cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A unifying concept for carcinogenic risk assessments.

Abstract Carcinogens influence both the initiation of abnormal cells and the subsequent promotion of such cells into neoplasia. Certain other insults seem limited to the stimulation of cellular proliferation and of carcinogenic potentiation. Common examples include surgical, mechanical, chemical, and temperature wounding of tissue followed by healing. In addition, certain hyperplastic growth induced by some chemicals may also enhance tumorigenesis. We propose that the quantification of carcinogenic potentiation may derive from a common-index-quantity estimated according to enhanced cell proliferation resulting from cytotoxicity or toxic hyperplasia induced by a specific exposure. At this time, it is not possible to define, in a restrictive sense, the molecular events which are critical to potentiation but the processes of cell proliferation resulting from cytotoxicity/hyperplasia seem to serve as indices which contain the necessary (and perhaps several secondary) biological responses. The unique advantage is that cell-culture, animal, and human-level studies can be used to evaluate certain parameters of the mathematical model for an untested treatment protocol or chemical insult suspected to be a cofactor in tumorigenesis. The main thrust of this paper is to propose that tumorigenesis should be studied in terms of cellular-population kinetics in response to a biological challenge rather than according to chemical or energetic parameters of that challenge. This approach leads to mathematical equations which can serve as a unifying concept for carcinogenic risk assessments. Sample results, to illustrate the utility of this model, are given for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, trace metals, ionizing radiations, CO, NO, SO2, O3, and NO2. Treatment, here, is for acute exposure conditions, but because the model is mechanistic, other exposure protocols can be addressed by simply adjusting some of the mathematical parameters according to factors estimated from a relative potency comparison of in vitro and in vivo studies best suited to the particular application of interest.
Far-infrared calibration sources for use in cryogenic telescopes

IR calibration sources have been built using a 'reverse bolometer' approach. A NiCr thin film is deposited on a thin sapphire chip, forming a robust, resistive heater with high emissivity. The heater is suspended within a metal ring using nylon fibers, and electrically connected with low thermal conductivity wires. Finished devices may be mounted directly ona cryostat work surface and provide a wide range of greybody output with minimal power dissipation to the cold bath. Under typical operating conditions, a 40K equivalent blackbody output can be obtained with 1 to 2 mW electrical input power. The time constant varies according to type of device and specified temperature, but ranges from 100 ms to seconds. Accelerated lifetime test show output repeatability to within +/- 0.8 percent throughout 94,000 cycles from 4.2 K to 60K. The devices have survived shake testing at cryogenic temperatures and will be used for in- flight array calibration in the Multiband Imaging Photometer for SIRTF instrument, a part of the SIRTF.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Coronary bypass with ejection fraction of 0.20 or less using centigrade cardioplegia: Long-term follow-up☆

Abstract Forty-two patients with an ejection fraction of 0.20 or less underwent coronary artery bypass grafting from 1986 to 1990 using a method of myocardial protection we term "centigrade cardioplegia," combining single-dose, cold, crystalloid cardioplegia, systemic hypothermia, and local hypothermia. Thirty-day mortality was 4.8% ( 2 / 42 ). Perioperative morbidity included two myocardial infarctions (4.8%) and one stroke (2.4%), which fully resolved. Postoperative left ventricular function improved (left ventricular ejection fraction, 0.157 ± 0.028 to 0.226 ± 0.085; p p p = 0.05), (2) history of unstable angina ( p = 0.04), (3) Canadian class less than IV ( p = 0.05), and (4) New York Heart Association class less than IV ( p = 0.05). Reduced survival, although not statistically significant ( p = 0.07), was noted for right ventricular ejection fraction of 0.30 or less. These factors may help predict which patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction will benefit from revascularization.
Characterization of Injection Nozzles for Gas-Solid Flow Applications

This paper discusses laser phase-doppler velocimetry measurements, to characterize the particle-gas sprays produced by straight-tube nozzles that simulate idealized fuel injectors for solid fuel combustion systems. Tests were conducted on two nozzle sizes, for two particle sizes, two loading ratios, and two gas velocities. The Reynolds numbers was varied from 9500 to 19000, and the Stokes number from 1.9 to 61.4. It was found that the velocities of the particles in the spray decelerate more slowly, and the velocity profiles are generally more narrow, than for a single-phase free-jet. The turbulence level of the particles in the sprays was found to be less than half the turbulence level of a single-phase free-jet, and the turbulent velocity profiles were not yet fully developed at X = 40D. The hydrodynamic characteristics of the nozzles that are the most important for combustion systems were found to be: the particle spray expands radially at a cone angle of 2{degrees}; and the nozzle pressure drop and particle mass flow can be related by a correlation that depends on loading ratio. Reynolds number, Stokes number, and the pressure drop coefficient of the nozzle for a single phase flow.
Computer simulations on polysilanes: A new method for modeling the energetics and dynamics of their thermochromic transitions

