cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Cocaine on Dopamine Transporter Receptors Depends on Routes of Chronic Cocaine Administration

Investigation of residual behavioral states produced by withdrawal from different routes of cocaine administration indicates that depending on the mode of intake, chronic cocaine produces either tolerance or sensitization to subsequent challenge doses of cocaine. We studied the effect of routes of cocaine administration on the dopamine transporter receptors (DATR), the presumed neuronal mediator of cocaine reward, using the diphenyl substituted piperazine derivative, [3H]GBR 12935 and the cocaine analogue [3H]WIN 35,428. Alzet osmotic mini-pumps filled with either cocaine (100 mg/ml) or saline were surgically implanted on rats into a subcutaneous pocket at the dorsal midline, continuously infusing cocaine at the rate of 40 mg/kg/day. The pumps were removed 14 days later, and the rats were killed 7 days after the removal of pumps. For the intermittent administration, two groups of rats were injected daily either with 40 mg/kg of cocaine or saline for 14 days. Rats were killed 7 days following the last injection. Continuous infusion of cocaine did not alter the [3H]GBR 12935 dopamine transporter (DAT) binding either in the caudate nucleus or in the prefrontal cortex, but it enhanced the density of [3H]WIN 35,428-labeled DAT receptor sites in the caudate putamen. In contrast, intermittent administration of cocaine resulted in a selective alteration of [3H]GBR 12935 binding in the prefrontal cortex but not in the caudate; the cocaine-injected rats had a 48% decrease in [3H]GBR 12935, Bmax (p < .05), without changing the KD. The contrast between the lack of effect of cocaine on [3H]GBR 12935-DATR and the increased binding of [3H]WIN 35,428-DATR highlights the differential sensitivities of the two binding sites to the continuous presence of cocaine.
Active Learning of Transfer Relationships for Multiple Related Bayesian Network Structures

Multitask network structure learning is an important problem in several scientific domains, such as, computational neuroscience and bioinformatics. However, existing algorithms do not leverage valuable domain knowledge about the relatedness of tasks. We present the first multitask Bayesian network learning algorithm that incorporates task-relatedness. Empirical results demonstrate that our algorithm learns more robust networks than existing algorithms. Defining the tasks themselves is also a challenge for multitask learning. Typically, the data is a priori partitioned into tasks. However, domain experts often modify the splitting of data into tasks based on the learned networks and then re-run the multitask algorithm with a new data partitioning. We introduce a framework to actively learn the tasks as data partitions using feedback from a domain expert.
Conservative management of colon injury following percutaneous renal surgery

Abstract Objectives. Colon injury during percutaneous renal surgery is rare and can result in significant morbidity. Our objective was threefold: (1) to identify risk factors for colon injuries; (2) to optimize prevention of such injuries; and (3) to devise a treatment strategy for optimal management of such colon injuries. Methods. Between July 1990 and July 1995, all percutaneous renal procedures performed at three kidney stone centers were reviewed (Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Los Angeles; Hospital of the Good Samaritan, Los Angeles; and University of California at San Francisco). In addition, a review of the pertinent literature was performed. Results. Five patients who suffered colon injuries during percutaneous renal surgery were identified. All had undergone percutaneous nephrolithotomy, and all injuries were extraperitoneal. Mean age was 31 years (range 17 to 52). Three patients were considered lean, and the other two were of average body habitus. Four of 5 patients were male. Three injuries occurred on the left side and two on the right. Recognition of colon injury occurred postoperatively in 4 patients and intraoperatively in 1 patient. Presenting signs and symptoms included fever, fecaluria, abdominal pain, and leukocytosis. Conclusions. High risk patients for colon injuries are young, lean males with minimal retroperitoneal fat, in whom a retrorenal colon is more likely. High risk patients should be accessed with a more superior and medial puncture. Retroperitoneal colon injuries can be successfully managed conservatively with early recognition and appropriate drainage of the urinary and intestinal tracts. A treatment algorithm is presented.
Sufficient conditions for stability and instability of autonomous functional- Differential equations.

Liapunov function determining sufficient conditions for stability of autonomous functional differential equations with finite time lag
Instrumental to Pavlovian transfer: Learning about response-reinforcer contingencies affects subsequent learning about stimulus-reinforcer contingencies

Abstract Two experiments examined the interaction between response-reinforcer (R-S) and stimulus-reinforcer (S-S) learning. In both experiments, three groups of rats were exposed to escapable, yoked inescapable, or no shocks. All groups were then exposed to either two or four sessions of truly random control (TRC) conditioning (Experiment 1) or to an excitatory conditioning procedure (Experiment 2) in which the shock US occurred with either moderate or low probability. Excitatory strength of the CS was assessed during extinction by a conditioned emotional response (CER) test. Inescapably shocked rats conditioned less than did their escapably shocked and nonshocked partners under all TRC conditions of Experiment 1, but only conditioned less than their partners in Experiment 2 when exposed to the moderate CS-US contingency for four sessions. These results provide a clear demonstration of transfer between instrumental training and Pavlovian excitatory conditioning and thus, support the influence of learning about R-S contingencies upon subsequent learning about S-S contingencies. Both a contextual blocking interpretation and an expansion of the learned helplessness theory were discussed as possible explanations of this transfer.
Exploring network optimizations for large-scale graph analytics

