cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Primary Care Quality and Subsequent Emergency Department Utilization for Children in Wisconsin Medicaid

Objective Children enrolled in Medicaid have disproportionately high emergency department (ED) visit rates. Despite the growing importance of patient reported quality-of-care assessments, little is known about the association between parent-reported quality of primary care and ED utilization for these high-risk children. Our goal was to determine the association between parent-reported primary care quality and subsequent ED utilization for children in Medicaid. Methods We studied a retrospective cohort of children enrolled in Wisconsin Medicaid. Parents of children sampled during fall 2002 and fall 2004 completed Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems surveys assessing their child's primary care quality in 3 domains: family centeredness, timeliness, and realized access. Primary outcomes were the rates of subsequent nonurgent and urgent ED visits, extracted from claims data for the year after survey completion. Negative binomial regression was used to determine the association between the domains of care and ED utilization. Results A total of 5468 children were included. High-quality family centeredness was associated with a 27% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 11%–40%) lower nonurgent ED visit rate, but no lowering of the urgent visit rate. High-quality timeliness was associated with 18% (95% CI, 3%–31%) lower nonurgent and 18% (95% CI, 1%–33%) lower urgent visit rates. High-quality realized access was associated with a 27% (95% CI, 8%–43%) lower nonurgent visit rate and a 33% (95% CI, 14%–48%) lower urgent visit rate. Conclusions Parent-reported high-quality timeliness, family centeredness, and realized access for a publicly insured child are associated with lower nonurgent ED, with high-quality timeliness and realized access associated with lower urgent ED utilization.
Bridging the app gap: An examination of a professional development initiative on mobile learning in urban schools

Abstract In this study we present a professional development initiative aimed at helping urban teachers in low-income underserved schools in the U.S. learn how to utilize iPads (a representative mobile device) and educational apps (software programs that run on mobile devices) to support teaching and learning. Subsequently, we examine the ways in which four case study teachers utilized iPads and educational apps in their classrooms to support their students' learning experiences. Data included observations of professional development activities, classroom observations, teacher interviews, and student focus groups. Findings revealed that students used iPads and educational apps to (a) access online content, (b) create learning artifacts, and (c) reinforce content learning through personalized instruction. Findings also indicated that use of iPads and educational apps supported student academic growth and empowerment. Results have implications for mobile learning researchers, practitioners, and policy makers, particularly those charged with the design and implementation of professional development programs.
Kinetics of the oxidation of methanol: Experimental results semi-global modeling and mechanistic concepts

Methanol was oxidized in an adiabatic, turbulent flow reactor having plug flow characteristics that allow for chemical sampling with high spatial resolution. Experiments were performed at atmospheric pressure, in the initial temperature and equivalence ratio ranges of 950–1030 K and 0.03–3.16 respectively. Major products included CO, CO2, and H2O with smaller amounts of H2 and HCHO. Trace quantities of hydrocarbon products were observed at the more fuel rich equivalence ratios. Using semiglobal modeling techniques, the disappearance rate of methanol in the lean region ( − d [ C H 3 OH ] / d t = 10 11.53 ± 0.76 exp ⁡ [ ( − 54800 ± 2900 ) / RT ] [ C H 3 OH ] 0.81 ± 0.03 for 1000 ≤ T ≤ 1120 K while the rich data (>1.0) were slightly better represented by − d [ C H 3 OH ] / d t = 10 31.54 ± 0.96 exp ⁡ [ ( − 123000 ± 4500 ) / RT ] [ C H 3 OH ] 1.55 ± 0.11 for 1000 ≤ T ≤ 1075 Mechanistic features have been deduced, both from the data and these correlations, and contribute support for a proposed twenty-eight step elementary reaction mechanism.
Universality of velocity spectra

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to present unified spectral models for the three-component velocity fluctuations observed in wind-tunnel generated shear flows and in the atmospheric boundary layer. Presently, only empirical models exist whose coefficients are based on the matching of these models with observed spectra. A general spectral model is presented which can be closely matched to velocity spectra observed both in the laboratory and in the atmospheric boundary layer, with the latter developed over a variety of upwind terrain conditions. For velocity spectra observed over flat, smooth and uniform (FSU) terrain, the model simplifies sufficiently to allow evaluation of the coefficients and the exponents. Here the term “smooth” does not require the surface to be “hydraulically smooth”. The latter is defined as a surface for which the size of the surface roughness elements are immersed in the viscous sublayer and therefore must be smaller than 5 v / U * . In the current context the term “smooth” assumes the terrain to be covered with low vegetation. Terrain with a scattering of nearly equally spaced roughness elements, as may be the case in rural areas, can be considered flat and uniform but not smooth. Two spectral models can be recognized: a “blunt” and a “pointed” model for which the unknown coefficients can be evaluated based on the integral requirement and marching in the inertial subrange once the turbulence ratios S a / U * are specified. “Regional” parameters such as the horizontal velocity variances, S a 2 , and the corresponding turbulence integral scales, L x a , should not be used for nondimensionalizing the velocity spectra. (The subscript or superscript a refers to the three velocity components u , v and w , respectively.) Instead “local” parameters such as the friction velocity, U * , and height above the surface, z , must be preferred.
Ultracytochemistry of cholera-toxin binding sites in ciliary processes

