cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Assessment of Present-Moment Awareness and Acceptance The Philadelphia Mindfulness Scale

The purpose of this project was to develop a bidimensional measure of mindfulness to assess its two key components: present-moment awareness and acceptance. The development and psychometric validation of the Philadelphia Mindfulness Scale is described, and data are reported from expert raters, two nonclinical samples (n = 204 and 559), and three clinical samples including mixed psychiatric outpatients (n = 52), eating disorder inpatients (n = 30), and student counseling center outpatients (n = 78). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses support a two-factor solution, corresponding to the two constituent components of the construct. Good internal consistency was demonstrated, and relationships with other constructs were largely as expected. As predicted, significant differences were found between the nonclinical and clinical samples in levels of awareness and acceptance. The awareness and acceptance subscales were not correlated, suggesting that these two constructs can be examined independently. Potential theoretical and applied uses of the measure are discussed.
Systematic review with network meta-analysis: the efficacy of anti-tumour necrosis factor-alpha agents for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

SummaryBackground Antibodies against tumour necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNF) are effective therapies in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC), but their comparative efficacy is unknown. Aim To perform a network meta-analysis comparing the efficacy of anti-TNF agents in UC. Methods After screening 506 studies, reviewers extracted information on seven studies. Traditional meta-analysis (TMA) was used to compare each anti-TNF agent to placebo. Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed to compare the effects of anti-TNF agents to placebo. In addition, sample sizes for comparative efficacy trials were calculated. Results Compared to placebo, TMA revealed that anti-TNF agents result in a higher likelihood of induction of remission and response (RR: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.72–3.47 and RR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.37–1.99 respectively) as well as maintenance of remission and response (RR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.52–2.62 and RR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.46–2.14 respectively). Individually, infliximab, adalimumab and goliumumab resulted in a higher likelihood of induction and maintenance for both remission and response. NMA found nonsignificant trends in comparisons of the individual agents. The required sample sizes for direct head-to-head trials between infliximab and adalimumab for induction and maintenance are 174 and 204 subjects respectively. Conclusions This study demonstrates that, compared to placebo, infliximab, adalimumab and golimumab are all effective for the induction and maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis. However, network meta-analysis demonstrates that no single agent is clinically superior to the others and therefore, other factors such as cost, safety, route of administration and patient preference should dictate our choice of anti-TNF agents. A randomised comparative efficacy trial between infliximab and adalimumab in UC is of practical size and should be performed.
An Experimental Study of Micro Radially Rotating Heat Pipes With Water as the Working Fluid

In this study, three copper-water rotating heat pipes having inner diameters of 1.5, 2, and 3 mm, respectively, are fabricated and tested. The effectiveness of the copper-water heat pipe is first validated by comparing its performance with that of a copper bar having the same inner and outer diameters. The heat pipes are then tested to prove their reliability, high effective thermal conductance, and critical working limitation. The experimental data shows that the critical limitation may be reached when the inner diameter of the heat pipe is below 1.5 mm under the condition of a low rotating speed. The tests of these water heat pipes could also explore potential applications of radially rotating heat pipes in disks/blades of a high-pressure compressor.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
A rapid colorimetric assay for DNA.

Abstract A rapid precise colorimetric method for the determination of DNA in the range of 25–1000 μg is reported. The method involves reacting DNA with diaminobenzoic acid · 2HCl (DABA) for 30 min at 60°C, followed by a determination of the optical density of the product at 420 nm. Perchloric acid extracts of DNA may be used in the assay. KOH interferes with color development and cannot be used. The main advantages of the DABA assay over the standard diphenylamine method are: (i) the much shorter time necessary for color development; (ii) the use of less hazardous reagents; (iii) a tenfold increase in the upper limit of DNA that can be measured (1000 μg compared to 100 μg with the diphenylamine method); and (iv) by employing the same reagents and spectrofluorometry with a previously described assay, DNA in the range of 1 to 1000 μg may be determined.
Through-Silicon-Via Fabrication Technologies, Passives Extraction, and Electrical Modeling for 3-D Integration/Packaging

Major advances have been made in the processing technologies of through-silicon-vias (TSVs) because TSV is an essential element for both wafer-level 3-D integration and packaging-based 3-D integration, due to its short interconnect length, high interconnect density, and small footprint. Based on a review of current TSV technologies, this paper reports a number of recently developed extraction techniques to investigate TSV parasitics using a 3-D fullwave electromagnetic (EM) simulator, a SPICE simulator, and empirical calculations. All the TSV RLGC values extracted from the fullwave simulation are in good agreement with those from different approaches over the entire frequency range of interest. The proposed empirical calculations indicate close results to fullwave extraction, thus TSV can be accurately modeled as lump elements. A wideband SPICE model for circuit design is generated from the TSV EM solution with good matching for both magnitudes and phases of return loss and insertion loss. Sensitivity analysis results further indicate that the insulating layer thickness weighs most in signal gain at 20 GHz. As an application of the modeling approaches is developed, a novel coaxial TSV with superior electrical performance is proposed, and its latency and power are examined. This paper provides some insight into TSV electrical characteristics and physical design to maximize the benefits of 3-D systems.
Vitamin D Receptor As an Intestinal Bile Acid Sensor

