cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Energetic secondary electrons and the nonthermal galactic radio background - A probe of the magnetic field in interstellar clouds

A previous analysis of the manifestations of charged-pion-decay secondary electrons in interstellar cloud material is extended to include those contributions to the Galactic radio and soft gamma-ray backgrounds that are directly attributable to energetic secondaries. The equilibrium distribution of secondary electrons in dense interstellar clouds is calculated, synchrotron emissivity from isolated interstellar clouds is examined, and it is shown how the value of the magnetic field in these clouds may be determined by observing the radio emission in their directions. The contribution that such clouds make to the integrated radio background is evaluated, and the Galactic distribution of bremsstrahlung gamma rays that arise from interactions of secondary electrons with thermal material in dense clouds is computed. The results indicate that a magnetic field of no more than 80 microgauss is characteristic of dense clouds and that the integrated synchrotron radiation from secondary electrons in interstellar clouds will contribute a significant fraction of the nonthermal brightness along the Galactic equator even if the mean cloud field is as low as 35 microgauss.
Towards evaluation of systems-thinking interventions: a case study

The use of system dynamics and systems thinking in organizations is increasing dramatically. However, little is known about the efficacy of these interventions in enhancing organizational effectiveness or productivity. With few exceptions, the relationship between the use of systems thinking and organizational performance remains the province of anecdote rather than rigorous follow-up research. Evaluation helps identify the tools and techniques that can be used successfully, the situations in which they work, and their limitations. This article reports a follow-up evaluation of a well known systems thinking intervention designed to improve quality and performance in the claims adjusting unit of a U.S. insurance firm. Through a questionnaire, interviews, and extensive review of company records, it has been established that the intervention succeeded in changing the mental models and behavior of key managers. New policies consistent with model recommendations were implemented. Evidence of performance improvement is mixed, however. A number of confounding variables limit the possibility of assessing the business impact of the intervention. These limitations could have been lessened if the original intervention had been designed with rigorous evaluation as a goal. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Control of lifetime in silicon power devices using electron or gamma irradiation

Irradiation of silicon power devices is discussed for electrons of 0.8 to 12 MeV energy and gammas from Co60 in terms of their effectiveness in altering device switching properties. Comparison is made with gold or platinum diffused devices. Gold diffusion provides the best tradeoff of forward voltage drop and reverse recovery time in diodes or turnoff time in thyristors. This advantage is somewhat offset by the high leakage in gold diffused devices which limits their maximum operating temperature; also irradiation provides the more precise, uniform, reproducible method of lifetime control.
Binge eating disorder and obesity: Preliminary evidence for distinct cardiovascular and psychological phenotypes

This study investigated cardiovascular functioning, mood, and eating-related psychological factors at rest and in response to mental stress in three groups of women: 1) Obese women with binge eating disorder (BED; n=9); 2) obese non-BED women (n=15); and 3) normal weight (NW) non-BED women (n=15). Compared to both obese and NW non-BED women, obese women with BED showed heightened overall blood pressure and reported greater depression symptoms, perceived stress, and eating-related psychopathology. Additionally, obese women with BED reported greater overall negative affect and state anxiety compared to obese non-BED women. The heart rate response to stress was blunted in the obese BED group compared to the other groups, but this effect was no longer significant after controlling for baseline differences in depression. Correlational analyses revealed a positive association between stress-induced changes in hunger and cardiovascular measures only in obese women with BED. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine if stress dysregulation and stress-induced increases in hunger contribute to the onset and/or maintenance of BED. In particular, studies utilizing an additional NW BED control group are warranted in order to further examine the impact of BED above and beyond the impact of obesity on psychophysiological functioning and to inform the growing literature regarding stress-related factors that distinguish the BED and obesity phenotypes.
Human lysosomal genes: arylsulfatase A and beta-galactosidase.

The segregation of human lysosomal arylsulfatase A (ARS-A) has been evaluated in 50 primary hybrid clones derived from four separate fusions involving WBCs from two unrelated individuals and three hamster cell lines. ARS-A was expressed in the hybrids as a dimeric molecule of very similar or identical subunits. The expression of this enzyme was concordant with that of mitochondrial aconitase (ACON-M), an isozyme assigned to chromosome 22, in all 50 clones and with chromosome 22 segregation in all but one of the 29 karyotyped hybrids. No other human chromosome cosegregated with 22 in these clones, suggesting that this enzyme is specified in hybrid cells by a locus (or loci) on a single chromosome. β-Galactosidase (B-GAL) expression was analyzed with two different electrophoresis systems and with a number of cell extract preparation methods in 39 of the primary hybrid clones. The B-GAL isozyme expressed in these hybrid cells was concordant with the expression of glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPX-1), an isozyme assigned to chromosome 3, in all 39 clones and with the segregation of this chromosome in 97% of the 29 karyotyped hybrids. These observations substantiate the prior tentative assignments of an ARS-A locus to chromosome 22 and a B-GAL locus to chromosome 3 (Bruns et al., 1978a, b). The implications of the chromosome assignments of loci for 12 human lysosomal enzymes for the cellular assembly of these organelles are discussed.
Pulsars: Observational parameters and a discussion on dispersion measures

