cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The concept of mathematically optimised dose-scheduling as applied to the adjuvant chemotherapy of primary breast cancer: theory and recent results

Abstract Theoretical analyses and theory-motivated laboratory experiments have confirmed that for anti-mitotic drugs administered by bolus the inter-treatment interval is a critical determinant of ultimate success. Maximum cell kill is best achieved by using the optimal (not necessarily the maximum tolerated) dose level as often as feasible considering the impact of the drug on host toxicity. This approach has been termed ‘dose density’, which captures the concept of optimally frequent administration. The feasibility and non-comparative ef-cacy of the application of this concept was developed in a series of clinical trials at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA. These results were used to design an objective, prospectively randomised trial in the Cancer and Leukemia Group B and the North American Breast Intergroup: Study CALGB 9741 involved over 2000 volunteer female patients with node-positive operable primary breast cancer. In a 2 × 2 design, this study asked if – holding dose level and dose density constant – how simultaneous combination chemotherapy compared with purely sequential treatment, and – holding dose-level and combination or sequential use constant – how dose-density influenced disease-free and overall survival in the post-operative adjuvant setting for node-positive disease. Specifically, the study examined sequential doxorubicin, paclitaxel and cyclophosphamide compared with concurrent doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel, and also dose-dense (every 2 week administration) compared with conventional (every 3 week administration) scheduling. The results, with long-term follow-up, confirm the predictions of the model. Not only is the shortened inter-treatment interval of chemotherapy better in terms of disease-free and overall survival, but it is less toxic as well. Combination chemotherapy (doxorubicin plus simultaneous cyclophosphamide) offers no advantage over sequential chemotherapy (doxorubicin followed later by cyclophosphamide) if dose level and dose density are the same, except that combinations shorten overall treatment duration and are thus more convenient. These results define a more effective, less toxic conceptual approach to the adjuvant chemotherapy of breast cancer, which should apply to all chemotherapy drugs given in the intravenous bolus format, even when biological agents are added. Further development of the principles and methods established by CALGB 9741 are currently underway.
Role of Nitric Oxide in the Coronary Microvascular Responses to Adenosine and Increased Metabolic Demand

Background The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) participates in coronary microvascular responses to adenosine and pacing-induced increases in metabolic demand by maintaining an optimal distribution of coronary resistance. Methods and Results Coronary microvascular diameters were measured by stroboscopic epi-illumination and intravital microscopy in open-chest dogs (n=20). Epicardial coronary blood velocity (CBV) was measured by Doppler flowmetry. Responses to adenosine (1 and 10 μg · kg−1 · min−1 IC) and left atrial pacing (180 beats per minute) were recorded before and after inhibition of NO synthesis by NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 30 μg · kg−1 · min−1 IC). At baseline, adenosine dilated arterioles ( 100 μm) (−4±6% and 7±3%, P<.05 for the higher dose) and increased CBV (43±31% and 118±25%, P<.05). Left atrial pacing dilated arterioles (12±2%, P<.05) and sma...
De-occultation x-ray events of 2 December, 1967

A flare rising from behind the solar limb was recorded simultaneously by the UCSD X-ray detector on OSO-III (7.7–200 keV) and the Caltech photoheliograph on Robinson Laboratory roof (Hα). The de-occultation gives excellent spatial resolution of the X-ray source. Spectra suggest that the material was already heated to 27 000 000° and that the increase in flux was due to the de-occultation. The flux rise to maximum was proportional to the apparent area. The uniformity of this rise shows that there was no special kernel of emission. Comparison of the deduced volume with the bremsstrahlung formula gives a density of about 1010 for the 27 000 000° component of the flare; this is confirmed by consideration of the maximum possible coulomb braking. The actual decay is more likely by escape rather than coulomb braking.
A complementary analysis for SAGE II data profiles

[1] We present a screened and gridded SAGE II data set, as a complement to the profile data available for the 19 years of records from November 1984 through December 2003. The data screening method is described, and differences between screened and unscreened data are presented. Extensive changes occur in the water vapor data set, which has excessive values in many regions without the screening. Screened NO2 values are larger in the middle stratosphere, for the zonal average by up to 10–15%, and reduced in the lower stratosphere zonally by up to 15–30%, while zonal average ozone values are as much as 20–30% larger in the lower stratosphere and upper troposphere. Many of these changes are due to interference effects from aerosols and clouds, but additional bad data points, isolated by visual inspection, occur for no obvious reason. The screening procedures also remove spurious trends. This data set is available via CD-ROM.
Study of poly (acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate) as binder for graphite anode and LiMn2O4 cathode of Li-ion batteries

Abstract We evaluated poly(acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate) (AMMA, AN/MMA=94:6) as a binder for the graphite anode and the LiMn2O4 cathode of Li-ion batteries by studying the cycling performance of lithium half-cells. The results showed that, using AMMA binder, both graphite and LiMn2O4 could be cycled well in 1 m LiPF6 3:3:4 (weight) PC/EC/EMC electrolyte with less capacity fading. AMMA is chemically more stable than poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) against the lithiated graphite. More importantly, AMMA can help graphite to form a stable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film. An impedance study showed that the SEI film formed with AMMA is more stable than the one formed with PVDF. Therefore, self-delithiation of the lithiated graphite can be reduced by use of AMMA instead of PVDF, which improves the storage performance of Li-ion batteries.
Correlated two-proton decay from C10

