cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Cessation Messages Targeting Pregnant and Nonpregnant Female Smokers in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Analysis into the Impact of Pregnancy, Self-Efficacy, and Risk Perception.

Roughly 10% of pregnant women are current smokers. Improving smoking cessation in this population before and during pregnancy is essential to prevent adverse fetal outcomes. This study aimed to examine cessation messages targeting American women. An obstetrics–gynecological clinic-based sample of female, current smokers of reproductive age (18–44 years old) was recruited (n = 135) from January to May 2019; half (51.2%) were currently pregnant. Participants completed a within-subjects study with a randomized set of gain- and loss-framed text-only pregnancy-related cessation messages (5 each). Each individual message was rated on a validated, 10-point scale for perceived effectiveness; responses to the seven items were averaged. Regression analyses examined differences in effectiveness ratings by message framing. Study participants (female smokers) rated the gain-framed messages as slightly more effective than loss-framed messages (7.9 versus 7.7, p < 0.01). After adjusting for quit intention and pregnancy, the relationship between gain- and loss-framing and effectiveness ratings was modified by both self-efficacy and risk perceptions. Women who perceived high risks of smoking during pregnancy had higher effectiveness ratings of both gain- and loss-framed cessation messages, compared to women who perceived low risks. Lower cessation self-efficacy was significantly associated with lower effectiveness ratings for gain- and loss-framed messages (1.53 and 1.92, respectively; p < 0.05). Women with lower self-efficacy and low risk perception of smoking risks had the lowered effectiveness ratings for both frames of cessation messages. Enhancing self-efficacy and risk perceptions through clinical interventions may improve the effectiveness of targeted messages to promote quitting smoking before or during pregnancy.
Comparing long-term value creation after biotech and non-biotech IPOs, 1997–2016

We compared the financial performance of 319 BIOTECH companies focused on developing therapeutics with IPOs from 1997-2016, to that of paired, non-biotech CONTROL companies with concurrent IPO dates. BIOTECH companies had a distinctly different financial structure with high R&D expense, little revenue, and negative profits (losses), but a similar duration of listing on public markets and frequency of acquisitions. Through 2016, BIOTECH and CONTROL companies had equivalent growth in market cap and shareholder value (>$100 billion), but BIOTECH companies had lower net value creation ($93 billion vs $411 billion). Both cohorts exhibited a high-risk/high reward pattern of return, with the majority losing value, but many achieving growth multiples. While investments in biotechnology are often considered to be distinctively risky, we conclude that value creation by biotech companies after IPO resembles that of non-biotech companies at a similar stage and does not present a disproportionate investment risk.
Rapid Preparation and Electrochemical Energy Storage Applications of Silicon Carbide and Silicon Oxycarbide Ceramic/Carbon Nanocomposites Derived Via Flash Photothermal Pyrolysis of Organosilicon Preceramic Polymers

Silicon carbide (SiC) and silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) ceramic/carbon (C) nanocomposites are prepared via photothermal pyrolysis of cross-linked polycarbosilanes and polysiloxanes using a high-intensi...
When person‐organization (mis)fit and (dis)satisfaction lead to turnover

Purpose – The present study examined the relationships between P‐O fit, job satisfaction, perceived job mobility, and intent to turnover. It was hypothesized that job satisfaction mediated the P‐O fit‐intent to turnover relationship and that perceived job mobility moderated the job satisfaction‐intent to turnover relationship such that the combined effect of high job dissatisfaction and high perceived job mobility predicted intent to turnover.Design/methodology/approach – Data were obtained utilizing a field survey from a sample of 205 full‐time employed adults working in two geographic regions in the USA. Participants completed an HTML‐based web survey that contained measures of the constructs of interest to this study.Findings – Mediated and moderated regression analyses revealed statistical support for the hypothesized relationships, which were interpreted as evidence that P‐O misfit and job dissatisfaction do not necessarily lead to intent to turnover.Research limitations/implications – The potential ...
Constructing Subtle Concurrency Bugs Using Synchronization-CentricSecond-Order Mutation Operators

Mutation testing applies mutation operators to modify program source code or byte code in small ways, and then runs these modified programs (i.e., mutants) against a test suite in order to evaluate the quality of the test suite. In this paper, we first describe a general fault model for concurrent programs and some limitations of previously developed sets of first-order concurrency mutation operators. We then present our new mutation testing approach, which employs synchronization-centric second-order mutation operators that are able to generate subtle concurrency bugs not represented by the first-order mutation. These operators are used in addition to the synchronization-centric first-order mutation operators to form a small set of effective concurrency mutation operators for mutant generation. Our empirical study shows that our set of operators is effective in mutant generation with limited cost and demonstrates that this new approach is easy to implement.
A Framework to Evaluate Service Operations: Dynamic Service-Profit Chain

Organizational managers must make operational investment decisions that have an impact on the firm’s bottom line, yet not all such decision are evaluated for their impact. A dynamic model based on the service-profit chain is proposed to evaluate the imp..
Graph-based alignment of narratives for automated neurological assessment

