cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Utility of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Pelvic Recurrences After Prior Radiation Therapy.

Purpose/objective(s) Patients with locally recurrent colorectal cancer represent a particular clinical challenge as these patients often present with unresectable disease and a history of prior pelvic radiotherapy. While options are therefore limited, radiation is usually the only local therapy available. The purpose of this study was to analyze the efficacy and outcomes associated with treating recurrent colorectal cancer using stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in patients who have been previously irradiated to the pelvis. Materials/methods We identified 23 patients with recurrent rectal (n = 20, 87%) or colon (n = 3, 13%) adenocarcinoma who were treated with SBRT in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Stanford University from June 2009 to November 2019. In total, 11 males and 12 females were included in this study with a median age of 53 years old (range: 25-76). All 23 patients had a history of surgical resection and at least one course of radiation therapy to disease in the pelvis before SBRT treatment to the pelvis for recurrent cancer, of which 8 patients (35%) received two prior radiotherapy courses and 1 patient (4%) received three prior courses. Data collection included tumor staging and grading, radiation treatment details, and follow up information to determine toxicities and survival outcomes. Time to events were calculated from the completion of SBRT. Toxicities were graded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v.5.0. Results Median time to follow up was 91 months (range: 36-237). Median GTV and PTV volumes for tumor treated using SBRT were 79.9 and 136.5 cm3, respectively. Median SBRT dose was 40 Gy (range: 30 - 50). Median PTV mean dose was 41.8Gy. The median cumulative biological effective dose (BED) was 145 Gy (range: 72.0-254.4). Overall, 22 patients received 5 fractions of treatment and one patient received 4 of the 5 planned fractions due to deteriorating condition related to disease. Median time to overall survival (OS) was 125 months (range: 61-194) and median progression free survival (PFS) was 82 months (range: 57-142). The 3- and 5-year rate of local failure was 4.4% and 17.4%, respectively. Of the 23 patients in this cohort, there were 6 patients (26%) with grade 2 acute toxicities, including 3 patients (13%) with increased pain, and 6 patients (26%) with late grade 2 or 3 toxicities, including 3 patients (13%) with grade 3 neuropathy. There was no grade 3 or 4 acute, or grade 4 late toxicities reported. On univariate analysis, no factors were significantly predictive of OS, PFS, or toxicity. Conclusion SBRT to previously irradiated areas of the pelvis was effective in controlling unresectable pelvic recurrences of colorectal cancer following previous radiation. While treatment was generally well-tolerated, pelvic pain was the most common acute toxicity, and neuropathy was the most common late toxicity. Further investigation is needed to improve the toxicity profile and optimize the therapeutic ratio.
Optimized Out-of-Order Parallel Discrete Event Simulation

The out-of-order parallel discrete event simulation in Chap. 4 relies on static code analysis and dynamic out-of-order scheduling to break the global cycle barrier in simulation so as to achieve high multicore CPU utilization.
Nomenclature Issues in the Human Genome Project

The recent progress in biotechnology, in particular in techniques to manipulate the genetic molecule DNA, has led to probably the most exciting, and also much debated enterprise in biology: to reveal the sequence of the human genome.
Pyruvate kinase M2 regulates glucose metabolism by functioning as a coactivator for hypoxia-inducible factor 1 in cancer cells

Weibo Luo 1,2 and Gregg L. Semenza 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 1 Vascular Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA 2 McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA 3 Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA 4 Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA 5 Department of Pediatrics, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA 6 Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA 7 Department of Radiation Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA Received: June 24, 2011; Accepted: June 24, 2011; Published: June 25, 2011; Correspondence: Gregg L. Semenza, email: // // Abstract Cancer cells feature altered glucose metabolism that allows their rapid growth. They consume large amounts of glucose to produce lactate, even in the presence of ample oxygen, which is known as the Warburg effect. Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) contributes to the Warburg effect by previously unknown mechanisms. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) mediates PKM2 gene transcription and glucose reprogramming in cancer cells. The recent discovery of novel physical and functional interactions between PKM2 and HIF-1 in cancer cells has provided insight into molecular mechanisms underlying the Warburg effect.
Thromboangiitis obliterans: current perspectives and future directions.