The decay of {sup 10}C excited states to the 2p+2{alpha} exit channel has been studied using inelastic excitation of a secondary {sup 10}C beam. The decay sequences leading to the 2p+2{alpha} final state are determined for the previously known levels and for a newly found level at E*=8.4 MeV. A state at E*=6.57 MeV is shown to undergo two-proton decay to {sup 8}Be{sub g.s.} with strong p-p correlations consistent with the {sup 1}S phase shift. Based on the lack of such correlations for other two-proton decays, this indicates that the correlations are associated with structure of the parent level.
This Dynamic Planet: A World Map of Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Plate Tectonics

Earth's physiographic features are prominently displayed on the map and are overlain by symbols for volcanos, earthquake epicenters, and movement of tectonic plates. The base map is a computer-generated Mercator projection of the world that shows the topography of the land surface and the seafloor. Addition of colors and shaded relief helps clarify and distinguish important topographic features.
Pollution plume transport and diffusion studies using fluorescence lidar

Calculations have been performed to estimate the feasibility of conducting plume transport and diffusion studies by creating a plume of fluorescent particles that are then interrogated by a lidar in both the fluorescent and elastically scattered modes. The computations were performed both for fluorescent and elastically scattered modes. The computations were performed both for daytime and nighttime operation and for cw as well as conventional pulsed operation. The incorporation of a cw transmitter facilitates plume search and also provides cross-sectional integration of the plume particle population. Experimental work has been initiated in the study of both liquid and solid fluorescent aerosols and methods for their generation.
The Outsourcing of Public Library Management: An Analysis of the Application of New Public Management Theories From the Principal-Agent Perspective

Advocates of new public management (NPM) claim that private service delivery promotes efficiency, effectiveness, and cost savings in government. Critics of NPM cite numerous examples of failed attempts to apply NPM. This article examines multiple case studies to determine the strengths and weaknesses of NPM when applied to the outsourcing of public library management. Particular attention focuses on several predicted NPM outcomes including accountability, cost savings, and citizen use/satisfaction. The findings from the cases show that NPM claims related to returning government to its proper principal-agent focus, and thus achieving gains in efficiency and citizen use/satisfaction, are questionable.
An information-processing perspective on the behavior of neglectful parents

This article examines research on neglectful parents to develop theory on how and why neglectful behavior occurs. Using cognitive theory on information processing, four stages at which parents could fail to respond to signals of children's needs are identified. Specifically, parents could fail to respond to stimuli indicative of children's need for care because they (a) did not perceive the signal, (b) interpreted the signal as not requiring a parental response, (c) knew that a response was needed but did not have a response available, or (d) selected a response but failed to implement it. It is proposed that failure at each stage represents a different type of neglect. Moreover, each stage is hypothesized to be associated with different types of parental developmental history and to call for different types of intervention.
Farmers' Participation in Crop Insurance Markets: Creating the Right Incentives

Creating the right incentives towards increasing farmers' participation in crop insurance has been one of the major goals of the U.S. farm policy in recent years. Although insured acres increased in the 1990s, only one-third of farm producers participated in the crop insurance program. In addition, there exists high variation in the growth of insured acres and availability of crop insurance products across crops and geographical areas. In this article, we examine factors that influence farmers'
Urinary incontinence in the frail elder.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common disorder that has a significant impact on the health and well-being of frail elderly patients and their caregivers. The prevalence of incontinence increases in the aged population, with approximately 30% of ambulatory and 50% of institutionalized elders experiencing urinary leakage [1–3]. In a cohort of women presenting for medical evaluation of urinary symptoms, the prevalence of stress incontinence increased with each decade of age, whereas the likelihood of urinary symptoms without incontinence decreased with age [4]. The cost of incontinence in caregiver time and health care resources is substantial. An estimated $3500 is spent annually for each incontinent adult in the United States [5]. In 1995, more than $7 billion was spent on personal care alone and an additional $700 million spent on home care services for elders who had UI. UI long has been classified as a geriatric syndrome: a symptom complex, often multifactorial in etiology, which requires age-specific attention to diagnostic and treatment strategies. This condition too often goes untreated because of patient and provider perceptions of the disease process and treatment options [6]. Appropriate identification and management of incontinence is an indicator of quality and is under scrutiny by regulatory agencies. In long-term care, a mandated and standardized assessment tool, the Minimum Data Set, tracks continence status and prompts intervention when UI is present. The medical community also has developed evidence-based care standards for patients who have UI [6–9]. These guidelines target the geriatric population and pay special attention to the needs and issues of the older adult [7,8]. Emphasis is placed on developing an evaluation and treatment approach that incorporates
Equity, Democracy, and Neoliberal Assaults on Teacher Education.

