cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Breast cancer radiosensitization by Lapatinib

413 Aberrant expression or activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family members contributes to radioresistance. We have previously shown that lapatinib, a dual EGFR/HER2 kinase inhibitor, inhibits proliferation and radiosensitizes EGFR overexpressing breast cancer cell lines in vitro. We hypothesized that lapatinib would radiosensitize EGFR and HER2 overexpressing breast cancer cells to ionizing radiation in vivo. Using an EGFR overexpressing breast cancer xenograft system, we show that lapatinib (100 mg twice daily) inhibits EGFR phosphorylation and decreases tumor volume by nearly 50% when combined with radiation, consistent with an enhancement ratio of 1.34 and a fractional tumor volume (FTV) ratio of 2.28. This data suggests a synergistic effect of radiation and lapatinib in this model and is consistent with results from in vitro systems previously reported. According to our predefined endpoint of tumor volume at 21 days, we saw no benefit from the addition of lapatinib to radiation in HER2 overexpressing xenografts (FTV ratio of 0.13). However, we did observe durable tumor control with the combination therapy (time to quadrupling of tumor volume: 102 days for radiation + lapatinib, 39 days for radiation, 31 days for lapatinib, and 12 days for control. In the HER2 overexpressing cell lines, inhibition of phospho-Akt was seen in all treatment groups, suggesting an important role for the PI3-K/Akt pathway in growth delay. Next, we developed several primary human tumor xenografts in which breast cancer patient biopsies were implanted into the gonadal fat pad of mice. Using gene expression analysis, we showed that the molecular subtype remained consistent following serial passage. Finally, we showed that, in our initial primary xenograft, there was no synergistic effect of radiation and lapatinib treatment on phospho-Akt, phospho-ERK, apoptosis, or proliferation. These results suggest that EGFR overexpressing breast cancers may be susceptible to radiosensitization by lapatinib and that primary tumor xenografts may aid in the testing of hypotheses from clinical/translational research.
Evidence for familial clustering in breast cancer age of onset.

Background Familial clustering of age at onset would have implications for both personalized screening and aetiology, but has not been studied for breast cancer. Methods We prospectively studied a cohort of 23 145 sisters to explore whether their breast cancer risk changed near the age at diagnosis of a previously affected older sister. Using an age-time-dependent variable in a Cox regression model, we estimated hazard ratios for breast cancer when participants were near their sister's diagnosis age, relative to similarly aged women whose sister was diagnosed at a very different age. To rule out a correlation driven by young-onset familial cancer, we separately investigated women who had enrolled at age 50 or older. Results Of the 23 145 women, 1412 developed breast cancer during follow-up (median 9.5 years). The estimated hazard ratio was 1.80 (95% confidence interval: 1.18, 2.74) at their sister's age at diagnosis, suggesting a substantial increase in risk compared with women of the same age but whose sister was diagnosed at a very different age. Restriction to women who enrolled at or after age 50 produced similar results. Conclusions This familial clustering suggests that there may be important genetic and/or early environmental risk factors that influence the timing of breast cancer, even when onset is late in life. Personalized screening might need to account for the age at which a sister was earlier diagnosed with breast cancer.
Imaging features of fumarate hydratase-deficient renal cell carcinomas: a retrospective study

Fumarate hydratase-deficient renal cell carcinoma (FH-RCC) is a subtype of RCC that is increasingly recognized pathologically. The aim of this study was to evaluate the imaging features of FH-RCC on computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET), and to determine the pre-operative diagnostic potential of imaging. This single-site retrospective study included patients with histologically confirmed FH-RCC or with a renal cancer and known germline FH mutation; imaging of the renal mass before treatment with contrast-enhanced CT, contrast-enhanced MRI, or FDG PET/CT between October 2007 and May 2019. Clinical information, pathological data, and imaging features were analyzed and reported descriptively. Sixteen patients with sixteen tumors were included (median age 46 years, interquartile range 38–53 years; 31 % female). Almost all tumors were unifocal (15/16, 94 %). Most tumors had infiltrative margins (14/16, 88 %); few were circumscribed (2/16, 12 %). A large cystic tumor component (> 75 % of tumor volume) was seen in 8/16 (50 %) of tumors. Involvement of renal sinus fat was seen in 13/16 (81 %) of tumors, involvement of the hilar collecting system in 8/16 (50 %), and renal vein tumor thrombus in 6/16 (38 %). All 12 tumors (100 %) imaged with MRI had heterogenous tumor enhancement and heterogenous T2 signal. Of those patients that had diffusion-weighted imaging, 11/11 (100 %) of tumors had diffusion restriction in the solid portions of the tumor. Of the patients who had PET, 3/3 (100 %) tumors showed high metabolic activity with mean maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of 16.4 (range 9.6–21.9). Patients presented with retroperitoneal nodal metastases in 69 % of cases and distant metastases in 75 %. Of those four patients without metastatic disease at presentation, three (75 %) developed metastases within 4 years of diagnosis. In our study, the majority of tumors (≥ 75 %) were unifocal, had an infiltrative margin, invaded the renal sinus fat, and presented with distant metastases. On MRI, most tumors had heterogenous T2 signal and diffusion restriction in their solid components. The small number of cases that had PET imaging showed high metabolic activity.
Measurement and analysis of photoluminescence in GaN

Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy is a powerful tool in studying semiconductor properties and identifying point defects. Gallium nitride (GaN) is a remarkable semiconductor material for its use in a new generation of bright white LEDs, blue lasers, and high-power electronics. In this Tutorial, we present details of PL experiments and discuss possible sources of mistakes. A brief analysis of near-band-edge emission includes basic characterization of GaN, essential findings about excitons in this material, and the explanation of less known details. We review modern approaches of quantitative analysis of PL from point defects in GaN. The updated classification of defects in undoped GaN and their latest identifications are presented. Typical mistakes in the interpretation of PL spectra from GaN are discussed, and myths about PL are refuted.
Deep Learning for Optimized Multiuser OFDMA Energy-efficient Wireless Transmission

The energy-efficient multiuser transmission is applied to an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) system. The subchannel assignment and power allocation strategies are optimized in order to maximize the total energy efficiency while maintaining the information rate from the base station to each mobile user. Due to the non-convexity of the optimization, two individual Deep Neural Networks are trained to solve the optimization problem. With the channel gain as the input, two Deep Neural Networks can output the optimal power allocation and subchannel assignment, respectively. A Refined Exhaustive Search Algorithm is invented in order to generate training data efficiently. The neural networks are trained with simulated data offline but can be utilized online for an immediate reaction. The simulation results prove the Deep Neural Networks achieve a high precision with extremely high execution speed.
Can a Christ child have Down syndrome

Virgin and Child, a painting attributed to a follower of Andrea Mantegna completed around 1460, is currently in storage at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. With special supervised permission, I have visited the painting three times to assess whether this Christ child might have Down syndrome. My conclusion evolved each time-as did my appreciation for the synergy between physicians and art historians.
Evolutionary inverse design of defects at graphene 2D lateral interfaces

Grain boundaries (GBs) in two-dimensional (2D) materials often have a profound impact on various material properties from mechanical to optical to electronic, yet predicting all possible GB formations is a challenge. Here, we introduce a workflow based on an evolutionary algorithm for exploring possible GBs formed at a lateral 2D interface. In a departure from conventional genetic algorithm based structure optimization methods, we perform genetic operations in the near interface region that allow us to be computationally efficient. We benchmark our method using graphene, which is a well-studied 2D material with a wide range of point defects. An empirical potential was used as the surrogate of the evolutionary search. More than 11.5 × 106 structures in total were evaluated for 128 GB orientations, and for each orientation, the ten best structures are recorded. A subset of low energy GBs predicted by empirical potential based search was relaxed by first-principles calculations and used to validate the energetic rank order. With the validated formation energy, we rank-ordered the best 128 GB structures and performed a detailed statistical analysis of primitive rings to find the correlation between the ring distribution and the formation energy. We found that for low energy GBs (below 0.5 eV / A), Stone–Wales defects will dominate, while structures with a higher energy ( 0.5– 1.1 eV / A) show an increasing population of heptagons and nine-membered rings to form seven-nine defect pairs. For structures with energy higher than 1.1 eV / A, the percentage of octagons and nine-membered rings increases, which indicates that these two types of rings are not energetically favorable. Our proposed methodology is broadly applicable to explore defective low dimensional materials and represents a powerful tool that enables a systematic search of GBs of lateral interfaces for 2D materials.
Complex service needs of emerging adults accessing treatment for co-occurring opioid and mental health conditions

Emerging adults are at high risk for opioid-use disorders (OUDs); however, their service use and co-occurring needs are infrequently described. This study analyzed county-level Medicaid claims acro...
Shame, Self-Compassion, and Valued Living Among Survivors of Interpersonal Violence

Trauma-related shame is predictive of negative health consequences following interpersonal violence victimization, including development and severity of PTSD; however, less is known about its impact on other indicators of psychosocial functioning. Valued living refers to engagement in behaviors based on what brings someone purpose and may be disrupted in the aftermath of interpersonal violence victimization. A lack of a self-compassionate attitude may explain the negative effects of trauma-related shame in obstructing values-consistent behavior. A cross-sectional survey design was used. One hundred forty-one survivors of interpersonal violence (age: M = 19.74, SD = 1.64 years; 83.7% female; 69.5% White) completed this anonymous, internet-based study. Participants completed measures assessing trauma history, self-compassion, trauma-related shame, and valued living. Parallel mediation models were used to examine the mediating effects of two components of self-compassion, compassionate self-responding and uncompassionate self-responding, on the relation between trauma-related shame and values obstruction and values progress, respectively. Results demonstrated significant indirect effects of uncompassionate self-responding on the relation between trauma-related shame and values obstruction (β = .20, p < .001, CI = 0.09, 0.30) and values progress (β = − 0.12, p < .01, CI = − 0.22, − 0.03), while controlling for PTSD symptom severity. Indirect effects through compassionate self-responding were not significant. An inability to respond in a compassionate way to one’s own distressing internal states, such as trauma-related shame, may disrupt valued living. Future work should continue to highlight valued living as an important consideration in trauma recovery.
The Aerosol Research Observation Station (AEROS)

