cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Eccentric Black Hole Mergers Forming in Globular Clusters

We derive the probability for a newly formed binary black hole (BBH) to undergo an eccentric gravitational wave (GW) merger during binary-single interactions inside a stellar cluster. By integrating over the hardening interactions such a BBH must undergo before ejection, we find that the observable rate of BBH mergers with eccentricity $g0.1$ at 10 Hz relative to the rate of circular mergers can be as high as $\ensuremath{\sim}5%$ for a typical globular cluster (GC). This further suggests that BBH mergers forming through GW captures in binary-single interactions, eccentric or not, are likely to constitute $\ensuremath{\sim}10%$ of the total BBH merger rate from GCs. Such GW capture mergers can only be probed with an $N$-body code that includes general relativistic corrections, which explains why recent Newtonian cluster studies have not been able to resolve this population. Finally, we show that the relative rate of eccentric BBH mergers depends on the compactness of their host cluster, suggesting that an observed eccentricity distribution can be used to probe the origin of BBH mergers.
Interplay of Nanoparticle Resonance Frequency and Array Surface Coverage in Live-Cell Plasmon-Enhanced Single-Molecule Imaging

Super-resolution imaging has provided new insights into nanoscale optics. Plasmonic gold nanotriangle arrays created by nanosphere lithography can enhance single-molecule fluorescence intensity to further improve imaging. Here, gold nanotriangle arrays on glass coverslips were used as inexpensive, facile, and broadly applicable imaging substrates for living Vibrio cholerae cells expressing photoactivatable fluorescent proteins—the red PAmCherry or the green PAGFP—and resulted in fluorescence enhancements upon coupling living cells to nanotriangle arrays. Within the requirements for this wide-field coupling geometry, we analyze and optimize the coupling as a function of local surface plasmon resonance frequency and particle coverage.
Rethinking avoidance: Toward a balanced approach to avoidance in treating anxiety disorders

Avoidance is typically considered a maladaptive behavioral response to excessive fear and anxiety, leading to the maintenance of anxiety disorders. Exposure is a core element of cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders. One important aspect of this treatment is repeated and prolonged exposure to a threat while discouraging patients from using avoidance strategies, such as escape or safety behaviors. We will first revisit the role of avoidance learning in the development and maintenance of anxiety disorders, including important insights from the neuroscience literature. Next, we will consider both the negative and positive aspects of avoidance for therapeutic interventions. Finally, we will explore the application of adaptive avoidance in exposure therapy for anxiety disorders. We will argue that there are occasions when avoidance behaviors can serve as effective coping strategies to enhance the person's perception of control over the environment and the potential threat. We conclude that avoidance behaviors can be a valuable therapeutic element, depending on the function of these behaviors.
Treatment of Parastomal Hernias

Parastomal hernias are a dreaded yet common complication following the creation of a surgical stoma. Their repair represents a significant surgical challenge as the presence of functional bowel passing through the abdominal wall by means of an iatrogenic defect makes fascial continuity impossible to restore. Although surgical intervention was once associated with high rates of recurrence and significant postoperative complications, modern techniques for parastomal hernia repair through incorporation of mesh reinforcement and minimally invasive procedures have brought about improvements in the perioperative and postoperative course.
Symptoms of Feeding Problems in Preterm-born Children at 6 Months to 7 Years Old.

ABSTRACTObjectives:Describe symptoms of feeding problems in children born very preterm (<32 weeks gestation) and moderate to late preterm (32–37 weeks gestation) compared to children born full-term; explore the contribution of medical risk factors to problematic feeding symptoms.Methods:The sample i
Untying the Gordian Knot via Experimental Mathematics

In this methodological article on experimental-yet-rigorous enumerative combinatorics, we use two instructive case studies, to show that often, just like Alexander the Great before us, the simple, “cheating” solution to a hard problem is the best. So before you spend days (and possibly years) trying to answer a mathematical question by analyzing and trying to ‘understand’ its structure, let your computer generate enough data, and then let it guess the answer. Often its guess can be proved by a quick ‘hand-waving’ (yet fully rigorous) ‘meta-argument’. Since our purpose is to illustrate a methodology, we include many details, as well as Maple source-code.
[Survey on a norovirus-borne outbreak caused by GII.4 Sydney 2012 variant in a university of Guangzhou, 2017].

