cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DNA double-strand breaks as a method of radiation measurements for therapeutic beams.

Purpose Many types of dosimeters are used to measure radiation dose and calibrate radiotherapy equipment, but none directly measure the biological effect of this dose. The purpose here is to create a dosimeter that can measure the probability of double-strand breaks (DSB) for DNA, which is directly related to the biological effect of radiation. Methods A DNA dosimeter, consisting of magnetic streptavidin beads attached to four kilobase pair DNA strands labeled with biotin and fluorescein amidite (FAM) on opposing ends, was suspended in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Fifty microliter samples were placed in plastic tubes inside a water tank setup and irradiated at the dose levels of 25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 Gy. After irradiation, the dosimeters were mechanically separated into beads (intact DNA) and supernatant (broken DNA/FAM) using a magnet. The fluorescence was read and the probability of DSB was calculated. This DNA dosimeter response was benchmarked against a Southern blot analysis technique for the measurement of DSB probability. Results For the DNA dosimeter, the probabilities of DSB at the dose levels of 25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 Gy were 0.043, 0.081, 0.149, 0.196, and 0.242, respectively, and the standard errors of the mean were 0.002, 0.003, 0.006, 0.005, and 0.011, respectively. For the Southern blot method, the probabilities of DSB at the dose levels of 25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 Gy were 0.053, 0.105, 0.198, 0.235, and 0.264, respectively, and the standard errors of the mean were 0.013, 0.024, 0.040, 0.044, and 0.063, respectively. Conclusions A DNA dosimeter can accurately determine the probability of DNA double-strand break (DSB), one of the most toxic effects of radiotherapy, for absorbed radiation doses from 25 to 200 Gy. This is an important step in demonstrating the viability of DNA dosimeters as a measurement technique for radiation.
Migration and US agricultural competitiveness

Agriculture has one of the highest shares of foreign-born and unauthorized workers among US industries; over three-fourths of hired farm workers were born abroad, usually in Mexico, and over half of all farm workers are unauthorized. Farm employers are among the few to openly acknowledge their dependence on migrant and unauthorized workers, and they oppose efforts to reduce unauthorized migration unless the government legalizes currently illegal farm workers or provides easy access to legal guest workers. The effects of migrants on agricultural competitiveness are mixed. On the one hand, wages held down by migrants keep labour-intensive commodities competitive in the short run, but the fact that most labour-intensive commodities are shipped long distances means that long-run US competitiveness may be eroded as US farmers have fewer incentives to develop labour-saving and productivity-improving methods of farming and production in lower-wage countries expands.
Engaging Adolescent Students’ Metacognition Through WebQuests: A Case Study of Embedded Metacognition

This chapter is a case study which examines how graduate teacher-education students designed WebQuests (WQs) that engaged their students metacognitively through embedded activities. As a course requirement, students created their own WQs for their adolescent students after having engaged in one and learning about metacognition from both the perspectives of a teacher and a student. The results showed various types of metacognition were embedded at both the junior high (JH) and high school (HS) levels. Both executive management metacognition (EMM) and strategic knowledge metacognition (SKM) were embedded at both school levels. In addition to individual metacognition, metacognitive activities were embedded in a social context, involving pair and group assignments. Sometimes metacognition was required, while other times it was expected. Metacognition was embedded in several WQ components, especially tasks, process, evaluation and conclusions. Conclusion-component metacognitive embeds were generally expected but not required, while metacognitive embeds in the tasks, process and evaluation components were more often required. Affective self-reflections (ASRs) were also embedded in the WQs at both school levels. Implications for future research and designing WQs to maximize metacognitive engagement are discussed.
Measurements of Thin-Film Elastic Properties by Line-Focus Acoustic Microscopy

Quantitative acoustic microscopy has been used to measure the velocity of leaky surface acoustic waves (SAWs) [1,2]. This technique measures a V(z) curve, which is a record of the voltage output V of the transducer as a function of the distance z between the acoustic lens and the specimen. Line-focus acoustic microscopy (LFAM) allows the measurement of the SAW velocity in specified directions. In earlier papers, LFAM has been used to determine the elastic constants of isotropic thin films [3,4] and anisotropic thin films [5–7]. The directional variation of the SAW velocity of a thin-layer/anisotropic substrate configuration may be quite different from that of the bare substrate. It follows that this variation can be used to determine the elastic properties of thin films.
Mining the homeland: imagining resources, nation, and territory in the Republic of Georgia

ABSTRACTPost-Soviet Georgia’s Sakdrisi-Madneuli gold and copper mining complex dominates the political economy of the Mashavera Valley, alongside a series of toxic ecological consequences. In this ...
An integration framework for linking avifauna niche and forest landscape models.

