cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficient In Vivo Marking of Primary CD4+ T Lymphocytes in Nonhuman Primates Using a Gibbon Ape Leukemia Virus-Derived Retroviral Vector

High efficiency retroviral-mediated gene transfer to rhesus CD4 + peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) was accomplished using an optimized transduction protocol using a gibbon ape leukemia virus (GaLV) envelope-containing packaging cell line PG13. Engineered CD4 + PBL were administered to three nonmyeloablated animals in three or four separate infusions over 9 months. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) demonstrated in vivo reconstitution of the genetically engineered CD4 + PBL at levels between 1% and 10% of the circulating leukocytes. This level of gene marking indicates that up to 30% of endogenous circulating CD4 + cells can be genetically engineered. The high levels of marked lymphocytes persist for the first 3 weeks following reinfusion then decline to ≤ 0.1% over the next 21 weeks. Lymph node (LN) biopsies were performed to determine if the engineered CD4 + lymphocytes could traffic to lymphoid tissues. Marked lymphocytes were detected in LN biopsies 100 days following reinfusion of the transduced cells. Expression of retroviral vector-derived sequences was detected by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR analysis from CD4-enriched lymphocytes that were activated by culturing in the presence of recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2). A humoral immune response to fetal bovine serum (FBS) was detected in all animals following the second administration of the culture expanded CD4 + lymphocytes. No antibody response was detected to the neomycin-resistance (Neo R ) transgene, the murine retroviral group-specific antigen (gag), or GaLV envelope (env) proteins.
The Comet and the Cosmos: Kepler, Mästlin and the Copernican Hypothesis

Of all the initial factors involved in Kepler’s decision to become an advocate of the Copernican system, there is no doubt among historians that a paramount weight must be assigned to the role of his teacher of astronomy at the University of Tubingen, Michael Mastlin (1550–1631)2. There are no sceptics here simply because Kepler himself tells us, with typical candor, that it was Mastlin who first acquainted him with the difficulties inherent in the usual opinion of the world and that, subsequently, he was stimulated to pursue and defend the views of Copernicus on mathematical and“Physical or, if you prefer, Metaphysical” grounds3. But beyond a few well-known statements by Kepler to this effect, little has come to light on the precise nature of Mastlin’s influence nor on his attitude toward the Copernican theory4. Did Mastlin then do no more than familiarize Kepler with the fundamentals of the new astronomy? Not at all Although the evidence is incomplete, enough of it is available to enable us to reconstruct an important discovery by Mastlin that was to affect both his own and Kepler’s acceptance of the Copernican hypothesis. That discovery concerned the orbit of the Comet of 1577.
Meso- and molecular-scale modeling to provide new insights into interfacial and structural properties of hydrocarbon/water/surfactant systems

Abstract Water/oil emulsions become important in pharmaceutical, health, cosmetics, food, and oil and gas industries. The emulsion stability controls transport phenomena, transport in porous media, and surface science. Interfacial tension (IFT) is a vital property, which is related to emulsion stability. In this paper, dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) mesoscopic and molecular simulations are employed to study the impacts of temperature and oil type on the structural properties and IFT in order to obtain detailed insights into emulsion stability. Flory-Huggins chi parameter (χ) is determined as a function of temperature from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations; the DPD interaction parameter (aij) is then evaluated from the solubility parameter and energy of mixing, using Monte Carlo simulation framework. The predicted chi parameter is then compared to the experimental data. IFT is evaluated in the presence and absence of an emulsifier for different types of cyclic (cyclohexane and benzene) and aliphatic (octane and dodecane) oil molecules. The influence of temperature on the IFT is also investigated through the integration of DPD and MD approaches. The surfactant effect on the aggregation behaviour of the system is discussed by considering the structural characteristics of the surfactant molecules using the radius of gyration. Comparing the simulation snapshots taken at different simulation time steps, concertation profiles, and radius of gyration values, we find the surfactant to stretch more in the case of aliphatic hydrocarbon due to the linear structure of the oil molecules. For cyclic hydrocarbons, the radius of gyration is reported to be smaller since less space is available for the interactions of surfactant tail groups with oil molecules. It is also found that the IFT is a function of the molecular weight of hydrocarbon. Thus, the highest IFT is for dodecane (44.12 mN/m) and the smallest IFT is for benzene (28.68 mN/m), regardless of the structure and polarity of the molecules. By decreasing the IFT, the emulsion coalescence occurs faster and phases start to separate so that the mixture has no longer the characteristics of an emulsion. Constructing the force-field in the DPD simulation based on the molecular scale calculations of chi parameter improves the accuracy of simulation where the computational time and cost are reduced. The current study further highlights the importance of beading arrangement and the effect of oil molecules on the interfacial characteristic of hydrocarbon/surfactant/water systems.
Effect of foliar application of moringa ( Moringa oleifera ) leaf extract with recommended fertilizer on growth and yield of okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus )

A field experiment was carried out at the Crop farm of Eastern University, Sri Lanka during the period June 2018 to September 2018 to study the effects of different concentrations and frequencies of Moringa (Moringa oleifera) Leaf Extract (MLE) as a foliar application on growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) plants. This experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates with the following treatments; T0 – control (Distilled water), T1 – 10% MLE at once a week interval, T2 – 10% MLE at once in two weeks interval, T3 – 20% MLE at once a week interval, T4 – 20% MLE at once in two weeks interval, T5 – 30% MLE at once a week interval and T6 – 30% MLE at once in two weeks interval. Foliar application of MLE was initiated at two weeks after germination and each plant is sprayed with 25 ml of MLE and the growth performance was recorded at 4, 6 and 7 WAP. The results showed that foliar application of MLE had a significant (p < 0.05) effects on tested parameters of okra over the control at all growth stages. MLE with 10% of the foliar application at once a week interval increased plant height, number of branches/plant, number of leaves/plant, leaf area index, dry weight of leaves, stems, roots, total biomass, number of pods/ha and dry weight of pods. The results suggest that under the conditions in the experiment, yield could be increased by three-fold using MLE at 10%. The use of Moringa leaf extract as a plant growth booster is inexpensive, environmentally safe and low-cost technology to improve the yields by the small farmers.
Gamification of Loop-Invariant Discovery from Code

Software verification addresses the important societal problem of software correctness by using tools to mechanically prove that software is free of errors. Since the software verification problem is undecidable, automated tools have limited capabilities; hence, to verify non-trivial software, engineers use human-in-the-loop theorem provers that depend on human-provided insights such as loop invariants. The effective use of modern theorem provers requires significant expertise and recent work has explored the possibility of creating human computation games that enable non-experts to find useful loop invariants. A common feature of these games is that they do not show the code to be verified. We present and evaluate a game which does show players code. Showing code poses a number of design challenges, such as avoiding cognitive overload, but, as our experimental evaluation confirms, also provides an opportunity for richer human-computer interactions that lead to more effective human-in-the-loop systems which augment the ability of programmers who are not verification experts to find loop invariants.
Emotion generation and regulation following an intrusion induction: Implications for taboo or autogenous obsessions.

Abstract Background and objectives Research demonstrates that autogenous (AO) and reactive obsessions (RO) differ in obsessional content; however, no experimental research has examined differences in emotion generation and regulation. Characterizing this taxonomy with respect to emotion generation and regulation could refine conceptualizations of obsessionality and optimize clinical interventions. Methods Seventy undergraduates were randomly assigned to imagine a personally-relevant AO or RO. Subsequently, emotional reactivity was assessed. Participants then rated their emotion regulation efforts and the degree to which the intrusion violated their values. Results Broadly aligning with expectations, bootstrapped linear regression models indicated that AOs led to a significant increase in self-conscious emotions (guilt, shame, and embarrassment), and these effects were stronger for those whose values were more severely threatened by the intrusion. A conditional process analysis revealed that the relationship between the AO condition and emotion regulation difficulties was explained by an increase in negative emotional reactivity, and the strength of this effect depended upon the degree of conflict with participants’ values. Limitations The use of an analogue sample, and minimal emotional reactivity in the RO condition, threaten the ecological and external validity of the study. Conclusions The current study employed a novel experimental design demonstrating a meaningful relationship between AOs and both emotional activation and regulation. Results highlight the relevance of self-conscious emotions to the conceptualization of AOs and the utility of addressing them in the context of exposure therapy.
Herbicide Residues in Manure, Compost, or Hay

Some manure-based products can contain herbicide residues that can affect the growth of sensitive plants. A simple plant bioassay can be conducted to test for herbicide contamination. Written by J. A. Ferrell, P. J. Dittmar, B. A. Sellers, and P. Devkota, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, revised May 2020.
What Happens when Firms Patent? New Evidence from US Economic Census Data

We build a new concordance between the NBER Patent Data and US Census micro-data, and use it to examine what happens when firms patent. We find strong evidence that increases in patent stock are associated with increases in firm size and scope as well as with changes in factor intensity. We find somewhat weaker evidence that changes in patenting are positively correlated with changes in total factor productivity. We also analyze a sample of first-time atentees, and find significant increases in firm size, scope, and factor intensity subsequent to their first patent application. Evidence for increases in total factor productivity is slightly weaker. Together, these results suggest that patenting is indeed associated with real changes within rms, and in particular that patenting is strongly associated with firm growth through increases in scope. These findings are robust to alternative measures of size, scope and productivity, and to various sample selection criteria.
Measuring Orthopedic Plate Strain to Track Bone Healing Using a Fluidic Sensor Read via Plain Radiography.

