cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of a Lucite beam spoiler for high-energy breast irradiation

Abstract Treatment planning for breast cancer is a challenge for bridge separations greater than 24 cm. Protocols require dose homogeneity to the breast parenchyma to 10% while maintaining good cosmesis (skin sparing). Low-energy beams (6 MV or lower) may not achieve protocol specifications because of lateral or medial hot spots. The buildup region for high-energy beams (i.e., 18 MV) may lead to underdosing in the superficial regions. Adding bolus will pull the isodoses to surface, surrendering skin sparing. A spoiler will increase the contribution of scattered medium energy electrons and photons, thereby increasing superficial dosing and maintaining skin sparing due to displacement of the spoiler from the skin. We chose Lucite as the spoiler material for our 18-MV beam. Buildup measurements were performed with a parallelplate ionization chamber to find the optimal spoiler thickness of 18 mm at a spoiler-to-skin distance of 22 cm. A breast phantom was designed allowing thermoluminescent dosimeter measurements. The spoiler has increased the percent depth dose from the depths of 0.5 cm to 3.0 cm to mimic those delivered by a 6 MV beam, while the relative skin dose was held to 50%. Our treatment schema is typically 6-MV photons with customized compensation for half or more of the fractions and uncompensated 18-MV photons with the spoiler for the remaining fractions. The spoiler may be used in conjunction with thin bolus (1.0 cm) for therapeutic dosing to the skin (scars, inflammatory disease, etc.). The treatment plans have maintained dose homogeneity for large patients, without consequence of skin reaction.
Failure of a Serotonin Inhibitor to Effect Nocturnal GH and Prolactin Secretion in Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) secretion was evaluated in seven patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. GH and PRL levels following sleep and 24 h mean serum GH and PRL concentrations were normal in these subjects. Overnight GH and PRL concentrations were evaluated in four of these patients before and following administration of the serotonin inhibitor, parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA). Although PCPA produced a significant decrease in urinary 5HIAA concentrations, the treatment had no significant effect on GH and PRL levels. These findings raise the possibility that serotonin may not be involved in nocturnal GH and PRL secretion in these patients.
A model for strain amplification in the actin cytoskeleton of osteocytes due to fluid drag on pericellular matrix.

A model is presented that provides a resolution to a fundamental paradox in bone physiology, namely, that the strains applied to whole bone (i.e., tissue level strains) are much smaller (0.04-0.3 percent) than the strains (1-10 percent) that are necessary to cause bone signaling in deformed cell cultures (Rubin and Lanyon, J. Bone Joint Surg. 66A (1984) 397-410; Fritton et al., J. Biomech. 33 (2000) 317-325). The effect of fluid drag forces on the pericellular matrix (PM), its coupling to the intracellular actin cytoskeleton (IAC) and the strain amplification that results from this coupling are examined for the first time. The model leads to two predictions, which could fundamentally change existing views. First, for the loading range 1-20MPa and frequency range 1-20Hz, it is, indeed, possible to produce cellular level strains in bone that are up to 100 fold greater than normal tissue level strains (0.04-0.3 percent). Thus, the strain in the cell process membrane due to the loading can be of the same order as the in vitro strains measured in cell culture studies where intracellular biochemical responses are observed for cells on stretched elastic substrates. Second, it demonstrates that in any cellular system, where cells are subject to fluid flow and tethered to more rigid supporting structures, the tensile forces on the cell due to the drag forces on the tethering fibers may be many times greater than the fluid shear force on the cell membrane.
Ability of young women to recall past body size and age at menarche.

Objective: The ability of young women (n = 132, average age 17 years) to recall body size and age at menarche was examined. The use of body silhouettes to assist women in recalling their body size at menarche and to represent their current body size was also evaluated. Research Methods and Procedures: Subjects, who previously participated in a cohort study, were asked to recall height and weight at the time of menarche, to select body silhouettes that best reflected their body shape at the time of menarche and their current body shape, and to recall age at menarche. Two sets of body silhouettes were developed, one representative of an adult body shape and another representative of an adolescent body shape. Results: Pearson correlation coefficients between the adult and adolescent body figures and actual body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) at the time of menarche were not significantly different (r = 0.82 for adult figures vs. r = 0.72 for adolescent figures, p > 0.05). The correlation between actual BMI at the time of menarche and body silhouette (r = 0.77, all subjects) was similar to the correlation between actual and recalled BMI at the time of menarche (r = 0.83) as well as the correlation between current BMI and current body silhouette (r = 0.75). Recalled and actual ages at menarche were highly correlated (r = 0.83). Discussion: The recall of body shape was considered to be a less precise measure of body size than asking about height and weight, but use of body silhouettes may offer advantages in certain situations.
Treatment Outcome for Low Socioeconomic Status African American Families in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy: A Pilot Study.