The relevant data for the known 147 pulsars are presented in graphical and tabular forms. Various data correlations are discussed, and a detailed analysis of pulsar dispersion measures and distances is given. The range of the electron densities in the diffuse interstellar medium is found to be 0.01 cm−3≲n e≲0.1 cm−3, and 〈n e〉≃0.03 cm−3. The dispersion scale height for pulsars is found to be ∼5.9±0.7 pc cm−3 implying a linear scale height of ∼200 pc, which is much smaller than the electron scale height of our Galaxy.
A heterogeneous supercomputer model for high-performance parallel computing pedagogy

To visually illustrate the impact of architecture and communication on parallel computing we created a model supercomputer in the spirit of other engineering models. Combining Raspberry Pi computers with an Nvidia TK1 the resulting machine is distinguished by it's instructional utility, asymmetric CPU and communication channel speed, and for incorporating current trends in heterogeneous supercomputing. Running Linux, the model supports major high-performance computing software environments, including OpenMP, MPI, and Nvidia's CUDA. The model architecture includes aspects of heterogeneous, supercomputers such as shared- and distributed-memory MIMD, and 192 CUDA core SIMD-like processors.
Survival of Inoculum of the Entomopathogenic Fungus Beauveria bassiana as Influenced by Fungicides

Four fungicides used commercially for control of foliar diseases of potato were evaluated in Vitro and under field conditions for effects on survival of spores of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) a pathogen of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Mancozeb, the most detrimental of the fungicides, substantially reduced survival in both laboratory and field studies. Metiram was only slightly less inhibitory to B. bassiana than was mancozeb in vitro but was not different from the control under field conditions. Chlorothalonil and metalaxyl were not detrimental to spore survival under any of the conditions examined.
Numerical Simulation of Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow of a Flat-Tube High Power Density Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

In this paper, a three dimensional numerical model to simulate the steady state heat transfer and fluid flow of a flat-tube high power density solid oxide fuel cell (HPD-SOFC) is developed. A computer code is programmed using the FORTRAN language to solve the governing equations for continuity, momentum and energy conservation. The highly coupled temperature and flow fields of the air stream and the fuel stream inside and outside a typical channel of a flat-tube HPD-SOFC are investigated. The variation of the temperature and flow fields with the current output is studied. The simulation also predicts pressure drop behavior of the both the air and fuel streams. This heat transfer and fluid flow modeling of the computer code will be used to simulate the overall performance of a flat-tube HPD-SOFC in the near future, and to help optimize the design and operation of a SOFC stack in practical applications.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Ixodes dammini: Occurrence and Prevalence of Infection with Borrelia spp. in Minnesota

The distribution of Ixodes dammini in Minnesota was studied by collecting adult ticks from hunting dogs during the grouse seasons in September and October of 1985 and 1986. The tick was most frequently found in the east-central part of the state. Borrelia spp. were observed by immunofluorescence in 10% of the ticks. The locations where ticks were found coincide with the primary endemic areas for Lyme disease in the state.
Oxygen Saturation as a Screening Test for Critical Congenital Heart Disease: A Preliminary Study

The aim of this study was to assess the utility of arm and leg oxygen saturation as a candidate screening test for the early detection of ductal-dependent left heart obstructive disease. We measured arm and leg oxygen saturation in 2876 newborns admitted to well baby nurseries and 32 newborns with congenital heart disease. Fifty-seven newborns in the well baby nurseries (0.02%) had an abnormal test (leg saturation less than 92% in room air or 7% lower saturation in the leg than in the arm). Four of the 57 had critical congenital heart disease, including 1 with coarctation of the aorta. Of the 32 newborns with congenital heart disease, 11/13 (85%) with left heart obstructive disease had abnormal oxygen saturation tests, as did 15/19 (79%) with other forms of congenital heart disease. Pulse oximetry deserves further study as a screening test for critical congenital heart disease.
Software Sequential Testing Model

A risk-driven reliability model and testing process is developed that borrows concepts from classical sequential testing methodology which is used for hardware. The model is adapted to software. Both consumer and producer risk are considered, reflecting the fact that the consumer (e.g., customer) and producer (e.g., contractor) have different perspectives concerning what they consider to be tolerable risks of software failure. Similarly, there is also a differentiation based on what the consumer and producer consider to be acceptable reliability. Test rules are specified for determining at each decision point in testing whether the software and the model prediction accuracy are acceptable. In addition, the test rules serve as stopping criteria for testing. Both empirical and predicted quantities are assessed. Based on experience in using the model, lessons learned are provided with the objective of improving the model and process for future applications. This model and test scenario is applied to a real application involving the NASA Space Shuttle flight software. The model and test scenario can be tailored to commercial applications, as well.
Tetratrico-peptide-repeat proteins in the archaeon Methanococcus jannaschii

We thank C. Ouzounis for critical reading of the manuscript, and R. Overbeek for expert support during the analysis.
The Friedländer synthesis of 4-perfluoroalkylquinolines

Abstract 2-Substituted and 2,3-disubstituted 4-perfluoroalkylquinolines are obtained in high yield by the acid-catalyzed reaction of 2-perfluoroacylanilines with enolizable ketones and β-diketones.
Ascl1 (Mash1) Defines Cells with Long-Term Neurogenic Potential in Subgranular and Subventricular Zones in Adult Mouse Brain

