cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Attention to price disclosures in direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising and the impact on drug perceptions

Abstract Background Mandatory disclosure of the price of prescription drugs within direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertisements (DTCA) has been proposed as a potential means of curbing rising drug costs in the United States. While price transparency in DTCA has widespread public support, empirical evidence regarding the effects of such drug prices disclosures remains limited. Objectives This study assessed the degree to which a price disclosure was noticed, the individual characteristics associated with price disclosure recognition, and the impact on perceived drug affordability, effectiveness, and safety. Methods A randomized experiment was conducted among 2,138 members of the Amerispeak online panel. Participants were shown a television commercial for a drug treating either type II diabetes, deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism (DVT/PE), or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that disclosed the list price, disclosed the list price plus the average out-of-pocket cost, or had no price disclosure. Results Roughly forty percent of participants noticed when a price was disclosed while 20–24% noticed information about individual costs varying (the higher of these percentages occurred when the average out-of-pocket cost was provided). Attention did not vary systematically with the cost amount. Recognition of the different elements of the price disclosure were most predicted by sociodemographic variables such as race, education, and income as well as health characteristics. Price disclosure altered perceived affordability of the advertised medication in a manner consistent with the costs provided, but such consistent significant effects were not found for perceived drug effectiveness and safety. Conclusions Repeated exposure to price disclosure in television DTCA or supplementary sources of price information may be necessary to increase attention to drug price information, especially among those who are most vulnerable to the burden of drug costs. Price transparency appears useful for adjusting affordability perceptions, but additional research needs to examine how such perceptions factor into healthcare decision-making and drug pricing.
Comparison of Polymer-coated Urea Fertilizers

Materials and Methods The study was conducted at the Iowa State University Horticulture Research Station on a Nicollet soil with 5 ppm P, 112 ppm K, a pH of 7.05 and an organic matter content of 4.1 percent. Polyon 44.5-0-0 and XCU 43-0-0 were applied at 1 and 2 lb N/1,000 ft to ‘Unique’ Kentucky bluegrass turf. Data collection began when first fertilizer response was observed on October 3 and continued through November 21. Data were visual evaluations of turf response to fertilizer based on quality, color, and uniformity of the individual plots, with 9 as the highest response and 1 as the lowest, with a rating of 6 required for acceptable.
Rescue of Temperature-sensitive Poliovirus

A temperature-sensitive strain of type 1 poliovirus, LSc, was functionally rescued when infected cells were incubated at 40 C in the presence of Mahoney, a temperature-resistant strain of type 1 poliovirus. The rescue value was 9% of the mutant yield obtained under permissive conditions. Rescued virus underwent replication, because the progeny of 32 P-labeled LSc were not radiosensitive. Serum inactivation studies with Mahoney specific antiserum indicated that a small amount of phenotypic mixing occurred among the rescued particles. The temperature-sensitive event occurred between 2 and 4 hr postinfection in the developmental cycle of LSc. Neither viral polymerase activity nor virus-induced ribonucleic acid could be demonstrated in infected cells between 2 and 4 hr after infection at 40 C with the temperature-sensitive mutant.
Representing the Past by Solid Modeling + Golden Ratio Analysis.

This paper describes the procedures of reconstructing ancient architecture using solid modeling with geometric analysis, especially the Golden Ratio analysis. In the past the recovery and reconstruction of ruins required bringing together fragments of evidence and vast amount of measurements from archeological site. Although researchers and scholars in the archeological field have used traditional manual methods to obtain data, the innovative application of solid modeling and geometric analysis techniques can help verify and reveal unknown or uncertain data. This paper demonstrates application of solid modeling with an approach from geometric construction perspective, along with data collection, literature review and photography analysis. Two case studies are demonstrated in this paper. They are the reconstruction of ruined ancient luxury complex Baths of Caracalla and building of a 3D digital model of Florence Cathedral. In addition, several solid models of case studies are presented in the paper.
Utilization of differential thrust to regain lateral/directional stability of a commercial aircraft with a damaged vertical stabilizer

This paper studies the utilization of differential thrust to help a commercial aircraft with a damaged vertical stabilizer regain its lateral/directional stability. The vertical stabilizer is the key aerodynamic surface that provides an aircraft with its directional stability characteristic while the ailerons and rudder are the primary control surfaces that give the pilots the control authority of the yawing and banking maneuvers. In the event of an aircraft losing its entire vertical stabilizer, the consequential loss of the lateral/directional stability and control is likely to cause a fatal crash. In this paper, lateral/directional equations of motion are revisited to incorporate differential thrust as a control input. The engine dynamics of the jet aircraft is modeled as a system of differential equations with engine time constant and time delay terms to study the engine response time with respect to a differential thrust input. The novel differential thrust control module is then presented to map rudder input to differential thrust input. The investigation of the aircraft's open loop system response is also presented. Finally, model reference adaptive control based on the Lyapunov stability approach is implemented to test the ability of the damaged aircraft to track the undamaged aircraft's (reference) response in an extreme scenario.
Interim Responses of Littoral River Channel Vegetation to Reestablished Flow after Phase I of the Kissimmee River Restoration Project

