cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterizing the performance of emergency medical transport time metrics in a residentially segregated community.

Abstract Objective To derive and characterize the performance of various metrics of emergency transport time in assessing for sociodemographic disparities in the setting of residential segregation. Secondarily to characterize racial disparities in emergency transport time of suspected stroke patients in Austin, Texas. Data sources We used a novel dataset of 2518 unique entries with detailed spatial and temporal information on all suspected stroke transports conducted by a public emergency medical service in Central Texas between 2010 and 2018. Study design We conducted one-way ANOVA tests with post-hoc pairwise t-tests to assess how mean hospital transport times varied by patient race. We also developed a spatially-independent metric of emergency transport urgency, the ratio of expected duration of self-transport to a hospital and the measured transport time by an ambulance. Data collection/extraction We calculated ambulance arrival and destination times using sequential temporospatial coordinates. We excluded any entries in which patient race was not recorded. We also excluded entries in which ambulances' routes did not pass within 100 m of either the patient's location or the documented hospital destination. Principal findings We found that mean transport time to a hospital was 2.5 min shorter for black patients compared to white patients. However, white patients' transport times to a hospital were found to be, on average, 4.1 min shorter than expected compared to 3.4 min shorter than expected for black patients. One-way ANOVA testing for the spatially-independent index of emergency transport urgency was not statistically significant, indicating that average transport time did not vary significantly across racial groups when accounting for variations in transport distance. Conclusions Using a novel transport urgency index, we demonstrate that these findings represent race-based variation in spatial distributions rather than racial bias in emergency medical transport. These results highlight the importance of closely examining spatial distributions when utilizing temporospatial data to investigate geographically-dependent research questions.
Raising the Volume on Fairness in Speech Technology

Voice recognition has become the dominant tool for communication in our daily life by replacing the keyboard. Not surprisingly, however, this extraordinary technology comes with great risks and mor...
Freshwater Bivalve Ecotoxicology

Freshwater Bivalve Ecotoxicology, J.L. Farris and J.H. Van Hassel A Review of the Use of Unionid Mussels as Biological Indicators of Ecosystem Health, J.H. Van Hassel and J.L. Farris A Brief Look at Freshwater Mussel (Unionacea) Biology, G.T. Watters Propagation and Culture of Freshwater Mussels, C.D. Bishop, R. Hudson, and J.L. Farris Laboratory Toxicity Testing with Freshwater Mussels, C.G. Ingersoll, N.J. Kernaghan, T.S. Gross, C.D. Bishop, N. Wang, and A. Roberts In-Situ Toxicity Testing of Unionids, M.Y. Armstead and J.L. Yeager Unionid Mussel Sensitivity to Environmental Contaminants, A. Keller, M. Lydy and D.S. Ruessler Toxicokinetics of Environmental Contaminants in Freshwater Bivalves, W.A. Thorsen, W.G. Cope, and D. Shea Linking Bioaccumulation and Biological Effects to Chemicals in Water and Sediment: A Conceptual Framework for Freshwater Bivalve Ecotoxicology, M.H. Salazar and S.M. Salazar Biomarker Responses of Unionid Mussels to Environmental Contaminants, T.J. Newton and W.G. Cope Case Study: Comparison of Asian Clam (Corbicula fluminea) In Situ Testing to Several Nontarget Test Organism Responses to Biocidal Dosing at a Nuclear Power Plant, D.S. Cherry and D.J. Soucek Case Study: Discrimination of Factors Affecting Unionid Mussel Distribution in the Clinch River, Virginia, USA, J.H. Van Hassel Case Study: Impact of Partially Treated Mine-Water on an Ohio River (USA) Mussel Bed: Use of Multiple Lines of Evidence in Impact Analysis, H.L. Dunn, J.L. Farris, and J.H. Van Hassel Case Study: Sensitivity of Mussel Glochidia and Regulatory Test Organisms to Mercury and a Reference Toxicant, T.W. Valenti, D.S. Cherry, R.J. Neves, B.A. Locke, and J.J. Schmerfeld
On the quadratic sampled-data regulator with unstable random disturbances

This paper is concerned with the design of a digital controller, optimizing a quadratic cost function, for a linear system subjected to plant disturbance. The disturbance is viewed as a Gaussian random process generated by a linear system which may be unstable. It is shown that the optimal control consists of the sum of two terms: the optimal control when no disturbance is present and a term depending on the estimates of the disturbance. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the convergence of the gain matrices is given.
Chapter 12 Molecular Characteristics of Sodium Channels in Skeletal Muscle

Publisher Summary Using the wealth of the physiological data available from decades of biophysical research in conjunction with more recent biochemical and structural information, new models of sodium channel structure are being proposed, tested, and refined. In addition to unraveling the common structural themes that underlie the general aspects of sodium channel function, increasing attention is also being directed toward subtler differences in structure, which may be responsible for the various subtypes of sodium channels expressed in normal nerve and muscle. The future can be marked by rapid advances in the understanding of both the relationships of structure-to-structure function in this important membrane ion channel and of the various regulatory factors that control its expression.
Versioning of Video Games: Go Vertical in a Horizontal Market?

