cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ion effects in future circular and linear accelerators

In this paper, we discuss ion effects relevant to future storage rings and linear colliders. We first review the conventional ion effects observed in present storage rings and then discuss how these effects will differ in the next generation of rings and linacs. These future accelerators operate in a new regime because of the high current long bunch trains and the very small transverse beam emittances. Usually, storage rings are designed with ion clearing gaps to prevent ion trapping between bunch trains or beam revolutions. Regardless, ions generated within a single bunch train can have significant effects. The same is true in transport lines and linacs, where typical vacuum pressures are relatively high. Amongst other effects, we address the tune spreads due to the ions and the resulting filamentation which can severely limit emittance correction techniques in future linear colliders, the bunch-to-bunch coupling due to the ions which can cause a multi-bunch instability with fast growth rates, and the betatron coupling and beam halo creation which limit the vertical emittance and beam lifetimes.
Integration of CP and compilation techniques for instruction sequence test generation

This paper gives a short description of a novel approach to automatic generation of high probing random instruction sequences that are used in validation of processors. The approach is based on integration of constraint programming (CP) with techniques from operations research (OR) and compilation of programming languages.
Regeneratively-constrained LQG control of vibration networks with polytopic model uncertainty

This paper considers the use of a regenerative controller to achieve vibration suppression in an externally-excited vibratory network, characterized by a model with polytopic parameter uncertainty. A regenerative controller must satisfy the constraint that, on average, more energy is extracted from the network than injected. We consider the multi-objective LQG optimization of such a regenerative control law, which exhibits performance robustness over the polytopic uncertainty domain. It is shown that, although the presence of uncertainty makes the optimal control problem nonconvex, an efficient numerical algorithm can be used to arrive at an optimal controller. The algorithm makes use of convex over-bounding Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) techniques. The concepts are demonstrated by an example pertaining to structural vibration suppression.
Aqueous Gel Formation of a Synthetic Peptide Derived from the β-Sheet Domain of Platelet Factor-4

We observed gelation of a 23-residue peptide derived from the β-sheet domain of platelet factor-4 (PF424-46). The gels were primarily heterogeneous mixtures of 50−200 μm spherical aggregates in a less-dense gel matrix. Infrared and circular dichroism spectroscopies showed gelation involving the conversion of PF424-46 from random coil to β-sheet. We used aggregation-induced NMR resonance broadening to show that temperature, pH, and ionic strength influenced PF424-46 gelation rates. Under identical solution conditions, gel formation took days at T ≤ 20 °C but only 30 min at T ≥ 50 °C. Gelation was most rapid at pH values near the pKa of the central His35 residue. Increases in solution ionic strength reduced the critical gelation concentration of PF424-46. Our results suggest that PF424-46 gels by a process combining aspects of both heat-set and β-fibril gelation mechanisms.
The largemouth bass cytochrome b gene

The cytochrome b gene is one of the protein-coding genes of the mitochondrial genome that has gained importance because of the ease with which molecular techniques can be applied to the analysis of its structure. The nucleotide sequence of the largemouth bass (Microplerus salmoides) cytochrome b gene was determined and the inferred amino acid structure is presented in the form of a structural model derived originally from rat cytochrome b. The inferred amino acid sequences from divergent animal species are aligned and compared in the context of this model. The data suggest that regions of the gene may be evolving at different rates due to different selection pressures associated with functional constraints. Conserved and variable regions of cytochrome b have been identified and can be targeted for species identification, the examination of intraspeciflc variation, and phylogenetic reconstructions in future research.
Advantages and disadvantages of different crash modeling techniques.

Modeling of traffic crashes is a complex undertaking. This short paper, from the Traffic Records Forum, held in Buffalo, NY in 2005, reports on a study of the advantages and disadvantages of different crash modeling techniques. The authors review the methods that have been used, including regression analysis, artificial neural networks, and pattern recognition methods that include nearest neighbor rule and Bayesian belief network technique. The authors conclude that each method has its advantages and disadvantages and that the suitability of the method depends upon the desired output and the model inputs. The output of the model could include type of the crash (fatal, injury, and property damage only, number of crashes, crash rate, segment/intersection severity rating); the inputs may include different environmental, traffic, and roadway variables.
The Effect of Inputs and Performance Outcomes on Allocation Decisions

This study used a 2×2×5 factorial vignette study to examine allocations. The factors included gender, task (cooperative vs. competitive), and information (ability only, diligence only, performance only, ability and performance, diligence and performance). The study confirms previous findings that allocations in competitive situations are more equitable than in cooperative settings. Further, allocations in diligence conditions are more equitable than those in ability conditions. However, results reveal that allocations based on knowledge about performance outcomes are different from those based on attributional inputs. The role of inputs and performance in the allocation process is discussed.
Multivariate evaluation of health attitudes and behaviors: Development and validation of a method for health promotion research