Measurements of littoral vegetation stands and species-level surveys of associated plant communities were made in channels of the Kissimmee River from 1998 through 2008, a period that spanned channelized, non-flowing conditions through 7 years of near-continuous reestablished flow. Dissected by flood control canal C-38 in 1971, the river was virtually without flow until early 2001, when Phase I of the Kissimmee River Restoration Project (KRRP) reestablished flow to a central section of river channel. This study evaluated the effects of reestablished flow on littoral vegetation in river channels as an indicator of system status and progress toward the project goal of ecological integrity. Predictions of vegetation response to reestablished flow included reduction in the width of vegetation stands, and changes in the growth-form composition of littoral stands from near-equal dominance by floating and emergent species to overwhelming dominance by emergent growth forms. Variables included plant cover by species and growth-form, width of vegetation stands, and vegetated percentage of channel. Under the currently incomplete (interim) status of the KRRP, results for littoral vegetation stands indicate trends in the predicted directions of change, and three of four predicted changes have occurred. Vegetation stand widths decreased substantially and littoral plant communities became heavily dominated by emergent species; BACIPS (before-after-control-impact-paired series) analyses indicated significant restoration effects for most littoral stand metrics.
Rapid vapor concentrator and detection system for nitroaromatics

An automated, rapid-cycling vapor concentrator and sensor was designed and evaluated for detection of nitroaromatic compounds. The concentrator consists of an inert deactivated fused silica capillary loop. The temperature of the loop was manipulated through contact with a cold plate or a hot plate. Plates were maintained at pre-selected temperatures with a thermoelectric cooler and a cartridge heater. The low thermal mass of the loop permitted rapid trapping and desorption cycles. The chemical inertness of the fused silica tubing not only led to efficient transfer of nitroaromatics from the air stream to the detection system but also minimized cross contamination between samples. The detection system consisted of a tandem arrangement of electron attachment detectors and an electron attachment reactor. These devices were operated with compact custom electronics. The use of the electron attachment reactor and thermoelectric cooler permitted enhanced selectivity. The device was evaluate for rapid determination of nitroaromatic from air streams at trace concentrations. Detection limits down to sub parts per billion were obtained.
Minimum-time control of robotic manipulators with geometric path constraints

Conventionally, robot control algorithms are divided into two stages, namely, path or trajectory planning and path tracking (or path control). This division has been adopted mainly as a means of alleviating difficulties in dealing with complex, coupled manipulator dynamics. Trajectory planning usually determines the timing of manipulator position and velocity without considering its dynamics. Consequently, the simplicity obtained from the division comes at the expense of efficiency in utilizing robot's capabilities. To remove at least partially this inefficiency, this paper considers a solution to the problem of moving a manipulator in minimum time along a specified geometric path subject to input torque/force constraints. We first describe the manipulator dynamics using parametric functions which represent geometric path constraints to be honored for collision avoidance as well as task requirements. Second, constraints on input torques/ forces are converted to those on the parameters. Third, the minimum-time solution is deduced in an algorithm form using phase-plane techniques. Finally, numerical examples are presented to demonstrate utility of the trajectory planning method developed.
Preresection chemotherapy improves survival for children with Askin tumors.

Objective: To test whether patients with Askin tumor treated with aggressive neoadjuvant chemotherapy have a better clinical outcome. Design: Retrospective case series. Setting: Pediatric referral center. Patients: All children diagnosed with malignant small-cell tumors of the chest wall (Askin tumor) and treated from 1975 to September 1987 (phase 1, n=6) and from September 1987 to the present (phase 2, n=9). Main Outcome Measures: Survival as a function of extent of disease and response to therapy as measured by tumor volume, survival, and recurrence. Results: All phase 2 patients had significant reduction of tumor volume and improved survival by Kaplan-Meier estimates compared with phase 1 patients. No phase 1 patients are still alive. Conclusion: Patients with Askin tumor treated with aggressive preresection chemotherapy have smaller tumors to resect and improved survival. Arch Surg. 1996;131:877-880
Effect of Nd concentration on the Nd:KGW laser

The effect of Nd concentration on the laser performance at 1064 nm from Nd:KGW has been studied in a single flash-lamp cavity. The Nd concentrations used were 3, 5, and 6 at.% in 6 mm diameter and 80 mm long KGW rods. The 5 at % Nd-doped KGW rod was found to have the highest laser extraction efficiency as compared to the 3 at.% and 6 at.% rods.
Prophylaxis and management of hamstring muscle injuries in intercollegiate football players