Abstract Originally described by von Winiwarter in 1879 and by Buerger in 1908, thromboangiitis obliterans became a focus of delayed controversy in the 1960s when its existence as a separate entity came into question. More recently, new information regarding the disease's pathogenesis, as well as a redefinition of its clinical and roentgenographic features, has given further credence to the theory that thromboangiitis obliterans is a distinct clinicopathologic and roentgenographic entity. By critically analyzing both old and new insights, this article assesses the current status and future directions of the disease. (Texas Heart Institute Journal 1990;17:112-7)
Children's Perception of Socially Significant Speech Variants

To assess children's perception of socially significant speech variants, taped speech samples from lower-urban white, lower-urban Negro, upper-urban white, and upper-urban Negro nine-year-old boys were presented to Ss with characteristics similar to speakers. The Ss' task was to identify the speaker by pointing to one of four pictures depicting the speaker types. Although findings were in the predicted direction, analysis of variance yielded no significant effects. Despite the clearly apparent lower mean scores observed for the LUN Ss, the size of the within variance precluded rejection of the hypotheses. The consistency of responses to certain speaker types merits further exploration.
Automatically inferring temporal properties for program evolution

It is important that program maintainers understand important properties of the programs they modify and ensure that the changes they make do not alter essential properties in unintended ways. Manually documenting those properties, especially temporal ones that constrain the ordering of events, is difficult and rarely done in practice. We propose an automatic approach to inferring a target system's temporal properties based on analyzing its event traces. The core of our technique is a set of pre-defined property patterns among a few events. These patterns form a partial order in terms of their strictness. Our approach finds the strictest properties satisfied by a set of events based on the traces. We report results from experiments on two sets of programs: student solutions for a class assignment, and several recent versions of OpenSSL Comparing properties inferred from different implementations led us to discover important behavioral differences which revealed flaws in the programs. Differences in automatically inferred temporal properties can provide useful information to programmers evolving complex, often unspecified, programs whose correctness depends on preservation of undocumented temporal properties.
Atypical Miller Fisher Syndrome with Anisocoria and Rapidly Fluctuating Pupillary Diameter.

Miller Fisher syndrome is a variant of Guillain-Barre syndrome characterized by the classic triad of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and areflexia. Pupillary involvement is common in MFS and has been reported in 35–42% of MFS patients. Although case reports have discussed isolated ophthalmoplegia as a presentation of MFS, anisocoria and rapid fluctuation of pupillary diameter have not been reported in anti-GQ1b antibody positive individuals. Here we describe an individual who presented with diplopia and was found to have progressive internal and external ophthalmoplegia with frequent fluctuations in pupillary diameter and anisocoria. These exam findings are not commonly described even in atypical presentations of MFS. The onset of symptoms was preceded by an upper respiratory infection but no gastrointestinal symptoms. Imaging and CSF studies were unremarkable; however serum levels of immunoglobulin G anti-GQ1b antibody and anti-GAD antibody were elevated confirming the diagnosis of MFS. The patient was treated with IVIG and intravenous steroids with mild resolution of external ophthalmoplegia. He did not go on to develop more typical features of MFS such as ataxia or areflexia. This demonstrates that isolated external and internal ophthalmoparesis with rapidly fluctuating pupillary diameter and associated anisocoria can be the sole manifestation of atypical MFS.
Threshold Value Estimation Using Adaptive Two-Stage Plans in R

This paper introduces the R package twostageTE for estimation of an inverse regression function at a given point when one can sample an explanatory covariate at different values and measure the corresponding responses. The package implements a number of nonparametric methods for budget constrained threshold value estimation. Specifically, it contains methods for classical one-stage designs and also adaptive two-stage designs, which have been shown to yield more efficient and accurate results. A major advantage of the methods in package twostageTE is that threshold value estimation is performed without penalization or kernel smoothing, and hence, avoids the well-known problems of choosing the corresponding tuning parameter (regularization, bandwidth). The user can easily perform a two-stage analysis with twostageTE by (i) identifying the second stage sampling region from an initial sample, and (ii) computing various types of confidence intervals to ensure a robust analysis. The package twostageTE is illustrated through simulated examples.
Ruling the Periphery, Governing the Land The Making of the Modern Ottoman State in Kurdistan, 1840-70

Ozok-Gundogan’s article examines the Ottoman state’s policy toward the hereditary yurtlukocaklik lands under the control of the Kurdish emirs in the mid-nineteenth century. Within the Tanzimat context, the Ottoman state set out to abolish this particular landownership pattern in Kurdistan and establish a rationalized tax system in the area. The article demonstrates the complex interplay of economic motives, spatio-geographic reasoning, and cultural politics at the level of central and local state elites in their encroachment over the lands of the Kurdish emirs. This article focuses on Palu, one of the yurtluk-ocaklik sanjaks, which remained under the hereditary rule of the Kurdish emirates from the sixteenth until the mid-nineteenth century. Lands were granted to the Palu emirs who declared their allegiance to the Ottoman Empire during the Safavid-Ottoman imperial rivalry. However, when they were unable to extract sufficient tax revenues, the state sought to abolish this type of landownership in Palu starting in the 1840s. The Ottoman program that resulted in the transformation of landholding systems in Palu, Ozok-Gundogan contends, was much more than the result of sheer military force; it entailed multiple local and central actors as well as negotiations, concessions, and sometimes contingencies.
Cell Biology of Neurons