Cholera toxin reduces the rate of formation of aqueous humor in concentrations (10−11 M) that do not disturb the morphology of the aqueoushumor forming epithelial cells of the ciliary processes of the rabbit eye. The search for an endogenous mediator of aqueous-humor formation comparable to cholera toxin in its mode of operation prompted us to map the distribution of cell surface receptors for cholera toxin in the ciliary processes of the eyes of rabbits. Cytochemical studies were carried out with the use of conjugates of cholera toxin to fluorescein isothiocyanate (CT-FITC) and to horseradish peroxidase (CT-HRP), and of the B subunit of cholera toxin to horseradish peroxidase (B-HRP). Multiple fluorescent CT-FITC binding sites were observed on the outer nonpigmented epithelial layer near the crests of the processes. Processes incubated with CT-HRP in vitro showed surface staining of 30–40% of the nonpigmented epithelial cells. A prominent reaction product was observed along the basal and lateral plasma membranes of these cells. In vivo studies carried out after arterial infusion of B-HRP showed a reproducible dense reaction product between the apical surfaces of the pigmented epithelium (PE) and of the nonpigmented epithelium (NPE) facing each other. Aggregations of reaction product were observed with the electron microscope in the extracellular space between the apices of PE and NPE. The apical plasma membrane of the endothelium of the blood vessels near the crests of the ciliary processes was stained after either in vivo or in vitro exposure to peroxidase conjugates. These findings indicate that the cell-surface receptors which mediate the action of cholera toxin on aqueous humor formation are very likely localized in the apical plasma membranes of the epithelium of the ciliary processes.
Nonlinear dynamics of oscillators with bilinear hysteresis and sinusoidal excitation

Abstract The transient and steady-state response of an oscillator with hysteretic restoring force and sinusoidal excitation are investigated. Hysteresis is modeled by using the bilinear model of Caughey with a hybrid system formulation. A novel method for obtaining the exact transient and steady-state response of the system is discussed. Stability and bifurcations of periodic orbits are studied using Poincare maps. Results are compared with asymptotic expansions obtained by Caughey. The bilinear hysteretic element is found to act like a ‘soft spring’. Several sub-harmonic resonances are found in the system, however, no chaotic behavior is observed. Away from the sub-harmonic resonance the asymptotic expansions and the exact steady-state response of the system are seen to match with good accuracy.
Pediatric Urology: Technical Considerations in the Repair of Cloacal Vaginal Deformities

Various techniques of vaginal repair used in the reconstruction of cloacal deformities are discussed. In 4 years we performed primary reconstruction of cloacal anomalies in 4 children, 3 of whom had hydrocolpos and 1 vaginal agenesis. Vaginal reconstruction was done using a variety of techniques tailored to the primary anomaly. Distal vaginal occlusion related to ischemia occurred in 2 patients and in both the vagina was successfully reconstructed at a second stage procedure. Overall cosmetic and functional results were good. All patients are dry but require clean intermittent catheterization and 3 currently require a bowel regimen at followup of 18 months to 4 years.
Theoretical bounds of majority voting performance for a binary classification problem

A number of earlier studies that have attempted a theoretical analysis of majority voting assume independence of the classifiers. We formulate the majority voting problem as an optimization problem with linear constraints. No assumptions on the independence of classifiers are made. For a binary classification problem, given the accuracies of the classifiers in the team, the theoretical upper and lower bounds for performance obtained by combining them through majority voting are shown to be solutions of the corresponding optimization problem. The objective function of the optimization problem is nonlinear in the case of an even number of classifiers when rejection is allowed, for the other cases the objective function is linear and hence the problem is a linear program (LP). Using the framework we provide some insights and investigate the relationship between two candidate classifier diversity measures and majority voting performance.
An Alarms Climatology of Gulf of California Moisture Surges and the Associated Precipitation, 1993-2004