The present article summarizes the author's recent work on the computer-based molecular modeling of polysilanes [-SiR2-]. First, conformational energies were calculated by molecular mechanics on model compounds for poly(dimethylsilane) (PDMS), poly(diethylsilane) (PDES), and poly(di-n-hexylsilane) (PDHS). Discrepancies in conformational preferences between calculated and experimental results are attributed to factors not accounted for in these calculations, such as electronic stabilization and packing forces. Second, molecular dynamics simulations carried out on a model compound for PDHS suggest the presence of an abrupt “gas phase” thermochromic transition, analogous to the abrupt thermochromic transitions observed for PDHS both in solution and in the solid state. Third, we develop a methodology for testing Schweizer's theory of polysilane thermochromism based on the existence of a unique polymer-solvent conformation-dependent stabilization energy present in conjugated chains. In his treatment of the polysilanes, Schweizer adopted reasonable estimated values for this stabilization energy term VD. Presented here is a derivation of an analytical expression for VD based on a first-principles approach. © 1993 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Changes in brightness index, saturation, and hue produced by luminance-wavelength-temporal interactions.

Measurement of the brightness, hue, and saturation produced by three different narrow spectral bands having dominant wavelengths of 500, 580, and 660 mμ, was made with intermittent inputs having a rate of 9.8 cps. The PCF (pulse-to-cycle fraction) was 14, and the luminance ranged from 3319 candles/ft2 down to 0.3 candle/ft2. At the higher luminance levels, the 500-mμ waveband produced the greatest brightness; the 660-mμ waveband, the lowest; and the 580-mμ waveband, an intermediate effect. As luminance decreased, the three bands finally became about equally effective around 30 candles/ft2. A range of 200 to 30 candles/ft2 manifested the greatest brightness index. Whereas brightness was above expectations under some conditions, it fell below expectations under others.The intermittent inputs also produced hue changes and desaturation. Only the 500-mμ band produced large desaturation. When the 660-mμ waveband was used and when luminance was high, hue shifts were toward colors expected of the shorter wavelengths. Only one subject experienced hue shifts for the 580-mμ band; three of the four subjects obtained hue shifts for the 500-mμ band. The results here were complex.
A subset of progesterone target neurons have axonal projections to the midbrain

Abstract Progestin-concentrating neurons in the preoptic area and hypothalamus that project to the midbrain in the female rat were identified using the combined steroid hormone autoradiography-retrograde axonal tracing technique. Progesterone target neurons were most abundant in the periventricular preoptic area and the medial preoptic nucleus, and in the ventromedial and arcuate nuclei of the hypothalamus. In the medial preoptic area as a whole, about 14% of the progestin-concentrating cells were afferent to the midbrain. More specifically, 23% of medial preoptic nucleus progesterone target neurons communicated directly with midbrain cell groups, whereas a much smaller percentage (2 %) of periventricular preoptic target neurons projected to the midbrain. In the medial basal hypothalamus as a whole, 11% of the progestin-concentrating cells detected sent axons to the midbrain. This proportion was slightly higher in the ventromedial nucleus (15%), and much lower in the arcuate nucleus(3%). In the dorsal and lateral hypothalamic areas, close to 30% of the progesterone target neurons sent axons to the midbrain, although the total number and density of target cells in the two latter areas was low. These data support the idea that transduction by forebrain target neurons of the progesterone signal into altered synaptic transmission in the midbrain is one route through which progesterone can influence a variety of behaviors.
Purification, amino acid composition and N-terminus of the hypothalamic luteinizing hormone releasing factor (LRF) of ovine origin

Summary A purification sequence for the ovine hypothalamic LH-releasing factor is reported. From 300,000 sheep brains, ca. 200 μg have been obtained of a material containing ⪯ 56% peptide, of which 94% can be accounted for by the amino acids His 1, Arg 1, Ser 1, Glu 1, Pro 1, Gly 2, Leu 1, Tyr 1, the N-terminal being pyroGlu (2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid, PCA). This material stimulates release of LH in vivo and in vitro (≥0.5 ng/ml); it also stimulates release of FSH concomitantly with LH.
Phase relations and substructure in single-crystal MoSi2

Abstract Single-crystal specimens of MoSi 2 were found to have a second phase present, identified as Mo 5 Si 3 by X-ray diffraction and electron microprobe analyses. Isothermal annealing runs on bulk samples in vacuum at temperatures ranging from 1200 ° to 1600 °C for 24 h showed an increase in Mo 5 Si 3 content with increasing annealing temperature. High-temperature X-ray diffraction on thin layers in vacuum showed an increase of Mo 5 Si 3 content with a concomitant decrease of MoSi 2 up to 1550 °C, using Mo heaters. From 1550 ° to 1720 °C, a decrease in Mo 5 Si 3 content was noted. Mass spectrometry up to 1700 °C in a vacuum of 10 −6 mm Hg did not reveal Mo-Si molecular species. Samples etched with 4 H 2 O : 1 HF : 2 HNO 3 showed the presence of individual and polygonized, chain-like, elliptical etch pits on the (001) plane. Rectangular, triangular, spiral, and hexahedral etch pits were found primarily on the (100) plane, the lattice indicating the pseudo-hexagonal character of MoSi 2 by analogy with WSi 2 . Primary slip produced by hardness indentations at room temperature was found to be of the {100} type, and secondary slip of the {110} type was also determined for MoSi 2 . The Knoop microhardness values at 100 g loads ranged from 870 to 1300 kg/mm 2 for MoSi 2 . Mo 5 Si 3 was found to have a microhardness value ranging from 1190 to 1330 kg/mm 2 .
Missed opportunities-adolescents with a chronic condition (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) describe their cigarette-smoking trajectories and consider health risks.