Many self-reported measures of health status, attitudes, and knowledge used by clinicians and researchers suffer from a variety of shortcomings, including limited empirical justification, excessive complexity, assessments of nonmodifiable historic or hereditary factors, and limited utility for public health program planning. The Health Attitudes and Behavior Scale is an instrument designed to overcome many of these shortcomings and direct public health professionals toward more efficacious interventions. One hundred sixty-four subjects responded to true-false and Likert scale items related to health beliefs, attitudes, and behavioral practices. A principal component analysis of the Likert items yielded six components, tentatively labeled (a) Lack of Social Support, (b) Hurdles to Health, (c) Health Attitudes/Weight Concerns, (d) Positive Environment, (e) Disease Concerns, and (f) Time and Work Pressure. Analyses of these scales using coefficient alpha indicated adequate internal consistency for each of them. These scales were then related to demographic variables of age, educational level, sex, and marital status. Next, these scales were correlated with individual true-false items reflecting self-reported behavioral practices or health histories. A component analysis of the true-false items yielded four principal components labeled (a) Organizational Health Concerns, (b) Smoking and Exercise Concerns, (c) Coronary and Weight Concerns, and (d) Blood Pressure and Risk Factor Programs. Finally, a cluster analysis yielded six typical profiles reflecting different levels of the original six components. Of interest is the fact that the Lack of Social Support and Time and Work Pressure scales had a very limited integration into the overall patterns. The assumption that organizational and environmental factors can have an important impact on health was supported. The need for further research in this area is also discussed.
Relationships between Self-Concept Measures and Social Network Characteristics for Black Adolescents

This study explores the relationship among social network structure and support characteristics and between these network characteristics and several self-concept dimensions for 343 middle-income black adolescents. Relationships between the family and the friend portions of the network are also examined. Each adolescent completed the 1 1/2 hour Social Network Record which uses graphic and questionnaire stimulus materials to allow respondents to describe how their social relations are organized and function to provide emotional and material support. Network scales are related to factor scores of the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory, to the Ziller nonverbal "identification with others" tasks and to three semantic differential scales designed to assess the adolescents' perception of how parents, male friends and female friends "see" them. Network size, frequency of contact with members and the average length of time members have been known are highly related while density is unrelated to any other structura...
Detectors for the extreme ultraviolet. I: photomultipliers used in the dc output current mode.

An investigation has been made of voltage-sensitivity characteristics, absolute spectral response, dark current and output current limitations of seven photomultipliers suitable for detection of extreme uv radiation. These photomultipliers are windowless types, utilizing cathode surfaces blind to visible and near uv radiation; they include a microminiature continuous channel multiplier. For measurements of absolute spectral sensitivity, they were compared to a conventional 1P21, coated with sodium salicylate which, in turn, had been calibrated at 1216 A with a nitric oxide ionization chamber. The spectral response measurements cover the spectral region from 1500 A to 584 A. The photomultipliers were used in a do output currrent mode and were excited with radiation from both pulsed and do gas discharge-sources. A discussion of the suitability of the detectors for use with each type of source is given.
Influence of minimum temperature on the thermomechanical fatigue of a directionally-solidified Ni-base superalloy

Abstract It is well understood that thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) lives are significantly influenced by the maximum temperature of the cycle since increasing temperature accelerates both creep and the coupled fatigue-oxidation effects, usually exponentially with increasing temperature. Hence, most TMF experiments focus on the impact of the maximum temperature of the cycle along with the phasing of the temperature and strain. Very little focus has been placed on the role of the minimum temperature of the TMF cycle. Usually the minimum temperature is chosen for experimental expediency and is not based on minimum temperature experienced in actual components. For example, in a gas turbine, the minimum temperature for an extended shutdown is near room temperature. This paper shows that out-of-phase TMF with lower minimum temperature while maintaining the same mechanical strain results in lower life. Possible explanations for the reduction in life include the increase in inelastic strain range due to the increase in elastic modulus at lower temperatures and microstructural changes that occur at elevated temperature, reducing the lower temperature yield strength. Both experiments and simulations using crystal viscoplasticity modeling show that the increase in elastic modulus with decreasing temperature leads to greater inelastic strain range and a commensurate reduction in fatigue life. This effect is just as important to consider as the influence of microstructure changes occurring at the elevated temperatures of the cycle.
SP0193 Determinants of disease patterns in vasculitis