Hamstring muscle strains were responsible for the loss of playing time of a significant number of football players at the University of Nebraska in the early 1970s. After the acquisition of a Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer, the number of injuries was noted to decrease. A retro spective study was performed over the period 1973 to 1982.Players in Group I, from 1973 to 1977, underwent a training program consisting of a supervised winter run ning program and self-designed year-long stretching, running, and weight lifting. Hamstring injuries were managed with rest, ice, and elevation initially and, by the third day, mild running was instituted. On the av erage, by the 14th day the athlete had demonstrated adequate speed and agility and was allowed to return to action. Group II consisted of players from the 1978 to 1982 period. These players received supervised winter running programs and staff-designed year-long stretching, running, and weight lifting programs. In ad dition, all athletes had baseline testing ...
Enthalpies of combustion of 4-dimethylamino-nitrosobenzene and 4-dimethylaminonitrobenzene

Abstract The standard (po = 0.1 MPa) molar enthalpies of combustion at the temperature T = 298.15 K were measured by static-bomb calorimetry for crystalline 4-dimethylaminonitrosobenzene and 4-dimethylaminonitrobenzene. The standard molar enthalpies of sublimation of these compounds at T = 298.15 K were derived from vapour pressures as functions of T determined using Knudsen cells in a microcalorimeter. See Table. From the standrd molar enthalpies of formation of the gaseous compounds, the molar dissociation enthalpy of the (N-O) bond in 4-dimethylaminonitrobenzene was derived: D(N-O)/(kJ·mol-1) = (371.4 ± 3.5). These thermochemical results demonstrate additional stabilization energy in 4-dimethylaminonitrosobenzene providing an explanation of why this nitrosoderivative does not dimerize in the solid state.
Effect of Sex, Age and Carcass Cut on Composition of Harp Seal (Phoca groenlandica) Meat

Abstract As part of a program to investigate utilization of meat recoverable from the inshore Newfoundland seal hunt, iodine number and proximate composition of prime cuts (flank, flipper and rump) of harp seals of five different ages were determined. The sex of the seal did not affect any of the chemical variables analyzed. Age affected mainly moisture and protein content, whereas carcass cut affected mainly fat, moisture and protein content. In general, the ash, moisture and protein contents were higher, and the fat content much lower than that of meat of domesticated terrestrial animals. Iodine numbers ranged from 90.1 to 144.8.
Wave propagation and coupling in organic thin film photorefractive materials and applications to image processing

ABSTRACT We present summaiy of wave propagation and interaction in photorefractive polymers. Energy exchange between waves, and higher order generation are studied. Also, possible applications such as edge enhancement and edge enhanced correlation are described.Keywords: photorefractive polymers, wave mixing, edge enhancement, correlation 1. INTRODUCTION Photorefractive (PR) materials offer the possibility of optical signal processing at milliwatt power levels. The potentialapplications of photorefraction for optical information recording, dynamic optical memories, phase conjugation, edgeenhancement, pattern recognition, and many others stimulated the research towards explanation of the detail mechanisms ofthis phenomenon. The introduction of photorefractive polymers over the last decade made a crucial conceptual change inmaterial optimization. Photorefractive polymers have many advantages over non-polymers. They are inexpensive, offer goodfilm forming capabilities, and the properties required for the PR cffect can be adjusted almost independently.
Where did Composition Studies Come from? An Intellectual History

Composition Studies emerged as a scholarly research discipline during the 1970s as (a) empirical methods became available to investigate the problem of meaning in discourse and, concomitantly, (b) the work of an international writing research community became institutionalized in the form of new journals and graduate programs. Distinguishing their efforts from prior histories of the field, the authors argue that the development of composition studies needs to be understood as part of a broader intellectual history affecting linguistics and literary studies, as well as composition. Reviewing basic tenets of formalism, structuralism (including both constructivism and social constructionism), and dialogism as root epistemologies organizing the recent histories of these disciplines, the authors conclude with a discussion of the dominant and often parallel themes that have characterized evolving conceptions of language, text, and meaning in composition, literature, and linguistics since the 1950s.
cPLA2 Regulates the Expression of Type I Interferons and Intracellular Immunity to Chlamydia trachomatis

Infection with the obligate bacterial intracellular pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis leads to the sustained activation of the small GTPase RAS and many of its downstream signaling components. In particular, the mitogen-activated protein kinase ERK and the calcium-dependent phospholipase cPLA2 are activated and are important for the onset of inflammatory responses. In this study we tested if activation of ERK and cPLA2 occurred as a result of RAS signaling during infection and determined the relative contribution of these signaling components to chlamydial replication and survival. We provide genetic and pharmacological evidence that during infection RAS, ERK, and, to a lesser extent, cPLA2 activation are uncoupled, suggesting that Chlamydia activates individual components of this signaling pathway in a non-canonical manner. In human cell lines, inhibition of ERK or cPLA2 signaling did not adversely impact C. trachomatis replication. In contrast, in murine cells, inhibition of ERK and cPLA2 played a significant protective role against C. trachomatis. We determined that cPLA2-deficient murine cells are permissive for C. trachomatis replication because of their impaired expression of β interferon and the induction of immunity-related GTPases (IRG) important for the containment of intracellular pathogens. Furthermore, the MAPK p38 was primarily responsible for cPLA2 activation in Chlamydia-infected cells and IRG expression. Overall, these findings define a previously unrecognized role for cPLA2 in the induction of cell autonomous cellular immunity to Chlamydia and highlight the many non-canonical signaling pathways engaged during infection.
Crystalline-to-amorphous phase transformation by ion bombardment of the alloy Fe75B25