Avian cavity nesters (ACN) are viable indicators of forest structure, composition, and diversity. Utilizing these species responses in multi-disciplinary climate-avian-forest modeling can improve climate adaptive management. We propose a framework for integrating and evaluating climate-avian-forest models by linking two ACN niche models with a forest landscape model (FLM), LANDIS-II. The framework facilitates the selection of available ACN models for integration, evaluation of model transferability, and evaluation of successful integration of ACN models with a FLM. We found selecting a model for integration depended on its transferability to the study area (Northern Rockies Ecoregion of Idaho in the United States), which limited the species and model types available for transfer. However, transfer evaluation of the tested ACN models indicated a good fit for the study area. Several niche model variables (canopy cover, snag density, and forest cover type) were not directly informed by the LANDIS-II model, which required secondary modeling (Random Forest) to derive values from the FLM outputs. In instances where the Random Forest models performed with a moderate classification accuracy, the overall effect on niche predictions was negligible. Predictions based on LANDIS-II simulations performed similarly to predictions based on the niche model’s original training input types. This supported the conclusion that the proposed framework is viable for informing avian niche models with FLM simulations. Even models that poorly approximate habitat suitability, due to the inherent constraints of predicting spatial niche use of irruptive species produced informative results by identifying areas of management focus. This is primarily because LANDIS-II estimates spatially explicit variables that were unavailable over large spatial extents from alternative datasets. Thus, without integration, one of the ACN niche models was not applicable to the study area. The framework will be useful for integrating avifauna niche and forest ecosystem models, which can inform management of contemporary and future landscapes under differing management and climate scenarios.
Why Do Machine Learning Based Techniques Fail to Accelerate the Evolution of Neural Networks? Is the Long Bitlength or the Nature of Neural Net Chromosomes to Blame?

The first author’s primary research interest is in building artificial brains, defined to be interconnected assemblages of 10,000s of electronically evolved neural network circuit modules, whose neural signaling is run in real time in an ordinary PC, to control autonomous robots, etc. An alternative to the electronic evolution of the NN modules is to use software based machine learning techniques in a PC, for example Michalski’s LEM algorithm [Michalski 2000]. LEM can be very successful at accelerating the evolutionary optimization of multivariable mathematical functions, but appears to fail to accelerate the evolution of neural networks [Aleti & de Garis 2004]. This paper reports on experiments comparing the evolution times of mathematical optimization problems with those of neural network evolution problems, where the bit string chromosomes of both sets of problems are the same, to see if there is something special about neural network chromosomes that make them unsuitable to have their evolution accelerated.
Is There a Place for Consciousness in Quantum Mechanics

In this paper, I examine critically whether there is a role for consciousness in quantum theory. First, I consider von Neumann’s (Mathematical foundations of quantum mechanics (The English translation, by Robert T. Beyer, of the original German edition was first published in 1955). Princeton University Press, Princeton, 1932) alleged introduction of consciousness in the interpretation of (non-relativistic) quantum mechanics, and conclude that consciousness plays no role in it. I then examine Wigner’s (Symmetries and reflections: Scientific essays (Reprint from the 1967 edition published by Indiana University Press). Ox Bow Press, Woodbridge, 1979) views on the matter, identifying him, rather than von Neumann, as the leading proponent of the view that favors a prominent role for consciousness (see also Freire O, Jr: The quantum dissidents: Rebuilding the foundations of quantum mechanics (1950–1990). Springer, Dordrecht, 2015). I then question the aptness of such a role by advancing a minimalist interpretation of London and Bauer’s (The theory of observation in quantum mechanics. In: Wheeler JA, Zurek WH (eds) Quantum theory and measurement. Princeton University Press, Princeton, pp 217–259. (The original work was published in French in 1939), 1939/1983) theory of observation in quantum mechanics, which has been taken as a key source of arguments in support for consciousness (particularly in connection with phenomenology, see French S: Stud Hist Philos Mod Phys 33:467–491, 2002), and conclude with a dilemma against views that identify a place for consciousness in quantum theory.
Behavioral recovery and spinal motoneuron remodeling after polyethylene glycol fusion repair of singly cut and ablated sciatic nerves.

Polyethylene glycol repair (PEG-fusion) of severed sciatic axons restores their axoplasmic and membrane continuity, prevents Wallerian degeneration, maintains muscle fiber innervation, and greatly improves recovery of voluntary behaviors. We examined alterations in spinal connectivity and motoneuron dendritic morphology as one potential mechanism for improved behavioral function after PEG-fusion. At 2–112 days after a single-cut or allograft PEG-fusion repair of transected or ablated sciatic nerves, the number, size, location, and morphology of motoneurons projecting to the tibialis anterior muscle were assessed by retrograde labeling. For both lesion types, labeled motoneurons were found in the appropriate original spinal segment, but also in inappropriate segments, indicating mis-pairings of proximal-distal segments of PEG-fused motor axons. Although the number and somal size of motoneurons was unaffected, dendritic distributions were altered, indicating that PEG-fusion preserves spinal motoneurons but reorganizes their connectivity. This spinal reorganization may contribute to the remarkable behavioral recovery seen after PEG-fusion repair.
Design of a 3D Metal Printed Axial Corrugated Horn Antenna Covering Full Ka-Band

