cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nanotechnology combined therapy: tyrosine kinase-bound gold nanorod and laser thermal ablation produce a synergistic higher treatment response of renal cell carcinoma in a murine model.

OBJECTIVE To investigate tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) and gold nanorods (AuNRs) paired with photothermal ablation in a human metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) mouse model. Nanoparticles have been successful as a platform for targeted drug delivery in the treatment of urological cancers. Likewise, the use of nanoparticles in photothermal tumour ablation, although early in its development, has provided promising results. Our previous in vitro studies of nanoparticles loaded with both TKI and AuNRs and activated with photothermal ablation have shown significant synergistic cell kill greater than each individual arm alone. This study is a translation of our initial findings to an in vivo model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Immunologically naive nude mice (athymic nude-Foxn1nu ) were injected subcutaneously bilaterally in both flanks (n = 36) with 2.5 × 106 cells of a human metastatic renal cell carcinoma cell line (RCC 786-O). Subcutaneous xenograft tumours developed into 1-cm palpable nodules. AuNRs encapsulated in human serum albumin protein (HSA) nanoparticles were synthesised with or without a TKI and injected directly into the tumour nodule. Irradiation was administered with an 808-nm light-emitting diode laser for 6 min. Mice were humanely killed 14 days after irradiation; tumours were excised, formalin fixed, paraffin embedded, and evaluated for size and the percentage of necrosis by a genitourinary pathologist. The untreated contralateral flank tumours were used as controls. RESULTS In mice that did not receive irradiation, TKI alone yielded 4.2% tumour necrosis on the injected side and administration of HSA-AuNR-TKI alone yielded 11.1% necrosis. In the laser-ablation models, laser ablation alone yielded 62% necrosis and when paired with HSA-AuNR there was 63.4% necrosis. The combination of laser irradiation and HSA-AuNR-TKI had cell kill rate of 100%. CONCLUSIONS In the absence of laser irradiation, TKI treatment alone or when delivered via nanoparticles produced moderate necrosis. Irradiation with and without gold particles alone also improves tumour necrosis. However, when irradiation is paired with gold particles and drug-loaded nanoparticles, the combined therapy showed the most significant and synergistic complete tumour necrosis of 100% (P < 0.05). This study illustrates the potential of combination nanotechnology as a new approach in the treatment of urological cancers.
Phase I/II study of weekly LOC-paclitaxel (LOC-pac) injection in patients (pts) with metastatic melanoma (MM).

9053 Background: LOC-paclitaxel (LOC-pac) is a covalent conjugate of paclitaxel linked to an omega-6 fatty acid designed to enhance uptake of paclitaxel into tumors leading to higher intra-cellular drug concentrations and potentially enhance anti-tumor activity of paclitaxel. This is a first in human, phase I, open label, dose-escalating clinical study of LOC-pac administered weekly in patients (pts) with metastatic melanoma (MM). Methods: Adult MM pts who were refractory to prior systemic therapy or were ineligible for other therapy of higher priority with normal organ function and ECOG PS 0-2 were eligible for this trial. Patients with baseline peripheral neuropathy over grade 1, prior exposure to taxane chemotherapy, hypersensitivity to cremaphor or with serious concurrent medical conditions were excluded. LOC-pac was given intravenously over 1 hour on days 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 every 42 days. LOC-pac dosing was escalated from 100mg/m2 to 1000mg/m2 after safety of the prior dose level was confirmed in co...
Active localization and tracking of needle and target in robotic image-guided intervention systems

This paper describes a framework of algorithms for the active localization and tracking of flexible needles and targets during image-guided percutaneous interventions. The needle and target configurations are tracked by Bayesian filters employing models of the needle and target motions and measurements of the current system state obtained from an intra-operative imaging system which is controlled by an entropy-minimizing active localization algorithm. Versions of the system were built using particle and unscented Kalman filters and their performance was measured using both simulations and hardware experiments with real magnetic resonance imaging data of needle insertions into gel phantoms. Performance of the localization algorithms is given in terms of accuracy of the predictions and computational efficiency is discussed.
Modeling stochastic noise in neural networks: A survey

We review some classic methods of incorporating noise into formal neural spiking models. In this way, we first introduce two most common single neuron models, in which neurons emit voltage spikes due to variations in their membrane potential. Then we investigate the effect of adding stochastic noise to the neural models. In the last part, we consider the behavior of population of neurons in the presence of noise. Note that most formalizations would not lead to a closed form solution and need to be solved numerically. Only by making specific assumptions in some cases, the closed form solution is derived.
Advances and challenges in water management within energy systems

Abstract Energy systems face a growing vulnerability to the availability and quality of water sources as a consequence of rising energy demand and increasing climate variability. The vulnerability of energy systems to water utilization constraints could be mitigated by the effective design and implementation of water management strategies in energy conversion process and supply chain systems. Based on a broad literature review, this study provides a comprehensive examination of the recent advances in methodologies to support decision-making processes involving water management in the energy sector. Water management issues which require more attention by the research community, include: (i) development of decision-support models for biofuel supply chains that deal with water scarcity scenarios, (ii) integration of wastewater quality variability into the design and planning of water management strategies for the development of unconventional fossil fuels, (iii) improvements in the efficiency of cooling systems, and (iv) integration of decision-support tools with climate and weather models for the optimal design, planning, and operation of integrated water and energy supply chains, especially power systems. The systematic targeting of the aforementioned issues in the near future is critical and requires the joint efforts of the energy modeling as well as the weather and climate research communities, which to date have principally addressed water management issues from their own individual perspectives.
Prevention of ESKAPE pathogen biofilm formation by antimicrobial peptides WLBU2 and LL37.