Graph analytics are arguably one of the most demanding workloads for high-performance systems and interconnection networks. Graph applications often display all-to-all, fine-grained, high-rate communication patterns that expose the limits of the network protocol stacks. Load and communication imbalance generate hard-to-predict network hot-spots, and may require computational steering due to unpredictable data distributions. In this paper we present a lightweight communication library, implemented "on the metal" of BlueGene/Q and POWER7 IH that we have used to support large-scale graph algorithms up to 96K processing nodes and 6 million threads. With this library we have explored several optimization techniques, including overlapped communication, non-blocking collectives, message aggregation, and computation in the network for special collective communication patterns, such as parallel prefix. The experimental results show significant performance improvements, ranging from 5X to 10X, when compared to equally optimized MPI implementations.
The health benefits of reduced tropospheric ozone in California.

Abstract Californians are exposed daily to concentrations of ozone (O3) that are among the highest in the United States. Recently, the state adopted a new 8-hr ambient standard of 0.070 ppm, more stringent than the current federal standard. The new standard is based on controlled human studies and on dozens of epidemiologic studies reporting associations between O3 at current ambient levels and a wide range of adverse health outcomes. Clearly, the new O3 standards will require further reductions in the precursor pollutants and additional expenditures for pollution control. Therefore, it is important to quantify the incremental health benefits of moving from current conditions to the new California standard. In this paper, a standard methodology is applied to quantify the health benefits associated with O3 concentration reductions in California. O3 concentration reductions are estimated using ambient monitoring data and a proportional rollback approach in which changes are specific to each air basin, and c...
Challenging Clinical Scenarios: Treatment of Patients With Triple-Negative or Basal-Like Metastatic Breast Cancer

There is now compelling evidence to suggest that the biologic features of breast tumors affect response to specific therapies. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) refers to a heterogeneous group of tumors that do not express the estrogen, progesterone, or HER2/neu receptors. By gene expression analysis, most (but not all) TNBCs are categorized as basal-like. TNBCs are often associated with particularly poor outcomes, with early development of chemotherapy resistance. There have been significant improvements in the outcome of other subtypes of breast cancer, including hormone receptor-positive/HER2+ tumors, attributed to the addition of targeted therapy, including hormonal agents and trastuzumab. However, no specific targeted agents are currently available for the treatment of TNBC. This review aims to collate and describe the most recent data on both cytotoxic and targeted therapies that have demonstrated efficacy in the management of metastatic TNBC. Evidence of response to various agents in early-stage breast cancer will be included, where relevant. Targeted agents that have been investigated in the treatment of TNBC include inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, angiogenesis, mammalian target of rapamycin, epidermal growth factor receptor, and Src. Several of these agents have shown considerable promise.
Optimal design of an automatic control system for submerged hydrofoil boats operating in a random seaway

A novel design procedure is applied to hydrofoil boat control systems; it is referred to as the Specific Linear Optimal Control Optimization Problem (SLOCOP). Also described is the minimization algorithm, GRASP, which is used to produce numerical SLOCOP solutions. SLOCOP requires that the boat motion satisfy linear differential equations and results in a linear feedback law. The forcing function is a discretized Pierson-Moskowitz random seaway. The free-surface effects, orbital particle velocity, and unsteady lift are modeled as sums of outputs of linear oscillators subject to random initial conditions. Surge, heave, and pitch degrees of freedom are considered. Control surfaces are actuated using fluid power. Noisy sensors for wave height, acceleration, attitude, and rate are assumed. The objective is to minimize acceleration while maintaining the foils near trim depth and control deflections within cavitation limits. The relationship of horsepower capacity to performance is also sought.
Prevalence of Hypertension and Associated Risk Factors in Western Alaska Native People: The Western Alaska Tribal Collaborative for Health (WATCH) Study

Hypertension is a common chronic disease and a key risk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease. The Western Alaska Tribal Collaborative for Health study consolidates baseline data from four major cohorts residing in the Norton Sound and Yukon-Kuskokwim regions of western Alaska. This consolidated cohort affords an opportunity for a systematic analysis of high blood pressure and its correlates in a unique population with high stroke rates over a wide age range. While the prevalence of hypertension among western Alaska Native people (30%, age-standardized) is slightly less than that of the US general population (33%), cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality in this rural population. The authors found that improvement is needed in hypertension awareness as about two thirds (64%) of patients reported awareness and only 39% with hypertension were controlled on medication. Future analyses assessing risk and protective factors for incident hypertension in this population are indicated.
Deficient Hippocampal Long-Term Potentiation in α-Calcium-Calmodulin Kinase II Mutant Mice

