cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In vitro stimulation of hepatic glycogen phosphorylase activity by epinephrine and glucagon in the killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus.

Abstract 1. 1. The addition of either epinephrine or glucagon to incubating liver pieces prevents the decay of glycogen phosphorylase activity seen in controls. 2. 2. The degree to which these hormones stimulate phosphorylase activity after 30 min of incubation is directly related to the degree to which phosphorylase activity declines in the controls. With no decline in the control activity, the hormones are ineffective since there is no decline in control activity to retard. 3. 3. Neither purposeful stressing nor training the fish to accustom them to handling had any effect on hepatic glycogen phosphorylase activity.
Family planning in East Harlem.

In East Harlem family planning is offered through the Mount Sinai Hospital Metropolitan Hospital Flower and Fifth Avenue Hospital and the Maternal and Infant Care Project. A woman seen at any one of these has no entry to the others resulting in a repetition of services and loss of followup. The CINCH program will offer immediate and easily accessible current records. The data collection part of the system offers the means to evaluate programs in the areas of retention rates contraception rates and patient satisfaction. It will make available the necessary information needed by systems analysts to help improve clinic services. The CINCH program is a means of helping to improve medical care through its data collection and followup system and its ability to bring together fragmented services in the community.
Optical phased array on silicon photonic platform

Large-scale optical phased arrays containing up to 64×64 nanoantennas are demonstrated on silicon photonic platform, representing the largest scale demonstrated to date. Active phase tuning is also realized for dynamic pattern generation.
The Impact of Problem-Based Learning on Clinical Reasoning in Occupational Therapy Education

This study addressed the influence of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) on clinical reasoning skills in occupational therapy students. PBL is an educational method proposed to facilitate clinical reasoning and a repertoire of problem-solving skills. Occupational Performance Approaches is a course offered to students during the summer of the fifth year of coursework. It incorporates PBL in the laboratory portion. This study focused on 22 non-traditional students participating in the lecture and laboratory portion of this course to determine the influence, if any, that PBL had on clinical reasoning. The results of this study demonstrated that PBL did not impact students' clinical reasoning during the eight-week time frame.
Measurement of Folates in Serum and Conventionally Prepared Whole Blood Lysates: Application of an Automated 96-Well Plate Isotope-Dilution Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method

Folate nutriture is associated with neural tube defects (1), vascular diseases (2), certain forms of cancer (3), and cognitive function (4). To reduce the risk for neural tube defects, the US Food and Drug Administration mandated folate fortification of cereal grain products beginning in January 1998 (5). Serum folate and whole blood folate (WBF) are measured to determine folate status. Clinical methods to determine serum folate and WBF, such as the microbiologic assay and various immunoassays, measure only total folate (TF) and present variable results, especially for WBF (6)(7). Few methods have described the measurement of WBF by chromatography-based methods (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15). Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry used to analyze WBF after cleavage of folates to p -aminobenzoic acid showed greater sensitivity than previous chromatographic methods and used for the first time an isotope-labeled internal standard (IS). The method, however, requires a complex and lengthy multistep sample preparation including chemical derivatization (11)(13)(14)(15). We describe here the first automated 96-well plate stable-isotope-dilution liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method that measures intact folate monoglutamates in conventionally prepared whole blood (WB) lysates and serum. To increase sample throughput and minimize the extent of manual sample preparation, we adapted our recently developed manual solid-phase extraction (SPE) LC/MS/MS method for 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid (5CH3THF), 5-formyltetrahydrofolic acid (5CHOTHF), and folic acid (FA) in serum (16) to an automated method using 96-well plates. In addition, we extended this method to measure additional folate forms in WB lysates. The folate calibrators, sample extraction, and chromatographic and MS conditions were as described previously (16). 5,10-Methenyltetrahydrofolic acid hydrochloride salt (5,10CH=THF) and 10-formylfolic acid (10CHOFA) were from Merck Eprova AG. We quantitatively isolated folates from 275 μL of serum or WB …
Teammate inaccuracy blindness: when information sharing tools hinder collaborative analysis

Asynchronous collaborative analysis is important in many fields, but information sharing can be a bottleneck. Tools for annotating, organizing, and summarizing information can help, but their value will likely depend on the accuracy of teammates' information. To document this claim, two experiments examined participants' performance on a complex detective task when they asynchronously received information from a teammate in a collaboration tool or received no such information. We found that receiving a progress report containing accurate information was associated with improved performance (vs. no information shared in a tool) but worse performance when the information was inaccurate. Teammates were evaluated as helpful even when they were not. Our findings point to a phenomenon of teammate inaccuracy blindness that arises when teammates provide inaccurate information. We propose some strategies for helping collaborators avoid or lessen this effect.
Petrography and geochemistry of water-rock interactions in Richton Dome cap rock (southeastern Mississippi, U.S.A.)