Objective: We describe a fluidic X-ray visualized strain indicator under applied load (X-VISUAL) to quantify orthopedic plate strain and inform rehabilitative care. Methods: The sensor comprises a polymeric device with a fluidic reservoir filled with a radio-dense fluid (cesium acetate) and an adjoining capillary wherein the liquid level is measured. A stainless-steel lever attaches to the plate and presses upon the acrylic bulb with a displacement proportional to plate bending strain. The sensor was attached to a plate in a Sawbones composite tibia mimic and a human cadaveric tibia. An osteotomy model (5 mm gap) was used to simulate an unstable osteotomy, and allograft repair to simulate a stiffer healed fracture. The cadaveric and Sawbones tibia were cyclically loaded five times (0-400 N) using a mechanical test stand, and fluid displacement was measured from plain radiographs. Results: The sensor displayed reversible and repeatable behavior with a slope of 0.096 mm/kg and fluid level noise of 50-80 micrometer (equivalent to 5-10 N). The allograft-repaired composite fracture was 13 times stiffer than the unstable fracture. Conclusion: An analysis of prior external fracture fixation studies and fatigue curves for internal plates indicates that the threshold for safe weight bearing should be 1/5 th-1/10 th of the initial bending for an unstable fracture. The precision of our device (<2% body weight) should thus be sufficient to track fracture healing from unstable through safe weight bearing. Significance: The X-VISUAL fluidic sensor enables orthopedic plate strain quantification to monitor facture healing via X-ray imaging.
Transformer Load Capacity Assessment and Optimized Control Strategy of Cooling System

Power transformer is the core of energy conversion and transmission, and its load capacity is an important assessment index of power grid's load capacity and safety reliability. With the growth of social power consumption, the overload phenomenon is becoming more and more prominent. In order to improve the load management level, this paper carries out the research work related to transformer load capacity assessment and optimized control strategy of cooling system. Firstly, the transformer load type and load capacity constraints are introduced. Then the load capacity is assessed by taking the top-oil temperature, hot-spot temperature (HST), capacity of auxiliary equipment and relative life loss as constraints. Finally, the optimized control strategy of cooling system is proposed. The results show that the main constraints of the normal periodic load capacity and the long-term emergency load capacity are the relative life loss and the capacity of auxiliary equipment respectively. Short-term emergency load capacity is not only limited by the temperature of top-oil and hot-spot, but also affected by the initial load rate. The sliding interval method is used to optimize the control strategy of cooling system, which can avoid the frequent switching caused by fluctuating load or environment.
How Do Academic Otolaryngologists Decide to Implement New Procedures Into Practice

ObjectiveTo identify barriers and facilitators to adoption of a new surgical procedure via an implementation science framework to characterize associated socioemotional, clinical, and decision-maki...
Activity-Based Dialogue Analysis as Evaluation Method.

This paper uses linguistic activity-based dialogue analysis in order to characterize, evaluate and compare activities. We find that human-human and human-machine interaction via radio are equally efficient but offer different styles of learning and instruction.
An Action Research Dissertation as a Means of Engaging a Community Leadership Alumni Association

This dissertation overview details an action research (AR) project with a purpose of investigating how a grassroots neighborhood leadership alumni association in the southeastern United States learned to plan and take action on community problems. Qualitative research methods included semistructured interviews and observations. The findings indicated strong elements of experiential learning, formal training, past experience, and social learning. The alumni showed moderate indications of behaving as a community of practice (CoP). The four conclusions of the study were: (1) Learning takes place as a rhizomatic (Kang, 2007) network of learning types including but not limited to experiential learning, formal training, past experience, and social learning; (2) Through community leadership, adults learn functional skills, relationship skills, and gain personal insights; (3) Disruptive change can impact a CoP’s definition of community, purview, and organizational practices; and (4) The entwined relationship between actions and power defined the AR process.
SDC data acquisition system-requirements and proposed implementation details

Summary form only. The trigger systems proposed for the Solenoidal Collaboration Detector (SDC) at the Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) should reduce physics event rates resulting from 63-MHz beam crossings from 10/sup 8/ interactions per second to between 10/sup 3/ and 10/sup 4/ events per second. Estimated event sizes range from one-half to 1 MByte, resulting in typical and maximum data acquisition system required throughput rates of 1 and 10 Gb/s, respectively. Approximately 300 crates and 400 data sources are required to house and transmit event data from the proposed eight front-end and two trigger systems to the data acquisition system's event builder. In order to achieve the very high throughput requirements, new truly parallel techniques using commercial switching networks are proposed for event building and event data flow control. Some estimates of online processing requirements have been as high as 10/sup 6/ VAX-780 equivalents. >
Water temperature measurement using a novel fiber optic ultrasound transducer system

This paper presents a novel fiber optic ultrasound transducer system to measure the temperature of pure water environments.
A review of the incidence and transmission of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat products in retail and food service environments

