cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Resident attitudes and benefits of mock oral board examinations in radiation oncology

Presently, educational programming is not standardized across radiation oncology (RO) training programs. Specifically, there are limited materials through national organizations or structured practice exams for residents preparing for the American Board of Radiology (ABR) oral board examination. We present our 2019 experience implementing a formalized program of early mock oral board examinations (MOBE) for residents in post-graduate years (PGY) 3–5. A mixed-methods survey regarding MOBE perception and self-reported comfort across five clinical domains were administered to PGY2–5 residents. MOBEs and a post-intervention survey were implemented for the PGY3–5. The pre and post-intervention score across clinical domains were compared using t-tests. Faculty and residents were asked for post-intervention comments. A total of 14 PGY2–5 residents completed the pre-intervention survey; 9 residents participated in the MOBE (5/14 residents were PGY2s) and post-intervention survey. This was the first mock oral radiation oncology examination experience for 65% of residents. 100% of residents felt the MOBE increased their clinical knowledge and comfort with clinical reasoning. Overall, there was a trend towards improved resident confidence giving planning dose parameters and (p = 0.08). There was also unanimous request for more MOBE experiences from residents and faculty, but time was identified as a significant barrier. Future directions for this MOBE program are inclusion of more disease sites, better emulation of the exam, the creation of a more rigorous consolidated format testing all sites at once, and consideration for grading of these sessions for future correlation with certifying oral board examination (OBE) performance.
Cone Photoreceptor Degeneration and Neuroinflammation in the Zebrafish Bardet-Biedl Syndrome 2 (bbs2) Mutant Does Not Lead to Retinal Regeneration.

Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a heterogeneous and pleiotropic autosomal recessive disorder characterized by obesity, retinal degeneration, polydactyly, renal dysfunction, and mental retardation. BBS results from defects in primary and sensory cilia. Mutations in 21 genes have been linked to BBS and proteins encoded by 8 of these genes form a multiprotein complex termed the BBSome. Mutations in BBS2, a component of the BBSome, result in BBS as well as non-syndromic retinal degeneration in humans and rod degeneration in mice, but the role of BBS2 in cone photoreceptor survival is not clear. We used zebrafish bbs2-/- mutants to better understand how loss of bbs2 leads to photoreceptor degeneration. Zebrafish bbs2-/- mutants exhibited impaired visual function as larvae and adult zebrafish underwent progressive cone photoreceptor degeneration. Cone degeneration was accompanied by increased numbers of activated microglia, indicating an inflammatory response. Zebrafish exhibit a robust ability to regenerate lost photoreceptors following retinal damage, yet cone degeneration and inflammation was insufficient to trigger robust Muller cell proliferation. In contrast, high intensity light damage stimulated Muller cell proliferation and photoreceptor regeneration in both wild-type and bbs2-/- mutants, although the bbs2-/- mutants could only restore cones to pre-damaged densities. In summary, these findings suggest that cone degeneration leads to an inflammatory response in the retina and that BBS2 is necessary for cone survival. The zebrafish bbs2 mutant also represents an ideal model to identify mechanisms that will enhance retinal regeneration in degenerating diseases.
SHOULD FEMINISTS STOP TALKING ABOUT CULTURE IN THE CONTEXT OF VIOLENCE AGAINST MUSLIM WOMEN? THE CASE OF “HONOUR KILLING”

The violence, scale, and power of anti-Muslim narratives circulated on the internet and elsewhere continue to have considerable impact on feminist anti-violence initiatives. I examine contemporary responses to “honour killings” with particular reference to the Palestinian, Indian, and North American contexts, reflecting on how anti-violence advocates negotiate the terrain of culture in the case of honour killings. I ask whether the focus on culture has an impact on how courts and society view violence committed by Muslim men (and sometimes women) against Muslim women and girls. I suggest that cultural details contribute little to an enhanced legal understanding of the crime simply because this is not their primary purpose. Instead, the cultural details are part of a pedagogy that conveys a message of the racial and cultural superiority of the dominant society and a corresponding inferiority of Muslim cultures. We should therefore always talk culture with the greatest of restraint lest the racism that accompanies culture talk inhibit our understanding of the violence and limit our capacity to respond to it.
Opioid Drug Interactions

Opioid analgesics are frequently used in critically ill patients for the treatment of moderate to severe pain from either a comorbid or an acute condition. There is a potential for clinically meaningful drug interactions in critically ill patients because of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic alterations coupled with polypharmacy. An understanding of the mechanisms of drug interactions will assist clinicians in anticipating unintended consequences of drug interactions. This chapter provides a basic overview of the mechanisms of drug interactions.
SU-E-J-50: An Evaluation of the Stability of Image Quality Parameters of the Elekta XVI and IView Imaging Systems