Ascl1 (Mash1) is a bHLH transcription factor essential for neural differentiation during embryogenesis but its role in adult neurogenesis is less clear. Here we show that in the adult brain Ascl1 is dynamically expressed during neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus subgranular zone (SGZ) and more rostral subventricular zone (SVZ). Specifically, we find Ascl1 levels low in SGZ Type-1 cells and SVZ B cells but increasing as the cells transition to intermediate progenitor stages. In vivo genetic lineage tracing with a tamoxifen (TAM) inducible Ascl1CreERT2 knock-in mouse strain shows that Ascl1 lineage cells continuously generate new neurons over extended periods of time. There is a regionally-specific difference in neuron generation, with mice given TAM at postnatal day 50 showing new dentate gyrus neurons through 30 days post-TAM, but showing new olfactory bulb neurons even 180 days post-TAM. These results show that Ascl1 is not restricted to transit amplifying populations but is also found in a subset of neural stem cells with long-term neurogenic potential in the adult brain.
Quantification of chemical–polymer surface interactions in microfluidic cell culture devices

Microfluidic cell culture devices have been used for drug development, chemical analysis, and environmental pollutant detection. Because of the decreased fluid volume and increased surface area to volume ratio, interactions between device surfaces and the fluid is a key element that affects the performance and detection accuracy of microfluidic devices, particularly if fluid is recirculated by a peristaltic pump. However, this issue has not been studied in detail in a microfluidic cell culture environment. In this study, chemical loss and contaminant leakage from various polymer surfaces in a microfluidic setup were characterized. The effects of hydrophilic coating with Poly (vinyl alcohol), Pluronic(R) F-68, and multi-layer ionic coating were measured. We observed significant surface adsorption of estradiol, doxorubicin, and verapamil with PharMed BPT tubing, whereas PTFE/BPT and stainless steel/BPT hybrid tubing caused less chemical loss in proportion to the fraction of BPT tubing in the hybrid system. Contaminants leaching out of the BPT tubing were found to be estrogen receptor agonists as determined by estrogen-induced green fluorescence expression in an estrogen responsive Ishikawa cell line and also caused interference with an estradiol enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay. Stainless steel/BPT hybrid tubing caused the least interference with ELISA. In summary, polymer surface and chemical interactions inside microfluidic systems should not be neglected and require careful investigations when results from a microfluidic system are compared with results from a macroscale cell culture setup.
Effects of intensive multiple risk factor reduction on coronary atherosclerosis and clinical cardiac events in men and women with coronary artery disease. The Stanford Coronary Risk Intervention Project (SCRIP).

BACKGROUNDRecent clinical trials have shown that modification of plasma lipoprotein concentrations can favorably alter progression of coronary atherosclerosis, but no data exist on the effects of a...
Thermal stability and molecular weight of two new boron–nitrogen polymers

Molecular weight and thermal stability measurements on the presumed polymers of aminoborane, H2BNH2, and aminodifluoroborane, F2BNH2, were explored using a laser light scattering technique for the molecular weight measurements and both differential thermal analyses and thermogravimetric analyses for the thermal stability studies. Weight-average molecular weight of polymeric aminodifluoroborane in water was determined as 23,000 g/mole, whereas the molecular weight of polymeric aminoborane could not be determined since a suitable solvent was not found. Both DTA and TGA observations showed partial decomposition of polymeric aminoborane between 135° and 200°C, and the vaporization of polymeric aminodifluoroborane between 250° and 360°C.
The Episode of the Golden Roman Shields at Jerusalem

Although Pontius Pilate is known primarily because of one episode —his sentencing Jesus of Nazareth to the cross —and from one source — the New Testament, there are five discrete incidents involving him which are reported in extra-Biblical sources. They are: the so-called “affair of the standards” at Jerusalem, his construction of an aqueduct in the same city, the episode of the golden shields in Jerusalem, his repression of armed Samaritans on Mt. Gerizim, and, finally, his citation to Rome by the proconsul of Syria, Vitellius, and his arrival there after the emperor Tiberius died in 37 A.D. Josephus is our source for all these incidents except for the golden shields affair, which is reported only by Philo in his Embassy to Gaius.
Cytogenetic findings in malignant fibrous histiocytoma

The cytogenetic findings of two malignant fibrous histiocytomas from two unrelated patients are discussed. Both tumors were characterized by trisomy 7.
Low-dose X-irradiation and 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide distinguishes three Lyt-1+ lymph node T-cell subtypes that respond to specific antigen in vitro

