cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PCE solubilization and mobilization by commercial humic acid

Abstract In this paper, comparison is made of terms describing solubilization of hydrophobic organic compounds (HOC) by dissolved humic substances (DHS) and commercial non-ionic surfactants. This paper examines the ability of a commercial humic acid (Aldrich humic acid) to solubilize and mobilize tetrachlorothene (PCE) residual in porous media. The constant for solubilization of PCE by Aldrich humic acid is shown to be a factor of two to thirty times less than that published for dodecyl alcohol ethoxylate surfactants, showing that Aldrich humic acid is less capable than some non-ionic surfactants at solubilizing residual PCE. The depression of PCE–water interfacial tension in the presence of DHS is shown to be significantly less than published values for a non-ionic surfactant, and surfactant mixtures, indicating that the DHS used in this study is less prone to cause mobilization of non-aqueous phase liquids relative to surfactants. Several possible advantages of DHS use in the remediation of subsurface media contaminated with HOC are described, including the ability of DHS to solubilize HOC irrespective of the DHS concentration, and potential lesser tendency of DHS to depress the interfacial tension between non-aqueous phases and water relative to surfactants (an advantage when mobilization is undesired).
Safety and compliance with once-daily niacin extended-release/lovastatin as initial therapy in the Impact of Medical Subspecialty on Patient Compliance to Treatment (IMPACT) study.

Niacin extended-release/lovastatin is a new combination product approved for treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia. This open-labeled, multicenter study evaluated the safety of bedtime niacin extended-release/lovastatin when dosed as initial therapy and patient compliance to treatment in various clinical practice settings. A total of 4,499 patients with dyslipidemia requiring drug intervention was enrolled at 1,081 sites. Patients were treated with 1 tablet (500 mg of niacin extended-release/20 mg of lovastatin) once nightly for 4 weeks and then 2 tablets for 8 weeks. Patients also received dietary counseling, educational materials, and reminders to call a toll-free number that provided further education about dyslipidemia and niacin extended-release/lovastatin. Primary end points were study compliance, increases in liver transaminases to >3 times the upper limit of normal, and clinical myopathy. Final study status was available for 4,217 patients (94%). Compliance to niacin extended-release/lovastatin was 77%, with 3,245 patients completing the study. Patients in the southeast and those enrolled by endocrinologists had the lowest compliance and highest adverse event rates. Flushing was the most common adverse event, reported by 18% of patients and leading to discontinuation by 6%. Incidence of increased aspartate aminotransferase and/or alanine aminotransferase >3 times the upper limit of normal was 5 times the upper limit of normal occurred in 0.24% of patients, and no cases of drug-induced myopathy were observed. Niacin extended-release/lovastatin 1,000/40 mg, dosed as initial therapy, was associated with good compliance and safety and had very low incidences of increased liver and muscle enzymes.
Teaching social influence: Resources and exercises from the field of communication

Effective teachers know that when students are engaged in active learning, they learn more, retain it longer, apply it better, and continue to learn (Weimer, 1993). One way to promote such learning is through the use of innovative classroom activities that lead students to understand, interpret, and/or apply information. In that spirit, educators in the field of communication have developed an array of activities and demonstrations for promoting active learning in students of social influence. To facilitate the use of such activities, this article uses an annotated bibliography format to review over 30 published articles designed by communication teachers to help instructors, especially new instructors, teach their students persuasion principles and practices including the Extended Parallel Process Model, Inoculation Theory, persuasive language, Monroe's Motivated Sequence, persuasive campaigns, credibility, deception, audience analysis and adaptation, power, and compliance gaining.
Quantitative Risk Management: Concepts, Techniques, and Tools

(2006). Quantitative Risk Management: Concepts, Techniques, and Tools. Journal of the American Statistical Association: Vol. 101, No. 476, pp. 1731-1732.
Maintaining Cache Coherence through Compiler-Directed Data Prefetching

In this paper, we propose a compiler-directed cache coherence scheme which makes use of data prefetching to enforce cache coherence in large-scale distributed shared-memory (DSM) systems. TheCache Coherence With Data Prefetching(CCDP) scheme uses compiler analyses to identify potentially stale and nonstale data references in a parallel program and enforces cache coherence by prefetching the potentially stale references. In this manner, the CCDP scheme brings up-to-date data into the caches to avoid stale references and also hides the latency of these memory accesses. Furthermore, the scheme also prefetches the nonstale references to hide their memory latencies. To evaluate the performance impact of the CCDP scheme on a real system, we applied the scheme on five applications from the SPEC CFP95 and CFP92 benchmark suites, and executed the resulting codes on the Cray T3D. The experimental results indicate that for all of the applications studied, our scheme provides significant performance improvements by caching shared data and using data prefetching to enforce cache coherence and to hide memory latency.
Quality of Life in Patients with Noninfectious Uveitis Treated with or without Systemic Anti-inflammatory Therapy.