Abstract The transformation of the alloy Fe75B25 from a crystalline to an amorphous phase by argon and nickel ion bombardment was investigated. Cast and annealed ribbons consisted of the phases Fe3B, Fe2B and α-Fe. During room temperature argon bombardment the Fe3B showed some amorphousness at the lowest damage level used, 0.014 displacements per atom (DPA), and became completely amorphous between 0.11 and 0.15 DPA. Although amorphousness was not detected in Fe2B at low doses (0.014 and 0.042 DPA), the phase eventually disappeared at between 1.5 and 2.5 DPA. It is not clear whether the disappearance of Fe2B occurred because it became amorphous or because of ion mixing with the surrounding material. The α-Fe phase was by far the most resistant to the effects of bombardment. On the basis of experiments with Fe40Ni40P14B6, it is inferred that the α-Fe particles shrink gradually and disappear between 17 and 50 DPA, as the result of ion mixing. The complete crystalline-to-amorphous phase transformation of Fe3B at between 0.11 and 0.15 DPA represents the lowest damage level that has been reported for room temperature amorphization of a metal. These results indicate that, given a suitable starting film, it should be possible with existing ion beam technology to produce certain amorphous metal films at rates as high as 1 – 50 m2 h−1 by room temperature ion bombardment.
Estrogen-sensitive cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa: Response to tamoxifen☆☆☆★

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a vasculitis involving small and medium-sized arteries. The disease has a wide clinical spectrum, ranging from limited single organ involvement to fulminant disease that may involve the skin, joints, nerves, gastrointestinal tract, and kidneys. Cutaneous PAN (CPAN) is best considered early limited disease that may later progress.1,2 In adults, PAN is shown in many instances to be immune-complex mediated. An important suspect antigen detected in approximately 30% of cases is hepatitis B surface antigen.3-6 In children, a striking association exists with antecedent group A β-hemolytic streptococcal infections.7,8 However, in most cases of PAN, the actual pathogenesis remains unknown. We report the first human case of estrogen-sensitive CPAN, clinically improved with tamoxifen treatment, and speculate briefly on a possible mechanism for this improvement.
Time Needed to Change the Isometric Force Production of a Response

This study investigated the time needed to change a motor program that specified the elbow flexor muscles to gradually increase the isometric force production from 15% to 75% of one's maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). A double-stimulation paradigm was used with the restriction that subjects (N = 12) be at 15% of their MVC before the presentation of the first stimulus. Subjects reacted to the first stimulus (randomly presented) by gradually increasing their isometric force from 15% to 75% of their MVC and then reacted to the second stimulus by altering the force production in one of four ways: (a) increasing the force to the 75% level rapidly instead of gradually, (b) discontinuing the increase and maintaining the level of force attained, (c) discontinuing all force production, or (d) reversing the direction of force so that it is produced by the elbow extensors. The data revealed that more time was needed to increase the force rapidly than to perform any of the other three conditions.
Measurement of I-V curves of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) MOSFET's without self-heating

A new method for measuring the output (I/sub D/-V/sub D/) characteristics of SOI MOSFET's without self-heating is described. The method uses short pulses with a low repetition rate, and a reverse transient loadline construction. The technique is demonstrated by measuring 0.25 /spl mu/m bulk and SOI MOSFET's with 5-nm gate oxide. Application of the method to the extraction of device temperature as a function of DC power is also illustrated. >
Invasive crayfish in a high desert river: Implications of concurrent invaders and climate change