Abstract Although in the long run, neoliberalism has a track record of undermining equity and democracy, in the short run it has directed attention to education needs that have been inadequately addressed. This article sketches what teacher education in the US can do to advance equity and democracy in five areas: recruitment and admission, early fieldwork, professional coursework, student teaching, and on-going professional development. The article then examines three neoliberal pressures teacher education: (1) away from explicit equity-oriented teacher preparation, and toward preparing teachers as technicians; (2) away from defining teacher quality in terms of professional knowledge, and toward defining it terms testable content knowledge; and (3) toward shortening university-based teacher education or by-passing it altogether. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of collaborating with underserved communities as a way of pushing back against neoliberalism.
Precise measurement of the Stark shift of the lithium D1 line.

The dc Stark shift of the lithium D1 line has been observed using two visible diode lasers and an atomic beam. A heterodyne signal obtained from the two lasers permits a well-calibrated, high-precision measurement to be made. The scalar shift is found to be 4.6216(21) kHz/(kV/cm${)}^{2}$. We believe this result to be the most precise Stark shift measurement reported thus far.
Heuristic dynamic programming with internal goal representation

In this paper, we analyze an internal goal structure based on heuristic dynamic programming, named GrHDP, to tackle the 2-D maze navigation problem. Classical reinforcement learning approaches have been introduced to solve this problem in literature, yet no intermediate reward has been assigned before reaching the final goal. In this paper, we integrated one additional network, namely goal network, into the traditional heuristic dynamic programming (HDP) design to provide the internal reward/goal representation. The architecture of our proposed approach is presented, followed by the simulation of 2-D maze navigation (10*10) problem. For fair comparison, we conduct the same simulation environment settings for the traditional HDP approach. Simulation results show that our proposed GrHDP can obtain faster convergent speed with respect to the sum of square error, and also achieve lower error eventually.
Membrane orientation and position of the C2 domain from cPLA2 by site-directed spin labeling.

The C2 domain is a ubiquitous Ca2+-binding motif that triggers the membrane docking of many key signaling proteins during intracellular Ca2+ signals. Site-directed spin labeling was carried out on ...
Comments on ‘the equation of polarization transfer in an inhomogeneous magnetized plasma. I. Formalism’ by F.T. Cheng and P.C.W. Fung

In their discussion of the transfer of polarized radiation in a weakly anisotropic, weakly inhomogeneous plasma, Cheng and Fung (1977) have included terms which describe the effects of ‘mode coupling’ and of the ‘variation of the characteristic polarizations’. The latter effect is nonphysical, and only the mode-coupling term should be retained. As the problem was formulated by Cheng and Fung, the two terms would cancel exactly; consequently, when corrected, the work of Cheng and Fung leads to a simple and useful method of including the effects of mode coupling in the weak anisotropy limit.
Available Potential Energy and the Maintenance of the General Circulation

The available potential energy of the atmosphere may be defined as the difference between the total potential energy and the minimum total potential energy which could result from any adiabatic redistribution of mass. It vanishes if the density stratification is horizontal and statically stable everywhere, and is positive otherwise. It is measured approximately by a weighted vertical average of the horizontal variance of temperature. In magnitude it is generally about ten times the total kinetic energy, but less than one per cent of the total potential energy. Under adiabatic flow the sum of the available potential energy and the kinetic energy is conserved, but large increases in available potential energy are usually accompanied by increases in kinetic energy, and therefore involve nonadiabatic effects. Available potential energy may be partitioned into zonal and eddy energy by an analysis of variance of the temperature field. The zonal form may be converted into the eddy form by an eddy-transport of sensible heat toward colder latitudes, while each form may be converted into the corresponding form of kinetic energy. The general circulation is characterized by a conversion of zonal available potential energy, which is generated by low-latitude heating and high-latitude cooling, to eddy available potential energy, to eddy kinetic energy, to zonal kinetic energy. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1955.tb01148.x
Axolotl/Bichos Raros Crónica

In this cronica, I pay homage (and talk back to!) one of my favourite authors, Julio Cortazar, who I had the great privilege and pleasure of befriending in 1980, when he was a visiting professor at UC-Berkeley. I have been obsessed with time-travel, doubling, and interstitiality since I was very young; even the most casual Cortazar reader (if such a thing is possible) will immediately recognise these as recurrent themes in his work. Here, faced with several actual axolotl in a Buenos Aires aquarium, I explore and comment on Cortazar’s strangely mesmerising meditation on identity and transformation. My personal connection is (as in much of my writing) concerned with aspects of gender and sexuality suppressed or (more likely) ignored in Cortazar’s version. I identify, too, with a poignant in-betweenness and ambiguity I read in the figure of the axolotl—and in the work of Cortazar and Alejandra Pizarnik.
Human breast cancer cell lines contain stem-like cells that self-renew, give rise to phenotypically diverse progeny and survive chemotherapy.