AbstractPurpose: To compare vision-related (VR-QOL) and health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) in patients with noninfectious uveitis treated with systemic anti-inflammatory therapy versus nonsystemic therapy.Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study design was employed. VR-QOL and HR-QOL were assessed by the 25-Item Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25) and the Short Form 12-Item Health Survey (SF-12), respectively. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to assess the VR-QOL and HR-QOL based on treatment.Results: Among the 80 patients, the median age was 51 years with 28 males (35%). The adjusted effect of treatment modality on VR-QOL or HR-QOL showed no statistically significant difference in all subscores of VFQ-25 or physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS) of SF-12. Systemic therapy did not compromise VR-QOL or HR-QOL compared to nonsystemic therapy.Conclusions: Systemic therapy can be effectively used to control serious cases of noninfectious uveitis without sign...
Optoacoustic tomography using time-resolved interferometric detection of surface displacement

We introduce a minimally invasive technique for optoacoustic imaging of turbid media using optical interferometric detection of surface displacement produced by thermoelastic stress transients. The technique exploits endogenous or exogenous optical contrast of heterogeneous tissues and the low attenuation of stress wave propagation to localize and image subsurface absorbers in optically turbid media. We present a system that utilizes a time-resolved high-resolution interferometer capable of angstrom-level displacement resolution and nanosecond temporal resolution to detect subsurface blood vessels within model tissue phantoms and a human forearm in vivo.
Soil invertebrate and microbial communities, and decomposition as indicators of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contamination

Soil organisms are useful for quantification of ecological impact of chemical contamination of soils. This study examined the effects of creosote (complex mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) on composition and abundance of soil invertebrates (nematodes, collembolans and mites) and decomposition processes. Thirty intact soil cores and adjacent litter samples were collected each of three times during the 1998 growing season from soil contaminated with creosote for 50 years. Each core was divided evenly into two subsamples. Abundance of nematodes (by family), Collembola (by family), mites (by Oribatida and others), total bacterial biomass, and active fungal biomass were quantified in the first subsample; soil properties including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentration, organic carbon, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), bulk density, soil moisture and soil texture were measured in the second subsample. Creosote affected soil food webs and decomposition more by altering habitat of microinvertebrates and their prey, fungi and bacteria, than by direct toxicity. We hypothesize that nematodes were affected directly by PAH, more than collembolans or mites, because of their intimate contact with contaminated soil particles and permeable cuticles. Collembola and mites explained decomposition of 100% cellulose and mixed cellulose/lignin substrates better than nematodes because of their co-location in the litter layer. This is the first study to examine effects of PAH contamination on soil food webs and ecological processes.
External Accounts of Folk Psychology, Eliminativism, and the Simulation Theory

Stich and Ravenscroft (1994) distinguish between internal and external accounts of folk psychology and argue that this distinction makes a significant difference to the debate over eliminative materialism. I argue that their views about the implications of the internal/external distinction for the debate over eliminativism are mistaken. First, I demonstrate that the first of their two external versions of folk psychology is either not a possible target of eliminativist critique, or not a target distinct from their second version of externalism. Second, I show that whether or not the second of their two external version of folk psychology is open to eliminativist critique depends on ‘internal’ factors. Finally, I argue that they are wrong to claim that eliminativists might, by attacking external versions of folk psychology, escape being put out of business if the simulation theory is correct.
Performance and Upgrades for the Electron Cyclotron Heating System on DIII-D

The electron cyclotron heating (ECH) system on the DIII-D fusion reactor consists of six 110-GHz gyrotrons with 6 MW installed power for pulses limited administratively to 5 s in length. The transmission coefficient is better than -1.1 dB for four of the transmission lines, which is close to the theoretical value. A new depressed collector gyrotron was recently installed and is injecting up to 720 kW of power into DIII-D during 2013 tokamak operations. Three of the four dual waveguide launchers, which can steer the RF beams ±20° both poloidally and toroidally, were used for real-time neoclassical tearing mode control and suppression with increased poloidal scanning speed up to 60°/s and positioning accuracy of the beams of ±2 mm at the plasma center. The ECH capabilities on DIII-D are being steadily updated, leading to increased experimental flexibility and high reliability of the system. In the past year, the ECH system reliability reached 87% for 2352 successful individual gyrotron shots into DIII-D. Planning is under way for the addition of two new depressed collector gyrotrons, one at 110 GHz, 1.2 MW and another at 117.5 GHz, 1.5 MW generated power, both of which are in the test stage at Communications and Power Industries.
Strategy To Discover Diverse Optimal Molecules in the Small Molecule Universe

The small molecule universe (SMU) is defined as a set of over 1060 synthetically feasible organic molecules with molecular weight less than ∼500 Da. Exhaustive enumerations and evaluation of all SMU molecules for the purpose of discovering favorable structures is impossible. We take a stochastic approach and extend the ACSESS framework (Virshup et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135, 7296–7303) to develop diversity oriented molecular libraries that can generate a set of compounds that is representative of the small molecule universe and that also biases the library toward favorable physical property values. We show that the approach is efficient compared to exhaustive enumeration and to existing evolutionary algorithms for generating such libraries by testing in the NKp fitness landscape model and in the fully enumerated GDB-9 chemical universe containing 3 × 105 molecules.
INTERPLANETARY GAS. XI. AN EXOSPHERIC MODEL OF THE SOLAR WIND