Out of the recent popularity of downloadable contents (DLC) among video game manufacturers has resurfaced the issue of versioning of information goods. The central idea behind the DLC strategy, zero-day DLCs in particular, is that consumers who find the base version of a game to be sufficiently close to their tastes would want more of it and pay a premium to upgrade by purchasing a DLC. To better understand the implications of such a product-line strategy, in this work, we combine the literature on versioning with that on consumer learning. In doing so, we uncover an interesting economic phenomenon that, for an experience good, a manufacturer's desire to vertically differentiate could actually stem from its inability to otherwise elicit unobserved heterogeneity in consumers' perceived fit.
The Stereochemistry of the Conversion of D and L 1,2-Propanediols to Propionaldehyde

Abstract When D-1,2-propanediol is converted to propionaldehyde in the presence of dioldehydrase and dimethylbenzimidazolylcobamide coenzyme, 1 of 2 C-1 hydrogens of the substrate is stereospecifically transferred to position C-2. The hydrogen transferred is the hydrogen introduced into D-1,2-propanediol by horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase when D-lactaldehyde is reduced to D-1,2-propanediol. When L-1,2-propanediol reacts, the other C-1 hydrogen exclusively is transferred. The displacement of the secondary hydroxyl group of propanediol by hydrogen, which takes place when D- or L-1,2-propanediol is converted to propionaldehyde, occurs with inversion of configuration at C-2. These results suggest that the removal of the secondary hydroxyl group may proceed through a displacement reaction in which the hydride functions as displacing nucleophile. It was also shown that the reduction of D- and L-lactaldehyde with horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase and α-deuterated reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide leads to D- and L-propanediol of identical configuration at C-1. Therefore, the stereochemical course of the reduction by horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase is not influenced by the configuration of the carbon adjacent to the center which is reduced.
Comprehensive testing and outcomes assessment in the chemical engineering program

A variety of assessment tools are being used to determine how well graduates from the chemical engineering program are meeting the established outcomes. These tools include student, faculty, employer and alumni surveys, as well as placement data, results of standardized tests, and performance in contests and research presentations. In order to further enhance the objective nature of the outcomes assessment process, an industrial board of advisors has been established to help with the development of additional tools. Members consist of alumni, research collaborators and representatives from a broad spectrum of industry. One of the new tools that have been developed is a 24-hour comprehensive test given as part of the capstone process design class. Problems and suggested solutions are provided by the advisors and tend to be open-ended, covering most of the program outcomes. The response of the students has been favorable and valuable data has been obtained and incorporated into the assessment process. Specifically, the importance of open-ended questions and case studies has become more apparent. Program details and initial results of the comprehensive testing process are presented in this paper.
The Course of True Human Rights Progress Never Did Run Smooth

As the United States moves toward the inauguration in January 2009 of a new President, greater attention is paid to what the country might do to restore and reinforce its traditional role as a leader in the promotion of human rights. This essay warns against any assumption that innovation alone will assure greater enforcement of rights; its points of reference are not only the current administration, but also one long past, that of President John F. Kennedy. Rather than jump to embrace new, global concepts like responsibility to protect, therefore, it argues for careful pursuit of local change. It then turns analysis on the locality of the United States, calling for genuine efforts to address rights issues already acute at home, for example: violence, disparities in education, economic disadvantages, the crisis in health and health care. Mid-20th century U.S. human rights discourse - the American Law Institute's Statement of Essential Human Rights and President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Four Freedoms speech - are cited as foundations for this domestic emphasis. The sources likewise invite consideration of means for promoting rights other than judicial enforcement. The essay ends with a hope that should the United States alleviate some of these problems, and so protect the liberty and security of persons within its jurisdiction, it would eschew American exceptionalist boasts and instead let the power of its deeds bespeak its restored role as a promoter of human rights.
Generation of localized strain in a thin film piezoelectric to control individual magnetoelectric heterostructures

Experimental results demonstrate the ability of a surface electrode pattern to produce sufficient in-plane strain in a PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 (PZT) thin film clamped by a Si substrate to control magnetism in a 1000 nm diameter Ni ring. The electrode pattern and the Ni ring/PZT thin film heterostructure were designed using a finite element based micromagnetics code. The magnetoelectric heterostructures were fabricated on the PZT film using e-beam lithography and characterized using magnetic force microscopy. Application of voltage to the electrodes moved one of the “onion” state domain walls. This method enables the development of complex architectures incorporating strain-mediated multiferroic devices.
Studies on the Mechanism of Hydrogen Transfer in the Cobamide Coenzyme-dependent Dioldehydrase Reaction

