cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Creating a Data Science Platform for Developing Complication Risk Models for Personalized Treatment Planning in Radiation Oncology

The common approach to assessing risk in radiation oncology treatment uses Lyman-Kutcher-Burman (LKB) derived models to calculate normal tissue complication probability (NTCP). LKB is not sufficiently robust to capture the modern clinical reality of three-dimensional intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatments, the approach accounts for only two factors -- Dmax and Veff. We present a data science platform designed to facilitate the rapid creation of data-derived NTCP models. The platform extracts native Philips Pinnacle data such as dose grids and contoured regions using the cross-vendor DICOM RT standard. Further, outcome data is encoded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 4.0. Thus, the platform exploits the normal clinical workflow and information encoded with a standard ontology. Over the course of less than three weeks we used the platform to create NTCP models for two complications (xerostomia and voice dysfunction due to parotid and larynx irradiation, respectively). We assess the resulting platform with a focus on its context within a Learning Health System (LHS). We believe that the system reported can serve as a guide to the development of radiation oncology data science platforms in particular and local-level LHS components in general.
Learning with ecosystem models: a tale of two classrooms

This paper explores how the RepTools toolkit was appropriated in two different classroom cultures. The RepTools toolkit consists of hypermedia about a complex system, physical models, and NetLogo simulations, designed to help students understand complex systems in the context of aquarium ecosystem. This paper reports on the nature of the different enactments of two teachers using the same tools. Although both classrooms showed similar learning gains, Interactions Analyses (IA) found differences between the enactments in two main areas; (1) providing opportunities for inquiry and language used to communicate and (2) teacher interpretation of the computer model. These findings suggest that how tools are appropriated is greatly influenced by teacher beliefs and classroom culture and that there may be multiple paths to productive use of such tools.
Insecure attachment and the correlation with joining insurgent groups in Colombia

This study examined early childhood experiences in ex-insurgents from a Colombian paramilitary group (AUC) in order to determine whether their shared profile of difficult attachment is related with their joining the insurgency. One hundred fifty seven young adults were assessed using the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) (Parker, 1986). Results indicate that 99.4% of the sample (n=156) received insecure attachment classification and .6% (n=1) received optimal parenting. The study highlights the importance of responsive and supportive care given during childhood.
Instruments in rhinoplasty: Who is behind the name?

Rhinoplasty is considered one of the most commonly performed and most challenging operations in facial plastic surgery. The modern facial plastic surgeon utilizes many instruments in performing this procedure. Many of these instruments take their names from the pioneers who invented or designed them. Although meritorious, the recent trend in medicine to move away from eponyms in lieu of descriptive names should not come at the price of forgetting history. Although this communication does not seek to provide a comprehensive history of rhinoplasty or of its pioneers, our aim is to mention several of the salient contributing figures upon whose shoulders we stand and whose eponymous instruments we use commonly in rhinoplasty.
Asthma: Clinical expression and molecular mechanisms

Asthma is a complex disorder that displays heterogeneity and variability in its clinical expression both acutely and chronically. This heterogeneity is influenced by multiple factors including age, sex, socioeconomic status, race and/or ethnicity, and gene by environment interactions. Presently, no precise physiologic, immunologic, or histologic characteristics can be used to definitively make a diagnosis of asthma, and therefore the diagnosis is often made on a clinical basis related to symptom patterns (airways obstruction and hyperresponsiveness) and responses to therapy (partial or complete reversibility) over time. Although current treatment modalities are capable of producing control of symptoms and improvements in pulmonary function in the majority of patients, acute and often severe exacerbations still occur and contribute significantly to both the morbidity and mortality of asthma in all age groups. This review will highlight some of the important clinical features of asthma and emphasize recent advances in both pathophysiology and treatment.
CARCINOGEN-INDUCED TUMORS OF THE THYMUS : IV. HUMORAL INFLUENCES OF NORMAL THYMUS AND FUNCTIONAL THYMOMAS AND INFLUENCE OF POSTTHYMECTOMY PERIOD ON RESTORATION

A progressive decrease of the restoring effectivity of syngeneic or allogeneic thymus and functional thymoma grafts was observed when the treatment of neonatally thymectomized mice was delayed. Early treatment (5–20 days postthymectomy) was effective, while the number of restored animals was markedly decreased after late treatment (30–50 days postthymectomy). Similar results were obtained with subcutaneous or intraperitoneal thymus grafts and with thymus grafts within cell-impenetrable diffusion chambers. After the onset of the postthymectomy-wasting syndrome the only successful treatment was the implantation of multiple thymus grafts. On the other hand, single thymus grafts, thymoma grafts, or thymus or thymoma within diffusion chambers were ineffective. When spleen cells from 5-day old or 45-day old neonatally thymectomized animals were given in association with thymoma grafts, only the cells derived from the 5-day old thymectomized mice proved effective in restoring wasted thymectomized hosts. These results suggest that a population of cells sensitive to the action of the thymus decreases progressively with time in the absence of thymic function.
Liquid lost during drinking