Narrative recall tasks are widely used in neuropsychological evaluation protocols in order to detect symptoms of disorders such as autism, language impairment, and dementia. In this paper, we propose a graph-based method commonly used in information retrieval to improve word-level alignments in order to align a source narrative to narrative retellings elicited in a clinical setting. From these alignments, we automatically extract narrative recall scores which can then be used for diagnostic screening. The significant reduction in alignment error rate (AER) afforded by the graph-based method results in improved automatic scoring and diagnostic classification. The approach described here is general enough to be applied to almost any narrative recall scenario, and the reductions in AER achieved in this work attest to the potential utility of this graph-based method for enhancing multilingual word alignment and alignment of comparable corpora for more standard NLP tasks.
Si-Containing Ceramic Precursors

1 Introduction 2 Criteria that Define a Useful Precursor 3 Precursors Containing Si and N 4 Precursors Containing Si and C 5 Precursors to SiO Containing Materials Keywords: Si-containing compounds or polymers; chemical vapor deposition, CVD; microstructure and densification control; Si-containing ceramic precursors; Tonen group - combined synthesis and processing approach; precursors to Si–O containing materials; group I and II silicate precursors; NMR end group analysis
Child Art Therapy, 25th Anniversary Edition by Rubin, J. A.

This 25th anniversary edition of Judith Rubin's book, Child Art Therapy, has been updated to include the rapidly expanding literature in the area of child art therapy and recent changes in the ment...
Involvement of Sphingosine 1-Phosphate in Nerve Growth Factor-Mediated Neuronal Survival and Differentiation

Sphingolipid metabolites, such as ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate (SPP), are emerging as a new class of second messengers involved in cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Nerve growth factor (NGF), a neurotrophic factor for pheochromocytoma PC12 cells, induced a biphasic increase in the activity of sphingosine kinase, the enzyme that catalyzes the formation of SPP. This activation was blocked by K252a, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase A (trkA). A rapid 1.7-fold increase was followed by a marked prolonged increase reaching a maximum of fourfold to fivefold stimulation with a concomitant increase in SPP levels and a corresponding decrease in endogenous sphingosine levels. Levels of ceramide, the precursor of sphingosine, were only slightly decreased by NGF in serum-containing medium. However, NGF decreased the elevation of ceramide induced by serum withdrawal. Treatment of PC12 cells with SPP did not induce neurite outgrowth or neurofilament expression, yet it enhanced neurofilament expression elicited by suboptimal doses of NGF. Moreover, SPP also protected PC12 cells from apoptosis induced by serum withdrawal. To further substantiate a role for SPP in the cytoprotective actions of NGF, we found that N, N-dimethylsphingosine, a competitive inhibitor of sphingosine kinase, also induced apoptosis and interfered with the survival effect of NGF. These effects were counteracted by exogenous SPP. Moreover, other structurally related compounds, such as dihydrosphingosine 1-phosphate and lysophosphatidic acid, had no significant protective effects. Our results suggest that activation of sphingosine kinase and subsequent formation of SPP may play an important role in the differentiation and survival effects induced by NGF.
Alternating Automata: Unifying Truth and Validity Checking for Temporal Logics

We describe an automata-theoretic approach to the automated checking of truth and validity for temporal logics. The basic idea underlying this approach is that for any formula we can construct an alternating automaton that accepts precisely the models of the formula. For linear temporal logics the automaton runs on infinite words while for branching temporal logics the automaton runs on infinite trees. The simple combinatorial structures that emerge from the automata-theoretic approach decouple the logical and algorithmic components of truth and validity checking and yield clean and essentially optimal algorithms for both problems.
Design Method for Robust Compliant Motion for Manipulators

This paper describes a controller-design methodology to develop a robust compliant motion for robot manipulators. The achievement of the target dynamics (the target impedance is introduced in Part one (22) 1 and preservation of stabilty robustness in the presence of bounded model uncertainties are the key issues in the design method. State-feedback and force-feedforward gains are chosen to guarantee the achievement of the target dynamics, while preserving stability in the presence of model uncertainties. In general, the closed-loop behavior of a system cannot be shaped arbitrarily over an arbitrarily wide frequency range. We prove, however, that a special class of impedances that represent our set of performance specifications are mathematically achievable through state-feedback end interaction-force feedforward and we offer a geometrical design method for achieving them in the presence of model uncertainties.
Fgf-4 expression during gastrulation, myogenesis, limb and tooth development in the mouse