This study applies the ALARMS (Assessing Low-level AtmospheRic Moisture using Soundings) method to 12 years of data from Phoenix, Arizona; Tucson, Arizona; Yuma, Arizona; and Empalme, Mexico, in order to establish a climatology of low-level moisture surges from the Gulf of California and their effects on precipitation. There are 64 events detected using the available data, and data inventories are used to estimate the actual number of events that occurred at each station for every year. Surge totals are con- sistent with previous research. Interseasonal variability cannot be significantly related to ENSO, but intraseasonal variability appears to be related to certain phases of the MJO. Composite soundings illustrate the atmospheric profile of typical surges, and it is clear that surface moisture values at Yuma, Arizona, are not consistent with moisture content in the low levels above the surface. Precipitation analyses show that increased low-level mois- ture significantly increases the amount of rainfall at each gauge as well as the number of stations receiving measurable precipitation. Also, rainfall is more likely on days with higher dewpoints, and gulf surges appear to significantly increase precipitation across the study area. (Key words: monsoon, moisture surge, Gulf of California, Arizona.)
Regulation of EGFR trafficking and cell signaling by Sprouty2 and MIG6 in lung cancer cells

The duration and specificity of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation and signaling are determinants of cellular decision processes and are tightly regulated by receptor dephosphorylation, internalization and degradation. In addition, regulatory proteins that are upregulated or activated post-transcriptionally upon receptor activation may initiate feedback loops that play crucial roles in spatiotemporal regulation of signaling. We examined the roles of Sprouty2 (SPRY2) and mitogen-inducible gene 6 (MIG6), two feedback regulators of EGFR trafficking and signaling, in lung cancer cells with or without EGFR-activating mutations. These mutations are of interest because they confer unusual cellular sensitivity to EGFR inhibition through a mechanism involving an impairment of EGFR endocytosis. We found that the endocytosis of wild-type and mutant EGFR was promoted by SPRY2 knockdown and antagonized by MIG6 knockdown. SPRY2 knockdown also significantly reduced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, EGFR expression, and EGFR recycling. In a cell line expressing mutant EGFR, this effect on ERK led to a marked increase in cell death response to EGFR inhibition. The effects of SPRY2 knockdown on EGFR endocytosis and recycling were primarily the result of the concomitant change in EGFR expression, but this was not true for the observed changes in ERK phosphorylation. Thus, our study demonstrates that SPRY2 and MIG6 are important regulators of wild-type and mutant EGFR trafficking and points to an EGFR expression-independent function of SPRY2 in the regulation of ERK activity that may impact cellular sensitivity to EGFR inhibitors, especially in the context of EGFR mutation.
Imaging of Temporal Bone Trauma

Temporal bone trauma is commonly seen in patients with craniofacial injury and can be detected using multidetector computed tomography. A thorough understanding of the different types of temporal bone fracture patterns is needed to accurately describe the trajectory of injury as well as anticipated complications. Fractures should be described based on direction, segment of temporal bone involved, as well as involvement of the otic capsule. More importantly, the radiologist plays an integral role in identifying complications of temporal bone injury, which often have significant clinical implications.
Reply to “Risks of ‘Blind' Automated Identification Systems in Medical Microbiology”

We thank [Mancini et al.][1] for their correspondence ([1][2]) in relation to both their and our recent publications ([2][3], [3][4]). Mancini et al. raise the concern that if clinical microbiology laboratories are unable to modify/enhance automated identification system databases, in particular
Sick/Beautiful/Freak: Nonmainstream Body Modification and the Social Construction of Deviance

Nonmainstream body modification practitioners actively demonstrate a confounding agency that often results in the stigmatization of their physical characteristics, their moral constitution, and the...
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Brucella abortus is less toxic than that from Escherichia coli, suggesting the possible use of B. abortus or LPS from B. abortus as a carrier in vaccines.

Brucella abortus may be useful as a component of vaccines. This is because it possesses several unique properties as a carrier that enable it to stimulate human B cells even in the relative absence of T cells. Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 proteins conjugated to B. abortus could induce neutralizing antibodies against human immunodeficiency virus type 1. Recently we showed that the characteristics of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from B. abortus are similar to those of the whole bacterium in that the LPS acts as a T-independent type 1 carrier in mice. In this study we wanted to determine whether LPS derived from B. abortus is associated with the adverse effects seen with other bacterial endotoxins. LPS purified from B. abortus by butanol extraction was shown to have less than 2% (wt/wt) contamination by protein and less than 1% (wt/wt) contamination by nucleic acids and to contain 1% (wt/wt) ketodeoxyoctanic acid. Compared with LPS derived from Escherichia coli, B. abortus LPS was 10,000-fold less potent in eliciting fever in rabbits, 268-fold less potent in killing D-galactosamine-sensitized mice, and 1,400-fold and 400-fold less potent in inducing interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha production, respectively. These results suggest that B. abortus LPS is much less likely than the LPS from E. coli to evoke endotoxic shock; therefore, it may be feasible to incorporate B. abortus as a component of vaccines. Images
The Confessions of Montaigne