Abstract Rats fail to transfer into their mouth all liquid removed from the drinking tube when they lick water in a licking environment which permits only the anterior portion of the tongue to contact the drinking tube. To quantitatively measure the liquid splattered during 10 sec licking trials in this high restriction licking environment, the red-dyed water observed on the surfaces of the environment was collected with 1 μl pipettes. Data were corrected for evaporation occurring before collection. Median volume lost per lick was 0.07 μl, corresponding to 1.2% of the median initial volume removed by a lick, 5.88 μl. Such loss can probably be considered negligible. Consequently, estimates of lick-volume parameters which are based upon amount of liquid removed from a drinking tube reservoir divided by number of licks, can have almost 1% accuracy.
Stress-Strain Relationships in Yarns Subjected to Rapid Impact Loading: Part I: Equipment, Testing Procedure, and Typical Results1,2

Equipment is described for elongating yarns by longitudinal impact at velocities rang ing from 10 to 100 m/sec. The rate of straining at impact varies from about 100,000 to 500,000% per min.A proce...
Systemic not just mesenteric lymph causes acute lung injury following hemorrhagic shock

Introduction Recent studies have demonstrated a significant role for factor(s) present in mesenteric lymph following hemorrhagic shock in the etiology of post-hemorrhagic shock acute lung injury (ALI). Earlier studies have shown that ischemia–reperfusion insults to systemic tissue beds can also result in ALI. We therefore hypothesized that factors in systemic lymph may cause lung injury after hemorrhagic shock; this was studied in vitro. Methods Confluent human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC) maintained in a 2-chamber cell culture system were exposed to systemic lymph obtained from dogs exposed to sham operation or hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation. HMVEC injury was indexed by apoptosis (% Apo, Hoechst staining) and permeability to albumin (μL/min). HMVEC activation was indexed by surface expression of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expressed as mean fluorescence intensity using flow cytometry. Results There was a 2-fold increase in HMVEC permeability and apoptotic rate after incubation with postshock systemic lymph. A similar effect was noted with ICAM expression, which was 2.5 fold higher after incubation with postshock lymph. These biologic effects were first noted with the 120-minute postresuscitation lymph. Lymph obtained during shock or from sham animals had no effect. Conclusions Pulmonary microvascular endothelial dysfunction is evident after exposure to lymph obtained from systemic sites after hemorrhagic shock. The “unique” properties ascribed to post-hemorrhagic shock mesenteric lymph in causing ALI seem to be shared by lymph from systemic sites as well.
Further Studies on the Role of the Gonads in Determining the Ontogeny of Gonadotropin Secretion in the Guinea Pig (Cavia porcelus)

To further examine whether nongonadal restraint of gonadotropin secretion during prepubertal development plays a major role in the timing of puberty in the guinea pig, as it does in the monkey and other primates, two experiments were performed. In the first, neonatal male and female guinea pigs were either bilaterally gonadectomized or sham gonadectomized on day 2 of age, or left intact. Circulating LH concentrations were measured in blood samples collected by cardiac puncture every 4 days beginning on day 2 of age and continuing until the animals were 98 days of age. In the second experiment, the time course of the LH response to ovariectomy was examined in juvenile female guinea pigs that were castrated on day 10 of age and were either isolated from or allowed to remain with their mothers for the duration of the study. To place into perspective the time course of the LH response to prepubertal gonadectomy, the effect of castration on LH secretion in adult animals was also examined. Serum LH concentrations were determined by a RIA that employed GDN-15 as the first antibody. Orchidectomy on day 2 of age resulted in an immediate and progressive rise in serum LH concentrations, which plateaued by 30 days of age at levels indistinguishable from those of adult castrates. In contrast, ovariectomy on day 2 of age failed to elicit an immediate rise in serum LH. Instead, circulating LH concentrations in neonatally castrated female guinea pigs were not significantly different from those in intact controls until day 14 of age, at which time serum LH rose progressively to plateau by 30 days of age at levels comparable to those in adult castrates. The time courses of LH secretion after ovariectomy of 10-day-old guinea pigs that were either isolated from or allowed to remain with their mothers were not significantly different and were similar to that observed after ovariectomy at 2 days of age. For reasons presented in detail in Discussion, the foregoing findings fail to support the view that nongonadal restraint of gonadotropin secretion during prepubertal development plays a major role in the timing of sexual maturation in the guinea pig. This laboratory rodent, therefore, may be viewed as a poor paradigm for study of the neuroendocrine basis of puberty in primates.
Developing new roles for paraprofessionals in cataloging

Abstract Changes in cataloging practices and philosophies, new technologies and vendor services, and enhanced efficiency and productivity produce new assignments for copy catalogers in academic libraries. Paraprofessionals, as a result, perform cataloging tasks previously done by librarians. They should have opportunities to expand their knowledge and skills, and benefit from challenging work assignments.
Utility of a clinical practice guideline in treatment of chylothorax in the postoperative congenital heart patient.

