cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Case 2: Fever, Neck Pain, and Back Pain in a 16-year-old Boy

1. Emily Trauernicht, MD* 2. Sonum Bharill, MD† 3. Laura Panko, MD‡ 4. Erika Friehling, MD‡ 1. *Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA 2. †Wake Forest Baptist Health, Brenner Children’s Hospital, Winston Salem, NC 3. ‡Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA A previously healthy 16-year-old boy presents to the emergency department with 1 day of headache, neck pain, and fever. Three nights previously after soccer practice he had acute, severe low back pain, now resolved. He has otherwise been well, without nausea, vomiting, or vision changes. His immunizations are up to date. He has no known sick contacts. He does not take medications. He recently went camping but does not recall any insect bites. Physical examination reveals an uncomfortable boy lying very still. His temperature is 100.9°F (38.3°C), heart rate is 91 beats/min, respiratory rate is 18 breaths/min, and blood pressure is 113/60 mm Hg. He has optic disc edema and limited range of motion of the neck with pain that radiates down his spine on flexion. The remainder of his physical examination findings are normal. Laboratory evaluation reveals a normal complete blood cell count, basic metabolic panel, sedimentation rate, and urinalysis results. His C-reactive protein level is elevated at 3.85 mg/dL (38.5 mg/L). Findings from computed tomography of the head are normal. A lumbar puncture is obtained. Cerebrospinal fluid …
A Second Order Traffic Flow Model with Lane Changing

This paper concerns modeling and computation of traffic flow for a single in-lane flow as well as multilane flow with lane changing. We consider macroscopic partial differential equation models of two types: (i) First Order Models: equilibrium models, scalar models expressing car mass conservation; and (ii) Second Order Models: dynamic models, $$2 \times 2$$ hyperbolic systems expressing mass conservation as well as vehicle acceleration rules. A new second order model is proposed in which the acceleration terms take lead from microscopic car-following models, and yield a nonlinear hyperbolic system with viscous and relaxation terms. Lane changing conditions are formulated and mass/momentum inter-lane exchange terms are derived. Numerical results are shown, illustrating the merit of the models in describing a rich array of realistic traffic scenarios including varying road conditions, lane closure, and stop-and-go flow patterns.
PLUS ÇA CHANGE, PLUS C'EST LA MÊME CHOSE

EnglishIn 1572, a single data point, Tycho’s Supernova, showed that contrary to the accepted paradigm at the time, the heavens did indeed change (Wootton , 2015). Less than 40 years later, in 1610, Galileo Galilei published his sensational findings in Sidereus Nuncius, a short treatise that demonstrated the existence of stars not seen by the naked eye and revealed the nature of the Milky Way (Galilei, 1610). Since then, data analysis has been central to scientific research and examples of its use in solving important and difficult problems have multiplied. At the age of 24, Carl Friedrich Gauss (1809) used least squares to correctly predict Ceres’ position in 1801 after it emerged from behind the Sun’s glare. A simple spatial analysis identified the source of the Broad Street cholera outbreak in London in 1854 (Snow, 1855). Between 1856 and 1863, careful estimation of frequencies allowed Gregor Mendel (1866) to determine the basic rules of heredity of physical traits in plants. In the late 1940’s, a large retrospective study led by Richard Doll and A. Bradford Hill (1950) demonstrated the strong link between smoking and lung cancer. portuguesEm 1572, a analise de um unico ponto de dados, a Supernova de Tycho, revelou que a abobodaceleste e inconstante, ao contrario do paradigma aceito na epoca (Wootton, 2015). Menos de 40 anos depois, em 1610, Galileu Galilei publicou suas sensacionais descobertas em Sidereus Nuncius, um curto tratado que demonstrou a existencia de estrelas nao vistas a olho nu e a natureza da Via Lactea (Galilei, 1610). Desde entao, analises de dados tem sido fundamentais em pesquisas cientificas, e ha varios exemplos de seu uso na solucao de problemas importantes e dificeis. Aos 24 anos, Carl Friedrich Gauss (1809) usou minimos quadrados para prever corretamente a posicao do planeta anao Ceres em 1801, ao aparecer por tras do brilho do Sol. Uma analise espacial simples identificou a fonte do surto de colera em Broad Street, Londres, em 1854 (Snow, 1855). Entre 1856 e 1863, uma estimativa criteriosa de frequencias permitiu a descoberta das regras basicas da hereditariedade de caracteristicas fisicas em plantas por Gregor Mendel (1866). No final da decada de 1940, um estudo abrangente e retrospectivo liderado por Richard Doll e A. Bradford Hill (1950) demonstrou a forte ligacao entre tabagismo e câncer de pulmao.
Response to deficit irrigation of morphological, yield and fiber quality traits of upland (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and Pima (G. barbadense L.) cotton in the Texas High Plains

