cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implementation and initial application of the near-explicit Master Chemical Mechanism in the 3D Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model

Abstract A modified Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM) with 4642 species and 13,566 reactions was incorporated into the 3D Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model (CMAQ–MCM) and applied to study a three-week high ozone episode in Southeast Texas during the Texas Air Quality Study 2000 (TexAQS 2000). The 3D CMAQ–MCM model successfully reproduced the observed ozone concentrations throughout the Southeast Texas region, with model performance similar to that of the standard SAPRC07 mechanism. The CMAQ–MCM has been used to evaluate the VOC emission inventory by directly simulating the concentrations of a large number of VOCs. The simulated 1-h and 24-h average concentrations of major ozone precursor VOCs show that most of the alkanes and alkenes are universally lower than the observed values by a factor of 2–5. The under-prediction of ethane and propane is more significant, by a factor of approximately 5–10. Major aromatic compounds generally agree better with observation within a factor of 2. At the Clinton Drive site, most of the under-predictions occur in the afternoon when industrial facilities are in the immediate upwind direction. The observed concentrations of a number of the under-predicted species show strong correlations with temperature, suggesting that evaporative emissions are underestimated in the emission inventory.
Parenting behaviors and parent-child relationships: correlates of peer victimization in kindergarten?

This study examined features of parenting behavior and the parent-child relationship as correlates of peer victimization in young children. A sample of 197 kindergartners (94 girls and 103 boys) and their primary caregivers were videotaped in their homes while engaging in multiple interactional tasks, and peer victimization data were gathered on children as they began kindergarten. The video-recorded interaction data were used to create measures of parenting behavior (e.g., intrusive demandingness, responsiveness) and relationship quality (i.e., intense closeness), which were examined as predictors of peer victimization. High intrusive demandingness and low responsiveness were associated with peer victimization in both boys and girls, and parent-child relationships characterized by intense closeness were associated with higher levels of peer victimization in boys. Results are discussed in terms of the role that caregiver socialization plays in the development of child behaviors that may increase children's risk for peer victimization.
Measuring Domestic Violence

Abstract The extensive literature on domestic violence does not rely on any constant measure of partner abuse. Rather a variety of measurement devices have been employed in various studies. This article explores the problem of measuring domestic violence and reviews the most commonly used assessment tools.
The effect of data analysis techniques on the interpretation of wide-angle longwave radiation measurements

Three different data analysis techniques - shape factor, parameter estimation, and deconvolution - have been applied to the same set of satellite radiation measurements to determine their effect on the estimated radiation field. The measurements are from a wide-angle, horizon-to-horizon, nadir-pointing sensor. The shape factor technique reduces each measurement to a radiant exitance at the top of the atmosphere by simple division by a constant. The parameter estimation technique processes all measurements together as a batch and defines the radiant exitance as a least-squares fit to the data. The deconvolution technique takes advantage of the fact that spherical harmonics are the eigenfunctions of the measurement operator. All three techniques are derived, and their assumptions, advantages and disadvantages are discussed. Their results are compared globally, zonally, regionally and on a spatial spectrum basis. All three techniques give comparable results for global parameters; however, results on a regional scale were quite different. The standard deviations of the regional differences in radiant exitance varied from 7.4 to 13.5 W/sq m. Of the three techniques, the parameter estimation technique produced the best regional results and is the choice of the author.
Quantitative analysis of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy techniques for posterior fossa treatment in children.

Numerous beam directions using 3-D conformal techniques can be employed in treating tumors in the posterior fossa, each with characteristic normal tissue exposure along the entrance and exit trajectory. A representative variety of beam configurations were modeled in a modern computer planning system initially with the entire posterior fossa as the target. These beams were quantitatively scored using criteria based on integral doses for both low dose and high dose effects encompassing a variety of critical normal structures, thus identifying strengths and weaknesses of each beam. By blocking portions of a particular beam accounting for unfavorable scores, a map of "zones" within the posterior fossa ideally treated by a certain beam or beams could be constructed. No universally ideal photon beam arrangement for the entire posterior fossa target could be identified. However, using single beam analysis, the strengths and weaknesses of particular strategies could be quantified. For example, vertex beams treating the cerebellar hemispheres allow the greatest sparing of cochlea and hypothalamus but at the cost of increased low to moderate dose to the supratentorial brain. Using the constructed maps identifying "zones" appropriately treated by a given beam or beams, three-dimensional conformal treatment plans with favorable dose-volume statistics can be designed based on previously defined normal tissue tolerance considerations. It is shown how this approach can be individualized based on specific patient characteristics (e.g., age). We conclude that radiotherapy directed to the posterior fossa can be optimized based on systematic assessment of individual beam contributions to normal tissues. This technique allows fast selection of treatment beams based on known normal tissue anatomical and tolerance information. Further studies will be required regarding long term effects of various radiation doses on specific volumes of normal tissue in order to individualize beam selection. When treating children, knowledgeable consideration of these beam characteristics can help avoid late effects.
Divergence preserving discrete surface integral methods for Maxwell's curl equations using non-orthogonal unstructured grids