The phenotypic and functional differences between cells that initiate human breast tumors (cancer stem cells) and those that comprise the tumor bulk are difficult to study using only primary tumor tissue. We embarked on this study hypothesizing that breast cancer cell lines would contain analogous hierarchical differentiation programs to those found in primary breast tumors. Eight human breast cell lines (human mammary epithelial cells, and MCF10A, MCF7, SUM149, SUM159, SUM1315 and MDA.MB.231 cells) were analyzed using flow cytometry for CD44, CD24, and epithelial-specific antigen (ESA) expression. Limiting dilution orthotopic injections were used to evaluate tumor initiation, while serial colony-forming unit, reconstitution and tumorsphere assays were performed to assess self-renewal and differentiation. Pulse-chase bromodeoxyuridine (5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine [BrdU]) labeling was used to examine cell cycle and label-retention of cancer stem cells. Cells were treated with paclitaxol and 5-fluorouracil to test selective resistance to chemotherapy, and gene expression profile after chemotherapy were examined. The percentage of CD44+/CD24- cells within cell lines does not correlate with tumorigenicity, but as few as 100 cells can form tumors when sorted for CD44+/CD24-/low/ESA+. Furthermore, CD44+/CD24-/ESA+ cells can self-renew, reconstitute the parental cell line, retain BrdU label, and preferentially survive chemotherapy. These data validate the use of cancer cell lines as models for the development and testing of novel therapeutics aimed at eradicating cancer stem cells.
Development of glycinergic innervation to the murine LSO and SPN in the presence and absence of the MNTB

Neurons in the superior olivary complex (SOC) integrate excitatory and inhibitory inputs to localize sounds in space. The majority of these inhibitory inputs have been thought to arise within the SOC from the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB). However, recent work demonstrates that glycinergic innervation of the SOC persists in Egr2; En1CKO mice that lack MNTB neurons, suggesting that there are other sources of this innervation (JALABI REF). To study the development of MNTB- and non-MNTB-derived glycinergic SOC innervation, we compared immunostaining patterns of glycine transporter 2 (GlyT2) at several postnatal ages in control and Egr2; En1CKO mice. GlyT2 immunostaining was present at birth (P0) in controls and reached adult levels by P7 in the superior paraolivary nucleus (SPN) and by P12 in the lateral superior olivary nucleus (LSO). In Egr2; En1CKO mice, glycinergic innervation of the LSO developed at a similar rate but was delayed by one week in the SPN. Conversely, consistent reductions in the number of GlyT2+ boutons located on LSO somata were seen at all ages in Egr2; En1CKO mice, while these numbers reached control levels in the SPN by P14. Dendritic localization of GlyT2+ boutons was unaltered in both the LSO and SPN of adult Egr2; En1CKO mice. On the postsynaptic side, adult Egr2; En1CKO mice had reduced glycine receptor α1 (GlyRα1) expression in the LSO but normal levels in the SPN. GlyRα2 was not expressed by LSO or SPN neurons in either genotype. These findings contribute important information for understanding the development of MNTB- and non-MNTB-derived glycinergic pathways to the mouse SOC.
Augmentation of proliferation and generation of specific cytotoxic cells in human mixed lymphocyte culture reactions by colchicine.

Abstract Cellular proliferation and generation of cytotoxic lymphocytes in mixed lymphocyte culture reactions (MLC) results from cellular interactions initiated by individual differences in cell surface structures determined by the HLA-D locus. Cellular microtubular assemblies (MTA) modulate cell shape and surface architecture and have also been implicated in mediating stimulatory signals from the lymphocyte plasma membrane to intracellular sites. To assess the role of MTA in alloactivation, we tested the effect of colchicine, a microtubule-disrupting alkaloid, on the MLC. Diametrically opposite results were observed depending upon the colchicine treatment protocol. Brief exposure of stimulating cells to 10 −6 M colchicine resulted in an increase in [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation from 30, 694 ± 2787 to 47,345 ± 4361 cpm/culture (mean ± SEM) ( P −6 M colchicine resulted in an increase from 33,054 ± 4012 to 46,790 ± 5458 cpm/culture ( P −6 M colchicine resulted in an increase from 33,054 ± 4012 to 52,685 ± 6720 cpm/culture ( P −6 M to MLCs at different times resulted in complete suppression of proliferation when added as late as 96 hr, and 63% suppression when added at 120 hr. Pretreatment of stimulating, responding, or both cells with lumicolchicine did not enhance proliferation. Pretreatment of cells with 10 −6 and 10 −4 M colchicine enhanced proliferation, while pretreatment with 10 −2 M colchicine prevented blastogenesis. The potentiation of proliferation induced by colchicine was evident as early as 48 hr after the initiation of the MLC. Generation of specific cytotoxic cells in the MLC was also enhanced by exposing lymphocytes to colchicine prior to the proliferative phase in six out of eight experiments (specific chromium release = 168% of control) despite constant effector:target ratios. These findings indicate that early disruption of microtubules leads to enhanced cellular proliferation and generation of cytotoxic lymphocytes in allogeneic one-way MLCs and suggest that the state of polymerization of the MTA may modulate immune responses involving cell-cell interactions.
Einige Konstruktionslinien. Geometrische Örter

