cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contact alters cAMP metabolism in aggregation-competent Dictyostelium amoebae.

cAMP and cell-cell contact are involved in the coordination of differentiation and morphogenesis in Dictyostelium discoideum. The experiments described in this paper establish a relationship between cAMP and cell-cell contact. Contact between Enterobacter aerogenes and aggregation-competent Dictyostelium amoebae and contact between Dictyostelium amoebae themselves results in the transient secretion of cAMP and an alteration in the amount of cAMP secreted in response to subsequent stimulation by cAMP, i.e., an alteration in magnitude of a cAMP relay response. The subsequent cAMP relay response can be enhanced or diminished depending upon the number of contacts formed and the concentration of cAMP present at the time of contact. Latex beads are capable of evoking cAMP secretion. However, the bead/amoebal contact is unable to alter the magnitude of a subsequent response to cAMP. This suggests that a nonspecific interaction via cell-cell contact elicits transient cAMP secretion in aggregation-competent Dictyostelium amoebae. The two responses to cell-cell contact are distinct from each other and distinct from the cAMP relay response. 1) The dose-response curves for the responses to Enterobacter contact are clearly different. 2) Contact with latex beads can elicit cAMP secretion but not alter the magnitude of a subsequent cAMP relay response. 3) The temperature dependences of the contact-induced responses and the cAMP relay response show that only the contact-induced cAMP secretion is inhibited at 12 and 15 degrees C, while only the cAMP relay response is inhibited at 28 degrees C. A 4-second application of cAMP at the time that contact is initiated enhances both contact-induced responses. Whether the relationship between these two developmental regulators is important for the regulation of Dictyostelium development has yet to be established.
Methodische untersuchungen zur stoffwechselorientierten methioninbedarfsbestimmung an broilerküken

Bei variiertem Methioningehalt der Diat wurde der Einflus einer unterschiedlichen Futterungsfrequenz (2∗1 Stunde Futterung und 6∗30 Minuten Futterung pro Tag) auf Wachstum, N‐Bilanz und intermediaren 35S‐Methioninabbau von Masthahnchenkuken gepruft. Die erhohte Futterungsfrequenz verbesserte weder die Lebendmassezunahme noch die N‐Bilanz. Bei Methioninmangel (ohne Methioninzulage) waren Wachstum und N‐Bilanz bei mehrmaliger Futterung sogar verschlechtert. Die Futterungsfrequenz und die Zulage von DL‐Methionin hatten keinen Einflus auf die 35S‐Ausscheidung nach i.v. Applikation von 35S‐Methionin.
Spatial representation in face drawing and block design by nine groups from hunter-gatherers to literates.

Summary.-A rank-order correlation was performed For nine cultural groups ranging from preliterate hunter-gatherers to literate medium-city dwellers. Two spatial tests of intrapattern spatial relations were used, the Draw-A-Person-With-Face-InFront test and the Kohs Block Design, a test of constructive praxia. In contrast to rraditional "Western" evaluauons, credit was given for the preservation of the essential intrapattern shapes even when exact spatial relations among these shapes was incorrect. Such "errors" were labelled "neolithic face" patterns and "nonrandom errors," respectively. Analysis suggc.;red that the neglected intrapattern (in contrast to interobject) spatial relational skds emerge wirh literacy but is not yet actualized in preliterates whose survival requires quick fight or night response upon prompt, albeit gross, assessment of salient shapes of prey or predators (human or animals). The positive Spearman rank-order correlauon of absent or low literacy skills with the percent of "neolithic face" drawings was .95 and with the "nonrandom" block designs .67. Suggestions were developed For assessing certain unusual "ecological" present situations or certain brain dysfunctions.
The central ‘relay’ unit in hydraphile channels as a model for the water-and-ion ‘capsule’ of channel proteins

The central relay of hydraphile channels is a model for the central ion-capsule of the KcsA K1 K+-conducting channel of Streptomyces lividans; organization of water and concomitant electrostatic stabilization of a transient K+ appear to be the functions in both cases.
Associations between Variation in X Chromosome Male Reproductive Genes and Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila melanogaster.

Variation in reproductive success has long been thought to be mediated in part by genes encoding seminal proteins. Here we explore the effect on male reproductive phenotypes of X-linked polymorphisms, a chromosome that is depauperate in genes encoding seminal proteins. Using 57 X chromosome substitution lines, sperm competition was tested both when the males from the wild-extracted line were the first to mate (“defense” crosses), followed by a tester male, and when extracted-line males were the second to mate, after a tester male (“offfense” crosses). We scored the proportion of progeny sired by each male, the fecundity, the remating rate and refractoriness to remating, and tested the significance of variation among lines. Eleven candidate genes were chosen based on previous studies, and portions of these genes were sequenced in all 57 lines. A total of 131 polymorphisms were tested for associations with the reproductive phenotypes using linear models. Nine polymorphisms in 4 genes were found to show significant associations (at a 5% FDR). Overall, it appears that the X chromosomes harbor abundant variation in sperm competition, especially considering the paucity of seminal protein genes. This suggests that much of the male reproductive variation lies outside of genes that encode seminal proteins.
Human creatine kinase: isolation and sequence analysis of cDNA clones for the B subunit, development of subunit specific probes and determination of gene copy number.