Abstract Cotton (Gossypium spp.) production around the world often occurs in water limiting environments. Although Upland (G. hirsutum) and Pima (G. barbadense) cottons have been evaluated under conditions of water stress before; these two species are rarely compared to each other. This may be due to differences in irrigation management and environmental constraints (i.e. season length). In 2014 and 2015, two Upland cultivars and two Pima germplasm lines were evaluated at Lubbock, TX, USA. Plant architecture, boll retention, lint yield and fiber quality were assessed under three deficit subsurface drip irrigation levels. Crop water use was evaluated using soil water balance in conjunction with neutron probe soil water content measurements. In 2014 during flowering at the high irrigation rate, Upland cultivars extracted significantly (p
Platelet Count and Function during Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a form of life support used to treat neonates, children, and adults with cardiorespiratory failure refractory to conventional therapy. This therapy requires the use of anticoagulation to prevent clotting in the extracorporeal circuit, but anticoagulation also increases the risk of bleeding on ECMO. Both bleeding and thrombosis remain significant complications on ECMO and balancing these risks is challenging. Acquired platelet dysfunction is common during ECMO and quantitative and qualitative platelet dysfunction contributes to bleeding risk. Optimal platelet count, function, and transfusion thresholds are not well established during pediatric ECMO. In this review, we provide an overview of hemostatic alterations during ECMO, changes in platelet count and function, platelet monitoring techniques, bleeding risk, and future needs to best optimize patient management and care.
Experimental determination of the (0/−) level for Mg acceptors in β-Ga2O3 crystals

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is used to experimentally determine the (0/−) level of the Mg acceptor in an Mg-doped β-Ga2O3 crystal. Our results place this level 0.65 eV (±0.05 eV) above the valence band, a position closer to the valence band than the predictions of several recent computational studies. The crystal used in this investigation was grown by the Czochralski method and contains large concentrations of Mg acceptors and Ir donors, as well as a small concentration of Fe ions and an even smaller concentration of Cr ions. Below room temperature, illumination with 325 nm laser light produces the characteristic EPR spectrum from neutral Mg acceptors ( M g G a 0). A portion of the singly ionized Ir4+ donors are converted to their neutral Ir3+ state at the same time. For temperatures near 250 K, the photoinduced EPR spectrum from the neutral M g G a 0 acceptors begins to decay immediately after the laser light is removed, as electrons are thermally excited from the valence band to the Mg acceptor. Holes left in the valence band recombine with electrons at the deeper Ir3+ ions and restore the Ir4+ ions. An activation energy for the thermal decay of the M g G a 0 acceptors, and thus a value for the (0/−) level, is obtained by using a general-order kinetics model to analyze a set of five isothermal decay curves taken at temperatures between 240 and 260 K.
Outcomes and Risk Factors of Extended Trochanteric Osteotomy in Aseptic Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review.

Abstract Background Although extended trochanteric osteotomy (ETO) is an effective technique for femoral stem removal and for the concomitant management of proximal femoral deformities, complications including persistent pain, trochanteric nonunion, and painful hardware can occur. Methods The US National Library of Medicine (PubMed/MEDLINE) and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were queried for publications utilizing the following keywords: “extended” AND “trochanteric” AND “osteotomy.” Results Nineteen articles were included in the present study with 1478 ETOs. The mean overall union rate of the ETO was 93.1% (1377 of 1478 cases), while the overall rate of radiographic femoral stem subsidence >5 mm was 7.1% (25 of 350 cases). ETO union rates and femoral stem subsidence rates were similar between patients with periprosthetic fractures treated with total hip arthroplasty (THA) revision and ETO and patients treated with THA revision and ETO for reasons other than fractures. There was limited evidence that prior femoral cementation and older age might negatively influence ETO union rates. Conclusion There was moderate quality evidence to show that the use of ETO in aseptic patients undergoing single-stage revision THA is safe and effective, with a 7% rate of ETO nonunion and subsidence >5 mm in 7%. ETO can be safely used in cases with periprosthetic fractures in which stem fixation is jeopardized and a reimplantation is required. A well-conducted ETO should be preferred in selective THA revision cases to prevent intraoperative femoral fractures which are associated with deteriorated clinical outcomes. The use of trochanteric plate with cables should be considered as the first choice for ETO fixation.
Foundations of Magnetic Resonance-Guided Focused Ultrasonography

The ability of ultrasonography to safely penetrate deeply into the brain has made it an attractive technology for neurological applications for almost 1 century. Having recognized that converging ultrasound waves could deliver high levels of energy to a target and spare the overlying and surrounding brain, early applications used craniotomies to allow transducers to contact the brain or dural surface. The development of transducer arrays that could permit the transit of sufficient numbers of ultrasound waves to deliver high energies to a target, even with the loss of energy from the skull, has now resulted in clinical systems that can permit noninvasive focused ultrasound procedures that leave the skull intact. Another major milestone in the field was the marriage of focused ultrasonography with magnetic resonance thermometry. This provides real-time feedback regarding the level and location of brain tissue heating, allowing for precise elevation of temperatures within a desired target to lead to focal therapeutic lesions. The major clinical use of this technology, at present, has been limited to treatment of refractory essential tremor and parkinsonian tremor, although the first study of this approach had targeted sensory thalamus for refractory pain, and new targets and disease indications are under study. Finally, focused ultrasonography can also be used at a lower frequency and energy level when combined with intravenous microbubbles to create cavitations, which will open the blood-brain barrier rather than ablate tissue. In the present review, we have discussed the historical and scientific foundations and current clinical applications of magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasonography and the genesis and background that led to the use of this technique for focal blood-brain barrier disruption.
Mutations of Human DopamineTransporter at Tyrosine88, Aspartic Acid206, and Histidine547 Influence Basal and HIV-1 Tat‐inhibited Dopamine Transport

