cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Volunteer bias in twin research: The rule of two-thirds.

Abstract Studies of adult same‐sex twins which rely upon volunteer subjects typically consist of about two‐thirds female and two‐thirds monozygotic (MZ) pairs. Because of this recruitment bias, the male and dizygotic (DZ) twins in such studies will be less representative of their respective populations and will show smaller between‐pair variance on many traits than will the comparison samples of female and MZ twins. This reduction in between‐pair variance results in underestimation of the true intraclass correlation in the populations of DZ twins and in overestimation of the true heritability of the trait under study. The only adequate solution to this problem may be to provide sufficient extrinsic incentive (e.g., money payments) to overcome the strong recruitment bias documented in this paper.
Electrochemical solar cells with two photoactive electrodes

Abstract One of the major goals of solar energy utilization is the photolysis of water. Energetic requirements make electrolysis cells driven by two-photon processes more efficient in the solar spectrum. We report a new design of this type: n-type SnO 2 made light-sensitive by dye Victoria Blue B (VBB) on the photoanode and meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) on the photocathode. Characteristics are photopotential more than 1 V and photocurrent 100 μA (while light irradiation 100 mW cm −2 ), and quantum efficiency greater than 1%. Of special interest is the mechanism that takes place at the pigmented SnO 2 electrodes. The VBB layer is considered as an n-type and TPP as a p-type organic semiconductor. The results are discussed in terms of a Schottky barrier model.
Quantifying myocardial fibrosis in hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy using T1 mapping

Summary Diffuse myocardial fibrosis in hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is not readily detected by conventional late gadolinium enhanced CMR. Our study was aimed to detect diffuse myocardial fibrosis in these patients as compared to age matched normal controls, using a T1 mapping technique. Fibrosis was quantified by calculating the partition coefficient (l) and volume of distribution (Vd) of gadolinium (Gd) following a bolus injection of Gd. We observed that the values for l and Vd were higher in LVH than controls. A positive association was also noted between LV mass and l. Background
Fibrinolytic Mechanisms of tPA, prouPA, Mutant prouPA and Their Implications for Therapeutic Thrombolysis

Experience with thrombolysis for 25 years has been essentially limited to tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Therefore, tPA has been perceived as synonymous with all thrombolysis. However, tPA has a unique mode of action different from that of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), whose native form is prouPA. At the pharmacological concentrations, both physiological activators induced unanticipated effects that were also different. Reperfusion with tPA is almost twice as effective as streptokinase, the former thrombolytic standard. Nevertheless, three mega-trials with a total of 94,740 patients were required to show a significant difference in acute myocardial infarction. Surprisingly, intracranial hemorrhage was also significantly more with tPA. These paradoxical findings can be explained by tPA’s rethrombosis rate undermining its efficacy, and lysis of hemostatic fibrin causing tPA bleeding. By contrast, prouPA has a low rethrombosis rate and it spares hemostatic fibrin by virtue of its different mechanism of fibrin-bound plasminogen activation. Unfortunately, these potential advantages are out of reach in practice since at high therapeutic concentrations in blood, prouPA is vulnerable to non-specific conversion to uPA, a non-specific plasminogen activator that induces a hemorrhagic diathesis. A single-site mutant, M5, was designed to correct this prouPA problem. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that M5 clot lysis was more effective than prouPA or tPA and was accompanied by a sparing of hemostatic fibrin. When M5 administration was preceded by a bolus of plasma C1-inhibitor, it further improved the plasma stability of M5 and permitted a maximum clot lysis rate to be achieved without fibrinogenolysis.
The Native Energy Landscape for Interleukin-1β. Modulation of the Population Ensemble through Native-state Topology

A minimalist Gō-model, with no energetic frustration in the native conformation, has been shown to describe accurately the folding pathway of the β-trefoil protein, interleukin-1β (IL-1β). While it appears that these models successfully model transition states and intermediates between the unfolded and native ensembles, it is unclear how accurately they capture smaller, yet biologically relevant, structural changes within the native ensemble after energetic perturbation. Here, we address the following questions. Can a simple Gō-model of interleukin-1β, based on native topology, describe changes in structural properties of the native ensemble as the protein stability is changed? Or is it necessary to include a more explicit representation of atoms, electrostatic, hydrogen bonding, and van der Waals forces to describe these changes? The native ensemble of IL-1β was characterized using a variety of experimental probes under native (0 M NaCl, guanidine hydrochloride (Gdn-HCl)), moderately destabilized (0 M NaCl, 0.8 M Gdn-HCl), and in moderate salt concentration (0.8 M NaCl, 0 M Gdn-HCl). Heteronuclear 1H–15N nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY) and heteronuclear single quantum correlation (HSQC) NMR spectra confirmed that the β-trefoil global fold was largely intact under these three conditions. However, 25 of the 153 residues throughout the chain did demonstrate 13C and 1H–15N chemical shifts when perturbed with 0.8 M NaCl or Gdn-HCl. Despite large differences in protection factors from solvent hydrogen-deuterium exchange for all residues between stable (0 M Gdn-HCl) and destabilized (0.8 M Gdn-HCl) IL-1β, no difference in steady-state 15N–1H NOE enhancements were measured. Thus, the chemical shifts correlate with a global but limited increase in residue flexibility in the presence of Gdn-HCl. Minimalist simulations highlight the regions of greatest position shift between native and 0.8 M Gdn-HCl, which were determined experimentally. This correlation demonstrates that structural changes within the native ensemble of IL-1β are, at least partially, governed by the principle of minimal energetic frustration.
Early Histopathology of the Cutaneous Capillary Fragility Test (Rumpel‐Leede)