Darunter verstehen wir das Lot (m), das in der Mitte M einer Strecke AB errichtet werden kann. Jeder beliebige Punkt P auf m hat von den Endpunkten A und B der Strecke die gleiche Entfernung (PA = PB), da m die Symmetrieachse der Strecke ist. Jeder Punkt, der nicht auf m liegt, hat von A und B verschiedene Entfernungen. Auf der Mittelsenkrechten liegen demnach alle Punkte, die von A und B gleich weit entfernt sind; daher liegen auf ihr die Mittelpunkte aller Kreise, die durch die beiden Punkte A und B gehen.
Shifts in justice beliefs induced by Hurricane Katrina: The impact of claims of racism

This study utilized the context of Hurricane Katrina to examine changes in justice beliefs. We suggest that racism claims being embedded within an emotionally involving context and covered by the mainstream media facilitated openness to the idea that the American social system is not entirely just. We hypothesized that exposure to images of the disaster and racism explanations would lead Whites who initially perceived the American social system as just to shift their beliefs. Furthermore, lower justice beliefs after exposure to disaster images would be associated with greater perceptions of similarity with victims and less preference for the racial ingroup. Results were consistent with these hypotheses. Thus, under some circumstances, disconfirming evidence can produce belief change.
Temporal resolution of activity-dependent pH shifts in rat hippocampal slices

1. The rise time of activity-dependent extracellular pH shifts was measured in the CA1 stratum radiatum of rat hippocampal slices by recording pH-sensitive fluorescence of a fluorescein-conjugated dextran. Optical data were compared with simultaneous pH microelectrode recordings. 2. The pH shifts generated by CO2 or by stimulation of the Schaffer collaterals were paralleled by shifts in fluorescence emissions at 535 nm when the probe was excited with 490-nm light (delta F490). Emissions at 535 nm induced by 440-nm light were unchanged in these paradigms. 3. A train of three stimuli at 100 Hz was repeated at 30-s intervals and the stimulus-triggered delta F490 was averaged. The mean rise time of the delta F490 was 69 +/- 24 (SE) ms (range 20-200 ms, n = 6). The mean increase in emission was 0.75 +/- 0.22% of baseline, associated with a pH microelectrode response of +0.06 +/- 0.02 unit pH. 4. These data demonstrate that synaptically evoked alkaline transients develop within tens of milliseconds. The occurrence of the alkalinization in the same time frame as excitatory postsynaptic currents indicates that these pH shifts arise with sufficient speed to modulate synaptic transmission.
β-Cyclodextrin at the Water/1-Bromobutane Interface: Molecular Insight into Reverse Phase Transfer Catalysis

Molecular insight into the role of β-cyclodextrin (βCD) as a phase transfer catalyst at the liquid/liquid interface is obtained by molecular dynamics simulations of the structure and dynamics of βCD adsorbed at the interface between water and 1-bromobutane. In particular, we consider the structure and dynamics of the water and bromobutane molecules inside the βCD cavity and compare them with the behavior when βCD is dissolved in bulk water. βCD is preferentially oriented at the interface, with the cavity opening along the interface normal. While in bulk water the cavity includes 6–8 water molecules that are relatively mobile with short residence time, at the interface the cavity is mostly dehydrated and includes a single bromobutane molecule. This inclusion complex is stable in bulk water. The implication of this behavior for reverse phase transfer catalysis is discussed.
Effects of the administration of coca alkaloids on the primary immune responses of mice: Interaction with Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and ethanol

The effects of cocaine, its metabolites, and other alkaloids from Erythroxylon coca on the primary immune responses of ICR mice to sheep red blood cells (sRBC) and dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) were studied. The Jerne hemolytic plaque assay (PFC) was used to evaluate the humoral immune response to sheep red blood cells, and the delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to DNFB was used to study cellular immune responsiveness. Drugs were given in single daily po doses for 5 consecutive days beginning on the day of immunization or 3 days prior to and on Days 3 and 4 after immunization. Inhibition of both PFC and DTH responses occurred at doses of 15 to 60 mg/kg of cocaine and was greatest when fed during immunization. Five other alkaloids also suppressed the PFC and/or DTH response. Cocaine was more suppressive than the six other alkaloids tested. Ethanol (5 g/kg) did not suppress the DTH response and only marginally suppressed the PFC response. delta 9-THC inhibited the PFC response at doses of 10 mg/kg and marginally suppressed the DTH response at doses of 30 mg/kg, but not at other doses ranging from 10 to 90 mg/kg. Coadministration of 5 g/kg ethanol and 15 mg/kg cocaine resulted in 50% antagonism of effects of cocaine on the PFC response and complete antagonism of the suppression of the DTH response, but only if these substances were given during the period of immunization. Like ethanol, delta 9-THC also abolished the inhibitory effects of cocaine on the PFC and DTH response but only if coadministered during the period of immunization. Coadministration of ethanol and delta 9-THC resulted in synergistic inhibition of both DTH and PFC responses.
The development of expertise in a disciplinary interstice: antilock braking systems and the electronic control of a mechanical device

