cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Added value of SPECT/CT compared to SPECT in99mTc-PYP cardiac ATTR amyloidosis imaging

1639 Objectives: 99mTc-PYP imaging accurately diagnoses cardiac ATTR amyloidosis (AT). Both planar imaging & SPECT can be performed. SPECT eliminates overlying skeletal activity, distinguishes blood pool from myocardial activity, & assesses the distribution of 99mTc-PYP myocardial uptake. There are few if any data, however, on the use of SPECT/CT. This investigation was undertaken to test the hypothesis that SPECT/CT, by virtue of its anatomic component & attenuation correction, would improve image quality, assessment of radiopharmaceutical localization & distribution & the certainty of diagnosis. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of data collected for 71 pts (46 male pts, 25 female pts, mean age = 74±11 yrs) who underwent SPECT/CT 1 hr & 3 hrs after I.V. injection of 555 MBq 99mTc-PYP. SPECT & SPECT/CT were reconstructed by iterative reconstruction, while SPECT/CT reconstruction also included CT-generated attenuation correction. Non-attenuation-corrected SPECT studies were read with a maximum intensity projection cine displayed simultaneously with transaxial, sagittal & coronal tomographic sections. SPECT/CT displays also included CT sections alone & CT sections fused with attenuation-corrected SPECT tomographic sections. One experienced physician read 1 & 3 hr SPECT & SPECT/CT studies, all independently of one another, & without knowledge of the results of the other readings. Left ventricular myocardial uptake was compared to rib uptake & graded as 0: no uptake (negative), 1: uptake < rib (equivocal), 2: uptake ≥ rib (positive). Right ventricular (RV) uptake was graded as 0: negative (no uptake), 1: equivocal, 2: positive (definite uptake). SPECT & SPECT/CT were graded for image quality as 1: poor, 2: satisfactory, 3: excellent. Results: There were significantly fewer equivocal SPECT/CT’s than SPECT’s at both 1 & 3 hrs. Of the 30 studies that were equivocal on 1 or 3 hr SPECT, 21(70%) became negative, 7 (23%) were still equivocal & 2 (7%) became positive on 1 or 3 hr SPECT/CT. Consequently, studies were read as either definitely negative or definitely positive more frequently by SPECT/CT than by SPECT. Right ventricular uptake was appreciated significantly more often on SPECT/CT at both time points. Image quality was significantly better for SPECT/CT than for SPECT at both time points, & was the only parameter that was better for 3 hr SPECT/CT than for 1 hr SPECT/CT (Table). Conclusions: The use of attenuation-corrected 99mTc-PYP tomographic information, in conjunction with the anatomic certainty afforded by the fused CT with SPECT images, resulted in superior image quality, fewer equivocal results, & more confident readings. Consequently, SPECT/CT at either 1 or 3 hrs post-injection is preferable to SPECT in the evaluation of AT.
Prioritizing Infrastructure Investments: A Comparative Review of Applications in Chile

Governments worldwide face the difficult challenge of deciding which infrastructure projects to prioritize and select for implementation, given the limits of available funding and the need to attain their developmental goals. The key objective of this report is to conduct a comparative exercise between the World Bank's Infrastructure Prioritization Framework, a multicriteria analysis?based methodology to project prioritization, and a more complex cost-benefit analysis?based approach. The report focuses on Chile, which has a well-institutionalized evaluation process that uses cost-benefit analysis to assess projects on their quality and ability to generate value for money. The analysis compares the results of the Infrastructure Prioritization Framework alongside Chile's current cost-benefit analysis?based and multicriteria analysis approaches to the same subsets of projects in the road transport and water reservoir subsectors, respectively. The results show that the Infrastructure Prioritization Framework has application beyond its original proposition and can complement a traditional cost-benefit analysis by directly considering social and environmental policy goals that are otherwise difficult to quantify in a cost-benefit analysis. The analysis also finds that in Chile there is a discrepancy between the stated goals and objectives of the appraisal system and the actual implementation. In the case of transport sector projects, there is an evident deviation between cost-benefit analysis?based selection policy and actual decisions made for project implementation. In the case of water catchment selection, there is a bias toward projects with higher financial-economic performance as compared to social-environmental performance, despite policy intentions to afford consideration to environmental and social development goals.
The End the Fed Supporter

A pre-Covid brou-ha-ha entered into by president Trump concerns interest rates. The Federal Reserve System is raising them to inappropriate levels, in the view of Mr. Trump; he would like them to remain as low as possible, so as to pump up the economy. Specifically, he averred: “I think we have much more of a Fed problem than we have a problem with anyone else.”
Impact of Climate Change on Localized Plant–Microbe Signalling and Technology Advancement in Microbial Quorum Sensing