As a first step in a program to use genetically altered mice in the study of memory mechanisms, mutant mice were produced that do not express the alpha-calcium-calmodulin-dependent kinase II (alpha-CaMKII). The alpha-CaMKII is highly enriched in postsynaptic densities of hippocampus and neocortex and may be involved in the regulation of long-term potentiation (LTP). Such mutant mice exhibited mostly normal behaviors and presented no obvious neuroanatomical defects. Whole cell recordings reveal that postsynaptic mechanisms, including N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor function, are intact. Despite normal postsynaptic mechanisms, these mice are deficient in their ability to produce LTP and are therefore a suitable model for studying the relation between LTP and learning processes.
Vote Dilution and Suppression in Indian Country

The struggle for Native American voting rights has lasted more than two centuries. Although the 1924 Indian Citizenship Act granted citizenship to indigenous peoples born within the geographic boundaries of the United States, it did not ensure the right to vote. Because the Constitution gives states the power to determine the “times, places, and manner of holding elections,” many states statutorily denied Native Americans the franchise until federal lawsuits forced them to change. Having the statutory right to vote, however, did not ensure that it could be exercised in a meaningful way. Since the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act there have been more than ninety voting rights cases involving Native Americans. While the overall historical trend has been toward extending the vote, periods of enhanced voting rights often have been followed by periods of retrenchment. In this article, we argue that the traditional frameworks used to explain racial inequalities fail to account for the unique character of relations between indigenous peoples and the U.S. government, and we propose a tripartite approach that draws from studies in core–periphery development and “racial institutional orders,” but also considers the many ways that tribal identities intersect with these.
Word Association: Verbal Intelligence

Three varimax factors in which verbal intelligence loaded were identified for several diverse groups including schizophrenics. Only paradigmatic associates loaded on these factors: general paradigmatic vs faults typical of failures to follow the instructions to give a word, denotative vs idiosyncratic, and connotative-adjectival. Although they were correlated negatively with intelligence, syntagmatic associates formed no cohesive pattern of common variance with intelligence. These relationships were not evident from associates to the familiar unambiguous words of the Kent-Rosanoff list. Highly ambiguous familiar words that have many meanings resulted in material relationships with intelligence. In adults, the type, extent of, and persistence of the childhood syntagmatic to paradigmatic shifts appears to be a function of verbal intelligence.
Diagnosis: Imaging Techniques

The diagnosis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) cannot be confirmed or excluded by the medical history and physical examination alone. Objective testing is required in all cases of clinically suspected VTE; for most patients, this includes imaging modalities such as compression ultrasonography, ventilation-perfusion lung scintigraphy, or computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA). Conventional pulmonary arteriography remains useful when CTPA is nondiagnostic or when an intervention such as catheter embolectomy is planned. Although CTPA is important in the evaluation of suspected VTE, ultimately the clinician must balance the risks against the benefits of CTPA for individual patients. Bedside echocardiography may be most appropriate for patients with hypotension or shock and suspected pulmonary embolism.
Non-linear Resonant Three-wave Interactions Of Sound Waves

Abstract Non-linear resonant three-wave interactions of sound waves are considered. The method of coupled modes is used to derive the amplitude modulation equations. Explicit solutions in terms of Jacobian elliptic functions are given for the case in which the energy exchange among the three sound waves is periodic.
The development and validation of a simple snow model for the GISS GCM

Five years of meteorological and hydrological data from a typical New England watershed where winter snow cover is significant were used to drive and validate two off-line land surface schemes suitable for use in the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) general circulation model (GCM): a baseline scheme that does not model the physics of a snowpack and therefore, neglects the insulating properties of snow cover; and a modified scheme in which a three-layer snowpack is modeled. Comparing baseline model results with validation data reveals several model deficiencies. Surface radiation temperatures could not adequately be modeled and the ground froze to unreasonable depths. Furthermore, because of ground cooling resulting from large surface heat fluxes to the atmosphere from the uninsulated surface, deeper model layers did not unfreeze until midsummer. As such, the normal hydrologic processes of runoff, ground water infiltration, and movement, etc., are compromised for a good part of the year. With the inclusion of a simple three-layer snow model into the baseline model, not only are the ground and surface radiation temperatures adequately modeled but all the features of snowpack ripening that characterize pack growth/ablation are simulated.
Characterization of Human Homologs of the Drosophila Seven in Absentia (Sina) Gene

