cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TU-G-BRD-08: In-Vivo EPID Dosimetry: Quantifying the Detectability of Four Classes of Errors

Purpose: EPID dosimetry is an emerging method for treatment verification and QA. Given that the in-vivo EPID technique is in clinical use at some centers, we investigate the sensitivity and specificity for detecting different classes of errors. We assess the impact of these errors using dose volume histogram endpoints. Though data exist for EPID dosimetry performed pre-treatment, this is the first study quantifying its effectiveness when used during patient treatment (in-vivo). Methods: We analyzed 17 patients; EPID images of the exit dose were acquired and used to reconstruct the planar dose at isocenter. This dose was compared to the TPS dose using a 3%/3mm gamma criteria. To simulate errors, modifications were made to treatment plans using four possible classes of error: 1) patient misalignment, 2) changes in patient body habitus, 3) machine output changes and 4) MLC misalignments. Each error was applied with varying magnitudes. To assess the detectability of the error, the area under a ROC curve (AUC) was analyzed. The AUC was compared to changes in D99 of the PTV introduced by the simulated error. Results: For systematic changes in the MLC leaves, changes in the machine output and patient habitus, the AUC varied from 0.78–0.97 scaling with the magnitude of the error. The optimal gamma threshold as determined by the ROC curve varied between 84–92%. There was little diagnostic power in detecting random MLC leaf errors and patient shifts (AUC 0.52–0.74). Some errors with weak detectability had large changes in D99. Conclusion: These data demonstrate the ability of EPID-based in-vivo dosimetry in detecting variations in patient habitus and errors related to machine parameters such as systematic MLC misalignments and machine output changes. There was no correlation found between the detectability of the error using the gamma pass rate, ROC analysis and the impact on the dose volume histogram. Funded by grant R18HS022244 from AHRQ
Signature Verification Using a Bayesian Approach

The fully Bayesian approach has been shown to be powerful in machine learning. This paper describes signature verification using a non-parametric Bayesian approach. Given sample(s) of Genuine signatures of an individual, the task of signature verification is a problem of classifying a questioned signature as Genuine or Forgery. The verification problem is a two step approach - (i)Enrollment: Genuine signature samples of an individual are provided. The method presented here maps from features space to distance space by comparing all the available genuine signature samples amongst themselves to obtain a distribution in distance space - "within person distribution". This distribution captures the variation and similarities that exist within a particular person's signature; (ii)Classification: The questioned signature to be classified, is then compared to each of the genuine signatures to obtain another distribution in distance space - "Questioned vs Known distribution". The two distributions are then compared using a new Bayesian similarity measure to test whether the samples in the distribution are from the same distribution(Genuine) or not(Forgery). The approach yields improved performance over other non-parametric non Bayesian approaches.
Graph Based Workflow Validation

Content Management Systems in the field of content production and publishing need to monitor the progress of large numbers of simultaneously evolving workflows. In order to make such systems adaptive to the varying needs of their organizations, the utilization of a graphical editor for workflows has been proposed, thus generating the hazard of the specification of erroneous and invalid workflows. In this paper we provide a formal modeling for workflows and then, based on it, we explain how the validity of a simple workflow can be evaluated through the examination of the transitive closure of its graph. Continuing to the more general case, we develop a problem transformation methodology that allows for all workflows to be validated using a transitive closure examination approach. The Python implementation of our methodology is provided as is freely to all interested parties.
Africana Slave Religious Thought and the Philosophy of Education

INTRODUCTION In Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature, Richard Rorty argues that Western philosophy as a discipline attempts to be the ground of all claims to knowledge made by science, morality, art or religion. As such, philosophy perceives itself as having a special understanding of the nature of knowledge and mind, making it an epistemologically centered philosophy. In which case, explains Rorty, “its central concern is to be a general theory of representation, a theory which will divide culture up into the areas which represent reality well, those which represent it less well, and those which do not represent it at all.” Philosophy of education also embraces this overemphasis on epistemology, and as such is preoccupied with education as a problem of knowing, which is less of a core concern for Africana thought. This is illustrated by Africana thought’s focus not simply on racist epistemologies or beliefs but on their ontological content. It is with this in mind that Africana people, says Lewis Gordon, are a “black people” and hence are significantly impacted by race and racism. Frantz Fanon, too, implies this focus of Africana thought in his comment: “I came into the world imbued with the will to find meanings in things. My spirit filled with the desire to attain to the source of the world, and then found that I was an object in the midst of other objects.”
Small RNAs of Rous Sarcoma Virus: Characterization by Two-Dimensional Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis and Fingerprint Analysis