Case study in the development of expertise is presented. The development of antiskid braking systems (ABS) for automobiles between the 1950s and 1970s is used to create a model of expertise formation in a new engineering community. Both the technical and social dynamics of expertise formation are considered. The case study centers on the emergence of three engineers, Leiber, Jonner, Gerstenmeier, as the ABS experts for Teldix GmbH. Their importance is gauged through awards received, engineering publications, conference proceedings, and the introduction of new methods of testing. Sections are devoted to a brief history of antiskid systems before 1950, the historiographical problems of discipline and expertise formation, and an analysis of the ABS industry's success in creating expertise in a competitive endeavor.
Skeletal Health Among African Americans With Recent-Onset Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective African Americans with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may be at increased fracture risk. We applied the World Health Organization (WHO) Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) and National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) guidelines to a cohort of African Americans with early RA to identify which patients were recommended for osteoporosis treatment. Methods Risk factors and bone mineral density (BMD) were assessed in a cohort of African Americans with RA. The WHO FRAX tool estimated 10-year fracture risk. Patients were risk stratified using FRAX without BMD to identify which individuals might be most efficiently targeted for BMD testing. Results Participants (n = 324) had a mean age of 51 years and included 81% women. There were no associations of RA disease characteristics with BMD. The proportion of patients recommended for osteoporosis treatment varied from 3–86%, depending on age and body mass index (BMI). Ten-year fracture risk calculated with BMI only was generally the same or higher than fracture risk calculated with BMD; adding BMD data provided the most incremental value to risk assessment in patients 55–69 years of age with low/normal BMI, and in those ≥70 years of age with BMI ≥30 kg/m2. Conclusion A high proportion of African Americans with RA were recommended for treatment under the 2008 NOF guidelines. FRAX without BMD identified low-risk patients accurately. Systematic application of FRAX to screen high-risk groups such as patients with RA may be used to target individuals for BMD testing and reduce the use of unnecessary tests and treatments.
Magnetic resonance imaging of spine tumors: classification, differential diagnosis, and spectrum of disease.

Magnetic resonance imaging is an excellent modality for imaging pathologic processes involving the spine1-3. It permits high-resolution imaging of not only the osseous structures but also the soft-tissue structures in multiple orthogonal planes through the use of varying pulse sequences that allow for characterization of the different tissues in and around the spine. The purposes of this report are to (1) describe the specialized pulse sequences and imaging techniques available for evaluation of the spine, (2) describe the defining characteristics of the three compartments into which spinal tumors can be classified, (3) define the differential diagnoses for tumors identified in each of these three compartments, and (4) provide a basic knowledge of the tumors that are commonly encountered in the spine. Figs. 1-A through 1-D Figs. 1-A through 1-D Magnetic resonance images of a normal lumbar spine: sagittal T1-weighted (Fig. 1-A), axial T1-weighted (Fig. 1-B), sagittal T2-weighted (Fig. 1-C), and axial T2-weighted (Fig. 1-D). ### Process of Image Production First, the patient is placed in the scanner. The magnetic field of the scanner (most frequently 1.5 T) aligns all protons within the patient along the longitudinal axis of the scanner. An electromagnetic pulse is sent into the scanner and causes reorientation of the protons (usually 90° to the external field). The pulse is turned off, and the protons are allowed to relax. As the protons relax, they emit a radiofrequency signal that is then detected by an antenna in the scanner. The signal is processed with use of an algorithm4 (Fourier Transformation), and software programs are used to create the images in multiple orthogonal planes. ### Definitions T1 indicates the amount of time required for 63% of the protons to return to their preexcited state and is a measure of the longitudinal relaxation of the protons. T2 indicates the amount of time that is needed for …
Does design matter? Systematic evaluation of the impact of analytical choices on effect estimates in observational studies:

Background:Clinical studies that use observational databases, such as administrative claims and electronic health records, to evaluate the effects of medical products have become commonplace. These...
A Millimeter and Submillimeter Kinetic Inductance Detector Camera

We present results from a demonstration camera using Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs) (Day et al. in Nature 425, 817-821, 2003 )a t the Cal- tech Submillimeter Observatory. The focal plane consists of 16 two-color (240 and 350 GHz) pixels. Each pixel is a phased-array of slot dipole antenna whose output power is coupled to MKIDs via in-line color-defining bandpass filters. A prototype software-defined radio system was used to read out up to four MKIDs simultane- ously. We obtained maps of Jupiter, Saturn, and G34.3 and demonstrated sensitivities of approximately 1 Jy s 1/2 and 10 Jy s 1/2 in the two bands, respectively, limited by detector noise due to a low-efficiency optical train. We anticipate that a second engi- neering run in 2008 with a 36-element, 4-color array and an optimized optical train will be background limited at 240, 270, 350, and 400 GHz. We are undertaking the construction of a full-size MKID camera with 576 four-color spatial pixels and using 2304 MKIDs readout by an expanded software-defined radio system.
A Suggested Computation for Maximal Multi-Commodity Network Flows