We investigated whether preculture exposure to low-dose X-irradiation and culture treatment with 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4-HPCY), a synthetic derivative of cyclophosphamide (CY), might distinguish subtypes of thymic-dependent (T) lymphocytes that respond to specific antigen in vitro. Lymph node (LN) cells were obtained from mice pretreated with CY and immunized with aggregated (A) human IgG (HGG) in Freund's complete adjuvant (CFA), and proliferation was assessed by incorporation of tritiated thymidine. Primed LN cells were untreated or exposed to low-dose irradiation before being cultured in medium alone and in medium containing 4-HPCY. The results show that these agents (irradiation and 4-HPCY) distinguished, in a dose-dependent manner, subtypes of T-cells which contribute to the specific antigen-stimulated proliferative response in vitro. For LN T-cells and LN Lyt-1+ T-cells, 20-25 rads and 1.0 microM 4-HPCY inactivated non-overlapping cell subtypes that respectively accounted for 26% and 28% of the response to HGG. The remaining 46% of HGG-responding cells were not affected by either agent. Although similar cell subtypes were discerned in unseparated LN cells, it required use of higher agent-doses. Cell cycle analysis revealed that treatment with irradiation, 4-HPCY, and the combination (both agents) caused S-phase arrest of 29%, 30%, and 55% of HGG-responding cells, respectively. Thus, identification of these cell subtypes could not be attributed to agent-mediated inactivation of HGG-responding cells that might be in exclusively different phases of the cell cycle.
Vaccines for Parasitic Diseases

Although several candidate vaccines have been developed none has yet met the stringent tests of evaluation in humans. The vaccine for malaria is now undergoing human trials. A few vaccines for protozoal and helminthic parasites of domestic animals have been in use for some time. This review discusses the present status of vaccine development for malaria schistosomiasis filariasis leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis. These five diseases are the primary targets of the World Health Organization’s Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases. Also considered are the potential and need for vaccines for other parasitic diseases. (excerpt)
RAIDE for engineering architecture-based self-adaptive systems

Rainbow is an approach for engineering self-adaptive systems, with run-time, closed-loop control over target systems to monitor, detect, decide, and act on opportunities for system improvement. RAIDE enables adaptation engineers to customize the Rainbow framework, simulate adaptation behavior, and deploy Rainbow run-time components.
Secure Distributed Agreement Protocols for Information Assurance Applications

Distributed agreement protocols among a group of application processes are often built upon atomic multicast message delivery guarantees. Issues arise however when agreement protocols are realized in Information Assurance (IA) settings where extreme failure behaviors such as send-omission of processes and message timeliness violations are likely. The issues are compounded by security weaknesses in the communication software that make it easier for intruders to stage attacks. These issues impact the design of agreement protocols, which have hitherto assumed only benign failures such as process crash and network message loss/delay. In this paper, we revisit the distributed agreement problem, taking into account the IA dimension as well. Our study reveals the need for a secure centralized entity to realize the group decision-making and state coordination functions. Two functions are studied: dynamic group membership management to exclude non-cooperating members from the group and security-reinforced communications to enforce mutual anonymity of members. Our paper walks through a state-machine based realization of distributed agreements using secure atomic multicast protocol as an underlying communication substrate. The use of our approach in IA applications is also described.
Nanoscale nuclear architecture for cancer diagnosis beyond pathology via spatial-domain low-coherence quantitative phase microscopy

Definitive diagnosis of malignancy is often challenging due to limited availability of human cell or tissue samples and morpholog- ical similarity with certain benign conditions. Our recently developed novel technology—spatial-domain low-coherence quantitative phase microscopy (SL-QPM)—overcomes the technical difficulties and en- ables us to obtain quantitative information about cell nuclear architec- tural characteristics with nanoscale sensitivity. We explore its ability to improve the identification of malignancy, especially in cytopatho- logically non-cancerous-appearing cells. We perform proof-of-concept experiments with an animal model of colorectal carcinogenesis-APC Min mouse model and human cytology specimens of colorectal cancer. We show the ability of in situ nanoscale nuclear architectural characteristics in identifying cancerous cells, especially in those labeled as "indeter- minate or normal" by expert cytopathologists. Our approach is based on the quantitative analysis of the cell nucleus on the original cytology slides without additional processing, which can be readily applied in a conventional clinical setting. Our simple and practical optical mi- croscopy technique may lead to the development of novel methods for early detection of cancer. C 2010 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.
Policy Issues in Environmental Health Disputes

This article compares the state of policies concerning three different diseases/conditions with putative environmental factors: asthma, breast cancer, and Gulf War-related illnesses. By comparing the state of four different types of policies--research funding, regulations, compensation/treatment, and citizen participation--the authors demonstrate the dynamic relationship between policies and health social movements. They identify four factors that shape policy for these three diseases: the science base supporting the environmental causation hypothesis, prevalence and perception of risk, the sources of support for the environmental causation hypothesis, and the strength of health social movements. All four factors contribute to policy outcomes, but they find the strength of health social movements to be particularly important for the three diseases they examine. In some cases, social movement activity can be more important than the strength of the science base in terms of policy outcome success.
Morphology and mechanical properties of radiation‐polymerized urethane–acrylates. I. Pure oligomers

