cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A modified HVSR method to evaluate site effect in Northern Mississippi considering ocean wave climate

Abstract This paper presents the time history maps of horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) of 12 long-term microtremor recordings (LTRs) in Northern Mississippi and the coastal area of Gulf of Mexico. These maps show that a stable predominant frequency (f0) value can be estimated across most of Northern Mississippi where the unconsolidated sediment thickness (UST) is larger than 300 m. On the other hand, estimates of amplification factor, taken as HVSR values at f0 (HVSR@f0), display a strong time-dependency, potentially caused by variations of source location and energy level of microseism, i.e. ocean wave activities in Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Validity of this observation is examined by calculating transfer functions between HVSR@f0 and ocean data (ocean wave height, ocean wind speed and atmospheric pressure above ocean). Additionally, 3D microtremor spectra of each LTR and those of all STRs within each 100 m-UST group are converted into spatial spectral vectors and projected on stereographic nets. Patterns of the clusters formed by these projections show that the HVSR@f0 values are related to both UST and vibration source location and energy level. Finally, a modified HVSR method based on stereographic projection is proposed to determine the average spectral vector of each cluster, which enables a more accurate estimation of amplification factor.
Mirror descent stochastic approximation for computing worst-case stochastic input models

Performance analysis via stochastic simulation is often subject to input model uncertainty, meaning that the input model is unknown and needs to be inferred from data. Motivated especially from situations with limited data, we consider a worst-case analysis to handle input uncertainty by representing the partially available input information as constraints and solving a worst-case optimization problem to obtain a conservative bound for the output. In the context of i.i.d. input processes, such approach involves simulation-based nonlinear optimizations with decision variables being probability distributions. We explore the use of a specialized class of mirror descent stochastic approximation (MDSA) known as the entropic descent algorithm, particularly effective for handling probability simplex constraints, to iteratively solve for the local optima. We show how the mathematical program associated with each iteration of the MDSA algorithm can be efficiently computed, and carry out numerical experiments to illustrate the performance of the algorithm.
Delbrück Scattering of 10.8-MeV γ Rays

The differential cross section for elastic scattering of 10.83-MeV photons by Pb and by U has been measured for scattering angles between 20\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and 150\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. The elastic scattering has been resolved from inelastic contributions for the first time. For scattering angles less than 45\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} this process is dominated by the Delbr\"uck effect.
The Freelance PallBearer Confronts the Terrible Threes: Ishmael Reed and the New Black Aesthetic Critics

Ishmael Reed's battle with the new black aesthetic critics began early in his career. From the very start, he has disliked being categorized and seems to find it impossible to play the literary game by the rules of others. Clarence Major had said in his Walt Shepperd interview in 1969 that he was not sure if the novel form, as it was then commonly structured and marketed, was "worth saving," and that he wanted, in the ensuing ten years, to "do something new with the novel as form, and getting rid
Application of Fuzzy Orthogonality to Synthesis of Water-Absorbent Resin

The fuzzy orthogonal design is a method that the orthogonal results were fuzzed and analyzed by fuzzy mathematical theory.The fuzzy analysis might estimate not only main effect of factors,but also possible optimal combination among factors.More useful information can be got from fuzzy orthogonal deign than that from classical orthogonal design.Based on multi-purpose relative function for the comprehensive properties of water absorbency, stability, strength and water retentivity, the synthesis of water-absorbent resin was studied and satisfying results was obtained.
Metaplasia and Dysplasia in Barrett’s Esophagus

This chapter provides details regarding the normal anatomy and histology of gastroesophageal junction along with histologic features of Barrett’s esophagus (BE). In addition, the clinical and pathologic aspects of intestinal metaplasia at esophagogastric junction are also discussed. As dysplasia is still considered to be the “gold-standard” biomarker for Barrett’s-related adenocarcinoma, the major focus of this chapter is pathologic aspects of Barrett’s-related dysplasia. The chapter discusses diagnostic criteria for grading dysplasia, morphologic subtypes of dysplasia, and issues associated with interpreting mucosal biopsy samples. In addition, the potential utility of molecular biomarkers in high-risk population screening is also addressed.
Designing a Continuously Variable Magnetic Gear

This paper investigates the performance capabilities of a continuously variable magnetic gearbox that utilizes a flux focusing rotor structure. A fractional slot stator winding is designed to couple to the outer rotor of an existing magnetic gearbox in order to enable the magnetic gearbox to operate with a variable gear ratio.
Surface properties affecting insulator flashover in vacuum

A longstanding difficulty in the utilization of high voltage in vacuum environments has been the relatively low electric fields withstood by insulator surfaces exposed to vacuum. The conventional remedy has been to design the insulator so that its surface is shielded from field-emitted electrons.
Teachers Moving Forward on a Cultural Self-Awareness Spectrum: Diverse Children, Museums, and Young Adult Literature