Abstract. Information on atmospheric particles’ concentration and sizes are important for environmental and human health reasons. Air quality monitor stations (AQMSs) for measuring Particulate Matter (PM) concentrations are found across the United States, but only three AQMSs measure PM2.5 concentrations (particles with an aerodynamic diameter of
Algorithms for addressing line-of-sight issues in mmWave WiFi networks using access point mobility

Abstract Line-of-sight (LOS) is a critical requirement for mmWave wireless communications. In this work, we explore the use of access point (AP) infrastructure mobility to optimize indoor mmWave WiFi network performance based on the discovery of LOS connectivity to stations (STAs). We consider a ceiling-mounted mobile (CMM) AP as the infrastructure mobility framework. Within this framework, we propose two heuristic algorithms (basic and weighted) derived from Hamming distance computation and a machine learning (ML) solution fully exploiting available network state information to address the LOS discovery problem. Based on the ML solution, we then propose a systematic solution WiMove, which can decide if and where the AP should move to for optimizing network performance. Using both ns-3 based simulation and experimental prototype implementation, we show that the throughput and fairness performance of WiMove is up to 119% and 15% better compared with single static AP and brute force search.
The Educational Leader Without Borders: The Conceptual Frame

This chapter examines the roles of the educational leader without borders (ELWB) and the connections these leaders have to humanity in the lives of children and their families through the schooling process. The relationship between social justice complexities and global schooling practices that define education as a basic human right are explored through the field of education, as well, the social science perspective offered by Nancy Fraser’s three dimensional lenses of economic, cultural and political that leads to participatory parity as social justice. Ten vignettes written by thirteen scholars from a variety of global schooling experiences document children’s stories written in authentic contextual settings from Nigeria, Thailand, Iraq, Haiti, Native American Tribes, American Latinos and U.S. poverty among school age children. These vignettes portray the human conditions of schooling world-wide that the educational leader without borders must learn.
An observation-based progression modeling approach to spring and autumn deciduous tree phenology

It is important to accurately determine the response of spring and autumn phenology to climate change in forest ecosystems, as phenological variations affect carbon balance, forest productivity, and biodiversity. We observed phenology intensively throughout spring and autumn in a temperate deciduous woodlot at Milwaukee, WI, USA, during 2007–2012. Twenty-four phenophase levels in spring and eight in autumn were recorded for 106 trees, including white ash, basswood, white oak, boxelder, red oak, and hophornbeam. Our phenological progression models revealed that accumulated degree-days and day length explained 87.9–93.4 % of the variation in spring canopy development and 75.8–89.1 % of the variation in autumn senescence. In addition, the timing of community-level spring and autumn phenophases and the length of the growing season from 1871 to 2012 were reconstructed with the models developed. All simulated spring phenophases significantly advanced at a rate from 0.24 to 0.48 days/decade (p ≤ 0.001) during the 1871–2012 period and from 1.58 to 2.00 days/decade (p < 0.02) during the 1970–2012 period; two simulated autumn phenophases were significantly delayed at a rate of 0.37 (mid-leaf coloration) and 0.50 (full-leaf coloration) days/decade (p < 0.01) during the 1970–2012 period. Consequently, the simulated growing season lengthened at a rate of 0.45 and 2.50 days/decade (p < =0.001), respectively, during the two periods. Our results further showed the variability of responses to climate between early and late spring phenophases, as well as between leaf coloration and leaf fall, and suggested accelerating simulated ecosystem responses to climate warming over the last four decades in comparison to the past 142 years.
Electrochemistry of some Organic and Organometallic Radicals and their Application in Thermochemical Cycles

A simple experiment is described (photomodulation voltammetry) that allows the electrochemical oxidation and reduction potentials of short lived intermediates to be measured directly. These data are used in thermochemical cycles to determine a number of radical cation σ-bond energies, D°(R-R+•), in acetonitrile solution. by comparison with gas phase ionization potentials it is shown these bond energies are generally similar in the gas phase implying that the solvation energies of the radical cations and the product cations are the same. Only in those cases where a there is a significant change in the charge distribution of R+ compared to R-R+• are large differences between gas phase and solution observed. A comparison of hydrazine and diphosphine radical cation bond energies also is made. In contrast to hydrazines which form strong two-center three electron bonds upon removal of one electron, there appears to be very little three electron bonding interaction between the phosphorous atoms of tetraaryldiphosphine radical cations. This results in a modest weakening of the P-P bond relative to the neutral species.
Disabled Capital: A Narrative of Attention Deficit Disorder in the Classroom Through the Lens of Bourdieu’s Capital