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) mediates the effects of the calcemic hormone 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3]. We show that VDR also functions as a receptor for the secondary bile acid lithocholic acid (LCA), which is hepatotoxic and a potential enteric carcinogen. VDR is an order of magnitude more sensitive to LCA and its metabolites than are other nuclear receptors. Activation of VDR by LCA or vitamin D induced expression in vivo of CYP3A, a cytochrome P450 enzyme that detoxifies LCA in the liver and intestine. These studies offer a mechanism that may explain the proposed protective effects of vitamin D and its receptor against colon cancer.
Determination of the in Vivo Stoichiometry of Tyrosyl Radical per ββ‘ in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ribonucleotide Reductase†

The class I ribonucleotide reductases catalyze the conversion of nucleotides to deoxynucleotides and are composed of two subunits: R1 and R2. R1 contains the site for nucleotide reduction and the sites that control substrate specificity and the rate of reduction. R2 houses the essential diferric-tyrosyl radical (Y(*)) cofactor. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, two R1s, alpha(n) and , have been identified, while R2 is a heterodimer (betabeta'). beta' cannot bind iron and generate the Y(*); consequently, the maximum amount of Y(*) per betabeta' is 1. To determine the cofactor stoichiometry in vivo, a FLAG-tagged beta ((FLAG)beta) was constructed and integrated into the genome of Y300 (MHY343). This strain facilitated the rapid isolation of endogenous levels of (FLAG)betabeta' by immunoaffinity chromatography, which was found to have 0.45 +/- 0.08 Y(*)/(FLAG)betabeta' and a specific activity of 2.3 +/- 0.5 micromol min(-1) mg(-1). (FLAG)betabeta' isolated from MMS-treated MHY343 cells or cells containing a deletion of the transcriptional repressor gene CRT1 also gave a Y(*)/(FLAG)betabeta' ratio of 0.5. To determine the Y(*)/betabeta' ratio without R2 isolation, whole cell EPR and quantitative Western blots of beta were performed using different strains and growth conditions. The wild-type (wt) strains gave a Y(*)/betabeta' ratio of 0.83-0.89. The same strains either treated with MMS or containing a crt1Delta gave ratios between 0.49 and 0.72. Nucleotide reduction assays and quantitative Western blots from the same strains provided an independent measure and confirmation of the Y(*)/betabeta' ratios. Thus, under normal growth conditions, the cell assembles stoichiometric amounts of Y(*) and modulation of Y(*) concentration is not involved in the regulation of RNR activity.
The Influence of Vitaly Ginzburg on a Young Scientist

In some sense the BCS theory was so successful in the 1960’s, that people thought it would be the basis of understanding the experimental work on superconducting alloys and compounds. Looking back, there was much controversy at the time and there were some persuasive arguments that there was a limit to the transition temperature of alloy systems. However, there were some thoughtful people, including Vitaly Ginzburg, who championed the possibility of higher Tc’s.
Using masked bone-conducted speech as an aid in the detection of functional unilateral hearing losses in children

Abstract A group of ten subjects with known unilateral hearing losses and a group of ten subjects with uncertain unilateral losses were presented spondee words at each subjects' bone-conducted speech-reception threshold ( BC-SRT ) and write noise masking signal presented monaurally and binaurally through earphones. The masking level (dB) which interferes with the speech threshold has significance in determining the true sensitivity of each ear. The binaural masking interference level ( BMIL ) is the masking intensity which interferes with the speech sensitivity of the good ear(s) while the monaural masking interference level for the ‘poor’ ear ( MMIL -‘poor’ ear) refers to the intensity interfering with the speech sensitivity of that ear. The monaural masking interference level for the good ear ( MMIL -good ear) is that intensity level interfering with its speech sensitivity. The relationships between these measures can be interpreted as positive or negative in the detection of a functional loss. The ten known unilateral losses were found to be negative while seven of the uncertain losses were positive. The remaining three were negative.
The Use of Infrared Spectra of Chars in Coal Structure Research

Indirect studies in the structure of coal and related carbonaceous materials are made through spectral studies of chars of model compounds. Temperature effects are demonstrated; the higher the temperature, or the longer the pyrolysis time, the higher the rank of coal that the char spectrum resembles. Charring of model compounds with and without oxygen present permits the assignment of some infrared bands of chars to oxygenated structures. Chars prepared from isotope-labeled compounds also permit the assignment of spectral bands through observation of isotopic shifts.
p16INK4a induces an age-dependent decline in islet regenerative potential.