Montaigne rarely repented and he viewed confession—both juridical and ecclesiastical—with skepticism. Confession, Montaigne believed, forced a mode of self-representation onto the speaker that was inevitably distorting. Repentance, moreover, made claims about self-transformation that Montaigne found improbable. This article traces these themes in the context of Montaigne’s Essays, with particular attention to “On Some Verses of Virgil” and argues that, for Montaigne, a primary concern was finding a means of describing a self that he refused to reduce, as had Augustine and many other writers before and after him, to the homo interior.
Approaching Capacity on Noncoherent Block Fading Channels with Successive Decoding

A receiver structure that uses decision feedback and successive decoding is proposed for a noncoherent channel with independent block fading. The transceiver employs a block interleaver to decompose the channel into a set of independent fading sub-channels. LDPC codes are used on each sub-channel, and the decoded data are fed back to help in channel estimation. Simulation results indicate that the performance of the proposed system is within 0.7 dB of the Shannon capacity of the binary-input block fading channel.
Arsenic, Stem Cells, and the Developmental Basis of Adult Cancer

That chemical insults or nutritive changes during in utero and/or postnatal life can emerge as diseases much later in life are now being accepted as a recurring phenomenon. In this regard, inorganic arsenic is a multisite human carcinogen found at high levels in the drinking water of millions of people, although it has been difficult until recently to produce tumors in rodents with this metalloid. A mouse transplacental model has been developed where maternal exposure to inorganic arsenic either acts as a complete carcinogen or enhances carcinogenic response to other agents given subsequently in the offspring, producing tumors during adulthood. Similarly, human data now have emerged showing that arsenic exposure during the in utero period and/or in early life is associated with cancer in adulthood. The mouse arsenic transplacental model produces tumors or enhances response to other agents in multiple strains and tissues, including sites concordant with human targets of arsenic carcinogenesis. It is now believed that cancer often is a stem cell (SC)-based disease, and there is no reason to think cancer induced by developmental chemical exposure is any different. Indeed, arsenic impacts human SC population dynamics in vitro by blocking exit into differentiation pathways and whereby creating more key targets for transformation. In fact, during in vitro malignant transformation, arsenic causes a remarkable survival selection of SCs, creating a marked overabundance of cancer SCs (CSCs) compared with other carcinogens once a cancer phenotype is obtained. In addition, skin cancers produced following in utero arsenic exposure in mice are highly enriched in CSCs. Thus, arsenic impacts key, long-lived SC populations as critical targets to cause or facilitate later oncogenic events in adulthood as a possible mechanism of developmental basis of adult disease.
Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) Impact on Water Quality and Environmental Ecosystem in the Harlem River

The Harlem River, a 9.3-mile channel that flows from the Hudson River to the East River, has experienced decades of industrial abuse and remains gritty and industrial. During heavy rains, the pipes discharge raw sewage into the river through combined sewer overflows (CSOs) that can contain bacteria and cause illness. Water samples were collected from CSO discharge point and several adjacent sites along the river in the Bronx side close to River Park Towers at Richman Plaza and Manhattan side at Wards Island. Nutrients, bacteria, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and fish consumption safety have been analyzed. Results showed that phosphorus, ammonia concentration as well as fecal coliform, E.Coli, enterococcus levels increased significantly during heavy rainstorms. Ammonia concentration was up to 2.725 mg/L during tropical storm Arthur on July 2, 2014 and rainstorm in May 2013, and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) or orthophosphate was up to 0.197 mg/L during heavy thunderstorm in April 2011; both nutrients were exceeded EPA regulation for ammonia (0.23 mg/L) and phosphate (0.033 mg/L) for New York City (NYC) waters. The colonies of fecal coliform were more than 5 million MPN/100ml (most probable number per 100 ml) during tropical storm Arthur in July 2014 and heavy rainstorm in April 2014, and fecal coliform was more than 10,000 MPN/100ml during storm in July and November 2013; E.Coli reached more than 5000 MPN/100ml during tropical storm Arthur and storm in May 2013; enterococcus reached more than 10,000 MPN/100ml during tropical storm Arthur and heavy rainstorm in April 2014. These bacteria (pathogen) levels in the Harlem River were significantly higher than EPA standards (fecal coliform: 200 MPN/100ml, E.Coli: 126 MPN/100ml, enterococcus: 104 MPN/100ml), especially during rainstorm/tropical storm. Of particular significance, nutrients and bacteria were analyzed before and after Hurricane Sandy devastated NYC in late October 2012; results determined that bacteria and ammonia concentrations increased after this monumental storm, elucidating the environmental impact of large storm events. PCB 11 (3,3’-dichlorobiphenyl,
Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning at local and regional spatial scales