Several new discrete surface integral (DSI) methods for solving Maxwell's equations in the time-domain are presented. These methods, which allow the use of general nonorthogonal mixed-polyhedral unstructured grids, are direct generalizations of the canonical staggered-grid finite difference method. These methods are conservative in that they locally preserve divergence or charge. Employing mixed polyhedral cells, (hexahedral, tetrahedral, etc.) these methods allow more accurate modeling of non-rectangular structures and objects because the traditional stair-stepped boundary approximations associated with the orthogonal grid based finite difference methods can be avoided. Numerical results demonstrating the accuracy of these new methods are presented.
Properties and composition of the nematocyst toxin of the sea anemone, Aiptasia pallida

Abstract 1. 1. A method of obtaining large quantities of undischarged nematocysts free of cellular contamination and for isolating the nematocyst toxin is described. 2. 2. Nematocyst contents proved extremely toxic to the fiddler crab Uca pugilator causing severe tetany of the leg muscles and eventual death. 3. 3. A toxic protein of high molecular weight was isolated from the contents and found to be composed mainly of the amino acid glutamic acid. A second protein was isolated but lacked toxic activity. 4. 4. Another substance, possibly bound to the protein, was detectable only after protein precipitation. It appeared to be phenolic in nature and may possess a nitrogenous group. 5. 5. Compounds previously thought to be possible components of nematocyst toxins such as quaternary amines and hydroxyindoles were not found in the nematocysts of Aiptasia.
Intramyocardial lipid overload in the failing human heart is associated with a transcriptional profile resembling the lipotoxic rat heart

Intramyocardial Lipid Overload in the Failing Human Heart Is Associated with a Transcriptional Profile Resembling the Lipotoxic Rat Heart Saumya Sharma, Julia V. Adrogue, Leonard Golfman, John Lemm, Keith Youker, George Noon, O. H. Frazier, Heinrich Taegtmeyer; Cardiology, The University of Texas Houston Medical School, Houston, TX; Cardiovascular Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Cardiovascular Surgery, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX
Container medium characterization by scanning electron microscopy and comparison with a Monte Carlo computer simulated medium

Abstract A 1:1 by volume pine bark and sand containermedium was embedded with Spurr's epoxy resin and cross‐sectioned for SEM characterization of particle distribution. A Monte Carlo computer simulated medium was built with spheres of the same particle size distribution as the pine bark and sand grains used in the experiment. Cross‐sections from the simulated systems were compared with actual experimental data and good agreement was obtained. SEM makes it possible to analyze particle and pore distribution of container media. Computer simulation provides a good approximation of container medium structure and may prove useful in estimating properties of container medium mixtures.
Functions of the 19S Complex in Proteasomal Degradation

The 26S proteasome degrades ubiquitylated proteins. It consists of the 20S proteasome and the PA700/19S complex. PA700 plays essential roles in processing ubiquitylated substrates; it can bind, deubiquitylate, and unfold ubiquitylated proteins, which then translocate into the proteolytic chamber of the 20S proteasome for degradation. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of PA700-mediated substrate binding and deubiquitylation, and provide models to explain how substrate binding and deubiquitylation could regulate proteasomal degradation. We also discuss the features and potential therapeutic uses of the two recently identified small molecule inhibitors of the proteasome-residing deubiquitylating enzymes.
The standard molar atomization enthalpy and the standard molar enthalpy of formation of gaseous Si2N from high-temperature mass spectrometry

Abstract A high-temperature mass-spectrometric study of the vaporization of (silicon + boron nitride) from a boron-nitride Knudsen cell was conducted in the temperature rangeT= 1688 K to 1921 K. The partial pressures of Si(g), Si2(g), N2(g), and Si2N(g) were determined. The dissociation reaction: Si2N(g) = 2Si(g) + 0.5N2(g) was evaluated by using new thermal functions for Si2N(g) calculated from the results of recent theoretical and experimental studies, and ΔrH∘mvalues: (538.0 ± 12.4) kJ· mol−1atT→ 0, and (545.1 ± 12.4) kJ·mol−1atT= 298.15 K were deduced by third-law evaluation. These values, in combination with the molar dissociation enthalpy of N2(g) yielded the molar atomization enthalpies: ΔatH∘m(Si2N,g) = (1008.8 ± 12.4) kJ·mol−1atT→ 0, and (1017.8 ± 12.4) kJ·mol−1atT= 298.15 K, and in combination with the standard molar enthalpy of formation of Si(g) yielded: ΔfH∘m(Si2N,g) = (354.0 ± 14.8) kJ·mol−1atT→ 0, and (355.6 ± 14.8) kJ·mol−1atT= 298.15 K.
Characterization of an infectious clone of the wild-type yellow fever virus Asibi strain that is able to infect and disseminate in mosquitoes