Objective To understand the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of a norovirus- borne outbreak caused by GⅡ.4 Sydney 2012 in a university of Guangzhou to provide evidence for the prevention and control strategy on norovirus-caused epidemics. Methods A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect clinical information from the patients as well as other data related to the epidemic. Pathogen detections were performed through anal swab specimens from the patients, kitchen workers and samples from the environment. Positive samples were further sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. A case-control study was employed to identify the risk factors related to this outbreak. Results A total of 226 cases of norovirus-borne infection were identified between September 17 and 21, 2017, including 223 students, with an attack rate of 0.73% (223/30 711), and 3 kitchen workers. Students staying in the A dormitory area had the highest attack rate (1.73%, 164/9 459). No clustering was found in different colleges or classes. Results from the case-control study revealed that people who ate at the canteen in A dormitory area during September 18 to 20 was at risk for the onset of illness (OR=10.75, 95%CI: 5.56-20.79). The highest risk was related to the dinner on September 18. Another significant risk factor (OR=3.65, 95%CI: 1.92-6.94) was close personal contact in the same room of the dorm. The 3 norovirus infected kitchen workers were all from the canteen in A dormitory area where the positive rate of norovirus identified in kitchen workers was 26.67% (12/45). Positive samples were sequenced and sub-typed with results showing that the GⅡ.4 Sydney 2012 variant and the nucleotide sequences of cases and kitchen workers were 100% identical. Conclusions The outbreak was caused by norovirus GⅡ.4 Sydney 2012 variant at campus. Similar outbreaks had been seen since 2013, with the routes of transmission most likely due to food-borne or personal contact. Key words: Norovirus; Outbreak; Diarrhea; Epidemiology
Prognostic significance of bone metastases (BM) and bisphosphonate (BIS) therapy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with molecularly targeted agents (MTAs).

4572 Background: BM are frequently present in patients with mRCC. BM cause significant morbidity and are associated with high rates of skeletal related events (SREs). The purpose of this retrospect...
Linear-Complexity H 2 -Based Direct Sparse Solver for Electromagnetic and Multiphysics Analysis

A fast nested direct matrix solution is developed for solving the sparse matrices resulting from electromagnetic and multiphysics analysis in linear complexity. In this solver, we accelerate all dense matrix computations underlying the state-of-the-art multifrontal direct solver by developing fast H2-based algorithms. Each computation is performed on small matrices of rank size, which is also the rank of the separator instead of the rank of the original 3-D problem. Direct solution of millions of unknowns arising from a finite-element based analysis is obtained in a few minutes on a single CPU core.
Definitions of Nonverbal and Minimally Verbal in Research for Autism: A Systematic Review of the Literature

This systematic review examined definitions of "nonverbal" or "minimally verbal" and assessment measures used to evaluate communication in intervention studies focusing on improving expressive verbal communication in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We reviewed sample size, number of participants, participant age, and male/female representation. Our analysis yielded relatively few studies with non/minimally verbal children with ASD focusing on verbal expressive communication. Further, we found large inconsistencies in measures used, definitions of "nonverbal" and "minimally verbal", and ages targeted. Guidelines are suggested to create a more uniform assessment protocol with systematic descriptions of early communication learners as a foundational step for understanding the heterogeneity in this group and replicating research findings for this subgroup of children with ASD.
Body Diode Reliability of Commercial SiC Power MOSFETs

Stacking faults in the drift layer of 1.7 kV 4H-SiC MOSFETs result in body diode degradation, poor carrier conduction in on-state, and high leakage current in off-state. In this paper, the results of forward-bias stress on body diodes are analyzed in commercially available 1.7 kV 4H-SiC MOSFETs. Some devices show a significant degradation after forward-bias stress on the internal body diode. This implies that there are significant number of Basal Plane Dislocations (BPDs) present in these devices. These BPDs may be originally present in the drift layer or they may be induced by processing such as room temperature ion-implantation.
High-Speed Plasmonic-Silicon Modulator Driven by Epsilon-Near-zero Conductive Oxide

Transparent conductive oxides (TCOs) such as indium-tin oxide (ITO) have attracted increasing interests in integrated photonics and silicon photonics, owing to their large plasma dispersion and epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) effect. The nonlinear change of refractive index induced by free carrier modulation leads to a large electro-optic modulation with ultra-compact device footprint and unprecedented energy efficiency. However, high-speed modulation result is rare, mainly due to the lack of high-speed device design and fabrication quality. In this article, we characterize the fundamental electro-optic modulation structure consisting of Au/ITO/oxide/p-Si capacitor, showing that the property of ITO is greatly affected by the process condition. We also report an 8-μm-long hybrid plasmonic-silicon modulator driven by an ENZ ITO capacitor, achieving 100fJ/bit energy efficiency, 3.5 GHz modulation bandwidth, and 4.5 Gb/s data rate. The electro-absorption modulator covers a broad optical bandwidth from 1515 to 1580 nm wavelength. For future development of such modulators, we point out that by replacing ITO with higher mobility TCO materials, we can achieve 40 GHz modulation bandwidth and 0.4 fJ/bit energy efficiency using a 3-μm-long device.
Development of sustainable polyols with high bio-renewable content and their applications in thermoset coatings