Local niche complementarity among species (the partitioning of species based upon niche differentiation) is predicted to affect local ecosystem functioning positively. However, recent theory predicts that greater local diversity may hinder local ecosystem functioning when diversity is enhanced through source–sink dynamics. We suggest community assembly as a way to incorporate both the local and regional processes that determine biodiversity and its consequent effects on ecosystem functioning. From this, we propose a hump-shaped relationship between diversity and ecosystem functioning at local scales, but a linear increase of functioning with diversity at regional scales due to regional complementarity.
Improved conversion of plant oils and animal fats into biodiesel and co-product

Increased environmental awareness and depletion of resources are driving industry to develop alternative fuels from renewable resources that are environmentally more acceptable. Esters of fatty acids (biodiesel), derived from the transesterification of vegetable oils, have properties similar to components of petroleum-based diesel fuel. Cost has been a major factor slowing the commercialization of biodiesel. Glycerol is the co-product of the esterification process. In this work the feasibility of the glycerolysis of vegetable oils with crude glycerol derived from the transesterification of vegetable oils and animal fats was studied. Utilization of the crude co-product of the biodiesel process was investigated for improving the overall economy. The transesterification of soybean oil for fuel purposes was optimized. Optimization results are presented. Transesterification of beef tallow produces a mixture of esters which is more concentrated in the saturated fatty acids. Physical properties of these esters are similar to esters of soybean oil. Reaction results and properties for esters of beef tallow are presented.
Methods to Assess the Seismic Collapse Capacity of Building Structures: State of the Art

The collapses of building structures during recent earthquakes have raised many questions regarding the adequacy of current seismic provisions to prevent a partial or total collapse. They have also brought up questions as to how to determine the collapse safety margin of structures, what is the inherent collapse safety margin in code-designed structures, and how to strengthen structures to effectively augment such margin. The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive review of the analytical methods that are currently available to assess the capacity of building structures to resist an earthquake collapse, point out the limitations of these methods, describe past experimental work in which specimens are tested to collapse, and identify what is required for an accurate evaluation of the seismic collapse capacity of a structure and the safety margin against such a collapse. It is contended that further research is needed before the collapse capacities of structures and their safety margin against collapse may be evaluated with confidence.
Contribution of the RpoA C-Terminal Domain to Stimulation of the Salmonella enterica hilA Promoter by HilC and HilD

Expression of invasion genes in Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1) is mainly driven by the transcriptional activator HilA. Transcription of hilA is subject to complex control and is stimulated by the SPI-1-encoded HilC and HilD proteins. The C-terminal domain of RpoA contributes to hilA activation by HilC/D under certain inducing conditions.
Influence of environmental factors on slender amaranth (Amaranthus viridis) germination

Abstract Germination response of slender amaranth to temperature, solution pH, moisture stress, and depth of emergence was evaluated under controlled environmental conditions. Results indicated that 30 C was the optimum constant temperature for germination. Germination of slender amaranth seed at 21 d was similar, with 35/25, 35/20, 30/25, and 30/20 alternating temperature regimes. As temperatures in alternating regimes increased, time to onset of germination decreased and rate of germination increased. Slender amaranth germination was greater with acidic than with basic pH conditions. Germination declined with increasing water stress and was completely inhibited at water potentials below −0.6 MPa. Slender amaranth emergence was greatest at depths of 0.5 to 2 cm, but some seeds emerged from as deep as 6 cm. Information gained in this study will contribute to an integrated control program for slender amaranth. Nomenclature: Slender amaranth, Amaranthus viridis L. AMAVI.
Unintentional Injuries in Pediatrics

1. Karen Judy, MD* 1. *Pediatric Program Director, Vice Chair of Education, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL. After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Describe the role that unintentional injuries play in the morbidity and mortality of children. 2. List the risk factors that predispose children and adolescents to the risk of death from a motor vehicle crash. 3. Detail strategies to counsel parents effectively about bicycle safety. 4. Describe the safety measures that need to be taken to reduce the risk of drowning in children. 5. Discuss preventive measures with parents that can reduce the likelihood of scald burns occurring in the home. 6. Recite the national poison control number. 7. Detail strategies to avoid accidental firearm injuries in the home. Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children in the United States. The definition of an injury is “tissue damage secondary to acute exposure (inadvertent or deliberate) to physical agents (eg, thermal, kinetic, chemical, or electrical energy, or water) or chemicals (eg, poisoning).” Unintentional injuries are not accidents because they are understandable, predictable, and preventable occurrences. In the United States, injuries kill more children between the ages of 1 and 19 years than all other causes combined (Table 1). Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Childhood Injury Report indicate that 20 children die every day from preventable injuries. (1) The problem is even more profound in developing countries, where more than 95% of deaths occur from injury, accounting for nearly 1 million deaths annually. Injuries also result in significant childhood morbidity. It is estimated that 1 in 4 children sustains an unintentional injury that requires medical care each year. Injuries produce acute morbidity, short- and long-term disability, and high medical costs; United …
''We Want Respect'': Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Address Respect in Research