Within each socio-economic class there exist able classes, characterized by the ability to successfully access and enact their preferred capital. There also exist disabled classes of individuals who possess preferred capital, but remain unable to perform in the same manner as able bodies. In the attempt to perform accumulated knowledge and normality, the disabled individual confronts the relationship between his capital and body, his intention and ability. By examining my own classroom experience as a student with attention deficit disorder, together with research from the fields of education and disability studies, this research-based narrative reveals that preferred capital does not merely comprise cultural knowledge and social relationships, but also the ability to perform one's knowledge and desires through behavior that is valued in the classroom. In a field dominated by able-bodied individuals, the disabled body possesses "disabled capital", as preferred capital becomes compromised when housed within a disabled body.
Towards a Bullet-proof test for indirect signals of dark matter

Maps of merging galaxy clusters could help find signatures of dark matter based on its decay into photons.
Enhanced Remediation of Pentachlorophenol (PCP)-Contaminated Groundwater by Bioaugmentation with Known PCP-Degrading Bacteria

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to test whether bioaugmentation with known pentachlorophenol (PCP)-degrading bacteria (Sphingobium chlorophenolicum and Burkholderia cepacia) could enhance remediation of PCP-contaminated groundwater. Groundwater PCP concentrations were determined by US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) method 3510C and gas chromatography. Gene expression for PCP-degrading enzymes: pentachlorophenol 4-monooxygenase (pcpB; S. chlorophenolicum) and chlorophenol 4-monooxygenase (TftD; B. cepacia) was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using gene-specific primers. Bioaugmented treatments with S. chlorophenolicum and B. cepacia showed 32% and 49% decrease (p .05) in average PCP concentration, respectively, over 72 days. Decreased PCP levels correlated strongly (r = −.82, p < .05) with increased PCP-tolerant bacteria in bioaugmented treatments, whereas no significant co...
Crack-tip fields in elastic-plastic material under plane stress mode I loading

New results on the crack-tip fields in an elastic power-law hardening material under plane stress mode I loading are presented. Using a generalized asymptotic expansion of the stress function, higher-order terms are found which have newly-discovered characteristics. A series solution is obtained for the elastic-plastic crack-tip fields. The expansion of stress fields contains both the \( r^{t_i } \sigma _{pq}^{(i)} (\theta ;t_i ) \) and \( \operatorname{Re} [r^{t_k } \sigma _{rs}^{(k)} (\theta ;t_k )] \) terms where ti is real and tk is complex; the terms σ(i)pq(θti) and σ(k)rsθtk) are real and complex functions of θ respectively. Comparing the results with that for the plane strain mode I loading shows that: (1) the effect of higher-order solutions on the crack-tip fields is much smaller; and (2) the path-independent integral J also controls the second-order or third-order term in the asymptotic solutions of the crack-tip fields for most of the engineering materials (1 3. These theoretical results imply that the crack-tip fields can be well characterized by the J-integral, and can be used as a criterion for fracture initiation under plane stress mode I loading. This is in agreement with existing full-field solutions and experimental data that J at crack growth initiation is essentially independent of in-plane specimen geometry. The comparison confirms the theoretical asymptotic solutions developed in this study.
A snow-transport model for complex terrain

As part of the winter environment in middle- and high-latitude regions, the interactions between wind, vegetation, topography and snowfall produce snow covers of non-uniform depth and snow water-equivalent distribution. A physically based numerical snow-transport model (SnowTran-3D) is developed and used to simulate this three-dimensional snow-depth evolution over topographically variable terrain. The mass-transport model includes processes related to vegetation snow-holding capacity, topographic modification of wind speeds, snow-cover shear strength, wind-induced surface-shear stress, snow transport resulting from saltation and suspension, snow accumulation and erosion, and sublimation of the blowing and drifting snow. The model simulates the cold-season evolution of snow-depth distribution when forced with inputs of vegetation type and topography, and atmospheric foreings of air temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, and precipitation. Model outputs include the spatial and temporal evolution of snow depth resulting from variations in precipitation, saltation and suspension transport, and sublimation. Using 4 years of snow-depth distribution observations from the foothills north of the Brooks Range in Arctic Alaska, the model is found to simulate closely the observed snow-depth distribution patterns and the interannual variability.
Preventing PCR Amplification Carryover Contamination in a Clinical Laboratory

During the past two decades PCR and several other DNA/RNA amplification techniques have become important diagnostic tools in clinical laboratories. Amplification products contamination has been the main impediment to using these techniques routinely in diagnostic laboratories. Over the years, several creative pre- and post-amplification methods have been developed that prevent amplicon carryover contamination. These procedures, coupled with automated systems that employ real-time amplification and simultaneous detection in a closed system, have substantially reduced the possibility of false positive results due to amplification products carryover contamination.
Cooling and energy saving potentials of shade trees and urban lawns in a desert city