This letter presents design and development of an axial corrugated horn covering the full Ka-band (26.5–40 GHz) based on modal analysis. Physical parameters of corrugation steps are studied in terms of modal power coupled into the dominant and higher order modes. This gives physical insight into the influence of design parameters on the radiation pattern. Design steps based on the modal power coupling are discussed. The designed horn is fabricated using three-dimensional metal printing. Measured radiation pattern show good beam symmetry and cross-polarization level better than 29 dB is achieved in the principal planes over the frequency band.
Normal Sleep in Humans

Sleep is an essential element for life. We spend almost one-third of our entire life in sleep. Getting adequate hours of sleep every night is fundamental for different physiological and biological functions in our body. In this chapter, we focus on normal sleep, which includes the adequate hours of sleep we need every night from infancy to elderly, the sleep architecture and circadian rhythm and how these change with age, and finally we focus on sleep in children. We also briefly discuss sleep stages and how we identify these stages on polysomnography.
Chapter 35 Learning to Forecast Rationally

Publisher Summary This chapter reports several robustness checks. OJ specifications designed to capture prior beliefs and non-linear responses to news detected some transient effects in many subjects, but for the most part the final regression is indistinguishable from the basic specification presented in this chapter . Eight parameter MD specifications that allow separate learning for each level of each symptom also converged roughly to the basic specification presented above, but we detect a general bias towards overresponding to the more informative symptom levels and underresponding to the less informative symptom levels. This chapter draws three conclusions from the data analysis. First, the rationality assumption is a good first approximation to subjects' forecasts at the end of 480 learning trials. Second, systematic biases towards under or overresponse can be detected in specific circumstances, e.g., overresponse in the noisier OJ environment. Third, more experiments are needed in a wider variety of tasks and environments in order to understand more fully when people can learn to forecast rationally.
Family History Assessment: Strategies for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

Family history assessment can be used to combine population-wide health promotion and risk-reduction efforts with a high-risk, targeted approach to help reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Family history is an independent predictor of CVD, and the upper portion of the family history distribution explains a larger fraction of CVD in the population than can be explained by extreme values of other risk factors (e.g., blood pressure and cholesterol). A positive family history of disease captures the underlying complexities of gene–gene and gene–environment interactions by identifying families with combinations of risk factors, both measured and unmeasured, that lead to disease expression. Family history is a useful tool for identifying most prevalent cases of CVD and for population-wide disease-prevention efforts. A positive family history also identifies the relatively small subset of families in the population at highest risk for CVD who may benefit most from targeted screening and intensive intervention.
Now You See It, Now You Don't: Depublication and Nonpublication of Opinions Raise Motive Questions

The judicial opinion does not always live up to its role. Judicial opinions sometimes hide or misrepresent facts, are withdrawn from public scrutiny after having already been published, or are not even published at all. By these methods, the judicial opinion, which to many is the equivalent of a sacred text, becomes vulnerable to criticism over the motive for the alteration. And the suggestion of improper motive may undermine the legitimacy of the appellate judicial process itself.
Fetal lung lecithin metabolism and the amniotic fluid L/S ratio in rhesus monkey gestations

Abstract The amniotic fluid lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio in normal rhesus monkey pregnancies exhibits a distribution through the latter half of gestation similar to that seen in human pregnancies. Changes in the synthesis and concentration of lecithin in the fetal lung, measured both in vitro and in vivo, are paralleled by changes in the amniotic fluid L/S ratio. Both the amniotic fluid L/S ratio and fetal lung lecithin concentration increase significantly (p
The Politics of Good Taste

This essay explores how the American natural foods supermarket chain, Whole Foods Markets, designed stores to highlight the sensory pleasures of food. Whole Foods Markets constituted a new developm...
Focusing downstream for safer immunotherapy

Immunotherapy has taken center stage in the fight against cancer. Conventional therapies often induce resistance by selecting for a subset of tumor cells with stem-like properties. Promising new tumor immune targets with high potential are emerging, and these can be combined with traditional
Immigrant Caregivers of Young Children: Oral Health Beliefs, Attitudes, and Early Childhood Caries Knowledge