AbstractThis case study research investigated preservice and in-service teachers’ (N = 23) experiences and understandings as they participated in a multicultural children and young adults’ literature course that incorporates visits to a Holocaust museum. A graduate level course was redesigned within a framework of social justice pedagogy by focusing on critical analysis of multicultural literature, teacher inquiry, as well as a civic engagement project. Findings from this study illuminated how this course design encouraged teachers to move beyond a focus on tolerance and acceptance, and toward a social justice orientation through critical exploration of issues such as racism, oppression, and the ways bias and privilege operate within their own lives, schools, and society.
Simulating the Upper St. Johns River for Extreme Events

The St. Johns River is one of the most important river systems in Florida. The watershed begins in East Central Florida and discharges to the Atlantic Ocean ea…
Circulating Plasma Levels of Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) Are Elevated In Patients Afflicted with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract Abstract 4320 Biologic therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) targets specific molecules that mediate and sustain the clinical manifestations of this complex illness. Compared with the general population, patients with RA are at an increased risk to develop cardiovascular diseases and the precise mechanism(s) of action remain obscure. This laboratory has proposed the existence of a pro-inflammatory axis in RA comprised by thrombospondin-1 (TSP1), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-b) and CTGF. The present study evaluated plasma levels of TSP1, TGFb and CTGF in patients with RA by ELISA as well as specific cytokines and chemokines. CTGF plasma levels in RA patients (9.2 pg/ml mean, range 3.44–17.08) were found significantly increased (P Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Elastomeric phase masks and transfer stamps: fabrication methods for micro/nano optical systems (Conference Presentation)

Research over the last decade has led to the emergence of several powerful methods for micro/nanofabrication, with direct relevance to optics and optoelectronic systems. This talk summarizes some of our contributions to this field, through the development techniques that use (1) conformal phase masks for photodefining 3D structures with applications in photonic crystals, (2) rubber transfer stamps for integrating inorganic semiconductor materials on plastic substrates for solid state lighting, emissive displays and efficient photovoltaics, and (3) stretchable assembly platforms for controlled transformation of 2D precursor structures into well-defined, complex 3D architectures for optical MEMS. In each case, we review the basic operating principles and provide some examples of enabled applications in optics and optoelectronics.
Chest radiographic features of human metapneumovirus infection in pediatric patients.

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) was identified in 2001 and is a common cause of acute respiratory illness in young children. The radiologic characteristics of laboratory-confirmed HMPV acute respiratory illness in young children have not been systematically assessed. We systematically evaluated the radiographic characteristics of acute respiratory illness associated with HMPV in a prospective cohort of pediatric patients. We included chest radiographs from children <5 years old with acute respiratory illness who were enrolled in the prospective New Vaccine Surveillance Network (NVSN) study from 2003 to 2009 and were diagnosed with HMPV by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Of 215 HMPV-positive subjects enrolled at our tertiary care children’s hospital, 68 had chest radiographs obtained by the treating clinician that were available for review. Two fellowship-trained pediatric radiologists, independently and then in consensus, retrospectively evaluated these chest radiographs for their radiographic features. Parahilar opacities were the most commonly observed abnormality, occurring in 87% of children with HMPV. Hyperinflation also occurred frequently (69%). Atelectasis (40%) and consolidation (18%) appeared less frequently. Pleural effusion and pneumothorax were not seen on any radiographs. The clinical presentations of HMPV include bronchiolitis, croup and pneumonia. Dominant chest radiographic abnormalities include parahilar opacities and hyperinflation, with occasional consolidation. Recognition of the imaging patterns seen with common viral illnesses like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and HMPV might facilitate diagnosis and limit unnecessary antibiotic treatment.
Advances in SATCOM phased arrays using silicon technologies

This paper presents several phased-array efforts at X and Ku-band based on highly integrated silicon core chips. The work shows that it is possible to build advanced phased-arrays using SiGe chips coupled with GaAs LNAs at each antenna element for low noise operation and high G/T, or GaAs PAs for higher radiated power per element (if needed). The phased-array is constructed on a single printed-circuit board which reduces the cost by a factor of 10x. This will revolutionize X, Ku and Ka-band phased arrays by making them the preferred choice for airborne and mobile platforms due to their reduced height, weight and drag.
Close/Bye: Staging [State] Intimacy and Betrayal in ‘Performance of Literature’

Close/Bye is a play devised in collaboration with students in Stephanie Batiste’s class Performance of Literature: Black California. This chapter describes the critical hurdles students tackled in prioritizing a theme of intimacy and betrayal in a play that addressed structural crises in Black life and offered paeans to the dead. The class put identification and empathy into practice through performance theory and embodiment. The process identified closeness and distance, love and betrayal as means to layer self-knowledge, intimate relationships, social injustice, and state violence in performance. Inspired by Black writing and performance workshops, the students moved swiftly from the personal to the structural as a confrontation with the impacts of state violence and oppression in honor of citizens recently slain by U.S. police.
CARDIOLOGY CRITICAL CARE ROTATION SURVIVAL GUIDE AND CURRICULUM ENHANCEMENT: A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT STUDY

