cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Trait Loci Associated with Deoxynivalenol Content and Kernel Quality in the Soft Red Winter Wheat 'Ernie'

Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe [telomorph: Gibberella zeae (Schwein.) Petch] reduces quality in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) when deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulates in the grain. 'Ernie' soft red winter wheat has been used as a source of FHB resistance in many U.S. breeding programs because of its type II resistance, low DON, and good kernel quality under heavy disease pressure. The objectives of this study were to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with both low DON and kernel quality and to determine their association with QTL previously identified for type II resistance in Ernie. Data for DON and Fusarium damaged kernels (FDK) were collected from 243 recombinant inbred lines of the cross Ernie/MO 94-317 grown in inoculated greenhouse experiments conducted in 2002 and 2003. A total of 420 simple sequence repeat and 64 EcoRI/Msel amplified fragment length polymorphism primers were used for parental screening. Three QTL were consistently identified on chromosomes 3BSc, 4BL, and 5AS for both DON and FDK that explained 31 and 42% of the total phenotypic variation in these two traits, respectively. A fourth minor QTL on 2B (R 2 = 4%) was also detected for FDK but was not significant for DON. These QTL were coincidental with those previously identified for type II resistance in Ernie, which suggested that the inheritance of these three resistance factors is interdependent in this variety. These findings should enhance the efficiency of using this source of resistance for FHB-resistance breeding.
Two New Species of Snailfishes of the Genus Careproctus (Scorpaeniformes: Liparidae) from the Bering Sea and Eastern North Pacific Ocean, with a Redescription of Careproctus ovigerus

Two new species of snailfishes are described: Careproctus lycopersicus from the Bering Sea and Careproctus kamikawai from the eastern North Pacific Ocean off southern California. Careproctus lycopersicus was collected at depths of 304 to 1096 m and C. kamikawai at 468 to 1399 m. Both species are most similar to C. ovigerus, from which they are easily distinguished by trilobed teeth in broad bands on both upper and lower jaws, as opposed to the strong simple canine teeth in narrow rows of C. ovigerus. The new species have robust bodies, large pelvic discs, and counts of meristic characters, including dorsal-fin rays 42–45, anal-fin rays 34–38, pectoral-fin rays 33–38, and total vertebrae 45–50, which distinguish them from all other species. Careproctus lycopersicus is distinguished from C. kamikawai by its pale to dusky (vs. black) peritoneum, deeper caudal-fin base, and a longer and wider pelvic disc. In addition, the pelvic disc, anus, and anal-fin origin are all more posteriorly placed on the body in C....
Optimizing loops in programs compiled with the IBM PL/I optimizing compiler

This paper investigates the effect that a PL/I programmer's PL/I coding decisions can have on execution time efficiency. Specifically, we investigated the conditions under which the IBM PL/I optimizing compiler Release 4.0 [2] would produce optimized code for loops. We used several different coding styles to express the same algorithm and examined the code generated by the compiler. We also executed the code and measured its cpu time requirements. The optimized code executed 5 times faster than non-optimized code for the example chosen. We found that optimization was inhibited by not specifying both optimize (time) and reorder. It was further found that programmer decisions such as the use of based variables or user-defined functions in the loop can also inhibit optimization.
Linking QS‐9000 to quality performance outcomes

Although many suppliers in the automotive industry have obtained quality system requirements, QS‐9000 registration/certification, there does not appear to be a direct link to all operational performance outcomes. As companies improve their quality performance as measured by parts per million, other areas such as delivery performance are experiencing missed deadlines. Organizational factors play a key role in long‐term QS‐9000 success change efforts. This presentation summarizes the results from an empirical study of Johnson Controls, a major Tier 1 supplier, and their key suppliers in the USA and Canada who participated. Although the results focus on QS‐9000, some of the theories and practical application could apply to any company desiring registration or compliance to a quality standard.
Possible Implications of Voids in USDA Cattle Slaughter Data: Comment

In a recent article in this Journal, Keith and Purcell expressed the need for collecting and reporting data on number of cows slaughtered in nonfederally inspected plants. Such a data series is required if sound economic research is to be conducted on several important problems of the beef industry. They conducted three analyses, two arithmetic and one statistical, to demonstrate the likely magnitude of error involved in assuming that nonfederally inspected slaughter consists of the same percentage of cows as is reported for federally inspected slaughter. Our estimates, using the same methods, differ substantially from theirs, causing us to challenge their conclusion that "cow slaughter as a percentage of total slaughter is substantially larger in nonfederally inspected plants" (Keith and Purcell, p. 568). Our estimates also vary widely, which both supports their plea for hard data and makes any single estimate inconclusive. In both of the arithmetic methods, the authors assume that all heifers intended for replacement actually enter the cow herd. Evidence suggests that only 70% to 85% of heifers bred to calve at two years of age actually conceive (Rogers; Bentley, Waters, Shumway). A replacement heifer does not enter the cow herd until she has had a calf. There-
Using participants' real data in usability testing: lessons learned

In usability testing, we place great importance on authentic tasks, real users, and the appropriate fidelity of prototypes, considering them carefully in our efforts to simulate people's real-life interactions with our products. We often place less importance on the data with which we ask participants to interact. Commonly, test data are fabricated, created for participants to imagine as their own. But relating to artificial data can be difficult for participants, and this difficulty can affect their behavior and ultimately call our research results into question. Incorporating users' real data into your usability test requires additional time and effort, along with certain considerations, but it can lead to richer and more valid usability results.
Infrared action spectroscopy and dissociation dynamics of the HOOO radical.