Contamination of ready-to-eat products with Listeria monocytogenes may occur at several stages before consumption. Accessibility to the public and relatively limited control interventions at retail and food service establishments (compared with the processing sector of the food industry) and the lack of a specific regulatory framework increase the likelihood of introduction of this pathogen into some foods in these establishments. This review is a compilation of available information on the incidence and transmission of L. monocytogenes through ready-to-eat products at the retail and food service level. The potential transmission of L. monocytogenes within retail and food service operations has been indicated in epidemiological investigations and by survey data. Potential sources of the organism in these operations include the environment, food handlers, and incoming raw ingredients or processed products that have become contaminated after the lethality treatment at the manufacturing facility. L. monocytogenes may be present at retail and food service establishments in various ready-to-eat products, both prepackaged and those packaged in the store, and occasionally at high concentrations. This issue dictates the need for development and application of effective control measures, and potential control approaches are discussed here. Good manufacturing practices, appropriate cleaning, sanitation and hygiene programs, and temperature control required for prevention or inhibition of growth of the pathogen to high levels are critical for control of L. monocytogenes in the retail and food service sector. A comprehensive food safety system designed to be functional in retail and food service operations and based on the philosophy of hazard analysis and critical control point systems and a series of sound prerequisite programs can provide effective control of L. monocytogenes in these environments. However, competent delivery of food safety education and training to retail and food service managers and food handlers must be in place for successful implementation of such a system.
Broad CTL Response in Early HIV Infection Drives Multiple Concurrent CTL Escapes.

Recent studies have highlighted the ability of HIV to escape from cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses that concurrently target multiple viral epitopes. Yet, the viral dynamics involved in such escape are incompletely understood. Previous analyses have made several strong assumptions regarding HIV escape from CTL responses such as independent or non-concurrent escape from individual CTL responses. Using experimental data from evolution of HIV half genomes in four patients we observe concurrent viral escape from multiple CTL responses during early infection (first 100 days of infection), providing confirmation of a recent result found in a study of one HIV-infected patient. We show that current methods of estimating CTL escape rates, based on the assumption of independent escapes, are biased and perform poorly when CTL escape proceeds concurrently at multiple epitopes. We propose a new method for analyzing longitudinal sequence data to estimate the rate of CTL escape across multiple epitopes; this method involves few parameters and performs well in simulation studies. By applying our novel method to experimental data, we find that concurrent multiple escapes occur at rates between 0.03 and 0.4 day−1, a relatively broad range that reflects uncertainty due to sparse sampling and wide ranges of parameter values. However, we show that concurrent escape at rates 0.1–0.2 day−1 across multiple epitopes is consistent with our patient datasets.
A metadata architecture for digital libraries

From an architectural perspective, there is no essential distinction between data and metadata. Both can be represented in distributed active relationships (DARs), which are an extension of the Warwick framework (C. Lagoze et al., 1996). The DAR model is a powerful way to express relationships between networked resources and to allow such relationships to be dynamically downloadable and executable.
Resistance to malignant catarrhal fever in American bison (Bison bison) is associated with MHC class IIa polymorphisms

Summary The Rhadinovirus ovine herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2) is the most common causative agent of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) in clinically susceptible ruminants including cattle and bison. American bison (Bison bison) are highly susceptible to clinical MCF. Nevertheless, approximately 20% of bison on ranches or in feedlots become infected with the virus without developing clinical disease. Defining the genetic basis for differences in susceptibility between bison could facilitate development of improved control strategies for MCF. One genetic region that influences susceptibility to infectious diseases is the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). In this study, a Bison bison (Bibi) DRB3 oligonucleotide microarray was used to type 189 bison from 10 herds where MCF outbreaks had occurred. Binary logistic regression was used to classify DRB3 alleles as resistant (R), susceptible (S )o r neutral (N). Animals were reclassified using six DRB3 genotype categories: N/N, N/R, N/S, R/S, R/R and S/S. Analysis of homogeneity across herds showed that there was a herd effect. Consequently, a penalized logistic regression model was run with herd and genotype categories as the explanatory variables. The R/R genotype was associated with resistance to MCF (P ¼ 0.0327), while the S/S genotype was associated with clinical MCF (P ¼ 0.0069). This is the first evidence that MHC class IIa polymorphism is associated with resistance or susceptibility to OvHV-2-induced MCF.
Adversarial contention resolution for simple channels