Abstract Objectives Bacterial biofilm-dependent infections (e.g. cystic fibrosis, surgical sites, and medical implants) are associated with enhanced drug-resistance and are thus difficult to eradicate. The goal of this study was to systematically compare three distinct classes of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that include the clinically used antibiotic colistin, the natural AMP LL37, the engineered cationic-AMP WLBU2, and four commonly used antibiotics with different bactericidal mechanisms (tobramycin, ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime, and vancomycin) for biofilm prevention properties. Methods Using biofilm-prevention assays, we detected bacterial biomass post-attachment in subinhibitory concentrations (1/3 of the minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC]) for each AMP by the crystal violet method, to distinguish the commonly known bactericidal activity from potentially distinct mechanisms of biofilm prevention. Biofilm regulatory gene expression was assessed using RT-qPCR for correlation with biofilm growth inhibition. Results Commonly used antibiotics at 1x MIC showed modest ESKAPE biofilm prevention while 1/3 MIC of AMPs demonstrated up to 90% biofilm prevention. WLBU2 was generally more effective in preventing bacterial attachment than colistin and LL37. Changes in bacterial biofilm regulatory gene expression were consistent with biofilm prevention. Conclusion The data warrant further exploration of AMPs with optimized structures to fill a knowledge gap on the potential application of AMPs for difficult-to-cure bacterial biofilm-related infections.
Theoretical Considerations for Granular Flow

Friction plays a key role in controlling the rheology of granular flows in both the “critical-state” and the “dense granular flow” regimes. Ertas and Halsey, among others, have proposed that friction and inelasticity-enabled structures with a characteristic length scale in such flows can be directly linked to such rheologies, particularly that summarized in the “Pouliquen flow rule.” In dense flows, “gear” states in which all contacts roll without frictional sliding are naively possible below critical coordination numbers.We construct an explicit example of such a state in D = 2; and show that organized shear can exist in this state only on scales l < d/I, where d is the grain size and I is the Inertial Number, characterizing the balance between inertial and pressure forces in the flow. Above this scale the packing is destabilized by centrifugal forces. Similar conclusions can be drawn in disordered packings of grains. We comment on the possible relationship between this length scale l and that which has been hypothesized to control the rheology.
Prediction of Electrical and Physical Failure Analysis Success Using Artificial Neural Networks

It is well known that fail dies that exhibit obvious static power supply leakage current have a higher success of finding a defect, hence, a higher likelihood to be selected for failure analysis. When confronted with choices, fail dies with supply current similar to reference will be omitted. Valuable defect learnings are lost as a result. In this work, an artificial neural network is developed to perform the task of predicting failure analysis success confidence level on fail dies. The input parameters are dynamic current measured from multiple power supplies and an output accuracy of 80% on average is achieved. Besides an enhanced productivity from automating the dies selection process, more importantly, fail dies which are otherwise neglected, can be identified. This first demonstration is a new milestone for the application of machine learning to the failure analysis domain.
Treatment of gynecologic cancers in HIV+ women.

e17064Background: Widespread adoption of combination antiretroviral therapy has reduced mortality among women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). As life expectancy increases, incidence of gyn...
The custom total knee replacement: A bespoke solution

Abstract This article reviews the design principles of custom total knee replacements and synthesizes the evidence in support of their use. When compared to off the shelf implants with conventional instrumentation, custom total knee replacements reproducibly improve radiographic alignment while effectively restoring knee kinematics. Custom total knee replacements are also associated with improved subjective and objective clinical outcomes. The use of custom total knee replacements has been shown to result in shorter surgical times, shorter lengths of hospitalization, improved discharge disposition to home, decreased rates of postoperative adverse events, and a reduction in overall episode of care costs.
Current state-of-the-art pharmacotherapy for the management of hepatitis B infection

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a global challenge with several hundred million infected individuals. Disease activity can be controlled, and adverse outcomes prevented when...
Bayesian simultaneous prediction intervals and bounds for a finite population

Simultaneous prediction intervals and bounds provide a statistical characterization of a proportion of a finite population. This article considers these predictions from a Bayesian inferential appr...
DST-HRS: A topic driven hybrid recommender system based on deep semantics