Variations in disease patterns are influenced by inborn factors such as genetic background, sex, and ethnicity. It is also clear that acquired life experiences, some of which are common to all (e.g., aging) and some that are unique to individuals (e.g., illnesses, habits, diet, and toxin and environmental exposures), may combine in a stochastic manner to alter tissue and influence vulnerability to injury. Disease vulnerabilities and characteristics are determined not only by who you are at birth, but also by whom you have become. When applied to vascular inflammatory diseases, these variables may be most relevant with regard to regional differences in endothelial cells, subendothelial matrix, vascular smooth muscle, and the response of each to a variety of experiences or injuries. Recovery from injury will, in turn, be dependent on an effective immune response. The response should eliminate the cause of injury and also effectively down-regulate the immune response, so that further injury does not result from the immune response itself. Although it is likely that acquired changes in the vessel wall play a role in determining disease patterns, it is also likely that acquired changes in immune function may be required for disease expression. Certain vasculitides are clearly age- and sex-biased. Age and sex influences may be related to a variety of factors, including changes in hormonal function. To solve the mysteries of disease patterns in vasculitis will require more complete studies of the differences that exist in structure, chemistry, and response to injury of targeted vessels and tissues, compared with sites that are spared. Conducting studies to elucidate gene and protein expression profiles of targeted versus spared sites will be a complex but necessary task. Disclosure of Interest None Declared
Nutrient Supply and Neutralizing Value of Alfalfa Stem Gasification Ash

Energy generation from biomass is an environmentally sound alternative to other energy producing technologies. Pilot studies have indicated that alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a suitable feedstock for energy generation via the gasification process. The resulting ash is a potential liming agent and a source of plant nutrients. A growth chamber study was conducted with three soils to evaluate the potential use of this ash as a soil amendment. Corn (Zea mays L.) received 13 treatments: control, K and/or P fertilizer, seven ash rates (0.6 to 14.6 g ash kg -1 soil), and one ash rate with K or P fertilizer. Soil pH increased with ash application on all soils. Ash application increased ammonium acetate-exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg, and Olsen P in soil and decreased DTPA-extractable soil Fe, Mn, Ni, and Pb. Averaged across the three soils, slopes of the cations recovered in plant and soil vs. cations applied in the ash were 0.48, 0.21, and 0.22 of total ash K, Ca, and Mg, respectively (r 2 > 0.97). Ash significantly increased plant K and Mo, and decreased Mg, Mn, and Zn concentration. Tissue P concentrations were not affected by ash, but increased with P fertilizer. Phosphorus fertilizer increased plant dry mass (DM), but K fertilizer did not, thus K did not limit yield. Alfalfa stem gasification ash is a potential liming agent, a source of K, and would not lead to excessive accumulation of trace elements in soil or plants when applied at rates based on lime or K need.
Toward a consistent description of parity nonconservation in A=18-21 nuclei.

The current theoretical analyses of the parity nonconserving (PNC) experiments in light nuclei fail to provide a consistent description of the experimental data for [sup 18]F, [sup 19]F, and [sup 21]Ne. We perform a piecewise'' analysis of the PNC matrix elements in the 0[ital p][sub 1/2]-0[ital d][sub 5/2]-1[ital s][sub 1/2] model space and show that by using a proper overall normalization of the isoscalar and isovector parts we can consistently describe all three PNC experimental data. New calculations are also presented for the [ital s]-[ital p]-[ital sd]-[ital pf] model space which support our analysis.
The Post-Apoptotic Fate of RNAs Identified Through High-Throughput Sequencing of Human Hair

The hair of all mammals consists of terminally differentiated cells that undergo a specialized form of apoptosis called cornification. While DNA is destroyed during cornification, the extent to which RNA is lost is unknown. Here we find that multiple types of RNA are incompletely degraded after hair shaft formation in both mouse and human. Notably, mRNAs and short regulatory microRNAs (miRNAs) are stable in the hair as far as 10 cm from the scalp. To better characterize the post-apoptotic RNAs that escape degradation in the hair, we performed sequencing (RNA-seq) on RNA isolated from hair shafts pooled from several individuals. This hair shaft RNA library, which encompasses different hair types, genders, and populations, revealed 7,193 mRNAs, 449 miRNAs and thousands of unannotated transcripts that remain in the post-apoptotic hair. A comparison of the hair shaft RNA library to that of viable keratinocytes revealed surprisingly similar patterns of gene coverage and indicates that degradation of RNA is highly inefficient during apoptosis of hair lineages. The generation of a hair shaft RNA library could be used as months of accumulated transcriptional history useful for retrospective detection of disease, drug response and environmental exposure.
Management of clinical T1 bladder transitional cell carcinoma by radical cystectomy

Abstract High-grade bladder cancer involving the lamina propria is considered superficial disease. This spectrum is generally treated with TUR plus intravesical therapy. However, significant understaging jeopardizes long-term survival and improvements and radical surgery represents a provocative alternative. We evaluated disease-free and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in our cohort of patients with high-grade T1 tumors. A total of 318 patients with bladder cancer underwent radical cystectomy between 1990 and 2000 at our institution. Of these, 66 had cT1 tumors with or without Carcinoma in-situ (CIS). Our multidisciplinary bladder cancer database was queried to perform a multivariate analysis on clinical parameters such as: age, race, sex, cystectomy year, intravesical therapy, angiolymphatic-invasion and tumor upstage in relation to recurrence and survival. The clinical stage was accurate in 44 of the cases (66%). However, 27% were upstaged by cystectomy and 12% of the cT1 + CIS patients had nodal disease. Patients with cT1 tumors plus CIS had a significantly worse CSS. Those with persistent disease after an initial course of BCG therapy appeared to have worse CSS also. At a median follow up of 4 years, overall cancer-specific mortality was 22%, however, pathologic T1 ± CIS had 92% CSS at 10 years. Our data suggests that some cT1 bladder cancer tumors have assiduous clinical courses evidenced in staging discrepancies. For high-grade tumors, early cystectomy and orthotopic diversion increases life expectancy significantly and should be carry out early rather than late.
On the singular eigenfunctions for linear transport in an exponential atmosphere

