cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analytic evaluation of depths of dose calculation points for external beam radiation therapy treatment planning.

A method has been developed to calculate the depth of a point in a patient contour analytically. In this method, the patient contour is approximated by a Fourier series comprising 5–10 terms. The depth of a calculation point is the distance between the calculation point and the intersection of the ray line with the contour line. Depth calculations using this method are compared with calculations using a more conventional method in which the intersection is found by representing the contour as a set of straight‐line segments between pairs of contour points. This method gives depth values comparable in accuracy to the more conventional method and computed approximately twice as fast.
The Educational Choice Anomaly for Principles Students: Using Ordinary Supply and Demand Rather than Indifference Curves

The “surprise value” of many economic observations makes our discipline quite interesting for many students. One such anomaly is that providing “free” education in an effort to reduce the number of dropouts can often result in a lower level of educational quality purchased. This result is easy to show with indifference curves, but many instructors of introductory courses do not introduce this analytical technique. As a consequence, a result that many students find quite interesting is seldom presented. We show here that it is easy to clarify the educational choice anomaly with ordinary supply and demand curves. Moreover, the exercise of doing so provides students with a greater understanding of benefit/cost analysis as well as consumer and producer surplus.
Functional and mobility impairments associated with Paget's disease of bone.

OBJECTIVE To determine if patients with Paget's disease of bone involving the tibia, femur, and/or acetabular portion of the ilium had more impairments in function and mobility than age- and sex-matched control subjects. PATIENTS AND METHODS A case control study with Paget's disease patients selected from a center for bone disease at a tertiary medical center; control subjects were volunteers from the Duke University Aging Center subject registry. Demographic characteristics, physical examination and serum alkaline phosphatase levels were obtained. Radiographs of the pelvis and lower extremities were evaluated by a radiologist. All participants completed a Functional Status Questionnaire (FSQ). Mobility measures included mobility skills protocol, 10-foot walk time, 360-degree turn left (number of steps), and 6-minute walk distance. RESULTS The 12 Paget's disease patients were no different in age (70.7 +/- 6.2 years) than the 12 control subjects (69.5 +/- 6.2 years). Serum alkaline phosphatase levels were elevated in Paget's patients (539 +/- 530 IU/L), and normal in control subjects (85 +/- 17 IU/L). In addition to Paget's disease, radiographs showed joint space loss in joints proximate to the diseased bone. On the FSQ scales Paget's disease patients had significantly lower scores in basic activities of daily living (P < .05), instrumental activities of daily living (P < .001), and social activity than control subjects (P < .05). There was no difference between the groups on scales measuring mental health and quality of social interaction. On mobility measurements, Paget's disease patients showed significant impairments when compared with control subjects: mobility skills protocol score (22.5 +/- 2.5 vs 25.6 +/- 0.7, P < .001); 10-foot walk (3.96 +/- 1.3 vs 2.55 +/- 0.5 seconds, P < .001); 360 degree turn left (8.0 +/- 1.0 vs 5.9 +/- 0.6 steps, P < .001); and 6-minute walk (342.0 +/- 108.5 vs 519.4 +/- 100 meters, P < .001). CONCLUSION When compared with control subjects, patients who have Paget's disease of bone involving the tibia, femur, or acetabular portion of the ilium have clinically and statistically significant functional and mobility impairments compared to age- and gender-matched controls.
Noncontact optical tomography of turbid media

Optical tomography of turbid media has so far been limited by systems that require fixed geometries or measurements employing fibers. We present a system that records noncontact optical measurements from diffuse media of arbitrary shapes and retrieves the three-dimensional surface information of the diffuse medium. We further present a novel method of combining this composite data set and obtain accurate fluorescence reconstructions. This approach offers significant experimental simplicity and yields high-information-content datasets. The performance of this novel tomographic approach is demonstrated with experimental reconstructions of phantoms.
Models and performance of real-time disk access policies

Multimedia systems may experience contention for resources under tight temporal constraints. The disk storage system is one such system. It may create a bottleneck due to its relatively limited throughput and large delay. Previous work on real-time disk scheduling is largely based on simulation or on combinatorial optimization results applicable to a limited class of scheduling policies. This paper presents new models for analysing access policies of a single disk system, and numerical and simulation results to illustrate and validate the anlysis. Our approach to synchronizing disk allocation uses fluid approximations and analytical techniques from manufacturing system scheduling problems and the theory of dynamical systems. The approach allows us to examine both the steady state and transient (in terms of stability and convergence rate) behaviour of the system under a variety of policies. Some results can also be extended to the study of disk array systems.
Infrared emission by organic grains in the coma of comet Halley

