cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU-FF-J-143: A Feasibility Study of Using O-18 Enriched Water to Develop a Method of In-Vivo Range Verification in Proton Therapy

Purpose: To report a feasibility study of using oxygen‐18 (O‐18) enriched water in combination with PET to develop a method of in vivo range verification in proton therapy. O‐18 enriched water is non‐toxic and non‐radioactive and can be safely administered to patients before protontreatment. When protons interact with O‐18, it is converted to F‐18 which decays back to O‐18 by positron emission with a half‐life of 110min. For the O18(p,n)F18 reaction, the interaction cross‐section is larger, the energy threshold lower, and the half‐life longer compared to most other inelastic proton interactions in patients leading to positron decay. Method and Materials: O‐16 water, 98% O‐18 enriched water, and 10% O‐18 enriched water samples were placed inside a polystyrene phantom and irradiated with a modulated 149 MeV proton beam with a 6 cm wide Spread Out Bragg Peak (SOBP) at three depths (mid‐entrance region, proximal, and distal third of the SOBP). The activity decay of each water sample was measured using a NaI detector for 1–2 hours. Additional information was obtained by scanning the irradiated water samples with a high‐resolution animal PET scanner. Results: As expected O‐16 irradiated water had a higher initial activity than 10% O‐ 18 and 98% O‐18 enriched water at each depth. However, at later times, the activity in the O‐18 samples was larger due to the short half‐times of positron‐emitting products resulting from O‐16 irradiation. Furthermore, there was a larger reduction of activity of irradiated O‐16 across the SOBP as compared to O‐18 irradiated water. Conclusion: Application of O‐18 enriched water has features that make it an attractive method for in‐vivo range verification of proton beams. It is likely that this method could also be useful for in vivo dose verification.
Objective Priors for Parameters in a Normal Linear Regression with Measurement Error

We investigate certain objective priors for the parameters in a normal linear regression models with one of the explanatory variables subject to measurement error. We first show that the use of the standard non informative prior for normal linear regression without measurement error leads to an improper posterior in the measurement error model. We then derive the Jeffreys prior and reference priors, and show that they lead to proper posteriors. We use simulation study to compare the frequentist performance of the estimates derived using these priors, and the MLE.
SU-E-T-430: Quantifying Alterations in Flattened and Flattening-Filter-Free Beam Characteristics from a Gantry Mounted, in Vivo Beam Delivery Verification System on a TrueBeam Linear Accelerator

Purpose: Planning and delivery of radiation therapy are becoming more complex with the wide use of intensity‐modulated radiation therapy(IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). In vivo quality assurance of field modulation is possible using a novel multiwire “harp” ionization chamber array DAVID (PTW, Freiburg, Germany) positioned at the treatment head. The purpose of this work is to pre‐validate its use in vivo by characterizing potential dosimetric changes in the beam introduced by the device.Methods: Beam profiles for 6, 10, 15 MV with flattening filter and 6 MV flattening‐filter‐free (FFF) were acquired for square field sizes of 5, 10, 20, and 35 cm at 5.8 cm depth on a TrueBeam linear accelerator (Varian, Palo Alto, CA). Profiles were acquired in the target‐gun, left‐right, and diagonal directions using the StarCheck Maxi ion chamber array (PTW, Freiburg, Germany) with and without DAVID in place. Ion chamber spacing was 3 mm. Attenuation was measured by calculating the transmission factor at the central chamber with and without DAVID. Results: For beams with a flattening filter, transmission factors ranged from 95–96% with 15 MV to 92–94% with 6 MV. For the 6 MV FFF, the transmission factor was 91–92%. Beam profiles were minimally affected by DAVID, demonstrating at most 1–2% difference at 35 cm field size, for the higher energy beams. For 6 MV and 6 MV FFF and field sizes less than 20 cm, profiles agreed within 1% even in penumbral regions Conclusions: Except for a correctable transmission factor, the presence of DAVID minimally influences dosimetric profiles. Transmission factors range from 92%–96% for conventional beams, but can be lower for FFF beams. In future work, percent depth dose and electron contamination will be measured to examine spectral influences of DAVID on FFF beams
H/D exchange- and mass spectrometry-based strategy for the thermodynamic analysis of protein-ligand binding.

