cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Small area student enrollment projections based on a modifiable spatial filter

Abstract This paper describes a new method for making short-term (4–8 yr) student enrollment projections by grade and ethnic group for small geographic areas. The method links an information system that contains student characteristics and home addresses with a commonly available digital geographic database (TIGER) to create a geographic accounting table of student residences by census blocks. Progression rates of students from one grade to the next are estimated for each small area by aggregating student residences, by grade, for a 3 yr period over a larger area (the modifiable spatial filter) centered on the small area. The size of the filter area depends on the geographical distribution of students, a user-specified student threshold value, and a maximum distance constraint. The progression rates are applied to the student population of each census block in a grade-cohort component projection model. Projections of the number of students enrolled in each grade for any defined geographical area are made by aggregating the projections for the census blocks in the area. We show that results using this method are consistent with those from the same model applied to school attendance area enrollment data, whereas results using the small-area data without the filter are not. This result supports our conclusion that the method is reliable for making grade-specific enrollment projections, for which past enrollment data do not exist, such as those for new schools or for revised attendance areas. We describe the techniques used to link the student information system to the digital map, compute the spatial filter statistics efficiently, and make projections for new school attendance areas. We have used the modifiable spatial filter method for projecting student populations and modifying attendance area boundaries in two Iowa school districts.
Who visits the U.S. National Parks? An analysis of park visitors and visitation: 1990-2008.

Abstract This study examines U.S. National Park visitation from 1990 through 2008. Using data from the Visitor Services Project of the Park Studies Unit at the University of Idaho, 180 different National Park Service units are analyzed on the basis of nine variables common to all park units, such as group size, distance traveled, and first-time visitation. Data are also analyzed by four park types that have been created for the study: Type I, natural parks/monuments; Type II, recreation areas/shorelines; Type III, military parks/battlefields; and Type IV, historical/cultural parks. Data show specific differences for the four park types on the basis of several of the demographic and travel variables. Implications are provided for managers wanting to use these data to improve their understanding of visitor demand, market segmentation, and programme delivery. Future research is proposed to learn more about the visitor experience, visitation trends, and data sharing.
Comparative ecology of prickly sculpin, Cottus asper, and coastrange sculpin, C. aleuticus, in the Eel River, California

We documented species' distributions, size structure of populations, abundance in mainstem and tributary streams, habitat use, and diets of prickly sculpin, Cottus asper, and coastrange sculpin, C. aleuticus, in the Eel River drainage of California, to determine the processes allowing coexistence of these very similar fishes. We observed prickly sculpins at 43 sites and coastrange sculpins at 34. The species co-occurred at 26 sites. Young-of-year coastrange sculpins were only observed within 42 km of the ocean, but young-of-year prickly sculpins were present throughout the species range. Mean, maximum, and minimum lengths of coastrange sculpins were positively correlated with distance from the ocean but no significant relationships were found for prickly sculpins. Absolute abundance of both species was highest in mainstem habitat (prickly sculpins = 0.6 sculpins m−2 and coastrange sculpins = 0.4 sculpins m−2) . Tributary densities of both species tended to be less than 0.1 sculpins m−2. The species inhabited very similar habitats and had very similar diets. Coastrange sculpin populations in upstream areas were maintained by immigration from downstream areas in contrast with prickly sculpin populations that produced young-of-year fish throughout their range. Densities were probably not high enough for interspecific interactions to be important. The factors limiting the upstream distribution of the species may include high water temperatures, stability of the stream bed, and behavior of the fish. In the past, the range of sculpins within the Eel River drainage probably fluctuated with changing physical conditions. Recent introductions of exotic species that compete with and prey upon sculpins, and ongoing human activities in the drainage could result in major reductions in the distribution and abundance of one or both species.
FGF23 or PTH: which comes first in CKD ?

In the past 40 years, disordered mineral metabolism has been among the most intensely studied areas of nephrology. A June 2010 PubMed search for ‘secondary hyperparathyroidism and kidney disease' yielded 5866 references. Among these are papers documenting the development and application of numerous therapeutic agents—including calcitriol, vitamin D analogs, phosphate binders, and cinacalcet—that remain in widespread use in the day-to-day management of dialysis patients worldwide. However, almost 6000 papers later, fundamental pathophysiological concepts remain unclear, particularly regarding the early pathogenesis of disordered mineral metabolism.
Impact of adding the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib to endocrine therapy in metastatic estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer

ABSTRACT Background: Targeting growth factor and survival pathways may delay endocrine-resistance in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Materials & methods: A pilot Phase II study adding sorafenib to endocrine therapy in 11 patients with metastatic estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer was conducted. Primary end point was response by RECIST after 3 months of sorafenib. Secondary end points included safety, time to progression and biomarker modulation. The study closed early owing to slow accrual. Results: Eight out of 11 patients had progressive disease on study entry and three had stable disease. Of the ten evaluable patients, seven experienced stable disease (70%) and three experienced progressive diseas (30%), with a median time to progression of 6.1 months (8.4 months in the seven patients on tamoxifen). The serum samples demonstrated a significant reduction in VEGF receptor 2 and PDGF receptor-α. Microarray analysis identified 32 suppressed genes, no induced genes and 29 enriched Kyoto Enc...
A particle swarm model for swarm-based networked sensor systems

Swarm behavior as demonstrated by flocks of birds, schools of fish, and swarms of insects provide a useful method for implementing a distributed network of mobile sensor platforms. Such mobile sensor swarm systems are useful for various search or surveillance activities. Swarm behavior ensures safe separation between swarm members while enforcing a level of cohesion. These two properties, when considered in the context of sensors and wireless communications, provide for low redundancy coverage and a robust and reliable communications system. This paper examines particle swarm behavior through simulation with respect to such a sensor network. Analysis of swarm behavior for various parameter settings indicate a classification methodology. This provides a foundation for a proposed taxonomy.
Crystallization and preliminary X-ray study of staphylococcal enterotoxin B.

Single crystals of staphylococcal enterotoxin B have been grown by vapour diffusion against polyethylene glycol 4000. The space group is P212121 with unit cell dimensions a = 45·4 A, b = 69·0 A and c = 79·0 A. The crystals diffract at least to 2·5 A resolution.
Silicon vertex detector design for B-physics at the FNAL and SSC colliders

Abstract Silicon vertex detectors will be crucial to the success of high rate bottom physics experiments at hadron colliders. A geometrical layout and detector segmentation scheme is presented that is optimized for the production and decay properties of b-particles. While existing p - i - n diode sensors are adequate, new VLSI readout electronics must be developed that are faster and more radiation tolerant than existing devices. Technology is available from the telecommunications industry for streaming the data off the vertex detector. This information can be manipulated with wafer-scale integration processors for use in triggering.
Failure to rescue after major gynecologic surgery

Objective There is growing recognition that, in addition to occurrence of perioperative complications, the treatment of patients with complications influences outcome. We examined complications, failure to rescue (death in patients with a complication), and mortality rates for women who underwent abdominal hysterectomy. Study Design Women who underwent abdominal hysterectomy from 1998-2010 and whose data were recorded in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample were identified. Hospitals were stratified based on risk-adjusted mortality rates into 5 quintiles, and rates of complications and failure to rescue were examined. Results A total of 664,229 women who had been treated at 741 hospitals were identified. The overall mortality rate for the cohort was 0.17%. The risk-adjusted, hospital-level mortality rate ranged from 0–1.12%. The complication rate was 6.5% at the hospitals with the lowest mortality rates, 9.9% at the second quintile hospitals, 9.5% at both the third and fourth quintile hospitals, and 7.9% at the hospitals with the highest mortality rates. In contrast to complications, the failure-to-rescue rate increased with each successive risk-adjusted mortality quintile. The failure-to-rescue rate was 0% at the hospitals with the lowest mortality rates and increased with each successive quintile to 1.1%, 2.1%, 2.7%, and 4.4% in the hospitals with the highest mortality rates ( P Conclusion For women who underwent abdominal hysterectomy, hospital complication rates correlated poorly with mortality rates; failure-to-rescue is strongly associated with in-hospital mortality rates. The treatment of complications, not the actual development of a complication, is the most important factor to use to predict death after major gynecologic surgery.
Polymer Blend Particles with Defined Compositions for Targeting Antigen to Both Class I and II Antigen Presentation Pathways

Defense against many persistent and difficult-to-treat diseases requires a combination of humoral, CD4(+) , and CD8(+) T-cell responses, which necessitates targeting antigens to both class I and II antigen presentation pathways. In this study, polymer blend particles are developed by mixing two functionally unique polymers, poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and a pH-responsive polymer, poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-co-propylacrylic acid-co-butyl methacrylate) (DMAEMA-co-PAA-co-BMA). Polymer blend particles are shown to enable the delivery of antigens into both class I and II antigen presentation pathways in vitro. Increasing the ratio of the pH-responsive polymer in blend particles increases the degree of class I antigen presentation, while maintaining high levels of class II antigen presentation. In a mouse model, it is demonstrated that a significantly higher and sustained level of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell responses, and comparable antibody responses, are elicited with polymer blend particles than PLGA particles and a conventional vaccine, Alum. The polymer blend particles offer a potential vaccine delivery platform to generate a combination of humoral and cell-mediated immune responses that insure robust and long-lasting immunity against many infectious diseases and cancers.
Effects of Human Intravenous Immune Globulin on Diarrhea Caused by Shiga‐Like Toxin I and Shiga‐Like Toxin II in Infant Rabbits

