cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Report Tallies Cost of Delaying Action on Climate Change

Delaying the implementation of mitigation policies to stem climate change could significantly increase economic damages, according to a 29 July White House report. A delay that results in a warming of 3°C above preindustrial levels, instead of 2°, “could increase economic damages by approximately 0.9 percent of global output,” the report states.
Effects of cingulate cortex lesions and morphine premedication on morphine intake in rats

Groups of rats were given bilateral lesions in the cingulate cortex and then half were subjected to a regimen of chronic morphine injections, while the other half received no premedication. Morphine-oriented behavior was indexed by a learned preference for a bitter morphine HC1 solution. Bilateral anterior cingulate cortex lesions resulted in a decrement in the acquisition of drug-oriented behavior, while premedication produced an enhancement of morphine intake.
The health of preschoolers in child care settings: Some possibilities for nursing intervention

Introduction According to a recent estimate there are 6 million children in the United States under the age of 6 who have working mothers. Approx- imately 45% of the children under 6 are in child care settings for some portion of their daily care, with well under 10% of these enrolled in licensed day care centers (Keyserling, 1972; U.S. Senate, 1974). The variety of settings include family day care homes, nursery schools, day care centers, cooperative child care centers, and play groups. Family day care homes are private homes in which three or more (but fewer than six) unrelated children receive care and supervision. A nursery school is a daytime group facility that has as its main ob- jective a developmental program for preschool children and whose staff meet educational qualifications established by a Department of Education. A day care center is a daytime group facility that gives care for preschool children away from their homes but that need not employ staff approved by the Department of Education, though they must have experience in child care. its objective is to promote indi- vidual development (Michigan Department of Social Services, 1973). A cooperative child care center is a facility eligible for licensure that has a policy of including parents on the staff. A play group is an in- formal but regular arrangement in which mothers exchange hours or days of child care in individual homes. Regardless of the setting or its primary objective, the need to make health services available to
Ion-selective sensors incorporating strongly adhesive polymeric membranes

Chemical-selective membranes having matrices of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/(hydroxylated PVC), polyurethane/(hydroxylated PVC), and moisture-curable silicone rubber are compared to conventional PVC membranes in terms of adhesion to silicon nitride. A well-controlled peel test, developed for this evaluation, yields repeatable, quantitative results for both wet and dry membranes. Polyurethane and silicon membranes have much better adhesion to the sensor surface than do PVC or hydroxylated PVC. The hydroxylated PVC- and polyurethane-based membranes have electrochemical performance equivalent to that of PVC membranes in terms of slope, detection limit, and selectivity. Though the electrochemical properties of the silicone-matrix membrane are degraded somewhat by its high resistance, it has extremely good adhesion. >
Classification And Design Of Large Laser Mirrors

This is a review of the many advanced designs that have been proposed for large laser primary mirrors. Mirror designs are categorized and classified with the objective of suggesting a common nomenclature for identifying, describing, and evaluating the relative characteristics and merits of alternate designs. Examples are given of the construction and utility of each mirror type.
Effects of Mt. St. Helens Ashfall on Lotic Algae and Caddisflies

ABSTRACT Studies were undertaken in the Cispus and Klickitat River systems to investigate the impact of varying amounts of ashfall from the Mt. St. Helens volcanic eruption to lotic algae and caddisflies (Trichoptera). The Cispus drainage received about 50 mm of ash, and the Klickitat about 20 mm in its headwaters. The hydrographs of both rivers were normal following the eruption, although some chemical variables increased immediately following the eruption (e.g. turbidity, dissolved organic N). The postulated long-term increase of leached nutrients did not occur, and no algal stimulation was observed. Differences in algal populations between the two systems were attributed to inherent differences unrelated to ashfall. Caddisfly numbers decreased in the Cispus drainage from a combination of high spring flows and suspended tephra (ash + pumice); however, it was not possible to separate the effects of normal perturbations from the runoff and the added impact of the tephra.
Is medical therapy still the optimal treatment strategy for patients with acute type B aortic dissections

Abstract Objective: The optimal treatment of patients with acute type B dissections continues to be debated. Methods: A 36-year clinical experience of medical and surgical treatments in 189 patients was retrospectively analyzed (multivariable Cox proportional hazards model) with respect to three outcome end points: all deaths, freedom from reoperation, and freedom from late aortic complications or death. Propensity score analysis identified 2 quintiles (quintiles I and II, consisting of 142 comparable patients) for further comparison of the effects of surgical versus medical treatment. Results: Shock (hazard ratio 14.5, 95% confidence interval 4.7-44.5, P P Conclusions: The prognosis for patients with acute type B aortic dissection is bleak and determined primarily by dissection-related and patient-specific risk factors, which do not appear to be readily modifiable. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2002;124:896-910
Myeloablation is not required to select and maintain expression of the drug-resistance gene, mutant MGMT, in primary and secondary recipients.