In this issue, three separate labs report the discovery of a protein that regulates ageing specifically in stem cells. This helps answer a fundamental question: why do mammalian progenitor cells gradually lose their ability to divide and generate new cells as they grow old? Norman Sharpless and colleagues generated a knockout mouse lacking tumour suppressor p16INK4a, a protein involved in cell cycle control and known to be expressed in an age-dependent manner. Studying its role in regeneration of the blood, pancreas and brain, the three groups separately found that p16INK4a is not only a biomarker, but an effector of ageing. By comparing the effect of elevated or reduced p16INK4a expression in mice, they found that p16INK4a halts proliferation of stem cells, but only in older mice. Taken together, the work suggests that p16INK4a reduces cancer incidence via its tumour suppressor action, at the same time contributing to ageing by reducing stem cell function. The work also suggests that type 2 diabetes might be linked to the failure of the pancreatic islets to renew, and that blocking this protein in certain tissues might combat some effects of ageing. Three separate labs report that p16INK4a, a protein known to be expressed in an age-dependent manner regulates ageing specifically in stem cells. Studying its role in regeneration of three different tissues, the blood, pancreas, and brain, the three groups separately found that p16INK4a is not only a biomarker, but an effector of ageing. The p16INK4a tumour suppressor accumulates in many tissues as a function of advancing age1,2,3. p16INK4a is an effector of senescence4,5 and a potent inhibitor of the proliferative kinase Cdk4 (ref. 6), which is essential for pancreatic β-cell proliferation in adult mammals7,8. Here we show that p16INK4a constrains islet proliferation and regeneration in an age-dependent manner. Expression of the p16INK4a transcript is enriched in purified islets compared with the exocrine pancreas, and islet-specific expression of p16INK4a, but not other cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, increases markedly with ageing. To determine the physiological significance of p16INK4a accumulation on islet function, we assessed the impact of p16INK4a deficiency and overexpression with increasing age and in the regenerative response after exposure to a specific β-cell toxin. Transgenic mice that overexpress p16INK4a to a degree seen with ageing demonstrated decreased islet proliferation. Similarly, islet proliferation was unaffected by p16INK4a deficiency in young mice, but was relatively increased in p16INK4a-deficient old mice. Survival after toxin-mediated ablation of β-cells, which requires islet proliferation, declined with advancing age; however, mice lacking p16INK4a demonstrated enhanced islet proliferation and survival after β-cell ablation. These genetic data support the view that an age-induced increase of p16INK4a expression limits the regenerative capacity of β-cells with ageing.
Functional characteristics of the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone pulse generator in conscious unrestrained female rabbits: activation by norepinephrine.

We probed the activity of the neural LHRH apparatus by means of push-pull cannulae implanted in the hypothalamus of conscious intact anestrous unrestrained New Zealand White female rabbits raised under natural light. The data revealed that the neuropeptide LHRH is released in a pulsatile manner (one pulse per 46.4 ± 3.9 min; amplitude, 1.63 ± 0.39 pg; n = 7) from a rather extensive area within the basal hypothalamus of the rabbit covering the rostral, medial, and posterior regions in a rostro-caudal direction and about 1 mm latera). A remarkable change in mean LHRH output was observed during the year, and two distinct types of LHRH output were detected: low (0.72 ± 0.07 pg/10 min; n = 7) when these reflex ovulators were perfused during late spring to early summer and high (2.92 ± 0.29 pg/10 min; n = 5) when perfused during late summer, early fall to spring months. This 4-fold annual change in LHRH output was mainly due to changes in the amplitude of the LHRH signal and was not correlated with the position...
Covalent modification of DNA by daunorubicin

Daunorubicin, a clinically useful antitumor agent, induces mammary adenocarcinoma in Sprague-Dawley rats. As part of an investigation of the mechanism of tumor induction by daunorubicin, the formation of daunorubicin-DNA adducts has been investigated by 32P-postlabeling assay. Rat-liver DNA indubated with either 0.05 or 0.1 mM daunorubicin, rat-liver microsomes, and 5 mM reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) for 1 h contained covalent DNA adducts in addition to the endogenous adduct profile present in control DNA. With 1.5 mM cumene hydroperoxide serving as a cofactor, higher levels of these two adducts and two additional adducts were formed, all of which most likely were daunorubicin-DNA adducts. This latter treatment also resulted in an intensification of three endogenous DNA modifications over levels occurring in control DNA. Covalent DNA alterations in vivo were studied in rats treated with 20 mg/kg daunorubicin for 2 days and 200 mg/kg on the 3rd day. Daunorubicin-DNA adducts as observed in vitro could not be detected in DNA of liver or mammary epithelial cells. The levels of endogenous modifications in drug-treated rats were increased by 200% in mammary DNA and by 50% in hepatic DNA as compared with controls. It was concluded from these experiments that daunorubicin may be metabolically activated to a reactive metabolite that binds covalently to DNA. These daunorubicin-DNA adducts may not play a role in tumor induction because they were not detectable in vivo. However, the increase in levels of endogenous DNA modifications induced by daunorubicin both in vitro and in vivo is consistent with a role of this class of DNA modification in the carcinogenic process.
Microwave properties of Schottky-barrier field-effect transistors

The microwave properties of silicon Schottky-barrier field-effect transistor(MESFET'S) with a gate-length of one micrometer are investigated. The scattering parameters of the transistors have been measured from 0.1 GHz up to 12 GHz. From the measured data an equivalent circuit is established which consist of an intrinsic transistor and extrinsic elements. Some of the elements of the intrinsic transistor, notably the transconductance, are strongly influenced by the saturation of the drift velocity. Best performance of the intrinsic transistor is obtained with highly doped and thin channels. The measured power-gain is in good agreement with theoretical values deduced from the equivalent circuit. The best device has a maximum frequency of oscillation fmax of 12 GHz. The investigation reveals that the extrinsic elements, especially the resistance of the gate-metallization and the gate-pad parasitics, degrade the power-gain considerably. Without them a value of fmax close to 20 GHz is predicted.
Interactive CT diagnostics, planning and preparation for dental implants

