cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sulfonamides as Inhibitors of Leishmania - Potential New Treatments for Leishmaniasis.

Introduction Leishmaniasis is an endemic disease caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania. Current treatments for the parasite are limited by cost, availability and drug resistance as the occurrence of leishmaniasis continues to be more prevalent. Sulfonamides are a class of compounds with medicinal properties which have been used to treat bacterial and parasitic disease via various pathways especially as antimetabolites for folic acid. Methods New derivatives of sulfonamide compounds were assessed for their impact on Leishmania cell viability and potential pathways for inhibition were evaluated. Leishmania tarentolae (ATCC Strain 30143) axenic promastigote cells were grown in brain heart infusion (BHI) medium and treated with varying concentrations of the new sulfonamide compounds. Light microscopy and viability tests were used to assess the cells with and without treatment. Discussion A non-water soluble sulfonamide was determined to have 90-96% viability inhibition 24 hours after treatment with 100 µM final concentration. Because Leishmania are also autotrophs for folate precursors, the folic acid pathway was identified as a target for sulfonamide inhibition. When folic acid was added to untreated Leishmania, cell proliferation increased. A water soluble derivative of the inhibitory sulfonamide was synthesized and evaluated, resulting in less viability inhibition with a single dose (approximately 70% viability inhibition after 24 hours with 100 µM final concentration), but additive inhibition with multiple doses of the compound. Results However, the potential mechanism of inhibition was different between the water-soluble and non-water soluble sulfonamides. The inhibitory effects and potential pathways of inhibition indicate that these compounds may be new treatments for this disease.
Patients Contributing to Their Doctors' Notes: Insights From Expert Interviews

Author(s): Mafi, John N; Gerard, Macda; Chimowitz, Hannah; Anselmo, Melissa; Delbanco, Tom; Walker, Jan
Nick Couldry and Andreas Hepp. The Mediated Construction of Reality. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press, 2017, ix + 290 pp., ISBN No. 978-0-7456-8131-3 (paperback)

This book serves both sociologists and media scholars who are trying to make sense of the “everyday reality” in today’s highly mediatized world. As the title suggests, the book aims to fulfill a si...
Flash scanning: An ultra fast local scanning of complicated objects for PSD microscopy using 2D bisection

In previous works, we introduced a microscopy system based on the PSD (Position Sensitive Detector) sensor that was capable of scanning sophisticated objects by employing a PSD sensor and a laser beam moved by micromanipulator acting as an X-Y table. The microscopy system can cover numerous operations including locating an unknown object on the surface of the PSD, measuring the dimensions of the object and adaptively doing a local scanning for objects with bifurcations and intersections. Even though the results from this system indicate significant and noteworthy outcomes, but still, the speed of the scanning of the laser depends on the speed of the movement of the micromanipulator. This research, presents an extension to the microscopy system by introducing a completely novel system to eliminate the limitations of the micromanipulator. The simulations show an ultra fast scanning that does not need laser and can scan the whole area of the PSD in a very short time.
Two-Dimensional Maps and Biological Vision: Representing Three-Dimensional Space

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses two-dimensional spatial transformations of biological and machine vision systems for performing visual tasks such as recognition, path planning, navigation, obstacle avoidance, or tracking. Re-mapping is a very powerful tool for manipulating information contained in a two-dimensional signal such as an image. It has been underexplored by machine vision systems using neural networks. This is unfortunate as these processing methods are easily implemented in neural networks. Biological vision systems are full of examples of two-dimensional re-mapping, at all levels of the neural hardware. This chapter discusses both the strength and necessity of re-mapping for machine vision systems and systems modeling biological vision systems. It reviews the early part of the human visual system concentrating on the possibilities created by a foveated sampling system and multiple functional streams of processing on visual perception. The processes occur early in the visual system and will greatly alter the flow of information to higher centers of the visual cortex. The machine vision system uses many of the transformations found in the human visual system. In vision, it may be critically important that the spatial properties of the image is used as a tool in systems using neural networks.
Sister chromatid exchanges in mammalian meiotic chromosomes.

Very little is known about sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in meiotic cells--only that they occur (1) and reveal frequency and distribution patterns apparently unaffected by cross-over (CO) exchange conditions in those cells (2). Unfortunately, the number of studies from which to draw these general conclusions is small due to a variety of methodological difficulties. Only a few organisms have been analyzed for baseline SCEs in meiotic tissue. No information pertaining to the extent or significance of SCE induction by mutagens during meiosis is available.
Interventions to Inhibit or Inactivate Bacterial Pathogens in Foods