Abstract In recent years, bio-renewable based materials have been increasingly explored as a promising replacement for petroleum-based ones used as building blocks for polymers. This trend is mainly driven by the increasing awareness and directives for the sustainable development of polymeric materials, including coatings. The lower carbon footprint compared to their petroleum counterparts and depleting known resources of petroleum makes bio-renewable materials very important for future development. However, it is very important to meticulously design polymers based on bio-renewable building blocks by leveraging their unique chemistry and functionality, to meet the demanding requirements of the final products at acceptable costs. In the present work, by combining unique features and functionalities of two low-cost commercial commodity bio-renewable based materials - Epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) and rosin – polymeric polyols with bio-renewable content > 78 % by weight have been successfully developed. A series of single-component melamine-formaldehyde (MF) cured thermoset coatings have been then formulated and evaluated. Some of the prepared coatings demonstrated excellent adhesion (5B), high MEK-Double-Rubs (100–200), high gloss @ 60° (>80), and promising flexibility and impact resistance properties (140−160 lb.in). The outcome of this study clearly demonstrates the suitability of these polyols as primary components of sustainable industrial coatings.
T Helper (Th) Cell Profiles in Pregnancy and Recurrent Pregnancy Losses: Th1/Th2/Th9/Th17/Th22/Tfh Cells

During pregnancy, various immune effectors and molecules participating in the immune-microenvironment establish specific maternal tolerance toward the semi-allogeneic fetus. Activated maternal immune effectors by the trophoblast antigens, such as T helper (Th), T cytotoxic (Tc), T regulatory (Treg), and B cells, are involved in the regulation of adaptive immunity. Recognition of active signal through the T cell receptors stimulate the differentiation of naive CD3+CD4+ T cells into specific T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, Th9, Th17, Th22, and follicular Th cells (Tfh). Each of these subsets has a significant and distinct role in human pregnancy. Th1 immunity, characterized by immune-inflammatory responses, becomes dominant during the peri-implantation period, and the "controlled" Th1 immunity benefits the invading trophoblasts rather than harm. Quickly after the placental implantation, the early inflammatory Th1 immunity is shifted to the Th2 anti-inflammatory immune responses. The predominant Th2 immunity, which overrules the Th1 immunity at the placental implantation site, protects a fetus by balancing Th1 immunity and accommodate fetal and placental development. Moreover, Treg and Th9 cells regulate local inflammatory immune responses, potentially detrimental to the fetus. Th17 cells induce protective immunity against extracellular microbes during pregnancy. However, excessive Th17 immunity may induce uncontrolled neutrophil infiltration at the maternal-fetal interface. Other Th cell subsets such as Tfh cells, also contribute to pregnancy by setting up favorable humoral immunity during pregnancy. However, dysregulation of Th cell immunity during pregnancy may result in obstetrical complications, such as recurrent pregnancy losses (RPL) and preeclampsia (PE). With this review, we intend to deliver a comprehensive overview of CD4+ Th cell subsets, including Th1, Th2, Th9, Th17, Th22, and Tfh cells, in human pregnancy by reviewing their roles in normal and pathological pregnancies.
Role of imaging in management of hepatocellular carcinoma: surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment response

Imaging plays a notable role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment response assessment. Whereas HCC surveillance among at-risk patients, including those with cirrhosis, has traditionally been ultrasound-based, there are increasing data showing that this strategy is operator-dependent and has insufficient sensitivity when used alone. Several novel blood-based and imaging modalities are currently being evaluated to increase sensitivity for early HCC detection. Multi-phase computed tomography (CT) or contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be performed in patients with positive surveillance tests to confirm a diagnosis of HCC and perform cancer staging, as needed. HCC is a unique cancer in that most cases can be diagnosed radiographically without histological confirmation when demonstrating characteristic features such as arterial phase hyperenhancement and delayed phase washout. The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System offers a standardized nomenclature for reporting CT or MRI liver findings among at-risk patients. Finally, cross-sectional imaging plays a critical role for assessing response to any HCC therapy as well as monitoring for HCC recurrence in those who achieve complete response.
Proteome Network of Oxidative Stress in the RPE

Purpose:Oxidative stress is a major risk factor that contributes to RPE damage leading to retina degeneration in diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In this study we investigate protein networking of oxidative stress by using 2D differential gel electrophoresis. Major hub proteins and minor membrane associated enzymes in this network were selected for further study. These proteins may serve as new biomarkers of oxidative stress and therapeutic targets for AMD treatment. Methods:RPE from Bovine eye cups and the RPE cell line D407 were treated with various amounts of hydrogen peroxide or PBS. Total proteins were extracted then separated on twodimensional gel electrophoresis. Differences in protein expression were examined using quantitative fluorescent dye labeling. Proteins were identified by MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometry and their post-translational modifications were studied. Proteome network of oxidative stress was investigated using various bioinformatics tools. Results:Several RPE proteins showed altered expression in response to oxidative stress. These includes signal transduction molecules responsive to reactive oxygen species such as prohibitin, guanine nucleotide binding proteins and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, metabolic enzymes involved in nucleotides and protein syntheses represented by RNA helices and translation elongation factors, chaperones and redox-balance proteins of the heat shock family and peroxiredoxins, and a mitochondrial ion channel involved in apoptosis . Proteome network focused on minor membrane-bound enzymes and major hub proteins implies that MAPK and ERK pathway are involved in this process. Conclusion: Marked changes in expression occurred to several RPE proteins as a result of oxidative stress. These proteins play vital roles in cell survival and/or apoptosis. Future studies in AMD patients will determine their utility in the early diagnosis or treatment of AMD.
Who Sets Social Media Sentiment?: Sentiment Contagion in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election Media Tweet Network