The incidence of early childhood caries (ECC) is a global public health concern. The oral health knowledge of a caregiver can affect a child's risk for developing ECC. An exploratory study of the oral health knowledge and behaviors among caregivers of children 6 years of age and younger was conducted with a convenience sample of adults (n = 114) enrolled in English language or high school equivalency examination courses. The majority of study participants were born in Asia (47 %). Other birth regions included South America (16 %), Caribbean (16 %), Africa (10 %), and Central America (6 %). Study findings showed caregivers with low oral health knowledge were more likely to engage in behaviors that increase a child's risk for developing ECC. A statistically significant relationship was found between participants' rating of their child's dental health as poor and the belief that children should not be weaned from the nursing bottle by 12 months of age (P = 0.002), brushing should not begin upon tooth eruption (P = 0.01), and fluoride does not strengthen teeth and prevent dental caries (P = 0.005). Subjects who pre-chewed their child's food also exhibited behaviors including sharing eating utensils or a toothbrush with their child (P < 0.001). Additional caregiver behaviors included providing their child with a bottle containing cariogenic liquids in a crib (P < 0.001). As a result of this research, it is pertinent that culturally sensitive oral health promotion programs are developed and implemented to raise awareness and reduce the risk of dental disease among immigrant populations.
Response of amphibian (Ambystoma tigrinum) oviduct to arginine vasotocin and acetylcholine in vitro: Influence of steroid hormone pretreatment in vivo

Oviducts of the salamander Ambystoma tigrinum contract in vitro in response to stimulation by arginine vasotocin (AVT) and acetylcholine (ACh). Steroid hormone pretreatment significantly affects the responsiveness of the oviductal tissue to AVT and ACh. Oviducts initially pretreated with estradiol, testosterone and saline or a combination of estradiol and testosterone exhibit no response to AVT and only saline or estradiol/testosterone treated oviducts respond to ACh. Secondary pretreatment with progesterone stimulated a significant increase in responsiveness to AVT and ACH in all groups.
The contribution of argument structure constructions to sentence meaning

Abstract What types of linguistic information do people use to construct the meaning of a sentence? Most linguistic theories and psycholinguistic models of sentence comprehension assume that the main determinant of sentence meaning is the verb. This idea was argued explicitly in Healy and Miller (1970). When asked to sort sentences according to their meaning, Healy and Miller found that participants were more likely to sort sentences according to the main verb in the sentence than according to the subject argument. On the basis of these results, the authors concluded that the verb was the main determinant of sentence meaning. In this study we used the same sorting paradigm to explore the possibility that there is another strong influence on sentence interpretation: the configuration of complements (the argument structure construction). Our results showed that participants did produce sorts by construction, despite a well-documented tendency for subjects to sort on the basis of a single dimension, which would favor sorts by verb.
Openness to interorganizational cooperation: a study of hospital administrators.

Survey data support several correlates of hospital administrator openness to programs of interhospital cooperation. The data fail to support the hypothesis that openness to cooperation is subject t...
In Situ Dielectric Characterization of Poly(ethylene oxide) Melts Containing Lithium Perchlorate under Steady Shear Flow

For poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) melts containing lithium perchlorate (LiClO 4 ), angular frequency ω dependence of the dynamic dielectric properties under steady shear flow was measured using a rheodielectric instrument. The instrument also enabled measurements of the dielectric properties in the quiescent state as well as the linear and nonlinear rheological properties. A significant increase in the zero-shear viscosity η 0 was observed upon addition of LiClO 4 to PEO, and this increase was attributed to Li + -mediated intermolecular bridging of the PEO chains formed in the quiescent state. Significant shear thinning of the steady-state viscosity η(γ) was observed with increasing shear rate y, suggesting the flow-induced breakup of these bridges. The presence of liberated ions was detected directly by dielectric experiments under steady shear flow. The dielectric dispersion (due to the electrode polarization of the ions) shifted to higher ω with increasing y, indicating an increase in the ionic conductivity σ. The dispersion curves for different γ values collapsed onto a single master curve when plotted against a reduced frequency, {λ(γ)} -1 ω, where λ(γ) was a γ-dependent shift factor representing the increase of σ. This result strongly suggested that the increase of a under shear flow was due to an increase in the ionic mobility μ by the factor of λ(γ) and not due to a change in the number density of ions. Furthermore, excellent agreement was found between the η(γ)/η 0 ratio and {λ(γ)} -1 . This agreement reflected a strong motional cooperativivity between the PEO chain segment and ion (Li + ).
Selection from poisson processes

There are givenk Poisson processes with mean arrival times 1/λ1,...1/λ k . Let λ[1]≦λ[2]≦...≦λ[k] denote the ordered set of values λ1...,λ[k]. We consider three procedures for selecting the process corresponding to λ[k]. The processes are observed until there areN arrivals from any of the given processes, when the processes are observed continuously, or until there are at leastN arrivals, when the processes are observed at successive intervals of time whereN is a pre-determined positive integer. In the continuous case, the process for which theNth arrival time is shortest, is selected. In the discrete case, the selection involves certain randomization. Given (λ[k]/λ[k-1])≧0>1, it is shown that the probability of a correct selection (Pcs) is minimized whenθλ[1]=θλ[2]=...=θλ[k-1]=θλ[k]=θλ, say. The Pcs for this configuration is independent of λ for two of the given procedures, and monotone increasing in λ for the third. The value ofN is determined by a lower bound placed on the value of the Pcs. The problem of selecting from given Poisson processes for the discrete case is related to the problem of selecting from given Poisson populations. An application of the given procedures to a problem of selecting the “most probable event” from a multinomial population, is considered.
Geographic variation in growth and phenology of seedlings of the Abies procena/A. magnifica complex