Abstract When dl-1,2-propanediol-1-3H is converted to propionaldehyde in the presence of dioldehydrase and cobamide coenzyme, tritium is transferred to the coenzyme. The tritiated coenzyme so obtained transfers tritium to the reaction product when reacted with dl-1,2-propanediol and apoenzyme. The coenzyme is tritiated exclusively at the C-5' position of the adenosyl moiety. The location of tritium was established by chemical degradation and further confirmed by showing that chemically synthesized cobamide coenzyme, containing tritium at the C-5' position, transferred tritium to the product when added to enzyme and unlabeled substrate. The conversion of dl-1,2-propanediol-1-3H to propionaldehyde proceeds with inter- and intramolecular tritium transfer. Approximately 1% of the tritiated substrate reacts by intramolecular transfer, i.e. the hydrogen abstracted from C-1 of a substrate molecule is found in the α position of the aldehyde derived from that molecule. A partial reaction occurs, as evidenced by tritium exchange between tritiated coenzyme and propionaldehyde or acetaldehyde under conditions in which no net reaction occurs. The results obtained have led to the following tentative reaction sequence. Hydrogen is abstracted from C-1 of dl-1,2-propanediol and transferred to the coenzyme, where it becomes equivalent with at least one, but probably both, hydrogens of the C-5' position. This results in the formation of a reduced form of the coenzyme and a molecule derived through the oxidation of the substrate. In a subsequent step the hydrated form of propionaldehyde is formed by a transfer of hydrogen from the reduced coenzyme to the intermediate derived from the substrate.
Mimicking the great mimicker: Disseminated coccidioidomycosis masquerading as classic tuberculosis

A correct diagnosis can be elusive when a rare disease is present. Such was the case when two teenagers were admitted to a children's hospital. Due to their clinical presentation, imaging, and laboratory results, final diagnoses and treatment were delayed. The first patient, a 15-year old Chinese female with systemic lupus erythematosus, presented with cough and fever. She was found to have a right upper lobe consolidation with central cavitation. Subsequent chest imaging revealed a miliary pattern, and RIPE therapy was started to cover Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The second patient was a previously healthy, 14-year old African American female, who presented with progressive spinal deformity and an enlarging right parietal scalp lesion. An AFB sputum sample was positive, and spinal imaging showed a gibbus deformity, prompting the initiation of RIPE therapy for tuberculosis. Both patients were later found to have disseminated Coccidioidomycosis, a rare diagnosis that is often mistaken for other etiologies. Both patients responded well to fluconazole therapy.
The Importance of Mentors

When a mentor’s personality agrees with yours, his or her guidance can be like a lighthouse in dense fog.
Mean vibrational amplitudes of the (O…O) and (S…S) distances for carbon suboxide and carbon subsulfide

Abstract The observed mean amplitude of vibration for the (O…O) distance of carbon suboxide is not in agreement with the usual harmonic approximation calculation. The discrepancy can be understood and approximately calculated using a simple model for interaction with the central carbon bending motion. A similar result is predicted for C 3 S 2 .
Synthesis of α,ω-Bis Epoxy Oligo (1‘H,1‘H,2‘H,2‘H-Perfluoroalkyl Siloxane)s and Properties of Their Photo-Acid Cross-Linked Films

Low-viscosity oligomers 1,9-bis[2‘-(4-cyclohexenyl-1,2-epoxy)ethyl]-1,1,3,5,7,9,9-heptamethyl-3,5,7-tris(1‘H,1‘H,2‘H,2‘H-perfluorooctyl)pentasiloxane (VII), 1,9-bis[2‘-(4-cyclohexenyl-1,2-epoxy)ethyl]-1,1,3,5,7,9,9-heptamethyl-3,5,7-tris(3‘,3‘,3‘-trifluoropropyl)pentasiloxane (VIII), and 1,9-bis[2‘-(4-cyclohexenyl-1,2-epoxy)ethyl]decamethylpentasiloxane (IX) have been prepared by Pt-catalyzed hydrosilylation reactions of 4-vinylcyclohexene-1,2-epoxide with 1,9-dihydrido-1,1,3,5,7,9,9-heptamethyl-3,5,7-tris(1‘H,1‘H,2‘H,2‘H-perfluorooctyl)pentasiloxane (IV), 1,9-dihydrido-1,1,3,5,7,9,9-heptamethyl-3,5,7-tris(3‘,3‘,3‘-trifluoropropyl)pentasiloxane (V), and 1,9-dihydridodecamethylpentasiloxane (VI), respectively. IV−VI were prepared by the triflic-acid-catalyzed ring-opening of 1,3,5-trimethyl-1,3,5-tris(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)cyclotrisiloxane (I), 1,3,5-trimethyl-1,3,5-tris(3‘,3‘,3‘-trifluoropropyl)cyclo- trisiloxane (II), and hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane (D3) (III), respectively, in 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldis...
Target localization and signature extraction in GPR data using expectation-maximization and principal component analysis

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a very promising technology for subsurface threat detection. A successful algorithm employing GPR should achieve high detection rates at a low false-alarm rate and do so at operationally relevant speeds. GPRs measure reflections at dielectric boundaries that occur at the interfaces between different materials. These boundaries may occur at any depth, within the sensor's range, and furthermore, the dielectric changes could be such that they induce a 180 degree phase shift in the received signal relative to the emitted GPR pulse. As a result of these time-of-arrival and phase variations, extracting robust features from target responses in GPR is not straightforward. In this work, a method to mitigate polarity and alignment variations based on an expectation-maximization (EM) principal-component analysis (PCA) approach is proposed. This work demonstrates how model-based target alignment can significantly improve detection performance. Performance is measured according to the improvement in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for classification before and after the data is properly aligned and phase-corrected.
Demonstration of autonomous coring and caching for a Mars sample return campaign concept