The characteristic histologic change seen at 2 h in the Rumpel-Leede (Hess) test is, in addition to focal hemorrhage in the upper dermis, a perivascular lymphocyte infiltrate with focal areas of lymphocytic epidermal invasion. The histologic findings, even with the liquefaction degeneration, are similar to those of purpura simplex and indicate that, early in many forms of vasopermeability, the lymphocyte may be a primary inflammatory cell.
Cooperative and Conflictual Policy Preferences: The Effect of Identity, Security, and Image of the Other

What is the connection between identity and conflict behavior? This article begins by exploring some of the theoretical currents in this area, notably social identity theory, Erikson's work on identity development, Burton's ontological needs, and image theory. The theories differ somewhat in their expectations of the effect of identity development. Two studies were conducted to investigate these differences. The first, a priming experiment, partitioned identity and its effects. The second, a group-based simulation study, measured actual development of ingroup identity and assessed its effect on conflict behavior. Results from the first study show that identity does affect conflict behavior, but only as it is mediated by levels of insecurity. Increased feelings of security correspond to more cooperative behavior. Positive and negative images of the opponent, on the other hand, did not influence conflict behavior. In the second study, higher levels of ingroup identity resulted in more conflictual behavior. As with the first study, image of the other was not significantly related to conflict behavior. Language: en
Activation of phosphatidylcholine-selective phospholipase C by I1-imidazoline receptors in PC12 cells and rostral ventrolateral medulla

The I1-imidazoline receptor is expressed in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) where it mediates vasodepression, and in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells where it elicits generation of diacylglycerol independent of phosphatidylinositol turnover or activation of phospholipase D. We hypothesized that the I1-imidazoline receptor couples to a phosphatidylcholine-selective phospholipase C (PC-PLC). The I1-agonist moxonidine elicited diacyglyceride accumulation and release of [3H]phosphocholine from PC12 cells prelabeled with [3H]choline. The PC-PLC inhibitor D609 abolished both responses. Microinjection of D609 into the RVLM of hypertensive rats blocked the vasodepressor response to intravenous moxonidine. These data implicate PC-PLC in cellular and organismic responses to I1-receptor stimulation.
Human Factors Effects of Interaction and Display Devices in Virtual Reality (VR) Medical Rehabilitation

We describe experimental effects of 3-D magnetic and optical interaction devices (both perform well) and displays (shutter glasses better for some tasks compared to autostereoscopic) on visual-motor rehabilitation tasks for stroke and brain injury patients.
Mechanisms of fibrinogen domains: biomaterial interactions.

Spontaneous adsorption of fibrinogen is critical to the pathogenesis of biomaterial-mediated inflammatory responses. However, the mechanism by which adsorbed fibrinogen affects phagocyte responses is still not clear. To investigate the molecular interaction between fibrinogen and biomaterials, fibrinogen fragments (D 100 and E50) were generated and used in the present study. The results indicate that biomaterial : D100 interaction is essential to fibrinogen-mediated inflammatory responses, because biomaterials precoated with D100, but not E50, prompt strong inflammatory responses. Furthermore, the results from in vitro studies show that whole molecule fibrinogen and D100 exhibit very similar protein:surface interactions. Specifically: (1) both D100 and fibrinogen have high affinity for biomaterial surfaces; and (2) the retention rates of adsorbed D 100 in both in vivo and in vitro environments are as high as that for adsorbed fibrinogen. On the other hand, E50 does bind to biomaterials but with low affini...
Geometric Accuracy of Frameless Based Image Guided Stereotactic Radiosurgery of Trigeminal Neuralgia using Brainlab's Exactrac 6-D Robotic System