Abstract Seedlings whose source origins extended over 12° of latitude (about 1300 km), 1800 m of elevation, and 250 km of longitude were grown for three years at Corvallis, Oregon, U.S.A. The sampled area included an interfertile complex of taxa, noble fir ( Abies procera Rehd.), Shasta red fir ( A. magnifica var. shastensis Lemm.) and California red fir ( A. magnifica A. Murr.) from north to south. Size and phenological traits were measured in a common garden test, and analyzed to investigate the pattern of geographic variation. Division of the complex into three regions accounted for essentially all the latitudinal variation and strongly indicated a stepped cline. Elevation and longitude contributed lesser amounts of source variation. Lack of fit to the regression model indicated that other local factors also were important. Change in mean elevation of the sample sites with latitude was linear and closely followed Hopkins' ‘bioclimatic law’. Northern sources had the greatest relative elongation rates. Source variation within taxa was smaller than for comparable geographic ranges of some other western conifers. Based on field observations Shasta fir had been regarded as highly variable, but in this test its genetic variability was not greater than that of noble and California red firs. Genetic variance, estimated from families-in-locations and based on seedling traits, indicated ample opportunity for genetic gain.
An incremental flow- and context-sensitive pointer aliasing analysis

Pointer aliasing analysis is used to determine if two object names containing dereferences and/or field selectors (e.g., *P,9->t) may refer to the same location during execution. Such information is necessary for applications such as data-flow-based testers, program understanding tools, and debuggers, but is expensive to calculate with acceptable precision. Incremental algorithms update data flow information after a program change rather than recomputing it from scratch, under the assumption that the change impact will be limited. Two versions of a practical incremental pointer aliasing algorithm have been developed, based on Landi-Ryder flow- and context-sensitive alias analysis. Empirical results attest to the time savings over exhaustive analysis (a six-fold speedup on average), and the precision of the approximate solution obtained (on average same solution as exhaustive algorithm for 75% of the tests.).
The organization of the proteins of vesicular stomatitis virions: labeling with pyridoxal phosphate.

Abstract When purified vesicular stomatitis virions were incubated with pyridoxal phosphate followed by NaB [ 3 H] 4 , only the glycoprotein (G) was labeled. Those proteins (N, L, M, NS) believed to be on the internal side of the viral envelope did not contain significant amounts of label. Essentially all of the label on the G protein could be removed by protease treatment of intact virions without affecting the other viral proteins.
2. Models Presented

This chapter introduces the two theoretical models to be applied to qualitative and quantitative data in the case study of Dodge Morgan. We present the five-factor model (FFM) and the life-story model (LSM) separately, with attention to their differing origins, assumptions, and utilities. We briefly trace the development and resurgence of the factor-analytic FFM and delineate the extent of its current influence in the field of personality. We discuss individual factors and consider the ways in which the model can be expected to be useful as well as limited in application to the individual. We next present the genealogy of the narrative, constructivist LSM and describe its components; we also discuss its contrasting strengths and limitations.
Fast track article: Human-battery interaction on mobile phones

Mobile phone users have to deal with limited battery lifetime through a reciprocal process we call human-battery interaction. We conducted three user studies in order to understand human-battery interaction and discover the problems in existing designs that prevent users from effectively dealing with the limited battery lifetime. The studies include a large-scale international survey, two long-term field trials including quantitative battery logging and qualitative inquiries, and structured interviews with twenty additional mobile phone users. We evaluated various aspects of human-battery interaction, including charging behavior, battery indicators, user interfaces for power-saving settings, user knowledge, and user reaction. We find that mobile phone users can be categorized into two types regarding human-battery interaction and often have inadequate knowledge regarding phone power characteristics. We provide qualitative and quantitative evidence that problems in state-of-the-art user interfaces have led to under-utilized power-saving settings, under-utilized battery energy, and dissatisfied users. Our findings provide insights into improving mobile phone design for users to effectively deal with the limited battery lifetime. Our work is the first to systematically address human-battery interaction on mobile phones and is complementary to the extensive research on energy-efficient design for a longer battery lifetime.
Do freckles protect the skin from actinic damage

Epidermal sunburn (SB) cells were counted 24 h after exposure of the skin to suprathreshold doses of solar simulated radiation. The sites compared were evenly pigmented black skin and freckled white skin. SB cell numbers were dose related in all cases. There were fewer SB cells in black than white skin following equivalent erythemogenic doses of UVR. Equal doses of UVR produced fewer SB cells in freckled than non-freckled white skin. Freckles provide a significant degree of protection against acute sunburn.
A review of the decomposition method in applied mathematics