Gene transduction of hematopoietic progenitors capable of reconstituting both primary and secondary recipients is an important milestone in preclinical development of gene therapy. Myeloablation conditioning prior to infusion of transduced stem cells causes significant host morbidity. In contrast, drug-resistance gene transfer utilizes judicious in vivo selection of transduced stem cells over time, reaching only the level of transduction and expression required. The O6-benzylguanine (BG)-resistant mutant O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene is a potent selection gene for transduced cells. Using two different mutant MGMTs, G156A and P140K, that vary in BG resistance by a factor of 1:20, we asked whether long-term repopulating and secondary mouse-repopulating cells could be transduced, transplanted, and selected for in the nonmyeloablated recipient and whether the mutant MGMT would continue to be expressed in secondary recipient repopulating cells. We found that under stringent drug-selection competition, cells expressing the more BG-resistant variant, P140K-MGMT, were enriched over G156A-MGMT-expressing progenitors. In addition, the MFG retroviral vector transmitted the mutant MGMT gene to long-term repopulating cells that, after selective enrichment in the nonmyeloablated primary recipient, repopulated secondary mice and continued to express the transgene. Thus, MFG mutant MGMT vectors transduce repopulating hematopoietic stem cells that may be used both for chemotherapeutic drug resistance and to enrich for second therapeutic genes.
Paradoxical splitting of the second heart sound in the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

Abstract In 3 of 4 cases of Type B WPW syndrome, right ventricular mechanical events were premature; the first portion of the first heart sound represented tricuspid closure and there was paradoxical splitting of the second heart sound. All 4 children were healthy, except for episodes of supraventricular tachycardia. Cardiac catheterization was carried out in 1 patient and nothing abnormal was found.
Preparation, analysis, and x-ray diffraction identification of barbiturate silver salts.

Abstract Four methods for the preparation of silver salts of fourteen commonly used substituted barbituric acids are described and silver analyses and X-ray data are tabulated. Eight of the barbiturate derivatives gave well-defined X-ray patterns, while six gave indistinct lines or none at all. Silver analyses varied considerably, depending upon the preparatory method used.
Cytomegalovirus retinitis and optic neuritis in a child with severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome.

Background Although cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of the retina and brain is common in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), it is exceedingly rare in patients with immunodeficiencies due to other causes. This is the first report on ocular and cerebral histopathology of disseminated CMV in a child with severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome (SCID). Methods The authors examined by routine histopathologic methods the eyes of a 2-year-old white boy with SCID and bilateral CMV retinitis who died after failure of a third attempt at allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Results Cytomegalovirus inclusions were found in the necrotic retinal remnants, in the hyperplastic and scarred retinal pigment epithelium, and bilaterally in the optic nerves. There were infiltrates of macrophages in response to the infection or the infused silicon, but no lymphoid infiltrates. Cytomegalovirus inclusions also were found in brain tissue. Conclusion The histologic features resembled those of CMV retinitis and optic neuritis in AIDS.
Is the restricted ketogenic diet a viable alternative to the standard of care for managing malignant brain cancer

Malignant brain cancer persists as a major disease of morbidity and mortality. The failure to recognize brain cancer as a disease of energy metabolism has contributed in large part to the failure in management. As long as brain tumor cells have access to glucose and glutamine, the disease will progress. The current standard of care provides brain tumors with access to glucose and glutamine. The high fat low carbohydrate ketogenic diet (KD) will target glucose availability and possibly that of glutamine when administered in carefully restricted amounts to reduce total caloric intake and circulating levels of glucose. The restricted KD (RKD) targets major signaling pathways associated with glucose and glutamine metabolism including the IGF-1/PI3K/Akt/Hif pathway. The RKD is anti-angiogenic, anti-invasive, anti-inflammatory, and pro-apoptotic when evaluated in mice with malignant brain cancer. The therapeutic efficacy of the restricted KD can be enhanced when combined with drugs that also target glucose and glutamine. Therapeutic efficacy of the RKD was also seen against malignant gliomas in human case reports. Hence, the RKD can be an effective non-toxic therapeutic option to the current standard of care for inhibiting the growth and invasive properties of malignant brain cancer.
The effect of primary cyclization on free radical polymerization kinetics: experimental characterization

Abstract Free radical polymerization kinetics are influenced by many factors including solvent concentration during polymerization, monomer structure, and comonomer composition. This study isolates the effects of the balance between primary cyclization and crosslinking on the polymerization kinetics. Isomeric crosslinking agents, 1,2-cyclohexanediol dimethacrylate (1,2-CHDDMA), 1,3-cyclohexanediol dimethacrylate (1,3-CHDDMA), and 1,4-cyclohexanediol dimethacrylate (1,4-CHDDMA), were utilized for the study because they have differing cyclization rates due to the conformation of the two methacrylate groups in the monomer, but they are otherwise similar. In copolymerizations of 1, 2, 5, and 10% crosslinking agents with 2-methoxyethyl methacrylate (MEMA), the 1,4-CHDDMA samples were always found to have an earlier onset of autoacceleration than 1,2-CHHDMA samples. 1,3-CHDDMA copolymerized with MEMA had a polymerization rate between the 1,2-CHDDMA and 1,4-CHDDMA, as expected. Mechanical property data showed that copolymer samples made with the 1,4-CHDDMA crosslinking agent exhibited a lower M c and higher T g than the analogous 1,2-CHDDMA copolymers. It is concluded that reduced mobility from greater crosslinking than cyclization causes the earlier onset of autoacceleration in the 1,4-CHDDMA copolymers.
Endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial carcinoma, and endometriosis produced experimentally by estrogen