Approximately 15 to 20 different species of small (4 to 7S) RNAs have been purified by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of RNA isolated from virions of Schmidt-Ruppin D strain of Rous sarcoma virus. Each species of small RNA has been isolated free of 70S RNA; nine of them, including 5S and 7S RNAs, were also found associated with the 70S genomic RNA. Most of the 4S RNAs are present at an average of less than one copy per virion. The 4S RNAs have T1 RNase (EC 2.7.7.26) fingerprints, which are very similar to those of tRNAs. One of the smallest 4S RNAs, which can act as a primer for initiation of RNA-directed DNA synthesis, is associated with the 70S RNA in 1 to 2 copies per complex, whereas an additional 6 to 8 copies of this molecule are free.
Prior information for brain parcellation

To better understand brain disease, many neuroscientists study anatomical differences between normal and diseased subjects. Frequently, they analyze medical images to locate brain structures influenced by disease. Many of these structures have weakly visible boundaries so that standard image analysis algorithms perform poorly. Instead, neuroscientists rely on manual procedures, which are time consuming and increase risks related to inter- and intra-observer reliability [53]. In order to automate this task, we develop an algorithm that robustly segments brain structures. We model the segmentation problem in a Bayesian framework, which is applicable to a variety of problems. This framework employs anatomical prior information in order to simplify the detection process. In this thesis, we experiment with different types of prior information such as spatial priors, shape models, and trees describing hierarchical anatomical relationships. We pose a maximum a posteriori probability estimation problem to find the optimal solution within our framework. From the estimation problem we derive an instance of the Expectation Maximization algorithm, which uses an initial imperfect estimate to converge to a good approximation. The resulting implementation is tested on a variety of studies, ranging from the segmentation of the brain into the three major brain tissue classes, to the parcellation of anatomical structures with weakly visible boundaries such as the thalamus or superior temporal gyrus. In general, our new method performs significantly better than other standard automatic segmentation techniques. The improvement is due primarily to the seamless integration of medical image artifact correction, alignment of the prior information to the subject, detection of the shape of anatomical structures, and representation of the anatomical relationships in a hierarchical tree. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
Bilateral ovarian dermoids in pregnancy.

Abstract 1. 1. An additional case of bilateral ovarian dermoids in pregnancy is reported, bringing the total number of reported cases up to 66. 2. 2. Of the total number of cases reported only 10 cases were treated with conservative ovarian surgery. 3. 3. The present patient treated conservatively has continued to menstruate normally and endometrial biopsy done 6 months post operation revealed secretory endometrium and thereby gives presumptive evidence of ovulation. 4. 4. A plea is made for conservative ovarian surgery and reasons are advanced to support this plea.
U.S. State-supported dental schools: financial projections and implications.

This article examines the impact of financial trends in state-supported dental schools on full-time clinical faculty; the diversity of dental students and their career choices; investments in physical facilities; and the place of dentistry in research universities. The findings of our study are the following: the number of students per full-time clinical faculty member increased; the three schools with the lowest revenue increases lost a third of their full-time clinical faculty; more students are from wealthier families; most schools are not able to adequately invest in their physical plant; and more than half of schools have substantial NIH-funded research programs. If current trends continue, the term “crisis” will describe the situation faced by most dental schools. Now is the time to build the political consensus needed to develop new and more effective strategies to educate the next generation of American dentists and to keep dental education primarily based in research universities. The future of the dental profession and the oral health of the American people depend on it.
Partially varying coefficient instrumental variables models

National Science Foundation of China [70871003, 70971113]; University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Chinese Government; Fujian Province; Xiamen City; Chinese Ministry of Education; Fujian Province, China
Antibody binding to a peptide but not the whole protein by recognition of the C-terminal carboxy group

Antipeptide antibodies have become indispensable tools in modern biochemistry and molecular biology. Unfortunately, not all antipeptide antibodies react with their target proteins. The reasons why certain antipeptide antibodies fail to do so are not always clear, although it is commonly assumed that conformational difference between the peptide antigens and the corresponding sequences in proteins accounts for most failures. Here, we report detailed characterization of an antipeptide mAb which reacted avidly with the peptide antigen but did not react with the same sequence in a protein. ELISA analysis using analogs of the antigen peptide revealed that this mAb did not react with a C-terminus-extended analog of the antigen peptide and reacted poorly with a peptide amide analog of the antigen peptide. These results suggest that the mAb recognizes an epitope including the C-terminal-free carboxyl group of the peptide. This analysis also revealed that the epitope recognized by this mAb was located in the C-terminal pentapeptide, RY-IRS. Four amino acid side chains (R,I,R, and S) in this pentapeptide were shown by alanine-scanning to be critical for antibody recognition. Analysis of the polyclonal antisera raised against this peptide revealed that antibodies reacting with this unique carboxyl-containing epitope are most abundant. This unexpected finding has since been shown in several other cases in this laboratory, suggesting that generation of antibodies that recognize carboxyl-containing artificial epitopes may be rather common. we also found that the use of a peptide amide (instead of peptide acid) antigen did not prevent a similar problem; in this case, the C-terminal amide became part of the epitope. Based on these findings, we suggest a method for enhancing the probability of isolating protein-reactive mAbs.
Attitudes, Behaviors, and Reasons for Changing Responses Following Answer‐Changing Instruction