Shiga toxin and the related Shiga-like toxins (SLT), produced by Escherichia coli, can cause hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Human intravenous immune globulin (HIVIg) blocks the cytotoxicity of some SLTs in vitro. To examine the ability of HIVIg to modify disease caused by Shiga-like toxin I or Shiga-like toxin II (SLT-I or SLT-II), we injected 3-day-old rabbits intraperitoneally with SLT-containing cell-free supernatants from Escherichia coli O157: H7. A subset of rabbits was treated with subcutaneous HIVIg. All rabbits given 10(4) CD50 of SLT-I developed severe diarrhea, and 5 died. When HIVIg 500 mg/kg was given in addition to SLT-I, only 6 of 18 rabbits (33.3%) developed diarrhea (P < 0.0001), and 1 died. HIVIg 500 mg/kg or 1,000 mg/kg protected against diarrhea when given one hour prior to toxin. HIVIg 1,000 mg/kg was protective when administered one hour after toxin, but not at 6 or 24 hr. Seventeen of 18 rabbits given 10(6) CD50 of SLT-II developed severe diarrhea, and 4 died. In contrast to SLT-I-associated disease, HIVIg had no effect on diarrhea in rabbits given SLT-II. We conclude that HIVIg protects infant rabbits from diarrhea and death caused by intraperitoneally administered SLT-I, but does not affect the course of SLT-II-associated illness.
Stable discrete adaptive control with unknown high-frequency gain

This note presents a globally stable adaptive control algorithm applicable to discrete-time single-input single-output linear time-invariant systems. A priori knowledge of neither the sign of the system's high-frequency gain nor an upper bound on its magnitude is needed to prove global stability.
EQUATION OF STATE FOR POROUS METALS UNDER STRONG SHOCK COMPRESSION.

An equation of state is developed for metals in the high-pressure high-temperature region that can be extended in a thermodynamically consistent manner to the vapor phase. The constants are obtained from observed thermodynamic properties and are specified for Al, Fe, Cu, Ni, Pb, and W. This equation of state was checked against experimental data by computing the Hugoniot curves for normal and porous samples for cases where experimental data are available. Also, the velocity of sound and release isentropes were computed for various shock conditions.
Histoplasmosis mimicking malignant adenopathy during diagnostic thyroid lobectomy.

Importance Benign granulomatous disease may mimic malignant disease in the evaluation of mediastinal or pulmonary lesions. However, histoplasmosis as a cause of cervical lymphadenopathy is relatively rare. We report the first case of Histoplasma infection mimicking malignant adenopathy discovered during diagnostic thyroid lobectomy. Observations A 2.5-cm, calcified, right paratracheal lymph node intimately involving the recurrent laryngeal nerve was discovered during lobectomy for a follicular lesion of undetermined significance with a positive NRAS mutation. Although metastatic thyroid cancer was the most probable diagnosis, results of gross inspection of the bisected thyroid nodule suggested a benign process. Partial removal of the node, sparing the nerve, established the diagnosis of Histoplasma capsulatum infection . Conclusions and Relevance Histoplasmosis is a rare cause of cervical adenopathy that should be considered in cases in which a discordance arises between the malignant gross appearance of the adenopathy and the benign gross appearance of an associated thyroid nodule.
Three‐dimensional model of the late Cenozoic history of the Death Valley region, southeastern California

The accumulation of a large database on the timing and kinematics of late Cenozoic deformation in the Death Valley region of southeastern California indicates a complex three-dimensional history. On the basis of paleogeographic reconstructions we suggest the system was initiated as a localized pull-apart between two conjugate strike-slip faults, the Garlock and Furnace Creek faults, and evolved into a system characterized by distributed transtension related to the eastern California shear zone. Our reconstructions differ from previous models in the incorporation of significant vertical axis rotations of a number of crustal blocks to explain paleomagnetic data from the region. The model may resolve (1) a long-standing problem of the eastern termination of the Garlock fault which is explained here as a complex system of splays that initially terminated in the pull-apart between the Furnace Creek and Garlock systems; and (2) the complex architecture of the Black Mountains which is explained here in terms of initial extreme attenuation between the Garlock and Furnace Creek systems with overprinting by a fold and normal fault system that operated simultaneously as a result of distributed transtension. This model suggests much of the displacement field is taken up in rotations and translations, and the actual crustal thinning in our model is relatively small (50–66% of original thickness).
Tunable electronic structure in dilute magnetic semiconductor Sr3SnO/c-YSZ/Si (001) epitaxial heterostructures