The insertion of dental implants is multifaceted. Adequate containment of the implant body requires not only a measurable volume of bone but also an acceptable density of this osseous foundation. Through interactive computerized axial tomography (CAT), not only are such measurements conveyed to the clinician, but vital structures that should be avoided or at least accounted for are portrayed in a three-dimensional manner. Predict-ability is enhanced, and the implants can be directed for prosthetic use in conjunction with surgical guides (templates).
Laboratory Assays and Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy for Estimates of Feeding Value of Corn Silage

Abstract Corn silages samples from the Virginia Tech Forage Testing Program were classified by color, presence or absence of mold, aroma, and fermentation type. In the sample of 142 corn silages, in vitro digestible organic matter averaged 59.8% (range 38.5 to 74.7%) and indicated a range of silage quality. Simple and multiple regression of in vitro digestible organic matter on chemical constituents were derived for the full data set and within fermentation groups. Acid detergent fiber and dry matter explained the largest portion of the variation of digestibility. Simple regression on the full data set had coefficients of determination of .352 and .208 with standard errors of prediction of 5.29 and 5.86 for acid detergent fiber and dry matter. Multiple regression analyses improved coefficient of determination and standard error slightly. Corn silage in vitro digestible organic matter was predicted by near infrared reflectance techniques. A calibration equation resulted in coefficient of determination of .88 and standard error 5.38. The calibration equation was tested for prediction of an additional 90 corn silages. Regression of digestibility predicted by near infrared reflectance resulted in coefficient of determination of .37 and standard error of 4.04. Prediction of corn silage digestibility by near infrared reflectance or laboratory methods was similar.
Water swager for adaptation of platinum matrixes

Platinum foil matrixes for porcelain jackets are easily formed and well adapted with the water swager. Plans for the assembly of the water swager and instructions for its operation are included in this report.
Maximum Likelihood Rate Estimation: With Applications in Image and Video Compression

To overcome the computational complexity in making optimized rate-distortion coding decisions (due to the calculation of actual rate) we propose a rate estimation scheme based on the maximum likelihood parameter estimation (MLPE) method.
Guided waves in anisotropic and quasi-isotropic aerospace composites: Three-dimensional simulation and experiment

Three-dimensional (3D) elastic wave simulations can be used to investigate and optimize nondestructive evaluation (NDE) and structural health monitoring (SHM) ultrasonic damage detection techniques for aerospace materials. 3D anisotropic elastodynamic finite integration technique (EFIT) has been implemented for ultrasonic waves in carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite laminates. This paper describes 3D EFIT simulations of guided wave propagation in undamaged and damaged anisotropic and quasi-isotropic composite plates. Comparisons are made between simulations of guided waves in undamaged anisotropic composite plates and both experimental laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) wavefield data and dispersion curves. Time domain and wavenumber domain comparisons are described. Wave interaction with complex geometry delamination damage is then simulated to investigate how simulation tools incorporating realistic damage geometries can aid in the understanding of wave interaction with CFRP damage. In order to move beyond simplistic assumptions of damage geometry, volumetric delamination data acquired via X-ray microfocus computed tomography is directly incorporated into the simulation. Simulated guided wave interaction with the complex geometry delamination is compared to experimental LDV time domain data and 3D wave interaction with the volumetric damage is discussed.
Enterprise Architecture as a Tool of Navy METOC Transformation

The Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NAVMETOCCOM) is transforming its business model and processes to better align with the Naval warfighter. Information Technology (IT) is an enabler for this transformation. This paper will discuss how the transformational IT strategy based on the tenets of Net-Centric Operations and Warfare (NCOW) and Service Oriented Architectures (SOA) are being managed and applied in the NA VMETOCCOM Enterprise Architecture
Development Agencies and Structural Violence in Rwanda

Aiding Violence: The Development Enterprise in Rwanda, Peter Uvin (West Hartford, Conn.: Kumarian Press, 1998). 273 pp., cloth (ISBN: 1-5654-9084-3), $59.00; paper (ISBN: 1-5654-9083-5), $24.95. Book reviewed: Aiding Violence: The Development Enterprise in Rwanda , Peter Uvin
Hilar cholangiocarcinoma: current management.