Certainly the most important functions of the brain are the receipt, transmission, and processing of information. For this reason, much of our knowledge about neurons has to do with their signaling capabilities. Nevertheless, neurons are cells, and some of their most important functional properties arise from their cellular characteristics and from cell- cell interactions that are not directly related to signaling activities. For example, synapses play a key role in transmitting information from one cell to the next. However, they also have other functions in regulating the structure, functional properties, and very existence of the cells that they contact. These trophic or regulatory functions are of considerable importance for understanding the consequences of injury or disease of the nervous system, because injury or disease can result in a cascade of effects caused by altered intercellular regulation.
The Colorado Physician Health Program. Observations at 7 Years

The Colorado Physician Health Program, a statewide peer health assistance program for physicians, has functioned for 7 years as a freestanding, not-for-profit corporation. By use of an employee-assistance model, the Program offers psychiatric evaluation, referral for treatment, and ongoing monitoring for treatment progress and ability to practice safely. A significant fraction of the physicians seen by the Program have problems or illnesses that either do not involve (or do not solely involve) substance abuse, and often such cases present diagnostic dilemmas.
Comparative in Vitro Toxicity of Grape- and Citrus-Farm Dusts*

Agricultural workers are exposed to a variety of airborne dusts, including crystalline silica and other inorganic minerals. This study was designed to characterize the organic and inorganic components of agricultural dusts in California grape- and citrus-farm fields and to compare their cytotoxicity using in vitro toxicity bioassays as predictors of pathogenicity. Aerosolized dusts collected from farm fields were characterized by scanning-electron-microscopic energy-dispersive x-ray analysis, x-ray diffraction, trace metal analysis by plasma emission spectroscopy, and surface area measurements. As indicators of cytotoxicity, cell viability, release of alveolar enzymes activities (lactate dehydrogenase, N-acetyl glucosaminidase), production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as H2O2 and hydroxyl radical (OH), and lipid peroxidation were monitored after exposure of cells to grape- and citrus-farm dusts or inorganic components of these dusts. In addition, activation of nuclear factor kappa B and activator protein-1 were evaluated at the peak time for response of 36 h postexposure. All toxicity studies were done in comparison with crystalline silica of similar particle size and diameter using the same mass concentrations as farm dusts. The results showed that inorganic minerals in the aerosolized farm dust fractions were mostly composed of aluminum silicates, crystalline silica, and free iron. Crystalline silica used in these studies was more cytotoxic than grape- and citrus-farm dusts. However, in general, citrus farm dust exhibited the greatest ability to generate ROS and induce lipid peroxidation. These results support human epidemiologic studies, reporting an increased incidence of pulmonary fibrosis in farm workers, by documenting the potential of farm dusts to induce oxidative stress and initiate disease development.
Exchange of azine ligands in fac-Re(CO)3(4-cyanopyridine)2Cl and fac-Re(CO)3(quinoline)2Cl

Abstract One of the azine ligands in fac-Re(CO)3L2Cl, L=4-cyanopyridine or quinoline, was found to be more labile than in other related Re(I) complexes. Substitution of 4-cyanopyridine by 4-phenylpyridine in fac-Re(CO)3(4-cyanopyridine)2CI was successfully applied to the preparation of fac-Re(CO)3(4-cyanopyridine)(4-phenylpyridine)Cl. The kinetics of the mixed-ligand complex formation was investigated and a reaction mechanism is proposed.
Attenuation of kindling-induced decreases in NT-3 mRNA by thyroid hormone depletion

The expression of neurotrophins is altered by amygdala kindled seizures. Because thyroid hormone can regulate the transcription of neurotrophins, we asked whether thyroid hormone regulates neurotrophin mRNA expression following amygdala kindling. Rats with electrodes implanted in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala were either depleted of thyroid hormone or given excess thyroid hormone. The rats were then kindled daily until they had one generalized seizure. The brains were removed 4 h after the seizure and processed for in situ hybridization of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) mRNAs. In non-kindled rats, thyroid hormone depletion increased the levels of BDNF mRNA in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. NGF and NT-3 mRNA expression was not altered. In addition, thyroid hormone manipulations had no effect on kindling or on kindling-induced BDNF and NGF mRNA. However, the kindling-induced decrease in NT-3 mRNA expression in the dentate gyrus granule cell layer was significantly attenuated by thyroid hormone depletion. These effects were reversed by thyroid hormone replacement. The results indicate that thyroid hormone plays a modulatory role in the seizure-induced changes of NT-3 mRNA expression found in the dentate gyrus.
Clinical evaluation of membrane excitability in muscle channel disorders: potential applications in clinical trials.