The goal of food preservation is to maintain products in a safe, edible condition until consumed. Deterioration of foods may be caused by natural enzymes, air, or spoilage microorganisms, all of which may cause a food to be considered inedible. Pathogenic microorganisms may make food hazardous. Preservation processes are designed to slow the growth of or inactivate microorganisms, and, at the same time, they often control deterioration by natural enzymes or air. The growth of microorganisms is affected by extrinsic (atmosphere, temperature, humidity) and intrinsic or food-related (pH, oxidation-reduction potential, water activity, natural antimicrobials and barriers) factors. Microorganisms can be inactivated in foods using heat (commercial sterility, pasteurization), irradiation (ultraviolet, electron beam, gamma), or nonthermal processing. The inhibition of microorganisms may be accomplished using chilling, freezing, acidification, modified atmosphere packaging, dehydration, reduced water activity, or antimicrobial food preservatives. Multiple intervention technologies can be used to extend the shelf life of products using a “hurdle” technology.
Abstract B086: Monocytes-produced Chitinase-3-like 1 is a driver of metastatic behavior in advanced prostate cancer patients

Purpose: The identification, functional status, distribution, and interactions of immune cells in PCa patients have yet to be fully characterized. Understanding these details could provide key insights as to how promising current and developing immunotherapies might be directed toward PCa. Recruited myeloid cells promote cancer initiation, malignant progression, metastasis, and resistance to therapy in the tumor niche. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that circulating blood monocytes from advanced prostate cancer (PCa) patients exhibit a tumor-promoting phenotype and directly influence the tumor microenvironment in response to tumor-derived signals. Experimental Design: Monocytes from metastatic (PCa-M) and nonmetastatic (PCa-N) patient blood samples were isolated, cultured, and conditioned media (CM) was obtained. To evaluate the role of monocytes in metastatic behavior of PCa cells, in vitro invasion (via Matrigel) and motility assays (Incucyte Live Cell Analysis System) were performed using monocyte-CM. To identify the candidate PCa-M monocyte-secreted protein(s) that might be implicated in tumor progression, we analyzed the CM using Proteome Profiler Analysis (RD CHI3L1) when compared with PCa-N patients and healthy controls (HC), classified as individuals with no known history of cancer. The only described receptor for YKL-40, interleukin-13 receptor α2 (IL-13Rα2), was significantly upregulated in ARCaPm cells; accordingly, we observed that the activation of IL-13Rα2 from PCa-M CM increased the invasiveness of ARCaPm. In addition, siRNA directed against this receptor in ARCaPm cells caused a significant reduction in the invasiveness of these cells in the presence of CM from PCa-M patients. Conclusions: We show that circulating monocytes from metastatic PCa/mCRPC patients exert a tumor-promoting role via the secretion of YKL-40, and YKL-40 demands further exploration as a possible therapeutic target in advanced PCa. Citation Format: Karen A. Cavassani, Rebecca Meza, David Habiel, Jie-Fu Chen, Alexander Montes, Manisha Tripathi, Gislaine Martins, Timothy R. Crother, Cory M. Hogaboam, Sungyong You, Neil Bhowmick, Edwin Posadas. Monocytes-produced Chitinase-3-like 1 is a driver of metastatic behavior in advanced prostate cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Prostate Cancer: Advances in Basic, Translational, and Clinical Research; 2017 Dec 2-5; Orlando, Florida. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(16 Suppl):Abstract nr B086.
Autonomous target following with monocular camera on UAS using Recursive-RANSAC tracker

This paper presents a vision-based target tracking and following system using a monocular camera on an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). The R-RANSAC tracker tracks multiple moving objects in the camera field of view and the proposed controller is capable of following a particular target selected by a user while keeping the target in the center of the image. The main contribution of this paper is that multiple objects can be tracked without imposing restrictions such as color, shape, etc. Also, the hardware test shows that the system is able to follow a target autonomously in a real-world outdoor environment. The proposed algorithm is validated on a 3DR X-8 multirotor platform using a downward facing camera.
A Dynamic Model of Cystic Fibrosis Airway Epithelium Electrophysiology

Abstract Modeling the ion and liquid transport dynamics of the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) airway epithelium has the potential to provide valuable insight into the nature of biophysical processes not accessible experimentally We have developed a model that describes key elements of the airway epithelium’s electrophysiology as measured by short-circuit current (Isc) traces obtained under Ussing Chamber (UC) conditions. The model structure uses well established mathematical relations describing the transport of liquid and ions across the epithelium. The model was informed with data measured from primary human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cell cultures harvested from CF and non-CF donors. Fitted trajectories recapitulate experimental data with an average relative error of 3.28%, demonstrating the model’s ability to capture Isc dynamics. Multi-parameter distributions showed significant differences between the predicted ion permeabilities for each population, in accordance with literature trends. This suggests that model-informed parametric descriptions of patient groups could help supplement current experimental protocols, and help identify key dynamic differences relevant to the pathophysiology of CF.
Failure Analysis in Conceptual Phase toward a Robust Design: Case Study in Monopropellant Propulsion System

As a system becomes more complex, the uncertainty in the operating conditions increases. In such a system, implementing a precise failure analysis in early design stage is vital. However, there is a lack of applicable methodology that shows how to implement failure analysis in the early design phase to achieve a robust design. The main purpose of this paper is to present a framework to design a complex engineered system resistant against various factors that may cause failures, when design process is in the conceptual phase and information about detailed system and component is unavailable. Within this framework, we generate a population of feasible designs from a seed functional model, and simulate and classified failure scenarios. We also develop a design selection function to compare robust score for candidate designs, and produce a preference ranking. We implement the proposed method on the design of an aerospace monopropellant propulsion system.
Nurses’ Perceptions of Basic Palliative Care in the Hmong Population:

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to describe basic palliative care from the acute care nurses' perspective with consideration for culturally diverse populations. Participants focused their responses based on their experiences with Hmong patients. The concept of cultural safety was explored to improve basic palliative care practice in acute care settings. Method: A qualitative approach was utilized. Thirty-four nurses participated in either focus group or individual interviews. Results: Assisting tradition, understanding culture, and managing language barriers were identified as themes unique to providing basic palliative care to Hmong patients. Discussion: Nurses experienced uncertainty and inadequacy of resources when caring for patients from a Hmong background. Nurses also recognized the strong family ties in this specific population and the importance of supporting tradition while in the hospital. Utilizing Wood and Schwass' framework of cultural safety could guide nurses providing basic palliative care to Hmong patients and other culturally diverse patients.
Monetary impacts and overshooting of energy prices: the case of the U.S. coal prices

The objective of this paper is to analyze the impacts of monetary policy on determination and dynamics of coal prices in a closed economy setting in the USA. Economic theory tells us that if a change in macroeconomic policy has raised (lowered) the real interest rate above (below) its long-run equilibrium level, then coal prices should fall below (rise above) their long-run equilibrium path. Likewise, an unanticipated increase in the expected long-run rate of money growth increases the coal prices in the long-run equilibrium path and in turn the current coal price. Finally, when there is a change in the level of money supply, the price of coal initially overshoots its long-run equilibrium. Empirical time-series analysis confirms that coal prices react to monetary policy in the long run, i.e., monetary policy has a non-neutral impact on coal prices. Long-term adjustment is more pronounced for coal prices than for manufactured goods and services. In the short run, the degree of immediate adjustment or overshooting for coal prices in response to monetary policy shocks is, surprisingly, lesser than for manufactured goods and services.
A transversal for horocycle flow on $${\mathcal {H}}(\alpha )$$H(α)

We describe how to parameterize a Poincare section for horocycle flow on the moduli space, $${\mathcal {H}}(\alpha )$$ of translation surfaces. We give an explicit description of this Poincare section in the case when $$\alpha = 2$$ and bound the return time under horocycle flow.
Relationships among JIT practices: an interpretive modeling approach

This research develops a model of relationships among components of Total-JIT, including JIT-information, JIT-manufacturing, JIT-purchasing, and JIT-selling, to establish an implementation hierarch...
Novel approach to evaluate the dynamic variation of wind drift and evaporation losses under moving irrigation systems

The increased need for water and food security requires the development of new approaches to save water through irrigation management strategies, particularly for center pivot irrigation. To do so entails monitoring of the dynamic variation in wind drift and evaporation losses (WDELs) of irrigation systems under different weather conditions and for relatively long time periods. The historical catch can method has limited our ability to address this goal. Here, a new and easy-to implement methodology, called the strip test, was developed and validated against the catch can technique. Our results showed strong agreement between the catch can method and the strip test for determining the average water application efficiency (WAE ≈ 1-WDEL). Because the strip test method was measured for shorter intervals compared to the catch can method, the variables influencing WAE were able to be compared during each test. WAE had a large variance over time, which was controlled, in part, by wind speed (>4 m s−1). Site-specific characterisation of WDEL is needed to apply this technique. Once applied, it can provide a better understanding of WAE behaviour over the time, and enhance the capability of predicting results for the optimising water use in sprinkler irrigation.
Introduction to special collection on New Scientific Methods for Cultural Heritage.

Warren S. Warren > Paintings fade like flowers. All the more reason boldly to use them too raw, time will only soften them too much. > > Vincent van Gogh, letter to his brother Theo, April 1888 He was worried about years, not centuries. This special issue highlights new developments in a rapidly evolving, highly interdisciplinary frontier: the application of state-of-the-art technologies to enhance cultural heritage science. As an academic with a background in chemical physics, my first exposure to this opportunity was about a decade ago, when I visited the National Gallery in London and toured their exhibit on methods to detect art forgeries. I was not only impressed but also startled: It was clear that the …
Recommended care and care adherence following a diagnosis of Lynch syndrome: a mixed-methods study