Fgf-4, initially isolated as a transforming gene from human tumors, is a member of the Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) family. It has previously been shown by northern blot hybridization analysis to be expressed in teratocarcinoma and embryonic stem cells, suggesting that it plays a role in embryonic development. We have carried out an RNA in situ hybridization analysis of Fgf-4 expression in the developing mouse embryo, from fertilization through the 14th day of gestation (E14.5). Our results show that Fgf-4 RNA is first detected at the late blastocyst stage in cells that give rise to all of the embryonic lineages (inner cell mass cells). During the early stages of gastrulation, expression becomes restricted to the primitive streak where mesoderm and definitive endoderm are formed. Expression continues in the distal (rostral) two-thirds of the streak through approx. E10, and then is detected in the tail bud, which replaces the streak as the primary source of mesoderm. Additional sites of expression are found after the three primary germ layers are established and organogenesis begins. Fgf-4 RNA is detected transiently in the branchial arch units, the somitic myotome, the apical ectodermal ridge of the developing limb bud and the tooth bud, suggesting that the gene has multiple roles during embryogenesis. These results are compared with the expression patterns of other FGF genes. Taken together, the data suggest that individual members of the gene family are expressed sequentially in developmental pathways such as mesoderm formation and myogenesis, and play a role in specific epithelial-mesenchymal interactions.
Was My Social Identity Just Threatened? Making Meaning of Gendered Cues in STEM Academe

This inductive research explored the nature of potentially social identity threatening cues in the workplace as described and processed by women scientists in academia. We developed a framework for...
Two-dimensional, real-time, sub-millimeter-wave imaging using a spatially selective mask

In the absence of detector arrays, a single pixel coupled with a spatially selective mask has been shown to be a practical solution to imaging problems in the terahertz and sub-millimeter wave domains. In this paper we demonstrate real-time two-dimensional imager for sub-millimeter waves that is based on a spatially selective image plane mask. The imager consists of a heterodyne source and receiver pair, image forming optics, a spatially selective mask, data acquisition hardware, and image reconstruction software. The optics form an image onto the spatially selective mask and linear measurements of the image are made. The mask must be designed to ensure maximum transmission, measurement linearity, and measurement to measurement independence and our design parameters are presented. Once enough linearly independent measurements are made, the image is reconstructed by solving a system of linear equations that is generated from the mask patterns and the corresponding measurements. We show that for image sizes envisioned for many current applications, this image reconstruction technique is computationally efficient and can be implemented in real time. We present images collected using this system, discuss the results, and discuss other applications for some components of the imager.
A 24-base-pair DNA sequence from the MAT locus stimulates intergenic recombination in yeast

Abstract HO nuclease is a site-specific double-strand endonuclease present in haploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae undergoing mating type interconversion. HO nuclease initiates mating type interconversion by making a double-strand break within the MAT locus. To define the recognition site for the enzyme in vitro, we have constructed a number of point mutations and deletions within or adjacent to the HO recognition site. Digestion of these substrates with HO in vitro reveals that the minimal recognition site is 18 base pairs long, although several shorter substrates and substrates containing point mutations are cleaved at low levels in vitro. A 24-base-pair HO recognition site stimulates homologous recombination when present in a region unrelated to MAT. Recombinants arise from both gene conversion and crossover events. The identification of the HO recognition site provides a way of introducing a defined initiation site for recombination.
Comments on “Interpretations of quantum mechanics, joint measurement of incompatible observables, and counterfactual definiteness”

Some seeming logical deficiencies in a recent paper are described. The author responds to the arguments of the work by de Muynck, De Baere, and Martens (MDM), who argue it is widely accepted today that some sort of nonlocal effect is needed to resolve the problems raised by the works of Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen (EPR) and John Bell. In MBM a variety of arguments are set forth that aim to invalidate the existing purported proofs of nonlocality and to provide, moreover, a local solution to the problems uncovered by EPR and Bell. Much of the argumentation in MBM is based on the idea of introducing `nonideal` measurements, which, according to MBM, allow one to construct joint probability distributions for incompatible observables. The existence of a bona fide joint probability distribution for the incompatible observables occurring in the EPRB experiments would entail that Bell`s inequalities can be satisfied, and hence that the mathematical basis for the nonlocal effects would disappear. This relult would apparently allow one to eliminate the need for nonlocal effects by considering experiments of this new kind.
Geometric Perturbations and Asymmetric Vortex Shedding about Slender Pointed Bodies

The flow about slender, pointed bodies can be characterized by different states with angle of attack. At moderate-to-high angles of attack (alpha approximately equals 40deg), a steady, asymmetric vortex pattern develops along the body, leading to a net lateral force. At higher angles of attack (alpha approximately equals 60deg), the aft-end of the body develops an unsteady von Karman shedding. As the angle of attack approaches 90deg, the entire body length exhibits a time-dependent vortex shedding pattern. The current work uses three-dimensional, thin-layer Navier-Stokes simulations to investigate the physical mechanisms of asymmetric vortex shedding at alpha = 40deg and alpha = 60deg. The development of an asymmetric vortex pattern via a convective instability mechanism is investigated using tip bumps, surface roughness, and tip curvature. It's found that surface roughness simulations can incite an asymmetric vortex state at alpha = 60deg which is consistent with the application of a tip bumps, and the experimentally observed flowfield. The unsteady von Karman vortex shedding on the aft portion of the body is also well resolved. The use of surface roughness did not incite a flow asymmetry at alpha = 40deg, and it was necessary to simulate tip curvature at this angle of attack in order to generate an asymmetric vortex state.
The effect of pepsin solubilization on platelet aggregation by types I and III collagens