The morphology of electron beam cured polyacrylo-urethane films based on polyethylene adipate and toluene diisocyanate was characterized to explain their mechanical properties. The polyacrylo-urethane films have a one-phase morphology in which the hard urethane segments and the soft polyester segments are homogeneously mixed. The films obtained from 1000-molecular-weight oligomer are hard and somewhat brittle due to their one-phase morphology in which hard glassy segments play a dominant role. The films obtained from 4600- and 6000-molecular-weight oligomers are soft and tough, once again due to their one-phase morphology in which soft rubbery segments are more effective. The original crystalline structure of 6000-molecular-weight oligomer is retained in the precrystallized ..gamma..-irradiated film, but electron-beam-irradiated films showed partial melting of the crystallites due to the heat of polymerization. The solid state polymerized films have a lower elongation, a higher modulus, and a higher breaking strength due to their crystallinity.
Home Interior Classification using SIFT Keypoint Histograms

Semantic scene classification, the process of categorizing photographs into a discrete set of classes using pattern recognition techniques, is a useful ability for image annotation, organization and retrieval. The literature has focused on classifying outdoor scenes such as beaches and sunsets. Here, we focus on a much more difficult problem, that of differentiating between typical rooms in home interiors, such as bedrooms or kitchens. This requires robust image feature extraction and classification techniques, such as SIFT (scale-invariant feature transform) features and Adaboost classifiers. To this end, we derived SIFT keypoint histograms, an efficient image representation that utilizes variance information from linear discriminant analysis. We compare SIFT keypoint histograms with other features such as spatial color moments and compare Adaboost with support vector machine classifiers. We outline the various techniques used, show their advantages, disadvantages, and actual performance, and determine the most effective algorithm of those tested for home interior classification. Furthermore, we present results of pairwise classification of 7 rooms typically found in homes.
Service Directories: Reinvigorating a Community Resource for Self-Care

This article reviews the development, distribution, and effectiveness of a free, comprehensive mass-mailed community service directory designed for older people. While only half of a pre/post-distribution sample remembered receiving it, recipients of the directory indicate it increased service awareness and prompted various types of use. Alternatives for design and distribution of community directories are discussed.
Recent advances in understanding schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a highly disabling disorder whose causes remain to be better understood, and treatments have to be improved. However, several recent advances have been made in diagnosis, etiopathology, and treatment. Whereas reliability of diagnosis has improved with operational criteria, including Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, (DSM) Fifth Edition, validity of the disease boundaries remains unclear because of substantive overlaps with other psychotic disorders. Recent emphasis on dimensional approaches and translational bio-behavioral research domain criteria may eventually help move toward a neuroscience-based definition of schizophrenia. The etiology of schizophrenia is now thought to be multifactorial, with multiple small-effect and fewer large-effect susceptibility genes interacting with several environmental factors. These factors may lead to developmentally mediated alterations in neuroplasticity, manifesting in a cascade of neurotransmitter and circuit dysfunctions and impaired connectivity with an onset around early adolescence. Such etiopathological understanding has motivated a renewed search for novel pharmacological as well as psychotherapeutic targets. Addressing the core features of the illness, such as cognitive deficits and negative symptoms, and developing hypothesis-driven early interventions and preventive strategies are high-priority goals for the field. Schizophrenia is a severe, chronic mental disorder and is among the most disabling disorders in all of medicine. It is estimated by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) that 2.4 million people over the age of 18 in the US suffer from schizophrenia. This illness typically begins in adolescence and derails the formative goals of school, family, and work, leading to considerable suffering and disability and reduced life expectancy by about 20 years. Treatment outcomes are variable, and some people are successfully treated and reintegrated (i.e. go back to work). Despite the effort of many experts in the field, however, schizophrenia remains a chronic relapsing and remitting disorder associated with significant impairments in social and vocational functioning and a shortened lifespan. Comprehensive treatment entails a multi-modal approach, including psychopharmacology, psychosocial interventions, and assistance with housing and financial sustenance. Research to date suggests a network of genetic, neural, behavioral, and environmental factors to be responsible for its development and course. This article aims to summarize and explain recent advancements in research on schizophrenia, to suggest how these recent discoveries may lead to a better understanding and possible further development of effective therapies, and to highlight the paradigm shifts that have taken place in our understanding of the diagnosis, etiopathology, and treatment.
Size scaling: Retinal or environmental frame of reference?

Previous studies have reported that when subjects are presented with two forms in a same-different task, their reaction times increase with the size ratio. This suggests a “mental scaling” transformation analogous to the “mental rotation” used to compensate for differently oriented forms in similar tasks. However, since the stimuli were presented in isolation, retinal and environmental size ratios were confounded. The present study varied both retinal and environmental size ratios in a same-different simultaneous matching task. In one experiment, random forms were placed at different distances along a textured hallway. A second experiment varied the monocular size information: In one condition the forms were displayed in a textured hallway; a second condition added cast shadows; and a third condition displayed the forms against a frontal wall of indeterminate distance. The results suggest that environmental size is determined prior to mental scaling and form matching.
Symmetry-based 3D brain reconstruction

In this study we investigate the effectiveness of the symmetry feature when applied to the three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of mouse brain sections. The symmetry line of each section is estimated, finding the reflective rigid-body transformation that minimizes the absolute distance between a section and its flipped version. Aligning these brain sections' symmetry lines together forms a 3D brain volume. This symmetry-based brain reconstruction is compared with a moment-based reconstruction. Our results show that a symmetry-based reconstruction is a feasible approach that is less sensitive to local distortion and tears and that will be applicable when the inter-section distance is large.
Using Ground Foraging Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Functional Groups as Bioindicators of Forest Health in Northern Arizona Ponderosa Pine Forests