Contrary to the adage warning against changing test answers, mean gain from changing has been an invariant research finding. Consistency of this gain was tested for students instructed about the research results, and composition of the gain was analyzed by examining the students' reasons for changing. Students in six graduate measurement classes instructed about the answer-changing literature responded to three exams and a questionnaire. Mean gain remained positive and consistent with gain for previously studied uninstructed groups; amount of change was also stable. “Rethinking the item and conceptualizing a better answer” was the most frequent reason given for changing. “Rereading the item and better understanding the question” was the second most cited reason, followed by “rereading/rethinking” combined, and “making a clerical error.” For each frequently used reason, wrong-to-right (WR) changes were in the majority. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Signal processing of semicircular canal and otolith signals in the vestibular nuclei during passive and active head movements.

: The vestibular nerve sends signals to the brain that code the movement and position of the head in space. These signals are used by the brain for a variety of functions, including the control of reflex and voluntary movements and the construction of a sense of self-motion. If many of these functions are to be carried out, a distinction must be made between sensory vestibular signals related to active head movements and those related to passive head movements. Current evidence is that the distinction occurs at an early stage of sensory processing in the brain, and the results are evident in the firing behavior of neurons in the vestibular nuclei that receive direct inputs from the vestibular nerve. Several specific examples of how sensory information related to passive and active head movements is transformed in the vestibular nuclei are discussed.
Electron-beam diagnostics and emission characterization for single and multiple Spindt-type field emitters for rf amplifiers

Experimental measurements made on a single Spindt-type molybdenum field emitter are correlated with a simple analytic model of the electron distribution. The measurements were made by using a nanofabricated detector whose position relative to the emitted was determined using laser interferometry. Methods used to correlate theory with experiment are explained, and the dependence of the beam profile on tip sharpness, gate diameter, anode distance, and tip work function are examined. It is shown how the analytic model may be extended to find the trajectories needed for particle simulations. Analysis has shown that the rms spread angle is approximately 20 degrees.
The Angry Black Woman: The Impact of Pejorative Stereotypes on Psychotherapy with Black Women

In the aftermath of slavery and the resulting social, economic, and political effects, Black women have become the victims of negative stereotyping in mainstream American culture. Such stereotypes include the myth of the angry Black woman that characterizes these women as aggressive, ill tempered, illogical, overbearing, hostile, and ignorant without provocation. Symptoms presented by Black women during mental health treatment may reinforce this myth. However, many of the negative characteristics of the angry Black woman developed in response to external stressors and historical factors. Black women also have a unique experience with and expressions of anger that shape the presenting symptoms interpreted by the mental health clinician. This myth and corresponding negative stereotypes significantly affect Black women intrapsychically, interpersonally, and are likely to influence the efficacy of mental health treatment. Understanding and treatment of Black women in a mental health context should be influenced by the cultural norms and sociopolitical dynamics affecting these clients. Successful mental health treatment requires cultural competence and clinicians who are well prepared to navigate the inherent complexities of culture with clients. Awareness of the angry Black woman mythology, including its genesis, manifestations, and the unique experiences of Black women, may raise the standards of cultural competence for clinicians and provide more successful treatment outcomes in working with this population. A case example illustrates the assiduity essential to practicing in a culturally competent manner. A client is presented from a traditional psychotherapeutic perspective and then viewed through a lens that integrates psychotherapeutic practice with conscious awareness of the mythology and stereotypes impacting Black women. Implications for culturally relevant practice are discussed.
Conceptualizing Generative Ethos in Service Learning

This essay investigates ethical issues inherent in service learning through considering the dynamics of generative ethos, Jim Corder’s term for a process of becoming through writing. By closely examining the ethical issues involved in Phyllis Ryder’s Rhetorics for Community Action: Public Writing and Writing Publics and tracing parallels between students’ experiences in Ryder’s course and Corder’s own idea of generative ethos, this essay argues that generative ethos can offer a productive lens into understanding how students navigate the ethically tenuous territory of service learning.
Synthesis of surface initiated diblock copolymer brushes from flat silicon substrates utilizing the RAFT polymerization technique