Introduction Quality assurance of the image quality for image guided localization systems is crucial to ensure accurate visualization and localization of target volumes. In this study, the long term stability of selected image parameters was assessed and evaluated for CBCT mode, planar radiographic kV mode and MV mode. Methods and Materials: The CATPHAN, QckV-1 and QC-3 phantoms were used to evaluate the image quality parameters. The planar radiographic images were analyzed in PIPSpro™ with spatial resolution (f30, f40, f50) being recorded. For XVI CBCT, Head and Neck Small20 (S20) and Pelvis Medium20 (M20) standard acquisition modes were evaluated for Uniformity, Noise, Spatial Resolution and HU constancy. Dose and kVp for the XVI were recorded using the Unfors RaySafe Xi system with the R/F Low Detector for the kV planar radiographic mode. Results A total of 20 and 10 measurements were acquired for the planar radiographic and CBCT systems respectively over a two month period. Values were normalized to the mean and the standard deviations (STD) were recorded. For the planar radiographic spatial resolution, the STD for f30, f40, f50 were 0.004, 0.002, 0.002 and 0.005, 0.007, 0.008 for the kV and MV, respectively. The average recorded dose for kV wasmore » 38.7±2.7 μGy. The STD of the evaluated metrics for the S20 acquisition were: 0.444(f30), 0.067(f40), 0.062(f50), 0.018(Water/poly-HU constancy), 0.028(uniformity) and 0.106(noise). The standard deviations for the M20 acquisition were: 0.108(f30), 0.073(f40), 0.091(f50), 0.008(Water/poly-HU constancy), 0.005(uniformity) and 0.005(noise). Using these, tolerances can be reported as a warning and action threshold of 1σ and 2σ. Conclusion A study was performed to assess the stability of the basic image quality parameters recommended by TG-142 for the Elekta XVI and iView imaging systems. Consistent imaging and dosimetric properties over the evaluated time frame were noted. This work was funded in part by the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas Pre doctoral fellowship training grant (RP140105) to Dennis N. Stanley M.Sc.« less
Universal Service: COMPETITION, INTERCONNECTION, AND MONOPOLY IN THE MAKING OF THE AMERICAN TELEPHONE SYSTEM

Interconnection of competing networks is a critical issue in telecommunications policy. Likewise, the reconciliation of traditional universal service goals (a nationwide telecommunications network connecting as many citizens as possible) with the new paradigm of free market competition is one of the central problems facing regulators. In a work bridging telecommunications policy and history, Milton Mueller shows that much of what we think we know about these subjects is influenced by historical myths promoted by the telephone companies. The book provides a detailed analysis of historical experience with universal service and interconnection. Universal service service entered the vocabulary of American telecommunications in 1907. The universality of telephone communications became an issue in the early 1900s, Mueller shows, because of the existence of competing telephone systems that were not connected to each other. Mueller advances the view that unregulated competition between unconnected telephone networks played a major role in the creation of a universal telephone infrastructure in the United States. His analysis of this period leads to a fundamental change in our understanding of how and why the American telephone system became a monopoly, the history of universal service, and the economic effects of interconnection.
Thiocyanate-Dependent Induction of Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule Expression by Phagocyte Peroxidases: A Novel HOSCN-Specific Oxidant Mechanism to Amplify Inflammation

Both eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) and neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO) preferentially oxidize SCN(-) to generate HOSCN, a weak, sulfhydryl-reactive oxidant, as a major physiologic product. We here show that HOSCN is a uniquely potent phagocyte oxidant inducer of E-selectin, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 expression in HUVEC as detected by Western blot and flow cytometry. EMSA and inhibitor studies show that HOSCN up-regulation of these adhesion molecules is transcriptionally mediated through a mechanism that is dependent upon activation of the NF-kappaB p65/p50 transcription factor and constitutively suppressed by PI3K-Akt pathway activity. HUVEC monolayers exposed to HOSCN bind 8-fold more neutrophils and 3- to 4-fold more Aml14.3D10 cells (a differentiated cell line model of mature eosinophils) than control monolayers. Blocking Ab studies confirm the involvement of E-selectin and ICAM-1 but not VCAM-1 in neutrophil adhesion and of all three in Aml14.3D10 adhesion. Intraperitoneal injection of HOSCN evoked an 8-fold increase in neutrophil peritoneal extravasation. In addition to NF-kappaB, HOSCN also activates the potentially proinflammatory transcription factors Stat4, CDP, GRE, CBF, Ets-1/PEA3, and TFIID, a pattern easily distinguishable from that induced by LPS. These results suggest that phagocyte peroxidases function to amplify inflammation through a novel, HOSCN-specific oxidant mechanism.
Paint Adhesion Following Deformation as Related to the Surface Structure of Hot-Dipped Galvanized Steel

Tests were made to determine paint adhesion to samples of hot-dipped galvanized steel following their severe deformation. The quality of the adhesion of paint increases as the fraction of grains with the (0001) plane approximately parallel to the surface increases. Paint adhesion is improved by a small grain size of the zinc and by a rolling operation. The best paint adhesion has been observed on samples with a small grain size of zinc, very highly oriented with (0001) planes parallel to the surface. The fraction of grains exhibiting orientations approximating (0001) was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis and by a newly developed etching procedure. The effect of grain orientation on paint adhesion is attributed largely to the mechanism of deformation of zinc, although the chemical properties of zinc are also a function of the crystal face exposed at the surface.
First Choice of Antihypertensive Therapy