(This article originally appeared in Management Science, October 1958, Volume 5, Number 1, pp. 97-101, published by The Institute of Management Sciences.) A simplex computation for an arc-chain formulation of the maximal multi-commodity network flow problem is proposed. Since the number of variables in this formulation is too large to be dealt with explicitly, the computation treats non-basic variables implicitly by replacing the usual method of determining a vector to enter the basis with several applications of a combinatorial algorithm for finding a shortest chain joining a pair of points in a network.
Learning to Refine an Automatically Extracted Knowledge Base Using Markov Logic

A number of text mining and information extraction projects such as Text Runner and NELL seek to automatically build knowledge bases from the rapidly growing amount of information on the web. In order to scale to the size of the web, these projects often employ ad hoc heuristics to reason about uncertain and contradictory information rather than reasoning jointly about all candidate facts. In this paper, we present a Markov logic-based system for cleaning an extracted knowledge base. This allows a scalable system such as NELL to take advantage of joint probabilistic inference, or, conversely, allows Markov logic to be applied to a web scale problem. Our system uses only the ontological constraints and confidence values of the original system, along with human-labeled data if available. The labeled data can be used to calibrate the confidence scores from the original system or learn the effectiveness of individual extraction patterns. To achieve scalability, we introduce a neighborhood grounding method that only instantiates the part of the network most relevant to the given query. This allows us to partition the knowledge cleaning task into tractable pieces that can be solved individually. In experiments on NELL's knowledge base, we evaluate several variants of our approach and find that they improve both F1 and area under the precision-recall curve.
How Volatile and Unpredictable are Aid Flows, and What are the Policy Implications?

This paper examines empirical evidence on the volatility and uncertainty of aid flows, and the main policy implications. Aid is found to be more volatile than fiscal revenues - particularly in highly aid-dependent countries - and mildly pro-cyclical in relation to activity in the recipient country. These findings imply that the current pattern of aid disbursements is welfare reducing. We also find that uncertainty about aid disbursements is large and that the information content of commitments made by donors is either very small or statistically insignificant. Policies to cope with these features of aid, as well as broader international efforts to reduce the volatility and pro-cyclicality of aid, are briefly discussed.
Periodic slow earthquakes on the flank of Kīlauea volcano, Hawaiʻi

Abstract We analyze 8 years of continuous GPS data from the Hilina slump (HS) on Kīlauea volcano's south flank and identify 3 new slow earthquake (SE) events. The new SEs are very similar to the previously identified one from November 2000, suggesting they share a common source. The series of SEs are separated by regular periods of 774 (± 7) days. None of the newly identified events are associated with increased rainfall rates, precluding rainfall as a necessary SE trigger. All of the SEs are followed by increased microseismicity in a ∼NW–SE trending band in the southern HS, suggesting that the SEs trigger seismicity. SE location and source parameters are not well-constrained by the CGPS network, although moment can be constrained adequately for the January 2005 event. Using this as a reference, we calculate for the four events equivalent moment magnitude values of 5.6, 5.7, 5.5, and 5.8, in their order of occurrence.
The Ecosystems SAR (EcoSAR) an Airborne P-band Polarimetric InSAR for the Measurement of Vegetation Structure, Biomass and Permafrost

EcoSAR is a new synthetic aperture radar (SAR) instrument being developed at the NASA/ Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) for the polarimetric and interferometric measurements of ecosystem structure and biomass. The instrument uses a phased-array beamforming architecture and supports full polarimetric measurements and single pass interferometry. This Instrument development is part of NASA's Earth Science Technology Office Instrument Incubator Program (ESTO IIP).
Risks and Uncertainties Associated With High-Level Waste Tank Closure

Closure of tanks containing high-level radioactive waste (HLW) is a challenging problem involving potentially competing influences from economic, societal, and technological considerations. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is faced with protecting public health and the environment while making economically responsible decisions. Risk (i.e., annual dose) is becoming more prominent as DOE’s metric to evaluate the economic consequences of its decisions. Risks are assessed through modeling and calculations commonly known as performance assessment (PA). In the process of tank closure, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is typically consulted to perform an independent review of DOE’s PAs. The NRC staff developed a generic PA model, applicable to HLW tank closure, which NRC utilizes to complete its independent review. The model was developed using the generic simulation software, GoldSim, because of its probabilistic capabilities and its adaptability to different problems [1]. The NRC staff uses the resultant risk from the generic models to evaluate the reasonableness of performance assessment models submitted by DOE. Large differences in the estimates of risk between the generic PA model and the DOE PA would likely indicate a need for stronger technical basis for processes significantly contributing to annual dose (risk) reduction.
Anomalous dispersion in the dielectric spectra of conductive materials

A high-frequency impedance analyzer is used to study the dielectric permittivity of a conductor-filled composite. An anomalous dielectric dispersion is observed at high frequencies. Comparison to dielectric probe measurements indicates that this dispersion is not reproducible with other measurement techniques and may be a result of instrumental artifacts. Theoretical circuit models show that this dispersion is most likely caused by finite inductances and resistances that exist in the electrode fixture.
Treatment interruption and discontinuation in radiotherapy for rectal cancer.