This paper analyzes the worst-case performance of randomized backoff on simple multiple-access channels. Most previous analysis of backoff has assumed a statistical arrival model.For batched arrivals, in which all n packets arrive at time 0, we show the following tight high-probability bounds. Randomized binary exponential backoff has makespan Θ(nlgn), and more generally, for any constant r, r-exponential backoff has makespan Θ(nloglgrn). Quadratic backoff has makespan Θ((n/lg n)3/2), and more generally, for r>1, r-polynomial backoff has makespan Θ((n/lg n)1+1/r). Thus, for batched inputs, both exponential and polynomial backoff are highly sensitive to backoff constants. We exhibit a monotone superpolynomial subexponential backoff algorithm, called loglog-iterated backoff, that achieves makespan Θ(nlglg n/lglglg n). We provide a matching lower bound showing that this strategy is optimal among all monotone backoff algorithms. Of independent interest is that this lower bound was proved with a delay sequence argument.In the adversarial-queuing model, we present the following stability and instability results for exponential backoff and loglog-iterated backoff. Given a (λ,T)-stream, in which at most n=λT packets arrive in any interval of size T, exponential backoff is stable for arrival rates of λ=O(1/lgn) and unstable for arrival rates of λ=Ω(lglgn/lgn); loglog-iterated backoff is stable for arrival rates of λ=O(1/(lglgn\lgn)) and unstable for arrival rates of λ=Ω(1/lgn). Our instability results show that bursty input is close to being worst-case for exponential backoff and variants and that even small bursts can create instabilities in the channel.
Visual receptive fields and clustering

A pattern recognition technique—clustering—has been used to analyze and evaluate meaningful characteristics of visual receptive fields in the frog tectum. The fields were mapped either by an automatic scanning technique or by a response-feedback method called ALOPEX. The data were then analyzed by the clustering technique, which separates the receptive field into isoresponse regions. The latter can be checked on line by stimulating the eye with each cluster and with combinations of clusters. In this way, existing nonlinearities can be checked objectively.
Three-dimensional aromaticity in deltahedral borane anions: Comparison of topological and computational approaches

Abstract The molecular orbital energy parameters obtained from ab initio SCF MO Gaussian 82 computations on the series of deltahedral borane anions B n H n 2− ( n =5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12) correspond more closely to D n deltahedral core bonding topology than to K n complete core bonding topology. However, core-surface mixing, as noted previously for icosahedral B 12 H 12 2− , raises the energies of all of the core molecular orbitals, except the lowest energy fully symmetric core orbital, to antibonding levels. For this reason the graph-theory derived model using K n complete core bonding topology gives the correct number of bonding and antibonding orbitals and hence the correct number of skeletal electrons for the deltahedral boranes. Extension of this topological analysis to self-consistent molecular orbital computations on the perchloroborane anions B n Cl n 2− ( n =6, 12) suggests that substitution of chlorine for hydrogen in the deltahedral boranes leads to more nearly deltahedral core bonding as well as a weakening of core bonding relative to surface bonding in accord with the expected electron withdrawing tendencies of chlorine relative to hydrogen. In addition, deltahedral borane anion computations using Gaussian orbitals rather than Slater orbitals lead to core bonding topology which is more nearly deltahedral rather than complete and weaker core bonding relative to surface bonding in accord with the more rapid decrease in the electron density of Gaussian orbitals at increasing distances relative to Slater orbitals.
Democratizing evaluation: Meanings and methods from practice

The way in which participation is constructed by the evaluator and perceived by the participants was found to influence evaluation impact.
Beyond Elementary: Examining Conceptual Demands of Division of Fractions in Current US Curricula

The Common Core State Standards of Mathematics (CCSSM), a set of US educational standards which has recently been adopted by 45 states, creates a more rigorous and coherent set of standards for American students, making elementary math anything but elementary. The adoption of these new standards formulates the research questions for this study: How well do current curricula match the CCSSM and how well do current curricula support teacher knowledge to implement the standards? In this study, three diverse curricula used in the United States, Prentice Hall, Singapore Math, and CK-12, are examined with three evaluation tools. These tools measure (a) the cognitive demands of the mathematical tasks in each curricula, (b) the mathematical coherency of an instructional unit, and (c) the resources in each curricula that support teachers’ understanding of mathematics. Division of fractions is the topic of analysis because of its frequent occurrence in algebra which is the foundation for higher-level math. I find that Singapore Math’s problems reach higher-level cognitive demands more often than Prentice Hall and CK-12. Prentice Hall and CK-12’s reliance on using the standard division algorithm inhibits conceptual thinking for both students and teachers. From a Curriculum Review Tool, which focuses on teacher knowledge, I find that Singapore Math is the closest to reach the division of fraction CCSSM when compared to Prentice Hall and CK-12. Resource tools for teachers can be developed that better support students’ learning by combining characteristics from each curriculum such as word problems, manipulatives/pictures, and samples of students’ work.
“In This Same Shamble of Strewn Bone”: Gods Go Begging and the Community of Loss

This article argues that Alfredo Vea's Gods Go Begging challenges traditional American models of traumatic community. By bringing together multiple minority perspectives from both the Vietnam War and 1990s San Francisco, Vea explores how individual losses can structure more inclusive communal identities. These “communities of loss,” I contend, hinge on comparative, multidirectional narrative methods that bring traumatic events together—narratives that seek to do justice in the face of loss.
Of compasses and currents

Icons and Symmetries. By Simon L. Altmann. Oxford University Press: 1992. Pp. 104. £14.95, $29.95.
Correlation between internal fiducial tumor motion and external marker motion for liver tumors imaged with 4D-CT