Abstract cDNA clones for human B creatine kinase were isolated from human brain and placenta libraries. The entire coding and 3′ untranslated regions, as well as 23 bp of the 5′ untranslated region were sequenced. Complete sequence identity was found among the clones, with the exception of an area of heterogeneity among the 3′ untranslated region of the brain and placenta clones. A 77.7% nucleotide sequence identity was found between the coding region of human B creatine kinase and our previously reported human M creatine kinase. In contrast, no homology was found in the 3′ untranslated regions. Probes were constructed from the nonconserved 3′ untranslated regions of human M and B creatine kinase and were shown to be highly specific. Southern transfers of total genomic DNA derived from human placenta and digested to completion with several restriction enzymes were probed with the MCK and BCK specific probes producing single hybridization bands. These results suggest that creatine kinase M and B are single copy genes in the human genome.
Synthesis and structure of ruthenium-silylene complexes: activation of Si-Cl bonds in N-heterocyclic silanes.

Ru(0) complexes of bis(imino)pyridine ligands, [η2-N3]Ru(η6-Ar) and {[N3]Ru}2(μ-N2), where Ar = C6H6 or C6H5Me and [N3] = 2,6-(MesNCMe)2C5H3N, react with N-heterocyclic silicon(IV) compounds to yield Ru(II) silylene complexes of the type [N3]Ru(X)(Cl){Si(NN)} (X = H, Cl, and Si(NN) = N,N‘-bis(neopentyl)-1,2-phenylenedi(amino)silylene). The activation of two groups on the silane occurs in a stepwise fashion: initial oxidative addition of a Si−X bond, followed by 1,2-migration (α-elimination) of the Si−Cl group to the metal. Reversible dissociation from the Ru(II) center leads to free silylene, which can be preferentially trapped with Ru(0) complexes to generate a zero-valent silylene complex, [N3]Ru(N2){Si(NN)}, which also contains a terminal dinitrogen ligand.
Non-Newtonian Blood Flow in the Right Coronary Artery

Understanding blood flow in the circulatory system and how it affects intimal thickening is important with respect to atherogenesis and also for the design of vascular treatment devices such as stents and arterial grafts. While the assumption of Newtonian blood flow in large arteries is widely accepted by many investigators, questions remain unanswered for blood flow in the coronaries. In this study we investigate Non-Newtonian blood flow behavior in both the right and the left coronaries. We use a commercial code (FIDAP) to compare the Newtonian model to four Non-Newtonian models (Power law, Casson, Carreau and Quemada models) widely used in the literature. The coronary geometries were reconstructed from MRI images of human subjects. We found a significant difference in time average WSS between the power law and the Newtonian models. Also a difference in time average WSS is observed for the Quemada model. On the other hand, No significant difference is observed for the Newtonian, Casson and Carreau models.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Barbiturate Anticonvulsants: A Neuropsychological and Quantitative Electroencephalographic Study

We studied 11 epileptic children aged 7 to 14 years with quantitative electroencephalographic (EEG) and neuropsychological tests, both on and off the barbiturate anticonvulsants phenobarbital and mephobarbital, comparing them to 13 controls matched for age and IQ who received testing at similar intervals. Neuropsychological tests employed were the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R), Bender-Gestalt, controlled oral word association test (COWAT), selected subtests of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised, Purdue Peg Board, Stroop Test, Trail Making Test, Wide Range Achievement Test-Revised, and Achenbach Behavior Rating Scale. There was no difference between on- and off-drug quantitative EEG in percentage power of any frequency band between 0.6 and 32 Hz. Neuropsychological data from all 11 subjects were analyzed with a two-factor analysis of variance with repeated measures on the time factor. The only difference from controls was on the Stroop Test. Parents reported clear behavioral chan...
Self-assessment of functional status in schizophrenia ☆

Abstract With new treatments targeting features of schizophrenia associated with functional disability, there is a need to evaluate the validity of ratings of everyday outcomes. It is unknown whether patients can validly self-report on aspects of their functional status, which would be a potentially economical method for obtaining outcome data. In this study, 67 older schizophrenia outpatients provided self-ratings of everyday real-world functioning using the specific levels of functioning scale (SLOF). They were also administered assessments of neuropsychological performance, performance-based measures of functional capacity and social skills, clinical symptoms, and quality of life. Case managers, unaware of other ratings, also generated SLOF ratings. Based on discrepancy scores, participants were categorized as accurate raters (n = 24), underestimators (n = 16), or overestimators (n = 27) of their functional status as compared to case managers’ ratings. Patients’ self-rated functional status was correlated with their subjective quality of life, but remarkably unassociated with case manager ratings of functional status or their own performance on functional capacity or social skills measures. Case manager ratings, however, were highly correlated with performance on functional capacity and social skills measures. Patients who underestimated their real world performance had better cognitive skills and greater self-rated depression than those who overestimated. Accurate raters demonstrated greater social skills than both overestimators and underestimators, while overestimators were most cognitively and functionally impaired. Accurate ratings of everyday outcomes in schizophrenia may require systematic observation of real world outcomes or performance-based measures, as self-reports were inconsistent with objective information.
Visual improvement with corticosteroid therapy in giant cell arteritis. Report of a large study and review of literature