Aim: To enhance our knowledge on why adolescents with a chronic condition (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, IDDM) choose to smoke despite possible awareness of health risks. Methods: Twelve patients aged 15–20 with IDDM who smoked cigarettes volunteered to participate in qualitative interviews. The results were analyzed with content analysis according to Miles and Huberman 1994. Results: One set confirmed what is earlier known on cigarette smoking among adolescents, such as plain exploring, needs to conform with group norms, identity needs and denial of risks. Other themes gave new insights. One was the emotional attitudes—or lack of emotions—expressed by important others, which exerted strong influences on the smoking trajectories. These emotions affected both initiation and motivation for quitting cigarette smoking and seemed crucial as means of meaningful communications concerning smoking. One theme was a flow path of cigarette smoking, which demonstrated opportunities for secondary prevention. Finally, developmental reasons for smoking and motivation for quitting could be described. Conclusions: There are several windows of opportunities to lower the risk of adolescents with IDDM and other chronic conditions from becoming and remaining smokers, as reported by young people themselves.
The disculturation hypothesis and the chronic patient syndrome

Goffman (1961) and others have hypothesized that the experience of being a patient in the traditional type of mental hospital leads to negative consequences for the personality system of the inmate. Rather than being seen as purely a manifestation of internal psychopathological processes, patient behavior is seen, from this perspective, as a response to a peculiar sort of social environment. This environment is seen as disruptive of a positive sense of self in the individual and also as conducive to regressive behavior in several dimensions, including the adoption of a passive, dependent orientation towards the institution. — From a population of psychiatric crisis patients seen at the Emergency Room of Yale-New Haven Hospital, some are sent to the Emergency Treatment Service of the Connecticut Mental Health Center. A small, short term treatment facility, the E.T.S. was designed to avoid many of the negative features of the traditional hospital environment. The small size of the unit leads to a situation where some patients, considered by the reviewing resident to be appropriate E.T.S. candidates, cannot be accommodated because the unit is frequently filled to capacity. A high percentage of these cases are sent to State, a traditional type of public mental hospital. By taking measures on a sample from each of these groups at admission and discharge, it would seem possible to determine the impact of the hospital environment on certain aspects of patient personality and self-image. — The major findings of the study indicate that the traditional hospital environment does, in fact, engender and encourage dependency but that there is a complex interrelation between institutional demands and personality predispositions. Individuals who become long-term mental patients seem to be characterized by a high degree of dependency and a negative definition of self. The hospital environment is thus congruent with certain of their personality demands while it also may serve to emphasize these particular demands from a broader possible range of personality components. Conversely, autonomous individuals seem not to be easily “molded” by the hospital demands and seem able to vacate the patient role very quickly.
The Need for International Human Factors Engineering Education Programs: Barriers, Benefits and an Evaluation Methodology

As an introduction to the panel, “The Need for International Human Factors Engineering Education Programs”, this paper introduces the reasons why we should consider offering human factors engineering students international education experience and the barriers to doing so. The paper proposes common criteria and a scoring methodology for evaluating programs since they usually have quite varied components. The methodology is introduced to help the audience evaluate the three international human factors engineering education programs that will be described in the panel as compared to each other and to other existing international engineering education opportunities.
RANKL coordinates cell cycle withdrawal and differentiation in osteoclasts through the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p27KIP1 and p21CIP1.

The coordination of cell cycle progression and osteoclast differentiation by RANKL signaling was studied. Experiments with mouse genetic models revealed that RANKL promoted cell cycle withdrawal of osteoclast precursors dependent on the cyclin kinase inhibitor p27-KIP1, but that both p27-KIP1 and p21-CIP1 were required for osteoclast differentiation. These cyclin inhibitors may directly regulate osteoclast differentiation in addition to regulating cell cycle withdrawal. Introduction: RANKL stimulates mononuclear precursor cells of the myeloid lineage to differentiate into multinuclear osteoclasts, thus providing a system to study the fundamental problem of coordination of cell cycle progression with cell differentiation. Materials and Methods: Mice that lack expression of functional cyclin inhibitors p27KIP1and p21CIP1 were used to study cell cycle progression and differentiation of osteoclast precursors in vitro and in vivo. Results and Conclusions: Experiments with cells derived from p27KIP1- and p21CIP1-deficient mice indicated that p27KIP1 function alone was necessary for RANKL-mediated cell cycle withdrawal by osteoclast precursors, but osteoclasts from mice with single mutations in either of these two genes differentiated normally. In contrast, p21/p27 double knockout mice developed osteopetrosis, with fewer osteoclasts that exhibited lower TRACP activity and abnormal cell morphology present in long bone. Moreover, isolated osteoclast progenitors from p21/p27 double knockout mice were defective in RANKL-mediated differentiation in vitro, expressing low levels of osteoclast-specific genes like TRACP and cathepsin K. Taken together, these data suggest p27KIP1 and p21CIP1 play roles in osteoclast differentiation in response to RANKL signaling distinct from their roles in promoting cell cycle withdrawal.
Paecilomyces sinusitis in an immunocompromised adult patient : Case report and review