The effect of pepsin solubilization on the platelet aggregating activity of type I collagen and type III collagen was examined. Pepsin-digested type I collagen was unable to initiate platelet aggregation in either soluble form or as pre-formed fibrils. In contrast, pepsin-digested type III collagen was active in soluble form or as preformed fibrils. Mixtures of type I and type III collagen were assayed for platelet aggregating activity. In soluble form, these mixtures demonstrated elevated activity with increasing type III concentration. When the mixtures were tested as pre-formed fibrils, the rate of aggregation was relatively constant with the combination 75% type III and 25% type I manifesting the highest activity. The lag time for onset of aggregation was also minimized for this same type III/type I ratio. The combinations of the two collagen types formed fibrils which reflected the amounts of types I and III collagens in solution.
Excited state magnetic moments thorugh moment analysis of magnetic circular dichroism

Abstract The zeroth and first moments of the magnetic circular dichroism of an allowed electronic transition from a non-degenerate ground state allow the excited-state magnetic moment to be evaluated.
Effect of curing temperature on green light emission from Er3+-doped sol-gel silica glass

Abstract Green and less intense red emissions from Er3+ (4f11)-doped sol-gel silica samples (prepared from tetraethylorthosilicate at room temperature and dried at 70°C) under 488 nm excitation were monitored as a function of sample curing temperature. These green and red emission bands, centered at 550 and 660 nm, are the 4 S 3 2 → 4 I 15 2 and 4 F 9 2 → 4 I 15 2 transitions in Er3+ ions, respectively. The emission intensities were found to increase with increasing sample curing temperature ranging from 200 to 1000°C. Green upconversion emission from Er3+ ions in the same samples was also recorded under 647.1 nm light excitation. Its efficiency was enhanced with increased sample curing temperature. This enhancement is attributed to the Er3+-coordination environment produced by different sample curing temperatures. Increasing curing temperatures produces increasing degrees of dehydration and de-alcoholation around the Er3+ ions, thus resulting in a decrease in the non-radiative emission rate.
The structure of human thyroglobulin: Sedimentation equilibrium in 6 M guanidine hydrochloride

Abstract Reduced and alkylated human thyroglobulin has been studied by high speed sedimentation equilibrium in 6 M guanidine-HCl at various pH values and at several rotor speeds. Our results indicate that thyroglobulin is heterodispersed under these conditions. This heterogeneity appears to be due to a combination of the presence of polypeptide moieties of different size derived from the thyroglobulin structure and possible incomplete dissociation. Due to this molecular weight heterogeneity we observe a significant rotor speed dependence of the apparent molecular weight. It is clear, however, that the human thyroglobulin structure contains polypeptide chains of molecular weight significantly below 100 000 and as low as 50 000.
Recursive generation of local adjunct languages

The local adjunct grammars and languages have been introduced by Joshi, Kosaraju, and Yamada in response to linguistic considerations. These grammars differ fundamentally from the Chomsky phrase-structure grammars, and they generate a distinct class of languages.
Barbiturate sales and their use for suicide.

Clarke and Lester (1989) have argued that the availability of a 'method for suicide is related to its use for suicide. They documented this relationship over time for handgun ownership in the USA and the toxicity of car exhaust and domestic gas. They presented no data on availability of medications. The Statistical Abstract of the United States, an annual volume published by the Census Bureau, has data on the sales each year of barbiturates from 1960 to 1974 (except for 1969). The sales per capita were correlated with the suicide and accidental death rates using barbiturates obtained from the Vital Statistics of the United States, published annually by the National Center for Health Statistics. * The suicide rate was associated with the sales of barbiturates (Pearson r12 = 0.53, one-tailed p< .025) and with the accidental death rate using $ubiturates ( r = 0.80, p<.0005). In a multiple regression, R was 0.86 (R = 0.69), with sales almost significant ( p < .08) and accidental deaths significant ( p < .002). During the period 1960-1974, availability of barbiturates, as measured by the sales and by the accidental death rate using barbiturates, was significantly related to their use for suicide.
SU-E-J-34: Tensor-Based Measure of Tumor Deformation

Purpose: To present a tensorial based method for evaluation of tumor deformation. Method and Materials:Image registration provides a displacement field for each voxel and as such provides also a deformation field. The Jacobian of the deformation field reveals the volume changes. However even with Jacobian =1, a voxel might deform. We use the Green‐St Venan strain tensor to quantify the tumor deformation. The tensor is obtained with the in‐house implemented elastic image registration. The Gaussian Pyramid of registered CT volumes allows for speedup of the registration as well as for addressing larger displacement. We use retrospectively ten cases of lungcancer patients for whom a pre‐tretamnt 4 DCT was obtained. The use of the tensor allows for factoring out rotation and translation. This in turns allows for the measurement of the pure deformation. Results: Only three GTVs were observed to deform between phase 50 and phase 0. The relative maximal shape change as quantified by the average ratio of the tensorial elipsoid radii was 30%. The average tumor motion for the cases was 1.6 cm. Conclusion: The method allows for improved measurement of intra fractional tumor deformation as contrasted with methods based on contour or volume comparison. It can be adopted to the measurement of the inter fractional changes in tumor shape and size if relevant CT scans are available.
A new Ilarvirus found in rose