Objective:To review the literature with regard to outcome of surgical management for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (Klatskin tumor).Background:Hilar cholangiocarcinoma is a rare tumor with a poor prognosis. Surgical resection provides the only possibility for cure. Advances in hepatobiliary imaging and s
Theory of photoselection by intense light pulses. Influence of reorientational dynamics and chemical kinetics on absorbance measurements

The theory of absorbance measurements on a system (e.g., chromophore(s) in a protein) that undergoes a sequence of reactions initiated by a linearly polarized light pulse is developed for excitation pulses of arbitrary intensity. This formalism is based on a set of master equations describing the time evolution of the orientational distribution function of the various species resulting from excitation, reorientational dynamics, and chemical kinetics. For intense but short excitation pulses, the changes in absorbance (for arbitrary polarization directions of the excitation and probe pulses) and the absorption anisotropy are expressed in terms of reorientational correlation functions. The influence of the internal motions of the chromophore as well as the overall motions of the molecules is considered. When the duration of the excitation pulse is long compared to the time-scale of internal motions but comparable to the overall correlation time of the molecule that is reorienting isotropically, the problem of calculating the changes in absorbance is reduced to the solution of a set of first-order coupled differential equations. Emphasis is placed on obtaining explicit results for quantities that are measured in photolysis and fluorescence experiments so as to facilitate the analysis of experimental data.
Socioeconomic aspects of stab and gunshot wounds.

Records of 294 patients with gunshot, stab, or shotgun wounds admitted to Charlotte Memorial Hospital and Medical Center between July 1, 1976 and June 30, 1977 were reviewed. Data were gathered on 24 clinical, social, and economic aspects to discover any patterns in these areas. Eighty-three percent of the patients were male; 71%, black; 70%, unmarried; and 56%, between 16 and 30 years of age. Fifty-five percent came to the hospital between 10 pm and 3 am; 57% on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday; 31% came in June, July, or August. Sixty-four percent were gunshot wounds, 80% of which were by small caliber weapons. Ninety-four percent of all patients survived. The patients "consumed" 3,260 hospital days, 526 intensive care unit days, 533 units of blood, and 261 operations, totaling 595 hours of operating room time. Hospital charges totaled $668,000, of which 1.1% was paid from private funds and nearly 65% from the taxpayers and other private paying patients.
Description of the banding patterns of human chromosomes by acridine orange reverse banding (RFA) and comparison with the Paris banding diagram

A reference diagram is presented which is comparable to the Paris banding diagram but which was based primarily on chromosomes studied by acridine orange reverse banding. Comparison with the Paris Conference (1971) banding diagram was made. Bands were combined in 13 instances and subdivided in 10 cases. The number of bands was found to depend primarily upon the length and quality of the chromosomes. No major differences between the present diagram and the Paris banding diagram were observed. Moreover, the results with acridine orange reverse banding were comparable to those previously reported with Giemsa R banding. In addition, sequential Q banding and R banding were carried out in the same cells. No significant differences in resolution of bands were observed when these two techniques were compared.
Simulation of large x-ray fields using independently measured source and geometry details.

Purpose: Obtain an accurate simulation of the dose from the 6 and 18 MV x-ray beams from a Siemens Oncor linear accelerator by comparing simulation to measurement. Constrain the simulation by independently determining parameters of the treatment head and incident beam, in particular, the energy and spot size. Methods: Measurements were done with the treatment head in three different configurations: (1) The clinical configuration, (2) the flattening filter removed, and (3) the target and flattening filter removed. Parameters of the incident beam and treatment head were measured directly. Incident beam energy and spectral width were determined from the percent-depth ionization of the raw beam (as described previously), spot size was determined using a spot camera, and the densities of the flattening filters were determined by weighing them. Simulations were done with EGSnrc/BEAMnrc code. An asymmetric simulation was used, including offsets of the spot, primary collimator, and flattening filter from the collimator rotation axis. Results: Agreement between measurement and simulation was obtained to the least restrictive of 1% or 1 mm at 6 MV, both with and without the flattening filter in place, except for the buildup region. At 18 MV, the agreement was 1.5%/1.5 mm with the flattening filter inmore » place and 1%/1 mm with it removed, except for in the buildup region. In the buildup region, the discrepancy was 2%/2 mm at 18 MV and 1.5%/1.5 mm at 6 MV with the flattening filter either removed or in place. The methodology for measuring the source and geometry parameters for the treatment head simulation is described. Except to determine the density of the flattening filter, no physical modification of the treatment head is necessary to obtain those parameters. In particular, the flattening filter does not need to be removed as was done in this work. Conclusions: Good agreement between measured and simulated dose distributions was obtained, even in the buildup region. The simulation was tightly constrained by independent measurements of parameters of the incident beam and treatment head. The method of obtaining the input parameters is described, and can be carried out on a clinical linear accelerator.« less
An idealist theory of ethics

Abstract: Is ethics a problem of science? It is argued that in order to be considered a force to be reckoned with, ethics must be based on or be compatible with the contemporary scientific world view. It is shown that the currently popular ethical system of utilitarianism has its roots in a material realistic view of the world that grew out of classical physics. But currently the world view of classical physics is giving way to a new idealist view of quantum physics. A theory of ethics is developed based on the philosophy of monistic idealism and the idealist resolution of quantum measurement and mind‐body problems. Such a theory can resolve some of the knotty ethical issues that Kant first raised
Application of Scaling Factors in Simultaneous Modeling of Microarray Data from Diverse Chips

Purpose Microarrays have been utilized in many biological, physiological and pharmacological studies as a high-throughput genomic technique. Several generations of Affymetrix GeneChip® microarrays are widely used in gene expression studies. However, differences in intensities of signals for different probe sets that represent the same gene on various types of Affymetrix chips make comparison of datasets complicated.
Benign solitary Schwannomas (neurilemomas)