Studies of Drosophila photoreceptor development have illustrated the means by which signal transduction events regulate cell fate decisions in a multicellular organization. Development of the R7 photoreceptor is best understood, and its formation is dependent on the seven in absentia (sina) gene. We have characterized two highly conserved human homologs of sina, termed SIAH1 and SIAH2. SIAH1 maps to chromosome 16q12 and encodes a 282-amino-acid protein with 76% amino acid identity to the Drosophila SINA protein. SIAH2 maps to chromosome 3q25 and encodes a 324-amino-acid protein that shares 68% identity with Drosophila SINA and 77% identity with human SIAH1. SIAH1 and SIAH2 were expressed in many normal and neoplastic tissues, and only subtle differences in their expression were noted. However, one of three murine homologs, Siah1B, was strongly induced in fibroblasts undergoing apoptotic cell death. While a previous study suggested that SINA was a nuclear protein, epitope-tagged SINA and SIAH1 proteins were found in the cytoplasm of Drosophila and mammalian cells. Their substantial evolutionary conservation, role in specifying cell fate, and activation in apoptotic cells suggest the SIAH proteins have important roles in vertebrate development. Furthermore, given the role of sina in Drosophila photoreceptor development, SIAH2 is a candidate for the Usher syndrome type 3 gene at chromosome 3q21-q25.
Household Surveys, Consumption, and the Measurement of Poverty

Household surveys are playing an increasingly important role in the measurement of poverty and well-being around the world. The Living Standards Measurement Study, which was begun in the World Bank under the guidance of Graham Pyatt in 1979, has played an important role in this movement. Its surveys are widely used within the Bank to measure consumption-based poverty, and survey data are now the exclusive basis for the global poverty counts. This paper discusses a number of unresolved issues in using consumption-based surveys for measuring well-being, including the choice of a money-metric versus welfare-ratio approach, the collection of suitable price information, the effects of measurement error on estimation, and methods for correcting per capita consumption for the demographic structure of the household.
SU‐C‐19A‐06: A Robust and Affordable Table Indexing Approach for Total Lymphoid Irradiation Treatment

Purpose: Total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) is conventionally delivered through the dosimetric matching of mantle, spleen, and pelvis fields, necessitating multiple isocenters delivered through a combination of couch shifts and sliding of patients relative to the couch rendering the technique susceptible to shifting errors. To address this challenge, a novel technique for the couch indexing of TLI treatments is developed and evaluated through a multi-patient pilot trial. Methods: An immobilization device was designed consisting of a movable indexed slide board with an Exact Lok-Bar drilled into it. A Timo headrests were used fixate the head of the patient relative to the slide board. For the Varian Exact Couch™, the immobilization board was connected to the H3 notch to avoid the metal infrastructure of the couch for the delivery of the mantle and spleen fields. For tall patients the required shift for the pelvis isocenter reaches the shifting limit and the board was slid from H3 to H4 (a fixed distance of 14 cm). A total 22 patients were stratified in two groups of 11, one consisting of the conventional setup, and one group with the proposed immobilization technique. Results: The standard deviations (SD) of the couch positions in lateral, longitudinal, and vertical directions for 10 fractions for each patient in both groups were calculated. In the non-indexed group, the positioning SD ranged from 0.9 to 4.7 cm. Using our device, the positioning SD was reduced to a range of 0.2 to 0.9 cm, with the longitudinal direction showing the largest improvement. Conclusion: Matched field TLI remains error prone to geometrical misses. The feasibility of full indexing TLI treatments was validated and shown to result in a significant reduction of positioning errors.
A multiple perspectives view of the market case for green energy

Abstract This paper presents an exploratory evaluation of the market case for green energy. These energy sources are widely considered to have less of an ecological impact than conventional energy sources. The case for green energy is viewed from the multiple perspectives TOP (technical, organizational, personal) framework. The green energy technologies will need to meet certain technical, organizational and personal criteria and resolve key issues in order to address the barriers to market adoption. The multiple perspectives approach facilitates the evaluation of green-energy alternatives as potential new products which would enable organizations and individuals to meet both economic and green criteria that impact customer value creation. Given the present trends of increasing energy use and requirements to minimize environmental impact, green energy adoption may become a key element of strategies to ensure long-term economic growth.
[Cu(CO)(n)()](+) Complex Ions in the Solid State (n = 1, 2, 3).

Exposing crystalline CuAsF6 to < 1 atm CO produces the homoleptic copper carbonyl cations [Cu(CO)]+, [Cu(CO)2]+, and [Cu(CO)3]+. These complexes were characterized by IR and Raman spectroscopy and by tensimetric titrations. The IR and Raman data are consistent with a two-coordinate, linear structure for the [Cu(CO)2]+ cation and with a three-coordinate, trigonal-planar structure for the [Cu(CO)3]+ ion. The compounds [Cu(CO)2][AsF6] and [Cu(CO)3][AsF6] represent the first examples of isolable polycarbonyls of Cu(I).
Rhabdomyolysis Resulting from Pharmacologic Interaction Between Erlotinib and Simvastatin

Erlotinib is an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor indicated as a second line of therapy for locally advanced and metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer after the failure of 1 previous chemotherpy. Simvastatin belongs to the statin family used to lower blood cholesterol. Drug interaction between erlotinib and statin has not been reported before. Both drugs are major substrates of the CYP3A4 enzyme in the liver. Thus, co-administration of these drugs can increase their serum levels, potentially leading to adverse effects. We report the interaction between erlotinib and simvastatin leading to rhabdomyolysis. Thus, caution is required with increasing usage of both of these drugs.
Unilateral nephrectomy selectively stimulates phospholipase D in the remaining kidney