This study was undertaken to produce endometrial hyperplasias and/or cancers in experimental animals by excessive estrogenic stimulation. The relationship of the diabetic state to the development of such endometrial abnormalities is determined. 72 female rabbits (2.14-4.42 kg) were chosen because both endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma occur spontaneously in this species. 23 animals died the remaining 49 were divided into 21 alloxan diabetic 6 stilbestrol treated 11 alloxan diabetic and stilbestrol treated and 10 normal control rabbits. Uterine abnormalities were found frequently: 6 endometrial carcinomas hyperplasia of endometrial and endocervical epithelium hypertrophy of the myometrium 10 adenomyosis 6 endometriosis and small leiomyomas of myometrium. Endometrial hyperplasia and cancers were produced by excessive estrogenic stimulation over a long period of time. The cancers were invasive and anaplastic and resembled endometrial neoplasms. The average duration of the experiment in the animals developing cancer was 418 days with a range of 315-616 days. The alloxan-diabetic state had no clear-cut pathological relationship to the growth abnormalities induced by stilbestrol. Uterine abnormalities have thus been produced experimentally in rabbits and are similar pathologically to comparable spontaneous lesions found in women.
Design of cellular cofferdams by the ccell computer program

Abstract CCELL is a computer program for the analysis and design of cellular cofferdams and mooring cells. The theoretical basis of the program is explained in sufficient detail to enable a designer to determine if the program is appropriate for his or her needs. Two design examples are presented.
Unusual lithium transfer reactions in lithium-substituted organo-silicon compounds. Reinvestigation of the reaction of 1,8-di-lithionaphthalene with trimethylchlorosilane

Abstract The product of the reaction of 1,8-dilithionaphthalene with trimethylchlorosilane is 2-(1-naphthyl)-2,4,4-trimethyl-2,4-disilapentane rather than 1,8-bis(trimethylsilyl)naphthalene as previously reported. A novel, presumably intramolecular, metalation process transfers the organolithium function in 1-trimethylsilyl-8-lithionaphthalene to a methyl substituent on the trimethylsilyl group, and it is this new organolithium reagent which reacts with the second mole of trimethylchlorosilane. Ring-opening of 1,1-dimethyl-2,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1-silirene by methyllithium is followed by a similar transfer of the organolithium function from the vinylic carbon atom to a methyl group on silicon.
Hugo de Vries and the reception of the “mutation theory”

De Vries' mutation theory has not stood the test of time. The supposed mutations of Oenothera were in reality complex recombination phenomena, ultimately explicable in Mendelian terms, while instances of large-scale mutations were found wanting in other species. By 1915 the mutation theory had begun to lose its grip on the biological community; by de Vries' death in 1935 it was almost completely abandoned. Yet, as we have seen, during the first decade of the present century it achieved an enormous popularity. As this paper has tried to suggest, one of the principal reasons for this was that de Vries' theory served as a banner around which a whole crowd of disaffected Darwinians or anti-Darwinians could rally. However, not all of those who favored de Vries did so for quite the same reasons. Underlying the multitude of views ran several common threads: a dissatisfaction with current Darwinian theory born out of misunderstanding natural selection, a general misunderstanding of the nature of species, and a prejudice against speculative, nontestable theories in biology.
Digital stochastic control of distributed-parameter systems

This paper presents a method for discrete-time control and estimation applicable to flexible structures in the presence of actuators and sensors noise. The approach consists of complete decoupling of the modal plant and estimator dynamics based on the independent modal-space control (IMSC) technique and modal spatial filtering of the system output. The solution for the Kalman filter gains reduces to that of independent second-order modal estimators, thus permitting real-time computation for digital control of distributed-parameter systems in a noisy environment. The method can control and estimate any number of modes without computational restraints and is theoretically free of observation spillover. Two examples, the first using nonlinear, quantized control and the second using linear, state feedback control are presented.
The Effect of Noise on Lip-Reading Performance

Normal hearing young adults received a lip-reading test in quiet (55dB SPL), and in continuous and in intermittent white noise backgrounds of 90dB SPL. Scores decreased from the quiet to the continuous noise to the intermittent noise background, but differences were not statistically significant. It is hypothesised that the predictable nature of the noises allowed the subjects to adapt to them.
Mechanical evaluation of fourth-generation composite femur hybrid locking plate constructs