Abstract Exospheric theory is generalized for the case of an ionized atmosphere, in which the collision cross section is dependent on velocity. A fit to the observed density distribution in the solar corona is used in finding a continuum of energy-dependent “critical levels”. The equation of continuity is used to find a distribution function, valid at large distances from the Sun. The effects of fine structure are investigated and a model giving the density, expansion velocity, and kinetic temperature as a function of height is found. An inhomogeneous quiet corona at 2 × 106 °K gives a proton density of 3 protons/cm3 and an expansion velocity of 260 km/sec at the orbit of the Earth. An active corona, with temperature 4–6 × 106 °K, gives an expansion velocity of 460–600 km/sec. Thus, the solar wind appears to be a natural property of the corona, and does not fundamentally depend on the method of treatment (e.g., hydrodynamic versus exospheric, etc.). The problem of the abundances of heavier elements in the solar wind is also discussed; it is concluded that the solar wind abundances (by flux) must be the photospheric values.
Effect of nitrogen, water and neighbor density on the growth of Hesperis matronalis and two native perennials

Disturbance is a well-recognized catalyst of exotic species invasion, depriving or releasing resources into communities and favoring the spread of some invaders. Hesperis matronalis (dame’s rocket) is widespread in North America and has potential to become a major problem in natural communities due to anthropogenic influences. We used a target-neighbor design in a greenhouse to grow H. matronalis and native seedlings (Campanula rotundifolia and Muhlenbergia montana) at various levels of neighbor density, nitrogen and water. H. matronalis clearly reduced C. rotundifolia and M. montana aboveground growth and maintained its competitive advantage across all treatments. We expected H. matronalis to maximize its growth and have the greatest negative effect on native species under high resource conditions because ruderal species are able to take advantage of excess resources. H. matronalis demonstrated a clearly negative effect on native species, but a particular ability to outcompete native species at high resource levels depended on resource and native species identity. We also expected that the native species would not exploit excess resources as well as H. matronalis, instead growing better under ambient or low resource conditions because of local adaptation. Rather, M. montana benefited from high water inputs, inconsistent with plant strategies characteristic of stress tolerators. Information on the effects of H. matronalis on native plants in a controlled setting may aid land managers to understand its potential effects in natural communities.
Protists are microbes too: a perspective.

Our understanding of the composition and activities of microbial communities from diverse habitats on our planet has improved enormously during the past decade, spurred on largely by advances in molecular biology. Much of this research has focused on the bacteria, and to a lesser extent on the archaea and viruses, because of the relative ease with which these assemblages can be analyzed and studied genetically. In contrast, single-celled, eukaryotic microbes (the protists) have received much less attention, to the point where one might question if they have somehow been demoted from the position of environmentally important taxa. In this paper, we draw attention to this situation and explore several possible (some admittedly lighthearted) explanations for why these remarkable and diverse microbes have remained largely overlooked in the present ‘era of the microbe’.
Law-and-economics: why Gordon Tullock prefers Napoleon Bonaparte over the Duke of Wellington; and why he may end up on St. Helena

Most scholars in the field of law-and-economics lean to the view that the common law is efficient. Tullock, however, argues that the common law is inefficient and suggests dramatic modifications to the American legal system, transforming it from a common law system to a civil code system and abandoning the adversarial proceedings in favor of an inquisitorial process. This essay summarizes and critically evaluates the thrusts of Tullock’s 1988 article and his 1997 book, which, together direct a full-frontal attack on the Anglo-Saxon common law system.
The upper bound approach to the friction wave model

"...Friction is, therefore, commonly explained on the principle of the inclined plane, from the effort required to make the incumberent weight mount over a succession of eminences. But this explication, however currently repeated, is quite insufficient. The mass which is drawn along is not continually ascending; it must alternately rise and fall; for each superficial prominence will have a corresponding cavity; and since the boundary of contact is supposed to be horizontal, the total elevations will be equalled by their collateral depressions. Consequently, if the actuating force might suffer a perpetual diminution in lifting up the weight, it would, the next moment, receive an equal increase by letting it down again; and those opposite effects, destroying each other, could have no influence whatever on the general motion."
Computer implementation of multiple comparisons with the best and selection procedures