Abstract Recommender Systems (RS) provide customized suggestion to users for specific item across the bulk of identical data such as media recommendations, electronic commerce web pages & social networks. RSs are being developed using the methods such as Collaborative Filtering (CF) and Contents Based Filtering (CB). However, CF suffers from sparseness problem wherein user-to-item data is sparse and CB filtering depends on feature extraction methods for item descriptions that require knowledge of content semantics and context of RS. In order to deal with the sparsity problem, various matrix factorization techniques embedded with pre-processed auxiliary information are used. On the other hand, currently employed techniques of feature extraction lack in deep semantics of items textual information as they individually cover either the semantic details or topic information. This paper proposes a hybrid RS model called Deep Semantic based Topic driven Hybrid RS (DST-HRS) that employs item description semantics influenced by its topics information. The proposed model extracts the embeddings by capturing the semantics of textual information and incorporates topic details into it. It further integrates these embeddings into Probabilistic Matrix Factorization (PMF), thus efficiently exploiting the semantics of items textual information such as reviews, synopsis, comments, plots etc to overcome the sparseness issue. The proposed DST-HRS can easily be deployed with lesser computation and time complexity. The model is validated on freely available datasets including Amazon Instant Video (AIV) and Movielens (1M & 10M). The validation exhibited a better performance with respect to sparse ratings of user-to-item as compared to the state-of-the-art.
Scalable Event-Triggered Data Fusion for Autonomous Cooperative Swarm Localization

We present a Kalman filter-based method for event-triggered decentralized data fusion in cooperative localization problems that can be scaled to large numbers of networked autonomous robots operating in a swarm. This scaling is accomplished without significantly increasing the number of states each robot must estimate locally or the amount of data transferred through the network, thanks to implicit measurement fusion updates afforded by event-triggered communication. To keep state estimates suitably synchronized in this event-triggered approach, we exploit a novel method for performing reduced order partial covariance intersection between local estimates, such that only the overlapping set of swarm states between any two communicating agents' estimates need to be fused. This reduces the number of swarm states each agent must track to only the subset of swarm states that have a significant effect on that agent's ‘ownship’ state estimates. This leads to significantly simpler onboard computation for each agent and reduces the amount of data that must be transferred through the network when synchronization and measurement messages are considered together. Cooperative localization simulations for a 30 robot swarm show that the method is able to achieve good localization performance, even for greatly reduced measurement sharing and greatly reduced overall data transfer compared to full state decentralized fusion.
Stimulation of interlukin-8 expression in prostate cancer cell lines by TGF-β1

4532 Human prostate cancer cells and the stroma in the tumor environment produce a number of pro-angiogenic factors. Among them are interleukin (IL)-8 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, both are overexpressed in advanced prostate cancer. Our previous studies suggest that TGF-β1 may contribute to IL-8 regulation in advanced prostate cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of TGF-β1 on IL-8 expression in human prostate cancer cells. Three lines of human prostate cancer cell (PC-3MM2, DU-145, and LNCaP-LN3) were used in the present study. IL-8 production was measured by ELISA and IL-8 mRNA levels were determined by real-time reverse transcriptase PCR. We observed that PC-3MM2 cells constitutively express low levels of IL-8, less than 10 ng/105 cells/24 h. Expression of IL-8 at both protein and mRNA levels in PC-3MM2 cells was augmented by TGF-β1 in both dose- and time-dependent manners. TGF-β1 had no direct effects on IL-8 production in LNCaP-LN3 cells. It, however, enhanced IL-1-induced IL-8 production in the cells. In contrast, TGF-β1 did not increase IL-8 expression in DU-145 cells. TGF-β1-induced IL-8 expression in PC-3MM2 cells could be inhibited by the general tyrosine protein kinase inhibitor genistein, the MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126, and the p42/44 mitogen activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK) inhibitor PD98059, suggesting MAPK activities was required for TGF-β1-induced IL-8 expression. Western blot analysis confirmed that tyrosine-phosphorylatiion of p42/44 MAPK was significantly increased within 30 minutes upon exposure of PC-3MM2 cells to TGF-β1. The above data demonstrate that TGF-β1 upregulates IL-8 expression, through the activation of MAPK pathways in some prostate cancer cells and suggest that it could be one of the factors that regulates IL-8 expression and, hence, angiogenesis in the tumor environment of human prostate cancer.
Mobile cardiac monitoring during the COVID-19 pandemic: Necessity is the mother of invention.