We prove that under an explicit condition on the parameters in the isotropic‐scattering linear transport equation for an exponential atmosphere, the continuum eigensolutions developed by Millikin and Siewert are complete on the half range 0<μ⩽1. We also treat numerically the equation for the outgoing flux, which can be derived using these eigenfunctions, and we show that excellent numerical results are obtained if the above condition is satisfied, while poor results are obtained if the condition is sufficiently violated. Finally, we describe a method for constructing elementary solutions of the anisotropic‐scattering transport equation for an exponential atmosphere.
New classes of self-similar symmetric stable random fields

We construct two new classes of symmetric stable self-similar random fields with stationary increments, one of the moving average type, the other of the harmonizable type. The fields are defined through an integral representation whose kernel involves a norm on ℝn. We examine how the choice of the norm affects the finite-dimensional distributions. We also study the processes which are obtained by projecting the random fields on a one-dimensional subspace. We compare these “projection processes” with each other and with other well-known self-similar processes and we characterize their asymptotic dependence structure.
Structural barriers to food programming: An analysis of the “Mexican food system”

Abstract Plagued by widespread malnutrition, stagnant staples production, and increasing dependence on food imports, the Mexican government launched a new food program, the Sistema Alimentario Mexicano (SAM), in 1980. This program was designed to restore self-sufficiency in staples production while improving the diet of the poor by stimulating increased production in rainfed areas and subsidizing basic food consumption. In spite of its achievements, the program was soon discontinued. The major obstacles it confronted are found to be: inadequate technical information about alternative production strategies, organizational complexity, and internal bureaucratic competition; opposition from established agricultural elites; and the inadequacy of the state's financial resource base.
Discharge rate of cryogens in microgravity - What ground based experimentation cannot resolve

The discharge of cryogenic vapor and liquid from tanks to a vacuum is examined and the effects of the mass quality, length/diameter ratio, supply tank transient and gravitational environment are discussed. Existing model results and normal gravity experiments are presented which indicate that the homogeneous equilibrium model provides an accurate description of two-phase critical flow for a number of conditions likely to be encountered in practical microgravity systems. Nonequilibrium effects are shown to produce flow rates greater than homogeneous equilibrium model predictions for long tubes with low inlet pressure and short tubes with high inlet pressure.
Hepatitis C Virus Replication in Transfected and Serum-Infected Cultured Human Fetal Hepatocytes

Understanding the pathogenesis of hepatitis C requires the availability of tissue culture models that sustain viral replication and produce infectious particles. We report on the establishment of a culture system of nontransformed human fetal hepatocytes that supports hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication after transfection with full-length in vitro-transcribed genotype 1a HCV RNA without adaptive mutations and infection with patient sera of diverse HCV genotypes. Transfected and infected hepatocytes expressed HCV core protein and HCV negative-strand RNA. For at least 2 months, transfected or infected cultures released HCV into the medium at high levels and usually with a cyclical pattern. Viral replication had some cytotoxic effects on the cells, which produced interferon (IFN)-β as a component of the antiviral response. Medium from transfected cells was able to infect naive cultures in a Transwell system, and the infection was blocked by IFN-α and IFN-λ. Viral particles analyzed by sucrose density centrifugation had a density of 1.17 g/ml. Immunogold labeling with antibody against HCV envelope protein E2 decorated the surface of the viral particles, as visualized by electron microscopy. This culture system may be used to study the responses of nontransformed human hepatocytes to HCV infection, to analyze serum infectivity, and to clone novel HCVs from infected patients.
Endogenous inhibitors (GALFs) of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isoforms 1 and 2: Derivatives of adrenally produced corticosterone and cortisol