It is now well established that a high blood pressure (BP) that can not be normalized by nonpharmacologic means (low salt diet, weight loss, exercise, smoking cessation), should be treated pharmacologically. The therapeutic target BP is still a moving target, as in the past it used to be 160/95 mmHg.
Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Models of Macrophage-Dependent Acute Lung Injury Evidence for Alveolar Macrophage as Source of Proteinases

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the tissue injury seen in neutrophil-dependent models of acute lung injury. However, the role of MMPs in macrophage-dependent models of lung injury is unknown. To address this issue, the macrophage-dependent immunoglobulin A immune complex–induced lung injury model and the macrophage-dependent portion of the lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury model in the rat were assessed for MMP involvement and for the source of these activities. In both models, injury was inhibited by the recombinant human tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALFs) from injured animals in both models showed increased levels of MMPs. Characterization of MMP production by isolated lung fibroblasts, endothelial cells, type II epithelial cells, and alveolar macrophages revealed that only the macrophage had the same spectrum of MMP activity as seen in the BALF. Further, isolated alveolar macrophages from injured lungs showed evidence of i...
Finding multi-objective paths in stochastic networks: a simulation-based genetic algorithm approach

Path finding is a fundamental research topic in transportation due to its wide applications in transportation planning and intelligent transportation system (ITS). In transportation, the path finding problem is usually defined as the shortest path (SP) problem in terms of distance, time, cost, or a combination of criteria under a deterministic environment. However, in real life situations, the environment is often uncertain. In this paper, we develop a simulation-based genetic algorithm to find multi-objective paths in stochastic networks. Numerical experiments are presented to demonstrate the algorithm feasibility.
3‐(4‐Bromobenzoyl)Propanoic Acid

3-(4-Bromobenzoyl)propanoic acid R Bromobenzene Soccinic anhydride P 3-(4-Bromobenzoyl)propanoic acid Keywords: acids, substituted, keto acids; acylation (including formylation and Friedel-Crafts reactions); halogen compounds, bromine compounds; ketones, keto acids
STABILITY OF AN EXTEMPORANEOUSLY COMPOUNDED BACLOFEN ORAL LIQUID

The stability of baclofen in an extemporaneously compounded oral liquid formulation for 35 days was studied. A suspension was prepared by grinding commercially available 20-mg baclofen tablets and adding Glycerin, USP, to form a paste. Simple Syrup, NF, was added as necessary to make a final volume of 60 mL. A control solution was prepared from analytical-grade baclofen powder in Simple Syrup, NF. The final concentration of baclofen in both formulations was 5 mg/mL. Three samples of each preparation were stored in 2-oz, amber glass prescription bottles in the dark under refrigeration at 4 degrees C. Immediately after preparation and at 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days, samples were visually inspected, tested for pH, and assayed in duplicate by high-performance liquid chromatography. On day 35, the mean percentages of the initial baclofen concentrations remaining were 95.9% in the suspension and 95.6% in the solution. The color, odor, and pH of the samples did not change appreciably over the study period. In an extemporaneously compounded oral liquid preparation in Simple Syrup, NF, stored in the dark under refrigeration, baclofen was stable for at least 35 days.
Electric activity produced by eye flutter simulating frontal electroencephalographic rhythms.

Abstract A rhythm sometimes having the spurious appearance of alpha activity and associated with flutter of the eyelids occasionally is observed in records taken from the frontal and temporal leads of the electroencephalogram of normal persons and patients and is commonly seen when recordings are made from electrodes near the eyes. This rhythm is usually inhibited when the eyes are open and can be inhibited by holding the closed eyelids motionless. The rhythm is often increased briefly during mental activity. When recorded from electrodes placed close to the eyes, the rhythm was present in 8 of 14 normal persons used as controls and it appeared in 3 of 100 consecutive routine electroencephalograms. The rhythm is thought to be extracerebral in origin, probably resulting from oscillation of the electric field of the eyes produced by rapid ocular movements associated with flutter of the eyelids. It is suggested that flutter of the eyelids may be the source of kappa electroencephalographic waves.
New Concepts in Therapeutic Photomedicine; Photochemistry, Optical Targeting and the Therapeutic Window

Advances in optics technology, synthetic photochemistry, and the science of photobiology make it possible to think beyond phototherapy and photochemotherapy which is dependent on direct photochemical alteration of metabolites or direct phototoxic insult to cells. This report discusses another gender of photomedicine therapy which includes in vivo photoactivation of medicines, photon-dependent drug delivery, and manipulation of host and exposure source to maximize therapeutic index. These therapeutic manipulations are made possible because the skin is highly overperfused and because non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation that enters skin and blood has adequate photon energy to cause electronic excitation. Radiation of 320-800 nm is not very directly phototoxic, is absorbed by a variety of relatively nontoxic photolabile molecules and has an internal dosimetric depth profile. This radiation can therefore be used to activate, deactivate, bind, release or biotransform medications in vivo in skin or other organs. The photochemist, synthetic chemist and photobiologist can collaborate to significantly increase therapeutic possibilities.
Maternal-fetal calcium and bone metabolism during pregnancy, puerperium, and lactation.