Infectious clone technology provides an opportunity to study the molecular basis of arthropod–virus interactions in detail. This study describes the development of an infectious clone of the prototype yellow fever virus Asibi strain (YFV-As) with the purpose of identifying sequences or domains that influence infection dynamics in the mosquito vector. The full-length cDNA of YFV-As virus was produced from RT-PCR products of parental viral RNA. These were cloned into a low-copy-number plasmid previously used to develop the YFV-17D infectious clone (pACNR/FLYF-17D). Virus recovered from the infectious clone exhibited biological characteristics similar to those of the parental YFV-As, including replication kinetics, reactivity to flavivirus cross-reactive and YFV-specific antibodies and infection and dissemination rates in Aedes aegypti, the principal mosquito vector of YFV. These data provide the basis for future studies with chimeric Asibi/17D viruses to identify the determinants of vaccine attenuation in the vector.
A new vision for disability education: Moving on from the add-on

Karen Myers urges us to move beyond the limitation model of disability education and design curricula, programs, and services to be accessible to all people from the outset, with no accommodations needed.
Lysyl hydroxylase-2b directs collagen cross-linking pathways in MC3T3-E1 cells.

To elucidate the roles of LH2b in collagen cross-linking, MC3T3-E1 cell clones expressing higher (S) or lower (AS) levels of LH2b were established. Compared with controls, the collagen cross-linking pattern was shifted toward hydroxylysine-aldehyde (S clones)- or lysine-aldehyde (AS clones)-derived pathways. The data indicate that LH2b directs collagen cross-linking pathways through its action on telopeptidyl lysine residues. Introduction: Lysine (Lys) hydroxylation is a post-translational modification of collagen critical for cross-linking and glycosylation. Currently, three isoforms of lysyl hydroxylase (LH) have been identified, but their specific functions are still not well defined. Recently, we proposed that LH2 might modulate collagen cross-linking pattern through its action on Lys residues located in the telopeptide domains of collagen. Materials and Methods: To directly test this hypothesis, several MC3T3-E1 cell-derived clones expressing higher (sense [S]) or lower (antisense [AS]) levels of LH2b, the predominant form of LH2 in this cell line, were established and cultured for 2 weeks, and collagen cross-links and precursor aldehydes in the matrices were analyzed. Results: In S clones tested, the ratio of dihydroxylysinonorleucine (DHLNL) to hydroxylysinonorleucine (HLNL) was significantly higher than the average of controls (76% and 140% increase, respectively), and the level of pyridinoline (Pyr) was elevated (100% and 150% increase, respectively). In contrast, when MC3T3-E1 cells were transfected with a LH2b antisense construct (AS clones), the DHLNL/HLNL ratios were significantly lower than that of controls (56% and 73% decrease, respectively), and Pyr was not detected. Furthermore, significant amounts of an aldol-derived cross-link, dehydrohistidinohydroxymerodesmosine, were produced (∼0.3 mol/mol of collagen) in AS clones. Conclusions: The data clearly show a critical role of LH2b in determining collagen cross-linking pathways, most likely through its action on telopeptidyl Lys residues.
Resistance to diseases and insects in transgenic plants: progress and applications to agriculture

Despite the use of sophisticated and intensive crop-protection measures, pathogens and pests cause substantial losses in crop yield. Over the past decade, crops with intrinsic pest and pathogen resistance have been developed using genetic transformation. Plants transformed with insect-control-protein genes are resistant to insect pests, and new proteins with novel modes of action should provide resistance to a broader spectrum of pests. Resistance to a range of fungal and bacterial pathogens has been conferred by expression of a variety of genes, and viral-pathogen-derived genes have been used to produce crops immune to viral infections. These advances form the basis of a ‘chemical-free' and economically viable approach to pest and disease control for world agriculture.
Information systems skills requirements: 1980 & 1988

This study reports on a follow-up survey of 31 information systems managers to determine the changes in skills requirements and projected IS manpower needs since 1980. While the original study focused only on the nation's largest organizations, the respondents in this follow-up survey are employed by organizations of varying size most of which are located in the Southeast. Data were gathered via personal interviews and questionnaires.
Conformational Modulation of Electron Transfer within Electrostatic Porphyrin: Cytochrome c Complexes

The present study examines photoinduced electron transfer within self-assembled complexes between cytochrome c and either free base uroporphyrin (URO) or free base tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyri...
Healthy and Institutionalized: Health and Related Conditions Among Older Persons with Developmental Disabilities

The life expectancy of mentally retarded citizens has increased significantly in recent decades. At the same time, we have learned that this special population is nearly twice as likely as the general population to develop severe mental illness. These facts, coupled with the psychological and physiological changes that accompany aging in general, are increasingly challenging the mental health professionals of today. We provide an overview of mental retardation in the elderly, as well as the types, treatments, and attendant challenges of associated mental illness.
Extended cascade models of age and individual differences in children's fluid intelligence