The course and efficacy of parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) were examined in 18 socioeconomically disadvantaged African American families of preschoolers with disruptive behavior disorders. Mothers reported significant improvements in child disruptive behavior but not in maternal depressive symptoms or parenting stress. Attrition was 56%, most often occurring after pre-treatment assessment but before treatment began. Results suggest that PCIT may lead to positive behavior changes for disadvantaged young African American children when families complete treatment. Recruitment, engagement, and retention remain significant problems requiring further study. Reduction of parenting stress also requires study in this population.
An Experimental Investigation of Liquid Jet Array and Single Phase Spray Impingement Cooling Using Polyalphaolefin

Experiments on triangular and rectangular array jet impingement and single phase spray cooling have been performed to determine the effect of both cooling techniques on heat transfer coefficient and the coolant mass flux required for a given cooling load. Experiments were performed with circular orifices and nozzles for different H/D values from 1.5 to 26 and Reynolds number range of 219 to 837, which is quite lower than the ranges used in widely used correlations. The coolant used was polyalphaolefin. For the custom fabricated orifices, commercial nozzles and conditions used in this study, both cooling techniques showed enhancement of heat transfer coefficient as H/D increases to a certain limit after which it starts to decrease. The heat transfer coefficient always increases with Reynolds number. In keeping with previous studies, single-phase spray cooling technique can provide the same heat transfer coefficient as jets at a slightly lower mass flux, but with a higher pressure head.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Human resources in the technological future

New technology and new technological applications will be necessary to provide the equipment and techniques required to produce the new and better consumer goods envisioned for the future—and this new technology is going to change, as well as increase, the requirements for more broadly trained technical talent.
Comparisons of lengths of lines separated horizontally and vertically

Subjects made comparative ratings of two vertical lines. If the two lines were side by side, judgments were more accurate than if one line was higher in the field than the other. If one line was moderately higher in the field than the other, the higher line appeared shorter. This effect diminished when the higher line was raised, and disappeared when the higher line no longer overlapped with the lower. The direction of the illusion is opposite to the usual “anisotropy of visual space” or to expectations based on foreshortening or misplaced constancy. An explanation based on the configuration of the two lines, using the mathematical structure of adaptation level theory, was offered.
Transformational decomposition: a simple description of an algorithm for transformational analysis of English sentences

In this paper, we will present a rather simplified description of an algorithm for transformational analysis (decomposition) of English sentences. Our purpose here is not to discuss the transformational theory, the full details of the theoretical formulations of the algorithm, or of the grammar. Rather, we will present a set of examples of the decomposition and some discussion of them with the hope that it will give enough insight into the capability of the algorithm and indicate to some extent the power of transformational analysis.
Correlates of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Sexually Transmitted Infection (HIV/STI) Testing and Disclosure Among HIV-Negative Collegiate Men Who Have Sex With Men

AbstractObjective: To determine the extent to which personal, behavioral, and environmental factors are associated with human immunodeficiency virus/sexually transmitted infection (HIV/STI) testing and disclosure. Participants: Nine hundred thirty HIV-negative collegiate men who have sex with men (MSM) who completed an online survey about alcohol use and sexual behavior. Methods: Correlates of testing and disclosure significant in bivariate analyses (p < .05) were grouped into personal, behavioral, or environmental factors and entered into multivariable logistic regression models. Results: About half of participants tested for HIV (51.9%) and for STIs (45.8%) at least annually. Over half (57.8%) of participants always/almost always discussed HIV status with new sex partners; 61.1% with new unprotected sex partners. Personal and behavioral factors (age and outness) explained differences in testing, and the behavioral factor (routine testing) explained differences in disclosure. Conclusions: Collegiate MSM ...
Synthesis and structures of the homoleptic cations [M(PMe3)5]+ (M = Rh, Ir).

The homoleptic cations [M(PMe3)5]+ (M = Rh, Ir) are formed in high yield from reactions of 16 electron 4 coordinate precursors, such as [Rh(PMe3)4]+, with excess neat PMe3 at 80 °C.
Two translation products of Yersinia yscQ assemble to form a complex essential to type III secretion

The bacterial flagellar C-ring is composed of two essential proteins, FliM and FliN. The smaller protein, FliN, is similar to the C-terminus of the larger protein, FliM, both being composed of SpoA domains. While bacterial type III secretion (T3S) systems encode many proteins in common with the flagellum, they mostly have a single protein in place of FliM and FliN. This protein resembles FliM at its N-terminus and is as large as FliM but is more like FliN at its C-terminal SpoA domain. We have discovered that a FliN-sized cognate indeed exists in the Yersinia T3S system to accompany the FliM-sized cognate. The FliN-sized cognate, YscQ-C, is the product of an internal translation initiation site within the locus encoding the FliM-sized cognate YscQ. Both intact YscQ and YscQ-C were found to be required for T3S, indicating that the internal translation initiation site, which is conserved in some but not all YscQ orthologs, is crucial for function. The crystal structure of YscQ-C revealed a SpoA domain that ...
Interaction of hypoxia and food deprivation on patterns of locomotor behavior in rats.