The traditional in-class face-to-face lectures have been the mainstay in medical education, but the major drawback of this model includes passive learning experience. A new pedagogic model, in form of flipped classroom, offers advantage of self-paced review of educational material and promotes
Suicide Timing in 18 States of the United States from 2003-2014

We investigated suicide timing over different time periods by age, sex and race/ethnicity. A total of 122,107 suicide deaths were identified from the population-based U.S. National Violent Death Reporting System in 18 U.S. states from 2003 through 2014. Suicides significantly increased (p < .05) from March to peak in September before falling, the first week of the month, and early in the week. Suicides also significantly increased (p < .05) in the morning, mainly peaking during the afternoon, although suicides in adolescents peaked in the evening and in those 65-years and older peaked in the morning. Comprehensive prevention efforts should focus on those at overall increased suicide risk and at peaks of high suicide frequency, especially among those vulnerable subgroups.
Gas outflows from the z = 7.54 quasar: predictions from the BlueTides simulation

Many theoretical models predict that quasar driven outflows account for the observed quenching of star formation in massive galaxies. There is growing observational evidence for quasar-launched massive outflows at z>6, while the details of outflow-host galaxy interaction remain obscure. In this paper, we study the feedback around the highest redshift quasar in the BlueTides simulation, the largest volume cosmological hydrodynamic simulation so far carried out. We present predictions for gas outflows around the brightest $z = 7.54$ quasar which hosts the most massive black hole in the simulation volume, which has grown to black hole mass $6.7\times 10^{8}{\rm M}_\odot$ consistent with the current record holder for high-z quasars. We introduce a method to identify and trace the gas outflowing from the halo. We find that the total mass of the outflow gas is about $3.6\times 10^{9}{\rm M}_\odot$, constituting 6\% of the total gas in the halo. The outflow gas contains a cold, dense molecular component with mass about $2.6\times 10^{8}{\rm M}_\odot$, that originates from the inner region of the halo, within a few kpc of the central black hole. The velocities of the outflow gas reach thousands of km/s, within which the molecular component has mass averaged outward radial velocity of $1300$ km/s, consistent with observations. The averaged outflow rate is about $200-300 {\rm M}_\odot/yr$, with the outflowing gas mainly in a hotter ($T \sim 10^7$ K) and lower density state than the average of the host halo gas.
Vascular Smooth Muscle-Specific Gene Expression

Publisher Summary This chapter attempts to provide some background for considering the possible importance of several transcription-factor families that one would currently implicate as likely to play a role in vascular smooth-muscle differentiation. However, at this time, there is no compelling data to demonstrate that any of them are important for the generation of vascular smooth-muscle phenotype. More fundamentally, the ability to define a vascular smooth muscle cell according to its distinctive cellular protein/mRNA species and to distinguish it unambiguously from a myofibroblast has yet to be clearly established. This may suggest that an appropriate avenue of investigation could be to analyze gene products held in common in the phenotypic spectrum between smooth muscle cells and myofibroblasts; and critical differentiation steps along this transcriptional pathway may be shared by both these cell types. Much experimental work remains to be done before it will be possible to provide specific discussion of the transcriptional regulation of the vascular smooth-muscle phenotype.
A tribute from the band

Dexter has played music for most of his life and playing music is something that gives him great enjoyment. As a member of the band, Dexter has always been the organizer and musical director. Dexter is multitalented. He can play guitar, piano, and sing, all well enough to be done in public. As fellow band members we know when things are going well during a set because Dexter will have a huge grin on his face. Recently, Dexter has added Rapping to his repertoire. He has a really stellar performance that has yet to be presented to an audience! Dexter is unabashedly and unequivocally exuberant for music. His kid like charm and enthusiasm has always been an inspiration to both his fellow band members and the audience. Dexter's enthusiasm for music makes it a blast to get together for practice and gigs. In addition to playing in the band, Dexter's enthusiasm stretches to acting as chief ‘roadie'. Dexter trucks all of our equipment around in his van. This is a real effort as he has to load the van before the gig and then unload it when he gets home. For anyone who has ever wondered what that it is like - let me tell you it's a lot of work. Most guitar amps weigh at least 50-60 lb so loading and unloading is hard manual labor. From all of us in the band, Happy 60th birthday Dexter. I think that I speak for all the members of the current band and past bands in saying that it is a total blast to play music with you! Here's a toast to you and to playing music with you for many more years.
Strong Markov Processes

Suppose that {xt} is a Markov process. If it is known that \(x_{t_0 } \), the process can be thought of as “beginning afresh” thereafter as though x had been its initial state.
The Genealogy and Theology of Isaiah 11:1

Isaiah 11:1 traces the genealogy of ideal king back to Jesse and not a Davidic king in order to portray him as a new, or second, David. This depiction was motivated by the religious decline of the Davidides, and it allowed for a sense of disjuncture, or distance, from the Davidic line in order to claim royal legitimacy on theological grounds.
Maternal discourse continuity and infants' actions organize 12-month-olds' language exposure during object play