In the natural habitat, plants have association with abundant microbial population having important direct or indirect roles in plant health and growth and a most of the information is available on the plant microbiota structure. Most of the studies are available on microbial mechanisms on physiological processes with respective to the host plants. In plants, the secreted components could form microbial communities at rhizosphere, endosphere and phyllosphere regions of plants. In each niche, a group of microbial colonies can be established and respond to specific conditions appeared during interaction with plants. Overall, the plant microbiome communities played a major role in control of diseases, nutrient acquisition enhancement and tolerance to stress or aiding in plant growth promotion. In this present chapter, the habitats and features of microbial communities have been discussed in relation to plant growth followed by factors responsible for the plant–microbe interactions, secreting components and signalling mechanisms between plant and microbe communications, and the role quorum sensing in communication and plant protection. The application of synthetic biology tools in deploying plant microbiome in plant protection, plant breeding and plant health for more sustainable agriculture has been also discussed.
VS COBOL II: Highlights and Techniques

Perspective: Why VS COBOL II? What You Lose in VS COBOL II VS COBOL II Release 3 Compiler Listings and Options User Return Codes and the FDUMP Option Source Code Simplification PERFORM Enhancements IF/ELSE, Scope Terminators, EVALUATE, and SET Tables and Syntax Improvements Numeric Handling Differences User-Defined Data Classes Character Handling Changes and Enhancements VSAM Changes: Communication Codes and File Status Changes for CICS, IMS, and IMS/DC Using SORT Without SECTIONs COBTEST Batch Mode Debugging Interactive COBTEST Debugging Appendices Index.
Pancreatoduodenectomy for Chronic Pancreatitis-Results of a Pain Relief and Quality of Life Survey 15 Years Following Operation.

Over the last 30 years, numerous developments in the management of chronic pancreatitis have occurred, leading to multiple surgical and non-surgical options. All patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for chronic pancreatitis from January 1976 to July 2013 were reviewed. Surviving patients were contacted for a follow-up questionnaire and Short Form (SF)-12 Quality of Life Survey administration. A total of 166 patients were identified (cohort 1:1976–1997(N = 105) and cohort 2:1998–2013(N = 61)). Prior to pancreatoduodenectomy, a higher proportion of patients in cohort 2 had undergone endoscopic stenting, 67 vs 10 % (p < 0.001) and/or celiac plexus block 15 and 5 % (p = 0.026). Median follow-up for all survey respondents was 15 years. On the SF-12, mean physical component score was 43.8 ± 11.8 and mental component score was 54.3 ± 7.9. Patients were significantly lower on the physical component score (p < 0.001) and significantly better on the mental component score (p = 0.001) than the general US population. Mean pain score out of 10 was significantly lower after surgery 1.6 ± 2.6 than before surgery 7.9 ± 3.5 (p < 0.001). Diabetes developed in 28 % of patients who were not diabetic prior to surgery. Although practice has changed so that patients have a longer time from presentation until surgery as less-invasive techniques are attempted, pancreatoduodenectomy appears to provide effective long-term pain relief and acceptable quality of life in appropriately selected patients with chronic pancreatitis and intractable pain.
Differential regulation of fos and jun gene expression and AP-1 cis-element activity by endothelin isopeptides. Possible implications for mitogenic signaling by endothelin

Endothelins (ET) are potent vasoconstrictor peptides that also function as mitogens for numerous cell types. Although regulation of second messenger pathways by ET peptides has been extensively investigated, little is known about the pathways of nuclear signaling by which ET controls gene expression. The present experiments investigated whether fos and jun contribute to nuclear signaling and gene regulation by ET isopeptides. ET isopeptides induced a subset of fos and jun mRNAs in mesangial cells, including c-fos, fra-1, c-jun, and JunB. fos and jun mRNAs were induced as members of the immediate-early gene response. Activation of the high affinity ET receptor moderately increased c-fos and fra-1 mRNA, whereas activation of the low affinity receptor markedly induced both fos and jun mRNAs. Thus, different ET receptor subtypes evoke distinct patterns of fos and jun induction. Prominent isopeptide- and cell-specific differences in the magnitude and kinetics of fos and jun expression were observed. Most striking was the marked elevation of c-fos steady-state mRNA and protein by ET-1, as compared with ET-3. In addition, ET-1, but not ET-3, increased transcriptional activity conferred by an AP-1 cis-element and directed collagenase gene expression. These results suggest that differential regulation of fos and jun expression and of AP-1 cis-element activity by ET isopeptides contributes to regulation of gene expression by ET. Furthermore, a role for AP-1 in mitogenic signaling by ET is suggested by the close correlation between AP-1 cis-element activity and cell growth.
Housing Policy in the United States

1. Introduction 2. Trends, Patterns, Problems 3. Housing Finance 4. Taxes and Housing 5. The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit 6. Public Housing 7. Privately Owned Rental Housing Built with Federal Subsidy 8. Vouchers 9. State and Local Housing Policy and the Nonprofit Sector 10. Housing for People with Special Needs 11. Fair Housing and Community Reinvestment 12. Homeownership and Income Integration 13. The Foreclosure Crisis and Policy Response 14. Conclusions
Inventing or Spying? Implications for Growth