Abstract The use of urban vegetation in cities is a common landscape planning strategy to alleviate the heat island effect as well as to enhance building energy efficiency. The presence of trees in street canyons can effectively reduce environmental temperature via radiative shading. However, resolving shade trees in urban land surface models presents a major challenge in numerical models, especially in predicting the radiative heat exchange in canyons. In this paper, we develop a new numerical framework by incorporating shade trees into an advanced single-layer urban canopy model. This novel numerical framework is applied to Phoenix metropolitan area to investigate the cooling effect of different urban vegetation types and their potentials in saving building energy. It is found that the cooling effect by shading from trees is more significant than that by evapotranspiration from lawns, leading to a considerable saving of cooling load. In addition, analysis of human thermal comfort shows that urban vegetation plays a crucial role in creating a comfortable living environment, especially for cities located in arid or semi-arid region.
Determination of trace elements in natural waters by the d.c. argon plasma, multielement atomic emission spectrometer (DCP-MAES) technique

Abstract The capabilities and limitations of a commercial direct current argon plasma, multielement atomic emission spectrometric (DCP-MAES) technique for the determination of 18 common elements in water have been evaluated. The results demonstrate that the unit offers acceptable capabilities with respect to selectivity, sensitivity, accuracy, speed, and economy for the determination of many of the elements investigated. Interferences in the determinations of those elements subject to stray light due to the presence of calcium and (or) magnesium can often be compensated for by use of a simple linear correction procedure. A comparison of two-electrode and three-electrode d.c. argon plasma systems has shown that the latter offer advantages such as improved stability and lower background. A comparison with results published for a system based on excitation in an inductively coupled plasma has indicated that the present system offers comparable analytical capabilities for several of the elements investigated.
Protective immunity induced by live attenuated simian immunodeficiency virus

Lack of information on the mechanisms of protective immunity to AIDS virus infection represents a major obstacle to the development of a rational strategy for an effective HIV vaccine. In macaques, immunization with live attenuated simian immunodeficiency viruses has induced the most potent protective immunity and continued study promises a better understanding of the nature of protective immune responses. Recent evidence supports involvement of both cytotoxic T lymphocytes and neutralizing antibodies in protective immunity against infection by simian immunodeficiency virus, but more detailed studies are needed to document their relative importance.
Visual fixation deficits and evidence of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia.

Various eye movement dysfunctions (EMDs) have been reported in bo*,h schizophrenia (SC) and Huntington's disease (HD); specifically, smooth pursuit eye movement (SPEM) and visual fixation (VF) abnormalities (Matsue et al 1986; Leigh et al 1983). Although dementia is quite a consistent element in the course of HD, a subset of schizophrenics with significant cognitive deficits have been described (Davidson et al 1991). Our study examined a poten~,;,al correlation between various EMDs (specifically SPEM and VF) anti cognitive impairment (as measured by the MMSE) in a population of schizophrenic patients. The Modified MiniMental Status Exam (MMSE) has previously been used as a screening measure for cognitive capacity in studies involving populations of schizophrenic patients similar to that of the current study (e.g., Goldberg et al 1987).
Growth of epitaxial γ-Al2O3 films on rigid single-crystal ceramic substrates and flexible, single-crystal-like metallic substrates by pulsed laser deposition

Epitaxial γ-Al 2 O 3 thin films were grown on diverse substrates using pulsed laser deposition. The high quality of epitaxial growth and cubic structure of γ-Al 2 O 3 films was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. SrTiO 3 and MgO single crystal substrates were used to optimize the growth conditions for epitaxial γ-Al 2 O 3 film. Under the optimized conditions, epitaxial γ-Al 2 O 3 thin films were grown on flexible, single-crystal-like, metallic templates. These included untextured Hastelloy substrates with a biaxially textured MgO layer deposited using ion-beam-assisted-deposition and biaxially textured Ni-W metallic tapes with epitaxially grown and a biaxially textured, MgO buffer layer. These biaxially textured, γ-Al 2 O 3 films on flexible, single-crystal-like substrates are promising for subsequent epitaxial growth of various complex oxide films used for electrical, magnetic and electronic device applications.
Dispersion and phase separation of carbon nanotubes in ultrathin polymer films

Abstract The inner structure and nanoscale distribution of the stiffness was studied for polymer–single-wall carbon nanotube composites. Dispersion of nanotubes in a polystyrene and polyurethane polymer matrix was achieved by a proper choice of the organic solvent (NMP) and sonification of polymer/SWNT solutions. Ultrathin nanocomposite films were prepared through a dip-coating procedure and possessed a noticeable degree of nanotube orientation in the direction of the applied shear force. Peculiarities of the phase separation in the films were studied by atomic force microscopy (with application of force modulation mode to map the nanotube distribution within the polymer matrix) and Raman spectroscopy.
Natural tracking with a prediction-error based parameter estimator