Spacecraft1 and ground-based2–5 observations of comet Halley in the near-infrared reveal a triple-peaked emission feature near 3.4 µm, characteristic of C–H stretching in hydrocarbons (–CH3 and –CH2– alkanes). Here we discuss transmission spectra of organic residues produced by laboratory irradiation of candidate cometary ices, which serve as the basis for a model of emitting cometary dust. The laboratory synthesis of solid organic residue from irradiated low-occupancy methane ice clathrate simulates the radiation processing experienced by comet Halley. The transmission spectrum of this residue, convolved with a simple two-component thermal emission model based on the spacecraft-determined dust distribution in the Halley coma, fits the 3.4 µm feature, provides optical depths in excellent agreement with those observationally determined, and accounts for the absence of features at longer wavelengths (despite their presence in transmission spectra of typical ice irradiation residues).
WORDS AND DEEDS: SYMBOLIC POLITICS AND DECISION MAKING AT THE FEDERAL RESERVE

The Fed has often been accused of using ambiguity, concealment, and deception when it is subject to intense scrutiny and pressure. We investigate this issue by examining the relationship between the Fed's policy statements and its subsequent use of a key policy instrument, the federal funds rate. Our analysis shows that the Fed usually does what it says it will do during times of economic distress (recessions), but that its actions are more inclined to diverge from its stated intent when a sluggish economy coincides with presidential elections.
Total syntheses of indolactam alkaloids (−)-indolactam V, (−)-pendolmycin, (−)-lyngbyatoxin A, and (−)-teleocidin A-2

We report the total syntheses of (−)-indolactam V and the C7-substituted indolactam alkaloids (−)-pendolmycin, (−)-lyngbyatoxin A, and (−)-teleocidin A-2. The strategy for preparing indolactam V relies on a distortion-controlled indolyne functionalization reaction to establish the C4–N linkage, in addition to an intramolecular conjugate addition to build the conformationally-flexible nine-membered ring. The total synthesis of indolactam V then sets the stage for the divergent synthesis of the other targeted alkaloids. Specifically, late-stage sp2–sp3 cross-couplings on an indolactam V derivative are used to introduce the key C7 substituents and the necessary quaternary carbons. These challenging couplings, in addition to other delicate manipulations, all proceed in the presence of a basic tertiary amine, an unprotected secondary amide, and an unprotected indole. Thus, our approach not only enables the enantiospecific total syntheses of four indolactam alkaloids, but also serves as a platform for probing complexity-generating and chemoselective transformations in the context of alkaloid total synthesis.
CYTOPLASMIC MICROTUBULES IN DIFFERENT ANIMAL CELLS

In avian, murine, and human cells fixed with glutaraldehyde, cytoplasmic microtubules 180 to 250 A in diameter and of undetermined length were found. These cytoplasmic microtubules are similar to those described by Ledbetter and Porter in plant cells after the same glutaraldehyde fixation. The cytoplasmic microtubules in animal cells are connected with the satellites of the centrioles and are similar to the mitotic spindle fibers. Their protein nature and their possible role in maintaining the shape of the cells are discussed. Their presence in all examined animal cells as well as in plant cells favors the hypothesis that they are a permanent component of the cytoplasm.
Lysine-Enriched Cecropin-Mellitin Antimicrobial Peptides with Enhanced Selectivity

Lysine-enriched analogs of the cecropin-mellitin hybrid peptide, CA 1-7 M 2-9 (designated CM15), designed with optimized amphipathicity, retained antimicrobial activities similar to that of wild-type CM15 and had substantially reduced levels of hemolytic activity and cytotoxicity toward cultured macrophages, resulting in enhanced selectivity. These lysine-enriched analogs provide templates for improved CM15 peptide or peptidomimetic antibiotics.
Abstract 4384: Targeting of 4-1BB by monoclonal antibody, PF-05082566, enhances T cell function and promotes antitumor activity

4-1BB (CD137, TNFRSF9) is a costimulatory receptor expressed in an activation induced manner on several subsets of immune cells. Numerous studies of mouse and human T cells indicate that 4-1BB promotes enhanced cellular proliferation, survival, and cytokine production. 4-1BB agonist mAbs have demonstrated efficacy in prophylactic and therapeutic settings in both monotherapy and combination therapy tumor models and have established durable anti-tumor protective T cell memory responses. PF-05082566 is a fully human IgG2 which binds to the extracellular domain of human 4-1BB with high affinity and specificity. In preclinical studies this agonist antibody demonstrated its ability to activate NF-κB and induce downstream cytokine production, promote leukocyte proliferation, and inhibit tumor growth in a human PBMC xenograft tumor model. The mechanism of action and robust anti-tumor efficacy of PF-05082566 support its clinical development for the treatment of a broad spectrum of human malignancies. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4384. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4384
SEXUAL INTERCOURSE AND LABOR ONSET (SILO): IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP? 649