Abstract The decomposition method can be an effective procedure for analytical solution of a wide class of dynamical systems without linearization or weak nonlinearity assumptions, closure approximations, perturbation theory, or restrictive assumptions on stochasticitiy.
Molecular constituents of the node of ranvier

The interaction between neurons and glial cells that results in myelin formation represents one of the most remarkable intercellular events in development. This is especially evident at the primary functional site within this structure, the node of Ranvier. Recent experiments have revealed a surprising level of complexity within this zone, with several components, including ion channels, sequestered with a very high degree of precision and sharply demarcated borders. We discuss the current state of knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for the formation and maintenance of the node. In normal axons, Na+ channels are present at high density within the nodal gap, and voltage-dependent K+ channels are sequestered on the internodal side of the paranode—a region known as the juxtaparanode. Modifying the expression of certain surface adhesion molecules that have been recently identified, markedly alters this pattern. There is a special emphasis on contactin, a protein with multiple roles in the nervous system. In central nervous system (CNS) myelinated fibers, contactin is localized within both the nodal gap and paranodes, and appears to have unique functions in each zone. New experiments on contactin-null mutant mice help to define these mechanisms.
Using the Suicide Index Score to Predict Treatment Outcomes among Psychiatric Inpatients

For many suicidal people, the desire to die is moderated by a competing desire to live. This study aimed to demonstrate the ability of a wish-to-live versus wish-to-die index score to measure ambivalence and trichotomize suicidal inpatients into distinct stratified risk groups. Analyses revealed that index scores calculated for patients at treatment start significantly discriminated among the groups at index and uniquely predicted suicidal ideation, hopelessness, and depression scores across treatment. On average, patients with wish-to-live and wish-to-die orientations resolved suicidal ideation by discharge. Changes in suicidal ideation among ambivalently oriented patients were more variable. Clinical and research implications are discussed.
Overview of Colorectal Cancer Screening in the United States

Because colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, the disease meets the requirements of the World Health Organization for screening. In most instances, development of adenocarcinoma is preceded by a noninvasive adenomatous (dysplastic) phase that can be identified endoscopically or radiographically at the time of screening. Currently, four screening tests are in use: the fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy, the double contrast barium enema, and colonoscopy. A significant impediment to optimal screening is a low rate of use in the general population despite evidence that colorectal cancer is preventable and curable when detected early.
Sexual differentiation of projections from the principal nucleus of the bed nuclei of the stria terminalis

The principal nucleus of the bed nuclei of the stria terminalis (BSTp) is sexually dimorphic and participates in several aspects of reproduction. A detailed analysis of its projections revealed that the BSTp provides major inputs to forebrain regions that are sexually dimorphic and contain high densities of neurons that express receptors for sex steroid hormones in a pattern that is remarkably similar to that of the medial amygdaloid nucleus. The BSTp sends its strongest outputs to the periventricular zone of the hypothalamus and innervates structures thought to play important roles in regulating hormone secretion from the anterior pituitary, but it also provides strong inputs to the medial preoptic and ventromedial nuclei of the hypothalamus. The BSTp also sends a strong return projection to the medial nucleus of the amygdala. The projections of the BSTp appear to be more robust in males with striking sex differences observed in most, but not all, major terminal fields. Moreover, various terminal fields appeared to differ in their developmental sensitivity to manipulation of circulating levels of sex steroids during the neonatal period. Thus, the organization of projections from the BSTp suggests that it plays a particularly important role in regulating neuroendocrine function and that neurons in this nucleus may relay olfactory information to the hypothalamus differently in male and female rats. Furthermore, the differential action of sex steroids on the density of afferents from the BSTp in various regions indicates that these hormones exert a target-specific influence on the development of BSTp projections.
Secreted Pyomelanin of Legionella pneumophila Promotes Bacterial Iron Uptake and Growth under Iron-Limiting Conditions

Iron acquisition is critical to the growth and virulence of Legionella pneumophila. Previously, we found that L. pneumophila uses both a ferrisiderophore pathway and ferrous iron transport to obtain iron. We now report that two molecules secreted by L. pneumophila, homogentisic acid (HGA) and its polymerized variant (HGA-melanin, a pyomelanin), are able to directly mediate the reduction of various ferric iron salts. Furthermore, HGA, synthetic HGA-melanin, and HGA-melanin derived from bacterial supernatants enhanced the ability of L. pneumophila and other species of Legionella to take up radiolabeled iron. Enhanced iron uptake was not observed with a ferrous iron transport mutant. Thus, HGA and HGA-melanin mediate ferric iron reduction, with the resulting ferrous iron being available to the bacterium for uptake. Upon further testing of L. pneumophila culture supernatants, we found that significant amounts of ferric and ferrous iron were associated with secreted HGA-melanin. Importantly, a pyomelanin-containing fraction obtained from a wild-type culture supernatant was able to stimulate the growth of iron-starved legionellae. That the corresponding supernatant fraction obtained from a nonpigmented mutant culture did not stimulate growth demonstrated that HGA-melanin is able to both promote iron uptake and enhance growth under iron-limiting conditions. Indicative of a complementary role in iron acquisition, HGA-melanin levels were inversely related to the levels of siderophore activity. Compatible with a role in the ecology and pathogenesis of L. pneumophila, HGA and HGA-melanin were effective at reducing and releasing iron from both insoluble ferric hydroxide and the mammalian iron chelates ferritin and transferrin.
Bulimia nervosa in an adolescent boy boxer.