Current trends in control applications are oriented toward control algorithms which, to the least extent, depend on the system's mathematical model and/or its parameters. The recently disclosed concept of high gain natural tracking is one such approach to control of nonlinear dynamic systems. This law is independent of the plant's internal dynamics, but dependent on the system parameters. The work presented in this article demonstrates how the natural tracker can be applied to a nonlinear system, such as a robot, with unknown parameters. The parameters can be identified online using the prediction-error based estimator and the linearly parametrized mathematical model. The persistent excitation condition is satisfied with external high-frequency and low-amplitude dither signals which are superimposed on the control inputs. The identification is based on the knowledge of the system's total energy and under the assumption that the acceleration measurements are not available. This methodology, however, requires the use of additional filtering of the plant's input signals.
Demagnetization factors for general ellipsoids

Convenient and inclusive tables for the demagnetization factors of general ellipsoids are calculated by an APL program using the mathematical framework of Osborn [Phys. Rev. 67, 351 (1945)] along with elliptical integral function tables of Spenceley and Spenceley [Smithsonian Elliptic Function Tables, 109, 3863 (1947)]. The new demagnetization tables have immediate application to magnetic and superconductor studies of present day prominence. For an ellipsoid of major axes a≥ (R18)b≥ (R18)c the range of variables is from 1≥ (R18)(c/a)≥ (R18)0.0001, and 1≥ (R18)(b/a)≥ (R18)0.01; appropriate approximations are indicated for smaller values of these ratios. In addition details of the mathematical calculation are included so that those interested may duplicate the procedure. Methods of applying this ‘‘ellipsoidal’’ approximation to other shapes such as parallelopipeds are also indicated.
Risky behaviors associated with pediatric pedestrians and bicyclists struck by motor vehicles.

OBJECTIVE: Road safety constitutes a crisis with important health and economic impacts. In 2010, 11,000 pedestrians and 3500 bicyclists were injured by motor vehicles in New York City (NYC). Motor vehicle injuries represent the second leading cause of injury-related deaths in NYC children aged 5 to 14 years. To better target injury prevention strategies, we evaluated demographics, behaviors, environmental factors, injuries, and outcomes of pediatric pedestrians and bicyclists struck by motor vehicles in NYC. METHODS: Pediatric data were extracted from a prospectively collected database of pedestrians and bicyclists struck by motor vehicles and treated at a level I regional trauma center between December 2008 and June 2011. Patients, guardians, and first responders were interviewed and medical records were reviewed. Institutional review board approval was granted and verbal consent was obtained. RESULTS: Of the 1457 patients, 168 (12%) were younger than 18 years. Compared with injured adults, children were more likely to be in male sex (69% vs 53%), to have minor injuries (83% vs 73% for injury severity scores of CONCLUSIONS: Risky behaviors are common among pediatric pedestrians and bicyclists injured by motor vehicles. Road safety education and prevention strategies must stress compliance with traffic laws, readdress the importance of supervision, and reinforce avoidance of common distractors including electronic devices. Language: en
Multistage reaction pathways in detonating high explosives

Atomistic mechanisms underlying the reaction time and intermediate reaction products of detonating high explosives far from equilibrium have been elusive. This is because detonation is one of the hardest multiscale physics problems, in which diverse length and time scales play important roles. Here, large spatiotemporal-scale reactive molecular dynamics simulations validated by quantum molecular dynamics simulations reveal a two-stage reaction mechanism during the detonation of cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine crystal. Rapid production of N2 and H2O within ∼10 ps is followed by delayed production of CO molecules beyond ns. We found that further decomposition towards the final products is inhibited by the formation of large metastable carbon- and oxygen-rich clusters with fractal geometry. In addition, we found distinct unimolecular and intermolecular reaction pathways, respectively, for the rapid N2 and H2O productions.
X-ray photoelectron characterization of SiO2 aerogel

Abstract Results of high resolution X-ray photoelectron measurements of SiO2 aerogel are reported. Spectra are presented showing the valence region (0–50 eV) and emission from the Si 2p, C 1s, and O 1s states. Differences in the valence region spectra of SiO2 aerogel versus densified amorphous SiO2 are discussed. These differences can be attributed to the structural variations in the SiO bond length and the SiOSi bond angle that occur in SiO2 aerogel.
A study of the physical properties of the ballistocardiograph