It is unclear whether or not sexual intercourse (SI) in mid-pregnancy increases the risk for spontaneous labor onset (LO), secondary to prostaglandins, infection, or male-superior position during SI. We prospectively interviewed 83 women within 24 hrs of spontaneous LO at 22-35 weeks gestation using a battery of in-depth and directed questions related to life-style habits and sexual activity for 7 days prior to LO (“event day”). The controls were 238 women matched for gestational age attending the OB clinic; their “event day” was the interview day. Case-crossover, and case-control methods of analyses were used.Results: The maternal age, gestational age, and ethnicity were similar: 24 yrs and 31 wks (median, cases) and 21 yrs and 28 wks (controls); and 59% black and 22% Hispanic (cases), and 65% black and 31% Hispanic(controls). 7% of controls and 11% of cases reported SI within 24 hrs of the event (P=NS). The SI frequency ranged between 6-21% for the remaining 6 previous days, with no clear trend. Within group comparison (day 1 vs days 5 and 7), and between groups comparison (day 1), yielded odds ratios for LO with SI from 1.1 to 4.2, but the 95% CI included 1. In two subgroups (27-30 wks, and 31-35 wks) SI frequency 24 h prior to event was slightly higher in cases, but the difference was not significant: 12.2-13.6% cases, and 3.1-6.4% controls, P=NS. Condom use (0-7%), orgasm (55-67%), and male superior position during SI (56-65%) were similar. The reported cocaine abuse frequency was 1%(controls) and 4% (cases). In 10 cases LO occurred 1-27 hrs (median 4 hrs) following SI. Conclusions: In this SILO study, there was no clear association between SI and LO. Because the frequency of cocaine abuse(hisotry) was low, cocaine and SI influence on LO, if any, will be explored in this ongoing study.
Localization of distinct monoamine oxidase A and monoamine oxidase B cell populations in human brainstem.

Abstract Monoclonal antibodies, specific for either monoamine oxidases A or B, were used to determine the localization of monoamine oxidase in the human brain. Two distinct populations of neurons were detected by immunocytochemical staining. Neurons in regions rich in catecholamines were positive for monoamine oxidase A, including the nucleus locus coeruleus, the nucleus subcoeruleus and the medullary reticular formation. In these regions, monoamine oxidase A could be co-localized with the synthetic enzyme, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase. Neurons in the substantia nigra and the periventricular region of the hypothalamus, areas rich in dopamine neurons, stained for monoamine oxidase A but with much less frequency and intensity. The major accumulation of monoamine oxidase B-positive neurons was observed in the same regions in which monoamine oxidase B is found to co-localize with serotonin in monkey tissues, including the nucleus raphe dorsalis and the nucleus centralis superior. In addition, both monoamine oxidase A and B were localized in distinct populations of neurons in the lateral and tuberal regions of the hypothalamus, a region shown recently to contain histamine neurons in rats. Some glial cells were stained throughout the brain for monoamine oxidase A or B suggesting that glia are capable of either expression or uptake of these proteins.
Macromolecular Crowding of a Protein Complex by Small Angle Neutron Scattering and Small Angle X-Ray Scattering

Macromolecular crowding can alter the structure and function of biological molecules. We used small angle scattering to measure the change in size of a protein complex induced by macromolecular crowding. Crowding of the homodimer, superoxide dismutase (SOD) was induced using polyethylene glycol - 400, triethylene glycol, methyl-α-glucoside and trimethylamine N-oxide. Parallel small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) allowed us to unambiguously attribute apparent changes in radius of gyration to changes in the structure of SOD. We find that SOD is highly compressible for changes in volume up to 9%. Resistance to deformation beyond 9% increased dramatically.
Adam's Arrows in Katherine Anne Porter's PALE HORSE, PALE RIDER

Adam fell straight back before her eyes, and rose again unwounded and alive; another flight of arrows loosed from the invisible bow struck him again and he fell, and yet he was there before her unt...
SU‐E‐T‐239: Evaluation of Daily Patient Setup for Various Treatment Sites Using MVCT Image Guidance

Purpose: The accuracy and reproducibility of daily patient setup is crucial, especially for highly conformal delivery techniques like Tomotherapy. We retrospectively analyzed daily setup uncertainties for six treatment sites using Tomotherapy MVCT. Methods and Material: Translational shift data based on daily Tomotherapy MVCT registration has been analyzed for 103 patients and six sites: head/neck(n=32), brain(n=16), lung(n=16), abdomen(n=13), prostate(n=18), and pelvis(n=8). Statistical analysis included calculation of group mean shifts, and population systematic and random errors. Van Herk's margin formula was used to calculate rigid setup error margins based on population statistics for each site. To evaluate our clinical data with respect to the community, our setup results were compared with published studies. Results: Group mean for head/neck and brain are 0.1–0.3mm (lateral), 0.5–1.1 mm(longitudinal) and 4.0–4.9mm(vertical). Amongst the different treatment sites, population systematic and random errors are smallest for head/neck and brain patients with a range of 1.4 mm to 3.0 mm, corresponding to rigid margins between 4.5 – 9.2mm. These large vertical shifts are due to couch sag and use of shims to account for thermoplastic mask shrinkage between simulation and treatment. The group mean for all other sites ranged from 0.2–1.3 mm(lateral), 0.5–3.7mm (longitudinal) and 1.9&–4.1mm(vertical). Population systematic and random errors for other treatment sites ranged from 2.1–3.9mm(lateral), 2.2–5.6mm(longitudinal) and 2.6–6.5mm(vertical). This corresponds to rigid margins between 7.4–18.9mm. Comparatively, our data is similar to published data which ranges between 0.7 – 3.3mm for head/neck and brain, and 1.7 – 7.2mm for other sites. Conclusion: Our patient setup error on helical Tomotherapy is consistent with the published literature. ACR‐ASTRO guidelines recommend setting clinical tolerances for IGRT patient shifts. Currently, our institution has a 10 mm shift policy. Further analysis is needed to determine if this tolerance is appropriate for our clinic.
Physiologic formation of intracellular vesicles in mature erythrocytes