Locking compression plates are routinely used for open reduction and internal fixation of fractures. Such plates allow for locking or non-locking screw placement in each hole. A combined use of both types of screw application for stabilization of a fracture is commonly applied and referred to as hybrid internal fixation. Locking screws improve the stability of the fixation construct but at the expense of significant additional cost. This study experimentally analyzes various combinations of locking and non-locking screws under simultaneous axial and torsional loading to determine the optimal hybrid locking plate—screw construct in a fourth generation composite femur. Clinically it is necessary to ensure adequate fixation stability in a worse case fracture-bone quality scenario. A locking screw near the fracture gap increased the axial and torsional strength of the locked plate system. Greater removal torque remained in non-locked screws adjacent to locked screws compared to an all non-locking screws control group.
Chiral magnetism and helimagnons in a pyrochlore antiferromagnet

Recent neutron scattering measurements on the spinel CdCr${}_{2}$O${}_{4}$ revealed a rare example of helical magnetic order in geometrically frustrated pyrochlore antiferromagnet. The spin spiral characterized by an incommensurate wave vector $\mathbf{Q}=2\ensuremath{\pi}(0,\ensuremath{\delta},1)$ with $\ensuremath{\delta}\ensuremath{\approx}0.09$ is accompanied by a tetragonal distortion. Here we conduct a systematic study on the magnetic ground state resulting from the interplay between the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction and further neighbor exchange couplings, two of the most important mechanisms for stabilizing incommensurate spin orders. We compute the low-energy spin-wave spectrum based on a microscopic spin Hamiltonian and find a dispersion relation characteristic of the helimagnons. By numerically integrating the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation with realistic model parameters, an overall agreement between experiment and the numerical spectrum, lending further support to the view that a softened optical phonon triggers the magnetic transition and endows the lattice a chirality.
Tail-docking influences on behavioral, immunological, and endocrine responses in dairy heifers.

Abstract Behavioral and physiological changes were measured following tail-docking in primiparous heifers. One month before projected first parturition, 21 heifers were assigned to control (nondocked), docked, or docked with lidocaine groups. Heifers were banded to initiate tail-docking and the necrotic tail was removed after 144h. Physiological, immunological, and behavioral measures were taken for 240h following banding. Cortisol was not different for control and treated heifers. Haptoglobin increased for docked heifers by 168h postbanding (24h postdocking). alpha 1 -Acid glycoprotein decreased as haptoglobin increased, and α 1 -acid glycoprotein increased until 240h postbanding. Tumor necrosis factor-α increased only with lidocaine and did not show an effect of docking by 240h postbanding. Lymphocyte phenotyping demonstrated increased CD4 + and CD8 + peripheral blood mononuclear cells for docked plus lidocaine heifers and γδ + cells of those heifers tended to be reduced compared with docked heifers. Eating was the only maintenance behavior affected by banding in both docked groups (increased with banding and decreased with docking). The initial banding procedure did not alter heifer physiology and altered only eating behavior, but the cutting of the tail (docking) increased haptoglobin in response to the tissue damage and returned eating behavior to baseline. The use of lidocaine to anesthetize the tail before banding affected lymphocyte phenotypes and TNF-α (banding alone did not alter these parameters).
Preoperative induction of CPT-11 and cisplatin chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy in patients with locoregional carcinoma of the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction.

BACKGROUND Patients with localized esophageal carcinoma often develop locoregional and distant disease recurrence. The current study investigated the outcome of a new chemotherapy combination as induction therapy before chemoradiotherapy. METHODS Forty-three patients with resectable carcinoma of the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction were enrolled. Most of the tumors were endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) EUST3 (84%) and EUSN1 (63%). The patients received ≤ 2 6-week cycles of CPT-11 and cisplatin followed by chemoradiotherapy (45 grays with 5-fluorouracil and paclitaxel). Five to six weeks after chemoradiotherapy, the patients underwent staging and surgery. The feasibility, curative resection rates, overall and disease-free survival rates, rate of significant pathologic response, and patterns of disease recurrence were assessed. RESULTS Of the 43 patients, 39 (91%) underwent an R0 resection. Two patients (5%) died after surgery. A pathologic complete response (pathCR) was observed in 11 (28%) of the 39 patients (or 26% of the 43 patients). In addition, 16 patients (41% of 39 patients or 37% of 43 patients) had < 10% viable tumor in the surgical specimen (pathPR). A comparison of endoscopic ultrasonograpy T and N classifications with surgical T and N classifications demonstrated significant down-staging (P < 0.01). The median survival period of all 43 patients was 22.1 months. Patients who had achieved a pathCR or pathPR had a longer median survival (25.6 months) than those who achieved less than a pathPR (18.5 months; P = 0.52). None of the clinical parameters examined were found to correlate with survival or pathologic response. CONCLUSIONS CPT-11–based induction chemotherapy resulted in substantial pathCR and pathPR rates, both of which lead to a favorable survival outcome. The three-step strategy needs to be developed further, with the investigation of targeted therapies with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
A solder bond requirement for large, built-up, high-performance conductors