Infant language learning depends on the distribution of co-occurrences within language-between words and other words-and between language content and events in the world. Yet infant-directed speech is not limited to words that refer to perceivable objects and actions. Rather, caregivers' utterances contain a range of syntactic forms and expressions with diverse attentional, regulatory, social, and referential functions. We conducted a distributional analysis of linguistic content types at the utterance level, and demonstrated that a wide range of content types in maternal speech can be distinguished by their distribution in sequences of utterances and by their patterns of co-occurrence with infants' actions. We observed free-play sessions of 38 12-month-old infants and their mothers, annotated maternal utterances for 10 content types, and coded infants' gaze target and object handling. Results show that all content types tended to repeat in consecutive utterances, whereas preferred transitions between different content types reflected sequences from attention-capturing to directing and then descriptive utterances. Specific content types were associated with infants' engagement with objects (declaratives, descriptions, object names), with disengagement from objects (talk about attention, infant's name), and with infants' gaze at the mother (affirmations). We discuss how structured discourse might facilitate language acquisition by making speech input more predictable and/or by providing clues about high-level form-function mappings.
Palliative care for case managers: building capacity to extend community-based palliative care to underserved older adults.

Palliative care has demonstrated effectiveness in alleviating the biological, emotional, social, and spiritual symptoms that accompany serious illness, and improving quality of life for seriously ill individuals and their family members. Despite increasing availability, there are significant disparities in access to and utilization of palliative care, particularly among diverse, low-income, and community-dwelling older adults with chronic illness. Training frontline service providers is a novel approach to expanding access to palliative care among underserved elders. This article presents a process and outcome evaluation of a palliative care curriculum that was developed and piloted for geriatric case managers in a large urban area. We describe the background, planning, design, implementation, and preliminary outcomes associated with a pilot implementation of the curriculum. We conclude with implications for replicating efforts to enhance frontline providers' knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy in extending palliative care to communities that lack access to critical supports for their burdensome symptoms.
Advances in risk assessment and prophylaxis for central nervous system relapse in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Central nervous sytem recurrence of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is an uncommon but devastating event, making identification of patients at high risk for relapse within the central nervous system essential for clinicians. Modern risk stratification includes both clinical and biological features. A validated clinical risk model employing the five traditional International Prognostic Index risk factors plus renal or adrenal involvement can identify a high-risk patient population with a central nervous system recurrence risk of greater than 10%. Lymphoma involvement of certain discrete extranodal sites such as the testis also confers increased risk, even in stage I disease. Adverse biological risk factors for central nervous system relapse include presence of translocations of MYC, BCL2 and/or BCL6, in so-called double- or triple-hit lymphoma. Immunohistochemically detectable co-expression of MYC and BCL2 in the absence of translocations also portends an increased risk of relapse within the central nervous system, particularly in the setting of the activated B-cell-like subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The role, method, and timing of prophylactic therapy remain controversial based on the available data. We review both intrathecal and systemic strategies for prophylaxis in high-risk patients. Our preference is for systemic methotrexate in concert with standard chemoimmunotherapy in the majority of cases. Several novel agents have also demonstrated clinical activity in primary and secondary central nervous system lymphoma and warrant future investigation in the prophylactic setting.
Late-glacial paleoecology of the middle Susitna Valley, Alaska: environmental context for human dispersal.

We present here the results of multi-proxy analyses (sediment geochemistry, diatoms, and pollen) from sediment cores collected at four lakes in the middle Susitna Valley, Alaska. These lakes form a transect from the tundra to the boreal forest. The retrieved cores span from ~12,000 cal yr BP to the present, with age control provided by radiometric dates and tephra deposits, some of which are newly identified. Results indicate that deglaciation occurred before 12,000 cal yr BP and that by that time, the lakes were deep, productive, and surrounded by shrub tundra. The lake with the highest sampling resolution indicates a brief climatic reversal ~11,500 cal yr BP with decreased diatom-inferred lake level and lowered lake productivity, and reduced shrub presence. During the early to middle Holocene, all of the sedimentary records provide evidence of climatic amelioration with tree expansion and productive lakes. A middle to late Holocene climatic deterioration with reduced trees and a shallower, less productive lake is also indicated. In addition, the prominent Watana tephra at ~4,000 cal yr BP likely reduced lake productivity and affected the vegetation. Even though the region was relatively productive soon after deglaciation, people did not occupy the region until ~11,000 cal yr BP, about 1000 years later, and then only sparsely. By the middle and late Holocene, the region was more densely populated and this shift in human occupancy presumably reflects changes in resource abundance, especially caribou. Whether the Watana ashfall influenced caribou abundance and thus people, is still under investigation, but given the tephra’s effect on vegetation and lake productivity, it seems likely.
How Much Do Psychological Factors Affect Lack of Return to Play After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction? A Systematic Review.

Background:Variables affecting return to sport after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) are multifactorial. The nonphysical factors germane to successful return to play (RTP) are bein...
Electronic landscape of the P-cluster of nitrogenase as revealed through many-electron quantum wavefunction simulations.

The electronic structure of the nitrogenase metal cofactors is central to nitrogen fixation. However, the P-cluster and FeMo cofactor, each containing eight Fe atoms, have eluded detailed characterization of their electronic properties. We report on the low-energy electronic states of the P-cluster in three oxidation states through exhaustive many-electron wavefunction simulations enabled by new theoretical methods. The energy scales of orbital and spin excitations overlap, yielding a dense spectrum with features that we trace to the underlying atomic states and recouplings. The clusters exist in superpositions of spin configurations with non-classical spin correlations, complicating interpretation of magnetic spectroscopies, whereas the charges are mostly localized from reorganization of the cluster and its surroundings. On oxidation, the opening of the P-cluster substantially increases the density of states, which is intriguing given its proposed role in electron transfer. These results demonstrate that many-electron simulations stand to provide new insights into the electronic structure of the nitrogenase cofactors. The electronic structures of the metal cofactors of nitrogenase are key to biological nitrogen fixation; however, the [Fe8S7] P-cluster and FeMo cofactor have eluded detailed electronic characterization. Now, the electronic structure of the P-cluster of nitrogenase has been revealed at the many-electron level through exhaustive quantum wavefunction simulations.
Montrose M. Wolf: The Origin Of The Dimensions Of Applied Behavior Analysis.

As one of the country’s leading child treatment scientists and practitioners, Montrose M. Wolf, Ph.D., of the University of Kansas, was the driving force behind the development of Boys Town’s Family Home Program. Dr. Wolf ’s Teaching Family Model revolutionized how Boys Town cares for and treats its children. The model became the foundation for Boys Town’s far-reaching programs that have served more than one million troubled or at-risk girls and boys since Dr. Wolf brought his ideas to Boys Town in 1975. That same year, Boys Town presented its first Father Flanagan Award for Service to Youth to Mrs. Spencer Tracy. Through the years, the Flanagan Award, Boys Town’s highest award, has honored a select group of outstanding individuals who believe that the meaning of life is giving and not taking. This group includes Mother Teresa, Bob Hope, Dr. Jonas Salk, Danny Thomas,
Information Technology Audit Quality: An Investigation of the Impact of Individual and Organizational Factors

Major news stories demonstrate the importance and vulnerability of information technology (IT); highlighting the need to understand how to reduce risk. This study investigates the key factors affec...
Home Sharing and Crime Across Neighborhoods: An Analysis of Austin, Texas:

Home sharing is an increasingly popular alternative to hotels, in which individuals rent all or a portion of their residence as short-term accommodations for travelers. Criminological research has ...
Effects of intense pulsed light and gamma irradiation on Bacillus cereus spores in mesquite pod flour.

Abstract This study was conducted to evaluate the inactivation of Bacillus cereus spore in mesquite flour with intense pulsed light (IPL) and gamma radiation. The physical, chemical, and toxicity of treated mesquite flour were also investigated. The results showed that up to 3.51 log10CFU/g B. cereus spore inactivation was achieved with 8 kGy of gamma radiation, and up to 1.69 log10CFU/g reductions could be achieved after 28s of catalytic IPL exposure. Although chemometric analysis showed 9-hydroxy-10,12-octadecadienoic acid was slightly increased after a 28s-catalytic IPL treatment, the concentration is within the acceptable range. No significant increase in acetic or propionic acids (typical off-flavor volatile compounds) was observed after either treatment. For cytotoxicity, the Caco-2 cell viability analysis revealed that these two technologies did not induce significant cytotoxicity to the treated mesquite flour. Overall, these two technologies exhibit strong potential for the decontamination of B. cereus in mesquite flour.
Ligand conjugated antisense oligonucleotide for the treatment of transthyretin amyloidosis: preclinical and phase 1 data.

AIMS Amyloidogenic transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis is a fatal disease characterized by progressive cardiomyopathy and/or polyneuropathy. AKCEA-TTR-LRx (ION-682884) is a ligand-conjugated antisense drug designed for receptor-mediated uptake by hepatocytes, the primary source of circulating transthyretin (TTR). Enhanced delivery of the antisense pharmacophore is expected to increase drug potency and support lower, less frequent dosing in treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS AKCEA-TTR-LRx demonstrated an approximate 50-fold and 30-fold increase in potency compared with the unconjugated antisense drug, inotersen, in human hepatocyte cell culture and mice expressing a mutated human genomic TTR sequence, respectively. This increase in potency was supported by a preferential distribution of AKCEA-TTR-LRx to liver hepatocytes in the transgenic hTTR mouse model. A randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 1 study was conducted to evaluate AKCEA-TTR-LRx in healthy volunteers (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03728634). Eligible participants were assigned to one of three multiple-dose cohorts (45, 60, and 90 mg) or a single-dose cohort (120 mg), and then randomized 10:2 (active : placebo) to receive a total of 4 SC doses (Day 1, 29, 57, and 85) in the multiple-dose cohorts or 1 SC dose in the single-dose cohort. The primary endpoint was safety and tolerability; pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics were secondary endpoints. All randomized participants completed treatment. No serious adverse events were reported. In the multiple-dose cohorts, AKCEA-TTR-LRx reduced TTR levels from baseline to 2 weeks after the last dose of 45, 60, or 90 mg by a mean (SD) of -85.7% (8.0), -90.5% (7.4), and -93.8% (3.4), compared with -5.9% (14.0) for pooled placebo (P < 0.001). A maximum mean (SD) reduction in TTR levels of -86.3% (6.5) from baseline was achieved after a single dose of 120 mg AKCEA-TTR-LRx . CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest an improved safety and tolerability profile with the increase in potency achieved by productive receptor-mediated uptake of AKCEA-TTR-LRx by hepatocytes and supports further development of AKCEA-TTR-LRx for the treatment of ATTR polyneuropathy and cardiomyopathy.
In open-angle glaucoma, latanoprost improved visual field preservation

Source Citation Garway-Heath DF, Crabb DP, Bunce C, et al. Latanoprost for open-angle glaucoma (UKGTS): a randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2014;Dec 18. Epub ahead of print...
Collaborative learning experience in a freshman materials laboratory exercise

Freshmen students are often treated as incapable of operating without carefully detailed instructions for many types of laboratory experiences. At Purdue-Kokomo, six different laboratory exercises are provided for our freshmen taking the initial course in Materials and Processing, MET 141. In the past, detailed written laboratory instructions were provided, spelling out exactly how to make the necessary measurements, how to use the equipment, how to convert measurements to the appropriate units, how to define the terms, etc. Almost a full hour was devoted to demonstrating how to use the equipment. Each lab group was visited to see the correct procedures were being used. For the Fall, 1994, semester this author decided to change to a style that includes the concept of self-directed work teams, using team building techniques where possible to enable students who are not well acquainted with each other and from varied backgrounds to work together as a team to solve the laboratory problem. Each group is required to turn in a group lab report for the first lab exercise, with individual reports for the remaining labs. This method allows for the collaborative experience to occur. The instructor arbitrarily selects a leader and the other team members. Selection criteria are arbitrary with an effort to balance each group. Each group is given a separate sample set and a set of equipment necessary to perform the lab. The instructor and technician then maintain a hands-off policy until asked questions by the lab groups. Assistance is provided when asked with respect to verifying measurements, etc., but, the students are required to ask questions that can be answered either "yes" or "no" when trying to determine why results do not seem to be correct. The results of this approach were very encouraging, resulting in better quality laboratory reports, and a clearer understanding of the use of measurement equipment.
Identifying Processes That Maintain Depression: Strategies and Suggestions

[Clin Psychol Sci Prac 18: 300–304, 2011] To improve our understanding of how to treat depression, an important step will be to identify processes that are causally implicated in the maintenance of the disorder. This could be achieved with longitudinal research or, more optimally, with randomized experiments that manipulate putative maintaining processes. This work would also ideally contribute to the development of models that integrate discoveries across levels of analysis (e.g., psychological, neural, genetic, behavioral). Conducting such interdisciplinary work is not easy, but it could facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of processes that maintain depression. Armed with this knowledge, synergistic treatments could then be developed to modify specific maintaining processes and alter the course of depression.
Human embryos derived from in vitro and in vivo matured oocytes: analysis for chromosomal abnormalities and nuclear morphology.

Purpose: To determine whether embryos resulting fromoocytes matured in vitro have a higher incidence of nuclearand/or genetic abnormalities compared to embryos resultingfrom oocytes matured in vivo.
The More Elements, the Merrier

New alloy materials are commonly discovered by trial and error, a labor-intensive approach that is not well suited for alloys containing more than two or three elements. But as Shiflet explains in his Perspective, new approaches based on computational thermodynamics and quantum mechanics are heralding a new age of alloy discovery. He highlights the report by Saito et al., who have used such an approach to discover a new superplastic, multifunctional Ti alloy containing five elements. Because of the strict chemical constraints, such a complex material would most likely never be designed using a trial-and-error approach.
Effective treatment of advanced estrogen-independent MXT mouse mammary cancers with targeted cytotoxic LH-RH analogs.