An engineer graduates if shederives the obvious implications of her instructor's hints. Butthe patent system rewards only the first to present nonobviousadvancements—ideas similarly skilled engineers are notexpected to invent. If a fraction of the newly invented hintsspill over before the technological advances they entail arecompleted and granted legal protection, the R&D workerswill find it convenient to spend some time searching for eachother's hints instead of creating their own. A simple modificationof the basic Schumpeterian model shows that the larger the skilledpopulation, the larger the relative incentive to spy.
ACOUSTIC EMISSIONS DURING HYDRIDE FORMATION

When a metal or alloy forms a hydride, the phase change is usually accompanied by the release of acoustic energy. The density changes that accompany hydride formation may also produce cracking and flaking. The acoustic emission accompanying these processes has been used to follow hydriding reactions and the technique has proven to be sensitive in the detection of boundaries on phase diagrams. Acoustic emission has been used to survey the hydriding properties of a number of alloys and metals (FeTi, LaNi/sub 5/, UAl/sub 2/, and Nb). This technique has proven useful as a method for monitoring particle breakup and for identifying laboratory procedures necessary to activate the hydride.
Using segmented regression analysis of interrupted time series data to assess colonoscopy quality outcomes of a web-enhanced implementation toolkit to support evidence-based practices for bowel preparation: a study protocol.

While there is convincing evidence on interventions to improve bowel preparation for patients, the evidence on how to implement these evidence-based practices (EBPs) in outpatient colonoscopy settings is less certain. The Strategies to Improve Colonoscopy (STIC) study compares the effect of two implementation strategies, physician education alone versus physician education plus an implementation toolkit for staff, on adoption of three EBPs (split-dosing of bowel preparation, low-literacy education, teach-back) to improve pre-procedure and intra-procedure quality measures. The implementation toolkit contains a staff education module, website containing tools to support staff in delivering EBPs, tailored patient education materials, and brief consultation with staff to determine how the EBPs can be integrated into the existing workflow. Given adaptations to the implementation plan and intentional flexibility in the delivery of the EBPs, we utilize a pragmatic study to balance external validity with demonstrating effectiveness of the implementation strategies. Participants will include all outpatient colonoscopy physicians, staff, and patients from a convenience sample of six endoscopy settings. Aim #1 will explore the relative effect of two strategies to implement patient-level EBPs on adoption and clinical quality outcomes. We will assess the change in level and trends of clinical quality outcomes (i.e., adequacy of bowel preparation, adenoma detection) using segmented regression analysis of interrupted time series data with two groups (intervention and delayed start). Aim #2 will examine the influence of organizational readiness to change on EBP implementation. We use a PRECIS diagram to reflect the extent to which each indicator of the study was pragmatic versus explanatory, revealing a largely pragmatic study. Implementation challenges have already motivated several adaptations to the original plan, reflecting the nature of implementation in real-world healthcare settings. The pragmatic study responds to the evolving needs of its healthcare partners and allows for flexibility in intervention delivery, thereby informing clinical decision-making in real-world settings. The current study will provide information about what works (intervention effectiveness), for whom it works (influence of Medicaid versus other insurance), in which contexts it works (setting characteristics that influence implementation), and how it works best (comparison of implementation strategies).
Variants of an active site histidine in Rv0045c esterase from M. tuberculosis (580.3)

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, from which the Rv0045c protein is isolated, is the most causative bacterium leading to tuberculosis. Histidine (H187), within the active site of this esterase, was the residue of interest in this project. The histidine was mutated to ten different amino acid residues (aspartate, asparagine, glycine, lysine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine) and the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme variants was determined. Variant proteins were produced through site-directed mutagenesis, overexpression in E. coli cells, and purification using a Ni2+ affinity resin. Evidence from differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF) revealed no significant differences in the thermal stability of the variant proteins. Michaelis-Menton kinetics revealed that most of the variant proteins showed no difference in catalytic activity from the wildtype protein. The tyrosine variant increased the protein’s overall kinetic efficiency. A sequence alignment with esterases from similar org...
Shuttling Between Worlds: Quandaries of Performing Queered Research in Asian American Contexts

ABSTRACT This article explores how the tensions that grow out of being a researcher in my community of queer Asian Americans lead to the formulation of a different kind of ethnographic approach. A hybrid notion of identity can require and inform a hybrid or poststructural ethnographic practice. This hybridized research method draws upon theoretical strands from queer theory, discourse analysis, and feminist psychoanalysis. This author highlights some thorny and contradictory challenges for queer researchers doing work in their own communities. The article concludes with an approach to the writing of research data and analyses that attempts to undercut coherent realist representations in an effort to make visible the contradictions, gaps, and inconsistencies.
Work in progress: Integrating game design and development into undergraduate biology education

While research has investigated the application of computational methodologies in undergraduate biology education, those approaches require students certain backgrounds from multiple disciplines. Recently, game design and development for education has moved into different fields of science, including biology. Several multi-media interactive products have been developed to simulate biological mechanisms and can be used by undergraduate students. However these approaches focus on students as game users and, not as game developers. Here, we propose an innovative approach to involve game design and development into undergraduate biology classroom. The approach assumes no additional background, and aims to increase engagement in the complexities of the course material through the process of game design and development. We initialized a case study that systematically combines a game application-driven project into genetics teaching. In the pedagogical experiment, undergraduate biology and computer science students designed educational games to enhance the speed and depth of comprehension of both biological and software engineering concepts. The result of this study shows that the reinforcement effects of biological education games apply differently on students with or without biology backgrounds.
Continuity and change in the food habits of the seventeenth‐century English colonists in Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay

This case study uses historical dietary data and archaeological evidence to assess the extent of continuity and change in the diet of the seventeenth‐century English colonists who settled in Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay relative to the traditional English diet. Observations of prominent seventeenth‐century chroniclers suggest that the colonial diet in Massachusetts featured a combination of familiar and novel foods, both domestic and wild, varying over time and across different local environments. Evidence further suggests that the colonial diet underwent modification relative to the English diet due to environmental conditions, cost, palatability, and contact with Native Americans. Archaeological information from the region further supports these observations. It is concluded that the conceptual framework proposed by food habits researchers for the assessment of dietary continuity and change among migrant groups is useful in describing the diet of European peoples, specifically the seventeenth‐century ...
Theory of hydrogen pairing in yttrium.

The energetics of hydrogen atoms interacting with yttrium have been investigated using the self-consistent cluster model and the local-density approximation. Our results provide a theoretical understanding of a range of novel phenomena observed recently in resistivity, neutron scattering, NMR, and channeling experiments. These include pairing of hydrogen at low temperatures and the pairs structural origin, the anomalous fast diffusion of hydrogen along the pairing axis compared to the bulk rate, and the lack of long-range order between the pairs in the metal matrix.
Money and Inflation: International Evidence Based on Cointegration Theory

This study investigates the relationship between money and inflation using cointegration tests. For a broad sample of countries, the paper finds that most time series data underlying a typical monetarist model are nonstationary, indicating that it is necessary to appropriately transform the data in order to render the confidence tests reliable. Our principal finding is that money and inflation are related only in countries with high inflation [E 31]
Comparison of the Level of Evidence Supporting Practice Guidelines in Cancer Care Between Therapeutic Modalities

Materials/Methods: The NCCN Breast Outcomes Database was used to identify women 70 and over with T1, cN0, hormone receptor positive breast cancers from 2000-2009 receiving care at 13 participating NCCN cancer centers. Factors considered to be potentially associated with use of RT a priori were evaluated in univariate and multivariable models, including year of diagnosis, tumor size, grade, histology, multicentric/ multifocal disease, Her2neu status, triggering event, patient age, race/ ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), Charlson/Katz co-morbidity score, type of biopsy, use of axillary surgery, and treating institution. Date of diagnosis was classified as 2000-2004 versus 2005-2009, reflecting the date of guideline change. Results: One thousand, five hundred forty-three women met study criteria; overall 1292 women (84%) had BCS. Among these, 1,005 (78%) received adjuvant breast RT; standard whole breast RT technique was used in 98.5%. ET without or with chemotherapy was used in 83% of all women. In a multivariable analysis, diagnosis year prior to 2005 (p Z 0.0003), younger age (p < 0.0001), lower co-morbidity score (p Z 0.0006), and larger tumor sizes (p Z 0.0146) were all significant predictors of use of RT. For example, 94% of women ages 70-74 received RT in 2000, compared with 88% in 2009; for the same time intervals in the 80 or above age group, usage was 80% versus 38%. Women who had axillary surgery as well were significantly more likely to receive RT (p < 0.0001). In addition, treating institution was a statistically significant factor associated with use of RT (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Following the change in the NCCN guideline recommendations for elderly women with Stage I, estrogen receptor positive BC, the use of RT with BCS decreased over time in NCCN centers; however most women still received RT. Patient characteristics such as age and comorbidity impacted the use of RT. In addition, a key factor significantly affecting treatment use of RT was the institution where a woman received her treatment. Author Disclosure: B. McCormick: K. Stock; Varian. R. Ottesen: None. M. Hughes: None. S. Javid: None. S. Khan: None. J. Mortimer: None. J. Niland: None. J. Weeks: None. S. Edge: None.
Temporal effects of p-chloroamphetamine on catecholamine synthesis.

Within 0.25 h after the administration of 5 mg/kg of p-chloroamphetamine (PCA), the conversion index of both norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) was increased. The effect on DA synthesis was similar, but of less magnitude after 1.25 h, while the effect on NE was reversed, i.e. the conversion index was decreased. This biphasic effect of PCA on NE synthesis is discussed the in the context of two opposing regulatory mechanisms for neuronal catecholamine synthesis.
DISTORTED WAVE CALCULATIONS OF LOW-ENERGY DEUTERON STRIPPING REACTIONS

Abstract Distorted wave calculations for low-energy deuteron stripping reaction cross sections are compared to experiment. Possible competition of various direct reaction mechanisms is considered for various parameterizations of the distorting optical potentials.
Microdiagnosis and misuse of scores and standards.