Since the development, commercialization, and initial clinical use of electrocardiographic monitoring in the early 1950s, the technology has evolved currently allowing real‐time telemetry‐based monitoring of multiple physiologic parameters via wireless connectivity on inpatients.1 This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Disparities in disc golf course distribution in the United States

To what extent are racial, socioeconomic and health characteristics of US counties associated with access to a specific recreational resource – disc golf courses? We contribute to the literature by...
Feasibility and prognostic value of vasodilator stress perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance in patients with atrial fibrillation

Background The feasibility and the prognostic value of vasodilator stress perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is unknown, because most studies have excluded arrhythmic patients. Purpose The aim of our study was to assess the feasibility and the prognostic value of vasodilator stress perfusion CMR in patients with AF. Material Between 2008 and 2018, we prospectively included consecutive patients with AF referred for vasodilator stress perfusion CMR with dipyridamole. They were followed for the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as cardiac death or non-fatal myocardial infarction. The diagnosis of AF was confirmed on 12-lead ECG before and after CMR, and patients with sinus rhythm during CMR were excluded. Univariable and multivariable Cox regressions for MACE were performed to determine the prognostic value of inducible ischemia or late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). Results Of 639 patients with AF and suspected or stable chronic CAD (72 ± 9 years, 77% men), 602 (94%) completed the CMR protocol, and among those 538 (89%) completed the follow-up [median follow-up 5.1 (3.3–7.1) years]. Reasons for failure to complete CMR included AF-related ECG-gating problems (n = 17), intolerance to stress agent, renal failure, declining participation and claustrophobia. Stress CMR was well tolerated without severe adverse event. Using Kaplan–Meier analysis, the presence of myocardial ischemia identified the occurrence of MACE [hazard ratio (HR): 7.56; 95% confidence interval CI: 4.86–11.80; P Fig. 1 ). Conclusion Stress CMR is technically feasible and has a good discriminative prognostic value to predict the occurrence of MACE in patients with AF.
To GitHub or Not to GitHub

While preparing students for careers upon graduation, faculty often have to manage the priorities of bridging the gap between the level of student preparation and the expected level of preparedness. The prioritization of these tasks is influenced by discipline and industry specific guidelines and does not always align with the experience of students at Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSI). The Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) 2013 Computer Science Curricula guidelines highlight version control as one of many core tools in the Social Issues and Professional Practice (SP) Knowledge Area students should experience in their upper-level software engineering courses. Research has demonstrated that at this level, students receive exposure to the tool but are not able to gain sufficient mastery of the tool. Other researchers have advocated for version control being introduced earlier in the computer science curricula. There is limited research that indicates that this particular tool improves the learning outcomes for students or significantly complements the other ACM Knowledge Areas. This presentation seeks to challenge the notion that the use of version control systems improves HBCU students' computational thinking (CT) skills and in turn prepares them for careers beyond graduation. It is important to note, there is no research that directly addresses the use of version control in predominately African American classrooms.
Collaborating in a Pandemic: Adapting Local News Infrastructure to Meet Information Needs

As media outlets around the globe seek to play a constructive role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, this study looks at how local news initiatives in the U.S. city of Philadelphia attempted ...
A 27-73 GHz Injection-Locked Frequency Divider

A new model for injection-locked dividers leads to a 4.76-mW prototype that operates from 24 GHz to 73 GHz with no need for tuning or adjustments. Occupying an area of 0.037 mm2, the circuit can robustly serve millimeter-wave radios as well as full-rate 28-Gb/s, 56-Gb/s and half-rate 112 Gb/s wireline transceivers.
Imageless Robotic Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract Robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty is increasing in prevalence and has been shown to enable improved accuracy in implant positioning in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Robotic assisted TKA can be categorized into image-guided and imageless techniques. In image-guided robotic TKA systems, pre-operative imaging, most frequently computed tomography (CT), is used to map bony anatomical landmarks to pre-operatively obtained image to plan bone resections and implant sizing and positioning. Imageless robotic-assisted TKA does not require pre-operative advanced imaging and intra-operatively maps bony anatomy to guide bone resection and implant sizing and placement. The purpose of this article is to describe the surgical technique for imageless robotic-assisted TKA and to provide a concise review of literature regarding surgical outcomes.
Three-Dimensional (3D) Model-Based Restoration for Structured Illumination Microscopy Based on a 3D Illumination Pattern

We extend our previously developed 3D iterative model-based approach for 3D structured illumination microscopy to include a positivity constraint. We show using noisy simulations that it can provide improved restorations and 3D super resolution.
Energetics of canvasbacks staging on an Upper Mississippi River pool during fall migration

V FRONTISPIECE viii GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 Explanation of the Dissertation Format 6 PART I. TIME-ACTIVITY BUDGETS OF CANVASBACKS 7 AND LESSER SCAUPS STAGING ON THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER DURING FALL MIGRATION ABSTRACT 8 INTRODUCTION 9 METHODS 13 RESULTS 19 DISCUSSION 39 LITERATURE CITED 45 PART II. SEX RATIO AND LENGTH OF STAY OF 47 CANVASBACKS STAGING ON LAKE ONALASKA, UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER ABSTRACT 48 INTRODUCTION 49 METHODS 53 RESULTS 54 DISCUSSION 61 LITERATURE CITED 65 PART III. EFFECT OF WATER TEMPERATURE ON 67 RESTING ENERGY COSTS OF CANVASBACKS AND LESSER SCAUPS48 INTRODUCTION 49 METHODS 53 RESULTS 54 DISCUSSION 61 LITERATURE CITED 65 PART III. EFFECT OF WATER TEMPERATURE ON 67 RESTING ENERGY COSTS OF CANVASBACKS AND LESSER SCAUPS
Cleavage Fracture Quantified by J and A 2