Globularia nudicaulis (family Globulariaceae ) is a perennial, found naturally on European mountains at altitudes between 900 and 2000 m. In June 2004, G. nudicaulis plants, with a yellow mosaic and/or variegation on malformed leaves, were noted among plant species cultivated in the Botanical Garden at Bologna University, Italy. No elongated virus-like particles were observed in affected-leaf extracts by transmission electron microscopy using a leaf dip method. By applying a protein A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (PAS-ELISA) technique (Edwards & Cooper, 1985), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) was detected using a polyclonal antiserum (PVAS 30, American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA, USA). CMV from G . nudicaulis leaves was mechanically transmitted to 10 of 14 species tested. Local lesions were observed in Chenopodium murale and C. quinoa ; systemic symptoms were observed in Nicotiana tabacum , N. benthamiana , N. glutinosa , N. clevelandii and Capsicum annuum , and Cucumis sativus and C. melo . Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) were employed to characterize the CMV isolate. Total RNA was extracted from affected G. nudicaulis leaf samples with a RNeasy Plant Minikit (Qiagen) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. RT-PCR was carried out using specific primers for the movement protein gene of RNA3 of CMV (forward MP + CATGGCTTTCCAAGGTACCAG, genomic position 118nt to 138nt, and reverse CTAAAGACCGTTAACCACCTGC, genomic position 938nt to 959nt; Lin et al ., 2004). All samples yielded DNA fragments of the expected size: 841 bp. PCR products were then analysed by SSCP to identify specific sequence variants and compare genetic relationships with other CMV isolates from the Botanical Garden (MGB & SD, unpublished results). The results showed a sequence variant that was different from other local CMV isolates, indicating that CMV isolate G in G. nudicaulis is a new accession in this location. This is the first time that CMV has been isolated from G. nudicaulis.
Assessing spatial and temporal properties of perimetric stimuli for resistance to clinical variations in retinal illumination.

PURPOSE To develop perimetric stimuli for which sensitivities are more resistant to reduced retinal illumination than current clinical perimeters. METHODS Fifty-four people free of eye disease were dilated and tested monocularly. For each test, retinal illumination was attenuated with neutral density (ND) filters, and a standard adaptation model was fit to derive mean and SEM for the adaptation parameter (NDhalf). For different stimuli, t-tests on NDhalf were used to assess significance of differences in consistency with Weber's law. Three experiments used custom Gaussian-windowed contrast sensitivity perimetry (CSP). Experiment 1 used CSP-1, with a Gaussian temporal pulse, a spatial frequency of 0.375 cyc/deg (cpd), and SD of 1.5°. Experiment 1 also used the Humphrey Matrix perimeter, with the N-30 test using 0.25 cpd and 25 Hz flicker. Experiment 2 used a rectangular temporal pulse, SDs of 0.25° and 0.5°, and spatial frequencies of 0.0 and 1.0 cpd. Experiment 3 used CSP-2, with 5-Hz flicker, SDs from 0.5° to 1.8°, and spatial frequencies from 0.14 to 0.50 cpd. RESULTS In Experiment 1, CSP-1 was more consistent with Weber's law (NDhalf ± SEM = 1.86 ± 0.08 log unit) than N-30 (NDhalf = 1.03 ± 0.03 log unit; t > 9, P < 0.0001). All stimuli used in Experiments 2 and 3 had comparable consistency with Weber's law (NDhalf = 1.49-1.69 log unit; t < 2). CONCLUSIONS Perimetric sensitivities were consistent with Weber's law when higher temporal frequencies were avoided.
From active shape model to active optical flow model: a shape-based approach to predicting voxel-level dose distributions in spine SBRT

Prediction of achievable dose distribution in spine stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) can help in designing high-quality treatment plans to maximally protect spinal cords and to effectively control tumours. Dose distributions at spinal cords are primarily affected by the shapes of adjacent planning target volume (PTV) contours. In this work, we estimate such contour effects and predict dose distributions by exploring active optical flow model (AOFM) and active shape model (ASM). We first collect a sequence of dose sub-images and PTV contours near spinal cords from fifteen SBRT plans in the training dataset. The data collection is then classified into five groups according to the PTV locations in relation to spinal cords. In each group, we randomly choose a dose sub-image as the reference and register all other sub-images to the reference using an optical flow method. AOFM is then constructed by importing optical flow vectors and dose values into the principal component analysis (PCA). Similarly, we build ASM by using PCA on PTV contour points. The correlation between ASM and AOFM is estimated via a stepwise multiple regression model. When predicting dose distribution of a new case, the group is first determined based on the PTV contour. The prediction model of the selected group is used to estimate dose distributions by mapping the PTV contours from the ASM space to the AOFM space. This method was validated on fifteen SBRT plans in the testing dataset. Analysis of dose-volume histograms revealed that the important D2%, D5%, D10% and D0.1cc dosimetric parameters of spinal cords between the prediction and the clinical plans were 11.7 ± 1.7 Gy versus 11.8 ± 1.7 Gy (p = 0.95), 10.9 ± 1.7 Gy versus 11.1 ± 1.9 Gy (p = 0.8295), 10.2 ± 1.6 Gy versus 10.1 ± 1.7 (p = 0.9036) and 11.2 ± 2.0 Gy versus 11.1 ± 2.2 Gy (p = 0.5208), respectively. Here, the 'cord' is the spinal cord proper (not the thecal sac) extended 5 mm inferior and superior to the involved vertebral bodies, and the 'PTV' is the involved segment of the vertebral body expanded uniformly by 2 mm but excluding the spinal cord volume expanded by 2 mm (Ref. RTOG 0631). These results suggested that the AOFM-based approach is a promising tool for predicting accurate spinal cord dose in clinical practice. In this work, we demonstrated the feasibility of using AOFM and ASM models derived from previously treated patients to estimate the achievable dose distributions for new patients.
Ka-band monolithic amplifier using 0.5 mu m gate length ion-implanted GaAs/AlGaAs heterojunction FET technology