Some of the large built-up conductors being fabriccated for large superconducting magnets are designed to operate above the maximum recovery current. Because the stability of these conductors is sensitive to the quality of the solder bond joining the composite superconductor to the high-conductivity substrate, a minimum bond requirement is necessary for an acceptable design. The present analysis finds that the superconductor is unstable and becomes abruptly resistive when there are temperature excursions into the current sharing region of a poorly bonded conductor. This abrupt transition, in turn, produces eddy current heating in the vicinity of the superconducting filaments and causes a sharp reduction in the minimum propagating zone (MPZ) energy. This sensitivity of the MPZ energy to the solder bond contact area is used to specify a minimum bond requirement. For the superconducting MHD magnet being built by General Electric for the Component Development Integration Facility (CDIF), the minimum bonded surface area is .68 cm2/cm which is 44% of the composite perimeter.
Mitogenic and chondrogenic effects of fibroblast growth factor-2 in adipose-derived mesenchymal cells

Adipose-derived mesenchymal cells (AMCs) have demonstrated a great capacity for differentiating into bone, cartilage, and fat. Studies using bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells (BMSCs) have shown that fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2, a potent mitogenic factor, plays an important role in tissue engineering due to its effects in proliferation and differentiation for mesenchymal cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the function of FGF-2 in AMC chondrogenic differentiation and its possible contributions to cell-based therapeutics in skeletal tissue regeneration. Data demonstrated that FGF-2 significantly promoted the proliferation of AMCs and enhanced chondrogenesis in three-dimensional micromass culture. Moreover, priming AMCs with treatment of FGF-2 at 10 ng/ml demonstrated that cells underwent chondrogenic phenotypic differentiation, possibly by inducing N-Cadherin, FGF-receptor 2, and transcription factor Sox9. Our results indicated that FGF-2 potentiates chondrogenesis in AMCs, similar to its functions in BMSCs, suggesting the versatile potential applications of FGF-2 in skeletal regeneration and cartilage repair.
Breaking the Ice: A Pre-Intervention Strategy to Engage Research Participants

While much thought is usually given to the design and objectives of health promotion interventions, how intervention sessions are started may be less well thought when conducting research. “Ice breakers” can be an effective method in research to begin a group intervention session and to engage participants in the objectives of the intervention. Ice breakers are used when a group comes together for a specific mutual purpose. They are helpful to encourage participants to bond, form a new team, get to know people from different backgrounds, and become involved with learning about new subject matter (Health Outreach Partners, 2011; Mind Tools, 2011). Ice breakers also help the leader become acquainted with the participants and group interpersonal interactions. Observed information on the group’s dynamics can determine if modifications need to be made to the prepared lesson or lesson delivery. This article will describe the use of ice breakers in a study involving mothers of migrant farmworker children. When designing health promotion lessons for an intervention, the needs of the adult learner and those of the community help guide the manner of effective transmission of health knowledge. Two educational models – adult learning and popular education – contribute to the use and style of ice breakers before research interventions. Adult learning theory states that adults attend supplemental seminars because they want to learn (Instructional Design, 2010; Knowles, 1984). They arrive to class with a variety of life experiences and are more content if the learning presented applies to their everyday lives (Cross, 1981). Adult parent learners are most interested in specific narrow topics of relevance, as opposed to learning material that has a broad and general range (Draves, 2007). Popular education has its origins in Latin America and rejects the premise that the transmission of education is analogous to filling up an empty vessel. While a controversial educator, Paulo Freire’s (2007) pedagogy of popular education redefined the teacher, student and society relationship and identified the learner as a co-creator of the knowledge to be learned. His theories on popular education emphasized participation and reflection, are action oriented, and incorporate a variety of learner-centered activities. Together, these theories provide credence to the inclusion of opportunities for social support and interaction between class members.
Inverse-planned modulated-arc total-body irradiation.

Purpose: To develop a simple and robust method for inverse-planned total-body irradiation (TBI) that is more comfortable and has better dose homogeneity than the conventional forward-planned techniques and that can be delivered in a standard-sized treatment vault. Methods: Modulated-arc TBI (MATBI) utilizes an arc of static open-field beams to irradiate patients as they lay on a stationary couch beneath the gantry, with cerrobend blocks suspended over organs at risk to provide shielding. Prior to treatment, full-body computed tomography(CT)images are acquired of each patient and imported into thePINNACLE3 planning system, which modulates the monitor units for the open-field beams to optimize the body dose uniformity. The volume of the body within 10% of the prescription dose, V(±10), is used as a metric to evaluate the dose uniformity. For comparison to MATBI, the dose distribution of a conventional forward-planned treatment is also calculated. Quality assurance measurements are acquired before treatment by delivering the plans to a phantom and during treatment with an ionization chamber inside a buildup block, placed between the patient’s ankles. Results: For MATBI, the achieved values of V(±10) were 75.8%, 90.2%, 84.6%, and 79.8% compared to 60.3%, 77.4%, 65.6%, and 68.5% for the conventional TBI technique, respectively. The pretreatment ion chamber measurements in the phantom had an average error of 1.2%. Those acquired during treatment had larger errors, with most points being within 3% of predictions. Conclusions: MATBI provides better dose uniformity and comfort than the conventional forward-planned TBI techniques. In addition, the technique can be implemented on most linacs, in standard-sized vaults, without the use of a translating couch.
Implicit Egotism on the Baseball Diamond: Why Peter Piper Prefers to Pitch for the Pittsburgh Pirates