Three hundred and three patients with benign solitary neurilemomas, or schwannomas, not associated with the classical type of von Recklinghausen's disease were studied. One hundred and seventy-two were women and 131 were men. Forty-five percent of the tumors were seen in the extremities, and no specific area could be related to the development of these tumors. Approximately 9% of the tumors occurred in the soft tissues of the trunk and 14% in various unusual sites. Most patients were seen initially because of a painless mass; only 10 complained of pain radiating along the course of a peripheral nerve. One documented case of a malignant degeneration in a benign schwannoma has been reported. The treatment of a benign solitary neurilemoma is enucleation. Excision of a segment of a major peripheral nerve is contraindicated. The histologic features of benign peripheral nerve tumors were briefly described. The confusion regarding terminology has been discussed, and it is suggested that the term schwannoma be more frequently used. The lack of neurologic deficit in schwannomas arising in major peripheral nerves has been pointed out, and further studies have been suggested. The high association of malignant tumors in these patients has been discussed, and it is proposed that a further study be undertaken to ascertain whether these patients are more prone to develop unrelated cancers.
Understanding how people learn the features of objects as Bayesian inference

We thank Rob Goldstone, Stephen Palmer, Karen Schloss, Tania Lombrozo, Charles Kemp, Noah Goodman, Eleanor Rosch, and the Computational Cognitive Science Lab for insightful discussions, and Shubin Li, Brian Tang, and David Belford for help with experiment construction, running participants and data analysis. This work was supported by grant FA9550-07-1-0351 from the AFOSR. Austerweil, J. L. & Gri ths, T. L. (2009). Analyzing human feature learning as nonparametric Bayesian inference. In D. Koller, Y. Bengio, D. Schuurmans, & L. Bottou (Eds.), Advances in Neural Information Processing Systems (Vol. 21). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Austerweil, J. L. & Gri ths, T. L. (2009). The e ect of distributional information on feature learning. The 31st Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society. Amsterdam, Netherlands. Gri ths, T. L. & Ghahramani, T. L. (2006). In nite latent feature models and the Indian bu et process. In B. Scholkopf, J. Platt, & T. Hofmann (Eds.), Advances in Neural Information Processing Systems (Vol. 18). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Shi rin, R. M. & Lightfoot, N. (1997). Perceptual learning of alphanumeric-like characters. In The Psychology of Learning and Motivation (Vol. 36, p. 45-82). San Diego: Academic Press. Schyns, P. G. & Murphy, G. (1994). The ontogeny of part representation in object concepts. In The Psychology of Learning and Motivation (Vol. 31, p. 305-354). San Diego: Academic Press. Wood, F., Gri ths, T. L., & Ghahramani, Z. (2006). A non-parametric Bayesian method for inferring hidden causes. In Proceedings of the 22nd Conference on Uncertainty in Arti cial Intelligence. Feature: a part of a stimulus elementary in psychological processing Feature representations are an essential part of cognitive modeling. Feature representations change with experience: People infer features useful for categorization (Schyns & Murphy, 1994) People unite features to facilitate rapid search (Shi rin & Lightfoot, 1997)
Pervious Concrete Mixture Proportions for Improved Freeze-Thaw Durability

Recent stormwater management regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and greater emphasis on sustainable development has increased interest in pervious pavement as a method for reducing stormwater runoff and improving stormwater quality. Pervious concrete is one of several pervious pavement systems that can be used to reduce stormwater runoff and treat stormwater on site. Pervious concrete systems have been used and are being proposed for all parts of the United States, including northern climates where severe freezing and thawing can occur. The purpose of the research is to develop pervious concrete mixtures that have sufficient porosity for stormwater infiltration along with desirable porosity, strength, and freeze-thaw durability. In this research, concrete mixtures were developed with single-sized river gravel aggregate (4.75 mm) and constant binder contents, together with high range water reducer. River sand was used as a replacement for up to 7 % coarse aggregate. Two different types of polypropylene fibers (a shorter fibrillated variable-length and a longer fibrillated single-length) were incorporated at several addition rates from 0 to 0.1 % by volume of concrete. The engineering properties of the aggregate were evaluated along with the porosity, permeability, strength, and freeze-thaw durability of selected concrete mixtures. The results indicate that the use of sand and fibers provided beneficial effects on pervious concrete properties, including increased strength, maintained or improved permeability, and enhanced freeze-thaw resistance.
Non-ferritin, non-heme iron pools in rat tissues

Concentrations of intracellular, low molecular weight (LMW) and desferrioxamine B (DF) chelatable Fe, in tissues of normal, Fe-deficient and Fe-loaded female rats, were determined. Ice cold, high speed supernatants were rapidly fractionated on Ultrogel AcA202 or by filter centrifugation. After correction for residual blood and DF effects on Fe proteins, liver, kidney, heart and spleen contained 3-8 micrograms/g LMW Fe, brain 20 micrograms/g, with DF; two-thirds of this was detected without DF. There was little variation with Fe status. MW standardization and fractionation on Sephadex G-25 indicated components of apparent MW 13,000, 1400 and 350; the latter two were rapidly labeled with in vivo 59Fe.
Optimal Consumption with Stochastic Income: Deviations from Certainty Equivalence