The HOOO radical has long been postulated to be an important intermediate in atmospherically relevant reactions and was recently deemed a significant sink for OH radicals in the tropopause region. ...
International differences in cancer survival rates: the role of new drug launches

We investigate the effect of availability of new drugs on survival from 17 types of cancer in 38 countries, controlling for all determinants of cancer survival that are invariant across cancer types within a given country, and that are invariant across countries for a given cancer type. We find that an increase in the number of available drugs is associated with an increase in both the one-year and the five-year survival rate. Also, the probability that a cancer drug has been launched in a country depends on the incidence of cancer cases eligible for treatment by that drug in that country.
Sex-Specific Parent-of-Origin Allelic Expression in the Mouse Brain

Genomic imprinting results in preferential gene expression from paternally versus maternally inherited chromosomes. We used a genome-wide approach to uncover sex-specific parent-of-origin allelic effects in the adult mouse brain. Our study identified preferential selection of the maternally inherited X chromosome in glutamatergic neurons of the female cortex. Moreover, analysis of the cortex and hypothalamus identified 347 autosomal genes with sex-specific imprinting features. In the hypothalamus, sex-specific imprinted genes were mostly found in females, which suggests parental influence over the hypothalamic function of daughters. We show that interleukin-18, a gene linked to diseases with sex-specific prevalence, is subject to complex, regional, and sex-specific parental effects in the brain. Parent-of-origin effects thus provide new avenues for investigation of sexual dimorphism in brain function and disease.
The utility of ultrasound in a case of pericardial tamponade.

A 65-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department (ED) after suddenly collapsing at her workplace. Paramedics found the patient unresponsive, tachycardic, and hypotensive. Witnesses reported that she had some complaints of abdominal pain just before the event, but no other medical information was available. En route to the hospital she was given oxygen by non-rebreather mask (NRBM), was placed on a cardiac monitor, and had a peripheral IV line placed. Upon arrival in the ED, the vital signs were: blood pressure 42/24 torr, heart rate 130 beats/min, respiratory rate 24 breaths/min, temperature 37.8°C (100.0°F), pulse oximeter 100% on 15 liters/min NRBM, and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 3. The patient appeared diaphoretic with rapid shallow respirations, and had narrow complex sinus tachycardia on the monitor. Resuscitation was initiated by first intubating the patient, and giving a rapid 2 liter bolus of normal saline. The patient responded to the fluid bolus, and 2 min after arrival in the ED had a blood pressure of 79/51 torr, with an increased level of consciousness. Secondary survey revealed distant heart tones, a weak point of maximal impulse (PMI), and clear breath sounds bilaterally. The neck veins were distended. Carotid pulses were palpable and equal, with no bruit. Abdominal examination revealed no distention nor a pulsatile mass. The rectal examination was negative for occult blood or mass. The pulses were weak but equal in the femoral arteries, but could not be palpated in the radial arteries bilaterally. There was no lower extremity edema. A 12 lead electrocardiogram (EKG) showed sinus tachycardia, left ventricular hypertrophy by voltage criteria, and associated ST-T wave strain in leads V4-V6 (Figure 1). No acute ST elevation or pulsus alternans was present. A portable chest X-ray study showed cardiomegaly, widened mediastinum, and left ventricular silhouette, suggestive of pericardial effusion (Figure 2). The patient also had a 2D echocardiogram performed at the bedside that revealed the presence of a concentric pericardial effusion of heterogeneous echodensity, which appeared to be a partially organized clot (Figure 3). The echocardiogram also revealed a dilated aortic root and aortic valve insufficiency. Given the patient’s history of abdominal pain followed by sudden collapse and hypotension, the differential diagnoses of primary concern were thoracic aortic dissection and leaking aortic aneurysm. Bedside ultrasonographic findings as noted above were advantageous in quickly and correctly identifying cardiac tamponade associated with clinically suspected aortic disease. Consultations with cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery were obtained immediately after the initial evaluation. While awaiting definitive management, the patient had an episode of hypotension, with blood pressure steadily dropping from 80/50 torr to
Coagulation factors IX through XIII and the risk of future venous thrombosis: the Longitudinal Investigation of Thromboembolism Etiology