Muscle channelopathies are inherited disorders that cause paralysis and myotonia. Molecular technology has contributed immeasurably to diagnostic testing, to correlation of genotype with phenotype, and to insight into the pathophysiology of these disorders. In most cases, the diagnosis of muscle channelopathy is still made on clinical grounds, but is supported by ancillary laboratory and electrodiagnostic testing such as serum potassium measurement, exercise testing, repetitive nerve stimulation, needle electromyography, calculation of muscle fiber conduction velocity, or electromyography power spectra. Although provocative glucose or potassium challenges are now infrequently performed, they have contributed greatly to our understanding of the pathophysiology of these disorders, and to our ability to differentiate between periodic paralysis types. Despite considerable progress, ample opportunity remains for future clinical research, particularly in expanding genotype—phenotype correlations and in optimizing electrodiagnostic methods. With respect to diagnostic testing, there is a need for accurate, efficient, and cost-effective bedside testing, given the substantial proportion (as high as 20%) of genetically undefined cases. Even in genetically defined cases, minimal clinical expressivity due to incomplete penetrance poses a significant challenge to currently available nonmolecular testing.
Structural materials issues for the next generation fission reactors

Generation-IV reactor design concepts envisioned thus far cater to a common goal of providing safer, longer lasting, proliferation-resistant, and economically viable nuclear power plants. The foremost consideration in the successful development and deployment of Gen-W reactor systems is the performance and reliability issues involving structural materials for both in-core and out-of-core applications. The structural materials need to endure much higher temperatures, higher neutron doses, and extremely corrosive environments, which are beyond the experience of the current nuclear power plants. Materials under active consideration for use in different reactor components include various ferritic/martensitic steels, austenitic stainless steels, nickel-base superalloys, ceramics, composites, etc. This article addresses the material requirements for these advanced fission reactor types, specifically addressing structural materials issues depending on the specific application areas.
A symbolic simulation-based methodology for generating black-box timing models of custom macrocells

We present a methodology for generating black-box timing models for full-custom transistor-level CMOS circuits. Our approach utilizes transistor-level ternary symbolic timing simulation to explore the input arrival time space and determine the input arrival time windows that result in proper operation. This approach integrates symbolic timing simulation into existing static timing analysis flows and allows automated modelling of the timing behavior of aggressive full-custom circuit design styles.
At least do no harm: sources on the changing role of business ethics and corporate social responsibility

Although the topics of business ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) are not new, this article focuses on the changing role of both subjects in the current business world. Having heard much about CSR in the past, the authors were under the impression that it had taken hold as a movement and more and more corporations were leaning toward ethical business practices and social responsibility. Media attention on the shocking revelations of the tobacco industry stimulated their interest in investigating this impression. Their research indicates that, although some corporations are still practicing unethical behavior, many more indicated that they have a social responsibility to their stakeholders.
Identification of Bases in 16S rRNA Essential for tRNA Binding at the 30S Ribosomal P Site

Previous studies suggest that the mechanism of action of the ribosome in translation involves crucial transfer RNA (tRNA)-ribosomal RNA (rRNA) interactions. Here, a selection scheme was developed to identify bases in 16S rRNA that are essential for tRNA binding to the P site of the small (30S) ribosomal subunit. Modification of the N-1 and N-2 positions of 2-methylguanine 966 and of the N-7 position of guanine 1401 interfered with messenger RNA (mRNA)-dependent binding of tRNA to the P site. Modification of the same positions as well as of the N-1 and N-2 positions of guanine 926 interfered with mRNA-independent binding of tRNA at high magnesium ion concentration. These results suggest that these three bases are involved in intermolecular contacts between ribosomes and tRNA.
Multimodal biometric digital watermarking on immigrant visas for homeland security

Passengers with immigrant Visa's are a major concern to the International Airports due to the various fraud operations identified. To curb tampering of genuine Visa, the Visa's should contain human identification information. Biometric characteristic is a common and reliable way to authenticate the identity of an individual [1]. A Multimodal Biometric Human Identification System (MBHIS) that integrates iris code, DNA fingerprint, and the passport number on the Visa photograph using digital watermarking scheme is presented. Digital Watermarking technique is well suited for any system requiring high security [2]. Ophthalmologists [3], [4], [5] suggested that iris scan is an accurate and nonintrusive optical fingerprint. DNA sequence can be used as a genetic barcode [6], [7]. While issuing Visa at the US consulates, the DNA sequence isolated from saliva, the iris code and passport number shall be digitally watermarked in the Visa photograph. This information is also recorded in the 'immigrant database'. A 'forward watermarking phase' combines a 2-D DWT transformed digital photograph with the personal identification information. A 'detection phase' extracts the watermarked information from this VISA photograph at the port of entry, from which iris code can be used for identification and DNA biometric for authentication, if an anomaly arises.
Effects of Indoxacarb Concentration and Exposure Time on Onset of Abnormal Behaviors, Morbundity, and Death in Eastern Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Onset of abnormal behaviors, morbundity, and death was evaluated in eastern subterranean termites, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), exposed to several concentrations (45, 90, 135, and 180 ppm) of indoxacarb and to several (5, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 min) exposure periods. Abnormal behaviors, morbundity, and death occurred in a predictable sequence: disorientation, ataxia, and morbundity followed by death. In general, higher concentrations and longer exposure periods resulted in faster onset of abnormal behaviors, morbundity, and death. The average onset time of abnormal behaviors, morbundity, and death was faster for groups of termites compared with individuals exposed to similar concentrations and periods of contact. The importance of onset times of abnormal behaviors as another important measure of the toxicity of slow-acting toxicants is discussed.
Turbidity and suspended-sediment changes from stream-crossing construction on a forest haul road in West Virginia, USA

