cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In Vitro Studies on the Intestinal Transport of Amino Acids and a Sugar in Hypothyroid Rats

The in vitro uptake of cycloleu-cine, histidine, valine and α-methyl-d-glucopy-ranoside into intestinal segments of hypothyroid rats has been studied. Pieces of jejunum were obtained from animals that had been rendered hypothyroid by thyroidectomy followed by administration of 0.5 me 131I, as well as from control euthyroid animals. With each substance, and at all time points studied, there was an increased intracellular accumulation in the hypothyroid group. This effect was diminished by treating the animals with parenteral triiodothyronine 15 μg for 4–5 days. When valine accumulation was investigated in more detail, it was demonstrated that there was no difference in the efflux of amino acid from the segments in the hypothyroid and control animals. Michaelis-Menten studies showed that intestine from hypothyroid animals had a higher velocity of transport than either the control or treated hypothyroid group. Thyroxine added to incubation flasks containing tissue from the hypothyroid rats did not alter the ...
Do Transformational Leaders Affect Turnover Intentions and Extra-Role Behaviors Through Mission Valence?

Although transformational leadership and mission valence have been linked separately to desirable work-related attitudes, research has not fully considered how these two factors work together. In fact, both these value-based concepts emphasize the motivational properties of an agency’s mission. In this study, a causal model was developed to explore how transformational leadership and mission valence interact to influence turnover intentions and extra-role behaviors. The model was tested using survey data from U.S. public sector employees. The results showed that transformational leadership had a direct, negative association with turnover intentions. Furthermore, the relationship between transformational leadership and turnover intentions was partially mediated by mission valence, whereas the relationship between transformational leadership and extra-role behaviors was fully mediated by mission valence. The implications of these findings for both theory and practice in public organizations are discussed.
Broadband shock-associated noise of moderately imperfectly expanded supersonic jets

Recently a stochastic model theory of broadband shock-associated noise from supersonic jets was developed. The theory is capable of predicting the near and far field noise spectra of slightly imperfectly expanded jets. In this paper, the noise prediction formulas are extended to the moderately imperfectly expanded Mach number range. It is found that the shock noise intensity depends only on the amplitude of the quasi-periodic shock cell structure and not on the strong first shock. This makes it possible to extend the noise prediction formulas by simply modifying the shock cell strength in the original formulas. Here this step is implemented semiempirically, and a set of shock noise prediction formulas are developed.
Relationships among tracer ages

[1] Measurements of chemical tracers whose spatial gradients are primarily due to the time dependence of sources and/or sinks are often used to define “tracer ages” in an effort to diagnose transport. However, a major problem with interpreting these tracer ages is that different tracers can yield different ages, and at present, it is not clear what aspects of the transport are measured by the different tracers. We use the concept of a distribution of transit times to compare the timescales derived from different tracers, including CFCs, tritium-helium, and radioactive tracers. By performing a systematic study over a range of transit time distributions we examine under what conditions two tracers yield similar or different ages. It is shown that there can be significant differences in tracer ages and that in general, tracer ages are not fundamental timescales of the flow. Furthermore, even if ages from two tracers are similar these ages can be very different from the mean (ideal) age or the age of a third tracer. It is also shown that significant temporal variations in tracer ages can occur for steady transport and that these changes are of similar magnitude to the changes in CFC and tritium-helium ages observed in the North Atlantic and North Pacific over the 1980s and 1990s. Accounting for the changes in tracer ages caused by steady transport is necessary before attributing changes in tracer ages to changes in transport. The possibility of using the differences in ages from different tracers to infer information about the transit time distribution is also examined. It is shown that two tracer ages can constrain the first two moments (mean age and width) of the distribution, but how tightly these are constrained depends on the tracers used, the certainty of the age calculations, and the flow characteristics.
Over education among older workers: impact on wages and early retirement decisions

As baby boomers approach the later years of their careers and potentially face early retirement decisions, it is worth remembering that their average level of schooling exceeds that of all previous generations. Accordingly, this paper examines the effects of overeducation on wages and early retirement decisions. The impact of overeducation on the wages of older workers is remarkably similar to that found in younger cohorts. With regards to the retirement decision, the literature suggests a link between overeducation and job dissatisfaction and a separate link between job dissatisfaction and early retirement. However, overeducation late in one's career may not be reflective of genuine skill mismatches or job dissatisfaction if skill mismatches occur. If overeducation has any impact on the likelihood of early retirement it is small as the empirical analysis finds no such evidence
Revising a Mechanical Engineering Curriculum: The Implementation Process

In early 1990, motivated largely by concern for the highly structured nature of engineering education, the faculty of Purdue's School of Mechanical Engineering initiated a two-year assessment of its curriculum. A principal conclusion of this assessment was that students should have more exposure to open-ended, cross-functional problems and that design, interpreted broadly, provided the best platform for launching appropriate curriculum changes. Specific plans for curriculum revision included a) early exposure to design and the product realization process, including issues such as marketing, manufacturing and economics, as well as concept generation, evaluation and documentation; b) integration of design and open-ended problem solving experiences across the curriculum, including the core engineering sciences courses; c) development of the softer skills associated with communication and teamwork; and d) greater emphasis on engineering practice through increased linkages with industry. To varying degrees, progress has been made on each of the foregoing objectives, and the purpose of this paper is to describe the nature of the curriculum revisions, as well as the process by which an implementation plan was developed. A retrospective assessment of the revisions and the implementation process is also provided.
How to Read the pseudo-Denys Today?

: Both modern and medieval commentators on the pseudo-Denys offer misreadings. With the exception of Aquinas, they fail to see the connection between mystical and liturgical strands of his thought, and so read him as offering an account of some generic religiosity. This history suggests a tension in the procedure of ressourcement: the better a theologian is placed within his intellectual and cultural context, the more difficult it is for him to be used to inform theology today. The process of tracing the theological tradition, however, is a process of retroactive comprehension.
The DNA replication machine of a gram-positive organism.

Abstract This report outlines the protein requirements and subunit organization of the DNA replication apparatus ofStreptococcus pyogenes, a Gram-positive organism. Five proteins coordinate their actions to achieve rapid and processive DNA synthesis. These proteins are: the PolC DNA polymerase, τ, δ, δ′, and β. S. pyogenes dnaX encodes only the full-length τ, unlike the Escherichia coli system in which dnaX encodes two proteins, τ and γ. The S. pyogenes τ binds PolC, but the interaction is not as firm as the corresponding interaction in E. coli, underlying the inability to purify a PolC holoenzyme from Gram-positive cells. The τ also binds the δ and δ′ subunits to form a τδδ′ “clamp loader.” PolC can assemble with τδδ′ to form a PolC·τδδ′ complex. After PolC·τδδ′ clamps β to a primed site, it extends DNA 700 nucleotides/second in a highly processive fashion. Gram-positive cells contain a second DNA polymerase, encoded by dnaE, that has homology to theE. coli α subunit of E. coli DNA polymerase III. We show here that the S. pyogenes DnaE polymerase also functions with the β clamp.
The Missing Treatment Design Element: Continuity of Treatment When Multiple Postobservations Are Used in Time-Series and Repeated Measures Study Designs

We rely a great deal on the schematic descriptions that represent experimental and quasi-experimental design arrangements, as well as the discussions of threats to validity associated with these, provided by Campbell and his associates: Stanley, Cook, and Shadish. Some of these designs include descriptions of treatments removed, removed and then reintroduced, or reversed with use of multiple postobservations. The focus of this article is to consider what happens to the intervention between and among postobservations and how that relates to threats to validity and data modeling and analysis. Evaluation designs must consider such questions as “Has the intervention been removed, or is it still in place? If so, has it changed in intensity, or are there persistence or carryover effects?” This article adds to the evaluation methodology literature by filling a gap regarding the issue of treatment or intervention continuity between and among postobservations.
Knowledge Gap Effects in a Health Information Campaign

The evaluation of a campaign to increase cardiovascular health knowledge indicates that within the treatment community, education was a significant predictor of knowledge before the campaign but was not a significant predictor after the campaign. Two variables related to motivation to acquire information about cardiovascular health (age and perceived threat of heart attack) were not significant predictors of knowledge before the campaign but were significant predictors afterwards. These results suggest that the infusion of information into a social system via the mass media can close as well as open knowledge gaps and that motivation to acquire information in a specific knowledge domain is a factor controlling gap effects.
Breeding mercury-breathing plants for environmental cleanup.

Abstract In an elegant study, Richard Meagher's research group has succeeded in introducing a bacterial mercury detoxification pathway into plants 1 . The resulting plants show enhanced mercury tolerance and can convert highly toxic forms of organic mercury to less toxic elemental mercury, which is volatile. The significance of this study is that it could lead to the more efficient and affordable cleanup of environmental mercury pollution, and in a broader context, it proves the power of genetic engineering for phytoremediation.
Selection of recombinant MVA by rescue of the essential D4R gene

Modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) has become a promising vaccine vector due to its immunogenicity and its proven safety in humans. As a general approach for stringent and rapid selection of recombinant MVA, we assessed marker rescue of the essential viral D4R gene in an engineered deletion mutant that is fully replication defective in wild-type cells. Recombinant, replicating virus was obtained by re-introduction of the deleted viral gene as a dominant selection marker into the deletion mutant.
The effects of scheduling format and booster sessions on a broad-spectrum psychosocial approach to smoking prevention

The effectiveness of a fifteen session psychosocial smoking prevention strategy was tested on 902 seventh graders from seven junior high schools in suburban New York over 2 years. The prevention program was implemented by regular classroom teachers and consisted of a cognitive component dealing with the immediate consequences of cigarette smoking, a decision-making component, a relaxation-training component, a social skills training component, and a self-improvement component. In addition to testing the overall effectiveness of this approach, the relative efficacy of two different scheduling formats was compared and the extent to which “booster” sessions conducted during the year after completion of the program helped to maintain reductions in new smoking was also examined. Results indicated that the prevention program was able to reduce new cigarette smoking by 50% at the end of the first year and by 55% at the end of the second year for the intensive format condition. New regular cigarette smoking was reduced by 87% in the second year for the students in the booster condition. Significant changes consistent with nonsmoking were also evident on several cognitive, attitudinal, and personality variables.
Senescence As an Anticancer Mechanism

Senescence was originally described as a terminal nondividing state of normal human cells reached after many cell divisions in culture. The cause was shown to be shortening of telomeres, leading to telomere dysfunction and cell cycle arrest. Subsequently, a more rapid, nontelomere-dependent form of senescence, often termed stress-induced premature senescence, was described. Mostly importantly, it occurs in response to activated oncogene products. Oncogene-induced senescence has been shown to play a role in tumor suppression in vivo; it does not seem to involve changes in telomeres. A second phenomenon that plays a role in tumor suppression, which does involve progressive telomere shortening, is crisis, the state that cells reach when cell cycle checkpoints are impaired and cells can no longer respond to telomere shortening or oncogene activation by entering senescence. These two processes, oncogene-induced senescence and telomere-based crisis, exert powerful anticancer effects.
Pitfalls in the radiologic diagnosis of lung cancer.

Pitfalls in the radiologic diagnosis of lung cancer can be roughly grouped into three broad categories: (1) errors in the detection of subtle lung cancers; (2) errors in the analysis of solitary pulmonary nodules, including miscalculation of the growth of nodules and unusual growth patterns of lung cancer; and (3) lack of familiarity with uncommon manifestations of lung cancer. It is hoped that, through an increased understanding of these problems, radiologists will avoid some of the pitfalls that may be encountered in initially detecting and diagnosing lung cancer.
Paths with more turns are perceived as longer: misperceptions with map-based and abstracted path stimuli.

Summary.—When navigating, people tend to overestimate distances when routes contain more turns, termed the route-angularity effect. Three experiments examined the source and generality of this effect. The first two experiments examined whether route-angularity effects occur while viewing maps and might be related to sex differences or sense of direction. The third experiment tested whether the route-angularity effect would occur with stimuli devoid of spatial context, reducing influences of environmental experience and visual complexity. In the three experiments, participants (N = 1,552; M = 32.2 yr.; 992 men, 560 women) viewed paths plotted on maps (Exps. 1 and 2) or against a blank background (Exp. 3). The depicted paths were always the same overall length, but varied in the number of turns (from 1 to 7) connecting an origin and destination. Participants were asked to estimate the time to traverse each path (Exp. 1) or the length of each path (Exps. 2 and 3). The Santa Barbara Sense of Direction questio...
Biodegradable drug delivery systems for gentamicin release and treatment of synovial membrane infection.

Objective— This study investigated two biodegradable drug delivery systems (BDDS) for elution of gentamicin and elimination of synovial membrane infection. Study Design— The effect of BDDS on control and infected synovial explants was determined. Animals or Sample Population— Synovial explants from four adult equine cadavers. Methods— First, BDDS were placed in phosphate buffered saline for 14 days. Eluent was tested for gentamicin concentration (G) and bioactivity. Second, synovial explants were divided into four groups (n = 14/group): Group 1 (control); Group 2 (infected control) 405 cfu Staphylococcus aureus added at 6 hours; Group 3 (antibiotic BDDS [Ab-BDDS]) Ab-BDDS added at 24 hours; Group 4 (infected Ab-BDDS) 405 cfu S. aureus added at 6 hours, Ab-BDDS added at 24 hours. Both types of Ab-BDDS were used (n = 7/type/group). Explants were incubated in standard medium for 4 days. Medium was cultured and analyzed for (G) and hyaluronic acid concentration (HA). Explants were analyzed for viability and morphologic changes. Results— The Ab-BDDS released >500 μg/mL of active gentamicin for 10 days. In Group 3, infection was eliminated within 24 hours, but histologic scores did not return to normal. Viability was significantly reduced by infection, but if eliminated, viability tended to return to normal. In Group 3, the Ab-BDDS had no significant effect on viability or (HA). Histopathologic scores were significantly higher for infected synovium. Infection, even if treated, significantly reduced (HA). Conclusions— Both Ab-BDDS eliminated infection within 24 hours. However, synovial morphology, viability and function did not return to normal. Clinical Relevance— The Ab-BDDS may be useful for treatment of synovial membrane infection.
Nervous system control mechanisms in heart failure.

Abstract Alterations in the peripheral circulation by influencing aortic impedance and venous capacitance have a remarkable effect on cardiac performance in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. Systemic vasoconstriction in heart failure is influenced by activation of the sympathetic nervous system (increased plasma norepinephrine), the renin-angiotensin system (increased PRA) and the antidiuretic hormone system (increased arginine vasopressin). The level of plasma norepinephrine is related weakly to the severity of resting left ventricular dysfunction and strongly to the subsequent risk of mortality. Attenuation of reflex responsiveness to low pressure mechanoreceptors (orthostatic tilt) and to carotid and aortic baroreceptors (nitroprusside infusion) occurs in heart failure and the degree of abnormality also may be related to mortality. Vasodilation with consequent improvement in left ventricular function may be accomplished by non-specific dilators (nitroprusside, nitrates, hydralazine, nitrendipine) or by specific interference with neurohumoral mechanisms (sympathetic blockade, converting enzyme blockade, AVP blockade). Plasma norepinephrine may be reduced by central or presynaptic mechanisms (guanabenz, bromocriptine, captopril). The hemodynamic effect of this anti-sympathetic effect appears to be related to the relative influence on cardiac vs. peripheral sympathetic tone and/or concomitant effects of the drugs. Long-term trials are needed to determine whether chronic inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system will have a salutary effect on the hemodynamics, symptomatology and prognosis of cardiac failure.
Profiles of Distress Intolerance in a Substance-Dependent Sample

Background: Distress intolerance (DI) – the perceived inability to tolerate distressing states – is an important variable in substance abuse, with links to coping motives and return to use following a quit attempt. Recent research suggests that DI is a heterogeneous construct that varies based on the domain of distress (e.g., pain, anxiety). Objective: To evaluate whether elevations in DI in substance-dependent (SD) patients varied based on the domain of distress. Methods: Individuals (N = 55) with a diagnosis of illicit drug dependence and an affective disorder equated comparison (CO) group were administered three measures of DI – assessing pain, frustration, and respiratory discomfort. Results: The SD group demonstrated significantly greater frustration intolerance, but not greater pain intolerance or respiratory discomfort intolerance relative to the CO group. Conclusion: When controlling for the presence of an affective disorder, SD patients exhibited elevated frustration intolerance, suggesting that ...
A comparison between centrifugation and filtration as a means to separate bound and unbound ligand during 3[H]-spiroperidol binding

A centrifugation method for the separation of bound and unbound ligand during 3[H]-spiroperidol binding in rat brain was compared with the more widely used filtration method. The centrifugation method yielded significantly greater total and specific binding, and lower nonspecific binding, than filtration. Assay reproducibility was also found to be superior when the centrifugation method was used as compared to the filtration binding method. Scatchard plots produced by both methods yielded comparable Kd and Bmax values that were consistent with those previously reported.
Dietary tryptophan supplements attenuate amphetamine self-administration in the rat

Abstract Previously, it had been shown that lesions of cerebral 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-containing neurons and injections of drugs affecting 5-HT synthesis or receptor mediated function would alter amphetamine self-administration in the rat. The present study sought to ascertain whether diets enriched in L-tryptophan (L-TRY), the amino acid precursor to 5-HT, would: (1) elevate cerebral 5-HT concentrations and (2) affect amphetamine self-administration behavior. Diets containing 2.0 and 4.0% L-TRY increased cerebral 5-HT concentrations above those of rats on normal rat chow (0.26% L-TRY). The 4.0% diet elevated brain 5-HT to the same degree in rats exposed to the diet for 1, 2 or 3 days. When normal diets were restored, brain 5-HT concentrations rapidly returned to normal. Animals trained to self-administer d-amphetamine, when given access to the L-TRY enriched diets, significantly reduced their daily amphetamine self-injection during exposure periods. When normal rat chow was restored a delay in recovery to pre-diet amphetamine self-administration was observed: 1 day with the 2.0% L-TRY diet and 2 days with the 4.0% L-TRY diet. The 4.0% L-TRY diet failed to alter saline-frustration responding indicating the diet did not produce decrements in motor performance. When animals were placed on the 4.0% L-TRY diet and allowed access to amphetamine for 1 day then exposed to saline, a profound decrease in saline-frustration responding was observed. These data suggest that the combination of elevated cerebral 5-HT and amphetamine may produce or unmask some aversive qualities of the stimulant which reduce further drug abuse in the rat. The data is discussed in terms of a suggested modification of the present dopamine-reward hypothesis.
Introduction to network experiments using the GENI cyberinfrastructure

In this tutorial, we will introduce the SIGMETRICS/Performance community to the vast testbeds, tools and resources openly available through the GENI (Global Environment for Network Innovations) project. We will present details about the distributed computing resources available on GENI for researchers interested in simulation as well as measurement-based performance evaluation experiments. We will demonstrate simple experiments on GENI, and leave them with information on how to run experiments for research and education using GENI resources.
Rationale, design and methods of the HEALTHY study behavior intervention component.

The HEALTHY study was a randomized, controlled, multicenter and middle school-based, multifaceted intervention designed to reduce risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes. The study randomized 42 middle schools to intervention or control, and followed students from the sixth to the eighth grades. Here we describe the design of the HEALTHY nutrition intervention component that was developed to modify the total school food environment, defined to include the following: federal breakfast, lunch, after school snack and supper programs; a la carte venues, including snack bars and school stores; vending machines; fundraisers; and classroom parties and celebrations. Study staff implemented the intervention using core and toolbox strategies to achieve and maintain the following five intervention goals: (1) lower the average fat content of foods, (2) increase the availability and variety of fruits and vegetables, (3) limit the portion sizes and energy content of dessert and snack foods, (4) eliminate whole and 2% milk and all added sugar beverages, with the exception of low fat or nonfat flavored milk, and limit 100% fruit juice to breakfast in small portions and (5) increase the availability of higher fiber grain-based foods and legumes. Other nutrition intervention component elements were taste tests, cafeteria enhancements, cafeteria line messages and other messages about healthy eating, cafeteria learning laboratory (CLL) activities, twice-yearly training of food service staff, weekly meetings with food service managers, incentives for food service departments, and twice yearly local meetings and three national summits with district food service directors. Strengths of the intervention design were the integration of nutrition with the other HEALTHY intervention components (physical education, behavior change and communications), and the collaboration and rapport between the nutrition intervention study staff members and food service personnel at both school and district levels.
Training and performance assessment of land mine detector operator using motion tracking and virtual mine lane

Landmine detection is a complex and highly dangerous task. Most demining operations are done using hand-held detectors, which means that the operator is always at risk of serious injury or death. One of the most important factor that determines the probability of detecting is the operator performance. Therefore, it is very important that we train the operator well and are able to assess their performance accurately. To achieve these objectives, we have been developing two training tools, the 3D tracker for real-time feedback during training, and the virtual mien lane for interactive training. We have been using the 3D tracker successfully to assess the performance of an operator as a prat of a successful training program.
Enteropsis fusiformis, new species (Copepoda: Cyclopoida: Ascidicolidae), living in a compound ascidian from Madagascar

Abstract Enteropsis fusiformis, new species, is described on the basis of females living in the compound ascidian Polyclinum ?insulsum Sluiter, 1897 from Madagascar. Main characteristic features for the new species are given with respect to body shape (fusiform, with cone-shaped urosome), anus (longitudinal slit, displaced to posterior dorsal metasome), antennule (elongated), antenna (second segment a sharply pointed long process), labrum (with 2 triangular and 4 slender submerginal setae), and maxillule (palp digitiform). The subconical terminal portion of the cone-shaped urosome is formed by the completely fused caudal rami. The new species is the only representative of the subfamily Enteropsinae (Ascidicolidae) in the Humes collection from Madagascar.
Representing Complex Geographic Phenomena in GIS

Conventionally, spatial data models have been designed according to object- or field-based conceptualizations of reality. Conceptualization of complex geographic phenomena that have both object- and field-like properties, such as wildfire and precipitation, has not yet been incorporated into GIS data models. To this end, a new conceptual framework is proposed in this research for organizing data about such complex geographic phenomena in a GIS as a hierarchy of events, processes, and states. In this framework, discrete objects are used to show how events and processes progress in space and time, and fields are used to model how states of geographic themes vary in a space-time frame. Precipitation is used to demonstrate the construction and application of the proposed framework with digital precipitation data from April 15 to May 22, 1998, for the state of Oklahoma, U.S.A. With the proposed framework, two sets of algorithms have been developed. One set automatically assembles precipitation events and proce...
What Does the Lord Require of Us

Contextual therapy is a heuristic approach to intergenerational family dynamics. This article sets forth the main tenets of that approach and explores the contribution that it makes to the pastoral care and counseling of families. The concept of relational justice, which is a focal point in contextual therapy, is brought into dialogue with the biblical concept of righteousness and the theological concept of justification by faith.
A polyhedral study on 0-1 knapsack problems with disjoint cardinality constraints: Facet-defining inequalities by sequential lifting

In this paper, we study the polyhedral structure of the set of 0-1 integer solutions to a single knapsack constraint and multiple disjoint cardinality constraints (MCKP). This set is a generalization of the classical 0-1 knapsack polytope (KP) and the 0-1 knapsack polytope with generalized upper bounds (GUBKP). For MCKP, we extend the traditional concept of a cover to that of a generalized cover. We then introduce generalized cover inequalities and present a polynomial algorithm that can lift them into facet-defining inequalities of the convex hull of MCKP. For the case where the knapsack coefficients are non-negative, we derive strong bounds on the lifting coefficients and describe the maximal set of generalized cover inequalities. Finally, we show that the bound estimates we obtained strengthen or generalize the known results for KP and GUBKP.
SU‐E‐T‐333: Immobilization for Proton Therapy ‐ How Is It Different to Photon Therapy?

Purpose: To describe considerations in proton therapy immobilization and the effects which design elements have on the protondose distribution. Methods:Proton therapy has dose distribution advantages over photons through the Bragg peak. This high dose region and sharp distal fall off that produces no primary particle exit dose can be placed at any point within the patient leading to the use of fewer beams and lower integral doses.Proton patient immobilization needs to reduce patient motion to the largest extent feasible, as is the case with other radiation therapy modalities, but also needs to consider the effect of the immobilization device on the proton range and whether this is accurately reflected in the dose calculation. Results: Our protontreatment center has treated patients with protons for over 20 years, and the development of effective immobilization methods has been an integral part of this experience. For the various anatomic sites, specific devices have been developed that position and immobilize the patient reproducibly and effectively. Attention was paid to minimal proton water equivalent thickness (WET) to minimize the effect on proton beam penumbra. The WET of each immobilization material has been well characterized and incorporated in the (CT‐based) proton range calculation to minimize systematic errors in the proton range uncertainty. In our experience, proton immobilization devices should have beveled edges when possible to avoid edge effects that can drastically affect the depth of proton penetration. Effective use of internal immobilization, such a rectal balloons or breath holding, is also important to minimize ITV margins and suppress motion‐related beam range uncertainties that are unique to proton therapy.Conclusions: In proton therapy patient immobilization, additional considerations are needed to ensure that the immobilization device does not negatively impact the protondose distribution and its uncertainty.
Cross-talk between myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), macrophages, and dendritic cells enhances tumor-induced immune suppression

The tumor microenvironment is a complex milieu of tumor and host cells. Host cells can include tumor-reactive T cells capable of killing tumor cells. However, more frequently the tumor and host components interact to generate a highly immune suppressive environment that frustrates T cell cytotoxicity and promotes tumor progression through a variety of immune and non-immune mechanisms. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are a major host component contributing to the immune suppressive environment. In addition to their inherent immune suppressive function, MDSC amplify the immune suppressive activity of macrophages and dendritic cells via cross-talk. This article will review the cell–cell interactions used by MDSC to inhibit anti-tumor immunity and promote progression, and the role of inflammation in promoting cross-talk between MDSC and other cells in the tumor microenvironment.
Chicago Area Program: A Major New Atmospheric Effort

A series of mesoscale meteorological research projects have developed since 1975 in the area over and around the south end of Lake Michigan. These regionally focused projects, under the label of the Chicago Area Program (CAP), are being performed by scientists from 12 research groups or universities using funds from a variety of state and federal agencies. Efforts to date have led to the installation and operation of a major rain gage network, other weather networks and sondes, several weather radars, meteorological aircraft, and a ship. This sizeable program is addressing five major study areas including lake meteorology, water resources and hydrometeorology, inadvertent weather modification, air pollution and its impacts, and severe weather. Multigroup field experiments and the exchange of data are coordinated at the scientist level.
Inappropriate interpretation of the odds ratio: oddly not that uncommon.

To the Editor.— I applaud the work of Must et al1 for clarifying the effects of premenarcheal weight and maturational timing on adult weight status. However, the interpretation offered of the odds ratio of 7.7 from their Table 4 is somewhat misleading: “Girls who were overweight before menarche were 7.7 times more likely to be overweight as adults.”1 To understand why this interpretation is inappropriate, one …
Low-fat meat products-technological problems with processing.

Diet and health advice serve as a driving force to redirect the types of foods considered to be most beneficial in terms of improved health and quality of life for Americans. Although meat cuts have become leaner, products such as ground beef, fresh pork sausage, coarse ground sausages and emulsified sausages traditionally have higher levels of fat. However, these products offer the greatest opportunity for fat reduction by reformulation with fat substitutes. Fat replacements should contribute a minimum of calories to a product and should not be detrimental to organoleptic qualities. Most substitutes can be categorized as: leaner meats, added water, protein-based substitutes, carbohydrate-based substitutes and synthetic compounds, Reducing the fat content to ∼10% often results in cooked ground beef that is bland and dry with a hard, rubbery or mealy texture. Reformulation with fat substitutes can cause a reduction in particle binding, darker product color, lack of beef flavor, reduced browning reactions and shorter microbiological shelf-life. Other problems that occur with low-fat (5-10%) fresh or cooked/smoked sausages are reduced cook yields, soft mushy interiors, rubbery skin formation, excessive purge in vacuum packages, shorter shelf-life and changes in sensory qualities after cooking or reheating. However, some combinations of fat replacements that mimic the mouthfeel and textural characteristics of fat offer potential for development of low-fat meat products.
Crumpling on dynamical φ3 graphs

Abstract We study the crumpling transition of dynamical random surfaces, utilising a discretisation based on the dual to a triangulation — a φ 3 graph. By implementing a vector algorithm we are able to go to much larger lattices than have been studied in the past. Using finite-size scaling we extract new estimates for the critical exponents α and νd.
Genital herpes simplex--concepts and treatment

Genital herpes simplex is an increasingly common venereal disease caused by either herpes simplex virus type 1 or 2. The disease can be manifested in a primary and/or recurrent form, the clinical features and complications of which are reviewed. Potential problems include psychosocial difficulties, neonatal herpes simplex infections, and the possibility of an oncogenic role in cervical cancer. Diagnostic modalities, prophylactic measures, and management technics are discussed.
Single mammalian cells compensate for differences in cellular volume and DNA copy number through independent global transcriptional mechanisms

Individual mammalian cells exhibit large variability in cellular volume, even with the same absolute DNA content, and so must compensate for differences in DNA concentration in order to maintain constant concentration of gene expression products. Using single-molecule counting and computational image analysis, we show that transcript abundance correlates with cellular volume at the single-cell level due to increased global transcription in larger cells. Cell fusion experiments establish that increased cellular content itself can directly increase transcription. Quantitative analysis shows that this mechanism measures the ratio of cellular volume to DNA content, most likely through sequestration of a transcriptional factor to DNA. Analysis of transcriptional bursts reveals a separate mechanism for gene dosage compensation after DNA replication that enables proper transcriptional output during early and late S phase. Our results provide a framework for quantitatively understanding the relationships among DNA content, cell size, and gene expression variability in single cells.
EXPERIMENTAL FETAL VESICOURETERAL REFLUX INDUCES RENAL TUBULAR AND GLOMERULAR DAMAGE, AND IS ASSOCIATED WITH PERSISTENT BLADDER INSTABILITY

AbstractPurpose: We assessed renal function and urodynamic status in animals with experimental congenital vesicoureteral reflux.Materials and Methods: Vesicoureteral reflux was surgically induced in male sheep fetuses at 95 days of gestation. After birth the animals were maintained on antibiotic prophylaxis. At ages 1 week and 6 months reflux was assessed by fluoroscopic voiding cystography. Cystometrography was performed with the animals awake. Serum creatinine, inulin clearance and the excretion of urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase were measured at ages 1 week, 1 month and 6 months by surveillance urine cultures. Urinary concentrating capacity was assessed by desmopressin testing at ages 1 and 6 months.Results: Nine animals (18 renal units) were born after the induction of reflux. There was no reflux in 2 renal units, while reflux was mild in 2, moderate in 5 and severe in 9. In the 6 animals available for followup at age 6 months only severe reflux persisted. Reflux resolution was associated with...
On the Significance of Population II6Li Abundances

We study the significance of 6Li abundances measured in metal-poor halo stars. We explore possible depletion factors for 6Li, defined as the ratio of the protostellar to the observed abundance, in the three stars where it has been detected; to this end, we assume that 6Li/H scales as 16O/H throughout the Galactic evolution. This assumption is motivated by the recent observations of a similar scaling for 9Be and by the fact that, apart from α - α fusion creation of 6Li, both elements are only created in p, α - C, N, O spallation reactions. We examine possible uncertainties attached to the observations and to the modeling of 6Li Galactic evolution; notably, we include a recent evaluation of the primordial production of 6Li. The depletion factor D6 in the hottest turnoff star HD 84937 is constrained to D6 ≤ 4; this implies that at least one star on the Spite plateau has not depleted its primordial 7Li by more than a factor 4, even by extreme dilution. This constraint is in fact stronger when one takes all constraints into account; indeed, no current stellar model is able to reproduce the abundances of 7Li as a function of metallicity and effective temperature, and yet allow D7 ≥ 2, while keeping D6 ≤ 4. Therefore,7Li should not be depleted by more than a factor 2 on the Spite plateau. If direct nuclear burning was the depletion mechanism, then 7Li would be depleted by less than 2%. Moreover, all three 6Li observations are in excellent agreement with all standard expectations: big bang nucleosynthesis with 2 < η10 < 6.5, and standard stellar isochrones of 6Li survival in metal-poor stars. We also discuss possible deviations from our assumption of a scaling of 6Li/H with 16O/H because of α - α creation of 6Li in various sites.
Fine- and microstructure at the edge of a warm-core ring

Abstract As part of the Warm Core Rings Experiment, a set of intensive observations of thermohaline intrusions at the outer edge of a warm ring were obtained. The observations included a CTD tow-yo, repeated microstructure profiles and continuous acoustic Doppler velocity measurements. The survey was performed relative to the drift of a drogued surface buoy. The CTD data allowed us to map the three-dimensional structure of the intrusive features. The data indicate that the core of a cold, fresh intrusion became lighter as it extended across the front. This is contratry to the usual expectation that such intrusions get denser under the influence of salt fingers. An explanation for this apparent behavior can be found in the microstructure profiles, which suggest that the diffusive interfaces associated with the intrusion are the dominant mixing process, since they are more strongly unstable and reveal higher turbulence levels than nearby fingering regions. Clear signatures of double-diffusive mixing are seen in the fine- and microstructure data; however, the turbulent dissipation in the diffusive layers was not as high as the laboratory flux laws predict and shear-driven turbulence may be the stronger mixing mechanism. Double doffusion clearly plays some role in mixing the intrusive features but its role in actually generating the intrusion remains ambiguous, given the tendency of warm-core rings to wrap “streamers” of shelf, slope and Gulf Stream waters around themselves.
Human tumor lines for cancer research.

(1986). Human Tumor Lines for Cancer Research. Cancer Investigation: Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 157-184.
Modeling On-Road Particle Number Emissions from a Hybrid Diesel–Electric Bus: Exploratory Econometric Analysis

This research was sponsored in part by the Joint Highway Research Advisory Council of the University of Connecticut and the Connecticut Department of Transportation through Project 05-9.
In-field rates of decomposition and microbial communities colonizing residues vary by depth of residue placement and plant part, but not by crop genotype for residues from two Cry1Ab Bt corn hybrids and their non-transgenic isolines

Abstract The adoption of Bt corn has been largely overshadowed by concerns about their unintended effects on human health and the environment. Residues of transgenic Bt crops decomposed more slowly than their non-transgenic isolines in one laboratory study, although no mechanism to explain these observations was proposed. If Bt crop residues were to decompose more slowly in field soils, changes in carbon cycling and nutrient availability could result. We compared the in-field decomposition rates and diversity of decomposers colonizing residues of two Cry1Ab Bt corn hybrids, active against the European corn borer, with their non-transgenic isolines in litterbags placed in a Nebraska field. After five months, we found no significant differences in either the rates of residue mass loss or in the bacterial, fungal or micro-arthropod communities colonizing the transgenic versus the non-transgenic residues. Instead, both residue mass loss and detritivore colonizers were significantly affected by residue placement (surface versus buried) and plant part, demonstrating that environmental factors and residue quality, not the presence of the Cry1Ab protein, were the key drivers of residue decomposition and detritivore colonization in this study.
Minimal Lyapunov exponents, quasiconformal structures, and rigidity of non-positively curved manifolds

For a closed irreducible non-positively curved manifold M , we show that if at almost every point one of the positive Lyapunov exponents for the geodesic flow achieves the minimum allowed by the curvature, then M is locally symmetric of non-compact type. Among the applications of this result, we show that rank one symmetric spaces may be characterized among negatively curved Hadamard manifolds admitting a cocompact lattice solely by the quasiconformal structure and Hausdorff dimension of their ideal boundary. We also prove a rigidity result for semiconjugacies.
Computed tomography of sarcoidosis of the optic nerve.

Two patients with optic nerve sarcoidosis, one proven by an open biopsy of the optic nerve, the other by clinical evidence of sarcoidosis and a positive conjunctival biopsy, were examined by computed tomography. In both cases increased diameter and pathological enhancement of the involved optic nerves were demonstrated.
Dynamics of microglial activation: a confocal time-lapse analysis in hippocampal slices.

The dynamics of microglial cell activation was studied in freshly prepared rat brain tissue slices. Microglia became activated in the tissue slices, as evidenced by their conversion from a ramified to amoeboid form within several hours in vitro. To define better the cytoarchitectural dynamics underlying microglial activation, we performed direct three-dimensional time-lapse confocal imaging of microglial cells in live brain slices. Microglia in tissue slices were stained with a fluorescent lectin conjugate, FITC-IB(4), and stacks of confocal optical sections through the tissue were collected repeatedly at intervals of 2-5 min for several hours at a time. Morphometric analysis of cells from time-lapse sequences revealed that ramified microglia progress to amoeboid macrophages through a stereotypical sequence of steps. First, in the withdrawal stage, the existing ramified branches of activating microglia do not actively extend or engulf other cells, but instead retract back (mean rate, 0.5-1.5 microm/min) and are completely resorbed into the cell body. Second, in the motility stage, a new set of dynamic protrusions, which can exhibit cycles of rapid extension and retraction (both up to 4 microm/min), abruptly emerges. Sometimes new processes begin to emerge even before the old branches are completely withdrawn. Third, in the locomotory stage, microglia begin translocating within the tissue (up to 118 microm/h) only after the new protrusions emerge. We conclude that the rapid conversion of resting ramified microglia to active amoeboid macrophages is accomplished not by converting quiescent branches to dynamic ones, but rather by replacing existing branches with an entirely new set of highly motile protrusions. This suggests that the ramified branches of resting microglia are normally incapable of rapid morphological dynamics necessary for activated microglial function. More generally, our time-lapse observations identify changes in the dynamic behavior of activating microglia and thereby help define distinct temporal and functional stages of activation for further investigation.