Eight male rats were allowed 20 min. of free running in an activity wheel under normoxic (21% O2) and hypoxic (8% O2) conditions. In Exp. 1, Ss were not food deprived. In Exp. 2, Ss were food-deprived. Analogue records were taken of the speed of the wheel over time. Results indicated that the reduction of activity associated with hypoxia was related to increased duration of stopping periods. Characteristics of locomotor behavior within “bursts” of running showed relatively little change. Hypoxia generally had a greater effect on several aspects of the running behavior of nondeprived rats than on the behavior of deprived rats. Results are interpreted in terms of the effect of motivation on behavior under hypoxic conditions.
Synthesis of isatin‐N‐mannich bases

The synthesis of a series of isatin-N-Mannich bases derived from isatin, 5-methyl and 5-bromoisatins as the active hydrogen component and dimethylamine, diethylamine, morpholine, piperidine, N-ethylcyclohexylamine, 3-azabicyclo[3.2.2]nonane and 3-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octane as the secondary amine moiety is described. These compounds are to be screened for their pharmacological properties.
Characteristics of projections from primary sensory cortex to motorsensory cortex in cats.

Abstract The detailed organization of projections from sensorimotor cortex (Sml) to motorsensory cortex (MsI) was examined utilizing intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) in cats. The area of SmI projecting to near the lateral end of the cruciate sulcus lay near the lateral end of the postcruciate dimple. The low threshold region within the depths of SmI for exciting a given cell of MsI by ICMS was extremely restricted in the vertical direction. Comparison of peripheral receptive fields of cells in the interrelated regions of the two cortical areas shows that the two regions receive input from overlapping or contiguous peripheral loci. Blocking transmission through SmI by local cooling of SmI cortex failed to show a significant effect on the peripheral activation of cells in MsI. This suggests that this pathway is not a simple relay for transmission of sensory information to MsI.
Models to measure goodwill impairment

Statement of Accounting Standards No. 142 [2001] superseded the former rules of accounting for amortization of goodwill under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 17 [1970]. Entities muxt now recognize annually impairments in the value of the good-will associated with purchased firms, rather than amortizing such expenses ratably over 40 years. This better matching of revenues and expenses provides for more valid financial statements, but also mandates accountants to select proper models to measure such impairment losses. The authors highlight some reasons for the issuance of this new standard, compare and contrast the effects of the discounted cash flows and residual income methods to measure such impairments, and suggest how to develop a conceptual model to adhere to the new authoritative provisions. (JEL M41)
Screening for mesenteric vascular insufficiency and follow-up of mesenteric artery bypass procedures.

Duplex ultrasonography is the preferred noninvasive screening test for superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and celiac artery (CA) stenosis. Although postprandial increases in SMA peak systolic velocity (PSV) are known to occur, the principal duplex criteria for hemodynamically significant SMA and CA stenosis are based on fasting flow velocities. In the SMA, a PSV > or =275 cm/s predicts a > or =70% angiographic stenosis with a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 96%, whereas a CA PSV of > or =200 cm/sec predicts a > or =70% stenosis with a sensitivity of 87% and a specificity of 80%. Patients with appropriate symptoms of chronic visceral ischemia and a duplex scan showing high-grade stenosis of the SMA, especially when combined with CA stenosis, should have a confirmatory mesenteric angiogram. This approach will facilitate prompt intervention in these patients. If the duplex examination indicates widely patent mesenteric arteries, alternative diagnoses should be investigated. Other applications of mesenteric duplex scanning include evaluation of median arcuate ligament syndrome and postoperative surveillance of mesenteric artery revascularizations.
An Exploratory Study of Local Homeland Security Preparedness Findings and Implications for Future Assessments

As an artifact of the war on terror, local law enforcement agencies have been asked to serve as the "eyes and ears" of federal intelligence agencies. The federal Office of Domestic Preparedness (ODP) has assembled a set of guidelines to assist agencies in terrorism prevention and weapons of mass destruction identification. However, there is a dearth of metrics and measurement tools available to assess preparedness. Based on ODP guidelines, a methodology to tap preparedness levels is defined. Additionally, preliminary findings from an assessment of a large law enforcement agency are presented. Application of this methodology will enhance the preparedness of local agencies by identifying areas of strength and those areas which require attention. Once these deficit areas are defined, policy makers can define appropriate training and programmatic changes.
Suicide among gifted students

Suicide has become the solution to an increasing number of gifted youth's mounting frustrations. While not all or even a documented majority of gifted children attempt suicide as a solution to life's Stressors, the loss of even a small number of gifted youth is reason enough for intervention to be actively sought. One possible solution is mandatory counseling within the gifted curriculum as a preventive intervention.
Social Status, Not Gender Alone, Is Implicated in Different Reactions By Women and Men to Social Ostracism

Williams and Sommer found that ostracized women, but not men, worked harder on a subsequent collective task, speculating that women’s social compensation was motivated by threatened belongingness. The present 2 × 3 design with 180 U.S. women and men replicated this gender gap in work contributions then closed it using two status-manipulations that favored women’s task abilities or the higher education of undergraduates with high school partners. Additional analyses identified three clusters of participants who failed to compensate: only men in the replication control, women scoring low in self-monitoring, and participants who persisted unsuccessfully to resist exclusion. These patterns shift our focus away from gender and threatened belongingness toward control and status as explanations for the original gender difference.
Integrating the humanities and engineering: The implications of an interdisciplinary-based learning module