The ability of mature erythrocytes to spontaneously form intracellular vesicles has been implied from clinical studies but has not been examined experimentally. An in vitro model was developed to demonstrate whether mature erythrocytes are capable of spontaneously forming intracellular vesicles. Normal human erythrocytes were incubated in vitro at 37 degrees C for 144 hr in a synthetic medium. During the course of these incubations, approximately 4% of erythrocytes developed intracellular vesicles which were quantitated by using interference contrast microscopy. Electron microscopic studies confirmed the intracellular nature of these vesicles. Incubation of erythrocytes in autologous plasma produced similar results. The rate of vesicle acquisition in vivo was measured by quantitating erythrocyte vesicles immediately prior to and following splenectomy. The rates of vesicle acquisition in vivo and in vitro were comparable. This in vitro model confirms the ability of mature erythrocytes to spontaneously form intracellular vesicles and strongly supports the concept that this is a physiologic process.
Influence of impurity and recycling on high-β steady-state plasmas sustained by rotating magnetic fields current drive

Abstract A new upgrade of the Translation, Confinement, and Sustainment (TCS) device, TCSU, has been built to form and sustain high temperature compact toroids (CT), known as Field Reversed Configurations, using Rotating Magnetic Fields (RMF). In TCS the plasma temperature was limited to several 10s of eV due to high impurity content. These impurities are greatly reduced in TCSU by using advanced plasma chamber and helium glow discharge cleaning. Reducing impurity radiation, when coupled with reduced overall recycling, enabled the plasma to enter into a new, collisionless regime with temperatures well over 200 eV, substantially exceeding the radiation barrier. This is a first for CTs at low input power density. This was achieved using the simple even-parity RMF drive (despite transient opening of field lines by the RMF) because the associated energy loss is sheath-limited, coupled with the low edge density resulting from the RMF pinch effect.
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF SPICES

Many of the spices and herbs used today have been valued for their antimicrobial effects and medicinal powers in addition to their flavor and fragrance qualities. Most of the foodborne bacterial pathogens examined were sensitive to extracts from plants such as cinnamon, clove, garlic, mustard, onion and oregano. The antimicrobial compounds in spices and herbs are mostly in the essential oil fraction. The Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive to the antimicrobial compounds in spices than Gram-negative bacteria. The extent of sensitivity varied with the strain and environmental conditions imposed. Certain spices can have a direct effect on the rate of fermentation by stimulating acid production in starter cultures. Phenols, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, ethers and hydrocarbons have been recognized as major antimicrobial components in spices. The antimicrobial activity and modes of actions of spices and their major antimicrobial components are reviewed.
Trisomy 12 mosaicism detected by mid–trimester amniocentesis

Trisomy 12 mosaicism was found in about 15 per cent of cultured amniocytes obtained from a 32-year-old white female at 17.6 weeks of gestation. Termination of pregnancy was elected and multiple tissues were obtained for chromosome analysis. Of 158 cells examined, only 1 cell in placenta was found with an extra number 12 chromosome. Pathological examination of the fetus did not reveal significant physical abnormalities. This report illustrates the difficulty of confirming trisomy 12 mosaicism which has been detected on prenatal diagnosis. The presence of trisomy 12 in one placental cell obtained from the curettage specimen suggests the possibility of confined placental mosaicism in this case.
Conservation of human and mouse basonuclins as a guide to important features of the protein

The nucleotide sequence of mouse basonuclin has been determined from its cDNA by PCR and compared with the previously known sequence of human basonuclin. Overall, there is 88% identity in the encoded amino acid sequences, but some regions have been much more conserved than others. Zinc fingers 2 and 6, the region containing the nuclear localization signal and the region containing the serine stripe encode identical amino acid sequences in the two species, but differ by numerous silent nucleotide substitutions, suggesting that these regions are likely to be important for the functions of the protein common to the two species. Similarly, zinc fingers 1 and 5 diverge at only a single amino acid residue. In contrast, other regions of the sequence have diverged considerably, such as zinc fingers 3 and 4. The region adjacent to the N-terminus is very divergent and this aids in locating the translation start site. The highly conserved regions are likely to be essential for the common function of the proteins, and the more divergent regions may be either unconstrained or adapted to different requirements in the two species.
The Advantages of Ball Bearings and Their Application on Large-Horsepower High-Speed Horizontal Induction Motors

Many of today's specifications continue to limit the use of ball bearings on induction motor drives to on or below 200 hp. Advances in bearing technology and manufacture, along with increased bearing selection and application knowhow, have greatly increased the horsepower range over which ball bearings may be reliably used. Many performance and operational advantages are enjoyed through the use of ball bearings. With proper bearing selection and application, ball bearings can and are being successfully applied to motors as large as 2000 hp running at 3600 r/min with excellent results in bearing performance. With increased confidence in ball bearing reliability, acceptance of motor drives with these types of bearings should be greatly expanded in the immediate future.
Dysmenorrhoea: The Oldest Theories and the Newest Treatment