Lynch syndrome (LS) is the most common hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC) syndrome. This study assesses trends in diagnosis of LS and adherence to recommended LS-related care in a large integrated healthcare organization (~ 575,000 members). Electronic medical record (EMR) data (1999–2015) were examined to identify patients with a diagnosis of LS. We examined their LS-associated care recommendations and adherence to these recommendations. Qualitative patient and provider interviews were conducted with the aim of identifying opportunities for improved care delivery. We identified 74 patients with a diagnosis of LS; 64% were diagnosed with a LS-related malignancy prior to their diagnosis of LS. The time to LS diagnosis following development of a LS-related cancer decreased over time: before 2009 11% of individuals received a diagnosis of LS within 1 year of developing a LS-related cancer compared to 83% after 2009 (p < 0.0001). Colonoscopy recommendations were documented in the EMR for almost all patients with LS (96%). Documentation of other recommendations for cancer surveillance was less commonly found. Overall, patient adherence to colonoscopy was high (M = 81.5%; SD = 32.7%), and adherence to other recommendations varied. To improve care coordination, patients and providers suggested providing automated reminder prompts for LS-related surveillance, adding a LS-specific diagnosis code, and providing guidelines for LS-related surveillance in the EMR. We identified fewer than expected patients with LS in our large care system, indicating that there is still a diagnostic care gap. However, patients with LS were likely to receive and follow CRC surveillance recommendations. Recommendations for and adherence to extracolonic surveillance were variable. Improved care coordination and clearer documentation of the LS diagnosis is needed.
Comparing Breast and Abdominal Subspecialists' Follow-Up Recommendations for Incidental Liver Lesions on Breast MRI.

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to compare breast imaging subspecialists’ follow-up recommendations for incidental liver lesions (ILLs) on breast MRI with abdominal subspecialty radiologists’ opinions informed by best-practice recommendations. Methods In this retrospective study at an academic medical center, natural language processing identified reports with ILLs among 2,181 breast MRI studies completed in 2015. Electronic health record and radiology report reviews abstracted malignancy presence or absence, prior imaging, and breast subspecialists’ recommendations regarding ILLs for random sets of 30 patients: ILLs with follow-up recommendations, ILLs without recommendations, and without ILLs. Two abdominal radiologists evaluated MRI liver findings and offered follow-up recommendations in consensus. The primary outcome was agreement between breast and abdominal subspecialists in patients with ILL follow-up recommendations compared with those without (χ2 analysis). Secondary outcomes were agreement between subspecialists when ILLs were reported and referring clinicians’ adherence to follow-up recommendations. Results ILLs were identified in 11.3% of breast MRI reports (247 of 2,181); breast subspecialists made follow-up recommendations in 12% of them (30 of 247). Abdominal subspecialists agreed with breast subspecialists when ILLs required no follow-up (29 of 30 cases) but disagreed with 28 of 30 breast subspecialists’ follow-up recommendations (agreement proportion 29 of 30 versus 2 of 30, P Conclusions Abdominal subspecialists disagreed frequently with breast subspecialists regarding follow-up recommendations for ILLs on breast MRI. Abdominal subspecialty consultation or embedding liver imaging decision support in breast imaging reporting workflow may reduce unnecessary imaging and improve care. Improvement opportunities may exist in other cross-subspecialty interpretation workflows.
DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL 25-YEAR CARDIOVASCULAR MORTALITY INDEX USING THE THIRD NATIONAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION EXAMINATION SURVEY

The Framingham Risk Score and Reynolds Risk Score have been conventionally used to assess cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We sought to develop new sex-specific indices to improve predictive ability, account for U.S. diversity, and allow for bedside calculation. The study included a total of 6,
The Organizational Storytelling Workbook: How to Harness this Powerful Communication and Management Tool

This workbook is an interactive guide for leaders and managers to help you tell compelling stories at work. The Organizational Storytelling Workbook offers: a critical engagement with academic debates on organizational storytelling; and a series of exercises designed to allow users to improve their capability as organizational storytellers. The text begins with a chapter which locates organizational storytelling within a critical account of organizational cultures. This book argues that managerial accounts of organizational culture offer a limited appreciation of the ways in which people think, feel and act and suggests storytelling as a means of redeeming our understanding of all matters cultural. Having secured this new appreciation of culture and storytelling the workbook develops a series of maxims and exercises designed to allow users: (a) to improve their storytelling practice; and (b) to reassess the cultural assumptions and priorities revealed through their practice. Enriched with interactive features to walk managers practically through the process of improving their storytelling skills, including practical exercises, contemplative questions, and space to respond creatively to the ideas in the book, this workbook is the perfect companion to any executive or postgraduate course in storytelling as well as a useful and enjoyable companion to any individual manager that wishes to improve their skills.
Nutritional Management of the Pediatric CKD Patient

Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have unique nutritional needs related to decreased kidney function. This review discusses outcomes related to nutritional status in children with CKD. It reviews recommendations specific to children with CKD including nutritional assessment, energy needs, and macro- and micronutrient requirements. In addition, other considerations including supplemental feeding and potential barriers are briefly summarized. While malnutrition has been long associated with CKD, obesity is increasingly being recognized in CKD and may contribute to progression of disease. The practice of dietary potassium restriction is being questioned. Education regarding phosphorus management should include inorganic sources from food additives and preservatives in addition to the usual organic sources of phosphorus. There are emerging options for formula alternatives including blenderized diets that meet the dietary restrictions of this population. Recognizing and addressing food insecurity and providing guidance on cooking techniques may enhance adherence. The nutritional management of children with CKD is complex. An individualized approach by a multi-disciplinary team can help educate and promote success in these lifelong dietary modifications.
Nuts and Bolts About You: Finding the Right Match in Gendered Robots