Respect is central to ethical guidelines for research. The scientific community has long debated, and at times disagreed on, how to demonstrate respect in research with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. To illuminate the voices of those most affected, the author studies the views of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities on respect in research. Findings are consistent with disability rights’ ideas and indicate that adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have much to contribute to the discussion, that they value participating, and that they agree with calls to focus on human rights and dignity. Notably, participants spoke at lengths about the nature of interactions between researchers and participants. Implications are discussed, including how to infuse research standards with community-supported values and preferences.
Significant reduction of normal tissue dose by proton radiotherapy compared with three-dimensional conformal or intensity-modulated radiation therapy in Stage I or Stage III non–small-cell lung cancer

Purpose: To compare dose–volume histograms (DVH) in patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated by photon or proton radiotherapy. Methods and Materials: Dose-volume histograms were compared between photon, including three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT), intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and proton plans at doses of 66 Gy, 87.5 Gy in Stage I ( n = 10) and 60–63 Gy, and 74 Gy in Stage III ( n = 15). Results: For Stage I, the mean total lung V5, V10, and V20 were 31.8%, 24.6%, and 15.8%, respectively, for photon 3D-CRT with 66 Gy, whereas they were 13.4%, 12.3%, and 10.9%, respectively, with proton with dose escalation to 87.5 cobalt Gray equivalents (CGE) ( p = 0.002). For Stage III, the mean total lung V5, V10, and V20 were 54.1%, 46.9%, and 34.8%, respectively, for photon 3D-CRT with 63 Gy, whereas they were 39.7%, 36.6%, and 31.6%, respectively, for proton with dose escalation to 74 CGE ( p = 0.002). In all cases, the doses to lung, spinal cord, heart, esophagus, and integral dose were lower with proton therapy even compared with IMRT. Conclusions: Proton treatment appears to reduce dose to normal tissues significantly, even with dose escalation, compared with standard-dose photon therapy, either 3D-CRT or IMRT.
Growth of Newcastle Disease Virus and Rubella Virus in Rheumatoid and Nonrheumatoid Synovial Cell Cultures

Rheumatoid and nonrheumatoid synovial cell cultures were challenged with Newcastle disease virus and rubella virus in an attempt to confirm reports that rheumatoid synovial cells are relatively resistant to infection with these viruses. Newcastle disease virus caused complete cell destruction by day 7 in both rheumatoid and nonrheumatoid cultures, and peak virus titers were similar. Rubella virus replicated in both rheumatoid and nonrheumatoid synovial cell cultures, and no consistent differences in virus titers were detected. Rubella-infected cell lines were observed for up to 28 days and no virus-specific cytopathic effect was seen.
Ospreys of the Chesapeake Bay: Population Recovery, Ecological Requirements, and Current Threats

Abstract The Chesapeake Bay supports the largest Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) breeding population in the world. The population experienced a dramatic reduction due to biocide-induced reproductive suppression in the post World War II era and reached an estimated low of 1,450 pairs by the early 1970s. By the mid 1990s, the population recovered to an estimated 3,500 pairs and breeding was documented on 427 of 878 named tributaries of the tidal Bay. Recovery has been exponential but spatially variable with average doubling times for defined geographic areas varying by more than an order of magnitude. Rates of population growth have been negatively related to salinity with the highest rates occurring within tidal fresh reaches suggesting that recovery has progressed from the main stem of the Bay toward the fall line. Virtually nothing is known about the breeding ecology of Ospreys in the lower saline waters of the Bay. The increase and diversification of man-made structures used for nesting has made a fundamenta...
Practical in-situ determination of ortho-para hydrogen ratios via fiber-optic based Raman spectroscopy

Abstract An experiment was designed and developed to prototype a fiber-optic-based laser system, which measures the ratio of ortho-hydrogen to para-hydrogen in an operating neutron moderator system at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) spallation neutron source. Preliminary measurements resulted in an ortho to para ratio of 3.06:1, which is within acceptable agreement with the previously published ratio. The successful demonstration of Raman Spectroscopy for this measurement is expected to lead to a practical method that can be applied for similar in-situ measurements at operating neutron spallation sources.
Abstract T P240: Intravenous Injections of Microrna 363 Mimic Promotes Neuroprotection in Middle Aged Females in an Ischemic Stroke Model