An end-to-end sample acquisition and caching system has been built and tested with capabilities applicable to sample acquisition and caching for a potential 2018 mission to Mars to collect samples for eventual return to Earth. The system provides full capability to robotically perform the end-to-end sample acquisition and caching process including placing a sample tube in a coring bit, attaching the bit to the sampling tool, coring a rock and acquiring the core sample in the tube, transferring the bit to the caching mechanism, removing the sample tube from the bit, sealing the filled sample tube with a plug, and storing the tube in the sample cache canister. This paper describes the hardware and robotic steps for the sample acquisition and caching process.
Surface Chemical Information from Electron- and Photon-Stimulated Desorption

Electron- and Photon-Stimulated Desorption can directly or indirectly provide atomic and structural information on the chemical state of surfaces and adsorbates on surfaces. Information is contained in the variation of desorption yield with chemical state, ion energy distributions, ion angular distributions, and in desorption thresholds and spectral dependence. Current models for desorption discuss both ionic and covalent systems and provide considerable insight into the environment of desorbing species. Widely studied examples include oxygen on metals, CO on metals, hydrogen on metals and semiconductors, and cryogenic molecular solids as models for desorption. All of these systems show variations in ion yield with chemical state of the desorbing species which in many cases fit existing models and in many cases suggest new mechanisms of desorption. Ion energy and angular distributions provide signatures of the type of state yielding desorption and the local structure of the desorption site. Desorption spectra can provide electronic and structural details of the bonding site from the analysis of near edge and extended fine structure. Near edge structure can also be used as a signature by comparison to systems of known chemical environment. The above examples of the combined use of the different variations of the desorption experiment are discussed.
Naltrexone treatment of opiate-dependent persons

Abstract Naltrexone was studied in 108 opiate-dependent men considered as candidates for treatment. Most patients had been recently detoxified from daily opiate use (“street addicts”). Only 10 patients remained in treatment more than 14 weeks; an additional 24 remained in treatment at least 3 weeks, 35 never started on treatment, and 39 had so few doses that a narcotic blockade could not be established. We were unable to predict the type of patient that would remain in long-term treatment. The longer patients stayed in treatment, the less frequently was their urine positive for opiates, but the more frequently was it positive for other drugs of abuse. Only seven terminations from treatment were for medical causes. Mild precipitated abstinence in patients not yet completely free of opiate dependence, or varying types of abdominal discomfort were the most frequent abnormal symptoms or signs. Abnormal hepatic tests antedated treatment. Treatment of “street addicts” has been marked by a low retention rate in treatment programs, at least at any given attempt. Naltrexone was neither less, nor more, acceptable than other possible treatments in this group. It may be especially valuable for patients who are at high risk of relapse to opiate use but who are not currently opiate-dependent, such as those returning to their communities following imprisonment or institutional-based therapeutic community programs.
The effect of acute ethanol exposure on clonidine-induced growth hormone release in male rats

The influence of acute ethanol (ETOH) on the regulation of GH release has not been clearly elucidated. In this study the effect of ETOH on clonidine (CLON)-induced GH secretion was examined. To test the effect of ETOH on CLON-induced GH release doses of 1, 2, and 3 g/kg ETOH in a 25% ETOH/saline solution or 10 ml/kg saline were injected IP 24 and 1 h before CLON (30 μg/kg BW IV). Blood samples were withdrawn through a chronic jugular cannula. ETOH was found to alter the GH surge, which occurred 15 min after CLON administration in controls, in a dose-dependent manner. The 1 g/kg dose reduced the GH surge slightly but not significantly. The 2 g/kg dose suppressed the GH surge which was significantly lower than in controls. The 3 g/kg dose eliminated the GH surge completely. To determine if pituitary GH release is directly influenced by ETOH, animals were injected with GRH (250 ng/kg IV) one hour after the second dose of ETOH (3 g/kg IP). There was no difference in the GH surge in control or ETOH-injected animals. Anti-SRIF administered 30 minutes before ETOH or saline did not alter the response to GRH. These results suggest that ETOH reduces the GH responsiveness to alpha 2 -GRH stimulation.
The Location of Franz Boas within the African-American Struggle:

L'A. etudie le role joue par Franz Boas dans la lutte pour l'egalite raciale entre 1887 et 1909. Des 1887 Boas combat le racisme scientifique, puis les theories de l'evolution sociale et il s'efforce de differencier la race de la culture et du langage. Dans les annees 1890, il est considere comme un allie par les leaders afro-americains dont Du Bois qui s'oppose a Washington. En 1909 le NAACP (National Association for the Avancement of Colored People) est cree.
Evaluation of the bacterial flora of the prostate using a 16S rRNA gene based polymerase chain reaction.

Purpose:: The role of bacteria in the chronic pelvic pain syndrome (nonbacterial prostatitis and prostatodynia) is controversial and difficult to assess because the bacterial flora of the prostate is not well defined. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a highly sensitive molecular method of bacterial detection. It confirms the sterility of tissue with a high level of confidence and detects small numbers of microbial agents that may represent pathogens. We performed PCR to determine bacterial colonization of the prostate in presumably healthy men and in those undergoing simple or radical prostatectomy.Materials and Methods:: We analyzed 28 prostate samples from 18 organ donors from whom prostate tissue was obtained under sterile surgical conditions at organ withdrawal, 14 sterile surgical prostate specimens from 7 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer who previously underwent transrectal biopsy and 6 sterile surgical specimens from 2 men who underwent simple prostatectomy for benign...
Ethanol exerts different effects on myelin basic protein and 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase expression in differentiating CG-4 oligodendrocytes.