We report a systematic study of the structural, physical, and chemical properties of epitaxial thin films of emerging dilute magnetic semiconductor (DMS) Sr3SnO (SSO) integrated with Si (100) prepared by various post-growth annealing treatments. The transport properties of these films are primarily governed by oxygen vacancies and the results are explained with the variable-range hopping model. The increased oxygen vacancy concentration generated by post-growth vacuum annealing results in a shorter hopping distance and reduced hopping energy and Coulomb gap, leading to lower resistivity; oxygen annealing shows the opposite effects. The work function ranges from 4.54 to 4.02 eV and shows a negative linear relationship with oxygen vacancy concentration, accompanied by a 0.42 eV shift in the surface Fermi level. The transport and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy probes agree quantitatively on measurement of the resistivity and surface electronic structure. The results provide a direct and consistent explanation that the property changes in the bulk and at the surface are primarily attributed to oxygen vacancies, which are believed to be the carriers in the SSO thin films. The ability to manipulate the work function and oxygen vacancy concentration in epitaxial DMS SSO thin films offers great potential for the development of spintronic devices.
Influence of titanium dioxide nanopowder addition on microstructural development and hardness of tin–lead solder

Abstract This paper presents the microstructure and hardness of composite solders obtained by the addition of nanopowders of titanium dioxide to a conventional solder. Titanium dioxide powders-reinforced lead (Pb)–tin (Sn) composite solders were prepared by thoroughly blending nano-sized titanium dioxide powders with powders of a eutectic solder and using a water-soluble flux. The blended solder paste was melted and allowed to re-solidify in a crucible placed on a hot plate and maintained at a constant temperature. Optical microscopy observations revealed that for additions of titanium dioxide up to 1 wt.%, the grain size and width of the grain boundary decreased. For the addition of 2 wt.% of titanium dioxide, nanopowders microporosity was observed both at and along the grain boundary regions coupled with the presence of second-phase particles. Microhardness measurements revealed that the addition of titanium dioxide nanopowders is helpful in enhancing the overall strength of the eutectic solder.
Renal cryoablation: outcome at 3 years.

Purpose: We report intermediate term oncological followup data on 56 patients undergoing laparoscopic renal cryoablation, of whom each completed a 3-year followup. Materials and Methods: Since September 1997, 56 patients undergoing laparoscopic renal cryoablation have completed a followup of 3 years each. The postoperative followup protocol comprised serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 1 day, months 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24, and yearly thereafter for 5 years. Computerized tomography guided needle biopsy of the cryolesion was performed 6 months postoperatively and repeated if MRI findings were abnormal. Followup data were obtained prospectively. Results: For a mean renal tumor size of 2.3 cm mean intraoperative size of the created cryolesion was 3.6 cm. Sequential mean cryolesion size on MRI on postoperative 1 day, and at 3 and 6 months, and 1, 2 and 3 years was 3.7, 2.8, 2.3, 1.7, 1.2 and 0.9 cm, representing a 26%, 39%, 56%, 69% and 75% percent reduction in cryolesion size at 3 and 6 months, and 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively. At 3 years 17 cryolesions (38%) had completely disappeared on MRI. Postoperative needle biopsy identified locally persistent/recurrent renal tumor in 2 patients. In the 51 patients undergoing cryotherapy for a unilateral, sporadic renal tumor 3-year cancer specific survival was 98%. There was no open conversion, kidney loss, urinary fistula, dialysis requirement, or perirenal or port site recurrence in any patients. Conclusions: Three-year outcomes following renal cryoablation are encouraging. Longer term (5-year) data are necessary to determine the proper place of renal cryotherapy among minimally invasive, nephron sparing options.
Deer-vehicle collisions, deer density, and land use in Iowa's urban deer herd management zones

Many states are striving to keep their deer population to a sustainable and controllable level, while maximizing public safety. In Iowa, measures to control the deer population include annual deer hunts and special deer herd management plans in urban areas. While these plans may in effect reduce the deer population, traffic safety in these areas has not been fully assessed. Using deer population data from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and data on deer-vehicle crashes and deer carcass removals from the Iowa Department of Transportation, we examine the relationship between deer-vehicle collisions, deer density, and land use in select urban deer management zones in Iowa. Further, we estimate models to investigate the factors that influence the frequency and severity of deer-vehicle crashes in these zones. The estimation results showed that multiple factors affect deer-vehicle crashes and corresponding injury outcomes in urban management zones. The identified roadway and non-roadway factors could be useful for identifying locations on the transportation system that significantly impact deer species and safety, and determining appropriate countermeasures for mitigation.
Four-circle single-crystal neutron diffractometer at the High Flux Isotope Reactor