Purpose: We investigated the correlation between the motions of an external marker and internal fiducials implanted in the liver for 8 patients undergoing respiratory-based computed tomography (four-dimensional CT [4D-CT]) procedures. Methods and Materials: The internal fiducials were gold seeds, 3 mm in length and 1.2 mm in diameter. Four patients each had one implanted fiducial, and the other four had three implanted fiducials. The external marker was a plastic box, which is part of the Real-Time Position Management System (RPM) used to track the patient's respiration. Each patient received a standard helical CT scan followed by a time-correlated CT-image acquisition (4D-CT). The 4D-CT images were reconstructed in 10 separate phases covering the entire respiratory cycle. Results: The internal fiducial motion is predominant in the superior-inferior direction, with a range of 7.5-17.5 mm. The correlation between external respiration and internal fiducial motion is best during expiration. For 2 patients with their three fiducials separated by a maximum of 3.2 cm, the motions of the fiducials were well correlated, whereas for 2 patients with more widely spaced fiducials, there was less correlation. Conclusions: In general, there is a good correlation between internal fiducial motion imaged by 4D-CT and external marker motion. We have demonstrated that gating may be best performed at the end of the respiratory cycle. Special attention should be paid to gating for patients whose fiducials do not move in synchrony, because targeting on the correct respiratory amplitude alone would not guarantee that the entire tumor volume is within the treatment field.
Tailoring Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to Treat Anxiety Comorbid with Advanced Cancer

Patients with advanced cancer often experience debilitating anxiety symptoms that interfere with quality of life and relate to worse medical outcomes. Although cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an empirically-validated, first-line treatment for anxiety disorders, clinical trials of CBT for anxiety typically exclude patients with medical comorbidities in general, and those with terminal illnesses, such as advanced cancer, in particular. Moreover, CBT has generally targeted unrealistic fears and worries in otherwise healthy individuals with clinically significant anxiety symptoms. Consequently, traditional CBT does not sufficiently address the cognitive components of anxiety in patients with cancer, especially negative thought patterns that are rational but nonetheless intrusive and distressing, such as concerns about pain, disability and death, as well as management of multiple stressors, changes in functional status and burdensome medical treatments. In this paper, we describe a treatment approach for tailoring CBT to the needs of this population. Three case examples of patients diagnosed with terminal lung cancer are presented to demonstrate the treatment methods along with outcome measures for anxiety and quality of life.
Towards a theory of multimorphemic word production: The heterogeneity of processing hypothesis

Theories of spoken production have not yet addressed the post-lexical processing of multimorphemic words, that is, how a multimorphemic word's phonological form is prepared for production. This paper reviews what is known about how multimorphemic words are represented in production at lexical and post-lexical stages as well as the influence that lexical properties have on post-lexical processes. A proposal linking these facts together is presented which predicts that post-lexical processes (1) should be weaker when acting across morpheme bundaries and (2) should be influenced by the lexical properties of each morpheme. Post-lexical processing is thus predicted to vary, or be “heterogeneous”, across a multimorphemic word. Phoneme competition (as indexed by inhibitory effects of phoneme similarity) is compared within and across morphemes in three analyses of oral reading latencies. Competition is found to be weaker across morpheme boundaries, providing support for heterogeneity.
Simultaneous measurement of stroke volume by impedance cardiography and nuclear ventriculography: comparisons at rest and exercise.

We have conducted four major impedance cardiography (ZCG) studies to provide data on validity, reproducibility, and sensitivity of response to interventions. The reference technique was quantitative nuclear ventriculography (NVG). Subjects were healthy young men in situations where minimally invasive and unobtrusive techniques were preferred. Interventions used included caffeine ingestion and exercise. Validity of ZCG estimates of stroke volume index (SVI, ml/m2) was tested in 35 men at rest. SVI was 49±9 by ZCG and 46±7 by NVG (r=0.82). Measurements of SVI during bicycle exercise showed no overall difference by the two methods (F=0.26, P=NS). Vascular resistance index (mean BP/CI) increased comparably by both techniques (+9.6% by ZCG and +9.7% by NVG) following caffeine (3.3 mg/kg). The reproducibility of ZCG was demonstrated in the day-to-day consistency of caffeine's effect on vascular resistance in 3 other studies (+11.9%, 12%, and 8.9%). Reliability across and within days was shown by repeated tests in the same subjects (SVI, r's=.96, .92). Conclusion: Impedance cardiography was shown to be a useful noninvasive technique for evaluation of cardiodynamics in biomedical research since it was highly reproducible and yielded equivalent results of relative changes produced by pharmacological and physical challenge. In addition, there was good agreement with NVG in absolute values for grouped data.
Linking Affective Commitment, Career Self-Efficacy, and Outcome Expectations: A Test of Social Cognitive Career Theory