I. Introduction II. Maternal Physiology and Pathophysiology During Pregnancy A. Maternal adaptive goals during pregnancy B. Mineral ions and calcitropic hormones C. Intestinal absorption of calcium D. Renal handling of calcium E. Skeletal calcium metabolism F. Primary hyperparathyroidism G. Hypoparathyroidism and pseudohypopara- thyroidism H. Summary III. Fetal-Placental Physiology and Pathophysiology A. Fetal adaptive goals B. Mineral ions and calcitropic hormones C. Fetal-placental calcium transport D. Renal handling of calcium and the amniotic fluid E. Skeletal calcium metabolism F. Fetal response to maternal hyper- or hypoparathy-roidism G. Integrated fetal calcium homeostasis H. Summary IV. Maternal Physiology and Pathophysiology During Lactation A. Maternal adaptive goals during lactation B. Mineral ions and calcitropic hormones C. Intestinal absorption of calcium D. Renal handling of calcium E. Skeletal calcium metabolism F. Hypoparathyroidism and pseudohypoparathy- roidism G. Summary V. Neonatal P...
Effects of transverse shearing flexibility on the postbuckling of plates loaded by inplane shear

This paper presents buckling and postbuckling results for plates loaded by inplane shear. The buckling results have been plotted to show the effects of thickness on the stress coefficient for aluminum plates. Results are given for various length-to-width ratios. Postbuckling results for thin plates with transverse shearing flexibility are compared to results from classical theory. The problems considered are the postbuckling response of plates in shear made of aluminum and of a 245' graphite-epoxy laminate. Thus the materials are isotropic and orthotropic, respectively. The plates are considered to be long with side edges simply supported, with various inplane edge conditions, and the plates are subject to a constant shearing displacement along the side edges. Characteristic curves presenting the average shear stress resultant as a function of the applied displacement are given. These curves indicate that change in inplane edge conditions influence plate postbuckling stiffness and that transverse shearing is important in some cases.
A duration-dependent negative potential in the cichlid electroretinogram

A negative potential can be evoked in the local electroretinogram of the cichlid fishCichlasoma octofasciatum by light stimuli of duration longer than 70 msec. This response superficially resembles the proximal negative response, but differs in some waveform components and dependence upon stimulus configuration and duration.
Scalability of a neural network for the knight's tour problem

Abstract The effectiveness and efficiency of a Hopfield-style neural network recently proposed by Takefuji and Lee for the knight's tour problem on an n × n board are compared and contrasted with standard algorithmic techniques using a combination of experimental and theoretical analysis. Experiments indicate that the neural network has poor performance when implemented on a conventional computer, and it is further argued that it is unlikely to improve significantly when implemented in parallel.
Long-term followup of total hip arthroplasty in patients with cerebral palsy.

Patients with cerebral palsy (CP) are at risk for hip arthrosis secondary to the loss of joint congruity. We asked whether THA relieved pain, improved function, and provided durable improvements. We retrospectively identified 56 patients (59 hips) with CP who had THAs for painful hips. Chart review determined the preoperative, postoperative, and current functional levels. All patients or caregivers completed a questionnaire, including a modified Gross Motor Function Classification System mobility scale and qualitative reports of pain and satisfaction. Pain levels were measured on a visual analog scale at three times: preoperative, postoperative, and current. The average age of the patients at the time of surgery was 30.6 years. Minimum followup was 2 years (average, 9.7 years; range, 2–28 years). Pain relief was obtained in all patients. All patients returned to preoperative function (59) and 52 patients returned to prepain functional status (88%). Seven patients underwent acetabular component revisions, and two patients had a femoral stem component revision. The 2-year implant survival was 95%, and 10-year survivorship was 85%. THA can provide durable relief and improved function in patients with CP with severe coxarthrosis. Level IV, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
A Method of CCD Noise Removal in Digital Images

In this paper, a method for removing noise from digital images corrupted by imaging device is proposed. The CCD noise model is a combination of a mixture of a fixed-pattern noise and multiplicative Gaussian noise and a mixture of signal-independent noise. Based on the model, an adaptive de-noising algorithm to restore images contaminated by the CCD noise sources is developed. Because the great correlation exists among the wavelet coefficients, by doing the multi-level wavelet decomposition to the image and computing the average value of the image's wavelet coefficients, which can present the singularity of an image, the window size of the adaptive filter can adjust automatically. The scheme will sharpen the edges and smooth the uniform area at the same time. In the end, experiments are done in images with the synthetic noise and the results indicate the de-noising method is efficient.
COMBINED STRUCTURAL AND CONTROL OPTIMIZATION OF FLEXIBLE STRUCTURES

Abstract The design of actively controlled structures is considered with constraints on the damping parameters of the closed loop system. The cross sectional areas of the members are treated as design variables. The purpose of control is to effectively suppress structural vibrations due to initial excitations. Starting with a baseline structural design, the objective of the integrated structural/ control optimization is to produce a light weight structure with reduced vibrational and control energy content ( when excited) The structural weight and the controlled system energy are considered as objective functions for minimization. The effect of using different control weighting matrices, constraints, and objective functions in optimization is illustrated through numerical simulations using two truss structures.
Investigation of Hypertriglyceridemia in Healthy Miniature Schnauzers