Abstract Cap rock at Richton Dome consists of gypsum-veined anhydrite overlain by dark- and light-banded calcite. The anhydrite accumulated directly during dissolution of the salt stock without forming gypsum, indicating temperatures ⩾60°C and NaCl salinity ⩾4 m. Sr and 87 Sr 86 Sr were inherited directly from salt stock; the anhydrite is a simple dissolution residue. Textures and δ13C indicate that dark-colored calcite formed as a replacement of precursor anhydrite cap rock in the presence of methane-oxidizing bacteria. Coprecipitated light-colored calcite is more enriched in 13C, indicating influx of carbonate-bearing groundwater as well during calcite cap rock formation. All calcite appears to be enriched in trace metals relative to the anhydrite precursor. Sr is also enriched, but 87 Sr 86 Sr is similar to Jurassic seawater. The calcite cap rock geochemistry is most easily explained if meteoric groundwaters at the top of the salt diapir were mixed with Sr-rich metal-rich brines brought up the sides of the dome during calcite cap rock formation. Petrographic analysis suggests that gypsum veins in the anhydrite cap rock formed by simple hydration of the wall-rock anhydrite along fractures. δD and δ18O of the gypsum crystal water indicate that the incoming water was meteoric and that the water/rock ratio was very low. Modern hydrologic communication through the cap rock is suggested by dissolution enhancement of fractures in both anhydrite and calcite cap rock, particularly along the calcite-anhydrite interface.
Biochemical basis for the specificity of alloxan inactivation of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II.

Abstract The specificity and biochemical basis of inactivation of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II by alloxan was studied in dispersed rat brain cells and a partially purified kinase preparation from an insulin-secreting tumor-cell line, RINm5f. When mechanically dispersed rat brain cells were incubated with [32P]-phosphate to label endogenous ATP, depolarization with 44 mM KCl produced a significant (P = 0.03) increase in phosphorylation of endogenous synapsin (132 ± 8 % of basal). Pre-treatment of the brain cells with 1.5 mM alloxan reduced depolarization-sensitive synapsin phosphorylation (109 ±5 %). Phosphopeptide mapping of depolarization-phosphorylated synapsin showed that alloxan pre-treatment reduced phosphorylation specifically at synapsin sites phosphorylated by calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. The results demonstrate selective inactivation of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II activity by alloxan in an intact cell system, which may be useful in the study of the Type II kinase in cells and tissues. Using a partially purified kinase preparation from RINm5f cells, alloxan (100 μM) inactivated 76 ± 1 % calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II activity in 5 min at 37°C. Subsequent incubation with dithiothreitol restored most of the activity. 5,5′-Dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) (I50 = 2.5 μM) also inactivated the kinase. These results suggested that a sulfhydryl group was involved at the inactivation site. Iodoacetamide (1.0 mM) had no inhibitory effect; however, preincubation with iodoacetamide protected the kinase activity from subsequent inactivation by alloxan. Covalent binding of [14C]-alloxan to calmodulin-dependent protein kinase was demonstrated. Alloxan and other bulky derivatizing agents may inactivate calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II by alkylating specific sulfhydryl groups. Iodoacetamide appears to protect the kinase by alkylating the same sulfhydryl groups, to yield a less bulky derivative which does not inactivate the kinase.
A comparison of density functional theory with ab initio approaches for systems involving first transition row metals

Density functional theory (DFT), using the B3LYP hybrid functional, is found to give a better description of the geometries and vibrational frequencies of FeL and FeL+ systems that second-order Moller Plesset perturbation theory (MP2). Namely, DFT correctly predicts the shift in the CO vibrational frequency between free CO and the5Σ− state of FeCO and yields a good result for the Fe-C distance in the quartet states of FeCH 4 + . These are properties where the MP2 results are unsatisfactory. Thus DFT appears to be an excellent approach for optimizing the geometries and computing the zero-point energies of systems containing first transition row atoms. Because the DFT approach is biased in favor of the 3d 7 occupation, whereas the more traditional approaches are biased in favor of the 3d 6 occupation, differences are found in the relative ordering of states. It is shown that if the dissociation energy is computed relative to the most appropriate atomic asymptote and corrected to the ground state asymptote using the experimental separations, the DFT results are in good agreement with high levels of theory. The energetics at the DFT level are much superior to MP2 and in most cases they are in good agreement with high levels of theory.
Pressure effects on the far infrared spectra of nitrate glasses

Abstract The effects of pressure on the far infrared frequencies of some 50:50 divalent-monovalent nitrate glasses are reported. The results substantiate the quasilative dynamical interpretation of the FIR absorption in vitreous nitrate mixtures.
Strong self-limitation promotes the persistence of rare species

Theory has recognized a combination of niche and neutral processes each contributing, with varying importance, to species coexistence. However, long-term persistence of rare species has been difficult to produce in trait-based models of coexistence that incorporate stochastic dynamics, raising questions about how rare species persist despite such variability. Following recent evidence that rare species may experience significantly different population dynamics than dominant species, we use a plant community model to simulate the effect of disproportionately strong negative frequency dependence on the long-term persistence of the rare species in a simulated community. This strong self-limitation produces long persistence times for the rare competitors, which otherwise succumb quickly to stochastic extinction. The results suggest that the mechanism causing species to be rare in this case is the same mechanism allowing those species to persist.
Temperature measurement through detailed balance in x-ray Thomson scattering