Monolithic, two-stage amplifiers using 0.5×80 μm2 gate GaAs/AlGaAs heterojunction FETs have been developed for Ka-band operation. These monolithic two-stage amplifiers were fabricated using ion implantation for the active layer and optical lithography for the 0.5 μm gate length. MMIC two-stage amplifiers achieved average gains of 12.6±1.4 dB at 30GHz and 8.8±2.0 dB at 40GHz, respectively, for all 39 sites across a 3 inch diameter wafer. These are the first reported results the MMIC two-stage amplifiers using 0.5μm gate length ion-implanted GaAs/AlGaAs heterojunction FETs achieved over 10 dB gain at Ka band.
Edmund H. Sonnenblick, MD 1932–2007

Edmund H. Sonnenblick, the Edmond J. Safra Distinguished University Professor of Medicine and Chief Emeritus the Division of Cardiology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, died on September 22, 2007, after a long struggle with esophageal cancer. Born in New Haven, Conn, he graduated from Wesleyan University summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 1954, and from Harvard Medical School cum laude and Alpha Omega Alpha in 1958. He then entered the residency program in internal medicine at Columbia-Presbyterian in New York City. In 1960, he joined the laboratory of Dr Stanley Sarnoff at the National Heart Institute and began his seminal work on cardiac function and myocardial muscle mechanics. From that laboratory in 1962, at the age of 30, he was the sole author of the pioneering paper “Force-Velocity Relations in Mammalian Heart Muscle,” published in the American Journal of Physiology . Up until that time there had been little focus on the fundamental physiological properties of the myocardium. This article, drawing on concepts of muscle mechanics as studied by A.V. Hill and others, led the development of a new field focusing on myocardial function as it relates to normal and abnormal heart performance. In 1963, Dr Sonnenblick joined the cardiology branch of the National Institutes of Health and published …
Angiotensin and vascular fibrinolytic balance

Fibrinolysis is controlled by the plasminogen activator system. The proteolytic activity of this system is mediated by plasmin, which is generated from plasminogen by one of two plasminogen activators. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) inhibits this process. Individuals with reduced fibrinolytic activity are at increased risk for ischemic cardiovascular events, and reduced fibrinolysis may underlie some of the pathological consequences of reduced nitric oxide (NO) availability. Within the vasculature, angiotensin II stimulates the release of PAI-1, thereby reducing fibrinolytic activity. Thus, the plasminogen activator system is largely controlled by the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). In accordance with this finding, treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors is associated with substantial reductions in the incidence of ischemic cardiovascular events. Links between the RAS, fibrinolytic balance, and cardiovascular pathology are further supported by evidence from transgenic and knockout animal models. This article discusses the role of the plasminogen activator system in cardiovascular pathology, and the potential for alleviating that pathology by manipulation of the RAS.
Quantitative electron probe analysis: Problems and solutions

Abstract Quantitative electron probe microanalysis of thin films was evaluated with a series of sulfur-containing proteins, and a method is given for correcting errors due to changes in detector calibration (centroid position and resolution). The correlation coefficient between the results of electron probe analysis and the stoichiometric concentrations of sulfur was 0.998. Shifts in detector calibration that affect particularly elements having overlapping peaks are shown to be correctable by including the first and second derivative of the characteristic peak in the multiple least squares fitting routine used to determine the number of characteristic X-rays in the spectrum. This method allows the accurate measurement of low concentrations of Ca in the presence of high concentrations of K normally encountered in biological specimens. A systematic small error in the quantitation of Na is reported and shown to be due to digital filtering of this region of the continuum that has a relatively high curvature; methods for correction are proposed.
How Selective are Psychology Graduate Programs? the Effect of the Selection Ratio on Gre Score Validity

This study examined the selection ratio for 253 doctorate-level psychology programs. On average, the selection ratio for psychology Ph.D. programs was .11 (SD = .12). This information was used to estimate the existing range restriction on General Record Examination (GRE) scores in validation studies. Results of the investigation showed the importance of correcting for range restriction in GRE validation research. The low selection ratio of graduate programs restricted the GRE variance in the validation sample, decreasing the observed mean correlations with graduate school performance criteria reported in the literature. Appropriate range restriction corrections were made using previous research data. Revised estimates of the GRE validity for predicting performance in psychology graduate programs were computed taking into account range restriction. Results showed that the GRE is a valid predictor of graduate school performance. We offer a GRE range restriction distribution that can be employed in future re...
Purpura fulminans in a case of protein C deficiency.