HIV-1 transactivator of transcription (Tat) has a great impact on the development of HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders through disrupting dopamine transmission. This study determined the mutational effects of human dopamine transporter (hDAT) on basal and Tat-induced inhibition of dopamine transport. Compared to wild-type hDAT, the maximal velocity (Vmax) of [3H]dopamine uptake was decreased in D381L and Y88F/D206L/H547A, increased in D206L/H547A, and unaltered in D206L. Recombinant TatR1 − 86 inhibited dopamine uptake in wild-type hDAT, which was attenuated in either DAT mutants (D206L, D206L/H547A, and Y88F/D206L/H547A) or mutated TatR1 − 86 (K19A and C22G), demonstrating perturbed Tat-DAT interaction. Mutational effects of hDAT on the transporter conformation were evidenced by attenuation of zinc-induced increased [3H]WIN35,428 binding in D206L/H547A and Y88F/D206A/H547A and enhanced basal MPP+ efflux in D206L/H547A. H547A-induced outward-open transport conformational state was further validated by enhanced accessibility to MTSET ([2-(trimethylammonium)ethyl]-methanethiosulfonate) of an inserted cysteine (I159C) on a hDAT background.. Furthermore, H547A displayed an increase in palmitoylation inhibitor-induced inhibition of dopamine uptake relative to wide-type hDAT, indicating a change in basal palmitoylation in H547A. These results demonstrate that Y88F, D206L, and H547A attenuate Tat inhibition while preserving DA uptake, providing insights into identifying targets for improving DAT-mediated dopaminergic dysregulation. HIV-1 Tat inhibits dopamine uptake through human dopamine transporter (hDAT) on the presynaptic terminal through a direct allosteric interaction. Key hDAT residues D-H547, D-Y88, and D-D206 are predicted to be involved in the HIV-1 Tat-DAT binding. Mutating these residues attenuates this inhibitory effect by disrupting the Tat-hDAT interaction
Training Bovine Health Professionals for the Future

Livestock production systems have changed dramatically in the last several decades and continue to evolve. This has led to a much greater diversity in the potential demands for animal health care delivery, assurance of production animal well-being, and delivery of safe food products to the consuming public. One response to these changes is the current discussion about the potential need for more food animal veterinarians. It seems highly desirable to improve the supply of well-trained and highly skilled food animal professionals. Looking at the analogous problem of the need to provide primary health care and rural health systems in human medicine, maybe we need to rethink the nature of the challenge. Perhaps the salient question is how to provide for appropriate livestock health and well-being in a changing agricultural production environment. The veterinary profession needs to consider not just how to improve the supply of veterinarians but also how to incorporate animal health paraprofessionals into a more diversified health care delivery system.
Birt-Hogg-Dubé Syndrome presenting with chronic progressive dyspnea.

Abstract Birt-Hogg-Dube Syndrome (BHDS) is a rare autosomal dominant disease which manifests with cutaneous hamartomas, lung cysts and renal carcinomas. A wide spectrum of phenotypic expression and few visible manifestations makes BHDS a likely under-recognized entity. Diffuse cystic lung disease (DCLD) is the typical pulmonary manifestation of BHDS, which in the absence of other specific findings carries a broad differential diagnosis. Unlike many other causes of DCLD, BHDS is not known to present with symptomatic pulmonary dysfunction. We report a typical case of BHDS with an atypical presentation – chronic progressive dyspnea. The unusual presentation provides an opportunity to discuss the differential for DCLD and highlights the importance of maintaining an index of suspicion for BHDS even when symptoms appear inconsistent with the diagnosis. Also examined is the management of BHDS patients and their immediate relatives, and recommendations for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) given the potential risk of pneumothorax in this group.
The efficacy of calcined clays on mitigating alakli-silica reaction (ASR) in mortar and its influence on microstructure

Previous research has shown that using metakaolin is an effective strategy for mitigation of alkali-silica reaction (ASR). Metakaolin reduces the OH−, K+ and Na+ concentrations in pore solution. The high aluminium content in metakaolin has also been shown to contribute to ASR reduction. However, the efficacy of calcined clays from different sources and qualities for ASR mitigation is still limited. This study investigated the mechanisms of ASR suppression by using one known highly reactive fine aggregate and four calcined clays from different sources. The optimum replacement for ASR mitigation was determined by replacing 5 %, 10 %, 15 % and 20 % of portland cement with the different calcined clays and then tested for expansion in the accelerated mortar bar test (AMBT). Results indicated the chemical composition and mineral phase of calcined clays had a significant influence on the efficacy of ASR mitigation. In addition, ASR gel was found in control mixture and the mixture with 10 % calcined clay 1 (CC1). ASR gel composition was investigated into the two mixtures by using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) in coupled with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), but no significant differences were found in gel composition between the two mixtures.
Maximum entropy distribution estimation with generalized regularization

We present a unified and complete account of maximum entropy distribution estimation subject to constraints represented by convex potential functions or, alternatively, by convex regularization. We provide fully general performance guarantees and an algorithm with a complete convergence proof. As special cases, we can easily derive performance guarantees for many known regularization types, including l1, l2, $\ell_{\rm 2}^{\rm 2}$and l1 + $\ell_{\rm 2}^{\rm 2}$style regularization. Furthermore, our general approach enables us to use information about the structure of the feature space or about sample selection bias to derive entirely new regularization functions with superior guarantees. We propose an algorithm solving a large and general subclass of generalized maxent problems, including all discussed in the paper, and prove its convergence. Our approach generalizes techniques based on information geometry and Bregman divergences as well as those based more directly on compactness.
Doppler Imaging of Starspots

We discuss a newly-developed technique for spatially resolving starspots on some of the more rapidly rotating RS CVn stars. Basically, the method uses high resolution, very high signal-to-noise spectral line profiles and exploits the Doppler velocity correspondence between position across the stellar disk and wavelength position across a rotationally broadened line profile to synthesize an image of the star, showing the location, sizes, and shapes of its starspots. Though still in a developmental stage, the technique is already yielding information about the structure and general appearance of starspots. Examples of Doppler Imaging observations of HR 1099 will be presented, along with a movie showing the behavior of synthetic line profiles generated from a computer spot model.
An analgesia circuit activated by cannabinoids

Although many anecdotal reports indicate that marijuana and its active constituent, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC), may reduce pain sensation, studies of humans have produced inconsistent results. In animal studies, the apparent pain-suppressing effects of delta-9-THC and other cannabinoid drugs are confounded by motor deficits. Here we show that a brainstem circuit that contributes to the pain-suppressing effects of morphine is also required for the analgesic effects of cannabinoids. Inactivation of the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) prevents the analgesia but not the motor deficits produced by systemically administered cannabinoids. Furthermore, cannabinoids produce analgesia by modulating RVM neuronal activity in a manner similar to, but pharmacologically dissociable from, that of morphine. We also show that endogenous cannabinoids tonically regulate pain thresholds in part through the modulation of RVM neuronal activity. These results show that analgesia produced by cannabinoids and opioids involves similar brainstem circuitry and that cannabinoids are indeed centrally acting analgesics with a new mechanism of action.
Children Surviving Cancer: Psychosocial Adjustment, Quality of Life, and School Experiences:

This study investigated the psychosocial adjustment, quality of life, and school experiences of posttreatment survivors of pediatric cancer. A multimethod, multisource approach examined survivors' adjustments to cancer and views related to educational and psychosocial sequelae of cancer treatment. Data were collected from 51 survivors, 8 to 17 years old. Quantitative assessments revealed anxiety in children and difficulties in psychosocial adjustment in the areas of scholastic competence, emotional stability, and social competence. Qualitative results revealed that students who repeated a grade were particularly concerned with their academic performance and peer relationships. Homebound instruction was reported to be academically inadequate and socially isolating. These results suggest that educators need specific knowledge and skills to successfully assess and teach students who have cancer.
Insertional Inactivation of Genes Encoding the Crystalline Inclusion Proteins of Photorhabdus luminescens Results in Mutants with Pleiotropic Phenotypes

The entomopathogenic bacterium Photorhabdus luminescens exhibits phase variation when cultured in vitro. The variant forms of P. luminescens are pleiotropic and are designated phase I and phase II variants. One of the characteristic phenotypes of phase I cells is the production of two types of intracellular protein inclusions. The genes encoding the protein monomers that form these inclusions, designated cipA and cipB, were cloned and characterized. cipA and cipB encode hydrophobic proteins of 11,648 and 11,308 Da, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequences of CipA and CipB have no significant amino acid sequence similarity to any other known protein but have 25% identity and 49% similarity to each other. Insertional inactivation of cipA or cipB in phase I cells of P. luminescens produced mutants that differ from phase I cells in bioluminescence, the pattern and activities of extracellular products, biochemical traits, adsorption of dyes, and ability to support nematode growth and reproduction. In general, the cip mutants were phenotypically more similar to each other than to either phase I or phase II variants.
Biliary Glutathione and Some Amino Acids Are Markedly Diminished When Biliary Pressure Is Elevated

We studied the effects of a transient elevation in biliary pressure on biliary glutathione and amino acids in rats. Other biliary solutes monitored were total bile salt, Pi, which is a putative marker of paracellular leakage, and glucose, which is reabsorbed from the biliary tract. Experiments were carried out on anesthetized rats intraduodenally infused with taurocholate to maintain bile flow during a 2-hr basal period, a 4-hr pressure period during which the bile duct cannula was elevated until bile flow decreased to 1/3 the basal rate, and a 2-hr period after release of hydrostatic biliary pressure. We found that pressure treatment caused biliary concentrations of glutathione to progressively decrease by 80%, while biliary Pi rapidly rose approximately 3- to 4-fold, bile salt gradually increased approximately 3-fold, and biliary glucose concentration progressively rose 15-fold. HPLC analysis of monobromobimane-derivatized biliary thiols indicated that the decline in biliary glutathione was not accompanied by an increase in its breakdown products, cysteine and cysteinylglycine. Pressure treatment led to four patterns of change in biliary amino acid concentrations: (1) increases of 29 to 76% for the basic amino acids lysine and arginine, which have very low bile/plasma ratios of about 0.1; (2) no change for the more water soluble amino acids with bile/plasma ratios close to 1.0, e.g., histidine and urea; (3) modest decreases of 16 to 48% for a variety of amino acids including serine, glutamate, and glycine; and (4) marked, progressive decreases of > 50% for aromatic and branched chain amino acids. By 2 hr after release of pressure, only the alterations in biliary glucose and some amino acids, particularly the branched chains, persisted. This is the first report of cholestasis-induced alterations in biliary amino acids.
Real-Time Monitoring of Streptococcus mutans Biofilm Formation Using a Quartz Crystal Microbalance

The ability of Streptococcus mutans, a well-known etiological agent in dental caries, to attach and form a biofilm is an important key to its virulence. The effects of various environmental factors (i.e. sucrose concentration, flow rate and temperature as well as genetic manipulations) on the capability of S. mutans (UA 140) to attach, form and detach were monitored in situ using quartz crystal microbalance. The biofilm growth rate was much slower than that of planktonic growth. Greater availability of sucrose contributed to biofilms with less lag time, lower doubling times and earlier detachment. Flow rate experiments showed that as the shear stress was reduced, the maximum mass accumulated also decreased. However, the detachment process was independent of shear force, perhaps indicative of quorum sensing. Increasing the incubation temperature from 37 to 40°C extended the lag period and inhibited the ability of the biofilm to attach readily. Absence of either the ciaH, luxS, gtfB or gtfC genes also greatly affected the ability of the S. mutans to adhere to a surface in comparison to the wild type. Quartz crystal microbalance results indicate that the gtfC gene possibly has a greater contribution to biofilm attachment than the gtfB gene, that the presence of the luxS gene is critical for attachment and that the ciaH gene primarily affects the initial reversible attachment of the biofilm.
Transmodulation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Function by Cyclic AMP-dependent Protein Kinase

Binding of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to its receptor (EGFR) augments the tyrosine kinase activity of the receptor and autophosphorylation. Exposure of some tissues and cells to EGF also stimulates adenylyl cyclase activity and results in an increase in cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels. Because cAMP activates the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA), we investigated the effect of PKA on the EGFR. The purified catalytic subunit of PKA (PKAc) stoichiometrically phosphorylated the purified full-length wild type (WT) and kinase negative (K721M) forms of the EGFR. PKAc phosphorylated both WT-EGFR as well as a mutant truncated form of EGFR (Δ1022–1186) exclusively on serine residues. Moreover, PKAc also phosphorylated the cytosolic domain of the EGFR (EGFRKD). Phosphorylation of the purified WT as well as EGFRΔ1022–1186 and EGFRKD was accompanied by decreased autophosphorylation and diminished tyrosine kinase activity. Pretreatment of REF-52 cells with the nonhydrolyzable cAMP analog, 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cAMP, decreased EGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins as well as activation of the WT-EGFR. Similar effects were also observed in B82L cells transfected to express the Δ1022–1186 form of EGFR. Furthermore, activation of PKAc in intact cells resulted in serine phosphorylation of the EGFR. The decreased phosphorylation of cellular proteins and diminished activation of the EGFR in cells treated with the cAMP analog was not the result of altered binding of EGF to its receptors or changes in receptor internalization. Therefore, we conclude that PKA phosphorylates the EGFR on Ser residues and decreases its tyrosine kinase activity and signal transduction both in vitro andin vivo.
Characterization of a novel phantom for three-dimensional in vitro cell experiments

A novel intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) phantom for use in three-dimensional in vitro cell experiments, based on a commercially available system (CIRS Inc., Norfolk, VA), was designed and fabricated. The water-equivalent plastic phantom can, with a set of water-equivalent plastic inserts, enclose 1-3 multi-well tissue culture plates. Dosimetry within the phantom was assessed using thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs) and film. The phantom was loaded with three tissue culture plates, and an array of TLDs or a set of three films was placed underneath each plate within the phantom, and then irradiated using an IMRT plan created for it. Measured doses from each dosimeter were compared to those acquired from the treatment planning system. The percent differences between TLD measurements and the corresponding points in the treatment plan ranged from 1.3% to 2.9%, differences which did not show statistical significance. Average point-by-point percent dose differences for each film plane ranged from 1.6% to 3.1%. The percentage dose difference for which 95% of the points in the film matched those corresponding to the calculated dose plane to within 3.0% ranged from 2.8% to 4.2%. The good agreement between predicted and measured dose shows that the phantom is a useful and efficient tool for three-dimensional in vitro cell experiments.
Low-Distortion Imaging Spectrometer Designs Utilizing Convex Gratings

Several designs are described that are based on the Offner concentric spectrometer form, with the grating formed on the convex secondary mirror. It is shown that these designs permit the reduction of spectral and spatial distortion to a small (approximately 1%) fraction of a pixel, while also providing a compact form with excellent optical correction. These designs can satisfy the needs and tight calibration requirements of imaging spectrometers for Earth remote sensing, over a broad spectral range from the ultraviolet to the thermal infrared. The practical realization of the designs owes much to the recent development of convex grating fabrication by electron-beam lithography.
Biodynamic imaging of live porcine oocytes, zygotes and blastocysts for viability assessment in assisted reproductive technologies

The success of assisted reproductive technologies relies on accurate assessment of reproductive viability at successive stages of development for oocytes and embryos. The current scoring system used to select good-quality oocytes relies on morphologically observable traits and hence is indirect and subjective. Biodynamic imaging may provide an objective approach to oocyte and embryo assessment by measuring physiologically-relevant dynamics. Biodynamic imaging is a coherence-gated approach to 3D tissue imaging that uses digital holography to perform low-coherence speckle interferometry to capture dynamic light scattering from intracellular motions. The changes in intracellular activity during cumulus oocyte complex maturation, before and after in vitro fertilization, and the subsequent development of the zygote and blastocyst provide a new approach to the assessment of preimplant candidates.
Spirometer Calibration Checks: Is 3.5% Good Enough?

Background Current standards for spirometry require daily calibration checks to come within 3.5% of the inserted volume but do not require evaluation of trends over time. We examined the current guidelines and candidate quality control rules to determine the best method for identifying spirometers with suboptimal performance. Methods Daily calibration checks on seven volume spirometers recorded over 4 to 11 years were reviewed. Current guidelines and candidate quality control rules were applied to determine how well each detected suboptimal spirometer performance. Results Overall, 98% of 7,497 calibration checks were within 3.5%. However, based on visual inspection of calibration check data plots, spirometers 3 and 5 demonstrated systematic sources of error, drift, and bias. The ± 3.5% criteria did not identify these spirometers. The application of ± 2% criteria identified these spirometers (9% out-of control values in spirometers 3 and 5 vs Conclusions The current recommendation that calibration checks come within ± 3.5% of the inserted volume did not detect subtle errors. Alternative candidate rules were more effective in detecting errors and maintained low overall error-detection rates. Our findings emphasize the need for laboratories to systematically review calibration checks over time and suggest that more stringent guidelines for calibration checks may be warranted for volume spirometers. Although our general approach may also be appropriate for flow-type spirometers, the details are likely to differ since flow-type spirometers are a much more varied category of equipment.
Too much Sonic, too few neurons.

The floor plate can generate neurons, but does so only in the midbrain. New work shows that Shh suppresses floor plate neurogenesis, and that in the midbrain, Wnt downregulates Shh expression via canonical signaling through β-catenin.
Three-dimensional transport theory: An analytical solution for the internal beam searchlight problem, II

Abstract Multidimensional semi-analytical particle transport benchmarks to provide highly accurate standards of assessment are few and far between. Because of a well-established 1D theory for the analytical solution of the transport equation, it is sometimes possible however, to “bootstrap” 1D solutions to give more comprehensive solution representations. Here, we propose the internal searchlight problem in a half space, designated ISLP/HS, as a multidimensional benchmark to be constructed from 1D solutions. This is a variation of the usual SLP/HS where a source emits within the half space rather than striking its surface. Our primary interest is in the exiting intensity at the free surface established through a new Fn formulation. The benchmark features true 2/3D particle transport through integration of a point kernel to simulate 2/3D source emission. In this way, we accommodate a solid or hollow cylindrical source and a general line source in addition to the standard point, ring and disk sources featured in previous investigations.
Artificial metallic superlattices

Vue d'ensemble sur la preparation, la caracterisation, les proprietes de transport et les proprietes magnetiques des superreseaux
Proportions with Extraneous Variance: Single and Independent Samples

Abstract Data which appear to be binomial proportions sometimes exhibit heterogeneity which results in greater variation than would be expected under the binomial distribution. Methods for estimating means and associated inference procedures in a single sample and one-way classification have been developed by a least squares approach in which estimates of the heterogeneity variances are obtained by moments and used in weighting. Monte Carlo studies of the performance of this technique in moderate and small samples indicate that (1) these empirical weighting estimates have high efficiency relative to exact least squares estimates; (2) the variance estimators are nearly unbiased; (3) the resulting inference procedures are usually adequate for practical application.
On the mountain top with Mr. Osterhout

George E. Osterhout, an amateur botanist, collected mainly in Colorado between 1893 and 1936. A brief account of his career and character; a list of his proposed new species and new combinations; and his bibliography.
Computer technology in mental health care: “Toys” or tools?