The analytical asymptotic solutions including higher order terms for stresses at a crack tip embedded in a power law elastic-plastic material are applied to the interpretation of cleavage fracture for a mild steel. It is demonstrated that fracture initiation can be determined by using two parameters J and A 2 - J represents the level of loading and A 2 quantifies the level of constraint. Constraint related issues such as size effect, transferability, and biaxial stress effect are investigated. The predicted results have the same trend as seen experimentally.
Retarded equations with infinite delays

It is the purpose of these notes to describe the theory of Hale and Kato for functional differential equations based on a space of initial data which satisfy some very reasonable axioms. We also indicate some recent results of Naito showing how extensive the theory of linear systems can be developed in an abstract setting in particular, the characterization of the spectrum of the infinitesimal generator together with the decomposition theory and exponential estimates of solutions.
Effects of dehydration and environmental temperature on antimony toxicity.

Rats and mice were dehydrated by deprivation of water for 48 hours, or by replacement of drinking water with 2% saline for two weeks, preceding intravenous injection of antimony. In dehydrated animals deaths occurred more rapidly and the mortality was significantly greater than in the nondehydrated animals. Both dehydration and antimony produced a fall in heart rate until an hour before death when the rate increased sharply. Blood transfusion preceding the antimony injection did not counteract the effects of dehydration. Exposure of rats and mice to high environmental temperature, 94 F, for 48 hours preceding and one week following antimony injection significantly increased their susceptibility to antimony toxicity.
DIRICHLET SERIES CREEP FUNCTION FOR AGING CONCRETE

A simple method is presented by which the linear creep function of concrete can be approximated, with any desired accuracy, by Dirichlet series with variable coefficients. Smooth fits of the best known data on creep at constant temperature and water content are demonstrated. It is shown that the approximation is equivalent to the Kelvin chain model with age-dependent properties. Other approximations leading to the Kelvin chain are also presented. It is found, however, that no Kelvin chain approximation can avoid negativeness of some spring moduli for some periods of time, which precludes physical interpretation of hidden strains. But representations with Maxwell chain are free from this deficiency. The Dirichlet series approximation allows formulation of an efficient algorithm of step-by-step time integration of creep problems, for which arbitrary increase of the time step is possible and storage of the stress history can be dispensed with.
Translational regulation of herpes simplex virus DNA polymerase.

Abstract Using as antigens fusion proteins expressed in bacteria, we have generated polyclonal antisera specific for the herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 DNA polymerase. A variety of immunologic, genetic, and biochemical assays were used to characterize these antisera and demonstrate their specificity for the HSV DNA polymerase. Using these antisera, measurements of the synthesis and accumulation of HSV DNA polymerase in infected Vero cells were made. Peak rates of polymerase synthesis were observed at 4 h postinfection, as much as 2 h before peak levels of polymerase mRNA accumulation. At all times examined, the HSV DNA polymerase polypeptide was found to be synthesized at a lower rate per mRNA than the viral thymidine kinase, with this difference being especially dramatic at later times. Infected-cell RNA isolated at 2 and 6 h postinfection directed the synthesis of similar amounts of polymerase polypeptide per polymerase transcript in rabbit reticulocyte lysates, indicating that polymerase transcripts are inherently as translatable at both times. An HSV mutant in which sequences including a short upstream open reading frame in the HSV DNA polymerase transcript were deleted specified polymerase mRNA whose translational efficiency was no more than marginally greater than that of the wild-type virus. These results demonstrate that polymerase expression is regulated by inefficient translation mediated by sequences other than the short upstream open reading frame and that this leads to an early shutoff of polymerase synthesis during HSV infection.
A High Speed, Low Voltage CMOS Offset Comparator

A high speed, low voltage offset comparator is presented. No common mode tracking circuit is used and the offset is added without compromising the high input impedance nature of the circuit. The circuit operates at 480 Mbps with 3.0–3.6 V and 1.6–2.0 V supplies and −40 to 125°C temperature range on a typical 0.5 μm technology.
Functional Foods: Delivering Information to the Oncology Nurse

Recent research suggests a beneficial role of nutrition as possible supportive therapy for cancer patients. A national survey of oncology nurses has shown that nutrition-related issues are an important subject discussed during nurse-patient meetings. The authors applied the activation theory of information exposure to oncology nurses in regard to nutrition information. Findings suggest that oncology nurses who consider nutrition important at a personal level tend to discuss nutrition more with patients and to seek more information about nutrition and cancer. Personal rather than professional motives appear to be triggers for the information search. Implications for health care communication professionals are discussed.
Application of a Digital Trigger Generator to NSLS Booster and Storage Ring Dipole Power Supplies