Background Chylothorax after congenital heart surgery is a common complication with associated morbidities, but consensus treatment guidelines are lacking. Variability exists in the duration of medical treatment and timing for surgical intervention. Methods After institution of a clinical practice guideline for management of postoperative chylothorax at a single center, pediatric cardiothoracic intensive care unit (ICU) in June 2010, we retrospectively analyzed 2 cohorts of patients: those with chylothorax from January 2008 to May 2010 (early cohort; n = 118) and from June 2010 to August 2011 (late cohort; n = 45). Data collected included demographics, cardiac surgical procedure, treatments for chylothorax, bloodstream infections, hospital mortality, length of hospitalization, duration of mechanical ventilation, and device utilization. Results There were no demographic differences between the cohorts. No differences were found in octreotide use or surgical treatments for chylothorax. Significant differences were found in median times to chylothorax diagnosis (9 in early cohort versus 6 days in late cohort, p = 0.004), ICU length of stay (18 vs 9 days, p = 0.01), hospital length of stay (30 vs 23 days, p = 0.005), and total durations of mechanical ventilation (11 vs 5 days, p = 0.02), chest tube use (20 vs 14 days, p = 0.01), central venous line use (27 vs 15 days, p = 0.001), and NPO status (9.5 vs 6 days, p = 0.04). Conclusions Institution of a clinical practice guideline for treatment of chylothorax after congenital heart surgery was associated with earlier diagnosis, reduced hospital length of stay, mechanical ventilation, and device utilization for these patients.
The K-12 educational technology value chain: Apps for kids, tools for teachers and levers for reform

Historically implementing, maintaining and managing educational technology has been difficult for K-12 educational systems. Consequently, opportunities for significant advances in K-12 education have often gone unrealized. With the maturation of Internet delivered services along with K-12 institutional trends, educational technologies are poised to help support the transformation K-12 education by providing student access to educational resources on an anywhere, anytime, any device basis. In addition, an emerging body of empirical research shows that when implemented systematically, technology can support a wide range of potential education innovations including inverted classrooms, peer-to-peer teaching and customized learning as well as increased academic achievement. A major public policy question is how best to insure educational technology resources reach all K-12 students in the shortest time and most equitable way possible. In response, this paper adopted an educational technology value chain model to assess potential avenues and barriers to implementing educational technology inK-12 systems. We find that a fully implemented educational technology value chain would directly benefit students, teachers, school systems and society. However, the analysis also finds that efforts to implement educational technology in K-12 systems still must overcome challenges and risks.
Medicina Geral e Familiar em Portugal

General and Family Medicine in Portugal as a medical specialty has evolved in the past few decades much the same way as in other European countries. This article aims to describe the various changes that have taken place over the years, in terms of career reform and medical training, which together have brought about the present model for General and Family Medicine training. It succinctly delineates the stages in training, including the main objectives at each step, the difficulties and the many challenges encountered along the way, as well as the methods of evaluation during the internship. The main objective of this article is to inform how training in family medicine is conducted and how one can embark on this career path in Portugal.
Histogram of gradient features for buried threat detection in ground penetrating radar data

Detection of buried explosive threats is a challenging problem. GPR has recently become a powerful tool for achieving robust subsurface target detection, but novel target types, and large numbers of subsurface objects in rural environments significantly complicate accurate discrimination of explosive threats from harmless false alarms. Significant research in feature extraction from GPR data has previously shown the capability for improved performance. Similarly, many techniques from the computer vision literature have made significant strides in recent years in for improvements in object class recognition. This work studies the relationships between and application of feature descriptor techniques from the computer vision community in application to target detection in GPR data. Relationships between a very successful computer vision technique (Histogram of Oriented Gradients) and a related powerful technique from subsurface sensing (Edge Histogram Descriptors) are explored, and preliminary results suggest that techniques from the computer vision literature may provide robust target detection performance in GPR.
Particles do not increase vapor deposition in human airways

Highly water-soluble vapors deposit in the upper airways of the respiratory tract because they are rapidly absorbed by the mucus lining and therefore it has been thought that the pulmonary region is not exposed to these pollutants. Yet these vapors also dissolve in the liquid-water portion of atmospheric particles and these particles may be vectors for depositing the pollutants in the more-sensitive pulmonary region. In this work, we simulate heat and mass transport in the lumen during inhalation to predict the deposition patterns of inhaled water-soluble vapors both in the presence and absence of aerosol liquid water. It is found that under atmospheric conditions particles do not significantly alter the deposition pattern of water-soluble vapors.
Lead causes human fibroblasts to mis-sort arylsulfatase A.