Abstract Children's cognitive abilities (e.g., processing speed, working and secondary memory, and fluid intelligence) improve with age, but the relationships among these abilities are not well understood. According to the developmental cascade model proposed by Fry and Hale (1996), age-related improvements in processing speed lead to improvements in working memory, which in turn lead to improvements in fluid intelligence. Recent research in adults suggests that secondary memory also plays an important role in fluid intelligence, but its role in children has received little attention. Accordingly, the current study examined the roles of speed, working memory, secondary memory, and fluid intelligence in a sample of 113 children between the ages of 6–12 years. Results indicated that secondary memory affected fluid intelligence indirectly by mediating the relations between speed and working memory, but only working memory accounted for significant unique variance in children's fluid intelligence.
Farm Sector Data: Presentation and Improvement

the balance sheet, farm income, agricultural productivity, and cost of production series. Balance sheet data have been developed since 1945 and the farm income estimates from 1914. Both series (and other data as well) were developed to reflect the aggregate sector status for a period in history when many farms were structurally uniform. Changes in the agricultural production sector's structure have made these aggregate estimates less useful as indicators of the economic well-being of the sector. Disaggregations of the sector's aggregate economic data were made reflecting the size distribution based on farm gross sales and geographically based on state location of the farm.
The Migration-Displacement Nexus: Patterns, Processes, and Policies. By KhalidKoser and SusanMartin (eds). New York and Oxford: Berghahn Books, 2011. viii, 287 pages. $95.00

A review of the book "The Migration-Displacement Nexus: Patterns, Processes, and Policies," edited by Khalid Koser and Susan Martin, volume 32 in the "Studies in Forced Migration" series, is presented.
The use of chromatin insulators to improve the expression and safety of integrating gene transfer vectors

The therapeutic application of recombinant retroviruses and other integrating gene transfer vectors has been limited by problems of vector expression and vector-mediated genotoxicity. These problems arise in large part from the interactions between vector sequences and the genomic environment surrounding sites of integration. Strides have been made in overcoming both of these problems through the modification of deleterious vector sequences, the inclusion of better enhancers and promoters, and the use of alternative virus systems. However, these modifications often add other restrictions on vector design, which in turn can further limit therapeutic applications. As an alternative, several groups have been investigating a class of DNA regulatory elements known as chromatin insulators. These elements provide a means of blocking the interaction between an integrating vector and the target cell genome in a manner that is independent of the vector transgene, regulatory elements, or virus of origin. This review outlines the background, rationale, and evidence for using chromatin insulators to improve the expression and safety of gene transfer vectors. Also reviewed are topological factors that constrain the use of insulators in integrating gene transfer vectors, alternative sources of insulators, and the role of chromatin insulators as one of several components for optimal vector design.
Family Structures in Pennsylvania and its Effect on Delinquent Acts: A Data Analysis

This paper examines the effect of family structure on delinquent acts. Specifically, whether living arrangement (with both parents, one parent, etc...) has any impact on the type of delinquent act (person or drug) committed. Data for over 2,700 juveniles who committed a substantiated delinquent act in Pennsylvania were examined for possible effects. Two family structure variables had a significant relationship with drug offenses (one in the negative direction), and one family structure variable was associated with person offenses. Only one non-family structure predictor variable (age) was associated with both offense types.
Continuous positive airway pressure. Use in bilateral vocal cord paralysis.

• Continuous positive airway pressure has been used in the management of a number of upper airway problems, and has become well established as a treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea. The therapeutic value is achieved by an internal splinting effect on the compromised airway. Airway compromise from bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve trauma can occur with surgical procedures associated with extensive dissection of these nerves. The use of continuous positive airway pressure for the management of bilateral vocal cord paralysis, although not previously described, to my knowledge, is outlined in this article. ( Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg . 1992;118:875-876)
CRYOGENIC OPERATION OF GaN SCHOTTKY RECTIFIERS

We report for the first time operation of GaN Schottky rectifiers under cryogenic temperatures. A 600V, 4A GaN Schottky rectifiers from Velox Semiconductors has been used for the characterization. Forward conduction and reverse blocking performance was measured down to 77K. Two Schottky barrier heights have been noticed at low temperatures and a tunneling limited reverse leakage current was observed for the rectifier.
Neural-adaptive nonlinear autopilot design for an agile anti-air missile

Previous research has shown that neural networks can be used to improve upon approximate dynamic inversion controllers in the case of uncertain nonlinear systems. In the one possible architecture, the neural network adaptively cancels linearization errors through on-line learning. Learning may be accomplished by a simple weight update rule derived from Liapunov theory, thus assuring the stability of the closed-loop system. In this paper, the authors apply this methodology to design a bank-to-turn autopilot for an agile anti-air missile. First, a control scheme based on approximate inversion of the vehicle dynamics is presented. This nonlinear control system is then augmented by the addition of a feedforward neural network with on-line learning. Finally, the resulting control law is demonstrated in a nonlinear simulation, and its performance is evaluated relative to a more traditional gain-scheduled linear autopilot. (Author)
Lake Turkana Archaeology: The Holocene