Background: Analysis of circulating microRNA in young and middle aged male and female rats revealed distinct expression patterns of post-stroke microRNAs (Selvamani et al., 2014). Mir-363 expression was inversely related to infarct volume, such that adult females, who display the smallest infarct volumes, had the highest expression of miR363. Based on this association, we hypothesized that mir-363 may promote survival of ischemic neurons. As proof of concept, the present study utilized middle aged females to investigate the role of miR-363 in neuroprotection. Methods: Middle aged (12 mo) female rats were subject to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). At 4h post-stroke, animals received a tail-vein injection of miR-363 or scrambled control. Vibrissae-elicited forelimb placement (VIB) test was performed pre and post MCAo to assess motor deficits. Blood samples were drawn at 2d and 5d post stroke. All animals were terminated at 5d post MCAo and the brains processed for infarct analysis by standard histological procedures. Total RNA isolated from serum and brain was subject to QPCR amplification for miR-363 and U6 (normalization control) Results: IV injections of mir363 significantly elevated serum expression of this microRNA as compared to animals injected with scrambles control oligos, when measured 2d post stroke. Infarct volumes (cortex and striatum), at 5d post stroke, were significantly reduced in the miR-363 treated group as compared to controls (p ≤ 0.001). VIB-test indicated significant motor recovery post-stroke in the contralateral limb in miR-363 mimic treated group as compared to controls. RT-PCR analysis of brain tissue showed higher expression of miR-363 in the left (ischemic) hemisphere in the miR-363 mimic group while, no difference was observed in the non-ischemic, indicating that the mimetic is recruited to the ischemic site. Conclusion: The present study underscores the value of miRNA profiling in populations with different stroke outcomes as a strategy to identify new therapeutic targets for stroke.
Development of Resistance to 4-Amino-N10-Methyl Pteroylglutamic Acid (Amethopterin) by Streptococcus faecalls∗

Summary(1) By growing Streptococcus jaecalis (ATCC No. 8043) in a medium containing successively higher concentrations of amethopterin, more than a thousand-fold increase in resistance has been achieved. (2) This amethopterin-fast variant has a slightly lower requirement for folic acid in the absence of amethopterin than the parent sensitive strain. In the absence of folic acid, however, amethopterin and certain other 4-amino derivatives of PGA can replace this folic acid requirement in the resistant strain.
Power-Line Communication Channel Characteristics Under Transient Model

This paper discusses the channel gain characteristics of a two-conductor power-line communication system under a given transient analytical model. The channel frequency responses are derived with different transmission-line lengths and terminal loads. Compared with previous works on power-line communication, the transient model can more accurately describe the variation of the channel frequency responses, especially when transients occur on the transmission line. Simulation results show higher accuracy is achieved compared with the results under the traditional lumped-circuit π model.
Judgment Based Marketing Decision Models: Problems and Possible Solutions:

This paper presents a comparative analysis of the findings of two field studies and three recent laboratory experiments that assessed the efficacy of judgment based models in aiding marketing decis...
Invariant-Based Design of Laminated Composite Materials

A novel method, invariant-based design, is described for the purpose of designing laminated composite materials. The fundamental premise for the method is that tensor invariants of constituent material properties coupled with a tensor description of the specified material requirements can be used together. Specifically, designers can use the method to select from a catalog of available materials a set that will satisfy their particular material requirements. The designer is aided in the choice of materials, how much of each material to use, the layup angle orientation of the materials, and the sequencing of those materials in the composite laminate. Nomenclature ijkl A = in-plane extensional stiffnesses ijkl B = bending-extension coupling stiffnesses ijkl D = out-of-plane bending stiffnesses m ijkl Q = plane strain reduced stiffnesses N = number of materials m t = lamina thickness m v = lamina thickness fraction m z = elevations from the laminate midplane ˆ ij D = linear coefficients of thermal expansion ˆ ij k = thermal conductivity m T = lamina layup angle
Machine Learning Approach for Contamination Source Identification in Water Distribution Systems

Contamination source identification involves the characterization of the contamination event attributes using threat observations such as sensor network measurements. The defining attributes of a contamination event may include contaminant type, site(s) of contaminant intrusion, contaminant amount, the time of day the contamination event is initiated, and the intrusion duration. Accurate and prompt determination of these attributes is central to validity of impact assessments conducted and effectiveness of response strategies taken. Focusing on high accuracy, past efforts have successfully applied optimization and back-tracking approaches to deal with this critical task. However, these techniques are typically computationally burdensome and thus not acceptably fast, specifically when they are applied to realistically large water distribution networks. This ongoing study accordingly investigates performance of machine learning tools for real-time source identification. In contrast to traditional approaches that perform whole analysis after a contamination event occurs, machine learning methods gain system knowledge in advance and use this extracted information to identify contamination attributes after an incident occurs.
Chronic ulceration on the lower extremity. Localized cutaneous leishmaniasis.