Abstract Lead exposure causes cognitive and behavioral deficits in some children. We have proposed that the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of the human pseudodeficient arylsulfatase A (ARSA) gene that result in reduced levels of the enzyme, and lead concentrations that decrease ARSA activity, culminate in cellular enzymic activity that is below a critical threshold required for the normal nervous system function. Human fibroblasts grown in the presence of lead acetate exhibit a 65% decrease in ARSA protein, resulting in a significant decrease in the ability to catabolize sulfatide in cells from individuals with the SNP(s) of pseudodeficient ARSA, but not those from subjects with the normal gene (Poretz et al., Neurotoxicology 21 (2000) 379). The present study examines the potential of lead to affect the biosynthesis, trafficking and turnover of ARSA in human fibroblasts. Fibroblasts, grown in 20 μM lead, displayed a 44–58% increase in the rate of proliferation. Lead caused a decrease of approximately 33% in the accumulation of newly synthesized intracellular ARSA. This difference was not due to increased rates of intracellular degradation of ARSA or decreased levels of ARSA mRNA. Lead, however, caused the newly synthesized enzyme to be trafficked through the secretion pathway, resulting in decreased amounts of the enzyme in intracellular compartments. Though lead exposure results in increased cellular proliferation, it appears to cause decreased intracellular steady-state levels of ARSA by affecting the sorting cues and/or mechanisms directing the enzyme to lysosomes.
Florida's Sea Water Cooling resource: An updated assessment

To assess the potential for utilizing Sea Water Cooling (SWC) systems in Florida, sea water temperatures are utilized by a representative SWC system to quantify potential energy savings. The HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) is used to characterize the near bottom temperatures statewide, suggesting that the temperatures needed for SWC are closest to shore off the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area. Numerous in situ data sets recently collected off Fort Lauderdale/Miami are presented alongside several historic data sets to characterize the resource in this area. This data suggests that a cold water resource with a mean temperature of 8–10°C exists off Fort Lauderdale in 160–220 m of water and 7–9°C exists off Miami in 200–300 m of water, both approximately 6 km from shore. These temperatures vary significantly at frequencies from about 2 days to 2 weeks with a seasonal dependence where these temperatures are cooler during the summer. A basic SWC plant model is presented to predict the energy savings for a generic 3.5 MW (1000 ton) AC system. This plant model suggests that off Fort Lauderdale the average energy required for this cooling system would be reduced by approximately 50% and off Miami it would be reduced by 54%.
A study of some factors influencing the ignition of a liquid fuel pool

Abstract Two particular problems concerning the ignitability of a pool of liquid fuel are considered. First is the problem of defining the domain of ignitability of a pool of fuel at a superflash temperature subjected to a cross wind. It is postulated that this domain is bounded by the lean mixture limit or by the blowoff limit of the local fuel-air mixture, whichever is encountered first above the surface. This domain is calculated for a laminar boundary layer over a flat pool of fuel. The agreement between this predicted boundary and the boundary found here experimentally is generally quite good. Second is the problem of determining what factors control the ignitability of a liquid pool of fuel at a subflash temperature. The heating of such a pool to the point of ignition, by an energy source in the space above it, is retarded considerably by motion induced in the pool. Suppression of the motion enhances the ignitability markedly. The induced motion produces a vortex cell whose size depends on various fuel and igniter parameters. The driving force causing this fluid motion is postulated to be a combination of the forces resulting from buoyancy in the pool and surface tension gradient on the surface.
The Eagle Ford Shale Play, South Texas: Regional Variations in Fluid Types, Hydrocarbon Production and Reservoir Properties

The Eagle Ford Shale is one of the most active U.S. shale plays; it produces oil, gas condensate, and dry gas. To better understand the regional and vertical variations of reservoir properties and their effects on fluid types and well performance, we conducted an integrated, regional study using production and well log data. Maps of the average gas-oil ratio (GOR) of the first three production months identified four fluid regions, including black oil, volatile oil, gas condensate, and dry gas regions. Maximum oil production occurs in Karnes County, where first-month oil production of most wells exceeds 5,000 barrels (bbl). The most productive gas region is between the Stuart City and Sligo Shelf Margins, where first-month gas production of most wells exceeds 60 million cubic feet (MMcf). Eagle Ford Shale petrophysical properties were analyzed in individual wells and were mapped to clarify the regionally variations of Eagle Ford Shale reservoir properties and their controls on fluid types and well performance. In comparison to the upper Eagle Ford, the lower Eagle Ford Shale has high gamma ray, high resistivity, low density, and long transit time values; we infer that the lower Eagle Ford shale has higher total organic carbon and lower carbonate content than the upper Eagle Ford Shale. Integration of production and geological data shows that thermal maturity and structural setting of the Eagle Ford Shale strongly influence fluid types and production rates. Plots of GOR vs. time for individual wells were constant in different reservoir fluids. Results of this study clarify causes of vertical and lateral heterogeneity in the Eagle Ford shale and the regional extents of fluid types. Understanding of the reservoir property differences between upper and lower Eagle Ford Shale should assist with optimizing completion design and stimulation strategies. The results may be applicable to similar developing shale plays.
INTRA-ARTERIAL THROMBOLYSIS FOR CAROTID CIRCULATION ISCHEMIA