Pioneering research in the Holocene archaeology of Lake Turkana con- tributed significantly to the development of broader issues in the prehistory of Africa, including the aquatic civilization model and the initial spread of domes- ticated livestock in East Africa. These topics are reviewed following retrospective discussion of the nature of pioneering fieldwork carried out in the area in the 1960s. The early research at Lake Turkana uncovered the oldest pottery in East Africa as well as large numbers of bone harpoons similar to those found along the Nile Valley and elsewhere in Africa. The Lake Turkana area remains one of the major building blocks in the interpretation of the later prehistory of Africa as a whole, just as it is a key area for understanding the early phases of human evolution.
Chemical composition of human skin surface lipids from birth to puberty.

Skin surface lipids from the foreheads of 51 subjects between the ages of five days and fifteen years were analyzed by quantitative thin-layer chromatography. The cholesterol concentrations were low at birth, at maximum levels at six years of age, and low again, almost to adult levels, at nine years. Conversely, average concentrations of wax esters were high at birth, low between the ages of three and six years, and rising towards adult levels by nine years. There was no significant change in the combined concentrations of triglycerides plus free fatty acids during development. Concentrations of squalene were highly variable, in contrast to the constant proportions previously reported for adults.
Toll-like receptor 4 regulates early endothelial activation during ischemic acute kidney injury

Ischemic acute kidney injury (AKI) triggers an inflammatory response which exacerbates injury that requires increased expression of endothelial adhesion molecules. To study this further, we used in situ hybridization, immunohistology, and isolated endothelial cells, and found increased Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression on endothelial cells of the vasa rectae of the inner stripe of the outer medulla of the kidney 4h after reperfusion. This increase was probably due to reactive oxygen species, known to be generated early during ischemic AKI, because the addition of hydrogen peroxide increased TLR4 expression in MS1 microvascular endothelial cells in vitro . Endothelial TLR4 may regulate adhesion molecule (CD54 and CD62E) expression as they were increased on endothelia of wild-type but not TLR4 knockout mice in vivo . Further, the addition of high-mobility group protein B1, a TLR4 ligand released by injured cells, increased adhesion molecule expression on endothelia isolated from wild-type but not TLR4 knockout mice. TLR4 was localized to proximal tubules in the cortex and outer medulla after 24h of reperfusion. Thus, at least two different cell types express TLR4, each of which contributes to renal injury by temporally different mechanisms during ischemic AKI.
Work incentives and uncertainty on a collective farm

Abstract The collective farm household's optimal allocation of time among work on both the collective and private plots and leisure is analyzed in certain and uncertain environments. The examination of static equilibrium solutions indicates that the collective farm need not be inefficient nor provide poor work incentives. Uncertainty is shown to exert a distinctive influence on work allocations. Implications are drawn from comparative static analysis to discuss the effects of government policy, e.g., increased crop quotas, on work incentives. The Soviet development period, recent agricultural reforms in the Khrushchev-Brezhnev era, and general policy implications are considered in the light of these new analytical results.
Electrical characterization of defects created in the Si-SiO 2 system by ionizing radiation

This paper reviews some of the electrical characterization methods used to determine electrically active defect densities produced by ionizing radiation exposure of the Si-SiO2 system. The electrical characterization methods discussed are the charge-capacitance method, the conductance method, and the charge pumping method. Interface trap and fixed oxide charge densities are separated by use of the interface trap charge neutral point. The controversy in the literature about the location in silicon bandgap energy of this charge neutral point is addressed, and it is shown that it is located at midgap to a good approximation. The comparative advantages and limitations of the three measurement methods for radiation studies are discussed.
Biomaterials and Biotechnologies Based on Nanotube Membranes

In this review, we consider materials and systems based on nanotubes formed within the pores of synthetic nanoporous membranes. The topics considered are of potential interest in the fields of biomaterials or biotechnology. There are three general membrane-based strategies that have been used to prepare materials: In the first strategy, template synthesis, nanometer scale pores are used to synthesize and modify materials. In the second strategy, we describe steps toward the design of nanotube-based membrane sensors. In the third approach, nanometer scale pores are used to separate species that translocate the membrane. In this review we consider the materials and techniques used to create, manipulate, and interrogate these bio-oriented nanotube membrane systems.
Venular thrombosis is the key event in the pathogenesis of antibody‐mediated cardiac rejection