The synthesis of a variety of well-defined diblock copolymer brushes, including poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-b-poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA), PMMA-b-poly(styrene) (PSty), and PSty-b-poly(methyl acrylate), was achieved via surface immobilized reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Initially, silicon surfaces were modified with RAFT chain transfer agents (CTAs) by utilizing a modified atom transfer addition reaction involving a silicon wafer modified with (11-(2-bromo-2-methyl)propionyloxy)undecyltrichlorosilane and dithiobenzoyl disulfide. Diblock copolymer brushes were then prepared via sequential surface initiated RAFT polymerization from the immobilized CTA. Various characterization techniques including ellipsometry, contact angle measurements, grazing angle attenuated total reflectance−Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize the immobilization of CTAs on the silicon wafer and the s...
Consideration of pigeon‐holing and filtering as dysfunctional attention strategies in schizophrenia

Difficulties in the use of both filtering and pigeon-holing strategies have been suggested as partial explanations for the information processing deficits typically noted with schizophrenic subjects. The study reported here examined the operation of both of these attentional strategies in a group of schizophrenic subjects and in a group of psychiatric control subjects. Subjects were asked to identify a target syllable in the presence of several levels of competing speech. A sensory filter could be profitably invoked when the target and the competing speech were presented to separate ears. Pigeon-holing was assumed to facilitate performance when both the target and the competition occurred in both ***cars. Results suggested that schizophrenic subjects are relatively efficient in using filtering strategies, but have more difficulty employing pigeon-holing strategies to allocate efficiently attentional resources.
Abstract A80: Somatic cancer mutations in human mtDNA show neutral and positive selection

The majority of cancers exhibit somatic mutations in the mitochondrial chromosome (mtDNA). Whether these mutations play a causal role or are merely an effect is an issue of on‐going uncertainty. To study the role of somatic mtDNA mutations in cancer, we present a meta-analysis of 356 tumor sequences of multiple cancer types from the literature. As tumor formation is a type of somatic evolution, we examine the mutation pattern for whether the cancer DNA variation is consistent with drift (random forces) or selection. We also compare the cancer mutation pattern to that observed at the organismal or population level in order to gain insight on the mutation process in cancer cells. Among germline sequences, all mtDNA genes show a strong deficiency of amino acid changes, reflecting negative selection during human history and consistent with functional constraints at the organismal level. In somatic cancer sequences, mtDNA genes show either relaxed negative selection relative to germline or a mutation pattern consistent with neutrality. ND3, CO3, and ND4L in particular show cancer missense mutation rates nine ‐ 18 times that of their counterpart genes at the germline level. Bootstrap analysis of the cancer‐specific missense mutations show Cytochrome B and ND6 to have changes occurring in positions of unusually high conservation, suggesting that tumors select for mutations in residues of high functionality. These results support relaxed negative selection or neutrality for somatic mtDNA mutations in cancer, with the later potential for positive selection of alterations that impair mitochondrial function. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(23 Suppl):A80.
THE HEALTH OF THE CLERGY: A REVIEW OF DEMOGRAPHIC LITERATURE

A combination of special studies and official statistics permits an evaluation of the health of the clergy over the past century. The mortality experience of clergymen has been consistently more favorable than that of the general male population. It also has been favorable in comparison with the experience of men in the legal and medical professions although this differential has been diminishing. The initially favorable position of the clergy relative to teachers has been reversed. There is some evidence of mortality differentials within the clerical profession by major faith, denomination, or ministerial specialty.
Quaternary deformation, river steepening, and heavy precipitation at the front of the Higher Himalayan ranges

Abstract New geologic mapping in the Marsyandi Valley of central Nepal reveals the existence of tectonically significant Quaternary thrust faults at the topographic front of the Higher Himalaya. The zone of recent faulting is coincident with an abrupt change in the gradient of the Marsyandi River and its tributaries, which is thought to mark the transition from a region of rapid uplift in the Higher Himalayan ranges to a region of slower uplift to the south. Uplift of the Higher Himalaya during the Quaternary is not entirely due to passive uplift over a deeply buried ramp in the Himalayan sole thrust, as is commonly believed, but partially reflects active thrusting at the topographic front. The zone of active thrusting is also coincident with a zone of intense monsoon precipitation, suggesting a positive feedback relationship between focused erosion and deformation at the front of the Higher Himalayan ranges.
The cost of eliminating the 24-month Medicare waiting period for Social Security disabled-worker beneficiaries.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to estimate the cost of eliminating the 24-month waiting period for Medicare entitlement for Social Security disabled-worker beneficiaries. There is concern that the waiting period could currently result in reduced access to health care. DATA : The study linked Social Security and Medicare administrative records. METHODS Social Security records were used to identify a 20% sample of disabled workers aged 61 or less and newly entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in 1995 (n = 105,328). These records were linked to Medicare enrollment and claims data for 1997-2000. Cost prediction models were developed from the linked data to predict monthly Medicare costs. The prediction models were then used to estimate what Medicare costs would have been in the first 24 months of SSDI entitlement if the waiting period had been eliminated. RESULTS Among the sample of new SSDI entitlees in 1995, 11.8% died during the waiting period, 2.1% recovered, and 86.1% became entitled to Medicare. For the first 24 months of SSDI entitlement, Medicare costs were predicted to be 10,055 US dollars per disabled worker in year 2000 dollars. Costs varied substantially by diagnostic group and whether the person died or recovered during the waiting period. CONCLUSIONS Extrapolating from the study sample, predicted Medicare costs for the 24-month waiting period were 5.3 billion US dollars (inflation-adjusted to year 2000 dollars) for all disabled workers aged 61 or less and newly entitled to SSDI in 1995.
A comparison of the accuracy of self-reported intake with measured intake of a laboratory overeating episode in overweight and obese women with and without binge eating disorder