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of adult disability. In 1995 the National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke (NINDS) investigators demonstrated a significant improvement in outcome in patients who had stroke treated with intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) within 3 hours of stroke onset. The availability of effective treatment for acute stroke stimulated interest in finding other approaches to acute stroke treatment, potentially improving on the NINDS results or benefiting specific subgroups of acute stroke patients. Early reports of the use of intra-arterial (IA) thrombolytic agents suggested that local delivery successfully recanalized intracranial arteries. Jungreis et al 15 subsequently reported embedding a microcatheter into the substance of a clot to enhance IA thrombolysis. In this article experience with IA thrombolysis in the carotid circulation and the special considerations for the care of patients treated with this technique are reviewed.
Age-related deficits on the radial maze and in fear conditioning: Hippocampal processing and consolidation

Young adult, middle-aged, and old male F-344 rats were assessed for their hippocampal ability. This was accomplished by examin- ing the animals on two different paradigms, each incorporating a simulta- neous measure of hippocampal-dependent and -independent processing. The animals were fear conditioned and then tested for retention of the conditioning context and tone. This was followed by an 8-arm radial maze task which combined spatial working and cued reference memory ele- ments. The two paradigms are compared in terms of task demands, potential confounds, and validity for aging studies. The results indicate that the performance of the animals on the two tasks is correlated. Age-related deficits limited to the hippocampal aspects of the above tasks were found, with no deficits found in the analogous but hippocampus- independent aspects of these tasks. The function of the hippocampus in incorporating new memories is time-related. Therefore, the possibility of age-related changes in consolida- tion was examined. It has previously been shown on the fear conditioning paradigm that the hippocampus is involved in retention of the aversive context for approximately 28 days. In the present study, an attempt was made to test the animals for retention of the conditioning context both early into the period of consolidation (10 days) and after consolidation should have been completed (52 days). The results indicate that, initially, the old animals show comparable retention to young rats. When examined later, young animals showed a stronger retention of the conditioning context than they had previously. The aged rats, however, did not seem to benefit from this additional period of time and in fact showed a decrease in retention of the conditioning context. The data are interpreted in terms of consolidation, alternative explanations of the data are presented, and suggestions are given for future research. Finally, the implications of such age-related changes in hippocampal consolidation on learning and memory are discussed. Hippocampus 1998;8:402-415. r 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Heartmate Risk Score Predicts Morbidity and Mortality in Unselected Left Ventricular Assist Device Recipients and Risk Stratifies INTERMACS Class 1 Patients

Abstract Objectives This study evaluated the Heartmate Risk Score (HMRS) and its potential benefits in clinical practice. Background The HMRS has been shown to correlate with mortality in the cohort of patients enrolled in the Heartmate II trials, but its validity in unselected, “real world” populations remains unclear. Methods This study identified a cohort of 269 consecutive patients who received a Heartmate II left ventricular assist device at our institution, the Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, between June 2005 and June 2013. Ninety-day and 2-year mortality rates, as well as frequency of several morbid events, were compared by retrospectively assigned HMRS category groups. The analysis was repeated within the subgroup of INTERMACS (Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support) class 1 patients. Results Receiver operating curve analysis showed that the HMRS correlated with 90-day mortality with an area under the curve of 0.70. Stratification in low, mid, and high HMRS groups identified patients with increasing hazard of 90-day mortality, increasing long-term mortality, increasing rate of gastrointestinal bleeding events, and increasing median number of days spent in the hospital in the first year post implant. Within INTERMACS class 1 patients, those in the highest HMRS group were found to have a relative risk of 90-day mortality 5.7 times higher than those in the lowest HMRS group (39.1% vs. 6.9%, p = 0.029). Conclusions HMRS is a valid clinical tool to stratify risk of morbidity and mortality after implant of Heartmate II devices in unselected patients and can be used to predict short-term mortality risk in INTERMACS class 1 patients.
The Predisposition of High School Students to Engage in Collective Strategies of Problem Solving

Abstract Problem-solving approaches reflect a predisposition toward using collective efforts at governance. Using Aristotle's three constitutional categories (the rule of the one, the few, and the many) as approaches (dividing the rule of the many into collective problem solving and individualistic problem solving options), the reported survey study asked which one was favored by high school students and tested which predictors (age, gender, county, grade point average, ethnic status, years in U. S. schools, community service, extracurricular activities, school enrollment, and number of household members) were significantly associated with those choices. Among the findings: The collective option, involving as many stakeholders as possible, was the most popular, and the predictors significantly associated with that option were age, county, GPA, ethnicity, and extracurricular activities. The sample was 346 students.
Polyacrylamide review: Soil conditioning and environmental fate