Higher levels of procoagulant factors and factor XII deficiency may be risk factors for first venous thromboembolism (VTE). We studied associations of coagulation factors IX through XIII with risk of future VTE in 2 general population samples. Using a nested case-control study combining the 21 860 participants of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study and the Cardiovascular Health Study, we determined antigenic levels of these coagulation factors in primarily pre-event blood samples from 462 participants who subsequently developed VTE and 1047 participants who remained free of VTE. Only elevated levels of factors IX and XI were associated with increased risk of VTE after adjustment for age, sex, race, and study. For factor IX, the odds ratio (OR) was 1.4 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-2.0) comparing the top to bottom quintile. The OR for factor XI was higher: 2.0 (95% CI, 1.4-2.9). With further adjustment for body mass index and diabetes, only elevated factor XI remained associated with VTE risk: OR 1.8 (95% CI, 1.3-2.7). Associations were similar by study and whether the thrombosis was idiopathic or secondary. Factor XII deficiency was not related to VTE risk. Among these procoagulant factors, only elevated factor XI was a risk factor for VTE.
Is interferon-α a neuromodulator?

Interferons were initially characterized for their ability to 'interfere' with viral replication, slow cell proliferation, and profoundly alter immunity. They are a group of hormone-like molecules synthesized and secreted by macrophages, monocytes, T lymphocytes, glia, and neurons. These cytokines have been shown to have several regulatory roles and diverse biological activities, including control of cellular and humoral immune responses, inflammation, and tumor regression. In addition, there are many reports indicating that interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) participates in the regulation of various cellular and humoral processes such as the endocrine system modulates behavior, brain activity, temperature, glucose sensitive neurons, feeding pattern and opiate activity. Therefore, IFN-alpha can be considered as a physiological modulator, with only one of its functions being the ability to hinder viral replication intracellularly.
Benzo(a)pyrene-induced morphologic and developmental abnormalities in rainbow trout.

To determine if the widespread environmental mutagen, benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), was embryotoxic or teratogenic in the rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri R.), newly fertilized eggs were reared on sand experimentally coated with 1 to 500 ppm BaP. The system produced relatively constant aqueous BaP concentrations ranging from 0.08 to 2.99 ppb, levels comparable with those found in polluted rivers. Rainbow trout alevins reared in 2.40 ppb aqueous BaP for 36 days accumulated an average of 12.34 ppm BaP, and autoradiographic examination revealed accumulation of14C-benzo(a)pyrene primarily in the yolk sac and in developing neural and ocular tissues. Although no differences in either survival or hatching success were found between control and BaP-treated eggs, exposure to BaP did alter the length of the hatching process. Morphological abnormalities were significantly increased in BaP-treated alevins compared to controls at aqueous exposures of 0.21, 2.40, and 2.99 ppb. Insufficient yolk sacs, lack of body pigment, kyphosis, and abnormalities or absence of the eyes were among the anomalies present in alevins exposed to BaP.
Equivalent Circuits-2 Coupled Circuits

An equivalent circuit to represent 2 coupled circuits having distributed self -and mutual impedance and admittance is developed in this paper for the general case, and modified for certain specific cases. The application of these equivalent circuits for representation of coupled power circuits or a coupled power circuit and ground wire or metallic cable sheath with distributed grounding impedance in power system analysis is discussed.
In Search of Mathematical Treasures: David Eugene Smith and George Arthur Plimpton

Abstract In the spirit of the Havemeyers and J. Pierpont Morgan, George Arthur Plimpton (1855–1936), longtime president of Ginn & Company, relied upon the cooperation and counsel of Columbia's Teachers College mathematics professor and historian, David Eugene Smith (1860–1944), in assembling the well-known collection of mathematical memorabilia that composes the Plimpton Collection of the Columbia University Library. The story of Plimpton and Smith's collaboration and search for rare manuscripts and texts described in this paper illustrates the kind of beneficial cooperation that has provided important cultural legacies in many fields including mathematics.Copyright 1998 Academic Press. Avec les conseils et la cooperation du professeur de mathematiques et historien, David Eugene Smith (1860–1944), George Arthur Plimpton (1855–1936), qui fut longtemps president de Ginn & Company, suivit l'exemple des Havemeyers et de J. Pierpont Morgan pour assembler un ensemble d'objets et de livres sur les mathematiques qui forment la Plimpton Collection de la bibliotheque de l'Universite de Columbia. Cet article raconte l'histoire de la collaboration entre Plimpton et Smith et de leurs recherches pour trouver des manuscrits et des textes rares, et illustre le type de cooperation benefique qui nous vaut d'importants heritages culturels dans beaucoup de disciplines, y compris les mathematiques.Copyright 1998 Academic Press. AMS 1991 subject classifications: 01A40, 01A60, 01A70
Simulated-High-Altitude Testing of Aircraft Ignition Cables and Connectors

PROGRESS in flying to ever increasing altitudes has brought with it a host of problems of which none have been more urgent than those involving the distribution of magneto energy to the aircraft spark plug. Highly stressed even under more favorable conditions, conventional cables and connectors have exhibited failures in high-altitude operation whose origin called for prompt study and correction. This paper describes an investigation of these causes using a simulated high-voltage high-temperature high-altitude tester and presents several means by which the life of the ignition system may be appreciably extended.
Calcium-permeable ion channels in cerebellar neurons from mdx mice.