A forested headwater watershed in West Virginia was monitored to examine changes to in-stream turbidity following the construction of a 0.92 km (0.57 mi) haul road. Due to the design of the study, most of the sediment that entered the stream following road construction was known to result from the stream crossings and approaches to the crossings. Stream-water samples collected daily and sequentially during stormflow from 1999 through 2005 were used to interpret the effects of stream-crossing construction on turbidity and suspended-sediment concentrations (SSC). Daily and stormflow turbidity and SSC values increased as a result of the construction. Average sediment loads (kg per storm) and total annualized sediment loads (kg per year) also increased significantly, both by a factor of about 1.8. Sediment delivery to the stream was caused by mechanical introduction of soil during stream-crossing culvert installation and fill-slope construction in the crossing approaches, and by erosion of those areas due to ...
Dynamic implant profiling by low-energy nuclear reaction spectroscopy

Abstract A new method is presented for analyzing the nuclear-reaction charged-particle spectra emitted during ion bombardment of materials. The approach is based on energy rather than depth increments and includes explicitly the effects of multiple-scattering and straggling. The technique is applied to dynamic deuterium profiling of near-surface regions of materials during deuterium implantation. Theoretical sensitivities and depth resolutions are computed for deuteron energies of 40 and 200 keV. By detecting protons emitted in the backward direction, at 40 keV one can profile the top 0.2μm of a typical target, e.g., ScD 2 , with a fwhm depth resolution of 0.04μm, while maintaining a surface deuterium sensitivity of 800 counts per D/Sc atom ratio, per millicoulomb accumulated normal bombardment. At 200 keV, the profiled depth is 0.9 μm with a resolution of 0.07 μm and a sensitivity pf 2 × 10 4 counts/atom ratio·mC. Experimental profiles for deuterium occluding and non-occluding materials illustrate the technique's unique ability of observing profile development.
Pediatric otolaryngology: a psychosocial perspective

Physical illness in children is affected by a variety of factors unique to pediatrics. They include a child's developmental level, family environment and the presence of premorbid behavior patterns. Therefore, pediatric care requires special considerations pertaining to the patient-physician relationship and the potential for psychosocial dysfunction. Three case reports are presented to illustrate these concerns in treating children within the specialty of otolaryngology. Prompt identification of these factors and effective intervention in cases of psychosocial disturbance are challenging facets of the practice of pediatric otolaryngology.
Tyrosine administration decreases vulnerability to ventricular fibrillation in the normal canine heart

Intravenous infusion of tyrosine (1, 2, or 4 milligrams per kilogram) for 20 to 30 minutes caused dose-dependent increases in the ventricular fibrillation threshold in normal dogs. Administration of valine, a neutral amino acid that competes with tyrosine for uptake at the blood-brain barrier, in a dose equimolar to the most effective dose of tyrosine, slightly decreased the ventricular fibrillation threshold when given alone and significantly blocked elevation of the ventricular fibrillation threshold after tyrosine infusion. Hence, tyrosine, presumably acting in the central nervous system, can protect against certain ventricular arrhythmias.
Computer room risk assessment

Large computer systems have become pervasive in today's “Information Society.” In airlines, banking, telecommunications and many other businesses, the computer system provides the competitive edge. The risk of damage to either equipment or data or both has become a vital concern.
Role of mutations in the cellular internalization of amyloidogenic light chains into cardiomyocytes

Light chain (AL) amyloidosis is characterized by the misfolding of immunoglobulin light chains, accumulating as amyloid fibrils in vital organs. Multiple reports have indicated that amyloidogenic light chains internalize into a variety of cell types, but these studies used urine-derived proteins without indicating any protein sequence information. As a result, the role of somatic mutations in amyloidogenic protein internalization has not been yet studied. We characterized the internalization of AL-09, an AL amyloidosis protein into mouse cardiomyocytes. We also characterized the internalization of the germline protein κI O18/O8, devoid of somatic mutations, and three AL-09 restorative mutations (I34N, Q42K, and H87Y) previously characterized for their role in protein structure, stability, and amyloid formation kinetics. All proteins shared a common internalization pathway into lysosomal compartments. The proteins caused different degrees of lysosomal expansion. Oregon green (OG) labeled AL-09 showed the most rapid internalization, while OG-Q42K presented the slowest rate of internalization.
Inhibition of Sonic hedgehog signaling in vivo results in craniofacial neural crest cell death