The activation of phospholipase D in the kidney could be detected in vivo in rats treated with ethanol by the accumulation of phosphatidylethanol. Unilateral nephrectomy stimulated the activity of phospholipase D in the remaining kidney as indicated by an increase in the level of phosphatidylethanol. A significant increase in phosphatidylethanol level was observed as early as 5 min after contralateral nephrectomy and peak accumulation (200% of control) was observed after 15 min. The phosphatidylethanol level decreased again to the basal level after 2 h. The accumulation of phosphatidylethanol was specific for kidney and the product was localized primarily in the cortex. Phospholipase D activity in kidney cortical slices from untreated rats was stimulated in vitro by plasma obtained from unilaterally nephrectomized rats, indicating that circulating factors in the plasma are responsible for the activation of phospholipase D. The phospholipase D activation by plasma from uninephrectomized animals was selectively inhibited by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein, but not by the protein kinase C inhibitor H7. It is concluded that phospholipase D activity is stimulated as an early signal transduction event in compensatory kidney growth.
Lower Permian sediment-gravity-flow sequence, eastern California

Abstract The Lower Permian (middle Wolfcampian) Zinc Hill sequence, a 65- to 110-m-thick series of beds in the Owens Valley Group in east-central California, comprises sediment-gravity-flow deposits consisting of carbonate sediment that originated on, and siliciclastic sediment that may have been generally ponded behind, a carbonate shelf to the east and northeast. Thickness patterns and paleocurrent indicators show that the sediment forming this sequence was transported primarily southeastward and deposited in a southeast-trending, lobe-shaped body. Evidently, the sediment was carried from the shelf by sediment-gravity flows that travelled westward down the slope and then turned southeastward upon reaching a southeast-trending basin at the base of the slope. Data derived from the study of this basin, which paralleled the shelf edge and is thought to have formed parallel to a southeast-oriented segment of the Early Permian continental margin, constitute one of the most important arguments favoring a Pennsylvanian to Early Permian age of truncation of the western North American continental margin.
Effect of the Solvent on the Response to Organophosphorus Pesticides Determined using Gas Chromatography with Flame Photometric Detection

Abstract The gas chromatographic flame photometric detector (FPD)-phosphorus mode response to organophosphorus (OP) pesticides was studied for the following solvents: acetone, isooctane, acetone-isooctane (1 + 9), methanol and ethyl acetate. Both single and dual FPDs were used. Some OP pesticides yielded significant differences in FPD response when the various solvents were used. For example, the response to 6.7 ng monocrotophos (azodrin) was 0.37 in isooctane relative to the same amount of monocrotophos in acetone, using a dual flame detector. Because the FPD response to OP pesticides is dependent on the solvent used, OP standard solutions for quantitation of pesticide residues should be prepared in a solvent nearly identical to the solvent in the sample solution.
Development of the octopus cell area in the cat ventral cochlear nucleus

The octopus cell area (OCA) of the posteroventral cochlear nucleus was studied electron microscopically in kittens. The adult OCA, a region of morphologically homogeneous neurons receiving heterotypic synapses from the cochlea, was used to define the mature state. The OCA reaches cytological maturity at three weeks postnatally, after progression through four stages, defined on the basis of octopus cell cytology (including relative numbers of somatic and dendritic filopodia and spines) and the frequency, ultrastructure and location of previously defined synaptic terminals. Octopus cell size was also studied in rapid Golgi impregnations. The OCA from birth through three postnatal days (stage 1) showed small neurons, few identifiable synaptic types, small, mostly unmyelinated axons, mitotic cells and undifferentiated glia. Between the fourth and seventh postnatal days (stage 2) distinct type 1 and type 2 endings appeared and dendrites thickened, expanded peripherally and developed mature spines. During stage 3 (8-19 days) loss of filopodia, increased somatic spicules, larger somas and clearer differentiation of type 1 and type 2 synapses occurred. After three postnatal weeks (stage 4) the OCA contained morphologically mature octopus cell somas, all three synaptic types ending upon somas and thick basal dendrites, and fascicles of myelinated fibers. Although cytologically mature, the OCA at this stage (about 20-35 days) is substantially smaller than the adult OCA. This smaller size will facilitate further study of OCA synaptic organization.
Streaming thumbnails: combining low resolution navigation and RSVP displays

We introduce Streaming Thumbnails (STs), which combine RSVP displays and low-resolution thumbnails to enable reading complex documents in very limited areas. STs improve browsing because detailed textual information can be accessed from a thumbnail without viewing a document at full resolution. STs improve RSVP reading because they provide context and navigation control. Streaming Thumbnails are directly applicable for viewing documents and web pages on hand held PDAs.
A Cauchy problem for some fractional abstract differential equation with non local conditions

Abstract We discuss in this paper the existence and uniqueness of solutions to the Cauchy problem for the fractional differential equation with non local conditions D q x ( t ) = f ( t , x ( t ) ) , t ∈ [ 0 , T ] , x ( 0 ) + g ( x ) = x 0 , where 0 q 1 in a Banach space. We use classical tools from Functional Analysis to obtain the results.
Immunization with high-dose intradermal recombinant hepatitis B vaccine in healthcare workers who failed to respond to intramuscular vaccination.