Bulimia Nervosa is a condition in which the patient is preoccupied with food and periodically has binges of overeating. The patient seeks to avoid the fattening effects of food by self-induced vomiting purging or episodic starvation. He or she has a morbid fear of becoming fat. Russell has added to his original criteria a further one of an overt or cryptic history of anorexia nervosa. The D.S.M. III criteria for bulimia specifically excludes anorexia nervosa but is otherwise similar to Russells bulimia nervosa although it has detailed additional criteria. Since 1979 there have been 45 cases of male patients with bulimia nervosa or bulimia reported in the literature. Russells original series reported two males with bulimia nervosa Hertzog has reported one male with bulimia and with other colleagues 14 others. Three further cases were reported in the same year whilst Negus and Todd (1986) reported one male bulimics dental problems. A paper from the Maudsley Hospital reported nine cases of males with bulimia nervosa whilst in the same year Pope Hudson and Jonas (1986) reported 15 cases of males with bulimia. The youngest of these cases presented at 16 years whilst the youngest reported age of onset was 13 years. These reports found that the symptomatology and demographic characteristics of male and female bulimics are similar. (excerpt)
Effects of Osmotic Shock on Some Membrane-regulated Events of Oat Coleoptile Cells.

Oat coleoptile sections ( Avena sativa L. cv. “Garry”) were osmotically shocked with 0.5 m mannitol followed by 1 mm Na-phosphate (pH 6.4) at 4 C. This treatment reduced uptake of α-aminoisobutyric acid, 3- o -methyl glucose, and leucine by 75 to 90% but inhibited 36 Cl − uptake only 30%. Some recovery was observed 1 to 3 hours later. Respiration rates were unaffected by osmotic shock and protein synthesis was reduced 11%. Osmotic shock also stimulated efflux of α-aminoisobutyric acid and K + and led to an increase in conductivity of the solution bathing shocked sections. The transmembrane electropotential of 75% of the shocked cells fell to −20 mv to −45 mv compared with the majority of unshocked cells at −80 mv to −120 mv. We concluded that osmotic shock selectively modifies the plasma membrane. The inhibitions of uptake could be due to removal of specific components of the plasma membrane and/or to the lowered electropotential.
O1-01-05: Memory performance is specifically related to amyloid and Tau pathology in the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus

out based on accepted criteria, using immunohistochemistry for tau, beta-amyloid and alpha-synuclein proteins (and also for other proteins when necessary). Protocols are approved by the local ethics committee and a written informed consent form is obtained. Results: According to the CERAD criteria, 43 cases (52.4%) were diagnosed as AD (19 definite, 15 probable and 9 possible AD). Eleven of these cases also had vascular changes and five cases had concomitant argyrophilic grain disease . The most prevalent non-AD causes of dementia were: vascular (16 cases), argyrophilic grain disease (7 cases) and Lewy body dementia/Parkinson disease complex (4 cases). Conclusions: Neuropathologically confirmed AD was the most frequent cause of dementia. In addition, vascular changes, a preventable cause of cognitive decline, are very prevalent in this Brazilian sample.
Superresolution by incoherent-to-coherent conversion

A technique is described whereby resolution many times the Rayleigh limit is achieved by the use of incoherent-illumination interferometry. An object and an imaging system are in one interferometer branch, and a duplicate, dummy system is in the other. The resolution is determined by the aperture of the dummy system and by the size of the source.
Leveraging Technology to Improve Developmental Mathematics Course Completion: Evaluation of a Large-Scale Intervention