An integrative learning module was used as an instructional method of integrating the humanities into engineering courses. This module was implemented into a freshman engineering course and a sophomore/junior engineering course. Student perceptions of characteristics needed by engineering professionals and how the module affected these perceptions were assessed. Overall, the module helped students to have a clearer understanding of the connection between the humanities and engineering practice.
On the ontological scheme of Beyond nature and culture

This article is an alternative reading of Philippe Descola’s ontological scheme, arguing that animism, totemism, and analogism are but three forms of animism, namely communal, segmentary, and hierarchical. Often found in various degrees of salience in the same society, all moreover are versions of an anthropomorphism well known as our own default scheme of things. Ethnographic examples are provided.
Transforming growth factor-α mediates estrogen-induced upregulation of glutamate transporter GLT-1 in rat primary astrocytes

Glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1) plays a central role in preventing excitotoxicity by removing excess glutamate from the synaptic clefts. 17β-Estradiol (E2) and tamoxifen (TX), a selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulator, afford neuroprotection in a range of experimental models. However, the mechanisms that mediate E2 and TX neuroprotection have yet to be elucidated. We tested the hypothesis that E2 and TX enhance GLT-1 function by increasing transforming growth factor (TGF)-α expression and, thus, attenuate manganese (Mn)-induced impairment in astrocytic GLT-1 expression and glutamate uptake in rat neonatal primary astrocytes. The results showed that E2 (10 nM) and TX (1 μM) increased GLT-1 expression and reversed the Mn-induced reduction in GLT-1, both at the mRNA and protein levels. E2/TX also concomitantly reversed the Mn-induced inhibition of astrocytic glutamate uptake. E2/TX activated the GLT-1 promoter and attenuated the Mn-induced repression of the GLT-1 promoter in astrocytes. TGF-α knockdown (siRNA) abolished the E2/TX effect on GLT-1 expression, and inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor (TGF-α receptor) suppressed the effect of E2/TX on GLT-1 expression and GLT-1 promoter activity. E2/TX also increased TGF-α mRNA and protein levels with a concomitant increase in astrocytic glutamate uptake. All ERs (ER-α, ER-β, and G protein-coupled receptor 30) were involved in mediating E2 effects on the regulation of TGF-α, GLT-1, and glutamate uptake. These results indicate that E2/TX increases GLT-1 expression in astrocytes via TGF-α signaling, thus offering an important putative target for the development of novel therapeutics for neurological disorders.
Balancing on the crest – Evidence for disruption of the enteric ganglia via inappropriate lineage segregation and consequences for gastrointestinal function

Normal enteric nervous system (ENS) development relies on numerous factors, including appropriate migration, proliferation, differentiation, and maturation of neural crest (NC) derivatives. Incomplete rostral to caudal migration of enteric neural crest-derived progenitors (ENPs) down the gut is at least partially responsible for the absence of enteric ganglia that is a hallmark feature of Hirschsprung disease (HSCR). The thought that ganglia proximal to aganglionosis are normal has guided surgical procedures for HSCR patients. However, chronic gastrointestinal dysfunction suffered by a subset of patients after surgery as well as studies in HSCR mouse models suggest that aberrant NC segregation and differentiation may be occurring in ganglionated regions of the intestine. Studies in mouse models that possess enteric ganglia throughout the length of the intestine (non-HSCR) have also found that certain genetic alterations affect neural crest lineage balance and interestingly many of these mutants also have functional gastrointestinal (GI) defects. It is possible that many GI disorders can be explained in part by imbalances in NC-derived lineages. Here we review studies evaluating ENS defects in HSCR and non-HSCR mouse models, concluding with clinical implications while highlighting areas requiring further study.
Prediction of part orientation error tolerance of a robotic gripper

This paper presents a model which predicts the part orientation error tolerance of a three-fingered robotic gripper. The concept of ''self-alignment'' is introduced, where the gripper uses the grasping process to bring the workpiece into its final state of orientation. The gripper and part are represented mathematically, and initial contact locations upon grasp closure determined. This information is used to solve for the contact forces present, and criteria are developed to determine if beneficial part motion resulting in self-alignment is expected. The results are visualized via a boundary projected on a reference plane below the part. The model is validated experimentally with a number of part configurations with favorable results. This method presents a useful tool by which the mechanical designer can quantitatively predict the performance of an intuitively designed gripping system.
Interaction of O2 with Pd single crystals in the range 1–150 Torr: Oxygen dissolution and reaction

