulation after a thromboembolic event, and 4) antithrombotic therapy during pregnancy.
Synergistic cytotoxicity between dimethyl sulfoxide and antineoplastic agents against ovarian cancer in vitro.

Dimethyl sulfoxide is a well-known differentiating agent that has been shown to inhibit tumor growth in vitro. We hypothesized that antineoplastic agents might show synergistic cytotoxicity when combined with 10% dimethyl sulfoxide. Twenty-four malignant ovarian tumors were removed and used in tests to determine the cytotoxicities of 10% dimethyl sulfoxide alone, each of six antineoplastic agents alone, and 10% dimethyl sulfoxide plus each antineoplastic agent Cytotoxicity results for 10%-dimethyl sulfoxide alone and each antineoplastic agent alone were used to evaluate each combination of dimethyl sulfoxide and an antineoplastic agent for synergy. There were 14 synergistic responses that were statistically significant at the p p
Synthesis and Characterization of Triptych μ-ABC Star Triblock Copolymers

We describe a general procedure for the synthesis of miktoarm star triblock copolymers with a hydrocarbon, a fluoropolymer, and a hydrophilic segment. Several μ-(polyethylethylene)(poly(ethylene oxide))(poly(perfluoropropylene oxide)) [μ-(PEE)(PEO)(PFPO)] star triblock copolymers were prepared using two successive anionic polymerization steps and one polymer−polymer coupling reaction. Initially, living polybutadienyllithium chains were end-capped with 2-methoxymethoxymethyloxirane forming a heterobifunctional 1,2-polybutadiene (PBD) precursor, with a hydroxyl group and a protected hydroxyl group at one chain end. Catalytic hydrogenation of this PBD gave the corresponding polyethylethyene (PEE) while preserving the end group structures. Transformation of the terminal hydroxyl group in the PEE precursor to a potassium alkoxide followed by addition of ethylene oxide and subsequent end-capping with ethyl bromide generated polyethylethylene−poly(ethylene oxide) (PEE−PEO) diblock copolymers with a protected hyd...
Regulation of G1 cell-cycle progression by oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes

Progression of resting quiescent G(0) cells into early G(1) and transition across the restriction point are highly regulated processes. Mutation of proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes regulating these transitions are targeted during oncogenesis. Recent work has underscored the importance of the G(0) to early G(1) transition and metabolism to neoplastic cells.
Neighborhood and parental supports for physical activity in minority adolescents.

Background Few studies have examined environmental, home, and parental supports for physical activity in underserved adolescents (low income, ethnic minority). Given the increasing incidence of obesity in minority adolescents, it is important to better understand ecologic determinants of physical activity in these youth. This study used an ecologic model to evaluate the significance of neighborhood, home, and parental supports for physical activity on moderate-to-vigorous (MV) physical activity in underserved adolescents. Design The study was a secondary data analysis of a randomized controlled school-based trial "Active by Choice Today" (ACT) for increasing physical activity in underserved sixth-graders. Schools were matched on school size, percentage minorities, percentage entitled to free or reduced-price lunch, and urban or rural setting prior to randomization. This study used a randomly selected sample of parents ( n =280) from the intervention and control schools whose adolescent was enrolled in the larger trial. Setting/participants A total of 679 6th-grade students (mean age=11.4 years, 70% African-American, 76% free or reduced-price lunch, 52% female) participated in the larger trial. Parents of 280 youth were contacted to participate in a telephone survey and 198 (71%) took part in the study. Interventions The ACT trial was designed to test the efficacy of a 17-week (1 academic year) motivational plus behavioral skills intervention versus comparison after-school programs on increasing physical activity. A telephone survey was developed and was administered within 6 months after the trial began on parents of 198 adolescents from the ACT randomized school-based trial during 2005–2007. Main outcome measures The primary outcome measure was adolescent MVPA based on 7-day accelerometry estimates from baseline to mid-intervention. The data were analyzed in 2010–2011 and included both parent and adolescent self-reports of environmental, home, and family supports for physical activity. Results Regression analyses indicated a significant effect of parental and neighborhood supports for physical activity on adolescent MVPA. Adolescents who perceived higher (vs lower) levels of parental support for physical activity engaged in more minutes of MVPA (B=3.01, SE=1.38, p p Conclusions Support from parents and neighborhood quality are both associated with increased physical activity in underserved adolescents.
Microstructures and dislocation configurations in nanostructured Cu processed by repetitive corrugation and straightening

Abstract The microstructures and dislocation configurations in nanostructured Cu processed by a new technique, repetitive corrugation and straightening (RCS), were studied using transmission electron microcopy (TEM) and high resolution TEM. Most dislocations belong to 60° type and tend to pile up along the {111} slip planes. Microstructural features including low-angle grain boundaries (GBs), high-angle GBs, and equilibrium and non-equilibrium GBs and subgrain boundaries were observed. Dislocation structures at an intermediate deformation strain were studied to investigate the microstructural evolutions, which revealed some unique microstructural features such as isolated dislocation cell (IDC), dislocation tangle zones (DTZs), and uncondensed dislocation walls (UDWs).
Regulatory Issues in Accreditation of Toxicology Laboratories