A four-circle neutron diffractometer with a new multi-wafer 331 Si monochromator has been installed and commissioned on a thermal beamline at the High Flux Isotope Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The instrument is well suited to studies of nuclear and magnetic structures as a function of composition and temperature, resolving symmetry changes (lattice distortions and local structural changes), mapping the evolution of complex magnetic phases, determining hydrogen bonding, analyzing nuclear and spin densities, mapping diffuse scattering, and exploring fiber diffraction. Three incident wavelengths are available, 1.000, 1.536 and 2.540 A, with intensities of 2.5 × 106, 2.2 × 107 and 8.0 × 106 neutrons cm−2 s−1, respectively. Either high-resolution or high-intensity modes are possible by horizontal bending of the monochromator. With increased bending of the monochromator, the incident flux on the sample passes through a maximum, increasing by ×2.0 for 1.000 A, by ×3.5 for 1.536 A and by ×3.5 for 2.540 A, as compared to the flat condition. The flux increases because the lattice strain in the silicon crystals increases. The ω-scan peak width increases with monochromator curvature and this width versus scattering angle flattens. Given these effects, the monochromator bending can be adjusted to deliver high intensity primarily for crystal structure refinements or high resolution for resolving symmetry changes. In addition to the traditional step-scanning mode, a more efficient continuous-scanning mode was developed, and both these are implemented through a LabView-based control program, i.e. a modified version of the SPICE software package. A 4 K closed-cycle helium refrigerator is permanently mounted on the χ-circle of the goniometer to provide temperature control between 4 and 450 K.
Low frequency multiphonon absorption in InP:Fe

Abstract Far infrared transmission measurements have been made on iron doped crystals of InP in the 20–250 cm −1 region at temperatures between 6 and 300 K. New weak bands were observed at 42, 83 and 113 cm −1 . The frequencies and temperature dependences of these bands indicate that they arise from two-phonon difference processes and appropriate assignments are given. Another new band observed at 65 cm −1 is one-phonon like.
Modifications in the Biophysical Properties of Connexin43 Channels by a Peptide of the Cytoplasmic Loop Region

Connexin43 (Cx43) channels reside in at least 3 states: closed, open, or residual. It is hypothesized that the residual state results from the interaction of an intracellular “gating element” with structures at the vestibule of the pore. Recently, we showed in vitro that there is an intramolecular interaction of the carboxyl-terminal domain (referred to as “CT”) with a region in the cytoplasmic loop of Cx43 (amino acids 119 to 144; referred to as “L2”). Here, we assessed whether the L2 region was able to interact with the gating particle in a functional channel. Cx43 channels were recorded in the presence of a peptide corresponding to the L2 region, delivered via the patch pipette. This manipulation did not modify unitary conductance, but decreased the frequency of transitions into the residual state, prolonged open time, and altered the voltage dependence of the channel in a manner analogous to that observed after truncation of the CT domain. The latter correlated with the ability of the peptide to bind to the CT domain, as determined by mirror resonance spectroscopy. Overall, we propose that the L2 acts as a “receptor” that interacts with a flexible intracellular gating element during channel gating. The full text of this article is available online at http://circres.ahajournals.org.
Potential for Modulation of the Fas Apoptotic Pathway by Epidermal Growth Factor in Sarcomas

One important mechanism by which cancer cells parasitize their host is by escaping apoptosis. Thus, selectively facilitating apoptosis is a therapeutic mechanism by which oncotherapy may prove highly advantageous. One major apoptotic pathway is mediated by Fas ligand (FasL). The death-inducing signaling Ccmplex (DISC) and subsequent death-domain aggregations are created when FasL is bound by its receptor thereby enabling programmed cell death. Conceptually, if a better understanding of the Fas pathway can be garnered, an oncoselective prodeath therapeutic approach can be tailored. Herein, we propose that EGF and CTGF play essential roles in the regulation of the Fas apoptotic pathway in sarcomas. Tumor and in vitro data suggest viable cells counter the prodeath signal induced by FasL by activating EGF, which in turn induces prosurvival CTGF. The prosurvival attributes of CTGF ultimately predominate over the death-inducing FasL. Cells destined for elimination inhibit this prosurvival response via a presently undefined pathway. This scenario represents a novel role for EGF and CTGF as regulators of the Fas pathway in sarcomas.
Abstract 1259: c-Myc influences mitochondrial structure and function by regulating fusion and fission