Abstract Evidence suggests that abnormal myelination is one factor contributing to the neuoropathology associated with fetal alcohol syndrome. We investigated the potential teratogenic effects of ethanol (EtOH) on myelin formation by determining its effects on the developmentally regulated increased expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase (CNP) in differentiating CG-4 oligodendrocytes (OLGs). By using CG-4 OLGs in vitro we identified processes altered by ethanol actions exerted directly on OLGs. During the first 8 days of development, EtOH decreased the expression of the major structural 18.5 and 14 kDa MBP isoforms by at least 40% at 4 days of development. EtOH concentrations between 25 and 75 mM inhibited MBP expression in a dose-dependent manner. Adding or withdrawing EtOH on specific days of differentiation reversibly modulated the expression of MBP, and the degree of inhibition was directly related to the length of ethanol exposure. As little as two consecutive days of EtOH exposure either early or late during development caused at least a 20% inhibition, however, no short critical time window of EtOH vulnerability for the inhibition was observed. The ethanol effect was selective for MBP expression, as EtOH did not alter the developmentally-regulated increased expression of CNP isozymes or enzyme activity. The results indicate that one factor contributing to the development of fetal alcohol syndrome may be defective myelination resulting from delayed and decreased MBP expression.
Ectomorphy in American adults: analyses by sex, race and age.

Lester (1976) examined national data on the height and weight of youths in the USA and found that females were less ectomorphic at all ages from 7 to 17 yr., and that black males were the most ectomorphic of all the sex-by-race groups. Recently, data have become available from the Health and Nutritional Examination Survey for adults aged 18 to 74 years in the USA. This paper reports ectomorphy ratios for these groups. As before (Lester, 1976), ectomorphy ratios for each age-by-sex-by-race group were computed by dividing the mean height of each group by the cube root of the mean weight. The mean ectomorphy ratio for whites was 12.28 and for blacks 12.07; for men 12.37 and for women 11.98; for those aged 18 to 24 yr. 12.60, for those aged 25 to 34 yr. 12.28, for those aged 35 to 44 yr. 12.09, for those aged 45 to 54 yr. 12.06, for those 55 2.0 64 yr. 11.96, and for those aged 65+ yr 12.04. (There was only one score per cell.) These data were subjected to a three-way analysis of variance. The effect of age was significant (Pj16 = 34.49, 9 < 0.01); ectomorphy scores decreased with age. Whites were more ectomorphic than blacks ( F I l 5 = 43.00, p < 0.05), and men were more ectomorphic than women (F1/5 = 146.71, p < 0.01). The sex-by-race interaction was significant (F115 = 27.81, p < 0.05), with black females being the least ectomorphic of all the groups. The interaction of sex by age was significant (Fj15 = 7.89, p < 0.05), with elderly females being the least ectomorphic. Among American adults, ectomorphy scores are higher in men, whites, and younger adults.
TH-C-224C-08: Estimating Differences in Volumetric Bone Growth by Treatment Method

Purpose: To estimate potential differences in volumetric bone growth in children with sarcomatreated with intensity‐modulated (IMRT) and conformal (CRT) radiation therapy using an empiric dose‐effect model. Methods: Volumetric bone growth was estimated 4 years after radiation therapy for 36 pelvic bones (ischio‐pubis and ilium) from 11 patients using a random coefficient model for flat bone growth that incorporated patients age, pre‐RT bone volume, integral bone dose >35Gy, and time after completion of RT. Dosimetry representing the actual CRT/IMRT plan, a non‐treated comparable IMRT/CRT plan and an idealized plan deliveringdose only to the PTV, with no dosedelivered to tissue outside the PTV, were entered into the model and the resultant volumes compared relative to modeled normal bone growth (integral dose of zero). The prescribed dose to the PTV ranged from 36–55.8 Gy and the median values for the PTV and studied bone volumes were 774 ml (147–1964 ml) and 76 ml (14–215 ml), respectively. Results: Relative to normal bone growth, patients were predicted to maintain 93%, 87% and 84% (p=0.06) of their expected growth with idealized, IMRT and CRT approaches, respectively. Older patients, age ⩾10 years were predicted to maintain a mean growth of 98% compared to normal regardless of method. Those age < 10 years maintained 87% (idealized), 76% (IMRT) and 70% (CRT) of expected growth (p=0.015). On post hoc testing (Tukey) CRT and IMRT both differed significantly from idealized but not from one another. Conclusions: Linear dose‐effect models facilitate comparison of treatment methods and potentially interventions. For older patients, treatment methods do not significantly impact growth for specific flat bones; however, for younger patients, treatment methods may significantly impact flat bone growth especially as we move towards idealized dose distributions potentially feasible with particle therapy.
Volume Analysis of Preadipocyte Injection for Vocal Cord Medialization