The adoption of polyacrylamide (PAM) in reducing irrigation‐induced erosion in California's San Joaquin Valley has been stymied by the lack of information about its toxicity and environmental fate....
Polynomial rings over rings integral over their centres

We prove in this paper that every finitely generated critical module over A [ X ] is compressible where A is a Noetherian ring integral over a subring of its centre. Here A [ X ] denotes the polynomial ring over A in a commuting indeterminate X .
Occlusal accuracy of casts made and articulated differently

Abstract This study evaluated the occlusal accuracy of gypsum casts constructed from irreversible hydrocolloid and selected nonaqueous elastomeric materials. Master metal casts were attached to a vertically moving apparatus that allowed their occlusal surfaces to produce repeatable contacts. Impressions were made with irreversible hydrocolloid, polysulfide, and vinylsiloxane. Resulting maxillary casts were mounted with a constant positioning device and mandibular casts were mounted with zinc oxide-eugenol paste records or by maximum intercuspation. Four specific master occlusal contacts were compared with contacts generated from the mounted gypsum casts; a perfect score was 40 (four contacts × 10 casts). A chi-square linear model for category data was used to compare groups. Results indicated that casts made from irreversible hydrocolloid should not be articulated with the use of a zinc oxide-eugenol paste but are best articulated by using maximum intercuspation (32/40 contacts).
Combined imaging and chemical sensing of L-glutamate release from the foregut plexus of the lepidopteran, Manduca sexta.

Abstract A new combined imaging and chemical detection sensor for the measurement of localized l- glutamate release at the insect neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is presented. The sensor is comprised of an l -glutamate-sensitive fluorescent gel, spin-coated onto the tip of an optical imaging fiber. The gel is composed of l -glutamate oxidase (GLOD); a pH-sensitive fluorescent dye, SNAFL; and poly(acrylamide- co - N -acryloxysuccinimide) (PAN). NH 3 is liberated from the interaction of l- glutamate with GLOD, which reversibly reduces the emitted fluorescence signal from SNAFL. This sensor has a spatial resolution of 3–4 μm, and an l- glutamate detection limit of between 10 and 100 μM. l- glutamate release and re-uptake from the foregut plexus of Manduca sexta was detected by the sensor in the presence of the l- glutamate re-uptake blocker dihydrokainate, and the post-synaptic l- glutamate receptor antagonist CNQX.
Retrieval of cloud droplet size from visible and microwave radiometric measurements during INDOEX: Implication to aerosols' indirect radiative effect

[1] The effective radius of water cloud droplets is retrieved using remotely sensed passive microwave and visible data collected by aircraft during the Indian Ocean Experiment. The purpose of this study is to assess the aerosols' effect on cloud microphysical and radiative properties. To study this effect, we investigate the relationships among effective radius, liquid water path and number concentration of cloud droplets. The effective radius retrieval uses imager observations of reflected sunlight at 0.64 μm and liquid water path derived from microwave measurements. Results of an error analysis show that retrieval error is the largest for thin clouds having small visible reflectances and small liquid water path. For this reason, only pixels with visible reflectances greater than 0.2 are used in our data analysis, so that the maximum RMS error in effective radius is limited to about 4 μm. The relation between liquid water path and effective radius is examined for four different latitudinal regions. Results show that for the same liquid water path, effective radii are significantly smaller in the north than in the south, in correspondence to the north-south gradient of aerosol concentration in this region. In situ aircraft observations reveal larger cloud droplet number concentrations in the north than in the south. The north-south gradient of these variables are consistent with the aerosols' effect on cloud microphysics, that is, higher aerosol concentration increases the number concentration of cloud droplets, which, in turn, reduces droplet sizes given the same liquid water path and cloud thickness. Results based on comparison between data collected from northern and southern hemispheres suggest that the increase in aerosol number concentration alters cloud droplet numbers and sizes while leaving liquid water contents approximately the same.
Estimating three-dimensional rock discontinuity orientation from digital images of fracture traces

This paper describes a computer approach that has been developed for estimating three-dimensional fracture orientations from two-dimensional fracture trace information gathered from digital images of exposed rock faces. The approach assumes that the fractures occur in sets, and that each set can be described by a mean orientation and a measure of the scatter about the mean. Mathematical relationships are developed that relate the 3D fracture properties with the trace angles that would be measured on one or more rock faces. These algorithms are used in conjunction with a genetic algorithm to invert the trace angles to estimate 3D joint orientation. A number of case studies have been conducted indicating a great potential for the technique.
Use of Sentinel Laboratories by Clinicians to Evaluate Potential Bioterrorism and Emerging Infections