Robotic systems are becoming more relevant in our daily lives. Robots are built in such a way that manufacturers hope consumers will feel comfortable integrating the robot into their everyday lives. Companies take into account physical traits, social cues, and responses given by the robot, to design a system that is fit for the task at hand. Many robots are built without consideration of gender and how that could affect users’ perceptions of the robots. In the present study, participants were shown a video in which a robot walked to a box, picked it up, and placed it on the table, while narrating what it was doing. Robot body, gait, and voice were manipulated, independently of one another, to reflect masculine or feminine features. The users’ perceptions of gender were measured, along with trust in the system, amount of liking, and perceived competence of the robot. Finally, participants were shown pictures of eight different robots of ambiguous form and were asked to indicate perceived gender on a continuum from “very feminine” to “very masculine”. Results indicated that robot voice strongly predicted perceptions of gender, whereas the body and gait of the robot did not. Additionally, participants ranked the Amazon Echo as being the most feminine of the eight additional robots shown, despite having no obvious feminine physical characteristics.
Enterprise-Wide Information Management: An Expert System for Assessing Organizational Functioning and Problem Areas

Abstract Two major frameworks are employed to gain perspective on how to assess functioning and identify problem areas within complex organizations. We combine Enterprise-wide Information Management with Living Systems to gain the overarching perspective needed. These perspectives provide the thrust for designing methodologies for analyzing business organizations. Information obtained through implementation of these methods will be captured in an expert system. The goal is to design an expert system that business managers can use to help locate potential problems within their organizations and that researchers can use to study and develop more-standardized norms about organizational functioning.
Chomsky, Aviva, Barry Carr, Alfredo Prieto, and Pamela Maria Smorkaloff, eds. The Cuba Reader: History, Culture, Politics

For more than fifty years, Cuba; the Cuban Revolution of 1959; and, most notably, its charismatic and controversial leader Fidel Castro have made the Caribbean island nation a fascinating topic of ...
A plasma-water droplet reactor for process-intensified, continuous nitrogen fixation at atmospheric pressure

Current industrial production of ammonia via the Haber-Bosch process has a massive carbon footprint because the hydrogen gas feedstock comes from fossil fuel reforming which releases large amounts ...
Reframing workplace inclusion through the lens of universal design: Considerations for vocational rehabilitation professionals in the wake of COVID-19

BACKGROUND: The experience of disability and of how work is conducted in the American economy is undergoing new shifts in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic This unique space in time provides an opportunity to re-examine the importance of universal design (UD) as a way to respond to a workforce that is growing more diverse and living longer with disabilities UD is a set of strategies that creates places and resources that are accessible to all and considers the needs and wants of people from the outset Through the use of UD, work environments can be more accessible and useable to all employees OBJECTIVE: This article describes the changes in the experience of disability within the context of COVID-19 and defines UD and UD for learning principles We then consider how UD reduces stigma and reduces the need for individual accommodations while promoting inclusivity and improving productivity in the workplace CONCLUSION: We offer strategies for embedding UD into vocational rehabilitation from pre-professional training to practice, all with a new sense of urgency and opportunity that is present as a result of COVID-19 © 2021 - IOS Press All rights reserved
Structural Variation of Directives in University Classroom Discourse: A Corpus-Based Investigation

ABSTRACT The present study examines structural variation of directives1 across different situational contexts in university lectures. The data comes from the lecture component of a large corpus of university discourse2. The following analytical steps were taken: 1) possible linguistic patterns of directives were manually identified in sample lectures; 2) five most-frequent lexico-grammatically explicit structural types of directives were selected for automatic analysis; 3)Python scripts were written to automatically identify directives with the five structural types; 4) structural variation of directives was analyzed in relation to three situational variables: level of interaction, level of instruction, and discipline. Results show that situational variables affect the use of directives in important ways.
From Dirca to design: printmaking with leatherwood (Dirca mexicana) bark paper

Washi is paper made by hand from the bark of native Japanese shrubs. Washi is a common medium used for printmaking and paper crafts. Artists who have studied nagashi-zuki, a sheet-forming method un...
Multiple Operation Modes Based Stacked Structure LLC Converter for Very Wide Range Operation

Great challenges have been posed to conventional frequency-controlled resonant converter in wide range applications. In this paper, the stacked structure inverter with three different modes is applied for resonant converter and two different modulation strategies are applied. Three operation modes, namely, half-bridge (HB), quarter-bridge (QB), and three level (TL) operation mode, are adopted for the stacked structure. For high voltage gain operation (HVG), the HB operation mode and the pulse frequency modulation (PFM) are adopted; for medium voltage gain operation (MVG), the TL operation mode and pulse width modulation (PWM) are adopted; for low voltage gain operation (LVG), the QB operation mode and PFM control strategy are adopted. By designing the range for each mode, the proposed converter is superior over the traditional converter from the perspectives of efficiency and power density.
TU‐AB‐303‐01: A Feasibility Study for Dynamic Adaptive Therapy of Non‐Small Cell Lung Cancer