Sentiment contagion across the media tweet network of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, including traditional and non-traditional journalistic outlets, was identified and analyzed using time-ser...
Editorial: Rendering Sounds, Sales and Instructional Capabilities in a Virtual World

JVWR Assembled 2020 presents our final contribution to a focused effort within the capacity of Virtual Worlds. This issue includes three articles covering 360 audio technologies, instructional use, and the topic of purchase intentions in Virtual Worlds. The issue is led by devoted research partners who have worked together previously. Dr. Angie Cox, Professor of Business Technology and Process Improvement & Professor at the Air Force Institute of Technology, acts as the prime editor. Dr. Ryan Durbin, at the Washington State Patrol, and Dr. Vernell Hall, of Trident American Intercontinental University, act as the co-editors.
Effects of vitamin B12, folate, and entacapone on homocysteine levels in levodopa-treated Parkinson's disease patients: A randomized controlled study.

Abstract Introduction Previous studies have suggested a significant increase in plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels in levodopa-treated Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients, and vitamin B12 and folate supplementation may decrease Hcy levels. However, the effects of catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors on levodopa-induced increase in Hcy levels were conflicting. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether Hcy levels are increased in levodopa-treated PD patients and to evaluate the effects of vitamin B12 and folate or entacapone on Hcy levels in levodopa-treated PD patients. Methods We analyzed and compared plasma Hcy levels in 20 levodopa-naive PD patients and 42 levodopa-treated PD patients, followed by randomized assignment of 42 levodopa-treated patients to treatment groups with either vitamin B12 and folate, entacapone, or no medication. Results Plasma Hcy levels in levodopa-treated PD patients were higher than those in the control group, but the difference was not statistical significant (15.25 ± 6.70 and 13.13 ± 4.68, P = 0.216). Patients treated with vitamin B12 and folate had a significant decrease in plasma Hcy levels (P Conclusion Levodopa-treated PD patients had higher plasma Hcy than levodopa-naive PD patients. Unlike entacapone, combination supplementation with vitamin B12 and folate was associated with significantly decreased plasma Hcy. We suggest that plasma Hcy levels should be monitored during levodopa treatment, and supplementation with inexpensive vitamin B12 and folate is beneficial for levodopa-treated patients.
Validation Study of Kids Hearing Game: A Self-Administered Pediatric Audiology Application.

OBJECTIVE Conduct a comparison study between conventional audiometry and a tablet-based hearing screening application, Kids Hearing Game (KHG). If KHG measures hearing at levels comparable with conventional audiometry, it could be used to screen hearing in children. METHODS Prospective equivalence study where measurements of pure tone hearing via KHG are compared with measurements of pure tone hearing via conventional audiometry in patients aged 6-11 years over a 4-month period. Eighteen patients completed the study. Results from 36 ears were included in the data for analysis. Decibel measurements from each frequency measured with KHG for each ear were compared with conventional audiometry. Mean measurements were calculated for each ear and frequency as well as mean differences in measurements at each ear and frequency. Tests of equivalence were used to assess mean within-subject differences in decibel measurements using a 10-dB zone of indifference. RESULTS Mean decibel measurements using KHG for the right ear at 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, and 8000 Hz and the left ear at 1000, 2000, 4000, and 8000 Hz were found equivalent to conventional audiometry (p < 0.050). The mean decibel measurement using KHG for the left ear at 500 Hz was found not equivalent (p = 0.101). However, when left and right ear data were analyzed together, KHG was found to be equivalent to conventional audiometry across all frequencies. Eight patients having hearing loss greater than 25 dB on conventional audiometry were also identified by KHG to have hearing loss. CONCLUSION KHG is comparable to conventional audiometry and may be used as a screening tool for children.
Prognostic impact of arterial stiffness following transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Abstract Background Increased left ventricular (LV) afterload in patients with aortic stenosis consists of valvular and vascular loads; however, the effects of vascular load induced by arterial stiffness on clinical outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) remain unclear. This study evaluated the prognostic value of brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) after TAVR. Methods A retrospective study including 161 consecutive patients who underwent TAVR with a pre-procedural baPWV assessment was conducted. We investigated the association between baPWV and the 1-year composite outcome comprising all-cause death and rehospitalization related to heart failure. Echocardiographic measurements including the LV mass index (LVMi) and LV diastolic function at 1, 6, and 12 months after TAVR were assessed. Results Of the 161 patients, 31 patients experienced composite outcome within 1 year after TAVR. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the discriminating baPWV level to discern 1-year composite outcome was 1,639 cm/s, and all subjects were allocated to two groups based on the result. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the high baPWV (n = 72) and low baPWV groups (n = 89). The Kaplan–Meier curve revealed a significantly higher cumulative 1-year composite outcome in the high baPWV group than in the low baPWV group (31% vs. 10%; log-rank test, p Conclusions Higher baPWV could be associated with adverse clinical outcomes and delayed reverse LV remodeling after TAVR.
Edge-based inference, control, and dos resilience for the internet