Abstract Fourier analyses of the displacement ballistocardiograms of seven subjects recorded from four types of instruments have been made. The coefficients of these series were corrected for the distortion introduced by the ballistic bed and by transmission through the body. The coefficients representing the ballistic pattern from the four instruments were for each subject quite different in value in the corresponding terms. The effect of applying the corrections was to converge the coefficients of the corresponding terms of the series toward a common value. The common pattern thus predicted represents a basic acceleration pattern (or forcing function) and, by appropriate steps of integration, the associated velocity and displacement patterns. The coefficients of these basic series were compared with those of the original series obtained from the analyses of the patterns from the various instruments. This comparison was made in order to determine how closely the basic patterns are approximated by the records made by these instruments. The best agreement is between the pattern obtained from the low-frequency, critically damped ballistocardiograph and the basic velocity pattern. The next best correlation was between the high-frequency underdamped system and the basic acceleration pattern. It is also suggested from this research that the acceleration, velocity, and displacement can be represented with sufficient accuracy by Fourier series carried out to 11, 7, and 4 terms, respectively. This finding indicates, for example, that a ballistocardiograph adequate to represent the acceleration pattern must have a frequency response which is linear to 11 cycles per second and that adequate mechanical or electrical filtering must be present to eliminate the distortion introduced by the transmission of impulses through the body.
Driven three-state model and its analytic solutions

For an atom or molecule in which two transitions are driven by laser beams, a three‐state model is used. Transitions among the three states are caused only by the oscillating electric fields of the laser beams. The amplitudes and detunings of the two laser beams, which are various functions of the time, appear in the Schrodinger equation for the atom or molecule. In certain cases, the Schrodinger equation can be solved analytically, to find transition probabilities and the probability of no transition. This is done by using Clausen’s special function, or by assuming that the sum of the two detunings is zero at all times. Conditions for complete transfer of the population from the ground state to an excited state are obtained from the analytic solutions.
Modification of starch granules by hydrolysis with hydrochloric acid in various alcohols, and the formation of new kinds of limit dextrins

Abstract Potato starch was treated severally in methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, and 1-butanol with 0.36% and 6.0% HCl at 25°. The average d.p. dropped rapidly for starch treated with 0.36% acid and reached a limiting value within 24 h. For the treatment with 6.0% acid, the limiting value was reached between 30 and 75 h. The limiting d.p. progressively decreased in the sequence methanol > ethanol > 2-propanol > 1-butanol, and also decreased with an increase in the concentration of the acid. The amylose and the amylopectin fractions were isolated from the modified starches, and their average d.p. and proportions were determined. The amylopectin fractions were analyzed by gel-permeation chromatography on Bio-Gel A-5m, before and after isoamylolysis, and the amylose fractions were analyzed on Bio-Gel A-0.5m. The above starch products represent a new type of limit dextrins that have different average d.p., chain-length distributions, and proportions of amylose and amylopectin. These differences represent variable susceptibilities of the glycosidic bonds to hydrolysis when the starch granules are placed in different alcohols with different concentrations of acid.
Predictors of comprehensive surgical treatment in patients with ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND. Providing appropriate surgical treatment for women with ovarian cancer is one of the most effective ways to improve ovarian cancer outcomes. In this study, the authors identified factors that were associated with a measure of comprehensive surgery, so that interventions may be targeted appropriately to improve surgical care. METHODS. Using Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project hospital discharge data from 1999 to 2002 for 9 states, the authors identified 10,432 admissions of women who had an International Classification of Disease, 9th Revision (ICD-9) primary diagnosis of ovarian cancer and who had undergone oophorectomy. Based on National Institutes of Health Consensus Panel recommendations, surgeries were categorized as comprehensive by using ICD-9 diagnosis and procedure codes. Logistic regression analysis using data from 5 states with a full set of variables (n = 6854 patients)was used to identify factors that were associated with the receipt of comprehensive surgical care. RESULTS. Overall, 66.9% of admissions (range, 46.3–80.8% of admissions) received comprehensive surgery. Factors that were associated independently with comprehensive surgical care included age (ages 21–50 years vs ages 71–80 years or ≥81 years), race (Caucasian vs African American or Hispanic), payer (private insurance vs Medicaid), cancer stage (advanced vs early), annual surgeon volume (low/medium [2–9 surgeries per year] or high [>10 surgeries per year] vs very low [1 surgery per year]), and surgeon specialty (gynecologic oncologists vs obstetrician gynecologists or general surgeons). Among nonteaching hospitals, medium-volume hospitals (10–19 ovarian cancer surgeries per year) and high-volume hospitals (≥20 surgeries per year) had significantly higher comprehensive surgery rates than low-volume facilities (1–9 surgeries per year). Volume did not influence comprehensive surgery rates in teaching hospitals. CONCLUSIONS. Many women with ovarian cancer, especially those in poor, elderly, or minority groups, are not receiving recommended comprehensive surgery. Efforts should be made to ensure that all women with ovarian cancer, especially those in vulnerable populations, have the opportunity to receive care from centers or surgeons with higher comprehensive surgery rates. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Abstract B60: Overcoming drug resistant cancer by hyaluronic acid based nanogel formulated with anticancer drugs