Materials/Methods: A BrainLab frameless mask was made for a Lucite phantom with an EDR film sandwiched between the two parts of the phantom with a target defined by a 1.5 mm diameter spherical BB marker taped on the film. A CT scan of the phantom was performedusing 1.25mmslice thickness,and512 x512matrix,andthe headandnecklocalizer.Themarkerwasdefinedas the target in the BrainScan software. The same protocol used in our institution for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia was used (7 non-coplanar circular arcs with a 4mm cone) to plan and treat the marker using the stereoscopic image guidance. The phantom was imaged at each couch angle, and the images were fused with the DRRs using the autofusion option of the ExacTrac software. ExacTrac x-ray correction was applied until the phantom was within an acceptance criterion of 0.5mm, and 0.5 degree. The EDR film was developed, and scanned in high resolution using Vidar Dosimetry-Pro scanner, and RIT Technology software. The same technique was repeated for a second target. The displacement of the centroid of the optical density on the film, and the position of the marker was calculated using the RIT Technology software, and averaged for the 2 targets. Furthermore, retrospective study of 44 patients who underwent frameless image guided radiosurgery of the trigeminal neuralgia since October 2007 was performed. 514 stereoscopic images (Ave. 12 images/patient), and their shifts were reviewed, and reported. Results:Geometricaccuracyof 0.48±0.55 mmwasachievedon2different targetswiththe 4mmcone.Thegeometric accuracyof the target depends significantly on the landmarks used for autofusion of the images. The average 3-D movement of the isocenter in the 44 patients post imaging, and autofusion of the DRR, and the stereoscopic images was 0.49 ± 0.44 mm. Conclusions: Accuracy of target localization achieved with the BrainLab frameless technique approaches that attainable with invasive stereotactic frames. However, since the ExacTrac autofusion software heavily relies on the bony landmarks, special care must be made with the frameless system by taking at least one image per bed position to ensure accurate treatment of the trigeminal nerve. Author Disclosure: J. Rahimian, None; M.R. Girvigian, None; J.C.T. Chen, None; R. Rahimian, None; M.J. Miller, None.
Forward masking in patients with cochlear implants.

Forward masking was measured in 12 patients with cochlear implants. The amount of masking (in microamps) decreased linearly as a function of the logarithm of the signal delay from masker offset. Normalized forward‐masking recovery functions for cochlear implants were similar to normalized functions of normal‐hearing listeners, indicating that the mechanism of psychophysical forward masking is retrocochlear. These results indicate that the logarithm of acoustic amplitude should be mapped to microamps to produce normal forward masking in implanted patients. Despite the fact that the forward‐masking recovery functions were similar across all patients, their performance with their speech processor varied widely.
PRIME MINISTERS, PARTIES, AND THE PUBLIC: THE DYNAMICS OF GOVERNMENT POPULARITY IN GREAT BRITAIN

Les AA. proposent et testent un modele de soutien aux partis politiques britanniques entre 1953 et 1983, en considerant la popularite du premier ministre, les fluctuations ecnomiques et les facteurs non-economiques a court terme. Les evaluations publiques du premier ministre ont un effet croissant sur la popularite du parti qui lui est lie. Ce rapport a commence dans les annees 1960, avant l'ere Thatcher. Les facteurs non-economiques (guerres, scandales, etc) exercent une influence directe sur le parti du premier ministre a travers les evaluations des electeurs sur le premier ministre
Metabolic effects of oral contraceptives. Implications for exercise responses of premenopausal women.

Low dose oral contraceptives (OCs) minimize the risk for cardiovascular disease. Both the dose and type of the progestin determine the type of effects on carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Androgenic effects of progestins on lipid metabolism are linked to an increased risk for coronary heart disease. OCs estrogen and progestin either have antagonistic or potentiating effects on metabolism so the net effect of an OC hinges on the balance of estrogen and progestin and on the dose and androgenic nature of the progestin. Mild hyperinsulinemia and reduced insulin sensitivity still occur in women using the newer low dose OC formulations. Physical exercises positive effects on blood lipids and lipoproteins may counteract the potentially atherogenic effects of some OCs. Women who use estrogen-progestin balanced OCs have healthier lipid profiles than those who use progestin dominant OCs. Physically active women who use OCs have a reduced aerobic power which may adversely affect exercise performance. Carbohydrate availability limits endurance performance since glycogen stores are relatively small and carbohydrate substrates are needed for fat oxidation. OC users have lower blood glucose levels and reduced carbohydrate utilization than do nonusers suggesting that prolonged exercise in women challenges glucose homeostasis. OCs may cause similar effects by subduing gluconeogenesis which reduces the release of hepatic glucose. This release harms the performance of endurance exercise. Future research should examine changes in exercise response with OCs and control for types and doses of OC formulations and factors (e.g. time of OC ingestion) to reduce variability in blood levels of the steroids at the time of testing. It should investigate the interaction between OC use and exercise training in women especially OCs effects on hormonal and metabolic responses in endurance trained women.
An approach to the patient with a history of local anesthetic hypersensitivity: Experience with 90 patients

Abstract We have studied the utility of skin testing and progressive challenge to detect local anesthetic hypersensitivity in patients with histories of reactions to local anesthetics. The likelihood of previous immediate hypersensitivity reactions was determined by history in 90 referrals. Fourteen had histories compatible with immediate hypersensitivity reactions, 24 did not, and the history was uncertain in 52. Of the 14, 12 were negative to lidocaine skin test and challenge, although 5 gave histories of immediate hypersensitivity reactions to it. The other 76 patients also underwent skin testing and progressive challenge. No skin tests were positive with 1:100 local anesthetics but 10 patients had positive intradermal skin tests to undiluted 1% local anesthetics. Proof of false positivity was confirmed in 4 of 10 cases by uneventful challenge to the local anesthetic giving the positive skin test. At least 1 local anesthetic was cleared for use in each of the 90 patients. Skin testing as part of a progressive challenge protocol is a useful approach to the management of alleged local anesthetic hypersensitivity. True immediate hypersensitivity reactions to local anesthetics are rare. Positive skin tests to dilutions of 1:100 local anesthetics are also rare and may suggest the possibility of true immediate hypersensitivity to the agent tested.
Compensatory changes in REM sleep time of cats during ad libitum sleep and following brief REM sleep deprivation.