Objective: To achieve immunity to hepatitis B in healthcare workers who failed to respond to intramuscular vaccination and boosters. Design: An open prospective study of intradermal vaccination with recombinant hepatitis B vaccine. Setting: A large community hospital in Connecticut. Participants: Healthcare workers including physicians, nurses, and laboratory workers. Results: Immunization with high-dose intradermal recombinant hepatitis B vaccine, given in up to four doses, achieved immunity in 88% of healthcare workers who had previously been nonimmune. Conclusions: We conclude that intradermal vaccination is efficacious in the majority of healthcare workers who failed to respond to intramuscular vaccine. Further studies, including randomized comparisons with intramuscular vaccine as well as studies of cell-mediated immunity, appear warranted.
Effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) administration on body composition and cardiovascular risk factors in obese adolescent girls

Background: Obesity is associated with a relative deficiency of growth hormone, which is predictive of greater visceral fat and markers of cardiovascular risk. The study’s purpose was to use recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) as a physiologic probe to assess the effects of reversing obesity-related GH deficiency on body composition, cardiovascular risk markers, and insulin resistance. Methods: 22 obese girls 13–21 years old were followed for a randomized 6-month trial of rhGH vs. placebo/no treatment. At baseline and 6-months, DXA was performed for body composition, MRI to measure visceral, subcutaneous and total adipose tissue (VAT, SAT and TAT), and fasting blood drawn for IGF-1, inflammatory cardiovascular risk markers [soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM), high sensitivity CRP], lipids and HbA1C. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. Twelve girls completed the 6-month visit. Baseline and mean 6-month change were compared between the groups using the Student t-test and the relationship between variables was determined through multiple regression analysis. Results: After 6-months, the rhGH group maintained IGF-1 levels, and had decreases in total cholesterol (p= 0.03), sICAM-1 (p= 0.04) and HbA1C (p = 0.03) compared to placebo/no treatment. The rhGH group trended towards greater decreases in LDL and 2-hour OGTT glucose. Glucose tolerance did not worsen with rhGH administration.
Cell transfer studies in a genetically controlled immune response

Fetal liver cells from 14-17-day old mouse embryos of inbred strains which are genetic responders (C57BL/ 10) or nonresponders (CBA) to a branched synthetic polypeptide [(T, G)-A-L] were injected into reciprocal (nonresponder or responder) strain, lethally irradiated adult mice. These radiation chimeras were then tested for: (a) their ability to respond to (T, G)-A-L; (b) the allotype for specific anti-(T, G)-A-L antibody produced; and (c) the degree of tolerance for CBA (nonresponder) histocompatibility antigens of C57BL/10 (responder) cells taken from high responder chimeras. Eleven high responder radiation chimeras had specific anti-(T, G)-A-L antibody, which appeared to be exclusively responder (C57BL/10) allotype. However, since all the high responder chimeras were predominantly C57BL/10 in total serum immunoglobulin allotype and lymphoid cell type, this result is not conclusive. Six high responder chimeras had C57BL/10 spleen cells which were tolerant of CBA (nonresponder) histocompatibility antigens in the Simonsen discriminant spleen assay.
Targeting voltage sensors in sodium channels with spider toxins

Voltage-activated sodium (Nav) channels are essential in generating and propagating nerve impulses, placing them amongst the most widely targeted ion channels by toxins from venomous organisms. An increasing number of spider toxins have been shown to interfere with the voltage-driven activation process of mammalian Nav channels, possibly by interacting with one or more of their voltage sensors. This review focuses on our existing knowledge of the mechanism by which spider toxins affect Nav channel gating and the possible applications of these toxins in the drug discovery process.
Activation of MAPK Kinase 9 Induces Ethylene and Camalexin Biosynthesis and Enhances Sensitivity to Salt Stress in Arabidopsis

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades play important roles in regulating plant growth, development, and responses to various environmental stimuli. We demonstrate that MKK9, an MKK, is an upstream activator of the MPKs MPK3 and MPK6 both in vitro and in planta. Expression of active MKK9 protein in transgenic plants induces the synthesis of ethylene and camalexin through the activation of the endogenous MPK3 and MPK6 kinases. As a consequence, transcription of multiple genes responsible for ethylene biosynthesis, ethylene responses, and camalexin biosynthesis is coordinately up-regulated. The activation of MKK9 inhibits hypocotyl elongation in the etiolated seedlings. MKK9-mediated effects on hypocotyl elongation were blocked by the ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor, aminoethoxyvinylglycine, and ethylene receptor antagonist, Ag+. Expression of active MKK9 protein enhances the sensitivity of transgenic seedlings to salt stress, whereas loss of MKK9 activity reduces salt sensitivity indicating a role for MKK9 in the salt stress response. The results reported here reveal that the MKK9-MPK3/MPK6 cascade participates in the regulation of the biosynthesis of ethylene and camalexin and may be an important axis in the stress responses of Arabidopsis.
Development of a MATLAB/Simulink Model of a Single-Phase Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System