No crayfish species are native to the Colorado River Basin (CRB), including the portion of the state of Colorado west of the Continental Divide. Virile crayfish [Orconectes virilis (Hagen, 1870)], a recent invader in the middle Yampa River in northwestern Colorado, displayed an abrupt increase in abundance in the early 2000s, which coincided with a drought, a severe decline in the abundance of smallbodied and juvenile native fishes, and a dramatic increase in the abundance of nonnative smallmouth bass [Micropterus dolomieu (Lacepede, 1802)]. The annual density of virile crayfish was 6.4/m 2 in 2005 and 9.3/m 2 in 2006. The annual biomass density of virile crayfish was 9.0g/m 2 in 2005 and 15.8 g/m 2 in 2006, representing a riverwide biomass of 122 kg/ha, which equaled that of other macroinvertebrates and fish combined (120.7 kg/ha). Efforts to recover and preserve native fishes in the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB), particularly in the Yampa River, have been hampered by nonnative predatory fishes, but the implications of crayfish may have been overlooked and underestimated. Stream conditions during the drought apparently facilitated proliferation by virile crayfish in the middle Yampa River, likely contributing to hyperpredation on native fishes by invasive smallmouth bass. This trophic interaction between virile crayfish and smallmouth bass, in conjunction with regional projections for climate change, will likely make efforts to reduce the abundance and negative ecological impact of smallmouth bass in this ecosystem more difficult and costly. Given the nonnative status of all crayfishes in the CRB, and their invasive capacity and potential to negatively reconfigure native lotic food webs, all states in the UCRB should prohibit the importation, movement, sale, possession and stocking of any live crayfish.
Combustion Thermodynamics of Metal-Complex Oxidizer Mixtures

Previous chemical equilibriumcalculations of metal–oxygen andmetal–nitrogen reacting systems revealed that, due to the large enthalpies of vaporization–dissociation of the condensed phase formed, the  ame temperature is limited to the boiling point or, more appropriately, vaporization–dissociation temperature of the products. Though it has been commonly accepted that the  ame temperature of metals reacting with oxygen is indeed the vaporization–dissociation (designated the volatilization temperature) temperature of the metal oxide, the  ame temperaturereactingwithairnever achieves this volatilizationtemperature.Analysisof thedifferentTi–N2 reacting systems provided the clue that, when a metal reacts with oxygen in the presence of an inert or combustion gases that do not substantially interact with the species volatilized from the condensed phase product, the enthalpy of volatilization–dissociation of the metal oxide still controls the  ame temperature. Further, it has been shown that the  ame temperature of a metal burning in oxygen–inert or other complex oxidizer mixtures corresponds to the volatilization temperature of the oxide evaluated at a pressure that corresponds to the partial pressure of the volatilized gases and not to the total pressure of the reacting system. This realization has important consequences in evaluating the radiative power of burning aluminumparticles in solid propellants, understanding  ammability limits of metal dusts in air, andapplyingGlassman’s criterion for the vaporphase combustionofmetals (Glassman, I., “Metal Combustion Processes,” American Rocket Society, Preprint No. 938-59, New York, 1959), as well as in combustion synthesis.
Comparison of heavy metal accumulation in a natural wetland and constructed wetlands receiving acid mine drainage

Abstract Metal accumulations in sediments and plants of constructed and natural wetlands were compared in two wetlands constructed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) for the treatment of acid mine drainage and a natural wetland. Load rates and removal efficiencies of most metals were generally greater in the constructed wetlands than in the natural wetland. There were similar sediment and plant metal concentrations between one constructed wetland and the natural wetland and greater metal concentrations in the sediments and plants in the other constructed wetland compared to the natural wetland. Data indicate that Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, B, and Cr are being accumulated in the plants at all three wetlands, although accumulation of metals by these plants accounts for only a small percentage of the removal of the annual metal load supplied to each wetland.
COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF GONADECTOMY ON SPONTANEOUS ACTIVITY OF WILD AND DOMESTICATED NORWAY RATS1

THE results of previous studies demonstrated that in the Norway rat, domestication has greatly changed the anatomy and physiology of the adrenal glands. In the domesticated form these glands are much smaller (Rogers and Richter, 1948); they contain less cholesterol and ascorbic acid (Nichols, 1950; Woods, in press); histochemically they show less lipid in all zones (Mosier, in press); and their removal has much less effect than in the wild form, since domesticated Norways survive adrenalectomy on only small amounts of added salt, whereas wild rats do not survive on salt in any amounts or form, and not consistently even on treatment with cortisone or DOCA (Richter, Rogers and Hall, 1950; Covian, 1949). A study has now been made of the effects of domestication on the anatomy and physiology of the gonads. Comparison of the effects of gonadectomy on sex behavior as not possible since wild rats are so suspicious that they will not mate when under observation.
Psychiatric Factors and Weight Loss Patterns Following Gastric Bypass Surgery in a Veteran Population

Background Although pre-surgical psychological evaluations are commonly administered to patients considered for weight loss surgeries, the value of these evaluations for predicting weight loss success has been questioned. In this study, we addressed this issue by examining patient’s total number of psychiatric indicators rather than individual psychological factors as predictors of weight loss/weight regain.
A compact IC tone generator

Abstract A versatile and inexpensive solid-state audio frequency generator is described which provides for control of stimulus frequency and intensity. The circuit is capable of operating at frequencies ranging from 95-20,000 Hz. The device is easily constructed from integrated circuits with a minimum of external components.
Amplitude‐versus‐offset variations in gas sands