Background: Idiopathic hypertriglyceridemia has been reported in Miniature Schnauzers (MS). However, studies investigating the prevalence of this disorder in a large population of MS are lacking. Hypothesis: Hypertriglyceridemia is prevalent in healthy MS. Animals: This study used 192 healthy MS and 38 healthy dogs of other breeds (control dogs). Methods: Serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations were measured and statistically compared in both the MS and control group. Dogs were categorized based on their age, and median serum triglyceride concentrations were compared among different age groups. Results: A total of 63 (32.8%) of the 192 MS had serum triglyceride concentrations above the reference range. In contrast, of the 38 control dogs, only 2 (5.3%) had serum triglyceride concentrations above the reference range. The median serum triglyceride concentration in MS was 73.5 mg/dL, which was significantly higher as compared to that of the control group (median, 55 mg/dL; P= .0005). Serum cholesterol concentration was above the reference range in 9 (9.0%) of 100 MS and in 2 (5.3%) of the control dogs. Mean serum cholesterol concentrations were not significantly different between the 2 groups (P= .1374). Median serum triglyceride concentrations in MS increased significantly with age (P < .0001), and there was a significant positive correlation between serum triglyceride concentrations and age (Spearman r = 0.47; P < .0001). There was no difference in serum triglyceride concentrations between male and female MS (P= .48). Conclusion: Healthy MS have a high prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia as compared to healthy dogs of other breeds. Both the prevalence and severity of hypertriglyceridemia increase with age.
Comparison of interactions of D1-like agonists, SKF 81297, SKF 82958 and A-77636, with cocaine: locomotor activity and drug discrimination studies in rodents

Rationale: Recent data suggest that dopamine (DA) D1-like receptor full agonists may be potential pharmacotherapeutic agents for treating cocaine abuse. The structurally novel isochroman D1-like agonist, A-77636, has not been well characterized and may prove to be useful as such an agent. Objectives: The interactions of cocaine and A-77636 were compared to those obtained with the better investigated benzazepine D1-like dopamine agonists, SKF 82958 and SKF 81297. The alterations in the locomotor stimulant and discriminative-stimulus effects of cocaine by the full D1-like dopamine receptor agonists were investigated across a full range of doses in order to characterize their interactions. Methods: Drug-naive Swiss-Webster mice were pretreated with SKF 81297, SKF 82958 or A-77636 (1–10 mg/kg) and cocaine (5–56 mg/kg) prior to a 30-min period in which locomotor activity was assessed. Rats were trained on a fixed ratio 20 (FR20) schedule to discriminate IP saline from cocaine (10 mg/kg) injections. Cocaine alone (1–10 mg/kg) and with either A-77636 (0.56–1.7 mg/kg), SKF 82958 (0.01–0.1 mg/kg) or SKF 81297 (0.1–0.56) were injected IP 5 min prior to a 15-min test session. Results: Cocaine maximally stimulated activity at 20–40 mg/kg with higher and lower doses stimulating activity less. Each D1-like agonist produced a dose-related decrease in cocaine-induced locomotor activity and lowered its maximal rate. Each of the D1-like agonists partially substituted for cocaine, with maximal substitution approximating 49, 35, and 24% for SKF 81297, SKF 82958, and A-77636, respectively. SKF 82958 significantly shifted the cocaine dose-effect curve approximately 3-fold to the left. With SKF 81297, there was a trend towards a leftward shift of cocaine dose effects, however the change was not statistically significant. In contrast to the other two D1-like agonists, A-77636 either did not affect the cocaine dose-effect curve or shifted it to the right. Conclusions: All three agonists produced similar effects on cocaine-induced locomotor activity, however the discriminative-stimulus effects of cocaine were affected differently by the D1 agonists. These results suggest fundamental differences in the actions of these D1 agonists. Because A-77636 consistently attenuated the present effects of cocaine, it may prove more useful than the others as a pharmacotherapy to treat cocaine abuse.
The Structure of Plant Cell Walls: VII. Barley Aleurone Cells

The walls of barley (Hordeum vulgare var. Himalaya) aleurone cells are composed of two major polysaccharides, arabinoxylan (85%) and cellulose (8%). The cell wall preparations contain 6% protein, but this protein does not contain detectable amounts of hydroxyproline. The arabinoxylan has a linear 1,4-xylan backbone; 33% of the xylosyl residues are substituted at the 2 and/or 3 position with single arabinofuranosyl residues. The results of in vitro cellulose binding experiments support the hypothesis that noncovalent bonds between the arabinoxylan chains and cellulose fibers play a part in maintaining wall structure. It is suggested that bonding between the arabinoxylan chains themselves is also utilized in forming the walls.
High Ca2+ concentrations induce a low activity mode and reveal Ca2(+)-independent long shut intervals in BK channels from rat muscle.