A case of fungal sinusitis caused by Paecilomyces lilacinus that was unresponsive to amphotericin B and involved a patient with acute myeloid leukemia is described. Histologic examination of sinus tissue and periorbital bone demonstrated invasion by a fungus with septate hyphae, which was identified in culture as P. lilacinus. The isolate was resistant to amphotericin B but susceptible to itraconazole. The patient responded clinically when itraconazole was added to the treatment regimen. Invasive aspergillar infections are frequently diagnosed by histology. Other fungi such as Fusarium, Pseudallescheria, and Paecilomyces species also produce hyphae in tissue and can be confused with Aspergillus species. However, these pathogens may be resistant to amphotericin B. Since alternative therapy is now available for infections with some of the amphotericin B-resistant fungi, such as P. lilanicus, every effort should be made to recover the fungal pathogen so that effective treatment can be administered.
Click Chemistry in Complex Mixtures: Bioorthogonal Bioconjugation

The selective chemical modification of biological molecules drives a good portion of modern drug development and fundamental biological research. While a few early examples of reactions that engage amine and thiol groups on proteins helped establish the value of such processes, the development of reactions that avoid most biological molecules so as to achieve selectivity in desired bond-forming events has revolutionized the field. We provide an update on recent developments in bioorthogonal chemistry that highlights key advances in reaction rates, biocompatibility, and applications. While not exhaustive, we hope this summary allows the reader to appreciate the rich continuing development of good chemistry that operates in the biological setting.
The Political and Community Context of Immigrant Naturalization.

Becoming a citizen is a component of a larger process of immigrant incorporation into US society. It is most often treated as an individual-level choice, associated with such personal characteristics as duration of residence in the US, age, education and language acquisition. This study uses microdata from Census 2000 in conjunction with other measures to examine aspects of the community and policy context that influence the choices made by individuals. The results confirm previous research on the effects of individual-level characteristics on attaining citizenship. There is also strong evidence of collective influences: both the varied political histories of immigrant groups in their home country and the political and community environment that they encounter in the US have significant impacts on their propensity for naturalisation.
Dentition of Late Cretaceous shark, Ptychodus mortoni (Elasmobranchii, Ptychodontidae)

ABSTRACT Ptychodus (Elasmobranchii, Ptychodontidae) is an enigmatic durophagous shark that lived in Cretaceous seas. Based on multiple articulated tooth plates of Ptychodus mortoni from the Niobrara Chalk in Kansas, the dental pattern of P. mortoni and its paleobiological implications were examined. Each tooth plate consists of one medial tooth row and about nine lateral tooth rows on each side. One individual shark possesses a total of slightly over 550 teeth, with approximately 220 functional upper teeth and 260 functional lower teeth. The largest tooth plate of the species likely measured about 55 cm in length and 45 cm in width. Although this study does not resolve the ordinal placement of Ptychodontidae, it demonstrates that there are two different patterns of tooth plate organization in Ptychodus: a plesiomorphic condition characterized by juxtaposed, non-overlapping tooth rows (e.g., P. decurrens, P. marginalis, and P. occidentalis) and an apomorphic condition characterized by imbricated tooth rows...
Abstract 560: Mesenchymal stem cells promote mammosphere formation in normal and malignant breast cells

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Purpose: Normal and malignant breast tissue contains a rare population of cells with the capacity to self-renew, referred to as stem cells, or tumor initiating cells (TIC) in the case of tumors. These cells can be enriched by growth as “mammospheres” in three-dimensional cultures. We tested the hypothesis that mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), which are known to support tumor growth and metastasis, increase mammosphere formation. Materials and Methods: Normal human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC), and breast cancer cells (MCF-7, SUM149 and IBC3) were grown as mammospheres, plated at low density in serum-free growth factor supplemented suspension cultures. MSC were added as an increasing percentage of total cells plated (0, 2, 5 and 10%). MSC-conditioned media was generated by growing MSC as spheroids for 5 days. Results: MSC integrated into mammospheres, resulting in a dose-dependent increase in the number of mammospheres formed. Normal mammary epithelial cells formed 1.6 to 2.4 to 2.7-fold (p< 0.001) more mammospheres in the presence of 2, 5 and 10% MSC. Similarly, the number of MCF-7 derived mammospheres increased 5.9 to 8.5 to14.8-fold (p = ≤ 0.001) in the presence of 2, 5 and 10% MSC. A similar dose-dependent increase in sphere formation was seen for SUM149 cells and inflammatory breast cancer cells in short-term culture derived from pleural effusions. This effect was found to be mediated by secreted factors as MSC-conditioned media also increased sphere formation. SUM149 cells formed 6.4 to 14.2 to 13.7-fold more mammospheres when incubated for 5 days in 5, 25 and 50% MSC conditioned-media (p <0.0001). HMEC derived mammospheres had higher levels of expression of N-cadherin and RhoC and lower levels of expression of E-cadherin and Notch when formed in the presence of MSC conditioned media. Conclusions: Mesenchymal stem cells increase mammosphere formation of normal breast epithelial cells, established cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and SUM149) and short term primary breast cancer cells (IBC3). This effect is mediated by MSC secreted factors and results in cadherin switching, which may promote breast cancer progression and resistance to therapy. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 560.
Understanding the Function of the Cyclic Antifungal Lipopeptide Fengycin using All-Atom Md Simulation