Recordings of single-channel activity were made from cell-attached patches on cerebellar granule cells from normal and mdx mice. Recordings from mdx granule cells show the activity of ion channels that are open for seconds at negative holding potentials near rest. These channels are permeable to divalent cations and have a conductance of 8–10 pS with either Ca 2+ or Ba 2+ as the charge carrier in the patch electrode. Under similar recording conditions, channel activity is virtually absent from normal mouse granule cells. The absence of dystrophin in neurons, as well as in skeletal muscle, is associated with an increase in the activity of Ca 2+ -permeable ion channels. Increased channel activity may be an early event leading to pathophysiological accumulation of intracellular Ca 2+ in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Sleep discontinuity and impaired sleep continuity affect transition to and from obesity over time: Results from the Alameda County Study

AIMS: To investigate the impact of development in sleep continuity on transition to and from obesity over time. METHOD: The study used self-reported sleep and body mass index (BMI) measures from th ...
Case report: injuries associated with interactive game consoles: preliminary data.

AbstractThe use of motion-sensing video game software has provided users with the ability to mimic movements in many sports such as baseball, tennis, and boxing. Epidemiology on injuries and overuse of motion-sensing video game systems is minimal because the systems have only been available for 2 years. This case series report presents preliminary data on injuries related to the game systems from the first full year of use. Methods included the use of secondary data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System for 2007. The query found 21 cases of injury related to the use of the “Wii” video game system (Nintendo of America Inc., Redmond, WA). Results indicated that females were more prone to injuries, and the mean age was 16 years. Most injuries were soft tissue in nature and located in the shoulders, hands and fingers, and the face and neck region. Our discussion includes prevention strategies for reducing injury risk when playing motion-sensing video games.
Experimental Design in Clinical Trials

The design and analysis of clinical trials is fertile soil for statistical applications. The use of sound statistical principles in this area is particularly important because of close FDA involvement, in addition to crucial public health issues which are consequences of actions based on the outcomes of clinical experiments. Principles and procedures of experimental design, particularly as applied to clinical studies, are presented. Relatively few different experimental designs are predominantly used in controlled clinical studies. In this chapter we discuss several of these important designs and their applications.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition Defensive Functioning Scale: a validity study

Abstract Objective We assess the convergent and predictive validity of the Defensive Functioning Scale (DFS) with measures of life events, including childhood abuse and adult partner victimization; dimensions of psychopathology, including axis I (depressive) and axis II (borderline personality disorder) symptoms; and quality of object relations. Method One hundred and ten women from a university-based urban primary care clinic completed a research interview from which defense mechanisms were assessed. The quality of object relations was also assessed from interview data. The women completed self-report measures assessing depression, borderline personality disorder symptoms, childhood physical and sexual abuse, and adult partner physical and sexual victimization. Results Inter-rater reliability of the scoring of the DFS levels was good. High adaptive defenses were positively correlated with the quality of object relations and pathological defenses were positively correlated with childhood and adult victimization and symptom measures. Although major image distorting defenses were infrequently used, they were robustly correlated with all study variables. In a stepwise multiple regression analysis, major image distorting defenses, depressive symptoms, and minor image distorting defenses significantly predict childhood victimization, accounting for 37% of the variance. In a second stepwise multiple regression analysis, borderline personality disorder symptoms and disavowal defenses combined to significantly predict adult victimization, accounting for 16% of the variance. Conclusions The DFS demonstrates good convergent validity with axis I and axis II symptoms, as well as with measures of childhood and adult victimization and object relations. The DFS levels add nonredundant information to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition beyond axis I and axis II.
Monovalent cation effects on the activity of the xenobiotic/medium-chain fatty acid:CoA ligases are substrate specific.