No one has derived closed-form solutions for consumption with stochastic labor income and constant relative risk aversion utility. A numerical technique is used here to give an accurate approximation to the solution. The resulting consumption function is often dramatically different than the certainty equivalence solution typically used, in which consumption is proportional to the sum of financial wealth and the present value of expected future income. The results help explain three important empirical consumption puzzles: excess sensitivity of consumption to transitory income, high growth of consumption in the presence of a low risk-free interest rate, and underspending of the elderly.
SCIENCE, POLICY PROCESS, AND POLICY OWNERSHIP IN AFRICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

In the broadest sense, two new books 1 ask what is becoming a central question about environmental policy in Africa 2 and, indeed, in much of the rest of the developing world, after at least two de...
Aging of tubulin at neutral pH: the destabilizing effect of vinca alkaloids.

Abstract The effect of the vinca alkaloid drugs, vincristine, vinblastine, catharanthine, and vindoline, on the aging process of tubulin has been examined. It was found that addition of vincristine or vinblastine accelerated by a factor of 3–3.5 the transformation of tubulin from the 5.8 S α-β-tubulin dimer to paucidisperse polymers, with an average sedimentation coefficient of 9 S, previously observed in the absence of drugs ( V. Prakash and S. N. Timasheff, 1982, J. Mol. Biol. 160, 499–515 ). This transformation of tubulin from 5.8 S to “9 S” followed pseudo-first-order kinetics whether the starting protein was predominantly dimeric (i.e., at low drug concentration) or self-associated into the reversible linear polymers induced by the vinca alkaloid drugs at high drug concentration ( G. C. Na and S. N. Timasheff, 1980, Biochemistry 19, 1355–1365 ; V. Prakash and S. N. Timasheff, 1985, Biochemistry 24, 5004–5010 ). Identical kinetics were found in a fluorescence examination of the loss by tubulin of its ability to bind colchicine specifically, indicating that the rate determining step is a protein conformational change that induces a major change in the far uv circular dichroism spectrum of tubulin. The found lack of an effect of dithiothreitol on the aging and aggregation processes is consistent with the irreversible aggregation being due to the intermolecular coalescence of nonpolar patches on the protein. The observations that vincristine binds to aged tubulin and that the aging of tubulin is accompanied by quenching of the tryptophan fluorescence similar to that which occurs on the binding of the vinca drugs has led to the proposal that the vinca alkaloids stabilize the aged conformation of the protein by interacting with nonpolar regions that may be related to the aggregation sites.
What do we know about direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs?

ABSTRACT: Two papers, by Joel Weissman and colleagues and by Robert Dubois, add to our limited knowledge of the effects of direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising of prescription drugs. Their results ...
Erythrocyte tropomodulin binds to the N-terminus of hTM5, a tropomyosin isoform encoded by the gamma-tropomyosin gene.

Abstract Tropomodulin is a 40.6-kDa protein that binds to one end of the rod-like tropomyosin and inhibits its cooperativity and binding to actin. In myofibrils, tropomodulin has been localized at or near the free end of thin filaments. Using recombinant and chimeric molecules in a solid-phase binding assay, we demonstrate that it is the N-terminus of tropomyosin that interacts with tropomodulin. Among several tropomyosin isoforms tested, hTM5 encoded by the human γ-tropomyosin gene has the highest affinity toward human erythrocyte tropomodulin. Tropomodulin may, therefore, regulate the length and/or organization of actin filaments by differential binding to tropomyosin isoforms. hTM5 exists in the human erythrocyte membrane skeleton. In non-muscle cells, tropomodulin may block the head-to-tail association of tropomyosins and their interaction with actin at the pointed end of actin filaments by preferentially binding to TM5 at its N-terminus.
Legislative Advocacy for High Quality Leadership Preparation: Perspectives and Implications for Teaching and Learning Educational Leadership.

This article interrogates the value of leadership preparation programs connecting academic and political spheres as endorsed in the 2008 revised ISLLC Standards. Specifically, a number of exemplar teaching and learning practices are shared that led to the planning and implementation of legislative advocacy projects for educational leadership professors and students in Washington, DC. Major findings include that although many educators are not adequately prepared nor encouraged to participate in policy making at the state or national levels, purposeful efforts to engage educators in legislative advocacy projects results in positive outcomes for professors, students, and policymakers alike.
The impact of managed care contracting on physicians.

BACKGROUND Prior literature suggests that the fragmented U.S. health care system places a large administrative burden on physicians. Less is known about how this burden varies with physician contracting practices.
Mutual independence of 5-HT(2) and α1 noradrenergic receptors in mediating deficits in sensorimotor gating.