Pain is the most important of complaints and the commonest and most clamant symptom with which the physician has to deal. It drives the patient to his doctor, whose most urgent task is often its relief, while the search for its cause provides some of the most difficult problems he has to face on the clinical side. Volumes have been written about it. There is hardly a single number of the recent issue of the journal of the American Medical Association in which there is not a reference to some aspect of the subject. Interest in pain is not confined t o the medical world. Philosophers have pondered over it, and the problem of pain has raised issues of deep significance in metaphysics and theology.–Waterson.1
Targeting Pericyte Differentiation as a Strategy to Modulate Kidney Fibrosis in Diabetic Nephropathy

Pericytes are a heterogeneous group of extensively branched cells located in microvessels where they make focal contacts with endothelium. Pericytes stabilize blood vessels, regulate vascular tone, synthesize matrix, participate in repair, and serve as progenitor cells, among other functions. Recent work has highlighted the role of pericytes and pericyte-like cells in fibrosis, in which chronic injury triggers pericyte proliferation and differentiation into collagen-secretory, contractile myofibroblasts with migration away from vessels, causing microvascular rarefaction. In this review the developmental origins of kidney pericytes and perivascular fibroblasts are summarized, pericyte to myofibroblast transition in type I diabetic nephropathy is discussed, and the regulation of pericyte differentiation into myofibroblasts as a therapeutic target for treatment of diabetic nephropathy is described.
β-Bungarotoxin blocks phorbol ester-stimulated phosphorylation of MARCKS, GAP-43 and synapsin I in rat brain synaptosomes

Abstract The phospholipase A2 neurotoxin, β-bungarotoxin, presynaptically blocks acetylcholine release. Its mechanism of action is unknown; however, our previous studies suggest that it inhibits phosphorylation of synaptosomal proteins, which might be expected to decrease neurotransmitter release. In our present study, we found that 1 nM β-BuTX blocked phorbol ester-stimulated phosphorylation of GAP-43, MARCKS and synapsin I without affecting their basal phosphorylation. In contrast, a 1 nM concentration of the non-neurotoxic enzyme. Naja naja atra phospholipase A2 did not affect the phorbol ester-stimulated phosphorylation of these proteins but increased the basal phosphorylation of GAP-43 and MARCKS. Although it has been suggested that cytosolic calmodulin is increased by phosphorylation of the protein kinase C substrates, GAP-43 and MARCKS, we found no change in calmodulin levels by phorbol ester or β-bungarotoxin. The stimulation of phosphorylation by Naja naja atra phospholipase A2 may be due to products liberated as a result of its phospholipase A2 activity. In contrast, the inhibition of phosphorylation by β-bungarotoxin appears to be due to an action which may be unrelated its relatively weak phospholipase A2 activity. Inhibition of phosphorylation by β-bungarotoxin is a possible mechanism by which it could block acetylcholine release. Furthermore, β-bungarotoxin may be a useful tool to study the physiological role of phosphorylation of synaptosomal proteins in neurotransmitter release.
Postsynaptic responses of horizontal cells in the tiger salamander retina are mediated by AMPA-preferring receptors.

Abstract The postsynaptic responses of sign-preserving second-order retinal neurons (horizontal cells (HCs) and off-bipolar cells) are mediated by CNQX-sensitive AMPA/KA glutamate receptors. In this study we used receptor-specific allosteric regulators of desensitization and selected antagonists to determine the glutamate receptor subtypes in tiger salamander horizontal cells. Two approaches were employed in this study. The first was to measure postsynaptic currents induced by exogenously applied glutamate under voltage clamp conditions in living retinal slices; and the second was to record voltage responses controlled by endogenous glutamate released from photoreceptors in whole retinas. Application of 100 μ M cyclothiazide (a specific AMPA receptor desensitization blocker) enhanced the glutamate-induced current by about 5 fold. In contrast, 300 μ g ml −1 ConA (a specific kainate receptor desensitization blocker), had no effect. GYKI 52466 (a specific AMPA receptor antagonist) at 30 μ M almost completely suppressed the glutamate-induced inward current in HCs. Cyclothiazide at 100 μ M depolarized the HC dark membrane potential by about 5 mV and reduced the amplitudes of the voltage responses to dim lights, but enhanced the voltage responses to bright lights. Cyclothiazide had no effect on either the dark potential or the light responses of rods and cones. Con A at 300 μ g ml −1 had no effect on either the dark potential or the light responses of the HC. GYKI 52466 (30 μ M) hyperpolarized the HC dark membrane potential by about 55 mV and almost completely suppressed the light responses. We conclude from these results that the postsynaptic glutamate- and light-induced responses in the tiger salamander retinal horizontal cells are mediated by AMPA-preferring, and not kainate-preferring glutamate receptors. The functional roles of AMPA receptors and their desensitization kinetics in visual information processing are discussed.
Facilitating Second Language Acquisition in Elementary and Secondary Physical Education Classes