Objective: To compare the volume retention of injected preadipocytes with that of standard fat injection in a paralyzed rabbit true vocal cord. Study Design: Prospective analysis with blinded data collection. Methods: Thirteen New Zealand white rabbits were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of seven animals undergoing left-side vocal cord paralysis by resection of a 1-cm segment of the left-side recurrent laryngeal nerve and abdominal fat harvest for isolation of preadipocytes. Preadipocytes were cultured under sterile conditions in cell culture media. Animals in group 2 also underwent left-side vocal cord paralysis without fat harvest. After 10 to 14 days, in a second procedure, group 1 underwent injection of 0.1 mL cultured autologous preadipocytes, and group 2 underwent routine injection of 0.1 mL abdominal fat harvested during the same procedure. At 6 and 12 months, volumetric analysis was performed. Results: Volume analysis at 6 months showed a mean volume of 0.029 mL retained fat in group 2 representing a retention of approximately 29% (SD = 0.023) of the original injected volume. Retention in group 1 animals approximated 0.002 mL (SD = 0.0024) or 2% of the injected volume. Analysis at 12 months showed a mean volume of 0.008 mL (SD = 0.0078) in group 2 and of 0.002 mL (SD = 0.0015) in group 1. Group 2 showed significantly higher volumes of the injected fat at 6 and 12 months (P <.033). Conclusion: Volumes obtained with standard fat injection were superior to those obtained with preadipocyte injection at both 6 and 12 months.
The effect of carbarsone (33.6% w/v p-ureidobenzene arsonic acid) on bodyweight gain, food conversion and tissue arsenic levels of turkey poults

Carbarsone in the form of a proprietary formulation containing 33.6 w/v p-ureidobenzene arsonic acid was fed to turkey poults at dietary levels of up to 0.075%. There was a slightly increased mortality among the birds that had received the 0.075% level from the first day after hatching, but there was no evidence of any adverse effect upon food consumption or upon bodyweight gain among the survivors up to the time of killing at 24 weeks, and no macroscopic evidence of any organ damage. Tissue arsenic residues at 24 weeks were higher with a “zero withdrawal” period than when the Carbarsone was withdrawn 4 days before slaughter, but were still of a low order: the highest individual arsenic residue was 0.4 part/million in a sample of breast muscle from a poult that had received 0.075 part/million throughout, with a “zero withdrawal” period.
Activation of AP-1 Transcription Factors Differentiates FGF2 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Regulation of Endothelial Nitric-oxide Synthase Expression in Placental Artery Endothelial Cells

FGF2 (fibroblast growth factor 2), but not vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), stimulates sustained activation of ERK2/1 for endothelial NOS3 (nitric-oxide synthase 3) protein expression in ovine fetoplacental artery endothelial cells (oFPAEC). We deciphered herein the downstream signaling of ERK2/1 responsible for NOS3 expression by FGF2 in oFPAEC. FGF2, but not VEGF, increased NOS3 mRNA levels without altering its degradation. FGF2, but not VEGF, trans-activated sheep NOS3 promoter, and this was dependent on ERK2/1 activation. FGF2 did not trans-activate NOS3 promoters with deletions upstream of the consensus AP-1 site (TGAGTC A, −678 to −685). Trans-activation of wild-type NOS3 promoter by FGF2 was significantly inhibited when either the AP-1 or the cAMP-response element (CRE)-like sequence (TGCGTCA, −752 to −758) was mutated and was completely blocked when both were mutated. EMSA analyses showed that FGF2, but not VEGF, stimulated AP-1 and CRE DNA-protein complexes primarily composed of JunB and Fra1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed JunB/Fra1 binding to NOS3 promoter AP-1 and CRE elements in intact cells. FGF2, but not VEGF, stimulated JunB and Fra1 expressions; all preceded NOS3 up-regulation and were inhibited by PD98059. Down-regulation of JunB or Fra-1, but not c-Jun, blocked FGF2 stimulation of NOS3 expression and NO production. AP-1 inhibition suppressed FGF2 stimulation of NOS3 expression in human umbilical vein EC and uterine artery endothelial cells. Thus, FGF2 induction of NOS3 expression is mainly mediated by AP-1-dependent transcription involving JunB and Fra1 up-regulation via sustained ERK2/1 activation in endothelial cells.
Interactions of potassium with nitrogen and their influence on growth and yield potential in maize

Abstract Although potassium (K) is not a structural component of plants, it is involved in numerous biochemical and physiological processes. This study was conducted to examine interactions of K with nitrogen (N) levels and N sources as they affect both growth and yield in maize. The role of K in sucrose and amino acid transport into endosperm tissue also was investigated, since maize yield increases are heavily dependent on inputs of inorganic N and K fertilizers. Plants of four maize hybrids were grown in a greenhouse in sand/soil culture. Pots were supplemented to provide 168, 336, or 672 kg/ha K and 168 or 336 kg/ha N as NH4NO3, Ca(NO3)2, or (NH4)2SO4. Plants were harvested at midsilk, and dry weights and kernel primordia were determined. High levels of K promoted more vigorous growth when mixed‐N treatments were averaged across all N rates. High K in conjunction with mixed‐N generally enhanced dry matter accumulation and kernel primordia number for all hybrids. However, high K with either ammonium (N...
STUDIES OF URINARY EXCRETION OF PROGESTIN II. FOLLOWING ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF PREGNEN-IN-ON-3-OL-I7 (ANH YDRO-HYDROXY-PROGESTERONE)1