Clinical toxicology laboratories and forensic toxicology laboratories operate in a highly regulated environment. This article outlines major US legal/regulatory issues and requirements relevant to accreditation of toxicology laboratories (state and local regulations are not covered in any depth). The most fundamental regulatory distinction involves the purposes for which the laboratory operates: clinical versus nonclinical. The applicable regulations and the requirements and options for operations depend most basically on this consideration, with clinical toxicology laboratories being directly subject to federal law including mandated options for accreditation and forensic toxicology laboratories being subject to degrees of voluntary or state government–required accreditation.
Abstract 3861: Fusion toxin BLyS-gelonin inhibits growth of B-NHL cell linesin vitroandin vivo

B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) is a member of the TNF superfamily of cytokines. BLyS is expressed by cells of myeloid origin and is one of many soluble factors that regulate human B-cell activation. The biological activity of BLyS is mediated by three cell surface receptors: B-cell-activating factor-receptor (BAFF-R/BR3), transmembrane activator and calcium modulator and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI) and B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA). These receptors are expressed by normal and malignant B-cells at various stages of development. To target malignant B cells expressing BLyS receptors, the recombinant plant-derived toxin gelonin was fused to the N-terminus of BLyS to generate the fusion toxin BLyS-gel. Gelonin is an N-glycosidase that removes a critical adenine from eukaryotic 28S rRNA, disrupting ribosome function and inhibiting protein synthesis. Importantly, gelonin is not toxic to cells unless coupled with a targeting moiety that can enter the cell. BLyS-gel was used to treat a panel of nearly 50 malignant non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) cell lines expressing BLyS receptors. NHL subtypes mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and B cell precursor-acute lymphocytic leukemia (BCP-ALL) were preferentially sensitive to BLyS-gel mediated cytotoxicity, with EC50 values in the low picomolar range. BLyS-gel cytotoxicity was mediated primarily by BR3 and TACI in sensitive cell lines; however, cell surface expression of these BLyS receptors did not necessarily confer sensitivity to BLyS-gel. The internalization of BLyS-gel was confirmed in both sensitive and resistant cell lines, indicating resistance was not due to a lack of internalization. As expected, BLyS-gel treatment inhibited protein synthesis in sensitive, but not resistant cell lines. In most cell lines, cell death seemed to be mediated by the “ribotoxic stress response.” This response involves activation of p38 MAPK and JNK/SAPK, and BLyS-gel mediated cytotoxicity was inhibited by the p38/JNK inhibitor SB203580. Finally, BLyS-gel treatment significantly prolonged survival in three distinct disseminated xenograft models (BCP-ALL, DLBCL & MCL) in SCID mice, and BLyS-gel was shown to specifically localize to sites of disease. Together, these findings suggest BLyS has potential as a targeting ligand for the therapeutic delivery of toxins and/or drugs directly to malignant B cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3861. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3861
Coupled response of the inner magnetosphere and ionosphere on 17 April 2002

[1] We present an observational study of the global dynamics of the plasmasphere, aurora, ring current, and subauroral ionosphere on 17 April 2002 during a substorm. Global observations by the Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) and in situ observations by DMSP F13 provide a comprehensive view of the coupled response of the inner magnetosphere and ionosphere. At 1900 UT a substorm onset initiated a sunward convective impulse, which caused a ring current injection. The motion of this impulse past the plasmasphere caused ripples to propagate along the plasmapause, eastward and westward from premidnight magnetic local time (MLT). The motion of the ripples agrees exceptionally well with the motion of the aurora and the ring current, implying strong coupling. The westward moving ripple (on the duskside) participated in a two-phase plasmapause undulation effect. In the first phase (1915 UT to 1936 UT), a mild 0.4–0.5 RE bulge formed near 2000 MLT, probably caused by an E-field induced by local reduction of the magnetic field by the ring current pressure increase. In the second phase (1936 UT to 2037 UT) this mild bulge was removed by a subauroral polarization stream (SAPS) westward flow that stripped away the outer 1 RE of the duskside plasmasphere. The SAPS effect was observed in the ionosphere by DMSP between about 1930 UT and 2000 UT and is evident in vector E-fields inferred from plasmapause motion. All the observations of this event suggest strong coupling among the plasma populations of the magnetosphere-ionosphere system. This event represents the first identification of the directly observed global plasmaspheric effects of a substorm-driven impulse, the SAPS flow channel, and the ring-current magnetic field reduction.
Acoustic propagation in porous media with internal mean flow

A parallel-fibre model is presented here, describing sound propagation in rigid-framed porous materials with internal mean fluid flow. Expressions for the bulk acoustical properties of the material are obtained in terms of geometrical parameters—volume porosity, tortuosity and effective fibre radius-and in terms of the mean internal flow speed; fluid properties and acoustic frequency are, of course, also involved. Empirically determined steady-flow viscous and inertial flow-resistive coefficients are required in these expressions. Experimentally measured bulk properties are compared to predicted data both with and without mean flow and generally very good aggreement is noted.