. Objectives: (1) To report the incidence and extent of visual improvement achieved by high-dose systemic corticosteroid treatment in eyes with visual loss due to giant-cell arteritis (GCA). (2) To understand the cause of the discrepancies between visual improvement revealed by routine visual acuity (VA) and by the central visual field in kinetic perimetry. (3) To review critically the contradictory literature on the effectiveness of corticosteroid therapy on visual recovery in GCA and to attempt to reconcile differences in the reported results. Methods: Clinical data were collected systematically on 84 consecutive patients (114 eyes) with visual loss, all of whom had GCA confirmed by temporal artery biopsy and treated by us with high-dose systemic corticosteroid therapy. The patients were treated between 1974 and 1999 and data were compiled retrospectively. All patients underwent a detailed visual and ophthalmic evaluation at the initial visit and at every follow-up. This included visual field testing (with a Goldmann perimeter). All were treated with systemic corticosteroid therapy (intravenous followed by oral in 41 patients and oral only in 43 patients). Results: Visual loss was due to anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (91%), central retinal artery occlusion (10.5%), cilioretinal artery occlusion (10%), and/or posterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (4%), either alone or in different combinations. Improvement in both VA (≥ 2 lines) and central visual field was found in only five (4%) eyes of five patients (three treated with intravenous and two with oral steroid therapy). Improvement in VA ≥ 2 lines but not in the central visual field was found in seven eyes (in six patients). Visual improvement was seen in 7% of 41 patients treated initially with intravenous steroids versus 5% (p = 0.672) of 43 patients treated with oral steroids only. Comparison of patients with visual improvement in both VA and fields versus those with no improvement suggested a shorter interval (p = 0.065) between onset of visual loss and start of therapy in the improved patients. Conclusions: In our study, only 4% of eyes with visual loss due to GCA improved, as judged by improvement in both VA and central visual field (by kinetic perimetry and Amsler grid). The data also suggest that there is a better (p = 0.065) chance of visual improvement with early diagnosis and immediate start of steroid therapy. Improvement in VA without associated improvement in the central visual field or Amsler grid may simply represent a learned ability to fixate eccentrically with more effective use of remaining vision: this factor could help explain a number of reported cases in the literature of improved VA after steroid treatment for GCA. To prevent further visual loss in either eye and for management of systemic manifestations of GCA, all patients must be treated on a long-term basis with adequate amounts of systemic corticosteroids.
Integration of semantic constraints

A semantic constraint is a relationship between two parts of a proposition such that the meaning of one part conditions what the other part is likely to be. This experiment studied propositions in which agent-verb and verb-recipient constraints were varied factorially, each through several levels, by manipulating the compatibility of adjectival descriptions of the agent, and of the recipient, to the verb. It was hypothesized that these two constraints should be integrated by a multiplying rule to determine the overall perceived likelihood of the proposition. Considerable support was found for this multiplying model using functional measurement methodology. This methodology provides a unique tool for psycholinguistics since it can quantify aspects of meaning of the individual linguistic unit for the individual subject.
A New Efficient Algorithm for Solving an Incompressible Flow on Relatively Fine Mesh

The new coupled solver SOAR (SIMPLE Optimized and Automated Relaxation factors) proposed by the author has been reformulated on a collocated grid and compared with the SIMPLE method for computing performance as the grid is refined. The functional relation between calculational time T and total grid points N has been studied through 22 calculations for a rectangular tank and can be expressed as T ≈ k × Nm. Here, the value of the exponent m has been found to range from 1.2 to 1.5 for the SOAR solver and from 2.4 to 3.0 for the SIMPLE solver, and it is clear that the SOAR method has better computing performance than the SIMPLE method as the grid is refined. For large numbers of grid points, which are increasingly required for assessment of confidence in computational fluid dynamics, this translates into significant and predictable reductions in run times and faster project turnaround.
A quasi-steady-state heat balance model of residential walls

A quasi-steady-state heat balance model was developed to predict heat transfer across the walls of a residential building. Hour of day, day of month, month of year, together with ambient air temperature, outside air velocity, inside-room air temperature, construction data, and location and orientation of the building were input to the model. The output of the model was hourly wall heat fluxes. The model predictions were validated by comparing the predictions with experimental values from monitoring a test house located in Southern Texas, U.S.A. In general, the cumulative heat transfer predictions differed by no more than ten percent when compared to the experimental data. Computer simulations were run to predict total wall heat transfer by taking one year's ambient temperature data from the Typical Meteorological Year (TMY) weather files. The experiments, validations, and simulations of the model are presented in a companion paper [1].
Price cutting behavior in residential markets