Seismic reflections from gas sands exhibit a wide range of amplitude‐versus‐offset (AVO) characteristics. The two factors that most strongly determine the AVO behavior of a gas‐sand reflection are the normal incidence reflection coefficient R0 and the contrast in Poisson’s ratio at the reflector. Of these two factors, R0 is the least constrained. Based on their AVO characteristics, gas‐sand reflectors can be grouped into three classes defined in terms of R0 at the top of the gas sand. Class 1 gas sands have higher impedance than the encasing shale with relatively large positive values for R0. Class 2 gas sands have nearly the same impedance as the encasing shale and are characterized by values of R0 near zero. Class 3 sands have lower impedance than the encasing shale with negative, large magnitude values for R0. Each of these sand classes has a distinct AVO characteristic. An example of a gas sand from each of the three classes is presented in the paper. The Class 1 example involves a Hartshorn channel s...
On the Relationship Between the North Atlantic Oscillation and Early Warm Season Temperatures in the Southwestern United States

AbstractIt is reported herein that the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), which has been known to directly affect winter weather conditions in western Europe and the eastern United States, is also linked to surface air temperature over the broad southwestern U.S. (SWUS) region, encompassing California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado, in the early warm season. The authors have performed monthly time-scale correlations and composite analyses using three different multidecadal temperature datasets. Results from these analyses reveal that NAO-related upstream circulation positively affects not only the means, but also the extremes, of the daily maximum and minimum temperatures in the SWUS. This NAO effect is primarily linked with the positioning of upper-tropospheric anticyclones over the western United States that are associated with development of the positive NAO phase through changes in lower-tropospheric wind directions as well as suppression of precipitation and enhanced shortwave radiat...
Calculated organ doses from selected prostate treatment plans using Monte Carlo simulations and an anatomically realistic computational phantom

There is growing concern about radiation-induced second cancers associated with radiation treatments. Particular attention has been focused on the risk to patients treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) due primarily to increased monitor units. To address this concern we have combined a detailed medical linear accelerator model of the Varian Clinac 2100 C with anatomically realistic computational phantoms to calculate organ doses from selected treatment plans. This paper describes the application to calculate organ-averaged equivalent doses using a computational phantom for three different treatments of prostate cancer: a 4-field box treatment, the same box treatment plus a 6-field 3D-CRT boost treatment and a 7-field IMRT treatment. The equivalent doses per MU to those organs that have shown a predilection for second cancers were compared between the different treatment techniques. In addition, the dependence of photon and neutron equivalent doses on gantry angle and energy was investigated. The results indicate that the box treatment plus 6-field boost delivered the highest intermediate- and low-level photon doses per treatment MU to the patient primarily due to the elevated patient scatter contribution as a result of an increase in integral dose delivered by this treatment. In most organs the contribution of neutron dose to the total equivalent dose for the 3D-CRT treatments was less than the contribution of photon dose, except for the lung, esophagus, thyroid and brain. The total equivalent dose per MU to each organ was calculated by summing the photon and neutron dose contributions. For all organs non-adjacent to the primary beam, the equivalent doses per MU from the IMRT treatment were less than the doses from the 3D-CRT treatments. This is due to the increase in the integral dose and the added neutron dose to these organs from the 18 MV treatments. However, depending on the application technique and optimization used, the required MU values for IMRT treatments can be two to three times greater than 3D CRT. Therefore, the total equivalent dose in most organs would be higher from the IMRT treatment compared to the box treatment and comparable to the organ doses from the box treatment plus the 6-field boost. This is the first time when organ dose data for an adult male patient of the ICRP reference anatomy have been calculated and documented. The tools presented in this paper can be used to estimate the second cancer risk to patients undergoing radiation treatment.
Photoemission study of iron deposited on fullerenes

Photoelectron spectroscopy is used to study iron particles grown by depositing Fe on a fullerene film. For small amounts of iron deposited on the fullerenes, the Fe 3p core level is shifted \ensuremath{\sim}0.4 eV to greater binding energy and a clear Fermi edge is missing. Theoretical studies by other workers, principally calculations of the electronic structure for small clusters, suggest that the iron is dispersed in the fullerene matrix in the form of small clusters. When the amount of Fe increases and the clusters become larger, some of the Fe valence states move towards ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{f}}$ and the valence band develops a Fermi edge indicative of metallization.
Prolactin-producing pituitary carcinoma with pulmonary metastases

Pituitary adenomas rarely are metastatic. Extracranial visceral metastases of prolactinomas were not previously reported. The authors report a case of a 34-year-old man with a prolactin-producing pituitary carcinoma and histologically proven lung metastases. Pathologic examination of the pulmonary spread included electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry; these confirmed prolactin production by the tumor. The patient's presentation at initial diagnosis, disease recurrence, clinical course, management, and response to therapy (with its theoretic basis) are detailed. Despite the use of dopamine analogues (to tolerance and in combination), there was documented intracranial and extracranial disease progression. Possible future therapeutic maneuvers are discussed.
The α4β1 integrin in sickle cell disease

L'integrine α4β1 est un recepteur d'adherence exprime sur les reticulocytes des malades drepanocytaires qui est implique dans l'adherence de ces cellules aux proteines de la matrice sous-endotheliale et a l'endothelium. Dans cette revue, nous decrivons le mecanisme d'activation de l'integrine α4β1 sur les reticulocytes drepanocytaires et nous discutons le role de cette integrine dans la drepanocytose consecutif a son activation. Nous discutons aussi de nouvelles therapies visant a cibler cette integrine et prevenir la vaso-occlusion dans la drepanocytose.
Tension, microtubule rearrangements, and the proper distribution of chromosomes in mitosis.