Purpose: To compare plans for NSCLC optimized using Dynamic Adaptive Therapy (DAT) with conventional IMRT optimization. DAT adapts plans based on changes in the target volume by using dynamic programing techniques to consider expected changes into the optimization process. Information gathered during treatment, e.g. from CBCT, is incorporated into the optimization. Methods and materials: DAT is formulated using stochastic control formalism, which minimizes the total expected number of tumor cells at the end of a treatment course subject to uncertainty inherent in the tumor response and organs-at-risk (OAR) dose constraints. This formulation allows for non-stationary dose distribution as well as non-stationary fractional dose as needed to achieve a series of optimal plans that are conformal to tumor over time. Sixteen phantom cases with various sizes and locations of tumors, and OAR geometries were generated. Each case was planned with DAT and conventional IMRT (60Gy/30fx). Tumor volume change over time was obtained by using, daily MVCT-based, two-level cell population model. Monte Carlo simulations have been performed for each treatment course to account for uncertainty in tumor response. Same OAR dose constraints were applied for both methods. The frequency of plan modification was varied to 1, 2, 5 (weekly), and 29 (daily). The final average tumor dose and OAR doses have been compared to quantify the potential benefit of DAT. Results: The average tumor max, min, mean, and D95 resulted from DAT were 124.0–125.2%, 102.1–114.7%, 113.7–123.4%, and 102.0–115.9% (range dependent on the frequency of plan modification) of those from conventional IMRT. Cord max, esophagus max, lung mean, heart mean, and unspecified tissue D05 resulted from AT were 84–102.4%, 99.8–106.9%, 66.9–85.6%, 58.2–78.8%, and 85.2–94.0% of those from conventional IMRT. Conclusions: Significant tumor dose increase and OAR dose reduction, especially with parallel OAR with mean or dose-volume constraints, can be achieved using DAT.
Sensory Plasticity and Learning: The Magnocellular Medial Geniculate Nucleus of the Auditory System

The magnocellular medial geniculate nucleus (MGm) is a nonlemniscal component of the thalamo-cortical auditory system. It develops discharge plasticity rapidly during behavioral conditioning, in contrast to the ventral medial geniculate, the lemniscal and non-plastic component. Continual recordings from single cells during the acquisition of the pupillary conditioned response reveals an exceptionally high proportion of plastic neurons, the most plastic of which have a pronounced onset discharge to initial presentation of acoustic stimuli. Facilitation of monosynaptic field potentials in MGm lasts for several hours following brief high-frequency stimulation of its major afferent, with respect both to increased amplitude and decreased latency. Responses of single units are also facilitated for hours, as indexed by increased probability of discharges and decreased latency and latency variability. Together, these findings suggest a functional relationship between conditioning and long-lasting facilitation. Moreover, they underscore the capacity of the auditory system to express physiological plasticity under a variety of circumstances.
Russian Advertising Attitudes

Abstract This study develops a constructive replication (Lykken, 1968) of the efficacy of the two-factor, attitude toward advertising models in Russia. A confirmation of its validity in a country characterized by value inconsistencies, mistrust, and suspicion as they relate to advertising (Kurpis & Kahle, 2003; vonDorn & Akimova, 1998) will suggest the utility of its measurement in global marketing strategy development and, if validated, will provide a key indicator of the levelness of the “playing field” for global advertisers seeking the Russian market. Basically, an understanding of the similarities and asymmetries in advertising across cultures may help to set the agenda for standardizing or customizing advertising appeals (Maheswaran and Shavitt, 2000). More specifically, the study provides a longitudinal coordinate, which builds on the two-factor attitude toward advertising framework that was utilized to measure Russian orientations (Andrews, Durvasula, & Netemeyer, 1994). Thus, it provides insights...
Hardy–Weinberg Theorem

The Hardy–Weinberg theorem states what the genotype frequencies are, in terms of the gene frequencies, at a single locus, under the simplest assumptions for the genetic processes in a diploid organism. It is essentially the cornerstone on which much of the theory of population genetics has been built. Keywords: population genetics; selection; variability
Genetic signatures of natural selection

Molecular population genetic data carry information about the evolutionary forces that have shaped the history of the species and, in particular, about past adaptations. Here, we review how nucleotide sequence variation within and between species can be used to detect and characterize natural selection. We provide a brief description of tests of neutrality for various types of data, detail the limitations of current methods, and summarize recent theoretical advances that may be important in moving this growing field forward. Keywords: natural selection; polymorphism; divergence; tests of neutrality; demography
Isolation of +2 rare earth metal ions with three anionic carbocyclic rings: bimetallic bis(cyclopentadienyl) reduced arene complexes of La2+ and Ce2+ are four electron reductants