The authors tested a model based on the satisfaction model of social cognitive career theory (SCCT) that links college students’ affective commitment to their major (the emotional identification th...
Structural transitions in ionic conductors and optical materials

Abstract Fast ionically conducting materials have important applications as solid electrolytes in a variety of devices. One of the best ionic conductors is sodium β″-alumina. The sodium ions in this compound can be completely replaced by mono-, di- and trivalent ions via ion-exchange reactions. The resultant new compounds all have high conductivities. The lanthanide β″-aluminas also have potential applications as phosphor and laser materials. In this paper we report the results of a study of Nd β″-alumina using HRTEM and calorimetric techniques. In-situ observations of transformations from a long-range-ordered structure to a structure in which the cationic correlations are removed led to the discovery of a variety of low-temperature phase transitions. Despite the high mobility of the ions within the material, it was found that high-temperature cationic arrangements could be quenched to room temperature. Subsequent experiments on Ca and other divalent β″-aluminas confirmed that ordering transitions could also be introduced into these higher conducting phases. Measurements of the optical properties and conductivities of Nd and Ca β″-aluminas indicated that the structural modifications led to substantial changes in the chemical properties. It has been shown that in some compounds the conductivities of the equilibrium and non-equilibrium structures differed by several orders of magnitude.
Two-Dimensional Luminescent Rectangular Molecular Grids Containing Copper(I)−Olefin Bonds as Bridging Spacers

The reaction of CuCl with 4-vinylpyridine (4-VPY) under hydrothermal conditions affords a 2-D copper(I)−olefin luminescent coordination polymer, [Cu(4-VPYA)Cl]n (1), with an approximately molecular...
Bending response of thin-walled laminated composite cylinders

Closed-form linear response solutions are presented for the bending response of thin-walled laminated composite cylinders. Displacements and intralaminar stresses are computed using the Donnell theory, and interlaminar stresses are computed using 3D equilibrium equations of elasticity. Laminates with stacking sequencies and an aluminum cylinder are used to illustrate the displacement response, intralaminar, and interlaminar stresses for two length-to-radius ratios of 1 and 5. Data obtained indicate that if only fiber breakage causes ultimate failure, material failure will occur on the compression side of the cylinders, at the ends, due to fiber compression. The interlaminar normal stress is an order of magnitude smaller than the interlaminar shear stresses and it is not likely to initiate failure.
Regional changes in forebrain activation during the early and late phase of formalin nociception: analysis using cerebral blood flow in the rat

Abstract This is the first neural imaging study to use regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in an animal model to identify the patterns of forebrain nociceptive processing that occur during the early and late phase of the formalin test. We measured normalized rCBF increases by an autoradiographic method using the radiotracer [99mTc]exametazime. Noxious formalin consistently produced detectable, well-localized and typically bilateral increases in rCBF within multiple forebrain structures, as well as the interpeduncular nucleus (Activation Index, AI=66) and the midbrain periaqueductal gray (AI=20). Structures showing pain-induced changes in rCBF included several forebrain regions considered part of the limbic system. The hindlimb region of somatosensory cortex was significantly activated (AI=31), and blood flow increases in VPL (AI=8.7) and the medial thalamus (AI=9.0) exhibited a tendency to be greater in the late phase as compared to the early phase of the formalin test. The spatial pattern and intensity of activation varied as a function of the time following the noxious formalin stimulus. The results highlight the important role of the limbic forebrain in the neural mechanisms of prolonged persistent pain and provide evidence for a forebrain network for pain.
Analytic solutions for the stress fields of dislocations in anisotropic media

Abstract In general, the analysis of dislocations in anisotropic media can only be carried out numerically. For a dislocation which is either parallel to an axis of rotational symmetry or normal to an axis of even-fold rotational symmetry, however, an analytic solution for the stress field of the dislocation can be obtained. The stress field of any dislocation in a hexagonal crystal can be determined analytically.
Use of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment Services by Female Injection Drug Users.

This article examines whether female injection drug users (IDUs) who have a history of using mental health services (i.e., one or more psychiatric hospitalizations or counseling) enter types of drug treatment different from those of female IDUs who do not have a history of using mental health services. Data used for this exploration originate from a statewide drug-treatment database covering all women who entered drug treatment in the state of Massachusetts from 1996 to 2001. A total of 7776 women were included in the study. Through the use of logistic regression analysis, the study determined that those female IDUs who had a mental health service history, compared with female IDUs who had no such history, were about two-thirds more likely to enter substance abuse treatment other than detoxification only. Specifically, women with a mental health service history were about 66% more likely to enter substance abuse treatment modalities such as drug-free outpatient counseling, methadone maintenance, and/or long-term residential services rather than detoxification alone. This is a positive result, indicating that female IDUs who have mental health problems and therefore have high needs for effective substance abuse treatment are entering the more intensive and/or longer term modalities likely to lead to better outcomes. Possible factors accounting for this, including the referral process within detoxification centers, the role of community referral agents, and the experience women gain as a consequence of receiving services in more than one service system, are discussed.
Computer Software Training Using Delayed and Synchronous Methods: An Exploratory Study into End Users’ Performance and Satisfaction