This study hypothesizes that course passing rates in remedial mathematics classes can be improved through early identification of at-risk students using a department-wide midterm, followed by a mandated set of online intervention assignments incorporating immediate and elaborate feedback for all students identified as at-risk by their midterm score. A sample of over 20,000 students was used to evaluate the intervention, which was implemented department-wide over several semesters in all developmental mathematics courses at a large diverse urban community college. The intervention was assessed by evaluating course passing rates (a proxy for passing rates on standardized exit examinations) and student time spent in the intervention lab. Students from semesters prior to the intervention were used as a control, with fall semesters compared to fall semesters and spring to spring, to control for possible variation in student enrollment. Highly statistically significant differences were found between student pas...
The Prognostic Value of Obtaining a Negative Endoscopy in Children With Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Objectives: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common. Diagnosis is based on the Rome criteria. It has been argued that performing endoscopies could help by providing reassurance and thus improve outcomes. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of obtaining normal endoscopies in the outcome of children with FGIDs. Methods: Medical records of patients diagnosed with abdominal pain related-FGIDs were reviewed. To assess the child’s symptoms at follow-up, parents completed the Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms III (QPGS III). Primary outcome was presence of abdominal pain (AP) and secondary outcomes were AP severity. Results: A total of 301 patients were diagnosed with abdominal pain—related FGIDs. Overall, 62.6% reported persistence of AP and 37.4% were asymptomatic at follow-up. Among patients with endoscopies, 61% reported AP. Among patients without endoscopies, 64% were symptomatic (P = .76). AP frequency, AP intensity, and child’s disability were similar in tho...
Creating Culturally Grounded Prevention Videos: Defining Moments in the Journey to Collaboration

ABSTRACT This article identifies the interactions among a group of high school students, their teachers, and a university research team as they evolve from an adult-directed to a student-led collaboration that resulted in the creation of a set of culturally grounded prevention messages that effectively prevented or delayed the onset of adolescent drug use. Beginning with an overview of the theoretical triad that served as the project's foundation, we describe the processes used to understand the unfolding dynamics within the collaboration and provide a checklist for those who might wish to replicate the collaborative process.
Parathyroid hormone and urinary hydroxyproline

Abstract The response in urinary hydroxyproline peptide excretion to injection of parathyroid extract has been measured in human subjects. When 900 units were injected into normal subjects in 1 day, the increased excretion of hydroxyproline was noted on the day of injection. When the extract was administered chronically, 600 units a day were required to produce an increase in peptide excretion. Folowing the removal of a parathyroid adenoma in a patient with hyperparathyroidism, there was a rapid fall in the level of excretion. The response to injection of hormone was normal in patients with and without growth hormone. It is concluded that the increased excretion of hydroxyproline peptide in response to parathyroid hormone is dose dependent and probably related to increased resorption of bone, at least in response to acute administration of hormone. Presence or absence of growth hormone does not qualtitatively influence the observed increase.
Optical Metamaterials Based on Optical Nanocircuits

Here we review the application of the optical nanocircuit paradigm to design and characterize metamaterials with exotic optical properties. The interaction of small nanoparticles with light is equivalently described in terms of optical lumped circuit elements, which relate the equivalent optical voltage across the particles and the optical displacement field current circulating through them. This equivalence goes beyond a simple description of the interaction of an individual nanoparticle with the impinging optical signal, as collections of closely spaced particles may be tailored as complex nanocircuit connections with specific optical response. Inspired by the fascinating concept and potentials of transmission-line metamaterials at microwaves, in which networks of lumped radio-frequency (RF) and microwave circuit elements may provide exotic metamaterial properties, in this paper, we review and discuss how analogous concepts may be translated to optical frequencies at the nanoscale, by applying the nanocircuit paradigm. We present several designs of 0-D, 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D arrays of nanoparticles supporting subwavelength resonances, negative-index propagation, and other exotic optical effects, achieved by suitably combining and connecting nanoparticles operating as optical lumped nanocircuit elements. Fascinating applications of these concepts are proposed in a variety of optical scenarios, considering the influence of natural material dispersion and loss in optical materials.
Racial Differences in the Clinical Presentation of Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Background Analysis of current data suggests that 80% to 90% of children diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis are white. Little data exist regarding the presentation of eosinophilic esophagitis and potential clinical differences in minority children. Objective This study compared the clinical presentation of eosinophilic esophagitis in African American children with white children treated at an urban allergy referral center. Methods At an urban allergy clinic, a 2-year retrospective chart review was performed of 50 consecutive pediatric patients diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis. Presenting symptoms, age at diagnosis, coexisting atopic disease, and laboratory parameters were compared between races. Results Most of the 50 children identified were boys (74%), as previously described. However, unlike prior literature, most were nonwhite (42% white, 42% African American, 4% Asian, and 12% other). African American children compared with white children had (1) a significantly higher frequency of failure to thrive ( P P P P Conclusion African American children in this series had a larger burden of eosinophilic esophagitis than previously described as well as differences in clinical presentation compared with white patients. Analysis of these findings suggests that providers be aware of this potential diagnosis in young, atopic African American children with symptoms of esophageal dysfunction.
Bilateral ophthalmoplegia and exophthalmos complicating central hemodialysis catheter placement

We describe a 58-year-old woman who presented with bilateral ophthalmoplegia, exophthalmos, and headache and was found to have retrograde internal jugular vein flow secondary to a high-grade obstruction of the ipsilateral brachiocephalic vein from a previous hemodialysis catheter placement. The patient had also a high-flow dialysis graft in the ipsilateral arm. The cranial and extracranial venous system congestion resolved, and the signs disappeared soon after a balloon angioplasty and stent placement at the level of the obstruction.