Abstract The increasingly diverse student population makes every teacher a teacher of English.
New MEK-anisms for Targeted Therapies

Mutations in BRAF and KRAS are common in many tumor types. Activating mutations in either molecule can trigger aberrant signaling via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, resulting in unregulated cell growth and proliferation. Often depicted as a linear pathway sequentially linking
Biliverdin Reductase Isozymes in Metabolism

The biliverdin reductase (BVR) isozymes BVRA and BVRB are cell surface membrane receptors with pleiotropic functions. This review compares, for the first time, the structural and functional differences between the isozymes. They reduce biliverdin, a byproduct of heme catabolism, to bilirubin, display kinase activity, and BVRA, but not BVRB, can act as a transcription factor. The binding motifs present in the BVR isozymes allow a wide range of interactions with components of metabolically important signaling pathways such as the insulin receptor kinase cascades, protein kinases (PKs), and inflammatory mediators. In addition, serum bilirubin levels have been negatively associated with abdominal obesity and hypertriglyceridemia. We discuss the roles of the BVR isozymes in metabolism and their potential as therapeutic targets.
A New Method of Calculating the Mean Value of 1/rFormula for Keplerian Systems in Quantum Mechanics

The usual method of calculating the diagonal matrix elements of an integral power of the radius r in an inverse square quantum system is that due to Waller. His procedure is based on the Schrodinger form of the theory, and utilizes in particular the generating series for the Langueree polynomials. For negative powers, Dirac's very elegant theory of "q-numbers," developed in these 'proceedings' during the early days of quantum mechanics, furnishes an interesting alternative method which appears to have been overlooked, and which we believe is easier. From his theory the following rule can be derived: Suppose that we desire the mean value (diagonal element) of 1/rs, where s is an integer greater than unity. We write down the experssion with A(α l + β l e - i x + γ l e i x)s-2 A = 16π4 m 2z2 e 4/( l + ½) n 3 h 4, α l = 4π2 m z e 2/ h 2 l ( l +1), β l = 2π2 m Z e 2/ h 2( l +½)( l +1)[1-( l +1)2/ n 2]½, γ l = 2π2 m z e 2/ h 2 l ( l +½)[1- l 2/ n 2]½.
The Morbidity and Utility of Periaortic Radiotherapy in Cervical Carcinoma

From 1971 through 1981, 81 women received 4350 to 5075 rad to the periaortic lymph nodes as part of their primary management for carcinoma of the uterine cervix. While two patients developed chronic small bowel damage, only one required surgical intervention. Five-year disease-free survival was 40%. Approximately one-third of the first recurrences were within the pelvic and periaortic radiation portals, with the remainder in the lungs, liver, bones, abdomen, and supraclavicular lymph nodes. Radiation dose and volume guidelines are presented in order to minimize enteric morbidity.
Developmental regulation of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase synthesis in Drosophila.

Methods have been developed to measure the synthesis of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) during the development ofDrosophila melanogaster. In emerged adult flies, GPDH is a principal component of protein synthesis, comprising between 1 and 2% of the protein synthetic effort. This high relative rate of protein synthesis continues throughout adult life during a period of stable enzyme concentration. Therefore, it is evident that GPDH undergoes continual turnover. Analysis of GPDH synthesis in the adult segments reveals that this enzyme is synthesized in head, thorax, and abdomen. In 5-day-old flies, the relative rates of GPDH synthesis in the thorax and abdomen are similar. However, the concentration of GPDH in the thorax greatly exceeds that found in the abdomen. Therefore, it appears that the turnover rate of GPDH in the abdomen must be greater than the turnover rate of GPDH in the GPDH-containing cells (flight muscle) of the thorax. GPDH represents between 0.5 and 0.9% of the protein synthetic effort of larvae. The principle GPDH-containing tissue of larvae is fat body. The turnover of GPDH in larvae is similar to that in adult abdomen. This may be related to the concurrent presence of GPDH isozyme-3 in both tissues. Our studies indicate that the cell type-specific control of GPDH occurs at several levels.
Gender Differences in Adolescent Health Concerns and Self-Assessed Health

Gender has been shown to be an important variable in studies of health status and illness behaviors of adults. This study of 745 rural eight grade students examined gender differences in the reported health concerns, self-assessed health status, and illness behaviors of young adolescents. A 28-item health concern inventory was used to measure emotional, social, physical, and drug-related health concerns. For girls, emotional and social concerns were highly associated with poorer perceived health, while for boys, physical concerns differentiated those in fair or poor health from those who saw themselves as healthy. Physical concerns were significantly associated with reported school absenteeism due to illness, attendance of school when ill, and physician visits for both boys and girls. Emotional concerns were related to greater numbers of school days missed or days attended when ill for girls but not for boys.
Constraining the mechanism and kinetics of OH + NO2 and HO2 + NO using the multiple-well master equation.