Fengycin is one of a class of cyclic lipopeptides synthesized by the bacterial genus Bacillus. Many bacteria synthesize similar cyclic peptides, some of which have antifungal or even antibacterial properties, so studying how they interact with membranes is a promising path for drug development. Previously, we ran a series of coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation studies using MARTINI force field exploring the interactions of fengycin with models for bacterial and fungal membranes. The results suggested that the peptide's ability to aggregate and deform the membrane depended on the nature of the surrounding lipid headgroups, and that these interactions might be the origins of its selectivity. However, coarse-grained models by definition lack atomic-level resolution, so all-atom simulations are needed to confirm and expand on these results. First, we developed parameters for several unusual chemical moieties found in fengycin, such as the cyclization between the C-terminus and a tyrosine side chain, as well as the amide linkage between Glu and β-hydroxy palmitic acid. We validated these parameters via simulations of isolated and clustered fengycin molecules in water, as well as simulations of it bound to two membrane compositions: POPC (to model mammalian or fungal membranes) and 2:1 POPE:POPG (to model bacterial membranes). The analysis of these simulation will reveal more details of the interactions between fengycin and membranes.
Specific disruption of thalamic inputs to the auditory cortex in schizophrenia models

Auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia are alleviated by antipsychotic agents that inhibit D2 dopamine receptors (Drd2s). The defective neural circuits and mechanisms of their sensitivity to antipsychotics are unknown. We identified a specific disruption of synaptic transmission at thalamocortical glutamatergic projections in the auditory cortex in murine models of schizophrenia-associated 22q11 deletion syndrome (22q11DS). This deficit is caused by an aberrant elevation of Drd2 in the thalamus, which renders 22q11DS thalamocortical projections sensitive to antipsychotics and causes a deficient acoustic startle response similar to that observed in schizophrenic patients. Haploinsufficiency of the microRNA-processing gene Dgcr8 is responsible for the Drd2 elevation and hypersensitivity of auditory thalamocortical projections to antipsychotics. This suggests that Dgcr8-microRNA-Drd2-dependent thalamocortical disruption is a pathogenic event underlying schizophrenia-associated psychosis.
Variations in proton scanned beam dose delivery due to uncertainties in magnetic beam steering.

The purpose of this work was to develop a method to calculate and study the impact of fluctuations in the magnetic field strengths within the steering magnets in a proton scanning beam treatment nozzle on the dosedelivered to the patient during a proton therapytreatment. First, an analytical relationship between magnetic field uncertainties in the steering magnets and the resulting lateral displacements in the position of the delivered scanned beam “dose spot” was established. Next, using a simple 3D dose calculation code and data from a validated Monte Carlo model of the proton scanning beam treatment nozzle, the uniform dosedelivery to a 3D treatment volume was calculated. The dose distribution was then recalculated using the calculated lateral displacements due to magnetic field fluctuations to the proton pencil beam position. Using these two calculated dose distributions, the clinical effects of the magnetic field fluctuations were determined. A deliberate displacement of four adjacent spots either toward or away from each other was used to determine the “maximum” dose impact, while a random displacement of all spots was used to establish a more realistic clinical dose impact. Changes in the dose volume histogram (DVH) and the presence of hot and cold spots in the treatment volume were used to quantify the impact of dose-spot displacement. A general analytical relationship between magnetic field uncertainty and final dose-spot position is presented. This analytical relationship was developed such that it can be applied to study magnetic beam steering for any scanned beam nozzle design. Using this relationship the authors found for the example beam steering nozzle used in this study that deliberate lateral displacements of 0.5 mm or random lateral displacements of up to 1.0 mm produced a noticeable dose impact (5% hot spot) in the treatment volume. A noticeable impact (3% decrease in treatment volume coverage) on the DVH was observed for random displacements of up to 1.5 mm. For the scanning nozzle studied in this work, these displacement values correlated with an uncertainty value of 2.04% in the magnetic field values of the nozzle steering magnets. The authors conclude that fluctuations in the dose-spotdelivery caused by uncertainty in the magnet fields used for beam steering could have clinically significant effects on the delivereddose distribution. Due to differences in the design and implementation of proton beam scanning nozzles at different treatment facilities, the effects of magnetic field fluctuations of dosedelivery should be evaluated and understood for each specific nozzle design during clinical commissioning of the treatment nozzle.
Norms and Costs of Government Domestic Violence Policies: A Critical Review