AbstractResearch on “implicit egotism” indicates that people tend to react positively to anything that reminds them of themselves, including their own names and the letters in their names. Names can have effects (presumably unconscious ones) even on people's choices of mates and careers. Nelson and Simmons (2007) presented evidence suggesting that people are attracted to name-resembling outcomes even when those outcomes undermine their conscious goals. For example, they found that major league baseball players with first or last names starting with the letter K strike out (i.e., record a “K”) at a rate greater than that of other players. The present archival study tested the hypothesis that Nelson and Simmons's finding was due in part to pitchers (who are generally poor batters) being over-represented among players with names starting with K. Parallel analyses were run for the letter P (the first letter in the word pitcher). Results provide some support for the idea that implicit egotism has implications ...
Nonlinear optical probes of surface dynamics: application to the vibrational dynamics of Si-H for Si(111)/H

The Si(111)/H surface has provided a model system for the vibrational dynamics of phonon coupled surfaces. It has also been an ideal testing ground for the time-resolved surface nonlinear optical probe.
Comparison of prevalence for paraumbilical vein patency in patients with viral and alcoholic liver cirrhosis

Comparison of prevalence for paraumbilical vein patency in patients with viral and alcoholic liver cirrhosis
Limitation by gabapentin of high frequency action potential firing by mouse central neurons in cell culture.

The investigational anticonvulsant drug, gabapentin (GP; 1-(aminomethyl) cyclohexaneacetic acid) limited repetitive firing of sodium-dependent action potentials of mouse spinal cord and neocortical neurons in monolayer dissociated cell culture. The effect developed slowly over time with sustained exposure. The IC50 was 1.3 × 10−4M for exposure times ⩾ 60 s, 1.9 × 10−5M for 10–60 min, and 4.0 × 10−6M for 12–48 h. Hyperpolarization restored sustained firing in the continuing presence of GP. Blockade of action potential firing by GP was frequency (use)-dependent. After preincubation with 2.9 × 10−5 M GP (5 μg/ml), trains of brief stimuli at ⩾ 50 Hz elicited fewer action potentials than in control solution. Also, at 150 Hz, maximal rate of rise of action potentials decreased progressively with repetitive firing in GP-containing, but not control, solution. After overnight incubation in 2.9× 10−5 M GP, the absolute refractory period was prolonged from 2.4 ± 0.6 ms in control solution (n = 11) to 4.7 ± ms (n = 10; P = 0.02 vs. control), and complete recovery from inactivation was prolonged from 8.0 ± 1.3 ms to 17.0 ± 2.6 ms (P < 0.001 vs. control). These findings suggest that GP may alter function of voltage-activated sodium channels, but the mechanism is unproven and may be indirect. Limitation of firing was observed in ⩾ 50% of neurons at concentrations in the range of those found in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of patients treated successfully with GP. These results suggest that limiting the rate of firing of sodium-dependent action potentials may contribute to the anticonvulsant efficacy of gabapentin.
Physics-based classification of acoustic emission waveforms

The classification of acoustic emission source mechanisms based on features related to the physics of acoustic emission signal generation is considered in this paper. Numerically generated acoustic emission waveforms are used for this purpose. Conventional acoustic emission parameters such as rise-time, duration, and frequency content do not effectively characterize acoustic emission waveforms for the purpose of identifying the source mechanisms. Features unique to the different source mechanisms and relative positions of the sensor with respect to the source were identified and extracted from numerically obtained acoustic emission waveforms. This feature selection appears to be successful in capturing the differences related to the source mechanisms considered here. Correlation coefficients of the 45 features with different waveforms were first obtained, and their principal components determined. The dominant principle components were found to adequately characterize the waveforms and relate them to their source mechanisms. Better than 90 percent success was seen when only the first two principle components were employed, even in noisy signals considered here.
INTESTINAL INFECTION AND MALNUTRITION INITIATE ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS)