Because of their deployment in dispersed locations on the lowest voltage portions of the grid, photovoltaic (PV) systems pose unique challenges to power system engineers. Computer models that accurately simulate the relevant behavior of PV systems would thus be of high value. However, most of today's models either do not accurately model the dynamics of the maximum power point trackers (MPPTs) or anti-islanding algorithms, or they involve excessive computational overhead for this application. To address this need, a Matlab/Simulink model of a single-phase grid-connected PV inverter has been developed and experimentally tested. The development of the PV array model, the integration of the MPPT with an averaged model of the power electronics, and the Simulink implementation are described. It is experimentally demonstrated that the model works well in predicting the general behaviors of single-phase grid-connected PV systems. This paper concludes with a discussion of the need for a full gradient-based MPPT model, as opposed to a commonly used simplified MPPT model.
Mental Development after Dietary Intervention A Study of Philippine Children

In an earlier study it was found that the nutritional status of young, rural Philippine children improved after their diets were supplemented for one year, while the status of nonsupplemented children deteriorated. The current study is concerned with the effects of nutrition on the mental development of those children. Following a year of supplementation (experimental group) and monthly checkups (experimental and control groups), 40 children, 24 girls and 16 boys, responded to the mental scale of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. While there were differences in nutritional status between the experimental and control groups, there were no significant differences on the measure of mental development. The control group consisted of 2 barrios whose responses were significantly different from one another in an unexpected direction-the barrio with significantly higher Bayley scores had a significantly poorer nutritional status than the other control barrio. These results suggest that there is a complex r...
Dose perturbation due to metallic breast expander in electron and photon beam treatment of breast cancer

Objective The objective of this study is to investigate dose perturbations caused by metallic breast expander (MBE) and to compare the measurements with the treatment planning calculations in external beam radiotherapy.
3,4,5-Trinitropyrazole-based energetic salts.

High-density energetic salts that are comprised of nitrogen-rich cations and the 3,4,5-trinitropyrazolate anion were synthesized in high yield by neutralization or metathesis reactions. The resulting salts were fully characterized by 1 H, 13 C NMR, and IR spectroscopy; differential scanning calorimetry; and elemental analysis. Additionally, the structures of the 3,5-diaminotriazolium and triaminoguanidinium 3,4,5-trinitropyrazolates were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Based on the measured densities and calculated heats of formation, the detonation performances (pressure: 23.74-31.89 GPa; velocity: 7586-8543 ms -1 ; Cheetah 5.0) of the 3,4,5-trinitropyrazolate salts are comparable with 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB; 31.15 GPa and 8114 ms -1 ). Impact sensitivities were determined to be no less than 35 J by hammer tests, which places these salts in the insensitive class.
Atomistic-to-continuum multiscale modeling with long-range electrostatic interactions in ionic solids

Abstract We present a multiscale atomistic-to-continuum method for ionic crystals with defects. Defects often play a central role in ionic and electronic solids, not only to limit reliability, but more importantly to enable the functionalities that make these materials of critical importance. Examples include solid electrolytes that conduct current through the motion of charged point defects, and complex oxide ferroelectrics that display multifunctionality through the motion of domain wall defects. Therefore, it is important to understand the structure of defects and their response to electrical and mechanical fields. A central hurdle, however, is that interactions in ionic solids include both short-range atomic interactions as well as long-range electrostatic interactions. Existing atomistic-to-continuum multiscale methods, such as the Quasicontinuum method, are applicable only when the atomic interactions are short-range. In addition, empirical reductions of quantum mechanics to density functional models are unable to capture key phenomena of interest in these materials. To address this open problem, we develop a multiscale atomistic method to coarse-grain the long-range electrical interactions in ionic crystals with defects. In these settings, the charge density is rapidly varying, but in an almost-periodic manner. The key idea is to use the polarization density field as a multiscale mediator that enables efficient coarse-graining by exploiting the almost-periodic nature of the variation. In regions far from the defect, where the crystal is close-to-perfect, the polarization field serves as a proxy that enables us to avoid accounting for the details of the charge variation. We combine this approach for long-range electrostatics with the standard Quasicontinuum method for short-range interactions to achieve an efficient multiscale atomistic-to-continuum method. As a side note, we examine an important issue that is critical to our method, namely the dependence of the computed polarization field on the choice of unit cell. Potentially, this is fatal to our coarse-graining scheme; however, we show that consistently accounting for boundary charges leaves the continuum electrostatic fields invariant to choice of unit cell.
POPULATION DENSITY, BIOMASS, AND AGE-CLASS STRUCTURE OF THE INVASIVE CLAM CORBICULA FLUMINEA IN RIVERS OF THE LOWER SAN JOAQUIN RIVER WATERSHED, CALIFORNIA