Realizing new services on the Internet ultimately requires edge-based solutions for both deployability and scalability. Each such solution has two fundamental aspects. The first is the ability to accurately infer critical network parameters and processes such as Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms, end-to-end available bandwidth, or the existence of a Denial of Service (DoS) activity; and the second is the ability to effectively utilize this knowledge to build endpoint services. This thesis presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of a series of edge-based algorithms and protocols for efficient inference, control, and DOS resilience of the Internet from its endpoints. The proposed solutions together form a new foundation for a robust quality-of-service communication via a scalable edge-based architecture where the novel functionality is added strictly at either edge routers or end hosts. In particular, this thesis develops techniques for multi-class service inference, active probing for available bandwidth, and end-point-based protection against DoS attacks. The proposed multi-class service inference techniques reveal the sophisticated multi-class network components such as service disciplines and rate limiters using solely passive packet monitoring at the network edges. These inferences significantly enhance the network monitoring and service validation capabilities and provide vital information for making efficient use of resources. The proposed active probing scheme infers and utilizes only the available network bandwidth and aims to realize a low-priority service from the network endpoints, a functionality that would otherwise require a multi-priority or separate network. Finally, this thesis discovers and explores two deterrent vulnerabilities of the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), the dominant transport protocol in today's Internet. The first is TCP's vulnerability to low-rate periodic attacks that can be as harmful as the high-rate ones, yet much harder to detect, due to their low-rate nature; the second is an extreme vulnerability of the class of receiver-driven TCP stacks to the misbehaviors launched at the receiving endpoints which may temper with the congestion control algorithm for their own benefit. The proposed end-point schemes significantly outperform the state-of-the-art core-based solutions and demonstrate that counter-DoS mechanisms should be implemented not only in the network core, as conventionally done, but also at the network edge. More importantly, the thesis demonstrates that protocol performance on one hand, and vulnerability to misbehaviors on the other, are quite often fundamentally coupled such that both cannot be maximized simultaneously.
Immunotherapy of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is highly aggressive and notoriously difficult to treat. Unfortunately, the vast majority of patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage of the cancer, and only a small population is potentially curative by surgical resection. Although gemcitabine-based chemotherapy is typically offered as standard of care, most patients do not survive longer than 6 months. FOLFIRINOX has shown superiority over gemcitabine monotherapy in metastatic disease, but this regimen is optimal only for selective patients. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. Pancreatic cancer cells that develop gemcitabine resistance would still be suitable targets for immunotherapy. Therefore, one promising treatment approach may be immunotherapy that is designed to target pancreatic-cancer-associated antigens. The identification of key signaling pathways involved in immune-system regulation, along with the development of early pancreatic tumors in mouse models have provided new opportunities for pancreatic cancer treatment and prevention. Immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer is a therapeutic approach that is designed to target pancreatic-cancer-associated antigens and regulatory signaling molecules. This approach is currently at a crucial crossroad, and has entered clinical trials both as monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy. It is hoped that the evolution of immunotherapy will offer a more optimistic prognosis for patients with pancreatic cancer.
Analysis of Error Detection in EPID-Based IMRT Pre-Treatment QA

A common approach to IMRT pre-treatment quality assurance is to capture images of IMRT fields with no patient or phantom in the beam, and compare these to images predicted by the treatment planning system. This is done prior to treatment in order to detect and correct file transfer and beam delivery errors that would affect the quality of treatment. In many institutions, the distance between measured and predicted images is quantified using gamma indices with 3%/3mm criteria. This work: (i) examines repeated electronic portal imaging device (EPID) images of an IMRT field; (ii) evaluates output variations, alignment errors and measurement ‘noise’; and (iii) uses this data with receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis to determine the size of IMRT delivery errors that can be reliably detected. The gamma index with 3%/3mm acceptance criteria is shown to be sub-optimal; dose differences must be ≥5% in a 24mm×24mm area to be detected 95% of the time, while a pixel intensity difference (PID) test reliably detects ≥2% dose deviations in the same area. Excluding high gradient regions has little effect on the detection ability of gamma, but allows a PID test to detect 2% dose deviations in 5mm×5mm areas.
Bifurcation of stationary vortex configurations: II. Topology and integrability