Abstract AIDS is a complex immunodeficiency syndrome affecting a limited target population, principally male homosexuals. The various immunologic dysfunctions in AIDS, or those persons with the AIDS prodrome, are explained in terms of multiple pathogeninduced alterations in the gastrointestinal tract which result in malabsorption and malnutrition. Malnutrition need not be severe but may be due to failure to transport one or serveral nutrients essential for immune functions. Alteration of gastrointestinal permeability results in an increased uptake of normally excluded microbial products possibly resulting in latent virus activation or enhanced replication of viruses, including the retrovirus HTLV-III. Once this has occurred, transmissible agents are present which may cause or predispose to AIDS in other susceptible populations such as hemophiliacs, persons receiving multiple blood transfusions, drug users sharing needles, populations with repeated close contact, and susceptible populations by virtue of genetic, environmental or disease state. The combination of rigorous parenteral nutrient repletion and antibiotic therapy aimed at abrogating the intestinal infections, and immunologic therapies may be effective in addressing the underlying causes of the immune defects in AIDS. A prevention strategy should be directed toward reducing repeated polymicrobial enteric infections and their attendant malabsorption (e.g., gay bowel syndrome) in addition to reducing exposure to circulating transmissible agents.
Cardiovascular complications after GI endoscopy: occurrence and risks in a large hospital system

Background There is limited information concerning the risks for, and occurrence of, cardiovascular complications because of GI endoscopy. Published data are based on questionnaire surveys, which have a potential for bias. Moreover, available studies pertain exclusively to out-patients. Methods In-patients and day-stay patients who incurred charges for endoscopy with endoscopic procedure coding from 1999 through 2001 were identified from a financial database for all 9 hospitals in a large health care system. From these patients, those considered "at risk" for cardiovascular complications were selected based on charges for cardioactive medications, cardiac enzyme determinations, or intensive care services on the day of or the day after endoscopy. Medical records were reviewed for 25% of these patients, selected at random, noting demographics, history, and a modified Goldman score in patients with cardiovascular complications (defined as arrhythmia, chest pain or anginal equivalent, hypotension or myocardial infarction occurring within 24 hours after endoscopy). Identical information was obtained from a random sample of 0.5% of the chart records for all patients undergoing endoscopy. Results Patients who underwent endoscopy were not reliably identified for one hospital. This hospital was omitted from the calculation of the extrapolated rate of complication occurrence, but patients identified through chart review as having or not having a complication after endoscopy were included in the risk analysis. The extrapolated rate of occurrence of cardiovascular complications was 308: 95% CI [197, 457] per 100,000 procedures. Independent risk factors were: male gender, modified Goldman score, and use of propofol. Conclusions In this study of patients undergoing hospital-based GI endoscopy, the risk of procedure-related cardiovascular complications was 2 to 70 times higher than previously reported. This finding may be ascribed to differences in the populations sampled and to a case-finding method that minimized reporting and ascertainment biases.
Acceleration by calcium of the inactivation of thrombin by plasma proteinase inhibitors

Abstract The inactivation of thrombin by defibrinogenated plasma was accelerated by the presence of calcium chloride. The enhancement occurred in the presence or absence of heparin. The extent of acceleration increased with increasing concentration of CaCl 2 . In the absence of CaCl 2 , a rate constant of 1.8 – 2.3 × 10 5 M −1 min −1 was determined for the inactivation of thrombin by defibrinated plasma. This increased to 4.7 – 6.0 × 10 5 M −1 min −1 at 6.25 mM CaCl 2 . The effect of CaCl 2 is observed in the presence of NaCl suggesting that the observed effect is not due to simple changes in ionic strength. The results are consistent with the acceleration of the thrombin/antithrombin III reaction by CaCl 2 .
Transforming growth factor type β in normal human urine

Summary TGFβ has been identified in normal human urine specimens from five individuals studied for five consecutive days. The peptide was extracted from urine using Sepralyte C 1 beads. Detectable levels of [ 125 i]TGFβ competing activity as measured by radioreceptor assay was found in about half of the specimens studied. The protein isolated from urine using C 1 Sepralyte beads was further purified using Biogel P-60 column chromatography. Fractions were tested for TGFβ and EGF competing activity using radioreceptor assays. TGFβ and EGF extracted from urine are clearly separated by column chromatography. Two distinct EGF peaks and a single TGFβ peak were observed. Fractions having [ 125 1]TGFβ competing activity were pooled and further purified using reversephase HPLC. HPLC fractions having [ 125 i]TGFβ competing activity were tested for bioactivity using a soft agar assay. The fractions were capable of stimulating soft agar growth of AKR-2B (clone 84A) cells and cross reacted with a TGFβ antibody in a radioimmunoassay. The presence of TGFβ in normal human urine was also demonstrated by immunoblotting. These results also suggest that C bead extraction of urine specimens can be used as a rapid first step in purification of TGFβ.
Consistent brushing may save teeth

Abstract Original Article Kressin NR, Boehmer U, Nunn ME, Spiro A, 3rd. Increased preventive practices lead to greater tooth retention. J Dent Res 2003;82(3):223–7. Level of Evidence 3 Purpose To evaluate whether consistent self-report of brushing, flossing, and prophylaxis over a 12-year period is associated with a decreased tooth loss risk both during the 12-year period and during the subsequent follow-up Source of Funding NIH/NIDCR Type of Study/Design Cohort study
Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model of a tubular-shaped PEM fuel cell