Two isoforms of 11beta-HSD exist; 11beta-HSD1 is bi-directional (the reductase usually being predominant) and 11beta-HSD2 functions as a dehydrogenase, conferring kidney mineralocorticoid specificity. We have previously described endogenous substances in human urine, "glycyrrhetinic acid-like factors (GALFs)", which like licorice, inhibit the bi-directional 11beta-HSD1 enzyme as well as the dehydrogenase reaction of 11beta-HSD2. Many of the more potent GALFs are derived from two major families of adrenal steroids, corticosterone and cortisol. For example, 3alpha5alpha-tetrahydro-corticosterone, its derivative, 3alpha5alpha-tetrahydro-11beta-hydroxy-progesterone (produced by 21-deoxygenation of corticosterone in intestinal flora); 3alpha5alpha-tetrahydro-11beta-hydroxy-testosterone (produced by side chain cleavage of cortisol); are potent inhibitors of 11beta-HSD1 and 11beta-HSD2-dehydrogenase, with IC50's in range 0.26-3.0 microM, whereas their 11-keto-3alpha5alpha-tetrahydro-derivatives inhibit 11beta-HSD1 reductase, with IC50's in range 0.7-0.8 microM (their 3alpha5beta-derivatives being completely inactive). Inhibitors of 11beta-HSD2 increase local cortisol levels, permitting it to act as a mineralocorticoid in kidney. Inhibitors of 11beta-HSD1 dehydrogenase/11beta-HSD1 reductase serve to adjust the set point of local deactivation/reactivation of cortisol in vascular and other glucocorticoid target tissues, including adipose, vascular, adrenal tissue, and the eye. These adrenally derived 11-oxygenated C21- and C19 -steroidal substances may serve as 11beta-HSD1- or 11beta-HSD2-GALFs. We conclude that adrenally derived products are likely regulators of local cortisol bioactivity in humans.
Identifying implausible gestational ages in preterm babies with Bayesian mixture models

Infant birth weight and gestational age are two important variables in obstetric research. The primary measure of gestational age used in US birth data is based on a mother's recall of her last menstrual period, which has been shown to introduce random or systematic errors. To mitigate some of those errors, Oja et al., Platt et al., and Tentoni et al. estimated the probabilities of gestational ages being misreported under the assumption that the distribution of infant birth weights for a true gestational age is approximately Gaussian. From this assumption, Oja et al. fitted a three-component mixture model, and Tentoni et al. and Platt et al. fitted two-component mixture models. We build on their methods and develop a Bayesian mixture model. We then extend our methods using reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo to incorporate the uncertainty in the number of components in the model. We conduct simulation studies and apply our methods to singleton births with reported gestational ages of 23–32 weeks using 2001–2008 US birth data. Results show that a three-component mixture model fits the birth data better for gestational ages reported as 25 weeks or less; and a two-component mixture model fits better for the higher gestational ages. Under the assumption that our Bayesian mixture models are appropriate for US birth data, our research provides useful statistical tools to identify records with implausible gestational ages, and the techniques can be used in part of a multiple-imputation procedure for missing and implausible gestational ages. Published 2012. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Optimal quadratures in H(sub)p spaces

On decrit une famille de formules de quadrature optimales pour approcher l'integral ∫ ω −1 ([−1,1]) f(z)dz, ou f appartient a la classe de Hardy Hp(D),1<p≤+∞, D est un domaine ouvert simplement connexe dans le plan complexe, et ω est une application conforme de D sur le disque unite U
On Newtonian cosmology with a varying gravitational constant

In a paper with the same title as this one, J. P. Vinti studies the effects a varying gravitational constant has upon Newtonian cosmology. In this paper an alternative approach for the analysis is given which obtains and improves upon some of Vinti's major results.
The Impact of Global Integration on MNC Performance: Evidence from Global Industries

Abstract Using a sample of 91 firms in four global industries, this study finds evidence of an inverted U-shaped curve between global integration and return on sales. The multiple regression results highlight the benefits of global integration in developing competitive advantage, but also indicate tradeoffs associated with configuring and coordinating international activities by the global firm.
Fracture of glass fiber reinforced cement

Abstract Fracture patterns produced when a crack advancing from a notch in cement paste intersected a Cem FIL-2 glass fiber strand placed perpendicular to it were studied. The specimens were small notched compact tension specimens that could be wedge loaded in the scanning electron microscope chamber using a wet cell. Four distinct cracking patterns were identified. In most cases the fiber caused a shift in the crack path and in some specimens, microcracking and separation of the crack into 2 to 4 branches were observed. The filaments maintained their continuity and bridged over the track. Similar tests with E-glass fibers after accelerated curing revealed brittle behavior in which the crack path was straight and many filaments were broken.
A Preliminary Study of the Sternal Gland of Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

The sternal gland of the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), is described from serial sections stained with Mallory's triple stain or with Heidenhains' hematoxylin. The gland lies in the fifth abdominal segment underneath an elongated fourth abdominal sternite. It is ventral to the nerve cord and adjacent to the fourth abdominal ganglion. The anterior portion of the gland is composed primarily of globose, vacuolated cells. Beneath these are several layers of flattened, deeply stained nuclei from which elongate cell processes originate. The processes comprise the posterior portion of the gland and appear to terminate in cuticular domes, thus resembling campaniform sensilla. In longitudinal section the gland appears to have a long, narrow, relatively undifferentiated posterior portion. No ducts to the outside were observed. It is suggested that the vacuolated cells are probably responsible for the production of the secretion which escapes through the cuticle in the anterior part of the gland.
Strong association of fascin expression with triple negative breast cancer and basal-like phenotype in African-American women