Abstract The plasma conditions in isochorically heated beryllium are measured by collective x-ray Thomson scattering. The collectively scattered Cl Ly-α x-ray line at 2.96 keV shows up- and down-shifted plasmon signals. From the detailed balance relation, i.e., the ratio of the up-shifted to the down-shifted plasmon intensities, the plasma temperature can be determined independent of model assumptions. Results are shown for an experiment in which a temperature of 18 eV was measured. Using detailed balance for temperature measurement will be important to validate models that calculate the static ion–ion structure factor Sii(k).
Cognitive Therapy, Stress Management Training, and the Type A behavior pattern

The effectiveness of two treatments for reducing stress associated with the Type A behavior pattern was evaluated. One treatment, Stress Management Training, was a replication of a previously reported treatment. The Cognitive Therapy treatment, based on the principles of rational-emotive therapy, was designed specifically for this study. Both treatment groups were compared with a waiting list control group on several self-report and physiological measures. For subjects who initially had the highest degree of Type A characteristics, Cognitive Therapy was more effective than Stress Management Training or no treatment in reducing self-perceived levels of Type A behavior. Both treatments reduced self-reported anxiety levels, and were more effective than no treatment. Neither treatment reduced subjects' cholesterol levels or blood pressure.
Selected Properties of Lipase and Protease of Pseudomonas fluorescens 27 Produced in Four Media

Abstract Lipase and protease were produced simultaneously by Pseudomonas fluorescens 27 in three types of broth and on a dialysis membrane resting on semisolid media. Lipase activity was high from pH 6 to 9, and protease activity was high from pH 6 to 8. Both types of activity were near optimum at 45°C, and each was high at 5°C. Medium in which enzymes were produced had no effect on activation energy. Enzymes produced on dialysis membrane separated into eight visible bands on electrophoresis. Lipolytic activity was associated with each band, but no band was proteolytic. All detectable proteolytic activity was lost during electrophoresis. Lipase was detected by the radial diffusion method (spirit blue agar into which tributyrin was emulsified by sonication) at .1 the concentration detected by the copper soap method.
Mississippian Elites and Solar Alignments: A Reflection of Managerial Necessity, or Levers of Social Inequality?

Two alternative, but not necessarily mutually exclusive interpretive perspectives on Mississippian alignments are discussed. From the managerial necessity perspective of Peebles and Kus, among others, such solar alignments and “observatories” such as the Woodhenges of Cahokia, would be viewed as integral to the chiefly management and scheduling of complex maize-centered agricultural economies and the monitoring and controlling of the annual cycle of field clearing, planting and harvesting. In contrast, from the perspective of Anthony Giddens, such solar alignments or “observatories” can be alternatively viewed as structures of domination–containers of authoritative resources involved in the control of social time-space that provided powerful levers of social inequality.
Plasmon Resonance Shifts of Au-Coated Au 2 S Nanoshells: Insight into Multicomponent Nanoparticle Growth

In this Letter we present a coherent description of the optical properties of a unique type of nanoparticle, metal-coated dielectric nanoparticles. These structures occur naturally in the form of Au-coated ${\mathrm{Au}}_{2}\mathrm{S}$ nanoparticles. During the course of nanoparticle growth, the plasmon-related absorption peak undergoes very large shifts in wavelength, from $\ensuremath{\sim}650$ to $\ensuremath{\sim}900\mathrm{nm}$. We show that this plasmon peak shift is purely classical in origin and is determined solely by the relative thickness of the Au shell and the ${\mathrm{Au}}_{2}\mathrm{S}$ core diameter. This understanding of the optical properties of these nanoparticles is used to elucidate the nanoparticle growth kinetics.
A FTIR study of ion-solvent interactions in N,N-dimethylacetamide

Abstract FTIR spectroscopy has been used to study ion solvation in electrolyte solutions in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA). Principal component analysis was used to analyze the dependence of absorption on electrolyte concentration. Results are reported for NaI, LiI, and LiBr. By comparing the effects of the electrolytes in a given region of the spectrum, one is able to distinguish sites for cation solvation in DMA from those for anion solvation. The present data are compared with those obtained earlier for N,N-dimethylformamide.
Nonradiative processes in transition metal complexes: Luminescence data for Rh (III) and Ir (III) complexes☆☆☆

Abstract Lifetime and quantum yields for tris and bis complexes of nitrogen complexes of Ir (III) and Rh (III) are reported. A rationale for the quantum efficiencies of the “delocalized” and “localized” d 6 emitters is given.
Comparison Of Intensity And Time Scale Sensitometric Methods For Evaluating Screen-Film Systems