A full three-dimensional, non-isothermal computational fluid dynamics model of a tubular-shaped proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell has been developed. This comprehensive model accounts for the major transport phenomena in a PEM fuel cell: convective and diffusive heat and mass transfer, electrode kinetics, and potential fields. In addition to the tubular-shaped geometry, the model feature an algorithm that allows for more realistic representation of the local activation overpotentials which leads to improved prediction of the local current density distribution. Three-dimensional results of the species profiles, temperature distribution, potential distribution, and local current density distribution are presented. The model is shown to be able to understand the many interacting, complex electrochemical, and transport phenomena that cannot be studied experimentally.
The Oxidation of Cellulose by Ozone in Small Concentrations

Laboratory experiments show that ozone in amounts which may occur in air at the earth's surface (up to 0.06 part per million) deteriorates cotton textiles when they are wet. The deterioration is slight in comparison with that from other elements of "weathering," such as light, heat, wetting and drying, and microorganisms. Fifty days of exposure to air containing 0.02 to 0.06 part of ozone per million was required to reduce the breaking strength of wet print cloth 20% and increase the fluidity in cuprammonium solution from 8 to 16 rhes. When exposed dry, the cloth underwent little or no change in these characteristics. An increase in concentra tion of ozone led to an increase in the deterioration of the cellulose.
Short-term repeatability of diurnal intraocular pressure patterns in glaucomatous individuals.

Purpose To evaluate the short-term repeatability of diurnal intraocular pressure (IOP) patterns in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Design Observational cohort study. Participants Forty-seven subjects with treated POAG. Methods Subjects underwent assessment of IOP using Goldmann tonometry every 2 hours from 0800 to 2000 on 2 visits 1 week apart. Intervisit agreement of IOP by time point and of IOP change between time points was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Main Outcome Measures Diurnal IOP patterns. Results Between-visit agreement of IOP values at each time point was generally fair to good, with ICCs ranging from 0.45 to 0.71 in right eyes and from 0.51 to 0.71 in left eyes. Between-visit agreement of IOP change over time periods between time points was uniformly poor, with ICCs ranging from −0.08 to 0.38 in right eyes and from −0.11 to 0.36 in left eyes. Conclusions Treated POAG patients do not manifest a repeatable diurnal IOP pattern from day to day when measured by Goldmann tonometry. Measurement of single-day IOP variation poorly characterized short-term IOP variation. Financial Disclosure(s) The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any of the materials discussed in this article.
Exchange Rates Under The East Asia Dollar Standard: The Future Of East Asian Economies

The effects of fluctuations in the yen/dollar exchange rate on the business cycle of the smaller East Asian economies are examined in this paper. The cointegration error-correction model is employed to examine the nature of the interrelationship between the yen/dollar exchange rate and the economic stability of the East Asian countries. The empirical results reveal strong and lasting effects of changes in the yen/dollar exchange rate on the economic income and exchange rate stability of the East Asian countries. The results also indicate that stabilizing the yen/dollar exchange rate with the East Asian business cycle would benefit Japan as well as the economies of East Asia.
PS1-4: The Nature of Social Support on Breast Cancer Patients’ Treatment Decision-Making.

Background/Aims With the advent of patient-centered approaches to care, much attention has been directed towards engaging patients in their own care. Healthcare providers seek to achieve this through communication about and inclusion of their patients’ values and preferences under the rubric of shared decision-making (SDM). However, few studies have investigated the role a patient’s social support network (e.g., family members or friends) may play in medical decision-making or considered how discussions outside of the clinical consultation can affect a patient’s treatment decisions. Drawing on interviews with oncology care providers, breast cancer advocates, and women newly diagnosed with breast cancer in Northern California, this study investigated how members of a patient’s social support network can influence treatment decision-making for breast cancer.
The Social Costs of Childhood Lead Exposure in the Post–Lead Regulation Era

Objective To estimate the benefits that might be realized if all children in the United States had a blood lead level of less than 1 μg/dL. Design Data were obtained from published and electronic sources. A Markov model was used to project lifetime earnings, reduced crime costs, improvements in health, and reduced welfare costs using 2 scenarios: (1) maintaining the status quo and (2) reducing the blood lead level of all children to less than 1 μg/dL. Participants The cohort of US children between birth and age 6 years in 2008, with economic and health outcomes projected for 65 years. Interventions Increased primary prevention efforts aimed at reducing lead exposure among children and pregnant women. Main Outcome Measures Societal costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained. Results Reducing blood lead levels to less than 1 μg/dL among all US children between birth and age 6 years would reduce crime and increase on-time high school graduation rates later in life. The net societal benefits arising from these improvements in high school graduation rates and reductions in crime would amount to $50 000 (SD, $14 000) per child annually at a discount rate of 3%. This would result in overall savings of approximately $1.2 trillion (SD, $341 billion) and produce an additional 4.8 million QALYs (SD, 2 million QALYs) for US society as a whole. Conclusion More aggressive programs aimed at reducing childhood lead exposure may produce large social benefits.
Unveiling the Membrane Domains

A new form of mass spectrometry can determine a membrane9s chemical composition with a resolution of less than 100 nanometers.