One of major challenges of current anticancer therapies is the overcoming of emerging drug resistances and the preventing of tumor relapse. Among different causes of tumor resistance to therapy, the most important is probably the presence of a population of cancer initiating/stem cells (CSC) distinguished from other cancer cells by low metabolic activity, protective apoptotic signaling pathways and overexpression of drug efflux transporters [1, 2]. Many drug-resistant tumors and CSC display the overexpressed levels of CD44 receptor, a cellular glycoprotein binding hyaluronic acid (HA) [3]. The HA-CD44 interaction plays a prominent part in mediating cellular and intercellular events during cancer development. For biomedical applications, HA has been actively studied as a scaffold for tissue engineering and targeting moiety for drug delivery [4]. Here, we report an advanced design of HA-based polymeric nanogel-drug formulations with stronger activity compared to free drugs, which can potentially target CD44-expressing drug-resistant tumor cells. The novel nanogels are based on the biocompatible and biodegradable HA-drug conjugates with a high drug load and linked hydrophobic moieties (e.g., cholesterol), which are capable of folding into nanogels in aqueous media. A set of nanogel conjugates of poorly soluble anticancer drug, including curcumin, etoposide and salinomycin, was obtained, characterized and studied in cancer cell cultures. Cholesterol is a common cellular component that was expected to facilitate nanogel-membrane interaction and the intracellular transport of these drugs. The drug content in nanogel conjugates was as high as 15–20% (NMR analysis). These nanogels formed very small and uniform particles of 30–40 nm in diameter as determined by dynamic light scattering. The small size of nanogels can facilitate passive tumor accumulation through leaky neovasculature (EPR effect) and drug distribution in tumor tissue. Cytotoxicity assays (MTT) demonstrated stronger anticancer activity of nanogel-drug conjugates compared to free drugs and HA-drug conjugates in human breast carcinoma cells in vitro. Fluorescent microscopy confirmed that these nanogels are internalized by receptor-mediated endocytosis depending on the expression of CD44 receptors on the surface of cancer cells. Potential further developments would include an optimization of the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of these nanogel-drug conjugates, introduction of diagnostic and vector molecules, and the development of dual-drug nanoformulations. In conclusion, we developed and characterized in vitro a novel HA-based nanogel drug delivery and theranostic platform that exhibits high anticancer activity and has a potential to become a novel therapy for overcoming tumor drug resistance.
The African Standby Force, Genocide, and International Relations Theory

In launching the African Standby Force (ASF), African leaders over-promised to stop genocide, given their lack of political will, the weak capacity of their states, and the weak military capability of the Force's subregional brigades. The explanation lies in a combination of South African idealism and determination to exert continental leadership and the desire of African leaders to sustain or increase aid to their under-resourced militaries. South Africa does not have the power or resources necessary to supply sufficient public goods to make the ASF fully functional and capable of fulfilling all tasks. African leaders promised to stop genocide with the calculation that no one with sanctioning power would challenge them. Burden shifting by the United States and other major powers was such that African leaders expected to be rewarded with increased aid flows. A combination of African nationalism and aid dependence trumped a highly needed international public good—the political will and military capability to stop genocide.
Some Counteractive Effects of Antitranspirants

Some previously unexpected effects of antitranspirants on stomata and plant growth are described, and their implications are discussed. Antitranspirant films increase the resistance to diffusion of water vapor from stomata. This increases leaf water potential and results in wider stomatal apertures immediately under the film, as well as on those parts of a partially treated leaf which are not covered by the film. Antitranspirants are expected to curtail growth via reduced photosynthesis. However, by increasing plant water potential they can enhance the growth of fruits and shoots.
Physical properties of polyester fibers degraded by aminolysis and by alkalin hydrolysis

Permeant degradation affects the brittleness, flexural fatigue, and ultimate tensile properties of polyester fibers more drastically than topochemical degradation. Topochemical degradation was obtained by hydrolysis with aqueous NaOH and permeant degradation by aminolysis with aqueous ethylamine. Treatment with aqueous sodium hydroxide appears to leave the polyester fiber surfaces more resistant to abrasion damage.
Surface characterization of YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-x/ thin films supporting metallic and insulating overlayers

The interface between thin films of the YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 7-x/ superconductor and metallic and insulating overlayers is studied using films prepared in situ by coevaporation employing ozone vapor oxidation. Thin layers of Y, Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/, and BaF/sub 2/ can be evaporated at various stages of the YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 7-x/ cool-down process. The effect of the overlayers on the oxidation state of the superconductor copper signal can be assessed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It is shown that ultrathin Y overlayers are rendered inert with respect to an underlying YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 7-x/ film surface by the application of a pure ozone flux at the surface during deposition. This is accomplished at ambient substrate temperatures and at the highest temperature used in the processing of the superconductor. The preparation of epitaxial or highly oriented Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/ barriers is thus possible without an apparent effect on the integrity of the high-T/sub c/ surface and. perhaps, the superconducting order parameter. The barrier can be applied at a high substrate temperature where the mobility of the evaporant is large and crystallinity and smoothness can be expected to be optimum. It is expected that these results applied to high-quality a-axis oriented films may allow the development of improved-quality planar high-T/sub c/ tunnel junctions.