The equilibrium unfolding properties of four model protein systems were characterized using SUPREX (stability of unpurified proteins from rates of H/D exchange). SUPREX is an H/D exchange- and mass spectrometry-based technique for measuring the free energy (ΔGf) and m-value (δΔGf/δ[denaturant]) associated with the folding/unfolding reaction of a protein. The model proteins in this study (calmodulin, carbonic anhydrase II, RmlB, Bcl-xL) were chosen to test the applicability of SUPREX to the thermodynamic analysis of larger (>∼15 kDa) or multidomain proteins. In the absence of ligand, ΔGf and m-values for these proteins could not be evaluated using the conventional data acquisition and analysis methods previously established for SUPREX. However, ligand-bound forms of the proteins were amenable to conventional SUPREX analyses, and it was possible to evaluate reasonably accurate and precise binding free energies of selected ligands. In some cases, protein−ligand dissociation constants (Kd values) could also b...
Genetic diversity and genotypic differentiation between the sexes in swarm aggregations decrease inbreeding in the Formosan subterranean termite

The life of a colony of subterranean termites, such as Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), has natural inbreeding and outbreeding cycles. Reproductives of mature colonies can be replaced by their offspring, which increases the degree of inbreeding in each generation. High degrees of inbreeding may lead to inbreeding depression. In this study we focused on mechanisms for inbreeding avoidance during swarming that do not require kin recognition. We investigated genetic differentiation between swarm aggregations (isolation by distance), genetic diversity within swarm aggregations (multiple colony origin) and genetic differentiation between sexes. Alates were collected from five swarm aggregations in New Orleans, La. The genetic make-up of each swarm aggregation was then described by microsatellite genotyping. Alates from the different swarm aggregations were genetically differentiated; however, no isolation by distance up to at least 1000 m was detected. The dispersal distance of alates was sufficient to guarantee mixing of an average of 13 colonies within swarm aggregations. On average, eleven percent of all possible pairs of alates in each swarm aggregation were putative full siblings. Genotypic frequencies differed significantly between males and females. This could not be explained by sex-biased dispersal. We hypothesize sex-biased investment at the colony level to account for this difference. Genetic differentiation between the sexes and dispersal distances sufficient to promote high genetic diversity within swarm aggregations each facilitate inbreeding avoidance. These observations are consistent with the results of previous studies demonstrating that the majority of simple family colonies in Louisiana populations are headed by unrelated and outbred pairs of reproductives.
Relative importance of birth size and postnatal growth for women's educational achievement.

Abstract Background : Child undernutrition, commonly measured by growth failure, is associated with functional disadvantages later in life. Aims : To assess relationships between child growth and women's educational achievement (EA). Study design and subjects : Women from four ladino Guatemalan villages were measured as children (1969–1977) and again at ages 20–29 years (1996–1999). The anthropometric measurements analyzed were weight, length, and head circumference (HC) at birth and 2 years and height at adulthood. Sample sizes were 120 at birth, 133 at 2 years, and 145 at adulthood; 108 cases had data at all three points. Outcome measures : Women's EA was computed based on five educational tests and was categorized into quintiles. Analysis was based on a proportional odds model. Generalized estimating equations were used to account for sibling clustering. Multiple Stage Least Squares analyses were used to assess the relative importance of birth size and of early (birth to age 2 years) and late postnatal growth (2 years to adulthood). Results : Size at 2 years (HC and length) but no indicator at birth was positively associated with women's EA. Schooling was a strong, positive predictor of women's EA (odds ratio (OR)=13.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) [6.1, 30.6]). Early postnatal growth but not birth size or late postnatal growth was associated with women's EA (OR with 1 standard deviation (S.D.) increment in length=1.5, 95% CI [1.05, 2.2]). Conclusions : Growth in length and HC from birth to 2 years of age, but not birth size or growth after 2 years, is an important predictor of women's EA.
Polyphenol antioxidants in commercial chocolate bars: Is the label accurate?

Abstract Polyphenols in cocoa have been shown to be responsible for beneficial health effects, especially in the cardiovascular area. Many people consume their chocolate in the form of bars, readily available in retail stores. The only information that may be useful to the consumer in choosing a healthier bar, with the exception of the nutrients, is the % cocoa solids on the label. We have examined the polyphenols in commercial bars by use of two antioxidant assays and corrected that value for non-fat cocoa solids, the source of the polyphenols in the chocolate. We also separated and analyzed by HPLC the two major monomeric polyphenol antioxidants, epicatechin and catechin. We found a significant and linear relationship between label % cocoa solids and the antioxidant assays as well as the sum of the monomers. Consumers can thus rationally choose chocolate bars based on % cocoa solids on the label.
Factors affecting response of lactating cows to ammonia-treated corn silages

Abstract Ninety-seven lactating cows were fed corn silages treated with urea or ammonia in two experiments. Ammoniation of silage with 30 to 42% dry matter resulted in higher lactic acid and water insoluble nitrogen than urea treatments, and urea silage was higher in water insoluble nitrogen than controls. Increases in water insoluble nitrogen accounted for 57% of the added ammonia nitrogen and 29% of the urea nitrogen. Addition of ammonia to silage with 53% dry matter or in quantity (1.86% of the silage dry matter) decreased lactate concentrations in silage. Acetic acid in silages was not consistently affected by nonprotein nitrogen treatments. Highest milk yields in both experiments were on ammoniated silages (30 to 42% dry matter). Addition of ammcnia to silage with 53% and urea to silage with 4% dry matter depressed milk production to a yield similar to that in negative controls. Milk was slightly less for aqua ammonia than the commercial ammonia mixture. There were no differences in intake between the nonprotein nitrogen treatments; thus, conversion of feed to milk was slightly higher for cows fed the ammonia-treated silages. Neither milk fat percent nor body weight changes were significantly affected by silage treatments.
Efficient Rank Regression with Wavelet Estimated Scores

We provide an estimate of the score function for rank regression using compactly supported wavelets. This estimate is then used to find a rank-based asymptotically efficient estimator for the slope parameter of a linear model. We also provide a consistent estimator of the asymptotic variance of the rank estimator. For related mixed models, the asymptotic relative efficiency is also discussed
Revealing protein structures in solid-phase peptide synthesis by 13C solid-state NMR: evidence of excessive misfolding for Alzheimer's β.

Solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) is a widely used technique in biology and chemistry. However, the synthesis yield in SPPS often drops drastically for longer amino acid sequences, presumably because of the occurrence of incomplete coupling reactions. The underlying cause for this problem is hypothesized to be a sequence-dependent propensity to form secondary structures through protein aggregation. However, few methods are available to study the site-specific structure of proteins or long peptides that are anchored to the solid support used in SPPS. This study presents a novel solid-state NMR (SSNMR) approach to examine protein structure in the course of SPPS. As a useful benchmark, we describe the site-specific SSNMR structural characterization of the 40-residue Alzheimer’s β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide during SPPS. Our 2D 13C/13C correlation SSNMR data on Aβ(1–40) bound to a resin support demonstrated that Aβ underwent excessive misfolding into a highly ordered β-strand structure across the entire amino aci...
Performances of Silicon Micro-Flow-Passage Cold Plates From Single-Phase to Two-Phase With Water and HFE-7100 as Working Fluids

Two-phase (phase-change) microchannel (MC) system is a promising technology for achieving enhanced heat removal for highdensity electronics. Yet phase-change studies in MCs with hydraulic diameters on the order of several hundred micrometers or smaller have been inconclusive. Most of earlier studies involved one specific channel design and one type of working fluid. It is thus difficult to make fair comparisons across various experimental works toward recommending the best design option for real applications under specific operating conditions. In the current work, flow boiling experiments were conducted for MC cold plates with channel widths ranging from 61 μm to 330 μm and channel height ∼ 300 μm (hydraulic diameters from ∼ 100 μm to ∼ 337 μm) and a pin-fin array cold plate with fin size and inter-spacing ∼ 150 μm. Two working fluids, deionized water at sub-atmospheric pressure (∼ 25 kPa to 45 kPa) and HFE-7100 at ambient pressure, were tested respectively. High-speed visualization facilities were employed to help understand the rapid phase-change processes inside the flow passages. Pressure drop and heat transfer characteristics of the microchannel cold plates under various heat flux and flow rate conditions were recorded and analyzed as well as boiling fluctuations. Detailed visualization results will be presented in a separate paper [Tong et al., IMECE2007-42028].Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Learnability and cognition: The acquisition of argument structure.

Part 1 A learnability paradox: argument structure and the lexicon the logical problem of language acquisition Baker's paradox attempted solutions to Baker's paradox. Part 2 Constraints on lexical rules: morphological and phonological constraints semantic constraints how semantic and morphological constraints might resolve Baker's paradox evidence for criteria-governed productivity problems for the criteria-governed productivity theory. Part 3 Constraints and the nature of argument structure: overview - why lexical rules carry semantic constraints constraints of lexical rules as manifestations of more general phenomena a theory of argument structure on universality. Part 4 Possible and actual forms: the problem of negative exceptions transitive action verbs as evidence for narrow subclasses the nature of narrow conflation classes defining and motivating subclasses of verbs licensing the four alterations the relation between narrow-range and broad-range rules. Part 5 Representation: the need for a theory of lexicosemantic representation is a theory of lexical semantics feasible? evidence for a semantic subsystem underlying verb meanings a cross-linguistic inventory of components of verb meaning a theory of the representation of grammatically relevant semantic structures explicit representations of lexical rules an lexicosemantic structures summary. Part 6 Learning: linking rules lexical semantic structures broad conflation classes (thematic cores) and broad range lexical rules summary of learning mechanisms. Part 7 Development: developmental sequence for argument structure alterations the unlearning problem children's argument structure changing rules are always semantically conditioned do children's errors have the same cause as adults? acquisition of verb meaning and errors in argument structure some predictions about the acquisition of narrow-range rules summary of development. Part 8 Conclusions: a brief summary of the resolution of the paradox argument structure as a pointer between syntactic structure and propositions the autonomy of semantic representation implications for the semantic bootstrapping hyposthesis conservatism, listedness and the lexicon spatial schemas and abstract thought.
The effects of ligand binding on the backbone dynamics of the kringle 1 domain of human plasminogen