Abstract Corbicula fluminea is well known as an invasive filter-feeding freshwater bivalve with a variety of effects on ecosystem processes. However, C. fluminea has been relatively unstudied in the rivers of the western United States. In June 2003, we sampled C. fluminea at 16 sites in the San Joaquin River watershed of California, which was invaded by C. fluminea in the 1940s. Corbicula fluminea was common in 2 tributaries to the San Joaquin River, reaching densities of 200 clams · m−2, but was rare in the San Joaquin River. Biomass followed a similar pattern. Clams of the same age were shorter in the San Joaquin River than in the tributaries. Distribution of clams was different in the 2 tributaries, but the causes of the difference are unknown. The low density and biomass of clams in the San Joaquin River was likely due to stressful habitat or to water quality, because food was abundant. The success of C. fluminea invasions and subsequent effects on trophic processes likely depends on multiple factors....
Autologous Breast Reconstruction: The Vanderbilt Experience (1998 to 2005) of Independent Predictors of Displeasing Outcomes

Background Optimal surgical outcomes are dependent on an appreciation of comorbid conditions that may handicap results. The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to delineate risk factors for complications after autologous breast reconstruction. Study Design An institutional database was constructed of patients who underwent autologous breast reconstruction from 1998 to 2005. Variables captured included age, diabetes and smoking status, prereconstruction radiation therapy, concomitant breast resection, preoperative albumin, flap type, and body mass index (BMI; based on World Health Organization classifications: BMI>25, overweight; >30, obese). The primary outcome was noninfectious wound complications (NIWC), a novel classification based on the extent of tissue derangement and need for operative intervention. Secondary outcomes were wound infection, hematoma, hernia, and fat necrosis. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression. Results The analysis included 200 flaps (transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous [TRAM]=171; latissimus dorsi=29) in 180 patients. There were 19 infections (9.5%), 3 total flap losses (1.5%), 14 hematomas (7%), and 11 donor-site hernias (6%). The incidences of fat necrosis and any NIWC were 18% and 36%, respectively. Mean followup was 13.1 months (range 1.1 to 51.7 months). Multiple logistic regression demonstrated that obesity (BMI>30) is a statistically significant independent risk factor for any NIWC (hazards ratio=6.58; 95% CI, 2.85 to 15.18; p Conclusions These data suggest that obesity is a strong predictor of simple and complex NIWC and of wound infection after autologous breast reconstruction. Obese patients should be counseled about their significantly increased risk of experiencing these unwanted outcomes.
The Reaction of Synthetic Nuclear Waste Glass in Steam and Hydrothernal Solution

Glass monoliths of the WVCM 44, WVCM 50, SRL 165, and SRL 202 compositions were reacted in steam and in hydrothermal liquid at 200{degree}C. The glass reaction resulted in the formation of leached surface layers in both environments. The reaction in steam proceeds at a very low rate until precipitates form, after which the glass reaction proceeds at a greater rate. Precipitates were formed on all glass types reacted in steam. The assemblage of phases formed was unique to each glass type, but several precipitates were common to all glasses, including analcime, gyrolite, and weeksite. Reaction in steam occurs in a thin layer of condensed water which becomes saturated with respect to the observed phases after only a few days of reaction. The reaction in steam is accelerated relative to reaction in hydrothermal liquid in the sense that secondary phases from after a shorter reaction time, that is, after less glass has reacted, because of the smaller effective leachant volume present in the steam environment. A knowledge of the secondary phases which form and their influence on the glass reaction rate is crucial to the modeling effort of the repository program. 9 refs., 3 figs., 2 tabs.
The preparation and properties of some inorganic isothiocyanates

Abstract Reaction between ammonium or potassium thiocyanate and various phosphorus, silicon and arsenic chlorides in acetonitrile or liquid sulphur dioxide solution leads to complete substitution of the chlorine atoms by thiocyanate groups. The infra-red spectra of these products are discussed and indicate that the compounds are isothiocyanates rather than normal thiocyanates.
Vortex shedding from square plates perpendicular to a ground plane

Conclusion The presence of the confining surfaces was found to be of importance in the resultant effects on both the mean and fluctuating parts of the turbulent velocity field of the jet. The confining surfaces caused a more rapid increase in the turbulent intensities in the -direction at the jet axis. Here, the value of A7 was also found to be important. At the large value of Ay, the turbulent intensities for the flow over the flap increased at a significantly less rapid pace than was the case for Ay equal to 5.1. An indication that the flap and the plate serve to break up the potential core more rapidly was also noted and discussed. Turbulent intensities in the lateral (y) direction for the three flow configurations were also measured. The turbulent intensity was found to be much greater in the shearing layer of the unconfined jet than in either of the other two configurations. Some evidence thus exists which indicates a damping of the turbulence in they direction.