For the sensitometric evaluation of screen-film systems, consideration of reciprocity law failure (RLF) is necessary because it affects the choice of exposure modulation method. The effect of RLF on determining characteristic curves of screen-film systems is experimentally evaluated by comparing time-scale and intensity-scale methods and by comparing different exposure times in the intensity-scale method. A specially designed x-ray sensitometer permits very precise exposures for both time-scale and intensity-scale sensitometry. Results are presented for Kodak Min-R and Dupont Lo-dose/2 screen-film systems.
Thromboembolic complications of polycythemia: Polycythemia vera versus smokers' polycythemia

Abstract Purpose: This report compares patients with the hypercoagulable state of polycythemia vera to patients with secondary polycythemia caused by tobacco use to determine whether the incidence of thromboembolic events is equivalent. Methods: The medical records of 146 patients with the diagnosis of polycythemia between 1977 to 1990 were reviewed. Patients with transient, relative, or stress polycythemia were excluded from this study as were patients with polycythemia as a result of cardiac or pulmonary anomalies or both. The diagnosis of polycythemia vera ( n = 43) was verified by use of the guidelines of the Polycythemia Vera Study Group. The diagnosis of polycythemia caused by smoking ( n = 27) was based on an elevated total red blood cell volume, decreased oxygen saturation on arterial blood gas measurement, evidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and elevated carboxyhemoglobin levels. Results: Twenty-six patients (60%) with polycythemia vera and 11 patients (41%) with smoker's polycythemia had at least one thromboembolic problem. No significant differences existed between the groups with regard to age, hematocrit, or number of cardiac and cerebrovascular events. Overall, patients with polycythemia vera had a greater number of thromboembolic events per patient ( p p Conclusions: Thus the results of this study demonstrate that smokers' polycythemia does not represent a hypercoagulable state equivalent to that of polycythemia vera. (J VASC SURG 1993;17:518-23.)
Evidence-based clinical practice education in cerebrovascular disease.

An evidence-to-practice gap exists in stroke. Evidence-based clinical practice (EBCP) education may serve a role in overcoming this gap. EBCP training curricula belong in residency, fellowship, and continuing medical education programs. Examples of successful EBCP curricula already exist, replacing more traditional journal clubs. This brief review emphasizes how EBCP education can be integrated into stroke training and how it fits into the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education core competencies. Although there has been an explosive growth in the design, conduct, and publication of clinical research in cerebrovascular disease, there continues to be an under- and inappropriate utilization of already existing and new evidence at the patient’s bedside. Numerous examples of this evidence-to-practice gap in stroke exist. Tissue plasminogen activator is estimated to be used in only 2% of all ischemic stroke patients in North America.1 Fifty percent of American neurologists continue to use intravenous heparin for acute stroke in the face of evidence of nonefficacy and harm.2 Fifteen percent of carotid endarterectomies are still performed for inappropriate indications.3 Adherence to evidence-based secondary stroke prevention strategies is generally low: 53% for antithrombotic therapy, 42% for hyperlipidemia treatment, 40% for use of warfarin in atrial fibrillation, 27% for hypertension control, and 18% for dedicated stroke units.4 Although the reasons behind the evidence-to-practice gap are multiple, variable, and complex, education in evidence-based cerebrovascular disease is a valuable tool in a global effort to bridge this gap and provide better overall care to stroke patients. The primary objective of education in evidence-based clinical practice is to provide a physician with the requisite skills to satisfactorily solve real everyday clinical problems throughout a career—the skills of lifelong self-teaching and learning—and to translate those solutions into better care for patients. The necessary steps are satisfactorily summarized here5: …
SQL query optimization: reordering for a general class of queries

The strength of commercial query optimizers like DB2 comes from their ability to select an optimal order by generating all equivalent reorderings of binary operators. However, there are no known methods to generate all equivalent reorderings for a SQL query containing joins, outer joins, and groupby aggregations. Consequently, some of the reorderings with significantly lower cost may be missed. Using hypergraph model and a set of novel identities, we propose a method to reorder a SQL query containing joins, outer joins, and groupby aggregations. While these operators are sufficient to capture the SQL semantics, it is during their reordering that we identify a powerful primitive needed for a dbms. We report our findings of a simple, yet fundamental operator, generalized selection, and demonstrate its power to solve the problem of reordering of SQL queries containing joins, outer joins, and groupby aggregations.
Observable implications of equilibrium behavior on finite data

Abstract We analyze the empirical implications of competitive equilibrium for finite datasets. We show that there are no restrictions on the model of competitive equilibrium when only aggregate-level data are observed, as long as there are at least as many consumers as goods or data points. In contrast, the restriction that the income distribution is unobserved but fixed will result in refutable conditions. In deriving these results, we demonstrate a general framework for deriving testable restrictions on finite domains that exploits the semialgebraic structure of the problem.
Oocyte cryopreservation outcomes including pre-cryopreservation and post-thaw meiotic spindle evaluation following slow cooling and vitrification of human oocytes