Background Fascin, an actin bundling protein, plays a critical role in cell motility due to formation of actin rich protrusions called filopodia, important in cell migration, invasion and metastatic spread. Fascin overexpression has been associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transition and correlates with progression and unfavourable prognosis in breast carcinoma. Objective To evaluate fascin expression by immunohistochemistry and correlate the expression pattern with clinicopathological parameters in breast cancer in African-American (AA) women, in whom triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive subtype, is more prevalent. Methods Tissue microarrays were constructed from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks of tumour tissue from primary breast carcinomas in 202 AA women. Immunohistochemical detection of fascin was correlated with four major subtypes of breast carcinoma (luminal A, luminal B, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 and triple negative (TN)) and other clinicopathological factors, including age, grade, tumour size, stage, regional lymph node status and survival. Results We observed a significant association between fascin expression and TN subtype, oestrogen receptor (ER) negativity, progesterone receptor (PR) negativity, Elston–Nottingham (EN) grade 3 and decreased overall survival. There was also a significant association between expression of CK 5/6, a marker of basal-like phenotype, and fascin expression. Conclusion These results suggest that fascin is a marker for TN subtype having a basal-like phenotype and decreased overall survival. Fascin may represent a target for therapy in TNBC in AA women.
Differential effect of adenosine on anterograde and retrograde fast pathway conduction in patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia

have shown that the fast pathway is more responsive to adenosine than the slow pathway in patients with AV nodal reentrant tachycardia. Little information is available regarding the effect of adenosine on anterograde and retrograde fast pathway conduction. Methods and Results: The effects of adenosine on anterograde and retrograde fast pathway conduction were evaluated in 116 patients (mean age 47 ± 16 years) with typical AV nodal reentrant tachycardia. Each patient received 12 mg of adenosine during ventricular pacing at a cycle length 20 msec longer than the fast pathway VA hlock cycle length and during sinus rhythm or atrial pacing at 20 msec longer than the fast pathway AV block cycle length. Anterograde block occurred in 98% of patients compared with retrograde fast pathway block in 62% of patients (P < 0.001). Unresponsiveness of the retrograde fast pathway to adenosine was associated with a shorter AV hlock cycle length (374 ± 78 vs 333 ± 74 msec, P < 0.01), a shorter VA hlock cycle length (383 ± 121 vs 307 ± 49 msec, P < 0.001), and a shorter VA interval during tachycardia (53 ± 23 vs 41 ± 17 msec, P < 0.01). Conclusion: Although anterograde fast pathway conduction is almost always blocked by 12 mg of adenosine, retrograde fast pathway conduction is not blocked hy adenosine in 38% of patients with typical AV nodal reentrant tachycardia. This indicates that the anterograde and retrograde fast pathways may be anatomically and/or functionally distinct. Unresponsiveness of VA conduction to adenosine is not a reliable indicator of an accessory pathway. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Voi 9. pp. 820-824, August 1998)
TU‐E‐BRC‐11: Clinical Impact of Dose Mapping Sensitivity to Deformable Image Registration Parameter Selection

Purpose: 4D dose mapping accuracy is limited by the accuracy of the displacement vector fields (DVF) generated by deformable image registration (DIR) algorithms. DIRs depend on user adjustable parameters whose election may result in different resulting DVFs. This work evaluates the clinical impact of DIR parameter selection on 4D accumulated doses. Methods: A 180 cGy/fraction PTV dose clinical treatment plan is generated, with dose calculated on each phase of a ten‐phase 4D lungCTimage. Per‐ phase doses are mapped to a reference phase using DVFs from the demons DIR implemented in a research version of Pinnacle 9.1 for dose accumulation using a variety of settings for DIR user‐adjustable parameters. Dose‐volume histograms, TCP, and NTCP values are evaluated for each accumulated dose as are differences in accumulated dose values. Results: Cumulative dose values vary with the user adjustable parameters. The maximum dose difference is 62.5 cGy/fraction when the number of image filter histogram bins changes from 32 to 16 and 14.9 cGy/fraction when the number of level 4 iterations (where the image is downsampled to 1/8 of the original resolution) changes from 50 to 10. Dose variance tends to be in specific locations that accumulate most differences. These regions are suspect for dose accumulation errors. Despite the dose differences found, DVHs, TCP, and NTCP values varied little, indicating minimal clinical impact of DIR parameters. Conclusions: Accumulated dose variations due to DIR parameter selection occur in limited regions of an image. Such variation can be used to estimate the precision of 4D dose. Although minimal clinical impact is found for the case presented, additional study with more patients and different planning features are required prior to establishing global conclusions. Supported by NIH‐P01CA116602 and Philips Medical Systems
Physiological and Reproductive Effects of Beta Adrenergic Receptor Antagonists in Daphnia magna