Abstract Changing reservation prices during the marketing of a heterogeneous asset is a basic result of search theory and the theory of pricing under demand uncertainty. Empirical evidence is sparse though, because data regarding price changes are not usually available. Using a unique housing data set that includes the number of list price changes that occur over the listing period, we provide, in this paper, a test of the implications of these theories. Consistent with the theory of pricing behavior under demand uncertainty, we find that owners whose homes trade in thin markets, and owners who have better information about the value of their homes are less likely to change price. On the other hand, owners who have relatively high costs of continuing a search for a buyer are willing to change price more readily, a finding consistent with search theory.
Effect of pen mates on growth, backfat depth, and longissimus muscle area of swine

Records on final BW (kg), backfat depth (cm), and LM area (cm 2 ) of pigs from a Uni- versity of Nebraska Large White/Landrace composite population were analyzed to estimate the effects of pen mates. Measurements were at approximately 180 d of age for 3,524 pigs in 351 pens (9 to 11 pigs per pen) farrowed from 1999 to 2005. The area of each pen was 8.13 m 2 . The full model (M1) included the fixed effects of contemporary group, sex, line, and the covariates of age and inbreeding coefficient, and included random direct genetic, genetic pen-mate, permanent environ- mental, pen, litter, and residual effects. A derivative- free algorithm was used to obtain REML estimates of variance components for final BW adjusted to 180 d of age with M1 and 7 reduced models, and with 4 reduced models for the carcass traits. For final BW, likelihood ratio tests showed that M1 did not fit the data better than model 2 (permanent environmental effect omitted from M1) or model 3 (pen omitted from M1). Model 2 was not significantly (P > 0.05) better than model 3, which shows that variance attributable to pen ef- fects and permanent environmental effects cannot be separated. Large sampling variances of estimates of the pen component of variance for models with pen-mate effects also indicate an inability to separate pen effects from the effects of pen mates. When pen-mate genetic effects were not in the model, estimates of components of variance and the fit of the data were the same for models 4 (included both permanent environmental and pen effects), 6 (included pen effects), and 7 (included permanent environmental effects), which shows that in- cluding both pen and permanent environmental effects was no better than including one or the other. Mod- els 4, 6, and 7 were significantly better than model 8, which did not include pen-mate effects and pen effects, implying that pen effects are important. The estimate of pen variance with model 2 was approximately (num- ber of pen mates − 1) times the estimate of variance of pen-mate permanent environmental effects with model 3. Patterns of estimates of variance components with models 2, 5, 6, and 8 for backfat depth and LM area were similar to those for final BW. Estimates of direct genetic variance and phenotypic variance were simi- lar for all models. Estimates of heritability for direct genetic effects were approximately 0.40 for final BW, 0.45 for backfat depth, and 0.27 for LM area. Estimates of heritability for pen-mate genetic effects were 0.001 for the 3 traits for models including either pen or per- manent environmental effects. Under the management conditions for this experiment, the conclusion is that the model for genetic evaluation should include litter effects and either pen effects or pen-mate permanent environmental effects and possibly genetic pen-mate ef- fects, in general agreement with the results of studies of different populations at other locations.
Microrobot Design Using Fiber Reinforced Composites

Mobile microrobots with characteristic dimensions on the order of 1 cm are difficult to design using either microelectromechanical systems technology or precision machining. This is due to the challenges associated with constructing the high strength links and high-speed, low-loss joints with micron scale features required for such systems. Here, we present an entirely new framework for creating microrobots, which makes novel use of composite materials. This framework includes a new fabrication process termed smart composite microstructures (SCM) for integrating rigid links and large angle flexure joints through a laser micromachining and lamination process. We also present solutions to actuation and integrated wiring issues at this scale using SCM. Along with simple design rules that are customized for this process, our new complete microrobotic framework is a cheaper, quicker, and altogether superior method for creating microrobots that we hope will become the paradigm for robots at this scale.
Non-Isotopic Receptor Assay for Benzodiazepine Drugs Using Biotin-Benzodiazepine Conjugate

Abstract A new receptor assay method for benzodiazepine was developed using biotin-1012S conjugate as a non-isotopic ligand. The concentration of free ligand in the benzodiazepine receptor suspension was determined by an enzymatic solid-phase avidin-biotin binding assay. The competition reaction between the conjugate and diazepam gave a well-defined dose/response curve for diazepam. The receptor assay could also be applied to the determination of an inverse agonist, n-butyl-P-carboline-3 carboxylate.
Radio frequency optoelectronic receiver for high-performance analog systems

Optoelectronic receiver arrays have been developed for analog radio-frequency photonic links. The monolithic optoelectronic integrated circuits contain photodetectors and transimpedance preamplifiers that are based on InGaAs/InAlAs/InP heterojunction bipolar transistors. These receivers also contain on-chip DC-blocking filters and impedance-matching circuits, as needed for analog applications. Some receivers accommodate signals greater than 18 GHz and others have effective responsivities greater than 11 A/W. Receivers having separate chips of photodetector arrays and transimpedance amplifier arrays have also been developed. The photodetector arrays are passively aligned to optical fibers by means of silicon carriers.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Classical EDR conditioning using a truly random control and subjects differing in electrodermal lability level