The effect of monovalent cation on the activity of the XL-I and XL-III forms of xenobiotic/medium-chain fatty acid:CoA ligase (XM-ligase) was investigated using a variety of different carboxylic acid substrates. With benzoate or p-hydroxybenzoate as substrate, the XL-I ligase was essentially inactive in the absence of monovalent cation. However, with phenylacetic acid and medium-chain fatty acids as substrate, the enzyme retained 3 to 10% activity upon removal of monovalent cation. Further, while Na+ was ineffective with benzoate and p-hydroxybenzoate as substrates, it was effective with other substrates, although still less effective than K+. For XL-III, activity toward benzoate, hydroxybenzoate, and salicylate was insignificant in the absence of monovalent cation, but this rate was 10% of the K+-supported rate for hexanoate and 20% for decanoate. Also, with decanoate as substrate, XL-III was activated more by Na+ than by K+. Thus, the nature of the dependence on monovalent cation for activity is substrate-selective. Kinetic analysis of the effect of K+ on the activity of XL-I and XL-III revealed that activation by K+ was not the result of alteration of the affinity of the enzymes for either ATP or the carboxylic acid. For both forms of XM-ligase, K+ was found to enhance the affinity of the enzyme for CoA, regardless of the substrate, although the extent of the enhancement was substrate-specific. In almost all cases there was further activation, even at saturating concentrations of CoA, which indicates an additional effect of monovalent cation on the catalytic rate constant for the reaction. The exception was activation of XL-III activity toward decanoate, which was solely the result of enhanced binding affinity for CoA. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biochem Toxicol 14:162–168, 2000
Impact of small changes in particle surface chemistry for unentangled polymer nanocomposites

We report microstructural and rheological consequences of altering silica particle surface chemistry when the particles are suspended in unentangled polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight of 400. The particle surfaces are altered by reacting them with isobutyltrimethyoxysilane. Levels of silanization are chosen so that the particles remain dispersed in the polymer at all volume fractions studied. Our studies indicate that at the levels studied, silanization does not alter the hydrodynamic thickness of the absorbed polymer layer thickness. Rheological properties are not sensitive to levels of silanization up to particle volume fractions where the average particle separation h ∼ 6Rg (4.8 nm). At these volume fractions, composite microstructure undergoes changes associated with jamming of soft particles (decorrelations in the first peak of the particle structure factor and the onset of a non-diffusive mechanism that dominates particle density fluctuations at short times.) In the region of volume fractions where h/Rg < 6, the zero-shear rate viscosity of the composites is extremely sensitive to level of silanization with a decrease in the zero-shear rate viscosity by four orders of magnitude observed for the highest levels of silanization studied in comparison to the bare particles.
Families and assisted living.

PURPOSE: Despite growing research on assisted living (AL) as a residential care option for older adults, the social ramifications of residents' transitions to assisted living is relatively unexplored. This article examines family involvement in AL, including family structures of residents, types of involvement from family members living outside the AL, and outcomes for these family members. DESIGN AND METHODS: We reviewed current literature utilizing the MEDLINE, PSYCINFO, and CINAHL databases to identify AL studies that examined issues pertaining to families or informal care. Following the screening of abstracts, 180 reports were retrieved for further review, and 62 studies were selected for inclusion. RESULTS: Families visit residents frequently and provide a wide range of instrumental assistance but provide only minimal personal care. Studies of family outcomes indicated relatively high satisfaction, but potential care burden as well. IMPLICATIONS: How family care and involvement occurs in AL in relation to formal care provision and whether various types of formal-informal care integration influence family outcomes remains unclear. We suggest a research agenda that attempts to tease out causal relationships for family involvement, differentiate family roles, and implement longitudinal analyses for a range of family outcomes.
Diversification of the Perognathus flavus species group in emerging arid grasslands of western North America

We investigated the evolutionary history of a group of silky pocket mice (Heteromyidae: Perognathinae: Perognathus flavus species group) composed of the species P. flavus and P. merriami to determine patterns and postulate causes of geographical diversification across arid grasslands and intermontane basins in western North America. The region represents a topographically complex landscape with a Neogene history of dramatic geological and climatic transformations. Phylogenetic and dating analyses of mitochondrial DNA support an initial split among 4 major lineages during the late Miocene, and this hypothesis receives further support from analysis of a portion of the nuclear interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) gene. Two of these lineages have a restricted geographic distribution in the Chihuahuan Desert, and 2 have distributions ranging across large portions of the Chihuahuan Desert, Colorado Plateau, Great Plains, and Tamaulipan Plain. Within the 2 widespread lineages further geographical diversification likely was concentrated in the Pliocene, which coincided with the origin of several hypothesized geographic barriers. These results are consistent with models of allopatric divergence driven by pre-Pleistocene geological and climatic events, particularly the late-Miocene expansion of interior grasslands and Miocene–Pliocene evolution of Basin and Range geomorphology. Therefore, the biogeographic structure displayed in the flavus species group may be predictive for a range of sympatric taxa. DOI: 10.1644/09-MAMM-A-102.1.
Impact of subspecialty elective exposures on outcomes on the American board of internal medicine certification examination