AbstractBoth academic institutions and corporations have been investing significant amount of time and money to provide the necessary computer software training. This research attempts to determine effective methods to impart software training. Specifically, this paper (a) delineates four methods -- traditional, asynchronous, delayed, and synchronous -- to conduct computer software training in a group setting, (b) articulates and develops instruments to measure three relatively distinct areas of computer software knowledge and skills -- memory recall, critical thinking, and computing literacy, (c) utilizes experimental design research methodology to collect data, and (d) analyzes data to compare end users’ performance and satisfaction with the delayed and synchronous training methods for spreadsheet software (excel). The findings are: (a) both delayed and synchronous methods individually contribute to improving memory recall, critical thinking, and computing literacy; (b) there is no evidence to suggest t...
Arachidonic acid-induced expression of the organic solute and steroid transporter-beta (Ost-beta) in a cartilaginous fish cell line.

Abstract The organic solute and steroid transporter (OST/Ost) is a unique membrane transport protein heterodimer composed of subunits designated alpha and beta, that transports conjugated steroids and prostaglandin E 2 across the plasma membrane. Ost was first identified in the liver of the cartilaginous fish Leucoraja erinacea , the little skate, and subsequently was found in many other species, including humans and rodents. The present study describes the isolation of a new cell line, LEE-1, derived from an early embryo of L. erinacea , and characterizes the expression of Ost in these cells. The mRNA size and amino acid sequence of Ost-beta in LEE-1 were identical to that previously reported for Ost-beta from skate liver, and the primary structure was identical to that of the spiny dogfish shark ( Squalus acanthias ) with the exception of a single amino acid. Ost-beta was found both on the plasma membrane and intracellularly in LEE-1 cells, consistent with its localization in other cell types. Interestingly, arachidonic acid, the precursor to eicosanoids, strongly induced Ost-beta expression in LEE-1 cells and a lipid mixture containing arachidonic acid also induced Ost-alpha. Overall, the present study describes the isolation of a novel marine cell line, and shows that this cell line expresses relatively high levels of Ost when cultured in the presence of arachidonic acid. Although the function of this transport protein in embryo-derived cells is unknown, it may play a role in the disposition of eicosanoids or steroid-derived molecules.
Bicarbonate transport in Chara corallina : evidence for cotransport of HCO 3 − with H +

Experiments were undertaken on the fresh water algaChara corallina to determine the form of inorganic carbon (CO2 or HCO 3 − ) which enters the cell during photosynthesis at alkaline pH. Recent proposals have centered on the possibility that proton efflux in alkaline solution is able to generate, in the immediate vicinity of the cell, a sufficiently low pH to raise the partial pressure of CO2, and hence facilitate its passive permeation into the cell. Predictions have been made by modelling this situation (N.A. Walker, F.A. Smith & I.R. Cathers, 1980,J. Membrane Biol. 57∶51–58, J.M. Ferrier, 1980,Plant Physiol. 66∶1198–1199), and these were tested by placing recessed-tip pH microelectrodes in the unstirred layer surrounding cells in stagnant solution (bulk pH 8.2, buffered only with 1mm HCO 3 − ). Even as close as 2 μm from the cell wall, the pH was typically 7.2 to 7.6 in the acid band center — over 1 pH unitgreater than that suggested by the models for CO2 entry at the necessary rate for C-fixation. Further evidence for the entry of HCO 3 − , rather than CO2, at high solution pH was obtained from experiments in which the radial pH gradient in the unstirred layer was reduced. Buffer solutions containing 5mm phosphate or 5mm HEPES, raised the pH at the cell surface in the acid regions from around 7.2 to 7.8 or higher. This pH increase (reduction in acid gradient) would have greatly reduced the CO2 level at the cell surface and should, therefore, have greatly reduced the CO2-related14C-influx. However,14C-fixation was reduced by only 31% (phosphate) or 15% (HEPES), compared with buffer-free controls. Reduction of the unstirred layer thickness by fast solution flow resulted in a stimulation, and not a reduction, of14C-fixation. The similarity of our radial pH profiles near the wall with that predicted by the model (Walker et al., 1980) assuming H+−HCO 3 − cotransport, together with the effects of buffer, and the results of increased solution flow rate, lead to the conclusion that cotransport of HCO 3 − with H+ is the likely method of entry of inorganic carbon. Longitudinal pH profiles of theChara cell were obtained at a distance of 25 μm from the wall. These revealed much sharper delineation of the acid and alkaline bands than has previously been possible with miniature pH electrodes. Profiles of local electric field, obtained with a vibrating probe, were in excellent agreement with the high resolution pH profiles. This supports the hypothesis that membrane proton transport has a role (direct) in the generation of the extracellular currents.