Purpose Research has demonstrated significant underreporting of food intake in obese individuals with and without binge eating disorder (BED). An improved understanding of the accuracy of self-reported food intake is central to diagnosis of eating disorders and monitoring response to treatment. The purpose was to: (1) confirm those with BED consume significantly more kilocalories (kcal) than overweight/obese controls when instructed to overeat in the laboratory and (2) compare dietary recall data with measured intake.
Loading and Unloading Processes in Elastic-Plastic Contact of a Rough Surface With a Flat

Three dimensional elastic-plastic contact of two nominally flat rough surfaces is considered. Equations governing the shoulder-shoulder contact of asperities are derived based on the Chang, Etsion and Bogy (CEB) model of contact in which volume conservation is assumed in the plastic flow regime. Shoulder-shoulder asperity contact yields a slanted contact force consisting of both tangential (parallel to mean plane) and normal components. Each force component comprises elastic and elastic-plastic parts. Statistical summation of normal force components leads to the derivation of the normal contact force for the elastic-plastic contact akin to the CEB model. Half-plane tangential force due to elastic-plastic contact is derived through the statistical summation of tangential force component along an arbitrary tangential direction.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Near-membrane protein dynamics revealed by evanescent field microscopy

Evanescent Field (EF) microscopy is used to investigate the spatial and temporal dynamics of proteins in living cells. A genetically engineered ion channel fused to a fluorescent tag is expressed in cells and imaged with an objective-based EF microscope. Images are obtained from a CCD and analyzed to determine fluorescence and velocity of individual protein containing vesicles. An inverse correlation between fluorescent intensity and average motility provides a method for determination of membrane localization. Stimulation and subsequent decrease in ion channel activity is correlated with loss of protein from membrane as shown by EF microscopy and patch-clamp electrophysiology.
Effect of number of irrelevant dimensions with ten concept types on the attribute identification task in the selection mode with exemplar and non-exemplar start cards

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of increasing the number of irrelevant dimensions (IR) for 10 concept types with two types of start cards under conditions of the selection mode. The results indicated (a) a directly proportional relationship between the relative conceptual difficulty under 1IR and the increase in conceptual difficulty under 2IR; and (b) least difficulty under 1IR with exemplar start cards and equal difficulty for both start cards under 2IR.
Objective vision screening in 3-year-old children at a multispecialty practice

Background Vision screening is rarely effectively accomplished for 3-year-olds as part of pediatric well-child examinations. We investigate changes in screening rates and positive predictive values of referrals for 3-year-olds after introducing a photoscreener to a multispecialty group practice. Methods The vision screening results of 3-year-old children undergoing routine well-child examinations between 2007 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. From 2007 to 2009, the only method available for vision screening was the Kindergarten Eye Test Chart. From 2010 to 2013 a PlusOptix photoscreener was also available. Rates of vision screening before and after PlusOptix adoption were compared. All children who failed screening were referred to a single pediatric ophthalmologist. Referral rates, follow-up rates, and positive predictive values were determined for PlusOptix photoscreening. Cases were defined by cycloplegic retinoscopy using the 2013 American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) vision screening recommendations for amblyopia risk factors. Results Of 593 children seen for their 3-year well-child examination between 2007-2009, before introduction of a photoscreener, 59 (10%) received vision screening. The screening rate increased to 766 of 958 (80%) between 2010 and 2013, after introduction of the PlusOptix (P Conclusions Availability of a photoscreener can increase the rate of vision screening for 3-year-old children in a multispecialty practice.
Acquisitions and records management: Help where it is needed

Acquisitions librarians must monitor a myriad files, and in order to do so most effectively, they should be aware of various records management practices. Such practices applicable to library acquisitions are presented, and suggestions are made as to how acquisitions librarians can expand their knowledge thereof.
Progressive Augmentation of Striatal and Accumbal Preprotachykinin mRNA Levels by Chronic Treatment with Methamphetamine and Effect of Concurrent Administration of the N-methyl-d-aspartate Receptor Antagonist MK-801