A patient presented with a large ulcer on his left lower extremity with surrounding erythema that was growing despite topical steroid treatment. More recently, a similar smaller ulceration appeared on his right lower extremity.
Bcl-2 proteins bid and bax form a network to permeabilize the mitochondria at the onset of apoptosis

The most critical step in the initiation of apoptosis is the activation of the Bcl-2 family of proteins to oligomerize and permeabilize the outer-mitochondrial membrane (OMM). As this step results in the irreversible release of factors that enhance cellular degradation, it is the point of no return in programmed cell death and would be an ideal therapeutic target. However, the arrangement of the Bcl-2 proteins in the OMM during permeabilization still remains unknown. It is also unclear whether the Bcl-2 protein, Bid, directly participates in the formation of the oligomers in live cells, even though it is cleaved and translocates to the OMM at the initiation of apoptosis. Therefore, we utilized confocal microscopy to measure Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) efficiencies in live cells to determine the conformation(s) and intermolecular contacts of Bid within these Bcl-2 oligomers. We found that Bid adopts an extended conformation, which appears to be critical for its association with the mitochondrial membrane. This conformation is also important for intermolecular contacts within the Bid oligomer. More importantly for the first time, direct intermolecular contacts between Bid and Bax were observed, thereby, confirming Bid as a key component of these oligomers. Furthermore, the observed FRET efficiencies allowed us to propose an oligomeric arrangement of Bid, Bax, and possibly other members of the Bcl-2 family of proteins that form a self-propagating network that permeabilizes the OMM.
FUNCTIONS AND EQUATIONS

This chapter focuses on functions and equations. The circumference of a circle depends on its diameter. According to a rule, the circumference is the product of pi (π) times the diameter. This rule is an example of a function. The chapter explains how to draw a graph, given a function; and how to describe a function, given a graph. A function is a rule assigning exactly one member of one set to each member of another set. A way of picturing the function is to graph it; that is, to represent it on an xy grid. Each pair of numbers in the table of values is a pair of coordinates for a point on the grid. At a glance, the graph reveals essential information about the function. It is usually easier to inspect the graph than to study a table of values or read a description. Linear functions are easier to graph than nonlinear functions because two points determine a line.
Contribution of KH2PO4 to Toxicity in Phosphate Buffered Dilution Water Systems

It appears that different sources of KH2PO4 used to prepare phosphate buffered dilution water have various effects on the ability of the dilution water to maintain a stable bacterial population. When the water used to prepare the dilution water is of either very good or very poor quality, the KH2PO4 source is of no consequence. However, if water of an intermediate quality is used, the KH2PO4 source becomes of consequence in the over-all quality of the system.
Product-market competitiveness and investor reaction to corporate governance failures

Abstract Is industry competition a substitute for the quality of corporate governance? If so, and if self-serving behavior by corporate executives at presumably well governed firms is a greater surprise to investors, then the price reaction to the news of governance failure should vary by the degree of competition prevailing in the firm's industry. For a sample of firms that backdated employee stock options, we find that firms operating in more competitive industries experienced significantly larger wealth declines upon revelation of the news of governance failure (backdating of stock option grants). We interpret our findings to suggest that the quality of corporate governance is less critical for firms operating in more competitive product markets since product market competition acts as an implicit substitute for the performance discipline imposed by high quality of corporate governance.
The Evolutionary Past and the Research Future: Environmental Variation and Life History Flexibility in a Primate Lineage

The chapters in this volume demonstrate that baboons (genus Papio) are a diverse and flexible group that occupies a wide range of habitats. Further, the habitats occupied by baboons are characterized by frequent short-term environmental change (particularly seasonal change) and, for at least some populations, striking long-term change as well. Some of the environmental change is relatively predictable but some is highly unpredictable. What is the relationship between the diversity we observe in baboon life history and behavior and the variability the baboons experience in their physical and social environments? We explore answers to this question in the context of a recent hypothesis for hominid evolution proposed by Potts (1996, 1998a,b), the variability selection hypothesis. This hypothesis proposes that the constantly changing environments that typified the East African paleoenvironment resulted in selection for flexible, generalist organisms (such as humans and baboons) that possess the ability to take advantage of the new ecological opportunities that emerged with habitat change. We propose that baboons are a particularly good lineage in which to explore the consequences of variability selection—selection in response to changing environments. We provide examples of baboons’ adaptability, particularly in the context of environmental variability and change, and we suggest directions for future research that take advantage of the remarkable opportunity for comparative work in this species, given the relatively large number of baboon field studies. We emphasize that understanding the response of baboons to environmental variability and change is potentially important both because of the light it can shed on the role of changing environments in selecting for flexible species like baboons and humans, and because environmental change will increasingly characterize the global environment in which wild primates—most of them less flexible than baboons—will need to persist.