The interaction of O2 with Pd(1 1 1), Pd(1 1 0) and Pd(1 0 0) was studied in the pressure range 1–150 Torr by the techniques of temperature programmed decomposition (TPD), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and low energy electron diffraction (LEED). The oxidation of Pd was rate-determined by oxygen diffusion into Pd metal followed by the diffusion into PdO once the bulk oxide layer was formed. The dissolution of oxygen atoms into Pd metal followed the Mott–Cabrera model with diffusion coefficient 10−16 cm2 s−1 at 600 K and activation energy of 60–85 kJ mol−1. The bulk oxide phase was formed when a critical oxygen concentration was reached in the near-surface region. The formation of PdO was characterized by a decrease in the oxygen uptake rate, the complete fading of the metallic Pd LEED pattern and an atomic ratio O/Pd of 0.15–0.7 as measured by AES. The diffusion of oxygen through the bulk oxide layer again conformed to the Mott–Cabrera parabolic diffusion law with diffusion coefficient 10−18 cm2 s−1 at 600 K and activation energy of 111–116 kJ mol−1. The values for the diffusion coefficient and apparent activation energy increased as the surface atom density of the single crystals increased.
Almost periodically unitary stochastic processes

Abstract A continuous second order complex process {X(t),tϵ R } defined on a probability space (Ω, F , P) is called almost periodically unitary (APU) if there exists a strongly continuous one parameter group of unitary operators {U(τ),τϵ R } for which the set S(e,X,U) = {τ:sup tϵ R ‖X(t+τ)−U(τ)X(t)‖ L 2 relatively dense (has bounded gaps) for every e > 0. These processes include continuous stationary processes for which S(e,X,U) = R , continuous periodically correlated processes for which S(e,X,U)⊃ R {jT,jϵ Z } for some real T, and the L2-valued uniformly almost periodic functions for which U(τ) = In this paper, we show that X(t) is APU if and only if X(t) = U(t)[P(t)] where P(t) is an L2-valued uniformly almost periodic function. Examples are given and basic properties motivated by the theory of uniformly almost periodic functions are provided. These processes are shown to be uniformly almost periodically correlated and hence almost periodically correlated in the sense of Gladyshev. We give representations for the processes based on the spectral theory for unitary groups and on the harmonic analysis of uniformly almost periodic functions. Finally, we give an analysis of the correlation functions in terms of the representation theory, and show that every APU process is a uniform limit of a sequence of strongly harmonizable processes.
The distribution and variability of mesospheric odd nitrogen - A theoretical investigation

Model calculations of the distribution of mesospheric odd nitrogen (NOx) predict large differences between the summer and winter hemispheres. The smallest mixing ratios occur in summer where dissociation of NO followed by recombination provides an efficient sink and creates a sharp minimum between 70 and 75 km. No such minimum occurs in the winter where a downward flux of NOx extends from the lower thermosphere into the upper stratosphere. However, dissociation still exerts a major influence on the NOx abundance in the winter hemisphere and limits the downward flow of nitric oxide to values much smaller than expected in the polar night.
Electric field induced by dynamical change of dipolar configurations in ferromagnets.

An analytical expression for the electric field, ${\mathbf{E}}_{\mathrm{int}}$, induced by any dynamical change of dipolar configuration is derived for ferromagnets. Effective Hamiltonian simulations are further conducted to realistically compute such field in an asymmetric permalloy ring. It is found that ${\mathbf{E}}_{\mathrm{int}}$ mostly consists of short pulses that are correlated with the rapid temporal change of the magnetic toroidal moment in this low-dimensional ferromagnet, thus providing macroscopic information about the dynamical change of magnetic vortices. Discussion about the connection between ${\mathbf{E}}_{\mathrm{int}}$ and some electric fields recently mentioned in the literature is also provided.
Rotation of actin monomers during isometric contraction of skeletal muscle.

Cyclic interactions of myosin and actin are responsible for contraction of muscle. It is not self-evident, however, that the mechanical cycle occurs during steady-state isometric contraction where no work is produced. Studying cross-bridge dynamics during isometric steady-state contraction requires an equilibrium time-resolved method (not involving application of a transient). This work introduces such a method, which analyzes fluctuations of anisotropy of a few actin molecules in muscle. Fluorescence anisotropy, indicating orientation of an actin protomer, is collected from a volume of a few attoliters (10−18 L) by confocal total internal reflection (CTIR) microscopy. In this method, the detection volume is made shallow by TIR illumination, and narrow by confocal aperture inserted in the conjugate image plane. The signal is contributed by approximately 12 labeled actin molecules. Shortening of a myofibril during contraction is prevented by light cross-linking with 1-ethyl-3-[3-dimethylamino)-propyl]-carbodiimide. The root mean-squared anisotropy fluctuations are greater in isometrically contracting than in rigor myofibrils. The results support the view that during isometric contraction, cross-bridges undergo a mechanical cycle.
More Bang for the Buck?: Personality Traits as Moderators of Responsiveness to Pay-for-Performance

Extensive prior research has found that, on average, people are more productive under properly designed incentive pay systems; this effect is not necessarily uniform across people, however. In two laboratory studies utilizing within-person study designs and tasks varying in level of structure, we examine how individuals’ personality dispositions systematically predict differential responsiveness to pay-for-performance (PFP) relative to fixed pay. As expected, average productivity was higher when people received PFP (in the form of piecework pay) than when they received fixed pay, but the productivity-enhancing effects of PFP were especially pronounced for more extraverted and less conscientious individuals in less structured tasks. Emotionally stable individuals also had enhanced productivity under PFP, an effect that has not been observed in previous research on personality and pay.
The pharmacology of ion channels: with particular reference to voltage-gated Ca2+ channels.

Abstract Ion channels are molecular machines that serve as principal integrating and regulatory devices for the control of cellular excitability. They are also major targets for drug action. The basic aspects of ion channel structure and pharmacological control are reviewed and illustrated with specific reference to a major class of therapeutic agents and molecular tools — the clinically available Ca 2+ channel antagonists.
Multimodal programming for dyslexic students

As the Web's role in society increases, so to does the need for its universality. Access to the Web by all, including people with disabilities has become a requirement of Web sites as can be seen by the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. This universality has spilled over into other disciplines, e.g. screen readers for Web browsing; however Computer Science has not yet made significant efforts to do the same. The main focus of this research is to provide this universal access in the development of virtual learning environments, more specifically in computer programming. To facilitate this access, research into the features of dyslexia is required: what it is, how it affects a person's thought process and what changes are necessary to facilitate these effects. Also, a complete understanding of the thought process in the creation of a complete computer program is necessary.Dyslexia has been diagnosed as affecting the left side of the brain. The left side of the brain processes information in a linear, sequential manner. It is also responsible for processing symbols, which include letters, words and mathematical notations. Thus dyslexics have problems with the code generation, analysis and implementation steps in the creation of a computer program. Potential solutions to this problem include a multimodal programming environment.This multimodal environment will be interactive, providing multimodal assistance to the user as they generate, analyze and implement code. This assistance will include the ability to add functions and loops via voice and receiving a spoken description of a code segment that has been selected by the cursor.
Temperature changes following microinjection of histamine into the thermoregulatory centers of the rat

Par administration intracerebrale (hypothalamus rostral), l'histamine engendre de l'hypothermie chez le rat. L'administration d'une antihistamine, 1 h avant l'injection de l'histamine empeche cet abaissement de temperature. On discute la question de savoir si l'histamine peut etre ou non un neurotransmetteur dans les centres thermoregulateurs.
Differential usage of carbohydrate co-receptors influences cellular tropism of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus infection of the central nervous system.

Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis viruses (TMEV) are ubiquitous pathogens of mice, producing either rapidly fatal encephalitis (high-neurovirulence strains) or persistent central nervous system infection and inflammatory demyelination (low-neurovirulence strains). Although a protein entry receptor has not yet been identified, carbohydrate co-receptors that effect docking and concentration of the virus on the cell surface are known for both TMEV neurovirulence groups. Low-neurovirulence TMEV use α2,3-linked N-acetylneuramic acid (sialic acid) on an N-linked glycoprotein, whereas high-neurovirulence TMEV use the proteoglycan heparan sulfate (HS) as a co-receptor. While the binding of low-neurovirulence TMEV to sialic acid can be inhibited completely, only a third of the binding of high-neurovirulence TMEV to HS is inhibitable, suggesting that high-neurovirulence strains use another co-receptor or bind directly to the putative protein entry receptor. Four amino acids on the surface (VP2 puff B) of low-neurovirulence strains make contact with sialic acid through non-covalent hydrogen bonds. Since these virus residues are conserved in all TMEV strains, the capsid conformation of this region is probably responsible for sialic acid binding. A persistence determinant that maps within the virus coat using recombinant TMEV is also conformational in nature. Low-neurovirulence virus variants that do not bind to sialic acid fail to persist in the central nervous system of mice, indicating a role for sialic acid binding in TMEV persistence. Analysis of high-neurovirulence variants that do not bind HS demonstrates that HS co-receptor usage influences neuronal tropism in brain, whereas, the HS co-receptor use is not required for the infection of spinal cord anterior horn cells associated with poliomyelitis.
Phonocardiographic recording from the trachea: use of a special endotracheal tube

In this report we present a novel method of phonocardiography based on the capture of heart sounds from the cuff of a modified endotracheal tube (ETT). The ETT cuff is connected to a special leak-free microphone using a three-way valve after ETT cuff inflation to around 20 mm Hg pressure. An audio amplifier amplifies the signal from the microphone to a level suitable for recording.
Design and analysis of experimental performance of the Los Alamos HIBAF facility accelerator using the INEX computer model

The authors review the accelerator design of the high brightness accelerator free electron laser (FEL) (HIBAF) at Los Alamos National laboratory and analyze its performance. HIBAF is the first high-brightness high-current (several hundred amperes) accelerator build using a photoelectric injector. The authors discuss the design philosophy and the integrated numerical experiment (INEX) design tool, and describe the accelerator components. Currently, the machine has only been operated at intermediate energies near 15 MeV. The INEX computer code package is used to examine the accelerator performance by comparing the measurements with simulations at that energy. The accelerator should be able to reach the design goal of 300 A current with the normalized 90% transverse emittance of less than 50 pi mm mrad for a 5-nC bunch after reaching the final energy of 40 MeV. >
Finite-Difference Solution for Three-Dimensional Boundary Layers with Large Positive and Negative Crossflows

This paper shows how finite-difference methods can he used to analyze three-dimensional boundary layers on axisymmetric bodies with large positive and negative crossflows. The particular problem considered is the flow around a sphere in a single layer of spheres. The external flow is given by the potential solution and is obtained by doing experiments in an electrolytic tank. The computational scheme was found to be stable provided that the components of the wall velocity gradient along the meridians were positive. The solution covered regions of both positive and negative crossflows so that the angle between the limiting steamlines and the meridians varied between -4~33° and —90°. These computational results are consistent with an analysis of the stability of the numerical scheme. INITE-DIFFERENCE methods are now widely used to solve the equations for two-dimensional boundary layers. This paper shows how such techniques can be applied to an axisymmetric body having a three-dimensio nal boundary layer with large positive and negative crossflows. We consider the laminar boundary layer on a sphere in a single layer of spheres for which the external flow is given by potential theory. Because of the very large crossflows, particular attention had to be paid to the stability of the calculations. The computational scheme developed is also of interest in that the external flow was determined from experiments in an electrolytic tank and therefore is given in tabular form. Boundary-layer separation can cause the flow external to the boundary layer to be different from that predicted by potential theory. Therefore the calculated results can be expected to disagree with measurements, particularly near separation. The two methods that have been most widely used for three-dimensional boundary layers involve series expansions or integral forms of the momentum equations. (Series solutions have been reviewed by Crab tree, Kuchemann, and Sowerby.1) They are limited in that they are conveniently applied only in a region close to the birthplace of the boundary layer. Momentum integral methods have usually been formulated in an "intrinsic" system of coordinates constructed from the projections of the external streamlines and their orthogonals. They have been most useful when a asmall crossflow approximation" can be made whereby the velocity components in the boundary layer perpendicular to the direction of the external streamlines can be assumed to be small. A review of this category of solutions is given by Cooke and Hall.2 Integral methods are not conveniently applied to the problem considered in this paper because equations for an intrinsic set of coordinates are not easily derived and because a small crossflow approximation would not be applicable. Very recently Der and Raetz,3 Hall,4 and Dwyer5 applied finite-difference methods to three-dimensional boundary layers. The difference approximations used are implicit in the direction normal to the solid surface and explicit in the tangential directions. The results of Hall and Dwyer are
CIF applications. XIII. CIFEDIT, a program for viewing and editing CIFs

The CIFEDIT program displays the contents of single- or multi-block crystallographic information files (CIF). The program can also be used to edit the data values for CIF items, including adding or deleting sets of entries in a loop. CIF dictionaries are used to display definitions for data names and units. In the case of DDL 1.4 dictionaries, validation information is used to check numerical values. The program is written using the cross-platform scripting language Tcl/Tk and thus is largely platform-independent. It has been tested under Windows, Mac OS X and Unix.
Aortic Arteriosclerosis in the Dog After Localized Aortic Irradiation with Electrons

The distal segments of the abdominal aortas of 15 dogs were irradiated with electrons in doses ranging from 1,000 to 9,500 rads and were examined histologically at intervals ranging from 2 weeks to 17 months following irradiation. Pronounced aortic arteriosclerosis developed and was sharply localized to the aortic segment irradiated. Except in one dog, radiation-induced arteriosclerosis was more pronounced on the dorsal than on the ventral aortic wall. There was no evidence that severity of aortic arteriosclerosis was related to the dose of irradiation or was increased with time following irradiation. The development of arteriosclerotic lesions of the aorta induced by electron irradiation was similar to that observed after x-irradiation and to that occurring naturally in old dogs. It is suggested that electron irradiation may have caused selective injury of the internal elastic lamina, which was then followed by intimal fibrous proliferation and formation of intimal plaques.
Analysis of antennas with elliptical apertures using Fourier-Bessel expansion

The Fourier-Bessel expansion technique for elliptical apertures is described. The elliptical coordinate system is introduced and the radiation integral of a reflector antenna is expressed in terms of radial and angular Mathieu functions. However, the integrals can be simplified, and the final integrals are written in terms of Bessel functions only. An effort is also made to compare the Jacobi-Bessel expansion and Fourier-Bessel techniques and to find the convergence behaviors of both methods for various sizes and shapes of the elliptical aperture. The procedures discussed are also applicable to any elliptically shaped aperture-type antennas with known aperture distributions. >
Using an Explicit Teamwork Model and Learning in RoboCup: An Extended Abstract

The RoboCup research initiative has established synthetic and robotic soccer as testbeds for pursuing research challenges in Articial Intelligence and robotics. This extended abstract focuses on teamwork and learning, two of the multi- agent research challenges highlighted in RoboCup. To address the challenge of teamwork, we discuss the use of a domain-independent explicit model of team- work, and an explicit representation of team plans and goals. We also discuss the application of agent learning in RoboCup.
The role of bacterial vaginosis in infection after major gynecologic surgery.