Cytotoxic agents linked to hormonal carriers provide new approaches to tumor therapy, and LH-RH receptors expressed by breast cancers can be used for targeting chemotherapeutic compounds. In the present study, large, advanced estrogen-independent MXT mouse mammary cancers were treated with cytotoxic LH-RH analog AN-152 containing doxorubicin (DOX) or AN-207 incorporating superactive derivative 2-pyrrolino-DOX (AN-201). These cytotoxic hybrid molecules were administered once i.v., close to their maximum tolerated doses, at various time intervals after transplantation of tumors. The cytotoxic LH-RH analogs and the radicals alone, given at earlier stages of tumor development, inhibited growth of MXT cancers. Cytotoxic LH-RH conjugate AN-207 had significantly stronger effect than its respective cytotoxic radical, particularly when larger tumors were treated, causing 95%, 89%, 100% and 96% tumor growth reduction when administered on days 1, 7, 10 or 14, respectively. AN-152, AN-201, and DOX, given on day 14, were virtually ineffective. Histological characteristics of tumor cell proliferation and cell death were analyzed in large MXT cancers 1-4 days after treatment with AN-207 and AN-201. AgNOR scores were decreased and apoptotic indices increased after treatment of tumors with AN-207 or AN-201, but enhanced apoptosis and decreased AgNOR numbers persisted longer in the case of AN-207. In contrast to AN-201, AN-207 also increased the extent of necrosis in tumors. In conclusion, on the basis of its powerful inhibitory effect on the aggressive MXT mouse mammary tumor, the cytotoxic LH-RH analog AN-207 could be considered for treatment of advanced human mammary carcinomas that express LH-RH receptors.
A fine structural comparison of the healing of incisional wounds of mucosa and skin

Incisional wounds of the same length and depth were made on tongue and dorsal skin of rats and the fine structural aspects of the responses of these were compared. Comparisons were made between the timing and degree of phagocytosis, the timing and rate of epithelial cell migration, of overall rate of healing, and of reformation of basal lamina and attachment complex in these two tissues. Phagocytic activity in epithelium and connective tissue of mucosa reached higher levels than in skin and the peak of activity in the epithelium of the mucosa was earlier than in the epidermis. Mononuclear phagocytes were active in phagocytosis, neutrophils showed little phagocytic activity. Epithelial migration was found to begin earlier in mucosa than in skin. Epithelialization of the wound and repair of supporting tissue were completed earlier. The same sequence in the renewal of ultrastructural components of the hemidesmosome-attachment complex was found in skin and mucosa, but was completed earlier at the mucosal site. Mechanical and physical as well as physiologic factors may play a role in determining the differing rates of repair in mucosa and skin.
Peptide transport in yeast: uptake of radioactive trimethionine in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract The synthesis of Met-Met-[ 14 C]Met and [ 3 H]Ac-Met-Met-Met are reported. Uptake of these compounds by Saccharomyces cerevisiae is examined in detail. The tripeptide Met-Met-Met is taken up by S. cerevisiae by a saturable system that is pH and temperature dependent and exhibits an apparent K m of 7.7 × 10 −5 m . Neither methionine nor dimethionine effectively compete with (Met) 3 uptake. The tripeptides Met-Ala-Met, Met-Met-Leu, (Ala) 3 , (Leu) 3 and l -Met- l -Met- l -Met-OMe compete with (Met) 3 uptake whereas Ac(Met) 3 , d -Met- d -Met- d -Met-OMe, (Lys) 3 , and Gly-Met-Gly do not. Metabolic inhibitors (sodium azide, dinitrophenol, and potassium cyanide) completely prevent (Met) 3 uptake. Trimethionine is rapidly hydrolyzed by cellular peptidases after entry into the cell. Ac(Met) 3 is transported by a system that is pH and temperature dependent with an apparent K m of 16 × 10 −5 m .
Exact solutions to the radiation heat transport equation in gaseous media using singular integral equation theory

Abstract This paper treats the problem of steady-state, radiative heat transport through an absorbing, emitting, and heat-generating gray gas contained inside a black-wall spherical cavity. An exact analytical solution to the radiative transport equation is obtained for the case of uniform heat generation throughout the gaseous medium. The integral equation governing heat transfer by radiation is solved by introducing a complex function for the source distribution, which in turn leads to a singular integral equation of the principal-value type. This equation is solved by standard techniques. It is found that the exact solution involves the iteration of two Fredholm equations which have rapidly convergent solutions for all optical radii. A closed-form asymptotic solution is developed for the case of an optically thick medium. Numerical studies show that this closed-form solution is valid over a wide range of optical radii. Comparisons of the exact transport theory solution with diffusion theory are made and the accuracy and range of validity of diffusion theory is found. The heat flux radiated from the surface of a gaseous medium is determined exactly for all optical thicknesses. Applications of the theory to problems in plane geometry are also briefly discussed.
Coordination dilemmas and the valuation of women in the U.S. Senate: Reconsidering the critical mass problem:

We offer a model of colleague valuation to illuminate the coordination challenges women legislators face. Our model predicts that women members’ strategies depend upon whether they value women colleagues as much as men do, or instead value fellow women colleagues more highly. We test these predictions by analyzing leadership PAC campaign contributions U.S. Senators made to incumbent and challenger women during the 105th—108th Congresses. We find that women Senators value fellow incumbent women colleagues less highly than do men Senators, whereas they value women challengers more highly than do men. Attaining a critical mass of women in legislatures is thus not sufficient for creating a successful working environment, but instead creates a coordination problem that supplants the previous token minority problem.
Correlation of M-L, Leinfelder, and USPHS clinical evaluation techniques for wear