Electrodermal lability has been shown to be correlated with a measure of perceptual sensitivity. The relationship between lability and those processes subserving attention and vigilance was investigated within a conditioning paradigm as contrasted with a “truly random” control procedure. Male undergraduate subjects received either tones paired with shocks (conditioning group) or a truly random control procedure in which tones and shocks were programmed completely independently and randomly. An analysis of variance of adjusted results revealed main effects of lability and experimental group and no significant interactions. An erratic response curve provided no support for a phenomenon of increasing habit strength. The failure to demonstrate conditioning was considered in light of recent literature.
An Ultrafast Image Recovery and Recognition System Implemented With Nanomagnets Possessing Biaxial Magnetocrystalline Anisotropy

A circular magnetic disk with biaxial magnetocrystalline anisotropy has four stable magnetization states which can be used to encode a pixel's shade in a black/gray/white image. By solving the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation, we show that if moderate noise deflects the magnetization slightly from a stable state, it always returns to the original state, thereby automatically denoising the corrupted image. The same system can compare a noisy input image with a stored image and make a matching decision using magnetic tunnel junctions. These tasks are executed at ultrahigh speeds ( ~ 2 ns for a 512 t512 pixel image).
Robustness estimators of location:a classification of linear and adaptive estimators

Real-world data sets may be described in terms similar to trauma cases- ‘messy’ with ‘high morbidity’. Alternative estimators to the traditional mean are examined via a simulation study over a wide range of both symmetric and asymmetric distributions. These alternative estimators are data depenmdent and, in most cases, represent data far better than the usual mean. Princeton and post-Princeton linear and adaptive estimators of location are summarized, and a classification scheme based on an ancillary or selector statistic is proposed. The computational formulae for the collection of estimators have been standardized, as have the ancillary statistics. We classify these estimators by their computational form, give the computational formulae for each in a standardized notation, evaluate the subclass of estimators, and identify our ‘winner’ in that class.
Activation During Observed Parent–Child Interactions with Anxious Youths: A Pilot Study

Parent–child interaction paradigms are often used to observe dysfunctional family processes; however, the influence of such tasks on a participant’s level of activation remain unclear. The aim of this pilot project is to explore the stimulus value of interaction paradigms that have been commonly used in child anxiety research. Twenty-nine parent–child dyads with clinically anxious (n = 16) and non-anxious (n = 13) youths engaged in a series of tasks (threat and non-threat) used in previous studies of parenting and youth anxiety. Heart rate (HR) data, as an indicator of physiological activation, were collected across tasks, and participants rated the perceived representativeness of their interactions in the laboratory to their usual behavior at home. Significant HR changes were observed for both parent and child. Change in child HR from baseline to non-threat task was smaller than change in HR from baseline to threat tasks. Change in parent HR from baseline to ambiguous situations tasks was smaller than changes from baseline to other threat tasks. Differences in HR change between anxious and non-anxious children were explored. Participants rated laboratory interactions as similar to those experienced in the home. Results suggest that presumably emotionally-charged discussion tasks may produce increased activation compared to tasks that were designed to be more neutral. Implications for future research and limitations are discussed.
Pneumococcal disease: a symposium in honor of Robert Austrian, MD—a summary

The Pneumococcus '97 symposium, convened under the direction bf Dr. Stephan L. Kamholz, brought together a preeminent faculty to discuss the current state of our knowledge about Streptococcus pneumoniae and to honor Dr. Robert Austrian, one of the pioneers in the research into what was once one of the primary killers of humankind. My task here is to summarize these diverse presentations and the articles that evolved from them for publication in this supplement to The American Journal of Medicine.
Selective membrane toxicity of aminoglycoside antibiotics in membrane vesicles isolated from proximal renal tubules of the rat.

Abstract A considerable body of evidence suggests that the nephrotoxic potential of aminoglycoside antibiotics may be associated with the degree of membrane binding and subsequent membrane damage in the renal tubules. In this study, we isolated functional basolateral and luminal membrane vesicles from rat renal cortex, incubated each membrane type in the presence of 1 mM concentrations of either neomycin, netilmicin, gentamicin, hydroxygentamicin, or amikacin, and monitored the activities of the marker enzymes alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and λ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) ot ouabain-sensitive Na + , K + -ATPase (basolateral) to determine if there were any selective drug-related alterations of enzymes activities. While none of the five aminoglycosides had any substantive effect upon enzyme activities of luminal vesicles, all five drugs inhibited the basolateral marker enzyme. Neomycin produced the greatest inhibition, hydroxygentamicin and amikacin the least, and gentamicin and netilmicin were intermediate in the inhibition of the enzyme. These results are in accordance with the known relative nephrotoxicity of these same drugs and indicate the usefulness of isolated renal membrane vesicles for in vitro toxicological studies of novel aminoglycosides.
Initial Set-up Reproducibility for Prone Breast Irradiation (PBI): Comparative Clinical Data with Supine Breast Irradiation (SBI) for Women with Different Body Mass Indices (BMI) - Role for IGRT