Abstract The internal motions of the backbone nitrogen atoms of the kringle 1 domain of human plasminogen (K1 Pg ) were examined in the absence and presence of the ligand, e-aminocaproic acid. These dynamic properties were determined from 15 N NMR relaxation data in terms of the extended model-free parameters. The model of isotropic reorientation was found sufficient to account for overall molecular tumbling for both apo and EACA-bound K1 Pg . The global rotational correlation time (τ m ) for apo-K1 Pg was 5.87(±0.01) ns, while the τ m for ligand-bound K1 Pg was 5.20(±0.01) ns, suggesting that perhaps some small degree of aggregation occurred in the apo form of the kringle module. Complexation of K1 Pg with ligand mainly reduced those internal motions that occurred on a 100 ps to 5 ns time-scale. The magnitude of the chemical exchange was also attenuated upon ligand binding. These data are consistent with studies employing other approaches that suggest that the binding pocket is preformed in K1 Pg .
Automatic formation flight control

The problem of automatic formation fight control is addressed. An aircraft formation consisting of a Leader and Wingman is considered and this novel dynamical system is carefully modelled and analyzed. The subsequent synthesis of a Proportional plus Integral formation hold autopilot is greatly facilitated by our observation that the formation flight control system is amenable to decomposition. Extensive simulations of the nonlinear formation flight control system were performed to validate the proposed formation hold autopilot design.
Relations between volcanism and granitic intrusions in West Chukotka

Granite massifs closely associated with effusives constitute a long series, from diorites and syenite-granites to potassic granites. Each variety has its petrographic and petrochemical analogues among effusive rocks. This is proof positive of their magmatic origin. In each specific instance, differences in the original composition and in means by which a connection between the intrusive and effusive magmas is achieved controlled the trend of chemical differentiation. The minor effusive fields, closely related to large granitic massifs,are characterized by their complex structure, the presence of contemporaneous rocks of different composition, irregular stratification, abundance of coarse tuffs, and fairly common homogeneous inclusions of almost completely crystallized rocks. Such rocks vary in composition from highly acidic (ignimbrites) to fairly basic, with a somewhat higher alkalinity (trachybasalts and melanocratic trachyandesites). On this basis and also structure the late Mesozoic volcano-plutonic r...
A Technique for Kidney Retransplantation After Simultaneous Kidney Pancreas Transplantation

Isolated failure of the renal graft after simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplantation (SPK) is a rare but potential outcome. Many of these patients are candidates for kidney retransplantation. This paper describes a series of 3 patients who underwent successful kidney retransplantation after SPK. The operation was completed through an extraperitoneal incision without disruption of the pancreas graft or need for a transplant nephrectomy.
Specificity in addition of a halomethyl group to a model for a pyridine nucleotide coenzyme

Abstract Reaction of 1-benzyl-3-cyano-1,4-dihydropyridine with 1,1,3-trichloro-1,3,3-trifluoro-2-propanone in acetonitrile gave three dihydropyridines in which a dichlorofluoromethyl group is attached at the 2-, 4-, and 6-positions, respectively. The major products in about identical yield were the 1,2- and the 1,6-dihydropyridine derivatives. Very little of the 1,4-isomer was obtained. These results are interpreted as an indication of a preferred orientation of the haloketone in the transition state for reduction of the carbonyl group. The alkoxide ion produced on reduction undergoes a haloform-like cleavage to generate a dichlorofluoromethyl anion near the 2- or the 6-positions of the pyridinium ring. Addition of the anion to the ring gives the observed products.
The effects of Spall on regional seismograms

The effects of spall on regional signals are investigated using synthetic seismograms to frequencies of 20 Hz. Depending on the scaling relationships used, it is found that spall may have an important effect on regional body waves and especially surface waves. The frequency range in which the spall effect dominates is dependent upon the characteristic times of the spallation process, but generally occurs in the frequency range of about 0.2 to 2 Hz. Because of the peaked nature of the radiated spall spectra, effects at frequencies outside the 0.2 to 2 Hz frequency range will be dominated by the explosion source. The frequency range and strength of the spall effect depend in a complicated manner upon the yield, depth of burial, near-source structure, and material strength. Uncertainties in the spall scaling relationships need to be better understood before the effects of spall on regional discrimination and yield estimation can be properly quantified. copyright American Geophysical Union 1989
A framework for implementing agribusiness internship programs

Internship programs complement classroom instruction in preparing students for careers in the agribusiness industry. For experiential learning to be an integral part of agribusiness training, the student, industry, and educational institution must each provide input into the design and implementation of the internship program. This article presents a framework for developing and implementing an internship program that emphasizes the interrelationships between agribusiness students, industry, and educators. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Automation in the Biomedical Laboratory

Automation resources are used to ease the tasks of recording, classifying, and summarizing experimental information. Three instrumental architectures are examined. Their advantages and limitations are discussed. Multiprocessor structures are shown to combine the advantages of the others. In software, state graph notation is seen as an example of a systematic solution to laboratory automation. A laboratory applications oriented operating system (LAOS) is defined. Automation resources are viewed as a vertical integration of multiprocessor hardware, associated system software tools, and LAOS as a superstructure. The operating system (OS) provides for synchronization and communication among processes executing on separate processors. A human interface converts simple operator commands and instructions into files composed of OS primitives which can be executed by the system. LAOS also monitors high level synchronization and experimental control of the subordinate processes. "Expert system" techniques are examined as a means of achieving a highly automated computer-based laboratory instrument.
Introduction to the recommendations from the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association workgroups on diagnostic guidelines for Alzheimer's disease

Abstract Background Criteria for the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) were established in 1984. A broad consensus now exists that these criteria should be revised to incorporate state-of-the-art scientific knowledge. Methods The National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the Alzheimer's Association sponsored a series of advisory round table meetings in 2009 whose purpose was to establish a process for revising diagnostic and research criteria for AD. The recommendation from these advisory meetings was that three separate work groups should be formed with each assigned the task of formulating diagnostic criteria for one phase of the disease: the dementia phase; the symptomatic, pre-dementia phase; and the asymptomatic, preclinical phase of AD. Results Two notable differences from the AD criteria published in 1984 are incorporation of biomarkers of the underlying disease state and formalization of different stages of disease in the diagnostic criteria. There was a broad consensus within all three workgroups that much additional work is needed to validate the application of biomarkers for diagnostic purposes. In the revised NIA-Alzheimer's Association criteria, a semantic and conceptual distinction is made between AD pathophysiological processes and clinically observable syndromes that result, whereas this distinction was blurred in the 1984 criteria. Conclusions The new criteria for AD are presented in three documents. The core clinical criteria of the recommendations regarding AD dementia and MCI due to AD are intended to guide diagnosis in the clinical setting. However, the recommendations of the preclinical AD workgroup are intended purely for research purposes.
Kinetic characterization and comparison of various protein crosslinking reagents for matrix modification

We have characterized the relative efficacies of a number of protein crosslinking agents that have the potential for use in the crosslinking of proteinaceous matrices both in vitro and in vivo. The crosslinkers tested were; l-threose (LT), Genipin (GP), Methylglyoxal (MG), 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC), proanthrocyanidin (PA) and glutaraldehyde (GA). The relative effectiveness of the crosslinkers with regard to their saturating concentrations was: GA > PA > EDC > MG = GP ≫ LT. Most of the crosslinkers displayed a pH dependence and were more effective at more alkaline pH. At optimal pH and saturating conditions, the relative reaction rates of the crosslinkers were: PA = GA > EDC > GP > MG ≫ LT.
Effect of Environmental Stressors on Male Reproduction

Abstract INTRODUCTION The environment in which an animal exists is composed of many interacting factors, each capable, in great enough magnitude, of eliciting a defensive reaction in the animal's biochemical and physiological constitution (Selye, 1963). The environment includes all external factors (temperature, population density, nutrition, light, etc.) as well as internal factors (pathogenic organisms, parasites, or any other foreign substance). Any change in the “environment” will cause both specific and nonspecific responses that are directed at re-establishing a state of homeostasis in the animal. Siegel (1980) presented a general review of physiological stress in birds and pointed out the differences between specific and nonspecific physiological reactions to environmental stressors. Specific reactions are elicited in response to a particular stressor. For example, when an animal becomes hypovolemic there is a decrease in cardiac output, stroke volume, and arterial pressure. The primary compensating mechanisms then are increased heart rate, increased pulse pressure, increased …
Placenta Accreta and Methotrexate Therapy: Three Case Reports

Placenta accreta is a complication that is rising in incidence. The reported experience of methotrexate treatment in the conservative management of placenta accreta is scant. Three cases of placenta accreta managed with methotrexate are presented. Case 1: A woman had an antenatal diagnosis of placenta percreta. A successful manual placental removal occurred on post-cesarean day 16. Case 2: A woman had retention of a placenta accreta after a term vaginal delivery. Successful dilation and curettage were performed on postpartum day 37. Case 3: A woman had an antenatal diagnosis of placenta previa-percreta with bladder invasion. A simple hysterectomy was performed on post-cesarean day 46. Conservative management and methotrexate treatment resulted in uterine preservation in two of our three patients; however, this treatment did not prevent significant delayed hemorrhage. In view of the rapid resolution of vascular invasion of the bladder, methotrexate may have an important role in the management of placenta percreta with bladder invasion. The utility of methotrexate treatment with the conservative management of placenta accreta requires further evaluation.
How do I tell thee? Voice, pen, or computer key.

In this issue, the previous two articles by Hamby and colleagues and Vega and O'Leary are concerned with whether the method of administration and format of the Conflict Tactics Scale influence participant responses. Because they examine different aspects of the same measure, I was asked to conclude the issue by writing a brief summary and integration of the two articles. Language: en
Measuring the chemosensory irritability of human skin

AbstractContact with environmental chemicals can cause cutaneous sensations of irritation, such as burning, stinging, and itching, that are not always correlated with physical signs of irritation. This paper describes the development and evaluation of a psychophysical methodology that allows for measurement of this form of chemical irritation in humans. In the first experiment a labeled magnitude scale (LMS) was used to assess the chemosensory irritation produced when single concentrations of lactic acid, capsaicin, and ethanol were repeatedly applied to the skin of the face. The chemicals were applied on filter paper disks, occluded, and alternated at 3 min intervals with a water vehicle. The results revealed large differences in reactivity to the three chemicals within and between individuals. A second experiment assessed the reliability of the method and found good reproducibility in a subgroup of subjects from experiment 1. The final experiment tested a modification of the method that employed an asce...
A simple model for multi-ion permeation. Single-vacancy conduction in a simple pore model

Recent experimental evidence suggests that certain membrane channels operate in a nearly ion-saturated state. We therefore consider a "single-vacancy" model of ion permeation: if a channel has n conducting sites, it will contain either n or n-1 ions. Simple analytical expressions for the current, conductance, and reversal potential under bi-ionic conditions are derived. The results are compared with those of single ion models and recent experiments on Ca2(+)-activated K+ channels.
An assessment protocol for selective mutism: Analogue assessment using parents as facilitators.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to present an assessment protocol for conducting a functional analysis of maintaining variables for children with selective mutism. A parent interview was used to identify hypotheses related to mute behavior. The parent initially was trained in, and demonstrated efficiency in, applying various behavior strategies designed to increase speech. During a subsequent analogue assessment, the parent was directed to apply different strategies in both easy demand and hard demand situations. Direct observation of speech rates was analyzed to select the most promising treatments for an 8-year-old girl who spoke only with family members and was able to maintain speech in the presence of unfamiliar adults when stimulus fading techniques were used. Additionally, a contingency that required speech as a criterion for play in a family game was effective in increasing speech. Parent and child ratings of treatment acceptability were obtained for the analogue procedures as well as specific treatment strategies and revealed positive perceptions. A written summary of treatment recommendations was given to parents and to involved professionals. Implications for future assessment of selective mutism are presented.
The Comprehensive Planning Process

(1981). The Comprehensive Planning Process. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas: Vol. 54, No. 9, pp. 397-403.
Physicians’ detection of late-life depression: The roles of dysphoria and cognitive impairment

Objective: To examine factors that impede or facilitate physicians’ detection of depression in later life, including cognitive impairment and patients’ endorsement of dysphoria.Methods: A population-based sample of 344 adults from the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging (SATSA) was utilized. Physician detection of depression was determined by (1) outpatient medical records, (2) antidepressant prescription, and/or (3) inpatient hospitalization. Depressive symptoms were measured by highest score on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression Scale (CES-D), administered on six occasions between 1986 and 1994. Endorsement of dysphoria was examined using two items on the CES-D. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to indicate cognitive impairment.Results: One-hundred thirty-six individuals were above the cut-off on the CES-D on at least one occasion; however, only 14 of these individuals (10%) were detected as depressed by a physician. Higher CES-D total score was significantly related to p...
Comparative anatomy and systematics of the orchid tribe Vanilleae excluding Vanilla

Abstract Vanilleae have been divided into three subtribes consisting of ten genera. We had material for study of all except Dictyophyllaria in subtribe Vanillinae. All genera except Vanilla have few species Clematepistephium and Dictyophyllaria are monospecific. Leafy types have adaxial and abaxial stomata except Clematepistephium , Epistephium , and Eriaxis which have only abaxial tetracytic and anomocytic stomatal apparatuses. Cyrtosia , Erythrorchis , Galeola , and Lecanorchis are leafless. Hypodermis occurs in leaves of Pseudovanilla , Clematepistephium , and Eriaxis ; leaves of Epistephium lack a hypodermis. Mesophyll is homogeneous. Stems of Cyrtosia , Galeola , and Eriaxis and rhizomes of Cyrtosia have a hypodermis. A uniseriate velamen occurs in roots of Erythrorchis , Pseudovanilla , Clematepistephium , and Lecanorchis ; roots of other genera are bounded by a simple epidermis. Exodermal cell walls are -thickened; endodermal cell walls are ○-thickened. Vascular tissue of roots is variously embedded in sclerenchyma or parenchyma; similarly, pith may be sclerenchymatous or parenchymatous. Cladistic analyses result in two equally parsimonious trees with Epistephium and Eriaxis reversed in placement in each tree. Both trees constitute a paraphyletic complex giving rise to a clade containing the monophyletic Lecanorchidinae and Galeolinae. Vegetative anatomical characters have some phylogenetic value in Vanilleae, but they are not useful in resolving placement of the large and polymorphic genus Vanilla .
Understanding board-CEO power dependency perspective under symbolic management

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to better understand dependency issues between the CEO and the board as well as the between the board and CEO through Emerson’s power dependency framework. Design/methodology/approach – A symbolic management approach is integrated with a board-CEO power dependency model to study the dependency issues. Findings – According to the symbolic management perspective, uncertainty increases the likelihood of symbolic actions. A high level of uncertainty in CEO dependency issues suggests a high likelihood that board power over the CEO is manifested on a symbolic level, whereas a low level of uncertainty in board dependency issues suggests otherwise for CEO power over the board. The core of board-dependency issues is information provision. Practical implications – A focus on improving board control over CEO performance, compensation and strategic proposals is likely to generate symbolic actions without an effective result. Originality/value – The paper advocates that an effect...
Are hydrogenated amorphous silicon arrays usable for tomographic imaging

X-ray detectors based on large-area, hydrogenated amorphous silicon photodiode arrays may be useful for performing transmission CT using an X-ray source to acquire the attenuation map for PET and SPECT. Questions regarding the required noise properties of these detectors for current-integration mode transmission CT are answered in this investigation. A simple noise model is developed and from it the first- and second-order statistics are used to examine the propagation of signal and variance through the reconstruction to estimates of the linear attenuation coefficient. Simulation results for a-Si:H detectors are compared with those from a count mode ECT detector used for transmission scanning. For the relatively undemanding application to ECT attenuation correction, these arrays appear to be usable. >
Seismic penetrator technology for use in shallow water seismoacoustics

In shallow water areas at very low frequencies (VLF), the sediments forming the upper part of the seafloor become an important part of the acoustic propagation path from source to receiver. It is difficult to fully understand the physics of propagation in this "extended wave guide" when we are limited to placing sensors only in the water. At the Naval Research Laboratory, two technologies for inexpensive deployment of seismic sensors below the seafloor are being developed. The ocean bottom seismic penetrator (OBSP) uses a modified sediment coring technique. A large weight stand (/spl sim/2200 kg) with an 8 m pipe is suspended from a deep-sea winch wire and pushes a sensor head into the sediments. The weight stand and pipe are then decoupled from the sensor and seafloor recorder and removed from the seafloor. At the conclusion of the seismic measurement period, the recording package is released from the seafloor and returns to the sea-surface for recovery, leaving the buried sensor. A second system is designed for deeper penetration (up to 100 m). In this system, the sensor package contains a small drill motor driven by seawater hydraulics. The sensor/drill package is suspended from a seafloor unit by an electrical/hydraulic umbilical cable and is lowered from the seafloor unit as it drills into the sediments. >
Platinum nanoparticles functionalized with ethynylphenylboronic acid derivatives: selective manipulation of nanoparticle photoluminescence by fluoride ions.

Platinum nanoparticles functionalized with 4-ethynylphenylboronic acid pinacol ester (Pt–EPBAPE) were successfully synthesized by a simple chemical reduction procedure. Because of the formation of conjugated metal–ligand interfacial linkages, the resulting nanoparticles exhibited apparent photoluminescence arising from the nanoparticle-bound acetylene moieties that behaved analogously to diacetylene derivatives. Interestingly, the nanoparticle photoluminescence was markedly quenched upon the addition of fluoride ions (F–). In contrast, significantly less or virtually no change was observed with a variety of other anions such as Cl–, Br–, I–, NO3–, HSO4–, H2PO4–, ClO4–, BF4–, and PF6–. The high selectivity toward fluoride ion is most probably because of the strong specific affinity of the boronic acid moiety to fluoride. The formation of B–F bonds led to the conversion of Bsp2 to Bsp3, as manifested in 11B NMR measurements, which impacted the intraparticle charge delocalization between the particle-bound a...
Parent Involvement: Perceived Encouragement and Barriers to African Refugee Parent and Teacher Relationships.

Children coming from refugee families have special psychological, social, and academic needs, and their success greatly depends on the positive support they receive from the host community. Teachers and peers at the school can provide cumulative support to help these children and their families overcome major socio-cultural and educational challenges. This study provides valuable insights about ways to foster meaningful relationships between refugee parents and teachers based on mutual respect, cooperation, shared responsibility, and effective communication. The findings have significance for communities and schools with a large refugee or displaced population.
Getting there is only half the battle : Stigma consciousness and maintaining diversity in higher education

Increases in stigma consciousness since arriving at a primarily White college could predict the college performance and self-esteem of the academically stigmatized. After reviewing relevant research, the authors report on a study in which 44 stigmatized (African Americans and Latinos/Latinas) and 79 nonstigmatized (Whites and Asian Americans) students completed measures of stigma consciousness, GPA, disengagement from academics, and self-esteem. Among stigmatized males, increases in stigma consciousness predicted lower GPAs and greater disengagement. Although stigmatized females had low GPAs regardless of their increases in stigma consciousness, with increases in stigma consciousness came less disengagement from school and lower self-esteem. The discussion offers suggestions for how to minimize these negative effects of heightened stigma consciousness levels.
Las estrategias del silencio: Pedro Llastra y la postvanguardia chilena

This article discursses how Pedro Lastra’s reflects the complexities of a period usually known in the Spanish American tradition as “the post vanguard”. It specifically focuses on how his work revises the legacy of the most important Chilean avant-garde poets.
The eightfold path to non-enzymatic RNA replication

The first RNA World models were based on the concept of an RNA replicase - a ribozyme that was a good enough RNA polymerase that it could catalyze its own replication. Although several RNA polymerase ribozymes have been evolved in vitro, the creation of a true replicase remains a great experimental challenge. At first glance the alternative, in which RNA replication is driven purely by chemical and physical processes, seems even more challenging, given that so many unsolved problems appear to stand in the way of repeated cycles of non-enzymatic RNA replication. Nevertheless the idea of non-enzymatic RNA replication is attractive, because it implies that the first heritable functional RNA need not have improved replication, but could have been a metabolic ribozyme or structural RNA that conferred any function that enhanced protocell reproduction or survival. In this review, I discuss recent findings that suggest that chemically driven RNA replication may not be completely impossible.
The role of affect in attitude formation: A classical conditioning approach

This study investigates the role of affect in attitude formation. Two experiments, using established conditioning procedures, assessed the impact of affect on attitude formation. The results of Experiment 1 indicate that affect can influence attitudes even in the absence of product beliefs. The results of Experiment 2 suggest that affect plays as important or more important a role than the belief mechanism in attitude formation, depending on the number of repetitions. Implications of the results for understanding the role of affect in advertising are discussed.
Quantitative CMR markers of impaired vascular reactivity associated with age and peripheral artery disease

Background The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate an integrated CMR method incorporating dynamic oximetry, blood flow and pulse-wave velocimetry to assess vascular reactivity in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and healthy controls.
Systematic descriptive matrix analysis of the relationship between environment and agriculture: an interpretation from Alchipichi-Puellaro, Ecuador

This paper examines the usefulness of a systematic typology of agricultural activities. Characteristics of both traditional and modem systems are analysed and the physical and human environmental relationships of the changing agricultural dynamics examined. Altitudinal zonation of the study site offers a diverse agro-ecological physical environment appropriate for the cultivation of subtropical plants, especially fruit. Field work, interview results, air photo analysis and land use mapping combine with a systematic descriptive matrix analysis, to show that in response to the environment and changing market conditions, mixed systems have evolved, often including commercial poultry and egg production. Increasing systematic heterogeneity such as the association of commercial fruticulture with intensive animal husbandry and the association of commercial fruticulture with subsistence and semi-commercial agriculture using animal force, poses problems to the method. The potential for use at other study sites and the limitations of the technique are discussed.
Effect of acepromazine, butorphanol, or N-butylscopolammonium bromide on visceral and somatic nociception and duodenal motility in conscious horses

Objective—To evaluate effects of butorphanol, acepromazine, and N-butylscopolammonium bromide (NBB) on visceral and somatic nociception and duodenal motility in conscious, healthy horses. Animals—6 adult horses. Procedures—Visceral nociception was evaluated by use of colorectal distention (CRD) and duodenal distention (DD) threshold. Somatic nociception was evaluated via thermal threshold (TT). Nose-to-ground height, heart rate, and respiratory rate were also measured. Each horse received each treatment in randomized order; investigators were not aware of treatments. Butorphanol was administered IV as a bolus (18 μg/kg) followed by constant rate infusion at 13 μg/kg/h for 2 hours, whereas acepromazine (0.04 mg/kg), NBB (0.3 mg/kg), and saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (2 mL) were administered IV as a bolus followed by constant rate infusion with saline solution (10 mL/h) for 2 hours. Variables were measured before and for 3 hours after treatment. Data were analyzed by use of a 3-factor ANOVA followed by a Bonf...
Media, scientific journals and science communication: examining the construction of scientific controversies

This paper analyzes the role of the media in the construction of the "water with memory" controversy. It demonstrates that the universality of the canons of the scientific enterprise transcends the scientific publications' domain and can also influence mass media coverage of scientific controversies. Mass media can play a crucial role in scientific controversies. This role goes way beyond acting as secondary sources of news created in the scientific arena. The case study illustrates how media in times of crisis can assume the rhetorical role traditionally imparted to scientific journals, the latter adopting a passionate and sensationalistic approach usually attributed to mass media. The case study demonstrates that mass media's role in science communication cannot be studied in isolation, and that scientific journals and mass media work in interaction in the construction of scientific controversies.
A low-overhead DVR based multicast routing protocol for clustered MANET

Recently an efficient clustering protocol has been reported [1] for mobile ad-hoc networks (MANET). The proposed clustered network has been shown to be more stable than the clustered networks as reported in [3,4]. In this paper, we have proposed a distance vector based multicast routing protocol for MANETs that are clustered following the idea of [1]. The proposed scheme needs much less amount of information exchange compared to the distance vector routing scheme designed for unclustered network. Because of significant reduction in distance vector routing table size and its adaptable nature to the changing ad-hoc network topology caused by node mobility this proposed multicasting routing protocol has been shown to offer efficient utilization of both limited memory and bandwidth for MANET. Besides, we have also shown how our clustered network can offer efficient resource utilization when CBT routing strategy is used.