Several recent experimental studies have provided substantial new constraints for the mechanisms on the HNO3 potential energy surface. These include observations of biexponential OH decay over short time scales from OH + NO2, which constrain key properties of the short-lived HOONO intermediate, observations of both conformers of the HOONO intermediate itself, isotopic scrambling data for 18OH + NO2, and observations of HONO2 production from the HO2 + NO reaction. We combine all of these recent data in a master-equation simulation of the system. This simulation is initialized with computational values for both stable species (wells) and transition states, but parameters are then adjusted to fit the observations. All parameters are kept within limits defined by experimental and theoretical uncertainty, and all converge away from their bounds. The primary fitting is carried out on the OH kinetic datawe first fit the biexponential kinetics, then address the isotopic scrambling. Isotopic scrambling is shown to...
Achieving Alignment of Perspectival Framings in Problem-Solving Discourse

We use a concept of framing to explain 3 cases in which participants initially lacked mutual understanding but then achieved significant mutual understanding. The cases were all consistent with a pattern of positional framing that includes a human participant who is inquiring, which we call a listener, and a source, which may be another human participant or a non-human system. Participants with these different positionings have different perspectives that shape the interpretations and functions of their contributions. We hypothesize that achievement of mutual understanding also depends on participants having epistemological and conceptual framings that are sufficiently aligned. We distinguish between cases in which the participants achieved alignment of conceptual framing by adopting a schema that was in their common ground, cases in which the participants co-constructed a coherent framing without the benefit of a prefabricated schema (by constraint satisfaction, we hypothesize), and cases in which mutual...
Vitamin D: roles in renal and cardiovascular protection.

Purpose of review Great progress has been made in recent years in understanding the expanding roles of the vitamin D endocrine system beyond calcemic regulation, including pathophysiological actions in the kidney and the cardiovascular system. The purpose of this review is to update the recent advance regarding the effects of vitamin D and its analogs on the renal and cardiovascular system.
Second-trimester maternal serum placental growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor for predicting severe, early-onset preeclampsia.

Abstract Objective To determine whether alterations in second-trimester maternal serum cytokine concentrations can identify women at risk for developing severe, early-onset preeclampsia. Methods Patients with severe preeclampsia requiring delivery prior to 34 weeks ( n = 20) were each matched by gestational age, gravidity, parity, and sample freezing time with three healthy controls who delivered at term ( n = 60). By using second-trimester maternal sera originally collected for fetal aneuploidy screening, the concentrations of placental growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, endothelin-1, and human chorionic gonadotropin were compared between patients and controls. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratios for high versus low (median split) cytokine concentrations with respect to the development of severe, early-onset preeclampsia. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves based on a second logistic regression, using actual cytokine values, were plotted to illustrate reciprocal impact on sensitivity and specificity. Results Placental growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor levels were significantly lower in patients than in controls. No significant differences were observed for the other cytokines. The odds ratios (with 95% confidence intervals) were 15.54 (3.29, 73.40) for vascular endothelial growth factor and 4.20 (1.35, 13.06) for placental growth factor. Receiver operating characteristic analysis of placental growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor confirmed that both were useful in discriminating between patients and controls. Models combining both vascular endothelial growth factor and placental growth factor provided the best performance for identifying patients at risk for developing severe, early-onset preeclampsia, according to both odds ratios and ROC analyses. Conclusion Combined analysis of placental growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor is potentially useful as a tool for early identification of patients at risk for developing severe, early-onset preeclampsia.
Solution Surfaces of Genetic Networks and Applications

Living systems maintain their physiological state under environmental changes and isolated genetic mutations through feedback within highly connected networks of genes, proteins, and other bio-molecules. Unfortunately, this robustness also makes it difficult to correct defects such as hereditary diseases, as evidenced by the surprising lack of efficacy of single target drugs that were designed to act on specific molecular targets. Side-affects from medications are another consequence of the connectivity in underlying networks. If accurate models of gene networks were available, they could be used to compute how effective therapies for diseases can be designed. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to construct sufficiently accurate models.We propose to use “solution surfaces” of the gene network associated with a biological process. In principle, they can be obtained by sequencing many biologically perturbed mutants. However, studies of model networks and nonlinear electronic circuits show that the solutions surfaces are smooth; hence, good approximations can be obtained from expression data of a handful of mutants. Furthermore, as we show through several examples, biologically relevant issues can be addressed in this approach. Specifically, we can compute how the state of a gene network can be moved to a pre-specified state. As an example, we have used the methodology to compute how the brain transcriptome of Drosophila can be altered in order to move the animal to a sleep-deprived like state. Experiments are being conducted to verify our predictions.Interestingly, this biologically motivated approach to study networks may have applications in other disciplines; some examples will be discussed.
Neurosecretion and Salt and Water Balance in the Annelida and Crustacea