Abstract We study the dynamics of finitely many vortices in a circular disk and compare the integrability of this problem with that of Kirchhoff's problem of vortices in the plane. The effect of the topology of the phase space on the two Hamiltonian systems is compared. Our goal is to apply topological methods uniformly to investigate the flow of these dynamical systems.
IL-21 secreted by APC confers robust expansion of antigen specific CD8+ T cells with distinct phenotype

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 3994 Adoptive cell therapy with ex vivo expanded CTL is a promising anti-cancer treatment. We previously reported the development of an artificial APC (aAPC), expressing HLA-A2, CD80, and CD83, that can support the priming and expansion of peptide specific CD8+ CTL with potent effector functions. IL-21, a member of the γc cytokine family, is secreted predominantly by activated CD4+ T cells and plays an important role in modulating T, B, and NK cell mediated immunity. In order to gain insight into its function as a mimic of ‘CD4+ T cell help,’ we have studied the function of IL-21 secreting aAPC (aAPC/IL-21). Purified CD8+ T cells from A2+ healthy donors were primed with aAPC pulsed with synthetic natural MART1 (27-35) peptide. After one week, T cells were split and subsequently stimulated three times with either peptide-pulsed aAPC or peptide-pulsed aAPC/IL-21 once a week. Between stimulations, cultures were supplemented with low dose IL-2 and IL-15. The total number of CD8+ T cells generated by aAPC/IL-21 was 12.2 (3.4-24.9, n=4) times the number generated by aAPC. Stimulation with aAPC/IL-21 generated a very high percentage of MART1 tetramer positive CTL, average 71.8% (57.4-86.2%, n=4), which is 3.7 times higher than CTL stimulated by aAPC. As a result, aAPC/IL-21 yielded 43.7 (14.5-90.7, n=4) times more MART1 specific CTL compared to aAPC. Starting with 6.5-11.5 x 106 (n=4) purified CD8+ T cells, we were able to generate 0.2-5.4 x 108 MART1-specific T cells within 5 weeks. Next, we studied the effect of IL-21 exposure on CD8+ T cells during the priming phase. Purified CD8+ T cells obtained from A2+ normal donors were given a single stimulation with either MART1 peptide-pulsed aAPC or aAPC/IL-21. Cultures were supplemented with low dose IL-2 and IL-15 every three days, and phenotypic analysis of MART1 tetramer positive cells was performed 10, 12, and 14 days later. Compared to aAPC, aAPC/IL-21 generated MART1-specific CTL with an increase in the percentage of CD45RA+ and CD28+ cells and a decrease in the percentage of CD45RO+ and CCR7+ cells. Although the effect of IL-21 on the level of CD62L expression was variable, both conditions resulted in similarly high CD27 expression. These results suggest that exposure to IL-21 during the stimulation promotes the expansion of antigen specific CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, IL-21 exposure during the priming phase can modulate the phenotype of expanded antigen specific CD8+ T cells. In conclusion, IL-21 secreting APC may improve our ability to generate mega dose of antigen specific CTL with distinct phenotype for the adoptive cell therapy of cancer.
Reassessing The Historical UAW: Walter Reuther's Affiliation with the Communist Party and Something of Its Meaning — A Document of Party Involvement, 1939

Walter Reuther's close connection to the Communists, including a possible brief membership, has a meaning and legacy that is of more man sectarian interest To most of his conservative opponents, Reuther's sojourn in the Soviet Union and subsequent alliance with the Communists sustained the accusation that he was simply a red. To union activists this charge was something of an accolade in the mid-1930s, but a few years later, die suspicion among Reuther's left-wing rivals that he used the CP's influence to advance his fortunes in the UAW lay behind their frequent assertions that he was a political opportunist at the very birth of his union career. Nor did the issue fade even after his death more than thirty years later....'
Rotationally‐Induced Birkeland Current Systems

Rotational effects which are negligible in earth's magnetosphere become dominant in the magnetospheres of the outer planets where they give rise to Birkeland current circuits coupling the ionospheric and magnetospheric motions. The centrifugal force of corotation produces an azimuthal ring current in the magnetosphere while the Coriolis force produces a current parallel to the plasma flow. The acceleration current also becomes significant when deviations from strict corotation are appreciable. In general, none of these currents are divergence-free, and closure is provided by ionospheric conduction currents via connecting Birkeland currents. Thus the ionospheric conductivity regulates magnetospheric motions much as it does in the terrestrial case. The effects of such currents have been clearly observed in the magnetospheres of Jupiter and Saturn. Birkeland current circuits also transmit planetary angular momentum to external sinks such as conducting satellites (e.g., Io), plasma production sites (e.g., the Io torus), and/or the surrounding solar wind (as proposed for Uranus).
Chronic gastrointestinal bleeding from ileal varices after total proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis: correction by mesocaval shunt.