An argument is made that applications of on-line computer technology which are truly relevant to decision making constitute the new “tools of the trade” in mental health care delivery.
Bringing the Human Touch to Digital Library Services

SUMMARY Since the evolution of the World Wide Web, the presence of libraries and their resources has grown at a dramatic pace. Increasingly, the users of this information are primarily accessing library resources remotely. While libraries have put many collections and services online, most are just beginning to plan services that will provide similar real-time assistance currently available at library service desks. The MIT Libraries' experience with providing real-time digital reference has been extremely well received by users, which in addition has led to a 52% increase in email reference service. It has revealed a variety of technical challenges. The greater, long-term challenges revealed, however, are staff-related.
N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine activates multiple cell death mechanisms in human fibroblasts.

Response to genotoxic stress may trigger the activation of distinct mechanisms that serve to promote cell death, including apoptosis and necrosis. In this study we examined the response of human fibroblasts, either proficient or deficient for the damage-activated protein kinase ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM), to the alkylating agent N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). Analysis of both long- and short-term viability shows that both ATM-proficient YZ-5 and ATM-deficient EBS-7 fibroblasts display a cytotoxic response to MNNG. Consistent with activation of apoptosis in response to MNNG, we observed increased caspase-3 cleavage and activity, appearance of fragmented nuclei, and increased staining with annexin V in both ATM-proficient and -deficient fibroblasts. Flow cytometry demonstrated that these cell lines also display a nonapoptotic cell death in response to MNNG. This form of cell death is associated with activation of poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP), and analysis of PARP activity indicat...
Kinetic Regions in Chromosomes

I HAVE previously disavowed any deeply founded conviction concerning the name applied to the kinetic region which, in one form or another, seems to be present in most chromosomes. The first thing needful is agreement on such a name, and then the abandonment of the ten or more other names now in use. I proposed the adoption of the word, “kinetochore”, partly because it seems at least as good as any now in use and also because Sharp has employed it in a rather widely used book. But at about that time the term “centromere” was used by Darlington, and British workers have accepted it quite generally. I should like to point out that not only is thereby added another to the long series of words that already have caused much confusion (“centrosphere”, “centrodesmus”, “centrosome”, “centriole”, “central body”, etc.); but that the word “centromere” was coined by Waldeyer in 1903 to designate the neck region of the spermatozoon. Since it seems certain that many future investigations will concern themselves with the chromosome region in question, I propose that an entirely new name be adopted if the word kinetochore be considered unacceptable.
Effects of chronic administration of alogliptin on the development of diabetes and β-cell function in high fat diet/streptozotocin diabetic mice.

Aim: Alogliptin is a potent and highly selective dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor. The aim of this study was to determine its effects on glucose control and pancreas islet function and to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms after chronic administration, in a non-genetic mouse model of type 2 diabetes. Methods: Alogliptin (5, 15 and 45 mg/kg) was orally administered to high fat diet/streptozotocin (HFD/STZ) diabetic mice daily for 10 weeks. Postprandial and 6-h fasting blood glucose levels, blood A1C level, oral glucose tolerance and pancreas insulin content were measured during or after the treatment period. Alogliptin plasma concentration was determined by an LC/MS/MS method. Islet morphology and architectural changes were evaluated with immunohistochemical analysis. Islet endocrine secretion ability was assessed by measuring insulin release from isolated islets which were challenged with 16 mM glucose and 30 mM potassium chloride, respectively. Gene expression profiles of the pancreas were analysed using the mouse diabetes RT2 Profiler PCR array which contains 84 genes related to the onset, development and progression of diabetes. Results: Alogliptin showed dose-dependent reduction of postprandial and fasting blood glucose levels and blood A1C levels. Glucose clearance ability and pancreas insulin content were both increased. Alogliptin significantly restored the β-cell mass and islet morphology, thus preserving islet function of insulin secretion. Expression of 10 genes including Ins1 was significantly changed in the pancreas of diabetic mice. Chronic alogliptin treatment completely or partially reversed the abnormalities in gene expression. Conclusions: Chronic treatment of alogliptin improved glucose control and facilitated restoration of islet architecture and function in HFD/STZ diabetic mice. The gene expression profiles suggest that the underlying molecular mechanisms of β-cell protection by alogliptin may involve alleviating endoplasmic reticulum burden and mitochondria oxidative stress, increasing β-cell differentiation and proliferation, enhancing islet architecture remodelling and preserving islet function.
Classifying Gene Expression Profiles from Pairwise mRNA Comparisons

We present a new approach to molecular classification based on mRNA comparisons. Our method, referred to as the top-scoring pair(s) (TSP) classifier, is motivated by current technical and practical limitations in using gene expression microarray data for class prediction, for example to detect disease, identify tumors or predict treatment response. Accurate statistical inference from such data is difficult due to the small number of observations, typically tens, relative to the large number of genes, typically thousands. Moreover, conventional methods from machine learning lead to decisions which are usually very difficult to interpret in simple or biologically meaningful terms. In contrast, the TSP classifier provides decision rules which i) involve very few genes and only relative expression values (e.g., comparing the mRNA counts within a single pair of genes); ii) are both accurate and transparent; and iii) provide specific hypotheses for follow-up studies. In particular, the TSP classifier achieves prediction rates with standard cancer data that are as high as those of previous studies which use considerably more genes and complex procedures. Finally, the TSP classifier is parameter-free, thus avoiding the type of over-fitting and inflated estimates of performance that result when all aspects of learning a predictor are not properly cross-validated.
Revascularization of skeletal muscle transplanted into the hamster cheek pouch: intravital and light microscopy.