The lack of computer software for Ranking and Selection has often been cited as a reason for it not having caught on in practice (Hayes 1982). Actually, this lack of software was a manifestation of some deeper perceived difficulties with practical usage, we believe. It was perceived that Bechhofer's (1954) Indifference Zone selection type inference was unavailable for single-stage experiments. The Multiple Comparisons with the Best (MCB) result of Hsu (1981) showed that not only is it available for single-stage experiments, it can be given simultaneously with Gupta's (1965) Subset Selection inference without decreasing the minimum confidence level of either. It has also been perceived that the unequal sample size case requires more complex methodologies than the equal sample size case. It is pointed out in Hsu (1983) that, so long as the analysis is performed on the computer, there needs to be no difference in methodology between the two cases. Based on these recent developments, a computer package has been written for Multiple Comparisons with the Best. Given the data (equal sample size or not) and the desired confidence level p* (=1-α), the first page output includes Subset Selection inference and Indifference Zone selection inference (extended to single-stage experiments), while the second page output gives the confidence intervals inference of Hsu (1981, 1982). All the inferences are guaranteed to be correct simultaneously with a probability of at least P*. The result of analysis of some water filter data using an earlier version of the package has been reported in Lorenz, Hsu, and Tuovinen (1982).
Pharmacological perturbation of murine melanoma growth by copper chelates.

Abstract Groups of BDF 1 and DBA mice were treated with either the cupric chelate of nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA-Cu +2 ) or the cuprous chelate of neocuproine (NC-Cu +1 ) every other day for 7 days prior to either i.p. or s.c. inoculation with 10 6 viable B16 melanoma cells, and then every other day for 15 days post-tumor inoculation. This treatment schedule was non-tosic to host mice. NC-Cu +1 acted as a tumor growth promoting factor in mice by enhancing tumorigenicity, stimulating body weight gain, inhibiting encapsulation of i.p. tumors that permitted growth as unrestrained ascites, and increasing final tumor weight over a shortened host survival period regardless of the site of tumor inoculation. Treatment with NTA-Cu +2 inhibited pigmentation in DBA mice bearing s.c. tumors, while treatment with NC-Cu +1 enhanced tumor pigmentation regardless of the site of tumor inoculation and murine strain. These results suggest that exogenous copper in the form of chelates alters the growth characteristics of a copper-requiring tumor system in both a copper-chelate- and murine-specific manner, and further suggests that the growth promoting activity of exogenous copper in the B16 melanoma system involves both enhanced copper nutrition and concomitant alteration of host reactions to tumors.
Spaced Out in Cyberspace? Evaluations of Computer‐Based Information

This study draws on cognitive elaboration theory to examine when and why people evaluate computer-based information more favorably than information from a less automated source. Half of participants received information from a computer, while half received the identical information from a less automated source. Moreover, participants were induced to be more vs. less involved in the information-acquisition process. As predicted, participants in the low-involvement condition evaluated the information more favorably when it came from a computer than from a less automated source. This difference was eliminated in the high-involvement condition. Further supporting our reasoning, the interaction effect between information source and level of involvement was more pronounced for participants low, rather than high, in need for cognition.
Leptin and ciliary neurotropic factor (CNTF) inhibit fasting-induced suppression of luteinizing hormone release in rats: role of neuropeptide Y.

Periods of chronic undernutrition and short periods of fasting suppress pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion and upregulate hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY), the orexigenic peptide. The effect of suppression of NPY upregulation with ciliary neurotropic factor (CNTF), a cytokine, and leptin, an adipocyte hormone, on pituitary LH secretion was evaluated in fasted rats. In the first experiment, daily injection of CNTF (0.2 nmol) intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) for 4 days drastically reduced food intake and body weight gain similar to the weight loss seen in pair-fed rats. Food deprivation (FD) also decreased body weight. Despite drastic loss in body weight, plasma LH was reduced in FD and pair-fed rats, but not in CNTF-treated rats. In the second experiment, FD rats received either control vehicle, CNTF (0.2 nmol) or leptin (0.2 nmol) daily for 4 days. FD increased steady state levels of preproNPY mRNA in the hypothalamus over the control freely-fed rats. However, both CNTF and leptin suppressed hypothalamic gene expression and significantly attenuated LH suppression in response to FD. Taken together, these results support the hypothesis that the upregulation of hypothalamic NPY system may underlie diminution in pituitary gonadotropin secretion and that the NPYergic pathway may serve as a communication bridge between the neural processes that regulate reproduction and those that maintain energy balance.
The ordered partition model: An extension of the partial credit model

An item response model, called the ordered.partition model, is designed for a measurement context in which the categories of response to an item cannot be completely ordered. For example, two different solution strategies may lead to an equivalent degree of success because both strategies may result in the same score, but an examiner may want to maintain the distinction between the strategies. Thus, the data would not be nominal nor completely ordered, so may not be suitable for other polytomous item response models such as the partial credit or the graded response models. The ordered partition model is described as an extension of the partial credit model, its relationship to other models is discussed, and two examples are presented. © 1992 Sage Publications. All rights reserved.
Synaptic muscarinic response types in hippocampal CA1 interneurons depend on different levels of presynaptic activity and different muscarinic receptor subtypes.