The basis for stable versus unstable kinetochore orientation was investigated by a correlated living-cell/ultrastructural study of grasshopper spermatocytes. Mal-oriented bivalents having both kinetochores oriented to one spindle pole were induced by micromanipulation. Such malorientations are stable while the bivalent is subject to tension applied by micromanipulation but unstable after tension is released. Unstable bivalents always reorient with movement of one kinetochore toward the opposite pole. Microtubules associated with stably oriented bivalents, whether they are mal-oriented or in normal bipolar orientation, are arranged in orderly parallel bundles running from each kinetochore toward the pole. Similar orderly kinetochore microtubule arrangements characterize mal-oriented bivalents fixed just after release of tension. A significantly different microtubule arrangement is found only some time after tension release, when kinetochore movement is evident. The microtubules of a reorienting kinetochore always include a small number of microtubules running toward the pole toward which the kinetochore was moving at the time of fixation. All other microtubules associated with such a moving kinetochore appear to have lost their anchorage to the original pole and to be dragged passively as the kinetochore proceeds to the other pole. Thus, the stable anchorage of kinetochore microtubules to the spindle is associated with tension force and unstable anchorage with the absence of tension. The effect of tension is readily explained if force production and anchorage are both produced by mitotic motors, which link microtubules to the spindle as they generate tension forces.
Autoradiographic study of the histolocalization of Sr85 in the newborn mouse.

Abstract Autoradiographic methods were used to determine the histolocalization patterns and concentration of internal conversion and Auger electron emitting Sr 85 in the newborn mouse. Pregnant Swiss albino mice were given Sr 85 Cl 2 during the last trimester of gestation. Some of the young were section-delivered to observe the distribution of strontium relative to the foetal position within the uteri. The localization and quantitation of radioisotope varied in litter mates, but did not coincide with the foetal position. Discrete localization was, however, consistently observed in the mineralizing matrices of bone and the dentine of developing incisors. Mouse litters from “cold” mothers nursed by “hot” mothers demonstrated detectable radiation in their bones and teeth, indicative of strontium transfer via lactation. In mice killed from 15 min to 4 hr after Sr 85 administration and whose tissues were processed routinely or cut in a cryostat and kept frozen to minimize isotope diffusion, no autoradiographic grains were observed over cellular elements, thus eliminating the possibility of a cellular pathway for Sr 86 to mineralizing structures.
A Pattern Language for Teacher Education

Redesign of the teacher education programs at the University of Cincinnati has been structured by a unique conceptual framework. Borrowed from architecture, the framework has enabled college of edu...
Quantum Hall Effect in a Gate-Controlled p-n Junction of Graphene

The unique band structure of graphene allows reconfigurable electric-field control of carrier type and density, making graphene an ideal candidate for bipolar nanoelectronics. We report the realization of a single-layer graphene p-n junction in which carrier type and density in two adjacent regions are locally controlled by electrostatic gating. Transport measurements in the quantum Hall regime reveal new plateaus of two-terminal conductance across the junction at 1 and \({3}/{2}\) times the quantum of conductance, e 2 /h , consistent with recent theory. Beyond enabling investigations in condensed-matter physics, the demonstrated local-gating technique sets the foundation for a future graphene-based bipolar technology.
Enhanced photoluminescence from free-standing microstructures fabricated on MBE grown PbSe-PbSrSe MQW structure

Fabrication of microrods from multi-quantum well (MQW) PbSe-PbSrSe structure grown in molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) followed by its morphological as well as optical characterizations are described. Pulsed PL intensity is increased by 64 times per unit surface area from a free-standing MQW microrod mounted on copper heat sink compared with the bulk sample. Enhancement in side emission power due to the higher optical confinement effect during pulsed photoluminescence (PL) from MQW semiconductor microtube inserted in hollow quartz optical fiber signifies that these microstructures are robust in nature and crucial contenders for portable mid-infrared optoelectronic devices to be used in the field of industrial trace-gas sensing.
Studies on oxidative phosphorylation and ATPase activity of fresh and frozen brain mitochondria.