ARECENT REPORT by members of our group (I) has indicated that the oral administration of relatively large amounts of pregnen-in-on-3-ol-17 (anhydrohydroxy-progesterone) resulted in endometriotropic responses of progestational character in women with diverse grades of ovarian function. Concomitant studies of the urinary titers of the pregnandiol complex and of androgens indicated the occurrence of no significant alterations in these as a result of therapy. Therefore, since, endometriotropic responses characteristic of progestin were induced, apparently without any increases occurring in the urinary titers of pregnandiol complex, studies of the urinary values of biologically active progestin were made. The method for extraction of the urine prior to bioassay has been described in the previous paper. The Corner and Allen (2) technic of bioassay was employed. An extract of a complete 24-hour specimen of male urine, to which 10 mg.
How useful are combinations of blood tests in “Rheumatic panels” in diagnosis of rheumatic diseases?

Laboratory tests are sometimes combined into “panels,” presumably to facilitate a swift and accurate diagnosis. “Rheumatic panels” were available from 16 of 17 members of the American Clinical Laboratory Association. Panels included an average of five tests (range three to 11). Panel prices ranged from $25 to $189. The three tests most common in the available panels were those for rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibody, and uric acid level. A panel combining these three tests would have a positive predictive value of only 34.6% in identifying rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or gout in a population with joint pain, in which the combined prevalence of these diseases is estimated to be 10%. Therefore, 65.4% of persons with a “positive” test would not have one of these three rheumatic diseases. Lack of independence between diseases and second tests (for example, positive antinuclear antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis) increases misclassification errors. A careful history and physical examination along with serial ordering of a few selected tests appear optimal to establish a clinical diagnosis of a rheumatic disease.
A cost-efficient signaling protocol for mobility application part (MAP) in IMT-2000 systems

An efficient signaling protocol for mobility application part (MAP) is essential to mobility support when mobile terminals roam between different networks in next generation wireless systems such as IMT-2000. In this paper, a new signaling protocol is proposed to reduce the overhead caused by mobility management, alleviating network load and consumption of network resources. Moreover, the new protocol effectively reduces the latency of call delivery and call loss rate due to crossing wireless systems with different standards and signaling protocols. Instead of performing location registration after a mobile user arrives at the new system, the mobile user is required to update its location information prior to its reaching the boundary of two systems. Results in this study demonstrate that the new protocol yields significant benefits in terms of reducing signaling costs, delays, and call loss rates.
Factors mediating short- and long-term immune suppression in a parasitized insect

Abstract Suppression of the host immune response after parasitization is essential for the survival of many endoparasitic hymenoptera. In Heliothis virescens larvae parasitized by Campoletis sonorensis , factors have been isolated that rapidly and persistently suppress the immune response to parasite eggs. When C. sonorensis eggs are washed to remove protective factors from the female reproductive tract, H. virescens larvae encapsulate many of the eggs within 3 h. Ovarian proteins are introduced with the parasite egg and rapidly but transiently alter hemocyte morphology and disable the immune response. Campoletis sonorensis polydnavirus (CsPDV) is also introduced during parasitization and disrupts hemocyte morphology at 24 h and encapsulation at later times (Edson et al. , 1981). However, CsPDV-encoded proteins are not detected before 5–6 h after parasitization and hemocyte morphology is not altered at 3 h after virus injection. Therefore, it is unlikely that CsPDV protects parasite eggs from encapsulation in the early stages after parasitization. We hypothesize that in parasitized insects, the rapid short-term immunosuppressive activity of ovarian proteins complements the slower, long-term immune suppression that is provided by CsPDV following infection of host cells and expression of functionally active viral genes.
VCD spectroscopic and molecular dynamics analysis of the Trp-cage miniprotein TC5b.

TC5b is a 20 residue polypeptide notable for its compact tertiary structure, a rarity for a short peptide. This structure is due to the “Trp-cage“ motif, an association of aromatic, Pro, and Gly residues. The structure of TC5b has been fully characterized by NMR and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) studies, but has never been studied with vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy, which may reveal finer structure. In this study, we examine the VCD spectra of TC5b to characterize the spectroscopic signature of the peptide and its comprising structural elements. TC5b exhibited a negative-positive-negative triplet which is associated with α-helical structure in deuterated solvents but also signs of a polyproline II (PPII) helix in the amide I' region. Detection of this element was complicated by the aforementioned triplet form, as well as by an upfrequency shift in PPII helical elements due to the use of the deuterated organic solvents DMSO-d6 and TFE-d1. Nevertheless, while ECD spectra showed only α-helical structure for TC5b, VCD spectroscopy revealed a more complex structure which was in agreement with NMR results. VCD spectroscopy also showed a rapid conformational change of the peptide at temperatures above 35°C in D2O and in aqueous solvent with greater than 75% DMSO-d6 content. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate this latter effect of DMSO-d6 on TC5b were conducted in DMSO and 50% (v/v) DMSO in H2O. In DMSO unfolding of the peptide was rapid while in 50% (v/v) DMSO in H2O the unfolding was more gradual. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 88: 427–437, 2007. This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Motor difficulties in autism spectrum disorder: linking symptom severity and postural stability.