Scores and standards derived from scores are based on several critical assumptions which are invalid in the evaluation of exceptional individuals, whether their deviancy is positive or negative. The nature of scores based on performance is examined and their inapplicability is illustrated in a variety of cases and dass situations. Improper utilization of scores may result in rigidification of evaluation procedures and dehumanization in the application of standards. Microdiagnosis is a method for the evaluation of exceptional cases which permits examination of the relevant parameters in the given case and an exploration of factors which contribute in an idiosyncratic manner to the attribute being evaluated. This method is based on an experimental-clinical model rather than on standardized procedures.
Solar flare mechanism based on magnetic arcade reconnection and island merging

We propose a model describing physical processes of solar flares based on resistive reconnection of magnetic field subject to continuous increase of magnetic shear in the arcade. The individual flaring process consists of magnetic reconnection of arcade field lines, generation of magnetic islands in the magnetic arcade, and coalescence of magnetic islands. When a magnetic arcade is sheared (either by footpoint motion or by flux emergence), a current sheet is formed and magnetic reconnection can take place to form a magnetic island. A continuing increase of magnetic shear can trigger a new reconnection process and create a new island in the underlying arcade below the magnetic island. The newborn island rises faster than the preceding island and merges with it to form one island. Before completing the island merging process, the newborn island exhibits two phases of rising motion: a first phase with a slower rising speed and a second phase with a faster rising speed. The flare plasma heating occurs mainly due to magnetic reconnection in the current sheet under the newborn island. The newborn island represents the X-ray plasma ejecta which shows two phases of rising motion observed by Yohkoh (Ohyama and Shibata, 1997). The first phase with slower newborn island rising speed corresponds to the early phase of reconnection of line-tied field in the underlying current sheet and is considered as the preflare phase. In the second phase, the island coalescence takes place, and the underlying current sheet is elongated so that the line-tied arcade field reconnection rate is enhanced. This phase is interpreted as the impulsive phase or the flash phase of flares. The obtained reconnection electric field is large enough to accelerate electrons to an energy level higher than 10 keV, which is necessary for observed hard X-ray emissions. After merging of the islands is completed, magnetic reconnection continues in the current sheet under the integrated island for a longer period, which is considered as the main phase of flares. The sequence of all these processes is repeated with some time interval while a shear-increasing motion continues. We propose that these repetitive flaring processes constitute a set of homologous flares.
Physical processes in Jupiter's ring - Clues to its origin by Jove

It is shown that many of the observed properties of the Jovian ring can be explained by the presence of numerious small and unseen parent bodies, or 'mooms', residing within the ring; whose radii are less than 1 km. The small visible ring grains, which are destroyed in short times by sputtering and meteoroid erosion, are derived from these parent bodies largely through meteoroid impacts, and partly from Io's dust. Substantial orbit modification results from plasma drag, and the charge carried by the grains will influence their dynamics and may modify their shapes. It is concluded that the processes discussed, though present in other planetary ring systems, may be highlighted in Jupiter's ring because of its low optical depth and the small size of some of its particles. It is suggested that hidden reservoirs similar to the Jovian 'mooms' proposed may be present in the rings of Saturn and Uranus.
Effects of dark matter decay and annihilation on the high-redshift 21 cm background

The radiation background produced by the 21 cm spin-flip transition of neutral hydrogen at high redshifts can be a pristine probe of fundamental physics and cosmology. At z~30–300, the intergalactic medium (IGM) is visible in 21 cm absorption against the cosmic microwave background (CMB), with a strength that depends on the thermal (and ionization) history of the IGM. Here we examine the constraints this background can place on dark matter decay and annihilation, which could heat and ionize the IGM through the production of high-energy particles. Using a simple model for dark matter decay, we show that, if the decay energy is immediately injected into the IGM, the 21 cm background can detect energy injection rates>~10^-24 eV cm^-3 sec^-1. If all the dark matter is subject to decay, this allows us to constrain dark matter lifetimes<~10^27 sec. Such energy injection rates are much smaller than those typically probed by the CMB power spectra. The expected brightness temperature fluctuations at z~50 are a fraction of a mK and can vary from the standard calculation by up to an order of magnitude, although the difference can be significantly smaller if some of the decay products free stream to lower redshifts. For self-annihilating dark matter, the fluctuation amplitude can differ by a factor<~2 from the standard calculation at z~50. Note also that, in contrast to the CMB, the 21 cm probe is sensitive to both the ionization fraction and the IGM temperature, in principle allowing better constraints on the decay process and heating history. We also show that strong IGM heating and ionization can lead to an enhanced H2 abundance, which may affect the earliest generations of stars and galaxies.
A sociological look at biofuels: ethanol in the early decades of the twentieth century and lessons for today.