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Background: c-Myc (Myc) is a global transcription factor that controls the expression of a large part of the human genome. The numerous Myc target genes function in a variety of normal cellular processes whose collective expression of these processes is referred to as the “Myc phenotype”. One such cellular process is the regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis. Objectives: To understand the specific influence that Myc has on mitochondrial structure and function. We hypothesize that Myc is involved in the regulation of both the production and destruction of mitochondria, and that the ability of Myc to maintain this balance has an impact on cellular transformation. Design/Method: Various cell lines that allow for the manipulation of Myc levels have been used. These include cells that have been engineered to have inducible Myc over-expression as well as inducible expression of Myc shRNA. These strains were used in a series of assays that measured different aspects of the Myc effect on mitochondrial structure and function. Most notably, metabolic pathways were measured by an extracellular flux analyzer and electron and confocal microscopy was performed to examine the structure of the mitochondria in detail. Results: The induction of Myc results in dramatic increases in overall mitochondrial mass, as well as increasing individual mitochondrial size and cristae density. This increase in recognizable mitochondria correlates to increases in oxidative phosphorylation and decreased mitochondrial loss through mitophagy. Finally, Myc levels correlate to increased mitochondrial inter-connectivity. This appears to be related to the ability of Myc to influence the expression of the mitochondrial fusion protein, Opa1 and the fission protein, DLP1. Conclusions Reached: The changes in mitochondrial structure and function are directly influenced by the expression of Myc. There appear to be multiple pathways involved in maintaining a specific mitochondrial mass, which emphasizes the importance of this organelle in cellular homeostasis. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1259. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1259
The effect of electron donating and electron withdrawing substituents on the degradation rate of bioabsorbable polymers: a semiempirical computational study

Abstract The two step hydrolyses of halogen and amine substituted polyglycolic acids are modeled by the semiempirical MNDO hamiltonian using small molecule analogues to determine the effect of the electron donating and withdrawing substituents on the reaction and activation enthalpies. It was seen that halogen substitution on the alkyl portion of the ester increases the rate of hydrolysis by the largest amount, while amino substituents showed much smaller effects. Substitution on the acyl fragment can either accelerate or retard hydrolysis, depending on the relative contributions of the inductive and steric effects.
Experimental Study on Energy Dissipation of Electrolytes in Nanopores

When a nonwetting fluid is forced to infiltrate a hydrophobic nanoporous solid, the external mechanical work is partially dissipated into thermal energy and partially converted to the liquid−solid ...
Powers of 10: the case for changing the first course in computer graphics

The growing maturity of computer graphics technology now makes it possible to view the introductory graphics course in a general computer science curriculum in a new light. Instead of requiring highly specialized techniques and a great deal of mathematics before a student can produce significant work, the course can now be built around generally-accepted standard graphics standard APIs. This opens the door to making computer graphics available to a wider audience and moves the introductory computer graphics course in exciting new directions.
Perceived family environments among ethnic groups of compulsive heroin users.

Abstract Predictions that both personality and environmental factors are implicated in heroin addiction were explored with personality measures operationalized by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and by family social climate measures operationalized by the Family Environment Scales (Moos et al. , 1974). Hypotheses were supported. Heroin addicts differed appreciably in personality from normative data (Psychopathic deviate, the highest clinical scale; Family Problems, the highest content scale). Heroin users deviated significantly from normative samples in retrospective views of both their past and present family environments (significantly higher Achievement Orientation, Moral-Religious Emphasis, and Organization, contrasted by significantly lower Intellectual-Cultural and Active Recreational Orientations). White heroin users ( n = 39) evidenced greater deviance in both personality and family environment than black heroin users ( n = 63). Comparisons with Mexican-American heroin users, white polydrug users, and nondrug-abusing comparison groups indicated that, for many addicts, compulsive heroin use is associated with social nonconformity in personality that may be a reaction against family demands for achievement without sufficient modeling of instrumental role skills.
Prolonged survival of an environmental Escherchia coli in laboratory soil microcosms

The survival, persistence, and dispersal of bacteria in soil raises serious water quality questions for rural areas of the world especially where podzol-type soils dominate. To determine survival characteristics of an environmentally derived multiple-antibiotic resistant E. coli, it was added to laboratory containers containing sandy-loam podzol soils taken from two different locations (‘Webb’, pH 6.8–8.3 and ‘Rich’, pH 5.5–7.2). This was done in order to study the stability of the tracer bacterium under conditions designed to mimic those that might be encountered during subsequent field mini-plot studies. Sets of microcosms consisting of three replicates of each soil received 1012 or 1013 colony forming units per g of soil and were incubated at four temperatures (5, 10, 20, and 37 °C) and two moisture levels (15% i.e. average field capacity and saturation) for 160 days. The microcosm data gave estimated maximum survical times for the ‘Webb’ soil of 23.3 months at 5 °C under saturating moisture conditions and 20.7 months for the ‘Rich’ soil under the same conditions using exponential regression analysis of the data.
RC:RL decomposition of a fourth-order polynomial

A set of three conditions which are necessary and sufficient for the RC: RL decomposition of a 4th-order polynomial is derived. The conditions are expressed in terms of the Qs and the coefficients of each quadratic factor, and the method thus offers a computational advantage over a previous method.
Characteristics and Performance of Minority‐Serving Dialysis Facilities