Although pharmaceuticals are increasingly found in surface waters, environmental levels of many of these compounds are not acutely toxic to model test organisms. Prior to conducting appropriate ecological risk assessments of pharmaceuticals, the mode of action-based biomarkers needs to be developed for non-target species. To evaluate toxicity of the β-adrenergic blockers propranolol and metoprolol on non-target biota, we assessed standard ecotoxicological endpoints after 9 days of subchronic exposure in a transgenerational study with Daphnia magna. On day 9 of exposure, the lowest observed effects concentration (LOEC) for growth were 0.44 mg L−1 for propranolol and 12 mg L−1 for metoprolol. Total fecundity LOECs for the 9-day exposure were 0.11 mg L−1 and 6 mg L−1 for propranolol and metoprolol, respectively. In addition to typical ecotoxicological endpoints, we evaluated the utility of employing the physiological biomarkers of heart rate and metabolic rate following subchronic and acute exposures to propranolol and metoprolol. Propranolol and metoprolol LOECs for heart rate were 0.055 mg L−1 and 3.1 mg L−1, significantly lower than the LOECs for growth and reproduction. At these concentrations, heart rate was significantly lower than the control values for both compounds. Daphnia magna endpoint sensitivity to chronic propranolol and metoprolol exposure was mortality < growth < fecundity < heart rate. Second generation D. magna were less sensitive to both compounds. Responses of the physiological biomarkers heart rate and metabolic activity suggest that propranolol and metoprolol exerts sublethal toxicity to D. magna at lower concentrations than observed in the classical endpoints.
A Modification of the “Curtain Technique” Incorporating an Internal Mattress Suture

An internal mattress suture is described for suturing labial papillae to palatal flaps when using the “curtain technique.” The suture is simple to perform and does not violate the intact labial sulci. It gives stability to both the labial papillae and palatal flap while maintaining maximum esthetic results.
Nonlinear Eulerian thermoelasticity for anisotropic crystals

Abstract A complete continuum thermoelastic theory for large deformation of crystals of arbitrary symmetry is developed. The theory incorporates as a fundamental state variable in the thermodynamic potentials what is termed an Eulerian strain tensor (in material coordinates) constructed from the inverse of the deformation gradient. Thermodynamic identities and relationships among Eulerian and the usual Lagrangian material coefficients are derived, significantly extending previous literature that focused on materials with cubic or hexagonal symmetry and hydrostatic loading conditions. Analytical solutions for homogeneous deformations of ideal cubic crystals are studied over a prescribed range of elastic coefficients; stress states and intrinsic stability measures are compared. For realistic coefficients, Eulerian theory is shown to predict more physically realistic behavior than Lagrangian theory under large compression and shear. Analytical solutions for shock compression of anisotropic single crystals are derived for internal energy functions quartic in Lagrangian or Eulerian strain and linear in entropy; results are analyzed for quartz, sapphire, and diamond. When elastic constants of up to order four are included, both Lagrangian and Eulerian theories are capable of matching Hugoniot data. When only the second-order elastic constant is known, an alternative theory incorporating a mixed Eulerian–Lagrangian strain tensor provides a reasonable approximation of experimental data.
VEGF-A is elevated in CSF of pediatric patients undergoing surgery for hydrocephalus

Background Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is a member of the larger family of VEGF-related cytokines that mediates multiple functions of endothelial cells including proliferation, migration, and permeability. Current thinking on the pathogenesis of communicating hydrocephalus focuses on pulsatile vascular mechanisms, but the biochemical and biological underpinnings remain obscure. Insertion of a shunt, the most common treatment of this disorder, often fails. We wished to begin exploration of a link between hyperpulsatility and increased VEGF, which is a potent vascular permeability factor. The success of anti-VEGF treatments in very low dose for edema associated with macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy suggest that anti-VEGF treatment in hydrocephalus could in some cases be a therapeutic alternative to shunt insertion.
The Nuclear Corepressors Recognize Distinct Nuclear Receptor Complexes

The thyroid hormone receptor (TR) and retinoic acid receptor (RAR) isoforms have the capacity to silence gene expression in the absence of their ligands on target response elements. This active repression is mediated by the ability of the corepressors, nuclear receptor corepressor (NCoR) and silencing mediator of retinoid and thyroid hormone receptors (SMRT), to recruit a complex containing histone deacetylase activity. Interestingly, NCoR and SMRT share significant differences in the their two nuclear receptor-interacting domains (IDs), suggesting that they may recruit receptors with different affinities. In addition, the role of the receptor complex bound to a response element has not been fully evaluated in its ability to recruit separate corepressors. We demonstrate in this report that the proximal ID in NCoR and SMRT, which share only 23% homology, allows preferential recognition of nuclear receptors, such that TR prefers to recruit NCoR, and RAR prefers to recruit SMRT, to DNA response elements. How...
Cost-effectiveness analysis of early vs. late autologous stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma

Background Autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is the current standard of care for most patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who are transplant eligible, yet the timing of ASCT is disputed due to a similar overall (OS) and progression-free survival with an early ASCT (eASCT) or a delayed ASCT (dASCT) approach. Objective We developed a decision analytic model to perform cost-effectiveness analysis of the two commonly used treatment strategies for MM. Methods Data on disease progression and treatment effectiveness came from 2001 to 2008 cohort treated at the Mayo Clinic and from published studies. Cost analysis was performed from a third-party payer perspective. Results The Consumer Price Index adjusted 2012 costs of eASCT and dASCT were $249 236 and $262 610, respectively. eASCT cohort had a benefit of 1.96 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), 0.23 QALYs more than dASCT, implying that eASCT is preferred (dominant) over dASCT. The most critical variables in one-way sensitivity analysis were treatment-related mortality and OS associated with eASCT strategy. Conclusions We conclude that eASCT could potentially be a relatively cost-effective treatment option for appropriate patients with MM, and these results would help patients, providers, and payers in decision making for timing of ASCT.
Kuczynski on Partial Knowledge and the Paradox of Analysis

John-Michael Kuczynski says the paradox of analysis can be resolved with the proper definition of partial knowledge. He says that this definition will not do: (K) S has partial knowledge of x = df S knows some, but not all, of x's parts. He offers an alternative account of incomplete or partial knowledge. I argue here that: (a) Kuczynski's chief criticisms of (K) are defective; (b) his proposed solution to the paradox of analysis has no clear application to the paradox in its familiar forms; and (c) his solution may not avoid the puzzle about partial knowledge it was designed to resolve.
Hybrid Controls Combining First-Principle Calculations with Empirical Modeling for Fully Automated Fluid Bed Processing

Introduction The US Food and Drug Administration has encouraged the use of the guidelines put forth by the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH-Q8) that allow for operational flexibility within a validated design space. These guidelines make possible fully automated control systems that incorporate information about a process back into the system to adjust process variables to consistently hit product quality targets. Traditionally, fluid bed control systems have used either first-principle calculations to control the internal process environment or purely empirical methods that incorporate online process measurements with process models and real-time data management. This study demonstrates the development and implementation of a novel hybrid control system that combines the two traditional approaches. Material and Methods Granules containing gabapentin, and hydroxypropyl cellulose were prepared in a high-shear granulator and dried in a fluid bed processing system (Diosna Minilab). The fluid bed dryer was outfitted with near-infrared (NIR), pressure, temperature, and flow sensors which were connected to a distributed control system (DCS) that was used to exercise control of the system. The control system itself consisted of a Delta V DCS (Emerson Process Management, Equipment and Controls, Inc., Lawrence, PA, USA) that was used to interface the fluid bed dryer with SynTQ (Optimal, Bristol, UK). The dried granules were characterized by median particle size and quantity of gabapentin lactam formed (a chemical degradant). Results Control of a fluid bed dryer utilizing both a firstprinciple control strategy and empirical model-based controls was demonstrated. First-principle control was based on an environmental equivalency factor model to maintain a constant thermodynamic environment. Empirical models included a pressure drop across the bed and NIR measurement of water content. These systems were combined effectively to consistently dry granules prepared by high-shear wet granulation. Utilization of this system greatly reduced the number of experiments necessary to characterize the performance of the system and facilitated control of the process with respect to the two properties of interest, median particle size and chemical stability during drying.
Bentuhua: Culturing Psychotherapy in Postsocialist China

The breathless pace of market reform in China has brought about pro- found ruptures in socioeconomic structures and increased mental distress in the population. In this context, more middle-class urbanites are turning to nascent psychological counseling to grapple with their problems. This article examines how Chinese psychotherapists attempt to ''culture'' or indigenize (bentuhua) three imported psychotherapy models in order to fit their clients' expectations, desires, and sensibilities: the Satir family therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and sand- play therapy. It addresses three interrelated questions: What is the role of culture in adopting, translating, and recasting psychotherapy in contemporary China? How is cultural difference understood and mobilized by therapists in the therapeutic encounter? What kind of distinct therapeutic relationship is emerging in postso- cialist China? Data presented here are drawn from my semistructured interviews and extensive participant observation at various counseling offices and psychotherapy workshops in the city of Kunming. My ethnographic account suggests that it is through constant dialog, translation, and re-articulation between multiple regimes of knowledge, cultural values, and social practices that a new form of talk therapy with ''Chinese characteristics'' is emerging. Finally, I reflect upon what this dialogic process of transformation means for psychotherapy as a form of globally circulating knowledge/practice.
Pediatric delirium: evaluating the gold standard.

Objective Our aim was to evaluate interrater reliability for the diagnosis of pediatric delirium by child psychiatrists.