Background: Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is well known for its role in patterning tissues, including structures of the head. Haploinsufficiency for SHH in humans results in holoprosencephaly, a syndrome characterized by facial and forebrain abnormalities. Shh null mice have cyclopia and loss of branchial arch structures. It is unclear, however, whether these phenotypes arise solely from the early function of Shh in patterning midline structures, or whether Shh plays other roles in head development. Results: To address the role of Shh after floorplate induction, we inhibited Shh signaling by injecting hybridoma cells that secrete a function-blocking anti-Shh antibody into the chick cranial mesenchyme. The antibody subsequently bound to Shh in the floorplate, notochord, and the pharyngeal endoderm. Perturbation of Shh signaling at this stage resulted in a significant reduction in head size after 1 day, loss of branchial arch structures after 2 days, and embryos with smaller heads after 7 days. Cell death was significantly increased in the neural tube and neural crest after 1 day, and neural crest cell death was not secondary to the loss of neural tube cells. Conclusions: Reduction of Shh signaling after neural tube closure resulted in a transient decrease in neural tube cell proliferation and an extensive increase in cell death in the neural tube and neural crest, which in turn resulted in decreased head size. The phenotypes observed after reduction of Shh are similar to those observed after cranial neural crest ablation. Thus, our results demonstrate a role for Shh in coordinating the proliferation and survival of cells of the neural tube and cranial neural crest.
The effectiveness of zoning for agricultural lands protection: a case study from Cache County, Utah

Abstract Zoning is the method local governments in the United States most frequently use to protect agricultural lands from conversion to other uses, but the actual effectiveness of zoning as an agricultural lands protection tool has rarely been evaluated. In this article, we describe the efforts of a Utah County to discourage the conversion of cropland to other uses with performance standards amended into its zoning ordinance in 1978. The extent of cropland conversion during the first 4 years of the implementation of the amendments is documented, how the conversions were permitted is explained, and the reasons given for permitting them are analyzed. After showing that the County has not been successful in achieving its agricultural lands protection goal, we conclude with a discussion of institutional and political barriers to successful agricultural land protection programs and recommendations for the more effective use of zoning to protect agricultural lands.
A History of Caribbean Archaeology at Yale University's Peabody Museum of Natural History

ABSTRACT The Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University has one of the world's largest and most comprehensive archaeological collections from the Caribbean. Our objectives in this paper are to provide a brief history of Caribbean archaeology at Yale, describe the characteristics and research potential of the collections, and acknowledge the contributions of the scholars who acquired this vast archive of Caribbean prehistory. We focused on surveys, excavations and collections from 1933 to 1974 acquired as part of the Peabody's Caribbean Archaeology Program, writing historically rather than analytically, reflecting the managerial role of the authors. The information is based on Peabody Division of Anthropology records, Yale publications and personal conversations with the late Professor B. Irving Rouse.
Patterned response of lamina V cells: cutaneous and dorsal funicular stimulation.

Abstract Single unit activity was recorded in spinal lamina V (LV) in unanesthetized cats. Poststimulus-time histogram (PSTH) analysis of responses to intracutaneous stimulation demonstrated similar firing patterns for all cells. In addition to a direct relationship between stimulus intensity and the duration of cellular response, modulation of firing frequency and distinct delayed PSTH peaks in 77 percent of the units were observed. The pattern of delayed peaks was associated with the same high intensity intracutaneous stimulation reported as painful when applied to human observers. A background of dorsal funicular stimulation selectively inhibited the delayed response of LV cells to high intensity stimulatin. Thus, LV cells, by their duration of firing, transmit information related to stimulus intensity, and, by their patterned responses, have the potential to relay other information, possibly related to their nociceptive role. As delayed LV activity is associated with a high proportion of small fibers in the afferent input, presynaptic inhibition of A-δ and C fibers might account for the selective inhibition associated with dorsal funicular stimulation.
Cytoskeletal Regulation of Epithelial Barrier Function During Inflammation

Increased epithelial permeability is a common and important consequence of mucosal inflammation that results in perturbed body homeostasis and enhanced exposure to external pathogens. The integrity and barrier properties of epithelial layers are regulated by specialized adhesive plasma membrane structures known as intercellular junctions. It is generally believed that inflammatory stimuli increase transepithelial permeability by inducing junctional disassembly. This review highlights molecular events that lead to disruption of epithelial junctions during inflammation. We specifically focus on key mechanisms of junctional regulation that are dependent on reorganization of the perijunctional F-actin cytoskeleton. We discuss critical roles of myosin-II–dependent contractility and actin filament turnover in remodeling of the F-actin cytoskeleton that drive disruption of epithelial barriers under different inflammatory conditions. Finally, we highlight signaling pathways induced by inflammatory mediators that regulate reorganization of actin filaments and junctional disassembly in mucosal epithelia.
Real-Time Neutron Radiography System Performance—Measurements and Methods