Abstract We have assessed the time course of repeated administration of methamphetamine (METH; 4 mg/kg) and withdrawal on the levels of preprotachykinin (PPT) and preproenkephalin (PPE) mRNA abundance in the caudate-putamen (CPu) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) of the rat brain by in situ hybridization histochemistry. Neostriatal PPT mRNA levels rose gradually between days 1 and 6 of treatment, with the greatest elevation observed at day 6. After 6 days of daily injections twice per day, PPT mRNA increases in dorsomedial (172%) and ventromedial (196%) aspects of the CPu were significantly higher than in dorsolateral (147%) and ventrolateral (135%) subdivisions. Similarly, PPT mRNA levels were increased in the anterior CPu (163%) and NAc (121%). Concurrent administration of METH and the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 attenuated METH-induced increases of PPT mRNA in all aspects of the CPu at day 6 of treatment and completely prevented the increase in the NAc. Moreover, animals treated with METH for 6 days and then withdrawn for 15 days displayed PPT mRNA levels in striatum and accumbens that were statistically indistinguishable from those of controls. Adjacent sections from the same brains were used to assess PPE mRNA levels. PPE mRNA levels were transiently elevated in dorsal and ventral aspects of the CPu at day 1 and decayed to control levels at days 3 and 6. The results demonstrate that progressive treatment with methamphetamine causes stepwise elevation of preprotachykinin mRNA levels in the neostriatum. Moreover, the increase of neuropeptide mRNA shows selectivity, since PPE mRNA levels did not display progressive accumulation of message. The effects of progressive METH treatment on neostriatal PPT mRNA expression decay when the drug is withdrawn, suggesting that this neuropeptidergic system may not represent a neuroadaptation sustaining enduring sensitization to amphetamines, but may play a role in the progressive augmentation of locomotor activity elicited by this class of drug. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Teacher Retention: A CSPD Analysis and Planning Model.

Teachers' perceptions of incentives and deterrents for teaching special education, teachers' movements between districts over a 5-year period, and teachezs' future professional goals were queried t...
Cation-π interactions with a model for an extended π network

Abstract Threshold collision-induced dissociation (CID) techniques are employed to determine the bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of both mono and bis cation-π complexes of the alkali metal cations (Li + , Na + , K + , Rb + , and Cs + ) with naphthalene (C 10 H 8 ). The primary and lowest energy dissociation channel observed in all cases is endothermic loss of an intact naphthalene ligand. Sequential dissociation of a second naphthalene ligand is observed at elevated energies in the bis complexes. The ligand exchange products, M + Xe and M + (C 10 H 8 )Xe, are also observed in minor yield. Density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G ∗ level of theory are used to determine the structures, vibrational frequencies, and rotational constants of these complexes and their primary dissociation products. Theoretical binding energies are determined from single point energy calculations at the MP2(full)/6-311+G(2d,2p) level using the B3LYP/6-31G ∗ geometries. The agreement between theory and experiment is reasonably good for the Li + , Na + , and K + complexes where full electron correlation is included, except for the Li + (C 10 H 8 ) complex. Somewhat less satisfactory agreement is found for the Rb + and Cs + complexes where effective core potentials (ECPs) are used. The trends in the BDEs of these complexes to naphthalene as well as those to other π ligands previously examined, aniline, anisole, benzene, fluorobenzene, phenol, and toluene, confirm the noncovalent nature of the bonding in such cation-π complexes. Comparisons amongst these π ligands are made to examine the influence of the extended π network on the binding and the factors that control the strength of cation-π interactions.
Management of forearm deformities with ulnar shortening more than 15 mm caused by hereditary multiple osteochondromas

Treatment for forearm deformities caused by hereditary multiple osteochondromas is still controversial. The purpose of the study was to describe the outcome of treatment with the combined use of ulnar lengthening and excision of osteochondromas. Fourteen patients with hereditary multiple osteochondromas had forearm deformities which belongs to type I Masada deformity. The mean relative ulnar shortening was 19.9 mm (range, 16–23). All patients ranging from 4 to 15 years old had operative treatment. Clinical evaluation involving the assessment of pain, activities of daily living, and range of motion of the wrist and forearm was performed. The radiographic evaluation was relative ulnar shortening (RUS), radial articular angle (RAA), carpal slip (CS), and radial bowing. Besides, we also evaluated the amount of ulnar lengthening, external fixation time, and external fixation index. The mean EFT was 101 days (range, 84–133), and the mean external fixation index was 44.4 days/cm (range, 33.6–51.2). During the mean 43.1 months follow-up, four patients had mild pain and two patients had mild restriction of daily activities. The rotation of forearm and motion of wrist had increased except in Case 3. The RAA, CS, and radial bowing had been improved except in Case 6 and 7. In all patients, relative ulnar shortening had been corrected. According to the functional evaluation criteria recommended by Krimmer, there were ten excellent and four good. The combined use of ulna lengthening and excision of osteochondromas is a proper and effective treatment method to the type I Masada deformity with the relative ulnar shortening more than 15 mm.
Psychological and Neural Mechanisms of the Affective Dimension of Pain