Depolarizing, hyperpolarizing and biphasic muscarinic responses have been described in hippocampal inhibitory interneurons, but the receptor subtypes and activity patterns required to synaptically activate muscarinic responses in interneurons have not been completely characterized. Using optogenetics combined with whole cell patch clamp recordings in acute slices, we measured muscarinic responses produced by endogenously released acetylcholine (ACh) from cholinergic medial septum/diagonal bands of Broca inputs in hippocampal CA1. We found that depolarizing responses required more cholinergic terminal stimulation than hyperpolarizing ones. Furthermore, elevating extracellular ACh with the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine had a larger effect on depolarizing versus hyperpolarizing responses. Another subpopulation of interneurons responded biphasically, and periodic release of ACh entrained some of these interneurons to rhythmically burst. M4 receptors mediated hyperpolarizing responses by activating inwardly rectifying K+ channels, whereas the depolarizing responses were inhibited by the nonselective muscarinic antagonist atropine but were unaffected by M1, M4 or M5 receptor modulators. In addition, activation of M4 receptors significantly altered biphasic interneuron firing patterns. Anatomically, interneuron soma location appeared predictive of muscarinic response types but response types did not correlate with interneuron morphological subclasses. Together these observations suggest that the hippocampal CA1 interneuron network will be differentially affected by cholinergic input activity levels. Low levels of cholinergic activity will preferentially suppress some interneurons via hyperpolarization and increased activity will recruit other interneurons to depolarize, possibly because of elevated extracellular ACh concentrations. These data provide important information for understanding how cholinergic therapies will affect hippocampal network function in the treatment of some neurodegenerative diseases.
Risk Management, Assessment, and Acceptability

Health and safety are moral sentiments generally given very high priority in most societies and by individuals. Like other moral sentiments — such as peace, freedom, and happiness — health and safety are not absolutes that can be defined in a quantitative sense or specified in detail. They are, in fact, intangibly measured by the absence of undesirable elements which tend to reduce these objectives. Good health is considered a state of physical and emotional well being which is achieved by the absence of detectable disease, physical malfunctions or early death. Safety is considered a circumstance of living in which physical injury or imminent threat of such injury is absent.
Recommended microcomputer knowledge for accounting graduates: A survey

Abstract Accounting educators are aware of the need to integrate computer skills into their curricula to help prepare students for the work environment they will be entering. To gain insight into what these skills should be, a study was conducted to determine the desired knowledge of broad and specific microcomputer topics for entry-level accountants from the perspective of accountants in public practice and in industry. The results of this study are presented according to the size and market of firms in public practice and industry.
Calorimetric study of nanocomposites of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and isotactic polypropylene polymer

Modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) was used to measure the complex specific heat of the crystallization and melting transitions of nanocomposites of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) as function of CNT weight percent and temperature scan rate. In the last few years, great attention has been paid to the preparation of iPP/CNT nanocomposites due to their unique thermal and structural properties and potential applications. As the CNT content increases from 0 to 1 wt %, heterogeneous crystal nucleation scales with the CNT surface area. Above 1 wt %, nucleation appears to saturate with the crystalliza- tion temperature, reaching � 8 K above that of the neat polymer. Heating scans reveal a complex, two-step, melting process with a small specific heat peak, first observed � 8 K below a much larger peak for the neat iPP. For iPP/CNT samples, these two features rap- idly shift to higher temperatures with increasing /w and then plateau at � 3 K above that in neat iPP for /w � 1 wt %. Scan rates affect dramatically differently the neat iPP and its nanocomposites. Transition temperatures shift nonlinearly, while the total transition enthalpy diverges between cooling and heating cycles with decreasing scan rates. These results are interpreted as the CNTs acting as nucleation sites for iPP crystal formation, randomly pinning a crystal structure different than in the neat iPP and indicating complex transition dynamics. V C 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 587-594, 2013
SU-F-BRD-15: The Impact of Dose Calculation Algorithm and Hounsfield Units Conversion Tables On Plan Dosimetry for Lung SBRT