Radiotherapy with chemotherapy for rectal cancer reduces local recurrence risk. Of 113 patients (59 male, 54 female) undergoing treatment at New York Presbyterian Hospital, 1998–2007, 6 discontinued radiotherapy; all were female. Females were also more likely to have a treatment interruption (35% vs 12%, p = .004). Other factors associated with treatment interruption included adjuvant versus neoadjuvant therapy (OR 14.08, 95%CI 1.55–127.87), use of capecitabine versus 5-fluorouracil (OR 75.90, 95%CI 3.33–>999), and development of any adverse event (OR 20.66, 95%CI 1.76–242.12). While radiotherapy discontinuation was uncommon in our cohort, for unknown reasons, females were more likely to discontinue or interrupt treatment.
Efficient L-D factorization algorithms for PDA, IMM, and IMMPDA filters

Efficient algorithms exist for the square-root probabilistic data association filter (PDAF). The same approach is extended to develop square-root versions of the interacting multiple model (IMM) Kalman filter and the IMMPDAF algorithms. The computational efficiency of the method stems from the fact that the terms needed in the overall covariance updates of PDAF, IMM, and IMMPDAF can be obtained as part of the square-root covariance update of an ordinary Kalman filter. In addition, a new square-root covariance prediction algorithm that is substantially faster than the usual modified weighted Gram-Schmidt (MWG-S) algorithm, whenever the process noise covariance matrix is time invariant, is proposed. >
Federalism and Full Faith and Credit: Must States Recognize Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages?

As Hawaii considers recognizing same-sex marriages, other states have started to ask whether, under the full faith and credit clause of Article IV of the U.S. Constitution, they could be compelled to recognize those marriages solemnized in Hawaii. Under Article IV the Congress could legislate on the issue and provide further guidance to states. Federal courts could intervene, and offer interpretations of the full faith and credit clause as it applies to same-sex marriages. Given the current political climate, however, it is unlikely that this issue will be resolved, at least initially, by the federal government. Instead, the issue is likely to be decided in state courts and legislatures, with the essential question being whether a sufficient state public policy exists to exempt the state from the otherwise mandatory requirements of the full faith and credit clause.
Performance study of the optimal beamformer in the M-sequence receiving system

A comprehensive study of the performance of the optimal adaptive beamformer in the M-sequence receiving system is presented. Two receiving system arrangements were considered: (1) adaptive beamformer precedes the matched filtering (APM), and (2) matched filtering precedes the adaptive beamformer (MPA). The optimal adaptive beamformer was constructed through the Bayesian approach. Theoretical and Monte Carlo simulation analysis showed that at high array signal-to-noise ratios, since the adaptive beamformer could converge to the steady state, the order of processing did not make a difference in the overall system performance. However, the convergence of the adaptive beamformer at low array signal-to-noise ratios was affected by the change in signal environment due to the change of the order of processing. Simulation showed that the performance of the MPA system had a lower threshold in the array signal-to-noise ratio. >
Where to Go Now With V-Go?

V-Go™ is a mechanical continuous insulin delivery device releasing a basal amount of rapid acting insulin that also allows the user the ability to deliver discrete meal time or correction doses. This analysis reviews available published literature on the technology, and discusses a recent article comparing the V-Go system with multiple daily insulin injection therapy. Finally, suggestions for future studies are provided.
Modifying the Classical 1D Catalyst Model to Include Axial Conduction and Diffusion

Lean NOx Trap (LNT) catalytic aftertreatment devices are one potential option for the reduction of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) in the exhaust of Compression Ignition engines. They work through a controlled modulation between a storage phase that captures NOx over an alkali earth metal and a regeneration phase that reduces the stored nitrates on the surface using a rich pulse of injected fuel or via stoichiometric engine operation. This rich phase has an associated fuel penalty while being relatively difficult to control through temperature and chemical species. In order to improve system efficiency, a number of researchers have proposed dual leg LNT systems using two LNTs, of which one is always storing while the other is undergoing regeneration. The majority of the exhaust flows through the storage LNT while only a small fraction (low space velocity) advects across the regeneration LNT. This increases the regeneration residence time, improving effectiveness and decreasing the amount of fuel used. From an LNT simulation standpoint, most researchers utilize the classical one-dimensional (1D) aftertreatment model constructed from the Euler equations of motion that neglects axial conduction and diffusion. This paper explores the applicability of this model under low flow situations prevalent in a dual leg LNT system through a carbon monoxide light-off experiment. The authors chose this type of experiment in order to focus purely on fluid mechanics and not the choice of LNT reaction mechanism. The results suggest that a Navier-Stokes (N-S) version of the 1D aftertreatment model is preferred for the regeneration leg of a dual LNT system. Moreover, the authors provide the solution of such a model within this paper.© 2012 ASME
Validate the List of Engineering Part Skillfully by Excel

The paper introduces the structure of PDS(Product Description System)and EPL(Engineering Part List),and describes how to use two skills of Excel and PDS to validate integrity and correctness of purchase level parts in EPL which is managed by manual Excel.In addition,strong point and disadvantage of each skill is addressed in this article.