The possible role of the neurosecretory system in regulation of salt and water has been studied in the annelids and crustaceans. In the earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris, a brain factor influences 'the salt and osmotic concentration of the blood and coelomic fluid. Removal of the brain results in the increase of water influx with a decrease in the salt and osmotic concentrations of the body fluids. The decreases in salt and osmotic concentrations can be prevented by the implantation of the brain or the injection of brain homogenates. In the freshwater crayfish, Procambarus clarkii , a factor, presumably secreted in the brain and released in the eyestalk, seems to maintain the normal permeability of the body surfaces to water. Eyestalk removal, which eliminates the release site, results in the increased influx of water with a decrease in the salt concentration of the blood. A brain factor also seems to be involved in maintaining the sodium and osmotic concentrations of the blood. In the semi-terrestrial grapsid crab, Metopograpsus messor , the thoracic ganglion, under the control of an eyestalk element, secretes a factor involved in increasing the permeability of the body surfaces to water. The removal of the eyestalks, the implantation of the thoracic ganglion, or the injection of extracts of thoracic ganglia, results in changes in the osmotic concentration of the blood tending toward that of the medium. In all three species studied, the neuroendocrine factors seem to be involved primarily in the regulation of the permeability of the body surfaces to water.
Balancing rights and values in the Italian Courts: a statistical and conceptual analysis

The concept of balancing is of central importance in the assessment of legislative choices and in constitutional review. In conformity with the global tendency, balancing is increasingly used in judicial practice as an argumentation technique for solving legal disputes; more and more, judges of all levels ground their decisions on the balancing of individual rights, interests, principles, needs, and values. Legal science has formulated theoretical and formal models to explain the argumentation structure of balancing and the criteria governing the argumentation process, but, in the absence of a conceptual model that encompasses all elements in play and enables a comparative mechanism to be abstracted, mapping instances of judicial practice to abstract theories is still difficult. In this context, the objective of the project described here is to allow the logic of judicial practice emerge from cases, verifying from the bottom up the assumptions of theoretical models. Starting off from a broad analysis of Italian cases, the paper aims at analysing the object of this operation, i.e. what is 'balanced' and what is the nature of this process. The research was conducted by analysing the so-called 'massime' (case law abstracts) of the Italian High Courts (Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, Council of State) of the administrative courts (Regional Administrative Tribunals) and of a selection of lower court decisions. The methodology is divided into an initial phase of documentary collection and storage, a second phase of conceptual modelling and a third phase of data analysis. Language: en
Gender differences in hypertension treatment, drug utilization patterns, and blood pressure control among US adults with hypertension: data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2004.

Background National guidelines recommend the same approach for treating hypertensive men and women. It is not known, however, whether current US antihypertensive medication utilization patterns and the resulting degrees of blood pressure (BP) control are similar or different among hypertensive women and men. Methods The study was a cross-sectional, nationally representative survey of the noninstitutionalized civilian US population. Persons aged > or =18 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2004 were classified as hypertensive based on a BP > or =140/90 mm Hg, currently taking antihypertensive medication, or having been diagnosed by a physician. Results Among hypertensives, the prevalence of antihypertensive medication use was significantly higher among women than men (61.4% vs. 56.8%), especially among middle-aged persons (40-49 years, 53.1% vs. 42.7%) and among non-Hispanic blacks (65.5% vs. 54.6%). Also, treated women were more likely than men to use diuretics (31.6% vs. 22.3%) and angiotensin receptor blockers (11.3% vs. 8.7%). Among treated hypertensives, the proportion taking three or more antihypertensive drugs was lower among women than men, especially among older persons (60-69 years: 12.3% vs. 19.8%, 70-79 years: 18.6% vs. 21.2%, and > or =80 years: 18.8% vs. 22.8%). Only 44.8% of treated women achieved BP control vs. 51.1% of treated men. Conclusions Hypertensive women are significantly more likely to be treated than men, but less likely to have achieved BP control. Additional efforts may be needed to achieve therapeutic goals for the US hypertensive population, especially for hypertensive women.
Manic Delirium - Treatment Considerations

Introduction: Delirium is a common and often overlooked disorder of cognition that is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. As there is little information in the literature regarding quality improvement for delirium care in the non-ICU setting, our goal was to design interventions to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and management of delirium in non-ICU patients. Methods: A Delirium Task Force was formed at the University of Kansas Hospital consisting of psychiatrists, geriatricians, a pharmacist, and multiple members in nursing leadership. As early intervention is correlated with the most favorable outcomes, we aimed to evaluate the use of antipsychotics in the management of delirium. We chose patients the day constant observation (CO) was initiated as a surrogate marker of patients with delirium and evaluated the use of antipsychotics the day of constant observation initiation. We excluded those who did not have delirium by the Confusion Assessment Method or who had alcohol withdrawal. Results: Twenty seven patients were identified during the data collection period. Median age was 65. Of 27 patients, 15 (56%) were given an antipsychotic, but only 9 (33%) were on a scheduled dose of antipsychotic. There was also a high incidence of offending medications (63%), mainly benzodiazepines. Conclusions: Treatment guidelines for delirium advocate commencing antipsychotics at low doses with judicious titration upwards and avoiding delirium provoking medications. To this effect, we have developed a delirium order set to prompt medication review and appropriate pharmacotherapy. Another set of interventions involve educating nurses and physicians. We plan to reassess and report our findings when the interventions are complete.