The digital trigger generator described in reference (1) has been used to control a number of power supplies at the NSLS. Two extensions to the basic controller have been used to preserve its inherent high performance in particular applications. In the case of fast slew rate applications, the bandwidth limits of the supply generate errors in tracking the current reference. The repetitive nature of the NSLS Booster cycle has made possible an adaptive feed-forward scheme which corrects the errors of a given cycle based on data derived from previous cycles. For slowly varying current regulated supplies, the residual subharmonic ripple due to unbalanced phase voltages, transformer unbalance, etc. is corrected by means of a microprocessor based harmonic analyser which feeds data to the phase correction input of the controller.
Dietary evenness, prey choice, and human–environment interactions

Abstract Although measures of evenness of archaeological faunas are increasingly used in zooarchaeological analyses, the widely accepted hypothesis that increasing evenness should indicate increasing dietary breadth has not been tested. In this paper, I examine three factors that can contribute to changing evenness values—changing encounter rates with high-ranked prey types, changing diet breadth, and similarity between the return rates of the highest-ranked resources—and discuss ways of controlling the latter two factors. I then test the “evenness hypothesis” using ethnographic data collected by Smith [E.A. Smith, Evolutionary Ecology and the Analysis of Human Foraging Behavior: An Inuit Example from the East Coast of Hudson Bay, Ph.D. thesis, Cornell University, 1980, E.A. Smith, Inujjamiut Foraging Strategies: Evolutionary Ecology of an Arctic Hunting Economy, Aldine de Gruyter, Hawthorne, NY, 1991] in Inukjuak, northern Canada. Although the results support the evenness hypothesis, they also show that the nature of archaeological data may make evenness measures difficult to use accurately. Evenness can be used to understand changing prehistoric encounter rates with prey, but many conditions must be met for it to do so.
The Need for Bullet Deflection Training for Field Investigators

Abstract It is well known in the forensic firearms community that when bullets strike virtually any object and pass through it (i.e., perforate it), two results are certain: destabilization and deflection. Additionally, fragmentation may result to one degree or another. The resultant trajectories of deflected bullets/fragments are generally unpredictable, varying primarily with substrate composition, bullet design/composition, velocity, and impact angle. Field investigators responsible for documenting and reconstructing shootings do not always have the benefit of training in bullet deflections. This study was undertaken to illustrate the necessity for inclusion of this information in training programs for field investigators. A number of different substrates, including wood, steel, aluminum, sheet rock, and glass (both tempered and plate), were used. Multiple perforations through the body panels of a vehicle and subsequent deflections were also evaluated.
"We never talk about that": A comparison of cross-sex friendships and dating relationships on uncertainty and topic avoidance

Uncertainty Reduction Theory (URT) proposes that individuals have a need to reduce uncertainty and that elevated levels of uncertainty are associated with relational dissatisfaction. Research on cross-sex friendships suggests that these relationships may be characterized by elevated levels of uncertainty and topic avoidance. This investigation addresses the role of uncertainty as a theoretical construct that may be useful for explaining behavior in cross-sex friendships. Specifically, we address the relationship between uncertainty and topic avoidance, and compare cross-sex friendships and dating relationships on these variables. The results significantly extend past research on cross-sex friendships and suggest that uncertainty may often be tolerated in cases where the expected information is undesirable.
Social Context, Sexual Strategies, and Risks for HIV Transmission among Men who have Sex with Men: The South Beach Health Survey

In a population-based sample of 193 men who had sex with men in South Beach, Miami-Dade County, Florida, two indicators of social context—choice of sexual relationships and perceived HIV-infection status—were used to analyze residents who engaged in certain sexual practices with their partners. The vast majority (88.6%) of respondents reported engagement in anal sex during the previous 12 months; 20.2% reported unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with ejaculation with any partner and 12.4% reported UAI with ejaculation with one or more casual partners. Findings supported the hypothesis that primary partner relationships and perceived HIV status are important variables for understanding engagement in UAI with ejaculation. Men who engaged in such behaviors with casual partners were more likely to have negative attitudes towards condoms, report difficulty communicating desires for safer sex, disagree with the belief that AIDS is fatal, and be intoxicated during anal intercourse. Men who reported engaging in anal intercourse, but who never shared unprotected ejaculations, were most likely to be unknowingly infected with HIV, suggesting that many men may become infected while following what they believe to be “safer sex practices.” In designing effective interventions, public health authorities need to take into account socially embedded risk-negotiating practices.
Reduction of nitric oxide with ammonia on copper chromite and nickel-copper oxide catalysts

Abstract Catalytic reduction of nitric oxide with ammonia was studied by use of Girdler's G-22 (barium promoted copper chromite) and T-312 (nickel oxide and copper oxide on gamma alumina) catalysts inside a Carberry type stirred tank reactor. Helium was used as the carrier gas. The nitric oxide and ammonia concentrations in the feed varied from 550 to 1400 ppm and 700 to 7900 ppm, respectively. Temperature levels were from 177 to 316°C. Gas flow rates ranged from 200 to 300 1.h −1 . Empirical kinetic expressions for both catalysts were developed which adequately represent the experimental results.
A Comparison of Synovial Fluid Pressure After Immediate Versus Gradual Mandibular Advancement in the Miniature Pig