The affective dimension of pain is made up of feelings of unpleasantness and emotions associated with future implications, termed secondary affect. Experimental and clinical studies show serial interactions between pain sensation intensity, pain unpleasantness, and secondary affect. These pain dimensions and their interactions relate to a central network of brain structures that processes nociceptive information both in parallel and in series. Spinal pathways to limbic structures and medial thalamic nuclei provide direct inputs to brain areas involved in affect. Another source is from spinal pathways to somatosensory thalamic and cortical areas and then through a cortico-limbic pathway. The latter integrates nociceptive input with contextual information and memory to provide cognitive mediation of pain affect. Both direct and cortico-limbic pathways converge on the same anterior cingulate cortical and subcortical structures whose function may be to establish emotional valence and response priorities.
Directions for multi-party human-computer interaction research

Research on dialog systems has so far concentrated on interactions between a single user and a machine. In this paper we identify novel research directions arising from multi-party human computer interaction, i.e. scenarios where several human participants interact with a dialog system.
Thermal decomposition products of polyvinyl chloride

When plastics are involved in a fire they may yield toxic decomposition products. Some quantitative data on the decomposition products of plastics are available in the literature, but it is difficult to assess the danger from the different amounts of various products because of the absence of a suitable method of evaluation. The authors have proposed a method of evaluation based on pyrolysis followed by gas chromatographic analysis and have used it to assess toxicity from various thermal decomposition products of polyvinyl chloride. Hydrogen chloride was found to be the main toxic decomposition product.
Determining if Spatio-Mechanosensitivity of EphA2 Signaling Stems from Physical Impedance of Endocytosis

We recently found that the spatial organization of the receptor tyrosine kinase EphA2 plays a key role in signal transduction in breast epithelial cancer cells. Upon stimulation from its native ligand ephrinA1 bound to a supported lipid membrane, EphA2 is spatially reorganized into large clusters at the cancer cell and supported membrane junction. Patterning nanostructures on the supported membrane substrate, using a spatial mutation technique, imposes physical restrictions to ligands bound to the supported membrane (i.e. ephrinA1). We used this strategy to restrict the movement of EphA2-ephrinA1 clusters and discovered alterations in downstream signaling events as a function of EphA2 organization. In particular, recruitment of the disintegrin and metalloprotease 10 (ADAM10) to the clusters is inhibited. ADAM10 has been implicated in the cleavage and subsequent endocytosis of other ephrin ligands, and may play a role in the endocytosis of EphA2-ephrinA1. Here we report that dynamin2, a large GTPase involved in the scission of endocytic vesicles, is recruited to the EphA2-ephrinA1 clusters. Preliminary evidence suggests that clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) is involved in the initial endocytosis of EphA2-ephrinA1. Finally, we have also found that the function of ADAM10 is necessary for ephrinA1 endocytosis. The implications of these observations for spatial regulation of EphA2 signaling will be discussed.
Competition, control and price formation in the international energy industry☆

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to show that, since the early 1970s, the market prices of all energy sources have been regulated by the market value of crude oil at the international level, which in turn depends upon the magnitude of individual value (or production price) of production units located within the least productive oilfields of the continental USA. Thus, historically and methodologically, the globalization of the petroleum industry together with the preponderant influence of US oil capital over other energy sources, especially its control over US coal, can be considered as, first of all, the fundamental basis of an all-embracing energy industry consisting of all sources and, second, the driving force behind the internationalization of capital in the energy industry. In this manner, the individual capitals associated with the production units belonging to traditionally autonomous industries (such as coal, oil, and natural gas industries) had to compete directly with each other regardless of the immediate use-values produced, according to the law of intra-industry rather than inter-industry competition. Here, contrary to the conventional wisdom, we argue that the control of oil capital over other energy sources that has resulted in further integration leads to further competition in the sphere of production within the entire energy industry worldwide.
Computerized data analysis of amino acids in physiologic fluids.