Reintroduction of fire and thinning have been suggested as the main practices to regain forest health in ponderosa pine forests of northern Arizona. Recent silvicultural programs and the occurrence of catastrophic wildfires have created a range of disturbance severities and a mosaic of forest conditions. Sixteen stands were randomly selected to create a completely randomized experimental design with four treatments, (1) unmanaged, (2) thinned, (3) thinned and burned, and (4) wildfire, with four replicates of each treatment. We assessed changes occurring in ground foraging ant functional groups at the stand scale as related to these treatments. A pitfall trapping scheme was implemented during the summer months of 2002 and 2003. A total of 18,009 specimens were collected representing 20 species from 10 genera. We found that traditional biodiversity measures, such as species richness, diversity, and dominance were a less satisfactory measure of treatment impact on ants than functional group analysis, which allowed us to consider the ecosystem role of each species. We found that different functional groups were dominant under different levels of disturbance severity and suppressed or excluded other functional groups that were less suited to the disturbance intensity. Maintaining a diversity of habitat types is suggested for supporting ecologically diverse ant functional groups and improve forest health.
A pharmacokinetic study of a novel sphingomyelin/cholesterol liposomal topotecan and nonliposomal topotecan in rats

C113 Introduction: Optisomal topotecan (topotecan liposomes injection, TLI) is a novel sphingomyelin/cholesterol liposomal (OPTISOMETM) encapsulation of topotecan HCl (TPT). TPT, a semi-synthetic derivative of camptothecin (CPT), is approved for the treatment of refractory ovarian, small cell lung (SCLC), and cervical cancers. The cytotoxicity of TPT and other CPT analogues is related to duration of systemic exposure to free drug. OPTISOMES have been designed to prolong drug circulation time in blood, increase drug delivery to the tumor, and improve the therapeutic index of the encapsulated drug. In addition, optisomal encapsulation is designed to maintain TPT in the active lactone form. The pharmacokinetic (PK) disposition of OPTISOME encapsulated drug is dictated by the liposome, which alters the plasma PK profile and tissue distribution of the drug. Once the drug is released from the liposome the PK disposition will be the same as after administration of the non-liposomal formulation of the drug. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the plasma PK disposition of TLI compared with non-liposomal TPT (NL-TPT) in the plasma of rats. Methods: TLI and NL-TPT were administered at 0.93 mg/kg IV x 1 over 1 min via a bilateral jugular vein cannula (JVC) in male Sprague-Dawley Rats. Drug administration and blood sampling was performed in separate cannulas. Blood (0.5 mL) samples were obtained in 6 cohorts (n = 3 rats per cohort). Cohorts consisted of: 1) pre, 1 and 3 min post dose; 2) 5, 10, and 20 min post dose; 3) 0.5, 1, and 2 h post dose; 4) 4, 8, and 12 h post dose; 5) 24, 36, and 48 h post dose; 6) 60 and 72 h post dose. Plasma samples were processed via methanolic extraction to measure the total (lactone + hydroxy acid) form of sum total (encapsulated + released) TPT via LC/MS. The area under the concentration versus time curves from 0 to infinity (AUC), clearance (CL), maximum conc (Cmax), time of Cmax (Tmax), and time of last detectable conc (Tlast) were estimated. Results: The AUC after administration of TLI and NL-TPT were 37.2 and 0.33 mcg•h /mL, respectively. The CL after administration of TLI and NL-TPT were 0.42 and 47.0 mL/min/kg, respectively. The Cmax after administration of TLI and NL-TPT were 15.6 and 0.60 mcg/mL, respectively. The Tmax after administration of TLI and NL-TPT was 0.02 h for both. The Tlast after administration of TLI and NL-TPT were 24 h and 2 h, respectively.Conclusions: The higher and prolonged exposure of TPT in plasma after administration of TLI compared with NL-TPT is consistent with OPTISOME formulations and provides PK advantages over non-liposomal formulations of CPT analogues including TPT. Clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of TLI are being planned.
Janus Particles in a Nonpolar Solvent.

Amphiphilic Janus particles are currently receiving great attention as “solid surfactants”. Previous studies have introduced such particles with a variety of shapes and functions, but there has so far been a strong emphasis on water-dispersible particles that mimic the molecular surfactants soluble in polar solvents. Here we present an example of lipophilic Janus particles which are selectively dispersible in very nonpolar solvents such as alkanes. Interfacial tension measurements between the alkane dispersions and pure water indicate that these particles do have interfacial activity, and like typical hydrophobic, nonionic surfactants, they do not partition to the aqueous bulk. We also show that the oil-borne particles, by retaining locally polar domains where charges can reside, generate electric conductivity in nonpolar liquids—another feature familiar from molecular surfactants and one commonly exploited to mitigate explosion hazards due to flow electrification during petroleum pumping and in the formu...
Whole Egg Consumption Prevents Diminished Serum 25-Hydroxycholecalciferol Concentrations in Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is characterized by vitamin D deficiency owing to increased urinary loss of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25D). Whole eggs are a rich source of vitamin D, particularly 25D, the circulating form that reflects status. Zucker diabetic (type 2) fatty (ZDF) rats and their lean counterparts were fed casein- or whole egg-based diets for 8 weeks. Whole egg consumption attenuated both hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia, as well as reduced weight gain in ZDF rats compared to casein-fed diabetic rats. Circulating 25D was lower in casein-fed ZDF rats compared to lean controls; however, ZDF rats fed whole egg exhibited the same circulating 25D concentration as casein-fed lean rats. These data suggest that dietary whole egg can attenuate metabolic anomalies, as well as maintain normal circulating 25D concentrations in T2D rats. This finding may support new dietary recommendations targeting vitamin D deficiency prevention in T2D.
Implementing a Screening and Treatment Protocol for Latent Tuberculosis in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies in a Southern California Medical Center

s / Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 21 (2015) S240eS265 S259 88.88% were walking <7.500 steps/day. Daily average METS were inversely correlated withMMRC dyspnea scale (r 0.492, p1⁄40.007). Adjusted DLCO values showed negative correlation with the grade of febrile neutropenia (r 0.612, p1⁄40.007). The grade of cardiac toxicity showed negative correlation with adjusted DLCO values (p1⁄40.006) and quadriceps femoris muscle strength (p1⁄40.046). Respiratory and quadriceps femoris muscle strength were positively correlated with the number of steps per day (p1⁄40.011 and p1⁄40.001 respectively). Performance status prior to HSCT showed negative correlation with TRM (p1⁄40.05). In multiple regression analysis; 24% of the variance in the daily average METs was explained by MMRC (p1⁄40.07); 13% of the variance in survival duration explained by quadriceps femoris strength (p1⁄40.03); 54.6 % of the variance in cardiac toxicity was explained by DLCO and quadriceps femoris strength (p1⁄40.024). Conclusions: Physical inactivity is a significant problem in HSCT recipients. Peripheral muscle strength and dyspnea are significant predictors of physical activity levels. Exercise interventions to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength may lead to beneficial effects on transplant outcomes in terms of the grade of cardiorespiratory toxicities, febrile neutropenia and TRM.
Chronic kidney disease and medicare.

BACKGROUND: Since 1972, Medicare has covered the cost of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Consequently, Medicare pays a large proportion of ESRD's costs. However, before implementation of Medicare Part D, employer health plans paid most ESRD-associated prescription costs. The ESRD population faces significant hurdles when using the new Part D benefit. To understand those challenges, a basic understanding of Part D is needed. SUMMARY: Medicare Part D has unique implications for chronic kidney disease (CKD) populations (dialysis, kidney transplant, and CKD patients not on dialysis). Approximately 405,000 ESRD patients were eligible for Part D coverage in 2006. Drug coverage is available for many drugs via Medicare Part B or Part D; however, the Medicare Part B and Part D medication coverage divide is confusing to most clinicians, including pharmacists. Many ESRD patients fall into the dual-eligible category they are covered by both Medicare and Medicaid. These patients now receive their medications through P...
Patterns of Plasma Amino Acids in Infantile Hepatitis Syndrome and Galactosemia

Objective:To investigate the plasma amino acid patterns in infantile hepatitis syndrome and galactosemia.Methods: Plasma free amino acid concentrations were measure in 30 patients with infantile hepatitis syndrome and 10 with galactosemia before therapy,with 52 age-and gender-matched cases of healthy infants selected as controls.Results: Compared with control group,plasma concentrations of threonine(175.4±58.1 nmol/mL),citrulline(29.7±14.4 nmol/mL),methionine(49.7±28.2 nmol/mL) and glycin(257.6±63.5 nmol/mL) were significantly increased(all P0.05),while those of serine(119.9±36.8 nmol/mL),taurine(74.6±36.6 nmol/mL),isoleucine(48.1±16.9 nmol/mL),leucine(88.5±25.9 nmol/mL),valine(139.8±40.5 nmol/mL) and tryptophane(44.7±17.3 nmol/mL) were significantly reduced in infantile hepatitis syndrome group(all P0.05);in galactosemia group,plasma levels of threonine(428.7±276.7 nmol/mL),citrulline(172.9±153.8 nmol/mL),methionine(139.5±82.3 nmol/mL),histidine(89.6±25.3 nmol/mL),arginine(106.1±56.4 nmol/mL) and tyrosine(154.5±94.1 nmol/mL) were higher,while isoleucine(37.4±7.9 nmol/mL),leucine(63.9±10.9 nmol/mL),valine(111.9±21.8 nmol/mL),tryptophane(17.6±8.4 nmol/mL),glutamic acid(355.6±151.8 nmol/mL) and alanine(265.2±62.9 nmol/mL) were lower than those in control group(all P0.05).Differences in plasma amino acid patterns,except for phenylalanine and lysine,were found between pediatric patients with infantile hepatitis syndrome and galactosemia(P0.05).Conclusion: Plasma amino acid patterns differ significantly in patients with galactosemia from those with infantile hepatitis syndrome.Analysis of plasma free amino acids may help screening of liver damage and differential diagnosis between infantile hepatitis syndrome and inherited metabolic disorders.
The Metaphor on Value:A Mode of Communication in Mainstream Ideology——Analysis on the Content of The Documentary "Rise of Great Power"