Purpose Mandibular advancement is a commonly performed surgical procedure for the treatment of mandibular hypoplasia. With the increased use of rigid fixation, there has been a decrease in the amount of relapse but an increase in the amount of force transmitted to the condyles. Gradual advancement of the mandible by distraction osteogenesis slowly overcomes the soft-tissue envelope and may decrease the amount of force exerted on the condyles. The purpose of this study was to develop an animal model to measure the magnitude of pressure associated with immediate versus gradual mandibular advancement. Materials and Methods A 2.0-mm pressure transducer was placed in the superior joint space in 2 miniature pigs. In the first animal, immediate advancement of the mandible with rigid fixation was performed. The synovial fluid hydrostatic pressures were measured prior to surgery and postoperatively. A second animal underwent gradual advancement with distraction osteogenesis. The synovial fluid hydrostatic pressures were measured prior to and after each activation of the distraction device. The condyles were examined radiographically and microscopically. Results The superior joint space fluid pressures increased and remained elevated over a 5-week period after immediate advancement. In the gradually advanced mandible, the pressures were elevated but returned to near baseline prior to the activation the following day. Conclusion This animal model is useful to directly measure the pressure that is exerted on the condyle. This will allow further studies to compare methods for mandibular advancement. It is likely that gradual advancement of the mandible by distraction osteogenesis produces less force and causes less condylar resorption than large mandibular advancement stabilized with rigid fixation.
Achievable cost saving and cost-effective thresholds for diabetes prevention lifestyle interventions in people aged 65 years and older: a single-payer perspective.

Abstract Background More than 75% of people older than 65 years of age in the United States have prediabetes or diabetes. Diabetes is a burden on Medicare, the US health care payer. Intensive lifestyle interventions have successfully prevented diabetes cases, and medical nutrition therapy has also significantly reduced diabetes risk factors. Including medical nutrition therapy coverage for prediabetes is a policy decision to be made by Medicare, and cost-effectiveness data must support that decision. Objective The aims of this study were to determine the thresholds of diabetes cases that need to be averted by prediabetes lifestyle interventions in order to be cost saving and/or cost-effective to a single health care insurance payer, such as Medicare; and to compare those thresholds with published intervention data to determine the feasibility of cost savings and/or cost-effectiveness. Design This analysis used standard methods of cost-effectiveness and cost saving analysis. A health system perspective was used. Cost estimates for diabetes treatment and lifestyle interventions were based on published data. Costs for 3-, 6-, and 10-year lifestyle interventions were calculated. Sensitivity analyses were performed using least and most-conservative published data for health care and intervention costs. Results The number of cases averted needed for base-case cost savings ranged from 882,883 to 2,443,686, and in sensitivity analysis from 394,148 to 6,738,678. Cost savings are likely in the base and least-conservative scenarios. The number of cases averted needed for base-case cost-effectiveness ranged from 454,755 to 1,258,692, and in sensitivity analysis from 212,225 to 4,843,262. Cost-effectiveness is likely in all interventions, except the 10-year interventions in the most-conservative scenario. Conclusions Prediabetes lifestyle interventions for people aged 65 years or older are highly cost-effective and possibly cost saving to a health care insurance payer such as Medicare. It is likely that medical nutrition therapy could be even more cost saving and/or cost-effective than intensive lifestyle interventions. These results suggest that Medicare would receive financial benefit from providing coverage for these services.
Applying Thermal Time Scales to Sunflower Development

Knowledge of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) development can support integrated pest management and cultural practices to achieve crop yield potential while reducing production costs. The objective of this research was to establish continuous, quantitative relationships among thermal time (two computation methods), photoperiod, and the progression of vegetative leaf appearance and reproductive development in sunflower. Empirical models were fit to phenostage observations for an oilseed hybrid during five planting periods; two analogous sets of coefficients corresponded to calculations of thermal time that assumed linear or optimized developmental responses to temperature. The resulting relationships were tested for predictive value by using similar observations for another oilseed and for a confection hybrid. Predictive accuracy ranged from 67 to 91% (or leaf appearance and from 90 to 95% for reproductive phenostage. Field observations confirm earlier reports of long-day photoperiod response for thermal time requirements to bud-visible phenostage. Evidence for short-day response for thermal time to maturity was also detected. The relationships are consistent with recent published reports of sunflower development and are suitable for forecasting sunflower phenostages, given knowledge of thermal time requirements to R1 and R9 phenostages and photoperiod sensitivity.
Expression, purification, and crystallization of the RGS-like domain from the Rho nucleotide exchange factor, PDZ-RhoGEF, using the surface entropy reduction approach.