A new option for stabilizing unusual Ln2+ ions has been identified in the reaction of Cp'3Ln, 1-Ln (Ln = La, Ce; Cp' = C5H4SiMe3), with potassium graphite (KC8) in benzene in the presence of 2.2.2-cryptand. This generates [K(2.2.2-cryptand)]2[(Cp'2Ln)2(μ-η6:η6-C6H6)], 2-Ln, complexes that contain La and Ce in the formal +2 oxidation state. These complexes expand the range of coordination environments known for these ions beyond the previously established examples, (Cp''3Ln)1- and (Cp'3Ln)1- (Cp'' = C5H3(SiMe3)2-1,3), and generalize the viability of using three anionic carbocyclic rings to stabilize highly reactive Ln2+ ions. In 2-Ln, a non-planar bridging (C6H6)2- ligand shared between two metals takes the place of a cyclopentadienyl ligand in (Cp'3Ln)1-. The intensely colored (e = ∼8000 M-1 cm-1) 2-Ln complexes react as four electron reductants with two equiv. of naphthalene to produce two equiv. of the reduced naphthalenide complex, [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][Cp'2Ln(η4-C10H8)].
A Review of Research Related to Financial Analysts' Forecasts and Stock Recommendations

This paper reviews research regarding the role of financial analysts in capital markets. The paper builds on the perspectives provided by Schipper (1991) and Brown (1993). We categorize papers published mainly since 1992 and selectively discuss aspects of these papers that address or suggest key research topics of ongoing interest in seven broad areas: analysts' decision processes, the determinants of analyst expertise and distributions of individual analysts' forecasts, the informativeness of analysts' research outputs, analyst and market efficiency with respect to information, effects of analysts' economic incentives on their research outputs, effects of the institutional and regulatory environment (including cross-country comparisons), and the limitations of databases and various research paradigms.
The HHV-8 chemokine receptor vGPCR triggers autonomous proliferation of endothelial cells

We have used a novel conditional transgenic system to study the mechanisms of angioproliferation induced by vGPCR, the constitutively active chemokine receptor encoded by HHV-8 (also known as KSHV). Using this system we were able to control temporal expression of vGPCR and to monitor its expression in situ via the use of the surrogate marker LacZ. Upon treatment with doxycycline (DOX), cells expressing vGPCR and LacZ (vGPCR/LacZ+ cells) progressively accumulated in areas where angioproliferation was observed. Sorted vGPCR/LacZ+ cells from angiogenic lesions expressed markers characteristic of endothelial progenitor cells, produced angiogenic factors, and proliferated in vitro. Prolonged treatment of the transgenic mice with DOX led to development of tumors in the skin of ears, tail, nose and paws. vGPCR/LacZ+ cells were frequent in early lesions but scarce within these tumors. Finally, transfer of vGPCR/LacZ+ cells into RAG1-/- mice treated with DOX led to angioproliferation and with time to development of tumors containing both vGPCR/LacZ+ and vGPCR/LacZ- cells. Taken together these results indicate that vGPCR triggers angioproliferation directly and suggest a novel role for this molecule in the pathogenesis of KS.
Entry costs and cross-country differences in productivity and output

This paper contributes to the literature on cross-country income differences by studying the effect of entry barriers on productivity and output. Using instrumental variable regressions I show that higher entry costs significantly reduce output per worker and that they do so by lowering total factor productivity. In particular, an increase in entry costs by 80% of income per capita, which is one half of their standard deviation in my sample, is estimated to decrease total factor productivity and output per worker by 22% and 29%, respectively.
The rapid assessment of disease activity in rheumatology (radar) questionnaire. Validity and sensitivity to change of a patient self-report measure of joint count and clinical status.

Objective This study documents the measurement properties of a brief, self-administered questionnaire of disease signs and symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods The Rapid Assessment of Disease Activity in Rheumatology (RADAR) questionnaire assesses joint pain/tenderness and clinical status. One hundred ninety-three pairs of RADAR forms were completed by 45 subjects and their assigned clinician evaluators. Results Subject-clinician agreement (intraclass correlation coefficients [ICC]) for joint pain/tenderness and clinical status ranged from 0.52 to 0.87 (P = 0.0001), with 83% greater than or equal to 0.65. The ICC for change in joint scores over 6 months was 0.83 (P = 0.0001). Conclusion The 2-page RADAR questionnaire produces valid estimates of joint count and clinical status that are sensitive to change.
Alteration in sensory nerve function following electrical shock

A study of the effects of electrical shock on peripheral nerve fibres is presented. Strength and duration of the applied shocks were similar to those encountered in a typical industrial electrical accident. The purpose of this study is: (i) to identify the electrophysiological and morphological change in nerve fibres after the application of electrical current shocks; (ii) to examine the ability of the peripheral nerve fibres to spontaneously regain function and; (iii) to demonstrate the usefulness of the sensory refractory spectrum as an additional technique in assessing the damage. Three groups of animals received twelve 4-ms electric field pulses of approximately 37 V/cm (n = 5), 75 V/cm (n = 9) and 150 V/cm (n = 6), respectively. Group 4 was a control group and received a direct application of 2 per cent lidocaine over the sciatic nerve for 30 min. Thermal effects of the shocks were negligible. The sensory refractory spectrum shows that electrical shock damage was mainly to the large, fast myelinated fibres and that higher field strengths do more damage. Also in a histological examination it was found that the more heavily shocked myelinated fibres had sustained more damage.
Effects of Prepartum Energy Intake and Calcium to Phosphorus Ratios on Lactation Response and Parturient Paresis