Domestic violence and governmental domestic violence policies impact many families and produce considerable economic costs. This paper reviews literature related to domestic violence including false claims of domestic violence. Domestic violence literature is considered in relation to economic literature on norm theory and the procedural justice concept. Norm theory provides a basis to understand and evaluate domestic violence policies and offer suggestions regarding those policies. Current norms may encourage overly aggressive governmental response to claims of domestic violence, provide an incentive to file false claims in some cases, and provide little if any penalty for filing false claims.
Indirect biological control of the coffee leaf rust, Hemileia vastatrix, by the entomogenous fungus Lecanicillium lecanii in a complex coffee agroecosystem

Abstract The entomopathogenic and mycoparasitic fungus Lecanicillium lecanii is known to attack both the green coffee scale, Coccus viridis, and coffee leaf rust, Hemileia vastatrix. Using multi-year surveys of L. lecanii and H. vastatrix prevalence, we demonstrate a previously unreported, one-year time lag between local epizootics (outbreaks) of L. lecanii and significant suppression of H. vastatrix. Epizootics of L. lecanii are associated with large populations of C. viridis, which are in turn associated with colonies of their mutualistic partner, the arboreal-nesting ant Azteca instabilis. Therefore, these results suggest that effective conservation biological control of H. vastatrix using L. lecanii will be enhanced by an understanding of the self-organization process that gives rise to the emergent spatial distribution of the A. instabilis–C. viridis mutualism in this complex coffee agroecosystem.
Electron microscopic visualization of transcribed genes in the nucleus of Amoeba proteus.

Abstract An electron microscopic examination by Miller's technique of nuclei of Amoeba proteus has revealed two types of transcriptionally active genes. The putative nucleolar genes have an average length of 6.07 μm and are transcribed throughout their entire length. On occasion a second type of active gene is observed as discrete regions on long chromatin fibers. These regions measure 3.21 μm and are not tandemly repeated. We have used Miller's technique [1–3, 13] to observe the transcriptionally active genes in the nucleus of the unicellular protozoan, Amoeba proteus. We report here preliminary observations on the morphology of two types of structures that are interpreted as transcriptionally active genes.
A comparison of four model specifications for describing small heterogeneous space‐time datasets: Sugar cane production in Puerto Rico, 1958/59–1973/74*

. Data forming a short space-time series – too short to utilize a STARIMA model – can include a random effects term that is spatially structured in order to account for both serial and spatial autocorrelation. In this context, space-time heterogeneity can be accounted for in various ways, including specifications involving spatial filtering methodology. This paper summarizes comparisons of four model specifications – simple pooled space-time; sequential, comparative statics; temporally varying coefficients with a spatially unstructured random effects term; and, temporally varying coefficients with a spatially structured random effects term. Implementations are illustrated with annual sugar cane production data for Puerto Rico during 1958/59–1973/74. Resumen. Los datos de series espacio-temporales cortas – demasiado cortas para utilizar un modelo STARIMA – pueden incluir un termino de efectos aleatorios estructurado espacialmente para tener en cuenta la autocorrelacion de la serie y espacial. En este contexto, la heterogeneidad espacio-temporal puede ser explicada en diferentes maneras, incluyendo especificaciones que implican metodologias de filtrado espacial. Este articulo resume la comparacion de cuatro especificaciones de modelos – espacio-temporal agrupado simple; estatica comparativa, secuencial; coeficientes de variacion temporal con un termino de efectos aleatorios espacialmente no estructurados; y coeficientes de variacion temporal con un termino de efectos aleatorios espacialmente estructurados. Las implementaciones se ilustran con datos de produccion anual de azucar de cana en Puerto Rico durante el periodo 1958/59–1973/74.
Optimal advertising in growing-stabilizing markets

The method of dynamic programming is used to determine the optimal synthesis of an advertising problem. The market of the product in question grows exponentially up to a time when it stabilizes at a constant value. The problem is singular and with an unbounded control. A parametrization of time is introduced to deal with these difficulties.
Recovery of human mesenchymal stem cells following dehydration and rehydration.