With the persistent threat of emerging infectious diseases and bioterrorism, it has become increasingly important that clinicians be able to identify the diseases that might signal the occurrence of these unusual events. Essential to a thoughtful diagnostic approach is understanding when to initiate a public health investigation and how to appropriately use commonly performed microbiology procedures in the sentinel laboratory to evaluate potential pathogens. Although diagnostic test development is evolving rapidly, recognizing many of these pathogens continues to challenge the capabilities of most sentinel laboratories. Therefore, effective, ongoing communication and education among clinicians, infection control personnel, sentinel laboratorians, public health authorities, and Laboratory Response Network reference laboratorians is the key to preparedness.
A faculty perspective on teaching assistant training

The quality and type of instruction teaching assistants (TAs) receive provide basic preparation for a faculty career. We sampled 249 chairs of psychology departments offering doctoral programs. Que...
Entropy production by block variable summation and central limit theorems

We prove a strict lower bound on the entropy produced when independent random variables are summed and rescaled. Using this, we develop an approach to central limit theorems from a dynamical point of view in which the entropy is a Lyapunov functional governing approach to the Gaussian limit. This dynamical approach naturally extends to cover dependent variables, and leads to new results in pure probability theory as well as in statistical mechanics. It also provides a unified framework within which many previous results are easily derived.
Arterial inflammation in bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) events. Here, we assess arterial inflammation, using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging (FDG-PET/CT), in patients with bronchial asthma and low to intermediate Framingham risk scores (FRS). A total of 102 patients underwent FDG-PET/CT imaging for clinical indications. Thirty-four patients (mean age 54.9 ± 16.1) with mild asthma and no known atherosclerotic disease were compared to 2 non-asthmatic groups. The first control group (n = 34) were matched by age, gender, and FRS. The second control group (n = 34) had clinical atherosclerosis and were matched by gender. Thereafter, arterial FDG uptake on PET images was determined, while blinded to patient identifiers. Target-to-background-ratio (TBR) in the aorta was higher in asthmatics vs non-asthmatic FRS-matched controls (1.96 ± 0.26 vs 1.76 ± 0.20; P < .001). The aortic TBR remained elevated in asthmatics vs non-asthmatic controls after adjusting traditional CV risk factors (P < .001). An inverse correlation was observed between FDG uptake and lung function, FEV1 (P = .02) and peak flow (P = .03). Bronchial asthma is associated with increased arterial inflammation beyond that estimated by current risk stratification tools. Further studies are required to evaluate whether attenuation of systemic inflammation will decrease CV events.
MOMENTS OF THE HADRONIC MASS DISTRIBUTION IN SEMILEPTONIC B MESON DECAYS

We present a measurement of the first and second moments of the squared-mass distribution of charm hadrons in semileptonic decays of B mesons based on ~ 180 pb-1 of data taken with the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. For a minimum lepton momentum of 0.7 GeV/c in the B meson rest frame, we measure the first two moments of the D** → D(*)π component to be and . Combining these values with known contributions from the D and D* components, we obtain the overall charm hadron moments and where is the spin-averaged D meson mass and the subscript "BR" denotes the uncertainty from the branching ratios used to combine the D, D* and D** components. From these moments we also determine the non-perturbative Heavy Quark Effective Theory parameters Λ and λ1 in the pole and 1S mass schemes.
Anemia and aging: an overview of clinical, diagnostic and biological issues.

Anemia, usually mild, is one of the more common problems of the aged, especially in men. Although the anemia is often multifactorial, the specific entities can be grouped into three broad categories: (a) anemias due to causes more common in the elderly; (b) anemias without special predilection for the elderly; (c) anemias of unknown cause. The major biological questions concern the third category, which accounts for 14-17% of the anemias, and whether senescence itself contributes to anemia. Current opinion favors a diminished erythropoietic reserve with aging, but the data are inconsistent and the mechanism has not been established. It may be that cytokine modulation of erythropoiesis is abnormal. Some findings in unexplained anemia bear partial resemblance to the changes of anemia of chronic disease, suggesting the possibility that subtle unidentified inflammatory responses of unknown origin may be operative in many elderly people. Of the anemias of known cause that are especially common in the elderly, anemia of chronic disease is an important entity but is sometimes obscured or overlooked and its diagnosis rests on crude tests. Cobalamin deficiency is very common also, although most cases are mild and not accompanied by anemia. Because the basic diagnostic approach to anemia is neither complex nor very invasive and anemia may be a marker of poor prognosis, attribution of anemia to senescence is not advisable until other causes have been ruled out.
Poly(N-ethylacrylamide) Hydrogels for Lignin Separation

Poly(N-ethylacrylamide) hydrogel (PEAM) and N-ethylacrylamide bulk hydrogel with microstructure (EAM-BHM) are prepared. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PEAM is determined to be 73...
Excluding heart disease in the patient with chest pain