Abstract Lsc-homology domains are found in several eukaryotic nucleotide exchange factors which act on Rho-family GTPases. They show limited amino acid sequence similarity to RGS proteins, which down-regulate the cellular signaling by the α-subunits of trimeric G-proteins and have been shown to interact with Gα12 and Gα13. It is believed that the RGS-like (RGSL) domain constitutes the functional link between G-protein-coupled receptors and cytosolic Rho-GTPases. We report here the expression, purification, and crystallization of the RGSL domain from the PDZ-RhoGEF. To obtain X-ray-grade crystals we have used the recently proposed approach of crystallization by mutational surface entropy reduction, in which selected Lys → Ala, Glu → Ala, and/or combined point mutations are introduced into the target protein to reduce the cumulative conformational entropy of surface residues. Of the five mutants that were designed and prepared, the second one tried (K463A, E465A, E466A) yielded crystals suitable for further analysis and diffracted X-rays to 2.8 A resolution on a home source. The crystals exhibit hexagonal symmetry, space group P6 1 22 or P6 5 22, with unit cell parameters a = b = 63.1 A, c = 202.1 A, and contain one molecule in the asymmetric unit.
Plasma-assisted deposition of BN thin films from B(N3)3

Abstract Thin boron nitride films have been deposited via plasma-assisted dissociation of the single-source precursor boron triazide. Infrared absorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies have shown that the films are composed of sp2-bonded boron nitride, with a B/N ratio very near 1:1. The films are significantly more resistant to degradation in air and contain fewer impurities than those previously grown from dissociation of boron triazide. The film growth mechanism is discussed, along with information on the role ion bombardment plays in the resultant properties of the films.
Synthesis of aligned BxCyNz nanotubes by a substitution-reaction route

Abstract A substitution-reaction is used to synthesize highly aligned B x C y N z nanotubes (B x C y N z -NTs) with uniform length and small diameter. Aligned carbon/nitrogen nanotubes (CN x -NTs) or aligned carbon nanotubes (C-NTs) are reacted with B 2 O 3 under ammonia atmosphere. The length and diameter of the aligned B x C y N z -NTs are similar to the starting aligned nanotubes. For example, the aligned B x C y N z -NTs produced from aligned CN x -NTs are 10–30 μm in length and 20–90 nm in diameter. The x / z ratio of B x C y N z -NTs for most nanotubes is close to 1:1. The x / y ratio of B x C y N z -NTs ranges from 0.3 to 1.7.
Six new Gaucher disease mutations

Six previously undescribed mutations were identified in 6 unrelated Gaucher disease patients: 437C→T (107Ser→Leu), 593C→T (159Pro→Leu), 604C→T (163Arg→Stop), 1138G→A (
Optimization and validation of a California halibut environmental estrogen bioassay using a heterologous ELISA.

Abstract Vitellogenin, the estrogen-inducible yolk protein precursor, serves as an indicator of exposure to estrogen mimicking environmental contaminants. An ELISA for the measurement of California halibut plasma vitellogenin was optimized and validated using a commercially-available antibody developed for another flatfish species, turbot. Attempts to enhance assay performance by addition of a biotinylated antibody, polyethylene glycol, and Tween-20, and altering the preincubation step are described. Inclusion of overnight preincubation was critical for low detection limits. Increasing the amount of Tween-20 to 0.05% in buffers was most effective in achieving accurate quantification of spiked plasma samples. At the IC50, the average recovery of spiked plasma samples was 104% and the interplate CV was 12%. The working range of the assay was 33–1000 ng/mL, while the detection limit in a plasma sample is 2.2 μg/mL. The performance of this assay compared very well to a homologous assay demonstrating that commercially-available antibodies can facilitate the development of bioassays for local environmentally-relevant species. The dose response relationship of halibut Vg to the model compounds 17β-estradiol and pnonylphenol show that it is a suitable model for further studies of estrogen mimicking contaminants.
Sol-gel chemistry by ring-opening polymerization

Sol-gel processing of materials is plagued by shrinkage during polymerization of the alkoxide monomers and processing (aging and drying) of the resulting gels. The authors have developed a new class of hybrid organic-inorganic materials based on the solventless ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of monomers bearing the 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-2,5-disilaoxacyclopentyl group, which permits them to drastically reduce shrinkage in sol-gel processed materials. Because the monomers are polymerized through a chain growth mechanism catalyzed by base rather than the step growth mechanism normally used in sol-gel systems, hydrolysis and condensation products are entirely eliminated. Furthermore, since water is not required for hydrolysis, an alcohol solvent is not necessary. Monomers with two disilaoxacyclopentyl groups, separated by a rigid phenylene group or a more flexible alkylene group, were prepared through disilylation of the corresponding diacetylenes, followed by ring closure and hydrogenation. Anionic polymerization of these materials, either neat or with 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-2,5-disila-1-oxacyclopentane as a copolymer, affords thermally stable transparent gels with no visible shrinkage. These materials provide an easy route to the introduction of sol-gel type materials in encapsulation of microelectronics, which they have successfully demonstrated.
Effects of Three Diets on Growth and Mineral Retention of Channel Catfish Fingerlings

Abstract Supplemental feeds containing different calcium and phosphorus concentrations and protein sources significantly affected whole-fish and lipid-free bone levels of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium in fingerling channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus.