cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU-E-J-46: Evaluation of the Accuracy of a Six Degree of Freedom Robotic Couch Using ConeBeam CT Images of the Isocal Phantom

Purpose The accuracy of Varian PerfectPitch six degree of freedom (DOF) robotic couch was examined using Varian Isocal phantom and cone-beam CT (CBCT) system. Methods CBCT images of the Isocal phantom were taken at different pitch and roll angles. The pitch and roll angles were varied from 357 to 3 degrees in one degree increments by input from service console, generating a total of 49 combinations with couch angle (yaw) zero. The center positions of the 16 tungsten carbide BBs contained in the Isocal were determined with in-house image processing software. Expected BBs positions at different rotation angles were determined mathematically by applying a combined translation/rotation operator to BB positions at zero pitch and roll values. A least square method was used to minimize the difference between the expected BB positions and their measured positions. In this way rotation angles were obtained and compared with input values from the console. Results A total of 49 CBCT images with voxel sizes 0.51 mm × 0.51 mm × 1 mm were used in analysis. Among the 49 calculations, the maximum rotation angle differences were 0.1 degree, 0.15 degree, and 0.09 degree, for pitch, roll, and couch rotation, respectively. The mean ± standard-deviationmore » angle differences were 0.028±0.001 degree, −0.043±0.003 degree, and −0.009±0.001 degree, for pitch, roll, and couch rotation, respectively. The maximum isocenter shifts were 0.3 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.4 mm in x, y, z direction respectively following IEC6127 convention. The mean isocenter shifts were 0.07±0.02 mm, −0.05±0.06 mm, and −0.12±0.02 mm in x, y and z directions. Conclusion The accuracy of the Varian PerfectPitch six DOF couch was studied with CBCTs of the Isocal phantom. The rotational errors were less than 0.15 degree and isocenter shifts were less than 0.5 mm in any direction. This accuracy is sufficient for stereotactic radiotherapy clinical applications.« less
Treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia with the adenosine deaminase inhibitor 2'-deoxycoformycin

Congenital deficiency of the enzyme adenosine deaminase (ADA, EC 3.5.4.4.) is associated with severe combined immunodeficiency disease characterized by marked lymphopenia and thymic involution.1 ADA catalyzes the deamination of adenosine and deoxyadenosine to inosine and deoxyinosine, respectively, and it has been proposed that the increased levels of deoxyadenosine associated with ADA deficiency lead to the selective accumulation of dATP by lymphoid cells, inhibition of DNA synthesis and cell death.2
Agent-based modeling of energy technology adoption

Agent-based modeling (ABM) techniques for studying human-technical systems face two important challenges. First, agent behavioral rules are often ad hoc, making it difficult to assess the implications of these models within the larger theoretical context. Second, the lack of relevant empirical data precludes many models from being appropriately initialized and validated, limiting the value of such models for exploring emergent properties or for policy evaluation. To address these issues, in this paper we present a theoretically-based and empirically-driven agent-based model of technology adoption, with an application to residential solar photovoltaic (PV). Using household-level resolution for demographic, attitudinal, social network, and environmental variables, the integrated ABM framework we develop is applied to real-world data covering 2004-2013 for a residential solar PV program at the city scale. Two applications of the model focusing on rebate program design are also presented. We develop an integrated agent-based model of residential solar adoption.Model is based upon a theoretically-driven behavioral model and data collection.Multiple data-streams are merged to enable empirical initialization of agent states.We use a technology-specific social network, leveraging observed geographic patterns.Model is validated using multiple (temporal, spatial, and demographic) criteria.
Sorting of Dendritic and Axonal Vesicles at the Pre-axonal Exclusion Zone

Polarized sorting of newly synthesized proteins to the somatodendritic and axonal domains of neurons occurs by selective incorporation into distinct populations of vesicular transport carriers. An unresolved issue is how the vesicles themselves are sorted to their corresponding neuronal domains. Previous studies concluded that the axon initial segment (AIS) is an actin-based filter that selectively prevents passage of somatodendritic vesicles into the axon. We find, however, that most somatodendritic vesicles fail to enter the axon at a more proximal region in the axon hillock, herein referred to as the pre-axonal exclusion zone (PAEZ). Forced coupling of a somatodendritic cargo protein to an axonally directed kinesin is sufficient to drive transport of whole somatodendritic vesicles through the PAEZ toward the distal axon. Based on these findings, we propose that polarized sorting of transport vesicles occurs at the PAEZ and depends on the ability of the vesicles to acquire an appropriately directed microtubule motor.
Basic Semantic Integration

The use of highly abstract mathematical frameworks is essential for building the sort of theoretical foundation for semantic integration needed to bring it to the level of a genuine engineering discipline. At the same time, much of the work that has been done by means of these frameworks assumes a certain amount of background knowledge in mathematics that a lot of people working in ontology, even at a fairly high theoretical level, lack. The major purpose of this short paper is provide a (comparatively) simple model of semantic integration that remains within the friendlier confines of first-order languages and their usual classical semantics and logic.
Polyclonal-antibody-based ELISA to detect milk alkaline phosphatase.

Polyclonal antibodies (PAb) prepared against bovine milk alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were used to develop a competitive indirect (CI) ELISA. Anti-ALP PAb were specific for milk ALP and did not react with ALP from E. coli or bovine and calf intestinal mucosa. Anti-ALP PAb were 20% cross-reactive with bovine placenta ALP. The anti-ALP antibodies also did not recognize bovine serum albumin, acid glycoprotein, ovalbumin, ferritin, and casein, although some cross-reactivity was observed with whey protein isolate. Anti-ALP PAbs reacted with deglycosylated native ALP, but did not recognize ALP denatured at 100 °C in 2% SDS or deglycosylated denatured ALP. When buffered solutions of milk ALP were heated at 70 °C, ALP activity decreased at a faster rate than ALP content determined by CI-ELISA. The ELISA differentiated between native and heat denatured ALP. Further studies are warranted to determine if an ELISA can be used to verify pasteurization of fluid milk. Keywords: Alkaline phosphatase; milk; antibodies; ELISA
Large eddy simulation and ALE mesh motion in Rayleigh-Taylor instability simulation ✩

Abstract Many large eddy simulation (LES) techniques have been developed for stationary computational meshes. This study applies a single equation LES to Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) simulations of Rayleigh–Taylor instability and investigates its effects. Behavior of LES is similar for Eulerian and ALE simulations for the test problem studied. However, the motion of the mesh can be tied to the subgrid scale model in the form of a relaxation weight based on subgrid scale energy. This increases mesh resolution in areas of high subgrid scale energy.
An advanced direct time domain BEM for 3-D wave propagation in acoustic media

This paper presents a new Boundary Element Method (BEM) in the direct time domain for the solution of the wave propagation problem in 3D homogenous inviscid acoustic media. The methodology is based on impulse response techniques. To this end, the fundamental solutions associated with the Boundary Integral Equation are derived for concentrated sources of higher order B-spline time modulation. High order spatial discretization is adopted. The solution is obtained in two major steps. First the B-spline Impulse Response Functions (BIRF) for a system of a specific geometry are calculated. BIRF functions are independent of the actual external excitation and need to be calculated only once for a given geometry. The second step calculates the response of the system to arbitrary excitations through a mere superposition of the BIRF functions. This paper discusses the development of the proposed BEM methodology and its validation. The method is shown to be stable regardless of the selection of the analysis time step, as opposed to the retarded potential techniques reported in the literature. The high level of accuracy and the efficiency of the method are demonstrated.
Upstream influence of numerically simulated squall‐line storms

SUMMARY The squall line’s impact on its upstream environment is examined using traditional cloud and simplieed (parametrized moisture) models. The study was motivated by the need to explain signie cant differences between the two dynamical frameworks. In both, the erst environmental response to the convection consists of a rapidly propagating gravity wave characterized by deep tropospheric subsidence. This gravity wave accelerates the lowlevel storm ine ow in its wake, with the largest effect seen near the surface. In the more sophisticated model, however, this wave is eventually followed by a shorter vertical wavelength feature, one possessing lower-tropospheric ascent. This second gravity wave, absent from the simplieed model runs, substantially alters the upstream environment yet again. The gentle low-level uplift establishes the ‘cool/moist tongue’ ofairthat has been found to stretch well ahead of the storm insimulations.Between thesecond wave and the main storm updraught, the accelerated ineow is shifted from the ground to the middle troposphere where it helps to push dry air into the convecting region. This subsequent environmental adjustment responds to the establishment of a small yet persistent area of weak cooling during the early mature phase. Located in the middle troposphere at the upstream edge of the main cloud mass, this cooling is the combined effect of cloud-water evaporation and the ascent of subsaturated air. Though the cooling that excites it is of relatively small magnitude (<2 K), this wave’s effect is dramatic and signie cant. A crude ex to the moisture parametrization served to establish a qualitatively similar tongue-like feature in the simplie ed model simulations, bringing the results from the two dynamical frameworks more into line.
What Faculty Think: A Survey on Electronic Resources

In the fall of 2007, ebrary surveyed 906 faculty from around the world, asking them how they used electronic resources. This article, focusing on the responses of faculty to a few survey questions, finds some expected and surprising attitudes that faculty have about electronic resources for their own and students' research.
Alterations in cytokine/antioncogene expression in skin lesions caused by "low-risk" types of human papillomaviruses.

ABSTRACT Even though the "low-risk" human papillomavirus (HPV) diseases, such as condyloma acuminatum, rarely progress to malignancy, their high incidence evidences the need for a better understand...
Mechanisms and Constraints on Yeast MAPK Signaling Specificity

The survival of cells relies on their ability to respond specifically to diverse environmental signals. Surprisingly, intracellular signaling pathways often share the same or homologous protein components, yet undesirable crosstalk is, in general, suppressed. This signaling specificity has been well studied in the yeast model system Saccharomyces cerevisiae, where the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are repeatedly employed in mediating distinct biological processes including pheromone-induced mating and filamentous growth under starvation. Although various mechanisms have been proposed to interpret the yeast MAPK signaling specificity, a consistent theory is still lacking. Here, we present a mathematical model that shows signaling specificity can arise through asymmetric hierarchical inhibition. The parameters of our model are, where possible, based on experimental data that allow us to determine the constraints imposed by signaling specificity on these parameters. Our model is in broad agreement with experimental observations to date and generates testable predictions that may stimulate further research.
Segregation, Race, and Infant Well-Being

Residential segregation is a pervasive feature of the urban landscape in the United States, yet few studies have considered how segregation (including all of its conceptual dimensions) influences infant well-being. Here, a comprehensive picture of segregation (including all five dimensions and a composite measure) and infant well-being for whites, blacks, and Hispanics is presented. This study utilizes data from U.S. metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) in 2000 to address these issues. Descriptive results show stark racial differences with blacks fairing worse than whites and Hispanics. Using race-specific generalized linear models, this study finds that the relationship between segregation and infant well-being is largely race-and outcome-specific. Segregation was found to have both negative and positive relationships with infant well-being. The size, direction, and significance of these associations were dependent upon race, measure of infant well-being, and dimension of segregation under consideration. For instance, dissimilarity shared a positive relationship with infant mortality for whites, isolation shared a positive relationship with infant mortality among blacks, and both isolation and concentration shared a negative relationship with infant mortality among Hispanics. Also, the composite measure of all segregation measures positively predicted low birth weight for blacks and Hispanics, as well as infant mortality among blacks. This study highlights the importance of treating segregation as a multi-dimensional concept and viewing it as a potential source of racial disparities in infant well-being.
The Proximate Polity Spatial Context and Political Risk in Local Developmental Goods Provision

The author develops a theory for understanding local developmental goods expenditures in metropolitan areas. The basis of the theory is that local officials seek to minimize the economic and politi...
Mining association rules among gene functions in clusters of similar gene expression maps

Association rules mining methods have been recently applied to gene expression data analysis to reveal relationships between genes and different conditions and features. However, not much effort has focused on detecting the relation between gene expression maps and related gene functions. Here we describe such an approach to mine association rules among gene functions in clusters of similar gene expression maps on mouse brain. The experimental results show that the detected association rules make sense biologically. By inspecting the obtained clusters and the genes having the gene functions of frequent itemsets, interesting clues were discovered that provide valuable insight to biological scientists. Moreover, discovered association rules can be potentially used to predict gene functions based on similarity of gene expression maps.
Tissue probability map constrained CLASSIC for increased accuracy and robustness in serial image segmentation

Traditional fuzzy clustering algorithms have been successfully applied in MR image segmentation for quantitative morphological analysis. However, the clustering results might be biased due to the variability of tissue intensities and anatomical structures. For example, clustering-based algorithms tend to over-segment white matter tissues of MR brain images. To solve this problem, we introduce a tissue probability map constrained clustering algorithm and apply it to serialMR brain image segmentation for longitudinal study of human brains. The tissue probability maps consist of segmentation priors obtained from a population and reflect the probability of different tissue types. More accurate image segmentation can be achieved by using these segmentation priors in the clustering algorithm. Experimental results of both simulated longitudinal MR brain data and the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) data using the new serial image segmentation algorithm in the framework of CLASSIC show more accurate and robust longitudinal measures.
Effect of an Approval-Seeking Induction on Interpersonal Proximity

To determine whether interpersonal proximity is used as an instrumental act for the attainment of social approval female Ss were assigned approval-seeking or approval-avoiding roles and were compared for their subsequent proximity to a female confederate in an otherwise unstructured social situation. Approval-seeking Ss positioned themselves significantly closer to the confederate. Angles of confrontation did not differ between the experimental groups. The study was interpreted as a first step in the development of a comprehensive description of expressions of positive interpersonal affect in informal interaction.
Adoptive Cell Therapy for Colon Cancer: the Right Choice?

Despite significant advances in the treatment and prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC), not all tumors respond to current treatment modalities and patients with advanced disease continue to have a poor prognosis. New treatment strategies are needed to improve long-term survival in colorectal cancer patients with metastatic disease. Adoptive cell therapy is a novel approach that uses one’s own immune cells to target tumor cells directly. For the last two decades, a wide variety of methods have been described. T-lymphocyte-based immunotherapy may be a promising alternative treatment capable of mediating durable regressions in patients with advanced colorectal cancer.
1108 ELEVATED SERUM 1, 25-DIHYDROXYVITAMIN D (1, 25OH 2 D) LEVELS IN THE HYPERCALCEMIA OF SARCOIDOSIS: CORRECTION BY GLUCOCORTICOID THERAPY

It has recently been suggested that the hypercalcemia of pulmonary sarcoidosis could be related to high circulating levels of 1,25OH2D (Bell et al, JCI 64:218, 1978; Papapoulos et al, Lancet i:627, 1979). However, this hypothesis has not been tested in a child. The evaluation of serum calcium levels of 12.4 to 14.8 mg/dl in a 9-year-old girl revealed a low normal immunoreactive PTH level, hypercalcuria, an abnormal Ca/Cr ratio (0.81) and a creatinine clearance of 20.5 ml/min/1.73 M2. Because of hepatomegaly, cutaneous anergy and the presence of native macrophage suppressor activity, a liver biopsy was performed which revealed non-caseating granulomata. Vitamin D metabolite levels were: 25OH-D of 27-45 ng/ml (nl 30±5, SD); 24,25OH2D of 2.3-2.7 ng/ml (nl 1.7±0.5), and 1,25OH2D of 91 and 75 pg/ml (nl 42±15). Despite hypercalcemia, 1,250H2D levels were greater than +2 SD above mean value for age. Prednisone therapy (2 mg/kg/day) lowered serum Ca, urinary Ca/Cr ratio and Ca excretion (388 to 182 mg/day), and ClCr rose to 128 ml/min/1.73 M2. Levels of 1,25OH2D fell to 23 and 28 pg/ml. The finding in this and other adults with sarcoidosis suggests that hypercalcemia and hypercalcuria are related to elevated circulating 1,25OH2D levels. Serum elevations occur independent of PTH or other vitamin D metabolite levels and 1,25OH2D overproduction and hypercalcemia in sarcoidosis can be reversed by glucocorticoids.
Victim survey research: Implications for criminal justice planning

Abstract The historic use of offense reports by police agencies for decision making is examined in the light of another data source — victim surveys. Survey information data can be used to: (1) more reliably estimate the extent and distribution of crime in a community; (2) evaluate the effectiveness of innovative programs; (3) develop police-sponsored public education programs; (4) describe the characteristics of victims and high crime areas; (5) sensitize police to the needs of the victim; and (6) develop police training programs that include dealing with the victim.
Polymer MS-MS by MALDI: some advances and some challenges.

MALDI mass spectrometry has been making a significant impact of the analysis of synthetic polymers. Evidence is its citation by major chapters in monographs on polymer mass spectrometry [1, 2], and a separate monograph on MALDI of synthetic polymers [3]. The purpose of this special issue is to illustrate results from the next step in the use of MALDI for polymer characterization. What has MALDI accomplished to date? The following list indicates analyses for which conventional MALDI is useful, but the list is not exhaustive:
Serum prostate-specific antigen: its use in diagnosis and management of prostate cancer.

Survival in cancer of the prostate is good when the disease is diagnosed and treated at early stages, with five-year survival rates of 77 percent to 80 percent for all localized tumors (Stages A and B), 1,2 ranging considerably higher when the earlier lesions are taken by themselves. In regional disease (Stage C), the rate falls off to 58 percent, while for patients with distant metastases (Stage D) it is a poor 27 percent.' Unfortunately, despite improvements in early diagnosis, about half of prostatic carcinoma cases are still not diagnosed until it has invaded regionally or metastasized. 3,4 Hormone ablative therapy produces some response and palliation of symptoms in 40 percent to 80 percent of patients with Stage C and Stage D tumors, for a median of twelve to eighteen months. 5 Chemotherapy achieves very limited response. 5.6 However, no curative therapy is yet available for regionally invasive and metastatic carcinoma of the prostate. As a result, there is great interest in improved methods for early diagnosis of prostate cancer and in more effective approaches to managing patients with advanced disease.
Motion of a Spinning Top

IF a gyroscope is made with a heavy frame having a mass equal to or greater than the mass of the disk, then when the disk is set in rapid rotation about a vertical axis and the frame (provided with a supporting point) placed upon a smooth surface (Fig. 1a), the friction between the axle and the frame will soon set the frame in rapid rotation. In order to produce the proper amount of friction, the tightness of the axle in the frame is variable by means of an adjustable lock-nut. As the frame rotates about the vertical axis, it will take on a precessional rotation because of the pull of gravity. This precession gradually increases so that, at the right moment, the frame is rotating partially about an axis perpendicular to its plane. This angular velocity tends by centrifugal force to throw the frame into a position in which its plane is horizontal. This change takes place very suddenly, so that the top, flipping violently from one axis to another at right angles, continues to rotate about the second axis. The initial and final position are shown in the photograph.
Weak subordination for convex univalent harmonic functions

Abstract For two complex-valued harmonic functions f and F defined in the open unit disk Δ with f ( 0 ) = F ( 0 ) = 0 , we say f is weakly subordinate to F if f ( Δ ) ⊂ F ( Δ ) . Furthermore, if we let E be a possibly infinite interval, a function f : Δ × E → C with f ( ⋅ , t ) harmonic in Δ and f ( 0 , t ) = 0 for each t ∈ E is said to be a weak subordination chain if f ( Δ , t 1 ) ⊂ f ( Δ , t 2 ) whenever t 1 , t 2 ∈ E and t 1 t 2 . In this paper, we construct a weak subordination chain of convex univalent harmonic functions using a harmonic de la Vallee Poussin mean and a modified form of Pommerenke's criterion for a subordination chain of analytic functions.
Using Group Work Strategies to Continue the National Discussion on Race, Justice, and Peace

There is increasing empirical evidence demonstrating the negative impact of racism and other social injustices on individuals' mental and emotional health. Those findings challenge counselor educators and practitioners to address social injustices in professional training programs and communities across the country. This article illustrates a national advocacy project, whereby a group approach is applied to address social injustices. Application of the model is presented, along with a description of the specific group constructs and skills that were used in the intervention.
Titration procedure with rats using a nose poke response and tail shock

An operant titration procedure that provides relatively stable within-session shock thresholds (0.15--0.25 mA) within a week of training is described. Rats are placed into Plexiglas restraint tubes having a hole at one end through which the animal can poke its nose to break a photobeam; when the photobeam is broken, a response is counted. The tail of the animal is firmly held by a Plexiglas plug and an electrode connected to a programmable titration shocker is attached to the tail. Conditioned nose poke response are made after about 15 min during the first 30 min session. The titration procedure was found to be sensitive to the analgesic effect of morphine. Significant increases in the median shock level tolerated was observed after 3 mg/kg, while response rate was not altered. Dose-related increases in threshold after 6 and 9 mg/kg of morphine were associated with decreases in the rate of nose poking. The technique offers several advantages in the study of chemical induced alterations in pain or reactivity, including rapidity of initial training, relatively short time to establish median shock thresholds, minimum involvement of motor components in the response, and sensitivity to a psychopharmacological tool.
A race for an Ebola vaccine: promises and obstacles

While several impeding factors have limited Ebola vaccine development, the current epidemic has provided a surge which may lead to a record pace for a vaccine against Ebola. Consequently, multiple FDA trials are currently underway using two promising vaccine platforms; one has recently demonstrated durable immunity within non-human primates.
The Factorial Structure of the Raven Coloured Progressive Matrices Test: a Reanalysis

Based on data from 783 primary-grade children, results of princi pal component factor analyses of the Raven Coloured Progressive Matrices are reported. Analyses were done using phi coefficients, phi/phi max ratios, and tetrachoric correlation coefficients. The re sults indicated that phi/phi max coefficients and tetrachoric correla tions yielded identical factor patterns that were not affected by item difficulty. Factors derived from phi coefficients tend to be, at least partially, an artifact of item difficulty. Regardless of the coefficient used, three factors were identified. For phi/phi max and tetrachoric correlation coefficients the three dimensions were identified as: Clo sure and Abstract Reasoning by Analogy (Factor I), Pattern Com pletion through Identity and Closure (Factor II), and Simple Pattern Completion (Factor III).
Loss of striatal DA innervation increases striatal trophic activity directed at DA neurons in culture.

Male rats received intraventricular infusions of the dopamine (DA) neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA; 0, 75, 150, and 250 μg) in order to determine if DA neuron loss was associated with an increase in striatal trophic activity. After 4 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and perfused with normal saline, and the brains were removed, immediately frozen, and processed. Intraventricular infusions of 6-OHDA were associated with a dose-dependent reduction in striatal DA content and tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (THir) cell counts in the substantia nigra while striatal DA activity ([HVA]/[DA]) was increased. Extracts of the striatum from these animals increased the survival of E15 primary, dissociated rostral mesencphalic cultures growing at low cell density. This growth effect was positively correlated with the dose of 6-OHDA infused. THir cell counts present in high-cell-density mesencephalic cultures following 72 h of extract incubation were similarly correlated to 6-OHDA dose but inversely correlated with striatal DA content and THir cell counts in the substantia nigra. Trophic activity in the cerebellar extracts from these animals was significantly lower than that present in striatal extracts and was not influenced by 6-OHDA lesions. These data suggest that loss of DA innervation in the striatum is associated with an increase in striatal trophic activity directed at DA neurons. A compensatory response to the loss of DA neurons involving increased striatal trophic activity may result in increased DA terminal sprouting of remaining viable DA neurons that, in turn, would serve to help reinstate normal DA tone.
Biomimetic Autoseparation of Leukocytes from Whole Blood in a Microfluidic Device

Leukocytes comprise less than 1% of all blood cells. Enrichment of their number, starting from a sample of whole blood, is the required first step of many clinical and basic research assays. We created a microfluidic device that takes advantage of the intrinsic features of blood flow in the microcirculation, such as plasma skimming and leukocyte margination, to separate leukocytes directly from whole blood. It consists of a simple network of rectangular microchannels designed to enhance lateral migration of leukocytes and their subsequent extraction from the erythrocyte-depleted region near the sidewalls. A single pass through the device produces a 34-fold enrichment of the leukocyte-to-erythrocyte ratio. It operates on microliter samples of whole blood, provides positive, continuous flow selection of leukocytes, and requires neither preliminary labeling of cells nor input of energy (except for a small pressure gradient to support the flow of blood). This effortless, efficient, and inexpensive technology can be used as a lab-on-a-chip component for initial whole blood sample preparation. Its integration into microanalytical devices that require leukocyte enrichment will enable accelerated transition of these devices into the field for point-of-care clinical testing.
The occultation of κ geminorum by Eros

Abstract The predictions and observations of the occultation of κ Gem by Eros on January 24, 1975, are described. At least eight positive and several critical negative observations were made in western New England. The paucity of observations on the western side of the track makes the analysis somewhat ambiguous, but a circular cross section of diameter up to 23 km gives a good fit to most of the available data. Consideration of a crucial, unconfirmed negative observation indicates that an elliptical solution 17 by 7 km (with the long axis in the direction of motion of the “shadow” of Eros) may be preferable, but this does not represent the positive observations so satisfactorily. The ellipse was therefore distorted into a more irregular shape about 20 km long and 7 km wide, rounded on one long side and flattened on the other. Both this irregular shape and the ellipse yield geometric albedos near 0.5, which is considerably higher than has been derived for most other planets or satellites lacking an atmosphere. The albedo that corresponds to the circular solution (0.1) is less than the polarimetric albedo of 0.21 for Eros. It is suggested either that the circle should be warped into an ellipse of dimensions 21 by 13 km, or, if some weight is given to the critical negative observation and the westernmost positive observation, that the profile is a kind of dumbbell.
Preventing Conflict in Space: Cooperative Engagement as a Possible U.S. Strategy

Traditional responses to international security concerns include the heightening of distrust, mutual disengagement, and arms deployment. Fortunately, serious threats to security in space do not yet exist. Therefore, an alternative means of diffusing possible problems may be cooperative threat reduction—a tool that has been used effectively by the United States and other countries since 1991 in dealing with the former Soviet Union's weapons of mass destruction legacy. This article analyzes the conceptual rationale for a similar approach to space threats. It also describes the results of a recent project to consider advantages and disadvantages of possible U.S. adoption of such policies with respect to seven current or emerging space rivals.
Martha Washington: An American Life – By Patricia Brady

This volume narrates the important life events of Martha Dandridge Custis Washington, and sets them in the broader context of American life. The resulting story is not altogether new. “Patsy” grew ...
Differential behavioral effects following microinjection of an NMDA antagonist into nucleus accumbens subregions

Recent studies have demonstrated the existence of two distinct regions within the nucleus accumbens (N.Acc) known as “core” and “shell”. In order to investigate whether the behavioral functions of excitatory amino acid receptors differed between these two subregions, rats were administered microinjections of 2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (AP-5), a competitive NMDA antagonist (0, 0.05, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0 µg/0.5 µl) into selected central and medial regions of the accumbens. The central and medial sites were assumed to correspond approximately to core and shell subregions, respectively. The animals were tested in two exploratory tasks: the open field and a novel object test. In the open field test, AP-5 significantly decreased peripheral locomotion and center rearing frequency in the central but not the medial group. Locomotion and rearing were not affected by AP5 infusion into a control site, the anterior dorsal striatum (ADS). In the novel object test, animals were tested in the same open field, with prior habituation, and with several novel objects placed within it. In this test, infusions of AP-5 (0, 1.0 µg/0.5 µl) decreased the number and duration of contacts with the novel objects in the central but not the medial group. In addition, peripheral and center locomotion were decreased by AP-5 infusions into the central site, whether objects were present or not. In contrast, AP-5 infusions into the medial site elicited an increase in peripheral locomotion in both stimulus conditions. These findings provide behavioral-pharmacological evidence that the central and medial subregions of the nucleus accumbens can be differentiated. Moreover, the results suggest that exploratory motor responses may be dependent on glutamate-coded input to the nucleus accumbens area corresponding to the core region.
Sequence of the voltage-gated sodium channel β1-subunit in wild-type and in quivering mice

Abstract SCN1B , the human gene encoding the β 1 -subunit of the voltage-gated sodium channel has previously been cloned and mapped to Chr 19q13.1. The sequence of the homologous mouse gene, Scn1b, has now been determined from cDNA. The mouse gene is highly conserved, encoding a predicted protein with 99%, 98% and 96% amino acid identity to the rat, rabbit, and human homologs, respectively. DNA sequence conservation is also striking in the 3’ untranslated region which shows 67% and 98% to human and rat, respectively. Unlike the human and rat homologs, high expression of mRNA from the mouse gene is confined to adult skeletal muscle and brain, and is not observed in heart. As Scn1b maps to Chr 7, in close genetic proximity to the quivering gene ( qv ), the coding region of Scn1b was also cloned from a qv J /qv J homozygous mouse and assessed as a candidate for the site of this genetic defect. Comparison of qv and wild-type cDNAs showed no changes in the predicted amino acid sequence that could cause the qv phenotype. However, three silent polymorphisms in the DNA coding region indicate that Scn1b is close to qv, and is within a region of genetic identity with DBA/2J, the inbred background on which the qv J allele arose.
Astrocyte-Restricted Ablation of Interleukin-17-Induced Act1-Mediated Signaling Ameliorates Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Interleukin-17 (IL-17) secreted by T helper 17 (Th17) cells is essential in the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). However, it remains unclear how IL-17-mediated signaling in different cellular compartments participates in the central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory process. We examined CNS inflammation in mice with specific deletion of Act1, a critical component required for IL-17 signaling, in endothelial cells, macrophages and microglia, and neuroectoderm (neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes). In Act1-deficient mice, Th17 cells showed normal infiltration into the CNS but failed to recruit lymphocytes, neutrophils, and macrophages. Act1 deficiency in endothelial cells or in macrophages and microglia did not substantially impact the development of EAE. However, targeted Act1 deficiency in neuroectoderm-derived CNS-resident cells resulted in markedly reduced severity in EAE. Specifically, Act1-deficient astrocytes showed impaired IL-17-mediated inflammatory gene induction. Thus, astroctyes are critical in IL-17-Act1-mediated leukocyte recruitment during autoimmune-induced inflammation of the CNS.
Use of emergency medical services by patients with decompensated obstructive lung disease

Little information is available about the risk of relapse when patients with decompensated obstructive lung disease are treated in an emergency department for dyspnea. The purpose of our study was to determine if the risk of relapse was related to the severity and type of airway obstruction or to the time and duration of treatment. Over a period of 29 months, 496 patients with decompensated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, or both were seen in the ED of the Albuquerque Veterans Administration Medical Center. Of 868 visits in which patients were treated and released, 244 (28.1%) were followed by a relapse within 14 days. Those who relapsed had a slightly higher one-second forced expiratory volume at baseline than those who did not (50.1 ± 22.2% versus 45.5 ± 20.6% predicted, P = .054). For 94 patients (group 1), asthma was the exclusive clinical diagnosis, and all available pulmonary function tests showed a bronchodilator response. For 268 patients (group 2), COPD was the exclusive diagnosis, and all tests showed no bronchodilator response. One hundred thirty-four patients (group 3) were either diagnosed as having both disorders or had varying bronchodilator response on sequential testing. The risk of relapse for group 3 patients (35.6%) was higher than for those in groups 2 (23.1%, P P = .001). The frequency of relapse was higher for nighttime than daytime visits (36.1% versus 24.5%, P = .006) and for weekend than weekday visits (33.6% versus 26.6%, P = .049). Prognosis did not vary with the season or duration of treatment. Seventy-one patients (14.3%) accounted for 50.8% of all visits, 63.1% of nighttime visits, 49.6% of weekend visits, and 68.3% of relanses. Most of these patients were members of group 3 and had both fixed and reversible components of airway obstruction. Further studies should be done to determine why these patients have such poor prognoses.
QUALITY MEASURE PERFORMANCE VARIES AMONG HOSPITALS BY PROPORTION OF LOW-INCOME PATIENTS

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Value Based Purchasing Initiative ties hospital reimbursement to quality metric Results. We examined the relationship between performance on cardiac quality indicators and the proportion of low-income patients treated. Data were hospital-level
Unlocking the Clubhouse: Women in Computing

We recount some of the most significant and colorful findings of our four-year study of gender issues in the undergraduate computer science program at Carnegie Mellon. We also discuss the subsequent dramatic increase in the number of women in the program. We conclude with recommendations for the most generally useful and effective actions departments can take to attract and retain female students.
Why women have orgasms: an evolutionary analysis.

Whether women’s orgasm is an adaptation is arguably the most contentious question in the study of the evolution of human sexuality. Indeed, this question is a veritable litmus test for adaptationism, separating those profoundly impressed with the pervasive and myriad correspondences between organisms’ phenotypes and their conditions of life from those who apply the “onerous concept” of adaptation with more caution, skepticism or suspicion. Yet, the adaptedness of female orgasm is a question whose answer will elucidate mating dynamics in humans and nonhuman primates. There are two broad competing explanations for the evolution of orgasm in women: (1) the mate-choice hypothesis, which states that female orgasm has evolved to function in mate selection and (2) the byproduct hypothesis, which states that female orgasm has no evolutionary function, existing only because women share some early ontogeny with men, in whom orgasm is an adaptation. We review evidence for these hypotheses and identify areas where relevant evidence is lacking. Although additional research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn, we find that the mate-choice hypothesis receives more support. Specifically, female orgasm appears to have evolved to increase the probability of fertilization from males whose genes would improve offspring fitness.
TWO MEASURES OF CATEGORY BREADTH: AGE, SEX, EXAMINER DIFFERENCES AND INTERCORRELATIONS

Two measures of category breadth—an adaptation of Pettigrew's (1958) Category-width scale and a learning task called poggles (Wallach & Caron, 1959)—were administered in a battery to 100 children, ...
Opto-Mechanical Devices For The Antares Automatic Beam Alignment System

Antares is a 24-beam CO2 laser system for controlled fusion research, under construction at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Rapid automatic alignment of this system is required prior to each experimental shot. Unique opto-mechanical alignment devices, which have been developed specifically for this automatic alignment system, are discussed. A variable focus alignment telescope views point light sources. A beam expander/spatial filter processes both a visible krypton-ion and a 10.6 μm CO2 alignment laser. A periscope/carousel device provides the means by which the alignment telescope can sequentially view each of 12 optical trains in each power amplifier. The polyhedron alignment device projects a point-light source for both centering and pointing alignment at the polyhedron mirror. A rotating wedge alignment device provides a sequencing point-light source and also compensates for dispersion between visible and 10.6 μm radiation. A back reflector "flip-in" remotely positions point-light sources at the back-reflector mirrors. A light source box illuminates optic fibers with high-intensity white light which is distributed to the various point-light sources in the system.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Response to Article on “Abused Mothers’ Safety Concerns and Court Mediators’ Custody Recommendations”

In their article, “Abused Mothers’ Safety Concerns and Court Mediators’ Custody Recommendations” (Journal of Family Violence, v.27, pp.321-332), Rivera, Zeoli, and Sullivan conclude, “IPA [intimate partner abuse] does not significantly influence mediators’ custody decision making. Rather, father’s actions and custody desires during mediation appear to be more important to mediators... Further, emotional abuse and control are not taken seriously, and physical abuse is considered to be the only legitimate form of abuse” (p.330). Further, the authors suggest, “Mediators prefer to award joint custody” (p.320), and this bias exists even in situations where the father has abused the mother. While these findings are very disconcerting, upon closer reading of the article, it is not clear that the researchers were actually studying a mediation process. The title of the article suggests the research focused on abused women’s concerns about mediation. The literature review focuses on research on mediation, particularly in the context of IPA. It is not until the bottom of the third page of the article (p. 324) that the authors note that they were not actually studying a mediation program or process, per se, but rather an intervention involving a courtappointed official who facilitated negotiation (in an unspecified manner) and who “makes a custody and visitation recommendation regardless of whether the divorcing couple comes to an agreement” (p.324). Although the authors note that they use the term “court mediator” and “mediator” interchangeably, they refer to the process they studied as mediation. In fact, the process was not mediation, and the article is not clear whether the program even uses the term “mediation” to describe its services. According to the Model Standards of Practice for Family and Divorce Mediation (Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) 2000), family and divorce mediation is defined as:
The Electrocardiographic Pattern of Right Ventricular Hypertrophy in Chronic Cor Pulmonale

The electrocardiographic patterns encountered in 28 patients with pulmonary hypertension secondary to chronic lung disease have been studied. Thirteen had neither right ventricular hypertrophy nor right bundle-branch block; eight had either right ventricular hypertrophy alone or right ventricular hypertrophy and right bundle-branch block (complete or incomplete); and seven had incomplete right bundle-branch block. A statistical comparison is made between these various groups of the means of the following physiologic measurements: mean pulmonary artery pressure, total pulmonary resistance, arterial oxygen saturation, right ventricular work, arterial carbon dioxide content, and cardiac index. The significance of the pattern of right ventricular hypertrophy is discussed.
Elongational Rheology of Polymer/Clay Dispersions: Determination of Orientational Extent in Elongational Flow Processes†

The purpose of the present contribution is to provide an efficient method that would help to quantify the orientational levels occurring in polymer/clay dispersions subjected to elongational flow. The extent of internal orientation developed in salt containing montmorillonite/ poly(ethylene oxide) gels is investigated, combining shear and elongational rheology methods. Entropic changes indicate that the strength of the transient network present in each gel affects the orientational ability of clay particles and polymer chains. We found that an increased Hencky strain of the hyperbolic die leads to a higher variation of the calculated entropy of the material.
A DNA-based Method for Rationally Assembling Nanoparticles Into Macroscopic Materials

COLLOIDAL particles of metals and semiconductors have potentially useful optical, optoelectronic and material properties1–4 that derive from their small (nanoscopic) size. These properties might lead to applications including chemical sensors, spectro-scopic enhancers, quantum dot and nanostructure fabrication, and microimaging methods2–4. A great deal of control can now be exercised over the chemical composition, size and polydis-persity1,2 of colloidal particles, and many methods have been developed for assembling them into useful aggregates and materials. Here we describe a method for assembling colloidal gold nanoparticles rationally and reversibly into macroscopic aggregates. The method involves attaching to the surfaces of two batches of 13-nm gold particles non-complementary DNA oligo-nucleotides capped with thiol groups, which bind to gold. When we add to the solution an oligonucleotide duplex with 'sticky ends' that are complementary to the two grafted sequences, the nanoparticles self-assemble into aggregates. This assembly process can be reversed by thermal denaturation. This strategy should now make it possible to tailor the optical, electronic and structural properties of the colloidal aggregates by using the specificity of DNA interactions to direct the interactions between particles of different size and composition.