Results: A total of 458 women with brain metastases from breast cancer was identified. The median age was 55 years. The most common prescription (53%) used for the initial whole brain radiotherapywas 20 Gy in 5 fractions. It was followed by a stereotactic radiosurgery boost in 4% of cases. The median OS for all 458 women was 4.5 months, and 27% were alive at 1 year. Median survival was longer (7 months) for the 176 cases (38%) who had Her2 positive disease compared to those with Her2 negative disease (3.8 months) [p value = 0.003]. For the 36 cases receiving whole brain or partial brain re-irradiation, fractionated prescriptions ranged from 20 Gy/5 to 25 Gy/10 and 10 patients had radiosurgery, using 15 - 24 Gy in one fraction. After brain re-irradiation, median survival was 8.2 months. For patients with favorable prognostic features (RPA class I) at the time of re-treatment, the 1-year overall survival was 50%, compared to 22% for RPA class III [p value = 0.33]. Following re-irradiation, 42% remained symptomatically stable, 14% had a partial clinical response and 19% had progressive disease at 1 to 3 months. Of the re-irradiated cases, 25/36 (70%) had Her2 positive disease and 21/25 (84%) received trastuzumab in the metastatic setting (median OS 9.6 months for Her2 positive and 4.3 months for Her2 negative). Conclusions:Brainre-irradiationmaybeofferedtosymptomaticpatientswith recurrentorprogressivebrainmetastases. Itleadsto clinicalbenefits and,a survival greater than 1yearforone quarterof lowrisk patients.Thosewith Her-2positivediseaselivelonger after repeat radiotherapy.
Adult Guardianship in Georgia: Are the Rights of Proposed Wards Being Protected? Can We Tell?

The National Commissioners on Uniform State Laws incorporated the recommendations of the ABA (through the Wingspread and Wingspan conferences) and other comments into the Uniform Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Act (UGPPA). A majority of states revised their statutes to implement many of these recommendations. Against this backdrop, guardianship reform also began in Georgia. This article recounts Georgia's reform efforts and examines the current guardianship code and practice in light of the considerable constitutional and policy interests at stake. For the latter, we rely upon information gathered in two statewide guardianship surveys examining guardianship files from 1994 and 2000.
Base Hydrolysis of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) in Methanolic and Aqueous Solutions

Abstract Hydrolysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers (intrinsic viscosity: 0.819 dL/g) using methanolic sodium methoxide was compared to that using aqueous sodium hydroxide. Weight and tenacity loss occurred more rapidly with methanolic NaOCH3. After the methanolic NaOCH3 treatment, the surface appeared far rougher, much of which was due to low molecular weight material present on the fibers. Intrinsic viscosity measurements indicated virtually no difference between the two treatments in the small amount of chain cleavage obtained at a given weight loss. Fiber density increased after the reaction with methanolic NaOCH3, probably due to the presence of the methyl ester end groups formed during the ester interchange reaction, while fiber density was essentially unaffected by treatment in aqueous NaOH. Density decreased after the methanolic NaOCH3-treated fiber was hydrolyzed with aqueous NaOH. Thermal analysis revealed a small increase in the melting temperature after methanolic NaOCH3 treatment. The ...
Distributed average consensus with stochastic communication failures

We consider a distributed average consensus algorithm over a network in which communication links fail with independent probability. Convergence in such stochastic networks is defined in terms of the variance of deviation from average. We characterize the decay factor of the variance in terms of the eigenvalues of a Lyapunov-like matrix recursion. We give expressions for the decay factors in the asymptotic limits of small failure probability and large networks. We also present a simulation-free method for computing the decay factor for any particular graph instance and use this method to study the behavior of various network examples as a function of link failure probability.
Oligodendrocyte excitotoxicity determined by local glutamate accumulation and mitochondrial function.

Developing oligodendrocytes (OL precursors, pre-OLs) express alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) subtype glutamate receptors (AMPARs) and are highly vulnerable to hypoxic-ischemic or oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced excitotoxic injury, yet the mechanisms of injury remain unclear. Here we investigated the role of glutamate accumulation and mitochondrial function in OGD-induced pre-OL toxicity in vitro. Bulk glutamate concentration in the culture medium did not increase during OGD and OGD-conditioned medium did not transfer toxicity to naive cells. Facilitation of glutamate diffusion by constant agitation of the culture reduced, while inhibition of glutamate diffusion by increasing medium viscosity with dextran enhanced, OGD-induced pre-OL injury. Depletion of extracellular glutamate by the glutamate scavenging system, glutamate-pyruvate transaminase plus pyruvate, attenuated pre-OL injury during OGD. Together these data suggest that local glutamate accumulation is critical for OGD toxicity. Interestingly, under normoxic conditions, addition of glutamate to pre-OLs did not cause receptor-mediated toxicity, but the toxicity could be unmasked by mitochondrial impairment with mitochondrial toxins. Furthermore, OGD caused mitochondrial potential collapse that was independent of AMPAR activation, and OGD toxicity was enhanced by mitochondrial toxins. These data demonstrate that pre-OL excitotoxicity is exacerbated by mitochondrial dysfunction during OGD. Overall, our results indicate that OGD-induced pre-OL injury is a novel form of excitotoxicity caused by the combination of local glutamate accumulation that occurs without an increase in bulk glutamate concentration and mitochondrial dysfunction. Therapeutic strategies targeting local glutamate concentration and mitochondrial injury during hypoxia-ischemia may be relevant to human disorders associated with pre-OL excitotoxicity.
Benefit, risk, and optimization by ROC analysis in cancer radiotherapy