This article develops a broad sociological understanding of why biofuels lost out to leaded gasoline as the fuel par excellence of the twentieth century, while drawing comparisons with biofuels today. It begins by briefly discussing the fuel-scape in the United States in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, examining the farm chemurgic movement, New Deal agricultural policies, mechanization trends within agriculture, and, finally, the invention of leaded gasoline. The second half of the article applies insights from that historical analysis to the biofuel craze currently under way. By employing a political-economy interpretation of the socioeconomic context combined with a path-dependency-informed analysis of the technological trajectories, the article reveals the social forces that structured the trends and outcomes in biofuel innovations across the two eras.
PPVT IQ validity in adults: A measure of vocabulary, not of intelligence

Used partial correlation and multiple regression procedures to test the hypothesis that the PPVT IQ assesses more than vocabulary in adults. Ss were 84 inpatients from psychiatry and neurology wards. The relationships between the PPVT IQ and other measures of vocabulary, intelligence, memory, visual-motor speed and education were examined in the statistical analyses. Although these variables have significant simple correlations with the PPVT IQ, the multivariate analyses show that the Vocabulary Subtest of the WAIS-R is the only important variable. No other variable or variable combinations are able to account for further PPVT IQ variance after the effect of the Vocabulary Subtest is removed. The results support the use of the PPVT as a test of adult vocabulary, but not adult intelligence, and suggest that the PPVT may be useful as part of language assessment in patients with expressive language disorders.
Plasticizer effects on physical-mechanical properties of solvent cast Soluplus® films.

Soluplus® is a novel amphiphilic polymer that has been shown to enhance the solubility and drug dissolution rate of poorly soluble drugs. However, there still is a lack of information regarding the physical mechanical properties of Soluplus® with addition of the plasticizers. This study characterized the mechanical properties of Soluplus® with four different plasticizers. The plasticizers selected were polyethylene glycol 6, triethyl citrate, propylene glycol, and glycerin; they were studied at three different levels (15%, 20%, and 25% w/w). The effects of these plasticizers on the glass transition temperature, tensile strength, percent elongation, and Young’s modulus of free films made from Soluplus® were measured and the toughness and ratio of tensile strength to Young’s modulus were calculated. These results showed these four plasticizers are capable to plasticizing Soluplus® as indicated by the glass transition temperature lowering, tensile strength, and Young’s modulus while increasing the percent elongation and film toughness. Among the plasticizers tested, polyethylene glycol 6 showed greatest changed in the mechanical properties studied.
Direct Ξ decay and muonium-antimuonium transitions

It now seems certain that the mass difference between K(1)0 and K(2)0 is quite small ( | δm | < 10^(-5) ev with 95% confidence (1)). Okun' and Pontecorvo (2) discuss a connection between δm and the existence of ΔS = 2 weak interactions. They show how such an interaction, if as strong as the ΔS = 1 weak interactions, might lead to a mass splitting of the order of electron volts.
Generation of Radiation Transport Geometry from Computer-Generated Design Data

Monte Carlo simulation is a valuable tool for analyzing radiation effects in three-dimensional objects. Generating the geometry data necessary for describing solids to the simulation programs can be tedious and time consuming, and it is extremely error-prone. A faster, more accurate method of defining geometry data would speed up the radiation transport analysis process sufficiently for the analysis results to influence design. For computer-generated design data, manually defining the geometry data for radiation transport programs is an unnecessary step if software to translate the data into an appropriate format for the radiation transport calculations is available. This paper will present work on the translation of a particular type of computer-generated design data to a format suitable for the MORSE radiation transport code and will discuss applications for its use in radiation transport calculations.
Something's got to give: psychiatric disease on the rise and novel drug development on the decline

Research and development of drugs for psychiatric disease is currently in a state of decline. Despite the increasing prevalence and healthcare costs of psychiatric disease, the costly and unpredictable drug development process has led to decreased public and investor confidence in the abilities of companies to develop safe and efficacious drugs. Industrial research in this disease area is therefore being scaled back owing to various scientific, corporate, financial and legal factors. This review will consider how these factors contribute to the current status of psychiatric drug development and offer several avenues forward to spur reinvestment in this type of research. Such a shift is needed to reduce the burden psychiatric disease imposes on the healthcare system and its patient populations.
Amino acid sequence of a peptide containing an essential cysteine residue of pig heart aconitase.

Abstract Pig heart aconitase reacts with one mole of phenacyl bromide per molecule to give complete inactivation due to the alkylation of a cysteine residue at the active site. A tryptic peptide containing this essential residue has been isolated and its amino acid sequence determined as Ile-Gln-Leu-Leu-Cys ∗-Pro-Leu-Leu-Asn-Gln-Phe-Asp-Lys by manual methods and by the use of an automated solid phase sequencer. There is a limited similarity in amino acid sequence between this peptide and other peptides containing the cysteine residues involved in the binding of the iron-sulfur clusters of high-potential iron-sulfur protein of Rhodopseudomonas gelatinosa and rubredoxins from various bacteria.
Thermodynamic Evaluation of Solar Integration into a Natural Gas Combined Cycle Power Plant

Abstract The term integrated solar combined-cycle (ISCC) has been used to define the combination of solar thermal energy into a natural gas combined-cycle (NGCC) power plant. Based on a detailed thermodynamic cycle model for a reference ISCC plant, the impact of solar addition is thoroughly evaluated for a wide range of input parameters such as solar thermal input and ambient temperature. It is shown that solar hybridization into an NGCC plant may give rise to a substantial benefit from a thermodynamic point of view. The work here also indicates that a significant solar contribution may be achieved in an ISCC plant, thus implying substantial fuel savings and environmental benefits.
N-Acetyl-S-(N,N-diethylcarbamoyl) cysteine in rat nucleus accumbens, medial prefrontal cortex, and in rat and human plasma after disulfiram administration