Taking comprehensive national power as analyzing element,the paper analyzes the documentary "Rising of Great Power" with literature index method.From the semantic perspective,we analyze individual case to examine and weigh the value orientation and position.
SU-F-T-203: High Dose Definitive Proton Therapy with Integrated Boost to Hypoxic Subvolumes Determined by [18F]-Fluoromisonidazole (FMISO) PET/CT for Patients with Recurrent Chordomas Using Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT)

Purpose: Recurrent chordomas are difficult to control locally. This dosimetric study investigates the feasibility of dose escalation to hypoxic regions, visualized on FMISO-PET, while respecting the dose constraints to the neighboring normal tissues/organs. We propose to deliver a higher dose to the areas of hypoxia (84.5Gy) using IMPT with the goal of improving local control. Methods: We currently have four patients with hypoxic subvolumes (HSV) greater than 10cc from the FMISO-PET image. The HSV was delineated based on the standardized uptake values of greater than 1.4 times of the muscle mean. Gross tumor volume (GTV) was delineated using planning CT with the assistance of MRI fusion. The dose scheme is 50.4Gy RBE to CTV in 1.8Gy fractions, followed by an integrated boost of 27.0Gy RBE to GTV in 1.8Gy fractions and 34.5Gy RBE to HSV in 2.3Gy fractions. IMPT integrated boost plans were optimized with multi-criteria optimization (MCO). Posterior-anterior beam angles were used for these plans. We also propose using two posterior oblique fields to boost HSV to spare the skin folding. A medium spot size with 8mm to 15 mm (σ) in air at isocenter with energies from 220 MeV down to 90 MeV was used. Aperture was used for the medium spot size. A small spot size of 2.5 mm to 4.5 mm (σ) in air at isocenter with energies from 240 MeV down to 70 MeV was also proposed. Target coverage and dose to OARs were evaluated. Results: For the sacral chordoma patient that has been planned, the target homogeneity index is 3.2% for HSV, 55.9% for CTV and 11.9% for GTV. The max dose is 77GyRBE to rectum, 86.2GyRBE to sacral nerves and 73.9GyRBE to cauda equina. Conclusion: IMPT with integrated high dose boost to HSV determined from FMISO PET image is feasible. OAR dose constraints were met.
The effects of Hordeum spontaneum C. Koch. germplasm on barley production

The cytoplasmic genome affects both physiological and agronomic traits in many crop species. It can affect a trait directly or by in­ teracting with the nuclear genome. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine whether Hordeum vulgare L. and H. spontaneum C. Koch, cyto­ plasmic genomes differentially affect grain yield, straw yield, harvest index, plant height, unit straw weight, heading date, and vegetative growth index, (2) determine whether nuclear-cytoplasmic genomic inter­ actions occur, and (3) ascertain the nature of nuclear cytoplasmic inter­ actions. Eighty-four populations of 14 lines each, representing recipro­ cal crosses of the SCO, BCl, and BC2 generations from all possible matings among seven H. spontaneum and two H. vulgare cultivars were evaluated in the field in two years. Cytoplasmic effects were significant for grain yield, straw yield, harvest index, unit straw weight, and vegetative growth index. Lines with H. spontaneum cytoplasm had greater means for straw yield, unit straw weight, and vegetative growth index than did lines with H. vulgare cytoplasm. Conversely, lines with H. vulgare cytoplasm showed a greater mean grain yield and harvest index. Cyto­ plasmic effects were consistent through backcross generations for straw yield, unit straw weight, and vegetative growth index; however, cyto­ plasmic effects did interact with generations for grain yield and har­ vest index. Cytoplasm x mating interaction was significant in all gen­ erations for straw yield but only in the BC2 for unit straw weight and vegetative growth index, indicating specific nuclear-cytoplasmic genomic
Optical properties of black carbon in cookstove emissions coated with secondary organic aerosols: Measurements and modeling

ABSTRACTCookstoves are a major source of black carbon (BC) particles and associated organic compounds, which influence the atmospheric radiative balance. We present results from experiments that characterize BC emissions from a rocket stove coated with secondary organic aerosol. Optical properties, namely, BC mass absorption cross-section (MACBC) and mass scattering cross-section (MSC), as a function of the organic-to-black carbon ratio (OA:BC) of fresh and aged cookstove emissions were compared with Mie and Rayleigh–Debye–Gans (RDG) calculations. Mie theory reproduced the measured MACBC across the entire OA:BC range. However, Mie theory failed to capture the MSC at low OA:BC, where the data agreed better with RDG, consistent with a fractal morphology of fresh BC aggregates. As the OA:BC increased, the MSC approached Mie predictions indicating that BC-containing particles approach a core–shell structure as BC cores become heavily coated. To gain insight into the implications of our findings, we calculated...
Shaping Perceptions of Sarah Palin’s Charisma: Presentations of Palin in the 2008 Presidential Election

Research has shown that male politicians are often stereotyped as stronger leaders than female politicians. This research, however, has taken a fairly narrow view of leadership. In the business org...