Purpose: To assess dosimetric differences in IMRT lung stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) plans calculated with Varian AAA and Acuros (AXB) and with vendor-supplied (V) versus in-house (IH) measured Hounsfield units (HU) to mass and HU to electron density conversion tables. Methods: In-house conversion tables were measured using Gammex 472 density-plug phantom. IMRT plans (6 MV, Varian TrueBeam, 6–9 coplanar fields) meeting departmental coverage and normal tissue constraints were retrospectively generated for 10 lung SBRT cases using Eclipse Vn 10.0.28 AAA with in-house tables (AAA/IH). Using these monitor units and MLC sequences, plans were recalculated with AAA and vendor tables (AAA/V) and with AXB with both tables (AXB/IH and AXB/V). Ratios to corresponding AAA/IH values were calculated for PTV D95, D01, D99, mean-dose, total and ipsilateral lung V20 and chestwall V30. Statistical significance of differences was judged by Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test (p<0.05). Results: For HU<−400 the vendor HU-mass density table was notably below the IH table. PTV D95 ratios to AAA/IH, averaged over all patients, are 0.963±0.073 (p=0.508), 0.914±0.126 (p=0.011), and 0.998±0.001 (p=0.005) for AXB/IH, AXB/V and AAA/V respectively. Total lung V20 ratios are 1.006±0.046 (p=0.386), 0.975±0.080 (p=0.514) and 0.998±0.002 (p=0.007); ipsilateral lung V20 ratios are 1.008±0.041(p=0.284), 0.977±0.076 (p=0.443), and 0.998±0.018 (p=0.005) for AXB/IH, AXB/V and AAA/V respectively. In 7 cases, ratios to AAA/IH were within ± 5% for all indices studied. For 3 cases characterized by very low lung density and small PTV (19.99±8.09 c.c.), PTV D95 ratio for AXB/V ranged from 67.4% to 85.9%, AXB/IH D95 ratio ranged from 81.6% to 93.4%; there were large differences in other studied indices. Conclusion: For AXB users, careful attention to HU conversion tables is important, as they can significantly impact AXB (but not AAA) lung SBRT plans. Algorithm selection is also important for small targets in low density lung.
Efficacy of Identifying Stocked Crappies in a Tennessee Reservoir through Oxytetracycline Marking

Abstract Oxytetracycline (OTC) immersion was used to identify black-nosed crappies, a morphological variation of black crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus, stocked into Normandy Reservoir, Tennessee, during fall 1997. The technique effectively marked 97% of the treated fish. Analysis of one otolith per fish by one reader successfully identified 98% of marked and unmarked fish in a blind test. Marks were formed before annulus formation and were not obscured by annulus-related autofluorescence, suggesting that OTC can be effectively used late in the year (Oct and Nov) in Tennessee.
A cross-sectional analysis of U.S. contact lens user demographics.

Purpose. Large population studies carried out in the United States, while addressing refractive error prevalence, have published little addressing the modes of refractive correction. As such, there are little data in the biomedical literature concerning the characteristics of the contact lens wearing population in the United States. The purpose of this project was to develop estimates of the demographic characteristics of a cross section of contact lens wearers in the United States based on those who wore contact lenses on the day of their National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) examination. Methods. The NHANES is a nationally representative sample of the U.S. population. As part of NHANES, the type of refractive correction used is collected during a mobile medical clinic examination along with demographic variables. Data files from the 2005–2006 and 2007–2008 NHANES were obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics. Demographic characteristics of the U.S. population using contacts during the medical clinic examination were derived. Associations between demographic variables and contact lens use were explored in age-stratified univariate and multivariate analyses taking into account the complex sampling frame. Results. In univariate analysis, age (p 0.001) and the availability of health insurance (p 0.007) have negative associations with contact lens use, while female gender (p 0.001), higher socioeconomic status (p 0.001), and higher educational attainment (p 0.001) are associated with increased contact lens use. In multivariate analysis, age (p 0.001), socioeconomic status (p 0.001), the interaction of age with gender (p 0.001), and the interaction of socioeconomic status with education (p 0.002) are associated with contact lens use. Conclusions. Four demographic variables, age, socioeconomic status, age-gender interaction, and socioeconomic status-education interaction, defined those likely to be using contact lens on any given day in the United States. Together, these four variables identify almost 9 of 10 contact lens users. (Optom Vis Sci 2012;89:839–848)
Dithiothreitol-induced oxidative damage to thymine and DNA in solution.

Summary Studies on dithiothreitol-induced oxidative damage to thymine and DNA in solution are reported. The major thymine products, cis - and trans -5,6-dihydroxy-5,6-dihydrothymine (thymine glycols), are produced rapidly in 37°C neutral solutions of 10mM thymine and 10mM dithiothreitol. Iron-EDTA enhances while the iron chelator, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, inhibits the reaction. In experiments using 3 H-TdR-labeled Escherichia coli DNA, DNA damage was measured as increased ethanol-soluble radioactivity after treatment of the DNA with 5mM dithiothreitol at 45°C. The findings are important with respect to current research interest in thiol radioprotection and thiol-plus-heat toxicity.
Amino Acid Residues Critical for the Interaction between Bacteriophage T7 DNA Polymerase and Escherichia coli Thioredoxin

Upon infection of Escherichia coli, bacteriophage T7 annexes a host protein, thioredoxin, to serve as a processivity factor for its DNA polymerase, T7 gene 5 protein. In a previous communication (Himawan, J., and Richardson, C. C. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 89, 9774-9778), we reported that an E. coli strain encoding a Gly-74 to Asp-74 (G74D) thioredoxin mutation could not support wild-type T7 growth and that in vivo, six mutations in T7 gene 5 could individually suppress this G74D thioredoxin defect. In the present study, we report the purification and biochemical characterization of the G74D thioredoxin mutant and two suppressor gene 5 proteins, a Glu-319 to Lys-319 (E319K) mutant of gene 5 protein and an Ala-45 to Thr-45 (A45T) mutant. The suppressor E319K mutation, positioned within the DNA polymerization domain of gene 5 protein, appears to suppress the parental thioredoxin mutation by compensating for the binding defect that was caused by the G74D alteration. We suggest that the Glu-319 residue of T7 gene 5 protein and the Gly-74 residue of E. coli thioredoxin define a contact point or site of interaction between the two proteins. In contrast, the A45T mutation in gene 5 protein, located within the 3′ to 5′ exonuclease domain, does not suppress the G74D thioredoxin mutation by simple restoration of binding affinity. Based upon our understanding of the mechanisms of suppression, we propose a model for the T7 gene 5 protein-E. coli thioredoxin interaction.
Adapting human postural reflexes following localized cerebrovascular lesion: analysis of bilateral long latency responses.