A review of the histopathologic features of serial biopsies and excised grafts of 117 experimental and clinical cardiac allografts and xenografts revealed a common sequence in the development of histopathologic changes in grafts showing antibody-mediated (hyperacute and acute vascular) rejection. Based on these observations, we propose the new concept that thrombosis of cardiac veins and venules is the initial key event in antibody-mediated rejection. This is followed by the development of congestion in the subtended venules and capillaries accompanied by interfascicular and, later, intermyocyte edema. Subsequently, focal or diffuse interstitial hemorrhage affecting the subendocardium, extending sometimes to involve the inner half of the ventricular myocardium, is observed. Antibody-mediated rejection therefore appears to be analogous to incomplete venous infarction of the heart. The observed histopathology (in which venular thrombosis plays a key role) favors a thrombogenic basis for the classical features of antibody-mediated rejection, namely edema, vascular thrombi and interstitial hemorrhage. A key role for venular thrombosis would explain the non-uniform distribution of the changes and may suggest new ways of preventing antibody-mediated xenograft rejection.
WE‐D‐T‐6E‐06: Implementation of a Fast Incremental Algorithm for Voxel Radiological Path Determination

Purpose: Performing adaptive image‐guidedIMRT will require rapid computation of dose for frequent IMRT fluence map optimization (FMO). Patients should not have to tolerate waiting more than a few minutes for a new IMRTtreatment plan. Most beamlet dose models in IMRT FMO expend considerable time performing voxel based ray‐tracing computations. Improvements in voxel based ray‐tracing algorithms have not been presented in the radiation therapy literature since the seminal work of Siddon in the 1980s. We present an algorithm that significantly outperforms the voxel ray‐tracing algorithm of Siddon when applied to density scaled radiological path length calculations in patient voxel space for beamlet dose computation. Method and Materials: An incremental voxel ray tracing algorithm that simultaneously computes voxel indices and ray‐voxel intersections was developed. The majority of the computational time required by the standard Siddon algorithm was found to be in the concatenation of the intersection parameters (α's) into a single unique set and the conversion of the calculations of the voxel indices from floating point to integer values. This algorithm was compared, as components of our in‐house IMRT planning system, to the standard Siddon technique. The test case had 1.7 million total voxels on a 2.5 mm isotropic dose grid and the 1,466 beamlets in the IMRT plan intersected an average of ∼15,000 voxels per beamlet. Results: Use of the new algorithm for the test case demonstrated a 2.7 fold increase in computational speed on average over the Siddon algorithm. Conclusion: The new algorithm provides a significant improvement in voxel ray‐tracing performance over the standard Siddon algorithm. However, parallel computation is still currently required to perform the computation of a typical IMRTtreatment planning rapidly enough for adaptive IMRT FMO.
A structural analysis of the regulatory domain from the cGMP-dependent protein kinase Iα

Background The cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) has two tandem cyclic nucleotide binding (CNB) domains which act as the primary intracellular receptor for cGMP [1,2]. PKG exhibits a homodimeric rod-like structure which undergoes significant molecular rearrangements upon the binding of cGMP [3-5]. However, a detailed structural analysis of the core regulatory elements inherent to PKG is still required.
Acid-base equilibria in solutions of isoionic conalbumin☆

Abstract 1. 1. The value of the fluctuating charge of conalbumin at the isoionic point was found to be 1.6. 2. 2. Isoionic conalbumin binds chloride ions, but to a lesser degree than human serum albumin.
Simulation of Multi-azimuth Data Acquisition And 4D Seismic Imaging Repeatability

A major objective of 4D acquisition and processing is to maximize data repeatability. Ideally, all differences between the processed images for the base and monitor surveys should be associated with changes in reservoir conditions. In practice, however, differences in base and monitor acquisition geometry, noise, and overburden properties can also produce differences in the processed images. In this study, we simulated multi-azimuth 4D acquisition and quantified the contributions of these factors to non-production related differences in reservoir imaging. The simulation integrates both ray-tracing modeling and migration so that synthetic repeatability can be directly compared with field data-derived repeatability. The results of this work will aid in developing methods that can be used to mitigate non-repeatability for future 4D seismic.
A highly accurate and computationally efficient approach for unconstrained iris segmentation

Biometric research has experienced significant advances in recent years given the need for more stringent security requirements. More important is the need to overcome the rigid constraints necessitated by the practical implementation of sensible but effective security methods such as iris recognition. An inventive iris acquisition method with less constrained image taking conditions can impose minimal to no constraints on the iris verification and identification process as well as on the subject. Consequently, to provide acceptable measures of accuracy, it is critical for such an iris recognition system to be complemented by a robust iris segmentation approach to overcome various noise effects introduced through image capture under different recording environments and scenarios. This research introduces a robust and fast segmentation approach towards less constrained iris recognition using noisy images contained in the UBIRIS.v2 database (the second version of the UBIRIS noisy iris database). The proposed algorithm consists of five steps, which include: (1) detecting the approximate localization of the eye area of the noisy image captured at the visible wavelength using the extracted sclera area, (2) defining the outer iris boundary which is the boundary between iris and sclera, (3) detecting the upper and lower eyelids, (4) conducting the verification and correction for outer iris boundary detection and (5) detecting the pupil area and eyelashes and providing means for verification of the reliability of the segmentation results. The results demonstrate that the accuracy is estimated as 98% when using 500 randomly selected images from the UBIRIS.v2 partial database, and estimated at >=97% in a ''Noisy Iris Challenge Evaluation (NICE.I)'' in an international competition that involved 97 participants worldwide, ranking this research group in sixth position. This accuracy is achieved with a processing speed nearing real time.
Membrane potential perturbations induced in tissue cells by pulsed electric fields