The University of Virginia's real-time neutron radiography facility was characterized by measurement of the total neutron flux, gold/cadmium ratio, neutron/gamma ratio, and the effective collimar length-to-aperture diameter (L/D) ratio. The real-time neutron imaging system and collimator were further characterized by measuring the modulation transfer function (MTF) of the system. The collimator effectiveness was measured by using the MTF to determine the ''unparallelism'' of the neutron beam. The computer-based image processing system allowed rapid calculation of the MTF and the collimator effectiveness. The results of these measurements, using no collimator and a simple tube collimator, demonstrated the method's ability to determine the effective L/D ratio. The MTF measurement scheme provided a fast, reliable, and reproducible means of monitoring any changes in the real-time system, including both the neutron beam and the electronic components. This paper describes the methods and measurements implemented to characterize the changes in the radiographic system performance. These include standard measurements of the neutron, flux, neutron-to-gamma ratio, the effective collimator length-to-aperture diameter (L/D) ratio, and effective neutron temperature.
Fields in Nonmetallic Waveguides

An infinite plate of dielectric material is taken as the prototype of nonmetallic waveguides. The Green's function is found for the case in which the electric field is parallel to the surfaces of the plate. The solution is set up as a Fourier integral, which is then replaced by a complex contour integral. There are but a finite number of real poles, the residues at which correspond to the propagating modes in the metallic guide. An integral around a branch cut gives a wave radiating into space, which is the analog of the attenuated modes of the metallic guide. The modal field distributions are discussed for the plate and for circular rods. The surface fields are not small, but they are attenuated transversely at rates of 28 db per radius and higher; a system using a dielectric guide would be at least fairly well shielded. The nonmetallic guide should be useful wherever a low-cost flexible conductor is needed and imperfect shielding can be tolerated.
Fatal and nonfatal unintentional injuries in adult women, United States.

Objectives: Although we know that injury death rates are lower for women than for men at all ages, we still have a long way to go in exploring the impact of unintentional injuries on women's lives. This paper reviews the leading causes of unintentional injury death and nonfatal injuries for adult women. It also explores selected activities of the Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention (CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention). Methods: Data come from the Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS). Mortality data for the system come from the National Center for Health Statistics (CDC's annual mortality data files). Nonfatal injury data for the system come from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). Results: Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for women ages 18–34 and the eighth leading cause of death for adult women overall. In 2001, 31,400 adult women died as a result of unintentional injuries. Incidents related to motor vehicle traffic...
Love, discipline and elementary school achievement: The role of family emotional climate

Abstract Using structural equation modeling we examined the determinants of family emotional climate and its long-term impact on children’s academic achievement and classroom behavior at the end of 5th grade. We employed the ECLS-K data—a large, nationally representative sample of U.S. elementary school students. Family emotional climate was measured in the spring of kindergarten and included three dimensions: parental depression, parental warmth, and use of physical discipline. Main findings: low SES, Black and single parents were more likely to report depressive symptoms. Black parents were more likely to use physical discipline, but they also reported greater parental warmth. Asian parents were less likely to use physical discipline, but also were less likely to express parental warmth. Parental depression was associated with increased use of physical discipline and reduced parental warmth. Parental depression, measured in kindergarten, was associated with lower reading and math achievement and lower approaches to learning at the end of 5th grade. Use of physical discipline in kindergarten was associated with lower 5th-grade math achievement.
Differences in bank regulations: the role of governance and corruption

This paper provides a detailed explanation of cross‐country differences in bank regulations and their sources. The results suggest that the patterns of bank regulations imply important differences between developed and developing countries. While developing countries have stricter banking regulations, they are more likely to reduce competition among banks and provide greater safety nets to existing banks. The choice of banking regulations is affected by countries’ political characteristics, which are in turn endogenous to countries’ historical experiences and cultural characteristics. When political characteristics are replaced by corruption control, less corruption leads to less denied entries and banking restrictions as well as more constrained deposit insurance schemes. This implies that bank regulations may not be easy to change.
Novel Small Molecules Relieve Prothymosin α-Mediated Inhibition of Apoptosome Formation by Blocking Its Interaction with Apaf-1

Structurally diverse small molecules, including 5-(2-benzofuryl)-4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (BETT), have been identified via high-throughput screening as activators of caspase-3 in HeLa cell e...
The role of ethics in science and engineering