Abstract Most recent clinical research studies on wear of posterior composite restorations have used the USPHS and Leinfelder measuring techniques. New studies are adopting the Moffa-Lugassy (M-L) technique. However, to date there has been no means of comparing results of the different techniques. The objective of this study was to correlate the M-L scale wear values to Leinfelder scale wear values and to USPHS scale alfa-bravo transitions, so that data can be pooled across studies for comparisons. M-L evaluations were made for 221 restorations previously evaluated by the USPHS and Leinfelder methods. The M-L wear values were determined as the mean of three independent evaluators' values. At the USPHS alfa-bravo transition, the mean Leinfelder wear value was 192 μm, and the mean M-L value was 97 μm. The correlation coefficient for the linear regression of M-L values vs. Leinfelder values was 0.87. The scales were linearly related, with a slope of 0.52. The average values for M-L readings of wear were statistically different and approximately half the Leinfelder values.
A Mechanical Interpretation of the Coefficient of Rank Correlation and other Analogies

Certain authors illuminate the meanings of expectation and variance by noting that these concepts are the analogs of the centroid (center of gravity) and the moment of inertia of a unit mass distribution [1, 2]. Likewise the sample average and sample variance correspond to the centroid and moment of inertia of a mass distribution with weight 1/n placed at each observation, n being the sample size. Spearman's coefficient of rank correlation also has a simple mechanical interpretation which, despite its intuitive content, does not seem to appear in statistics texts. This interpretation and its generalization to the case of m simultaneous rankings are considered here. While the teaching practice of introducing statistical moments along side their mechanical analogs may seem appropriate mainly for science students, it has been my experience that a brief mechanics explanation generally helps nontechnical students to appreciate the analogy. Two or more pictures of mass distributions having the same total mass and centroid but having obviously different variances are contrasted by asking the class which configuration should be easier to rotate about a pivot at the centroid when the same torque, T, is applied to both. Hopefully the students' mechanical experiences lead them to expect the system with the more dispersed masses to experience the lesser angular acceleration. Then the angular acceleration can be given as T/l, where I is the moment of inertia, in turn given as
Levels in 87 37 Rb populated in the decay of 87 36 Kr

Abstract The γ-ray transitions following β-decay of 78 min 87 Kr have been studied with Ge(Li) spectrometers. Thirty-three transitions between levels in 87 Rb have been observed and γγ coincidence relations have been obtained for the prominent lines. A level scheme is presented that incorporates 28 of these transitions between thirteen levels in 87 Rb. The level scheme is qualitatively interpreted according to the predictions of a simple weak-coupling model for excited states in 87 Rb. Also, the results from an exact diagonalization of the seniority-one pairing force Hamiltonian matrix are compared with the proposed experimental single-particle energy levels in 87 Rb and 89 Y.
Perspective on “Correlations in the motion of atoms in liquid argon”

This article provides a discussion of the title paper by Aneesur Rahman. Here, the use of numerical integration of Newtonian equations of motion to simulate the classical dynamics of a liquid system with arbitrary continuous interatomic potentials was first introduced. Emphasis is placed on the author’s motivations, the depth of his investigation, and the legacy that both the methodology and the style of investigation has left us.
Studies in Duck Nutrition 4. Bowed Legs in Ducks Caused by Niacin Deficiency

Abstract In an earlier study (Heuser and associates, 1951) it was noted that when Pekin ducklings were kept on wire-mesh floors and fed practical rations, a considerable number of the ducks showed a severe bowing of the legs and resulted in cull ducks at market time. Fritz et al. (1941) and Motzok and Branion (1948) also reported this bowing of the legs. Since Scott (1951) reported that yeast prevented a hock disorder in turkeys, it was considered desirable to determine whether or not yeast would also prevent the bowed leg deformity in ducks. The basal ration used in these studies was composed of the following ingredients in pounds per 100 pounds of total ration: corn meal, 40; wheat flour middlings, 15; wheat standard middlings, 15; pulverized oats, 10; fish meal, 8; soybean meal, 10; dicalcium phosphate, 1; limestone, 0.5; salt (iodized), 0.25; D-activated animal sterol, 0.1; stabilized dry vitamin A, 0.1. . . .
Nonapplicability of the Hellmann-Feynman Theorem to Infinitely Periodic Systems

Wannier, Misner, and Schay have recently applied the Hellmann-Feynman molecular force theorem to metals and found a mutual repulsion of the ions. They conclude that the extra charge along the nearest-neighbor directions provided by computed Bloch wave functions is an order of magnitude too small to provide binding and that nearly free-electron metals do not exist. We show that they have misapplied the Hellmann-Feynman theorem and that nearly free-electron metals do exist.