Abstract The purpose of this experiment was to detect and quantify compensatory changes in rapid-eye-movement sleep (REMS) time during ad libitum sleep and following brief periods of REMS deprivation. The sleeping patterns of 5 adult, male cats were studied extensively under controlled conditions. Following habituation to the recording environment, 5–6 consecutive days of ad libitum sleep were recorded from each animal. For each cat, there was a statistically significant, negative linear relationship between REMS time for the first 8 h of a given day and REMS time for the next 8 or 16 h. Each cat then underwent 4 REMS deprivation treatments. On widely separated days, the cat was awakened each time it entered REMS during the first 8 h of the day. Each REMS deprivation day was matched with a control slow-wave sleep (SWS) awakening day. On these days, the cat was awakened an equal number of times from SWS during the first 8 h of the day. For the 8 treatment days, and for treatment and baseline days combined, there were statistically significant, negative linear relationships between REMS time for the initial 8 h of the day and REMS time for succeeding intervals. This study provides evidence of compensatory changes in REMS time following either spontaneous fluctuations or induced variations of REMS time over a period of several hours. This regulation appears to be selective, sensitive, and precise.
Filling in the missing links

In two experiments, readers were asked to restore missing actions and physical and mental states to short narratives. The narratives were written using a taxonomy of the possible causal connections between actions and states. Gaps were created in the event chains underlying the narratives by deleting actions and physical and mental states. Some deletions resulted in violations of the event chain taxonomy while others did not. The results of both experiments indicate that readers use knowledge of possible causal sequences to detect and repair gaps in stories. Violations were detected and repaired more often than nonviolations and few unnecessary additions were made to the stories. However, familiarity with the plots and characters did facilitate detecting and repairing gaps. In Experiment I, actions were more likely to be restored than physical or mental states. However, the incidence of restored physical and mental states increased from the first to the last third of each story. In Experiment II, readers restored superordinate actions more often than subordinate ones. Further, subordinate actions missing from the last third of the stories were restored more often than those missing from the first third. Knowledge of the hierarchical structure of plans and actions as well as knowledge of the event chain taxonomy is used by readers to detect and repair gaps in stories.
How much do persons with Alzheimer's disease cost Medicare?

BACKGROUND: Medicare claims are increasingly being used to identify persons with chronic diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) for the purpose of determining the cost to Medicare of caring for such persons. Past work has been limited by the use of only 1 or 2 years of claims data to identify cases, leading to worries that this might lead to an undercount of prevalent cases and bias cost findings. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the average total cost to the Medicare program in 1994 of persons with a claims-based diagnosis of AD, using a 12-year period of claims history to identify prevalent cases, and to investigate the effect on cost of time since diagnosis. DESIGN: A cross-sectional design with a 12-year retrospective period to identify persons with AD. SETTING: Medical care practices, hospitals, and other providers of services to Medicare beneficiaries in the US in 1994. SUBJECTS: Respondents to the screener (n = 10,858) and community (5429) and institutional (n = 1341) questionnaire of the 1994 National Long Term Care Survey, with and without a claims-based diagnosis of AD. MEASUREMENTS: Average total cost to Medicare in 1994, measured as the actual amount Medicare paid for inpatient, outpatient, home health, skilled nursing facility, hospice, and Part B services, including payments to physicians, and other items such as durable medical equipment. We also measured disability in a variety of ways, including cognition, activity limitations, and residence in a nursing home. RESULTS: The average total cost to Medicare of persons with a claims-based diagnosis of AD was $6021 versus $2310 (P < .001) for persons without a diagnosis. When adjusting for patient characteristics, the ratio of cost between persons with AD and those without was reduced to about 1.6 to 1. Time since diagnosis was an important predictor of average total cost in 1994, with each additional year since diagnosis resulting in a $248 (P = .04) decrease in total cost (about 10% of the total sample mean cost of $2426). There was mixed evidence that persons with a diagnosis of AD incurred less cost than otherwise similarly disabled Medicare beneficiaries. CONCLUSIONS: Time since diagnosis with AD is an important predictor of cost and one that should be explicitly included in any rate-setting formula. Expanding the period used to identify cases resulted in an increase in the unadjusted ratio of cost of a Medicare beneficiary with AD relative to one without primarily because our control group costs are lower compared with those of past work. J Am Geriatr Soc 48:639–646, 2000.
Dangerous Leaks: Blood-Brain Barrier Woes in the Aging Hippocampus

A leaky blood-brain barrier has long been implicated in cognitive dysfunction in aging and neurodegeneration, but reliable human data were lacking. Here, Montagne et al. (2015) provide the first in vivo evidence of blood-brain barrier disruption in the aging hippocampus and in minimal cognitive impairment.
Statistical semantic interpretation modeling for spoken language understanding with enriched semantic features