Pulsed electric fields directly influence the electrophysiology of tissue cells by transiently perturbing their transmembrane potential. To determine the magnitude and time course of this interaction, electronic cable theory was used to calculate the membrane potential perturbations induced in tissue cells by a spatially uniform, pulsed electric field. Analytic solutions were obtained that predict shifts in membrane potential along the length of cells as a function of time in response to an electrical pulse. For elongated tissue cells, or groups of tissue cells that are couple electronically by gap junctions, significant hyperpolarizations and depolarizations can result form millisecond applications of electric fields with strengths on the order of 10--100 mV/cm. The results illustrate the importance of considering cellular cable parameters in assessing the effects of transient electric fields on biological systems, as well as in predicting the efficacy of pulsed electric fields in medical treatments.
Neuromuscular blocking activity of bis-4-benzyltetrahydroisoquinolinium esters in the cat

Abstract The purpose of this work was to identify a new ultra-short-acting neuromuscular blocking agent devoid of the potential to produce histamine-like cardiovascular effects at ≥ED 95 doses. Eight new bis -4-benzyltetrahydroisoquinolinium esters, derivatives of ( E )-oct-4-ene-1,8-dioyl acid, were tested for neuromuscular blocking activity in the cat and compared with mivacurium chloride. All compounds were more than ten times less potent than mivacurium but exhibited a rapid onset of action (≊0.9–1.8 min from injection to maximum neuromuscular block) and an ultra-short duration of neuromuscular block (≊5–8 min from injection to 95% recovery) at approximately ED 95 doses; however, at these and even lesser doses, they also produced histamine-like cardiovascular effects and inhibited the response to vagal stimulation. The data suggest that, in the benzyltetrahydroisoquinolinium class of neuromuscular blocking agents, 4-benzyl substitution may offer the desired rapid onset and ultra-short duration of action at ED 95 doses, but these advantages are offset by the adverse cardiovascular and autonomic effects which occur at ≤ED 95 doses.
Induction of drug efflux protein expression by venlafaxine but not desvenlafaxine.

Venlafaxine and its metabolite desvenlafaxine are serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors currently prescribed for the treatment of depression. Previously, it was reported that venlafaxine is an inducer of MDR1, the gene responsible for P-glycoprotein (P-gp). The present study expanded upon these findings by examining the effect of venlafaxine and desvenlafaxine on the expression of both P-gp and the breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) in human brain endothelial cells (HBMEC), an in vitro model of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The HBMEC were treated for 1 h with various concentrations (500 nM to 50 µM) of venlafaxine and desvenlafaxine. Western blot analysis revealed treatment with venlafaxine significantly induced the expression of P-gp (2-fold) and BCRP (1.75-fold) in a dose-dependent manner, while treatment with desvenlafaxine had no effect on drug efflux transporter expression. To determine the functional significance of this effect, the permeability of a known drug efflux probe, rhodamine 123, across the BBB model and Caco-2 cells, a model of intestinal absorption, were examined. Treatment with venlafaxine (1–50 µM) for 1 h significantly reduced the apical-to-basolateral permeability of R123 across the BBB model (30%) and Caco-2 cell monolayers (25%), indicative of increased drug efflux transporter expression at the apical membrane. Conversely, desvenlafaxine had no effect on R123 permeability in either cellular model. These studies indicate that venlafaxine, but not desvenlafaxine is an inducer of drug efflux transporter expression, which consequently increases the potential for clinical drug–drug interactions. Therefore, based on these preliminary results, caution should be taken when prescribing venlafaxine with other P-gp substrates. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
RIBONUCLEIC ACID METABOLISM IN THE SILK GLAND.

Abstract Earlier analytical results on the composition of ribonucleic acid from Lepidopteran silk glands have been confirmed. Pulse labeling has failed to detect an RNA fraction with a rapid rate of turnover and a composition resembling DNA in the posterior silk gland.
RACIAL POSITION SEGREGATION: A Case Study of Southwest Conference Football, 1978 and 1989

Since the mid-1960s, the level of participation of African American student-athletes in intercollegiate football programs at predominantly White universities has changed significantly. Nearly half of all varsity football players in Division I and Division I-A schools were Black in 1992, indicative of more opportunities at the college level for minority athletes. Based on this statistic, many media observers have concluded that racial discrimination in athletic programs is a thing of the past. However, with the establishment of Proposition 48 by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the mid-1980s and the various amendments that followed, race continues to be an important component in athletic competition. Perhaps rather than being eliminated, the nature and form of racial discrimination in football programs have changed. The objective of this research effort is to analyze changes in the nature of racial discrimination in intercollegiate football. The Southwest Conference is the focus of the research and provides a case study through the use of student-athlete data from the 1978 and 1989 football seasons. More specifically, the incidence of two forms of racial discrimination in football identified in the sociology of sport literature, racial stacking and unequal opportunity, were identified and analyzed. This research links important findings in college football to earlier studies conducted in the professional arena. Racial stacking refers to situations in which African American players compete for peripheral positions whereas central positions are reserved for White players. Unequal opportunity implies that the entrance requirements into college football are more rigor-
The HOXB13:IL17BR gene-expression ratio: a biomarker providing information above and beyond tumor grade.