1. Large-conductance calcium-activated K+ channels (BK channels) often display long closed intervals at higher levels of Ca2+. To gain further insight into possible mechanisms for these intervals, currents were recorded from single BK channels, using the patch clamp technique, from patches of membrane excised from primary cultures of rat skeletal muscle. 2. High intracellular calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i; 10-1000 microM) induced a low activity mode and revealed isolated long shut intervals. Neither of these phenomena were due to the Ba2+ that typically contaminates reagent grade salts. 3. The low activity mode was characterized by typically single brief open intervals with mean durations of 0.1 ms, separated by long shut intervals with mean durations of 100 ms. The very low open probability of about 0.001 during the low activity mode would make a sojourn to this mode functionally equivalent to a sojourn to an inactive state. The durations of sojourns in the low activity mode were exponentially distributed, with the mean durations ranging from about 1 s in 10 microM Ca(i)2+, to 4.5 s in 1000 microM Ca(i)2+. With increased filtering, the brief open intervals would escape detection so that a sojourn to the low activity mode would appear as a single shut interval. A typical channel spent less than 5% of its time in the low activity mode for [Ca2+]i 100-1000 microM. A kinetic model with three closed states and two open states could approximate the gating of the low activity mode. 4. The isolated long shut intervals were not from the low activity mode, suggesting a different underlying mechanism. Their frequency of occurrence of about 0.3 s-1 did not increase with increasing [Ca2+]i, indicating that they did not arise from a slow Ca2+ block. Their durations were exponentially distributed, with a mean of 127 ms, which was independent of [Ca2+]i, suggesting that a single Ca(2+)-independent closed state or block underlies the isolated long shut intervals. At higher [Ca2+]i, up to 60% of the shut time could be spent in the isolated long shut intervals. 5. These observations suggest that activation of BK channels by high [Ca2+]i can be limited by sojourns to a low activity mode and also by isolated long shut intervals, two additional phenomena that will have to be accounted for in the gating of BK channels.
Room-temperature deformation mechanisms and the defect structure of tungsten carbide

Defects in undeformed, annealed single crystals and in deformed single crystals of WC are characterized by transmission electron microscopy. Deformation is induced by indentation with a microhardness tester. High densities of stacking faults with atomic displacement vectors R = 16〈1123〉 are found lying on {1100} planes near the indentations. Stacking faults with R = 16〈1123〉 and undissociated dislocations with b = 〈0001〉, 13〈1120〉, and 13〈1123〉 are observed at distances greater than 2μm from an indentation. The Burgers vectors of the partial dislocations bounding one fault are found to be identical bp = 16[1123], resulting in a total Burgers vector for the extended dislocation b = 13[1123]. (Stacking fault energy = 55 mJ/m2). Stacking faults with R = 16〈1123〉 are described in terms of the crystal structure of WC, illustrating several points: the coordination of carbon atoms by tungsten atoms is preserved at the fault, the number of bonds per atom which are broken during slip may be minimized, and the 16〈1123〉 type of partial Burgers vector may be combined to form several types of total Burgers vector.
Smart Integration of Variable and Intermittent Renewables

Issues such as the cost of compensating for variability and intermittency must be considered (along with limits set by land use) in determining the likely contribution renewables may make to electric power. Here we present a framework that uses frequency domain analysis to elucidate integration characteristics that include the benefit of interconnecting wind plants and the relative amplitude of variability at different time scales of interest. Statements about smoothing of variability by interconnection must consider the time scale involved. Time domain analysis is also used here to estimate the cost of wind variability in ERCOT. Public discourse that addresses the issues cost of compensation needed would be a significant contribution to large scale deployment of renewables.
Evaluation of two approaches to the quantitative histochemical localization of sucrose-P synthase in leaves

Two methods for determining the quantitative localization of sucrose-P synthase in plant tissues were evaluated. The single-cell method (rapid freezing, freeze-drying, microdissection, micro-analysis) was validated in several ways, including comparative biochemistry, comparative histochemistry, and kinetics. In contrast, bulk isolation of cells by protoplast-forming methods resulted in loss of sucrose-P synthase activity. This latter approach is widely used and, as far as we are aware, can be successfully used for measurement of other enzymes. Thus, our observations form the basis for a specific caution against the use of protoplast-forming methods in an assay protocol for sucrose-P synthase.
A new coupling factor for photophosphorylation

Abstract Several coupling factors have been isolated from mitochondria ( Racker, 1967 ) which are required for oxidative phosphorylation in resolved submitochondrial particles. Phosphorylation in chloroplasts, like that in mitochondria, can be resolved and reconstituted ( Avron, 1963 ; Vambutas and Racker, 1965 ), however, only one coupling factor, CF 1 1 which in several respects is similar to mitochondrial F 1 ( McCarty and Racker, 1966 ) has so far been isolated. The purpose of this communication is to report the discovery of a second coupling factor in a protein fraction obtained by alkaline extraction of spinach chloroplasts. This factor (CF 2 ) restored photophosphorylation in deficient chloroplast particles in the presence of added CF 1 and also interacted with CF 1 in solution.
Abstract A42: Sensitivity and resistance to a p-AKT inhibitor in an erlotinib-sensitive model for lung cancer