The American Board of Internal Medicine Certification Examination (ABIM-CE) is one of several methods used to assess medical knowledge, an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) core competency for graduating internal medicine residents. With recent changes in graduate medical education program directors and internal medicine residents are seeking evidence to guide decisions regarding residency elective choices. Prior studies have shown that formalized elective curricula improve subspecialty ABIM-CE scores. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate whether the number of subspecialty elective exposures or the specific subspecialties which residents complete electives in impact ABIM-CE scores. ABIM-CE scores, elective exposures and demographic characteristics were collected for MedStar Georgetown University Hospital internal medicine residents who were first-time takers of the ABIM-CE in 2006–2010 (n=152). Elective exposures were defined as a two-week period assigned to the respective subspecialty. ABIM-CE score was analyzed using the difference between the ABIM-CE score and the standardized passing score (delta-SPS). Subspecialty scores were analyzed using percentage of correct responses. Data was analyzed using GraphPad Prism version 5.00 for Windows. Paired elective exposure and ABIM-CE scores were available in 131 residents. There was no linear correlation between ABIM-CE mean delta-SPS and the total number of electives or the number of unique elective exposures. Residents with ≤14 elective exposures had higher ABIM-CE mean delta-SPS than those with ≥15 elective exposures (143.4 compared to 129.7, p=0.051). Repeated electives in individual subspecialties were not associated with significant difference in mean ABIM-CE delta-SPS. This study did not demonstrate significant positive associations between individual subspecialty elective exposures and ABIM-CE mean delta-SPS score. Residents with ≤14 elective exposures had higher ABIM-CE mean delta-SPS than those with ≥15 elective exposures suggesting there may be an “ideal” number of elective exposures that supports improved ABIM-CE performance. Repeated elective exposures in an individual specialty did not correlate with overall or subspecialty ABIM-CE performance.
Sequencing of the total course of hyperthermia and irradiation.

Abstract The effect of sequencing of the total course of hyperthermia and irradiation on local tumor control was studied on a murine tumor system (RIF). The results showed a 20% control rate for the treatment arms: ( a ) total course of irradiation followed by total course of hyperthermia; or ( b ) total course of hyperthermia followed by total course of irradiation. A superior (70%) control rate was achieved when irradiation and heat were given close to each other on each session. The detailed results are presented.
The application of prototype point processes for the summary and description of California wildfires

A method for summarizing repeated realizations of a space-time marked point process, known as prototyping, is discussed and applied to catalogues of wildfires in California. Prototype summaries are constructed for varying time intervals using California wildfire data from 1990 to 2006. Previous work on prototypes for temporal and space-time point processes is extended here to include methods for computing prototypes with marks and the incorporation of prototype summaries into hierarchical clustering algorithms, the latter of which is used to delineate fire seasons in California. Other results include summaries of patterns in the spatial-temporal distribution of wildfires within each wildfire season.
PARTIES AND SOCIAL PROTEST IN LATIN AMERICA'S NEOLIBERAL ERA

Prior research has shown that economic liberalization leads to greater levels of protest in the presence of open and democratic politics. Yet the meso-level political institutions that associate democratic political regimes with protest remain unknown. In this light, the article analyses the effects of political parties on the level of protest using cross-sectional time-series data from 17 Latin American countries beginning with the third wave of democratization in 1978. The results show that the quality of representation embodied in political parties structures the level of societal conflict. In particular, countries with low levels of party system institutionalization and high levels of legislative fragmentation experience greater levels of protest activity. Overall, the article highlights the importance of political institutions in countering the most recent wave of protest against economic liberalization across Latin America.
A model for estimating the cost of AI software development: what to do if there are no lines of code?

Since AI software development is becoming a common enterprise, requirements for cost estimation increase. Four traditional software cost models are examined for useful characteristics. After extending the function points model to expert systems, features of traditional software cost models are incorporated in a new model. The new model is designed so that it can be applied to costing expert systems, extended for other areas of AI, and used for costing traditional software development. Trial data are applied to the several models to give some understanding of the models' features. >
Chronic hypoxia and VEGF differentially modulate abundance and organization of myosin heavy chain isoforms in fetal and adult ovine arteries

Chronic hypoxia increases vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and thereby promotes angiogenesis. The present study explores the hypothesis that hypoxic increases in VEGF also remodel artery w...
The Relation Between the Rate of Return to Tenure, Earnings Growth, and Job Switching

Economists postulate that holding a job enhances one’s productivity to some degree because of job skills gained while working as well as because the longer one works for a firm the more one learns specifics about how the firm functions. Skills learned that can be transferred to other firms are referred to as general human capital, and skills that are specific to the firm and will not enhance productivity are referred to as specific human capital. This paper seeks to measure the relative magnitudes of general versus specific human capital by examining earnings growth over time. Skills are revealed to be general human capital when a worker changes employers and earnings stay at the same level or rise. Because there is a tendency for workers to change employers when they can increase their earnings, estimates of the process generating wage growth must reflect optimizing behavior by the worker. We model the wage process on the job and the wage opportunity at the best outside employer as diffusion processes with drift, and use a simple unified model of wage change and job switches for higher wages to estimate a model of job duration and wage growth. Measurement error in wage rates and job interruptions due to involuntary separations are accounted for.
Provably unbreakable hyper-encryption in the limited access model