In natural language human-machine statistical dialog systems, semantic interpretation is a key task typically performed following semantic parsing, and aims to extract canonical meaning representations of semantic components. In the literature, usually manually built rules are used for this task, even for implicitly mentioned non-named semantic components (like genre of a movie or price range of a restaurant). In this study, we present statistical methods for modeling interpretation, which can also benefit from semantic features extracted from large in-domain knowledge sources. We extract features from user utterances using a semantic parser and additional semantic features from textual sources (online reviews, synopses, etc.) using a novel tree clustering approach, to represent unstructured information that correspond to implicit semantic components related to targeted slots in the user's utterances. We evaluate our models on a virtual personal assistance system and demonstrate that our interpreter is effective in that it does not only improve the utterance interpretation in spoken dialog systems (reducing the interpretation error rate by 36% relative compared to a language model baseline), but also unveils hidden semantic units that are otherwise nearly impossible to extract from purely manual lexical features that are typically used in utterance interpretation.
Culture, Stress and Recovery from Schizophrenia: Lessons from the Field for Global Mental Health

This cultural case study investigates one U.S. psychosocial rehabilitation organization’s (Horizons) attempt to implement the recovery philosophy of the U.S. Recovery Movement and offers lessons from this local attempt that may inform global mental health care reform. Horizons’ “recovery-oriented” initiatives unwittingly mobilized stressful North American discourses of valued citizenship. At times, efforts to “empower” people diagnosed with schizophrenia to become esteemed self-made citizens generated more stressful sociocultural conditions for people whose daily lives were typically remarkably stressful. A recovery-oriented mental health system must account for people diagnosed with schizophrenia’s sensitivity to stress and offer consumers contextually relevant coping mechanisms. Any attempt to export U.S. mental health care practices to the rest of the world must acknowledge that (1) sociocultural conditions affect schizophrenia outcomes; (2) schizophrenia outcomes are already better in the developing world than in the United States; and (3) much of what leads to “better” outcomes in the developing world may rely on the availability of locally relevant techniques to address stress.
An Evaluation of the Corrosion and Mechanical Performance of Interstitially Surface-Hardened Stainless Steel

A surface hardening technique called “interstitial hardening” is commercially available, whereby interstitial carbon atoms are introduced into stainless steel surfaces without the formation of carbides. Surface hardening of machine elements such as impellors or fasteners would improve performance regarding cavitation and galling resistance, and has intensified interest in this process. However, there remains a need to characterize and validate the specific performance characteristics of the hardened materials. This paper describes experimental testing conducted on 316L stainless steel that has been surface hardened using available commercial techniques, using carbon as the interstitial atom. The corrosion performance of the hardened surface is assessed using electrochemical potentiodynamic testing to determine the breakdown potential in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution to identify the most promising method. The hardness and thickness of the surface-hardened layer is characterized and compared using metallography and microhardness profiling. Corrosion fatigue and slow strain rate testing of untreated, hardened, and damaged, hardened surfaces exposed to ASTM seawater is conducted. Finally, critical galling stresses are determined and compared. Post-test examination of damage attempts to identify mechanisms of material failure and characterize how corrosion-assisted cracks initiate and grow in surface-hardened materials.
TU-A-BRA-03: Knowledge-Based and Patient-Geometry Specific IMRT Treatment Planning

Purpose: To create an IMRTtreatment planning approach by which planners can access the knowledge of prior clinical plans to control the quality of new plans. Method and Materials: Overlap volume histogram (OVH) is used to access the knowledge of prior clinical plans. It allows planners to identify a reference group of prior clinical plans that contains geometric information “similar” to a new patient. The best plan in terms of OAR sparing in the reference group will then provide input to IMRToptimization for the new patient. In a retrospective OVH‐assisted planning demonstration, 15 patients were randomly selected from a database of 91 prior head‐and‐neck patients with a three‐level prescription: 58.1 Gy, 63 Gy and 70 Gy. A leave‐one‐out methodology was applied to generate the DVHs for each OVH‐assisted plan (OP). The database‐generated DVHs were then used by a planner who had no knowledge of the clinical plans (CPs). To evaluate the effectiveness of our methodology, the dosimetric results for three sets of plans: CPs, OPs after the first‐round optimization and final OPs were compared by the Wilcoxon p test. Results: Averages of optimization rounds required for completing CPs and OPs were 27.6 and 1.9 (p<0.00001); three OPs were completed in a single optimization round. For both OPs, averages of standard deviation to the PTV63 deceased by ∼0.5 Gy (p<0.02); averages of D 0.1 cc to the cord+4mm decreased by ∼6.5 Gy (p<0.0001); averages of D 0.1 cc to the brainstem decreased by ∼7.5 Gy (p<0.005); averages of V(30 Gy) to the contra‐lateral parotid decreased by ∼8% (p<0.0001). Additionally, both OPs were comparable with or better than the CPs in PTV uniformity, conformity and other OAR sparing. Conclusion: The method offers a way of predicting clinically achievable doses ahead of planning, making IMRT planning no longer a trial and error process.
TSH stimulation of 32P incorporation into phospholipids of thyroids from patients with Graves' disease.