The objective of definitive cancer radiation therapy is cure or control. The attainment of that objective is not without risk of treatment-induced radiation injury. The optimum treatment is, therefore, that level of radiotherapeutic effect with the maximum probability of benefit and the minimum associated probability of injury. An objective of radiotherapy research is the formulation of a model of optimization that is independent of a consensus of what constitutes optimization. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis is such a model, for it can relate probabilities of benefit and injury yielding a graphical determination of the optimum level of radiotherapeutic effect. ROC analysis is explained, an example taken from the contemporary radiotherapy literature is presented, and clinical research requirements for a general application of ROC analysis to the optimization of definitive cancer radiotherapy are developed.
Dynamic Modelling of Planetary Gears of Automatic Transmissions

AbstractIn this paper, a generalized dynamic model for multi-stage planetary gear trains of automotive automatic transmissions is proposed. The planetary gear train is formed by N number of planeta...
Soy Protein, Isoflavones and Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Since the early 1940s, scientists have examined the effect of soy protein on blood cholesterol concentrations. Although studies in animals have suggested that soy protein lowers blood cholesterol concentrations, similar studies in humans have yielded less consistent results. The presence or absence of the soybean isoflavone fraction may be a confounding factor. This fraction, consisting primarily of genistein, daidzein and glycetein, has been shown to have a hypocholesterolemic effect in animals and humans. Potential mechanisms by which soy protein and/or isoflavones induce lowering of blood cholesterol concentrations include thyroid status, bile acid balance and the estrogenic effects of genistein and daidzein. Some studies have suggested that isoflavones exhibit antioxidant properties and have favorable effects on arterial compliance. In addition to the aforementioned potential beneficial effects, the increased consumption of products containing soy protein may displace foods relatively high in saturated fat and cholesterol from the diet and hence have an indirect blood cholesterol-lowering effect.
Influence of pre‐ and postnatal exposure of rats to 2.45‐GHz microwave radiation on neurobehavioral function

Rats exposed to microwaves prenatally (2,450 MHz, 10 mW/cm2, 3 h/day, days 5-20 of gestation) or perinatally (same as above plus days 2-20 postnatally) were examined by a neurobehavioral test battery on postnatal days 30 and 100. Body mass, locomotor activity, startle to acoustic and air-puff stimuli, fore- and hindlimb grip strength, negative geotaxis, reaction to thermal stimulation, and swimming endurance were assessed. The prenatally and the perinatally exposed rats (male and female) weighted more than sham-exposed rats at 30, but not at 100, days of age. In addition, the perinatally exposed animals had less swimming endurance at 30, but not at 100, days of age relative to sham-exposed rats. For the other measures, only the air-puff startle response was altered and was limited to the prenatally exposed female pups; ie, at postnatal day 30, the startle response was increased in magnitude, and at postnatal day 100, the response was decreased. No other reliable effects were observed. In a second experiment, rats treated as described above were examined for alterations in body mass, locomotor activity, reaction to air-puff stimuli, reaction to thermal stimulation, and swimming endurance at postnatal days 30-36. Again, perinatally exposed rats were larger in body mass and had less swimming endurance compared with sham-exposed rats. The latency to the air-puff startle response was longer in female pups exposed prenatally. These data indicate that altered endurance and gross motor activity result from perinatal exposure to microwave irradiation.
Ambient Pollution and Heart Rate Variability

multivariate analyses, significantly less HRV (SDNN and r-MSSD) was associated with elevated PM2.5. During slow breathing, a reduction in r-MSSD of 6.1 ms was associated with an interquartile (14.3 mg/m 3 ) increase in PM2.5 during the hour of and the 3 hours previous to the Holter session (P50.006). During slow breathing, a multiple pollution model was associated with a reduction in r-MSSD of 5.4 ms (P50.02) and 5.5 ms (P50.03) for interquartile changes in PM2.5 and ozone, respectively, resulting in a combined effect equivalent to a 33% reduction in the mean r-MSSD. Conclusions—Particle and ozone exposure may decrease vagal tone, resulting in reduced HRV. (Circulation. 2000;101:1267-1273.)
Characterization of Human Bactericidal Antibodies to Bordetella pertussis