Encryption is a fundamental building block for computer and communications technologies. Existing encryption methods depend for their security on unproven assumptions. We propose a new model, the limited access model for enabling a simple and practical provably unbreakable encryption scheme. A voluntary network of tens of thousands of computers each maintain and update random pages, and act as page server nodes. A sender and receiver share a random key K. They use K to randomly select the same PSNs and download the same random pages. These are employed in groups of say 30 pages to extract one time pads common to S and R. Under reasonable assumptions of an adversary's inability to monitor all PSNs, and easy ways for S and R to evade monitoring while downloading pages, hyper encryption is clearly unbreakable. The system has been completely implemented
Modeling snow crystal growth II: A mesoscopic lattice map with plausible dynamics

We present a local lattice model for the evolution of snow crystals that combines diffusion-limited aggregation with anisotropic attachment kinetics and an idealized quasi-liquid layer. Despite a voluminous modeling literature, this is apparently the first approach that successfully captures the essential form of core and tip instabilities, branch faceting, and other aspects of real snow crystal growth. As parameters are varied, our nearest neighbor system reproduces the basic features of most of the observed varieties of planar snowflakes and offers new insights into their genesis.
Dietary Structured Lipids and Phytosteryl Esters: Blood Lipids and Cardiovascular Status in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

This study examined the dietary effects of enzymatically modified sesame oil with caprylic acid (structured lipids, SL) and phytosteryl esters (PE) on blood lipid profiles and cardiovascular parameters of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) fed high-fat and high-cholesterol (HFHC) diets. The dietary groups were: normal diet (control), sesame oil (SO), SL, SO fortified with PE (SOP), and SL fortified with PE (SLP). After 9 weeks of feeding, the body weights, liver weights, and liver weight/body weight ratios in all HFHC-fed groups were higher than controls. Plasma total and LDL cholesterol levels in all HFHC-fed groups were similar to one another but higher than those in controls. Plasma HDL cholesterol levels in rats fed SOP and SLP were higher than those in controls or rats fed SO and SL. Plasma HDL/total cholesterol ratios in rats fed SOP and SLP were similar to those in controls and were higher than those in rats fed SO and SL. There was no difference in plasma lipid profiles between rats fed SO and SL. Arterial blood pressures (BP) in conscious HFHC-fed rats were similar to those in controls whereas heart rates (HR) in all HFHC-fed groups were similar to one another but were higher than that in controls. These findings demonstrate that (1) the dietary effects of SL on plasma lipid profiles and resting BP and HR are similar to those of SO, (2) PE had positive effects on plasma lipid profiles, and (3) 9-week intake of SL and PE did not have pronounced effects on resting BP but induced tachycardia in SHR.
The Marley Hypothesis Denial of Racism Reflects Ignorance of History

This study used a signal detection paradigm to explore the Marley hypothesis--that group differences in perception of racism reflect dominant-group denial of and ignorance about the extent of past racism. White American students from a midwestern university and Black American students from two historically Black universities completed surveys about their historical knowledge and perception of racism. Relative to Black participants, White participants perceived less racism in both isolated incidents and systemic manifestations of racism. They also performed worse on a measure of historical knowledge (i.e., they did not discriminate historical fact from fiction), and this group difference in historical knowledge mediated the differences in perception of racism. Racial identity relevance moderated group differences in perception of systemic manifestations of racism (but not isolated incidents), such that group differences were stronger among participants who scored higher on a measure of racial identity relevance. The results help illuminate the importance of epistemologies of ignorance: cultural-psychological tools that afford denial of and inaction about injustice.
A G1103R Mutation in CRB1 is Co-Inherited with High Hyperopia and Leber Congenital Amaurosis

Purpose: To identify the genetic basis of recessive inheritance of high hyperopia and Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) in a family of Middle Eastern origin. Materials and methods: The patients were examined using standard ophthalmic techniques. DNA samples were obtained and genetic linkage was carried out using polymorphic markers flanking the known genes and loci for LCA. Exons were amplified and sequenced. Results: All four members of this family affected by LCA showed high to extreme hyperopia, with average spherical refractive errors ranging from +5.00 to +10.00. Linkage was obtained to 1q31.3 with a maximal LOD score of 5.20 and a mutation found in exon 9 of the CRB1 gene, causing a G1103R substitution at a highly conserved site in the protein. CRB1 is a vertebrate homolog of the Drosophila crumbs gene, which is required for photoreceptor morphogenesis, and has been associated with either retinitis pigmentosa (RP) or LCA. This sequence variant has previously been reported as a compound heterozygote i...
A novel method to assess test-quality of phase-3 trials