Angina pectoris is chest discomfort associated with myocardial ischemia. When coronary blood flow is inadequate to meet myocardial tissue demand, lactate accumulates, resulting in diastolic and systolic left ventricular dysfunction. This leads to ST-segment abnormalities and eventually to angina pectoris. Angina, most commonly a pressure-type sensation in the midanterior chest precipitated by exercise, stress, or cold, typically lasts 1–5 minutes and is alleviated by rest or nitroglycerin. Diagnostic studies to assess myocardial ischemia include treadmill exercise testing, Holter monitoring, and coronary angiography. Treadmill exercise testing has a relatively low accuracy for diagnosing coronary artery disease. This can be improved by combining exercise with thallium-201 imaging, two-dimensional echocardiography, or positron emission tomography (PET). Thallium-201 scintigraphy and exercise echocardiography have reported sensitivities of 70–85% and specificities of 50-60% when applied to low-risk, asymptomatic populations. PET scanning has a high predictive accuracy (sensitivity 90%, specificity 90–95%) and is more useful as a screening test; it can also assess the functional significance of coronary artery stenoses and differentiate viable myocardium from infarcted tissue. Holter monitoring is too insensitive and nonspecific to be used as a screening test for coronary artery disease; it can, however, assess the total ischemic burden in patients with known coronary artery disease and correlate symptoms and ST-segment abnormalities during episodes of pain at rest. Coronary angiography has been the gold standard for diagnosing coronary artery stenoses. Quantitative angiography has improved the assessment of coronary artery narrowing but is still limited in evaluating coronary blood flow. Doppler flow studies provide useful information regarding coronary flow reserve. Myocardial ischemia as a cause of chest pain is determined by evaluating the clinical characteristics consistent with angina, correlating electrocardiographic abnormalities with perfusion defects or wall motion abnormalities, and determining the extent and functional significance of coronary artery stenoses by coronary angiography.
Binding of hapten to a single-chain catalytic antibody demonstrated by electrospray mass spectrometry

Catalytic antibodies (abzymes) have been elicited for a variety of chemical reactions. Abzymes have been developed to catalyze high-energy' and highly disfavored2 reactions through induction of an immunological response using a hapten that structurally resembles the transition-state or high-energy species encountered in a given reaction.' In general, catalytic antibodies exhibit high affinities (<1 nM) for hapten binding; this interaction energy acts to stabilize intermediates along the course of the chemical reaction and consequently drives the reaction. The mechanism of action of catalytic antibodies has been the focus of several recent studies which used various enzymological protocols. The enzymological techniques used to study abzymes include presteady-state kinetics,3 substrate structureactivity relationships? and mutagenesi~.~.~ Electrospray mass spectrometry is also emerging as an important new enzymological too17,8 having the ability to detect relatively small chemical modifications in proteins. Although intact antibodies (Mr = 150000) are too large to be routinely studied with this technique, recent innovations in antibody engineering9 have allowed us to generate a singlechain Fv fragment ( C I I ~ ~ H I ~ I ~ N ~ ~ ~ O ~ ~ ~ S I O , Mr = 26 419.9). In this communication we employ pneumatically-assisted electrospray (ion spray) mass spectrometry to antibodies in order to examine the complex found between a catalytic antibody Fv fragment and its hapten. The catalytic antibody, NPN43C9, as a cloned single chain F, fragment,5 was purified to homogeneity by SDS-PAGE before electrospray analysis. The catalytic antibody was introduced into a Perkin-Elmer SCIEX API I11 Mass analyzer (error --+0.01%) either alone or complexed to its inducing hapten (phosphonamidate (1)) or inhibitor (p-nitroaniline (2)) at a concentration of 20 pM in distilled HzO at pH 5 .
Effect of loading induced anisotropy on the shear behavior of rough interfaces

We have utilized a statistical method to model the shear behavior of rough contacts. In contrast to the traditional statistical methods, which only describe the asperity height and curvature distributions, we have introduced a contact orientation distribution in our analysis. We have also incorporated asperity contact sliding and developed an incremental scheme for computing the stress-displacement relationship. Using this enhanced model, we can demarcate the boundary between elastically deforming and sliding asperity contact orientations under given loading. Consequently, we can describe the shear-normal coupling as well as the effects of inherent anisotropy and the induced anisotropy of the sheared interfaces.
Stochastic image reconstruction in bioluminescence tomography with the equation of radiative transfer

The underlying mathematical model for bioluminescence tomography (BLT) is an ill-posed inverse source problem, which can be cast into an optimization problem of a χ 2 -error function. The error function quantifies the discrepancy between the measured and predicted partial current of bioluminescent light at the tissue boundary. In this work, the predicted partial current has been calculated prior to image reconstruction by solving the equation of radiative transfer (ERT) for a set of source basis functions of the entire tissue domain. A global optimization technique based on stochastic sampling principles probes the global parameter space of bioluminescent source distributions composed of source basis functions. The stochastic approach avoids a premature convergence, which can be caused, e.g., by a narrow or a shallow surface landscape of the χ 2 -error function. Initial reconstruction results are compared to gradient-based image reconstructions.