In the United States, access to predialysis care and incidence rates of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and kidney transplantation differ markedly by race-ethnicity and socioeconomic status (Klag et al. 1997; Epstein et al. 2000; Jha, Orav, and Epstein 2011; Joynt, Orav, and Jha 2011; U.S. Renal Data System [USRDS] 2013). Despite recognition of these disparities, relatively little progress has been made over the past two decades in reducing disproportionately high rates of ESRD and low rates of predialysis care and kidney transplant among nonwhite and economically disadvantaged Americans (Ayanian et al. 1999; Epstein et al. 2000; U.S. Renal Data System [USRDS] 2013). The site of care plays an important role in mediating health outcomes among disadvantaged populations (Jha et al. 2007; Jha, Orav, and Epstein 2011). Several studies have demonstrated that racial-ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in health care may be partly explained by differences in where and by whom patients are treated, leading to systematic differences in the care environment, provider quality, and access to care (Bach et al. 2004; Jha et al. 2007; Varkey et al. 2009). However, the extent to which differences in the structure and quality of dialysis care exist and how these factors might influence facility performance and patient outcomes among traditionally underserved populations is poorly understood (Rodriguez et al. 2007). Despite a high degree of racial-ethnic residential clustering in the United States (U.S. Bureau of the Census 2003), little is known about variation in dialysis structural factors such as facility size and staffing levels, and achievement of selected performance measures based on the racial-ethnic composition of the dialysis facility. To describe differences in dialysis facility characteristics and facility performance according to the racial-ethnic composition of the dialysis facility, we examined national data on 4,774 U.S. dialysis facilities which were surveyed during 2004–2008. We tested the hypothesis that dialysis facilities with a high proportion of racial-ethnic minority patients differ in care structure and exhibit worse facility-level outcomes including mortality and achievement of clinical performance measures than facilities serving predominantly white patients.
White Matter Injury Correlates with Hypertonia in an Animal Model of Cerebral Palsy

Hypertonia and postural deficits are observed in cerebral palsy and similar abnormalities are observed in postnatal rabbits after antenatal hypoxia-ischemia. To explain why some kits become hypertonic, we hypothesized that white matter injury was responsible for the hypertonia. We compared newborn kits at postnatal day 1 (P1) with and without hypertonia after in vivo global fetal hypoxia-ischemia in pregnant rabbits at 70% gestation. The aim was to examine white matter injury by diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging indices, including fractional anisotropy (FA). At P1, FA and area of white matter were significantly lower in corpus callosum, internal capsule, and corona radiata of the hypertonic kits (n=32) than that of controls (n=19) while nonhypertonic kits (n=20) were not different from controls. The decrease in FA correlated with decrease in area only in hypertonia. A threshold of FA combined with area identified only hypertonic kits. A reduction in volume and loss of phosphorylated neurofilaments in corpus callosum and internal capsule were observed on immunostaining. Concomitant hypertonia with ventriculomegaly resulted in a further decrease of FA from P1 to P5 while those without ventriculomegaly had a similar increase of FA as controls. Thus, hypertonia is associated with white matter injury, and a population of hypertonia can be identified by magnetic resonance imaging variables. The white matter injury manifests as a decrease in the number and density of fiber tracts causing the decrease in FA and volume. Furthermore, the dynamic response of FA may be a good indicator of the plasticity and repair of the postnatal developing brain.
Olfactory control of the sexual behavior of male and female mice.

Abstract Bilateral removal of the olfactory bulbs virtually eliminates sexual behavior in male and female mice. In the studies reported here, mice were rendered anosmic by intranasal application of a zinc sulfate solution. Peripherally induced anosmia did not affect the sexual behavior of male mice. Peripherally induced anosmia attenuated the hormone induced display of sexual receptivity in female mice, but peripherally anosmic females were significantly more receptive than bulbectomized females. This finding suggests that (1) pheromonal factors may be involved in the full arousal of sexual receptiveness in female mice, but (2) that the effect of bulbectomy upon sexual receptivity in female mice cannot be attributed solely to the surgical production of anosmia. The general failure of peripherally induced anosmia to mimic the effects of olfactory bulb removal upon the display of sexual behavior in male and female mice suggests that the olfactory bulbs are importantly involved in the control of sexual behavior in some manner not related to sense of smell.
A modified split ring resonator loaded miniaturized reconfigurable antenna

A modified split ring resonator (mSRR) is incorporated into a compact folded dipole antenna structure to lower the resonant frequency of the circuit. The resonance characteristics of the antenna are further improved by incorporating a solid ground plane. By integrating a varactor diode as an integral part of the antenna, the resonance characteristics of the antenna can be electronically tuned. A tuning range of 480MHz is achieved. The proposed design leads to a significant reduction in the size of a folded monopole antenna while allowing integration of a varactor diode for reconfigurability.
A diffusion scrubber for the collection of atmospheric gases

Abstract A diffusion denuder, with a thin membrane tube as the collecting element and with a scrubber solution flowing in a narrow annular gap outside the membrane is described. The use of this diffusion scrubber with a cation exchange membrane in conjunction with a dilute acid scrubber has been exploited for collecting ammonia. The advantages of the diffusion scrubber as a highly efficient concentrator of soluble atmospheric gases and as an integral part of a microflow continuous flow analysis system are discussed.
Embracing military medical ethics.