Disulfiram (DSF), a treatment for alcohol use disorders, has shown some clinical effectiveness in treating addiction to cocaine, nicotine, and pathological gambling. The mechanism of action of DSF for treating these addictions is unclear but it is unlikely to involve the inhibition of liver aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2). DSF is a pro-drug and forms a number of metabolites, one of which is N-acetyl-S-(N,N-diethylcarbamoyl) cysteine (DETC-NAC). Here we describe a LCMS/MS method on a QQQ type instrument to quantify DETC-NAC in plasma and intracellular fluid from mammalian brain. An internal standard, the N,N-di-isopropylcarbamoyl homolog (MIM: 291>128) is easily separable from DETC-NAC (MIM: 263>100) on C18 RP media with a methanol gradient. The method's linear range is 0.5-500 nM from plasma and dialysate salt solution with all precisions better than 10% RSD. DETC-NAC and internal standards were recovered at better than 95% from all matrices, perchloric acid precipitation (plasma) or formic acid addition (salt) and is stable in plasma or salt at low pH for up to 24 h. Stability is observed through three freeze-thaw cycles per day for 7 days. No HPLC peak area matrix effect was greater than 10%. A human plasma sample from a prior analysis for S-(N,N-diethylcarbamoyl) glutathione (CARB) was found to have DETC NAC as well. In other human plasma samples from 62.5 mg/d and 250 mg/d dosing, CARB concentration peaks at 0.3 and 4 nM at 3 h followed by DETC-NAC peaks of 11 and 70 nM 2 h later. Employing microdialysis sampling, DETC-NAC levels in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and plasma of rats treated with DSF reached 1.1, 2.5 and 80 nM at 6h. The correlation between the appearance and long duration of DETC-NAC concentration in rat brain and the persistence of DSF-induced changes in neurotransmitters observed by Faiman et al. (Neuropharmacology, 2013, 75C, 95-105) is discussed.
Sensors: Bypassing the diffusion limit

The detection of ultralow concentrations of molecules using nanoscale optical sensors is hindered by the difficulty in bringing the two into contact, where diffusion acts on impractical timescales. Fortunately, introducing plasmonic structures to super-hydrophobic surfaces may offer a way around this problem.
Asymptotic evaluation of two families of integrals

In this paper the integrals fmv(τ) = ∝0∞ exp[−(t + τ)]tv(ln t)m(t + τ)−1 dt andgmv(τ) = ∝0∞ exp[− ¦ − τ ¦]tv(ln t)m(t − τ)−1 dt are investigated for positive real values of the variable τ. Here, m is a nonnegative integer, v is a complex variable with Re(v) > −1. Both integrals are related to the complex integral Φmγ(z) = ∝0∞exp[−(t − z)]t−γ(ln t)m(t − z)−1 dt with 0 ⩽ Re(γ) < 1, the behavior of which is analyzed in detail. The results are applied to obtain asymptotic representations for fmn(τ) and gmn(τ), m and n both nonnegative integers, near τ = 0. The latter integrals play a role in the study of the equations of neutron transport and radiative transfer.
Pemphigus in the XXI Century: New life to an old story

In this new century of pemphigus research, the search for novel treatments is switching from a monospecific approach, focused on immunosuppression, to a polyspecific approach that includes drugs acting on novel pathophysiologic pathways. Current research argues that acantholysis in pemphigus occurs as an active process resulting from intracellular signaling triggered as a result of IgG binding to the keratinocyte membrane antigens in a receptor-ligand fashion. Recent progress regarding the pathophysiology of pemphigus acantholysis led to, or was accompanied by, breakthrough discoveries of safer treatments. Both the identification of cell-surface receptors to acetylcholine among the nondesmoglein (Dsg) targets for pemphigus antibodies, and the elucidation of the cholinergic control of keratinocyte cell adhesion provide an explanation for the therapeutic efficacy of cholinomimetics in patients with pemphigus. In patients' skin, Fas-L, TNFalpha, and, probably, IL-1alpha act as autocrine/paracrine co-factors for anti-keratinocyte IgG. Thus, it appears that an array of interconnected signaling cascades is responsible for acantholysis and cell death in pemphigus. Future studies should define the signaling pathways mediating acantholysis that occur in individual pemphigus patients and identify the membrane proteins (receptors) triggering signaling along a specific pathway upon their ligation by autoantibodies. It will be important to determine which pathway 1) leads directly to a loss of cell-cell adhesion (primary pathway), 2) which is being activated due to cell shrinkage/detachment (secondary pathway), 3) which contributes to utilization of altered proteins and organelles (scavenging pathway), and 4) which represents the cell defense (protective pathway). To dissect out the signaling pathways originating from binding of pemphigus IgG to non-Dsg targets on the keratinocyte plasma membrane experiments should be performed in cultures of murine keratinocytes grown from the Dsg3-/- mice or human keratinocytes with the knocked-down expression of the Dsg1 and/or Dsg3 gene by the RNA interference.
Cosine effect in Mössbauer spectroscopy involving a source of non-zero radius

Abstract A probability function giving the effect of experimental geometry on the distribution of Doppler velocities for γ-photons emitted from the surface of a disc-shaped source is derived in detail. A discussion of some important points concerning the use of the function is included.
Differential Impact of Deterrence vs. Rehabilitation as Drug Interventions on Recidivism after 36 Months.