ABSTRACT The effect of TSH on the incorporation of 32P into the phospholipids of thyroid slices from 4 cases of Graves' disease was measured and compared to the response of normal human thyroid tissue. Although there was a small elevation of baseline incorporation in some of the cases, the response to TSH as reflected in total and fractionated lipids was within normal limits. This provides an in vitro demonstration that TSH receptors and probably the whole sequence of phospholipid response are normal in the Graves' disease thyroid.
Evaluation of Beckman Coulter DxI 800 immunoassay system using clinically oriented performance goals

Abstract Objectives We evaluated the analytical performance of 24 immunoassays using the Beckman Coulter DxI 800 immunoassay systems at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN for trueness, precision, detection limits, linearity, and consistency (across instruments and reagent lots). Methods Clinically oriented performance goals were defined using the following methods: trueness-published desirable accuracy limits, precision-published desirable biologic variation; detection limits — 0.1 percentile of patient test values, linearity — 50% of total error, and consistency-percentage test values crossing key decision points. Local data were collected for precision, linearity, and consistency. Data were provided by Beckman Coulter, Inc. for trueness and detection limits. Results All evaluated assays except total thyroxine were within the proposed goals for trueness. Most of the assays met the proposed goals for precision (86% of intra-assay results and 75% of inter-assay results). Five assays had more than 15% of the test results below the minimum detection limits. Carcinoembryonic antigen, total thyroxine and free triiodothyronine exceeded the proposed goals of ± 6.3%, ± 5% and ± 5.7% for dilution linearity. All evaluated assays were within the proposed goals for instrument consistency. Lot-to-lot consistency results for cortisol, ferritin and total thyroxine exceeded the proposed goals of 3.3%, 11.4% and 7% at one medical decision level, while vitamin B12 exceeded the proposed goals of 5.2% and 3.8% at two decision levels. Conclusions The Beckman Coulter DxI 800 immunoassay system meets most of these proposed goals, even though these clinically focused performance goals represent relatively stringent limits.
US national prevalence and correlates of low back and neck pain among adults

Objective To estimate the US prevalence and psychological and health behavior correlates of low back pain and/or neck pain. No current US national prevalence estimates of low back and neck pain exist and few studies have investigated the associations between low back and neck pain, psychological factors, and health behaviors in a representative sample of US community dwellers. Methods We analyzed data obtained from adults ages 18 years or older (n = 29,828) who participated in the 2002 National Health Interview Survey, a cross-sectional, population-based survey of US adults. Results The 3-month US prevalence of back and/or neck pain was 31% (low back pain: 34 million, neck pain: 9 million, both back and neck pain: 19 million). Generally, adults with low back and/or neck pain reported more comorbid conditions, exhibited more psychological distress (including serious mental illness), and engaged in more risky health behaviors than adults without either condition. Conclusion Low back and neck pain are critical public health problems. Our study supports the idea of a multidimensional approach to examining low back and neck problems and suggests the need for further research to address potentially modifiable psychological factors and health behaviors in these populations.
Ten-year outcome after combined modality therapy for inflammatory breast cancer.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the long-term outcome of combined modality therapy for inflammatory breast cancer. Methods and materials The data from 54 women treated between 1983 and 1996 for inflammatory breast cancer were analyzed. Patients with metastatic disease or disease progression on induction chemotherapy were excluded. Induction chemotherapy was given to 52 patients. Mastectomy was performed in 52 patients. Radiotherapy was delivered to the breast or chest wall and regional lymph nodes in all patients. The median follow-up for all patients was 5.1 years. Results The 5- and 10-year overall survival rate was 56% and 35%, respectively; the corresponding relapse-free survival rates were 49% and 34%. Patients with a pathologic complete response after chemotherapy with or without preoperative radiotherapy had better 5- and 10-year overall survival rates (65% and 46%, respectively) and 5- and 10-year relapse-free survival rates (59% and 50%, respectively) compared with patients without a pathologic complete response. Those patients had a 5- and 10-year relapse-free survival rate of 45% and 27%, respectively. Locoregional failure at 5 and 10 years was 8% and 19%, respectively. Conclusion The outcomes for patients completing multimodality therapy compare favorably with published data; however, the exclusion of patients with progression during induction chemotherapy may account in part for these results. The pathologic complete response rate was found to be an important prognostic factor. Selected patients with inflammatory breast cancer have the potential for long-term survival.
Triflic acid-promoted transacylation and deacylation reactions in ionic liquid solvents

A convenient process for transacylation by sterically crowded aromatic ketones (namely acetylmesitylene 1, acetyldurene 2, acetylprehnitene 3, acetylpentamethylbenzene 4 and diacetyldurene 5) to activated aromatic compounds such as anisole has been developed using triflic acid (TfOH) as catalyst and employing various room temperature imidazolium ionic liquids as “eco-friendly” solvents under relatively mild conditions (at 70 °C). The yields have been optimized based on the arene to TfOH molar ratios and the reaction temperature. Deacetylation to transacylation product ratios depend on the reaction conditions and increase on raising temperature. In the absence of an activated arene receptor, hindered ketones are efficiently deacetylated by TfOH in the ionic liquid solvents. The simple process employed avoids the use of large excess of AlCl3 or TFA, and chlorinated or nitrated solvents which were previously utilized to effect this transformation.
Rapid measurement of digital instantaneous frequency