As cell therapies advance from research laboratories to clinical application, there is the need to transport cells and tissues across long distances while maintaining cell viability and function. Currently cells are successfully stored and shipped under liquid nitrogen vapor. The ability to store these cells in the desiccated state at ambient temperature would provide tremendous economic and practical advantage. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have broad potential uses in tissue engineering and regeneration since they can differentiate along multiple lineages and support hematopoeisis. The current research applied recent technological advances in the dehydration and storage of human fibroblasts to hMSCs. Three conditions were tested: air-dried, air-dried and stored under vacuum (vacuum only), and incubated with 50 mM trehalose + 3% glycerol and then air-dried and stored under vacuum (vacuum + trehalose). Plates containing dehydrated hMSCs were shipped from San Diego to Baltimore overnight in separate FedEx cardboard boxes. The hMSCs were rehydrated with 3 ml of hMSC medium and were able to regain their spindle-shaped morphology and adhesive capability. In addition, they maintained high viability and proliferation capacity. Rehydrated and passaged cells continued to express the characteristic hMSC surface antigen panel. Additionally, cells showed constitutive levels of mRNA for a stromal factor and, when exposed to reagents known to induce differentiation, demonstrated upregulation of two tissue-specific messages indicative of differentiation potential for fat and bone. While our preliminary findings are encouraging, we still need to address consistency and duration of storage by considering factors such as cell water content, oxygen concentration, and the presence of free radicals.
The Forging of Races: Race and Scripture in the Protestant Atlantic World, 1600–2000 – By Colin Kidd

In this thoughtful inquiry, the author succeeds in his objective of tracing how intellectuals in the Western world utilized the Holy Bible in various, often opposing, ways to support changing const...
Narcolepsy with hypocretin/orexin deficiency, infections and autoimmunity of the brain.

The loss of hypothalamic hypocretin/orexin (hcrt) producing neurons causes narcolepsy with cataplexy. An autoimmune basis for the disease has long been suspected and recent results have greatly strengthened this hypothesis. Narcolepsy with hcrt deficiency is now known to be associated with a Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) and T-cell receptor (TCR) polymorphisms, suggesting that an autoimmune process targets a single peptide unique to hcrt-cells via specific HLA–peptide–TCR interactions. Recent data have shown a robust seasonality of disease onset in children and associations with Streptococcus Pyogenes, and influenza A H1N1-infection and H1N1-vaccination, pointing towards processes such as molecular mimicry or bystander activation as crucial for disease development. We speculate that upper airway infections may be common precipitants of a whole host of CNS autoimmune complications including narcolepsy.
Growth, survival, and starvation resistance of Colorado squawfish larvae

Growth and survival of Colorado squawfish, Ptychocheilus lucius, larvae under fluctuating 18, 22, and 26° C (5° C diel fluctuations) and constant 18, 22, 26° C, and 30° C temperature conditions and ration size corresponding to 12.5, 28,64,142, 320 brine shrimp nauplii fish−1 day−1 determined from laboratory experiments. Growth was optimal at 31° C and high at temperatures of 26° C to 30° C, at the highest food abundance. Lowest growth was under lowest food rations and highest temperatures. Growth of Colorado squawfish larvae declined substantially at temperatures 180 nauplii fish−1 day−1. Survival was lowest when food abundance was low and temperature was high. Highest mortality occurred more than 20 days after experiments began and mortalities occurred sooner in higher than lower temperatures. Colorado squawfish larvae denied food for 5, 10, or 15 d after first feeding could have begun (6 d), had survival greater than 87 % which was equivalent to continuously fed controls. Survival of fish denied food for 17.5 d after feeding could have begun declined from 84% before feeding to 57% after feeding. Point of no return was estimated between 17.5 and 20 d. Colorado squawfish have relatively high starvation resistance. Low, stable flows that simulate natural hydrographs may enhance growth, survival, and recruitment of early life stages of Colorado squawfish by increasing water temperature and food abundance in regulated rivers of the Colorado River basin.
Prolonged donor ischemic time does not adversely affect long-term survival in adult patients undergoing cardiac transplantation.

Abstract Objective With liberalization of donor eligibility criteria, organs are being harvested from remote locations, increasing donor ischemic times. Although several studies have evaluated the effects of prolonged donor ischemic times on short-term survival and graft function, few have addressed concerns regarding long-term survival. Methods Over the last 11 years, 819 consecutive adults underwent cardiac transplantation at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. Recipients were separated into the following 4 groups based on donor ischemic time: 250 minutes. Statistical analysis included Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox proportional hazard models to identify predictors of long-term survival. Results Donor ischemic time was 120.1 ± 21.1 minutes for group 1 (n = 321), 174.1 ± 14.7 minutes for group 2 (n = 264), 221.7 ± 14.6 minutes for group 3 (n = 154), and 295.5 ± 37.1 minutes for group 4 (n = 80) ( P P = NS). Prolonged donor ischemic time did not adversely affect long-term survival, with actuarial survival at 1, 5, and 10 years of 86.9%, 75.2%, and 56.4% for group 1; 86.2%, 76.9%, and 50.9% for group 2; 86.4%, 71.0%, and 43.7% for group 3; and 86.7%, 70.1%, and 50.9% for group 4 ( P = .867). There was no significant difference in freedom from transplant coronary artery disease among the 4 groups ( P = .474). Conclusions Prolonged donor ischemic time is not a risk factor for decreased long-term survival. Procurement of hearts with prolonged donor ischemic time is justified in the setting of an increasing recipient pool with a fixed donor population.
Coherent nonlinear optics with quantum cascade structures