Abstract A Fortran IV computer program is described which identifies, computes, and statistically evaluates amino acid concentrations determined by an automatic amino acid analyzer in physiologic fluids. The program accepts retention time and integrated peak areas from two calibration standards for identification and computational reference. Two internal standards are used to compensate for variations in injector performance and ninhydrin decay. Calibration standard responses are statistically treated to assist in detection of equipment malfunction. The statistical data base is automatically expanded through inclusion of data from normal patients. Amino acid concentrations are printed with appropriate mean and standard deviation values in a format acceptable as a final report.
SU‐FF‐T‐295: Modeling Partial Shining in Proton Therapy

Purpose: A range modulator wheel (RMW) is an essential component in passively scattered proton therapy. It is observed that proton beam spots shine on multiple steps of RMW in our proton treatment facility. The conventional proton dose calculation algorithm without considering the partial shining effects will overestimate the dose at proximal shoulder of spread‐out Bragg peak (SOBP) and underestimate the entrance dose compared with the measurement. The purpose of this work is to develop an algorithm to model this partial shining effect, and to allow a dose calculation to better fit the measured SOBP. Methods and Materials: First, a set of apparent modulator weights were calculated without considering partial shining. Second, protons spilled from the accelerator reaching the modulator wheel is simplified as a circular beam spot of uniform intensity. The spot may span neighboring steps while the center of the spot is on the step A. The apparent weight of step A can be split proportional to the spot areas occupied by the spanned modulator steps. After all the apparent weights are split, the splitting results are reorganized, and summed up for each step to generate the effective modulator weights that encompass partial shining effects. The weight splitting process is affected by the ratio of the beam spot distance off the modulator wheel center to the beam spot radius, modulator gate‐off angle, and the set of partially shined steps. Results: The SOBPs of eight options, which are used to label different combinations of proton beam energy and scattering devises, were calculated using our algorithm. Our algorithm correctly fitted the measured SOBP in all depth for all eight options. Conclusions: An efficient algorithm was developed to correctly calculate the dose distribution when a proton beam shines on multiple steps of RMW.
A frictionally and hydraulically constrained model of the convectively driven mean flow in partially enclosed seas

A simple three-layer model of the dynamics of partially enclosed seas, driven by a surface buoyancy flux, is presented. It contains two major elements, a hydraulic constraint at the exit contraction and friction in the interior of the main body of the sea; both together determine the vertical structure and magnitudes of the interior flow variables, i.e. velocity and density. Application of the model to the large-scale dynamics of the Red Sea gives results that are not in disagreement with observation once the model is applied, also, to predict the dense outflow from the Gulf of Suez. The latter appears to be the agent responsible for the formation of dense bottom water in this system. Also, the model is reasonably successful in predicting the density of the outflow from the Persian Gulf, and can be applied to any number of other examples of convectively driven flow in long, narrow channels, with or without sills and constrictions at their exits.
Analyses of in-Keyboard Pointing Devices in the Context of Preferred Device and Dual versus Single Device Designs:

Pointing sticks and touch pads remain the leading integrated pointing devices incorporated into notebook computers. Manufacturers have implemented dual point designs that include a pointing stick a...
Bronchoalveolar lavage in ponies with heaves during disease remission.

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was collected from control ponies and from affected ponies with heaves which were in clinical remission. Significant differences were not detected between the two groups in total nucleated cell count or relative percentages (relative cell counts) of small lymphocytes, large mononuclear cells, eosinophils, or mast cells. The mean relative neutrophil count of BAL fluid from the affected group was statistically greater than that of controls; however, the difference between the two groups was not sufficient to be of diagnostic significance.
Providers’ Perceptions of Relationships and Professional Roles when Caring for Patients who Leave the Hospital Against Medical Advice

Background Patients who leave hospitals against medical advice (AMA) may be at risk for adverse health outcomes. Their decision to leave may not be clearly understood by providers. This study explored providers’ experiences with and attitudes toward patients who leave the hospital AMA.
The effect of cholinergic, GABAergic, serotonergic, and glutamatergic receptor modulation on posttrial memory processing in the hippocampus.

Though the hippocampus is widely recognized as important in learning and memory, most of the evidence for this comes from animal lesion and human pathological studies. Due to the relatively small number of drugs that have been tested in the hippocampus for their ability to alter posttrial memory processing, there is a general impression that memory processing involves only a few neurotransmitters. We have evaluated the effects of cholinergic, GABAergic, serotonergic, and glutamatergic receptor agonists and antagonists for their ability to facilitate or impair retention. CD-1 mice received acute intrahippocampal drug infusion following footshock avoidance training in a T-maze. Retention was tested 1 week after training and drug administration. The results indicate that receptor agonists of acetylcholine and glutamate improved retention, while antagonists impaired retention. However, scopolamine did not impair retention, but M1 and M2 antagonists did. Receptor agonists of serotonin and GABA impaired retention, while antagonists improved retention. Drugs acting on 5-HT-1 and 5-HT-2 as well as GABAA and GABAB receptor subtypes did not differentially effect retention.
Teaching 20Q of networks

We summarize the key ideas about a new undergraduate course in networking created at Princeton University in Fall 2011, called “Networks: Friends, Money, and Bytes.” It cuts across social, economic, and technological networks to present fundamental ideas in networking. It teaches the mathematical material in the “just in time” pedagogical style through 20 questions. It also organizes the class into an online social and economic network.