A new method is proposed for estimating the frequency domain structure of digital signals which may be characterized as having a narrow-band, rapidly time-varying spectrum. The estimated parameter is termed the digital instantaneous frequency of the input and is defined in a manner similar to that used previously to describe frequency-modulated, continuous-time signals. Instantaneous frequency estimates are derived from a spectral computation based on the use of an adaptive linear prediction filter. The proposed method differs from previous techniques in that the coefficients of this filter are continuously updated as each new input data sample is received using a simple time-domain algorithm, A derivation of the algorithm and its properties are presented. Numerical examples are included which illustrate the properties of the procedure.
The Battery of Interpersonal Capabilities and Rokeach's Dogmatism Scale: Is There a Relationship?:

The Battery of Interpersonal Capabilities is considered by its authors to be a measure of flexibility. Rokeach's Dogmatism Scale is considered by some researchers to be a measure of rigidity, i.e., the opposite of flexibility. The present authors having compiled data from the administration of both instruments during the course of another study computed the correlation between the two scales
Decade Differences in Personality of Junior College and University Freshmen.

Random samples of freshmen at a junior college and a university were administered 5 scales from the California Psychological Inventory in 1958–60, and to similarly obtained samples from the same institutions in 1970–71. The Ns were 75 males and 75 females each time at the junior college, and 100 males and 100 females each time at the university. Significant decade differences in mean scores by sex group were obtained for 12 of the 20 comparisons with 1970-71 groups having the lower means. The differences were generally toward a less psychologically mature direction.
Oral manifestation of Crohn's disease without concomitant gastrointestinal involvement.

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology and uncertain pathogenesis with no known cure. CD can involve any segment of the gastrointestinal tract, and oral lesions consistent with granulomatous ulcers are considered an important extra-intestinal manifestation. Oral lesions in the absence of gastrointestinal involvement are rarely reported. We report a case of a 64-year-old man with a history of CD that was in remission for three decades, presenting with painful cobblestone-like ulcerations of the oral mucosa, but without gastrointestinal signs or symptoms. Surgical biopsy of the oral lesions revealed non-necrotizing chronic granulomatous ulcers on histopathologic examination, similar to results from a biopsy of his small intestine three decades previously which established his diagnosis of CD. The patient was successfully treated with potent topical corticosteroids which resulted in resolution of the oral lesions and associated symptoms.
Ground-Penetrating Radar Study of North Padre Island: Implications for Barrier Island Internal Architecture, Model for Growth of Progradational Microtidal Barrier Islands, and Gulf of Mexico Sea-Level Cyclicity—Discussion

Garrison et al. (2010) are the latest among several authors to claim significant Gulf level fluctuations in the last several millennia (see discussions in Otvos 2001, 2004, 2005a). The onus in their particular case rests on the rather unusual assumptions by Tanner (1992), who linked granulometric kurtosis values and his subjective age estimates of the progradation rate of a St. Vincent Island, NW Florida ridgeplain sequence to late Holocene climate and sea-level changes. The recurring major sea-level and shoreline shifts proposed by Garrison et al. can not be reconciled with the straightforward subsurface documentation presented. ### Proposed Evidence for Late Holocene Sea-Level Fluctuations Tanner (1992), on whose assumptions Garrison et al. base their sea-level chronology starts with three sweeping claims: (1) Essentially all St. Vincent strandplain ridge lithosomes were wave-built. Eolian contribution (so-called “dune decoration”) of unspecified thickness was not significant. (2) Low beach-ridge sets formed during lower sea levels; taller ones during highstands. Tanner provided no specific ridge elevation figures. Lacking corroborating dates of his own, he has arbitrarily assigned ridge-set ages by postulating a subjectively conceived rate of steady strandplain progradation. (3) Based on statistical moment-measure calculations, Tanner assumed a direct relationship between ridge sets of different average elevations, fluctuating late Holocene sea levels, and values of granulometric mean kurtosis from ridge sands. As foundation for their own contention, Garrison et al. (their Fig. 16) also repeat misstatements by Tanner (1992) that late Holocene highstands and lowstands are also reflected in Mississippi subdelta complexes. Frazier (1967), Otvos and Giardino (2004), Otvos (2005a), Tornqvist et al. (2004), Rogers et al. (2009), and others provided no stratigraphic base to support this contention. A similar assertion, equally unfounded, was applied to the SW Louisiana chenier plain as well (Tanner 1992). However, significant lateral elevation differences along these shell-dominated ridges are …
Incorporation of Institute of Medicine competency recommendations within doctor of pharmacy curricula.