Activating mutations in EGFR, such as the L858R mutation, are effective predictors of response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. While most patients initially respond to EGFR TKIs, the majority relapse within 6-12 months, underscoring the importance of identifying therapies that enhance and prolong EGFR TKI activity in patients. Agents targeting additional nodes in the EGFR pathway have the potential to overcome such resistance but single-agent activity must be understood first. We utilized mice engineered to develop erlotinib-sensitive lung adenocarcinomas driven by the human EGFR L858R mutation to evaluate the efficacy of a p-AKT inhibitor, MK-2206, currently in clinical trials for a variety of solid tumor malignancies. MK-2206 concentration and target activity were assessed in short-term PK/PD studies in both the lungs and blood of tumor-bearing mice. MK-2206 was then evaluated in an efficacy study using a twice-weekly dosing regimen, both as a single agent and in combination with other TKIs. MK-2206 alone resulted in tumor regression or tumor growth inhibition in ∼50% of the mice, but exhibited greater efficacy in combination with other upstream pathway inhibitors. Temporal evaluation of tumor growth inhibition indicated that MK-2206 was most effective at early time points and did not produce a sustained pathway and growth response as treatment continued. Analysis of gene expression changes in mice treated with MK-2006 alone vs. MK-2206 in combination with EGFR TKIs highlighted the pathways perturbed by both drugs.
The effectiveness of bystander CPR in an animal model

Several clinical studies have yielded conflicting results in examining the effectiveness of bystander CPR (BCPR). The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the effectiveness of BCPR in an animal model of cardiac arrest and resuscitation. Ten swine were instrumented for hemodynamic and regional blood flow measurements with tracer microspheres. After two minutes of ventricular fibrillation (VF), the animals received eight minutes of either BCPR (five) or no-bystander CPR (NBCPR; five). Defibrillation was then attempted in both groups. If unsuccessful, CPR was begun and epinephrine 0.02 mg/kg was administered. Defibrillation was attempted again three and one-half minutes after epinephrine administration. Regional myocardial and cerebral blood flows were measured 30 seconds and five and one-half minutes after initiation of BCPR and one minute after epinephrine administration. In the BCPR group, myocardial blood flow was initially 29.0 ± 33.2 and decreased to 15.0 ± 21.5 mL/min/100 g during the last two and one-half minutes of BCPR. Cortical cerebral blood flow was initially 2.0 ± 2.8 and fell to 0.6 ± 0.8 mL/min/100 g during the last two and one-half minutes of BCPR. There were no statistical differences in myocardial blood flow and cerebral blood flow between the initial or late stages of BCPR ( P > .14). There were no statistical differences in myocardial blood flow and cerebral blood flow between BCPR and NBCPR groups after epinephrine administration ( P > .09). There were no successful resuscitations in either group before or after epinephrine administration. We conclude that BCPR is not effective at maintaining adequate myocardial blood flow or cerebral blood flow in this ten-minute cardiac arrest model. Further study is needed to discern the effectiveness of BCPR in this model with shorter arrest durations.
Searching for the victim in the general sociological literature on crime

In the last fifty years, the sociology of crime has been transformed by a changing ideological climate, the politicization of crime research and a greater isolation of criminology with respect to its theories, methods, organization and physical location outside of sociology departments. The objective of this paper is to explore how these changes may have influenced today's general sociological literature on crime. We begin by laying out our basic theoretical assumptions. Next, the article offers an assessment of crime's status in the sociological literature throughout the twentieth century. Finally, we move to a more detailed analysis of the current research on crime. We analyze four consecutive issues from 31 general sociology journals published in 2003–2004. A thematic distinction is drawn between articles that focus on the perpetrators of crime and articles that highlight the effects of crime on its victims. After substantiating and refining this distinction, we identify where most of the articles belo...
Deletion–restriction for subspace arrangements

Abstract Let A be a subspace arrangement in V with a designated maximal affine subspace A 0 . Let A ′ = A ∖ { A 0 } be the deletion of A 0 from A and A ″ = { A ∩ A 0 | A ∩ A 0 ≠ ∅ } be the restriction of A to A 0 . Let M = V ∖ ⋃ A ∈ A A be the complement of A in V . If A is an arrangement of complex affine hyperplanes, then there is a split short exact sequence, 0 → H k ( M ′ ) → H k ( M ) → H k + 1 − codim R ( A 0 ) ( M ″ ) → 0 . In this paper, we determine conditions for when the triple ( A , A ′ , A ″ ) of arrangements of affine subspaces yields the above split short exact sequence. We then generalize the no-broken-circuit basis nbc of H k ( M ) for hyperplane arrangements to deletion–restriction subspace arrangements.
Comparison of bare fiber and contact diffuser tip inductions of interstitial laser lesions: assessment of reproducibility using magnetic resonance imaging