We report a case of protein C deficiency which presented with purpura fulminans. The inheritance of protein C deficiency is discussed and the importance of warfarin (Coumadin) treatment in this condition is emphasized.
Hyperfine Structure of Deuterium and Nucleon-Nucleon Spin-Orbit Potentials

The hyperfine structure of deuterium is a very sensitive indicator of the amount of spin-orbit forces in the deuteron, and even with the present theoretical uncertainty in the interpretation of the hfs, it affords a limr- tation on the amount of magnetic moment arising from spin-orbit forces which proves te be more severs then that afforded by mere examination of the magnetic moment of the deuteron. (W.D.M.)
Modeling of Macrosegregation Due to Thermosolutal Convection and Contraction-Driven Flow in Direct Chill Continuous Casting of an Al-Cu Round Ingot

MACROSEGREGATION continues to be one of the concerns in direct chill (DC) continuous casting of aluminum ingots. The variation in composition over the ingot cross section results in the need to adjust alloy composition in order to meet mechanical property specifications in finished products. The extent of macrosegregation is greatly affected by the casting conditions, such as casting speed, superheat, cooling rate, mold size, alloy composition, and grain-refining practices. Thus, it is of interest to develop a mathematical model to simulate macrosegregation in DC casting, enabling the selection of conditions that minimize macrosegregation while maintaining a high productivity. Various mechanisms for macrosegregation in aluminum DC casting have been discussed by Chu and Jacoby [1] and Yu and Granger. [2] In general, macrosegregation is caused by the relative movement of liquid and solid in the mushy zone, because the alloy constituents have different solubilities in the two phases. One cause of interdendritic liquid flow through the rigid solid structure in the mushy zone is the contraction of the liquid and the density difference between the solid and liquid phases during solidification. The commonly observed inverse segregation pattern near the outer ingot surface is known to be the result of such contraction driven backflow of solute-rich liquid. Positive segregation at the ingot surface can also be caused by exudation of interdendritic liquid through channels in the partially solidified shell into the contraction gap between the shell and the mold. This flow is driven by the metallostatic head. [3‐6] Less clear are the transport phenomena leading to either positive or negative segregation in the cen
Amiloride Inhibits Meal-Stimulated Colonic Absorption

Meal-stimulated colonic absorption has recently been described, but the cellular transport mechanisms mediating this response are unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the contribution of Na+ transport pathways to colonic proabsorption. Distal colonic Thiry-Vella loops were constructed in six dogs. Absorption was measured by infusing the loops with a physiological electrolyte solution containing [14C] polyethylene glycol as the impermeant marker. In the first set of experiments, the dose dependence of amiloride-induced inhibition of basal colonic absorption was determined. In the second set of experiments the effect of amiloride, which inhibits both Na+ channels and Na+/H+ exchange in colonocytes, on meal-stimulated colonic absorption was determined. Luminal amiloride inhibited basal colonic absorption in a dose-dependent manner, with significant reductions in Na+ absorption occurring with concentrations of 10(-2)M and higher. Infusion with 10(-3)M amiloride, a concentration that did not alter basal absorption, resulted in significant reductions in postprandial water, Na+, and Cl- absorption. These results suggest that meal-stimulated colonic absorption is mediated, at last in part, by transcellular Na+ absorptive pathways.
Clinically relevant CNT dispersions with exceptionally high dielectric properties for microwave theranostic applications.

We present a formulation for achieving stable high-concentration (up to 20 mg/ml) aqueous dispersions of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with exceptionally high microwave-frequency (0.5-6 GHz) dielectric properties. The formulation involves functionalizing CVD-synthesized CNTs via sonication in nitric and sulfuric acid. The overall chemical integrity of the CNTs is largely preserved, as demonstrated via physical and chemical characterizations, despite significant shortening and functionalization with oxygen-containing groups. This is attributed to the protected inner walls of double-walled CNTs in the samples. The resulting CNT dispersions show greatly enhanced dielectric properties compared to a CNT-free control. For example, at 3 GHz, the average relative permittivity and effective conductivity across several 20 mg/ml CNT samples were increased by ~70% and ~400%, respectively, compared to the control. These CNT dispersions exhibit the stability and extraordinary microwave properties desired in systemically administered theranostic agents for microwave diagnostic imaging and/or thermal therapy.
A two-plasmid system for the glycosylation of polyketide antibiotics: bioconversion of ε-rhodomycinone to rhodomycin D