Postural stability is a fundamental aspect of motor ability that allows individuals to sustain and maintain the desired physical position of one’s body. The present study examined postural stability in average-IQ adolescents and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Twenty-six individuals with ASD and 26 age-and-IQ-matched individuals with typical development stood on one leg or two legs with eyes opened or closed on a Wii balance board. Results indicated significant group differences in postural stability during one-legged standing, but there were no significant group differences during two-legged standing. This suggests that static balance during more complex standing postures is impaired in average-IQ individuals with ASD. Further, current ASD symptoms were related to postural stability during two-legged standing in individuals with ASD. Future directions and clinical implications are discussed.
Glycogen accumulation in tibial nerves of experimentally diabetic and aging control rats

Tibial nerves of streptozotocin-diabetic, alloxan-diabetic, and age-matched control rats were examined at 2 weeks and 2, 4, 8, and 12 months following the induction of diabetes. Glycogen-like granules accumulated within perineurial and Schwann cells of only the diabetic animals. This accumulation may reflect a metabolic abnormality in these cells which could account for the reduced conduction velocities seen in the peripheral nerves of these same diabetic rats (Moore et al. 1980a). Glycogen-like granules were also present and increased with age in myelinated axons of both diabetic and control rats. Quantitative data suggest that axonal accumulation of glycogen-like granules is related to aging or injury related phenomena to which diabetic axons may be more susceptible.
Simulation of Core Deflection in Powder Injection Molding

Core deflection in powder injection molding is one of the main causes of the structural defects in the molded part. Simulation of the core deflection in the injection molding process requires solution of the fluid-solid interaction problem, in which the fluid flow and solid deformation problems are coupled along the fluid-solid interface. A three-dimensional finite element program was developed in this work for a non-isothermal injection molding simulation including the fluid-solid interaction effects. With the assumption of small deformation in the solid structure, the fluid flow problem is formulated in an Eulerian frame-work, whereas the solid structure problem is formulated in a Lagrangian framework. Numerical simulation of the filling stage of injection molding for an airfoil-shaped part is presented and compared with the experimental data. The predicted melt-front advancement as well as the pressure is in good agreement with the corresponding experimental results. The predicted core deflection during the filling stage of the injection molding process is also compared with the measurements on a molded part.
National Engineers' Week: Week of 22 February

National Engineers' Week takes place annually during the week of George Washington's birthday. Washington, best known as a soldier and stateman, was also a surveyor and road builder. The National Society of Professional Engineers began this tradition in 1950 with a two‐page article in The American Engineer. The society promoted Engineers Week on a national level beginning in 1951. February and March issues of The American Engineer in 1951 discussed the early celebrations of this week. The society's history (Robbins) also gives insights about the creation of this special week. Although the National Society of Professional Engineers initiated this week, other engineering organizations became involved later. At the present time, many organizations participate in the celebration. Each year, the National Society of Professional Engineers plans a particular theme for the week.
Overcoming Chaotic Behavior of General Circulation Models (GCMs)

General Circulation Climate Models are based on non-linear partial differential equations and therefore exhibit chaotic characteristics. Each run leads to a different temperature trend value, depending on the exact initial conditions. Modelers therefore constrain the trend value by producing an "ensemble-mean" of several runs. We show here that at least 16 runs of 25-year length are necessary to achieve convergence - and at least 4 runs of 100-year length. Contrary to expectations, we find that these numbers do not depend on the magnitude of radiative forcing of the GCM.
Prognostic significance of detection of prostate-specific antigen transcripts in the peripheral blood of patients with metastatic androgen-independent prostatic carcinoma

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the prognostic significance of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) mRNA in relation to survival in patients with metastatic androgen-independent prostatic carcinoma (AIPC). Methods Peripheral blood from 122 men (64 from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center [MSKCC] and 58 from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute [DFCI]) with metastatic (Stage D2) AIPC was analyzed for PSA mRNA using RT PCR. Forty-one controls without prostatic carcinoma were also evaluated. Results RT PCR positivity for PSA mRNA was present in 24 of the 64 (38%) patients seen at MSKCC and in 26 of the 58 (45%) patients followed at DFCI. All control individuals were PSA PCR negative. There was a significant correlation between RT PCR positivity and decreased survival in each of the Memorial and Dana Farber populations (P = 0.028 and 0.039, respectively). Serum PSA (at time of blood collection for PCR) was not predictive of survival as a continuous variable in the MSKCC (P = 0.31) and the DFCI (P = 0.09) groups. RT PCR for PSA mRNA was found to be independent from and superior to serum PSA in predicting survival in both the MSKCC and DFCI populations (P = 0.048 and P = 0.027, respectively). Conclusions The detection of PSA mRNA in the peripheral blood by RT PCR is a predictor of survival in patients with metastatic AIPC, and PCR is superior to a single serum PSA measurement. Further studies are needed to test the value of this factor in comparison to and coupled with other prognostic parameters.