Ninety interstitial lesions were produced in ex-vivo sheep liver using various power outputs (5, 10, and 20 Watts) and exposure times for delivery of 200 Joules of the Nd:YAG laser energy. For the purpose of determining lesion reproducibility, two different methods of laser energy delivery to tissue, namely, the bare fiber optic and the sapphire diffuser tip techniques, were utilized. Cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or laser treated specimens were performed on a 1.5 Tesla superconducting magnet. Images were examined for shape and extent of damage, as well as uniformity. Lateral and longitudinal extent of thermal injury was measured from the image of each lesion. Results showed that the diffuser tip method is better able to reproduce lesions than the bare fiber method, particularly when high levels of laser power are employed. This study indicates the need for development of MRI-compatible diffuser tip technology for use in MRI-guided interstitial laser therapy.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Emerging pulsed electric field (PEF) and static magnetic field (SMF) combination technology for food freezing

Abstract The potential of an innovative freezing technique by applying combined pulsed electric field (PEF) and static magnetic field (SMF) was successfully tested and validated. 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl) solution was frozen under the PEF (1.78 V cm−1, duty ratio: 0.5) at the frequencies of 0–20 kHz and different SMF conditions (attractive and repulsive). At −20 °C, an increase in the working frequencies reduced the phase transition time and the shortest phase transition time (1443 ± 2 s) was obtained at 20 kHz. The patterns of ice crystals became uniformly round (roundness: 0.88–0.90) under the PEF. The effects of attractive and repulsive SMFs showed different patterns in ice crystal formation with the shortest phase transition time under the repulsive SMF. The combined PEF (1.78 V cm−1 at 20 kHz) and repulsive SMF resulted in an effective and synergistic freezing process, forming uniformly round and the smallest mean size of ice crystals in the shortest phase transition (1004 ± 3 s).
Oral Antibiotics to Prevent Surgical Site Infections Following Colon Surgery

F or more than two centuries, surgeons have been performing operations on the colon and rectum. This year more than 100,000 colorectal operations will be performed in the United States alone [1]. Despite the abundant collective knowledge and experience of generations of surgeons, colon operations continue to carry significant risks. Contemporary mortality rates range from 1% to 2% for elective colorectal procedures [2]. Surgical site infections (SSIs), one of many sources of postoperative morbidity, occur in nearly 10% of patients [2]. The authors’ experience with the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative (MSQC) has shown that the range of morbidity rates across centers is broad, some centers achieving rates 50% better than the average. While the etiology of this variation in morbidity is likely multifactorial, it may be explained in part by difference in practice patterns. Among the many aspects of the practice of colon surgery that merit examination, preoperative bowel preparation has been the subject of particular and longstanding controversy. Further investigation, informed by the body of data amassed over the past 50 years, has the potential to define the optimal preoperative bowel preparation, and so reduce the morbidity of colorectal surgery.
Acceptance of Pain in Neurological Disorders: Associations With Functioning and Psychosocial Well-Being

Objective Chronic pain acceptance has been shown to be related to positive adjustment to chronic pain in patients presenting with pain as a primary problem. However, the role of pain acceptance in adjustment to chronic pain secondary to a neurological disorder that is often associated with physical disability has not been determined. The purpose of this study was to examine whether two domains of chronic pain acceptance--activity engagement and pain willingness--predict adjustment to pain, controlling for pain intensity and key demographic and clinical variables in individuals with muscular dystrophy (MD), multiple sclerosis (MS), post-polio syndrome (PPS), or spinal cord injury (SCI). Method Participants were 508 community-dwelling adults with a diagnosis of MD, MS, PPS, or SCI who also endorsed a chronic pain problem. Participants completed self-report measures of pain acceptance, quality of life, pain interference, pain intensity, depression, and social role satisfaction. Results Hierarchical linear regressions indicated that activity engagement predicted lower pain interference and depression, and greater quality of life and social role satisfaction. Pain willingness predicted less pain interference and depression. Together, the two pain acceptance subscales accounted for more variance in outcomes than did self-reported pain intensity. Conclusions Findings correspond with the broader pain acceptance literature, although activity engagement appears to be a more robust predictor of adjustment than does pain willingness. This research supports the need for future studies to determine the extent to which treatments that increase acceptance result in positive outcomes in persons with chronic pain secondary to neurological disorders.
Mapping genes in the mouse using single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis of recombinant inbred strains and interspecific crosses.

Abstract We have utilized a PCR-based analysis of single-strand conformation polymorphisms to identify polymorphisms that can be used for mapping cloned DNA sequences in the mouse. We have found that single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis of sequences that are potentially less subject to conservation (i.e., intron and 3' untranslated regions) is a relatively efficient means of detecting polymorphisms between inbred strains. Fifty percent of the tested primer pairs were polymorphic between inbred strains and 90% were polymorphic between mouse species, which is a frequency comparable to that found for microsatellite repeat sequences. We have found that this technique can be readily used to determine the strain distribution pattern in a recombinant inbred series and is a simple and rapid means to obtain a map position for cloned sequences. When this strategy was tested on a number of previously mapped cloned genes, the strain distribution patterns obtained were consistent with that to be expected on the basis of the known map position. We also tested the utility of this approach for characterizing genes that have not been previously mapped. Dvl, the mouse homolog of the putative Drosophila dishevelled gene, and Adfp, encoding an adipocyte differentiation-related protein, were found to map to chromosome 4. These results were confirmed using single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis of an interspecific backcross.