Background: The biological activity of many microbial products requires the presence of one or more deoxysugar molecules attached to agylcone. This is especially prevalent among polyketides and is an important reason that the antitumor anthracycline antibiotics are avid DNA-binding drugs. The ability to make different deoxyaminosugars and attach them to the same or different aglycones in vivo would facilitate the synthesis of new anthracyclines and the quest for antitumor drugs. This is feasible using the numerous bacterial genes for deoxysugar biosynthesis that are now available. Results: Production of thymidine diphospho (TDP)-L-daunosamine (dnm), the aminodeoxysugar present in the anthracycline antitumor drugs daunorubicin (DNR) and doxorubicin (DXR), and its attachment to e-rhodomycinone to generate rhodomycin D has been achieved by bioconversion with a strain of Streptomyces lividans that bears two plasmids. One contained the Streptomyces peucetius dnmJVUZTQS genes plus dnmW (previously named dpsH and considered to be a polyketide cyclase gene), dnrH, which is not required for the formation of rhodomycin D, and dnrI, a regulatory gene required for expression of the dnm and drr genes. The other plasmid had genes encoding glucose-1-phosphate thymidylyltransferase and TDP-glucose4,6-dehydratase (dnmL and dnmM, respectively, or mtmDE, their homologs from Streptomyces agrillaceus) plus the drrAB DNR/DXR resistance genes. Conclusions: The high-yielding glycosylation of the aromatic polyketide e-rhodomycinone using plasmid-borne deoxysugar biosynthesis genes proves that the minimal information for L-daunosamine biosynthesis and attachment in the heterologous host is encoded by the dnmLMJVUTS genes. This is a general approach to making both known and new glycosides of anthracyclines, several of which have medically important antitumor activity.
Temperature gradients, not food resource gradients, affect growth rate of migrating Daphnia mendotae in Lake Michigan

Abstract Zooplankton production plays a critical role in the Great Lakes ecosystem, and vertical migration, which is exhibited by many zooplankton species, could affect production. We examined the effects of water temperature and food resource gradients on the growth rate of zooplankton undergoing vertical migration in Lake Michigan. In three laboratory experiments, juvenile Daphnia mendotae , native herbivorous cladocerans, were incubated for 5 days at water temperatures associated with the epilimnion and deep chlorophyll maxima (DCM) of Lake Michigan and were fed food resources collected directly from these regions. Growth rate strongly depended on water temperature, as Daphnia incubated at the epilimnetic temperature (21 °C) grew 42% faster than those at the DCM temperature (8 °C). Growth rate of Daphnia that alternated between the two temperatures every 12 h (0.108 day − 1 ) was similar to the arithmetic average growth rate of the two water temperature treatment extremes (0.110 day − 1 ), suggesting fluctuating temperatures alone do not substantially influence Daphnia growth. In contrast, food resources derived from different depths did not affect growth rate, nor was there a significant interaction between food resource origin and water temperature effects. Our results indicate that vertical migration will reduce growth rate, and hence zooplankton production, through reduced temperature, not from changes in resources. Consideration of the effects of vertical migration, especially given the known variability in this behavior, may substantially improve zooplankton production estimates in the Great Lakes.
Tension fatigue of glass/epoxy and graphite/epoxy tapered laminates

Symmetric tapered laminates with internally dropped plies were tested with two different layups and two materials, S2/SP250 glass/epoxy and IM6/1827I graphite/epoxy. The specimens were loaded in cyclic tension until they delaminated unstably. Each combination of material and layup had a unique failure mode. Calculated values of strain energy release rate, G, from a finite element analysis model of delamination along the taper, and for delamination from a matrix ply crack, were used with mode I fatigue characterization data from tests of the tested materials to calculate expected delamination onset loads. Calculated values were compared to the experimental results. The comparison showed that when the calculated G was chosen according to the observed delamination failures, the agreement between the calculated and measured delamination onset loads was reasonable for each combination of layup and material.
Limits on spin - mass couplings within the axion window

We compare the relative precession frequencies of Hg and Cs magnetometers as a function of the position of two 475 kg lead masses with respect to an applied magnetic field. Our observations limit the size of a possible monopole-dipole interaction expected to be produced by a pseudoscalar particle such as the axion. For a range of 20 cm, the products of the scalar and pseudoscalar couplings $({g}_{s}{g}_{p}/\ensuremath{\Elzxh}c)$ are found to be less than $2.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}29}$ and $3.6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}29}$ for couplings to the electron and neutron spins, respectively. The $e(n)$ limits are approximately 3 (4) orders of magnitude better than earlier experiments.
Spatial expression of the Drosophila segment polarity gene armadillo is posttranscriptionally regulated by wingless

armadillo (arm) is one of a group of Drosophila segment polarity genes that are required for normal patterning within the embryonic segment. Although arm RNA is uniformly distributed in embryos, arm protein accumulates at higher levels in regions that contain wingless, another segment polarity gene which encodes a secreted protein that regulates patterning via cell-cell communication. These local increases in arm protein require wingless activity, and mutations that alter wingless distribution produce corresponding changes in the arm protein pattern. These results suggest that wingless regulates accumulation of arm protein by a posttranscriptional mechanism. Two other segment polarity genes, porcupine and dishevelled, are required for this effect. We also show that arm protein is closely associated with the plasma membrane in virtually all cell types and often colocalizes with F-actin.