Abstract Small fiber bundles from the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle were transplanted into the hamster cheek pouch to observe the process of revascularization. We tested the hypothesis that blood vessels of a graft degenerate and that revascularization results from the ingrowth of blood vessels from the cheek pouch into the graft. Degeneration and regeneration of muscle fibers followed a pattern similar to that reported for autografts of whole muscles in rats. Blood vessels in the graft that were adjacent to vascularized host tissue survived. At 1 day, surviving blood vessels in the graft had normal structure but erythrocytes were packed tightly in the lumen. At 2 days, sprouts from surviving graft vessels had grown into the cheek pouch. Between 2 and 2.5 days, anastomoses of blood vessels from the graft with those of the cheek pouch reestablished circulation. After circulation was established, the blood vessels contained well-spaced erythrocytes. By 3 days, blood vessels which increased in number and diameter throughout the graft occupied 40–60% of the graft. Over the next 24 hr, blood vessels in the graft regressed toward the control value. We conclude that blood vessels in muscle grafts in the cheek pouch survive transplantation, and that circulation in grafts is reestablished by the anastomoses of blood vessel sprouts from the graft with the blood vessels of the host.
Effects of Multiple Context and Cumulative Stress on Urban Children's Adjustment in Elementary School

Using longitudinal data collected over 2 years on a sample of 2,745 urban elementary school children (1st–6th graders, ages 6–11 years) from economically disadvantaged communities, effects of stressful experiences within 3 contexts (school, family, neighborhood), cumulative stress, and multiple context stress on 3 indices of children’s adjustment (achievement, depression, and aggression) were examined. All 3 stressor contexts were related contemporaneously and longitudinally to negative outcomes across adjustment measures, with differential paths in each predictive model. Cumulative stress was linearly related to increases in adjustment problems but multiple context stress was not related to problematic adjustment beyond effects of cumulative stress alone. The important influence of life events stress on children’s adjustment in disadvantaged communities is discussed. In the present study, we build on and expand previous research examining the stress–adjustment relation among elementary school children growing up in disadvantaged urban communities (Brooks-Gunn, Duncan, & Aber, 1997; Evans & English, 2002; Guerra & Williams, 2005; Roosa et al., 2005; Taylor, Seaton, & Rodriguez, 2002; Yates, Egeland, & Sroufe, 2003). We focus on the role of stress in children’s school achievement, depression, and aggression. These three outcomes represent important components of adjustment (or maladjustment) during the elementary school years. Using longitudinal data from a large developmental study of urban elementary school children, we consider different mechanisms by which stress in three specific contexts (school, family, and neighborhood) can influence these outcomes. We are particularly interested in whether the impact of contextual stress varies as a function of the particular type of stress experienced in a given context, the cumulative amount of stress experienced, or the experience of stress across more than one or multiple contexts.
Quantification of myocardial perfusion and determination of coronary stenosis severity during hyperemia using real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography.

Abstract Although regional myocardial perfusion can be currently quantified with myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) by using intermittent harmonic imaging (IHI), the method is tedious and time-consuming in the clinical setting. We hypothesized that regional myocardial perfusion can be quantified and the severity of coronary stenosis determined during hyperemia with MCE using real-time imaging (RTI) where microbubbles are not destroyed. Six open-chest dogs were studied during maximal hyperemia induced by adenosine in the absence or presence of coronary stenoses varying from mild to severe. Myocardial blood flow (MBF) was measured at each stage by using radiolabeled microspheres. MCE was performed using both IHI and RTI. Data for the latter were acquired in both end-systole and end-diastole. No differences were found between myocardial flow velocity (MFV) derived from IHI and RTI when end-systolic frames were used for the latter. MFV was consistently higher for RTI ( P r = 0.78, P r = 0.08, P =.78). The scatter for assessing MBF ( A ·β) was minimal for IHI and RTI (9%-10%) with end-systolic frames, whereas that for RTI with end-diastolic frames was large (30%). Furthermore the correlation with radiolabeled microsphere-derived MBF was significantly ( P r = 0.53) than when end-systolic frames ( r = 0.94) or IHI was used ( r = 0.99). Data acquisition for IHI was 10 minutes, whereas it was 8 seconds for RTI. Thus, RTI can be used to quantify regional myocardial perfusion and stenosis severity during MCE. Only end-systolic frames, however, provide accurate data. RTI offers a rapid and easy means of assessing regional myocardial perfusion with MCE. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2001;14:1173-82.)