Objective To report our oocyte cryopreservation (OC) outcomes including meiotic spindle (MS) evaluation of metaphase II (MII) oocytes destined for OC and thaw. Design Retrospective. Setting University-based infertility center. Patient(s) Women attempting pregnancy using cryopreserved oocytes. Intervention(s) OC, MS evaluation. Main Outcome Measure(s) Survival, two pronuclear (2PN) fertilization, achieving embryo quality suitable for transfer or refreezing, blastocyst formation. Result(s) Thirty-two OC-thaw cycles resulted in 20 pregnancies, 18 either ongoing or delivered. In 26 cycles, MS evaluation was performed: 262/303 (86%) thawed/recovered oocytes survived, 218/262 (83%) achieved 2PN fertilization, 133/218 (61%) became suitable for day-3 and 122/218 (56%) for day-5 transfer. In total, 58 embryos were transferred resulting in a 62% pregnancy and a 41% implantation rate. Of oocytes evaluated before cryopreservation, 247 (82%) were spindle-positive; 96% of these were also spindle-positive after thawing. Blastocyst formation and suitability for day-5 transfer was achieved more often if a post-thaw spindle was visualized. Of all slow-cooled and vitrified oocytes, a higher percentage of those slow-cooled achieved 2PN fertilization and usability. MS evaluation of oocytes cryopreserved by either method was associated with similar outcomes. Conclusion(s) OC outcomes are improving. An MS was almost always exhibited both before cryopreservation and after thawing, suggesting that, with appropriate technique, OC presents minimal harm to the MII oocyte. A meiotic spindle evaluation might help to further OC technology.
Words, not Grammar

Author's Summary— Much of the grammar teaching in foreign languages is useless. By omitting it, we can put time and energy onto learning words—perhaps all the twenty-four hundred words that every German uses.
Regional and subcellular distribution and kinetic properties of rat brain choline acetyltransferase--some functional considerations.

— The kinetic properties of soluble and membrane-bound choline acetyltransferase (ChAc) were determined as a function of homogenization media and solubilization procedure in various regions of rat brain. Treatment of homogenate and/or subcellular fractions with KCl, Triton X-100, or ether dramatically altered the apparent Vmax and the degree of solubilization of the enzyme, but no fraction exhibited Km values substantially different from 12 μM for acetyl-CoA and 200 μM for choline. On the other hand, increasing the ionic strength of the assay medium for a given fraction from 0-02 M to 0-5 M increased both Vmax and Km values for both substrates. The absolute levels and subcellular distribution of ChAc were determined in 11 brain regions to localize cholinergic cell bodies and nerve endings. Levels of ChAc varied from 139 m-units/g tissue in caudate-putamen to 5-7 m-units/g tissue in cerebellum. The fraction of ChAc activity associated with synaptosomes varied from near 75 per cent in caudate-putamen, hippocampus and cortical regions to near 20 per cent in septum, locus coeruleus area and substantia nigra area. The apparent parallel distribution of cholinergic and catecholaminergic nerve endings is discussed in terms of a hypothetical model for the pathophysiology and treatment of Parkinson's syndrome.
Untangling genetic networks of panic, phobia, fear and anxiety

As is the case for normal individual variation in anxiety levels, the conditions panic disorder, agoraphobia and other phobias have a significant genetic basis. Recent reports have started to untangle the genetic relationships between predispositions to anxiety and anxiety disorders.
Spatial and temporal patterns in summer ichthyoplankton assemblages on the eastern Bering Sea shelf 1996-2000

Larval and early juvenile fishes were sampled from the eastern Bering Sea (EBS) shelf during summer from 1996 to 2000. Data from these collections were used to examine spatial and temporal patterns in species assemblage structure and abundance. Cluster analyses based on Bray‐Curtis dissimilarity coefficients were used to group species and stations according to similar abundance and species composition. Ordination techniques were used to verify groupings, and a nonparametric stepwise procedure using a Spearman correlation coefficient (BIO-ENV) was used to relate groupings to predominant environmental variables. These approaches revealed a pattern of station groupings that were generally related to bathymetry in 1996, 1997, 1999, and 2000, although no obvious relationship to geographic boundaries was observed in 1998. Significant differences in species associations were observed in 1997 and 1998, and depressions in abundance were also noted among many species between 1997 and 1999. A regional, full primitive equation model was used to simulate float trajectories on the EBS shelf in each year to better relate fish distributional observations to prevailing current patterns. Model results indicated general variations in flow in several years, although 1998 stood out with stronger northeast flow than in any of the other years examined. Observed disruptions of larval and early juvenile fish
Two weeks of pretreatment with escitalopram facilitates extinction learning in healthy individuals.