Abstract Deterrence through pain infliction and rehabilitation through therapy and training are often conceptualized as competing practices in crime control. With the resurgence of the diversion movement and therapeutic justice, increasingly more offenders are exposed to a particular combination of incarceration and treatment. Even for offenders diverted into community-based treatment, incarceration remains a central part of their criminal justice experiences. Do incarceration and treatment exercise complementary or conflicting crime reduction effects in drug-addicted offenders who have been both incarcerated and treated? Data from 263 participants of Brooklyn's Drug Treatment Alternative-to-Incarceration program showed that although all subjects were exposed to both incarceration and residential drug treatment, only treatment decreased the likelihood of recidivism. No evidence of deterrence was found, and there were some indications of the criminogenic influence of incarceration among studied subjects. P...
High-Frequency Franz-Keldysh Effect

Theoretical analysis of the electric-field perturbation of optical properties exhibited by a semiconductor in the spectral region near the energy gap is extended to the case of very high-frequency applied fields. The transition rate due to incident photons of energy $\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\Omega}$ approximating the energy gap of the material is found to be modulated at a basic frequency of $2\ensuremath{\omega}$, where $\ensuremath{\omega}$ is the frequency of the applied field. Components of the current associated with these transitions have frequencies of $\ensuremath{\Omega}\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2n\ensuremath{\omega}$ and $(2n+1)\ensuremath{\omega}$. These may be regarded as sources for sidebands and harmonics of the applied radiations. The compatability of these results with both the low-frequency Franz-Keldysh effect and the two-photon absorption process is demonstrated; in addition, an example selected to lie in the intermediate range where neither of the latter explanations is appropriate is analyzed.
Kinematic analysis of shear zones in sandstone and mudstone of the Shimanto belt, Shikoku, SW Japan

Abstract I describe kinematic criteria for sense-of-shear in unmetamorphosed interbedded sandstone and mudstone of the Tertiary Shimanto accretionary complex at Ariigawa, Kǒchi Prefecture. In certain zones parallel to bedding and up to several meters wide, sandstone layers with internal bedding-parallel turbidite laminations are broken into blocky rectangular fragments or inclusions. Many inclusions rotated counterclockwise and so indicate a sinistral sense-of-shear with respect to the present orientation of bedding. Asymmetric folds corroborate this interpretation. Amounts of rotation are variable and are inversely proportional to the axial ratios of fragments. Fragments with axial ratios greater than about 4–6 did not rotate, while those with ratios between 4 and 1 record progressively greater maximum rotations. These observations accord with theoretical and experimental analyses describing the behavior of rigid inclusions in a matrix subjected to simultaneous simple shear and pure shear. The data from the Shimanto suggest that: (1) the rotation-inducing deformation included a coaxial component and departed from strictly non-coaxial simple shear; and (2) total shear strains were of the order of 3–5.
Biological Material in Meteorites: A Review

Chemical composition of meteorites and micropaleontological evidence of existing meteoric biological carbonaceous chondrites
Clues or Miscues? How to Make the Right Interpretation and Correctly Diagnose Long-QT Syndrome

The congenital long-QT syndrome (LQTS) is an inherited condition associated with a prolongation of the QT interval on the ECG characterized by syncope, seizures, and sudden death secondary to ventricular arrhythmia, specifically torsade de pointes.1 LQTS is particularly notable because it affects seemingly healthy children and young adults, often with no apparent serious health issues. Unfortunately, LQTS may present dramatically with sudden cardiac death in 10% of children and syncope or seizures in 30% to 40% as the first symptom.2 Importantly, although LQTS has a high mortality when not diagnosed and treated, the currently available therapies are very effective in preventing sudden cardiac death.3 Thus, making the correct diagnosis in as many individuals with LQTS as possible before life-threatening symptoms emerge is critical. Article p 2613 The condition now designated as LQTS was first described as the Jervell Lange-Nielson syndrome (LQTS with hearing deficit) in 1957.4 A few years later, the Romano Ward syndrome was described (LQTS with normal hearing).5,6 In 1979, the International LQTS Registry was established. Much of the information about LQTS, correlations between genotype and phenotype, risk stratification, and treatment of LQTS stems from information gleaned from this registry and other large cohorts.7–11 Identification of the gene mutations in cardiac ion channels in the 1990s led to further understanding of LQTS. At least 9 genes have been identified that encode for proteins that modulate ion channel structure, function, and signaling or trafficking; alter cardiac repolarization; and increase the risk for ventricular arrhythmias.3,12 The identified genes are thought to represent 70% of the mutations that cause LQTS, with others yet to be identified or their location on identified genes yet to be found. The authors13 of “Diagnostic Miscues in Congenital Long-QT Syndrome” in this issue of Circulation have illustrated many …