Objectives. To determine the extent of implementation of Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations for 5 core competencies within the doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) curricula in US colleges and scho...
Influence of P2O5, AgNO3, and FeCl3 on color and translucency of lithia-based glass-ceramics

Abstract Objectives . The objective of this study was to characterize the influence of various metals, metal compounds, and P 2 O 5 as a nucleating agent on the color and translucency of a Li 2 OAl 2 O 3 CaOSiO 2 glass-ceramic. Methods . Glass frits of Li 2 OAl 2 O 3 CaOCaOSiO 2 (LACS), LACS with 1 mol% P 2 O 5 (LACSP), and/or LACS with one of 16 colorants were melted, poured into a cylindrical graphite mold, cut into disks, annealed, nucleated, crystallized, and annealed again. Ten translucency measurements of each of five disks were made using a tristimulus colorimeter and a D65 standard CIE illuminant. The color of each disk was analyzed using the CIE L ★ a ★ b ★ color space system (1976) as a function of colorant, colorant concentration, and P 2 O 5 . Results . Mean L ★ values of glass-ceramic disks ranged from 63.5 for LACS containing 6.2 mmol% FeCl 3 (LACSP-6.2Fe) to 84.1 for LACS. No significant difference (p > 0.05) was found between the mean L ★ values for LACS, LACSP, and LACS with 0.19 mmol% AgNO 3 (LACS-0.19Ag). The mean contrast ratio of glass-ceramic specimens ranged from 0.42 (LACS and LACS-1.0Fe) to 0.98 (LACS-0.78Ag). Mean color difference values varied from 5.8 (LACSP-1.0Fe vs. LACS) to 36.3 (LACSP-0.78Ag vs. LACSP). Significance . The results of this study indicate that, because certain colorants in glass-ceramics affect opacity as well as hue and chroma, the development of glass-ceramics should be simplified by: 1) employing a nucleating agent that does not affect hue or chroma significantly, 2) controlling fixed levels of translucency consistent with mechanical and physical property requirements, and 3) varying the hue and chroma by means of colorants that do not affect the crystallization process. This implies that the volume fraction and mean size of crystals must be controlled, since the translucency or opacity of glass-ceramics is associated with scattering of light at the interfaces between adjacent crystals, and between crystals and the glass phase because of differences in refractive indices (McMillan, 1979a).
Cancer: a twist in a hedgehog's tale.

The genetics of development can often explain the genesis of cancer. This now seems to be true for cancers of the gut, but the patterns of gene expression in these tumours tell a tale with a twist.
Comparative surface thrombogenicity of implanted vascular grafts

Abstract In order to study the comparative thrombogenicity of neointimal surfaces that develop with three types of vascular graft materials (ultralightweight knitted dacron, knitted dacron external velour, and expanded Teflon), 36 female mongrel dogs had their infrarenal aortas alternately replaced with one of the three grafts. At the end of 3 or 6 months, the grafts were removed and the surface thrombogenicity of the neointimal surface was determined. Each graft was examined visually and microscopically for evidence of “healing.” At 6 months the external velour graft is lined more frequently than the other two grafts. The external velour graft has a markedly better incidence of cellular healing noted microscopically than the other two grafts at both time intervals. While the expanded Teflon has an initially lower surface thrombogenicity (probably due to the characteristics of Teflon surface), at 6 months, the velour graft has the lowest surface thrombogenicity. This is most likely due to cellular healing. Of all the completely lined grafts at both time intervals, the surface thrombogenicity of the velour grafts was most like that of the normal aorta. The velour graft appears to develop the least thrombogenic neointimal surface while becoming most frequently healed with a cellular neointimal surface.
GENE FLOW IN CHAMAECRISTA FASCICULATA (LEGUMINOSAE) II. GENE ESTABLISHMENT.

The role of gene establishment in gene flow was investigated in a population of the annual legume Chamaecrista fasciculata by determining the effect of interparent distance on progeny fitness throughout the entire life history. A decelerating gain in progeny fitness with increasing interparent distance was observed. Selfed progeny suffered a 2-fold fitness disadvantage compared to progeny derived from mating events between individuals in the same neighborhood. Progeny derived from within neighborhood crosses had lower fitness than progeny from crosses between neighborhoods. Coupling the effect of interparent distance on gene establishment with information on gene dispersal resulted in a considerable increase in estimated gene flow. However, gene flow was still limited, as the average neighborhood area corresponded to a circle with radius of approximately 3.0 m. Yearly fluctuations in population size and variation in reproductive output lowered the estimate of Ne below the census estimate to approximately 100 individuals. The role of a seed bank in increasing the estimate of Ne was found to be insignificant. It is likely that genetic drift plays a major role in determining the distribution of genetic variation in this population.
The separation of the components of α-casein. I. The preparation of α1-casein

Abstract A method is described for preparing α 3 -casein from α-casein involving the use of calcium chloride and ultracentrifugation. It was homogeneous by electrophoresis and sedimentation and contained 0.35% phosphorus, 1.2% sialic acid, and 0.75% hexose. The properties and composition of α 3 -casein are discussed in relation to the other components of α-casein.
Beet Sugar and the Tariff

Twenty-five years ago, little expectation of the growth of a beet-sugar industry, 189. — Great growth since 1890, 191. — Concentration in the far West, 193. — Climatic advantages of the arid region, 195. — Intensive cultivation required, 197. — A large labor supply needed; an agricultural proletariat? 199. — The sugar manufacturers active in procuring the labor, 202. — Little beet sugar in the Central West, 203. — The explanation is in the principle of comparative cost: corn is more profitable, 204. — The situation in Michigan, 207. — The beet-sugar manufactories, 208. — Can the argument for protection to young industries be advanced? 212.