Abstract The presence of bovine serum albumin in the incubation medium resulted in increased P:O values with brain mitochondria in limiting concentrations as well as particles prepared in hypertonic sucrose or those exposed to a hypotonic medium. Frozen brain mitochondria retained some of their oxidative phosphorylating ability after storage for several days at −15 °C. The activity was greatly increased by the addition of DPN and nicoti namide to the incubation medium. The ATPase of freshly prepared brain mitochondria was almost completely devoid of 2,4-dinitrophenol-stimulating ability but was greatly activated by Mg++.
Subject ellipsis in Russian and Polish

. Polish and Russian are partial pro-drop languages with different patterns of subject realization: whereas pronominal subjects are more commonly elided in Polish, they are more commonly overt in Russian. This suggests an approach to modeling ellipsis that begins with the parameter baseline subject realization with the values overt and elided. Once a language has been thus parameterized (overt for Russian, elided for Polish), the rules for determining when to override that baseline decision must be formulated. At least four types of factors influence the realization decision for subjects in Russian and Polish: syntactic constraints; the semantic and stylistic nuances of the utterance; and two pragmatic constraints – the necessity of avoiding ambiguity and the preference for avoiding redundancy. While many theoretical approaches would stop at the point of making such generalizations, the approach taken here, which follows the theory of Ontological Semantics, necessitates that all of the proposed constraints be associated with heuristics sufficient to provide a non-native speaker or intelligent agent with a robust, practical knowledge of ellipsis usage.
Competing in New Markets and the Search for a Viable Business Model

Prior research has examined how firms compete effectively in established markets. The current study investigates new markets and traces the activities of entrepreneurial rivals as they search for a...
WE-D-I-609-05: Optical Imaging of Tumor Microvasculature in 3D

Purpose: Great interest exists at present in determining methods to image and understand tumor micro‐vasculature structure and how it can be perturbed by a variety of agents, including radiation and anti‐angiogenic drug therapies. Present methods including micro MRI and micro CT can yield high spatial resolution, but limited contrast in micro‐vasculature makes determining subtle 3D structure problematic. We have developed a non‐destructive optical method for imagingtumor micro‐vasculature which can yield significantly greater image resolution and micro‐vasculature contrast than achievable with existing technique. Method and Materials: Murine tumor micro‐vasculature staining was achieved by in‐vivo tail vein injection of dark‐dye solution. After several minutes the HTC116 (human colon cancer)tumor was removed, washed in saline solution and set in 1% agarose gel.Tumortissue was then taken through a clearing process prior to optical imaging. Light from a diffuse white light source was caused to traverse through the tumortissue and a projection image was acquired using focussing optics and a CCD camera. Quantitative images of microvasculature density were reconstructed from projections acquired at multiple angles. Results: Good optical transmission was achieved through significant tumor samples (e.g. 1×1×1cm). Excellent contrast was observed between microvasculature and surrounding tumortissue. Very high resolution (5 micron) isotropic 3D reconstructions were achieved through large whole mount murine tumor sample. The method can provide quantitative maps of micro‐vasculature density throughout the tumor sample. Conclusion: We present a novel technique for imaging 3D micro‐vasculature in tumor and normal tissue with unprecedented image resolution and contrast. Quantitative analysis of microvascular density in whole mount (i.e. unsliced or undisturbed) large tumor specimens is possible. The technique has potential as a valuable new tool for the analysis of tumor microvasculature and the effects of vascular perturbing agents (e.g. anti‐angiogenic drugs and radiation).
Intentional manipulation of closed-loop time delay for model validation using feedback-induced bifurcation

Abstract Hopf bifurcation of a simple isothermal stirred tank without reaction is possible through the introduction of time-delayed feedback. By manipulating the time delay and a single feedback gain as bifurcation parameters, sensitive experiments were performed to test the validity of a model that describes the dynamic behavior of the combined components in an experimental gas-phase reactor flow system. Experimental bifurcations to sustained oscillations show that the stability of the reactor system is strongly influenced by delay. The relationships of time delay to Hopf bifurcation gains and frequencies provide a very sensitive basis for model comparisons. These type of comparisons are used to demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed model for the experimental system. The effect of noise and data sampling rate are then investigated by numerical simulation with the model. The complete model is necessary for analyzing bifurcation experiments including the effects of catalytic reaction.
Microstructure Evolution in Diamond CVD: Computer Simulations of 111 Surface Site Formation on a Growing Diamond-100 Surface

A Monte Carlo simulation strategy was used to explore the kinetics and mechanisms of 111-surface site formation on a growing diamond-100 surface. The starting point of the simulations was a 30 × 30...
Malingered ADHD in adolescents diagnosed with conduct disorder: A brief note

This brief note cautions clinicians about the possibility of adolescents with Conduct Disorder malingering the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to obtain medication. Presented are some guidelines to consider when the diagnosis of ADHD is indicated in forensic settings with adolescents such as the need for a comprehensive assessment and the importance of exploring the possibility of malingering.