Abstract This report describes a 48-yr-old woman who had undergone proctocolectomy and ileostomy for ulcerative colitis. Subsequently, numerous episodes of bleeding via the ileostomy occurred during a 24-mo period. Despite numerous procedures, including upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, ileoscopy, celiac and superior mesenteric arteriography, and exploratory laparatomy, a bleeding site was not identified. However, a detailed arteriographic examination with special venous phase studies clearly demonstrated ileal varices. A mesocaval shunt resulted in a marked reduction in portal pressure, and the patient had experienced no recurrent bleeding over a 24-mo period. The importance of obtaining appropriate venous phase studies during arteriography is emphasized because it is critical in establishing the correct diagnosis.
Issues in Labeling Young Children with Developmental Delay: Whose Responsibility is It?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997 required states to provide comprehensive, coordinated, family-centered special education services to children from birth to age 9 after being identified as 1) being developmentally delayed, or 2) having conditions that could lead to delay, or 3) at risk for developmental delay. Within the provisions of IDEIA 2004, states have been encountering a number of obstacles including: a) wide variation in definition, b) over-identification, c) family and cultural diversity, d) appropriateness of norm-referenced tools, and e) cost involved in providing services. The purpose of this article is to highlight issues pertaining to the discrepancies in defining the term "developmental delay" and further discuss the transition process from Part C to Part B.
Consultation and Supervision Practice

An important component of a private practice in neuropsychology may include consultation and supervision services. These are advisory services that can be provided to psychologists or health care providers. These services can vary from the sporadic or occasional consultation to an ongoing supervisory or consulting relationship. In addition to working with individual clinicians, one may also wish to develop consultation groups with a specific clinical focus. In some instances, consultation is arranged for a fee. At other times, it may be best to establish a less formal, long-term, mutually beneficial relationship with other psychologists, physicians, and health care providers. They naturally ask for free discussion of neuropsychology questions, but also send their patients. Hence, one may build his or her evaluation practice by being available to educate and assist colleagues in managing their patients with neurologic injury or illness. There are several practitioner groups with whom one may wish to establish contact in this regard, providing both education and marketing that leads to a consulting relationship.
Drainage System Design and Analysis by Computer

Two programs were developed for using the computer to design subsurface drainage systems for irrigated areas. The first program calculates drain spacings using the transient flow method for irrigated lands of Dumm, Moody, and Tapp. The second program provides drainage system layouts in an area requiring drainage for any specified drain spacing and drain depth. Using these two programs, all input parameters can be investigated and the effect of their variance on both drain spacing and system cost can be found.
Scientific collecting in Malawi, a response to Dowsett-Lemaire et al.

We present a response to Dowsett-Lemaire et al. regarding their contention that there is a “new threat” posed by scientific collecting in Malawi and elsewhere.
“Excesses are not permitted”: Mass Terror and Stalinist Governance in the Late 1930s

S talinist "mass operations" were repressive actions directed against categories rather than individuals. Lavrenty Beria, who certainly knew something about such things, characterized them as "group arrests or exiles without a differentiated approach to each arrested or exiled person."' Often called "extra-legal" (vnesudebnye), sentences in mass operations were typically imposed by troikas, tribunals, police "conferences," or other nonjudicial bodies, for real or potential "offenses" not covered in the formal law and often without the participation or presence of procurators, defense lawyers, or even the accused.2 Appearing for the first time during the Civil War of 1918-21, they were used when the regime felt itself constrained by the requirements of the judicial system or under threat (during war scares or after assassinations), during transformational campaigns (collectivization of agriculture), or when the targets had committed no chargeable crime but were nevertheless considered dangerous as a category. From mid-1937 to nearly the end of 1938, the Soviet secret police carried out a mass terror against ordinary citizens. This "kulak operation," as it was called, accounted for about half of all executions during the "Great Purges" of 1937-38. By the time it ended in November 1938, 767,397 persons had been sentenced by summary troikas; 386,798 of them to death and the remainder to terms in GULAG camps.3 The process saw systematic, physical tortures (approved personally by Stalin) of a savage nature and scale, fabricated
Synthesis, molecular characterization, and biological activity of novel synthetic derivatives of chromen-4-one in human cancer cells.

The synthesis and characterization of Schiff base derivatives of 3-formylchromone 3−6 (FPA-120 to FPA-123), the minimal biologically active structural motif of soy isoflavone, genistein, and their copper(II) complexes 7−10 (FPA-124 to FPA-127) are reported here. These copper complexes possess distorted square-planar geometries capable of stabilizing Cu2+/Cu+ redox forms. The molecular modeling study revealed that the key interaction of the metal complexes was with amino acids in the pleckstrin homology (PH) and the kinase domain of the PKB (Akt) protein. Copper complex 7 significantly forms stronger charge interactions in the kinase domain than genistein, leading to better stabilization in the active pocket. In vitro evaluation of copper complexes against hormone-independent and metastatic breast (BT20), prostate (PC-3), and K-ras mutant (COLO 357) and K-ras wild-type (BxPC-3) pancreatic cancer cells revealed that 7 was the most potent compound which exhibited PKB (Akt protein) inhibitory activities and c...
Eliciting individual discount rates