It is generally thought that science and engineering should never cross certain ethical lines. The idea connects ethics to science and engineering, but it frames the relationship in a misleading way. Moral notions and practices inevitably influence and are influenced by science and engineering. The important question is how such interactions should take place. Anticipatory ethics is a new approach that integrates ethics into technological development.
Noble metal nonlinear optical mirrors with adjustable spectral and angular bandwidths for all-optical controls at visible wavelengths

A nonlinear optical (NLO) mirror structure can amplify the strong and ultrafast NLO properties of noble metal thin-films. Spectral and angular bandwidths of the NLO mirrors are adjustable while maintaining a large nonlinear reflectance change.
Demand for transportation fuels in the oecd: A temporal cross-section specification

Abstract The determinates of the demand for transportation fuels interest many researchers and policymakers who are considering various energy plans. This paper uses a random coefficient regression approach to estimate the demand for gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel. For these three fuels a flow adjustment specification is assumed and for gasoline demand a stock adjustment model is also estimated. Individual European country data are used as the data because these data contain wide variations in the price variables, due to the different tax structures of the individual countries. These data are averaged across countries and time to produce firm estimates of the price and income elasticities of demand. For gasoline demand the estimates obtained from the European data are compared with estimates made by other researchers for the United States.
Olfactory discrimination learning in mice lacking the fragile X mental retardation protein.

An automated training system was used to compare the behavior of knockout (KO) mice lacking the Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein with that of wild-type (WT) mice (C57Bl/6 strain) in the acquisition and retention of olfactory discriminations. KO and WT mice did not differ in the acquisition of a four-stage nose poke shaping procedure. In two separate experiments, mutant mice required substantially more training to acquire a series of novel olfactory discrimination problems than did control mice. The KO mice required significantly more sessions to reach criterion performance, made significantly more errors during training, and more often failed to acquire discriminations. Both KO and WT mice showed similar error patterns when learning novel discriminations and both groups showed evidence of more rapid learning of later discriminations in the problem series. Both groups showed significant long-term memory two or four weeks after training but WT and KO mice did not differ in this regard. A group of well-trained mice were given training on novel odors in sessions limited to 20–80 trials. Memory of these problems at two day delays did not differ between WT and KO mice. Tests using ethyl acetate demonstrated that WT and KO mice had similar odor detection thresholds.
Rorschach Responses as an Index of Narcissism

Summary A two-part study was conducted to investigate the uniqueness and interpretive meaning-fulness of Rorschach reflection responses. In Part I, 80 Rorschach protocols were collected from overt homosexuals, character disorders, depressed patients recently suicidal, and a control group of college students. Homosexuals and sociopaths gave significantly more reflection and C and CF responses than did either of the other two groups. In Part 2 of the investigation two groups of 40 subjects each were selected from a population of college students and industrial workers on the basis of their score on a sentence completion test, especially devised to focus on the self. The high narcissism group gave a significantly greater number of reflection responses, pair type responses, and C and CF responses than did the low narcissism group.
Electrons and cosmic ray produced protons in Saturn's inner magnetosphere

The Cerenkov detector on Pioneer 11 previously observed Crand protons above 600 MeV in Saturn's inner magnetosphere, mixed with a poorly understood background of energetic electrons. The electron count is separated from the proton counts and the first-order angular distributions are established for each species. To do this the theoretical relationships among the harmonic coefficients of the count rate is used as a function of spacecraft roll angle. The majority of the counts were electrons with energy above several MeV; i.e., with drift periods shorter than the satellite orbital resonance. The electrons have isotropic pitch angle distributions, and the protons pancake over most of the region between Mimas and the rings, although there is a small region of dumbbell proton distributions in the vicinity of Janus and epimetheus.
Defensive secretions of tiger beetles: Cyanogenetic basis

Abstract 1. 1. The defensive secretion of the tiger bettle Megacephala virginica contains benzaldehyde, HCN, and mandelonitrile. 2. 2. The significance of convergent biochemical evolution in the Arthropoda for the production of benzaldehyde and HCN by cyanogenesis is discussed.
A leakage current model for sub-micron lightly-doped drain-offset polysilicon TFTs

Abstract Lightly-doped drain-offset polysilicon thin film transistors (LDO-TFTs) are very attractive as low leakage load elements in CMOS Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cells. LDO-TFTs with different offset lengths and doses were fabricated and characterized. A model based on the Poole-Frenkel effect and thermionic field emission was developed to account for the leakage mechanism. The model was then applied to determine the sensitivity of the leakage current to process variations. It was found that the two most important factors influencing the leakage current are the net dose in the offset region and the distance between the channel/drain junction and the sidewall oxide.
Pycnodysostosis: Identification, Characterization, and Molecular Modeling of Cathepsin K Mutations • 107

Pycnodysostosis: Identification, Characterization, and Molecular Modeling of Cathepsin K Mutations • 107