Objectives To investigate new drug development programs, we piloted a method to assess “test-quality” of phase-3 trials. Methods. 40 phase-3 trial results, announced in 2001, were evaluated using standardized design, performance, and trial endpoint criteria, and available FDA reviews. Trials were reliable if scientifically designed, conducted according to GCP (presumptively reliable if GCP unconfirmed), and employed FDA-accepted endpoints; unconvincing if endpoints were unacceptable; and inconclusive if the design was scientifically weak or GCP was violated. Results. 34 trials (85%) were evaluable: 100% were scientifically sound, employing randomization, adequate blinding and power, and employed acceptable endpoints. GCP compliance was confirmed in 50%, unconfirmed in 47%; 3% were non-compliant. Using our taxonomy, 97% of trials were presumptively or definitely reliable, 3% were inconclusive, and none were unconvincing. Trial sponsors reported 82% of trials as “successful,” of which 57% were FDA approved/approvable by 2003. Implications. High test-quality of publicly announced phase-3 trials in 2001 was confirmed. About one-half of “successful” trials led to FDA approval within 2 years, usually in public companies or partnerships with prior drug approvals (81%). A “quality and completeness” assessment of pre-phase-3 programs will be applied to further investigate ability of phase-3 trials (publicly announced or private) to reliably demonstrate drug effectiveness. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2004) 75, P8–P8; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2003.11.030
Mawangdui, Excavated Materials, and Transmitted Texts: A Cautionary Note

The archaeological finds from Han tomb no. 1 at Mawangdui near Changsna are among the most spectacular of the past two decades.1 The Shang tomb of Lady Fu Hao, the tomb of an unidentified king of the Zhong shan state, the tomb of Lord Yi of Zeng, and the funerary pits near the tomb of Qin Shihuangdi are among the few that compare in terms of the quantity and importance of material evidence newly revealed to students of early Chinese history and culture. But along with all the valuable information from Mawangdui has emerged a reminder of the potential for major discrepancies between excavated materials and historically transmitted texts, suggesting good reason for caution in interpreting early materials on the basis of tradi tional literature.
Fully spatially coherent EUV source for coherent imaging applications

We present measurements of the coherence of EUV light generated using the process of high-harmonic upconversion of light from a femtosecond laser1. We show that, by using a phase-matched hollow-fiber geometry, the EUV light generated exhibits the highest inherent spatial coherence of any source in this region of the spectrum to date. This source generates approximately 1012 photons/sec in a fraction of an eV FWHM bandwidth around 31eV. Since this source exhibits full spatial coherence at very short wavelength, this light source represents the smallest inherent effective source-size of any light source yet created.
Electron beam energy QA — a note on measurement tolerances

Monthly QA is recommended to verify the constancy of high-energy electron beams generated for clinical use by linear accelerators. The tolerances are defined as 2%/2 mm in beam penetration according to AAPM task group report 142. The practical implementation is typically achieved by measuring the ratio of readings at two different depths, preferably near the depth of maximum dose and at the depth corresponding to half the dose maximum. Based on beam commissioning data, we show that the relationship between the ranges of energy ratios for different electron energies is highly nonlinear. We provide a formalism that translates measurement deviations in the reference ratios into change in beam penetration for electron energies for six Elekta (6-18 MeV) and eight Varian (6-22 MeV) electron beams. Experimental checks were conducted for each Elekta energy to compare calculated values with measurements, and it was shown that they are in agreement. For example, for a 6 MeV beam a deviation in the measured ionization ratio of ± 15% might still be acceptable (i.e., be within ± 2 mm), whereas for an 18 MeV beam the corresponding tolerance might be ± 6%. These values strongly depend on the initial ratio chosen. In summary, the relationship between differences of the ionization ratio and the corresponding beam energy are derived. The findings can be translated into acceptable tolerance values for monthly QA of electron beam energies.
Variation of P-wave modulus with frequency and water saturation: Extension of Dynamic-Equivalent-Medium-Approach for high fluctuation media

Summary We propose a new modeling approach for the variation of complex-valued P-wave modulus with frequency and water saturation. The proposed method is based on the theory called Dynamic-Equivalent-Medium-Approach (DEMA, Muller and Gurevich, 2005) that predicts P-wave modulus dispersion due to mesoscopic-scale wave-induced fluid flow. Though the original DEMA is developed under small fluctuation assumption, we extend it for high fluctuation media such as partially saturated rock, introducing scaling by the known rigorous bounds and the use of the characteristic length instead of the correlation length of medium heterogeneity. The effect of mesoscopic-scale pressure diffusion is significant and the amount of velocity dispersion and attenuation is large in high fluctuation media; therefore, our extension improves the accuracy of the prediction of both P-wave velocity and attenuation.
Ethical Considerations in the Use of Sexually Explicit Visuals as an Instructional Methodology in College Sexuality Courses

ABSTRACT This article examines ethical considerations in the use of sexually explicit materials (SEM) as an educational methodology in undergraduate human sexuality courses. While current research is lacking on the effects of this methodology on students, previous studies indicate that SEM use benefits student knowledge gain, attitude awareness, and communication skills. Some studies have identified potential harm in regard to uncomfortable emotional reactions, with special concern for students who have experienced non-consensual sex. The paper advocates that instructors be mindful of ethical principles and adhere to the American Psychological Association's Ethics Code when using SEM in their courses.