Rationale Prepulse inhibition (PPI), a preattentional information-filtering mechanism, is disrupted by serotonin (5-HT) or norepinephrine (NE) agonists to model deficits seen in schizophrenia, but whether this effect occurs through interactions between these systems is not known.
Neurobehavioral impairments caused by developmental imidacloprid exposure in zebrafish

Abstract Background Neonicotinoid insecticides are becoming more widely applied as organophosphate (OP) insecticides are decreasing in use. Because of their relative specificity to insect nicotinic receptors, they are thought to have reduced risk of neurotoxicity in vertebrates. However, there is scant published literature concerning the neurobehavioral effects of developmental exposure of vertebrates to neonicotinoids. Methods Using zebrafish, we investigated the neurobehavioral effects of developmental exposure to imidacloprid, a prototypic neonicotinoid pesticide. Nicotine was also administered for comparison. Zebrafish were exposed via immersion in aqueous solutions containing 45 μM or 60 μM of imidacloprid or nicotine (or vehicle control) from 4 h to 5 d post fertilization. The functional effects of developmental exposure to both imidacloprid and nicotine were assessed in larvae using an activity assay and during adolescence and adulthood using a battery of neurobehavioral assays, including assessment of sensorimotor response and habituation in a tactile startle test, novel tank swimming, and shoaling behavior. Results In larvae, developmental imidacloprid exposure at both doses significantly decreased swimming activity. The 5D strains of zebrafish were more sensitive to both nicotine and imidacloprid than the AB* strain. In adolescent and adult fish, developmental exposure to imidacloprid significantly decreased novel tank exploration and increased sensorimotor response to startle stimuli. While nicotine did not affect novel tank swimming, it increased sensorimotor response to startle stimuli at the low dose. No effects of either compound were found on shoaling behavior or habituation to a startling stimulus. Discussion Early developmental exposure to imidacloprid has both early-life and persisting effects on neurobehavioral function in zebrafish. Its developmental neurotoxicity should be further investigated.
Characterization of a synthetic human LINE-1 retrotransposon ORFeus -Hs

Long interspersed elements, type 1(LINE-1, L1) are the most abundant and only active autonomous retrotransposons in the human genome. Native L1 elements are inefficiently expressed because of a transcription elongation defect thought to be caused by high adenosine content in L1 sequences. Previously, we constructed a highly active synthetic mouse L1 element (ORFeus-Mm), partially by reducing the nucleotide composition bias. As a result, the transcript abundance of ORFeus-Mm was greatly increased, and its retrotransposition frequency was > 200-fold higher than its native counterpart. In this paper, we report a synthetic human L1 element (ORFeus-Hs) synthesized using a similar strategy. The adenosine content of the L1 open reading frames (ORFs) was reduced from 40% to 27% by changing 25% of the bases in the ORFs, without altering the amino acid sequence. By studying a series of native/synthetic chimeric elements, we observed increased levels of full-length L1 RNA and ORF1 protein and retrotransposition frequency, mostly proportional to increased fraction of synthetic sequence. Overall, the fully synthetic ORFeus-Hs has > 40-fold more RNA but is at most only ~threefold more active than its native counterpart (L1RP); however, its absolute retrotransposition activity is similar to ORFeus-Mm. Owing to the elevated expression of the L1 RNA/protein and its high retrotransposition ability, ORFeus-Hs and its chimeric derivatives will be useful tools for mechanistic L1 studies and mammalian genome manipulation.
Iowa medicaid 2: lapse of glycemic control on abrupt transition from insulin glargine to insulin detemir in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Iowa Care (Iowa Medicaid in State of Iowa, USA), switched insulin glargine to detemir in subjects with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) without the knowledge or approval of healthcare providers beginning 8/2006.Impact of this transition in subjects with Type 1 DM is recently reported. Objective: To examine the impact of this transition on various parameters of diabetes management in Type 2 DM. Subjects and Methods: A retrospective review of the records of subjects with Type 2 DM was conducted until 8/2007 in whom the transition had occurred. Only those subjects with adequate glycemic control while receiving insulin glargine [GI] and completing at least 3 months of therapy with insulin detemir [DI] are included in this report. Ten subjects with Type 2 DM, duration 7 ± 2 years with age, 55 ± 3 years who were switched from GI to DI (Group 1) fulfilled the criteria for inclusion. Subjects were switched from GI in Q AM to DI Q HS in the same daily dose. Glycemic control (HbA1c), body weight, daily insulin dose (Units) and severe hypoglycemic events during the last 2 weeks of the period, pre switch and again at the end of 3 months post switch were assessed. Records of 8 subjects matched for age, duration of DM, glycemic control while receiving GI for additional 3 months (Group 2) during the same period were examined for comparison. All subjects were followed in the outpatient clinic at intervals of 3 months. Results Glycemic control remained stable on continuing GI AM; HbA1c; 7.1 ± 0.3 to 7.1 ± 0.3%, while it worsened on switching to DI Q HS; HbA1c, 7.1 ± 0.3 to 8.1 ± 0.5 [P < 0.01]. A mild weight loss was noted in subjects on transition. No severe hypoglycemic events were reported in any subject in either group. Conclusion Abrupt transition from insulin glargine to insulin detemir in subjects with Type 2 DM is likely to result in lapse of glycemic control which may cause decreased quality of life. Furthermore, use of insulin detemir may result in increased costs due to need of the higher daily dose as well as additional equipment required for probable twice daily administration to achieve adequate glycemic control. Therefore, insulin glargine and detemir appear to be far from being bioequivalent.