Abstract The symmetry and adaptability of long latency stretcresponses was studied in a group of 4 adult hemiplegics and 5 normals of similar age. Subjects stood on a moveable platform whicdirectly rotated the ankles unexpectedly during a series of horizontal anterioposterior (AP) translations. When the platform was rotated toes-up, long latency discharge of gastrocnemius and hamstring muscles enhanced loss of balance by pulling the body backwards. Toes-down platform rotation elicited a reflex response from tibialis anterior and quadriceps whicinappropriately pulled the body forward. Attenuation of these long latency responses was necessary to minimize functional destabilization. Normal and stroke subjects demonstrated appropriate suppression of long latency responses, but the magnitude of attenuation was not uniform in hemiplegics. Adaptation was decreased in the proximal synergists compared to normal. Latency of muscle activation in the paretic limb was prolonged, and a preference for initial non-paretic limb activation was evident. Botlower extremities in hemiplegics showed a disruption of timing between distal and proximal synergists. These results suggest that stroke victims retain or recover the ability to modulate stretcreflex activity for balance. Temporal and spatial responses asymmetrics surface as critical factors underlying disequilibrium associated witlocalized cerebrovascular lesion.
Effect of synthesis parameters on the catalytic activity of Co–ZrO2 for bio-ethanol steam reforming

The effects of synthesis parameters on the activity of Co–ZrO2 catalysts in bio-ethanol steam reforming (BESR) were investigated. The supported catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation (IWI) and characterized through N2 physisorption, H2 chemisorption, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, temperature programmed calcination, temperature programmed reduction, temperature programmed oxidation, thermogravimetric analysis, ethanol pulse chemisorption, and temperature programmed reaction techniques. The synthesis parameters examined include calcination temperature, reduction temperature, and reduction time. The catalyst evolution at different stages of the synthesis process was investigated. The ethanol adsorption and temperature programmed reaction experiments indicated a strong correlation between the catalytic activity and metallic cobalt surface area for the 10 wt% Co–ZrO2 catalyst.
Expression of human prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in a mouse tumor cell line reduces tumorigenicity and elicits PSA-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Human prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has a highly restricted tissue distribution. Its expression is essentially limited to the epithelial cells of the prostate gland. Moreover, it continues to be synthesized by prostate carcinoma cells. This makes PSA an attractive candidate for use as a target antigen in the immunotherapy of prostate cancer. As a first step in characterizing the specific immune response to PSA and its potential use as a tumor-rejection antigen, we have incorporated PSA into a well-established mouse tumor model. Line 1, a mouse lung carcinoma, and P815, a mouse mastocytoma, have been transfected with the cDNA for human PSA. Immunization with a PSA-expressing tumor cell line demonstrated a memory response to PSA which protected against subsequent challenge with PSA-expressing, but not wild-type, tumors. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes could be isolated from PSA-expressing tumors grown in naive hosts and were specifically cytotoxic against a syngeneic cell line that expressed PSA. Immunization with tumor cells resulted in the generation of primary and memory cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) specific for PSA. The isolation of PSA-specific CTL clones from immunized animals further demonstrated that PSA can serve as a target antigen for antitumor CTL. The immunogenicity studies carried out in this mouse tumor model provide a rationale for the design of methods to elicit PSA-specific cell-mediated immunity in humans.
Biological problems concerning fossilizable dinoflagellates

Abstract Considerable progress has been made in the last few years toward a solution to an old micropaleontological problem, namely, that of the “biological affinities of hystrichospheres.” Today it can be said with some certainty that hystrichospheres (sensu stricto) as well as “typical” fossil dinoflagellates are homologous with the resting cysts or spores of living peridinealean dinoflagellates, but this does not completely resolve the original problem. Several important aspects of the biology of modern dinoflagellate cysts are very poorly understood or documented. These biological matters include the causes and mode of cyst formation and the genetic and physiological functions they perform. This contribution is devoted firstly to a review of recently acquired knowledge of modern dinoflagellate cysts that have micropaleontological interest and, secondly to a brief discussion of some of the biological problems that concern them.
Azone analogues as penetration enhancers: effect of different vehicles on hydrocortisone acetate skin permeation and retention