Abstract Estimated digestible energy values of 115 and 170% of maintenance were offered 60 days prepartum to 188 mature (one or more lactations) Holstein cows in Experiment I and 170 cows in Experiment II. Forages and concentrates were group fed in controlled amounts with a mineral supplement provided ad libitum. Calcium to phosphorus ratios of 2.3:l and 1.8:l were calculated from feed intakes in the 115% digestible energy (L1) and 170% digestible energy (H1) treatments, respectively, in Experiment I. In Experiment II ratios were 1.5:l (L2) and 1.7:l (H2) in the 115% and 170% digestible energy groups. Cows were offered 12.3 kilograms concentrates, 15.0 kilograms corn silage, and 6.4 kilograms alfalfa hay daily during early lactation in Experiment I and 11.4 kilograms concentrates, 13.6 kilograms corn silage, and 9.1 kilograms alfalfa hay in Experiment II. Unadjusted 305-day yields of milk, fat, and solids-not-fat were 6,916, 219, and 590 kilograms (L1); 6,980, 229, and 603 kilograms (H1); 7,315, 242, and 602 kilograms (L2); and 6,769, 240, and 576 kilograms (H2). Incidences of parturient paresis with associated calcium to phosphorus ratios were 2/97 (2.3:1), 18/94 (1.8:1), 7/88 (1.5:1), and 11/82 (1.7:1).
Hydrographic Conditions Off Northern Chile During the 1996-1998 La Niña and El Niño Events

[1] The evolution of oceanographic conditions in the upwelling region off northern Chile (18°–24°S) between 1996 and 1998 (including the 1997–1998 El Nino) is presented using hydrographic measurements acquired on quarterly cruises of the Chilean Fisheries Institute, with sea surface temperature (SST), sea level, and wind speeds from Arica (18.5°S), Iquique (20.5°S), and Antofagasta (23.5°S) and a time series of vertical temperature profiles off Iquique. Spatial patterns of sea surface temperature and salinity from May 1996 to March 1997 followed a normal seasonal progression, though conditions were anomalously cool and fresh. Starting in March 1997, positive anomalies in sea level and sea surface temperature propagated along the South American coast to 37°S. Maximum sea level anomalies occurred in two peaks in May–July 1997 and October 1997 to February 1998, separated by a relaxation period. Maximum anomalies (2°C and 0.1 practical salinity units (psu)) extended to 400 m in December 1997 within 50 km of the coast. March 1998 presented the largest surface anomalies (>4°C and 0.6 psu). Strong poleward flow (20–35 cm s−1) occurred to 400 m or deeper during both sea level maxima and weaker (10 cm s−1) equatorward flow followed each peak. By May 1998, SST had returned to the climatological mean, and flow was equatorward next to the coast. However, offshore salinity remained anomalously high owing to a tongue of subtropical water extending southeast along the Peruvian coast. Conditions off northern Chile returned to normal between August and December 1998. The timing of the anomalies suggests a connection to equatorial waves. The progression of the 1997–1998 El Nino was very similar to that of 1982–1983, though with different timing with respect to seasons.
Identification and characterization of pipecolic acid binding sites in mouse brain.

Pipecolic acid (PA, piperidine-2-carboxylic acid) is the major product of lysine metabolism in the mammalian brain (Giacobini et al., 1980). In this study we have characterized the binding of [3H]PA to P2 fraction membranes and its distribution in the mouse brain. The binding was found to be saturable (70 nM), temperature and Na+ and Cl− dependent. A high affinity binding site with an apparentK D of 33.2 nM and aB max of 0.2 pmol/mg protein was demonstrated. The regional distribution of [3H]PA specific binding in mouse brain showed the highest concentration in cerebral cortex, thalamus and olfactory bulb. Unlabeled PA (10−3–10−11M) displaced specific binding of [3H]PA in a concentration dependent manner. Out of several substances tested, only proline showed a similar pattern of displacement. Pre-incubation of the membrane preparation with GABA (10−3–10−11M) resulted in either an increase or decrease of [3H]PA binding depending on the concentrations of GABA and PA. These results suggest a modulatory action of GABA on PA binding sites. The postnatal development of [3H]PA specific binding was studied in the whole brain of the mouse. [3H]Pipecolic acid binding increased progressively (8-fold) from one day after birth to 16 days. Following this developmental peak, the binding decreased gradually to 30 days at which age, adult values were attained.
Temper and Temperature on the Diamond: The Heat-Aggression Relationship in Major League Baseball

Archival data from major league baseball games played during the 1986, 1987, and 1988 seasons (total N = 826 games) were used to assess the association between the temperatures at the games and the number of batters hit by a pitch during them. A positive and significant relationship was found between temperature and the number of hit batters per game, even when potentially confounding variables having nothing to do with aggression were partialed out. A similar relationship was found for games played during the 1962 season. The shape of this relationship appears to be linear, suggesting that higher temperatures lead major league pitchers to become more aggressive in pitching to batters.