Purpose: Previous studies have reported an association between bacterial vaginosis (BV) and postoperative fever and infection. This prospective study investigated whether the intermediate or definite stages of BV are risk factors for postoperative infection after major gynecologic surgery.
Phenotypic and cytogenetic characterization of a cell line derived from primary prostatic carcinoma

A new cell line, PPC-1, has been established from a specimen obtained from a patient with a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the prostate. This is the first line of its type derived from a primary prostatic tumor site. PPC-1 cells have become immortalized in culture, exhibit transformation parameters including relaxed growth factor requirements and anchorage-independent growth, and are highly tumorigenic in nude mice. Cytogenetic studies by G-banding revealed a grossly abnormal karyotype, with a modal chromosome number of 84, multiple marker chromosomes including both homogeneously staining regions and double minutes and clonal loss of chromosomes 3, 5, 10, 15 and Y.
Coagulation under Flow: The Influence of Flow-Mediated Transport on the Initiation and Inhibition of Coagulation

A mathematical model of intravascular coagulation is presented; it encompasses the biochemistry of the tissue factor pathway, platelet activation and deposition on the subendothelium, and flow- and diffusion-mediated transport of coagulation proteins and platelets. Simulation experiments carried out with the model indicate the predominant role played by the physical processes of platelet deposition and flow-mediated removal of enzymes in inhibiting coagulation in the vicinity of vascular injury. Sufficiently rapid production of factors IXa and Xa by the TF:VIIa complex can overcome this inhibition and lead to formation of significant amounts of the tenase complex on the surface of activated platelets and, as a consequence, to substantial thrombin production. Chemical inhibitors are seen to play almost no (TFPI) or little (AT-III and APC) role in determining whether substantial thrombin production will occur. The role of APC is limited by the necessity for diffusion of thrombin from the site of injury to nearby endothelial cells to form the thrombomodulin-thrombin complex and for diffusion in the reverse direction of the APC made by this complex. TFPI plays an insignificant part in inhibiting the TF:VIIa complex under the conditions studied whether its action involves sequential binding of TFPI to Xa and then TFPI:Xa to TF:VIIa, or direct binding of TFPI to Xa already bound to the TF:VIIa complex.
A Quantitative Approach for Analysis of Defect Tolerance in QCA

Quantum dot cellular automata (QCA) is one of the emerging nanotechnologies for the design of next generation nanocomputing systems. However, excessive defects at the device level are expected to become a fundamental obstacle for achieving reliable computation in QCA-based integrated systems. In this paper, we present an information-theoretic approach to investigate the relationship between defect tolerance and the redundancy inherent in QCA systems. The proposed method allows us to evaluate the effectiveness of redundancy-based defect tolerance in a quantitative manner.
Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors are Sensors for Ethanol in Lung Fibroblasts

BACKGROUND Chronic ethanol (EtOH) abuse in humans is known to independently increase the incidence of and mortality due to acute lung injury in at-risk individuals. However, the mechanisms by which EtOH affects lung cells remain incompletely elucidated. In earlier work, we reported that EtOH increased the expression in lung fibroblasts of fibronectin, a matrix glycoprotein implicated in lung injury and repair. This effect was blocked by α-bungarotoxin, a neurotoxin that binds certain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) thereby implicating nAChRs in this process. Here, we examine the identity of these receptors. METHODS Mouse lung fibroblasts were stimulated with EtOH (60 mM) or acetylcholine (100 to 500 μM) and evaluated for the expression of fibronectin and nAChRs. Inhibitors to nAChRs or the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) were used to assess changes in fibronectin expression. Animals exposed to EtOH for up to 6 weeks were used to evaluate the expression of nAChRs in vivo. RESULTS First, in EtOH-treated fibroblasts, we observed increased expression of α4 and α9 nAChR subunits. Second, we found that acetylcholine, a natural ligand for nAChRs, mimicked the effects of EtOH. Dihydro-β-erythroidin hydrobromide, a competitive inhibitor of α4 nAChR, blocked the increase in fibronectin expression and cell proliferation. Furthermore, EtOH-induced fibronectin expression was inhibited in cells silenced for α4 nAChR. However, EtOH-treated cells showed increased α-bungarotoxin binding suggesting that α4 nAChR mediates the effects of EtOH via a ligand-independent pathway. Knowing there are several important cysteine residues near the ligand-binding site of α4 nAChRs, we tested the antioxidant NAC and found that it too blocked the induction of fibronectin expression by EtOH. Also, fibroblasts exposed to oxidant stress showed increased fibronectin expression that was blocked with α-bungarotoxin. Finally, we showed increased expression of α4 nAChRs in the lung tissue of mice and rats exposed to EtOH suggesting a role for these receptors in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, our observations suggest that α4 nAChRs serve as sensors for EtOH-induced oxidant stress in lung fibroblasts, thereby revealing a new mechanism by which EtOH may affect lung cells and tissue remodeling and pointing to nAChRs as potential targets for intervention.