Abstract The permeation and skin retention of hydrocortisone-21 -acetate in hairless mouse skin in vitro was examined following topical pretreatment with four novel enhancers in four vehicles: isopropyl myristate (IPM), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, (MP), polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG), and caprylic/capric/linoleic triglyceride (CT, Miglyol 818®). Controls included no vehicle pretreatment and vehicle pretreatment one hour prior to drug application to the skin. The standard enhancer studied was Azone. With enhancer 1 [N-(1-oxododecyl)morpholine], the rank order for 24 hour cumulative receptor steroid concentrations Q24 (μM) was PEG > IPM > MP/CT; for enhancer 2 [N-dodecyl-2-piperidinone]: PEG > IPM/MP/CT; for enhancer 3 [N-dodecyl-2-pyrrolidinone]: MP > CT/PEG/IPM; for enhancer 4 [N-(1-oxotetradecyl)hexahydro-2-oxo-1H-azepine]: PEG/MP/IPM > CT. For Q24 controls, one hour pretreatment with vehicles alone, rank order was IPM > MP/CT > PEG. Coadministration of the steroid with enhancer 2 with PEG or with propylene glycol reduced enhancer effectiveness compared to pretreatment with vehicle alone.
Ignition and combustion of boron particles in fluorine-containing environments

Abstract The ignition and combustion of isolated boron particles in fluorine-containing environments were investigated both experimentally and theoretically. Boron particles (1-μm amorphous and 3-μm crystalline) were ignited and burned completely in the post-flame region of a multi-diffusion flat-flame burner. The high-temperature gas environment was generated by the combustion of CH4/NF3/O2/N2 gases at atmospheric pressure. From the recorded real-time images of burning boron particles in fluorine-containing environments, no clear distinction was observed to define a two-stage combustion process, which is a characteristic feature of boron oxidation without fluorine. The burning trajectories of boron particles in fluorine-containing environments showed pronounced jetting and spinning phenomena. At 1,780 K, the self-sustained ignition of boron particles required a higher oxidizer concentration in non-fluorinated environments than in fluorinated environments. From the experimental data, HF was found to increase total burning times (tb) of boron particles; whereas, F significantly reduced tb. A theoretical model was developed for simulating the combustion of an isolated boron particle in fluorine-containing environments. The oxide layer removal process was modeled using a reaction mechanism, which considered the vaporization process of the liquid B2O3/(BO)n mixture and four global surface reactions of oxide layer with O2, H2O, F, and HF. The “clean” boron combustion model included four global surface reactions of O2, H2O, F, and HF with boron. Numerical calculations showed that the oxide layer removal rate significantly increased in the presence of F and HF, as much as four times when the combustion is kinetics-controlled. In agreement with measured data, the calculated first- and second-stage combustion times decreased with increasing the ambient gas mixture temperature or the total pressure. The comparison between the current model predicted characteristic times of boron combustion and the measured data in the current study and other published experimental data in the literature is generally in good agreement.
Autophagy Stimulation Abrogates Herpes simplex Virus-1 Infection

Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) is a double-stranded DNA virus that causes life-long infections. HSV-1 infections may lead to herpetic stromal keratitis that may advance to corneal blindness. HSV-1 infections can also cause fatal conditions, such as herpes encephalitis, or neonatal disease. A major virulence mechanism of HSV-1 is the control of autophagy, an innate immune defense strategy that could otherwise degrade viral particles. Here, to investigate a new mechanism for antiviral therapy, we tested the effect of various autophagy inducers (physiological and pharmacological) on infection. Autophagy stimulation was confirmed to significantly suppress HSV-1 infection in various cell types, without affecting cell viability. This study establishes the importance of autophagy for regulating HSV-1 infection, and provides a proof-of-principle evidence for a novel antiviral mechanism.
Impact of isolated clinical performance feedback on clinical productivity of an academic surgical faculty.

Background There is increasing financial pressure to maximize clinical productivity for academic physicians. We examined whether clinical performance feedback alone could contribute to improving the clinical productivity of surgeons in an academic department of surgery. Study design We implemented a clinical performance feedback program in January 2003. We then compared clinical productivity in terms of relative value units (RVUs) of surgeons for 18 months before and 18 months after this intervention, using each surgeon as his or her own control. Regression was performed with dependent variable ln (monthly RVUs) and independent variables "calendar month," "pre/post" January 2003, and "surgeon." The coefficient on "pre/post" reflected average change in RVUs. We also surveyed faculty on their use of and attitudes toward this feedback. Results There was a 58% survey response. Ninety-two percent of responding faculty reported that they viewed and used the performance feedback, and that it affected their practice. Ninety-two percent believed the information accurately reflected their performance, 89% thought that the comparisons were useful, and 79% desired more feedback information, specifically, comparisons with external benchmarks. When RVU data were examined, the coefficient on change pre- and postintervention indicated a 7.4% increase in productivity (p Conclusions Performance feedback was associated with a small (6.0%) but significant improvement in productivity in this academic surgical faculty group. Performance feedback can be useful and should be used in conjunction with other management tools for this population.