Objective We aimed to examine whether pretreatment with escitalopram would be associated with reduced fear acquisition and enhanced extinction learning in a fear conditioning paradigm, compared with placebo. Methods Healthy volunteers were randomized in double-blind fashion, to 14 days of escitalopram 10 mg/day (n = 18) or placebo (n = 20) prior to a classical fear conditioning paradigm. Results Although escitalopram was associated with a smaller skin conductance (SC) orienting response during habituation, no medication effects on fear acquisition were found. Escitalopram was associated with faster extinction of SC responses, compared with placebo, as revealed by a significant drug × conditioned stimulus × trial interaction for early extinction (F(3, 30) = 3.26, p = 0.035) and late extinction (F(3, 30) = 3.27, p = 0.035) trials. After adjustment for age, orienting response, and acquisition, results from linear contrast remained significant for early extinction (F(1, 29) = 5.43, p = 0.027). Conclusions Escitalopram administered for 14 days prior to a fear conditioning paradigm did not influence acquisition of a conditioned fear response but did facilitate extinction learning. Impairments in extinction learning have been identified as a key component of posttraumatic stress disorder; our preliminary findings suggest that additional experimental and clinical studies assessing the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for posttraumatic stress disorder prevention are warranted. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acute and short-term toxic effects of conventionally fractionated vs hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation: A randomized clinical trial

Importance The most appropriate dose fractionation for whole-breast irradiation (WBI) remains uncertain. Objective To assess acute and 6-month toxic effects and quality of life (QOL) with conventionally fractionated WBI (CF-WBI) vs hypofractionated WBI (HF-WBI). Design, Setting, and Participants Unblinded randomized trial of CF-WBI (n = 149; 50.00 Gy/25 fractions + boost [10.00-14.00 Gy/5-7 fractions]) vs HF-WBI (n = 138; 42.56 Gy/16 fractions + boost [10.00-12.50 Gy/4-5 fractions]) following breast-conserving surgery administered in community-based and academic cancer centers to 287 women 40 years or older with stage 0 to II breast cancer for whom WBI without addition of a third field was recommended; 76% of study participants (n = 217) were overweight or obese. Patients were enrolled from February 2011 through February 2014 and observed for a minimum of 6 months. Interventions Administration of CF-WBI or HF-WBI. Main Outcomes and Measures Physician-reported acute and 6-month toxic effects using National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria, and patient-reported QOL using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy for Patients with Breast Cancer (FACT-B). All analyses were intention to treat, with outcomes compared using the χ 2 test, Cochran-Armitage test, and ordinal logistic regression. Results Of 287 participants, 149 were randomized to CF-WBI and 138 to HF-WBI. Treatment arms were well matched for baseline characteristics, including FACT-B total score (HF-WBI, 120.1 vs CF-WBI, 118.8; P = .46) and individual QOL items such as somewhat or more lack of energy (HF-WBI, 38% vs CF-WBI, 39%; P = .86) and somewhat or more trouble meeting family needs (HF-WBI, 10% vs CF-WBI, 14%; P = .54). Maximum physician-reported acute dermatitis (36% vs 69%; P P P = .001), hyperpigmentation (9% vs 20%; P = .002), and fatigue (9% vs 17%; P = .02) during irradiation were lower in patients randomized to HF-WBI. The rate of overall grade 2 or higher acute toxic effects was less with HF-WBI than with CF-WBI (47% vs 78%; P P = .01), and patients randomized to HF-WBI reported less lack of energy (23% vs 39%; P P = .01). Multivariable regression confirmed the superiority of HF-WBI in terms of patient-reported lack of energy (odds ratio [OR], 0.39; 95% CI, 0.24-0.63) and trouble meeting family needs (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.16-0.75). Conclusions and Relevance Treatment with HF-WBI appears to yield lower rates of acute toxic effects than CF-WBI as well as less fatigue and less trouble meeting family needs 6 months after completing radiation therapy. These findings should be communicated to patients as part of shared decision making. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT01266642
Changes in Anatomy Instruction and USMLE Performance: Empirical Evidence on the Absence of a Relationship.

Anatomy instruction has evolved over the past two decades as many medical schools have undergone various types of curricular reform. To provide empirical evidence about whether or not curricular changes impact the acquisition and retention of anatomy knowledge, this study investigated the effect of variation in gross anatomy course hours, curricular approach (stand-alone versus integrated), and laboratory experience (dissection versus dissection and prosection) on USMLE Steps 1 and 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) scores. Gross anatomy course directors at 54 United States schools provided information about their gross anatomy courses via an online survey (response rate of 42%). Survey responses were matched with USMLE scores for 6,411 examinees entering LCME-accredited schools in 2007 and taking Step 1 for the first time in 2009. Regression analyses were conducted to examine relationships between gross anatomy instructional characteristics and USMLE performance. Step 1 total scores, Step 1 gross anatomy sub-scores, and Step 2 CK scores were unrelated to instructional hours, controlling for MCAT scores. Examinees from schools with integrated curricula scored slightly lower on Steps 1 and 2 CK than those from stand-alone courses (effect sizes of 2.1 and 1.9 on score scales with SDs of 22 and 20, respectively). Examinees with dissection and prosection experience performed slightly better on Step 2 CK than examinees in courses with dissection only laboratories (effect size of 1.2). Results suggest variation in course hours is unrelated to performance on Steps 1 and 2 CK. Although differences were observed in relation to curricular approach and laboratory experience, effect sizes were small.
3-D computer simulation of single-electron charging in silicon nanocrystal floating gate flash memory devices

The operation of a silicon nanocrystal quantum-dot based flash memory device is simulated numerically with emphasis on energy and charge quantization in the quantum-dot. The simulation involves the self-consistent solution of three-dimensional (3-D) Poisson and Schrodinger-like equations, with the Slater rule for determining the charging voltage. We also compute the capacitance-voltage characteristics of the device and derive the threshold voltage, V/sub T/, variation with single-electron charging as a function of design parameters.
Tumor-localizing and photosensitizing properties of hematoporphyrin derivative in hamster buccal pouch carcinoma.

Abstract The tumor-localizing and photochemotherapeutic properties of hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) were examined in 7, 12 dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA)-induced oral cancers in the Syrian hamster. Oral tumors in hamsters injected with HPD (50 μg per gram of body weight) exhibited bright salmon pink fluorescence when exposed to long-wave ultraviolet light 24 hours after intraperitoneal HPD injection. Adjacent tumor-free mucosa did not fluoresce. Similarly, tumors not treated with HPD, normal mucosa treated with HPD, and normal mucosa not treated with HPD did not fluoresce. Tumors in animals that received HPD and photochemotherapy (PCT) were examined for gross and microscopic pathologic changes following the phototreatment. Tumors displayed edema, hemorrhage, and cellular necrosis that progressed with the time of sampling after photochemotherapy. Complete tumor necrosis was evident in the majority of oral tumors 24 hours after HPD PCT.
Unusual Case of Acute Intestinal Obstruction

Chronic NSAID use can cause diaphragm like strictures within the bowel leading to intestinal obstruction. This rare entity is called diaphragm disease. Preoperative diagnosis is extremely difficult. NSAID related injury should be considered in patient with intestinal obstruction of unclear etiology. We hereby present an interesting case of a 46 years old lady with significant history of long term naproxen use, who presented with nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. She was diagnosed with acute intestinal obstruction. She received a trial of conservative management which was unsuccessful. Exploratory laparotomy with segmental resection of ileum was done subsequently. Histopathology showed mucosal ulceration, inflammation and focal sub mucosal fibrosis consistent with diaphragm disease. Patient recovered well in the post operative period. Keywords NSAIDS; Acute Intestinal Obstruction; Diaphragm Disease
Effects of Stereotypes and Outcome Dependency on the Processing of Information about Group Members

The present study investigated the effects of stereotype strength and outcome dependency on information processing. Participants' outcomes were either symmetrically independent, symmetrically interdependent, asymmetrically independent, or asymmetrically dependent with respect to a target (a sorority member). Participants whose outcomes depended on the target recalled more stereotype-inconsistent information about her, whereas participants whose outcomes were independent of the target attended to and recalled more stereotype-consistent information. Participants exhibited the least stereotype use when the target was dependent on them. Effects for recall were moderated by stereotype strength. Stronger stereotypes were also associated with more stereotypic target judgments and greater confidence in those judgments, regardless of the dependency relationship. Results are consistent with and extend previous research on outcome dependency and stereotypes.
Twigs into branches: how a filopodium becomes a dendrite

A dendrite grows by sprouting filopodia, some of which mature into stable dendrite branches that bear synapses and sprout filopodia of their own. Recent work has shown that a filopodium begins deciding to become a stable branch within 1 min of contacting a presynaptic partner, but what triggers this decision remains unknown. We consider the evidence for three possible triggers: activity of neurotransmitter receptors, signaling through adhesion proteins, and heightened membrane tension as the filopodium attempts to retract but is held in place by adhesive contacts with the target. Of these, membrane tension-induced signaling is especially appealing, as it would serve as a general reporter of attachment, independent of which specific adhesion molecules are used.
Diet and Cancer

Cancer generally has a complex etiology with multiple risk factors that involve an interplay between genetic and environmental influences. Diet, a major environmental factor, has been associated with risk for many types of cancer.1,2 Evidence from epidemiologic and corroborating experimental studies strongly supports relationships between dietary constituents and cancer risk, suggesting that, in general, vegetables, and fruits, dietary fiber, and certain micronutrients appear to protect against cancer, whereas fat, excessive calories, and alcohol seem to increase cancer risk.1–4 It follows that a proactive approach to cancer prevention through dietary modification is a prudent choice that may reduce cancer risk and be beneficial to overall good health. Other environmental characteristics, for example, degree of physical activity and obesity, also are lifestyle factors that appear to have major influences on cancer risk.3,5
The Rings of the Lord

Examining the ring compositions that recent studies claim to have discovered in Numbers and Judges, the article argues that in both cases the reconstructions involve questionable treatment of the text’s literary divisions and especially of the alleged and actual parallels between them. This, in turn, places a question mark over the entire quest for book-scale symmetric literary structures in the Hebrew Bible.
CARTS: a tool for compositional analysis of real-time systems

As real-time embedded systems are increasingly complex, integration becomes a great challenge in their design and development. Managing complexity of the system design is therefore essential for high-assurance and cost-effective development. Component-based design has consequently been developed and gained its importance over the years as a powerful technique for complexity management. In this design paradigm, a large complex system is first decomposed into smaller and simpler components - which are developed independently - before recomposing them into a complete system using interfaces that abstract away their internal complexities.
Comparison of Blood Loss in Suction-Assisted Lipoplasty and Third-Generation Ultrasound-Assisted Lipoplasty

One of the most important recent advances in body contouring has been the significant decrease in the blood loss associated with the current lipoplasty procedures [1]. The relatively small amount of blood currently present in ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL) aspirate has significantly increased the safety and efficacy of lipoplasty procedures. This is particularly important in the high volume aspirations or those involving the posterior trunk.
The enhanced killing of irradiated HeLa cells in synchronous culture by hyperthermia.

Mitotically synchronized cultures of HeLa S-3 cells were subjected to the treatment of radiation (400 rad), hyperthermia (43/sup 0/C), and a combination of both at different phases of the division cycle. The radioresistance was most pronounced in the mid G-1 and late S phases, while thermal resistance was greatest in the early G-1 phase and steadily decreased as cells entered the S phase. Cells in the late S and early G-2 phases were found to be most sensitive to hyperthermia. The sequential treatment of radiation immediately followed by hyperthermia resulted in an enhanced cell killing throughout the cell cycle with a marked synergism occurring in cells in the late S phase. The age-response function of the combined treatment was more similar to that of the thermal age response.
A cloud chamber for the uniform air-borne inoculation of mice.

gated by exposing experimental animals to atmospheres containing pathogens dispersed as fine droplets. Since extensive studies of respiratory infections with agents of the psittacosis-lymphogranuloma group were planned, a cloud chamber was constructed for the uniform air-borne inoculation of mice. Many features of cloud chambers already used at the University of Chicago in the Department of Medicine (Loosli et al, 1943; Sonkin, 1951) were included in the design. However, other features were added to provide for conditions of safety which would not limit research to agents nonpathogenic to man. The over-all design was kept as simple as possible, so that additional mechanical devices could be added as they were needed.
Preference between food and water as determined by hunger and thirst

Implications of a theory relating preference between food and water to hunger and thirst were investigated by feeding, watering, or feeding and watering rats immediately before the preference test. Ss spent a greater proportion of time with food following prewatering than they did following prefeeding. Preference for food following prefeeding and prewatering lay midway between the preference following prefeeding alone and the preference following prewatering alone. Both results were consistent with the theory.
Surface Stress Effect on the Elastic Moduli of Superlattice Thin Films

A thermodynamic model is presented which predicts a significant sample size effect on the elastic moduli of superlattice thin films possessing small bilayer repeat lengths. Owing to the presence of incoherent (incommensurate) interfacial stresses, biaxial in-plane strains are created which are approximately inversely proportional to the bilayer repeat length Λ. When Λ is of the order of 1 nm, these strains can be of the order of 1%, inducing nonlinear elastic behavior. This model is able to explain in a quantitative way the existence of a ‘supermodulus‘ effect in certain metallic superlattices.
AN EXPERIMENTAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODOLOGY TO CHARACTERIZE NONLINEAR ELASTOMERIC LAG DAMPERS

Recent successes with investigations of nonlinear viscoelastic material behavior have led to an approach which is appropriate for more general time-dependent systems. Herein, the author describes a strategy to characterize nonlinear time-dependent response of mechanical systems such as elastomeric dampers using dynamic mechanical test and analysis methodologies. Although these classical methods are limited to linear response, the author presents a theory for nonlinear characterization and describes the test protocol required to adequately measure parameters necessary to characterize nonlinear response. Several test cases are presented, and these results show excellent agreement between predictions of nonlinear response and measurements from experiments.
The Wi'igita of Achi and Quitobac

ABSTRACTThe wi'igita (vi'ikita) ceremonial is the most complex, and involves more participants, than any other in the Papago culture. It has been partially observed by several persons, but never in its entirety, and an attempt is made herein to correlate these various observations into a coherent whole and to describe the entire process of organizing and presenting the wi'igita ceremonial. The wi'igita at Achi, once held at approximately four-year intervals, is much more elaborate than the smaller, annual wi'igita held at Quitobac in Sonora. The two ceremonies are compared.
Do All Dogs Go to Heaven? Investigating the Association between Demographic Characteristics and Beliefs about Animal Afterlife

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this research was to explore American’s beliefs about animal afterlife based on key demographic factors such as sex, race/ethnicity, age, geographic region, religion/faith, and pet ownership. We attained a large and diverse sample of respondents (n = 800) using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk, and attempted to make the data fairly representative of the United States population by applying post-stratification weights based on auxiliary statistics obtained from US Census data. Results of the study suggest that many people perceive animal lives as similarly sacred as human lives. Evidence also suggests that one’s membership in a particular demographic category may have considerable bearing on views about animal afterlife. The authors recommend veterinarians remain cognizant that some people extend their own views on issues such as spirituality to their pets and those beliefs and values can impact veterinary care and decision-making.