Why are issues about military medical ethics so strikingly absent from the conversation and literature of modern bioethics? I have pondered this question for more than a dozen years, ever since I b...
Interval graphs and maps of DNA

A special class of interval graphs is defined and characterized, and an algorithm is given for their construction. These graphs are motivated by an important representation of DNA called restriction maps by molecular biologists. Circular restriction maps are easily included.
Effects of sociodramatic play training on children with autism

We assessed the effects of teaching sociodramatic play to three children with autism. The training was conducted using a variation of Pivotal Response Training (PRT), a program traditionally used to teach language to children with autism. Measures of play skills, social behavior, and language skills were obtained before treatment, after treatment, and at a follow-up period. The correlation between language and pretend play was explored, as was the relationship between sociodramatic play and social competence. Positive changes were observed in play, language, and social skills. These changes generalized across toys and settings, although little generalization to other play partners occurred. Effects of play training with children with autism and maintenance of behavior change is discussed.
Kritikalitätssicherheit der Endlagerung ausgedienter Kernbrennstoffe

In this contribution, some fundamentals of disposal criticality safety will be explained, such as ● safety requirements for the criticality safety assessment of a final repository ● consistency of the safety requirements for the preclosure period with the safety requirements for the postclosure period of the repository ● the fundamental dependence of time periods of conformance on the nuclice inventories stored in the final repository and the changes in these inventories due to radioactive decay and due to possible impacts on these inventories caused by longterm changes in the geological, geohydrological and geochemical conditions at repository site ● probability of occurrence of criticality events respect to some present cask designs to be used for disposal and the waste acceptance requirements to be met by these designs and necessity for furnishing proof of ensuring safety of the repository against potential criticality. The problems to be investigated in disposal criticality safety analysis for estimating the probability of occurrence of criticality events and the consequences of such events with respect to the safety, reliability and performance of the repository are out-lined. Investigation of these problems requires the development of models describing the complex mechanisms (scenarios) which may result in criticality under repository conditions, the complex and diverse types of criticality excursions under repository conditions, and the impact of these excursions on the safety, reliability and performance of the repository. The development of such models requires the concerted cooperation of many special disciplines. It is therefore proposed to set up a national "Final Disposal Project" working group linking up still closer those groups, institutions and organizations cooperating already in researching on final disposal issues and including criticality analysis experts and all the other experts required. One of the objectives of this working group is to give consideration to a risk-informed approach which balances the risks from all operations, facilities and factors associated with the preparation and handling of waste packages as well as the operating and the postclosure period of the repository such that the total risk is optimally ALARP (as low as reasonable practicable). This approach includes balancing the risks from potential criticality excursions under repository conditions in the postclosure period against the risks resulting from safety measures that have to be taken in the preclosure period for ensuring physically safe prevention of a criticality event in the postclosure period.
Plausible Justification Trees: A Framework for Deep and Dynamic Integration of Learning Strategies

This article describes a framework for the deep and dynamic integration of learning strategies. The framework is based on the idea that each single-strategy learning method is ultimately the result of certain elementary inferences (like deduction, analogy, abduction, generalization, specialization, abstraction, concretion, etc.). Consequently, instead of integrating learning strategies at a macro level, we propose to integrate the different inference types that generate individual learning strategies. The article presents a concept-learning and theory-revision method that was developed in this framework. It allows the system to learn from one or from several (positive and/or negative) examples, and to both generalize and specialize its knowledge base. The method integrates deeply and dynamically different learning strategies, depending on the relationship between the input information and the knowledge base. It also behaves as a single-strategy learning method whenever the applicability conditions of such a method are satisfied.
Dependence of Aeromacs Interference on Airport Radiation Pattern Characteristics

AeroMACS (Aeronautical Mobile Airport Communications System), which is based upon the IEEE 802.16e mobile wireless standard, is expected to be implemented in the 5091–5150 MHz frequency band. As this band is also occupied by Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) feeder uplinks, AeroMACS must be designed to avoid interference with this incumbent service. The aspects of AeroMACS operation that present potential interference are under analysis in order to enable the definition of standards that assure that such interference will be avoided. In this study, the cumulative interference power distribution at low earth orbit from AeroMACS transmitters at the 497 major airports in the contiguous United States was simulated with the Visualyse Professional software. The dependence of the interference power on the number of antenna beams per airport, gain patterns, and beam direction orientations was simulated. As a function of these parameters, the simulation results are presented in terms of the limitations on transmitter power required to maintain the cumulative interference power under the established threshold.