The Bordetella pertussis BrkA protein protects against the bactericidal activity of complement and antibody; however, some individuals mount an immune response that overcomes this bacterial defense. To further characterize this process, the bactericidal activities of sera from 13 adults with different modes of exposure to B. pertussis (infected as adults, occupational exposure, immunized with an acellular vaccine, or no identified exposure) against a wild-type strain and a BrkA complement-sensitive mutant were evaluated. All of the sera killed the BrkA mutant, suggesting past exposure to B. pertussis or cross-reactive organisms. Several samples had no or minimal activity against the wild type. All of the sera collected from the infected and occupationally exposed individuals but not all of the sera from vaccinated individuals had bactericidal activity against the wild-type strain, suggesting that some types of exposure can induce an immune response that can overcome the BrkA resistance mechanism. Adsorbing serum with the wild-type strain removed the bactericidal antibodies; however, adsorbing the serum with a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mutant or an avirulent (bvg mutant) strain did not always result in loss of bactericidal activity, suggesting that antibodies to either LPS or bvg-regulated proteins could be bactericidal. All the samples, including those that lacked bactericidal activity, contained antibodies that recognized the LPS of B. pertussis. Bactericidal activity correlated best with the presence of the immunoglobulin G3 (IgG3) antibodies to LPS, the IgG subtype that is most effective at fixing complement.
A test and maintenance architecture demonstrated on SEM-E modules for fiber optic networks

The authors describe a general-purpose test and maintenance architecture for electronic subsystems and its demonstration in several avionics SEM-E modules for fiber-optic networking of the Advanced Tactical Fighter, A-12, and other modern aircraft. The results of applying this test and maintenance architecture are delineated in terms of payoff, penalty, and problems encountered. Industry efforts needed to eliminate some of the problems encountered are discussed. >
Effects of form of the diet on anatomical, microbial, and fermentative development of the rumen of neonatal calves

Eight neonatal, Holstein bull calves were paired by birth date and birth weight and randomly assigned to either a finely ground or unground control diet (chopped hay and rolled grain) to study the effects of the physical form of the diet on anatomical, microbial, and fermentative development of the rumen. The diets varied in particle size but were identical in composition (25% alfalfa hay and 75% grain mix). Calves were fed milk at 8% of birth weight daily until weaning. Feed intake was equalized for each pair of calves. Ruminal fluid samples were collected from ruminal cannulas to determine pH, fermentation products, and buffering capacity and to enumerate bacteria. Calves were slaughtered at 10 wk of age, and weights of the full and empty reticulorumen, abomasum, and omasum were recorded. Ruminal tissue samples were taken to assess papillary development by morphometric measurements. Calves had similar body weights at wk 10. Ruminal pH was affected by age and was lower for calves fed the ground diet. Total anaerobic bacterial counts were not affected by the physical form of the diet; however, calves fed the ground diet had lower numbers of cellulolytic bacteria and higher numbers of amylolytic bacteria than did calves fed the unground diet. Physical form of the diet did not affect the weights of the reticulorumen whether full or empty. However, calves fed the ground diet had heavier omasum weights, both full and empty. Physical form of the diet affected papillary size and shape but did not influence the muscle thickness of the rumen. Results indicated that the physical form of the diet had a significant influence on the anatomical and microbial development of the forestomach and, therefore, might influence future performance.
ELECTRONEUTRAL Na + -2 Cl -LEUCINE COTRANSPORT BY LOBSTER HEPATOPANCREATIC BRUSH-BORDER MEMBRANE VESICLES

Uptake of L-[ 3 H]leucine by lobster hepatopancreatic brush-border membrane vesicles was stimulated by a transmembrane NaCl gradient (o>i), but not by identical gradients of NaSCN or other Cl − salts (e.g. K + , Li + , NH 4 + , Cs + or choline), suggesting that amino acid transfer depended upon both Na + and Cl − . In NaCl medium at acidic pH, leucine uptake was largely electroneutral and unresponsive to a transmembrane potential generated by permeable anions; however, in Na + -free medium, amino acid transport was strongly electrogenic under the same conditions. Leucine influx occurred by a combination of two carrier processes at physiologically acidic pH. One exhibited an influx K t of 0.59 mmol l −1 , a J M of 390 pmol mg protein −1 S −1 and a cotransport stoichiometry of 1 Na + : 2 Cl + : 1 leucine. This process was most strongly cis-inhibited by the non-polar amino acids phenylalanine, methionine and isoleucine, and most weakly inhibited by the more polar species methylaminoisobutyric acid (MeAIB), hydroxyproline, glutamate and arginine. The second leucine carrier system showed a very low binding affinity and could not be distinguished from diffusion, was Na + - and Cl − -independent, and was cis-inhibited by more polar amino acids such as lysine, hydroxyproline, MeAIB, alanine and glutamate. These results suggest that brush-border leucine transport in lobster hepatopancreas at acidic pH may occur by a combination of a modified L-system, that includes ion cosubstrates, and either by a second undefined Na + -independent process with a broad structural specificity or by multiple Na + -independent processes.
Efficient Interference Management: Regulation, Receivers, and Right Enforcement

The management of interference between operators is at the heart of wireless regulation. To date, national regulators have borne most of this burden, attempting to manage interference by setting transmitter parameters and limiting the services that are allowed in a particular band. However, the increasing intensity of radio use is leading to more conflicts, particularly between different service allocations. The resolution of cross-allocation interference problems will have to be streamlined if the promise of wireless technology is to be realized.
Kansas Business Center: Opportunities for Innovation

Analysis and recommendations for innovation of state online business one-stop service delivery through use of a data-driven, API-based architecture integrating federated ID and account management to create both a single face to the user and enable data reuse. Focused on the Kansas Business Center, this document was prepared for the Information Network of Kansas.