cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Topical application of the anti-microbial chemical triclosan induces immunomodulatory responses through the S100A8/A9-TLR4 pathway

The anti-microbial compound triclosan is incorporated into numerous consumer products and is detectable in the urine of 75% of the general United States population. Recent epidemiological studies report positive associations with urinary triclosan levels and allergic disease. Although not sensitizing, earlier studies previously found that repeated topical application of triclosan augments the allergic response to ovalbumin (OVA) though a thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) pathway in mice. In the present study, early immunological effects following triclosan exposure were further evaluated following topical application in a murine model. These investigations revealed abundant expression of S100A8/A9, which reportedly acts as an endogenous ligand for Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4), in skin tissues and in infiltrating leukocytes during topical application of 0.75-3.0% triclosan. Expression of Tlr4 along with Tlr1, Tlr2 and Tlr6 increased in skin tissues over time with triclosan exposure; high levels of TLR4 were expressed on skin-infiltrating leukocytes. In vivo antibody blockade of the TLR4/MD-2 receptor complex impaired local inflammatory responses after four days, as evidenced by decreased Il6, Tnfα, S100a8, S100a9, Tlr1, Tlr2, Tlr4 and Tlr6 expression in the skin and decreased lymph node cellularity and production of IL-4 and IL-13 by lymph node T-cells. After nine days of triclosan exposure with TLR4/MD-2 blockade, impaired T-helper cell type 2 (TH2) cytokine responses were sustained, but other early effects on skin and lymph node cellularity were lost; this suggested alternative ligands/receptors compensated for the loss of TLR4 signaling. Taken together, these data suggest the S100A8/A9-TLR4 pathway plays an early role in augmenting immunomodulatory responses with triclosan exposure and support a role for the innate immune system in chemical adjuvancy.
Three-dimensional fault geometries and interactions within experimental models of multiphase extension

ABSTRACT We use experimental (analog) models to examine the three-dimensional (3-D) fault geometries and interactions that develop during two phases of noncoaxial extension. In the models, a homogeneous layer of wet clay undergoes two phases of extension whose directions differ by 45°. The resulting fault pattern varies significantly with depth. At shallow levels, second-phase normal faults accommodate most second-phase extension. At depth, both second-phase normal faults and reactivated, first-phase faults with oblique slip accommodate most second-phase extension. A variety of interactions occurs between first-phase and second-phase faults. One interaction involves the upward propagation of second-phase faults from tips of reactivated, blind, first-phase faults. These hybrid faults have deep segments that strike subperpendicular to the first-phase extension direction and shallow segments whose strike varies with depth, becoming increasingly subperpendicular to the second-phase extension direction at shallow levels. A second interaction involves the nucleation of second-phase normal faults on the surfaces of reactivated, first-phase faults. These splay faults propagate upward and laterally from their nucleation sites into the hanging walls of the first-phase faults. As they propagate, they commonly encounter and link with different first-phase faults. The resulting composite faults have zigzag geometries in both map and cross-sectional views. A third interaction involves either the termination of second-phase antithetic normal faults against or near first-phase faults or the offset of first-phase faults by second-phase antithetic normal faults. The 3-D fault patterns and interactions within our models closely resemble those within the Taranaki basin of offshore New Zealand and Milne Point on Alaska’s North Slope.
“Let Them Know That Men Did This”: Medusa, Rape, and Female Rivalry in Contemporary Film and Women’s Writing

The character of Medusa shifts “meaning” from the origins of her myth, through the reclamation of Medusa’s narrative by second- and third-wave feminist poets, and finally to the re-appropriation of her story by late twentieth- and twenty-first-century film, advertisement, and gaming culture. This essay argues that representations of Medusa in popular culture evidence a backlash against feminist interpretations and rewrite or render invisible the Greco-Roman narrative of her rape. Hyper-sexualized in popular culture, Medusa is both titillating and terrifying, a threat that implicitly invites male conquest and control.
Transcriptional-mediated effects of radiation on the expression of immune susceptibility markers in melanoma.

Abstract Background and purpose We recently reported a time-sensitive, cooperative, anti-tumor effect elicited by radiation (RT) and intra-tumoral-immunocytokine injection in vivo . We hypothesized that RT triggers transcriptional-mediated changes in tumor expression of immune susceptibility markers at delayed time points, which may explain these previously observed time-dependent effects. Materials and methods We examined the time course of changes in expression of immune susceptibility markers following in vitro or in vivo RT in B78 murine melanoma and A375 human melanoma using flow cytometry, immunoblotting, and qPCR. Results Flow cytometry and immunoblot revealed time-dependent increases in expression of death receptors and T cell co-stimulatory/co-inhibitory ligands following RT in murine and human melanoma. Using high-throughput qPCR, we observed comparable time courses of RT-induced transcriptional upregulation for multiple immune susceptibility markers. We confirmed analogous changes in B78 tumors irradiated in vivo . We observed upregulated expression of DNA damage response markers days prior to changes in immune markers, whereas phosphorylation of the STAT1 transcription factor occurred concurrently with changes following RT. Conclusion This study highlights time-dependent, transcription-mediated changes in tumor immune susceptibility marker expression following RT. These findings may help in the design of strategies to optimize sequencing of RT and immunotherapy in translational and clinical studies.
Evidence that Recent Warming is Reducing Upper Colorado River Flows

AbstractThe upper Colorado River basin (UCRB) is one of the primary sources of water for the western United States, and increasing temperatures likely will elevate the risk of reduced water supply in the basin. Although variability in water-year precipitation explains more of the variability in water-year UCRB streamflow than water-year UCRB temperature, since the late 1980s, increases in temperature in the UCRB have caused a substantial reduction in UCRB runoff efficiency (the ratio of streamflow to precipitation). These reductions in flow because of increasing temperatures are the largest documented temperature-related reductions since record keeping began. Increases in UCRB temperature over the past three decades have resulted in a mean UCRB water-year streamflow departure of −1306 million m3 (or −7% of mean water-year streamflow). Additionally, warm-season (April through September) temperature has had a larger effect on variability in water-year UCRB streamflow than the cool-season (October through Ma...
Social Comparison, Self-Esteem and Women’s Satisfaction with Appearance: a Macromarketing Issue

A study of the relationship between womenʇs self-esteem, satisfaction with appearance and age was conducted, which challenged current popular notions concerning the role of marketing in creating appearance dissatisfaction in older women. The older subjects exhibited lower self-esteem, but were more satisfied with their appearance, while younger subjects had higher self-esteem but lower appearance satisfaction.
Thermodynamics of the Earth and Planets: Energy transfer processes in planetary bodies

We have developed a comprehensive physical description of the processes and pathways by which planetary bodies acquire internal energy. Our next task is to examine how this internal energy drives planetary processes. The hallmark of an active planetary body is that it has surface features, other than impact craters, that have ages that are negligible compared to the age of the Solar System. This is true for any epoch of the Solar System. For instance, the youngest features on the Moon, the immense basaltic plains that we call lunar maria, are about 3 billion years old. This means that the Moon is dead today, but it was active when the age of the Solar System was of the order of 1.5 billion years Active planetary processes are associated to heat flow, but the causal connection is not always the same. Consider the ascent of magmas. This is a process that transfers mass and heat from the planet's interior towards its surface, and that is made possible by melting, which entails conversion of thermal energy to chemical energy. Ascent of magma and construction of volcanoes, however, are not driven by thermal energy but by gravitational energy. Magmas rise to the surface of a planet if they are buoyant, and magmas are buoyant if melting causes a decrease in density.
Tryptophan in the amelioration of drug-induced tardive dyskinesia

The administration of 8 g L-tryptophan/day to an insomniac patient, suffering from tardive dyskinesia (TD), to promote sleep led to the discovery of an amelioration of the TD symptoms [1].
Retinal vascular abnormalities in persons with type 1 diabetes: The Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy: XVIII☆

Abstract Purpose To describe the distribution of retinal vascular characteristics and their correlates in people with type 1 diabetes. Design Population-based study with baseline cross-sectional findings. Participants Nine hundred ninety-six persons who were diagnosed with diabetes before 30 years of age and who were taking insulin in an 11-county area in south-central Wisconsin participated in the baseline examination from 1980 to 1982. In addition, 225 persons without diabetes participated. Methods Retinal photographs of 7 standard fields were taken; lightbox grading was performed to determine arteriovenous (A/V) nicking and focal retinal arteriolar narrowing. Computer-assisted grading was performed from a digitized image of field 1 to determine central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE), central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE), and the arteriole-to-venule ratio (AVR). Main outcome measures Frequency and distribution of A/V nicking, CRAE, CRVE, AVR, and focal retinal arteriolar narrowing. Results In multivariate analyses, retinopathy severity, mean arterial blood pressure, presence of gross proteinuria, glycosylated hemoglobin, and history of cardiovascular disease were associated with CRAE. Retinopathy severity, age, mean arterial blood pressure, duration of diabetes, glycosylated hemoglobin level, and body mass index were associated with CRVE. With the exception of glycosylated hemoglobin, similar factors were associated with AVR. Age (odds ratio [OR] per 10 years, 2.43 and 2.02) and retinopathy severity (OR per level, 1.14 and 1.21) were associated with focal retinal arteriolar narrowing and A/V nicking, respectively. In persons ≥18 years of age, smoking was associated with CRAE, CRVE, and A/V nicking (OR, 2.67), but not with AVR or focal arteriolar narrowing. Conclusions This study documented the frequency and distribution of retinal vascular characteristics and their relationships to various factors in persons with type 1 diabetes.
Gas/Particle Partitioning Constants of Nicotine, Selected Toxicants, and Flavor Chemicals in Solutions of 50/50 Propylene Glycol/Glycerol As Used in Electronic Cigarettes.

For an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) aerosol with known total particulate matter concentration (TPM, μg/m3), predictions of the fractions of some compound i in the gas and particle phases (fg,i and fp,i) at equilibrium can be made based on Kp,i (m3/μg), the compound-dependent gas/particle partitioning equilibrium constant. fg,i and fp,i affect the modes and locations of deposition in the respiratory tract. Kp,i depends inversely on (1) the pure compound liquid vapor pressure (pL,io), (2) mole fraction activity coefficient (ζi) in the absorbing liquid, and (3) mean molecular weight of the absorbing liquid (MW). Kp,i values were measured at 20 °C for 32 compounds as spiked into simulated e-cigarette liquids prepared as 50/50 mixtures (by weight) of propylene glycol (PG) and glycerol (GL). Kp,i values at 37 °C were estimated. The 32 compounds were nicotine (in free-base form), seven toxicants (propanal, acetone, hydroxyacetone, benzene, toluene, p-xylene, and ethylbenzene), and 24 flavor chemicals (2,3-...
Successful treatment of severe arterial hypotension and anuria in a preterm infant with renal tubular dysgenesis– a case report

Oligohydramnios sequence can be caused by renal tubular dysgenesis (RTD), a rare condition resulting in pulmonary and renal morbidity. Besides typical features of Potter-sequence, the infants present with severe arterial hypotension and anuria as main symptoms. Establishing an adequate arterial blood pressure and sufficient renal perfusion is crucial for the survival of these infants. We describe a male preterm infant of 34 + 0 weeks of gestation. Prenatally oligohydramnios of unknown cause was detected. After uneventful delivery and good adaptation the infant developed respiratory distress due to a spontaneous right-sided pneumothorax and required thoracocentesis and placement of a chest tube; he showed no major respiratory concerns thereafter and needed only minimal ventilatory support. Echocardiography revealed no abnormalities, especially no pulmonary hypertension. However, he suffered from severe arterial hypotension and anuria refractory to catecholamine therapy (dobutamine, epinephrine and noradrenaline). After 36 h of life, vasopressin therapy was initiated resulting in an almost immediate stabilization of arterial blood pressure and subsequent onset of diuresis. Therapy with vasopressin was necessary for three weeks to maintain adequate arterial blood pressure levels and diuresis. Sepsis and adrenal insufficiency were ruled out as inflammation markers, microbiological tests and cortisol level were normal. At two weeks of age, our patient developed electrolyte disturbances which were successfully treated with fludrocortisone. He did not need renal replacement therapy. Genetic analyses revealed a novel compound hyterozygous mutation of RTD. Now 17 months of age, the patient is in clinically stable condition with treatment of fludrocortisone and sodium bicarbonate. He suffers from stage 2 chronic kidney disease; blood pressure, motor and cognitive development are normal. RTD is a rare cause of oligohydramnios sequence. Next to pulmonary hypoplasia, severe arterial hypotension is responsible for poor survival. We present the only second surviving infant with RTD, who did not require renal replacement therapy during the neonatal period. It can be speculated whether the use of vasopressin prevents renal replacement therapy as vasopressin increases urinary output by improving renal blood flow.
Pediatric Residents’ Perceived Barriers and Drivers to Event Reporting: A Qualitative Study

Purpose: Event reporting is an important tool by which a health care system can recognize what types of errors are occurring and identify ways to improve patient safety. However, national reporting data show that a minority of event reports are made by physicians. Patient safety experts have targeted low physician reporting as an area for improvement on both national and local levels. At academic centers, residents are on the front lines of patient care, yet little is known about their event reporting behaviors and attitudes. Studies of attending physicians …
Machine Learning Cyberattack Strategies with Petri Nets with Players, Strategies, and Costs

A model of a structured query language injection attack was designed using the Petri nets with players, strategies, and costs formalism. The formalism models the attacker and defender as competing players that can observe a specific subset of the net and act by changing the transition firing rates that the respective player can control. This model of the attack was based on the Common Attack Pattern and Enumeration Classification database and was validated by a panel of subject matter experts to be representative of a structured query language injection attack. The model was simulated with a reinforcement learning algorithm using an \(\upvarepsilon \)-greedy selection method. The algorithm learned within each iteration an optimal solution by varying player-controlled transitions rates. This paper describes the validation of the model, the design of the algorithm, and the results from 4 different \(\upvarepsilon \)-values.
Energy efficiency as energy justice: addressing racial inequities through investments in people and places

Structural racism in the form of racial residential segregation and the series of laws, policies and practices that continue to reinforce it, has robbed generations of African Americans of socioeconomic opportunity, wealth accumulation, safe, secure or energy-efficient housing, and full societal inclusion. Research indicates that African Americans are more likely to live in older, energy inefficient homes with structural deficiencies, outdated appliances and faulty energy systems. These conditions lead to a disproportionate burden of energy insecurity, defined as "the inability to adequately meet household energy needs" among African Americans across the economic spectrum. This, in turn, generates increased costs and decreased comfort, conditions closely linked to adverse physical and mental health outcomes. Persistent income inequality, wealth gaps and entrenched racial residential segregation have disenfranchised African Americans and reduced their ability to escape this pernicious cycle. Weatherization, which is the practice of protecting a building's interior from the elements while enhancing its energy efficiency and reducing costs, could be a catalyst for reducing the disproportionate energy burden affecting low-income individuals and ultimately improve health and social outcomes among African Americans. We argue for investing in policies that provide energy efficiency and weatherization assistance -- and not only energy bill assistance -- to provide a long-term and equitable solution to energy insecurity that is also a critical step toward restorative justice.
Affirming Moser’s Well-Qualified Totus Christus:

David Moser argues that the “Totus Christus” motif is not only exegetically and theologically well-founded but important. This motif, associated especially with Augustine, has had a robust receptio...
Review of mobile applications for the detection and management of atrial fibrillation.

Background Free mobile applications (apps) that use photoplethysmography (PPG) waveforms may extend atrial fibrillation (AF) detection to underserved populations, but they have not been rigorously evaluated. Objective The purpose of this study was to systematically review and evaluate the quality, functionality, and adherence to self-management behaviors of existing mobile apps for AF. Methods We systematically searched 3 app stores for apps that were free, available in English, and intended for use by patients to detect and manage AF. A minimum of 2 reviewers evaluated (1) app quality, using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS); (2) functionality using published criteria; and (3) features that support 4 self-management behaviors (including PPG waveform monitoring) identified using evidence-based guidelines. Interrater reliability between the reviewers was calculated. Results Of 12 included apps, 5 (42%) scored above average for quality (MARS score ≥3.0). App quality was highest for their ease of use, navigation, layout, and visual appeal (eg, functionality and aesthetics) and lowest for their behavioral change support and subjective impressions of quality. The most common app functionalities were capturing and graphically displaying user-entered data (n = 9 [75%]). Nearly all apps (n = 11 [92%]) supported PPG waveform monitoring, but only 2 (17%) supported all 4 self-management behaviors. Interrater reliability was high (0.75–0.83). Conclusion The reviewed apps had wide variability in quality, functionality, and adherence to self-management behaviors. Given the accessibility of these apps to underserved populations and the tremendous potential they hold for improving AF detection and management, high priority should be given to improving app quality and functionality.
Sleep health early in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the United States: integrating longitudinal, cross-sectional, and retrospective recall data.

Background The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused substantial changes in lifestyle, responsibilities, and stressors. Such dramatic societal changes might cause overall sleep health to decrease (stress view), to remain unchanged (resilience view), or even to improve (reduced work/schedule burden view). Methods We addressed this question using longitudinal, cross-sectional, and retrospective recall methodologies in 699 American adult participants in late March 2020, two weeks following the enactment of social distancing and shelter-in-place policies in the United States. Results Relative to baseline data from mid February 2020, cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses demonstrated that average sleep quality was unchanged, or even improved, early in the pandemic. However, there were clear individual differences: approximately 25% of participants reported that their sleep quality had worsened, which was explained by stress vulnerability, caregiving, adverse life impact, shift work, and presence of COVID-19 symptoms. Conclusions Therefore, the COVID-19 pandemic has detrimentally impacted some individuals' sleep health while paradoxically benefited other individuals' sleep health by reducing rigid work/school schedules such as early morning commitments.
Surgical Management of Bilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis:

ObjectivesTo examine and compare the outcomes of various types of glottic widening surgery (GWS) for initial management of bilateral vocal fold paralysis (BVFP) in children, the outcomes of differe...
GeoEDF: An Extensible Geospatial Data Framework for FAIR Science

Collaborative scientific research is now increasingly conducted online in web-based research platforms termed “science gateways”. Most science gateways provide common capabilities including data management and sharing, scientific code development, high performance computing (HPC) integration, and scientific workflow execution of varying automation. Despite the availability of scientific workflow frameworks such as Pegasus and workflow definition languages such as the Common Workflow Language (CWL), in practice typical workflows on science gateways still involve a mix of non-reusable code, desktop tools, and intermediate data wrangling. With the growing emphasis on FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) science, such mixed workflows present a significant challenge to ensuring compliance to these principles. These challenges are further compounded in the earth sciences where researchers spend inordinate amounts of time manually acquiring, wrangling, and processing earth observation data from repositories managed by organizations such as NASA, USGS, etc. Our extensible geospatial data framework, GeoEDF is designed to address these challenges, making remote datasets directly usable in computational code and facilitating earth science workflows that execute entirely in a science gateway. In this paper we describe the design of GeoEDF, current implementation status, and future work.
Peace in the Home is Peace in the Nation: Redemption after the Liberian Civil Wars

Elma Shaw’s 2008 novel, Redemption Road: The Quest for Peace and Justice in Liberia, provides an important model for thinking through creative possibilities for individual and collective justice in...
68Ga DOTATATE tumor uptake: Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas versus pancreatic and small bowel gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

3033 Objectives: Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPG) are rare neuroendocrine tumors which may be amenable to surgical excision or systemic therapy. Metastatic or unresectable PPG may be imaged and treated with targeted neuroendocrine transporter 1 (NET1) radionuclide therapy using meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG). MIBG tumor imaging and therapy, however, may be suboptimal to due low NET1 expression or tumor heterogeneity. An alternative theranostic target is the somatostatin receptor 2 (SSR2) via DOTATATE. If DOTATATE tumor uptake in PPG is high, DOTATATE could be tested as an additional or complimentary theranostic strategy. The purpose of this study is to compare 68Ga DOTATATE uptake in PPG compared to the established indications of small bowel and pancreatic neuroendocrine (GEPNET) tumors. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 50 consecutive patients referred for 68Ga DOTATATE PET/ CT imaging. A single outlier PPG subject with extremely high tumor uptake (SUVmax > 300) was excluded. Of the remaining subjects with identifiable tumor, we quantified the tumor uptake and target to background ratios (T/B) in subjects with PPG (n=5 subjects; 14 lesions) compared to small bowel neuroendocrine and pancreatic (GEPNET) tumors (n=20 subjects; 44 lesions). Tumors were contoured using a semi-automated program based on a modified PERCIST criteria. SUVmax and SUVmean were measured and tumor/background was calculated as the ratio of SUVmax in the tumor to SUVmean in the aortic blood pool. Mean values and standard deviations were calculated for SUVmax, SUVmean, and T/B. Results: High tumor uptake in PPG (SUVmax = 36.7 + 21.4) was comparable to GEPNETS (SUVmax = 37.8 + 23.5), and not found to be significantly different via t-test (p=0.90). High T/B in PPG (T/B = 40.2 + 28.6) were also comparable to GEPNET (T/B = 42.2 + 41.1), and again not significantly different (p=0.90). The PPG tumor uptake ranged from 6.3 to 66.7. Using a modified PERCIST threshold to define the tumor boundaries, the average SUVmean of the PPG tumors was 8.4 + 4.2. Conclusions: PPG may show high tumor uptake and T/B in 68Ga DOTATATE PET / CT imaging. This data supports further investigations of DOTATATE as an alternative or complimentary theranostic for imaging and therapy of metastatic or unresectable PPG.
Reducing intraoperative time with laryngeal mask airway and stretcher in pediatric adenotonsillectomy

Abstract Objectives Adenotonsillectomy (T&A) is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the United States. Several studies have defined the safety of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) during this surgery, and conflicting evidence exists describing the role it plays in reducing intraoperative times. Our objective is to describe the role LMA and operating on a stretcher have on reducing intraoperative time during pediatric T&A. Methods This is a retrospective review between October 2017 and January 2020. We included patients between the ages of 4–18 years old undergoing T&A. We excluded medically complex patients with chromosomal, craniofacial, and metabolic abnormalities, patients with cerebral palsy, and those who were tracheostomy dependent. Patient demographics included surgical indication, age, sex, obesity, use of preoperative midazolam, type of airway used, use of traditional operating room (OR) bed versus transport stretcher, surgeon type, and intraoperative times. Data was analyzed with univariate t-test and multivariate linear regression. Results One hundred seventy-nine patients were included with an average age of 7.2 years. LMA and stretcher were used on 46.4% and 40.2% of patients, respectively. On multivariate linear regression LMA reduced emergence time by 4.4 min (p ≤ 0.001, 95% CI −6.7 to −2.1) and transport stretcher reduced induction time by 2.5 min (p = 0.04, 95% CI −4.9 to −0.1). Use of LMA and stretcher did not have a statistically significant difference on actual procedure time. Conclusion Our study further supports the role LMA has in reducing intraoperative times in addition to describing a novel method of reducing intraoperative time by operating on a transport stretcher for healthy children undergoing T&A. Level of evidence: 3.
Adaptive Lung Radiotherapy in the Era of Immunotherapy: A Single Center Retrospective Review

Purpose/Objective(s) Treatment with concurrent chemoradiation and immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) in patients (pts) with locally advanced or stage III/IV non-small lung cancer (NSCLC) is associated with improved PFS and OS. However, treatment is limited by the development of pneumonitis and esophagitis, toxicities associated with both chemoradiation and ICIs. Materials/Methods We conducted a single center retrospective review of pts with locally advanced or stage III/IV NSCLC who received chemoradiation with concurrent or subsequent ICI. Pts were excluded if the relevant structure contours were missing or if the tumor location was not matched by both groups. Pneumonitis and esophagitis were assessed with CTACE V5. Results From 2015-2020, 49 pts were identified and 25 were included in the analysis. One patient was excluded due absent contours. Ten pts were adapted and 15 were non-adaptive controls. Mean age at onset was 728 years, 12F, 13 M; 13 adenocarcinoma, 9 squamous, 3 poorly differentiated; mean BMI 28.3 6.1, 1 IIB, 9 IIIA, 15 IIIB; 4 T1, 6 T2, 9 T3, 6 T4; 1 LLL, 8 LUL, 4 RLL, 12 RUL. Twenty and 77.7% of pts in the adaptive group had pneumonitis and esophagitis respectively, while 20% and 80% in the non-adapted group had pneumonitis and esophagitis respectively. Due to the number of DVH parameters sampled, bivariate analysis was performed; values with P Conclusion Both the adaptive and non-adaptive groups had statistically equivalent toxicities; however, GTV volumes between the 2 groups were significantly different in size. By using adaptive therapy techniques, pts with large tumor sizes can be treated with an equivalent level of toxicity to patients with smaller tumors treated with traditionally.
Real-Valued Negative Selection Algorithm with Variable-Sized Detectors

A new scheme of detector generation and matching mechanism for negative selection algorithm is introduced featuring detectors with variable properties. While detectors can be variable in different ways using this concept, the paper describes an algorithm when the variable parameter is the size of the detectors in real-valued space. The algorithm is tested using synthetic and real-world datasets, including time series data that are transformed into multiple-dimensional data during the preprocessing phase. Preliminary results demonstrate that the new approach enhances the negative selection algorithm in efficiency and reliability without significant increase in complexity.
Gastrostomy for enteral access. A comparison among placement by laparotomy, laparoscopy, and endoscopy.

Background: Access to the stomach for long-term enteral feeding can be achieved via laparotomy (open GT), laparoscopy (lap GT) or endoscopy (PEG). We compared the three methods of gastrostomy to determine whether any one has an advantage over the others.
Getting From Here to Where? Flood Frequency Analysis and Climate1

Stedinger, Jery R. and Veronica W. Griffis, 2011. Getting From Here to Where? Flood Frequency Analysis and Climate. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 47(3):506-513. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2011.00545.x Abstract: Modeling variations in flood risk due to climate change and climate variability are a challenge to our profession. Flood-risk computations by United States (U.S.) federal agencies follow guidelines in Bulletin 17 for which the latest update 17B was published in 1982. Efforts are underway to update that remarkable document. Additional guidance in the Bulletin as to how to address variation in flood risk over time would be welcome. Extensions of the log-Pearson type 3 model to include changes in flood risk over time would be relatively easy mathematically. Here an example of the use of a sea surface temperature anomaly to anticipate changes in flood risk from year to year in the U.S. illustrates this opportunity. Efforts to project the trend in the Mississippi River flood series beg the question as to whether an observed trend will continue unabated, has reached its maximum, or is really nothing other than climate variability. We are challenged with the question raised by Milly and others: Is stationarity dead? Overall, we do not know the present flood risk at a site because of limited flood records. If we allow for historical climate variability and climate change, we know even less. But the issue is not whether stationarity is dead – the issue is how to use all the information available to reliably forecast flood risk in the future: “Where do we go from here?”
Facebook or Memory: Which Is the Real Threat to Your Relationship?

Abstract This study examined the role of Facebook friends lists in identifying potential sexual and committed relationship alternatives and the effects this had on relationship investment in a sample of 371 young adult undergraduates. A Facebook versus memory experimental protocol was developed to test whether Facebook friends lists act as primers for recognition of potential sexual and committed relationship partners and whether identifying these potential partners (either from Facebook or from memory) caused lower relationship investment. Facebook friends lists did act as memory primers for potential partners, but only for sexual partners, and the effect was stronger for men than it was for women. However, identifying potential partners through Facebook actually lowered a person's perceptions of the quality of their alternatives. In contrast, merely thinking about potential alternatives from one's social sphere lowered relationship satisfaction and commitment with one's current committed partner. The im...
Stability, Continuity, and Similarity of Parenting Stress in European American Mothers and Fathers across their Child's Transition to Adolescence.

Objective . Experiencing some degree of parenting stress is virtually unavoidable, particularly as children enter early adolescence and assert their independence. In this study, the authors examine...
Temperature Dependence of Bubble Nucleation Limits for Aqueous Solutions of Carbon Dioxide, Hydrogen, and Oxygen

Abstract We report the temperature variation of critical supersaturation for carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and oxygen in water at 1 atm pressure. The measurements were made by generating solutions of the gases chemically. Between 273 and 323 K, the bubble nucleation limit for carbon dioxide decreases from 0.4 to 0.2 M. For oxygen the limit decreases from 0.15 to 0.10 M in the range 283–298 K. The limit for hydrogen increases from 0.03 M at 290 K to 0.08 M at 308 K. The trends correlate with the Lennard–Jones interaction energies of the molecules, in agreement with recently published bubble nucleation models based on density functional calculations.
A cluster ion chemistry for the mesospheric sodium layer

A cluster ion chemistry for sodium is developed which relates the Na(+) profile to the Na profile using reactions involving Na(+).N2, Na(+).CO2, and Na(+).H2O. Removal of sodium from the mesosphere is accomplished by the formation of higher order clusters of the form Na(+).(H2O)n which presumably precipitate to the lower atmosphere. This sink is most effective in the 80-85 km altitude range. The chemical equilibrium model is applied to experimental observations of the Na and Na(+) layers.
Photography that listens

In the following article, the author discusses selectivity in photography and how it can be used as a valuable tool in guiding field research. Borrowing from Henri‐Cartier Bresson's notion of capturing “decisive moments” with a camera, the author presents a case study of decisive moments shot during her research on first generation Indian and Pakistani children in London. The framing of decisive moments was guided by directions from the people being photographed as well as by the anthropologist/ photographer's own questions and perceptions.
253 REMOTE ISCHAEMIC PRECONDITIONING IS MEDIATED VIA THE SDF 1Α/CXCR4 SIGNALLING AXIS

Background Ischaemic preconditioning is one of the most potent experimental modalities known to decrease infarct size following ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Much interest has been stimulated by the phenomenon of Remote Ischaemic Preconditioning (RIPC) which occurs when a preconditioning stimulus is applied to a limb remote from the heart to stimulate cardioprotection. The protection is believed to be mediated by an unidentified humoral factor between 3.5 and 30 kDa. Stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α or CXCL12) is a chemokine of 10 kDa that is induced by hypoxia and recruits stem cells. However it also exerts a direct and acute cardioprotection via its receptor, CXCR4. Aims We hypothesized that SDF-1α is a potential mediator of RIPC-induced protection. Methods and Results Rats were anaesthetized and subjected to RIPC, consisting of 3 cycles of 5 minutes ischaemia by application of a tourniquet around the hind limb followed by 5 minutes of reperfusion. SDF-1α levels in rat plasma were measured using an ELISA kit. There was a 50% increase (p Conclusion RIPC increases circulating levels of SDF-1α, which acts via the CXCR4 receptors in the heart to attenuate IR injury. These results suggest that this chemokine might be an essential mediator of RIPC.
Submucosal nerve hypertrophy in congenital laryngomalacia.

Objectives/Hypothesis: To determine the neuropathologic findings in tissue obtained from children with laryngomalacia at a tertiary-care pediatric hospital. Study Design: Retrospective review of consecutive cohort compared with a control group. Methods: We reviewed supra-arytenoid pathology specimens from 43 children with severe laryngomalacia and 13 age-matched pediatric autopsy controls. Histopathologic comparison was made of nerve hypertrophy (including nerve perimeter and surface area) among experimental and control pathologic specimens. Results: There exists a statistically significant increase in nerve perimeter (P = .001) and nerve surface area (P = .02) in supra-arytenoid specimens in patients with severe laryngomalacia compared with age-matched autopsy supra-arytenoid tissue. Conclusions: The pathologic finding of nerve hypertrophy in children with laryngomalacia provides new evidence to support neurologic dysfunction as the etiologic theory of laryngomalacia.
Performance evaluation and analysis for carbon nanotube (CNT) based IR detectors

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have a potential to be efficient infrared (IR) detection materials due to their unique electronic properties. The ballistic electronic transport property makes the noise equivalent temperature difference smaller compared to other semiconducting materials. In order to explore this potential application, CNT based IR detectors are fabricated by depositing the CNTs on the substrate surface and then aligning them using the Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) based nanomanipulation system. Normally semicnoductive CNT forms a Schottky barrier with the contact metal. The photogenerated electron-hole pairs within the Schottky barrier are seperated by an external electric field or the built-in field, producing a photocurrent. This paper will focus on the performance evaluation and analysis for the CNT based IR detectors. Experiments were carried out to investigate the photoresponse of single carbon nanotube based IR detectors. Based on the experimental results, the detectivity D* and the quantum efficiency are calculated and analyzed. The MWNT IR detector has a quantum efficiency of 0.313, which is much larger than the reported values of SWNTs. And the SWNT IR detector has a quantum efficiency of 0.01, which is consistent with the reported values. Both MWNT and SWNT show a low detectivity. The analysis shows that the performance of CNT based IR detectors can be further improved by using asymmetric contacts instead of symmetric contacts.
The influence of age at time of loading on basic and drying creep

Abstract The paper describes an experimental program designed to investigate the effect of age at time of loading on basic and drying concrete creep. The data indicate that both components of creep are significantly affected by age; drying creep as a decreasing function of age, while basic creep initially increases with age and then decreases. Functional relationships for both basic creep and drying creep are derived and compared to the experimental results.
Holography in the IBM 3687 supermarket scanner

The IBM 3687 Supermarket Scanner is described, with emphasis on the holographic deflector disk used to create the scan pattern. The scanner exploits the functional advantages of holography to create a dense, multiple-focal-plane scan pattern with small spot size and large depth of field. The optical design of the holographic disk is discussed and basic disk fabrication concepts are introduced.
Readout electronics and data acquisition of a time of flight detector for Positron Emission Tomography

A multi-element silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) based time-of-flight (ToF) block detector module for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) has been developed. The detector module is based on a 4 × 4 array of LYSO-SiPM elements (Hamamatsu MPPC S10931-050P), with individual bias supply and read out by individual wideband RF amplifier to maximize timing performance. Each output is digitized with a channel of the high speed CAEN V1742 (32 channels, 5 GHz sampling, 12-bit amplitude resolution) to acquire the raw waveform and extract relevant information. As the digitizer is unable to trigger on itself, a trigger board to output a fast pulse that triggers the digitizer whenever any pixel of the detector detects a signal, and process coincident events, has also been fabricated. To assess the performance of one of the modules, a 4 × 4 LYSO scintillator array (3 × 3 × 5 mm3 elements) was coupled to the SiPM photodetectors and energy resolution and timing resolution measurements were performed using a Ge-68 source. At 1.4 V overvoltage, the energy resolution, not corrected for saturation effects of the SiPM, varied from a minimum of 10.1 % to a maximum of 13.3 % with an average energy resolution of 11.4 ± 0.8 % across the 16 channels. With a reference detector (single 3 × 3 × 5 mm3 LYSO and Hamamatsu S10362-33), the average coincidence resolving time (CRT) across the detector module (16 pixels) was 211 ± 6 ps FWHM at 2.2 V overvoltage.
Novel agonists for cold receptors on sensory neurons

An exciting research topic these past 2 years has been the identification of transient receptor potential (TRP) channel protein receptors on sensory neurons that are linked to thermosensation. Two compounds, menthol and icilin, were shown to activate the putative cold receptor, TRP-M8 (CMR1, trp-p8), in vitro. Here, some of the pharmacological properties of icilin are described and compared to menthol, summarized in the table below. Menthol Stimulates TRP-M8 receptor, does not require extracellular calcium for activity, and does not stimulate the ANKTM1 receptor. Mint odor Irritant and harsh taste at high concentrations Duration of action less than15 min after topical application After systemic administration, lethal at high concentrations due to anesthetic activity Icilin Stimulates TRP-M8 and ANKTM1 receptor and requires extracellular calcium for activity No odor No irritant activity on skin or mucous membranes Action on inflamed skin and mucous membranes (e.g. eyelids, lips, nasal, and anorectal) can last 4–8 h No anesthetic activity, and no lethality at doses of up to 1.5 g/kg intraperitoneally, but after systemic administration produces ‘wet dog shakes’ which are rapid, alternating contractions, and relaxations of the supination and pronation muscles about the spinal axis
Interferon decreases REM latency.

The interferons (II%) are naturally occurring antiviral polypeptides that demonstrate a number of interesting actions, including anticancer activity and multiple effects on cellular growth and development (Revel 1984). The IFNs induce a number of changes in cell structure and behavior, which may account for certain of their side effects when administered in large (>30 x 106 U) dosages to humans in the treatment of cancer. Such side effects include nausea, muscle pain, increases in body temperature, confusion, weakness, fatigue, and lethargy (Priestman 1980; Smedley et al. 1983). Relatively few studies have systematically examined the physiological effects of IFN administered to normal humans or nonhuman primates, however. The present report describes the effect of recombinant human IFN alpha-A (IFNcYA) administration on several nocturnal sleep variables in young monkeys.
The Relationship Among Foot Posture, Core and Lower Extremity Muscle Function, and Postural Stability

Context: Identification of impaired balance as a risk factor for lower extremity injury regardless of injury history has led to subsequent investigation of variables that may adversely affect balance in healthy individuals. Objectives: To investigate the relationship among core and lower extremity muscle function, foot posture, and balance. Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Setting: Musculoskeletal injury biomechanics laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 108 individuals (40 men, 68 women; age = 22.8 ± 4.7 years, height = 168.5 ± 10.4 cm, mass = 69.9 ± 13.3 kg) participated in the study. Main Outcome Measure(s): Core endurance was assessed during 1 time-to-failure trial, and isometric hip and ankle strength were assessed using a handheld dynamometer and isokinetic dynamometer, respectively. Foot structure was quantified using the digital photographic measurement method. Single-limb–stance time to boundary was assessed using a force plate during an eyes-closed condition. Hierarchical m...
Interlibrary Loan Form Java Programming and Direct Request

ABSTRACT Olivet Nazarene University's Interlibrary Loan PRISM Transfer (IPT) program development has progressed through a number of revisions, including (1) a C-programmed CGI script that includes the new OCLC review file patron fields; (2) an all new Java 32-bit Windows application; and (3) a platform-independent Java applet that can be run inside Web browsers. Both of the Java versions will work with OCLC's Direct Request ILL functions using the ISO 10161 protocol. This article explains the reasons for and the advantages of the further IPT/ISO development and the programming issues that had to be digested before a Java version could be completed. ONU continues to provide their IPT/ISO development as freeware to the Internet and library communities.
Circumstellar methane in the infrared spectrum of IRC+10°216

WE reported previously1,2 the detection of lines due to circumstellar CO, C2H2 and HCN in the infrared spectrum of the cool carbon-rich object IRC + 10°216. In this letter we announce the further detection of lines due to circumstellar CH4 in 3.3-µm spectra of this source.
Infrared detection of volatile compounds from microorganisms

Most microorganisms evolve a suite of volatile metabolites. Some microorganism cultures evolve distinctive odors suggesting that the volatile compounds produced by microorganisms might be used to quickly distinguish microorganism types. We have measured infrared spectra of volatiles from common soil microorganisms. FTIR measurements were performed using the Bomem MB157 Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer with ZnSe optics, using a MCT detector (500 cm -1 cut off). Spectral signatures of cultures dominated by coccus microorganisms differed from those with bacillus microorganisms. With improved infrared detection, IR signatures of microbial volatiles may be useful to characterize microorganism consortia and the predominant metabolite.