We discuss several coherent nonlinear optical phenomena that occur in active quantum-cascade (QC) structures that support both laser action and, at the same time, nonlinear self-conversion of laser light into coherent radiation at other frequencies. In other words, the laser field serves as an intracavity optical pump for a desired nonlinear optical process. In such systems, resonant absorption of the pump field is overcome by laser gain, and giant resonant nonlinearities of the intersubband transitions can be fully exploited. The proposed approach holds promise to extend the operating wavelength of QC lasers to the spectral regions where they become less efficient, constrained by material limitations, or operate only at cryogenic temperatures. It may also lead to the development of new broadly tunable injection-pumped sources. We review recent development in this research direction including the demonstration of the Raman injection laser.
Transient fractal behavior in snapshot attractors of driven chaotic systems.

Snapshot attractors, i.e., attractors formed by a cloud of trajectories at the same instants of time, are usually employed to reveal the fractal structure of randomly or chaotically driven dynamical systems. A necessary condition for the underlying fractal structure to be observed is that the ensemble of particles utilized in the construction of the snapshot attractors are subject to identical perturbation at any instant of time. We examine the influence of small phase-space inhomogeneity in the chaotic perturbation on the observability of the snapshot fractal attractors. We find that, typically, fractal structure can be seen in only a transient period of time. The scaling of the transient time with the amount of inhomogeneity is investigated. Implication to experimental observation of fractal structure in physical systems is pointed out.
Teaching pre-calculus students electrical engineering principles using low cost hardware

Using low cost hardware and the Visual Basic programming language, the authors have developed teaching modules which can effectively introduce basic science and technology principles at several levels from high school to freshman Electrical Engineering. They have tested these methods in a NSF sponsored course designed to teach high school teachers how to introduce science and technology to their students. To illustrate how the software tool and inexpensive hardware can be used to aid learning and teaching electrical and computer engineering concepts in the classroom, the authors present example experiments.
Synaptotagmin 7 functions as a Ca2+-sensor for synaptic vesicle replenishment

Synaptotagmin (syt) 7 is one of three syt isoforms found in all metazoans; it is ubiquitously expressed, yet its function in neurons remains obscure. Here, we resolved Ca(2+)-dependent and Ca(2+)-independent synaptic vesicle (SV) replenishment pathways, and found that syt 7 plays a selective and critical role in the Ca(2+)-dependent pathway. Mutations that disrupt Ca(2+)-binding to syt 7 abolish this function, suggesting that syt 7 functions as a Ca(2+)-sensor for replenishment. The Ca(2+)-binding protein calmodulin (CaM) has also been implicated in SV replenishment, and we found that loss of syt 7 was phenocopied by a CaM antagonist. Moreover, we discovered that syt 7 binds to CaM in a highly specific and Ca(2+)-dependent manner; this interaction requires intact Ca(2+)-binding sites within syt 7. Together, these data indicate that a complex of two conserved Ca(2+)-binding proteins, syt 7 and CaM, serve as a key regulator of SV replenishment in presynaptic nerve terminals. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01524.001.
High power PM fiber amplifier and broadband source

A polarization maintaining (PM) 1.5 /spl mu/m amplifier was demonstrated by externally inducing strain birefringence in a nominally non-polarization maintaining double cladding Er/Yb fiber. The 27 dBm amplifier had a 17 dB polarization extinction and was v-groove side-pumped by a broad stripe diode. A line broadband source is also demonstrated.
Can the Growth of a Neuroblastoma Be Influenced by a Child's Nutritional State? Observations in a Patient Treated for Kwashkiorkor and Later Given a Restricted Diet

A 17-month-old Thai female with neuroblastoma presented with an abdominal mass and the classical findings of kwashiorkor. Cancomitant with effective repair of the child's protein deficit, the mass enlarged dramatically and metastases were noted. This is the first known report of such an occurrence.
Comparative hemodynamics in an aorta with bicuspid and trileaflet valves

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a congenital heart defect that has been associated with serious aortopathies, such as aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, infective endocarditis, aortic dissection, calcific aortic valve and dilatation of ascending aorta. There are two main hypotheses to explain the increase prevalence of aortopathies in patients with BAV: the genetic and the hemodynamic. In this study, we seek to investigate the possible role of hemodynamic factors as causes of BAV-associated aortopathy. We employ the curvilinear immersed boundary method coupled with an efficient thin-shell finite-element formulation for tissues to carry out fluid–structure interaction simulations of a healthy trileaflet aortic valve (TAV) and a BAV placed in the same anatomic aorta. The computed results reveal major differences between the TAV and BAV flow patterns. These include: the dynamics of the aortic valve vortex ring formation and break up; the large-scale flow patterns in the ascending aorta; the shear stress magnitude, directions, and dynamics on the heart valve surfaces. The computed results are in qualitative agreement with in vivo magnetic resonance imaging data and suggest that the linkages between BAV aortopathy and hemodynamics deserve further investigation.