Dennis C Sgroi1,2 1Director of Breast Pathology, Molecular Pathology Research & MGH Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital East, MGH East, Molecular Pathology Research, 149 13th Street Charlestown, MA 02129, USA 2Associate Professor of Harvard Medical School, MA, USA Tel.: +1 617 726 5697; Fax: +1 617 724 5684; E‐mail: dsgroi@partners.org The HOXB13:IL17BR gene-expression ratio: a biomarker providing information above and beyond tumor grade
Increasing public awareness of natural hazards via the Internet

NOAA’s National Geophysical Data Center is using state-of-the-art Internet tools for natural hazards education, public outreach, and access to natural hazards data. For example, NGDC acquires, processes, and provides access to geologic hazards event data that are useful in natural hazards risk assessment and hazards-related research. In addition, a collection of natural hazards slides and a teacher’s guide on volcanoes are available online. NGDC also created an online “Kids Hazards Quiz” to test the user’s knowledge of disaster safety information. An online Natural Hazards Data Resources Directory provides access to information and links to organizations that provide natural hazards data and information. Expanded access to these data and information by the public and researchers can increase public awareness of natural hazards, improve hazards research, and ultimately reduce the devastating impacts of natural disasters.
High temperature deformation and fracture behavior of laminate composites: The importance of interdiffusion during creep

Composites, as well as materials with solidified structures, exhibit composition and microstructures which systematically vary with position and mechanical properties which are often described with analyses based on the rule of mixtures. In addition to Kirkendall porosity formation, it is anticipated that interdiffusion during deformation at high temperatures will modify dislocation motion, or will modify dislocation structures. Therefore, the properties of as-cast weld metal or as-bonded laminate composites would differ from the same materials which received homogenization heat treatments to stabilize composition gradients, and simple analyses based on the rule of mixtures may not apply. In this paper the high temperature creep behavior of laminate composites with a constant volume fraction of each layer but with different layer thicknesses are evaluated under test conditions which produce dynamic composition gradients. The results of this study provide a physical basis for modeling the dynamic nature of composition gradients induced by processing (e.g. solidification, vapor deposition, roll bonding, etc.) and the effects of dynamic composition gradients on high temperature mechanical properties.
Dispersion sum rules for the Baryon spectrum in an O(3,1) dynamical group model

Abstract We study the saturation of superconvergence relations by the known N (isospin 1 2 and Δ(isospin 3 2 baryon resonances. Two convenient sum rules occur in elastic π−δ(1236) scattering. One sum rule has contributions only from N states, the other only from δ states. For the pseudoscalar from factors we use an O(3,1) dynamical group model proposed by Barut and Kleinert [1]. The well known δ spectrum is consistent with the δ sum rule. The known N resonances (for which the phase shift analyses are more ambiguous) are inadequate to saturate the N sum rule, and the nature of the missing contribution is briefly discussed.
Renormalization of the effective g factor of magnons

Abstract A simple useful relation between the effective g factor of magnons and their excitation energy is derived for a ferromagnet.
Apparatus for Measuring the Swelling Dependent Electrical Conductivity of Charged Hydrated Soft Tissues

This paper describes a new apparatus and method for measuring swelling dependent electrical conductivity of charged hydrated soft tissues. The apparatus was calibrated using a conductivity standard. Swelling dependent specific conductivity of porcine annulus fibrosis (AF) samples was determined. The conductivity values for porcine AF were similar to those for human and bovine articular cartilage found in the literature. Results revealed a significant linear correlation between specific conductivity and water content for porcine AF tissues tested in phosphate buffered saline (PBS).
The use of version space controlled genetic algorithms to solve the Boole problem

It is demonstrated that the VGA (version space guided genetic algorithm) is a particular instantiation of a more general class of systems, termed autonomous learning elements (ALEs). The basic components of an ALEs are discussed. The Boole problem posed by S. W. Wilson (1987) is introduced, and its expression in terms of the VGA framework is discussed. The details of the VGA system are given followed by a discussion of results. In particular, the performances of the VGA on two versions of the Boole problem are described and compared with those of classifier systems and decision trees. >
Nursing Science and the Space Age

This article presents the basic elements of Rogers' science of unitary human beings. It defines science, explicates nursing as a science and an art, addresses the meaning of the principles of hemodynamics, and discusses the building blocks of these principles. Several theories arising from the science of unitary human beings are elaborated, and noninvasive therapeutic modalities are discussed as part of nursing practice.