Controlled laboratory conditions using monetary incentives have been utilized in previous studies that examine individual discount rates, and researchers have found several apparently robust anomalies. We conjecture that subject behavior in these experiments may be affected by (uncontrolled) factors other than discount rates. We address some experimental design issues and report a new series of experiments designed to elicit individual discount rates. Our primary treatments include: (i) informing subjects of the annual and effective interest rates associated with alternative payment streams, and (ii) informing subjects of current market interest rates. We also test for the effect of real (vs. hypothetical) payments and for the effect of delaying both payment options (vs. offering an immediate payment option). The statistical analysis uses censored data techniques to account for the interactions between field and lab incentives. Each of the information treatments appears to reduce revealed discount rates. When both types of information are provided, annual rates in the interval of 15%–17.5% are revealed, whereas rates of 20%–25% are revealed in the control session. Each of the treatments also lowers the residual variance of subject responses.
Instantaneous rate constants in physical organic chemistry: application to acyl transfer reactions of p-nitrophenyl acetate to hydroxide ion

The instantaneous rate constant (IRC)–time profiles for single-step mechanisms are straight lines with zero slope. The IRC–time profiles for reactions taking place in more than a single step depend upon whether decay of reactant or evolution of product concentration is monitored. When reactant decay is monitored, the IRC–time plot extrapolated to zero time is equal to the rate constant for the initial step (kf) in the reaction while the IRC–time profile for product evolution extrapolates to zero at t = 0. The IRC–time profiles for monitoring reactant decay and product evolution converge to a plateau value which can be equated to the rate constant under steady-state conditions (ks.s). Two independent procedures for calculating IRC–time profiles were developed and tested for both simple and complex mechanisms. The first method is initiated with a least squares correlation over the first 11 points of a 2000-point ln(1−ER)−time profile (ER designates extent of reaction). The IRC at the midpoint (IRC(6)) of the time interval is assigned the value of −S (where S is the slope of the correlation). The second correlation is over points 2–12 and provides a value of IRC(7). This procedure is continued until IRC(6) to IRC(1995) have been generated. The second method involves a 5th order polynomial smooth of the (1−ER)/time profile before calculating IRC at the midpoints between successive points. The limitations of the two IRC procedures are discussed. The IRC procedures are applied to experimental absorbance–time profiles for the acyl transfer reactions of p-nitrophenyl acetate to hydroxide ion in water and in aqueous acetonitrile. In water, no significant deviations from pseudo first-order kinetics were observed. A dramatic change in IRC/time profiles was observed on changing solvents to aqueous acetonitrile. Under the latter conditions the IRC analyses were observed to be consistent with a 2-step mechanism. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improvements in detectabilities in polarimeters using high-frequency modulation

The change in the plane of polarization of light can be an important experimental parameter in many spectroscopic determinations, as in, for example, polarization spectroscopy and the Raman-induced Kerr effect. Also, polarimetric detection, in conjunction with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), has been used to investigate sugars in urine, cholesterol in blood, and the chiral components of fossil fuels. Recent work has demonstrated the utility of converting the very selective polarimetric detector to a universal one. Additionally, the same system can be used to simultaneously detect analyte absorptions with excellent sensitivity.
Frequency sweep analysis of neuromuscular junction continuity

A new technique for measuring neuromuscular junction continuity is described. Junctional transmission is evaluated by integration of the electromyographic (EMG) response induced by intramuscular electrical stimulation. The unique characteristics of this monitoring technique are the use of intramuscular stimulation and a varying stimulation rate. The stimulus frequency is made to increase exponentially from 1 to 100 pulses per second over a period of 10 or 15 seconds. Thin coiled wire electrodes are used for stimulation and recording of the EMG response. The frequency sweep electromyogram (FS-EMB) response was measured in uncurarized and curarized tibialis anterior muscle of cat. In the uncurarized preparation, the FS-EMG response was only slightly decreased with an increasing stimulus frequency. During neuromuscular blockade with d-tubocurarine the FS-EMG response diminished with increasing frequency. The response failed at successively lower frequencies during deeper levels of neuromuscular block. Recovery proceeded in the reverse order. The frequency sweep technique provides quantitative assessment of neuromuscular junction continuity over a broad spectrum of driving frequencies without inducing fatigue. This method does not require force measurements nor voluntary effort. Intramuscular stimulation minimises painful stimuli thus making the frequency sweep technique suitable for evaluating neuromuscular transmission in either conscious or unconscious individuals.
NON‐PARAMETRIC ESTIMATION OF DIRECTION IN SINGLE‐INDEX MODELS WITH CATEGORICAL PREDICTORS

Summary This paper proposes a general dimension-reduction method targeting the partial central subspace recently introduced by Chiaromonte, Cook & Li. The dependence need not be confined to particular conditional moments, nor are restrictions placed on the predictors that are necessary for methods like partial sliced inverse regression. The paper focuses on a partially linear single-index model. However, the underlying idea is applicable more generally. Illustrative examples are presented.